Chemistry surrounding monomeric copper(I) methyl, phenyl, anilido, ethoxide, and phenoxide complexes supported by N-heterocyclic carbene ligands: reactivity consistent with both early and late transition metal systems

Monomeric copper(I) alkyl complexes that possess the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands IPr, SIPr, and IMes [IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, SIPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene, IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene] react with amines or alcohols to release alkane and form the corresponding monomeric copper(I) amido, alkoxide, or aryloxide complexes. Thermal decomposition reactions of (NHC)Cu(I) methyl complexes at temperatures between 100 and 130 degrees C produce methane, ethane, and ethylene. The reactions of (NHC)Cu(NHPh) complexes with bromoethane reveal increasing nucleophilic reactivity at the anilido ligand in the order (SIPr)Cu(NHPh) < (IPr)Cu(NHPh) < (IMes)Cu(NHPh) < (dtbpe)Cu(NHPh) [dtbpe = 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane]. DFT calculations suggest that the HOMO for the series of Cu anilido complexes is localized primarily on the amido nitrogen with some ppi(anilido)-dpi(Cu) pi-character. [(IPr)Cu(mu-H)]2 and (IPr)Cu(Ph) react with aniline to quantitatively produce (IPr)Cu(NHPh)/dihydrogen and (IPr)Cu(NHPh)/benzene, respectively. Analysis of the DFT calculations reveals that the conversion of [(IPr)Cu(mu-H)]2 and aniline to (IPr)Cu(NHPh) and dihydrogen is favorable with DeltaH approximately -7 kcal/mol and DeltaG approximately -9 kcal/mol.     

DFT Mechanistic Study on Diene Metathesis Catalyzed by Ru‐Based Grubbs–Hoveyda‐Type Carbenes: The Key Role of π‐Electron Density Delocalization in the Hoveyda Ligand

The catalytic activity and catalyst recovery of two heterogenized ruthenium‐based precatalysts ( H and NO₂(4) ) in diene ring‐closing metathesis have been studied by means of density functional calculations at the B3LYP level of theory. For comparison and rationalization of the key factors that lead to higher activities and higher catalyst recoveries, four other Grubbs–Hoveyda complexes have also been investigated. The full catalytic cycle (catalyst formation, propagation, and precatalyst regeneration) has been considered. DFT calculations suggest that either for the homogeneous and heterogenized systems the activity of the catalysts mainly depends on the ability of the precursor to generate the propagating carbene. This ability does not correlate with the traditionally identified key factor, the Ru???O interaction strength. In contrast, precatalysts with lower alkoxy‐dissociation energy barriers and lower stabilities compared with the propagating carbene also present larger C1? C2 bond length (i.e., lower π character of the C? C bond that exists between the metal–carbene (Ru?C) and the phenyl ring of the Hoveyda ligand). Catalyst recovery, regardless of whether a release–return mechanism occurs or not, is also mainly determined by the π delocalization. Therefore, future Grubbs–Hoveyda‐type catalyst development should be based on fine‐tuning the π‐electron density of the phenyl moiety, with the subsequent effect on the metalloaromaticity of the ruthenafurane ring, rather than considering the modification of the Ru???O interaction.     

Rate and Equilibrium Constants for the Addition of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes into Benzaldehydes: A Remarkable 2‐Substituent Effect

Rate and equilibrium constants for the reaction between N‐aryl triazolium N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precatalysts and substituted benzaldehyde derivatives to form 3‐(hydroxybenzyl)azolium adducts under both catalytic and stoichiometric conditions have been measured. Kinetic analysis and reaction profile fitting of both the forward and reverse reactions, plus onwards reaction to the Breslow intermediate, demonstrate the remarkable effect of the benzaldehyde 2‐substituent in these reactions and provide insight into the chemoselectivity of cross‐benzoin reactions.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Concerted Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution of Aryl Fluorides Bearing α,β‐Unsaturated Amides

Concerted nucleophilic aromatic substitution (CS_NAr) has emerged as a powerful mechanistic manifold, in which nucleophilic aromatic substitution can proceed in one step without the need to form a Meisenheimer intermediate. However, all of the CS_NAr reactions reported thus far require a stoichiometric strong base or activating reagent, and no catalytic variants have yet been reported. Herein, we report an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of acrylamides that contain a 2‐fluorophenyl group on the nitrogen through a CS_NAr reaction. By using this catalytic method, it is possible to synthesize an array of quinolin‐2‐one derivatives, which are common structural motifs in pharmaceuticals and organic materials. DFT calculations unambiguously revealed that this reaction proceeds through the concerted nucleophilic aromatic substitution of aryl fluorides, in which a stereoelectronic σ (C_ipso‐C_β)→ σ*(C_ipso‐F) interaction critically contributes to the stabilization of the transition state for the cyclization.     

