Phosphaalkynes from acid chlorides via P for O(Cl) metathesis: a recyclable niobium phosphide (P(3-)) reagent that effects C-P triple-bond formation

Reported herein is a new, metathetical P for O(Cl) exchange mediated by an anionic niobium phosphide complex that furnished phosphaalkynes (RCP) from acid chlorides (RC(O)Cl) under mild conditions. The niobaziridine hydride complex, Nb(H)(tBu(H)C=NAr)(N[Np]Ar)2 (1, Np = neopentyl, Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3), has been shown previously to react with elemental phosphorus (P4), affording the mu-diphosphide complex, (mu2:eta2,eta2-P2)[Nb(N[Np]Ar)3]2, (2), which can be subsequently reduced by sodium amalgam to the anonic, terminal phosphide complex, [Na][PNb(N[Np]Ar)3] (3). It is now shown that treatment of 3 with either pivaloyl (t-BuC(O)Cl) or 1-adamantoyl (1-AdC(O)Cl) chloride provides the thermally unstable niobacyles, (t-BuC(O)P)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (4-t-Bu) and (1-AdC(O)P)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (4-1-Ad), which are intermediates along the pathway to ejection of the known phosphaalkynes t-BuCP (5-t-Bu) and 1-AdCP(5-1-Ad). Phosphaalkyne ejection from 4-t-Bu and 4-1-Ad proceeds with formation of the niobium(V) oxo complex ONb(N[Np]Ar)3 (6) as a stable byproduct. Preliminary kinetic measurements for fragmentation of 4-t-Bu to 5-t-Bu and 6 in C6D6 solution are consistent with a first-order process, yielding the thermodynamic parameters DeltaH = 24.9 +/- 1.4 kcal mol-1 and DeltaS = 2.4 +/- 4.3 cal mol-1 K-1 over the temperature range 308-338 K. Separation of volatile 5-t-Bu from 6 after thermolysis has been readily achieved by vacuum transfer in yields of 90%. Pure 6 is recovered after vacuum transfer and can be treated with 1.0 equiv of triflic anhydride (Tf2O, Tf = O2SCF3) to afford the bistriflate complex, Nb(OTf)2(N[Np]Ar)3 (7), in high yield. Complex 7 provides direct access to 1 upon reduction with magnesium anthracene, thus completing a cycle of element activation, small-molecule generation via metathetical P-atom transfer, and deoxygenative recycling of the final niobium(V) oxo product.     

White phosphorus activation at a metal-phosphorus triple bond: a new route to cyclo-triphosphorus or cyclo-pentaphosphorus complexes of niobium

The Nb-P triple bond in [P≡Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)](-) (Np = CH(2)(t)Bu; Ar = 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3)) has produced the first case of P(4) activation by a metal-ligand multiple bond. Treatment of P(4) with the sodium salt of the niobium phosphide complex in weakly coordinating solvents led to formation of the cyclo-P(3) anion [(P(3))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)](-). Treatment in tetrahydrofuran (THF) led to the formation of a cyclo-P(5) anion [(Ar[Np]N)(η(4)-P(5))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(2)](-), which represents a rare example of a substituted pentaphosphacyclopentadienyl ligand. The P(4) activation pathway was shown to depend on the dimer-monomer equilibrium of the niobium phosphide reagent, which, in turn, depends on the solvent used for the reaction. The pathway leading to the cyclo-P(3) product was shown to require a 2:1 ratio of the phosphide anion to P(4), while the cyclo-P(5) formation requires a 1:1 ratio. The cyclo-P(3) salt has been isolated in 56% yield as orange crystals of the [Na(THF)](2)[(P(3))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)](2) dimer or in 83% yield as an orange powder of [Na(12-crown-4)(2)][(P(3))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)]. A solid-state X-ray diffraction experiment on the former salt revealed that each Nb-P(3) unit exhibits pseudo-C(3) symmetry, while (31)P NMR spectroscopy showed a sharp signal at -223 ppm that splits into a doublet-triplet pair below -50 °C. It was demonstrated that this salt can serve as a P(3)(3-) source upon treatment with AsCl(3), albeit with modest yield of AsP(3). The cyclo-P(5) salt was isolated in 71% yield and structurally characterized from red crystals of [Na(THF)(6)][(Ar[Np]N)(η(4)-P(5))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(2)]. The anion in this salt can be interpreted as the product of trapping of an intermediate pentaphosphacycplopentadienyl structure through migration of one anilide ligand onto the P(5) ring. The W(CO)(5)-capped cyclo-P(3) salt was also isolated in 60% yield as [Na(THF)][(OC)(5)W(P(3))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)] from the activation of 0.5 equiv of P(4) with the sodium salt of the tungsten pentacarbonyl adduct of the niobium phosphide anion.     

