Structural and Spectroscopic Demonstration of Agostic C−C Interactions in Electron-Deficient Metallacyclobutanes and Related Cage Complexes: Possible Implications for Olefin Polymerizations and Metatheses

Double Tethered Metallacyclobutane Catalyst for Cyclic Polymer Synthesis

This work outlines an approach to creating a catalyst for cyclic polymer synthesis using readily available materials in only one or two steps. Combining commercially available molybdenum-alkylidene 1 with two equivalents of ene-ol proligand 2 rapidly produces, in quantitative yield (1H NMR spectroscopy), the double tethered metallacyclobutane complex 3. Characterized by variable temperature NMR studies and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) experiments, complex 3 exhibits fluxional behavior in solution. Determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, the solid-state structure of complex 3 reveals metrical parameters indicating that the metallacyclobutane is not predicted to undergo rapid retro-cycloaddition. However, complex 3 is a precatalyst for the polymerization of norbornene to produce cyclic polynorbornene. An NMR spectrum of a test polymerization indicates that only a small fraction of the precatalyst is activated upon exposure to monomer. Quantifying the active catalyst is possible by measuring vinyl resonances that appear in the 1H NMR spectrum. The vinyl resonances are attributable to the release of one of the tethers upon norbornene addition. Confirmation of the polymer cyclic topology comes from gel permeation chromatography (GPC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and intrinsic viscosity (η) measurements. The double tethered metallacyclobutane complex is a novel design for catalytic cyclic polymer synthesis. The synthetic approach suggests that catalyst tuning is possible by a choice of the commercial alkylidene and alteration of the ene-ol proligand.

Carbon-13 NMR Chemical Shift: A Descriptor for Electronic Structure and Reactivity of Organometallic Compounds

Metal-bonded carbon atoms in metal-alkyl, metal-carbene/alkylidene, and metal-carbyne/alkylidyne species often show significantly more deshielded isotropic chemical shifts than their organic counterparts (alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes). While isotropic chemical shift is universally used to characterize a chemical compound in solution, it is an average value of the three principal components of the chemical shift tensor (δ₁₁ > δ₂₂ > δ₃₃). The tensor components, which are accessible by solid-state NMR spectroscopy, can provide detailed information about the electronic structure (frontier molecular orbitals) at the observed nuclei. This information can be accessed in detail by quantum chemical calculations, most notably by an analysis of the paramagnetic contribution to the NMR shielding tensor. The paramagnetic term mainly results from the coupling of occupied and empty molecular orbitals close in energy-the frontier molecular orbitals-under the effect of the external magnetic field (B₀). In organometallic compounds, a large deshielding of the isotropic carbon-13 chemical shift of the metal-bonded carbon atom is commonly related to the coupling between the occupied σ_M-C orbital and low-lying vacant orbitals of π_M═C^* character. The deshielding at the α-carbon hence probes the extent of σ_M-C and π_M═C^* interactions. This molecular orbital view readily explains the strong deshielding and large anisotropy (evidenced by the span Ω = δ₁₁ - δ₃₃) observed in metal alkylidenes and alkylidynes (200 < δ_iso < 400 ppm). Fischer carbenes are generally more deshielded than Schrock or Grubbs alkylidenes due to their low-lying π_M═C^* orbital. Chemical shift hence shows their higher electrophilic character, connecting NMR spectroscopy to reactivity patterns. Similarly, the α-carbon of metal-alkyls display deshielded chemical shifts in specific coordination environments. This deshielding, which is often prominently pronounced for cationic species, indicates the presence of partial π-bond character in the metal-carbon bond, making these bonds topologically equivalent to alkylidene π-bonds. The π-character in metal-alkyl bonds favors (i) α-H abstraction processes in metal bis-alkyl compounds yielding metal alkylidenes, (ii) [2 + 2]-retrocyclization of metallacyclobutanes that participate in olefin metathesis, (iii) olefin insertion in cationic metal alkyls thus explaining polymerization activity trends and the importance of α-H agostic interactions, and (iv) C-H bond activation on metal-alkyls via σ-bond metathesis. The presence of π-character in the metal-carbon bonds involved in these processes rationalizes the parallel reactivity patterns of metal-alkyls toward olefin insertion and σ-bond metathesis and the fact that σ-bond metathesis, olefin insertion, and olefin metathesis are commonly observed with metal atoms in the same ligand field. Because of the similarities in the frontier molecular orbitals involved in these processes, these reactions can be viewed as isolobal. This explains why certain fragments, such as bent metallocenes (d⁰ Cp₂M) or T-shaped L₃M, are ubiquitous in these reactions.

