Dynamic processes in silyl palladium complexes: evidence for intermediate Si-H and Si-Si sigma-complexes

The silyl palladium complexes (dcpe)PdH(SiHtBu2) and (dcpe)Pd(SiHMe2)2 display NMR spectra that vary with temperature. The dynamic NMR behavior is consistent with long-lived sigma-complexes as intermediates. In the case of (dcpe)PdH(SiHtBu2), the intermediate is believed to be a symmetric complex with doubly bridged hydrogen atoms between the silicon and palladium. Dynamic interchange of the two silicon atoms in (dcpe)Pd(SiHMe2)2 is consistent with an intermediate Si-Si sigma-complex.     

Si-H and Si-Si activation at Pt: synthesis and reactivity of neutral and cationic silyl complexes

Reactions of [Pt(PEt(3))(3)] (1) with the silanes HSiPh(3), HSiPh(2)Me and HSi(OEt)(3) led to the products of oxidative addition, cis-[Pt(H)(SiPh(3))(PEt(3))(2)] (2), cis-[Pt(H)(SiPh(2)Me)(PEt(3))(2)] (3), cis-[Pt(H){Si(OEt)(3)}(PEt(3))(2)] (cis-4) and trans-[Pt(H){Si(OEt)(3)}(PEt(3))(2)] (trans-4). The complexes cis-4 and trans-4 can also be generated by hydrogenolysis of (EtO)(3)SiSi(OEt)(3) in the presence of 1. Furthermore, the silyl compounds cis-4 and trans-4 react with B(C(6)F(5))(3) and CH(3)CN by hydride abstraction to give the cationic silyl complex trans-[Pt{Si(OEt)(3)}(NCCH(3))(PEt(3))(2)][HB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (8). In addition, the reactivity of the complexes cis-4, trans-4 and 8 towards alkenes and CO was studied using NMR experiments.     

Vibration frequencies of Si-H and Si-D bonds and the electronegativity of silyl groups

Summary A simple empirical relation is put forward for relating the vibration frequencies of Si-H and Si-D and also Ge-H and Ge-D bonds to the electronegativities of silyl and germyl groups.     

Si-H activation of hydrosilanes leading to hydrido silyl and bis(silyl) nickel complexes

A general route for the synthesis of novel NHC stabilized nickel bis(silyl) and nickel hydrido silyl complexes is presented. The reaction of [Ni(2)((i)Pr(2)Im)(4)(COD)] 1 ((i)Pr(2)Im = 1,3-di-isopropyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene) with hydrosilanes H(n)SiR(4-n) leads to complexes of the type [Ni((i)Pr(2)Im)(2)(SiH(n-1)R(4-n))(H)] or [Ni((i)Pr(2)Im)(2)(SiH(n-1)R(4-n))(2)].     

Mechanistic aspects of samarium-mediated sigma-bond activations of arene C-H and arylsilane Si-C bonds.

To investigate the potential role of Sm-Ph species as intermediates in the samarium-catalyzed redistribution of PhSiH3 to Ph2SiH2 and SiH4, the samarium phenyl complex [Cp*2SmPh]2 (1) was prepared by oxidation of Cp2*Sm (2) with HgPh2. Compound 1 thermally decomposes to yield benzene and the phenylene-bridged disamarium complex Cp*2Sm(mu-1,4-C6H4)SmCp*2 (3). This decomposition reaction appears to proceed through dissociation of 1 into monomeric Cp*2SmPh species which then react via unimolecular and bimolecular pathways, involving rate-limiting Cp* metalation and direct C-H activation, respectively. The observed rate law for this process is of the form: rate = k1[1] + k2[1]2. Complex 1 efficiently transfers its phenyl group to PhSiH3, with formation of Ph2SiH2 and [Cp*2Sm(mu-H)]2 (4). Quantitative Si-C bond cleavage of C6F5SiH3 is effected by the samarium hydride complex 4, yielding silane and [Cp*2Sm(mu-C6F5)]2 (5). In contrast, Si-H activation takes place upon reaction of 4 with o-MeOC6H4SiH3, affording the samarium silyl species [structure: see text] Cp*2SmSiH2(o-MeOC6H4) (7). Complex 7 rapidly decomposes to [Cp*2Sm(mu-o-MeOC6H4)]2 (6) and other samarium-containing products. Compounds 5 and 6 were prepared independently by oxidation of 2 with Hg(C6F5)2 and Hg(o-MeOC6H4)2, respectively. The mechanism of samarium-mediated redistribution at silicon, and chemoselectivity in sigma-bond metathesis reactions, are discussed.     

