Electronic and medium effects on the rate of arene C [bond] H activation by cationic Ir(III) complexes

A detailed mechanistic study of arene C [bond] H activation in CH(2)Cl(2) solution by Cp(L)IrMe(X) [L = PMe(3), P(OMe)(3); X = OTf, (CH(2)Cl(2))BAr(f); (BAr(f) = B[3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)](4))(-)] is presented. It was determined that triflate dissociation in Cp(L)IrMe(OTf), to generate tight and/or solvent-separated ion pairs containing a cationic iridium complex, precedes C [bond] H activation. Consistent with the ion-pair hypothesis, the rate of arene activation by Cp(L)IrMe(OTf) is unaffected by added external triflate salts, but the rate is strongly dependent upon the medium. Thus the reactivity of Cp(PMe(3))IrMe(OTf) can be increased by almost 3 orders of magnitude by addition of (n-Hex)(4)NBAr(f), presumably because the added BAr(f) anion exchanges with the OTf anion in the initially formed ion pair, transiently forming a cation/borate ion pair in solution (special salt effect). In contrast, addition of (n-Hex)(4)NBAr(f) to [CpPMe(3)Ir(Me)CH(2)Cl(2)][BAr(f)] does not affect the rate of benzene activation; here there is no initial covalent/ionic pre-equilibrium that can be perturbed with added (n-Hex)(4)NBAr(f). An analysis of the reaction between Cp(PMe(3))IrMe(OTf) and various substituted arenes demonstrated that electron-donating substituents on the arene increase the rate of the C [bond] H activation reaction. The rate of C(6)H(6) activation by [Cp(PMe(3))Ir(Me)CH(2)Cl(2)][BAr(f)] is substantially faster than [Cp(P(OMe)(3))Ir(Me)CH(2)Cl(2)][BAr(f)]. Density functional theory computations suggest that this is due to a less favorable pre-equilibrium for dissociation of the dichloromethane ligand in the trimethyl phosphite complex, rather than to a large electronic effect on the C [bond] H oxidative addition transition state. Because of these combined effects, the overall rate of arene activation is increased by electron-donating substituents on both the substrate and the iridium complex.     

Mechanistic investigations of imine hydrogenation catalyzed by cationic iridium complexes

Complexes [IrH2(eta6-C6H6)(PiPr3)]BF4 (1) and [IrH2(NCMe)3(PiPr3)]BF4 (2) are catalyst precursors for homogeneous hydrogenation of N-benzylideneaniline under mild conditions. Precursor 1 generates the resting state [IrH2{eta5-(C6H5)NHCH2Ph}(PiPr3)]BF4 (3), while 2 gives rise to a mixture of [IrH{PhN=CH(C6H4)-kappaN,C}(NCMe)2(PiPr3)]BF4 (4) and [IrH{PhN=CH(C6H4)-kappaN,C}(NCMe)(NH2Ph)(PiPr3)]BF4 (5), in which the aniline ligand is derived from hydrolysis of the imine. The less hindered benzophenone imine forms the catalytically inactive, doubly cyclometalated compound [Ir{HN=CPh(C6H4)-kappaN,C}2(NH2CHPh2)(PiPr3)]BF4 (6). Hydrogenations with precursor 1 are fast and their reaction profiles are strongly dependent on solvent, concentrations, and temperature. Significant induction periods, minimized by addition of the amine hydrogenation product, are commonly observed. The catalytic rate law (THF) is rate = k[1][PhN=CHPh]p(H2). The results of selected stoichiometric reactions of potential catalytic intermediates exclude participation of the cyclometalated compounds [IrH{PhN=CH(C6H4)-kappaN,C}(S)2(PiPr3)]BF4 [S = acetonitrile (4), [D6]acetone (7), [D4]methanol (8)] in catalysis. Reactions between resting state 3 and D2 reveal a selective sequence of deuterium incorporation into the complex which is accelerated by the amine product. Hydrogen bonding among the components of the catalytic reaction was examined by MP2 calculations on model compounds. The calculations allow formulation of an ionic, outer-sphere, bifunctional hydrogenation mechanism comprising 1) amine-assisted oxidative addition of H2 to 3, the result of which is equivalent to heterolytic splitting of dihydrogen, 2) replacement of a hydrogen-bonded amine by imine, and 3) simultaneous H delta+/H delta- transfer to the imine substrate from the NH moiety of an arene-coordinated amine ligand and the metal, respectively.     

