Theoretical study of rhodium(III)-catalyzed hydrogenation of carbon dioxide into formic acid. Significant differences in reactivity among rhodium(III), rhodium(I), and ruthenium(II) complexes

The title reaction was theoretically investigated, where cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(3)](+) and cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](+) were adopted as models of the catalyst. The first step of the catalytic cycle is the CO(2) insertion into the Rh(III)-H bond, of which the activation barrier (E(a)) is 47.2 and 28.4 kcal/mol in cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(3)](+) and cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](+), respectively, where DFT(B3LYP)-calculated E(a) values (kcal/mol unit) are given hereafter. These results indicate that an active species is not cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(3)](+) but cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](+). After the CO(2) insertion, two reaction courses are possible. In one course, the reaction proceeds through isomerization (E(a) = 2.8) of [RhH(eta(1)- OCOH)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](+), five-centered H-OCOH reductive elimination (E(a) = 2.7), and oxidative addition of H(2) to [Rh(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](+) (E(a) = 5.8). In the other one, the reaction proceeds through isomerization of [RhH(eta(1)-OCOH)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)(H(2))](+) (E(a) = 5.9) and six-centered sigma-bond metathesis of [RhH(eta(1)-OCOH)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](+) with H(2) (no barrier). RhH(PH(3))(2)-catalyzed hydrogenation of CO(2) proceeds through CO(2) insertion (E(a) = 1.6) and either the isomerization of Rh(eta(1)-OCOH)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)) (E(a) = 6.1) followed by the six-centered sigma-bond metathesis (E(a) = 0.3) or H(2) oxidative addition to Rh(eta(1)-OCOH)(PH(3))(2) (E(a) = 7.3) followed by isomerization of RhH(2)(eta(1)-OCOH)(PH(3))(2) (E(a) = 6.2) and the five-centered H-OCOH reductive elimination (E(a) = 1.9). From these results and our previous results of RuH(2)(PH(3))(4)-catalyzed hydrogenation of CO(2) (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 3867), detailed discussion is presented concerning differences among Rh(III), Rh(I), and Ru(II) complexes.     

Comparative reactivity of TpRu(L)(NCMe)Ph (L = CO or PMe3): impact of ancillary ligand l on activation of carbon-hydrogen bonds including catalytic hydroarylation and hydrovinylation/oligomerization of ethylene

Complexes of the type TpRu(L)(NCMe)R [L = CO or PMe3; R = Ph or Me; Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate] initiate C-H activation of benzene. Kinetic studies, isotopic labeling, and other experimental evidence suggest that the mechanism of benzene C-H activation involves reversible dissociation of acetonitrile, reversible benzene coordination, and rate-determining C-H activation of coordinated benzene. TpRu(PMe3)(NCMe)Ph initiates C-D activation of C6D6 at rates that are approximately 2-3 times more rapid than that for TpRu(CO)(NCMe)Ph (depending on substrate concentration); however, the catalytic hydrophenylation of ethylene using TpRu(PMe3)(NCMe)Ph is substantially less efficient than catalysis with TpRu(CO)(NCMe)Ph. For TpRu(PMe3)(NCMe)Ph, C-H activation of ethylene, to ultimately produce TpRu(PMe3)(eta3-C4H7), is found to kinetically compete with catalytic ethylene hydrophenylation. In THF solutions containing ethylene, TpRu(PMe3)(NCMe)Ph and TpRu(CO)(NCMe)Ph separately convert to TpRu(L)(eta3-C4H7) (L = PMe3 or CO, respectively) via initial Ru-mediated ethylene C-H activation. Heating mesitylene solutions of TpRu(L)(eta3-C4H7) under ethylene pressure results in the catalytic production of butenes (i.e., ethylene hydrovinylation) and hexenes.     

