Carbodicarbenes and Related Divalent Carbon(0) Compounds

Quantum‐chemical calculations using DFT and ab initio methods have been carried out for fourteen divalent carbon(0) compounds (carbones), in which the bonding situation at the two‐coordinate carbon atom can be described in terms of donor–acceptor interactions L→C←L. The charge‐ and energy‐decomposition analysis of the electronic structure of compounds 1 – 10 reveals divalent carbon(0) character in different degrees for all molecules. Carbone‐type bonding L→C←L is particularly strong for the carbodicarbenes 1 and 2 , for the “bent allenes” 3 a , 3 b , 4 a , and 4 b , and for the carbocarbenephosphoranes 7 a , 7 b , and 7 c . The last‐named molecules have very large first and large second proton affinities. They also bind two BH₃ ligands with very high bond energies, which are large enough that the bis‐adducts should be isolable in a condensed phase. The second proton affinities of the complexes 5 , 6 , and 8 – 10 bearing CO or N₂ as ligand are significantly lower than those of the other molecules. However, they give stable complexes with two BH₃ ligands and thus are twofold Lewis bases. The calculated data thus identify 1 – 10 as carbones L→C←L in which the carbon atom has two electron pairs. The chemistry of carbones is different from that of carbenes because divalent carbon(0) compounds CL₂ are π donors and thus may serve as double Lewis bases, while divalent carbon(II) compounds are π acceptors. The theoretical results point toward new directions for experimental research in the field of low‐coordinate carbon compounds.     

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.     

Continuous‐Flow N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Generation and Organocatalysis

Two methods were assessed for the generation of common N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) from stable imidazol(in)ium precursors using convenient and straightforward continuous‐flow setups with either a heterogeneous inorganic base (Cs₂CO₃ or K₃PO₄) or a homogeneous organic base (KN(SiMe₃)₂). In‐line quenching with carbon disulfide revealed that the homogeneous strategy was most efficient for the preparation of a small library of NHCs. The generation of free nucleophilic carbenes was next telescoped with two benchmark NHC‐catalyzed reactions; namely, the transesterification of vinyl acetate with benzyl alcohol and the amidation of N‐Boc‐glycine methyl ester with ethanolamine. Both organocatalytic transformations proceeded with total conversion and excellent yields were achieved after extraction, showcasing the first examples of continuous‐flow organocatalysis with NHCs.     

Formation of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes by Tautomerization of Mesomeric Betaines: Cyclic Boron Adducts and Palladium Complexes From 2‐(Imidazolium‐1‐yl)phenolates

2‐(Imidazolium‐1‐yl)phenolates are conjugated heterocyclic mesomeric betaines in tautomeric equilibrium with the corresponding N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), 3‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐imidazol‐2‐ylidenes. The carbene tautomers can be trapped as thiones (X‐ray analysis). Moreover, bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) dichloride in THF trapped the carbene tautomer as a palladium complex without participation of the phenolate group (X‐ray analysis). The corresponding anionic NHCs, 2‐phenolate‐substituted imidazol‐2‐ylidenes, can be trapped by triethylborane or triphenylborane to form 4,4‐diethyl‐ or 4,4‐diphenyl‐4H‐benzo[e]imidazo[2,1‐c][1,4,2]oxaza‐borininium‐4‐ides, respectively (two X‐ray analyses). These tricyclic systems are the first representatives of a new heterocyclic ring system. The results of DFT calculations concerning the HOMO/LUMO profiles and partial charges are also presented.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalysed Direct Synthesis of Cyano Esters via Cyanation‐Esterification Reaction of α‐Keto Esters

The cyanation‐esterification reaction of α‐keto esters catalysed by N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) is developed. Under the catalysis of 10 mol% 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene, aromatic and aliphatic α‐keto esters reacted with ethyl cyanoformate or acetyl cyanide to produce the corresponding cyano esters with a tetrasubstituted carbon center in high yields.     

