Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions in water using poly(2-oxazoline)s functionalized with palladium carbene complexes as soluble, amphiphilic polymer supports

Cascade Processes with Micellar Reaction Media: Recent Advances and Future Directions

Reducing the use of solvents is an important aim of green chemistry. Using micelles self-assembled from amphiphilic molecules dispersed in water (considered a green solvent) has facilitated reactions of organic compounds. When performing reactions in micelles, the hydrophobic effect can considerably accelerate apparent reaction rates, as well as enhance selectivity. Here, we review micellar reaction media and their potential role in sustainable chemical production. The focus of this review is applications of engineered amphiphilic systems for reactions (surface-active ionic liquids, designer surfactants, and block copolymers) as reaction media. Micelles are a versatile platform for performing a large array of organic chemistries using water as the bulk solvent. Building on this foundation, synthetic sequences combining several reaction steps in one pot have been developed. Telescoping multiple reactions can reduce solvent waste by limiting the volume of solvents, as well as eliminating purification processes. Thus, in particular, we review recent advances in “one-pot” multistep reactions achieved using micellar reaction media with potential applications in medicinal chemistry and agrochemistry. Photocatalyzed reactions in micellar reaction media are also discussed. In addition to the use of micelles, we emphasize the process (steps to isolate the product and reuse the catalyst).

A robust polyfunctional Pd(II)-based magnetic amphiphilic nanocatalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction

Herein, a robust Pd(II)-based polyfunctional magnetic amphiphilic artificial metalloenzyme was prepared by anchoring a Pd(2,2'-dipyridylamine)Cl2 bearing hydrophilic monomethyl ether poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) chains on the surface of amino-functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles. The 2,2'-dipyridylamine (dpa) has shown excellent complexation properties for Pd(II) and it could be easily anchored onto functionalized magnetic support by the bridging nitrogen atom. Moreover, the bridging nitrogen atom at the proximity of Pd(II) catalytic center could play an important role in dynamic suppramolecular interactions with substrates. The leaching, air and moisture resistant [Pd(dpa)Cl2] complex endow the dynamic and robust structure to the designed artificial enzyme. Moreover, the water dispersibility of designed artificial metalloenzyme raised from mPEG chains and the magnetic nanoparticles core which could function as protein mimics endow it other necessary characters of artificial enzymes. The prepared artificial metalloenzyme displayed remarkable activity in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction employing low-palladium loading under mild conditions, with the exceptionally high turnover frequency, clean reaction profile, easy work-up procedure, good to excellent products yields and short reaction times. The designed air- and moisture-stable artificial metalloenzyme could recycle more than fifteen times with easy separation procedure in aqueous solution under aerobic conditions without any noticeable loss in activity.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis and Application of Polymer Compartments for Catalysis

Catalysis is one of the most important processes in nature, science, and technology, that enables the energy efficient synthesis of essential organic compounds, pharmaceutically active substances, and molecular energy sources. In nature, catalytic reactions typically occur in aqueous environments involving multiple catalytic sites. To prevent the deactivation of catalysts in water or avoid unwanted cross-reactions, catalysts are often site-isolated in nanopockets or separately stored in compartments. These concepts have inspired the design of a range of synthetic nanoreactors that allow otherwise unfeasible catalytic reactions in aqueous environments. Since the field of nanoreactors is evolving rapidly, we here summarize-from a personal perspective-prominent and recent examples for polymer nanoreactors with emphasis on their synthesis and their ability to catalyze reactions in dispersion. Examples comprise the incorporation of catalytic sites into hydrophobic nanodomains of single chain polymer nanoparticles, molecular polymer nanoparticles, and block copolymer micelles and vesicles. We focus on catalytic reactions mediated by transition metal and organocatalysts, and the separate storage of multiple catalysts for one-pot cascade reactions. Efforts devoted to the field of nanoreactors are relevant for catalytic chemistry and nanotechnology, as well as the synthesis of pharmaceutical and natural compounds. Optimized nanoreactors will aid in the development of more potent catalytic systems for green and fast reaction sequences contributing to sustainable chemistry by reducing waste of solvents, reagents, and energy.

