N–H Activation by Rh(I) via Metal–Ligand Cooperation

Electrocatalytic Semihydrogenation of Terminal Alkynes Using Ligand-Based Transfer of Protons and Electrons

Alkyne semihydrogenation is a broadly important transformation in chemical synthesis. Here, we introduce an electrochemical method for the selective semihydrogenation of terminal alkynes using a dihydrazonopyrrole Ni complex capable of storing an H2 equivalent (2H+ + 2e-) on the ligand backbone. This method is chemoselective for the semihydrogenation of terminal alkynes over internal alkynes or alkenes. Mechanistic studies reveal that the transformation is concerted and Z-selective. Calculations support a ligand-based hydrogen-atom transfer pathway instead of a hydride mechanism, which is commonly invoked for transition metal hydrogenation catalysts. The synthesis of the proposed intermediates demonstrates that the catalytic mechanism proceeds through a reduced formal Ni(I) species. The high yields for terminal alkene products without over-reduction or oligomerization are among the best reported for any homogeneous catalyst. Furthermore, the metal-ligand cooperative hydrogen transfer enabled with this system directs the efficient flow of H atom equivalents toward alkyne reduction rather than hydrogen evolution, providing a blueprint for applying similar strategies toward a wide range of electroreductive transformations.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydrogenation Reactions Enabled by Ligand-Based Storage of Dihydrogen

The use of supporting ligands that can store either protons or electrons has emerged as a powerful strategy in catalysis. While these strategies are potent individually, natural systems mediate remarkable transformations by combining the storage of both protons and electrons in the secondary coordination sphere. As such, there has been recent interest in using this strategy to enable fundamentally different transformations. Furthermore, outsourcing H-atom or hydrogen storage to ancillary ligands can also enable alternative mechanistic pathways and thereby selectivity. Here, we describe the application of this strategy to facilitate radical reactivity in Co-based hydrogenation catalysis. Metalation of previously reported dihydrazonopyrrole ligands with Co results in paramagnetic complexes, which are best described as having Co(II) oxidation states. These complexes catalytically hydrogenate olefins with low catalyst loadings under mild conditions (1 atm H₂, 23 °C). Mechanistic, spectroscopic, and computational investigations indicate that this system goes through a radical hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) type pathway that is distinct from classic organometallic mechanisms and is supported by the ability of the ligand to store H₂. These results show how ancillary ligands can facilitate efficient catalysis, and furthermore how classic organometallic mechanisms for catalysis can be altered by the secondary coordination sphere.

Synthesis, Coordination Chemistry, and Mechanistic Studies of P,N-Type Phosphaalkene-Based Rh(I) Complexes

The synthesis of P,N-phosphaalkene ligands, py-CH═PMes* (1, py = 2-pyridyl, Mes* = 2,4,6-tBu-C₆H₂) and the novel quin-CH═PMes* (2, quin = 2-quinolinyl) is described. The reaction with [Rh(μ-Cl)cod]₂ produces Rh(I) bis(phosphaalkene) chlorido complexes 3 and 4 with distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination environments. Complexes 3 and 4 show a pronounced metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) from Rh into the ligand P═C π* orbitals. Upon heating, quinoline-based complex 4 undergoes twofold C-H bond activation at the o-tBu groups of the Mes* substituents to yield the cationic bis(phosphaindane) Rh(I) complex 5, which could not be observed for the pyridine-based analogue 3. Using sub- or superstoichiometric amounts of AgOTf the C-H bond activation at an o-tBu group of one or at both Mes* was detected, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) studies suggest an oxidative proton shift pathway as an alternative to a previously reported high-barrier oxidative addition at Rh(I). The Rh(I) mono- and bis(phosphaindane) triflate complexes 6 and 7, respectively, undergo deprotonation at the benzylic CH₂ group of the phosphaindane unit in the presence of KOtBu to furnish neutral, distorted square-planar Rh(I) complexes 8 and 9, respectively, with one of the P,N ligands being dearomatized. All complexes were fully characterized, including multinuclear NMR, vibrational, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, as well as single-crystal X-ray and elemental analysis.

