Cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene gold(I) complexes: A synthetic and structural investigation

A series of mono- and dicarbene gold(I) complexes of types Au(CAAC)(Cl) [CAAC = cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene] (1) and [Au(CAAC)₂]⁺[X]^? (X = Cl, AuCl₂) (2) have been prepared through reaction of AuCl(SMe₂) with free carbenes a–e, and structurally characterized by single X-ray diffraction studies (1a, 1b, 2d, 2e). In addition two new free cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (c and e) have been synthesized.     

Luminescent coordination polymers with extended Au(I)–Ag(I) interactions supported by a pyridyl-substituted NHC ligand

Reaction of [Ag(CH₃impy)₂]PF₆, 1, with Au(tht)Cl produces the monometallic Au(I)-species [Au(CH₃impy)₂]PF₆, 2. Treatment of 2 with excess AgBF₄ in acetonitrile, benzonitrile or benzylnitrile produces the polymeric species {[AuAg(CH₃impy)₂(L)](BF₄)₂}_n, (L = CH₃CN,3; L = C₆H₅CN, 4; L = C₆H₅CH₂CN, 5) where the Au(I) centers remain bound to two carbene moieties while the Ag(I) centers are coordinated to two alternating pyridyl groups and a solvent molecule (L). Reaction of 2 with AgNO₃ in acetonitrile produces the zig-zag mixed-metal polymer {[AuAg(CH₃impy)₂(NO₃)]NO₃}_n, 6, that contains a coordinated nitrate ion in place of the coordinated solvent species. All of these polymeric materials are dynamic in solution and dissociate into their respective monometallic components. Compounds 2–6 are intensely luminescent in the solid-state and in frozen solution. All of these complexes were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy and elemental analysis.     

Synthesis and asymmetric catalytic application of chiral imidazolium–phosphines derived from (1R,2R)-trans-diaminocyclohexane

Reaction between a chiral imidazole–amine precursor derived from (1R,2R)-trans-diaminocyclohexane and P¹Cl (where P¹ = PPh₂, P(1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃)₂, P(2,2′-O,O′-(1,1′-biphenyl), P((R)-(2,2′-O,O′-(1,1′-binaphthyl))) and P((S)-(2,2′-O,O′-(1,1′-binaphthyl)))) followed by RX (where R = ⁿPr, ⁱPr, CHPh₂, X = Br; R = ⁱPr, X = I), respectively, gives a selection of chiral imidazolium–phosphine compounds. Deprotonation of the imidazolium salt gives the corresponding NHC–P ligands that can be used in metal-mediated asymmetric catalytic applications. Catalytic reactions show that NHC–P ligands give a significantly greater rate of reaction for a palladium catalysed allylic substitution reaction in comparison to analogous di-NHC or NHC–imine ligands and that NHC–P hybrids are also effective for iridium catalysed transfer hydrogenation.     

Asymmetric fluorination of β-keto esters catalyzed by chiral rare earth perfluorinated organophosphates

Novel chiral rare earth metal complexes bearing perfluorinated binaphthyl phosphate ligand RE[(R)-F₈BNP]₃ (RE = rare earth; F₈BNP = 5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,8,8′-octafluoro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl phosphate) have been synthesized and used as a catalyst for the asymmetric electrophilic fluorination reaction of β-keto esters. The use of Sc[(R)-F₈BNP]₃ catalyst in combination with 1-fluoropyridinium triflate (NFPY–OTf) as a fluorinating agent was found to give the desired α-fluoro-β-keto esters in high chemical yields and enantiomeric excesses (up to 88% ee) under mild conditions.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and properties of dinuclear copper(I) complexes

