Trimethylsilylmethylcalcium Iodide, an Easily Accessible Grignard-Type Reagent of a Heavy Alkaline Earth Metal

Opportunities with calcium Grignard reagents and other heavy alkaline-earth organometallics

More than a century old, magnesium Grignard reagents remain essential to the toolbox of organic chemists. Although similar reagents with the neighbouring group 2 metal Ca have been explored, the considerably higher polarity and reactivity of the Ca-C bond result in undesired decomposition pathways. Ca Grignard reagents have found academic interest but have never fully developed into an established synthetic tool. Recent research activities, however, provide facile access to these highly reactive organocalcium species, including in situ preparation and ball milling approaches to tackle the challenge of controlling their extreme sensitivity. Heavier Grignard reagents are not just more reactive but profit from unique chemical transformations. Insight into the transition metal-like properties of Ca, Sr and Ba is only just emerging. Considering the rapidly developing field of alkaline-earth metal-mediated catalysis, heavy Grignard reagents will probably have a bright future.

In situ Grignard Metalation Method, Part II: Scope of the One-Pot Synthesis of Organocalcium Compounds

The in situ Grignard Metalation Method (iGMM) is a straightforward one-pot strategy to synthesize alkaline-earth metal amides in multi-gram scale with high yields via addition of bromoethane to an ethereal suspension of a primary or secondary amine and magnesium (Part I) or calcium (Part II). This method is highly advantageous because no activation of calcium is required prior to the reaction. Contrary to the magnesium-based iGMM, there are some limitations, the most conspicuous one is the large influence of steric factors. The preparation of Ca(hmds)₂ succeeds smoothly within a few hours with excellent yields opening the opportunity to prepare large amounts of this reagent. Side reactions and transfer of the iGMM to substituted anilines and N-heterocycles as well as other H-acidic substrates such as cyclopentadienes are studied. Bulky amidines cannot be converted directly to calcium amidinates via the iGMM but stoichiometric calciation with Ca(hmds)₂ enables their preparation.

Synthesis, characterisation and reactivity of group 2 complexes with a thiopyridyl scorpionate ligand

Herein we report the reactivity of the proligand tris(2-pyridylthio)methane (HTptm) with various Alkaline Earth (AE) reagents: (1) dialkylmagnesium reagents and (2) AE bis-amides (AE = Mg-Ba). Heteroleptic complexes of general formulae [Mg(Tptm)(R)] (R = Me, ⁿBu; Tptm = {C(S-C₅H₄N)₃}^-) and [AE(Tptm)(N'')] (AE = Mg-Ba; N'' = {N(SiMe₃)₂}^-) were targeted from the reaction of HTptm with R₂Mg or [AE(N'')₂]₂. Reaction of the proligand with dialkylmagnesium reagents led to formation of [{Mg(κ³C,N,N-C{Bu}{S-C₅H₄N}₂)(μ-S-C₅H₄N)}₂] (1) and [{Mg(κ³C,N,N-C{Me}{S-C₅H₄N}₂)(μ-OSiMe₃)}₂] (2) respectively, as a result of a novel transfer of an alkyl group onto the methanide carbon with concomitant C-S bond cleavage. However, reactivity of bis-amide precursors for Mg and Ca did afford the target species [AE(Tptm)(N'')] (3-AE; AE = Mg-Ca), although these proved susceptible to ligand degradation processes. DFT calculations show that alkyl transfer in the putative [Mg(Tptm)(ⁿBu)] (1m') system and amide transfer in 3-Ca is a facile process that induces C-S bond cleavage in the Tptm ligand. 3-Mg and 3-Ca were also tested as catalysts for the hydrophosphination of selected alkenes and alkynes, including the first example of mono-hydrophosphination of 4-ethynylpyridine which was achieved with high conversions and excellent regio- and stereochemical control.

