Group 9 Metal Complexes of meso‐Aryl‐Substituted Rubyrin

The metalation of meso‐tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)‐substituted [26]rubyrin has been explored with Group 9 metal salts (Rh^I, Co^II, Ir^III), affording a Hückel aromatic [26]rubyrin–bis‐Rh^I complex with a highly curved gable‐like structure, a Hückel antiaromatic [24]rubyrin–bis‐Co^II complex that displays intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling between the two Co^II ions (J=?4.5 cm^?1), and two Cp*‐capped Ir^III complexes; in one, the iridium metal sits on the [26]rubyrin frame with two Ir?N bonds, whereas the other has an additional Ir?C bond, although both Ir^III complexes display moderate aromatic character. This work demonstrates characteristic metalation abilities of this [26]rubyrin toward Group 9 metals.     

Mesomorphism and Photophysics of Some Metallomesogens Based on Hexasubstituted 2,2′:6′, 2′′‐Terpyridines

The luminescent and mesomorphic properties of a series of metal complexes based on hexacatenar 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridines are investigated using experimental methods and density functional theory (DFT). Two types of ligand are examined, namely 5,5′′‐di(3,4,5‐trialkoxyphenyl)terpyridine with or without a fused cyclopentene ring on each pyridine and their complexes were prepared with the following transition metals: Zn^II, Co^III, Rh^III, Ir^III, Eu^III and Dy^III. The exact geometry of some of these complexes was determined by single X‐ray diffraction. All complexes with long alkyl chains were found to be liquid crystalline, which property was induced on complexation. The liquid‐crystalline behaviour of the complexes was studied by polarising optical microscopy and small‐angle X‐ray diffraction. Some of the transition metal complexes (for example, those with Zn^II and Ir^III) are luminescent in solution, the solid state and the mesophase; their photophysical properties were studied both experimentally and using DFT methods (M06‐2X and B3LYP).     

Chromium(0), Molybdenum(0), and Tungsten(0) Isocyanide Complexes as Luminophores and Photosensitizers with Long-Lived Excited States

Arylisocyanide complexes based on earth-abundant Group 6 d⁶ metals are interesting alternatives to photoactive complexes made from precious metals such as Ru^II, Re^I, Os^II, or Ir^III. Some of these complexes have long-lived ³MLCT excited states that exhibit luminescence with good quantum yields as well as nano- to microsecond lifetimes, and they are very strongly reducing. Recent studies have demonstrated that Cr⁰, Mo⁰, and W⁰ arylisocyanide complexes have great potential for applications in luminescent devices, photoredox catalysis, and dye-sensitized solar cells.     

Darstellung und Charakterisierung einige Thiocyanat- und Selenocyanat-Komplexe von Übergangsmetallen

Some 6:1 thiocyanate complexes of Fe^III, Mo^III, Ru^III, Os^III, Ir^III and some 6:1 or 4:1 selenocyanate complexes of Fe^II, Fe^III, Mo^III, Rh^III, Pd^II, Pt^II, and Au^III have been prepared as salts of large organic cations. The compounds are characterized by their infra-red spectra and by conductance measurements. In particular the linkage property of the thiocyanate and selenocyanate ligand is discussed together with the consequences it has on the AHRLAND -CHATT -DAVIES -PEARSON classification of the central ions.     

N‐Confused Phlorin‐Prodigiosin Chimera: meso‐Aryl Oxidation and π‐Extension Triggered by Peripheral Coordination

An N‐confused phlorin isomer bearing a dipyrrin moiety at the α‐position of the confused pyrrole ring ( 1 ) was synthesized. Pd^II and B^III coordination at the peripheral prodigiosin‐like moiety of 1 afforded the corresponding complexes 2 and 3 . Reflux of 2 in triethylamine (TEA) converted the meso‐phenyl into the Pd^II‐coordinating phenoxy group to afford 4 . Under the same reaction conditions, TEA was linked to the α‐position of the dipyrrin unit in 3 as an N,N‐diethylaminovinyl group to afford 5 . Furthermore, peripheral coordination of B^III in 3 and 5 improved the planarity of the phlorin macrocycle and thus facilitated the coordination of Ag^III at the inner cavity to afford 3‐Ag and 5‐Ag , respectively. These results provide an effective approach for developing unique porphyrinoids through peripheral coordination.     

