Accessing perfluoroalkyl nickel(II), (III), and (IV) complexes bearing a readily attached [C4F8] ligand

A Redox Transmetalation Step in Nickel-Catalyzed C-C Coupling Reactions

Ni-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions are becoming efficient routes to access a variety of functionalized arenes, yet the mechanisms of these catalytic C-C coupling reactions are not well understood. Here, we report the catalytic and stoichiometric arylation reactions of a nickel(II) metallacycle. Treatment of this species with silver(I)-aryl complexes results in facile arylation, consistent with a redox transmetalation step. Additionally, treatment with electrophilic coupling partners generates C-C and C-S bonds. We anticipate that this redox transmetalation step may be relevant to other coupling reactions that employ silver salts as additives.

Synthesis, structure, and electrochemical properties of [LNi(Rf)(C4F8)]- and [LNi(Rf)3]- complexes

The new anionic nickelate complexes [(MeCN)Ni(C₄F₈)(CF₃)]^-, [(MeCN)Ni(C₄F₈)(C₂F₅)]^-, [(IMes)Ni(C₄F₈)(CF₃)]^-, [(IMes)Ni(CF₃)₃]^- (IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), and [(F-NHC)Ni(R_f)₃]^- (F-NHC = 1,3-bis(2,4-F₂Ph), 2,4,6-F₃Ph- or 3,4,5-F₃Ph)imidazol-2-ylidene; (R_f = CF₃ or C₂F₅) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The electrochemical properties of all new compounds were revealed by cyclic voltammetry studies and compared to the known CF₃ analogue [(MeCN)Ni(CF₃)₃]^-. The IMes-coordinated complexes exhibited initial oxidation events that were well-separated from a second oxidation process in the cyclic voltammograms. The complexes containing F-substituted NHC ligands [(F-NHC)Ni(CF₃)₃]^- are structurally quite similar to the IMes derivative and reveal also two separated oxidation waves in their cyclic voltammograms. The absolute potentials as well as the separation between the two waves vary with the substitution pattern, suggesting that the NHC ligand environment (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) is an interesting platform for the development of new redox-triggered reactions that release trifluoromethyl and perfluoroalkyl radicals upon oxidation.

Dialkyl Ether Formation at High-Valent Nickel

In this article, we investigated the I2-promoted cyclic dialkyl ether formation from 6-membered oxanickelacycles originally reported by Hillhouse. A detailed mechanistic investigation based on spectroscopic and crystallographic analysis revealed that a putative reductive elimination to forge C(sp3)-OC(sp3) using I2 might not be operative. We isolated a paramagnetic bimetallic NiIII intermediate featuring a unique Ni2(OR)2 (OR = alkoxide) diamond-like core complemented by a μ-iodo bridge between the two Ni centers, which remains stable at low temperatures, thus permitting its characterization by NMR, EPR, X-ray, and HRMS. At higher temperatures (>-10 °C), such bimetallic intermediate thermally decomposes to afford large amounts of elimination products together with iodoalkanols. Observation of the latter suggests that a C(sp3)-I bond reductive elimination occurs preferentially to any other challenging C-O bond reductive elimination. Formation of cyclized THF rings is then believed to occur through cyclization of an alcohol/alkoxide to the recently forged C(sp3)-I bond. The results of this article indicate that the use of F+ oxidants permits the challenging C(sp3)-OC(sp3) bond formation at a high-valent nickel center to proceed in good yields while minimizing deleterious elimination reactions. Preliminary investigations suggest the involvement of a high-valent bimetallic NiIII intermediate which rapidly extrudes the C-O bond product at remarkably low temperatures. The new set of conditions permitted the elusive synthesis of diethyl ether through reductive elimination, a remarkable feature currently beyond the scope of Ni.

[(MeCN)Ni(CF3)3]- and [Ni(CF3)4]2-: Foundations toward the Development of Trifluoromethylations at Unsupported Nickel

Nickel anions [(MeCN)Ni(CF₃)₃]^- and [Ni(CF₃)₄]^2- were prepared by the formal addition of 3 and 4 equiv, respectively, of AgCF₃ to [(dme)NiBr₂] in the presence of the [PPh₄]⁺ counterion. Detailed insights into the electronic properties of these new compounds were obtained through the use of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, spectroscopy-oriented configuration interaction (SORCI) calculations, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The data collectively show that trifluoromethyl complexes of nickel, even in the most common oxidation state of nickel(II), are highly covalent systems whereby a hole is distributed on the trifluoromethyl ligands, surprisingly rendering the metal to a physically more reduced state. In the cases of [(MeCN)Ni(CF₃)₃]^- and [Ni(CF₃)₄]^2-, these complexes are better physically described as d⁹ metal complexes. [(MeCN)Ni(CF₃)₃]^- is electrophilic and reacts with other nucleophiles such as phenoxide to yield the unsupported [(PhO)Ni(CF₃)₃]^2- salt, revealing the broader potential of [(MeCN)Ni(CF₃)₃]^- in the development of "ligandless" trifluoromethylations at nickel. Proof-in-principle experiments show that the reaction of [(MeCN)Ni(CF₃)₃]^- with an aryl iodonium salt yields trifluoromethylated arene, presumably via a high-valent, unsupported, and formal organonickel(IV) intermediate. Evidence of the feasibility of such intermediates is provided with the structurally characterized [PPh₄]₂[Ni(CF₃)₄(SO₄)], which was derived through the two-electron oxidation of [Ni(CF₃)₄]^2-.

