Phosphite ligands derived from distally and proximally substituted dipropyloxy calix[4]arenes and their palladium complexes: Solution dynamics, solid-state structures and catalysis

Two bisphosphite ligands, 25,27-bis-(2,2′-biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy)-26,28-dipropyloxy-p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene (3) and 25,26-bis-(2,2′-biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy)-27,28-dipropyloxy-p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene (4) and two monophosphite ligands, 25-hydroxy-27-(2,2′-biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy)-26,28-dipropyloxy-p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene (5) and 25-hydroxy-26-(2,2′-biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy)-27,28-dipropyloxy- p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene (6) have been synthesized. Treatment of (allyl) palladium precursors [(η³-1,3-R,R′-C₃H₄)Pd(Cl)]₂ with ligand 3 in the presence of NH₄PF₆ gives a series of cationic allyl palladium complexes (3a-3d). Neutral allyl complexes (3e-3g) are obtained by the treatment of the allyl palladium precursors with ligand 3 in the absence of NH₄PF₆. The cationic allyl complexes [(η³-C₃H₅)Pd(4)]PF₆ (4a) and [(η³-Ph₂C₃H₃)Pd(4)]PF₆ (4b) have been synthesized from the proximally (1,2-) substituted bisphosphite ligand 4. Treatment of ligand 4 with [Pd(COD)Cl₂] gives the palladium dichloride complex, [PdCl₂(4)] (4c). The solid-state structures of [{(η³-1-CH₃-C₃H₄)Pd(Cl)}₂(3)] (3f) and [PdCl₂(4)] (4c) have been determined by X-ray crystallography; the calixarene framework in 3f adopts the pinched cone conformation whereas in 4c, the conformation is in between that of cone and pinched cone. Solution dynamics of 3f has been studied in detail with the help of two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.The solid-state structures of the monophosphite ligands 5 and 6 have also been determined; the calix[4]arene framework in both molecules adopts the cone conformation. Reaction of the monophosphite ligands (5, 6) with (allyl) palladium precursors, in the absence of NH₄PF₆, yield a series of neutral allyl palladium complexes (5a-5c; 6a-6d). Allyl palladium complexes of proximally substituted ligand 6 showed two diastereomers in solution owing to the inherently chiral calix[4]arene framework. Ligands 3, 6 and the allyl palladium complex 3f have been tested for catalytic activity in allylic alkylation reactions.     

Macrocyclic vs acyclic derivatives of chiral bis(oxazolines); ligand distortion and enantioselectivity of Pd(II) complexes in catalytic allylic alkylation

Pd(II) complexes of acyclic (1,2;4,5) and macrocyclic (3,6-10) derivatives of 1,5-bis(oxazolines), are tested in the enantioselective allylic alkylation of racemic 1,3-diphenyl-3-acetoxyprop-2-ene (14) by dimethylmalonate anion to allyl malonate derivative 15. Conformation in solution of representative allyl Pd(II) complexes 12 and 13 is studied by 2D NMR and CD spectroscopy. 2D NMR data reveal loss of C₂ symmetry of the ligands in Pd(II)allyl-bis(oxazoline) complexes. CD spectra indicate distortion of the bidentate ligand in the complex and a conformationally forced larger twist between two chromophores in the macrocyclic complex. Only moderate variation of enantioselectivity with the length and ring size of the ligand is observed, and a rationale offered.     

Calix[4]arene bisphosphite ligands bearing two distal 2,2′-biphenyldioxy or 2,2′-binaphthyldioxy moieties: conformational flexibility and allyl-palladium complexes

Achiral and chiral calix[4]arene bisphosphite ligands (2 and 3) bearing two distal 2,2′-biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy and 2,2′-binaphthyldioxyphosphinoxy moieties, respectively, have been synthesized. Each of these ligands exists in two pairs of interconverting conformations in solution. The partial cone conformer (A) of the (bis)biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy ligand 2 has been separated by fractional crystallization and its structure established by X-ray crystallography. The mechanism of interconversion of the pairs of conformers (A/B and C/D) has been probed by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The ¹H and ³¹P NMR evidence strongly supports a similar kind of exchange mechanism for ligand 3. Freezing of the cone conformer from the interconverting C/D pair of conformers of ligand 2 has been achieved by complexation with (allyl)palladium moieties. The methyl-allyl complex (2d) is moderately effective for catalytic regioselective allylic alkylation of crotyl acetate.     

