Dicationic Tellurium Analogues of the Classic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene

The synthesis and comprehensive characterization of the first dicationic tellurium analogues of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been reported, in both the +2 and +4 oxidation states. For the +2 oxidation state, a base‐stabilized form of TeCl₂ is used as the starting material. The dications are isolated by means of halide metathesis and the solid‐state structures confirm the previously calculated diimine bonding arrangement. For Te^IV, a diamine is used in a high‐yielding dehydrohalogen coupling reaction from TeCl₄. The dicationic NHC analogue is isolated in a base‐stabilized form through halide abstraction and subsequent coordination by pyridine.     

Transient Phosphenium and Arsenium Ions versus Stable Stibenium and Bismuthenium Ions

Fluoride abstraction from bis-m-terphenylelement fluorides (2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃)₂EF (E=P, As) generated the highly reactive phosphenium ion [(2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃)₂P]⁺ and the arsenium ion [(2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃)₂As]⁺, which immediately underwent intramolecular electrophilic substitution and formation of an 1,2,4-trimethyl-6-mesityl-5-m-terphenyl-benzo[b]phospholium ion and an 1,2,4-trimethyl-6-mesityl-5-m-terphenyl-benzo[b]arsolium ion, respectively. The formation of the latter involved a methyl group migration from the ortho-position of a flanking mesityl group to the meta-position. This reactivity of [(2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃)₂E]⁺ (E=P, As) is in sharp contrast to the related stibenium ion [(2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃)₂Sb]⁺ and bismuthenium ion [(2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃)₂Bi]⁺, which have been recently isolated and fully characterized (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57 , 10080–10084). On the basis of DFT calculations, a mechanism for the rearrangement of the phosphenium and arsenium ions into the phospholium and arsolium ions is proposed, which is not feasible for the stibenium and bismuthenium ions.     

Dicationic Sulfur Analogues of N‐Heterocyclic Silylenes and Phosphenium Cations

DABling with sulfur : Sulfur(II) dications can be prepared using α‐diimines to stabilize the positive charge (see scheme; DAB=diazabutadiene, Dipp=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl, OTf=CF₃SO₃). The bonding is best described as that of a N,N‐chelated sulfur(II) dication; these species represent the first sulfur‐based structural mimics of N‐heterocyclic silylene compounds and phosphenium cations.

     

Cover Picture: Dicationic Sulfur Analogues of N‐Heterocyclic Silylenes and Phosphenium Cations (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 12/2009)

Highly reactive electrophilic compounds centered around multicationic main‐group elements are notoriously difficult to isolate. In the Communication on page 2210 ff., P. J. Ragogna and co‐workers describe the synthesis and characterization of salts of sulfur(II) dications stabilized by two chelating nitrogen atoms. These species are the first sulfur‐based analogues of N‐heterocyclic silylene compounds and are the most recent addition to the family of compounds featuring divalent p‐block elements. Mitch Zimmer is acknowledged for the cover design.

     

Synthesis of Donor–Acceptor Alkynylcyclopropanes by Diastereoselective Cyclopropanation of Electron‐Deficient Alkenes with Alkoxyalkynyl Fischer Carbene Complexes

The reaction of electron‐deficient alkenes with alkoxyalkynyl Fischer carbene complexes (FCCs) represents a straightforward route to a new type of captodative (donor–acceptor) alkynylcyclopropanes, which have been prepared in moderate to high yields and in a diastereoselective manner. Some studies regarding the employment of additives to facilitate the recovery of the metal moiety after the reaction are also described. Finally, the first example of a cyclopropanation reaction through employing Fischer carbene complexes under microwave irradiation is presented; this method proved to be an advantageous alternative to the thermal reaction.     

Chemistry of Diruthenium and Dirhodium Analogues of Pentaborane(9): Synthesis and Characterization of Metal N,S‐Heterocyclic Carbene and B‐Agostic Complexes

