Cobalt-mediated [2+2+2] cycloaddition versus C-H and N-H activation of pyridones and pyrazinones with alkynes: an experimental study

The reactivity of a range of pyridone and pyrazinone derivatives towards alkynes in the presence of cyclopentadienylcobaltbis(ethene) has been investigated. Depending on the nature of the substrates, [2+2+2]- or [2+2] cycloaddition, C-H, or N-H activation may occur. In the case of pyridones, the first three predominated with N-protected derivatives, whereas substrates containing N-H bonds followed an N-H activation pathway. The [2+2+2] cycloaddition of an N-butynylisoquinolone was applied successfully to the total synthesis of anhydrolycorinone. Pyrazinone substrates showed similar patterns of reactivity.     

A comprehensive theoretical study on the reactions of Sc+ with CnH2n+2 (n=1-3): structure,mechanism, and potential-energy surface

The reactions of Sc(+)((3)D) with methane, ethane, and propane in the gas phase were studied theoretically by density functional theory. The potential energy surfaces corresponding to [Sc, C(n), H(2n+2)](+) (n=1-3) were examined in detail at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df, 3pd)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. The performance of this theoretical method was calibrated with respect to the available thermochemical data. Calculations indicated that the reactions of Sc(+) with alkanes are multichannel processes which involve two general mechanisms: an addition-elimination mechanism, which is in good agreement with the general mechanism proposed from earlier experiments, and a concerted mechanism, which is presented for the first time in this work. The addition-elimination reactions are favorable at low energy, and the concerted reactions could be alternative pathways at high energy. In most cases, the energetic bottleneck in the addition-elimination mechanism is the initial C--C or C--H activation. The loss of CH(4) and/or C(2)H(6) from Sc(+)+C(n)H(2n+2) (n=2, 3) can proceed along both the initial C--C activation branch and the Cbond;H activation branch. The loss of H(2) from Sc(+)+C(n)H(2n+2) (n=2, 3) can proceed not only by 1,2-H(2) and/or 1,3-H(2) elimination, but also by 1,1-H(2) elimination. The reactivity of Sc(+) with alkanes is compared with those reported earlier for the reactions of the late first-row transition-metal ions with alkanes.     

Methylene transfer from SnMe groups mediated by a rhodium(I) pincer complex: Sn-C, C-C, and C-H bond activation

The PCP-Rh(I) complex 1a based on the [1,3-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(diisopropylphosphine) ligand reacts with [diazo(phenyl)methyl]trimethylstannane (2) at room temperature to give novel pincer-type phenyl(dimethylstannyl)methylene]hydrazinato complex 3a. The reaction sequence involves a unique combination of Sn-C bond cleavage, C-C bond formation, C-H activation and intramolecular deprotonation of a rhodium hydride intermediate, which results in methylene transfer from an SnMe group to the pincer system and PCP-chelate expansion. A methylene-transfer reaction was also demonstrated with tetramethyltin as the methylene source in the presence of KOC(CH(3))(3) at room temperature. The resulting unstable "chelate-expanded" Rh(I) complex [(C(10)H(5)(CH(2)PiPr(2))(2))(CH(2))Rh(L)] (L=N(2), THF; 4a) was isolated as its carbonyl derivative 5a. Heating 4a in benzene yielded an equimolar amount of toluene and 1a, which demonstrates the ability of the Rh(I) pincer complex to extract a methylene group from an unactivated alkyl tin substrate and transfer it, via C-C followed by C-H activation, to an arene. Use of fluorobenzene resulted in formation of fluorotoluene. Catalytic methylene-group transfer mediated by 1a was not possible, because of formation of o-xylylene complex 8 under the reaction conditions. Steric parameters play a decisive role in the reactivity with tin compounds; while iPrP derivative 1 a underwent facile reactions, tBuP complex 1b was inert.     

