Boosting Low‐Valent Aluminum(I) Reactivity with a Potassium Reagent

The reagent RK [R=CH(SiMe₃)₂ or N(SiMe₃)₂] was expected to react with the low‐valent (^DIPPBDI)Al (^DIPPBDI=HC[C(Me)N(DIPP)]₂, DIPP=2,6‐iPr‐phenyl) to give [(^DIPPBDI)AlR]^?K⁺. However, deprotonation of the Me group in the ligand backbone was observed and [H₂C=C(N‐DIPP)?C(H)=C(Me)?N?DIPP]Al^?K⁺ ( 1 ) crystallized as a bright‐yellow product (73 %). Like most anionic Al^I complexes, 1 forms a dimer in which formally negatively charged Al centers are bridged by K⁺ ions, showing strong K⁺???DIPP interactions. The rather short Al–K bonds [3.499(1)–3.588(1) Å] indicate tight bonding of the dimer. According to DOSY NMR analysis, 1 is dimeric in C₆H₆ and monomeric in THF, but slowly reacts with both solvents. In reaction with C₆H₆, two C?H bond activations are observed and a product with a para‐phenylene moiety was exclusively isolated. DFT calculations confirm that the Al center in 1 is more reactive than that in (^DIPPBDI)Al. Calculations show that both Al^I and K⁺ work in concert and determines the reactivity of 1 .     

Boosting Low-Valent Aluminum(I) Reactivity with a Potassium Reagent

The reagent RK [R=CH(SiMe₃)₂ or N(SiMe₃)₂] was expected to react with the low-valent (^DIPPBDI)Al (^DIPPBDI=HC[C(Me)N(DIPP)]₂, DIPP=2,6-iPr-phenyl) to give [(^DIPPBDI)AlR]⁻K⁺. However, deprotonation of the Me group in the ligand backbone was observed and [H₂C=C(N-DIPP)−C(H)=C(Me)−N−DIPP]Al⁻K⁺ ( 1 ) crystallized as a bright-yellow product (73 %). Like most anionic Al^I complexes, 1 forms a dimer in which formally negatively charged Al centers are bridged by K⁺ ions, showing strong K⁺⋅⋅⋅DIPP interactions. The rather short Al–K bonds [3.499(1)–3.588(1) Å] indicate tight bonding of the dimer. According to DOSY NMR analysis, 1 is dimeric in C₆H₆ and monomeric in THF, but slowly reacts with both solvents. In reaction with C₆H₆, two C−H bond activations are observed and a product with a para-phenylene moiety was exclusively isolated. DFT calculations confirm that the Al center in 1 is more reactive than that in (^DIPPBDI)Al. Calculations show that both Al^I and K⁺ work in concert and determines the reactivity of 1 .     

Low Valent Magnesium Chemistry with a Super Bulky β‐Diketiminate Ligand

The steric bulk of the well‐known ^DIPPBDI ligand (CH[C(CH₃)N‐DIPP]₂, DIPP=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) was increased by replacing isopropyl for isopentyl groups. This very bulky ^DIPePBDI ligand could not stabilize the radical species (^DIPePBDI)Mg^.: reduction of (^DIPePBDI)MgI with Na gave (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂ with a rather long Mg‐Mg bond of 3.0513(8) Å. Addition of TMEDA prior to reduction gave complex (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂(C₆H₆), which could also be obtained as its THF adduct. It is speculated that combination of a bulky spectator ligand and TMEDA prevents dimerization of the intermediate Mg^I radical, which then reacts with the benzene solvent. Complex (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂(C₆H₆), which formally contains the anti‐aromatic anion C₆H₆^2?, reacted with tBuOH as a Brønsted base to 1,3‐ and 1,4‐cyclohexadiene and with H₂ as a two electron donor to (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂H₂ and C₆H₆. It also reductively cleaved the C?F bond in fluorobenzene and gave (^DIPePBDI)MgPh, (^DIPePBDI)MgF, and C₆H₆.     

