Synthesis and structures of Pd2M2 (M = Cu, Au) and Pd2M (M = Cu, Ag) mixed-metal complexes supported by NPPN tetradentate ligands

Synthesis and reactivity of Pd(II) imidoyl complexes obtained by insertion of isocyanoferrocene into the Pd-C bonds of orthopalladated precursors

While the multifaceted reactivity of organic isocyanides has been extensively demonstrated, that of their organometallic analogue, isocyanoferrocene (FcNC; Fc = ferrocenyl), has not yet been adequately explored. This contribution describes the syntheses of novel chelating Pd(II) imidoyl complexes, [(YCH2C6H4C(NFc)-κ2Y,C)PdCl(PR3)], by insertion of FcNC into the Pd-C bond of cyclopalladated precursors [(YCH2C6H4-κ2Y,C)PdCl(PR3)] (Y = Me2N, MeS, R = Ph, Me). The imidoyl complexes underwent facile alkylation with [Me3O][BF4] to produce the cationic aminocarbene complexes [{YCH2C6H4C(N(Me)Fc)-κ2Y,C}PdCl(PR3)][BF4]. All compounds were fully characterised using a combination of spectroscopic methods (NMR, FTIR and ESI MS), cyclic voltammetry and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In addition, DFT calculations were used to describe the bonding in the two compound families. Analyses with intrinsic bond orbitals (IBOs) and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) consistently pointed to the transformation of an X-type imidoyl C-ligand (σ-organyl) into an L-type carbene donor upon alkylation, which has only a minor structural consequence. Also reported is the unexpected conversion of the imidoyl complex [(Me2NCH2C6H4C(NFc)-κ2N,C)PdCl(PPh3)] into (Z)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(ferrocenylimino)isoindolin-2-ium tetrafluoroborate as a reductive elimination product, which was induced by Lewis and Brønsted acids.

Comparing the reactivity of isomeric phosphinoferrocene nitrile and isocyanide in Pd(ii) complexes: synthesis of simple coordination compounds vs. preparation of P-chelated insertion products and Fischer-type carbenes

Isomeric phosphinoferrocene ligands, viz. 1'-(diphenylphosphino)-1-cyanoferrocene (1) and 1'-(diphenylphosphino)-1-isocyanoferrocene (2), show markedly different coordination behaviours. For instance, the reactions of 1 with [PdCl2(MeCN)2] and [(LNC)Pd(μ-Cl)]2 (LNC = [2-(dimethylamino-κN)methyl]phenyl-κC1) produced the "phosphine" complexes [PdCl2(1-κP)2] (7) and [(LNC)PdCl(1-κP)] (8), and the latter was converted into the coordination polymer [(LNC)Pd(μ(P,N)-1)][SbF6] (9). Conversely, the reaction of 2 with [(LNC)Pd(μ-Cl)]2 involved coordination of the phosphine moiety and simultaneous insertion of the isocyanide group into the Pd-C bond, giving rise to the P,η1-imidoyl complex [PdCl(Ph2PfcN[double bond, length as m-dash]CC6H4CH2NMe2-κ3C,N,P)] (10; fc = ferrocene-1,1'-diyl). Compound 10 was further transformed into the Fischer carbene [PdCl(Ph2PfcN(Me)CC6H4CH2NMe2-κ3P,C,N)][BF4] (11) by methylation with [Me3O][BF4]. The reactions of 2 with Pd-Me and Pd(η3-allyl) precursors also led to imidoyl complexes [Pd(μ-Cl)(Ph2PfcN[double bond, length as m-dash]CR-κ2C,P)]2 (R = Me: 12, R = allyl: 15), which were cleaved with PPh3 into the corresponding monopalladium complexes [PdCl(PPh3)(Ph2PfcN[double bond, length as m-dash]CR-κ2C,P)] (R = Me: 13, R = allyl: 16). The treatment of 12 and 15 with thallium(i) acetylacetonate (acac) produced [Pd(acac-O,O')(Ph2PfcN[double bond, length as m-dash]CR-κ2C,P)] (R = Me: 17, R = allyl: 18). Through proton transfer, these complexes reacted with Ph2PCH2CO2H, ultimately producing bis-chelate complexes [Pd(Ph2PCH2CO2-κ2O,P)(Ph2PfcN[double bond, length as m-dash]CR)] (R = Me: 19, R = prop-1-enyl (sic!): 20). In addition, compound 13 was converted into the P-chelated carbene [PdCl(PPh3)(Ph2PfcN(Me)CMe-κ2C,P)][BF4] (14). Compounds 10, 11, 13 and 14 were studied by cyclic voltammetry and by DFT computations.

Reactivity towards nitriles, cyanamides, and carbodiimides of palladium complexes derived from benzyl alcohol. Synthesis of a mixed Pd2Ag complex

The chelate complex [Pd(κ(2)-C,O-C6H4CH2O-2)(bpy)] () reacts with acetonitrile, cyanamides, or carbodiimides, in the presence of AgOTf (1 : 5 : 1 molar ratio) and residual water, to form complexes [Pd{κ(2)-C,N-C6H4{CH2OC([double bond, length as m-dash]NX)Y}-2}(bpy)](OTf), where X = H, Y = Me (), NMe2 (), NEt2 (), X = R, Y = NHR (R = (i)Pr (), Tol ()), as a result of the insertion of the unsaturated reagent into the O-Pd bond of and the protonation of one of the N atoms. In the absence of AgOTf the reaction of with TolN[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]NTol (Tol = p-Tolyl) results in the formation of the neutral complex [Pd{κ(2)-C,N-C6H4{CH2OC([double bond, length as m-dash]NTol)NTol}-2}(bpy)] (). Complexes and can be interconverted by deprotonation ( + KO(t)Bu) or protonation ( + KOTf + HOTf) reactions. When the reaction of with TolN[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]NTol in the presence of AgOTf is carried out in a 1 : 1 : 1 stoichiometric ratio, or for a short period of time, a mixture of and a mixed heterometallic Ag2Pd complex is obtained ( = [Ag(N-)2](OTf)). Complex is the major product when the AgOTf is added before the carbodiimide, and the reaction is stopped immediately. can also be obtained by reaction of with 0.5 equiv. of AgOTf. When complex [PdI(C6H4CH2OH-2)(bpy)] () reacts with (i)PrN[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]N(i)Pr in the presence of TlOTf, instead of AgOTf, a ca. 1 : 1 mixture of and [Pd{κ(2)-O,N-OCH2{C6H4{C([double bond, length as m-dash]NH(i)Pr)N(i)Pr}-2}}(bpy)](OTf) () forms. Complex is the result of the insertion of the carbodiimide into the C-Pd bond. Complexes have been extensively characterized by NMR spectroscopy, and the crystal structures of , , and ·2.5CHCl3·0.5Et2O have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.