One‐Pot Stereoselective Synthesis of 2‐Acylaziridines and 2‐Acylpyrrolidines from N‐(Propargylic)hydroxylamines

The stereoselective direct transformation of N‐(propargylic)hydroxylamines into cis‐2‐acylaziridines was achieved by the combined use of AgBF₄ and CuCl. Copper salts were found to promote the transformation of the intermediary 4‐isoxazolines into 2‐acylaziridines and both 3‐aryl‐ and 3‐alkyl‐substituted 2‐acylaziridines could be prepared by using this method. Furthermore, subsequent 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides that were generated in situ from the intermediary 2‐acylaziridines with maleimides was achieved in a stereoselective one‐pot procedure to afford the corresponding 2‐acylpyrrolidines, which consisted of an octahydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole skeleton.     

Air‐Stable (CAAC)CuCl and (CAAC)CuBH4 Complexes as Catalysts for the Hydrolytic Dehydrogenation of BH3NH3

The first stable copper borohydride complex [(CAAC)CuBH₄] [CAAC=cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene] bearing a single monodentate ligand was prepared by addition of NaBH₄ or BH₃NH₃ to the corresponding [(CAAC)CuCl] complex. Both complexes are air‐stable and promote the catalytic hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane. The amount of hydrogen released reaches 2.8 H₂/BH₃NH₃ with a turnover frequency of 8400 mol mol_cat^?1 h^?1 at 25 °C. In a fifteen‐cycle experiment, the catalyst was reused without any loss of efficiency.     

Cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene gold(I) complexes: A synthetic and structural investigation

A series of mono- and dicarbene gold(I) complexes of types Au(CAAC)(Cl) [CAAC = cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene] (1) and [Au(CAAC)₂]⁺[X]^? (X = Cl, AuCl₂) (2) have been prepared through reaction of AuCl(SMe₂) with free carbenes a–e, and structurally characterized by single X-ray diffraction studies (1a, 1b, 2d, 2e). In addition two new free cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (c and e) have been synthesized.     

Crystalline Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene‐tetrafluoropyridyl Radical

A stable cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) 1 inserts into the para‐CF bond of pentafluoropyridine, and after fluoride abstraction, the iminium‐pyridyl adduct [ 3 ]⁺ was isolated. A cyclic voltammetry study shows a reversible three‐state redox system involving [ 3 ]⁺, [ 3 ] ^? , and [ 3 ] ^? . The CAAC‐pyridyl radical [ 3 ] ^? , obtained by reduction of [ 3 ]⁺ with magnesium, has been spectroscopically and crystallographically characterized. In contrast to the lack of π communication between the CAAC and the pyridine units in cation [ 3 ]⁺, the unpaired electron of [ 3 ] ^? is delocalized over an extended π system involving both heterocycles.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic properties of manganese compounds of keto- and enol-coordinated di-2-pyridyl ketone benzoyl hydrazone (dpkbh). Reactions of [Mn(CO)5Br] with dpkbh

Reactions between [Mn(CO)₅Br] and dpkbh in low boiling solvents in air gave fac-[Mn^I(CO)₃(κ²-N_py,N_im-dpkbh)Br]·H₂O, [Mn^IIBr₂(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh)], and [Mn^II(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh-H)₂]·0.5H₂O (N_im = imine nitrogen and N_py = pyridyl nitrogen). Crystallization of fac-[Mn^I(CO)₃(κ²-N_py,N_im-dpkbh)Br]·H₂O from dmso or CH₃CN produced dark red crystals of [Mn^II(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh-H)₂]·nX (X = dmso, n = 1 and X = H₂O, n = 0.22). This is in contrast to the reaction of [Re(CO)₅Cl] with dpkbh in refluxing toluene to form fac-[Re^I(CO)₃(κ²-,N_py,N_py-dpkbh)Cl] which can be crystallized from CH₃CN, dmso or dmf to form fac-[Re^I(CO)₃(κ²-,N_py,N_py-dpkbh)Cl]·nX (X = CH₃CN, n = 0 and solvate = dmso or dmf, n = 1). Infrared spectral measurements are consistent with keto coordination of dpkbh to Mn(I) in fac-[Mn^I(CO)₃(κ²-N_py,N_im-dpkbh)Br]·H₂O and Mn(II) in [Mn^IIBr₂(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh)] plus enol coordination of the amide-deprotonated dpkbh, to the Mn(II) center in [Mn^II(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh-H)₂]·0.5H₂O. Electronic absorption spectral measurements in non-aqueous solvents indicate sensitivity of fac-[Mn^I(CO)₃(κ²-N_py,N_im-dpkbh)Br]·H₂O and [Mn^II(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh-H)₂]·0.5H₂O to changes in their outer-shell environments. X-ray crystallographic analyses elucidated the identities of [Mn^IIBr₂(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh)] and [Mn^II(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh-H)₂]·nX and divulged weaker coordination of [dpkbh] to Mn(II) in [Mn^IIBr₂(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh)] and stronger coordination of [dpkbh-H]^? to Mn(II) in [Mn^II(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh-H)₂]·0.22H₂O. Low-temperature X-ray structural analyses were employed to account for the disorder in the structure of [Mn^II(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh-H)₂] and the short NH bond distance observed in the structure of [Mn^IIBr₂(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh)]. A PLATON Squeeze treatment was invoked to account for the fractional occupancy of lattice water in the structure of [Mn^II(κ³-N_py,N_im,O-dpkbh-H)₂].     

