Synthesis and Catalytic Use of Gold(I) Complexes Containing a Hemilabile Phosphanylferrocene Nitrile Donor

Removal of the chloride ligand from [AuCl( 1 ‐κP)] ( 2 ) containing a P‐monodentate 1′‐(diphenylphosphanyl)‐1‐cyanoferrocene ligand ( 1 ), by using silver(I) salts affords cationic complexes of the type [Au( 1 )]X, which exist either as cyclic dimers [Au( 1 )]₂X₂ ( 3 a , X=SbF₆; 3 c , X=NTf₂) or linear coordination polymers [Au( 1 )]_nX_n ( 3 a′ , X=SbF₆; 3 b′ , X=ClO₄), depending on anion X and the isolation procedure. As demonstrated for 3 a′ , the polymers can be readily cleaved by the addition of donors, such as Cl^?, tetrahydrothiophene (tht) or 1 , giving rise to the parent compound 2 , [Au(tht)( 1 ‐κP)][SbF₆] ( 5 a ) or [Au( 1 ‐κP)₂][SbF₆] ( 4 a ), respectively, of which the last two compounds can also be prepared by stepwise replacement of tht in [Au( 1 ‐κP)₂][SbF₆]. The particular combination of a firmly coordinated (phosphane) and a dissociable (nitrile) donor moieties renders complexes 3/3′ attractive for catalysis because they can serve as shelf‐stable precursors of coordinatively unsaturated Au^I fragments, analogous to those that result from the widely used [Au(PR₃)(RCN)]X catalysts. The catalytic properties of the Au‐ 1 complexes were evaluated in model annulation reactions, such as the synthesis of 2,3‐dimethylfuran from (Z)‐3‐methylpent‐2‐en‐4‐yn‐1‐ol and oxidative cyclisation of alkynes with nitriles to produce 2,5‐disubstituted 1,3‐oxazoles. Of the compounds tested ( 2 , 3 a′ , 3 b′ , 3 a , 4 a and 5 a ), the best results were consistently achieved with dimer 3 c , which has good solubility in organic solvents and only one firmly bound donor at the gold atom. This compound was advantageously used in the key steps of annuloline and rosefuran syntheses.     

Catalytic Water Oxidation by Ruthenium(II) Quaterpyridine (qpy) Complexes: Evidence for Ruthenium(III) qpy‐N,N′′′‐dioxide as the Real Catalysts

Polypyridyl and related ligands have been widely used for the development of water oxidation catalysts. Supposedly these ligands are oxidation‐resistant and can stabilize high‐oxidation‐state intermediates. In this work a series of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(qpy)(L)₂]²⁺ (qpy=2,2′:6′,2′′:6′′,2′′′‐quaterpyridine; L=substituted pyridine) have been synthesized and found to catalyze Ce^IV‐driven water oxidation, with turnover numbers of up to 2100. However, these ruthenium complexes are found to function only as precatalysts; first, they have to be oxidized to the qpy‐N,N′′′‐dioxide (ONNO) complexes [Ru(ONNO)(L)₂]³⁺ which are the real catalysts for water oxidation.     

Z‐Selective Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Alkyne Semihydrogenation with Tethered Cu–Alkoxide Complexes

A highly stereoselective alkyne semihydrogenation with copper(I) complexes is reported. Copper–N‐heterocyclic carbene complex catalysts, bearing an intramolecular Cu?O bond, allow for the direct transfer of both hydrogen atoms from dihydrogen to the alkyne. The corresponding alkenes can be isolated with high Z selectivity and negligible overreduction to the alkane.     

Structural Diversity of Copper(I)–N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes; Ligand Tuning Facilitates Isolation of the First Structurally Characterised Copper(I)–NHC Containing a Copper(I)–Alkene Interaction

The preparation of a series of imidazolium salts bearing N‐allyl substituents, and a range of substituents on the second nitrogen atom that have varying electronic and steric properties, is reported. The ligands have been coordinated to a copper(I) centre and the resulting copper(I)–NHC (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) complexes have been thoroughly examined, both in solution and in the solid‐state. The solid‐state structures are highly diverse and exhibit a range of unusual geometries and cuprophilic interactions. The first structurally characterised copper(I)–NHC complex containing a copper(I)–alkene interaction is reported. An N‐pyridyl substituent, which forms a dative bond with the copper(I) centre, stabilises an interaction between the metal centre and the allyl substituent of a neighbouring ligand, to form a 1D coordination polymer. The stabilisation is attributed to the pyridyl substituent increasing the electron density at the copper(I) centre, and thus enhancing the metal(d)‐to‐alkene(π*) back‐bonding. In addition, components other than charge transfer appear to have a role in copper(I)–alkene stabilisation because further increases in the Lewis basicity of the ligand disfavours copper(I)–alkene binding.     