Iron-catalyzed C2-C3 bond cleavage of phenylpyruvate with O2: insight into aliphatic C-C bond-cleaving dioxygenases

Iron(II)-phenylpyruvate complexes of tetradentate tris(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine (6-Me3-TPA) and tridentate benzyl bis(2-quinolinylmethyl)amine (Bn-BQA) were prepared to gain insight into C-C bond cleavage catalyzed by dioxygenase enzymes. The complexes we have prepared and characterized are [Fe(6-Me3-tpa)(prv)][BPh4] (1), [Fe2(6-Me3-tpa)2(pp)][(BPh4)2] (2), and [Fe2(6-Me3-tpa)2(2'-NO2-pp)][(BPh4)2] (3), [Fe(6-Me3-tpa)(pp-Me)][BPh4] (4), [Fe(6-Me3-tpa)(CN-pp-Et)][BPh4] (5), and [Fe(Bn-bqa)(pp)] (8), in which PRV is pyruvate, PP is the enolate form of phenylpyruvate, 2'-NO2-PP is the enolate form of 2'-nitrophenylpyruvate, PP-Me is the enolate form of methyl phenylpyruvate, and CN-PP-Et is the enolate form of ethyl-3-cyanophenylpyruvate. The structures of mononuclear complexes 1 and 5 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both the PRV ligand in 1 and the CN-PP-Et ligand in 5 bind to the iron(II) center in a bidentate manner and form 5-membered chelate rings, but the alpha-keto moiety is in the enolate form in 5 with concomitant loss of a C-H(beta) proton. The PP ligands of 2, 3, 4, and 8 react with dioxygen to form benzaldehyde and oxalate products, which indicates that the C2-C3 PP bond is cleaved, in contrast to cleavage of the C1-C2 bond previously observed for complexes that do not contain alpha-ketocarboxylate ligands in the enolate form. These reactions serve as models for metal-containing dioxygenase enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of aliphatic C-C bonds.     

Tertiary Carbinamine Synthesis by Rhodium‐Catalyzed [3+2] Annulation of N‐Unsubstituted Aromatic Ketimines and Alkynes

A convenient and waste‐free synthesis of indene‐based tertiary carbinamines by rhodium‐catalyzed imine/alkyne [3+2] annulation is described. Under the optimized conditions of 0.5–2.5 mol % [{(cod)Rh(OH)}₂] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) catalyst, 1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)propane (DPPP) ligand, in toluene at 120 °C, N‐unsubstituted aromatic ketimines and internal alkynes were coupled in a 1:1 ratio to form tertiary 1H‐inden‐1‐amines in good yields and with high selectivities over isoquinoline products. A plausible catalytic cycle involves sequential imine‐directed aromatic C? H bond activation, alkyne insertion, and a rare example of intramolecular ketimine insertion into a Rh^I–alkenyl linkage.     

New iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes by [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of alkynes and facile interconversion between iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes

Iridabenzenes [Ir[=CHCH=CHCH=C(CH2R)](CH3CN)2(PPh3)2]2+ (R=Ph 4 a, R=p-C6H4CH3 4 b) are obtained from the reactions of H+ with iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](CO)(PPh3)2]+ (R'=H 3 a, R'=CH3 3 b), which are prepared from [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of alkynes in the reactions of [Ir(CH3CN)(CO)(PPh3)2]+ with HC[triple chemical bond]CH and HC[triple chemical bond]CR. Iridabenzenes 4 react with CO and CH3CN in the presence of NEt3 to give iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CHR)](CO)2(PPh3)2]+ (6) and [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CHR)](CH3CN)2(PPh3)2]+ (7), respectively. Iridacyclohexadienes 6 and 7 also convert to iridabenzenes 4 by the reactions with H+ in the presence of CH3CN. Alkynyl iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](-C[triple chemical bond]CH)(PPh3)2] (8) undergo a cleavage of C[triple chemical bond]C bond by H+/H2O to produce [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](-CH3)(CO)(PPh3)2] (10) via facile inter-conversion between iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes.     

