On the Mechanism of Hydrogen Activation by Frustrated Lewis Pairs

We report herein a comprehensive theoretical study of the thermodynamics and kinetics of molecular hydrogen activation by frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). A series of intermolecularly combined boranes (Lewis acids) and phosphines (Lewis bases), with experimentally established different reactivities towards H₂, have been subjected to DFT and (SCS‐)MP2 calculations, and analyzed in terms of their structural properties, the energetics of association of the FLPs, and the kinetics of their interactions with H₂ and hydrogenation to the ion‐pair products. The analysis included the following steps: 1) assessment of the ability/inability of the Lewis species to preorganize into FLPs with an optimum arrangement of the acid and base sites for preconditioning the reaction with H₂, 2) comprehension of the different thermodynamics of hydrogenation of the selected FLPs by comparing the Gibbs energies of the overall reactions, and 3) estimation of the mechanism of the activation of H₂ by identifying the reaction steps and the associated kinetic barriers. The results of our studies correlate well with experimental findings and have clarified the reasons for the observed different reactivities of the investigated systems, ranging from reversible or nonreversible activation to no reaction with H₂. The derived predictions could assist the future design of Lewis acid–base systems with desired properties and applicability as metal‐free hydrogenation catalysts.     

Effects of Ionic Liquids on the Thermodynamics of Hydrogen Activation by Frustrated Lewis Pairs: A Density Functional Theory Study**

Nowadays, hydrogen activation by frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) and their applications are one of the emerging research topics in the field of catalysis. Previous studies have shown that the thermodynamics of this reaction is determined by electronic structures of FLPs and solvents. Herein, we investigated systems consisting of typical FLPs and ionic liquids (ILs), which are well known by their large number of types and excellent solvent effects. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to study the thermodynamics for H₂ activation by both inter- and intra-molecular FLPs, as well as the individual components. The results show that the computed overall Gibbs free energies in ILs are more negative than that computed in toluene. Through the thermodynamics partitioning, we find that ILs favor the H−H cleavage elemental step over the elemental steps of proton attachment, hydride attachment and zwitterionic stabilization. Moreover, the results show that these effects are strongly dependent on the type of FLPs, where intra-molecular FLPs are more affected compared to the inter-molecular FLPs.     

Borane/silane frustrated Lewis pairs for polymerization of β-substituted Michael acceptors

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) of Lewis acid (LA) B(C₆F₅)₃ and Lewis base hydrosilane [SiH] have been utilized to promote controlled polymerization of a challenging β-substituted Michael acceptor, methyl crotonate (MC), devoid of chain transfer side reactions. Mechanistic studies show that chain initiation involves LA-catalyzed 1,4-hydrosilylation of MC with [SiH] via FLP-type activation, generating a silyl ketene acetal nucleophile that participates in chain propagation via classic LA activation of monomer and a bimolecular conjugate addition mechanism. The role of the LA is conflicting in the two different catalytic cycles: the FLP activation in chain initiation requires LA-substrate (monomer) dissociation (or weak interaction) while the classic LA activation in chain propagation demands LA-monomer association (or strong interaction).     

Metal-free asymmetric hydrogenation and hydrosilylation catalyzed by frustrated Lewis pairs

The activation of H₂ for the catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds is one of the most useful reactions in both academia and chemical industry, which has long been predominated by the transition-metal catalysis. However, metal-free hydrogen activation represents a formidable challenge, and has been less developed. The recent emerging chemistry of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) with a combination of sterically encumbered Lewis acids and Lewis bases provides a promising approach for metal-free hydrogenation due to their amazing abilities for the challenging H₂ activation. In the past several years, the hydrogenation of a wide range of unsaturated compounds using FLP catalysts has been successfully developed. Despite these advances, the corresponding asymmetric hydrogenation is just in its start-up step. Similar to the mode of HH bond activation, SiH bond can also be activated by FLPs for the hydrosilylation of ketones and imines. But its asymmetric version is also not well-solved. This Letter will outline the recent important progress of metal-free catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation and hydrosilylation using FLP catalysts.     

