Competitive C−I versus C−CN Reductive Elimination from a RhIII Complex. Selectivity is Controlled by the Solvent

Tuning the Catalytic Activity of a Pincer Complex of Rhodium(I) by Supramolecular and Redox Stimuli

We report the rhodium(I) complex [Rh(CNC-NDI)(CO)]+ , in which CNC-NDI refers to a pincer-CNC ligand decorated with a naphthalenediimide moiety. Due to the presence of the planar CNC ligand and the naphthalenediimide moiety, the electronic nature of the complex can be modulated by means of supramolecular and redox stimuli, respectively. The metal complex shows a strong π-π-stacking interaction with coronene. This interaction has an impact on the electron-richness of the metal, as demonstrated by the shifting of the ν(CO) stretching band to a lower frequency. The addition of tetrabutylammonium fluoride facilitates the sequential one- and two-electron reduction of the NDI moiety of the ligand, thus resulting in a situation in which the ligand can increase its electron-donor strength in two levels. The nature of the interaction with the fluoride anion was studied computationally. The catalytic activity of the [Rh(CNC-NDI)(CO)]+ complex was tested in the cycloisomerization of alkynoic acids, where it is observed that the activity of the catalyst can be modulated between four levels of activity, which correspond to i) the use of the unmodified catalyst, ii) catalyst+coronene, iii) catalyst+2 equivalents of fluoride, and iv) catalyst+5 equivalents of fluoride.

Supramolecular Control of the Oxidative Addition as a Way To Improve the Catalytic Efficiency of Pincer-Rhodium (I) Complexes

1 H NMR studies using a cationic complex with a pyridine-di-imidazolylidene pincer ligand of formula [Rh(CNC)(CO)]+ revealed that this compound showed high binding affinity with coronene in CH2 Cl2 . The interaction between coronene and the planar RhI complex is established by means of π-stacking interactions. This interaction has a strong impact on the electron-donating strength of the pincer CNC ligand, which is increased significantly, as demonstrated by the shifting of the ν(CO) stretching bands to lower frequencies. The addition of coronene increases the reaction rate of the nucleophilic attack of methyl iodide on the rhodium (I) pincer complex, and also has a positive effect on the performance of the complex as a catalyst in the cycloisomerization of 4-pentynoic acid. These findings highlight the importance of supramolecular interactions for tuning the reactivity and catalytic activity of square-planar metal complexes.

Si-C(sp3) bond activation through oxidative addition at a Rh(i) centre

An easy, direct and room temperature silicon-carbon bond activation is reported. The reaction of [RhCl(coe)₂]₂ with the silane Si(Me)₂(o-C₆H₄SMe)₂ in the presence of an halide extractor provokes a Si-CH₃ bond cleavage yielding a cationic silyl-methyl-Rh(iii). In contrast, if the reaction is performed using the Rh(i) bis-alkene dimers, [RhCl(cod)]₂ or [RhCl(nbd)]₂, the Si-CH₃ bond activation does not occur.

Synthesis and Structural Dynamics of Five-Coordinate Rh(III) and Ir(III) PNP and PONOP Pincer Complexes

The synthesis and characterization of a homologous series of five-coordinate rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes of PNP (2,6-( tBu₂PCH₂)₂C₅H₃N) and PONOP (2,6-( tBu₂PO)₂C₅H₃N) pincer ligands are described: [M(PNP)(biph)][BAr^F₄] (M = Rh, 1a; Ir, 1b; biph = 2,2'-biphenyl; Ar^F = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) and [M(PONOP)(biph)][BAr^F₄] (M = Rh, 2a; Ir, 2b). These complexes are structurally dynamic in solution, exhibiting pseudorotation of the biph ligand on the ¹H NMR time scale (Δ G^⧧ ca. 60 kJ mol^-1) and, in the case of the flexible PNP complexes, undergoing interconversion between helical and puckered pincer ligand conformations (Δ G^⧧ ca. 10 kJ mol^-1). Remarkably, the latter is sufficiently facile that it persists in the solid state, leading to temperature-dependent disorder in the associated X-ray crystal structures. Reaction of 1 and 2 with CO occurs for the iridium congeners 1b and 2b, leading to the formation of sterically congested carbonyl derivatives.

Methyl Complexes of the Transition Metals

Organometallic chemistry can be considered as a wide area of knowledge that combines concepts of classic organic chemistry, that is, based essentially on carbon, with molecular inorganic chemistry, especially with coordination compounds. Transition-metal methyl complexes probably represent the simplest and most fundamental way to view how these two major areas of chemistry combine and merge into novel species with intriguing features in terms of reactivity, structure, and bonding. Citing more than 500 bibliographic references, this review aims to offer a concise view of recent advances in the field of transition-metal complexes containing M-CH3 fragments. Taking into account the impressive amount of data that are continuously provided by organometallic chemists in this area, this review is mainly focused on results of the last five years. After a panoramic overview on M-CH3 compounds of Groups 3 to 11, which includes the most recent landmark findings in this area, two further sections are dedicated to methyl-bridged complexes and reactivity.