Tuning the Cellular Uptake Properties of Luminescent Heterobimetallic Iridium(III)–Ruthenium(II) DNA Imaging Probes

The synthesis of two new luminescent dinuclear Ir^III–Ru^II complexes containing tetrapyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c:3′′,2′′‐h:2′′′,3′′′‐j]phenazine (tpphz) as the bridging ligand is reported. Unlike many other complexes incorporating cyclometalated Ir^III moieties, these complexes display good water solubility, allowing the first cell‐based study on Ir^III–Ru^II bioprobes to be carried out. Photophysical studies indicate that emission from each complex is from a Ru^II excited state and both complexes display significant in vitro DNA‐binding affinities. Cellular studies show that each complex is rapidly internalised by HeLa cells, in which they function as luminescent nuclear DNA‐imaging agents for confocal microscopy. Furthermore, the uptake and nuclear targeting properties of the complex incorporating cyclometalating 2‐(4‐fluorophenyl)pyridine ligands around its Ir^III centre is enhanced in comparison to the non‐fluorinated analogue, indicating that fluorination may provide a route to promote cell uptake of transition‐metal bioprobes.     

Intermolecular,Branch‐Selective,and Redox‐Neutral Cp*IrIII‐Catalyzed Allylic C−H Amidation

Herein, we report the redox‐neutral, intermolecular, and highly branch‐selective amidation of allylic C?H bonds enabled by Cp*Ir^III catalysis. A variety of readily available carboxylic acids were converted into the corresponding dioxazolones and efficiently coupled with terminal and internal olefins in high yields and selectivities. Mechanistic investigations support the formation of a nucleophilic Ir^III–allyl intermediate rather than the direct insertion of an Ir–nitrenoid species into the allylic C?H bond.     

Sensitized luminescence from lanthanides in d–f bimetallic complexes

This article reviews progress in the research of transition metal–lanthanide (d–f) bimetallic complexes. Through efficient energy transfer, sensitized luminescence of lanthanide ions from the visible range (Eu^III) to the near-infrared region (Nd^III, Yb^III, Er^III and Pr^III) is obtained in these bimetallic assembles. The d-block in d–f bimetallic complexes mainly contributes to the improvement of lanthanide emission efficiency and the extension of the excitation window for the lanthanide complexes. Examples are catalogued by various transition metals, such as Ru^II, Os^II (Fe^II), Pt^II (Au^I), Pd^II, Re^I, Cr^III, Co^III, Zn^II and Ir^III. The relevant synthetic procedures, crystal structures and photophysical properties of these d–f complexes are briefly described. Additionally, the molecular properties responsible for the performance of certain d–f systems, such as energy levels, nuclear distances and coordination environments, will be discussed.     

Formate-driven catalysis and mechanism of an iridium–copper complex for selective aerobic oxidation of aromatic olefins in water

A hetero-dinuclear Ir^III–Cu^II complex with two adjacent sites was employed as a catalyst for the aerobic oxidation of aromatic olefins driven by formate in water. An Ir^III–H intermediate, generated through formate dehydrogenation, was revealed to activate terminal aromatic olefins to afford an Ir-alkyl species, and the process was promoted by a hydrophobic [Ir^III–H]-[substrate aromatic ring] interaction in water. The Ir-alkyl species subsequently reacted with dioxygen to yield corresponding methyl ketones and was promoted by the presence of the Cu^II moiety under acidic conditions. The Ir^III–Cu^II complex exhibited cooperative catalysis in the selective aerobic oxidation of olefins to corresponding methyl ketones, as evidenced by no reactivities observed from the corresponding mononuclear Ir^III and Cu^II complexes, as the individual components of the Ir^III–Cu^II complex. The reaction mechanism afforded by the Ir^III–Cu^II complex in the aerobic oxidation was disclosed by a combination of spectroscopic detection of reaction intermediates, kinetic analysis, and theoretical calculations.

