Molybdenum-catalyzed reduction of molecular dinitrogen into ammonia under ambient reaction conditions

Synthesis of transition metal–dinitrogen complexes and stoichiometric transformations of their coordinated dinitrogen into ammonia and hydrazine have so far been well investigated in order to achieve a novel nitrogen fixation under ambient conditions. As an extension of our study, the dimolybdenum–dinitrogen complex bearing PNP pincer ligands has been found to work as an effective catalyst for the formation of ammonia from dinitrogen, where 52 equiv of ammonia are produced based on the catalyst (26 equiv of ammonia are produced based on the molybdenum atom of the catalyst). This is the most effective catalytic reaction system for the formation of ammonia from molecular dinitrogen catalyzed by transition metal–dinitrogen complexes as catalysts under ambient reaction conditions. Herein, we describe recent results concerning the catalytic reaction, including the proposed reaction pathway.     

Theoretical study of catalytic dinitrogen reduction under mild conditions

Density functional theory results on key steps of Schrock's catalytic cycle are presented. The quantum chemical modeling of the dinitrogen-reducing reaction steps is conducted without simplifying the bulky HIPT [HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-iPr(3)C(6)H(2))(2)C(6)H(3)] substituents at the triamidoamine ligand.     

Formation of ammonia in the reactions of a tungsten dinitrogen with ruthenium dihydrogen complexes under mild reaction conditions

Treatment of cis-[W(N2)2(PMe2Ph)4] (5) with an equilibrium mixture of trans-[RuCl(eta 2-H2)(dppp)2]X (3) with pKa = 4.4 and [RuCl(dppp)2]X (4) [X = PF6, BF4, or OTf; dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane] containing 10 equiv of the Ru atom based on tungsten in benzene-dichloroethane at 55 degrees C for 24 h under 1 atm of H2 gave NH3 in 45-55% total yields based on tungsten, together with the formation of trans-[RuHCl(dppp)2] (6). Free NH3 in 9-16% yields was observed in the reaction mixture, and further NH3 in 36-45% yields was released after base distillation. Detailed studies on the reaction of 5 with numerous Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes showed that the yield of NH3 produced critically depended upon the pKa value of the employed Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes. When 5 was treated with 10 equiv of trans-[RuCl(eta 2-H2)(dppe)2]X (8) with pKa = 6.0 [X = PF6, BF4, or OTf; dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] under 1 atm of H2, NH3 was formed in higher yields (up to 79% total yield) compared with the reaction with an equilibrium mixture of 3 and 4. If the pKa value of a Ru(eta 2-H2) complex was increased up to about 10, the yield of NH3 was remarkably decreased. In these reactions, heterolytic cleavage of H2 seems to occur at the Ru center via nucleophilic attack of the coordinated N2 on the coordinated H2 where a proton (H+) is used for the protonation of the coordinated N2 and a hydride (H-) remains at the Ru atom. Treatment of 5, trans-[W(N2)2(PMePh2)4] (14), or trans-[M(N2)2(dppe)2] [M = Mo (1), W (2)] with Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes at room temperature led to isolation of intermediate hydrazido(2-) complexes such as trans-[W(OTf)(NNH2)(PMe2Ph)4]OTf (19), trans-[W(OTf)(NNH2)(PMePh2)4]OTf (20), and trans-[WX(NNH2)(dppe)2]+ [X = OTf (15), F (16)]. The molecular structure of 19 was determined by X-ray analysis. Further ruthenium-assisted protonation of hydrazido(2-) intermediates such as 19 with H2 at 55 degrees C was considered to result in the formation of NH3, concurrent with the generation of W(VI) species. All of the electrons required for the reduction of N2 are provided by the zerovalent tungsten.     

RhI-catalyzed aldol-type reaction of organonitriles under mild conditions

An aldol-type reaction of organonitriles with aldehydes was catalyzed by a RhI(OR) species under ambient conditions, and the reaction displayed a broad substrate scope with respect to both organonitrile and aldehyde components.     

Selective mono reduction of bis-phosphine oxides under mild conditions

Bis-phosphine oxides can be selectively reduced to bis-phosphine monoxides under exceptionally mild conditions using triflic anhydride and a thiol.     

Hiyama cross-coupling of arenediazonium salts under mild reaction conditions

Palladium acetate [Pd(OAc)(2)]-catalyzed Hiyama cross-coupling of arenediazonium salts with organosilanes was found to generate biaryl products in high yields in alcoholic solutions. The simple and efficient protocol does not require any bases, ligands, or air/moisture. The transformation can tolerate either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing functional groups. Theoretical studies show that the transmetalation is the rate-limiting step for the cross-coupling reaction and both acetate and tetrafluoroborate anions may be involved in the direct reaction with the silicon atom.     

Oxidative bromination reaction using Cu-perfluorophthalocyanine-immobilized silica gel catalyst under mild reaction conditions

A simplified, facile route has been applied for the grafting of copper(II) perfluorophthalocyanine complex onto functionalized silica gel. The resulting organic-inorganic hybrid material is used as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the regioselective oxidative bromination of various aromatic substrates using KBr/H₂O₂ as the reagents, affording high yields under mild conditions. High catalytic activity efficiency could be attributed to the heterogenization of soluble metal complexes on the high surface area host.     