A nitridoniobium(V) reagent that effects acid chloride to organic nitrile conversion: synthesis via heterodinuclear (Nb/Mo) dinitrogen cleavage, mechanistic insights, and recycling

The transformation of acid chlorides (RC(O)Cl) to organic nitriles (RC[triple bond]N) by the terminal niobium nitride anion [N[triple bond]Nb(N[Np]Ar)3]- ([1a-N]-, where Np = neopentyl and Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3) via isovalent N for O(Cl) metathetical exchange is presented. Nitrido anion [1a-N]- is obtained in a heterodinuclear N2 scission reaction employing the molybdenum trisamide system, Mo(N[R]Ar)3 (R = t-Bu, 2a; R = Np, 2b), as a reaction partner. Reductive scission of the heterodinuclear bridging N2 complexes, (Ar[R]N)3Mo-(mu-N2)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (R = t-Bu, 3b; R = Np, 3c) with sodium amalgam provides 1 equiv each of the salt Na[1a-N] and neutral N[triple bond]Mo(N[R]Ar)3 (R = t-Bu, 2a-N; R = Np, 2b-N). Separation of 2-N from Na[1a-N] is readily achieved. Treatment of salt Na[1a-N] with acid chloride substrates in tetrahydrofuran (THF) furnishes the corresponding organic nitriles concomitant with the formation of NaCl and the oxo niobium complex O[triple bond]Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (1a-O). Utilization of 15N-labeled 15N2 gas in this chemistry affords a series of 15N-labeled organic nitriles establishing the utility of anion [1a-N]- as a reagent for the 15N-labeling of organic molecules. Synthetic and computational studies on model niobium systems provide evidence for the intermediacy of both a linear acylimido and niobacyclobutene species along the pathway to organic nitrile formation. High-yield recycling of oxo 1a-O to a niobium triflate complex appropriate for heterodinuclear N2 scission has been developed. Specifically, addition of triflic anhydride (Tf2O, where Tf = SO2CF3) to an Et2O solution of 1a-O provides the bistriflate complex, Nb(OTf)2(N[Np]Ar)3 (1a-(OTf)2), in near quantitative yield. One-electron reduction of 1a-(OTf)2 with either cobaltocene (Cp2Co) or Mg(THF)3(anthracene) provided the monotriflato complex, Nb(OTf)(N[Np]Ar)3 (1a-(OTf)), which efficiently regenerates complexes 3b and 3c when treated with the molybdenum dinitrogen anions [N2Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3]- ([2a-N2]-) or [N2Mo(N[Np]Ar)3]- ([2b-N2]-), respectively.     

Isolation of niobium,tantalum, and titanium complex fluoride salts with alkali metal cations

Fluoride and oxofluoride salts of niobium, tantalum, and titanium were isolated. They precipitated from aqueous solutions and upon washing of organic extracts with aqueous solutions of ammonium, potassium, and sodium salts. The compositions of the isolated compounds were studied. Different compositions were established for the niobium salts that precipitated upon the dissolution of unwashed niobium hydroxide in hydrofluoric acid under the atmospheric pressure, in an autoclave, and upon addition of sodium, potassium, and ammonium salts to purely fluoride solutions of niobium, as well as for the tantalum ammonium and sodium salts isolated from aqueous and organic solutions. The data obtained can be used for the synthesis of niobium, tantalum, and titanium complex fluoride salts with various compositions.     

