Cationic η-benzyl nickel compounds with diphosphine ligands as catalyst precursors for ethylene oligomerization/polymerization: influence of the diphosphine bite angle

The oligomerization and/or polymerization of ethylene catalyzed by the cationic η³-benzylcomplexes [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₄-p-CF₃)(P-P)]⁺ BPh₄⁻ (P-P=ⁱPr₂P(CH₂)_nPⁱPr₂, n=1-3) have been studied. The activity of these single component catalysts depends on the length of the (CH₂)_n bridge of the diphosphine ligand. Thus, the dippm derivative (n=1) displays higher activity than compounds of the dippe (n=2) or dippp (n=3) ligands. The molecular weight of the products is also a function of n, and varies in the order dippm > dippe > dippp, with the former two catalysts giving rise to low molecular weight polyethylenes and the latter to oligomers.     

Ruthenium complexes bearing bidentate Schiff base ligands as efficient catalysts for organic and polymer syntheses

A concise overview is given on mononuclear and dinuclear, bidentate Schiff base ruthenium complexes with different additional ligands and on their applications in various chemical transformations such as Kharasch addition, enol-ester synthesis, alkyne dimerization, olefin metathesis and atom transfer radical polymerization. These new ruthenium complexes, conveniently prepared from commonly available ruthenium compounds, are very stable, exhibit a good tolerance towards organic functionalities, air and moisture and display high activity and chemoselectivity in chemical transformations. Relevant features of coordination chemistry connected with the reaction mechanism and chemoselectivity are also fully described. Since the nature of Schiff bases can be changed in a variety of ways, appealing routes for designing and preparing novel ruthenium complexes can be foreseen in the future.     

Studies towards the total synthesis of (−)-borrelidin: a strategy for the construction of the C11-C15 cyanodiene fragment and the utility of RCM for macrocyclization using model systems

We report here a methodology for the construction of a conjugated cyanodiene synthon and the propensity of such synthons to participate in the olefin metathesis reaction. To this end, we have developed a strategy for the construction of the C11-C15 fragment of borrelidin and demonstrated the utility of the RCM reaction in the preparation of the final macrolide. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a RCM with a nitrile functionality on a diene.     

Platinum complexes of 2-diphenylphosphinobenzaldehyde-derived P-alkene ligands and their application in the hydroformylation of styrene

Neutral complexes of the formula PtCl₂L₂ (where L = diethyl 2-diphenylphosphino-benzylidene-malonate (1), diisopropyl 2-diphenylphosphino-benzylidene-malonate (2), di-tert-butyl 2-diphenylphosphino-benzylidene-malonate (3), methyl E-2-(2′-diphenylphosphinophenyl)-acrylate (4), tert-butyl E-2-(2′-diphenylphosphinophenyl)acrylate (5)) were prepared. These complexes proved to be excellent precursors to active catalysts for the hydroformylation of styrene. The platinum-containing catalytic systems prepared from malonate-based ligands 1 and 2 provided the highest activity. Chemoselectivities of up to 87% were obtained, while the two aldehyde regioisomers were formed in almost equimolar ratio. The in situ studies by using lower ligand to Pt ratios resulted in slight decrease in both regio- and chemoselectivities.³¹P NMR studies on the PtCl₂L₂ complexes revealed that the formation of trans isomers is highly preferred in the case of benzylidene malonate-type ligands with two ester functionalities (1-3) probably due to steric hindrance. A mixture of cis/trans geometrical isomers (on the Pt) with a predominance of the trans isomer was formed when acrylate-type ligands with one ester functionality (4 and 5) were used.     

Binuclear ruthenium complexes of fluorous phosphine ligands: Synthesis, properties, and biphasic catalytic activity. Crystal structure of [Ru(μ-O2CMe)(CO)2P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3]2

The fluorocarbon soluble, binuclear ruthenium(I) complexes [Ru(μ-O₂CMe)(CO)₂L^F]₂, where L^F is the perfluoroalkyl substituted tertiary phosphine, P(C₆H₄-4-CH₂CH₂(CF₂)₇CF₃)₃, or P(CH₂CH₂(CF₂)₅CF₃)₃, were synthesized and partition coefficients for the complexes in fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon biphases were determined. Catalytic hydrogenation of acetophenone to 1-phenylethanol in benzotrifluoride at 105 °C occured in the presence of either [Ru(μ-O₂CMe)(CO)₂P(C₆H₄-4-CH₂CH₂(CF₂)₇CF₃)₃]₂ (1) or [Ru(μ-O₂CMe)(CO)₂P(CH₂CH₂(CF₂)₅CF₃)₃]₂ (2). The X-ray crystal structure of [Ru(μ-O₂CMe)(CO)₂P(CH₂CH₂(CF₂)₅CF₃)₃]₂ was determined. The compound exhibited discrete regions of fluorous and non-fluorous packing.     

