Evidence for Non-Innocence of a β-Diketonate Ligand

β-Diketonates, such as acetylacetonate, are amongst the most common bidentate ligands towards elements across the entire periodic table and are considered wholly redox-inactive in their complexes. Herein we show that complexation of 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate (hfac⁻) to Cr^II spontaneously affords Cr^III and a reduced β-diketonate radical ligand scaffold, as evidenced by crystallographic analysis, magnetic measurements, optical spectroscopy, reactivity studies, and DFT calculations. The possibility of harnessing β-diketonates as electron reservoirs opens up possibilities for new metal–ligand concerted reactivity in the ubiquitous β-diketonate coordination chemistry.     

含长链β-二酮环金属铂配合物的电子光谱和二阶非线性光学性质的 理论研究

在B3LYP/LanL2DZ(6-31＋＋G**)理论水平对标题化合物进行结构优化和电子光谱与二阶非线性光学性质计算. 结果显示, 重金属的配合导致Pt原子与苯环, 吡啶环, β-二酮羰基环构成较大的共轭体系, 使得分子由基态到第一激发态的p→p*和n→p*跃迁伴随MLCT电荷转移, 对应的最大吸收波长在406 nm左右, 属于近紫外区, β-二酮碳链的长度对结构和电子光谱影响很小, 与实验结果一致. 长链β-二酮环金属铂配合物分子具有较好的非线性光学性质.     

Synthesis and Characterization of (βDiketonate)(7-norbornadienyl acetate)Copper(l) Complexes,Single-Crystal Structure of (hfac)Cu(7-AcO-NBD)

Copper(I) complexes of general formula (β-diketonate)Cu(7-AcO-NBD), where 7-AcO-NBD = 7-norbornadienyl acetate and β-diketonate = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionate (1), 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedionate (2), 2,4-pentanedionate (3), 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedionate (4), 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedionate (5), were prepared from reactions of CuCl with Na(β-diketonate) in the presence of 7-AcO-NBD. AH compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F NMR and IR spectra. Single-crystal strucutre of compound 1 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis that showed a mononuclear copper species with coordination of a chelating β-diketonate ligand through two oxygen atoms and the 7-AcO-NBD through its C? C double bond and an oxygen atom in the solid state. For compound 1, the crystal data are: triclinic, space group $ {\rm P}\bar 1 $, a= 5.4519(14) Å, b= 11.852(3) Å, c= 13.304(3) Å, α = 74.721(20)° β = 80.220(20)°, γ= 76.848(19)°, Z = 2, R_F = 0.060 and R_w = 0.064. Hot-wall chemical vapor deposition experiments revealed that compound 1 is suitable as a precursor for deposition of copper films in the temperature range 170–260 °C.     

Highly intense fluorescent diarylboron diketonate

Diarylboron diketonates were successfully prepared by the reaction of 1,3-diketone derivatives and arylboron compounds such as triphenylborane [BPh3] and fluorobis(pentafluorophenyl)borane diethyl etherate [(C6F5)2BF x OEt2]. The fluorescent emission of their complexes took place depending on the substituent of the arylboron moiety. In particular, a boron 1,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-diketonate chelated by a strong electron-withdrawing C6F5 group exhibited the most intense fluorescence.     

Ligand effects in the rhodium-catalyzed addition of alkynes to aldehydes and diketones. Modification of the β-diketonate ligand

A catalytic amount of dicarbonylacetonato rhodium(I) and a phosphine ligand bearing bulky electron-donating alkyl groups has been shown to generate an effective catalyst for the addition of alkynes to aldehydes and activated ketones under mild, neutral conditions. While previous studies have shown that modification of the phosphine has significant effects on the activity of the catalyst, the role of the β-diketonate ligand has not been probed. Six different β-diketonate rhodium complexes were synthesized and their ability to catalyze the alkyne addition reaction was evaluated. Changing the structure of the β-diketonate ligand can have a noticeable effect on the reaction rate. Acetylacetonate derivatives with strong electron withdrawing groups have a detrimental effect on the catalytic activity, while bulky and electron rich β-diketonate derivatives provide more efficient catalysts.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with liquid crystalline properties

Lewis-base adducts of tris( β-diketonato)lanthanide(III) complexes were prepared, where the β-diketone is para -alkoxy-substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione. These compounds are the first examples of liquid crystalline lanthanide complexes in which the mesomorphism is introduced via a β-diketonate ligand. Depending on the type of the Lewis base, the metallomesogens exhibit a monotropic smectic A or a monotropic highly ordered smectic phase. Intense photoluminescence was observed for the europium(III) complexes at room temperature.     