Insertion of Isonitriles into the M-C Bonds of Group 4 Dialkyl Complexes

The 2,3-dimethylbutadiene complexes of Group 4 metals with constrained geometry (cg) ligands have been prepared and found to adopt a supine orientation with σ²,π bonding. Treatment of cgTi(2,3-dimethylbutadiene) (1-Ti) with ^tBuNC leads to the formation of a titana-aziridine (3) with a coordinated cyclopentenimine that arises from the formal [4+1] addition of the diene to the isonitrile. In contrast, the reactions of cgZr(2,3-dimethylbutadiene) (1-Zr) or cgHf(2,3-dimethylbutadiene) (1-Hf) with 2 equiv of ^tBuNC or XyNC proceeded in a more sophisticated manner to yield unsymmetrical 2,5-diazametallacyclopentane derivatives (4, 6-Zr, and 6-Hf) or symmetrical 2,5-diazametallacyclopentene complexes (7-Zr and 7-Hf). The unsymmetrical products contain coordinated cyclopropanes; the strength of the interaction is measured by the reduction in the ¹ J_CC of the C-C bond that is coordinated. A detailed mechanistic analysis has been possible with the related cgM(Me)₂ (M = Ti and Hf) complexes. The first insertion is too fast to monitor, but allows complete conversion to an alkyl iminoacyl intermediate. The second isonitrile (RNC) may react with that intermediate by either of two different mechanisms, reductive elimination and coordination/insertion. In the first mechanism (Ti), rate-determining C-C coupling gives a titana-aziridine, followed by fast coordination of the isonitrile. In the second mechanism (Hf), coordination is the slow step; insertion to form a bis(iminoacyl) Hf complex is rapid.

Metathesis Activity Encoded in the Metallacyclobutane Carbon-13 NMR Chemical Shift Tensors

Metallacyclobutanes are an important class of organometallic intermediates, due to their role in olefin metathesis. They can have either planar or puckered rings associated with characteristic chemical and physical properties. Metathesis active metallacyclobutanes have short M-C_α/α' and M···C_β distances, long C_α/α'-C_β bond length, and isotropic ¹³C chemical shifts for both early d⁰ and late d⁴ transition metal compounds for the α- and β-carbons appearing at ca. 100 and 0 ppm, respectively. Metallacyclobutanes that do not show metathesis activity have ¹³C chemical shifts of the α- and β-carbons at typically 40 and 30 ppm, respectively, for d⁰ systems, with upfield shifts to ca. -30 ppm for the α-carbon of metallacycles with higher d ⁿ electron counts (n = 2 and 6). Measurements of the chemical shift tensor by solid-state NMR combined with an orbital (natural chemical shift, NCS) analysis of its principal components (δ₁₁ ≥ δ₂₂ ≥ δ₃₃) with two-component calculations show that the specific chemical shift of metathesis active metallacyclobutanes originates from a low-lying empty orbital lying in the plane of the metallacyclobutane with local π*(M-C_α/α') character. Thus, in the metathesis active metallacyclobutanes, the α-carbons retain some residual alkylidene character, while their β-carbon is shielded, especially in the direction perpendicular to the ring. Overall, the chemical shift tensors directly provide information on the predictive value about the ability of metallacyclobutanes to be olefin metathesis intermediates.

