Direct Evidence for Intermolecular Oxidative Addition of σ(Si?Si) Bonds to Gold

Oxidative addition plays a major role in transition‐metal catalysis, but this elementary step remains very elusive in gold chemistry. It is now revealed that in the presence of GaCl₃, phosphine gold chlorides promote the oxidative addition of disilanes at low temperature. The ensuing bis(silyl) gold(III) complexes were characterized by quantitative ³¹P and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. Their structures (distorted Y shape) and the reaction profile of σ(Si Si) bond activation were analyzed by DFT calculations. These results provide evidence for the intermolecular oxidative addition of σ(Si Si) bonds to gold and open promising perspectives for the development of new gold‐catalyzed redox transformations.     

Me3Si−SiMe2[oCON(iPr)2−C6H4]: An Unsymmetrical Disilane Reagent for Regio‐ and Stereoselective Bis‐Silylation of Alkynes

The air‐stable unsymmetrical disilane Me₃Si?SiMe₂[oCON(iPr)₂C₆H₄] has been developed for bis‐silylation of alkynes. This reagent tolerates a range of functional groups, providing Z‐vinyl disilanes in high yields. It is proposed that the phenyl‐ring‐tethered amide group directs oxidative addition of Pd⁰ into the Si?Si bond, which might facilitate formation of a six‐membered Pd cycle, generating products with good to excellent regioselectivity.     

Gold/Palladium Alloy for Carbon–Halogen Bond Activation: An Unprecedented Halide Dependence

New catalytic activity of gold/palladium alloy nanoclusters (NCs) for carbon–halogen bond activation is demonstrated. In the case of an aryl chloride, the inclusion of gold in a bimetallic catalyst is indispensable to achieve the coupling reactions. Gold has the unique effect of stabilizing palladium, such that Pd²⁺ leached from clusters by means of spillover of chloride during oxidative addition. The thus‐formed spillover intermediate further reacts heterogeneously in both Ullmann and Suzuki‐type coupling reactions through a new type of mechanism. In the case of an aryl bromide, Ullmann coupling occurs through the spillover of bromide, similar to that of aryl chloride. However, a significant fraction of palladium also leached, which diminished the Ullmann coupling activity of the aryl bromide and, as a result, the order of reactivity was ArCl>ArBr. With regard to the activation of the C?Br bond towards a Suzuki‐type reaction, the inclusion of a higher gold content in gold/palladium clusters stabilized palladium to prevent the leaching of Pd²⁺ from the clusters by means of spillover of bromide. The spillover intermediate reacts heterogeneously with PhB(OH)₂, palladium‐rich gold/palladium, or pure palladium clusters; the oxidative addition of ArBr favors the extraction of palladium from the clusters, yielding Pd²⁺ intermediates. The extracted intermediates react homogenously (Pd^2+/Pd⁰ catalysis) with PhB(OH)₂, which results in the higher selectivity of the cross‐coupling product. An initial step to observe such unprecedented halide dependency, together with the dynamic behavior of palladium on the surface of gold is the oxidative addition of Ar?X. A detailed insight into the first oxidative addition process was also examined by quantum chemical calculations.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Gold Vinylidene Complex Lacking π‐Conjugated Heteroatoms

Hydride abstraction from the gold (disilyl)ethylacetylide complex [( P )Au{η¹‐C?CSi(Me)₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂H}] ( P =P(tBu)₂o‐biphenyl) with triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate at ?20 °C formed the cationic gold (β,β‐disilyl)vinylidene complex [( P )Au?C?CSi(Me)₂CH₂CH₂Si (Me)₂]⁺B(C₆F₅)₄^? with ≥90 % selectivity. ²⁹Si NMR analysis of this complex pointed to delocalization of positive charge onto both the β‐silyl groups and the ( P )Au fragment. The C1 and C2 carbon atoms of the vinylidene complex underwent facile interconversion (ΔG^≠=9.7 kcal mol^?1), presumably via the gold π‐disilacyclohexyne intermediate [( P )Au{η²‐C?CSi(Me)₂CH₂CH₂Si (Me)₂}]⁺B(C₆F₅)₄^?.     

