Cu24O24Si8R8: Organic Soluble 56-Membered Copper(I) Siloxane Cage and Its Use in Homogeneous Catalysis

Platonic and Archimedean solids in discrete metal-containing clusters

Metal-containing clusters have attracted increasing attention over the past 2-3 decades. This intense interest can be attributed to the fact that these discrete metal aggregates, whose atomically precise structures are resolved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), often possess intriguing geometrical features (high symmetry, aesthetically pleasing shapes and architectures) and fascinating physical properties, providing invaluable opportunities for the intersection of different disciplines including chemistry, physics, mathematical geometry and materials science. In this review, we attempt to reinterpret and connect these fascinating clusters from the perspective of Platonic and Archimedean solid characteristics, focusing on highly symmetrical and complex metal-containing (metal = Al, Ti, V, Mo, W, U, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, lanthanoids (Ln), and actinoids) high-nuclearity clusters, including metal-oxo/hydroxide/chalcogenide clusters and metal clusters (with metal-metal binding) protected by surface organic ligands, such as thiolate, phosphine, alkynyl, carbonyl and nitrogen/oxygen donor ligands. Furthermore, we present the symmetrical beauty of metal cluster structures and the geometrical similarity of different types of clusters and provide a large number of examples to show how to accurately describe the metal clusters from the perspective of highly symmetrical polyhedra. Finally, knowledge and further insights into the design and synthesis of unknown metal clusters are put forward by summarizing these "star" molecules.

Hybrid Silsesquioxane/Benzoate Cu7-Complexes: Synthesis, Unique Cage Structure, and Catalytic Activity

A series of phenylsilsesquioxane-benzoate heptacopper complexes 1-3 were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Two parallel routes of toluene spontaneous oxidation (into benzyl alcohol and benzoate) assisted the formation of the cagelike structure 1. A unique multi-ligation of copper ions (from (i) silsesquioxane, (ii) benzoate, (iii) benzyl alcohol, (iv) pyridine, (v) dimethyl-formamide and (vi) water ligands) was found in 1. Directed self-assembly using benzoic acid as a reactant afforded complexes 2-3 with the same main structural features as for 1, namely heptanuclear core coordinated by (i) two distorted pentameric cyclic silsesquioxane and (ii) four benzoate ligands, but featuring other solvate surroundings. Complex 3 was evaluated as a catalyst for the oxidation of alkanes to alkyl hydroperoxides and alcohols to ketones with hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide, respectively, at 50 °C in acetonitrile. The maximum yield of cyclohexane oxidation products as high as 32% was attained. The oxidation reaction results in a mixture of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide, cyclohexanol, and cyclohexanone. Upon the addition of triphenylphosphine, the cyclohexyl hydroperoxide is completely converted to cyclohexanol. The specific regio- and chemoselectivity in the oxidation of n-heptane and methylcyclohexane, respectively, indicate the involvement of of hydroxyl radicals. Complex 3 exhibits a high activity in the oxidation of alcohols.

Ambient-pressure synthesis of ethylene glycol catalyzed by C60-buffered Cu/SiO2

Bulk chemicals such as ethylene glycol (EG) can be industrially synthesized from either ethylene or syngas, but the latter undergoes a bottleneck reaction and requires high hydrogen pressures. We show that fullerene (exemplified by C₆₀) can act as an electron buffer for a copper-silica catalyst (Cu/SiO₂). Hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate over a C₆₀-Cu/SiO₂ catalyst at ambient pressure and temperatures of 180° to 190°C had an EG yield of up to 98 ± 1%. In a kilogram-scale reaction, no deactivation of the catalyst was seen after 1000 hours. This mild route for the final step toward EG can be combined with the already-industrialized ambient reaction from syngas to the intermediate of dimethyl oxalate.

Cuproussiloxane of Self-assemblies Cu20O20Si10Me10R10 and Cu24O24Si12Me12R12 and the Catalytic Property

Cuproussiloxane (1) is prepared from reaction of silanediol R(Me)Si(OH)2 (R = N(SiMe3)(2,6-iPr2C6H3)) and (CuMes)4 (Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), which crystalizes into two self-assemblies Cu24O24Si12Me12R12 ([(CuO)2Si(Me)R]12, 1a) and Cu20O20Si10Me10R10 ([(CuO)2Si(Me)R]10, 1b). 1a...

