Efficient carbene transfer reactivity mediated by Fe(II) complexes supported by bulky alkoxides

Herein we describe the stoichiometric and catalytic carbene-transfer reactivity of iron(II) alkoxide complexes with iodonium ylide precursors. Treatment of PhIC(CO2Me)2 with styrene in the presence of catalytic amounts of several different Fe(OR)2(THF)2 precursors results in efficient cyclopropanation for a variety of styrenes. Computational and reactivity studies suggest a novel remote metallocarbene/vinyl radical intermediate, Fe(OR)2(κ2-(OC(OMe))2C), which could be responsible for the reactive nature of the catalyst.

Synthesis of β-Lactams through Carbonylation of Diazo Compounds Followed by the [2 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction

Reporting an efficient method for the synthesis of β-lactams by the carbonylation of diazo compounds, using [Co2(CO)8] to corresponding ketenes, followed by [2 + 2] cycloaddition with imines. The newly developed strategy was successfully applied to electronically and structurally diverse substrates to produce the corresponding β-lactams under mild reaction conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to monitor ketene formation and the transformation of ketene into β-lactam. All the products were fully characterized by using various analytical and spectroscopic techniques.

Selectivity Control of the Ligand Exchange at Carbon in α-Metallated Ylides as a Route to Ketenyl Anions

α-Metallated ylides have recently been reported to undergo phosphine by CO exchange at the ylidic carbon atom to form isolable ketenyl anions. Systematic studies on the tosyl-substituted yldiides, R3 P=C(M)Ts (M=Li, Na, K), now reveal that carbonylation may lead to a competing metal salt (MTs) elimination. This side-reaction can be controlled by the choice of phosphine, metal cation, solvent and co-ligands, thus enabling the selective isolation of the ketenyl anion [Ts-CCO]M (2-M). Complexation of 2-Na by crown ether or cryptand allowed structure elucidation of the first free ketenyl anion [Ts-CCO]- , which showed an almost linear Ts-C-C linkage indicative for a pronounced ynolate character. However, DFT studies support a high charge at the ketenyl carbon atom, which is reflected in the selective carbon-centered reactivity. Overall, the present study provides important information on the selectivity control of ketenyl anion formation which will be crucial for future applications.

Copper-Catalyzed Direct Carbonylation of Carbenes toward the Synthesis of Propanedioic Acid Derivatives

Carbenes are highly active reaction intermediates, which can be used as reaction precursors to modify organisms, drugs, and material molecules. In this work, we realized a new cheap metal-catalyzed carbonylation of carbene to give propanedioic acid derivatives. With copper salt as the catalyst, synthetically important malonates and related compounds were produced in good yields under mild reaction conditions.

Transition metal-catalysed carbene- and nitrene transfer to carbon monoxide and isocyanides

Transition metal-catalysed carbene- and nitrene transfer to the C1-building blocks carbon monoxide and isocyanides provides heteroallenes (i.e. ketenes, isocyanates, ketenimines and carbodiimides). These are versatile and reactive compounds allowing in situ transformation towards numerous functional groups and organic compounds, including heterocycles. Both one-pot and tandem processes have been developed providing valuable synthetic methods for the organic chemistry toolbox. This review discusses all known transition metal-catalysed carbene- and nitrene transfer reactions towards carbon monoxide and isocyanides and in situ transformation of the heteroallenes hereby obtained, with a special focus on the general mechanistic considerations.

Cobalt complexes of redox noninnocent azo-aromatic pincers. Isolation, characterization, and application as catalysts for the synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones

Herein we report the synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of three new cobalt(ii)-complexes of redox noninnocent arylazo ligands, 2-(phenylazo)-1,10-phenanthroline (L^1a), 2-(4-chlorophenylazo)-1,10-phenanthroline (L^1b) and 2,9-bis(phenyldiazo)-1,10-phenanthroline (L²) respectively. The reaction of L^1a with Co^IICl₂·6H₂O produced a μ-dichloro bridged binuclear cobalt(ii)-complex [Co(L^1a)₂Cl₂] (1a) while the same reaction when carried out with 2-(4-chlorophenyl)azo-1,10-phenanthroline (L^1b) and 2,9-bis(phenyldiazo)-1,10-phenanthroline (L²) ligands produced two new mononuclear five-coordinate cobalt(ii)-complexes 1b and 2 respectively. In complex 1a and 1b, the ligands L^1a and L^1b are coordinated to the cobalt(ii)-center in a tridentate mode utilizing all of its nitrogen donor sites while in complex 2 one of the azo-donor sites of the ligand L² remain pendant. All these complexes were characterized using available spectroscopic techniques and DFT studies. We further explored the potential of these complexes as catalysts for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important organic compounds via the functionalization of alcohols. A variety of substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones were synthesized under aerobic conditions via the coupling of alcohols and 2-aminobenzamide using 1b as the catalyst. Mechanistic investigations revealed that both cobalt and the arylazo scaffold act synergistically during catalysis.

Transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones catalyzed using an aminophosphinite POCNH pincer complex of Ni(ii)

(POCN^H)NiBr catalyzes the transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones in iPrOH. The reactions tolerate alkenes, esters, amides, nitriles, and heterocycles and proceed via the metal–ligand cooperative mechanism through (POCN)Ni^II species.

Infrared spectroscopic detection of ketene formation from carbene and CO sources: an amide synthesis

An effective methodology to detect the highly reactive ketene intermediate, which is formed in situ during the course of organic transformation.

Versatile coordination of a reactive P,N-ligand toward boron, aluminum and gallium and interconversion reactivity

The synthesis and reactivity of the first Group 13 complexes bearing a dearomatized phosphino-amido ligand are reported, i.e. alane AlEt2(L) , gallane GaCl2(L) and borane B(Cl)(Ph)(L) . The three complexes react very differently with Group 13 trihalogenides, providing access to zwitterionic anti-·GaCl3 and the unique bis(metalloid) ·BCl2, with the boron center part of a highly unusual anionic four-membered ring (charge on C) and Ga bound to P. The coordination chemistry and the various transformations are supported by DFT calculations, X-ray crystallography and multinuclear NMR spectroscopic data.

Recent advances in β-lactam synthesis

During the past century, β-lactams have been identified as the core of penicillin and since then several strategies have been developed for their synthesis.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings through Carbene Migratory Insertion

Transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions have been well-established as indispensable tools in modern organic synthesis. One of the major research goals in cross-coupling area is expanding the scope of the coupling partners. In the past decade, diazo compounds (or their precursors N-tosylhydrazones) have emerged as nucleophilic cross-coupling partners in C-C single bond or C═C double bond formations in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. This type of coupling reaction involves the following general steps. First, the organometallic species is generated by various processes, including oxidative addition, transmetalation, cyclization, C-C bond cleavage, and C-H bond activation. Subsequently, the organometallic species reacts with the diazo substrate to generate metal carbene intermediate, which undergoes rapid migratory insertion to form a C-C bond. The new organometallic species generated from migratory insertion may undergo various transformations. This type of carbene-based coupling has proven to be general: various transition metals including Pd, Cu, Rh, Ni, Co, and Ir are effective catalysts; the scope of the reaction has also been extended to substrates other than diazo compounds; and various cascade processes have also been devised based on the carbene migratory insertion. This review will summarize the achievements made in this field since 2001.

Ruthenium PNN(O) Complexes: Cooperative Reactivity and Application as Catalysts for Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Coupling Reactions

The novel tridentate PNN^OH pincer ligand L^H features a reactive 2-hydroxypyridine functionality as well as a bipyridyl-methylphosphine skeleton for meridional coordination. This proton-responsive ligand coordinates in a straightforward manner to RuCl(CO)(H)(PPh₃)₃ to generate complex 1. The methoxy-protected analogue L^Me was also coordinated to Ru(II) for comparison. Both species have been crystallographically characterized. Site-selective deprotonation of the 2-hydroxypyridine functionality to give 1′ was achieved using both mild (DBU) and strong bases (KO^tBu and KHMDS), with no sign of involvement of the phosphinomethyl side arm that was previously established as the reactive fragment. Complex 1′ is catalytically active in the dehydrogenation of formic acid to generate CO-free hydrogen in three consecutive runs as well as for the dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols, giving high conversions to different esters and outperforming structurally related PNN ligands lacking the N^OH fragment. DFT calculations suggest more favorable release of H₂ through reversible reactivity of the hydroxypyridine functionality relative to the phosphinomethyl side arm.