A Bis(silylene)‐Substituted ortho‐Carborane as a Superior Ligand in the Nickel‐Catalyzed Amination of Arenes

The synthesis and structure of the first 1,2‐bis(NHSi)‐substituted ortho‐carborane [(LSi:)C]₂B₁₀H₁₀ (termed SiCCSi) is reported (NHSi=N‐heterocyclic silylene; L=PhC(NtBu)₂). Its suitability to serve as a reliable bis(silylene) chelating ligand for transition metals is demonstrated by the formation of [SiCCSi]NiBr₂ and [SiCCSi]Ni(CO)₂ complexes. The CO stretching vibration modes of the latter indicate that the Si^II atoms in the SiCCSi ligand are even stronger σ donors than the P^III atoms in phosphines and C^II atoms in N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. Moreover, the strong donor character of the [SiCCSi] ligand enables [SiCCSi]NiBr₂ to act as an outstanding precatalyst (0.5 mol % loading) in the catalytic aminations of arenes, surpassing the activity of previously known molecular Ni‐based precatalysts (1–10 mol %).     

Synthesis of Mixed Silylene–Carbene Chelate Ligands from N‐Heterocyclic Silylcarbenes Mediated by Nickel

The Ni^II‐mediated tautomerization of the N‐heterocyclic hydrosilylcarbene L²Si(H)(CH₂)NHC 1 , where L²=CH(C?CH₂)(CMe)(NAr)₂, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃; NHC=3,4,5‐trimethylimidazol‐2‐yliden‐6‐yl, leads to the first N‐heterocyclic silylene (NHSi)–carbene (NHC) chelate ligand in the dibromo nickel(II) complex [L¹Si:(CH₂)(NHC)NiBr₂] 2 (L¹=CH(MeC?NAr)₂). Reduction of 2 with KC₈ in the presence of PMe₃ as an auxiliary ligand afforded, depending on the reaction time, the N‐heterocyclic silyl–NHC bromo Ni^II complex [L²Si(CH₂)NHCNiBr(PMe₃)] 3 and the unique Ni⁰ complex [η²(Si‐H){L²Si(H)(CH₂)NHC}Ni(PMe₃)₂] 4 featuring an agostic Si? H→Ni bonding interaction. When 1,2‐bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (DMPE) was employed as an exogenous ligand, the first NHSi–NHC chelate‐ligand‐stabilized Ni⁰ complex [L¹Si:(CH₂)NHCNi(dmpe)] 5 could be isolated. Moreover, the dicarbonyl Ni⁰ complex 6 , [L¹Si:(CH₂)NHCNi(CO)₂], is easily accessible by the reduction of 2 with K(BHEt₃) under a CO atmosphere. The complexes were spectroscopically and structurally characterized. Furthermore, complex 2 can serve as an efficient precatalyst for Kumada–Corriu‐type cross‐coupling reactions.     

Nickel Tetracarbonyl as Starting Material for the Synthesis of NHC-stabilized Nickel(II) Allyl Complexes

A novel, useful in situ synthesis for NHC nickel allyl halide complexes [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)] starting from [Ni(CO)₄], NHC and allyl halides is presented. The reaction of [Ni(CO)₄] with (i) one equivalent of the corresponding NHC and (ii) with an excess of the corresponding allyl chloride at room temperature leads with elimination of carbon monoxide to complexes of the type [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)]. This approach was used to synthesize the complexes [Ni(tBu₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 2 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 3 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 4 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (H)-C (Me)₂)(Br)] ( 5 ), [Ni(Me₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 6 ), and [Ni(EtiPrIm^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 7 ). The complexes 1 to 7 were characterized using NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and the molecular structures are provided for 2 and 7 . The allyl nickel complexes 1 – 7 are stereochemically non-rigid in solution due to (i) NHC rotation about the nickel-carbon bond, (ii) allyl rotation about the Ni–η³-allyl axis and (iii) π–σ–π allyl isomerization processes. The allyl halide complexes can be methylated as was demonstrated by the methylation of a number of the complexes [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)] with methylmagnesium chloride or methyllithium, which led to isolation of the complexes [Ni(Me₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 8 ), [Ni(tBu₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 9 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 10 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 11 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (H)-C (Me)₂)(Me)] ( 12 ), and [Ni(EtiPrIm^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 13 ). These complexes were fully characterized including X-ray molecular structures for 10 and 11 .     