A hetero-dinuclear Ir^III–Cu^II complex with two adjacent sites was employed as a catalyst for the aerobic oxidation of aromatic olefins driven by formate and promoted by a hydrophobic interaction in water.     

Sensing of 2,4,6‐Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 2,4‐Dinitrotoluene (2,4‐DNT) in the Solid State with Photoluminescent RuII and IrIII Complexes

A series of metal–organic chromophores containing Ru^II or Ir^III were studied for the luminometric detection of nitroaromatic compounds, including trinitrotoluene (TNT). These complexes display long‐lived, intense photoluminescence in the visible region and are demonstrated to serve as luminescent sensors for nitroaromatics. The solution‐based behavior of these photoluminescent molecules has been studied in detail in order to identify the mechanism responsible for metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) excited state quenching upon addition of TNT and 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (2,4‐DNT). A combination of static and dynamic spectroscopic measurements unequivocally confirmed that the quenching was due to a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process. Ultrafast transient absorption experiments confirmed the formation of the TNT radical anion product following excited state electron transfer from these metal complexes. Reported for the first time, photoluminescence quenching realized through ink‐jet printing and solid‐state titrations was used for the solid‐state detection of TNT; achieving a limit‐of‐quantitation (LOQ) as low as 5.6 ng cm^?2. The combined effect of a long‐lived excited state and an energetically favorable driving force for the PET process makes the Ru^II and Ir^III MLCT complexes discussed here particularly appealing for the detection of nitroaromatic volatiles and related high‐energy compounds.     

Palladium(II)‐Initiated Catellani‐Type Reactions

The Catellani reaction is known as a powerful strategy for the expeditious synthesis of highly substituted arenes and benzo‐fused rings, which are usually difficult to access through traditional cross‐coupling strategies. It utilizes the synergistic interplay of palladium and norbornene catalysis to facilitate sequential ortho C?H functionalization and ipso termination of aryl halides in a single operation. In classical Catellani‐type reactions, aryl halides are mainly used as the substrates, and a Pd⁰ catalyst is required to initiate the reaction. Nevertheless, recent advances showcase that Catellani‐type reactions can also be initiated by a Pd^II catalyst with different starting materials instead of aryl halides via different reaction mechanisms and under different conditions. This emerging concept of Pd^II/norbornene cooperative catalysis has significantly advanced Catellani‐type reactions, thus enabling future developments of this field. In this Minireview, Pd^II‐initiated Catellani‐type reactions and their application in the synthesis of bioactive molecules are summarized.     

Studies on the stereochemistry of diphenyl diketone monothio-semicarbazone and its transition metal complexes

Summary The stereochemistry and complexation behaviour of diphenyl diketone monothiosemicarbazone (DKTS) with Cu^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Cd^II, Zn^II, Pd^II, Pt^II, Ru^III, Rh^III and Ir^III have been investigated by means of chemical, magnetic and spectral (i.r., Raman, ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. and electronic) studies. The ligand forms complexes of the M(DKTS)₂ type with Ni^II, Cu^II and Co^II having a distorted octahedral geometry. The absence of a v(M—X) band in the i.r. spectra, coupled with their 1:1 electrolytic conductances, suggests that Ru^III, Rh^III and Ir^III form octahedral complexes of the [M(DKTS)₂]Cl type. A four-coordinate structure involving bridging halides is proposed for the Zn^II, Cd^II, Pd^II and Pt^II complexes, which have relatively low v(M—X) vibration modes.     

