Rotamers of palladium complexes bearing IR active N-heterocyclic carbene ligands: Synthesis, structural characterization and catalytic activities

The preparation and properties of mono- versus bis(carbene) Pd(II) complexes bearing unsymmetrical cyano- and ester-functionalized NHC ligands as potential IR probes were studied in detail. Direct reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ with functionalized imidazolium salts afforded either bis(carbene) (3a, c) or monocarbene complexes (5, 6) with a N-coordinated imidazole co-ligand. The latter were exclusively obtained with N-ethylene substituted salts, which were found to undergo N-C cleavage reaction. The milder Ag-carbene transfer reaction on the other hand was tolerable to the length of the substituents and the nature of the functional groups. All bis(carbene) complexes (3a-c, 4a-c) were obtained as a inseparable mixture of square-planar trans-anti and trans-syn rotamers. The identity, ratio and dynamic equilibrium of these rotamers have been investigated and the relatively high rotational barrier for rotamers of 3a was estimated to be about 74 kJ mol⁻¹ at 380 K. All eight complexes were fully characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry and X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction. A preliminary catalytic study showed that ester-functionalized complexes 4a and 4b gave rise to highly active catalyst in the double Mizoroki-Heck coupling of aryl dibromides, while the in situ ester-hydrolyzed complexes were also active in the coupling of activated aryl chlorides.     

A new class of o-hydroxyaryl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and their complexes with palladium

A facile synthesis of o-hydroxyaryl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and their complexes with palladium is presented. This kind of salicylaldimine-like NHC ligands expands the class of available NHC ligands for organometallic catalysts.     

Synthesis and structures of cyclopentadienyl N-heterocyclic carbene copper(I) complexes

A series of cyclopentadienyl N-heterocyclic carbene copper complexes CpCu(NHC) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The effect of the substituents at the nitrogen atom of the NHC ligands on the structures and thermally stability was discussed.     

Polyisobutylene-supported N-heterocyclic carbene palladium catalysts

This paper describes how the nonpolar polymer polyisobutylene (PIB) can be used as a handle to prepare PIB-bound NHC ligands that are soluble in monophasic mixtures of mixed solvents but phase separable when such solvent systems are perturbed to be biphasic. The results here show that such PIB-bound NHC ligands can be used to synthesize useful palladium catalysts. In this paper, both PIB-bound analogs of an N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl) heterocyclic carbene and simpler N,N′-dialkyl heterocyclic carbene ligand were prepared and were successfully used to form palladium cross-coupling catalysts. The reactivity, recycling and reusability of these catalysts has been examined.     

Preparation of polymer-supported palladium/N-heterocyclic carbene complex for Suzuki cross-coupling reactions

A novel polymer-supported N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) was prepared from chloromethyl polystyrene (CM PS) resin using a simple procedure, and was used as the ligand for palladium (Pd) catalysts. The polymer-supported Pd-NHC complexes efficiently catalyzed the Suzuki cross-coupling of aryl halides and phenylboronic acid in good yields and excellent purities under aqueous conditions.     

Palladium complexes with ethylene-bridged bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) for C-C coupling reactions

A series of new ethylene-bridged bis(imidazolium) halides with various N-substitutions were synthesized. Complexation of these imidazolium halides with Pd(OAc)₂ produced new Pd(II) ethylene-bridged bis(carbene) complexes. Crystallographic analyses of some of the new imidazolium salts and Pd(II) complexes were determined. Applications of these seven-member palladacycles in Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions produced comparable catalytic activities to those of six-member analogs.     

Synthesis of chromium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes using chromium Fischer carbenes as a source of chromium carbonyls

Chromium Fischer carbene complexes, [Cr{OMe(R)}(CO)₅] have been utilized as a source of chromium carbonyls in the synthesis of chromium NHC complexes. Using the synthetic method, chromium complexes of various NHC ligands were isolated in reasonable yields. Moreover, the method can be employed for the synthesis of molybdenum and tungsten NHC compounds.     

Polymer supported palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: long lived recyclable catalysts for cross coupling reactions

Polymer supported palladium complexes, containing a pyridyl bis N-heterocyclic carbene ligand system derived from isonicotinic acid, provide highly stable catalysts for Heck and Suzuki cross coupling reactions. These heterogenous catalysts can be recycled ?14 times with no loss of activity.     

