Substituent R-Dependent Regioselectivity Switch in Nucleophilic Addition of N-Phenylbenzamidine to PdII- and PtII-Complexed Isonitrile RN≡C Giving Aminocarbene-Like Species

Aurophilic Interactions in Cationic Three-Coordinate Gold(I) Bipyridyl/Isocyanide Complex

Gold(I) isocyanide complexes featuring Au···Au interactions attract considerable attention because of their tunable photophysical properties. Although the synthetic exploration of isocyanide gold(I) complexes seems reasonable, their structural diversity is mainly limited to linear gold(I) derivatives. The synthesis and structural characterization of cationic three-coordinate gold(I) mixed 2,2′-bipyridyl/isocyanide complex are presented here for the first time. Cationic gold species form supramolecular dimers in the solid state via attractive Au···Au interactions. The nature and energies of aurophilic contacts, which are responsible for dimerization in the solid state, were studied by DFT calculations together with QTAIM, ELF, RDG, and NCI techniques and Hirshfeld surface analysis. The estimated energy of the aurophilic interactions was 6.3 kcal/mol.

Deprotonated diaminocarbene platinum complexes for thermoresponsive luminescent silicone materials: both catalysts and luminophores

C,N-Chelate deprotonated diaminocarbene platinum(II) complexes were synthesized by coupling coordinated isocyanides and azinyl-substituted ureas. The complexes act as catalysts of α,ω-divinylpolydimethylsiloxane and poly(dimethylsiloxane-co-methylhydrosiloxane) hydrosilylation cross-linking. Silicone rubbers obtained with (aminoisoquinoline)-containing complex 3d exhibit temperature-responsive luminescence. Their emission changes irreversibly when heated from 80-100 °C (green radiation) to 120 °C or more (blue radiation).

PdII- and PtII-mediated coupling of aryl isocyanides with N-heterocyclic thiones

A Pd^II- and Pt^II-mediated reaction of aryl isocyanides with N-heterocyclic thiones results in a previously undescribed type of regioselectivity for ambident nucleophile addition to coordinated isocyanides.

Halogenated Diazabutadiene Dyes: Synthesis, Structures, Supramolecular Features, and Theoretical Studies

Novel halogenated aromatic dichlorodiazadienes were prepared via copper-mediated oxidative coupling between the corresponding hydrazones and CCl₄. These rare azo-dyes were characterized using ¹H and ¹³C NMR techniques and X-ray diffraction analysis for five halogenated dichlorodiazadienes. Multiple non-covalent halogen···halogen interactions were detected in the solid state and studied by DFT calculations and topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the framework of Bader’s theory (QTAIM method). Theoretical studies demonstrated that non-covalent halogen···halogen interactions play crucial role in self-assembly of highly polarizable dichlorodiazadienes. Thus, halogen bonding can dictate a packing preference in the solid state for this class of dichloro-substituted heterodienes, which could be a convenient tool for a fine tuning of the properties of this novel class of dyes.

Attractive halogen···halogen interactions in crystal structure of trans-dibromogold(III) complex

A synthesis of the trans-dibromogold(III) t-Bu-Xantphos complex and its self-assembly into infinite 1-dimensional chain in the solid state is reported. The new complex characterized using elemental analyses (C, H, N), ESI-MS, 1H and 13C NMR techniques and X-ray diffraction analysis. Results of DFT calculations followed by the topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the framework of QTAIM method at the ωB97XD/DZP-DKH level of theory reveal that strength of attractive intermolecular non-covalent interactions Br···Br in the crystal is 1.2–1.6 kcal/mol.

Reaction between Indazole and Pd-Bound Isocyanides-A Theoretical Mechanistic Study

The mechanism of the addition of indazole (Ind)-a bifunctional aromatic N,NH-nucleophile-to cyclohexyl isocyanide coordinated to the palladium(II) center in the model complex cis-[PdCl₂(CNMe)(CNCy)] (1) to give the corresponding aminocarbene ligand was investigated in detail by theoretical (DFT) methods. The most plausible mechanism of this reaction is that of the associative type involving nucleophilic attack of Ind by its unprotonated N atom at the isocyanide carbon atom followed by the stepwise proton transfer from the nucleophile molecule to the isocyanide N atom via deprotonation/protonation steps. Two reaction channels based on two tautomeric forms of indazole were found. The channel leading to the experimentally isolated aminocarbene product is based on the less stable tautomeric form. Another channel based on the more stable tautomer of Ind is slightly kinetically more favorable but it is endergonic. Thus, the regioselectivity of this reaction is thermodynamically rather than kinetically driven. The bonding situation in key species was analyzed.

