Decarboxylative aldol reactions of allyl beta-keto esters via heterobimetallic catalysis

Mild and selective heterobimetallic-catalyzed decarboxylative aldol reactions involving allyl beta-keto esters have been developed. The reaction is promoted by Pd(0)- and Yb(III)-DIOP complexes at room temperature and involves the in situ formation of a ketone enolate from allyl beta-keto esters followed by addition of the enolate to aldehydes. The reaction is a new example of heterobimetallic catalysis in which the optimized reaction conditions require the addition of both metals.     

Nickel-catalyzed thioallylation of alkynes with allyl phenyl sulfides

Allylic sulfides add to alkynes in the presence of nickel complexes efficiently to afford thio-1,4-dienes regio- and stereoselectively. Functional groups such as alkoxy, siloxy, hydroxy, carboalkoxy, chloro, and cyano groups are tolerated. A mechanism that involves a pi-allyl nickel intermediate is proposed on the basis of isolation of pi-allyl complexes and distribution of products in the reactions of alpha- or gamma-methylated allyl sulfide. [reaction: see text].     

Compositional variations in monomeric trimethylsilylated allyl lanthanide complexes

Treatment of three equivalents of the potassium salt of the bis(1,3-trimethylsilyl)allyl anion with various late lanthanide triflates (M = Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Lu) produces the unsolvated triallyllanthanide complexes (A′ = 1,3-(SiMe₃)₂C₃H₃). The use of lanthanide halides (Cl, I) with the potassium allyl also generates neutral complexes, but when lanthanide iodides and the corresponding lithium allyl are combined, the lanthanate species are formed. Trends in the bonding of lanthanide allyl complexes with the trimethylsilylated-allyl ligand are explored and compared with those of cyclopentadienyl lanthanide complexes.     

Insertion of CO2 into a palladium allyl bond and a Pd(II) catalysed carboxylation of allyl stannanes

The complex 2,6-bis[(di-t-butylphosphino)methyl]phenyl allyl palladium (PCP(tBu)Pd-allyl, 3) reacts with CO(2) in a very fast insertion reaction to give the corresponding butenoate complex. The reaction is thought to occur via a cyclic six-membered transition state (7), where the gamma-carbon of the allyl group is linked up with the CO(2)-carbon. A group of related PCP complexes were investigated as catalysts for the carboxylation of tributyl(allyl)stannane. A catalytic cycle is proposed for this reaction where the rate determining step is the transmetallation between tin and palladium. The carboxylation reaction is faster using less sterically crowded catalysts whereas the electron richness of the palladium complexes seems less important for reactivity. Thus, there was no apparent difference in reactivity between 2,6-bis[(di-phenylphosphino)methyl]phenyl palladium triflouroacetate (13) and resorcinolbis(diphenyl)phosphinite palladium triflouroacetate (10). Both of these complexes give high turnovers for the carboxylation of tributyl(allyl)stannane (80% in 16 h using a ca. 5% catalyst loading and 4 atm CO(2) pressure). On the other hand complex 3 was inactive in the catalytic carboxylation reaction.     

Mononuclear homoleptic allyl complexes of the first row transition metals: species with unusual metal electronic configurations

