Transition metal promoted reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons : III. Insertion of 1,2-dienes into allylic palladium bonds

Addition of strained olefins, based on norbornene, norbornadiene,benzonorbornadiene or bicyclo [2.2.2] octene skeletons to π-allylic(hexafluoroacetylacetonato) palladium(II) complexes [(π-All)Pd(Hfacac)], gives “enyl” products derived from “insertion” of the olefin into the least substituted terminal allylicpalladium bond. The reaction involves an initial rapid and reversible formation of (gs-allyl)(π-olefin)Pd(Hfacac). The rate-determining step involves migration of a σ-allylic carbon atom from Pd to the coordinated olefin in a concerted cis—exo addition of Pd---C across the double bond. Remote electronegative substituents on the olefin do not affect the coordinative ability of the olefin towards Pd. They do however inhibit the migration of the σ-allylic ligand to the coordinated olefin. This observation is interpreted in terms of a small degree of polarization of the π-olefin—Pd bond in the transition state for the σ-allyl migration.     

The electronic structure of borabenzene: Combination of an aromatic π-sextet and a reactive σ-framework

The electronic structure of borabenzene (C₅H₅B, known also as borinane, borinine, borine) is studied using modern valence bond theory in its spin-coupled (SC) form. Three different types of SC wave functions—with six active π orbitals and with four and eight active σ orbitals—are used to describe the π system of the molecule and the σ-bond framework around the boron atom. It is demonstrated that the SC picture of the π space in borabenzene is very similar to that in benzene: The spins of six distorted nonorthogonal 2p_π orbitals are combined in a spin-coupling pattern involving two dominating Kekulétype and three less important Dewar-type Rumer spin functions. This indicates that it is appropriate to consider the π-electron sextet in borabenzene as aromatic and that the reason for the reactivity of this molecule should lie with its σ framework. The two SC models of the σ bonding around B show that the boron-carbon σ bonds in borabenzene involve orbitals are “bent” to the outer side of the six-membered ring. This creates an orbital “hole” at the boron, which should represent the preferred attachment site for Lewis acids. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of some π-allylic bis(trifluorophosphine)(triphenylphosphine)cobalt(I) complexes

The syntheses of Co(π-all)(PF₃)₂(PPh₃) complexes (π-all = π-allyl, anti-1-Me-π-allyl, syn-1-Me-π-allyl, 1,1-dimethyl-π-allyl, anti-1,2-diMe-π-allyl, syn,syn-1,3-diMe-π-allyl, 2Et-π-allyl, π-cyclooctenyl, h³-π-cycloheptadienyl) are described. ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR data are presented and discussed in relation to the structures of the complexes. The compound Co(π-C₅H₉)(PF₃)(PPh₃)₂ is also reported. Several of the π-allylic complexes are found to be active catalysts for the isomerisation of 1-octene to 2-octene under a hydrogen atmosphere.     

Synthesis of σ-(o-carboran-9-yl)- and σ-(m-carboran-9-yl)-π-cyclopentadienyldicarbonyliron and their rearrangement in reactions with bromine to π-(o-carboran-9-yl)cyclopentadienyl- and π-(m-carboran-9-yl)cyclopentadienyl-dicarbonylironbromides,respectively

9-o- and 9-m-carboranylcarboxylic acids were used to synthesize σ-(o-carboran-9-yl)- and σ-(m-carboran-9-yl)-π-cyclopentadienyldicarbonyliron. The latter complexes, in reactions with bromine, undergo rearrangement with the cleavage of the BFe σ-bond, involving migration of the 9-o- and 9-m-carboranyl groups into the cyclopentadienyl ring, to give π-(o-carboran-9-yl)cyclopentadienyl- and π-(m-carboran-9-yl)cyclopentadienyl-dicarbonyliron bromides, respectively. A simple method to obtain these acids by the oxidation of 9-alkyl-o- and 9-alkyl-m-carboranes with CrO₃ in CH₃COOH has been found.     

Evidence for π-allylic nickel complexes as intermediates in the reactions of nickelocene with allylic chlorides

Reactions of trans-1-chloro-2-butene and of 3-chloro-1-butene with nickelocene give mixtures of (1-methyl-2-propenyl)-, (trans-2-butenyl)-, and (cis-2-butenyl)-cyclopentadienes. The reaction between π-crotyl-π-cyclopentadienylnickel and 5-chlorocyclopentadiene yields identical products. In the presence of tetrahcloromethane, 5-(trichloromethyl)cyclopentadiene is formed. Mechanisms involving oxidative addition and π-allylic nickel complexes are discussed.     