Zirconium, hafnium, and tantalum amide silyl complexes: their preparation and conversion to metallaheterocyclic complexes via gamma-hydrogen abstraction by silyl ligands

New transition metal silyl amide complexes (Me(2)N)(3)Ta[N(SiMe(3))(2)](SiPh(2)Bu(t)) (1) and (Me(2)N)M[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(SiPh(2)Bu(t)) (M = Zr, 2a, and Hf, 2b) were found to undergo gamma-H abstraction by the silyl ligands to give metallaheterocyclic complexes (3) and (M = Zr, 4a, and Hf, 4b), respectively. The conversion of 1 to 3 follows first-order kinetics with DeltaH() = 23.6(1.6) kcal/mol and DeltaS() = 3(5) eu between 288 and 313 K. The formation of 4a from (Me(2)N)Zr[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)Cl (5a) and Li(THF)(2)SiPh(2)Bu(t) (6) involves the formation of the intermediate 2a, followed by gamma-H abstraction. Kinetic studies of these consecutive reactions, a second-order reaction to give 2a and then a first-order gamma-H abstraction to give 4a, were conducted by an analytical method and a numerical method. At 278 K, the rate constants k(1) and k(2) for the two consecutive reactions are 2.17(0.03) x 10(-)(3) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) and 5.80(0.15) x 10(-)(5) s(-)(1) by the analytical method. The current work is a rare kinetic study of the A + B --> C --> D (+ E) consecutive reactions. Kinetic studies of the formation of a metallaheterocyclic moiety have, to our knowledge, not been reported. In addition, gamma-H abstraction by a silyl ligand to give such a metallaheterocyclic moiety is new. Theoretical investigations of the gamma-H abstraction by silyl ligands have been conducted by density functional theory calculations at the Becke3LYP (B3LYP) level, and they revealed that the formation of the metallacyclic complexes through gamma-H abstraction is entropically driven. X-ray crystal structures of (Me(2)N)(3)Ta[N(SiMe(3))(2)](SiPh(2)Bu(t)) (1), (Me(2)N)Zr[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)Cl (5a), and (M = Zr, 4a, and Hf, 4b) are also reported.     

Insertion reactions of phenyl isocyanate into hafnium nitrogen bonds: synthesis and reactivity of hafnium complexes bearing substituted pyrrolyl ligands

A bis(diethylamido)hafnium compound [C₄H₃N(CH₂NMe₂)-2]₂Hf(NEt₂)₂ (1) has been prepared in 79% yield by reacting Hf(NEt₂)₄ with 2 equiv. of [C₄H₃NH(CH₂NMe₂)-2] in heptane via deamination. Reacting compound 1 with 2 equiv. of phenyl isocyanate at room temperature in diethyl ether results in the PhNCO being inserted seletively into hafnium-NEt₂ bonds to generate [C₄H₃N(CH₂NMe₂)-2]₂Hf[PhNC(NEt₂)O]₂ (2) in 56% yield. Similarly, while reacting 1 with 2 equiv. of phenyl isocyanate for a week in toluene produces a mixture of 2 and [C₄H₃N(CH₂NMe₂)-2]Hf[PhNC(NEt₂)O]₃ (3). For comparison, reacting Hf(NEt₂)₄ with 4 equiv. of PhNCO in a toluene solution at room temperature results in the PhNCO inserted into Hf-N bonds, and forms a tetrakis-ureato hafnium compound Hf[PhNC(NEt₂)O]₄ (4) in 88% yield. A theoretical calculation found that the unpaired electrons of the ureato fragments of 2 are resonance delocalized between the C-O, C-NPh, and C-NEt₂ bonds, which are all partially doubly bonded.     

Addition and metathesis reactions of zirconium and hafnium imido complexes

The zirconium and hafnium imido metalloporphyrin complexes (TTP)M = NArtPr (TTP = meso-5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato dianion; M = Zr (1), Hf; AriPr = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) were used to mediate addition reactions of carbonyl species and metathesis of nitroso compounds. The imido complexes react in a stepwise manner in the presence of 2 equiv of pinacolone to form the enediolate products (TTP)M[OC(tBu)CHC(tBu)(Me)O] (M = Zr (2), Hf (3)), with elimination of H2NAriPr. The bis(mu-oxo) complex [(TTP)ZrO]2 (4) is formed upon reaction of (TTP)Zr = NAriPr with PhNO. Treatment of compound 4 with water or treatment of compound 2 with acetone produced the (mu-oxo)bis(mu-hydroxo)-bridged dimer [(TTP)Zr]2(mu-O)(mu-OH)2 (5). Compounds 2, 4, and 5 were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Borylnitrenes: electrophilic reactive intermediates with high reactivity towards C-H bonds