Distinguishing carbones from allenes by complexation to AuCl

Quantum chemical calculations have been performed for the dicoordinated carbon compounds C(PPh(3))(2), C(NHC(Me))(2), R(2) C=C=CR(2) (R = H, F, NMe(2)), C(3)O(2), C(CN)(2)(-) and N-methyl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC(Me)). The geometries of the complexes in which the dicoordinated carbon molecules bind as ligands to one and two AuCl moieties have been optimized and the strength and nature of the metal-ligand interactions in the mono- and diaurated complexes were investigated by means of energy decomposition analysis. The goal of the study is to elucidate the differences in the chemical behavior between carbones, allenes and carbenes. The results show that carbones bind one and two AuCl species in η(1) fashion, whereas allenes bind them in η(2) fashion. Compounds with latent divalent carbon(0) character can coordinate in more than one way, with the dominant mode indicating the degree of carbone or allene character. The calculated structures of the mono- and diaurated tetraaminoallenes (TAAs) reveal that TAAs exhibit a chameleon-like behavior: The bonding situation in the equilibrium structure is best described as allene [(R(2)N)(2)]C=C=C[(NR(2))(2)] in which the central carbon atom is a tetravalent C(IV) species, but the reactivity suggests that TAAs should be considered as divalent C(0) compounds C{C[(NR(2))(2)]}(2), that is, as "hidden" carbones. Carbon suboxide binds one AuCl preferentially in the η(1) mode, whereas the equilibrium structures of the η(1)- and η(2)-bonded diaurated complex are energetically nearly degenerate. The doubly negatively charged isoelectronic carbone C(CN)(2)(2-) binds one and two AuCl very strongly in characteristic η(1) fashion. The N-heterocyclic carbene complex, [NHC(Me)(AuCl)], possesses a high bond dissociation energy (BDE) for the splitting off of AuCl. The diaurated NHC adduct, [NHC(Me)(AuCl)(2)], has two η(1)-bonded AuCl moieties that exhibit aurophilic attraction, which yield a moderate bond strength that might be large enough for synthesizing the complex. The BDE for the second AuCl in [NHC(Me)(AuCl)(2)] is clearly smaller than the values for the second AuCl in doubly aurated carbone complexes.     

σ versus π-radical: Tuning the electronic nature of neutral carbon (I) compounds with three non-bonding electrons

The bonding and reactivity of the hypo-coordinated compounds with one, two, and four non-bonding electrons namely, carbon-centered free radical, carbenes, and carbones were well earlier established. Here, we report stability, bonding and reactivity of compounds RCL, where R is one-electron donor group (R =  CH₃ ( a ),  CHO ( b ), and  NO₂ ( c )) and L is two-electron donor ligand (L = cAAC ( 1 ), CO ( 2 ), NHC ( 3 ) and PMe₃ ( 4 )), having three non-bonding electrons. The ground states of molecules exist in a doublet with a lone pair of electrons and an unpaired electron at the central carbon atom (C1). The spin hops over from π- to σ-type orbitals is observed as the π-acceptor strength of the donor ligand increases. The replacement of the methyl group by  CHO and  NO₂ indicate that the cAAC and  CHO substituted compounds gives a σ-radical except in compound 2c . These molecules show very high proton affinity and exothermic reaction energy for the hydrogen atom addition indicating dual reactivity namely, radical and lone pair reactivity.     

Effect of the Nature of the Substituent in N‐Alkylimidazole Ligands on the Outcome of Deprotonation: Ring Opening versus the Formation of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

Complexes [Re(CO)₃(N‐RIm)₃]OTf (N‐RIm=N‐alkylimidazole, OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate; 1 a – d ) have been straightforwardly synthesised from [Re(OTf)(CO)₅] and the appropriate N‐alkylimidazole. The reaction of compounds 1 a – d with the strong base KN(SiMe₃)₂ led to deprotonation of a central C? H group of an imidazole ligand, thus affording very highly reactive derivatives. The latter can evolve through two different pathways, depending on the nature of the substituents of the imidazole ligands. Compound 1 a contains three N‐MeIm ligands, and its product 2 a features a C‐bound imidazol‐2‐yl ligand. When 2 a is treated with HOTf or MeOTf, rhenium N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) 3 a or 4 a are afforded as a result of the protonation or methylation, respectively, of the non‐coordinated N atom. The reaction of 2 a with [AuCl(PPh₃)] led to the heterobimetallic compound 5 , in which the N‐heterocyclic ligand is once again N‐bound to the Re atom and C‐coordinated to the gold fragment. For compounds 1 b – d , with at least one N‐arylimidazole ligand, deprotonation led to an unprecedented reactivity pattern: the carbanion generated by the deprotonation of the C2? H group of an imidazole ligand attacks a central C? H group of a neighbouring N‐RIm ligand, thus affording the product of C? C coupling and ring‐opening of the imidazole moiety that has been attacked ( 2 c , d ). The new complexes featured an amido‐type N atom that can be protonated or methylated, thus obtaining compounds 3 c , d or 4 c , d , respectively. The latter reaction forces a change in the disposition of the olefinic unit generated by the ring‐opening of the N‐RIm ligand from a cisoid to a transoid geometry. Theoretical calculations help to rationalise the experimental observation of ring‐opening (when at least one of the substituents of the imidazole ligands is an aryl group) or tautomerisation of the N‐heterocyclic ligand to afford the imidazol‐2‐yl product.     

