A Diazabutadiene stabilized Nickel(0) Cyclooctadiene Complex: Synthesis,Characterization and the Reaction with Diphenylacetylene

The reaction of [Ni(COD)₂] with one equivalent of DAB^Mes (DAB^Mes = (2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)N=C(Me)‐C(Me)=N(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)) affords a mixture of the compound [Ni(DAB^Mes)₂] ( 2 ) and starting material [Ni(COD)₂]. The crystallographically characterized, diamagnetic complex 2 can be obtained in a stoichiometric reaction of [Ni(COD)₂] and two equivalents of DAB^Mes. This reaction can be accelerated by addition of 1‐chloro‐fluorobenzene or methyl iodide. In the presence of 1‐chloro‐fluorobenzene, [Ni(DAB^Mes)(COD)] ( 3 ) is available via reaction of [Ni(COD)₂] and one equivalent of DAB^Mes. The crystallographically characterized complex 3 reacts with diphenylacetylene to afford [Ni(DAB^Mes)(Ph‐C≡C‐Ph)] ( 4 ). A long‐wavelength absorption band in the UV‐Vis spectrum of this compound has to be assigned to a mixed MLCT/LL′CT transition, as quantum chemical calculations reveal.     

Cobalt(II) chloride complexes with 1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole featuring first‐ and second‐sphere coordination of the ligand

In catena‐poly[[dichloridocobalt(II)]‐μ‐(1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole‐κ²N²:N^2′)], [CoCl₂(C₈H₁₀N₄)]_n, (1), two independent bipyrazole ligands (Me₂bpz) are situated across centres of inversion and in tetraaquabis(1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole‐κN²)cobalt(II) dichloride–1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole–water (1/2/2), [Co(C₈H₁₀N₄)₂(H₂O)₄]Cl₂·2C₈H₁₀N₄·2H₂O, (2), the Co²⁺ cation lies on an inversion centre and two noncoordinated Me₂bpz molecules are also situated across centres of inversion. The compounds are the first complexes involving N,N′‐disubstituted 4,4′‐bipyrazole tectons. They reveal a relatively poor coordination ability of the ligand, resulting in a Co–pyrazole coordination ratio of only 1:2. Compound (1) adopts a zigzag chain structure with bitopic Me₂bpz links between tetrahedral Co^II ions. Interchain interactions occur by means of very weak C—H...Cl hydrogen bonding. Complex (2) comprises discrete octahedral trans‐[Co(Me₂bpz)₂(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cations formed by monodentate Me₂bpz ligands. Two equivalents of additional noncoordinated Me₂bpz tectons are important as `second‐sphere ligands' connecting the cations by means of relatively strong O—H...N hydrogen bonding with generation of doubly interpenetrated pcu (α‐Po) frameworks. Noncoordinated chloride anions and solvent water molecules afford hydrogen‐bonded [(Cl⁻)₂(H₂O)₂] rhombs, which establish topological links between the above frameworks, producing a rare eight‐coordinated uninodal net of {4²⁴.5.6³} ( ilc ) topology.     

Dihydrogen Catalysis of the Reversible Formation and Cleavage of CH and NH Bonds of Aminopyridinate Ligands Bound to (η5‐C5Me5)IrIII

This study focuses on a series of cationic complexes of iridium that contain aminopyridinate (Ap) ligands bound to an (η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Ir^III fragment. The new complexes have the chemical composition [Ir(Ap)(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)]⁺, exist in the form of two isomers ( 1⁺ and 2⁺ ) and were isolated as salts of the BAr_F^? anion (BAr_F=B[3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃]₄). Four Ap ligands that differ in the nature of their bulky aryl substituents at the amido nitrogen atom and pyridinic ring were employed. In the presence of H₂, the electrophilicity of the Ir^III centre of these complexes allows for a reversible prototropic rearrangement that changes the nature and coordination mode of the aminopyridinate ligand between the well‐known κ²‐N,N′‐bidentate binding in 1⁺ and the unprecedented κ‐N,η³‐pseudo‐allyl‐coordination mode in isomers 2⁺ through activation of a benzylic C?H bond and formal proton transfer to the amido nitrogen atom. Experimental and computational studies evidence that the overall rearrangement, which entails reversible formation and cleavage of H?H, C?H and N?H bonds, is catalysed by dihydrogen under homogeneous conditions.     

