Tridentate, anionic tethered N-heterocyclic carbene of Pd(II) complexes

The synthesis of a series of azolium salts such as azolium iodides and chlorides having both N-anionic functional group and N-alkyl group have been developed. Reaction of azolium iodides or chlorides with Ag₂O gave the corresponding NHC-Ag complexes. It was found that the resulting NHC-Ag complexes derived from azolium iodides or chlorides differ in their physical properties. The azolium chlorides as well as azolium iodides were successfully converted into the NHC-Ag complexes, which subsequently reacted with PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ to give the anionic amidate/NHC-Pd complexes. Thus, a variety of the NHC-Pd complexes could be obtained from benzimidazolium and imidazolium salts.     

Quinoline-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of iridium: Synthesis, structures and catalytic activities in transfer hydrogenation

Iridium complexes containing quinoline-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been synthesized by the transmetalation route from silver carbene precursors. The silver complexes undergo a facile reaction with [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) to yield a series of carbene complexes [(NHC)Ir(COD)Cl] (NHC = 3-methyl-1-(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2a); 3-n-butyl-1-(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2b); 3-benzyl-1-(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2c); 1,3-di(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2d). The coordinated COD was replaced by carbon monoxide to yield the corresponding carbonyl species [(NHC)Ir(CO)₂Cl] (3). Complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized by IR, ESI-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of complexes 2b and 2c have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Two analogous Ir(I) complexes 5 and 6 with naphthalene-containing NHC have also been synthesized and characterized. These Ir(I) complexes in the current work have been proved to be active catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones to alcohols using 2-propanol as the hydrogen source.     

N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of Zn(II): synthesis, X-ray structures and reactivity

The synthesis of six novel zinc (II) mono(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes is described. 1,3-Bis(mesityl)-imidazol-2-ylidene was reacted with the zinc salts ZnX₂ (X=Cl, CH₃COO, PhCOO, and PhCH₂COO) to yield the corresponding monomeric Zn-NHC complex ZnCl₂(NHC)(THF) (1) and dimeric [Zn(OOCCH₃)₂(NHC)]₂ (2), [Zn(OOCPh)₂(NHC)]₂ (3), [Zn(OOCCH₂Ph)₂(NHC)]₂ (4) (NHC=1,3-bis(mesityl)-imidazol-2-ylidene). Reaction of 1 with 2 equivalents of silver trifluoromethanesulfonate yielded monomeric Zn(O₃SCF₃)₂(NHC)(THF) (5), reaction of 1 with sodium {[R(+)-α-2-(1-phenyl-ethylimino)-methyl]-phenolate} yielded monomeric ZnCl(OC₆H₄-2-CHN(CHPhCH₃)(NHC) (6). Compounds 1, 4-6 were structurally characterized by X-ray analysis. Selected compounds were investigated for their activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide with cyclohexene oxide as well as in the ring-opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide and ε-caprolactone.     

Synthesis of ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their catalytic activities in transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Three RuCl₂(η⁶-arene, η¹-carbene) and two RuCl₂(NHC)(arene) complexes have been prepared by the reaction of bis(1,3-dialkylperhydrobenzimidazol-2-ylidene) (1) and bis(1,3-dialkyl-4-methylzimidazolin-2-ylidene) (3) with [RuCl₂(arene)]₂ in toluene and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. The catalytic activities of these complexes were examined in the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones using 2-propanol as hydrogen source.     

N-heterocyclic carbene Pt(II) complexes from caffeine: synthesis, structures and photoluminescent properties

The caffeine-derived N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex [Pt(II)(C^N)(NHC)Cl] (C^N = 2-phenylpyridine), 4 has the opposite stereochemistry and a shorter Pt-C(carbene) bond compared to that of an analogous benzimidazole-derived N,N-heterocyclic carbene (NNHC) Pt complex 2. These suggest a lower trans influence of pyridyl N compared to cyclometallated carbon and an increased Pt-NHC π-backbonding because of decreased π-donation resulting from conjugation to the electron deficient pyrimidine of caffeine. Complex 4 has a lower emission quantum yield (Φ) and is blue-shifted into the green region of the visible spectrum relative to non-carbene Pt(II) cyclometalated complex 5.     

