Diamido-Ether Actinide Complexes as Catalysts for the Intramolecular Hydroamination of Aminoalkenes

Recent advances in the carbon-phosphorus (C-P) bond formation from unsaturated compounds by s- and p-block metals

Researchers around the globe have witnessed several breakthroughs in s- and p-block metal chemistry. Over the past few years, several applications in catalysis associated with these main group metals have been established, and owing to their abundance and low cost and they have proved to be essential alternatives to transition metal catalysts. In this review, we present a detailed discussion on the catalytic addition of P-H bonds from various phosphine reagents to multiple bonds of unsaturated substrates for the synthesis of organophosphorus compounds with C-P bonds promoted by various s- and p-block metal catalysts, as published in the last decade.

Recent developments in highly basic N-heterocyclic iminato ligands in actinide chemistry

In the last decade, major conceptual advances in the chemistry of actinide molecules and materials have been made to demonstrate their distinct reactivity profiles as compared to lanthanide and transition metal compounds, but some difficult questions remain concerning the intriguing stability of low-valent actinide complexes, and the importance of the 5f-orbitals in reactivity and bonding. The imidazolin-2-iminato moiety has been extensively used in ligands for the advancement of actinide chemistry owing to its unique capability of stabilizing the reactive and highly electrophilic metal ions by virtue of its strong electron donation and steric tunability. The current review article describes recent developments in the chemistry of light actinide metal ions (thorium and uranium) bearing these N-heterocyclic iminato moieties as supporting ligands. In addition, the effect of ring expansion of the N-heterocycle on the catalytic aptitude of the organoactinides is also described herein. The synthesis and reactivity of actinide complexes bearing N-heterocyclic iminato ligands are presented, and promising apposite applications are also presented. The current review focuses on addressing the catalytic behavior of actinide complexes with oxygen-containing substrates such as in the Tishchenko reaction, hydroelementation processes, and polymerization reactions. Actinide complexes have also found new catalytic applications, as demonstrated by the potent chemoselective carbonyl hydroboration and tandem proton-transfer esterification (TPTE) reaction, featuring coupling between an aldehyde and alcohol.

Self-assembly of Keggin-type U(vi)-containing tungstophosphates with a sandwich structure: an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of sulfonyl pyrazoles

Two Keggin-type U(vi)-containing tungstophosphates with sandwich structure were synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 presents excellent catalytic activity towards the condensation cyclization of sulfonyl hydrazines with 1,3-diketones to synthesize sulfonyl pyrazoles.

Selective oxo ligand functionalisation and substitution reactivity in an oxo/catecholate-bridged UIV/UIV Pacman complex

