Theoretical Design and Calculation of a Crown Ether Phase-Transfer Catalyst Scaffold for Nucleophilic Fluorination Merging Two Catalytic Concepts

Fluorinated organic molecules are playing an increased role in the area of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. This fact demands the development of efficient catalytic fluorination processes. In this paper, we have designed a new crown ether with four hydroxyl groups strategically positioned. The catalytic activity of this basic scaffold was investigated with high levels of electronic structure theory, such as the ONIOM approach combining MP4 and MP2 methods. On the basis of the calculations, this new structure is able to solubilize potassium fluoride in toluene solution much more efficiently than 18-crown-6 (18C6). In addition, the strong interaction of the new catalyst with the S(N)2 transition state leads to a very important catalytic effect, with a predicted free energy barrier of 23.3 kcal mol(-1) for potassium fluoride plus ethyl bromide reaction model. Compared with experimental data and previous theoretical studies, this new catalyst is 10(4) times more efficient than 18C6 for nucleophilic fluorination of alkyl halides. The catalysis is predicted to be selective, leading to 97% of fluorination and only 3% of elimination. Catalytic fluorination of the aromatic ring has also been investigated, and although the catalyst is less efficient in this case, our analysis has indicated further development of this strategy can lead to more efficient catalysis.