Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of functionalized cyclooctene by a ruthenium‐based catalyst in ionic liquid

This paper describes the synthesis of a novel monomer of 5‐substituted cyclooctene with the pendant of imidazolium salt (7) and the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of the functionalized cyclooctenes ( 4 and 7 ) in CH₂Cl₂ and ionic liquid [bmim][PF₆] by a ruthenium‐based catalyst RuCl₂(PCy₃)(SIMes)(CHPh) (2). The polymerization, which was carried out in ionic liquid, afforded improved control over the molecular weight (M_n) and polydispersity of the resultant products (PDI <1.4). Furthermore, to facilitate the GPC measurement for molecular weight of polymers, the charged polymers (poly‐ 7 ) were hydrolyzed to give uncharged polymers (poly‐ 4 *) by removing the imidazolium pendant from the polymer chains. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3986–3993, 2007     

Oxidation‐Triggered Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Eight new N‐Hoveyda‐type complexes were synthesized in yields of 67–92 % through reaction of [RuCl₂(NHC)(Ind)(py)] (NHC=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene (SIMes) or 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene (SIPr), Ind=3‐phenylindenylid‐1‐ene, py=pyridine) with various 1‐ or 1,2‐substituted ferrocene compounds with vinyl and amine or imine substituents. The redox potentials of the respective complexes were determined; in all complexes an iron‐centered oxidation reaction occurs at potentials close to E=+0.5 V. The crystal structures of the reduced and of the respective oxidized Hoveyda‐type complexes were determined and show that the oxidation of the ferrocene unit has little effect on the ruthenium environment. Two of the eight new complexes were found to be switchable catalysts, in that the reduced form is inactive in the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of cis‐cyclooctene (COE), whereas the oxidized complexes produce polyCOE. The other complexes are not switchable catalysts and are either inactive or active in both reduced and oxidized states.     

Fast Olefin Metathesis at Low Catalyst Loading

Reactions of the Grubbs 3rd generation complexes [RuCl₂(NHC)(Ind)(Py)] (N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene (SIMes), 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene (SIPr), or 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenylimidazol)‐2‐ylidene (IPr); Ind=3‐phenylindenylid‐1‐ene, Py=pyridine) with 2‐ethenyl‐N‐alkylaniline (alkyl=Me, Et) result in the formation of the new N‐Grubbs–Hoveyda‐type complexes 5 (NHC=SIMes, alkyl=Me), 6 (SIMes, Et), 7 (IPr, Me), 8 (SIPr, Me), and 9 (SIPr, Et) with N‐chelating benzylidene ligands in yields of 50–75 %. Compared to their respective, conventional, O‐Grubbs–Hoveyda complexes, the new complexes are characterized by fast catalyst activation, which translates into fast and efficient ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactivity. Catalyst loadings of 15–150 ppm (0.0015–0.015 mol %) are sufficient for the conversion of a wide range of diolefinic substrates into the respective RCM products after 15 min at 50 °C in toluene; compounds 8 and 9 are the most catalytically active complexes. The use of complex 8 in RCM reactions enables the formation of N‐protected 2,5‐dihydropyrroles with turnover numbers (TONs) of up to 58 000 and turnover frequencies (TOFs) of up to 232 000 h^?1; the use of the N‐protected 1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridines proceeds with TONs of up to 37 000 and TOFs of up to 147 000 h^?1; and the use of the N‐protected 2,3,6,7‐tetrahydroazepines proceeds with TONs of up to 19 000 and TOFs of up to 76 000 h^?1, with yields for these reactions ranging from 83–92 %.     

Imidazol(in)ium-2-Carboxylates as N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand Precursors for Ruthenium Metathesis Initiators

Summary: Imidazol(in)ium-2-carboxylates were used as N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursors to convert the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ dimer into three ruthenium-arene complexes of the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)(NHC)] type. The decarboxylation of NHC · CO₂ betaines also provided a convenient synthetic path to prepare five well-known ruthenium-NHC catalysts for olefin metathesis and related reactions, including the second generation Grubbs and Hoveyda–Grubbs catalysts, via ligand exchange with phosphine-containing, first generation ruthenium-benzylidene or indenylidene complexes. Both procedures are particularly attractive from a practical point of view, because NHC · CO₂ adducts are stable zwitterionic compounds that can be stored and handled with no particular precautions.     

