Insertion of Imines into Palladium–Acyl Bonds: Towards Metal-Catalyzed Alternating Copolymerization of Imines with Carbon Monoxide To Form Polypeptides

From a methyl ligand, CO, and an imine a chelating amide ligand is formed by insertion of the C=N bond into the metal–acyl bond in cationic palladium(II ) complexes (see reaction below). The cationic acylpalladium complexes are obtained from CO and readily accessible palladium starting materials. LL=diphosphane ligand.     

Pentamethylcyclopentadienylrhodium(III) and -iridium(III) Complexes Showing P,O Coordination: Unprecedented Insertion of tcne and tcnq into a C−H Bond

Strongly electron withdrawing cyanoolefins tetracyanoethylene (tcne) and 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (tcnq) react with [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl(MDMPP-P,O)] (M=Rh, Ir; MDMPP-P,O=PPh₂(2-O-6-MeO-C₆H₃), a P,O chelating phosphane) by insertion into the C−H bond adjacent to the M−O σ bond. The crystal structure of the iridium complex formed upon insertion of tcne is shown.     

High Yields of Methanol from Methane by C−H Bond Activation at Low Temperatures

Activation, oxidation, and functionalization are the essential steps in the direct selective conversion of methane into liquid chemicals such as methanol, formaldehyde, higher paraffins, and olefins. In the best process so far for the synthesis of methanol from methane, the reagent is converted with 90% conversion and 81% selectivity into methyl bisulfate in 102% sulfuric acid at 220°C and in the presence of Pt complexes that contain very stable ligands. The desired product can be trapped by esterification and thus be protected from nonselective consecutive reactions.     

Activation of a Carbon–Oxygen Bond of Benzofuran by Precoordination of Manganese to the Carbocyclic Ring: A Model for Hydrodeoxygenation

Stable unsaturated heterocycles such as benzofuran are difficult to remove from petroleum by conventional catalytic hydrotreating. However, in a model system, coordination of Mn(CO)₃⁺ to the aromatic ring of benzofuran activates the C−O bond towards insertion of [Pt(PPh₃)₂] [Eq. (1)]. The insertion is preceded by precoordination to the furan C=C bond; thus, the 2,3-dihydro analogue of 1 , which lacks this double bond, does not undergo insertion of the Pt moiety.     

Two Different Structural Motifs Observed for Dimeric Dialkylaluminum and Dialkylgallium Alkynides [R2E‐C≡C‐C6H5]2

The dialkylaluminum and dialkylgallium alkynides [R₂E‐C≡C‐R′]₂ (R = Me, CMe₃; E = Al, Ga; R′ = Ph) containing C≡C triple bonds attached to their central aluminum or gallium atoms are easily obtained by the reactions of dialkylelement chlorides with lithium alkynides or by treatment of the corresponding alkyne R‐C≡C‐H with dialkylaluminum or dialkylgallium hydrides. The first reaction is favored by the precipitation of LiCl, the second one by the formation of elemental hydrogen. All products form dimers in which the carbanionic carbon atoms of the alkynido groups adopt bridging positions, but, interestingly, different types of molecular structures were observed depending on the steric demand of the substituents terminally attached to the aluminum or gallium atoms. The small methyl substituents gave structures in which the aluminum or gallium atoms seemed to be side‐on coordinated by the C≡C triple bonds of almost linear E‐C≡C groups. In contrast, the more bulky tert‐butyl groups forced an arrangement in which the C≡C triple bonds were perpendicular to the E‐E axis of the molecules. Different bonding modes result, which were analyzed by quantum‐chemical calculations.     

Replacement of Trimethylamine in Trimethylamine‐trispentafluoroethyl‐borane. Structures of [(C2F5)3BNMe3], [NMe4][(C2F5)3BOH], and K[(C2F5)3BCH2(CO)C6H5]

Trimethylamine‐tris(pentafluoroethyl)borane [(C₂F₅)₃BNMe₃] ( 1 ) reacts at 190 °C with water under displacement of the trimethylamine ligand to yield the hydroxy‐tris(pentafluoroethyl)borate [(C₂F₅)₃BOH]^? ( 2 ). In tributylamine 1 reacts with alkynes HC≡CR to form novel ethynyl‐tris(pentafluoroethyl)borate anions [(C₂F₅)₃BC≡CR]^? – R = C₆H₅ ( 3 ), C₆H₄CH₃ ( 4 ), Si(CH(CH₃)₂)₃ ( 5 ) – in moderate yields. Compound 3 adds water across the triple bond to form the novel anion [(C₂F₅)₃BCH₂(CO)C₆H₅]^? ( 6 ). The structures of [(C₂F₅)₃BNMe₃], [NMe₄][(C₂F₅)₃BOH] and K[(C₂F₅)₃BCH₂(CO)C₆H₅] have been determined by x‐ray crystallography.     

