Non-symmetrically substituted di-N-heterocyclic carbene palladium(II) complexes: Synthesis,structure and catalytic activity

The synthesis and characterization of non-symmetric di-N-heterocyclic carbene (diNHC) silver(I) and palladium(II) complexes are described. The activity of the Pd(II) complexes in the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of bulky substrates was investigated. This synthetic route represents a possible general pathway into a wide variety of non-symmetrically substituted diNHC ligands.     

Pincer-type bis(carbene)-derived complexes of nickel(II): Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity

Air- and moisture-stable NHC (N-heterocyclic carbene)-derived CNC-type pincer complexes of nickel(II) 4a-d were successfully synthesized, and their structures were fully characterized using X-ray crystallography and analytical and spectroscopic methods. These complexes exhibit a high catalytic activity for the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction of aryl bromides and chlorides with aryl- and alkenylboronic acids, providing an array of biphenyls and stilbenes generally in high yields.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of pyrazolyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes

Three pyrazolyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium complexes based on 1-[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]imidazole have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods, and the structures of two of the complexes have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The pyrazolyl-functionalized NHCs act as chelating N,C-bidentate ligands in these three complexes. Catalytic tests have proved that these complexes exhibit highly effective catalytic activity for the Suzuki–Miyaura and Mizoroki–Heck coupling reactions in water or aqueous/organic media under air. The substituents on the pyrazolyl ring exert different influences on the catalytic activity of the complexes in these coupling reactions.     

Synthesis and structure of nickel(II) and palladium(II) carbene complexes containing the 1,3-diallylimidazolidin-2-ylidene ligand

Trans-carbene complexes of nickel(II) and palladium(II) with 1,3-diallylimidazolidin-2-ylidene (L^Allyl) were prepared and characterized by i.r., n.m.r. and mass spectra. The structure of two complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.     

Cyclic (amino)[bis(ylide)]carbene as an anionic bidentate ligand for transition-metal complexes

The 3-(triphenylphosphonio)-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)pyrrole reacts with 2 equiv of methyllithium to afford a lithium adduct in which a cyclic (amino)[bis(ylide)]carbene, a novel type of NHC, acts as a 1,4-bidentate ligand via the carbene center and the exocyclic ylidic carbon. This species readily undergoes transmetalation reactions, which allows for the synthesis of a variety of transition-metal complexes.     

Bis(imino)pyridine palladium(II) complexes: Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity

Bis(imino)pyridine palladium(II) complexes 3-6 were synthesized by two different methods. The structure of complexes 3 and 4 has been confirmed by X-ray structure analysis. The catalytic studies show that bis(imino)pyridine palladium(II) complexes are highly efficient catalysts in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction and the complex 4 was used to catalyze the synthesis of fluorinated liquid crystalline compounds via Suzuki coupling reaction.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of neutral salicylaldiminato nickel(II) complexes bearing a single N-heterocyclic carbene ligand

Neutral salicylaldiminato Ni(II) complexes bearing a single N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand [3,5-^tBu₂-2-(O)C₆H₂CHNAr]Ni(C{RNCHCHNⁱPr})Ph [Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, R = Bn (1); Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, R = ⁱPr (2)], have been synthesized via a one-pot procedure in high yield. The X-ray structure analysis reveals that both of 1 and 2 adopt distorted square-planar coordination geometry and NHC carbon (C_carbene) is trans to the ketimine nitrogen. Preliminary study indicates that complex 1 is inert toward the insertion of ethylene, however, it can catalyze the dimerization of ethylene in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) with a moderate activity of 3.05 × 10⁴ g(mol Ni)⁻¹ h ⁻¹ atm⁻¹ in a highly selective fashion.     

Rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis,structure, NMR studies and catalytic activity

The solid state structure, phosphine dissociation rates and catalytic activity of several Rh-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were studied. Catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of β-methylstyrene was improved by up to two orders of magnitude upon the addition of copper chloride. The catalyst with the highest inherent activity was found to be [Rh(IMes)(P-p-FC₆H₄)₃], although the p-methoxy derivative benefited the most from the addition of CuCl, giving turnover numbers of over 400 h⁻¹.     

