A T-shaped platinum(II) boryl complex as the precursor to a platinum compound with a base-stabilized borylene ligand

Unraveling the reactivity of a cationic iminoborane: avenues to unusual boron cations

A cationic terminal iminoborane [Mes*N Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> B ← IPr₂Me₂][AlBr₄] (3⁺[AlBr₄]⁻) (Mes* = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl and IPr₂Me₂ = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) has been synthesized and characterized. The employment of an aryl group and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand enables 3⁺[AlBr₄]⁻ to exhibit both B-centered Lewis acidity and BN multiple bond reactivities, thus allowing for the construction of tri-coordinate boron cations 5⁺–12⁺. More importantly, initial reactions involving coordination, addition, and [2 + 3] cycloadditions have been observed for the cationic iminoborane, demonstrating the potential to build numerous organoboron species via several synthetic routes.

An NHC-stabilized aryliminoboryl cation exhibits both boron-centered Lewis acidity and multiple bond reactivity and could be utilized as an effective synthon for unusual cationic boron species.

A Free Aluminylene with Diverse σ-Donating and Doubly σ/π-Accepting Ligand Features for Transition Metals*

We report herein the synthesis, characterization, and coordination chemistry of a free N-aluminylene, namely a carbazolylaluminylene 2 b. This species is prepared via a reduction reaction of the corresponding carbazolyl aluminium diiodide. The coordination behavior of 2 b towards transition metal centers (W, Cr) is shown to afford a series of novel aluminylene complexes 3-6 with diverse coordination modes. We demonstrate that the tri-active ambiphilic Al center in 2 b can behave as: 1. a σ-donating and doubly π-accepting ligand; 2. a σ-donating, σ-accepting and π-accepting ligand; and 3. a σ-donating and doubly σ-accepting ligand. Additionally, we show ligand exchange at the aluminylene center providing access to the modulation of electronic properties of transition metals without changing the coordinated atoms. Investigations of 2 b with IDippCuCl (IDipp=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) show an unprecedented aluminylene-alumanyl transformation leading to a rare terminal Cu-alumanyl complex 8. The electronic structures of such complexes and the mechanism of the aluminylene-alumanyl transformation are investigated through density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Reversible carbon-boron bond formation at platinum centers through σ-BH complexes

A reversible carbon-boron bond formation has been observed in the reaction of the coordinatively unsaturated, cyclometalated, Pt(ii) complex [Pt(I ^t BuⁱPr')(I ^t BuⁱPr)][BAr^F], 1, with tricoordinated boranes HBR₂. X-ray diffraction studies provided structural snapshots of the sequence of reactions involved in the process. At low temperature, we observed the initial formation of the unprecedented σ-BH complexes [Pt(HBR₂)(I ^t BuⁱPr')(I ^t BuⁱPr)][BAr^F], one of which has been isolated. From -15 to +10 °C, the σ-BH species undergo a carbon-boron coupling process leading to the platinum hydride derivative [Pt(H)(I ^t BuⁱPr-BR₂)(I ^t BuⁱPr)][BAr^F], 4. Surprisingly, these compounds are thermally unstable undergoing carbon-boron bond cleavage at room temperature that results in the 14-electron Pt(ii) boryl species [Pt(BR₂)(I ^t BuⁱPr)₂][BAr^F], 2. This unusual reaction process has been corroborated by computational methods, which indicate that the carbon-boron coupling products 4 are formed under kinetic control whereas the platinum boryl species 2, arising from competitive C-H bond coupling, are thermodynamically more stable. These findings provide valuable information about the factors governing productive carbon-boron coupling reactions at transition metal centers.

Boranediyl- and Diborane(4)-1,2-diyl-Bridged Platinum A-Frame Complexes

Diplatinum A-frame complexes with a bridging (di)boron unit in the apex position were synthesized in a single step by the double oxidative addition of dihalo(di)borane precursors at a bis(diphosphine)-bridged Pt0 2 complex. While structurally analogous to well-known μ-borylene complexes, in which delocalized dative three-center-two-electron M-B-M bonding prevails, theoretical investigations into the nature of Pt-B bonding in these A-frame complexes show them to be rare dimetalla(di)boranes displaying two electron-sharing Pt-B σ-bonds. This is experimentally reflected in the low kinetic stability of these compounds, which are prone to loss of the (di)boron bridgehead unit.