Iridium-catalyzed isomerization of primary allylic alcohols under mild reaction conditions

The isomerization of primary allylic alcohols into the corresponding aldehydes has been accomplished using an analogue of Crabtree’s iridium hydrogenation catalyst and by adequately tuning the experimental conditions. A wide range of substrates is converted quantitatively into the desired aldehyde at room temperature in expedient reaction times by using catalyst loading as low as 0.25 mol %.     

Molybdenum-catalyzed transformation of molecular dinitrogen into silylamine: experimental and DFT study on the remarkable role of ferrocenyldiphosphine ligands

A molybdenum-dinitrogen complex bearing two ancillary ferrocenyldiphosphine ligands, trans-[Mo(N(2))(2)(depf)(2)] (depf = 1,1'-bis(diethylphosphino)ferrocene), catalyzes the conversion of molecular dinitrogen (N(2)) into silylamine (N(SiMe(3))(3)), which can be readily converted into NH(3) by acid treatment. The conversion has been achieved in the presence of Me(3)SiCl and Na at room temperature with a turnover number (TON) of 226 for the N(SiMe(3))(3) generation for 200 h. This TON is significantly improved relative to those ever reported by Hidai's group for mononuclear molybdenum complexes having monophosphine coligands [J. Am. Chem. Soc.1989, 111, 1939]. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to figure out the mechanism of the catalytic N(2) conversion. On the basis of some pieces of experimental information, SiMe(3) radical is assumed to serve as an active species in the catalytic cycle. Calculated results also support that SiMe(3) radical is capable of working as an active species. The formation of five-coordinate intermediates, in which one of the N(2) ligands or one of the Mo-P bonds is dissociated, is essential in an early stage of the N(2) conversion. The SiMe(3) addition to a "hydrazido(2-)" intermediate having the NN(SiMe(3))(2) group will give a "hydrazido(1-)" intermediate having the (Me(3)Si)NN(SiMe(3))(2) group rather than a pair of a nitrido (≡N) intermediate and N(SiMe(3))(3). The N(SiMe(3))(3) generation would not occur at the Mo center but proceed after the (Me(3)Si)NN(SiMe(3))(2) group is released from the Mo center. The flexibility of the Mo-P bond between Mo and depf would play a vital role in the high catalysis of the Mo-Fe complex.     

Enzymatic-like mediated olefins epoxidation by molecular oxygen under mild conditions

Highly efficient epoxidation of olefins by molecular oxygen with catalytic amount of manganese meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (Mn(TPP)) at the ppm level were reported. The catalyst conferred high activity and selectivity for the olefins epoxidation under ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. The turnover number (TON) of the catalyst could reach up to 700 million, which is comparable to enzyme catalysis.     

Highly chemoselective formation of aldehyde enamines under very mild reaction conditions

Although ketone enamines are widely used in organic synthesis, aldehyde enamines are rarely employed due to the limitations of their preparation using known methods (need for acid or base, excess of amine, and/or elevated temperature). We have successfully developed rapid and particularly mild condensation conditions (1 h, 0 degrees C, 1.2 equiv of amine) leading to di- and trisubstituted enamines with excellent conversion (84-100%). Remarkably high chemoselectivity was observed with complete discrimination between aldehyde and ketone, among other functional groups positively tested.     

Selective,iron pentacarbonyl catalyzed reduction of aryl iodides under mild conditions

Potassium tetracarbonylhydridoferrate, generated in situ from Fe(CO)₅/K₂CO₃ in methanol has been found to bring about catalytic reduction (up to 18 cycles) of aryl iodides under 1 atm carbon monoxide pressure. This reagent is specific for iodoaromatics, and tolerates the presence of several functionnal groups.     

Diels—Alder reaction between naphthalene and N-phenylmaleimide under mild conditions

The rate and equilibrium constants for the Diels—Alder reactions between benzene or naphthalene and several dienophiles at 25 °C were calculated from the data on the ionization potentials of dienes and electron affinity energies of dienophiles, as well as the reaction enthalpies. The highest yield of the adduct was predicted for the reaction of naphthalene with N-phenylmaleimide. However, the time of its formation in 50% yield exceeds 30 years. The use of gallium chloride as a catalyst affords the endo-adduct for seven days at room temperature in 30% yield. The rate ((2±0.5)·10–6 L mol^–1 s^–1) and equilibrium constants (5±2 L mol^–1) of the reaction were determined.     

Retro Diels-Alder reaction under mild conditions: experimental and theoretical studies

We describe experimental as well as theoretical results to support the role of cyclopropane in a retro Diels-Alder reaction at lower temperature.     

The destruction of organic pollutants under mild reaction conditions: A review

A survey of the literature covering the destruction of organic pollutants accomplished under mild reaction conditions is presented. Technologies presented are segregated according to two main reaction pathways; oxidation and reduction. Sub-topics discussed are representative of the main component of the degradation system, including the following; electrochemical reactors, hydrogen as a reducing agent, zero-valent metals, biological based systems, photolytic processes, Fenton reaction, and a recently discovered process that is a form of room temperature and pressure oxygen activation.     

Thio-mediated two-component coupling reaction of carboxylic acids and isonitriles under mild conditions

The coupling reaction between carboxylic acids and isonitriles in the presence of thiophenol as activator under mild conditions is described.     

Palladium-catalyzed denitrogenative cross-coupling of aryl halides with arylhydrazines under mild reaction conditions

Transition Metal Chemistry - A greener approach for the synthesis of various functionalized biaryl frameworks in good to excellent yield through palladium-catalyzed denitrogenative cross-coupling...