Consecutive Transformations of Tetrafluoropropenes: Hydrogermylation and Catalytic C−F Activation Steps at a Lewis Acidic Aluminum Fluoride

Functionalization reactions of the refrigerants HFO‐1234yf (2,3,3,3‐tetrafluoropropene) and HFO‐1234ze (1,3,3,3‐tetrafluoropropene) were developed. The selectivity and reactivity towards CF₃ groups of C−F activation reactions can be controlled by employing either a germane or a silane as the hydrogen source. Unique transformations were designed to accomplish consecutive hydrogermylation and C−F activation steps. This allowed for an unprecedented transformation of an olefinic C−F bond into a C−H bond by heterogeneous catalysis. These reactions are catalyzed by nanoscopic aluminum chlorofluoride (ACF) under very mild conditions.     

Consecutive C–F bond activation and C–F bond formation of heteroaromatics at rhodium: the peculiar role of FSi(OEt)3

C–F activation of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine at [Rh{Si(OEt)₃}(PEt₃)₃] (1) yields [Rh{2-(3,5,6-C₅F₃HN)}(PEt₃)₃] (2) and FSi(OEt)₃, but in an unprecedented consecutive reaction FSi(OEt)₃ acts as a fluoride source to give [Rh(4-C₅F₄N)(PEt₃)₃] (4) by regeneration of the C–F bond and C–H activation. Analogous refluorination steps were observed for other 2-pyridyl rhodium complexes. NMR spectroscopic studies revealed a delicate balance between the feasibility for C–F bond formation accompanied by a C–H activation and the occurrence of competing reactions such as hydrodefluorinations induced by the intermediary presence of H₂.     

Versatile Reaction Pathways of 1,1,3,3,3-Pentafluoropropene at Rh(I) Complexes [Rh(E)(PEt3)3] (E=H,GePh3, Si(OEt)3, F,Cl): C-F versus C-H Bond Activation Steps

The reaction of the rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(E)(PEt₃)₃] (E=GePh₃ ( 1 ), H ( 6 ), F ( 7 )) with 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene afforded the defluorinative germylation products Z/E-2-(triphenylgermyl)-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and the fluorido complex [Rh(F)(CF₃CHCF₂)(PEt₃)₂] ( 2 ) together with the fluorophosphorane E-(CF₃)CH=CF(PFEt₃). For [Rh(Si(OEt)₃)(PEt₃)₃] ( 4 ) the coordination of the fluoroolefin was found to give [Rh{Si(OEt)₃}(CF₃CHCF₂)(PEt₃)₂] ( 5 ). Two equivalents of complex 2 reacted further by C−F bond oxidative addition to yield [Rh(CF=CHCF₃)(PEt₃)₂(μ-F)₃Rh(CF₃CHCF₂)(PEt₃)] ( 9 ). The role of the fluorido ligand on the reactivity of complex 2 was assessed by comparison with the analogous chlorido complex. The use of complexes 1 , 4 and 6 as catalysts for the derivatization of 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene provided products, which were generated by hydrodefluorination, hydrometallation and germylation reactions.     

Binuclear Aromatic C−H Bond Activation at a Dirhenium Site

The electronically unsaturated dirhenium complex [Re₂(CO)₈(μ‐H)(μ‐Ph)] ( 1 ) has been found to exhibit aromatic C?H activation upon reaction with N,N‐diethylaniline, naphthalene, and even [D₆]benzene to yield the compounds [Re₂(CO)₈(μ‐H)(μ‐η¹‐NEt₂C₆H₄)] ( 2 ), [Re₂(CO)₈(μ‐H)(μ‐η²‐1,2‐C₁₀H₇)] ( 3 ), and [D₆]‐ 1 , respectively, in good yields. The mechanism has been elucidated by using DFT computational analyses, and involves a binuclear C?H bond‐activation process.     

Cross‐Coupling of Organolithium with Ethers or Aryl Ammonium Salts by C−O or C−N Bond Cleavage

Various aryl‐, alkenyl‐, and/or alkyllithium species reacted smoothly with aryl and/or benzyl ethers with cleavage of the inert C?O bond to afford cross‐coupled products, catalyzed by commercially available [Ni(cod)₂] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) catalysts with N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. Furthermore, the coupling reaction between the aryllithium compounds and aryl ammonium salts proceeded under mild conditions with C?N bond cleavage in the presence of a [Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] catalyst. These methods enable selective sequential functionalizations of arenes having both C?N and C?O bonds in one pot.     