Surface Organometallic Chemistry on Oxides: Reaction of Trimethylphosphine with Bis(allyl)rhodium Grafted onto Silica

The reaction of Rh(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(3) with the surface hydroxyl groups of partially dehydroxylated silica leads to the formation of the surface organometallic complex (&tbd1;SiO)(&tbd1;SiOX)Rh(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(2), 1 (where X is H or Si&tbd1;), with evolution of propene. The reaction of 1 with PMe(3) was examined, and two major pathways were discovered. Reductive elimination of two allyl ligands as 1,5-hexadiene and coordination of PMe(3) give the surface product (&tbd1;SiO)Rh(PMe(3))(3), 2, which was characterized by elemental analysis, IR and (31)P MAS NMR spectroscopy. We also prepared 2 independently from CH(3)Rh(PMe(3))(3) and partially dehydroxylated silica. The second major reaction pathway is the elimination of propene to give (&tbd1;SiO)(2)Rh(eta(1)-C(3)H(5))(PMe(3))(3), 3. The presence of the sigma-bound allyl ligand was inferred from its characteristic IR spectrum. The reactivity of 3 toward CO was examined: insertion of CO into the Rh-C bond followed by reductive elimination of the silyl ester &tbd1;SiOC(O)C(3)H(5) produces (&tbd1;SiO)Rh(CO)(PMe(3))(2), 4. In static vacuum, 3 decomposes to give allyl alcohol, which is slowly decarbonylated by 2.     

Roles of a tetrahydroborate ligand in a facile route to ruthenium(II) ethyl hydride complexes, and a kinetic study of ethane reductive elimination

The tetrahydroborate ligand in [Ru(eta(2)-BH(4))(CO)H(PMe(2)Ph)(2)], 1, allows conversion under very mild conditions to [Ru(CO)(Et)H(PMe(2)Ph)(3)], 7, by way of [Ru(eta(2)-BH(4))(CO)Et(PMe(2)Ph)(2)], 4. Deprotection of the hydride ligand in 7(by BH(3) abstraction) occurs only in the final step, thus preventing premature ethane elimination. A deviation from the route from 4 to 7 yields [Ru(eta(2)-BH(4))(COEt)(PMe(2)Ph)(3)], 6, but does not prevent ultimate conversion to 7. Modification of the treatment of 4 yields an isomer of 7, 10. Both isomers eliminate ethane at temperatures above 250 K: the immediate product of elimination, thought to be [Ru(CO)(PMe(2)Ph)(3)], 11, can be trapped as [Ru(CO)(PMe(2)Ph)(4)], 12, [Ru(CO)H(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(3)], 3a, or [Ru(CO)(C[triple bond]CCMe(3))H(PMe(2)Ph)(3)], 13. The elimination is a simple first-order process with negative DeltaS(++) and (for 7) a normal kinetic isotope effect (k(H)/k(D)= 2.5 at 287.9 K). These results, coupled with labelling studies, rule out a rapid equilibrium with a [sigma]-ethane intermediate prior to ethane loss.     

Acetylene to vinylidene rearrangements on electron rich d6 metal centers: a density functional study

The acetylene to vinylidene isomerization on several Ru(II) d(6) metal fragments with different electron richness of the metal center has been investigated by means of density functional theory calculations. We considered the [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Ru(dippe)](+), [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Ru(dmpe)](+), [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Ru(PMe(3))(2)](+), [(eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))(PMe(3))ClRu](+), [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Ru(CO)(PPh(3))](+) and [eta(6)-C(6)H(6))(PMe(3))ClRu](+), species which are quite common in the chemistry of cationic Ru(II) complexes and span a wide range of electron-richness. For each of the considered fragments, the minima on the potential energy surfaces for the two possible isomerization mechanisms, i.e. through a direct 1,2-hydrogen shift or through a hydrido-alkynyl intermediate, have been localized. A linear correlation has been found between the C=C stretching frequencies of the vinylidene complexes, as an estimate of the electron richness, and the stability of the corresponding hydrido-alkynyl intermediates. For the most electron-rich among the considered fragments, [(Cp*)(dippe)Ru(HCCH)](+), the hydrido-alkynyl species has been found essentially isoenergetic with the alkyne complex (only 1.9 kcal mol(-1) higher), in agreement with the experimental evidence showing for this system an equilibrium between these two species. For the same [(Cp*)(dippe)Ru](+) fragment, a detailed analysis of the reaction profiles for the two possible acetylene rearrangement pathways has been performed. Our results show that once the eta(2)-C-H coordinated acetylene intermediate is accessed, the system can easily evolve towards a hydrido-alkynyl intermediate, this process being kinetically favored with respect to the direct 1,2-shift leading to the vinylidene product.     