Cationic Aluminium Complexes as Catalysts for Imine Hydrogenation

Strongly Lewis acidic cationic aluminium complexes, stabilized by β–diketiminate (BDI) ligands and free of Lewis bases, have been prepared as their B(C₆F₅)₄⁻ salts and were investigated for catalytic activity in imine hydrogenation. The backbone (R1) and N (R2) substituents on the ^R1,R2BDI ligand (^R1,R2BDI=HC[C(R1)N(R2)]₂) influence sterics and Lewis acidity. Ligand bulk increases along the row ^Me,DIPPBDI<^Me,DIPePBDI≈^tBu,DIPPBDI<^tBu,DIPePBDI; DIPP=2,6-C(H)Me₂-phenyl, DIPeP=2,6-C(H)Et₂-phenyl. The Gutmann-Beckett test showed acceptor numbers of: (^tBu,DIPPBDI)AlMe⁺ 85.6, (^tBu,DIPePBDI)AlMe⁺ 85.9, (^Me,DIPPBDI)AlMe⁺ 89.7, (^Me,DIPePBDI)AlMe⁺ 90.8, (^Me,DIPPBDI)AlH⁺ 95.3. Steric and electronic factors need to be balanced for catalytic activity in imine hydrogenation. Open, highly Lewis acidic, cations strongly coordinate imine rendering it inactive as a Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP). The bulkiest cations do not coordinate imine but its combination is also not an active catalyst. The cation (^tBu,DIPPBDI)AlMe⁺ shows the best catalytic activity for various imines and is also an active catalyst for the Tishchenko reaction of benzaldehyde to benzylbenzoate. DFT calculations on the mechanism of imine hydrogenation catalysed by cationic Al complexes reveal two interconnected catalytic cycles operating in concert. Hydrogen is activated either by FLP reactivity of an Al⋅⋅⋅imine couple or, after formation of significant quantities of amine, by reaction with an Al⋅⋅⋅amine couple. The latter autocatalytic Al⋅⋅⋅amine cycle is energetically favoured.     

Calcium–Amidoborane–Ammine Complexes: Thermal Decomposition of Model Systems

Hydrocarbon‐soluble model systems for the calcium–amidoborane–ammine complex Ca(NH₂BH₃)₂ ? (NH₃)₂ were prepared and structurally characterized. The following complexes were obtained by the reaction of RNH₂BH₃ (R=H, Me, iPr, DIPP; DIPP=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) with Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂) ? (NH₃)₂ (DIPP‐nacnac=DIPP? NC(Me)CHC(Me)N? DIPP): Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂BH₃) ? (NH₃)₂, Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂BH₃) ? (NH₃)₃, Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)[NH(Me)BH₃] ? (NH₃)₂, Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)[NH(iPr)BH₃] ? (NH₃)₂, and Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)[NH(DIPP)BH₃] ? NH₃. The crystal structure of Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂BH₃) ? (NH₃)₃ showed a NH₂BH₃^? unit that was fully embedded in a network of BH???HN interactions (range: 1.97(4)–2.39(4) Å) that were mainly found between NH₃ ligands and BH₃ groups. In addition, there were N? H???C interactions between NH₃ ligands and the central carbon atom in the ligand. Solutions of these calcium–amidoborane–ammine complexes in benzene were heated stepwise to 60 °C and thermally decomposed. The following main conclusions can be drawn: 1) Competing protonation of the DIPP‐nacnac anion by NH₃ was observed; 2) The NH₃ ligands were bound loosely to the Ca²⁺ ions and were partially eliminated upon heating. Crystal structures of [Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂BH₃) ? (NH₃)]_∞, Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂BH₃) ? (NH₃) ? (THF), and [Ca(DIPP‐nacnac){NH(iPr)BH₃}]₂ were obtained. 3) Independent of the nature of the substituent R in NH(R)BH₃, the formation of H₂ was observed at around 50 °C. 4) In all cases, the complex [Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂)]₂ was formed as a major product of thermal decomposition, and its dimeric nature was confirmed by single‐crystal analysis. We proposed that thermal decomposition of calcium–amidoborane–ammine complexes goes through an intermediate calcium–hydride–ammine complex which eliminates hydrogen and [Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂)]₂. It is likely that the formation of metal amides is also an important reaction pathway for the decomposition of metal–amidoborane–ammine complexes in the solid state.     