Building upon our earlier results on the synthesis of electron‐precise transition‐metal–boron complexes, we continue to investigate the reactivity of pentaborane(9) and tetraborane(10) analogues of ruthenium and rhodium towards thiazolyl and oxazolyl ligands. Thus, mild thermolysis of nido‐[(Cp*RuH)₂B₃H₇] ( 1 ) with 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (2‐mbtz) and 2‐mercaptobenzoxazole (2‐mboz) led to the isolation of Cp*‐based (Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) borate complexes 5 a , b [Cp*RuBH₃L] ( 5 a : L=C₇H₄NS₂; 5 b : L=C₇H₄NOS)) and agostic complexes 7 a , b [Cp*RuBH₂(L)₂], ( 7 a : L=C₇H₄NS₂; 7 b : L=C₇H₄NOS). In a similar fashion, a rhodium analogue of pentaborane(9), nido‐[(Cp*Rh)₂B₃H₇] ( 2 ) yielded rhodaboratrane [Cp*RhBH(L)₂], 10 (L=C₇H₄NS₂). Interestingly, when the reaction was performed with an excess of 2‐mbtz, it led to the formation of the first structurally characterized N,S‐heterocyclic rhodium‐carbene complex [(Cp*Rh)(L₂)(1‐benzothiazol‐2‐ylidene)] ( 11 ) (L=C₇H₄NS₂). Furthermore, to evaluate the scope of this new route, we extended this chemistry towards the diruthenium analogue of tetraborane(10), arachno‐[(Cp*RuCO)₂B₂H₆] ( 3 ), in which the metal center possesses different ancillary ligands.     

N‐Heterocyclic Phosphenium,Arsenium, and Stibenium Ions as Ligands in Transition Metal Complexes: A Comparative Experimental and Computational Study

Reaction of 2‐chloro‐1,3,2‐diazaarsolenes and ‐diazaphospholenes with Tl[Co(CO)₄] gives instable complexes of type [Co(ER₂)(CO)₄] which decarbonylated to yield [Co(ER₂)(CO)₃]. Spectroscopic and X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that the tetracarbonyl complexes can be formulated as ion pair for E = P and as covalent metalla‐arsine for E = As, and the tricarbonyl complexes as carbene‐like species with a formal E=Co double bond. A similar reactivity towards Tl[Co(CO)₄] was also inferred for 1,3,2‐diazastibolenes although the products were not isolable and their constitution remained uncertain. Evaluation of structural and computational data suggests that the weak and polarized Co–As bond in [Co(AsR₂)(CO)₄] can be characterized as an “inverse” M→L donor‐acceptor bond. The computational studies disclosed further η²(EN)‐coordination of the EN₂C₂ heterocycle as an alternative to the formation of a carbene‐like structure for [Co(ER₂)(CO)₃]. The η²‐complex is less stable for E = P but close in energy for E = As and more stable than the carbene‐like complex for E = Sb.     

Triptycene‐Based Chiral and meso‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands and Metal Complexes

Based on 1‐amino‐4‐hydroxy‐triptycene, new saturated and unsaturated triptycene‐NHC (N‐heterocyclic carbene) ligands were synthesized from glyoxal‐derived diimines. The respective carbenes were converted into metal complexes [(NHC)MX] (M=Cu, Ag, Au; X=Cl, Br) and [(NHC)MCl(cod)] (M=Rh, Ir; cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) in good yields. The new azolium salts and metal complexes suffer from limited solubility in common organic solvents. Consequently, the introduction of solubilizing groups (such as 2‐ethylhexyl or 1‐hexyl by O‐alkylation) is essential to render the complexes soluble. The triptycene unit infers special steric properties onto the metal complexes that enable the steric shielding of selected areas close to the metal center. Next, chiral and meso‐triptycene based N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands were prepared. The key step in the synthesis of the chiral ligand is the Buchwald–Hartwig amination of 1‐bromo‐4‐butoxy‐triptycene with (1S,2S)‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane, followed by cyclization to the azolinium salt with HC(OEt)₃. The analogous reaction with meso‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane provides the respective meso‐azolinium salt. Both the chiral and meso‐azolinium salts were converted into metal complexes including [(NHC)AuCl], [(NHC)RhCl(cod)], [(NHC)IrCl(cod)], and [(NHC)PdCl(allyl)]. An in situ prepared chiral copper complex was tested in the enantioselective borylation of α,β‐unsaturated esters and found to give an excellent enantiomeric ratio (er close to 90:10).     

Silver–N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, and Antimicrobial Properties

Six new silver complexes containing symmetrical N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC ) ligands were synthesized by the reaction of azolium salts with Ag₂O in CH₂Cl₂ . These complexes were tested against Gram‐negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ), Gram‐positive bacterial strains (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus ), and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis ), and all tested complexes showed good activity against the different microorganisms.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Analogues of Thiele and Chichibabin Hydrocarbons

Stable N‐heterocyclic carbene analogues of Thiele and Chichibabin hydrocarbons, [(IPr)(C₆H₄)(IPr)] and [(IPr)(C₆H₄)₂(IPr)] ( 4 and 5 , respectively; IPr=C{N(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)}₂CHCH), are reported. In a nickel‐catalyzed double carbenylation of 1,4‐Br₂C₆H₄ and 4,4′‐Br₂(C₆H₄)₂ with IPr ( 1 ), [(IPr)(C₆H₄)(IPr)](Br)₂ ( 2 ) and [(IPr)(C₆H₄)₂(IPr)](Br)₂ ( 3 ) were generated, which respectively afforded 4 and 5 as crystalline solids upon reduction with KC₈. Experimental and computational studies support the semiquinoidal nature of 5 with a small singlet?triplet energy gap ΔE_S?T of 10.7 kcal mol^?1, whereas 4 features more quinoidal character with a rather large ΔE_S?T of 25.6 kcal mol^?1. In view of the low ΔE_S?T, 4 and 5 may be described as biradicaloids. Moreover, 5 has considerable (41 %) diradical character.     

