Novel cyclopalladated imino-thiophenes: synthesis and reactivity toward alkynes and carbon monoxide

ortho-palladated complexes based on thiophene and benzothiophene ligands 1a and 1b have been synthesized by direct C-H activation under mild conditions. These species were fully characterized, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The reactions of these novel complexes with internal alkynes afforded a variety of thieno[3,2-c]pyridinium salts substituted at the 6- and 7-positions. The thiophene-based complex 2a also reacts with carbon monoxide, in the presence of different alcohols, forming the corresponding esters by tandem alkoxycarbonylations. This latter reaction can be exploited for the unexpected, but straightforward, formation of the monomeric bis-cyclometallated complexes 6a and 6b from 2a or 2b, whose syntheses do not require the employment of transmetallating agents. The structures of these monomeric palladacycles were also fully elucidated by means of X-ray diffraction studies.     

Striking reactivity of ylide-like germylene toward terminal alkynes: [4+2] cycloaddition versus C-H bond activation

The isolable ylide-like N-heterocyclic germylene LGe: (2) {L = CH[(C=CH(2))CMe][N(aryl)](2), aryl = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)} shows an unprecedented dual reactivity toward terminal alkynes: its reaction with acetylene leads via [4+2] cycloaddition to the novel intramolecular donor stabilised germylene 3, while conversion of phenylacetylene furnishes the analogous cycloadduct 4 along with a C-H bond activation product, the novel N-donor stabilised alkynyl germylene 5.     

Orthopalladacycles derived from α-diphenylhydrazonoketene dithioacetals and their reactivity with terminal alkynes

In this paper, we present the synthesis and characterization of new orthopalladated complexes derived from α-diphenylhydrazonoketene dithioacetals. From their reaction with terminal alkynes, the intermediates of the expected C_sp-C_sp2coupling reaction were isolated in stable form and their structures were confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and reactivity of mixed alkynylalanes by direct triethylamine-catalyzed alumination of terminal alkynes

[reaction: see text] Terminal alumination of alkynes by DIBALH or trimethylaluminum can be performed in a simple manner in the presence of a small amount of triethylamine. This new Lewis-base-catalyzed process delivers mixed alkynyldialkylalanes of great interest, without the need of an initial deprotonation step with lithium or sodium derivatives followed by a transmetalation.     

α-Methyl-benzylcalcium complexes: syntheses, structures and reactivity

α-Methyl-benzylcalcium complexes were prepared analogue to α-Me₃Si-benzylcalcium complexes for which procedures were reported earlier. The crystal structures of homoleptic bis(2-Me₂N-α-Me-benzyl)calcium·(THF)₂ and heteroleptic (9-Me₃Si-fluorenyl)(2-Me₂N-α-Me-benzyl)calcium·(THF) were determined. For both compounds only one of the two diastereomers crystallized. Barriers for inversion of the chiral benzylic carbon were estimated by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. The α-methyl-benzylcalcium compounds are less stable and show a higher reactivity and faster initiation of styrene polymerization than the analogue α-Me₃Si-benzylcalcium complexes. Intramolecular CH activation in a heteroleptic α-methyl-benzylcalcium complex was observed and the product, a calcium complex with a dianionic alkyl/fluorenyl ansa-ligand, was characterized by crystal structure determination.     

Convenient one-pot syntheses of 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones and 3-imino-1,2-dithioles from terminal alkynes

The reaction of acetylide anions with carbon disulfide or phenyl isothiocyanate followed by addition of sulfur in the presence of a protonating agent such as a primary amine or alcohol affords 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones or 3-imino-1,2-dithioles in good to excellent yields.     

Redox-neutral atom-economic rhodium-catalyzed coupling of terminal alkynes with carboxylic acids toward branched allylic esters

A new method for the preparation of a wide range of branched allylic esters from terminal alkynes that proceeds via a redox-neutral propargylic CH activation employing a rhodium(I)/DPEphos catalyst is reported.     

Dinuclear gold(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic application for hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes

Dinuclear gold(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were developed for the hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes. The gold(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes 2a-2b were synthesized in good yields from silver complexes synthesized in situ, which in turn were obtained from the corresponding imidazolium salts with Ag₂O in dichloromethane as a solvent. The new air-stable gold(I)-NHC complexes, 2a - 2b, were characterized using NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, infrared, and mass spectroscopy studies. The gold(I) complex 2a was characterized using X-ray crystallography. Bis-N-heterocyclic carbene–based gold(I) complexes 2a - 2b exhibited excellent catalytic activities for hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes yielding acylhydrazone derivatives. The working catalytic system can be used in gram-scale synthesis. In addition, the catalytic reaction mechanism of the hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes by gold(I)-NHC complex was studied in detail using density functional theory.     

