Reactivity Consequences of Steric Reduction in Cyclopentadienyl Chromium β-Diketiminate Complexes

Carbonylative Coupling of Alkyl Zinc Reagents with Benzyl Bromides Catalyzed by a Nickel/NN2 Pincer Ligand Complex

An efficient catalytic protocol for the three-component assembly of benzyl bromides, carbon monoxide, and alkyl zinc reagents to give benzyl alkyl ketones is described, and represents the first nickel-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of two sp³ -carbon fragments. The method, which relies on the application of nickel complexed with an NN₂ -type pincer ligand and a controlled release of CO gas from a solid precursor, works well with a range of benzylic bromides. Mechanistic studies suggest the intermediacy of carbon-centered radicals.

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of rare-earth metal amides incorporating cyclohexyl bridged bis(β-diketiminato) ligands

The bridged bis(β-diketiminato) ligands supported rare-earth amides exhibited high catalytic activity towards the hydrophosphination of β-nitroalkene and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives with an excellent regioselectivity.

Unusual κ1 coordination of a β-diketiminate ligand in niobium complexes

Reaction of (BDI)Nb(N(t)Bu)Cl2py with NaCp results in the κ(1)-coordination of the BDI ligand in the complex (κ(1)-N,BDI)CpNb(N(t)Bu)Cl (2). Via chloride abstraction from 2, we develop synthetic routes to structurally analogous cationic and Nb(IV) pseudo-four coordinate complexes where the BDI ligand returns to the κ(2)-coordination mode. We compare these to our previously reported tetrahedral niobium bis(imido) complexes to investigate the effects of the Cp ligand on the properties of Nb-BDI-imido systems. Substitution of the chloride in 2 with a hydride also causes return to bidentate binding of the BDI ligand. The X-ray crystal structures of these complexes have been determined, and the structural parameters reflecting the consequences of the electronic differences are discussed.

Tuning steric and electronic effects in transition-metal β-diketiminate complexes

β-Diketiminates are widely used supporting ligands for building a range of metal complexes with different oxidation states, structures, and reactivities. This Perspective summarizes the steric and electronic influences of ligand substituents on these complexes, with an eye toward informing the design of new complexes with optimized properties. The backbone and N-aryl substituents can give significant steric effects on structure, reactivity and selectivity of reactions. The electron density on the metal can be tuned by installation of electron withdrawing or donating groups on the β-diketiminate ligand as well. Examples are shown from throughout the transition metal series to demonstrate different types of effects attributable to systematic variation of β-diketiminate ligands.