Steric Effects Dictate the Formation of Terminal Arylborylene Complexes of Ruthenium from Dihydroboranes

The steric and electronic properties of aryl substituents in monoaryl borohydrides (Li[ArBH₃ ]) and dihydroboranes were systematically varied and their reactions with [Ru(PCy₃ )₂ HCl(H₂ )] (Cy: cyclohexyl) were studied, resulting in bis(σ)-borane or terminal borylene complexes of ruthenium. These variations allowed for the investigation of the factors involved in the activation of dihydroboranes in the synthesis of terminal borylene complexes. The complexes were studied by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The experimental and computational results suggest that the ortho-substitution of the aryl groups is necessary for the formation of terminal borylene complexes.

Bond-Strengthening Backdonation in Aminoborylene-Stabilized Aminoborylenes: At the Intersection of Borylenes and Diborenes

Singly NHC-coordinated (aminoboryl)aminoborenium salts react with Na₂ [Fe(CO)₄ ] to yield stable coordination complexes of aminoborylene-stabilized aminoborylenes, which exhibit exceptional σ-donor properties. Upon photolytic CO extrusion from the metal center, the diboron ligand adopts a novel η³ -BBN coordination mode, where bond-strengthening backdonation from the metal center into the vacant B-B π-orbital is observed. This bonding situation can be alternatively described as a Fe-diaminodiborene complex. In a related reduction of CAAC-stabilized (aminoboryl)aminoborenium with KC₈ , the reduced species can be captured with nucleophiles to form three-coordinate (diaminoboryl)borylenes, where both amino groups have migrated to the distal boron atom. Collectively, these reactions illustrate the isomeric flexibility imparted by amino groups on this reduced diboron system, thus opening multiple avenues of novel reactivity.

Reactivity of Tetrahalo- and Difluorodiboranes(4) toward Lewis Basic Platinum(0): Bis(boryl), Borylborato, and Doubly Boryl-Bridged Platinum Complexes

The reaction of the tetrahalodiboranes(4) B₂F₄, B₂Cl₄, and B₂Br₄ with a Lewis basic platinum(0) complex led to the isolation of the cis-bis(difluoroboryl) complex cis-[(Cy₃P)₂Pt(BF₂)₂] (1) and the novel borylborato complexes trans-[(Cy₃P)₂Pt{B(X)-BX₃}] (2, X = Cl; 3, X = Br), respectively. The trans influence of the borylborato group was found to be one of the strongest ever observed experimentally. Furthermore, the reactivity of little-explored diaryldifluorodiboranes(4) F₂B-BMes₂ and the new derivative F₂B-BAn₂ (An = 9-anthryl) toward a range of platinum(0) complexes was investigated. Reactions with relatively nonbulky platinum(0) complexes led to the formation of unsymmetrical cis-bis(boryl) complexes cis-[(R₃P)₂Pt(BF₂)(BMes₂)] (6, R = Me; 7, R = Et) as well as the first example of a fourfold-unsymmetrical bis(boryl) complex, [(Me₃P)(Cy₃P)Pt(BF₂)(BMes₂)] (12). The use of a more bulky Pt complex provided access to the unprecedented dinuclear bis(boryl) complexes [{( iPr₃P)Pt}₂(μ-BF₂)(μ-BAr₂)] (8, Ar = Mes; 9, Ar = An), which feature two different μ₂-bridging boryl ligands.

Taming the Cationic Beast: Novel Developments in the Synthesis and Application of Weakly Coordinating Anions

This Review gives a comprehensive overview of the most topical weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) and contains information on WCA design, stability, and applications. As an update to the 2004 review, developments in common classes of WCA are included. Methods for the incorporation of WCAs into a given system are discussed and advice given on how to best choose a method for the introduction of a particular WCA. A series of starting materials for a large number of WCA precursors and references are tabulated as a useful resource when looking for procedures to prepare WCAs. Furthermore, a collection of scales that allow the performance of a WCA, or its underlying Lewis acid, to be judged is collated with some advice on how to use them. The examples chosen to illustrate WCA developments are taken from a broad selection of topics where WCAs play a role. In addition a section focusing on transition metal and catalysis applications as well as supporting electrolytes is also included.

