Acceptor Pincer Coordination Chemistry of Platinum: Reactivity Properties of (CF3PCP)Pt(L)+ (L = NC5F5, C2H4)

Stabilization of Potent Co(II)-based Lewis Acids with Weakly Basic Ligands

Pairing cations with weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) often renders them highly Lewis-acidic and extremely reactive. Although these features are often desirable, excessive reactivity of a cation may lead to decomposition of solvents or WCAs, hindering isolation, storage and practical use of such species. In an attempt to mitigate the problem, we introduce a series of readily available novel Co(II)-WCA salts with the metal center stabilized by weakly bound ligands: SO₂ , halogenated acetonitriles and nitromethane with comprehensive characterization including structural, magnetic and spectral (IR) properties as well as thermal stability assessment. The use of these simple yet rarely encountered ligands yields mostly stable and highly Lewis-acidic complexes, in some cases comparable to SbF₅ according to calculated Fluoride Ion Affinities. Highly acidic character of the species is also reflected in observed reactivity. Since the most convenient route towards the Co(II) complexes leads through silver salts, the results are complemented with characterization of a series of novel Ag(I) complexes with abovementioned ligands. Experimental part is backed with DFT calculations which gives insight into the structure and energetics of presented Co(II) complexes and shows that Co(II) center is available for substrates like olefins. This makes them good candidates for catalysts in reactions requiring the presence of Lewis acids.

Enhancing the catalytic properties of well-defined electrophilic platinum complexes

Platinum complexes have been often considered as the least reactive of the group 10 triad metals. Slow kinetics are behind this lack of reactivity but, still, some industrially relevant catalytic process are dominated by platinum compounds and sometimes different selectivities can be found in comparison to Ni or Pd. Nevertheless, during the last years, it has been reported that the catalytic behaviour of well-defined platinum derivatives can be improved through a judicious choice of their electronic and steric properties, leading to highly electrophilic or low-electron count platinum systems. In this feature article, we highlight some catalytic processes in which well-defined electrophilic platinum complexes or coordinatively unsaturated systems play an important role in their catalytic activity.

Interconversion and reactivity of manganese silyl, silylene, and silene complexes

Interconversions between manganese silylene and silene complexes are reported, including those involving the first spectroscopically observed silene complexes with an SiH substituent, and their involvement in ethylene hydrosilylation is discussed.

Manganese disilyl hydride complexes [(dmpe)₂MnH(SiH₂R)₂] (4^Ph: R = Ph, 4^Bu: R = ⁿBu) reacted with ethylene to form silene hydride complexes [(dmpe)₂MnH(RHSi Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> CHMe)] (6^Ph,H: R = Ph, 6^Bu,H: R = ⁿBu). Compounds 6^R,H reacted with a second equivalent of ethylene to generate [(dmpe)₂MnH(REtSi Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> CHMe)] (6^Ph,Et: R = Ph, 6^Bu,Et: R = ⁿBu), resulting from apparent ethylene insertion into the silene Si–H bond. Furthermore, in the absence of ethylene, silene complex 6^Bu,H slowly isomerized to the silylene hydride complex [(dmpe)₂MnH( Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> SiEtⁿBu)] (3^Bu,Et). Reactions of 4^R with ethylene likely proceed via low-coordinate silyl {[(dmpe)₂Mn(SiH₂R)] (2^Ph: R = Ph, 2^Bu: R = ⁿBu)} or silylene hydride {[(dmpe)₂MnH( Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> SiHR)] (3^Ph,H: R = Ph, 3^Bu,H: R = ⁿBu)} intermediates accessed from 4^R by H₃SiR elimination. DFT calculations and high temperature NMR spectra support the accessibility of these intermediates, and reactions of 4^R with isonitriles or N-heterocyclic carbenes yielded the silyl isonitrile complexes [(dmpe)₂Mn(SiH₂R)(CNR′)] (7a–d: R = Ph or ⁿBu; R′ = o-xylyl or ^tBu), and NHC-stabilized silylene hydride complexes [(dmpe)₂MnH{ Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> SiHR(NHC)}] (8a–d: R = Ph or ⁿBu; NHC = 1,3-diisopropylimidazolin-2-ylidene or 1,3,4,5-tetramethyl-4-imidazolin-2-ylidene), respectively, all of which were crystallographically characterized. Silyl, silylene and silene complexes in this work were accessed via reactions of [(dmpe)₂MnH(C₂H₄)] (1) with hydrosilanes, in some cases followed by ethylene. Therefore, ethylene (C₂H₄ and C₂D₄) hydrosilylation was investigated using [(dmpe)₂MnH(C₂H₄)] (1) as a pre-catalyst, resulting in stepwise conversion of primary to secondary to tertiary hydrosilanes. Various catalytically active manganese-containing species were observed during catalysis, including silylene and silene complexes, and a catalytic cycle is proposed.