Terminal, anionic carbide, nitride, and phosphide transition-metal complexes as synthetic entries to low-coordinate phosphorus derivatives

Anionic terminal one-atom nitride, phosphide, and carbide complexes are excellent starting materials for the synthesis of ligands containing low-coordinate phosphorus centers in the protecting coordination sphere of the metal complex. Salt-elimination reactions with chlorophosphanes lead to phosphaisocyanide, iminophosphinimide, and diorganophosphanylphosphinidene complexes in which the unusual phosphorus ligands are stabilized by coordination. X-ray structure analyses and density-functional calculations illuminate the bonding in these compounds.     

A Low‐Valent Molybdenum Nitride Complex: Reduction Promotes Carbonylation Chemistry

Toward nitrogen functionalization, reactive terminal transition metal nitrides with high d‐electron counts are of interest. A series of terminal Mo^IV nitride complexes were prepared within the context of exploring nitride/carbonyl coupling to cyanate. Reduction affords the first Mo^II nitrido complex, an early metal nitride with four valence d‐electrons. The binding mode of the para‐terphenyl diphosphine ancillary ligand changes to stabilize an electronic configuration with a high electron count and a formal M?N bond order of three. Even with an intact Mo≡N bond, this low‐valent nitrido complex proves to be highly reactive, readily undergoing N‐atom transfer upon addition of CO, releasing cyanate anion.     

Syntheses of per-N labeled etioporphyrins I-IV and a related tetrahydrobenzoporphyrin for applications in organic geochemistry and vibrational spectroscopy

Nitrogen-15 labeled pyrroles have been prepared from commercially available ¹⁵N glycine or sodium nitrite using the Barton-Zard, Knorr, and Kleinspehn approaches. These pyrroles were used as intermediates in the synthesis of per-¹⁵N labeled porphyrins needed for the analysis and assignment of vibrational spectra for sedimentary porphyrins. Etioporphyrin-I was prepared via pyrromethene intermediates, while etioporphyrins II-V and a related tetrahydrobenzoporphyrin were synthesized via stepwise routes involving the copper(II) mediated cyclization of a,c-biladienes as the key step. Detailed analyses of both the proton and carbon-13 NMR spectra provide nitrogen-15 coupling constants for these important structures.     

Recent methodologies mediated by sodium borohydride in the reduction of different classes of compounds

Reduction is a fundamental transformation in organic synthesis. Since its discovery by Brown and co‐workers, sodium borohydride is the most frequently hydride used in reduction processes. Owing to the importance of this reagent in modern organic synthesis, the aim of this review is to highlight recent methodologies (2000–2006) mediated by sodium borohydride in the reduction of different classes of compounds. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

N-alkylation and N-acylation of polyaniline and its effect on solubility and electrical conductivity

Various alkylating and acylating agents, with different electrophilicity, were allowed to react with polyaniline “emeraldine base” (Pan-EB) or its anion. Replacing the N-hydrogens of polyaniline by various acyl or benzyl groups strongly affected the solubility and the electrical conductivity of the polymer. Neutral Pan-EB was reacted with benzoyl chloride, p-t-butylbenzoyl chloride or pivaloyl chloride in N,N′-dimethylpropylene urea (DMPU) solutions. While the benzoyl and pivaloyl derivatives showed very poor solubility in common organic solvents, the p-t-butylbenzoyl derivative was readily soluble in THF, chloroform, DMSO, etc. As expected, these acyl derivatives showed diminished electrical conductivity relative to that of the parent Pan-EB. Benzyl chlorides did not react with neutral Pan-EB. Attempts to prepare solutions of the nitrogen anion of Pan-EB by reaction with sodium hydride in DMSO or DMPU led invariably to crosslinked insoluble material. This was ascribed to Michael addition of the formed nitrogen anions to the quinonimine moieties. However forming the nitrogen anion in presence of p-t-butylbenzyl chloride trapped it to form N-benzylated Pan-EB. This was a soluble high molecular weight, electrically conductive (4.3 × 10⁻¹ S cm⁻¹ as the hydrochloride) N-alkyl Pan-EB. Reacting Pan-EB with excess of both sodium hydride and benzyl chlorides led to film-forming per-benzylated Pan-leucoemeraldine reduced form. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 1673–1679, 1997     