Transition‐Metal‐Mediated Cleavage of Fluoro‐Silanes under Mild Conditions

Si?F bond cleavage of fluoro‐silanes was achieved by transition‐metal complexes under mild and neutral conditions. The Iridium‐hydride complex [Ir(H)(CO)(PPh₃)₃] was found to readily break the Si?F bond of the diphosphine‐ difluorosilane {(o‐Ph₂P)C₆H₄}₂Si(F)₂ to afford a silyl complex [{[o‐(iPh₂P)C₆H₄]₂(F)Si}Ir(CO)(PPh₃)] and HF. Density functional theory calculations disclose a reaction mechanism in which a hypervalent silicon species with a dative Ir→Si interaction plays a crucial role. The Ir→Si interaction changes the character of the H on the Ir from hydridic to protic, and makes the F on Si more anionic, leading to the formation of H^δ+???F^δ? interaction. Then the Si?F and Ir?H bonds are readily broken to afford the silyl complex and HF through σ‐bond metathesis. Furthermore, the analogous rhodium complex [Rh(H)(CO)(PPh₃)₃] was found to promote the cleavage of the Si?F bond of the triphosphine‐monofluorosilane {(o‐Ph₂P)C₆H₄}₃Si(F) even at ambient temperature.     

Defluorosilylation of Industrially Relevant Fluoroolefins Using Nucleophilic Silicon Reagents

A number of new magnesium and lithium silyl reagents were prepared and shown to be outstanding nucleophiles in reactions with industrially relevant fluoroolefins. These reactions result in a net transformation of either sp² or sp³ C?F bonds into C?Si bonds by two modes of nucleophilic attack (S_NV or S_N2′). The methods are mild, proceeding with high chemo‐ and regioselectivity. Mechanistic pathways are described that lead to new substitution patterns from HFO‐1234yf, HFO‐1234ze, and HFO‐1336mzz, previously inaccessible by transition metal catalyzed difluorosilylation routes.     

Synthesis and reactivity of rhodium fluoro complexes

[RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (1) reacts with Et₃N·3HF to give the fluoro compound [RhF(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (2). In a comparable reaction [RhF(PEt₃)₃] (5) has been obtained from [RhH(PEt₃)₃] (3) or [RhH(PEt₃)₄] (4) with substoichiometric amounts of Et₃N·3HF in THF. If the latter reaction is carried out in benzene, the complexes 5, cis-mer-[Rh(H)₂F(PEt₃)₃] (6) and cis-fac-[Rh(H)₂F(PEt₃)₃] (7) are obtained. Treatment of 5 with HCl in ether effects the generation of [RhCl(PEt₃)₃] (8) and the bifluoride compound [Rh(FHF)(PEt₃)₃] (9), which can be converted into 5 in the presence of Et₃N and Cs₂CO₃. Treatment of 5 with HSiR₂Ph (R=Ph, Me) leads to the formation of 3 and the rhodium(III) silyl complexes fac-[Rh(H)₂(SiR₂Ph)(PEt₃)₃] (10: R=Ph, 11: R=Me).     

Generation and Reactivity of {(Ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis[diisopropylphosphine‐κP]}‐{[2,4,6‐tri(tert‐butyl)phenyl]phosphino‐κP}rhodium ([Rh{PH(tBu3C6H2)}(iPr2PCH2CH2PiPr2)]): Catalytic C−P Bond Formation via Intramolecular C−H/P−H Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling

The complex [Rh(η³‐benzyl)(dippe)] ( 1 ; dippe=bis(diisopropylphosphino)ethane=(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis[diisopropylphosphine]) reacted cleanly with Mes*PH₂ ( 2 ; Mes*=2,4,6‐^tBu₃C₆H₂) to provide a new Rh species [Rh(H)(dippe)(L)] ( 3 ), L being the 2,3‐dihydro‐3,3‐dimethyl‐1H‐phosphindole ligand 4 (=^tBu₂C₆H₂(CMe₂CH₂PH)) (Scheme 1). Complex 3 was converted to the corresponding chloride [Rh(Cl)(dippe)(L)] ( 6 ) when treated with CH₂Cl₂, whereas the dimeric species [Rh₂{μ‐^tBu₂C₆H₂(CMe₂CH₂P)}(μ‐H)(dippe)₂] ( 7 ) was formed upon thermolysis in toluene (Scheme 2). The structures of 6 and 7 ⋅C₇H₈ were determined by X‐ray crystallography. Complexes 1 and 3 served as catalyst precursors for the dehydrogenative coupling of C−H and P−H bonds in the conversion of 2 to 4 (Scheme 3). Deuteration studies with Mes*PD₂ exposed a complex series of bond‐activation pathways that appear to involve C−H activation of the dippe ligand by the Rh‐atom (Schemes 4 and 5)     

Catalytic Borylation of SCF3‐Functionalized Arenes by Rhodium(I) Boryl Complexes: Regioselective CH Activation at the ortho‐Position

An unprecedented reaction pathway for the borylation of SCF₃‐containing arenes using [Rh(Bpin)(PEt₃)₃] (pin=pinacolato) is reported. Catalytic processes were developed and the functionalizations proceed under mild reaction conditions. The C? H activations occur with a unique regioselectivity for the position ortho to the SCF₃ group, which apparently serves as directing group. Borylated SCF₃ compounds can serve as versatile building blocks.     