The oxo- and catecholate-bridged U^IV/U^IV Pacman complex [{(py)U^IVOU^IV(μ-O₂C₆H₄)(py)}(L^A)] A (L^A = a macrocyclic "Pacman" ligand; anthracenylene hinge between N₄-donor pockets, ethyl substituents on meso-carbon atom of each N₄-donor pocket) featuring a bent U^IV-O-U^IV oxo bridge readily reacts with small molecule substrates to undergo either oxo-atom functionalisation or substitution. Complex A reacts with H₂O or MeOH to afford [{(py)U^IV(μ-OH)₂U^IV(μ-O₂C₆H₄)(py)}(L^A)] (1) and [{(py)U^IV(μ-OH)(μ-OMe)U^IV(μ-O₂C₆H₄)(py)}(L^A)] (2), respectively, in which the bridging oxo ligand in A is substituted for two bridging hydroxo ligands or one bridging hydroxo and one bridging methoxy ligand, respectively. Alternatively, A reacts with either 0.5 equiv. of S₈ or 4 equiv. of Se to provide [{(py)U^IV(μ-η²:η²-E₂)U^IV(μ-O₂C₆H₄)(py)}(L^A)] (E = S (3), Se (4)) respectively, in which the [E₂]^2- ion bridges the two U^IV centres. To the best of our knowledge, complex A is the first example of either a d- or f-block bimetallic μ-oxo complex that activates elemental chalcogens. Complex A also reacts with XeF₂ or 2 equiv. of Me₃SiCl to provide [{(py)U^IV(μ-X)₂U^IV(μ-O₂C₆H₄)(py)}(L^A)] (X = F (5), Cl (6)), in which the oxo ligand has been substituted for two bridging halido ligands. Reacting A with either XeF₂ or Me₃SiCl in the presence of O(Bcat)₂ at room temperature forms [{(py)U^IV(μ-X)(μ-OBcat)U^IV(μ-O₂C₆H₄)(py)}(L^A)] (X = F (5A), Cl (6A)), which upon heating to 80 °C is converted to 5 and 6, respectively. In order to probe the importance of the bent U^IV-O-U^IV motif in A on the observed reactivity, the bis(boroxido)-U^IV/U^IV complex, [{(py)(pinBO)U^IVOU^IV(OBpin)(py)}(L^A)] (B), featuring a linear U^IV-O-U^IV bond angle was treated with H₂O and Me₃SiCl. Complex B reacts with two equiv. of either H₂O or Me₃SiCl to provide [{(py)HOU^IVOU^IVOH(py)}(L^A)] (7) and [{(py)ClU^IVOU^IVCl(py)}(L^A)] (8), respectively, in which reactions occur preferentially at the boroxido ligands, with the μ-oxo ligand unchanged. The formal U^IV oxidation state is retained in all of the products 1-8, and selective reactions at the bridging oxo ligand in A is facilitated by: (1) its highly nucleophilic character which is a result of a non-linear U^IV-O-U^IV bond angle causing an increase in U-O bond covalency and localisation of the lone pairs of electrons on the μ-oxo group, and (2) the presence of the bridging catecholate ligand, which destabilises a linear oxo-bridging geometry and stabilises the resulting products.

Thorium(iv) trialkyl complexes of non-carbocyclic ligands as highly active isoprene polymerisation catalysts

A series of mono-anionic non-carbocyclic ligands, including bidentate benzamidinate [PhC(NDipp)2] (Dipp = C6H3-2,6-iPr2), iminophosphinamide [Ph2P(NDipp)2] and phosphinoamide [Ph2PNDipp], and tridentate hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (TpMe2) were used to stabilize the corresponding thorium(iv) trialkyl complexes [PhC(NDipp)2]Th(CH2SiMe3)3 (1), [Ph2P(NDipp)2]Th(CH2SiMe3)3 (2), [Ph2P(NDipp)]Th(p-CH2-C6H4-Me)3 (3) and (TpMe2)Th(CH2SiMe3)3 (4), which were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Complexes 1-4 in combination with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] and AliBu3 form non-Cp-ligated actinide catalyst systems to show high activity and high cis-1,4-selectivity (89.9%) or trans-1,4-selectivity (91.4%) for the polymerization of isoprene. The reaction rate and selectivity of complexes 1 and 2 were controlled by the crowded space around the thorium centre, corroborated by the kinetics of the polymerization and the steric maps.

Reduction vs. Addition: The Reaction of an Aluminyl Anion with 1,3,5,7-Cyclooctatetraene

The potassium aluminyl complex K[Al(NON^Ar )] (NON=NON^Ar =[O(SiMe₂ NAr)₂ ]^2- , Ar=2,6-iPr₂ C₆ H₃ ) reacts with 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene (COT) to give K[Al(NON^Ar )(COT)]. The COT-ligand is present in the asymmetric unit as a planar μ₂ -η² :η⁸ -bridge between Al and K, with additional K⋅⋅⋅π-aryl interactions to neighboring molecules that generate a helical chain. DFT calculations indicate significant aromatic character, consistent with reduction to [COT]^2- . Addition of 18-crown-6 causes a rearrangement of the C₈ -carbocycle to form the isomeric 9-aluminabicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2,4,7-triene anion.

