Computational study of the transmetalation process in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of aryls

The transmetalation step of the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling between aryl groups is analyzed by means of DFT calculations with the Becke3LYP functional. The halide considered is Ph-Br, and the organoboronic acid is Ph-B(OH)₂. The model catalyst is Pd(PH₃)₂, and the base, OH⁻. The transmetalation is considered to start from the Pd(Ph)(PH₃)₂Br complex, the product of the oxidative addition. The results are compared with those of a previous study on the analogous reaction with vinyl groups, and it is shown that the reaction mechanism is very similar.     

Electronic control of the regiochemistry in palladium-phosphine catalyzed intermolecular Heck reactions

Density functional theory calculations of the transition-state structures and reaction barriers for the C-C coupling between monosubstituted eta(2)-olefins and eta(1)-vinyl for neutral [PdI(PH(3))(vinyl)(RCHCH(2))] and cationic [Pd(H(2)PCH(2)PH(2))(vinyl)(RCHCH(2))](+) (R = OMe, Me, and CN) depend mostly on the regiochemistry and not on the starting position of the olefin substituent. The regiochemistry is thus implicit in the electronic structure of the precursor complex. A selectivity index, Omega, based on electrostatic and frontier orbital interactions gives a good correlation with experiment for vinylations or arylations. The model correctly predicts that the regiochemistry for R = OMe, Me, and CN is the same for both neutral and cationic Pd complexes while for R = CH(2)OH the regiochemistry reverses. The latter is confirmed by explicit calculations of the transition-state energies. Selectivity indices are computed for 13 substituents: CO(2)Me, CN, CF(3), Ph, H, Me, CH(2)OH, CH(2)NMe(2), 2-pyrolidone, CH(2)SiMe(3), OAc, OMe, and F. Cationic conditions systematically give larger Omega values and thus tend to favor coupling at the alpha carbon on the olefin. The Omega values are approximately additive and can be used to predict the regiochemistry for disubstituted olefins.     

Kinetic data for the transmetalation/reductive elimination in palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura reactions: unexpected triple role of hydroxide ions used as base

The mechanism of the reaction of trans-[ArPdX(PPh(3))(2)] (Ar=p-Z-C(6)H(4); Z=CN, F, H; X=I, Br, Cl) with Ar'B(OH)(2) (Ar'=p-Z'-C(6)H(4); Z'=CN, H, OMe) has been established in DMF in the presence of the base OH(-) in the context of real palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura reactions. The formation of the cross-coupling product ArAr' and [Pd(0)(PPh(3))(3)] has been followed through the application of electrochemical techniques. Kinetic data have been obtained for the first time, with determination of the observed rate constant, k(obs), of the overall reaction. trans-[ArPdX(PPh(3))(2)] is not reactive in the absence of the base. The base OH(-) plays three roles. It favors the reaction: 1) by formation of trans-[ArPd(OH)(PPh(3))(2)], a key complex which, in contrast to trans-[ArPdX(PPh(3))(2)], reacts with Ar'B(OH)(2) (rate-determining transmetalation), and 2) by unexpected promotion of the reductive elimination from the intermediate trans-[ArPdAr'(PPh(3))(2)], which generates ArAr' and a Pd(0) species. Conversely, the base OH(-) disfavors the reaction by formation of the unreactive anionic Ar'B(OH)(3)(-). As a consequence of these antagonistic effects of OH(-), the overall reactivity is controlled by the concentration of OH(-) and passes through a maximum as the concentration of OH(-) is increased. Therefore, the base favors the rate-determining transmetalation and unexpectedly also the reductive elimination.     

Mechanism of the palladium-catalyzed homocoupling of arylboronic acids: key involvement of a palladium peroxo complex

The mechanism of the palladium-catalyzed homocoupling of arylboronic acids ArB(OH)(2) (Ar = 4-Z-C(6)H(4) with Z = MeO, H, CN) in the presence of dioxygen, leading to symmetrical biaryls, has been fully elucidated. The peroxo complex (eta(2)-O(2))PdL(2) (L = PPh(3)), generated in the reaction of dioxygen with the Pd(0) catalyst, was found to play a crucial role. Indeed, it reacts with the arylboronic acid to generate an adduct (coordination of one oxygen atom of the peroxo complex to the oxophilic boron atom of the arylboronic acid) characterized by (31)P NMR spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. This adduct reacts with a second molecule of arylboronic acid to generate trans-ArPd(OH)L(2) complexes. A transmetalation by the arylboronic acid gives trans-ArPdArL(2) complexes. The biaryl is then released in a reductive elimination. This reaction is at the origin of the formation of biaryls as byproducts in palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura reactions when they are not conducted under oxygen-free atmosphere.     

