Thermochemistry of N‐heterocyclic carbenes with 5‐, 4‐, 3‐, and 2‐membered rings

N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) based on imidazole‐2‐ylidene ( 1 ) or the saturated imidazolidine‐2‐ylidene ( 2 ) scaffolds are long‐lived singlet carbenes. Both benefit from inductive stabilization of the sigma lone pair on carbon by neighboring N atoms and delocalization of the N pi lone pairs into the nominally vacant p‐pi atomic orbital at the carbene carbon. With thermochemical schemes G4 and CBS‐QB3, we estimate the relative thermodynamic stabilization of smaller ring carbenes and acyclic species which may share the keys to NHC stability. These include four‐membered ring systems incorporating the carbene center, two trivalent N centers, and either a boron or a phosphorus atom to complete the ring. Amino‐substituted cyclopropenylidenes have been reported but three‐membered rings containing the carbene center and two N atoms are not known. Our calculations suggest that amino‐substituted cyclopropenylidenes are comparable in stability to the four‐membered NHCs but that diazacyclopropanylidenes would be substantially less effectively stabilized. Concluding the series are acyclic carbenes with and without neighboring N atoms and a series of “two‐membered ring” azapropadienenylidene cations of form :C?N?W with W = an electron‐withdrawing agent. We have studied W = NO₂, CH₂(+), CF₂(+), and (CN)₂C(+). Although these systems display a degree of stabilization and carbene‐like electronic structure, the stability of the NHCs is unsurpassed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Bis(μ‐pyrrolidine‐N:N)bis(dibromoboron), [(Br)2B(pyrrolidine)2B(Br)2]

The B atoms in the title compound, C₈H₁₆B₂Br₄N₂, bridge between the two monomeric moieties, forming a (BN)₂ four‐membered ring with partial bond orders of the B—N bonds.     

Mixed Boron(III) and Phosphorous(V) Complexes of meso‐Triaryl 25‐Oxasmaragdyrins

Two unprecedented mixed B^III/P^V complexes of meso‐triaryl 25‐oxasmaragdyrins were synthesized in appreciable yields under mild reaction conditions. These unusual 25‐oxasmaragdyrin complexes containing one or two seven‐membered heterocyclic rings comprised of five different atoms (B, C, N, O, and P) were prepared by reacting B(OH)(Ph)‐smaragdyrin and B(OH)₂‐smaragdyrin complexes, respectively, with POCl₃ in toluene at reflux temperature. The products were characterized by HRMS and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. X‐ray crystallography of one of the mixed B^III/P^V smaragdyrin complexes indicated that the macrocycle is significantly distorted and contains a stable seven‐membered heterocyclic ring within the macrocycle. The bands in the absorption and emission spectra were bathochromically shifted with reduced quantum yields and singlet‐state lifetimes relative to the free base, meso‐triaryl 25‐oxasmaragdyrin. The mixed B^III/P^V complexes were difficult to oxidize but easier to reduce than the free base. The DFT‐optimized structure of the 25‐oxasmaragdyrin complex with two seven‐membered heterocycles indicated that it was a bicyclic spiro compound with two half‐chair‐like conformers. This was in contrast to the chair‐like conformation of the complex with a single seven‐membered heterocyclic ring. Moreover, incorporation of a second phosphate group in the former case stabilized the bonding geometry and resulted in higher stability, which was reflected in the bathochromic shift of the absorption spectra, more‐positive oxidation potential, and less‐negative reduction potential.     

2′‐Amino‐3‐methoxy­pyrimidino­[5′,4′:16,17]­estra‐1,3,5(10),16‐tetraene

In the title compound, C₂₁H₂₅N₃O, the six‐membered ring that is fused to two other six‐membered rings in the estrane moiety adopts an envelope conformation. The compound shows intermolecular hydrogen bonding of the amine group to an N atom of the pyrimidine moiety, as well as weak intermolecular interactions involving H atoms in the hydro­phobic residue of the mol­ecule.     

