Experimental Investigations of a Partial Ru–O Bond during the Metal–Ligand Bifunctional Addition in Noyori-Type Enantioselective Ketone Hydrogenation

Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α-Alkyl-Substituted β-Keto Esters and Amides through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

Asymmetric hydrogenation of α-alkyl-substituted β-keto esters and amides with the DIPSkewphos/3-AMIQ-Ru(II) catalyst system through dynamic kinetic resolution was examined. A series of β-keto esters and amides with a simple or functionalized α-alkyl group were applicable to this reaction, affording the α-substituted β-hydroxy esters and amides in ≥99% ee (anti/syn ≥ 99:1) in many cases. The 5 g scale reaction was readily achieved. The mode of enantio- and diastereoselection in the transition state model was proposed.

Structure, reactivity and catalytic properties of manganese-hydride amidate complexes

The high efficiency of widely applied Noyori-type hydrogenation catalysts arises from the N-H moiety coordinated to a metal centre, which stabilizes rate-determining transition states through hydrogen-bonding interactions. It was proposed that a higher efficiency could be achieved by substituting an N-M' group (M' = alkali metals) for the N-H moiety using a large excess of metal alkoxides (M'OR); however, such a metal-hydride amidate intermediate has not yet been isolated. Here we present the synthesis, isolation and reactivity of a metal-hydride amidate complex (HMn-NLi). Kinetic studies show that the rate of hydride transfer from HMn-NLi to a ketone is 24-fold higher than that of the corresponding amino metal-hydride complex (HMn-NH). Moreover, the hydrogenation of N-alkyl-substituted aldimines was realized using HMn-NLi as the active catalyst, whereas HMn-NH is much less effective. These results highlight the superiority of M/NM' bifunctional catalysis over the classic M/NH bifunctional catalysis for hydrogenation reactions.

Calculations on the non-classical β-hydride elimination observed in trans-(H)(OMe)-Ir(Ph)(PMe3)3: possible production and reaction of methyl formate

The octahedral trans hydrido-alkoxide complex trans-(H)(OMe)-Ir(Ph)(PMe3)3 (2-OCH3) was prepared by Milstein and coworkers by addition of methanol to Ir(Ph)(PMe3)3 (1). 2-OCH3 was discovered to undergo a methanol catalyzed outer-sphere carbonyl de-insertion in which a vacant coordination site is not required. The reaction yields the octahedral trans dihydride complex trans-(H)2-Ir(Ph)(PMe3)3 (2-H) as a kinetic product along with formaldehyde derivatives reported as [CH2=O]x. We investigate the mechanism and products of this reaction using density functional theory. The de-insertion transition state has an ion-pair character leading to a high barrier in benzene continuum: ΔG ‡ = 27.9 kcal/mol. Adding one methanol molecule by H-bonding to the alkoxide of 2-OCH3 lowers the barrier to 22.7 kcal/mol. When the calculations are conducted in a methanol continuum, the barrier drops to 8.8 kcal/mol. However, the thermodynamics of de-insertion are endergonic by near 5 kcal/mol in both benzene and methanol. The calculations identify a low energy outer-sphere H/OMe metathesis pathway that transforms the formaldehyde and another 2-OCH3 molecule directly into a second 2-H complex and methyl formate. Likewise, a second H/OCH3 metathesis reaction interconverting methyl formate and 2-OCH3 into 2-H and dimethyl carbonate is computed to be exergonic and kinetically facile. These results imply that the production of methyl formate and dimethyl carbonate from 2-OCH3 is plausible in this system. The net transformation from the square planar 1 and methanol to 2-H and either methyl formate or dimethyl carbonate would represent a unique stoichiometric dehydrogenative coupling reaction taking place at room temperature by an outer-sphere mechanism.

Preparation and Study of Reusable Polymerized Catalysts for Ester Hydrogenation

A cross-linked catalyst organic framework was prepared by an alternating ring-opening olefin metathesis polymerization between dichloro{N,N'-bis({(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl}methylidene)bicyclo[2.2.1]-hept-5-ene-2,3-diamine}ruthenium, 1,2-N-di(cis-5-norbornene-2,3-endo-dicarboximido)-ethane, and cis-cyclooctene catalyzed by RuCl2(=CHPh)(PCy3)2 in the presence of a BaSO4 support. The heterogenized catalyst hydrogenated methyl benzoate at a similar rate to the homogeneous catalyst (0.0025 mol % catalyst, 10 mol % KO t Bu, 80 °C, 50 atm, tetrahydrofuran, 21 h, ∼15 000 turnovers during the first 1 h). The catalyst was used five times for a total of 121 680 turnovers. A study on the reusability of this catalyst showed that ester hydrogenations with bifunctional catalysts slow as the reaction proceeds. This inhibition is removed by isolating and reusing the catalyst, suggesting that future catalyst design should emphasize avoiding product inhibition.

