Efficient asymmetric hydrogenation with rhodium complexes of C(1)-symmetric 2,5-dimethylphospholane-diphenylphosphines

The unsymmetrical, optically active ligands 1,2-C(6)H(4)(PPh(2))((R,R)-2,5-dimethylphospholanyl) and the new 1,1'-Fe(C(5)H(4))(2)(PPh(2))((R,R)-2,5-dimethylphospholanyl) form complexes of the type [PtCl(2)(diphos)] and [Rh(diphos)(diene)][BF(4)]. The crystal structure of reveals that only one quadrant is blocked. Asymmetric hydrogenation of acrylic esters and enamides using and as catalysts show that the phenylene-backboned diphosphine gives a more efficient catalyst in terms of asymmetric induction than the more flexible ferrocene-backboned diphosphine. The best results, which were obtained with and enamide substrates, exceeded those obtained with Duphos catalysts. The rate of hydrogenation of the enamides with was 10 times faster than with [Rh(Duphos)(diene)][BF(4)]. A quadrant diagram can be used to predict the configuration of the major product, provided it is assumed to be derived from the less sterically congested intermediate.     

The hydrogenation/transfer hydrogenation network: asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones with chiral eta6-arene/N-Tosylethylenediamine-ruthenium(II) catalysts

Chiral eta6-arene/N-tosylethylenediamine-Ru(II) complexes, known as excellent catalysts for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones in basic 2-propanol, can be used for asymmetric hydrogenation using H2 gas. Active catalysts are generated from RuCl[(S,S)-TsNCH(C6H5)CH(C6H5)NH2](eta6-p-cymene) in methanol, but not 2-propanol, or by combination of Ru[(S,S)-TsNCH(C6H5)CH(C6H5)NH](eta6-p-cymene) and CF3SO3H or other non-nucleophilic acids. This method allows, for the first time, asymmetric hydrogenation of simple ketones under acidic conditions. Hydrogenation of base-sensitive 4-chromanone and its derivatives with the S,S catalyst proceeds in methanol with a substrate-to-catalyst molar ratio of 1000-3000 (10 atm) to 7000 (100 atm), giving (S)-4-chromanols with 97% ee quantitatively. The reaction can be achieved even on a 2.4 kg scale. The mechanistic rationale for the catalytic efficiency is presented.     

Selective hydrogenation of benzophenones to benzhydrols. Asymmetric synthesis of unsymmetrical diarylmethanols

[reaction: see text] trans-RuCl2[P(C6H4-4-CH3)3]2(NH2CH2CH2NH2) acts as a highly effective precatalyst for the hydrogenation of a variety of benzophenone derivatives to benzhydrols that proceeds smoothly at 8 atm and 23-35 degrees C in 2-propanol containing t-C4H9OK with a substrate/catalyst ratio of 2000-20000. Use of a BINAP/chiral diamine Ru complex effects asymmetric hydrogenation of various ortho-substituted benzophenones and benzoylferrocene to chiral diarylmethanols with consistently high ee.     

A new family of chelating diphosphines with a transition metal stereocenter in the backbone: novel applications of "chiral-at-rhenium" complexes in rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective alkene hydrogenations