Ring‐opening polymerization of β‐butyrolactone catalyzed by efficient magnesium and zinc complexes derived from tridentate anilido‐aldimine ligand

Magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) complexes incorporating tridentate anilido‐aldimine ligand, (E)‐2, 6‐diisopropyl‐N‐(2‐((2‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)ethylimino)methyl)phenyl)aniline ( AA ^Pip ‐H, 1 ), were synthesized and structurally characterized. The reaction of AA ^Pip ‐H ( 1 ) with MgⁿBu₂ or ZnEt₂ in equivalent proportions afforded the monomeric complex [( AA ^Pip )MgⁿBu] ( 2 ) or [( AA ^Pip )ZnEt] ( 3 ), respectively. The coordination modes of these complexes differ in the solid state: Mg complex 2 shows a four‐coordinated and distorted tetrahedral geometry, whereas Zn complex 3 adopts a trigonal planar geometry with a three‐coordinated Zn center. Complexes 2 and 3 are efficient catalysts for the ring‐opening polymerization of β‐butyrolactone (β‐BL) in the presence of 9‐anthracenemethanol (9‐AnOH). The polymerization of β‐BL with the Zn catalyst system is demonstrated in a living fashion with a narrow polydispersity index, PDI = 1.01–1.10. The number‐averaged molecular weight (M_n) of the produced poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is quite close to the expected M_n over diverse molar ratios of monomer to 9‐AnOH. A greater ratio of monomer to alcohol catalyzed by Zn complex 3 served to form PHB with a large molecular weight (M_n > 60000). An effective method to prepare PHB‐b‐PCL and PEG‐b‐PHB by the ring‐opening copolymerization of β‐BL catalyzed by zinc complex 3 is reported. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Arene‐Bridged Metal–Metal‐Bonded Dimolybdenum Complexes

The bis(hydride) dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(H)₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(thf)₂], 2 , which possesses a quadruply bonded Mo₂^II core, undergoes light‐induced (365 nm) reductive elimination of H₂ and arene coordination in benzene and toluene solutions, with formation of the Mo^I₂ complexes [Mo₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(arene)], 3?C₆H₆ and 3?C₆H₅Me , respectively. The analogous C₆H₅OMe, p‐C₆H₄Me₂, C₆H₅F, and p‐C₆H₄F₂ derivatives have also been prepared by thermal or photochemical methods, which nevertheless employ different Mo₂ complex precursors. X‐ray crystallography and solution NMR studies demonstrate that the molecule of the arene bridges the molybdenum atoms of the Mo^I₂ core, coordinating to each in an η² fashion. In solution, the arene rotates fast on the NMR timescale around the Mo₂‐arene axis. For the substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, the NMR data are consistent with the existence of a major rotamer in which the metal atoms are coordinated to the more electron‐rich C?C bonds.     

Unsupported Mg–Alkene Bonding

The first intermolecular early main group metal–alkene complexes were isolated. This was enabled by using highly Lewis acidic Mg centers in the Lewis base-free cations (^MeBDI)Mg⁺ and (^tBuBDI)Mg⁺ with B(C₆F₅)₄⁻ counterions (^MeBDI=CH[C(CH₃)N(DIPP)]₂, ^tBuBDI=CH[C(tBu)N(DIPP)]₂, DIPP=2,6-diisopropylphenyl). Coordination complexes with various mono- and bis-alkene ligands, typically used in transition metal chemistry, were structurally characterized for 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, cyclooctene, 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene, 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene, and 2-ethyl-1-butene. In all cases, asymmetric Mg–alkene bonding with a short and a long Mg−C bond is observed. This asymmetry is most extreme for Mg–(H₂C=CEt₂) bonding. In bromobenzene solution, the Mg–alkene complexes are either dissociated or in a dissociation equilibrium. A DFT study and AIM analysis showed that the C=C bonds hardly change on coordination and there is very little alkene→Mg electron transfer. The Mg–alkene bonds are mainly electrostatic and should be described as Mg²⁺ ion-induced dipole interactions.     

Alkaline-Earth Metal Mediated Benzene-to-Biphenyl Coupling

Complex [(^DIPePBDI)Ca]₂(C₆H₆), with a C₆H₆²⁻ dianion bridging two Ca²⁺ ions, reacts with benzene to yield [(^DIPePBDI)Ca]₂(biphenyl) with a bridging biphenyl²⁻ dianion (^DIPePBDI=HC[C(Me)N-DIPeP]₂; DIPeP=2,6-CH(Et)₂-phenyl). The biphenyl complex was also prepared by reacting [(^DIPePBDI)Ca]₂(C₆H₆) with biphenyl or by reduction of [(^DIPePBDI)CaI]₂ with KC₈ in presence of biphenyl. Benzene-benzene coupling was also observed when the deep purple product of ball-milling [(^DIPPBDI)CaI(THF)]₂ with K/KI was extracted with benzene (DIPP=2,6-CH(Me)₂-phenyl) giving crystalline [(^DIPPBDI)Ca(THF)]₂(biphenyl) (52 % yield). Reduction of [(^DIPePBDI)SrI]₂ with KC₈ gave highly labile [(^DIPePBDI)Sr]₂(C₆H₆) as a black powder (61 % yield) which reacts rapidly and selectively with benzene to [(^DIPePBDI)Sr]₂(biphenyl). DFT calculations show that the most likely route for biphenyl formation is a pathway in which the C₆H₆²⁻ dianion attacks neutral benzene. This is facilitated by metal-benzene coordination.     