Two dinuclear molecule-bridged Cu(I) complexes, (μ-bpym)[Cu(PPh₃)Cl]₂ (1), [(μ-bpym)(CuL)₂](ClO₄)₂·(CH₃CN)₂(H₂O) (2) (bpym = 2,2′-bipyrimidine, L = (R)-(+)-2,2′-bis(diphenylphospho)-1,1′-dinaphthalene) have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of the two new dinuclear compounds exhibit bridging of two copper(I) centers by the symmetrically bis-chelating bpym ligand. Intriguingly, compound 1 features a remarkable “intramolecular organic sandwich” configuration where the central 2,2′-bipyrimidine bridging ligand interacts in π/π/π fashion with two phenyl rings from the coligands above and below the central plane, while chiral compound 2 exhibits second-order nonlinear optical effect and temperature-dependent luminescence. Upon decreasing the temperature from 298 to 10 K, compound 2 shows a red light emission.     

Surveying the {AuCl} adducts of bulky phosphines bearing the 2,6-dimesitylphenyl group

A series of gold chloride {AuCl} adducts of the sterically demanding phosphines DmpPR₂ (Dmp = 2,6-dimesitylphenyl; R = H (1); Me (2); Cl (3)) have been prepared. The adducts are readily formed by the reaction of Au(tht)Cl and DmpPR₂, yielding [(DmpPR₂)AuCl] (R = H (4); Me (5); Cl (6)) in moderate to excellent yields. All three new compounds have been structurally characterized. The structures demonstrate little or no significant intermolecular Au?Au or intramolecular Au?arene interactions. In addition, the new difluoroarylphosphine DmpPF₂ (7) has been prepared and structurally characterized.     

Steric tuning of C2-symmetric chiral N-heterocyclic carbene in gold-catalyzed asymmetric cyclization of 1,6-enynes

Steric tuning of C₂-symmetric chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) was performed in Au(I)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclization of 1,6-enyne. Higher enantioselectivity was realized when chiral NHC–AuCl/AgSbF₆ catalysts whose N-substituent on the NHC overlays the Au–Cl bond was utilized.     

Coordination chemistry of gold(II) with amidinate,thiolate and ylide ligands

Various reagents such as Cl₂, Br₂, I₂, benzoyl peroxide and CH₃I add to the dinuclear gold(I) amidinate complex [Au₂(2,6-Me₂Ph-form)₂] to form oxidative-addition gold(II) metal–metal bonded complexes. The gold–gold distance in the dinuclear complex decreases upon oxidative-addition with halogens from 2.7 to 2.5 Å, similar to observations made with dithiolate and ylide ligands. The sodium salt of the guanidinate Hhpp ligand, Hhpp = 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine reacts with (THT)AuCl in THF or CH₂Cl₂ to form a Au(II) complex, [Au₂(hpp)₂Cl₂], either by solvent oxidation or disproportionation of the Au(I) to Au(II) and the metal. Density functional theory (DFT) and MP2 calculations on [Au₂(hpp)₂Cl₂] find that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is predominately hpp and chlorine-based with some Au–Au δ* character. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) has metal-to-ligand (M–L) and metal-to-metal (M–M) σ* character (approximately 50% hpp/chlorine, and 50% gold). The charge-transfer character of the deeply colored solutions is observed in all the oxidative-addition products of the dinuclear gold(II) nitrogen ligands. This contrasts with the colors of the gold(II) ylide oxidative-addition products which are pale yellow. The colors of the crystalline gold(II) nitrogen complexes are dark orange to brown. This review will focus on the chemistry of gold(II) with nitrogen ligands and compare this with the well reviewed chemistry of gold(II) thiolate and ylide complexes.     

New tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene chelators for small molecule activation

In an effort to develop new tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands for small molecule activation, two new classes of tripodal NHC ligands TIME^R and TIMEN^R have been synthesized. The carbon-anchored tris(carbene) ligand system TIME^R (R = Me, t-Bu) forms bi- or polynuclear metal complexes. While the methyl derivative exclusively forms trinuclear 3:2 complexes [(TIME^Me)₂M₃]³⁺ with group 11 metal ions, the tert-butyl derivative yields a dinuclear 2:2 complex [(TIME^t-Bu)₂Cu₂]²⁺ with copper(I). The latter complex shows both “normal” and “abnormal” carbene binding modes and accordingly, is best formulated as a bis(carbene)alkenyl complex. The nitrogen-anchored tris(carbene) ligands TIMEN^R (R = alkyl, aryl) bind to a variety of first-row transition metal ions in 1:1 stoichiometry, affording monomeric complexes with a protected reactivity cavity at the coordinated metal center. Complexes of TIMEN^R with Cu(I)/(II), Ni(0)/(I), and Co(I)/(II)/(III) have been synthesized. The cobalt(I) complexes with the aryl-substituted TIMEN^R (R = mesityl, xylyl) ligands show great potential for small molecule activation. These complexes activate for instance dioxygen to form cobalt(III) peroxo complexes that, upon reaction with electrophilic organic substrates, transfer an oxygen atom. The cobalt(I) complexes are also precursors for terminal cobalt(III) imido complexes. These imido complexes were found to undergo unprecedented intra-molecular imido insertion reactions to form cobalt(II) imine species. The molecular and electronic structures of some representative metal NHC complexes as well as the nature of the metal–carbene bond of these metal NHC complexes was elucidated by X-ray and DFT computational methods and are discussed briefly. In contrast to the common assumption that NHCs are pure σ-donors, our studies revealed non-negligible and even significant π-backbonding in electron-rich metal NHC complexes.     

Structural motifs of Au(I)-Cu(I) N-heterocyclic carbene halide complexes

A series of Au(I)–Cu(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) halide complexes [AuCu₂(im(CH₂py)₂)₂X]²⁺ where X?=?Cl (1), Br (2), I (3) was prepared by refluxing [AuCu₂(im(CH₂py)₂)₂(NCCH₃)₄]³⁺ with the appropriate halide in acetonitrile. The compounds were characterized by NMR, absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy. They feature similar solution behavior and solid-state photoemissions. The solid-state structures feature a rhomboidal [AuCu₂X]²⁺ core which is influenced by the type of halide. Compared to other Au(I)–Cu(I) NHC complexes, 1–3 comprise a new structural motif containing a bridging halide. The benzimidazolium analog of 1 was also characterized crystallographically. The structure of [AuCu₂(benzim(CH₂py)₂)₂Cl]²⁺(4) features different coordination modes of the NHC ligands with the carbenic carbon bonded to both gold and copper and the pyridyl groups bonded to the same copper(I) ion.     

Synthesis and catalytic properties of cationic palladium(II) and rhodium(I) complexes bearing diphosphinidinecyclobutene ligands

Cationic palladium(II) and rhodium(I) complexes bearing 1,2-diaryl-3,4-bis[(2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl)phosphinidene]cyclobutene ligands (DPCB–Y) were prepared and their structures and catalytic activity were examined (aryl = phenyl (DPCB), 4-methoxyphenyl (DPCB–OMe), 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (DPCB–CF₃)). The palladium complexes [Pd(MeCN)₂(DPCB–Y)]X₂ (X = OTf, BF₄, BAr₄ (Ar = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)) were prepared by the reactions of DPCB–Y with [Pd(MeCN)₄]X₂, which were generated from Pd(OAc)₂ and HX in MeCN. On the other hand, the rhodium complexes [Rh(MeCN)₂(DPCB–Y)]OTf were prepared by the treatment of [Rh(μ-Cl)(cyclooctene)₂]₂ with DPCB–Y in CH₂Cl₂, followed by treatment with AgOTf in the presence of MeCN. The cationic complexes catalyzed conjugate addition of benzyl carbamate to α,β-unsaturated ketones.     