Large yet Flexible N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands for Palladium Catalysis

A straightforward and scalable eight‐step synthesis of new N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been developed from inexpensive and readily available 2‐nitro‐m‐xylene. This process allows for the preparation of a novel class of NHCs coined ITent (“Tent” for “tentacular”) of which the well‐known IMes (N,N′‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene), IPr (N,N′‐bis(2,6‐di(2‐propyl)phenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene) and IPent (N,N′‐bis(2,6‐di(3‐pentyl)phenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene) NHCs are the simplest and already known congeners. The synthetic route was successfully used for the preparation of three members of the ITent family: IPent (N,N′‐bis(2,6‐di(3‐pentyl)phenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene), IHept (N,N′‐bis(2,6‐di(4‐heptyl)phenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene) and INon (N,N′‐bis(2,6‐di(5‐nonyl)phenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene). The electronic and steric properties of each NHC were studied through the preparation of both nickel and palladium complexes. Finally the effect of these new ITent ligands in Pd‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura and Buchwald–Hartwig cross‐couplings was investigated.     

Protic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Versus Pyrazole: Rigorous Comparison of Proton‐ and Electron‐Donating Abilities in a Pincer‐Type Framework

Evaluation of the acidity of proton‐responsive ligands such as protic N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) bearing an NH‐wingtip provides a key to understanding the metal–ligand cooperation in enzymatic and artificial catalysis. Here, we design a CNN pincer‐type ruthenium complex 2 bearing protic NHC and isoelectronic pyrazole units in a symmetrical skeleton, to compare their acidities and electron‐donating abilities. The synthesis is achieved by direct C?H metalation of 2‐(imidazol‐1‐yl)‐6‐(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine with [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃]. ¹⁵N‐Labeling experiments confirm that deprotonation of 2 occurs first at the pyrazole side, indicating clearly that the protic pyrazole is more acidic than the NHC group. The electrochemical measurements as well as derivatization to carbonyl complexes demonstrate that the protic NHC is more electron‐donating than pyrazole in both protonated and deprotonated forms.     

Oxidative Coupling of Anionic Abnormal N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes: Efficient Access to Janus‐Type 4,4′‐Bis(2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene)s

The oxidative coupling of anionic imidazol‐4‐ylidenes protected at the C2 position with [MnCp(CO)₂] or BH₃ led to the corresponding 4,4′‐bis(2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene) complexes or adducts, in which the two carbene moieties are connected through a single C?C bond. Subsequent acidic treatment of the later species led to the corresponding 4,4′‐bis(imidazolium) salts in good yields. The overall procedure offers practical access to a novel class of Janus‐type bis(NHC)s. Strikingly, the coplanarity of the two NHC rings within the mesityl derivative 4,4′‐bis(IMes), favored by steric hindrance along with stabilizing intramolecular C?H???π aryl interactions, allows the alignment of the π‐systems and, as a direct consequence, significant electron communication through the bis(carbene) scaffold.     