Replacement of N-heterocyclic carbenes by N-heterocyclic silylenes at a Pd(0) center: Experiment and theory

Via NMR-spectroscopy the relative reactivity of N-heterocyclic silylenes (NHSi) and carbenes (NHC) was studied. Reaction of sterically crowded bis-N-heterocyclic Pd(0) carbene complexes with free N-heterocyclic silylenes led to complete displacement of the N-heterocyclic carbene, which is unexpected knowing that usually a silylene is a weaker bound ligand compared to a carbene. High-level DFT calculations on a small model system and the experimentally used complexes confirm the experimental findings and indicate that steric interactions play an important role in the substitution reaction.     

Redox-Switchable Behavior of Transition-Metal Complexes Supported by Amino-Decorated N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

The coordination chemistry of the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand IMes^(NMe2)2, derived from the well-known IMes ligand by substitution of the carbenic heterocycle with two dimethylamino groups, was investigated with d⁶ [Mn(I), Fe(II)], d⁸ [Rh(I)], and d¹⁰ [Cu(I)] transition-metal centers. The redox behavior of the resulting organometallic complexes was studied through a combined experimental/theoretical study, involving electrochemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. While the complexes [CuCl(IMes^(NMe2)2)], [RhCl(COD)(IMes^(NMe2)2)], and [FeCp(CO)₂ (IMes^(NMe2)2)](BF₄) exhibit two oxidation waves, the first oxidation wave is fully reversible but only for the first complex the second oxidation wave is reversible. The mono-oxidation event for these complexes occurs on the NHC ligand, with a spin density mainly located on the diaminoethylene NHC-backbone, and has a dramatic effect on the donating properties of the NHC ligand. Conversely, as the Mn(I) center in the complex [MnCp(CO)₂ ((IMes^(NMe2)2)] is easily oxidizable, the latter complex is first oxidized on the metal center to form the corresponding cationic Mn(II) complex, and the NHC ligand is oxidized in a second reversible oxidation wave.     

Rhenium‐Dicarbonyl‐Nitrosyl‐Komplexe mit Imidazol

Rhenium Dicarbonyl‐Nitrosyl Complexes with Imidazole Different rhenium‐dicarbonyl‐nitrosyl complexes with imidazole (Im) as monodentate ligand have been synthesized and characterized, starting from [NEt₄][ReCl₃(CO)₂(NO)] and [ReCl(μ?Cl)(CO)₂(NO)]₂. Whereas the complexes [ReCl₂(Im)(CO)₂(NO)] and [ReCl(Im)₂(CO)₂(NO)]⁺ were achieved in high yields, the complex [Re(Im)₃(CO)₂(NO)]²⁺ with three imidazole ligands could only be isolated after complete removal of all halide ions (with AgBF₄) in low yield. The synthesis of a corresponding ^99mTc‐dicarbonyl‐nitrosyl complex with imidazole opens a new perspective for such compounds as potential radiopharmaceuticals and alternatives to the already established ^99mTc‐tricarbonyl complexes.     

Case Study of N-iPr versus N-Mes Substituted NHC Ligands in Nickel Chemistry: The Coordination and Cyclotrimerization of Alkynes at [Ni(NHC)2]