Zerovalent Rhodium and Iridium Silatranes Featuring Two‐Center,Three‐Electron Polar σ Bonds

Species with 2‐center, 3‐electron (2c/3e^?) σ bonds are of interest owing to their fascinating electronic structures and potential for interesting reactivity patterns. Report here is the synthesis and characterization of a pair of zerovalent (d⁹) trigonal pyramidal Rh and Ir complexes that feature 2c/3e^? σ bonds to the Si atom of a tripodal tris(phosphine)silatrane ligand. X‐ray diffraction, continuous wave and pulse electron paramagnetic resonance, density‐functional theory calculations, and reactivity studies have been used to characterize these electronically distinctive compounds. The data available highlight a 2c/3e^? bonding framework with a σ*‐SOMO of metal 4‐ or 5d_z² parentage that is partially stabilized by significant mixing with Si (3p_z) and metal (5‐ or 6p_z) orbitals. Metal‐ligand covalency thus buffers the expected destabilization of transition‐metal (TM)‐silyl σ*‐orbitals by d–p mixing, affording well‐characterized examples of TM–main group, and hence polar, 2c/3e^? σ “half‐bonds”.     

Phosphorus Centers of Different Hybridization in Phosphaalkene‐Substituted Phospholes

Phosphole‐substituted phosphaalkenes (PPAs) of the general formula Mes*P?C(CH₃)?(C₄H₂P(Ph))?R 5 a – c (Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu₃Ph; R=2‐pyridyl ( a ), 2‐thienyl ( b ), phenyl ( c )) have been prepared from octa‐1,7‐diyne‐substituted phosphaalkenes by utilizing the Fagan–Nugent route. The presence of two differently hybridized phosphorus centers (σ²,λ³ and σ³,λ³) in 5 offers the possibility to selectively tune the HOMO–LUMO gap of the compounds by utilizing the different reactivity of the two phosphorus heteroatoms. Oxidation of 5 a – c by sulfur proceeds exclusively at the σ³,λ³‐phosphorus atom, thus giving rise to the corresponding thioxophospholes 6 a – c . Similarly, 5 a is selectively coordinated by AuCl at the σ³,λ³‐phosphorus atom. Subsequent second AuCl coordination at the σ²,λ³‐phosphorus heteroatom results in a dimetallic species that is characterized by a gold–gold interaction that provokes a change in π conjugation. Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and theoretical investigations show that the phosphaalkene and the phosphole both have a sizable impact on the electronic properties of the compounds. The presence of the phosphaalkene unit induces a decrease of the HOMO–LUMO gap relative to reference phosphole‐containing π systems that lack a P?C substituent.     

Competitive Gold‐Activation Modes in Terminal Alkynes: An Experimental and Mechanistic Study

The competition between π‐ and dual σ,π‐gold‐activation modes is revealed in the gold(I)‐catalyzed heterocyclization of 1‐(o‐ethynylaryl)urea. A noticeable effect of various ligands in gold complexes on the choice of these activation modes is described. The cationic [Au(IPr)]⁺ (IPr=2,6‐bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene) complex cleanly promotes the π activation of terminal alkynes, whereas [Au(PtBu₃)]⁺ favors intermediate σ,π species. In this experimental and mechanistic study, which includes kinetic and cross‐over experiments, several σ‐gold, σ,π‐gold, and other gold polynuclear reaction intermediates have been isolated and identified by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, or MALDI spectrometry. The ligand control in the simultaneous or alternative π‐ and σ,π‐activation modes is also supported by deuterium‐labeling experiments.     