Alkoxy-substituted difluoroboron benzoylmethanes for photonics applications: a photophysical and spectroscopic study

Two series of novel boron difluoride adducts (BDFs), namely [BF(2)(OO(R(n)))] (type I) and [BF(2)(OO(2R(n)))] (type II) (R = C(6)H(4)OC(n)H(2n+1); n = 10-18), containing β-diketonate ligands bearing 4-alkoxyphenyl substituents in position 1 or in positions 1,3 of the β-diketonate core, respectively, have been prepared. All of them display a strong interaction between the ligand and the BF(2) group, as deduced from the IR spectroscopic data, and strong blue-violet emission (λ(em)(max) from 400 to 440 nm), with fluorescence quantum yields from 0.69 to 0.84 (type I) and 0.48 to 0.66 (type II) and fluorescence lifetimes of 1.7 and 2.2 ns in diluted dichloromethane solution, respectively. The photophysical properties of I and II series of dyes are independent of the solvent polarity and the chain length of the alkoxyphenyl substituent(s). Moreover, they exhibit high photostability even under intense laser light. Contradicting previous interpretations, our detailed photophysical and spectroscopic study rules out excimer formation even in highly concentrated solution or in the solid state, demonstrating the resistance of these dyes to self-aggregation. All those features pave the way to the application of such fluorophores in OLEDs, solid dye lasers, chemical sensors and two-photon biological labels, to name a few.     

Exploring Regioselective Bond Cleavage and Cross‐Coupling Reactions using a Low‐Valent Nickel Complex

Recently, esters have received much attention as transmetalation partners for cross‐coupling reactions. Herein, we report a systematic study of the reactivity of a series of esters and thioesters with [{(dtbpe)Ni}₂(μ‐η²:η²‐C₆H₆)] (dtbpe=1,2‐bis(di‐tert‐butyl)phosphinoethane), which is a source of (dtbpe)nickel(0). Trifluoromethylthioesters were found to form η²‐carbonyl complexes. In contrast, acetylthioesters underwent rapid C_acyl?S bond cleavage followed by decarbonylation to generate methylnickel complexes. This decarbonylation could be pushed backwards by the addition of CO, allowing for regeneration of the thioester. Most of the thioester complexes were found to undergo stoichiometric cross‐coupling with phenylboronic acid to yield sulfides. While ethyl trifluoroacetate was also found to form an η²‐carbonyl complex, phenyl esters were found to predominantly undergo C_aryl?O bond cleavage to yield arylnickel complexes. These could also undergo transmetalation to yield biaryls. Attempts to render the reactions catalytic were hindered by ligand scrambling to yield nickel bis(acetate) complexes, the formation of which was supported by independent syntheses. Finally, 2‐naphthyl acetate was also found to undergo clean C_aryl?O bond cleavage, and although stoichiometric cross‐coupling with phenylboronic acid proceeded with good yield, catalytic turnover has so far proven elusive.     

