Formation and stabilization of nanosized Pd particles in catalytic systems: Ionic nitrogen compounds as catalytic promoters and stabilizers of nanoparticles

Multifunctionalization of Alkenyl Alcohols via a Sequential Relay Process

Aryl-substituted aliphatic amines are widely recognized as immensely valuable molecules. Consequently, the development of practical strategies for the construction of these molecules becomes increasingly urgent and critical. Here, we have successfully achieved multifunctionalization reactions of alkenyl alcohols in a sequential relay process, which enables transformation patterns of arylamination, deuterated arylamination, and methylenated arylamination to the easy access of multifarious arylalkylamines. Notably, a novel functionalization mode for carbonyl groups has been developed to facilitate the processes of deuterium incorporation and methylene introduction, thereby providing new means for the diverse transformations of carbonyl groups. This methodology displays a wide tolerance toward functional groups, while also exhibiting good applicability across various skeletal structures of alkenols and amines.

Revealing the Mechanism of Combining Best Properties of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis in Hybrid Pd/NHC Systems

The formation of transient hybrid nanoscale metal species from homogeneous molecular precatalysts has been demonstrated by in situ NMR studies of catalytic reactions involving transition metals with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (M/NHC). These hybrid structures provide benefits of both molecular complexes and nanoparticles, enhancing the activity, selectivity, flexibility, and regulation of active species. However, they are challenging to identify experimentally due to the unsuitability of standard methods used for homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysis. Utilizing a sophisticated solid-state NMR technique, we provide evidence for the formation of NHC-ligated catalytically active Pd nanoparticles (PdNPs) from Pd/NHC complexes during catalysis. The coordination of NHCs via C(NHC)-Pd bonding to the metal surface was first confirmed by observing the Knight shift in the 13C NMR spectrum of the frozen reaction mixture. Computational modeling revealed that as little as few NHC ligands are sufficient for complete ligation of the surface of the formed PdNPs. Catalytic experiments combined with in situ NMR studies confirmed the significant effect of surface covalently bound NHC ligands on the catalytic properties of the PdNPs formed by decomposition of the Pd/NHC complexes. This observation shows the crucial influence of NHC ligands on the activity and stability of nanoparticulate catalytic systems.

Phase transfer catalysts shift the pathway to transmetalation in biphasic Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings

The Suzuki-Miyaura coupling is a widely used C-C bond forming reaction. Numerous mechanistic studies have enabled the use of low catalyst loadings and broad functional group tolerance. However, the dominant mode of transmetalation remains controversial and likely depends on the conditions employed. Herein we detail a mechanistic study of the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling under biphasic conditions. The use of phase transfer catalysts results in a remarkable 12-fold rate enhancement in the targeted system. A shift from an oxo-palladium based transmetalation to a boronate-based pathway lies at the root of this activity. Furthermore, a study of the impact of different water loadings reveals reducing the proportion of the aqueous phase increases the reaction rate, contrary to reaction conditions typically employed in the literature. The importance of these findings is highlighted by achieving an exceptionally broad substrate scope with benzylic electrophiles using a 10-fold reduction in catalyst loading relative to literature precedent.

Quantitative Determination of Active Species Transforming the R-NHC Coupling Process under Catalytic Conditions

Palladium complexes with N-heterocyclic carbenes (Pd/NHC) serve as prominent precatalysts in numerous Pd-catalyzed organic reactions. While the evolution of Pd/NHC complexes, which involves the cleavage of the Pd-C(NHC) bond via reductive elimination and dissociation, is acknowledged to influence the catalysis mechanism and the performance of the catalytic systems, conventional analytic techniques [such as NMR, IR, UV-vis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)] frequently fail to quantitatively monitor the transformations of Pd/NHC complexes at catalyst concentrations typical of real-world conditions (below approximately 1 mol %). In this study, for the first time, we show the viability of using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). This approach was combined with the use of selectively deuterated H-NHC, Ph-NHC, and O-NHC coupling products as internal standards, allowing for an in-depth quantitative analysis of the evolution of Pd/NHC catalysts within actual catalytic systems. The reliability of this approach was affirmed by aligning the ESI-MS results with the NMR spectroscopy data obtained at greater Pd/NHC precatalyst concentrations (2-5 mol %) in the Mizoroki-Heck, Sonogashira, and alkyne transfer hydrogenation reactions. The efficacy of the ESI-MS methodology was further demonstrated through its application in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction at Pd/NHC loadings of 5, 0.5, 0.05, and 0.005 mol %. In this work, for the first time, we present a methodology for the quantitative characterization of pivotal catalyst transformation processes commonly observed in M/NHC systems.

