An Approach to Mixed PnAsm Ligand Complexes

The reaction of a P₄ butterfly complex with yellow arsenic yields the largest mixed P_nAs_m ligand complexes synthesized to date. [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^1:1‐P₄)] reacts with As₄ to yield [{Cp′′′Fe}₂(μ,η^4:4‐P_nAs_4‐n)] and [Cp′′′Fe(η⁵‐P_nAs_5‐n)]. Mass spectrometry together with NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography give clear evidence about the arrangement of the E positions within the cyclo‐E₅ and E₄ moieties of the products. Moreover, the results of DFT calculations agree well with the experimental determined outcomes. By coordinating the E₄ complex [{Cp′′′Fe}₂(μ,η^4:4‐P_nAs_4‐n)] with CuCl, a rearrangement of the E positions occurs in favor with a preferred phosphorus coordination towards copper atoms in the resulting 1D polymeric chain.     

Fragmentation Mechanism of White Phosphorus: A Theoretical Insight into Multiple Cleavage/Formation of P−P and P−C Bonds

Molecular-level understanding of metal-mediated white phosphorus (P₄) activation is meaningful but challenging because of its direct relevance to the conversion of P₄ into useful organophosphorus compounds as well as the complicated and unforeseeable cleavage process of P−P bonds. The related study, however, has still rarely been achieved to date. Here, a theoretical insight into the step-by-step process of three P−P bond cleavage/four P−C bond formation for [P₃+P₁]-fragmentation of P₄ mediated by lutetacyclopentadienes is reported. The unique charge-separated intermediate and the intermolecular cooperation between two lutetacyclopentadienes play a vital role in the subsequent P−P/P−C bond breaking/forming. It is found that, although the first P−C formation is involved in the assembly of the cyclo-P₃ [R₄C₄P₃]⁻ unit, the construction of the aromatic five-membered P₁ heterocycle [R₄C₄P]⁻ is completed prior to the cyclo-P₃ formation. The reaction mechanism has been carefully elucidated by analyses of the geometric structure, frontier molecular orbitals, bond index, and natural charge, which greatly broaden and enrich the general knowledge of the direct functionalization of P₄.     

Synthesis,Electronic, and Morphological Properties of Tetrahedral Oligothiophenes with n‐Hexyl Terminal Groups

A series of tetrahedral oligothiophenes bearing n‐hexyl groups at the α‐positions of the terminal thiophene rings, (n‐C₆H₁₃(C₄H₂S)_n)₄C (Hex‐TnTM; n=1–4), has been synthesized by Kosugi–Migita–Stille coupling as a key reaction. Thanks to the improved solubility afforded by the terminal n‐hexyl groups, the largest homologue (n=4) was successfully obtained. Whereas the smaller derivatives (n=1, 2) were obtained as liquid substances, the larger derivatives (n=3, 4) were obtained as solids. Hex‐T3 TM partially adopts syn conformations between the adjacent thiophene rings in the crystal, probably owing to the packing force. Hex‐T3 TM not only appeared in the crystalline state but also the amorphous state, which was stable to up to 80 °C. Regardless of the terminal groups, the derivatives of n=2 exhibited a broad fluorescence with large Stokes shifts compared to the corresponding linear analogues, thereby suggesting the presence of intramolecular interactions between the bithiophene moieties. Interactions between terthiophene branches was also suggested in the radical cations of Hex‐T3 TM by cyclic voltammetry measurements.     

New telechelic polymers and sequential copolymers by polyfunctional initiator-transfer agents (inifers). LIII. Lithiation of 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene and isopropylidene-capped polyisobutylenes by butyllithiums in the presence of complexing agents

Lithiated isopropylidene-telechelic polyisobutylenes (i.e., PIBs capped with end groups) are most interesting novel intermediates for further transformations, e.g., functionalization, polymerization. This report concerns model lithiation experiments of 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene (TM1P) that guided us toward the subsequent quantitative lithiation of isopropylidene-telechelic PIBs. Thus, lithiation of TM1P with, n-, s-, and t-butyllithium, in the presence of various complexing agents (i.e., TMEDA, t-BuOK, 1,2-DPE, CH₃OCH₂CH₂OCH₃, THF, and 12-crown-4) followed by silylation with Me₃SiCl (for the purpose of quantitation) gave three products: 2(trimethylsilylmethyl)-4,4-dimethyl-1-pentene (TM1P-Si), 2(trimethylsilylmethyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-pentene (TM2P-Si₂). The relative product composition strongly depends on the BuLi/complexing agent ratio and temperature. Among the different butyllithiums and complexing agents the best overall results were obtained with the s-BuLi/TMEDA combination. Complete lithiation of TM1P with minimum dilithiation was obtained using the molar ratio [s-BuLi]: [TMEDA]: [TM1P] = 2 : 2 : 1. The apparent activation energy of lithiation by s-BuLi/TMEDA was found to be 6.7 ± 0.8 kcal/mol. Guided by TM1P model experiments, quantitative monolithiation of isopropylidene-capped polyisobutylene (including ca. 4% chain and isomerization) was achieved using the molar ratio [s-BuLi] : [TMEDA] : [C? C] = 5 : 4 : 1.     