Reactions of Copper(II) Chloride in Solution: Facile Formation of Tetranuclear Copper Clusters and Other Complexes That Are Relevant in Catalytic Redox Processes

Mixing CuCl₂ ? 2 H₂O with benzylamine in alcoholic solutions led to an extremely colorful chemistry caused by the formation of a large number of different complexes. Many of these different species could be structurally characterized. These include relatively simple compounds such as [Cu(L¹)₄Cl₂] (L¹=benzylamine) and (HL¹)₂[CuCl₄]. Most interestingly is the easy formation of two cluster complexes, one based on two cluster units Cu₄OCl₆(L¹)₄ connected through one [Cu(L¹)₂Cl₂] complex and one based on a cubane‐type cluster ([Cu₄O₄](C₁₁H₁₄)₄Cl₄). Both clusters proved to be highly reactive in a series of oxidation reactions of organic substrates by using air or peroxides as oxidants. Furthermore, it was possible to isolate and structurally characterize ([Cu(L¹)Cl]₃ and [Cu(benz₂mpa)₂]CuCl₂ (benz₂mpa=benzyl‐(2‐benzylimino‐1‐methyl‐propylidene)‐amine), two copper(I) complexes that formed in solution, demonstrating the high redox activity of the cluster systems. In addition, it was possible to solve the molecular structures of the compounds Cu₄OCl₆(MeOH)₄, [Cu(MeOH)₂Cl₂], [Cu(aniline)₂Cl₂], and an organic side product (HC₁₃H₁₉NOCl). In fact all determined structures are of a known type but the chemical relation between these compounds could be explained for the first time. The paper describes these different compounds and their chemical equilibria. Some of these complexes seem to be relevant in catalytic oxidation reactions and their reactivity is discussed in more detail.     

Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing Lutidine‐Derived Pincer CNC Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Hydrogenation of CN bonds

A series of Ru complexes containing lutidine‐derived pincer CNC ligands have been prepared by transmetalation with the corresponding silver‐carbene derivatives. Characterization of these derivatives shows both mer and fac coordination of the CNC ligands depending on the wingtips of the N‐heterocyclic carbene fragments. In the presence of tBuOK, the Ru‐CNC complexes are active in the hydrogenation of a series of imines. In addition, these complexes catalyze the reversible hydrogenation of phenantridine. Detailed NMR spectroscopic studies have shown the capability of the CNC ligand to be deprotonated and get involved in ligand‐assisted activation of dihydrogen. More interestingly, upon deprotonation, the Ru‐CNC complex 5 e (BF₄) is able to add aldimines to the metal–ligand framework to yield an amido complex. Finally, investigation of the mechanism of the hydrogenation of imines has been carried out by means of DFT calculations. The calculated mechanism involves outer‐sphere stepwise hydrogen transfer to the C?N bond assisted either by the pincer ligand or a second coordinated H₂ molecule.     

Heteroleptic and Homoleptic Iron(III) Complexes with a Tris(N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Borate Ligand: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalytic Application

Heteroleptic and homoleptic iron(III) complexes supported by a tris(N-heterocyclic carbene) borate ligand have been prepared and crystallographically characterized. The strong electron-donating character of the tris(carbene) donor was revealed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements combined with quantum chemical calculations. The catalytic activity of each complex was evaluated in cyclohexane oxidation reaction using meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (=mCPBA) as an oxidant, and both complexes show high catalytic activity and selectivity with TON=∼350 and A/(K+L)=8–10. Mechanistic studies suggested that radical-chain processes are involved in the reaction due to mCPBA acting as a one-electron oxidant, concomitant with the pathway of metal-based reactive species. Moreover, it was found that the homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes differed significantly in the involvement of metal-based active species, with the homoleptic complex exhibiting more metal-based reactions.     

