Synthesis and Reactivity of Six‐Membered Oxa‐Nickelacycles: A Ring‐Opening Reaction of Cyclopropyl Ketones

Cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde ( 1 a ), cyclopropyl methyl ketone ( 1 b ), and cyclopropyl phenyl ketone ( 1 c ) were reacted with [Ni(cod)₂] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) and PBu₃ at 100 °C to give η²‐enonenickel complexes ( 2 a – c ). In the presence of PCy₃ (Cy=cyclohexyl), 1 a and 1 b reacted with [Ni(cod)₂] to give the corresponding μ‐η²:η¹‐enonenickel complexes ( 3 a , 3 b ). However, the reaction of 1 c under the same reaction conditions gave a mixture of 3 c and cyclopentane derivatives ( 4 c , 4 c′ ), that is, a [3+2] cycloaddition product of 1 c with (E)‐1‐phenylbut‐2‐en‐1‐one, an isomer of 1 c . In the presence of a catalytic amount of [Ni(cod)₂] and PCy₃, [3+2] homo‐cycloaddition proceeded to give a mixture of 4 c (76 %) and 4 c′ (17 %). At room temperature, a possible intermediate, 6 c , was observed and isolated by reprecipitation at ?20 °C. In the presence of 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene (IPr), both 1 a and 1 c rapidly underwent oxidative addition to nickel(0) to give the corresponding six‐membered oxa‐nickelacycles ( 6 ai , 6 ci ). On the other hand, 1 b reacted with nickel(0) to give the corresponding μ‐η²:η¹‐enonenickel complex ( 3 bi ). The molecular structures of 6 ai and 6 ci were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The molecular structure of 6 ai shows a dimeric η¹‐nickelenolate structure. However, the molecular structure of 6 ci shows a monomeric η¹‐nickelenolate structure, and the nickel(II) 14‐electron center is regarded as having “an unusual T‐shaped planar” coordination geometry. The insertion of enones into monomeric η¹‐nickelenolate complexes 6 c and 6 ci occurred at room temperature to generate η³‐oxa‐allylnickel complexes ( 8 , 9 ), whereas insertion into dimeric η¹‐nickelenolate complex 6 ai did not take place. The diastereoselectivity of the insertion of an enone into 6 c having PCy₃ as a ligand differs from that into 6 ci having IPr as a ligand. In addition, the stereochemistry of η³‐oxa‐allylnickel complexes having IPr as a ligand is retained during reductive elimination to yield the corresponding [3+2] cycloaddition product, which is consistent with the diastereoselectivity observed in Ni⁰/IPr‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of cyclopropyl ketones with enones. In contrast, reductive elimination from the η³‐oxa‐allylnickel having PCy₃ as a ligand proceeds with inversion of stereochemistry. This is probably due to rapid isomerization between syn and anti isomers prior to reductive elimination.     

Iridium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of α,ω-diynes with nitriles

[Ir(cod)Cl](2)/DPPF or BINAP efficiently catalyzed the cycloaddition of α,ω-diynes with nitriles to give pyridines. The reaction can accommodate a very wide range of nitriles. Both aliphatic and aromatic nitriles smoothly reacted with α,ω-diynes to give pyridines. Ten equivalents of unactivated aliphatic nitrile were enough to give the product in high yield. Aliphatic nitriles bearing an acetal or amino moiety could be used for the reaction. The highly regioselective cycloaddition of unsymmetrical diyne bearing two different internal alkyne moieties was achieved. The observed regioselectivity could be reasonably explained by considering the different reactivities of the α-position in iridacyclopentadiene. Regioselective cycloaddition was successfully applied to the synthesis of terpyridine and quinquepyridine. This chemistry was extended to a new and efficient synthesis of oligoheteroarenes. Five aromatic or heteroaromatic rings were connected in a single operation. [Ir(cod)Cl](2)/chiral diphosphine catalyst can be applied to enantioselective synthesis. Kinetic resolution of the racemic secondary benzyl nitrile catalyzed by [Ir(cod)Cl](2)/SEGPHOS gave a central carbon chiral pyridine in 80% ee. The mechanism was analyzed on the basis of the B3LYP level of density functional calculations.     

