Phosphine-iminopyridines as platforms for catalytic hydrofunctionalization of alkenes

Research on inorganic activators of dibromo Co-terpyridine complex precatalyst for hydrosilylation

The search for a stable, inexpensive, and easy-to-handle activator toward the catalyst precursor [Co(tpy)Br₂] in the hydrosilylation of olefins with hydrosilane revealed that K₂CO₃ is an effective activator. This inorganic salt is available on substrates with some functional groups and can be readily removed by simple filtration or centrifugation after the reaction. After examining and comparing the activator abilities of various salts, it was proposed that low MX lattice energy, high X-nucleophilicity, and a strong Si-X bond are necessary for an inorganic salt (MX) to be an excellent activator.

Chemically robust and readily available quinoline-based PNN iron complexes: application in C-H borylation of arenes

Iron catalysts have been used for over a century to produce ammonia industrially. However, the use of iron catalysts generally remained quite limited until relatively recently, when the abundance and low toxicity of iron spurred the development of a variety of iron catalysts. Despite the fact that iron catalysts are being developed as alternatives to precious metal catalysts, their reactivities and stabilities are quite different because of their unique electronic structures. In this context, our group previously developed a new family of quinoline-based PNN pincer-type ligands for low- to mid-valent iron catalysts. These chemically robust PNN ligands provide air- and moisture-tolerant iron complexes, which exhibit excellent catalytic performances in the C-H borylation of arenes. This feature article summarises our recent work on PNN iron complexes, including their conception and design, as well as related reports on iron pincer complexes and iron-catalysed C-H borylation reactions.

Base Metal-terpyridine Complex Immobilized on Stationary Phase Aimed as Reusable Hydrosilylation Catalyst

The catalytic activity of a base metal-terpyridine complex immobilized on silica gel (M(tpy)X₂ @SiO₂ /H₂ O: M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu; X=Cl, Br) for hydrosilylation was investigated. Co(tpy)Br₂ @SiO₂ /H₂ O in the presence of NaBHEt₃ exhibited the highest catalytic activity for hydrosilylation of 1-octene with diphenylsilane (Ph₂ SiH₂ ) to form the anti-Markovnikov-type hydrosilylation compound as the main product. The reusability of Co(tpy)Br₂ @SiO₂ /H₂ O activated by NaBHEt₃ was examined. It was found that the catalytic activity decreased with repeated use because of the peeling off of the Co complex anchor portion from the silica gel surface upon the attack of NaBHEt₃ . The introduction of Co(OAc)₂ instead of CoBr₂ to silica gel formed Co(tpy)(OAc)₂ - and Co(tpy)(OH)₂ -immobilized silica gel, which exhibited catalytic activity for the hydrosilylation in the absence of an activator such as NaBHEt₃ . The glassware in which Co(tpy)(OH)₂ was immobilized on the inner wall was prepared. It was found that the hydrosilylation catalytically occurred on the surface of a pretreated glassware and that the catalytic activity did not decrease even after 10 repeated uses.

Hydroboration of Nitriles, Esters, and Carbonates Catalyzed by Simple Earth-Abundant Metal Triflate Salts

During the past decade earth-abundant metals have become increasingly important in homogeneous catalysis. One of the reactions in which earth-abundant metals have found important applications is the hydroboration of unsaturated C-C and C-X bonds (X=O or N). Within these set of transformations, the hydroboration of challenging substrates such as nitriles, carbonates and esters still remain difficult and often relies on elaborate ligand designs and highly reactive catalysts (e. g., metal alkyls/hydrides). Here we report an effective methodology for the hydroboration of challenging C≡N and C=O bonds that is simple and applicable to a wide set of substrates. The methodology is based on using a manganese(II) triflate salt that, in combination with commercially available potassium tert-butoxide and pinacolborane, catalyzes the hydroboration of nitriles, carbonates, and esters at room temperature and with near quantitative yields in less than three hours. Additional studies demonstrated that other earth-abundant metal triflate salts can facilitate this reaction as well, which is further discussed in this report.

Organic synthesis with the most abundant transition metal–iron: from rust to multitasking catalysts

The promising aspects of iron in synthetic chemistry are being explored for three-four decades as a green and eco-friendly alternative to late transition metals. This present review unveils these rich iron-chemistry towards different transformations.

Organophosphorus and Iron Catalysis: Good Partners for Hydrometalation of Olefins and Alkynes

The last decades have seen an impressive development of iron complexes involving organophosphorus ligands applied in homogeneous catalyzed hydrometalation of olefins and alkynes. Two main topics will be covered in this JOCSynopsis: (i) an overview of the achievements in the area of iron-catalyzed hydrophosphination and then (ii) hydrosilylation, hydroborylation, and hydromagnesiation reactions promoted by catalysts based on organophosphorus ligands and iron.