Electrochemical Reactors Enable Divergent Site Selectivity in the C−H Carboxylation of N-Heteroarenes

Catalytic and switchable C−H functionalization of N-heteroarenes under easily tunable conditions is a robust but challenging tool for the construction of biologically relevant compounds. Recently, a general electrochemical strategy has been developed for the direct C−H carboxylation of N-heteroarenes with CO₂, and by simply choosing different types of cell setups, carboxylated products are furnished with excellent and tunable site selectivity. This study also paves the way for regulating the reactivity modes in electrochemical synthesis.     

Electroreductive Dicarboxylation of Unactivated Skipped Dienes with CO2

Carboxylation of easily available alkenes with CO₂ is highly important to afford value-added carboxylic acids. Although dicarboxylation of activated alkenes, especially 1,3-dienes, has been widely investigated, the challenging dicarboxylation of unactivated 1,n-dienes (n>3) with CO₂ remains unexplored. Herein, we report the first dicarboxylation of unactivated skipped dienes with CO₂ via electrochemistry, affording valuable dicarboxylic acids. Control experiments and DFT calculations support the single electron transfer (SET) reduction of CO₂ to its radical anion, which is followed by sluggish radical addition to unactivated alkenes, SET reduction of unstabilized alkyl radicals to carbanions and nucleophilic attack on CO₂ to give desired products. This reaction features mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, facile derivations of products and promising application in polymer chemistry.     

An Octa-Urea [Pd2L4]4+ Cage that Selectively Binds to n-octyl-α-D-Mannoside

Designing compounds for the selective molecular recognition of carbohydrates is a challenging task for supramolecular chemists. Macrocyclic compounds that incorporate isophtalamide or bisurea spacers linking two aromatic moieties have proven effective for the selective recognition of all-equatorial carbohydrates. Here, we explore the molecular recognition properties of an octa-urea [Pd₂L₄]⁴⁺ cage complex ( 4 ). It was found that small anions like NO₃⁻ and BF₄⁻ bind inside 4 and inhibit binding of n-octyl glycosides. When the large non-coordinating anion ‘BAr^F’ was used, 4 showed excellent selectivity towards n-octyl-α-D-Mannoside with binding in the order of K_a≈16 M⁻¹ versus non-measurable affinities for other glycosides including n-octyl-β-D-Glucoside (in CH₃CN/H₂O 91 : 9).     

Transition Metal Borate Complexes Containing κ0-κ6 Denticity of Scorpionate Borate Ligands

The recent developments in the field of transition metal (TM) borate complexes have been a landmark in modern coordination chemistry. The structural diversities of these complexes play an important role in several catalytic processes. Generally, polypyrazolyl borate ligands, [BH_n(pz)_4-n]⁻ (n=1, 2; pz=pyrazolyl), popularly known as scorpionates have been used extensively for the preparation of TM borate complexes. The presence of multiple donor atoms in the flexible borate proligands led to several coordination modes. Based on the electronic and steric properties of these ligands and the metals, the denticity of borate ligands in TM complexes varied from κ⁰ to κ⁶. The presence of different bonding modes of these borate ligands made them very interesting in main group organometallic chemistry. In addition, cooperative activation of boranes by TM complexes containing metal-nitrogen or metal-sulfur bonds has become an alternative to the utilization of borate proligands for the synthesis of TM borate complexes. This review summarizes the advancements of the chemistry of TM borate complexes focusing exclusively on the synthetic methods and various bonding scenarios.     

Observation of Confinement-Free Neutral Group Three Transition Metal Carbonyls Sc(CO)7 and TM(CO)8 (TM=Y,La)

Spectroscopic characterization of neutral highly-coordinated compounds is essential in fundamental and applied research, but has been proven to be a challenging experimental target because of the difficulty in mass selection. Here, we report the preparation and size-specific infrared-vacuum ultraviolet (IR-VUV) spectroscopic identification of group-3 transition metal carbonyls Sc(CO)₇ and TM(CO)₈ (TM=Y, La) in the gas phase, which are the first confinement-free neutral heptacarbonyl and octacarbonyl complexes. The results indicate that Sc(CO)₇ has a C_2v structure and TM(CO)₈ (TM=Y, La) have a D_4h structure. Theoretical calculations predict that the formation of Sc(CO)₇ and TM(CO)₈ (TM=Y, La) is both thermodynamically exothermic and kinetically facile in the gas phase. These highly-coordinated carbonyls are 17-electron complexes when only those valence electrons that occupy metal−CO bonding orbitals are considered, in which the ligand-only 4b_1u molecular orbital is ignored. This work opens new avenues toward the design and chemical control of a large variety of compounds with unique structures and properties.     