Hydrogenation of heteroaromatic nitrogen compounds catalyzed by rhodium and iridium systems containing diphosphine ligands

The systems prepared in situ by addition of two equivalents of diphosphine [1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp) and 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb)] to M₂Cl₂(COE)₄ (M = Rh, Ir; COE = cyclooctene) showed to be efficient and regioselective precatalysts for the hydrogenation of quinoline, isoquinoline, 5,6- and 7,8-benzoquinoline and acridine, under mild reaction conditions (130°C and 4 atm H₂). The Rh systems showed to be more active than the corresponding Ir ones, except for the case of acridine, where an inversed tendency was observed (Ir > Rh).     

Convenient preparation of (η-alkadiene)dichloroplatinum(II) complexes from [PtCl6] anions and their reduction to platinum(0) alkene complexes under phase-transfer catalysis conditions

Convenient one-pot reduction-complexation reactions of hexachloroplatinato(IV) anions to (η⁴-alkadiene)dichloroplatinum(II) complexes (η⁴-alkadiene = COD, DAE, DCPD, NBD) under suitable phase-transfer catalysis conditions are reported. Reduction to zerovalent platinum alkene complexes has been obtained in the presence of an excess of alkene, potassium formate and 18-crown-6 as phase-transfer catalyst (alkene = COD, NB, dba). The crystal and molecular structure of [Pt_1.03(dba)₃]·CH₂Cl₂ has been studied by X-ray diffraction methods: it can be described as a solid solution of Pt(dba)₃ and Pt₂(dba)₃, the mononuclear complex being largely prevailing.     

Synthesis,structure and catalytic properties of new half-titanocene complexes bearing substituted cyclopentadienyl and aryloxide ligands

New cyclopentadienyltitanium aryloxide complexes, 1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-Me4CpTi(O-2,6-ⁱPr₂-4-ⁿBu-C₆H₂)Cl₂ (1) and [4,4′-biphenyl-(2,3,4,5-Me₄Cp)₂][Ti(O-2,6-ⁱPr₂-4-ⁿBu-C₆H₂)Cl₂]₂ (2), have been prepared by treatment of cyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride complexes [PhMe₄CpTiCl₃ and 4,4′-biphenyl-(Me₄CpTiCl₃)₂] with 1 or 2 equiv of lithium salt of 2,6-di-isopropyl-4-butylphenol. Complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of 1 has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Upon activation with ⁱBu₃Al and Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄, 1 and 2 both exhibit good catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization, producing polyethylene with moderate molecular weight and melting point.     

Synthesis and structure of lanthanide complexes with large-bite diphosphine dioxide ligands

Three large-bite diphosphine dioxide ligands were reacted with lanthanide salts to yield either molecular or polymeric complexes. The two flexible ligands gave bischelate complexes of general formulae [Ln(dppfO₂)₂Cl_x(NO₃)_2−x][FeCl₄] and [Ln(dppdO₂)₂(NO₃)₂]NO₃, where dppfO₂ and dppdO₂ are bis(diphenylphosphoryl)ferrocene and bis(diphenylphosphoryl)diphenyl ether, respectively. Reactions of the rigid bis(diphenylphosphoryl)benzene (dppbO₂) with lanthanide salts yielded linear coordination polymers of a 1:1.5 metal-to-ligand stoichiometry. The compounds were studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and TG/DSC techniques.     