Sequential protonation and methylation of a hydride-osmium complex containing a cyclopentadienyl ligand with a pendant amine group

Complex OsH{eta5-C5H4(CH2)2NMe2}(P(i)Pr3)2 (1) reacts with 1 equiv of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (HOTf) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid-d1 (DOTf) to produce the dihydride and hydride-deuteride complexes, [OsHE{eta5-C5H4(CH2)2NMe2}(P(i)Pr3)2]OTf (E = H (2), D (2-d1), respectively. Treatment of 2 and 2-d1 with a second equivalent of HOTf gives [OsHE{eta5-C5H4(CH2)2NHMe2}(P(i)Pr3)2][OTf]2 (E = H (3), D (3-d1) as a result of the protonation of the nitrogen atom. While the hydride and deuteride ligands of 2, 2-d1, 3, and 3-d1 do not undergo any H/D exchange process with the solvent, in acetone-d6, the NH proton of 3 and 3-d1 changes places with a deuterium atom of the solvent to yield [OsHE{eta5-C5H4(CH2)2NDMe2}(P(i)Pr3)2][OTf]2 (E = H (3-Nd1), D (3-d2)). Complex 3-Nd1 can also be obtained from the treatment of complex 2 with DOTf in dichloromethane. No exchange process between the hydride and the ND positions in 3-Nd1 or between the deuteride and NH positions in 3-d1 has been observed. Treatment of 3-Nd1 and 3-d1 with sodium methoxide results in a selective reaction of the base with the ammonium group to regenerate 2 and 2-d1, respectively. Complex 1 also reacts with methyl and methyl-d3 trifluoromethanesulfonate (CH3OTf and CD3OTf, respectively) to give [OsH{eta5-C5H4(CH2)2NMe2CE3}(P(i)Pr3)2]OTf (E = H (4), D (4-d3)) as a result of the addition of the CE3 (E = H, D) group to the nitrogen atom. Complex 4 has been characterized by an X-ray diffraction analysis. It reacts with a second molecule of CH3OTf or CD3OTf to produce [OsH{eta5-C5H4(CH2)2NMe3}{CH2CH(CH3)P(i)P2}(P(i)Pr3)[OTf]2 (5). Similarly, complex 4-d3 reacts with a second molecule of CH3OTf or CD3OTf to yield [OsH{eta5-C5H4(CH2)2NMe2CD3}{CH2CH(CH3)P(i)P2}(P(i)Pr3)[OTf]2 (5-d3). In acetonitrile, complex 5 evolves to an equilibrium mixture of the acetonitrile adducts [Os{eta5-C5H4(CH2)2NMe3}(NCCH3)(P(i)Pr3)2][OTf]2 (7) and [Os{eta5-C5H4(CH2)2NMe3}(NCCH3)2(P(i)Pr3)][OTf]2 (8). In methanol or methanol-d4, complex 4 is not stable and loses trimethylamine to give the vinylcyclopentadienyl derivatives [OsHE(eta5-C5H4CH=CH2)(P(i)Pr3)2]OTf (E = H (9), D (9-d1)) as a result of the protonation or deuteration of the metallic center and a subsequent Hofmann elimination. Protonation of 4 with HOTf gives the dihydride-trimethylammonium derivative [OsH2{eta5-C5H4(CH2)2NMe3}(P(i)Pr3)2][OTf]2 (10). Treatment of 9 with sodium methoxide produces OsH(eta5-C5H4CH=CH2)(P(i)Pr3)2 (11).     

Dynamics of a cis-dihydrogen/hydride complex of iridium

Insertion of CS2 into one of the Ir-H bonds of [Ir(H)5(PCy3)2] takes place to afford the dihydrido dithioformate complex cis-[Ir(H)2(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2] accompanied by the elimination of H2. Protonation of the dithioformate complex using HBF4.Et2O gives cis-[Ir(H)(eta2-H2)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][BF4] wherein the H atom undergoes site exchange between the dihydrogen and the hydride ligands. The dynamics was found to be so extremely rapid with respect to the NMR time scale that the barrier to exchange could not be measured. Partial deuteration of the hydride ligands resulted in a J(H,D) of 6.5 and 7.7 Hz for the H2D and the HD2 isotopomers of cis-[Ir(H)(eta2-H2)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][BF4], respectively. The H-H distance (d(HH)) for this complex has been calculated to be 1.05 A, which can be categorized under the class of elongated dihydrogen complexes. The cis-[Ir(H)(eta2-H2)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][BF4] complex undergoes substitution of the bound H2 moiety with CH(3)CN and CO resulting in new hydride derivatives, cis-[Ir(H)(L)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][BF4] (L = CH3CN, CO). Reaction of cis-[Ir(H)2(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2] with electrophilic reagents such as MeOTf and Me3SiOTf afforded a new hydride aquo complex cis-[Ir(H)(H2O)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][OTf] via the elimination of CH4 and Me3SiH, respectively, followed by the binding of a water molecule (present in trace quantities in the solvent) to the iridium center. The X-ray crystal structures of cis-[Ir(H)2(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2] and cis-[Ir(H)(H2O)(eta2-S2CH)(PCy3)2][OTf] have been determined.     

