Mechanochemical Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed C?H Bond Functionalization of Acetanilides under Solventless Conditions in a Ball Mill

In a proof‐of‐principle study, a planetary ball mill was applied to rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C H bond functionalization. Under solventless conditions and in the presence of a minute amount of Cu(OAc)₂, the mechanochemical activation led to the formation of an active rhodium species, thus enabling an oxidative Heck‐type cross‐coupling reaction with dioxygen as the terminal oxidant. The absence of an organic solvent, the avoidance of a high reaction temperature, the possibility of minimizing the amount of the metallic mediator, and the simplicity of the protocol result in a powerful and environmentally benign alternative to the common solution‐based standard protocol.     

Development of an Improved Rhodium Catalyst for Z‐Selective Anti‐Markovnikov Addition of Carboxylic Acids to Terminal Alkynes

To develop more active catalysts for the rhodium‐catalyzed addition of carboxylic acids to terminal alkynes furnishing anti‐Markovnikov Z enol esters, a thorough study of the rhodium complexes involved was performed. A number of rhodium complexes were characterized by NMR, ESI‐MS, and X‐ray analysis and applied as catalysts for the title reaction. The systematic investigations revealed that the presence of chloride ions decreased the catalyst activity. Conversely, generating and applying a mixture of two rhodium species, namely, [Rh(DPPMP)₂][H(benzoate)₂] (DPPMP=diphenylphosphinomethylpyridine) and [{Rh(COD)(μ₂‐benzoate)}₂], provided a significantly more active catalyst. Furthermore, the addition of a catalytic amount of base (Cs₂CO₃) had an additional accelerating effect. This higher catalyst activity allowed the reaction time to be reduced from 16 to 1–4 h while maintaining high selectivity. Studies on the substrate scope revealed that the new catalysts have greater functional‐group compatibility.     

Structural Characterization of Alumina‐Supported Rh Catalysts: Effects of Ceriation and Zirconiation by using Metal–Organic Precursors

The effects of the addition of ceria and zirconia on the structural properties of supported rhodium catalysts (1.6 and 4 wt % Rh/γ‐Al₂O₃) are studied. Ceria and zirconia are deposited by using two preparation methods. Method I involves the deposition of ceria on γ‐Al₂O₃ from Ce(acac)₃, and the rhodium metal is subsequently added, whereas method II is based on a controlled surface reaction technique, that is, the decomposition of metal–organic M(acac)_x (in which M=Ce, x=3 and M=Zr, x=4) on Rh/γ‐Al₂O₃. The structures of the prepared catalyst materials are characterized ex situ by using N₂ physisorption, transmission electron microscopy, high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission election microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS). All supported rhodium systems readily oxidize in air at room temperature. By using ceriated and zirconiated precursors, a larger rhodium‐based metallic core fraction is obtained in comparison to the undoped rhodium catalysts, suggesting that ceria and zirconia protect the rhodium particles against extensive oxidation. XPS results indicate that after the calcination and reduction treatments, a small amount of chlorine is retained on the support of all rhodium catalysts. EXAFS analysis shows significant Rh? Cl interactions for Rh/Al₂O₃ and Rh/CeO_x/Al₂O₃ (method I) catalysts. After reaction with H₂/He in situ, for series of samples with 1.6 wt % Rh, the EXAFS first shell analysis affords a mean size of approximately 30 atoms. A broader spread is evident with a 4 wt % rhodium loading (ca. 30–110 atoms), with the incorporation of zirconium providing the largest particle sizes.     

Magnetically water‐dispersible and recoverable rhodium organometallic catalyst derived from Wilkinson's catalyst for promoting organic reactions

A novel magnetic rhodium catalyst was prepared through immobilizing Wilkinson's catalyst on the surface of silica‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles. After (thio)diphenylphosphine (─S&─PPh₂) was modified on the surface of the silica‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles, tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I) chloride was employed to synthesize the Rh(Cl)(PPh₃)₂(Ph₂P&─S&─) complex, affording a rhodium loading of 0.16 mmol g⁻¹. The Rh(I) organometallic magnetic nanoparticles form a novel class of heterogeneous catalyst which is particularly suitable for the practice of organic synthesis. The prepared system exhibits high catalytic efficiency in Suzuki–Miyaura and Miyaura–Michael reactions in ethanol–water solution. High yield, low reaction times, use of green solvents and non‐toxicity of the catalyst are the main merits of this protocol. Also, magnetic separation is an environmentally friendly alternative for the recovery of the catalyst, since it minimizes energy and catalyst loss by preventing mass loss and oxidation. The produced catalyst was characterized using a variety of techniques.     

