[(NHC)(NHCewg)RuCl2(CHPh)] Complexes with Modified NHCewg Ligands for Efficient Ring‐Closing Metathesis Leading to Tetrasubstituted Olefins

Imidazolium salts (NHC_ewg ? HCl) with electronically variable substituents in the 4,5‐position (H,H or Cl,Cl or H,NO₂ or CN,CN) and sterically variable substituents in the 1,3‐position (Me,Me or Et,Et or iPr,iPr or Me,iPr) were synthesized and converted into the respective [AgI(NHC)_ewg] complexes. The reactions of [(NHC)RuCl₂(CHPh)(py)₂] with the [AgI(NHC_ewg)] complexes provide the respective [(NHC)(NHC_ewg)RuCl₂(CHPh)] complexes in excellent yields. The catalytic activity of such complexes in ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactions leading to tetrasubstituted olefins was studied. To obtain quantitative substrate conversion, catalyst loadings of 0.2–0.5 mol % at 80 °C in toluene are sufficient. The complex with the best catalytic activity in such RCM reactions and the fastest initiation rate has an NHC_ewg group with 1,3‐Me,iPr and 4,5‐Cl,Cl substituents and can be synthesized in 95 % isolated yield from the ruthenium precursor. To learn which one of the two NHC ligands acts as the leaving group in olefin metathesis reactions two complexes, [(FL‐NHC)(NHC_ewg)RuCl₂(CHPh)] and [(FL‐NHC_ewg)(NHC)RuCl₂(CHPh)], with a dansyl fluorophore (FL)‐tagged electron‐rich NHC ligand (FL‐NHC) and an electron‐deficient NHC ligand (FL‐NHC_ewg) were prepared. The fluorescence of the dansyl fluorophore is quenched as long as it is in close vicinity to ruthenium, but increases strongly upon dissociation of the respective fluorophore‐tagged ligand. In this manner, it was shown for ring‐opening metathesis ploymerization (ROMP) reactions at room temperature that the NHC_ewg ligand normally acts as the leaving group, whereas the other NHC ligand remains ligated to ruthenium.     

The mer-[RuCl3(dppb)(H2O)] complex: A versatile tool for synthesis of Ru compounds

The complex mer-[RuCl₃(dppb)(H₂O)] [dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane] was used as a precursor in the synthesis of the complexes tc-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(dppb)], ct-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(dppb)], cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(Cl-bipy)], [RuCl(2Ac4mT)(dppb)] (2Ac4mT = N(4)-meta-tolyl-2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone ion) and trans-[RuCl₂(dppb)(mang)] (mang = mangiferin or 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone-C2-β-D-glucoside) complexes. For the synthesis of Ru^II complexes, the Ru^III atom in mer-[RuCl₃(dppb)(H₂O)] may be reduced by H₂(g), forming the intermediate [Ru₂Cl₄(dppb)₂], or by a ligand (such as H2Ac4mT or mangiferin). The X-ray structures of the cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(Cl-bipy)], tc-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(dppb)] and [RuCl(2Ac4mT)(dppb)] complexes were determined.     

The reactions of 2-benzoylpyridine with [RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3] and [(C6H6)RuCl2]2

The reactions of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] and [(C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂ with 2-benzoylpyridine have been examined, and two novel ruthenium(II) complexes – [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂(C₅H₄NCOO)] and [RuCl₂(C₁₂H₉NO)₂] – have been obtained. The compounds have been studied by IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The molecular orbital diagrams of the complexes have been calculated with the density functional theory (DFT) method. The spin-allowed singlet–singlet electronic transitions of the compounds have been calculated with the time-dependent DFT method, and the UV–Vis spectra of the compounds have been discussed on this basis.     