Phosphorus‐Stabilized Titanium Carbene Complexes: Synthesis,Reactivity and DFT Studies

The synthesis of two novel titanium carbene complexes from the bis(thiophosphinoyl)methanediide geminal dianion 1 (SCS^2?) is described. Dianion 1 reacts cleanly with 0.5 equivalents of [TiCl₄(thf)₂] to afford the bis‐carbene complex [(SCS)₂Ti] ( 2 ) in 86 % yield. The mono‐carbene complex [(SCS)TiCl₂(thf)] ( 3 ) can also be obtained by using an excess of [TiCl₄(thf)₂]. The structures of 2 and 3 are confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. A strong nucleophilic reactivity towards various electrophiles (ketones and aldehydes) is observed. The reaction of 3 with N,N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and phenyl isocyanate leads to the formation of two novel diphosphinoketenimines 8 a and 8 b . The bis‐titanium guanidinate complex 9 is trapped as the by‐product of the reaction with DCC. The X‐ray crystal structures of 8 a and 9 are presented. The mechanism of the reaction between complex 3 and DCC is rationalized by DFT studies.     

Protic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Versus Pyrazole: Rigorous Comparison of Proton‐ and Electron‐Donating Abilities in a Pincer‐Type Framework

Evaluation of the acidity of proton‐responsive ligands such as protic N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) bearing an NH‐wingtip provides a key to understanding the metal–ligand cooperation in enzymatic and artificial catalysis. Here, we design a CNN pincer‐type ruthenium complex 2 bearing protic NHC and isoelectronic pyrazole units in a symmetrical skeleton, to compare their acidities and electron‐donating abilities. The synthesis is achieved by direct C?H metalation of 2‐(imidazol‐1‐yl)‐6‐(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine with [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃]. ¹⁵N‐Labeling experiments confirm that deprotonation of 2 occurs first at the pyrazole side, indicating clearly that the protic pyrazole is more acidic than the NHC group. The electrochemical measurements as well as derivatization to carbonyl complexes demonstrate that the protic NHC is more electron‐donating than pyrazole in both protonated and deprotonated forms.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Adducts of Aluminium Triiodide

N‐Heterocyclic carbene adducts of aluminium triiodide, IMes · AlI₃ ( 1 ) and IPr · AlI₃ ( 2 ) (IMes = 1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene and IPr = 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene) are reported. These adducts are available by the reaction of aluminium triiodide with the correspondingN‐heterocyclic carbene. Compounds 1 and 2 are soluble in hydrocarbon solvents, stable in inert atmosphere, and have been characterised by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Copper and Silver Carbene Complexes without Heteroatom‐Stabilization: Structure,Spectroscopy, and Relativistic Effects

Salts of a copper and a silver carbene complex were prepared from dimesityl diazomethane, made possible by the steric shielding of the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ancillary ligand IPr**. The mint‐green complex [IPr**Ag=CMes₂]⁺[NTf₂]^? is the first isolated silver carbene complex without heteroatom donor substituents. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction provides evidence for a predominant carbenoid character, and supports the postulation of such reactive species as intermediates in silver‐catalyzed C? H activation reactions. The greenish yellow copper carbene complex [IPr**Cu=CMes₂]⁺[NTf₂]^? has spectroscopic properties in between the isostructural silver complex and the already reported emerald green gold carbene complex. A comparison in the Group 11 series indicates that relativistic effects are responsible for the strong σ bond and the significant π back‐bonding in the gold carbene moiety.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Organocatalysis: Activation Modes and Typical Reactive Intermediates

N‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis has been developed as an important approach in modern organic synthesis. Versatile activation modes within NHC organocatalysis have been established with countless transformations being realized in both efficient and selective fashion. We would like to provide an overview on the key progresses achieved within this field in the past two decades. Since numerous excellent reviews have been documented within this area, we will mainly focus on the scientific development of this research field based on the basic reaction modes and typical reaction intermediates.