Cyclohydroamination of Aminoalkenes Catalyzed by Disilazide Alkaline‐Earth Metal Complexes: Reactivity Patterns and Deactivation Pathways

The behavior of the first aminophenolate catalysts of the large alkaline earth metals (Ae) [(LOⁱ)AeN(SiMe₂R)₂(thf)_x] (i=1–4; Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba; R=H, Me; x=0–2) for the cyclohydroamination of terminal aminoalkenes is discussed. The complexes [(BDI)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] (Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba, x=1–2; (BDI)H=H₂C[C(Me)N‐2,6‐(iPr)₂C₆H₃]₂)) and [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₃)₂(thf)] supported by the β‐diketiminate (BDI)^? ligand have also been employed for comparative and mechanistic considerations. The catalytic performances decrease in the order Ca>Sr?Ba, which is the opposite trend to that previously observed during the intermolecular hydroamination of activated alkenes catalyzed by the same alkaline‐earth metal complexes. Catalyst efficacy increases when the chelating and donating ability of the aminophenolate ligands decreases. For given metals and ancillary scaffolds, disilazide catalysts that incorporate the N(SiMe₃)₂^? amido group outclass their congeners containing the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? amide owing to the lower basicity of the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? with respect to the N(SiMe₃)₂^? group, and also because Ae–N(SiMe₂H)₂ catalysts suffer from irreversible deactivation through the dehydrogenative coupling of amine and hydrosilane moieties. This deactivation process takes place at 25 °C in the case of [(LOⁱ)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] phenolate complexes and occurs even with the related [(BDI)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] complex, albeit under conditions harsher than those required for effective cyclohydroamination catalysis. A mechanistic scenario for cyclohydroamination catalyzed by [(LX)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] complexes ((LX)^?=(LOⁱ)^? or (BDI)^?) is proposed. Although beneficial for the synthesis of Ae heteroleptic complexes able to resist deleterious Schlenk‐type equilibria, the use of the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? is prejudicial to catalytic activity in the case of catalyzed transformations that involve reactive amine (and potentially other) substrates. Mechanistic and kinetic investigations further illustrate the interplay between the catalytic activity, operative mechanism, and identity of the metal, ancillary ligand, and amido group. These studies suggest that the widely accepted mechanism for cyclohydroamination reactions cannot be extended systematically to all alkaline‐earth catalysts. The [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₂H)₂{H₂NCH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂CH?CH₂}₂] complex, the first Ca–aminoalkene adduct structurally characterized, was prepared quantitatively and essentially behaves like [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₂H)(thf)], thus serving as a model compound for mechanistic studies, as illustrated during stoichiometric reactions monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

The Unexpected Mechanism Underlying the High‐Valent Mono‐Oxo‐Rhenium(V) Hydride Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of CN Functionalities: Insights from a DFT Study

In this study, we theoretically investigated the mechanism underlying the high‐valent mono‐oxo‐rhenium(V) hydride Re(O)HCl₂(PPh₃)₂ ( 1 ) catalyzed hydrosilylation of C?N functionalities. Our results suggest that an ionic S_N2‐Si outer‐sphere pathway involving the heterolytic cleavage of the Si?H bond competes with the hydride pathway involving the C?N bond inserted into the Re?H bond for the rhenium hydride ( 1 ) catalyzed hydrosilylation of the less steric C?N functionalities (phenylmethanimine, PhCH=NH, and N‐phenylbenzylideneimine, PhCH=NPh). The rate‐determining free‐energy barriers for the ionic outer‐sphere pathway are calculated to be ～28.1 and 27.6 kcal mol^?1, respectively. These values are slightly more favorable than those obtained for the hydride pathway (by ～1–3 kcal mol^?1), whereas for the large steric C?N functionality of N,1,1‐tri(phenyl)methanimine (PhCPh=NPh), the ionic outer‐sphere pathway (33.1 kcal mol^?1) is more favorable than the hydride pathway by as much as 11.5 kcal mol^?1. Along the ionic outer‐sphere pathway, neither the multiply bonded oxo ligand nor the inherent hydride moiety participate in the activation of the Si?H bond.     

Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution at Benzene with Powerful Strontium Hydride and Alkyl Complexes

Key to the isolation of the first alkyl strontium complex was the synthesis of a strontium hydride complex that is stable towards ligand exchange reactions. This goal was achieved by using the super bulky β‐diketiminate ligand ^DIPePBDI (CH[C(Me)N‐DIPeP]₂, DIPeP=2,6‐diisopentylphenyl). Reaction of ^DIPePBDI‐H with Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ gave (^DIPePBDI)SrN(SiMe₃)₂, which was converted with PhSiH₃ into [(^DIPePBDI)SrH]₂. Dissolved in C₆D₆, the strontium hydride complex is stable up to 70 °C. At 60 °C, H–D isotope exchange gave full conversion into [(^DIPePBDI)SrD]₂ and C₆D₅H. Since H–D exchange with D₂ is facile, the strontium hydride complex served as a catalyst for the deuteration of C₆H₆ by D₂. Reaction of [(^DIPePBDI)SrH]₂ with ethylene gave [(^DIPePBDI)SrEt]₂. The high reactivity of this alkyl strontium complex is demonstrated by facile ethylene polymerization and nucleophilic aromatic substitution with C₆D₆, giving alkylated aromatic products and [(^DIPePBDI)SrD]₂.     

Ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐lactide catalyzed by Al(III) and Zn(II) complexes incorporating Schiff base ligands derived from pyrrole‐2‐carboxaldehyde

A series of Al(III) chloride [LAl‐Cl]; Al(III) alkoxide [LAl‐OR]₂; and Zn(II) [LZn]₂ complexes with Schiff base ligands were obtained. ¹H NMR and X‐ray diffraction studies indicate that [LAl‐Cl] complexes have C_s symmetry and the Al center is penta‐coordinated. The Al(III) alkoxide complex [L⁵Al‐OⁱPr]₂ is a dimer bridged by OⁱPr^? with the Al center in a distorted octahedral environment. Zn complexes [LZn]₂ are double helix dimers with tetra‐coordinated Zn centers. The catalytic activity for the ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐lactide was evaluated. The best activity in this series is shown by the aluminium chloride complex with a flexible three‐carbon bridge; more flexible four‐carbon bridges lower the activity.     

Super‐Bulky Penta‐arylcyclopentadienyl Ligands: Isolation of the Full Range of Half‐Sandwich Heavy Alkaline‐Earth Metal Hydrides

Hydrogenolysis of the half‐sandwich penta‐arylcyclopentadienyl‐supported heavy alkaline‐earth‐metal alkyl complexes (Cp^Ar)Ae[CH(SiMe₃)₂](S) (Cp^Ar=C₅Ar₅, Ar=3,5‐ⁱPr₂‐C₆H_3; S=THF or DABCO) in hexane afforded the calcium, strontium, and barium metal–hydride complexes as the same dimers [(Cp^Ar)Ae(μ‐H)(S)]₂ (Ae=Ca, S=THF, 2‐Ca ; Ae=Sr, Ba, S=DABCO, 4‐Ae ), which were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. 2‐Ca , 4‐Sr , and 4‐Ba catalyzed alkene hydrogenation under mild conditions (30 °C, 6 atm, 5 mol % cat.), with the activity increasing with the metal size. A variety of activated alkenes including tri‐ and tetra‐substituted olefins, semi‐activated alkene (Me₃SiCH=CH₂), and unactivated terminal alkene (1‐hexene) were evaluated.     

