Pincer‐Type Complexes for Catalytic (De)Hydrogenation and Transfer (De)Hydrogenation Reactions: Recent Progress

Pincer complexes are becoming increasingly important for organometallic chemistry and organic synthesis. Since numerous applications for such catalysts have been developed in recent decades, this Minireview covers progress in their use as catalysts for (de)hydrogenation and transfer (de)hydrogenation reactions during the last four years. Aside from noble‐metal‐based pincer complexes, the corresponding base metal complexes are also highlighted and their applications summarized.     

Highly Efficient Transfer Hydrogenation Catalysis with Tailored Pyridylidene Amide Pincer Ruthenium Complexes

The rational optimization of homogeneous catalysts requires ligand platforms that are easily tailored to improve catalytic performance. Here, it is demonstrated that pyridylidene amides (PYAs) provide such a platform to custom-shape transfer hydrogenation catalysts with exceptional activity. Specifically, a series of meta-PYA pincer ligands with differently substituted PYA units has been synthezised and coordinated to ruthenium(II) centres to form bench-stable tris-acetonitrile complexes [Ru(R-PYA-pincer)(MeCN)₃](PF₆)₂ (R=OMe, Me, H, Cl, CF₃). Analytic studies including ¹H NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography reveal a direct influence of the substituents on the electronic properties of the ruthenium center. The complexes are active in the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ketones, with activities directly encoded by the PYA substitution pattern. Their perfomance improves further upon exchange of an ancillary MeCN ligand with PPh₃. While complexes [Ru(R-PYA-pincer)(PPh₃)(MeCN)₂](PF₆)₂ were only isolated for R=H, Me, an in situ protocol was developed to generate these complexes in situ for R=OMe, Cl, CF₃ by using a 1:2 ratio of the complexes and PPh₃. This in situ protocol together with a short catalyst pre-activation provided highly active catalytic systems. The most active pre-catalyst featured the methoxy-substituted PYA ligand and reached turnover frenquencies of 210 000 h⁻¹ under an exceptionally low catalyst loading of 25 ppm for the benchmark substrate benzophenone, representing one of the most active transfer hydrogenation systems known to date.     

Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing Lutidine‐Derived Pincer CNC Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Hydrogenation of CN bonds

A series of Ru complexes containing lutidine‐derived pincer CNC ligands have been prepared by transmetalation with the corresponding silver‐carbene derivatives. Characterization of these derivatives shows both mer and fac coordination of the CNC ligands depending on the wingtips of the N‐heterocyclic carbene fragments. In the presence of tBuOK, the Ru‐CNC complexes are active in the hydrogenation of a series of imines. In addition, these complexes catalyze the reversible hydrogenation of phenantridine. Detailed NMR spectroscopic studies have shown the capability of the CNC ligand to be deprotonated and get involved in ligand‐assisted activation of dihydrogen. More interestingly, upon deprotonation, the Ru‐CNC complex 5 e (BF₄) is able to add aldimines to the metal–ligand framework to yield an amido complex. Finally, investigation of the mechanism of the hydrogenation of imines has been carried out by means of DFT calculations. The calculated mechanism involves outer‐sphere stepwise hydrogen transfer to the C?N bond assisted either by the pincer ligand or a second coordinated H₂ molecule.     

Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones Catalyzed by 1-Alkylbenzimidazole Ruthenium(II) Complexes

Summary. Six [RuCl₂(1-alkylbenzimidazole)(p-cymene)] complexes have been prepared and the new compounds characterized by C, H, N analyses, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. The reduction of ketones to alcohols via transfer hydrogenation was achieved with catalytic amounts of the complexes in the presence of t-BuOK.     