6‐Propylamino‐2,6‐propylepimino‐2,4,4,8,8‐pentakis(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐1,3,5,7,2λ5,4λ5,6λ5,8λ5‐tetraazatetraphosphorocine

The title compound, C₂₆H₅₅N₁₁P₄, consists of a bicyclic phosphazene ring with five bulky pyrrolidino and one propyl­amino group, together with a second propyl­amino group bridging the two P atoms. The asymmetric unit contains two mol­ecules with very similar conformations. The bulky substituents are instrumental in determining the bicyclic P₄N₅ ring conformation. Each of the fused six‐membered N₃P₃ rings is in a sofa conformation. The P—N distances in the bridge are non‐equivalent and one of them is the longest P—N bond in the mol­ecule. The hybridization of the bridging N atom is pyramidal. The single and double P—N bonds cannot easily be distinguished, since they retain their phosphazenic character in the phosphazene macro‐rings.     

Two seven‐membered heterocycles with 1,2‐diaza ring N atoms: 3,5,7‐triphenyl‐1,2‐diazacyclohepta‐1(7),2‐diene and 3,7‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1,2‐diazacyclohepta‐1(7),2‐diene

The title compounds, 3,5,7‐triphenyl‐1,2‐diazacyclohepta‐1(7),2‐diene, C₂₃H₂₀N₂, (I), and 3,7‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1,2‐diazacyclohepta‐1(7),2‐diene, C₂₃H₂₀N₂O₂, (II), constitute the first structurally characterized examples of seven‐membered heterocycles with 1,2‐diaza ring N atoms. Compound (I) crystallizes in the space group P, with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit that differ in the conformation of one of the phenyl rings, while (II) crystallizes in the space group C2/c. The C₅N₂ ring in each of (I) and (II) adopts a twist‐boat conformation. Compound (I) exhibits neither C—H...π interactions nor π–π stacking interactions, whereas (II) shows both intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonds and a C—H...π interaction that joins the molecules into an infinite chain in the [010] direction.     

B3N3 Borazine Substitution in Hexa‐peri‐Hexabenzocoronene: Computational Analysis and Scholl Reaction of Hexaphenylborazine

The doping of graphene molecules by borazine (B₃N₃) units may modify the electronic properties favorably. Therefore, the influence of the substitution of the central benzene ring of hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene (HBC, C₄₂H₁₈) by an isoelectronic B₃N₃ ring resulting in C₃₆B₃N₃H₁₈ (B3N3HBC) is investigated by computational methods. For comparison, the isoelectronic and isosteric all‐B/N molecule B₂₁N₂₁H₁₈ (termed BN) and its carbon derivative C₆B₁₈N₁₈H₁₈ (C6BN), obtained by substitution of a central B₃N₃ by a C₆ ring, are also studied. The substitution of C₆ in the HBC molecule by a B₃N₃ unit results in a significant change of the computed IR vibrational spectrum between 1400 and 1600 cm^?1 due to the polarity of the borazine core. The properties of the BN molecule resemble those of hexagonal boron nitride, and substitution of the central B₃N₃ ring by C₆ changes the computed IR vibrational spectrum only slightly. The allowed transitions to excited states associated with large oscillator strengths shift to higher energy upon going from HBC to B3N3HBC, but to lower energy upon going from BN to C6BN. The possibility of synthesis of B3N3HBC from hexaphenylborazine (HPB) using the Scholl reaction (CuCl₂/AlCl₃ in CS₂) is investigated. Rather than the desired B3N3HBC an insoluble and X‐ray amorphous polymer P is obtained. Its analysis by IR and ¹¹B magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy reveals the presence of borazine units. The changes in the ¹¹B quadrupolar coupling constant C_Q, asymmetry parameter η, and isotropic chemical shift δ_iso(¹¹B) with respect to HPB are in agreement with a structural model that includes B3N3HBC‐derived monomeric units in polymer P. This indicates that both intra‐ and intermolecular cyclodehydrogenation reactions take place during the Scholl reaction of HPB.     

The infinite double‐stranded chain polymer catena‐poly­[[bis­(dicyan­amido)­zinc(II)]‐di‐μ‐1,2‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)­ethane‐κ4N4:N4′]

The coordination geometry of the Zn^II atom in the title complex, [Zn(C₂N₃)₂(C₆H₈N₆)₂]_n or [Zn(dca)₂(bte)₂]_n, where bte is μ‐1,2‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)­ethane and dca is dicyan­amide, is distorted compressed octahedral, in which the Zn^II atom lies on an inversion center and coordinates four N atoms from the triazole rings of four symmetry‐related bte ligands and two N atoms from two symmetry‐related monodentate dca ligands. The structure is polymeric, with 18‐membered spiro‐fused rings extending in the b direction and each 18‐membered ring involving two inversion‐related bte mol­ecules.     