Complexation and Release of N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Aminoborylene Ligands from Group VI and VIII Metals

The coordination chemistry and stability of aminoborylene ligands bearing different N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) stabilizing groups has been investigated with Group VI and VIII metals. NHC-aminoborylene complexes have been accessed via reduction of NHC-dihaloaminoborane adducts with Na₂[M(CO) _x] species (M = Fe, Ru, Cr, W). Imidazol-2-ylidene-stabilized aminoborylene ligands were found to afford thermally robust metal-borylene complexes, which are inert to oxidation, hydrolysis, and insertion of unsaturated substrates. Such ligands have additionally been demonstrated to be significantly more electron releasing than NHCs and other carbon-based ligands by infrared spectroscopy, and can be regarded as unique examples of highly nucleophilic borylene ligands isolobal to classical NHCs. In contrast, cyclic alkylaminocarbene (CAAC)-bound dihaloaminoboranes were found to be reduced by one or two electrons upon reaction with Na₂[M(CO) _x] species to form either a stable borane-centered radical, or the free CAAC-aminoborylene complex, which further reacts to form a carbonyl-stabilized aminoborylene. Borylene-to-CO migration was also observed upon reaction of a ruthenium imidazol-2-ylidene aminoborylene complex with B(C₆F₅)₃, where the product borylene remains trapped by the Ru center.

Experimental and quantum chemical studies of anionic analogues of N-heterocyclic carbenes

A combination of quantum chemical and synthetic/crystallographic methods have been employed to probe electronic structure in two series of anionic ligands related to the well-known NHC donor class.

Using Ylide Functionalization to Stabilize Boron Cations

The metalated ylide YNa [Y=(Ph3 PCSO2 Tol)- ] was employed as X,L-donor ligand for the preparation of a series of boron cations. Treatment of the bis-ylide functionalized borane Y2 BH with different trityl salts or B(C6 F5 )3 for hydride abstraction readily results in the formation of the bis-ylide functionalized boron cation [Y-B-Y]+ (2). The high donor capacity of the ylide ligands allowed the isolation of the cationic species and its characterization in solution as well as in solid state. DFT calculations demonstrate that the cation is efficiently stabilized through electrostatic effects as well as π-donation from the ylide ligands, which results in its high stability. Despite the high stability of 2 [Y-B-Y]+ serves as viable source for the preparation of further borenium cations of type Y2 B+ ←LB by addition of Lewis bases such as amines and amides. Primary and secondary amines react to tris(amino)boranes via N-H activation across the B-C bond.

trans–cis C–Pd–C rearrangement in hemichelates

In the transition state of the trans–cis isomerization process, hemichelation dynamically offers alternative coordination positions to the Pd center.

Interactions of Isonitriles with Metal-Boron Bonds: Insertions, Coupling, Ring Formation, and Liberation of Monovalent Boron

Boryl, borylene, and base-stabilized borylene complexes of manganese and iron undergo a range of different reactions when treated with isonitriles including single, double, and partial isonitrile insertions into metal-boron bonds, ring formation, isonitrile coupling, and the liberation of new monovalent boron species. Two of the resulting cyclic species have also been found to react selectively with anhydrous HCl to form ring-opened products. The diverse isonitrile-promoted reactivity of transition-metal-boron compounds has been explored computationally.

One-Electron Oxidation of [M(P(t) Bu3 )2 ] (M=Pd, Pt): Isolation of Monomeric [Pd(P(t) Bu3 )2 ](+) and Redox-Promoted C-H Bond Cyclometalation

Oxidation of zero-valent phosphine complexes [M(P(t) Bu3 )2 ] (M=Pd, Pt) has been investigated in 1,2-difluorobenzene solution using cyclic voltammetry and subsequently using the ferrocenium cation as a chemical redox agent. In the case of palladium, a mononuclear paramagnetic Pd(I) derivative was readily isolated from solution and fully characterized (EPR, X-ray crystallography). While in situ electrochemical measurements are consistent with initial one-electron oxidation, the heavier congener undergoes C-H bond cyclometalation and ultimately affords the 14 valence-electron Pt(II) complex [Pt(κ(2) PC -P(t) Bu2 CMe2 CH2 )(P(t) Bu3 )](+) with concomitant formation of [Pt(P(t) Bu3 )2 H](+) .