The title compounds are accessed by sequences starting with racemic and enantiomerically pure [(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH3)]. Reactions with chlorobenzene/HBF4, PPh2H, and tBuOK give the phosphido complex [(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(PPh2)] (3). Reactions with Ph3C+ BF4-, PPh2H, and tBuOK give the methylene homologue [(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH2PPh2)] (9). Treatment of 3 or 9 with nBuLi or tBuLi and then PPh3Cl gives the diphosphido systems [(eta5-C5H4PPh2)Re(NO)(PPh3)((CH2)nPPh2)] (n = 0/1, 5/11). Reactions of 5 and 11 with [Rh(NBD)Cl]2/AgPF6 (NBD = norbornadiene) give the rhenium/rhodium chelate complexes [(eta5-C5H4PPh2)Re(NO)(PPh3)((mu-CH2)nPPh2)Rh(NBD)]+ PF6- (n = 0/1, 6+/12+ PF6-; 30-32% overall from commercial Re2(CO)10). The crystal structures of 6+ PF6- and 12+ PF6- are compared to those of 3 and 9, and other rhodium complexes of chelating bis(diphenylphosphines). The chiral pockets defined by the PPh2 groups show unusual features. Four alkenes of the type (Z)-RCH=C(NHCOCH3)CO2R' are treated with H2 (1 atm) and (R)-6+ PF6- or (S)-12+ PF6- (0.5 mol%) in THF at room temperature. Protected amino acids are obtained in 70-98% yields and 93-82% ee [(R)-6- PF6-] or 72-60% ee [(S)-12+ PF6-]. Pressure and temperature effects are defined, and turnover numbers of > 1600 are realized.     

Allosteric effects in asymmetric hydrogenation catalysis? Asymmetric induction as a function of the substrate and the backbone flexibility of C1-symmetric diphosphines in rhodium-catalysed hydrogenations

The new unsymmetrical, optically active ligands 1,2-C(2)H(4)(PPh(2))(2'R,5'R-2',5'-dimethylphospholanyl) (L(a)) and 1,3-C(3)H(6)(PPh(2))(2'R,5'R-2',5'-dimethylphospholanyl) (L(b)) form complexes of the type [Rh(L)(cyclooctadiene)][BF(4)] where L = L(a) (1a) or L(b) (1b), [PtCl(2)(L)] where L = L(a) (2a) or L(b) (2b) and [PdCl(2)(L)] where L = L(a) (3a) or Lb (3b). The crystal structures of 2a and 2b show the chelate ligand backbones adopt delta-twist and flattened chair conformations respectively. Asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides and dehydroaminoesters using 1a and 1b as catalysts show that the ethylene-backboned diphosphine L(a) gives a more efficient catalyst in terms of asymmetric induction than the propylene-backboned analogue L(b). The greatest enantioselectivities were obtained with 1a and enamide substrates with ees up to 91%. Substrate-induced conformational changes in the Rh-diphosphine chelates are proposed to explain some of the ees observed in the hydrogenation of enamides.     

Unravelling the reaction path of rhodium-MonoPhos-catalysed olefin hydrogenation

The mechanism of the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl (Z)-2-acetamidocinnamate (mac) catalysed by [Rh(MonoPhos)(2)(nbd)]SbF(6) (MonoPhos: 3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a:3,4-a']dinaphthalen-4-yl)dimethylamine) was elucidated by using (1)H, (31)P and (103)Rh NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS. The use of nbd allows one to obtain in pure form the rhodium complex that contains two units of the ligand. In contrast to the analogous complexes that contain cis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod), this complex shows well-resolved NMR spectroscopic signals. Hydrogenation of these catalyst precursors at 1 bar total pressure gave rise to the formation of a bimetallic complex of general formula [Rh(MonoPhos)(2)](2)(SbF(6))(2); no solvate complexes were detected. In the dimeric complex both rhodium atoms are ligated to two MonoPhos ligands but, in addition, each rhodium atom also binds to one of the binaphthyl rings of a ligand that is bound to the other rhodium metal. Upon addition of mac, a mixture of diastereomeric complexes [Rh(MonoPhos)(2)(mac)]SbF(6) is formed in which the substrate is bound in a chelate fashion to the metal. Upon hydrogenation, these adducts are converted into a new complex [Rh(MonoPhos)(2){mac(H)(2)}]SbF(6) in which the methyl phenylalaninate mac(H)(2) is bound through its aromatic ring to rhodium. Addition of mac to this complex leads to displacement of the product by the substrate. No hydride intermediates could be detected and no evidence was found for the involvement at any stage of the process of complexes with only one coordinated MonoPhos. The collected data suggest that the asymmetric hydrogenation follows a Halpern-like mechanism in which the less abundant substrate-catalyst adduct is preferentially hydrogenated to phenylalanine methyl ester.     