Theoretical study of trans-metalation process in palladium-catalyzed borylation of iodobenzene with diboron

Trans-metalation process in the palladium-catalyzed borylation of iodobenzene with diboron was theoretically investigated with the DFT method. Palladium(II) hydroxo phenyl complex, Pd(OH)(Ph)(PH(3))(2), and the fluoro analogue easily undergo the trans-metalation with diboron, B(2)(eg)(2) (eg = -OCH(2)CH(2)O-), to afford Pd(Ph)(Beg)(PH(3))(HO-Beg) and Pd(Ph)(Beg)(PH(3))(F-Beg), respectively, where B(2)(eg)(2) is adopted as a model of bis(pinacolato)diboron used experimentally. The electron re-distribution in the trans-metalation clearly indicates that the B-B bond scission occurs in a heterolytic manner. In the chloro analogue, PdCl(Ph)(PH(3))(2), however, the trans-metalation occurs in a homolytic manner with much difficulty, which is consistent with the experimental result. The significant differences between the chloro complex and the other hydroxo and fluoro complexes are easily interpreted in terms that hydroxo and fluoro ligands can form strongly bonding interaction with B(2)(eg)(2) but the chloro ligand cannot.     

Condensation reactions of monomeric hydroxo palladium complexes with active methyl and methylene compounds

Heating a suspension of the monomeric hydroxo palladium complex of the type [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(OH)](N-N = bipy, Me(2)bipy, phen or tmeda) in methylketone (acetone or methylisobutylketone) under reflux affords the corresponding ketonyl palladium complex [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(CH(2)COR)]. On the other hand, the reaction of the hydroxo palladium complexes [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(OH)](N-N = bipy, phen or tmeda) with diethylmalonate or malononitrile yields the C-bound enolate palladium complexes [Pd(N-N)(CHX(2))(C(6)F(5))](X = CO(2)Et or CN), and the reaction of [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(OH)](N-N = bipy or phen) with nitromethane gives the nitromethyl palladium complexes [Pd(N-N)(CH(2)NO(2))(C(6)F(5))]. [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))(OH)] catalyses the cyclotrimerization of malononitrile. The crystal structures of [Pd(bipy)(C(6)F(5))(CH(2)COMe)].1/2Me(2)CO, [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))[CH(CO(2)Et)(2)]], [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))[CH(CN)(2)]] and [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))(CH(2)NO(2))].1/2CH(2)Cl(2) have been established by X-ray diffraction.     

Mechanism of the Stille reaction catalyzed by palladium ligated to arsine ligand: PhPdI(AsPh3)(DMF) is the species reacting with vinylstannane in DMF

The kinetics of the reaction of PhPdI(AsPh(3))(2) (formed via the fast oxidative addition of PhI with Pd(0)(AsPh(3))(2)) with a vinyl stannane CH(2)[double bond]CH[bond]Sn(n-Bu)(3) has been investigated in DMF. This reaction (usually called transmetalation step) is the prototype of the rate determining second step of the catalytic cycle of Stille reactions. It is established here that the transmetalation proceeds through PhPdI(AsPh(3))(DMF), generated by the dissociation of one ligand AsPh(3) from PhPdI(AsPh(3))(2). PhPdI(AsPh(3))(DMF) is the reactive species, which leads to styrene through its reaction with CH(2)[double bond]CH[bond]SnBu(3). Consequently, in DMF, the overall nucleophilic attack mainly proceeds via a mechanism involving PhPdI(AsPh(3))(DMF) as the central reactive complex and not PhPdI(AsPh(3))(2). The dimer [Ph(2)Pd(2)(mu(2)-I)(2)(AsPh(3))(2)] has been independently synthesized and characterized by its X-ray structure. In DMF, this dimer dissociates quantitatively into PhPdI(AsPh(3))(DMF), which reacts with CH(2)[double bond]CH[bond]SnBu(3). The rate constant for the reaction of PhPdI(AsPh(3))(DMF) with CH(2)[double bond]CH[bond]SnBu(3) has been determined in DMF for each situation and was found to be comparable.     

Electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of mono- and binuclear d(8) complexes: a theoretical exploration on promising phosphorescent materials

The structures of trans-[M(2)(CN)(4)(PH(2)CH(2)PH(2))(2)] (M = Pt (1), Pd (2), and Ni (3)), trans-[Pt(2)X(4)(PH(2)CH(2)PH(2))(2)] (X = Cl (4) and Br (5)), and trans-[M(CN)(2)(PH(3))(2)] (M = Pt (6), Pd (7), and Ni (8)) in the ground state were optimized using the MP2 method. Frequency calculations reveal that the weak metal-metal interaction is essentially attractive for 1, 2, 4, and 5 but not for 3. The TD-DFT calculations associated with the polarized continuum model (PCM) were performed to predict absorption spectra in CH(2)Cl(2) solution. Experimental spectra are well reproduced by our results. With respect to analogous mononuclear d(8) complexes (6-8), a large red shift of the absorption wavelength was calculated for the binuclear d(8) complexes (1-3). Relative to 1 with unsaturated CN- donors, introduction of saturated halogen donors into 4 and 5 changes their electronic structures, especially the HOMO and LUMO. The TD-DFT and subsequent unrestricted MP2 calculations predict that 1 produces the lowest-energy d --> p emission while 2-5 favor the d --> d emissions, agreeing with experimental observations.     

Mechanistic origin of antagonist effects of usual anionic bases (OH-, CO3(2-)) as modulated by their countercations (Na+, Cs+, K+) in palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura reactions

The mechanism of the reaction of trans-ArPdBrL(2) (Ar=p-Z-C(6)H(4), Z=CN, H; L=PPh(3)) with Ar'B(OH)(2) (Ar'=p-Z'-C(6)H(4), Z'=H, CN, MeO), which is a key step in the Suzuki-Miyaura process, has been established in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with two bases, acetate (nBu(4)NOAc) or carbonate (Cs(2)CO(3)) and compared with that of hydroxide (nBu(4)NOH), reported in our previous work. As anionic bases are inevitably introduced with a countercation M(+) (e.g., M(+)OH(-)), the role of cations in the transmetalation/reductive elimination has been first investigated. Cations M(+) (Na(+), Cs(+), K(+)) are not innocent since they induce an unexpected decelerating effect in the transmetalation via their complexation to the OH ligand in the reactive ArPd(OH)L(2), partly inhibiting its transmetalation with Ar'B(OH)(2). A decreasing reactivity order is observed when M(+) is associated with OH(-): nBu(4)N(+) > K(+) > Cs(+) > Na(+). Acetates lead to the formation of trans-ArPd(OAc)L(2), which does not undergo transmetalation with Ar'B(OH)(2). This explains why acetates are not used as bases in Suzuki-Miyaura reactions that involve Ar'B(OH)(2). Carbonates (Cs(2)CO(3)) give rise to slower reactions than those performed from nBu(4)NOH at the same concentration, even if the reactions are accelerated in the presence of water due to the generation of OH(-). The mechanism of the reaction with carbonates is then similar to that established for nBu(4)NOH, involving ArPd(OH)L(2) in the transmetalation with Ar'B(OH)(2). Due to the low concentration of OH(-) generated from CO(3)(2-) in water, both transmetalation and reductive elimination result slower than those performed from nBu(4)NOH at equal concentrations as Cs(2)CO(3). Therefore, the overall reactivity is finely tuned by the concentration of the common base OH(-) and the ratio [OH(-)]/[Ar'B(OH)(2)]. Hence, the anionic base (pure OH(-) or OH(-) generated from CO(3)(2-)) associated with its countercation (Na(+), Cs(+), K(+)) plays four antagonist kinetic roles: acceleration of the transmetalation by formation of the reactive ArPd(OH)L(2), acceleration of the reductive elimination, deceleration of the transmetalation by formation of unreactive Ar'B(OH)(3)(-) and by complexation of ArPd(OH)L(2) by M(+).     