Theoretical Study of N-H σ-Bond Activation by Nickel(0) Complex: Reaction Mechanism, Electronic Processes, and Prediction of Better Ligand

N-H σ-bond activation of alkylamine by Ni(PCy₃) was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. When simple alkylamine NHMe₂ is a reactant, both concerted oxidative addition in Ni(PCy₃)(NHMe₂) and ligand-to-ligand H transfer reaction in Ni(PCy₃)(C₂H₄)(NHMe₂) are endergonic and need a high activation energy. When NH(Me)(Bs) (Bs = SO₂Ph, a model of tosyl group used in experiments) is a reactant, both reactions are exergonic and occur easily with a much smaller activation energy. The much larger reactivity of NH(Me)(Bs) than that of NHMe₂ results from the stronger Ni-N(Me)(Bs) bond than the Ni-NMe₂ bond and the presence of the Ni-O bonding interaction between the Bs group and the Ni atom in the product. N-Heterocyclic carbene, 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IPr), is computationally predicted to be better than PCy₃ because the Ni-NMe₂ and Ni-N(Me)(Bs) bonds in the IPr complex are stronger, respectively, than those of the PCy₃ complex. The introduction of the electron-withdrawing Bs group to the N atom of amine and the use of IPr as a ligand are recommended for the N-H σ-bond activation. The C-H σ-bond activations of benzene via the oxidative addition and the ligand-to-ligand H transfer reaction were also investigated here for comparison with the N-H σ-bond activation. The differences between the C-H σ-bond activation of benzene and the N-H σ-bond activation of these amines are discussed in terms of the N-H, C-H, Ni-Ph, and Ni-NMe₂, and Ni-N(Me)(Bs) bond energies and back-donation to benzene from the Ni atom.

η2-Alkene Complexes of [Rh(PONOP-iPr)(L)]+ Cations (L = COD, NBD, Ethene). Intramolecular Alkene-Assisted Hydrogenation and Dihydrogen Complex [Rh(PONOP-iPr)(η-H2)]. Inorg Chem 2021;60:13903-13912. [PMID: 33570930 PMCID: PMC8456414 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c03687]

Rhodium-alkene complexes of the pincer ligand κ³-C₅H₃N-2,6-(OPⁱPr₂)₂ (PONOP-ⁱPr) have been prepared and structurally characterized: [Rh(PONOP-ⁱPr)(η²-alkene)][BAr^F₄] [alkene = cyclooctadiene (COD), norbornadiene (NBD), ethene; Ar^F = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃]. Only one of these, alkene = COD, undergoes a reaction with H₂ (1 bar), to form [Rh(PONOP-ⁱPr)(η²-COE)][BAr^F₄] (COE = cyclooctene), while the others show no significant reactivity. This COE complex does not undergo further hydrogenation. This difference in reactivity between COD and the other alkenes is proposed to be due to intramolecular alkene-assisted reductive elimination in the COD complex, in which the η²-bound diene can engage in bonding with its additional alkene unit. H/D exchange experiments on the ethene complex show that reductive elimination from a reversibly formed alkyl hydride intermediate is likely rate-limiting and with a high barrier. The proposed final product of alkene hydrogenation would be the dihydrogen complex [Rh(PONOP-ⁱPr)(η²-H₂)][BAr^F₄], which has been independently synthesized and undergoes exchange with free H₂ on the NMR time scale, as well as with D₂ to form free HD. When the H₂ addition to [Rh(PONOP-ⁱPr)(η²-ethene)][BAr^F₄] is interrogated using pH₂ at higher pressure (3 bar), this produces the dihydrogen complex as a transient product, for which enhancements in the ¹H NMR signal for the bound H₂ ligand, as well as that for free H₂, are observed. This is a unique example of the partially negative line-shape effect, with the enhanced signals that are observed for the dihydrogen complex being explained by the exchange processes already noted.

