Triptycene‐Based Chiral and meso‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands and Metal Complexes

Based on 1‐amino‐4‐hydroxy‐triptycene, new saturated and unsaturated triptycene‐NHC (N‐heterocyclic carbene) ligands were synthesized from glyoxal‐derived diimines. The respective carbenes were converted into metal complexes [(NHC)MX] (M=Cu, Ag, Au; X=Cl, Br) and [(NHC)MCl(cod)] (M=Rh, Ir; cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) in good yields. The new azolium salts and metal complexes suffer from limited solubility in common organic solvents. Consequently, the introduction of solubilizing groups (such as 2‐ethylhexyl or 1‐hexyl by O‐alkylation) is essential to render the complexes soluble. The triptycene unit infers special steric properties onto the metal complexes that enable the steric shielding of selected areas close to the metal center. Next, chiral and meso‐triptycene based N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands were prepared. The key step in the synthesis of the chiral ligand is the Buchwald–Hartwig amination of 1‐bromo‐4‐butoxy‐triptycene with (1S,2S)‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane, followed by cyclization to the azolinium salt with HC(OEt)₃. The analogous reaction with meso‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane provides the respective meso‐azolinium salt. Both the chiral and meso‐azolinium salts were converted into metal complexes including [(NHC)AuCl], [(NHC)RhCl(cod)], [(NHC)IrCl(cod)], and [(NHC)PdCl(allyl)]. An in situ prepared chiral copper complex was tested in the enantioselective borylation of α,β‐unsaturated esters and found to give an excellent enantiomeric ratio (er close to 90:10).     

Binuclear meta‐xylyl‐linked Ag(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes of N‐alkyl/aryl‐alkyl‐substituted bis‐benzimidazolium salts: synthesis,crystal structures and in vitro anticancer studies

Salts of meta‐xylyl‐linked N‐ethyl/n‐butyl/benzyl‐substituted bis‐benzimidazolium having hexafluorophosphate counterions have been synthesized. The corresponding binuclear Ag(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes were prepared by the reaction of Ag₂O. The N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursor 7 and Ag(I)–NHC complexes 10 and 11 have been structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction technique. All of the reported compounds have been tested for their anticancer activity using human colorectal (HCT 116) cancer cell lines. Sterically varied benzimidazolium salts displayed significant activity against HCT 116 cell line, yielding IC₅₀ values in the range 0.1–19.4 µ m , while Ag(I)–carbene complexes showed exceptionally good activity (0.2–1.3 µ m ) against tested cancer cell lines. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Potential N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors in the Palladium‐Catalyzed Heck Reaction

A novel 1‐(cyclobutylmethyl)‐substi‐tuted imidazolidinium/benzimidazolium salts as N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors were successfully synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and elemental analysis techniques. These compounds were easily prepared from the reaction of N‐alkyl imidazoline/N‐alkyl benzimidazole with bromomethylcyclobutane in high yields. The in situ formed catalytic system derived from the NHC precursor and Pd(OAc)₂ was used in the Heck reaction between aryl halides and styrene with potassium hydroxide in water. The corresponding Heck products were obtained in good yields. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 24:77–83, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.21065     

Symmetric and dissymmetric N‐heterocyclic carbene rhodium(I) complexes: a comparative study of their catalytic activities in transfer hydrogenation reaction

Six new [RhBr(NHC)(cod)] (NHC = N‐heterocyclic carbene; cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) type rhodium complexes ( 4–6 ) have been prepared by the reaction of [Rh(μ‐OMe)(cod)]₂ with a series of corresponding imidazoli(in)ium bromides ( 1–3 ) bearing mesityl (Mes) or 2,4,6‐trimethylbenzyl (CH₂Mes) substituents at N¹ and N³ positions. They have been fully characterized by ¹ H, ¹³ C and heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation NMR analyses, elemental analysis and mass spectroscopy. Complexes of type [(NHC)RhBr(CO)₂] (NHC = imidazol‐2‐ylidene) ( 7b–9b ) were also synthesized to compare σ‐donor/π‐acceptor strength of NHC ligands. Transfer hydrogenation (TH) reaction of acetophenone has been comparatively studied by using complexes 4–6 as catalysts. The symmetrically CH₂Mes‐substituted rhodium complex bearing a saturated NHC ligand ( 5a ) showed the highest catalytic activity for TH reaction. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Porphyrins Fused to N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs): Modulation of the Electronic and Catalytic Properties of NHCs by the Central Metal of the Porphyrin