Synthesis,characterization and biomimetic oxygenations of manganese(II), iron(III) and copper(II) pyridyl hydrazone complexes

The preparation and characterization of MnII, FeIII and CuII complexes of three tridentate pyridyl hydrazones are reported. The ligands were prepared via Schiff base condensation of 6-chloro-2-hydrazopyridine with alpha-formyl-(L1), alpha-acetyl-(L2), or alpha-benzoyl-(L3) pyridine. The structural characterization of the compounds prepared was based on elemental analyses, electrical conductance and magnetic moment measurements, 1H-n.m.r., i.r., u.v.-vis. and e.s.r spectroscopic methods. The overall structure and reactivity of the metal chelates critically depend on the ligand substituents within the carbonyl moiety. Octahedral and tetrahedral monomeric species were proposed for MnII complexes, and an octahedral environment for the FeIII complexes. Regarding the copper(II) complexes, a monomeric square-planar and a dimeric structure with a chloride bridge in square-pyramidal geometry were suggested. In the presence of molecular oxygen, MnII and CuII complexes catalyse the oxidative transformation of catechol (benzene-1,2-diol) to the corresponding o-benzoquinone. Iron(III) complexes catalyse the aerobic oxidation of catechol to the intradiol cleavage product. The catalytic activity has been correlated with the Lewis acidity of the metal centres created according to the nature of the ligand substituents. The probable mechanistic implications of the catalysed oxidation reactions are discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The marked influence of steric and electronic properties of ancillary pyridylthioether ligands on the rate of allene insertion into the palladium–carbon bond

Neutral methyl- and acyl-palladium chloro complexes containing pyridylthioether ancillary ligands (R′N---SR) (R′=H, Me, Cl; R=Me, Et, i-Pr, t-Bu, Ph) have been synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. The reactivity of these complexes toward allene (allene=DMA=1,1-dimethylpropadiene; TMA=1,1,3,3-tetramethylpropadiene) insertion into the palladium–carbon bond has been studied by ¹H-NMR and UV–vis techniques. The rate of reaction appears to be strongly influenced by the steric and electronic properties of the ancillary ligand. The distortion induced by the substituent R′ in position 6 of the pyridine ring on the main coordination plane of the substrate (allowed by sulphur sp³ hybridisation) renders the substrate itself more prone to nucleophilic attack by the allene. The rate of allene insertion can further be enhanced by lowering the basicity of the chelating atoms in the N---S moiety which results in an increase of electrophilicity of the palladium core, so that the rate constants measured in the case of the complexes containing the ligand 6-chloro-2-phenylthiomethylpyridine (ClN---SPh) are by far the greatest observed so far for similar reactions. Furthermore, on the basis of the indications emerging from the exhaustive study on the behaviour of all the related pyridylthioether methyl complexes, an associative asynchronous bond making mechanism for the rate determining nucleophilic attack by allene is proposed.     

The transformations of fluoroalkyl-containing 2-arylhydrazono-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with methylamine

Fluoroalkylated 1,2,3-triketone 2-arylhydrazones and 2-arylhydrazono-3-oxo esters react variously with methylamine depending on the structure of the fluorinated substituent. 2-Arylhydrazono-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds having “short” fluoroalkyl substituents condense with methylamine at the carbonyl group attached to the non-fluorinated substituent whereas ones containing a lengthy polyfluoroalkyl substituent undergo haloformic cleavage as a result of the amine addition at the carbonyl group bearing such a substituent. The resulting 2-arylazo-3-(N-methyl)amino-1-polyfluoroket-2-en-1-ones and 1-(N-methyl)amino-2-arylhydrazono-3-fluoroalkyl-3-oxopropanamides have complexing properties, and they can bind to nickel(II) and copper(II) ions. Nickel chelates can be obtained by a three-component condensation of 2-arylhydrazono-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and methylamine in the presence of nickel(II) cations.     

Preparation and coordination properties including catalytic activities of a bulky 2-methyl-3-thioxo-1,3-diphosphapropene

[reaction: see text] 2-Methyl-3,3-diphenyl-3-thioxo-1-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3-diphosphapropene, which bears a P=C-P=S skeleton, was prepared and used as a ligand of transition-metal complexes. The palladium complexes containing the ligated 3-thioxo-1,3-diphophapropene were stable and used for catalytic reactions such as cross-couplings and direct conversion of allyl alcohol to allylaniline.     