Synthesis and characterization of complexes imparting N-pyridyl bonded meso-pyridyl substituted dipyrromethanes

The meso-pyridyl substituted dipyrromethane ligands 5-(4-pyridyl)dipyrromethane (4-dpmane) and 5-(3-pyridyl)dipyrromethane (3-dpmane) have been employed in the synthesis of a series of complexes with the general formulations [(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂(L)] (η⁶-arene = C₆H₆, C₁₀H₁₄) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl₂(L)] (M = Rh, Ir). The reaction products have been characterized by microanalyses and spectral studies and molecular structures of the complexes [(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)RuCl₂(4-dpmane)] and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl₂(3-dpmane)] have been determined crystallographically. For comparative studies, geometrical optimization have been performed on the complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl₂(4-dpmane)] using exchange correlation functional B3LYP. Optimized bond length and angles are in good agreement with the structural data of the complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl₂(3-dpmane)]. The complexes [(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)RuCl₂(3-dpmane)], [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂(3-dpmane)] and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl₂(3-dpmane)] have been employed as a transfer hydrogenation catalyst in the reduction of aldehydes. It was observed that the rhodium and iridium complexes mentioned above are more effective in this regard in comparison to the ruthenium complex.     

Synthesis of ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their catalytic activities in transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Three RuCl₂(η⁶-arene, η¹-carbene) and two RuCl₂(NHC)(arene) complexes have been prepared by the reaction of bis(1,3-dialkylperhydrobenzimidazol-2-ylidene) (1) and bis(1,3-dialkyl-4-methylzimidazolin-2-ylidene) (3) with [RuCl₂(arene)]₂ in toluene and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. The catalytic activities of these complexes were examined in the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones using 2-propanol as hydrogen source.     

Imidazol(in)ium-2-Carboxylates as N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand Precursors for Ruthenium Metathesis Initiators

Summary: Imidazol(in)ium-2-carboxylates were used as N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursors to convert the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ dimer into three ruthenium-arene complexes of the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)(NHC)] type. The decarboxylation of NHC · CO₂ betaines also provided a convenient synthetic path to prepare five well-known ruthenium-NHC catalysts for olefin metathesis and related reactions, including the second generation Grubbs and Hoveyda–Grubbs catalysts, via ligand exchange with phosphine-containing, first generation ruthenium-benzylidene or indenylidene complexes. Both procedures are particularly attractive from a practical point of view, because NHC · CO₂ adducts are stable zwitterionic compounds that can be stored and handled with no particular precautions.     

The influence of electronic modifications on rotational barriers of bis‐NHC‐complexes as observed by dynamic NMR spectroscopy

There has been much debate about the σ‐donor and π‐acceptor properties of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). While a lot of synthetic modifications have been performed with the goal of optimizing properties of the catalyst to tune reactivity in various transformations (e.g. metathesis), direct methods to characterize σ‐donor and π‐acceptor properties are still few. We believe that dynamic NMR spectroscopy can improve understanding of this aspect. Thus, we investigated the intramolecular dynamics of metathesis precatalysts bearing two NHCs. We chose four systems with one identical NHC ligand (N,N′‐Bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)‐imidazolinylidene (SIMes) in all four cases) and NHC_ewg ligands bearing four different electron‐withdrawing groups (ewg). Both rotational barriers of the respective Ru‐NHC‐bonds change significantly when the electron density of one of the NHCs (NHC_ewg) is modified. Although it is certainly not possible to fully dissect σ‐donor and π‐acceptor portions of the bonding situations in the respective Ru‐NHC‐bond via dynamic NMR spectroscopy, our studies nevertheless show that the analysis of the rotation around the Ru‐SIMes‐bond can be used as a spectroscopic parameter complementary to cyclic voltammetry. Surprisingly, we observed that the rotation around the Ru‐NHC_ewg‐bond shows the same trend as the initiation rate of a ring‐closing metathesis of the four investigated bis‐NHC‐complexes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Imidazol(in)ium-2-carboxylates as N-heterocyclic carbene precursors in ruthenium–arene catalysts for olefin metathesis and cyclopropanation