The bridged binding mode as a new, versatile template for the selective activation of carbon-fluorine bonds in fluoroolefins: activation of trifluoroethylene

We report the selective activation of carbon-fluorine bonds in trifluoroethylene using the diiridium complex [Ir(2)(CH(3))(CO)(2)(dppm)(2)][OTf] (1). Coordination of trifluoroethylene in a bridging position between the two metals in 1 results in facile fluoride ion loss in three different ways. Attack by strong fluorophiles such as Me(3)SiOTf and HOTf results in F(-) removal from one of the geminal fluorines to give the cis-difluorovinyl-bridged product [Ir(2)(CH(3))(OTf)(CO)(2)(μ-κ(1):η(2)-C(F)═CFH)(dppm)(2)][OTf]. A second activation can also be accomplished by addition of excess Me(3)SiOTf to give the fluorovinylidene-bridged product [Ir(2)(CH(3))(OTf)(CO)(2)(μ-C(2)FH)(dppm)(2)][OTf](2). Interestingly, activation of the trifluoroethylene-bridged precursor by water also occurs, yielding [Ir(2)(CH(3))(CO)(2)(κ(1)-C(H)═CF(2))(μ-OH)(dppm)(2)][OTf], in which the lone vicinal fluorine is removed, leaving a geminal arrangement of fluorines in the product. A [1,2]-fluoride shift can also be induced in the trifluoroethylene-bridged precursor upon the addition of CO to give the 2,2,2-trifluoroethylidene-bridged product [Ir(2)(CH(3))(CO)(3)(μ-C(H)CF(3))(dppm)(2)][CF(3)SO(3)]. Addition of hydrogen to the cis-difluorovinyl-bridged product results in the quantitative elimination of cis-difluoroethylene, while its reaction with CO yields a mixture of cis-difluoropropene and 2,3-difluoropropene by reductive elimination of the methyl and difluorovinyl groups with an accompanying isomerization in the case of the second product. Finally, protonation of the 2,2,2-trifluoroethylidene-bridged product liberates 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, in which one hydrogen (H(+)) is from the acid while the other hydrogen (H(-)) is derived from activation of the methyl group.     

Facile carbon-fluorine bond activation and subsequent functionalisation of 1,1-difluoroethylene and tetrafluoroethylene promoted by adjacent metal centres

The bridging fluoroolefin ligands in the complexes [Ir(2)(CH(3))(CO)(2)(μ-olefin)(dppm)(2)][OTf] (olefin = tetrafluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene; dppm = μ-Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2); OTf(-) = CF(3)SO(3)(-)) are susceptible to facile fluoride ion abstraction. Both fluoroolefin complexes react with trimethylsilyltriflate (Me(3)SiOTf) to give the corresponding fluorovinyl products by abstraction of a single fluoride ion. Although the trifluorovinyl ligand is bound to one metal, the monofluorovinyl group is bridging, bound to one metal through carbon and to the other metal through a dative bond from fluorine. Addition of two equivalents of Me(3)SiOTf to the tetrafluoroethylene-bridged species gives the difluorovinylidene-bridged product [Ir(2)(CH(3))(OTf)(CO)(2)(μ-OTf)(μ-C=CF(2))(dppm)(2)][OTf]. The 1,1-difluoroethylene species is exceedingly reactive, reacting with water to give 2-fluoropropene and [Ir(2)(CO)(2)(μ-OH)(dppm)(2)][OTf] and with carbon monoxide to give [Ir(2)(CO)(3)(μ-κ(1):η(2)-C≡CCH(3))(dppm)(2)][OTf] together with two equivalents of HF. The trifluorovinyl product [Ir(2)(κ(1)-C(2)F(3))(OTf)(CO)(2)(μ-H)(μ-CH(2))(dppm)(2)][OTf], obtained through single C-F bond activation of the tetrafluoroethylene-bridged complex, reacts with H(2) to form trifluoroethylene, allowing the facile replacement of one fluorine in C(2)F(4) with hydrogen.     

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange between TpRu(PMe3)(L)X (L = PMe3 and X = OH, OPh, Me, Ph, or NHPh; L = NCMe and X = Ph) and deuterated arene solvents: evidence for metal-mediated processes

At elevated temperatures (90-130 degrees C), complexes of the type TpRu(PMe3)2X (X = OH, OPh, Me, Ph, or NHPh; Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) undergo regioselective hydrogen-deuterium (H/D) exchange with deuterated arenes. For X = OH or NHPh, H/D exchange occurs at hydroxide and anilido ligands, respectively. For X = OH, OPh, Me, Ph, or NHPh, isotopic exchange occurs at the Tp 4-positions with only minimal deuterium incorporation at the Tp 3- or 5-positions or PMe3 ligands. For TpRu(PMe3)(NCMe)Ph, the H/D exchange occurs at 60 degrees C at all three Tp positions and the phenyl ring. TpRu(PMe3)2Cl, TpRu(PMe3)2OTf (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate), and TpRu(PMe3)2SH do not initiate H/D exchange in C6D6 after extended periods of time at elevated temperatures. Mechanistic studies indicate that the likely pathway for the H/D exchange involves ligand dissociation (PMe3 or NCMe), Ru-mediated activation of an aromatic C-D bond, and deuteration of basic nondative ligand (hydroxide or anilido) or Tp positions via net D+ transfer.     