Asymmetric Catalysis by Architectural and Functional Molecular Engineering: Practical Chemo- and Stereoselective Hydrogenation of Ketones

Hydrogenation is a core technology in chemical synthesis. High rates and selectivities are attainable only by the coordination of structurally well-designed catalysts and suitable reaction conditions. The newly devised [RuCl(2)(phosphane)(2)(1,2-diamine)] complexes are excellent precatalysts for homogeneous hydrogenation of simple ketones which lack any functionality capable of interacting with the metal center. This catalyst system allows for the preferential reduction of a C=O function over a coexisting C=C linkage in a 2-propanol solution containing an alkaline base. The hydrogenation tolerates many substituents including F, Cl, Br, I, CF(3), OCH(3), OCH(2)C(6)H(5), COOCH(CH(3))(2), NO(2), NH(2), and NRCOR as well as various electron-rich and -deficient heterocycles. Furthermore, stereoselectivity is easily controlled by the electronic and steric properties (bulkiness and chirality) of the ligands as well as the reaction conditions. Diastereoselectivities observed in the catalytic hydrogenation of cyclic and acyclic ketones with the standard triphenylphosphane/ethylenediamine combination compare well with the best conventional hydride reductions. The use of appropriate chiral diphosphanes, particularly BINAP compounds, and chiral diamines results in rapid and productive asymmetric hydrogenation of a range of aromatic and heteroaromatic ketones and gives a consistently high enantioselectivity. Certain amino and alkoxy ketones can be used as substrates. Cyclic and acyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones can be converted into chiral allyl alcohols of high enantiomeric purity. Hydrogenation of configurationally labile ketones allows for the dynamic kinetic discrimination of diastereomers, epimers, and enantiomers. This new method shows promise in the practical synthesis of a wide variety of chiral alcohols from achiral and chiral ketone substrates. Its versatility is manifested by the asymmetric synthesis of some biologically significant chiral compounds. The high rate and carbonyl selectivity are based on nonclassical metal-ligand bifunctional catalysis involving an 18-electron amino ruthenium hydride complex and a 16-electron amido ruthenium species.     

BINAP/1,4-diamine-ruthenium(II) complexes for efficient asymmetric hydrogenation of 1-tetralones and analogues

A combined system of a RuCl(2)(binap)(1,4-diamine) complex and t-C(4)H(9)OK in i-C(3)H(7)OH catalyzes enantioselective hydrogenation of various 1-tetralone derivatives and some methylated 2-cyclohexenones. Hydrogenation of 2-methyl-1-tetralone under dynamic kinetic resolution gives the cis alcohol with high ee. [reaction: see text]     

