Rhodium Complexes of Sterically Demanding Diphosphonites: Coordination Chemistry and Catalysis

Synthesis of phosphorus amidite ligand and investigation of its flexibility impact on rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-octene

Less variation of the ∠P–Rh–P made olefin-insertion and CO-insertion easier to occur and resulted in higher aldehyde selectivity (L1-system).

Xantphos-type complexes of group 9: rhodium versus iridium

Treatment of the dimer [Rh(μ-Cl)(C8H14)2]2 (1a) with 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diisopropylphosphino)xanthene [xant(P(i)Pr2)2] leads to the d(8) square-planar complex RhCl{xant(P(i)Pr2)2} (2), whereas reaction of the iridium counterpart [Ir(μ-Cl)(C8H14)2]2 (1b) gives the d(6) octahedral compound IrHCl{xant(P(i)Pr2)[(i)PrPCH(Me)CH2]} (3) as a result of the intramolecular C-H bond activation of one of the isopropyl substituents of the phosphine. Stirring 2 and 3 in 0.5 N KOH solutions of 2-propanol gives rise to the formation of hydrides RhH{xant(P(i)Pr2)2} (4) and IrH3{xant(P(i)Pr2)2} (5), respectively. In n-octane at 60 °C, complex 2 is stable. However, compound 3 activates the alkane to give the cis-dihydride IrH2Cl{xant(P(i)Pr2)2} (6) and a mixture of 3- and 4-octene. Complex 6 can be also obtained by the reaction of 3 with H2. Under the same conditions, 2 affords the rhodium analogue RhH2Cl{xant(P(i)Pr2)2} (7). Compounds 2-4 react with triflic acid (HOTf) to give RhHCl(OTf){xant(P(i)Pr2)2} (8), IrHCl(OTf){xant(P(i)Pr2)2} (9), and RhH2(OTf){xant(P(i)Pr2)2} (10), respectively. The related iridium derivative IrH2(OTf){xant(P(i)Pr2)2} (11) has also been prepared by the reaction of 6 with Tl(OTf). Complexes 2, 6, and 9 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The {xant(P(i)Pr2)2}M skeleton is T-shaped with the metal center situated in the common vertex.

Bis(metallo) capsules based on two ionic diphosphines

Self-assembly and characterization of heterodimeric diphosphine capsules formed by multiple ionic interactions are described. The first type of capsules is composed of one novel tetrasulfonato-xantphos ligand and one complementary tetraammonium calix[4]arene. Encapsulation of a transition metal is achieved by self-assembly of a rhodium complex containing the tetraanionic diphosphine ligand and a tetracationic calix[4]arene. The second type of capsules is composed of two oppositely charged diphosphine ligands: one tetrasulfonato-xantphos and one tetraammonium-diphosphine (of the xantphos-, DPEphos-, and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe)-type). Bis(metallo) capsules, that is, simultaneous encapsulation of two different transition metals, are created by self-assembly of a palladium or platinum complex containing a tetracationic ligand and a rhodium complex containing a tetraanionic ligand. Diphosphine ligands with different flexibilities and shapes assemble into metallocapsules with a proper capsular structure, as is indicated by (1)H NMR and 1D-NOESY spectroscopy, ESIMS, and modeling studies.

Platinum-catalyzed hydroformylation of terminal and internal octenes

A brief historic overview of Pt/Sn-catalyzed hydroformylation as well as recent advances in the hydroformylation of internal alkenes is provided. This serves as background for the results obtained with the [Pt(Sixantphos)Cl(2)] system, for which the molecular structure and the spectroscopic data are described. Insitu UV/Vis-spectroscopic studies have revealed rapid formation of the corresponding Pt-stannate complex upon reaction with SnCl(2), whereas high-pressure insitu IR-spectroscopy showed formation of a Pt-CO species and a short-lived Pt-H species under syngas, as well as rapid evolution of aldehyde product upon addition of 1-octene to the preformed catalyst in the IR autoclave. The hydroformylation of 1-octene and the i-octenes has been performed. For the internal alkenes, selective tandem isomerization/hydroformylation towards n-nonanal is observed with this catalyst system.

Phenylphosphatrioxa-adamantanes: bulky, robust, electron-poor ligands that give very efficient rhodium(i) hydroformylation catalysts

The cage phosphines 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-6-phenyl-2,4,8-trioxa-6-phosphaadamantane (1a) and 1,3,5,7-tetraethyl-6-phenyl-2,4,8,trioxa-6-phosphaadamantane (1b) have been made by the acid catalysed addition of PhPH(2) to the appropriate beta-diketones; the acid used (HCl, H(3)PO(4) or H(2)SO(4)) and its concentration affect the rate and selectivity of these condensation reactions. Phosphines 1a and 1b react with [PdCl(2)(NCPh)(2)] to form complexes trans-[PdCl(2)(1a)(2)](2a) and trans-[PdCl(2)(1b)(2)](2b) as mixtures of rac and meso diastereoisomers. The platinum(II) chemistry is more complicated and when 1a or 1b is added to [PtCl(2)(cod)], equilibrium mixtures of trans-[PtCl(2)L(2)] and [Pt(2)Cl(4)L(2)](L = or ) are formed in CH(2)Cl(2) solution. Meso/rac mixtures of trans-[MCl(CO)(1a)(2)] M = Ir (6a) or Rh (7a) are formed upon treatment of MCl(3).nH(2)O with an excess of 1a and the anionic cobalt complex [NHEt(3)][CoCl(3)(1a)](9) was isolated from the product formed by CoCl(2).6H(2)O and 1a. The nu(CO) values from the IR spectra of 6a and 7a suggest that 1a resembles a phosphonite in its bonding to Rh and Ir. Crystal structures of meso-2a, meso-2b, rac-6a and 9 are reported and in each case a small intracage C-P-C angle of ca. 94 degrees is observed; this may partly explain the bonding characteristics of ligands 1a and 1b. The cone angles for 1a and 1b are similar and large (ca. 200 degrees). Rhodium complexes of ligands 1a and 1b are hydroformylation catalysts with similarly high activity to catalysts derived from phosphites. The catalysts derived from 1a and 1b gave unusually low linear selectivity in the hydroformylation of hexenes. This feature has been further exploited in quaternary-selective hydroformylations of unsaturated esters; catalysts derived from 1a give better yields and regioselectivities than any previously reported catalyst.