Ag(I) and Pd(II) complexes of a 1,3-dibenzhydryl substituted benzannulated N-heterocyclic carbene: Unexpected rearrangement, structures and catalytic studies

Reaction of the sterically bulky 1,3-dibenzhydrylbenzimidazolium bromide (Bh₂-bimyH⁺Br⁻) (A) with Pd(OAc)₂ in DMSO yielded a mono(carbene) Pd(II) complex 1 with a N-bound benzimidazole derivative, which resulted from an unusual NHC rearrangement reaction. Reaction of A with Ag₂O, on the other hand, cleanly gave the Ag(I) carbene complex [AgBr(Bh₂-bimy)] (2), which has been used as a carbene-transfer agent to prepare the acetonitrile complex trans-[PdBr₂(CH₃CN)(Bh₂-bimy)] (3). Dissociation of acetonitrile from complex 3 and subsequent dimerization afforded the dinuclear Pd(II) complex [PdBr₂(Bh₂-bimy)]₂ (4) in quantitative yield. All complexes were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of complex 4 in aqueous Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions was studied and compared with that of its previously reported less bulky analogue [PdBr₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)]₂.     

Synthesis of chiral imino- and amino-imidazolium salts and of chelating amino-N-heterocyclic carbene palladium(II) complexes

A new preparation of chiral imino-imidazolium salts has been developed by condensation of chiral primary amines with 1-(2-oxo-2-phenyl-ethyl)-imidazolium salts in chloroform. This reaction gave the (E)-imino-imidazolium salts with stereoselectivities superior to 95:5. The structure of the imines were determined by NMR analyses. Reduction of the chiral (E)-imino-imidazolium salts with NaBH₄ in MeOH led to amino-imidazolium salts as a mixture of diastereomers with selectivities ranging from 84:16 to 90:10. The major diastereoisomer could be purified in some cases by crystallization and the absolute configurations were determined by X-ray diffraction. Chelating amino-N-heterocyclic carbene dichloro palladium(II) complexes were obtained in two steps via formation of the corresponding silver(I) complexes and reaction of these latters with bis(acetonitrile)dichloropalladium. Crystal structure details of a cis-dichloro amino-imidazol-2-ylidene palladium complex are presented and confirmed the formation of a six-membered Pd-metallocycle.     

Synthesis of rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their catalytic activity in the hydrosilylation of alkenes in ionic liquid medium

Rhodium complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were prepared from bis(η⁴-1,5-cyclooctadiene) dichlorodirhodium and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-2-carboxylate, and the catalytic properties of rhodium complexes prepared in the hydrosilylation of alkenes in ionic liquid media were investigated. It was found that both the catalytic activity and selectivity of the rhodium complexes bearing NHC ligands were influenced by the attached substituents of the imidazolium cation. Additionally, rhodium complexes bearing NHC ligands in ionic liquid BMimPF₆ could be reused without noticeable loss of catalytic activity and selectivity.     

C-S bond formation catalyzed by N-heterocylic carbene palladium phosphine complexes

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are known to be useful ligands for palladium-complex catalysis. It was found that [(NHC)Pd(PPh₃)Cl₂] is an effective pre-catalyst in Pd-catalyzed C-S cross coupling reactions to produce the functionalized sulfides in excellent yields. The turn over frequency (TOF) for the coupling of p-CH₃C₆H₄Br with p-CH₃C₆H₄SH reaches to 6.25 (mol of product) (mole of catalyst)⁻¹ h⁻¹.     

Suzuki-Miyaura coupling with high turnover number using an N-acyl-N-heterocyclic carbene palladacycle precursor

A simple N-acylimidazolium salt precursor to a NHC-complexed palladacyclic ligand gives high turnover numbers (>10⁷) for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and is applied to the preparation of biaryls used in the synthesis of coumarins. The results suggest that N-acyl-NHC derivatives can contribute to further expanding the rich chemistry of NHCs.     

First Kumada reaction of alkyl chlorides using N-heterocyclic carbene/palladium catalyst systems

For the first time it is shown that N-heterocyclic carbenes are suitable ligands for the palladium-catalyzed coupling of alkyl chlorides with aryl Grignard reagents. A variety of simple as well as functionalized primary alkyl chlorides provide the corresponding alkyl benzenes in general in good to very good yield. By comparing the 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMes) palladium(0) naphthoquinone complex with the previously known palladium phosphine catalyst for the model coupling reaction of 1-chlorohexane with phenylmagnesium bromide it is demonstrated that the new catalyst system is superior.     

Copper-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction catalyzed by polymer-supported N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complex

A core-shell type of polymer-supported N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium catalyst was applied to Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions without copper cocatalyst under ambient atmosphere. This supported NHC-palladium complex efficiently catalyzed the copper-free Sonogashira reaction of various aryl iodides and bromides with terminal alkynes; the reaction exhibited high dependency on the temperature and the amount of base as well as its nature. In addition, this heterogeneous catalyst exhibited good reusability for the copper-free Sonogashira reaction.     

