Self-assembly of silver(I) and gold(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in solid state, mesophase, and solution

The assembly of silver(I) and gold(I) complexes of functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) of the type [M(C(n),amide-imy)(2)][anion] were studied, in which C(n),amide-imy stands for an NHC of imidazol-2-ylidene having one N-alkyl substituent (C(n)H(2n+1)) and one N-acetamido substituent, while the anions are Br(-), NO(3)(-), BF(4)(-) or PF(6)(-). A single crystal X-ray diffraction study reveals that self-assembly of [Ag(C(10),amide-imy)(2)][PF(6)] through Coulombic, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions gives a lamellar structure with tubular architecture around the metal ion head core. Self-assembly of these functionalized NHC complexes also leads to the formation of the first example of thermotropic liquid crystals of silver(I)-NHCs and gels of gold(I)-NHC. Results from an infrared spectroscopy study show that the degree of chain motion in the gel state is smaller than that in the mesophase, yet comparable to that in the solid state. In addition, the technique of nuclear magnetic resonance diffusion ordered spectroscopy was found for the first time to be a good tool to study the phase transition of gels. Xerogels of gold(I)-NHCs display fibers, oriental lantern-shaped bundles of belts and helical fibers when observed under scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure α-[4-(1-substituted)-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-benzylacetamides via microwave-assisted click chemistry: towards new potential antimicrobial agents

Chiral 1-phenyl-2-propynylamines are important building blocks for the synthesis of antifungal and antiaromatase agents related to bifonazole. In this report, a microwave-assisted Cu(I)-catalyzed ‘click chemistry’ approach has been employed to easily generate a small library of enantiomerically pure α-[4-(1-substituted)-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]benzylacetamides starting from racemic propargylamines. These compounds could represent easily accessible intermediates for the synthesis of new antimicrobial agents.     

A bis-acetonitrile two-coordinate copper(I) complex: synthesis and characterization of highly soluble B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-) salts of [Cu(MeCN)(2)](+) and [Cu(MeCN)(4)](+)

Copper(I)-acetonitrile complexes are exceedingly useful starting materials for the synthesis of copper(I) complexes with polydentate ligands. To extend the utility of such chemistry to solution studies in relatively low-dielectric solvents (i.e., diethyl ether, toluene) and to aid in obtaining products amenable to X-ray diffraction studies, we have recently begun to employ counteranions such as B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-) for bioinorganic studies. Thus, the synthesis of [Cu(MeCN)(4)]B(C(6)F(5))(4) (1) is presented. Its recrystallization from CH(2)Cl(2)/pentane yields the linear, two-coordinate complex [Cu(MeCN)(2)]B(C(6)F(5))(4) (2), whose centrosymmetric X-ray structure shows that its Cu-N distance is significantly shorter than that in other two-coordinate Cu(I) complexes with nitrogen ligands or that in the tetrahedral complex [Cu(MeCN)(4)]ClO(4). Infrared spectroscopy indicates interesting and diagnostically useful differences between the nu(CN) of 1 and 2.     

Investigations into sulfobetaine-stabilized Cu nanoparticle formation: toward development of a microfluidic synthesis

The mechanistic aspects of the formation of sulfobetaine-stabilized copper nanoparticles were investigated by using in situ XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure), UV-vis spectroscopy, and reaction calorimetry. The tetracoordinated sulfobetaine-Cu(II) complex was reduced to a stable sulfobetaine-Cu(I) complex prior to the formation of sulfobetaine-stabilized copper nanoparticles. The stability of the Cu(I) complex was found to be sensitive to the concentration of the sulfobetaine stabilizer and the addition rate of the reducing agent. It appears to exist primarily as a linear complex. A tetracoordinated Cu(I) complex as an intermediate has also been postulated. Based on the understanding from these investigations, a microfluidic process for copper nanoparticle synthesis was designed by using sulfobetaine-Cu(I) complex as the starting material. When compared with the copper nanoparticles synthesized by a conventional batch process, the microfluidic reactor process provided particles with a smaller size and narrower size distribution. The copper nanoparticles from the microreactor process could also be more easily purified and the particles were relatively stable in air. Both XRD and SAED indicated that the Cu nanoparticles synthesized have fcc structure.     

Amide bond synthesis via silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed and tert-butyl hydroperoxide-mediated oxidative coupling of alcohols with amines under base free conditions

We present a base free method for amide bond construction via oxidative coupling of alcohols with amines catalyzed by Silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbenes (Ag(I)-NHCs) and mediated by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in ethanol. The results of controlled experiments suggest that the oxidative coupling proceeds through the formation of aldehyde, then subsequent attack by amine to give hemiaminal, which can then be oxidized to amide.     

An atom-economic synthesis of functionalized pyrroles via a sequential metal-catalyzed three-component reaction

A three-component reaction of one molecule of imine and two molecules of alkynoates is realized with the catalysis of Cu(I)–Fe(III) in a sequential manner to allow the direct synthesis of functionalized pyrroles, during which, one C–N bond and two C–C bonds are formed with high atom economy. This method benefits from easily available starting materials, low-cost catalysts, and convenient operations.     

