Asymmetric Hydrogenation with Iridium C,N and N,P Ligand Complexes: Characterization of Dihydride Intermediates with a Coordinated Alkene

Previously elusive iridium dihydride alkene complexes have been identified and characterized by NMR spectroscopy in solution. Reactivity studies demonstrated that these complexes are catalytically competent intermediates. Additional H₂ is required to convert the catalyst‐bound alkene into the hydrogenation product, supporting an Ir^III/Ir^V cycle via an [Ir^III(H)₂(alkene)(H₂)(L)]⁺ intermediate, as originally proposed based on DFT calculations. NMR analyses indicate a reaction pathway proceeding through rapidly equilibrating isomeric dihydride alkene intermediates with a subsequent slow enantioselectivity‐determining step. As in the classical example of asymmetric hydrogenation with rhodium diphosphine catalysts, it is a minor, less stable intermediate that is converted into the major product enantiomer.     

New methods of preparation of nitrile oxides and the corresponding disubstituted furoxans by interaction of N2O4 with salts of substituted dinitromethanes

A new method of generation of nitrile oxides through interaction of N₂O₄ with salts of substituted dinitromethanes (1) has been worked out. It has been shown by¹H,¹³C,¹⁴N NMR spectroscopy that this reaction proceeds via dinitronitrosomethyl intermediates (one of these has been isolated), and that the reaction is feasible only for substituents capable of conjugation with the nitrile oxide fragment. On the basis of cyclodimerization of the obtained nitrile oxides, preparative methods of synthesis of symmetrically substituted furoxans have been developed.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 147–151, January, 1993.     

The Detection and Reactivity of Silanols and Silanes Using Hyperpolarized 29Si Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Silanols and silanes are key precursors and intermediates for the synthesis of silicon‐based materials. While their characterization and quantification by ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy has received significant attention, it is a technique that is limited by the low natural abundance of ²⁹Si and its low sensitivity. Here, we describe a method using p‐H₂ to hyperpolarize ²⁹Si. The observed signal enhancements, approaching 3000‐fold at 11.7 T, would take many days of measurement for comparable results under Boltzmann conditions. The resulting signals were exploited to monitor the rapid reaction of tris(tert‐butoxy)silanol with triflic anhydride in a T₁‐corrected process that allows for rapid quantification. These results demonstrate a novel route to quantify dynamic processes and intermediates in the synthesis of silicon materials.     

C−C Cross-Couplings from a Cyclometalated Au(III) C N Complex: Mechanistic Insights and Synthetic Developments

In recent years, the reactivity of gold complexes was shown to extend well beyond π-activation and to hold promises to achieve selective cross-couplings in several C−C and C−E (E=heteroatom) bond forming reactions. Here, with the aim of exploiting new organometallic species for cross-coupling reactions, we report on the Au(III)-mediated C(sp²)−C(sp) occurring upon reaction of the cyclometalated complex [Au(C^CH2N)Cl₂] ( 1 , C^CH2N=2-benzylpyridine) with AgPhCC. The reaction progress has been monitored by NMR spectroscopy, demonstrating the involvement of a number of key intermediates, whose structures have been unambiguously ascertained through 1D and 2D NMR analyses (¹H, ¹³C, ¹H-¹H COSY, ¹H-¹³C HSQC and ¹H-¹³C HMBC) as well as by HR-ESI-MS and X-ray diffraction studies. Furthermore, crystallographic studies have serendipitously resulted in the authentication of zwitterionic Au(I) complexes as side-products arising from cyclization of the coupling product in the coordination sphere of gold. The experimental work has been paralleled and complemented by DFT calculations of the reaction profiles, providing valuable insight into the structure and energetics of the key intermediates and transition states, as well as on the coordination sphere of gold along the whole process. Of note, the broader scope of the cross-coupling at the Au(III) C^CH2N centre has also been demonstrated studying the reaction of 1 with C(sp²)-based nucleophiles, namely vinyl and heteroaryl tin and zinc reagents. These reactions stand as rare examples of C(sp²)−C(sp²) cross-couplings at Au(III).     

