Carbon Monoxide Activation by a Molecular Aluminium Imide: C−O Bond Cleavage and C−C Bond Formation

Anionic molecular imide complexes of aluminium are accessible via a rational synthetic approach involving the reactions of organo azides with a potassium aluminyl reagent. In the case of K₂[( NON )Al(NDipp)]₂ ( NON =4,5-bis(2,6-diisopropylanilido)-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethyl-xanthene; Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) structural characterization by X-ray crystallography reveals a short Al−N distance, which is thought primarily to be due to the low coordinate nature of the nitrogen centre. The Al−N unit is highly polar, and capable of the activation of relatively inert chemical bonds, such as those found in dihydrogen and carbon monoxide. In the case of CO, uptake of two molecules of the substrate leads to C−C coupling and C≡O bond cleavage. Thermodynamically, this is driven, at least in part, by Al−O bond formation. Mechanistically, a combination of quantum chemical and experimental observations suggests that the reaction proceeds via exchange of the NR and O substituents through intermediates featuring an aluminium-bound isocyanate fragment.     

Photocatalyzed Hydrogen Atom Transfer Degradation of Vinyl Polymers: Cleavage of a Backbone C−C Bond Triggered by Radical Activation of a C−H Bond in a Pendant

In this work, we achieved a triggering degradation of polymers composed of carbon-carbon (C−C) bonded backbone without relying on introduction of labile heteroatom-based bond. The crucial point for the achievement is using vinyl ether (VE) as a comonomer in radical copolymerization of (meth)acrylate for introduction of the carbon-hydrogen (C−H) bonds active for photocatalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) as triggers in the pendant. Interestingly, methyl methacrylate (MMA)-n-butyl vinyl ether (NBVE) copolymer underwent degradation in acetonitrile in the presence of benzophenone (Ph₂CO) under UV irradiation at 80 °C. The degradation did not take place, when any one of UV, Ph₂CO, heat, and NBVE unit was removed or HAT-active solvent such as toluene and 1,4-dioxane was used. These control experiments strongly supported the HAT-triggering degradation. Furthermore, the degradation behaviors of the copolymers with other vinyl ethers such as tert-butyl vinyl ether and methyl isopropenyl ether indicated that the C−H bond neighboring to oxygen on the pendant is mainly responsible for the trigger leading to degradation. The HAT-triggering degradation was also demonstrated even with the acrylate-based copolymer.     

Visible-Light-Driven Intermolecular Reductive Ene–Yne Coupling by Iridium/Cobalt Dual Catalysis for C(sp3)−C(sp2) Bond Formation

A new methodology to form C(sp³)−C(sp²) bonds by visible-light-driven intermolecular reductive ene–yne coupling has been successfully developed. The process relies on the ability of the Hantzsch ester to contribute in both SET and HAT processes through a unified cobalt and iridium catalytic system. This procedure avoids the use of stoichiometric amounts of reducing metallic reagents, which is translated into high functional-group tolerance and atom economy.     

Transition-Metal-Free Coupling of 1,3-Dipoles and Boronic Acids as a Sustainable Approach to C−C Bond Formation

The need for alternative, complementary approaches to enable C−C bond formation within organic chemistry is an on-going challenge in the area. Of particular relevance are transformations that proceed in the absence of transition-metal reagents. In the current study, we report a comprehensive investigation of the coupling of nitrile imines and aryl boronic acids as an approach towards sustainable C−C bond formation. In situ generation of the highly reactive 1,3-dipole facilitates a Petasis–Mannich-type coupling via a nucleophilic boronate complex. The introduction of hydrazonyl chlorides as a complementary nitrile imine source to the 2,5-tetrazoles previously reported by our laboratory further broadens the scope of the approach. Additionally, we exemplify for the first time the extension of this protocol into another 1,3-dipole, through the synthesis of aryl ketone oximes from aryl boronic acids and nitrile N-oxides.     

Carboboration-Driven Generation of a Silylium Ion for Vinylic C−F Bond Functionalization by B(C6F5)3 Catalysis

Strong main-group Lewis acids such as silylium ions are known to effectively promote heterolytic C(sp³)−F bond cleavage. However, carrying out the C(sp²)−F bond transformation of vinylic C−F bonds has remained an unmet challenge. Herein, we describe our development of a new and simple strategy for vinylic C−F bond transformation of α-fluorostyrenes with silyl ketene acetals catalyzed by B(C₆F₅)₃ under mild conditions. Our theoretical calculations revealed that a stabilized silylium ion, which is generated from silyl ketene acetals by carboboration, cleaves the C−F bond of α-fluorostyrenes. A comparative study of α-chloro or bromostyrenes demonstrated that our reaction can be applied only to α-fluorostyrenes because the strong silicon-fluorine affinity facilitates an intramolecular interaction of silylium ions with fluorine atom to cleave the C−F bond. A broad range of α-fluorostyrenes as well as a range of silyl ketene acetals underwent this C−F bond transformation.     