Construction of tetranuclear macrocycles through C-H activation and structural transformation induced by [2+2] photocycloaddition reaction

A series of binuclear complexes [{Cp*Ir(OOCCH₂COO)}₂(pyrazine)] ( 1 b ), [{Cp*Ir(OOCCH₂COO)}₂(bpy)] ( 2 b ; bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine), [{Cp*Ir(OOCCH₂COO)}₂(bpe)] ( 3 b ; bpe=trans‐1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene) and tetranuclear metallamacrocycles [{(Cp*Ir)₂(OOC‐C?C‐COO)(pyrazine)}₂] ( 1 c ), [{(Cp*Ir)₂(OOC‐C?C‐COO)(bpy)}₂] ( 2 c ), [{(Cp*Ir)₂(OOC‐C?C‐COO)(bpe)}₂] ( 3 c ), and [{(Cp*Ir)₂[OOC(H₃C₆)‐N?N‐(C₆H₃)COO](pyrazine)}₂] ( 1 d ), [{(Cp*Ir)₂[OOC(H₃C₆)‐N?N‐(C₆H₃)COO](bpy)}₂] ( 2 d ), [{(Cp*Ir)₂[OOC(H₃C₆)‐N?N‐(C₆H₃)COO](bpe)}₂] ( 3 d ) were formed by reactions of 1 a – 3 a {[(Cp*Ir)₂(pyrazine)Cl₂] ( 1 a ), [(Cp*Ir)₂(bpy)Cl₂] ( 2 a ), and [(Cp*Ir)₂(bpe)Cl₂] ( 3 a )} with malonic acid, fumaric acid, or H₂ADB (azobenzene‐4,4′‐chcarboxylic acid), respectively, under mild conditions. The metallamacrocycles were directly self‐assembled by activation of C? H bonds from dicarboxylic acids. Interestingly, after exposure to UV/Vis light, 3 c was converted to [2+2] cycloaddition complex 4 . The molecular structures of 2 b , 1 c , 1 d , and 4 were characterized by single‐crystal x‐ray crystallography. Nanosized tubular channels, which may play important roles for their stability, were also observed in 1 c , 1 d , and 4 . All complexes were well characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis.     

C-H activation and C=C double bond formation reactions in iridium ortho-methyl arylphosphane complexes

The Vaska-type iridium(I) complex [IrCl(CO){PPh(2)(2-MeC(6)H(4))}(2)] (1), characterized by an X-ray diffraction study, was obtained from iridium(III) chloride hydrate and PPh(2)(2,6-MeRC(6)H(3)) with R=H in DMF, whereas for R=Me, activation of two ortho-methyl groups resulted in the biscyclometalated iridium(III) compound [IrCl(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}(2)] (2). Conversely, for R=Me the iridium(I) compound [IrCl(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}(2)] (3) can be obtained by treatment of [IrCl(COE)(2)](2) (COE=cyclooctene) with carbon monoxide and the phosphane in acetonitrile. Compound 3 in CH(2)Cl(2) undergoes intramolecular C-H oxidative addition, affording the cyclometalated hydride iridium(III) species [IrHCl(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}{PPh(2)(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}] (4). Treatment of 2 with Na[BAr(f) (4)] (Ar(f)=3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)) gives the fluxional cationic 16-electron complex [Ir(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}(2)][BAr(f) (4)] (5), which reversibly reacts with dihydrogen to afford the delta-agostic complex [IrH(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}{PPh(2)(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}][BAr(f)(4)] (6), through cleavage of an Ir-C bond. This species can also be formed by treatment of 4 with Na[BAr(f)(4)] or of 2 with Na[BAr(f)(4)] through C-H oxidative addition of one ortho-methyl group, via a transient 14-electron iridium(I) complex. Heating of the coordinatively unsaturated biscyclometalated species 5 in toluene gives the trans-dihydride iridium(III) complex [IrH(2)(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-MeC(6)H(3)CH=CHC(6)H(3)Me-2,6)PPh(2)}][BAr(f) (4)] (7), containing a trans-stilbene-type terdentate ligand, as result of a dehydrogenative carbon-carbon double bond coupling reaction, possibly through an iridium carbene species.     