Malonate-type bis(oxazoline) ligands with sp hybridized bridge carbon: synthesis and application in Friedel-Crafts alkylation and allylic alkylation

A series of simple and new C₂-symmetric diphenylmethylidene malonate-type bis(oxazoline) ligands were synthesized and applied to the Friedel-Crafts reaction and allylic alkylation. The Cu(II) complex of ligand 4b bearing the benzyl group afforded good to excellent enantioselectivity for the F-C adducts (up to >99% ee) between indole and alkylidene malonate, and the palladium complex of ligand 4c bearing the phenyl group afforded excellent enantioselectivity (up to 94% ee) for the allylic alkylation product.     

Fluorous chiral bisoxazolines. Synthesis and applications to an asymmetric allylic alkylation

The easily accessible fluorous bisoxazolines 3a-b bearing two fluorous ponytails are efficient ligands in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with carbonucleophiles in benzotrifluoride or CH₂Cl₂, enantioselectivities of up to 95% being obtained. The ligand is easily separated from the reaction mixture by simple extraction with a fluorous solvent.     

Chiral binuclear copper(II) catalyzed nitroaldol reaction: scope and mechanism

Chiral binuclear copper(II) Schiff base complexes 4a-g have been prepared from aldehydes 1a,b, (S)-amino alcohols 2a-f, and Cu(OAc)₂·1H₂O in high yield. Their catalysis is studied for the addition of nitroalkanes to aldehydes at ambient conditions with 76:24 er.     

Synthesis of palladium complexes containing 2-methoxycarbonyl-6-iminopyridine ligand and their catalytic behaviors in reaction of ethylene and norbornene

A series of palladium complexes (C1-C7) have been prepared by the reaction of PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ with 2-methoxycarbonyl-6-iminopyridines, L1-L7. The 2-methoxycarbonyl-6-iminopyridines and their complexes were fully characterized by FT-IR, NMR spectra and elemental analysis. Structures of C1, C2, C4, C5 and C6, C7 were determined by X-ray crystallography, and these complexes fold slightly distorted square planar structures around palladium coordinated with two nitrogen atoms and two chlorides. These palladium complexes exhibited moderate catalytic activities for ethylene dimerization and/or polymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane, and showed remarkable catalytic activity for norbornene polymerization. The catalytic behaviors of these complexes were highly affected by both the ligand employed and reaction conditions.     

Regio- and stereoselectivity control in palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of 1-cycloalkenylmethyl acetates

Enantiomerically pure allylic acetates 1a and 1b were obtained by lipase-catalyzed acylation through kinetic resolution processes of the racemates. Palladium-catalyzed alkylation of 1a with dimethyl malonate was both regio- and stereoselective, showing that no isomerization of the acetate 1a or the intermediate π-allylic palladium complex took place under the conditions used. Alkylation of 1b was stereoselective but not regioselective. The regioselectivity could be partially controlled by the proper choice of a chiral ligand. Conditions were set up to perform both the alkylation of 1b and the decarbomethoxylation of the resulting product to afford 3-(cyclohex-1-enyl) butanoate in a one-pot, one-step process.     

Furanoside thioether-phosphinite ligands for Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions: Scope and limitations

A series of readily available thioether-phosphinite ligands has been tested in the Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions of several acyclic and cyclic allylic substrates (S1-S7). This series of ligands have been designed to uncover their important structural features and to determine the scope of the thioether-phosphinite ligands in these catalytic reactions. Systematic variation of the electronic and steric properties at the thioether moiety provide useful information about the ligand parameters that control the enantiodiscrimination. By carefully selecting the ligand parameters, good enantioselectivities with high activities were obtained for hindered linear substrates S1 and S2 (ee’s up to 95%) and for unhindered cyclic substrates S4 and S5 (ee’s up to 91%).     

