Tris(cyclopentadienyl)lanthanide Complexes as Catalysts for Hydroboration Reaction toward Aldehydes and Ketones

Chemoselective Luche-type reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones by aluminium hydride catalysis

A novel, simple, eco-friendly, non-toxic aluminium catalyst was synthesised for the chemoselective reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones. A wide range of ketones were achieved with excellent yields, mild conditions, and low catalyst loading. Furthermore, this unprecedented method allowed for the stereoselective reduction of natural ketones.

Rare Earth Amide-Catalyzed Direct Thioesterification of Aldehydes with Thiols under Mild Conditions

Direct thioesterification of aldehydes with thiols catalyzed by readily accessible rare earth/lithium amide RE[N(SiMe3)2]3(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 is developed, which enables the preparation of a range of thioesters (31 examples) under room temperature and solvent-free conditions, without using any additive or external oxidant. This method provides a straightforward and atom-efficient approach for the thioester synthesis.

s-Block Metal Catalysts for the Hydroboration of Unsaturated Bonds

The addition of a B-H bond to an unsaturated bond (polarized or unpolarized) is a powerful and atom-economic tool for the synthesis of organoboranes. In recent years, s-block organometallics have appeared as alternative catalysts to transition-metal complexes, which traditionally catalyze the hydroboration of unsaturated bonds. Because of the recent and rapid development in the field of hydroboration of unsaturated bonds catalyzed by alkali (Li, Na, K) and alkaline earth (Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) metals, we provide a detailed and updated comprehensive review that covers the synthesis, reactivity, and application of s-block metal catalysts in the hydroboration of polarized as well as unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds. Moreover, we describe the main reaction mechanisms, providing valuable insight into the reactivity of the s-block metal catalysts. Finally, we compare these s-block metal complexes with other redox-neutral catalytic systems based on p-block metals including aluminum complexes and f-block metal complexes of lanthanides and early actinides. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive, authoritative, and critical assessment of the state of the art within this highly interesting research area.

Hydroboration and reductive amination of ketones and aldehydes with HBpin by a bench stable Pd(II)-catalyst

A palladium(II) complex [(κ⁴-{1,2-C₆H₄(NCH-C₆H₄O)₂}Pd] (1) supported by a dianionic salen ligand [1,2-C₆H₄(NCH-C₆H₄O)₂]^2- (L) was synthesised and used as a molecular pre-catalyst in the hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones. The molecular structure of Pd(II) complex 1 was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 was tested as a competent pre-catalyst in the hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones with pinacolborane (HBpin) to produce corresponding boronate esters in excellent yields at ambient temperature under solvent-free conditions. Further, the complex 1 proved to be a competent catalyst in the reductive amination of aldehydes with HBpin and primary amines under mild and solvent-free conditions to afford a high yield (up to 97%) of corresponding secondary amines. Both protocols provided high conversion, superior selectivity and broad substrate scope, from electron-withdrawing to electron-donating and heterocyclic substitutions. A computational study based on density functional theory (DFT) revealed a reaction mechanism for Pd-catalysed hydroboration of carbonyl species in the presence of HBpin. The protocols also uncovered the dual role of HBpin in achieving the hydroboration reaction.

Synthesis and characterization of rare-earth metallate amido complexes bearing 2-amidate-functionalized indolyl ligand and their application in the hydroboration of esters with pinacolborane

The reactions of 2-amidate-functionalized indolyl proligand 2-(2,6-iPr2C6H3NHC=O)C8H5NH (H2L) with [(Me3Si)2N]3RE(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 were studied leading to the synthesis and characterization of a series of novel discrete trinuclear rare-earth metal metallate amido complexes...

Lithium and magnesium complexes from the employment of pyridyl-pendanted unsymmetrical β-diketiminates: syntheses and utilization as catalysts for the hydroboration of carbonyl compounds

The push for environmentally benign and sustainable chemical processes has reinforced the demand to displace transition metals with cheap, nontoxic and naturally abundant metals. To fulfil this requirement, we endeavored...

Hydroborative reduction of amides to amines mediated by La(CH2C6H4NMe2-o)3

La(CH2C6H4NMe2-o)3/HBpin is an efficient catalytic system for the deoxygenative reduction of primary, secondary and tertiary amides to amines.

n-Butyllithium as a highly efficient precatalyst for cyanosilylation of aldehydes and ketones

A highly efficient cyanosilylation protocol mediated by the easily available n-BuLi with a wide range of aldehydes and ketones was developed. This protocol features excellent yields with very low n-BuLi loadings (0.01-0.05 mol%) at room temperature, solvent-free process, good chemo-/regio-selectivity and functional group tolerance and scalability. A possible reaction pathway based upon stoichiometric reactivity was put forward.

