Revealing the unusual role of bases in activation/deactivation of catalytic systems: O-NHC coupling in M/NHC catalysis

Quantitative Determination of Active Species Transforming the R-NHC Coupling Process under Catalytic Conditions

Palladium complexes with N-heterocyclic carbenes (Pd/NHC) serve as prominent precatalysts in numerous Pd-catalyzed organic reactions. While the evolution of Pd/NHC complexes, which involves the cleavage of the Pd-C(NHC) bond via reductive elimination and dissociation, is acknowledged to influence the catalysis mechanism and the performance of the catalytic systems, conventional analytic techniques [such as NMR, IR, UV-vis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)] frequently fail to quantitatively monitor the transformations of Pd/NHC complexes at catalyst concentrations typical of real-world conditions (below approximately 1 mol %). In this study, for the first time, we show the viability of using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). This approach was combined with the use of selectively deuterated H-NHC, Ph-NHC, and O-NHC coupling products as internal standards, allowing for an in-depth quantitative analysis of the evolution of Pd/NHC catalysts within actual catalytic systems. The reliability of this approach was affirmed by aligning the ESI-MS results with the NMR spectroscopy data obtained at greater Pd/NHC precatalyst concentrations (2-5 mol %) in the Mizoroki-Heck, Sonogashira, and alkyne transfer hydrogenation reactions. The efficacy of the ESI-MS methodology was further demonstrated through its application in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction at Pd/NHC loadings of 5, 0.5, 0.05, and 0.005 mol %. In this work, for the first time, we present a methodology for the quantitative characterization of pivotal catalyst transformation processes commonly observed in M/NHC systems.

New class of RSO2-NHC ligands and Pd/RSO2-NHC complexes with tailored electronic properties and high performance in catalytic C-C and C-N bonds formation

Imidazolium salts have found ubiquitous applications as N-heterocyclic carbene precursors and metal nanoparticle stabilizers in catalysis and metallodrug research. Substituents directly attached to the imidazole ring can have a significant influence on the electronic, steric, and other properties of NHC-proligands as well as their metal complexes. In the present study, for the first time, a new type of Pd/NHC complex with the RSO2 group directly attached to the imidazol-2-ylidene ligand core was designed and synthesized. The electronic properties as well as structural features of the new ligands were evaluated by means of experimental and computational methods. Interestingly, the introduction of a 4-aryl(alkyl)sulfonyl group only slightly decreased the electron donation, but it significantly increased the π-acceptance and slightly enhanced the buried volume (%Vbur) of new imidazol-2-ylidenes. New Pd/NHC complexes were obtained through selective C(2)H-palladation of some of the synthesized 4-RSO2-functionalized imidazolium salts under mild conditions. Several complexes demonstrated good activity in the catalysis of model cross-coupling reactions, outperforming the activity of similar complexes with non-substituted NHC ligands.

(CAAC)Pd(py) Catalysts Disproportionate to Pd(CAAC)2

Palladium complexes with one N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and a pyridine ancillary ligand are powerful cross-coupling precatalysts. Herein, we report such complexes with a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) ligand replacing the NHC. We find that the alleged reduced form, (CAAC)Pd(py), disproportionates to the (CAAC)₂Pd⁰ complex and palladium nanoparticles. This notwithstanding, they are potent catalysts in the Buchwald-Hartwig amination with aryl chlorides under mild conditions (60 °C). In the presence of dioxygen, these complexes catalyze the formation of diazenes from anilines. The catalytic activities of the NHC- and CAAC-supported palladium(0) and palladium(II) complexes are similar in the cross-coupling reaction, yet the CAAC complexes are superior for diazene formation.

Hydration Reactions Catalyzed by Transition Metal-NHC (NHC = N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Complexes

The catalytic addition of water to unsaturated C-C or C-N π bonds represent one of the most important and environmentally sustainable methods to form C-O bonds for the production of synthetic intermediates, medicinal agents and natural products. The traditional acid-catalyzed hydration of unsaturated compounds typically requires strong acids or toxic mercury salts, which limits practical applications and presents safety and environmental concerns. Today, transition-metal-catalyzed hydration supported by NHC (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands has attracted major attention. By rational design of ligands, choice of metals and counterions as well as mechanistic studies and the development of heterogeneous systems, major progress has been achieved for a broad range of hydration processes. In particular, the combination of NHC ligands with gold shows excellent reactivity compared with other catalytic systems; however, other systems based on silver, ruthenium, osmium, platinum, rhodium and nickel have also been discovered. Ancillary NHC ligands provide stabilization of transition metals and ensure high catalytic activity in hydration owing to their unique electronic and steric properties. NHC-Au(I) complexes are particularly favored for hydration of unsaturated hydrocarbons due to soft and carbophilic properties of gold. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of hydration reactions catalyzed by transition metal-NHC complexes and their applications in catalytic hydration of different classes of π-substrates with a focus on the role of NHC ligands, types of metals and counterions.

