Atropisomeric [(diphosphine)Au2Cl2] Complexes and their Catalytic Activity Towards Asymmetric Cycloisomerisation of 1,6‐Enynes

X‐ray crystal structures of two [(diphosphine)Au₂Cl₂] complexes (in which diphosphine=P‐Phos and xylyl‐P‐Phos; P‐Phos=[2,2′,6,6′‐Tetramethoxy‐4,4′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐3,3′‐bipyridine]) were determined and compared to the reported structures of similar atropisomeric gold complexes. Correlations between the Au???Au distances and torsional angles for the biaryl series of ligands (MeOBIPHEP, SEGPhos, and P‐Phos; BIPHEP=2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐biphenyl, SEGPhos=[(4,4′‐bi‐1,3‐benzodioxole)‐5,5′‐diyl]bis[diphenylphosphine]) can be made; these measurements appear to be very dependent upon the phosphorous substituent. Conversely, the same effect was not observed for ligands based on the binaphthyl (BINAP) series. The catalytic activity of these complexes was subsequently assessed in the enantioselective cycloisomerisation of 1,6‐enynes and revealed an over‐riding electronic effect: more‐electron‐rich phosphines promote greater enantioselectivity. The possibility of silver acting as a (co‐)catalyst was ruled out in these reactions.     

[(IPent)PdCl2(morpholine)]: A Readily Activated Precatalyst for Room‐Temperature,Additive‐Free Carbon–Sulfur Coupling

A series of new, easily activated NHC–Pd^II precatalysts featuring a trans‐oriented morpholine ligand were prepared and evaluated for activity in carbon‐sulfur cross‐coupling chemistry. [(IPent)PdCl₂(morpholine)] (IPent=1,3‐bis(2,6‐di(3‐pentyl)phenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene) was identified as the most active precatalyst and was shown to effectively couple a wide variety of deactivated aryl halides with both aryl and alkyl thiols at or near ambient temperature, without the need for additives, external activators, or pre‐activation steps. Mechanistic studies revealed that, in contrast to other common NHC–Pd^II precatalysts, these complexes are rapidly reduced to the active NHC–Pd⁰ species at ambient temperature in the presence of KOtBu, thus avoiding the formation of deleterious off‐cycle Pd^II–thiolate resting states.     

Gold(I) complexes bearing P-pyrrole phosphine ligands: Synthesis and catalytic activity towards cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes

P-pyrrole phosphines (R₂Ppyr), in which a pyrrole group is directly bonded to the phosphorus atom, act as monodentate k-P ligands towards gold(I) center to afford either neutral or cationic mononuclear complexes as well as neutral dinuclear complexes. All of these new gold(I) complexes have been structurally characterized and their first uses in catalysis have demonstrated their effectiveness as precatalysts for the enyne cycloisomerization reactions.     

Mechanism of Pd(OAc)2/Pyridine Catalyst Reoxidation by O2: Influence of Labile Monodentate Ligands and Identification of a Biomimetic Mechanism for O2 Activation

Aerobic oxidation : Mechanisms of aerobic oxidation of the Pd^II(OAc)₂/pyridine catalyst system were evaluated by using density functional theory methods. The results reveal that labile monodentate ligands, such as pyridine, favor a catalyst reoxidation pathway that proceeds via Pd⁰, rather than direct reaction of O₂ with a Pd^II–hydride intermediate (see scheme).

     

Methoxycarbonylation of olefins catalyzed by palladium(II) complexes containing naphthyl(diphenyl)phosphine ligands

Palladium(II) complexes containing phosphine donor ligands derived from naphthyl(diphenyl)phosphine were synthesized and characterized by NMR and elemental analysis. The complexes were studied as catalyst precursors in the methoxycarbonylation reaction of several aromatic and aliphatic olefins under mild conditions. The catalysts reported high chemoselectivities (over 96%) and regioselectivities between 44% and 93% for different olefins. The best results were obtained over a styrene substrate with 97% of conversion after 6 h of reaction, with high regioselectivity (93%). Kinetic studies permitted the determination of the rate law (v = k [substrate]^1.21±0.02 [catalyst]^0.94±0.11 [acid]^0.52±0.03 [MeOH]^0.53±0.05 [CO]^0.65±0.03) for methoxycarbonylation of styrene. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Palladium(0)-catalyzed intramolecular [2+2+2] alkyne cyclotrimerizations with electron-deficient diynes and triynes