Attenuated Organomagnesium Activation of White Phosphorus

Sequential reactions between a 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl‐substituted β‐diketiminato magnesium n‐butyl derivative and P₄ allow the highly discriminating synthesis of unusual [nBu₂P₄]^2? and [nBu₂P₈]^2? cluster dianions.     

Steric,Electronic and Conformational Synergistic Effects in the Gold(I)-catalyzed α-C−H Bond Functionalization of Tertiary Amines**

Direct C−H bond functionalization is a useful strategy for the straightforward formation of C−C and C−Heteroatom bonds. In the present work, a unique approach for the challenging electrophilic Au-catalyzed α-C−H bond functionalization of tertiary amines is presented. Electronic, steric and conformational synergistic effects exerted by the use of a malonate unit in the substrate were key to the success of this transformation. This new reactivity was applied to the synthesis of tetrahydro-γ-carboline products which, under oxidative conditions, could be converted into valuable structural motifs found in bioactive alkaloid natural products.     

Steric,Electronic and Conformational Synergistic Effects in the Gold(I)-catalyzed α-C−H Bond Functionalization of Tertiary Amines**

Direct C−H bond functionalization is a useful strategy for the straightforward formation of C−C and C−Heteroatom bonds. In the present work, a unique approach for the challenging electrophilic Au-catalyzed α-C−H bond functionalization of tertiary amines is presented. Electronic, steric and conformational synergistic effects exerted by the use of a malonate unit in the substrate were key to the success of this transformation. This new reactivity was applied to the synthesis of tetrahydro-γ-carboline products which, under oxidative conditions, could be converted into valuable structural motifs found in bioactive alkaloid natural products.     

Improving Catalyst Activity in Hydrocarbon Functionalization by Remote Pyrene–Graphene Stacking

A copper complex bearing an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand with a pyrene “tail” attached to the backbone has been prepared and supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The free and supported copper materials have been employed as homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts in the functionalization of hydrocarbons such as n-hexane, cyclohexane, and benzene through incorporation of the CHCO₂Et unit from ethyl diazoacetate. The graphene-anchored complex displays higher reaction rates and induces higher yields than its soluble counterpart, features that can be rationalized in terms of a decrease in electron density at the metal center due to a remote net electronic flux from the supported copper complex to the graphene surface.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 183. Lithium-tetrahydrogenheptaphosphid und Lithium-octa-hydrogenheptaphosphid

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 183. Lithium Tetrahydrogen Heptaphosphide and Lithium Octahydrogen Heptaphosphide Lithium tetrahydrogen heptaphosphide, LiH₄P₇ ( 1 ), and lithium octahydrogen heptaphosphide, LiH₈P₇ ( 2 ), belong to the first reaction products of the metalation of P₂H₄ with n-butyllithium that can be identified. Both compounds are also formed on reaction of Li₃P₇ with excess P₂H₄. 1 also results from the reaction of LiH₄P₅ with P₂H₄. Whereas 1 can be isolated as an orange-red crystalline solvent adduct in a purity of 60-70 per cent, 2 cannot be enriched further due to its extreme reactivity. The composition and the structure of 1 and 2 have been elucidated from their ³¹P-NMR spectra. Hence, 1 has a P₇ skeleton analogous to that of norbornane, whereas 2 as a precursor in the formation of 1 from P₂H₄ and n-BuLi is an open-chain doubly branched heptaphosphide.     

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation of 2-Arylquinoxalines with Cyclic 2-Diazo-1,3-diketones by C−H Bond Activation

Rh(III)-catalyzed C−H bond annulation of 2-arylquinoxalines with cyclic 2-diazo-1,3-diketones has been accomplished for the first time to synthesize a novel series of 2,3-dihydrodibenzo[a,c]phenazin-4(1H)-one frameworks by means of carbene insertion followed by condensation. The reaction proceeds through the C−H bond activation and functionalization of 2-arylquinoxalines using Rh(III)/AgSbF₆ complex to produce highly substituted 2,3-dihydrodibenzo[a,c]phenazin-4(1H)-one and benzo[5,6][1,2,4]thiadiazino[2,3-f]phenanthridin-5(6H)-one-10,10-dioxide derivatives in good to excellent yields.     