Theoretical studies on the metathesis processes, (Tp(PH3)MR(eta 2-H[bond]CH3)]-->[Tp(PH3)M(CH3)(eta 2-H[bond]R)] (M=Fe,Ru, and Os; R=H and CH3)

Theoretical calculations on the metathesis process, [Tp(PH3)MR(eta 2-H[bond]CH3)] --> [Tp(PH3)M(CH3)(eta 2-H[bond]R)] (M=Fe, Ru, and Os; R=H and CH3), have been systematically carried out to study their detailed reaction mechanisms. Other than the one-step mechanism via a four-center transition state and the two-step mechanism through an oxidative addition/reductive elimination pathway, a new one-step mechanism, with a transition state formed under oxidative addition, has been found. Based on the intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations, we found that the trajectories of the transferring hydrogen atom in the metathesis processes studied are similar to each other regardless of the nature of reaction mechanisms.     

Cobalt‐Mediated Linear 2:1 Co‐oligomerization of Alkynes with Enol Ethers to Give 1‐Alkoxy‐1,3,5‐Trienes: A Missing Mode of Reactivity

A variety of 1,6‐heptadiynes and certain borylalkynes co‐oligomerize with enol ethers in the presence of [CpCo(C₂H₄)₂] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl) to furnish the hitherto elusive acyclic 2:1 products, 1,3,5‐trien‐1‐ol ethers, in preference to or in competition with the alternative pathway that leads to the standard [2+2+2] cycloadducts, 5‐alkoxy‐1,3‐cyclohexadienes. Minor variations, such as lengthening the diyne tether, cause reversion to the standard mechanism. The trienes, including synthetically potent borylated derivatives, are generated with excellent levels of chemo‐, regio‐, and diastereoselectivity, and are obtained directly by decomplexation of the crude mixtures during chromatography. The cyclohexadienes are isolated as the corresponding dehydroalkoxylated arenes. In one example, even ethene functions as a linear cotrimerization partner. The alkoxytrienes are thermally labile with respect to 6π‐electrocyclization–elimination to give the same arenes that are the products of cycloaddition. The latter, regardless of the mechanism of their formation, can be viewed as the result of a formal [2+2+2] cyclization of the starting alkynes with acetylene. One‐pot conditions for the exclusive formation of arenes are developed. DFT computations indicate that cyclohexadiene and triene formation share a common intermediate, a cobaltacycloheptadiene, from which reductive elimination and β‐hydride elimination compete.     

Osmium-mediated C--H and C--C bond cleavage of a phenolic substrate: p-quinone methide and methylene arenium pincer complexes

The diphosphine 2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)-3,5-(iPr(2)PCH(2))(2)C(6)OH (1) reacts with [OsCl(2)(PPh(3))(3)] in presence of an excess of triethylamine to yield the isomeric para-quinone methide derivatives [Os{4-(CH(2))-1-(O)-2,6-(CH(3))(2)-3,5-(iPr(2)PCH(2))(2)C(6)}(Cl)(H)(PPh(3))] (2 and 3), which differ in the positions of the mutually trans hydride and chloride ligands. Complex 2 reacts with CO to afford the dicarbonyl species [Os{1-(O)-2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)-3,5-(iPr(2)PCH(2))(2)C(6)}(Cl)(CO)(2)] (4), which results from hydride insertion into the quinonic double bond. Protonation of 2 and 3 leads to the formation of the methylene arenium derivative [Os{4-(CH(2))-1-(OH)-2,6-(CH(3))(2)-3,5-(iPr(2)PCH(2))(2)C(6)}(Cl)(H)(PPh(3))][OSO(2)CF(3)] (5 a). The diphosphine 1 reacts with [OsCl(2)(PPh(3))(3)] at 100 degrees C under H(2) to afford [Os{1-(OH)-2,6-(CH(3))(2)-3,5-(iPr(2)PCH(2))(2)C(6)}(Cl)(H(2))(PPh(3))] (6), a PCP pincer complex resulting formally from C(sp(2))--C(sp(3)) cleavage of the C--CH(3) group in 1. C--C hydrogenolysis resulting in the same complex is achieved by heating 2 under H(2) pressure. Reaction of the diphosphine substrate with [OsCl(2)(PPh(3))(3)] under H(2) at lower temperature allows the observation of a methylene arenium derivative resulting from C--H activation, [Os{4-(CH(2))-1-(OH)-2,6-(CH(3))(2)-3,5-(iPr(2)PCH(2))(2)C(6)}(Cl)(2)(H)] (7). This compound reacts with PPh(3) in toluene to afford the ionic derivative [Os{4-(CH(2))-1-(OH)-2,6-(CH(3))(2)-3,5-(iPr(2)PCH(2))(2)C(6)}(Cl)(H)(PPh(3))]Cl (5 b). X-ray diffraction studies have been carried out on compounds 2, 3, 4, 5 b, 6, and 7, which allows the study of the structural variations when going from methylene arenium to quinone methide derivatives.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling/Cyclization of Isoquinolones with Alkynes through C?H/N?H Activation: Mechanism Study and Synthesis of Dibenzo[a,g]quinolizin‐8‐one Derivatives