Cyclic(Alkyl)(Amino)Carbene (CAAC)-Supported Zn Alkyls: Synthesis,Structure and Reactivity in Hydrosilylation Catalysis

The reactivity of Zn^II dialkyl species ZnMe₂ with a cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene, 1-[2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl]-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-pyrrolidinylidene (CAAC, 1 ), was studied and extended to the preparation of robust CAAC-supported Zn^II Lewis acidic organocations. CAAC adduct of ZnMe₂ ( 2 ), formed from a 1:1 mixture of 1 and ZnMe₂, is unstable at room temperature and readily undergoes a CAAC carbene insertion into the Zn−Me bond to produce the ZnX₂-type species (CAAC-Me)ZnMe ( 3 ), a reactivity further supported by DFT calculations. Despite its limited stability, adduct 2 was cleanly ionized to robust two-coordinate (CAAC)ZnMe⁺ cation ( 5⁺ ) and derived into (CAAC)ZnC₆F₅⁺ ( 7⁺ ), both isolated as B(C₆F₅)₄⁻ salts, showing the ability of CAAC for the stabilization of reactive [ZnMe]⁺ and [ZnC₆F₅]⁺ moieties. Due to the lability of the CAAC−ZnMe₂ bond, the formation of bis(CAAC) adduct (CAAC)₂ZnMe⁺ cation ( 6⁺ ) was also observed and the corresponding salt [ 6 ][B(C₆F₅)₄] was structurally characterized. As estimated from experimental and calculations data, cations 5⁺ and 7⁺ are highly Lewis acidic species and the stronger Lewis acid 7⁺ effectively mediates alkene, alkyne and CO₂ hydrosilylation catalysis. All supporting data hints at Lewis acid type activation–functionalization processes. Despite a lower energy LUMO in 5⁺ and 7⁺ , their observed reactivity is comparable to those of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) analogues, in line with charge-controlled reactions for carbene-stabilized Zn^II organocations.     

Low‐Temperature N2 Binding to Two‐Coordinate L2Fe0 Enables Reductive Trapping of L2FeN2− and NH3 Generation

The two‐coordinate [(CAAC)₂Fe] complex [CAAC=cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene] binds dinitrogen at low temperature (T2 complex, [(CAAC)₂Fe(N₂)], was trapped by one‐electron reduction to its corresponding anion [(CAAC)₂FeN₂]^? at low temperature. This complex was structurally characterized and features an activated dinitrogen unit which can be silylated at the β‐nitrogen atom. The redox‐linked complexes [(CAAC)₂Fe^I][BAr^F₄], [(CAAC)₂Fe⁰], and [(CAAC)₂Fe^?IN₂]^? were all found to be active for the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia upon treatment with KC₈ and HBAr^F₄?2 Et₂O at ?95 °C [up to (3.4±1.0) equivalents of ammonia per Fe center]. The N₂ reduction activity is highly temperature dependent, with significant N₂ reduction to NH₃ only occurring below ?78 °C. This reactivity profile tracks with the low temperatures needed for N₂ binding and an otherwise unavailable electron‐transfer step to generate reactive [(CAAC)₂FeN₂]^?.     

Stereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-2′,5′-disubstituted N-arylpyrrolo[3′,4′:1,9](C60-I h )[5,6]fullerenes by the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides from dialkyl aziridinedicarboxylates to fullerene C60

A stereoselective method for the synthesis of 2′,5′-disubstituted N-arylpyrrolofullerenes from anilines, alkyl glyoxylates, alkyl diazoacetates, and fullerene C₆₀ was proposed. The key step of the synthesis is the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of fullerene with azomethine ylides generated by heating of dialkyl aziridinedicarboxylates. The thermal opening of the aziridine ring to azomethine ylide and the cycloaddition of the latter to C₆₀ at 100 °C are nearly completely stereoselective: only trans-adducts are formed from cis-aziridines, whereas trans-aziridines give exclusively cis-adducts.     