Formation of the Tertiary Sulfonamide C(sp3)-N Bond Using Alkyl Boronic Ester via Intramolecular and Intermolecular Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Cross-Coupling

A synthetic strategy for the formation of C(sp³)-N bonds, particularly through a copper-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling, is rare. Herein, we report a novel synthetic approach for the preparation of tertiary sulfonamides via copper-catalyzed intra- and intermolecular oxidative C(sp³)-N cross-coupling reactions. This method allows the utilization of the readily available C(sp³)-based pinacol boronate as a substrate and the tolerance of a wide range of functional groups under mild reaction conditions. The success of this strategy relies on the unprecedented additive effects of silanol and NaIO₄.

A Carbonate-Templated Decanuclear Mn Nanocage with Two Different Silsesquioxane Ligands

The mild reaction of the preorganized silsesquioxane precursor with Mn(II) acetate under ambient conditions results in a mixed-valent {Mn^II₆Mn^III₄} nanocage (SD/Mn10) which is protected by both acyclic trimer [Si3] and cyclic tetramer [Si4]. Serendipitous capture of atmospheric CO₂ as a μ₅-carbonate anion placed at the center supports the formation of the cluster. The magnetic analysis reveals the strong antiferromagnetic interactions between Mn ions. Moreover, the drop-casting film of SD/Mn10 shows photoelectric activity indicating its great potential as a semiconductor for photoelectric conversion applications.

N-Heterocyclic silylenes in coinage metal chemistry: an account of recent advances

This article intends to highlight and comprehensively summarize the recent developments in the field of silylene-coinage metal chemistry. Recent years have witnessed exponential growth in the utilization of N-heterocyclic silylenes as ligands in transition metal chemistry. Still, silylene-coinage metal complexes have only started to appear very recently. Particular attention is focused on the synthetic approaches to silylene-coinage metal complexes and their unusual properties derived from the spectroscopic and crystallographic data. Recent studies have demonstrated that silylene-coinage metal complexes exhibit catalytic efficiency towards hydrosilylation, copper-catalyzed alkyne azide cycloaddition (CuAAC), and glycosidation reactions. Although the chemistry of silylene-coinage metal complexes has only begun to blossom, these findings justify the need for a review at this stage of development. This article will summarize the previous work on silylene-coinage metal complexes followed by recent advances and conclude with future possibilities.

A rod-like hexanuclear nickel cluster based on a bi(pyrazole-alcohol) ligand: structure, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, magnetism and photocurrent response

An unusual one-dimensional zig-zag hexanuclear Ni(ii) cluster has been easily and successfully constructed using a designed multidentate pyrazole-alcohol ligand.

New Cu4Na4- and Cu5-Based Phenylsilsesquioxanes. Synthesis via Complexation with 1,10-Phenanthroline, Structures and High Catalytic Activity in Alkane Oxidations with Peroxides in Acetonitrile

Self-assembly of copper(II)phenylsilsesquioxane assisted by the use of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) results in isolation of two unusual cage-like compounds: (PhSiO1,5)12(CuO)4(NaO0.5)4(phen)4 1 and (PhSiO1,5)6(PhSiO1,5)7(HO0.5)2(CuO)5(O0.25)2(phen)3 2. X-Ray diffraction study revealed extraordinaire molecular architectures of both products. Namely, complex 1 includes single cyclic (PhSiO1,5)12 silsesquioxane ligand. Four sodium ions of 1 are additionally ligated by 1,10-phenanthrolines. In turn, “sodium-less” complex 2 represents coordination of 1,10-phenanthrolines to copper ions. Two silsesquioxane ligands of 2 are: (i) noncondensed cubane of a rare Si6-type and (ii) unprecedented Si7-based ligand including two HOSiO1.5 fragments. These silanol units were formed due to removal of phenyl groups from silicon atoms, observed in mild conditions. The presence of phenanthroline ligands in products 1 and 2 favored the π–π stacking interactions between neighboring cages. Noticeable that in the case of 1 all four phenanthrolines participated in such supramolecular organization, unlike to complex 2 where one of the three phenanthrolines is not “supramolecularly active”. Complexes 1 and 2 were found to be very efficient precatalysts in oxidations with hydroperoxides. A new method for the determination of the participation of hydroxyl radicals has been developed.