Cyclopentadienylrhodium coordination to alkenylarenes

Photochemical reaction of [Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))(C(2)H(4))(2)] (5) with alkenyl benzene derivatives PhC(R(1))=CHR(2) results in the formation of four types of cyclopentadienylrhodium complexes: the mononuclear ethylene eta(2)-alkenylbenzene complexes [Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))(eta-C(2)H(4))(eta(2)-PhC(R(1))=CHR(2))] 9 a (R(1)=H, R(2)=Ph), 9 b (R(1)=Ph, R(2)=H), 9 c (R(1)=CH(3), R(2)=H), the mononuclear eta(4)-alkenylbenzene complex [Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))[beta,alpha,1,2-eta-C(6)H(5)C(Ph)=CH(2)]] (10), the dinuclear mu-eta(4):eta(4)-alkenylbenzene complex [anti-[Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))](2)[mu-beta,alpha,1,2-eta:3,4,5,6-eta-C(6)H(5)C(Ph)C=CH(2)]] (11), and the dinuclear rhodaindenyl complexes [Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))[1-3,8,9-eta-[1-(eta-C(5)H(5))]-3-R(1)-1-rhodaindenyl]] 12 a (R(1)=Ph), 12 b (R(1)=CH(3)). Reaction of 5 with triisopropenylbenzene gives the dinuclear complex [[Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))](2)(mu-beta,alpha,1,2-eta:beta',alpha',4,3-eta-C(6)H(3)[C(CH(3))=CH(2)](3))] (13). In the complexes 9, only the olefinic side chain of the alkenylbenzene binds to the metal. In the complexes 10, 11, 12, and 13, an arene nucleus coordinates to rhodium as a 1,3-diene moiety (or part thereof). The rhodaindenyl complexes 12 result from C-H activation of the alkenylbenzene at the beta and ortho positions. The crystal and molecular structures of 9 a, 9 b, 10, 11, and 12 a, b were determined. The role of 9-11 and 13 as models for intermediates during alkenylbenzene-assisted self-assembly of tricobalt clusters is discussed.     

Chiral phosphane alkenes (PALs): simple synthesis, applications in catalysis, and functional hemilability

A simple synthesis of a chiral phosphane alkene (PAL) involves: 1) palladium-catalyzed Suzuki coupling of 10-bromo-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ol (1) with phenylboronic acid to give quantitatively 10-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ol (2); 2) reaction of 2 with Ph(2)PCl under acidic conditions to give a racemic mixture of the phosphane oxide (10-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)diphenylphosphane oxide ((Ph)troppo(Ph), 3), which is separated into enantiomers by using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a chiral column; 3) reduction with trichlorosilane to give the enantiomerically pure phosphanes (R)- and (S)-(10-phenyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)diphenylphosphane ((Ph)tropp(Ph), 4). This highly rigid, concave-shaped ligand serves as a bidentate ligand in Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes. Catalysts prepared from [Rh(2)(mu(2)-Cl)(2)(C(2)H(4))(4)] and (S)-4 have allowed the efficient enantioselective 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls (Hayashi-Miyaura reaction) (5-0.1 mol % catalyst, up to 95% ee). The iridium complex (S,S)-[Ir((Ph)tropp(Ph))(2)]OTf ((S,S)-6; OTf=SO(3)CF(3)) has been used as a catalyst in the hydrogenation of various nonfunctionalized and functionalized olefins (turnover frequencies (TOFs) of up to 4000 h(-1)) and moderate enantiomeric excesses have been achieved (up to 67% ee). [Ir((Ph)tropp(Ph))(2)]OTf reversibly takes up three equivalents of H(2). The highly reactive octahedral [Ir(H)(2)(OTf)(CH(2)Cl(2))(H(2)-(Ph)tropp(Ph))(2)] could be isolated and contains two hydrogenated monodentate H(2)-(Ph)tropp(Ph) phosphanes, one CH(2)Cl(2) molecule, one triflate anion, and two hydrides. Based on this structure and extensive NMR spectroscopic studies, a mechanism for the hydrogenation reactions is proposed.     

Bidentates versus monodentates in asymmetric hydrogenation catalysis: synergic effects on rate and allosteric effects on enantioselectivity