Ruthenium trichloride catalyzed conversion of cellulose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in biphasic system

The production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) from cellulose catalyzed by a series of transition metal chlorides (i.e. FeCl₃, RuCl₃, VCl₃, TiCl₃, MoCl₃ and CrCl₃) was studied in biphasic system. RuCl₃ was the most efficient catalyst among these transition metal chlorides for 5-HMF production, and resulted in both the highest yield of 83.3% and selectivity of 87.5% in NaCl-aqueous/butanol biphasic system. XRD analysis and FTIR spectroscopy were applied to further characterize the RuCl₃ catalyzed cellulose slurries to reveal the catalytic reaction mechanism. Results demonstrated that RuCl₃ enhanced the decrystallization and cleavage of COC bonds in cellulose, promoted the subsequent dehydration of glucose into 5-HMF, while suppressed the glucose retro-aldol reaction to byproduct lactic acid. In addition, with the assistance of NaCl-aqueous/butanol biphasic system, 5-HMF further degradation was limited and thusly maintained a desired 5-HMF yield. This proposed approach provides an efficient strategy for one-pot conversion of cellulose into 5-HMF.

A new route to N-aromatic heterocycles from the hydrogenation of diesters in the presence of anilines

The hydrogenation of dicarboxylic acids and their esters in the presence of anilines provides a new synthesis of heterocycles. [Ru(acac)3] and 1,1,1-tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl)ethane (triphos) gave good to excellent yields of the cyclic amines at 220 °C. When aqueous ammonia was used with dimethyl 1,6-hexadienoic acid, ε-caprolactam was obtained in good yield. A side reaction involving alkylation of the amine by methanol was suppressed by using diesters derived from longer chain and branched alcohols. Hydrogenation of optically pure diesters (dimethyl (R)-2-methylbutanedioate and dimethyl (S)-2-methylbutanedioate) with aniline afforded racemic 3-methyl-1-phenylpyrrolidine in 78% yield.

Double Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Linear β,β-Disubstituted α,β-Unsaturated Ketones into γ-Substituted Secondary Alcohols using a Dual Catalytic System

Double asymmetric hydrogenation of linear β,β-disubstituted α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by the DM-SEGPHOS/DMAPEN/Ru^II complex with t-C₄ H₉ OK afforded the γ-substituted secondary alcohols in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Some mechanistic experiments suggested that two different reactive species, type (I) and (II), were reversibly formed in this catalytic system: Type (I) with the diamine ligand DMAPEN enantioselectively hydrogenated the enones into the chiral allylic alcohols, and type (II) without the diamine ligand diastereoselectively hydrogenated the allylic alcohols into the γ-substituted secondary alcohols. This dual catalysis protocol was successfully applied to the reaction of a variety of aliphatic- and aromatic-substituted enone substrates.

Unravelling the Mechanism of Basic Aqueous Methanol Dehydrogenation Catalyzed by Ru-PNP Pincer Complexes

Ruthenium PNP complex 1a (RuH(CO)Cl(HN(C₂H₄Pi-Pr₂)₂)) represents a state-of-the-art catalyst for low-temperature (<100 °C) aqueous methanol dehydrogenation to H₂ and CO₂. Herein, we describe an investigation that combines experiment, spectroscopy, and theory to provide a mechanistic rationale for this process. During catalysis, the presence of two anionic resting states was revealed, Ru-dihydride (3^-) and Ru-monohydride (4^-) that are deprotonated at nitrogen in the pincer ligand backbone. DFT calculations showed that O- and CH- coordination modes of methoxide to ruthenium compete, and form complexes 4^- and 3^-, respectively. Not only does the reaction rate increase with increasing KOH, but the ratio of 3^-/4^- increases, demonstrating that the "inner-sphere" C-H cleavage, via C-H coordination of methoxide to Ru, is promoted by base. Protonation of 3^- liberates H₂ gas and formaldehyde, the latter of which is rapidly consumed by KOH to give the corresponding gem-diolate and provides the overall driving force for the reaction. Full MeOH reforming is achieved through the corresponding steps that start from the gem-diolate and formate. Theoretical studies into the mechanism of the catalyst Me-1a (N-methylated 1a) revealed that C-H coordination to Ru sets-up C-H cleavage and hydride delivery; a process that is also promoted by base, as observed experimentally. However, in this case, Ru-dihydride Me-3 is much more stable to protonation and can even be observed under neutral conditions. The greater stability of Me-3 rationalizes the lower rates of Me-1a compared to 1a, and also explains why the reaction rate then drops with increasing KOH concentration.

