Highly electrophilic (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complexes

A series of cationic ruthenium(VI) nitrido species containing the cyclohexyl-bridged salen ligand (L) and its derivatives, [RuVI(N)(L)]+, have been prepared by treatment of [NBun4][RuVI(N)Cl4] with H2L in methanol. The structure of [RuVI(N)(L)](ClO4) (1a) has been determined by X-ray crystallography, d(RuN) = 1.592 A. In solvents such as DMF or DMSO, [RuVI(N)(L)]+ undergoes a facile N...N coupling reaction at room temperature to produce N2 and [RuIII(L)(S)2]+ (S = solvent). 1a reacts rapidly with secondary amines to produce diamagnetic RuIV-hydrazido(1-) species, [RuIV(N(H)NR2)(L)(HNR2)]+. The reaction with morpholine is first order in RuVI and second order in morpholine with k(CH3CN, 25 degrees C) = 2.08 x 106 M-2 s-1. This rate constant is over 4 orders of magnitude larger than that of the corresponding reaction of the electrophilic osmium nitride, trans-[OsVI(N)(tpy)(Cl)2]+, with morpholine. The structure of [Ru(NHNC4H8)(L)(NHC4H8)](PF6)2 has been determined by X-ray crystallography, the Ru-N(hydrazido) distance is 1.940 A, and the Ru-N-N angle is 129.4 degrees .     

Direct aziridination of alkenes by a cationic (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex

[RuVI(N)(salchda)(CH3OH)]PF6 (1) (salchda = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)o-cyclohexyldiamine dianion) reacts readily with 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene at room temperature in the presence of pyridine or 1-methylimidazole to give initially [RuIV(Az1(-H))(salchda)(py)]PF6 (2, Az1 = 2,2,3,3-tetramethylaziridine), which is then slowly reduced to [RuIII(Az1)(salchda)(py)]PF6 (3). 1 also reacts with a variety of aryl-substituted alkenes such as styrene and trans-beta-methylstyrene in the presence of py or 1-MeIm to give the corresponding ruthenium(III) aziridine complexes. The structures of 3 and [RuIII(Az2)(salchda)(1-MeIm)]PF6 (4, Az2 = trans-2-methyl-3-phenylaziridine) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The Ru-N(aziridine) distances (2.1049, 2.097 A) are consistent with a neutral aziridine ligand. The C-C and C-N distances in the aziridine ligands are all indicative of single bonds.     

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.     

Addition of dichlorocarbene to aporphinoids: a new route to homoaporphines

An easy and efficient method for the synthesis of homoaporphines is described. It is based on the ring C homologation of aporphines via dichlorocarbene adducts.     

Iridium(III)-induced isomerization of 2-substituted pyridines to N-heterocyclic carbenes

Steric strains (F-strain or front-strain) in the acid-base interaction between the Lewis acid [TpMe2Ir(C6H5)2] and 2-substituted pyridines Lewis bases, are responsible for the stabilization of the C-adducts (2) of the respective pyridine carbene tautomers over the expected N-adducts.     

From the reactivity of N-heterocyclic carbenes to new chemistry in ionic liquids

N-Heterocyclic carbenes have numerous applications in synthetic chemistry. We detail the reactivity and chemistry of these molecules including investigations into their reactions with small reagents, their use for the preparation of polarised azines and their potential application as NLO materials. The chemistry of imidazolium salts, which are related to NHCs by the addition of a proton, is also discussed. New chemistry for ionic liquids is also revealed.     

Dual reactivity of N-heterocyclic carbenes towards copper(II) salts

Complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) with copper(II) halogenides are unstable. Upon formation, these complexes decompose to give haloamidinium salts. Contrastingly, O-substituted copper(II) NHC complexes are fairly stable. A series of new five-, six- and seven-membered ring NHC complexes of Cu(OAc)(2) have been synthesised and characterised in the solid state.     