Bonding Analysis of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Tautomers and Phosphine Ligands in Transition‐Metal Complexes: A Theoretical Study

DFT calculations at the BP86/TZ2P level were carried out to analyze quantitatively the metal–ligand bonding in transition‐metal complexes that contain imidazole (IMID), imidazol‐2‐ylidene (nNHC), or imidazol‐4‐ylidene (aNHC). The calculated complexes are [Cl₄TM(L)] (TM=Ti, Zr, Hf), [(CO)₅TM(L)] (TM=Cr, Mo, W), [(CO)₄TM(L)] (TM=Fe, Ru, Os), and [ClTM(L)] (TM=Cu, Ag, Au). The relative energies of the free ligands increase in the order IMID<nNHC<aNHC. The energy levels of the carbon σ lone‐pair orbitals suggest the trend aNHC>nNHC>IMID for the donor strength, which is in agreement with the progression of the metal–ligand bond‐dissociation energy (BDE) for the three ligands for all metals of Groups 4, 6, 8, and 10. The electrostatic attraction can also be decisive in determining trends in ligand–metal bond strength. The comparison of the results of energy decomposition analysis for the Group 6 complexes [(CO)₅TM(L)] (L=nNHC, aNHC, IMID) with phosphine complexes (L=PMe₃ and PCl₃) shows that the phosphine ligands are weaker σ donors and better π acceptors than the NHC tautomers nNHC, aNHC, and IMID.     

Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Reactivity of Gold Nanoparticles Towards Benzimidazole‐2‐ylidene Ligands

The reactivity of benzimidazol‐2‐ylidenes with respect to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has been investigated using a combined experimental and computational approach. First, the grafting of benzimidazol‐2‐ylidenes bearing benzyl groups on the nitrogen atoms is described, and comparisons are made with structurally similar N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) bearing other N‐groups. Similar reactivity was observed for all NHCs, with 1) the erosion of the AuNPs under the effect of the NHC and 2) the formation of bis(NHC) gold complexes. DFT calculations were performed to investigate the modes of grafting of such ligands, to determine adsorption energies, and to rationalize the spectroscopic data. Two types of computational models were developed to describe the grafting onto large or small AuNPs, with either periodic or cluster‐type DFT calculations. Calculations of NMR parameters were performed on some of these models, and discussed in light of the experimental data.     

1,2,4‐Triazol‐3‐ylidenes with an N‐2,4‐Dinitrophenyl Substituent as Strongly π‐Accepting N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of new Rh and Au complexes bearing 1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ylidenes with a N‐2,4‐dinitrophenyl (N‐DNP) substituent are described. IR, NMR, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and computational analyses of the Rh complexes revealed that the N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) behaved as strong π acceptors and weak σ donors. In particular, a natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis revealed that the contributions of the Rh→C_carbene π backbonding interaction energies (ΔE_bb) to the bond dissociation energies (BDE) of the Rh? C_carbene bond for [RhCl(NHC)(cod)] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) reached up to 63 %. The Au complex exhibited superior catalytic activity in the intermolecular hydroalkoxylation of cyclohexene with 2‐methoxyethanol. The NBO analysis suggested that the high catalytic activity of the Au^I complex resulted from the enhanced π acidity of the Au atom.     

Breslow Intermediates from Aromatic N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes (Benzimidazolin‐2‐ylidenes,Thiazolin‐2‐ylidenes)

We report the first generation and characterization of elusive Breslow intermediates derived from aromatic N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), namely benzimidazolin‐2‐ylidenes (NMR, X‐ray analysis) and thiazolin‐2‐ylidenes (NMR). In the former case, the diamino enols were generated by reaction of the free N,N‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐ and N,N‐bis(mesityl)‐substituted benzimidazolin‐2‐ylidenes with aldehydes while the dimer of 3,4,5‐trimethylthiazolin‐2‐ylidene served as the starting material in the latter case. The unambiguous NMR identification of the first thiazolin‐2‐ylidene‐based Breslow intermediate rests on double ¹³C labeling of both the NHC and the aldehyde component. The acyl anion reactivity was confirmed by benzoin formation with excess aldehyde.     