Formation and structures of Pd(II) N,S-heterocyclic carbene-pyridyl mixed-ligand complexes

Mononuclear mixed-ligand complexes of Pd(II) containing a N,S-heterocyclic carbene (NSHC) with a secondary alkyl N-substituent and pyridyl ligand, with the general formula [PdI₂(C₁₀H₁₁NS)L] (C₁₀H₁₁NS = 3-isopropylbenzothiazolin-2-ylidene; L = pyridine, 2-aminopyridine, 3-iodopyridine and 4-tert-butyl-pyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray single-crystal crystallography. Both solution and solid-state structures, as evident from their ¹H NMR spectra and X-ray structures, show anagostic γ-hydrogen interactions of metal with methine of the substituent on the carbene or pyridyl ligand giving 5-membered-chelate-like structures.     

Synthesis of unsymmetrical benzils using N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis

In this paper, we propose a novel and efficient method for the preparation of various unsymmetrical benzils. We first demonstrate the nucleophilic aroylation of N-phenylbenzimidoyl chlorides with aromatic aldehydes using N-heterocyclic carbene as the catalyst to afford 1-aryl-2-phenyl-2-(phenylimino)ethanones. These iminoethanones were then converted to 1,2-diaryl-1,2-diketones by acid-promoted hydrolysis.     

Irreversible cleavage of a carbene-rhodium bond in Rh-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: implications for catalysis

Despite the generally accepted belief that carbene-metal bonds are strong and do not dissociate, the reaction of Rh-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes with triphenylphosphine in dichloroethane was determined to take place via cleavage of the Rh-carbene bond. The products of this reaction are Wilkinson’s catalyst and a bisimidazolium salt derived from reaction between dichloroethane and two equivalents of the carbene. The implications of this reaction for catalysis are significant since the carbene complex shows lower activity than Wilkinson’s catalyst in hydrogenation reactions. In non-halogenated solvents, the catalyst shows higher stability, such that the rate of exchange with free phosphine could be measured, and was determined to be ca. 10 times slower than in Wilkinson’s catalyst.     

Amphiphilic polymer supported N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complex for Suzuki cross-coupling reaction in water

We synthesized amphiphilic polymer-supported N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursor resins by loading polyethylene glycol (PEG) containing imidazolium groups on Merrifield resin. These PS-PEG-NHC precursor resins were compatible with water and readily formed a stable complex with palladium. These PS-PEG-NHC-Pd catalysts showed excellent catalytic activity for Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of various aryl iodides and bromides with phenylboronic acid in water than the previously described polystyrene based catalysts. In addition, the PS-PEG-NHC-Pd catalysts continued to provide excellent catalytic activity in Suzuki cross-coupling reactions after five consecutive recycles.     

Pd(II) complexes of a sterically bulky, benzannulated N-heterocyclic carbene and their catalytic activities in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction

The bis(N,N′-diisopropylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene)Pd(II) complexes trans-[PdBr₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (trans-1) and trans-[PdI₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (trans-2) have been prepared in good yields by in situ deprotonation of the corresponding N,N′-diisopropylbenzimidazolium salt (ⁱPr₂-bimyH⁺X⁻) (A: X = Br, B: X = I) with Pd(OAc)₂ in DMSO at elevated temperature. Salt metathesis of trans-1 or trans-2 with AgO₂CCF₃ in refluxing CH₃CN afforded the novel mixed carbene-carboxylato complex cis-[Pd(O₂CCF₃)₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (cis-3). This halo/trifluorocarboxylato ligand substitution can be regarded as a selective method for the synthesis of cis-configured bis(carbene) complexes. All compounds have been fully characterized by multinuclei NMR spectroscopies and ESI mass spectrometry. X-ray diffraction studies on single crystals of trans-1, trans-2 and cis-3 revealed a square planar geometry and a fixed orientation of the N-isopropyl substituents with the C-H protons pointing to the metal center to maximize rare C-H?Pd preagostic interactions. These interactions are also retained in solution as indicated by the large downfield shift of the isopropyl C-H protons in the ¹H NMR spectrum compared to those in precursor salts A or B. A preliminary catalytic study revealed that all complexes are highly active in the Mizoroki-Heck coupling of aryl bromides and chlorides. However, these complexes gave slower conversions as compared to catalysts with less bulky benzimidazolin-2-ylidenes. This is most likely due to the steric bulk of the ligands, which hamper a fast reductive formation of catalytically active Pd(0) species.