Alpha-metalated N,N-dimethylbenzylamine rare-earth metal complexes and their catalytic applications

This perspective summarizes our group's extensive research in the realm of organometallic lanthanide complexes, while also placing the catalytic reactions supported by these species within the context of known lanthanide catalysis worldwide, with a specific focus on phosphorus-based catalytic reactions such as intermolecular hydrophosphination and hydrophosphinylation. α-Metalated N,N-dimethylbenzylamine ligands have been utilized to generate homoleptic lanthanide complexes, which have subsequently proven to be highly active lanthanum-based catalysts. The main goal of our research program has been to enhance the catalytic efficiency of lanthanum-based complexes, which began with initial successes in the stoichiometric synthesis of organometallic lanthanide complexes and utilization of these species in catalytic hydrophosphination reactions. Not only have these species supported traditional lanthanide catalysis, such as the hydrophosphination of heterocumulenes like carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates, but they have also been effective for a plethora of catalytic reactions tested thus far, including the hydrophosphinylation and hydrophosphorylation of nitriles, hydrophosphination and hydrophosphinylation of alkynes and alkenes, and the heterodehydrocoupling of silanes and amines. Each of these catalytic transformations is meritorious in its own right, offering new synthetic routes to generate organic scaffolds with enhanced functionality while concurrently minimizing both waste generation and energy consumption. Objectives: We aim for the research summary presented herein to inspire and encourage other researchers to investigate f-element based stoichiometric and catalytic reactions. Our efforts in this field began with the recognition that potassium salts of benzyldimethylamine preferred deprotonation at the α-position, rather than the ortho-position, and we wondered if this regiochemistry would be retained in the formation of lanthanide complexes. The pursuit of this simple idea led first to a series of structurally fascinating homoleptic organometallic lanthanide complexes with surprisingly good stability. Fundamental studies of the protonolysis chemistry of these complexes ultimately revealed highly versatile lanthanide-based precatalysts that have propelled a catalytic investigation spanning more than a decade. We anticipate that this summative perspective will animate the synthetic as well as biological communities to consider La(DMBA)3-based catalytic methods in the synthesis of functionalized organic scaffolds as an atom-economic, convenient, and efficient methodology. Ultimately, we envision our work making a positive impact on the advancement of novel chemical transformations and contributing to progress in various fields of science and technology.

Dial-a-base mechanochemical synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene copper complexes

Liquid assisted ball milling of [NHC]HBr (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) salts with copper(I) chloride, and a range of alkali metal complexes was shown to efficiently produce (NHC)CuX (NHC = normal or RE-NHC, X = halide, alkoxide, amide, alkyl, aryl; RE-NHC = ring-expanded NHC).

Copper-Metallized Porous N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand Polymer-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective 1,2-Carboboration of Alkynes

Alkenylboronates are highly versatile building blocks and valuable reagents in the synthesis of complex molecules. Compared with that of monosubstituted alkenylboronates, the synthesis of multisubstituted alkenylboronates is challenging. The copper-catalyzed carboboration of alkynes is an operationally simple and straightforward method for synthesizing bis/trisubstituted alkenylboronates. In this work, a series of copper-metallized N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) ligand porous polymer catalysts are designed and synthesized in accordance with the mechanism of carboboration. By using CuCl@POL-NHC-Ph as the optimal nanocatalyst, this study realizes the β-regio- and stereoselective (syn-addition) 1,2-carboboration of alkynes (regioselectivity up to >99:1) with satisfactory yields and a wide range of substrates. This work not only overcomes the selectivity of carboboration but also provides a new strategy for the design of nanocatalysts and their application in organic synthesis.

