Theoretical study of the reaction of alkynes with furan catalyzed by AuCl3 and AuCl

A general scheme for the endo‐ and exo‐cyclization of furan reactivity with [L ‐Au^{III, I}Cl_x] with (x = 3, 1 and L ‐acetylene and vinylidene) complexes is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) code. Two conceivable mechanisms via a [4 + 2] Diels–Alder process or carbene complex are analyzed. According to the activation energy values of the gold (III and I) catalyst, the first mechanism, which implies the Diels–Alder reaction of Au^III, is thermodynamically favored and gives more evidence of the intramolecular addition of the furan with the alkynes. The second mechanism, presumably assisted by the spontaneous formation of the exo‐vinylidene complexes and intermediates of gold (III, I) by forming the carbene complex, is kinetically favored. Additionally, we compare our results with other structures with intramolecular additions that exhibit the quasi‐similarity of gold analogue structures. Differences in activation energies are observed, according to the functional used. Finally, we probe the solvent effects, which decrease the energy barrier in the path. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Synthesis of gem‐Diaurated Species from Alkynols

A number of enol ether‐derived diaurated species were synthesized directly from different alkynols and cationic gold complexes in the presence of a non‐nucleophilic base (proton sponge). The reaction can be easily applied for in situ generation of diaurated species from all common types of hydroalkoxylation substrates: 5‐endo, 5‐exo/6‐endo, 6‐exo/7‐endo and intermolecular types. Six examples were also synthesized in individual state as stable hexafluoroantimonate salts. Whereas diaurated species are obtained reliably from all conventional mononuclear gold catalysts, application of binuclear ones often gave diaurated species with unusual properties. The preliminary results point to complexities of behavior of binuclear gold catalysts and would require more research in future for this subclass. The formation of diaurated species from various gold‐oxo compounds (LAu)₂OH⁺, (LAu)₃O⁺, and LAuOH (L=phosphine ligand) was also studied. Of these three types, only (LAu)₂OH⁺ is reactive, whereas (LAu)₃O⁺ and LAuOH are not reactive alone but require acidic promoters to enable the reaction. These differences in reactivity were explained by ability of these compounds to generate the necessary acetylene π‐complex intermediate.     

Trinuclear Gold Clusters Supported by Cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene Ligands: Mimics for Gold Heterogeneous Catalysts

The synthesis of air‐ and moisture‐stable trinuclear mixed‐valence gold(I)/gold(0) clusters is described. They promote the catalytic carbonylation of amines under relatively mild conditions. The synthetic route leading to the trinuclear clusters involves a simple ligand exchange from the readily available μ³‐oxo‐[(Ph₃PAu)₃O]⁺ complex. This synthetic method paves the way for the preparation of a variety of mixed‐valence gold(I)/gold(0) polynuclear clusters. Moreover, the well‐defined nature of the complexes demonstrates that the catalytic process involves a rare example of a definite change of oxidation state of gold from Au⁰₂Au^I to Au^I₃.     

Microporous Magnesium and Manganese Formates for Acetylene Storage and Separation

Acetylene sorption of microporous metal formates M(HCOO)₂ (M=Mg and Mn) was investigated. Measurements of acetylene sorption at 196, 275, and 298 K showed a Type I isotherm with quick saturation at low pressures, and 50–75 cm³ g^?1 uptake at 1.0 atm. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis of the acetylene‐adsorbed metal formates revealed that acetylene molecules occupy two independent positions in the zigzag channels of the frameworks with a stoichiometry of M(HCOO)₂?1/3C₂H₂, which is consistent with the gas sorption experiments. No specific interaction except van der Waals interactions between the adsorbed acetylene molecules and the walls of the frameworks was found. Sorption properties of other gases, including CO₂, CH₄, N₂, O₂, and H₂, were also investigated. When the temperature was increased to 298 K, the amount of adsorbed acetylene was still above 60 cm³ g^?1 for Mg(HCOO)₂ and 50 cm³ g^?1 for Mn(HCOO)₂, whereas the uptake of other gases decreased substantially. The microporous metal formates may thus be useful not only for the storage of acetylene but also its separation from other gases at room or slightly higher temperatures.     