Synthesis, Crystal and Electronic Structures of a Thiophosphinoyl- and Amino-Substituted Metallated Ylide

α-Metallated ylides have revealed themselves to be versatile reagents for the introduction of ylide groups. Herein, we report the synthesis of the thiophosphinoyl and piperidyl (Pip) substituted α-metallated ylide [Ph2 (Pip)P=C-P(S)Ph2 ]M (M=Li, Na, K) through a four-step synthetic procedure starting from diphenylmethylphosphine sulfide. Metallation of the ylide intermediate was successfully accomplished with different alkali metal bases delivering the lithium, sodium and potassium salts, the latter isolable in high yields. Structure analyses of the lithium and potassium compounds in the solid state with and without crown ether revealed different aggregates (monomer, dimer and hexamer) with the metals coordinated by the thiophosphoryl moiety and ylidic carbon atom. Although the piperidyl group does not coordinate to the metal, it significantly contributes to the stability of the yldiide by charge delocalization through negative hyperconjugation.

Endohedral Mixed Aggregates: Sodium Alkoxide Cages with Organic or Inorganic Central Anions and Variable Hull

Alkali metal alkoxides are widely used in chemistry due to their Brønsted basic and nucleophilic properties. Potassium alkoxides assist alkyllithium in the metalation of hydrocarbons in Lochmann‐Schlosser‐bases. Both compounds form mixed aggregates, which enhance the thermal stability, solubility, and the basic reactivity of these mixtures. A very unusual spherical mixed alkoxy aggregate was discovered by Grützmacher et al., where a central dihydrogen phosphide anion is surrounded by a highly dynamic shell of thirteen sodium atoms and a hull of twelve tert‐butoxide groups. This structural motif can be reproduced by a reaction of trimethylsilyl compounds of methane, halogens, or pseudo‐halogens with excess sodium tert‐butoxide. A nucleophilic substitution releases the corresponding anion, which is then encapsulated by the sodium alkoxide units. The compounds are soluble in hydrocarbon solvents, enabling studies of solutions by high‐resolution NMR spectroscopy and IR/Raman studies of the crystalline materials.

Reactivity of a Molecular Calcium Hydride Cation ([CaH]+) Supported by an NNNN Macrocycle

The hydride ligand in the cationic calcium hydride supported by a NNNN-type macrocycle, [(Me₄TACD)₂Ca₂(μ-H)₂(THF)][BAr₄]₂ (1; Me₄TACD = 1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane; THF = tetrahydrofuran; BAr₄ = B(C₆H₃-3,5-Me₂)₄), shows, in addition to its Brönsted basicity toward weak acids, a pronounced nucleophilicity resulting in nucleophilic substitution or insertion (addition) at a silicon or sp² carbon center. Terminal acetylenes RC≡CH (R = SiMe₃, cyclopropyl) as well as 1,4-diphenylbutadiene were deprotonated by 1 to give dinuclear complexes [(Me₄TACD)₂Ca₂(μ-C≡CR)₂][BAr₄]₂ (2a, R = SiMe₃; 2b, R = cyclopropyl) and [(Me₄TACD)₂Ca₂(μ₂-η⁴-1,4-Ph₂C₄H₂)][BAr₄]₂ (3) with H₂ evolution. The addition reaction with BH₃(THF) gave a tetrahydridoborate complex, [(Me₄TACD)Ca(BH₄)(THF)₂][BAr₄] (4), with κ₂-H₂BH₂ coordination in the solid state, suggesting a pronounced Lewis acidic calcium center. The behavior resulting from both Lewis acidity and hydricity becomes apparent in the nucleophilic substitution of fluorobenzene by 1 to give benzene and the dimeric fluoride complex [(Me₄TACD)₂Ca₂(μ-F)₂(THF)][BAr₄]₂·2.5THF (5). Analogous nucleophilic substitution reaction is observed for heterofunctionalized organosilanes XSiR₃ [X = I, N(SiHMe₂)₂, N₃; R = Me₃ or HMe₂], which resulted in the formation of calcium complexes [(Me₄TACD)Ca(X)(THF)_n][BAr₄] (6-8) containing an X ligand along with hydrosilane HSiR₃. An insertion reaction by 1 was observed with CO₂ and CO to give dinuclear formato complex [(Me₄TACD)₂Ca₂(μ-OCHO)₂][BAr₄]₂ (9) and cis-enediolato complex [(Me₄TACD)₂Ca₂(μ-OCH═CHO)][BAr₄]₂·3.5THF (10), respectively. The latter is believed to have been formed as a result of the dimerization of an initially generated formyl or oxymethylene complex, [(Me₄TACD)Ca(OCH)]⁺.