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.

Cu42Ge24Na4—A Giant Trimetallic Sesquioxane Cage: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Activity

Unprecedented germanium-based sesquioxane exhibits an extremely high nuclearity (Cu42Ge24Na4) and unusual encapsulation features. The compound demonstrated a high catalytic activity in the oxidative amidation of alcohols, with cost-effective catalyst loading down to 400 ppm of copper, and in the oxidation of cyclohexane and other alkanes with H2O2 in acetonitrile in the presence of nitric acid. Selectivity parameters and the mode of dependence of initial cyclohexane oxidation rate on initial concentration of the hydrocarbon indicate that the reaction occurs with the participation of hydroxyl radicals and alkyl hydroperoxides are formed as the main primary product. Alcohols have been transformed into the corresponding ketones by the catalytic oxidation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide.

Cu3L2 metal–organic cages for A3-coupling reactions: reversible coordination interaction triggered homogeneous catalysis and heterogeneous recovery

A novel Cu₃L₂ metal–organic cage, which features coordination interaction triggered solubility, can be a highly active and reusable catalyst to homogeneously catalyse the one-pot aldehyde–alkyne–amine A³-coupling reaction.

Family of Polynuclear Nickel Cagelike Phenylsilsesquioxanes; Features of Periodic Networks and Magnetic Properties

A new family of bi-, tetra-, penta-, and hexanickel cagelike phenylsilsesquioxanes 1-6 was obtained by self-assembly and transmetalation procedures. Their crystal structures were established by single-crystal X-ray analysis, and features of crystal packing relevant to the network formation were studied by a topological analysis. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 are isolated architectures, while 3, 5, and 6 present extended 1D and 3D networks. The investigation of magnetic properties revealed the presence of ferro- (1 and 3-5) or antiferromagnetic (2 and 6) interactions between Ni(II) ions, giving rise in the most cases (1, 2, and 4-6) to the presence of a slow relaxation of the magnetization, which can originate from the spin frustration.

Impact of Surface Chemistry on Copper Deposition in Mesoporous Silicon

An easy, efficient, and safe process is developed to metallize mesoporous silicon (PSi) with Cu from the decomposition of a solution of mesitylcopper (CuMes) in an imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL), [C1C4Im][NTf2]. The impregnation of a solution of CuMes in IL affords the deposition of metallic islands not only on the surface but also deep within the pores of a mesoporous Si layer with small pores below 10 nm. Therefore, this process is well suited to efficiently and completely metallize PSi layers. An in-depth mechanistic study shows that metal deposition is due to the reduction of CuMes by surface silane groups rather than by Si oxidation as observed in aqueous or water-containing media. This could open a new route to the chemical metallization of PSi by less-noble metals difficult to attain by a conventional displacement reaction.

Novel Cage-Like Hexanuclear Nickel(II) Silsesquioxane. Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Activity in Oxidations with Peroxides

New hexanuclear nickel(II) silsesquioxane [(PhSiO_1.5)₁₂(NiO)₆(NaCl)] (1) was synthesized as its dioxane-benzonitrile-water complex (PhSiO_1,5)₁₂(NiO)₆(NaCl)(C₄H₈O₂)₁₃(PhCN)₂(H₂O)₂ and studied by X-ray and topological analysis. The compound exhibits cylinder-like type of molecular architecture and represents very rare case of polyhedral complexation of metallasilsesquioxane with benzonitrile. Complex 1 exhibited catalytic activity in activation of such small molecules as light alkanes and alcohols. Namely, oxidation of alcohols with tert-butylhydroperoxide and alkanes with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The oxidation of methylcyclohexane gave rise to the isomeric ketones and unusual distribution of alcohol isomers.