Trapping Dimethyltin Cations by Bipyridine‐N,N′‐Dioxide Ligands

N,N′‐dioxide ligands such as 2, 2′‐bipyridine‐N,N‐dioxide (BPDO‐I) and 4, 4′‐bipyridine‐N,N‐dioxide (BPDO‐II) were used to trap the hydrated dimethyltin cations under controlled hydrolysis. The use of the chelating ligand BPDO‐I leads to the isolation of the discrete monocation [Me₂Sn(BPDO‐I)(OH₂)(NO₃)]⁺[NO₃]^– ( 2 ), whereas the linear ligand BPDO‐II directs the construction of cationic polymers, [{Me₂Sn(OH₂)₂(μ‐BPDO‐II)}²⁺{NO₃^–}₂ · 2H₂O]_n ( 3· 2H₂O) and [{Me₂Sn(μ‐OH)(BPDO‐II)}₂²⁺{NO₃^–}₂ · H₂O]_n ( 4· H₂O) under different reaction conditions.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Redox‐Neutral C−H Olefination of Ketones with Unactivated Alkenes

Since 1987, stoichiometric cyclomanganation of ketones and subsequent reactions with olefins in the presence of either palladium salts or trimethylamine N‐oxide (Me₃N⁺O^?) have been reported, but the catalytic versions remain untouched so far. Herein, the first manganese‐catalyzed redox‐neutral C?H olefination of ketones with unactivated alkenes is described, and shows a distinct reactivity with its parent stoichimetric reactions. Remarkably, mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations uncovers a unique concerted bis‐metalation deprotonation (CBMD) mechanism of the Mn‐Zn‐enabled C?H bond activation.     

Isolation of a Three‐Coordinate Boron Cation with a Boron–Sulfur Double Bond

The reaction of the bulky bis(imidazolin‐2‐iminato) ligand precursor (1,2‐(L^MesNH)₂‐C₂H₄)[OTs]₂ ( 1 ²⁺ 2[OTs]^?; L^Mes=1,3‐dimesityl imidazolin‐2‐ylidene, OTs=p‐toluenesulfonate) with lithium borohydride yields the boronium dihydride cation (1,2‐(L^MesN)₂‐C₂H₄)BH₂[OTs] ( 2 ⁺ [OTs]^?)_. The boronium cation 2 ⁺ [OTs]^? reacts with elemental sulfur to give the thioxoborane salt (1,2‐(L^MesN)₂‐C₂H₄)BS[OTs] ( 3 ⁺ [OTs]^?). The hitherto unknown compounds 1 ²⁺ 2[OTs]^?, 2 ⁺ [OTs]^?, and 3 ⁺ [OTs]^? were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Moreover, DFT calculations were carried out to elucidate the bonding situation in 2 ⁺ and 3 ⁺. The theoretical, as well as crystallographic studies reveal that 3 ⁺ is the first example for a stable cationic complex of three‐coordinate boron that bears a B?S double bond.     

Enhanced Reactivities of Iron(IV)‐Oxo Porphyrin π‐Cation Radicals in Oxygenation Reactions by Electron‐Donating Axial Ligands

The proximal axial ligand in heme iron enzymes plays an important role in tuning the reactivities of iron(IV)‐oxo porphyrin π‐cation radicals in oxidation reactions. The present study reports the effects of axial ligands in olefin epoxidation, aromatic hydroxylation, alcohol oxidation, and alkane hydroxylation, by [(tmp)^+. Fe^IV(O)(p‐Y‐PyO)]⁺ ( 1 ‐Y) (tmp=meso‐tetramesitylporphyrin, p‐Y‐PyO=para‐substituted pyridine N‐oxides, and Y=OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl). In all of the oxidation reactions, the reactivities of 1 ‐Y are found to follow the order 1 ‐OCH₃ > 1 ‐CH₃ > 1 ‐H > 1 ‐Cl; negative Hammett ρ values of ?1.4 to ?2.7 were obtained by plotting the reaction rates against the σ_p values of the substituents of p‐Y‐PyO. These results, as well as previous ones on the effect of anionic nucleophiles, show that iron(IV)‐oxo porphyrin π‐cation radicals bearing electron‐donating axial ligands are more reactive in oxo‐transfer and hydrogen‐atom abstraction reactions. These results are counterintuitive since iron(IV)‐oxo porphyrin π‐cation radicals are electrophilic species. Theoretical calculations of anionic and neutral ligands reproduced the counterintuitive experimental findings and elucidated the root cause of the axial ligand effects. Thus, in the case of anionic ligands, as the ligand becomes a better electron donor, it strengthens the FeO? H bond and thereby enhances its H‐abstraction activity. In addition, it weakens the Fe?O bond and encourages oxo‐transfer reactivity. Both are Bell–Evans–Polanyi effects, however, in a series of neutral ligands like p‐Y‐PyO, there is a relatively weak trend that appears to originate in two‐state reactivity (TSR). This combination of experiment and theory enabled us to elucidate the factors that control the reactivity patterns of iron(IV)‐oxo porphyrin π‐cation radicals in oxidation reactions and to resolve an enigmatic and fundamental problem.     

