Synthesis and reactivity of α-cationic phosphines: the effect of imidazolinium and amidinium substituents

Carbon-Phosphorus Ligands with Extreme Donating Character

Carbeniophosphines [R2 C+ -PR2 ] and phosphonium ylides [R3 P+ -CR2 - ] are two complementary classes of carbon-phosphorus based ligands defined by their unique donor properties. Indeed, while carbeniophosphines are electron-poor P-ligands due to the positioning of a positive charge near the coordinating P-atom, phosphonium ylides are electron-rich C-ligands due to the presence of a negatively charged coordinating C-atom. Based on this knowledge, this account summarizes our recent contribution on these two classes of carbon-phosphorus ligands, and in particular the strategies developed to lower the donor character of carbeniophosphines and enhance that of phosphonium ylides. This led us to design, at both extremities of the donating scale, extremely electron-poor P-ligands exemplified by imidazoliophosphonites [R2 C+ -P(OR)2 ] and dicarbeniophosphines [(R2 C+ )2 -PR], and extremely electron-rich C-ligands illustrated by pincer architectures exhibiting several phosphonium ylide donor extremities. In the context of carbon-phosphorus analogy, the closely related cases of ligands where the C-atom of a NHC ligand is in close proximity of two positive charges, and that of a phosphonium ylide coordinated through its P-atom are also discussed. An overview of the synthetic methods, coordinating properties, general reactivity and electronic structure of all these C,P-based species is presented here.

Sulfonium cations as versatile strongly π-acidic ligands

More than a century old, sulfonium cations are still intriguing species in the landscape of organic chemistry. On one hand they have found broad applications in organic synthesis and materials science, but on the other hand, while isoelectronic to the ubiquitous tertiary phosphine ligands, their own coordination chemistry has been neglected for the last three decades. Here we report the synthesis and full characterization of the first Rh(i) and Pt(ii) complexes of sulfonium. Moreover, for the first time, coordination of an aromatic sulfonium has been established. A thorough computational analysis of the exceptionally short S-Rh bonds obtained attests to the strongly π-accepting nature of sulfonium cations and places them among the best π-acceptor ligands available today. Our calculations also show that embedding within a pincer framework enhances their π-acidity even further. Therefore, in addition to the stability and modularity that these frameworks offer, our pincer complexes might open the way for sulfonium cations to become powerful tools in π-acid catalysis.

α-Cationic Phosphines: from Curiosities to Powerful Ancillary Ligands

The distinguishing feature of α-cationic phosphines is the presence of at least one substituent, normally (hetero)cyclic and positively charged, which is directly attached to the phosphorus atom. As result from this unique substitution pattern, the thus designed ligands depict significantly diminished donor properties if compared with their neutral counterparts. Thus, if in a hypothetical catalytic cycle, the step that determines the rate is facilitated by an increase of the electrophilicity at the metal center; then, the use of α-cationic ancillary phosphines can be highly beneficial. This fact, combined with their easy syntheses and stability, which allows an easy handling, make α-cationic phosphines a useful tool for the synthetic practitioner. Our research on the topic demonstrates that generally a remarkable ligand acceleration effect is observed when α-cationic phosphines are employed in Au(I)- and Pt(II)-promoted cycloisomerizations; moreover, in some cases even otherwise not operative transformations can be promoted. This Account describes how we entered into the topic, our efforts, and those of others to understand the coordination behavior of α-cationic phosphines and further develop their range of applications in catalysis; but it also identifies the drawbacks associated with their use, which limit their range of application.

1 Introduction

2 Polycationic Phosphines: Stronger Acceptors than Phosphites

3 Inconveniences Derived from the Use of (Poly)cationic phosphines

4 A Second Generation of Cationic Ligands: α-Pyridiniophosphines

5 Chiral α-Cationic Phosphines

6 α-Radical Phosphines and (Poly)cationic Phosphine Oxides

7 Conclusions and Outlook

Rationalizing the influence of α-cationic phospholes on π-catalysis

The physical factors behind the experimentally observed high activity of gold(I)-catalysts having an α-cationic phosphole as a ligand have been computationally explored. To this end, the gold(I)-catalysed hydroarylation reactions of phenylacetylene and mesitylene involving both neutral and cationic phosphole as well as phosphine ligands have been quantitatively analyzed in detail with the help of the activation strain model of reactivity in combination with the energy decomposition analysis method. It is found that the cationic phosphole ligands induce a dramatic change in both the geometry and the electronic structure of the initially formed π-complex which significantly enhances its electrophilicity. This results in an enhancement of the key π(mesitylene) → π*(LAu-acetylene complex) molecular orbital interaction which is the main factor responsible for the activating effect of these cationic ligands.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Dithia[5]helicenes and their Postsynthetic Functionalization to Access Dithia[9]helicenes

A highly enantioselective synthesis of 5,13-disubstituted dibenzo[d,d']benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b']dithiophenes is reported. Key for the successful assembly of these helical architectures is the last two successive Au-catalyzed intramolecular alkyne hydroarylation events. Specifically, the second cyclization is the enantiodetermining step of the whole process and provides the desired helicenes with excellent ee values when a TADDOL-derived 1,2,3-(triazolium)phosphonite moiety (TADDOL: α,α,α',α'-tetraaryl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-dimethanol) is employed as an ancillary ligand. The absolute stereochemistry of the newly prepared structures has been determined by X-ray crystallography to be P; the optical properties of these heterohelicenes are also reported. A three-step procedure was subsequently developed that allows the transformation of the initially obtained dithia[5]helicenes into dithia[9]helicenes without erosion of the enantiopurity.

