Water‐Soluble Luminescent Cyclometalated Gold(III) Complexes with cis‐Chelating Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) Ligands: Synthesis and Photophysical Properties

A new class of cyclometalated Au^III complexes containing various bidentate C‐deprotonated C^N and cis‐chelating bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) (bis‐NHC) ligands has been synthesized and characterized. These are the first examples of Au^III complexes supported by cis‐chelating bis‐NHC ligands. [Au(C^N)(bis‐NHC)] complexes display emission in solutions under degassed condition at room temperature with emission maxima (λ_max) at 498–633 nm and emission quantum yields of up to 10.1 %. The emissions are assigned to triplet intraligand (IL) π→π* transitions of C^N ligands. The Au^III complex containing a C^N (C‐deprotonated naphthalene‐substituted quinoline) ligand with extended π‐conjugation exhibits prompt fluorescence and phosphorescence of comparable intensity with λ_max at 454 and 611 nm respectively. With sulfonate‐functionalized bis‐NHC ligand, four water‐soluble luminescent Au^III complexes, including those displaying both fluorescence and phosphorescence, were prepared. They show similar photophysical properties in water when compared with their counterparts in acetonitrile. The long phosphorescence lifetime of the water‐soluble AuIII complex with C‐deprotonated naphthalene‐substituted quinoline ligand renders it to function as ratiometric sensor for oxygen. Inhibitory activity of one of these water‐soluble Au^III complexes towards deubiquitinase (DUB) UCHL3 has been investigated; this complex also displayed a significant inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 0.15 μM .     

Di‐ and Trinuclear Gold Complexes of Diphenylphosphinoethyl‐Functionalised Imidazolium Salts and their N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes: Synthesis and Photophysical Properties

Diphenylphosphinoethyl‐functionalised imidazolium salts and their silver–carbene complexes were used to synthesise a series of di‐ and trinuclear gold complexes through ligand exchange and transmetallation, respectively. Besides a few positively charged macrocyclic compounds with different anions (both with and without activation of the carbene function), we were able to obtain neutral polynuclear complexes by varying the gold precursor. The synthesised gold complexes show a variety of photophysical properties, including bright white photoluminescence at ambient temperature.     

Triazole‐Functionalized N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Palladium and Platinum and Efficient Aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction

Imidazolium salts bearing triazole groups are synthesized via a copper catalyzed click reaction, and the silver, palladium, and platinum complexes of their N‐heterocyclic carbenes are studied. [Ag₄(L1)₄](PF₆)₄, [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆), [Pt(L1)Cl](PF₆) (L1=3‐((1‐benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)‐1‐(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazolylidene), [Pd₂(L2)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂, and [Pd(L2)₂](PF₆)₂ (L2=1‐butyl‐3‐((1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)imidazolylidene) have been synthesized and fully characterized by NMR, elemental analysis, and X‐ray crystallography. The silver complex [Ag₄(L1)₄](PF₆)₄ consists of a Ag₄ zigzag chain. The complexes [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆) and [Pt(L1)Cl](PF₆), containing a nonsymmetrical NCN ′ pincer ligand, are square planar with a chloride trans to the carbene donor. [Pd₂(L2)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂ consists of two palladium centers with CN₂Cl coordination mode, whereas the palladium in [Pd(L2)₂](PF₆)₂ is surrounded by two carbene and two triazole groups with two uncoordinated pyridines. The palladium compounds are highly active for Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling reactions of aryl bromides and 1,1‐dibromo‐1‐alkenes in neat water under an air atmosphere.     

Silver–N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, and Antimicrobial Properties

Six new silver complexes containing symmetrical N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC ) ligands were synthesized by the reaction of azolium salts with Ag₂O in CH₂Cl₂ . These complexes were tested against Gram‐negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ), Gram‐positive bacterial strains (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus ), and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis ), and all tested complexes showed good activity against the different microorganisms.     

Multicomponent Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Unsaturated N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors and Their Related Transition‐Metal Complexes

A low‐cost, modular, and easily scalable multicomponent procedure affording access in good yields and excellent selectivity (up to 93 %) to a wide range of (a)chiral unsymmetrical 1‐aryl‐3‐cycloalkyl‐imidazolium salts is disclosed. Electronic and steric properties of the corresponding unsymmetrical unsaturated N‐heterocyclic carbene (U₂‐NHC) ligands were evaluated and evidenced strong electron donor ability, high steric discrimination, and modular steric demand.     

Synthesis of Complexes with Abnormal “Protic” N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

Neutral 4‐iodo‐N‐ethylimidazole 3 oxidatively adds to [Pt(PPh₃)₄] to give, in the presence of different tetraalkylammonium salts, complexes trans‐[ 4 ], trans‐[ 5 ], and trans‐[ 6 ] containing an anionic C4‐bound heterocycle with an unsubstituted ring‐nitrogen atom. Complex trans‐[ 4 ] reacts with the proton source NH₄I under protonation of the ring‐nitrogen atom to produce complex trans‐[ 7 ]I which bears an NH,NR‐substituted aNHC ligand. The reaction of trans‐[ 4 ] with CH₃I yields the complex trans‐[ 8 ]I which has a classical aNHC ligand with two alkylated ring‐nitrogen atoms.     

