Nickel‐Catalyzed Mizoroki–Heck‐ versus Michael‐Type Addition of Organoboronic Acids to α,β‐Unsaturated Alkenes through Fine‐Tuning of Ligands

Various arylboronic acids reacted with activated alkenes in the presence of [Ni(dppe)Br₂], ZnCl₂, and H₂O in CH₃CN at 80 °C to give the corresponding Mizoroki–Heck‐type addition products in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, 1 equivalent of the hydrogenation product of the activated alkene was also produced. By tuning the ligands of the nickel complexes and the reaction conditions, Michael‐type addition was achieved in a very selective manner. Thus, various p‐ and o‐substituted arylboronic acids or alkenylboronic acid reacted smoothly with activated alkenes in CH₃CN at 80 °C for 12 h catalyzed by Ni(acac)₂, P(o‐anisyl)₃, and K₂CO₃ to give the corresponding Michael‐type addition products in excellent yields. However, for m‐substituted arylboronic acids, the yields of Michael‐type addition products are very low. The cause of this unusual meta‐substitution effect is not clear. By altering the solvent or phosphine ligand, the product yields for m‐substituted arylboronic acids were greatly improved. In contrast to previous results in the literature, the present catalytic reactions required water for Mizoroki–Heck‐type products and dry reaction conditions for Michael‐type addition products. Possible mechanistic pathways for both addition reactions are proposed.     

Cobalt(II) Complexes with N‐Thioacylamidophosphates and 2,2′‐Bipyridyl and 1,10‐Phenathroline. Crystal Structures,Solution 1H NMR Spectral and Magnetic Properties

Structure and magnetic properties of N‐diisopropoxyphosphorylthiobenzamide PhC(S)‐N(H)‐P(O)(OiPr)₂ ( HL^I ) and N‐diisopropoxyphosphoryl‐N′‐phenylthiocarbamide PhN(H)‐C(S)‐N(H)‐P(O)(OiPr)₂ ( HL^II ) complexes with the Co^II cation of formulas [Co{PhC(S)‐N‐P(O)(OiPr)₂}₂] ( 1 ), [Co{PhN(H)‐C(S)‐N‐P(O)(OiPr)₂}₂] ( 2 ), [Co{PhC(S)‐N(H)‐P(O)(OiPr)₂}₂{PhC(S)‐N‐P(O)(OiPr)₂}₂] ( 1a ) and [Co{PhC(S)‐N‐P(O)(OiPr)₂}₂}(2,2′‐bipy)] ( 3 ), [Co{PhC(S)‐N‐P(O)(OiPr)₂}₂(1,10‐phen)] ( 4 ), [Co{PhN(H)‐C(S)‐N‐P(O)(OiPr)₂}₂(2,2′‐bipy)] ( 5 ), [Co{PhN(H)‐C(S)‐N‐P(O)(OiPr)₂}₂(1,10‐phen)] ( 6 ) were investigated. Paramagnetic shifts in the ¹H NMR spectrum were observed for high‐spin Co^II complexes with HL^I,II , incorporating the S‐C‐N‐P‐O chelate moiety and two aromatic chelate ligands. Investigation of the thermal dependence of the magnetic susceptibility has shown that the extended materials 1‐2 and 6 show ferromagnetic exchange between distorted tetrahedral ( 1 , 2 ) or octahedral ( 1a , 6 ) metal atoms whereas 3 and 5 show antiferromagnetic properties. Compound 4 behaves as a spin‐canted ferromagnet, an antiferromagnetic ordering taking place below a critical temperature, T_c = 115 K. Complexes 1 and 1a were investigated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The cobalt(II) atom in complex 1 resides a distorted tetrahedral O₂S₂ environment formed by the C=S sulfur atoms and the P=O oxygen atoms of two deprotonated ligands. Complex 1a has a tetragonal‐bipyramidal structure, Co(O^ax)₂(O^eq)₂(S^eq)₂, and two neutral ligand molecules are coordinated in the axial positions through the oxygen atoms of the P=O groups. The base of the bipyramid is formed by two anionic ligands in the typical 1,5‐O,S coordination mode. The ligands are in a trans configuration.     

