Neutral Group-IV Metal Catalysts for the Intramolecular Hydroamination of Alkenes

Density Functional Theory Calculations for Multiple Conformers Explaining the Regio- and Stereoselectivity of Ti-Catalyzed Hydroaminoalkylation Reactions

Hybrid Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations for multiple conformers of the insertion reactions of a methylenecyclopropane into the Ti-C bond of two differently α-substituted titanaaziridines explain the experimentally observed differences in regioselectivity between catalytic hydroaminoalkylation reactions of methylenecyclopropanes with α-phenyl-substituted secondary amines and corresponding stoichiometric reactions of a methylenecyclopropane with titanaaziridines, which can only be achieved with α-unsubstituted titanaaziridines. In addition, the lack of reactivity of α-phenyl-substituted titanaaziridines as well as the diastereoselectivity of the catalytic and stoichiometric reactions can be understood.

On the application of 3d metals for C-H activation toward bioactive compounds: The key step for the synthesis of silver bullets

Several valuable biologically active molecules can be obtained through C-H activation processes. However, the use of expensive and not readily accessible catalysts complicates the process of pharmacological application of these compounds. A plausible way to overcome this issue is developing and using cheaper, more accessible, and equally effective catalysts. First-row transition (3d) metals have shown to be important catalysts in this matter. This review summarizes the use of 3d metal catalysts in C-H activation processes to obtain potentially (or proved) biologically active compounds.

Titanium catalysis for the synthesis of fine chemicals – development and trends

Atlas as a Titan(ium) is holding the earth-abundant chemistry world. Titanium is the second most abundant transition metal, is a key player in important industrial processes (e.g. polyethylene) and shows much promise for diverse applications in the future.

Importance of Nitrogen-Hydrogen Bond pKa in the Catalytic Coupling of Alkenes and Amines by Amidate Tantalum Complexes: A Computational Study

Density functional theory (DFT) was carried out to study the impact of substituents with different electronic properties upon hydrogen transfer as the rate-determining step in the hydroaminoalkylation catalytic cycle in order to determine the character of the hydrogen atom in the transition state. In the transition state of the rate-determining step, an N-methylaniline substrate ligates to Ta and transfers its hydrogen to the α-carbon of a five-membered tantallacycle and a Ta-C bond is thus broken. Study of the activation energy barriers resulting from the different para- and meta-substituted N-methylanilines and their correlation with computed pK_a and bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) values of the N-methylanilines show more obvious correlations between pK_a and ΔG^‡ values. Assessing the asynchronicity parameter (η) for the studied substituents reveals that pK_a is a larger driving force in the rate-determining hydrogen transfer reaction than the BDFE, which suggest a reasonable amount of protic character in the transition state, and possible routes to the design of more active catalysts with greater substrate scope.

Zirconium complexes supported by a ferrocene-based ligand as redox switches for hydroamination reactions

The synthesis of (thiolfan*)Zr(NEt2)2 (thiolfan* = 1,1'-bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-thiophenoxy)ferrocene) and its catalytic activity for intramolecular hydroamination are reported. In situ oxidation and reduction of the metal complex results in reactivity towards different substrates. The reduced form of (thiolfan*)Zr(NEt2)2 catalyzes hydroamination reactions of primary aminoalkenes, whereas the oxidized form catalyzes hydroamination reactions of secondary aminoalkenes.

Hydroaminoalkylation of sterically hindered alkenes with N,N-dimethyl anilines using a scandium catalyst

Atom-economical and regioselective C(sp³)–C(sp³) bond formation has been achieved by C(sp³)–H alkylation of N,N-dimethyl anilines with sterically demanding alkenes by scandium catalysis.

Mono, bis, and tris(phosphoramidate) titanium complexes: synthesis, structure, and reactivity investigations

A series of variously substituted phosphoramidate titanium complexes bearing dimethylamido ligands are reported.

3d Transition Metals for C-H Activation

C-H activation has surfaced as an increasingly powerful tool for molecular sciences, with notable applications to material sciences, crop protection, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical industries, among others. Despite major advances, the vast majority of these C-H functionalizations required precious 4d or 5d transition metal catalysts. Given the cost-effective and sustainable nature of earth-abundant first row transition metals, the development of less toxic, inexpensive 3d metal catalysts for C-H activation has gained considerable recent momentum as a significantly more environmentally-benign and economically-attractive alternative. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview on first row transition metal catalysts for C-H activation until summer 2018.