We report herein a detailed study of the use of porphyrins fused to imidazolium salts as precursors of N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands 1 M . Rhodium(I) complexes 6 M – 9 M were prepared by using 1 M ligands with different metal cations in the inner core of the porphyrin (M=Ni^II, Zn^II, Mn^III, Al^III, 2H). The electronic properties of the corresponding N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands were investigated by monitoring the spectroscopic changes occurring in the cod and CO ancillary ligands of [( 1 M )Rh(cod)Cl] and [( 1 M )Rh(CO)₂Cl] complexes (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene). Porphyrin–NHC ligands 1 M with a trivalent metal cation such as Mn^III and Al^III are overall poorer electron donors than porphyrin–NHC ligands with no metal cation or incorporating a divalent metal cation such as Ni^II and Zn^II. Imidazolium salts 3 M (M=Ni, Zn, Mn, 2H) have also been used as NHC precursors to catalyze the ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐lactide. The results clearly show that the inner metal of the porphyrin has an important effect on the reactivity of the outer carbene.     

Copper,Silver and Sodium Salt‐Mediated Quaternization by Arylation: Syntheses of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors and 6‐H‐Phenanthridine Derivatives

We have developed a Cu^II‐, Ag^I‐, and NaOTf‐mediated intramolecular quaternization by arylation reactions to synthesize a variety of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors with a benzene‐fused backbone. The methodology also provides a convenient alternative route for the synthesis of 6‐H‐phenanthridine derivatives. A novel silver–NHC complex was prepared by treatment of Ag₂O with the free carbene, which was in situ prepared from the deprotonation of a representative quinazolinonium salt.     

Palladium(II)‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Efficient Catalysts for the Direct C‐H Bond Arylation of Furans with Aryl Halides

This paper contains the synthesis and characterization of the seven new benzimidazolium salts and their corresponding new palladium(II)‐NHC complexes with the general formula [PdX₂(NHC)₂], (NHC = N‐heterocyclic carbene, X = Cl or Br), and also their catalytic activity in direct C‐H bond arylation of 2‐substituted furan derivatives with aryl bromides and aryl chlorides. Under the optimal conditions, these palladium(II)‐NHC complexes showed the good catalytic performance for the direct C‐H bond arylation of 2‐substituted furans with (hetero)aryl bromides, and with readily available and inexpensive aryl chlorides. The C‐H bond arylation regioselectively produced C5‐arylated furans by using 1 mol% of the palladium(II)‐NHC catalysts in moderate to high yields.     

Quinobis(imidazolylidene): Synthesis and Study of an Electron‐Configurable Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) and Its Bimetallic Complexes

Reaction of bromanil with N,N′‐dimesitylformamidine followed by deprotonation with NaN(SiMe₃)₂ afforded 1,1′,3,3′‐tetramesitylquinobis(imidazolylidene) ( 1 ), a bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) (NHC) with two NHC moieties connected by a redox active p‐quinone residue, in 72 % yield of isolated compound. Bimetallic complexes of 1 were prepared by coupling to FcN₃ ( 2 ) or FcNCS ( 3 ; Fc=ferrocenyl) or coordination to [M(cod)Cl] ( 4 a or 4 b , where M=Rh or Ir, respectively; cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene). Treatment of 4 a and 4 b with excess CO(g) afforded the corresponding [M(CO)₂Cl] complexes 5 a and 5 b , respectively. Analysis of 2 – 5 by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction indicated that the electron‐deficient quinone did not significantly affect the inherent spectral properties or coordination chemistry of the flanking imidazolylidene units, as compared to analogous NHCs. Infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry revealed that decreasing the electron density at ML_n afforded an increase in the stretching energy and a decrease in the reduction potential of the quinone, indicative of metal–quinone electronic interaction. Differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry of the metal‐centered oxidations in 2 – 4 revealed two single, one‐electron peaks. Thus, the metal atoms bound to 1 are oxidized at indistinguishable potentials and do not appear electronically coupled. However, the metal–quinone interaction was used to increase the electron density at coordinated metal atoms. Infrared spectroelectrochemistry revealed that the average ν_CO values for 5 a and 5 b decreased by 14 and 15 cm^?1, respectively, upon reduction of the quinone embedded within 1 . These shifts correspond to 10 and 12 cm^?1 decreases in the Tolman electronic parameter of this ditopic ligand.     