Synthesis and Reactivity of Metallocarbene-Containing Polymers

Metallopolymers are an emerging class of materials with potential utility as semiconductors, catalysts, optical device components, and stimuli responsive networks. While polymer frameworks have been decorated with an array of organometallic moieties, the incorporation of metallocarbenes has been largely overlooked. Here, we report ring-opening metathesis polymerization as a strategy for the synthesis of Fischer carbene-containing polymers. High degrees of polymerization were observed (>800 repeats), and the isolated materials exhibited exceptional solubility and thermal stability. The tungsten carbene subunits were readily incorporated into block copolymers and could be modified through subsequent transformations. Moreover, the metallocarbene polymers were found to release carbon monoxide upon exposure to light or oxygen, which is unusual for tungsten carbene complexes. These metallocarbene-containing polymers could represent new platforms for the development of functional materials.

C–C couplings in water by micellar catalysis at low loadings from a recyclable polymer-supported Pd(ii)–NHC nanocatalyst

A robust and recyclable polymer-supported Pd(ii)–NHC₂ nanocatalyst enables highly efficient micellar catalysis of the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction at low loadings with a broad substrate scope.

Preparation of Thermo-Responsive and Cross-Linked Fluorinated Nanoparticles via RAFT-Mediated Aqueous Polymerization in Nanoreactors

In this work, a thermo-responsive and cross-linked fluoropolymer poly(2,2,2-Trifluoroethyl) methacrylate (PTFEMA) was successfully prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) mediated aqueous polymerization with a thermo-responsive diblock poly(dimethylacrylamide-b-N-isopropylacrylamide) (PDMA-b-PNIPAM) that performed a dual function as both a nanoreactor and macro-RAFT agent. The cross-linked polymer particles proved to be in a spherical-like structure of about 50 nm in diameter and with a relatively narrow particle size distribution. ¹H-NMR and ¹⁹F-NMR spectra showed that thermo-responsive diblock P(DMA-b-NIPAM) and cross-linked PTFEMA particles were successfully synthesized. Influence of the amount of ammonium persulfate (APS), the molar ratio of monomers to RAFT agent, influence of the amount of cross-linker on aqueous polymerization and thermo-responsive characterization of the particles are investigated. Monomer conversion increased from 44% to 94% with increasing the molar ratio of APS and P(DMA-b-NIPAM) from 1:9 to1:3. As the reaction proceeded, the particle size increased from 29 to 49 nm due to the consumption of TFEMA monomer. The size of cross-linked nanoparticles sharply decreased from 50.3 to 40.5 nm over the temperature range 14–44 °C, suggesting good temperature sensitivity for these nanoparticles.

Highly dispersible and magnetically recyclable poly(1-vinyl imidazole) brush coated magnetic nanoparticles: an effective support for the immobilization of palladium nanoparticles

A heterogeneous recoverable catalyst was prepared via the complexation of palladium onto the surface of magnetic nanoparticles coated by a poly(1-vinyl imidazole) brush.

Palladium-loaded Renewable Polymer as a Green Heterogeneous Catalyst for Cross-coupling Reactions under Microwave Irradiation

A new palladium catalyst was prepared by immobilising ligand 2, 2′-dipyridylamine on the backbone of an acidic rosin polymer from gum rosin, on to which palladium(II) was bound via coordination. The catalyst at a low loading of 0.2 mol% was found to be highly effective for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions of aryl halides and arylboronic acids under microwave irradiation in the presence of 1 equiv. of Na2CO3, affording excellent yields of the corresponding biaryls. Moreover, the catalyst exhibited very good recyclability over three cycles.