Photoexcitation of Distinct Divalent Palladium Complexes in Cross-Coupling Amination Under Air

The development of metal complexes that function as both photocatalyst and cross-coupling catalyst remains a challenging research topic. So far, progress has been shown in palladium(0) excited-state transition metal catalysis for the construction of carbon-carbon bonds where the oxidative addition of alkyl/aryl halides to zero-valent palladium (Pd0 ) is achievable at room temperature. In contrast, the analogous process with divalent palladium (PdII ) is uphill and endothermic. For the first time, we report that divalent palladium can act as a light-absorbing species that undergoes double excitation to realize carbon-nitrogen (C-N) cross-couplings under air. Differently substituted aryl halides can be applied in the mild, and selective cross-coupling amination using palladium acetate as both photocatalyst and cross-coupling catalyst at room temperature. Density functional theory studies supported by mechanistic investigations provide insight into the reaction mechanism.

New class of RSO2-NHC ligands and Pd/RSO2-NHC complexes with tailored electronic properties and high performance in catalytic C-C and C-N bonds formation

Imidazolium salts have found ubiquitous applications as N-heterocyclic carbene precursors and metal nanoparticle stabilizers in catalysis and metallodrug research. Substituents directly attached to the imidazole ring can have a significant influence on the electronic, steric, and other properties of NHC-proligands as well as their metal complexes. In the present study, for the first time, a new type of Pd/NHC complex with the RSO2 group directly attached to the imidazol-2-ylidene ligand core was designed and synthesized. The electronic properties as well as structural features of the new ligands were evaluated by means of experimental and computational methods. Interestingly, the introduction of a 4-aryl(alkyl)sulfonyl group only slightly decreased the electron donation, but it significantly increased the π-acceptance and slightly enhanced the buried volume (%Vbur) of new imidazol-2-ylidenes. New Pd/NHC complexes were obtained through selective C(2)H-palladation of some of the synthesized 4-RSO2-functionalized imidazolium salts under mild conditions. Several complexes demonstrated good activity in the catalysis of model cross-coupling reactions, outperforming the activity of similar complexes with non-substituted NHC ligands.

(CAAC)Pd(py) Catalysts Disproportionate to Pd(CAAC)2

Palladium complexes with one N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and a pyridine ancillary ligand are powerful cross-coupling precatalysts. Herein, we report such complexes with a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) ligand replacing the NHC. We find that the alleged reduced form, (CAAC)Pd(py), disproportionates to the (CAAC)2Pd0 complex and palladium nanoparticles. This notwithstanding, they are potent catalysts in the Buchwald-Hartwig amination with aryl chlorides under mild conditions (60 °C). In the presence of dioxygen, these complexes catalyze the formation of diazenes from anilines. The catalytic activities of the NHC- and CAAC-supported palladium(0) and palladium(II) complexes are similar in the cross-coupling reaction, yet the CAAC complexes are superior for diazene formation.

A theoretical study of the ligand-controlled palladium-catalysed regiodivergent synthesis of dibenzosilepin derivatives

Palladium-catalysed ligand-controlled 1,n-palladium migration of silicon-tethering substrates provides a regiodivergent synthesis strategy for constructing silicon-bridged π-conjugated compounds possessing a 6,6-fused or a 5,7-fused scaffold. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to elucidate the detailed mechanism of this 1,n-palladium migration involving syn- or anti-carbopalladation. The computational results suggest that alkyne insertion is the regioselectivity-determining step. Upon catalysis without the BINAP ligand, the 1,2-insertion of an alkyne into the Pd-aryl bond leads to the formation of 6,6-fused benzophenanthrosiline, which is more favorable than the 2,1-insertion of alkyne by 4.2 kcal mol^-1. The selective formation of 5,7-fused benzofluorenosilepins via the 2,1-alkyne insertion is facilitated by the BINAP ligand. The 1,2-alkyne insertion with the BINAP ligand is disfavoured due to the steric repulsion between the phenyl group of the substrate and the naphthalene group of the BINAP ligand. The 2,1-alkyne insertion with the BINAP ligand orients the ligand away from the phenyl group of the substrate, which can avoid steric repulsion.