Sulfonated N‐heterocyclic carbine‐silver (I) complexes: Synthesis,characterisation and biological evaluation

The synthesis, characterisation and biological activity of water‐soluble Ag(I)‐NHC complexes, general formula Na[(NHC)AgCl] where NHC is a sulfonated and sterically hindered N‐heterocyclic carbene, is reported. The Ag‐NHC complexes (2a–e) were synthesised by reacting the corresponding sulfonated NHC ligands with Ag₂O in the presence of NaCl or NaBr in methanol/water (1:1) solution. Synthesised silver (I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes have been characterised by NMR, micro‐analysis and HRMS spectroscopic methods. The IC₅₀ values of these complexes were determined by a proliferation BrdU enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against HeLa (human cervix carcinoma), HT29 (human adenocarcinoma) and L929 (mouse fibroblast) cell lines. These complexes have been highlighted as promising and original platforms for building new types of metalodrug. All new water‐soluble Ag(I) complexes demonstrated remarkable cytotoxic activity against HeLa, HT29 and L929 cell lines.     

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.     

Acyclic Palladium(II)‐N‐heterocyclic Carbene Metallacrown Ether Complexes: Synthesis,Structure and Catalytic Activity

Novel acyclic Pd(II)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) metallacrown ethers 5a , 5b have been synthesized. Reaction of the imidazolium salts bearing a long polyether chain with Ag₂O afforded Ag‐NHC complexes, which then reacted as carbene transfer agent with PdCl₂(MeCN)₂ to give the desired acyclic Pd(II)‐NHC metallacrown ether complexes 5a and 5b . The ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra show 5a and 5b exist as mixtures of cis and trans isomers in solution. The trans isomer of 5a was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, which clearly demonstrated two pseudo‐crown ether cavities in trans‐ 5a . Pd(II)‐NHC complexes 5a and 5b have been shown to be highly effective in the Suzuki‐Miyaura reactions of a variety of aryl bromides in neat water without the need of inert gas protection.     

Palladium N‐heterocyclic‐carbene‐catalyzed ortho‐arylation of benzaldehyde derivatives

New, sterically demanding 1,3‐dialkylbenzimidazolium salts ( 2a–c ) as N‐heterocyclic‐carbene precursors have been synthesized and characterized. The ortho position of aromatic aldehydes was directly and selectively arylated with aryl chlorides in the presence of a catalytic system prepared in situ from Pd(OAc)₂, 1,3‐dialkylbenzimidazolium chlorides ( 2a–c ), and Cs₂CO₃. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:569–574, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20479     

Hydroboration of Arynes with N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Boranes

Arynes were generated in situ from ortho‐silyl aryl triflates and fluoride ions in the presence of stable N‐heterocyclic carbene boranes (NHC? BH₃). Spontaneous hydroboration ensued to provide stable B‐aryl‐substituted NHC‐boranes (NHC? BH₂Ar). The reaction shows good scope in terms of both the NHC‐borane and aryne components and provides direct access to mono‐ and disubstituted NHC‐boranes. The formation of unusual ortho regioisomers in the hydroboration of arynes with an electron‐withdrawing group supports a hydroboration process with hydride‐transfer character.     