Two‐Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy Reveals the Structure of an Evans Auxiliary Derivative and Its SnCl4 Lewis Acid Complex

Determining the structure of reactive intermediates is the key to understanding reaction mechanisms. To access these structures, a method combining structural sensitivity and high time resolution is required. Here ultrafast polarization‐dependent two‐dimensional infrared (P2D‐IR) spectroscopy is shown to be an excellent complement to commonly used methods such as one‐dimensional IR and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy for investigating intermediates. P2D‐IR spectroscopy allows structure determination by measuring the angles between vibrational transition dipole moments. The high time resolution makes P2D‐IR spectroscopy an attractive method for structure determination in the presence of fast exchange and for short‐lived intermediates. The ubiquity of vibrations in molecules ensures broad applicability of the method, particularly in cases in which NMR spectroscopy is challenging due to a low density of active nuclei. Here we illustrate the strengths of P2D‐IR by determining the conformation of a Diels–Alder dienophile that carries the Evans auxiliary and its conformational change induced by the complexation with the Lewis acid SnCl₄, which is a catalyst for stereoselective Diels–Alder reactions. We show that P2D‐IR in combination with DFT computations can discriminate between the various conformers of the free dienophile N‐crotonyloxazolidinone that have been debated before, proving antiperiplanar orientation of the carbonyl groups and s‐cis conformation of the crotonyl moiety. P2D‐IR unequivocally identifies the coordination and conformation in the catalyst–substrate complex with SnCl₄, even in the presence of exchange that is fast on the NMR time scale. It resolves a chelate with the carbonyl orientation flipped to synperiplanar and s‐cis crotonyl configuration as the main species. This work sets the stage for future studies of other catalyst–substrate complexes and intermediates using a combination of P2D‐IR spectroscopy and DFT computations.     

Template synthesis of some double Schiff-base metal(II) complexes through one pot four component reactions under mild and convenient conditions

Preparation of some Schiff-base complexes of Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and UO₂(VI) from salicylaldehyde, ammonium hydroxide, aliphatic aldehydes and transition metal salts through one pot four component reaction are described. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses (C, H and N), infrared, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectroscopy.     

The Aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman Reaction: A Mechanistic and Kinetic Study

The aza‐Morita‐Baylis–Hillman (aza‐MBH) reaction has been studied in a variety of solvents, a selection of imine substrates and with various combinations of PPh₃ and para‐nitrophenol as the catalyst system. The measured kinetic data indicates that the effects of solvent and protic co‐catalyst are strongly interdependent. These results are most easily reconciled with a mechanistic model involving the reversible protonation of zwitterionic intermediates in the catalytic cycle, which is also supported by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical studies.     

Synthesis,Characterisation and Reactivity of Copper(I) Amide Complexes and Studies on Their Role in the Modified Ullmann Amination Reaction

A series of copper(I) alkylamide complexes have been synthesised; copper(I) dicyclohexylamide ( 1 ), copper(I) 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide ( 2 ), copper(I) pyrrolidide ( 3 ), copper(I) piperidide ( 4 ), and copper(I) benzylamide ( 5 ). Their solid‐state structures and structures in [D₆]benzene solution are characterised, with the aggregation state in solution determined by a combination of DOSY NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Complexes 1 , 2 and 4 are shown to exist as tetramers in the solid state by X‐ray crystallography. In [D₆]benzene solution, complexes 1 , 2 and 5 were found by using ¹H DOSY NMR to exist in rapid equilibrium between aggregates with average aggregation numbers of 2.5, 2.4 and 3.3, respectively, at 0.05 M concentration. Conversely, distinct trimeric, tetrameric and pentameric forms of 3 and 4 were distinguishable by one‐dimensional ¹H and ¹H DOSY NMR spectroscopy. Complexes 3 – 5 are found to react stoichiometrically with iodobenzene, in the presence or absence of 1,10‐phenanthroline as an ancillary ligand, to give arylamine products indicative of their role as potential intermediates in the modified Ullmann reaction. The role of phenanthroline has also been explored both in the stoichiometric reaction and in the catalytic Ullmann protocol.     