Anionic Fischer-type carbene complexes as bidentate (N,O) ligands

New polynuclear complexes, (L1)3M2 [M2 = Cr(III) (4a,4b), Fe(III) (5), Co(III) (8)], (L1)2M2(L2)2 [M2 = Co(II) (7), Ni(II) (9)], (L1)2M2(O)L2 [M2 = V(IV) (6)] and L1M2Cp2 [M2 = Ti(III) (10)] with L1 = (CO)5M1=C[C=NC(CH3)=CHS](O-)(M1 = Cr or W) and L2 = 4-methylthiazole or THF, are described. The molecular structures of these complexes determined by X-ray diffraction show that the Fischer-type carbene complexes act as bidentate ligands towards the second metal centre, coordinating through C(carbene)-attached O-atoms and imine N-atoms of the thiazolyl groups to form five-membered chelates with the oxygen atoms in the mer configuration. Isostructural complexes have similar characteristic band patterns in their far-IR spectra. Cyclic voltammetry of selected complexes reveals the oxidation of the carbene complex ligand between 1.01 and 1.29 V. Oxidation of the central metal (M2) takes place at 0.56 and 0.86 V for 7 and 9, respectively. Three stepwise reductions of Cr(III) to Cr(0) occur for 4a and 4b in the region -0.51 to -1.58 V. These new ligand types and other variants thereof should find application in ligand design with the first metal -- and other ligands attached thereto -- in the carbene complex ligand, playing an important role.     

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]     

Bicyclic N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursors and their palladium complexes

Eight bicyclic amidinium precursors (3), prepared from R,S-tmcp (R,S-tmcp: (1R,3S)-diamino-1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentane) were described. Only five of the precursors (3a–e) could be converted to palladium complexes, (PdX₂(6,7-NHC)PEPPSI) (4) by treatment with PdCl₂, K₂CO₃, and pyridine (additional KBr was used for (PdBr₂(6,7-NHC)PEPPSI)). The salts and complexes were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography.     

A new tridentate pincer phosphine/n-heterocyclic carbene ligand: palladium complexes, their structures, and catalytic activities

A new imidazolium salt, 1,3-bis(2-diphenylphosphanylethyl)-3H-imidazol-1-ium chloride (2), for the phosphine/N-heterocyclic carbene-based pincer ligand, PC(NHC)P, and its palladium complexes were reported. The complex, [Pd(PC(NHC)P)Cl]Cl (4), was prepared by the common route of silver carbene transfer reaction and a novel direct reaction between the ligand precursor, PC(NHC)P.HCl and PdCl(2) without the need of a base. Metathesis reactions of 4 with AgBF(4) in acetonitrile produced [Pd(PC(NHC)P)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) (5). The same reaction in the presence of excess pyridine gave [Pd(PC(NHC)P)(py)](BF(4))(2) (6). The X-ray structure determination on 4-6 revealed the chiral twisting of the central imidazole rings from the metal coordination plane. In solution, fast interconversion between left- and right-twisted forms occurs. The twisting reflects the weak pi-accepting property of the central NHC in PC(NHC)P. The uneven extent of twisting among the three complexes further implies the low rotational barrier about the Pd-NHC bond. Related theoretical computations confirm the small rotational energy barrier about the Pd-NHC bond (ca. 4 kcal/mol). Catalytic applications of 4 and 5 have shown that the complexes are modest catalysts in Suzuki coupling. The complexes were active catalysts in Heck coupling reactions with the dicationic complex 5 being more effective than the monocationic complex 4.     

Synthesis, molecular structure and catalytic activity of chiral benzamidinate nickel complexes

Two new nickel complexes containing the chiral benzamidinate ligation: [PhC(N-SiMe₃)(N′-myrtanyl)]₂Ni(py)₂(3) and {[PhC(NH)(N′-myrtanyl)]₂Ni}₂ (6) have been synthesized and characterized. The solid-state molecular structures of these complexes have been determined by low-temperature X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 3 was obtained via two different procedures. In complex 3, the metal adopts a nearly ideal octahedral environment, whereas in complex 6 the two divalent nickel metals are coordinated in a square-planar geometry, forming a dimer. Complex 3 activated with MAO has been found to oligomerize propylene producing a mixture of dimers, trimers and tetramers with a turnover frequency of 5200 h⁻¹, whereas complex 6 being activated with MAO oligomerizes ethylene to a mixture of dimers and trimers with a high turnover frequency of 15,400 h⁻¹. In addition, when activated with MAO both complexes showed a good activity for the vinyl-type polymerization of norbornene.     

