Palladate salts from chiral pyridinium ionic liquids: synthesis and crystal structures

This paper reports the preparation, characterization and the crystal X-ray structures of metal-containing ionic liquid complexes based on chiral pyridinium cations and tetrachloropalladate (II) [PdCl4]2-.     

N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of Zn(II): synthesis, X-ray structures and reactivity

The synthesis of six novel zinc (II) mono(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes is described. 1,3-Bis(mesityl)-imidazol-2-ylidene was reacted with the zinc salts ZnX₂ (X=Cl, CH₃COO, PhCOO, and PhCH₂COO) to yield the corresponding monomeric Zn-NHC complex ZnCl₂(NHC)(THF) (1) and dimeric [Zn(OOCCH₃)₂(NHC)]₂ (2), [Zn(OOCPh)₂(NHC)]₂ (3), [Zn(OOCCH₂Ph)₂(NHC)]₂ (4) (NHC=1,3-bis(mesityl)-imidazol-2-ylidene). Reaction of 1 with 2 equivalents of silver trifluoromethanesulfonate yielded monomeric Zn(O₃SCF₃)₂(NHC)(THF) (5), reaction of 1 with sodium {[R(+)-α-2-(1-phenyl-ethylimino)-methyl]-phenolate} yielded monomeric ZnCl(OC₆H₄-2-CHN(CHPhCH₃)(NHC) (6). Compounds 1, 4-6 were structurally characterized by X-ray analysis. Selected compounds were investigated for their activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide with cyclohexene oxide as well as in the ring-opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide and ε-caprolactone.     

A highly efficient, recyclable catalyst for C-C coupling reactions in ionic liquids: pyrazolyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene complex of palladium(II)

[reaction: see text] A hemilabile pyrazolyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene complex of palladium(II) has been synthesized. It is an excellent catalyst for Heck and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions in ionic liquids.     

N-heterocyclic carbene Pt(II) complexes from caffeine: synthesis, structures and photoluminescent properties

The caffeine-derived N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex [Pt(II)(C^N)(NHC)Cl] (C^N = 2-phenylpyridine), 4 has the opposite stereochemistry and a shorter Pt-C(carbene) bond compared to that of an analogous benzimidazole-derived N,N-heterocyclic carbene (NNHC) Pt complex 2. These suggest a lower trans influence of pyridyl N compared to cyclometallated carbon and an increased Pt-NHC π-backbonding because of decreased π-donation resulting from conjugation to the electron deficient pyrimidine of caffeine. Complex 4 has a lower emission quantum yield (Φ) and is blue-shifted into the green region of the visible spectrum relative to non-carbene Pt(II) cyclometalated complex 5.     

Pd(II) immobilized on mesoporous silica by N-heterocyclic carbene ionic liquids and catalysis for hydrogenation

In this work we synthesized Pd(II) immobilized on mesoporous silica by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ionic liquids (ILs) with different alkyl chain lengths. The catalysts were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), low-angle X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen sorption. The catalysts were used for the hydrogenation of alkenes and allyl alcohol. The results indicated that the catalysts were very active, selective, and stable. The selectivity for the hydrogenation of allyl alcohol to 1-propanol increased with the increase of the alkyl chain length of the ILs. The effect of supercritical CO(2) (scCO(2)) on the hydrogenation of allyl alcohol was also studied, and it was demonstrated that scCO(2) could enhance the selectivity of the reaction considerably. The XPS study showed that the valence of Pd(II) remained unchanged under hydrogenation conditions.     

Nanoclusters in ionic liquids: evidence for N-heterocyclic carbene formation from imidazolium-based ionic liquids detected by (2)H NMR

The mystery of how 1,3-substituted imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) can provide high stabilization for transition-metal(0) nanoclusters, that is, in the absence of the usual strongly coordinating anions, has been probed. 2H NMR product and kinetic studies of 1,3-substituted imidazolium ILs under D2 reveal that nanocluster-catalyzed H/D exchange occurs at the 2- (as well as at the 4-, 5-, and 8-) C-H positions of the imidazolium cation. The results (i) provide compelling evidence that N-heterocyclic carbene formation and ligation of nanoclusters is occurring in ILs; and (ii) argue that N-heterocyclic carbenes merit further investigation as heretofore unappreciated stabilizers of transition-metal nanoclusters.     

