Pyrazolin-5-ylidene Palladium(II) Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application in the Direct Arylation of Pentafluorobenzene

Correlation Between NMR Coupling Constants and σ-Donating Properties of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes and Their Derivatives

Is the 1JC-H coupling constant for protonated carbene a relevant measure of its σ-donation ability? This paper addresses this question by comparing calculated 1JC-H values with various experimental and theoretical approaches across a broad spectrum of carbene compounds. We examined Arduengo-type NHCs based on the 2-imidazolylidene scaffold and many other derivatives with modified frameworks, including carbenes with extended, saturated, or conjugated rings, reduced heteroatom stabilization, alternative heteroatoms, permanently charged carbenes, acyclic carbenes, amidocarbenes, and cyclic amino(alkyl/aryl) carbenes, carbodicarbenes and carbodiphosphoranes. Our findings reveal a nuanced relationship between different parameters associated with σ-interaction, such as 1JC-H, Huynh electronic parameter (HEP), σ-donation from ETS-NOCV, and lone pair energy. Notably, the best correlation was observed between 1JC-H and the ETS-NOCV method, particularly for mono- and diaminocarbenes, highlighting the utility of 1JC-H in comparing σ-donation among structurally similar carbene types. However, the use of 1JC-H as a universal measure across all carbene classes appears limited, especially when considering carbenes with significantly different structural frameworks. While HEP is less effective for carbenes with diverse structural backbones, our study suggests that 1JC-H has potential across a broader range of systems. Additionally, the analysis demonstrates that lone pair energy reflects basicity rather than σ-donor ability.

Cationic Charge-Appended Abnormal Carbenes: Synthesis and Study of Electronically Modified Abnormal N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

A range of palladium complexes featuring electronically modified, imidazole-based abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) ligands have been prepared in the hopes of accessing a new class of cationic aNHC ligands electronically distinct from normal NHCs and aNHCs. These palladium complexes represent the first examples of transition metal-ligated aNHC complexes featuring a cationic moiety adjacent to the abnormal carbene center. It was anticipated that these design principles could facilitate electron transfer between the imidazolinylidene and the cationic heterocycle, thus reducing the electron density at the abnormal carbene center. However, this case study suggests that greater conformational restrictions that allow for heterocycle coplanarity are necessary to achieve significant electron transfer and enable access to a new class of cationic charge-appended aNHCs with unique electronic properties.

Infrared Irradiation-Assisted Solvent-Free Pd-Catalyzed (Hetero)aryl-aryl Coupling via C-H Bond Activation

The increasing attention towards environmentally friendly synthetic protocols has boosted studies directed to the development of green and sustainable methods for direct C-H bond arylation of (hetero)arenes. In this context, here the infrared (IR) irradiation-assisted solvent-free Pd-catalyzed direct C-H bond arylation of (hetero)arenes was achieved. Several heteroaryl-aryl coupling reactions were described, also involving heterocycles commonly used as building blocks for the synthesis of organic semiconductors. The reaction tolerated many functional groups on the aromatic nuclei. The IR-irradiation as the energy source compared favorably with thermal heating and, in combination with solvent-free conditions, provided an important contribution to the development of protocols fitting with the principles of green chemistry.

Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Bond Arylation of Cyclometalated Difluorinated 2-Arylisoquinolinyl Iridium(III) Complexes

The utility of C-H bond functionalization of metalated ligands for the elaboration of aryl-functionalized difluorinated-1-arylisoquinolinyl Ir(III) complexes has been explored. Bis[(3,5-difluorophenyl)isoquinolinyl](2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato) iridium(III) undergoes Pd-catalyzed C-H bond arylation with aryl bromides. The reaction regioselectively occurred at the C-H bond flanked by the two fluorine atoms of the difluoroaryl unit, and on both cyclometalated ligands. This post-functionalization gives a straightforward access to modified complexes in only one manipulation and allows to introduce thermally sensitive functional groups, such as trifluoromethyl, nitrile, benzoyl, or ester. The X-ray crystallography, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of the diarylated complexes were investigated. Whatever the nature of the incorporated substituted aryl groups is, all obtained complexes emit red phosphorescence (622-632 nm) with similar lifetimes (1.9-2 μs).

Preparation of Complexes Bearing N-Alkylated, Anionic or Protic CAACs Through Oxidative Addition of 2-Halogenoindole Derivatives

CAAC precursors 2-chloro-3,3-dimethylindole 1 and 2-chloro-1-ethyl-3,3-dimethylindolium tetrafluoroborate 2BF₄ have been prepared and oxidatively added to [M(PPh₃ )₄ ] (M=Pd, Pt). Salt 2BF₄ reacts with [Pd(PPh₃ )₄ ] in toluene at 25 °C over 4 days to yield complex cis-[3]BF₄ featuring an N-ethyl substituted CAAC, two cis-arranged phosphines and a chloro ligand. Compound trans-[3]BF₄ was obtained from the same reaction at 80 °C over 1 day. Salt 2BF₄ reacts with [Pt(PPh₃ )₄ ] to give cis-[4]BF₄ . The neutral indole derivative 1 adds oxidatively to [Pt(PPh₃ )₄ ] to give trans-[5] featuring a CAAC ligand with an unsubstituted ring-nitrogen atom. This nitrogen atom has been protonated with py⋅HBF₄ to give trans-[6]BF₄ bearing a protic CAAC ligand. The Pd^II complex trans-[7]BF₄ bearing a protic CAAC ligand was obtained in a one-pot reaction from 1 and [Pd(PPh₃ )₄ ] in the presence of py⋅HBF₄ .

