Six- and seven-membered ring carbenes: Rational synthesis of amidinium salts, generation of carbenes, synthesis of Ag(I) and Cu(I) complexes

Reactions of neat 1,3- and 1,4-dibromides with N,N′-diarylformamidines in the presence of diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) afford corresponding amidinium salts in high yields (>80%). Six- and seven-membered ring amidinium salts bearing bulky Mes (2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂) and Dipp (2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) aryl groups were prepared using this method. Free six-membered ring carbene 6-Dipp was generated from amidinium salt using LiHMDS as a base. NHC-Ag(I) complexes were obtained by the reactions of amidinium salts with Ag₂O. NHC complexes of Pd and Rh are not accessible by deprotonation of amidinium salts, nor by transmetallation of Ag(I) complexes. However NHC-Cu(I) complexes were obtained by transmetallation of NHC-Ag(I). Thus, transmetallation of six- and seven-membered NHC-Ag(I) complexes was documented for the first time.     

Development of 7-membered N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for transition metals

We recently reported the first example of a seven-membered N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand for transition metals. These ligands are attractive because the heterocyclic framework, derived from 2,2′-diaminobiphenyl, exhibits a torsional twist that results in a chiral, C₂-symmetric structure. The present report outlines the synthetic efforts that led to the development of these ligands together with the synthesis and structural characterization of metal complexes bearing seven-membered NHCs as ancillary ligands. The identity of nitrogen substituent, neopentyl versus 2-adamantyl, influences the synthetic accessibility and stability of the seven-membered amidinium salts and the NHC–metal complexes obtained via in situ deprotonation/metallation. Computational analysis of the seven-membered ring structures reveals the Hückel antiaromatic 8π electron system achieves significant Möbius aromatic stabilization upon undergoing torsional distortion of the heterocyclic ring.     

Butylene linked palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis and catalytic properties

New bis(NHC)-Pd complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ and bis(benzimidazolium) salts in DMSO gave the monomeric palladium complex in which the N-heterocyclic carbene was bound to the metal centre. The crystal and molecular structure of the cis-dibromo{1,1′-di[2,3,4,5,6-pentamethylbenzyl]-3,3′-butylenedibenzimidazol-2,2′-diylidene}-palladium(II) complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The activity of the Pd(II) complexes in the direct arylation of benzothiazole with arylbromides was investigated. A preliminary catalytic study showed that these bis(NHC)-Pd complexes were highly active in the direct arylation of benzothiazole with arylbromides.     

New N-heterocyclic carbene mercury(II) complexes: Close mercury-arene interaction

Mononuclear mercury complexes (1, 2, and 3) bearing bis-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands of the form [(NHC)₂-μ-Hg]⁺² have been prepared and structurally characterised. The complexes were derived from three bis-imidazolium salts as precursors to NHC; either 1,3-bis(N-methylimidazolium-1-ylmethyl)benzene bis(hexafluorophosphate) (I·2PF₆), 1,3-bis(N-butylimidazolium-1-ylmethyl)benzene bis(hexafluorophosphate) (II·2PF₆) or 3,5-bis(N-butylimidazolium-1-ylmethyl)toluene bis(hexafluorophosphate) (III·2PF₆) treated with mercury(II) acetate. Interestingly X-ray crystal structure analysis revealed a close interaction between the Hg metal centre with one carbon atom of the aryl linker in addition to coordination with two NHCs.     

Porphyrins Fused to N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs): Modulation of the Electronic and Catalytic Properties of NHCs by the Central Metal of the Porphyrin

We report herein a detailed study of the use of porphyrins fused to imidazolium salts as precursors of N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands 1 M . Rhodium(I) complexes 6 M – 9 M were prepared by using 1 M ligands with different metal cations in the inner core of the porphyrin (M=Ni^II, Zn^II, Mn^III, Al^III, 2H). The electronic properties of the corresponding N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands were investigated by monitoring the spectroscopic changes occurring in the cod and CO ancillary ligands of [( 1 M )Rh(cod)Cl] and [( 1 M )Rh(CO)₂Cl] complexes (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene). Porphyrin–NHC ligands 1 M with a trivalent metal cation such as Mn^III and Al^III are overall poorer electron donors than porphyrin–NHC ligands with no metal cation or incorporating a divalent metal cation such as Ni^II and Zn^II. Imidazolium salts 3 M (M=Ni, Zn, Mn, 2H) have also been used as NHC precursors to catalyze the ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐lactide. The results clearly show that the inner metal of the porphyrin has an important effect on the reactivity of the outer carbene.     

