Palladium complexes of the N-fused heterocycle derived abnormal N-heterocyclic carbenes for the much-preferred Cu-free and the amine-free Sonogashira coupling in air

A novel approach to study catalytic reactions via electrophoretic NMR on the example of Pd/NHC-catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reaction

Investigation of catalytic reactions using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a crucial task, which is often challenging to perform due to rather complex transformations at the metal center. In this work, it was shown that electrophoretic NMR can be a suitable method for studying catalytic reactions and for observing the changes in the catalyst nature. As an important example involving palladium catalysts with N-heterocyclic carbine ligands (NHCs), the breakage of the Pd-NHC bond can occur during the catalytic process. Electrophoretic NMR allows the distinction of compounds in the spectra depending on the charge, thus bringing new opportunities to mechanistic studies. Here, we present independent evidence of R-NHC product formation in the Pd-catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck reaction-the key process for catalyst change from the molecular to nano-scale type.

Cationic Charge-Appended Abnormal Carbenes: Synthesis and Study of Electronically Modified Abnormal N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

A range of palladium complexes featuring electronically modified, imidazole-based abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) ligands have been prepared in the hopes of accessing a new class of cationic aNHC ligands electronically distinct from normal NHCs and aNHCs. These palladium complexes represent the first examples of transition metal-ligated aNHC complexes featuring a cationic moiety adjacent to the abnormal carbene center. It was anticipated that these design principles could facilitate electron transfer between the imidazolinylidene and the cationic heterocycle, thus reducing the electron density at the abnormal carbene center. However, this case study suggests that greater conformational restrictions that allow for heterocycle coplanarity are necessary to achieve significant electron transfer and enable access to a new class of cationic charge-appended aNHCs with unique electronic properties.

Palladium complexes with an annellated mesoionic carbene (MIC) ligand: catalytic sequential Sonogashira coupling/cyclization reaction for one-pot synthesis of benzofuran, indole, isocoumarin and isoquinolone derivatives

A Pd(ii) complex containing a mesoionic carbene and phosphine ligands is an efficient catalyst for tandem coupling/cyclization reaction.

Mesoionic and Related Less Heteroatom-Stabilized N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis, Catalysis, and Other Applications

Mesoionic carbenes are a subclass of the family of N-heterocyclic carbenes that generally feature less heteroatom stabilization of the carbenic carbon and hence impart specific donor properties and reactivity schemes when coordinated to a transition metal. Therefore, mesoionic carbenes and their complexes have attracted considerable attention both from a fundamental point of view as well as for application in catalysis and beyond. As a follow-up of an earlier Chemical Reviews overview from 2009, the organometallic chemistry of N-heterocyclic carbenes with reduced heteroatom stabilization is compiled for the 2008-2017 period, including specifically the chemistry of complexes containing 1,2,3-triazolylidenes, 4-imidazolylidenes, and related 5-membered N-heterocyclic carbenes with reduced heteratom stabilization such as (is)oxazolylidenes, pyrrazolylidenes, and thiazolylidenes, as well as pyridylidenes as 6-membered N-heterocyclic carbenes with reduced heteroatom stabilization. For each ligand subclass, metalation strategies, electronic and steric properties, and applications, in particular, in metal-mediated catalysis, are compiled. Mesoionic carbenes demonstrate particularly high activity in (water) oxidation, hydrogen transfer reactions, and cyclization reactions. Unique features of these ligands are identified such as their dipolar structure, their specific donor properties, as well as stability aspects of the ligand and the complexes, which provides opportunities for further research.

Cyanosilylation of Aromatic Aldehydes by Cationic Ruthenium(II) Complexes of Benzimidazole-Derived O-Functionalized N-Heterocyclic Carbenes at Ambient Temperature under Solvent-Free Conditions

A series of ruthenium complexes, namely, [{1-(N-R₁-2-acetamido)-3-(R₂)-benzimidazol-2-ylidine}Ru(p-cymene)Cl]Cl, where {R₁ = 2,6-(i-Pr)₂C₆H₃, R₂ = i-Pr (1c); R₁ = 2,6-(i-Pr)₂C₆H₃, R₂ = Et (2c); R₁ = 2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂, R₂ = Et (3c)}, of benzimidazole-derived N/O-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligands successfully carried out the cyanosilylation reaction of aromatic aldehydes and heteroaryl aldehydes with trimethylsilyl cyanide, providing good to excellent yields (ca. 60-95%) at room temperature under solvent-free condition. The ruthenium (1-3)c complexes were synthesized from the silver (1-3)b analogues in ca. 67-80% yields. The silver (1-3)b complexes exhibited an argentophilic d ¹⁰···d ¹⁰ interaction in its dinuclear macrometallacyclic motif, as observed by a short Ag···Ag contact of 3.1894(3) Å in single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for a representative silver complex 2b and also in photoluminescence studies that showed characteristic emission band(s) at ca. 534-536 nm in the CHCl₃ solution and at ca. 482-487 and 530-533 nm in the solid state.

Formation of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes by Tautomerization of Mesomeric Betaines: Cyclic Boron Adducts and Palladium Complexes From 2-(Imidazolium-1-yl)phenolates

2-(Imidazolium-1-yl)phenolates are conjugated heterocyclic mesomeric betaines in tautomeric equilibrium with the corresponding N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidenes. The carbene tautomers can be trapped as thiones (X-ray analysis). Moreover, bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) dichloride in THF trapped the carbene tautomer as a palladium complex without participation of the phenolate group (X-ray analysis). The corresponding anionic NHCs, 2-phenolate-substituted imidazol-2-ylidenes, can be trapped by triethylborane or triphenylborane to form 4,4-diethyl- or 4,4-diphenyl-4H-benzo[e]imidazo[2,1-c][1,4,2]oxaza-borininium-4-ides, respectively (two X-ray analyses). These tricyclic systems are the first representatives of a new heterocyclic ring system. The results of DFT calculations concerning the HOMO/LUMO profiles and partial charges are also presented.

N-Methylphthalimide-substituted benzimidazolium salts and PEPPSI Pd-NHC complexes: synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity in carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions

A series of novel benzimidazolium salts (1–4) and their pyridine enhanced precatalyst preparation stabilization and initiation (PEPPSI) themed palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes [PdCl₂(NHC)(Py)] (5–8), where NHC = 1-(N-methylphthalimide)-3-alkylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene and Py = 3-chloropyridine, were synthesized and characterized by means of ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR, UV–vis (for 5–8), ESI-FTICR-MS (for 2, 4, 6–8) and FTIR spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were tested in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling (for 1–8) and arylation (for 5–8) reactions. As catalysts, they demonstrated a highly efficient route for the formation of asymmetric biaryl compounds even though they were used in very low loading. For example, all compounds displayed good catalytic activity for the C–C bond formation of 4-tert-butylphenylboronic acid with 4-chlorotoluene.

Synthesis, structure and catalysis of a NHC–Pd(ii) complex based on a tetradentate mixed ligand

NHC–Pd(ii) complex 1 has been prepared. The catalytic activity of 1 in C–C coupling reactions was studied.

Fluoride-free Hiyama coupling by palladium abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A series of Pd complexes of the 1,2,3-triazole based abnormal NHC ligands of the type (a-NHC)PdI₂(L) [L = NC₅H₅ and PPh₃] successfully catalyzed the fluoride-free Hiyama coupling in air.