Co(I) complexes with a tetradentate phenanthroline-based PNNP ligand as a potent new metal-ligand cooperation platform

A series of low spin cobalt(i) complexes bearing a tetradentate phenanthroline-based PNNP ligand (2,9-bis((diphenylphosphanyl)methyl)-1,10-phenanthroline), [CoCl(PNNP)] (1), [CoMe(PNNP)] (2) and [Co(CH2SiMe3)(PNNP)] (3), were synthesized and structurally identified. Complex 3 underwent a structural rearrangement of the PNNP skeleton upon heating to form [Co(PNNP')] (4), which is supported by an asymmetrical PNNP' ligand with a dearomatized phenanthroline backbone. Mechanistic studies supported that the transformation from 3 to 4 was initiated by the homolysis of either a Co-CH2SiMe3 bond or a benzylic C-H bond. Complex 4 achieved H-H bond cleavage of H2 (1 atm) at ambient temperature, to form [Co(PNNP'')] (6), in which two H atoms were incorporated into the endocyclic double bond of the PNNP'' ligand backbone.

Metal-Ligand Cooperation Facilitates Bond Activation and Catalytic Hydrogenation with Zinc Pincer Complexes

A series of PNP zinc pincer complexes capable of bond activation via aromatization/dearomatization metal–ligand cooperation (MLC) were prepared and characterized. Reversible heterolytic N–H and H–H bond activation by MLC is shown, in which hemilability of the phosphorus linkers plays a key role. Utilizing this zinc pincer system, base-free catalytic hydrogenation of imines and ketones is demonstrated. A detailed mechanistic study supported by computation implicates the key role of MLC in facilitating effective catalysis. This approach offers a new strategy for (de)hydrogenation and other catalytic transformations mediated by zinc and other main group metals.

Activation of Dinitrogen by Polynuclear Metal Complexes

Activation of dinitrogen plays an important role in daily anthropogenic life, and the processes by which this fixation occurs have been a longstanding and significant research focus within the community. One of the major fields of dinitrogen activation research is the use of multimetallic compounds to reduce and/or activate N2 into a more useful nitrogen-atom source, such as ammonia. Here we report a comprehensive review of multimetallic-dinitrogen complexes and their utility toward N2 activation, beginning with the d-block metals from Group 4 to Group 11, then extending to Group 13 (which is exclusively populated by B complexes), and finally the rare-earth and actinide species. The review considers all polynuclear metal aggregates containing two or more metal centers in which dinitrogen is coordinated or activated (i.e., partial or complete cleavage of the N2 triple bond in the observed product). Our survey includes complexes in which mononuclear N2 complexes are used as building blocks to generate homo- or heteromultimetallic dinitrogen species, which allow one to evaluate the potential of heterometallic species for dinitrogen activation. We highlight some of the common trends throughout the periodic table, such as the differences between coordination modes as it relates to N2 activation and potential functionalization and the effect of polarizing the bridging N2 ligand by employing different metal ions of differing Lewis acidities. By providing this comprehensive treatment of polynuclear metal dinitrogen species, this Review aims to outline the past and provide potential future directions for continued research in this area.

The origin of different driving forces between O–H/N–H functional groups in metal ligand cooperation: mechanistic insight into Mn(i) catalysed transfer hydrogenation

The origin of different catalytic activity between two structurally similar Lewis basic bifunctional catalysts.