Diastereoselective alkylations of oxazolidinone vinylogous glycolates

A highly Z-selective isomerization (double bond migration) was observed when oxazolidinone vinylogous glycolate was exposed to a strong base to give N-acyl oxazolidinone, bearing an electron rich olefin. The corresponding enolate was exposed to alkyl halides to provide alkylated compounds on the γ-position with respect to OBn group, with high regioselectivity and moderate diastereoselectivity. However, the nature of the chiral oxazolidinone leads to a significant increase in the reaction diastereoselectivity. A stereospecific formation of cis-olefin was also observed in these alkylated compounds.     

Réarrangement du type σ-π de complexes homoallyliques du molybdéne: formation de complexes π-allyliques

Substituted π-allylmolybdenum complexes are obtained by reacting(π-cyclopentadienylmolybdenumtricarbonyl) sodium with homoallylbromides. Anti- and syn-forms of these complexes areisolated. A mechanism with a σ-π-intermediate is proposed.     

2-alkyl-1,3-butadiene polymerization under the influence of π-allylic complexes of transition metals

Stereoregulation in the polymerization of 2-alkyl-1,3-butadienes with transition metal π-allylic complexes has been studied. The direction of isoprene polymerization is shown to be a function of the nature of the metal and ligands in the allylic compound. The presence of acidic ligands in π-allylic complexes of Zr, Cr, Mo, and Co contributes to 1,4-addition and increases the selectivity of π-allylic nickel complexes, favoring cis-1,4-structure formation. Investigation of the model reaction of 2-alkyl-1,3-butadienes with bis(π-perdeuterocrotyl nickel iodide) revealed that active sites have an π-allylic type structure. The mechanism of formation of π-allylic adducts and the main factors which determine the dependence of direction and rate of polymerization on the nature of a monomer in the diene series: 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene(isoprene), 2-ethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-isopropyl-1,3-butadiene, and 2-tert-butyl-1,3-butadiene, are discussed.     

Carbocations and Electrophilic Reactions

The general concept of carbocations encompasses all cations of carbon containing compounds which can be differentiated into two distinct classes: trivalent (“classical”) carbenium ions and pentacoordinated (“nonclassical”) carbonium ions. In this paper the preparation and structural study (by NMR, IR, Raman and ESCA spectroscopy) of stable carbenium ions and carbonium ions are discussed. As is well known, trivalent carbenium ions play an important role in electrophilic reactions of π- and n-donor systems. Similarly, pentacoordinated carbonium ions are the key to electrophilic reactions of σ-donor systems (single bonds). The ability of single bonds to act as σ-donor lies in their ability to form carbonium ions via triangular two electron, three-center bond formation. Consequently there seems to be no principle difference between the electrophilic reactions of π- and σ-bonds except that the former react more easily, even with weak electrophiles, whereas the latter necessitate more severe conditions. The role of carbocations in electrophilic reactions of π- and σ-donor systems is discussed.     

Olefin Isomerization by Iridium Pincer Catalysts. Experimental Evidence for an η(3)-Allyl Pathway and an Unconventional Mechanism Predicted by DFT Calculations

The isomerization of olefins by complexes of the pincer-ligated iridium species ((tBu)PCP)Ir ((tBu)PCP = κ(3)-C(6)H(3)-2,6-(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)) and ((tBu)POCOP)Ir ((tBu)POCOP = κ(3)-C(6)H(3)-2,6-(OP(t)Bu(2))(2)) has been investigated by computational and experimental methods. The corresponding dihydrides, (pincer)IrH(2), are known to hydrogenate olefins via initial Ir-H addition across the double bond. Such an addition is also the initial step in the mechanism most widely proposed for olefin isomerization (the "hydride addition pathway"); however, the results of kinetics experiments and DFT calculations (using both M06 and PBE functionals) indicate that this is not the operative pathway for isomerization in this case. Instead, (pincer)Ir(η(2)-olefin) species undergo isomerization via the formation of (pincer)Ir(η(3)-allyl)(H) intermediates; one example of such a species, ((tBu)POCOP)Ir(η(3)-propenyl)(H), was independently generated, spectroscopically characterized, and observed to convert to ((tBu)POCOP)Ir(η(2)-propene). Surprisingly, the DFT calculations indicate that the conversion of the η(2)-olefin complex to the η(3)-allyl hydride takes place via initial dissociation of the Ir-olefin π-bond to give a σ-complex of the allylic C-H bond; this intermediate then undergoes C-H bond oxidative cleavage to give an iridium η(1)-allyl hydride which "closes" to give the η(3)-allyl hydride. Subsequently, the η(3)-allyl group "opens" in the opposite sense to give a new η(1)-allyl (thus completing what is formally a 1,3 shift of Ir), which undergoes C-H elimination and π-coordination to give a coordinated olefin that has undergone double-bond migration.     