In the presence of 2.5 mol % of [Pd(2)(dba)(3)] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) and 5 mol % of PPh(3), nearly equimolar amounts of dimethyl nona-2,7-diyne-1,9-dioate derivatives (diyne diesters) and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates were allowed to react in toluene at 110 degrees C to afford [2+2+2] cycloadducts in moderate-to-good yields. Similarly, dimethyl trideca-2,7,12-triyne-1,13-dioate derivatives (triyne diesters) were catalytically transformed into phthalic acid ester analogues in excellent yields. To gain insight into the mechanism of these intramolecular alkyne cyclotrimerizations, stoichiometric reactions of [Pd(2)(dba)(3)] with a diyne diester and a triyne diester bearing ether tethers were conducted in acetone at room temperature to furnish an oligomeric bicyclopalladacyclopentadiene and a Pd(0) triyne complex, respectively. The structures of these novel complexes were unequivocally determined by Xray structure analysis. The isolated triyne complex was heated at 50 degrees C or treated with PPh(3) in acetone at room temperature to afford the arene product. Furthermore, the same complex catalyzed the triyne cyclization with or without PPh(3).     

Behaviour of [PdH(dppe)2]X (X=CF3SO3-, SbF6-, BF4-) as proton or hydride donor: relevance to catalysis

The synthesis, characterization and properties of [PdH(dppe)(2)](+)CF(3)SO(3) (-).0.125 THF (1; dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane) and its SbF(6) (-) (1') and BF(4) (-) (1") analogues, the missing members of the [MH(dppe)(2)](+)X(-) (M=Ni, Pd, Pt) family, are described. The Pd hydrides are not stable in solution and can react as proton or hydride donors with formation of dihydrogen, [Pd(dppe)(2)](2+) and [Pd(dppe)(2)]. Complexes 1-1" react with carbocations and carbanions by transferring a hydride and a proton, respectively. Such H(-) or H(+) transfer occurs also towards unsaturated compounds, for example, hydrogenation of a C=C double bond. Accordingly, 1 can hydrogenate methyl acrylate to methyl propionate. Complex 1" is an effective (hourly turnover frequency=16) and very selective (100 %) catalyst for the hydrogenation of cyclohexen-2-one to cyclohexanone with dihydrogen under mild conditions. Density functional calculations coupled with a dielectric continuum model were carried out to compute the energetics of the hydride/proton transfer reactions, which were used to rationalize some of the experimental findings. Theory provides strong support for the thermodynamic and kinetic viability of a tetracoordinate Pd complex as an intermediate in the reactions.     

Photocatalyzed Intramolecular [2+2] Cycloaddition of N-Alkyl-N-(2-(1-arylvinyl)aryl)cinnamamides

N-Alkyl-N-(2-(1-arylvinyl)aryl)cinnamamides are converted into natural product inspired scaffolds via iridium photocatalyzed intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition. The protocol has a broad substrate scope, whilst operating under mild reaction conditions. Tethering four components forming a trisubstituted cyclobutane core builds rapidly high molecular complexity. Our approach allows the design and synthesis of a variety of tetrahydrocyclobuta[c]quinolin-3(1H)-ones, in yields ranging between 20–99 %, and with excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the intramolecular [2+2]-cycloaddition of 1,7-enynes—after fragmentation of the cyclobutane ring—leads to enyne-metathesis-like products.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [4+2] Cycloaddition of 2-Methylidenetrimethylene Carbonate with Alkenes: Access to Chiral Tetrahydropyran-Fused Spirocyclic Scaffolds

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition of 2-methylidenetrimethylene carbonate with alkenes derived from pyrazolones, indandione, or barbiturate has been successfully developed, affording pharmacologically interesting chiral tetrahydropyran-fused spirocyclic scaffolds. The target compounds were generated in good to excellent yields and with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Furthermore, this cycloaddition reaction could be efficiently scaled up, and several synthetic transformations were accomplished for the construction of other useful chiral spiropyrazolone and spiroindandione derivatives.     