Highly Active Dinuclear Titanium(IV) Complexes for the Catalytic Formation of a Carbon-Heteroatom Bond

A series of mononuclear titanium(IV) complexes with the general composition κ³-[R{NHPh₂P(X)}₂Ti(NMe₂)₂] [R = C₆H₄, X = Se (3b); R = trans-C₆H₁₀, X = S (4a), Se (4b)] and [{κ²-N(PPh₂Se)₂}₂Ti(NMe₂)₂] (6b) and two dinuclear titanium(IV) complexes, [C₆H₄{(NPh₂PS)(N)}Ti(NMe₂)]₂ (3c) and [{κ²-N(PPh₂Se)}Ti(NMe₂)₂]₂ (6c), are reported. Dinuclear titanium(IV) complex 6c acts as an efficient catalyst for the chemoselective addition of an E-H bond (E = N, O, S, P, C) to heterocumulenes under mild conditions. The catalytic addition of aliphatic and aromatic amines, alcohol, thiol, phosphine oxide, and acetylene to the carbodiimides afforded the corresponding hydroelemented products in high yield at mild conditions with a broader substrate scope. The catalytic efficiency of the dinuclear complex depends on the cooperative effect of the Ti^IV ions, the systematic variation of the intermetallic distance, and the ligand's steric properties of the complex, which enhances the reaction rate. Most interestingly, this is the first example of catalytic insertion of various E-H bonds into the carbodiimides using a single-site catalyst because only the titanium-mediated insertion of E-H into a C═N unsaturated bond is reported to date. The amine and alcohol insertion reaction with the carbodiimides showed first-order kinetics with respect to the titanium(IV) catalyst as well as substrates. A most plausible mechanism for hydroelementation reaction is also proposed, based on the spectroscopic data of the controlled reaction, a time-course study, and the Hammett plot.

Revisiting the bis(dimethylamido) metallocene complexes of thorium and uranium: improved syntheses, structure, spectroscopy, and redox energetics of (C5Me5)2An(NMe2)2 (An = Th, U)

The reaction of (C₅Me₅)₂AnCl₂ (An = Th, U) with 2.8 or 4 equivalents of LiNMe₂, respectively, affords (C₅Me₅)₂An(NMe₂)₂ in high yields. In addition to improved syntheses, the solid-state structures, voltammetric data, and UV-visible-NIR spectra for these classic actinide bis(dimethylamido) complexes are presented for the first time.

Thorium(iv) alkyl and allyl complexes of a rigid NON-donor pincer ligand with flanking 1-adamantyl substituents

A rigid new pincer pro-ligand, 4,5-bis(1-adamantylamino)-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene, is described, with deprotonation and complexation to afford thorium(iv) chloro, alkyl, and allyl derivatives.

Neutral and cationic bismuth compounds supported by bis(amidodimethyl)disiloxane ligands

Bis(amidodimethyl)disiloxane ligands derived from O{SiMe₂N(H)R}₂ (abbreviated as (NON^R)H₂) are a stable support for neutral and cationic bismuth compounds. Attempts to extend the series Bi(NON^R)Cl (R = Ar = 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃; R = tBu) to include compounds where R = Ar' = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ were complicated by concomitant formation of the bimetallic compound {Bi(NON^Ar')}₂(μ-NON^Ar'). Compounds containing [Bi(NON^R)]⁺ cations were obtained from reactions with group 13 chlorides MCl₃ (M = Al, Ga). X-ray crystallographic analysis showed intermolecular interactions with the [M_nCl_(3n+1)] anion.

Organoactinides in catalytic transformations: scope, mechanisms and Quo Vadis

The last decade has witnessed brilliant and remarkable advances in the chemistry of the early actinides in stoichiometric and in challenging catalytic processes. This canvas of knowledge allows the design of chemical reactivities reaching a high level of sophistication. This review highlights the latest results obtained since 2008 on those catalytic processes.

