Electronic Effects on the Stability of Isomeric Alkyl Transition Metal Compounds

Unexpected alkyl isomerization at the silicon ligand of an unsaturated Rh complex: combined experiment and theory

The formation of dimer [(μ-Cl)Rh-(κ3(P,Si,Si)PhP(o-C6H4CH2SiiPr2)(o-C6H4CH2SiiPrnPr))]2 (Rh-3) with an n-propyl group on one of the silicon atoms as a minor product was affected by the reaction of [RhCl(COD)]2 with proligand PhP(o-C6H4CH2SiHiPr2)2, L1. The major product of the reaction was monomeric 14-electron Rh(III) complex [ClRh(κ3(P,Si,Si)PhP(o-C6H4CH2SiiPr2)2)] (Rh-1). Computations revealed that the monomer-dimer equilibrium is shifted toward the monomer with four isopropyl substituents on the two Si atoms of the ligand as in Rh-1; conversely, the dimer is favored with only one n-propyl as in Rh-3, and with less bulky alkyl substituents such as in [ClRh(κ3(P,Si,Si)PhP(o-C6H4CH2SiMe2)2]2 (Rh-2). Computations on the mechanism of formation of Rh-3 directly from [RhCl(COD)]2 are in agreement with the experimental findings and it is found to be less energetic than if stemming from Rh-1. Additionally, a Si-O-Si complex, [μ-Cl-Rh{κ3(P,Si,C)PPh(o-C6H4CH2SiiPrO SiiPr2CH-o-C6H4)}]2, Rh-4, is generated from the reaction of Rh-1 with adventitious water as a result of intramolecular C-H activation.

Pd-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Hydrocarboxylation of Olefins with Oxalic Acid: A Remarkable Effect of the Counteranion on Regioselectivity

A regioselective Pd-catalyzed hydrocarboxylation of vinyl arenes with oxalic acid is described. A wide variety of either linear or branched carboxylic acids can be readily obtained with high regioselectivities under mild reaction conditions. The reaction process is operationally simple and requires no handling of toxic CO. Besides the ligand, the counteranion of the Pd catalyst system plays an important role in the regioselectivity.

Mechanistic Insights on the Selectivity of the Tandem Heck-Ring-Opening of Cyclopropyldiol Derivatives

The preparation of a new class of alkenyl cyclopropyl diols, easily available through a copper-catalyzed carbometalation reaction of cyclopropenes, has enabled the study of key mechanistic aspects of the tandem Heck-cyclopropane ring-opening reaction. Utilizing these substrates containing two distinct hydroxyl groups allowed us to examine parameters affecting the reaction outcome and selectivity. The combination of these experimental results with detailed DFT studies shed light on the mechanism governing the regio- and stereoselectivity of the cyclopropane ring-opening. A thorough investigation displayed the dual roles fulfilled by the hydroxyl group during the reaction, which is key to this remarkable transformation. In addition to its mechanistic implication, the reaction granted access to various lactones possessing up to four stereocenters as a single diastereomer, conveniently prepared in only two catalytic steps from easily accessible achiral cyclopropenes.

Pd-Catalyzed Regioselective Branched Hydrocarboxylation of Terminal Olefins with Formic Acid

A regioselective Pd-catalyzed hydrocarboxylation of terminal olefins with HCOOH is described. A wide variety of branched carboxylic acids can readily be obtained with high regioselectivities under mild reaction conditions. The reaction is operationally simple and requires no handling of toxic CO. The ligand and LiCl are important factors for reaction reactivity and selectivity.

Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of a Terminal Magnesium Hydride Compound with a Carbatrane Motif, [TismPriBenz]MgH: A Multifunctional Catalyst for Hydrosilylation and Hydroboration

The tris[(1-isopropylbenzimidazol-2-yl)dimethylsilyl)]methyl ligand, [Tism^PriBenz], has been employed to form the magnesium carbatrane compound, [Tism^PriBenz]MgH, which possesses a terminal hydride ligand. Specifically, [Tism^PriBenz]MgH is obtained via the reaction of [Tism^PriBenz]MgMe with PhSiH₃. The reactivity of [Tism^PriBenz]MgMe and [Tism^PriBenz]MgH allows access to a variety of other structurally characterized carbatrane derivatives, including [Tism^PriBenz]MgX [X = F, Cl, Br, I, SH, N(H)Ph, CH(Me)Ph, O₂CMe, S₂CMe]. In addition, [Tism^PriBenz]MgH is a catalyst for (i) hydrosilylation and hydroboration of styrene to afford the Markovnikov products, Ph(Me)C(H)SiH₂Ph and Ph(Me)C(H)Bpin, and (ii) hydroboration of carbodiimides and pyridine to form N-boryl formamidines and N-boryl 1,4- and 1,2-dihydropyridines, respectively.

Undirected, Homogeneous C-H Bond Functionalization: Challenges and Opportunities

The functionalization of C-H bonds has created new approaches to preparing organic molecules by enabling new strategic "disconnections" during the planning of a synthetic route. Such functionalizations also have created the ability to derivatize complex molecules by modifying one or more of the many C-H bonds. For these reasons, researchers are developing new types of functionalization reactions of C-H bonds and new applications of these processes. These C-H bond functionalization reactions can be divided into two general classes: those directed by coordination to an existing functional group prior to the cleavage of the C-H bond (directed) and those occurring without coordination prior to cleavage of the C-H bond (undirected). The undirected functionalizations of C-H bonds are much less common and more challenging to develop than the directed reactions. This outlook will focus on undirected C-H bond functionalization, as well as related reactions that occur by a noncovalent association of the catalyst prior to C-H bond cleavage. The inherent challenges of conducting undirected functionalizations of C-H bonds and the methods for undirected functionalization that are being developed will be presented, along with the factors that govern selectivity in these reactions. Finally, this outlook discusses future directions for research on undirected C-H functionalization, with an emphasis on the limitations that must be overcome if this type of methodology is to become widely used in academia and in industry.