Reactions of Cationic Gold(I) with Allenoates: Synthesis of Stable Organogold(I) Complexes and Mechanistic Investigations on Gold‐Catalyzed Cyclizations

The reaction of allenoates with cationic gold(I)—generated in situ from a phosphine gold chloride and a silver salt—formed unusual, room temperature stable vinyl gold(I) lactones under very mild conditions. The scope and limitations for the synthesis of this novel organogold complex was investigated. DFT calculations on the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) of allenoates and the natural bond orbital (NBO) charge densities provided an explanation for the limitations. A plausible mechanism for its formation was proposed based on in situ ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopic analyses. Controlled experiments for the cleavage of the gold–carbon bond by electrophiles indicated that this vinyl gold(I) complex is the likely intermediate in the gold‐catalyzed reaction of carbon–carbon multiple bonds.     

Determinants for Tight and Selective Binding of a Medicinal Dicarbene Gold(I) Complex to a Telomeric DNA G‐Quadruplex: a Joint ESI MS and XRD Investigation

The dicarbene gold(I) complex [Au(9‐methylcaffein‐8‐ylidene)₂]BF₄ is an exceptional organometallic compound of profound interest as a prospective anticancer agent. This gold(I) complex was previously reported to be highly cytotoxic toward various cancer cell lines in vitro and behaves as a selective G‐quadruplex stabilizer. Interactions of the gold complex with various telomeric DNA models have been analyzed by a combined ESI MS and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) approach. ESI MS measurements confirmed formation of stable adducts between the intact gold(I) complex and Tel 23 DNA sequence. The crystal structure of the adduct formed between [Au(9‐methylcaffein‐8‐ylidene)₂]⁺ and Tel 23 DNA G‐quadruplex was solved. Tel 23 maintains a characteristic propeller conformation while binding three gold(I) dicarbene moieties at two distinct sites. Stacking interactions appear to drive noncovalent binding of the gold(I) complex. The structural basis for tight gold(I) complex/G‐quadruplex recognition and its selectivity are described.     

Bimetallic Gold(I) Complexes with Ethynyl‐Helicene and Bis‐Phosphole Ligands: Understanding the Role of Aurophilic Interactions in their Chiroptical Properties

Monometallic gold(I)‐alkynyl‐helicene complexes ( 1 a , b ) and bimetallic gold(I)‐alkynyl‐helicene architectures featuring the presence ( 2 a , b ) or absence ( 3 a , b ) of aurophilic intramolecular interactions were prepared by using different types of phosphole ligands (mono‐phosphole L1 or bis‐phospholes L2 , 3 ). The influence of the Au^I d¹⁰ metal center(s) on the electronic, photophysical, and chiroptical properties of these unprecedented phosphole‐gold(I)‐alkynyl‐helicene complexes was examined. Experimental and theoretical results highlight the importance of ligand‐to‐ligand‐type charge transfers and the strong effect of the presence or absence of Au^I–Au^I interactions in 2 a , b .     

Molecular orbital study of the selective hydrogenation of acetylene in aqueous metalcatalyzed tetrahydroborate systems

A computer program for geometry optimization based on a multivariate regression method is discussed. The configuration of the adsorbed species of acetylene on copper, silver and gold catalysts were obtained at the usual CNDO level. The adsorbed species of acetylene on copper and gold catalysts are M(ν² - C₂H₂) complexes, whereas that on silver is of vinyl form. The electronic-charge distribution, energy partitions and total Mulliken overlap population suggested that acetylene is effectively activated in these systems.     

Gold(I)/Gold(III) Catalysis that Merges Oxidative Addition and π‐Alkene Activation

Heteroarylation of alkenes with aryl iodides was efficiently achieved with a (MeDalphos)AuCl complex through Au^I/Au^III catalysis. The possibility to combine oxidative addition of aryl iodides and π‐activation of alkenes at gold is demonstrated for the first time. The reaction is robust and general (>30 examples including internal alkenes, 5‐, 6‐, and 7‐membered rings). It is regioselective and leads exclusively to trans addition products. The (P,N) gold complex is most efficient with electron‐rich aryl substrates, which are troublesome with alternative photoredox/oxidative approaches. In addition, it provides a very unusual switch in regioselectivity from 5‐exo to 6‐endo cyclization between the Z and E isomers of internal alkenols.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intermolecular Hydroarylation of Allenes with Indoles and Reaction Mechanism by Density Functional Theory Calculations