Bonding Analysis of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Tautomers and Phosphine Ligands in Transition‐Metal Complexes: A Theoretical Study

DFT calculations at the BP86/TZ2P level were carried out to analyze quantitatively the metal–ligand bonding in transition‐metal complexes that contain imidazole (IMID), imidazol‐2‐ylidene (nNHC), or imidazol‐4‐ylidene (aNHC). The calculated complexes are [Cl₄TM(L)] (TM=Ti, Zr, Hf), [(CO)₅TM(L)] (TM=Cr, Mo, W), [(CO)₄TM(L)] (TM=Fe, Ru, Os), and [ClTM(L)] (TM=Cu, Ag, Au). The relative energies of the free ligands increase in the order IMID<nNHC<aNHC. The energy levels of the carbon σ lone‐pair orbitals suggest the trend aNHC>nNHC>IMID for the donor strength, which is in agreement with the progression of the metal–ligand bond‐dissociation energy (BDE) for the three ligands for all metals of Groups 4, 6, 8, and 10. The electrostatic attraction can also be decisive in determining trends in ligand–metal bond strength. The comparison of the results of energy decomposition analysis for the Group 6 complexes [(CO)₅TM(L)] (L=nNHC, aNHC, IMID) with phosphine complexes (L=PMe₃ and PCl₃) shows that the phosphine ligands are weaker σ donors and better π acceptors than the NHC tautomers nNHC, aNHC, and IMID.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene,High Oxidation State Molybdenum Alkylidene Complexes: Functional‐Group‐Tolerant Cationic Metathesis Catalysts

We synthesized the first N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of Schrock’s molybdenum imido alkylidene bis(triflate) complexes. Unlike existing bis(triflate) complexes, the novel 16‐electron complexes represent metathesis active, functional‐group‐tolerant catalysts. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures of two representatives of this novel class of Schrock catalysts are presented and reactivity is discussed in view of their structural peculiarities. In the presence of monomer (substrate), these catalysts form cationic species and can be employed in ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), as well as in the cyclopolymerization of α,ω‐diynes. Monomers containing functional groups, which are not tolerated by the existing variations of Schrock’s catalyst, e.g., sec‐amine, hydroxy, and carboxylic acid moieties, can be used. These catalysts therefore hold great promise in both organic and polymer chemistry, where they allow for the use of protic monomers.     

Hydroboration of Arynes with N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Boranes

Arynes were generated in situ from ortho‐silyl aryl triflates and fluoride ions in the presence of stable N‐heterocyclic carbene boranes (NHC? BH₃). Spontaneous hydroboration ensued to provide stable B‐aryl‐substituted NHC‐boranes (NHC? BH₂Ar). The reaction shows good scope in terms of both the NHC‐borane and aryne components and provides direct access to mono‐ and disubstituted NHC‐boranes. The formation of unusual ortho regioisomers in the hydroboration of arynes with an electron‐withdrawing group supports a hydroboration process with hydride‐transfer character.     

Dinuclear Macrocyclic Quinoline Bridged Mercury and Silver Bis(N‐heterocyclic Carbene) Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Spectroscopic Studies

Quinoline bridged imidazolium precursors 5,8‐bis(N‐R‐imidazolylidenylmethylene)quinoline PF₆^– salts [H₂L](PF₆)₂ [R = Me ( 1a ), R = naphthylmethyl ( 1b )] were prepared by quaternization of N‐methylimidazole and N‐naphthylmethylimidazole with 5,8‐bis(bromomethyl)quinoline, respectively. Reaction of the imidazolium ligands 1a and 1b with Hg(OAc)₂ and Ag₂O in acetonitrile gave the macrocyclic transition metal carbene complexes [Hg₂L₂](PF₆)₄ ( 2a and 2b ) and [Ag₂L₂](PF₆)₂ ( 3a and 3b ), respectively. All the N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes were characterized in detail by NMR, ESI‐MS, and elemental analysis. Structures of complexes 2a and 3a were determined by X‐ray diffraction studies. Structural studies revealed that the coordination arrangement of the central mercury atom in complex 2a displays a tricoordinate mode and the molecular conformation results in a“closed” form with the bridging quinoline functionality in the macrocycle, whereas the silver complex 3a does not show an coordiantion between the bridging quinoline and the Ag^I ion, which results in an “open” conformation of the macrocycle. The Hg^II and Ag^I NHC complexes showed similar UV absorption and luminescence in acetonitrile solutions.     