A Cobalt(I) Pincer Complex with an η2‐Caryl−H Agostic Bond: Facile C−H Bond Cleavage through Deprotonation,Radical Abstraction,and Oxidative Addition

The synthesis and reactivity of a Co^I pincer complex [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ featuring an η²‐ C_aryl?H agostic bond is described. This complex was obtained by protonation of the Co^I complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. The Co^III hydride complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂(H)]⁺ was obtained upon protonation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂]. Three ways to cleave the agostic C?H bond are presented. First, owing to the acidity of the agostic proton, treatment with pyridine results in facile deprotonation (C?H bond cleavage) and reformation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. Second, C?H bond cleavage is achieved upon exposure of [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ to oxygen or TEMPO to yield the paramagnetic Co^II PCP complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺. Finally, replacement of one CO ligand in [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ by CNtBu promotes the rapid oxidative addition of the agostic η²‐C_aryl?H bond to give two isomeric hydride complexes of the type [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)(CO)(H)]⁺.     

Alcohol‐Induced C−N Bond Cleavage of Cyclometalated N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands with a Methylene‐Linked Pendant Imidazolium Ring

Reaction of the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rhodium iodide dimer [Cp*RhI₂]₂ with 1,1′‐diphenyl‐3,3′‐methylenediimidazolium diiodide in non‐alcohol solvents, in the presence of base, led to the formation of bis‐carbene complex [Cp*Rh(bis‐NHC)I]I (bis‐NHC=1,1′‐diphenyl‐4,4′‐methylenediimidazoline‐5,5′‐diylidene). In contrast, when employing alcohols as the solvent in the same reaction, cleavage of a methylene C?N bond is observed, affording ether‐functionalized (cyclometalated) carbene ligands coordinated to the metal center and the concomitant formation of complexes with a coordinated imidazole ligand. Studies employing other 1,1′‐diimidazolium salts indicate that the cyclometalation step is a prerequisite for the activation/scission of the C?N bond and, based on additional experimental data, a S_N2 mechanism for the reaction is tentatively proposed.     

Facile P−C/C−H Bond‐Cleavage Reactivity of Nickel Bis(diphosphine) Complexes

Unusual cleavage of P?C and C?H bonds of the P₂N₂ ligand, in heteroleptic [Ni(P₂N₂)(diphosphine)]²⁺ complexes under mild conditions, results in the formation of an iminium formyl nickelate featuring a C,P,P‐tridentate coordination mode. The structures of both the heteroleptic [Ni(P₂N₂)(diphosphine)]²⁺ complexes and the resulting iminium formyl nickelate have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate the mechanism of the P?C/C?H bond cleavage, which involves C?H bond cleavage, hydride rotation, Ni?C/P?H bond formation, and P?C bond cleavage.     

Utilising Sodium‐Mediated Ferration for Regioselective Functionalisation of Fluoroarenes via C−H and C−F Bond Activations

Pairing iron bis(amide) Fe(HMDS)₂ with Na(HMDS) to form new sodium ferrate base [(dioxane)_0.5?NaFe(HMDS)₃] ( 1 ) enables regioselective mono and di‐ferration (via direct Fe?H exchange) of a wide range of fluoroaromatic substrates under mild reaction conditions. Trapping of several ferrated intermediates has provided key insight into how synchronised Na/Fe cooperation operates in these transformations. Furthermore, using excess 1 at 80 °C switches on a remarkable cascade process inducing the collective twofold C?H/threefold C?F bond activations, where each C?H bond is transformed to a C?Fe bond whereas each C?F bond is transformed into a C?N bond.     

Rh‐Catalyzed Direct Carboxylation of Alkenyl C−H Bonds of Alkenylpyrazoles

The Rh‐catalyzed direct carboxylation of alkenyl C?H bonds was achieved by using pyrazole as a removable directing group. In the presence of 5 mol% RhCl₃ ? 3H₂O, 6 mol% P(Mes)₃, and 2 equiv. of AlMe₂(OMe), the alkenyl C?H bond of various alkenylpyrazoles was directly carboxylated in good yields under CO₂ atmosphere. Furthermore, several useful transformations of the pyrazole moiety of the product were achieved to afford synthetically useful carboxylic acid derivatives in good yields.     

SF and SC Activation of SF6 and SF5 Derivatives at Rhodium: Conversion of SF6 into H2S

The degradation of SF₆ and SF₅ organyls by S? F and S? C bond‐activation reactions at [{Rh(μ‐H)(dippp)}₂] under mild conditions is reported. Fluorido and thiolato species were identified as products or intermediates, and were characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. An unprecedented cyclic process for the conversion of the potent greenhouse gas SF₆ into H₂S was developed.     