A rhodium‐catalyzed route for oxidative coupling and cyclization of 2‐aminobenzyl alcohol with ketones leading to quinolines

2‐Aminobenzyl alcohol undergoes oxidative cyclization with aryl(alkyl), alkyl(alkyl) and cyclic ketones in dioxane at 80° in the presence of a catalytic amount of RhCl(PPh₃)₃ along with KOH to afford the corresponding quinolines in good yields. The catalytic pathway seems to be proceeded via a sequence involving initial oxidation of 2‐aminobenzyl alcohol to 2‐aminobenzaldehyde by a rhodium catalyst, cross aldol reaction between 2‐aminobenzaldehyde and ketones, and cyclodehydration.     

Synthesis and Structures of RhI and IrI Complexes Supported by N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Phosphinidene Adducts

N‐Heterocyclic carbene‐phosphinidene adducts of the type (IDipp)PR [R = Ph ( 5 ), SiMe₃ ( 6 ); IDipp = 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene] were used as ligands for the preparation of rhodium(I) and iridium(I) complexes. Treatment of (IDipp)PPh ( 5 ) with the dimeric complexes [M(μ‐Cl)(COD)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir; COD = 1,5‐cyclcooctadiene) afforded the corresponding metal(I) complexes [M(COD)Cl{(IDipp)PPh}] [M = Rh ( 7 ) or Ir ( 8 )] in moderate to good yields. The reaction of (IDipp)PSiMe₃ ( 6 ) with [Ir(μ‐Cl)(COD)]₂ did not yield trimethylsilyl chloride elimination product, but furnished the 1:1 complex, [Ir(COD)Cl{(IDipp)PSiMe₃}] ( 9 ). Additionally, the rhodium‐COD complex 7 was converted into the corresponding rhodium‐carbonyl complex [Rh(CO)₂Cl{(IDipp)PPh}] ( 10 ) by reaction with an excess of carbon monoxide gas. All complexes were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, microanalyses, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Surface‐Mediated Synthesis of Dimeric Rhodium Catalysts on MgO: Tracking Changes in the Nuclearity and Ligand Environment of the Catalytically Active Sites by X‐ray Absorption and Infrared Spectroscopies

The preparation of dinuclear rhodium clusters and their use as catalysts is challenging because these clusters are unstable, evolving readily into species with higher nuclearities. We now present a novel synthetic route to generate rhodium dimers on the surface of MgO by a stoichiometrically simple surface‐mediated reaction involving [Rh(C₂H₄)₂] species and H₂. X‐ray absorption and IR spectra were used to characterize the changes in the nuclearity of the essentially molecular surface species as they formed, including the ligands on the rhodium and the metal‐support interactions. The support plays a key role in stabilizing the dinuclear rhodium species, allowing the incorporation of small ligands (ethyl, hydride, and/or CO) and enabling a characterization of the catalytic performance of the supported species for the hydrogenation of ethylene as a function of the metal nuclearity and ligand environment. A change in the nuclearity from one to two Rh atoms leads to a 58‐fold increase in the catalytic activity for ethylene hydrogenation, a reaction involving unsaturated, but stable, dimeric rhodium species.     

