Asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-indicol by a carbene cyclization-cycloaddition cascade strategy

The first total synthesis of a secodolastane, (-)-indicol, has been accomplished. The key reaction is a rhodium(II)-mediated carbene cyclization-cycloaddition cascade, by which the core bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane skeleton was assembled. In this one-pot reaction, a domino series of transformations resulting in the construction of three sigma bonds and three stereocenters was realized in good yield.     

A rhodium carbene cyclization-cycloaddition cascade strategy toward the pseudolaric acids

A rhodium carbene intramolecular cyclization-cycloaddition cascade was employed as the key reaction in the synthesis of the nucleus of the cytotoxic diterpenoids pseudolaric acids A and B.     

C-H activation reactions of ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: application in a catalytic tandem reaction involving C-C bond formation from alcohols

A series of ruthenium hydride N-alkyl heterocyclic carbene complexes has been investigated as catalysts for a tandem oxidation/Wittig/reduction reaction to give C-C bonds from alcohols. The C-H-activated carbene complex Ru(IiPr(2)Me(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H (9) proves to be the most active precursor catalyzing the reaction of PhCH(2)OH and Ph(3)P=CHCN in 3 h at 70 degrees C. These results provide (a) a rare case in which N-alkyl carbenes afford higher catalytic activity than their N-aryl counterparts and (b) a novel example of the importance of NHC C-H activation in a catalytic cycle.     

Efficient route to 1,3-Di-N-imidazolylbenzene. A comparison of monodentate vs bidentate carbenes in Pd-catalyzed cross coupling

A new bis(carbene) ligand architecture has been developed and was evaluated in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of various aryl halides with phenylboronic acid. Several new bis(carbene) ligands were tested in different carbene:Pd ratios. Pd(OAc)(2) and Pd(2)(dba)(3) were compared for efficiency as a Pd source. It was found that the Pd(OAc)(2)/bis(carbene) system formed a catalyst for the activation of chlorobenzene. [reaction: see text]     

Skeletal diversity via a folding pathway: synthesis of indole alkaloid-like skeletons

Inspired by the skeletal diversity of naturally occurring indole alkaloids and the rich potential of chemistry developed by Padwa and co-workers, we conceived a pathway entailing six modes of intramolecular reactions leading to indole alkaloid-like skeletons. In this context, an efficient folding pathway via a rhodium-catalyzed tandem cyclization-cycloaddition involving three of the modes has been developed (two of which are shown above) that affords densely functionalized compounds with three distinct skeletons in a stereocontrolled manner.     

Direct reaction of photogenerated diarylcarbenes at square-planar rhodium(I)

A series of carbene complexes RhCl(CR'2)(PR3)2(R=Ph, Tol, Me, R'= Ph and Tol) have been synthesised through direct reaction of photochemically generated free diarylcarbene with RhCl(CO)(PR3)2. This route to carbene complexes demonstrates the reactivity of simple diarylcarbenes towards transition metal complexes. The reactivity of some of these complexes towards H2, C2H4 and Et3SiH has been investigated.     

Abnormal coordination of Arduengo's carbene upon reaction with M(3)(CO)(12) (M = Ru, Os)

The first examples of abnormal coordination of Ardeungo's carbene, 1,3-bis-adamantylimidazol-2-ylidene, have been isolated and structurally characterised following reaction of the free carbene with the trinuclear clusters M(3)(CO)(12) (M = Ru, Os).     

α,β-(Phosphino)(aminocarbene) and α,ω-(phosphino)(oxyaminocarbene): new bidentate ligands for transition metal complexes

Direct complexation of (amino)(phosphino)carbene 1a and (amino)(oxy)carbene 1b featuring a phosphino group in position-6 to the carbene with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ has been studied. With the 1,2-bidentate ligand 1a, an original cationic complex 2 featuring two (amino)(phosphino)carbenes η²-bonded to the metal has been isolated in 79% yield. In the case of the 1,6-bidentate ligand 1b, a rhodium(I) complex 3 in which the carbene is in trans position relative to the CO ligand was obtained in 85% yield. Both compounds were fully characterized including X-ray diffraction studies.     