Palladium catalyzed transformations of monoterpenes: stereoselective deuteriation and oxidative dimerization of camphene

Camphene undergoes a highly regio and stereoselective palladium catalyzed deuteriation in deuteriated acetic acid solutions of Pd(OAc)₂. NMR reveals that an outward oriented vinylic hydrogen is selectively exchanged for ²H, resulting in 90% camphene-d₁ (ca. 100% stereoselectivity) and 10% camphene-d₂ at 75% conversion of camphene (6 h, 25 °C). Neither π-allyl nor π-olefin palladium complexes are formed in detectable concentrations during the reaction, whereas palladium hydride (singlet at −6.86 ppm) and palladium deuteride (singlet at −6.78 ppm) intermediates have been detected by ¹H and ²H NMR, respectively. At higher temperature, oxidative coupling of camphene readily occurs giving the (E,E)-diene, i.e., bis(3,3-dimethyl-2-norbornylidene)ethane, which formally originates by abstracting the outward oriented vinylic hydrogens and coupling the resulting fragments of two camphene molecules. The reaction is catalytic at palladium in the Pd(OAc)₂-LiNO₃(cat)-O₂ and Pd(OAc)₂-benzoquinone systems. Similar mechanisms for the deuteriation and oxidative coupling of camphene are proposed, which involve the formation of σ-vinyl palladium hydride intermediates. No deuteriation neither oxidative coupling of limonene, myrcene and β-pinene were observed under the same conditions.     

The mechanism of reactions of organopalladium salts with vinylcyclopropanes

Cyclopropylmercuric chloride, lithium chloropalladite and methyl acrylate react at 0–25°C to give an 81% yield of methyl sorbate. A π-allylic palladium intermediate is proposed since vinylcyclopropane, carbomethoxymercuric acetate, and lithium chloropalladate give the same product. The corresponding reactions with styrene and cyclopropylmercuric chloride or vinylcyclopropane and phenylmercuric chloride also give the same, isolable π-allylic palladium complex. Deuterium labeling experiments support the occurrence of a common intermediate in the two reactions. 1,1-Dicarboethoxy-2-vinylcyclopropane reacts similarly with “phenylpalladium chloride” but the π-allylic product has the palladium attached at the benzyl carbon rather than the next carbon away. The reaction with “phenylpalladium acetate” in place of the chloride yields only dienes. Studies with the deuterated vinylcyclopropane diester suggest that the mode of elimination from the initial palladium adduct is strongly influenced by the anion present. The reaction of “cyclopropylpalladium chloride” with alkenes appears to be a general method for preparing, selectively, internal π-allylic palladium complexes.     

The Ionization Potentials of Butadiene,Hexatriene, and their Methyl Derivatives: Evidence for through space interaction between double bond π-orbitals and non-bonded pseudo-π orbitals of methyl groups?

It is shown that the correlation of the π-ionization potentials of ethylene ( 1 ), butadiene ( 2 ) and trans-1,3,5-hexatriene ( 4 ) favours the orbital sequence π, π, σ in butadiene and π, π, σ, π in the hexatriene in excellent agreement with the results of SPINDO calculations. Within the experimental error the π-ionization potentials of cis-1,3,5-hexatriene ( 3 ) and trans-1,3,5-hexatriene ( 4 ) are the same. Methyl-substitution of 2 lowers the π-ionization potentials I₁(π) and I₂(π). For 1 and/or 4 substitution the difference I₂(π)?I₁(π) remains constant (≈ 2.5 eV). On the other hand 2 and/or 3 substitution leads to a smaller gap of I₂(π)–I₁(π) ≈ 1.6 to 2.0 eV without changing the mean π-ionization potential I (π) relative to the corresponding 1,4 substituted derivatives. This result is rationalized in terms of a through space interaction between double bond π-orbitals and non-bonded pseudo-π-orbitals of the substituting methyl groups. The reduced split I₂(π)–I₁(π) in cyclopentadiene is attributed to hyperconjugation across the methylene group.     