Triptycene‐Based Chiral and meso‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands and Metal Complexes

Based on 1‐amino‐4‐hydroxy‐triptycene, new saturated and unsaturated triptycene‐NHC (N‐heterocyclic carbene) ligands were synthesized from glyoxal‐derived diimines. The respective carbenes were converted into metal complexes [(NHC)MX] (M=Cu, Ag, Au; X=Cl, Br) and [(NHC)MCl(cod)] (M=Rh, Ir; cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) in good yields. The new azolium salts and metal complexes suffer from limited solubility in common organic solvents. Consequently, the introduction of solubilizing groups (such as 2‐ethylhexyl or 1‐hexyl by O‐alkylation) is essential to render the complexes soluble. The triptycene unit infers special steric properties onto the metal complexes that enable the steric shielding of selected areas close to the metal center. Next, chiral and meso‐triptycene based N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands were prepared. The key step in the synthesis of the chiral ligand is the Buchwald–Hartwig amination of 1‐bromo‐4‐butoxy‐triptycene with (1S,2S)‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane, followed by cyclization to the azolinium salt with HC(OEt)₃. The analogous reaction with meso‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane provides the respective meso‐azolinium salt. Both the chiral and meso‐azolinium salts were converted into metal complexes including [(NHC)AuCl], [(NHC)RhCl(cod)], [(NHC)IrCl(cod)], and [(NHC)PdCl(allyl)]. An in situ prepared chiral copper complex was tested in the enantioselective borylation of α,β‐unsaturated esters and found to give an excellent enantiomeric ratio (er close to 90:10).     

Palladium catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation using chelating N-heterocyclic carbene–amino ligands

Several silver(I) complexes with chiral amino-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, which are not diastereomerically pure, were prepared and used to generate in situ chelating NHC–amino palladium(II) complexes. The potential of these palladium(II) complexes in asymmetric catalysis was evaluated in the allylic alkylation reaction. The influence of the structure and of the diastereomeric purity of the ligands on enantioselectivity, as well as the role of the silver salts, were studied. Enantiomeric excesses of up to 80% were obtained with the best ligand.     

γ-Selective allylic substitution reaction with Grignard reagents catalyzed by copper N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and its application to enantioselective synthesis

The reaction of allylic compounds with alkyl Grignard reagents in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes proceeded predominantly in an S_N2′ reaction pathway to give γ-substituted product in excellent yield. The method was applied to asymmetric reaction by using optically active NHC ligands.     

Rhodium and iridium complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes: Structural investigations and their catalytic properties in the borylation reaction

Bridged and unbridged N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are metalated with [Ir/Rh(COD)₂Cl]₂ to give rhodium(I/III) and iridium(I) mono- and biscarbene substituted complexes. All complexes were characterized by spectroscopy, in addition [Ir(COD)(NHC)₂][Cl,I] [COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, NHC =  1,3-dimethyl- or 1,3-dicyclohexylimidazolin-2-ylidene] (1, 4), and the biscarbene chelate complexes 12 [(η⁴-1,5-cyclooctadiene)(1,1′-di-n-butyl-3,3′-ethylene-diimidazolin-2,2′-diylidene)iridium(I) bromide] and 14 [(η⁴-1,5-cyclooctadiene)(1,1′-dimethyl-3,3′-o-xylylene-diimidazolin-2,2′-diylidene)iridium(I) bromide] were characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. The relative σ-donor/π-acceptor qualities of various NHC ligands were examined and classified in monosubstituted NHC-Rh and NHC-Ir dicarbonyl complexes by means of IR spectroscopy. For the first time, bis(carbene) substituted iridium complexes were used as catalysts in the synthesis of arylboronic acids starting from pinacolborane and arene derivatives.     