Copper(II)‐Mediated Transformation of a Tridentate Non‐Innocent Ligand into a Tetradentate Salen‐Type Innocent Ligand

A non‐innocent ligand, H₄L, was synthesized by introducing a ? CH₂NH₂ group at the ortho carbon atom to the aniline moiety of 2‐anilino‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol. The new ligand was characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry techniques. Upon treatment with CuCl₂ ? 2 H₂O, this non‐innocent ligand provided a mononuclear four‐coordinate salen‐type Cu^II complex by complete modification of the ligand backbone. The complex was characterized by IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and UV/Vis/near‐IR spectroscopy techniques. X‐ray crystallographic analysis showed an asymmetric environment around the Cu^II center with a small (≈12°) twist between the two biting planes. Analysis of the X‐band EPR spectrum also supported the asymmetric environment and also indicated the presence of an unpaired electron on the d orbital. The UV/Vis/near‐IR spectrum showed strong absorption bands for metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer and ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer along with a Cu^II‐centered d–d transition. Mechanistic investigation of the formation of complex 1 indicated that modification of the ligand backbone proceeded through ligand‐centered amine to imine oxidation as well as through C? N bond‐breaking processes. During these processes, 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐benzoquinone and 2‐aminobenzylidene were produced. Ammonia, generated in situ through hydrolysis of the imine to the aldehyde, reacted with 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐benzoquinone to form the corresponding 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐iminobenzoquinone moiety, which upon two‐electron reduction in the reaction medium formed 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐aminophenol. This aminophenol underwent condensation with the H₂L5 ligand that was formed by self‐condensation of two molecules of 2‐aminobenzaldehyde and provided the modified ligand backbone.     

trans‐Dichloridobis(4,8‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐2‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐κP)platinum(II)

The crystal structure of the title compound, trans‐[PtCl₂(C₁₆H₂₃P)₂], has been determined at 100 K. The Pt atom is located on a twofold axis and adopts a distorted square‐planar coordination geometry. The structure is only the second example of a coordination complex containing a derivative of the 4,8‐dimethyl‐2‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (Lim) phosphine ligand family. The ligand contains four chiral C atoms, with the stereochemistry at three of these fixed during synthesis, therefore resulting in two possible ligand stereoisomers. The compound crystallizes in the chiral space group P4₃2₁2 but is racemic, comprising an equimolar mixture of both stereoisomers disordered on a single ligand site. The effective cone angles for both isomers are the same at 146°.     

Synthesis of Pyridazinones through the Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction of Aldehydes,Hydrazines, and Alkynylesters

The copper‐catalyzed multicomponent cyclization reaction, which combined aldehydes, hydrazines, and alkynylesters, was applied in the synthesis of pyridazinones. The reaction was regioselective and gave only six‐membered pyridazinones in the complete absence of five‐membered pyrazoles or a regioisomeric mixture. During this investigation, the use of 2‐halobenzaldehyde as the starting material, under identical reaction conditions, gave 6‐(2‐ethoxyphenyl)pyridazinones after sequential Michael addition/1,2‐addition/Ullmann cross‐coupling reactions.     

Direct Synthesis and Characterization of New Copper(II) and Zinc(II) 5‐R‐Tetrazolato Complexes [R = Me,Ph, 4‐Py] with Ethylenediamine and DMSO as Coligands

Three novel 5‐R‐tetrazolato complexes (R = Me, Ph, 4‐Py), namely [Zn₂(MeCN₄)₄(DMSO)₂] ( 1 ), [Cu₂(PhCN₄)₄(en)₂] · 2DMSO ( 2 ), and [Cu(4‐PyCN₄)₂(DMSO)₂] · 4DMSO ( 3 ), were isolated as unexpected products under attempts to prepare heterometallic tetrazolates using a direct synthesis strategy in the Cu⁰‐ZnO‐en‐RCN₄H‐DMSO system (en = ethylenediamine). The prepared compounds were characterized by elemental, single‐crystal X‐ray, and thermal analyses, and IR spectroscopy. Variation of the 5‐substituent of the tetrazole ring causes different composition of complexes 1 – 3 and diverse coordination modes of 5‐R‐tetrazolato ligands. Complex 1 is a 3D coordination polymer due to N1, N4‐bridging of 5‐methyltetrazolato anions. Complex 2 , with en as a coligand, has a dinuclear structure with two copper atoms linked together by two 5‐phenyltetrazolato ligands by tetrazole N2, N3 bridges. Complex 3 represents a 2D coordination polymer, formed due to 5‐(4‐pyridyl)tetrazolato bridges between adjacent copper atoms (with the tetrazole and pyridine rings nitrogen atoms as coordination centers). DMSO molecules, included in all the compounds, are solvate and/or coordinated ones.     