Thermally Stable Ln(II) and Ca(II) Bis(benzhydryl) Complexes: Excellent Precatalysts for Intermolecular Hydrophosphination of C-C Multiple Bonds

A series of Ln(II) and Ca(II) bis(alkyl) complexes with bulky benzhydryl ligands, [( p- tBu-C₆H₄)₂CH]₂M(L _n) (M = Sm, L = DME, n = 2 (1); M = Sm, Yb, Ca, L = TMEDA, n = 1 (2, 3, 4), were synthesized by the salt-metathesis reaction of MI₂(THF) _n ( n = 0-2) and [( p- tBu-C₆H₄)₂CH]^-Na⁺. In complex 1, the benzhydryl ligands are bound to the metal center in η²-coordination mode. Unlike complex 1, in isomorphous complexes 3 and 4, due to the coordination unsaturation of the metal center, the both benzhydryl ligands coordinate to the metal in η³-fashion. In complex 2, one ligand is η³-coordinated while the second one is η⁴-coordinated to the Sm(II) ion. Complexes 2-4 demonstrated unprecedented thermal stability: no evidence of decomposition was observed after heating their solutions in C₆D₆ at 100 °C during 72 h. Complex 1 behaves differently: thermolysis in C₆D₆ solution at 75 °C results in total decomposition in 8 h. Addition of DME promotes decomposition of 2-4 and makes it feasible at 40 °C. Complexes 1-4 demonstrated high catalytic activity and excellent regio- and chemoselectivities in intermolecular hydrophosphination of double and triple C-C bonds with both primary and secondary phosphines. Complexes 2 and 3 enable addition of PhPH₂ toward the internal C═C bond of Z- and E-stilbenes with 100% conversion under mild conditions. Double sequential hydrophosphination of phenylacetylene with Ph₂PH and PhPH₂ was realized due to the application of Yb(II) complex as a catalyst.

Direct Synthesis of Heavy Grignard Reagents: Challenges, Limitations, and Derivatization

The direct synthesis of organocalcium compounds (heavy Grignard reagents) by the reduction of organyl halides with activated calcium powder succeeded in a straightforward manner for organic bromides and iodides that are bound at sp² -hybridized carbon atoms. Extension of this strategy to alkyl halides was very limited, and only the reduction of trialkylsilylmethyl bromides and iodides with activated calcium allowed the isolation of the corresponding heavy Grignard reagents. Substitution of only one hydrogen atom of the methylene moiety by a phenyl or methyl group directed this reduction toward the Wurtz-type coupling and the formation of calcium halide and the corresponding C-C coupling product. The stability of the methylcalcium and benzylcalcium derivatives in ethereal solvents suggests an unexpected reaction behavior of the intermediate organyl halide radical anions. Quantum chemical calculations verify a dependency between the ease of preparative access to organocalcium complexes and the C-I bond lengths of the organyl iodides. The bulkiness of the trialkylsilyl group is of minor importance. Chloromethyltrimethylsilane did not react with activated calcium; however, halogen-exchange reactions allowed the isolation of [Ca(CH₂ SiMe₃ )(thf)₃ (μ-Cl)]₂ . Furthermore, the metathetical approach of reacting [Ca(CH₂ SiMe₃ )I(thf)₄ ] with KN(SiMe₃ )₂ and the addition of N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (pmdeta) allowed the isolation of heteroleptic [CaCH₂ SiMe₃ {N(SiMe₃ )₂ }(pmdeta)]. In the reaction of this derivative with phenylsilane, the trimethylsilylmethyl group proved to be more reactive than the bis(trimethylsilyl)amido substituent.