A Convenient Synthetic Entry Into 2,2-Diorganyl-5,6-Diaryl-1,3,4,2-Dioxaza Silacyclohexene Derivatives VIA Dianion Cyclisation: Sequential One-Pot Cyclosylation

In a convenient one-pot sequence, treatment of bezoin and p-anisoin oximes with sodium hydride in dry THF in 1:2 molar ratio generates 1,5-dianion, which upon subsequent addition of diorganodichlorosilane yields 1,3,4,2-dioxazasilacyclohexene derivatives in good yields. In general, very often a salt elimination route is used for the synthesis of the title compounds.     

Enhancing Effects of Salt Formation on Catalytic Activity and Enantioselectivity for Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Isoquinolinium Salts by Dinuclear Halide‐Bridged Iridium Complexes Bearing Chiral Diphosphine Ligands

Asymmetric hydrogenation of 1‐ and 3‐substituted and 1,3‐disubstituted isoquinolinium chlorides using triply halide‐bridged dinuclear iridium complexes [{Ir(H)(diphosphine)}₂(μ‐Cl)₃]Cl has been achieved by the strategy of HCl salt formation of isoquinolines to afford the corresponding chiral 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities after simple basic work‐up. The effects of salt formation have been investigated by time‐course experiments, which revealed that the generation of isoquinolinium chlorides clearly prevented formation of the catalytically inactive dinuclear trihydride complex, which was readily generated in the catalytic reduction of salt‐free isoquinoline substrates. Based on mechanistic investigations, including by ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR studies and the isolation and characterization of several intermediates, the function of the chloride anion of the isoquinolinium chlorides has been elucidated, allowing us to propose a new outer‐sphere mechanism involving coordination of the chloride anion of the substrates to an iridium dihydride species along with a hydrogen bond between the chloride ligand and the N‐H proton of the substrate salt.     

Niederkoordinierte Phosphorverbindungen. 58. Synthese und Reaktivität der 2, 4, 6-Tri-tert-butylphenyl (halogenmethylen)phosphane

The synthesis of the 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl(halogenmethylene)phosphanes 4a—d from the tri-tert-butylphenylphosphane 1 and trihalogenomethanes 2a—d is described. Tri-tert-butylphenyl(difluoromethylene)phosphane 8a and the analogous (diiodomethylene)-phosphane 8d are obtained by dehalogenation of the chloro(trifluoromethyl)phosphane 7 and dehydrohalogenation of the triiodomethylphosphane 10 . The first different halogeno-substituted (bromochloromethylene)phosphane 8e leads after metallation with lithiumbis (trimethylsilyl)phosphide 13 and elimination of lithiumchloride to the phosphaalkyne 16 . Direct addition of chlorotrimethylsilane to the metallated 8e yields the 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl(chloro(trimethylsilyl)-methylene)phosphane 17 .     