Ligand K-edge XAS, DFT, and TDDFT analysis of pincer linker variations in Rh(i) PNP complexes: reactivity insights from electronic structure

Ligand K-edge XAS and DFT studies of ligand variations in Rh(i) pincer complexes and correlations to small molecule reactivity.

pH dependent synthesis of Zn(ii) and Cd(ii) coordination polymers with dicarboxyl-functionalized arylhydrazone of barbituric acid: photoluminescence properties and catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation

Coordination polymers of Zn(ii) and Cd(ii) act as recyclable heterogeneous catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation reaction of aldehydes with malononitrile.

Solvent dependent reactivities of di-, tetra- and hexanuclear manganese complexes: syntheses, structures and magnetic properties

An unusual solvent effect on the synthesis of five manganese complexes [Mn2(L1)2(Py)4](), [Mn2(L1)2(DMSO)4](), [Mn4(L2)4(OH)4](), [Mn4(L3)2(DMSO)7(H2O)](), and [Mn6O2(L4)4(OAc)2(OMe)2(DMSO)4]·MeOH] (), (H3L1 = 5-(2-oxyphenyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid; H2L2 = 5-(2-oxyphenyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid amide; H4L3 = di-[5-(2-oxyphenyl)-pyrazole]-3-hydroxamic ether; and H2L4 = 5-(2-oxyphenyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester) has been reported. Five complexes have been characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, IR, element analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and UV-vis spectra. The analysis reveals that complexes and are isostructural with a bimetallic six-membered ring and L1 from the decomposition of the original H4ppha (H4ppha = 5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-pyrazole-3-hydroxamic acid) ligand. Complexes and are two tetranuclear clusters, and possesses an aza12-metallacrown-4 core with L2 from the amide functionalization of the decomposition L1; while represents a novel linear [Mn4N8O2] core with L3 from the condensation of L1 and H4ppha. Complex is the first Mn6 cluster linked by two stacked, off-set 8-azametallacrown-3 subunits with [M-N-N-M-N-N-M-O] connectivity, and L4 derived from the esterification of L1. The magnetic behaviour of complexes show the dominant antiferromagnetic interactions between metal centers, whereas complex further reveals the coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions, and slow magnetic relaxation at T < 6 K with S = 4 ground state, as well as field induced magnetization saturation.

Zinc amidoisophthalate complexes and their catalytic application in the diastereoselective Henry reaction

5-Propionamidoisophthalic acid and 5-benzamidoisophthalic acid are used to synthesize new zinc(ii) complexes which act as heterogeneous catalysts for the diastereoselective nitroaldol (Henry) reaction.

Combining Pd(π-allyl)Cp and PPh3 as a unique catalyst for efficient synthesis of alkyliodo indoles via C(sp3)–I reductive elimination

Alkyl iodides were formed via reductive elimination of alkylpalladium iodides possessing syn-β-hydrogens.

A phosphomide based PNP ligand, 2,6-{Ph2PC(O)}2(C5H3N), showing PP, PNP and PNO coordination modes

Coordination chemistry of a versatile phosphomide ligand, 2,6-{Ph₂PC(O)}₂(C₅H₃N), is described.

Aryl-bromide reductive elimination from an isolated Pt(IV) complex

A Pt(IV) complex bearing two aryl and two bromo ligands, which undergoes selective elimination of a bromoarene molecule has been prepared and fully-characterized. The mechanistic studies of this reaction are presented.

Scope and Mechanistic Investigations on the Solvent-Controlled Regio- and Stereoselective Formation of Enol Esters from the Ruthenium-Catalyzed Coupling Reaction of Terminal Alkynes and Carboxylic Acids

The ruthenium-hydride complex (PCy(3))(2)(CO)RuHCl was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the alkyne-to-carboxylic acid coupling reaction to give synthetically useful enol ester products. Strong solvent effect was observed for the ruthenium catalyst in modulating the activity and selectivity; the coupling reaction in CH(2)Cl(2) led to the regioselective formation of gem-enol ester products, while the stereoselective formation of (Z)-enol esters was obtained in THF. The coupling reaction was found to be strongly inhibited by PCy(3). The coupling reaction of both PhCO(2)H/PhC identical withCD and PhCO(2)D/PhC identical withCH led to the extensive deuterium incorporation on the vinyl positions of the enol ester products. An opposite Hammett value was observed when the correlation of a series of para-substituted p-X-C(6)H(4)CO(2)H (X = OMe, CH(3), H, CF(3), CN) with phenylacetylene was examined in CDCl(3) (rho = +0.30) and THF (rho = -0.68). Catalytically relevant Ru-carboxylate and -vinylidene-carboxylate complexes, (PCy(3))(2)(CO)(Cl)Ru(kappa(2)-O(2)CC(6)H(4)-p-OMe) and (PCy(3))(2)(CO)(Cl)RuC(=CHPh)O(2)CC(6)H(4)-p-OMe, were isolated, and the structure of both complexes was completely established by X-ray crystallography. A detailed mechanism of the coupling reaction involving a rate-limiting C-O bond formation step was proposed on the basis of these kinetic and structural studies. The regioselective formation of the gem-enol ester products in CH(2)Cl(2) was rationalized by a direct migratory insertion of the terminal alkyne via a Ru-carboxylate species, whereas the stereoselective formation of (Z)-enol ester products in THF was explained by invoking a Ru-vinylidene species.