Improved approaches and structures of new ferrocenyl carbene complexes of chromium, tungsten, and molybdenum

Ferrocenyllithium reacts with M(CO)₆ (M = Cr, W, Mo) in THF to give, after alkylation at oxygen, the corresponding carbene complexes 3a-c in good yield. Complexes 3a,b were characterized by X-ray analysis. These complexes react with pentylamine to give the corresponding aminocarbene complexes 7a-c and with allylamine to give, in the case of chromium and tungsten, the corresponding and expected aminonocarbene complexes 8a,b, and for molybdenum, complex 9c in which the double bond is already coordinated to the metal. 8a,b could be converted in 9a,b in excellent yield. The structure of 9a could be confirmed by an X-ray analysis. Alkylations at nitrogen could be carried on complex 9c as well as on complexes 9a,b.     

Synthesis and structure of {{amino(triorganosilyl)carbene}pentacarbonyltungsten(0)} complexes and attempted synthesis of {[2-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl-3-triorganosilyl-2H-azaphosphirene-κP]pentacarbonyltungsten(0)}

First examples of tungsten aminocarbene complexes [(OC₅)W{C(SiR¹_nR²_3-n)NH₂}] 2a-d (R¹ = Ph, R² = Me) were synthesized via ammonolysis of the corresponding methoxycarbene complexes 1a-d. They were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, MS, IR, UV/Vis and elemental analysis, and in the case of the C-triphenylsilyl derivative 2a by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The reaction of P-chloro alkylidenephosphane 3 with complexes 2a-d, meant to give 2H-azaphosphirene complexes, was monitored by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy to reveal the formation of the products 4-7, which were presumably formed via decomposition of the transient complexes 10a-d.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes containing mono-thiolate-ortho-carborane ligand

Two binuclear complexes [Cp^∗M(Cl)Carb^S]₂ (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, M = Rh (1a), Carb^S = SC₂(H)B₁₀H₁₀, Ir (1b)) were synthesized by the reaction of LiCarb^S with the dimeric metal complexes [Cp^∗MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir). Four mononuclear complexes Cp^∗M(Cl)(L)Carb^S (L = BuⁿPPh₂, M = Rh (2a), Ir (2b); L = PPh₃, M = Rh (4a), Ir (4b)) were synthesized by reactions of 1a or 1b with L (L = BuⁿPPh₂ (2); PPh₃ (4)) in moderate yields, respectively. Complexes 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b were obtained by treatment of 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b with AgPF₆ in high yields, respectively. All of these compounds were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental analysis, and the crystal structures of 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Their structures showed 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b could be expected as good candidates for heterolytic dihydrogen activation. Preliminary experiments on the dihydrogen activation driven by these half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes were done under mild conditions.     

Normal and abnormal carbene complexes derived from thiazole: Preparation and a preliminary investigation of their relative catalytic performance

Readily prepared 2-, 4- and 5-bromo-3-methyl thiazolium triflates react by oxidative substitution with M(PPh₃)₄ (M = Ni or Pd) to furnish five of the expected normal and abnormal cationic thiazolylidene complexes (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, and 3b). Carbene complex formation is accompanied by a ca. 40 ppm downfield shift of the α-N carbene carbons in Pd complexes 1 and 2 in their ¹³C NMR spectra but the chemical shift of C(carbene) in the abnormal3b (δ 135.7) is particularly low. Crystal and molecular structures of complexes 1a, 2b, and 3b all indicate a square planar arrangement of the ligands around the central metal atoms. The new complexes catalyse Suzuki-Miyaura aryl coupling.     

α,β-(Phosphino)(aminocarbene) and α,ω-(phosphino)(oxyaminocarbene): new bidentate ligands for transition metal complexes

Direct complexation of (amino)(phosphino)carbene 1a and (amino)(oxy)carbene 1b featuring a phosphino group in position-6 to the carbene with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ has been studied. With the 1,2-bidentate ligand 1a, an original cationic complex 2 featuring two (amino)(phosphino)carbenes η²-bonded to the metal has been isolated in 79% yield. In the case of the 1,6-bidentate ligand 1b, a rhodium(I) complex 3 in which the carbene is in trans position relative to the CO ligand was obtained in 85% yield. Both compounds were fully characterized including X-ray diffraction studies.     