Stoichiometric and Catalytic C−C and C−H Bond Formation with B(C6F5)3 via Cationic Intermediates

This work showcases a new catalytic cyclization reaction using a highly Lewis acidic borane with concomitant C−H or C−C bond formation. The activation of alkyne‐containing substrates with B(C₆F₅)₃ enabled the first catalytic intramolecular cyclizations of carboxylic acid substrates using this Lewis acid. In addition, intramolecular cyclizations of esters enable C−C bond formation as catalytic B(C₆F₅)₃ can be used to effect formal 1,5‐alkyl migrations from the ester functional groups to unsaturated carbon–carbon frameworks. This metal‐free method was used for the catalytic formation of complex dihydropyrones and isocoumarins in very good yields under relatively mild conditions with excellent atom efficiency.     

Selected Copper‐Based Reactions for C−N,C−O,C−S,and C−C Bond Formation

Metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions belong to the most important transformations in organic synthesis. Copper catalysis has received great attention owing to the low toxicity and low cost of copper. However, traditional Ullmann‐type couplings suffer from limited substrate scopes and harsh reaction conditions. The introduction of several bidentate ligands, such as amino acids, diamines, 1,3‐diketones, and oxalic diamides, over the past two decades has totally changed this situation as these ligands enable the copper‐catalyzed coupling of aryl halides and nucleophiles at both low reaction temperatures and catalyst loadings. The reaction scope has also been greatly expanded, rendering this copper‐based cross‐coupling attractive for both academia and industry. In this Review, we have summarized the latest progress in the development of useful reaction conditions for the coupling of (hetero)aryl halides with different nucleophiles. Additionally, recent advances in copper‐catalyzed coupling reactions with aryl boronates and the copper‐based trifluoromethylation of aromatic electrophiles will be discussed.     

Metal Insertion into C−C Bonds in Solution

What kind of ligated metal center is necessary for insertion into the “hidden” C−C bond? How can one tune the metal center for C−C bond activation by variation of the steric and electronic properties of ligands? What are the possible mechanisms of C−C bond activation in various reaction systems? A systematic look at the available data on C−C bond activation in solution provides some answers to these questions.     

The First Boron–Tellurium Double Bond: Direct Insertion of Heavy Chalcogens into a Mn=B Double Bond

The base‐stabilized borylene [Cp(OC)₂Mn=Bt Bu(IMe)] readily reacts with elemental chalcogens in an insertion reaction that yields borachalcone complexes [Cp(OC)₂Mn‐E=Bt Bu(IMe)] (E=S, Se, Te). The tellurium example features the first double bond between boron and tellurium, making Te the heaviest main‐group element to make multiple bonds with boron. This unprecedented interaction has been fully investigated both experimentally and computationally.     

Platinum(II) Complexes with Constructive and Destructive Interaction of Diphosphane and Binaphthol Ligands

Eight molecules with different conformations are present in the unit cell of the Pt^II complex 1 , which contains a mismatched arrangement of the chiral ligands Chiraphos and Binol (i.e., (S,S)-Chiraphos prefers the δ conformation, whereas (R)-Binol tends to induce the λ conformation in the diphosphane). The observed flexibility of these bidentate ligands should not be disregarded in stereochemical models for explaining the selectivity in asymmetric catalysis.     

Oxidative P−P Bond Addition to Cobalt(−I): Formation of a Low‐Spin Cobalt(III) Phosphanido Complex

The first homoleptic cobalt phosphanido complex [K(thf)₄][Co{1,2‐(Pt Bu₂)₂C₂B₁₀H₁₂}₂] ( 1 ) was prepared by an unprecedented oxidative P−P bond addition of an ortho ‐carborane‐substituted 1,2‐diphosphetane to cobalt(−I) in [K(thf)_0.2][Co(η⁴‐cod)₂)] (cod=1,5‐cycloctadiene). Compound 1 is a rare distorted tetrahedral 3d⁶ complex with a low‐spin ground state configuration. Magnetic measurements revealed that the complex is diamagnetic between 2 to 270 K in the solid state and at 298 K in [D₈]THF solution. Based on DFT calculations, the unusual singlet ground state is caused by the strong σ‐donor and moderate π‐donor properties of the bis(phosphanido) ligand.     

