Synthesis of ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their catalytic activities in transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Three RuCl₂(η⁶-arene, η¹-carbene) and two RuCl₂(NHC)(arene) complexes have been prepared by the reaction of bis(1,3-dialkylperhydrobenzimidazol-2-ylidene) (1) and bis(1,3-dialkyl-4-methylzimidazolin-2-ylidene) (3) with [RuCl₂(arene)]₂ in toluene and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. The catalytic activities of these complexes were examined in the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones using 2-propanol as hydrogen source.     

4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis and transfer hydrogenation of ketones

4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted Ag(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes and Ru(II) NHC complexes have been synthesized. The Ag(I) complexes were synthesized from the imidazolium salts and Ag₂O in dichloromethane at room temperature. The Ru(II) complexes were prepared from Ag(I) NHC complexes by transmetallation. The six 4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted Ag(I) NHC complexes and six 4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted Ru(II) NHC complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. The Ru(II) NHC complexes show catalytic activity for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones.     

Application of Ni(II) complexes of air stable Schiff base functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligands as catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of aliphatic ketones

Abstract

New air stable N-heterocyclic carbene functionalized Schiff base ligands (L) of the type 2-[-2-[3-(R)imidazol-1-yl]ethyliminomethyl]phenol [R?=?methyl (2), 2-pyridylmethyl (3)] were synthesized and characterized by NMR, IR, MS, and CHN analysis. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis of their Ni(II) complexes revealed square planar arrangement of the chelating ligands coordinated in tridentate (2, C^N^O) and tetradentate (3, N^C^N^O) modes around the metal. The three new isolated and fully characterized complexes were utilized as catalysts for the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of aliphatic ketones in 2-propanol as solvent and source of hydrogen. Based on 0.2?mol% catalyst concentration, the complexes showed activity for aliphatic ketones and 100% conversion (turnover number of 500) for cyclohexanone and all the aromatic ketones tested.     

Synthesis,characterization, and transfer hydrogenation of Ru(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A new series of ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes [RuL^1,2,3(p-cymene)Cl₂] (3a–c) (where L is a N-heterocyclic carbene), have been synthesized via transmetalation. The new ruthenium(II)-NHC complexes were applied to transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives and aldehydes using 2-propanol as a hydrogen source and KOH as a co-catalyst. The results show that the corresponding alcohols could be obtained in good yield with high catalyst activity (up to 100%) under mild conditions. [RuL¹(p-cymene)Cl₂] (3a) is much more active than the other complexes in transfer hydrogenation. Reactions, catalyzed by 3a–c, showed the highest reaction rates and yields of alcohol when the substrates bear more electron-withdrawing substituents. All new compounds were characterized by IR, elemental analysis, LC–MS (ESI), and NMR spectroscopy.     

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.     

Variable coordination of amine functionalised N-heterocyclic carbene ligands to Ru, Rh and Ir: C-H and N-H activation and catalytic transfer hydrogenation

Chelating amine and amido complexes of late transition metals are highly valuable bifunctional catalysts in organic synthesis, but complexes of bidentate amine-NHC and amido-NHC ligands are scarce. Hence, we report the reactions of a secondary-amine functionalised imidazolium salt 2a and a primary-amine functionalised imidazolium salt 2b with [(p-cymene)RuCl(2)](2) and [Cp*MCl(2)](2) (M = Rh, Ir). Treating 2a with [Cp*MCl(2)](2) and NaOAc gave the cyclometallated compounds Cp*M(C,C)I (M = Rh, 3; M = Ir, 4), resulting from aromatic C-H activation. In contrast, treating 2b with [(p-cymene)RuCl(2)](2), Ag(2)O and KI gave the amine-NHC complex [(p-cymene)Ru(C,NH(2))I]I (5). The reaction of 2b with [Cp*MCl(2)](2) (M = Rh, Ir), NaO(t)Bu and KI gave the amine-NHC complex [Cp*Rh(NH(2))I]I (6) or the amido-NHC complex Cp*Ir(C,NH)I (7); both protonation states of the Ir complex could be accessed: treating 7 with trifluoroacetic acid gave the amine-NHC complex [Cp*Ir(C,NH(2))I][CF(3)CO(2)] (8). These are the first primary amine- or amido-NHC complexes of Rh and Ir. Solid-state structures of the complexes 3-8 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 5, 6 and 7 are pre-catalysts for the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone to 1-phenylethanol, with ruthenium complex 5 demonstrating especially high reactivity.     

Quinoline-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of iridium: Synthesis, structures and catalytic activities in transfer hydrogenation

Iridium complexes containing quinoline-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been synthesized by the transmetalation route from silver carbene precursors. The silver complexes undergo a facile reaction with [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) to yield a series of carbene complexes [(NHC)Ir(COD)Cl] (NHC = 3-methyl-1-(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2a); 3-n-butyl-1-(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2b); 3-benzyl-1-(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2c); 1,3-di(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2d). The coordinated COD was replaced by carbon monoxide to yield the corresponding carbonyl species [(NHC)Ir(CO)₂Cl] (3). Complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized by IR, ESI-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of complexes 2b and 2c have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Two analogous Ir(I) complexes 5 and 6 with naphthalene-containing NHC have also been synthesized and characterized. These Ir(I) complexes in the current work have been proved to be active catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones to alcohols using 2-propanol as the hydrogen source.     

