Thiolate Bridged Gold(I)–NHC Catalysts: New Approach for Catalyst Design and its Application to Trapping Catalytic Intermediates

New dinuclear N-heterocyclic gold complexes with bridging thiolate ligands have been designed as catalytic precursors with desired properties such as stability, recyclability and that do not require additives. The dinuclear compound [(AuNHC)₂(μ-SC₆F₅)]OTf could slowly release the active catalytic species [Au(NHC)]⁺ and the precursor [Au(SC₆F₅)(NHC)] in solution, which means that both species would remain stable throughout the catalytic cycle and the pre-catalyst could easily be recovered. The properties exhibited by the complexes have been taken advantage of to gain new insights on the gold-catalyzed hydroalkoxylation of alkynes, with the aim of clarifying all the steps of the catalytic cycle, together with the characterization of intermediates and final products. Isolation and characterization of the pure final spiroketals and the thermodynamic intermediate have been achieved for the first time. Moreover, the kinetic intermediate has also been detected for the first time.     

Mechanism of ketone hydrosilylation using NHC–Cu(I) catalysts: a computational study

The porous MIL-47 material shows a selective adsorption behavior for para-, ortho-, and meta-isomers of xylenes, making the material a serious candidate for separation applications. The origin of the selectivity lies in the differences in interactions (energetic) and confining (entropic). This paper investigates the xylene–framework interactions and the xylene–xylene interactions with quantum mechanical calculations, using a dispersion-corrected density functional and periodic boundary conditions to describe the crystal. First, the strength and geometrical characteristics of the optimal xylene–xylene interactions are quantified by studying the pure and mixed pairs in gas phase. An extended set of initial structures is created and optimized to sample as many relative orientations and distances as possible. Next, the pairs are brought in the pores of MIL-47. The interaction with the terephthalic linkers and other xylenes increases the stacking energy in gas phase (?31.7?kJ/mol per pair) by roughly a factor four in the fully loaded state (?58.3?kJ/mol per xylene). Our decomposition of the adsorption energy shows various trends in the contributing xylene–xylene interactions. The absence of a significant difference in energetics between the isomers indicates that entropic effects must be mainly responsible for the separation behavior.     

Photoinduced Single-Electron Transfer as an Enabling Principle in the Radical Borylation of Alkenes with NHC–Borane

A photoinduced SET process enables the direct B−H bond activation of NHC–boranes. In contrast to common hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) strategies, this photoinduced reaction simply takes advantage of the beneficial redox potentials of NHC–boranes, thus obviating the need for extra radical initiators. The resulting NHC–boryl radical was used for the borylation of a wide range of α-trifluoromethylalkenes and alkenes with diverse electronic and structural features, providing facile access to highly functionalized borylated molecules. Labeling and photoquenching experiments provide insight into the mechanism of this photoinduced SET pathway.     

A Cyclometalated NHC Iridium Complex Bearing a Cationic (η5-Cyclopentadienyl)(η6-phenyl)iron Backbone**

Nucleophilic substitution of [(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(η⁶-chlorobenzene)iron(II)] hexafluorophosphate with sodium imidazolate resulted in the formation of [(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(η⁶-phenyl)iron(II)]imidazole hexafluorophosphate. The corresponding dicationic imidazolium salt, which was obtained by treating this imidazole precursor with methyl iodide, underwent cyclometallation with bis[dichlorido(η⁵-1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl]iridium(III) in the presence of triethyl amine. The resulting bimetallic iridium(III) complex is the first example of an NHC complex bearing a cationic and cyclometallated [(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(η⁶-phenyl)iron(II)]⁺ substituent. As its iron(II) precursors, the bimetallic iridium(III) complex was fully characterized by means of spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, it was investigated in a catalytic study, wherein it showed high activity in transfer hydrogenation compared to its neutral analogue having a simple phenyl instead of a cationic [(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(η⁶-phenyl)iron(II)]⁺ unit at the NHC ligand.     

A Mechanistically and Operationally Simple Route to Metal–N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Complexes

We have been puzzled by the involvement of weak organic and inorganic bases in the synthesis of metal–N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. Such bases are insufficiently strong to permit the presumed required deprotonation of the azolium salt (the carbene precursor) prior to metal binding. Experimental and computational studies provide support for a base-assisted concerted process that does not require free NHC formation. The synthetic protocol was found applicable to a number of transition-metal- and main-group-centered NHC compounds and could become the synthetic route of choice to form M–NHC bonds.     

