Amides as modifiable directing groups in electrophilic borylation

Amide directed C-H borylation using ≥two equiv. of BBr3 forms borenium cations containing a R2N(R')C[double bond, length as m-dash]O→B(Ar)Br unit which has significant Lewis acidity at the carbonyl carbon. This enables reduction of the amide unit to an amine using hydrosilanes. This approach can be applied sequentially in a one-pot electrophilic borylation-reduction process, which for phenyl-acetylamides generates ortho borylated compounds that can be directly oxidised to the 2-(2-aminoethyl)-phenol. Other substrates amenable to the C-H borylation-reduction sequence include mono and diamino-arenes and carbazoles. This represents a simple method to make borylated molecules that would be convoluted to access otherwise (e.g. N-octyl-1-BPin-carbazole). Substituent variation is tolerated at boron as well as in the amide unit, with diarylborenium cations also amenable to reduction. This enables a double C-H borylation-reduction-hydrolysis sequence to access B,N-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including an example where both the boron and nitrogen centres contain functionalisable handles (N-H and B-OH). This method is therefore a useful addition to the metal-free borylation toolbox for accessing useful intermediates (ArylBPin) and novel B,N-PAHs.

Mapping Active Site Geometry to Activity in Immobilized Frustrated Lewis Pair Catalysts

The immobilization of molecular catalysts imposes spatial constraints on their active site. We reveal that in bifunctional catalysis such constraints can also be utilized as an appealing handle to boost intrinsic activity through judicious control of the active site geometry. To demonstrate this, we develop a pragmatic approach, based on nonlinear scaling relationships, to map the spatial arrangements of the acid–base components of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) to their performance in the catalytic hydrogenation of CO₂. The resulting activity map shows that fixing the donor–acceptor centers at specific distances and locking them into appropriate orientations leads to an unforeseen many‐fold increase in the catalytic activity of FLPs compared to their unconstrained counterparts.

Group 11 metal complexes of the dinucleating triazole appended bisphosphine 1,4-bis(5-(diisopropylphosphaneyl)-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)benzene

The synthesis of a triazole appended dinucleating bisphosphine 1,4-bis(5-(diisopropylphosphaneyl)-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)benzene (2) and its coinage metal complexes are described. The dinucleating bisphosphine 2 was obtained by the temperature-controlled lithiation of 1,4-bis(1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)benzene (1a) and 1,4-bis(1-(2-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)benzene (1b) followed by the reaction with ⁱPr₂PCl. The reactions of 2 with copper(I) halides in 1 : 2 molar ratios yielded the [Cu(μ₂-X)]₂ dimeric complexes [{Cu(μ₂-X)}₂(PⁱPr₂N₃PhC₂)₂C₆H₄] (3, X = Cl; 4, X = Br; and 5, X = I), whereas the reaction of 2 with AgBr resulted in the formation of hetero-cubane complex [{Ag₄(μ₃-Br)₄}{(PⁱPr₂N₃PhC₂)₂C₆H₄}₂] (7). Similar reactions of 2 with AgX in 1 : 2 molar ratios yielded disilver complexes [{Ag(μ₂-X)}₂{(PⁱPr₂N₃PhC₂)₂C₆H₄}] (6, X = Cl and 8, X = I). Treatment of 2 with AgOAc in a 1 : 2 molar ratio afforded a dinuclear complex [Ag₂(μ₂-OAc)₂{(PⁱPr₂N₃PhC₂)₂(C₆H₄)}] (9) with one of the acetate ligands bridging the two metal centres in the side-on mode, whereas the other one adopting the end-on mode keeping the >CO group uncoordinated. The reaction of 2 with two equivalents of [AuCl(SMe₂)] afforded the digold complex [(AuClPⁱPr₂N₃PhC₂)₂C₆H₄] (10). The molecular structures of 2-5 and 7-10 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. Non-covalent interactions between Cu and C_arene were observed in the molecular structures of 3, 4 and 5. These weak interactions were also assessed by DFT calculations in terms of their non-covalent interaction plots (NCI) and QTAIM analyses.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis and Reactivity of Transition Metal σ-Borane/Borate Complexes