Cycloaddition Reactions of (NSCl)3 with Organic Nitriles

Abstract

The six-membered ring system RCN(NSCl)₂ (R= ^tBu, CCl₃, Me₂N, Et₂N, ⁱPr₂N) can be prepared by a cycloaddition reaction of the free nitrile, RCN, with cyclo-(NSCl)₃ at mom temperature. This reaction is slow for R= ^tBu and CCl₃, but it can be accelerated by UV light. The six-membered rings are converted to five-membered rings RCN₂S₂ ⁺ Cl^- by thermolysis. By varying the conditions of the cycloaddition reaction, 1,3-(RCN)₂(NSCl)₂ (R= Me₂N, Et₂N) and 1,5- RCN(NSN)₂SCl can be obtained.     

Interaction of carbene and olefin donors with [Cl2PN]3: exploration of a reductive pathway toward (PN)3

The iminophosphine-phosphazene [P(III)-P(V)] heterocyclic adduct [IPr·PN(PCl(2)N)(2)] was prepared via reduction of the cyclic phosphazene [Cl(2)PN](3) in the presence of the carbene donor IPr {IPr = [(HCNDipp)(2)C:], where Dipp = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)}. By contrast, the treatment of [Cl(2)PN](3) with the N-heterocyclic olefin IPr═CH(2) yielded the olefin-grafted phosphazene ring [(IPr═CH)P(Cl)N(PCl(2)N)(2)].     

An Expeditious Route to Eight-Membered Heterocycles By Nickel-Catalyzed Cycloaddition: Low-Temperature C sp 2C sp 3 Bond Cleavage

A cool break: 3-Azetidinone and a variety of diynes undergo a cycloaddition reaction catalyzed by Ni/IPr to give dihydroazocine compounds (see scheme; IPr=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolidene). The reaction involves a challenging C?sp?2?C?sp?3 bond cleavage step, yet, surprisingly, proceeds at low temperature.     

Nickel-catalyzed dehydrogenative [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,3-dienes with nitriles

Pyridines, which comprise one of the most important classes of the six-membered heterocyclic compounds, are widely distributed in nature, and the transition-metal-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of two alkynes and a nitrile is one of the most powerful methods for preparing versatile, highly substituted pyridine derivatives. However, the lack of chemo- and regioselectivity is still a crucial issue associated with fully intermolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition. The present study developed the Ni(0)-catalyzed intermolecular dehydrogenative [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 1,3-butadienes with nitriles to give a variety of pyridines regioselectively.     

Iridium complex-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of alpha,omega-diynes with monoynes and monoenes

[reaction: see text] [Ir(cod)Cl]2/DPPE was found to be a new catalyst for the cycloaddition of alpha,omega-diynes with monoynes to give polysubstituted benzene derivatives in high yields. Internal monoynes as well as terminal monoynes could be used. The reaction tolerates a broad range of functional groups such as alcohol, amine, alkene, ether, halogen, and nitrile. The reaction of 1,6-octadiyne derivatives with 1-alkynes gives ortho products and meta products. The regioselectivity could be controlled by the choice of ligand. The reaction with DPPE was meta selective, with meta selectivity of up to 82%. The reaction with DPPF was ortho selective, with ortho selectivity of up to 88%. We propose a mechanism to account for this regioselective cycloaddition. [Ir(cod)Cl](2)/DPPE also catalyzed the cycloaddition of alpha,omega-diynes with 2,5-dihydrofuran to give bicyclic cyclohexadiene derivatives. The reaction with 2,3-dihydrofuran and n-butyl vinyl ether gave benzene derivatives instead of cyclohexadiene derivatives. We also propose a mechanism to account for this novel aromatization that includes cleavage of the C-O bond.     