A Silylene–Borane Lewis Pair as a Tool for Trapping a Water Molecule: Silanol Formation and Dehydrogenation

The Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ and the cyclic silane (Ar^N₂Si)₃ ( 1 ) (Ar^N=o-(CH₃)₂NCH₂C₆H₄) are useful precursors to access the silylene(II)–borane adduct Ar^N₂Si-B(C₆F₅)₃ ( 2 ). Treatment of 2 with water led to coordination and gave the Lewis pair (Ar^N₂H₂O)Si-B(C₆F₅)₃ ( 3 ) that exhibits a hydrogen-bond-stabilized silanol unit. It can be converted into the siloxane [(HAr^N)₂SiOB(C₆F₅)₃]₂O ( 6 ) by dehydrogenation in the presence of a base. Heteronuclear NMR spectroscopic data to characterize the compounds were supported by quantum-chemical calculations.     

Chelating alkoxy NHC–Rh(I) complexes and their applications in the arylation of aldehydes

In this study, new rhodium(I) complexes (5 and 6) have been prepared by the reaction of [RhCl(COD)]₂ with a series of imidazolium salts (3 and 4), which were obtained from a chiral amino alcohol. The catalytic activities of these complexes were tested in the arylation of aldehydes. It was found that the synthesized rhodium complexes were highly effective catalysts for the arylation of aldehydes in short reaction times (5 min, TOF = 1193 h⁻¹). However, the obtained ee values (up to 32% ee) remained low. We have proposed a mechanism for the arylation reaction of aldehydes, which is confirmed via ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy.     

Interplay between Molecular Recognition and Redox Properties: A Theoretical Study of the Inclusion Complexation of β-Cyclodextrin with Phenothiazine and its Radical Cation

The PM3 molecular orbital method was employed in the conformational analysis of the inclusion complexation of -cyclodextrin with phenothiazine and its radical cation from a complete and unrestricted geometry optimization. Ab initio calculations at the level of HF/3-21G(d) and B3LYP/3-21G(d) were utilized to determine the electronic structures of the host, guest and their complexes. The results indicated that the complexation of -cyclodextrin with the phenothiazineradical cation was significantly more favorable than that with the neutral one, in good agreement with the experimental observation. The charge-transfer interaction was proposed as a physical reason for such behavior. It is suggested that caution should be given when extrapolating one oxidation state behavior to the supramolecular systems in their other oxidation states.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of sterically tuned ether functionalized NHC–silver(I) complexes: antibacterial and nucleic acid interaction studies

A series of new imidazolium salts (1–4) as N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors have been synthesized by successive N-alkylation method. Reactions of these salts with Ag₂O by varying the metal to salt ratio forms a series of new Ag(I)–NHC complexes (5–8). All compounds were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structures of 1 and 5 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. A comparative investigation of the bacterial growth inhibition potential of the salts and respective complexes indicates that 5–8 displayed good antibacterial activities on Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12600) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 11303) compared with the salts. Furthermore, it was observed that with increase in chain length at N-positions, the antibacterial activities also increased. Nuclease activity of the reported salts and Ag(I)–NHC complexes with nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) were also studied using agarose gel electrophoresis; the results show that the compounds do not have any apparent interaction with nucleic acids in the absence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). However, 5 and 8 were efficient in promoting the cleavage of nucleic acids in the presence of H₂O₂.     

Enantioselective catalytic synthesis of ethyl mandelate derivatives using Rh(I)–NHC catalysts and organoboron reagents

Herein we describe for the first time the enantioselective catalytic arylation of ethyl glyoxalate using phenylboron reagents and chiral rhodium(I)–NHC catalysts. KO^tBu was the base of choice, along with tert-amyl alcohol as the solvent. A novel chiral bis-imidazolium salt was synthesized and evaluated for the first time in this catalytic transformation. Although moderate enantioselectivities (up to 34% ee) were obtained for the phenylation reaction, despite the excellent yields, very low enantioselectivities were obtained using other arylboronic acids with a variety of chiral rhodium(I)–NHC catalysts.     