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.     

Preparation of Stable Low‐Oxidation‐State Group 14 Element Amidohydrides and Hydride‐Mediated Ring‐Expansion Chemistry of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

Various low oxidation state (+2) group 14 element amidohydride adducts, IPr ? EH(BH₃)NHDipp (E=Si or Ge; IPr=[(HCNDipp)₂C:], Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃), were synthesized. Thermolysis of the reported adducts was investigated as a potential route to Si‐ and Ge‐based clusters; however, unexpected transmetallation chemistry occurred to yield the carbene–borane adduct, IPr ? BH₂NHDipp. When a solution of IPr ? BH₂NHDipp in toluene was heated to 100 °C, a rare C? N bond‐activation/ring‐expansion reaction involving the bound N‐heterocyclic carbene donor (IPr) transpired.     

Efficient Rhodium‐Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction for the Synthesis of Novel Propargylamines

[{Rh(μ‐Cl)(H)₂(IPr)}₂] (IPr = 1,3‐bis‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazole‐2‐ylidene) was found to be an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of novel propargylamines by a one‐pot three‐component reaction between primary arylamines, aliphatic aldehydes, and triisopropylsilylacetylene. This methodology offers an efficient synthetic pathway for the preparation of secondary propargylamines derived from aliphatic aldehydes. The reactivity of [{Rh(μ‐Cl)(H)₂(IPr)}₂] with amines and aldehydes was studied, leading to the identification of complexes [RhCl(CO)IPr(MesNH₂)] (MesNH₂ = 2,4,6‐trimethylaniline) and [RhCl(CO)₂IPr]. The latter shows a very low catalytic activity while the former brought about reaction rates similar to those obtained with [{Rh(μ‐Cl)(H)₂(IPr)}₂]. Besides, complex [RhCl(CO)IPr(MesNH₂)] reacts with an excess of amine and aldehyde to give [RhCl(CO)IPr{MesN?CHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂}], which was postulated as the active species. A mechanism that clarifies the scarcely studied catalytic cycle of A₃‐coupling reactions is proposed based on reactivity studies and DFT calculations.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Photoenolization/Diels–Alder Reaction of Acid Fluorides

The combination of light activation and N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis has enabled the use of acid fluorides as substrates in a UVA‐light‐mediated photochemical transformation previously observed only with aromatic aldehydes and ketones. Stoichiometric studies and TD‐DFT calculations support a mechanism involving the photoactivation of an ortho‐toluoyl azolium intermediate, which exhibits “ketone‐like” photochemical reactivity under UVA irradiation. Using this photo‐NHC catalysis approach, a novel photoenolization/Diels–Alder (PEDA) process was developed that leads to diverse isochroman‐1‐one derivatives.     

Catalytic Synthesis of 8‐Membered Ring Compounds via Cobalt(III)‐Carbene Radicals

The metalloradical activation of o‐aryl aldehydes with tosylhydrazide and a cobalt(II) porphyrin catalyst produces cobalt(III)‐carbene radical intermediates, providing a new and powerful strategy for the synthesis of medium‐sized ring structures. Herein we make use of the intrinsic radical‐type reactivity of cobalt(III)‐carbene radical intermediates in the [Co^II(TPP)]‐catalyzed (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin) synthesis of two types of 8‐membered ring compounds; novel dibenzocyclooctenes and unprecedented monobenzocyclooctadienes. The method was successfully applied to afford a variety of 8‐membered ring compounds in good yields and with excellent substituent tolerance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental results suggest that the reactions proceed via hydrogen atom transfer from the bis‐allylic/benzallylic C?H bond to the carbene radical, followed by two divergent processes for ring‐closure to the two different types of 8‐membered ring products. While the dibenzocyclooctenes are most likely formed by dissociation of o‐quinodimethanes (o‐QDMs) which undergo a non‐catalyzed 8π‐cyclization, DFT calculations suggest that ring‐closure to the monobenzocyclooctadienes involves a radical‐rebound step in the coordination sphere of cobalt. The latter mechanism implies that unprecedented enantioselective ring‐closure reactions to chiral monobenzocyclooctadienes should be possible, as was confirmed for reactions mediated by a chiral cobalt‐porphyrin catalyst.     

