CH Activation of Cationic Bismuth Amides: Heteroaromaticity, Derivatization, and Lewis Acidity

Cationization of Bi(NPh₂)₃ has recently been reported to allow access to single- and double-CH activation reactions, followed by selective transformation of Bi-C into C-X functional groups (X = electrophile). Here we show that this approach can successfully be transferred to a range of bismuth amides with two aryl groups at the nitrogen, Bi(NR^aryl₂)₃. Exchange of one nitrogen-bound aryl group for an alkyl substituent gave the first example of a homoleptic bismuth amide with a mixed aryl/alkyl substitution pattern at the nitrogen, Bi(NPhiPr)₃. This compound is susceptible to selective N-N radical coupling in its neutral form and also undergoes selective CH activation when transformed into a cationic species. The second CH activation is blocked due to the absence of a second aryl moiety at nitrogen. The Lewis acidity of neutral bismuth amides is compared with that of cationic species "[Bi(aryl)(amide)(L)_n]⁺" and "[Bi(aryl)₂(L)_n]⁺" based on the (modified) Gutmann-Beckett method (L = tetrahydrofuran or pyridine). The heteroaromatic character of [Bi(C₆H₃R)₂NH(triflate)] compounds, which are iso-valence-electronic with anthracene, is investigated by theoretical methods. Analytical methods used in this work include nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, and density functional theory calculations.

A new C-anionic tripodal ligand 2-{bis(benzothiazolyl)(methoxy)methyl}phenyl and its bismuth complexes

A new tripodal C-anionic ligand, 2-{bis(benzothiazolyl)(methoxy)methyl}phenyl (L), was stably generated by the reaction of the ligand precursor (L'), the corresponding bromide (2-BrC6H4)(MeO)C(C7H4NS)2 (C7H4NS = 2-benzothiazolyl), with nBuLi at -104 °C in the presence of TMEDA (N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine). The ligand lithium salt reacted with BiCl3 to give a 2 : 1 complex L2BiCl. A 1 : 1 complex LBiCl2 was obtained in good yield by the redistribution reaction between L2BiCl and BiCl3. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the ligand L coordinated in an expected κ3-C,N,N' coordination mode in LBiCl2, while it coordinated in κ3-C,N,O and κ2-C,O coordination modes in L2BiCl. The ligand precursor reacted with BiX3 (X = Cl, Br) to give 1 : 1 complexes L'BiX3 and was found to act as a neutral tripodal C(π),N,N-ligand.

Molecular bismuth(iii) monocations: structure, bonding, reactivity, and catalysis

Structurally defined, molecular bismuth(iii) cations show remarkable properties in coordination chemistry, Lewis acidity, and redox chemistry, allowing for unique applications in synthetic chemistry.

Intramolecular Metal⋅⋅⋅π-Arene Interactions in Neutral and Cationic Main Group Compounds

The role of intramolecular metal⋅⋅⋅π-arene interactions has been investigated in the solid-state structures of a series of main group compounds supported by the bulky amide ligands, [N(^tBu Ar^≠ )(SiR₃ )]^- (^tBu Ar^≠ =2,6-(CHPh₂ )₂ -4-tBuC₆ H₂ , R=Me, Ph). The lithium and potassium amide salts showed different patterns of solvation and demonstrated that the SiPh₃ substituent is able to be involved in stabilizing the electrophilic metal. These group 1 metal compounds served as ligand transfer reagents to access a series of bismuth(III) halides. Chloride extraction from Bi(N{^tBu Ar^≠ }{SiPh₃ })Cl₂ using AlCl₃ afforded the 1:1 salt [Bi(N{^tBu Ar^≠ }{SiPh₃ })Cl][AlCl₄ ]. This was accompanied by a significant rearrangement of the stabilizing π-arene contacts in the solid-state. Attempted preparation of the corresponding tetraphenylborate salt resulted in phenyl-transfer and generation of the neutral Bi(N{^tBu Ar^≠ }{SiPh₃ })(Ph)Cl.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of (thiolato)bismuth complexes as potential water-tolerant Lewis acid catalysts