Brønsted-Lowry Acid Strength of Metal Hydride and Dihydrogen Complexes

Transition metal hydride complexes are usually amphoteric, not only acting as hydride donors, but also as Brønsted-Lowry acids. A simple additive ligand acidity constant equation (LAC for short) allows the estimation of the acid dissociation constant Ka(LAC) of diamagnetic transition metal hydride and dihydrogen complexes. It is remarkably successful in systematizing diverse reports of over 450 reactions of acids with metal complexes and bases with metal hydrides and dihydrogen complexes, including catalytic cycles where these reactions are proposed or observed. There are links between pKa(LAC) and pKa(THF), pKa(DCM), pKa(MeCN) for neutral and cationic acids. For the groups from chromium to nickel, tables are provided that order the acidity of metal hydride and dihydrogen complexes from most acidic (pKa(LAC) -18) to least acidic (pKa(LAC) 50). Figures are constructed showing metal acids above the solvent pKa scales and organic acids below to summarize a large amount of information. Acid-base features are analyzed for catalysts from chromium to gold for ionic hydrogenations, bifunctional catalysts for hydrogen oxidation and evolution electrocatalysis, H/D exchange, olefin hydrogenation and isomerization, hydrogenation of ketones, aldehydes, imines, and carbon dioxide, hydrogenases and their model complexes, and palladium catalysts with hydride intermediates.

Cobalt PNCNHC ‘pincers’: ligand dearomatisation, formation of dinuclear and N2 complexes and promotion of C–H activation

Ligand dearomatisation in Co^II phosphino-picoline NHC-type pincers and dicobalt complexes result from side-arm metalation or C–H activation at the NHC backbone; in the latter case, an ‘anionic dicarbene’ originates from a dearomatised Co^I–N₂ complex.

Perfluoropropenyl-containing phosphines from HFC replacements

A series of new perfluoropropenyl-containing phosphines of the type R3-nP(E-CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CFCF3)n (R = Ph, iPr, n = 1, 2; R = tBu, n = 2) have been prepared from the reaction of the hydrofluoroolefin Z-CF3CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CFH (HFO-1225ye) with base and the appropriate chlorophosphine, while reaction with Cl2PCH2CH2PCl2 gave (CF3CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CF)2PCH2CH2P(CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CFCF3)2, the first example of a bidentate perfluoroalkenyl-containing phosphine. An alternative route to these phosphines based on the room- or low-temperature deprotonation of CF3CF2CH2F (HFC-236ea) gives mainly the E-isomer, but also a small amount of the Z-isomer, the ratio of which depends on the reaction temperature. All of the phosphines could be readily oxidised with either H2O2 or urea·H2O2, and the phosphine selenides R3-nP(Se)(E-CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CFCF3)n (R = Ph, n = 1,2; R = iPr, n = 1; R = tBu, n = 2) were also prepared. The steric and electronic properties of these ligands were determined based on their platinum(ii), palladium(ii) and molybdenum carbonyl complexes. The crystal structures of (CF3CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CF)2PCH2CH2P(CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CFCF3)2, (CF3CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CF)2P(O)CH2CH2P(O)(CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CFCF3)2, iPr2P(Se)(CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CFCF3)2, trans-[PtCl2{Ph(3-n)P(E-CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CFCF3)n}2] (n = 1 or 2), trans-[PdCl2{R2P(E-CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CFCF3)}2] (R = Ph, iPr) and [Mo(CO)4{(CF3CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CF)2PCH2CH2P(CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CFCF3)2}] are reported.