Stoichiometric and catalytic deuterium and tritium labeling of "unactivated" organic substrates with cationic Ir(III) complexes

[reaction: see text] Ir(III) complex [Cp(PMe(3))IrMe(CH(2)Cl(2))][BAr(f)] (1) was used to introduce deuterium stoichiometrically into substituted naphthalene/benzene templates and several "drug-like" entities. The exchange process is tolerant of a wide array of functional groups. Labeling of warfarin using subatmospheric pressures of T(2) led to specific activities and total activities rivaling current functional group directed tritium labeling methods. When paired with the appropriate deuterium donor, Cp(PMe(3))Ir(H(3))OTf (4) was found to deuterate a number of organic compounds catalytically.     

Turning on red and near-infrared phosphorescence in octahedral complexes with metalated quinones

We report the synthesis of π-bonded ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium o-benzoquinones [Cp*M(o-C(6)H(4)O(2))](n) [M = Ru (2), n = 1-; Rh (3), n = 0; Ir (4), n = 0] following a novel synthetic procedure. Compounds 2-4 were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and used as chelating organometallic linkers, "OM-linkers", toward luminophore bricks such as Ru(bpy)(2)(2+), Rh(ppy)(2)(+), and Ir(ppy)(2)(+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; ppy = 2-phenylpyridine) for the design of a novel family of octahedral bimetallic complexes of the general formula [(L-L)(2)M(OM-linkers)][X](m) (X = counteranion; m = 0, 1, 2) whose luminescent properties depend on the choice of the OM-linker and the luminophore brick. Thus, dinuclear assemblies such as [(bpy)(2)Ru(2)][OTf] (5-OTf), [(bpy)(2)Ru(2)][Δ-TRISPHAT] (5-ΔT) {TRISPHAT = tris[tetrachlorobenzene-1,2-bis(olato)]phosphate}, [(bpy)(2)Ru(3)][OTf](2) (6-OTf), [(bpy)(2)Ru(4)][OTf](2) (7-OTf), [(bpy)(2)Ru(4)][Δ-TRISPHAT](2) (7-ΔT), [(ppy)(2)Rh(2)] (8), [(ppy)(2)Rh(3)][OTf] (9-OTf), [(ppy)(2)Rh(4)][OTf] (10-OTf), [(ppy)(2)Rh(4)][Δ-TRISPHAT] (10-ΔT), [(ppy)(2)Ir(2)] (11), [(ppy)(2)Ir(3)][OTf] (12-OTf), [(ppy)(2)Ir(4)][OTf] (13-OTf), and [(ppy)(2)Ir(4)][Δ-TRISPHAT] (13-ΔT) were prepared and fully characterized. The X-ray molecular structures of three of them, i.e., 5-OTf, 8, and 11, were determined. The structures displayed a main feature: for instance, the two oxygen centers of the OM-linker [Cp*Ru(o-C(6)H(4)O(2))](-) (2) chelate the octahedral chromophore metal center, whether it be ruthenium, rhodium, or iridium. Further, the carbocycle of the OM-linker 2 adopts a η(4)-quinone form but with some catecholate contribution due to metal coordination. All of these binuclear assemblies showed a wide absorption window that tailed into the near-IR (NIR) region, in particular in the case of the binuclear ruthenium complex 5-OTf with the anionic OM-linker 2. The latter feature is no doubt related to the effect of the OM-linker, which lights up the luminescence in these homo- and heterobinuclear compounds, while no effect has been observed on the UV-visible and emission properties because of the counteranion, whether it be triflate (OTf) or Δ-TRISPHAT. At low temperature, all of these compounds become luminescent; remarkably, the o-quinonoid linkers [Cp*M(o-C(6)H(4)O(2))](n) (2-4) turn on red and NIR phosphorescence in the binuclear octahedral species 5-7. This trend was even more observable when the ruthenium OM-linker 2 was employed. These assemblies hold promise as NIR luminescent materials, in contrast to those made from organic 1,2-dioxolene ligands that conversely are not emissive.     

Substitution reactions of [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(3)][OTf](2)

The labile nature of the coordinated water ligands in the organometallic aqua complex [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(3)][OTf](2) (1) (dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2); OTf = OSO(2)CF(3)) has been investigated through substitution reactions with a range of incoming ligands. Dissolution of 1 in acetonitrile or dimethyl sulfoxide results in the facile displacement of all three waters to give [Ru(dppe)(CO)(CH(3)CN)(3)][OTf](2) (2) and [Ru(dppe)(CO)(DMSO)(3)][OTf](2) (3), respectively. Similarly, 1 reacts with Me(3)CNC to afford [Ru(dppe)(CO)(CNCMe(3))(3)][OTf](2) (4). Addition of 1 equiv of 2,2'-bipyridyl (bpy) or 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (Me(2)bpy) to acetone/water solutions of 1 initially yields [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(bpy)][OTf](2) (5a) and [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(Me(2)bpy)][OTf](2) (6a), in which the coordinated water lies trans to CO. Compounds 5a and 6a rapidly rearrange to isomeric species (5b, 6b) in which the ligated water is trans to dppe. Further reactivity has been demonstrated for 6b, which, upon dissolution in CDCl(3), loses water and coordinates a triflate anion to afford [Ru(dppe)(CO)(OTf)(Me(2)bpy)][OTf] (7). Reaction of 1 with CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)SH gives the dinuclear bridging thiolate complex [[(dppe)Ru(CO)](2)(mu-SCH(2)CH(2)CH(3))(3)][OTf] (8). The reaction of 1 with CO in acetone/water is slow and yields the cationic hydride complex [Ru(dppe)(CO)(3)H][OTf] (9) via a water gas shift reaction. Moreover, the same mechanism can also be used to account for the previously reported synthesis of 1 upon reaction of Ru(dppe)(CO)(2)(OTf)(2) with water (Organometallics 1999, 18, 4068).     