C 1-Symmetric phosphino/phosphonite ligands are prepared by the reactions of Ph 2P(CH 2) 2P(NMe 2) 2 with ( S)-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (to give L A ) or ( S)-10,10'-bi-9-phenanthrol (to give L B ). Racemic 10,10'-bi-9-phenanthrol is synthesized in three steps from phenanthrene in 44% overall yield. The complexes [PdCl 2( L A,B )] ( 1a, b), [PtCl 2( L A,B )] ( 2a, b), [Rh(cod)( L A,B )]BF 4 ( 3a, b) and [Rh( L A,B ) 2]BF 4 ( 4a, b) are reported and the crystal structure of 1a has been determined. A (31)P NMR study shows that M, a 1:1 mixture of the monodentates, PMePh 2 and methyl monophosphonite L 1a (based on ( S)-1,1 '-bi-2-naphthol), reacts with 1 equiv of [Rh(cod) 2]BF 4 to give the heteroligand complex [Rh(cod)(PMePh 2)( L 1a )]BF 4 ( 5) and homoligand complexes [Rh(cod)(PMePh 2) 2]BF 4 ( 6) and [Rh(cod)( L 1a ) 2]BF 4 ( 7) in the ratio 2:1:1. The same mixture of 5- 7 is obtained upon mixing the isolated homoligand complexes 6 and 7 although the equilibrium is only established rapidly in the presence of an excess of PMePh 2. The predominant species 5 is a monodentate ligand complex analogue of the chelate 3a. When the mixture of 5- 7 is exposed to 5 atm H 2 for 1 h (the conditions used for catalyst preactivation in the asymmetric hydrogenation studies), the products are identified as the solvento species [Rh(PMePh 2)( L 1a )(S) 2]BF 4 ( 5'), [Rh(S) 2(PMePh 2) 2]BF 4 ( 6') and [Rh(S) 2( L 1a ) 2]BF 4 ( 7') and are formed in the same 2:1:1 ratio. The reaction of M with 0.5 equiv of [Rh(cod) 2]BF 4 gives exclusively the heteroligand complex cis-[Rh(PMePh 2) 2( L 1a ) 2]BF 4 ( 8), an analogue of 4a. The asymmetric hydrogenation of dehydroamino acid derivatives catalyzed by 3a, b is reported, and the enantioselectivities are compared with those obtained with (a) chelate catalysts derived from analogous diphosphonite ligands L 2a and L 2b , (b) catalysts based on methyl monophosphonites L 1a and L 1b , and (c) catalysts derived from mixture M. For the cinnamate and acrylate substrates studied, the catalysts derived from the phosphino/phosphonite bidentates L A,B generally give superior enantioselectivities to the analogous diphosphonites L 2a and L 2b ; these results are rationalized in terms of delta/lambda-chelate conformations and allosteric effects of the substrates. The rate of hydrogenation of acrylate substrate A with heterochelate 3a is significantly faster than with the homochelate analogues [Rh( L 2a )(cod)]BF 4 and [Rh(dppe)(cod)]BF 4. A synergic effect on the rate is also observed with the monodentate analogues: the rate of hydrogenation with the mixture containing predominantly heteroligand complex 5 is faster than with the monophosphine complex 6 or monophosphonite complex 7. Thus the hydrogenation catalysis carried out with M and [Rh(cod) 2]BF 4 is controlled by the dominant and most efficient heteroligand complex 5. In this study, the heterodiphos chelate 3a is shown to be more efficient and gives the opposite sense of optical induction to the heteromonophos analogue 5.     

Catalytic asymmetric syntheses of tyrosine surrogates

Amino acid esters 5-11 as tyrosine mimics have been synthesized in excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99.6% ee) and in good overall chemical yields. The key step in the sequence was the Burk's [Rh(COD)(2R,5R)-Et-DuPhos]BF4-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides with a variety of reactive functional groups.     

Stereoselective synthesis of optically active alpha-hydroxy ketones and anti-1,2-diols via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of unsymmetrically substituted 1,2-diketones

[reaction: see text] A well-defined chiral Ru catalyst RuCl(N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-1, 2-diphenylethylenediamine)(eta(6)-arene) effectively promotes asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 1-aryl-1,2-propanedione with HCOOH/N(C(2)H(5))(3), leading preferentially to optically active 1-aryl-2-hydroxy-1-propanone with up to 99% ee and 89% yield at 10 degrees C. The reaction at 40 degrees C gives anti-1-aryl-1, 2-propanediol with up to 95% ee and 78% yield. This is a highly efficient procedure for the synthesis of optically active anti-diols.     