Palladium catalyzed oxidation of monoterpenes: NMR study of palladium(II)-monoterpene interactions

Reactions of the monoterpenes β-pinene, limonene and myrcene with Pd(II) complexes in acetic acid solutions were studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Various π-allyl palladium complexes were detected in situ and their interaction with CuCl₂ has been investigated. The results clarify the mechanism of allylic oxidation of these substrates mediated by Pd(II)/Cu(II)-based catalytic systems. Originally introduced to regenerate reduced palladium species, CuCl₂ has been shown to play an important role in the formation and/or decomposition of key reaction intermediates - π-allyl palladium complexes. β-Pinene and myrcene readily react with Pd(OAc)₂ giving corresponding π-allyls, with two complexes acyclic and cyclic being formed from myrcene. On the other hand, the formation of π-allyl complexes from limonene occurs at a significant rate only in the presence of CuCl₂. NMR observations, including selective paramagnetic enhancement of spin-lattice relaxation, indicate that π-allyl palladium intermediates specifically interact with Cu(II) ions in the reaction solutions. Such interaction probably involves Cu(II) bonding to Pd(II) via bridging ligands, and seems to be responsible for the accelerative effect of CuCl₂ in the palladium catalyzed oxidation of the monoterpenes. Indeed, most of these reactions do not occur at all in the absence of CuCl₂.     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of methylaminocellulose

Homogeneously prepared tosylcelluloses (TC) with degrees of substitution (DS) of DS_Tos 0.1–1.8 were used as intermediates for the synthesis of methylaminocelluloses (MAC) by nucleophilic substitution with methylamine. TC with DS_Tos up to 1.1 were shown to be valuable intermediates for selective synthesis of MAC with DS_MA varying from 0.1 to approximately 1. No nucleophilic substitution was observed at higher DS_Tos. At the chosen reaction conditions (60 °C, 48 h) residual tosyl moieties remained unchanged and little hydrolysis took place. The samples obtained were characterized by means of elemental analysis, FTIR and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy was found to be an efficient tool for quantification of DS_MA. Furthermore, the swelling behaviour in water was investigated and preliminary tests concerning the bilirubin adsorption capacity of MAC were carried out.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Synthesis of N‐Aryl‐1,2‐dihydropyridines by [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Imines with Alkynes through T‐Shaped 14‐Electron Aza‐Nickelacycle Key Intermediates

Despite there being a straightforward approach for the synthesis of 1,2‐dihydropyridines, the transition‐metal‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of imines with alkynes has been achieved only with imines containing an N‐sulfonyl or ‐pyridyl group. Considering the importance of 1,2‐dihydropyridines as useful intermediates in the preparation of a wide range of valuable organic molecules, it would be very worthwhile to provide novel strategies to expand the scope of imines. Herein we report a successful expansion of the scope of imines in nickel‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions with alkynes. In the presence of a nickel(0)/PCy₃ catalyst, a reaction with N‐benzylidene‐P,P‐diphenylphosphinic amide was developed. Moreover, an application of N‐aryl imines to the reaction was also achieved by adopting N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands. The isolation of an (η²‐N‐aryl imine)nickel(0) complex containing a 14‐electron nickel(0) center and a T‐shaped 14‐electron five‐membered aza‐nickelacycle is shown. These would be considered as key intermediates of the reaction. The structure of these complexes was unambiguously determined by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray analyses.     