Structural and catalytic aspects of copper(II) complexes containing 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl ligands

The synthesis, structure, and ligand substitution mechanism of a new five-coordinate trigonal-bipyramidal copper(II) complex, [Cu^II(py ^tBuMe₂N₃)Cl₂] (1), with a sterically constrained py ^tBuMe₂N₃ chelate ligand, py ^tBuMe₂N₃?=?2,6-bis-(ketimino)pyridyl, are reported. The kinetics and mechanism of chloride substitution by thiourea, as a function of nucleophile concentration, temperature, and pressure, were studied in detail and compared with an earlier study reported for the analogous complex [Cu^II(py ^tBuN₃)Cl₂] (2) [py ^tBuN₃?=?2,6-bis-(aldimino)pyridyl]. Catalysis of the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol to 3,5-di-tert-butylquinone by 1 and 2 was studied. Correlations between the reactivity, chloride substitution behavior, and reduction potentials of both complexes were made. These show that the rate of oxidation is independent of the rate of chloride substitution, indicating that the substitution of chloride by catechol as substrate occurs in a fast step. Spectral data show a non-linear relationship between the ability of the complexes to oxidize 3,5-DTBC and the Lewis acidity of their copper(II) centers. Electrochemical data demonstrate that the most effective complex 1 has a E ⁰ value that approaches the E ⁰ value of the natural tyrosinase enzyme.     

Copper(I) and Gold(I) Complexes with N,N′‐Bis(diphenylphosphino)‐2,6‐diaminopyridine as Ligand: Synthesis and Molecular Structures

Reaction of CuI with 1 or 2 equivalent(s) N,N′‐Bis(diphenylphosphino)‐2,6‐diaminopyridine (BDDP) gives two different complexes, [Cu(I)μ‐(BDDP‐κP,N_py)]₂ ( 1 ) and [Cu(BDDP‐κP,N_py)₂]I ( 2 ), in high yields. The determination of the molecular structure show that both Cu^I atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated, rather than a square‐planar geometry reported for Cr⁰, Ni^II‐BDDP complexes before, which contains a planar tridentate chelate ring system. The introduction of AuCl(tht) (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) into [Cu(BDDP‐κP,N_py)₂]I leads unexpectedly to the formation of a digold complex 2,6‐[(ClAuPh₂P)HN]₂C₅H₃N and dimeric [Cu(I)μ‐(BDDP‐κP,N_py)]₂.     

Structures and thermal properties of strontium and barium 1,3-propanediaminetetraacetates

In neutral and acidic solution, homonuclear s-block metal complexes [Sr₂(1,3-pdta)(H₂O)_3.5] _n (1), {[Ba₂(1,3-pdta)(H₂O)₆]·H₂O} _n (2), {[Sr(1,3-H₂pdta)]·(H₂O)} _n (3), and [Ba(1,3-H₂pdta)(H₂O)₃] _n (4) {1,3-H₄pdta=1,3-propanediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, CH₂[CH₂N(CH₂CO₂H)₂]₂} were isolated. In 1 and 2, hexadentate 1,3-pdta joins two metal ions via the diamine chain. In 3 and 4, the nitrogens of 1,3-H₂pdta were protonated and show no coordination. There is no coordinated water in 3, unusual coordination for strontium. In 4, the coordination number is nine and there are three coordinated waters for each barium. One carboxy group of pdta is free without coordination. Thermal decomposition shows that temperatures of ligand elimination start at 408, 423, 298, and 250?°C for 1–4, respectively. Acidic condition is favorable for preparation of metal oxide at low temperature.     

(Acetonitrile){2,6‐bis[1‐(2,4,6‐trimethylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridine}dichloridoruthenium(II) dichloromethane solvate

In the title compound, [RuCl₂(C₂H₃N)(C₂₇H₃₁N₃)]·CH₂Cl₂, the Ru^II ion is six‐coordinated in a distorted octahedral arrangement, with the two Cl atoms located in the apical positions, and the pyridine (py) N atom, the two imino N atoms and the acetonitrile N atom located in the basal plane. The two equatorial Ru—N_imino distances are almost equal (mean 2.087 Å) and are substantially longer than the equatorial Ru—N_py bond [1.921 (4) Å]. It is observed that the N_imino—M—N_py angle for the five‐membered chelate rings of pyridine‐2,6‐diimine complexes is inversely related to the magnitude of the M—N_py bond. The title structure is stabilized by intra‐ and intermolecular C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, as well as by van der Waals interactions.     