High-Valent NiIII and NiIV Species Relevant to C-C and C-Heteroatom Cross-Coupling Reactions: State of the Art

Ni catalysis constitutes an active research arena with notable applications in diverse fields. By analogy with its parent element palladium, Ni catalysts provide an appealing entry to build molecular complexity via cross-coupling reactions. While Pd catalysts typically involve a M⁰/M^II redox scenario, in the case of Ni congeners the mechanistic elucidation becomes more challenging due to their innate properties (like enhanced reactivity, propensity to undergo single electron transformations vs. 2e⁻ redox sequences or weaker M–Ligand interaction). In recent years, mechanistic studies have demonstrated the participation of high-valent Ni^III and Ni^IV species in a plethora of cross-coupling events, thus accessing novel synthetic schemes and unprecedented transformations. This comprehensive review collects the main contributions effected within this topic, and focuses on the key role of isolated and/or spectroscopically identified Ni^III and Ni^IV complexes. Amongst other transformations, the resulting Ni^III and Ni^IV compounds have efficiently accomplished: i) C–C and C–heteroatom bond formation; ii) C–H bond functionalization; and iii) N–N and C–N cyclizative couplings to forge heterocycles.

Catalytically Relevant Intermediates in the Ni-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H and C(sp3)-H Functionalization of Aminoquinoline Substrates

This Article describes the synthesis and characterization of cyclometalated aminoquinoline Ni^II σ-aryl and σ-alkyl complexes that have been proposed as key intermediates in Ni-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions. These Ni^II complexes serve as competent catalysts for the C-H functionalization of aminoquinoline derivatives with I₂. They also react stoichiometrically with I₂ to form either aryl iodides or β-lactams within minutes at room temperature. Furthermore, they react with Ag^I salts at -30 °C to afford isolable five-coordinate Ni^III species. The Ni^III σ-aryl complexes proved inert toward C(sp²)-I bond-forming reductive elimination under all conditions examined (up to 140 °C in DMF). In contrast, a Ni^III σ-alkyl analogue underwent C(sp³)-N bond-forming reductive elimination at 140 °C in DMF to afford a β-lactam product. However, despite the ability of this latter Ni^III species to participate in stoichiometric product formation, the complex was not a competent catalyst for β-lactam formation. Overall, these results suggest against the intermediacy of Ni^III species in these C-H functionalization reactions.

2,2':6',2''-Terpyridine switches from tridentate to monodentate coordination in a gold(iii) terpy complex upon reaction with sodium azide

Reaction of [AuCl(terpy-κ³-N^1,1',1'')]Cl₂ with an excess of sodium azide did not result in the expected exchange of the chlorido by an azido ligand to give [Au(N₃)(terpy-κ³-N^1,1',1'')]²⁺. Instead, X-ray structure analysis showed that the isolated product is [Au(N₃)₃(terpy-κ¹-N¹)], in which the terpyridine ligand is in a very rare monodentate coordination mode. This is also the dominant species in solution, together with a minor amount of [Au(N₃)₂(terpy-κ²-N^1,1')]⁺. The stability of the tris(azido)gold(iii) moiety relative to other possible species was also confirmed by DFT calculations.

Connecting Organometallic Ni(III) and Ni(IV): Reactions of Carbon-Centered Radicals with High-Valent Organonickel Complexes

This paper describes the one-electron interconversions of isolable Ni^III and Ni^IV complexes through their reactions with carbon-centered radicals (R•). First, model Ni^III complexes are shown to react with alkyl and aryl radicals to afford Ni^IV products. Preliminary mechanistic studies implicate a pathway involving direct addition of a carbon-centered radical to the Ni^III center. This is directly analogous to the known reactivity of Ni^II complexes with R•, a step that is commonly implicated in catalysis. Second, a Ni^IV-CH₃ complex is shown to react with aryl and alkyl radicals to afford C-C bonds via a proposed S_H2-type mechanism. This pathway is leveraged to enable challenging H₃C-CF₃ bond formation under mild conditions. Overall, these investigations suggest that Ni^II/III/IV sequences may be viable redox pathways in high-oxidation-state nickel catalysis.

