Dual catalytic performance of arene-ruthenium amine complexes for norbornene ring-opening metathesis and methyl methacrylate atom-transfer radical polymerizations

Arene ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the cyclic amines RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(pyrrolidine)] ( 1 ), [RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(piperidine)] ( 2 ), and [RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(peridroazepine)] ( 3 ) were successfully synthesized. Complexes 1 – 3 were fully characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry, computational methods, and one of the complexes was further studied by single crystal X-ray crystallography. These compounds were evaluated as catalytic precursors for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene (NBE) and atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). NBE polymerization via ROMP was evaluated using complexes 1 – 3 as precatalysts in the presence of ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) under different [NBE]/[EDA]/[Ru] ratios, temperatures (25 and 50°C), and reaction times (5–60 min). The highest yields of polyNBE were obtained with [NBE]/[EDA]/[Ru] = 5000/28/1 for 60 min at 50°C. MMA polymerization via ATRP was conducted using 1 – 3 as catalysts in the presence of ethyl-α-bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as initiator. The catalytic tests were evaluated as a function of the reaction time using the initial molar ratio of [MMA]/[EBiB]/[Ru] = 1000/2/1 at 95°C. The increase in molecular weight as function of time indicates that complexes 1–3 were able to mediate the MMA polymerization with an acceptable rate and some level of control. Differences in the rate of polymerization were observed in the order 3 > 2 > 1 for the ROMP and ATRP.     

Autocatalytic Intermolecular versus Intramolecular Deprotonation in C?H Bond Activation of Functionalized Arenes by Ruthenium(II) or Palladium(II) Complexes

The activation of the C? H bond of 1‐phenylpyrazole ( 2 ) and 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline ( 3 ) by [Ru(OAc)₂(p‐cymene)] is an autocatalytic process catalyzed by the co‐product HOAc. The reactions are indeed faster in the presence of acetic acid and water but slower in the presence of a base K₂CO₃. A reactivity order is established in the absence of additives: 2‐phenylpyridine>2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline>1‐phenylpyrazole (at RT). The accelerating effect of added acetate ions reveals an intermolecular deprotonation after C? H bond activation by a cationic Ru^II center (S_E3 mechanism). The reactions of 1‐phenylpyrazole and 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline first lead to the neutral cyclometalated complexes A₂ and A₃ ligated by one acetate. The latter dissociate to the cationic complexes B₂ ⁺ and B₃ ⁺ , respectively, and acetate. A slow incorporation of one or two D atoms into 2 , 3 , and 2‐phenylpyridine ( 1 ) was observed in the presence of deuterated acetic acid. The “reversibility” of the C? H bond activation/deprotonation takes place from the cationic complexes B _n ⁺ (n=1–3). They are also involved in oxidative additions to PhI, which are rate‐determining and lead to the mono‐ and bis‐phenylated products at high temperatures. A general mechanism is proposed for the arylation of arenes 1–3 catalyzed by [Ru(OAc)₂(p‐cymene)]. In contrast, the reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ with 2‐phenylpyridine ( 1 ), is much faster: Pd(OAc)₂>[Ru(OAc)₂(p‐cymene)]. Since the kinetics is not affected by added acetates, the reaction proceeds through a CMD mechanism assisted by a ligated acetate (intramolecular process) and is irreversible. A bis‐cyclometalated Pd^II^Pd^II dimer D′₁ is formed whose bielectronic electrochemical oxidation leads to a [Pd^III^Pd^III]²⁺ dimer, in agreement with the result of a reported chemical oxidation used in arene functionalizations catalyzed by Pd(OAc)₂.     

Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones Catalyzed by 1-Alkylbenzimidazole Ruthenium(II) Complexes

Summary. Six [RuCl₂(1-alkylbenzimidazole)(p-cymene)] complexes have been prepared and the new compounds characterized by C, H, N analyses, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. The reduction of ketones to alcohols via transfer hydrogenation was achieved with catalytic amounts of the complexes in the presence of t-BuOK.     

Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones Catalyzed by 1-Alkylbenzimidazole Ruthenium(II) Complexes

Six [RuCl₂(1-alkylbenzimidazole)(p-cymene)] complexes have been prepared and the new compounds characterized by C, H, N analyses, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. The reduction of ketones to alcohols via transfer hydrogenation was achieved with catalytic amounts of the complexes in the presence of t-BuOK.     

Thermal decomposition of new chlorido(p-cymene) ruthenium(II) complexes containing N-alkylphenothiazines

The thermal decomposition of [RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)]₂ (1) and its biologically active N-alkylphenothiazine compounds of composition L[RuCl₃(η⁶-p-cymene)] where L = CPH⁺ (2), TFH⁺·HCl (3), and TRH⁺ (4) (chlorpromazine hydrochloride, CP·HCl; trifluoperazine dihydrochloride, TF·2HCl; and thioridazine hydrochloride, TR·HCl, respectively) has been studied. The crystal and molecular structure of compound 3 was determined earlier by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The thermal data were collected by simultaneous TG/DSC measurements. For evolved gas detection, the qualitative reaction of chlorides with AgNO₃ in an acidic solution was applied. The measurements were carried out in the temperature range to 700 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. Compounds of L[RuCl₃(η⁶-p-cymene)] crystallize with water or water/2-propanole. On the basis of thermal data, the trend in the solvent bonding energies was assessed.     

Production and isolation of ligated metal(IV)‐oxo ions by tandem mass spectrometry

High valent metal(IV)‐oxo species, [M(?O)(MeIm)_n(OAc)]⁺ (M = Mn–Ni, MeIm = 1‐methylimidazole, n = 1–2), which are relevant to biology and oxidative catalysis, were produced and isolated in gas‐phase reactions of the metal(II) precursor ions [M(MeIm)_n(OAc)]⁺ (M = Mn–Zn, n = 1–3) with ozone. The precursor ions [M(MeIm)(OAc)]⁺ and [M(MeIm)₂(OAc)]⁺ were generated via collision‐induced dissociation of the corresponding [M(MeIm)₃(OAc)]⁺ ion. The dependence of ozone reactivity on metal and coordination number is discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and reactivity of half-sandwich hydrazine complexes of ruthenium and osmium

Hydrazine complexes [MCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(RNHNH₂)L]BPh₄ (1–6) [M = Ru, Os; R = H, Me, Ph; L = P(OEt)₃, PPh(OEt)₂, PPh₂OEt] were prepared by allowing dichloro complexes MCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)L to react with hydrazines RNHNH₂ in the presence of NaBPh₄. Treatment of ruthenium complexes [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(RNHNH₂)L]BPh₄ with Pb(OAc)₄ led to acetate complex [Ru(κ²–O₂CCH₃)(η⁶-p-cymene)L]BPh₄ (7). Instead, the reaction of osmium derivatives [OsCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(CH₃NHNH₂)L]BPh₄ with Pb(OAc)₄ afforded the methyldiazenido complex [Os(CH₃N₂)(η⁶-p-cymene)L}]BPh₄ (8). Treatment with HCl of this diazenido complex 8 led to the methyldiazene cation [OsCl(CH₃NNH)(η⁶-p-cymene)L}]⁺ (9⁺). The complexes were characterised spectroscopically and by X-ray crystal structure determination of [OsCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(PhNHNH₂){PPh(OEt)₂}]BPh₄ (6b) and [Ru(κ²–O₂CCH₃)(η⁶-p-cymene){PPh(OEt)₂}]BPh₄ (7b).     

Selective ruthenium-catalyzed double reductive aminations using hydrosilane to access tertiary amines and piperidine derivatives

A highly selective double reductive aminations of aldehydes with anilines to give tertiary amines, in the presence of [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ catalyst and PhSiH₃, was performed under neat conditions. Piperidine derivatives were successfully synthesized by a double reductive amination followed by cyclisation from glutaric dialdehyde with anilines.     

