Rh(I) and Ir(i) derivatives of a P(S),N-substituted indene ligand: synthetic, structural, and catalytic alkene hydrosilylation studies

Treatment of 1-PiPr2-indene or 1-PiPr2-2-NMe2-indene (1a) with elemental sulfur afforded 3-iPr2P(S)-indene or 1-iPr2P(S)-2-NMe2-indene (4a) in 81% and 85% isolated yield, respectively. Addition of 4a to [(COD)M(THF)2]+BF4- afforded the corresponding [(COD)M(kappa2-N,S-4a)]+BF4- complexes (M = Rh, 5a, 76%; M = Ir, 5b, 59%; COD = eta4-1,5-cyclooctadiene), which were found to exhibit temperature-dependent NMR spectral features that were rationalized in terms of a dynamic process involving M-NMe2 dissociation, rotation about the indenyl-NMe2 bond, inversion at nitrogen, and re-coordination to M. Analysis of variable-temperature NMR data collected for 5a and 5b each yielded a value for DeltaG(double dagger) of ca. 14 kcal/mol for this process. Exposure of 5a or 5b to NaN(SiMe3)2 generated the corresponding (COD)M(kappa2-C,S-1-iPr2P(S)-2-NMe2-(C1-indenyl)) complex (M = Rh, 6a, 70%; M = Ir, 6b, 86%) in which the metal is incorporated into an M-C-P-S ring via coordination to the indenyl ring in an eta1-fashion, as well as to sulfur. Alternatively, complex 6b was prepared cleanly via lithiation of 4a followed by treatment with 0.5 equiv of [(COD)IrCl]2. The ability of 5a,b and 6a,b to mediate the addition of triethylsilane to styrene was also explored, and their performance was compared with that of Wilkinson's Catalyst ((PPh3)3RhCl) and Crabtree's catalyst ([(COD)Ir(PCy3)(Py)]+PF6-; Cy = cyclohexyl; Py = pyridine). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data are provided for 4a, 2-NMe2-3-iPr2P(S)-indene (4b), 6a, and 6b.     

Oxygen-induced ligand dehydrogenation of a planar bis-mu-chloronickel(I) dimer featuring an NHC ligand

Planar bis-mu-chloronickel(I) dimers undergo rapid aerobic oxidation to yield bis-mu-hydroxonickel(II) dimers with concomitant ligand dehydrogenation.     

Solvent-dependent interconversions between Rh(I), Rh(II), and Rh(III) complexes of an aryl-monophosphine ligand

Reaction of the aryl-monophosphine ligand alpha(2)-(diisopropylphosphino)isodurene (1) with the Rh(I) precursor [Rh(coe)(2)(acetone)(2)]BF(4) (coe=cyclooctene) in different solvents yielded complexes of all three common oxidation states of rhodium, depending on the solvent used. When the reaction was carried out in methanol a cyclometalated, solvent-stabilized Rh(III) alkyl-hydride complex (2) was obtained. However, when the reaction was carried out in acetone or dichloromethane a dinuclear eta(6)-arene Rh(II) complex (5) was obtained in the absence of added redox reagents. Moreover, when acetonitrile was added to a solution of either the Rh(II) or Rh(III) complexes, a new solvent-stabilized, noncyclometalated Rh(I) complex (6) was obtained. In this report we describe the different complexes, which were fully characterized, and probe the processes behind the remarkable solvent effect observed.     

Pd(II) and Ni(II) complexes featuring a "phosphasalen" ligand: synthesis and DFT study

A phosphorus analog of salen ligands featuring iminophosphorane functionalities in place of the imine groups was synthesised in 2 steps from o-diphenylphosphinophenol via the preparation of the corresponding bis-aminophosphonium salt. This novel tetradentate ligand (1), which we named phosphasalen, was coordinated to Pd(II) and Ni(II) metal centres affording complexes 6 and 7 respectively, which were characterised by multinuclear NMR, elemental and X-ray diffraction analyses. Both neutral complexes adopt a nearly square-planar geometry around the metal with coordination of all iminophosphorane and phenolate moieties. The electronic properties of these new complexes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and comparison with known salens was made when possible. Moreover, the particular behaviour of the phosphasalen nickel complex 7 was further investigated through magnetic moment measurements and a DFT study.     