The Hydrogenation/Transfer Hydrogenation Network in Asymmetric Reduction of Ketones Catalyzed by [RuCl2(binap)(pica)] Complexes

Chiral binap/pica‐Ru^II complexes (binap=(S)‐ or (R)‐2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl; pica=α‐picolylamine) catalyze both asymmetric hydrogenation (AH) of ketones using H₂ and asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) using non‐tertiary alcohols under basic conditions. The AH and ATH catalytic cycles are linked by the metal–ligand bifunctional mechanism. Asymmetric reduction of pinacolone is best achieved in ethanol containing the Ru catalyst and base under an H₂ atmosphere at ambient temperature, giving the chiral alcohol in 97–98 % ee. The reaction utilizes only H₂ as a hydride source with alcohol acting as a proton source. On the other hand, asymmetric reduction of acetophenone is attained with both H₂ (ambient temperature) and 2‐propanol (>60 °C) with relatively low enantioselectivity. The degree of contribution of the AH and ATH cycles is highly dependent on the ketone substrates, solvent, and reaction parameters (H₂ pressure, temperature, basicity, substrate concentration, H/D difference, etc.).     

Lewis Acid Promoted Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed Etherifications by Selective Hydrogenation of Carboxylic Acids/Esters

Ethers are of fundamental importance in organic chemistry and they are an integral part of valuable flavors, fragrances, and numerous bioactive compounds. In general, the reduction of esters constitutes the most straightforward preparation of ethers. Unfortunately, this transformation requires large amounts of metal hydrides. Presented herein is a bifunctional catalyst system, consisting of Ru/phosphine complex and aluminum triflate, which allows selective synthesis of ethers by hydrogenation of esters or carboxylic acids. Different lactones were reduced in good yields to the desired products. Even challenging aromatic and aliphatic esters were reduced to the desired products. Notably, the in situ formed catalyst can be reused several times without any significant loss of activity.     

新的胺膦钌配合物的合成及在氢转移氢化反应中的应用

合成了两个新的胺膦钌配合物ｔｒａｎｓ－ＲｕＣｌ２（Ｐ２Ｎ２Ｍｅ）和ｔｒａｎｓ－ＲｕＣｌ２（Ｐ２Ｎ２Ｈ４Ｍｅ）．进行了元素分析、ＩＲ、ＮＭＲ等谱学或Ｘ射线衍射分析．它们均具有六配位八面体构型．在碱性介质中，以异丙醇为溶剂，两个配合物可作为有效的催化剂实现苯乙酮的氢转移还原．讨论了催化氢化机理．     

Selective Transfer Hydrogenation and Hydrogenation of Ketones Using a Defined Monofunctional (P^N(Bn)^N(Bn)^P)–RuII Complex

A defined (P^N^N^P)–Ru complex possessing tertiary amines within the ligand backbone proved to be highly active both in transfer hydrogenations and hydrogenations of a variety of ketones. As compared to the existing catalytic systems, no bifunctional activation of H₂ or of the substrate by the metal center and a secondary amine within the ligand backbone is required to obtain high activities at catalyst loadings of down to 10 ppm.     

Mechanistic Investigations into the Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones Catalyzed by Pseudo‐Dipeptide Ruthenium Complexes

Lithium‐powered : A kinetic investigation into the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of non‐activated aryl alkyl ketones, catalyzed by N‐Boc‐protected α‐amino acid hydroxyamide ruthenium–arene complexes, has revealed that the reactions proceed through an unprecedented bimetallic outer‐sphere mechanism. Under optimized conditions, these catalysts provide access to secondary alcohols in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities (>99 % ee).

     

Highly Enantioselective Hydrogenation of N‐Aryl Imines Derived from Acetophenones by Using Ru–Pybox Complexes under Hydrogenation or Transfer Hydrogenation Conditions in Isopropanol

The asymmetric reduction of N‐aryl imines derived from acetophenones by using Ru complexes bearing both a pybox (2,6‐bis(oxazoline)pyridine) and a monodentate phosphite ligand has been described. The catalysts show good activity with a diverse range of substrates, and deliver the amine products in very high levels of enantioselectivity (up to 99 %) under both hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation conditions in isopropanol. From deuteration studies, a very different labeling is observed under hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation conditions, which demonstrates the different nature of the hydrogen source in both reactions.     