An Alkene‐Promoted Borane‐Catalyzed Highly Stereoselective Hydrogenation of Alkynes to Give Z‐ and E‐Alkenes

The stereoselective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes is an extremely useful transformation in synthetic chemistry. Despite numerous reports for the synthesis of Z‐alkenes, the hydrogenation of alkynes to give E‐alkenes is still not well resolved. In particular, selective preparation of both Z‐ and E‐alkenes by the same catalytic hydrogenation system using molecular H₂ has rarely been reported. In this paper, a novel strategy of using simple alkenes as promoters for the HB(C₆F₅)₂‐catalyzed metal‐free hydrogenation of alkynes was adopted. Significantly, both Z‐ and E‐alkenes can be furnished by hydrogenation with molecular H₂ in high yields with excellent stereoselectivities. Further experimental and theoretical mechanistic studies suggest that interactions between H and F atoms of the alkene promoter, borane intermediate, and H₂ play an essential role in promoting the hydrogenolysis reaction.     

Chiral Hetero‐ and Carbocyclic Compounds from the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Cyclic Alkenes

Several types of chiral hetero‐ and carbocyclic compounds have been synthesized by using the asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic alkenes. N,P‐Ligated iridium catalysts reduced six‐membered cyclic alkenes with various substituents and heterofunctionality in good to excellent enantioselectivity, whereas the reduction of five‐membered cyclic alkenes was generally less selective, giving modest enantiomeric excesses. The stereoselectivity of the hydrogenation depended more strongly on the substrate structure for the five‐ rather than the six‐membered cyclic alkenes. The major enantiomer formed in the reduction of six‐membered alkenes could be predicted from a selectivity model and isomeric alkenes had complementary enantioselectivity, giving opposite optical isomers upon hydrogenation. The utility of the reaction was demonstrated by using it as a key step in the preparation of chiral 1,3‐cis‐cyclohexane carboxylates.     

Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α,β‐Unsaturated Nitriles with Base‐Activated Iridium N,P Ligand Complexes

Although many chiral catalysts are known that allow highly enantioselective hydrogenation of a wide range of olefins, no suitable catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of α,β‐unsaturated nitriles have been reported so far. We have found that Ir N,P ligand complexes, which under normal conditions do not show any reactivity towards α,β‐unsaturated nitriles, become highly active catalysts upon addition of N,N‐diisopropylethylamine. The base‐activated catalysts enable conjugate reduction of α,β‐unsaturated nitriles with H₂ at low catalyst loadings, affording the corresponding saturated nitriles with high conversion and excellent enantioselectivity. In contrast, alkenes lacking a conjugated cyano group do not react under these conditions, making it possible to selectively reduce the conjugated C?C bond of an α,β‐unsaturated nitrile, while leaving other types of C?C bonds in the molecule intact.     

trans‐Chloridobis[(Z)‐1‐imino‐1‐methoxyethane‐κN](triphenylphosphane‐κP)platinum(II) chloride monohydrate

The title compound, [PtCl(C₃H₇NO)₂(C₁₈H₁₅P)]Cl·H₂O or trans‐[PtCl{Z‐HN=C(Me)OMe}₂(PPh₃)]Cl·H₂O, crystallizes from an acetone solution of isomeric trans‐[PtCl{E‐HN=C(Me)OMe}₂(PPh₃)]Cl. The two HN=C(Me)OMe ligands show typical π‐bond delocalization over the N—C—O group [Cini, Caputo, Intini & Natile (1995). Inorg. Chem. 34 , 1130–1137] and have the unprecedented Z–anti configuration. The relative orientation of the imino ether ligands is head‐to‐tail.     

Synthesis of unsaturation containing P(VDF‐co‐TrFE‐co‐CTFE) from P(VDF‐co‐CTFE) in one‐pot catalyzed with Cu(0)‐based single electron transfer living radical polymerization system

Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene‐co‐chlorotrifluoroethylene) (P(VDF‐co‐TrFE‐co‐CTFE)) with internal double bond has been reported with high dielectric constant and energy density at room temperature, which is expected to serve as a promising dielectric film in high pulse discharge capacitors. An environmentally friendly one‐pot route, including the controllable hydrogenation via Cu(0) mediated single electron transfer radical chain transfer reaction (SET‐CTR) and dehydrochlorination catalyzed with N‐containing reagent, is successfully developed to synthesize P(VDF‐co‐TrFE‐co‐CTFE) containing unsaturation. The resultant polymer was carefully characterized with ¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, and FTIR. The composition of the resultant copolymer is strongly influenced by reaction conditions, including the reaction temperature, catalyst concentration, the types of ligands and solvents. The kinetics data of the chain transfer and elimination reaction demonstrate their well‐controlled feature of the strategy. By shifting the equilibrium between the CTR and elimination reactions dominated by N‐compounds serving as ligands in SET‐CTR and catalyst in the dehydrochlorination of P(VDF‐co‐CTFE), P(VDF‐co‐TrFE‐co‐CTFE) with tunable TrFE and double‐bond content could be synthesized in this one‐pot route. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3429–3440     