Reduction of Amides to Amines with Pinacolborane Catalyzed by Heterogeneous Lanthanum Catalyst La(CH2C6H4NMe2-o)3@SBA-15

Hydroboration of amides is a useful synthetic strategy to access the corresponding amines. In this contribution, it was found that the supported lanthanum benzyl material La(CH₂C₆H₄NMe₂-o)₃@SBA-15 was highly active for the hydroboration of primary, secondary, and tertiary amides to amines with pinacolborane. These reactions selectively produced target amines and showed good tolerance for functional groups such as -NO₂, -halogen, and -CN, as well as heteroatoms such as S and O. This reduction procedure exhibited the recyclable and reusable property of heterogeneous catalysts and was applicable to gram-scale synthesis. The reaction mechanisms were proposed based on some control experiments and the previous literature. This is the first example of hydroborative reduction of amides to amines mediated by heterogeneous catalysts.

An Unsymmetric Imino-Phosphanamidinate Ligand and its Y(III) Complex: Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Hydroboration of Carbonyl Compounds

An imino-phosphanamide ligand, [NHI^iPr2Me2P(Ph)NH-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃] (LH), containing two different N-substituents was prepared by the direct reaction of the lithium salt of N-heterocyclic imine (NHI) with phenylchloro-2,6-diisopropylphenyl phosphanamine, PhP(Cl)NH-2,6-ⁱPr₂-C₆H₃. Reaction of LH with Y(N(SiMe₃)₂)₃ afforded the heteroleptic complex, [{L}Y(N(SiMe₃)₂)₂] (1), by elimination of HN(SiMe₃)₂. Compound 1 was characterized by multinuclear NMR and X-ray crystallography. In the complex, the Y(III) center was found to be tetracoordinate in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The ligand, imino-phosphanamidinate, [L]^-, functions in a chelating manner, and its coordination to Y(III) results in a distorted 4-membered YPN₂ ring. As a proof of principle of its activity, 1 was used as a precatalyst for the hydroboration of various aldehydes and ketones using HBpin as the hydrogen source. The hydroboration reaction was rapid and clean even with low catalyst loadings (0.01-0.1 mol %). In addition, a very good functional group tolerance was observed in these reactions.

Samarium(iii) catalyzed synthesis of alkenylboron compounds via hydroboration of alkynes

The homoleptic lanthanide complex Sm[N(TMS)₂]₃ is an efficient rare-earth catalyst for the hydroboration of alkynes to the corresponding alkenylboron compounds.

CeO2–nanocubes as efficient and selective catalysts for the hydroboration of carbonyl groups

An efficient and reusable CeO2 nanocatalyst has been developed for the selective hydroboration of carbonyl compounds, including aromatic, heteroaromatic, aliphatic, and (hetero)aliphatic aldehydes and ketones.

Organic synthesis with the most abundant transition metal–iron: from rust to multitasking catalysts

The promising aspects of iron in synthetic chemistry are being explored for three-four decades as a green and eco-friendly alternative to late transition metals. This present review unveils these rich iron-chemistry towards different transformations.

Pentagonal Bipyramidal Ln(III) Complexes Containing an Axial Phosphine Oxide Ligand: Field-induced Single-ion Magnetism Behavior of the Dy(III) Analogues

A series of neutral homologous complexes [(L)Ln(Cy₃PO)Cl] {where Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), and Er (5)} and [(L)Dy(Ph₃PO)Cl] (4) [H₂L = 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis-benzoylhydrazone] were isolated. In these complexes, the central lanthanide ion possesses a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry with an overall pseudo D_5h symmetry. The coordination environment around the lanthanide ion comprises of three nitrogen and two oxygen donors in an equatorial plane. The axial positions are taken up by a phosphine oxide (O donor) and a chloride ion. Among these compounds, the Dy(III) (3 and 4) analogues were found to be field-induced single-ion magnets.

Homoleptic Bis(trimethylsilyl)amides of Yttrium Complexes Catalyzed Hydroboration Reduction of Amides to Amines

Homoleptic lanthanide complex Y[N(TMS)₂]₃ is an efficient homogeneous catalyst for the hydroboration reduction of secondary amides and tertiary amides to corresponding amines. A series of amides containing different functional groups such as cyano, nitro, and vinyl groups were found to be well-tolerated. This transformation has also been nicely applied to the synthesis of indoles and piribedil. Detailed isotopic labeling experiments, control experiments, and kinetic studies provided cumulative evidence to elucidate the reaction mechanism.

