Transition metal catalysis in confined spaces

Synthesis of Carboxylate Cp*Zr(IV) Species: Toward the Formation of Novel Metallocavitands

With the intent of generating metallocavitands isostructural to species [(CpZr)3(μ(3)-O)(μ(2)-OH)3(κO,O,μ(2)-O2C(R))3](+), the reaction of Cp*2ZrCl2 and Cp*ZrCl3 with phenylcarboxylic acids was carried out. Depending on the reaction conditions, five new complexes were obtained, which consisted of Cp*2ZrCl(κ(2)-OOCPh) (1), (Cp*ZrCl(κ(2)-OOCPh))2(μ-κ(2)-OOCPh)2 (2), [(Cp*Zr(κ(2)-OOCPh))2(μ-κ(2)-OOCPh)2(μ(2)-OH)2]·Et2O (3·Et2O), [[Cp*ZrCl2](μ-Cl)(μ-OH)(μ-O2CC6H5)[Cp*Zr]]2(μ-O2CC6H5)2 (4), and [Cp*ZrCl4][(Cp*Zr)3(κ2-OOC(C6H4Br)3(μ3-O)(μ2-Cl)2(μ2-OH)] [5](+)[Cp*ZrCl4](-). The structural characterization of the five complexes was carried out. Species 3·Et2O exhibits host-guest properties where the diethyl ether molecule is included in a cavity formed by two carboxylate moieties. The secondary interactions between the cavity and the diethyl ether molecule affect the structural parameters of the complex, as demonstrated be the comparison of the density functional theory models for 3 and 3·Et2O. Species 5 was shown to be isostructural to the [(CpZr)3(μ(3)-O)(μ(2)-OH)3(κO,O,μ(2)-O2C(R))3](+) metallocavitands.

Enantioselective hydroformylation by a Rh-catalyst entrapped in a supramolecular metallocage

Regio- and enantioselective hydroformylation of styrenes is attained upon embedding a chiral Rh complex in a nonchiral supramolecular cage formed from coordination-driven self-assembly of macrocyclic dipalladium complexes and tetracarboxylate zinc porphyrins. The resulting supramolecular catalyst converts styrene derivatives into aldehyde products with much higher chiral induction in comparison to the nonencapsulated Rh catalyst. Spectroscopic analysis shows that encapsulation does not change the electronic properties of the catalyst nor its first coordination sphere. Instead, enhanced enantioselectivity is rationalized by the modification of the second coordination sphere occurring upon catalyst inclusion inside the cage, being one of the few examples in achieving an enantioselective outcome via indirect through-space control of the chirality around the catalyst center. This effect resembles those taking place in enzymatic sites, where structural constraints imposed by the enzyme cavity can impart stereoselectivities that cannot be attained in bulk. These results are a showcase for the future development of asymmetric catalysis by using size-tunable supramolecular capsules.

A series of phenyl sulfonate metal coordination polymers as catalysts for one-pot Biginelli reactions under solvent-free conditions

A series of phenyl sulfonate metal coordination polymers have been obtained under hydrothermal conditions, which show high catalytic performances for one-pot Biginelli condensation reactions under solvent-free conditions.

Different acidity and additive effects of zirconium metal–organic frameworks as catalysts for cyanosilylation

Both hydrous and anhydrous UiO-66 MOFs are heterogeneous and recyclable catalysts for aldehyde cyanosilylation owing to Brønsted and Lewis acidity, respectively, and pyridine can enhance the activity, instead of poisoning the catalysts.

Silver(i)–N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed multicomponent reactions: a facile synthesis of multisubstituted pyridines

A room temperature four component reaction between aromatic aldehydes, CH₂(CN)₂and NH₄OAc with ketones mediated by Ag(i)–NHC pre-catalysts to produce multisubstituted pyridines in a short reaction time in eco-friendly ethanol was described.