Terpyridine Diphosphine Ruthenium Complexes as Efficient Photocatalysts for the Transfer Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Compounds

The cationic achiral and chiral terpyridine diphosphine ruthenium complexes [RuCl(PP)(tpy)]Cl (PP=dppp ( 1 ), (R,R)-Skewphos ( 2 ) and (S,S)-Skewphos ( 3 )) are easily obtained in 85–88 % yield through a one-pot synthesis from [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃], the diphosphine and 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (tpy) in 1-butanol. Treatment of 1 – 3 with NaPF₆ in methanol at RT affords quantitatively the corresponding derivatives [RuCl(PP)(tpy)]PF₆ (PP=dppp ( 1 a ), (R,R)-Skewphos ( 2 a ) and (S,S)-Skewphos ( 3 a )). Reaction of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with (S,R)-Josiphos or (R)-BINAP in toluene, followed by treatment with tpy in 1-butanol and finally with NaPF₆ in MeOH gives [RuCl(PP)(tpy)]PF₆ (PP=(S,R)-Josiphos ( 4 a ), (R)-BINAP ( 5 a )) isolated in 78 % and 86 % yield, respectively. The chiral derivatives have been isolated as single stereoisomers and 3 a , 4 a have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The tpy complexes with NaOiPr display high photocatalytic activity in the transfer hydrogenation (TH) of carbonyl compounds using 2-propanol as the only hydrogen donor and visible light at 30 °C, at remarkably high S/C (up to 5000) and TOF values up to 264 h⁻¹. The chiral enantiomers 2 , 2 a and 3 , 3 a induce the asymmetric photocatalytic TH of acetophenone, affording (S)- and (R)-1-phenylethanol with 51 and 52 % ee, respectively, in a MeOH/2-propanol mixture.     

Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones Catalyzed by Surface‐Active Ruthenium and Rhodium Complexes in Water

An improved, high‐yield, one‐pot synthetic procedure for water‐soluble ligands functionalized with trialkyl ammonium side groups H₂N(CH₂)₂NHSO₂‐p‐C₆H₄CH₂[NMe₂(C_nH_2n+1)]⁺ ( [HL ⁿ ]⁺ ; n=8, 16) was developed. The corresponding new surface‐active complexes [(p‐cymene)RuCl( L ⁿ )] and [Cp*RhCl( L ⁿ )] (Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) were prepared and characterized. For n=16 micelles are formed in water at concentrations as low as 0.6 mM , as demonstrated by surface‐tension measurements. The complexes were used for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ketones with formate in water. Highly active catalyst systems were obtained in the case of complexes bearing C₁₆ tails due to their ability to be adsorbed at the water/substrate interface. The scope of these catalyst systems in aqueous solutions was extended from partially water soluble aryl alkyl ketones (acetophenone, butyrophenone) to hydrophobic dialkyl ketones (2‐dodecanone).     

Syntheses and Structures of Ruthenium(II) N,S‐Heterocyclic Carbene Diphosphine Complexes and their Catalytic Activity towards Transfer Hydrogenation

