Dinickel-Catalyzed N═N Bond Rotation

Azoarenes function as molecular switches that can be triggered by external stimuli, such as heat, light, and electrochemical potential. Here, we show that a dinickel catalyst can induce cis/trans isomerization in azoarenes through a N═N bond rotation mechanism. Catalytic intermediates containing azoarenes bound in both the cis and trans forms are characterized. Solid-state structures reveal the importance of π-back-bonding interactions from the dinickel active site in lowering the N═N bond order and accelerating bond rotation. The scope of the catalytic isomerization includes high-performance acyclic, cyclic, and polymeric azoarene switches.

Generation of Masked TiII Intermediates from TiIV Amides via β-H Abstraction or Alkyne Deprotonation: An Example of Ti-Catalyzed Nitrene-Coupled Transfer Hydrogenation

Simple Ti amide complexes are shown to act as sources for masked Ti^II intermediates via several pathways, as demonstrated through the investigation of a unique Ti-catalyzed nitrene-coupled transfer hydrogenation of 3-hexyne. This reaction proceeds through reduction of azobenzene by a masked Ti^II catalyst, wherein both amines and 3-hexyne can serve as the hydrogen source/reductant for Ti by forming putative titanaziridines via β-H abstraction or putative titanacyclopentynes via protonolysis, respectively.

Synthesis of benzimidazoles by CuI-catalyzed three-component reaction of 2-haloaniline, ammonia and aldehyde in water

An efficient copper-catalyzed three-component reaction of 2-haloaniline, ammonia and aldehyde for the synthesis of benzimidazoles with 1,10-phenanthroline as the ligand has been developed. A variety of substituted benzimidazole derivatives can be obtained in yields up to 95%.

Nickel-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Benzonitriles with 2-Propanol and 1,4-Butanediol as the Hydrogen Source

The homogeneous transfer hydrogenation of benzonitrile with 2-propanol or 1,4-butanediol produced N-benzylidene benzylamine (BBA, 85% yield) using 5 mol % [Ni(COD)2] as a catalytic precursor and a mixture of Cy2P(CH2)2PCy2 and Cy2P(CH2)2P(O)Cy2 as ancillary ligands, under mild reaction conditions (120 °C, 96 h, tetrahydrofuran). 1,4-Butanediol performed better than 2-propanol as a hydrogen donor and yielded γ-butyrolactone as the product of transfer dehydrogenation. Selectivity toward dibenzylamine (DBA, 62% yield) was achieved by varying the amount of 1,4-butanediol in the catalytic system. A reaction mechanism was proposed, involving a ligand-assisted O-H bond activation, end-on substrate coordination, and a key dihydrido-Ni(II) intermediate, leading to the in situ formation of primary imines and amines to ultimately yield the secondary imines observed.