A one-pot synthesis of constitutionally unsymmetrical rotaxanes using sequential Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions

A one-pot sequential Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) strategy is presented for the synthesis of constitutionally unsymmetrical cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene)-based rotaxanes in good yields from simple starting materials. The methodology consists of performing multiple CuAAC reactions to stopper a pseudorotaxane in a stepwise manner, the order of which is controlled through silyl-protection and Ag(I)-catalyzed deprotection of a terminal alkyne. The methodology is highlighted by the synthesis of an amphiphilic branched [4]rotaxane. The methodology increases the ability to access ever more complicated mechanically interlocked compounds to serve in devices as sophisticated and functional molecular machinery.     

Novel synthesis of 2-oxo-3-butynoates by copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of terminal alkynes and monooxalyl chloride

A general and efficient Cu(I)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of terminal alkynes and monooxalyl chloride for the synthesis of 2-oxo-3-butynoates and 2-oxo-3-butynoamides was developed. Readily available starting materials, the mild reaction conditions, wide functional group tolerance, and the obviation of stoichiometric organolithium or magnesium reagents combine to highlight this reaction.     

3-Aryl beta-carbolin-1-ones as a new class of potent inhibitors of tumor cell proliferation: synthesis and biological evaluation

A novel three-step synthesis of 3-aryl beta-carbolin-1-ones from non-indole starting materials has been developed. The two nitrogen atoms in beta-carbolin-1-one were introduced efficiently by Michael addition of ethyl acetamidocyanoacetate to chalcone. The desired pyridone and indole rings were assembled by an intramolecular ketone-nitrile annulation mediated by aqueous HCl-HOAc and a Cu(I)-catalyzed intramolecular N-arylation of the amide, respectively. The target compounds were found to possess significant activity against tumor cell proliferation.     

Henry reaction catalyzed by copper(I) complexes of a new pyridine‐containing macrocyclic ligand

The synthesis and characterization of copper(I) complexes of the novel pyridine‐containing macrocyclic ligand (PC‐L) and their use as catalysts in the Henry reaction are reported. The pyridine‐based 12‐membered tetraaza macrocyclic (PC‐L) ligand 1 can be obtained in good overall yield (85%) from commercially available starting materials. The Cu(I) complexes showed good catalytic activities in the Henry reaction of different aldehydes and nitroalkanes. Remarkable diastereoselectivity was observed when isatine was reacted with nitroethane under catalytic conditions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simple, general, and efficient synthesis of meso-substituted borondipyrromethenes from a single platform

An unprecedented synthesis of 8-substituted-borondipyrromethenes is described starting from 8-thiomethylbodipy 1. Aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, and organometallic boronic acids smoothly reacted with 1 in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(0) and a stoichiometric amount of Cu(I)-2-thienylcarboxylate under neutral conditions to give the corresponding Bodipy analogues in good to quantitative yields (20 examples). A remarkable reactivity was observed in some cases, e.g., ferrocenylboronic acid gave the product in 98% isolated yield after only 10 min at 55 degrees C.     

Synthesis of functionalized organotrifluoroborates via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides

[reaction: see text] We have successfully prepared potassium azidoalkyltrifluoroborates from the corresponding halogen compounds in 94-98% yields through a nucleophilic substitution reaction with NaN(3). In the presence of various alkynes and Cu(I) as a catalyst, these azidotrifluoroborates easily formed 1,4-disubstituted organo-[1,2,3]-triazol-1-yl-trifluoroborates in 85-98% yields. This method was then developed into a facile one-pot synthesis for the preparation of various organo-[1,2,3]-triazol-1-yl-trifluoroborates using haloalkyltrifluoroborates as the starting materials.     

Synthesis of polyfunctional allenes by successive copper-mediated substitutions

Readily available 1,1-dichloro-2-alkynes are versatile starting materials for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized allenes. They can be prepared from commercially available terminal alkynes in a two-step procedure. The Cu-mediated reaction of several 1,1-propargylic derivatives with functionalized alkyl, benzylic, or allylic zinc reagents proceeds exclusively with S(N)2' selectivity and allows a rapid and efficient synthesis of functionalized chloroallenes. These chloroallenes undergo a novel Cu(I) -catalyzed substitution reaction with functionalized arylmagnesium reagents with excellent S(N)2 selectivity to give trisubstituted polyfunctionalized allenes. The functional group tolerance is excellent and functionalities, such as cyano, keto, ester, phosphate, trifluoromethyl, and halogens, are well tolerated.     

Dioxygen activation by a neutral beta-diketiminato copper(I) ethylene complex

The synthesis and structure of two thermally stable neutral beta-diketiminato copper(I) olefin complexes are presented along with the structure of a Cu(II)2(mu-OH)2 dimer that results from the reaction of the Cu(I) ethylene complex with O2 via the proposed intermediacy of a Cu(III)2(mu-O)2 species.     