Cross‐Conjugated Hexaphyrins and Their Bis‐Rhodium Complexes

A cross‐conjugated hexaphyrin that carries two meso‐oxacyclohexadienylidenyl (OCH) groups 9 was synthesized from the condensation of 5,10‐bis(pentafluorophenyl)tripyrrane with 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde. The reduction of 9 with NaBH₄ afforded the Möbius aromatic [28]hexaphyrin 10 . Bis‐rhodium complex 11 , prepared from the reaction of 10 with [{RhCl(CO)₂}₂], displays strong Hückel antiaromatic character because of the 28 π electrons that occupy the conjugated circuit on the enforced planar structure. The oxidation of 11 with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) yielded complexes 12 and 13 depending upon the reaction conditions. Both 12 and 13 are planar owing to bis‐rhodium metalation. Although complex 12 bears two meso‐OCH groups at the long sides and is quinonoidal and nonaromatic in nature, complex 13 bears 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl and OCH groups and exhibits a moderate diatropic ring current despite its cross‐conjugated electronic circuit. The diatropic ring current increases upon increasing the solvent polarity, most likely due to an increased contribution of an aromatic zwitterionic resonance hybrid.     

Rhodium‐Complex‐Catalyzed Hydroformylation of Olefins with CO2 and Hydrosilane

A rhodium‐catalyzed one‐pot hydroformylation of olefins with CO₂ , hydrosilane, and H₂ has been developed that affords the aldehydes in good chemoselectivities at low catalyst loading. Mechanistic studies indicate that the transformation is likely to proceed through a tandem sequence of poly(methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS) mediated CO₂ reduction to CO and a conventional rhodium‐catalyzed hydroformylation with CO/H₂. The hydrosilylane‐mediated reduction of CO₂ in preference to aldehydes was found to be crucial for the selective formation of aldehydes under the reaction conditions.     

Chlorido(dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate‐κ2N,N′)(η5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III) chloride 1‐hydroxypyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione disolvate

The title complex, [Rh(C₁₀H₁₅)Cl(C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₄)]Cl·2C₄H₅NO₃, has been synthesized by a substitution reaction of the precursor [bis(2,5‐dioxopyrrolidin‐1‐yl) 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate]chlorido(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III) chloride with NaOCH₃. The Rh^III cation is located in an RhC₅N₂Cl eight‐coordinated environment. In the crystal, 1‐hydroxypyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione (NHS) solvent molecules form strong hydrogen bonds with the Cl⁻ counter‐anions in the lattice and weak hydrogen bonds with the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) ligands. Hydrogen bonding between the Cp* ligands, the NHS solvent molecules and the Cl⁻ counter‐anions form links in a V‐shaped chain of Rh^III complex cations along the c axis. Weak hydrogen bonds between the dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate ligands and the Cl⁻ counter‐anions connect the components into a supramolecular three‐dimensional network. The synthetic route to the dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate‐containing rhodium complex from the [bis(2,5‐dioxopyrrolidin‐1‐yl) 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate]rhodium(III) precursor may be applied to link Rh catalysts to the surface of electrodes.     

Design and Synthesis of Isocyanide Ligands for Catalysis: Application to Rh‐Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of Ketones

New isocyanide ligands with meta‐terphenyl backbones were synthesized. 2,6‐Bis[3,5‐bis(trimethylsilyl)phenyl]‐4‐methylphenyl isocyanide exhibited the highest rate acceleration in rhodium‐catalyzed hydrosilylation among other isocyanide and phosphine ligands tested in this study. ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies on the coordination behavior of the new ligands to [Rh(cod)₂]BF₄ indicated that 2,6‐bis[3,5‐bis(trimethylsilyl)phenyl]‐4‐methylphenyl isocyanide exclusively forms the biscoordinated rhodium–isocyanide complex, whereas less sterically demanding isocyanide ligands predominantly form tetracoordinated rhodium–isocyanide complexes. FTIR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic studies on the hydrosilylation reaction mixture with the rhodium–isocyanide catalyst showed that the major catalytic species responsible for the hydrosilylation activity is the Rh complex coordinated with the isocyanide ligand. DFT calculations of model compounds revealed the higher affinity of isocyanides for rhodium relative to phosphines. The combined effect of high ligand affinity for the rhodium atom and the bulkiness of the ligand, which facilitates the formation of a catalytically active, monoisocyanide–rhodium species, is proposed to account for the catalytic efficiency of the rhodium–bulky isocyanide system in hydrosilylation.     