Dinuclear nickel(II) complexes with Schiff base ligands: syntheses, structures and bio-relevant catalytic activities

Three Ni(II) complexes of cresol-based Schiff-base ligands, namely [Ni₂(L¹)(NCS)₃(H₂O)₂], (1) [Ni₂(L²)(CH₃COO)(NCS)₂(H₂O)] (2) and [Ni₂(L³)(NCS)₃] (3), (where L¹ = 2,6-bis(N-ethylpyrrolidineiminomethyl)-4-methylphenolato, L² = 2,6-bis(N-ethylpiperidineiminomethyl)-4-methylphenolato and L³ = 2,6-bis{N-ethyl-N-(3-hydroxypropyl iminomethyl)}-4-methylphenolato), have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction in addition to routine physicochemical techniques. Density functional theory calculations have been performed to understand the nature of the electronic spectra of the complexes. Complexes 1?C3 when reacted with 4-nitrophenyl phosphate in 50:50 acetonitrile?Cwater medium promote the cleavage of the O?CP bond to form p-nitrophenol and smoothly convert 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBC) to 3,5-di-tert-butylquinone (3,5-DTBQ) either in MeOH or in MeCN medium. Phosphatase- and catecholase-like activities were monitored by UV?Cvis spectrophotometry and the Michaelis?CMenten equation was applied to rationalize all the kinetic parameters. Upon treatment with urea, complexes 1 and 2 give rise to [Ni₂(L¹)(NCS)₂(NCO)(H₂O)₂] (1??) and [Ni₂(L²)(CH₃COO)(NCO)(NCS)(H₂O)] (2??) derivatives, respectively, whereas 3 remains unaltered under same reaction conditions.     

N-heterocyclic carbene ligands bearing hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic chains: Rh(I) and Pd(II) complexes and their catalytic activity

A series of novel imidazolium salts bearing hydrophilic tetraethylene glycol (TEG) and/or hydrophobic long-chain alkyl (n-C12) functionalities, which are precursors for desired N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, were synthesized and characterized. Rh(I)-NHC complexes were prepared in good yields by the silver carbene transfer method with NHC-Ag species derived from the imidazolium salts. The molecular structure of the Rh(I)-NHC complex having n-C12 chains has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study and the complex is found to possess extended alkyl chains with anti conformations in the solid state. Hydrosilylation with the Rh(I) complexes and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions with the Pd(II) complexes with these NHC ligands were carried out. In the latter case, the TEG moiety enhances catalytic activity considerably.     

4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis and transfer hydrogenation of ketones

4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted Ag(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes and Ru(II) NHC complexes have been synthesized. The Ag(I) complexes were synthesized from the imidazolium salts and Ag₂O in dichloromethane at room temperature. The Ru(II) complexes were prepared from Ag(I) NHC complexes by transmetallation. The six 4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted Ag(I) NHC complexes and six 4-Vinylbenzyl-substituted Ru(II) NHC complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. The Ru(II) NHC complexes show catalytic activity for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones.     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic activity of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladacycle complexes

Palladacycle dimers possessing bridging halides can be easily cleaved by using N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) to generate novel monomeric complexes. The structure of one of these was determined by single-crystal diffraction study and consists of a square-planar coordination around the palladium center where the NHC ligand is trans to the amine of the palladacycle. The complex was found to be equally active in aryl amination and alpha-arylation of ketones even at very low catalyst loading (0.02 mol %). Primary and secondary alkyl/arylamines are equally active partners in coupling reactions. [reaction: see text]     

Silver(I), nickel(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes based on bidentate bis-imidazolium salt with a quinoxaline linker: syntheses,structures, and characterization

Quinoxaline-bridged bidentate bis-imidazolium dicarbene ligand 1,1′-(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)bis(3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium) hexafluorophosphate salt H₂L·2PF₆ (3) was prepared by a two-step reaction based on 2,3-bis(imidazol-1-yl)quinoxaline (1). First, the 2,3-bis(imidazol-1-yl)quinoxaline reacted with CH₃I resulting in the 1,1′-(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)bis(3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium) iodide salt H₂L·2I (2), then through anion exchange reactions with NH₄PF₆ in water produced the desired bis-imidazolium bidentate ligand H₂L·2PF₆ (3). Reaction of the bidentate bis-imidazolium ligands H₂L·2PF₆ (3) with Ag₂O in acetonitrile gave the macrocyclic binuclear silver(I) carbene complex [Ag₂(L)₂]·2PF₆·CH₃CN (4). Nickel carbene complex [Ni(L)PPh₃Cl]·PF₆·2DMSO (5) was obtained via transmetalation of 4 with Ni(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ in DMSO. The bidentate carbene ligand is a chelating ligand in 5, while bridging in 4. The imidazolium ligand H₂L·2PF₆ (3) and transition metal carbene complexes 4 and 5 have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, ESI-MS spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Furthermore, the UV and luminescent properties of 3–5 were also studied.     