Temperature- and solvent-dependent binding of dihydrogen in iridium pincer complexes

Mixtures of deuterium labeled complexes (p-XPOCOP)IrH2-xDx (1-6-d0-2) {POCOP = [C6H2-1,3-[OP(tBu)2]2] X = MeO (1), Me (2), H (3), F (4), C6F5 (5), and ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2-C6H3 (6)} have been generated by reaction of (p-XPOCOP)IrH2 complexes with HD gas in benzene followed by removal of the solvent under high vacuum. Spectroscopic analysis employing 1H and 2D NMR reveals significant temperature and solvent dependent isotopic shifts and HD coupling constants. Complexes 1-6-d1 in toluene and pentane between 296 and 213 K exhibit coupling constants JHD of 3.8-9.0 Hz, suggesting the presence of an elongated H2 ligand, which is confirmed by T1(min) measurements of complexes 1, 3, and 6 in toluene-d8. In contrast, complex 6-d1 exhibits JHD = 0 Hz in CH2Cl2 or CDCl2F whereas isotopic shifts up to -4.05 ppm have been observed by lowering the temperature from 233 to 133 K in CDCl2F. The large and temperature-dependent isotope effects are attributed to nonstatistical occupation of two different hydride environments. The experimental observations are interpreted in terms of a two component model involving rapid equilibration of solvated Ir(III) dihydride and Ir(I) dihydrogen structures.     

Closing the gap between MC3 and MC5 metallacumulenes: the chemistry of the first structurally characterized transition-metal complex with M=C=C=C=CR2 as the molecular unit

The reactions of the dihydrido compound [IrH2Cl(PiPr3)2] (3) with HC identical to CC(O)CHPh2 and HC identical to CC(OAc)=CPh2 lead to the formation of alkynyl-(hydrido)iridium(III) and vinylideneiridium(I) complexes 4-7 which, however, are not suitable precursors for the target molecule trans-[IrCl(=C=C=C=CPh2)-(PiPr3)2] (8). Compound 8 has been prepared in 77% yield from 3 and the vinyl triflate HC identical to CC(OTf)=CPh2 in the presence of NEt3. Treatment of 8 with CF3CO2H affords the vinylvinylidene complex trans-[IrCl(=C=CHC(O2C-CF3)=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (10) by addition of the electrophile to the C beta-C gamma bond of the MC4 chain. In contrast, the reaction of 8 with HCl yields the five-coordinate butadienyliridium(III) compound [IrCl2-(eta 1-(Z)-CH=CHC(Cl)=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (11). Salt metathesis of 8 with KI, KOH, and NaN3 leads to the formation of the substitution products trans-[IrX-(=C=C=C=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (12-14) of which the hydroxo derivative 13 reacts with phenol to give trans-[Ir(OPh)(=C=C=C=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (15). From 13 and methanol, the octahedral dihydridoiridium(III) complex [IrH2(CH=C=C=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (16) is formed by fragmentation of the alcohol. In the presence of CO, both the methyl compound trans-[Ir(CH3)(=C=C=C=CPh2)-(PiPr3)2] (17) (generated from 8 and CH3Li) and the azido complex 14 (X=N3) undergo migratory insertion reactions to yield the four-coordinate iridium(I) carbonyls trans-[Ir(C(C identical to CCH3)=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (18) and trans-[Ir(C identical to CC(N3)=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (19), respectively. Compound 19 rearranges slowly to the thermodynamically more stable isomer trans-[Ir(C(N3)=C=C=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (20). The molecular structures of 8 and 18 have been determined crystallographically.     

Cationic complexes of iridium: diiodobenzene chelation, electrophilic behavior with olefins, and fluxionality of an Ir(I) ethylene complex