New mercury(II) and silver(I) complexes containing NHC metallacrown ethers with the π-π stacking interactions

The oligoether-linked bis-benzimidazolium salt 1,1′-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)]bis[(3-^secbutyl)benzimidazolium-1-yl]iodide (H₂L¹ · I₂), 1,1′-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)]bis[(3-ethyl)benzimidazolium-1-yl]iodide (H₂L² · I₂) and 1,1′-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)]bis[(3-^secbutyl)benzimidazolium-1-yl]hexafluorophosphate (H₂L¹ · (PF₆)₂) and their three new mercury(II) and silver(I) complexes containing NHC metallacrown ethers, HgL¹ · (Hg₂ · I₆) (1), HgL² · I₂ (2) and AgL¹ · PF₆ (3) were prepared and characterized. In the packing diagrams of H₂L² · I₂, 1, 2 and 3 benzimidazole ring head-to-tail π-π stacking interactions are observed.     

Review: Multimetallic silver(I)–pyridinyl complexes: coordination of silver(I) and luminescence

This review highlights some structural features and luminescent properties of homo- and hetero-multinuclear silver(I)–pyridinyl complexes. It focuses on the coordination and geometry of the silver(I) ions to the pyridinyl-nitrogen. For this reason, we have considered only pyridinyl-N–Ag(I) complexes whose crystal data are available. In addition, this review does not consider mononuclear silver(I)–pyridinyl complexes as these have been reviewed elsewhere. This is motivated by the fact that multinuclear silver(I)–pyridinyl complexes have been shown to be more stable in solution, possess enhanced properties, and have fascinating structures compared to their mononuclear counterparts. The introduction highlights pyridinyl ligands used in complexation of silver(I) ions. The main body highlights complexation of silver(I) through pyridinyl nitrogen and the interactions found in the multinuclear silver(I)–pyridinyl complexes as well as the coordination number and geometry of silver(I) centers. Though silver(I) has been flaunted to prefer linear twofold coordination geometry, from this review, it is clear that higher coordination numbers in varied geometries are possible. These include distorted trigonal planar, T-shaped, distorted tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral geometries. Coordination of silver(I) to pyridinyl ligands and their metalloligands has been observed to impart or enhance luminescent properties in the ensuing complexes.     

Cation⊗3π: cooperative interaction of a cation and three benzenes with an anomalous order in binding energy

Cation-π or cation-π-π interaction between one cation and one or two structures bearing rich π-electrons (such as benzene, aromatic rings, graphene, and carbon nanotubes) plays a ubiquitous role in various areas. Here, we analyzed a new type interaction, cation?3π, whereby one cation simultaneously binds with three separate π-electron-rich structures. Surprisingly, we found an anomalous increase in the order of the one-benzene binding strength of the cation?3π interaction, with K(+) > Na(+) > Li(+). This was at odds with the conventional ranking of the binding strength which usually increases as the radii of the cations decrease. The key to the present unexpected observations was the cooperative interaction of the cation with the three benzenes and also between the three benzenes, in which a steric-exclusion effect between the three benzenes played an important role. Moreover, the binding energy of cation?3π was comparable to cation?2π for K(+) and Na(+), showing the particular importance of cation?3π interaction in biological systems.     

A Silver(I)–Gold(II) Hexanuclear Guanidinate–Benzoate Cluster with Short Au–Au Bonds

Abstract  Attempts to remove the halide atoms from [Au₂(hpp)₂Cl₂], 1, Hhpp = 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine, with Ag(I) benzoate lead to the formation of the Au(I)–Ag(I) product, [(PhCOO)₂Au₄(hpp)₄Ag₂(PhCOO)₄], 2. This material is stable to air and light at room temperature and shows a UV–vis spectrum in THF with absorbances at 575, 440, 345, and 273 nm. The mixed metal product crystallizes as green crystals in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The Au–Au distances of 2.4473(19) ? are the shortest gold–gold distances reported to date. The gold···silver distance is 3.344(3) ? and the silver···silver distance is 2.771(6) ?. This latter distance is short compared with the Ag···Ag distance of 2.902(3) ? in the eight-membered silver benzoate dimer starting material. The Au(II) hpp and Ag(I) benzoate components are linked by carboxylate groups and two gold-silver interactions. This result stands in structural contrast to terminal carboxylate products observed with Au(II) ylides and amidinates wherein the carboxylate is not bridging to another metal atom. Index Abstract  Three equivalents of silver benzoate react with [Au₂(hpp)₂Cl₂], 1, Hhpp = 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine, to form the gold(II)-silver(I) product, 2, [(PhCOO)₂Au₄(hpp)₄Ag₂(PhCOO)₄]. The gold–gold distance of 2.4473(19) ? is the shortest gold–gold distance reported to date. The gold–silver distance is 3.344(3) ? and the silver–silver distance is 2.771(6) ?. Dedicated to the memory of F. Albert Cotton (1930–2007).     