Di­cyano{[(1S)‐(1‐phenyl­ethyl)­aziridin‐2‐yl]­methano­lato‐κ2N,O}boron

In the title compound, C₁₃H₁₄BN₃O, the aziridine ring is an almost equilateral triangle, the C—C distance being slightly shorter than the C—N distances, probably because of the dative B—N bond. The five‐membered ring, composed of two C atoms and N, B and O atoms, is fused with the aziridine ring to form a six‐membered ring with a chair conformation.     

catena‐Poly[[diisothio­cyanato­cad­mium(II)]‐bis­[μ‐1,3‐bis­(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐ylmeth­yl)benzene‐κ2N4:N4′]]: a double‐chain coordination polymer

The coordination geometry of the Cd^II atom in the title complex, [Cd(NCS)₂(C₁₂H₁₂N₆)₂]_n or [Cd(NCS)₂(mbtz)₂]_n, where mbtz is 1,3‐bis­(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐ylmeth­yl)benzene, is a distorted compressed octa­hedron in which the Cd^II atom lies on an inversion centre, coordinated by four N atoms from the triazole rings of four mbtz ligands and two N atoms from two monodentate NCS⁻ ligands. The structure is polymeric, with 24‐membered spiro‐fused rings extending along [100] and with the 24‐membered ring containing two inversion‐related mbtz mol­ecules.     

Fullerene‐Based Macro‐Heterocycle Prepared through Selective Incorporation of Three N and Two O Atoms into C60

A 14‐membered heterocycle is created on the C₆₀ cage skeleton through a multistep procedure. Key steps involve repeated PCl₅‐induced hydroxylamino N?O bond cleavage leading to insertion of nitrogen atoms, and also piperidine‐induced peroxo O?O bond cleavage leading to insertion of oxygen atoms. The hetero atoms form one pyrrole, two pyran, and one diazepine rings in conjunction with the C₆₀ skeleton carbon atoms. The fullerene‐based macrocycle showed unique reactivities towards fluoride ion and copper salts.     

2‐(exo‐Tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]deca‐4,8‐dien‐3‐endo‐yl)acetaldehyde 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazone

The six‐membered ring of the norbornene moiety in the title compound, C₁₈H₁₈N₄O₄, is in a slightly distorted boat conformation, and the two five‐membered rings within it adopt envelope conformations. The structure is stabilized by inter‐ and intramolecular N—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

A Study on the Intramolecular Mitsunobu Reaction of N6‐(ω‐Hydroxyalkyl)adenines

The cyclization of N ⁶‐(ω‐hydroxyalkyl)adenines with a N⁶H‐group leads to N⁶,N1 ring closure regardless of the method of the cyclization that was used. Five‐membered to eight‐membered rings were obtained using NBS/PPh₃; however, under Mitsunobu conditions, the eight‐membered fused purine was not formed. Surprisingly, the cyclization of N ⁶‐methyl‐N ⁶‐(4‐hydroxybutyl)adenine only leads to N⁶,N7 ring closure using both methods.     

(24R)‐24,25‐Dihydroxycyclo­artan‐3‐one

In the title compound, C₃₀H₅₀O₃, the three six‐membered rings adopt chair, twist and twist‐boat conformations. The five‐membered ring is in a slightly distorted envelope conformation. The substituent on the five‐membered ring is in an extended conformation, with its two hydroxyl O atoms forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond. One of these O atoms also forms an intermolecular hydrogen bond with the oxy­gen of the carbonyl group in a neighbouring mol­ecule.     

Poly[(μ4‐biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylato)bis[μ2‐1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene]dicobalt(II)]

The asymmetric unit of the title two‐dimensional coordination polymer, [Co₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₂]_n, contains one Co²⁺ ion, half of a biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylate (bptc) anion lying about an inversion centre and one 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (bix) ligand. The Co^II atom is coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms from two different bptc ligands and two N atoms from two bix ligands constructing a distorted square pyramid. Each Co²⁺ ion is interlinked by two bptc anions, while each bptc anion coordinates to four Co atoms as a hexadentate ligand so that four Co^II atoms and four bptc anions afford a larger 38‐membered ring. These inorganic rings are further extended into a two‐dimensional undulated network in the (10) plane. Two Co^II atoms in adjacent 38‐membered rings are joined together by pairs of bix ligands forming a 26‐membered [Co₂(bix)₂] ring that is penetrated by a bptc anion; these components share a common inversion centre.     