The synthesis of a series of dicationic Ir(III) complexes is described. Reaction of Ir(CO)(dppe)I (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane)) with RI (R = CH(3) and CF(3)) results in formation of the Ir(III) precursors IrR(CO)(dppe)(I)(2) (R = CH(3) (1a) and CF(3) (1b)). Subsequent treatment with AgOTf (OTf = triflate) generates the bis(triflate) analogues IrR(CO)(dppe)(OTf)(2) (R = CH(3) (2a) and CF(3) (2b)), which undergo clean metathesis with NaBARF (BARF = B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3))(4)(-)) in the presence of 1,2-diiodobenzene (DIB) forming the dicationic halocarbon adducts [IrR(CO)(dppe)(DIB)][BARF](2) (R = CH(3) (3a) and CF(3) (3b)). Complexes 3a and 3b demonstrate facile exchange chemistry with acetonitrile and carbon monoxide forming complexes 4 and 5, respectively. NMR investigation of the mechanism reveals that the process proceeds through an eta(1)-diiodobenzene adduct, where labilization at the coordination site trans to the alkyl group occurs first. Complex 3a reacts with ethylene forming the cationic iridium(I) product [Ir(C(2)H(4))(2)(CO)(dppe)][BARF] (6), which demonstrates fluxional behavior. Variable-temperature NMR studies indicate that the five-coordinate complex 6 undergoes three dynamic processes corresponding to ethylene rotation, Berry pseudorotation, and intermolecular ethylene exchange in order of increasing temperature based on NMR line shape analyses used to determine the thermodynamic parameters for the processes. The DIB adducts 3a and 3b were also found to promote olefin isomerization of 1-pentene, and polymerization/oligomerization of styrene, alpha-methylstyrene, norbornene, beta-pinene, and isobutylene via cationic initiation.     

Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-iridium(III) complexes with pyridylamino ligands: synthesis and applications as asymmetric catalysts for Diels-Alder reactions

Reaction of the dimer [(Cp*IrCl)2(P-Cl)2] with chiral pyridylamino ligands (pyam, L1-L5) in the presence of NaSbF6 gave complexes [Cp*IrCl(pyam)][SbF6] 1-5 as diastereomeric mixtures, which have been fully characterised, including the X-ray molecular structure determination of the complexes (S(Ir),R(N),R(C))-[Cp*IrClL1][SbF6] 1a and (R(Ir),S(N),S(C))-[Cp*IrClL5][SbF6] 5a. Treatment of these cations with AgSbF6 affords the corresponding aqua species [Cp*Ir(pyam)(H2O)][SbF6]2 6-10 which have been also fully characterised. The molecular structure of the complex (S(Ir),R(N),R(C))-[Cp*IrL,(H2O)][SbF6]2 6 has been determined by X-ray diffractometric methods. The aqua complexes [Cp*Ir(pyam)(H2O)][SbF6]2 (6, pyam = L2 (7), L3 (8)) evolve to the cyclometallated species [Cp*Ir{kappa3(N,N',C)-(R)-(C6H4)CH(CH3)NHCH2C5NH4}][SbF6] (11), [Cp*Ir{kappa3(N,N',C)-(R)-(C10H6)CH(CH3)-NHCH2C5NH4)}][SbF6] (12), and [Cp*Ir{kappa3(N,N',C)-(R)-(C10H6)CH(CH3)NHCH2C9NH6)}][SbF6] (13) respectively, via intramolecular activation of an ortho C-H aryl bond. Complexes 6-10 are enantioselective catalysts for the Diels-Alder reaction between methacrolein and cyclopentadiene. Reaction occurs rapidly at room temperature with good exo : endo selectivity (from 81 : 19 to 98 : 2) and moderate enantioselectivity (up to 72%). The involved intermediate Lewis acid-dienophile compounds [Cp*Ir(pyam)(methacrolein)][SbF]2 (pyam = L4 (14), L5 (15)) have been isolated and characterised.     

Synthesis and reactivity of Ir(I) and Ir(III) complexes with MeNH2, Me2C=NR (R = H, Me), C,N-C6H4{C(Me)=N(Me)}-2, and N,N'-RN=C(Me)CH2C(Me2)NHR (R = H, Me) ligands