Platonic and Archimedean solids in discrete metal-containing clusters

Metal-containing clusters have attracted increasing attention over the past 2-3 decades. This intense interest can be attributed to the fact that these discrete metal aggregates, whose atomically precise structures are resolved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), often possess intriguing geometrical features (high symmetry, aesthetically pleasing shapes and architectures) and fascinating physical properties, providing invaluable opportunities for the intersection of different disciplines including chemistry, physics, mathematical geometry and materials science. In this review, we attempt to reinterpret and connect these fascinating clusters from the perspective of Platonic and Archimedean solid characteristics, focusing on highly symmetrical and complex metal-containing (metal = Al, Ti, V, Mo, W, U, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, lanthanoids (Ln), and actinoids) high-nuclearity clusters, including metal-oxo/hydroxide/chalcogenide clusters and metal clusters (with metal-metal binding) protected by surface organic ligands, such as thiolate, phosphine, alkynyl, carbonyl and nitrogen/oxygen donor ligands. Furthermore, we present the symmetrical beauty of metal cluster structures and the geometrical similarity of different types of clusters and provide a large number of examples to show how to accurately describe the metal clusters from the perspective of highly symmetrical polyhedra. Finally, knowledge and further insights into the design and synthesis of unknown metal clusters are put forward by summarizing these "star" molecules.

The Road Less Traveled: Unconventional Site Selectivity in Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings of Dihalogenated N-Heteroarenes

The vast majority (≥90%) of literature reports agree on the regiochemical outcomes of Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions for most classes of dihalogenated N-heteroarenes. Despite a well-established mechanistic rationale for typical selectivity, several examples reveal that changes to the catalyst can switch site selectivity, leading to the unconventional product. In this Perspective, we survey these unusual cases in which divergent selectivity is controlled by ligands or catalyst speciation. In some cases, the mechanistic origin of inverted selectivity has been established, but in others the mechanism remains unknown. This Perspective concludes with a discussion of remaining challenges and opportunities for the field of site-selective cross-coupling. These include developing a better understanding of oxidative addition mechanisms, understanding the role of catalyst speciation on selectivity, establishing an explanation for the influence of ring substituents on regiochemical outcome, inverting selectivity for some "stubborn" classes of substrates, and minimizing unwanted over-reaction of di- and polyhalogenated substrates.

Facile Synthesis of Micro-Mesoporous Copper Phyllosilicate Supported on a Commercial Carrier and Its Application for Catalytic Hydrogenation of Nitro-Group in Trinitrobenzene

Development of novel Cu-based catalysts has become one of the frontiers in the catalytic production of platform chemicals and in environment protection. However, the known methods of their synthesis are too complicated and result in materials that cannot be used instantly as commercial catalysts. In the present work, a novel material has been synthesized by the facile method of deposition-precipitation using thermal hydrolysis of urea. The conditions for Cu phyllosilicate formation have been revealed (molar ratio urea:copper = 10, 92 °C, 8-11 h). The prepared Cu-based materials were studied by TG-DTA, SEM, TEM, XRD, N₂ adsorption and TPR-H₂ methods, and it was found that the material involves nanoparticles of micro-mesoporous copper phyllosilicate phase with a chrysocolla-like structure inside the pores of a commercial meso-macroporous silica carrier. The chrysocolla-like phase is first shown to be catalytically active in the selective reduction of the nitro-group in trinitrobenzene to an amino-group with molecular hydrogen. Complete conversion of trinitrobenzene with a high yield of amines has been achieved in short time under relatively mild conditions (170 °C, 1.3 MPa) of nitroarene hydrogenation over a copper catalyst.

Preparation, Characterization, and Catalytic Properties of Pd-Graphene Quantum Dot Catalysts

In this study, Pd-graphene quantum dot (Pd-GQD) catalysts were prepared by depositing Pd nanoparticles onto functionalized GQD surfaces, and their morphology and elemental composition were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The as-prepared Pd-GQD was subsequently employed as a catalyst for the Heck and decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions and was found to exhibit higher catalytic activity than other reference systems. The expanded substrate scope of various substituted aryl iodides further proved that the GQD is an effective support for preparing new heterogeneous catalysts with improved catalytic performances.

