Synthesis of novel (NHC)Pd(acac)Cl complexes (acac=acetylacetonate) and their activity in cross-coupling reactions

Pd/NHC catalyzed reduction and coupling of nitroaromatics for the synthesis of diarylamines

Herein, we report a one-pot approach to diarylamines through the reductive homocoupling of nitroaromatics, employing triethylsilane as the reducing agent and Pd/NHC as the catalyst. This method enables nitroaromatics to serve both as electrophilic reagents and as precursors of nucleophilic reagents, allowing for the direct preparation of diarylamines without the need to isolate aromatic primary amines.

Highly efficient α-arylation of aryl ketones with aryl chlorides by using bulky imidazolylidene-ligated oxazoline palladacycles

α-Aryl derivatives of carbonyl compounds are important building blocks. Herein, we presented an efficient catalytic system for the α-arylation of aryl ketones with inactive aryl chlorides by firstly using N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene (IPr)-ligated chiral oxazoline palladacycles, and tolerated a wide range of substrates at low catalyst loadings, leading to the desired products in good to excellent yields.

Controlled Access to Four- and Six-Membered Palladacycles via Modifying Donor Abilities of β-Ketiminato Ligands ("NacAcs")

The synthesis of Pd complexes of the type [PdBr(ⁱPr₂-bimy)(NacAc)] (NacAc = β-ketiminate, ⁱPr₂-bimy = 1,3-diisopropylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene) was attempted, in a continuing effort to quantify donor abilities of chelating β-ketiminate ligands using the Huynh electronic parameter for bidentate donors (HEP2). Subtle variation of N-substituents on the NacAc backbone was discovered to induce a drastic change in the preferred chelating mode, in that the commonly encountered κ²-N,O-six-membered palladacycles were observed with R = Me and Et, while the unusual κ²-C,N-four-membered palladacycles were isolated with R = ⁱPr, Cy, and ^tBu. Computational studies subsequently corroborated these findings, in the form of an overall exergonic six-to-four-membered ring contraction process and a lower associated activation energy for the three more electron-donating alkyl moieties. This trend in the established energy profiles can be attributed to a reduced HOMO-LUMO gap in the corresponding optimized structures of the six-membered ring complexes.

Catalytic asymmetric C-H insertion reactions of vinyl carbocations

From the preparation of pharmaceuticals to enzymatic construction of natural products, carbocations are central to molecular synthesis. Although these reactive intermediates are engaged in stereoselective processes in nature, exerting enantiocontrol over carbocations with synthetic catalysts remains challenging. Many resonance-stabilized tricoordinated carbocations, such as iminium and oxocarbenium ions, have been applied in catalytic enantioselective reactions. However, their dicoordinated counterparts (aryl and vinyl carbocations) have not, despite their emerging utility in chemical synthesis. We report the discovery of a highly enantioselective vinyl carbocation carbon-hydrogen (C-H) insertion reaction enabled by imidodiphosphorimidate organocatalysts. Active site confinement featured in this catalyst class not only enables effective enantiocontrol but also expands the scope of vinyl cation C-H insertion chemistry, which broadens the utility of this transition metal-free C(sp³)-H functionalization platform.

Sonogashira Cross-Coupling of Aryl Ammonium Salts by Selective C-N Activation Catalyzed by Air- and Moisture-Stable, Highly Active [Pd(NHC)(3-CF3-An)Cl2] (An = Aniline) Precatalysts

We report the Sonogashira cross-coupling of aryl ammonium salts catalyzed by air- and moisture-stable [Pd(NHC)(3-CF₃-An)Cl₂] (An = aniline). This highly active Pd(II)-NHC complex features broad scope and excellent C-N activation selectivity in the challenging alkynylative cross-coupling of aryl ammonium salts. Full structural characterization and computational studies demonstrate the effect of pyridine to aniline replacement as highly effective stabilizing ancillary ligand in well-defined Pd(II)-NHCs. Considering the high reactivity and the recent commercialization of [Pd(NHC)(3-CF₃-An)Cl₂] (Millipore Sigma, no. 915165), this catalyst represents an attractive approach to the activation of C-N bonds of broad synthetic interest.

N-Heterocyclic carbene complexes enabling the α-arylation of carbonyl compounds

The considerable importance of α-arylated carbonyl compounds, which are widely used as final products or as key intermediates in the pharmaceutical industry, has prompted numerous research groups to develop efficient synthetic strategies for their preparation in recent decades. In this context, the α-arylation of carbonyl compounds catalyzed by transition-metal complexes have been particularly helpful in constructing this motif. As illustrated in this contribution, tremendous advances have taken place using palladium- and nickel-NHC (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes as pre-catalysts for the arylation of a wide range of ketones, aldehydes, esters and amides with electron-rich, electron-neutral, electron-poor, and sterically hindered aryl halides or pseudo-halides. Despite significant progress, especially in asymmetric α-arylations promoted by chiral NHC ligands, there are numerous challenges which have and continue to encourage further studies on this topic. Some of these are presented in this report.