Strong Preference of the Redox-Neutral Mechanism over the Redox Mechanism for the TiIV Catalysis Involved in the Carboamination of Alkyne with Alkene and Diazene

Titanium catalysis generally prefers redox-neutral mechanisms. Yet it has been reported that titanium could promote bond formations in a way similar to reductive elimination. Accordingly, redox catalytic cycles involving Ti^IV /Ti^II cycling have been considered. By studying, as an example, the carboamination of alkynes with alkenes and azobenzene catalyzed by the [Ti^IV ]=NPh imido complex, we performed DFT computations to gain an understanding of how the "abnormal" catalysis takes place, thereby allowing us to clarify whether the catalysis really follows Ti^IV /Ti^II redox mechanisms. The reaction first forms an azatitanacyclohexene by alkyne addition to the [Ti^IV ]=NPh bond, followed by alkene insertion. The azatitanacyclohexene can either undergo C^α -C^γ coupling, to afford bicyclo[3.1.0]imine, or β-H elimination, to yield a [Ti^IV ]-H hydride, which then undergoes C^α =C^β or C^γ =C^δ insertion to give an α,β- or β,γ-unsaturated imine, respectively. Both the geometric and electronic structures indicate that the catalytic cycles proceed through redox-neutral mechanisms. The alternative redox mechanisms (e.g., by N-H or C-H reductive elimination) are substantially less favorable. We concluded that electronically, the Ti^IV catalysis intrinsically favors the redox-neutral mechanism, because a redox pathway would involve Ti^II structures either in the triplet ground state or in the high-lying open-shell singlet state, but the involvement of triplet Ti^II structures is spin-forbidden and that of singlet Ti^II structures is energetically disadvantageous.

Catalytic and Atom-Economic Csp3 -Csp3 Bond Formation: Alkyl Tantalum Ureates for Hydroaminoalkylation

Atom-economic and regioselective Csp3 -Csp3 bond formation has been achieved by rapid C-H alkylation of unprotected secondary arylamines with unactivated alkenes. The combination of Ta(CH₂ SiMe₃ )₃ Cl₂ , and a ureate N,O-chelating-ligand salt gives catalytic systems prepared in situ that can realize high yields of β-alkylated aniline derivatives from either terminal or internal alkene substrates. These new catalyst systems realize C-H alkylation in as little as one hour and for the first time a 1:1 stoichiometry of alkene and amine substrates results in high yielding syntheses of isolated amine products by simple filtration and concentration.

Hydroaminoalkylation of Allylsilanes and a One-Pot Procedure for the Synthesis of 1,5-Benzoazasilepines

Allylsilanes undergo highly regioselective intermolecular alkene hydroaminoalkylation with secondary amines in the presence of a titanium mono(formamidinate) catalyst. Corresponding reactions of a suitable allyl(2-bromophenyl)silane which exclusively deliver the branched hydroaminoalkylation products combined with a subsequent Buchwald-Hartwig amination result in the development of an elegant one-pot procedure for the synthesis of literature-unknown silicon analogues of 1,5-benzodiazepines, the so-called 1,5-benzoazasilepines.

Indenylmetal Catalysis in Organic Synthesis

Synthetic organic chemists have a long-standing appreciation for transition metal cyclopentadienyl complexes, of which many have been used as catalysts for organic transformations. Much less well known are the contributions of the benzo-fused relative of the cyclopentadienyl ligand, the indenyl ligand, whose unique properties have in many cases imparted differential reactivity in catalytic processes toward the synthesis of small molecules. In this Review, we present examples of indenylmetal complexes in catalysis and compare their reactivity to their cyclopentadienyl analogues, wherever possible.

Recent developments in alkene hydro-functionalisation promoted by homogeneous catalysts based on earth abundant elements: formation of C-N, C-O and C-P bond

This Perspective article provides an overview of the recent advancements in the field of intra- and inter-molecular C-N, C-O and C-P bond formation by hydroamination, hydroalkoxylation, hydrophosphination, hydrophosphonylation or hydrophosphinylation of unactivated alkenes, including allenes, 1,3-dienes and strained alkenes, promoted by (chiral) homogeneous catalysts based on earth abundant elements of the s and p blocks, the first row transition metals and the rare-earth metals. The relevant literature from 2009 until late 2014 has been covered.

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.

N,O-Chelating Four-Membered Metallacyclic Titanium(IV) Complexes for Atom-Economic Catalytic Reactions

