A Bis(phosphaethenyl)pyridine Complex of Iridium(I): Synthesis and Catalytic Application to N-Alkylation of Amines with Alcohols

P,N-type phosphaalkene-based Ir(i) complexes: synthesis, coordination chemistry, and catalytic applications

Iridium P,N phosphaalkene complexes show a rich coordination chemistry with unusual twofold C–H activation. The Ir(i) chloride complex can be applied for C–N coupling and alcohol upgrading reactions.

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.

Iridium/graphene nanostructured catalyst for the N-alkylation of amines to synthesize nitrogen-containing derivatives and heterocyclic compounds in a green process

A facile iridium/graphene-catalyzed methodology providing an efficient synthetic route for C-N bond formation is reported. This catalyst can directly promote the formation of C-N bonds, without pre-activation steps, and without solvents, alkalis and other additives. This protocol provides a direct N-alkylation of amines using a variety of primary and secondary alcohols with good selectivity and excellent yields. Charmingly, the use of diols resulted in intermolecular cyclization of amines, and such products are privileged structures in biologically active compounds. Two examples illustrate the advantages of this catalyst in organic synthesis: the tandem catalysis to synthesize hydroxyzine, and the intermolecular cyclization to synthesize cyclizine. Water is the only by-product, which makes this catalytic process sustainable and environmentally friendly.

On 1,3-phosphaazaallenes and their diverse reactivity

1,3-Phosphaazaallenes are heteroallenes of the type RP Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> CNR′ and little is known about their reactivity. In here we describe the straightforward synthesis of ArPCNR (Ar = Mes*, 2,4,6-tBu-C₆H₂; ^MesTer, 2.6-(2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂)–C₆H₃; ^DipTer, 2.6-(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₂)–C₆H₃; R = tBu; Xyl, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) starting from phospha-Wittig reagents ArPPMe₃ and isonitriles CNR. It is further shown that ArPCNtBu are thermally labile with respect to the loss of iso-butene and it is shown that the cyanophosphines ArP(H)CN are synthetically feasible and form the corresponding phosphanitrilium borates with B(C₆F₅)₃, whereas deprotonation of ^DipTerP(H)CN was shown to give an isolable cyanidophosphide. Lastly, the reactivity of ArPCNR towards Pier's borane was investigated, showing hydroboration of the CN bond in Mes*PCNtBu to give a hetero-butadiene, while with ^DipTerPCNXyl the formation of the Lewis acid–base adduct with a B–P linkage was observed.

The combination of phospha-Wittig reagents with isonitriles affords 1,3-phosphaazaallenes and their diverse reactivity has been studied in detail.

Base free N-alkylation of anilines with ArCH2OH and transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes/ketones catalyzed by the complexes of η5-Cp*Ir(iii) with chalcogenated Schiff bases of anthracene-9-carbaldehyde

The condensation of anthracene-9-carbaldehyde with 2-(phenylthio/seleno)ethylamine results in Schiff bases [PhS(CH₂)₂C[double bond, length as m-dash]N-9-C₁₄H₉](L1) and [PhSe(CH₂)₂C[double bond, length as m-dash]N-9-C₁₄H₉] (L2). On their reaction with [(η⁵-Cp*)IrCl(μ-Cl)]₂ and CH₃COONa at 50 °C followed by treatment with NH₄PF₆, iridacycles, [(η⁵-Cp*)Ir(L-H)][PF₆] (1: L = L1; 2: L = L2), result. The same reaction in the absence of CH₃COONa gives complexes [(η⁵-Cp*)Ir(L)Cl][PF₆] (3-4) in which L = L1(3)/L2(4) ligates in a bidentate mode. The ligands and complexes were authenticated with HR-MS and NMR spectra [¹H, ¹³C{¹H} and ⁷⁷Se{¹H} (in the case of L2 and its complexes only)]. Single crystal structures of L2 and half sandwich complexes 1-4 were established with X-ray crystallography. Three coordination sites of Ir in each complex are covered with η⁵-Cp* and on the remaining three, donor atoms present are: N, S/Se and C^-/Cl^-, resulting in a piano-stool structure. The moisture and air insensitive 1-4 act as efficient catalysts under mild conditions for base free N-alkylation of amines with benzyl alcohols and transfer hydrogenation (TH) of aldehydes/ketones. The optimum loading of 1-4 as a catalyst is 0.1-0.5 mol% for both the activations. The best reaction temperature is 80 °C for transfer hydrogenation and 100 °C for N-alkylation. The mercury poisoning test supports a homogeneous pathway for both the reactions catalyzed by 1-4. The two catalytic processes are most efficient with 3 followed by 4 > 1 > 2. The mechanism proposed on the basis of HR-MS of the reaction mixtures of the two catalytic processes taken after 1-2 h involves the formation of an alkoxy and hydrido species. The real catalytic species proposed in the case of iridacycles results due to the loss of the Cp* ring.