The cocrystal rac‐1‐[(N,4‐dimethylbenzenesulfonamido)methyl]‐2‐(diphenylphosphoryl)ferrocene–rac‐1‐[(N,4‐dimethylbenzenesulfonamido)methyl]‐2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene (0.45/0.55)

As part of our interest in the synthesis and catalytic applications of chiral (diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene ligands, we designed a number of P,N‐containing ligands for use in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH). During the synthetic procedure to obtain rac‐1‐[(N,4‐dimethylbenzenesulfonamido)methyl]‐2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene, the title compound, [Fe(C₅H₅)(C₂₆H₂₅NO₂PS)]_0.55·[Fe(C₅H₅)(C₂₆H₂₅NO₃PS)]_0.45, was obtained as a by‐product. It is composed of a ferrocene group disubstituted by a partially oxidized diphenylphosphanyl group, as confirmed by ³¹P NMR analysis, and an (N,4‐dimethylbenzenesulfonamido)methyl substituent. Owing to the partially oxidized diphenylphosphanyl group, it is best to view the crystal as being composed of a mixture of non‐oxidized and oxidized phosphane, so it can be regarded as a cocrystal. It is also a racemate. To the best of our knowledge, the P=O distance [1.344 (4) Å] is the shortest observed for related (diphenylphosphoryl)ferrocene compounds. The packing is stabilized by weak C—H...O interactions, forming R₂²(10) hydrogen‐bonding motifs, which build up a chain along the c axis.     

Unprecedented Ring–Ring Interconversion of N,P,C‐Cage Ligands

The novel N,P,C‐cage complexes 5 a – f and 6 a – f have been obtained by the reaction of the P‐pentamethylcyclopentadienylphosphinidene complex 2 , generated thermally from 2H‐azaphosphirene complex 1 , with N‐methyl‐C‐arylcarbaldimines 3 a – f . Li/Cl phosphinidenoid complex 8 reacted with 3 a , b to give N,P,C‐cage complexes 6 a , b , whereas with 3 c – f , complexes 6 c – f were obtained in negligible amounts only. Both types of ligand N,P,C‐cage structures 5 and 6 were found to be in an unprecedented equilibrium, with 5 a , f as the predominant species. Transient electrophilic terminal phosphinidene complexes 10 a – f serve as intermediates in both ligand interconversions ( 5 a , f ? 6 a , f ), as evidenced through trapping reactions with phenylacetylene and N‐methyl‐C‐phenylcarbaldimine, thus leading to the novel N,P,C‐cage complexes 13 b and 15 . DFT calculations predicted a small difference in the relative energies of the two types of N,P,C‐cage ligands, and a remarkable stabilisation of the aminophosphinidene complex 10 as the common precursor, thereby providing an insight into this surprising 5‐ring–3‐ring interconversion. In depth analysis of intermediate 10 revealed the occurrence of both through‐bond (conventional inductive/mesomeric effects) and through‐space (non‐covalent interactions) mechanisms, which amount to 67.8 and 14.4 kcal mol^?1, respectively, and account for the remarkable stabilisation of this intermediate.     

[2‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κ2N2,N3]bis(p‐toluato‐κ2O,O′)manganese(II)

In the title compound, [Mn(C₈H₇O₂)₂(C₁₂H₉N₃)], the manganese(II) centre is surrounded by three bidentate chelating ligands, namely, one 2‐(2‐pyridyl)benzimidazole ligand [Mn—N = 2.1954 (13) and 2.2595 (14) Å] and two p‐toluate ligands [Mn—O = 2.1559 (13)–2.2748 (14) Å]. It displays a severely distorted octahedral geometry, with cis angles ranging from 58.87 (4) to 106.49 (5)°. Intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds between the p‐toluate ligands link the molecules into infinite chains, and every two neighbouring chains are further coupled by N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds between the 2‐(2‐pyridyl)benzimidazole and p‐toluate ligands, leading to an infinite ribbon‐like double‐chain packing mode. The complete solid‐state structure can be described as a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework, stabilized by these intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions and possible C—H...π interactions, as well as stacking interactions involving the 2‐(2‐pyridyl)benzimidazole ligands.     

In situ generation of highly active bis(N‐heterocyclic)carbene palladium as an efficient catalyst in direct S‐arylation of methylphenyl sulfoxide and the Heck reaction: Ligand steric effects in product selectivity

The use of 1,3‐bis(N‐heterocyclic)carbene ligands with different alkyl wingtip groups (alkyl = methyl, isopropyl and tert ‐butyl) is an effective method for the palladium‐catalysed direct S ‐arylation of methylphenyl sulfoxide and C–C coupling of various of aryl halides with alkenes. The reactions proceed in moderate to good yields. Interestingly, it is shown experimentally that, by using bulkier bidentate N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands, more selective catalytic systems towards cis products in Heck coupling reactions can be achieved.     