A Bis (BICAAC) Palladium(II) Complex: Synthesis and Implementation as Catalyst in Heck-Mizoroki and Suzuki-Miyaura Cross Coupling Reactions

Carbenes are one of the most appealing, well-explored, and exciting ligands in modern chemistry due to their tunable stereoelectronic properties and a wide area of applications. A palladium complex (BICAAC)₂PdCl₂ with a recently discovered cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene having bicyclo[2.2.2] octane skeleton (BICAAC) was synthesized and characterized. The enhanced σ-donating and π-accepting ability of this carbene lend a hand to form a robust Pd-carbene bond, which allowed us to probe its reactivity as a precatalyst in Heck-Mizoroki and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions with low catalyst loading in open-air conditions. The diverse range of substrates was explored for both the cross-coupling reactions. To get a better understanding of the catalytic reactions, several analytical techniques such as field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction were employed in a conclusive manner.

Different effects of metal-NHC bond cleavage on the Pd/NHC and Ni/NHC catalyzed α-arylation of ketones with aryl halides

Fundamental differences in the behavior of Pd/NHC and Ni/NHC catalytic systems in ketones α-arylation were elucidated and exploited.

Palladium(ii)-Acetylacetonato Complexes with Mesoionic Carbenes: Synthesis, Structures and Their Application in the Suzuki-Miyaura Cross Coupling Reaction

A series of novel palladium(ii) acetylacetonato complexes bearing mesoionic carbenes (MICs) have been synthesized and characterized. The synthesis of the complexes of type (MIC)Pd(acac)I (MIC = 1-mesityl-3-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (1), 1,4-(2,4,6-methyl)-phenyl-3-methyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (2), 1,4-(2,6-diisopropyl)-phenyl-3-methyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (3); acac = acetylacetonato) via direct metalation starting from the corresponding triazolium iodides and palladium(ii) acetylacetonate is described herein. All complexes were characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry. Additionally, two of the complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography confirming a square-planar coordination geometry of the palladium(ii) center. A delocalized bonding situation was observed within the triazolylidene rings as well as for the acac ligand respectively. Complex 2 was found to be an efficient pre-catalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reaction between aryl-bromides or -chlorides with phenylboronic acid.

Application of Chan-Lam cross coupling for the synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene precursors bearing strong electron donating or withdrawing groups

Chan-Lam cross coupling allowed efficient synthesis of N,N'-disubstituted ortho-phenylene diamines bearing strong electron donating or withdrawing groups, such as nitro or methoxy groups, with moderate to high yields. These diamines can then be turned into N-heterocyclic carbene precursors after condensation with trimethyl orthoformate. The same strategy can also be utilized for the synthesis of N-monosubstituted aniline derivatives containing a functionalized ortho-aminomethyl group as intermediates for chiral 6-membered ring carbene precursors.

The use of the sterically demanding IPr* and related ligands in catalysis

This account highlights the synthesis and applications of one of the very bulky NHC ligands, IPr* (1,3-bis(2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)-4-methylphenyl)imidazo-2-ylidene). This ligand and some of its derivatives have been found very effective in several catalytic applications and have enabled the isolation of highly reactive organometallic complexes. More specifically, applications of this ligand in Pd and Ni chemistry have permitted challenging transformations under mild reaction conditions and low catalyst loadings. We report the successes as well as the limitations encountered using transition-metal systems bearing this ligand-type. This report will hopefully serve as a guide to synthetic chemists, providing insights as to when the very sterically demanding IPr* ligand (and its congeners) and in a broader context, very bulky NHC ligands, should be used.

N-heterocyclic carbene–palladium(ii)-1-methylimidazole complex catalyzed α-arylation reactions of tetralones with aryl chlorides and further transformation of the products

NHC–Pd(ii)–Im complex-catalyzed α-arylation of tetralones with aryl chlorides and further transformation of the products was reported.

Large yet flexible N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for palladium catalysis

A straightforward and scalable eight-step synthesis of new N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been developed from inexpensive and readily available 2-nitro-m-xylene. This process allows for the preparation of a novel class of NHCs coined ITent ("Tent" for "tentacular") of which the well-known IMes (N,N'-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), IPr (N,N'-bis(2,6-di(2-propyl)phenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) and IPent (N,N'-bis(2,6-di(3-pentyl)phenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) NHCs are the simplest and already known congeners. The synthetic route was successfully used for the preparation of three members of the ITent family: IPent (N,N'-bis(2,6-di(3-pentyl)phenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), IHept (N,N'-bis(2,6-di(4-heptyl)phenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) and INon (N,N'-bis(2,6-di(5-nonyl)phenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). The electronic and steric properties of each NHC were studied through the preparation of both nickel and palladium complexes. Finally the effect of these new ITent ligands in Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura and Buchwald-Hartwig cross-couplings was investigated.

The development of bulky palladium NHC complexes for the most-challenging cross-coupling reactions

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions enable organic chemists to form C-C bonds in targeted positions and under mild conditions. Although phosphine ligands have been intensively researched, in the search for even better cross-coupling catalysts attention has recently turned to the use of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, which form a strong bond to the palladium center. PEPPSI (pyridine-enhanced precatalyst preparation, stabilization, and initiation) palladium precatalysts with bulky NHC ligands have established themselves as successful alternatives to palladium phosphine complexes. This Review shows the success of these species in Suzuki-Miyaura, Negishi, and Stille-Migita cross-couplings as well as in amination and sulfination reactions.