Probing the Donor Properties of Pincer Ligands Using Rhodium Carbonyl Fragments: An Experimental and Computational Case Study

Metal carbonyls are commonly employed probes for quantifying the donor properties of monodentate ligands. With a view to extending this methodology to mer-tridentate "pincer" ligands, the spectroscopic properties [ν(CO), δ 13C, 1 J RhC] of rhodium(I) and rhodium(III) carbonyl complexes of the form [Rh(pincer)(CO)][BArF 4] and [Rh(pincer)Cl2(CO)][BArF 4] have been critically analysed for four pyridyl-based pincer ligands, with two flanking oxazoline (NNN), phosphine (PNP), or N-heterocyclic carbene (CNC) donors. Our investigations indicate that the carbonyl bands of the rhodium(I) complexes are the most diagnostic, with frequencies discernibly decreasing in the order NNN > PNP > CNC. To gain deeper insight, a DFT-based energy decomposition analysis was performed and identified important bonding differences associated with the conformation of the pincer backbone, which clouds straightforward interpretation of the experimental IR data. A correlation between the difference in carbonyl stretching frequencies Δν(CO) and calculated thermodynamics of the RhI/RhIII redox pairs was identified and could prove to be a useful mechanistic tool.

Selective Carbanion-Pyridine Coordination of a Reactive P,N Ligand to RhI

Ligands with reactive carbon sites in the periphery of a metal center have emerged as a powerful approach for metal-ligand bond activation. These reactive carbon sites are commonly generated by deprotonation strategies. Carbon-silicon bond cleavage is a potential alternative to access such constructs. Herein, the monodesilylation of bis-silyl-substituted P,N scaffold PNSi2 in the coordination sphere of [RhI (Cl)(CO)(PNSi2 )] (1) with sodium azide is disclosed. This affords a unique dinucleating anionic κ2 -C,N-κ1 -P ligand with a carbanionic methine carbon atom directly bound to rhodium as part of a four-membered Rh-N-C-C rhodacycle. This dimer undergoes meta-pyridine C-H activation facilitated by weak bases, which leads to a desymmetrization of the system and provides a σ,π-bridging 3-pyridyl fragment bound to RhI . The facile Si-C cleavage strategy may pave the way to studying the reactivity and functionalization of a variety of κ2 -C,N-coordinated pyridine scaffolds for selective transformations.

Metal-Ligand Cooperation as Key in Formation of Dearomatized NiII-H Pincer Complexes and in Their Reactivity toward CO and CO2

The unique synthesis and reactivity of [(^RPNP*)NiH] complexes (1a,b), based on metal–ligand cooperation (MLC), are presented (^RPNP* = deprotonated PNP ligand, R = ⁱPr, ^tBu). Unexpectedly, the dearomatized complexes 1a,b were obtained by reduction of the dicationic complexes [(^RPNP)Ni(MeCN)](BF₄)₂ with sodium amalgam or by reaction of the free ligand with Ni⁰(COD)₂. Complex 1b reacts with CO via MLC, to give a rare case of a distorted-octahedral PNP-based pincer complex, the Ni(0) complex 3b. Complexes 1a,b also react with CO₂ via MLC to form a rare example of η¹ binding of CO₂ to nickel, complexes 4a,b. An unusual CO₂ cleavage process by complex 4b, involving C–O and C–P cleavage and C–C bond formation, led to the Ni–CO complex 3b and to the new complex [(PⁱPr₂NC₂O₂)Ni(P(O)ⁱPr₂)] (5b). All complexes have been fully characterized by NMR and X-ray crystallography.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Urea Synthesis by N-H Activation of Amines

Activation of the N-H bond of amines by a ruthenium pincer complex operating via "amine-amide" metal-ligand cooperation is demonstrated. Catalytic formyl C-H activation of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is observed in situ, which resulted in the formation of CO and dimethylamine. The scope of this new mode of bond activation is extended to the synthesis of urea derivatives from amines using DMF as a carbon monoxide (CO) surrogate. This catalytic protocol allows the synthesis of simple and functionalized urea derivatives with liberation of hydrogen, devoid of any stoichiometric activating reagents, and avoids the direct use of fatal CO. The catalytic carbonylation occurred at low temperature to provide the formamide; a formamide intermediate was isolated. The consecutive addition of different amines provided unsymmetrical urea compounds. The reactions are proposed to proceed via N-H activation of amines followed by CO insertion from DMF and with liberation of dihydrogen.