Complex of 2-(methylthio)aniline with palladium(II) as an efficient catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling in eco-friendly water

2-(Methylthio)aniline (L1), a bidentate (S,N) ligand synthesized by the reaction of o-aminothiophenol with methyl iodide, on reacting with Na2PdCl4 in acetone and water gives a complex [PdL1Cl2] (1). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have revealed that the geometry of palladium in 1 is nearly square-planar and the ligand L1 is bound to the palladium through S and N in a bidentate coordination mode forming a five membered chelate ring. This complex functions as a thermally and air stable catalyst of high efficiency for Suzuki-Miyaura CC coupling reactions in water. It catalyzes CC coupling between various aryl bromides and phenylboronic acid under mild reaction conditions in water. TON value up to 93,000 has been obtained.

Suzuki coupling reactions in neat water as the solvent: where in the biphasic reaction mixture do the catalytic reaction steps occur?

Many reports on water-compatible palladium catalysts have appeared in the recent literature. For hydrophobic substrates, mixtures with pure water are biphasic, and it is widely not regarded that the elusive locality of the catalytic process (in water, the organic layer, or at the phase boundary) has an important impact on the mechanism and efficiency of the reaction. In the present work, for the first time systematic variation of reaction parameters has been performed for Suzuki coupling experiments with chloro- and bromoarenes in pure water. The investigations are not only aimed at the factors influencing the catalytic activity, but also at the effects that may occur particularly in water/organic biphasic media, and on the question as to in which of the two liquid phases the reaction takes place. These investigations have revealed that dilution of the base (in the aqueous layer) and the Pd species (in the organic layer) are detrimental to the reaction, and that phase-transfer processes play a major role in the overall mechanism. A series of experiments with variation of parameters like precatalyst hydrophilicity, organic and water phase volume, additives, stirring rate, base concentration, and so forth, indicate that for the systems under study the reaction occurs in the organic layer. The water phase needs to be present to dissolve and provide polar reactants, and re-absorb side products. The results encourage to pay more regard to the question of phase locality of coupling reactions in water in general.

Ring opening metathesis polymerization-derived block copolymers bearing chelating ligands: synthesis, metal immobilization and use in hydroformylation under micellar conditions

Norborn-5-ene-(N,N-dipyrid-2-yl)carbamide (M1) was copolymerized with exo,exo-[2-(3-ethoxycarbonyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-carbonyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium iodide (M2) using the Schrock catalyst Mo(N-2,6-Me₂-C₆H₃)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OCMe(CF₃)₂)₂[Mo] to yield poly(M1-b-M2). In water, poly(M1-b-M2) forms micelles with a critical micelle-forming concentration (cmc) of 2.8 x 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹; Reaction of poly(M1-b-M2) with [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ (COD = cycloocta-1,5-diene) yields the Rh(I)-loaded block copolymer poly(M1-b-M2)-Rh containing 18 mg of Rh(I)/g of block copolymer with a cmc of 2.2 x 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The Rh-loaded polymer was used for the hydroformylation of 1-octene under micellar conditions. The data obtained were compared to those obtained with a monomeric analogue, i.e. CH₃CON(Py)₂RhCl(COD) (C1, Py = 2-pyridyl). Using the polymer-supported catalyst under micellar conditions, a significant increase in selectivity, i.e. an increase in the n:iso ratio was accomplished, which could be further enhanced by the addition of excess ligand, e.g., triphenylphosphite. Special features of the micellar catalytic set up are discussed.

Palladium(II)/cationic 2,2'-bipyridyl system as a highly efficient and reusable catalyst for the Mizoroki-Heck reaction in water

A water-soluble and air-stable Pd(NH₃)₂Cl₂/cationic 2,2’-bipyridyl system was found to be a highly-efficient and reusable catalyst for the coupling of aryl iodides and alkenes in neat water using Bu₃N as a base. The reaction was conducted at 140 °C in a sealed tube in air with a catalyst loading as low as 0.0001 mol % for the coupling of activated aryl iodides with butyl and ethyl acrylates, providing the corresponding products in good to excellent yields with very high turnover numbers. In the case of styrene, Mizoroki-Heck coupling products were obtained in good to high yields by using a greater catalyst loading (1 mol %) and TBAB as a phase-transfer agent. After extraction, the residual aqueous solution could be reused several times with only a slight decrease in its activity, making the Mizoroki-Heck reaction “greener”.