Influence of geometry on reductive elimination of hydrocarbyl–palladium–carbene complexes

Transition-metal-catalyzed reactions involving reductive elimination between dative ligands and covalent ligands

This review summarizes transition-metal catalyzed reactions with reductive elimination between covalent ligands and dative ligands as the key elementary step.

Switching the nature of catalytic centers in Pd/NHC systems by solvent effect driven non-classical R-NHC Coupling

A well-established oxidative addition of organic halides (R-X) to N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of palladium(0) leads to formation of (NHC)(R)Pd^II (X)L species, the key intermediates in a large variety of synthetically useful cross-coupling reactions. Typical consideration of the cross-coupling catalytic cycle is based on the assumption of intrinsic stability of these species, where the subsequent steps involve coordination of the second reacting partner. Thus, high stability of the intermediate (NHC)(R)Pd^II (X)L species is usually taken for granted. In the present study it is discussed that such intermediates are prone to non-classical R-NHC intramolecular coupling process (R = Me, Ph, Vinyl, Ethynyl) that results in removal of NHC ligand and generation of another type of Pd catalytic system. DFT calculations (BP86, TPSS, PBE1PBE, B3LYP, M06, wB97X-D) clearly show that outcome of R-NHC coupling process is not only determined by chemical nature of the organic substituent R, but also strongly depends on the type of solvent. The reaction is most favorable in polar solvents, whereas the non-polar solvents render the products less stable. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In situ transformations of Pd/NHC complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands of different nature into colloidal Pd nanoparticles

A series of Pd/NHC species undergoes R–NHC coupling reaction forming catalytically active NHC-free complexes and/or colloidal Pd nanoparticles.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed cascade oxidative annulation reactions of aryl imidazolium salts with alkynes involving multiple C–H bond activation

The cascade oxidative annulation reactions of aryl imidazolium salts with alkynes proceed efficiently in the presence of [Cp*RhCl₂]₂ and Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O to give substituted imidazo[1,2-a]-quinolinium salts and benzo[ij]imidazo[2,1,5-de]quinolizinium salts.

Steric nature of the bite angle. A closer and a broader look

The bite angle (ligand-metal-ligand angle) is known to greatly influence the activity of catalytically active transition-metal complexes towards bond activation. Here, we have computationally explored how and why the bite angle has such effects in a wide range of prototypical C-X bonds and palladium complexes, using relativistic density functional theory at ZORA-BLYP/TZ2P. Our model reactions cover the substrates H(3)C-X (with X = H, CH(3), Cl) and, among others, the model catalysts, Pd[PH(2)(CH(2))(n)PH(2)] (with n = 2-6) and Pd[PR(2)(CH(2))(n)PR(2)] (n = 2-4 and R = Me, Ph, t-Bu, Cl), Pd(PH(3))X(-) (X = Cl, Br, I), as well as palladium complexes of chelating and non-chelating N-heterocyclic carbenes. The purpose is to elaborate on an earlier finding that bite-angle effects have a predominantly (although not exclusively) steric nature: a smaller bite angle makes more room for coordinating a substrate by bending away the ligands. Indeed, the present results further consolidate this steric picture by revealing its occurrence in this broader range of model reactions and by identifying and quantifying the exact working mechanism through activation strain analyses.

Bis-N-heterocyclic carbene palladium(IV) tetrachloride complexes: synthesis, reactivity, and mechanisms of direct chlorinations and oxidations of organic substrates