Mixed-ligand complexes of copper(I) with diimines and phosphines: Effective catalysts for the coupling of phenylacetylene with halobenzene

New copper(I) mixed-ligand complexes 1–4 of the formula Cu(N–N)PR₃X, where N–N = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (5,5′dimbpy) and PR₃ = tricyclohexylphosphine, tris(2-cyanoethyl)phosphine and isopropyldiphenylphosphine, have been synthesized. The complexes were characterized by EA, IR, NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The solution fluorescence emission spectra were measured. The single crystal X-ray analysis showed that the copper(I) ion is four-coordinate with a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The complexes catalyze the formation of diphenylacetylene from the coupling of halobenzene with phenylacetylene. The complex Cu(5,5′-dimethylbpy)P{(cyhexyl)₃}I showed the highest catalytic activity. At room temperature all four complexes exhibit, in dichloromethane, emission maxima in the 329–344 nm range, corresponding to intra-ligand excited states.     

Cationic NHC-gold(I) complexes: Synthesis, isolation, and catalytic activity

The reaction of [(NHC)AuCl] complexes (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) with a chloride abstractor of the type AgX, where X is a non-coordinating anion, led, in the presence of a neutral coordinating solvent S, to a series of cationic gold(I) complexes of formulae [(NHC)Au(S)]X. Hence, different cationic NHC-gold(I) species bound to acetonitrile, pyridine, 2-Br-pyridine, 3-Br-pyridine, norbornadiene, and THF could be synthesized and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Among these, the results of X-ray diffraction studies for [(IPr)Au(NCMe)]SbF₆, [(IAd)Au(NCMe)]PF₆, [(IPr)Au(pyr)]PF₆, [(IPr)Au(2-Br-pyr)]PF₆, [(IPr)Au(3-Br-pyr)]PF₆ are discussed. As special feature, the structure of [(IPr)Au(2-Br-pyr)]PF₆ presented a secondary interaction between the gold and bromine atoms. Additionally, while attempting to obtain crystals of [(IPr)Au(nbd)]PF₆, we crystallized a decomposition product featuring a very rare anion as bridging ligand with formulae [(μ-PF₄)((IPr)Au)₂]PF₄. The observation of a possible P-F bond activation has important implications for cationic Au-based homogeneous catalysis. Finally, we compared the catalytic activities of the different cationic [(NHC)Au(S)]X complexes in the allylic acetate rearrangement reaction and notably observed the inertness of pyridine-based catalysts.     

Synthesis and in vitro biology of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zinc(II) complexes of functionalized beta-diketone bearing energy buried potential antibacterial and antiviral O,O pharmacophore sites

The clinically active functionalized β-diketones 1-(2′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2″-substitutedphenyl)-propane-1,3-dione (L₁)–(L₂) have been synthesized from Baker–Venkataraman transformation of 2,4-diaroyloxyacetophenones. Their transition metal complexes (1)–(8) have been prepared and characterized by physical, spectral and analytical data. The functionalized beta-diketone potentially acts as bidentate ligand and co-ordinate with the transition metal atom through beta-diketo system. The complexes have general formula [ML₂] where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zinc(II) and L = ligand. The 1-(2′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2″-substitutedphenyl)-propane-1,3-dione and their transition metal complexes have been screened for in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant bioassay. The biological activity data show that the transition metal complexes are more potent antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant agents than the parent functionalized beta-diketone against different bacterial and fungal species. This constitutes a new group of compounds that can be used as potential metal derived drugs. Ultimately, here we can prompt about the use of metals for the drugs. The metal complexes were also studied for their thermogravimetric analyses.     

