Half-sandwich Ni(II) complexes bearing enantiopure bidentate NHC-carboxylate ligands: efficient catalysts for the hydrosilylative reduction of acetophenones

Chiral nickel complexes containing NHC-carboxylate chelate ligands derived from the (S)-isomeric form of amino acids have been synthesised from the corresponding imidazolium salt and nickelocene. The presence of the carboxylate on the N-side arm of the heterocycle results in the competing formation of mixtures of mono- and bis-NHC complexes (i.e., [Ni(η5-Cp)(κ2-C,O-NHC)] and [Ni(κ2-C,O-NHC)2]), both of which retain the (S)-configuration of the stereogenic center and which can be separated by chromatography. Both the 18e- and 16e- complexes are found to be very stable and cannot be interconverted. The composition of the resulting mixtures depends mainly on the entity of the amino acid residue and, of more practical interest, on the reaction conditions. Thus, microwave heating and MeCN as a solvent favor the formation of the half-sandwich nickel complexes, rather than the bis-NHC compounds. Some of the [Ni(η5-Cp)(κ2-C,O-NHC)] complexes turn out to be among the best nickel catalysts for the hydrosilylative reduction of p-acetophenones described to date, although without chiral induction, in the absence of activating additives and under mild catalytic conditions.

Synthesis of Imidazolium Cations Linked to Para-t-Butylcalix[4]arene Frameworks and Their Use as Synthons for Nickel-NHC Complexes Tethered to Calix[4]arenes

A series of cationic p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes, with side-arms that are functionalized with imidazolium groups, have been synthesized in good yields. The parent tetrahydroxy para-t-butyl-calix[4]arene was dialkylated at the phenolic hydrogen atoms using α,ω-dibromo-alkanes to yield bis(mono-brominated) alkoxy-chains of variable length. The brominated side-arms in these compounds were then further alkylated with substituted imidazoles (N-methylimidazole, N-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)imidazole, or N-(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imidazole) to yield a series of dicationic calixarenes with two imidazolium groups tethered, via different numbers of methylene spacers (n = 2-4), to the calixarene moiety. Related tetracationic compounds, which contain four imidazolium units linked to the calix[4]arene backbone, were also prepared. In all of these compounds, the NMR data show that the calixarenes adopted a cone configuration. All molecules were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and by MS studies. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies were attempted on many mono-crystals of these cations, but significant disorder problems, partly caused by occluded solvent in the lattice, and lack of crystallinity resulting from partial solvent loss, precluded the good resolution of most X-ray structures. Eventually, good structural data were obtained from an unusually disordered single crystal of 5a, (1,3)-Cone-5,11,17,23-tetra-t-butyl-25,27-di-hydroxy-26,28-di-[2-(N-2,6-diisopropylphenyl-imidazolium)ethoxy]calix[4]arene dibromide and its presumed structure was confirmed. The structure revealed the presence of H-bonded interactions and some evidence of π-stacking. Some of these imidazolium salts were reacted with nickelocene to form the nickel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes 7a-7d. A bis-carbene nickel complex 8 was also isolated and its structure was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The structure was disordered and not of high quality, but the structural data corroborated the spectroscopic data.

Development of a Nickel-Catalyzed N-N Coupling for the Synthesis of Hydrazides

A nickel-catalyzed N-N cross-coupling for the synthesis of hydrazides is reported. O-Benzoylated hydroxamates were efficiently coupled with a broad range of aryl and aliphatic amines via nickel catalysis to form hydrazides in an up to 81% yield. Experimental evidence implicates the intermediacy of electrophilic Ni-stabilized acyl nitrenoids and the formation of a Ni(I) catalyst via silane-mediated reduction. This report constitutes the first example of an intermolecular N-N coupling compatible with secondary aliphatic amines.

Rh(I) Complexes with Hemilabile Thioether-Functionalized NHC Ligands as Catalysts for [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of 1,5-Bisallenes and Alkynes

The [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,5-bisallenes and alkynes under the catalysis of Rh(I) with hemilabile thioether-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligands is described. This protocol effectively provides an entry to different trans-5,6-fused bicyclic systems with two exocyclic double bonds in the cyclohexene ring. The process is totally chemoselective with the two internal double bonds of the 1,5-bisallenes being involved in the cycloaddition. The complete mechanism of this transformation as well as the preference for the trans-fusion over the cis-fusion has been rationalized by density functional theory calculations. The reaction follows a typical [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition mechanism. The oxidative addition takes place between the alkyne and one of the allenes and it is when the second allene is inserted into the rhodacyclopentene that the trans-fusion is generated. Remarkably, the hemilabile character of the sulfur atom in the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand modulates the electron density in key intermediates, facilitating the overall transformation.

Synthesis, characterization, catalytic and biological application of half-sandwich ruthenium complexes bearing hemilabile (κ2-C,S)-thioether-functionalised NHC ligands

A series of cationic Ru(ii)(η⁶-p-cymene) complexes with thioether-functionalised N-heterocyclic carbene ligands have been prepared and fully characterized. Steric and electronic influence of the R thioether substituent on the coordination of the sulfur atom was investigated. The molecular structure of three of them has been determined by means of X-ray diffractrometry and confirmed the bidentate (κ²-C,S) coordination mode of the ligand. Interestingly, only a single diastereomer, as an enantiomeric couple, was observed in the solid state for complexes 1c, 1i and 1j. DFT calculations established a low energy inversion barrier between the two diastereomers through a sulfur pyramidal inversion pathway with R donating group while a dissociative/associative mechanism is more likely with R substituents that contain electron withdrawing group, thus suggesting that the only species observed by the ¹H-NMR correspond to an average resonance position of a fluxional mixtures of isomers. All these complexes were found to catalyse the oxydant-free double dehydrogenation of primary amine into nitrile. Ru complex bearing NHC-functionalised S-tBu group was further investigated in a wide range of amines and was found more selective for alkyl amine substrates than for benzylamine derivatives. Finally, preliminary results of the biological effects on various human cancer cells of four selected Ru complexes are reported.

Coating of polydopamine on polyurethane open cell foams to design soft structured supports for molecular catalysts

Polydopamine-coated polyurethane open cell foams are used as structured supports for molecular catalysts through the covalent anchoring of alkoxysilyl arms by the catechol groups of the mussel-inspired layer. This strong bonding prevents their leaching. No alteration of the mechanical properties of the flexible support is observed after repeated uses of the catalytic materials.