A case study on the effect of the employment of two different NHC ligands in complexes [Ni(NHC)₂] (NHC=ⁱPr₂Im^Me 1^Me , Mes₂Im 2 ) and their behavior towards alkynes is reported. The reaction of a mixture of [Ni₂(ⁱPr₂Im^Me)₄(μ-(η² : η²)-COD)] B / [Ni(ⁱPr₂Im^Me)₂(η⁴-COD)] B’ or [Ni(Mes₂Im)₂] 2 , respectively, with alkynes afforded complexes [Ni(NHC)₂(η²-alkyne)] (NHC=ⁱPr₂Im^Me: alkyne=MeC≡CMe 3 , H₇C₃C≡CC₃H₇ 4 , PhC≡CPh 5 , MeOOCC≡CCOOMe 6 , Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃ 7 , PhC≡CMe 8 , HC≡CC₃H₇ 9 , HC≡CPh 10 , HC≡C(p-Tol) 11 , HC≡C(4-^tBu-C₆H₄) 12 , HC≡CCOOMe 13 ; NHC=Mes₂Im: alkyne=MeC≡CMe 14 , MeOOCC≡CCOOMe 15 , PhC≡CMe 16 , HC≡C(4-^tBu-C₆H₄) 17 , HC≡CCOOMe 18 ). Unusual rearrangement products 11 a and 12 a were identified for the complexes of the terminal alkynes HC≡C(p-Tol) and HC≡C(4-^tBu-C₆H₄), 11 and 12 , which were formed by addition of a C−H bond of one of the NHC N-ⁱPr methyl groups to the C≡C triple bond of the coordinated alkyne. Complex 2 catalyzes the cyclotrimerization of 2-butyne, 4-octyne, diphenylacetylene, dimethyl acetylendicarboxylate, 1-pentyne, phenylacetylene and methyl propiolate at ambient conditions, whereas 1^Me is not a good catalyst. The reaction of 2 with 2-butyne was monitored in some detail, which led to a mechanistic proposal for the cyclotrimerization at [Ni(NHC)₂]. DFT calculations reveal that the differences between 1^{M e} and 2 for alkyne cyclotrimerization lie in the energy profile of the initiation steps, which is very shallow for 2 , and each step is associated with only a moderate energy change. The higher stability of 3 compared to 14 is attributed to a better electron transfer from the NHC to the metal to the alkyne ligand for the N-alkyl substituted NHC, to enhanced Ni-alkyne backbonding due to a smaller C_NHC−Ni−C_NHC bite angle, and to less steric repulsion of the smaller NHC ⁱPr₂Im^Me.     

Investigation of Complexes of Diphenylphosphine Derivatives by Thermal and Other Physicochemical Methods of Analyses

Six heteroatomic complexes of diphenylphosphine derivatives with heavy metals (Ni, Pd, Pt, Mo and W) were prepared and subjected to elemental spectral and thermal analyses. The different physicochemical methods used indicated the formulae [NiCl₂(dppm)], [PtCl₂(dppm)] and [Mo(CO)₄(dppm)] (dppm=bis(diphenylphosphine)methane, the dppm in these complexes behaving as a bidentate ligand), [Pd(CN)₂(dppm)₂] (in which the dppm behaves as a monodentate ligand), [W(CO)₄(dppe)₂] and [Mo(CO)₄(dppe)₂] (dppe=1,1-bis(diphenylphosphine)ethene, the dppe in these complexes behaving as a bidentate ligand). The thermal analyses (DTA and TG) confirmed these structures. The results of spectral and thermal analyses were compared. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Nature of the UC Double Bond: Pushing the Stability of High‐Oxidation‐State Uranium Carbenes to the Limit

Treatment of [K(BIPM^MesH)] (BIPM^Mes={C(PPh₂NMes)₂}^2?; Mes=C₆H₂‐2,4,6‐Me₃) with [UCl₄(thf)₃] (1 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^MesH)(Cl)₃(thf)] ( 1 ), which generated [U(BIPM^Mes)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 2 ), following treatment with benzyl potassium. Attempts to oxidise 2 resulted in intractable mixtures, ligand scrambling to give [U(BIPM^Mes)₂] or the formation of [U(BIPM^MesH)(O)₂(Cl)(thf)] ( 3 ). The complex [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(OEt₂)(tmeda)] ( 4 ) (BIPM^Dipp={C(PPh₂NDipp)₂}^2?; Dipp=C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂; tmeda=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) was prepared from [Li₂(BIPM^Dipp)(tmeda)] and [UCl₄(thf)₃] and, following reflux in toluene, could be isolated as [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 5 ). Treatment of 4 with iodine (0.5 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(thf)₂] ( 6 ). Complex 6 resists oxidation, and treating 4 or 5 with N‐oxides gives [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂‐ (μ‐Cl)₂Li(tmeda)] ( 7 ) and [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 8 ). Treatment of 4 with tBuOLi (3 equiv) and I₂ (1 equiv) gives [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃(I)] ( 9 ), which represents an exceptionally rare example of a crystallographically authenticated uranium(VI)–carbon σ bond. Although 9 appears sterically saturated, it decomposes over time to give [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃]. Complex 4 reacts with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO to form [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(tmeda)(OCPhtBu)] ( 10 ) and [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(tmeda)(OCPh₂)] ( 11 ). In contrast, complex 5 does not react with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO, which we attribute to steric blocking. However, complexes 5 and 6 react with PhCHO to afford (DippNPPh₂)₂C?C(H)Ph ( 12 ). Complex 9 does not react with PhCOtBu, Ph₂CO or PhCHO; this is attributed to steric blocking. Theoretical calculations have enabled a qualitative bracketing of the extent of covalency in early‐metal carbenes as a function of metal, oxidation state and the number of phosphanyl substituents, revealing modest covalent contributions to U?C double bonds.     

