Telomerization of Amines Mediated by Cationic N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Palladium Complexes

Vinyl-Addition Homopolymeization of Norbornenes with Bromoalkyl Groups

Vinyl-addition polynorbornenes are of great interest as versatile templates for the targeted design of polymer materials with desired properties. These polymers possess rigid and saturated backbones, which provide them with high thermal and chemical stability as well as high glass transition temperatures. Vinyl-addition polymers from norbornenes with bromoalkyl groups are widely used as precursors of anion exchange membranes; however, high-molecular-weight homopolymers from such monomers are often difficult to prepare. Herein, we report the systematic study of vinyl-addition polymerization of norbornenes with various bromoalkyl groups on Pd-catalysts bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands ((NHC)Pd-systems). Norbornenes with different lengths of hydrocarbon linker (one, two, and four CH2 groups) between the bicyclic norbornene moiety and the bromine atom were used as model monomers, while single- and three-component (NHC)Pd-systems were applied as catalysts. In vinyl-addition polymerization, the reactivity of the investigated monomers varied substantially. The relative reactivity of these monomers was assessed in copolymerization experiments, which showed that the closer the bromine is to the norbornene double-bond, the lower the monomer's reactivity. The most reactive monomer was the norbornene derivative with the largest substituent (with the longest linker). Tuning the catalyst's nature and the conditions of polymerization, we succeeded in synthesizing high-molecular-weight homopolymers from norbornenes with bromoalkyl groups (Mn up to 1.4 × 106). The basic physico-chemical properties of the prepared polymers were studied and considered together with the results of vinyl-addition polymerization.

Efficient Domino Hydroformylation/Benzoin Condensation: Highly Selective Synthesis of α-Hydroxy Ketones

An improved domino hydroformylation/benzoin condensation to give α-hydroxy ketones has been developed. Easily available olefins are smoothly converted into the corresponding α-hydroxy ketones in high yields with excellent regioselectivities. Key to success is the use of a specific catalytic system consisting of a rhodium/phosphine complex and the CO2 adduct of an N-heterocyclic carbene.

Generating Active "L-Pd(0)" via Neutral or Cationic π-Allylpalladium Complexes Featuring Biaryl/Bipyrazolylphosphines: Synthetic, Mechanistic, and Structure-Activity Studies in Challenging Cross-Coupling Reactions

Two new classes of highly active yet air- and moisture-stable π-R-allylpalladium complexes containing bulky biaryl- and bipyrazolylphosphines with extremely broad ligand scope have been developed. Neutral π-allylpalladium complexes incorporated a range of biaryl/bipyrazolylphosphine ligands, while extremely bulky ligands were accommodated by a cationic scaffold. These complexes are easily activated under mild conditions and are efficient for a wide array of challenging C-C and C-X (X = heteroatom) cross-coupling reactions. Their high activity is correlated to their facile activation to a 12-electron-based "L-Pd(0)" catalyst under commonly employed conditions for cross-coupling reactions, noninhibitory byproduct release upon activation, and suppression of the off-cycle pathway to form dinuclear (μ-allyl)(μ-Cl)Pd2(L)2 species, supported by structural (single crystal X-ray) and kinetic studies. A broad scope of C-C and C-X coupling reactions with low catalyst loadings and short reaction times highlight the versatility and practicality of these catalysts in organic synthesis.

Selective telomerisation of isoprene with methanol by a heterogeneous palladium resin catalyst

A heterogeneous (DVB-resin-PPh₃-Pd-dvds) catalyst presents high activity for the telomerization of isoprene with methanol with an unsusual regioselectivity towards tail-to-tail telomerization products.

Room temperature, solventless telomerization of isoprene with alcohols using (N-heterocyclic carbene)–palladium catalysts

The use of a custom-made palladium complex for the telomerisation of isoprene with alcohols under green conditions is described.

Stable cyclic carbenes and related species beyond diaminocarbenes

The success of homogeneous catalysis can be attributed largely to the development of a diverse range of ligand frameworks that have been used to tune the behavior of various systems. Spectacular results in this area have been achieved using cyclic diaminocarbenes (NHCs) as a result of their strong σ-donor properties. Although it is possible to cursorily tune the structure of NHCs, any diversity is still far from matching their phosphorus-based counterparts, which is one of the great strengths of the latter. A variety of stable acyclic carbenes are known, but they are either reluctant to bind metals or they give rise to fragile metal complexes. During the last five years, new types of stable cyclic carbenes, as well as related carbon-based ligands (which are not NHCs), and which feature even stronger σ-donor properties have been developed. Their synthesis and characterization as well as the stability, electronic properties, coordination behavior, and catalytic activity of the ensuing complexes are discussed, and comparisons with their NHC cousins are made.

Synthesis of a simplified version of stable bulky and rigid cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes, and catalytic activity of the ensuing gold(I) complex in the three-component preparation of 1,2-dihydroquinoline derivatives

A 95/5 mixture of cis and trans 2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde (trivertal), a common fragrance and flavor material produced in bulk quantities, serves as the precursor for the synthesis of a stable spirocyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene, in which the 2-methyl-substituted cyclohexenyl group provides steric protection to an ensuing metal. The efficiency of this carbene as ligand for transition metal based catalysts is first illustrated by the gold(I) catalyzed hydroamination of internal alkynes with secondary dialkyl amines, a process with little precedent. The feasibility of this reaction allows for significantly enlarging the scope of the one-pot three-component synthesis of 1,2-dihydroquinoline derivatives, and related nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Indeed, two different alkynes were used, which include an internal alkyne for the first step.

Efficient and selective telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with diols catalyzed by palladium-carbene complexes

The selective telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with seven different linear and cyclic diols proceeds in the presence of in situ generated palladium carbene catalysts. By applying optimized reaction conditions, including very low metal loadings (2-10 ppm), excellent catalyst turnover numbers (>250,000) and good chemoselectivities are observed with respect to the mono-octadienyl ether derivatives. This protocol allows the efficient preparation of unsaturated alcohols, which are useful for various applications.