Chiral binuclear gold(I) phosphine complexes catalyze enantioselective intermolecular hydroarylation of allenes with indoles in high product yields (up to 90 %) and with moderate enantioselectivities (up to 63 % ee). Among the gold(I) complexes examined, better ee values were obtained with binuclear gold(I) complexes, which displayed intramolecular Au^I Au^I interactions. The binuclear gold(I) complex 4c [(AuCl)₂( L3 )] with chiral biaryl phosphine ligand (S)‐(−)‐MeO‐biphep ( L3 ) is the most efficient catalyst and gives the best ee value of up to 63 %. Substituents on the allene reactants have a slight effect on the enantioselectivity of the reaction. Electron‐withdrawing groups on the indole substrates decrease the enantioselectivity of the reaction. The relative reaction rates of the hydroarylation of 4‐X‐substituted 1,3‐diarylallenes with N‐methylindole in the presence of catalyst 4c [(AuCl)₂( L3 )] / AgOTf [ L3 =(S)‐(−)‐MeO‐biphep], determined through competition experiments, correlate (r²=0.996) with the substituent constants σ. The slope value is −2.30, revealing both the build‐up of positive charge at the allene and electrophilic nature of the reactive Au^I species. Two plausible reaction pathways were investigated by density functional theory calculations, one pathway involving intermolecular nucleophilic addition of free indole to aurated allene intermediate and another pathway involving intramolecular nucleophilic addition of aurated indole to allene via diaurated intermediate E2 . Calculated results revealed that the reaction likely proceeds via the first pathway with a lower activation energy. The role of Au^I Au^I interactions in affecting the enantioselectivity is discussed.     

Gold(I)‐ and Yb(OTf)3‐Cocatalyzed Rearrangements of Epoxy Alkynes: Transfer of a Carbonyl Group in a Five‐Membered Carbocycle

We report here the intramolecular reactions between α,β‐epoxy ketones and alkynes cocatalyzed by gold(I) and Yb(OTf)₃. This new catalytic system based on a combination of gold(I) and Yb(OTf)₃ allows facile transformation of epoxy alkynes to give novel indene derivatives in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. Moreover, we describe here the first observation of a transfer of a carbonyl group in a five‐membered carbocycle during gold‐catalyzed reactions. This proposed mechanism is corroborated by isotope‐labeling experiments (D and ¹³C). Furthermore, the probable role of each catalyst in this interesting domino reaction has been examined by ³¹P NMR experiments. The utilization of gold catalysts combined with rare‐earth metal salts offers a new concept for the design of catalyst combinations for domino or cascade reactions.     

3,4‐Lutidinium salts with the diiodidoaurate(I) anion: structure of [(3,4‐lut)2H]+·[AuI2]− and of two polymorphs of [(3,4‐lut)2H+]2·[AuI2]−·I−

Reactions between potassium tetraiodidoaurate(III) and pyridine (py, C₅H₅N) or 3,4‐lutidine (3,4‐dimethylpyridine, 3,4‐lut, C₇H₉N) were tested as possible sources of azaaromatic complexes of gold(III) iodide, but all identifiable products contained gold(I). The previously known structure dipyridinegold(I) diiodidoaurate(I), [Au(py)₂]⁺·[AuI₂]⁻, ( 3 ) [Adams et al. (1982). Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 485 , 81–91], was redetermined at 100 K. The reactions with 3,4‐lutidine gave three different types of crystal in small quantities. 3,4‐Dimethylpyridine–3,4‐dimethylpyridinium diiodidoaurate(I), [(3,4‐lut)₂H]⁺·[AuI₂]⁻, ( 1 ), consists of an [AuI₂]⁻ anion on a general position and two [(3,4‐lut)₂H]⁺ cations across twofold axes. Bis(3,4‐dimethylpyridine–3,4‐dimethylpyridinium) diiodidoaurate(I) iodide, [(3,4‐lut)₂H⁺]₂·[AuI₂]⁻·I⁻, ( 2 ), crystallizes as two polymorphs, each forming pseudosymmetric inversion twins, in the space groups P2₁ and Pc (but resembling P2₁/m and P2/c), respectively. These are essentially identical layer structures differing only in their stacking patterns and thus might be regarded as polytypes.     