Catalytic enantioselective cyclopropanation of allylic alcohols using recyclable fluorous disulfonamide ligand

Cyclopropanation of allylic alcohols with Et₂Zn and CH₂I₂ in the presence of a catalytic amount of fluorous disulfonamide 3 afforded the corresponding cyclopropylmethanols in 69-96% yield with 49-83% ee. The fluorous ligand 3 was readily recovered from the reaction mixture by the fluorous solid-phase extraction (FSPE) and could be reused without a significant loss of the catalytic activity and enantioselectivity.     

Zirconium complexes with versatile β-diketiminate ligands: Synthesis, structure, and ethylene polymerization

A series of zirconium complexes (2c, 2d, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i) containing symmetrical or unsymmetrical β-diketiminate ligands were synthesized by the reaction of ZrCl₄ · 2THF with lithium salt of the corresponding ligand in 1:2 molar ratio. X-ray crystal structures reveal that complexes 2d and 2g adopt distorted octahedral geometry around the zirconium center. These complexes showed moderate activities for ethylene polymerization, when methylaluminoxane (MAO) was used as cocatalyst. The steric and electronic effects of the substituents at the phenyl rings had considerable influence on the catalytic activities of the metal complex, as well as the molecular weights and molecular weight distributions (MWD) of produced polymers. Introduction of electron-withdrawing CF₃ group to phenyls in the ligand led to a significant increase of catalytic activities, and complex 2f (p-CF₃) exhibited the highest catalytic activity of 7.45 × 10⁵ g PE/mol-Zr · h among the investigated complexes. Complexes 2a-d could produce ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMWPE) that were hardly dissolvable in decahydronaphthalene or 1,2-dichlorobenzene under the molecular weight measurement conditions. Nevertheless, polyethylenes with broad MWD could be afforded by complexes 2g-i, which was probably due to the introduction of bulky unsymmetrical ligands leading to the formation of multi active species under polymerization conditions. High-temperature ¹³C NMR data indicate the linear structure of obtained polyethylenes.     

Michael monoadditions of nitromethane or nitroethane with electrophilic gem-disubstituted alkenes over alumina under microwave irradiation

Nitromethane 1a or nitroethane 1b react with electrophilic alkenes 2a-i RCHC(CN)(Y) with Y=CO₂R′, CN, CONH₂ adsorbed on alumina to give selectively at room temperature or under focused microwave irradiation new Michael monoadducts 5 (two diastereoisomers) or 6 (four diastereoisomers) after a few minutes. It is possible to obtain only two diastereoisomers of 6 by reaction of the corresponding nitroalkene and methylcyanoacetate in the presence of catalytic amounts of piperidine. Mechanisms are proposed. Some examples of addition of nitroalkanes with electron-deficient alkynes in dry media coupled with microwave irradiation conditions are also described.     

A new dirhodium tetraacetate carbenoid: Synthesis, crystal structure and catalytic application

A new dirhodium tetraacetate II involving 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene I was synthesized and characterized by general spectroscopic tools in the solution state as well as single X-ray crystallographic analysis in the solid state. The catalytic activity of dirhodium tetraacetate carbenoid II was tested for the allylic oxidation, and the improved reactivity to the allylic oxidation was observed compared to that of Rh₂(OAc)₄. The different electrochemical properties of dirhodium tetraacetate carbenoid II and Rh₂(OAc)₄ were compared via cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthesis and characterization of organotin(IV) compounds with Schiff base of o-vanillin-2-thiophenoylhydrazone

Seven Schiff base adducts of organotin(IV), RSnLCl₂, which L is o-vanillin-2-thiophenoylhydrazone, and R is n-C₄H₉ (1), Me (2), Ph (3), and [R₂SnL], which L is o-vanillin-2-thiophenoylhydrazone, R is n-C₄H₉ (4), Me (5), Ph (6), PhCH₂ (7) have been synthesized. Those products were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra. The crystal and molecular structures of compounds 1, 4, and 6 have been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. In the crystal of compound 1 the tin atom is rendered six-coordinate in a distorted octahedral configuration by coordinating with the N atom of the Schiff base ligand, in compounds 4 and 6 the central tin atoms are five-coordinate in distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry and the comparison of the IR spectra reveal that disappearance of the bands assigned to carboxyl unambiguously conforms the ligand coordinate with the tin atom in enol form.     