The rich chemistry of [Zn2Cp*2]: trapping three different types of zinc ligands in the PdZn7 complex [Pd(ZnCp*)4(ZnMe)2{Zn(tmeda)}

The synthesis, structural characterization, and bonding situation analysis of a novel, all-zinc, hepta-coordinated palladium complex [Pd(ZnCp*)(4)(ZnMe)(2){Zn(tmeda)}] (1) is reported. The reaction of the substitution labile d(10) metal starting complex [Pd(CH(3))(2)(tmeda)] (tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-ethane-1,2-diamine) with stoichiometric amounts of [Zn(2)Cp*(2)] (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) results in the formation of [Pd(ZnCp*)(4)(ZnMe)(2){Zn(tmeda)}] (1) in 35% yield. Compound 1 has been fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and liquid injection field desorption ionization mass spectrometry. It consists of an unusual [PdZn(7)] metal core and exhibits a terminal {Zn(tmeda)} unit. The bonding situation of 1 with respect to the properties of the three different types of Zn ligands Zn(R,L) (R = CH(3), Cp*; L = tmeda) bonded to the Pd center was studied by density functional theory quantum chemical calculations. The results of energy decomposition and atoms in molecules analysis clearly point out significant differences according to R vs L. While Zn(CH(3)) and ZnCp* can be viewed as 1e donor Zn(I) ligands, {Zn(tmeda)} is best described as a strong 2e Zn(0) donor ligand. Thus, the 18 valence electron complex 1 nicely fits to the family of metal-rich molecules of the general formula [M(ZnR)(a)(GaR)(b)] (a + 2b = n ≥ 8; M = Mo, Ru, Rh; Ni, Pd, Pt; R = Me, Et, Cp*).     

Mononuclear, helical binuclear palladium and lithium complexes bearing a new pyrrole-based NNN-pincer ligand: fluxional property

A new pyrrole based NNN-pincer ligand, 2,5-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolylmethyl)pyrrole 2, was readily synthesized in two steps from pyrrole in 56% yield. The lithiation of the pincer ligand 2 using n-BuLi led to isolation of the dimeric lithium complex, [Li{μ-C(4)H(2)N-2,5-(CH(2)Me(2)pz)(2)-N,N,N}](2) 4, in 23% crystalline yield. The transmetalation reaction of 4 with [Pd(PhCN)(2)Cl(2)] afforded the mononuclear Pd(II) complex, [PdCl{C(4)H(2)N-2,5-(CH(2)Me(2)pz)(2)-N,N,N}] 5, containing one chloride ion in 45% yield. Alternatively 5 was obtained in an excellent yield of 87% by the reaction 2 of with [Pd(COD)Cl(2)] in the presence of triethylamine. On the contrary, a 20-membered macrometalacyclic molecule, [Pd(2)Cl(4){μ-C(4)H(3)N-2,5-(CH(2)Me(2)pz)(2)-N,N}(2)] 6, in which two PdCl(2) units are bridged by two molecules of 2 to give a helical structure, was synthesized by the reaction of 2 with [Pd(COD)Cl(2)] in the absence of base. The acetate analogue of complex 5, [Pd(OAc){C(4)H(2)N-2,5-(CH(2)Me(2)pz)(2)-N,N,N}] 3, was obtained by the treatment of 2 with [Pd(OAc)(2)]. The pyrrole twist angle of 5 is higher than that of 3. Complexes 3 and 5 show an AB pattern for their methylene protons at room temperature in CDCl(3) as well as in DMSO-d(6). The variable temperature NMR studies showed that the acetate and chloride complexes exhibit slightly different coalescence temperatures, which is a solvent dependent phenomenon, and twist angles.     

Chemistry of palladium phosphinite (PPh(2)(OR)) and phosphonite (P(OPh)(2)(OH)) complexes: catalytic activity in methoxycarbonylation and Heck coupling reactions

