Potassium Hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS): Solvent-Dependent Solution Structures

Solution structures of potassium hexamethyldisilazide [KHMDS] and labeled [15N]KHMDS were examined using a number of analytical methods including 29Si NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory computations. A combination of 15N-29Si couplings, 29Si chemical shifts, and the method of continuous variations reveals dimers, monomers, and ion pairs. Weakly coordinating monofunctional ligands such as toluene, N,N-dimethylethylamine, and Et3N afford exclusively dimers. 1,3-Dioxolane, THF, dimethoxyethane, hexamethylphosphoramide, and diglyme provide dimers at low ligand concentrations and monomers at high ligand concentrations. N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylethylenediamine and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylcyclohexanediamine provide exclusively dimers at all ligand concentrations at ambient temperatures and significant monomer at -80 °C. Studies of 12-crown-4 ran into technical problems. Equimolar 15-crown-5 forms a dimer, whereas excess 15-crown-5 affords a putative ion pair. Whereas equimolar 18-crown-6 also affords a dimer, an excess provides a monomer rather than a solvent-separated ion pair. [2.2.2]cryptand affords what is believed to be a contact-ion-paired cryptate. Solvation was probed using largely density functional theory (DFT) computations. Thermally corrected energies are consistent with lower aggregates and higher solvates at low temperatures, but the magnitudes of the computed temperature dependencies were substantially larger than the experimentally derived data.

High-yielding synthesis of cyclometallated iridium complexes with hydrogen bond-rich ligands

A library of cyclometallated iridium(III) complexes with a strong H-bonding motif in their ancillary ligand was synthesized, characterized and their photophysical properties measured. Demonstrated herein is a general synthetic high yield procedure for these compounds. We ascribe these yields to the use of an intermediary primer ligand. This de novo strategy circumnavigates the standard synthetic issues of H-bond rich ligand precursors (self-aggregation and poor solubility in organic solvents).

The Dichotomy of Mn-H Bond Cleavage and Kinetic Hydricity of Tricarbonyl Manganese Hydride Complexes

Acid-base characteristics (acidity, pKa, and hydricity, ΔG°_H- or k_H-) of metal hydride complexes could be a helpful value for forecasting their activity in various catalytic reactions. Polarity of the M-H bond may change radically at the stage of formation of a non-covalent adduct with an acidic/basic partner. This stage is responsible for subsequent hydrogen ion (hydride or proton) transfer. Here, the reaction of tricarbonyl manganese hydrides mer,trans-[L₂Mn(CO)₃H] (1; L = P(OPh)₃, 2; L = PPh₃) and fac-[(L-L')Mn(CO)₃H] (3, L-L' = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ (dppm); 4, L-L' = Ph₂PCH₂-NHC) with organic bases and Lewis acid (B(C₆F₅)₃) was explored by spectroscopic (IR, NMR) methods to find the conditions for the Mn-H bond repolarization. Complex 1, bearing phosphite ligands, features acidic properties (pKa 21.3) but can serve also as a hydride donor (ΔG^≠_298K = 19.8 kcal/mol). Complex 3 with pronounced hydride character can be deprotonated with KHMDS at the CH₂-bridge position in THF and at the Mn-H position in MeCN. The kinetic hydricity of manganese complexes 1-4 increases in the order mer,trans-[(P(OPh)₃)₂Mn(CO)₃H] (1) < mer,trans-[(PPh₃)₂Mn(CO)₃H] (2) ≈ fac-[(dppm)Mn(CO)₃H] (3) < fac-[(Ph₂PCH₂NHC)Mn(CO)₃H] (4), corresponding to the gain of the phosphorus ligand electron-donor properties.

Correlation between surface chemistry and magnetism in iron nanoparticles

To shed light on the factors governing the stability and surface properties of iron nanoparticles, a series of iron nanoparticles has been produced by hydrogenation of two different iron amido complexes: the bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido] Fe(ii), [Fe(N(SiMe₃)₂)₂]₂, and the bis(diphenylamido) Fe(ii), [Fe(NPh₂)₂]. Nanostructured materials of bcc structure, or nanoparticles displaying average sizes below 3 nm and a polytetrahedral structure, have been obtained. Depending on the synthesis conditions, the magnetization of the nanoparticles was either significantly lower than that of bulk iron, or much higher as for clusters elaborated under high vacuum conditions. Unexpectedly, hydrogenation of aromatic groups of the ligands of the [Fe(NPh₂)₂] precursor has been observed in some cases. Confrontation of the experimental results with DFT calculations made on polytetrahedral Fe₉₁ model clusters bearing hydrides, amido and/or amine ligands at their surface, has shown that amido ligands can play a key role in the stabilisation of the nanoparticles in solution while the hydride surface coverage governs their surface magnetic properties. This study indicates that magnetic measurements give valuable indicators of the surface properties of iron nanoparticles in this size range, and beyond, of their potential reactivity.