Preparation of hydrido(vinylidene)ruthenium(II) complexes and a one-pot synthesis of Grubbs-type ruthenium carbenes

Treatment of the hydrido(dihydrogen) compound [RuHCl(H2)(PCy3)2] 1 with alkynes RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH (R=H, Ph) afforded the hydrido(vinylidene) complexes [RuHCl(=C=CHR)(PCy3)2] 2, 3 which react with HCl or [HPCy3]Cl to give the corresponding Grubbs-type ruthenium carbenes [RuCl2(=CHCH2R)(PCy3)2] 4, 5. The reaction of 2 (R=H) with DCl, or D2O in the presence of chloride sources, led to the formation of [RuCl2(=CHCH2D)(PCy3)2] 4-d1. Based on these observations, a one-pot synthesis of compounds 4 and 5 was developed using RuCl3.3H2O as the starting material. The hydrido(vinylidene) derivative 2 reacted with CF3CO2H and HCN at low temperatures to yield the carbene complexes [RuCl(X)(=CHCH3)(PCy3)2] 6, 7, of which 7 (X=CN) was characterized crystallographically. Salt metathesis of 2 with CF3CO2K and KI led to the formation of [RuH(X)(=C=CH2)(PCy3)2] 8, 9. The bis(trifluoracetato) and the diiodo compounds [RuX2(=CHCH3)(PCy3)2] 10, 11 as well as the new phosphine P(thp)3 12 (thp=4-tetrahydropyranyl) and the corresponding complex [RuCl2(=CHCH3){P(thp)3}2] 14 were also prepared. The catalytic activity of the ruthenium carbenes 4-7, 10, 11 and 14 in the olefin cross-metathesis of cyclopentene and allyl alcohol was investigated.     

Complexes of borane and N-heterocyclic carbenes: a new class of radical hydrogen atom donor

Calculations suggest that complexes of borane with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) have B-H bond dissocation energies more then 20 kcal/mol less than free borane, diborane, borane-THF, and related complexes. Values are in the range of popular radical hydrogen atom donors like tin hydrides (70-80 kcal/mol). The resulting prediction that NHC borane complexes could be used as radical hydrogen atom donors was verified by radical deoxygenations of xanthates by using either AIBN or triethylborane as initiator.     

1,3-Bis(N,N-dialkylamino)imidazolin-2-ylidenes: synthesis and reactivity of a new family of stable N-heterocyclic carbenes

The synthesis of stable 1,3-bis(N,N-dialkylamino)imidazolin-2-ylidenes was accomplished from readily available chiral bis-hydrazones after reduction or addition of PhMgCl, cyclization to imidazolinium salts, and treatment with KN(SiMe3)2. This strategy allows the obtention of free imidazolin-2-ylidenes and their Rh(COD)Cl complexes in enantiomerically pure form. The sigma-donor ability of dialkylamino-substituted diaminocarbenes was found to be slightly higher than that of alkyl(aryl) analogues.     

4,5-Bis(dialkylamino)-substituted imidazolium systems: facile access to N-heterocyclic carbenes with self-umpolung option

The first synthesis of 4,5-bis-(dimethylamino)-substituted imidazolium compounds was developed, which is based on the reaction of a 1,2-diamino-1,2-bis(phosphonio)ethene with lithiated formamidines. This represents the first application of this class of ethene derivatives for the preparation of heterocycles. These N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors show a remarkably reduced basicity and nucleophilicity of their NMe2 groups, which is due to the strong anomeric interactions of the latter with the imidazolium core. According to DFT calculations, these NHCs are capable of self-umpolung if sufficiently strong acceptor substituents are introduced at the carbene center. To test the self-umpolung capabilities of the NHCs, various substituents were attached to the carbene center and the obtained compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis as well as quantum chemical computations. Strong acceptor substituents are required to induce self-umpolung, such as in the phosphonio-substituted derivative, for which partial self-umpolung was found. The N,N′-bis(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-substituted imidazolium compound represents a special case, as it incorporates as much as three two-step redox systems within the NHC framework. This will probably result in a high electronic flexibility of the corresponding nucleophilic carbenes, especially when they serve as ligands in transition metal complexes.     

Reactions of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) with one-electron oxidants: possible formation of a carbene cation radical

One-electron oxidation of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been carried out using oxidising agents such as tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and ferrocenium [Cp(2)Fe](+); the formation of carbene radical cations is postulated.     

Synthesis of new ruthenium(II) complexes derived from labile nitrile ligands: an alternative route to the preparation of trans-dichlorotetrakis(diphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II)

New ruthenium(II) complexes containing labile nitrile ligands have been prepared by treatment of either the polymer [{RuCl₂(COD)}_x] (COD = cycloocta-1,5-diene) (1) or its derivative [RuCl₂(COD)(NCCH₃)₂]·NCCH₃ (2) with the appropriate nitrile ligands in refluxing acetonitrile under argon. A new route to synthesis of trans-dichlorotetrakis(diphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) (7) was also reported. A redetermination of the structure of 7 was undertaken and X-ray crystallographic data revealed that the complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with unit cell dimensions a = 12.7016(9) Å, b = 13.0847(10) Å, c = 14.1498(10) Å, α = 101.46(3)°, V = 2080.6(3) Å³, Z = 2 and R = 0.0309. Its polymorph 7′ was also obtained. The crystal structure of 4 was also determined. This complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with unit cell dimensions a = 27.0510(3) Å, b = 11.0984(13) Å, c = 13.0450(16) Å, α = 90°, V = 3886.5(8) Å³, Z = 8 and R = 0.0282.     