Platinum complexes of malonate-derived monodentate phosphines and their application in the highly chemo- and regioselective hydroformylation of styrene

Neutral complexes of the formula PtCl₂L₂ (where L = diethyl 2-diphenylphosphino-malonate (1), diethyl 2-methyl-2-diphenylphosphinomalonate (2), dibenzyl 2-diphenylphosphinomalonate (3), 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methyl-2-diphenylphosphinopropane (4)) were prepared. These proved to be precursors to active catalysts for the hydroformylation of styrene. The platinum-containing catalytic systems prepared from ligand 4 provided the highest activity, while the platinum compounds prepared from other ligands all showed similar levels of reactivity to each other. The matching of high chemo- and regioselectivities were observed in most cases. Surprisingly, the complexes were practically inactive in imidazolium-type ionic liquids. ³¹P NMR studies on the PtCl₂L₂ complexes revealed that the stereoselectivity of the cis/trans geometrical isomers is strongly dependent on the structure of the ligand.     

A new class of versatile chiral-bridged atropisomeric diphosphine ligands: remarkably efficient ligand syntheses and their applications in highly enantioselective hydrogenation reactions

A series of chiral diphosphine ligands denoted as PQ-Phos was prepared by atropdiastereoselective Ullmann coupling and ring-closure reactions. The Ullmann coupling reaction of the biaryl diphosphine dioxides is featured by highly efficient central-to-axial chirality transfer with diastereomeric excess >99%. This substrate-directed diastereomeric biaryl coupling reaction is unprecedented for the preparation of chiral diphosphine dioxides, and our method precludes the tedious resolution procedures usually required for preparing enantiomerically pure diphosphine ligands. The effect of chiral recognition was also revealed in a relevant asymmetric ring-closure reaction. The chiral tether bridging the two aryl units creates a conformationally rigid scaffold essential for enantiofacial differentiation; fine-tuning of the ligand scaffold (e.g., dihedral angles) can be achieved by varying the chain length of the chiral tether. The enantiomerically pure Ru- and Ir-PQ-Phos complexes have been prepared and applied to the catalytic enantioselective hydrogenations of alpha- and beta-ketoesters (C=O bond reduction), 2-(6'-methoxy-2'-naphthyl)propenoic acid, alkyl-substituted beta-dehydroamino acids (C=C bond reduction), and N-heteroaromatic compounds (C=N bond reduction). An excellent level of enantioselection (up to 99.9% ee) has been attained for the catalytic reactions. In addition, the significant ligand dihedral angle effects on the Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of N-heteroaromatic compounds were also revealed.     

Some ruthenium complexes containing cyanocarbon ligands: syntheses, structures and extent of electronic communication in binuclear systems

The preparation of several ruthenium complexes containing cyanocarbon anions is reported. Deprotonation (KOBu^t) of [Ru(NCCH₂CN)(PPh₃)₂Cp]PF₆ (1) gives Ru{NCCH(CN)}(PPh₃)₂Cp (2), which adds a second [Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp]⁺ unit to give [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂(μ-NCCHCN)]⁺ (3). Attempted deprotonation of the latter to give the μ-NCCCN complex was unsuccessful. Similar chemistry with tricyanomethanide anion gives Ru{NCC(CN)₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp (4) and [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂{μ-NCC(CN)CN}]PF₆ (5), and with pentacyanopropenide, Ru{NCC(CN)C(CN)C(CN)₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp (6) and [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂{μ-NCC(CN)C(CN)C(CN)CN}]PF₆ (7). The Ru(dppe)Cp* analogues of 6 and 7 (8 and 9) were also prepared. Thermolysis of 6 (refluxing toluene, 12 h) results in loss of PPh₃ and formation of the binuclear cyclic complex {Ru(PPh₃)Cp[μ-NC{C(CN)C(CN)₂}CN]}₂ (10). The solid-state structures of 2-4 and 8-10 have been determined and the nature of the isomers shown to be present in solutions of the binuclear cations 7 and 9 by NMR studies has been probed using Hartree-Fock and density functional theory.     