Photochemical Reactions of Fluorinated Pyridines at Half-Sandwich Rhodium Complexes: Competing Pathways of Reaction

Irradiation of CpRh(PMe3)(C2H4) (1; Cp = η5-C5H5) in the presence of pentafluoropyridine in hexane solution at low temperature yields an isolable η2-C,C-coordinated pentafluoropyridine complex, CpRh(PMe3)(η2-C,C-C5NF4) (2). The molecular structure of 2 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showing coordination by C3-C4, unlike previous structures of pentafluoropyridine complexes that show N-coordination. Corresponding experiments with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine yield the C-H oxidative addition product CpRh(PMe3)(C5NF4)H (3). In contrast, UV irradiation of 1 in hexane, in the presence of 4-substituted tetrafluoropyridines C5NF4X, where X = NMe2, OMe, results in elimination of C2H4 and HF to form the metallacycles CpRh(PMe3)(κ2-C,C-CH2N(CH3)C5NF3) (4) and CpRh(PMe3)(κ2-C,C-CH2OC5NF3) (5), respectively. The X-ray structure of 4 shows a planar RhCCNC-five-membered ring. Complexes 2-5 may also be formed by thermal reaction of CpRh(PMe3)(Ph)H with the respective pyridines at 50 °C.

Diastereoselective synthesis and coordination chemistry of enantiopure keto-bis-(2-phosphametallocene)s

Enantiopure 2-(chlorocarbonyl)phosphametallocenes [MCp*(2-{COCl}-3,4-Me(2)-5-Ph-PC(4))] (M = Fe, Ru) react with phospholide anions to give 2-phosphametallocene-2'-acylphospholides K[MCp*(2-CO-2'-{3',4'-Me(2)-5'-PhPC(4)}-3,4-Me(2)-5-Ph-PC(4))] (M = Fe, Ru) and these have been converted into keto-bis-(2-phosphametallocene)s through reaction with [FeClCp*(tmeda)]; templation of this process with CuBr gives rise to the C(2)- (or pseudo-C(2)- when M = Ru) symmetric form of [{MCp*(3,4-Me(2)-5-Ph-PC(4))}(2)-2,2'-(CO)] (M = Fe, Ru; Fe, Fe) with high (>95%) diastereoselectivity. X-Ray structures of these ligands coordinated to [RuCp*Cl] and [PtCl(2)] centres show that the spatial orientation of the very flexible keto-bis-(2-phosphametallocene) structure is highly responsive to the coordination sphere of the chelated platinum or ruthenium centre.

Novel access to carbodiphosphoranes in the coordination sphere of group 10 metals: template synthesis and protonation of PCP pincer carbodiphosphorane complexes of C(dppm)2

In a novel template synthesis of carbodiphosphoranes (CDPs), the phosphine functionalized CDP ligand C(dppm)(2) (dppm = Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2)) is formed in the coordination sphere of group 10 metals from CS(2) and 4 equivalents of dppm. The products are the PCP pincer complexes [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) and 2 equivalents of dppmS. The compound C(dppm)(2), which is composed of a divalent carbon atom and two dppm subunits, represents a new PCP-type pincer ligand with the formally neutral carbon Lewis base of the CDP functionality as the central carbon. Treatment of [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Pd, Pt) with hydrochloric acid results in protonation at the CDP carbon atom and the formation of the PCP pincer complexes [M(Cl)(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt). The PCP pincer ligand [CH(dppm)(2)](+) involves a formally cationic central carbon donor. The reaction of [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl with HCl leads to the extrusion of NiCl(2) and formation of the diprotonated CDP compound [CH(2)(dppm)(2)]Cl(2), from which the monoprotonated conjugate base [CH(dppm)(2)]Cl is obtained upon addition of bases, such as NH(3). The crystal structures of [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Ni, Pd, Pt), [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)](2)[NiCl(4)], [M(Cl)(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt) as well as [CH(2)(dppm)(2)]Cl(2) and [CH(dppm)(2)]Cl are presented. A comparison of the solid state structures reveals interesting features, e.g. infinite supramolecular networks mediated by C-H···Cl hydrogen bond interactions and an unexpected loss of molecular symmetry upon protonation in the complexes [M(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)(Cl)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt) as a result of the flexible ligand backbone. Additionally the new compounds were characterized comprehensively in solution by multinuclear (31)P, (13)C and (1)H NMR spectroscopy: Several spectroscopic parameters show a striking variability in particular regarding the carbodiphosphorane functionality. Furthermore the compound [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and could be shown to display quasi-reversible oxidative as well as reductive behaviour.