2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylphosphinine versus 2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylpyridine: Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of Cationic RhIII and IrIII Complexes Based on Aromatic Phosphorus Heterocycles

The bidentate P,N hybrid ligand 1 allows access for the first time to novel cationic phosphinine‐based Rh^III and Ir^III complexes, broadening significantly the scope of low‐coordinate aromatic phosphorus heterocycles for potential applications. The coordination chemistry of 1 towards Rh^III and Ir^III was investigated and compared with the analogous 2,2′‐bipyridine derivative, 2‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylpyridine ( 2 ), which showed significant differences. The molecular structures of [RhCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl and [IrCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) were determined by means of X‐ray diffraction and confirm the mononuclear nature of the λ³‐phosphinine–Rh^III and Ir^III complexes. In contrast, a different reactivity and coordination behavior was found for the nitrogen analogue 2 , especially towards Rh^III as a bimetallic ion pair [RhCl(Cp*)( 2 )]⁺[RhCl₃(Cp*)]^? is formed rather than a mononuclear coordination compound. [RhCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl and [IrCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl react with water regio‐ and diastereoselectively at the external P?C double bond, leading exclusively to the anti‐addition products [MCl(Cp*)( 1 H ? OH)]Cl as confirmed by X‐ray crystal‐structure determination.     

Is PdII‐Promoted σ‐Bond Metathesis Mechanism Operative for the PdPEPPSI Complex‐Catalyzed Amination of Chlorobenzene with Aniline? Experiment and Theory

Reduction of the Pd?PEPPSI precatalyst to a Pd⁰ species is generally thought to be essential to drive Buchwald–Hartwig amination reactions through the well‐ documented Pd⁰/Pd^II catalytic cycle and little attention has been paid to other possible mechanisms. Considered here is the Pd?PEPPSI‐catalyzed aryl amination of chlorobenzene with aniline. A neat reaction system was used in new experiments, from which the potentially reductive roles of the solvent and labile ligand of the PEPPSI complex in leading to Pd⁰ species are ruled out. Computational results demonstrate that anilido‐containing Pd^II intermediates involving σ‐bond metathesis in pathways leading to the diphenylamine product have relatively low barriers. Such pathways are more favorable energetically than the corresponding reductive elimination reactions resulting in Pd⁰ species and other putative routes, such as the Pd^II/Pd^IV mechanism, single electron transfer mechanism, and halide atom transfer mechanism. In some special cases, if reactants/additives are inadequate to reduce a Pd^II precatalyst, a Pd^II‐involved σ‐bond metathesis mechanism might be feasible to drive the Buchwald–Hartwig amination reactions.     

meso‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐boron(III)‐subporphyrin: Perimeter Iridium(III) Coordination

Peripherally metalated porphyrinoids are promising functional π‐systems displaying characteristic optical, electronic, and catalytic properties. In this work, 5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐ and 5,10,15‐tri(2‐pyridyl)‐B^III‐subporphyrins were prepared and used to produce cyclometalated subporphyrins by reactions with [Cp*IrCl₂]₂, which proceeded through an efficient C?H activation to give the corresponding mono‐ and tri‐Ir^III complexes, respectively. While the mono‐Ir^III complex was obtained as a diastereomeric mixture, a C₃‐symmetric tri‐Ir^III complex with the three Cp*‐units all at the concave side was predominantly obtained in a high yield of 90 %, which displays weak NIR phosphorescence even at room temperature in degassed CH₂Cl₂, differently from the mono‐Ir^III complexes.     

Mechanistic Studies on the SCS‐Pincer Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Tandem Stannylation/Electrophilic Allylic Substitution of Allyl Chlorides with Hexamethylditin and Benzaldehydes

This paper describes a mechanistic study of the SCS‐pincer Pd^II‐catalyzed auto‐tandem reaction consisting of the stannylation of cinnamyl chloride with hexamethylditin, followed by an electrophilic allylic substitution of the primary tandem‐reaction product with 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde to yield homoallylic alcohols as the secondary tandem products. As it turned out, the anticipated stannylation product, cinnamyl trimethylstannane, is not a substrate for the second part of the tandem reaction. These studies have provided insight in the catalytic behavior of SCS‐pincer Pd^II complexes in the auto‐tandem reaction and on the formation and possible involvement of Pd⁰ species during prolonged reaction times. This has led to optimized reaction conditions in which the overall tandem reaction proceeds through SCS‐pincer Pd^II‐mediated catalysis, that is, true auto‐tandem catalysis. Accordingly, this study has provided the appropriate reaction conditions that allow the pincer catalysts to be recycled and reused.     