The Intermolecular Asymmetric Heck Reaction: Mechanistic and Computational Studies

Reactive intermediates in the asymmetric Heck reaction between aryl electrophiles and 2,3‐dihydrofuran have been identified by NMR and mass spectrometry, with BINAP or the achiral diphosphanes dppp and dppf as ligands. The major cationic species observed is an alkylpalladium produced by addition of PdAr to the alkene followed by two further PdH‐mediated isomerisation steps. This last species has been characterised at −60° by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and ³¹P‐NMR, including HMQC techniques. The regiochemistry of PdAr and PdH addition to the reactant are opposite as defined by the reaction with (2‐²H₁)‐2,3‐dihydrofuran. DFT Calculations on the reaction pathway between [CH₂(PH₂)]PdPh⁺ and 2,3‐dihydrofuran reveal several structurally interesting intermediates involving agostic β‐H‐atom, ipso‐Ph or reactant O‐atom bonded to the Pd‐atom, and elucidate the isomerisation pathway.     

Enzyme-catalyzed reaction of OPD-H202-HRP voltammetric enzyme-linked immunoassay system

Enzyme-catalyzed reaction of o-phenylenediamine (OPD)-H_z0₂-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) voltammetric enzyme-linked immunoassay system has been studied in detail with electrochemical analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The pure product of H₂0₂ oxidizing OPD catalyzed by HRP was prepared with chemical method. The experimental results of voltammetry and HPLC indicate that only one product of enzyme-catalyzed reaction has been obtained under the selected enzyme-catalyzed reaction conditions. Identifications by UV/ Vis spectrum, IR spectrum and¹³C NMR spectrum show that the product is 2,3-diaminophenazine. The processes of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction and the electroreduction of the product of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction are described. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Radical Cyclisation of α‐Halo Aluminium Acetals: A Mechanistic Study

α‐Bromo aluminium acetals are suitable substrates for Ueno–Stork‐like radical cyclisations affording γ‐lactols and acid‐sensitive methylene‐γ‐lactols in high yields. The mechanistic study herein sets the scope and limitation of this reaction. The influence of the halide (or chalcogenide) atom X (X=Cl, Br, I, SPh, SePh) in the precursors α‐haloesters, as well as influence of the solvent and temperature was studied. The structure of the aluminium acetal intermediates resulting from the reduction of the corresponding α‐haloesters has been investigated by low‐temperature ¹³C‐INEPT diffusion‐ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) experiments and quantum calculations, providing new insights into the structures of these thermally labile intermediates. Oxygen‐bridged dimeric structures with a planar Al₂O₂ ring are proposed for the least hindered aluminium acetals, while monomeric structures seem to prevail for the most hindered species. A comparison against the radical cyclisation of aluminium acetals derived from allyl and propargyl alcohols with the parent Ueno–Stork has been made at the BHandHLYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory, highlighting mechanistic similarities and differences.     

Efficient,Convenient and Mild Three Component Template Preparation and Characterization of Some New Schiff Base Complexes

A few kinds of novel Schiff base complexes have been prepared by three component reaction of the substituted hydroxyacetophenone with several aliphatic diamines and transition metals such as; Ni(II), Zn(II) and UO₂(II) under mild reaction conditions. The products have been afforded with excellent yields and appropriate reaction times. The structure of these ligands has been characterized by their IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS spectral and physical data.     

Superacid-catalyzed reactions of pyridinecarboxaldehydes

A variety of pyridinecarboxaldehydes are shown to give condensation products in high yields (80-99%, 10 examples) by reacting with benzene and CF₃SO₃H (triflic acid). In the superacidic solution, pyridinecarboxaldehydes can react with deactivated arenes (o-dichlorobenzene and nitrobenzene) and with saturated hydrocarbons (methylcyclohexane and adamantane). Dicationic intermediates from pyridinecarboxaldehydes in superacid (FSO₃H-SbF₅) have been directly observed using low temperature ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Diprotonated pyridinecarboxaldehydes have also been studies using ab initio computational methods.     