Characterization of divalent and trivalent species generated in the chemical and electrochemical oxidation of a dimeric pincer complex of nickel

The electrolytic and chemical oxidation of the dimeric pincer complex [κ(P),κ(C),κ(N),μ(N)-(2,6-(i-Pr(2)POC(6)H(3)CH(2)NBn)Ni](2) (1; Bn = CH(2)Ph) has been investigated by various analytic techniques. Cyclic voltammetry measurements have shown that 1 undergoes a quasi-reversible, one electron, Ni-based redox process (ΔE(0)(1/2) = -0.07 V vs Cp(2)Fe/[Cp(2)Fe](+)), and spectroelectrochemical measurements conducted on the product of the electrolytic oxidation, [1](+•), have shown multiple low-energy electronic transitions in the range of 10,000-15,000 cm(-1). Computational studies using Density Functional Theory (B3LYP) have corroborated the experimentally obtained structure of 1, provided the electronic structure description, and helped interpret the experimentally obtained absorption spectra for 1 and [1](+·). These calculations indicate that the radical cation [1](+·) is a dimeric, mixed-valent species (class III) wherein most of the spin density is delocalized over the two nickel centers (Ni(+2.5)(2)N(2)), but some spin density is also present over the two nitrogen atoms (Ni(2+)(2)N(2)·). Examination of alternative structures for open shell species generated from 1 has shown that the spin density distribution is highly sensitive toward changes in the ligand environment of the Ni ions. NMR, UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses have shown that chemical oxidation of 1 with N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS) follows a complex process that gives multiple products, including the monomeric trivalent species κ(P),κ(C),κ(N)-{2,6-(i-Pr(2)PO)(C(6)H(3))(CH═NBn)}NiBr(2) (2). These studies also indicate that oxidation of 1 with 1 equiv of NBS gives an unstable, paramagnetic intermediate that decomposes to a number of divalent species, including succinimide and the monomeric divalent complexes κ(P),κ(C),κ(N)-{2,6-(i-Pr(2)PO)(C(6)H(3))(CH═NBn)}NiBr (3) and κ(P),κ(C),κ(N)-{2,6-(i-Pr(2)PO)(C(6)H(3))(CH(2)N(H)Bn)}NiBr(2) (4); a second equivalent of NBS then oxidizes 3 and 4 to 2 and other unidentified products. The divalent complex 3 was synthesized independently and shown to react with NBS or bromine to form its trivalent homologue 2. The new complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized fully.

Photooxidation of a platinum-anthracene pincer complex: formation and structures of Pt(II)-anthrone and -ketal complexes

Irradiating the cyclometalated pincer complex Pt(II)(DPA)Cl (1, DPA = 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)anthracene) in the presence of O(2) led to three sequential oxidations of the anthracenyl ring. The first photoproduct, a Pt(II)-9,10-endoperoxide complex, was converted photochemically to a Pt(II)-9-hydroxyanthrone complex A which was further oxygenated to a Pt(II)-hemiketal (B). The oxidation of A, which could be accelerated by light irradiation, probably involved a Pt(II)-anthraquinone intermediate. B underwent acid-catalyzed ketalization to form a binuclear Pt(II)(2)-diketal (B1). The photolysis was followed by UV-vis absorption and NMR spectroscopy, and the structures of A and B1 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.