Mechanism of the palladium-catalyzed carbohydroxylation of allene-substituted conjugated dienes: rationalization of the recently observed nucleophilic attack by water on a (pi-allyl)palladium intermediate

The mechanism of the palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbohydroxylation of allene-substituted 1,3-cyclohexadiene was studied by DFT calculations. All intermediates and transition states of the reaction were identified and their structures were calculated. The calculations confirm the mechanism previously proposed and show that the C--C bond-forming step occurs via insertion of one of the double bonds of 1,3-cyclohexadiene into a Pd--vinyl bond of a vinylpalladium intermediate. This reaction leads to a (pi-allyl)palladium intermediate, and coordination of benzoquinone and a double bond in the molecule to Pd creates a highly reactive cationic pi-allyl complex, which is readily attacked by water according to the calculations.     

Synthesis of diethyl 2-(aryl)vinylphosphonates by the Heck reaction catalysed by well-defined palladium complexes

Pd-catalysed procedures for the direct Heck arylation of diethyl vinylphosphonate with various aryl or heteroaryl halides toward the synthesis of diethyl 2-(aryl)vinylphosphonates are reported. Several homogeneous catalytic systems (i.e. Herrmann palladacycle, Nolan (NHC)-palladium catalyst, Pd(OAc)₂/PPh₃) were used and compared within the study. High conversions and selectivities were achieved under optimised conditions (2 mol% [Pd], NMP, K₂CO₃, 140 °C) whatever the homogeneous catalyst used.     

Versatile synthesis of (Z)-1-alkylidene-1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans and 1H-isochromenes by palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 2-alkynylbenzyl alcohols

An easy synthesis of (Z)-1-alkylidene-1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans and 1H-isochromenes by palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of readily available 2-alkynylbenzyl alcohols under neutral conditions is reported. Reactions were carried out at 70-100°C in the presence of catalytic amounts (1-2%) of PdI₂ in conjunction with 2 equiv. of KI for 1.5-24 h. The preference towards the 5-exo-dig cyclization mode (leading to 1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans) or the 6-endo-dig cyclization mode (leading to isochromenes) turned out to be dependent on the substitution pattern of the substrate as well as reaction conditions. In several cases, by properly adjusting the reaction conditions, the same substrate could be selectively converted into either the dihydroisobenzofuran or the 1H-isochromene derivative.     

Synthesis of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes possessing bicyclo[3.2.0]heptanyl phosphinite ligands: Identification of a novel Pd(II) precatalyst for 1,6-diene cycloisomerisation

The synthesis of monodentate and bidentate phosphinite ligands, possessing the unusual bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane framework, are reported. A convenient, tin-free synthesis of a key intermediate, namely 3-endo-6-endo-dihydroxybicyclo[3.2.0]heptane, is described. The air-sensitive phosphinite ligand 1 was either protected as the borane adduct, which is air-stable, or reacted directly with bis(acetonitrile)palladium(II)chloride to give the novel air and moisture stable palladium(II) complex 11. A platinum(II) relative 12 has also been synthesised by reaction of phosphinite 1 with bis(benzonitrile)platinum(II)chloride. Each complex has been thoroughly characterised and their molecular structures confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. In catalytic applications, such as cross-coupling reactions of organometallic reagents with organohalides, an unexpectedly poor activity has been established for 11. For example, Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of activated and deactivated aryl bromides with aryl boronic acids, in the presence of catalytic quantities of 11, proceed in low yield, accompanied by substantial homocoupling. Palladium agglomeration, to produce catalytically inactive Pd black, is rapid in these reactions, under both aqueous and non-aqueous conditions. The poor reactivity is proposed to arise through an unfavourable near tetrahedral ‘(PP′)Pd(0)’ geometry, which slows the oxidative addition step in the catalytic cycle with either activated or deactivated aryl halides. The steric bulk of the ligand and the associated large P-M-P′ bite angle, particularly at the palladium zero oxidation state, is proposed to account for the poor reactivity. However, we have established that cationic derivatives of 11 promote the cycloisomerisation of diallylmalonate in a regioselective fashion.