Vibrational interactions in dimethylgold(III) halides and carboxylates

The far-infrared and Raman spectra of binuclear molecules [Me₂AuX]₂ (X = Cl, Br, I) and [Me₂Au(OOCR)]₂ (R = Me, CF₃, Bu^t, Ph) in the 600–70 cm⁻¹ region are reported. The experimentally measured vibrational frequencies of [Me₂AuX]₂ are in a good agreement with density functional theory predictions. The Au…Au vibrational interactions predicted to be in the 270–60 cm⁻¹ region of [Me₂AuX]₂ far-IR and Raman spectra have been observed. The Raman-active Au…Au vibrations of the [Me₂Au(OOCR)]₂ molecules were found to be in the same region as those of [Me₂AuX]₂. The Au–X stretching modes were observed between 100 and 250 cm⁻¹ in accordance with the DFT predictions. Their frequencies in the IR spectra of [Me₂AuX]₂ increase in the sequence I < Br < Cl while the AuC₂ stretching frequencies decrease in the same order. This fact might be an evidence of the decreasing covalent character of the gold-halogen bridges. The Au–O stretching bands of dimethylgold(III) carboxylates have been observed in the 500–250 cm⁻¹ region, and Au–C stretching frequencies of both [Me₂AuX]₂ and [Me₂Au(OOCR)]₂ compounds have been found between 600 and 500 cm⁻¹.     

Catalytic cyclopropanation of olefins using copper(I) diphosphinoamines

Catalytic cyclopropanation reactions of olefins with ethyl diazoacetate were carried out using copper(I) diphosphinoamine (PPh₂)₂N(R) (R = ⁱPr, H, Ph and –CH₂–C₆H₄–CHCH₂) complexes at 40 °C in chloroform. High yields of the cyclopropanes were obtained in all cases. The rate of the reaction was influenced by the nuclearity of the complex and the binding mode of the ligand which was either bridging or chelating. Comparison of isostructural complexes shows that the rate follows the order R = ⁱPr > H > Ph, where R is the substituent on the N. However, cyclopropane formation versus dimerization of the carbene, and trans to cis ratios of cyclopropane was similar in all cases. The nearly identical selectivity for different products formed was indicative of a common catalytic intermediate. A labile “copper–olefin” complex which does not involve the phosphine or the counterion is the most likely candidate. The differences in the reaction rates for different complexes are attributed to differences in the concentration of the catalytically active species which are in equilibrium with the catalytically inactive copper–phosphinoamine complex. To test the hypothesis a diphosphinoamine polymer complexed to copper(I) was used as a heterogeneous catalyst. Leaching of copper(I) and deactivation of the catalyst confirmed the proposed mechanism.     

Synthesis and X-ray structures of rhodium complexes with new chiral biaryl-based NHC-ligands

A new series of chiral NHC–rhodium complexes has been prepared from the reactions between [Rh(COD)Cl]₂, NaOAc, KI and dibenzimidazolium salt 4a or monobenzimidazolium salts 4b–d, which are derived from chiral 2,2′-diamino-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl, 2,2′-diamino-1,1′-binaphthyl or 6,6′-dimethyl-2-amino-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-biphenyl. The steric and electronic effects of the ligand play an important role in the complex formation. For example, treatment of chiral monobenzimidazolium salt 4b (with a NMe₂ group) with 0.5 equiv of [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ in the presence of NaOAc and KI in CH₃CN at reflux gives a chiral Rh(I) complex 5b, while chiral monobenzimidazolium salt 4d (with a MeO group) affords a racemic Rh(I) complex 5d. Under similar reaction conditions, treatment of dibenzimidazolium salt 4a with 0.5 equiv of [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ in the presence of NaOAc and KI gives a racemic Rh(III) complex 5a, while the dibenzimidazolium salt [C₂₀H₁₂(C₇H₅N₂Me)₂]I₂ derived from chiral 2,2′-diamino-1,1′-binaphthyl affords a chiral Rh(III) complex [C₂₀H₁₂(C₇H₄N₂Me)₂]RhI₂(OAc). All compounds have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, and elemental analyses. The solid-state structures of the rhodium complexes have been further confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Mesophase and magnetic behavior in cobalt(II) and iron(II) compounds