A rhenium(V) complex containing a terdentate chelate with an imido donor atom: synthesis and structure of [Re(aps)I(PPh3)2]I (H3aps = N-(2-aminophenyl)-salicylideneimine)

The complex salt trans-[Re(aps)I(PPh₃)₂]I (1) (H₃aps?=?N-(2-aminophenyl)-salicylideneimine) was prepared by the reaction of trans-[ReO(OEt)I₂(PPh₃)₂] in ethanol. The compound was characterized by vibrational and ¹H NMR spectrometry, and by X-ray crystallography. The trianionic ligand aps acts as a terdentate chelate via the doubly deprotonated amino nitrogen (which is present in 1 as an imide), the imino nitrogen and the deprotonated phenolic oxygen atoms. The imido nitrogen and phenolate oxygen atoms coordinate trans to one another to give distorted octahedral geometry around the rhenium(V) centre.     

Synthesis,structure, and photoluminescence of a (4,6)-connected Cu(I)–CN–triazolate framework built with a unique heptanuclear hybrid cluster

A 3-D Cu(I)–CN–triazolate hybrid coordination polymer, {Cu₉(NH₂-BPT)₂(BPT)₂(CN)₇}_n (1) (NH₂-BPT = 4-amino-3,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, BPT = 3,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole), has been synthesized via self-assembly of NH₂-BPT, CuCN, and K₃Fe(CN)₆ under hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data show that four of the five independent copper centers in 1 have a three-coordinated trigonal coordination geometry, and the remaining copper center has a two-coordinated linear geometry. Three Cu ions are linked by one cisoid-BPT and two CN^? to form a 16-membered ring subunit, which is joined by the two-coordinate copper center via the triazole N(4)-position to generate an unprecedented [Cu₇(BPT)₂(CN)₄] hybrid heptanuclear cluster. Each heptanuclear motif is linked to two adjacent [Cu₇] clusters through four CN^? anions, and further to four [Cu–CN–Cu] binuclear clusters through two transoid-NH₂-BPT ligands. Each of these [Cu–CN–Cu] units is linked to four neighboring heptanuclear motifs. The overall geometry is a 3-D (4,6)-connected topological framework with Schläfli symbol of (4^4?×?6²)(4^4?×?6^10?×?8). Compound 1 also exhibits high thermal stability and strong green fluorescence emission at 536?nm in the solid state.     

Cu(I)-mediated lactone formation in subcritical water: a benign synthesis of benzopyranones and urolithins A–C

Benzopyranones were successfully synthesized using Cu(I)-mediated C–O bond formation in subcritical water. A number of benzopyranone derivatives including polymethoxy benzopyranones, benzopyranopyridones, chromenoindolones, and furochromenones were synthesized in satisfactory yield. This methodology was further applied to synthesize the intestinal microbial metabolites, urolithins A, B, and C, which were found to exhibit potent antioxidant activity.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (S)-calycotomine employing catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation with an iridium(I)–(R)-BINAP–phthalimide complex

An optically active 1-hydroxymethyl-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, (S)-calycotomine 1, was conveniently synthesized by using catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of 1-benzyloxymethyl-3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline 6 with 0.5 mol % of an iridium(I) complex of (R)-BINAP in the presence of 3,4,5,6-tetrafluorophthalimide.     

Ferromagnetic interactions in a Zn(II)–nitronyl nitroxide complex with dicyanoaurate(I) bridges

A two-dimensional Zn(II)-nitronyl nitroxide radical complex, Zn(NIT4Py)₂[Au(CN)₂]₂ (NIT4Py?=?2-(4′-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The complex is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a?=?26.294(9), b?=?7.167(2), c?=?18.532(6) Å, β?=?111.758(5)°, V?=?3243.6(18) ų, Z?=?4, and R ₁ [I?>?2σ (I)]?=?0.0348, and has an infinite two-dimensional network motif. Magnetic studies showed ferromagnetic coupling between two radicals through Zn(II).