1,2,3-Triazol-5-ylidene-palladium complex catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck and Sonogashira coupling reactions

The bis-1,4-dimesityl-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene-palladium complex (1a) successfully catalyzes the Mizoroki-Heck and Sonogashira coupling reactions with aryl bromides to give the corresponding alkenes and alkynes, respectively, in good to excellent yields. In the Mizoroki-Heck reaction, electron-rich, electron-poor, and functionalized aryl bromides and alkenes are tolerated, while the substrates are limited to electron-poor aryl halides in the Sonogashira coupling reaction. The palladium complex also catalyzes cross-coupling reactions with aryl chlorides to give higher yields of products than does the bis-IMes-Pd complex analogue (2), under specific conditions.     

Use of tetrahydropyrimidinium salts for highly efficient palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of aryl bromides and chlorides

New, sterically demanding 1,3-dialkyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium salts (2) as NHC precursors have been synthesized and characterized. These salts, in combination with palladium acetate, provided active catalysts for the cross-coupling of aryl chlorides and bromides under mild conditions. The catalytic system was applied to the Heck, Suzuki and benzaldehyde (Kumada) coupling reactions. Catalyst activity was found to be influenced by the presence of a methoxy group on the ring of the p-position of benzyl substituent of the ligand precursor.     

C-S bond formation catalyzed by N-heterocylic carbene palladium phosphine complexes

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are known to be useful ligands for palladium-complex catalysis. It was found that [(NHC)Pd(PPh₃)Cl₂] is an effective pre-catalyst in Pd-catalyzed C-S cross coupling reactions to produce the functionalized sulfides in excellent yields. The turn over frequency (TOF) for the coupling of p-CH₃C₆H₄Br with p-CH₃C₆H₄SH reaches to 6.25 (mol of product) (mole of catalyst)⁻¹ h⁻¹.     

Synthesis, molecular structures and solution NMR studies of N-heterocyclic carbene-amine silver complexes

The synthesis of the Boc-protected 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-methylimidazolium salts [BocNHCH₂CH₂ImMe]X [2]X (X = I, PF₆) and their straightforward transformation into [NH₂CH₂CH₂ImMe]X [3]X is reported. The reaction between [2]X and Ag₂O leads to the formation in the solid state of three different bonding motifs: a biscarbene salt [(NHC-NHBoc)₂Ag]PF₆ ([4]PF₆, NHC-NHBoc = 1-(2-BocNH-ethyl)-3-methyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene), a tetranuclear complex [Ag(NHC-NHBoc)₂]₂[Ag₂I₄], (5), and a polymeric silver “staircase” [(NHC-NHBoc)₂-Ag₄-I₄]_n, (6) composed of Ag₄I₄ clusters. The same reaction carried out with [3]I showed that a primary silver mono-NHC-NH₂ carbene complex of the type [(NHC-NH₂)AgI] (7) is likely to form but it is unstable in solution. The solid state molecular structures of [4]PF₆, 5 and 6 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, whereas PGSE NMR experiments were employed to investigate the hydrodynamic dimension of the imidazolium salts and silver complexes and, consequently, to gain information on the level of aggregation in solution. PGSE NMR studies were complemented by NOE NMR investigations in order to obtain information on anion-cation relative orientation within aggregates.     

Polymer supported palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: long lived recyclable catalysts for cross coupling reactions

Polymer supported palladium complexes, containing a pyridyl bis N-heterocyclic carbene ligand system derived from isonicotinic acid, provide highly stable catalysts for Heck and Suzuki cross coupling reactions. These heterogenous catalysts can be recycled ?14 times with no loss of activity.     

Solvent-controlled selective synthesis of a trans-configured benzimidazoline-2-ylidene palladium(II) complex and investigations of its Heck-type catalytic activity

Reaction of N,N′-dimethylbenzimidazolyl iodide (A) with Pd(OAc)₂ in DMSO gives selectively trans-bis(N,N′-dimethylbenzimidazoline-2-ylidene) palladium(II) diiodide (trans-2) in 77% yield. The selective formation of the trans-coordination isomer and thus the cis-trans rearrangement is driven by the insolubility of trans-2 in DMSO. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy confirm the trans-geometry of the square planar Pd(II) complex. Catalytic studies show that cis-1 and trans-2 are highly efficient in the Mizoroki-Heck coupling reaction of aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides both in DMF and [N(n-C₄H₉)₄]Br as ionic liquid. The catalytic activities of Pd(II) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands derived from benzimidazole are comparable to their imidazole-derived analogues.     