Intramolecular C-H insertion reactions of (eta(5)-cyclopentadienyl)dicarbonyliron carbene complexes: scope of the reactions and application to the synthesis of (+/-)-sterpurene and (+/-)-pentalenene

(eta(5)-Cyclopentadienyl)dicarbonyliron carbene complexes, [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(CO)(2)Fe=CHR](+)BF(4)(-), are generated as reactive intermediates from thioether derivatives, (eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(CO)(2)FeCH(R)SPh, by S-alkylation with trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate and loss of thioanisole. The carbene complexes undergo intramolecular C-H insertion into appropriately situated side chains to form cyclopentane derivatives. The reaction has been developed into a general procedure employing cycloalkanones as scaffolds bearing the iron carbene moieties and the side chains at C(2) and C(3), respectively. The products of the intramolecular insertion reactions are substituted bicyclo[n.3.0]alkanones. The scope and limitations of the reaction are described. The reaction is applied to a total synthesis of sterpurene and to a formal synthesis of pentalenene. Overall, this approach to cyclopentane annulation complements the related metal-catalyzed insertion reactions of diazocarbonyl compounds, which are also believed to occur via metal carbene complexes.     

Cycloadditions and annulations of transition metal carbene complexes

The synthetic aspects of several reactions from the multifaceted chemistry of Fischer carbene complexes are examined. Their benzannulation reactions with acetylenes are utilized in the synthesis of anthracyclinones via two approaches which differ by beginning at opposite ends of the molecule with either an aryl or an alkenyl substituted chromium carbene complex. The latter has been employed in a formal synthesis of daunomycinone. The Diels-Alder reactions of ,β-acetylenic chromium carbene complexes provide for a facile entry into substituted cyclohexenyl chromium carbene complexes that are subsequently employed in benzannulation reactions. These tandem cycloaddition/annulation reactions are incorporated into model studies for the synthesis of anthracyclinones and wentilactone A. Their potential is also demonstrated for coupling to yet a third reaction of organochromium compounds ; aromatic nucleophilic substitutions on arene chromium tricarbonyl complexes. The annulations of β,β-disubstituted alkenyl complexes provides for a regio- and stereoselective synthesis of 2,4-cyclohexadienones under neutral conditions at near ambient temperatures.     

Pd(II) complexes of N,S-heterocyclic carbenes with pendant and coordinated allyl function and their Suzuki coupling activities

3-(2-Propenyl)benzothiazolium bromide () provides a direct and simple entry to Pd(ii) complexes with N,S-heterocyclic carbene (NSHC) ligands functionalized with an allyl pendant with hemilabile potential. Addition of salt to Pd(OAc)(2) eliminates HOAc and affords the bis(carbene) complexes cis-[PdBr(2)(NHSC)(2)] (cis-, NSHC = 3-(2-propenyl)benzothiazolin-2-ylidene) and trans-[PdBr(2)(NHSC)(2)] (trans-) along with the monocarbene complexes [PdBr(2)(NSHC)] () and trans-[PdBr(2)(benzothiazole-kappaN)(NSHC)] () as minor side products. Salt-metathesis of cis- with AgO(2)CCF(3) yields the mixed dicarboxylato-bis(carbene) complex cis-[Pd(O(2)CCF(3))(2)(NSHC)(2)] (). Complexes cis-, trans- and were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of complexes cis-, and have been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Complexes cis- and as well as an in situ mixture of Pd(OAc)(2) and salt are active toward Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides giving good conversions.     

Lewis base mediated dismutation of trichlorosilane

An abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) has been used as a Lewis base to initiate dismutation of trichlorosilane. This report presents the reactivity differences of a normal N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) versus aNHC with heavier group 14 elements. Three novel compounds (NHC)(2)·SiCl(2)H(2) (2), aNHC·SiCl(2)H(2) (3), and aNHC·GeCl(2) (4) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis, solid-state NMR and DFT calculations.     

Heterobimetallic dibenzoindenyl (Cr(CO)3-Re(CO)3) complexes via chromium-templated [3 + 2 + 1]benzannulation: synthesis and molecular structures

Heterobimetallic (di)benzoindenyl Re-Cr complexes have been prepared by a sequence starting from (8-bromobenzo[e]-indenyl)potassium. Reaction with pentacarbonylrhenium bromide affords tricarbonylrhenium complex 2, which has been modified to rhenium-chromium carbene complex 3. Its chromium-templated [3 + 2 + 1]benzannulation afforded the anti(Cr(CO)(3)-Re(CO)(3)) dibenzoindenyl complex 4 as the major product along with the syn diastereoisomer 5. The molecular structures of all heterobimetallic complexes were established by X-ray analyses.     

