Weakly coordinating counter-ions for highly efficient catalysis of intramolecular hydroamination

Hypervalent Iodine Promoted Selective [2 + 2 + 1] Cycloaddition of Aromatic Ketones and Methylamines: A One-Pot Access to 1-Pyrrolines

Herein, a versatile highly regioselective three-component annulation of simple aromatic ketones and methylamines using a hypervalent iodine reagent for polyarylated 1-pyrrolines has been described in good to excellent yields. Meanwhile, unsymmetrical 1-pyrroline isomers could be realized and synthesized. Such an intriguing one-pot two-step tandem assembly strategy with green conditions and high regioselectivity shows predictable inspiration in related annulation reactions.

Iron-Catalyzed Ring Expansion of Cyclobutanols for the Synthesis of 1-Pyrrolines by Using MsONH3OTf

The synthesis of 1-pyrrolines from cyclobutanol derivatives and an aminating reagent (MsONH₃OTf) has been developed. This one-pot procedure achieves C-N bond/C═N bond formation via ring expansion. A series of 1-pyrroline derivatives are synthesized in moderate to good yields under mild conditions.

Development of tethered dual catalysts: synergy between photo- and transition metal catalysts for enhanced catalysis

While dual photocatalysis-transition metal catalysis strategies are extensively reported, the majority of systems feature two separate catalysts, limiting the potential for synergistic interactions between the catalytic centres. In this work we synthesised a series of tethered dual catalysts allowing us to investigate this underexplored area of dual catalysis. In particular, Ir(i) or Ir(iii) complexes were tethered to a BODIPY photocatalyst through different tethering modes. Extensive characterisation, including transient absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, suggest that there are synergistic interactions between the catalysts. The tethered dual catalysts were more effective at promoting photocatalytic oxidation and Ir-catalysed dihydroalkoxylation, relative to the un-tethered species, highlighting that increases in both photocatalysis and Ir catalysis can be achieved. The potential of these catalysts was further demonstrated through novel sequential reactivity, and through switchable reactivity that is controlled by external stimuli (heat or light).

Hydroamination of Aromatic Alkynes to Imines Catalyzed by Pd(II)-Anthraphos Complexes

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic performance of cationic Pd(II)-Anthraphos complexes in the intermolecular hydroamination of aromatic alkynes with aromatic amines. The reaction proceeds with 0.18 mol % of catalyst loading, at 90 °C for 4 h under neat conditions. Good to excellent yields could be obtained for a broad range of amines and alkynes.

Influence of counterions on the supramolecular frameworks of isoquinoline-based silver(i) complexes

Crystal structures of seven new Ag(i) complexes with bis(1-isoquinolinecarboxamide)alkane derivatives were analyzed in terms of the coordinative ability and participation in non-covalent interactions of several counterions.

Highly versatile heteroditopic ligand scaffolds for accommodating group 8, 9 & 11 heterobimetallic complexes

Two highly versatile xanthene scaffolds containing pairs of heteroditopic ligands were found to be capable of accommodating a range of transition metal ions, including Au(i), Ir(i), Ir(iii), Rh(i), and Ru(ii) to generate an array of heterobimetallic complexes. The metal complexes were fully characterised and proved to be stable in the solid and solution state, with no observed metal-metal scrambling. Heterobimetallic complexes containing the Rh(i)/Ir(i) combinations were tested as catalysts for the two-step dihydroalkoxylation reaction of alkynediols and sequential hydroamination/hydrosilylation reaction of alkynamines.

Gold(III) NHC Complexes for Catalyzing Dihydroalkoxylation and Hydroamination Reactions

A gold(III) complex of an N-heterocyclic carbene based hemilabile ligand with two pendant pyrazole arms (1,3-bis((1H-pyrazol-3-yl)methyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazole, LH) was synthesized. Complex [LAu(III)Cl₃] is an excellent catalyst for promoting dihydroalkoxylation at room temperature, even catalyzing this reaction at 0 °C. [LAu(III)Cl₃] is one of the most efficient catalysts reported to date for the spirocyclization of alkynyl diols. Furthermore, [LAu(III)Cl₃] catalyzed intra- and intermolecular hydroamination reactions, achieving good to excellent conversions. [LAu(III)Cl₃] is a more efficient catalyst than a gold(I) analogue, [LAu(I)Cl]. The dependence of the quantity of weakly coordinating anion [BAr^F₄]^- ((3,5-trifluoromethyl)phenyl borate) present on catalysis efficiency was probed for the dihydroalkoxylation reaction. X-ray diffraction analysis of single crystals demonstrated the solid-state structure of gold complexes [LAu(III)Cl₃] and [LAu(I)Cl], which displayed the expected square-planar and linear coordination geometries, respectively.