Catalytic Synthesis of Substituted Indoles and Quinolines from the Dehydrative C-H Coupling of Arylamines with 1,2- and 1,3-Diols

The cationic ruthenium-hydride complex catalyzes dehydrative C-H coupling reaction of arylamines with 1,2-diols to form the indole products. The analogous coupling of arylamines with 1,3-diols afforded the substituted quinolines. The catalytic method directly forms these coupling products in a highly regioselective manner without generating any toxic byproducts.

The mechanism of enantioselective ketone reduction with Noyori and Noyori–Ikariya bifunctional catalysts

The present article describes the current level of understanding of the mechanism of enantioselective hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones with pioneering prototypes of bifunctional catalysts, the Noyori and Noyori–Ikariya complexes.

Alcohol-assisted base-free hydrogenation of acetophenone catalyzed by OsH(NHCMe2CMe2NH2)(PPh3)2

The hydrido–amido complex OsH(NHCMe2CMe2NH2)(PPh3)2 (1) catalyzes the base-free hydrogenation of ketones in benzene. Kinetic studies using acetophenone revealed that the system has an induction period, after which the rate of the reaction increases. A constant rate was observed when a critical amount of the product alcohol was added, indicating that the reaction is autocatalytic in 1-phenylethanol. Varying the initial conditions showed that the reaction rate is dependent on hydrogen and catalyst concentration and independent of ketone concentration. Above the critical concentrations of 1-phenylethanol, the reaction rate is independent of alcohol concentration. The rate law for pressures up to 5 atm was found to be rate = d[alcohol]/dt = −d[ketone]/dt = k[Os][H2], with k = 30 mol L−1 s−1 at 293 K and the temperature dependence provided energy of activation parameters. Therefore, the heterolytic splitting of dihydrogen is rate determining under these conditions. Only small kinetic isotope effects were measured in contrast with the analogous ruthenium system. Complex 1 reacts with the product alcohol 1-phenylethanol and is partially converted into the dihydride complex trans-OsH2(NH2CMe2CMe2NH2)(PPh3)2 and acetophenone; with excess alcohol, an osmium alkoxide is observed at low temperature. As expected from these results, 1 is a ketone transfer hydrogenation catalyst in isopropanol.

Unravelling the mechanism of the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone by [RuX2(diphosphine)(1,2-diamine)] catalysts

The mechanism of catalytic hydrogenation of acetophenone by the chiral complex trans-[RuCl2{(S)-binap}{(S,S)-dpen}] and KO-t-C4H9 in propan-2-ol is revised on the basis of DFT computations carried out in dielectric continuum and the most recent experimental observations. The results of these collective studies suggest that neither a six-membered pericyclic transition state nor any multibond concerted transition states are involved. Instead, a hydride moiety is transferred in an outer-sphere manner to afford an ion-pair, and the corresponding transition state is both enantio- and rate-determining. Heterolytic dihydrogen cleavage proceeds neither by a (two-bond) concerted, four-membered transition state, nor by a (three-bond) concerted, six-membered transition state mediated by a solvent molecule. Instead, cleavage of the H-H bond is achieved via deprotonation of the η(2)-H2 ligand within a cationic Ru complex by the chiral conjugate base of (R)-1-phenylethanol. Thus, protonation of the generated (R)-1-phenylethoxide anion originates from the η(2)-H2 ligand of the cationic Ru complex and not from NH protons of a neutral Ru trans-dihydride complex, as initially suggested within the framework of a metal-ligand bifunctional mechanism. Detailed computational analysis reveals that the 16e(-) Ru amido complex [RuH{(S)-binap}{(S,S)-HN(CHPh)2NH2}] and the 18e(-) Ru alkoxo complex trans-[RuH{OCH(CH3)(R)}{(S)-binap}{(S,S)-dpen}] (R = CH3 or C6H5) are not intermediates within the catalytic cycle, but rather are off-loop species. The accelerative effect of KO-t-C4H9 is explained by the reversible formation of the potassium amidato complexes trans-[RuH2{(S)-binap}{(S,S)-N(K)H(CHPh)2NH2}] or trans-[RuH2{(S)-binap}{(S,S)-N(K)H(CHPh)2NH(K)}]. The three-dimensional (3D) cavity observed within these molecules results in a chiral pocket stabilized via several different noncovalent interactions, including neutral and ionic hydrogen bonding, cation-π interactions, and π-π stacking interactions. Cooperatively, these interactions modify the catalyst structure, in turn lowering the relative activation barrier of hydride transfer by ~1-2 kcal mol(-1) and the following H-H bond cleavage by ~10 kcal mol(-1), respectively. A combined computational study and analysis of recent experimental data of the reaction pool results in new mechanistic insight into the catalytic cycle for hydrogenation of acetophenone by Noyori's catalyst, in the presence or absence of KO-t-C4H9.