Hydride ion-carrier ability in Rh(I) complexes of a nicotinamide-functionalised N-heterocyclic carbene ligand

(Spectro-)electrochemical results demonstrate ligand-centred hydride ion-carrier capacity for a Rh(I) complex of a novel 'non-innocent' N-heterocyclic carbene ligand created by nicotinamide functionalisation.     

A copper(II) complex of a pentadentate ligand featuring large ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions

A novel pentadentate ligand based on a 2,2'-bipyridine template and functionalized with two methylene bridged nitroxide arms provides mononuclear Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes displaying a facial and meridional conformation, respectively; for Cu large intramolecular ferromagnetic (J/kB = +173 K) and antiferromagnetic (J'/kB = -170 K) exchange interactions are evidenced from magnetic measurements.     

Interaction of a bulky N-heterocyclic carbene ligand with Rh(I) and Ir(I). Double C-H activation and isolation of bare 14-electron Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes

Reactivity and structural studies of unusual rhodium and iridium systems bearing two N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are presented. These systems are capable of intramolecular C-H bond activation and lead to coordinatively unsaturated 16-electron complexes. The resulting complexes can be further unsaturated by simple halide abstraction, leading to 14-electron species bearing an all-carbon environment. Saturation of the vacant sites in the 16- and 14-electron complexes with carbon monoxide permits a structural comparison. DFT calculations show that these electrophilic metal centers are stabilized by pi-donation of the NHC ligands.     

Biomimetic models for the active site of [Fe]hydrogenase featuring an acylmethyl(hydroxymethyl)pyridine ligand

The first acylmethyl(hydroxymethyl)pyridine ligand-containing [Fe]hydrogenase model complexes 2-4 have been synthesized starting from the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2-(4-MeC(6)H(4)SO(3)CH(2))-6-HOCH(2)C(5)H(3)N with Na(2)Fe(CO)(4). While the reaction course for producing complex 3 via the highly unstable intermediate complex 1 is monitored by in situ IR spectroscopy, the isolated model complexes 2-4 are fully characterized.     

A Cu(I) cluster bearing a bridging phosphane ligand

The solid state structure of a Cu(I) cluster bearing bridging phosphane ligands is described. This Cu₄ cluster results from a formal Cl-abstraction of the CH₂Cl₂ solvent. This derivative is the first example of a multinuclear Cu(I) complex bearing bridging phosphane ligands in which the Cu(I) centers have different coordination geometries. The four Cu(I) ions participate in metallophilic interactions within this cluster. Interestingly, despite the gross molecular structure being highly dissymmetrical, the μ-P atoms bridge symmetrically the metal centers.     

Rh(II) and Rh(I) two-legged piano-stool complexes: structure,reactivity, and electronic properties

The ligand 1,4-bis[4-(diphenylphosphino)butyl]-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene, 3, was used to synthesize a mononuclear Rh(II) complex [(eta(1):eta(6):eta(1)-1,4-bis[4-(diphenylphosphino)butyl]-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene)Rh][PF(6)](2), 6+, in a two-legged piano-stool geometry. The structural and electronic properties of this novel complex including a single-crystal EPR analysis are reported. The complex can be cleanly interconverted with its Rh(I) form, allowing for a comparison of the structural properties and reactivity of both oxidation states. The Rh(I) form 6 reacts with CO, tert-butyl isocyanide, and acetonitrile to form a series of 15-membered mononuclear cyclophanes [(eta(1):eta(1)-1,4-bis[4-(diphenylphosphino)butyl]-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene)Rh(CO)(3)][PF(6)] (8), [(eta(1):eta(1)-1,4-bis[4-(diphenylphosphino)butyl]-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene)Rh(CNC(CH(3))(3))(2)][PF(6)] (10), and [(eta(1):eta(1)-1,4-bis[4-(diphenylphosphino)butyl]-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene)Rh(CO)(CH(3)CN)][PF(6)] (11). The Rh(II) complex 6+ reacts with the same small molecules, but over shorter periods of time, to form the same Rh(I) products. In addition, a model two-legged piano-stool complex [(eta(1):eta(6):eta(1)-1,4-bis[3-(diphenylphosphino)propoxy]-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene)Rh][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], 5, has been synthesized and characterized for comparison purposes. The solid-state structures of complexes 5, 6, 6+, and 11 are reported. Structure data for 5: triclinic; P(-)1; a = 10.1587(7) A; b = 11.5228(8) A; c = 17.2381(12) A; alpha = 96.4379(13) degrees; beta = 91.1870(12) degrees; gamma = 106.1470(13) degrees; Z = 2. 6: triclinic; P(-)1; a = 11.1934(5) A; b = 12.4807(6) A; c = 16.1771(7) A; alpha = 81.935(7) degrees; beta = 89.943(1) degrees; gamma = 78.292(1) degrees; Z = 2. 6+: monoclinic; P2(1)/n; a = 11.9371(18) A; b = 32.401(5) A; c = 12.782(2) A; beta = 102.890(3) degrees; Z = 4. 11: triclinic; P(-)1; a = 13.5476(7) A; b = 13.8306(7) A; c = 14.9948(8) A; alpha = 74.551(1) degrees; beta = 73.895(1) degrees; gamma = 66.046(1) degrees; Z = 2.     

