Directly observed reductive elimination of aryl halides from monomeric arylpalladium(II) halide complexes

Monomeric, three-coordinate arylpalladium(II) halide complexes undergo reductive elimination of aryl halide to form free haloarene and Pd(0). Reductive elimination of aryl chlorides, bromides, and iodides were observed upon the addition of P(t-Bu)3 to Pd[P(t-Bu)3](Ar)(X) (X = Cl, Br, I). Conditions to observe the equilibrium between reductive elimination and oxidative addition were established with five haloarenes. Reductive elimination of aryl chloride was most favored thermodynamically, and elimination of aryl iodide was the least favored. However, reductive elimination from the aryl chloride complex was the slowest, and reductive elimination from the aryl bromide complex was the fastest. These data show that the electronic properties of the halide, not the thermodynamic driving force for the addition of elimination reaction, control the rates for addition and elimination of haloarenes. Mechanistic data suggest that reversible reductive elimination of aryl bromide to form Pd[P(t-Bu)3] and free aryl bromide is followed by rate-limiting coordination of P(t-Bu)3 to form Pd[P(t-Bu)3]2.     

Mechanism and regioselectivity of reductive elimination of pi-allylcopper (III) intermediates

Reductive elimination of a pi-allylcopper(III) compound leading to the formation of a C-C bond on an allylic terminal has been considered to occur via the corresponding sigma-allylcopper(III) species. The present B3LYP density functional study has shown however that the C-C bond formation occurs directly from the pi-allyl complex via an enyl[sigma+pi]-type transition state, which has structural features different from a simple sigma-allylcopper(III) intermediate. In the case of unsymmetrically substituted pi-allylcopper(III) compound that has a partial sigma-allylcopper(III) structure, the reductive elimination occurs preferentially at the sigma-bonded allylic terminal since, in this way, the copper atom can recover most effectively its d-electrons shared with the allyl system. The regioselectivity of the reductive elimination of a substituted pi-allylcopper(III) intermediate is mainly controlled by the electronic effect, and correlated well to the Hammett sigma(p)(+) constant. The analyses revealed mechanistic kinship between the allylic substitution and the conjugate addition reaction of organocopper reagents.     

Mechanistic analysis of trans C-N reductive elimination from a square-planar macrocyclic aryl-copper(III) complex

A net trans C-N reductive elimination reaction is observed from a macrocyclic aryl-Cu(III) complex, and a mechanistic study of this reaction indicates that coordinating ligands play a role in mediating this unusual transformation.     

Stereochemistry in cationic polymerization of alkenyl ethers. III. Effect of the alkoxy group on the steric structure of polymers

Propagation mechanism in the cationic polymerization of alkenyl ethers was investigated through the effect of the bulkiness of alkoxy groups on the steric structure of a polymer. In polymerization with BF₃O(C₂H₅)₂ in toluene at ?78°C, trans-propenyl ethers having less bulky alkoxy groups–methyl, ethyl, and benzyl propenyl ethers–produced a stereoregular polymer having a threo-meso structure, and the cis isomer a nonstereoregular one having threo-meso and racemic structures. On the other hand, in the polymerization of propenyl ethers having bulky alkoxy groups–isopropyl and 1-methylpropyl propenyl ethers–the trans isomer yielded a nonstereoregular polymer with threo-meso and racemic structures, and the cis isomer a stereoregular one with a erythro-meso structure. This result suggests that a bulky alkoxy group plays an important role in determining the steric structure of the polymer by repulsion between the alkoxy groups of a growing chain end and of a monomer. The effect of solvent polarity on the steric structure of a polymer was also studied.     

Phosphine substitution and phosphine induced reductive elimination reactions: synthesis of zerovalent ruthenium fluorophosphine complexes from hydrido(acetato)tris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II)

Substitution of PPh₃ from the bidentate acetatohydridoruthenium(II) complex RuH(CH₃OCO)(PPh₃)₃ with various ligands, L, leads to unidentate acetatohydrido compounds with replacement of one, two or all PPh₃ ligands depending on L (L = t-BuNC, PF₂NMe₂, P(OCH₂)₃CMe, P(OMe)₃, dppe). On the other hand acetic acid elimination from RuH(CH₃OCO)(PPh₃)₃ occurs with fluorophosphines to yield zerovalent ruthenium complexes RuL′₅ (L′ = PF₂NMe₂, PF₂NC₄H₈), RuL₄(PPh₃) (L′ = PF₃) and RuL₃(PPh₃)₂ (L′ = PF₃).     

