The remarkable configurational stability of ortho,ortho′-tetrafluoro substituted biphenyls: 2,2′,4,4′,6,6′-hexafluorobiphenyl-3,3′-dicarboxylic acid as a model

Mononuclear [(BP)(2)MX](n+) (M = Cu(2+), Co(2+), Zn(2+); X = OH(2), Cl(-)) complexes with a new biphenyl appended N-bidentate ligand: structural, spectroscopic, solution equilibrium and ligand dynamic studies

A new series of five-coordinate [(BP)2MX]n+ complexes, (where X = OH2, M = Zn(II) (1), Cu(II) (2); X = Cl-, M = Cu(II) (3), Co(II) (4)) with a new bidentate chelating ligand [{N,N(1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-dimethylene)-N(2-pyridyl methyl)} amine] with a biphenyl group (BP), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystal structure and combined spectroscopic methods. They display unique trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) geometry, influenced by the bidentate ligand. The Zn(II) complex 1 reveals ligand dynamics due to an atropisomeric biphenyl moiety as indicated by variable temperature (VT) proton NMR spectroscopy. The calculated free energy for the inversion of the bridged biphenyl is approximately 13.08 kcal mol-1 (Tc = 273 K, Delta(nu) = 82.8 Hz, J = 8.7 Hz). The absorption spectra of Cu(II) complexes 2 and 3, in CH2Cl2 display greatly enhanced d-d bands (800-950 nm, epsilon>500 M-1 cm-1). On the other hand, complex 2 in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) showed almost 50% reduction in absorption intensity as DMF, a coordinating solvent, displaces the weakly-coordinated tertiary amine-nitrogens of the ligand and this competitive binding was studied by electronic absorption spectroscopy. When the mononuclear copper aqua complex 2 was treated with a base, a dicopper dihydroxide complex, [{(BP)Cu}2(mu-OH)2]2+, (2a) was obtained. The same phenomenon was also observed with chloro complex 3 when treated with a base. This mono-dicopper equilibrium and conversion of 2 --> 2a was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy. Copper(II) complexes 2 and 3 displayed reverse EPR spectra consistent with the TBP geometry. Cyclic voltammetry of 2 and 3 in DMF showed an irreversible redox wave owing to Cu(II)/Cu(I) of five and four-coordinate species. The solution magnetic moment values of 1.76, 1.81 and 4.47 microB for 2, 3 and 4, respectively, are in agreement with Cu(II) (S = 1/2) and Co(II) (S = 3/2) high-spin configurations. The 1H NMR of 4 displays sharp but hyperfine shifted signals for the ligand protons between -30 to +220 ppm. The ESI-mass data complement the data obtained from X-ray structure.

Atroposelective Synthesis of Axially Chiral Biaryl Compounds

A rotationally hindered and thus stereogenic biaryl axis is the structurally and stereochemically decisive element of a steadily growing number of natural products, chiral auxiliaries, and catalysts. Thus, it is not surprising that significant advances have been made in the asymmetric synthesis of axially chiral biaryl compounds over the past decade. In addition to the classic approach (direct stereoselective aryl-aryl coupling), innovative concepts have been developed in which the asymmetric information is introduced into a preformed, but achiral-that is, symmetric or configurationally labile-biaryl compound, or in which an aryl--C single bond is stereoselectively transformed into an axis. This Review classifies these strategies according to their underlying concepts and critically evaluates their scope and limitations with reference to selected model reactions and applications. Furthermore, the preconditions required for the existence of axial chirality in biaryl compounds are discussed.