Mechanism of olefin metathesis with catalysis by ruthenium carbene complexes: density functional studies on model systems

Gradient-corrected (BP86) density functional calculations were used to study alternative mechanisms of the metathesis reactions between ethene and model catalysts [(PH(3))(L)Cl(2)Ru[double bond]CH(2)] with L=PH3 (I) and L=C(3)N(2)H(4)=imidazol-2-ylidene (II). On the associative pathway, the initial addition of ethene is calculated to be rate-determining for both catalysts (Delta G(22-25)*[double bond] kcal mol(-1)). The dissociative pathway starts with the dissociation of phosphane, which is rather facile (Delta G(298)* is approximately equal to 5-10 kcal mol(-1)). The resulting active species (L)Cl(2)Ru[double bond]CH(2) can coordinate ethene cis or trans to L. The cis addition is unfavorable and mechanistically irrelevant (Delta G(298)* is approximately equal to 21-25 kcal mol(-1)). The trans coordination is barrierless, and the rate-determining step in the subsequent catalytic cycle is either ring closure of the complex to yield the ruthenacyclobutane (catalyst I, Delta G(298)*=12 kcal mol(-1)), or the reverse reaction (catalyst II, ring opening, Delta G(298)*=10 kcal mol(-1)), that is, II is slightly more active than I. For both catalysts, the dissociative mechanism with trans olefin coordination is favored. The relative energies of the species on this pathway can be tuned by ligand variation, as seen in (PMe(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru[double bond]CH(2) (III), in which phosphane dissociation is impeded and olefin insertion is facilitated relative to I. The differences in calculated relative energies for the model catalysts I-III can be rationalized in terms of electronic effects. Comparisons with experiment indicate that steric effects must also be considered for real catalysts containing bulky substituents.     

Stable, chloride-induced monohapto-bonding mode for an allyl ligand in a Pd(II) complex bearing a new bidentate phosphonite-oxazoline ligand

Bidentate ligands can lead to stable eta(1)-allyl complexes of Pd(II). A novel chelating phosphonite-oxazoline P,N ligand, abbreviated NOPO(Me2), has been prepared by reaction of 6-chloro-6H-dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphorin with the lithium alcoholate derived from 4,4-dimethyl-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole. Its reaction with [Pd(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(micro-Cl)](2) afforded the new eta(1)-allyl Pd complex [PdCl(eta(1)-C(3)H(5))(NOPO(Me2))] 2 in 91% yield. This constitutes a still rare example of structurally characterized eta(1)-allyl Pd(II) complex. Chloride abstraction led to the corresponding cationic eta(3)-allyl complex [Pd(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(NOPO(Me2))]PF(6) 3, which has also been characterized by X-ray diffraction. CO insertion into the Pd-C sigma-bond of the eta(1)-allyl ligand of 2 afforded the corresponding 3-butenoyl palladium complex [PdCl[C(O)C(3)H(5)](NOPO(Me2))] 4 under mild conditions, which supports the view that CO insertion into eta(3)-allyl palladium cationic complexes occurs via first coordination of the counterion to form a more reactive eta(1)-allyl intermediate.     