Fluorescence and crystal structures of new mercury(II) macrocyclic N-heterocyclic carbene complexes with ether chains

Polyerther-linked mercury(II) carbene complexes are synthesized by the reaction of carbene precursores with mercury(II) acetate. The binuclear carbene complexes with the chloride ion linkage are easily prepared by the reaction of mononuclear mercury carbene complexes with tetrabutylammoium chloride. The crystal structures reveal that the fluorescence of mercury complexes are related to the coordination mode of the ligands.     

Amine elimination synthesis of a titanium(IV) N-heterocyclic carbene complex with short intramolecular Cl...C carbene contacts

The reaction of 1,3-dimesitylimidazolium chloride with Ti(NMe(2))(4) results in the 1,3-dimesitylimadazol-2-ylidene complex of Ti(NMe(2))(2)Cl(2)(3); the X-ray crystal structure of 3 evidences short intramolecular Cl...C(carbene) contacts.     

4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis and transfer hydrogenation of ketones

4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted Ag(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes and Ru(II) NHC complexes have been synthesized. The Ag(I) complexes were synthesized from the imidazolium salts and Ag₂O in dichloromethane at room temperature. The Ru(II) complexes were prepared from Ag(I) NHC complexes by transmetallation. The six 4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted Ag(I) NHC complexes and six 4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted Ru(II) NHC complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. The Ru(II) NHC complexes show catalytic activity for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones.     

Sulfur-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of Pd(II): syntheses, structures and catalytic activities

N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) can be easily modified by introducing functional groups at the nitrogen atoms, which leads to versatile coordination chemistry as well as diverse catalytic applications of the resulting complexes. This article summarizes our contributions to the field of NHCs bearing different types of sulfur functions, i.e., thioether, sulfoxide, thiophene, and thiolato. The experimental evidence for the truly hemilabile coordination behavior of a Pd(II) thioether-NHC complex has been reported as well. In addition, complexes bearing rigid CSC-pincer ligands have been synthesized and the reasons for pincer versus pseudo-pincer formation investigated. Incorporation of the electron-rich thiolato function resulted in the isolation of structurally diverse complexes. The catalytic activities of selected complexes have been tested in Suzuki-Miyaura, Mizoroki-Heck and hydroamination reactions.     

Palladium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis,structures and cytotoxicity potential studies against breast cancer cell line

Abstract

Mononuclear trans-Pd(II)–NHC complexes (where NHC?=?N-heterocyclic carbene) bearing asymmetrically substituted NHC-ligand have been synthesized via transmetalation reaction between Ag(I)–NHC complexes and [Pd(NCCH₃)₂Cl₂]. The NHC precursors are accessible in two steps by N-n-alkyl reactions of benzimidazole. The resultant benzimidazolium salts were deprotonated with Ag₂O by in situ deprotonation to facilitate the formation of mononuclear Ag(I)–NHC complexes. Single-crystal structural study for Pd(II)–NHC shows that the palladium(II) ion exhibits a square-planar geometry of two NHC ligands and two chloride ions. The cytotoxicity study was investigated against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). The Ag(I)–NHC complexes exhibit better activities than their corresponding Pd(II)–NHC complexes, whereas all benzimidazolium salts are inactive toward MCF-7 cancer cell line.     

Benchtop synthesis and crystal structure determination of a monomeric N-heterocyclic carbene complex of copper(I) chloride

(1,3-Bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)copper(I) chloride (1) was prepared by the reaction of 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolium chloride and copper(I) oxide in refluxing tetrahydrofuran. In contrast to previously published methods of preparation of N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of copper(I) halides, this synthesis requires neither an inert atmosphere nor scrupulously dry solvents. The structure of 1 was determined by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The X-ray crystal data reveal linear coordination about the copper(I) center and linear chains of molecules formed with intermolecular head-to-tail C–H···Cl interactions.     

Asymmetric N-heterocyclic carbene benzimidazolium salts and their silver(I) complexes: potential as ionic liquid crystals

The synthesis and characterisation of a homologous series of monodentate benzimidazolium salts, 1–4 and their mononuclear silver(I)–NHC (where NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes, 5–8, are reported. The benzimidazolium salts were prepared from the N-alkylation of 1-methyl-benzimidazole with alkyl halides of varying carbon chain lengths. The mono silver(I)-NHC complexes, 5–8, were prepared by the reaction of the benzimidazolium salts with Ag₂O. All the synthesised compounds were fully characterised by ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), ¹³C-NMR and fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The molecular structures of compounds 3·PF₆, 4·PF₆, 7 and 8 were elucidated through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. We postulate that the attachment of long alkyl chains to the heterocyclic core of 1-methyl benzimidazole could induce mesophase formation. The liquid crystalline behaviour of the benzimidazolium salts was investigated by polarised optical microscope and differential scanning calorimetry. Salts 3 and 4 were found to be thermotropic liquid crystals which exhibited a smectic A phase. However, upon complexation with silver(I) ions, all the Ag(I)–NHC complexes are found to be non-mesogenic.     