Complexes [Ir(Cp*)Cl(n)(NH2Me)(3-n)]X(m) (n = 2, m = 0 (1), n = 1, m = 1, X = Cl (2a), n = 0, m = 2, X = OTf (3)) are obtained by reacting [Ir(Cp*)Cl(mu-Cl)]2 with MeNH2 (1:2 or 1:8) or with [Ag(NH2Me)2]OTf (1:4), respectively. Complex 2b (n = 1, m = 1, X = ClO 4) is obtained from 2a and NaClO4 x H2O. The reaction of 3 with MeC(O)Ph at 80 degrees C gives [Ir(Cp*){C,N-C6H4{C(Me)=N(Me)}-2}(NH2Me)]OTf (4), which in turn reacts with RNC to give [Ir(Cp*){C,N-C6H4{C(Me)=N(Me)}-2}(CNR)]OTf (R = (t)Bu (5), Xy (6)). [Ir(mu-Cl)(COD)]2 reacts with [Ag{N(R)=CMe2}2]X (1:2) to give [Ir{N(R)=CMe2}2(COD)]X (R = H, X = ClO4 (7); R = Me, X = OTf (8)). Complexes [Ir(CO)2(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 (9) and [IrCl{N(R)=CMe2}(COD)] (R = H (10), Me (11)) are obtained from the appropriate [Ir{N(R)=CMe2}2(COD)]X and CO or Me4NCl, respectively. [Ir(Cp*)Cl(mu-Cl)]2 reacts with [Au(NH=CMe2)(PPh3)]ClO4 (1:2) to give [Ir(Cp*)(mu-Cl)(NH=CMe2)]2(ClO4)2 (12) which in turn reacts with PPh 3 or Me4NCl (1:2) to give [Ir(Cp*)Cl(NH=CMe2)(PPh3)]ClO4 (13) or [Ir(Cp*)Cl2(NH=CMe2)] (14), respectively. Complex 14 hydrolyzes in a CH2Cl2/Et2O solution to give [Ir(Cp*)Cl2(NH3)] (15). The reaction of [Ir(Cp*)Cl(mu-Cl)]2 with [Ag(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 (1:4) gives [Ir(Cp*)(NH=CMe2)3](ClO4)2 (16a), which reacts with PPNCl (PPN = Ph3=P=N=PPh3) under different reaction conditions to give [Ir(Cp*)(NH=CMe2)3]XY (X = Cl, Y = ClO4 (16b); X = Y = Cl (16c)). Equimolar amounts of 14 and 16a react to give [Ir(Cp*)Cl(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 (17), which in turn reacts with PPNCl to give [Ir(Cp*)Cl(H-imam)]Cl (R-imam = N,N'-N(R)=C(Me)CH2C(Me)2NHR (18a)]. Complexes [Ir(Cp*)Cl(R-imam)]ClO4 (R = H (18b), Me (19)) are obtained from 18a and AgClO4 or by refluxing 2b in acetone for 7 h, respectively. They react with AgClO4 and the appropriate neutral ligand or with [Ag(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 to give [Ir(Cp*)(R-imam)L](ClO4)2 (R = H, L = (t)BuNC (20), XyNC (21); R = Me, L = MeCN (22)) or [Ir(Cp*)(H-imam)(NH=CMe2)](ClO4)2 (23a), respectively. The later reacts with PPNCl to give [Ir(Cp*)(H-imam)(NH=CMe2)]Cl(ClO4) (23b). The reaction of 22 with XyNC gives [Ir(Cp*)(Me-imam)(CNXy)](ClO4)2 (24). The structures of complexes 15, 16c and 18b have been solved by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Preparation of five- and six-coordinate aryl(hydrido) iridium(III) complexes from benzene and functionalized arenes by C-H activation

The reaction of the in situ generated cyclooctene iridium(I) derivative trans-[IrCl(C8H14)(PiPr3)2] with benzene at 80 degrees C gave a mixture of the five-coordinate dihydrido and hydrido(phenyl) iridium(III) complexes [IrH2(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 2 and [IrH(C6H5)(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 3 in the ratio of about 1 : 2. The chloro- and fluoro-substituted arenes C6H5X (X = Cl, F), C6H4F2 and C6H4F(CH3) reacted also by C-H activation to afford the corresponding aryl(hydrido) iridium(III) derivatives [IrH(C6H4X)(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 7, 8, [IrH(C6H3F2)(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 9-11 and [IrH[C6H3F(CH3)](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 12, 13, respectively. The formation of isomeric mixtures had been detected by 1H, 13C, 19F and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Treatment of 3 and 7-13 with CO gave the octahedral carbonyl iridium(III) complexes [IrH(C6H3XX')(Cl)(CO)(PiPr3)2] 5, 14-20 without the elimination of the arene. The reactions of trans-[IrCl(C8H14)(PiPr3)2] with aryl ketones C6H5C(O)R (R = Me, Ph), aryl ketoximes C6H5C(NOH)R (R = Me, Ph) and benzaloxime C6H5C(NOH)H resulted in the formation of six-coordinate aryl(hydrido) iridium(III) compounds 21-25 with the aryl ligand coordinated in a bidentate kappa2-C,O or kappa2-C,N fashion. With C6H5C(O)NH2 as the substrate, the two isomers [IrH[kappa2-N,O-NHC(O)C6H5](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 26 and [IrH[kappa2-C,O-C6H4C(O)NH2](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 27 were prepared stepwise. Treatment of trans-[IrCl(C8H14)(PiPr3)2] with benzoic acid gave the benzoato(hydrido) complex [IrH[kappa2-O,O-O2CC6H5](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 29 which did not rearrange to the kappa2-C,O isomer.     

Remarkably favorable hydration of carbonyl substituents in dicationic bis(arene) ruthenium complexes

The addition of water and methanol to the carbonyl substituents in the dicationic bis(arene)ruthenium complexes [(p-cymene)Ru(C6H5CHO)][OTf]2 (1) and [(p-cymene)Ru(C6H5C(O)CH3)][OTf]2 (2) is remarkably favorable-the equilibrium constants for these reactions are 1 million times greater than those for uncomplexed benzaldehyde and acetophenone. The addition of methanol to the carbonyl group in the o-anisaldehyde complex, [(p-cymene)Ru(C6H4{OCH3}CHO)][OTf]2 (6), occurs with a high degree of kinetic selectivity (94% de).     