Metal‐Free Hydrogenation Catalyzed by an Air‐Stable Borane: Use of Solvent as a Frustrated Lewis Base

In recent years ‘frustrated Lewis pairs’ (FLPs) have been shown to be effective metal‐free catalysts for the hydrogenation of many unsaturated substrates. Even so, limited functional‐group tolerance restricts the range of solvents in which FLP‐mediated reactions can be performed, with all FLP‐mediated hydrogenations reported to date carried out in non‐donor hydrocarbon or chlorinated solvents. Herein we report that the bulky Lewis acids B(C₆Cl₅)_x(C₆F₅)_3?x (x=0–3) are capable of heterolytic H₂ activation in the strong‐donor solvent THF, in the absence of any additional Lewis base. This allows metal‐free catalytic hydrogenations to be performed in donor solvent media under mild conditions; these systems are particularly effective for the hydrogenation of weakly basic substrates, including the first examples of metal‐free catalytic hydrogenation of furan heterocycles. The air‐stability of the most effective borane, B(C₆Cl₅)(C₆F₅)₂, makes this a practically simple reaction method.     

Construction of Boron- and Nitrogen-Enriched Nanoporous π-Conjugated Networks Towards Enhanced Hydrogen Activation

Boron-enriched scaffolds have demonstrated unique features and promising performance in the field of catalysis towards the activation of small gas molecules. However, there is still a lack of facile approaches capable of achieving high B doping and abundant porous channels in the targeted catalysts. Herein, construction of boron- and nitrogen-enriched nanoporous π-conjugated networks (BN-NCNs) was achieved via a facile ionothermal polymerization procedure with hexaazatriphenylenehexacarbonitrile [HAT(CN)₆] sodium borohydride as the starting materials. The as-produced BN-NCN scaffolds were featured by high heteroatoms doping (B up to 23 wt. % and N: up to 17 wt. %) and permanent porosity (surface area up to 759 m² g⁻¹ mainly contributed by micropores). With the unsaturated bonded B species acting as the active Lewis acid sites and defected N species acting as the active Lewis base sites, those BN-NCNs delivered attractive catalytic performance towards H₂ activation/dissociation in both gaseous and liquid phase, acting as efficient metal-free heterogeneous frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) catalysts in hydrogenation procedures.     

Geometrical influence on the non-biomimetic heterolytic splitting of H2 by bio-inspired [FeFe]-hydrogenase complexes: a rare example of inverted frustrated Lewis pair based reactivity

Despite the high levels of interest in the synthesis of bio-inspired [FeFe]-hydrogenase complexes, H₂ oxidation, which is one specific aspect of hydrogenase enzymatic activity, is not observed for most reported complexes. To attempt H–H bond cleavage, two disubstituted diiron dithiolate complexes in the form of [Fe₂(μ-pdt)L₂(CO)₄] (L: PMe₃, dmpe) have been used to play the non-biomimetic role of a Lewis base, with frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) formed in the presence of B(C₆F₅)₃ Lewis acid. These unprecedented FLPs, based on the bimetallic Lewis base partner, allow the heterolytic splitting of the H₂ molecule, forming a protonated diiron cation and hydrido-borate anion. The substitution, symmetrical or asymmetrical, of two phosphine ligands at the diiron dithiolate core induces a strong difference in the H₂ bond cleavage abilities, with the FLP based on the first complex being more efficient than the second. DFT investigations examined the different mechanistic pathways involving each accessible isomer and rationalized the experimental findings. One of the main DFT results highlights that the iron site acting as a Lewis base for the asymmetrical complex is the {Fe(CO)₃} subunit, which is less electron-rich than the {FeL(CO)₂} site of the symmetrical complex, diminishing the reactivity towards H₂. Calculations relating to the different mechanistic pathways revealed the presence of a terminal hydride intermediate at the apical site of a rotated {Fe(CO)₃} site, which is experimentally observed, and a semi-bridging hydride intermediate from H₂ activation at the Fe–Fe site; these are responsible for a favourable back-reaction, reducing the conversion yield observed in the case of the asymmetrical complex. The use of two equivalents of Lewis acid allows for more complete and faster H₂ bond cleavage due to the encapsulation of the hydrido-borate species by a second borane, favouring the reactivity of each FLP, in agreement with DFT calculations.

Bio-inspired [FeFe]-hydrogenase complexes and B(C₆F₅)₃ form FLPs that are able to activate H₂, providing rare examples of inverted enzymatic reactivity. The influence of the symmetry/asymmetry of coordination is studied via DFT.     

