A selenium-coordinated palladium(ii) trans-dichloride molecular rotor as a catalyst for site-selective annulation of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

Bis(benzoselenadiazol)ethane: A π-Extended Acceptor-Dimeric Unit for Ambipolar Polymer Transistors with Hole and Electron Mobilities Exceeding 10 cm2 V-1 s-1

The lack of ambipolar polymers with balanced hole (μh) and electron mobilities (μe) >10 cm2 V-1 s-1 is the main bottleneck for developing organic integrated circuits. Herein, we show the design and synthesis of a π-extended selenium-containing acceptor-dimeric unit, namely benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazol-4-yl)ethane (BBSeE), to address this dilemma. In comparison to its sulfur-counterpart, BBSeE demonstrates enlarged co-planarity, selective noncovalent interactions, polarized Se-N bond, and higher electron affinity. The successful stannylation of BBSeE offers a great opportunity to access acceptor-acceptor copolymer pN-BBSeE, which shows a narrower band gap, lower-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level (-4.05 eV), and a higher degree of backbone planarity. Consequently, the pN-BBSeE-based organic transistors display an ideally balanced ambipolar transporting property with μh and μe of 10.65 and 10.72 cm2 V-1 s-1, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the simultaneous μh/μe values >10.0 cm2 V-1 s-1 are the best performances ever reported for ambipolar polymers. In addition, pN-BBSeE shows an excellent shelf-storage stability, retaining over 85 % of the initial mobility values after two months storage. Our study demonstrates the π-extended acceptor-dimeric BBSeE is a promising acceptor building block for constructing high-performance ambipolar polymers applied in next-generation organic integrated circuit.

Macrocyclic Sulfur Ligand Stabilized Trans-Palladium Dichloride Complex: Syntheses, Structure, Chlorine Rotation, and Application in α-Olefination of Nitriles by Primary Alcohols

Herein, we have reported the synthesis of a macrocyclic organosulfur ligand (L1) having a seventeen-membered macrocyclic ring. Subsequently, the corresponding trans-palladium complex (C1) of bulky macrocyclic organosulfur ligand (L1) was synthesized by reacting it with PdCl2 (CH3 CN)2 salt. The newly synthesized ligand and complex were characterized using various analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The complex showed a square planar geometry with trans orientation of two ligands around the palladium center. The complex possesses intramolecular SCH…Cl interactions of 2.648 Å between the macrocyclic ligand and palladium dichloride. The potential energy surface (PES) for the rotational process of C1 suggested a barrier of ~23.81 kcal/mol for chlorine rotation. Furthermore, the bulky macrocyclic organosulfur ligand stabilized palladium complex (C1) was used as a catalyst (2.5 mol %) for α-olefination of nitriles by primary alcohols. The α,β-unsaturated nitrile compounds were found to be the major product of the reaction (57-78 % yield) with broad substrate scope and large functional group tolerance. Notably, the saturated nitrile product was not observed during the reaction. The mechanistic studies suggested the formation of H2 and H2 O as only by-products of the reaction, thereby making the protocol greener and sustainable.

Mono and Dinuclear Palladium Pincer Complexes of NNSe Ligand as a Catalyst for Decarboxylative Direct C-H Heteroarylation of (Hetero)arenes

This report describes the synthesis of a new NNSe pincer ligand and its mono- and dinuclear palladium(II) pincer complexes. In the absence of a base, a dinuclear palladium pincer complex (C1) was isolated, while in the presence of Et3 N base a mononuclear palladium pincer complex (C2) was obtained. The new ligand and complexes were characterized using techniques like 1 H, 13 C{1 H} nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Visible), and cyclic voltammetry. Both the complexes showed pincer coordination mode with a distorted square planar geometry. The complex C1 has two pincer ligands attached through a Pd-Pd bond in a dinuclear pincer fashion. The air and moisture-insensitive, thermally robust palladium pincer complexes were used as the catalyst for decarboxylative direct C-H heteroarylation of (hetero)arenes. Among the complexes, dinuclear pincer complex C1 showed better catalytic activity. A variety of (hetero)arenes were successfully activated (43-87 % yield) using only 2.5 mol % of catalyst loading under mild reaction conditions. The PPh3 and Hg poisoning experiments suggested a homogeneous nature of catalysis. A plausible reaction pathway was proposed for the dinuclear palladium pincer complex catalyzed decarboxylative C-H bond activation reaction of (hetero)arenes.