Borylnitrenes (catBN 3a and pinBN 3b; cat = catecholato, pin = pinacolato) are reactive intermediates that show high tendency towards insertion into the C-H bonds of unactivated hydrocarbons. The present article summarizes the matrix isolation investigations that were aimed at identifying, characterizing and investigating the chemical behaviour of 3a by spectroscopic means, and of the experiments in solution and in the gas phase that were performed with 3b. Comparison with the reactivity reported for difluorovinylidene 1a in solid argon indicates that 3a shows by and large similar reactivity, but only after photochemical excitation. The derivative 3b inserts into the C-H bonds of hydrocarbon solvents in high yields and thus allows the formation of primary amines, secondary amines, or amides from "unreactive" hydrocarbons. It can also be used for generation of methylamine or methylamide from methane in the gas phase at room temperature. Remaining challenges in the chemistry of borylnitrenes are briefly summarized.     

Catalytic addition of C-H bonds to multiple bonds with the aid of ruthenium complexes

Ruthenium complexes, e.g., RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3, have been found to catalyze the direct addition of ortho carbon-hydrogen bonds of aromatic ketones to olefins and acetylenes with high efficiency and selectivity. The C-H/olefin coupling reaction is applicable to not only C-H bonds in aromatic ketones but also to those in a,b-enones and aro-matic esters. Catalytic addition of ortho carbon-hydrogen bonds of aromatic imines to olefins is found to be catalyzed by Ru3(CO)12.     

Intramolecular gamma-hydroxylations of nonactivated C-H bonds with copper complexes and molecular oxygen

Copper(I) complexes incorporating the isomeric bidentate ligands IMPY (iminomethyl-2-pyridines) or AMPY (aminomethylene-2-pyridines) are quite unusual in their ability to bind and activate molecular oxygen. Using these complexes, hydroxylations of nonactivated CH, CH2, or CH3 groups in the gamma-position in relation to the imino-nitrogen atom, and with a specific orientation of one H atom with respect to the binuclear Cu-O species, can be achieved in synthetically useful yields. Through mechanistic studies employing conformationally well-defined molecules (for example, cyclic isoprenoids), coupled with solid-state X-ray structure analyses and force-field calculations, we postulate a seven-membered transition state for this reaction in which six atoms lie approximately in a plane. This plane is defined by the positions of the lone pairs on the nitrogen atoms, as well as the copper and the oxygen atoms. For a successful hydroxylation, one hydrogen atom should be located close to this plane. Prediction of the stereochemical course of these reactions is possible based on a simple geometrical criterion. The convenient introduction of IMPY and AMPY groups as auxiliaries into oxo and primary amino compounds and the simple hydrolysis after the hydroxylation procedure has allowed the synthesis of 3-hydroxy-1-oxo and 3-hydroxy-1-amino compounds. If desired, the 3-hydroxy-1-IMPY and -1-AMPY compounds can be reduced with NaBH4 to obtain 3-hydroxy-1-aminomethylpyridines. For a successful hydroxylation procedure, the method employed for the synthesis of the CuI complexes is very important. Starting either from CuI salts or from CuII salts with a subsequent reduction with benzoin/triethylamine may turn out to be the better way, depending on the ligand and the molecular structure.     

Covalent palladium-zinc bonds and their reactivity

Photolysis of ((F)PNP)Pd-Et in the presence of Et(2)Zn leads to the formation of ((F)PNP)Pd-Zn-Pd(PNP(F)), the first example of a compound with a covalent Pd-Zn bond.     

Role of metal-oxo complexes in the cleavage of C-H bonds

The functionalization of C-H bonds has yet to achieve widespread use in synthetic chemistry in part because of the lack of synthetic reagents that function in the presence of other functional groups. These problems have been overcome in enzymes, which have metal-oxo active sites that efficiently and selectively cleave C-H bonds. How high-energy metal-oxo transient species can perform such difficult transformations with high fidelity is discussed in this tutorial review. Highlighted are the relationships between redox potentials and metal-oxo basicity on C-H bond activation, as seen in a series of bioinspired manganese-oxo complexes.     