A Route to 1,2,4-oxadiazoles and their complexes via platinum-mediated 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides to organonitriles

A significant activation of the Ctbd1;N group in organonitriles upon their coordination to a platinum(IV) center has been found in the reaction of [PtCl(4)(RCN)(2)] (R = Me, Et, CH(2)Ph) with the nitrile oxides 2,4,6-R'(3)C(6)H(2)CNO (R' = Me, OMe) to give the (1,2,4-oxadiazole)platinum(IV) complexes (R = Me, R' = Me (1); R = Et, R' = Me (2); R = Et, R' = OMe (3); R = CH(2)Ph, R' = Me (4)); the [2 + 3] cycloaddition was performed under mild conditions (unless poor solubility of [PtCl(4)(RCN)(2)] precludes the reaction) starting even from complexed acetonitrile and propionitrile, which exhibit low reactivity in the free state. The reaction between complexes 2-4 and 1 equiv of Ph(3)P=CHCO(2)Me in CH(2)Cl(2) leads to the appropriate platinum(II) complexes (5-7); the reduction failed only in the case of 1 insofar as this complex is insoluble in the most common organic solvents. All the platinum compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, FAB mass spectrometry, and IR and (1)H, (13)C((1)H), and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopies, and three of them also by X-ray crystallography. The oxadiazoles formed in the course of the metal-mediated reaction were liberated almost quantitatively from their Pt(IV) complexes by reaction of the latter (complexes 2-4) with an excess of pyridine in chloroform, giving free 1,2,4-oxadiazoles and trans-[PtCl(4)(pyridine)(2)]; the sequence of the Pt(IV)-mediated [2 + 3] cycloaddition and the liberation opens up an alternative route for the preparation of this important class of heterocycles.     

Direct addition of alcohols to organonitriles activated by ligation to a platinum(IV) center

Treatment of trans-[PtCl(4)(RCN)(2)] (R = Me, Et) with R'OH (R' = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu) at 45 degrees C in all cases allowed the isolation of the trans-[PtCl(4)[(E)-NH=C(R)OR'](2)] imino ester complexes, while the reaction between cis-[PtCl(4)(RCN)(2)] and the least sterically hindered alcohols (methanol and ethanol) results in the formation of cis-[PtCl(4)[(E)-NH=C(R)OR'](2)] (R/R' = Me/Me) or trans-[PtCl(4)[(E)-NH=C(Et)OR'](2)] (R' = Me, Et), the latter being formed via thermal isomerization (ROH, reflux, 3 h) of the initially formed corresponding cis isomers. The reaction between alcohols R'OH and cis-[PtCl(4)(RCN)(2)] (R = Me, R' = Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu; R = Et; R' = n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu), exhibiting greater R/R' steric congestion, allowed the isolation of cis-[PtCl(4)[(E)-NH=C(R)OR'][(Z)-NH=C(R)OR']] as the major products. The alcoholysis reactions of poorly soluble [PtCl(4)(RCN)(2)] (R = CH(2)Ph, Ph) performed under heterogeneous conditions, directly in the appropriate alcohol and for a prolonged time and, for R = Ph, with heating led to trans-[PtCl(4)[(E)-NH=C(R)OR'](2)] (R = CH(2)Ph, R' = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr; R = Ph, R' = Me) isolated in moderate yields. In all of the cases, in contrast to platinum(II) systems, addition of R'OH to the organonitrile platinum(IV) complexes occurs under mild conditions and does not require a base as a catalyst. The formed isomerically pure (imino ester)Pt(IV) complexes can be reduced selectively, by Ph(3)P=CHCO(2)Me, to the corresponding isomers of (imino ester)Pt(II) species, exhibiting antitumor activity, without change in configuration of the imino ester ligands. Furthemore, the imino esters NH=C(R)OR' can be liberated from both platinum(IV) and platinum(II) complexes [PtCl(n)[H=C(R)OR'](2)] (n = 2, 4) by reaction with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane and pyridine, respectively. All of the prepared compounds were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), FAB mass spectrometry, IR, and (1)H, (13)C[(1)H], and (195)Pt (metal complexes) NMR spectroscopies; the E and Z configurations of the imino ester ligands in solution were determined by observation of the nuclear Overhauser effect. X-ray structure determinations were performed for trans-[PtCl(4)[(E)-NH=C(Me)OEt](2)] (2), trans-[PtCl(4)[(E)-NH=C(Et)OEt](2)] (10), trans-[PtCl(4)[(E)-NH=C(Et)OPr-i](2)] (11), trans-[PtCl(4)[(E)-NH=C(Et)OPr-n](2)] (12), and cis-[PtCl(4)[(E)-NH=C(Et)OMe](2)] (14). Ab initio calculations have shown that the EE isomers are the most stable ones for both platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes, whereas the most stable configurations for the ZZ isomers are less stable than the respective EZ isomers, indicating an increase of the stability on moving from the ZZ to the EE configurations which is more pronounced for the Pt(IV) complexes than for the Pt(II) species.     

