Synthesis and Reactivity of Pincer-Type Cobalt Silyl and Silylene Complexes

Synthesis of Dinuclear Cobalt Silylene Complexes and Their Catalytic Activity for Alkene Hydrosilylation Reactions

A novel dinuclear silylene cobalt complex [((Me3P)2Co)(PMe2)(CoCl(PMe3))(Si(NCH2PPh2)2C6H4)] (1) supported by the [PSi(silylene)P] ligand was prepared through the reaction of N-heterocyclic [PSiP] pincer ligand L1 (HSiCl(NCH2PPh2)2C6H4) with Co(PMe3)4. Complex [((Me3P)2Co)2(Si(NCH2PPh2)2C6H4)] (2) was formed through the reaction of complex 1 with MeLi. To the best of our knowledge, complexes 1 and 2 are the first examples of dinuclear silylene cobalt complexes supported by the [PSi(silylene)P] ligand. A new preligand L2 (SiCl2(NCH2PPh2)2C6H4) was synthesized, and the reaction of preligand L2 with Co(PMe3)4 afforded silyl cobalt complex [((Me3P)2Co)(SiCl(NCH2PPh2)2C6H4)] (3). The reaction of 3 with CO delivered cobalt carbonyl complex [((Me3P)(CO)Co)(Si(NCH2PPh2)2C6H4)]2O (4). The catalytic activity of cobalt complexes 1-4 on the hydrosilylation of alkenes was explored. Among the four complexes, complex 1 has the best catalytic activity. The catalytic process could be promoted with NaBHEt3 as an additive, and a complete conversion with an excellent selectivity of 98:2 (b/l) could be reached at 120 °C within 8 min for aryl alkenes. A possible catalytic cycle was proposed on the basis of the experimental results and literature reports, with a cobalt hydride complex as an active intermediate. The molecular structure of complexes 1-4 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Heavier tetrylene- and tetrylyne-transition metal chemistry: it's no carbon copy

Since the late 19th century, heavier tetrylene- and tetrylyne-transition metal chemistry has formed an important cornerstone in both main-group and organometallic chemistry alike. Driven by the success of carbene systems, significant efforts have gone towards the thorough understanding of the heavier group 14 derivatives, with examples now known from across the d-block. This now leads towards applications in cooperative bond activation, and moves ultimately towards well-defined catalytic systems. This review aims to summarise this vast field, from initial discoveries of tetrylene and tetrylyne complexes, to the most recent developments in reactivity and catalysis, as a platform to the future of this exciting, blossoming field.

Distinct modes of Si-H binding to Rh in complexes of a phosphine-diarylamido-silane (SiNP) pincer ligand

Syntheses of Rh complexes of the phosphine-amido-silane SiNP ligand are reported. The reaction of the parent (SiNP)H ligand (4) with 0.5 equiv. [(COE)RhCl]₂ (COE = cis-cyclooctene) in the presence of NaN(SiME₃)₂ resulted in the formation of (SiNP)Rh(COE) (5). Compound 5 was converted to a series of (SiNP)Rh(P(OR)₃) complexes 6-10 (R = Ph, ⁱPr, ⁿBu, Et, or Me) by treatment with the corresponding phosphite. NMR and XRD structural data, as well as the DFT computational analysis indicate that compounds 5-10 are divided into two structural Types (A and B), differing in the nature of the interaction of the Si-H bond of the SiNP ligand with Rh.

Activation of H-H, HO-H, C(sp2)-H, C(sp3)-H, and RO-H Bonds by Transition-Metal Frustrated Lewis Pairs Based on M/N (M = Rh, Ir) Couples

Reaction of the dimers [(Cp*MCl)₂(μ-Cl)₂] (Cp* = η⁵-C₅Me₅) with Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NC(NH(p-Tolyl))₂ (H₂L) in the presence of NaSbF₆ affords the chlorido complexes [Cp*MCl(κ²N,P-H₂L)][SbF₆] (M = Rh, 1; Ir, 2). Upon treatment with aqueous NaOH, solutions of 1 and 2 yield the corresponding complexes [Cp*M(κ³N,N′,P-HL)][SbF₆] (M = Rh, 3; Ir, 4) in which the ligand HL presents a fac κ³N,N′,P coordination mode. Treatment of THF solutions of complexes 3 and 4 with hydrogen gas, at room temperature, results in the formation of the metal hydrido-complexes [Cp*MH(κ²N,P-H₂L)][SbF₆] (M = Rh, 5; Ir, 6) in which the N(p-Tolyl) group has been protonated. Complexes 3 and 4 react with deuterated water in a reversible fashion resulting in the gradual deuteration of the Cp* group. Heating at 383 K THF/H₂O solutions of the complexes 3 and 4 affords the orthometalated complexes [Cp*M(κ³C,N,P-H₂L_-H)][SbF₆] [M = Rh, 7; Ir, 8, H₂L_-H = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NC(NH(p-Tolyl))(NH(4-C₆H₃Me))], respectively. At 333 K, complexes 3 and 4 react in THF with methanol, primary alcohols, or 2-propanol giving the metal-hydrido complexes 5 and 6, respectively. The reaction involves the acceptorless dehydrogenation of the alcohols at a relatively low temperature, without the assistance of an external base. The new complexes have been characterized by the usual analytical and spectroscopic methods including the X-ray diffraction determination of the crystal structures of complexes 1–5, 7, and 8. Notably, the chlorido complexes 1 and 2 crystallize both as enantiopure conglomerates and as racemates. Reaction mechanisms are proposed based on stoichiometric reactions, nuclear magnetic resonance studies, and X-ray crystallography as well as density functional theory calculations.

