Dialkylterphenyl Phosphine-Based Palladium Precatalysts for Efficient Aryl Amination of N-Nucleophiles

A series of 2-aminobiphenyl palladacycles supported by dialkylterphenyl phosphines, PR₂Ar′ (R=Me, Et, iPr, Cyp (cyclopentyl), Ar′=Ar^Dipp2, Ar^Xyl2f, Dipp (2,6-C6H3-(2,6-C6H3-(CHMe2)2)2), Xyl=xylyl) have been prepared and structurally characterized. Neutral palladacycles were obtained with less bulky terphenyl phosphines (i.e., Me and Et substituents) whereas the largest phosphines provided cationic palladacycles in which the phosphines adopted a bidentate hemilabile k¹-P,η¹-C_arene coordination mode. The influence of the ligand structure on the catalytic performance of these Pd precatalysts was evaluated in aryl amination reactions. Cationic complexes bearing the phosphines PiPr₂Ar^Xyl2 and PCyp₂Ar^Xyl2 were the most active of the series. These precatalysts have demonstrated a high versatility and efficiency in the coupling of a variety of nitrogen nucleophiles, including secondary amines, alkyl amines, anilines, and indoles, with electronically deactivated and ortho-substituted aryl chlorides at low catalyst loadings (0.25–0.75 mol % Pd) and without excess ligand.     

Oxidative Coordination versus C3−C(O)Me Bond Cleavage in Acetylacetonate Iridium Complexes

Iridabicycles [Ir{κ³-N,C,O-(pyC(H)=C(C(O)Me)₂}(Cl)(L−L)](L−L=cod (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene), 1 a ; bipy (bipy=2,2’-bipyridine), 1 b ) have been obtained by oxidative coordination of 3-(pyridine-2-yl-methylene)pentane-2,4-dione L1 , to the complexes [{Ir(μ-Cl)(cod)}₂] and [{Ir(μ-Cl)(coe)₂}₂] (coe=cis-cyclooctene), the latter in the presence of bipy. Remarkably, cleavage of the C³−C(O)Me bond of L1 has instead been achieved in the reaction with [Ir(Cl)(dmb)₂] (dmb=2,3-dimethylbutadiene), yielding a compound formulated as [Ir{κ²-N,C-(pyC(H)C(C(O)Me))}(CO)(μ-Cl)(Me)]₂, 2 . Treatment of dimer 2 with DMSO or PMe₃ produced the complexes[Ir{κ²-N,C-(pyC(H)C(C(O)Me)}(CO)Cl(Me)L] (L=DMSO, 3 a ; PMe₃, 3 b ). Plausible mechanisms for the reactions leading to complexes 1 and 2 are proposed by means of DFT calculations.     

Bulky iminophosphine-based nickel and palladium catalysts bearing 2,6-dibenzhydryl groups for ethylene oligo-/polymerization

A series of 2,6-dibenzhydryl substituted bulky Ni and Pd complexes containing P,N-chelating ligands, {[2,6-(Ph₂CH)₂-4-R-C₆H₂-N=CH-C₆H₄-2-PPh₂]MX₂; MX₂ =NiBr₂; R = Me ( Ni1 ); R = F ( Ni2 ); MX₂ =PdCl₂, R = Me ( Pd1 )}, have been prepared and used as catalyst precursors for ethylene oligo-/polymerization. Compared to the corresponding 2,6-diisopropyl Ni catalyst, these bulky Ni precatalysts activated by Et₂AlCl exhibited excellent catalytic performance toward ethylene polymerization with activity of up to 1.90 × 10⁵ g PE (mol Ni)⁻¹ h⁻¹, and result in semicrystalline PEs with high molecular weight. The catalytic performance of these bulky P,N-type complexes was significantly improved by introducing two ortho-dibenzhydryl on the N-aryl substituents. However, the formation of C₁₀–C₂₄ oligomers were generated using their palladium catalysts through ethylene oligomerization at high temperatures.     