Reactive p-block cations stabilized by weakly coordinating anions

The chemistry of the p-block elements is a huge playground for fundamental and applied work. With their bonding from electron deficient to hypercoordinate and formally hypervalent, the p-block elements represent an area to find terra incognita. Often, the formation of cations that contain p-block elements as central ingredient is desired, for example to make a compound more Lewis acidic for an application or simply to prove an idea. This review has collected the reactive p-block cations (rPBC) with a comprehensive focus on those that have been published since the year 2000, but including the milestones and key citations of earlier work. We include an overview on the weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) used to stabilize the rPBC and give an overview to WCA selection, ionization strategies for rPBC-formation and finally list the rPBC ordered in their respective group from 13 to 18. However, typical, often more organic ion classes that constitute for example ionic liquids (imidazolium, ammonium, etc.) were omitted, as were those that do not fulfill the - naturally subjective -"reactive"-criterion of the rPBC. As a rule, we only included rPBC with crystal structure and only rarely refer to important cations published without crystal structure. This collection is intended for those who are simply interested what has been done or what is possible, as well as those who seek advice on preparative issues, up to people having a certain application in mind, where the knowledge on the existence of a rPBC that might play a role as an intermediate or active center may be useful.

Dehydrocoupling of phosphine-boranes using the [RhCp*Me(PMe3)(CH2Cl2)][BArF4] precatalyst: stoichiometric and catalytic studies

Detailed experimental and computational studies are reported on the fundamental B–H and P–H bond activation steps involved in the dehydrocoupling/dehydropolymerization of primary and secondary phosphine–boranes, H₃B·PPhR′H (R = Ph, H), using the [RhCp*(PMe₃)Me(ClCH₂Cl)][BAr^F₄] catalyst.

We report a detailed, combined experimental and computational study on the fundamental B–H and P–H bond activation steps involved in the dehydrocoupling/dehydropolymerization of primary and secondary phosphine–boranes, H₃B·PPhR′H (R = Ph, H), using [RhCp*(PMe₃)Me(ClCH₂Cl)][BAr^F₄], to either form polyphosphino-boranes [H₂B·PPhH]_n (M_n ∼ 15 000 g mol^–1, PDI = 2.2) or the linear diboraphosphine H₃B·PPh₂BH₂·PPh₂H. A likely polymer-growth pathway of reversible chain transfer step-growth is suggested for H₃B·PPhH₂. Using secondary phosphine–boranes as model substrates a combined synthesis, structural (X-ray crystallography), labelling and computational approach reveals: initial bond activation pathways (B–H activation precedes P–H activation); key intermediates (phosphido-boranes, α-B-agostic base-stabilized boryls); and a catalytic route to the primary diboraphosphine (H₃B·PPhHBH₂·PPhH₂). It is also shown that by changing the substituent at phosphorus (Ph or Cy versus^tBu) different final products result (phosphido-borane or base stabilized phosphino-borane respectively). These studies provide detailed insight into the pathways that are operating during dehydropolymerization.

Stepwise isolation of low-valent, low-coordinate Sn and Pb mono- and dications in the coordination sphere of platinum

Synthetic access to low-coordinate Pb mono- and dications is in general impeded due to their poor solubility and highly electrophilic nature. However, the electrophilicity of these cations can be tamed by attaching them to electron-rich transition metals. Following this principle we have isolated low-valent Pb mono- ([(Cy3P)2Pt-PbCl]2[AlCl4]2, 8a) and dications ([(Cy3P)2Pt(Pb)][AlCl4]2, 11) in the coordination sphere of platinum. The same approach then has been implemented for the isolation of analogous low-valent Sn mono- (7a) and dications (10). An energy decomposition analysis (EDA-NOCV) was performed to investigate the nature of Pt-Pb and Pb-Cl bonding in [(Cy3P)2Pt(PbCl2)] (2), 8a and 11. The results show that the Pt-Pb bonds in 8a and 11 are electron-sharing in nature, whereas that of the precursor 2 is a dative bond. The breakdown of attractive interactions in 2, 8a and 11 reveals that the ionic interactions in the analyzed Pt-Pb and Pb-Cl bonds are always stronger than the covalent interactions, except for the Pb-Cl bond in 8a. The calculated D3 dispersion energies show that dispersion interactions play a key role in the thermodynamic stability of 2, 8a and 11.