The new phosphinite and phosphonite complexes (1-8) are very efficient catalysts for the methoxycarbonylation of iodobenzene and Heck cross-coupling of bromobenzene with butyl acrylate. High catalytic activity of these complexes can be explained by their in situ transformations during the reaction, stimulated by the presence of water, acid (HCl) or base (NEt(3)). Hydrolysis of phosphinite palladium complexes of the form trans-PdCl(2)[PPh(2)(OR)](2) (R = C(6)F(5), 2, (t)Bu 3, or O-menthyl 4) results in the formation of the dimeric complex [mu-ClPd(PPh(2)OH)(PPh(2)O)](2) 5, which is deprotonated by NEt(3), producing a polymeric complex of formula [Pd(P(O)PPh(2))(2)](n) 8. The reverse reaction, protonolysis of 8 with HCl, leads back to 5 and the monomeric complex 5a. The phosphinite complex PdCl(2)[PPh(2)(OBu)](2)1 with a more lipophilic ligand, PPh(2)(OBu), does not undergo hydrolysis under the same conditions. In the reaction of PdCl(2)(cod) with P(OPh)(2)(OH), the new dimer [mu-ClPd(P(OPh)(2)OH)(P(OPh)(2)O)](2) 6 was obtained, whereas reaction of Pd(OAc)(2) with P(OPh)(2)(OH) leads to the polymeric complex [Pd[P(O)(OPh)(2)](2)](n) 7. Protonolysis of 7 with HCl results in the formation of 6.     

New cyclometallated precursors of unsubstituted N-phenylpyrazole [{Pd(phpz)(μ-X)}2] (X = AcO or OH) and study of their reactivity towards selected ligands

A new acetate-bridged dinuclear palladacycle with unsubstituted N-phenylpyrazole [{Pd(phpz)(μ-AcO)}(2)] 1 has been isolated and characterised, including an X-ray diffraction study. A survey of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) v. 5.31 looking for analogous dimeric C^N cyclopalladated complexes has been done, exploring the incidence of cisoid/transoid arrangements, the preferred conformation of the eight-membered ring formed in the double bridge, the Pd-Pd distance and the main factors that affect it. The reaction of 1 with NBu(4)OH yielded [{Pd(phpz)(μ-OH)}(2)] 2 that has shown to be a complementary precursor of 1 in terms of acid/base reactivity. In this sense, both 1 and 2 are also well differentiated from halide precursors available to date. The preparation of selected complexes with potential applications in several fields, [Pd(phpz)(O^N)] O^N = N-p-chlorophenylsalycilaldiminate (N-pClsal) 3, picolinic acid (pic) 4; 8-hydroxiquinolinate (oxin) 5; 2-pyrrole-carboxaldeydate (2-pcal) 6, [Pd(phpz)(O^O)] O^O = salycilaldehydate (sal) 7 acetylacetonate (acac) 8, [{Pd(phpz)(μ-N^S)}(2)] N^S = 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolate (SMeimz) 11; [{Pd(phpz)(μ-N^O)}(2)] N^O = succinimidate (succ) 12; [{Pd(phpz)(μ-N^N)}(2)] (N^N = pyrazolate (pz) 13, has been achieved using 1 or 2 as starting materials in acid/base reactions. Dithiocarbamate [Pd(phpz)(S(2)CNEt(2))] 9 and dithiophosphate [Pd(phpz){S(S)P(OEt)(2)}] 10 derivatives have been synthesised in related reactions, and the reactivity of 1 against neutral phosphine ligands has also been tested with the preparation of [Pd(phpz)(AcO)(PPh(3))] 14. The crystal structures of compounds 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13 (this one obtained from a powder sample using synchrotron radiation) have also been established, and together with 1 are the first examples of complexes containing unsubstituted N-phenylpyrazole as cyclometallated backbone that have been deposited to date on the Cambridge Structural Database.     

Reactivity of an anionic Pd(II) metallacycle with CH2X2 (X=Cl, Br, I): formal insertion of methylene into a Pd-C(aryl) bond

Whereas the reaction of the anionic palladium metallacycle [K[Pd(CH2CMe2-o-C6H4)(kappa2-Tp)]] with CH2Cl2 leads to the isolation of the stable Pd(IV) chloromethyl complex [Pd(CH2CMe2-o-C6H4)(kappa3-Tp)(CH2Cl)], the analogous reactions with CH2Br2 and CH2I2 give rise to the six membered metallacycles [Pd(CH2CMe2-o-C6H4(CH2))(kappa3-Tp)X](X = Br or I), as a result of the formal insertion of CH2 into the Pd-C(aryl) bond.     