Direct Synthesis of Highly Substituted Pyrroles and Dihydropyrroles Using Linear Selective Hydroacylation Reactions

Rhodium(I) catalysts incorporating small bite‐angle diphosphine ligands, such as (Cy₂P)₂NMe or bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), are effective at catalysing the union of aldehydes and propargylic amines to deliver the linear hydroacylation adducts in good yields and with high selectivities. In situ treatment of the hydroacylation adducts with p‐TSA triggers a dehydrative cyclisation to provide the corresponding pyrroles. The use of allylic amines, in place of the propargylic substrates, delivers functionalised dihydropyrroles. The hydroacylation reactions can also be combined in a cascade process with a Rh^I‐catalysed Suzuki‐type coupling employing aryl boronic acids, providing a three‐component assembly of highly substituted pyrroles.     

Cross‐coupling reactions in water using ionic liquid‐based palladium(II)–phosphinite complexes as outstanding catalysts

Two new phosphinite ligands based on ionic liquids [(Ph₂PO)C₇H₁₄N₂Cl]Cl ( 1 ) and [(Cy₂PO)C₇H₁₄N₂Cl]Cl ( 2 ) were synthesized by reaction of 1‐(3‐chloro‐2‐hydoxypropyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride, [C₇H₁₅N₂OCl]Cl, with one equivalent of chlorodiphenylphosphine or chlorodicyclohexylphosphine, respectively, in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ and under argon atmosphere. The reactions of 1 and 2 with MCl₂(cod) (M = Pd, Pt; cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) yield complexes cis‐[M([(Ph₂PO)C₇H₁₄N₂Cl]Cl)₂Cl₂] and cis‐[M(Cy₂PO)C₇H₁₄N₂Cl]Cl)₂Cl₂], respectively. All complexes were isolated as analytically pure substances and characterized using multi‐nuclear NMR and infrared spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The catalytic activity of palladium complexes based on ionic liquid phosphinite ligands 1 and 2 was investigated in Suzuki cross‐coupling. They show outstanding catalytic activity in coupling of a series of aryl bromides or aryl iodides with phenylboronic acid under the optimized reaction conditions in water. The complexes provide turnover frequencies of 57 600 and 232 800 h^?1 in Suzuki coupling reactions of phenylboronic acid with p‐bromoacetophenone or p‐iodoacetophenone, respectively, which are the highest values ever reported among similar complexes for Suzuki coupling reactions in water as sole solvent in homogeneous catalysis. Furthermore, the palladium complexes were also found to be highly active catalysts in the Heck reaction affording trans‐stilbenes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cyclopentadienyl Complexes of IrIII for Attempted C−D Bond Activation

The complexes Cp(MeIm)IrI₂ and Cp^Me4(MeIm)IrCl₂ have been prepared and subsequently methylated to form Cp(MeIm)IrMe₂ and Cp^Me4(MeIm)IrMe₂ (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅, Cp^Me4=η⁵-C₅HMe₄, MeIm=1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene). We attempted unsuccessfully to use the dimethyl complexes to study C−D bond activation via methyl-group abstraction. Protonation with one equivalent of a weak acid, such as 2,6-dimethylpyridinium chloride, affords methane and Ir^III methyl chloride complexes. ¹H-NMR experiments show addition of pyridinium [BArF₂₀]⁻ (BArF₂₀=[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻) to the dimethyl species forms [Cp(MeIm)IrMe(py)]⁺[BArF₂₀]⁻ (py=pyridine) or [Cp^Me4(MeIm)IrMe(py)]⁺[BArF₂₀]⁻ respectively, alongside methane, while use of the [BArF₂₀]⁻ salts of more bulky 2,6-dimethylpyridinium and 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridinium gave an intractable mixture. Likewise, the generation of 16 e⁻ species [Cp^Me4(MeIm)IrMe]⁺[BArF₂₀]⁻ or [Cp(MeIm)IrMe]⁺[BarF₂₀]⁻ at low temperature using 2,6-dimethylpyridinium or 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridinium in thawing C₆D₆ or toluene-d₈ formed an intractable mixture and did not lead to C−D bond activation. X-ray structures of several Ir^III complexes show similar sterics as that found for the previously reported Cp* analogue.     