Titanium, as the second most abundant transition metal in the earth's crust, lends itself as a sustainable and inexpensive resource in catalysis. Its nontoxicity and biocompatibility are also attractive features for handling and disposal. Titanium has excelled as a catalyst for a broad range of transformations, including ethylene and α-olefin polymerizations. However, many reactions relevant to fine chemical synthesis have preferrentially employed late transition metals, and reactive, inexpensive early transition metals have been largely overlooked. In addition to promising reactivity, titanium complexes feature more robust character compared with some other highly Lewis-acidic metals such as those found in the lanthanide series. Since the advent of modulating ligand scaffolds, titanium has found use in a growing variety of reactions as a versatile homogeneous catalyst. These catalytic transformations include hydrofunctionalization reactions (adding an element-hydrogen (E-H) bond across a C-C multiple bond), as well as the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters, all of which are atom-economic transformations. Our investigations have focused on tight bite angle monoanionic N,O-chelating ligands, forming four-membered metallacycles. These ligand sets, including amidates, ureates, pyridonates, and sulfonamidates, have flexible binding modes offering a range of stable and reactive intermediates necessary for catalytic activity. Additionally, the simple form of these ligands leads to easily prepared proligands, along with facile tuning of steric and electronic factors. A sterically bulky titanium amidate complex has proven to be a leading catalyst for the selective formation of anti-Markovnikov addition products via intermolecular hydroamination of terminal alkynes, while sterically less demanding titanium pyridonates have opened the path to the selective formation of amine substituted cycloalkanes via the intramolecular hydroaminoalkylation of aminoalkenes over the competing hydroamination pathway. Sulfonamidates have boosted reactivity for hydrofunctionalization and polymerization reactions compared with amide ligands not bearing a sulfonyl group. N,O-Chelated titanium complexes have been used to synthesize ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and have been utilized in the challenging task of realizing equal incorporation of two different cyclic esters in a random ring-opening copolymerization. These discrete complexes have allowed for careful study of fundamental coordination chemistry and stoichiometric organometallic investigations. With inexpensive starting materials and modular ligands, titanium N,O-chelated complexes are well-suited to address the challenges of achieving greener chemical processes while accessing useful reaction manifolds for sustainable synthesis.

Intermolecular hydroaminoalkylation of alkenes and dienes using a titanium mono(formamidinate) catalyst

An easily accessible formamidinate ligand-bearing titanium complex initially synthesized by Eisen et al. is used as catalyst for intermolecular hydroaminoalkylation reactions of unactivated, sterically demanding 1,1- and 1,2-disubstituted alkenes and styrenes with secondary amines. The corresponding reactions, which have never been achieved with titanium catalysts before, take place with excellent regioselectivity (up to 99 : 1) and in addition, corresponding reactions of 1,3-butadienes with N-methylbenzylamine are also described for the first time.

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.

Reactivity of functionalized indoles with rare-earth metal amides. Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of rare-earth metal complexes incorporating indolyl ligands

The synthesized rare-earth metal amido complexes displayed different catalytic activity for intramolecular hydroamination of aminoalkenes.

Zirconium complexes stabilized by amine-bridged bis(phenolato) ligands as precatalysts for intermolecular hydroamination reactions

Pentacoordinate zirconium complexes 5 and 7 stabilized by amine-bridged bis(phenolato) ligands are more active than hexacoordinate complexes 1–4 in catalyzing intermolecular hydroamination reactions.

Base-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of cyclohexa-2,5-dienes: insights into the mechanism through DFT calculations and application to the total synthesis of epi-elwesine

The base-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of 1-ethylaminocyclohexa-2,5-dienes is described. The transformation proceeds through isomerization of the cyclohexa-1,4-dienyl fragment into the corresponding conjugated 1,3-diene prior to the hydroamination step. Attaching a chiral glycinol ether auxiliary on the amino group allows the protonation to occur with complete diastereocontrol. The resulting lithium amide then adds onto the 1,3-dienyl moiety, affording the desired fused pyrrolidine ring along with the corresponding lithium allylic anion. Protonation of the latter then proceeds with high regiocontrol to favor the resulting allylic amines. In contrast, when the reaction was performed on primary amines, fused pyrrolidines bearing a homoallylic amino group were obtained. The stereochemical course of the process and determination of the reaction pathways were established based on calculations performed at the DFT level. Finally, application of the methodology to the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-epi-elwesine, a crinane alkaloid, is described.

2-Pyridonate tantalum complexes for the intermolecular hydroaminoalkylation of sterically demanding alkenes

The design and synthesis of a mixed 2-pyridonate-Ta(NMe2)3Cl complex for the direct C-H alkylation adjacent to nitrogen in unprotected secondary amines are reported. The hydroaminoalkylation of sterically demanding internal alkenes gives the direct, catalytic formation of C(sp(3))-C(sp(3)) bonds. Substrate scope investigations reveal key strategies for further catalyst development efforts in this 100% atom-economic synthesis of α-alkylated amines.

A 2,6-bis(phenylamino)pyridinato titanium catalyst for the highly regioselective hydroaminoalkylation of styrenes and 1,3-butadienes

The C-C bond forming catalytic hydroaminoalkylation of terminal alkenes, 1,3-dienes, or styrenes allows a direct and highly atom efficient (100 %) synthesis of amines which can result in the formation of two regioisomers, the linear and the branched product. We present a new titanium catalyst with 2,6-bis(phenylamino)pyridinato ligands for intermolecular hydroaminoalkylation reactions of styrenes and 1-phenyl-1,3-butadienes that delivers the corresponding linear hydroaminoalkylation products with excellent regioselectivities.