Synthesis of heterobimetallic Ru-Mn complexes and the coupling reactions of epoxides with carbon dioxide catalyzed by these complexes

The heterobimetallic complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(CO)(mu-dppm)Mn(CO)4] and [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(mu-dppm)(mu-CO)2Mn(CO)3] (dppm = bis-diphenylphosphinomethane) have been prepared by reacting the hydridic complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(dppm)H] and [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(dppm)H], respectively, with the protonic [HMn(CO)5] complex. The bimetallic complexes can also be synthesized through metathetical reactions between [(eta5-C5R5)Ru(dppm)Cl] (R = H or Me) and Li+[Mn(CO)5]-. Although the complexes fail to catalyze the hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid, they catalyze the coupling reactions of epoxides with carbon dioxide to yield cyclic carbonates. Two possible reaction pathways for the coupling reactions have been proposed. Both routes begin with heterolytic cleavage of the RuMn bond and coordination of an epoxide molecule to the Lewis acidic ruthenium center. In Route I, the Lewis basic manganese center activates the CO2 by forming the metallocarboxylate anion which then ring-opens the epoxide; subsequent ring-closure gives the cyclic carbonate. In Route II, the nucleophilic manganese center ring-opens the ruthenium-attached epoxide to afford an alkoxide intermediate; CO2 insertion into the RuO bond followed by ring-closure yields the product. Density functional calculations at the B3LYP level of theory were carried out to understand the structural and energetic aspects of the two possible reaction pathways. The results of the calculations indicate that Route II is favored over Route I.     

Synthesis and reactivity of silyl ruthenium complexes: the importance of trans effects in C-H activation,Si-C bond formation,and dehydrogenative coupling of silanes

A series of octahedral ruthenium silyl hydride complexes, cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))H (SiR(3) = SiMe(3), 1a; SiMe(2)CH(2)SiMe(3), 1b; SiEt(3), 1c; SiMe(2)H, 1d), has been synthesized by the reaction of hydrosilanes with (PMe(3))(3)Ru(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H (5), cis-(PMe(3))(4)RuMe(2) (6), or (PMe(3))(4)RuH(2) (9). Reaction with 6 proceeds via an intermediate product, cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))Me (SiR(3) = SiMe(3), 7a; SiMe(2)CH(2)SiMe(3), 7b). Alternatively, 1 and 7 have been synthesized via a fast hydrosilane exchange with another cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))H or cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))Me, which occurs at a rate approaching the NMR time scale. Compounds 1a, 1b, 1d, and 7a adopt octahedral geometries in solution and the solid state with mutually cis silyl and hydride (or silyl and methyl) ligands. The longest Ru-P distance within a complex is always trans to Si, reflecting the strong trans influence of silicon. The aptitude of phosphine dissociation in these complexes has been probed in reactions of 1a, 1c, and 7a with PMe(3)-d(9) and CO. The dissociation is regioselective in the position trans to a silyl ligand (trans effect of Si), and the rate approaches the NMR time scale. A slower secondary process introduces PMe(3)-d(9) and CO in the other octahedral positions, most likely via nondissociative isomerization. The trans effect and trans influence in 7a are so strong that an equilibrium concentration of dissociated phosphine is detectable (approximately 5%) in solution of pure 7a. Compounds 1a-c also react with dihydrogen via regioselective dissociation of phosphine from the site trans to Si, but the final product, fac-(PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiR(3))H(3) (SiR(3) = SiMe(3), 4a; SiMe(2)CH(2)SiMe(3), 4b; SiEt(3), 4c), features hydrides cis to Si. Alternatively, 4a-c have been synthesized by photolysis of (PMe(3))(4)RuH(2) in the presence of a hydrosilane or by exchange of fac-(PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiR(3))H(3) with another HSiR(3). The reverse manifold - HH elimination from 4a and trapping with PMe(3) or PMe(3)-d(9) - is also regioselective (1a-d(9)() is predominantly produced with PMe(3)-d(9) trans to Si), but is very unfavorable. At 70 degrees C, a slower but irreversible SiH elimination also occurs and furnishes (PMe(3))(4)RuH(2). The structure of 4a exhibits a tetrahedral P(3)Si environment around the metal with the three hydrides adjacent to silicon and capping the P(2)Si faces. Although strong Si...HRu interactions are not indicated in the structure or by IR, the HSi distances (2.13-2.23(5) A) suggest some degree of nonclassical SiH bonding in the H(3)SiR(3) fragment. Thermolysis of 1a in C(6)D(6) at 45-55 degrees C leads to an intermolecular CD activation of C(6)D(6). Extensive H/D exchange into the hydride, SiMe(3), and PMe(3) ligands is observed, followed by much slower formation of cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(D)(Ph-d(5)). In an even slower intramolecular CH activation process, (PMe(3))(3)Ru(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H (5) is also produced. The structure of intermediates, mechanisms, and aptitudes for PMe(3) dissociation and addition/elimination of H-H, Si-H, C-Si, and C-H bonds in these systems are discussed with a special emphasis on the trans effect and trans influence of silicon and ramifications for SiC coupling catalysis.     

