Platinum Complexes of Rigid Bidentate Phosphine Ligands in the Hydroformylation of 1-Octene

Dinuclear Gold Complexes Supported by Wide Bite Angle Diphosphines for Preorganization-Induced Selective Dual-Gold Catalysis

The synthesis, reactivity, and potential of well-defined dinuclear gold complexes as precursors for dual-gold catalysis is explored. Using the preorganizing abilities of well-known wide bite angle diphosphine ligands, DBFPhos and DPEPhos, dinuclear Au(I)–Au(I) complexes 1 and 2 are used as precursors to form well-defined monocationic species with either a chlorido- or acetylido-ligand bridging the two gold centers. These compounds are active catalysts for the dual-gold heterocycloaddition of a urea-functionalized alkyne, and the preorganization of both Au-centers affords efficient σ,π-activation of the substrate, even at high dilution, significantly outperforming benchmark mononuclear catalysts.

Featuring Xantphos

This review highlights the use of the bisphosphine ligand group in homogeneous catalysis.

Recent advances in heterobimetallic catalysis across a “transition metal–tin” motif

This review focuses on the efficacy of catalysts, based on a transition metal–tin (TM–Sn) motif and crafted on a single scaffold, in mediating a wide variety of organic transformations.

Triphenylphosphane-functionalised amphiphilic copolymers: tailor-made support materials for the efficient and selective aqueous two-phase hydroformylation of 1-octene

Amphiphilic copolymers (random P1 and block P2) based on 2-oxazolines were synthesised with triphenylphosphane ligands covalently linked to the polymers by means of a metal-free synthesis route. The resulting macroligands were used in the aqueous two-phase hydroformylation of 1-octene. The influence of the polymer architecture (random and block copolymers) on activity and selectivity of the hydroformylation reaction was investigated and compared with that of nonfunctionalised copolymers (random P3 and block P4) and Rh(I)/triphenylphosphane trisulfonate as a water-soluble catalyst. The highest activities were observed for the random copolymer P1 (p=50 bar, T=100 degrees C, c=8 x 10(-4) mol L(-1)) with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 3700 h(-1), whereas the corresponding block copolymer P2 reached TOF numbers of 1630 h(-1). Additionally, both macroligands indicated efficient suppression of isomerisation and led to almost constant n/iso selectivities of about 3 after complete substrate conversion. Copolymers P3 and P4 showed, under identical reaction conditions, strong isomerisation after 40-60 % conversion (n/iso approximately 0.7) and maximum activities of 1560 h(-1) (P3) and 1330 h(-1) (P4) at a concentration of 5 x 10(-3) mol L(-1).

Controlling the Scholl Reaction

Guidelines for the application of the Scholl reaction were developed. Labeling experiments demonstrate that the Scholl reaction fails in small, unsubstituted oligophenylenes (e.g., o-terphenyl) due to oligomerization of the products (e.g., triphenylene). Incorporation of suitably placed blocking groups (e.g., t-butyl) suppresses oligomerization. The well-established directing group effects in electrophilic aromatic substitution predict the outcome of Scholl reactions of substituted substrates. Activating o,p-directing groups (e.g., MeO) direct bond formation o,p, either intramolecularly or intermolecularly. Deactivating o,p-directing groups (e.g., Br) also direct bond formation o,p but yields are lower. Deactivating m-directors (e.g., NO2) suppress reaction. MoCl5 and PhI(OOCCF3)2/BF3.Et2O are general and effective reagents for the Scholl oxidation. Calculations (B3LYP/6-31G(d)) predict the Scholl reaction in alkoxyarenes to proceed via arenium cations, not radical cations. Suzuki-Miyaura couplings were used to generate 12 substituted o-terphenyl derivatives.

Platinum-catalyzed hydroformylation of terminal and internal octenes

A brief historic overview of Pt/Sn-catalyzed hydroformylation as well as recent advances in the hydroformylation of internal alkenes is provided. This serves as background for the results obtained with the [Pt(Sixantphos)Cl(2)] system, for which the molecular structure and the spectroscopic data are described. Insitu UV/Vis-spectroscopic studies have revealed rapid formation of the corresponding Pt-stannate complex upon reaction with SnCl(2), whereas high-pressure insitu IR-spectroscopy showed formation of a Pt-CO species and a short-lived Pt-H species under syngas, as well as rapid evolution of aldehyde product upon addition of 1-octene to the preformed catalyst in the IR autoclave. The hydroformylation of 1-octene and the i-octenes has been performed. For the internal alkenes, selective tandem isomerization/hydroformylation towards n-nonanal is observed with this catalyst system.