Intramolecular Hydroamination Reactions Catalyzed by Neutral and Cationic Group IV Pyridylamido Complexes

2-Anilidomethylpyridine-Derived Three-Coordinate Zinc Hydride: The Journey Unveils Anilide Backbone's Reactive Nature

Low-coordinate heteroleptic zinc hydrides are catalytically important but rare and synthetically challenging. We herein report three-coordinate monomeric zinc hydride on a 2-anilidomethylpyridine framework (NNL). The synthetic success comes through systematically screening a few different routes from different precursors. During the process, the ligand's anilide backbone interestingly appears to be more reactive than Zn's terminal site to electrophilic Lewis and Brønsted acids. The proligand NNLH reacts with [Zn{N(SiMe3)2}2] and ZnEt2 to give [(NNL)ZnA] (A = N(SiMe3)2 (1), Et(2)). Both are inert to PhSiH3 and H2 but react with HBpin only through the internal Zn-Nanilide bond to give the borylated ligand NNLBpin (3). The reactions of 1 and 2 with Ph3EOH (E = C, Si) afford a series of divergent compounds like [(NNLH)Zn(OSiPh3)2] (4), [Zn3(OSiPh3)4Et2] (5), and [EtZn(OCPh3)] (6). But in all cases, it is invariably the Zn-Nanilide bond protonated by the -OH with equal or higher preference than the terminal Zn-N or Zn-C bonds. A DFT analysis rationalizes the origin of such a reactivity pattern. Realizing that an acid-free route might be the key, reacting [(NNL)Li] with ZnBr2 gives [(NNL)Zn(μ-Br)]2 (7), which on successively treating with KOSiPh3 and PhSiH3 gives the desired [(NNL)ZnH] (8) as a three-coordinate monomer with a terminal Zn-H bond. Estimating the ligand steric in 8 shows the openness in Zn's coordination sphere, a desired criterion for efficient catalysis. This and a positive influence of the pyridyl sidearm is reflected in 8's superior activity in hydroborating PhC(O)Me by HBpin in comparison to Jones' two-coordinate anilido zinc hydride.

Pyridylamido hafnium complexes with a silylene bridge: synthesis and olefin polymerization

Pyridylamido hafnium complexes with a silylene bridge were synthesized, characterized with X-ray crystal structure analysis and shown to polymerize 1-hexene and propene and copolymerize ethylene and 1-octene.

Novel yttrium and zirconium catalysts featuring reduced Ar-BIANH2 ligands for olefin hydroamination (Ar-BIANH2 = bis-arylaminoacenaphthylene)

Even demanding aminoalkenes can be cyclized by Ar-BIANH₂ yttrium complexes; a related zirconium complex has been crystallographically characterized.

Cyclopentadienyl-based Mg complexes in the intramolecular hydroamination of aminoalkenes: mechanistic evidence for cationic versus neutral magnesium derivatives

Mechanistic evidence in the catalytic hydroamination of aminoalkenes for a cationic magnesium derivative.

Intramolecular hydroamination reactions catalyzed by zirconium complexes bearing bridged bis(phenolato) ligands

Cationic species derived from zirconium complexes stabilized by bridged bis(phenolato) ligands showed good activities in catalyzing intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of primary and secondary amines.

Crystal structure of tris-(di-methyl-amido-κN)-bis-(di-methyl-amine-κN)-zirconium(IV) iodide

The crystal structure of tris­(di­methyl­amido)­bis­(di­methyl­amine) zirconium(IV) iodide is reported.

Zirconium amides have become increasingly popular and useful due to their widespread use as precursors to other zirconium complexes and their use in the production of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Herein we report the mol­ecular structure of tris­(di­methyl­amido)­bis­(di­methyl­amine)­zirconium(IV) iodide, [Zr(C₂H₆N)₃(C₂H₇N)₂]I. The bond lengths and bond angles are consistent with a slightly distorted trigonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry around the metal atom. N⋯I contacts of 3.6153 (15) and 3.5922 (14) Å are consistent with the presence of N—H⋯I inter­actions. These N—H⋯I inter­actions link the complex cations and iodide anions into extended chains that propagate parallel to the a axis.

Zirconium catalysed intermolecular hydroamination reactions of secondary amines with alkynes

The first example of group 4 metal catalysts capable of mediating intermolecular hydroamination reactions of secondary aromatic amines is reported.

Cationic Group-IV pincer-type complexes for polymerization and hydroamination catalysis

Neutral Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) dimethyl complexes stabilized by unsymmetrical dianionic {N,C,N'} pincer ligands have been prepared from their corresponding bis-amido complexes upon treatment with AlMe3. Their structure consists of a central σ-bonded aryl donor group (C) capable of forming robust M-C bonds with the metal center, enforced by the synergic effect of both the coordination of peripheral donor groups (N) and the chelating rigid structure of the {N,C,N} ligand framework. Such a combination translates into systems having a unique balance between stability and reactivity. These Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) dimethyl complexes were converted in situ into cationic species [M(IV){N(-),C(-),N}Me][B(C6F5)4] which are active catalysts for the room temperature (r.t.) intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of primary and secondary aminoalkenes as well as for the high temperature ethylene-1-octene copolymerizations.