Protonation of N-heterocyclic carbene ligand coordinated to copper(I): Coordination mode of imidazolium cation as a function of counterion as determined by solid-state structures

Reactions of (IPr)Cu(X) (X = Cl or trifluoromethanesulfonate, IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) complexes with the strong acids HOTf or HCl result in protonation of the C2 carbon of the IPr ligand to form imidazolium cations. Coordination of the imidazolium to the resulting Cu^I system depends upon the identity of the two counterions (chloride or triflate). The copper complexes [(IPrH)Cu(OTf)(μ-OTf)]₂ and [IPrH][CuCl₂] as well as the imidazolium salt [IPrH][OTf] have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of mixed carbene-carboxylate complexes of palladium(II)

Mixed carbene-carboxylate complexes of Palladium(II) have been prepared by reacting {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) diiodide (1) [Angew. Chem. 107 (1995) 2602; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 34 (1995) 2371; J. Organomet. Chem. 557 (1998) 93] with AgO₂CR, where R=CF₃, CF₂CF₃ and CF₂CF₂CF₃. In this manner, {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) bis(trifluo-roacetate) (2), {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) bis(pentafluoropropionate) (3) and {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) bis(heptafluorobutyrate) (4) were obtained. All three complexes were fully characterized by ¹H-, ¹³C- and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy as well as ESI mass spectrometry. X-ray crystal structure analyses of complexes 3 and 4 reveal mononuclear species with a square planar metal center coordinated by a cis-chelating dicarbene and two monodentate carboxylate ligands. The results show that the introduction of a cis-chelating N,N-heterocyclic carbene ligand stabilizes the palladium-carboxylate moiety effectively.     

On the efficiency of two-coordinate palladium(0) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in amination and Suzuki-Miyaura reactions of aryl chlorides

The catalytic activity of novel two-coordinate palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes that differ in their steric and electronic properties is compared in catalytic amination and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings.     

Highly efficient trialkylsilylcyanation of aldehydes, ketones and imines catalyzed by a nucleophilic N-heterocyclic carbene

The synthetic utility of N-heterocyclic carbenes was demonstrated by the trialkylsilylcyanation of aldehydes, ketones and imines. In the presence of a catalytic amount of 3a, the reactions with Me₃SiCN proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers or amino nitrile derivatives in good to excellent yields.     

Synthesis and characterization of chiral mono N-heterocyclic carbene-substituted rhodium complexes and their catalytic properties in hydrosilylation reactions

Different chiral mono-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of rhodium were prepared, starting from [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ (COD = cyclooctadiene) by addition of free N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC), or an in-situ deprotonation of the corresponding iminium salt. All new complexes were characterized by spectroscopy methods. In addition, the structures of chloro(η⁴-1,5-cyclooctadiene)(1,3-di-[(1R,2R,3R,5S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-3-yl] imidazolin-2-ylidene)rhodium(I) (5a), chloro(η⁴-1,5-cyclooctadiene)(1,3-di-[(1R,2S,5R)-2-isopropyl-5-menthylcyclohex-1-yl]imidazol-2-ylidene)rhodium(I) (5b) and chloro(η⁴-1,5-cyclooctadiene)(1,3-di-[(2R,4S,5S)-2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,3-dioxacyclohex-5-yl]imidazolin-2-ylidene)rhodium(I) (5i) were analyzed by DFT-calculations. The enantioselective hydrosilylation of acetophenone, ethylpyruvate and n-propylpyruvate with diphenylsilane and hydrolysis was carried out with chiral C₂-symmetrical mono-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene rhodium complexes giving for the first time an enantioselective excess of up to 74% ee in the case of the n-propylpyruvate.     

Synthesis of Pd complexes bearing an enantiomerically resolved seven-membered N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and initial studies of their use in asymmetric Wacker-type oxidative cyclization reactions

The development of enantiomerically resolved, axially-chiral seven-membered N-heterocyclic carbene (⁷NHC) ligands for palladium is described. These ⁷NHC ligands are derived from enatiomerically pure 2,2′-diamino-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl, which is transformed via a synthetic sequence consisting of ortho-arylation, N-alkylation, and cyclization to afford seven-membered-ring amidinium salts. Synthesis of the seven-membered amidinium salts benefits from microwave irradiation, and in-situ metalation of the amidinium salts yields ⁷NHC-Pd^II complexes. The chiral ⁷NHC-Pd complexes were examined as chiral catalysts under aerobic conditions in two intramolecular oxidative amination reactions of alkenes. In one case, enantioselectivities up to 63% ee were obtained, while the other substrate underwent cyclization to afford essentially racemic products. The catalytic data compare favorably to results obtained with a Pd^II catalyst bearing a chiral five-membered-ring NHC ligand and, thereby, highlight the potential significance of this new class of chiral NHC ligands.     