Imine hydrosilylation using an iron complex catalyst: A computational study

The reaction mechanism for imine hydrosilylation in the presence of an iron methyl complex and hydrosilane was studied using density functional theory at the M06/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. Benzylidenemethylamine (PhCH = NMe) and trimethylhydrosilane (HSiMe₃) were employed as the model imine and hydrosilane, respectively. Hydrosilylation has been experimentally proposed to occur in two stages. In the first stage, the active catalyst (CpFe(CO)SiMe₃, 1 ) is formed from the reaction of pre-catalyst, CpFe(CO)₂Me, and hydrosilane through CO migratory insertion into the Fe Me bond and the reaction of the resulting acetyl complex intermediate with hydrosilane. In the second stage, 1 catalyzes the reaction of imine with hydrosilane. Calculations for the first stage showed that the most favorable pathway for CO insertion involved a spin state change, that is, two-state reactivity mechanism through a triplet state intermediate, and the acetyl complex reaction with HSiMe₃ follows a σ-bond metathesis pathway. The calculations also showed that, in the catalytic cycle, the imine coordinates to 1 to form an Fe C N three-membered ring intermediate accompanied by silyl group migration. This intermediate then reacts with HSiMe₃ to yield the hydrosilylated product through a σ-bond metathesis and regenerate 1 . The rate-determining step in the catalytic cycle was the coordination of HSiMe₃ to the three-membered ring intermediate, with an activation energy of 23.1 kcal/mol. Imine hydrosilylation in the absence of an iron complex through a [2 + 2] cycloaddition mechanism requires much higher activation energies. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

An iron(II) dihydrogen hydrido complex containing the tripodal tetraphosphine ligand P(CH2CH2PMe2)3

The dihydrogen hydrido complex [FeH(H2)(PP3)]+ 1 (PP3 = P(CH2CH2PMe2)3 2) was formed by the protonation of the dihydrido complex FeH2(PP3) 3 with methanol or ethanol. The observation of H-D coupling in partially deuterated isotopomers of 1 and measurement of T1 relaxation times for the hydrido and dihydrogen resonances of 1 confirmed the presence of the eta2-dihydrogen ligand. Complex 1 shows dynamic NMR behaviour in both the 31P and 1H NMR spectra with facile exchange between the protons in the eta2-dihydrogen ligand and the eta1-hydrido ligand. The dihydrogen ligand of 1 is easily displaced by both anionic and neutral ligands to afford the corresponding hydrido complexes [FeHX(PP3)]+ (X = CO 11, X = PPh3 12) or FeHX(PP3)(X = Cl 13, X = Br 14, X = I 15, X = N3 16). Small quantities of the alkoxy hydrido complexes FeH(OR)(PP3)(R = Me 4; R = Et 5) are observed in methanol and ethanol solutions containing 1. In methanol solution, FeH(OMe)(PP3) 4 reacts to form the carbonyl hydrido complex [FeH(CO)(PP3)]+ 11 and isotopic labelling confirms that the carbonyl ligand of 11 is derived from the methanol solvent. The mechanism of methanol oxidation presumably proceeds through beta-hydride elimination from FeH(OMe)(PP3) to produce formaldehyde as an intermediate which is further dehydrogenated to form the carbonyl ligand. [FeH(H2)(PP3)]+ 1 and FeHCl(PP3) 13 react rapidly with paraformaldehyde to also form [FeH(CO)(PP3)]+ 11. Complex 11 also decarbonylates acetaldehyde to afford the methyl carbonyl complex [FeMe(CO)(PP3)]+ 17. The structure of 17 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Theoretical studies on the metathesis processes, (Tp(PH3)MR(eta 2-H[bond]CH3)]-->[Tp(PH3)M(CH3)(eta 2-H[bond]R)] (M=Fe,Ru, and Os; R=H and CH3)