Syntheses, spectroscopic and structural characterizations and metal ion binding properties of Schiff bases derived from 4′-aminobenzo-15-crown-5

A series of benzyloxybenzaldehyde derivatives (1-4) were synthesized by the reactions of 4-(bromomethyl)benzonitrile with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin), 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (o-vanillin), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde. Condensation reactions among the new benzyloxybenzaldehyde derivatives (1-4) with 4′-aminobenzo-15-crown-5 yielded the new Schiff base compounds (5-8). Sodium complexes (5a-8a) and potassium complexes (5b-8b) were prepared with NaClO₄ and KI, respectively. All of these synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses data. The solid state structures of compounds 8 and 5a were determined by X-ray crystallography. The extraction abilities of compounds 5-8 were also evaluated in CH₂Cl₂ by using several main group and transition metal picrates, such as Na⁺, K⁺, Pb²⁺, Cr³⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺.     

Carbonyl complexes of manganese, rhenium and molybdenum with 2-pyridylimino acid ligands

[MBr(CO)₃{κ²(N,O)-pyca}] [M = Mn(1a), Re(1b), pyca = pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde] and [MoCl(η³-C₃H₄Me-2)(CO)₂{κ²(N,O)-pyca}] (1c) react with aminoacid β-alanine to give the corresponding iminopyridine complexes 2a-2c. The same method affords the iminopyridine derivatives from γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (3a-3c) and 3-aminobenzoic acid (4a-4c). For complexes 2a-2c, 3a, 3c and 4a, the solid state structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography, revealing interesting differences in their hydrogen-bonding patterns in solid state.     

Efficient and regioselective chromium(0)-catalyzed reaction of 2-substituted furans with diazo compounds: stereoselective synthesis of (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters

Pentacarbonyl(η²-cis-cyclooctene)chromium(0) (1) catalyzes efficiently reactions of diazo compounds with electron-rich furans. The reaction of 2-methoxyfuran (2) with alkyl α-diazoarylacetate (3a-g) furnishes the (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters (4a-g) in excellent yields. These reactions are highly regioselective. The cyclopropanation intermediates formed from 1 and diazo compounds 3a-g always arise from a carbene addition to the less substituted CC bond of 2. The resulting cyclopropanation product undergoes a ring opening reaction to form the corresponding (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters (4a-g). The pentacarbonylchromium(0)-catalyzed reactions of 2-alkylfuran (5a-b) with ethyl α-diazophenylacetate (3a) and 9-diazo-9H-fluorene (3h) produce the 1(E),3(E)-butadienes (6a-d) in very good yields.     

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum complexes of 2-pyrazol-1-yl-ethenolate ligands

The synthesis and the characterization of some new aluminum complexes with bidentate 2-pyrazol-1-yl-ethenolate ligands are described. 2-(3,5-Disubstituted pyrazol-1-yl)-1-phenylethanones, 1-PhC(O)CH₂-3,5-R₂C₃HN₂ (1a, R = Me; 1b, R = Bu^t), were prepared by solventless reaction of 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole or 3,5-di-tert-butyl pyrazole with PhC(O)CH₂Br. Reaction of 1a or 1b with (R¹ = Me, Et) yielded N,O-chelate alkylaluminum complexes (2a, R = R¹ = Me; 2b, R = Bu^t, R¹ = Me; 2c, R = Me, R¹ = Et). Compound 1a was readily lithiated with LiBuⁿ in thf or toluene to give lithiated species 3. Treatment of 3 with 0.5 equiv of MeAlCl₂ or AlCl₃ yielded five-coordinated aluminum complexes [XAl(OC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1})₂] (4, X = Me; 5, X = Cl). Reaction of 5 with an equiv of LiHBEt₃ generated [Al(OC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1})₃] (6). Complex 6 was also obtained by reaction of 3 with 1/3 equiv of AlCl₃. Treatment of 5 with 2 equiv of AlMe₃ yielded complex 2a, whereas with an equiv of AlMe₃ afforded a mixture of 2a and [Me(Cl)AlOC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1}] (7). Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a-2c and 4-6 were characterized by elemental analyses, NMR and IR (for 1a and 1b) spectroscopy. The structures of complexes 2a and 5 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Both 2a and 5 are monomeric in the solid state. The coordination geometries of the aluminum atoms are a distorted tetrahedron for 2a or a distorted trigonal bipyramid for 5.     