Ligation-Enhanced π-Hole···π Interactions Involving Isocyanides: Effect of π-Hole···π Noncovalent Bonding on Conformational Stabilization of Acyclic Diaminocarbene Ligands

The reaction of cis-[PdCl₂(CNXyl)₂] (Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) with the aminoazoles [1 H-imidazol-2-amine (1), 4 H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine (2), 1 H-tetrazol-5-amine (3), 1 H-benzimidazol-2-amine (4), 1-alkyl-1 H-benzimidazol-2-amines, where alkyl = Me (5), Et (6)] in a 2:1 ratio in the presence of a base in CHCl₃ at RT proceeds regioselectively and leads to the binuclear diaminocarbene complexes [(ClPdCNXyl)₂{μ-C(N-azolyl)N(Xyl)C═NXyl}] (7-12; 73-91%). Compounds 7-12 were characterized by C, H, N elemental analyses, high-resolution ESI⁺-MS, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1D (¹H, ¹³C) and 2D (¹H,¹H-COSY, ¹H,¹H-NOESY, ¹H,¹³C-HSQC, ¹H,¹³C-HMBC) NMR spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction (XRDn). Inspection of the XRDn data and results of the Hirshfeld surface analysis suggest the presence in all six structures of intramolecular π-hole_isocyanide···π_arene interactions between the electrophilic C atom of the isocyanide moiety and the neighboring arene ring. These interactions also result in distortion of the Pd-C≡N-Xyl fragment from the linearity. Results of density functional theory calculations [M06/MWB28 (Pd) and 6-31G* (other atoms) level of theory] for model structures of 7-9 followed by the topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the framework of Bader's theory (QTAIM method) reveal the presence of these weak interactions also in a CHCl₃ solution, and their calculated strength is 1.9-2.2 kcal/mol. The natural bond orbital analysis of 7-9 revealed that π(C-C)Xyl → π*(C-N)isocyanide charge transfer (CT) takes place along with the intramolecular π-hole_isocyanide···π_arene interactions. The observed π(C-C)_Xyl → π*(C-N)_isocyanide CT is due to ligation of the isocyanide to the metal center, whereas in the cases of the uncomplexed p-CNC₆H₄NC and CNXyl species, the effects of CT are negligible. Available CCDC data were processed from the perspective of isocyanide-involving π-hole···π interactions, disclosed the role of metal coordination in the π-hole donor ability of isocyanides, and verified the π-hole_isocyanide···π_arene interaction effect on the stabilization of the in-conformation in metal-bound acyclic diaminocarbenes.

Polystyrene-Supported Acyclic Diaminocarbene Palladium Complexes in Sonogashira Cross-Coupling: Stability vs. Catalytic Activity

Two types of immobilized on the amino-functionalized polystyrene-supported acyclic diaminocarbene palladium complexes (ADC-PdII) are investigated under Sonogashira cross-coupling conditions. Depending on substituents in the diaminocarbene fragment immobilized ADC-PdII, systems are found to have different catalytic activity and stability regarding Pd-leaching. PdII-diaminocarbenes possessing protons at both nitrogen atoms smoothly decompose into Pd0-containing species providing a catalytic “cocktail system” with high activity and ability to reuse within nine runs. Polymer-supported palladium (II) complex bearing NBn–Ccarbene–NH-moiety exhibits greater stability while noticeably lower activity under Sonogashira cross-coupling. Four molecular ADC-PdII complexes are also synthesized and investigated with the aim of confirming proposed base-promoted pathway of ADC-PdII conversion through carbodiimide into an active Pd0 forms.

Platinum Complexes with Chelating Acyclic Aminocarbene Ligands Work as Catalysts for Hydrosilylation of Alkynes

This work describes the preparation of a series of platinum-aminocarbene complexes [PtCl{C(N=C a (C6R2R3R4R5CON b ))=N(H)R1}(CNR1)] a-b (8-19, 65-75% isolated yield) via the reaction of cis-[PtCl2(CNR1)2] (R1 = Cy 1, t-Bu 2, Xyl 3, 2-Cl-6-MeC6H3 4) with 3-iminoisoindolin-1-ones HN=C a (C6R2R3R4R5CON b H) (R2-R5 = H 5; R3 = Me, R2, R4, R5 = H 6; R3, R4 = Cl, R2, R5 = H 7). New complexes 17-19 were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), ESI+-MS, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), one-dimensional (1H, 13C{1H}), and two-dimensional (1H,1H correlation spectroscopy (COSY), 1H,13C heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (HMQC)/1H,13C heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC), 1H,13C heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC)) NMR spectroscopy, and authenticity of known species 8-16 was confirmed by FT-IR and 1H and 13C{1H} NMR. Complexes 8-19 were assessed as catalysts for hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes with hydrosilanes to give vinyl silanes, and complex [PtCl{C(N=C a (C6H3(5-Me)CON b ))=N(H)(2-Cl-6-MeC6H3)}{CN(2-Cl-6-MeC6H3)}] a-b (18) showed the highest catalytic activity. The catalytic system proposed operates at 80-100 °C for 4-6 h in toluene and with catalyst loading of 0.1 mol %, enabling the reaction of a number of terminal alkynes (PhC≡CH, t-BuC≡CH, and 4-(t-Bu)C6H4C≡CH) with hydrosilanes (Et3SiH, Pr3SiH, i-Pr3SiH, and PhMe2SiH). Target vinyl silanes were prepared in 48-95% yields (as a mixture of α/β isomers) and with maximum turnover number of 8.4 × 103. Hydrosilylation of internal alkynes (PhC≡CPh, Me(CH2)2C≡C(CH2)2Me, and PhC≡CMe) with hydrosilanes (Et3SiH, PhMe2SiH) led to the corresponding trisubstituted silylated alkenes in 86-94% yields. Initial observations on the mechanism of the catalytic action of platinum-ADC catalysts 8-19 suggested a molecular catalytic cycle.