Recent advances in catalytic pnictogen bond forming reactions via dehydrocoupling and hydrofunctionalization

An examination of several catalytic reactions among the group 15 elements is presented. The connections between the chemistry of the pnictogens can sometimes be challenging, but aspects of metal-pnictogen reactivity are the key. The connecting reactivity comes from metal-catalyzed transformations such as dehydrocoupling and hydrofunctionalization. Pivotal mechanistic insights from E-N heterodehydrocoupling have informed the development of highly active catalysts for these reactions. Metal-amido nucleophilicity is often at the core of this reactivity, which diverges from phosphine and arsine dehydrocoupling. Nucleophilicity connects to the earliest understanding of hydrophosphination catalysis, but more recent catalysts are leveraging enhanced insertion activity through photolysis. This photocatalysis extends to hydroarsination, which may also have more metal-arsenido nucleophilicity than anticipated. However, metal-catalyzed arsinidene chemistry foreshadowed related phosphinidene chemistry by years. This examination shows the potential for greater influence of individual discoveries and understanding to leverage new advances between these elements, and it also suggests that the chemistry of heavier elements may have more influence on what is possible with lighter elements.

Synthesis and Characterization of Phosphinecarboxamide and Phosphinecarbothioamide, and Their Complexation with Palladium(II) Complex

Reactions of isocyanates/isothiocyanates with primary and secondary phosphines without solvent at room temperature afforded phosphinecarboxamide/phosphinecarbothioamide, respectively, in excellent yields. Furthermore, palladium complex Pd(COD)Cl₂ was allowed to react with Ph₂PC(O)NHPh (1a) to afford [Pd{Ph₂PC(O)NHPh-κP}₂Cl₂] (3). On the other hand, the reaction of Pd(COD)Cl₂ with 1 eq. of Ph₂PC(S)NHPh (2a) afforded [PdCl₂{Ph₂PC(S)NHPh-κP,S}] (4). In the case of a 1:2 molar ratio, [PdCl{Ph₂PC(S)NHPh-κP,S}{Ph₂PC(S)NHPh-κP}]Cl (5) was formed. The newly obtained compounds were fully characterized using multielement NMR measurements and elemental analyses. In addition, the molecular structures of Ph₂PC(O)NH(CH₂)₂Cl (1j), Ph₂PC(S)NHPh(4-Cl) (2c), and 3–5 were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Broken Promises? On the Continued Challenges Faced in Catalytic Hydrophosphination

In this Perspective, we discuss what we perceive to be the continued challenges faced in catalytic hydrophosphination chemistry. Currently the literature is dominated by catalysts, many of which are highly effective, that generate the same phosphorus architectures, e.g., anti-Markovnikov products from the reaction of activated alkenes and alkynes with diarylphosphines. We highlight the state of the art in stereoselective hydrophosphination and the scope and limitations of chemoselective hydrophosphination with primary phosphines and PH₃. We also highlight the progress in the chemistry of the heavier homologues. In general, we have tried to emphasize what is missing from our hydrophosphination armament, with the aim of guiding future research targets.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of P-Chiral Aminophosphinites

Herein, a copper(I)-catalyzed reaction of diarylphosphines and O-benzoyl hydroxylamines is developed. In the cases of symmetrical diarylphosphines, a series of aminophosphinites is prepared in high yields. In the cases of unsymmetrical diarylphosphines, an array of P-chiral aminophosphinites is synthesized in high yields with high enantioselectivity by using a copper(I)-(R,R_P )-Ph-FOXAP complex as a chiral catalyst. Based on several control experiments and ³¹ P NMR studies, a two-electron redox mechanism involving the dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of unsymmetrical diarylphosphines is proposed for the copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric reaction. Finally, one representative P-chiral phosphoric amide generated through the oxidation with H₂ O₂ is transformed to a chiral diarylphosphinate in high yield with retained enantioselectivity, which allows further transformations towards various P-chiral tertiary phosphines.

Cyclo-Tetrakis(μ-diphenylphosphido)-1,5-bis(tri-tert-butylphosphine)-Tetracopper

Copper phosphido compound Cu4(μ-PPh2)4(PtBu3)2 was synthesized by three synthetic methods and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction and 1H, 31P, 13C and 31P HMBC NMR spectroscopy. Cu4(μ-PPh2)4(PtBu3)2 was also demonstrated to be a hydrophosphination pre-catalyst.