C-Alkylation of alkali metal carbanions with olefins

C-Alkylations of alkali metal carbanions with olefins, first reported five decades ago, is a class of reaction undergoing a resurgence in organic synthesis in recent years. As opposed to expectations from classical chemistry and transition metal-catalysis, here olefins behave as closed-shell electrophiles. Reactions range from highly reactive alkyllithiums giving rise to anionic polymerization, to moderately reactive alkylpotassium or alkylsodium compounds that give rise to defined, controlled and bimolecular chemistry. This review presents a brief historical overview on C-alkylation of alkali metal carbanions with olefins (typically mediated by KOtBu and KHMDS), highlights contemporary applications and features developing mechanistic understanding, thereby serving as a platform for future studies and the widespread use of this class of reaction in organic synthesis.

Base-catalyzed C-alkylation of potassium enolates with styrenes via a metal-ene reaction: a mechanistic study

Base-catalyzed, C-alkylation of potassium (K) enolates with styrenes (CAKES) has recently emerged as a highly practical and convenient method for elaboration or synthesis of pharmaceutically-relevant cores. K enolate-type precursors such as alkyl-substituted heterocycles (pyridines, pyrazines and thiophenes), ketones, imines, nitriles and amides undergo C-alkylation reactions with styrene in the presence of KOtBu or KHMDS. Surprisingly, no studies have probed the reaction mechanism beyond the likely initial formation of a K enolate. Herein, a synergistic approach of computational (DFT), kinetic and deuterium labelling studies rationalizes various experimental observations and supports a metal-ene-type reaction for amide CAKES. Moreover, our approach explains experimental observations in other reported C-alkylation reactions of other enolate-type precursors, thus implicating a general mechanism for CAKES.

Exploring the solid state and solution structural chemistry of the utility amide potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS)

The coordination chemistry of the important potassium amide KHMDS has been explored both in the solid state and in solution.

Stereo- and Chemodivergent NHC-Promoted Functionalisation of Arylalkylketenes with Chloral

Stereo- and chemodivergent enantioselective reaction pathways are observed upon treatment of alkylarylketenes and trichloroacetaldehyde (chloral) with N-heterocyclic carbenes, giving selectively either β-lactones (up to 88:12 dr, up to 94 % ee) or α-chloroesters (up to 94 % ee). Either 2-arylsubstitution or an α-branched iPr alkyl substituent within the ketene favours the chlorination pathway, allowing chloral to be used as an electrophilic chlorinating reagent in asymmetric catalysis.

Carbon-hydrogen bond activation, C-N bond coupling, and cycloaddition reactivity of a three-coordinate nickel complex featuring a terminal imido ligand

The three-coordinate imidos (dtbpe)Ni═NR (dtbpe = (t)Bu2PCH2CH2P(t)Bu2, R = 2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (Mes), and 1-adamantyl (Ad)), which contain a legitimate Ni-N double bond as well as basic imido nitrogen based on theoretical analysis, readily deprotonate HC≡CPh to form the amide acetylide species (dtbpe)Ni{NH(Ar)}(C≡CPh). In the case of R = 2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3, reductive carbonylation results in formation of the (dtbpe)Ni(CO)2 along with the N-C coupled product keteneimine PhCH═C═N(2,6- (i)Pr2C6H3). Given the ability of the Ni═N bond to have biradical character as suggested by theoretical analysis, H atom abstraction can also occur in (dtbpe)Ni═N{2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3} when this species is treated with HSn((n)Bu)3. Likewise, the microscopic reverse reaction--conversion of the Ni(I) anilide (dtbpe)Ni{NH(2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3)} to the imido (dtbpe)Ni═N{2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3}--is promoted when using the radical Mes*O(•) (Mes* = 2,4,6-(t)Bu3C6H2). Reactivity studies involving the imido complexes, in particular (dtbpe)Ni═N{2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3}, are also reported with small, unsaturated molecules such as diphenylketene, benzylisocyanate, benzaldehyde, and carbon dioxide, including the formation of C-N and N-N bonds by coupling reactions. In addition to NMR spectroscopic data and combustion analysis, we also report structural studies for all the cycloaddition reactions involving the imido (dtbpe)Ni═N{2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3}.