Phosphabicyclononane-containing ru complexes: efficient pre-catalysts for olefin metathesis reactions

The catalytic performances of three Phosphabicyclononane (Phoban)-containing ruthenium-based pre-catalysts have been evaluated for metathesis transformations. A wide screening of substrates in ring-closing metathesis reactions reveals the greater efficiency of pre-catalyst 4. Comparison of the catalytic activities of 4 with Grubbs' first-generation pre-catalyst illustrates the key role of the Phoban ligand. Additionally, a comparative study of three Phoban-containing pre-catalysts has been conducted for the self-metathesis of 1-octene at low catalyst loading (25-100 ppm).     

Rhodium complexes non-covalently bound to cyclodextrins: novel water-soluble supramolecular catalysts for the biphasic hydroformylation of higher olefins

A new class of cationic alpha-cyclodextrins bearing 2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammoniopropyl groups has been synthesised. We investigated their efficiency as mass-transfer promoters in a biphasic hydroformylation reaction catalysed by a rhodium trisulfonated triphenylphosphine system. These cationic alpha-cyclodextrins greatly increased the reaction rate, the chemoselectivity, and, surprisingly, the linear-to-branched aldehyde ratio. We attributed this unexpected enhancement of the linear-to-branched aldehyde ratio to the in situ formation of new catalytic supramolecular species obtained by ion-exchange between the catalyst ligand and the cationic alpha-cyclodextrins.     

Ambient-pressure hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes by a metal-ligand bifunctional catalyst [Cp*Ir(2,2′-bpyO)(H2O)] without using base

An efficient catalytic system for hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes using a Cp*Ir complex [Cp*Ir(2,2′-bpyO)(H₂O)] bearing a bipyridine-based functional ligand as catalyst has been developed. A wide variety of secondary and primary alcohols were synthesized by the catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes under facile atmospheric-pressure without a base. The catalyst also displays an excellent chemoselectivity towards other carbonyl functionalities and unsaturated motifs. This catalytic system exhibits high activity for hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes with H₂ gas.     

Free Radical Pathway Cleavage of C—O Bonds for the Synthesis of Alkylboron Compounds

We report a silver‐catalyzed borylation of alkyl tosylates, which provides a new method for the synthesis of alkylboron compounds with good functional group compatibility and excellent chemoselectivity. The present work added highly polarized alkyl tosylate C—O bonds to the fairly limited number of C—O bonds able to participate in free radical cleavage pathways. The mechanistic studies suggested that in situ‐generated silver(0) catalytic species were the active catalytic species and played a key role in the radical pathway cleavage of C—O bonds.     

Isolation of a Reactive Tricoordinate α‐Oxo Gold Carbene Complex

The [(P,P)Au=C(Ph)CO₂Et]⁺ complex 3 [where (P,P) is an o‐carboranyl diphosphine ligand] was prepared by diazo decomposition at ?40 °C. It is the first α‐oxo gold carbene complex to be characterized. Its crystallographic structure was determined and DFT calculations have been performed, unraveling the key influence of the chelating (P,P) ligand. The gold center is tricoordinate and the electrophilicity of the carbene center is decreased. Complex 3 mimics transient α‐oxo gold carbenes in a series of catalytic transformations, and provides support for the critical role of electrophilicity in the chemoselectivity of phenol functionalization (O?H vs. C?H insertion).     

析氧反应铁镍基预催化剂的表界面调控与进展

析氧反应（OER）是水分解中重要的半反应, 为提高其催化性能,开发高效非贵金属催化剂已成为当前的研究重点。铁镍（FeNi）基材料被认为是最好的预催化剂, 在催化过程中,它们的表面将转变成高价态金属氧化物或氢氧化物作为真正的活性物质。FeNi基预催化剂的结构和形貌在很大程度上影响了其催化性能, 因此, 优化和调整FeNi基预催化剂的结构和化学环境可以提高电催化性能。基于我们的研究工作, 我们撰写了FeNi基预催化剂的表面结构调控促进电化学析氧反应的研究进展。我们首先介绍了碱性OER的反应机理, 然后从杂原子掺杂、表面成分改性、选择性结构转变、表面化学状态调节、异质结构构建和载体效应等方面讨论了FeNi基预催化剂表面调控对析氧反应性能的影响。尽管在OER反应中FeNi都被认为转变成高价态的金属活性物质, Fe/Ni体系的表面结构、形貌和化学状态仍然能够显著影响其最终的催化性能, 即FeNi基预催化剂的性质会影响析氧反应的催化性能。通过精细设计并尽量提高Fe和Ni的协同作用将有利用提升氧析出的催化性能。我们希望本综述能够对FeNi基预催化剂的制备和表界面性质调控与电催化析氧反应性能的理解有所帮助。     