Bis(2‐pyridyl­methanol)­bis­(saccharinato)­zinc(II) and ‐cadmium(II) at 120 K: three‐dimensional structures containing both N‐and O‐coordinated ambi­dentate saccharinate ligands

The title complexes [M(sac)₂(mpy)₂] [sac is saccharinate (C₇H₄NO₃S) and mpy is 2‐pyridyl­methanol (C₆H₇NO)], with M = Zn^II and Cd^II, are isostructural and consist of neutral mol­ecules. The Zn^II or Cd^II cations are octahedrally coordinated by the two neutral mpy and two anionic sac ligands. The mpy ligand acts as a bidentate donor through the amine N and hydroxyl O atoms. The sac ligands exhibit an ambidentate coordination behaviour; one is N‐coordinated and the other is O‐coordinated within the same coordination octahedron. The crystal packing is determined by C—H?O‐type hydrogen bonding, as well as by weak py–py and sac–sac aromatic π–π‐stacking interactions.     

Reactions of 1,4-diaza-3-methylbutadien-2-ylpalladium(II) derivatives with chloro-bridged rhodium(I) complexes

The reactions of the organometallic 1,4-diazabutadienes, RN=C(R′)C(Me)=NR″ [R = R″ = p-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = trans-PdCl(PPh₃)₂ (DAB); R = p-C₆H₄OMe, R″ = Me, R′ = trans-PdCl(PPh₃)₂ (DAB^I; R = R″ = p-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = Pd(dmtc)-(PPh₃), dmtc = dimethyldithiocarbamate (DAB^II); R = R″ = p-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = PdCl(diphos), diphos = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (DAB^III)] with [RhCl(COD)]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, Pd/Rh ratio = $\text{1}\text{2}$) depend on the nature of the ancillary ligands at the Pd atom in group R′. In the reactions with DAB and DAB^I transfer of one PPh₃ ligand from Pd to Rh occurs yielding [RhCl(COD)(PPh₃)] and the new binuclear complexes [Rh(COD) {RN=C(R?)-C(Me)=NR″}], in which the diazabutadiene moiety acts as a chelating bidentate ligand. Exchange of ligands between the two different metallic centers also occurs in the reaction with DAB^II. In this case, the migration of the bidentate dmtc anion yields [Rh(COD)Pdmtc] and [Rh(COD) {RN=C(R?)C(Me)=NR″}]. In contrast, the reaction with DAB^III leads to the ionic product [Rh(COD)- (DAB^III)][RhCl₂(COD)], with no transfer of ligands. The cationic complex [Rh(COD)(DAB^III)]⁺ can be isolated as the perchlorate salt from the same reaction (Pd/Rh ratio = 1/1) in the presence of an excess of NaClO₄. In all the binuclear complexes the coordinated 1,5-cyclooctadiene can be readily displaced by carbon monoxide to give the corresponding dicarbonyl derivatives. The reaction of [RhCl(CO)₂]₂ with DAB and/or DAB^I yields trinuclear complexes of the type [RhCl(CO)₂]₂(DAB), in which the diazabutadiene group acts as a bridging bidentate ligand. Some reactions of the organic diazabutadiene RN=C(Me)C(Me)=NR (R = p-C₆H₄OMe) are also reported for comparison.     