Bonding Analysis of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Tautomers and Phosphine Ligands in Transition‐Metal Complexes: A Theoretical Study

DFT calculations at the BP86/TZ2P level were carried out to analyze quantitatively the metal–ligand bonding in transition‐metal complexes that contain imidazole (IMID), imidazol‐2‐ylidene (nNHC), or imidazol‐4‐ylidene (aNHC). The calculated complexes are [Cl₄TM(L)] (TM=Ti, Zr, Hf), [(CO)₅TM(L)] (TM=Cr, Mo, W), [(CO)₄TM(L)] (TM=Fe, Ru, Os), and [ClTM(L)] (TM=Cu, Ag, Au). The relative energies of the free ligands increase in the order IMID<nNHC<aNHC. The energy levels of the carbon σ lone‐pair orbitals suggest the trend aNHC>nNHC>IMID for the donor strength, which is in agreement with the progression of the metal–ligand bond‐dissociation energy (BDE) for the three ligands for all metals of Groups 4, 6, 8, and 10. The electrostatic attraction can also be decisive in determining trends in ligand–metal bond strength. The comparison of the results of energy decomposition analysis for the Group 6 complexes [(CO)₅TM(L)] (L=nNHC, aNHC, IMID) with phosphine complexes (L=PMe₃ and PCl₃) shows that the phosphine ligands are weaker σ donors and better π acceptors than the NHC tautomers nNHC, aNHC, and IMID.     

Substitution reactions of [MBr(π allyl)(CO)2(LL)] complexes (M = Mo,W; L-L = 2,2 -bipyridine 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphine)ethane) with xanthates and dithiocarbamates

The complexes [MBr(π-allyl)(CO)₂(bipy)] (M = Mo, W, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) react with alkylxanthates (M^IRxant), and N-alkyldithiocarbamates (M^IRHdtc) (M^I = Na or K), yielding complexes of general formula [M(S,S)- (π-allyl)(CO)₂(bipy)] (M = Mo, (S,S) = Rxant (R = Me, Et, t-Bu, Bz), RHdtc (R = Me, Et); M = W, (S,S) = Extant). A monodentate coordentate coordination of the (S,S) ligand was deduced from spectral data. The reaction of [MoBr(π-allyl)(CO)₂(bipy)] with MeHdtc and Mexant gives the same complexes whether pyridine is present or not. The complexes [Mo(S,S)(π-allyl)(CO)₂(bipy)] ((S,S) = MeHdtc, Mexant) do not react with an excess of (S,S) ligand and pyridine.No reaction products were isolated from reaction of [MoBr(π-allyl)(CO)₂(dppe)] with xanthates or N-alkyldithiocarbamates.     

Synthesis,reactivity and preliminary biological activity of iron(0) complexes with cyclopentadienone and amino‐appended N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands

Neutral and cationic cyclopentadienone (CpO) N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) bis‐carbonyl iron(0) complexes bearing, appended to the NHC ligand, either a terminal amino group on the lateral chain, [Fe(η⁴‐CpO)(CO)₂(κC‐NHC(CH₂)_nNH₂)] with n = 2 ( 2a ) and 3 ( 2b ), or a cationic NMe₃⁺ fragment, [Fe(η⁴‐CpO)(CO)₂(κC‐NHC(CH₂)₂NMe₃)](I) ( 3 ), were prepared and characterized in terms of their structure, stability and reactivity. The photochemical properties of 2a and 2b were examined both in organic solvents and in water, revealing the photoactivated release of one CO ligand followed by the formation of the chelated complex [Fe(η⁴‐CpO)(CO)(κ²C,N‐NHC(CH₂)₂NH₂)] ( 4 ), whose molecular structure was confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. This metallacyclization occurs only in the case of 2a , with the ethylene spacer between NHC ring and NH₂ group in the lateral chain, allowing the formation of a stable 6‐membered ring. On the other hand, 2b undergoes decomposition upon irradiation. The reactivity in aqueous solutions revealed the chemical speciation of the complexes at different pH and especially under physiological conditions (phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4 and 37 °C). The lack of data on the biological properties of iron(0) complexes prompted us to preliminarily investigate their cytotoxicity against model cancer cells (AsPC‐1 and HPAF‐II), along with a determination of their lipophilicity.     

