Unsymmetrically substituted N-heterocyclic phosphenium ions

Reduction of an unsymmetrically substituted α-diimine followed by condensation with PCl₃ yielded a P-chloro-N-aryl-N′-alkyl diazaphospholene which was further converted into an unsymmetrical diazaphospholium triflate by reaction with trimethylsilyl triflate. Reaction of tetramers of N-H- or N-alkyl-benzo-1,3,2-diazaphospholes with methyl triflate or triflic acid led in one step to triflate salts of unsymmetrically substituted benzo-1,3,2-diazaphospholium cations. Determination of the crystal structures of two of these derivatives by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that individual cations and anions in the crystal lattice interact via specific electrostatic, π-stacking, or van-der-Waals type interactions to form supramolecular assemblies. Thermoanalytical measurements disclosed that benzo-diazaphospholium triflates with medium length alkyl chains melt below 100 °C and exhibit a strong tendency to form supercooled liquids.     

One-step redox route to N-heterocyclic phosphenium ions

One-step reactions of the appropriate N-alkyl-, N-cycloalkyl-, and N-aryl-substituted alpha-diimines with PI3 afforded >80% yields of the triiodide salts of the following N-heterocyclic phosphenium ions, [(R1NC(R2)C(R2)NR1)P]+: 3 (R1 = t-Bu; R2 = H); 4 (R1 = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3; R2 = H), 5 (R1 = Mes; R2 = H), 6 (R1 = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3; R2 = H), and 7 (R1 = cyclohexyl; R2 = H). Treatment of 3 and 6 with NaB(C6H5)4 resulted in virtually quantitative yields of the corresponding [B(C6H5)4]- salts 8 and 9, respectively. The X-ray crystal structures of 3 and 5-9 were determined.     

N,C-bonded beta-diketiminato phosphenium cations

The first examples of N,C-bonded beta-diketiminato phosphenium cations have been isolated as their triflate or tetrachloroaluminate salts, both of which have been structurally characterized.     

Theoretical studies on cycloaddition reactions between keteniminium cations and olefins

The mechanisms of seven reactions between keteniminium cations and olefins have been theoretically explored at BHandHLYP/6-31G level. It is found that these seven reactions always form a relatively stable hydrogen-bonded type of ion-molecule complex first except for reactions 1d+2a and 1e+2a, which have no hydrogen atom attached to nitrogen atom in keteniminium cations. Some reactions take place via a concerted but unsynchronous mechanism, and the others are stepwise processes. The substituent effects are also studied. The data reveal that the electron-pushing substituents on keteniminium cations disfavor the reaction, and the electron-attracting substituents on keteniminium cations favor the reactions. The substituent effects on ethene are contrary to the former case.     

Theoretical studies on cycloaddition reactions between 2-azoniaallene cations and olefins

The mechanisms of cycloaddition reactions between 2-azoniaallene cations and olefins have been explored at the B3LYP/6-31G level. It is found that the positive charge in 2-azoniaallene makes the reaction more complicated. For the reactions between olefins with Cl groups or CH(3) groups and 2-azoniaallene, the typical carboniums have been located along the reaction path. In addition, for the reactions between 1,1-dimethylethene and 1,3-dichrolo-2-azoniaallene, different paths and products have been rationalized and verified.     

N-heterocyclic phosphenium ligands as sterically and electronically-tunable isolobal analogues of nitrosyls

The coordination chemistry of an N-heterocyclic phosphenium (NHP)-containing bis(phosphine) pincer ligand has been explored with Pt(0) and Pd(0) precursors. Unlike previous compounds featuring monodentate NHP ligands, the resulting NHP Pt and Pd complexes feature pyramidal geometries about the central phosphorus atom, indicative of a stereochemically active lone pair. Structural, spectroscopic, and computational data suggest that the unusual pyramidal NHP geometry results from two-electron reduction of the phosphenium ligand to generate transition metal complexes in which the Pt or Pd centers have been formally oxidized by two electrons. Interconversion between planar and pyramidal NHP geometries can be affected by either coordination/dissociation of a two-electron donor ligand or two-electron redox processes, strongly supporting an isolobal analogy with the linear (NO(+)) and bent (NO(-)) variations of nitrosyl ligands. In contrast to nitrosyls, however, these new main group noninnocent ligands are sterically and electronically tunable and are amenable to incorporation into chelating ligands, perhaps representing a new strategy for promoting redox transformations at transition metal complexes.     

Application of cycloaddition reactions to the syntheses of novel boron compounds

This review covers the application of cycloaddition reactions in forming the boron-containing compounds such as symmetric star-shaped boron-enriched dendritic molecules, nano-structured boron materials and aromatic boronic esters. The resulting boron compounds are potentially important reagents for both materials science and medical applications such as in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in cancer treatment and as drug delivery agents and synthetic intermediates for carbon-carbon cross-coupling reactions. In addition, the use of boron cage compounds in a number of cycloaddition reactions to synthesize unique aromatic species will be reviewed briefly.     