An Original L‐shape,Tunable N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Platform for Efficient Gold(I) Catalysis

The synthesis and characterization of original NHC ligands based on an imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐3‐ylidene (IPy) scaffold functionalized with a flanking barbituric heterocycle is described as well as their use as tunable ligands for efficient gold‐catalyzed C?N, C?O, and C?C bond formations. High activity, regio‐, chemo‐, and stereoselectivities are obtained for hydroelementation and domino processes, underlining the excellent performance (TONs and TOFs) of these IPy‐based ligands in gold catalysis. The gold‐catalyzed domino reactions of 1,6‐enynes give rise to functionalized heterocycles in excellent isolated yields under mild conditions. The efficiency of the NHC gold 5^Me complex is remarkable and mostly arises from a combination of steric protection and stabilization of the cationic Au^I active species by ligand 1^Me .     

A two‐dimensional ZnII coordination polymer constructed by benzotriazole‐5‐carboxylate and 1,4,8,9‐tetraazatriphenylene

Poly[[(μ₃‐benzotriazole‐5‐carboxylato‐κ⁴N¹:N³:O,O′)(1,4,8,9‐tetraazatriphenylene‐κ²N⁸,N⁹)zinc(II)] 0.25‐hydrate], {[Zn(C₇H₃N₃O₂)(C₁₄H₈N₄)]·0.25H₂O}_n, exhibits a two‐dimensional layer structure in which the asymmetric unit contains one Zn^II centre, one 1,4,8,9‐tetraazatriphenylene (TATP) ligand, one benzotriazole‐5‐carboxylate (btca) ligand and 0.25 solvent water molecules. Each Zn^II ion is six‐coordinated and surrounded by four N atoms from two different btca ligands and one chelating TATP ligand, and by two O atoms from a third btca ligand, to furnish a distorted octahedral geometry. The infinite connection of the metal ions and ligands forms a two‐dimensional wave‐like (6,3) layer structure. Adjacent layers are connected by C—H...N hydrogen bonds. The solvent water molecules are located in partially occupied sites between parallel pairs of inversion‐related TATP ligands that belong to two separate layers.     

An Original L‐shape,Tunable N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Platform for Efficient Gold(I) Catalysis

The synthesis and characterization of original NHC ligands based on an imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐3‐ylidene (IPy) scaffold functionalized with a flanking barbituric heterocycle is described as well as their use as tunable ligands for efficient gold‐catalyzed C?N, C?O, and C?C bond formations. High activity, regio‐, chemo‐, and stereoselectivities are obtained for hydroelementation and domino processes, underlining the excellent performance (TONs and TOFs) of these IPy‐based ligands in gold catalysis. The gold‐catalyzed domino reactions of 1,6‐enynes give rise to functionalized heterocycles in excellent isolated yields under mild conditions. The efficiency of the NHC gold 5^Me complex is remarkable and mostly arises from a combination of steric protection and stabilization of the cationic Au^I active species by ligand 1^Me .     

Copper(II) Complexes of ω‐Hydroxy‐Functionalized N‐Salicylidenehydrazides show pH‐Controlled Switching between Dicationic Dimers and Neutral One‐Dimensional Coordination Polymers

New copper(II) complexes of the hydrazone ligands H₂salhyhb, H₂salhyhp, and H₂salhyhh, derived from salicylaldehyde and ω‐hydroxy carbonic acid hydrazides, have been synthesized and physically characterized. Two fundamental structures were found in solid state depending on the pH‐value of the reaction solution. Acidic conditions lead to the formation of the di‐μ‐phenoxo‐bridged dicationic complex dimers [{Cu(Hsalhyhb)}₂]²⁺ ( 1a ), [{Cu(Hsalhyhp)}₂]²⁺ ( 2a ), and [{Cu(Hsalhyhh)}₂]²⁺ ( 3a ), isolated as perchlorate salts. The dimeric complexes show strong antiferromagnetic coupling with J = ?399 ( 1a ), ?410 ( 2a ), and ?311 cm^?1 ( 3a ). Higher pH‐values resulted in the aggregation of neutral copper ligand fragments to the one‐dimensional coordination polymers [{Cu(salhyhb)}_n] ( 1b ), [{Cu(salhyhp)}_n] ( 2b ), and [{Cu(salhyhh)}_n] ( 3b ). 3b has been examined by means of X‐ray crystallography and represents the first example of a structurally characterized neutral copper(II) N‐salicylidenehydrazide complex without additional ligands. The magnetic interactions in the polymers are also antiferromagnetic with J = ?125 ( 1b ), ?136 ( 2b ), and ?148 cm^?1 ( 3b ), but strongly reduced compared to the corresponding dimeric complexes. The two basic structure types can be reversibly interconverted simply by pH‐control.     