Anti-Markovnikov terminal and gem-olefin hydrosilylation using a κ4-diimine nickel catalyst: selectivity for alkene hydrosilylation over ether C–O bond cleavage

The hydrosilylation of terminal alkenes, allyl ethers, and gem-olefins has been demonstrated using (^Ph2PPrDI)Ni between 25 and 70 °C.

A β-diketiminate manganese catalyst for alkene hydrosilylation: substrate scope, silicone preparation, and mechanistic insight

The dimeric β-diketiminate manganese hydride compound, [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2, was prepared by treating [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-Cl)]2 with NaEt3BH. This compound was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and found to feature high-spin Mn centres that exhibit strong magnetic coupling by EPR spectroscopy. Once characterized, [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2 was found to mediate the hydrosilylation of a broad scope of alkenes at elevated temperature. Aliphatic alkenes were found to undergo anti-Markovnikov hydrosilylation, while the hydrosilylation of styrenes using [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2 afforded Markovnikov's product. Importantly, this catalyst has also been employed for the cross-linking of industrially-relevant silicones derived from vinyl-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) and 1,2,4-trivinylcyclohexane with catalyst loadings as low as 0.05 mol%. To gain a mechanistic understanding of [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2-catalyzed olefin hydrosilylation, 4-tert-butylstyrene was added to [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2 and conversion to the monomeric Mn alkyl complex, (2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(CH(CH3)(4- t BuPh)), was observed. Isolation of this secondary alkyl intermediate confirms that olefin insertion into the Mn-H bond dictates the observed regioselectivities. The importance of our mechanistic findings as they relate to recent advances in Mn hydrosilylation catalysis is described herein.

Synthesis of a Base-Stabilized Silicon(I)-Iron(II) Complex for Hydroboration of Carbonyl Compounds

The reaction of the amidinatosilicon(I) dimer [LSi:]₂ (1; L = PhC(N tBu)₂) with FeBr₂ in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at ambient temperature afforded the silicon(I)-iron(II) dimer [LSi(FeBr₂·THF)]₂ (2) after 40 h. Compound 2 can catalyze hydroboration of aliphatic and aromatic ketone compounds with HBpin in the absence of any strong reducing agent. Mechanistic studies show that complex 2 reacts with ketone compounds to form a zwitterionic intermediate in the first step of catalysis. Subsequent reaction with HBpin affords the corresponding boron esters and then regenerates complex 2.

Earth-Abundant Transition Metal Catalysts for Alkene Hydrosilylation and Hydroboration: Opportunities and Assessments

The addition of a silicon-hydrogen or a boron-hydrogen bond across a carbon-carbon multiple bonds is a well-established method for the introduction of versatile silane and borane functional groups to base hydrocarbon feedstocks. Transition metal catalysis, historically with precious second- and third- row transition metals, has been used to broaden the scope of the hydrofunctionalization reaction, improve reaction rate and enhance selectivity. The anti-Markovnikov selectivity of platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkenes, for example, is an enabling synthetic technology in the multibillion-dollar silicones industry. Increased emphasis on sustainable catalytic methods and more economic processes has shifted focus to catalysis with more earth-abundant transition metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel. This review describes contemporary approaches and offers a contextual analysis of catalytic alkene hydrosilylation and hydroboration reactions using first-row transition metals. Emphasis is placed on defining advances in the field, what constitutes catalyst cost, safety, and important design features to enable precious metal-like reactivity, as well as new chemistry that is unique to first-row transition metals.

Non-symmetrical, potentially redox non-innocent imino NHC pyridine ‘pincers’ via a zinc ion template-assisted synthesis

A Zn^II-promoted modular synthesis allows access to new non-symmetrical, redox-active imino NHC pyridine pincer ligands. Radical anionic and dianionic redox states of the ligand are involved in its Fe^II complexes obtained from FeBr₂/KC₈.

Transmetallation from CCC-NHC pincer Zr complexes in the synthesis of air-stable CCC-NHC pincer Co(iii) complexes and initial hydroboration trials

Development of CCC-NHC pincer Co complexes via transmetalation from Zr is reported. Formation of these air-stable Co(iii) complexes was achieved through use of a CoCl2 or Co(acac)3in situ or with a discrete CCC-NHC pincer Zr transmetallating agent. Preliminary activity in the hydroboration of styrene is reported. This facile methodology will further the development of CCC-NHC pincer first-row transition metal complexes.