5-Methyl-2-thienylcalcium iodide

The reduction of 2-bromo- and 3-bromothiophene with calcium powder gives impure thienylcalcium complexes due to interference of various subsequent metalation and calcium-halogen exchange reactions as well as ether degradation. Therefore, calcium-iodine exchange succeeds via the reaction of trimethylsilylmethylcalcium halide with 3-iodothiophene in tetrahydrofuran at -78 °C in the presence of chloro-trimethylsilane, leading to the quantitative formation of 3-(trimethylsilyl)thiophene. The synthesis and isolation of a thienylcalcium halide, a heavy Grignard reagent with a thienyl group, is possible via the reduction of 2-iodo-5-methylthiophene with activated calcium in THF. Substitution of the thf ligands in 5-methyl-2-thienylcalcium iodide ([5-MeThien-2-Ca(thf)4I], 1) by dissolution in tetrahydropyran (THP) leads to the thp complex of 5-methyl-2-thienylcalcium iodide ([5-MeThien-2-Ca(thp)4I], 2). A low field shift of the calcium-bound carbon atom is characteristic of thienylcalcium complexes.

Organocalcium-mediated nucleophilic alkylation of benzene

The electrophilic aromatic substitution of a C-H bond of benzene is one of the archetypal transformations of organic chemistry. In contrast, the electron-rich π-system of benzene is highly resistant to reactions with electron-rich and negatively charged organic nucleophiles. Here, we report that this previously insurmountable electronic repulsion may be overcome through the use of sufficiently potent organocalcium nucleophiles. Calcium n-alkyl derivatives-synthesized by reaction of ethene, but-1-ene, and hex-1-ene with a dimeric calcium hydride-react with protio and deutero benzene at 60°C through nucleophilic substitution of an aromatic C-D/H bond. These reactions produce the n-alkyl benzenes with regeneration of the calcium hydride. Density functional theory calculations implicate an unstabilized Meisenheimer complex in the C-H activation transition state.

Well-defined styryl and biphenyl calcium complexes from dilithio compounds and calcium iodide: synthesis, structure and reactivity toward nitrous oxide

Efficient synthesis and structure elucidation of carbon–calcium σ-bonded compounds are of remarkable interest and importance in organometallic chemistry of the heavier s-block metals.

Tethered cationic alkaline earth – olefin complexes

The utilisation of a specifically tailored aminofluoroalcohol possessing both a methoxy and an olefin dangling side arms enables the preparation of the first examples of discrete calcium- and strontium-olefin cationic complexes.

Calcium, Strontium and Barium Homogeneous Catalysts for Fine Chemicals Synthesis

The large alkaline earths (Ae), calcium, strontium and barium, have in the past 15 years yielded a brand new generation of heteroleptic molecular catalysts for the production of fine chemicals. However, the integrity of these complexes is often plagued by ligand redistribution equilibria in solution. This personal account retraces the paths followed in our research group towards the design of stable heteroleptic alkalino-earth complexes, including the use of intramolecular noncovalent Ae···H-Si and Ae···F-C interactions. Their implementation as homogenous precatalysts for reactions such as the intramolecular and intermolecular hydroamination and hydrophosphination of activated alkenes, the hydrophosphonylation of ketones, and the dehydrogenative coupling of amines and hydrosilanes that enable the efficient and controlled formations of CP, CN, or SiN σ-bonds, is presented in a synthetic perspective that highlights their overall outstanding catalytic performance.