Synthesis and Characterization of Iron Complexes based on Bis-Phosphinite PONOP and Bis-Phosphite PONOP Pincer Ligands

Selective Transfer Semihydrogenation of Alkynes Catalyzed by an Iron PCP Pincer Alkyl Complex

Two bench-stable Fe(II) alkyl complexes [Fe(κ3PCP-PCP-iPr)(CO)2(R)] (R = CH2CH2CH3, CH3) were obtained by the treatment of [Fe(κ3PCP-PCP-iPr)(CO)2(H)] with NaNH2 and subsequent addition of CH3CH2CH2Br and CH3I, respectively. The reaction proceeds via the anionic Fe(0) intermediate Na[Fe(κ3PCP-PCP-iPr)(CO)2]. The catalytic performance of both alkyl complexes was investigated for the transfer hydrogenation of terminal and internal alkynes utilizing PhSiH3 and iPrOH as a hydrogen source. Precatalyst activation is initiated by migration of the alkyl ligand to the carbonyl C atom of an adjacent CO ligand. In agreement with previous findings, the rate of alkyl migration follows the order nPr > Me. Accordingly, [Fe(κ3PCP-PCP-iPr)(CO)2(CH2CH2CH3)] is the more active catalyst. The reaction takes place at 25 °C with a catalyst loading of 0.5 mol%. There was no overhydrogenation, and in the case of internal alkynes, exclusively, Z-alkenes are formed. The implemented protocol tolerates a variety of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing functional groups including halides, nitriles, unprotected amines, and heterocycles. Mechanistic investigations including deuterium labeling studies and DFT calculations were undertaken to provide a reasonable reaction mechanism.

Structural and Electronic Properties of Iron(0) PNP Pincer Complexes

In the present work we have prepared and fully characterized several Fe(0) complexes of the type [Fe(PNP)(CO)2] treating Fe(II) complexes [Fe(PNP)(Cl)2] with KC8 in the presence of carbon monoxide. While complexes [Fe(PNPNMe-iPr)(CO)2], [Fe(PNPNEt-iPr)(CO)2] adopt a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, the bulkier and more electron rich [Fe(PNPNH-tBu)(CO)2] is closer to a square pyramidal geometry. Mössbauer spectra showed isomer shifts very close to 0 and similar to those reported for Fe(I) systems. Quadrupole splitting values range between 2.2 and 2.7 mm s-1 both in experiments and DFT calculations, while those of Fe(I) complexes are much smaller (∼0.6 mm s-1).

First-Row Transition Metal (De)Hydrogenation Catalysis Based On Functional Pincer Ligands

The use of 3d metals in de/hydrogenation catalysis has emerged as a competitive field with respect to "traditional" precious metal catalyzed transformations. The introduction of functional pincer ligands that can store protons and/or electrons as expressed by metal-ligand cooperativity and ligand redox-activity strongly stimulated this development as a conceptual starting point for rational catalyst design. This review aims at providing a comprehensive picture of the utilization of functional pincer ligands in first-row transition metal hydrogenation and dehydrogenation catalysis and related synthetic concepts relying on these such as the hydrogen borrowing methodology. Particular emphasis is put on the implementation and relevance of cooperating and redox-active pincer ligands within the mechanistic scenarios.