Butylene linked palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis and catalytic properties

New bis(NHC)-Pd complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ and bis(benzimidazolium) salts in DMSO gave the monomeric palladium complex in which the N-heterocyclic carbene was bound to the metal centre. The crystal and molecular structure of the cis-dibromo{1,1′-di[2,3,4,5,6-pentamethylbenzyl]-3,3′-butylenedibenzimidazol-2,2′-diylidene}-palladium(II) complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The activity of the Pd(II) complexes in the direct arylation of benzothiazole with arylbromides was investigated. A preliminary catalytic study showed that these bis(NHC)-Pd complexes were highly active in the direct arylation of benzothiazole with arylbromides.     

Synthesis,structure, and characterization of picolyl- and benzyl-linked biphenyl palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their catalytic activity in acylative cross-coupling reactions

N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with picolyl (L¹H₂Br₂, L³H₂Br₂) and benzyl (L²H₂Br₂, L⁴H₂Br₂) linked biphenyl backbone were synthesized and characterized. Their palladium(II) complexes [PdL¹]Br₂ ( 1 ), [PdL²Br₂] ( 2 ), [PdL³]Br₂ ( 3 ), and [PdL⁴Br₂] ( 4 ) were synthesized by direct method using Pd(OAc)₂. All complexes ( 1 – 4 ) were characterized by CHN analysis, electrospray ionization-MS, nuclear magnetic resonance, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Molecular structures confirm the distorted square planar geometry around the Pd(II) center. All of them showed good catalytic activity in acylative Suzuki cross coupling of phenyl boronic acid with benzoyl chloride to afford benzophenone in good yields.     

Structural variations in nickel, palladium, and platinum complexes containing pyrimidyl N-heterocyclic carbene ligand

Nickel(II), palladium(II), and platinum(II) complexes of 2-(3-mesitylimidazolylidenyl)pyrimidine (L), [Ni₂(μ-Cl)₂(L)₄][Ag₂Cl₄] (3), [Ni₂(μ-I)₂(L)₄][NiI(L)₂(CH₃CN)]₂[Ag₄I₈] (4), [PdCl₂(L)] (5), [PdI₂(L)] (6), and [PtCl(L)₂][AgCl₂] (7) have been obtained from the carbene transfer reactions of [Ag(L)Cl] (2). These complexes have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray structure analyses. The mono(carbene)palladium and bis(carbene)platinum complexes display normal square–planar structures. Nickel complexes 3 and 4 are rare examples of paramagnetic nickel(II) complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes having octahedral geometry.     

Diaminocarbene- and Fischer-carbene complexes of palladium and nickel by oxidative insertion: preparation, structure, and catalytic activity

Oxidative insertion of [Pd(PPh3)4] or [Ni(cod)2]/PPh3 into the C-Cl bond of various 2-chloroimidazolinium- and other -amidinium salts affords metal-diaminocarbene complexes in good to excellent yields. This procedure is complementary to existing methodology in which the central metal does not change its oxidation state, and therefore allows to incorporate carbene fragments that are difficult to access otherwise. The preparation of a variety of achiral as well as enantiomerically pure, chiral metal-NHC complexes (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) and metal complexes with acyclic diaminocarbene ligands illustrates this aspect. Furthermore it is shown that oxidative insertion also paves a way to prototype Fischer carbenes of Pd(II). Since the required starting materials are readily available from urea- or thiourea derivatives, this novel approach allows for substantial structural variations of the ligand backbone. The catalytic performance of the resulting library of nickel- and palladium-carbene complexes has been evaluated by applications to prototype Suzuki-, Heck-, and Kumada-Corriu cross-coupling reactions as well as Buchwald-Hartwig aminations. It was found that even Fischer carbenes show appreciable catalytic activity. Moreover, representative examples of all types of neutral and cationic metal-carbene complexes formed in this study have been characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Stable (amino)(phosphino)carbenes: difunctional molecules

(Amino)(phosphino)carbenes are stable due to the donation of the nitrogen lone pair, the phosphino group remains strongly pyramidalized. Reactions can be performed selectively at the carbene center, but also at the phosphorus center leading to new stable carbenes. These difunctional molecules can be considered as hybrid ligands.     

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.