Molecular conformations and π-hydrogen bonds in anti- and syn-binuclear Rh(I) complexes of as-indacene-diide: a computational study

Ab initio calculations are employed to interpret the different conformations in mono- and bi-nuclear Rh(I) derivatives of as-indacene, observed by X-ray crystallography. In particular, we discuss the quite unusual COD (1,5-cyclooctadiene) group orientation in the homo-bimetallic complex anti-{2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide-[Rh(COD)]₂}, which is related to the metal hapticity and is stabilised by the presence of π-hydrogen bonds between olefin protons of COD and the π-electron cloud of the six-membered ring of the bridging ligand. Finally, the structure of syn-{2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide-[Rh(COD)]₂} is treated where mainly steric constraints appear to control the spatial disposition of the ancillary ligands. Second-order perturbative natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis provides a meaningful picture of non-covalent intramolecular C-H?C(π) interactions.     

Sigma-Bonded Organochromium Compounds. Hydrogen Transfer Reactions

The preparation and properties of two classes of organochromium compounds and their interconversion have been studied actively in recent years. These are the σ-bonded organochromium compounds in which alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl groups are covalently bonded to chromium (II or III) and the π-arenechromium complexes in which “aromatic” nuclei are covalently bonded to chromium (0 or I). From certain reactions of the σ-bonded organochromium compounds, evidence has accumulated which shows that the chromium atom acts not only as a coordination center, but also as a hub for hydrogen transfer and H/D exchange^[1,2]. σ-Organochromium compounds may act as sources of radicals and carbanions. The present paper deals with the preparation and properties of σ-bonded organochromium compounds; particular attention is given to hydrogen transfer reactions and rearrangements to bis(π-arene)chromium complexes.     

The “Inverted Bonds” Revisited: Analysis of “In Silico” Models and of [1.1.1]Propellane by Using Orbital Forces

This article dwells on the nature of “inverted bonds”, which refer to the σ interaction between two sp hybrids by their smaller lobes, and their presence in [1.1.1]propellane. Firstly, we study H₃C−C models of C−C bonds with frozen H-C-C angles reproducing the constraints of various degrees of “inversion”. Secondly, the molecular orbital (MO) properties of [1.1.1]propellane and [1.1.1]bicyclopentane are analyzed with the help of orbital forces as a criterion of bonding/antibonding character and as a basis to evaluate bond energies. Triplet and cationic states of [1.1.1]propellane species are also considered to confirm the bonding/antibonding character of MOs in the parent molecule. These approaches show an essentially non-bonding character of the σ central C−C interaction in propellane. Within the MO theory, this bonding is thus only due to π-type MOs (also called “banana” MOs or “bridge” MOs) and its total energy is evaluated to approximately 50 kcal mol⁻¹. In bicyclopentane, despite a strong σ-type repulsion, a weak bonding (15–20 kcal mol⁻¹) exists between both central C−C bonds, also due to π-type interactions, though no bond is present in the Lewis structure. Overall, the so-called “inverted” bond, as resulting from a σ overlap of the two sp hybrids by their smaller lobes, appears highly questionable.     

The reaction of allene with β-diketonatoiridium(I) complexes: formation and crystal structure of a new bis-β-allylic derivative of iridium(III)

The reaction of allene with (Hfacac)Ir(η-C₈H₁₄)₂ to give a new bis-η-allylic complex of iridium(III) containing an allene tetramer is described; the X-ray structure of this compound is reported.     

Studies on palladium-catalyzed enantioselective cyclization of 3,4-allenylic hydrazines with organic halides

A convenient route to optically active pyrazolidine derivatives from Pd(0)/(R,R)-Bn-BOX-catalyzed enantioselective cyclization of 3,4-allenylic hydrazines in the presence of organic halides has been developed, the ee value is 75-84%. The absolute configuration of the products was determined by the conversion of one of the products to a known product prepared in this group. The reaction may proceed via the oxidative addition, intermolecular carbometallation of the allene moiety forming a π-allylic palladium intermediate, and the intramolecular enantioselective allylation.     

Polysilane derivatives of the transition metals III. Preparations and spectra of manganese and iron derivatives

The preparations of derivatives of Mn(CO)₅, Mn(CO)₄PPh₃ and π-Cp(CO)₂Fe containing the polysilyl ligands (Me₃Si)_nMe_3?nSi— (n = 1–3) are presented. The infrared and proton NMR spectra of the compounds are given and for the Mn(CO)₅ derivatives, force constants are derived and discussed in terms of the σ-donor/π-acceptor properties of the silyl ligands.