Activation of H-H and H-O bonds at phosphorus with diiron complexes bearing pyramidal phosphinidene ligands

The complex [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-PMes*)(μ-CO)(CO)(2)] (Mes* = 2,4,6-C(6)H(2)(t)Bu(3)), which in the solid state displays a pyramidal phosphinidene bridge, reacted at room temperature with H(2) (ca. 4 atm) to give the known phosphine complex [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(2)(CO)(PH(2)Mes*)] as the major product, along with small amounts of other byproducts arising from the thermal degradation of the starting material, such as the phosphindole complex [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(2)(CO){PH(CH(2)CMe(2))C(6)H(2)(t)Bu(2)}], the dimer [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)], and free phosphine PH(2)Mes*. During the course of the reaction, trace amounts of the mononuclear phosphide complex [FeCp(CO)(2)(PHMes*)] were also detected, a compound later found to be the major product in the carbonylation of the parent phosphinidene complex, with this reaction also yielding the dimer [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)] and the known diphosphene Mes*P═PMes*. The outcome of the carbonylation reactions of the title complex could be rationalized by assuming the formation of an unstable tetracarbonyl intermediate [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-PMes*)(CO)(4)] (undetected) that would undergo a fast homolytic cleavage of a Fe-P bond, this being followed by subsequent evolution of the radical species so generated through either dimerization or reaction with trace amounts of water present in the reaction media. A more rational synthetic procedure for the phosphide complex was accomplished through deprotonation of the phosphine compound [FeCp(CO)(2)(PH(2)Mes*)](BF(4)) with Na(OH), the latter in turn being prepared via oxidation of [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)] with [FeCp(2)](BF(4)) in the presence of PH(2)Mes*. To account for the hydrogenation of the parent phosphinidene complex it was assumed that, in solution, small amounts of an isomer displaying a terminal phosphinidene ligand would coexist with the more stable bridged form, a proposal supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations of both isomers, with the latter also revealing that the frontier orbitals of the terminal isomer (only 5.7 kJ mol(-1) above of the bridged isomer, in toluene solution) have the right shapes to interact with the H(2) molecule. In contrast to the above behavior, the cyclohexylphosphinidene complex [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-PCy)(μ-CO)(CO)(2)] failed to react with H(2) under conditions comparable to those of its PMes* analogue. Instead, it slowly reacted with HOR (R = H, Et) to give the corresponding phosphinous acid (or ethyl phosphinite) complexes [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(2)(CO){PH(OR)Mes*}], a behavior not observed for the PMes* complex. The presence of BEt(3) increased significantly the rate of the above reaction, thus pointing to a pathway initiated with deprotonation of an O-H bond of the reagent by the basic P center of the phosphinidene complex, this being followed by the nucleophilic attack of the OR(-) anion at the P site of the transient cationic phosphide thus formed. The solid-state structure of the cis isomer of the ethanol derivative was determined through a single crystal X-ray diffraction study (Fe-Fe = 2.5112(8) ?, Fe-P = 2.149(1) ?).     

Thermal and electrochemical C-X activation (X = Cl,Br, I) by the strong Lewis acid Pd3(dppm)3(CO)2+ cluster and its catalytic applications