Bond dissociation energies of ligands in square planar Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes: An assessment using trans influence

DFT calculations using MPWB1K method with COSMO continuum solvation model have been carried out to quantify the trans influence of various X ligands (E_X) in [Pt^IICl₃X]ⁿ⁻ complexes as well as the mutual trans influence of two X and Y ligands (E_XY) in [Pt^IICl₂XY]ⁿ⁻ complexes. A quantitative structure energy relationship (QSER) is derived for predicting the E_XY using E_X and E_Y and this relationship showed a strong similarity to a QSER derived for predicting E_XY of [Pd^IICl₂XY]ⁿ⁻ complexes. Quantification of the contributions of E_X and E_XY to the bond dissociation energy of the ligand X (BDE_X) in complexes of the type [M^IIX(Y)X′(Y′)] (M = Pd, Pt) is also achieved. The BDE_X of any ligand X in these complexes can be predicted using the equations, viz. BDE_X(Pd) = 1.196E_X − 0.603E_XY − 0.118E_X’Y’ + 0.442D_X + 15.169 for Pd(II) complexes and BDE_X(Pt) = 1.420E_X − 0.741E_XY − 0.125E_X’Y’ + 0.498D_X + 13.852 for Pt(II) complexes, where D_X corresponds to the bond dissociation energy of X in [M^IICl₃X]ⁿ⁻ complexes. These expressions suggest that the mutual trans influence from X and Y is more dominant than the mutual trans influence from X′ and Y′ and both factors contribute significantly to the weakening of M-X bond. We also obtained a strong linear relationship between E_X and the electron density ρ(r) at the bond critical point of M-Cl bond trans to the X in [M^IICl₃X]ⁿ⁻ and this allows us to express the BDE_X(Pd) and BDE_X(Pt) in terms of only the ρ(r) and D_X. We have demonstrated that using a database comprising of D_X and the ρ(r), the bond dissociation energy of X in complexes of the type [M^IIX(Y)X′(Y′)] can be predicted.     

Chiral iridium(I) bis(NHC) complexes as catalysts for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

The common use of NHC complexes in transition‐metal mediated C–C coupling and metathesis reactions in recent decades has established N‐heterocyclic carbenes as a new class of ligand for catalysis. The field of asymmetric catalysis with complexes bearing NHC‐containing chiral ligands is dominated by mixed carbene/oxazoline or carbene/phosphane chelating ligands. In contrast, applications of complexes with chiral, chelating bis(NHC) ligands are rare. In the present work new chiral iridium(I) bis(NHC) complexes and their application in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones are described. A series of chiral bis(azolium) salts have been prepared following a synthetic pathway, starting from L ‐valinol and the modular buildup allows the structural variation of the ligand precursors. The iridium complexes were formed via a one‐pot transmetallation procedure. The prepared complexes were applied as catalysts in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of various prochiral ketones, affording the corresponding chiral alcohols in high yields and moderate to good enantioselectivities of up to 68%. The enantioselectivities of the catalysts were strongly affected by the various, terminal N‐substituents of the chelating bis(NHC) ligands. The results presented in this work indicate the potential of bis‐carbenes as stereodirecting ligands for asymmetric catalysis and are offering a base for further developments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Expeditious synthesis of N′-substituted N-mesitylimidazolium salts as NHC precursors

In contrast to time-consuming, conventional thermal approaches, microwave irradiation provides rapid and convenient access to unsymmetrical N′-substituted N-mesitylimidazolium salts, which are important precursors for NHC ligands used in the construction of metal-NHC complexes.     

Copper(II) complexes derived from substituted 2,2′-bis-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-one) ligands: Synthesis,structure and catalytic activity

New chiral N,N-bidentate 2,2′-bis-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-one) ligands have been prepared and characterised by their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra and/or optical rotation. The ligands prepared were then tested for their ability to form complexes with copper(II) salts. It was found that the most stable complex is formed from the 2,2′-bis-(4-isopropyl-1,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-one) ligand and copper(II) chloride. The structure of this complex was determined by means of quantum-chemical computations at the B3LYP or UB3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. According to the computations, the geometry of the copper atom most resembles a tetrahedral arrangement, which was also confirmed by means of X-ray structural analysis. It was found that the structure of this copper(II) complex does not allow the copper atom to coordinate to additional ligands; therefore, it is catalytically inactive in the asymmetric Henry reaction.     