A one‐dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer incorporating [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate and N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide ligands

In the title compound, catena‐poly[[[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]chloridozinc(II)]‐μ‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylato‐[[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]chloridozinc(II)]‐μ‐[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]], [Zn₂(C₁₄H₈O₄)Cl₂(C₂₆H₂₂N₄O₂)₃]_n, the Zn^II centre is four‐coordinate and approximately tetrahedral, bonding to one carboxylate O atom from a bidentate bridging dianionic [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate ligand, to two pyridine N atoms from two N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide ligands and to one chloride ligand. The pyridyl ligands exhibit bidentate bridging and monodentate terminal coordination modes. The bidentate bridging pyridyl ligand and the bridging [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate ligand both lie on special positions, with inversion centres at the mid‐points of their central C—C bonds. These bridging groups link the Zn^II centres into a one‐dimensional tape structure that propagates along the crystallographic b direction. The tapes are interlinked into a two‐dimensional layer in the ab plane through N—H...O hydrogen bonds between the monodentate ligands. In addition, the thermal stability and solid‐state photoluminescence properties of the title compound are reported.     

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

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

Rare‐Earth‐Metal Methyl,Amide, and Imide Complexes Supported by a Superbulky Scorpionate Ligand

The reaction of monomeric [(Tp^tBu,Me)LuMe₂] (Tp^tBu,Me=tris(3‐Me‐5‐tBu‐pyrazolyl)borate) with primary aliphatic amines H₂NR (R=tBu, Ad=adamantyl) led to lutetium methyl primary amide complexes [(Tp^tBu,Me)LuMe(NHR)], the solid‐state structures of which were determined by XRD analyses. The mixed methyl/tetramethylaluminate compounds [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe({μ₂‐Me}AlMe₃)] (Ln=Y, Ho) reacted selectively and in high yield with H₂NR, according to methane elimination, to afford heterobimetallic complexes: [(Tp^tBu,Me)Ln({μ₂‐Me}AlMe₂)(μ₂‐NR)] (Ln=Y, Ho). X‐ray structure analyses revealed that the monomeric alkylaluminum‐supported imide complexes were isostructural, featuring bridging methyl and imido ligands. Deeper insight into the fluxional behavior in solution was gained by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic studies at variable temperatures and ¹H–⁸⁹Y HSQC NMR spectroscopy. Treatment of [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe(AlMe₄)] with H₂NtBu gave dimethyl compounds [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe₂] as minor side products for the mid‐sized metals yttrium and holmium and in high yield for the smaller lutetium. Preparative‐scale amounts of complexes [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe₂] (Ln=Y, Ho, Lu) were made accessible through aluminate cleavage of [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe(AlMe₄)] with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda). The solid‐state structures of [(Tp^tBu,Me)HoMe(AlMe₄)] and [(Tp^tBu,Me)HoMe₂] were analyzed by XRD.     

Isocyanate‐ and Isothiocyanate‐Derived RuIV‐Based Alkylidenes: Synthesis,Structure, and Activity

The synthesis and characterization of a series of isocyanate‐ and isothiocyanate‐derived second generation Grubbs–Hoveyda‐type ruthenium–alkylidene complexes, that is, [Ru(N?C?O)₂(IMesH₂)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)] ( 1 ), [Ru(N?C?O)₂(1,3‐dimesityl‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐ylidene)(=CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)] ( 2 ), [Ru(N?C?S)₂(IMesH₂)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)] ( 3 ), and [Ru(N?C?S)₂(1,3‐dimesityl‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐ylidene)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)] ( 4 ), and their activity in various metathesis reactions are described. Compounds 1 – 4 were prepared by reaction of the parent complexes [RuCl₂(IMesH₂)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)C₆H₄)] ( 5 ) (IMesH₂=1,3‐bis‐(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene) and [RuCl₂(1,3‐dimesityl‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐ylidene)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)] ( 6 ) with silver cyanate and thiocyanate, respectively. The X‐ray structure of 1 was determined, confirming the isocyanate‐type bonding of the ligand. The isothiocyanate‐type bonding in 3 and 4 was unambiguously confirmed by IR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The isocyanate‐derived complexes 1 and 2 were found to be excellent catalysts for the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cis‐cycloocta‐1,5‐diene (COD). Both 1 and 2 yielded poly(COD) with a trans‐content of about 80 %. First‐order kinetics with unprecedentedly high rate constants of polymerization (k_p=0.068 and 0.26 s^?1, respectively) were observed. Compounds 3 and 4 were also active initiators for the ROMP of COD, however, they generated poly(COD) with a cis‐content of 80 and 67 %, respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 also showed good catalytic activity in cross‐metathesis (CM) reactions. Finally, 1 – 4 were also found to be excellent catalysts for the regioselective cyclopolymerization of diethyl 2,2‐dipropargylmalonate (DEDPM), resulting in poly(DEDPM) almost entirely based on five‐membered repeat units, that is, cyclopent‐1‐ene‐1,2‐vinylenes.     