Imidazol(in)ium-2-Carboxylates as N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand Precursors for Ruthenium Metathesis Initiators

Summary: Imidazol(in)ium-2-carboxylates were used as N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursors to convert the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ dimer into three ruthenium-arene complexes of the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)(NHC)] type. The decarboxylation of NHC · CO₂ betaines also provided a convenient synthetic path to prepare five well-known ruthenium-NHC catalysts for olefin metathesis and related reactions, including the second generation Grubbs and Hoveyda–Grubbs catalysts, via ligand exchange with phosphine-containing, first generation ruthenium-benzylidene or indenylidene complexes. Both procedures are particularly attractive from a practical point of view, because NHC · CO₂ adducts are stable zwitterionic compounds that can be stored and handled with no particular precautions.     

Synthesis,characterization, and transfer hydrogenation of Ru(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A new series of ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes [RuL^1,2,3(p-cymene)Cl₂] (3a–c) (where L is a N-heterocyclic carbene), have been synthesized via transmetalation. The new ruthenium(II)-NHC complexes were applied to transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives and aldehydes using 2-propanol as a hydrogen source and KOH as a co-catalyst. The results show that the corresponding alcohols could be obtained in good yield with high catalyst activity (up to 100%) under mild conditions. [RuL¹(p-cymene)Cl₂] (3a) is much more active than the other complexes in transfer hydrogenation. Reactions, catalyzed by 3a–c, showed the highest reaction rates and yields of alcohol when the substrates bear more electron-withdrawing substituents. All new compounds were characterized by IR, elemental analysis, LC–MS (ESI), and NMR spectroscopy.     

Preparation and reactivity of p-cymene complexes of ruthenium and osmium incorporating 1,3-triazenide ligands

p-Cymene complexes MCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)L [M = Ru, Os; L = P(OEt)₃, PPh(OEt)₂, (CH₃)₃CNC] were prepared by allowing [MCl(μ-Cl)(η⁶-p-cymene)]₂ to react with phosphites or tert-butyl isocyanide. Treatment of MCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)L complexes with 1,3-ArNNN(H)Ar triazene and an excess of NEt₃ gave the cationic triazenide derivatives [M(η²-1,3-ArNNNAr)(η⁶-p-cymene)L]BPh₄ (Ar = Ph, p-tolyl). Neutral triazenide complexes MCl(η²-1,3-ArNNNAr)(η⁶-p-cymene) (M = Ru, Os) were also prepared by allowing [MCl(μ-Cl)(η⁶-p-cymene)]₂ to react with 1,3-diaryltriazene in the presence of triethylamine. p-Cymene complexes MCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)L reacted with equimolar amounts of 1,3-ArNNN(H)Ar triazene to give both triazenide complexes [M(η²-1,3-ArNNNAr)(η⁶-p-cymene)L]BPh₄ and amine derivatives [MCl(ArNH₂)(η⁶-p-cymene)L]BPh₄. A reaction path for the formation of the amine complex is also reported. The complexes were characterised by spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography of RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)[PPh(OEt)₂] and [Ru(η²-1,3-p-tolyl-NNN-p-tolyl)(η⁶-p-cymene){CNC(CH₃)₃}]BPh₄. Selected triazenide complexes were studied as catalysts in the hydrogenation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one and cinnamaldehyde.     

Di- and tetranulcear Ru complexes of phenylene-1,4-diaminotetra(phosphonite), p-C6H4[N{P(OC6H4OMe-o)2}2]2 and their catalytic investigation towards transfer hydrogenation reactions

The stoichiometric reaction of phenylene-1,4-diaminotetra(phosphonite), p-C₆H₄[N{P(OC₆H₄OMe-o)₂}₂]₂ (P₂NФNP₂) (1) with [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ in acetonitrile produces cis,cis-[{RuCl₂(CH₃CN)₂}₂(P₂NФNP₂)] (2), whereas the similar reaction of 1 with [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ in THF medium affords a tri-chloro-bridged tetrametallic complex, [{(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru₂(μ₂-Cl)₃Cl}₂(P₂NФNP₂)] (3) irrespective of the stoichiometry and reaction conditions. The formation and structure of complexes 2 and 3 are assigned through various spectroscopic and micro analysis data. The molecular structure of 2 is confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The catalytic activities of complexes 2 and 3 have been investigated in transfer hydrogenation reactions.     