Synthesis and characterization of indenyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene complex of Ni(II)

A new type of Ind-NHC ligand precursor (Ind = indenyl), [C₉H₇-(CH₂)₃-(CH{NCHCHNⁱPr})]Br (HL·HBr, 1), was designed and prepared. The reaction of in situ generated anionic indenyl-functionalized NHC ligand LLi with (DME)NiCl₂ affords a novel mono-ligand Ni(II) bromide, [C₉H₆-(CH₂)₃-(C{NCHCHNⁱPr})]NiBr (2), which was characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and X-ray crystal determination. Complex 2 in combination with NaBPh₄ can catalyze the polymerization of styrene at 80 °C.     

Pyridinium-derived N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of platinum: synthesis, structure and ligand substitution kinetics

A series of [(R-iso-BIPY)Pt(CH(3))L ](+)X(-) complexes [R-iso-BIPY = N-(2-pyridyl)-R-pyridine-2-ylidene; (R = 4-H, 1; 4-tert-butyl, 2; 4-dimethylamino, 3; 5-dimethylamino, 4); L = SMe(2), b; dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), c; carbon monoxide (CO), d; X = OTf(-) = trifluoromethanesulfonate and/or [BPh(4)](-)] were synthesized by cyclometalation of the [R-iso-BIPY-H](+)[OTF](-) salts 1a-4a ([R-iso-BIPY-H](+) = N-(2-pyridyl)-R-pyridinium) with dimethylplatinum-micro-dimethyl sulfide dimer. X-ray crystal structures for 1b, 2c-4c as well as complexes having bipyridyl and cyclometalated phenylpyridine ligands, [(bipy)Pt(CH(3))(DMSO)](+) (5c) and (C(11)H(8)N)Pt(CH(3))(DMSO) (6c), have been determined. The pyridinium-derived N-heterocyclic carbene complexes display localized C-C and C-N bonds within the pyridinium ligand that are indicative of carbene pi-acidity. The significantly shortened platinum-carbon distance, for "parent" complex 1b, together with NMR parameters and the nu(CO) values for carbonyl cations 1d-4d support a degree of Pt-C10 multiple bonding, increasing in the order 3 < 4 < 2 < 1. Degenerate DMSO exchange kinetics have been determined to establish the nature and magnitude of the trans-labilizing ability of these new N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. Exceptionally large second-order rate constants (k(2) = 6.5 +/- 0.4 M(-1).s(-1) (3c) to 2300 +/- 500 M(-1).s(-1) (1c)) were measured at 25 degrees C using (1)H NMR magnetization transfer kinetics and variable temperature line shape analysis. These rate constants are as much as 4 orders of magnitude greater than those of a series of structurally similar cationic bis(nitrogen)-donor complexes [(N-N)Pt(CH(3))(DMSO)](+) reported earlier, and a factor of 32 to 1800 faster than an analogous charge neutral complex derived from cyclometalated 2-phenylpyridine, (C(11)H(8)N)Pt(CH(3))(DMSO) (k(2) = 0.21 +/- 0.02 M(-1).s(-1) (6c)). The differences in rate constant are discussed in terms of ground state versus transition state energies. Comparison of the platinum-sulfur distances with second order rate constants suggests that differences in the transition-state energy are largely responsible for the range of rate constants measured. The pi-accepting ability and trans-influence of the carbene donor are proposed as the origin of the large acceleration in associative ligand substitution rate.     

Tetrakis(thione)platinum(II) complexes: synthesis,spectroscopic characterization,crystal structures,and in vitro cytotoxicity

A new series of platinum(II) complexes based on thione ligands with general formula [Pt(thione)₄]X₂ (X^??=?Cl^?, NO₃^?) has been synthesized and characterized using CHNS elemental analysis, infrared, ¹H and ¹³C solution-state NMR as well as ¹³C and ¹⁵N solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The spectroscopic methods confirm the coordination of Pt(II) with thiocarbonyl groups via sulfur of the thione ligands. The X-ray structures showed a distorted square planar geometry for 1, [Pt(MeImt)₄]Cl₂ (MeImt = N-Methylimidazolidine-2-thione) while the hydrogen bonding interactions in 7, [Pt(iPrImt)₄](NO₃)₂·0.6(H₂O) induce a bent see-saw distortion relative to the ideal square planar geometry. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies showed that 2, [Pt(EtImt)₄]Cl₂ is generally the most effective, a two-fold better cytotoxic agent than cisplatin and carboplatin against MCF7 (human breast cancer).     

