Polyphenylens,Cross-Linked Through Pd-Carbene Complexes Formation,for Catalysis in Suzuki-Miyaura Reactions

Polyphenylenes supported N-heterocyclic carbene Pd-complexes were synthesized for catalysis of cross-coupling Suzuki-Miyaura reactions. Starting polyphenylenes were prepared by cyclocondensation reaction of diacetylaromatic with monoacetylaromatic compounds. N-metylimidazole has been involved to the polymer through the mono-functional acetyl monomer, in which in p-position to acetyl group the group of haloalkyl was situated, and haloalkyl group interacted with N-methylimidazole. N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of Pd were synthesized usually by the reaction of imidazolium salts with the salts of transition metals in the presence of a base, obtaining the complex (N-heterocyclic carbene)₂PdX₂. The catalysis reaction was carried out between arylhalides (iodo- or bromobenzene) and phenylboronic acid with the presence of 1 mol% of Pd. The yields of biphenyl are from 70 to 95%, which is comparable with homogeneous catalysis.     

Anti-Markovnikov hydroaminations of styrene catalyzed by palladium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes under conventional and microwave heating

Six palladium(II) complexes with benzimidazole-based N-heterocyclic carbene ligands were synthesized by transmetallation reactions between silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and PdCl₂(PhCN)₂. The complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The palladium complexes were tested as catalysts for intermolecular hydroamination reactions of styrene with various anilines in ionic liquids under both conventional and microwave heating. All of these complexes proved to be catalytically active in these reactions. The anti-Markovnikov addition products were selectively obtained by using 1 mol% of the palladium complex.     

Isoselective Polymerization of rac-Lactide by Aluminum Complexes of N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Phosphinidene Adducts

The N-heterocyclic carbene-phosphinidene adducts (NHC)PH were reacted with AlMe₃ in toluene to afford the monoaluminum complexes [{(IDipp)PH}AlMe₃] and [{(IMes)PH}AlMe₃] (IDipp=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene, IMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene). In contrast, the dialuminum complex [{(^MeIMes)PH}(AlMe₃)₂] was obtained for ^MeIMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,5-dimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene. These complexes served as initiators for the efficient ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide in toluene at 60 °C. High degrees of isoselectivity were found for the poly(rac-lactide) obtained in the presence of the monoaluminum complexes (P_m up to 0.92, T_m up to 191 °C), whereas almost atactic polymers were produced by the dialuminum complex. Detailed mechanistic studies reveal that the polymerization proceeds via a coordination-insertion mechanism with the carbene-phosphinidene ligands acting as stereodirecting groups.     

An Air-Stable Heterobimetallic Si2M2 Tetrahedral Cluster

Air- and moisture-stable heterobimetallic tetrahedral clusters [Cp(CO)₂MSiR]₂ (M=Mo or W; R=SitBu₃) were isolated from the reaction of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) stabilized silyl(silylidene) metal complexes Cp(CO)₂M=Si(SitBu₃)NHC with a mild Lewis acid (BPh₃). Alternatively, treatment of the NHC-stabilized silylidene complex Cp(CO)₂W=Si(SitBu₃)NHC with stronger Lewis acids such as AlCl₃ or B(C₆F₅)₃ resulted in the reversible coordination of the Lewis acid to one of the carbonyl ligands. Computational investigations revealed that the dimerization of the intermediate metal silylidyne (M≡Si) complex to a tetrahedral cluster instead of a planar four-membered ring is due to steric bulk.     

Calcium Hydride Reactivity: Formation of an Anionic N-Heterocyclic Olefin Ligand

An anionic N-heterocyclic olefin ligand was serendipitously obtained by reaction of an amidinate calcium hydride complex with 1,3-dimethyl-2-methyleneimidazole (NHO). Instead of anticipated addition to the polarized C=CH₂ bond to form an unstabilized alkylcalcium complex, deprotonation of the NHO ligand in the backbone was observed. Preference for deprotonation versus addition is explained by loss of aromaticity in the latter conversion. Theoretical calculations demonstrate the substantially increased ylidic character of this anionic NHO ligand which, like N-heterocyclic dicarbenes, shows strong bifunctional coordination.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of an iron triazole complex resulting from the unexpected ligand cleavage of a triazolium carbene precursor