A New Mode of Chemical Reactivity for Metal‐Free Hydrogen Activation by Lewis Acidic Boranes

We herein explore whether tris(aryl)borane Lewis acids are capable of cleaving H₂ outside of the usual Lewis acid/base chemistry described by the concept of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). Instead of a Lewis base we use a chemical reductant to generate stable radical anions of two highly hindered boranes: tris(3,5‐dinitromesityl)borane and tris(mesityl)borane. NMR spectroscopic characterization reveals that the corresponding borane radical anions activate (cleave) dihydrogen, whilst EPR spectroscopic characterization, supported by computational analysis, reveals the intermediates along the hydrogen activation pathway. This radical‐based, redox pathway involves the homolytic cleavage of H₂, in contrast to conventional models of FLP chemistry, which invoke a heterolytic cleavage pathway. This represents a new mode of chemical reactivity for hydrogen activation by borane Lewis acids.     

Transition‐Metal‐Free Catalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

Metal‐free systems, including frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have been shown to bind CO₂. By reducing the Lewis acidity and basicity of the ambiphilic system, it is possible to generate active catalysts for the deoxygenative hydroboration of carbon dioxide to methanol derivatives with conversion rates comparable to those of transition‐metal‐based catalysts.     

Frustrated Lewis Pairs: Metal‐free Hydrogen Activation and More

Sterically encumbered Lewis acid and Lewis base combinations do not undergo the ubiquitous neutralization reaction to form “classical” Lewis acid/Lewis base adducts. Rather, both the unquenched Lewis acidity and basicity of such sterically “frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs)” is available to carry out unusual reactions. Typical examples of frustrated Lewis pairs are inter‐ or intramolecular combinations of bulky phosphines or amines with strongly electrophilic RB(C₆F₅)₂ components. Many examples of such frustrated Lewis pairs are able to cleave dihydrogen heterolytically. The resulting H⁺/H^? pairs (stabilized for example, in the form of the respective phosphonium cation/hydridoborate anion salts) serve as active metal‐free catalysts for the hydrogenation of, for example, bulky imines, enamines, or enol ethers. Frustrated Lewis pairs also react with alkenes, aldehydes, and a variety of other small molecules, including carbon dioxide, in cooperative three‐component reactions, offering new strategies for synthetic chemistry.     

Kinetic study of wood pyrolysis in presence of metal halides

The purpose of this work was to study the kinetics of wood pyrolysis in the presence of inorganic salts, representatives of classes of alkali and alkaline earth metal halides (NaCl, KCl, KBr, CaCl₂, BaCl₂·2H₂O) and Lewis acids (AlCl₃·6H₂O, FeCl₃·6H₂O, CuCl₂, CuBr₂, ZnCl₂·1.5H₂O, NiCl₂·6H₂O, SnCl₂·2H₂O) using TG-DSC. The activity of these catalysts was estimated by the temperature of the beginning of pyrolysis, charcoal yield and kinetic parameters, such as energy of activation and reaction order. Using the Lewis acids as catalysts for pyrolysis leads to a decrease in the temperature of the process beginning and the activation energy. In the presence of other catalysts activation energy does not significantly change. The increase of a seeming reaction order in the presence of Lewis acids possibly is a consequence of complication of the thermodestruction mechanism, with the appearance of new parallel competing stages.      

Dihydrogen Activation with a Neutral,Intermolecular Silicon(IV)-Amine Frustrated Lewis Pair

The heterolytic cleavage of dihydrogen constitutes the hallmark reaction of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP). While being well-established for planar Lewis acids, such as boranes or silylium ions, the observation of the primary H₂ splitting products with non-planar Lewis acid FLPs remained elusive. In the present work, we report bis(perfluoro-N-phenyl-ortho-amidophenolato)silane and its application in dihydrogen activation to a fully characterized hydridosilicate. The strict design of the Lewis acid, the limited selection of the Lewis base, and the distinct reaction conditions emphasize the narrow tolerance to achieve this fascinating process with a tetrahedral Lewis acid.     