Reaction of Alkynes and Azides: Not Triazoles Through Copper–Acetylides but Oxazoles Through Copper–Nitrene Intermediates

Well‐defined copper(I) complexes of composition [Tpm*^,BrCu(NCMe)]BF₄ (Tpm*^,Br=tris(3,5‐dimethyl‐4‐bromo‐pyrazolyl)methane) or [Tpa^*Cu]PF₆ (Tpa^*=tris(3,5‐dimethyl‐pyrazolylmethyl)amine) catalyze the formation of 2,5‐disubstituted oxazoles from carbonyl azides and terminal alkynes in a direct manner. This process represents a novel procedure for the synthesis of this valuable heterocycle from readily available starting materials, leading exclusively to the 2,5‐isomer, attesting to a completely regioselective transformation. Experimental evidence and computational studies have allowed the proposal of a reaction mechanism based on the initial formation of a copper–acyl nitrene species, in contrast to the well‐known mechanism for the copper‐catalyzed alkyne and azide cycloaddition reactions (CuAAC) that is triggered by the formation of a copper–acetylide complex.     

Structure and reactivity of a new anionic N-heterocyclic carbene silver(I) complex

The efficient synthesis of aN-benzoyliminoimidazolium ylide provides access to a new type of N-hetereocyclic anionic carbene, from which air stable Ag(I) and Cu(II) complexes and a catalytically active Rh(I) complex were formed.     

Copper-mediated cleavage of disulfides by tertiary phosphines: a new route to As-S anions

The synthesis of [(PhAs)2(micro-S2)(micro-S)] and its reactions to form novel Cu(I) complexes are reported, together with a new cleavage reaction of disulfides by Cu(I) thiolates and tertiary phosphines.     

Cu(I) or Cu(I)-Cu(II) mixed-valence complexes of 2,4,6-Tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine: syntheses, structures, and theoretical study of the hydrolytic reaction mechanism

The reactions of 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (tpt) with copper(I) halides under solvothermal or traditional conditions yielded two polymeric Cu(I) complexes [Cu2I2(tpt)]n (1) and [Cu3I3(tpt)]n (2), one mixed-valence Cu(I)-Cu(II) complex [Cu4Cl2I4(tpt)2] (3), and two Cu(II) complexes [CuBr(bpca)] (4) and [CuI(bpca)] (5) (bpca = bis(2-pyridylcarbonyl)amine). Complex 1 is a zigzag chain with tpt in a bis-bipyridine-like coordination mode, whereas complex 2 with tpt chelating three Cu(I) cations is a ladderlike coordination polymer. Complex 3 is mixed-valence, with Cu(I) in a distorted tetrahedral geometry and Cu(II) in a distorted square pyramidal geometry, forming a ladderlike supramolecular chain. Complexes 4 and 5 are the products of in situ hydrolysis of tpt involving the oxidation of Cu(I). The synthesis and characterization of complex 1, 2, and 5 indicated that Cu(I) cannot promote the hydrolysis of tpt. The theoretical study shows that the main effect for hydrolysis of tpt is the electron-withdrawing effect of metal ions.     

New in situ cleavage of both S-S and S-C(sp2) bonds and rearrangement reactions toward the construction of copper(I) cluster-based coordination networks

Solvothermal reaction of 4,4'-dithiodipyridine (dtdp) with CuI at 120 or 160 degrees C results in the formation of three new coordination networks formulated with [Cu4I4(tdp)2] (1; tdp = 4,4'-thiodipyridine), [Cu5I5(ptp)2] (2), and [Cu6I6(ptp)2] [3; ptp = 1-(4-pyridyl)-4-thiopyridine]. The starting dtdp reagent was unprecedentedly converted into two tdp and ptp ligands via new in situ cleavage of both S-S and S-C(sp2) bonds and temperature-dependent in situ ligand rearrangement of dtdp. 1 is a two-dimensional (2D) Cu4I4 cubane-like coordination network of 2-fold interpenetration. While in 2, the Cu8I8 and Cu2I2 cluster units are alternately connected by the mu2-sulfur bridges into one-dimensional inorganic chains along the a axis, which are further joined by the ptp spacers into a three-dimensional (3D) coordination network of 2-fold interpenetration. 3 is a 3D non-interpenetrating coordination network constructed with 2D inorganic (Cu2I2)n layers and the ptp spacers. 1 displays an intense orange-red emission light with a maximum at ca. 563 nm. While luminescence quenching occurs in 2 and 3 by electron transfer of a photoelectron to the electronegative acceptor molecule of ptp.     

Cu(I) complexes containing a multidentate and conformationally flexible dibenzylidene acetone ligand (dbathiophos): application in catalytic alkene cyclopropanation

The synthesis and characterisation of a multidentate conformationally flexible ligand based on the dibenzylidene acetone core structure, dbathiophos (1), is described. Ligand 1 has a high affinity for cationic and neutral Cu(I) species. Three unique Cu(I) complexes (4-6) are reported showing that the ligand backbone of dbathiophos is hemilabile, and able to adopt different 1,4-dien-3-one conformational geometries around Cu(I). Complexes 4 and 6 both effectively catalyse the cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate at low catalyst loadings (1 mol% Cu).