Synthesis and application of PNP pincer ligands in rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of cycloolefins

New phosphorus ligands were successfully developed for rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of cycloolefins and exerted high aldehyde selectivity for cycloolefins.

Pincer Ligand Modifications To Tune the Activation Barrier for H2 Elimination in Water Splitting Milstein Catalyst

Modifications on the ligand environment of Milstein ruthenium(II) pincer hydride catalysts have been proposed to fine-tune the activation free energy, ΔG(⧧) for the key step of H2 elimination in the water splitting reaction. This study conducted at the B3LYP level of density functional theory including the solvation effect reveals that changing the bulky t-butyl group at the P-arm of the pincer ligand by methyl or ethyl group can reduce the ΔG(⧧) by a substantial margin, ∼ 10 kcal/mol. The reduction in the steric effect of the pincer ligand causes exothermic association of the water molecule to the metal center and leads to significant stabilization of all the subsequent reaction intermediates and the transition state compared to those of the original Milstein catalyst that promotes endothermic association of the water molecule. Though electron donating groups on the pyridyl unit of the pincer ligand are advantageous for reducing the activation barrier in the gas phase, the effect is only 1-1.4 kcal/mol compared to that of an electron withdrawing group. The absolute minimum of the electrostatic potential at the hydride ligand and carbonyl stretching frequency of the catalyst are useful parameters to gauge the effect of ligand environment on the H2 elimination step of the water splitting reaction.

Non-symmetric pincer ligands: complexes and applications in catalysis

Pincer ligands have become ubiquitous in organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis. Recently, new varieties of pincer ligands with non-symmetrical backbones and/or ligating groups have been reported and their application in transition metal complexes has been exploited in a variety of catalytic transformations. This non-symmetric approach vastly increases the structural and electronic diversity of this class of ligand. This approach has proven beneficial in a variety of ways, such as the use of a single weakly coordinating moiety, which can dissociate and thereby create a vacant coordination site to increase the catalyst activity. Additionally, this provides further access to chiral ligands and complexes for asymmetric induction. This perspective highlights recent, important examples of non-symmetric pincer ligands, which feature aryl or pyridine backbones, and the synthesis and use of subsequent complexes in catalytic transformations, and discusses the future potential of this type of ligand system.

Synthesis and reactivity of coordinatively unsaturated halocarbonyl molybdenum PNP pincer complexes

In the present study a series of six-coordinate neutral 16e halocarbonyl Mo(ii) complexes of the type [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)X2] (X = I, Br, Cl), featuring the PNP pincer ligand N,N'-bis(diisopropylphosphino)-N,N'-dimethyl-2,6-diaminopyridine (PNP(Me)-iPr), were prepared and fully characterized. The synthesis of these complexes was accomplished by different methodologies depending on the halide ligands. For X = I and Br, [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)I2] and [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)Br2] were obtained by reacting [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)3] with stoichiometric amounts of I2 and Br2, respectively. In the case of X = Cl, [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)Cl2] was afforded by the reaction of [Mo(CO)4(μ-Cl)Cl]2 with 1 equiv. of PNP(Me)-iPr. The equivalent procedure also worked for X = Br. The modification of the 2,6-diaminopyridine scaffold by introducing NMe instead of NH spacers between the aromatic pyridine ring and the phosphine moieties changed the steric properties of the PNP-iPr ligand significantly. While in the present case exclusively neutral six-coordinate complexes of the type [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)X2] were obtained, with the parent PNP-iPr ligand, i.e. featuring NH spacers, cationic seven-coordinate complexes of the type [Mo(PNP-iPr)(CO)3X]X were afforded. Upon treatment of [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)X2] (X = Br, Cl) with Ag(+) in CH3CN, the cationic complexes [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)(CH3CN)X](+) were formed. Halide abstraction from [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)Cl2] in THF-CH2Cl2 afforded [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)(THF)Cl](+). In keeping with the facile synthesis of monocationic complexes preliminary ESI-MS and DFT/B3LYP studies revealed that one halide ligand in complexes [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)X2] is labile forming cationic fragments [Mo(PNP(Me)-iPr)(CO)X](+) which react with molecular oxygen in parallel pathways to yield mono and dioxo Mo(iv) and Mo(vi) species. Structures of representative complexes were determined by X-ray single crystal analyses.