Activation of Strong Boron–Fluorine and Silicon–Fluorine σ‐Bonds: Theoretical Understanding and Prediction

The oxidative addition of BF₃ to a platinum(0) bis(phosphine) complex [Pt(PMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) was investigated by density functional calculations. Both the cis and trans pathways for the oxidative addition of BF₃ to 1 are endergonic (ΔG°=26.8 and 35.7 kcal mol^?1, respectively) and require large Gibbs activation energies (ΔG°^≠=56.3 and 38.9 kcal mol^?1, respectively). A second borane plays crucial roles in accelerating the activation; the trans oxidative addition of BF₃ to 1 in the presence of a second BF₃ molecule occurs with ΔG°^≠ and ΔG° values of 10.1 and ?4.7 kcal mol^?1, respectively. ΔG°^≠ becomes very small and ΔG° becomes negative. A charge transfer (CT), F→BF₃, occurs from the dissociating fluoride to the second non‐coordinated BF₃. This CT interaction stabilizes both the transition state and the product. The B?F σ‐bond cleavage of BF₂Ar^F (Ar^F=3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) and the B?Cl σ‐bond cleavage of BCl₃ by 1 are accelerated by the participation of the second borane. The calculations predict that trans oxidative addition of SiF₄ to 1 easily occurs in the presence of a second SiF₄ molecule via the formation of a hypervalent Si species.     

Zerovalent Rhodium and Iridium Silatranes Featuring Two‐Center,Three‐Electron Polar σ Bonds

Species with 2‐center, 3‐electron (2c/3e^?) σ bonds are of interest owing to their fascinating electronic structures and potential for interesting reactivity patterns. Report here is the synthesis and characterization of a pair of zerovalent (d⁹) trigonal pyramidal Rh and Ir complexes that feature 2c/3e^? σ bonds to the Si atom of a tripodal tris(phosphine)silatrane ligand. X‐ray diffraction, continuous wave and pulse electron paramagnetic resonance, density‐functional theory calculations, and reactivity studies have been used to characterize these electronically distinctive compounds. The data available highlight a 2c/3e^? bonding framework with a σ*‐SOMO of metal 4‐ or 5d_z² parentage that is partially stabilized by significant mixing with Si (3p_z) and metal (5‐ or 6p_z) orbitals. Metal‐ligand covalency thus buffers the expected destabilization of transition‐metal (TM)‐silyl σ*‐orbitals by d–p mixing, affording well‐characterized examples of TM–main group, and hence polar, 2c/3e^? σ “half‐bonds”.     

Darstellung von Bis‐(2‐chlorethyl)amino‐substituierten Diazaphosphorinonen. Reversible oxidative Addition von Hexafluoraceton an σ3λ3‐Phosphor‐Verbindungen. Synthese von σ5λ5‐Spirophosphoranen und deren Zersetzung

Synthesis of Bis‐(2‐chloroethyl)amino‐substituted Diazaphosphorinones. Reversible Oxidative Addition of Hexafluoroacetone to σ³λ³‐Phosphorus Compounds. Synthesis of σ⁵λ⁵‐Spirophosphoranes and their Decomposition The reaction of 1‐methyl‐pyrido[3,2‐e]‐3,1‐oxazin‐2,4‐dione ( 1 ) with benzylamines led to the aminonicotinic acid amides 2 – 4 . Their reaction with phosphorus trichloride furnished the P‐chloro‐pyridodiazaphosphorinones 5 – 7 , which, upon reaction with bis‐(2‐chloroethyl) ammonium chloride/triethylamine, were converted into the P‐bis‐(2‐chloroethyl)amino‐substituted pyridodiazaphosphorinones 8 – 10 . The P‐chloro‐benzodiazaphosphorinone 11 was allowed to react with 2‐chloroethylammonium chloride/triethylamine to form the 2‐chloroethylamino‐substituted derivative 12 . The σ³‐diazaphosphorinones 8 , 9 , 12 and 13 were oxidized with the urea‐hydrogen peroxide‐(1 : 1)‐adduct to the corresponding phosphoryl derivatives 14 – 17 . The oxidative addition of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) to the σ³‐diazaphosphorinone 18 led, with abstraction of methyl chloride, to the tricyclic phosphorane 19 b . The spirophosphoranes 21 – 23 were formed by reaction of compounds 8 , 9 and 13 with HFA. NMR‐studies were made on the decomposition of the bicyclic phosphoranes 20 a , 22 and 23 . The oxidative addition of HFA to diazaphosphorinones was found to be reversible. Single crystal X‐ray determinations were conducted on compounds 17 and 19 b . They confirm the expected connectivity. Compound 17 was found to exhibit short C–H‥ O‐hydrogen bonds (H…O 234 pm). Compound 19 crystallises as two independent molecules which differ, e. g., in the orientation of the chloroethyl groups.     