Electrophilic Iron Catalyst Paired with a Lithium Cation Enables Selective Functionalization of Non‐Activated Aliphatic C−H Bonds via Metallocarbene Intermediates

Combining an electrophilic iron complex [Fe(^Fpda)(THF)]₂ ( 3 ) [^Fpda=N,N′‐bis(pentafluorophenyl)‐o‐phenylenediamide] with the pre‐activation of α‐alkyl‐substituted α‐diazoesters reagents by LiAl(OR^F)₄ [OR^F=(OC(CF₃)₃] provides unprecedented access to selective iron‐catalyzed intramolecular functionalization of strong alkyl C(sp³)?H bonds. Reactions occur at 25 °C via α‐alkyl‐metallocarbene intermediates, and with activity/selectivity levels similar to those of rhodium carboxylate catalysts. Mechanistic investigations reveal a crucial role of the lithium cation in the rate‐determining formation of the electrophilic iron‐carbene intermediate, which then proceeds by concerted insertion into the C?H bond.     

Reactive Dimerization of an N‐Heterocyclic Plumbylene: C−H Activation with PbII

The N‐heterocyclic plumbylene [Fe{(η⁵‐C₅H₄)NSiMe₃}₂Pb:] is in equilibrium with an unprecedented dimer in solution, whose formation involves the cleavage of a strong C?H bond and concomitant formation of a Pb?C and an N?H bond. According to a mechanistic DFT assessment, dimer formation does not involve direct Pb^II insertion into a cyclopentadienyl C?H bond, but is best described as an electrophilic substitution. The bulkier plumbylene [Fe{(η⁵‐C₅H₄)NSitBuMe₂}₂Pb:] shows no dimerization, but compensates its electrophilicity by the formation of an intramolecular Fe?Pb bond.     

Unprecedented Reaction Pathway of Sterically Crowded Calcium Complexes: Sequential C−N Bond Cleavage Reactions Induced by C−H Bond Activations

Five bis(quinolylmethyl)‐(1H ‐indolylmethyl)amine (BQIA) compounds, that is, {(quinol‐8‐yl‐CH₂)₂NCH₂(3‐Br‐1H ‐indol‐2‐yl)} ( L¹H ) and {[(8‐R³‐quinol‐2‐yl)CH₂]₂NCH(R²)[3‐R¹‐1H ‐indol‐2‐yl]} ( L^2–5H ) ( L²H : R¹=Br, R²=H, R³=H; L³H : R¹=Br, R²=H, R³=i Pr; L⁴H : R¹=H, R²=CH₃, R³=i Pr; L⁵H : R¹=H, R²=n Bu, R³=i Pr) were synthesized and used to prepare calcium complexes. The reactions of L^1–5H with silylamido calcium precursors (Ca[N(SiMe₂R)₂]₂(THF)₂, R=Me or H) at room temperature gave heteroleptic products ( L^{1, 2} )CaN(SiMe₃)₂ ( 1 , 2 ), ( L^{3, 4} )CaN(SiHMe₂)₂ ( 3 a , 4 a ) and homoleptic complexes ( L^{3, 5} )₂Ca ( D3 , D5 ). NMR and X‐ray analyses proved that these calcium complexes were stabilized through Ca⋅⋅⋅C−Si, Ca⋅⋅⋅H−Si or Ca⋅⋅⋅H−C agostic interactions. Unexpectedly, calcium complexes (( L^3–5 )CaN(SiMe₃)₂) bearing more sterically encumbered ligands of the same type were extremely unstable and underwent C−N bond cleavage processes as a consequence of intramolecular C−H bond activation, leading to the exclusive formation of (E )‐1,2‐bis(8‐isopropylquinol‐2‐yl)ethane.     

A Cobalt(I) Pincer Complex with an η2‐Caryl−H Agostic Bond: Facile C−H Bond Cleavage through Deprotonation,Radical Abstraction,and Oxidative Addition

The synthesis and reactivity of a Co^I pincer complex [Co(ϰ³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ featuring an η²‐ C_aryl−H agostic bond is described. This complex was obtained by protonation of the Co^I complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. The Co^III hydride complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂(H)]⁺ was obtained upon protonation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂]. Three ways to cleave the agostic C−H bond are presented. First, owing to the acidity of the agostic proton, treatment with pyridine results in facile deprotonation (C−H bond cleavage) and reformation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. Second, C−H bond cleavage is achieved upon exposure of [Co(ϰ³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ to oxygen or TEMPO to yield the paramagnetic Co^II PCP complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺. Finally, replacement of one CO ligand in [Co(ϰ³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ by CNtBu promotes the rapid oxidative addition of the agostic η²‐C_aryl−H bond to give two isomeric hydride complexes of the type [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)(CO)(H)]⁺.