A number of evanescent unsubstituted homoleptic allyl derivatives M(C(3)H(5))(n) of the first row transition metals have been reported in the literature. In addition, the much more thermally stable silylated derivatives M[C(3)H(3)(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (M = Cr, Fe, Co, Ni) are reported to survive vacuum sublimation without significant decomposition. In this connection, the complete series of homoleptic allyl derivatives M(C(3)H(5))(n) (n = 2, 3; M = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) have been studied theoretically using density functional theory. In most of the lowest energy predicted M(C(3)H(5))(n) structures all of the allyl groups are bonded as trihapto η(3)-C(3)H(5) ligands and the metals have considerably less than the normally favored 18-electron configuration. Such ligands can be considered formally as bidentate ligands with the metal atom connected to the centers of the two C-C bonds of the η(3)-C(3)H(5) group. The later transition metal diallyls M(C(3)H(5))(2) (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) form two stereoisomers of similar relative energies, namely the C(2h) staggered isomer and the C(2v) eclipsed isomer with the orientation of the η(3)-C(3)H(5) groups corresponding to square planar metal coordination of the bidentate η(3)-C(3)H(5) ligands. The staggered and eclipsed Ni(C(3)H(5))(2) isomers have been observed experimentally by NMR. Less symmetrical M(C(3)H(5))(2) structures are found for the earlier transition metals Sc, Ti, and V in which the orientation of the allyl groups corresponds to tetrahedral metal coordination. The triallylmetal derivatives M(C(3)H(5))(3) are predicted to be thermodynamically viable with respect to allyl loss to give the corresponding diallylmetal derivatives, except for triallylnickel. The lowest energy Ni(C(3)H(5))(3) structure has two trihaptoallyl ligands and one monohaptoallyl ligand, whereas the lowest energy Mn(C(3)H(5))(3) structures have only one trihaptoallyl ligand and two monohaptoallyl ligands. Otherwise, the M(C(3)H(5))(3) complexes have structures with three trihaptoallyl ligands corresponding formally to octahedral metal coordination. The M(C(3)H(5))(3) complexes (M = Cr, Co) thus correspond to a well-known series of "classical" octahedral coordination complexes, namely, those of the d(3) Cr(III) and the d(6) Co(III), respectively.     

Synthesis and catalytic application of chiral 1,1'-Bi-2-naphthol- and biphenanthrol-based pincer complexes: selective allylation of sulfonimines with allyl stannane and allyl trifluoroborate

New easily accessible 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol- (BINOL-) and biphenanthrol-based chiral pincer complex catalysts were prepared for selective (up to 85% enantiomeric excess) allylation of sulfonimines. The chiral pincer complexes were prepared by a flexible modular approach allowing an efficient tuning of the selectivity of the catalysts. By employment of the different enantiomeric forms of the catalysts, both enantiomers of the homoallylic amines could be selectively obtained. Both allyl stannanes and allyl trifluoroborates can be employed as allyl sources in the reactions. The biphenanthrol-based complexes gave higher selectivity than the substituted BINOL-based analogues, probably because of the well-shaped chiral pocket generated by employment of the biphenanthrol complexes. The enantioselective allylation of sulfonimines presented in this study has important implications for the mechanism given for the pincer complex-catalyzed allylation reactions, confirming that this process takes place without involvement of palladium(0) species.     

Catalytic hydroallylation of norbornadiene with allyl formate

Norbornadiene (NBD) reacts with allyl esters All—OC(O)R (R = Me, Bu^t, Ph, CCl₃, CF₃) in acetonitrile solutions of palladium(0) complexes to give a mixture of four isomeric nontraditional allylation products and the corresponding carboxylic acids. Under similar conditions, the reaction of NBD with allyl formate in solutions of Pd⁰ and Pd^II complexes occurs selectively, resulting in the product of addition of the allyl fragment and the H atom to an NBD double bond, 5-allylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, and CO₂. The hydroallylation of NBD is accompanied by catalytic addition of formic and acetic acids to one double bond of the diene to give bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-en-5-ol and nortricyclan-3-ol acetates and formates. Unlike most known palladium-based catalyst systems, these complexes exhibit catalytic activity also in the absence of phosphines. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 309–313, February, 2007.     

Vinyl addition polymerization of norbornene with cationic (allyl)Ni catalysts: Mechanistic insights and characterization of first insertion products

Several cationic (allyl)Ni(II) complexes were synthesized and shown to be highly active for (2,3)‐vinyl addition polymerization of norbornene to yield polymers with low molecular weight distributions (MWDs) ranging from 1.4–1.9. In all cases slow initiation was followed by rapid propagation which prevents molecular weight control of the poly(norbornene). One of the intermediates in the polymerization process has been identified and characterized by NMR spectroscopy as the first insertion product resulting from the insertion of norbornene into the Ni? C allyl bond in cis‐exo fashion. This insertion product was synthesized independently and NMR studies showed that the first insertion of norbornene into the Ni? C allyl bond is a reversible process. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2560–2573, 2009     

Reaction of bis-η3-allylnickel complexes with allyl halides

A study was carried out on the reaction between bis-³-allylnickel complexes and various allyl halides leading to 1,5-dienes. The combination of the allyl fragments may occur either as a result of their coupling in the bis-³-allylnickel complex or with the participation of the allyl halide. The reaction pathway is largely determined by the structure of the starting nickel complex and the yield of the coupling products increases with decreasing stability of the complexes. The structure of the allyl fragment and the nature of the halide in the allyl halide hardly affect the direction of the reaction. The rate-limiting step is the cleavage of the allyl-halide bond.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 371–375, May–June, 1990.     