The stoichiometric and catalytic activations of alkyl halides and acid chlorides by the unsatured Pd(3)(dppm)(3)(CO)(2+) cluster (Pd(3)(2+)) are investigated in detail. A series of alkyl halides (R-X; R = t-Bu, Et, Pr, Bu, allyl; X = Cl, Br, I) react slowly with Pd(3)(2+) to form the corresponding Pd(3)(X)(+) adduct and "R(+)". This activation can proceed much faster if it is electrochemically induced via the formation of the paramagnetic species Pd(3)(+). The latter is the first confidently identified paramagnetic Pd cluster. The kinetic constants extracted from the evolution of the UV-vis spectra for the thermal activation, as well as the amount of electricity to bring the activation to completion for the electrochemically induced reactions, correlate the relative C-X bond strength and the steric factors. The highly reactive "R(+)" species has been trapped using phenol to afford the corresponding ether. On the other hand, the acid chlorides react rapidly with Pd(3)(2+) where no induction is necessary. The analysis of the cyclic voltammograms (CV) establishes that a dissociative mechanism operates (RCOCl --> RCO(+) + Cl(-); R = t-Bu, Ph) prior to Cl(-) scavenging by the Pd(3)(2+) species. For the other acid chlorides (R = n-C(6)H(13), Me(2)CH, Et, Me, Pr), a second associative process (Pd(3)(2+) + RCOCl --> Pd(3)(2+.....)Cl(CO)(R)) is seen. Addition of Cu(NCMe)(4)(+) or Ag(+) leads to the abstraction of Cl(-) from Pd(3)(Cl)(+) to form Pd(3)(2+) and the insoluble MCl materials (M = Cu, Ag) allowing to regenerate the starting unsaturated cluster, where the precipitation of MX drives the reaction. By using a copper anode, the quasi-quantitative catalytic generation of the acylium ion ("RCO(+)") operates cleanly and rapidly. The trapping of "RCO(+)" with PF(6)(-) or BF(4)(-) leads to the corresponding acid fluorides and, with an alcohol (R'OH), to the corresponding ester catalytically, under mild conditions. Attempts were made to trap the key intermediates "Pd(3)(Cl)(+)...M(+)" (M(+) = Cu(+), Ag(+)), which was successfully performed for Pd(3)(ClAg)(2+), as characterized by (31)P NMR, IR, and FAB mass spectrometry. During the course of this investigation, the rare case of PF(6)(-) hydrolysis has been observed, where the product PF(2)O(2)(-) anion is observed in the complex Pd(3)(PF(2)O(2))(+), where the substrate is well-located inside the cavity formed by the dppm-Ph groups above the unsatured face of the Pd(3)(2+) center. This work shows that Pd(3)(2+) is a stronger Lewis acid in CH(2)Cl(2) and THF than AlCl(3), Ag(+), Cu(+), and Tl(+).     

Oligomeric allyl-palladium(II) complexes of β-substituted ethylselenolates: syntheses, structures and thermal decomposition

Tri-nuclear allyl-palladium complexes, [Pd(μ-SeCH(2)CH(2)COOR)(η(3)-C(3)H(4)R')](3) (R = H, Me, Et and R' = H, Me), have been synthesized by the reaction of [Pd(2)(μ-Cl)(2)(η(3)-C(3)H(4)R')(2)] with NaSeCH(2)CH(2)COOR. These complexes exist in a dynamic equilibrium with a dimeric form in solution and are fluxional at room temperature as shown by variable temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The DFT calculations indicate that there is a negligible energy difference between the dimer and the trimer, and suggest that the delicate balance between the steric factors and angular strain decides the reaction products. These complexes (with R' = H) on treatment with [Pd(2)(μ-Cl)(2)(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(2)] afforded hetero-bridged complexes [Pd(2)(μ-Cl)(μ-SeCH(2)CH(2)COOR)(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(2)] (R = Me, Et). All the complexes have been characterized by NMR ((1)H, (13)C, (77)Se) spectroscopy. The molecular structure of [Pd(μ-SeCH(2)CH(2)COOEt)(η(3)-C(3)H(5))](3) revealed a chair conformation of the six-membered Pd(3)Se(3) ring, in which all the allyl groups lie at one side of the ring (similar to three axial 1,3,5-hydrogens of cyclohexane). Thermolysis of [Pd(μ-SeCH(2)CH(2)COOEt)(η(3)-C(3)H(5))](n) in diphenyl ether or hexadecylamine (HDA) yielded Pd(7)Se(4) as characterized by powder XRD.     

Theoretical study on the gas-phase reaction mechanism between palladium monoxide and methane