Water-soluble (η-arene)ruthenium(II)-phosphine complexes and their catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of bicarbonate in aqueous solution

The reactions of [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂ and [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ with hydrogen in the presence of the water-soluble phosphines tppts (meta-trisulfonated triphenylphosphine) and pta (1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) afforded as the main species [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuH(tppts)₂]⁺, [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuH(pta)₂]⁺, [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuH(tppts)₂]⁺ and [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuH(pta)₂]⁺. This latter complex was also formed in the reaction of [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂(pta)] and hydrogen with a redistribution of pta. In addition, prolonged hydrogenation at elevated temperatures and in the presence of excess of pta led to the formation of the arene-free [RuH(pta)₄Cl], [RuH(pta)₄(H₂O)]⁺, [RuH₂(pta)₄] and [RuH(pta)₅]⁺ complexes. Ru-hydrides, such as [(η⁶-arene)RuH(L)₂]⁺, catalyzed the hydrogenation of bicarbonate to formate in aqueous solutions at p(H₂)=100 bar, T=50-70 °C.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of new trinuclear cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes possessing five- and six-coordinated geometry

Tri-nuclear cobalt and nickel complexes ([(CoL)₂(OAc)₂Co]?·?THF (I) and [(NiL)₂(OAc)₂(THF)₂Ni]?·?THF (II)) have been synthesized by reaction of a new Salen-type bisoxime chelating ligand of 2,2′-[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]dinaphthol(H₂L) with cobalt(II) acetate tetrahydrate or nickel(II) acetate tetrahydrate, respectively. Complexes I and II were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TG-DTA and ¹H-NMR etc. The X-ray crystal structures of I and II reveal that two acetate ions coordinate to three cobalt or nickel ions through M–O–C–O–M (M?=?Co or Ni) bridges and four μ-naphthoxo oxygen atoms from two [ML] units also coordinate to cobalt(II) or nickel(II). Complex I has two distorted square-pyramidal coordination spheres and an octahedral geometry around Co1. In complex II all three nickel ions are six-coordinate.     

A New Mixed‐Valent Copper Cyanido Complex and a New Copper(II) Acetato Complex,Prepared with an Ionic Liquid

When copper(II) acetate is treated with the ionic liquid n‐butylmethylimidazolium cyanide (BMIm‐CN), in ethanol solution, two new copper coordination compounds are obtained. (BMIm)₂[Cu₄(CN)₇] comprises a 3D coordination polymer of cyanide bridged copper ions. This anionic coordination polymer contains Cu^I as well as Cu^II ions, i.e. it is a mixed‐valent compound. The polymer can be described as honeycomb structure with the BMIm⁺ cation being located in the cages. The second compound obtained from the chemical reaction is (BMIm)[Cu₂(OAc)₅][Cu(OAc)₂(H₂O)]₂ · C₂H₅OH, which can be described as double‐salt. The first unit (BMIm)[Cu₂(OAc)₅] contains paddle wheel copper(II) acetato moieties, which are bridged by additional acetato ligands and form infinite chains. The second part of the double salt is the neutral, [Cu(OAc)₂(H₂O)]₂ complex. These two parts as well as the co‐crystallized ethanol molecule are connected through a network of hydrogen bridges.     