Platinum(II)-bis-(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes: synthesis, structure and catalytic activity in the hydrosilylation of alkenes

Chelating biscarbene ligands increase the stability of metal-organic catalyst systems. The catalytic activities of seven structurally different platinum(II)-bis-NHC-complexes in the hydrosilylation of alkenes have been investigated and compared with the catalytic activity of the Karstedt catalyst and of a highly active platinum(0)-NHC-complex. It is shown that a fine-tuning of the catalytic activity of the platinum(II)-bis-NHC-complexes is possible. The synthesis of a platinum(II)-bis-NHC-complex with similar activity, but additional advantages compared to the Karstedt catalyst, is reported. The solid state structure of 1,1-[Bis(3,3′-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,1′-1H-imidazolium-2,2′-ylidene)methanediyl]platinum(II)-dichloride is presented.     

Syntheses and characterizations of thiolato-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene Pd(II) complexes with normal and mesoionic binding modes

The thiolato-bridged dimeric Pd(II) NHC complex 1 has been synthesized from the reaction of thioester-functionalized imidazolium salt B and Pd(OAc)(2). The isolation of its interesting constitutional isomer 2 bearing both classical C(2)-bound and mesoionic C(4)-bound ligands coordinating to two different metal centers in the same complex allowed for a direct comparison of these isomeric carbenes. Reactivity studies of 1 with NaSCH(CH(3))(2) and NaBF(4) afforded the tetranuclear compound 3 with a [Pd(4)S(4)] macrocycle. All complexes have been fully characterized by multinuclei NMR spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Syntheses and catalytic activities of Pd(II) dicarbene and hetero-dicarbene complexes

A series of palladium(II) complexes (1-6) bearing cis-chelating homo-dicarbene ligands with varying alkyl bridges (C1-C3) and N-heterocyclic backbones (imidazole and benzimidazole) have been synthesized by reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ with the respective diazolium bromides (A·2HBr - F·2HBr) in DMSO. A comparative catalytic study employing aryl chlorides in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction revealed the superiority of methylene- and propylene-bridged dibenzimidazolin-2-ylidenes over their imidazole-derived analogues. Based on these results, two new propylene-bridged hetero-dicarbene complexes (7 and 8) were designed containing a mixed benzimidazole/imidazole-derived NHC-donor set. Notably, both complexes outperformed their homo-dicarbene analogues, which may be due to the electronic asymmetry induced by hetero-dicarbene ligands. The molecular structures of complex 6 and 8 are also presented.     

Cross-coupling and dehalogenation reactions catalyzed by (N-heterocyclic carbene)Pd(allyl)Cl complexes

A series of well-defined, air- and moisture-stable (NHC)Pd(allyl)Cl (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes has been used in several catalytic reactions: Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, catalytic dehalogenation of aryl halides, and aryl amination. The scope of the three processes using various substrates was examined. A general system involving the use of (IPr)Pd(allyl)Cl as catalyst and NaO(t)Bu as base has proven to be highly active for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of activated and unactivated aryl chlorides and bromides, for the catalytic dehalogenation of aryl chlorides, and for the catalytic aryl amination of aryl triflates. All reactions proceed in short reaction times and at mild temperatures. The system has also proven to be compatible with the microwave-assisted Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and catalytic dehalogenation processes, affording yields similar to those of the conventionally heated analogous reactions.     

Palladium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis,structures and cytotoxicity potential studies against breast cancer cell line

Abstract

Mononuclear trans-Pd(II)–NHC complexes (where NHC?=?N-heterocyclic carbene) bearing asymmetrically substituted NHC-ligand have been synthesized via transmetalation reaction between Ag(I)–NHC complexes and [Pd(NCCH₃)₂Cl₂]. The NHC precursors are accessible in two steps by N-n-alkyl reactions of benzimidazole. The resultant benzimidazolium salts were deprotonated with Ag₂O by in situ deprotonation to facilitate the formation of mononuclear Ag(I)–NHC complexes. Single-crystal structural study for Pd(II)–NHC shows that the palladium(II) ion exhibits a square-planar geometry of two NHC ligands and two chloride ions. The cytotoxicity study was investigated against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). The Ag(I)–NHC complexes exhibit better activities than their corresponding Pd(II)–NHC complexes, whereas all benzimidazolium salts are inactive toward MCF-7 cancer cell line.     