Monophosphine‐substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes: New syntheses,characterization and electrochemical properties

Investigating the synthesis and properties of diiron azadithiolate complexes is one of the key topics for mimicking the active site of [FeFe]‐hydrogenases, which might be very useful for the design of new efficient catalysts for hydrogen production and the development of a future hydrogen economy. A series of new phosphine‐substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes as models for the active site of [FeFe]‐hydrogenases are described. A novel and efficient way was firstly established for the preparation of phosphine‐substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes. The reaction of Fe₂(μ‐SH)₂(CO)₆ and phosphine ligands L affords the intermediate Fe₂(μ‐SH)₂(CO)₅L ( A ). The intermediate reacts in situ with a premixed solution of paraformaldehyde and ammonium carbonate to produce the target phosphine‐substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes Fe₂[(μ‐SCH₂)₂NH](CO)₅L ( 1a – 1f ) (L = P(C₆H₄–4‐CH₃)₃, P(C₆H₄–3‐CH₃)₃, P(C₆H₄–4‐F)₃, P(C₆H₄–3‐F)₃, P(2‐C₄H₃O)₃, PPh₂(OCH₂CH₃)). Furthermore, reactions of the intermediate A with I‐4‐C₆H₄N(CH₂Cl)₂ in the presence of Et₃N give the phosphine‐substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes Fe₂[(μ‐SCH₂)₂NC₆H₄–4‐I](CO)₅L ( 2a – 2e ) (L = P(C₆H₄–4‐CH₃)₃, P(C₆H₄–3‐CH₃)₃, P(C₆H₄–4‐F)₃, P(C₆H₄–3‐F)₃, P(2‐C₄H₃O)₃). All the complexes were fully characterized using elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopies and, particularly for 1a , 1c – 1e , 2a and 2c , single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. In addition, complexes 1a – 1f and 2a – 2e were found to be catalysts for H₂ production under electrochemical conditions. Density functional theory calculations were performed for the reactions of Fe₂(μ‐SH)₂(CO)₆ + P(C₆H₄–4‐CH₃)₃.     

Phosphines with 2-imidazolium ligands enhance the catalytic activity and selectivity of rhodium complexes for hydrosilylation reactions

Phosphines with 2-imidazolium ligands can specifically vary their physical and chemical properties by altering the attached substituents. Rhodium complexes (1b-7b) exhibited excellent catalytic activity and selectivity for hydrosilylation of olefins. The selectivity of the β-adduct clearly increased when the length of the alkyl chain bound to the imidazolium cation increased. Rhodium complex 1b in BMimPF₆ can be reused without noticeable loss of catalytic activity and selectivity.     

Platinum—alkynyl and —alkyne complexes: old systems with new chemical and physical perspectives

The chemistry of alkynyl and alkyne ligands in platinum complexes of different oxidation states is described. The review focuses on the synthetic aspects of mono- and polynuclear compounds and on the reactivity of σ-alkynyl and π-alkyne species in different stoichiometric reactions such as insertion, addition of nucleophiles and electrophiles, rearrangements and isomerization processes and also some catalytic additions of heteroatoms (B, Si, S) across the CC triple bond. The relevant features of polynuclear complexes bearing the CC group in dendrimers and organometallic polymers are briefly reported.     

The first ‘alkane-like’ functionalization of n-alkyl acetates: a new method for one-pot selective syntheses of bifunctional aliphatic compounds with an acetate group

Selective one-pot functionalization of linear alkyl acetates C_nH_2n + 1OCOMe (n = 6, 8), with CO and various nucleophilic substrates (iso-propanol, morpholine, piperidine, and anisole) in the presence of the superelectrophilic system CBr₄·2AlBr₃ is performed for the first time.     

Elevated-temperature metathesis syntheses of structurally novel alkali-metal tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)lanthanoidate(III) complexes: toluene-coordinated discrete bimetallic complexes and supramolecular chains