Highly Chemoselective Hydroboration of Alkynes and Nitriles Catalyzed by Group 4 Metal Amidophosphine-Borane Complexes

We report a series of titanium and zirconium complexes supported by dianionic amidophosphine-borane ligands, synthesized by amine elimination and salt metathesis reactions. The Ti^IV complex [{Ph₂P(BH₃)N}₂C₆H₄Ti(NMe₂)₂] (1) was obtained by the reaction between tetrakis-(dimethylamido)titanium(IV) and the protic aminophosphine-borane ligand [{Ph₂P(BH₃)NH}₂C₆H₄] (LH2) at ambient temperature. Both the heteroleptic zirconium complexes-[η⁵-(C₅H₅)₂Zr{Ph₂P(BH₃)N}₂C₆H₄] (2) and [[{Ph₂P(BH₃)N}₂C₆H₄]ZrCl₂] (3)-and the homoleptic zirconium complex [[{Ph₂P(BH₃)N}₂C₆H₄]₂Zr] (4) were obtained in good yield by the salt metathesis reaction of either zirconocene dichloride [η⁵-(C₅H₅)₂ZrCl₂] or zirconium tetrachloride with the dilithium salt of the ligand [{Ph₂P(BH₃)NLi}₂C₆H₄] (LLi2), which was prepared in situ. The molecular structures of the complexes 1, 2, and 4 in their solid states were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Of these complexes, only titanium complex 1 acts as an effective catalyst for the facile hydroboration of terminal alkynes, yielding exclusive E-isomers. The hydroboration of organic nitriles yielded diborylamines with a broad substrate scope, including broad functional group compatibility. The mechanism of hydroboration occurs through the formation of titanium hydride as an active species.

1-D manganese(ii)-terpyridine coordination polymers as precatalysts for hydrofunctionalisation of carbonyl compounds

Efficient hydroboration and hydrosilylation of ketones and aldehydes has been achieved using a Mn^II-coordination polymer as precatalyst under mild conditions_.

Asymmetric ketone hydroboration catalyzed by alkali metal complexes derived from BINOL ligands

The ability of alkali metal complexes featuring functionalized BINOL-derived ligands to catalyze ketone hydroboration reactions was explored. The reduced products were formed in excellent yields and with variable enantioselectivities dependent upon the nature of the ligand and the alkali metal cation.

Syntheses of asymmetrical magnesium(i) complexes and their catalytic application in epoxide hydroboration

A series of novel structural magnesium(i) complexes stabilized by cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl substituted β-diketiminate ligands have been synthesized and used as highly active and regioselective pre-catalysts for various epoxides hydroboration.

Catalytic Hydroboration of Aldehydes, Ketones, and Alkenes Using Potassium Carbonate: A Small Key to Big Transformation

An efficient transition-metal-free protocol for the hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones (reduction) was developed. The hydroboration of a wide range of aldehydes and ketones with pinacolborane (HBpin) under the K₂CO₃ catalyst has been studied. The reaction system is practical and reliable and proceeds under extremely mild and operationally simple conditions. No prior preparation of the complex metal catalyst was required, and hydroboration occurred stoichiometrically. Further, the chemoselective reduction of aldehydes over ketones was carried out. Moreover, we demonstrated the use of K₂CO₃ as an efficient catalyst for the hydroboration of alkenes. The operational simplicity, inexpensive and transition-metal-free catalyst, and the applicability to gram-scale synthesis strengthen its potential applications for hydroboration (reduction) at an industrial scale.

Catalyst-Free Approach for Hydroboration of Carboxylic Acids under Mild Conditions

Herein, we present a facile method for deoxygenative hydroboration of a broad range of carboxylic acids under very mild conditions. The most striking feature of this attractive hydroboration is that this elusive and challenging transformation was realized without catalyst and solvent. The investigation of solvent effect showed that tetrahydrofuran was also suitable for this kind of reaction. Moreover, a successful gram-scale trial may provide a very promising toolkit for carboxylic acid reduction at a large scale.

Space Craft-like Octanuclear Co(II)-Silsesquioxane Nanocages: Synthesis, Structure, Magnetic Properties, Solution Behavior, and Catalytic Activity for Hydroboration of Ketones

Two novel space craft-like octanuclear Co(II)-silsesquioxane nanocages, {Co₈[(MeSiO₂)₄]₂(dmpz)₈} (SD/Co8a) and {Co₈[(PhSiO₂)₄]₂(dmpz)₈} (SD/Co8b) (SD = SunDi; Hdmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole), have been constructed from two similar multidentate silsesquioxane ligands assisted with a pyrazole ligand. The Co₈ skeleton consists of eight tetrahedral Co(II) ions arranged in a ring and is further capped by two (MeSiO₂)₄ ligands up and down. The auxiliary dmpz^- ligands seal the ring finally. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed SD/Co8a and SD/Co8b are highly stable in CH₂Cl₂. Magnetic analysis implies that SD/Co8a announces antiferromagnetic interactions between Co(II) ions. Moreover, both of them display good homogeneous catalytic activity for hydroboration of ketones in the presence of pinacolborane under mild conditions.