Synthesis of atropisomeric 5,5′-linked biphenyl bisaminophosphine ligands and their applications in asymmetric catalysis

Atropisomeric 5,5′-linked biphenyl bisaminophosphine ligands 2 has been synthesized. The axial chirality of this type of ligands can be retained by macro-ring strain produced from 5,5′-linkage of biphenyl even without 6,6′-substituents on biphenyls. The Rh complex of bisaminophosphine 2a as a catalyst is effectively working in the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl (Z)-2-acetamido-3-arylacrylates, however, for hydrogenation of arylenamide, the low enantioselectivity was observed. When the ligands applied to Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation, it is found that ligand 2b having a longer backbone linkage is a better ligand for enantioselection in the reaction.     

Dendritic polyallyl and polyferrocenyl bipyridine ligands: Synthesis, MALDI-TOF characterization and ruthenium(II) complexation studies

A series of 6- and 18-armed dendritic polyallyl- and polyferrocenyl-containing bipyridine ligands were synthesized through the coupling reaction of 4,4′-bis(bromomethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine with AB₃ and AB₉ dendrons. All these bipyridine ligands were successfully characterized using standard physico-chemical techniques as well as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis. The complexation studies of these ligands toward RuCl₂(bpy)₂ indicated that, in contrast to the bulky 18-ferrocenyl bipyridine ligand 7, the 6-allyl 4 and the 18-allyl 5 bipyridine ligands react with Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂ to give the corresponding ruthenium(II) complexes 9 and 10. In the case of ligand 7, the steric bulk of the two nonaferrocenyl wedges at the 4,4′-position of the bipyridine moiety prevents the conversion of the transoid structure of the ligand to the cisiod structure needed for chelation to the metal. Thus, the 18-ferrocenyl ruthenium(II) dendrimer was not obtained. Metallodendrimers 9 and 10 have been characterized by a combination of analytical methods, especially MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric techniques. The hydrogenation of the 6-allyl ruthenium(II) dendrimer 9 in the presence of Pd/C catalyst gave the expected n-propyl complex 11. This reaction constitutes a new way for the direct synthesis of alkyl bipyridine metallodendrimers. The coordination of the alkene dendritic bipyridine ligand to the metal before the catalytic hydrogenation is absolutely necessary, because of their poisoning effect for the catalyst.     

On the formation of Pd(II) complexes of Trost modular ligand involving N-H activation or P,O coordination in Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylations

Specific chiral ligands have been designed by Trost et al. to perform enantioselective Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylations. It is shown that the Pd(0) complex formed by addition of the Trost ligand (4) to Pd⁰(dba)₂ is not stable in most solvents (acetone, DMF, CH₂Cl₂). Indeed, Pd⁰(dba)(4) leads to the formation of a stable Pd^II complex 5 (X-ray structure), likely by activation of the two N-H bonds of the ligand by the Pd⁰ centre. The formation of the Pd^II complex competes with the reaction of Pd⁰(4) with (E)-PhCHCH-CH(OAc)-Ph, excluding any investigation of the kinetics of the latter reaction. The ionization steps from intermediate (η²-PhCHCH-CH(OAc)-Ph)Pd⁰(4) were found to be very slow. The cationic P,P complex [(η³-Ph-CH-CH-CH-Ph)Pd(4)]⁺, expected to be generated by addition of 2 equiv. of 4 to the precursor [(η³-Ph-CH-CH-CH-Ph)Pd(μ-Cl)]₂, in the presence of a chloride scavenger, leads to a complex mixture whereas addition of 1 equiv. of 4 affords a stable bis-cationic Pd^II complex {[(η³-Ph-CH-CH-CH-Ph)Pd]₂(4)]}²⁺, (X-ray structure) via a P,O complexation of each allyl-Pd moieties. This dissymmetric P,O coordination will favour the enantioselectivity of Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation of (E)-PhCHCH-CH(OAc)-Ph by the control of the regioselectivity of the nucleophilic attack onto the allylic ligand which is responsible of the enantioselectivity of the overall catalytic reaction.     