We have synthesized bismuth complexes incorporating polydentate mono- and di-thiolate ligands and examined their utility as water-tolerant Lewis acid catalysts. The reaction of Bi(OAc)3 or Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and the corresponding mono- or di-thiol(ate) yielded the compounds [(SNNS)Bi(OAc)] (4), [(SNNSPr)Bi(OAc)] (5), [(NNS2)Bi(OAc)] (6), [(ONS2)Bi(OAc)] (7), [(ONS2)Bi(NO3)] (8), and [(NNS)2Bi][NO3] (9) [H2(SNNS) = N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)ethylenediamine; H2(SNNSPr) = N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)propanediamine; H2(NNS2) = N,N-diethyl-N′,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)ethanediamine; H2(ONS2) = 2-methoxyethyl-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)amine; H(NNS) = N,N-diethyl-N′-(2-mercaptoethyl)ethanediamine]. The solid-state structures of 4–8 show similar distorted pentagonal pyramidal geometries at the bismuth centre with a thiolate sulfur atom in the axial site, whereas 8 shows second structural arrangement with a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry at bismuth. The cation of 9 shows two NNS-bonded ligands and a distorted octahedral geometry at bismuth. Two-dimensional NMR studies of 4–8 show geminal 1H coupling in –SCH2CH2N– groups and suggests strong dative Bi–N intramolecular interactions. Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and BiCl3 show high activity toward the esterification of stearic acid, Bi(NO3)3·5H2O, and 4–7 and 9 show high activity toward the transesterification of methyl stearate in butanol, and 7 shows moderate activity as a catalyst for the transesterification of glyceryl trioctanoate in methanol.

Heterocyclic bismuth(iii) compounds with transannular N→Bi interactions as catalysts for the oxidation of thiophenol to diphenyldisulfide

Aerial oxidation of thiophenol to diphenyl disulfide proceeds with high reaction rates, total conversion and selectivity in ionic liquids by using diorganobismuth(iii) catalysts.

Strong Lewis acid air-stable cationic titanocene perfluoroalkyl(aryl)sulfonate complexes as highly efficient and recyclable catalysts for C-C bond forming reactions

A series of strong Lewis acid air-stable titanocene perfluoroalkyl(aryl)sulfonate complexes Cp2Ti(OH2)2(OSO2X)2·THF (X = C8F17, 1·THF; X = C4F9, 2·H2O·THF; X = C6F5, 3) were successfully synthesized by the treatment of Cp2TiCl2 with C8F17SO3Ag, C4F9SO3Ag and C6F5SO3Ag, respectively. In contrast to well-known titanocene bis(triflate), these complexes showed no change in open air over three months. TG-DSC analysis showed that 1·THF, 2·H2O·THF and 3 were thermally stable at 230 °C, 220 °C and 280 °C, respectively. Conductivity measurements showed that these complexes underwent ionic dissociation in CH3CN solution. X-ray analysis results confirmed that 2·H2O·THF and 3 were cationic. ESR spectra showed that the Lewis acidity of 1·THF (1.06 eV) was higher than that of Sc(3+) (1.00 eV) and Y(3+) (0.85 eV). UV/Vis spectra showed a significant red shift due to the strong complex formation between 10-methylacridone and 2·H2O·THF. Fluorescence spectra showed that the Lewis acidity of 2 (λ(em) = 477 nm) was higher than that of Sc(3+) (λ(em) = 474 nm). These complexes showed high catalytic ability in various carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. Moreover, they show good reusability. Compared with 1·THF, 2·H2O·THF and 3 exhibit higher solubility and better catalytic activity, and will find broad applications in organic synthesis.

Effect of non-covalent interaction on the diastereoselective self-assembly of Cu(ii) complexes containing a racemic Schiff base in a chiral self-discriminating process

The effects of π⋯π interactions between benzene–pyridine rings on the diastereoselective self-assembly of Cu(ii) compounds in the chiral self-discrimination process are studied.

New trends in bismuth-catalyzed synthetic transformations

This review covers uses of bismuth catalysts since 2005 with a special emphasis on the emerging applications of such catalysts. Low toxicity, low catalytic loading, synergistic effects with other catalysts, and some hydrocompatibility properties confer to bismuth salts major advantages. The expanding activity in the field clearly highlights the growing potential of bismuth catalysts. The article is not a comprehensive review on bismuth catalysis but a selection of its most promising uses in challenging synthetic transformations.