Main Avenues in Gold Coordination Chemistry

In this contribution, we provide an overview of the main avenues that have emerged in gold coordination chemistry during the last years. The unique properties of gold have motivated research in gold chemistry, and especially regarding the properties and applications of gold compounds in catalysis, medicine, and materials chemistry. The advances in the synthesis and knowledge of gold coordination compounds have been possible with the design of novel ligands becoming relevant motifs that have allowed the preparation of elusive complexes in this area of research. Strong donor ligands with easily modulable electronic and steric properties, such as stable singlet carbenes or cyclometalated ligands, have been decisive in the stabilization of gold(0) species, gold fluoride complexes, gold hydrides, unprecedented π complexes, or cluster derivatives. These new ligands have been important not only from the fundamental structure and bonding studies but also for the synthesis of sophisticated catalysts to improve activity and selectivity of organic transformations. Moreover, they have enabled the facile oxidative addition from gold(I) to gold(III) and the design of a plethora of complexes with specific properties.

α-Cationic Phospholes: Synthesis and Applications as Ancillary Ligands

A series of structurally differentiated α‐cationic phospholes containing cyclopropenium, imidazolium, and iminium substituents has been synthesized by reaction of chlorophosphole 1 with the corresponding stable carbenes. Evaluation of the donor properties of these compounds reveals that their strong π‐acceptor character is heavily influenced by the nature of the cationic group. The coordination chemistry of these newly prepared ligands towards Au^I centers is also described and their unique electronic properties exploited in catalysis. Interestingly, α‐cationic phosphole containing catalysts were not only able to accelerate model cycloisomerization reactions, but also to efficiently discriminate between concurrent reaction pathways, avoiding the formation of undesired product mixtures.

Cyclization of ortho-ethynylbiaryls as an emerging versatile tool for the construction of polycyclic arenes

Cyclization and cycloisomerization of ortho-aryl(ethynyl)arenes provide an easy direct access to fused polycyclic aromatic carbo- and heterocycles. This methodology has demonstrated an impressive progress in the recent years. The goal of this review is to give a comprehensive outlook on the synthetic potential, scope, limitations, and mechanistic aspects of the cyclization reactions. The material is arranged according to the activation method that can be used to induce cyclization: pyrolysis, metal catalysis, electrophilic activation, radical induction, base catalysis. Particular attention is paid to the specificity of ortho-ethynylbiaryls with a heterocyclic central core.

The bibliography includes 257 references.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Adducts of Main Group Elements and Their Use as Ligands in Transition Metal Chemistry

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are nowadays ubiquitous and indispensable in many research fields, and it is not possible to imagine modern transition metal and main group element chemistry without the plethora of available NHCs with tailor-made electronic and steric properties. While their suitability to act as strong ligands toward transition metals has led to numerous applications of NHC complexes in homogeneous catalysis, their strong σ-donating and adaptable π-accepting abilities have also contributed to an impressive vitalization of main group chemistry with the isolation and characterization of NHC adducts of almost any element. Formally, NHC coordination to Lewis acids affords a transfer of nucleophilicity from the carbene carbon atom to the attached exocyclic moiety, and low-valent and low-coordinate adducts of the p-block elements with available lone pairs and/or polarized carbon-element π-bonds are able to act themselves as Lewis basic donor ligands toward transition metals. Accordingly, the availability of a large number of novel NHC adducts has not only produced new varieties of already existing ligand classes but has also allowed establishment of numerous complexes with unusual and often unprecedented element-metal bonds. This review aims at summarizing this development comprehensively and covers the usage of N-heterocyclic carbene adducts of the p-block elements as ligands in transition metal chemistry.

NHCs in Main Group Chemistry

Since the discovery of the first stable N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) in the beginning of the 1990s, these divalent carbon species have become a common and available class of compounds, which have found numerous applications in academic and industrial research. Their important role as two-electron donor ligands, especially in transition metal chemistry and catalysis, is difficult to overestimate. In the past decade, there has been tremendous research attention given to the chemistry of low-coordinate main group element compounds. Significant progress has been achieved in stabilization and isolation of such species as Lewis acid/base adducts with highly tunable NHC ligands. This has allowed investigation of numerous novel types of compounds with unique electronic structures and opened new opportunities in the rational design of novel organic catalysts and materials. This Review gives a general overview of this research, basic synthetic approaches, key features of NHC-main group element adducts, and might be useful for the broad research community.