Addition of difluoromethyl radicals to glycals: a new route to alpha-CF2-D-glycosides

The synthesis of synthetically useful alpha-CF2-glycosides by radical addition of ethyl bromodifluoroacetate onto 2-benzyloxyglycals is described. The methodology provides an access to alpha-O-glycoside mimics and, potentially, to valuable alpha-O-glycoconjugate analogues.     

Synthesis of phosphorus esters by transesterification mediated by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs)

The versatile nucleophilic organic catalysts N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been shown to effectively mediate the transesterification of phosphorus esters under mild conditions; user-friendly imidazolium salts can also be employed as pre-catalysts.     

A fast and parallel route to cyclic isothioureas and guanidines with use of microwave-assisted chemistry

A fast and simple approach to novel cyclic isothioureas and related guanidine derivatives is presented in this study. The construction of the central basic scaffolds is achieved solely by the application of microwave-assisted chemistry, without any need of activating agents or protecting group manipulations. The product formation of various substituted guanidines from the corresponding isothiouronium salts was controlled by the nucleophilicity of the counterion and influenced by the reaction temperature. Further, a new fast-track access to tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylamines was developed.     

First example of N-heterocyclic carbenes as catalysts for living polymerization: organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters

A novel metal-free, organocatalytic approach to living polymerization is presented. N-heterocyclic carbenes were employed as nucleophilic catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic ester monomers. The catalysts is used in combination with an initiator, such as an alcohol, which generates an alpha-end group bearing the ester from the initiating alcohol upon ring-opening and a hydroxyl functional omega-chain end that propagates the chain. This class of catalyst proved to be more reactive than tertiary amine and phosphine nucleophiles, producing narrowly dispersed polymers of predictable molecular weights at room temperature in 1-2 h. Catalysis with respect to both initiating alcohol and monomer was observed. Control of the alpha and omega end-groups was demonstrated with a pyrene-labeled initiator, allowing the preparation of well-defined macromolecular architectures. Analogous to the ROP of cyclic esters using biocatalysts, the polymeriztion pathway using the N-heterocyclic carbenes is believed to ensue through a monomer-activated mechanism.     

Expanded ring N-heterocyclic carbenes: a comparative study of ring size in palladium (0) catalysed Mizoroki-Heck coupling

The synthesis and characterisation of a range of new 6- and 7-membered expanded ring N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of zero valent palladium dvtms (divinyltetramethyldisiloxane) 8-14 is reported, with the first comparative catalytic study probing the effects of large ring N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (6-Mes and 7-Mes) with their analogous 5-membered derivative (IMes) on catalytic performance. The catalytic performances of the [Pd(NHC)(dvtms)] complexes are evaluated in the Mizoroki-Heck coupling of 4-bromoacetophenone and n-butyl acrylate, providing a ready and effective comparison into the influence of ring size and steric congestion on catalytic activity in carbon-carbon cross coupling reactions.     

The solution stability of copper(I) and silver(I) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbenes

The tris-benzimidazolium cage LH(3)(3+), in MeCN solution, in the presence of OH(-), forms with Cu(I) and Ag(I) ions complexes of formula [M(I)(LH)](2+), in which each metal is linearly coordinated by two carbenes and one imidazolium N-H fragment remains intact. To achieve two-coordination, the two N-heterocyclic moieties of the cage make a saloon-door type motion, with a conformationally costless rotation of ca. 30° each. The two [M(I)(LH)](2+) complexes show high thermodynamic stability and are inert with respect to metal substitution, due to the mechanical constraints imposed by the ligating framework. Complexation with Cu(I) and Ag(I) with the reference unidentate carbene ligand Q, derived from the benzimidazolium precursor QH(+), was studied for comparison. Both metals in MeCN form 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with the carbene ligand Q according to two stepwise equilibria. Q complexes of both metals are labile with respect to metal substitution and those of Ag(I) are more stable than those of Cu(I). A significant cooperative effect has been observed with the formation of the [Ag(I)Q(2)](+) complex.