Novel NHC-Based Au(I) Complexes as Precursors of Highly Pure Au(0) Nuggets under Oxidative Conditions

The Lewis-acidic character and robustness of NHC-Au(I) complexes enable them to catalyze a large number of reactions, and they are enthroned as the catalysts of choice for many transformations among polyunsaturated substrates. More recently, Au(I)/Au(III) catalysis has been explored either by utilizing external oxidants or by seeking oxidative addition processes with catalysts featuring pendant coordinating groups. Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterization of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based Au(I) complexes, with and without pendant coordinating groups, and their reactivity in the presence of different oxidants. We demonstrate that when using iodosylbenzene-type oxidants, the NHC ligand undergoes oxidation to afford the corresponding NHC=O azolone products concomitantly with quantitative gold recovery in the form of Au(0) nuggets ~0.5 mm in size. The latter were characterized by SEM and EDX-SEM showing purities above 90%. This study shows that NHC-Au complexes can follow decomposition pathways under certain experimental conditions, thus challenging the believed robustness of the NHC-Au bond and providing a novel methodology to produce Au(0) nuggets.

Statistical Copolymers of Thiophene-3-Carboxylates and Selenophene-3-Carboxylates; 77Se NMR as a Tool to Examine Copolymer Sequence in Selenophene-Based Conjugated Polymers

Herein, we demonstrate that homopolymerization and statistical copolymerization of 2-ethylhexyl thiophene-3-carboxylate and 2-ethylhexyl selenophene-3-carboxylate monomers is possible via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. A commercially available palladium catalyst ([1,3-bis(2,6-di-3-pentylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene](3-chloropyridyl)dichloropalladium(II) or PEPPSI-IPent) was employed...

Selective Buchwald–Hartwig arylation of C-amino-1,2,4-triazoles and other coordinating aminoheterocycles enabled by bulky NHC ligands and TPEDO activator

A facile method for selective N-(hetero)arylation of coordinating 3(5)-amino-1,2,4-triazoles under Pd/NHC catalysis using TPEDO as a new efficient Pd(ii) to Pd(0) reductant has been developed.

Exploring the stability of the NHC-metal bond using thiones as probes

The metal-carbon bond in N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) metal complexes, which are ubiquitous in modern homogeneous catalysis, is often conjectured to be robust. Here, carbene dissociation was evaluated from a series of complexes with metals of relevance in catalysis containing either an Arduengo-type 2-imidazolylidene or a mesoionic 1,2,3-triazolylidene ligand through thione formation, revealing remarkable kinetic lability of the NHC-metal bond for, e.g. Ir^III, Rh^III, and Ni^II complexes.

Redox-Switchable Cycloisomerization of Alkynoic Acids with Napthalenediimide-Derived N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

Two naphthalene‐diimide (NDI) bis‐imidazolium salts have been used as N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors for the preparation of NDI‐functionalized complexes of rhodium and iridium of general formula [MCl(NDI‐NHC)(COD)] (M=Rh, Ir; NDI‐NHC=NDI‐functionalized NHC ligand). Comparison of the IR spectra of the complexes [IrCl(NDI‐NHC)(CO)₂] and their related one‐ and two‐electron reduced forms, reveal that each one‐electron reduction produces a decrease of the average ν(CO) of 9–10 cm⁻¹, indicating a significant enhancement of the electron‐richness of the metal. The [MCl(NDI‐NHC)(COD)] complexes were tested in the catalytic cycloisomerization of alkynoic acids. The one‐electron reduced forms showed greatly enhanced activities. For the cyclization of 5‐hexynoic acid, the two‐electron reduction of the ligand produced further enhancement of the catalytic activity, therefore showing that the catalyst can switch between three redox species with three distinct catalytic activities.

Single-Molecule Activation and Quantification of Mechanically Triggered Palladium-Carbene Bond Dissociation

Metal-complexed N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) mechanophores are latent reactants and catalysts for a range of mechanically driven chemical responses, but mechanochemical scission of the metal-NHC bond has not been experimentally characterized. Here we report the single-molecule force spectroscopy of ligand dissociation from a pincer NHC-pyridine-NHC Pd(II) complex. The force-coupled rate constant for ligand dissociation reaches 50 s^-1 at forces of approximately 930 pN. Experimental and computational observations support a dissociative, rather than associative, mechanism of ligand displacement, with rate-limiting scission of the Pd-NHC bond followed by rapid dissociation of the pyridine moiety from Pd.