Hypercoordinate β-carbon in Grubbs and Schrock olefin metathesis metallacycles

From the analysis of structural, bond order, electron density and ¹³C NMR data of a large variety of ruthenacyclobutanes and tungstenacyclobutanes, we show that the C_β of the metallacycle is pentacoordinate.

Synthetic approaches to (smif)2Ti (smif = 1,3-di-(2-pyridyl)-2-azaallyl) reveal redox non-innocence and C-C bond-formation

Attempted syntheses of (smif)(2)Ti (smif =1,3-di-(2-pyridyl)-2-azaallyl) based on metatheses of TiCl(n)L(m) (n = 2-4) with M(smif) (M = Li, Na), in the presence of a reducing agent (Na/Hg) when necessary, failed, but several apparent Ti(II) species were identified by X-ray crystallography and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy: (smif){Li(smif-smif)}Ti (1, X-ray), [(smif)Ti](2)(μ-κ(3),κ(3)-N,N(py)(2)-smif,smif) (2), (smif)Ti(κ(3)-N,N(py)(2)-smif,(smif)H) (3), and (smif)Ti(dpma) (4, dpma = di-2-pyridylmethyl-amide). NMR spectroscopy and K-edge XAS showed that each compound possesses ligands that are redox noninnnocent, such that d(1) Ti(III) centers AF-couple to ligand radicals: (smif){Li(smif-smif)(2-)}Ti(III) (1), [(smif(2-))Ti(III)](2)(μ-κ(3),κ(3)-N,N(py)(2)-smif,smif) (2), [(smif(2-))Ti(III)](κ(3)-N,N(py)(2)-smif,(smif)H) (3), and (smif(2-))Ti(III)(dpma) (4). The instability of (smif)(2)Ti relative to its C-C coupled dimer, 2, is rationalized via the complementary nature of the amide and smif radical dianion ligands, which are also common to 3 and 4. Calculations support this contention.

C-C activation in the solid state in an organometallic σ-complex

Herein is reported the synthesis, by a solid-state reaction from [Ir(NBD)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))][BAr(F)(4)], of the first example of a C-C σ-complex with iridium, [Ir(BINOR-S)(P(i)Pr(3))][BAr(F)(4)]. This compound is unique in that in the solid state it undergoes reversible activation of the C-C single bond that interacts with the metal center, establishing a temperature-dependent equilibrium between Ir(III) C-C σ/Ir(V) bis-alkyl complexes. This process has been interrogated by variable-temperature X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations.

Characterization and dynamics of substituted ruthenacyclobutanes relevant to the olefin cross-metathesis reaction

The reaction of the phosphonium alkylidene [(H(2)IMes)RuCl(2)=CHP(Cy)(3))](+) BF(4)(-) with propene, 1-butene, and 1-hexene at -45 °C affords various substituted, metathesis-active ruthenacycles. These metallacycles were found to equilibrate over extended reaction times in response to decreases in ethylene concentrations, which favored increased populations of α-monosubstituted and α,α'-disubstituted (both cis and trans) ruthenacycles. On an NMR time scale, rapid chemical exchange was found to preferentially occur between the β-hydrogens of the cis and trans stereoisomers prior to olefin exchange. Exchange on an NMR time scale was also observed between the α- and β-methylene groups of the monosubstituted ruthenacycle (H(2)IMes)Cl(2)Ru(CHRCH(2)CH(2)) (R = CH(3), CH(2)CH(3), (CH(2))(3)CH(3)). EXSY NMR experiments at -87 °C were used to determine the activation energies for both of these exchange processes. In addition, new methods have been developed for the direct preparation of metathesis-active ruthenacyclobutanes via the protonolysis of dichloro(1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2-imidazolidinylidene)(benzylidene) bis(pyridine)ruthenium(II) and its 3-bromopyridine analogue. Using either trifluoroacetic acid or silica-bound toluenesulfonic acid as the proton source, the ethylene-derived ruthenacyclobutane (H(2)IMes)Cl(2)Ru(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)) was observed in up to 98% yield via NMR at -40 °C. On the basis of these studies, mechanisms accounting for the positional and stereochemical exchange within ruthenacyclobutanes are proposed, as well as the implications of these dynamics toward olefin metathesis catalyst and reaction design are described.

