Detection of Intermediates in Dual Gold Catalysis Using High-Resolution Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry

Hydrophenoxylation of alkynes by gold catalysts: a mini review

CONTEXT

The field of chemistry has significantly evolved, with catalysis playing a crucial role in transforming chemical processes. From Valerius' use of sulfuric acid in the sixteenth century to modern advancements, catalysis has driven innovations across various industries. The introduction of gold as a catalyst marked a pivotal shift, expanding its applications beyond ornamentation to homogeneous catalysis. Gold's unique properties, such as its electrophilic nature and flexibility, have enabled its use in synthesizing complex molecules, including those in nanomedicine and sustainable chemical processes. The development of gold-based complexes, particularly in hydroalkoxylation and hydroamination reactions, showcases their efficiency in forming carbon-oxygen bonds under mild conditions. Recent studies on dual gold catalysis and heterobimetallic complexes further highlight gold's versatility in achieving high turnover rates and selectivity. This evolution underscores the potential of gold catalysis in advancing environmentally sustainable methodologies and enhancing the scope of modern synthetic chemistry. The debate about the nature of monogold and dual-gold catalysis is open.

METHODS

DFT calculations have played a key role in promoting the activation of alkynes, in particular the hydrophenoxylation of alkynes by metal-based catalysts. They not only help identify the most efficient and selective catalysts but also aid in screening for those capable of performing a dual metal catalytic mechanism. The most commonly used functionals are BP86 and B3LYP, with the SVP and 6-31G(d) basis sets employed for geometry optimizations, and M06 with TZVP or 6-311G(d,p) basis sets used for single-point energy calculations in a solvent. Grimme dispersion correction has been explicitly added either in the solvent single point energy calculations or in the gas phase geometry optimizations or in both. To point out that M06 implicitly includes part of this dispersion scheme.

Ion mobility mass spectrometry uncovers regioselectivity in the carboxylate-assisted C-H activation of palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

Carboxylate-assisted Pd-catalyzed C-H bond activation constitutes a mild and versatile synthetic tool to efficiently and selectively cleave inert C-H bonds. Herein, we demonstrate a simple method to experimentally evaluate both reactivity and selectivity in such systems using mass spectrometry (MS) methods. The N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) cations [(NHC)PdX]+, bearing as X- ligand bases commonly used to promote the C-H activation (carboxylates and bicarbonate), are generated in the gas-phase by ESI-MS. Their C-H bond activation at the N-bound groups of the NHC is then studied using Collision Induced Dissociation (CID) experiments. Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IM)-MS is exploited to identify a number of regioisomers associated with the distinctive site selective C-H activations. It is demonstrated that such C-H activation concomitant with acetic acid release occurs from a mixture of activated [(NHC-H)Pd(CH3CO2H)]+ and non-activated [(NHC)Pd(CH3CO2)]+ complexes. The identity of the X-type ligands (X = Cl-, carboxylates and bicarbonate) has a significant impact on the regioisomer branching ratio upon CID conditions. IM-MS in conjunction with a DFT mechanistic study is presented for the acetate-assisted C-H activation of the [(NHC)Pd(CH3CO2)]+ cation featuring butyl and aryl as N-donor groups.

Dual gold-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of benzofulvenes via 5-endo dig cyclization

An efficient dual gold-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of benzofulvenes has been developed from substituted allyloxy 1,5-diynes via 5-endo dig cyclization. In this intramolecular organic transformation a new C-C bond formation occurs and moderate to very good yields are obtained in one pot.

Integration of Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Ultraviolet Photodissociation in a Quadrupolar Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer

There is a growing demand for lower-cost, benchtop analytical instruments with complementary separation capabilities for the screening and characterization of biological samples. In this study, we report on the custom integration of trapped ion mobility spectrometry and ultraviolet photodissociation capabilities in a commercial Paul quadrupolar ion trap multistage mass spectrometer (TIMS-QIT-MSn UVPD platform). A gated TIMS operation allowed for the accumulation of ion mobility separated ion in the QIT, followed by a mass analysis (MS1 scan) or m/z isolation, followed by selected collision induced dissociation (CID) or ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) and a mass analysis (MS2 scan). The analytical potential of this platform for the analysis of complex and labile biological samples is illustrated for the case of positional isomers with varying PTM location of the histone H4 tryptic peptide 4-17 singly and doubly acetylated and the histone H3.1 tail (1-50) singly trimethylated. For all cases, a baseline ion mobility precursor molecular ion preseparation was obtained. The tandem CID and UVPD MS2 allowed for effective sequence confirmation as well as the identification of reporter fragment ions associated with the PTM location; a higher sequence coverage was obtained using UVPD when compared to CID. Different from previous IMS-MS implementation, the novel TIMS-QIT-MSn UVPD platform offers a lower-cost alternative for the structural characterization of biological molecules that can be widely disseminated in clinical laboratories.