Hydrogen-bonded networks from η-semiquinone complexes of manganese tricarbonyl

The cationic manganese tricarbonyl complexes containing η⁶-2-methylhydroquinone (2a), η⁶-2,3-dimethylhydroquinone (3a), η⁶-2-t-butylhydroquinone (4a), η⁶-tetramethylhydroquinone (5a) and η⁶-4,4′-biphenol (6a) are readily deprotonated to the corresponding neutral (η⁵-semiquinone)Mn(CO)₃ (2b-6b) and anionic (η⁴-quinone)Mn(CO)₃⁻ (2c-5c) complexes. The X-ray structures of 2b-6b feature strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions that result in the formation of supramolecular organometallic networks. Significantly, the substitution pattern at the semiquinone ring affects the stereochemistry of the hydrogen bonding interactions. NMR spectra of 2b, 3b and 5b reveal dynamic hydrogen bonding in solution.     

Synthesis and coordination properties of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with phosphonated triphenylphosphine derivatives

Two triphenylphosphine derivatives, diethyl [4-(diphenylphosphanyl)benzyl]phosphonate (3a) and tetraethyl {[5-(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,3-phenylene]dimethylene}bis(phosphonate) (3b), and also the corresponding free acids 4a and 4b were prepared. These ligands were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. A full set of their Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of the general formula [MCl₂L₂] and one dinuclear complex trans-[Pd₂Cl₄(3a)₂] were synthesized and their isomerization behaviour in solution was studied. The complexes were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and far-IR spectroscopy. The X-ray structures of all complexes with 3a or 3b have usual slightly distorted square-planar geometry on the metal ion. Salts of phosphonic acids 4a and 4b and their complexes are freely soluble in aqueous solution; therefore, they can be potentially useful in aqueous or biphasic catalysis.     

From platina-β-diketones to diacetylplatinum(II) complexes - Synthesis, characterization and structural features

The reaction of the electronically unsaturated platina-β-diketone [Pt₂{(COMe)₂H}₂(μ-Cl)₂] (1a) with N^?N donors led to the formation of diacetyl(hydrido)platinum(IV) complexes [Pt(COMe)₂Cl(H)(N^?N)] (2). By the reaction of these complexes with NaOH in a two-phase system (H₂O/CH₂Cl₂) diacetylplatinum(II) complexes [Pt(COMe)₂(N^?N)] (N^?N = bpy, 4a; 4,4′-Me₂-bpy, 4b; 4,4′-t-Bu₂-bpy, 4c; 4,4′-Ph₂-bpy, 4d; 4,4′-t-Bu₂-6-n-Bu-bpy, 4e; bpym, 4f; bpyr, 4g; phen, 4h; 4-Me-phen, 4i; 5-Me-phen, 4j) were obtained. All complexes were characterized by microanalysis, IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, complexes 4a, 4c, 4d and 4e were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The observed variety of packing patterns resulting from π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding is discussed.     

Axial and equatorial carbene ligands of dimanganese and dirhenium monocarbene complexes: Synthesis, characterisation and structural studies

The binuclear alkoxycarbene complexes [M₂(CO)₉{C(OEt)C₄H₃Y}] (M = Mn, Y = S(1), O(2); Re, Y = S(3), O(4)) were synthesised and characterised, giving axial carbene ligands for the dimanganese complexes, and equatorial carbene ligands for the dirhenium complexes. Aminolysis of these complexes with ammonia and n-propylamine yielded complexes [M₂(CO)₉{C(NHR)C₄H₃Y}] (R = H, M = Mn, Y = S(5), O(6); Re, Y = S(7), O(8); R = propyl, M = Mn, Y = S(9), O(10); Re, Y = S(11), O(12)). For the smaller NH₂-substituted carbene ligands, the X-ray structures determined showed equatorial carbene ligands for both dimanganese and dirhenium complexes, while the NHPr-substituted carbene complexes retained the original configurations of the precursor alkoxy carbene complex, indicating that the steric effects of both the M(CO)₅-fragment and the carbene ligand substituent can affect the coordination site of the carbene ligands of Group VII transition metal complexes in the solid state.     