Typically reactions of N-heterocyclic carbenes with transition metals are straightforward and require a carbene salt, a base strong enough to deprotonate such a salt and a metal. Yet when carbene precursors are in the form of triazolium salts, reaction may not proceed as easily as expected. In our work, we intended to obtain a triazolylidene complex of iron(II) chloride, but due to the presence of small amounts of water in the tetrahydrofuran solvent used, bis(acetonitrile)tetrakis(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-κN⁴)iron(II) μ-oxido-bis[trichloridoferrate(III)] acetonitrile disolvate, [Fe(C₉H₉N₃)₄(CH₃CN)₂][Fe₂Cl₆O]·2CH₃CN – an interesting anion with a linear geometry of the O atom – was formed instead of the iron carbene complex. Reaction proceeded via cleavage of the alkyl N-substituent of the triazolium salt. The formation of the product was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure and possible reaction pathways are discussed.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Electrochemical Behavior of a Fe(II) Complex of 8-Mercaptoquinoline (Hmtq) with Trimethylphosphite Participation

The mononuclear complex Fe(II)(mtq)₂{P(OCH₃)₃}₂ (Hmtq = 8-Mercaptoquinoline) with mixed N-heterocyclic thiolato and phosphite ligands was synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography and cyclic voltammetric measurement. The title complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with a = 8.929(4), b = 9.965(3), c = 16.913(11) Å, α = 76.21(10), β = 80.89(10), γ= 68.010(10)°, V = 1351.2(11) ų. The Fe(II) atom exhibits an elongated octahedral geometry composed of N₂S₂P₂ donors. The equatorial plane is made up of two cis-oriented N donors from the thiolato ligands and two cis-oriented monodentate P(OCH₃)₃ ligands. The apical sites are occupied by two trans-oriented S atoms from the mtq^? ligands. The thione form is predominant coordination mode of 8-mercaptoquinoline with the N and S donors bound to the Fe(II) to form five-membered chelate rings. The structural feature of the mononuclear Fe(II) complex with mixed phosphite and thiolate ligands is summarized.     

Synthesis of Platinum(II) N-Heterocyclic Carbenes Based on Adenosine

Organometallic derivatization of nucleosides is a highly promising strategy for the improvement of the therapeutic profile of nucleosides. Herein, a methodology for the synthesis of metalated adenosine with a deprotected ribose moiety is described. Platinum(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes based on adenosine were synthesized, namely N-heterocyclic carbenes bearing a protected and unprotected ribose ring. Reaction of the 8-bromo-2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyladenosine with Pt(PPh₃)₄ by C8−Br oxidative addition yielded complex 1, with a Pt^II centre bonded to C-8 and an unprotonated N7. Complex 1 reacted at N7 with HBF₄ or methyl iodide, yielding protic carbene 2 or methyl carbene 3, respectively. Deprotection of 1 to yield 4 was achieved with NH₄OH. Deprotected compound 4 reacted at N7 with HCl solutions to yield protic NHC 5 or with methyl iodide yielding methyl carbene 6. Protic N-heterocyclic carbene 5 is not stable in DMSO solutions leading to the formation of compound 7, in which a bromide was replaced by chloride. The cis-influence of complexes 1–7 was examined by ³¹P{¹H} and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR. Complexes 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 induce a decrease of ¹J_Pt,P of more than 300 Hz, as result of the higher cis-influence of the N-heterocyclic carbene when compared to the azolato ligand in 1 and 4.     

Direct Dimesitylborylation of Benzofuran Derivatives by an Iridium-Catalyzed C−H Activation with Silyldimesitylborane

Direct dimesitylborylation of benzofuran derivatives by a C−H activation catalyzed by an iridium(I)/N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex in the presence of Ph₂MeSi-BMes₂ afforded the corresponding dimesitylborylation products in good to high yield with excellent regioselectivity. This method provides a straightforward route to donor–(π-spacer)–acceptor systems with intriguing solvatochromic luminescence properties.     

A Silylene–Germylene Molecule Containing a SiI−GeI Single Bond

The first isolable silylene–germylene complex 5 was assembled by a salt metathesis reaction between the germylene anion 3 and the N-heterocyclic chlorosilylene 4 , and structurally characterized. The central structure of 5 demonstrates a remarkable gauche-bent geometry with the silylene and germylene units, which are interconnected by a Si−Ge bond with a length of 2.4498(9) Å. This value is not only perceptibly longer than the distances known in doubly bonded germasilenes, and also slightly longer than those in germylsilanes. The DFT calculations on 5 confirmed a nearly nonpolar Si^I−Ge^I single-bond nature and its bonding orbital, as well as the aromaticity of the C₃NGe-rings in 3 and 5 . The latter increases the molecular stability of 3 and 5 , and makes the preparation of silylene–germylene complex 5 a reality.     