The mechanism of [{RuCl₂(p‐cymene)}₂]‐catalyzed oxidative annulations of isoquinolones with alkynes was investigated in detail. The first step is an acetate‐assisted C? H bond activation process to form cyclometalated compounds. Subsequent mono‐alkyne insertion of the Ru? C bonds of the cyclometalated compounds then takes place. Finally, oxidative coupling of the C? N bond of the insertion compounds occurs to afford Ru⁰ sandwich complexes that undergo oxidation to regenerate the catalytically active Ru^II complex with the copper oxidant and release the desired dibenzo[a,g]quinolizin‐8‐one derivatives. All of the relevant intermediates were fully characterized and determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The [{RuCl₂(p‐cymene)}₂]‐catalyzed C? H bond functionalization of isoquinolones with alkynes to synthesize dibenzo[a,g]quinolizin‐8‐one derivatives through C? H/N? H activation was also demonstrated.     

C-C versus C-H activation and versus agostic C-C interaction controlled by electron density at the metal center

Based on the PCN ligand 2, a remarkable degree of control over C-C versus C-H bond activation and versus formation of an agostic C-C complex was demonstrated by choice of cationic [Rh(CO)(n)(C(2)H(4))(2-n)] (n=0, 1, 2) precursors. Whereas reaction of 2 with [Rh(C(2)H(4))(2)(solv)(n)]BF(4) results in exclusive C-C bond activation to yield product 5, reaction with the dicarbonyl precursor [Rh(CO)(2)(solv)(n)]BF(4) leads to formation of the C-H activated complex 9. The latter process is promoted by intramolecular deprotonation of the C-H bond by the hemilabile amine arm of the PCN ligand. The mixed monocarbonyl monoethylene Rh species [Rh(CO)(C(2)H(4))]BF(4) reacts with the PCN ligand 2 to give an agostic complex 7. The C-C activated complex 5 is easily converted to the C-H activated one (9) by reaction with CO; the reaction proceeds by a unique sequence of 1,2-metal-to-carbon methyl shift, agostic interaction, and C-H activation processes. Similarly, the C-C agostic complex 7 is converted to the same C-H activated product 9 by treatment with CO.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur eines μ-Methylen-μ-hydrido-dialanats [R2Al(μ-CH2)(μ-H)AlR2]− (R = CH(SiMe3)2)

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a μ-Methylene-μ-hydrido-dialanate [R₂Al(μ-CH₂)(μ-H)AlR₂]^? (R = CH(SiMe₃)₂) tert-Butyl lithium reacts with the recently synthesized methylene bridged dialuminium compound [(Me₃Si)₂CH]₂Al? CH₂? Al[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂ 2 in the presence of TMEDA under β-elimination; the thereby formed hydride anion is bound in a chelating manner by both unsaturated aluminium atoms forming a 3c–2e–Al? H? Al bond. The crystal structure of the product shows two independent molecules differing only slightly in bond lengths and angles, but significantly in conformation. While one of the Al₂CH heterocycles deviates little from planarity with a rough C₂ symmetry for the whole anion, the other one is folded with an angle of 21.1° and the arrangement of the substituents is best described by C_s symmetry.     