[(NHC)(NHCewg)RuCl2(CHPh)] Complexes with Modified NHCewg Ligands for Efficient Ring‐Closing Metathesis Leading to Tetrasubstituted Olefins

Imidazolium salts (NHC_ewg ? HCl) with electronically variable substituents in the 4,5‐position (H,H or Cl,Cl or H,NO₂ or CN,CN) and sterically variable substituents in the 1,3‐position (Me,Me or Et,Et or iPr,iPr or Me,iPr) were synthesized and converted into the respective [AgI(NHC)_ewg] complexes. The reactions of [(NHC)RuCl₂(CHPh)(py)₂] with the [AgI(NHC_ewg)] complexes provide the respective [(NHC)(NHC_ewg)RuCl₂(CHPh)] complexes in excellent yields. The catalytic activity of such complexes in ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactions leading to tetrasubstituted olefins was studied. To obtain quantitative substrate conversion, catalyst loadings of 0.2–0.5 mol % at 80 °C in toluene are sufficient. The complex with the best catalytic activity in such RCM reactions and the fastest initiation rate has an NHC_ewg group with 1,3‐Me,iPr and 4,5‐Cl,Cl substituents and can be synthesized in 95 % isolated yield from the ruthenium precursor. To learn which one of the two NHC ligands acts as the leaving group in olefin metathesis reactions two complexes, [(FL‐NHC)(NHC_ewg)RuCl₂(CHPh)] and [(FL‐NHC_ewg)(NHC)RuCl₂(CHPh)], with a dansyl fluorophore (FL)‐tagged electron‐rich NHC ligand (FL‐NHC) and an electron‐deficient NHC ligand (FL‐NHC_ewg) were prepared. The fluorescence of the dansyl fluorophore is quenched as long as it is in close vicinity to ruthenium, but increases strongly upon dissociation of the respective fluorophore‐tagged ligand. In this manner, it was shown for ring‐opening metathesis ploymerization (ROMP) reactions at room temperature that the NHC_ewg ligand normally acts as the leaving group, whereas the other NHC ligand remains ligated to ruthenium.     

Ruthenium‐incorporated,metathesis‐active polyacetylene

Two olefin metathesis methods have been developed for the preparation of metal‐incorporated polyacetylene (MIPA) with high levels of covalently attached ruthenium complex. Treatment of freshly prepared, porous polyacetylene (PA) formed by polymerization of acetylene by the metathesis catalyst (H₂IMes)RuCl₂(?CHPh)(3‐bromopyridine)₂ ( G2B ) with additional G2B resulted in the incorporation of the ruthenium complex into the solid polymer in levels up to 75% by mass, giving two‐step MIPA (MIPA2). Alternatively, single‐step MIPA (MIPA1) samples with similar levels (up to 79% by mass) of ruthenium incorporation were obtained by polymerization of acetylene with highly concentrated solutions of G2B , and the resulting materials formed fine suspensions in CH₂Cl₂. A variety of experiments confirmed that both the methods give materials with ruthenium covalently attached to PA chains. Shiny, tough MIPA films were obtained by pressing the black powders obtained by either method. Some MIPA properties were dependent on the amount of metal incorporation, but even samples with high incorporation levels mimicked untreated PA in many respects. MIPA1, but not MIPA2, was made electrically conductive by doping with iodine. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1061–1072, 2009     

Grubbs Metathesis Enabled by a Light-Driven gem-Hydrogenation of Internal Alkynes

[(NHC)(cymene)RuCl₂] (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes instigate a light-driven gem-hydrogenation of internal alkynes with concomitant formation of discrete Grubbs-type ruthenium carbene species. This unorthodox reactivity mode is harnessed in the form of a “hydrogenative metathesis” reaction, which converts an enyne substrate into a cyclic alkene. The intervention of ruthenium carbenes formed in the actual gem-hydrogenation step was proven by the isolation and crystallographic characterization of a rather unusual representative of this series carrying an unconfined alkyl group on a disubstituted carbene center.     