An Unexpectedly Stable Chiral Hydrido-Solvent Complex of RuII: A mechanistic link in the enantioselective hydrogenation of pyrones. Preliminary communication

The ligand (6,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl-2,2′-diyl)bis[3,5-di(tert-butyl)phenylphosphine] ( 1 ) forms an unexpectedly stable hydrido-bis-solvento complex of composition [RuH(isopropanol)₂( 1 )]BF₄, ( 2 ) under the conditions used in the enantioselective hydrogenation of pyrones. The structure of 2 , determined by X-ray diffraction, represents the first well-characterized chiral five-coordinate bis-phosphine ruthenium-hydride complex stable as a solvento complex, and provides a structural link in the enantioselective pyrone hydrogenation cycle catalyzed by [Ru(OAc)₂( 1 )]. Using the arene complex [RuH(p-cymene)( 1 )]BF₄ ( 3 ), the chiral pocket of coordinated 1 is shown to be relatively rigid, via NMR spectroscopy. This is reflected in restricted rotation about one of the four P–[3,5-di(tert-butyl)phenyl] P? C_ipso bonds at room temperature.     

Novel Initiators for Thermally and UV-Triggered ROMP

Novel ruthenium-based photoactive transition metal catalysts, i.e. [Ru(CF₃CO₂)₂(p-cymene)(IMes)] ( 2 ), [Ru(CF₃CO₂)₂(PhNC)₃(IMes)] ( 3 ), [Ru(CF₃CO₂)₂(p-cymene) (IMesH₂)] ( 4 ), [Ru(CF₃CO₂)₂(PhNC))₃(IMesH₂)] ( 5 ), have been prepared and investigated for their use as initiators for the thermally and photo-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (photo-ROMP). The polymerization behavior of the novel systems for both norborn-2-ene and functional monomers, such as norborn-5-ene- 2-ylmethanol, has been investigated.     

Anticancer activity of multinuclear arene ruthenium complexes coordinated to dendritic polypyridyl scaffolds

The rational development of multinuclear arene ruthenium complexes (arene = p-cymene, hexamethylbenzene) from generation 1 (G¹) and generation 2 (G²) of 4-iminopyridyl based poly(propyleneimine) dendrimer scaffolds of the type, DAB-(NH₂)_n (n = 4 or 8, DAB = diaminobutane) has been accomplished in order to exploit the ‘enhanced permeability and retention’ (EPR) effect that allows large molecules to selectively enter cancer cells. Four compounds were synthesised, i.e. [{(p-cymene)RuCl₂}₄G¹] (1), [{(hexamethylbenzene)RuCl₂}₄G¹] (2), [{(p-cymene)RuCl₂}₈G²] (3), and [{(hexamethylbenzene)RuCl₂}₈G²] (4), by first reacting DAB-(NH₂)_n with 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and subsequently metallating the iminopyridyl dendrimers with [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ or [(hexamethylbenzene)RuCl₂]₂. The related mononuclear complexes [(p-cymene)RuCl₂(L)] (5) and [(hexamethylbenzene)RuCl₂(L)] (6) were obtained in a similar manner from N-(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)propan-1-amine (L). The molecular structure of 5 has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and the in vitro anticancer activities of the mono-, tetra- and octanuclear complexes 1–6 studied on the A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cell line showing a close correlation between the size of the compound and cytotoxicity.     

Different Metal Aggregation in Copper Acetate Chain Coordination Polymers with Dipyridyl Tethers Bearing Hydrogen Bonding Capable Functional Groups

Hydrothermal synthesis has afforded a pair of divalent copper acetate coordination polymers containing either 4, 4′‐dipyridylamine (dpa) or 4‐pyridylisonicotinamide (4‐pina), both of which hydrogen‐bonding capable central functional groups. X‐ray crystallography revealed that both exhibit a 1D chain dimensionality. Use of the kinked tethering ligand dpa produced [Cu(OAc)₂(dpa)]_n ( 1 ), which possesses a simple chain based on dpa linkage of isolated copper ions. On the other hand, employing the straighter amide ligand 4‐pina generated {[Cu(OAc)₂(4‐pina)] · 0.5H₂O}_n ( 2 ), which exhibits {Cu₂O₂} rhomboid dimers formed through bridging acetate ligands. Weak antiferromagnetic coupling [g = 1.984(3), J = –3.2(3) cm^–1] was observed within the axial‐equatorial bridged {Cu₂O₂} dimers in 2 , with possible ferrimagnetism due to spin canting below 11 K.