Iridium-imine and -amine complexes relevant to the (S)-metolachlor process: structures, exchange kinetics, and C-H activation by Iri causing racemization

Iridium complexes of DMA-imine [2,6-dimethylphenyl-1'-methyl-2'-methoxyethylimine, 1 a) and (R)-DMA-amine [(1'R)-2,6-dimethylphenyl-1'-methyl-2'-methoxyethylamine, 2 a] that are relevant to the catalytic imine hydrogenation step of the Syngenta (S)-Metolachlor process were synthesized: metathetical exchange of [Ir2Cl2(cod)2] (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene) with [Ag(1 a)2]BF4 and [Ag((R)-2 a)2]BF4 afforded [Ir(cod)(kappa2- -1 a)]BF4 (11) and [Ir(cod)(kappa2-(R)-2 a)]BF4 ((R)-19)), respectively. These complexes were then used in stopped-flow experiments to study the displacement of amine 2 a from complex 19 by imine 1 a to form the imine complex 11, thus modeling the product/substrate exchange step in the catalytic cycle. The data suggest a two-step associative mechanism characterized by k1=(2.6+/-0.3) x 10(2) M(-1) s(-1) and k2=(4.3+/-0.6) x 10(-2) s(-1) with the respective activation energies EA1=(7.5+/-0.6) kJ mol(-1) and EA2=(37+/-3) kJ mol(-1). Furthermore, complex 11 reacted with H2O to afford the hydrolysis product [Ir(cod)(eta(6-)-2,6-dimethylaniline)]BF4 (12), and with I2 to liberate quantitatively the DMA-iminium salt 14. On the other hand, the chiral amine complex (R)-19 formed the optically inactive eta6-bound compound [Ir(cod)(eta6-rac-2 a)]BF4 (rac-18) upon dissolution in THF at room temperature, presumably via intramolecular C-H activation. This racemization was found to be a two-step event with k'1=9.0 x 10(-4) s(-1) and k2=2.89 x 10(-5) s(-1), featuring an optically active intermediate prior to sp3 C-H activation. Compounds 11, 12, rac-18, and (R)-19 were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray analyses.     

Conformational control of [26]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) by meso-thienyl substituents

Conformational preference and chemical stability of meso-aryl-substituted [26]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) ([26]ArH) depend upon meso-aryl substituents. Although only a planar and rectangular conformation (type-II conformation) has been identified for [26]ArH so far, we have demonstrated here that a different conformation with all the pyrroles pointing inward (type-I conformation) is preferred for [26]ArH (7 and 11-I) bearing small 2-thienyl or 3-thienyl substituents at 15- and 30-positions. Both type-I and type-II [26]ArH exhibit diatropic ring currents, reflecting aromatic character. Type-I [26]ArH, such as 7 and 11-I, have been shown to serve as an effective ligand for Pd(II) ions to provide bis-Pd(II) complexes 12 and 13 with N(3)C(1) coordination through facile C--H bond activation.     

Thionyl chloride-mediated synthesis of 2-azaindolizine sulfur-bridged dimers by C?H bond direct chalcogenation of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines

Thionyl chloride-mediated chalcogenation of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine serves as a new protocol for the synthesis of rare bisimidazopyridyl sulfides. This method provides the new route to synthesis of 2-azaindolizine sulfur-bridged dimers called chalcogenide under metal-free, elemental sulfur-free conditions without the use of polar solvents in regio-selective manner, at room temperature with the simple operational procedure.     

Generating CuII–Oxyl/CuIII–Oxo Species from CuI–α‐Ketocarboxylate Complexes and O2: In Silico Studies on Ligand Effects and C?H‐Activation Reactivity

Theoretically speaking : The mechanistic details associated with the generation and reaction of [CuO]⁺ species from Cu^I–α‐ketocarboxylate complexes, especially with respect to modifications of the ligand supporting the copper center, were investigated (see scheme). Theoretical models were used to characterize the electronic structures of different [CuO]⁺ species and their reactivity in C? H activation and O‐atom transfer reactions.