Alkene Transfer Hydrogenation with Alkaline‐Earth Metal Catalysts

The alkene transfer hydrogenation (TH) of a variety of alkenes has been achieved with simple AeN′′₂ catalysts [Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba; N′′=N(SiMe₃)₂] using 1,4‐cyclohexadiene (1,4‐CHD) as a H source. Reaction of 1,4‐CHD with AeN′′₂ gave benzene, N′′H, and the metal hydride species N′′AeH (or aggregates thereof), which is a catalyst for alkene hydrogenation. BaN′′₂ is by far the most active catalyst. Hydrogenation of activated C=C bonds (e.g. styrene) proceeded at room temperature without polymer formation. Unactivated (isolated) C=C bonds (e.g. 1‐hexene) needed a higher temperature (120 °C) but proceeded without double‐bond isomerization. The ligands fully control the course of the catalytic reaction, which can be: 1) alkene TH, 2) 1,4‐CHD dehydrogenation, or 3) alkene polymerization. DFT calculations support formation of a metal hydride species by deprotonation of 1,4‐CHD followed by H transfer. Convenient access to larger quantities of BaN′′₂, its high activity and selectivity, and the many advantages of TH make this a simple but attractive procedure for alkene hydrogenation.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Imines

We have evaluated a wide range of iridium complexes derived from chiral oxazoline‐based N,P ligands for the asymmetric hydrogenation of imines and identified three efficient catalysts. These catalysts are readily synthesized by straightforward convenient routes and are air and moisture stable. In the reduction of acetophenone N‐arylimines and related acyclic substrates, excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96 % ee) were obtained by using 0.1–0.5 mol % of catalyst at ?20 °C and 5–50 bar hydrogen pressure.     

Development of Chiral Spiro P‐N‐S Ligands for Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of β‐Alkyl‐β‐Ketoesters

The chiral tridentate spiro P‐N‐S ligands (SpiroSAP) were developed, and their iridium complexes were prepared. Introduction of a 1,3‐dithiane moiety into the ligand resulted in a highly efficient chiral iridium catalyst for asymmetric hydrogenation of β‐alkyl‐β‐ketoesters, producing chiral β‐alkyl‐β‐hydroxyesters with excellent enantioselectivities (95–99.9 % ee) and turnover numbers of up to 355 000.     

Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing Lutidine‐Derived Pincer CNC Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Hydrogenation of CN bonds

A series of Ru complexes containing lutidine‐derived pincer CNC ligands have been prepared by transmetalation with the corresponding silver‐carbene derivatives. Characterization of these derivatives shows both mer and fac coordination of the CNC ligands depending on the wingtips of the N‐heterocyclic carbene fragments. In the presence of tBuOK, the Ru‐CNC complexes are active in the hydrogenation of a series of imines. In addition, these complexes catalyze the reversible hydrogenation of phenantridine. Detailed NMR spectroscopic studies have shown the capability of the CNC ligand to be deprotonated and get involved in ligand‐assisted activation of dihydrogen. More interestingly, upon deprotonation, the Ru‐CNC complex 5 e (BF₄) is able to add aldimines to the metal–ligand framework to yield an amido complex. Finally, investigation of the mechanism of the hydrogenation of imines has been carried out by means of DFT calculations. The calculated mechanism involves outer‐sphere stepwise hydrogen transfer to the C?N bond assisted either by the pincer ligand or a second coordinated H₂ molecule.     

Half‐sandwich Ru (II) complexes containing (N,O) Schiff base ligands: Catalysts for base‐free transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Two new half‐sandwich Ru (II)(p‐cymene) complexes ( 1 and 2 ) containing dopamine‐based (N, O) Schiff base ligands ( L ¹ H and L ² H ) were synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR, UV–Visible and ¹H & ¹³C NMR spectral techniques, and elemental analyses. The spectroscopic and analytical data revealed monobasic bidentate coordination of the ligands with Ru ion. The molecular structures of L ¹ H , L ² H and 2 were further confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. Complexes 1 and 2  have been employed as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones using 2‐propanol as a hydrogen source at 85 °C under base‐free condition. Good to the excellent yield of secondary alcohols, gram scale synthesis, and high TON and TOF made this catalytic system interesting.     

