Water in N-heterocyclic carbene-assisted catalysis

Diboron(4) Compounds: From Structural Curiosity to Synthetic Workhorse

Although known for over 90 years, only in the past two decades has the chemistry of diboron(4) compounds been extensively explored. Many interesting structural features and reaction patterns have emerged, and more importantly, these compounds now feature prominently in both metal-catalyzed and metal-free methodologies for the formation of B-C bonds and other processes.

A facile one-pot synthesis of 2,3-diarylated benzo[b]furans via relay NHC and palladium catalysis

An efficient one-pot synthesis of 2,3-diarylated benzo[b]furans was realized through the relay catalysis of N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) and palladium from substituted 2'-bromodiphenylbromomethanes and aryl aldehydes. The easy availability of the starting materials, good compatibility of catalysts, convergent assembly and concomitant modification of the target scaffold, and potential utilization value of the products make this strategy attractive in organic synthesis.

Amino acid-derived N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes for aqueous phase Suzuki–Miyaura couplings

Five palladium complexes featuring N-heterocyclic carbene ligands derived from sustainable precursors have been synthesized and applied in aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura couplings.

Metatheases: artificial metalloproteins for olefin metathesis

Recent advance in the design of artificial metalloproteins for olefin metathesis is presented.

Enhanced aqueous oxidation activity and durability of simple manganese(iii) salen complex axially anchored to maghemite nanoparticles

Attachment of simple Mn(iii) salen to functionalized magnetic nanoparticles provided a robust magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for aqueous oxygenation of various substrates using n-Bu₄NHSO₅.

Cationic rhenium complexes ligated with N-heterocyclic carbenes – an overview

This review provides an overview of the currently known cationic rhenium NHC complexes.

Facile one-pot tandem reductive amination of aldehydes from nitroarenes over a hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite containing palladium nanoparticles

Palladium nanoparticles embedded in hierarchical zeolite act as an acid–metal bifunctional catalyst for efficient reductive amination of aldehyde from nitroarenes.

A structure/catalytic activity study of gold(i)–NHC complexes, as well as their recyclability and reusability, in the hydration of alkynes in aqueous medium

Comparative studies were carried out with the addition of different silver salts. Our results indicate that the bulkier complex is the most effective and that the addition of methanol as co-solvent not only shortens reaction times but also stabilizes the less bulky complexes.

Direct estimate of the internal π-donation to the carbene centre within N-heterocyclic carbenes and related molecules

Fifteen cyclic and acylic carbenes have been calculated with density functional theory at the BP86/def2-TZVPP level. The strength of the internal X→p(π) π-donation of heteroatoms and carbon which are bonded to the C(II) atom is estimated with the help of NBO calculations and with an energy decomposition analysis. The investigated molecules include N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), the cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene (cAAC), mesoionic carbenes and ylide-stabilized carbenes. The bonding analysis suggests that the carbene centre in cAAC and in diamidocarbene have the weakest X→p(π) π-donation while mesoionic carbenes possess the strongest π-donation.

Human colon cancer targeted pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic and cytostatic effects of binuclear Silver(I)-N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes

The current mechanistic study was conducted to explore the effects of increased lipophilicity of binuclear silver(I)-NHC complexes on cytotoxicity. Two new silver(I)-N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) complexes (3 and 4), having lypophilic terminal alkyl chains (Octyl and Decyl), were derived from meta-xylyl linked bis-benzimidazolium salts (1 and 2). Each of the synthesized compounds was characterized by microanalysis and spectroscopic techniques. The complexes were tested for their cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer c as well normal cell lines using MTT assay. Based on MTT assay results, complex 4 was found to be selectively toxic towards human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT 116). Complex 4 was further studied in detail to explore the mechanism of cell death and findings of the study revealed that complex 4 has promising pro-apoptotic and anti-metastatic activities against HCT 116 cells. Furthermore, it showed pronounced cytostatic effects in HCT 116 multicellular spheroid model. Hence, binuclear silver(I)-NHC complexes with longer terminal aliphatic chains have worth to be further studied against human colon cancer for the purpose of drug development.

A mesoionic bis(Py-tzNHC) palladium(II) complex catalyses "green" Sonogashira reaction through an unprecedented mechanism

A novel bis(pyridyl-functionalized 1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene)-palladium(II) complex [Pd(Py-tzNHC)2](2+) catalyses the copper-, amine-, phosphine-, and additive-free aerobic Sonogashira alkynylation of (hetero)aryl bromides in water as the only reaction solvent. The catalysis proceeds along two connected Pd-cycles with homogeneous bis-carbene Pd(0) and Pd(II) species, as demonstrated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

N-Heterocyclic carbene-palladium(ii)-1-methylimidazole complex-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of benzyl carbamates with arylboronic acids

The Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of benzyl carbamates with arylboronic acids was achieved in an environmentally benign medium. Using water as the sole solvent, such transformation took place very well to give the desired diarylmethane derivatives in good to almost quantitative yields in the presence of a well-defined NHC-Pd(ii)-Im complex under mild conditions. It is worth noting here that this is the first example of benzyl carbamates used in coupling reaction, thus affording a new method for the formation of diarylmethanes by palladium-catalyzed C-O bond activation.

Editorial of Special Issue Ruthenium Complex: The Expanding Chemistry of the Ruthenium Complexes

Recent trends in Ru complex chemistry are surveyed with emphasis on the development of anticancer drugs and applications in catalysis, polymers, materials science and nanotechnology.

Synthesis and behavior of novel sulfonated water-soluble N-heterocyclic carbene (η4-diene) platinum(0) complexes

Novel water-soluble (NHC)Pt(0)(1,6-diene) complexes are presented, along with details of their preparation, stability, and use as catalysts for the hydrosilylation of acetylenes in water.

Transfer hydrogenation promoted by N-heterocyclic carbene and water

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) promote the transfer hydrogenation of various activated CC, CN, and NN bonds with water as the proton source.

Pincer CNC bis-N-heterocyclic carbenes: robust ligands for palladium-catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura arylation of bromoanthracene and related substrates

Novel pincer-type N-heterocyclic carbene ligands have been synthesised and characterised by FAB-MS and single crystal X-ray analysis. The ligands have proved to be highly active towards palladium-catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of bromoanthracene and related substrates.