Regioselective allylgallation of terminal alkynes

The reactions of terminal alkynes with allylgallium reagents generated in situ from gallium and allyl bromides gave the corresponding 1,4-dienes in good yield via Markovnikov addition in THF at 70 degrees C.     

New syntheses of alkynes: a tale of serendipity and design

The story behind the development of several new syntheses of alkynes is presented.     

Amido/amine triazacyclononane-based zirconium complexes: syntheses, reactivity, and structures

The reactions of [Zr(NMe2)4]2 with triamido-triazacyclonane ligand precursors, {NH(Ph)SiMe2}3tacn (H3N3[9]N3) and {NH(C6H4F)SiMe2}3tacn (H3N3-F[9]N3), led to the formation of complexes [Zr(NMe2)2{N(Ph)SiMe2}2{NH(Ph) SiMe2}tacn], 1, and [Zr(NMe2)2{N(o-C6H4F)SiMe2}2{NH(o-C6H4F)SiMe2} tacn], 2, where the zirconium is coordinated to two remaining dimethylamido ligands and to a dianionic tacn-based ligand, [{N(Ph')SiMe2}2{NH(Ph')SiMe2}tacn]2-, that formed from deprotonation of two amine pendent arms of the ligands' precursors. The third pendent arm of H3N3[9]N3 and H3N3-F[9]N3 remains neutral and not bonded to the zirconium. Treatment of 1 with NaH led to the synthesis of [Zr(NMe2){N(Ph)SiMe2}2tacn], 3, that results from the cleavage of the N-Si bond of the original neutral pendent arm. Complexes [ZrCl{N(Ph')SiMe2}2tacn] (Ph' = C6H5, 4, and C6H4F, 5) have been obtained by reactions of ZrCl4 with {MN(Ph')SiMe2}3tacn.2THF (M = Li, Na). Reactions of 4 and 5 with LiC triple bond CPh led to the syntheses of [Zr(CCPh){N(Ph')SiMe2}2tacn] (Ph' = C6H5, 6, and C6H4F, 7). The solid-state structure of 3 shows a chiral metal center.     

Tetrahedranyllithium: synthesis, characterization, and reactivity

The first representative of stable tetrahedranyl anion, tris(trimethylsilyl)tetrahedranyllithium (3), has been synthesized by the reaction of tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)tetrahedrane (2) with methyllithium in tetrahydrofuran. The structural characterization of the tetrahedranyllithium has been achieved by X-ray crystallography, showing that the structure of 3.(TMEDA)1.5 represents a stretched tetrahedron. The endocyclic C(Li)-C(SiMe3) bond lengths range from 1.5408(15) to 1.5441(15) A (av 1.5425(15) A), and are longer than the endocyclic C(SiMe3)-C(SiMe3) bond lengths, which range from 1.4961(15) to 1.5009(15) A (av 1.4986(15) A). Methyl- and hydrogen-substituted tetrahedranes have also been prepared by the reaction of 3 with dimethyl sulfate and cyclopentadiene, respectively.     

Copper-bispidine coordination chemistry: syntheses,structures, solution properties,and oxygenation reactivity

Copper(I) and copper(II) complexes of two mononucleating and four dinucleating tetradentate ligands with a bispidine backbone (2,4-substituted (2-pyridyl or 4-methyl-2-pyridyl) 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanone) have been prepared and analyzed structurally, spectroscopically, and electrochemically. The structures of the copper chromophores are square pyramidal, except for two copper(I) compounds which are four-coordinate with one noncoordinated pyridine. The other copper(I) structures have the two pyridine donors, the co-ligand (NCCH(3)), and one of the tertiary amines (N3) in-plane with the copper center and the other amine (N7) coordinated axially (Cu-N3 > Cu-N7, approximately 2.25 A vs 2.20 A). The copper(II) compounds with pyridine donors have a similar structure, but the axial amine has a weaker bond to the copper(II) center (Cu-N3 < Cu-N7, approximately 2.03 A vs 2.30 A). The structures with methylated pyridine donors are also square pyramidal with the co-ligands (Cl(-) or NCCH(3)) in-plane. With NCCH(3) the same structural type as for the other copper(II) complexes is observed, and with the bulkier Cl(-) the co-ligand is trans to N7, leading to a square pyramidal structure with the pyridine donors rotated out of the basal plane and only a small difference between axial and in-plane amines (2.15, 2.12 A). These structural differences, enforced by the rigid bispidine backbone, lead to large variations in spectroscopic and electrochemical properties and reactivities. Oxygenation of the copper(I) complexes with pyridine-substituted bispidine ligands leads to relatively stable mu-peroxo-dicopper(II) complexes; with a preorganization of the dicopper chromophores, by linking the two donor sets, these peroxo compounds are stable at room temperature for up to 1 h. The stabilization of the peroxo complexes is to a large extent attributed to the square pyramidal coordination geometry with the substrate bound in the basal plane, a structural motif enforced by the rigid bispidine backbone. The stabilities and structural properties are also seen to correlate with the spectroscopic (UV-vis and Raman) and electrochemical properties.     