The coordination of an element-element σ bond to a transition metal (TM) is both a fundamentally intriguing binding mode and of critical importance to metal-mediated bond activation mechanisms and catalysis, particularly the hotly contested field of C-H activation. TM σ complexes of dihydrogen (i.e., H-H) and silanes (H-SiR₃) have been extensively studied, the latter being of interest as models for the (generally unstable and unisolable) σ complexes of alkanes (i.e., H-CR₃). TM σ complexes of hydroboranes and hydroborates (i.e., H-BR₂, H-BR₃, (H-)₂BR₂) are somewhat less well studied but similarly have relevance to catalytic borylation reactions that are of high current interest to organic synthesis. Our two research groups have made significant contributions to elaborating the family of σ-borane/-borate complexes using two distinct approaches: while the Ghosh group generally starts from hydrogen-rich tetracoordinate boron species such as borates, the Braunschweig group starts from hypovalent and/or hypocoordinate boron building blocks. Through these two approaches, a wide range of species containing one or two σ-bound B-H ligands have been prepared, some with additional chelating donor sites. Over the past 2 years, the body of work on σ-borane/-borate complexes from our two research groups has significantly expanded, with a combined nine published articles in 2019-2020 alone. Very recent work from the Braunschweig group has led to the synthesis of the first bis(σ)-borane complexes of group 6 metals, as well as the synthesis of a series of novel bis(σ)-borane and bis(σ)-borate complexes of ruthenium and iridium, the former being useful precursors for pentacoordinate borylene complexes of Ru. Recent work from the Ghosh group has uncovered a remarkable diversity of structures with σ(B-H)-bound ligands from the combination of borohydrides and nitrogen/chalcogen-containing groups and heterocycles. These reactions, while in some cases producing conventional scorpionate-type chelating products, more frequently undergo fascinating rearrangements with unpredictable outcomes. This Account aims to highlight this recent acceleration of research progress in this area, particularly the distinct but related approaches of-and complexes produced by-our two research groups, in addition to relevant works from other groups where appropriate.

Diradical Anion of Potassium Aggregate: Reduction of Dimer Boroxide Complex

Crystalline aggregates containing metal cation clusters "wrapped" by reduced hydrocarbon anions have been presented. Initially, a dimeric complex (2) possessing a bimetallic K₂O₂ core was synthesized from the reaction between an anthracene substituted boronic acid (2-(anthracen-9-yl)phenyl)(hydroxy)(mesityl)borane (1-H) and KN(SiMe₃)₂ in THF solution. The B-O bond length (1.281(4) Å) in complex 2 is comparable to those observed in oxoboranes, indicating this may be a double bond, which is supported by its Wiberg bond order (1.9) predicted by density functional theory calculations. Subsequently, potassium aggregate complexes, diradical 3 and dihydro anion 4, were obtained through the reduction reactions of dimeric complex 2 and 1-H, respectively. They exhibit similar K₃O₂B₂ aggregate structures, but differ significantly in the geometry of the anthracene units. Complex 3 features a triplet diradical character with planar anthracene units that carry the unpaired electrons, while the anthracene groups in complex 4 display a puckered structure due to the addition of hydrogen atoms.

Comprehensive Theoretical Study of Interactions between Ag+ and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The first comprehensive and systematic theoretical exploration of the bonding nature and energetics of the interactions between Ag(I) cation and a wide set of π-ligands was accomplished. This set ranges from simple ethylene and aromatic benzene to planar and curved polyaromatic molecules and to closed-cage C₆₀ -fullerene. Simultaneous application of two energy decomposition schemes based on different ideas, namely, NBO-NEDA and EDA-NOCV, allowed shedding light on the nature of the bonding and its energetics. Importantly, our results unambiguously indicate that reliable results can be obtained only if using more than one theoretical approach. All methods clearly revealed the importance and even domination of the ionic contribution of the bonding in all adducts, except for those of C₆₀ -fullerene, in which the covalent component was found to be the largest. Subsequent decomposition of the orbital term onto components showed that it consists of two major parts: (i) ligand-to-metal (π(C=C)→s(Ag), L→M) and (ii) metal-to-ligand (M→L) terms, with significant domination of the former. Interestingly, while the L→M component is essentially the same for all systems considered, the nature of the M→L one depends on the coordination site of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). In most of adducts, the M→L can be described as d_xy (Ag)→π^* (C=C) donation, whereas for systems [Ag-spoke-C₁₂ H₈ ]⁺ and [Ag-spoke-C₂₀ H₁₀ ]⁺ it corresponds to the d_z ² (Ag)→π^* (C=C) type of interaction. As a result, the coordination mode in such complexes is switched from η² -type to η¹ . Thus, the nature of the bonding, its energetics and even coordination mode in adducts of unsaturated hydrocarbons with late transition metal cations should be considered as a function of many components, which primarily includes the topology and aromaticity of the (poly)aromatic molecules.

Direct arylation catalysis with chloro[8-(dimesitylboryl)quinoline-κN]copper(I)

We report direct arylation of arylhalides with unactivated sp² C–H bonds in benzene and naphthalene using a copper(I) catalyst featuring an ambiphilic ligand, (quinolin-8-yl)dimesitylborane. Direct arylation could be achieved with 0.2 mol % catalyst and 3 equivalents of base (KO(t-Bu)) at 80 °C to afford TON ≈160–190 over 40 hours.

Hydrolysis of 8-(pinacolboranyl)quinoline: where is the 8-quinolylboronic acid?