Three new pseudohalide bridged dinuclear Zn(II) Schiff base complexes: Synthesis,crystal structures and fluorescence studies

Three new dinuclear Zn(II) complexes [Zn(L)(μ_1,1-N₃)Zn(L)(N₃)] · 1.5H₂O (1), [Zn(L)(μ_1,1-NCO)Zn(L)(NCO)] · 1.5H₂O (2) and [Zn(L)(μ_1,1-NCS)Zn(L)(NCS)(OH₂)] (3) have been synthesized from a potentially tetradentate N₂O₂-donor Schiff base ligand LH, [LH = (OCH₃)(OH)C₆H₃CHN(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂], which is the condensation product of o-vanillin and 2-dimethylaminoethylamine. All the three complexes 1, 2 and 3 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, TGA and fluorescence studies. Finally, their structures have been established by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Structural studies reveal that in complexes 1, 2 and 3 the two Zn(II) centers are held together by a μ₂-phenolato oxygen atom and also by an end-on pseudohalide nitrogen (azide for 1; cyanate for 2; thiocyanate for 3) atom. Among the two deprotonated Schiff base ligands present in each complex, one acts as a tetradentate ligand (N₂O₂ donor set) while the other acts as a tridentate ligand (N₂O donor set), having a non-coordinated methoxy group. All the synthesized complexes display intraligand ¹(π–π^∗) fluorescence and can potentially serve as photoactive materials.     

Synthesis of functionalized bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-6-ones for diterpenoids: allylsilane directed Pummerer reaction: insertion reactions of diazoketones

The sulfide 5 underwent Pummerer cyclization to give 6, whereas the allyl silane analog 10 produced the bicyclo[3.2.1]octanones 11 and 11a. Extension of this methodology to 15 resulted in 16 without the necessity for allyl silane activation. The intermediate diazoketone 14 on treatment with BF₃·OEt₂ gave 17, 18 and 19, whereas the saturated adduct 22 on treatment with Rh₂(OAc)₄ gave 23.     

Pyrazolyl iron, cobalt, nickel, and palladium complexes: synthesis, molecular structures, and evaluation as ethylene oligomerization catalysts

Reactions of [2-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-ethanol] (L1) and [1-(2-chloro-ethyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole] (L2) with Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Pd(II) salts gave the complexes [(L1)₂FeCl₂] (1), [(L1)₂CoCl₂] (2), [(L1)₂NiBr₂] (3), [(L1)₂Pd(Me)Cl] (5), [(L2)₂CoCl₂] (6), and [(L2)₂NiBr₂] (7). Whereas L2 behaves as a monodentate ligand, L1 can behave as either a monodentate or bidentate ligand depending on the nature of the metal centre. For palladium, L1 is monodentate in the solid state structure of 5 but bidentate in the structure of 4, obtained during attempts to crystallize 3. While the activation of iron, cobalt and palladium complexes with EtAlCl₂ did not produce active ethylene oligomerization catalysts, the nickel complexes 3 and 7 produced active ethylene oligomerization catalysts. Activities as high as 4329 kg/mol Ni h were obtained. Catalyst 3 produced mainly butenes (57%) and hexenes (43%); of which a combined 20% were converted to Friedel-Crafts alkylated-toluene. Catalyst 7, on other hand, produced mainly butenes (90%) and small amounts of hexenes (10%) which were then completely converted to the corresponding Friedel-Crafts alkylated-toluene products. This difference in product distribution in catalysis performed by complexes 3 and 7 is indicative of the role of the OH functionality in L1 on the EtAlCl₂ co-catalysts.