Mechanistic Studies on the Rearrangement of 1‐Alkenyl‐2‐alkynylcyclopropanes: From Allylic Gold(I) Cations to Stable Carbocations

An allylic gold(I) cation, proposed as key intermediate in the gold‐promoted rearrangement of 1,5‐enynes bearing a fixed conformation, has been detected and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, its participation in the overall transformation was confirmed. Computational studies indicate that the gold‐catalyzed transformation occurs through an uncommon rearrangement. Additionally, this study led us to isolate and characterize a stable homoantiaromatic carbocation.     

Alkyne/Alkene/Allene‐Induced Disproportionation of Cationic Gold(I) Catalyst

The first detailed experimental study of the deactivation of cationic gold was conducted, and the influence of each component in the reaction system (substrate, counterion, solvent) on the decay process was examined. It was found that a substrate (alkyne/allene/alkene)‐induced disproportionation of gold(I) may play a key role in the decay process. Our mechanism is supported by kinetic, XPS, voltammetry studies, and high‐resolution ESI‐MS data.     

Short gold nanorod growth revisited: the critical role of the bromide counterion

A one-step, surfactant-assisted, seed-mediated method has been utilized for the growth of short gold nanorods with reasonable yield by modifying an established synthesis protocol. Among the various parameters that influence nanorod growth, the impact of the bromide counterion has been closely scrutinized. During this study it has been shown that, irrespective of its origin, the bromide counterion [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or NaBr] plays a crucial role in the formation of nanorods in the sense that there is a critical [Br(-)]/[Au(3+)] ratio (around 200) to achieve nanorods with a maximum aspect ratio. Beyond this value, bromide can be considered as a poisoning agent unless shorter nanorods are required. The use of AgNO(3) helps in symmetry breaking for gold nanorod growth, whereas the bromide counterion controls the growth kinetics by selective adsorption on the facets of the growth direction. Thus, a proper balance between bromide ions and gold cations is also one of the necessary parameters for controlling the size of the gold nanorods; this has been discussed thoroughly. The results have been discussed based on their absorption spectra and finally shape evolution has been confirmed by TEM. Due to their efficient absorption in the near-IR region, these short nanorods were used in photothermal imaging of living COS-7 cells with improved signal-to-background ratios.     

Gold-Catalyzed Iminations of Terminal Propargyl Alcohols with Anthranils with Atypical Chemoselectivity for C(1)-Additions and 1,2-Carbon Migration

This work reports gold-catalyzed iminations of terminal propargyl alcohols with anthranils or isoxazoles to yield E-configured α-amino-2-en-1-ones and -1-als with complete chemoselectivity. These catalytic iminations occur exclusively with C(1)-nucleophilic additions on terminal alkynes, in contrast to a typical C(2)-route. For 3,3-dialkylprop-1-yn-3-ols, a methyl substituent is superior to long alkyl chains as the 1,2-migration groups toward α-imino gold carbenes. For secondary prop-1-yn-3-ols, phenyl, vinyl, and cyclopropyl substituents are better than hydrogen as the migrating groups, obviating typical gold carbene reactions. DFT calculations have been performed to rationalize the observed C(1)-regioselectivity and the preferable cyclopropyl migration based on gold carbene pathways.     

A highly chemoselective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl products with iodosobenzene diacetate mediated by chromium(III)(salen) complexes: synthetic and mechanistic aspects

[reaction: see text] The catalytic oxidation of the allylic alcohols 1d-n with iodosobenzene diacetate, mediated by the [Cr(III)(salen)]X complex, affords the respective enones in excellent chemoselectivity for Cl(-) as counterion [complex A(Cl)], while for the counterions TfO(-) [complex A(TfO)] and PF(6)(-) [complex A(PF(6)())] nearly equal amounts of enone and epoxide are observed. This counterion-dependent oxidation of allylic alcohols by Cr(III)(salen) complexes is rationalized in terms of Lewis acid catalysis by the complex A(Cl) and redox catalysis for A(TfO) and A(PF(6)()).     