Platinum-catalyzed diastereoselective intramolecular coupling of allyl halides and hydrazones

Nucleophilic allyl platinum addition to hydrazones under platinum-catalyzed conditions was studied. To generate nucleophilic allyl platinum complexes, allyl halides were employed with platinum complexes, SnCl(2), and H(2). The allyl platinum(IV) intermediates reacted with the hydrazone to give the corresponding cyclic amine derivatives in good yield and with excellent diastereoselectivity. The cis selectivity of N-tethered substrates was attributed to a tight interaction of allyl platinum species with the hydrazone, on the basis of the results of solvent screening and acid/base addition experiments.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Reduction of Nickel(II) Ethylenediamine Complexes at a Dropping Mercury Electrode

Effect of concentration of ethylenediamine molecules and supporting electrolytes (NaF, NaClO₄) on the kinetics of electroreduction of nickel(II) ethylenediamine complexes at dropping and stationary mercury electrodes is studied. The limiting current on the dropping electrode is found to have diffusion–kinetic nature at free ethylenediamine molecule concentrations of 0.5 mM to 0.05 M. The slow electrochemical stage is presumably preceded by a slow chemical stage and a reversible chemical stage. In the former, one chelate cycle in the source complex Ni(en)²⁺ ₃ opens; and in the latter, a monodentate-coordinated ethylenediamine molecule is abstracted. The conclusion is drawn about an inner-sphere mechanism of the electrochemical stage which involves Ni(en)²⁺ ₂ complexes specifically adsorbed on mercury.     

Facile synthesis of a tricyclohexylphosphine‐stabilized η3‐allyl‐carboxylato Ni(II) complex and its relevance in electrochemical butadiene carbon dioxide coupling

With the reaction of bis(1,5‐cyclooctadiene)nickel(0) and trans‐penta‐2,4‐dienoic acid in the presence of tricyclohexylphosphine, a new more general method was developed to synthesize cyclic π³‐allyl‐carboxylato Ni(II) complexes, which are known to be intermediates in the C? C coupling of butadiene and CO₂. The cyclic π³‐allyl‐carboxylato Ni(II) complex obtained is tested as a mediator in the electrochemical coupling reaction of butadiene and carbon dioxide. We also demonstrate the dependency on the coordination sphere by using platinum instead of nickel as the metal center. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inter- and intramolecular palladium-catalyzed allyl cross-coupling reactions using allylindium generated in situ from allyl acetates, indium, and indium trichloride

Inter- and intramolecular palladium-catalyzed allyl cross-coupling reactions using allylindium generated in situ by treatment of allyl acetates with indium and indium trichloride in the presence of Pd(0) catalyst and nBuNMe(2) in DMF were successfully demonstrated. Allylindium species generated in situ by reductive transmetalation of pi-allylpalladium(II) complexes, obtained from a variety of allyl acetates in the presence of Pd(0) catalyst together with indium and indium trichloride, were found to be capable of acting as effective nucleophilic coupling partners in Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. A variety of allyl acetates such as but-1-en-3-yl acetate, crotyl acetate, and 2-methylallyl acetate afforded the corresponding allylic compounds in good yields in cross-coupling reactions. Various electrophilic cross-coupling partners such as aryl iodides and vinyl bromides and triflates participate in these reactions. Not only intermolecular but also intramolecular Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions work equally well to produce the desired allylic coupling products in good yields.     

DFT computational study of the mechanism of allyl halides carbonylation catalyzed by nickel tetracarbonyl

A theoretical investigation at the DFT(B3LYP) level on the carbonylation reaction of allyl bromide catalyzed by nickel tetra-carbonyl Ni(CO)(4) is discussed. The computational results show the following: (i) Three main steps characterize the catalytic cycle: (a) an oxidative addition step, (b) a carbonylation step, and (c) a reductive elimination step where the acyl product is obtained and the catalyst is regenerated. (ii) Both Ni(CO)(3) and Ni(CO)(4) complexes can behave as "active" catalytic species. (iii) The oxidative addition leads to the formation of either eta(3) or eta(1)-allyl nickel complexes, which are involved in a fast equilibrium. (iv) The carbonylation occurs much more easily on the eta(1) than on the eta(3) intermediates.     