Highly Enantio- and s-trans C=C bond selective catalytic hydrogenation of cyclic enones: alternative synthesis of (-)-menthol

A highly enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of cyclic enones was achieved by using the combination of a cationic Rh(I) complex, (S)-5,5'-bis{di(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenylphosphino)}-4,4'-bi-1,3-benzodioxole (DTBM-SEGPHOS), and (CH2CH2PPh3Br)2. The presence of an s-cis C=C bond isopropylidene moiety on the cyclic enone influenced the enantioselectivity of the hydrogenation. Thus, the hydrogenation of 3-alkyl-6-isopropylidene-2-cyclohexen-1-one, which contains both s-cis and s-trans enones, proceeded in excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98 % ee). To obtain high enantio- and s-trans selectivities, the addition of a halogen source to the cationic Rh complex was the essential step. With the key step of the s-trans selective asymmetric hydrogenation of piperitenone, we demonstrated a new synthetic method for optically pure (-)-menthol via three atom-economical hydrogenations. Moreover, we found that the complete s-trans and s-cis C=C bond selective reactions were also realized by the proper choice of both the chiral ligands and halides.     

General asymmetric hydrogenation of alpha-branched aromatic ketones catalyzed by TolBINAP/DMAPEN-ruthenium(II) complex

[reaction: see text] A catalyst system consisting of RuCl2[(S)-tolbinap][(R)-dmapen] and t-C4H9OK in 2-propanol effects asymmetric hydrogenation of arylglyoxal dialkylacetals to give the alpha-hydroxy acetals in up to 98% ee. Hydrogenation of racemic alpha-amidopropiophenones under dynamic kinetic resolution predominantly gives the syn alcohols in up to 99% ee and >98% de, while the reaction of racemic bezoin methyl ether gives the anti alcohols in excellent stereoselectivity.     

Role of the NH2 functionality and solvent in terdentate CNN alkoxide ruthenium complexes for the fast transfer hydrogenation of ketones in 2-propanol

The reaction of [RuCl(CNN)(dppb)] (1; HCNN=6-(4-methylphenyl)-2-pyridylmethylamine) with NaOiPr in 2-propanol/C6D6 affords the alcohol adduct alkoxide [Ru(OiPr)(CNN)(dppb)].n iPrOH (5), containing the Ru-NH2 linkage. The alkoxide [Ru(OiPr)(CNN)(dppb)] (4) is formed by treatment of the hydride [Ru(H)(CNN)(dppb)] (2) with acetone in C6D6. Complex 5 in 2-propanol/C6D6 equilibrates quickly with hydride 2 and acetone with an exchange rate of (5.4+/-0.2) s(-1) at 25 degrees C, higher than that found between 4 and 2 ((2.9+/-0.4) s(-1)). This fast process, involving a beta-hydrogen elimination versus ketone insertion into the Ru-H bond, occurs within a hydrogen-bonding network favored by the Ru-NH2 motif. The cationic alcohol complex [Ru(CNN)(dppb)(iPrOH)](BAr(f)4) (6; Ar(f)=3,5-C6H3(CF3)2), obtained from 1, Na[BAr(f)4], and 2-propanol, reacts with NaOiPr to afford 5. Complex 5 reacts with either 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone through hydride 2 or with 4,4'-difluorobenzhydrol through protonation, affording the alkoxide [Ru(OCH(4-C6H4F)2)(CNN)(dppb)] (7) in 90 and 85 % yield of the isolated product. The chiral CNN-ruthenium compound [RuCl(CNN)((S,S)-Skewphos)] (8), obtained by the reaction of [RuCl2(PPh3)3] with (S,S)-Skewphos and orthometalation of HCNN in the presence of NEt3, is a highly active catalyst for the enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of methylaryl ketones (turnover frequencies (TOFs) of up to 1.4 x 10(6) h(-1) at reflux were obtained) with up to 89% ee. Also the ketone CF3CO(4-C6H4F), containing the strong electron-withdrawing CF3 group, is reduced to the R alcohol with 64% ee and a TOF of 1.5 x 10(4) h(-1). The chiral alkoxide [Ru(OiPr)(CNN)((S,S)-Skewphos)]n iPrOH (9), obtained from 8 and NaOiPr in the presence of 2-propanol, reacts with CF3CO(4-C6H4F) to afford a mixture of the diastereomer alkoxides [Ru(OCH(CF3)(4-C6H4F))(CNN)((S,S)-Skewphos)] (10/11; 74% yield) with 67% de. This value is very close to the enantiomeric excess of the alcohol (R)-CF3CH(OH)(4-C6H4F) formed in catalysis, thus suggesting that diastereoisomeric alkoxides with the Ru-NH2 linkage are key species in the catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction.     