Abnormal N-heterocyclic Carbene Based Ni(II) π-allyl Complex towards Molecular Oxygen Activation

Abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) based Ni(II) π-allyl complexes ( 3 and 4 ) were synthesized starting from a Ni(0) precursor. These complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray crystallography ( 4 ) and elemental analysis data. The underlying mechanism for the formation of Ni(II) η³-allyl complexes from a Ni(0) precursor on treatment with a free abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene in absence of any external additive or oxidant was unraveled. Later, complex 3 was exposed to O₂ gas under ambient pressure resulting in molecular oxygen activation to form a μ-hydroxo bridged Ni(II) dimer.     

N-Heterocyclic Olefin-Ligated Palladium(II) Complexes as Pre-Catalysts for Buchwald–Hartwig Aminations

New N-heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) are described with functionalization on the ligand heterocyclic backbone and terminal alkylidene positions. Various Pd^II–NHO complexes have been formed and their use as pre-catalysts in Buchwald–Hartwig aminations was explored. The most active system for catalytic C−N bond formation between hindered arylamine and arylhalide substrates was accessed by combining a backbone methylated NHO with [Pd(cinnamyl)Cl]₂ in the presence of NaOtBu as a base. In these active systems evidence suggests that catalysis is mediated by colloidal palladium metal, highlighting a different coordination ability of NHOs in comparison with commonly used N-heterocyclic carbene co-ligands.     

Reversible and Stepwise Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformation of a Platinum(II) Complex with Vapochromic Luminescence

The vapochromic single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transformation of a highly luminescent Pt^II complex bearing an N-heterocyclic carbene [Pt(CN)₂(tBu-impy)] (tBu-impyH⁺=1-tert-butyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-1H-imidazolium) is reported. The trihydrate form of the complex, which exhibits blue ³MMLCT emission owing to weak Pt⋅⋅⋅Pt interactions, changed its luminescence color from blue to yellowish-green upon the desorption of water molecules while keeping the high emission quantum yield of more than 0.45. Variable-temperature and continuous in-situ tracking of single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the SCSC transformation proceeds reversibly by the release and reabsorption of water molecules, thereby changing the stacked structure slightly. As a result, the dynamics of vapor-induced SCSC transformation were elucidated: that the anhydrous form returned to the original trihydrate form in a two-step process under a water vapor atmosphere. In addition, the Pt^II complex exhibited a similar SCSC response accompanied by a luminescence color change in the presence of methanol vapor, while being inactive toward ethanol vapor.     

Hydroboration of Alkenes Catalysed by a Nickel N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complex: Reaction and Mechanistic Aspects

The pentamethylcyclopentadienyl N-heterocyclic carbene nickel complex [Ni(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl(IMes)] (IMes=1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene) efficiently catalyses the anti-Markovnikov hydroboration of alkenes with catecholborane in the presence of a catalytic amount of potassium tert-butoxide, and joins the very exclusive club of nickel catalysts for this important transformation. Interestingly, the regioselectivity can be reversed in some cases by using pinacolborane instead of catecholborane. Mechanistic investigations involving control experiments, ¹H and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, piezometric measurements and DFT calculations suggest an initial reduction of the Ni^II precursor to a Ni^I active species with the concomitant release of H₂. The crucial role of the alkoxo-catecholato-borohydride species resulting from the reaction of potassium tert-butoxide with catecholborane in the formation of an intermediate nickel-hydride species that would then be reduced to the Ni^I active species, is highlighted.     

Structure and bonding of three-coordinate N-heterocyclic carbene nickel nitrosyl complexes: Theoretical study

The structure and bonding of the for C₃N₃H₂X₂Ni(Cp)NO (X = H, F, Cl, Br) and their linkage isomers C₃N₃H₂X₂Ni(Cp)ON has been studied by carrying out density functional theory. The bonding nature of NiC bonds has been further explored by means of AIM method and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) values calculated at several points above ring center indicate aromaticity of heterocyclic cycle. Also, the effect of substitution (X = F, Cl, Br, CN) in N-heterocyclic carbene on the properties of complex has been shown.     