Catalytic activity of Pd dithiolate complexes with large-bite-angle diphosphines in Heck coupling reactions

Palladium(II) complexes of aryl dithiolates and wide-bite-angle diphosphines Xantphos and dppf have been developed as efficient catalysts in Suzuki and Suzuki carbonylation reactions. The catalytic activity of these highly stable, discrete and charged complexes was investigated in Heck coupling reactions of styrene and a variety of aryl bromides. Under optimized reaction conditions these palladium complexes showed excellent activity with high turnover number (6 × 10⁶) and high turnover frequency (4 × 10⁵ h⁻¹). The effect of bite angle of diphosphines on the catalytic activity of the complexes [Pd₂(P^∩P)₂(SC₁₂H₈S)]₂(OTf)₄ followed the trend P^∩P = Xantphos > dppf > dppe as the order of their bite angles. The catalyst could be reused, and after three cycles the formation of significant amount of Pd nanoparticles was noticed, which were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The high catalytic activity has been attributed to the Pd nanoparticles.     

Anionic Palladium(0) and Palladium(II) Ate Complexes

Palladium ate complexes are frequently invoked as important intermediates in Heck and cross‐coupling reactions, but so far have largely eluded characterization at the molecular level. Here, we use electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry, electrical conductivity measurements, and NMR spectroscopy to show that the electron‐poor catalyst [L₃Pd] (L=tris[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphine) readily reacts with Br⁻ ions to afford the anionic, zero‐valent ate complex [L₃PdBr]⁻. In contrast, more‐electron‐rich Pd catalysts display lower tendencies toward the formation of ate complexes. Combining [L₃Pd] with LiI and an aryl iodide substrate (ArI) results in the observation of the Pd^II ate complex [L₂Pd(Ar)I₂]⁻.     

Cobalt Cyclopentadienyl-Phosphine Dinitrogen Complexes

By applying the potassium salts of cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligands LK to CoCl₂, the corresponding cobalt chlorides ( 1 , L Co^IICl) were prepared. By reducing complexes 1 with KHBEt₃ under a N₂ atmosphere, bridging end-on complexes, L Co^I−N₂−Co^I L ( 2 a and 2 b ), were successfully obtained. ¹⁵N₂-labeled [¹⁵N₂]- 2 a was prepared under ¹⁵N₂/¹⁴N₂ exchange in THF solution. L Co^I−N₂−Co^I L complex 2 a could react with P₄ molecules to release N₂ and generate a Co−P₄−Co moiety 4 . Further reduction of complex 2 b led to cleavage of a P−C bond in the cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligand to provide novel μ-PCy₂-bridged Co⁰−N₂ complex 5 . DFT calculations confirmed the experimental observations.     

Five-Membered Ruthenacycles: Ligand-Assisted Alkyne Insertion into 1,3-N,S-Chelated Ruthenium Borate Species