Rational Exploration of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Palladacycle Diversity: A Highly Active and Versatile Precatalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reactions of Deactivated Aryl and Alkyl Substrates

As less attention has been focussed on the design of highly efficient palladium precatalysts to ensure the smooth formation of the active catalyst for metal‐mediated cross coupling reactions, we herein demonstrate that combining the bulky N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene (IPr) with cyclopalladated acetanilide as the optimal palladium precatalyst leads to superior catalytic activity compared with the state‐of‐the‐art NHC–Pd catalysts. The complex was discovered through the evaluation of a small, rationally designed library of NHC–palladacycles prepared by a novel, practical and atom‐economic method, the direct reaction of IPr?HCl with palladacycle acetate dimers.     

Investigation of N‐ and C‐Phosphanylation of [1,2,4]Triazolo[4,3‐a]pyridines

Synthesis and deprotonation of N‐phosphanylated[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyridinium triflates were investigated. Phosphanylation by t‐Bu₂PCl proceeds at N1 of starting triazolo‐pyridines. According to density functional theory calculations, deprotonation of the formed salt gives abnormal carbenes, which decompose by opening of the triazole cycle. Treatment by chlorodiphenylphosphane leads to an equilibrium mixture of N1‐ and N2‐phosphanylated salts, which under addition of base yields normal carbene that rapidly rearranges to form C‐phosphanylated product. Mechanisms of the reactions are discussed.     

Enantioselective Nucleophilic β‐Carbon‐Atom Amination of Enals: Carbene‐Catalyzed Formal [3+2] Reactions

An enantioselective β‐carbon amination for enals is disclosed. The nitrogen atom from a protected hydrazine with suitable electronic properties readily behaves as a nucleophile. Addition of the nitrogen nucleophile to a catalytically generated N‐heterocyclic‐carbene‐bound α,β‐unsaturated acyl azolium intermediate constructs a new carbon–nitrogen bond asymmetrically. The pyrazolidinone products from our catalytic reactions are common scaffolds in bioactive molecules, and can be easily transformed into useful compounds such as β³‐amino‐acid derivatives.     

1,2‐migration in N‐phosphano functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbenes

1,2‐Migration of the phosphano‐group to the carbene center in N‐phosphano functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbenes has been studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. An intramolecular mechanism with a three‐center transition state structure seems to be most plausible for the isolated carbenes, while an intermolecular pathway catalyzed by azolium salts may be preferable for a migration proceeding in the course of generating the carbenes in situ. Our calculations show that amino‐substitution at the phosphorus atom and an enhanced nucleophilicity of the heterocycle scaffold facilitate the phosphorus shift. Calculated singlet‐triplet energy gaps do not correlate with thermodynamic stability of the studied carbenes and their disposition toward the 1,2‐rearrangement. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mechanistic Studies on the Pd‐catalyzed Direct C?H Arylation of 2‐Substituted Thiophene Derivatives with Arylpalladium Bipyridyl Complexes

Direct C? H phenylation of 2‐ethylthiophene and 2‐chlorothiophene with PhPdI(bipy) complex to form either the corresponding 4‐phenyl or 5‐phenylthiophene derivative is studied under stoichiometric conditions using various Lewis acids as additives. It is shown that reactions occur via the corresponding cationic Pd complex (PhPdbipy⁺) and that the counteranion determines the regioselectivity. High‐level DFT calculations reveal that C? C bond formation occurs via a carbopalladation pathway and not via electrophilic palladation. These calculations give some indications regarding the regioselectivity of the thiophene arylation.     

Synthesis and Catalytic Study of Ruthenium Carbene Catalyst Containing a Zn‐Porphyrin Ligand

A ruthenium carbene complex containing a Zn‐porphyrin ligand has been developed. The complex was characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, HRMS and elemental analysis. The catalytic activity of the ruthenium carbene complex for olefin metathesis reactions was also investigated. The complex exhibited excellent performance for both ring‐closing and cross metathesis reactions at 35°C.     