Effect of the nature of carbene fragments in the tungsten complexes PhMe2E-CH=W(NAr)(OR′)2 and Me3E-CH=W(NAr)(OR′)2 (E = C, Si) on their catalytic properties in olefin metathesis reactions

Catalytic properties of the silicon-containing carbene complexes of tungsten Me₃Si-CH=W(NAr)(OR′)₂(1) and PhMe₂Si-CH=W(NAr)(OR′)₂ (2) and their hydrocarbon analogs Me₃C-CH=W(NAr)(OR′)₂ (3) and PhMe₂C-CH=W(NAr)(OR′)₂ (4) (Ar = 2,6-Prⁱ ₂C₆H₃, R′ = CMe₂CF₃) were studied in homometathesis of hex-1-ene, metathesis polycondensation of deca-1,9-diene, and ring opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctene. The nature of the carbene fragment in the tungsten catalysts substantially affects their catalytic activity. Silicon-containing catalysts 1 and 2 were found to be 3−5 times less active than their hydrocarbon analogs 3 and 4. Metathesis polymerization of cyclooctene in the bulk with initiators 1–4 completed within a few minutes to form a block. Stereoregularity of the formed polyoctenamers depends to a considerable extent on the nature of the carbene fragments in the starting initiators. Initiators 1–2 lead to polyoctenamers mainly containing the cis-units, whereas the use of complexes 3 and 4 affords polyoctenamers mainly containing the trans-units. The structures of novel compound 2 and known complexes 1, 3, and 4 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1840–1845, September, 2008.     

Synthesis and catalytic properties of polynuclear molybdenum silicon-containing carbene complexes

The molybdenum silicon-containing carbene complexes PhMe₂Si—CH=Mo(NAr)(OR)₂ (1), Ph₂Si[CH=Mo(NAr)(OR)₂]₂ (2), and (RO)₂(ArN)Mo=CH—(SiMe₂)₂—CH=Mo(NAr)(OR)₂ (Ar = 2,6-Prⁱ ₂C₆H₃; R = CMe₂CF₃) were synthesized by the reaction of the R′— CH=Mo(NAr)(OR)₂ compounds (R′ = Bu^t or PhMe₂C) with silicon-containing vinyl reagents. The structures of complexes 1 and 2 and the known PhMe₂C—CH=Mo(NAr)(OCMe₂CF₃)₂ compound were established by X-ray diffraction. The catalytic properties of the silicon-containing carbene complexes in homometathesis of hex-1-ene and metathesis polymerization of cyclooctene were studied. The catalytic activity of these complexes and the stereoregularity of the resulting polyoctenamers substantially depend on the nature of the substituent at the carbene carbon atom. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 247–252, February, 2007.     

Cationic versus neutral Ru(II)--N-heterocyclic carbene complexes as latent precatalysts for the UV-induced ring-opening metathesis polymerization

A series of cationic and neutral Ru^II complexes of the general formula [Ru(L)(X) (tBuCN)₄]⁺X^? and [Ru(L)(X)₂(tBuCN)₃)], that is, [Ru(CF₃SO₃){NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMesH₂)]⁺[CF₃SO₃]^? ( 1 ), [Ru(CF₃SO₃){NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMes)]⁺[CF₃SO₃]^? ( 2 ), [RuCl{NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMes)]⁺Cl^? ( 3 ), [RuCl{NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMesH₂)⁺Cl^?]/[RuCl₂{NCC(CH₃)₃}₃(IMesH₂)] ( 4 ), and [Ru(NCO)₂{NCC(CH₃)₃}₃(IMesH₂)] ( 5 ) (IMes=1,3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, IMesH₂=1,3‐dimesityl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) have been synthesized and used as UV‐triggered precatalysts for the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of different norborn‐2‐ene‐ and cis‐cyclooctene‐based monomers. The absorption maxima of complexes 1 – 5 were in the range of 245–255 nm and thus perfectly fit the emission band of the 254 nm UV source that was used for activation. Only the cationic Ru^II‐complexes based on ligands capable of forming μ²‐complexes such as 1 and 2 were found to be truly photolatent in ROMP. In contrast, complexes 3 – 5 could be activated by UV light; however, they also showed a low but significant ROMP activity in the absence of UV light. As evidenced by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, the structure of the polymers obtained with either 1 or 2 are similar to those found in the corresponding polymers prepared by the action of [Ru(CF₃SO₃)₂(IMesH₂)(CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)], which strongly suggest the formation of Ru‐based Grubbs‐type initiators in the course of the UV‐based activation process. Precatalysts that have the IMesH₂ ligand showed significantly enhanced reactivity as compared with those based on the IMes ligand, which is in accordance with reports on the superior reactivity of IMesH₂‐based Grubbs‐type catalysts compared with IMes‐based systems.     