Efficient catalysis of Ullmann-type arylation reactions by a novel trinuclear copper(I) complex with a chelating tricarbene ligand

A novel trinuclear copper(I) complex with a chelating tricarbene ligand is shown to be an efficient catalyst for the arylation of different classes of compounds containing N-H or O-H functions. Different kinds of azole rings (pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole) can be arylated with comparable efficiencies at relatively mild temperatures (100 °C). The catalyst activates aryl iodides, bromides and even chlorides for the reaction. An unusually strong influence of the nature of the aryl substituent on the reaction yield is observed. The synthetic protocol can be extended to other substrate classes, such as phenols and amides, although the catalytic efficiency with amides is significantly reduced.     

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.     

Anellated N-heterocyclic carbenes: 1,3-Dineopentyl-benzimidazol-2-ylidene,structural aspects of C-protonated precursor salts and an AgCl complex

Access to 1,3-dineopentyl-benzimidazol-2-ylidene (1) by deprotonation of various benzimidazolium salts was studied. [Ag(1)Cl] was prepared from the corresponding benzimidazolium chloride. X-ray crystal structure analyses of benzo-, naphtho- and quinoxalino-anellated imidazolium salts displayed neither significant changes nor systematic trends of bond lengths and angles within the five-membered ring. Consistently downfield shifts of the ¹³C¹H(2) nuclei reflect the influence of electron-withdrawing anellation.     

N-Functionalised heterocyclic dicarbene complexes of silver: Synthesis and structural studies

A range of new diimidazolium salts, held together by an alkyl unit and bearing alcohol pendant arms on their nitrogen, was synthesized. A short modular reaction pathway leads to the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors, differing by the flexibility of the bridge, the steric bulk of substituents in α-position of the OH groups and the anions. Treatment of diimidazolium salts with Ag₂O yields Ag^I(carbene)₂ complexes. The related trimethylene-bridged bis-NHC silver complexes 6 and 7 were crystallised with di-tosylate and di-hexafluorophosphate anions, respectively. Their X-ray structures revealed dimeric species, involving two ligands with different arrangements around the Ag cations, leading to crossed and parallel conformations.     

γ-Selective allylic substitution reaction with Grignard reagents catalyzed by copper N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and its application to enantioselective synthesis

The reaction of allylic compounds with alkyl Grignard reagents in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes proceeded predominantly in an S_N2′ reaction pathway to give γ-substituted product in excellent yield. The method was applied to asymmetric reaction by using optically active NHC ligands.     

New 1,2,4,5-tetrakis-(N-imidazoliniummethyl)benzene and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis-(N-benzimidazoliummethyl)benzene salts as N-heterocyclic tetracarbene precursors: synthesis and involvement in ruthenium-catalyzed allylation reactions

New tetraimidazolinium and tetrabenzimidazolium salts have been prepared. Upon reaction with ^tBuOK, they generate carbene ligands, which were associated in situ to [RuCp*(MeCN)₃]PF₆ to produce new ruthenium catalysts that are active for the substitution of allylic substrates by amines, phenols, and carbonucleophiles. The influence of the N-heterocyclic core as well as that of the N-substitutents at the periphery of the salts, on reactivity and regioselectivity have been examined.     

Cobalt-catalyzed sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives with Grignard reagents and their application to the synthesis of 1,3-diols

Cobalt/N-heterocyclic carbene system or cobalt/diamine combination effectively catalyzes sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives with trialkylsilylmethyl, 1-alkynyl, and aryl Grignard reagents. The sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions are applied to the synthesis of 1,3-diols starting from siloxy-tethered 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives.     

Copper-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction catalyzed by polymer-supported N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complex

A core-shell type of polymer-supported N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium catalyst was applied to Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions without copper cocatalyst under ambient atmosphere. This supported NHC-palladium complex efficiently catalyzed the copper-free Sonogashira reaction of various aryl iodides and bromides with terminal alkynes; the reaction exhibited high dependency on the temperature and the amount of base as well as its nature. In addition, this heterogeneous catalyst exhibited good reusability for the copper-free Sonogashira reaction.