Building upon previous work, the chemistry of [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru{P(OMe)₂OR}Cl₂], (R=H or Me) has been extended with [H₂B(mbz)₂]⁻ (mbz=2-mercaptobenzothiazolyl) using different Ru precursors and borate ligands. As a result, a series of 1,3-N,S-chelated ruthenium borate complexes, for example, [(κ²-N,S-L)PR₃Ru{κ³-H,S,S’−H₂B(L)₂}], ( 2 a – d and 2 a’ – d’ ; R=Ph, Cy, OMe or OPh and L=C₅H₄NS or C₇H₄NS₂) and [Ru{κ³-H,S,S’-H₂B(L)₂}₂], ( 3 : L=C₅H₄NS, 3’ : L=C₇H₄NS₂) were isolated upon treatment of [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂PR₃], 1 a – d (R=Ph, Cy, OMe or OPh) with [H₂B(mp)₂]⁻ or [H₂B(mbz)₂]⁻ ligands (mp=2-mercaptopyridyl). All the Ru borate complexes, 2 a – d and 2 a’ – d’ are stabilized by phosphine/phosphite and hemilabile N,S-chelating ligands. Treatment of these Ru borate species, 2 a’ – c’ with various terminal alkynes yielded two different types of five-membered ruthenacycle species, namely [PR₃{C₇H₄S₂-(E)-N-C=CH(R ’ )}Ru{κ³-H,S,S ’ −H₂B(L)₂}], ( 4 – 4’ ; R=Ph and R ’ =CO₂Me or C₆H₄NO₂; L=C₇H₄NS₂) and [PR₃{C₇H₄NS-(E)-S-C=CH(R ’ )}Ru{κ³-H,S,S ’ −H₂B(L)₂}], ( 5 – 5’ , 6 and 7 ; R=Ph, Cy or OMe and R ’ =CO₂Me or C₆H₄NO₂; L=C₇H₄NS₂). All these five-membered ruthenacycle species contain an exocyclic C=C moiety, presumably formed by the insertion of a terminal alkyne into the Ru−N and Ru−S bonds. The new species have been characterized spectroscopically and the structures were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Theoretical studies and chemical-bonding analyses established that charge transfer occurs from phosphorus to ruthenium center following the trend PCy₃<PPh₃<P(OPh)₃<P(OMe)₃.     

trans-Pd(OAc)2(Cy2NH)2 catalyzed Suzuki coupling reactions and its temperature-dependent activities toward aryl bromides

A new catalytic system based on Pd-simple amines for Suzuki coupling reactions of aryl bromides is described. A well-defined air-stable complex, trans-Pd(OAc)₂(Cy₂NH)₂ effectively promotes Suzuki couplings of aryl bromides with a range of aryl boronic acids to give diaryl products in high yields. It also exhibits temperature-dependent activity toward aryl bromides bearing different electronic substituents under reaction conditions.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of Cationic Gold Diarylallenylidene Complexes

Methoxide abstraction from gold acetylide complexes of the form (L)Au[η¹‐C≡CC(OMe)ArAr′] (L=IPr, P(^tBu)₂(ortho‐biphenyl); Ar/Ar′=C₆H₄X where X=H, Cl, Me, OMe) with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) at −78 °C resulted in the formation of the corresponding cationic gold diarylallenylidene complexes [(L)Au=C=C=CArAr′]⁺ OTf⁻ in ≥85±5 % yield according to ¹H NMR analysis. ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopic analysis of these complexes established the arene‐dependent delocalization of positive charge on both the C1 and C3 allenylidene carbon atoms. The diphenylallenylidene complex [(IPr)Au=C=C=CPh₂]⁺ OTf⁻ reacted with heteroatom nucleophiles at the allenylidene C1 and/or C3 carbon atom.     

Iridium Diphosphine Complexes Featuring Pendant Lewis Acids: Efforts toward Selective Heteroarene Borylation

The selective forging of carbon-boron bonds via C−H borylation stands as a central means to access fine chemical precursors. Notwithstanding, achieving selectivity in this reaction is difficult, calling for the design of molecular catalysts that offer a vector for mechanistic control. This report aims to achieve such through the strategic placement of Lewis acids in the ligand periphery, permitting engagement with a substrate through non-covalent Lewis acid/base interactions. Various diphosphine iridium(I/III) complexes having 1,2-bis(di-n-propylphosphino)ethane) (dnppe), tetrakisallylphosphinoethane (tape) and 1,2-bis(di(3-dicyclohexylboranyl)propylphosphino)ethane (P₂B^Cy₄) ligands were prepared. The P₂B^Cy₄ ligand scaffold boasts four Lewis acidic boron groups in its secondary coordination sphere, which are shown to engage with N-heterocycles, tape is the precursor to P₂B^Cy₄, and dnppe is a saturated n-propyl analogue devoid of boron functionality. Select combinations of such iridium salts/diphosphine ligands were assayed in the catalytic borylation of 2-methylpyridine using B₂Pin₂ (Pin=pinacol).     