Phosphate binding to the [Au(IPr)] moiety: inner vs. outer sphere coordination behaviour

The synthesis and characterization of a new class of cationic (NHC)gold(I) (NHC = N-Heterocyclic carbene) complex containing the phosphate counterions TRISPHAT and TRISPHAT-N have been achieved. The selection of the appropriate hexacoordinated phosphate architecture permits the isolation of complexes bearing an inner or outer sphere anionic counterion.     

Cationic ruthenium allenylidene complexes as catalysts for ring closing olefin metathesis

A series of well accessible cationic ruthenium allenylidene complexes of the general type [(eta6-arene)(R3P)RuCl(=C=CR'2)]+ X- is described which constitute a new class of pre-catalysts for ring closing olefin metathesis reactions (RCM) and provide an unprecedented example for the involvement of metal allenylidenes in catalysis. They effect the cyclization of various functionalized dienes and enynes with good to excellent yields and show a great tolerance towards an array of functional groups. Systematic variations of their basic structural motif have provided insights into the essential parameters responsible for catalytic activity which can be enhanced further by addition of Lewis or Bronsted acids, by irradiation with UV light, or by the adequate choice of the "non-coordinating" counterion X-. The latter turned out to play a particularly important role in determining the rate and selectivity of the reaction. A similarly pronounced influence is exerted by remote substituents on the allenylidene residue which indicates that this ligand (or a ligand derived thereof) may remain attached to the metal throughout the catalytic process. X-ray crystal structures of the catalytically active allenylidene complexes 3b.PF6 and 15.OTf as well as of the chelate complex 10 required for the preparation of the latter catalyst are reported.     

Direct reduction of alcohols: highly chemoselective reducing system for secondary or tertiary alcohols using chlorodiphenylsilane with a catalytic amount of indium trichloride.

The direct reduction of alcohols using chlorodiphenylsilane as a hydride source in the presence of a catalytic amount of indium trichloride is described. Benzylic alcohols, secondary alcohols, and tertiary alcohols were effectively reduced to give the corresponding alkanes in high yields. A compound bearing both primary and secondary hydroxyl groups was reduced only at the secondary site to afford the primary alcohol after workup with Bu(4)NF. This system showed high chemoselectivity only for the hydroxyl group while not reducing other functional groups that are readily reduced by standard reducing systems. Thus alcohols bearing ester, chloro, bromo, or nitro groups, which are sensitive to LiAlH(4) or Zn/H(+), were selectively reduced only at the hydroxyl sites by the chlorodiphenylsilane/InCl(3) system. NMR studies revealed the reaction course. The hydrodiphenylsilyl ether is initially formed and then, with InCl(3) acting as a Lewis acid, forms an oxonium complex, which accelerates the desiloxylation with donation of the hydrogen to the carbon.     

Recent advances in gold-complex and chiral organocatalyst cooperative catalysis for asymmetric alkyne functionalization

Homogeneous gold catalysis has demonstrated the preponderant capability of realizing a broad range of synthetically versatile alkyne functionalization over the last two decades. Though catalytic asymmetric alkyne transformation has focused on the principle of using gold catalysts either associated with chiral phosphine ligand or combined with chiral counterion, a variety of breakthroughs have been reported with the application of gold-complex and chiral organocatalyst cooperative catalysis strategy, which could enable the challenging transformations that cannot be realized by mono-catalysis with excellent stereoselectivity. This review will cover two general protocols in this field, including relay catalysis and synergistic catalysis, with emphasis on the detailed cooperative catalysts models to illustrate the roles of the two catalysts and highlight the potential synthetic opportunities offered by asymmetric cooperative catalysis.     