Counterion influence on the N-I-N halogen bond

A detailed investigation of the influence of counterions on the [N-I-N]+ halogen bond in solution, in the solid state and in silico is presented. Translational diffusion coefficients indicate close attachment of counterions to the cationic, three-center halogen bond in dichloromethane solution. Isotopic perturbation of equilibrium NMR studies performed on isotopologue mixtures of regioselectively deuterated and nondeuterated analogues of the model system showed that the counterion is incapable of altering the symmetry of the [N-I-N]+ halogen bond. This symmetry remains even in the presence of an unfavorable geometric restraint. A high preference for the symmetric geometry was found also in the solid state by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Molecular systems encompassing weakly coordinating counterions behave similarly to the corresponding silver(i) centered coordination complexes. In contrast, systems possessing moderately or strongly coordinating anions show a distinctly different behavior. Such silver(i) complexes are converted into multi-coordinate geometries with strong Ag-O bonds, whereas the iodine centered systems remain linear and lack direct charge transfer interaction with the counterion, as verified by 15N NMR and DFT computation. This suggests that the [N-I-N]+ halogen bond may not be satisfactorily described in terms of a pure coordination bond typical of transition metal complexes, but as a secondary bond with a substantial charge-transfer character.

Bi- and tri-metallic Rh and Ir complexes containing click derived bis- and tris-(pyrazolyl-1,2,3-triazolyl) N-N' donor ligands and their application as catalysts for the dihydroalkoxylation of alkynes

A series of bi-topic and tri-topic pyrazolyl-1,2,3-triazolyl donor ligands (; = 1,X-bis((4-((1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene (X = 2, 3 and 4; o-C6H4(PyT)2, m-C6H4(PyT)2 and p-C6H4(PyT)2) and = 1,3,5-tris((4-((1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene, 1,3,5-C6H3(PyT)3) were conveniently synthesised in 'one pot' reactions using the Cu(i) catalysed 'click' reaction. Rh(i), Ir(i), Rh(iii) and Ir(iii) complexes with ligands of the general formulae C6H6-n[(PyT)M(CO)2]n[BAr]n (M = Rh, Ir; n = 2, 3; ; ) and C6H6-n[(PyT)MCp*Cl]n[BAr]n (M = Rh, Ir; n = 2, 3; ; ) were synthesised and fully characterised. In solution each of the bi- or tri-metallic complexes and exists as a mixture of two (, ) or three ( and ) diastereomers due to the presence of a chiral centre at each metal centre in these complexes. The solid state structures of complexes and were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography and showed that each bidentate arm of these multitopic ligands coordinates to the Rh or Ir centre in a bidentate fashion via the pyrazolyl-N2 and 1,2,3-triazolyl N3' donors. The intermetallic distances in these solid state structures vary from 8.66 Å to 15.17 Å. These complexes were assessed as catalysts for the dihydroalkoxylation of alkynes using the cyclisation of 2-(5-hydroxypent-1-ynyl)benzyl alcohol, , to a mixture of two spiroketals, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-spirol[furan-2,3'-isochroman], , and 3',4',5',6'-tetrahydro-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),2'(2H)pyran], , as the model reaction. The Rh(i) complexes (), with the highest TOF of 2052 h(-1) for complex , were the most active catalysts when compared with the other complexes under investigation here. The Ir(i) complexes () were moderately active as catalysts for the same transformation. No significant enhancement in catalytic reactivity was observed with the Rh(i) series bi- and trimetallic complexes () when compared with their monometallic analogues. The bi- and trimetallic Ir(i) complexes () were much more efficient as catalysts for this transformation than their monometallic analogues, suggesting some intermetallic cooperativity. Rh(iii), , and Ir(iii), , complexes were not active as catalysts for this transformation.

Synthesis of functionalized pseudopeptides through five-component sequential Ugi/nucleophilic reaction of N-substituted 2-alkynamides with hydrazides

Five-component sequential Ugi/nucleophilic addition reaction of aromatic aldehydes, primary amines, propiolic acid, isocyanides, and hydrazides has been developed in order to access polyfunctional pseudopeptides. The reaction may proceed through formation of N-substituted 2-alkynamides as intermediates. This process is found to be mild and operationally simple with broad substrate scope.

Intramolecular Hydroamination of Aminoalkenes using Rhodium(I) and Iridium(I) Complexes with N,N- and P,N-Donor Ligands

Cationic rhodium(i) and iridium(i) complexes containing the bidentate heterocyclic N,N-donor ligand bis(1-pyrazolyl)methane (bpm) and the counterion tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (BArF–) were found to be efficient catalysts for the cyclization of activated and unactivated aminoalkenes. The rates of cyclization were found to be highly dependent upon the size and steric bulk of the substituents at the γ-position of the aminoalkene, with large steric bulk leading to faster rates of cyclization. In comparison, analogous rhodium(i) and iridium(i) complexes with the mixed P,N-donor ligand 1-[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]pyrazole (PyP) were found to be less effective as catalysts for this reaction.