Stabilization of the Pd–NHC framework with 1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene ligands toward decomposition in alkaline media

New NHC ligands containing a base-ionizable RNH substituent at the C3 atom of the 1,2,4-triazole ring provide superior stability of the Pd–NHC bond against cleavage in strong alkaline media.

Evidence for “cocktail”-type catalysis in Buchwald–Hartwig reaction. A mechanistic study

The mechanism of the C–N cross-coupling reaction, catalyzed by Pd/NHC, was evaluated at the molecular and nanoscale levels. The first evidence for the involvement of a “cocktail”-type system in the Buchwald–Hartwig reaction is provided.

Different effects of metal-NHC bond cleavage on the Pd/NHC and Ni/NHC catalyzed α-arylation of ketones with aryl halides

Fundamental differences in the behavior of Pd/NHC and Ni/NHC catalytic systems in ketones α-arylation were elucidated and exploited.

C-C coupling formation using nitron complexes

A series of RuII (1), RhIII (2), IrIII (3, 4), IrI (5) and PdII (6-9) complexes of the 'instant carbene' nitron were prepared and characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of complexes 1-4 and 6 were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The catalytic activity of the complexes (1-9) was evaluated in alpha(α)-alkylation reactions of ketones with alcohol via the borrowing hydrogen strategy under mild conditions. These complexes were able to perform this catalytic transformation in a short time with low catalyst and base amounts under an air atmosphere. Also, the PdII-nitron complexes (6-9) were applied in the Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling reaction and these complexes successfully initiated this reaction in a short time (30 minutes) using the H2O/2-propanol (1.5 : 0.5) solvent system. The DFT calculations revealed that the Pd0/II/0 pathway was more preferable for the mechanism.

Oxidative Addition of Water, Alcohols, and Amines in Palladium Catalysis

The homolytic cleavage of O-H and N-H or weak C-H bonds is a key elementary step in redox catalysis, but is thought to be unfeasible for palladium. In stark contrast, reported here is the room temperature and reversible oxidative addition of water, isopropanol, hexafluoroisopropanol, phenol, and aniline to a palladium(0) complex with a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) and a labile pyridino ligand, as is also the case in popular N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium(II) precatalysts. The oxidative addition of protic solvents or adventitious water switches the chemoselectivity in catalysis with alkynes through activation of the terminal C-H bond. Most salient, the homolytic activation of alcohols and amines allows atom-efficient, additive-free cross-coupling and transfer hydrogenation under mild reaction conditions with usually unreactive, yet desirable reagents, including esters and bis(pinacolato)diboron.

Development of an Aryl Amination Catalyst with Broad Scope Guided by Consideration of Catalyst Stability

We have developed a new dialkylbiaryl monophosphine ligand, GPhos, that supports a palladium catalyst capable of promoting carbon-nitrogen cross-coupling reactions between a variety of primary amines and aryl halides; in many cases, these reactions can be carried out at room temperature. The reaction development was guided by the idea that the productivity of catalysts employing BrettPhos-like ligands is limited by their lack of stability at room temperature. Specifically, it was hypothesized that primary amine and N-heteroaromatic substrates can displace the phosphine ligand, leading to the formation of catalytically dormant palladium complexes that reactivate only upon heating. This notion was supported by the synthesis and kinetic study of a putative off-cycle Pd complex. Consideration of this off-cycle species, together with the identification of substrate classes that are not effectively coupled at room temperature using previous catalysts, led to the design of a new dialkylbiaryl monophosphine ligand. An Ot-Bu substituent was added ortho to the dialkylphosphino group of the ligand framework to improve the stability of the most active catalyst conformer. To offset the increased size of this substituent, we also removed the para i-Pr group of the non-phosphorus-containing ring, which allowed the catalyst to accommodate binding of even very large α-tertiary primary amine nucleophiles. In comparison to previous catalysts, the GPhos-supported catalyst exhibits better reactivity both under ambient conditions and at elevated temperatures. Its use allows for the coupling of a range of amine nucleophiles, including (1) unhindered, (2) five-membered-ring N-heterocycle-containing, and (3) α-tertiary primary amines, each of which previously required a different catalyst to achieve optimal results.