PNP-Pincer-Type Phosphaalkene Complexes of Late Transition Metals

This account summarizes our recent studies on PNP-pincer-type phosphaalkene complexes. Phosphaalkenes with a P=C bond possess an extremely low-lying π* orbital and have a marked tendency to engage in strong π back-bonding with transition metals. This particular ligand property provides PNP-pincer complexes with unique structures and reactivities. 2,6-Bis(phosphaethenyl)pyridine leads to the isolation of coordinatively unsaturated complexes of Fe(I) and Cu(I); the former adopts a trigonal monopyramidal configuration, whereas the latter has a strong affinity for PF6- and SbF6- as non-coordinating anions. Unsymmetrical PNP-pincer-type phosphaalkene complexes of Ir(I) bearing a dearomatized pyridine unit instantly cleave the N-H bond of NH₃ and the C-H bond of MeCN at room temperature. The dearomatized iridium complexes catalyze the dehydrative coupling of amines with alcohols to afford N-alkylated amines and imines in high yields.

Porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) as efficient supports for N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts

Polymeric aromatic frameworks (PAFs), easily obtained from organic platforms, as excellent supports to yield robust well-defined organometallic heterogenized catalysts.

A triazine-phosphite polymeric ligand bearing cage-like P,N-ligation sites: an efficient ligand in the nickel-catalyzed amination of aryl chlorides and phenols

A reusable polymeric material containing P,N-ligation sites was prepared by a facile one-step route for application in transition-metal catalysis as a reusable P,N-ligand.

DFT study on the iridium-catalyzed multi-alkylation of alcohol with ammonia

The catalytic mechanism for the multi-alkylation of benzyl alcohols with ammonia catalyzed by the water-soluble catalyst, [Cp*Ir^III(NH₃)₃][I]₂, is computationally investigated by density functional theory (DFT).

Aza-Wittig Rearrangements of N-Benzyl and N-Allyl Glycine Methyl Esters. Discovery of a Surprising Cascade Aza-Wittig Rearrangement/Hydroboration Reaction

Treatment of N-(arylmethyl)-N-aryl or N-allyl-N-aryl glycine methyl ester derivatives with (n)Bu2BOTf and (i)Pr2NEt effects an aza-Wittig rearrangement that provides N-aryl phenylalanine methyl ester derivatives and N-aryl allylglycine methyl ester derivatives, respectively, in good yield with moderate to good diastereoselectivity. Under similar conditions, analogous substrates bearing N-carbonyl groups are converted to 1,4,2-oxazaborole derivatives. Additionally, N-allyl-N-aryl glycine methyl ester derivatives subjected to similar conditions at elevated temperatures undergo an aza-[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement, followed by a subsequent hydroboration oxidation reaction, to afford substituted amino alcohol products.

Mechanistic study on the Cp*iridium-catalyzed N-alkylation of amines with alcohols

Using DFT methods and the energetic span model, the most favorable hydrogen autotransfer pathway for the [Cp*IrCl₂]₂/K₂CO₃-catalyzed N-alkylation of amines with alcohols has been found.

Benzimidazolin-2-ylidene N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of ruthenium as a simple catalyst for the N-alkylation of amines using alcohols and diols

Simple non-chelating ruthenium benzimidazolin-2-ylidene complexes as efficient N-alkylation catalysts using alcohols and diols following a hydrogen borrowing strategy.

An efficient heterogenized palladium catalyst for N-alkylation of amines and α-alkylation of ketones using alcohols

Silica supported palladium–NiXantphos complex is an efficient and high turnover heterogeneous catalyst for N-alkylation of amines and α-alkylation of ketones using alcohols under neat conditions at 120–140 °C following hydrogen borrowing strategy.

Substitution of alcohols by N-nucleophiles via transition metal-catalyzed dehydrogenation

This review summarizes the recent advances in transition metal-catalyzed dehydrogenative substitution of alcohols by N-nucleophiles since 2009.

Ruthenium(ii) complexes containing a phosphine-functionalized thiosemicarbazone ligand: synthesis, structures and catalytic C–N bond formation reactions via N-alkylation

We report the coordination flexibility of phosphino-thiosemicarbazone in ruthenium(ii) complexes, together with their catalytic properties with regards to N-alkylation.

New iridium catalysts for the selective alkylation of amines by alcohols under mild conditions and for the synthesis of quinolines by acceptor-less dehydrogenative condensation

A novel family of iridium catalysts stabilised by P,N-ligands have been introduced. The ligands are based on imidazo[1,5-b]pyridazin-7-amines and can be synthesised with a broad variety of substitution patterns. The catalysts were synthesised quantitatively from the protonated ligands and a commercially available iridium precursor. The catalysts mediate the alkylation of amines by alcohols under mild conditions (70 °C). In addition, the synthesis of quinolines from secondary or primary alcohols and amino alcohols is reported. This sustainable synthesis proceeds through the liberation of two equivalents of water and two equivalents of dihydrogen. The investigations indicate that catalysts suitable for hydrogen autotransfer or borrowing hydrogen chemistry might also be suitable for acceptor-less dehydrogenative condensation reactions.