Tris(pentafluoroethyl)difluorophosphorane: A Versatile Fluoride Acceptor for Transition Metal Chemistry

Fluoride abstraction from different types of transition metal fluoride complexes [L_nMF] (M=Ti, Ni, Cu) by the Lewis acid tris(pentafluoroethyl)difluorophosphorane (C₂F₅)₃PF₂ to yield cationic transition metal complexes with the tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate counterion ( FAP anion, [(C₂F₅)₃PF₃]⁻) is reported. (C₂F₅)₃PF₂ reacted with trans-[Ni(iPr₂Im)₂(Ar^F)F] (iPr₂Im=1,3-diisopropylimidazolin-2-ylidene; Ar^F=C₆F₅, 1 a ; 4-CF₃-C₆F₄, 1 b ; 4-C₆F₅-C₆F₄, 1 c ) through fluoride transfer to form the complex salts trans-[Ni(iPr₂Im)₂(solv)(Ar^F)] FAP ( 2 a - c[solv] ; solv=Et₂O, CH₂Cl₂, THF) depending on the reaction medium. In the presence of stronger Lewis bases such as carbenes or PPh₃, solvent coordination was suppressed and the complexes trans-[Ni(iPr₂Im)₂(PPh₃)(C₆F₅)] FAP ( trans -2 a[PPh₃] ) and cis-[Ni(iPr₂Im)₂(Dipp₂Im)(C₆F₅)] FAP ( cis -2 a[Dipp₂Im] ) (Dipp₂Im=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) were isolated. Fluoride abstraction from [(Dipp₂Im)CuF] ( 3 ) in CH₂Cl₂ or 1,2-difluorobenzene led to the isolation of [{(Dipp₂Im)Cu}₂]²⁺2 FAP⁻ ( 4 ). Subsequent reaction of 4 with PPh₃ and different carbenes resulted in the complexes [(Dipp₂Im)Cu(LB)] FAP ( 5 a – e , LB=Lewis base). In the presence of C₆Me₆, fluoride transfer afforded [(Dipp₂Im)Cu(C₆Me₆)] FAP ( 5 f ), which serves as a source of [(Dipp₂Im)Cu)]⁺. Fluoride abstraction of [Cp₂TiF₂] ( 7 ) resulted in the formation of dinuclear [FCp₂Ti(μ-F)TiCp₂F] FAP ( 8 ) (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅) with one terminal fluoride ligand at each titanium atom and an additional bridging fluoride ligand.     

Reactions of [Ru(CO)3Cl2]2 with aromatic nitrogen donor ligands in alcoholic media

The reactions of mono‐ and bidentate aromatic nitrogen‐containing ligands with [Ru(CO)₃Cl₂]₂ in alcohols have been studied. In alcoholic media the nitrogen ligands act as bases promoting acidic behaviour of alcohols and the formation of alkoxy carbonyls [Ru(N–N)(CO)₂Cl(COOR)] and [Ru(N)₂(CO)₂Cl(COOR)]. Other products are monomers of type [Ru(N)(CO)₃Cl₂], bridged complexes such as [Ru(CO)₃Cl₂]₂(N), and ion pairs of the type [Ru(CO)₃Cl₃]^? [Ru(N–N)(CO)₃Cl]⁺ (N–N = chelating aromatic nitrogen ligand, N = non‐chelating or bridging ligand). The reaction and the product distribution can be controlled by adjusting the reaction stoichiometry. The reactivity of the new ruthenium complexes was tested in 1‐hexene hydroformylation. The activity can be associated with the degree of stability of the complexes and the ruthenium–ligand interaction. Chelating or bridging nitrogen ligands suppresses the activity strongly compared with the bare ruthenium carbonyl chloride, while the decrease in activity is less pronounced with monodentate ligands. A plausible catalytic cycle is proposed and discussed in terms of ligand–ruthenium interactions. The reactivity of the ligands as well as the catalytic cycle was studied in detail using the computational DFT methods. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photochemical reactions of metal carbonyls [M(CO)6 (M = Cr,Mo and W), Re(CO)5Br,Mn(CO)3Cp] with 2-hydroxyacetophenone methanesulfonylhydrazone (apmsh)

Five new complexes, [M(CO)₅(apmsh)] [M = Cr; (1), Mo; (2), W; (3)], [Re(CO)₄Br(apmsh)] (4) and [Mn(CO)₃(apmsh)] (5) have been synthesized by the photochemical reaction of metal carbonyls [M(CO)₆] (M = Cr, Mo and W), [Re(CO)₅Br], and [Mn(CO)₃Cp] with 2-hydroxyacetophenone methanesulfonylhydrazone (apmsh). The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, f.t.-i.r. and ¹H spectroscopy. Spectroscopic studies show that apmsh behaves as a monodentate ligand coordinating via the imine N donor atom in [M(CO)₅(apmsh)] (1–4) and as a tridentate ligand in (5).     