Di‐nuclear zinc complexes containing tridentate imino‐benzotriazole phenolate derivatives as efficient catalysts for ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic esters and copolymerization of phthalic anhydride with cyclohexene oxide

Zinc catalysts incorporated by imino‐benzotriazole phenolate ( IBTP ) ligands were synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure determinations. The reaction of the ligand precursor ( ^C1DMeIBTP ‐H or ^C1DIPIBTP ‐H) with diethyl zinc (ZnEt₂) in a stoichiometric proportion in toluene furnished the di‐nuclear ethyl zinc complexes [(μ‐ ^C1DMeIBTP )ZnEt]₂ ( 1 ) and [(μ‐ ^C1DIPIBTP )ZnEt]₂ ( 2 ). The tetra‐coordinated monomeric zinc complex [( ^C1PhIBTP )₂Zn] ( 3 ) or [( ^C1BnIBTP )₂Zn] ( 4 ) resulted from treatment of ^C1PhIBTP ‐H or ^C1BnIBTP ‐H as the pro‐ligand under the similar synthetic method with ligand to metal precursor ratio of 2:1. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction of bimetallic complexes 1 and 2 indicates that the ^C1DMeIBTP or ^C1DIPIBTP fragment behaves a NON‐tridentate ligand to coordinate two metal atoms. Catalysis for ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL), β‐butyrolactone (β‐BL), and lactide (LA) of complexes 1 and 2 was systematic studied. In combination with 9‐anthracenemethanol (9‐AnOH), Zn complex 1 was found to polymerize ε‐CL, β‐BL, and L‐LA with efficient catalytic activities in a controlled character. This study also compared the reactivity of these ROP monomers with different ring strains by Zn catalyst 1 in the presence of 9‐AnOH. Additionally, Zn complex 1 combining with benzoic acid was demonstrated to be an active catalytic system to copolymerize phthalic anhydride and cyclohexene oxide. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 714–725     

η6‐Arene‐Zirconium‐PNP‐Pincer Complexes: Mechanism of Their Hydrogenolytic Formation and Their Reactivity as Zirconium(II) Synthons

The cyclometalated monobenzyl complexes [(Cbzdiphos^R‐CH)ZrBnX] 1 ^{i Pr} Cl and 1 ^Ph I reacted with dihydrogen (10 bar) to yield the η⁶‐toluene complexes [(Cbzdiphos^R)Zr(η⁶‐tol)X] 2 ^{i Pr} Cl and 2 ^Ph I (cbzdiphos=1,8‐bis(phosphino)‐3,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐9H‐carbazole). The arene complexes were also found to be directly accessible from the triiodide [(Cbzdiphos^Ph)ZrI₃] through an in situ reaction with a dibenzylmagnesium reagent and subsequent hydrogenolysis, as exemplified for the η⁶‐mesitylene complex [(Cbzdiphos^Ph)Zr(η⁶‐mes)I] ( 3 ^Ph I ). The tolyl‐ring in 2 ^{i Pr} Cl adopts a puckered arrangement (fold angle 23.3°) indicating significant arene‐1,4‐diido character. Deuterium labeling experiments were consistent with an intramolecular reaction sequence after the initial hydrogenolysis of a Zr?C bond by a σ‐bond metathesis. A DFT study of the reaction sequence indicates that hydrogenolysis by σ‐bond metathesis first occurs at the cyclometalated ancillary ligand giving a hydrido‐benzyl intermediate, which subsequently reductively eliminates toluene that then coordinates to the Zr atom as the reduced arene ligand. Complex 2 ^Ph I was reacted with 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl isocyanide giving the deep blue, diamagnetic Zr^II‐diisocyanide complex [(Cbzdiphos^Ph)Zr(CNDipp)₂I] ( 4 ^Ph I ). DFT modeling of 4 ^Ph I demonstrated that the HOMO of the complex is primarily located as a “lone pair on zirconium”, with some degree of back‐bonding into the C≡N π* bond, and the complex is thus most appropriately described as a zirconium(II) species. Reaction of 2 ^Ph I with trimethylsilylazide (N₃TMS) and 2 ^{i Pr} Cl with 1‐azidoadamantane (N₃Ad) resulted in the formation of the imido complexes [(Cbzdiphos^R)Zr=NR′(X)] 5 ^{i Pr} Cl‐NAd and 5 ^Ph I‐NTMS , respectively. Reaction of 2 ^{i Pr} Cl with azobenzene led to N?N bond scission giving 6 ^{i Pr} Cl , in which one of the NPh‐fragments is coupled with the carbazole nitrogen to form a central η²‐bonded hydrazide(?1), whereas the other NPh‐fragment binds to zirconium acting as an imido‐ligand. Finally, addition of pyridine to 2 ^{i Pr} Cl yielded the dark purple complex [(Cbzdiphos^iPr)Zr(bpy)Cl] ( 7 ^{i Pr} Cl ) through a combination of CH‐activation and C?C‐coupling. The structural data and UV/Vis spectroscopic properties of 7 ^{i Pr} Cl indicate that the bpy (bipyridine) may be regarded as a (dianionic) diamido‐type ligand.     