Five imidazol(in)ium-2-carboxylates bearing cyclohexyl, mesityl, or 2,6-diisopropylphenyl substituents on their nitrogen atoms were prepared from the corresponding N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) by reaction with carbon dioxide. They were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopies, and by TGA. Their ability to act as NHC precursors for in situ catalytic applications was probed in ruthenium-promoted olefin metathesis and cyclopropanation reactions. When visible light induced ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctene or cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate were carried out at 60 °C in the presence of [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂, the NHC · CO₂ adducts and their NHC · HX counterparts (X = Cl, BF₄) displayed similar activities. When metathesis polymerizations were performed at room temperature, the carboxylates proved far superior to the corresponding imidazol(in)ium acid salts. They displayed the same level of activity as the preformed RuCl₂(p-cymene)(IMes) complex, whereas the combination of NHC · HX and KO-t-Bu were almost totally inactive. Results obtained for cyclopropanation reactions at room temperature did not show such a large discrepancy of behavior between the two types of adducts.     

Synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene precursors bearing biphenyl units and their use in ruthenium-catalyzed ring-opening metathesis polymerization

A range of new imidazolium and imidazolinium chlorides bearing biphenyl units on their nitrogen atoms was synthesized. They differed by the electron-withdrawing or -donating nature and the steric bulk of the substituents on their aromatic rings. These various N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors were combined with the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ dimer and potassium tert-butoxide to generate the corresponding ruthenium-arene complexes [RuCl₂(p-cymene)(NHC)] in situ. The catalytic activity of these species was investigated in the photoinduced ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctene. The results obtained confirmed the necessity of blocking the ortho-positions of the phenyl rings in the vicinity of the metal center in order to attain high catalytic efficiencies. They also showed that changing the steric and electronic properties of the substituents on the remote phenyl rings of the biphenyl units had no significant influence on the outcome of the polymerization.     

Controlled ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate and access to PTMC‐PLA block copolymers mediated by well‐defined N‐heterocyclic carbene zinc alkoxides

Four novel Zinc–NHC alkyl/alkoxide/chloride complexes ( 4 , 5 , 9 and 9′ ) were readily prepared and fully characterized, including X‐ray diffraction crystallography for 5 and 9′ . The reaction of N‐methyl‐N′‐butyl imidazolium chloride ( 3.HCl ) with ZnEt₂ (2 equiv.) afforded the corresponding [(C_NHC)ZnCl(Et)] complex ( 4 ) via a protonolysis reaction, as deduced from NMR data. The alcoholysis of 4 with BnOH led to quantitative formation of the dinuclear Zn(II) alkoxide species [(C_NHC)ZnCl(OBn)]₂ ( 5 ), as confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The NMR data are in agreement with species 5 retaining its dimeric structure in solution at room temperature. The protonolysis reaction of N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐N′‐ethyl methyl ether imidazolium chloride ( 8.HCl ) with ZnEt₂ (2 equiv.) yielded the [(C_NHC)ZnCl(Et)] species 9 . The latter was found to be reactive with CH₂Cl₂ in solution and to cleanly convert to the corresponding Zn(II) dichloride [(C_NHC)ZnCl₂]₂ ( 9′ ), whose molecular structure was also elucidated using X‐ray diffractometry. Unlike Zn(II)–NHC alkoxide species 1 and 2 , which contain a NHC flanked with an additional N‐functional group (i.e. thioether and ether, respectively), the Zn(II) alkoxide species 5 incorporates a monodentate NHC ligand. The Zn(II) complexes 1 , 2 and 5 were tested in the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of trimethylene carbonate (TMC). All three species are effective initiators for the controlled ROP of trimethylene carbonate, resulting in the production of narrow disperse PTMC material. Initiator 1 (incorporating a thioether moiety) was found to perform best in the ROP of TMC. Notably, the latter also readily undergoes the sequential ROP of TMC and rac‐LA in the presence of a chain‐transfer agent, leading to well‐defined and high‐molecular‐weight PTMC/PLA block copolymers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetic investigations on interaction of carbon monoxide with RuIICl2(PPh3)3 in mixed aqueous medium

Kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics of interaction of CO with RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ (1) have been investigated in 1:1(v/v) water — 1,4-dioxan mixture in which 1 dissociates to RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂ (1a), by losing a coordinated PPh₃. The kinetics of complexation of (1a) with CO to form RuCl₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2) indicated first order dependence in [1a] and [CO]. The thermodynamic parameters for the formation of 2 were determined.This revised version was published online in December 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Syntheses and Structures of Homo‐ and Heterobimetallic Complexes Containing a (Cyclopentadienone)rhodium(I) Fragment

The reaction of [RhCl(η⁴‐Ph₂R₂C₄CO)]₂ (R=Ph, 2‐naphthyl) with the dimeric complexes [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ p‐cymene=1‐methyl‐4‐(1‐methylethyl)benzene, [RuCl₂(1,3,5‐Et₃C₆H₃)]₂, [MCl₂(Cp*)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir; Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopenta‐2,4‐dien‐1‐yl), [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂, [RuCl₂(dcypb)(CO)]₂ (dcypb=butane‐1,4‐diylbis[dicyclohexylphosphine]), [(dppb)ClRu(μ‐Cl)₂(μ‐OH₂)RuCl(dppb)] (dppb=butane‐1,4‐diylbis[diphenylphosphine]), and [(dcypb)(N₂)Ru(μ‐Cl)₃RuCl(dcypb)] was investigated. In all cases, mixed, chloro‐bridged complexes were formed in quantitative yield (see 5 – 8, 9 – 16, 18, 19, 21 , and 22 ). The six new complexes 5, 8, 9, 13, 15 , and 22 were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis (Figs. 1–3).     

Thiocarbonyl complexes of ruthenium(II). Synthesis of RuCl2(CS)(H2O)(PPh3)2 and RuHCl(CS)(PPh3)3

A high-yield synthesis of trans-RuCl₂(CS)(H₂O)(PPh₃)₂ from RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ and CS₂ is described. The coordinated water molecule is labile, and introduction of CNR (R  p-toyl or p-chlorophenyl) leads to yellow trans-RuCl₂(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂, which isomerises thermally to colourless cis-RuCl₂(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂. Reaction of AgClO₄ with cis-RuCl₂(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂ gives [RuCl(CS)(CNR)(H₂O)(PPh₃)₂]⁺, from which [RuCl(CS)(CO)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ and [RuCl(CS)(CNR)₂(PPh₃)₂]⁺ are derived. Reaction of trans-RuCl₂(CS)(H₂O)(PPh₃)₂ with sodium formate gives Ru(η²-O₂CH)Cl(CS)(PPh₃)₂, which undergoes decarboxylation in the presence of (PPh₃) to give RuHCl(CS)(PPh₃)₃. Ru(η²-O₂CH)H(CS)(PPh₃)₂ and Ru(η²-O₂CMe)-H(CS)(PPh₃)₂ are also described.     

Metal Complexes of a Boron‐Dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐Tagged N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) as Luminescent Carbon Monoxide Chemodosimeters

Several metal complexes with a boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand 4 were synthesized. The fluorescence in [( 4 )(SIMes)RuCl₂(ind)] complex is quenched (Φ=0.003), it is weak in [( 4 )PdI₂(Clpy)] (Φ=0.033), and strong in [( 4 )AuI] (Φ=0.70). The BODIPY‐tagged complexes can experience pronounced changes in the brightness of the fluorophore upon ligand‐exchange and ligand‐dissociation reactions. Complexes [( 4 )MX(1,5‐cyclooctadiene)] (M=Rh, Ir; X=Cl, I; Φ=0.008–0.016) are converted into strongly fluorescent complexes [( 4 )MX(CO)₂] (Φ=0.53–0.70) upon reaction with carbon monoxide. The unquenching of the Rh and Ir complexes appears to be a consequence of the decreased electron density at Rh or Ir in the carbonyl complexes. In contrast, the substitution of an iodo ligand in [( 4 )AuI] by an electron‐rich thiolate decreases the brightness of the BODIPY fluorophore, rendering the BODIPY as a highly sensitive probe for changes in the coordination sphere of the transition metal.     