Theoretical calculations on the metathesis process, [Tp(PH3)MR(eta 2-H[bond]CH3)] --> [Tp(PH3)M(CH3)(eta 2-H[bond]R)] (M=Fe, Ru, and Os; R=H and CH3), have been systematically carried out to study their detailed reaction mechanisms. Other than the one-step mechanism via a four-center transition state and the two-step mechanism through an oxidative addition/reductive elimination pathway, a new one-step mechanism, with a transition state formed under oxidative addition, has been found. Based on the intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations, we found that the trajectories of the transferring hydrogen atom in the metathesis processes studied are similar to each other regardless of the nature of reaction mechanisms.     

Towards a rational design of ruthenium CO2 hydrogenation catalysts by Ab initio metadynamics

Complete reaction pathways relevant to CO2 hydrogenation by using a homogeneous ruthenium dihydride catalyst ([Ru(dmpe)2H2], dmpe=Me2PCH2CH2PMe2) have been investigated by ab initio metadynamics. This approach has allowed reaction intermediates to be identified and free-energy profiles to be calculated, which provide new insights into the experimentally observed reaction pathway. Our simulations indicate that CO2 insertion, which leads to the formation of formate complexes, proceeds by a concerted insertion mechanism. It is a rapid and direct process with a relatively low activation barrier, which is in agreement with experimental observations. Subsequent H2 insertion into the formate--Ru complex, which leads to the formation of formic acid, instead occurs via an intermediate [Ru(eta2-H2)] complex in which the molecular hydrogen coordinates to the ruthenium center and interacts weakly with the formate group. This step has been identified as the rate-limiting step. The reaction completes by hydrogen transfer from the [Ru(eta2-H2)] complex to the formate oxygen atom, which forms a dihydrogen-bonded Ru--HHO(CHO) complex. The activation energy for the H2 insertion step is lower for the trans isomer than for the cis isomer. A simple measure of the catalytic activity was proposed based on the structure of the transition state of the identified rate-limiting step. From this measure, the relationship between catalysts with different ligands and their experimental catalytic activities can be explained.     

Purity testing of organometallic catalysts by packed capillary supercritical fluid chromatography

A packed capillary column supercritical fluid chromatography system with flame ionization detection has been used for purity testing of candidates for homogeneous catalysis such as methyl tricarbonyl pentamethylcyclopentadienyl tungsten [Cp*W(CO)3Me], methyl tricarbonyl cyclopentadienyl tungsten [CpW(CO)3Me], tetramethyl pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iridium (Cp*IrMe4), trimethyl (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazocyclononane) rhodium (CnRhMe3), trimethylphosphine hydride dicarbonyl cyclopentadienyl molybdenum [eta5-CpMoH(CO)2PMe3] and triphenylphosphine hydride dicarbonyl cyclopentadienyl molybdenum [eta5-CpMoH(CO)2PPh3]. A mass limit of detection of 240 pg was found for eta5-CpMoH(CO)2PMe3 when using a 60-nl injection volume and pure CO2 as mobile phase on a 5 microm Kromasil C18 column. The stability of the catalysts in solution has been examined. After 24 h more than 70% of eta5-CpMoH(CO)2PMe3 and 50% of eta5-CpMoH(CO)2PPh3 had decomposed. Due to the instability of the compounds the purity testing had to take place rapidly after sample dissolution.     