Small Molecule Activation with Intramolecular “Inverse” Frustrated Lewis Pairs

The intramolecular “inverse” frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) of general formula 1-BR₂-2-[(Me₂N)₂C=N]-C₆H₄ ( 3 – 6 ) [BR₂=BMes₂ ( 3 ), BC₁₂H₈, ( 4 ), BBN ( 5 ), BBNO ( 6 )] were synthesized and structurally characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. These novel types of pre-organized FLPs, featuring strongly basic guanidino units rigidly linked to weakly Lewis acidic boryl moieties via an ortho-phenylene linker, are capable of activating H−H, C−H, N−H, O−H, Si−H, B−H and C=O bonds. 4 and 5 deprotonated terminal alkynes and acetylene to form the zwitterionic borates 1-(RC≡C-BR₂)-2-[(Me₂N)₂C=NH]-C₆H₄ (R=Ph, H) and reacted with ammonia, BnNH₂ and pyrrolidine, to generate the FLP adducts 1-(R₂HN→BR₂)-2-[(Me₂N)₂C=NH]-C₆H₄, where the N-H functionality is activated by intramolecular H-bond interactions. In addition, 5 was found to rapidly add across the double bond of H₂CO, PhCHO and PhNCO to form cyclic zwitterionic guanidinium borates in excellent yields. Likewise, 5 is capable of cleaving H₂, HBPin and PhSiH₃ to form various amino boranes. Collectively, the results demonstrate that these new types of intramolecular FLPs featuring weakly Lewis acidic boryl and strongly basic guanidino moieties are as potent as conventional intramolecular FLPs with strongly Lewis acidic units in activating small molecules.     

A density functional theory study on lewis acid‐catalyzed transesterification of β‐oxodithioesters

The detailed mechanisms of the Lewis acid‐catalyzed transesterification of β‐oxodithioesters at a solvent‐free condition were studied using density functional theory. Five possible reaction pathways, including one noncatalyzed (channel 1) and four Lewis acid‐catalyzed channels (SnCl₂‐catalyzed channels 2 and 3 and SnCl₂·2H₂O‐catalyzed channels 4 and 5), were investigated. Our calculated results indicate that the energy barriers of the catalyzed channels are significantly lower than that of channel 1. Channel 5, which has an energy barrier of 33.70 kcal/mol as calculated at the B3LYP/[6‐31G(d, p)+LANL2DZ] level, is the most energy‐favorable channel. Moreover, one water molecule of SnCl₂·2H₂O participated in the transesterification in channel 5. Thus, we report a novel function of the SnCl₂·2H₂O catalyst, which is quite different from the function of the conventional nonhydrated Lewis acid SnCl₂. To understand the function of these two Lewis acid catalysts better, the global reactivity indexes and natural bond orbital charge were analyzed. This work helps in understanding the function of the Lewis acid in transesterification, and it can provide valuable insight for the rational design of new Lewis acid catalysts. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Functionalization of Intramolecular Frustrated Lewis Pairs by 1,1‐Carboboration with Conjugated Enynes

The vicinal P/B frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) Mes₂PCH₂CH₂B(C₆F₅)₂ undergoes 1,1‐carboboration reactions with the Me₃Si‐substituted enynes to give ring‐enlarged functionalized C₃‐bridged P/B FLPs. These serve as active FLPs in the activation of dihydrogen to give the respective zwitterionic [P]H⁺/[B]H^? products. One such product shows activity as a metal‐free catalyst for the hydrogenation of enamines or a bulky imine. The ring‐enlarged FLPs contain dienylborane functionalities that undergo “bora‐Nazarov”‐type ring‐closing rearrangements upon photolysis. A DFT study had shown that the dienylborane cyclization of such systems itself is endothermic, but a subsequent C₆F₅ migration is very favorable. Furthermore, substituted 2,5‐dihydroborole products are derived from cyclization and C₆F₅ migration from the photolysis reaction. In the case of the six‐membered annulation product, a subsequent stereoisomerization reaction takes place and the resultant compound undergoes a P/B FLP 1,2‐addition reaction with a terminal alkyne with rearrangement.     

In Situ Formation of Frustrated Lewis Pairs in a Water‐Tolerant Metal‐Organic Framework for the Transformation of CO2

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) consist of sterically hindered Lewis acids and Lewis bases, which provide high catalytic activity towards non‐metal‐mediated activation of “inert” small molecules, including CO₂ among others. One critical issue of homogeneous FLPs, however, is their instability upon recycling, leading to catalytic deactivation. Herein, we provide a solution to this issue by incorporating a bulky Lewis acid‐functionalized ligand into a water‐tolerant metal‐organic framework (MOF), named SION‐105 , and employing Lewis basic diamine substrates for the in situ formation of FLPs within the MOF. Using CO₂ as a C1‐feedstock, this combination allows for the efficient transformation of a variety of diamine substrates into benzimidazoles. SION‐105 can be easily recycled by washing with MeOH and reused multiple times without losing its identity and catalytic activity, highlighting the advantage of the MOF approach in FLP chemistry.     