Dioxygen Reactivity of Biomimetic Iron-Catecholate and Iron-o-Aminophenolate Complexes of a Tris(2-pyridylthio)methanido Ligand: Aromatic CC Bond Cleavage of Catecholate versus o-Iminobenzosemiquinonate Radical Formation

An iron(III)-catecholate complex [L(1) Fe(III) (DBC)] (2) and an iron(II)-o-aminophenolate complex [L(1) Fe(II) (HAP)] (3; where L(1) =tris(2-pyridylthio)methanido anion, DBC=dianionic 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate, and HAP=monoanionic 4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-aminophenolate) have been synthesised from an iron(II)-acetonitrile complex [L(1) Fe(II) (CH(3) CN)(2) ](ClO(4) ) (1). Complex 2 reacts with dioxygen to oxidatively cleave the aromatic C?C bond of DBC giving rise to selective extradiol cleavage products. Controlled chemical or electrochemical oxidation of 2, on the other hand, forms an iron(III)-semiquinone radical complex [L(1) Fe(III) (SQ)](PF(6) ) (2(ox) -PF(6) ; SQ=3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonate). The iron(II)-o-aminophenolate complex (3) reacts with dioxygen to afford an iron(III)-o-iminosemiquinonato radical complex [L(1) Fe(III) (ISQ)](ClO(4) ) (3(ox) -ClO(4) ; ISQ=4,6-di-tert-butyl-o-iminobenzosemiquinonato radical) via an iron(III)-o-amidophenolate intermediate species. Structural characterisations of 1, 2, 2(ox) and 3(ox) reveal the presence of a strong iron?carbon bonding interaction in all the complexes. The bond parameters of 2(ox) and 3(ox) clearly establish the radical nature of catecholate- and o-aminophenolate-derived ligand, respectively. The effect of iron?carbon bonding interaction on the dioxygen reactivity of biomimetic iron-catecholate and iron-o-aminophenolate complexes is discussed.     

Activation of Aromatic C−F Bonds by a N-Heterocyclic Olefin (NHO)

A N-heterocyclic olefin (NHO), a terminal alkene selectively activates aromatic C−F bonds without the need of any additional catalyst. As a result, a straightforward methodology was developed for the formation of different fluoroaryl-substituted alkenes in which the central carbon–carbon double bond is in a twisted geometry.     

Oxidative Addition of a Mechanically Entrapped C(sp)–C(sp) Bond to a Rhodium(I) Pincer Complex

By use of a macrocyclic phosphinite pincer ligand and bulky substrate substituents, we demonstrate how the mechanical bond can be leveraged to promote the oxidative addition of an interlocked 1,3-diyne to a rhodium(I) center. The resulting rhodium(III) bis(alkynyl) product can be trapped out by reaction with carbon monoxide or intercepted through irreversible reaction with dihydrogen, resulting in selective hydrogenolysis of the C−C σ-bond.     

Copper-Catalyzed C(sp3)-Amination of Ketone-Derived Dihydroquinazolinones by Aromatization-Driven C−C Bond Scission

Herein, we describe the development of a copper-catalyzed C(sp³)-amination of proaromatic dihydroquinazolinones derived from ketones. The reaction is enabled by the intermediacy of open-shell species arising from homolytic C−C bond-cleavage driven by aromatization. The protocol is characterized by its operational simplicity and generality, including chemical diversification of advanced intermediates.     

Selective Si−C(sp3) Bond Cleavage in (Aminomethyl)silanes by Carbanionic Nucleophiles and Its Stereochemical Course

Selective cleavage of a silicon–carbon bond in tetraorganosilanes is still a great challenge. A new type of Si−C(sp³) bond cleavage in bench-stable (aminomethyl)silanes with common organolithium reagents as nucleophiles has now been identified. Suitable leaving groups are benzyl, allyl, and phenylthiomethyl groups. A β-donor function and polar solvents are essential for the reaction. Simple switching between α-deprotonation and substitution is possible through slight modifications of the reaction conditions. The stereochemical course of the reaction was elucidated by using a silicon-chiral benzylsilane. The new transformation proceeds stereospecifically with inversion of configuration and can be used for the targeted synthesis of enantiomerically pure tetraorganosilanes, which are otherwise difficult to access. Quantum chemical calculations provided insight into the mechanism of the new substitution.     