Sodium and potassium tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)lanthanoidate(III) complexes [M[Ln(tBu(2)pz)(4)]] have been prepared by reaction of anhydrous lanthanoid trihalides with alkali metal 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolates at 200-300 degrees C, and a 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene flux for M=K. On extraction with toluene (or occasionally directly from the reaction tube) the following complexes were isolated: [Na(PhMe)[Ln(tBu(2)pz)(4)]] (1 Ln; 1 Ln=1 Tb, 1 Ho, 1 Er, 1 Yb), [K(PhMe)[Ln(tBu(2)pz)(4)]].2 PhMe (2 Ln; 2 Ln=2 La, 2 Sm, 2 Tb, 2 Ho, 2 Yb, 2 Lu), [Na[Ln(tBu(2)pz)(4)]](n) (3 Ln; 3 Ln=3 La, 3 Tb, 3 Ho, 3 Er, 3 Yb), [K[Ln(tBu(2)pz)(4)]](n) (4 Ln; 4 Ln=4 La, 4 Nd, 4 Sm, 4 Tb, 4 Ho, 4 Er, 4 Yb, 4 Lu), with the last two classes generally being obtained by loss of toluene from 1 Ln or 2 Ln, and [Na(tBu(2)pzH)[Ln(tBu(2)pz)(4)]].PhMe (5 Ln; 5 Ln=5 Nd, 5 Er, 5 Yb). Extraction with 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) after isolation of 2 Ho yielded [K(dme)[Ho(tBu(2)pz)(4)]] (6 Ho). X-ray crystal structures of 1 Ln (=1 Tb, 1 Ho; P2(1)/c), 2 Ln (=2 La, 2 Sm, 2 Tb, 2 Yb, 2 Lu; Pnma), 3,4 Ln (=3 La, 3 Er, 4 Sm; P2(1)/m), and 5 Ln (=5 Nd, 5 Er, and 5 Yb; P1) show each group to be isomorphous regardless of the size of the Ln(3+) ion. All complexes contain eight-coordinate [Ln(eta(2)-tBu(2)pz)(4)] units. These are further linked to the alkali metal by bridging through two (1,2,5 Ln) or three (3,4 Ln) tBu(2)pz groups which show striking coordination versatility. Sodium is coordinated by an eta(4)-PhMe, a micro-eta(2):eta(2)-tBu(2)pz, and a micro-eta(4)(Na):eta(2)(Ln)-tBu(2)pz ligand in 1 Ln, and by one eta(1)-tBu(2)pzH and two micro-eta(3)(Na):eta(2)(Ln) ligands in 5 Ln. By contrast, potassium has one eta(6)-PhMe and two micro-eta(5)(K):eta(2)(Ln) ligands in 2 Ln. Classes 3,4 Ln form polymeric chains with the alkali metal bonded by two micro-eta(3)(NNC-M):eta(2)(Ln)-tBu(2)pz ligands within [MLn(tBu(2)pz)(4)] units which are joined together by eta(1)(C)-tBu(2)pz-Na, K linkages.     

Synthesis of novel platinum-silver and platinum-copper complexes with bridging alkynyl ligands

The study of the reactivity of [Pt₂M₄(CCR)₈] (M=Ag or cu; R=Ph or ^tBu) towards different neutral and anionic ligands is reported. This study reveals that reactions of the phenylacetylide derivatives [Pt₂M₄(CCPh)₈] with anionic, X⁻ (X=Cl or Br) or neutral donors (CN^tBu or py) in a molar ratio 1:4 (m/donor ratio 1:1) yield the trinuclear anionic (NBu₄)₂[{Pt(CCPh)₄ (MX)₂] (M=Ag or Cu, X =Cl or Br) or neutral [{Pt(CCPh0₄=sAGL)₂] (L=CN^tBu or py) complexes, respectively. The crystal structure of (NBu₄)₂[{Pt(CCPh)₄}(CuBr)₂](4) shows that the anion is formed by a dianionic Pt(CCPh)₄ fragment and two neutral CuBr units joined through bridging alkynyl ligands. All the alkynyl groups are σ bonded to Pt and η²-coordinated to a Cu atom which have an approximately trigonal-planar geometry. By contrast, similar reactions with [Pt₂M₄(CC^tBu)₈] (molar ratio M/donor 1:1) afford hexanuclear dianionic (NBu₄)₂[Pt₂M₄(CC^tBu)₈X₂] or neutral [Pt₂Ag₄(CC^tBu0₈Py₂]. Only by treatment with a large exces of Br ⁻ (molar ratio M/Br⁻ 1:2) are the trinuclear complexes (NBu₄)₂[{Pt(CC^tBu₄ (MBr)₂] (M=Ag, Cu) obtained. Attempted preparations of analogous complexes with phosphines (L′=PPh₃ or PEt₃) by reactions of [Pt₂M₄(CCR₈] with L′ leads to displacement of alkynyl ligands from platinum and formation of neutral mononuclear complexes [trans-Pt(CCR)₂L′₂].