The structures of ring-expanded NHC supported copper(I) triphenylstannyls and their phenyl transfer reactivity towards heterocumulenes

Three ring-expanded N-heterocyclic carbene-supported copper(I) triphenylstannyls have been synthesised by the reaction of (RE-NHC)CuO^tBu with triphenylstannane (RE-NHC = 6-Mes, 6-Dipp, 7-Dipp). The compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Reaction of (6-Mes)CuSnPh₃ with di-p-tolyl carbodiimide, phenyl isocyanate and phenylisothiocyanate gives access to a copper(I) benzamidinate, benzamide and benzothiamide respectively via phenyl transfer from the triphenylstannyl anion with concomitant formation of (Ph₂Sn)_n. Attempts to exploit this reactivity under a catalytic regime were hindered by rapid copper(I)-catalysed dismutation of Ph₃SnH to Ph₄Sn, various perphenylated tin oligomers, H₂ and a metallic material thought to be Sn(0). Mechanistic insight was provided by reaction monitoring via NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.

A stable ring-expanded NHC-supported copper boryl and its reactivity towards heterocumulenes

Reaction of bis(pinacolato)diboron with (6-Dipp)CuO^tBu generates a ring-expanded N-heterocyclic carbene supported copper(I) boryl, (6-Dipp)CuBpin. This compound showed remarkable stability and was characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. (6-Dipp)CuBpin readily dechalcogenated a range of heterocumulenes such as CO₂, isocyanates and isothiocyanates to yield (6-Dipp)CuXBpin (X = O, S). In the case of CO₂ catalytic reduction to CO is viable in the presence of excess bis(pinacolato)diboron. In contrast, in the case of iso(thio)cyanates, the isocyanide byproduct of dechalcogenation reacted with (6-Dipp)CuBpin to generate a copper(I) borylimidinate, (6-Dipp)CuC(NR)Bpin, which went on to react with heterocumulenes. This off-cycle reactivity gives selective access to a range of novel boron-containing heterocycles bonded to copper, but precludes catalytic reactivity.

An efficient catalytic method for hydrophosphination of heterocumulenes with diethylzinc as precatalyst without a solvent

Commercially available compound ZnEt₂ acts as an efficient precatalyst for the solvent-free hydrophosphinations of heterocumulenes using Ph₂PH as reagent. As far as we knew, this has been not reported in group 12 metal catalyzing reactions. A suggested mechanism of this reaction is explored, and the intermediate [{Ph₂PC(NⁱPr)₂}ZnEt]₂ is obtained and characterized by a single-crystal X-ray structural analysis.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Alkylation of Unsymmetrical Secondary Phosphines

A copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric alkylation of HPAr¹Ar² with alkyl halides is uncovered, which provides an array of P-stereogenic phosphines in generally high yield and enantioselectivity. The electrophilic alkyl halides enjoy a broad substrate scope, including allyl bromides, propargyl bromide, benzyl bromides, and alkyl iodides. Moreover, 11 unsymmetrical diarylphosphines (HPAr¹Ar²) serve as competent pronucleophiles. The present methodology is also successfully applied to catalytic asymmetric double and triple alkylation, and the corresponding products were obtained in moderate diastereo- and excellent enantioselectivities. Some ³¹P NMR experiments indicate that bulky HPPhMes exhibits weak competitively coordinating ability to the Cu(I)-bisphosphine complex, and thus the presence of stoichiometric HPAr¹Ar² does not affect the enantioselectivity significantly. Therefore, the high enantioselectivity in this reaction is attributed to the high performance of the unique Cu(I)-(R,R_P)-TANIAPHOS complex in asymmetric induction. Finally, one monophosphine and two bisphosphines prepared by the present reaction are employed as efficient chiral ligands to afford three structurally diversified Cu(I) complexes, which demonstrates the synthetic utility of the present methodology.