Palladacycles incorporating a carboxylate-functionalized phosphine ligand: syntheses,characterization and their catalytic applications toward Suzuki couplings in water

A series of acetato-bridged [C^X]-type (C = aryl carbanion, X = N, P) palladacycles (1–5) of the general formula [Pd(μ-CH₃COO)(C^X)]₂ were synthesized as metal precursors via slightly modified procedures. However, in the case of complex 5 with Dpbp (Dpbp = 2′-(diphenylphosphino-κP)[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl-κC) as the supporting C^P ligand, an unexpected dinuclear complex [Pd(μ-CO₂)(Dpbp)]₂ (6) was obtained as a by-product and structurally determined by X-ray crystallography. The reactions of complexes 1–4 with 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzoic acid conveniently afforded four carboxylate-functionalized phosphine complexes [Pd(C^N)(Dpb)] (Dbp = 2-(diphenylphosphino-κP)benzoato-κO, 7–10), two of which (9/10) are newly synthesized in the present work and have been fully characterized. A comparative catalytic study revealed that complex [Pd(Ppy)(Dpb)] (7) (Ppy = 2-(2-pyridinyl-κN)phenyl-κC) is the best performer in Suzuki cross-couplings in H₂O. In addition, complex 7 exhibits much better catalytic activity compared to the non-functionalized phosphine equivalent [Pd(OAc)(PPh₃)(Ppy)] (11), which clearly indicates the superiority of incorporating a carboxylate-functionalized phosphine ligand into the palladacycles. A preliminary mechanistic study uncovered a different precatalyst initiation pathway compared to other known analogues of catalyst precursors.     

Direct electrophilic silylation of terminal alkynes

[reaction: see text] A variety of alkynylsilanes were efficiently prepared via direct silylation of terminal alkynes with aminosilanes in the presence of zinc halides. Base- and nucleophile-sensitive functionalities were perfectly tolerated under the above reaction conditions. Initial mechanistic studies support the electrophilic character of this transformation.     

Zinc-catalyzed silylation of terminal alkynes.

A rapid and high-yielding silylation of terminal alkynes employing TMSOTf and catalytic quantities of Zn(OTf)2 has been developed. The reaction works well for a variety of substrates including reactive esters. Fifteen examples with yields of >90% are reported.     

Synthesis of novel carborane-containing terminal alkynes

Lithiation of 1-bromomethyl-o-carborane with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) in THF results in the in situ formation of 1-lithio-2-bromomethyl-o-carborane, the reaction of which with 3-trimethylsilylprop-2-ynal gives 2-(2-trimethylsilylethynyl)-3,4-(о-carborano)-2,5-dihydrofuran. Subsequent base-catalyzed desilylation furnishes new terminal alkynes of closoand nido-carborane series.     

Platinum-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of terminal alkynes

The hydroamination of terminal alkyl- and arylacetylenes with aniline is catalyzed by platinum(II) bromide, yielding the corresponding imines. Contrary to what has been previously demonstrated for the platinum(II)-catalyzed hydroamination of -olefins, the presence of n-Bu₄PBr has a detrimental effect on the course of the reaction. The hydroamination of 1-hexyne is highly regioselective (Markovnikov) at 60 °C, but the regioselectivity decreases upon increasing the temperature. The hydroamination of phenylacetylene is fully regioselective (Markovnikov) at 100 °C. TON up to 146 were obtained in the presence of a catalytic source of protons.     

Lithium 2,3-dihydro-1-benzothiophene-1,1-dioxide: synthesis, characterization, DFT calculations, and reactivity toward aldehydes and azomethines

The sulfonyl carbanion derived from 2,3-dihydro-1-benzothiophene-1,1-dioxide and its lithium salt has been investigated by DFT calculations. NMR and IR spectroscopic analyses showed that the lithium sulfonyl carbanion exists in solution as a monomer in equilibrium with a dimer. The lithium carbanion was treated with aldehydes and azomethynes to give chiral hydroxy and amino derivatives. The stereochemistry of the products and the diastereoselectivity of the reaction were investigated.