Two-coordinate d9 complexes. synthesis and oxidation of NHC nickel(I) amides

Reaction of the d9-d9 Ni(I) monochloride dimer, [(IPr)Ni(mu-Cl)]2 (1), with NaN(SiMe3)2 and LiNHAr (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) gives the novel monomeric, 2-coordinate Ni(I) complexes (IPr)Ni{N(SiMe3)2} (2) and (IPr)Ni(NHAr) (3). Reaction of 2 with Cp2Fe+ results in its 1-e- oxidation followed by beta-Me elimination to give a base-stabilized iminosilane complex [(IPr)Ni(CH3){kappa1-N(SiMe3)=SiMe2.Et2O}][BArF4] (6). Oxidation of 3 gives [(IPr)Ni(eta3-NHAr)(THF)][BArF4] (4), which upon loss of THF affords dimeric [(IPr)Ni(N,eta3:NHC6iPr2H3)]2[BArF4]2 (5).     

Responses to unsaturation in iridium mono(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes: synthesis and oligomerization of [LIr(H)2Cl] and [LIr(H)2]+

Highly unsaturated mono(N-heterocyclic carbene) Ir(iii) systems have been targeted via ligand abstraction protocols. Hydrogenation of Ir(IPr)(cod)Cl (1a) leads to the formation of the highly reactive (fluxional) trimer [Ir(IPr)(H)(2)Cl](3), while the related IMes system undergoes further C-H bond activation. Chloride abstraction from 1a prior to hydrogenation allows access to sources of the 12-electron [Ir(IPr)(H)(2)](+) fragment, which, in the absence of a suitable donor, dimerizes to give [{Ir(IPr)(H)(μ-H)}(2)](2+).     

Amidoximes provide facile platinum(II)-mediated oxime-nitrile coupling

The nucleophilic addition of amidoximes R'C(NH(2))═NOH [R' = Me (2.Me), Ph (2.Ph)] to coordinated nitriles in the platinum(II) complexes trans-[PtCl(2)(RCN)(2)] [R = Et (1t.Et), Ph (1t.Ph), NMe(2) (1t.NMe(2))] and cis-[PtCl(2)(RCN)(2)] [R = Et (1c.Et), Ph (1c.Ph), NMe(2) (1c.NMe(2))] proceeds in a 1:1 molar ratio and leads to the monoaddition products trans-[PtCl(RCN){HN═C(R)ONC(R')NH(2)}]Cl [R = NMe(2); R' = Me ([3a]Cl), Ph ([3b]Cl)], cis-[PtCl(2){HN═C(R)ONC(R')NH(2)}] [R = NMe(2); R' = Me (4a), Ph (4b)], and trans/cis-[PtCl(2)(RCN){HN═C(R)ONC(R')NH(2)}] [R = Et; R' = Me (5a, 6a), Ph (5b, 6b); R = Ph; R' = Me (5c, 6c), Ph (5d, 6d), correspondingly]. If the nucleophilic addition proceeds in a 2:1 molar ratio, the reaction gives the bisaddition species trans/cis-[Pt{HN═C(R)ONC(R')NH(2)}(2)]Cl(2) [R = NMe(2); R' = Me ([7a]Cl(2), [8a]Cl(2)), Ph ([7b]Cl(2), [8b]Cl(2))] and trans/cis-[PtCl(2){HN═C(R)ONC(R')NH(2)}(2)] [R = Et; R' = Me (10a), Ph (9b, 10b); R = Ph; R' = Me (9c, 10c), Ph (9d, 10d), respectively]. The reaction of 1 equiv of the corresponding amidoxime and each of [3a]Cl, [3b]Cl, 5b-5d, and 6a-6d leads to [7a]Cl(2), [7b]Cl(2), 9b-9d, and 10a-10d. Open-chain bisaddition species 9b-9d and 10a-10d were transformed to corresponding chelated bisaddition complexes [7d](2+)-[7f](2+) and [8c](2+)-[8f](2+) by the addition of 2 equiv AgNO(3). All of the complexes synthesized bear nitrogen-bound O-iminoacylated amidoxime groups. The obtained complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, high-resolution ESI-MS, IR, and (1)H NMR techniques, while 4a, 4b, 5b, 6d, [7b](Cl)(2), [7d](SO(3)CF(3))(2), [8b](Cl)(2), [8f](NO(3))(2), 9b, and 10b were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Divergence in the Preparation of Bicyclic Enol Esters: From Exclusively [3C+2C]‐Cycloaddition Reactions to Exclusive Formation of Vinylcyclopropanes