Activation of C-H bonds of arenes: selectivity and reactivity in bis(pyridyl) platinum(II) complexes

The reaction of [PtMe2(NN)] and B(C6F5)3/H2O in CF3CH2OH with arenes Ar-H gives [PtAr{HOB(C6F5)3}(LL)] if the bis(pyridyl) ligand NN forms a six-membered, but not five-membered, chelate ring; methyl-substituted arenes give selectivity for metalation of meta > para > ortho, but methoxy-substituted arenes give ortho > meta, para.     

Agostic Si-H bond coordination assists C-H bond activation at ruthenium in bis(phosphinobenzylsilane) complexes

Reaction of a phosphinobenzylsilane compound with ruthenium complexes leads to C-H and/or Si-H activation. The new complex Ru{eta(2)-H-SiMe2CH(o-C(6)H(4))PPh2}2 (5) was isolated and X-ray, NMR and DFT studies reveal that 5 displays two agostic Si-H interactions and two carbon-metallated bonds.     

Some phosphinite complexes of Rh and Ir, their intramolecular reactivity and DFT calculations about their application in biphenyl metathesis

Biphen(OPR₂) (with R: Ph, iPr, Cy) is reacted with [Rh(COE)₂Cl]₂. The corresponding μ-chloro-bridged dimers are received. An X-ray analysis of [Biphen(OPCy₂)RhCl]₂ is included. This compound shows a dynamic behaviour in solution, ascribed to a monomer/dimer equilibrium. The difference of the Biphen ligands to Milsteins PCP pincer-type ligand is shown. A catalytic cycle for biphenyl metathesis containing the coupling of oxidative addition and reductive elimination of the bridging C-C single bond in the biphenyl fragment using Rh^I/III complexes and the concept of chelating assistance was calculated using DFT (B3PW91/LANL2DZ). According to the calculations the activation energy of the oxidative addition is about 30 kcal/mol and for the reductive elimination about 19 kcal/mol. The fac-Rh^III complex is by far the most stable compound, but the formation of it is kinetically strongly disfavoured. Pre-catalysts (COD)M(Ph-O-PR₂) (M: Rh, Ir) were synthesized by pre-coordinating the phosphinite to the metal (X-ray structures of four such compounds included) followed by treatment with 2 equiv. of sec. BuLi (X-ray structures of two such compounds included). In case of Ir this synthesis is complicated by C-H activation (X-ray structure of (COD)Ir(H)(Cl)(2-Br-phenyl-O-(diisopropylphosphinite)) included) and fast oxidative addition of the Ph-C-Halide bond. For (COD)Ir(H)(Cl)(2-phenyl-O-(diisopropylphosphinite)) the C-H activation is reversible and thermodynamic parameters for the ring closure reaction were determined by VT-NMR measurement (ΔH = −21.1 ± 0.5 kJ/mol, ΔS = −62.8 ± 1.7 J/(mol K)). The pre-catalysts were reacted with Biphen(OPR₂) to enter the calculated catalytic cycle. With Rh as center metal this reaction works out cleanly to give new complexes with the three P-atoms coordinated to one Rh center. No hemi-labile character was found for these P-donors even at 105 °C in toluene. If (COD)Rh(2-phenyl-O-(diisopropylphosphinite)) is reacted with 2 equiv. of 2-iodo-phenyl-O-(diisopropylphosphinite) oxidative addition of one C-Iodo bond is observed and the corresponding mer-Rh^III complex is received. Upon treatment with 2 equiv. of sec. BuLi the resulting product is(Biphen(OPiPr₂))Rh^I(2-phenyl-O-(diisopropylphosphinite)) rather than mer-Rh^III(2-phenyl-O-(diisopropylphosphinite))₃. Reaction of [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ with 3 equiv. of 2-bromo-phenyl-O-(diphenylphosphinite) shows a fast scrambling of the chlorine into all possible ortho positions of the phenolate rings in the final Rh^III reaction product.     

Synthesis and reactivity of zirconium and hafnium complexes incorporating chelating diamido-N-heterocyclic-carbene ligands