A normal equilibrium isotope effect for oxidative addition of H2 to (eta6-anthracene)Mo(PMe3)3

Oxidative addition of H2 and D2 to the anthracene complex (eta6-AnH)Mo(PMe3)3 giving (eta4-AnH)Mo(PMe3)3X2 (X = H, D) is characterized by a normal equilibrium isotope effect (KH/KD > 1) at temperatures close to ambient; calculations on (eta4-AnH)Mo(PH3)3H2 indicate that this is a consequence of relatively low energy Mo-H vibrational modes.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of M(PMe3)3(O2CR)2(OH2)H2 (M = Mo, W): aqua-hydride complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

Mo(PMe(3))(6) and W(PMe(3))(4)(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H undergo oxidative addition of the O-H bond of RCO(2)H to yield sequentially M(PMe(3))(4)(eta(2)-O(2)CR)H and M(PMe(3))(3)(eta(2)-O(2)CR)(eta(1)-O(2)CR)H(2) (M = Mo and R = Ph, Bu(t); M = W and R = Bu(t)). One of the oxygen donors of the bidentate carboxylate ligand may be displaced by H(2)O to give rare examples of aqua-dihydride complexes, M(PMe(3))(3)(eta(1)-O(2)CR)(2)(OH(2))H(2), in which the coordinated water molecule is hydrogen-bonded to both carboxylate ligands.     

Density functional theory studies on the mechanism of the reduction of CO2 to CO catalyzed by copper(I) boryl complexes

The detailed reaction mechanism for the reduction of CO2 to CO catalyzed by (NHC)Cu(boryl) complexes (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) was studied with the aid of DFT by calculating the relevant intermediates and transition state structures. Our DFT calculations show that the reaction occurs through CO2 insertion into the Cu-B bond to give a Cu-OC(=O)-boryl species (i.e., containing Cu-O and C-B bonds), and subsequent boryl migration from C to O, followed by alpha-bond metathesis between pinB-Bpin (B2pin2, pin = pinacolate = OCMe2CMe2O) and (NHC)Cu(OBpin). The overall reaction is exergonic by 38.0 kcal/mol. It is the nucleophilicity of the Cu-B bond, a function of the very strong alpha-donor properties of the boryl ligand, rather than the oxophilicity of boron, which determines the direction of the CO2 insertion process. The boryl migration from C to O, which releases the product CO, is the rate-determining step and involves the "vacant" orbital orbital on boron. The (NHC)Cu(boryl) complexes show unique activity in the catalytic process. For the analogous (NHC)Cu(alkyl) complexes, the CO2 insertion into the Cu-C bond giving a copper acetate intermediate occurs with a readily achievable barrier. However, the elimination of CO from the acetate intermediate through a methyl migration from C to O is energetically inaccessible.     

The reactivity of Mo(PMe3)(6) towards heterocyclic nitrogen compounds: transformations relevant to hydrodenitrogenation

The reactions of Mo(PMe3)6 towards a variety of five- and six-membered heterocyclic nitrogen compounds (namely, pyrrole, indole, carbazole, pyridine, quinoline, and acridine) have been studied to provide structural models for the coordination of these heterocycles to the molybdenum centers of hydrodenitrogenation catalysts. Pyrrole reacts with Mo(PMe3)6 to yield the eta5-pyrrolyl derivative (eta5-pyr)Mo(PMe3)3H, while indole gives sequentially (eta1-indolyl)Mo(PMe3)4H, (eta5-indolyl)Mo(PMe3)3H, and (eta6-indolyl)Mo(PMe3)3H, with the latter representing the first example of a structurally characterized complex with an eta6-indolyl ligand. Likewise, carbazole reacts with Mo(PMe3)6 to give (eta6-carbazolyl)Mo(PMe3)3H with an eta6-carbazolyl ligand. The reactions of Mo(PMe3)6 with six-membered heterocyclic nitrogen compounds display interesting differences in the nature of the products. Thus, Mo(PMe3)6 reacts with pyridine to give an eta2-pyridyl derivative [eta2-(C5H4N)]Mo(PMe3)4H as a result of alpha-C-H bond cleavage, whereas quinoline and acridine give products of the type (eta6-ArH)Mo(PMe3)3 in which both ligands coordinate in an eta6-manner. For the reaction with quinoline, products with both carbocyclic and heterocyclic coordination modes are observed, namely [eta6-(C6)-quinoline]Mo(PMe3)3 and [eta6-(C5N)-quinoline]Mo(PMe3)3, whereas only carbocyclic coordination is observed for acridine.     