Zur Interpretation 29Si-NMR-chemischer Verschiebungen

The ²⁹Si-NMR chemical shifts δ(²⁹Si) of (CH₃)_4?nSiX_n compounds and some ¹³C-NMR chemical shifts δ(¹³C) of analogous carbon compounds are discussed by means of relative paramagnetic screening constants σ*, calculated by a simplified model. In this model only the Si(3P)- and C(2P)-orbitals are considered; for the calculations, the electronegativities of Si, C and the X-substituents and a single empirical parameter are necessary. The calculated values of σ* are in good agreement with the change of the chemical shifts which are observed for the (CH₃)_4?nMX_n compounds with different X and n. These results clearly show that δ(²⁹Si) and δ(¹³C) depend primarily on the σ-charge of the Si- and C-atom, and that (P? d)π-interactions on the Si-atom are of minor importance.     

Heterolytic activation of C?H bond in methane with (HNCHCHNH)M(CH3) (M = Pd+, Pt+, Rh+, Ir+, Rh,Ir): Comparative density functional study of activation mechanisms

Activation of methane by oxidative addition and σ‐bond metathesis has been investigated for (N‐N)M(CH₃) (M = Pd⁺, Pt⁺, Rh⁺, Ir⁺, Rh, Ir; N‐N = (HN?CH? CH?NH) using different density functional approaches. The pathway of oxidative addition is in general favored, the exceptions being Pd⁺ and Rh⁺. Oxidative addition is clearly more favorable for the third‐row metal complexes than those of the second row. The third‐row metal complexes also tend to have a lower activation barrier for σ‐bond metathesis than those of the second row. In each case, the oxidative addition is preceded by formation of a sigma complex. The bonding energies of these complexes are significantly stronger for the cationic systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003     

A Series of Isolable Silanoic Thio‐, Seleno‐, and Telluroesters (LSi(X)OR) with Donor‐Supported SiX Double Bonds (L=β‐Diketiminate; X=S,Se, Te)

The first silicon analogues of carbonic (carboxylic) esters, the silanoic thio‐, seleno‐, and tellurosilylesters 3 (Si?S), 4 (Si?Se), and 5 (Si?Te), were prepared and isolated in crystalline form in high yield. These thermally robust compounds are easily accessible by direct reaction of the stable siloxysilylene L(Si:)OSi(H)L′ 2 (L=HC(CMe)₂[N(aryl)₂], L′=CH[(C?CH₂)‐CMe][N(aryl)]₂; aryl=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with the respective elemental chalcogen. The novel compounds were fully characterized by methods including multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Owing to intramolecular N→Si donor–acceptor support of the Si?X moieties (X=S, Se, Te), these compounds have a classical valence‐bond N⁺–Si–X^? resonance betaine structure. At the same time, they also display a relatively strong nonclassical Si?X π‐bonding interaction between the chalcogen lone‐pair electrons (n_π donor orbitals) and two antibonding Si? N orbitals (σ*_π acceptor orbitals mainly located at silicon), which was shown by IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Accordingly, the Si?X bonds in the chalcogenoesters are 7.4 ( 3 ), 6.7 ( 4 ), and 6.9 % ( 5 ) shorter than the corresponding Si? X single bonds and, thus, only a little longer than those in electronically less disturbed Si?X systems (“heavier” ketones).     