Catalyst-Controlled Regiodivergent Oxidative Annulation of 2-Arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with Cinnamaldehyde Derivatives for Construction of Fused N-Heterocyclic Frameworks

Catalyst-dependent regioselective oxidative annulation of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with cinnamaldehyde derivatives to construct fused N-heterocyclic frameworks has been described. The annulation reaction afforded 5-arylnaphtho[1',2':4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-6-carbaldehydes in the presence of [RhCp*Cl2]2 as catalyst while 1,7-diarylimidazo[5,1,2-cd]indolizine-6-carbaldehydes were obtained using Pd(OAc)2 as catalyst. The reaction produced annulated products in good yields and exhibited broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. The method provides two different isomeric annulated products bearing an aldehyde functionality which can be elaborated into an array of functionalities leading to valuable compounds.

Palladium-Catalyzed [3 + 2] Annulation of Aromatic Amides with Maleimides through Dual C-H Activation

A palladium-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of substituted aromatic amides with maleimides providing tricyclic heterocyclic molecules in good to moderate yields through weak carbonyl chelation is reported. The reaction proceeds via a dual C-H bond activation where the first C-H activation takes place selectively at the benzylic position followed by a second C-H bond activation at the meta position to afford a five-membered cyclic ring. An external ligand Ac-Gly-OH has been used to succeed in this protocol. A plausible reaction mechanism has been proposed for the [3 + 2] annulation reaction.

Iodine-Catalyzed Multicomponent Synthesis of Highly Fluorescent Pyrimidine-Linked Imidazopyridines

Herein, we report a metal-free one-pot three-component reaction of aryl methyl ketones, 2-aminopyridines, and barbituric acids for the synthesis of pyrimidine-linked imidazopyridines using a catalytic amount of molecular iodine in DMSO medium. This process involves a one-pot C-H oxidation, followed by the formation of one C-C and two C-N bonds. A wide variety of aryl methyl ketones and 2-aminopyridines were found to be suitable for this methodology. The UV and fluorescence properties of the synthesized products were studied in water and DMSO media. Most of the synthesized products exhibited very good to excellent fluorescence quantum yield. Among all the products, compounds 4p and 4q showed the maximum fluorescence quantum yield (0.36) in water medium under basic conditions and compound 4c showed the maximum fluorescence quantum yield (0.75) in DMSO medium.

Bulky selenium ligand stabilized trans-palladium dichloride complexes as catalyst for silver-free decarboxylative coupling of coumarin-3-carboxylic acids

This report describes synthesis of three new trans -palladium dichloride complexes of bulky selenium ligands. These complexes possess a Cl-Pd-Cl rotor spoke attached to a Se-Pd-Se axle. The new ligands and palladium complexes ( C1 - C3 ) were characterized with the help of NMR, HRMS, UV-Vis., IR, and elemental analysis. The single crystal structure of metal complex C2 confirmed a square planer geometry of complex with trans -orientation. The X-ray structure revealed intramolecular secondary interactions (SeCH---Cl) between chlorine of PdCl 2 and CH 2 proton of selenium ligand. Variable temperature NMR data shows coalescence of diastereotopic protons, which indicates pyramidal inversion of selenium atom at elevated temperature. The relaxed potential energy scan of C2 suggests a rotational barrier of ~12.5 kcal/mol for rotation of chlorine atom through Cl-Pd-Cl rotor. The complex C3 possess dual intramolecular secondary interactions (OCH 2 ---Cl and SeCH 2 ---Cl) with stator ligand. Molecular rotor C2 was found to be most efficient catalyst for the decarboxylative Heck-coupling under mild reaction conditions. The protocol is applicable to a broad range of substrates with large functional group tolerance and low catalyst loading (2.5 mol %). The mechanism of decarboxylative Heck-coupling reaction was investigated through experimental and computational studies. Importantly the reaction works under silver-free conditions which reduces the cost of overall protocol. Further, the catalyst also worked for decarboxylative arylation and decarboxylative Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions with good yields of the coupled products.

Indolizines and Their Hetero/Benzo Derivatives in Reactions of [8+2] Cycloaddition

Peculiarities of [8+2] cycloaddition of acetylenes to indolizines are reviewed. Especially mentioned are indolizines with leaving groups at positions 3 and 5. Cycloaddition to aza- and benzo derivatives are reviewed, as well as 1,10-cyclizations and processes leading to cyclazines where indolizines are intermediates. Mechanistic features (adducts and cycloadducts) and theoretical aspects (one- or two-steps mechanism) are reviewed.