Tin sulfide and selenide clusters soluble in organic solvents with the core structures of Sn4S6 and Sn4Se6

Reactions of LSnCl (1) (L = N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)(SiMe3)) with sulfur and selenium, respectively under mild conditions yielded two tin chalcogenide clusters. Surprisingly the tin atoms of the L4Sn4S6 (2) and L4Sn4Se6 (3) clusters are oxidized from Sn(II) of the precursor to Sn(IV) of the products under concomitant reduction of elemental sulfur and selenium to sulfide and selenide, respectively. The released chlorine radicals from the precursor LSnCl (1) react under oxidative addition with another LSnCl molecule to yield the side product LSnCl3 (4). The soluble nature of clusters 2 and 3 in organic solvents is a unique property of this class of compounds and makes them suitable for reactions in organic solvents. Compounds 2 and 3 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and multinuclear NMR investigations. Furthermore in ROP polymerization, the two products show high catalytic activity. For the first time a tin selenide compound functions in ROP catalysis.

Aryl(silyl)amino group stabilized hydridosilanediols: synthesis and characterization and use for preparation of alumino(hydrido)siloxanes

Alumino(hydrido)siloxane [RSi(H)O₂AlH(THF)]₂ (R = N(SiMe₂Ph)-2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃), prepared from the reaction of RSiH(OH)₂ and AlH₃·NMe₃ in THF under controlled temperature, shows an anchoring of the hydrido group on both the Si and Al atoms of the Si₂O₄Al₂ framework.

Cage-like copper(II) silsesquioxanes: transmetalation reactions and structural, quantum chemical, and catalytic studies

The transmetalation of bimetallic copper-sodium silsesquioxane cages, namely, [(PhSiO1.5 )10 (CuO)2 (NaO0.5 )2 ] ("Cooling Tower"; 1), [(PhSiO1.5 )12 (CuO)4 (NaO0.5 )4 ] ("Globule"; 2), and [(PhSiO1.5 )6 (CuO)4 (NaO0.5 )4 (PhSiO1.5 )6 ] ("Sandwich"; 3), resulted in the generation of three types of hexanuclear cylinder-like copper silsesqui- oxanes, [(PhSiO1.5 )12 (CuO)6 (C4 H9 OH)2 (C2 H5 OH)6 ] (4), [(PhSiO1.5 )12 (CuO)6 (C4 H8 O2 )4 (PhCN)2 (MeOH)4 ] (5), and [(PhSiO1.5 )12 (CuO)6 (NaCl)(C4 H8 O2 )12 (H2 O)2 ] (6). The products show a prominent "solvating system-structure" dependency, as determined by X-ray diffraction. Topological analysis of cages 1-6 was also performed. In addition, DFT theory was used to examine the structures of the Cooling Tower and Cylinder compounds, as well as the spin density distributions. Compounds 1, 2, and 5 were applied as catalysts for the direct oxidation of alcohols and amines into the corresponding amides. Compound 6 is an excellent catalyst in the oxidation reactions of benzene and alcohols.

A one-pot diastereoselective self assembly of C-stereogenic copper(I) diphosphine clusters

C-chirogenic diphosphine-based clusters with 8-membered "chairlike" Cu4Cl4L2 and 12-membered "drumlike" Cu6Cl6L3 (L = diphosphine) frameworks were prepared in one-pot syntheses from chiral diphosphines, which were generated in situ via the double hydrophosphination reaction in excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity. Excellent control over the final molecular architecture of the cluster (drum vs chair) could be achieved by the judicious selection of the source of the copper atoms employed in the synthetic protocol. Each cluster was characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy. The synthesized clusters were found to exhibit catalytic activity in the hydroboration reaction of α,β-unsaturated enones with excellent yields albeit with low enantioselectivity.

C-C bond cleavage in acetonitrile by copper(II)-bipyridine complexes and in situ formation of cyano-bridged mixed-valent copper complexes

Influencing factors, including organic reductant, counterion of copper(II)-bipyridine complex, reaction solvent, molar ratio of copper(II)-bipyridine complex and organic reductant, reaction time and chelating ligand of copper complex, have been extensively investigated on the reaction of copper(II)-bipyridine complex mediated C-C bond cleavage of acetonitrile. Furthermore, in situ formation of a series of cyano-bridged mixed-valent copper complexes has been described in this paper, where twelve new copper complexes with or without the presence of cyanide anions have been yielded and structurally characterized including two novel one-dimensional (1D) mixed-valent copper coordination polymers. In addition, a trinuclear cyano-bridged mixed-valent copper complex 9, which is believed to be the most stable species in this system, shows effective activity in catalyzing Ullmann C-N cross-coupling reactions.