"Tethered" Ru(II) catalysts for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Stereochemically well-defined ruthenium(II) catalysts have been applied to the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of a series of ketones. In one case, statistical experimental design was employed to optimize the enantiomeric excess of the product. In the case of the TsDPEN-based systems, the replacement of trans-1,2-diphenyl substitution with cis-, or deletion of one of the phenyl groups, results in significant deterioration of the enantiomeric excess. A new method is described for the synthesis of tethered amino alcohol-containing catalysts.     

Chiral sulfur-containing ligands for iridium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones

New efficient catalyst systems, coupled with IrCl(COD)PPh₃ and chiral [SNNS]-type ligands, were employed in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones under mild reaction conditions. The corresponding optically active alcohols were obtained in high yield and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee). The chiral Ir(I) complexes with the ligands of [SNNS]-type were also prepared and characterized, which showed good enantioselectivity and high activity. The reactions can be performed in air and the catalytic experiments are greatly simplified.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes bearing pyridine‐based tridentate and bidentate ligands: catalytic activity for transfer hydrogenation of aryl ketones

Ru(II) complexes of the general formula [RuCl₂(′′)(L)] (1: ′N = N_b, L = MeOH; 2: ′N = N_b, L = CH₃CN; 3: ′N = N_d, L = CH₃CN; 4: ′N = N_p, L = CH₃CN), [Ru(p‐cymene)(_a–b)Cl]Cl (5a: N N_a = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 5b: N N_b = 4,4′‐dimethyl–2,2′‐bipyridine), [Ru(′′)(_a–b)Cl]Cl (6a: ′N = N_b, _a = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 6b: ′N = N_b, _b = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine; 7a: ′N = N_d, _a = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 7b: ′N = N_d, _b = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine; 8a: ′N = N_p, _a = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 8b: ′N = N_p, _b = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) and [Ru(′′)(_a)Cl]BF₄ (9a: ′N = N_b; _a = 2,2′‐bipyridine) were synthesized from the corresponding [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ dimer, ′′ and _a–b ligands. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR. Complex 9a was studied by X‐ray diffraction, confirming its cationic‐mononuclear [RuCl(_bb)(_a)]⁺ nature. The synthesized Ru(II) complexes (1–8) were employed as catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones to secondary alcohols in the presence of KOH using 2‐propanol as a hydrogen source at 82°C. The rates of the transfer hydrogenation reactions strongly depended on the type of and ancillary ligands. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of Ti(IV) fluoride N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

1,3,4,5-Tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene (L(Me)) and 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene (L(iPr )) readily form complexes of trans-TiF4(L(Me))2 (1) and of trans-TiF4(L(iPr))2 (4) with TiF4 in THF, respectively. Complex 1 has been used as a precursor for preparing the Ti(IV) fluoride carbene complexes [{TiF2(L(Me))(NEt 2)}2(mu-F)2] (2) and (TiF4(L(Me))2)(NacNacLi) (3) (NacNac = HC(CMeN(2,6- iPr2C6H3))2). Complex 2 was prepared from the reaction of 1-3 equiv of 1 and 1 equiv of Ti(NEt2)4 or by reacting TiF4 with Ti(NEt2)4 and L(Me) in toluene. Complex 3 has been prepared from 1 and NacNacLi in toluene. Reaction of 1 and AlMe3 in toluene results in ligand transfer and formation of AlMe3(L(Me)). Complex 4 is unstable in solution at room temperature and degrades with formation of [HL(iPr)][TiF5(L(iPr))] (5). Complexes 1, 2.2CH2Cl2, 4, and 5 were characterized by single crystal X-ray structural analysis, elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The relative basicities of L(Me), L (iPr), and the donor ligands THF, pyridine, DMSO, and H2O as well as [Cl](-) and [F](-) toward the Ti(IV) pentafluoride anion were established by NMR and confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. L(Me) and L(iPr ) are more basic than the mentioned molecular donors and more basic than chloride, however less basic than fluoride.     

Two pseudo-N3 ligands and the catalytic activity of their ruthenium(II) complexes in transfer hydrogenation and hydrogenation of ketones

Complex RuCl₂(PPh₃)(iBu-BTP) (5) was synthesized by the reaction of 2,6-bis(5,6-bis(iso-butyl)-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine (iBu-BTP) and RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ in refluxing toluene, and its molecular structure was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic determination. Complex 5 was applied as a catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of ketones and exhibited catalytic activity comparable to RuCl₂(PPh₃)(Me₄BPPy) (1) (Me₄BPPy = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)pyridine) in some cases. The difference between the catalytic activity of 5 and 1 is attributed to the significantly different arrangement and positions of the PPh₃ and chlorides and also to the different electron density on the N-heterocycles. Complex 1 exhibited good to excellent catalytic activity in hydrogenation of ketones under mild conditions. These results have suggested new applications of iBu-BTP and Me₄BPPy as promising planar tridentate pseudo-N₃ ligands to construct highly active transition-metal catalysts.     