Distance Synergy of MoS2‐Confined Rhodium Atoms for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

Perturbing the electronic structure of the MoS₂ basal plane by confining heteroatoms offers the opportunity to trigger in‐plane activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The key challenge consists of inducing the optimum HER activity by controlling the type and distribution of confined atoms. A distance synergy of MoS₂‐confined single‐atom rhodium is presented, leading to an ultra‐high HER activity at the in‐plane S sites adjacent to the rhodium. By optimizing the distance between the confined Rh atoms, an ultra‐low overpotential of 67 mV is achieved at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 in acidic solution. Experiments and first‐principles calculations demonstrate a unique distance synergy between the confined rhodium atoms in tuning the reactivity of neighboring in‐plane S atoms, which presents a volcanic trend with the inter‐rhodium distance. This study provides a new strategy to tailor the activity of MoS₂ surface via modulating the distance between confined single atoms.     

Alkoxyallene‐ynes: Selective Preparation of Bicyclo[5.3.0] Ring Systems Including a δ‐Alkoxy Cyclopentadienone

The development of an intramolecular rhodium(I)‐catalyzed Pauson–Khand reaction of alkoxyallene‐ynes with a proximal alkoxy group is reported. This reaction, in the presence of a [Rh(cycloocta‐1,5‐diene)Cl]₂/propane‐1,3‐diylbis(diphenylphosphane) system under a CO atmosphere, constitutes a powerful tool for selectively accessing carbo‐ and heterobicyclo[5.3.0] frameworks featuring an enol ether moiety. Through this procedure, a straightforward access to guaiane skeletons with a tertiary hydroxy group at the C10 position was achieved.     

[RhIII(Cp*)]‐Catalyzed ortho‐Selective Direct C(sp2)H Bond Amidation/Amination of Benzoic Acids by N‐Chlorocarbamates and N‐Chloromorpholines. A Versatile Synthesis of Functionalized Anthranilic Acids

A Rh^III‐catalyzed direct ortho‐C?H amidation/amination of benzoic acids with N‐chlorocarbamates/N‐chloromorpholines was achieved, giving anthranilic acids in up to 85 % yields with excellent ortho‐selectivity and functional‐group tolerance. Successful benzoic acid aminations were achieved with carbamates bearing various amide groups including NHCO₂Me, NHCbz, and NHTroc (Cbz=carbobenzyloxy; Troc=trichloroethylchloroformate), as well as secondary amines, such as morpholines, piperizines, and piperidines, furnishing highly functionalized anthranilic acids. A stoichiometric reaction of a cyclometallated rhodium(III) complex of benzo[h]quinoline with a silver salt of N‐chlorocarbamate afforded an amido–rhodium(III) complex, which was isolated and structurally characterized by X‐ray crystallography. This finding confirmed that the C?N bond formation results from the cross‐coupling of N‐chlorocarbamate with the aryl–rhodium(III) complex. Yet, the mechanistic details regarding the C?N bond formation remain unclear; pathways involving 1,2‐aryl migration and rhodium(V)– nitrene are plausible.     

Synthesis,Solid‐State NMR Characterization,and Application for Hydrogenation Reactions of a Novel Wilkinson’s‐Type Immobilized Catalyst

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) were chosen as a solid support material for the immobilization of a new Wilkinson’s‐type catalyst. In a first step, polymer molecules (poly(triphenylphosphine)ethylene (PTPPE); 4‐diphenylphosphine styrene as monomer) were grafted onto the silica nanoparticles by surface‐initiated photoinferter‐mediated polymerization (SI‐PIMP). The catalyst was then created by binding rhodium (Rh) to the polymer side chains, with RhCl₃ ? x H₂O as a precursor. The triphenylphosphine units and rhodium as Rh^I provide an environment to form Wilkinson’s catalyst‐like structures. Employing multinuclear (³¹P, ²⁹Si, and ¹³C) solid‐state NMR spectroscopy (SSNMR), the structure of the catalyst bound to the polymer and the intermediates of the grafting reaction have been characterized. Finally, first applications of this catalyst in hydrogenation reactions employing para‐enriched hydrogen gas (PHIP experiments) and an assessment of its leaching properties are presented.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed ortho‐Selective CF Bond Borylation of Polyfluoroarenes with BpinBpin