Metal-Mediated Addition of N-Nucleophiles to Isocyanides: Mechanistic Aspects

Despite the long history of the investigation of nucleophilic addition to metal-bound isocyanides, some important aspects of the reaction mechanism remain unclear even for the simplest systems. In this work, the addition of the sp³-N, sp²-N, and mixed sp²/sp³-N nucleophiles (i.e., HNMe₂, HN=CPh₂, and H₂N-N=CPh₂, respectively) to isocyanides C≡NR coordinated to the platinum(II) centers in the complexes cis-[Pt(C≡NCy)(2-pyz)(dppe)]⁺ (2-pyz = 2-pyrazyl, dmpe = Me₂PCH₂CH₂PMe₂) and cis-[PtCl₂(C≡NXyl)(C≡NMe)] was studied in detail by theoretical (DFT) methods. The mechanism of these reactions is stepwise associative rather than concerted and it includes the addition of a nucleophile to the isocyanide C atom, deprotonation of the nucleophilic moiety in the resulting intermediate, and protonation of the isocyanide N atom to give the final product. The calculated activation energy (ΔG≠) of all reactions is in the range of 19.8-22.4 kcal/mol.

Generation of 1,2-azaboretidines via reduction of ADC borane adducts

ADC borane adducts RBX₂·ADC (R = Mes, Dur; X = Cl, Br; ADC = :C(NiPr₂)₂) have been prepared and reduced by KC₈ to afford air stable 1,2-azaboretidines with high selectivity.

Reaction of the acyclic (diamino)carbene (ADC) :C(NiPr₂)₂ (1) with different dihaloboranes of the type RBX₂ (R = Mes, Dur; X = Cl, Br) smoothly afforded a novel class of ADC-stabilized borane adducts. For MesBBr₂ however, the reaction did not stop at the adduct level, but an uncommon rearrangement process occurred, which eventually resulted in the formation of a 5-membered boracycle after elimination of mesitylene. Chemical reduction of the ADC borane adducts by KC₈ selectively yielded air stable 1,2-azaboretidines. Detailed DFT studies suggest a reduction mechanism involving a highly reactive borylene intermediate, which is converted into the boracycles via a rearrangement/C–H activation sequence.

Acylated cyanoimido-complexes trans-[Mo(NCN){NCNC(O)R}(dppe)(2)]Cl and their reactions with electrophiles: chemical, electrochemical and theoretical study

Treatment of a dichloromethane solution of trans-[Mo(NCN){NCNC(O)R}(dppe)(2)]Cl [R = Me (1a), Et (1b)] (dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2)) with HBF(4), [Et(3)O][BF(4)] or EtC(O)Cl gives trans-[Mo(NCN)Cl(dppe)(2)]X [X = BF(4) (2a) or Cl (2b)] and the corresponding acylcyanamides NCN(R')C(O)Et (R' = H, Et or C(O)Et). X-ray diffraction analysis of 2a (X = BF(4)) reveals a multiple-bond coordination of the cyanoimide ligand. Compounds 1 convert to the bis(cyanoimide) trans-[Mo(NCN)(2)(dppe)(2)] complex upon reaction with an excess of NaOMe (with formation of the respective ester). In an aprotic medium and at a Pt electrode, compounds 1 (R = Me, Et or Ph) undergo a cathodically induced isomerization. Full quantitative kinetic analysis of the voltammetric behaviour is presented and allows the determination of the first-order rate constants and the equilibrium constant of the trans to cis isomerization reaction. The mechanisms of electrophilic addition (protonation) to complexes 1 and the precursor trans-[Mo(NCN)(2)(dppe)(2)], as well as the electronic structures, nature of the coordination bonds and electrochemical behaviour of these species are investigated in detail by theoretical methods which indicate that the most probable sites of the proton attack are the oxygen atom of the acyl group and the terminal nitrogen atom, respectively.