Introducing Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry to Identify Site-Selective C-H Bond Activation in N-Heterocyclic Carbene Metal Complexes

The activation of C-H bonds in a selective manner still constitutes a major challenge from a synthetic point of view; thus, it remains an active area of fundamental and applied research. Herein, we introduce ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry-based (IM-MS) approaches to uncover site-selective C-H bond activation in a series of metal complexes of general formula [(NHC)LMCl]⁺ (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene; L = pentamethylcyclopentadiene (Cp*) or p-cymene; M = Pd, Ru, and Ir). The C-H bond activation at the N-bound groups of the NHC ligand is promoted upon collision induced dissociation (CID). The identification of the resulting [(NHC-H)LM]⁺ isomers relies on the distinctive topology that such cyclometalated isomers adopt upon site-selective C-H bond activation. Such topological differences can be reliably evidenced as different mobility peaks in their respective CID-IM mass spectra. Alternative isomers are also identified via dehydrogenation at the Cp*/p-cymene (L) ligands to afford [(NHC)(L-H)M]⁺. The fragmentation of the ion mobility-resolved peaks is also investigated by CID-IM-CID. It enables the assignment of mobility peaks to the specific isomers formed from C(sp²)-H or C(sp³)-H bond activation and distinguishes them from the Cp*/p-cymene (L) dehydrogenation isomers. The conformational change of the NHC ligands upon C-H bond activation, concomitant with cyclometalation, is also discussed on the basis of the estimated collision cross section (CCS). A unique conformation change of the pyrene-tagged NHC members is identified that involves the reorientation of the NHC ring accompanied by a folding of the pyrene moiety.

Monitoring Reaction Intermediates to Predict Enantioselectivity Using Mass Spectrometry**

Enantioselective reactions are at the core of chemical synthesis. Their development mostly relies on prior knowledge, laborious product analysis and post‐rationalization by theoretical methods. Here, we introduce a simple and fast method to determine enantioselectivities based on mass spectrometry. The method is based on ion mobility separation of diastereomeric intermediates, formed from a chiral catalyst and prochiral reactants, and delayed reactant labeling experiments to link the mass spectra with the reaction kinetics in solution. The data provide rate constants along the reaction paths for the individual diastereomeric intermediates, revealing the origins of enantioselectivity. Using the derived kinetics, the enantioselectivity of the overall reaction can be predicted. Hence, this method can offer a rapid discovery and optimization of enantioselective reactions in the future. We illustrate the method for the addition of cyclopentadiene (CP) to an α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde catalyzed by a diarylprolinol silyl ether.

Ion Mobility Studies of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Aza-Crown Ether-Lanthanide Complexes

Lanthanide-dependent enzymes and their biomimetic complexes have arisen as an interesting target of research in the past decade. These enzymes, specifically, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-bearing methanol dehydrogenases, efficiently convert alcohols to the respective aldehydes. To rationally design bioinspired alcohol dehydrogenation catalysts, it is imperative to understand the species involved in catalysis. However, given the extremely flexible coordination sphere of lanthanides, it is often difficult to assess the number and nature of the active species. Here, we show how such questions can be addressed by using a combination of ion mobility spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and quantum-chemical calculations to study the test systems PQQ and lanthanide-PQQ-crown ether ligand complexes. Specifically, we determine the gas-phase structures of [PQQH₂]^-, [PQQH₂+H₂O]^-, [PQQH₂+MeOH]^-, [PQQ-15c5+H]⁺, and [PQQ-15c5+Ln+NO₃]²⁺ (Ln = La to Lu, except Pm). In the latter case, a trend to smaller collision cross sections across the lanthanide series is clearly observable, in line with the well-known lanthanide contraction. We hope that in the future such investigations will help to guide the design and understanding of lanthanide-based biomimetic complexes optimized for catalytic function.

