Ligand and solvent effects on CO2 insertion into group 10 metal alkyl bonds

The insertion of carbon dioxide into metal element σ-bonds is an important elementary step in many catalytic reactions for carbon dioxide valorization. Here, the insertion of carbon dioxide into a family of group 10 alkyl complexes of the type (^RPBP)M(CH₃) (^RPBP = B(NCH₂PR₂)₂C₆H₄⁻; R = Cy or ^tBu; M = Ni or Pd) to generate κ¹-acetate complexes of the form (^RPBP)M{OC(O)CH₃} is investigated. This involved the preparation and characterization of a number of new complexes supported by the unusual ^RPBP ligand, which features a central boryl donor that exerts a strong trans-influence, and the identification of a new decomposition pathway that results in C–B bond formation. In contrast to other group 10 methyl complexes supported by pincer ligands, carbon dioxide insertion into (^RPBP)M(CH₃) is facile and occurs at room temperature because of the high trans-influence of the boryl donor. Given the mild conditions for carbon dioxide insertion, we perform a rare kinetic study on carbon dioxide insertion into a late-transition metal alkyl species using (^tBuPBP)Pd(CH₃). These studies demonstrate that the Dimroth–Reichardt parameter for a solvent correlates with the rate of carbon dioxide insertion and that Lewis acids do not promote insertion. DFT calculations indicate that insertion into (^tBuPBP)M(CH₃) (M = Ni or Pd) proceeds via an S_E2 mechanism and we compare the reaction pathway for carbon dioxide insertion into group 10 methyl complexes with insertion into group 10 hydrides. Overall, this work provides fundamental insight that will be valuable for the development of improved and new catalysts for carbon dioxide utilization.

The kinetics of carbon dioxide insertion into a pincer-supported palladium methyl complex are studied. The complex inserts carbon dioxide at room temperature, and we explore both solvent and Lewis acid effects on carbon dioxide insertion.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Crystal Structures of [N(CH3)4]2[B12H12] and [N(CH3)4]2[B12H12] · CH3CN

Bis(tetramethylammonium) dodecahydrododecaborate, [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂], and bis(tetramethylammonium) dodecahydrododecaborate acetonitrile, [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂] · CH₃CN, were synthesized and characterized via Infrared, ¹H and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂] crystallizes isopunctual to the alkali metal dodecaborates. The crystal structure of [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂] · CH₃CN was determined from single crystal data and refined in the orthorhombic crystal system (Pcmn, no. 62, a = 898.68(8), b = 1312.85(9) c = 1994.5(1) pm, R(|F| , 4σ) = 5.9%, wR(F²) = 18.3%). Here, the geometry of the dodecaborate anion is that of an almost ideal icosahedron, less distorted than most other dodecaborates known. By low‐temperature Guinier‐Simon diffractometry phase transitions were detected for [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂] and [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂] · CH₃CN at –70 and –15 °C, respectively.     

Luteapyrone,a Novel ƴ-Pyrone Isolated from the Filamentous Fungus Metapochonia lutea

In the process of screening for new bioactive microbial metabolites we found a novel ƴ-pyrone derivative for which we propose the trivial name luteapyrone, in a recently described microscopic filamentous fungus, Metapochonia lutea BiMM-F96/DF4. The compound was isolated from the culture extract of the fungus grown on modified yeast extract sucrose medium by means of flash chromatography followed by preparative HPLC. The chemical structure was elucidated by NMR and LC-MS. The new compound was found to be non-cytotoxic against three mammalian cell lines (HEK 263, KB-3.1 and Caco-2). Similarly, no antimicrobial activity was observed in tested microorganisms (gram positive and negative bacteria, yeast and fungi).