An N‐Heterocyclic Carbene with a Saturated Backbone and Spatially‐Defined Steric Impact

The synthesis and coordination chemistry of a saturated analogue of a “bulky‐yet‐flexible” N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand are described. “SIPaul” is a 4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene ligand with unsymmetrical aryl N‐substituents, and is one of the growing class of “bulky‐yet‐flexible” NHCs that are sufficiently bulky to stabilize catalytic intermediates, but sufficiently flexible that they do not inhibit productive chemistry at the central metal atom. Here, the synthesis of SIPaul.HCl and its complexes with copper, silver, iridium, palladium, and nickel, and its selenourea, are reported. The steric impact of the ligand is quantified using percent buried volume (% V_bur), whereas the electronic properties are probed and quantified using the Tolman Electronic Parameter (TEP) and δ_Se of the corresponding selenourea. This work shows that despite the often very different performance of saturated versus unsaturated carbenes in catalysis, the effect of backbone saturation on measurable properties is very small.     

Highly Stable Water‐Soluble Platinum Nanoparticles Stabilized by Hydrophilic N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

Controlling the synthesis of stable metal nanoparticles in water is a current challenge in nanochemistry. The strategy presented herein uses sulfonated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands to stabilize platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) in water, under air, for an indefinite time period. The particles were prepared by thermal decomposition of a preformed molecular Pt complex containing the NHC ligand and were then purified by dialysis and characterized by TEM, high‐resolution TEM, and spectroscopic techniques. Solid‐state NMR studies showed coordination of the carbene ligands to the nanoparticle surface and allowed the determination of a ¹³C–¹⁹⁵Pt coupling constant for the first time in a nanosystem (940 Hz). Additionally, in one case a novel structure was formed in which platinum(II) NHC complexes form a second coordination sphere around the nanoparticle.     

Neutral and Cationic Molybdenum Imido Alkylidene N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Reactivity in Selected Olefin Metathesis Reactions and Immobilization on Silica

The synthesis and single‐crystal X‐ray structures of the novel molybdenum imido alkylidene N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes [Mo(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)(IMesH₂)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OTf)₂] ( 3 ), [Mo(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)(IMes)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OTf)₂] ( 4 ), [Mo(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)(IMesH₂)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OTf){OCH(CF₃)₂}] ( 5 ), [Mo(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)(CH₃CN)(IMesH₂)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OTf)]⁺ BAr_F^? ( 6 ), [Mo(N‐2,6‐Cl₂C₆H₃)(IMesH₂)(CHCMe₃)(OTf)₂] ( 7 ) and [Mo(N‐2,6‐Cl₂C₆H₃)(IMes)(CHCMe₃)(OTf)₂] ( 8 ) are reported (IMesH₂=1,3‐dimesitylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene, IMes=1,3‐dimesitylimidazolin‐2‐ylidene, BAr_F^?=tetrakis‐[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] borate, OTf=CF₃SO₃^?). Also, silica‐immobilized versions I1 and I2 were prepared. Catalysts 3 – 8 , I1 and I2 were used in homo‐, cross‐, and ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactions and in the cyclopolymerization of α,ω‐diynes. In the RCM of α,ω‐dienes, in the homometathesis of 1‐alkenes, and in the ethenolysis of cyclooctene, turnover numbers (TONs) up to 100 000, 210 000 and 30 000, respectively, were achieved. With I1 and I2 , virtually Mo‐free products were obtained (<3 ppm Mo). With 1,6‐hepta‐ and 1,7‐octadiynes, catalysts 3 , 4 , and 5 allowed for the regioselective cyclopolymerization of 4,4‐bis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐1,6‐heptadiyne, 4,4‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐1,6‐heptadiyne, 4,4‐bis[(3,5‐diethoxybenzoyloxy)methyl]‐1,6‐heptadiyne, 4,4,5,5‐tetrakis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐1,7‐octadiyne, and 1,6‐heptadiyne‐4‐carboxylic acid, underlining the high functional‐group tolerance of these novel Group 6 metal alkylidenes.     

A Cationic Zinc Hydride Cluster Stabilized by an N‐Heterocyclic Carbene: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Hydrosilylation Catalysis

The trinuclear cationic zinc hydride cluster [(IMes)₃Zn₃H₄(THF)](BPh₄)₂ ( 1 ) was obtained either by protonation of the neutral zinc dihydride [(IMes)ZnH₂]₂ with a Brønsted acid or by addition of the putative zinc dication [(IMes)Zn(THF)]²⁺. A triply bridged thiophenolato complex 2 was formed upon oxidation of 1 with PhS? SPh. Protonolysis of 1 by methanol or water gave the corresponding trinuclear dicationic derivatives. At ambient temperature, 1 catalyzed the hydrosilylation of aldehydes, ketones, and nitriles. Carbon dioxide was also hydrosilylated under forcing conditions when using (EtO)₃SiH, giving silylformate as the main product.