Reversible Oxidative Addition at Carbon

The reactivity of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and cyclic alkyl amino carbenes (cAACs) with arylboronate esters is reported. The reaction with NHCs leads to the reversible formation of thermally stable Lewis acid/base adducts Ar‐B(OR)₂⋅NHC ( Add1 – Add6 ). Addition of cAAC^Me to the catecholboronate esters 4‐R‐C₆H₄‐Bcat (R=Me, OMe) also afforded the adducts 4‐R‐C₆H₄Bcat⋅cAAC^Me ( Add7 , R=Me and Add8 , R=OMe), which react further at room temperature to give the cAAC^Me ring‐expanded products RER1 and RER2 . The boronate esters Ar‐B(OR)₂ of pinacol, neopentylglycol, and ethyleneglycol react with cAAC at RT via reversible B−C oxidative addition to the carbene carbon atom to afford cAAC^Me(B{OR}₂)(Ar) ( BCA1 – BCA6 ). NMR studies of cAAC^Me(Bneop)(4‐Me‐C₆H₄) ( BCA4 ) demonstrate the reversible nature of this oxidative addition process.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivities of Iminosulfane‐ and Phosphane‐Stabilized Carbones Exhibiting Four‐Electron Donor Ability

Iminosulfane(phosphane)carbon(0) derivatives (iSPCs; Ar₃P→C←SPh₂(NMe); Ar=Ph ( 1 ), 4‐MeOC₆H₄ ( 2 ), 4‐(Me₂N)C₆H₄ ( 3 )) have been successfully synthesized and the molecular structure of 3 characterized. Carbone 3 is the first thermally and hydrolytically stable carbone stabilized by phosphorus and sulfur ligands. DFT calculations reveal the electronic structures of 1 – 3 , which have two lone pairs of electrons at the carbon center. First and second proton affinity values are theoretically calculated to be in the range of 286.8–301.1 and 189.6–208.3 kcal mol^?1, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry measurements reveal that the HOMO energy levels follow the order of 3 > 2 > 1 and the HOMO of 3 is at a higher energy than those of bis(chalcogenane)carbon(0) (BChCs). The reactivities of these lone pairs of electrons are demonstrated by the C‐diaurated and C‐proton‐aurated complexes. These results are the first experimental evidence of phosphorus‐ and sulfur‐stabilized carbones behaving as four‐electron donors. In addition, the reaction of hydrochloric salts of the carbones with Ag₂O gives the corresponding Ag^I complexes. The resulting silver(I) carbone complexes can be used as carbone transfer agents. This synthetic protocol can also be used for moisture‐sensitive carbone species.     

From the N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Alcohols to the Controlled Polymerization of (Meth)acrylates

Among various N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) tested, only 1,3‐bis(tert‐butyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene (NHC^tBu) proved to selectively promote the catalytic conjugate addition of alcohols onto (meth)acrylate substrates. This rather rare example of NHC‐catalyzed 1,4‐addition of alcohols was investigated as a simple means to trigger the polymerization of both methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate (MMA and MA, respectively). Well‐defined α‐alkoxy poly(methyl (meth)acrylate) (PM(M)A) chains, the molar masses of which could be controlled by the initial [(meth)acrylate]₀/[ROH]₀ molar ratio, were ultimately obtained in N,N‐dimethylformamide at 25 °C. A hydroxyl‐terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO‐OH) macro‐initiator was also employed to directly access PEO‐b‐PMMA amphiphilic block copolymers. Investigations into the reaction mechanism by DFT calculations revealed the occurrence of two competitive concerted pathways, involving either the activation of the alcohol or that of the monomer by NHC^tBu.     

Effect of substituents at the heteroatom on the structure and ligating properties of carbodicarbenes and its silicon analogs: a theoretical study

Density functional calculations have been carried out to investigate the effect of substituents attached to the heteroatoms of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) on the structure and ligating properties of carbon(0) [C(NHC)₂] and silicon(0) [Si(NHC)₂] compounds. The substituents were found to have a profound role on the structure and ligating properties of these classes of compounds. Fluoro- and chloro-substituted carbon(0) compounds were found to have quasi-linear geometries in which their C(0) characteristics are “masked.” However, their C(0) characteristics become prominent in their protonated species. Large negative charges and shallow bending potential of the central C_c–C₀–C_c angle provide evidence for the “hidden C(0) characteristics” of these two compounds. Electron withdrawing substituents at N-atoms of the two NHCs dramatically decreases the basicity of these compounds. Both natural bonding and atoms in molecules analysis suggest that the most favorable Lewis structure of C(NHC)₂ and Si(NHC)₂ in their equilibrium geometries should be described (portrayed) as L=C=L and L → Si ← L, respectively, where L = NHCs.