N-Functionalised heterocyclic dicarbene complexes of silver: Synthesis and structural studies

A range of new diimidazolium salts, held together by an alkyl unit and bearing alcohol pendant arms on their nitrogen, was synthesized. A short modular reaction pathway leads to the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors, differing by the flexibility of the bridge, the steric bulk of substituents in α-position of the OH groups and the anions. Treatment of diimidazolium salts with Ag₂O yields Ag^I(carbene)₂ complexes. The related trimethylene-bridged bis-NHC silver complexes 6 and 7 were crystallised with di-tosylate and di-hexafluorophosphate anions, respectively. Their X-ray structures revealed dimeric species, involving two ligands with different arrangements around the Ag cations, leading to crossed and parallel conformations.     

Chiral tether-mediated stabilization and helix-sense control of complementary metallo-double helices

A series of novel Pt^II-linked double helices were prepared by inter- or intrastrand ligand-exchange reactions of the complementary duplexes composed of chiral or achiral amidine dimer and achiral carboxylic acid dimer strands joined by trans-Pt^II–acetylide complexes with PPh₃ ligands using chiral and achiral chelating diphosphines. The structure and stability of the Pt^II-linked double helices were highly dependent on the diphosphine structures. An interstrand ligand exchange took place with chiral and achiral 1,3-diphosphine-based ligands, resulting in trans-Pt^II-bridged double helices, whose helical structures were quite stable even in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) due to the interstrand cross-link, whereas a 1,2-diphosphine-based ligand produced non-cross-linked cis-Pt^II-linked duplexes, resulting from an intrastrand ligand-exchange that readily dissociated into single strands in DMSO. When enantiopure 1,3-diphosphine-based ligands were used, the resulting trans-Pt^II-bridged double helices adopted a preferred-handed helical sense biased by the chirality of the bridged diphosphines. Interestingly, the interstrand ligand exchange with racemic 1,3-diphosphine toward an optically-active Pt^II-linked duplex, composed of chiral amidine and achiral carboxylic acid strands, was found to proceed in a diastereoselective manner, thus forming complete homochiral trans-Pt^II-bridged double helices via a unique chiral self-sorting.     

Synthesis of rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their catalytic activity in the hydrosilylation of alkenes in ionic liquid medium

Rhodium complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were prepared from bis(η⁴-1,5-cyclooctadiene) dichlorodirhodium and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-2-carboxylate, and the catalytic properties of rhodium complexes prepared in the hydrosilylation of alkenes in ionic liquid media were investigated. It was found that both the catalytic activity and selectivity of the rhodium complexes bearing NHC ligands were influenced by the attached substituents of the imidazolium cation. Additionally, rhodium complexes bearing NHC ligands in ionic liquid BMimPF₆ could be reused without noticeable loss of catalytic activity and selectivity.     

N,N′-Bis(aryl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide complexes of ruthenium: Synthesis,structure and redox properties

Reaction of five N,N′-bis(aryl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamides (H₂L-R, where H₂ denotes the two acidic protons and R (R = OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl and NO₂) the para substituent in the aryl fragment) with [Ru(trpy)Cl₃](trpy = 2,2′,2″-terpyridine) in refluxing ethanol in the presence of a base (NEt₃) affords a group of complexes of the type [Ru^II(trpy)(L-R)], each of which contains an amide ligand coordinated to the metal center as a dianionic tridentate N,N,N-donor along with a terpyridine ligand. Structure of the [Ru^II(trpy)(L-Cl)] complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the Ru(II) complexes are diamagnetic, and show characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on the [Ru^II(trpy)(L-R)] complexes shows a Ru(II)–Ru(III) oxidation within 0.16–0.33 V versus SCE. An oxidation of the coordinated amide ligand is also observed within 0.94–1.33 V versus SCE and a reduction of coordinated terpyridine ligand within −1.10 to −1.15 V versus SCE. Constant potential coulometric oxidation of the [Ru^II(trpy)(L-R)] complexes produces the corresponding [Ru^III(trpy)(L-R)]⁺ complexes, which have been isolated as the perchlorate salts. Structure of the [Ru^III(trpy)(L-CH₃)]ClO₄ complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the Ru(III) complexes are one-electron paramagnetic, and show anisotropic ESR spectra at 77 K and intense LMCT transitions in the visible region. A weak ligand-field band has also been shown by all the [Ru^III(trpy)(L-R)]ClO₄ complexes near 1600 nm.     