Intermolecular alkene and alkyne hydroacylation with beta-S-substituted aldehydes: mechanistic insight into the role of a hemilabile P-O-P ligand

A straightforward to assemble catalytic system for the intermolecular hydroacylation reaction of beta-S-substituted aldehydes with activated and unactivated alkenes and alkynes is reported. These catalysts promote the hydroacylation reaction between beta-S-substituted aldehydes and challenging substrates, such as internal alkynes and 1-octene. The catalysts are based upon [Rh(cod)(DPEphos)][ClO(4)] (DPEphos=bis(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)ether, cod=cyclooctadiene) and were designed to make use of the hemilabile capabilities of the DPEphos ligand to stabilise key acyl-hydrido intermediates against reductive decarbonylation, which results in catalyst death. Studies on the stoichiometric addition of aldehyde (either ortho-HCOCH(2)CH(2)SMe or ortho-HCOC(6)H(4)SMe) and methylacrylate to precursor acetone complexes [Rh(acetone)(2)(DPEphos)][X] [X=closo-CB(11)H(6)Cl(6) or [BAr(F) (4)] (Ar(F)=3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3))] reveal the role of the hemilabile DPEphos ligand. The crystal structure of [Rh(acetone)(2)(DPEphos)][X] shows a cis-coordinated diphosphine ligand with the oxygen atom of the DPEphos distal from the rhodium. Addition of aldehyde forms the acyl hydride complexes [Rh(DPEphos)(COCH(2)CH(2)SMe)H][X] or [Rh(DPEphos)(COC(6)H(4)SMe)H][X], which have a trans-spanning DPEphos ligand and a coordinated ether group. Compared to analogous complexes prepared with dppe (dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), these DPEphos complexes show significantly increased resistance towards reductive decarbonylation. The crystal structure of the reductive decarbonylation product [Rh(CO)(DPEphos)(EtSMe)][closo-CB(11)H(6)I(6)] is reported. Addition of alkene (methylacrylate) to the acyl-hydrido complexes forms the final complexes [Rh(DPEphos)(eta(1)-MeSC(2)H(4)-eta(1)-COC(2)H(4)CO(2)Me)][X] and [Rh(DPEphos)(eta(1)-MeSC(6)H(4)-eta(1)-COC(2)H(4)CO(2)Me)][X], which have been identified spectroscopically and by ESIMS/MS. Intermediate species in this transformation have been observed and tentatively characterised as the alkyl-acyl complexes [Rh(CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)Me)(COC(2)H(4)SMe)(DPEphos)][X] and [Rh(CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)Me)(COC(6)H(4)SMe)(DPEphos)][X]. In these complexes, the DPEphos ligand is now cis chelating. A model for the (unobserved) transient alkene complex that would result from addition of alkene to the acyl-hydrido complexes comes from formation of the MeCN adducts [Rh(DPEphos)(MeSC(2)H(4)CO)H(MeCN)][X] and [Rh(DPEphos)(MeSC(6)H(4)CO)H(MeCN)][X]. Changing the ligand from DPEphos to one with a CH(2) linkage, [Ph(2)P(C(6)H(4))](2)CH(2), gave only decomposition on addition of aldehyde to the acetone precursor, which demonstrated the importance of the hemiabile ether group in DPEphos. With [Ph(2)P(C(6)H(4))](2)S, the sulfur atom has the opposite effect and binds too strongly to the metal centre to allow access to productive acetone intermediates.     