A structural and electrochemical investigation of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salts of the nitratodioxouranate(VI) anions [[UO2(NO3)2]2(mu 4-C2O4)]2-, [UO2(NO3)3]-, and [UO2(NO3)4]2-

The properties of the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium salt of the dinuclear mu(4)-(O,O,O',O'-ethane-1,2-dioato)bis[bis(nitrato-O,O)dioxouranate(VI)] anion have been investigated using electrochemistry, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and extended X-ray absorbance fine structure spectroscopy: the anion structures from these last two techniques are in excellent agreement with each other. Electrochemical reduction of the complex leads to the a two-electron metal-centered reduction of U(VI) to U(IV), and the production of UO(2), or a complex containing UO(2). Under normal conditions, this leads to the coating of the electrode with a passivating film. The presence of volatile organic compounds in the ionic liquids 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate (where the 1-alkyl chain was methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, dodecyl, hexadecyl, or octadecyl) during the oxidative dissolution of uranium(IV) oxide led to the formation of a yellow precipitate. To understand the effect of the cation upon the composition and structure of the precipitates, 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salts of a number of nitratodioxouranate(VI) complexes were synthesized and then analyzed using X-ray crystallography. It was demonstrated that the length of the 1-alkyl chain played an important role, not only in the composition of the complex salt, but also in the synthesis of dinuclear anions containing the bridging mu(4)-(O,O,O',O'-ethane-1,2-dioato), or oxalato, ligand, by protecting it from further oxidation.     

Counterion Dependence of Dinitrogen Activation and Functionalization by a Diniobium Hydride Anion

We report the synthesis of anionic diniobium hydride complexes with a series of alkali metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) and the counterion dependence of their reactivity with N₂. Exposure of these complexes to N₂ initially produces the corresponding side‐on end‐on N₂ complexes, the fate of which depends on the nature of countercations. The lithium derivative undergoes stepwise migratory insertion of the hydride ligands onto the aryloxide units, yielding the end‐on bridging N₂ complex. For the potassium derivative, the N?N bond cleavage takes place along with H₂ elimination to form the nitride complex. Treatment of the side‐on end‐on N₂ complex with Me₃SiCl results in silylation of the terminal N atom and subsequent N?N bond cleavage along with H₂ elimination, giving the nitride‐imide‐bridged diniobium complex.     

Aromatic ortho-benzylation reveals an unexpected reductant

The discovery of a novel arylpalladium(II) reduction enables the synthesis of diarylmethanes via reductive benzylation. Benzyl chlorides were found to be the major source of hydride, acting as an alkylating agent and an aprotic surrogate for benzyl alcohol. This represents the first example of an arylpalladium(II) reduction mediated by a benzyl halide.     

Wetting of a Charged Surface of Glassy Carbon by Molten Alkali-Metal Chlorides

Values of the contact angle of wetting of a surface of glassy carbon by molten chlorides of lithium, sodium, potassium, and cesium are measured by the meniscus weight method to determine the common factors of wettability of solid surfaces by ionic melts upon a change in the salt phase composition and a jump in electric potential. It is found that with a potential shift in the positive direction the shape of the curve of the contact angle’s dependence on the potential varies upon substitution of one salt by another: the angle of wetting shrinks monotonously in lithium chloride but remains constant in molten cesium chloride. This phenomenon is explained by the hypothesis that the nature of the halide anion adsorption on the positively charged surface of an electrode is chemical and not electrostatic. It is shown that the adsorption process is accompanied by charge transfer through the interface, with covalent bonding between the adsorbent and adsorbate.

     

Asymmetric N1 unit transfer to olefins with a chiral nitridomanganese complex: novel stereoselective pathways to aziridines or oxazolines

Chiral nitridomanganese complex 1 was found to be a highly potential N1 unit source for the asymmetric synthesis of aziridines and 2-oxazolines from olefins such as styrene and its derivatives. When sulfonyl chlorides were employed as activators of the complex in the presence of pyridine, pyridine N-oxide, and a silver salt, the reaction of olefins with complex 1 proceeded smoothly to afford the N-sulfonylated aziridines. The aziridination of styrene derivatives with complex 1 using 2-trimethylsilylethanesulfonyl chloride (SESCl) gave the N-SES-aziridines, which were easily converted into chiral N-unsubstituted aziridines. It was found that the reaction was applicable to the asymmetric synthesis of 2-oxazolines from olefins when acyl chlorides were employed as activators. Complex 1 provided an effective asymmetric environment for trans-disubstituted styrenes in the reaction (up to 92% ee). This is the first example of a direct asymmetric synthesis of 2-oxazolines from olefins. Additional experiments, conducted during the course of this investigation, suggest that the isomerization of the N-acylaziridine intermediate is involved in this reaction.     