Phosphine exchange of [Ru^IIBr(MeCOO)(PPh₃)₂(3‐RBzTh)] (3‐RBzTh=3‐benzylbenzothiazol‐2‐ylidene) with a series of diphosphines (bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene (dppv), 1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf), 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb), and 1,3‐(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp)) gave mononuclear and neutral octahedral complexes [RuBr(MeCOO)(η²‐P₂)(3‐RBzTh)] (P₂=dppm ( 2 ), dppv ( 3 ), dppf ( 4 ), dppb ( 5 ), or dppp ( 6 )), the coordination spheres of which contained four different ligands, namely, a chelating diphosphine, carboxylate, N,S‐heterocyclic carbene (NSHC), and a bromide. Two geometric isomers of 6 ( 6a and 6 b ) have been isolated. The structures of these products, which have been elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, show two structural types, I and II, depending on the relative dispositions of the ligands. Type I structures contain a carbenic carbon atom trans to the oxygen atom, whereas two phosphorus atoms are trans to bromine and oxygen atoms. The type II system comprises a carbene carbon atom trans to one of the phosphorus atoms, whereas the other phosphorus is trans to the oxygen atom, with the bromine trans to the remaining oxygen atom. Complexes 2 , 3 , 4 , and 6a belong to type I, whereas 5 and 6 b are of type II. The kinetic product 6 b eventually converts into 6a upon standing. These complexes are active towards catalytic reduction of para‐methyl acetophenone by 2‐propanol at 82 °C under 1 % catalyst load giving the corresponding alcohols. The dppm complex 2 shows the good yields (91–97 %) towards selected ketones.     

手性Ru复合物催化剂的固载化及其不对称氢转移反应催化应用

Chiral Ru-BsDPEN, (1R,2R)-N-p-benzenesulfonyl-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine, catalyst has been immobilized on a mesoporous molecular sieve of MCM-41 type successfully. A hybrid mesoporous molecular sieve was synthesized using a precursor bearing benzene group, which in organosilica were sulfonylated and reacted with (1R,2R)-l,2-diphenylethylenediamine and [RuC1E(p-cymene)]2 successively to afford immobilized catalyst. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) pore size decreased after immobilization of catalyst onto the mesoporous material. Enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of ketones catalyzed by immobilized catalyst showed the highest yield of 22.36% and e.e. value of 31.47% by using acetophenone as substrate when reaction time was 48 and 16 h respectively.     

有机锡修饰的双吡唑甲烷及其与W(CO)5THF的反应

通过双吡唑甲基锂(LiCHPz₂)与有机锡卤化物(R₃SnX)的反应合成了一系列有机锡修饰的双吡唑甲烷配体(R₃SnCHPz₂).由于锡上取代基的不同,这些配体与W(CO)₅THF反应时表现出了不同的反应方式.三芳基锡修饰的双吡唑甲烷与W(CO)₅THF反应发生Sn-C(sp₃)键对W(0)中心的氧化加成;而三苄基锡修饰的双吡唑甲烷与其反应时仅给出羰基取代产物[Bz₃SnCHPz₂W(CO)₄].另外,二苯基苄基锡以及三(2-苯基-2-甲基丙基)锡修饰的双吡唑甲烷配体类似的反应导致配体的分解,产生单吡唑配体取代的羰基钨衍生物[W(CO)₅PzH]以及脱有机锡的双吡唑甲烷四羰基钨衍生物[CH₂Pz₂W(CO)₄].     

Novel cyclohexyl‐based aminophosphine ligands and use of their Ru(II) complexes in transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Two new aminophosphines – furfuryl‐(N‐dicyclohexylphosphino)amine, [Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃O] ( 1 ) and thiophene‐(N‐dicyclohexylphosphino)amine, [Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃S] ( 2 ) – were prepared by the reaction of chlorodicyclohexylphosphine with furfurylamine and thiophene‐2‐methylamine. Reaction of the aminophosphines with [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(μ‐Cl)Cl]₂ or [Ru(η⁶‐benzene)(μ‐Cl)Cl]₂ gave corresponding complexes [Ru(Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃O)(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Cl₂] ( 1a ), [Ru(Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃O)(η⁶‐benzene)Cl₂] ( 1b ), [Ru(Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃S)(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Cl₂] ( 2a ) and [Ru(Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃S)(η⁶‐benzene)Cl₂] ( 2b ), respectively, which are suitable catalyst precursors for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones. In particular, [Ru(Cy₂PNHCH₂–C₄H₃S)(η⁶‐benzene)Cl₂] acts as a good catalyst, giving the corresponding alcohols in 98–99% yield in 30 min at 82 °C (up to time of flight ≤ 588 h^?1). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.