The aza-Prins Cyclization of Unfunctionalized Olefins Promoted by NHC-Cu Complex and ZrCl4

The aza-Prins cyclization reaction catalyzed by ZrCl₄ and NHC (N-heterocyclic carbene) metal complexes is firstly reported. NHC-copper complexes as promoter and ZrCl₄ as chloride source are utilized under a mild condition, where homoallylic amines and aldehydes are successfully converted to piperidine derivatives in satisfactory yields and diastereoselectivity.     

Syntheses,structures, and fluorescent properties of two helical complexes based on a long rigid N-heterocyclic ligand

A long N-heterocyclic ligand, 2,6-bis(3-(pyrid-3-yl)-1,2,4-triazolyl)pyridine (H₂bptp), and Zn(II)/Pb(II) yield {[Zn(bptp)(H₂O)]?·?2H₂O·CH₃CN} _n (1) and {[Pb(bptp)]?·?H₂O} _n (2). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that 1 and 2 possess 2-D networks containing alternating left- and right-handed helical motifs. Topologically, 1 features a (4,4) topology, while 2 exhibits a (6,3) topology. The bptp^2? in 1 and 2 adopts syn-anti and syn-syn conformations, respectively. The results indicate that the long rigid N-heterocyclic ligand can adopt different conformations to coordinate with metals, beneficial to construction of helical structures with diverse topologies. The difference between the photoluminescence properties of the two complexes reveals that metal ions and coordination environment have significant influences on photoluminescence behavior.     

NHCs as Neutral Donors towards Polyphosphorus Complexes

The first adducts of NHCs (=N-heterocyclic carbenes) with aromatic polyphosphorus complexes are reported. The reactions of [Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₅)] ( 1 ) (Cp*=pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl) with IMe (=1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene), IMes (=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene) and IDipp (=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene) led to the corresponding neutral adducts which can be isolated in the solid state. However, in solution, they quickly undergo a dissociative equilibrium between the adduct and 1 including the corresponding NHC. The equilibrium is influenced by the bulkiness of the NHC. [Cp′′Ta(CO)₂(η⁴-P₄)] (Cp′′=1,3-di-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl) reacts with IMe under P atom abstraction to give an unprecedented cyclo-P₃-containing anionic tantalum complex. DFT calculations shed light onto the energetics of the reaction pathways.     

A Stable Homoleptic Organometallic Iron(IV) Complex

A homoleptic organometallic Fe^IV complex that is stable in both solution and in the solid state at ambient conditions has been synthesized and isolated as [Fe(phtmeimb)₂](PF₆)₂ (phtmeimb=[phenyl(tris(3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene))borate]⁻). This Fe^IV N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex was characterized by ¹H NMR, HR-MS, elemental analysis, scXRD analysis, electrochemistry, Mößbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility. The two latter techniques unequivocally demonstrate that [Fe(phtmeimb)₂](PF₆)₂ is a triplet Fe^IV low-spin S=1 complex in the ground state, in agreement with quantum chemical calculations. The electronic absorption spectrum of [Fe(phtmeimb)₂](PF₆)₂ in acetonitrile shows an intense absorption band in the red and near IR, due to LMCT (ligand-to-metal charge transfer) excitation. For the first time the excited state dynamics of a Fe^IV complex was studied and revealed a ≈0.8 ps lifetime of the ³LMCT excited state of [Fe(phtmeimb)₂](PF₆)₂ in acetonitrile.     

Reactivity of Diphenylberyllium as a Brønsted Base and Its Synthetic Application

Diphenylberyllium [Be₃Ph₆] is shown here to react cleanly as a Brønsted base with a vast variety of protic compounds. Through the addition of the simple molecules tBuOH, HNPh₂ and HPPh₂, as well as the more complex 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolinium chloride, one or two phenyl groups in diphenylberyllium were protonated. As a result, the long-postulated structures of [Be₃(OtBu)₆] and [Be(μ-NPh₂)Ph]₂ have finally been verified and shown to be static in solution. Additionally [Be(μ-PPh₂)(HPPh₂)Ph]₂ was generated, which is only the second beryllium-phospanide to be prepared; the stark differences between its behaviour and that of the analogous amide were also examined. The first crystalline example of a beryllium Grignard reagent with a non-bulky aryl group has also been prepared; it is stabilised with an N-heterocyclic carbene.