Activity-Based Models to Predict Kinetics of Levulinic Acid Esterification

The solvent is of prime importance in biomass conversion as it influences dissolution, reaction kinetics, catalyst activity and thermodynamic equilibrium of the reaction system. So far, activity-based models were developed to predict kinetics and equilibria, but the influence of the catalyst on kinetics has not been succesfully predicted by thermodynamic models. In this work, the thermodynamic model ePC-SAFT advanced was used to predict the activities of the reactants and of the catalyst at various conditions (temperature, reactant concentrations, γ-valerolactone GVL cosolvent addition, catalyst concentration) for the homogeneously acid-catalyzed esterification of levulinic acid (LA) with ethanol. Different kinetic models were applied, and it was found that the catalyst influence on kinetics could be predicted correctly by simultaneously solving the dissociation equilibrium of H₂SO₄ catalyst along the reaction coordinate and by relating reaction kinetics to proton activity. ePC-SAFT advanced model parameters were only fitted to reaction-independent phase equilibrium data. The key reaction properties were determined by applying ePC-SAFT advanced to one experimental kinetic curve for a set of temperatures, yielding the reaction enthalpy at standard state , activation energy and the intrinsic reaction rate constant k=0.011 s⁻¹ at 323 K, which is independent of catalyst concentration. The new procedure allowed an a-priori identification of the effects of catalyst, solvent and reactant concentration on LA esterification.     

Aromaticity‐promoted CO2 Capture by P/N‐Based Frustrated Lewis Pairs: A Theoretical Study

Carbon dioxide (CO₂, a common combustion pollutant) releasing continuously into the atmosphere is primarily responsible for the rising atmospheric temperature. Therefore, CO₂ sequestration has been an indispensable area of research for the past several decades. On the other hand, the concept of aromaticity is often employed in designing chemical reactions and metal‐free frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have proved ideal reagents to achieve CO₂ reduction. However, considering FLP and aromaticity together is less developed in CO₂ capture. Here we report theoretical investigations on the aromaticity‐promoted CO₂ activation, involving heterocyclopentadiene‐bridged P/N‐FLPs. The calculations reveal that furan‐ and pyrrole‐bridged P/N‐FLPs can make CO₂ capture both thermodynamically and kinetically favorable (with activation energies of 5.4–7.7 kcal mol^?1) due to the aromatic stabilization of the transition states and products. Our findings could open an avenue to the design of novel FLPs for CO₂ capture.     

Polymeric frustrated Lewis pairs in CO2/cyclic ether coupling catalysis

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) are now ubiquitous as metal-free catalysts in an array of different chemical transformations. In this paper we show that this reactivity can be transferred to a polymeric system, offering advantageous opportunities at the interface between catalysis and stimuli-responsive materials. Formation of cyclic carbonates from cyclic ethers using CO₂ as a C₁ feedstock continues to be dominated by metal-based systems. When paired with a suitable nucleophile, discrete aryl or alkyl boranes have shown significant promise as metal-free Lewis acidic alternatives, although catalyst reuse remains illusive. Herein, we leverage the reactivity of FLPs in a polymeric system to promote CO₂/cyclic ether coupling catalysis that can be tuned for the desired epoxide or oxetane substrate. Moreover, these macromolecular FLPs can be reused across multiple reaction cycles, further increasing their appeal over analogous small molecule systems.

Polymeric frustrated Lewis pairs catalyse the coupling of epoxides and oxetanes with CO₂ with high selectivity under mild CO₂ pressures across multiple reaction cycles.     

Coordination Defect-Induced Frustrated Lewis Pairs in Polyoxo-metalate-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks for Efficient Catalytic Hydrogenation

Precise control of the structure and spatial distance of Lewis acid (LA) and Lewis base (LB) sites in a porous system to construct efficient solid frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) catalyst is vital for industrial application but remains challenging. Herein, we constructed FLP sites in a polyoxometalate (POM)-based metal–organic framework (MOF) by introducing coordination-defect metal nodes (LA) and surface-basic POM with abundant oxygen (LB). The well-defined and unique spatial conformation of the defective POM-based MOF ensure that the distance between LA and LB is at ~4.3 Å, a suitable distance to activate H₂. This FLP catalyst can heterolytically dissociate H₂ into active H^δ−, thus exhibiting high activity in hydrogenation, which is 55 and 2.7 times as high as that of defect-free POM-based MOF and defective MOF without POM, respectively. This work provides a new avenue toward precise design multi-site catalyst to achieve specific activation of target substrate for synergistic catalysis.