With the use of benzonitrile‐stabilized Au^I catalyst [Au(IPr)(NCPh)]SbF₆ ( Ic ; IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene), a spectrum of reactivity is observed for propargyl ester 4 a with cyclic vinyl ethers, ranging from exclusively [3C+2C] cycloaddition reactions to exclusively cyclopropanation depending only on the structure of the substrate. Some initially formed cyclopropanation products rearrange into the corresponding formally [3C+2C] cycloaddition products after treatment with fresh Au^I complex at 80 °C. Vinylcyclopropanes formed from dihydrofuran and dihydropyran resisted such rearrangement, even in the presence of fresh Au^I catalyst at elevated temperature. This study addresses an important mechanistic question concerning whether the five‐membered‐ring products were produced by a direct [3C+2C] cycloaddition reaction or by a sequential cyclopropanation/ring‐expansion reaction. A dual pathway is proposed for the Au^I‐catalyzed reactions between propargyl esters and cyclic vinyl ethers. The different behavior among vinyl cyclic ethers is attributed to the difference in the polarization of the π bond. Highly polarized bonds appear to undergo the cycloaddition reaction whereas less polar π‐bonds produce cyclopropanes.     

A convenient synthesis of 5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones

The synthesis of 5-heteroaryl-substituted uracil derivatives is presented. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction was applied for the construction of a heterocyclic ring. The nitrile oxides were obtained from the appropriate 4-substituted benzaldoximes using N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) under basic conditions. [2+3] Cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with 5-cyanouracil as a dipolarophile gave the corresponding 5-(3-substituited-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)uracils in satisfactory yields under mild conditions. 5-Substituted uracils having an additional heterocyclic ring were obtained as a result of the [2+3] cycloaddition of 5-cyanouracil to nitrile oxides generated from thiophene-2-carbaldehyde and 5-formyluracil derivatives.     

The metalla-Pinner reaction between Pt(IV)-bound nitriles and alkylated oxamic and oximic forms of hydroxamic acids

The nitrile ligands in the platinum(IV) complexes trans-[PtCl4(RCN)2] (R=Me, Et, CH2Ph) and cis/trans-[PtCl4(MeCN)(Me2SO)] are involved in a metalla-Pinner reaction with N-methylbenzohydroxamic acid (N-alkylated form of hydroxamic acid, hydroxamic form; F1), PhC(=O)N(Me)OH, to achieve the imino species [PtCl4[NH=C(R)ON(Me)C(=O)Ph]2 (1-3) and [PtCl4[NH=C(Me)ON(Me)C(=O)Ph](Me2SO)] (7), respectively. Treatment of trans-[PtCl4(RCN)2] (R=Me, Et) and cis/trans-[PtCl4(MeCN)(Me2SO)] with the O-alkylated form of a hydroxamic acid (hydroximic form), i.e. methyl 2,4,6-trimethylbenzohydroximate, 2,4,6-(Me3C6H2)C(OMe)=NOH (F2A), allows the isolation of [PtCl4[NH=C(R)ON=C(OMe)(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)]2] (5, 6) and [PtCl4[NH=C(Me)ON=C(OMe)(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)](Me2SO)] (8), correspondingly. In accord with the latter reaction, the coupling of nitriles in trans-[PtCl4(EtCN)2] with methyl benzohydroximate, PhC(OMe)=NOH (F2B), gives [PtCl4[NH=C(Et)ON=C(OMe)Ph]2] (4). The addition proceeds faster with the hydroximic F2, rather than with the hydroxamic form F1. The complexes 1-8 were characterized by C, H, N elemental analyses, FAB+ mass-spectrometry, IR, 1H and 13C[1H] NMR spectroscopies. The X-ray structure determinations have been performed for both hydroxamic and hydroximic complexes, i.e. 2 and 6, indicating that the imino ligands are mutually trans and they are in the E-configuration.     

