Bis-chelate N-heterocyclic tetracarbene Ru(II) complexes: Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity toward transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Recent Advances in Catalysis Involving Bidentate N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

Since the discovery of persistent carbenes by the isolation of 1,3-di-l-adamantylimidazol-2-ylidene by Arduengo and coworkers, we witnessed a fast growth in the design and applications of this class of ligands and their metal complexes. Modular synthesis and ease of electronic and steric adjustability made this class of sigma donors highly popular among chemists. While the nature of the metal-carbon bond in transition metal complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) is predominantly considered to be neutral sigma or dative bonds, the strength of the bond is highly dependent on the energy match between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the NHC ligand and that of the metal ion. Because of their versatility, the coordination chemistry of NHC ligands with was explored with almost all transition metal ions. Other than the transition metals, NHCs are also capable of establishing a chemical bond with the main group elements. The advances in the catalytic applications of the NHC ligands linked with a second tether are discussed. For clarity, more frequently targeted catalytic reactions are considered first. Carbon-carbon coupling reactions, transfer hydrogenation of alkenes and carbonyl compounds, ketone hydrosilylation, and chiral catalysis are among highly popular reactions. Areas where the efficacy of the NHC based catalytic systems were explored to a lesser extent include CO2 reduction, C-H borylation, alkyl amination, and hydroamination reactions. Furthermore, the synthesis and applications of transition metal complexes are covered.

Hirshfeld and DFT analysis of the N-heterocyclic carbene proligand methylenebis(N-butylimidazolium) as the acetonitrile-solvated diiodide salt

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) based systems are usually exploited in the exploration of catalytic mechanisms and processes in organocatalysis, and homo- and heterogeneous catalysis. However, their molecular structures have not received adequate attention. The NHC proligand methylenebis(N-butylimidazolium) has been synthesized as the acetonitrile solvate of the diiodide salt, C15H26N4(2+)·2I(-)·CH3CN [1,1'-methylenebis(3-butylimidazolium) diiodide acetonitrile monosolvate], and fully characterized. An interesting cation-anion connection pattern has been identified in the crystal lattice, in which three iodide anions interact simultaneously with the cisoid-oriented cation. A Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals the predominance of hydrogen bonding over anion-π interactions. This particular arrangement is observed in different methylene-bridged bis(imidazolium) cations bearing chloride or bromide counter-anions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations with acetonitrile as solvent reproduce the geometry of the title cation.

Unusual dimer formation of cyclometalated ruthenium NHC p-cymene complexes

Abstraction of a chloride ion in p-cymene ruthenium(ii) complexes bearing cyclometalated NHC ligands selectively leads to the formation of mono-ion-bridged ruthenium dimers.

Synthesis and structures of ruthenium-NHC complexes and their catalysis in hydrogen transfer reaction

Ruthenium complexes [Ru(L1)2(CH3CN)2](PF6)2 (1), [RuL1(CH3CN)4](PF6)2 (2) and [RuL2(CH3CN)3](PF6)2 (3) (L1= 3-methyl-1-(pyrimidine-2-yl)imidazolylidene, L2 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)benzimidazolylidene) were obtained through a transmetallation reaction of the corresponding nickel-NHC complexes with [Ru(p-cymene)2Cl2]2 in refluxing acetonitrile solution. The crystal structures of three complexes determined by X-ray analyses show that the central Ru(II) atoms are coordinated by pyrimidine- or pyridine-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene and acetonitrile ligands displaying the typical octahedral geometry. The reaction of [RuL1(CH3CN)4](PF6)2 with triphenylphosphine and 1,10-phenanthroline resulted in the substitution of one and two coordinated acetonitrile ligands and afforded [RuL1(PPh3)(CH3CN)3](PF6)2 (4) and [RuL1(phen)(CH3CN)2](PF6)2 (5), respectively. The molecular structures of the complexes 4 and 5 were also studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. These ruthenium complexes have proven to be efficient catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of various ketones.

Donor functionalized ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in alcohol oxidation reactions

Ruthenium chelates bearing N^C^O-donors in bidentate or pincer coordination modes have been prepared. The ruthenium pincer complex catalyses the oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes with yields as high as 99%.