Tuning of the excitation wavelength from UV to visible region in Eu(3+)-β-diketonate complexes: comparison of theoretical and experimental photophysical properties

A novel class of efficient visible light sensitized antenna complexes of Eu(3+) based on the use of a series of highly conjugated β-diketonates, namely, 1-(1-phenyl)-3-(2-fluoryl) propanedione, 1-(2-naphthyl)-3-(2-fluoryl)propanedione, 1-(4-biphenyl)-3-(2-fluoryl) propanedione, and 2,2'-bis(di-p-tolylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl oxide as an ancillary ligand has been designed, synthesized, characterized and their photophysical properties investigated. The coordination geometries of the typical Eu(3+) complexes were calculated using the Sparkle/PM3 model. Photophysical properties of europium complexes benefit from adequate protection of the metal by the rigid phosphine oxide ligand against non-radiative deactivation and efficient ligand-to-metal energy transfer exceeding 50% as compared to precursor samples. The replacement of the phenyl group with the naphthyl or biphenyl groups in the 3-position of the fluoryl based β-diketonate ligand remarkably extends the excitation window of the corresponding Eu(3+) complexes towards the visible region (up to 500 nm). The highly conjugated β-diketonate ligands sensitize efficiently the luminescence of Eu(3+) ions with quantum yields ranging from 19 to 43 % in the solid state, which is among the highest reported for a visible sensitized Eu(3+)complex. The theoretical quantum efficiencies from the Sparkle/PM3 structures are in good agreement with the experimental values, clearly attesting to the efficacy of the theoretical models.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with liquid crystalline properties

Lewis-base adducts of tris(β -diketonato)lanthanide(III) complexes were prepared, where the β -diketone is para -alkoxy-substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione. These compounds are the first examples of liquid crystalline lanthanide complexes in which the mesomorphism is introduced via a β -diketonate ligand. Depending on the type of the Lewis base, the metallomesogens exhibit a monotropic smectic A or a monotropic highly ordered smectic phase. Intense photoluminescence was observed for the europium(III) complexes at room temperature.     

Luminescent characteristics of liquid-phase systems and polymer compositions containing europium β-diketonates solubilized with pluronics

The solubilization of europium β-diketonate complexes with amphiphilic polymers, ternary block copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxides (Pluronics), was shown to change luminescence intensity in such complexes. The association of europium β-diketonate complexes with Pluronics was proved by atomic force microscopy of agglomerates crystallized on mica surfaces from chloroform solutions of Pluronic F-127 in the presence and absence of the luminophores under study. In the absence of luminophores, Pluronic F-127 crystallized on a mica surface had a dendrite-like structure, while the evaporation of chloroform solutions containing both europium β-diketonates and Pluronic F-127 gave crystallized luminophore-Pluronic associates as compact islands with a characteristic size of ～0.5 μm.     

Photolysis of 1-alkylcycloalkanols in the presence of (diacetoxyiodo)benzene and I2. Intramolecular selectivity in the beta-scission reactions of the intermediate 1-alkylcycloalkoxyl radicals

The C-C beta-scission reactions of 1-alkylcycloalkoxyl radicals, generated photochemically by visible light irradiation of CH2Cl2 solutions containing the parent 1-alkylcycloalkanols, (diacetoxy)iodobenzene (DIB), and I2, have been investigated through the analysis of the reaction products. The 1-alkylcycloalkoxyl radicals undergo competition between ring opening and C-alkyl bond cleavage as a function of ring size and of the nature of the alkyl substituent. With the 1-propylcycloheptoxyl, 1-propylcyclooctoxyl,and 1-phenylcyclooctoxyl radicals, formation of products deriving from an intramolecular 1,5-hydrogen atom abstraction reaction from the cycloalkane ring has also been observed. The results are discussed in terms of release of ring strain associated to ring opening, stability of the alkyl radical formed by C-alkyl cleavage, and with cycloheptoxyl and cyclooctoxyl radicals, also in terms of the possibility of achieving a favorable geometry for intramolecular hydrogen atom abstraction.     