Supramolecular architecture and magnetic properties of copper(II) and nickel(II) porphyrinogen-TCNQ electron-transfer salts

The compounds [Cu(Tz)-(MeOH)2](TCNQ)2 (1), [Ni(Tz)-(MeOH)2](TCNQ)2 (2), [Cu(Tz)2]-(TCNQ)7 (3) and [Ni(Tz)2](TCNQ)7 (4) (Tz = 2,7,12,17-tetramethyl-1,6,11,16-tetraazaporphyrinogen) were obtained by metathesis reaction of [M(Tz)](ClO4)2 with LiTCNQ and Et3NH(TCNQ)2, respectively. They were characterized by a combination of spectroscopic and physical methods. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 8.310(2), b = 25.180(4), c = 20.727(4) A, beta = 93.58(2) degrees; Z = 4. Compound 3 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with a = 11.244(1), b = 16.700(1), c = 17.321(1) A, a = 113.47(1), beta = 108.52(1), gamma = 96.12(1) degrees; Z = 2. The asymmetric unit of the compound 1 is formed by cationic [Cu(Tz)(MeOH)2]2+ and by two crystallographically non equivalent TCNQ.- anions; these anions form dimeric units by overlap of the pi clouds. The dimers form hydrogen bonds with the metal-lomacrocyclic cation through the methanol ligands. According to this structure the compound is paramagnetic and behaves as an insulator in the temperature range studied. The paramagnetism arises only from the metal-complex moieties. Compound 3 shows an unprecedented structure due to the steric requirements of the macrocycle that favors the stacking of the TCNQ groups. The structure consists of infinite stacks of TCNQ units separated by the metal-macrocyclic units; there are seven TCNQ molecules per formula unit, one of which is formally mono-anionic, while the other six bear one half of an electron per molecule. The copper is six-coordinate in a very distorted octahedral environment. The Tz ligand is located in the equatorial plane and the apical nitrogens of the nitrile groups of two TCNQ molecules complete the coordination around the copper. The compound is a semiconductor and its magnetic behavior can be explained by the sum of the Curie contribution of the metal complex and the contribution arising from the magnetic-exchange interactions of the spins located on the TCNQ units. The latter is found to be typical of one-dimensional antiferromagnetic distorted chains of S = 1/2 spins and can be fitted according to a one-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnetic model.     

One-pot copper(I)-catalyzed synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles

[reaction: see text] 3,5-Disubstituted isoxazoles are obtained in good yields by a convenient one-pot, three-step procedure utilizing a regioselective copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition reaction between in situ generated nitrile oxides and terminal acetylenes. Most functional groups do not interfere with the reaction, which can be performed in aqueous solvents without protection from oxygen. Since all reagents are used in stoichiometric amounts, formation of byproducts is minimized.     

Impact of Group 10 Metals on the Solvent-Induced Disproportionation of o-Semiquinonato Complexes

The oxidation of [M^II(3,5-DTBCat)(DTBbpy)] (M=Ni ( [Ni] ), Pd ( [Pd] ), and Pt ( [Pt] ); 3,5-DTBCat=3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholato; DTBbpy=4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine) afforded the dimeric {[Ni^II(3,5-DTBSQ)(DTBbpy)](PF₆)}₂ ( {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ ; 3,5-DTBSQ=3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonato) and monomeric semiquinonato (SQ) complexes [M^II(3,5-DTBSQ)(DTBbpy)](PF₆) (M=Pd ( [Pd](PF₆) ) and Pt ( [Pt](PF₆) )). The negative solvatochromic properties of the SQ complexes allowed us to estimate the relative order of their dipole moments: [Pd](PF₆) > [Pt](PF₆) > {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ . The complexes [Pd](PF₆) and [Pt](PF₆) adopt monomeric structures and are stable in CH₂Cl₂ and toluene, whereas they gradually disproportionate at room temperature to [M] and 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone (3,5-DTBBQ) in polar solvents such as THF, MeOH, EtOH, DMF, or DMSO. The results of spectroscopic studies suggested that the oxidized nickel complex adopts a monomeric structure ( [Ni](PF₆) ) in CH₂Cl₂, but a dimeric structure ( {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ ) in the other investigated solvents. In polar solvents, {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ may disproportionate to [Ni] and 3,5-DTBBQ at 323 K, thereby demonstrating a significant solvent- and metal-dependence in temperature. The relative activities of {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ and [M](PF₆) toward disproportionation are related to the electrochemically estimated K_dis values in CH₂Cl₂ and DMF. The present work demonstrates that solvent polarity and the dipole moments of the SQ complexes promote disproportionation, which can be controlled by a judicious choice of the metal ion, solvent, and temperature.     