Skeletal rearrangement of allyl acetates after protonation by chemical ionization

In the methane chemical ionization mass spectra of allyl phenylacetate and allyl phenoxyacetate the major reaction paths (>40%σ) involve skeletal rearrangements, which have no analogy in the corresponding, simpler electron-impact spectra. Substituent and deuterium labeling studies suggest a mechanism involving intramolecular substitution of the phenyl ring by the allyl group. Abstraction of hydrogen from the ortho position of the phenyl ring or from the rearranged allyl group is followed by expulsion of water and carbon monoxide.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Electrochemical Synthesis of Dihydro‐Benzo[b]thiophene Derivatives

Abstract

The intramolecular electrochemical reductive cyclization of ortho‐haloaryl allyl thioethers catalyzed by Ni(II) complexes associated to cyclam ligands affords dihydro‐benzo[b]thiophene derivatives in moderate to good yields.     

Discrete allyl complexes of group 3 metals and lanthanides

Allyl complexes based on group IIIb metals (Sc, Y, La) and lanthanides are reviewed. The diversity, synthesis, and main structural and reactivity features of discrete, well-defined homoleptic and pseudo-homoleptic neutral, anionic and cationic bis-, tris- and tetra(allyl)-lanthanide complexes, as well as heteroleptic allyl-lanthanidocenes and allyl-lanthanide complexes supported by non-Cp ligands are covered. Brief comments on the catalytic performances of some key compounds in polymerization processes are also provided.     

Electrochemical Properties of Crown-Containing N-(Thio)phosphoryl(thio)ureas and Their Complexes with 3d Transition Metals

The electrochemical behavior of crown-containing N-(thio)phosphoryl(thio)ureas and their complexes with 3d transition metals was studied by dc voltammetry on a graphite electrode in acetone. Crown-containing N-(thio)phosphoryl(thio)ureas are not reduced but are oxidized on solid electrodes in the examined range of potentials; the electrons are transferred via the (thio)urea group. Electrooxidation of macrocyclic Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes probably occurs via formation of M(III) complex species. Electroreduction of these metal complexes involves stepwise electron transfer, with the oxidation state of the metal atom decreasing to 0, followed by dissociation of the electrochemical reaction products.     

Cross-metathesis of allyl halides with olefins bearing amide and ester groups

An investigation was conducted to determine whether the cross-metathesis (CM) of allyl halides tolerates amide groups. The results show that the ruthenium-based complexes I–III serve as poor catalysts for the CM of allyl halides with olefins that contain an N,N-dimethylamide group. In contrast, the Grubbs–Hoveyda–Blechert second generation catalyst (III) efficiently promotes these processes with olefins bearing a Weinreb amide group. Lastly, a reinvestigation of the ester group tolerance of the allyl halide CM with unsaturated esters demonstrated that III serves as an efficient catalyst for these reactions.     

Single-electron transfer upon formation of 2,2,3,3-tetracyano-1-phenyl-7,8-dithiabicyclo[3.2.1]octane from allyl dithiobenzoate and tetracyanoethylene. Electrochemical investigations

Studies by the method of cyclic potential scanning from 0.2 to 1.9 V provided electroanalytical evidence that the reaction of allyl dithiobenzoate with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) in MeCN proceeds as the reaction of the TCNE^.− radical anion with the PhSSAll^.+ radical cation to form phenyl-substituted 2,2,3,3-tetracyano-7,8-dithiabicyclo[3.2.1]octane. When current is not applied, the reaction does not proceed at 20°C for 3 days. However, this reaction in boiling MeCN occurs without electrochemical activation and, apparently, involves intermediate formation of the above radical ions. It was established by semiempirical PM3 calculations that allyl dithiobenzoate and TCNE form a stable charge-transfer complex that precedes chemical electron transfer. Dedicated to the memory of Professor Viktor Nikolaevich Drozd. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 78–81, January, 1999.