Facile,Catalytic Dehydrocoupling of Phosphines Using β‐Diketiminate Iron(II) Complexes

Catalytic dehydrocoupling of primary and secondary phosphines has been achieved for the first time using an iron pre‐catalyst. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions and is successful with a range of diarylphosphines. A proton acceptor is not needed for the transformation to take place, but addition of 1‐hexene does allow for turnover at 50 °C. The catalytic system developed also facilitates the dehydrocoupling of phenylphosphane and dicyclohexylphosphane. A change in solvent switches off dehydrocoupling to allow hydrophosphination of alkenes.     

Tuning the Properties of Copper(II) Complexes with Tetra‐ and Pentadentate Bispidine (=3,7‐Diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) Ligands

The synthesis of a series of tetra‐ and pentadentate bispidine‐type ligands (bispidine=3,7‐diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) – tetradentate ligands are donor‐substituted at C(2) and C(4), pentadentate ligands have an additional donor at N(3) or N(7), with pyridine, 2‐methylpyridine, or quinoline donor moieties – and of their Cu^II complexes are reported, together with single‐crystal structural analyses and solution studies (electrochemistry, electronic and EPR spectroscopy). Depending on the ligand geometry and on the co‐ligands (solvent or counter anion), there are various structural forms (pseudo‐Jahn–Teller elongation along all three molecular axes), and the structural data are correlated with the spectroscopic and electrochemical parameters.     

Catalytic Activity of Cationic and Neutral Silver(I)–XPhos Complexes with Nitrogen Ligands or Tolylsulfonate for Mannich and Aza‐Diels–Alder Coupling Reactions

Cationic and neutral silver(I)–L complexes (L=Buchwald‐type biaryl phosphanes) with nitrogen co‐ligands or organosulfonate counter ions have been synthesised and characterised through their structural and spectroscopic properties. At room temperature, both cationic and neutral silver(I)–L complexes are extremely active catalysts in the promotion of the single and double A³ coupling of terminal (di)alkynes, pyrrolidine and formaldehyde. In addition, the aza‐Diels–Alder two‐ and three‐component coupling reactions of Danishefsky’s diene with an imine or amine and aldehyde are efficiently catalysed by these cationic or neutral silver(I)–L complexes. The solvent influences the catalytic performance due to limited complex solubility or solvent decomposition and reactivity. The isolation of new silver(I)–L complexes with reagents as ligands lends support to mechanistic proposals for such catalytic processes. The activity, stability and metal–distal arene interaction of these silver(I)–L catalysts have been compared with those of analogous cationic gold(I) and copper(I) complexes.     

Novel Unsymmetric α‐Diimine Nickel(II) Complexes: Suitable Catalysts for Copolymerization Reactions

We established a strategy to synthesize novel unsymmetric 2,3‐diaza‐1,4‐dithiane ligands. Reaction of [Ni(acac)₂] and trityl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate in the presence of these ligands afforded the corresponding salt‐type complexes. All new compounds were characterized by means of elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy, and the complexes additionally by mass spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopic experiments on polymers generated by the symmetric ligand/trimethylaluminum catalyst system showed that all products were nearly linear, independent of the polymerization conditions. By contrast, polymers produced by the unsymmetric ligand/trimethylaluminum catalyst system under homopolymerization conditions were branched (15–24 ‰). Additionally, copolymerization experiments with propylene and 1‐hexene afforded copolymers with a branching level of up to 50 ‰.     

Single‐Site Copper(II) Water Oxidation Electrocatalysis: Rate Enhancements with HPO42− as a Proton Acceptor at pH 8

The complex Cu^II(Py₃P) ( 1 ) is an electrocatalyst for water oxidation to dioxygen in H₂PO₄^?/HPO₄^2? buffered aqueous solutions. Controlled potential electrolysis experiments with 1 at pH 8.0 at an applied potential of 1.40 V versus the normal hydrogen electrode resulted in the formation of dioxygen (84 % Faradaic yield) through multiple catalyst turnovers with minimal catalyst deactivation. The results of an electrochemical kinetics study point to a single‐site mechanism for water oxidation catalysis with involvement of phosphate buffer anions either through atom–proton transfer in a rate‐limiting O? O bond‐forming step with HPO₄^2? as the acceptor base or by concerted electron–proton transfer with electron transfer to the electrode and proton transfer to the HPO₄^2? base.