This Article describes the preparation and isolation of novel octahedral CH(2)-bridged bis-(N-heterocyclic carbene)palladium(IV) tetrachlorides of the general formula LPd(IV)Cl(4) [L = (NHC)CH(2)(NHC)] from LPd(II)Cl(2) and Cl(2). In intermolecular, nonchelation-controlled transformations LPd(IV)Cl(4) reacted with alkenes and alkynes to 1,2-dichlorination adducts. Aromatic, benzylic, and aliphatic C-H bonds were converted into C-Cl bonds. Detailed mechanistic investigations in the dichlorinations of alkenes were conducted on the 18VE Pd(IV) complex. Positive solvent effects as well as kinetic measurements probing the impact of cyclohexene and chloride concentrations on the rate of alkene chlorination support a Pd(IV)-Cl ionization in the first step. Product stereochemistry and product distributions from various alkenes also support Cl(+)-transfer from the pentacoordinated Pd(IV)-intermediate LPd(IV)Cl(3)(+) to olefins. 1-Hexene/3-hexene competition experiments rule out both the formation of π-complexes along the reaction coordinate as well as in situ generated Cl(2) from a reductive elimination process. Instead, a ligand-mediated direct Cl(+)-transfer from LPd(IV)Cl(3)(+) to the π-system is likely to occur. Similarly, C-H bond chlorinations proceed via an electrophilic process with in situ formed LPd(IV)Cl(3)(+). The presence of a large excess of added Cl(-) slows cyclohexene chlorination while the presence of stoichiometric amounts of chloride accelerates both Pd(IV)-Cl ionization and Cl(+)-transfer from LPd(IV)Cl(3)(+). (1)H NMR titrations, T1 relaxation time measurements, binding isotherms, and Job plot analysis point to the formation of a trifurcated Cl(-)···H-C bond in the NHC-ligand periphery as a supramolecular cause for the accelerated chemical events involving the metal center.

Heterocyclic carbenes: synthesis and coordination chemistry

The chemistry of heterocyclic carbenes has experienced a rapid development over the last years. In addition to the imidazolin-2-ylidenes, a large number of cyclic diaminocarbenes with different ring sizes have been described. Aside from diaminocarbenes, P-heterocyclic carbenes, and derivatives with only one, or even no heteroatom within the carbene ring are known. New methods for the synthesis of complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands such as the oxidative addition or the metal atom template controlled cyclization of beta-functionalized isocyanides have been developed recently. This review summarizes the new developments regarding the synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbenes and their metal complexes.

Structural variation, dynamics, and catalytic application of palladium(ii) complexes of di-N-heterocyclic carbene–amine ligands

A series of palladium(II) complexes incorporating di-NHC-amine ligands has been prepared and their structural, dynamic and catalytic behaviour investigated. The complexes [trans-(kappa(2)-(tBu)CN(Bn)C(tBu))PdCl(2)] (12) and [trans-(kappa(2)-(Mes)CN(H)C(Mes))PdCl(2)] (13) do not exhibit interaction between the amine nitrogen and palladium atom respectively. NMR spectroscopy between -40 and 25 degrees C shows that the di-NHC-amine ligand is flexible expressing C(s) symmetry and for 13 rotation of the mesityl groups is prevented. In the related C(1) complex [(kappa(3)-(tBu)CN(H)C(tBu))PdCl][Cl] (14) coordination of NHC moieties and amine nitrogen atom is observed between -40 and 25 degrees C. Reaction between 12-14 and two equivalents of AgBF(4) in acetonitrile gives the analogous complexes [trans-(kappa(2)-(tBu)CN(Bn)C(tBu))Pd(MeCN)(2)][BF(4)](2) (15), [trans-(kappa(2)-(Mes)CN(H)C(Mes))Pd(MeCN)(2)][BF(4)](2) (16) and [(kappa(3)-(tBu)CN(H)C(tBu))Pd(MeCN)][BF(4)](2) (17) indicating that ligand structure determines amine coordination. The single crystal X-ray structures of 12, 17 and two ligand imidazolium salt precursors (tBu)C(H)N(Bn)C(H)(tBu)][Cl](2) (2) and [(tBu)C(H)N(H)C(H)(tBu)][BPh(4)](2) (4) have been determined. Complexes 12-14 and 15-17 have been shown to be active precatalysts for Heck and hydroamination reactions respectively.

The influence of N-substitution on the reductive elimination behaviour of hydrocarbyl–palladium–carbene complexes—a DFT study

The reductive elimination of 2-hydrocarbyl-imidazolium salts from hydrocarbyl-palladium complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands represents an important deactivation route for catalysts of this type. We have explored the influence that carbene N-substituents have on both the activation energy and the overall thermodynamics of the reductive elimination reaction using density functional theory (DFT). Given the proximity of the N-substituent to the three-centred transition structure, steric bulk has little influence on the activation barrier and it is electronic factors that dominate the barriers' magnitude. Increased electron donation from the departing NHC ligand acts to stabilise the associated complex against reductive elimination, with stability following the trend: Cl < H < Ph < Me < Cy < iPr < neopentyl < tBu. The intimate involvement of the carbene p pi-orbital in determining the barrier to reductive elimination means N-substituents that are capable of removing pi-density (e.g. phenyl) act to promote a more facile reductive elimination.