Frustrated Lewis pairs beyond the main group: synthesis, reactivity, and small molecule activation with cationic zirconocene-phosphinoaryloxide complexes

The extension of the frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) concept to the transition series with cationic zirconocene-phosphinoaryloxide complexes is demonstrated. Such complexes mimic the reactivity of main group FLPs in reactions such as heterolytic hydrogen cleavage, CO(2) activation, olefin and alkyne addition, and ring-opening of tetrahydrofuran. The interplay between sterics and electronics is shown to have an important role in determining the reactivity of these compounds with hydrogen in particular. The Zr-H species generated from the heterolytic activation of hydrogen is shown to undergo insertion reactions with both CO(2) and CO. Crucially, these transition metal FLPs are markedly more reactive than main group systems in many cases, and in addition to the usual array of reactions they demonstrate unprecedented reactivity in the activation of small molecules. This includes S(N)2 and E2 reactions with alkyl chlorides and fluorides, enolate formation from acetone, and the cleavage of C-O bonds to facilitate S(N)2 type reactions with noncyclic dialkyl ethers.     

A simple iridium catalyst with a single resolved stereocenter for enantioselective allylic amination. Catalyst selection from mechanistic analysis

A study of the relationship between the stereochemical elements of a phosphoramidite ligand and the stereoselectivity of iridium-catalyzed amination of allylic carbonates is reported. During catalyst activation, a complex of a phosphoramidite ligand possessing one axial chiral binaphtholate group and two resolved phenethyl substituents converts to a more reactive cyclometalated complex containing one distal chiral substituent at nitrogen, one substituent that becomes part of the metalacycle, and one unperturbed binaphtholate group. Systematic changes were made to the different stereochemical elements. Replacement of the distal chiral phenethyl substituent with a large achiral cycloalkyl group led to a catalyst that reacts with rates and enantioselectivities that are similar to those of the original catalyst with the phenethyl group. Studies of the reactions of diastereomeric ligands containing (R) or (S) binaphtholate groups on phosphorus, along with one (R)-phenethyl and one achiral cyclododecyl group on nitrogen, show that the complexes of the two diastereomeric ligands undergo cyclometalation at much different rates. To access both diastereomeric catalysts and to determine if the reaction can occur selectively with an even simpler ligand containing a phenethyl substituent at nitrogen as the only resolved stereochemical element, the catalyst derived from a phosphoramidite containing a biphenolate group was studied. Catalysts generated from this ligand were shown to react in all cases examined with nearly the same rates, regioselectivities, and enantioselectivities as catalysts derived from the original more elaborate ligand. The absolute stereochemistry of the product implies that the major enantiomer is formed from the (R(a),R(c))-atropisomer of the catalyst containing the biphenolate group.     

1,3-Diphosphapropenes for novel chemistry of metal complexes

2-Methyl-3,3-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl)-1,3-diphosphapropene was obtained as a chelate ligand for palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes. Sulfurization of 2-methyl-1,3-diphosphapropene mainly gave 3-thioxo-1,3-diphosphapropene which bears a PC-PS skeleton and was used as a ligand of transition-metal complexes. A doubly-sulfurized product of the 1,3-diphosphapropene, 1,3-dithioxo-1,3-diphosphapropene, was isolated and characterized. The palladium(II) complexes containing the ligated 1,3-diphosphapropenes were used for catalytic reactions such as cross-couplings and direct conversion of allyl alcohol to allylaniline.     

β-Silylacrylate as a Multipurpose Reagent in Organic Synthesis

Acrylates are well known electrophilic alkenes having multitude of applications in organic synthesis. They are very good acceptors in Michael addition reactions and are good enophile/dienophile/dipolarophile partners in cycloaddition reactions. Replacing the β-alkyl/aryl groups in acrylates by a silicon group would be interesting. In addition to the conventional reactions displayed by acrylates, β-silylacrylates (β-SAs) can show reactivity specifically related to the silicon group. Many conventional organic reactions such as hydrodimerization, organocatalytic asymmetric Michael additions, inter- and intra-molecular Diels–Alder reactions, and asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions have been used to generate the complex chemical entities from β-SAs. Some of the reaction outcomes were vastly influenced by the silicon substituent. This review describes the practical synthesis β-SAs and their use as starting point in complex molecule generation including total synthesis of some natural products/bioactive molecules.