Cationic Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Decarbonylative Aryl Addition of Aromatic Aldehydes to Bicyclic Alkenes

We report an unprecedented catalytic protocol for the enantioselective decarbonylative transformation of aryl aldehydes. In this process, the decarbonylation of aldehydes catalyzed by chiral iridium complexes enabled the formation of asymmetric C−C bonds through the formation of an aryl−iridium intermediate. The decarbonylative aryl addition to bicyclic alkenes was fluidly performed without a stoichiometric aryl−metal reagent, such as aryl boronic acid, with a cationic iridium complex generated in situ from Ir(cod)₂(BAr^F₄) and the sulfur-linked bis(phosphoramidite) ligand ((R,R)-S−Me−BIPAM). This reaction has broad functional group compatibility, and no waste is generated, except carbon monoxide.     

Treatment of Silylene–Phosphinidene with Chalcogens Resulted Exclusively in the Formation of Silicon-Bonded Chalcogens

Chalcogen-bonded silicon phosphinidenes LSi(E)−P−^MecAAC (E=S ( 1 ); Se ( 2 ); Te ( 3 ); L=PhC(NtBu)₂; ^MecAAC=C(CH₂)(CMe₂)₂N-2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)) were synthesized from the reactions of silylene–phosphinidene LSi−P−^MecAAC ( A ) with elemental chalcogens. All the compounds reported herein have been characterized by multinuclear NMR, elemental analyses, LIFDI-MS, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Furthermore, the regeneration of silylene–phosphinidene ( A ) was achieved from the reactions of 2 – 3 with L′Al (L′=HC{(CMe)(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃N)}₂). Theoretical studies on chalcogen-bonded silicon phosphinidenes indicate that the Si−E (E=S, Se, Te) bond can be best represented as charge-separated electron-sharing σ-bonding interaction between [LSi−P−^MecAAC]⁺ and E⁻. The partial double-bond character of Si−E is attributed to significant hyperconjugative donation from the lone pair on E⁻ to the Si−N and Si−P σ*-molecular orbitals.     

Ruthenium(II/III) bipyridine complexes incorporating thiol-based imine functions: Synthesis,spectroscopic and redox properties

A group of five new ruthenium(II) bipyridine heterochelates of the type [Ru^II(bpy)₂L]⁺ 1a–1e have been synthesized (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine; L=anionic form of the thiol-based imine ligands, HS–C₆H₄NC(H)C₆H₄(R) (R=OMe, Me, H, Cl, NO₂). The complexes 1a−1e are 1:1 conducting and diamagnetic. The complexes 1a−1e exhibit strong MLCT transitions in the visible region and intra-ligand transitions in the UV region. In acetonitrile solvent complexes show a reversible ruthenium(III)–ruthenium(II) couple in the range 0.2–0.4 V and irreversible ruthenium(III)→ruthenium(IV) oxidation in the range 1.15–1.73 V vs. SCE. Two successive bipyridine reductions are observed in the ranges −1.43 to −1.57 and −1.67 to −1.78 V vs. SCE. The complexes are susceptible to undergo stereoretentive oxidations to the trivalent ruthenium(III) congeners. The isolated one-electron paramagnetic ruthenium(III) complex, 1c⁺ exhibits weak rhombic EPR spectrum at 77 K (g₁=2.106, g₂=2.093, g₃=1.966) in 1:1 chloroform–toluene. The EPR spectrum of 1c⁺ has been analyzed to furnish values of distortion parameters (Δ=8988 cm⁻¹; V=0.8833 cm⁻¹) and energy of the expected ligand field transitions (ν₁=1028 nm and ν₂=1186 nm) within the t₂ shell. One of the ligand field transitions has been experimentally observed at 1265 nm.     

