A Simple Link between Hydrocarbon and Borohydride Chemistries

A clear link between the hydrocarbon and borohydride chemistries is established by showing that hydrocarbons and borohydrides have a common root regulated by the number of valence electrons in a confined space. Application of the proposed method to archetypal hydrocarbons leads to well‐known borohydrides but, more importantly, it allows the design of new and interesting boron‐containing molecules that can be a source of inspiration for synthetic chemists.     

An analysis of the isomerization energies of 1,2-/1,3-diazacyclobutadiene, pyrazole/imidazole, and pyridazine/pyrimidine with the turn-upside-down approach

The isomerization energies of 1,2- and 1,3-diazacyclobutadiene, pyrazole and imidazole, and pyridazine and pyrimidine are 10.6, 9.4, and 20.9 kcal/mol, respectively, at the BP86/TZ2P level of theory. These energies are analyzed using a Morokuma-like energy decomposition analysis in conjunction with what we have called turn-upside-down approach. Our results indicate that, in the three cases, the higher stability of the 1,3-isomers is not due to lower Pauli repulsions but because of the more favorable σ-orbital interactions involved in the formation of two C-N bonds in comparison with the generation of C-C and N-N bonds in the 1,2-isomers.     

The doping effect of fluorinated aromatic solvents on the rate of ruthenium-catalysed olefin metathesis

A study concerning the effect of using a fluorinated aromatic solvent as the medium for olefin metathesis reactions catalysed by ruthenium complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands is presented. The use of fluorinated aromatic hydrocarbons (FAH) as solvents for olefin metathesis reactions catalysed by standard commercially available ruthenium pre-catalysts allows substantially higher yields of the desired products to be obtained, especially in the case of demanding polyfunctional molecules, including natural and biologically active compounds. Interactions between the FAH and the second-generation ruthenium catalysts, which apparently improve the efficiency of the olefin metathesis transformation, have been studied by X-ray structure analysis and computations, as well as by carrying out a number of metathesis experiments. The optimisation of reaction conditions by using an FAH can be regarded as a complementary approach for the design of new improved ruthenium catalysts. Fluorinated aromatic solvents are an attractive alternative medium for promoting challenging olefin metathesis reactions.     

Bifunctional (Cyclopentadienone)Iron–Tricarbonyl Complexes: Synthesis,Computational Studies and Application in Reductive Amination

Reductive amination under hydrogen pressure is a valuable process in organic chemistry to access amine derivatives from aldehydes or ketones. Knölker’s complex has been shown to be an efficient iron catalyst in this reaction. To determine the influence of the substituents on the cyclopentadienone ancillary ligand, a series of modified Knölker’s complexes was synthesised and fully characterised. These complexes were also transformed into their analogous acetonitrile iron–dicarbonyl complexes. Catalytic activities of these complexes were evaluated and compared in a model reaction. The scope of this reaction is also reported. For mechanistic insights, deuterium‐labelling experiments and DFT calculations were undertaken and are also presented.     

Dinuclear Ru–Aqua Complexes for Selective Epoxidation Catalysis Based on Supramolecular Substrate Orientation Effects

Ru–aqua complex {[Ru^II(trpy)(H₂O)]₂(μ‐pyr‐dc)}⁺ is a powerful epoxidation catalyst for a wide range of linear and cyclic alkenes. High turnover numbers (TNs), up to 17000, and turnover frequencies (TOF), up to 24120 h^?1 (6.7 s^?1), have been obtained using PhIO as oxidant. This species presents an outstanding stereospecificity for both cis and trans olefins towards the formation of their corresponding cis and trans epoxides. In addition, it shows different reactivity to cis and trans olefins due to a substrate orientation supramolecular effect transmitted by its ligand scaffold. This effect together with the impressive reaction rates are rationalized using electrochemical techniques and DFT calculations.     

Highly Active Phosphine‐Free Bifunctional Iron Complex for Hydrogenation of Bicarbonate and Reductive Amination

Based on a “transition metal frustrated Lewis pair” approach, a cyclopentadienone iron tricarbonyl complex has been designed and applied in the reductive amination and hydrogenation of bicarbonate. This well‐defined phosphine‐free complex displays the best activities reported to date for an iron complex in the reduction of bicarbonate into formate and in reductive amination.     

DFT calculations of d0 M(NR)(CHtBu)(X)(Y) (M = Mo, W; R = CPh3, 2,6-iPr-C6H3; X and Y = CH2tBu, OtBu, OSi(OtBu)3) olefin metathesis catalysts: structural, spectroscopic and electronic properties

DFT(B3PW91) calculations have been carried out to rationalise the structural, electronic and spectroscopic properties of Mo and W imido M(NR1)(CHR2)(X)(Y) olefin metathesis catalysts by using either simplified or actual ligands of the experimental complexes. The calculated structures, energetics (preference for the syn isomer and alkylidene rotational barrier for the syn/anti interconversion), and spectroscopic properties (NMR J(C-H) coupling constants) are in good agreement with available experimental data. Additionally, the alkylidene nu(C-H) stretching frequencies, not available experimentally, have been calculated. These quasi-tetrahedral complexes have a linear imido group and a C-H alkylidene agostic interaction, which stabilizes the syn isomer. Whether looking at M(NR1)(CHR2)(X)(Y), M = Mo, W, or the isolobal Re complexes, Re(CR1)(CHR2)(X)(Y), a linear correlation is obtained between both the alkylidene nu(C-H) stretching frequencies and J(C-H) coupling constants with the calculated alkylidene C-H bond lengths. These correlations show that the strength of the alpha-C-H agostic interaction increases from alkylidyne Re to imido group 6 complexes and from Mo to W. The NBO and AIM Bader analyses show firstly that the imido and alkylidyne groups are both triply bonded to the metal, but that the triply bonded imido ligand is a weaker electron donor than the alkylidyne, hence the stronger alpha-C-H agostic interaction for group 6 imido complexes. Secondly, one of the pi bonds of the triply bonded ligand is weakened at the transition state of the alkylidene rotation: while no lone pair is formed, the metal-ligand triple bond is polarized. This is more favourable for an imido than for an alkylidyne ligand, hence the lower alkylidene rotational barrier for the former complexes. Conversely, the aryl imido is even less of an electron donor than the alkyl imido group, which in turn strengthens the alpha-C-H agostic interaction and lowers the alkylidene rotational barrier even more.