Synthesis and characterization of cationic and zwitterionic allyl zirconium complexes derived from trimethylenemethane (TMM) cyclopentadienylzirconium acetamidinates

Protonation of the trimethylenemethane derivatives, Cp*Zr(σ²,π-C₄H₆)[N(R¹)C(Me)N(R²)] (1a: R¹=R²=i-Pr and 1b: R¹=Et, R²=t-Bu) (Cp*=η⁵-C₅Me₅), by [PhNMe₂H][B(C₆F₅)₄] in chlorobenzene at −10 °C provides the cationic methallyl complexes, Cp*Zr(η³-C₄H₇)[N(R¹)C(Me)N(R²)] (2a: R¹=R²=i-Pr and 2b: R¹=Et, R²=t-Bu), which are thermally robust in solution at elevated temperatures as determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Addition of B(C₆F₅)₃ to 1a and 1b provides the zwitterionic allyl complexes, Cp*Zr{η³-CH₂C[CH₂B(C₆F₅)₃]CH₂}[N(R¹)C(Me)N(R²)] (3a: R¹=R²=i-Pr and 3b: R¹=Et, R²=t-Bu). The crystal structures of 2b and 3a have been determined. Neither the cationic complexes 2 or the zwitterionic complexes 3 are active initiators for the Ziegler-Natta polymerization of ethylene and α-olefins.     

Diastereomeric half-sandwich Ru(II) cationic complexes containing amino amide ligands. Synthesis, solution properties, crystal structure and catalytic activity in transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone

The cationic complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(N,O-amino amide)X]Y (arene = p-cymene or indane; N,O-amino amide = (l)-proline amide or (l)-phenylalanine amide; X = Cl or I; Y = Cl, I or PF₆) have been synthesised and fully characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. In several cases (1a, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5) the metal configuration has been definitively established by X-ray analysis on single crystal. The lability of the metal center in solution has been studied by ¹H NMR and CD techniques. The highest configurational stability has been found in the complexes of the type [(η⁶-indane)Ru(N,O-proline amide)Cl]Y (4a,b). The complexes 1b, 2a-b, 3b, 4b and 5 are good precatalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in basic i-PrOH, with ee up to 76% at 30 °C. An ESI(+)-MS study of pre-catalytic solutions has provided useful information on the catalytic mechanism.     

Coordinating properties of [M(CO)5(CN)] [M=Cr; Mo; W] ligands: formation of ion pairs or dinuclear cyanide-bridged complexes, spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies

The reaction of sodium cyanopentacarbonylmetalates Na[M(CO)₅(CN)] (M=Cr; Mo; W) with cationic Fe(II) complexes [Cp(CO)(L)Fe(thf)][O₃SCF₃], [L=PPh₃ (1a), CN-Benzyl (1b), CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (1c); CN-Bu^t (1d), P(OMe)₃ (1e), P(Me)₂Ph (1f)] in acetonitrile solution, yielded the metathesis products [Cp(CO)(L)Fe(NCCH₃)][NCM(CO)₅] [M=W, L=PPh₃ (2a), CN-Benzyl (2b), CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (2c); CN-Bu^t (2d), P(OMe)₃ (2e), P(Me)₂Ph (2f); M=Cr, L=(PPh₃) (3a), CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (3c); M=Mo, L=(PPh₃) (4a), CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (4c)]. The ionic nature of such complexes was suggested by conductivity measurements and their main structural features were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Well-resolved signals relative to the [M(CO)₅(CN)] moieties could be distinguished only when ¹³C NMR experiments were performed at low temperature (from −30 to −50 °C), as in the case of [Cp(CO)(PPh₃)Fe(NCCH₃)][NCW(CO)₅] (2a) and [Cp(CO)(Benzyl-NC)Fe(NCCH₃)][NCW(CO)₅] (2b). When the same reaction was carried out in dichloromethane solution, neutral cyanide-bridged dinuclear complexes [Cp(CO)(L)FeNCM(CO)₅] [M=W, L=PPh₃ (5a), CN-Benzyl (5b); M=Cr, L=(PPh₃) (6a), CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (6c), CO (6g); M=Mo, L=CN-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (7c), CO (7g)] were obtained and characterized by infrared and NMR spectroscopy. In all cases, the room temperature ¹³C NMR measurements showed no broadening of cyano pentacarbonyl signals and, relative to tungsten complexes [Cp(CO)(PPh₃)FeNCW(CO)₅] (5a) and [Cp(CO)(CN-Benzyl)FeNCW(CO)₅] (5b), the presence of ¹⁸³W satellites of the ¹³CN resonances (J_CW ∼ 95 Hz) at room temperature confirmed the formation of stable neutral species. The main ¹³C NMR spectroscopic properties of the latter compounds were compared to those of the linkage isomers [Cp(CO)(PPh₃)FeCNW(CO)₅] (8a) and [Cp(CO)(CN-Benzyl)FeCNW(CO)₅] (8b). The characterization of the isomeric couples 5a-8a and 5b-8b was completed by the analyses of their main IR spectroscopic properties. The crystal structures determined for 2a, 5a, 8a and 8b allowed to investigate the geometrical and electronic differences between such complexes. Finally, the study was completed by extended Hückel calculations of the charge distribution among the relevant atoms for complexes 2a, 5a and 8a.     