Early transition metal complexes employing a diamido N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand set (denoted [NCN]) render the centrally disposed NHC moiety stable to dissociation. Aminolysis reactions with the mesityl-substituted ligand precursor (^Mes[NCN]H₂) and M(NMe₂)₄ (M = Zr, Hf) provide bis(amido)-NHC-metal complexes that can be further converted to chloro and alkyl derivatives. Activation of ^Mes[NCN]M(CH₃)₂ with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] yields {^Mes[NCN]MCH₃}{B(C₆F₅)₄}, which is surprisingly inactive for the polymerization of 1-hexene. The zirconium cation did, however, show moderate ability to catalytically polymerize ethylene. The hafnium dialkyls are thermally stable with the exception of the diethyl complex, ^Mes[NCN]Hf(CH₂CH₃)₂, which undergoes β-hydrogen transfer and subsequent C–H bond activation with an ortho-methyl substituent on the mesityl group. The hafnium dialkyl complexes also insert carbon monoxide and substituted isocyanides to yield η²-acyls and η²-iminoacyls, respectively. In some circumstances, further C–C bond coupling occurs to yield enediolates and eneamidolate metallocycles. The molecular structures of ^Mes[NCN]Hf(CH₂CHMe₂)₂, ^Mes[NCN]Hf(η²-(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃NCCH₃)(CH₃), ^Mes[NCN]Hf(η²-(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃NCCH₃)₂, ^Mes[NCN]Hf(OC(CH₃)C(CH₃)NXy), and [^Mes[NCN]Hf(OC(ⁱBu)C(ⁱBu)O)]₂ are included.     

Synthesis and reactivity of silyl ruthenium complexes: the importance of trans effects in C-H activation,Si-C bond formation,and dehydrogenative coupling of silanes

A series of octahedral ruthenium silyl hydride complexes, cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))H (SiR(3) = SiMe(3), 1a; SiMe(2)CH(2)SiMe(3), 1b; SiEt(3), 1c; SiMe(2)H, 1d), has been synthesized by the reaction of hydrosilanes with (PMe(3))(3)Ru(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H (5), cis-(PMe(3))(4)RuMe(2) (6), or (PMe(3))(4)RuH(2) (9). Reaction with 6 proceeds via an intermediate product, cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))Me (SiR(3) = SiMe(3), 7a; SiMe(2)CH(2)SiMe(3), 7b). Alternatively, 1 and 7 have been synthesized via a fast hydrosilane exchange with another cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))H or cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiR(3))Me, which occurs at a rate approaching the NMR time scale. Compounds 1a, 1b, 1d, and 7a adopt octahedral geometries in solution and the solid state with mutually cis silyl and hydride (or silyl and methyl) ligands. The longest Ru-P distance within a complex is always trans to Si, reflecting the strong trans influence of silicon. The aptitude of phosphine dissociation in these complexes has been probed in reactions of 1a, 1c, and 7a with PMe(3)-d(9) and CO. The dissociation is regioselective in the position trans to a silyl ligand (trans effect of Si), and the rate approaches the NMR time scale. A slower secondary process introduces PMe(3)-d(9) and CO in the other octahedral positions, most likely via nondissociative isomerization. The trans effect and trans influence in 7a are so strong that an equilibrium concentration of dissociated phosphine is detectable (approximately 5%) in solution of pure 7a. Compounds 1a-c also react with dihydrogen via regioselective dissociation of phosphine from the site trans to Si, but the final product, fac-(PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiR(3))H(3) (SiR(3) = SiMe(3), 4a; SiMe(2)CH(2)SiMe(3), 4b; SiEt(3), 4c), features hydrides cis to Si. Alternatively, 4a-c have been synthesized by photolysis of (PMe(3))(4)RuH(2) in the presence of a hydrosilane or by exchange of fac-(PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiR(3))H(3) with another HSiR(3). The reverse manifold - HH elimination from 4a and trapping with PMe(3) or PMe(3)-d(9) - is also regioselective (1a-d(9)() is predominantly produced with PMe(3)-d(9) trans to Si), but is very unfavorable. At 70 degrees C, a slower but irreversible SiH elimination also occurs and furnishes (PMe(3))(4)RuH(2). The structure of 4a exhibits a tetrahedral P(3)Si environment around the metal with the three hydrides adjacent to silicon and capping the P(2)Si faces. Although strong Si...HRu interactions are not indicated in the structure or by IR, the HSi distances (2.13-2.23(5) A) suggest some degree of nonclassical SiH bonding in the H(3)SiR(3) fragment. Thermolysis of 1a in C(6)D(6) at 45-55 degrees C leads to an intermolecular CD activation of C(6)D(6). Extensive H/D exchange into the hydride, SiMe(3), and PMe(3) ligands is observed, followed by much slower formation of cis-(PMe(3))(4)Ru(D)(Ph-d(5)). In an even slower intramolecular CH activation process, (PMe(3))(3)Ru(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H (5) is also produced. The structure of intermediates, mechanisms, and aptitudes for PMe(3) dissociation and addition/elimination of H-H, Si-H, C-Si, and C-H bonds in these systems are discussed with a special emphasis on the trans effect and trans influence of silicon and ramifications for SiC coupling catalysis.