Transition metal (Group 6, Ru and Group 10) derivatives of aminophosphines, Ph2PN(H)R (R=Ph, C6H11)

The reactions of aminophosphines with Group 6 metal carbonyls afford both mono-substituted and disubstituted complexes. The reaction of Ph₂PN(H)C₆H₁₁ with molybdenum tetracarbonyl derivative gives a mixture of cis and trans-isomers. The reaction of Ph₂PN(H)Ph with Pd(COD)Cl₂ leads to the PN bond cleavage to give chloro bridged dimer, [Pd(PPh₂O)(PPh₂OH)(μ-Cl)]₂, whereas with Pt(COD)Cl₂, disubstituted cis-[PtCl₂{PPh₂N(H)R}₂]₂ was obtained. The reaction of Ph₂PN(H)C₆H₁₁ with RuCl₂(DMSO)₄ or RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ leads to the formation of ionic complex, [RuCl{Ph₂PN(H)C₆H₁₁}₃]Cl.     

New routes to carbonyl complexes of general formula [RuCl2(CO)(S)(PPh3)2] (S = DMA,DMF, DMSO): crystal structure of [RuCl2(CO)(DMA)(PPh3)2] · 1/2CH2Cl2

The compound [RuCl₂(CO)(DMA)(PPh₃)₂] [DMA = dimethylacetamide] was obtained from [RuCl₃(PPh₃)₂-(DMA)] · DMA and CO in DMA. Orange crystals of [RuCl₂(CO)(DMA)(PPh₃)₂] · 1/2CH₂Cl₂ were isolated by slow evaporation of a CH₂Cl₂/DMA solution and its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The analogous compounds containing DMF and DMSO were obtained from the precursor ttt-[RuCl₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂]. Characterization of the other complexes is based on i.r. and n.m.r. spectroscopy, including ³¹P{¹H} data.     

Synthesis and characterization of amide-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene-Pd complexes

Amide-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors such as azolium compounds have been designed and synthesized. Reaction of PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ with the NHC-Ag complex derived from the azolium salt gave [(NHC)PdCl₂]₂ or (NHC)₂PdCl₂, whereas PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ reacted with the Ag complex to afford a mixed carbene/phosphine complex such as (NHC)(PPh₃)PdCl₂ together with a cationic [(NHC)(PPh₃)₂PdCl]⁺Cl⁻ whose structure was characterized by X-ray crystallographic studies. Thus, the library of NHC-Pd complexes with a tethered amide group has been successfully expanded.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic and electronic characterizations of two half sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-benzoxazole and 4-picolinic acid ligands

The [(C₆H₆)RuCl(HPB)] and [(C₆H₆)RuCl₂(C₅H₄NCOOH)] complexes have been prepared and studied by IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The complexes was prepared in reaction of [(C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂ with 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-benzoxazole or 4-picolinic acid in methanol. The electronic spectra of the obtained compounds have been calculated using the TDDFT method. The luminescence property of the half sandwich complex [(C₆H₆)RuCl(HPB)] was studied by the DFT method and the mechanism was suggested.     

Asymmetric heterobimetallic mixed-valence complex trans-[(SO3)Co(cyclam)(NCS)Ru(NH3)4(NCS)](BF4): Synthesis and characterization

[(SO₃)Co(cyclam)(NCS)] and [(SO₃)Co(cyclam)-NCS-Ru(NH₃)₄(NCS)](BF₄) complexes were synthesized and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, electrochemistry, elemental analysis, and spectroscopic techniques. Crystallographic and FTIR data indicated NCS⁻ ligand is coordinated to Co through the nitrogen atom in the monomer species. Electrochemistry and FTIR data of the material isolated after reductive electrolysis of [(SO₃)Co(cyclam)(NCS)] hint that NCS⁻ and SO₃²⁻ are released thus forming [Co(cyclam)(L)₂]²⁺, where L is solvent molecules. The formation of the heterobimetallic mixed-valence complex induced a thermodynamic stabilization of Co and Ru metal atoms in the oxidized and reduced states, respectively. According to the Robin and Day classification, a Class II system with a comproportionation constant of 5.78 × 10⁶ is suggested for the mixed-valence complex based on the electrochemical and UV-Vis-NIR results.