An ortho‐selective C? F bond borylation between N‐heterocycle‐substituted polyfluoroarenes and Bpin‐Bpin with simple and commercially available [Rh(cod)₂]BF₄ as a catalyst is now reported. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions with high efficiency and broad substrate scope, even toward monofluoroarene, thus providing a facile access to a wide range of borylated fluoroarenes that are useful for photoelectronic materials. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that a Rh^III/V catalytic cycle via a key intermediate rhodium(III) hydride complex [(H)Rh^IIIL_n(Bpin)] may be involved in the reaction.     

A highly efficient heterogeneous rhodium(I)‐catalyzed C–S coupling reaction of thiols with polychloroalkanes or alkyl halides under mild conditions

Heterogeneous C–S coupling reaction of thiols with polychloroalkanes or alkyl halides was achieved at 30 or 80 °C in the presence of 5 mol% of an MCM‐41‐immobilized bidentate phosphine rhodium complex (MCM‐41‐2P‐RhCl(PPh₃)) and triethylamine, yielding a variety of formaldehyde dithioacetals, ethylenedithioethers and unsymmetric thioethers in good to excellent yields. This heterogeneous rhodium catalyst can be easily recovered and recycled by simple filtration of the reaction solution and used for at least 10 consecutive trials without significant loss of activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel One‐Pot Three‐Component Reaction for the Synthesis of Functionalized Spiroquinazolinones

A wide variety of spiroquinazolinone derivatives have been synthesized via a one‐pot three‐component reaction of isatoic anhydride, cyclic ketones, and hydrazides in the presence of catalytic amount (20 mol%) of H₃PO₃ in ethanol. Mild reaction conditions, high atom economy, operational simplicity, and good to high yields are the key advantages of the present protocol.     

Formation of 18e− and 16e− Acyl(η3‐cyclooctenyl)rhodium(III) Complexes in the Reaction of Cationic (Cycloocta‐1,5‐diene)rhodium(I) Compounds with 2‐(Diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde

The reaction of cationic diolefinic rhodium(I) complexes with 2‐(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde (pCHO) was studied. [Rh(cod)₂]ClO₄ (cod=cycloocta‐1,5‐diene) reacted with pCHO to undergo the oxidative addition of one pCHO with (1,2,3‐η)cyclooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl (η³‐C₈H₁₃) formation, and the coordination of a second pCHO molecule as (phosphino‐κP)aldehyde‐κO(σ‐coordination) chelate to give the 18e⁻ acyl(allyl)rhodium(III) species [Rh(η³‐C₈H₁₃)(pCO)(pCHO)]ClO₄ (see 1 ). Complex 1 reacted with [Rh(cod)(PR₃)₂]ClO₄ (R=aryl) derivatives 3 – 6 to give stable pentacoordinated 16e⁻ acyl[(1,2,3‐η)‐cyclooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl]rhodium(III) species [Rh(η³‐C₈H₁₃)(pCO)(PR₃)]ClO₄ 7 – 10 . The (1,2,3‐η)‐cyclooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl complexes contain cis‐positioned P‐atoms and were fully characterized by NMR, and the molecular structure of 1 was determined by X‐ray crystal diffraction. The rhodium(III) complex 1 catalyzed the hydroformylation of hex‐1‐ene and produced 98% of aldehydes (n/iso=2.6).     

Benzylic Functionalization of Anthrones via the Asymmetric Ring Opening of Oxabicycles Utilizing a Fourth‐Generation Rhodium Catalytic System

While anthrones exist as privileged scaffolds in bioactive molecules, the enantioselective functionalization of anthrones is surprisingly scarce in the literature, with no asymmetric transition metal catalyzed example to date. Herein, we report the first asymmetric transition metal catalyzed benzylic functionalization of anthrones through the rhodium(I) catalyzed desymmetrization of oxabicycles. As previously developed rhodium(I) systems were found to be unsuitable for this substrate, a new robust fourth‐generation [Rh(cod)OH]₂ based catalytic system was developed to address synthetic challenges in this protocol.