Synthesis of a new chiral bisphospholane ligand for the Rh(I)-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of isomeric beta-acylamido acrylates

The highly stereoselective synthesis of a chiral silylphospholane has been described, which can be advantageously used as a building block under base-free conditions for the construction of diphosphines related to DuPHOS. The utility of silylphospholane is shown in the synthesis of a new bisphospholane ligand 1 (MalPHOS), which is characterized by a maleic anhydride backbone. The ligand forms with Rh(I) a complex with a larger bite angle P-Rh-P than the analogue Me-DuPHOS complex. Both complexes have been tested in the asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated alpha- and beta-amino acid precursors of pharmaceutical relevance. In several cases, the new catalyst was superior in comparison to the Me-DuPHOS complex, in particular when (Z)-configured beta-acylamido acrylates were used as substrates.     

Rh(I) Complexes in Catalysis: A Five-Year Trend

Rhodium is one of the most used metals in catalysis both in laboratory reactions and industrial processes. Despite the extensive exploration on “classical” ligands carried out during the past decades in the field of rhodium-catalyzed reactions, such as phosphines, and other common types of ligands including N-heterocyclic carbenes, ferrocenes, cyclopentadienyl anion and pentamethylcyclopentadienyl derivatives, etc., there is still lively research activity on this topic, with considerable efforts being made toward the synthesis of new preformed rhodium catalysts that can be both efficient and selective. Although the “golden age” of homogeneous catalysis might seem over, there is still plenty of room for improvement, especially from the point of view of a more sustainable chemistry. In this review, temporally restricted to the analysis of literature during the past five years (2015–2020), the latest findings and trends in the synthesis and applications of Rh(I) complexes to catalysis will be presented. From the analysis of the most recent literature, it seems clear that rhodium-catalyzed processes still represent a stimulating challenge for the metalloorganic chemist that is far from being over.     

New Rh(I) and Rh(III) bisimidazol-2-ylidene complexes: synthesis,reactivity, and molecular structures

New chelate bis-heterocyclic-carbene complexes of Rh(I) and Rh(III) have been obtained and fully characterized. The molecular structures of the new species have been determined. The synthesis of the compounds starts from the bisimidazolium precursors, which are deprotonated with NEt(3) under mild reaction conditions, leading to coordination to the Rh complex. The Rh(III) compounds are generated from Rh(I) and [Rh(II)](2) species, although there is no apparent oxidizing agent in the reaction media.     

Synthesis and reactivity of rhodium(I) complexes of the type Rh(L-L)(CO)[P(OPh)3] and Rh(L-L)[P(OPh)3]2

Summary The carbonyl ligands in the Rh¹ complexes Rh(L-L)(CO)₂ [L-L=anthranilate (AA) orN-phenylanthranilate(FA) ions] are replaced by P(OPh)₃ to form the mono-or disubstituted products, Rh(L-L)(CO)[P(OPh)₃] and Rh(L-L)[P(OPh)₃]₂ respectively depending on the [P(OPh)₃]/[Rh] molar ratio, at room temperature and in air. Under argon at [P(OPh)₃]/[Rh]4 theortho-metallated Rh¹ complex Rh[P(OPh)₃]₃[P(OC₆H₄)-OPh)₂] is formed. The new route forortho-metallated Rh¹ complex synthesis is described.The Rh(AA)(CO)₂ complex was used as a catalyst precursor in hydroformylation of olefins.     