Synergistic Peptide and Gold Catalysis: Enantioselective Addition of Branched Aldehydes to Allenamides

The combination of a peptide catalyst and a gold catalyst is presented for enantioselective addition reactions between branched aldehydes and allenamides. The two catalysts act in concert to provide γ,δ-enamide aldehydes bearing a fully substituted, benzylic stereogenic center – a structural motif common in many natural products and therapeutically active compounds – with good yields and enantioselectivities. The reaction tolerates a variety of alkyl and alkoxy substituted aldehydes and the products can be elaborated into several chiral building blocks bearing either 1,4- or 1,5- functional group relationships. Mechanistic studies showed that the conformational features of the peptide are important for both the catalytic efficiency and stereochemistry, while a balance of acid/base additives is key for ensuring formation of the desired product over undesired side reactions.     

Catalytic intermolecular amination of C-H bonds: method development and mechanistic insights

Reaction methodology for intermolecular C-H amination of benzylic and 3 degrees C-H bonds is described. This process uses the starting alkane as the limiting reagent, gives optically pure tetrasubstituted amines through stereospecific insertion into enantiomeric 3 degrees centers, displays high chemoselectivity for benzylic oxidation, and enables the facile preparation of isotopically enriched 15N-labeled compounds. Access to substituted amines, amino alcohols, and diamines is thereby made possible in a single transformation. Important information relevant to understanding the initial steps in the catalytic cycle, reaction chemoselectivity, the nature of the active oxidant, and pathways for catalyst inactivation has been gained through mechanistic analysis; these studies are also presented.     

The effect of counterion/ligand interplay on the activity and stereoselectivity of palladium(II)-diimine catalysts for CO/p-methylstyrene copolymerization

The catalytic activity and stereoselectivity of complexes [Pd(eta(1),eta(2)-C(8)H(12)OMe)(Ar--N==C(R')--C(R')==N--Ar)]X in the copolymerization of CO and p-methylstyrene have been correlated with their interionic structure in solution and in the solid state, as determined by (19)F,(1)H-HOESY NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies, respectively. The highest productivity is obtained with unhindered diimine ligands bearing electron-donating substituents and with the least coordinating counterion. Copolymers with a microstructure ranging from atactic to predominantly isotactic are obtained. The degree of isotacticity increases as the steric hindrance in the apical positions and the coordinating ability of the counterion increase. The counterion is located close to the diimine in both solution and the solid state but it moves toward the palladium as the steric hindrance in the apical positions decreases. When the latter is small the counterion competes with the substrate for apical coordination, and consequently it affects the productivity. In the case of ortho-dimethyl-substituted ligands the counterion is confined in the back, above the N==C(R')--C(R')==N moiety, and does not affect the productivity. However, it contributes to increasing the stereoregularity of the copolymer by making the aryl moieties more rigid. With R'=Me and Ar=o-Me(2)C(6)H(3) an ll of 81 % and 72 % was obtained with X(-)=CF(3)SO(3) (-) or BArF(-), respectively. The isotacticity of the copolymers produced by ortho-monosubstituted catalysts depends greatly on the counterion and ranges from 30 % to 59 % with X(-)=BArF(-) and X(-)=CF(3)SO(3) (-), respectively, with Ar=o-EtC(6)H(4) and R'=Me. Based on the interionic structural results, this effect can be explained by a greater reduction of the copolymerization rate of C(s)-symmetric isomers with respect to their C(2)-symmetric counterparts.     

Novel efficient procedure for the conjugate addition of amines to electron deficient alkenes

The novel efficient procedure has been developed for the conjugate addition of amines to electron deficient alkenes using the novel SO₃H functionalized ionic liquid as catalyst. The results showed that the novel catalyst owned high activities for the reactions with excellent yields within several minutes. Various amines and electron deficient alkenes were successfully transformed to the corresponding products in the catalytic system. Operational simplicity, without need of any solvent, low cost of the catalyst used, room temperature, high yields, reusability, excellent chemoselectivity and wide applicability are the key features of this methodology.     

γ-Al2O3负载的金溶胶的尺寸效应对CO催化氧化活性的影响

The relationship between particle size and catalytic activity of gold nanoparticle catalysts with γ-Al2O3 as support has been investigated. The catalysts were prepared via the gold sol with different particle sizes by micelle method, and their structures were characterized by HRTEM and XRD, respectively. Furthermore, the catalytic activities were tested by CO oxidation. Experimental results showed that the catalytic activity became much weaker when gold particles were increased from 3.2 to 6.6 nm. Additionally, the particle size was also a key factor to govern catalytic activity with regard to gold supported on TiO2 prepared by the methods of deposition-precipitation.