An iron(II) complex featuring κ(3) and labile κ(2)-bound PNP pincer ligands - striking differences between CH2 and NH spacers

Treatment of anhydrous FeCl2 with 2 equiv. of the pincer ligand PNP-Ph afforded the diamagnetic cationic octahedral complex [Fe(κ(3)-P,N,P-PNP)(κ(2)-P,N-PNP)Cl](+) featuring a κ(2)-P,N-bound PNP ligand. Preliminary reactivity studies revealed that the κ(2)-P,N-bound PNP ligand is labile reacting with CO to afford trans-[Fe(PNP-Ph)(CO)2Cl](+).

Metal-ligand cooperation by aromatization-dearomatization as a tool in single bond activation

Metal-ligand cooperation (MLC) plays an important role in bond activation processes, enabling many chemical and biological catalytic reactions. A recent new mode of activation of chemical bonds involves ligand aromatization-dearomatization processes in pyridine-based pincer complexes in which chemical bonds are broken reversibly across the metal centre and the pincer-ligand arm, leading to new bond-making and -breaking processes, and new catalysis. In this short review, such processes are briefly exemplified in the activation of C-H, H-H, O-H, N-H and B-H bonds, and mechanistic insight is provided. This new bond activation mode has led to the development of various catalytic reactions, mainly based on alcohols and amines, and to a stepwise approach to thermal H2 and light-induced O2 liberation from water.

C–H and H–H bond activation via ligand dearomatization/rearomatization of a PN3P-rhodium(i) complex

A neutral complex PN³P-Rh(i)Cl (2) was prepared from a reaction of the PN³P pincer ligand (1) with [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene).

Synthesis and reactivity of NHC-based rhodium macrocycles

Using a general synthetic procedure employing readily accessed terminal alkene-functionalized pro-ligands and macrocyclization by ring-closing olefin metathesis, rhodium carbonyl complexes have been prepared that contain lutidine (1a; n = 1) and pyridine (1b; n = 0) derived tridentate CNC macrocycles with dodecamethylene spacers. In solution, 1a shows temperature-invariant time-averaged C2 symmetry by (1)H NMR spectroscopy (CD2Cl2, 500 MHz), whereas in the solid-state, two polymorphs can be obtained showing different conformations of the alkyl spacer about the metal-carbonyl bond (asymmetric and symmetric). In contrast, time-averaged motion of alkyl spacer in 1b can be halted by cooling below 225 K (CD2Cl2, 500 MHz), and the complex crystallizes as a dimer with an interesting unsupported Rh···Rh bonding interaction (3.2758(6) Å). Oxidative addition reactions of 1a and 1b, using MeI and PhICl2, have been studied in situ by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, although pure Rh(III) adducts can be ultimately isolated only with the pyridine-based macrocyclic ligand. The lutidine backbone of 1a can be deprotonated by addition of K[N(SiMe3)2], and the resulting neutral dearomatized complex (5) has been fully characterized in solution, by variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and in the solid state, by X-ray diffraction.

Intermolecular hydroamination of 1,3-dienes catalyzed by bis(phosphine)carbodicarbene-rhodium complexes

A carbodicarbene (CDC)-based pincer ligand scaffold is reported, along with its application to site-selective Rh(I)-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of 1,3-dienes with aryl and alkyl amines. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of the use of a well-defined CDC complex as an efficient catalyst. Transformations proceed in the presence of 1.0-5.0 mol % Rh complex at 35-120 °C; allylic amines are obtained in up to 97% yield and with >98:2 site selectivity.