Molecular recognition of trigonal oxyanions using a ditopic salt receptor: evidence for anisotropic shielding surface around nitrate anion

A ditopic, macrobicyclic receptor with adjacent anion and cation binding sites is able to extract a range of monovalent salts into chloroform solution. The structures of the receptor complexed with KAcO, LiNO(3), NaNO(3), KNO(3), and NaNO(2) are characterized in solution by NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. The sodium and potassium salts are bound to the receptor as contact ion-pairs, with the metal cation located in the receptor's crown ether ring and the trigonal oxyanion hydrogen bonded to the receptor NH residues. The solid-state structure of the LiNO(3) complex has a bridging water molecule between the cation and anion. In all solid-state structures, the trigonal oxyanion is not located symmetrically inside the receptor cavity. It appears that anion orientation is controlled by a complex interplay of steric factors, coordination bonding to the metal cation, and hydrogen bonding with the receptor NH residues. An important feature with this latter effect is the fact that hydrogen bonds directed toward the oxygen lone pairs on a trigonal oxyanion are stronger than hydrogen bonds to the pi-electrons. In solution, the (1)H NMR spectra of the nitrate and nitrite salt complexes are noteworthy because several receptor signals, including the NH protons, undergo unusual upfield movements in chemical shift upon complexation. This is a reflection of the diamagnetic anisotropy of these trigonal oxyanions. The magnetic shielding surface for the NO(3)(-) anion is calculated using density functional theory and shown to have a shielding region directly above the central nitrogen.     

Niobium Bis- and Mono(Pentafulvene) Complexes: E−H Bond Cleavage and Insertion Reactions (E=C,N, O)

Bis(η⁵:η¹-(di-para-tolyl)pentafulvene)niobium chloride ( 1 ) reacts with methyl lithium via salt metathesis to the methylated bis(pentafulvene)niobium complex 2 , and with lithium 2,6-diisopropylanilide addition and subsequent N−H bond activation to the imido mono(pentafulvene)niobium complex 3 . Avoiding the competing protonation of the chloride, bis(pentafulvene)niobium complex 2 reacts with primary aromatic and aliphatic amines to form terminal niobocene imido complexes, and with water to form the analog terminal oxo complex. Secondary methyl amines undergo a simultaneous N−H and C−H activation to form niobaaziridines under mild conditions. In contrast to other reported examples, 3 can be employed to investigate the uncontested reactivity of mono(pentafulvene)niobium complexes. Reaction with 4-tert-butylphenol selectively yields a niobocene phenolate complex. Unprecedented for mono(pentafulvene)niobium complexes, treating 3 with multiple-bond-containing substrates (nitriles, isocyanates) smoothly results the insertion into the Nb-C_exo σ-bond, forming the corresponding alkylidene amido and imidato complexes.     

Surface modification of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) with benzophenone and sodium hydride by ultraviolet irradiation

Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films were surface modified in a solution of benzophenone and sodium hydride in dry dimethylformamide by ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. The extent of surface modification was characterized after durations of UV light irradiation from 5–20 min at temperatures from 19–60°C. The modified films were analyzed by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible light spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic contact angle measurement, and low-voltage scanning electron microscopy. PTFE surfaces produced by this modification demonstrated extensive defluorination, oxygen incorporation, surface unsaturation, and reduction in both advancing and receding dynamic water contact angles in a manner that was more extensive at long durations of irradiation and at high temperatures. Morphological damage depended upon treatment conditions, but extensive surface modification could be obtained without substantial morphological damage to PTFE films. Control experiments indicated that the surface modification proceeded by photoexcitation of either diphenyl ketyl radical anion or benzhydrol anion, the products of reaction of benzophenone with sodium hydride. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 1499–1514, 1997