Unconventional Site Selectivity in Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings of Dichloroheteroarenes under Ligand-Controlled and Ligand-Free Systems

Halides adjacent to nitrogen are conventionally more reactive in Pd-catalyzed cross-couplings of dihalogenated N-heteroarenes. However, a very sterically hindered N-heterocyclic carbene ligand is shown to promote room-temperature cross-coupling at C4 of 2,4-dichloropyridines with high selectivity (∼10:1). This work represents the first highly selective method with a broad scope for C4-coupling of these substrates where selectivity is clearly under ligand control. Under the optimized conditions, diverse substituted 2,4-dichloropyridines and related compounds undergo cross-coupling to form C4-C_(sp2) and C4-C_(sp3) bonds using organoboron, -zinc, and -magnesium reagents. The synthetic utility of this method is highlighted in multistep syntheses that combine C4-selective cross-coupling with subsequent nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions. The majority of the products herein (71%) have not been previously reported, emphasizing the ability of this methodology to open up underexplored chemical space. Remarkably, we find that ligand-free "Jeffery" conditions enhance the C4 selectivity of Suzuki coupling by an order of magnitude (>99:1). These ligand-free conditions enable the first C5-selective cross-couplings of 2,5-dichloropyridine and 2,5-dichloropyrimidine.

One-Step Access to Heteroatom-Functionalized Imidazol(in)ium Salts

Imidazolium salts have ubiquitous applications in energy research, catalysis, materials and medicinal sciences. Here, we report a new strategy for the synthesis of diverse heteroatom-functionalized imidazolium and imidazolinium salts from easily available 1,4-diaza-1,3-butadienes in one step. The strategy relies on a discovered family of unprecedented nucleophilic addition/cyclization reactions with trialkyl orthoformates and heteroatomic nucleophiles. To probe general areas of application, synthesized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors were feasible for direct metallation to give functionalized M/carbene complexes (M = Pd, Ni, Cu, Ag, Au), which were isolated in individual form. The utility of chloromethyl function for the postmodification of the synthesized salts and Pd/carbene complexes was demonstrated. The obtained complexes and imidazolium salts demonstrated good activities in Pd- or Ni-catalyzed model cross-coupling and C-H activation reactions.

Unveiling the catalytic nature of palladium-N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts in the α-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols

We report herein the synthesis of four new Pd-PEPPSI complexes with backbone-modified N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands and their application as catalysts in the α-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols using a borrowing hydrogen process and tandem Suzuki-Miyaura coupling/α-alkylation reactions. Among the synthesized Pd-PEPPSI complexes, complex 2c having 4-methoxyphenyl groups at the 4,5-positions and 4-methoxybenzyl substituents on the N-atoms of imidazole exhibited the highest catalytic activity in the α-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols (18 examples) with yields reaching up to 95%. Additionally, complex 2c was demonstrated to be an effective catalyst for the tandem Suzuki-Miyaura-coupling/α-alkylation of ketones to give biaryl ketones with high yields. The heterogeneous nature of the present catalytic system was verified by mercury poisoning and hot filtration experiments. Moreover, the formation of NHC-stabilized Pd(0) nanoparticles during the α-alkylation reactions was identified by advanced analytical techniques.

A Dichotomy in Cross-Coupling Site Selectivity in a Dihalogenated Heteroarene: Influence of Mononuclear Pd, Pd Clusters, and Pd Nanoparticles-the Case for Exploiting Pd Catalyst Speciation

Site-selective dihalogenated heteroarene cross-coupling with organometallic reagents usually occurs at the halogen proximal to the heteroatom, enabled by intrinsic relative electrophilicity, particularly in strongly polarized systems. An archetypical example is the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling (SMCC) of 2,4-dibromopyridine with organoboron species, which typically exhibit C2-arylation site-selectivity using mononuclear Pd (pre)catalysts. Given that Pd speciation, particularly aggregation, is known to lead to the formation of catalytically competent multinuclear Pdn species, the influence of these species on cross-coupling site-selectivity remains largely unknown. Herein, we disclose that multinuclear Pd species, in the form of Pd3-type clusters and nanoparticles, switch arylation site-selectivity from C2 to C4, in 2,4-dibromopyridine cross-couplings with both organoboronic acids (SMCC reactions) and Grignard reagents (Kumada-type reactions). The Pd/ligand ratio and the presence of suitable stabilizing salts were found to be critically important in switching the site-selectivity. More generally, this study provides experimental evidence that aggregated Pd catalyst species not only are catalytically competent but also alter reaction outcomes through changes in product selectivity.

Evidence for “cocktail”-type catalysis in Buchwald–Hartwig reaction. A mechanistic study

The mechanism of the C–N cross-coupling reaction, catalyzed by Pd/NHC, was evaluated at the molecular and nanoscale levels. The first evidence for the involvement of a “cocktail”-type system in the Buchwald–Hartwig reaction is provided.