The key role of R-NHC coupling (R = C, H, heteroatom) and M-NHC bond cleavage in the evolution of M/NHC complexes and formation of catalytically active species

Complexes of metals with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (M/NHC) are typically considered the systems of choice in homogeneous catalysis due to their stable metal-ligand framework. However, it becomes obvious that even metal species with a strong M-NHC bond can undergo evolution in catalytic systems, and processes of M-NHC bond cleavage are common for different metals and NHC ligands. This review is focused on the main types of the M-NHC bond cleavage reactions and their impact on activity and stability of M/NHC catalytic systems. For the first time, we consider these processes in terms of NHC-connected and NHC-disconnected active species derived from M/NHC precatalysts and classify them as fundamentally different types of catalysts. Problems of rational catalyst design and sustainability issues are discussed in the context of the two different types of M/NHC catalysis mechanisms.

An Iron Pincer Complex in Four Oxidation States

The synthesis and characterization of a series of homoleptic iron complexes [Fe(^benzNHCOCO)₂]^2-/1-/0/1+ supported by the tridentate bis-aryloxide benzimidazolin-2-ylidene pincer ligand ^benzNHCOCO^2- (II) is presented. While the reaction of 2 equiv of free ligand II with a ferrous iron precursor leads to the isolation of the coordination polymer [Fe(^benzNHCOCOK)₂]_n (1), treatment of II with ferric iron salts allows for the synthesis and isolation of the mononuclear, octahedral bis-pincer compound K[Fe(^benzNHCOCO)₂] (2) and its crown-ether derivative [K(18c6)(THF)₂][Fe(^benzNHCOCO)₂] (3). Electrochemical studies of 2 suggested stable products upon further one- and two-electron oxidation. Hence, treatment of 2 with 1 equiv of AgPF₆ yields the charge-neutral species [Fe(^benzNHCOCO)₂] (4). Similarly, the cationic complex [Fe(^benzNHCOCO)₂]PF₆ (5) is obtained by addition of 2 equiv of AgPF₆. The characterization of complexes 1, 3, and 4 reveals iron-centered reduction and oxidation processes; thus, preserving the dianionic, closed-shell structure of both coordinated ^benzNHCOCO pincer chelates, II. This implies a stabilization of a highly Lewis acidic iron(IV) center by four phenolate anions rather than charge distribution across the ligand framework with a lower formal oxidation state at iron. Notably, the overall charge-neutral iron(IV) complex undergoes reductive elimination of the pincer ligand, providing a metal-free compound that can be described as a spirocyclic imidazolone ketal (6). In contrast, the ligand-metal bonds in 5, formally an iron(V) complex, are considerably covalent, rendering the assignment of its oxidation state challenging, if not impossible. All compounds are fully characterized, and the complexes' electronic structures were studied with a variety of spectroscopic and computational methods, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and zero-field ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, variable-field and variable-temperature superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetization measurements, and multi-reference ab initio (NEVPT2/CASSCF) as well as density functional theory (DFT) studies. Taken altogether, the electronic structure of 5 is best described as an iron(IV) center antiferromagnetically coupled to a ligand-centered radical.

Preventing Pd–NHC bond cleavage and switching from nano-scale to molecular catalytic systems: amines and temperature as catalyst activators

Heating Pd/NHC complexes with aliphatic amines induces Pd–NHC bond cleavage, while treating the complexes with primary or secondary aliphatic amines in the presence of strong bases promotes the activation of molecular Pd/NHC catalysis.

Ionic Pd/NHC Catalytic System Enables Recoverable Homogeneous Catalysis: Mechanistic Study and Application in the Mizoroki-Heck Reaction

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are ubiquitously utilized in catalysis. A common catalyst design model assumes strong M-NHC binding in this metal-ligand framework. In contrast to this common assumption, we demonstrate here that lability and controlled cleavage of the M-NHC bond (rather than its stabilization) could be more important for high-performance catalysis at low catalyst concentrations. The present study reveals a dynamic stabilization mechanism with labile metal-NHC binding and [PdX₃ ]^- [NHC-R]⁺ ion pair formation. Access to reactive anionic palladium intermediates formed by dissociation of the NHC ligands and plausible stabilization of the molecular catalyst in solution by interaction with the [NHC-R]⁺ azolium ion is of particular importance for an efficient and recyclable catalyst. These ionic Pd/NHC complexes allowed for the first time the recycling of the complex in a well-defined form with isolation at each cycle. Computational investigation of the reaction mechanism confirms a facile formation of NHC-free anionic Pd in polar media through either Ph-NHC coupling or reversible H-NHC coupling. The present study formulates novel ideas for M/NHC catalyst design.