Reaction of Hexamethyldisilazane with Borane in Tetrahydrofuran

Hexamethyldisilazane 1 reacts with borane in tetrahydrofuran (THF? BH₃, 2 ) first by formation of an adduct (Me₃Si)₂NH? BH₃ ( 3 ), and then either to the N,N-bis-(trimethylsilyl)-μ-aminodiborane 5 or to the mixture of 5 and N-trimethylsilyl-μ-aminodiborane(6) 6 , depending on the reaction conditions. The compounds 5 and 6 can be quantitatively converted to the N,N′,N″-tris(trimethylsilyl)borazine 4 . Three intermediates can be identified, namely N,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)borane 7 , N,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)amino(N′-trimethylsilylamino)borane 8 and N-trimethylsilylaminoborane-trimer. All products and intermediates were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and coupling constant ¹J(²⁹Si, ¹⁵N) were measured from ²⁹Si NMR spectra by using the Hahn-echo-extended (HEED) INEPT pulse sequence.     

Complexation of TiF<Subscript>4</Subscript> with PhP(O)[CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>C(O)NMe<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> in CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Appearance of a Chiral Center at Chelate Coordination

The reaction of TiF₄ with PhP(O)[CH₂C(O)NMe₂]₂ in CH₂Cl₂ has been studied by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. It has been found that the major reaction products are chelate tetrafluoro complex (η²-L)TiF₄ where the ligand is coordinated to the titanium ion through the P=O and C=O groups and cis-TiF₄(ОР···L)₂ where both ligands are coordinated to the central ion through the more basic P=O groups. Spectral features of the tetrafluoro chelate have been studied, which have been attributed for the first time to the appearance of a chiral center at chelate coordination. The character of manifestation of conformational isomerism of the chelate ring and chiral center in the chelating ligand in mixed octahedral complexes of d⁰ transition metal fluorides in ¹⁹F NMR spectra is discussed.     

C−H Bond Trifluoromethylation of Arenes Enabled by a Robust,High‐Valent Nickel(IV) Complex

The robust, high‐valent Ni^IV complex [(Py)₂Ni^IVF₂(CF₃)₂] (Py=pyridine) was synthesized and fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. It reacts with aromatic compounds at 25 °C to form the corresponding benzotrifluorides in nearly quantitative yield. The monomeric and dimeric Ni^IIICF₃ complexes 2 ⋅Py and 2 were identified as key intermediates, and their structures were unambiguously determined by EPR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Preliminary kinetic studies in combination with the isolation of reaction intermediates confirmed that the C−H bond‐breaking/C−CF₃ bond‐forming sequence can occur both at Ni^IVCF₃ and Ni^IIICF₃ centers.     

Breaking Local Charge Symmetry of Iron Single Atoms for Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia

The electrochemical conversion of nitrate pollutants into value-added ammonia is a feasible way to achieve artificial nitrogen cycle. However, the development of electrocatalytic nitrate-to-ammonia reduction reaction (NO₃⁻RR) has been hampered by high overpotential and low Faradaic efficiency. Here we develop an iron single-atom catalyst coordinated with nitrogen and phosphorus on hollow carbon polyhedron (denoted as Fe−N/P−C) as a NO₃⁻RR electrocatalyst. Owing to the tuning effect of phosphorus atoms on breaking local charge symmetry of the single-Fe-atom catalyst, it facilitates the adsorption of nitrate ions and enrichment of some key reaction intermediates during the NO₃⁻RR process. The Fe−N/P−C catalyst exhibits 90.3 % ammonia Faradaic efficiency with a yield rate of 17980 μg h⁻¹ mg_cat⁻¹, greatly outperforming the reported Fe-based catalysts. Furthermore, operando SR-FTIR spectroscopy measurements reveal the reaction pathway based on key intermediates observed under different applied potentials and reaction durations. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the optimized free energy of NO₃⁻RR intermediates is ascribed to the asymmetric atomic interface configuration, which achieves the optimal electron density distribution. This work demonstrates the critical role of atomic-level precision modulation by heteroatom doping for the NO₃⁻RR, providing an effective strategy for improving the catalytic performance of single atom catalysts in different electrochemical reactions.