Mechanistic information from low-temperature rapid-scan and NMR measurements on the protonation and subsequent reductive elimination reaction of a (diimine)platinum(II) dimethyl complex

A detailed kinetic study of the protonation and subsequent reductive elimination reaction of a (diimine)platinum(II) dimethyl complex was undertaken in dichloromethane over the temperature range of -90 to +10 degrees C by stopped-flow techniques. Time-resolved UV-vis monitoring of the reaction allowed the assessment of the effects of acid concentration, coordinating solvent (MeCN) concentration, temperature, and pressure. The second-order rate constant for the protonation step was determined to be 15200 +/- 400 M(-1) s(-1) at -78 degrees C, and the corresponding activation parameters are DeltaH = 15.2 +/- 0.6 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS = -85 +/- 3 J mol(-1) K(-1), which are in agreement with the addition of a proton that results in the formation of the platinum(IV) hydrido complex. The kinetics of the second, methane-releasing reaction step do not show an acid dependence, and the MeCN concentration also does not significantly affect the reaction rate. The activation parameters for the second reaction step were found to be DeltaH = 75 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS = +38 +/- 5 J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaV = +18 +/- 1 cm(3) mol(-1), strongly suggesting a dissociative character of the rate-determining step for the reductive elimination reaction. The spectroscopic and kinetic observations were correlated with NMR data and assisted the elucidation of the underlying reaction mechanism.     

Aryl-O reductive elimination from reaction of well-defined aryl-Cu(III) species with phenolates: the importance of ligand reactivity

Well-defined aryl-Cu(III) species undergo rapid reductive elimination upon reaction with phenolates (PhO(-)), to form aryl-OPh cross-coupling products. Kinetic studies show that the reaction follows a different mechanistic pathway compared to the reaction with phenols. The pH active cyclized pincer-like ligand undergoes an initial amine deprotonation that triggers a faster reactivity at room temperature. A mechanistic proposal for the enhanced reactivity and the role of EPR-detected Cu(II) species will be discussed in detail.     

Molecular mechanism of acid-triggered aryl-halide reductive elimination in well-defined aryl-Cu(III)-halide species

Well-defined aryl-Cu(III)-halide species undergo reductive elimination upon acid addition resulting in the formation of strong aryl-halide bonds. The computationally studied mechanism points towards ligand protonation as the rate-determining step, in agreement with previous experimental data.     

Thermal decomposition mechanism of dimethyl(acetylacetonato)gold(III): Quantum chemical modeling

Different mechanisms of the thermal decomposition of the complex [(CH₃)₂Au(acac)] and the subsequent formation of Au particles are considered using density functional theory. The first decomposition step is the intramolecular reductive elimination of the methyl groups yielding ethane and the complex [Au(acac)], which dimerizes into the dinuclear complex [Au₂(acac)₂] with an energy gain. The presence of the coordinatively unsaturated center [Au(acac)] results in a considerable decrease in the activation energy of decomposition of the complex [(CH₃)₂Au(acac)]. The [Au₂(acac)₂] dimer undergoes association, again with an energy gain, to form linear polymer chains with short Au-Au bonds, which act as the nanoparticle nucleation centers.     