Synthesis and Study of Cationic,Two‐Coordinate Triphenylphosphine– Gold–π Complexes

Cationic, two‐coordinate triphenylphosphine–gold(I)–π complexes of the form [(PPh₃)Au(π ligand)]⁺ SbF₆^? (π ligand=4‐methylstyrene, 1? SbF₆), 2‐methyl‐2‐butene ( 3? SbF₆), 3‐hexyne ( 6? SbF₆), 1,3‐cyclohexadiene ( 7? SbF₆), 3‐methyl‐1,2‐butadiene ( 8? SbF₆), and 1,7‐diphenyl‐3,4‐heptadiene ( 10? SbF₆) were generated in situ from reaction of [(PPh₃)AuCl], AgSbF₆, and π ligand at ?78 °C and were characterized by low‐temperature, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy without isolation. The π ligands of these complexes were both weakly bound and kinetically labile and underwent facile intermolecular exchange with free ligand (ΔG^≠≈9 kcal mol^?1 in the case of 6? SbF₆) and competitive displacement by weak σ donors, such as trifluoromethane sulfonate. Triphenylphosphine–gold(I)–π complexes were thermally unstable and decomposed above ?20 °C to form the bis(triphenylphosphine) gold cation [(PPh₃)₂Au]⁺SbF₆^? ( 2? SbF₆).     

Spontaneous Oxidative Addition of σ-SiSi Bonds at Gold

Gold can do it! The activation of disilanes at gold was observed experimentally and analyzed theoretically. Upon chelation with two or even only one phosphine donor, the oxidative addition of σ-Si?Si bonds proceeds readily at low temperatures. These results show an unexpected similarity between gold and the other late transition metals towards σ?bond activation.     

Unusual Bonding and Properties in Main Group Element Chemistry: Rational Synthesis,Characterization, and Experimental Electron Density Determination of Mixed‐Valent Tetraphosphetes

Five dispirocyclic λ³,λ⁵‐tetraphosphetes [{R₂Si(NR¹)(NR²)P₂}₂] (R¹ = R² and R¹ ≠ R²) are easily prepared in almost quantitative yields via photolysis of the respective bis(trimethylsilyl)phosphanyldiazaphosphasiletidines with intense visible light. These deep‐yellow low‐coordinate phosphorus compounds can be considered as the first higher congeners of the well‐known cyclodiphosphazenes. The tetraphosphetes are remarkably stable in air and show unexpected molecular properties related to the unique bonding situation of the central four‐π‐electron four‐membered phosphorus ring. The extent of rhombic distortion of the central P₄ ring is remarkable due to an unusually acute angle at the σ²‐phosphorus atoms. All of the P?P bonds are approximately equal in length. The distances are in the middle of the range given by phosphorus single and double bonds. The anisotropic absorption of visible light that can easily be observed in the case of the yellow/colorless dichroic crystals of [{Me₂Si(NtBu)(NtBu)P₂}₂] and the exceptional ³¹P NMR chemical shift of the σ²‐phosphorus atoms are the most remarkable features of the λ³,λ⁵‐tetraphosphetes. In the case of [{Me₂Si(NtBu)(NtBu)P₂}₂], the Hansen–Coppens multipole model is applied to extract the electron density from high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction data obtained at 100 K. Static deformation density and topological analysis reveal a unique bonding situation in the central unsaturated P₄ fragment characterized by polar σ‐bonding, pronounced out‐of‐ring non‐bonding lone pair density on the σ²‐phosphorus atoms, and an additional non‐classical three‐center back‐bonding contribution.     