Two‐Coordinate Fe0 and Co0 Complexes Supported by Cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes

The CAAC [CAAC=cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene] family of carbene ligands have shown promise in stabilizing unusually low‐coordination number transition‐metal complexes in low formal oxidation states. Here we extend this narrative by demonstrating their utility in affording access to the first examples of two‐coordinate formal Fe⁰ and Co⁰ [(CAAC)₂M] complexes, prepared by reduction of their corresponding two‐coordinate cationic Fe^I and Co^I precursors. The stability of these species arises from the strong σ‐donating and π‐accepting properties of the supporting CAAC ligands, in addition to steric protection.     

Neutral Boryl Radicals in Mixed-Valent B(III)Br-B(II) Adducts

The general strategies to stabilize a boryl radical involve single electron delocalization by π-system and the steric hinderance from bulky groups. Herein, a new class of boryl radicals is reported, with intramolecular mixed-valent B^(III)Br-B^(II) adducts ligated by a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC). The radicals feature a large spin density on the boron center, which is ascertained by EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Structural and computational analyses revealed that the stability of radical species was assisted by the CAAC ligand and a weak but significant B(III)Br-B(II) interaction, suggesting a cooperative avenue for stabilization of boryl radicals. Two-electron reduction of these new boryl radicals provides C−H insertion products via a borylene intermediate.     

Correlations and Contrasts in Homo‐ and Heteroleptic Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene‐Containing Pt0 Complexes

An improved synthetic route to homoleptic complex [Pt(CAAC^Me)₂] (CAAC=cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes) and convenient routes to new heteroleptic complexes of the form [Pt(CAAC^Me)(PR₃)] are presented. Although the homoleptic complex was found to be inert to many reagents, oxidative addition and metal‐only Lewis pair (MOLP) formation was observed from one of the heteroleptic complexes. The spectroscopic, structural, and electrochemical properties of the zero‐valent complexes were explored in concert with density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations. The homoleptic [Pt(CAAC)₂] and heteroleptic [Pt(CAAC)(PR₃)] complexes were found to be similar in their spectroscopic and structural properties, but their electrochemical behavior and reactivity differ greatly. The unusually strong color of the CAAC‐containing Pt⁰ complexes was investigated by TD‐DFT calculations and attributed to excitations into the LUMOs of the complexes, which are predominantly composed of bonding π interactions between Pt and the CAAC carbon atoms.     

Quantification of the Electrophilicities of Diazoalkanes: Kinetics and Mechanism of Azo Couplings with Enamines and Sulfonium Ylides

Kinetics and mechanism of the reactions of methyl diazoacetate, dimethyl diazomalonate, 4-nitrophenyldiazomethane, and diphenyldiazomethane with sulfonium ylides and enamines were investigated by UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy. Ordinary alkenes undergo 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with these diazo compounds. In contrast, sulfonium ylides and enamines attack at the terminal nitrogen of the diazo alkanes to give zwitterions, which undergo various subsequent reactions. As only one new bond is formed in the rate-determining step of these reactions, the correlation lg k₂(20 °C)=s_N(N+E) could be used to determine the one-bond electrophilicities E of the diazo compounds from the measured second-order rate constants and the known reactivity indices N and s_N of the sulfonium ylides and enamines. The resulting electrophilicity parameters (−21<E<−18), which are 11–14 orders of magnitude smaller than that of the benzenediazonium ion, are used to define the scope of one-bond nucleophiles which may react with these diazoalkanes.     

(Acetonitrile){2,6‐bis­[1‐(2‐ethyl‐6‐methyl­phenyl­imino)­ethyl]­pyridine}­dichloro­ruthenium(II) dichloro­methane hemisolvate: a chain of edge‐fused R66(24) rings

In the title compound, [RuCl₂(C₂H₃N)(C₂₇H₃₁N₃)]·0.5CH₂Cl₂, the Ru^II ion is six‐coordinated in a distorted octa­hedral arrangement, with the two Cl atoms located in the apical positions, and the pyridine (py) N atom, the two imino N atoms and the acetonitrile N atom located in the basal plane. The dichloromethane solvent mol­ecule lies on a twofold axis. The two equatorial Ru—N_imino distances are almost equal (mean 2.089 Å) and are substantially longer than the equatorial Ru—N_py bond [1.914 (4) Å]. It is observed that the N_imino—M—N_py bond angle for the five‐membered chelate rings of pyridine‐2,6‐diimine complexes is inversely related to the magnitude of the M—N_py bond. The title structure is stabilized by intra‐ and inter­molecular C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. The inter­molecular hydrogen bonds form an R₆⁶(24) ring and a chain of edge‐fused rings running parallel to the [001] direction.     