Are There Carbenes in N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Organocatalysis?

Azolium cations are widely employed in organocatalysis to catalyse highly valuable synthetic processes in the presence of a base. These reactions are called “N‐heterocyclic carbene catalysis”, based on the assumption that they are initiated by the formation of a free carbene through deprotonation, which can then react with the substrates and thereby affect their reactivity to obtain the desired products. However, we herein provide evidence that an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism is energetically more favourable, in which the azolium cation reacts directly with the substrate, avoiding the formation of the free carbene in solution.     

Intermediates of N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Dimerization Probed in the Gas Phase by Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry: C−H⋅⋅⋅:C Hydrogen Bonding Versus Covalent Dimer Formation

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs, :C ) can interact with azolium salts ( C−H⁺ ) by either forming a hydrogen-bonded aggregate ( CHC⁺ ) or a covalent C−C bond ( CCH⁺ ). In this study, the intramolecular NHC–azolium salt interactions of aromatic imidazolin-2-ylidenes and saturated imidazolidin-2-ylidenes have been investigated in the gas phase by traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TW IMS) and DFT calculations. The TW IMS experiments provided evidence for the formation of these important intermediates in the gas phase, and they identified the predominant aggregation mode (hydrogen bond vs. covalent C−C) as a function of the nature of the interacting carbene–azolium pairs.     

Copper and Silver Carbene Complexes without Heteroatom‐Stabilization: Structure,Spectroscopy, and Relativistic Effects

Salts of a copper and a silver carbene complex were prepared from dimesityl diazomethane, made possible by the steric shielding of the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ancillary ligand IPr**. The mint‐green complex [IPr**Ag=CMes₂]⁺[NTf₂]^? is the first isolated silver carbene complex without heteroatom donor substituents. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction provides evidence for a predominant carbenoid character, and supports the postulation of such reactive species as intermediates in silver‐catalyzed C? H activation reactions. The greenish yellow copper carbene complex [IPr**Cu=CMes₂]⁺[NTf₂]^? has spectroscopic properties in between the isostructural silver complex and the already reported emerald green gold carbene complex. A comparison in the Group 11 series indicates that relativistic effects are responsible for the strong σ bond and the significant π back‐bonding in the gold carbene moiety.     

One‐pot Annulation for Biaryl‐fused Monocarba‐closo‐dodecaborate through Aromatic B−H Bond Disconnection

We have developed a one‐pot annulation reaction of monocarba‐closo‐dodecaborate with cyclic diaryliodonium salts to afford biaryl‐fused derivatives. Aryl functionalities are introduced at both the 1‐carbon and unreactive ortho‐boron vertices of the “σ‐aromatic” carborane cage without the need for pre‐functionalization. DFT calculations revealed that the palladium‐catalyzed C?B bond‐formation step in this process proceeds through a concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD)‐type pathway for the B?H bond disconnection on the aromatic cage, though such bonds are generally regarded as hydridic.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene–Phosphinidene Complexes of the Coinage Metals

Coinage metal complexes of the N‐heterocyclic carbene–phosphinidene adduct IPr ? PPh (IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) were prepared by its reaction with CuCl, AgCl, and [(Me₂S)AuCl], which afforded the monometallic complexes [(IPr ? PPh)MCl] (M=Cu, Ag, Au). The reaction with two equivalents of the metal halides gave bimetallic [(IPr ? PPh)(MCl)₂] (M=Cu, Au); the corresponding disilver complex could not be isolated. [(IPr ? PPh)(CuOTf)₂] was prepared by reaction with copper(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate. Treatment of [(IPr ? PPh)(MCl)₂] (M=Cu, Au) with Na(BAr^F) or AgSbF₆ afforded the tetranuclear complexes [(IPr ? PPh)₂M₄Cl₂]X₂ (X=BAr^F or SbF₆), which contain unusual eight‐membered M₄Cl₂P₂ rings with short cuprophilic or aurophilic contacts along the chlorine‐bridged M???M axes. Complete chloride abstraction from [(IPr ? PPh)(AuCl)₂] was achieved with two equivalents of AgSbF₆ in the presence of tetrahydrothiophene (THT) to form [(IPr ? PPh){Au(THT)}₂][SbF₆]₂. The cationic tetra‐ and dinuclear complexes were used as catalysts for enyne cyclization and carbene transfer reactions.