Vicinal Dinitridoruthenium‐Substituted Polyoxometalates γ‐[XW10O38{RuN}2]6− (X=Si or Ge)

Reaction of the divacant polyoxometalate K₈[γ‐XW₁₀O₃₆] (X=Si, Ge) with two equivalents of the metal‐nitrido precursor Cs₂[Ru^VINCl₅], at room temperature in water, produces K₂(Me₂NH₂)₂H₂[γ‐XW₁₀O₃₈{RuN}₂], X=Si ( DMA ‐ 1 a ) or Ge ( DMA ‐ 1 b ). The X‐ray crystal structures of both complexes show monomeric complexes with highly unusual vicinal terminal metal‐nitrido units. The Ru?N bond lengths are 1.594(10) and 1.612(11) Å in 1 a and 1 b , respectively. EXAFS studies confirmed the key structural assignments from X‐ray crystallography. The XANES spectrum of DMA‐1 a , diamagnetism, NMR (²⁹Si and ¹⁸³W) chemical shifts, voltammetric behavior, reductive titrations with [PW₁₂O₄₀]^4?, and computational data are all consistent with d² Ru^VI centers in these complexes. The FT‐IR and Raman spectra show the expected vibrational modes of the {γ‐XW₁₀} unit and the Ru?N stretch at 1080 cm^?1, respectively. Interestingly, reduction of DMA‐1 a by 4 equivalents of [PW₁₂O₄₀]^4? produces NH₃ in nearly quantitative yield. Cyclic voltammetry versus pH and calculations provide the energetics for the possible two‐electron reduction and two‐proton addition processes in this reaction.     

Palladium(0)/PAr3‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Amination of C(sp3)H Bonds: Synthesis of β‐Amino Acids

An intermolecular C(sp³)? H amination using a Pd⁰/PAr₃ catalyst was developed. The reaction begins with oxidative addition of R₂N? OBz to a Pd⁰/PAr₃ catalyst and subsequent cleavage of a C(sp³)? H bond by the generated Pd? NR₂ intermediate. The catalytic cycle proceeds without the need for external oxidants in a similar manner to the extensively studied palladium(0)‐catalyzed C? H arylation reactions. The electron‐deficient triarylphosphine ligand is crucial for this C(sp³)? H amination reaction to occur.     

Imino‐Bridged Bisphosphaalkenes (2,4‐Diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes)

Deprotonation of aminophosphaalkenes (RMe₂Si)₂C?PN(H)(R′) (R=Me, iPr; R′=tBu, 1‐adamantyl (1‐Ada), 2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂ (Mes*)) followed by reactions of the corresponding Li salts Li[(RMe₂Si)₂C?P(M)(R′)] with one equivalent of the corresponding P‐chlorophosphaalkenes (RMe₂Si)₂C?PCl provides bisphosphaalkenes (2,4‐diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes) [(RMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NR′. The thermally unstable tert‐butyliminobisphosphaalkene [(Me₃Si)₂C?P]₂NtBu ( 4 a ) undergoes isomerisation reactions by Me₃Si‐group migration that lead to mixtures of four‐membered heterocyles, but in the presence of an excess amount of (Me₃Si)₂C?PCl, 4 a furnishes an azatriphosphabicyclohexene C₃(SiMe₃)₅P₃NtBu ( 5 ) that gave red single crystals. Compound 5 contains a diphosphirane ring condensed with an azatriphospholene system that exhibits an endocylic P?C double bond and an exocyclic ylidic P⁽⁺⁾? C^(?)(SiMe₃)₂ unit. Using the bulkier iPrMe₂Si substituents at three‐coordinated carbon leads to slightly enhanced thermal stability of 2,4‐diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes [(iPrMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NR′ (R′=tBu: 4 b ; R′=1‐Ada: 8 ). According to a low‐temperature crystal‐structure determination, 8 adopts a non‐planar structure with two distinctly differently oriented P?C sites, but ³¹P NMR spectra in solution exhibit singlet signals. ³¹P NMR spectra also reveal that bulky Mes* groups (Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂) at the central imino function lead to mixtures of symmetric and unsymmetric rotamers, thus implying hindered rotation around the P? N bonds in persistent compounds [(RMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NMes* ( 11 a , 11 b ). DFT calculations for the parent molecule [(H₃Si)₂C?P]₂NCH₃ suggest that the non‐planar distortion of compound 8 will have steric grounds.