Trapping a Silicon(I) Radical with Carbenes: A Cationic cAAC–Silicon(I) Radical and an NHC–Parent-Silyliumylidene Cation

The trapping of a silicon(I) radical with N-heterocyclic carbenes is described. The reaction of the cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene [cAAC_Me] (cAAC_Me=:C(CMe₂)₂(CH₂)NAr, Ar=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) with H₂SiI₂ in a 3:1 molar ratio in DME afforded a mixture of the separated ion pair [(cAAC_Me)₂Si:^.]⁺I⁻ ( 1 ), which features a cationic cAAC–silicon(I) radical, and [cAAC_Me−H]⁺I⁻. In addition, the reaction of the NHC–iodosilicon(I) dimer [I_Ar(I)Si:]₂ (I_Ar=:C{N(Ar)CH}₂) with 4 equiv of I_Me (:C{N(Me)CMe}₂), which proceeded through the formation of a silicon(I) radical intermediate, afforded [(I_Me)₂SiH]⁺I⁻ ( 2 ) comprising the first NHC–parent-silyliumylidene cation. Its further reaction with fluorobenzene afforded the C_Ar−H bond activation product [1-F-2-I_Me-C₆H₄]⁺I⁻ ( 3 ). The isolation of 2 and 3 confirmed the reaction mechanism for the formation of 1 . Compounds 1 – 3 were analyzed by EPR and NMR spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and X-ray crystallography.     

Small Gold(I) and Gold(I)–Silver(I) Clusters by C−Si Auration

Auration of o-trimethylsilyl arylphosphines leads to the formation of gold and gold–silver clusters with ortho-metalated phosphines displaying 3c–2e Au−C−M bonds (M=Au/Ag). Hexagold clusters [Au₆L₄](X)₂ are obtained by reaction of (L−TMS)AuCl with AgX, whereas reaction with AgX and Ag₂O leads to gold–silver clusters [Au₄Ag₂L₄](X)₂. Oxo-trigold(I) species [Au₃O]⁺ were identified as the intermediates in the formation of the silver-doped clusters. Other [Au₅], [Au₄Ag], and [Au₁₂Ag₄] clusters were also obtained. Clusters containing PAu−Au−AuP structural motif display good catalytic activity in the activation of alkynes under homogeneous conditions.     

Plasma-Assisted Coupling Reactions of Dinitrogen and Carbon Dioxide Mediated by Monometallic YB1–4−⋅Anions: Carbon−Nitrogen Bond Formation

Transition-metal catalyzed coupling to form C−N bonds is significant in chemical science. However, the inert nature of N₂ and CO₂ renders their coupling quite challenging. Herein, we report the activation of dinitrogen in the mild plasma atmosphere by the gas-phase monometallic YB_1–4⁻ anions and further coupling of CO₂ to form C−N bonds by using mass spectrometry and theoretical calculation. The observed product anions are NCNBO⁻ and N(BO)₂⁻, accompanied by the formation of neutral products YO and YB_0–2NC, respectively. We can tune the reactivity and the type of products by manipulating the number of B atoms. The B atoms in YB_1–4N₂⁻ act as electron donors in CO₂ reduction reactions, and the carbon atom originating from CO₂ serves as an electron reservoir. This is the first example of gas-phase monometallic anions, which are capable to realize the functionalization of N₂ with CO₂ through C−N bond formation and N−N and C−O bond cleavage.     

Cleavage of B−C bonds and Anion [PhBH3]− Formation in the Reaction of the Yb(II) Hydride Complex with BPh3

Russian Journal of Coordination Chemistry - The reaction of the amidinatehydride complex of divalent ytterbium [(Amd)YbII(μ2-H)]2 (Amd is {tert-BuC(NC6H3-iso-Pr2-2,6)2}) with BPh3 proceeds...     

Cationic Rhodium(I) Tetrafluoroborate Catalyzed Intramolecular Carbofluorination of Alkenes via Acyl Fluoride C−F Bond Activation**

The C−F bond of acyl fluorides can be cleaved and added across tethered alkenes in the presence of a cationic rhodium(I) tetrafluoroborate catalyst. This 1,2-carbofluorination reaction offers a powerful method for the synthesis of tertiary alkyl fluoride derivatives with an atom economy of 100 %. Mechanistic studies indicate that the concerted action of a rhodium cation and a tetrafluoroborate anion is key for the success of this catalytic cleavage and formation of C−F bonds in a controlled manner.     