Synthesis and reactivity of the monomeric late-transition-metal parent amido complex [Ir(Cp*)(PMe3)(Ph)(NH2)

The late-transition-metal parent amido compound [Ir(Cp*)(PMe3)(Ph)(NH2)] (2) has been synthesized by deprotonation of the corresponding ammine complex [Ir(Cp*)(PMe3)(Ph)(NH3)][OTf] (6) with KN(SiMe3)2. An X-ray structure determination has ascertained its monomeric nature. Proton-transfer studies indicate that 2 can successfully deprotonate p-nitrophenylacetonitrile, aniline, and phenol. Crystallographic analysis has revealed that the ion pair [Ir(Cp*)(PMe3)(Ph)(NH3)][OPh] (8) exists as a hydrogen-bonded dimer in the solid state. Reactions of 2 with isocyanates and carbodiimides lead to overall insertion of the heterocumulenes into the N--H bond of the Ir-bonded amido group, demonstrating the ability of 2 to act as an efficient nucleophile. Intriguing reactivity is observed when amide 2 reacts with CO or 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide. eta4-Tetramethylfulvene complexes [Ir(eta4-C5Me4CH2)(PMe3)(Ph)(L)] (L=CO (15), CNC6H3-2,6-(CH3)2 (16)) are formed in solution through displacement of the amido group by the incoming ligand followed by deprotonation of a methyl group on the Cp* ring and liberation of ammonia. Conclusive evidence for the presence of the Ir-bonded eta4-tetramethylfulvene moiety in the solid state has been provided by an X-ray diffraction study of complex 16.     

Direct functionalization of the cyclometalated 2-(2′-pyridyl)phenyl ligand bound to iridium(III)

Treatment of [Ir(ppy)₂(μ-Cl)]₂ and [Ir(ppy)₂(dtbpy)][OTf] (ppy = 2-(2′-pyridyl)phenyl; dtbpy = 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine; OTf = triflate) with pyridinium tribromide in the presence of Fe powder led to isolation of [Ir(4-Br-ppy)(μ-Br)]₂ (1) and [Ir(4-Br-ppy)₂(dtbpy)][OTf] (2), respectively. Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling of 2 with RB(OH)₂ afforded [Ir(4-R-ppy)₂(dtbpy)][OTf] (R = 4′-FC₆H₄ (3)), 4′-PhC₆H₄ (4), 2′-thienyl (5), 4′-C₆H₄CH₂OH (6). Treatment of 4 with B₂(pin)₂ (pin = pinacolate) afforded [Ir{4-(pin)B-ppy}₂(dtbpy)][OTf] (7). The alkynyl complexes [Ir(4-PhCC-ppy)₂(dtbpy)][OTf] (8) and [Ir{4-Me₂(OH)CC-ppy}(4-Br-ppy)(dtbpy)][OTf] (9) were prepared by cross-coupling of 2 with PhCCSnMe₃ and Me₂C(OH)CCH, respectively. Ethynylation of [Ir(fppy)₂(dtbpy)][OTf] (fppy = 5-formyl-2-(2′-pyridyl)phenyl) with Ohira’s reagent MeCOC(N₂)P(O)(OEt)₂ afforded [Ir{5-HCC-ppy}₂(dtbpy)][OTf] (10). The solid-state structures of 2, 5, 7, and 10 have been determined.     

Fine-tuning of metallaborane geometries: chemistry of iridaboranes derived from the reaction of

From reaction of [(Cp*Ir)2HxCl(4-x)] (x=1, 0) and LiBH4, arachno-[[Cp*IrH2]B3H7](1) is produced in moderate yield concurrently with [Cp*IrH4]. In contrast, reaction of [(Cp*Ir)2H2Cl2] with LiBH4 results in arachno-[[Cp*IrH]2(mu-H)B2H5] (3) in high yield at room temperature but a mixture of 1 and [[Cp*IrH]2(mu-H)BH4] (2) at 0 degrees C. BH3 x THF converts 1 to arachno-[(Cp*IrHB4H9] (4) and 2 to 3 with 1 as a minor product. Further, reaction of 3 with excess of BH3 x THF results in formation of nido-[[Cp*Ir]2-(mu-H)B4H7] (6) formed by loss of H2 from the intermediate arachno-[[Cp*IrH]2B4H8] (5). Reaction of 1 with [Co2(CO)8] permits the isolation of two metallaboranes, arachno-[[Cp*Ir(CO)]-B3H7] (7) and nido-[1-[Cp*Ir]-2,3-Co2-(CO)4(mu-CO)B3H7] (8). Treatment of 4 with [Co2(CO)8] gives only one single mixed-metal metallaborane nido-[1-[Cp*Ir]-2-Co(CO)3B4H7 (9) in high yield. Finally, pyrolysis of 8 results in loss of hydrogen and formation of pileo-[1-[Cp*Ir]-2,3-Co2(CO)5B3H5] (10) with a BH-capped square-pyramidal structure. With kinetic control rational synthesis of a variety metallaboranes has been achieved by varying the number of chlorides in the monocyclopentadienylmetal halide dimer, reaction temperature, types of monoborane, and metal fragment sources.