Silver(I)-carbene complexes/ionic liquids: novel N-heterocyclic carbene delivery agents for organocatalytic transformations

[reaction: see text] N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes with silver were investigated as sources of unsaturated NHC carbene catalysts via thermal decomposition. The NHC complex (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene)silver(I) chloride is an ionic liquid, and was found to catalyze the ring-opening polymerization of lactide at elevated temperatures to give narrowly dispersed polylactide of predictable molecular weight. Silver-carbene complexes can also be used for the catalysis of small molecule transesterification reactions. Thermolysis of the silver complexes in the presence of CS(2) yielded the zwitterionic CS(2) adducts of the carbene, implicating the intermediacy of the free carbene in these reactions.     

Benzoin condensation in 1,3-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids via electrochemical generation of N-heterocyclic carbene

N-heterocyclic carbenes generated by electrochemical reduction under galvanostatic control of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquids were employed as organocatalysts in the benzoin condensation reaction. Benzoin was isolated in a good yield (84%) by a catalytic amount of carbene (20%). The use of toxic, volatile molecular solvents as well as any addition of bases has been avoided.     

Preparation of Ti(IV) fluoride N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

1,3,4,5-Tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene (L(Me)) and 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene (L(iPr )) readily form complexes of trans-TiF4(L(Me))2 (1) and of trans-TiF4(L(iPr))2 (4) with TiF4 in THF, respectively. Complex 1 has been used as a precursor for preparing the Ti(IV) fluoride carbene complexes [{TiF2(L(Me))(NEt 2)}2(mu-F)2] (2) and (TiF4(L(Me))2)(NacNacLi) (3) (NacNac = HC(CMeN(2,6- iPr2C6H3))2). Complex 2 was prepared from the reaction of 1-3 equiv of 1 and 1 equiv of Ti(NEt2)4 or by reacting TiF4 with Ti(NEt2)4 and L(Me) in toluene. Complex 3 has been prepared from 1 and NacNacLi in toluene. Reaction of 1 and AlMe3 in toluene results in ligand transfer and formation of AlMe3(L(Me)). Complex 4 is unstable in solution at room temperature and degrades with formation of [HL(iPr)][TiF5(L(iPr))] (5). Complexes 1, 2.2CH2Cl2, 4, and 5 were characterized by single crystal X-ray structural analysis, elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The relative basicities of L(Me), L (iPr), and the donor ligands THF, pyridine, DMSO, and H2O as well as [Cl](-) and [F](-) toward the Ti(IV) pentafluoride anion were established by NMR and confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. L(Me) and L(iPr ) are more basic than the mentioned molecular donors and more basic than chloride, however less basic than fluoride.     

Synthesis, reactivity and crystal structures of platinum (II) and platinum (IV) cyclometallated compounds derived from 2- and 4-biphenylimines

The reaction of [Pt₂Me₄(μ-SMe₂)₂] with ligands 4-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (1a) and 2-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (1b) carried out in acetone at room temperature produced compounds [PtMe₂{4-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (2a) and [PtMe₂{2-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (2b), respectively, in which the imines act as bidentate [N,N′] ligands. Cyclometallated [C,N,N′] compounds [PtMe{4-C₆H₅C₆H₃CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (3a) and [PtMe{2-C₆H₅C₆H₃CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (3b), were obtained by refluxing toluene solutions of compounds 2a or 2b. Reaction of [Pt₂Me₄(μ-SMe₂)₂] with ligands 4-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂Ph (1c) and 2-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂Ph (1d) produced compounds [PtMe{4-C₆H₅C₆H₃CHNCH₂Ph}SMe₂] (5c) and [PtMe{2-C₆H₅C₆H₃CHNCH₂Ph}SMe₂] (5d) containing a [C,N] ligand, from which triphenylphosphine derivatives 6c and 6d were also prepared. In all cases, metallation took place to yield five-membered endo-metallacycles and formation of seven-membered or of exo-metallacycles was not observed. The reactions of 3a, 3b, 6c and 6d with methyl iodide were studied in acetone and gave the corresponding cyclometallated platinum (IV) compounds. All compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and compounds 3b, 4a, 6c and 6d were also characterised crystallographically.