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of benzaldehydes

A combined system of RuCl[(R, R)-YCH(C(6)H(5))CH(C(6)H(5))NH(2)](eta(6)-arene) (Y = NSO(2)C(6)H(4)-4-CH(3) or O) and t-C(4)H(9)OK catalyzes the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of various benzaldehyde-1-d derivatives with 2-propanol to yield (R)-benzyl-1-d alcohols in 95-99% ee and with >99% isotopic purity. Reaction of benzaldehydes with a DCO(2)D-triethylamine mixture and the R,R catalyst affords the S deuterated alcohols in 97-99% ee.     

Oligodentate P,N ligands: N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,3-diaminobenzene complexes of rhodium, nickel and palladium

The oligodentate P,N ligand N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,3-diaminobenzene reacts with two equivalents of [{Rh(mu-Cl)(COD)}(2)], [NiBr(2)(DME)] or [PdCl(2)(NCMe)(2)](COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, DME = dimethoxyethane) in dichloromethane to give the tetranuclear complex [1,3-{cis-Rh(COD)(mu-Cl)(2)Rh(PPh(2))(2)N}(2)C(6)H(4)](1) or the dinuclear complexes [1,3-{cis-NiBr(2)(PPh(2))(2)N}(2)C(6)H(4)](2) and [1,3-{cis-PdCl(2)(PPh(2))(2)N}(2)C(6)H(4)](3), respectively. Compounds 1-3 were characterised by NMR ((1)H, (13)C, (31)P) and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of 2 and 3 shows the formation of a bis-chelate complex with M-P-N-P four-membered rings (M = Pd, Ni). An N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,3-diaminobenzene/Pd(OAc)(2) mixture was used for the copolymerisation of carbon monoxide with ethene or ethylidenenorbornene. Compound 1 was employed as catalyst in the hydrogenation of styrene.     

Chiral organometallic triangles with Rh-Rh bonds. 1. Compounds prepared from racemic cis-Rh2(C6H4PPh2)2(OAc)2

Reaction of racemic cis-Rh(2)(C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(2)(OAc)(2)(HOAc)(2) with excess Me(3)OBF(4) in CH(3)CN results in the formation of racemic cis-[Rh(2)(C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)(6)](BF(4))(2).0.5H(2)O (1.0.5H(2)O), an ionic dirhodium complex which has two cisoid nonlabile orthometalated phosphine bridging anions and six labile CH(3)CN ligands in equatorial and axial positions. Reactions of 1 with tetraethylammonium salts of the linear dicarboxylates, oxalate, terephthalate, and 4,4'-biphenyl-dicarboxylate, in organic solvents, produced racemic crystals of the triangular compounds [Rh(2)(C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(2)](3)(C(2)O(4))(3)(py)(6).6MeOH.H(2)O (2.6MeOH.H(2)O), [Rh(2)(C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(2)](3)(O(2)CC(6)H(4)CO(2))(3)(DMF)(6).6.5DMF.0.5H(2)O (3.6.5DMF.0.5H(2)O), and [Rh(2)(C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(2)](3)(O(2)CC(6)H(4)C(6)H(4)CO(2))(3)(py)(6).4.5CH(3)OH.0.75H(2)O (4.4.5CH(3)OH.0.75H(2)O), respectively. All compounds are electrochemically active. The relative chiralities of the dirhodium units in each triangle have been established using a combination of data from X-ray crystallography and (31)P NMR spectroscopy.