Controlled synthesis of nickel(II) dihalides bearing two different or identical N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and the influence of carbene ligands on their structures and catalysis

Ni(II) dihalides bearing two different or identical NHC ligands have been prepared via a controlled indene elimination synthesis, and the former product provides a new route for the design of biscarbene Ni(II)-based catalysts. The indene elimination reaction of the indenynickel(II) complex (1-H-Ind)Ni(NHC)X (Ind = indenyl) with one equiv. of a distinct imidazolium salt at 100 °C afforded the first example of Ni(II) dihalides bearing two different NHC ligands, i.e., Ni(iPr)(IPr)X(2) [iPr = 1,3-diisopropylimidazol-2-ylidene, IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), X = Cl, 1; X = Br, 2] and Ni(iPr)(IMes)Br(2) [IMes = 1,3-bis(mesityl)imidazol-2-ylidene, 3]. Alternatively, complexes 1-3 can be synthesized using a bis-indenyl Ni(II) complex (1-H-Ind)(2)Ni as starting materials via a step-by-step indene elimination at different reaction temperatures. The direct reaction of (1-R-Ind)(2)Ni (R = H or Me) with two equiv. of imidazolium salts at 100 °C afforded Ni(II) dihalides bearing two identical NHC ligands, i.e., Ni(iPr)X(2) (X = Cl, 4; X = Br, 5) and Ni(IPr)Cl(2) (6). All of these complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography for complexes 1-5. The two identical or different NHC ligands in complexes 1-6 changed the coordination sphere of the nickel center from a typical square-planar geometry to a slightly tetrahedral array. A preliminary catalytic study on the cross-coupling reactions of aryl Grignard reagents with aryl halides revealed that complexes 1 and 2 possess the highest activity. In comparison, complexes 3 and 6 exhibited moderate activity and the least active complexes were 4 and 5.     

Incorporation of substitutionally labile [V(III)(CN)6]3- into prussian blue type magnetic materials

A Prussian blue (PB) type material containing hexacyanovanadate(III), Mn(II)1.5[V(III)(CN)6].(0.30)MeCN (1), was formed from the reaction of [V(III)(CN)6](3-) with [Mn(NCMe)6](2+) in MeCN. This new material exhibits ferrimagnetic spin- or cluster-glass behavior below a Tc of 12K with observed magnetic hysteresis at 2 K (Hcr = 65 Oe and Mrem = 730 emu.Oe/mol). Reactions of [V(III)(CN)6](3-) with [M(II)(NCMe)6](2+) (M = Fe, Co, Ni) in MeCN lead to either partial (M = Co) or complete (M = Fe, Ni) linkage isomerization, resulting in compounds of Fe(II)(0.5)V(III)[Fe(II)(CN)6].(0.85)MeCN (2), (NEt4)(0.10)Co(II)(1.5- a)V(II)a[Co(III)(CN)6]a [V(III)(CN)6](1-a)(BF4)(0.10).(0.35)MeCN (3), and (NEt4)(0.20)V(III)[Ni(II)(CN)4](1.6).(0.10)MeCN (4) compositions. Compounds 2-4 do not magnetically order as a consequence of diamagnetic cyanometalate anions being present, i.e., [Fe(II)(CN)6](4-), [Co(III)(CN)6](3-), and [Ni(II)(CN)4](2-). Incorporation of [V(III)(CN)6](3-) into PB-type materials is synthetically challenging because of the lability of the cyanovanadate(III) anion.