Evolution of C-H Bond Functionalization from Methane to Methodology

This Perspective presents the fundamental principles, the elementary reactions, the initial catalytic systems, and the contemporary catalysts that have converted C-H bond functionalization from a curiosity to a reality for synthetic chemists. Many classes of elementary reactions involving transition-metal complexes cleave C-H bonds at typically unreactive positions. These reactions, coupled with a separate or simultaneous functionalization process lead to products containing new C-C, C-N, and C-O bonds. Such reactions were initially studied for the conversion of light alkanes to liquid products, but they have been used (and commercialized in some cases) most often for the synthesis of the more complex structures of natural products, medicinally active compounds, and aromatic materials. Such a change in direction of research in C-H bond functionalization is remarkable because the reactions must occur at an unactivated C-H bond over functional groups that are more reactive than the C-H bond toward classical reagents. The scope of reactions that form C-C bonds or install functionality at an unactivated C-H bond will be presented, and the potential future utility of these reactions will be discussed.

Branch-Selective Alkene Hydroarylation by Cooperative Destabilization: Iridium-Catalyzed ortho-Alkylation of Acetanilides

An iridium(I) catalyst system, modified with the wide-bite-angle and electron-deficient bisphosphine d^Fppb (1,4-bis(di(pentafluorophenyl)phosphino)butane) promotes highly branch-selective hydroarylation reactions between diverse acetanilides and aryl- or alkyl-substituted alkenes. This provides direct and ortho-selective access to synthetically challenging anilines, and addresses long-standing issues associated with related Friedel–Crafts alkylations.

Iridium porphyrins in CD3OD: reduction of Ir(III), CD3-OD bond cleavage, Ir-D acid dissociation and alkene reactions

Methanol solutions of iridium(III) tetra(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin [(TSPP)Ir(III)] form an equilibrium distribution of methanol and methoxide complexes ([(TSPP)Ir(III)(CD3OD)(2-n)(OCD3)n]((3+n)-)). Reaction of [(TSPP)Ir(III) with dihydrogen (D2) in methanol produces an iridium hydride [(TSPP)Ir(III)-D(CD3OD)](4-) in equilibrium with an iridium(I) complex ([(TSPP)Ir(I)(CD3OD)](5-)). The acid dissociation constant of the iridium hydride (Ir-D) in methanol at 298 K is 3.5 × 10(-12). The iridium(I) complex ([(TSPP)Ir(I)(CD3OD)](5-)) catalyzes reaction of [(TSPP)Ir(III)-D(CD3OD)](4-) with CD3-OD to produce an iridium methyl complex [(TSPP)Ir(III)-CD3(CD3OD)](4-) and D2O. Reactions of the iridium hydride with ethene and propene produce iridium alkyl complexes, but the Ir-D complex fails to give observable addition with acetaldehyde and carbon monoxide in methanol. Reaction of the iridium hydride with propene forms both the isopropyl and propyl complexes with free energy changes (ΔG° 298 K) of -1.3 and -0.4 kcal mol(-1) respectively. Equilibrium thermodynamics and reactivity studies are used in discussing relative Ir-D, Ir-OCD3 and Ir-CD2- bond energetics in methanol.

Regioselectivity and Equilibrium Thermodynamics for Addition of Rh−OH to Olefins in Water

Rhodium(III) tetra(p-sulfonato phenyl) porphyrin ((TSPP)Rh) aquo and hydroxo complexes react with a series of olefins in water to form beta-hydroxyalkyl complexes. Addition reactions of (TSPP)Rh-OH to unactivated terminal alkenes invariably occur with both kinetic and thermodynamic preferences to place rhodium on the terminal carbon to form (TSPP)Rh-CH(2)CH(OH)R complexes. Acrylic and styrenic olefins initially react to place rhodium on the terminal carbon to form Rh-CH(2)CH(OH)X as the kinetically preferred isomer but subsequently proceed to an equilibrium distribution of regioisomers where Rh-CH(CH(2)OH)X is the predominant thermodynamic product. Equilibrium constants for reactions of the diaquo rhodium(III) compound ([(TSPP)Rh(III)(H(2)O)(2)](-3)) in water with a series of terminal olefins that form beta-hydroxyalkyl complexes were directly evaluated and used in deriving thermodynamic values for addition of the Rh-OH unit to olefins. The DeltaG degrees for reactions of the Rh-OH unit with olefins in water is approximately 3 kcal mol(-1) less favorable than the comparable Rh-H reactions in water. Comparisons of the regioisomers and thermodynamics for addition reactions of olefins with Rh-H and Rh-OH units in water are presented and discussed.

When and how do diaminocarbenes dimerize?

No example of a simple uncatalyzed dimerization of a diaminocarbene has been clearly established, so it is timely to ask what factors control the thermodynamics of this reaction, and what mechanisms are responsible for the observed dimerizations? In agreement with qualitative experimental observations, the dimerizations of simple five- and six-membered-ring diaminocarbenes are calculated to be 100 kJ mol(-1) less favorable than those of acyclic counterparts. This large difference is semiquantitatively accounted for by bond and torsional angle changes around the carbene centers. Carbenes such as (Et(2)N)(2)C are kinetically stable in THF at 25 degrees C in agreement with calculated energy barriers, but they rapidly dimerize in the presence of the corresponding formamidinium ion. This proton-catalyzed process is probably the most common mechanism for dimer formation, and involves formation of C-protonated dimers, which can be observed in suitable cases. The possibility of alkali-metal-promoted dimerization is raised, and circumstantial evidence for this is presented.