A Sterically Constrained Tricyclic PC3 Phosphine: Coordination Behavior and Insertion of Chalcogen Atoms into P−C Bonds

A tricyclic phosphine has been generated that has a rigid molecular backbone with the P atoms exclusively bound to C(sp²) atoms as well as a very large Tolman angle and buried volume. It is an interesting new ligand in coordination chemistry (Au, Pd complexes) and shows unusual insertion reactions into its endocyclic P?C bonds facilitated by its inherent molecular strain.     

Insertion of (Bioactive) Equatorial Ligands into Platinum(IV) Complexes

Platinum(IV) prodrugs are highly interesting alternatives to platinum(II) anticancer therapeutics due to their increased tumor selectivity and reduced side effects. In contrast to the established theory, we recently observed that the equatorial ligand(s) of e.g. oxaliplatin(IV) complexes can be hydrolyzed with formation of [(DACH)Pt(OH_eq)₂(OAc_ax)₂]. In the work presented here, we investigated the reactivity and synthetic usability of this complex to be exploited as a precursor for the development of novel platinum(IV) complexes, not able to be synthesized by conventional protocols. Indeed, we could substitute the equatorial hydroxido ligand(s) e.g. by one or two monodentate biotin ligands (which would be oxidized under standard methods). The formed complexes turned out to be very stable with slow ligand release after reduction, ideal for long-circulating tumor-targeting strategies. Therefore, two platinum(IV) complexes with equatorial maleimides, capable of exploiting serum albumin as a natural nanocarrier, were synthesized as well. The complexes showed massively prolonged plasma half-life and distinctly improved anticancer activity in vivo compared to oxaliplatin. Taken together, the newly developed synthetic platform allows the simple and specific insertion of equatorial ligands into platinum(IV) complexes. This will enable the attachment of three different (bioactive) moieties generating targeted triple-action platinum(IV) prodrugs within one single platinum complex.     

P−P Condensation and P−N/P−P Bond Metathesis: Facile Synthesis of Cationic Tri‐ and Tetraphosphanes

[L_C^RP((PhP)₂C₂H₄)][OTf] ( 4 a,b [OTf]) and [L_C^iPrP(PPh₂)₂][OTf] ( 5 b [OTf]) were prepared from the reaction of imidazoliumyl‐substituted dipyrazolylphosphane triflate salts [L_C^RP(pyr)₂][OTf] ( 3 a,b [OTf]; a : R=Me, b =iPr; L_C^R=1,3‐dialkyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐yl; pyr=3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl) with the secondary phosphanes PhP(H)C₂H₄P(H)Ph) and Ph₂PH. A stepwise double P?N/P?P bond metathesis to catena‐tetraphosphane‐2,3‐diium triflate salt [(Ph₂P)₂(L_C^MeP)₂][OTf]₂ ( 7 a [OTf]₂) is observed when reacting 3 a [OTf] with diphosphane P₂Ph₄. The coordination ability of 5 b [OTf] was probed with selected coinage metal salts [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]OTf, AgOTf and AuCl(tht) (tht=tetrahydrothiophene). For AuCl(tht), the helical complex [{(Ph₂PPL_C^iPr)Au}₄][OTf]₄ ( 9 [OTf]₄) was unexpectedly formed as a result of a chloride‐induced P?P bond cleavage. The weakly coordinating triflate anion enables the formation of the expected copper(I) and silver(I) complexes [( 5 b )M(CH₃CN)₃][OTf]₂ (M=Cu, Ag) ( 10 [OTf]₂, 11 [OTf]₂).     

Highly Substituted Spiro[4.4]nonatrienes from a β-Amino-Substituted α,β-Unsaturated Fischer Carbene Complex and Three Molecules of an Arylalkyne

A novel mode of reaction towards arylethynes is shown by the β-trimethylsilyl-substituted α,β-unsaturated Fischer carbene complexes 1 . A mixture of the isomeric, highly substituted spiro[4.4]nonatrienes 2 and 3 is formed by the formal insertion of three alkyne molecules and subsequent cyclization (see scheme). Such selective triple insertions of alkynes into ethenylcarbene complexes have not been previously observed.