Synthetic, electrochemical, and theoretical studies of tetrairidium clusters bearing mono- and bis[60]fullerene ligands

Heating a mixture of Ir(4)(CO)(9)(PPh(3))(3) (1) and 2 equiv of C(60) in refluxing chlorobenzene (CB) affords a "butterfly" tetrairidium-C(60) complex Ir(4)(CO)(6){mu(3)-kappa(3)-PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4))P(o-C(6)H(4))PPh(eta(1)-o-C(6)H(4))}(mu(3)-eta(2):eta(2):eta(2)-C(60)) (3, 36%). Brief thermolysis of 1 in refluxing chlorobenzene (CB) gives a "butterfly" complex Ir(4)(CO)(8){mu-k(2)-PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4))PPh}{mu(3)-PPh(2)(eta(1):eta(2)-o-C(6)H(4))} (2, 64%) that is both ortho-phosphorylated and ortho-metalated. Interestingly, reaction of 2 with 2 equiv of C(60) in refluxing CB produces 3 (41%) by C(60)-assisted ortho-phosphorylation, indicating that 2 is the reaction intermediate for the final product 3. On the other hand, reaction of Ir(4)(CO)(8)(PMe(3))(4) (4) with excess (4 equiv) C(60) in refluxing 1,2-dichlorobenzene, followed by treatment with CNCH(2)Ph at 70 degrees C, affords a square-planar complex with two C(60) ligands and a face-capping methylidyne ligand, Ir(4)(CO)(3)(mu(4)-CH)(PMe(3))(2)(mu-PMe(2))(CNCH(2)Ph)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-C(60))(mu(4)-eta(1):eta(1):eta(2):eta(2)-C(60)) (5, 13%) as the major product. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 have been characterized by spectroscopic and microanalytical methods, as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Cyclic voltammetry has been used to examine the electrochemical properties of 2, 3, 5, and a related known "butterfly" complex Ir(4)(CO)(6)(mu-CO){mu(3)-k(2)-PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4))P(eta(1)-o-C(6)H(4))}(mu(3)-eta(2):eta(2):eta(2)-C(60)) (6). These cyclic voltammetry data suggest that a C(60)-mediated electron transfer to the iridium cluster center takes place for the species 3(3)(-) and 6(2)(-) in compounds 3 and 6. The cyclic voltammogram of 5 exhibits six well-separated reversible, one-electron redox waves due to the strong electronic communication between two C(60) cages through a tetrairidium metal cluster spacer. The electrochemical properties of 3, 5, and 6 have been rationalized by molecular orbital calculations using density functional theory and by charge distribution studies employing the Mulliken and Hirshfeld population analyses.     

Thiophene and butadiene-thiolate complexes of molybdenum: observations relevant to the mechanism of hydrodesulfurization

Mo(PMe3)6 reacts with thiophene to give the eta5-thiophene complex (eta5-C4H4S)Mo(PMe3)3 and the eta5-butadiene-thiolate complex (eta5-C4H5S)Mo(PMe3)2(eta2-CH2PMe2), which are the first examples of (i) eta5-thiophene coordination and (ii) C-S cleavage and hydrogenation by a molybdenum compound. Deuterium labeling studies suggest that the hydrogenation of thiophene may involve an alkylidene intermediate, an observation that has ramifications for the mechanisms of hydrodesulfurization.