Reactivity of coordinatively unsaturated bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) Pt(II) complexes toward H(2). Crystal structure of a 14-electron Pt(II) hydride complex

The reactivity toward H2 of coordinatively unsaturated Pt(II) complexes, stabilized by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, is herein analyzed. The cationic platinum complexes [Pt(NHC')(NHC)](+) (where NHC' stands for a cyclometalated NHC ligand) react very fast with H2 at room temperature, leading to hydrogenolysis of the Pt-CH2 bond and concomitant formation of hydride derivatives [PtH(NHC)2](+) or hydrido-dihydrogen complexes [PtH(H2)(NHC)2](+). The latter species release H2 when these compounds are subjected to vacuum. The X-ray structure of complex [PtH(IPr)2][SbF6] revealed its unsaturated nature, exhibiting a true T-shaped structure without stabilization by agostic interactions. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the binding and reaction of H2 in complexes [PtH(H2)(NHC)2](+) is more favored for derivatives bearing aryl-substituted NHCs (IPr, 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene and IMes = 1,3-dimesityl-1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazol-2-ylidene) than for those containing tert-butyl groups (I(t)Bu). This outcome is related to the higher close-range steric effects of the I(t)Bu ligands. Accordingly, H/D exchange reactions between hydrides [PtH(NHC)2](+) and D2 take place considerably faster for IPr and IMes* derivatives than for I(t)Bu ones. The reaction mechanisms for both H2 addition and H/D exchange processes depend on the nature of the NHC ligand, operating through oxidative addition transition states in the case of IPr and IMes* or by a σ-complex assisted-metathesis mechanism in the case of I(t)Bu.

B═B and B≡E (E = N and o) multiple bonds in the coordination sphere of late transition metals

Because of their unusual structural and bonding motifs, multiply bonded boron compounds are fundamentally important to chemists, leading to enormous research interest. To access these compounds, researchers have introduced sterically demanding ligands that provide kinetic as well as electronic stability. A conceptually different approach to the synthesis of such compounds involves the use of an electron-rich, coordinatively unsaturated transition metal fragment. To isolate the plethora of borane, boryl, and borylene complexes, chemists have also used the coordination sphere of transition metals to stabilize reactive motifs in these molecules. In this Account, we summarize our results showing that increasingly synthetically challenging targets such as iminoboryl (B≡N), oxoboryl (B≡O), and diborene (B═B) fragments can be stabilized in the coordination sphere of late transition metals. This journey began with the isolation of two new iminoboryl ligands trans-[(Cy3P)2(Br)M(B≡N(SiMe3))] (M = Pd, Pt) attached to palladium and platinum fragments. The synthesis involved oxidative addition of the B-Br bond in (Me3Si)2N═BBr2 to [M(PCy3)2] (M = Pt, Pd) and the subsequent elimination of Me3SiBr at room temperature. Variation of the metal, the metal-bound coligands, and the substituent at the nitrogen atom afforded a series of analogous iminoboryl complexes. Following the same synthetic strategy, we also synthesized the first oxoboryl complex trans-[(Cy3P)2BrPt(BO)]. The labile bromide ligand adjacent to platinum makes the complex a viable candidate for further substitution reactions, which led to a number of new oxoboryl complexes. In addition to allowing us to isolate these fundamental compounds, the synthetic strategy is very convenient and minimizes byproducts. We also discuss the reaction chemistry of these types of compounds. In addition to facilitating the isolation of compounds with B≡E (E = N, O) triple bonds, the platinum fragment can also stabilize a diborene (RB═BR) moiety, a bonding motif that thus far had only been accessible when stabilized by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). In the new π-diborene [(Et3P)2Pt(B2Dur2)] (Dur = 2,3,5,6-Me4-C6H) complex, the diborene ligand receives electron density from Pt, leading to a strong Pt-B bond and a B═B bond. We attribute this result to the very short B═B bond distance (1.51(2) Å) while coordinated to platinum. Overall, an increasing number of chemists are examining the chemistry of multiply bound boron compounds. The isolation of an oxoboryl complex is of special interest not only from a structural standpoint but also because of its orbital similarities to the ubiquitous CO ligand. Detailed computational studies of the π-diborene complex [(Et3P)2Pt(B2Dur2)] show that the bonding properties of this molecule violate the widely accepted Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson (DCD) bonding model.