Trifluoromethylation of [AuF3(SIMes)]: Preparation and Characterization of [Au(CF3)xF3−x(SIMes)] (x=1–3) Complexes

Trifluoromethylation of [AuF₃(SIMes)] with the Ruppert–Prakash reagent TMSCF₃ in the presence of CsF yields the product series [Au(CF₃)_xF_3−x(SIMes)] (x=1–3). The degree of trifluoromethylation is solvent dependent and the ratio of the species can be controlled by varying the stoichiometry of the reaction, as evidenced from the ¹⁹F NMR spectra of the corresponding reaction mixtures. The molecular structures in the solid state of trans-[Au(CF₃)F₂(SIMes)] and [Au(CF₃)₃(SIMes)] are presented, together with a selective route for the synthesis of the latter complex. Correlation of the calculated SIMes affinity with the carbene carbon chemical shift in the ¹³C NMR spectrum reveals that trans-[Au(CF₃)F₂(SIMes)] and [Au(CF₃)₃(SIMes)] nicely follow the trend in Lewis acidities of related organo gold(III) complexes. Furthermore, a new correlation between the Au−C_carbene bond length of the molecular structure in the solid state and the chemical shift of the carbene carbon in the ¹³C NMR spectrum is presented.     

Facile synthesis of [(NHC)(NHCewg)RuCl2(CHPh)] complexes

The utility of [(NHC)(PPh₃)RuCl₂(CHPh)] for the facile and efficient synthesis of ten complexes of the type [(NHC)(NHC_ewg)RuCl₂(CHR)] with saturated and unsaturated NHC ligands in 85-94% isolated yield via a simple one step synthesis utilizing [AgI(NHC_ewg)] as NHC_ewg transfer reagents was demonstrated.     

In Silico Olefin Metathesis with Ru‐Based Catalysts Containing N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes Bearing C60 Fullerenes

Density functional theory calculations have been used to explore the potential of Ru‐based complexes with 1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene (SIMes) ligand backbone ( A ) being modified in silico by the insertion of a C₆₀ molecule ( B and C ), as olefin metathesis catalysts. To this end, we investigated the olefin metathesis reaction catalyzed by complexes A , B , and C using ethylene as the substrate, focusing mainly on the thermodynamic stability of all possible reaction intermediates. Our results suggest that complex B bearing an electron‐withdrawing N‐heterocyclic carbene improves the performance of unannulated complex A . The efficiency of complex B is only surpassed by complex A when the backbone of the N‐heterocyclic carbene of complex A is substituted by two amino groups. The particular performance of complexes B and C has to be attributed to electronic factors, that is, the electronic‐donating capacity of modified SIMes ligand rather than steric effects, because the latter are predicted to be almost identical for complexes B and C when compared to those of A . Overall, this study indicates that such Ru‐based complexes B and C might have the potential to be effective olefin metathesis catalysts.     

Synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene precursors bearing biphenyl units and their use in ruthenium-catalyzed ring-opening metathesis polymerization

A range of new imidazolium and imidazolinium chlorides bearing biphenyl units on their nitrogen atoms was synthesized. They differed by the electron-withdrawing or -donating nature and the steric bulk of the substituents on their aromatic rings. These various N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors were combined with the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ dimer and potassium tert-butoxide to generate the corresponding ruthenium-arene complexes [RuCl₂(p-cymene)(NHC)] in situ. The catalytic activity of these species was investigated in the photoinduced ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctene. The results obtained confirmed the necessity of blocking the ortho-positions of the phenyl rings in the vicinity of the metal center in order to attain high catalytic efficiencies. They also showed that changing the steric and electronic properties of the substituents on the remote phenyl rings of the biphenyl units had no significant influence on the outcome of the polymerization.     

New routes to carbonyl complexes of general formula [RuCl2(CO)(S)(PPh3)2] (S = DMA,DMF, DMSO): crystal structure of [RuCl2(CO)(DMA)(PPh3)2] · 1/2CH2Cl2

The compound [RuCl₂(CO)(DMA)(PPh₃)₂] [DMA = dimethylacetamide] was obtained from [RuCl₃(PPh₃)₂-(DMA)] · DMA and CO in DMA. Orange crystals of [RuCl₂(CO)(DMA)(PPh₃)₂] · 1/2CH₂Cl₂ were isolated by slow evaporation of a CH₂Cl₂/DMA solution and its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The analogous compounds containing DMF and DMSO were obtained from the precursor ttt-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂]. Characterization of the other complexes is based on i.r. and n.m.r. spectroscopy, including ³¹P{¹H} data.     