Cobalt Nanoparticles-Catalyzed Widely Applicable Successive C−C Bond Cleavage in Alcohols to Access Esters

Selective cleavage and functionalization of C−C bonds have important applications in organic synthesis and biomass utilization. However, functionalization of C−C bonds by controlled cleavage remains difficult and challenging because they are inert. Herein, we describe an unprecedented efficient protocol for the breaking of successive C−C bonds in alcohols to form esters with one or multiple carbon atoms less using heterogeneous cobalt nanoparticles as catalyst with dioxygen as the oxidant. A wide range of alcohols including inactive long-chain alkyl aryl alcohols undergo smoothly successive cleavage of adjacent −(C−C)_n− bonds to afford the corresponding esters. The catalyst was used for seven times without any decrease in activity. Characterization and control experiments disclose that cobalt nanoparticles are responsible for the successive cleavage of C−C bonds to achieve excellent catalytic activity, while the presence of Co-N_x has just the opposite effect. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that a tandem sequence reaction is involved in this process.     

An Efficient Catalyst System at Mild Reaction Conditions Containing Rare Earth Metal Complexes

An efficient rare earth metal complex‐catalyzed cycloaddition reaction of CO₂ with propylene oxide using Hdpza (di(2‐pyrazyl)amine) as a N‐donor ligand has been accomplished in good to excellent yields with high selectivity. The effects of different rare earth metal salts, ligands and reaction conditions were examined. Catalytic reaction tests demonstrated that the incorporation of ErCl₃ and Hdpza can significantly enhance the catalytic reactivity of the TBAB (nBu₄NBr, tetra‐n‐butyl ammonium bromide) towards cycloaddition reaction of CO₂ and propylene oxide that produce cyclic carbonates under mild conditions without any co‐solvent.     

Tailor-Made PdnL2n Metal-Organic Cages through Covalent Post-Synthetic Modification

Post-synthetic modification (PSM) is an effective approach for the tailored functionalization of metal-organic architectures, but its generalizability remains challenging. Herein we report a general covalent PSM strategy to functionalize Pd_nL_2n metal-organic cages (MOCs, n=2, 12) through an efficient Diels–Alder cycloaddition between peripheral anthracene substituents and various functional motifs bearing a maleimide group. As expected, the solubility of functionalized Pd₁₂L₂₄ in common solvents can be greatly improved. Interestingly, concentration-dependent circular dichroism and aggregation-induced emission are achieved with chiral binaphthol (BINOL)- and tetraphenylethylene-modified Pd₁₂L₂₄, respectively. Furthermore, Pd₁₂L₂₄ can be introduced with two different functional groups (e.g., chiral BINOL and achiral pyrene) through a step-by-step PSM route to obtain chirality-induced circularly polarized luminescence. Moreover, similar results are readily observed with a smaller Pd₂L₄ system.     

Amorphous Silicon: New Insights into an Old Material

Amorphous silicon is synthesized by treating the tetrahalosilanes SiX₄ (X=Cl, F) with molten sodium in high boiling polar and non‐polar solvents such as diglyme or nonane to give a brown or a black solid showing different reactivities towards suitable reagents. With regards to their technical relevance, their stability towards oxygen, air, moisture, chlorine‐containing reaction partners RCl (R=H, Cl, Me) and alcohols is investigated. In particular, reactions with methanol are a versatile tool to deliver important products. Besides tetramethoxysilane formation, methanolysis of silicon releases hydrogen gas under ambient conditions and is thus suitable for a decentralized hydrogen production; competitive insertion into the MeO?H versus the Me?OH bond either yields H‐ and/or methyl‐substituted methoxy functional silanes. Moreover, compounds, such as Me_nSi(OMe)_4?n (n=0–3) are simply accessible in more than 75 % yield from thermolysis of, for example, tetramethoxysilane over molten sodium. Based on our systematic investigations we identified reaction conditions to produce the methoxysilanes Me_nSi(OMe)_4?n in excellent (n=0:100 %) to acceptable yields (n=1:51 %; n=2:27 %); the yield of HSi(OMe)₃ is about 85 %. Thus, the methoxysilanes formed might possibly open the door for future routes to silicon‐based products.     

Enolizable Carbonyls and N,O‐Acetals: A Rational Approach for Room‐Temperature Lewis Superacid‐Catalyzed Direct α‐Amidoalkylation of Ketones and Aldehydes

An efficient catalytic room‐temperature direct α‐amidoalkylation of carbonyl donors, that is, ketones and aldehydes with unbiased N,O‐acetals, is described. Sn(NTf₂)₄ is an optimal catalyst to promote this challenging transformation at low loading and the reaction shows promising scope. A comprehensive and rational evaluation of this reaction has led to the establishment of an empirical scale of nucleophilic reactivity for a broad set of ketones that should be helpful in the synthetic design and development of carbonyl α‐functionalization methods.