Dinuclear PdII complexes bearing mixed NHC/Py/PPh3 donor set ligands: Catalytic applications and electrochemical investigations

Bimetallic palladium(II) complexes containing classical NHC donor ligands are becoming increasingly popular owing to their various catalytic applications. However, examples of the aforementioned complexes with mixed NHC/PPh₃ ligands are still rare. Bimetallic palladium(II) complexes possessing these mixed ligands are described starting from a C2-symmetric bis-imidazolium salt containing 4,4′-substituted central biphenyl ring. All the palladium(II) complexes have been tested as precatalysts in α-arylation of oxindole and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions. The complex composed of mixed NHC/PPh₃ donor ligands shows superior catalytic activity compared with the corresponding PEPPSI type complexes when applied in α-arylation of oxindole. The dinuclear complexes display better activity compared with the mononuclear complexes. The preliminary electrochemical measurements show the facile oxidation of Pd^II in the presence of combined NHC/PPh₃ ligands compared with a combination of NHC/Py ligands.     

Atypical and Asymmetric 1,3-P,N Ligands: Synthesis,Coordination and Catalytic Performance of Cycloiminophosphanes

Novel seven-membered cyclic imine-based 1,3-P,N ligands were obtained by capturing a Beckmann nitrilium ion intermediate generated in situ from cyclohexanone with benzotriazole, and then displacing it by a secondary phosphane under triflic acid promotion. These “cycloiminophosphanes” possess flexible non-isomerizable tetrahydroazepine rings with a high basicity; this sets them apart from previously reported iminophophanes. The donor strength of the ligands was investigated by using their P-κ¹- and P,N-κ²-tungsten(0) carbonyl complexes, by determining the IR frequency of the trans-CO ligands. Complexes with [RhCp*Cl₂]₂ demonstrated the hemilability of the ligands, giving a dynamic equilibrium of κ¹ and κ² species; treatment with AgOTf gives full conversion to the κ² complex. The potential for catalysis was shown in the Ru^II-catalyzed, solvent-free hydration of benzonitrile and the Ru^II- and Ir^I-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of cyclohexanone in isopropanol. Finally, to enable access to asymmetric catalysts, chiral cycloiminophosphanes were prepared from l -menthone, as well as their P,N-κ²-Rh^III and a P-κ¹-Ru^II complexes.     

Allylic alkylation and amination using mixed (NHC)(phosphine) palladium complexes under biphasic conditions

A dramatic improvement of the catalytic activity was observed when a phosphine was added in allylic alkylation reactions catalyzed by (NHC)Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl complexes. Consequently, several palladium complexes, generated in situ from different NHC-silver complexes, [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂ and PPh₃, were tested in this reaction to evaluate their potential. High reaction rates and conversions could be obtained with this catalytic system in the alkylation of allylic acetates with dimethylmalonate, particularly under biphasic conditions using water/dichloromethane and KOH 1 M as the base. These conditions are experimentally more convenient and gave higher reaction rates than the classical anhydrous conditions (NaH/THF). In this system, the phosphine is essential since no conversion was obtained when it is not present. The steric hindrance of the carbene ligand has a great influence on the activity and the stability of the catalytic system. The best NHC ligands for this reaction are either 1-mesityl-3-methyl-imidazol-2-ylidene or 1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3-methyl-imidazol-2-ylidene which are less bulky among the NHC tested. These two ligands led in 5 min to a complete conversion at 20 °C. The Pd-catalyzed allylic amination reaction using (E)-1,3-diphenylprop-3-en-yl acetate and benzylamine was also tested with (NHC)(PPh₃)Pd complexes and under the biphasic conditions. This reaction was found to be slower than the alkylation with dimethylmalonate but a complete conversion could be reached in 6 h at 20 °C using K₂CO₃ 1 M as the base. NMR experiments indicated that mixed (NHC)(PPh₃)Pd complexes are formed in situ but their structure could not be established exactly.