Providing Support in Favor of the Existence of a PdII/PdIV Catalytic Cycle in a Heck‐Type Reaction

The complex [Pd(O,N,C‐L)(OAc)], in which L is a monoanionic pincer ligand derived from 2,6‐diacetylpyridine, reacts with 2‐iodobenzoic acid at room temperature to afford the very stable pair of Pd^IV complexes (OC‐6‐54)‐ and (OC‐6‐26)‐[Pd(O,N,C‐L)(O,C‐C₆H₄CO₂‐2)I] (1.5:1 molar ratio, at ?55 °C). These complexes and the Pd^II species [Pd(O,N,C‐L)(OX)] and [Pd(O,N,C‐L′)(NCMe)]ClO₄, (X=MeC(O) or ClO₃, L′=another monoanionic pincer ligand derived from 2,6‐diacetylpyridine), are precatalysts for the arylation of CH₂?CHR (R?CO₂Me, CO₂Et, Ph) using IC₆H₄CO₂H‐2 and AgClO₄. These catalytic reactions have been studied and a tentative mechanism is proposed. The presence of two Pd^IV complexes was detected by ESI(+)‐MS during the catalytic process. All the data obtained strongly support a Pd^II/Pd^IV catalytic cycle.     

Inducing Covalent Atomic Interaction in Intermetallic Pt Alloy Nanocatalysts for High-Performance Fuel Cells

The harsh working environments of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) pose huge challenges to the stability of Pt-based alloy catalysts. The widespread presence of metallic bonds with significantly delocalized electron distribution often lead to component segregation and rapid performance decay. Here we report L1₀−Pt₂CuGa intermetallic nanoparticles with a unique covalent atomic interaction between Pt−Ga as high-performance PEMFC cathode catalysts. The L1₀−Pt₂CuGa/C catalyst shows superb oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and stability in fuel cell cathode (mass activity=0.57 A mg_Pt⁻¹ at 0.9 V, peak power density=2.60/1.24 W cm⁻² in H₂-O₂/air, 28 mV voltage loss at 0.8 A cm⁻² after 30 000 cycles). Theoretical calculations reveal the optimized adsorption of oxygen intermediates via the formed biaxial strain on L1₀−Pt₂CuGa surface, and the durability enhancement stems from the stronger Pt−M bonds than those in L1₁−PtCu resulted from Pt−Ga covalent interactions.     

Shedding Light on the Diverse Reactivity of NacNacAl with N-Heterocycles

The aluminum(I) compound NacNacAl (NacNac=[ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)NAr]⁻, Ar=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃, 1 ) shows diverse and substrate-controlled reactivity in reactions with N-heterocycles. 4-Dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), a basic substrate in which the 4-position is blocked, induces rearrangement of NacNacAl by shifting a hydrogen atom from the methyl group of the NacNac backbone to the aluminum center. In contrast, C−H activation of the methyl group of 4-picoline takes place to produce a species with a reactive terminal methylene. Reaction of 1 with 3,5-lutidine results in the first example of an uncatalyzed, room-temperature cleavage of an sp² C−H bond (in the 4-position) by an Al^I species. Another reactivity mode was observed for quinoline, which undergoes 2,2′-coupling. Finally, the reaction of 1 with phthalazine produces the product of N−N bond cleavage.     

Strategic Synthesis of Heptacoordinated FeIII Bifunctional Complexes for Efficient Water Electrolysis

In this research, highly efficient heterogeneous bifunctional (BF) electrocatalysts (ECs) have been strategically designed by Fe coordination (C_R) complexes, [Fe₂L₂(H₂O)₂Cl₂] (C1) and [Fe₂L₂(H₂O)₂(SO₄)].2(CH₄O) (C2) where the high seven C_R number synergistically modifies the electronic environment of the Fe centre for facilitation of H₂O electrolysis. The electronic status of Fe and its adjacent atomic sites have been further modified by the replacement of −Cl⁻ in C1 by −SO₄²⁻ in C2 . Interestingly, compared to C1 , the O−S−O bridged C2 reveals superior BF activity with extremely low overpotential (η) at 10 mA cm⁻² (140 mV_OER, 62 mV_HER) and small Tafel slope (120.9 mV dec⁻¹_OER, 45.8 mV dec⁻¹_HER). Additionally, C2 also facilitates a high-performance alkaline H₂O electrolyzer with cell voltage of 1.54 V at 10 mA cm⁻² and exhibits remarkable long-term stability. Thus, exploration of the intrinsic properties of metal–organic framework (MOF)-based ECs opens up a new approach to the rational design of a wide range of molecular catalysts.