Cyclometalated Mono‐ and Dinuclear IrIII Complexes with “Click”‐Derived Triazoles and Mesoionic Carbenes

Orthometalation at Ir^III centers is usually facile, and such orthometalated complexes often display intriguing electronic and catalytic properties. By using a central phenyl ring as C?H activation sites, we present here mono‐ and dinuclear Ir^III complexes with “click”‐derived 1,2,3‐triazole and 1,2,3‐triazol‐5‐ylidene ligands, in which the wingtip phenyl groups in the aforementioned ligands are additionally orthometalated and bind as carbanionic donors to the Ir^III centers. Structural characterization of the complexes reveal a piano stool‐type of coordination around the metal centers with the “click”‐derived ligands bound either with C^N or C^C donor sets to the Ir^III centers. Furthermore, whereas bond localization is observed within the 1,2,3‐triazole ligands, a more delocalized situation is found in their 1,2,3‐triazol‐5‐ylidene counterparts. All complexes were subjected to catalytic tests for the transfer hydrogenation of benzaldehyde and acetophenone. The dinuclear complexes turned out to be more active than their mononuclear counterparts. We present here the first examples of stable, isomer‐pure, dinuclear cyclometalated Ir^III complexes with poly‐mesoionic‐carbene ligands.     

General Paradigm in Photoredox Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Allows for Light‐Free Access to Reactivity

Self‐sustained Ni^I/III cycles are established as a potentially general paradigm in photoredox Ni‐catalyzed carbon–heteroatom cross‐coupling reactions through a strategy that allows us to recapitulate photoredox‐like reactivity in the absence of light across a wide range of substrates in the amination, etherification, and esterification of aryl bromides, the latter of which has remained, hitherto, elusive under thermal Ni catalysis. Moreover, the accessibility of esterification in the absence of light is especially notable because previous mechanistic studies on this transformation under photoredox conditions have unanimously invoked energy‐transfer‐mediated pathways.     

π‐Ruthenium Complexes of Hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1): A Triple‐Decker Complex Bearing Two Ruthenoarene Units

Ruthenium(II) π‐coordination onto [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) has been accomplished. Reactions of bis‐Au^III and mono‐Au^III complexes of hexakis(pentafluorophenyl) [28]hexaphyrin with [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ in the presence of NaOAc gave the corresponding π‐ruthenium complexes, in which the [(p‐cymene)Ru]^II fragment sat on the deprotonated side pyrrole. A similar reaction of the bis‐Pd^II [26]hexaphyrin complex afforded a triple‐decker complex, in which the two [(p‐cymene)Ru]^II fragments sat on both sides of the center of the [26]hexaphyrin framework.     

Catalytic Behavior of Mono‐N‐Protected Amino‐Acid Ligands in Ligand‐Accelerated C−H Activation by Palladium(II)

Mono‐N‐protected amino acids (MPAAs) are increasingly common ligands in Pd‐catalyzed C?H functionalization reactions. Previous studies have shown how these ligands accelerate catalytic turnover by facilitating the C?H activation step. Here, it is shown that MPAA ligands exhibit a second property commonly associated with ligand‐accelerated catalysis: the ability to support catalytic turnover at substoichiometric ligand‐to‐metal ratios. This catalytic role of the MPAA ligand is characterized in stoichiometric C?H activation and catalytic C?H functionalization reactions. Palladacycle formation with substrates bearing carboxylate and pyridine directing groups exhibit a 50–100‐fold increase in rate when only 0.05 equivalents of MPAA are present relative to Pd^II. These and other mechanistic data indicate that facile exchange between MPAAs and anionic ligands coordinated to Pd^II enables a single MPAA to support C?H activation at multiple Pd^II centers.