Relative stabilities of M/NHC complexes (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) against R-NHC, X-NHC and X-X couplings in M(0)/M(ii) and M(ii)/M(iv) catalytic cycles: a theoretical study

The complexes of Ni, Pd, and Pt with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) catalyze numerous organic reactions via proposed typical M⁰/M^II catalytic cycles comprising intermediates with the metal center in (0) and (II) oxidation states. In addition, M^II/M^IV catalytic cycles have been proposed for a number of reactions. The catalytic intermediates in both cycles can suffer decomposition via R-NHC coupling and the side reductive elimination of the NHC ligand and R groups (R = alkyl, aryl, etc.) to give [NHC-R]⁺ cations. In this study, the relative stabilities of (NHC)M^II(R)(X)L and (NHC)M^IV(R)(X)₃L intermediates (X = Cl, Br, I; L = NHC, pyridine) against R-NHC coupling and other decomposition pathways via reductive elimination reactions were evaluated theoretically. The study revealed that the R-NHC coupling represents the most favorable decomposition pathway for both types of intermediates (M^II and M^IV), while it is thermodynamically and kinetically more facile for the M^IV complexes. The relative effects of the metal M (Ni, Pd, Pt) and ligands L and X on the R-NHC coupling for the M^IV complexes were significantly stronger than that for the M^II complexes. In particular, for the (NHC)₂M^IV(Ph)(Br)₃ complexes, Ph-NHC coupling was facilitated dramatically from Pt (ΔG = -36.9 kcal mol^-1, ΔG^≠ = 37.5 kcal mol^-1) to Pd (ΔG = -61.5 kcal mol^-1, ΔG^≠ = 18.3 kcal mol^-1) and Ni (ΔG = -80.2 kcal mol^-1, ΔG^≠ = 4.7 kcal mol^-1). For the M^II oxidation state of the metal, the bis-NHC complexes (L = NHC) were slightly more kinetically and thermodynamically stable against R-NHC coupling than the mono-NHC complexes (L = pyridine). An inverse relation was observed for the M^IV oxidation state of the metal as the (NHC)₂M^IV(R)(X)₃ complexes were kinetically (4.3-15.9 kcal mol^-1) and thermodynamically (8.0-23.2 kcal mol^-1) significantly less stable than the (NHC)M^IV(R)(X)₃L (L = pyridine) complexes. For the Ni^IV and Pd^IV complexes, additional decomposition pathways via the reductive elimination of the NHC and X ligands to give the [NHC-X]⁺ cation (X-NHC coupling) or reductive elimination of the X-X molecule were found to be thermodynamically and kinetically probable. Overall, the obtained results demonstrate significant instability of regular Ni/NHC and Pd/NHC complexes (for example, not additionally stabilized by chelation) and high probability to initiate "NHC-free" catalysis in the reactions comprising M^IV intermediates.

Addressing Reversibility of R-NHC Coupling on Palladium: Is Nano-to-Molecular Transition Possible for the Pd/NHC System?

It has recently been shown that palladium-catalyzed reactions with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands involve R-NHC coupling accompanied by transformation of the molecular catalytic system into the nanoscale catalytic system. An important question appeared in this regard is whether such a change in the catalytic system is irreversible. More specifically, is the reverse nano-to-molecular transformation possible? In view of the paramount significance of this question to the area of catalyst design, we studied the capability of 2-substituted azolium salts to undergo the breakage of C-C bond and exchange substituents on the carbene carbon with corresponding aryl halides in the presence of Pd nanoparticles. The study provides important experimental evidence of possibility of the reversible R-NHC coupling. The observed behavior indicates that the nanosized metal species are capable of reverse transition to molecular species. Such an option, known for phosphine ligands, was previously unexplored for NHC ligands. The present study for the first time demonstrates bidirectional dynamic transitions between the molecular and nanostructured states in Pd/NHC systems. As a unique feature, surprisingly small activation barriers (<18 kcal/mol) and noticeable thermodynamic driving force (-5 to -7 kcal/mol) were calculated for C-C bond oxidative addition to Pd(0) centers in the studied system. The first example of NHC-mediated Pd leaching from metal nanoparticles to solution was observed and formation of Pd/NHC complex in solution was detected by ESI-MS.

Intermetallic species in the Negishi coupling and their involvement in inhibition pathways

The formation of M–Zn-intermetallic species (M = Ni, Pd) in the course of the Negishi reaction in THF solvent and their potential impact on in situ catalyst inhibition were investigated by DFT calculations carried out at two levels of theory.