Calix[4]arenes with one and two N-linked imidazolium units as precursors of N-heterocyclic carbene complexes. Coordination chemistry and use in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling

The calix[4]arene-imidazolium salts 5-(3-butyl-1-imidazolylium)-25,26,27,28-tetrabenzyloxy-calix[4]arene bromide (cone) (2), and 5,11-bis(3-alkyl-1-imidazolylium)-25,26,27,28-tetrabenzyloxycalix[4]arene diiodide (cone) (R = methyl, 3a; R = n-butyl, 3b) have been synthesised. Reaction of 2 in dioxane with PdCl(2) in the presence of CsCO(3) and KBr (80 °C, 24 h) gives the carbene complex trans-[PdBr(2)(calix-monocarbene)(2)] (14), containing two N-heterocyclic carbene ligands derived from 2 (yield: 63%). Repeating the reaction in pyridine instead of dioxane gives the mixed pyridine-carbene complex trans-[PdBr(2)(calix-carbene)(pyridine)] (15) in 75% yield. Treatment of the bis-imidazolium salt 3a with [Pd(OAc)(2)] affords a chelate complex, trans-[PdI(2){calix-bis(carbene)}] (16), in which a metallo-(bis-carbene) fragment caps the upper rim of the calixarene basket. Complex 16, as well as its analogue 17, obtained from 3b, display apparent C(s)-symmetry in solution. This is not the case in the solid state, a single X-ray diffraction study carried out for 16 revealing a pinced cone structure for the calixarene skeleton, which reduces the symmetry to C(1). The chelate complex 17 shows poor activity in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of phenyl boronic acid and p-tolyl halides, an observation that suggests the presence of a strained metallocyclic unit preventing easy stereochemical rearrangement to an active species. Unlike 17, complexes 14 and 15 show good activities in cross-coupling. A comparative study using the carbene precursor 1-butyl-3-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolium bromide (18), which is devoid of the receptor fragment, strongly suggests that the carbene ligands of 14 and 15 operate typically as bulky NHC-ligands.     

Primary amino-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligands as support for Au(I)···Au(I) interactions: structural, electrochemical, spectroscopic and computational studies of the dinuclear [Au2(NH2(CH2)2imMe)2][NO3]2

The N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursor, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-methylimidazolium nitrate, [NH(2)(CH(2))(2)imMe)]NO(3) ([3][NO(3)]) reacted with Ag(2)CO(3) in dimethyl sulfoxide readily yielding a Ag(I)-(NHC-NH(2)) complex presenting limited stability in solution. The in situ carbene transfer reaction of the latter with [Au(tht)Cl] afforded the first example of a dinuclear gold(I) complex [Au(2)(NH(2)(CH(2))(2)imMe)(2)][NO(3)](2) ([5][NO(3)](2)) bearing a primary amino-functionalized NHC ligand. The complex has been characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography and cyclic voltammetry; the electrochemical behaviour and photophysical properties of [5][NO(3)](2) have been also investigated and the experimental data have been compared with density functional theory (DFT) and Time Dependent (TDDFT) calculations. Single-crystal structural studies showed that the Au(I)-carbene compound contains dinuclear (AuL)(2) cations in which pairs of gold(I) centres are linked by a pair of bridging ligands, with a Au···Au aurophilic contact of 3.2332(17) ? that is maintained in solution as documented by the DFT calculations. Complex [5][NO(3)](2) is photoluminescent in solution at room temperature and the high energy emission peak at 410 nm is remarkably shifted with respect to the absorption band centered at 260 nm.     