The compound 8-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-quinoline was prepared and found to hydrolyze rapidly in air; however, the expected product (quinolin-8-yl)boronic acid was not observed. Instead, the (quinolinium-8-yl)trihydroxyborate zwitterion or an anhydride were observed depending on the conditions of hydrolysis. The two products are related to one another in the degree of hydration, and the two forms could be interconverted. Both hydrolysis products were structurally characterized. Additionally, a commercial sample of ‘8-quinolylboronic acid’ was actually found to be the anhydride. The results call into question whether monomeric (quinolin-8-yl)boronic acid can actually be isolated in the neutral Lewis base-free form.

Naphthylaminoborane: from structural switches to frustrated Lewis pair reactivity

A series of naphthyl-bridged amino-borane derivatives, namely 1-(dimethylamino)-8-naphthylboranes (1, 3, 5, 7) and 5-(dimethylamino)-6-acenaphthylboranes (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11), differing in the steric and electronic properties of the boryl moiety, have been synthesized and fully characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic means. Structural X-ray analysis of the peri-atom displacement and ring torsion angles served to experimentally assess the presence and magnitude of the B-N interactions. The reversible quaternarization of nitrogen has been explored and was found to provide an efficient switch corresponding to different molecular organizations. The electronic characteristics of the nature of B-N interactions were further studied by Natural Bonding Orbital analysis derived from the theoretically calculated electron densities. This real-space bonding indicator discriminates the bonding B-N contact in 5 from the nonbonding in 8, which correlates with the flexibility of the naphthyl scaffold to respond to the Lewis acidity of boron allowing shorter peri interactions. Whereas, the steric shielding imposed by the two mesityl groups, and/or the rigidity of the acenaphthene framework disrupt B-N interaction. Thus, this communication reports on the modulation of the B-N bonding continuum by means of structural tuning leading to a molecular switch, as well as its implications towards revealing FLP reactivities through the isolation of intermediates of a stepwise mechanism.

Crystal structure of bis(3-bromomesityl)(quinolin-1-ium-8-yl)boron(III) tribromide

The title compound, C27H26.82BBr2.18N+·Br3−, is a cationic triarylborane isolated as its tribromide salt. The aryl substituents include a protonated 8-quinolyl group and two 3-bromomesityl groups. The molecule was prepared on combination of 3:1 Br2and dimesityl(quinolin-8-yl)borane in hexanes. The refinement of the structure indicated a degree of `over-bromination' (beyond two bromine atoms) for the cation. There are two tribromide ions in the asymmetric unit, both completed by crystallographic inversion symmetry.

Chloro({2-[mesityl(quinolin-8-yl-κN)boryl]-3,5-dimethyl-phenyl}methyl-κC)palladium(II) as a catalyst for Heck reactions

We recently reported an air and moisture stable 16-electron borapalladacycle formed upon combination of 8-quinolyldimesitylborane with bis(benzonitrile)dichloropalladium(II). The complex features a tucked mesityl group formed upon metalation of an ortho-methyl group on a mesityl; however it is unusually stable due to contribution of the boron p_z orbital in delocalizing the carbanion that gives rise to an η⁴-boratabutadiene fragment coordinated to Pd(II), as evidenced from crystallographic data. This complex was observed to be a highly active catalyst for the Heck reaction. Data of the catalyst activity are presented alongside data found in the literature, and initial comparison reveals that the borapalladacycle is quite active. The observed catalysis suggests the borapalladacycle readily undergoes reductive elimination; however the Pd(0) complex has not yet been isolated. Nevertheless, the ambiphilic ligand 8-quinolyldimesitylborane may be able to support palladium in different redox states.

Acyclic boron-containing π-ligand complexes: η2- and η3-coordination modes

Cyclic boron-containing π-ligands such as boratabenzenes and borollides are well established, in particular as supporting ligands. By contrast, the chemistry of acyclic boron-containing π-ligands has remained relatively unexplored, presumably in part due to the higher reactivity of acyclic π-ligands relative to cyclic analogues. This perspective is focused on the synthesis, structures and reactivity of isolated transition metal complexes bearing η(n)-coordinated (n = 2 or 3) acyclic boron-containing ligands. Both monometallic and multimetallic compounds are included, and are discussed with an emphasis on metal-ligand and intraligand bonding and parallels with hydrocarbon π-ligand complexes.

Synthesis of 8-arylquinolines via one-pot Pd-catalyzed borylation of quinoline-8-yl halides and subsequent Suzuki-Miyaura coupling

A one-pot process has been developed for the synthesis of 8-arylquinolines via Pd-catalyzed borylation of quinoline-8-yl halides and subsequent Suzuki-Miyaura coupling with aryl halides using n-BuPAd(2) as ligand. Yields of up to 98% were obtained.