Benzimidazole‐based silver(I)–N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes as anti‐bacterials: synthesis,crystal structures and nucleic acids interaction studies

A series of new benzimidazolium salts as N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors has been synthesized. Reactions of these salts with Ag₂O with varying metal‐to‐salt ratio facilitate the formation of a series of new binuclear and mononuclear Ag(I)–NHC complexes. All compounds were characterized using physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study reveals a binuclear structure for one of the complexes and a mononuclear one for two others. These complexes exist as cationic Ag(I)–NHC complexes with the chelation of carbene carbons to the silver centre in an almost linear manner. The compounds were screened for their anti‐bacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12600) as a Gram‐positive bacterium and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) as a Gram‐negative bacterium. The results show that both bacteria appear markedly inhibited. Furthermore, the results suggest the possibility of steric variation as a modulation of the anti‐bacterial activities. The nuclease activities of the compounds were assessed using gel electrophoresis and the results indicate that these complexes can cleave or degrade DNA and RNA via a non‐oxidative mechanism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of bis‐N‐alkyl imidazolium salts and their palladium(0)(NHC)(η2‐MA)2 complexes

New N‐Alkyl‐substituted imidazolium salts as well as a series of their corresponding [Pd(NHC)(MA)₂] complexes have been obtained by three routes in good yield. The previously reported synthesis for the analogous N‐aryl substituted [Pd(NHC)(MA)₂] complexes has been improved. The N‐alkyl‐substituted [Pd(NHC)(MA)₂] complexes are thermally more labile than their N‐aryl counterparts. Catalytic transfer semi‐hydrogenation of phenylpropyne resulted in good to excellent chemo‐ and stereo‐ selectivity conversion into (Z)‐phenylpropene. The size of the alkyl substituents correlates with the rate of hydrogenation in the sense that more bulky substituents give rise to faster transfer hydrogenation rates. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic activity in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of palladacycle complexes with n‐butyl‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands

A series of monomeric palladacycle complexes bearing n‐butyl‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbenes, namely [Pd(NHC)X(dmba)] (dmba: dimethylbenzylamine and [Pd(NHC)X(ppy)]; NHC: 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐substituted benzylimidazol‐2‐ylidene; ppy: 2‐phenylpyridine), were prepared either by transmetallation from the corresponding silver carbene complexes or by the reaction of the corresponding acetate‐bridged palladacycle dimer with N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands in high yields. The palladium(II) complexes were characterized using elemental analyses, APCI‐MS, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. These complexes are efficient in the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction between phenylboronic acid and aryl bromides.     

Piperazine‐ and DABCO‐bridged dinuclear N‐heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes: synthesis,structure and application to Hiyama coupling reaction

Four dinuclear N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium complexes were prepared by reaction of imidazolinium salts, PdCl₂ and bridging ligands (piperazine and DABCO) in one pot or by direct cleavage of the chloro‐bridged dimeric compounds [Pd(μ ‐Cl)(Cl)(NHC)]₂ with bridging ligands. All of the complexes were fully characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, high‐resolution mass and infrared spectroscopies, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The catalytic activities of the obtained palladium catalysts towards Hiyama coupling of aryl chlorides with phenyltrimethoxysilane were investigated and the results showed that the dinuclear palladium complexes were considerably active for the coupling reaction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Comprehensive Basicity Scales for N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes in DMSO: Implications on the Stabilities of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene and CO2 Adducts

A very broad acidity scale (≈40 pK units) for about 400 N‐heterocyclic carbene precursors (NHCPs) with various backbones and electronic features, including imidazolylidenes, 1,2,4‐triazolylidenes, cyclic diaminocarbenes (CDACs), diamidocarbenes (DACs), thiazolylidenes, cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs) and mesoionic carbenes (MICs), was established in DMSO by a well examined computational method. Varying the backbone structure or flanking N‐substituents can have different extent of acidifying effects, depending on both the nature and number of substituent(s). The Gibbs energies (ΔG_rs) for the reactions between the corresponding NHCs and CO₂ were also calculated. There is a good linear correlation between the pK_as of most NHCPs and ΔG_rs, suggesting that a greater basicity of NHC leads to a more stable NHC‐CO₂ adduct. Interestingly, the nearby asymmetric environment has virtually no differential effect on the acidities of the chiral NHCP enantiomers, but has a pronounced effect on the ΔG_r values.