Recent advances in the functionalization of polyfluoro(aza)aromatics via C-C coupling strategies

Polyfluoro(aza)aromatic compounds are of interest in various fields of practical applications, such as medicinal and agrochemistry, materials science and advanced technologies. The C-C coupling reactions are known to be a promising synthetic tool to create challenging fluorinated molecules of diverse architectures. In this review, we have summarized the recent advances in the functionalization of polyfluoro(aza)aromatics via both transition metal-catalyzed and metal-free C-C coupling reactions for the period from 2006 to the beginning of 2021. Also, mechanistic features for chemical transformations of fluoroarene scaffolds and new opportunities for practical applications of the designed fluorinated molecules have been highlighted.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes in C-H Activation Reactions

In this contribution, we provide a comprehensive overview of C-H activation methods promoted by NHC-transition metal complexes, covering the literature since 2002 (the year of the first report on metal-NHC-catalyzed C-H activation) through June 2019, focusing on both NHC ligands and C-H activation methods. This review covers C-H activation reactions catalyzed by group 8 to 11 NHC-metal complexes. Through discussing the role of NHC ligands in promoting challenging C-H activation methods, the reader is provided with an overview of this important area and its crucial role in forging carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds by directly engaging ubiquitous C-H bonds.

Fused azole-thiazolines via one-pot cyclization of functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene precursors

Various bi/tricyclic azole-thiazolines are obtained via a new one-pot protocol from cheap starting materials.

A macrocyclic silver polycarbene complex based on 1,2,4-triazole units: synthesis and postsynthetic modification

A method for the synthesis of a new rectangular 1,2,4-triazole-containing macrocycle via photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition with a metal–carbene template was developed.

Anion influences on reactivity and NMR spectroscopic features of NHC precursors

A series of 16 benzimidazolium salts of the type ⁱPr₂-bimyH⁺X⁻ with various anions X were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic and spectrometric methods. Significant anion and solvent effects on the chemical shifts of the C2–H protons were found, which allows for a ranking of the anions in terms of their hydrogen-bond acceptor properties. Stronger acceptors could increase the acidity of their respective salts leading to a faster H/D exchange. Similar but less pronounced anion influences were detected for the ¹³C_C2 NMR resonances, while ¹J_C2–H coupling constants appear to be anion and solvent independent.

The influences of 16 different counteranions on hydrogen-bondings, C–H acidities and ¹J_C2–H coupling constants of azolium salts have been studied.

A palladacyclic N-heterocyclic carbene system used to probe the donating abilities of monoanionic chelators

The donicities of a series of aryl-based monoanionic chelators have been determined and compared using HEP2 for the first time.

Palladium-catalyzed regioselective C–H bond arylations at the C3 position of ortho-substituted fluorobenzenes

We report herein the palladium-catalyzed C–H bond arylation of fluorobenzene derivatives at the ortho-position to the fluorine atom. Bromo, chloro or methoxy substituents at the fluorobenzenyl ortho-position can be used to increase the reactivity of the C–H bond at the C3 position.

A unified ligand electronic parameter based on 13C NMR spectroscopy of N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

The donor strengths of various mono- and bidentate ligands can be easily compared on a unified ¹³C NMR spectroscopic scale.

Reactivity of (poly)fluorobenzamides in palladium-catalysed direct arylations

Under PdCl₂/PivOK as reaction conditions, fluoro substituents act as better directing groups than amides in the palladium-catalysed direct arylations.

Efficient synthesis of π-conjugated molecules incorporating fluorinated phenylene units through palladium-catalyzed iterative C(sp(2))-H bond arylations

We report herein a two or three step synthesis of fluorinated π-conjugated oligomers through iterative C-H bond arylations. Palladium-catalyzed desulfitative arylation of heteroarenes allowed in a first step the synthesis of fluoroaryl-heteroarene units in high yields. Then, the next steps involve direct arylation with aryl bromides catalyzed by PdCl(C3H5)(dppb) to afford triad or tetrad heteroaromatic compounds via regioselective activation of C(sp(2))-H bonds.

Pyridine versus acetonitrile coordination in rhodium–N-heterocyclic carbene square-planar complexes

Experimental and theoretical studies on the factors that control the coordination chemistry of N-donor ligands in square-planar complexes of the type RhCl(NHC)L¹L² (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) are presented.