Synthesis of cationic dialkylgold(III) complexes: nature of the facile reductive elimination of alkane

A series of gold(III) cations of the type cis-[CH₃)₂AuL₂]⁺ X^? where L  Ph₃, PMePh₂, PMe₂Ph, PMe₃, AsPh₃, AsPh₃, SbPh₃, $\text{1}\text{2}$H₂NCH₂CH₂NH₂, $\text{1}\text{2}$ Ph₂PCH₂CH₂-PPh₂, $\text{1}\text{2}$ Ph₂AsCH₂CH₂AsPh₂, and $\text{1}\text{2}$o-C₆H₄(AsMe₂)₂ and X  BF₄^?, PF₆^?, ClO₄^?, and F₃CSO₃^? has been prepared. In addition, the cis complexes [(CH₃)(CD₃)-Au(PPh₃)₂]F₃CSO₃, [(C₂H₅)₂Au(PPh₃)₂]F₃CSO and [(n-C₄H₉)₂Au(PPh₃)₂]F₃-CSO₃ have been synthesized. All have been characterized by PMR, Raman and infrared spectroscopy. These [R₂AuL₂]X compounds yield only ethane, butane, or octane via reductive elimination, and no disproportionation is observed. The alkane eliminations have been studied in CHCl₃, CH₃Cl₂, and CH₃COCH₃ solution as a function of temperature, concentration of the complex, and concentration of added ligand L. Elimination is fastest when L is bulky (PPh₃ > PMePh₂ > PMe₂Ph > PMe₃), decreases in the sequence SbPh₃ > AsPh₃ > PPh₃, is slow with chelating ligands, is inhibited by excess ligand, and there is small anion effect as X is varied. As R is varied, the rate of elimination decreases Bu ? Et > Me. An intramolecular dissociative mechanism is proposed which involves rapid elimination of alkane from an electron deficient dialkylgold(III) complex with nonequivalent gold—carbon bonds and produces the corresponding [AuL₂]X complex.     

Thermally triggered reductive elimination of bromine from Au(III) as a path to Au(I)-based coordination polymers

Four new [AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](-)-based coordination polymers, Zn(pyz)(NCMe)(2)[AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](2) (1; pyz = pyrazine), Co(pyz)[AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](2)·H(2)O (2) and [M(bipy)(2)(AuBr(2)(CN)(2))][(n)Bu(4)N][AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](2) (bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine), where M = Co (5) and Zn (6), were synthesized and three of them structurally characterized. 1 forms 1-D chains connected by pyz ligands while isostructural 5 and 6 form 3-D frameworks via [AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](-) and bipy linkers. Aqueous suspensions of 2, 5 and 6 or their precursors in situ (preferred) were heated hydrothermally to 125 °C, triggering the reductive elimination of bromine from the Au(III) centres, which yielded the [Au(CN)(2)](-)-based coordination polymers M(pyz)[Au(CN)(2)](2), where M = Zn (3) or Co (4) and Zn(bipy)[Au(CN)(2)][Au{Br(0.68)(CN)(0.32)}CN] (7), or a mixture of cyanoaurate(I)-containing products in the case of 5 and 6. The structural characterization of 3 revealed a [Au(CN)(2)](-)/pyz-based framework similar to previously reported Cu(pyz)[Au(CN)(2)](2), whereas 7 formed an intricate network consisting of individual 2-D networks held together by AuAu interactions and featuring the rare [AuBrCN](-) unit. The kinetics of the thermally-induced reductive elimination of Br(2) from K[AuBr(2)(CN)(2)] in 1-BuOH yielded a t(?) of approx. 10 min to 4 h from 98 to 68 °C, and activation parameters of ΔH(?) = 131(15) kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(?) = 14.97(4) kJ K(-1)mol(-1), indicating that the elimination of the halogen provides the highest barrier to activation.     

Competitive C-I versus C-CN reductive elimination from a Rh(III) complex. Selectivity is controlled by the solvent

The RhIII complex [(PNP)Rh(CN)(CH3)][I] 5, obtained by oxidative addition of methyl iodide to [(PNP)Rh(CN)] 2, reacts selectively in two pathways: In aprotic solvents C-I reductive elimination of methyl iodide followed by its electrophilic attack on the cyano ligand takes place, giving the methyl isonitrile RhI complex [(PNP)Rh(CNCH3)][I] 3, while in protic solvents C-C reductive elimination of acetonitrile takes place forming an iodo RhI complex [(PNP)RhI] 9. Reaction of 2 with ethyl iodide in aprotic solvents gave the corresponding isonitrile complex, while in protic solvents no reactivity was observed. The selectivity of this reaction is likely due to a hydrogen bond between the cyano ligand and the protic solvent, as observed by X-ray diffraction, which retards electrophilic attack on this ligand.     