Exploiting the trifluoroethyl group as a precatalyst ligand in nickel-catalyzed Suzuki-type alkylations

We report herein the exploitment of the partially fluorinated trifluoroethyl as precatalyst ligands in nickel-catalyzed Suzuki-type alkylation and fluoroalkylation coupling reactions. Compared with the [L _n Ni^II(aryl)(X)] precatalysts, the unique characters of bis-trifluoroethyl ligands imparted precatalyst [(bipy)Ni(CH₂CF₃)₂] with bench-top stability, good solubilities in organic media and interesting catalytic activities. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that an eliminative extrusion of a vinylidene difluoride (VDF, CH₂[double bond, length as m-dash]CF₂) mask from [(bipy)Ni(CH₂CF₃)₂] is a critical step for the initiation of a catalytic reaction.

Carbonyl and olefin hydrosilylation mediated by an air-stable phosphorus(iii) dication under mild conditions

The readily-accessible, air-stable Lewis acid [(terpy)PPh][B(C6F5)4]21 is shown to mediate the hydrosilylation of aldehydes, ketones, and olefins. The utility and mechanism of these hydrosilylations are considered.

A Ni(iii) complex stabilized by silica nanoparticles as an efficient nanoheterogeneous catalyst for oxidative C-H fluoroalkylation

We have developed Ni(III)-doped silica nanoparticles ([(bpy)xNi(III)]@SiO2) as a recyclable, low-leaching, and efficient oxidative functionalization nanocatalyst for aromatic C-H bonds. The catalyst is obtained by doping the complex [(bpy)3Ni(II)] on silica nanoparticles along with its subsequent electrooxidation to [(bpy)xNi(III)] without an additional oxidant. The coupling reaction of arenes with perfluoroheptanoic acid occurs with 100% conversion of reactants in a single step at room temperature under nanoheterogeneous conditions. The catalyst content is only 1% with respect to the substrates under electrochemical regeneration conditions. The catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture and reused a minimum of five times. The results emphasize immobilization on the silica support and the electrochemical regeneration of Ni(III) complexes as a facile route for developing an efficient nanocatalyst for oxidative functionalization.

Oxidatively Induced C-H Activation at High Valent Nickel

This communication describes a series of oxidatively induced intramolecular arene C-H activation reactions of Ni^II model complexes to yield Ni^IV σ-aryl products. These reactions proceed within 10 min at room temperature, which represents among the mildest conditions reported for C-H cleavage at a Ni center. A combination of density functional theory and preliminary experimental mechanistic studies implicate a pathway involving initial 2e^- oxidation of the Ni^II starting materials by the F⁺ transfer reagent N-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridinium triflate followed by triflate-assisted C-H cleavage at Ni^IV to yield the products.

Oxidative C-C Bond Formation Reactivity of Organometallic Ni(II), Ni(III), and Ni(IV) Complexes

The use of the tridentate ligand 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (Me₃tacn) and the cyclic alkyl/aryl C-donor ligand -CH₂CMe₂-o-C₆H₄- (cycloneophyl) allows for the synthesis of isolable organometallic Ni^II, Ni^III, and Ni^IV complexes. Surprisingly, the five-coordinate Ni^III complex is stable both in solution and the solid state, and exhibits limited C-C bond formation reactivity. Oxidation by one electron of this Ni^III species generates a six-coordinate Ni^IV complex, with an acetonitrile molecule bound to Ni. Interestingly, illumination of the Ni^IV complex with blue LEDs results in rapid formation of the cyclic C-C product at room temperature. This reactivity has important implications for the recently developed dual Ni/photoredox catalytic systems proposed to involve high-valent organometallic Ni intermediates. Additional reactivity studies show the corresponding Ni^II species undergoes oxidative addition with alkyl halides, as well as rapid oxidation by O₂, to generate detectable Ni^III and/or Ni^IV intermediates and followed by C-C bond formation.

Isolated Organometallic Nickel(III) and Nickel(IV) Complexes Relevant to Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation Reactions

Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are experiencing a dramatic resurgence in recent years given their ability to employ a wider range of electrophiles as well as promote stereospecific or stereoselective transformations. In contrast to the extensively studied Pd catalysts that generally employ diamagnetic intermediates, Ni systems can more easily access various oxidation states including odd-electron configurations. For example, organometallic Ni^III intermediates with aryl and/or alkyl ligands are commonly proposed as the active intermediates in cross-coupling reactions. Herein, we report the first isolated Ni^III-dialkyl complex and show that this species is involved in stoichiometric and catalytic C-C bond formation reactions. Interestingly, the rate of C-C bond formation from a Ni^III center is enhanced in the presence of an oxidant, suggesting the involvement of transient Ni^IV species. Indeed, such a Ni^IV species was observed and characterized spectroscopically for a nickelacycle system. Overall, these studies suggest that both Ni^III and Ni^IV species could play an important role in a range of Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, especially those involving alkyl substrates.

Ligand effects on the properties of Ni(iii) complexes: aerobically-induced aromatic cyanation at room temperature

Ligand effect studies on (^RN3C)Ni^IIIL₂ complexes reveal aerobically-induced aromatic cyanation with tBuNC at room temperature for the (^NpN3C)Ni system.