Catalyst-Free Synthesis of Aryl Diamines via a Three-Step Reaction Process

3D vs. turbostratic: controlling metal-organic framework dimensionality via N-heterocyclic carbene chemistry

Using azolium-based ligands for the construction of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is a viable strategy to immobilize catalytically active N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) or NHC-derived species inside MOF pores. Thus, in the present work, a novel copper MOF referred to as Cu-Sp5-BF₄, is constructed using an imidazolinium ligand, H₂Sp5-BF₄, 1,3-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-3-ium tetrafluoroborate. The resulting framework, which offers large pore apertures, enables the post-synthetic modification of the C² carbon on the ligand backbone with methoxide units. A combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) and electron microscopy (EM), are used to show that the post-synthetic methoxide modification alters the dimensionality of the material, forming a turbostratic phase, an event that further improves the accessibility of the NHC sites promoting a second modification step that is carried out via grafting iridium to the NHC. A combination of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods are used to shed light on the iridium speciation, and the catalytic activity of the Ir–NHC containing MOF is demonstrated using a model reaction, stilbene hydrogenation.

A new MOF with a saturated N-heterocyclic carbene ligand undergoes a series of structural transformations to produce a turbostratic material, which serves as a better support for an iridium hydrogenation catalyst, when compared to the parent material.

Syntheses of tetrahydroquinoline-based chiral carbene precursors and the related chiral NHC–Au(i) complex

The facile synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline-based chiral carbene precursors is reported. A rare Au⋯H–C(sp³) interaction between Au(i) and the hydrogen atom was observed in the crystal structure of a related NHC–gold complex.

Selective CO2 adsorption by a new metal–organic framework: synergy between open metal sites and a charged imidazolinium backbone

A new metal–organic framework features a combination of open metal sites and charged ligand leading to a high CO₂/N₂ selectivity.