C(sp3)−H Functionalizations Promoted by the Gold Carbene Generated from Vinylidenecyclopropanes

The gold carbene generated from vinylidenecyclopropanes (VDCPs) can smoothly perform a C(sp³)?H bond insertion reaction, stereoselectively affording the intramolecular C(sp³)?H bond functionalized product, benzoxepine, with syn‐configuration in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. The KIE investigation on this bond functionalization partially revealed that the carbene insertion step might be rate‐determining. Using a chiral gold(I) catalyst, the first example on the asymmetric variant of gold carbene insertion into C(sp³)?H bond has been disclosed, giving the desired products with excellent results.     

Geminally Diaurated Aryls Bridged by Semirigid Phosphine Pillars: Syntheses and Electronic Structure

Geminally diaurated μ₂‐aryl complexes have been prepared where gold(I) centers were bridged by the semirigid diphosphine ligands bis(2‐diphenylphosphinophenyl)ether (DPEphos) and 4,6‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)dibenzo[b,d]furan (DBFphos). Diaurated complexes were synthesized in ligand redistribution reactions of the corresponding di‐gold dichlorides with di‐gold diaryls (six of them new) and silver(I) salts. Diaurated complexes were isolated as salts of the minimally coordinating anions SbF₆^? and ReO₄^?. Efforts to prepare salts of the tetraarylborate [B(3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄]^? led to transmetalation from boron, with crystallization of the fluorinated aryl complex. The new complexes were characterized by multinuclear NMR, absorption and emission spectroscopies, 77 K emission lifetimes, and by combustion analysis; three are crystallographically characterized. Structures of geminally diaurated aryl ligands are compared to those of mono‐aurated analogues. Both crystal structures and density‐functional theory calculations indicate slight but observable disruptions of aryl ligand aromaticity by geminal di‐gold binding. An intermolecular aurophilic interaction in one structurally authenticated complex was examined computationally.     

Adsorptive Separation of Acetylene from Light Hydrocarbons by Mesoporous Iron Trimesate MIL‐100(Fe)

A reducible metal–organic framework (MOF), iron(III) trimesate, denoted as MIL‐100(Fe), was investigated for the separation and purification of methane/ethane/ethylene/acetylene and an acetylene/CO₂ mixtures by using sorption isotherms, breakthrough experiments, ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) calculations, and IR spectroscopic analysis. The MIL‐100(Fe) showed high adsorption selectivity not only for acetylene and ethylene over methane and ethane, but also for acetylene over CO₂. The separation and purification of acetylene over ethylene was also possible for MIL‐100(Fe) activated at 423 K. According to the data obtained from operando IR spectroscopy, the unsaturated Fe^III sites and surface OH groups are mainly responsible for the successful separation of the acetylene/ethylene mixture, whereas the unsaturated Fe^II sites have a detrimental effect on both separation and purification. The potential of MIL‐100(Fe) for the separation of a mixture of C₂H₂/CO₂ was also examined by using the IAST calculations and transient breakthrough simulations. Comparing the IAST selectivity calculations of C₂H₂/CO₂ for four MOFs selected from the literature, the selectivity with MIL‐100(Fe) was higher than those of CuBTC, ZJU‐60a, and PCP‐33, but lower than that of HOF‐3.     

Stabilized Carbenium Ions as Latent,Z‐type Ligands

Controlling the reactivity of transition metals using secondary, σ‐accepting ligands is an active area of investigation that is impacting molecular catalysis. Herein we describe the phosphine gold complexes [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Acr)AuCl]⁺ ([ 3 ]⁺; Acr=9‐N‐methylacridinium) and [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Xan)AuCl]⁺ ([ 4 ]⁺; Xan=9‐xanthylium) where the electrophilic carbenium moiety is juxtaposed with the metal atom. While only weak interactions occur between the gold atom and the carbenium moiety of these complexes, the more Lewis acidic complex [ 4 ]⁺ readily reacts with chloride to afford a trivalent phosphine gold dichloride derivative ( 7 ) in which the metal atom is covalently bound to the former carbocationic center. This anion‐induced Au^I/Au^III oxidation is accompanied by a conversion of the Lewis acidic carbocationic center in [ 4 ]⁺ into an X‐type ligand in 7 . We conclude that the carbenium moiety of this complex acts as a latent Z‐type ligand poised to increase the Lewis acidity of the gold center, a notion supported by the carbophilic reactivity of these complexes.     