The metal complexes with long alkyl chains [Co(C16-terpy)₃](BF₄)₂ (1) and [Fe(C16-terpy)₂](BF₄)₂ (2) were synthesized and the physical properties of the complex were characterized by magnetic susceptibility, Mössbauer spectroscopy, polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray scattering, where C16-terpy is 4′-hexadecyloxy-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and/or Mössbauer studies revealed that the complex 1 exhibited unique spin transition (T_1/2↓ = 217 K and T_1/2↑ = 260 K) induced by structural phase transition, and the complex 2 was in the low-spin state in the temperature region of 5–400 K before the first mesophase transition. The cobalt(II) and iron(II) complexes exhibited liquid-crystal properties in the temperature range of 371–528 K and 466–556 K, respectively. After mesophase transition, the complex 1 exhibited only slight spin transition (T_1/2↓ = 266 K and T_1/2↑ = 279 K), and the complex 2 was in the low-spin state. The compounds with multifunction, i.e., magnetic property and liquid-crystal properties, are important in the development of molecular materials.     

Theoretical study of Au/SAPO-11 catalyst and its potential use in thiophene HDS

Quantum chemistry calculations were carried out, using ONIOM2 methodology, in order to investigate the thiophene interaction with gold supported on silicoaluminophospates molecular sieves (Au/SAPO-11) catalysts. Two models were studied, one containing one Au atom per site, and the other with two Au atoms per site. Thiophene adsorption was found to be η¹ type. This adsorption presents a ΔH of ?13.2 and ?9.7 kcal/mol, for the models with one Au atom (Au/SAPO-11), and two Au atoms (Au₂/SAPO-11), respectively. The partial hydrogenation of the thiophene–Au/SAPO-11 and thiophene–Au₂/SAPO-11 complexes gives 2,5-dihydrothiophene (DHT), with a ΔH of ?23.0 and ?36.8 kcal/mol, respectively. 2-Butene production was found in both models with further hydrogenation. Likewise the direct butadiene elimination is achieved, but only with the separated Au dimer (ΔH = ?17.5 kcal/mol).     

Synthesis and characterization of thiosemicarbazone derivatives of 2-chloro-4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde and their rhenium(I) complexes

N-Thioamide thiosemicarbazone derived of 2-chloro-4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (R = H, HL¹; R = Me, HL² and R = Ph, HL³) have been prepared and their reaction with fac-[ReX(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₂] (X = Br, Cl) in chloroform gave the adducts [ReX(CO)₃(HL)] (1a X = Cl, R = H; 1a′ X = Br, R = H; 1b X = Cl, R = CH₃; 1b′ X = Br, R = CH₃; 1c X = Cl, R = Ph; 1c′ X = Br, R = Ph) in good yield. Complexes 1a′ and 1b’ were also obtained by the reaction of HL¹ and HL³ with [ReBr(CO)₅] in toluene.All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry (FAB), IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic methods. Moreover, the structures of HL², HL³ and 1a·H₂O were also established by X-ray diffraction. In 1a, the rhenium atom is coordinated by the sulphur and the azomethine nitrogen atoms, forming a five-membered chelate ring, as well as three carbonyl carbon and chloride atoms. The resulting coordination polyhedron can be described as a distorted octahedron.The study of the crystals obtained by slow evaporation of methanol and DMSO solutions of the adducts 1a′ and 1b, respectively, showed the formation of dimer structures based on rhenium(I) thiosemicarbazonates [Re₂(L¹)₂(CO)₆]·3H₂O (2a)·3H₂O and [Re₂(L²)₂(CO)₆]·(CH₃)₂SO (2b)·2(CH₃)₂SO. Amounts of these thiosemicarbazonate complexes [Re₂(L)₂(CO)₆] (2) were obtained by reaction of the corresponding free ligands with [ReCl(CO)₅] in dry toluene.In 2a·3H₂O and 2b·2(CH₃)₂SO the dimer structures are established by Re–S–Re bridges, where S is the thiolate sulphur from a N,S-bidentate thiosemicarbazonate ligand. In both structures the rhenium coordination sphere is similar; the dimers are in the same diamond Re₂S₂ face.