Well-defined air-stable palladium HASPO complexes for efficient Kumada-Corriu cross-couplings of (hetero)aryl or alkenyl tosylates

Palladium complexes of representative heteroatom-substituted secondary phosphine oxide (HASPO) preligands were synthesized and fully characterized, including X-ray crystal structure analysis. Importantly, these well-defined complexes served as highly efficient catalysts for Kumada-Corriu cross-coupling reactions of aryl, alkenyl, and even heteroaryl tosylates. Particularly, an air-stable catalyst derived from inexpensive PinP(O)H displayed a remarkably high catalytic efficacy, which resulted in cross-couplings at low catalyst loadings under exceedingly mild reaction conditions with ample scope.     

Direct observation of reductive elimination of methyl iodide from a rhodium(III) pincer complex: the importance of sterics

A rare case of directly observed alkyl halide reductive elimination from rhodium is reported. Treatment of the naphthyl-based PCP-type Rh(III) methyl complexes 2a,b [(C10H5(CH2PR2)2)Rh(CH3)(I)] (R = iPr 2a, R = tBu 2b) with CO resulted in facile reductive elimination of methyl iodide in the case of 2b, yielding the Rh(I) carbonyl complex [(C10H5(CH2PR2)2)Rh(CO)] 3b (R = tBu), while the less bulky 2a formed CO adducts and did not undergo reductive elimination, contrary to expectations based on electron density considerations. Moreover, 3b oxidatively added methyl iodide, while 3a did not. CD3I/CH3I exchange studies in the absence of CO indicate that reversible formation of (ligated) methyl iodide takes place in both systems. Subsequently, when CO is present, it displaces methyl iodide in the bulkier tBu system, whereas with the iPr system formation of the Rh(III) CO adducts is favored. Iodide dissociation followed by its attack on the rhodium-methyl group is unlikely.     

An efficient synthesis of 3-aryl-2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylbenzo[b]thiophenes via cyclization of aryl 2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylmethylsulfanylphenyl ketones

A convenient method for the preparation of 2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylbenzo[b]thiophenes has been developed. Thus, aryl 2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylmethylsulfanylphenyl ketones, easily prepared from readily available aryl 2-sulfanylphenyl ketones or 2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl phenyl ketone, are treated with LDA in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) to give 3-aryl-2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylmethylsulfanyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophen-3-ols, which in turn were dehydrated with thionyl chloride to afford 3-aryl-2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylbenzo[b]thiophenes in reasonable overall yields.     

Synthesis of methyl 3-amino-4-aryl(or methyl)sulfonyl-2-thiophenecarboxylates from 3-alkoxy-2-aryl(or methyl)-sulfonylacrylonitriles

The synthesis of a series of methyl 3-amino-4-aryl(or methyl)sulfonylthiophene-2-carboxylates by reaction of 3-alkoxy-2-aryI(or methyl)sulfonylacrylonitriles with methyl thioglycolate in the presence of triethylamine is described. Hydrolysis/decarboxylation of the ester at the 2-position and acylation of the resulting amine represents a convenient route to 4-arylsulfonyl-3-carboxamidothiophenes. Attempted acylation of a title aminothiophene under standard conditions was unsuccessful.     

Copper(I) iodide dimethyl sulfide catalyzed 1,4-addition of alkenyl groups from alkenyl-alkylzincate reagents

The presence of catalytic quantities of the copper(I) iodide dimethyl sulfide complex {(CuI)₄(SMe₂)₃} with alkenyl-alkylzincate reagents allows for the complete chemoselective 1,4-addition of various alkenyl groups to a number of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in CH₂Cl₂ at +35 °C. The 1,4-addition of the mixed vinylzincate reagent is more efficient than the corresponding vinylzirconocene reagent in CH₂Cl₂ or THF. By employing CH₂Cl₂ as a medium, the asymmetric copper-catalyzed addition of the vinyl groups to α,β-unsaturated imides is facilitated by the presence of TMSOTf to give excellent yields and up to 95:5 diastereomeric ratios (dr).