Modulating the σ-Accepting Properties of an Antimony Z-type Ligand via Anion Abstraction: Remote-Controlled Reactivity of the Coordinated Platinum Atom

Cooperative activation of X-H (X = H, C, O, N) bonds by a Pt(0)/Ag(i) metal-only Lewis pair

Metal-only Lewis pairs made of Pt(0)/Ag(i) combinations have been previously reported, but their cooperative reactivity remains unexplored. Here we demonstrate that these systems are capable of synergistically activating a wide variety of X-H (X = H, C, O, N) bonds, including those in dihydrogen, alkynes, water and ammonia.

Molecular Orbital Insights of Transition Metal-Stabilized Carbocations

Transition metal-stabilized carbocations are characterized by synthetically valuable interactions, yet, to date there are no comprehensive reports of the many bonding modes that can exist between a metal and carbocation. This review summarizes developments in these complexes to provide a clear picture of their properties and reactivities. In order to strategically exploit them, we propose this summary of the different bonding modes for transition metal-carbocation complexes. These models will help chemists understand the orbital interactions involved in these compounds so that they can approach their synthetic goals most effectively. Multiple transition metals and carbocations will be discussed.

Bimetallic nickel-lutetium complexes: tuning the properties and catalytic hydrogenation activity of the Ni site by varying the Lu coordination environment

We present three heterobimetallic complexes containing an isostructural nickel center and a lutetium ion in varying coordination environments. The bidentate ⁱPr₂PCH₂NHPh and nonadentate (ⁱPr₂PCH₂NHAr)₃tacn ligands were used to prepare the Lu metalloligands, Lu(ⁱPr₂PCH₂NPh)₃ (1) and Lu{(ⁱPr₂PCH₂NAr)₃tacn} (2), respectively. Reaction of Ni(COD)₂ (where COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and 1 afforded NiLu(ⁱPr₂PCH₂NPh)₃ (3), with a Lu coordination number (CN) of 4 and a Ni-Lu distance, d(Ni-Lu), of 2.4644(2) Å. Complex 3 can further bind THF to form 3-THF, increasing both the Lu CN to 5 and d(Ni-Lu) to 2.5989(4) Å. On the other hand, incorporation of Ni(0) into 2 provides NiLu{(ⁱPr₂PCH₂NAr)₃tacn} (4), in which the Lu coordination environment is more saturated (CN = 6), and the d(Ni-Lu) is substantially elongated at 2.9771(5) Å. Cyclic voltammetry of the three Ni-Lu complexes shows an overall ∼410 mV shift in the Ni(0/I) redox couple, suggesting tunability of the Ni electronics across the series. Computational studies reveal polarized bonding interactions between the Ni 3d _{z ²} (major) and the Lu 5d _{z ²} (minor) orbitals, where the percentage of Lu character increases in the order: 4 (6.0% Lu 5d _{z ²} ) < 3-THF (8.5%) < 3 (9.3%). All three Ni-Lu complexes bind H₂ at low temperatures (-30 to -80 °C) and are competent catalysts for styrene hydrogenation. Complex 3 outperforms 4 with a four-fold faster rate. Additionally, adding increasing THF equivalents to 3, which would favor build-up of 3-THF, decreases the rate. We propose that altering the coordination sphere of the Lu support can influence the resulting properties and catalytic activity of the active Ni(0) metal center.

Highly efficient palladium-catalysed carbon dioxide hydrosilylation employing PMP ligands

A series of zero-valent Pd complexes featuring PMP ligands (M = Li^I, Cu^I, Zn^II) is reported. An excellent activity in chemoselective CO₂ hydrosilylation producing silyl formate is observed (TOF_1/2 = 3000 h⁻¹).

Bis(bipyridine) ruthenium(ii) bis(phosphido) metalloligand: synthesis of heterometallic complexes and application to catalytic (E)-selective alkyne semi-hydrogenation

The first (bpy)₂Ru(ii) phosphido complex serves as an effective bidentate metallophosphine ligand to generate catalytically active heterobimetallic species.

Selective Double Addition Reaction of an E‒H Bond (E = Si, B) to a C≡N Triple Bond of Organonitriles

The catalytic double hydrometalation such as hydrosilylation and hydroborylation of organonitriles has attracted considerable attention because the obtained products are widely used in organic synthesis and it is thought to be one of the effective methods for reduction of organonitriles. However, the examples of these reactions are quite limited to date. This paper summarizes the development of selective double hydrosilylation, double hydroborylation, and dihydroborylsilylation of organonitriles, including their reaction mechanisms and the role of the metal species in the catalytic cycle.