Carbeniophosphines versus Phosphoniocarbenes: The Role of the Positive Charge

The chemistry of carbeniophosphines and phosphoniocarbenes, which have general structures derived formally from the three-component "carbene/phosphine/positive charge" association, is presented. These two complementary classes of carbon-phosphorus-based ligands, defined by the presence of an inverted cationic coordinating structure (C+ ∼P: vs. P+ ∼C:) have the common purpose of positioning a positive charge in the vicinity of the metal center. Through selected examples, the synthetic methods, coordination properties, and general reactivity of both cationic species is described. Particular emphasis is placed on the influence of the positive charge on the respective chemical behavior of the two classes of compound.

Amidine functionalized phosphines: tuneable ligands for transition metals

A diastereomeric, cationic phosphine ligand [α,β-CgPAmMe]⁺ composed of a chiral amidinium substituent and a racemic phosphacycle has been prepared and compared to its neutral parent α,β-CgPAm.

One-pot synthesis of imidazolinium salts via the ring opening of tetrahydrofuran

One-pot synthesis of C2-hydroxypropyl-substituted imidazolinium salts, active catalysts for the aza-Diels–Alder reaction, via the ring opening of THF is reported.

Synthesis, Structure, and Applications of α-Cationic Phosphines

In α-cationic phosphines, at least one of the three substituents on phosphorus corresponds to a cationic (normally, but not always heteroaromatic) group, which is attached without any spacer to the phosphorus atom by a relatively inert P-C bond. This unique architecture confers to the resulting ligand strong acceptor properties, which frequently surpass those of traditional acceptor ligands such as phosphites or polyfluorinated phosphines. In addition, the fine-tuning of the stereoelectronic properties of α-cationic phosphines is also possible by judicious selection of the number and nature of the cationic groups. The opportunities offered in catalysis by α-cationic ligands arise from this ability to deplete electron density from the metals they coordinate. Thus, if in a hypothetical catalytic cycle the step that determines the rate is facilitated by an increase of the Lewis acidity at the metal center, then an acceleration of the whole process is expected by their use as ancillary ligands. Interestingly, this situation is found more frequently than one might think; many common elementary steps involved in catalytic cycles, such as reductive eliminations, coordination of substrates to metals, or attack of nucleophiles to coordinated substrates, belong to this category and are often fostered by electron poor metal centers. In this regard, our group has observed remarkable ligand acceleration effects by the employment of α-cationic phosphines in Au(I)- and Pt(II)-promoted hydroarylation and cycloisomerization reactions. These results seem to be general in π-acid catalysis when the nucleophile used is not especially electron rich because then their attack to the activated alkene or alkyne is normally rate determining. On the other hand, the use of cationic phosphines also presents drawbacks that limit their range of application. As a general rule, the reduced σ-donation from the phosphine is not compensated by the increased π-back-donation from the metal making the resulting phosphorus-metal bond weaker, and the corresponding catalysts more prone to decomposition. This can be critical when di- or tricationic ancillary ligands are used. In addition, the positively charged groups occasionally participate in undesired side reactions, with either the metal or the substrate, which are not present when their neutral congeners are used. Stimulated by both the fundamental questions regarding bonding and their valuable applications in catalysis, the chemistry of α-cationic phosphines has experienced an enormous growth during the last years. This Account describes our group's efforts and those of others to understand their coordination behavior, study their reactivity, and further develop their range of applications in catalysis.

Bis(cyclopropenium)phosphines: Synthesis, Reactivity, and Applications

A straightforward route for the preparation of a set of bis(cyclopropenium)-substituted phosphines is reported. Due to their dicationic nature, these ligands depict an excellent π-acceptor character. The effect of the ligand substituent pattern on the catalytic activity of the metal complexes thereof derived is also studied. Whereas sterically demanding biaryl groups directly attached to the phosphorus atom seem to facilitate elementary steps such as the product release from the catalyst, long chain dialkylamino groups on the cyclopropenium units maximize the catalysts solubility and, thus, allow the use of typical apolar solvents such as toluene. Importantly, all new ligands prepared can be easily handled in air. Finally, the impact of the newly prepared dicationic phosphines in hydroarylation reactions is demonstrated. In particular, their use in the synthesis of several naphtho[1,2-b]furanes and naturally occurring naphthalene derivatives such as Calanquinone C is reported.

α-Cationic Arsines: Synthesis, Structure, Reactivity, and Applications

A series of structurally differentiated cationic arsines containing imidazolium, cyclopropenium, formamidinium, and pyridinium substituents have been synthesized through short and scalable routes. Evaluation of the donor properties of these compounds by IR spectroscopy and DFT calculations reveals similar σ-electron-releasing abilities for all of them; however, their π-acceptor properties are strongly influenced by the nature of the positively charged group. We describe the coordination chemistry of the newly prepared α-cationic arsines toward different metal centers and their reactivity in the presence of strong oxidants to afford cationic As(V) species. Their unique electronic properties have been exploited in Pt(II) catalysis to develop a new catalyst with remarkable activity in the cycloisomerization of enynes to trisubstituted cyclopropanes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of α-cationic arsine ligands in catalysis.