The gas-phase reaction mechanism between palladium monoxide and methane has been theoretically investigated on the singlet and triplet state potential energy surfaces (PESs) at the CCSD(T)/AVTZ//B3LYP/6-311+G(2d, 2p), SDD level. The major reaction channel leads to the products PdCH(2) + H(2)O, whereas the minor channel results in the products Pd + CH(3)OH, CH(2)OPd + H(2), and PdOH + CH(3). The minimum energy reaction pathway for the formation of main products (PdCH(2) + H(2)O), involving one spin inversion, prefers to start at the triplet state PES and afterward proceed along the singlet state PES, where both CH(3)PdOH and CH(3)Pd(O)H are the critical intermediates. Furthermore, the rate-determining step is RS-CH(3) PdOH → RS-2-TS1cb → RS-CH(2)Pd(H)OH with the rate constant of k = 1.48 × 10(12) exp(-93,930/RT). For the first C-H bond cleavage, both the activation strain ΔE(≠)(strain) and the stabilizing interaction ΔE(≠)(int) affect the activation energy ΔE(≠), with ΔE(≠)(int) in favor of the direct oxidative insertion. On the other hand, in the PdCH(2) + H(2) O reaction, the main products are Pd + CH(3)OH, and CH(3)PdOH is the energetically preferred intermediate. In the CH(2)OPd + H(2) reaction, the main products are Pd + CH(3)OH with the energetically preferred intermediate H(2)PdOCH(2). In the Pd + CH(3)OH reaction, the main products are CH(2)OPd + H(2), and H(2)PdOCH(2) is the energetically predominant intermediate. The intermediates, PdCH(2), H(2) PdCO, and t-HPdCHO are energetically preferred in the PdC + H(2), PdCO + H(2), and H(2)Pd + CO reactions, respectively. Besides, PdO toward methane activation exhibits higher reaction efficiency than the atom Pd and its first-row congener NiO.     

Novel access to carbodiphosphoranes in the coordination sphere of group 10 metals: template synthesis and protonation of PCP pincer carbodiphosphorane complexes of C(dppm)2

In a novel template synthesis of carbodiphosphoranes (CDPs), the phosphine functionalized CDP ligand C(dppm)(2) (dppm = Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2)) is formed in the coordination sphere of group 10 metals from CS(2) and 4 equivalents of dppm. The products are the PCP pincer complexes [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) and 2 equivalents of dppmS. The compound C(dppm)(2), which is composed of a divalent carbon atom and two dppm subunits, represents a new PCP-type pincer ligand with the formally neutral carbon Lewis base of the CDP functionality as the central carbon. Treatment of [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Pd, Pt) with hydrochloric acid results in protonation at the CDP carbon atom and the formation of the PCP pincer complexes [M(Cl)(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt). The PCP pincer ligand [CH(dppm)(2)](+) involves a formally cationic central carbon donor. The reaction of [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl with HCl leads to the extrusion of NiCl(2) and formation of the diprotonated CDP compound [CH(2)(dppm)(2)]Cl(2), from which the monoprotonated conjugate base [CH(dppm)(2)]Cl is obtained upon addition of bases, such as NH(3). The crystal structures of [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Ni, Pd, Pt), [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)](2)[NiCl(4)], [M(Cl)(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt) as well as [CH(2)(dppm)(2)]Cl(2) and [CH(dppm)(2)]Cl are presented. A comparison of the solid state structures reveals interesting features, e.g. infinite supramolecular networks mediated by C-H···Cl hydrogen bond interactions and an unexpected loss of molecular symmetry upon protonation in the complexes [M(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)(Cl)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt) as a result of the flexible ligand backbone. Additionally the new compounds were characterized comprehensively in solution by multinuclear (31)P, (13)C and (1)H NMR spectroscopy: Several spectroscopic parameters show a striking variability in particular regarding the carbodiphosphorane functionality. Furthermore the compound [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and could be shown to display quasi-reversible oxidative as well as reductive behaviour.     

The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of carboxylic anhydrides with arylboronic acids: a DFT study

The mechanism of the cross-coupling of phenylboronic acid with acetic anhydride, a viable model of the widely used Suzuki reaction, has been studied by DFT calculations at the BP86/6-31G level of theory. Two alternative catalytic cycles have been investigated, one starting from a neutral Pd(0)L(2) complex, the other from an anionic "Jutand-type" [Pd(0)L(2)X](-) species. The reaction profiles are in good agreement with the experimental findings, as both pathways require only moderate activation energies. Both pathways are dominated by cis-configured square-planar palladium(II)diphosphine intermediates. Despite careful investigations, we did not find in this model reaction any evidence for five-coordinate palladium(II) intermediates, which are commonly believed to cause the profound effects of counterions in palladium-catalyzed transformations. Instead, our calculations suggest that the higher catalytic activity of anionic complexes, such as [Pd(PMe(3))(2)OAc](-), may arise from their stronger ability to coordinate to carbon electrophiles. The transmetalation sequence is the same for both catalytic cycles, involving the dissociation of one phosphine ligand from the palladium. In the decisive transition state, in which the phenyl group is transferred from boron to palladium, the acetate base is found to be in a bridging coordination between these two atoms.