Magnetic silica colloids for catalysis

Monodisperse magnetizable colloidal silica particles in a stable dispersion have been functionalized with a homogeneous catalyst: a PCP–pincer Pd-complex. In a proof-of-principle experiment we demonstrate the catalytic activity of the colloids in a C–C bond formation reaction. Advantages of the magnetic silica carriers are the large surface-to-volume ratio and the easy recovery by magnetic separation. After magnetic separation, the catalyst-loaded particles are readily redispersed for further use.     

Palladacycles in catalysis - a critical survey

The application of palladacycles as catalysts for cross-coupling and similar reactions is reviewed. In the majority of cases palladacycles are likely to serve as a source of highly active but unstable zero-valent palladium species. In this respect the palladacycles resemble the so-called phosphine-free catalysts. The advantages and limitations of palladacycle catalysts are discussed.     

Visual recognition of melamine in milk via selective metallo-hydrogel formation

A novel protocol allowing convenient and highly selective visual recognition of melamine in raw milk via selective metallo-hydrogel formation at a concentration as low as 10 ppm without any tedious pretreatment has been developed.     

High yield thiolation of iodobenzene catalyzed by the phosphinite nickel PCP pincer complex: [NiCl{C6H3-2,6-(OPPh2)2}]

[NiCl{C₆H₃-2,6-(OPPh₂)₂}] efficiently catalyzes the thiolation of iodobenzene with a broad scope of disulfides in the presence of zinc, the coupled products are obtained in excellent and in many cases nearly quantitative yields.     

Kinetic investigation of a PC(sp)P pincer palladium (II) complex in the Heck reaction

An investigation of the kinetics of the Heck reaction between 4-iodoanisole and styrene catalysed by {cis-1,3-bis[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]-cyclohexane} palladium (II) iodide (1) has been performed in DMF-d₇ solution. Based on mercury poisoning experiments a heterogeneous palladium catalyst formed from the pre-catalyst is proposed. Saturation behaviour with respect to the olefin concentration suggests a mechanism consisting of a pre-equilibrium association of the olefin followed by a rate determining reaction with aryl halide. The equilibrium constant for the olefin association, K₁, and the rate constant for the subsequent oxidative addition step, k₂, were determined to (5.7 ± 2.5) × 10⁻³ and 18.4 ± 2.7 M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric 1,6-addition of diphenylphosphine to (4-aryl-1,3-butadienylidene)bis(phosphonates) for the synthesis of chiral phosphines

An asymmetric 1,6-addition of diphenylphosphine to (4-aryl-1,3-butadienylidene)bis(phosphonates) catalyzed by a PCP pincer–Pd complex has been developed for the synthesis of chiral allylic phosphines with up to 91% ee under mild conditions.     

Novel structurally characterized o-semiquinonato PCP-pincer nickel complexes

Structural study of dialkyl (PCP)-pincer o-semiquinonato nickel complexes indicated sloped relative positions of bi- and tri-dentate ligands. It became bright confirmation of propositions made on the base of their EPR spectra followed by molecular modelling.     

A terminal palladium fluoride complex supported by an anionic PNP pincer ligand

A terminal palladium (II) fluoride complex (^FPNP)PdF (where ^FPNP is a an anionic fluoro-substituted diarylamido/bis(phosphine) pincer ligand) has been prepared and characterized spectroscopically and structurally. An X-ray diffraction study revealed an approximately square-planar environment about Pd and a short Pd-F bond distance. (^FPNP)PdF reacted with silanes containing electron-withdrawing groups on Si by exchange of fluoride with one of the substituents on Si. An analysis of the ¹⁹F chemical shifts of both the Pd-bound fluoride and of the fluorines on the backbone of the ^FPNP ligand is provided.     

CCC-N-heterocyclic carbene pincer complexes: Synthesis, characterization and hydroamination activity of a hafnium complex

Our methodology for the stoichiometric preparation of CCC-NHC pincer complexes of Zr has been extended to Hf. The CCC^Bu-NHC pincer Hf complex has been characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Catalytic activity in the intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of unactivated alkenes is reported and compared to the recently reported Zr analog. An improved, scaled-up CuO-catalyzed aryl amination of 1,3-dibromobenzene and an improved salt formation methodology for preparation of bis(butyl-imidazolium)benzene are reported also.