Modular Ion Mobility Calibrants for Organometallic Anions Based on Tetraorganylborate Salts

Organometallics are widely used in catalysis and synthesis. Their analysis relies heavily on mass spectrometric methods, among which traveling-wave ion mobility spectrometry (TWIMS) has gained increasing importance. Collision cross sections (CCS) obtainable by TWIMS significantly aid the structural characterization of ions in the gas phase, but for organometallics, their accuracy has been limited by the lack of appropriate calibrants. Here, we propose tetraorganylborates and their alkali-metal bound oligomers [M_n-1(BR₄)_n]^- (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs; R = aryl, Et; n = 1-6) as calibrants for electrospray ionization (ESI) TWIMS. These species chemically resemble typical organometallics and readily form upon negative-ion mode ESI of solutions of alkali-metal tetraorganylborates. By combining different tetraorganylborate salts, we have generated a large number of anions in a modular manner and determined their CCS values by drift-tube ion mobility spectrometry (DTIMS) (^DTCCS_He = 81-585, ^DTCCS_N2 = 130-704 Ų). In proof-of-concept experiments, we then applied these ^DTCCS values to the calibration of a TWIMS instrument and analyzed phenylcuprate and argentate anions, [Li_n-1M_nPh_2n]^- and [M_nPh_n+1]^- (M = Cu, Ag), as prototypical reactive organometallics. The ^TWCCS_N2 values derived from TWIMS measurements are in excellent agreement with those determined by DTIMS (<2% relative difference), demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed calibration scheme. Moreover, we used theoretical methods to predict the structures and CCS values of the anions considered. These predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results and give further insight into the trends governing the assembly of tetraorganylborate, cuprate, and argentate oligomers.

Assessing Collision Cross Section Calibration Strategies for Traveling Wave-Based Ion Mobility Separations in Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations

The collision cross section (CCS) is an important property that aids in the structural characterization of molecules. Here, we investigated the CCS calibration accuracy with traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry (TWIMS) separations in structures for lossless ion manipulations (SLIM) using three sets of calibrants. A series of singly negatively charged phospholipids and bile acids were calibrated in nitrogen buffer gas using two different TW waveform profiles (square and sine) and amplitudes (20, 25, and 30 V_0-p). The calibration errors for the three calibrant sets (Agilent tuning mixture, polyalanine, and one assembled in-house) showed negligible differences using a sine-shaped TW waveform. Calibration errors were all within 1-2% of the drift tube ion mobility spectrometry (DTIMS) measurements, with lower errors for sine waveforms, presumably due to the lower average and maximum fields experienced by ions. Finally, ultrahigh-resolution multipass (long path length) SLIM TWIMS separations demonstrated improved CCS calibration for phospholipid and bile acid isomers.

Identifying reactive intermediates by mass spectrometry

Development of new reactions requires finding and understanding of novel reaction pathways. In challenging reactions such as C-H activations, these pathways often involve highly reactive intermediates which are the key to our understanding, but difficult to study. Mass spectrometry has a unique sensitivity for detecting low abundant charged species; therefore it is increasingly used for detection of such intermediates in metal catalysed- and organometallic reactions. This perspective shows recent developments in the field of mass spectrometric research of reaction mechanisms with a special focus on going beyond mass-detection. Chapters discuss the advantages of collision-induced dissociation, ion mobility and ion spectroscopy for characterization of structures of the detected intermediates. In addition, we discuss the relationship between the condensed phase chemistry and mass spectrometric detection of species from solution.

Gold-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions: An Overview of Design Strategies, Mechanistic Studies, and Applications

Transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are central to many organic synthesis methodologies. Traditionally, Pd, Ni, Cu, and Fe catalysts are used to promote these reactions. Recently, many studies have showed that both homogeneous and heterogeneous Au catalysts can be used for activating selective cross-coupling reactions. Here, an overview of the past studies, current trends, and future directions in the field of gold-catalyzed coupling reactions is presented. Design strategies to accomplish selective homocoupling and cross-coupling reactions under both homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions, computational and experimental mechanistic studies, and their applications in diverse fields are critically reviewed. Specific topics covered are: oxidant-assisted and oxidant-free reactions; strain-assisted reactions; dual Au and photoredox catalysis; bimetallic synergistic reactions; mechanisms of reductive elimination processes; enzyme-mimicking Au chemistry; cluster and surface reactions; and plasmonic catalysis. In the relevant sections, theoretical and computational studies of Au^I /Au^III chemistry are discussed and the predictions from the calculations are compared with the experimental observations to derive useful design strategies.