A general method for preparation of metal carbenes via solution- and polymer-based approaches

A new general, synthetically simple, and safe method for the preparation of metal carbene complexes, which is based on diphenyl sulfonium salts as carbenoid precursors, has been developed, and its scope and applications were studied. In general, deprotonation of a sulfonium salt with a base results in a sulfur ylide, which, in turn, reacts with an appropriate metal precursor to give the corresponding metal carbene complex. Thus, starting from benzyldiphenylsulfonium salt, the complexes (PCX)Rh=CHPh (X = P, N) were prepared in quantitative yield. Syntheses of Grubbs' catalyst, (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CHPh, and of Werner's carbene, [Os(=CHPh)HCl(CO)(P(i)Pr(3))(2)], were achieved by this method. Novel trans-bisphosphine Rh and Ir carbenes, ((i)Pr(3)P)(2)(Cl)M=CHPh, which could not be prepared by other known methods, were synthesized by the sulfur ylide approach. The method is not limited to metal benzylidenes, as demonstrated by the preparation of the Ru vinyl-alkylidene, (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CH-CH=CH(2), methoxycarbonyl-alkylidene, (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CH(CO(2)Me), and alkylidene (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CH(CH(3)), (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CH(2) compounds. The problem of recycling of starting materials as well as the issue of facile purification of the product metal carbene complex were addressed by the synthesis of a polymer-supported diarylsulfide, the carrier of the carbenoid unit in the process. Based on the sulfur ylide route, a methodology for the synthesis of metallocarbenes anchored to a polymer via the carbene ligand, using a commercial Merrifield resin, was developed.     

An N-heterocyclic carbene containing a bithiophene backbone: synthesis and coordination chemistry

A new N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) containing a fused bithiophene backbone has been synthesized along with its silver(I) and BPh(3) complexes. The donor strength of this unique NHC has been determined from the IR stretching frequencies of the isolated NHC-Rh(CO)(2)Cl complex. The photophysical properties of all of the novel compounds have been investigated and are presented.     

Molecular N2 complexes of iron stabilised by N-heterocyclic 'pincer' dicarbene ligands

The first N2 complex stabilised by N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, Fe(C-N-C)(N2)2, has been obtained by the reduction of Fe(C-N-C)Br2 where C-N-C = 2,6-bis(aryl-imidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine, aryl = 2,6-Pr(i)2C6H3, with Na(Hg); it serves as a convenient precursor for other iron NHC 'pincer' complexes of the type Fe(C-N-C)(N2)L where L = C2H4, PMe3 and Fe(C-N-C)(CO)2.     

Copper–Carbene Intermediates in the Copper‐Catalyzed Functionalization of OH Bonds

Copper–carbene [Tp^xCu?C(Ph)(CO₂Et)] and copper–diazo adducts [Tp^xCu{η¹‐N₂C(Ph)(CO₂Et)}] have been detected and characterized in the context of the catalytic functionalization of O?H bonds through carbene insertion by using N₂?C(Ph)(CO₂Et) as the carbene source. These are the first examples of these type of complexes in which the copper center bears a tridentate ligand and displays a tetrahedral geometry. The relevance of these complexes in the catalytic cycle has been assessed by NMR spectroscopy, and kinetic studies have demonstrated that the N‐bound diazo adduct is a dormant species and is not en route to the formation of the copper–carbene intermediate.     

Oxygen binding to [Pd(L)(L')] (L= NHC, L' = NHC or PR3, NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene). synthesis and structure of a paramagnetic trans-[Pd(NHC)2(η(1)-O2)2] complex

The reactivity of a number of two-coordinate [Pd(L)(L')] (L = N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and L' = NHC or PR(3)) complexes with O(2) has been examined. Stopped-flow kinetic studies show that O(2) binding to [Pd(IPr)(P(p-tolyl)(3))] to form cis-[Pd(IPr)(P(p-tolyl)(3))(η(2)-O(2))] occurs in a rapid, second-order process. The enthalpy of O(2) binding to the Pd(0) center has been determined by solution calorimetry to be -26.2(1.9) kcal/mol. Extension of this work to the bis-NHC complex [Pd(IPr)(2)], however, did not lead to the formation of the expected diamagnetic complex cis-[Pd(IPr)(2)(η(2)-O(2))] but to paramagnetic trans-[(Pd(IPr)(2)(η(1)-O(2))(2)], which has been fully characterized. Computational studies addressing the energetics of O(2) binding have been performed and provide insight into reactivity changes as steric pressure is increased.