Di-μ-hydroxy-bis(N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylenediamine)-copper(II) chloride [Cu(OH)·TMEDA]2Cl2: an efficient, practical catalyst for benzylation and allylation of amides

An efficient protocol for the benzylation or allylation of amides using the corresponding benzyl or allyl chlorides as electrophiles under basic conditions with commercially available 5 mol % of [Cu(OH)TMEDA]₂Cl₂ as catalyst was developed. Under these conditions, unprotected amino acids were benzylated without any racemization.     

TMEDA-CATALYZED SYNTHESIS OF N-ARYL-N′-ETHOXYCARBONYL THIOUREA AND ARENE (OR POLYMETHYLENE)-BIS-ETHOXYCARBONYLTHIOUREA DERIVATIVES

A novel and efficient method for synthesis ethoxycarbonyl isothiocyanate and ethoxycarbonyl thioureas catalyzed by TMEDA is reported. A series of N-aryl-N′-ethoxycarbonyl thioureas and arene (or polymethylene)-bis-ethoxycarbonyl thiourea derivatives have been synthesized in good-to-excellent yields via this method at room temperature.     

Multidentate ligands for the synthesis of multi-metallic complexes

The reaction of the Schiff base species tris-((2-hydroxybenzylidene)aminoethyl)-amine (TrenSal) and tris-((2-hydroxy-5-bromobenzylidene)aminoethyl)amine (Tren5BrSal) with the acetates of nickel and zinc are reported. Two trimetallic complexes (M₃L₂) of Tren5BrSal with nickel and zinc have been crystallographically characterised. The attempted crystallisation of bis-(tris-((2-hydroxybenzylidene)aminoethyl)amine nickel) nickel from solutions containing TMEDA lead to the production of two novel complexes: namely a nickel adduct of the partially hydrolysed TrenSal ligand and an interesting nickel bromide–carbonate salt. [(TrenSal)₂Ni₃] is reacted with PbCl₂ to form a novel tetrametallic complex, [{(TrenSal)Ni}Pb(NC₅H₅)Cl]₂, where a Pb₂Cl₂ moiety replaces the nickel at the core of the complex. Extending the study to include the related hexadentate ligand, 1,1,1-tris-((2-hydroxybenzylidene)-aminomethyl)propane (TEtSal), we were able to isolate and characterise both [(TEtSal)₂Ni₃] and [{(TEtSal)Ni}₂Pb].     

Kristallstrukturen von TMEDA‐Addukten und Salzen mit protonierten TMEDA‐Molekülen

Crystal Structures of TMEDA Adducts and of Salts with Protonated TMEDA Molecules The reaction of TMEDA with two equivalents of [BH₃(SMe₂)] in toluene at 20 °C gives the adduct [TMEDA(BH₃)₂] ( 1 ). A similar reaction of pyrrolidine with [BH₃(SMe₂)] in a molar ratio of 1:1 leads to the adduct [pyrrolidine(BH₃)] ( 2 ). TMEDA can be introduced into the coordination sphere of In³⁺ by the treatment of InI₃ with TMEDA in toluene to give the complex [InI(TMEDA)] ( 3 ). The salt [HTMEDA]I ( 4 ), containing a mono‐protonated TMEDA molecule, is the result of the reprotonation of [NH₄]I and TMEDA in toluene at 20 °C. The salts [H₂TMEDA]—[InCl₄(TMEDA)]₂ ( 5 ) and [H₂TMEDA][InCl₅(THF)] ( 6 ) are formed in the reaction mixtures TMEDA/toluene/InCl₃/HCl and TMEDA/toluene/THF/InCl₃/HCl, respectively, whereupon 6 was characterized more closely. Crystals of [In₅I₆(OH)(TMEDA)₄]I·2, 5toluene ( 7 ·2.5toluene) can be obtained after treatment of InI₃ with non‐dried TMEDA; 4 was identifed as by‐product. 1 — 7 ·2.5toluene were partially investigated by NMR methods and vibrational spectroscopy. In all cases a characterization by single crystal X‐ray diffraction was performed. According to this, all nitrogen atoms in 1 and 2 are coordinated by BH₃ groups leading to a distorted tetrahedral environment at the nitrogen and the boron atoms. In 3 a distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal coordination sphere at the In³⁺ is present. The apical positions are occupied by I3 and N3. Strong N‐H···N bridges, running along [001] is the feature in 4 ; the ^I—‐Ions are not involved into the system of H‐bridges. A ion triple, [H₂TMEDA][InCl₄(TMEDA)]₂, hold together by bifurcated H‐bridges is the dominating structural motif in 5 , whereas alternation bifurcated and linear H‐bridges, leading zu a zig‐zag chain along [100], is the build‐up principle of 6 . In 7 ·2.5toluene a complex In₅O₈ skeleton was formed, consisting of a virtual corner‐connected doubled heterocubane. At every heterocubane a corner, occupied by a metal ion, is missing. The coordination spheres of the In atoms of the complex cation are completed by TMEDA molecules and iodide ions.     

TMEDA in Iron-Catalyzed Hydromagnesiation: Formation of Iron(II)-Alkyl Species for Controlled Reduction to Alkene-Stabilized Iron(0)

N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) has been one of the most prevalent and successful additives used in iron catalysis, finding application in reactions as diverse as cross-coupling, C−H activation, and borylation. However, the role that TMEDA plays in these reactions remains largely undefined. Herein, studying the iron-catalyzed hydromagnesiation of styrene derivatives using TMEDA has provided molecular-level insight into the role of TMEDA in achieving effective catalysis. The key is the initial formation of TMEDA–iron(II)–alkyl species which undergo a controlled reduction to selectively form catalytically active styrene-stabilized iron(0)–alkyl complexes. While TMEDA is not bound to the catalytically active species, these active iron(0) complexes cannot be accessed in the absence of TMEDA. This mode of action, allowing for controlled reduction and access to iron(0) species, represents a new paradigm for the role of this important reaction additive in iron catalysis.