Expeditious convergent procedure for the preparation of bis(POC) prodrugs of new (E)-4-phosphono-but-2-en-1-yl nucleosides

A series of unsaturated acyclonucleoside bis(POC) prodrugs of E configuration were synthesized through an expeditious, highly efficient and stereoselective one-step procedure from corresponding bis(POC)allylphosphonate through Ru catalyzed cross-coupling metathesis reaction. The [RuCl₂(PCy₃)(SIPr)(Indenylidene)] and [RuCl₂(PCy₃)(IMes)(benzylidene)] catalysts were employed; the unsaturated ANP were used bore C5-halovinyl uracil, C5-dihalovinyluracil or furanopyrimidine motifs. The chemical cleavage of biolabile (POC) group is a useful pathway to acid phosphonate derivatives.     

Improved molecular weight control in ring‐opening metathesis polymerization reactions in organic and aqueous media using N‐heterocyclic carbene–ruthenium arene/alkyne catalyst systems

A binary catalytic system, RuCl₂(N‐heterocyclic carbene)(p‐cymene)/alkyne, was developed for improved molecular weight control in ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions of norbornene derivatives in organic and aqueous media. Monometallic ruthenium arene compounds were activated using aryl and aliphatic terminal alkynes to form highly active metathesis species. The effects of alkyne structure and concentration on the overall catalytic activity were systematically investigated. The catalytic activity of the metathesis active species can be tuned by varying alkyne substituents. Also, the initiation rate of the ROMP reaction can be tuned by increasing the alkyne‐to‐Ru ratio. ROMP polymers with a wide range of molecular weights (91–832 kDa) were isolated in organic media, whereas polymers with a molecular weight range of 110–280 kDa with average particle sizes of 150–250 nm were isolated in aqueous media. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of silylene–propenylene oligomers via catalytic polycondensation of diallyldiorganosilanes

Acyclic diene polycondensation (ADP) of diallyldiorganosilanes (CH₂CHCH₂)₂SiR₂ (where R = Me, Ph), in the presence of various ruthenium and rhodium complexes, led predominantly to linear silylene–propenylene oligomers. Ruthenium catalysts (e.g. RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃, and RuCl(SiMe₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂) were found to be more efficient than the rhodium ones. The reaction proceeds via preliminary catalytic isomerization of allylsilane to silyl-1-propenes followed by their oligococondensation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3299–3304, 1997     

Living Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Norbornenes Containing Acetyl‐Protected Carbohydrates Using Well‐Defined Molybdenum and Ruthenium Initiators

Summary: Homopolymers and diblock copolymers that contain maltose or glucose residues have been prepared by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene derivatives using a molybdenum–alkylidene initiator, Mo(CHCMe₂Ph)(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)(OtBu)₂ ( A ). These polymerizations took place not only in a living fashion ( = < 1.2) but also with almost quantitative initiation. Two types of ruthenium initiators, (Cy₃P)₂RuCl₂(CHPh) ( B ) and (IMesH₂)(Cy₃P)RuCl₂(CHPh) ( C ), have also been used to compare initiator performance under the same conditions.

Structures for the polymers studied here.     

Synthesis,characterization, and metal complexes of polyacetylenes with pendant 2,2′‐bipyridyl groups

5‐Ethynyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine ( 1 ; bpyC≡CH) polymerized in the presence of catalytic amounts of [RhF(COD)(PPh₃)] or [Rh(μ‐OH)(COD)]₂ (COD = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) in 74–91% yields. In contrast, [Rh(μ‐X)(NBD)]₂ (X = Cl or OMe; NBD = norbornadiene) did not catalyze the polymerization of 1 or gave low yields of the polymer. The obtained polymer, poly(5‐ethynyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) [ 2 ; (bpyC?CH)_n], was highly stereoregular with a predominant cis–transoidal geometry. Random copolyacetylenes containing the 2,2′‐bipyridyl group with improved solubility in organic solvents were obtained by the treatment of a mixture of 1 and phenylacetylene ( 3 ) or 1‐ethynyl‐4‐n‐pentyl‐benzene with catalytic amounts of [RhF(COD)(PPh₃)]. A block copolymer of 1 and 3 was prepared by the addition of 1 to a poly(phenylacetylene) containing a living end. The reaction of 2 with [Mo(CO)₆] produced an insoluble polymer containing [Mo(CO)₄(bpy)] groups, whereas with [RuCl₂(bpy)₂] or [Ru(bpy)₂(CH₃COCH₃)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂, it gave soluble metal–polymer complexes containing [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ groups. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43:3167–3177, 2005