(6‐Oxido‐2‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidine‐5‐carboxylato‐κ2O5,O6)bis[2‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κ2N2,N3]manganese(II) monohydrate

In the title compound, [Mn(C₅H₂N₂O₄)(C₁₂H₉N₃)₂]·H₂O, the Mn^II centre is surrounded by three bidentate chelating ligands, namely, one 6‐oxido‐2‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidine‐5‐carboxylate (or uracil‐5‐carboxylate, Huca²⁻) ligand [Mn—O = 2.136 (2) and 2.156 (3) Å] and two 2‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole (Hpybim) ligands [Mn—N = 2.213 (3)–2.331 (3) Å], and it displays a severely distorted octahedral geometry, with cis angles ranging from 73.05 (10) to 105.77 (10)°. Intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds both between the Hpybim and the Huca²⁻ ligands and between the Huca²⁻ ligands link the molecules into infinite chains. The lattice water molecule acts as a hydrogen‐bond donor to form double O...H—O—H...O hydrogen bonds with the Huca²⁻ O atoms, crosslinking the chains to afford an infinite two‐dimensional sheet; a third hydrogen bond (N—H...O) formed by the water molecule as a hydrogen‐bond acceptor and a Hpybim N atom further links these sheets to yield a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework. Possible partial π–π stacking interactions involving the Hpybim rings are also observed in the crystal structure.     

Photocatalytic Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling of Alkenes with Alcohols or Azoles without External Oxidant

Direct cross‐coupling between alkenes/R‐H or alkenes/RXH is a dream reaction, especially without external oxidants. Inputting energy by photocatalysis and employing a cobalt catalyst as a two‐electron acceptor, a direct C−H/X−H cross‐coupling with H₂ evolution has been achieved for C−O and C−N bond formation. A new radical alkenylation using alkene as the redox compound is presented. A wide range of aliphatic alcohols—even long chain alcohols—are tolerated well in this system, providing a new route to multi‐substituted enol ether derivatives using simple alkenes. Additionally, this protocol can also be used for N ‐vinylazole synthesis. Mechanistic insights reveal that the cobalt catalyst oxidizes the photocatalyst to revive the photocatalytic cycle.     

A new one‐dimensional nickel metal–organic framework: catena‐poly[[[diaquabis(4‐{[(1‐phenyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)sulfanyl]methyl}benzoato‐κO)nickel(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ2N:N′] monohydrate]

The title complex, {[Ni(C₁₅H₁₁N₄O₂S)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n, was synthesized by the reaction of nickel chloride, 4‐{[(1‐phenyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)sulfanyl]methyl}benzoic acid (HL) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (bpy) under hydrothermal conditions. The asymmetric unit contains two half Ni^II ions, each located on an inversion centre, two L⁻ ligands, one bpy ligand, two coordinated water molecules and one unligated water molecule. Each Ni^II centre is six‐coordinated by two monodentate carboxylate O atoms from two different L⁻ ligands, two pyridine N atoms from two different bpy ligands and two terminal water molecules, displaying a nearly ideal octahedral geometry. The Ni^II ions are bridged by 4,4′‐bipyridine ligands to afford a linear array, with an Ni...Ni separation of 11.361 (1) Å, which is further decorated by two monodentate L⁻ ligands trans to each other, resulting in a one‐dimensional fishbone‐like chain structure. These one‐dimensional fishbone‐like chains are further linked by O—H...O, O—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. The thermal stability of the title complex was investigated via thermogravimetric analysis.     

A new two‐dimensional CdII coordination polymer based on 2‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole and benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate: synthesis,crystal structure and characterization

In the construction of coordination polymers, many factors can influence the formation of the final architectures, such as the nature of the metal centres, the organic ligands and the counter‐anions. In the coordination polymer poly[aqua(μ‐benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O ¹,O ^1′:O ²,O ^2′)[μ‐2‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κ²N ²:N ³]cadmium(II)], [Cd(C₁₂H₁₂N₄)(C₈H₄O₄)(H₂O)]_n or [Cd(immb)(1,2‐bdic)(H₂O)]_n , each Cd^II ion is seven‐coordinated by two N atoms from two symmetry‐related 2‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole (immb) ligands, by four O atoms from two symmetry‐related benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (1,2‐bdic²⁻) ligands and by one water molecule, leading to a CdN₂O₅ distorted pentagonal bipyramidal coordination environment. The immb and 1,2‐bdic²⁻ ligands bridge Cd^II ions and form a two‐dimensional network structure. O—H…O and N—H…O hydrogen bonds stabilize the structure. In addition, the IR spectroscopic properties, PXRD patterns, thermogravimetric behaviour and fluorescence properties of the title polymer have been investigated.