Iron‐Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective cis‐Dihydroxylation of Trisubstituted Alkenes with Aqueous H2O2

Reliable methods for enantioselective cis‐dihydroxylation of trisubstituted alkenes are scarce. The iron(II) complex cis‐α‐[Fe^II(2‐Me₂‐BQPN)(OTf)₂], which bears a tetradentate N₄ ligand (Me₂‐BQPN=(R,R)‐N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐bis(2‐methylquinolin‐8‐yl)‐1,2‐diphenylethane‐1,2‐diamine), was prepared and characterized. With this complex as the catalyst, a broad range of trisubstituted electron‐deficient alkenes were efficiently oxidized to chiral cis‐diols in yields of up to 98 % and up to 99.9 % ee when using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as oxidant under mild conditions. Experimental studies (including ¹⁸O‐labeling, ESI‐MS, NMR, EPR, and UV/Vis analyses) and DFT calculations were performed to gain mechanistic insight, which suggested possible involvement of a chiral cis‐Fe^V(O)₂ reaction intermediate as an active oxidant. This cis‐[Fe^II(chiral N₄ ligand)]²⁺/H₂O₂ method could be a viable green alternative/complement to the existing OsO₄‐based methods for asymmetric alkene dihydroxylation reactions.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Sodium and Calcium ­Complexes with the Ligand N‐(2,6‐Dimethylphenyl)diphenylphosphinic Amide

The sodium complex [{Ph₂P(O)NH(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)}Na{Ph₂P(O)N(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)}]₂ ( 2 ) with the ligand N‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)diphenylphosphinic amide was synthesized involving the reaction of the neutral ligand [Ph₂P(O)NH(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)] ( 1 ) and sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in toluene at 60 °C. The calcium complex [{Ph₂P(O)NH(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)CaI(THF)₃}I] ( 3 ) was obtained by the reaction between the neutral ligand 1 and anhydrous calcium diiodide in THF at ambient temperature. The solid‐state structures of the complexes were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. In the solid‐state structure of 2 , the sodium ion is coordinated through the chelation of oxygen atom attached to the phosphorus atom. Two different P–N and P–O bond lengths are observed, which indicates that one ligand moiety is anionic, whereas the second one is neutral. In the solid‐state structure of 3 , the calcium atom adopts distorted octahedral arrangement through the ligation of two phosphinic amide ligands, three THF molecules, and one iodide ion.     

Magnesium Cyanide or Isocyanide?

Preference for the binding mode of the CN^? ligand to Mg (Mg?CN vs. Mg?NC) is investigated. A monomeric Mg complex with a terminal CN ligand was prepared using the dipyrromethene ligand ^MesDPM which successfully blocks dimerization. While reaction of (^MesDPM)MgN(SiMe₃)₂ with Me₃SiCN gave the coordination complex (^MesDPM)MgN(SiMe₃)₂?NCSiMe₃, reaction with (^MesDPM)Mg(nBu) led to (^MesDPM)MgNC?(THF)₂. A Mg?NC/Mg?CN ratio of ≈95:5 was established by crystal‐structure determination and DFT calculations. IR studies show absorbances for CN stretching at 2085 cm^?1 (Mg?NC) and 2162 cm^?1 (Mg?CN) as confirmed by ¹³C labeling. In solution and in the solid state, the CN ligand rotates within the pocket. The calculated isomerization barrier is only 12.0 kcal mol^?1 and the ¹³C NMR signal for CN decoalesces at ?85 °C (Mg?NC: 175.9 ppm, Mg?CN: 144.3 ppm). Experiment and theory both indicate that Mg complexes with the CN^? ligand should not be named cyanides but are more properly defined as isocyanides.