Stabilized Carbenium Ions as Latent,Z‐type Ligands

Controlling the reactivity of transition metals using secondary, σ‐accepting ligands is an active area of investigation that is impacting molecular catalysis. Herein we describe the phosphine gold complexes [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Acr)AuCl]⁺ ([ 3 ]⁺; Acr=9‐N‐methylacridinium) and [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Xan)AuCl]⁺ ([ 4 ]⁺; Xan=9‐xanthylium) where the electrophilic carbenium moiety is juxtaposed with the metal atom. While only weak interactions occur between the gold atom and the carbenium moiety of these complexes, the more Lewis acidic complex [ 4 ]⁺ readily reacts with chloride to afford a trivalent phosphine gold dichloride derivative ( 7 ) in which the metal atom is covalently bound to the former carbocationic center. This anion‐induced Au^I/Au^III oxidation is accompanied by a conversion of the Lewis acidic carbocationic center in [ 4 ]⁺ into an X‐type ligand in 7 . We conclude that the carbenium moiety of this complex acts as a latent Z‐type ligand poised to increase the Lewis acidity of the gold center, a notion supported by the carbophilic reactivity of these complexes.     

Synthesis and structure of 1‐phospholyl‐ and di(1‐phospholyl)acetylenes and the corresponding sulfides

The acetylenes possessing one and two 1‐phospholyl groups were synthesized by reaction of the alkynyl Grignard reagents with the 1‐chlorophosphole and converted to the corresponding phosphole sulfides. Reaction of the 1‐phenylethynylphosphole sulfide with CpCo(CO)₂ resulted in η⁴‐complexation on the phosphole moiety. The structures of the di(1‐phospholyl)acetylene disulfide and the [η⁴‐(1‐phenylethynylphosphole sulfide)]cobalt(I) complex were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:344–349, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20230     

CsC2H: Synthese,Kristallstruktur und spektroskopische Eigenschaften

CsC₂H: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Spectroscopic Properties CsC₂H was synthesised by the reaction of caesium solved in liquid ammonia with acetylene. The crystal structure could be solved and refined from X‐ray and neutron powder diffraction data (space group: R3c, Z = 18). The structure is characterised by C₂H^– trimers which are surrounded by caesium ions. Spectroscopic investigations (IR and Raman) of the stable monoalkalimetal acetylides mainly confirm the data given in the literature and show that the alkalimetal cation has a marked influence on the vibrational properties of the C₂H^– anion.     

Pyrrolidone ligand improved Cu‐based catalysts with high performance for acetylene hydrochlorination

A series of Cu‐pyrrolidone/spherical activated carbon (SAC) catalysts were prepared via a simple incipient wetness impregnation method and then assessed in acetylene hydrochlorination, and the catalytic evaluation result indicated that the 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NMP) ligand was found to be the most effective one to significantly improve the activity and stability of Cu catalyst. The catalyst with the optimal molar ratio of NMP/Cu = 0.25 showed 94.2% acetylene conversion at 180°C and an acetylene gas hourly space velocity of 180 h^?1. Moreover, the acetylene conversion of Cu‐0.25NMP/SAC remained stable over 99.1% for about 220 h under the industrial condition. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses proved that NMP ligand improved the dispersion of Cu species. In addition, hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction (H₂‐TPR), X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunner–Emmet–Teller (BET) indicated that the additive of NMP was preferential to stabilize the catalytic active Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ species and inhibit the reduction of Cu^α+ to Cu⁰ during the preparation process and reaction, hence restraining the coke deposition. Furthermore, the steady coordination structure between Cu and NMP was confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectra (FT‐IR) and Raman combining with density functional theory (DFT) calculation, which could effectively lower the adsorption energy of catalyst for C₂H₂ and inhibit the serious carbon deposition caused by excessive acetylene self‐accumulation. Our findings suggest that the efficient, well‐stabilized cost‐effective, and environmentally friendly Cu catalyst has great potential in acetylene hydrochlorination.