     

A two-state computational investigation of methane C--H and ethane C--C oxidative addition to [CpM(PH3)]n+ (M = Co, Rh, Ir; n = 0, 1)

Reductive elimination of methane from methyl hydride half-sandwich phosphane complexes of the Group 9 metals has been investigated by DFT calculations on the model system [CpM(PH(3))(CH(3))(H)] (M = Co, Rh, Ir). For each metal, the unsaturated product has a triplet ground state; thus, spin crossover occurs during the reaction. All relevant stationary points on the two potential energy surfaces (PES) and the minimum energy crossing point (MECP) were optimized. Spin crossover occurs very near the sigma-CH(4) complex local minimum for the Co system, whereas the heavier Rh and Ir systems remain in the singlet state until the CH(4) molecule is almost completely expelled from the metal coordination sphere. No local sigma-CH(4) minimum was found for the Ir system. The energetic profiles agree with the nonexistence of the Co(III) methyl hydride complex and with the greater thermal stability of the Ir complex relative to the Rh complex. Reductive elimination of methane from the related oxidized complexes [CpM(PH(3))(CH(3))(H)](+) (M = Rh, Ir) proceeds entirely on the spin doublet PES, because the 15-electron [CpM(PH(3))](+) products have a doublet ground state. This process is thermodynamically favored by about 25 kcal mol(-1) relative to the corresponding neutral system. It is essentially barrierless for the Rh system and has a relatively small barrier (ca. 7.5 kcal mol(-1)) for the Ir system. In both cases, the reaction involves a sigma-CH(4) intermediate. Reductive elimination of ethane from [CpM(PH(3))(CH(3))(2)](+) (M = Rh, Ir) shows a similar thermodynamic profile, but is kinetically quite different from methane elimination from [CpM(PH(3))(CH(3))(H)](+): the reductive elimination barrier is much greater and does not involve a sigma-complex intermediate. The large difference in the calculated activation barriers (ca. 12.0 and ca. 30.5 kcal mol(-1) for the Rh and Ir systems, respectively) agrees with the experimental observation, for related systems, of oxidatively induced ethane elimination when M = Rh, whereas the related Ir systems prefer to decompose by alternative pathways.     

Investigations on the coupling of ethylene and alkynes in [IrTp Me2] compounds: water as an effective trapping agent

The reaction of the bis(ethylene) complex [Tp(Me(2) )Ir(C(2)H(4))(2)] (1) (Tp(Me(2) ): hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with two equivalents of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) in CH(2)Cl(2) at 25 degrees C gives the hydride-alkenyl species [Tp(Me(2) )IrH{C(R)=C(R)C(R)=C(R)CH=CH(2)}] (2, R: CO(2)Me) in high yield. A careful study of this system has established the active role of a number of intermediates en route to producing 2. The first of these is the iridium(I) complex [Tp(Me(2) )Ir(C(2)H(4))(DMAD)] (4) formed by substitution of one of the ethylene ligands in 1 by a molecule of DMAD. Complex 4 reacts further with another equivalent of the alkyne to give the unsaturated metallacyclopentadiene [Tp(Me(2) )Ir{C(R)=C(R)C(R)=C(R)}], which can be trapped by added water to give adduct 7, or can react with the C(2)H(4) present in solution generating complex 2. This last step has been shown to proceed by insertion of ethylene into one of the Ir--C bonds of the metallacyclopentadiene and subsequent beta-H elimination. Complex 1 reacts sequentially with one equivalent of DMAD and one equivalent of methyl propiolate (MP) in the presence of water, with regioselective formation of the nonsymmetric iridacyclopentadiene [Tp(Me(2) )Ir{C(R)=C(R)C(H)=C(R)}(H(2)O)] (9). Complex 9 reacts with ethylene giving a hydride-alkenyl complex 10, related to 2, in which the C(2)H(4) has inserted regiospecifically into the Ir--C(R) bond that bears the CH functionality. Heating solutions of either 2 or 10 in CH(2)Cl(2) allows the formation of the allyl species 3 or 11, respectively, by simple stereoselective migration of the hydride ligand to the Calpha alkenyl carbon atom and concomitant bond reorganization of the resulting organic chain. All the compounds described herein have been characterized by microanalysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and for the case of 3, 7, 7CO, 8NCMe, 9, 9NCMe, and 10, also by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.