Mechanism of Au(III)-Mediated Alkoxycyclization of a 1,6-Enyne

Gold-mediated homogeneous catalysis is a powerful tool for construction of valuable molecules and has lately received growing attention. Whereas Au(I)-catalyzed processes have become well established, those mediated by Au(III) have so far barely been explored, and their mechanistic understanding remains basic. Herein, we disclose the combined NMR spectroscopic, single-crystal X-ray crystallographic, and computational (DFT) investigation of the Au(III)-mediated alkoxycyclization of a 1,6-enyne in the presence of a bidentate pyridine-oxazoline ligand. The roles of the counterion, the solvent, and the type of Au(III) complex have been assessed. Au(III) is demonstrated to be the active catalyst in alkoxycyclization. Alkyne coordination to Au(III) involves decoordination of the pyridine nitrogen and is the rate-limiting step.

Dual gold catalysis - an update

This review summarizes the recent developments in the field of dual gold activation chemistry. New developments including synthetic strategies, latest mechanistic insights, computational studies and the identification and isolation of key intermediates, are discussed.

Oxyacylation of Iodoalkynes: Gold(I)-Catalyzed Expeditious Access to Benzofurans

(Acetonitrile)[1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazole-2-ylidene] gold(I) catalyzes the cycloisomerization of 2-(iodoethynyl)aryl esters to give 3-iodo-2-acyl benzofurans. This catalytic transformation is the result of an unprecedented selective synthetic event, which comprises a [1,2]-iodine shift, a C-O ring-closure step, and a C-C bond-formation that installs the ketone functionality into the new ring. Experimental evidence supports the involvement of a β-iodo-substituted gold vinylidene as the intermediate species. The reaction tolerates different substitution patterns at the phenol moiety and a wide diversity of groups at the carboxylic fragment, including not only alkyl but also alkenyl, aryl, and heteroaryl groups.

Recommendations for reporting ion mobility Mass Spectrometry measurements

Here we present a guide to ion mobility mass spectrometry experiments, which covers both linear and nonlinear methods: what is measured, how the measurements are done, and how to report the results, including the uncertainties of mobility and collision cross section values. The guide aims to clarify some possibly confusing concepts, and the reporting recommendations should help researchers, authors and reviewers to contribute comprehensive reports, so that the ion mobility data can be reused more confidently. Starting from the concept of the definition of the measurand, we emphasize that (i) mobility values (K0 ) depend intrinsically on ion structure, the nature of the bath gas, temperature, and E/N; (ii) ion mobility does not measure molecular surfaces directly, but collision cross section (CCS) values are derived from mobility values using a physical model; (iii) methods relying on calibration are empirical (and thus may provide method-dependent results) only if the gas nature, temperature or E/N cannot match those of the primary method. Our analysis highlights the urgency of a community effort toward establishing primary standards and reference materials for ion mobility, and provides recommendations to do so. © 2019 The Authors. Mass Spectrometry Reviews Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Resolution of minor size differences in a family of heteroleptic coordination cages by trapped ion mobility ESI-MS

We report a complex system of heteroleptic coordination cages based on the combination of four bis-monodentate ligands whose backbones only slightly differ in shape and length. cis-[Pd2L2L'2] assemblies cleanly form after addition of PdII cations to a 1 : 1 mixture of two shape-complementary ligands, each. When three or even all four ligands are used in combination, the unambiguous discrimination of all individual species in the product mixture becomes difficult by conventional NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods. Due to steric constraints, the system is restricted to the formation of ten different coordination cages in total, two of which are isomeric. We show that high-resolution trapped ion mobility mass spectrometry (TIMS) allows the clear differentiation of all ten species. Observed size trends could be readily reproduced by the calculation of theoretical values for collisional cross sections (CCS) from geometry-optimized models.

Different Selectivities in the Insertions into C(sp2 )-H Bonds: Benzofulvenes by Dual Gold Catalysis Competition Experiments

An unprecedented, often almost quantitative access to tricyclic aromatic compounds by dual gold catalysis was developed. This synthetic route expands the scope of benzofulvene derivatives through a C(sp² )-H bond insertion in easily available starting materials. The insertion takes place with an exclusive chemoselectivity with respect to the competing aromatic C-H positions. A bidirectional synthesis with two competing ortho-aryl C-H bonds in the selectivity-determining step also shows perfect selectivity; this result is explained by a computational investigation of the two conceivable intermediates. The intramolecular competition of two non-equivalent aryl C-H bonds with a benzylic methyl group also showed perfect selectivity.