Structurally diverse Rh(I) and Mn(I) complexes derived from the new ambidentate indene ligand, (1-[iPr2P(S)]-2-[NMe2])C9H6

A new indene-based ligand featuring pendant phosphine sulfide and amine donor fragments has been developed; Rh(I) coordinates to the neutral form of the ligand in a kappa2-[N,S] fashion, while the anionic form of the ligand binds Rh(I) and Mn(I) in kappa2-[C,S] and eta5 modes, respectively.     

Metal-metal bonded homo- and heterobimetallic compounds of Pt(I) and Pd(I) supported by a bridging-N,P:N',P' moiety of a potentially hexadentate ligand

Reactions of metal-metal bonded homobimetallic (Pd(2)) and heterobimetallic (PtPd) complexes, supported by a P,P'-bridging-bis(P,N-chelating) coordination mode of the potentially hexadentate ligand 1,1-bis[di(o-N,N-dimethylanilinyl)phosphino]methane (dmapm), with CO, diethylacetylenedicarboxylate (DEAD), and thiols (RSH) in CH(2)Cl(2) are described. At room temperature, rac-Pd(2)Cl(2)(mu-N,P:P',N'-dmapm) gives the stable complexes Pd(2)Cl(2)(mu-CO)(2)(mu-P:P'-dmapm) and PdCl(eta2-DEAD)(mu-P:P',N-dmapm)PdCl (which is fluxional in solution), while rac-PtPdCl(2)(mu-N,P:P',N'-dmapm) disproportionates to PtCl(2)(P,P'-dmapm) and Pd metal, although at low temperature intermediate carbonyl species are detected in the CO reaction. The reactions with thiols in the presence of triflic acid (HOTf) generate rac-[MPdCl(2)(mu-SR)(mu-N,P:P',N'-dmapm)][OTf] and H(2) for both M = Pt and Pd. In CH(2)Cl(2), PdX(2)(dmapm) species (X = halide or CN) exist as equilibrium mixtures of P,P'- and P,N-ligated forms. For X = Cl, the P,P'-P,N equilibrium is governed by DeltaH degrees = -5.5 +/- 0.5 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS degrees = 10 +/- 1 J mol(-1) K(-1), and the ring-strain energy within the P,P'-isomer is approximately 32 kJ mol(-1); the equilibrium increasingly favors the P,N-form with X = CN > I > Br > Cl. The solid-state structures of rac-[PtPdCl(2)(mu-SEt)(mu-N,P:P',N'-dmapm)][OTf] and PdCl(2)(P,N-dmapm) are presented; the latter contains both bound and free N- and P-atoms of identical types in the same molecule and permits an assessment of sigma- and pi-bonding between these atoms and Pd.     

A homogeneous, recyclable polymer support for Rh(I)-catalyzed C-C bond formation

A robust and practical polymer-supported, homogeneous, recyclable biphephos rhodium(I) catalyst has been developed for C-C bond formation reactions. Control of polymer molecular weight allowed tuning of the polymer solubility such that the polymer-supported catalyst is soluble in nonpolar solvents and insoluble in polar solvents. Using the supported rhodium catalysts, addition of aryl and vinylboronic acids to the electrophiles such as enones, aldehydes, N-sulfonyl aldimines, and alkynes occurs smoothly to provide products in high yields. Additions of terminal alkynes to enones and industrially relevant hydroformylation reactions have also been successfully carried out. Studies show that the leaching of Rh from the polymer support is low and catalyst recycle can be achieved by simple precipitation and filtration.     

Practical Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of beta-(acylamino)acrylates using a new unsymmetrical hybrid ferrocenylphosphine-phosphoramidite ligand: crucial influence of an N-H proton in the ligand

[reaction: see text] Excellent enantioselectivities and high turnovers (S/C = 5000) were achieved in the Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of both beta-aryl- and beta-alkyl-beta-(acylamino)acrylates with a new unsymmetrical hybrid ferrocenylphosphine-phosphoramidite ligand, and the presence of an N-H proton in the ligand was demonstrated to have a crucial role in the enantioselectivity.