Ru(II) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands or terpyridine analogues: synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical and proton-dependent spectrometric properties

Four ruthenium(II) complexes, BPT, BPN, BPPT, and BPPN, have been prepared and characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. All the complexes incorporate a pyridyl unit on the terpyridine-type or N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand and the pyridyl unit can be protonated upon addition of 1.0 M HCl in diethyl ether. The proton-dependent absorption and luminescence spectrum were measured in CH(3)CN. In the case of BPT, the λ(max)(abs) was moved by 10 nm from 490 nm to 500 nm after the addition of 12 equiv. of HCl and the intensity of the emission spectrum increased. In contrast, in the case of BPN, the λ(max)(abs) was red-shifted by 43 nm from 424 nm to 467 nm and the emission was dramatically quenched upon the addition of the equiv. of HCl. However, there were no noticeable changes in the λ(max)(abs) values of BPPT and BPPN even after the addition of the HCl to a solution of those complexes. Moreover, BPN has a selective sensing property for a proton among many cations.     

Room-temperature Ru(II)-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes in air

Transfer hydrogenation (TH) of ketones and aldehydes was efficiently carried out in 2-propanol at room temperature by means of a ruthenium(II) complex catalyst bearing a 2-(benzoimidazol-2-yl)-6-(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine ligand. TH of the ketone substrates proceeded in air, reaching final TOFs of up to 59,400 h⁻¹, and the reduction of aldehydes proceeded under a nitrogen atmosphere to achieve final TOFs of up to 5940 h⁻¹.     

Ruthenium(III) complexes of amine-bis(phenolate) ligands as catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Twelve ruthenium(III) complexes bearing amine-bis(phenolate) tripodal ligands of general formula [Ru(L¹–L³)(X)(EPh₃)₂] (where L¹–L³ are dianionic tridentate chelator) have been synthesized by the reaction of ruthenium(III) precursors [RuX₃(EPh₃)₃] (where E = P, X = Cl; E = As, X = Cl or Br) and [RuBr₃(PPh₃)₂(CH₃OH)] with the tripodal tridentate ligands H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³ in benzene in 1:1 molar ratio. The newly synthesized complexes have been characterized by analytical (elemental and magnetic susceptibility) and spectral methods. The complexes are one electron paramagnetic (low-spin, d⁵) in nature. The EPR spectra of the powdered samples at RT and the liquid samples at LNT shows the presence of three different ‘g’ values (g_x ≠ g_y ≠ g_z) indicate a rhombic distortion around the ruthenium ion. The redox potentials indicate that all the complexes undergo one electron transfer process. The catalytic activity of one of the complexes [Ru(pcr-chx)Br(AsPh₃)₂] was examined in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones and was found to be efficient with conversion up to 99% in the presence of isopropanol/KOH.     

Sulfur-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of Pd(II): syntheses, structures and catalytic activities

N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) can be easily modified by introducing functional groups at the nitrogen atoms, which leads to versatile coordination chemistry as well as diverse catalytic applications of the resulting complexes. This article summarizes our contributions to the field of NHCs bearing different types of sulfur functions, i.e., thioether, sulfoxide, thiophene, and thiolato. The experimental evidence for the truly hemilabile coordination behavior of a Pd(II) thioether-NHC complex has been reported as well. In addition, complexes bearing rigid CSC-pincer ligands have been synthesized and the reasons for pincer versus pseudo-pincer formation investigated. Incorporation of the electron-rich thiolato function resulted in the isolation of structurally diverse complexes. The catalytic activities of selected complexes have been tested in Suzuki-Miyaura, Mizoroki-Heck and hydroamination reactions.     

Half‐sandwich Ru (II) complexes containing (N,O) Schiff base ligands: Catalysts for base‐free transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Two new half‐sandwich Ru (II)(p‐cymene) complexes ( 1 and 2 ) containing dopamine‐based (N, O) Schiff base ligands ( L ¹ H and L ² H ) were synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR, UV–Visible and ¹H & ¹³C NMR spectral techniques, and elemental analyses. The spectroscopic and analytical data revealed monobasic bidentate coordination of the ligands with Ru ion. The molecular structures of L ¹ H , L ² H and 2 were further confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. Complexes 1 and 2  have been employed as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones using 2‐propanol as a hydrogen source at 85 °C under base‐free condition. Good to the excellent yield of secondary alcohols, gram scale synthesis, and high TON and TOF made this catalytic system interesting.