Hydroamination of carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates by a bis(phosphinoselenoic amide) supported titanium(iv) complex

The hydroamination of heterocumulenes such as carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates by a bis(phosphinoselenoic amide) supported titanium(iv) complex as a precatalyst is reported here. The titanium(iv) complex [{Ph₂P(Se)NCH₂CH₂NPPh₂(Se)}Ti(NMe₂)₂] (1) was synthesised by the reaction of tetrakis-(dimethylamido)titanium(iv) [Ti(NMe₂)₄] with [{Ph₂P(Se)NHCH₂CH₂NHPPh₂(Se)}] in toluene at ambient temperature. Titanium complex 1 proved to be a competent pre-catalyst for the addition of an amine N-H bond to carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates. The reaction scope was expanded to reactions of aliphatic and aromatic amines with phenylisocyanates and phenylisothiocyanates in toluene solvents proceeding rapidly at room temperature with 5 mol% catalyst loadings to yield the corresponding urea and thio-urea derivatives up to 99%. However, ambient temperature was needed for hydroamination of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The amine addition reactions with isocyanates showed first order kinetics with respect to catalyst 1 as well as substrates. The most plausible mechanism for the hydroamination reaction was established by isolating 1,1-dimethylphenyl urea as a side product.

Catalytic insertion of E-H bonds (E = C, N, P, S) into heterocumulenes by amido-actinide complexes

We report herein the actinide-mediated insertion of E-H bonds (E = C, N, P, S) into various heterocumulenes including carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates. The precatalysts are prepared by a simple, one-pot procedure using readily available starting materials, and challenging insertions are achieved with excellent selectivity in short reaction times. Spectroscopic data are utilised to propose the active catalytic mechanism and derive thermodynamic activation parameters, which are described in this study. The only example of an actinide-mediated C-H bond insertion into a carbon-heteroatom bond is presented within this study.

Aluminium-catalysed intramolecular hydroamination of aminoalkenes: computational perusal of alternative pathways for aminoalkene activation

A comprehensive computational examination of alternatively plausible mechanistic pathways for the intramolecular hydroamination (HA) of aminoalkenes utilising a recently reported novel phenylene-diamine aluminium amido compound is presented. On the one hand, a proton-assisted concerted N-C/C-H bond-forming pathway to afford the cycloamine in a single step can be invoked, and, on the other, a stepwise σ-insertive pathway that involves a relatively fast, reversible migratory olefin 1,2-insertion step linked to a less rapid, irreversible Al-C alkyl bond protonolysis. The present study, which employs a sophisticated and reliable computational methodology, supports the prevailing mechanism to be a stepwise σ-insertive pathway. The predicted effective barrier for turnover-limiting aminolysis compares favourably with reported catalytic performance data. Non-competitive kinetic demands militates against the operation of the concerted proton-assisted pathway, which describes N-C bond-forming ring closure triggered by concomitant amino proton delivery at the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C linkage evolving through a six-centre transition state structure. The valuable insights into mechanistic intricacies of aluminium-mediated intramolecular HA reported herein will help guide the rational design of group 13 metal-based HA catalysts.

Reactivity of functionalized indoles with rare-earth metal amides. Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of rare-earth metal complexes incorporating indolyl ligands

The synthesized rare-earth metal amido complexes displayed different catalytic activity for intramolecular hydroamination of aminoalkenes.

Comparison of the reactivity of 2-Li-C6H4CH2NMe2 with MCl4 (M=Th, U): isolation of a thorium aryl complex or a uranium benzyne complex

Why do U react like that? Reaction of 2-Li-C6H4CH2NMe2 with [MCl4(DME)n] (M=Th, n=2; M=U, n=0) results in the formation of a thorium aryl complex, [Th(2-C6H4CH2NMe2)4] or a uranium benzyne complex, [Li][U(2,3-C6H3CH2NMe2)(2-C6H4CH2NMe2)3]. A DFT analysis suggests that the formation of a benzyne complex with U but not with Th is a kinetic and not thermodynamic effect.