The sigma-CAM Mechanism: sigma complexes as the basis of sigma-bond metathesis at late-transition-metal centers

Complexes in which a sigma-H--E bond (E=H, B, Si, C) acts as a two-electron donor to the metal center are called sigma complexes. Clues that it is possible to interconvert sigma ligands without a change in oxidation state derive from C--H activation reactions effecting isotope exchange and from dynamic rearrangements of sigma complexes (see Frontispiece). Through these pathways, metathesis of M--E bonds can occur at late transition metals. We call this process sigma-complex-assisted metathesis, or sigma-CAM, which is distinct from the familiar sigma-bond metathesis (typical for d(0) metals and requiring no intermediate) and from oxidative-reductive elimination mechanisms (inherently requiring intermediates with changed oxidation states and sometimes involving sigma complexes). There are examples of sigma-CAM mechanisms in catalysis, especially for alkane borylation and isotope exchange of alkanes. It may also occur in silylation and alkene hydrogenation.

Understanding d0-Olefin Metathesis Catalysts: Which Metal, Which Ligands?

Density functional theory (DFT, B3PW91) calculations have been carried out on the reactivity of ethene with model systems M(NR)(=CHCH3)(X)(Y) for M = Mo or W, R = methyl or phenyl, X = CH2CH3, OCH3, or OSiH3, and Y = CH2CH3, OCH3, or OSiH3, which are representative of experimental olefin metathesis catalysts, and the results are compared to those previously obtained for Re(CCH3)(=CHCH3)(X)(Y). The general pathway comprises four steps: olefin coordination, [2+2] cycloaddition, cycloreversion, and olefin de-coordination. Two key factors have been found to control the detailed shape of the energy profiles: the energy of distortion of the tetrahedral catalyst and the stability of the metallacycle intermediate, which is controlled by the M-C bond strength. The efficiency has been evaluated by calculating the turnover frequency (TOF) based on the steady-state approximation, and the most striking feature is that the unsymmetrical catalysts (X not equal to Y) are systematically more efficient for all systems (Mo, W, and Re). Overall, the Re complexes have been found to be less efficient than the Mo and W catalysts, except when Re is unsymmetrically substituted: it is then calculated to be as efficient as the best Mo and W catalysts.

Mechanistic Studies on 14-Electron Ruthenacyclobutanes: Degenerate Exchange with Free Ethylene

The phosphonium alkylidene [(NHC)Cl2Ru=CH(PCy3)]+[B(C6F5)4]-, 1, (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene, Cy = cyclohexyl, C6H11) reacts with 2.2 equiv of ethylene at -50 degrees C to form the 14-electron ruthenacyclobutane (NHC)Cl2Ru(CH2CH2CH2), 2. NMR spectroscopic data indicates that 2 has a C2v symmetric structure with a flat, kite shaped ruthenacyclobutane ring with significant Calpha-Cbeta agostic interactions with the Ru center. Intramolecular exchange of Calpha and Cbeta is fast (14(2) s-1 at 223 K) as measured by EXSY spectroscopy. Intermolecular exchange of Calpha and Cbeta with the methylene groups of free ethylene is much slower and first order in both [Ru] and [H2C=CH2] (4.8(3) x 10-4 M-1 s-1). Activation parameters for this process are DeltaH++ = 13.2(5) kcal mol-1 and DeltaS++ = -15(2) cal mol-1 K-1, also consistent with a rate limiting associative substitution as the key step in this exchange process. On the basis of this observation, mechanisms for the intermolecular exchange process are proposed and the implications for the mechanism of the propagation steps in catalytic olefin metathesis as mediated by Grubbs catalysts are discussed.