3 + 2]-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of an N-heterocyclic carbene boryl azide

Thermal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene dihydridoboron azide occur smoothly with alkynes, nitriles, and alkenes bearing electron-withdrawing groups. New, stable NHC-boryl-substituted triazoles, tetrazoles, and triazolidines are formed in good to excellent yields.     

Addition and cycloaddition reactions of allenyl cations with various cycloalka-1,3-dienes

Allenyl cations

, generated $\text{in}$$\text{situ}$ from propargyl chlorides and zinc chloride give monocyclic adducts or [3+4] and [2+4] cycloaddition products with various cycloalka-1,3-dienes. The mode of addition depends on R and the ring size of the 1,3-dienes.     

(4+3) cycloaddition reactions of nitrogen-stabilized oxyallyl cations

The use of heteroatom-substituted oxyallyl cations in (4+3) cycloadditions has had a tremendous impact on the development of cycloaddition chemistry. Extensive efforts have been exerted toward investigating the effect of oxygen, sulfur, and halogen substituents on the reactivity of oxyallyl cations. Most recently, the use of nitrogen-stabilized oxyallyl cations has gained prominence in the area of (4+3) cycloadditions. The following article will provide an overview of this concept utilizing nitrogen-stabilized oxyallyl cations.     

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions: a facile synthesis of 3,5-di- and 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazoles

A first example of organo-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed click-type fast 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with alkynes was developed for the regioselective synthesis of 3,5-di- and 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazoles. Triethylamine (Et(3)N) was employed as an effective base to generate both nitrile oxide and the organo-NHC catalyst in situ. This catalytic approach was used to attach a variety of substituents, including other biologically active fragments, onto the isoxazole ring to selectively design multinucleus structures. Further, we have also optimized the conditions for Cu(I)-free Sonogashira cross-coupling to obtain internal alkynes in high yields, which were subsequently used in cycloaddition. A catalytic cycle is proposed and the remarkable regiocontrol in the formation of isoxazoles was ascribed to a beneficial zwitterion intermediate developed by the interaction of the strongly nucleophilic organo-NHC catalyst with alkyne followed by nitrile oxide.     

Computational insights into the acceptor chemistry of phosphenium cations

Phosphines are traditionally considered as Lewis bases or ligands in transition metal and main group complexes. Despite their electron-rich (lone pair-bearing) nature, an extensive coordination chemistry for Lewis acidic phosphorus centers is being developed; such chemistry provides a new synthetic approach for phosphorus-element bond formation, leading to new types of structures and modes of bonding. Complexes of Ph2P+ with a variety of donor elements (P, N, C) give experimentally short donor-acceptor bond lengths, when compared to other cationic phosphorus Lewis acid complexes. We have calculated that the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) in Ph2P+ is lower than that of (Me2N)2P+, which partially explains the greater exothermicity of reactions of donors with the diaryl acceptor. Furthermore, the energies required to distort the diphenylphosphenium cation from its ground-state geometry are significantly smaller than those of the diamido cations and, thus, enhance the exothermicity of donor coordination. These computational data, in conjunction with evidence from experimental solid-state structures, indicate that Ph2P+ is a significantly better Lewis acid relative to the more common diaminophosphenium analogues (R2N)2P+ and are used to elucidate the nature of the bonding in donor-phosphenium complexes.     

Transition metal-catalysed (4 + 3) cycloaddition reactions involving allyl cations

In this emerging area article, we focus on novel intramolecular transition metal catalysed (4 + 3)-cycloaddition reactions of allenedienes in which the allene acts as an allylic-cation surrogate. This process has emerged as a powerful tool for the construction not only of complex seven-membered rings containing compounds but also different types of useful molecular skeletons by the proper selection of the catalyst. The transformation proceeds with high chemo- and stereoselectivity mainly because it occurs through an exo-like concerted transition state which exhibits a clear in-plane aromatic character. Despite that, different reaction mechanisms (i.e. stepwise processes) are also possible depending on the nucleophilicity of the diene moiety.     

Rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 2] and [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions

[reactions: see text] A rhodium complex of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been developed for intra- and intermolecular [4 + 2] and intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. This is the first use of a transition-metal NHC complex in a Diels-Alder-type reaction. For the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the dienynes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-99% yields within 10 min. Moreover, up to 1900 turnovers have been obtained for the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition at 15-20 degrees C. For the intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloadditions, high yields (71-99%) of the corresponding cycloaddition products were obtained. The reaction time and yield were highly dependent upon the diene and the dienophile. For the intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the alkyne vinylcyclopropanes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-98% yields within 10 min. However, the catalytic system was not effective for an intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.     

Lewis acid properties of phosphenium and arsenium cations: Study of their adducts with pyridine

In the growing field of dicoordinated Group 15 cations, the quantitative study of the Lewis acid properties of phosphenium or arsenium cations has not yet been undertaken. Moreover, there are only a few described examples of syntheses of arsenium cations. The aim of this work is to enhance this series and to develop a quantitative comparative study of their complexation with Lewis bases such as pyridine. The observation of the ¹³C NMR C-4 variation in the pyridine ring is a good probe to obtain the apparent equilibrium constant K_c and thus a Lewis acidity scale. Phosphenium cations are more acidic than arsenium cations.