Facile N≡N Bond Cleavage by Anionic Trimetallic Clusters V3−xTaxC4− (x=0–3): A DFT Study

Activation of N₂ on anionic trimetallic V_3−xTa_xC₄⁻ (x=0–3) clusters was theoretically studied employing density functional theory. For all studied clusters, initial adsorption of N₂ (end-on) on one of the metal atoms (denoted as Site 1) is transferred to an of end-on: side-on: side-on coordination on three metal atoms, prior to N₂ dissociation. The whole reaction is exothermic and has no global energy barriers, indicating that the dissociation of N₂ is facile under mild conditions. The reaction process can be divided into two processes: N₂ transfer (TRF) and N−N dissociation (DIS). For V-series clusters, which has a V atom on Site 1, the rate-determining step is DIS, while for Ta-series clusters with a Ta on Site 1, TRF may be the rate-determining step or has energy barriers similar to those of DIS. The overall energy barriers for heteronuclear V₂TaC₄⁻ and VTa₂C₄⁻ clusters are lower than those for homonuclear V₃C₄⁻ and Ta₃C₄⁻, showing that the doping effect is beneficial for the activation and dissociation of N₂. In particular, V−Ta₂C₄⁻ has low energy barriers in both TRF and DIS, and it has the highest N₂ adsorption energy and a high reaction heat release. Therefore, a trimetallic heteronuclear V-series cluster, V−Ta₂C₄⁻, is suggested to have high reactivity to N₂ activation, and may serve as a prototype for designing related catalysts at a molecular level.     

A Fujiwara-Moritani-Type Alkenylation Using a Traceless Directing Group Strategy: A Rare Example of C−C Bond Formation towards the C2-Carbon of Terminal Alkenes

Herein we report, a rhodium-catalyzed Fujiwara-Moritani-type reaction of unactivated terminal alkenes and benzoic acid derivatives bearing electron donating residues under mild conditions. The acid functionality acts as a traceless directing group delivering products alkenylated in meta-position to the electron donating substituent in contrast to the usually obtained ortho- and para-substitution in Friedel-Crafts-type reactions. Remarkably, the new C−C bond is formed to the C2 of the terminal olefin, in contrast to similar reported transformations. Initially formed mixtures of exo- and endo-double bond isomers can be efficiently isomerized to the more stable endo-products.     

Divergent Total Syntheses of C3 a−C7′ Linked Diketopiperazine Alkaloids (+)-Asperazine and (+)-Pestalazine A Enabled by a Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Tertiary Alkyl Chloride

Short gram-scale asymmetric syntheses of asperazine, pestalazine A, and their unnatural congeners thereof, have been achieved in ≈10 steps by using readily accessible starting materials. The nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling protocol was utilized as a key step for the direct construction of C3a_sp3−C7′_sp2 bond furnishing the diaryl-substituted quaternary carbon centers with remarkable steric hindrance. The streamlined access to this core structure of heterodimeric tryptophans under the mild reaction conditions, makes this strategy hold a great promise in the concise synthesis of other relevant oligomeric pyrroloindoline alkaloids with unique C3a−C7′ linkages.     

An S=1 Iron(IV) Intermediate Revealed in a Non-Heme Iron Enzyme-Catalyzed Oxidative C−S Bond Formation

Ergothioneine (ESH) and ovothiol A (OSHA) are two natural thiol-histidine derivatives. ESH has been implicated as a longevity vitamin and OSHA inhibits the proliferation of hepatocarcinoma. The key biosynthetic step of ESH and OSHA in the aerobic pathways is the O₂-dependent C−S bond formation catalyzed by non-heme iron enzymes (e.g., OvoA in ovothiol biosynthesis), but due to the lack of identification of key reactive intermediate the mechanism of this novel reaction is unresolved. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of a kinetically competent S=1 iron(IV) intermediate supported by a four-histidine ligand environment (three from the protein residues and one from the substrate) in enabling C−S bond formation in OvoA from Methyloversatilis thermotoleran, which represents the first experimentally observed intermediate spin iron(IV) species in non-heme iron enzymes. Results reported in this study thus set the stage to further dissect the mechanism of enzymatic oxidative C−S bond formation in the OSHA biosynthesis pathway. They also afford new opportunities to study the structure-function relationship of high-valent iron intermediates supported by a histidine rich ligand environment.     

Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Inert C−H Bond Activation Assisted by a Chiral Transient Directing Group

A ruthenium(II)-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular hydroarylation assisted by a chiral transient directing group has been developed. A series of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans bearing chiral all-carbon quaternary stereocenters have been prepared in remarkably high yields (up to 98 %) and enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee). By this methodology, a novel asymmetric total synthesis of CB2 receptor agonist MDA7 has been successfully developed.