Fluorescence and crystal structures of new mercury(II) macrocyclic N-heterocyclic carbene complexes with ether chains

Polyerther-linked mercury(II) carbene complexes are synthesized by the reaction of carbene precursores with mercury(II) acetate. The binuclear carbene complexes with the chloride ion linkage are easily prepared by the reaction of mononuclear mercury carbene complexes with tetrabutylammoium chloride. The crystal structures reveal that the fluorescence of mercury complexes are related to the coordination mode of the ligands.     

Pd(II) complexes of a sterically bulky, benzannulated N-heterocyclic carbene and their catalytic activities in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction

The bis(N,N′-diisopropylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene)Pd(II) complexes trans-[PdBr₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (trans-1) and trans-[PdI₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (trans-2) have been prepared in good yields by in situ deprotonation of the corresponding N,N′-diisopropylbenzimidazolium salt (ⁱPr₂-bimyH⁺X⁻) (A: X = Br, B: X = I) with Pd(OAc)₂ in DMSO at elevated temperature. Salt metathesis of trans-1 or trans-2 with AgO₂CCF₃ in refluxing CH₃CN afforded the novel mixed carbene-carboxylato complex cis-[Pd(O₂CCF₃)₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (cis-3). This halo/trifluorocarboxylato ligand substitution can be regarded as a selective method for the synthesis of cis-configured bis(carbene) complexes. All compounds have been fully characterized by multinuclei NMR spectroscopies and ESI mass spectrometry. X-ray diffraction studies on single crystals of trans-1, trans-2 and cis-3 revealed a square planar geometry and a fixed orientation of the N-isopropyl substituents with the C-H protons pointing to the metal center to maximize rare C-H?Pd preagostic interactions. These interactions are also retained in solution as indicated by the large downfield shift of the isopropyl C-H protons in the ¹H NMR spectrum compared to those in precursor salts A or B. A preliminary catalytic study revealed that all complexes are highly active in the Mizoroki-Heck coupling of aryl bromides and chlorides. However, these complexes gave slower conversions as compared to catalysts with less bulky benzimidazolin-2-ylidenes. This is most likely due to the steric bulk of the ligands, which hamper a fast reductive formation of catalytically active Pd(0) species.     

Sulfur-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes and their transition metal complexes

Donor group functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are an important class of ligands used in transition metal complex chemistry. Herein, the growing field of sulfur-functionalized NHC compounds and their respective transition metal complexes are described comprehensively. The sulfur-functionalized NHC compounds are categorized by functional groups such as thiolate, thioether, sulfoxide, thiophene, sulfonate and sulfonamide. Chiral compounds and the hemilabile behaviour of sulfur-functionalized NHC compounds are reported.     

Ag(I) and Pd(II) complexes of a 1,3-dibenzhydryl substituted benzannulated N-heterocyclic carbene: Unexpected rearrangement, structures and catalytic studies

Reaction of the sterically bulky 1,3-dibenzhydrylbenzimidazolium bromide (Bh₂-bimyH⁺Br⁻) (A) with Pd(OAc)₂ in DMSO yielded a mono(carbene) Pd(II) complex 1 with a N-bound benzimidazole derivative, which resulted from an unusual NHC rearrangement reaction. Reaction of A with Ag₂O, on the other hand, cleanly gave the Ag(I) carbene complex [AgBr(Bh₂-bimy)] (2), which has been used as a carbene-transfer agent to prepare the acetonitrile complex trans-[PdBr₂(CH₃CN)(Bh₂-bimy)] (3). Dissociation of acetonitrile from complex 3 and subsequent dimerization afforded the dinuclear Pd(II) complex [PdBr₂(Bh₂-bimy)]₂ (4) in quantitative yield. All complexes were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of complex 4 in aqueous Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions was studied and compared with that of its previously reported less bulky analogue [PdBr₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)]₂.