Insights into Activation of Cobalt Pre-Catalysts for C(sp2)-H Functionalization

The activation of readily prepared, air-stable cobalt (II) bis(carboxylate) pre-catalysts for the functionalization of C(sp2)-H bonds has been systematically studied. With the pyridine bis(phosphine) chelate, iPrPNP, treatment of 1-(O2CtBu)2 with either B2Pin2 or HBPin generated cobalt boryl products. With the former, reduction to (iPrPNP)CoIBPin was observed while with the latter, oxidation to the cobalt(III) dihydride boryl, trans-(iPrPNP)Co(H)2BPin occurred. The catalytically inactive cobalt complex, Co[PinB(O2CtBu)2]2, accompanied formation of the cobalt-boryl products in both cases. These results demonstrate that the pre-catalyst activation from cobalt(II) bis(carboxylates), although effective and utilizes an air-stable precursor, is less efficient than activation of cobalt(I) alkyl or cobalt(III) dihydride boryl complexes, which are quantitatively converted to the catalytically relevant cobalt(I) boryl. Related cobalt(III) dihydride silyl and cobalt(I) silyl complexes were also synthesized from treatment of trans-(iPrPNP)Co(H)2BPin and (iPrPNP)CoPh with HSi(OEt)3, respectively. No catalytic silylation of arenes was observed with either complex likely due to the kinetic preference for reversible C-H reductive elimination rather than product- forming C-Si bond formation from cobalt(III). Syntheses of the cobalt(II) bis(carboxylate) and cobalt(I) alkyl of iPrPONOP, a pincer where the methylene spacers have been replaced by oxygen atoms, were unsuccessful due to deleterious P-O bond cleavage of the pincer. Despite their structural similarity, the rich catalytic chemistry of iPrPNP was not translated to iPrPONOP due to the inability to access stable cobalt precursors as a result of ligand decomposition via P-O bond cleavage.

Recent developments of iron pincer complexes for catalytic applications

Iron pincer complexes exhibit excellent activity in homogeneous catalysis.

Synthesis and reactivity of TADDOL-based chiral Fe(II) PNP pincer complexes-solution equilibria between κ(2)P,N- and κ(3)P,N,P-bound PNP pincer ligands

Treatment of anhydrous FeX2 (X = Cl, Br) with 1 equiv. of the asymmetric chiral PNP pincer ligands PNP-R,TAD (R = iPr, tBu) with an R,R-TADDOL (TAD) moiety afforded complexes of the general formula [Fe(PNP)X2]. In the solid state these complexes adopt a tetrahedral geometry with the PNP ligand coordinated in κ(2)P,N-fashion, as shown by X-ray crystallography and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Magnetization studies led to a magnetic moment very close to 4.9μB reflecting the expected four unpaired d-electrons (quintet ground state). In solution there are equilibria between [Fe(κ(3)P,N,P-PNP-R,TAD)X2] and [Fe(κ(2)P,N-PNP-R,TAD)X2] complexes, i.e., the PNP-R,TAD ligand is hemilabile. At -50 °C these equilibria are slow and signals of the non-coordinated P-TAD arm of the κ(2)P,N-PNP-R,TAD ligand can be detected by (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy. Addition of BH3 to a solution of [Fe(PNP-iPr,TAD)Cl2] leads to selective boronation of the pendant P-TAD arm shifting the equilibrium towards the four-coordinate complex [Fe(κ(2)P,N-PNP-iPr,TAD(BH3))Cl2]. DFT calculations corroborate the existence of equilibria between four- and five-coordinated complexes. Addition of CO to [Fe(PNP-iPr,TAD)X2] in solution yields the diamagnetic octahedral complexes trans-[Fe(κ(3)P,N,P-PNP-iPr,TAD)(CO)X2], which react further with Ag(+) salts in the presence of CO to give the cationic complexes trans-[Fe(κ(3)P,N,P-PNP-iPr,TAD)(CO)2X](+). CO addition most likely takes place at the five coordinate complex [Fe(κ(3)P,N,P-PNP-iPr,TAD)X2]. The mechanism for the CO addition was also investigated by DFT and the most favorable path obtained corresponds to the rearrangement of the pincer ligand first from a κ(2)P,N- to a κ(3)P,N,P-coordination mode followed by CO coordination to [Fe(κ(3)P,N,P-PNP-iPr,TAD)X2]. Complexes bearing tBu substituents do not react with CO. Moreover, in the solid state none of the tetrahedral complexes are able to bind CO.

Iron(ii) complexes featuring κ3- and κ2-bound PNP pincer ligands – the significance of sterics

A series of octahedral Fe(ii) complexes of the type [Fe(κ³-P,N,P-PNP)(κ²-P,N-PNP)X]⁺ (X = Cl, Br) where PNP pincer ligands are coordinated both in a κ³-P,N,P- and κ²-P,N-fashion was prepared and characterized.