NOESY,HOESY, T1 and solid‐state NMR studies on [RuH(η6‐toluene)(Binap)](CF3SO3): a molecule with a strongly distorted piano‐stool structure

Detailed solution‐NMR studies on the distorted ruthenium hydride complex [RuH(η⁶‐toluene)(Binap)](CF₃SO₃) (2) are reported. NOE‐spectroscopy, together with low‐temperature ¹H and ³¹P NMR data, reveals restricted rotation around a P—C bond for a specific axial P—phenyl ring with the activation energy determined via simulation. From ¹⁹F, ¹H HOESY data, the approach of the triflate anion relative to the hydride ligand is established. Comparison of the quadrupole coupling constant C_QF from both solution‐ and solid‐state MAS‐NMR on the deuteride [RuD(η⁶‐benzene)(Binap)](CF₃SO₃) (1‐D) provide information on the nature of the Ru—H bond. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Coupling of Indoles and 7‐Azabenzonorbornadienes by C−H Activation/Desymmetrization

Chiral rhodium(III) cyclopentadienyl catalysts (Cp^XRh^III) play significant roles in asymmetric arene C?H activation. Rh/Ir‐catalyzed couplings of arenes and strained rings have been well‐studied, but they have been limited to racemic systems. Reported in this work is the Cp^xRh^III/AgSbF₆‐catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrizative C?C coupling of N‐pyrimidylindoles and 7‐azabenzonorbornadienes with high efficiency and enantioselectivity. The role of AgSbF₆ has been established by mechanistic studies. AgSbF₆ enhances the catalytic activity by suppressing the C3?H activation of the indoles, activation which would otherwise lead to catalytically inactive species.     

Chemoselective C(sp3)?H Bond Activation for the Preparation of Condensed N‐Heterocycles

Condensed N‐heterocycles were prepared by using C? H activation reactions catalyzed by Pd(OAc)₂ (5 mol %) and (p‐tolyl)₃P (10 mol %). The key step of these ring closures is chemoselective intramolecular C? H activation of the methyl group at position 2 of the pyrrole ring. Functionalized 9H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indoles and pyrrolo[1,2‐f]phenanthridine derivatives were prepared in good yields. The preparation of some complex N‐heterocycles by using successive reactions is also described.     

Efficient catalysts for ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and β‐butyrolactone: Synthesis and characterization of zinc complexes based on benzotriazole phenoxide ligands

A series of efficient zinc catalysts supported by sterically bulky benzotriazole phenoxide ( BTP ) ligands are synthesized and structurally characterized. The reactions of diethyl zinc (ZnEt₂) with ^CMe2PhBTP ‐H, ^t‐BuBTP ‐H, and ^TMClBTP ‐H yield monoadduct [(μ‐ BTP )ZnEt]₂ ( 1 – 3 ), respectively. Bisadduct complex [( ^t‐BuBTP )₂Zn] ( 4 ) results from treatment of ZnEt₂ with ^t‐BuBTP ‐H (2 equiv.) in toluene, but treatment of ^TMClBTP ‐H with ZnEt₂ in the same stoichiometric proportion in Et₂O produces five‐coordinated monomeric complex [( ^TMClBTP )₂Zn(Et₂O)] ( 5 ). The molecular structures of compounds 1 , 4 , and 5 are characterized by X‐ray crystal structure determinations. All complexes 1 – 5 are efficient catalysts for the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) in the presence of 9‐anthracenemethanol. Experimental results indicate that complex 3 exhibits the greatest activity with well‐controlled character among these complexes. The polymerizations of ε‐CL and β‐butyrolactone catalyzed by 3 are demonstrated in a “living” character with narrow polydispersity indices (monomer‐to‐initiator ratio in the range of 25–200, PDIs ≤ 1.10). The “immortal” character of 3 provides a way to synthesize as much as 16‐fold polymer chains of poly(ε‐CL) (PCL) with narrow PDI in the presence of a catalyst in a small proportion. The controlled fashion of complex 3 also enabled preparation of the PCL‐b‐poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) copolymer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011