In solution, masked transition-metal frustrated Lewis pairs (TMFLPs) give rise to the corresponding TMFLP species which activate dihydrogen, water, and alcohols following FLP reaction pathways. When D₂O or alcohols with deuterated OH groups were employed, H/D exchange at the Cp* ligand (involving C(sp³)−H activation) was observed. C(sp²)−H bond activation involving orthometalation of the p-Tolyl ring was also observed.

Cobalt Silylenes as Platforms for Catalytic Nitrene‐Group Transfer by Metal–Ligand Cooperation

A powerful approach to cooperative group-transfer catalysis is demonstrated using the Co=Si bond of a cobalt silylene to provide two distinct sites for substrate activation. The orthogonal selectivity of the Co and Si centers enables efficient nitrene-group transfer to carbon monoxide by avoiding poisoning that would result from substrates competing for a single reactive site.

Synthesis and structure of a pyridine-stabilized silanone molybdenum complex and its reactions with PMe3 and acetone

The synthesis, structure and reactivity of a pyridine-stabilized silanone molybdenum complex are described.

Pincer-supported metal/main-group bonds as platforms for cooperative transformations

Electron-rich late metals and electropositive main-group elements (metals and metalloids) can be combined to provide an ambiphilic façade for exploring metal-ligand cooperation, yet the instability of the metal/main-group bond frequently limits the study and application of such units. Incorporating main-group donors into pincer frameworks, where they are stabilized and held in proximity to the transition-metal partner, can allow discovery of new modes of reactivity and incorporation into catalytic processes. This Perspective summarizes common modes of cooperativity that have been demonstrated for pincer frameworks featuring metal/main-group bonds, highlighting similarities among boron, aluminium, and silicon donors and identifying directions for further development.

Cooperativity in Transition Metal Tetrylene Complexes

Cooperative reactivity between transition metals and ligands, or between two metals, has created significant opportunities for the development of new transformations that would be difficult to carry out with a single metal. Here we explore cooperativity between transition metals and divalent heavier group 14 elements (tetrylenes), a less-explored facet of the field of cooperativity. Tetrylenes combine their strong σ-donor properties with an empty p-orbital that can accept electron density. This ambiphilicity has allowed them to form metal tetrylene and metallotetrylene complexes that place a reactive site adjacent to the metal. We have selected examples to demonstrate what has been achieved so far regarding cooperative reactivity, as this already spans metal-, tetrylene- or multi-site-centred bond cleavage, cycloaddition, migration, metathesis, and insertion. We also highlight some challenges that need to be overcome for this cooperativity to make it to catalysis.

Bimetallic, Silylene-Mediated Multielectron Reductions of Carbon Dioxide and Ethylene

A metal/ligand cooperative approach to the reduction of small molecules by metal silylene complexes (R₂ Si=M) is demonstrated, whereby silicon activates the incoming substrate and mediates net two-electron transformations by one-electron redox processes at two metal centers. An appropriately tuned cationic pincer cobalt(I) complex, featuring a central silylene donor, reacts with CO₂ to afford a bimetallic siloxane, featuring two Co^II centers, with liberation of CO; reaction of the silylene complex with ethylene yields a similar bimetallic product with an ethylene bridge. Experimental and computational studies suggest a plausible mechanism proceeding by [2+2] cycloaddition to the silylene complex, which is quite sensitive to the steric environment. The Co^II /Co^II products are reactive to oxidation and reduction. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a strategy for metal/ligand cooperative small-molecule activation that is well-suited to 3d metals.

C(sp2)-H Borylation of Heterocycles by Well-Defined Bis(silylene)pyridine Cobalt(III) Precatalysts: Pincer Modification, C(sp2)-H Activation and Catalytically Relevant Intermediates

Well-defined bis(silylene)pyridine cobalt(III) precatalysts for C(sp2)-H borylation have been synthesized and applied to the investigation of the mechanism of the catalytic borylation of furans and pyridines. Specifically, [( Ar SiNSi)CoH3]·NaHBEt3 ( Ar SiNSi = 2,6-[EtNSi(NtBu)2CAr]2C5H3N, Ar = C6H5 (1-H 3 ·NaHBEt 3 ), 4-MeC6H4 (2-H 3 ·NaHBEt 3 )) and trans-[( Ar SiNSi)Co(H)2BPin] (Ar = C6H5 (1-(H) 2 BPin), 4-MeC6H4 (2-(H) 2 BPin), Pin = pinacolato) were prepared and employed as single component precatalysts for the C(sp2)-H borylation of 2-methylfuran, benzofuran and 2,6-lutidine. The cobalt(III) precursors, 2-H 3 ·NaHBEt 3 and 2-(H) 2 BPin also promoted C(sp2)-H activation of benzofuran, yielding [(ArSiNSi)CoH(Bf)2] (Ar = 4-MeC6H4, 2-H(Bf) 2 , Bf = 2-benzofuranyl). Monitoring the catalytic borylation of 2-methylfuran and 2,6-lutidine by 1H NMR spectroscopy established the trans-dihydride cobalt(III) boryl as the catalyst resting state at low substrate conversion. At higher conversion two distinct pincer modification pathways were identified, depending on the substrate and the boron source.

Reversible Activation of Water by an Air- and Moisture-Stable Frustrated Rhodium Nitrogen Lewis Pair

[Cp*Rh(κ³ N,N',P-L)][SbF₆ ] (Cp*=C₅ Me₅ ), bearing a guanidine-derived phosphano ligand L, behaves as a "dormant" frustrated Lewis pair and activates H₂ and H₂ O in a reversible manner. When D₂ O is employed, a facile H/D exchange at the Cp* ring takes place through sequential C(sp³ )-H bond activation.

A phosphine-stabilized silylene rhodium complex

The first example of a phosphine stabilized silylene rhodium complex.