Computational Investigation of Dichloromethane Ligand Substitution in the Enantiopure Cation [(η5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(ClCH2Cl)]+, a Functional Equivalent of a Chiral Lewis Acid

Dynamic Configuration on a Chiral-at-Rhodium Catalyst Featuring a Flexible Tetradentate Ligand

The unique dynamic configuration of an enantioselective chiral-at-metal catalyst based on Rh(III) and a non-chiral tetradentate ligand is described and resolved. At room temperature, the catalyst undergoes a dynamic configuration process leading to the formation of two interconvertible metal-stereoisomers, remarkably without racemization. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that this metal-isomerization proceeds via a concerted transition state, which features a trigonal bipyramidal geometry stabilized by the tetradentate ligand. Furthermore, the resolved enantiopure complex shows high catalytic enantioinduction in the Friedel-Crafts reaction, achieving enantiomeric ratios as high as 99 : 1.

Mechanism of Coupling of Methylidene to Ethylene Ligands in Dimetallic Assemblies; Computational Investigation of a Model for a Key Step in Catalytic C1 Chemistry

Methylidene complexes often couple to ethylene complexes, but the mechanistic insight is scant. The path by which two cations [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(═CH₂)]⁺ (5⁺) transform (CH₂Cl₂/acetonitrile) to [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(H₂C═CH₂)]⁺ (6⁺) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(NCCH₃)]⁺ is studied by density functional theory. Experiments provide a number of constraints such as the second-order rate in 5⁺; no prior ligand dissociation/exchange; a faster reaction of (S)-5⁺ with (S)-5⁺ than with (R)-5⁺ ("enantiomer self-recognition"). Although dirhenium dications with Re(μ-CH₂)₂Re cores represent energy minima, they are not accessible by 2 + 2 cycloadditions of 5⁺. Transition states leading to ReCH₂CH₂Re linkages are prohibitively high in energy. However, 5⁺ can give non-covalent S_Re/S_Re or S_Re/R_Re dimers with π interactions between the PPh₃ ligands but long ReCH₂···H₂CRe and H₂CRe···H₂CRe distances (3.073-3.095 Å and 3.878-4.529 Å, respectively). In rate-determining steps, these afford [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(μ-η²:η²-H₂C···CH₂)(Ph₃P)(ON)Re(η⁵-C₅H₅)]²⁺ (13²⁺), in which one rhenium binds the bridging ethylene more tightly than the other (2.115-2.098 vs 2.431-2.486 Å to the centroid). In the S_Re/R_Re adduct, Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson optimization leads to unfavorable PPh₃/PPh₃ contacts. Ligand interactions are further dissected in the preceding transition states via component analyses, and ΔΔG^‡ (1.2 kcal/mol, CH₂Cl₂) favors the S_Re/S_Re pathway, in accordance with the experiment. Acetonitrile then displaces 6⁺ from the more weakly bound rhenium of 13²⁺. The formation of similar μ-H₂C···CH₂ intermediates is found to be rate-determining for varied coordinatively saturated M═CH₂ species [M = Fe(d⁶)/Re(d⁴)/Ta(d²)], establishing generality and enhancing relevancy to catalytic CH₄ and CO/H₂ chemistry.

Syntheses, Rearrangements, and Structural Analyses of Unsaturated Nitrogen Donor Ligands Derived from Diphenyldiazomethane and the Chiral Rhenium Lewis Acid [(η5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)]+

Diphenyldiazomethane and a labile chlorobenzene complex of [(η5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)]+ BF4– react to give the η1 adduct [(η5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(NNCPh2)]+ BF4– (73%). When this is con-ducted in the presence of copper powder, a 3-phenyl-1H-indazole...

Syntheses, Structures, Reactivities, and Basicities of Quinolinyl and Isoquinolinyl Complexes of an Electron Rich Chiral Rhenium Fragment and Their Electrophilic Addition Products

Reactions of Li⁺ [(η⁵ -C₅ H₅ )Re(NO)(PPh₃ )]^- with 2- and 4-chloroquinoline or 1-chloroisoquinoline give the corresponding σ quinolinyl and isoquinolinyl complexes 3, 6, and 8. With 3 and 8 there is further protonation to yield HCl adducts, but additions of KH give the free bases. Treatment of 3 with HBF₄ ⋅OEt₂ or H(OEt₂ )₂ ⁺ BAr_f ^- gives the quinolinium salts [(η⁵ -C₅ H₅ )Re(NO)(PPh₃ )(C(NH)C(CH)₄ C(CH)(CH))]⁺ X^- (3-H⁺ X^- ; X^- =BF₄ ^- /BAr_f ^- , 94-98 %). Addition of CF₃ SO₃ CH₃ to 3, 6, or 8 affords the corresponding N-methyl quinolinium salts. In the case of [(η⁵ -C₅ H₅ )Re(NO)(PPh₃ )(C(NCH₃ )C(CH)₄ C(CH)(CH))]⁺ CF₃ SO₃ ^- (3-CH₃ ⁺ CF₃ SO₃ ^- ), addition of CH₃ Li gives the dihydroquinolinium complex (S_Re R_C ,R_Re S_C )-[(η⁵ -C₅ H₅ )Re(NO)(PPh₃ )(C(NCH₃ )C(CH)₄ C(CHCH₃ )(CH₂ ))]⁺ CF₃ SO₃ ^- ((S_Re R_C ,R_Re S_C )-5⁺ CF₃ SO₃ ^- , 76 %) in diastereomerically pure form. Crystal structures of 3-H⁺ BAr_f ^- , 3-CH₃ ⁺ CF₃ SO₃ ^- , (S_Re R_C , R_Re S_C )-5⁺ Cl^- , and 6-CH₃ ⁺ CF₃ SO₃ ^- show that the quinolinium ligands adopt Re⋅⋅⋅C conformations that maximize overlap of their acceptor orbitals with the rhenium fragment HOMO, minimize steric interactions with the bulky PPh₃ ligand, and promote various π interactions. NMR experiments establish the Brønsted basicity order 3>8>6, with K_a (BH⁺ ) values >10 orders of magnitude greater than the parent heterocycles, although they remain less active nucleophilic catalysts in the reactions tested. DFT calculations provide additional insights regarding Re⋅⋅⋅C bonding and conformations, basicities, and the stereochemistry of CH₃ Li addition.