Direct functionalization of unactivated C-H bonds catalyzed by group 3-5 metal alkyl complexes

This perspective summarizes direct C-H bond functionalization reactions catalyzed by group 3-5 metal alkyl complexes. Metal-carbon bonds of group 3-5 metals have potentially high reactivity toward both C-H bond activation reactions through the intrinsic σ-bond metathesis pathway and insertion of unsaturated organic molecules. Upon the combination of these two elemental steps, direct C-H bond functionalization reactions of (hetero)aromatic compounds, methane, alkylamines, and terminal alkynes, proceed through C(sp)-H, C(sp(2))-H, and C(sp(3))-H bond activation reactions. Here we review as catalysts for these transformations not only simple metallocene complexes but also non-metallocene complexes supported by a variety of ligands, which are often superior in terms of catalyst design and catalytic activity.

2-Pyridonate titanium complexes for chemoselectivity. Accessing intramolecular hydroaminoalkylation over hydroamination

Chemoselectivity of intramolecular hydroaminoalkylation over hydroamination has been achieved with a bis(3-phenyl-2-pyridonate) titanium complex. Primary aminoalkenes are selectively α-alkylated by C-H functionalization adjacent to nitrogen to access five- and six-membered cycloalkylamines with a good substrate-dependent diastereoselectivity of up to 19:1.

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.

Highly enantioselective zirconium-catalyzed cyclization of aminoalkenes

Aminoalkenes are catalytically cyclized in the presence of cyclopentadienylbis(oxazolinyl)borato group 4 complexes {PhB(C5H4)(Ox(R))2}M(NMe2)2 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf; Ox(R) = 4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline, 4S-isopropyl-5,5-dimethyl-2-oxazoline, 4S-tert-butyl-2-oxazoline) at room temperature and below, affording five-, six-, and seven-membered N-heterocyclic amines with enantiomeric excesses of >90% in many cases and up to 99%. Mechanistic investigations of this highly selective system employed synthetic tests, kinetics, and stereochemistry. Secondary aminopentene cyclizations require a primary amine (1-2 equiv vs catalyst). Aminoalkenes are unchanged in the presence of a zirconium monoamido complex {PhB(C5H4)(Ox(4S-iPr,Me2))2}Zr(NMe2)Cl or a cyclopentadienylmono(oxazolinyl)borato zirconium diamide {Ph2B(C5H4)(Ox(4S-iPr,Me2))}Zr(NMe2)2. Plots of initial rate versus [substrate] show a rate dependence that evolves from first-order at low concentration to zero-order at high concentration, and this is consistent with a reversible substrate-catalyst interaction preceding an irreversible step. Primary kinetic isotope effects from substrate conversion measurements (k'obs((H))/k'obs((D)) = 3.3 ± 0.3) and from initial rate analysis (k2((H))/k2((D)) = 2.3 ± 0.4) indicate that a N-H bond is broken in the turnover-limiting and irreversible step of the catalytic cycle. Asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of N-deutero-aminoalkenes provides products with higher optical purities than obtained with N-proteo-aminoalkenes. Transition state theory, applied to the rate constant k2 that characterizes the irreversible step, provides activation parameters consistent with a highly organized transition state (ΔS(++) = -43(7) cal·mol(-1) K(-1)) and a remarkably low enthalpic barrier (ΔH(++) = 6.7(2) kcal·mol(-1)). A six-centered, concerted transition state for C-N and C-H bond formation and N-H bond cleavage involving two amidoalkene ligands is proposed as most consistent with the current data.

Group IV organometallic compounds based on dianionic "pincer" ligands: synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity in intramolecular hydroamination reactions

Neutral Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) diamido complexes stabilized by unsymmetrical dianionic N,C,N' pincer ligands have been prepared through the simplest and convenient direct metal-induced Caryl-H bond activation. Simple ligand modification has contributed to highlight the non-innocent role played by the donor atom set in the control of the cyclometallation kinetics. The as-prepared bis-amido catalysts were found to be good candidates for the intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of primary aminoalkenes. The ability of these compounds to promote such a catalytic transformation efficiently (by providing, in some cases, fast and complete substrate conversion at room temperature) constitutes a remarkable step forward toward catalytic systems that can operate at relatively low catalyst loading and under milder reaction conditions. Kinetic studies and substrate-scope investigations, in conjunction with preliminary DFT calculations on the real systems, were used to elucidate the effects of the substrate substitution on the catalyst performance and to support the most reliable mechanistic path operative in the hydroamination reaction.