Ethenesulfonyl Fluoride: The Most Perfect Michael Acceptor Ever Found?

The kinetics of the reactions of ethenesulfonyl fluoride (ESF) with sulfonium and pyridinium ylides were measured photometrically to determine the electrophilicity parameter of ESF according to the correlation lg k_{20 °C}=s_N(N+E). With E=?12.09, ESF is among the strongest Michael acceptors in our comprehensive electrophilicity scale, which explains its excellent performance in reactions with many nucleophiles. Its predicted usability as a reagent in electrophilic aromatic substitutions with electron‐rich arenes was confirmed by uncatalyzed reactions with alkyl‐substituted pyrroles.     

A structural systematic study of four isomers of difluoro‐N‐(3‐pyridyl)benzamide

The four isomers 2,4‐, (I), 2,5‐, (II), 3,4‐, (III), and 3,5‐difluoro‐N‐(3‐pyridyl)benzamide, (IV), all with formula C₁₂H₈F₂N₂O, display molecular similarity, with interplanar angles between the C₆/C₅N rings ranging from 2.94 (11)° in (IV) to 4.48 (18)° in (I), although the amide group is twisted from either plane by 18.0 (2)–27.3 (3)°. Compounds (I) and (II) are isostructural but are not isomorphous. Intermolecular N—H...O=C interactions form one‐dimensional C(4) chains along [010]. The only other significant interaction is C—H...F. The pyridyl (py) N atom does not participate in hydrogen bonding; the closest H...N_py contact is 2.71 Å in (I) and 2.69 Å in (II). Packing of pairs of one‐dimensional chains in a herring‐bone fashion occurs viaπ‐stacking interactions. Compounds (III) and (IV) are essentially isomorphous (their a and b unit‐cell lengths differ by 9%, due mainly to 3,4‐F₂ and 3,5‐F₂ substitution patterns in the arene ring) and are quasi‐isostructural. In (III), benzene rotational disorder is present, with the meta F atom occupying both 3‐ and 5‐F positions with site occupancies of 0.809 (4) and 0.191 (4), respectively. The N—H...N_py intermolecular interactions dominate as C(5) chains in tandem with C—H...N_py interactions. C—H...O=C interactions form R₂²(8) rings about inversion centres, and there are π–π stacks about inversion centres, all combining to form a three‐dimensional network. By contrast, (IV) has no strong hydrogen bonds; the N—H...N_py interaction is 0.3 Å longer than in (III). The carbonyl O atom participates only in weak interactions and is surrounded in a square‐pyramidal contact geometry with two intramolecular and three intermolecular C—H...O=C interactions. Compounds (III) and (IV) are interesting examples of two isomers with similar unit‐cell parameters and gross packing but which display quite different intermolecular interactions at the primary level due to subtle packing differences at the atom/group/ring level arising from differences in the peripheral ring‐substitution patterns.     

Iron(II) complexes containing the 2,6-bis-iminopyridyl moiety. Synthesis,characterization, reactivity,and DNA binding

Two iron(II) complexes, [Fe^II(py^tBuN₃)₂](FeCl₄) (1) and [Fe^II(py^tBuMe₂N₃)Cl₂] (2), with sterically constrained py^tBuN₃ and py^tBuMe₂N₃ chelate ligands (py^tBuN₃ = 2,6-bis-(aldiimino)pyridyl; py^tBuMe₂N₃ = 2,6-bis-(ketimino)pyridyl), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–vis spectra, and preliminary X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The latter revealed that Fe(II) in 1 is six-coordinate by six nitrogen donors from two bisiminopyridines in a distorted octahedron. Complex 2 reacts with thiourea with a second-order rate constant k₂ = (2.50 ± 0.05) × 10^?3 M^?1 s^?1 at 296 K, and the reaction seemed to be slow. In a similar way, the interaction of 2 and DNA was studied by fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. The results revealed that 2 caused fluorescence quenching of DNA through a dynamic quenching procedure. The binding constants K_A, K_app, and K_SV as well as the number of binding sites between 2 and DNA were determined.