[(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.     

Ni(II) and Co(III) complexes of 5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol: syntheses,spectral, structural,thermal analysis,and DFT calculation

Two new complexes, [Ni(en)₂(mtt)₂] (1) and [Co(en)₂(mtt)₂](mtt) (2) (Hmtt = 5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol and en = ethylenediamine), have been synthesized and characterized by various physicochemical techniques. Complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in monoclinic and orthorhombic system with space groups P 21/n and P 21 21 21, respectively. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 show that the metal ions are six-coordinate bonded through four equatorial nitrogens of two en and two axial nitrogens of mtt ligands. The crystal structures of the complexes reveal that mtt is present in thione form and bound to the metal ion through the thiadiazole nitrogen. The crystal structures of the complexes are stabilized by various intermolecular hydrogen bonding providing supramolecular architecture. Complex 2 is also stabilized by weak π···π interactions occurring between two thiadiazole rings. The bioefficacies of the ligand and complexes have been examined against the growth of bacteria to evaluate their antimicrobial potential. The biological results suggest that 2 is more active than the ligand and 1 against the tested bacteria. The geometries of the ligand and the complexes have been optimized by the DFT method and the results are compared with the X-ray diffraction data. The Co(III) complex exhibits an irreversible Co(III)/Co(II) process while the Ni(II) complex displays quasi-reversible Ni(II)/Ni(III) redox processes with large peak separation as compared to that expected for a one electron process which is thought to be coupled with some chemical reaction.     

Synthesis of Ir Catalysts Featuring Amide-functionalized NHC Ligands and Survey of their Activity on Formic Acid Dehydrogenation

2 a and 2 b , [Ir(CI)(COD)(NHC)] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene), have been prepared via transmetallation from NHC−Ag complexes. [Rh(CI)(COD)(NHC)] ( 4 ) was prepared analogously. [Ir({κ-C,N-(NHC-acetamide−1H)}(COD)] ( 3 c ) has been synthesized via transmetallation from the deprotonated NHC−Ag complex. [IrCp*({κ-C,N-(NHC-acetamide−1H)}] ( 5 ) (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), has been obtained analogously. [Ir(CI)(CO)₂(NHC)] ( 6 ) and [Ir({κ-C,N-(NHC-acetamide−1H)}(CO)₂] ( 7 ) have been prepared by carbonylation of 2 b and 3 c , respectively. The catalytic activity of these complexes has been evaluated in the dehydrogenation of formic acid, under solventless conditions, in the presence of water as a cosolvent, and in a 5 : 2 HCOOH/Et₃N mixture, with the best TOF values being obtained in the case of the latter. Stoichiometric experiments suggest COD hydrogenation as the preactivation step.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic, thermal Studies, antimicrobial activities and crystal structures of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)-orotate complexes with 2-methylimidazole

The 2-methylimidazole complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) orotates, mer-[Co(HOr)(H₂O)₂(2-meim)₂] (1), mer-[Ni(HOr)(H₂O)₂(2-meim)₂] (2), [Cu(HOr)(H₂O)₂(2-meim)] (3) and [Zn(HOr)(H₂O)₂(2-meim)] (4), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral (UV–Vis and FT-IR) methods, thermal analysis (TG, DTG and DTA), magnetic susceptibility, antimicrobial activity studies and single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The complexes 1 and 2 have distorted octahedral geometries with two monodentate 2-methylimidazole and one bidentate orotate and two aqua ligands. The complexes 3 and 4 have distorted square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal geometry, respectively, with one 2-methylimidazole, bidentate orotate and aqua ligands. The orotate coordinated to the metal(II) ions through deprotonated nitrogen atom of pyrimidine ring and oxygen atom of carboxylate group as a bidentate ligand. The antimicrobial activities of 1 and 4 were found to be more active gram (+) than gram (−) and 4 could be use for treatment Staphylococcus aureus.     

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.