Conversion of novel palladacycles into oxopyrrolo[3,4-b]quinolines

The quinolinylcyclopalladated complexes 3a–b were synthesised in good yields (81% and 77%) by the insertion reaction of the prepared dinuclear palladium complexes [Pd(C,N-2-C₉H₄N-CHO-3-R-6)Cl(PPh₃)]₂ [(R = H (2a), R = OMe (2b)] with isonitrile XyNC (Xy = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃). The cyclopalladated complexes 3a–b were also obtained in low yields (39% and 33.5%) via a one pot oxidative addition reaction of quinoline chloride 1a–b with isonitrile XyNC:Pd(dba)₂ (4:1). The reactions of 3a–b with Tl(TfO) (TfO = triflate, CF₃SO₃) in the presence of H₂O or EtOH causes depalladation reactions of the complexes to provide the corresponding organic compounds 4a–b, 5a–b and 6a–b in yields (41%, 27% and 18–19%). The products were characterized by satisfactory elemental analyses and spectral studies (IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR). The crystal structures of 2a, 3a and 3b were determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Rotamers of palladium complexes bearing IR active N-heterocyclic carbene ligands: Synthesis, structural characterization and catalytic activities

The preparation and properties of mono- versus bis(carbene) Pd(II) complexes bearing unsymmetrical cyano- and ester-functionalized NHC ligands as potential IR probes were studied in detail. Direct reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ with functionalized imidazolium salts afforded either bis(carbene) (3a, c) or monocarbene complexes (5, 6) with a N-coordinated imidazole co-ligand. The latter were exclusively obtained with N-ethylene substituted salts, which were found to undergo N-C cleavage reaction. The milder Ag-carbene transfer reaction on the other hand was tolerable to the length of the substituents and the nature of the functional groups. All bis(carbene) complexes (3a-c, 4a-c) were obtained as a inseparable mixture of square-planar trans-anti and trans-syn rotamers. The identity, ratio and dynamic equilibrium of these rotamers have been investigated and the relatively high rotational barrier for rotamers of 3a was estimated to be about 74 kJ mol⁻¹ at 380 K. All eight complexes were fully characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry and X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction. A preliminary catalytic study showed that ester-functionalized complexes 4a and 4b gave rise to highly active catalyst in the double Mizoroki-Heck coupling of aryl dibromides, while the in situ ester-hydrolyzed complexes were also active in the coupling of activated aryl chlorides.     

Synthesis and characterization of bidentate NHC-Pd complexes and their role in amination reactions

The new well-defined and air-stable ortho-xylyl-linked N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Pd complexes (2a-d) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The palladium atom in the complex 2a lies on a crystallographic mirror plane and can be described as having a square-planar coordination environment with the carbene atoms of the benzimidazole rings of the ligand occupying two coordination sites in cis positions. Two further coordination sites are occupied by chloride ligands. The benzimidazole rings are connected to each other by an ortho-xylyl bridge. The catalytic activity of these palladium complexes has been tested in the coupling reactions of various N-containing substrates with bromobenzene. A preliminary catalytic study shows that the bis(NHC)-Pd complexes are highly active in the Buchwald-Hartwig amination reaction.     

Syntheses and X-ray crystallographic studies of {[Ni(en)2(pot)2]0.5CHCl3} and [Ni(en)2](3-pytol)2

Two novel Ni(II) complexes {[Ni(en)₂(pot)₂]0.5CHCl₃} (3) {pot = 5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thione} (1) and [Ni(en)₂](3-pytol)₂ (4) {3-pytol = 5-(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol} (2) have been synthesized using en as coligand. The metal complexes have been characterized by physical and analytical techniques and also by single crystal X-ray studies. The complexes 3 and 4 crystallize in monoclinic system with space group P21/a and P121/c, respectively. The complex 3 has a slightly distorted octahedral geometry with trans (pot)⁻ ligands while 4 has a square planar geometry around the centrosymmetric Ni(II) center with ionically linked trans (3-pytol)⁻ ligands. The π?π (face to face) interaction plays an important role along with hydrogen bondings to form supramolecular architecture in both complexes.