The infinite one‐dimensional chain polymer catena‐poly­[[bis­[μ‐1,1′‐ethane‐1,2‐diyl­bis(1,2,4‐triazole)‐κ2N4:N4′]­bis­[azido­zinc(II)]]‐di‐μ‐azido‐κ4N1:N1]

In the crystal structure of the title complex, [Zn(N₃)₂(C₆H₈N₆)]_n or [Zn(N₃)₂(bte)]_n, where bte is μ‐1,2‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)­ethane, each Zn atom is pentacoordinated in a distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal coordination environment involving two N atoms from two bte ligands and three N atoms from three azide ligands. The Zn atoms are bridged by μ‐1,1‐azide groups and bte ligands around a centre of inversion, forming an infinite one‐dimensional chain containing both four‐membered Zn(μ‐1,1‐N₃)₂Zn and 18‐membered Zn(gauche‐bte)₂Zn rings.     

Room Temperature Ring Expansion of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes and BB Bond Cleavage of Diboron(4) Compounds

We report the isolation and detailed structural characterization, by solid‐state and solution NMR spectroscopy, of the neutral mono‐ and bis‐NHC adducts of bis(catecholato)diboron (B₂cat₂). The bis‐NHC adduct undergoes thermally induced rearrangement, forming a six‐membered ‐B?C?N?C?C‐N‐heterocyclic ring via C?N bond cleavage and ring expansion of the NHC, whereas the mono‐NHC adduct is stable. Bis(neopentylglycolato)diboron (B₂neop₂) is much more reactive than B₂cat₂ giving a ring expanded product at room temperature, demonstrating that ring expansion of NHCs can be a very facile process with significant implications for their use in catalysis.     

Hydrogen bonding in polyamino‐polyalcohols: a monohydrated cocrystal of 1,3‐diamino‐5‐azaniumyl‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol iodide and 1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol

In the title monohydrated cocrystal, namely 1,3‐diamino‐5‐azaniumyl‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol iodide–1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol–water (1/1/1), C₆H₁₆N₃O₃⁺·I⁻·C₆H₁₅N₃O₃·H₂O, the neutral 1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol (taci) molecule and the monoprotonated 1,3‐diamino‐5‐azaniumyl‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol cation (Htaci⁺) both adopt a chair conformation, with the three O atoms in axial and the three N atoms in equatorial positions. The cation, but not the neutral taci unit, exhibits intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonding. The entire structure is stabilized by a complex three‐dimensional network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The neutral taci entities and the Htaci⁺ cations are each aligned into chains along [001]. In these chains, two O—H...N interactions generate a ten‐membered ring as the predominant structural motif. The rings consist of vicinal 2‐amino‐1‐hydroxyethylene units of neighbouring molecules, which are paired via centres of inversion. The chains are interconnected into undulating layers parallel to the ac plane, and the layers are further held together by O—H...N hydrogen bonds and additional interactions with the iodide counter‐anions and solvent water molecules.     

4‐(Pyrrol‐1‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C₆H₆N₄, comprises one and a half molecules with a C₂ axis through the second molecule. Each molecule consists of two planar five‐membered rings connected by a triazole–pyrrole N—N bond with the triazole ring close to being at right angles to the pyrrole ring. The molecules are linked by C—H...N hydrogen bonds and weaker offset face‐to‐face π–π interactions.     

1,14‐Dioxa‐5,10‐di­aza‐2,3:12,13‐dibenzo­cyclo­octadeca‐2,12‐diene monohydrate

The title compound, C₂₂H₃₀N₂O₂·H₂O, is an 18‐membered di­aza‐crown ether ligand containing two ether O and two aza N atoms. In the macrocyclic ring, the mean N⋯O distance is 4.526 (4) Å. The macrocyclic inner‐hole size, estimated as twice the mean distance of the donor atoms from their centroid, is ∼2.29 Å.