A multi-step solvent-free mechanochemical route to indium(iii) complexes.

Jingyi Wang,Han Sen Soo,Jesus Díaz,Rakesh Ganguly,Felipe García,Li Yongxin

doi:10.1039/c6dt00978f

Jingyi Wang, Han Sen Soo + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1039/c6dt00978f

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Abstract

Mechanochemistry is well-established in the solid-phase synthesis of inorganic materials but has rarely been employed for molecular syntheses. In recent years, there has been nascent interest in 'greener' synthetic methods with less solvent, higher yields, and shorter reaction times being especially appealing to the fine chemicals and inorganic catalyst industries. Herein, we demonstrate that main-group indium(iii) complexes featuring bis(imino)acenaphthene (BIAN) ligands are readily accessible through a mechanochemical milling approach. The synthetic methodology reported herein not only bypasses the use of large solvent quantities and transition metal reagents for ligand synthesis, but also reduces reaction times dramatically. These new main-group complexes exhibit the potential to be reduced to indium(i) compounds, which may be employed as photosensitizers in organic catalyses and functional materials.

Highlights

Mechanochemistry is well-established in the solid-phase synthesis of inorganic materials but has rarely been employed for molecular syntheses
We demonstrate that main-group indium(III) complexes featuring bis(imino) acenaphthene (BIAN) ligands are readily accessible through a mechanochemical milling approach
Our groups have separately been interested in synthetic main-group chemistry,[10] and the application of transition metal complexes and metal oxide materials in artificial photosynthesis.[11]

Summary

Introduction

Mechanochemistry is well-established in the solid-phase synthesis of inorganic materials but has rarely been employed for molecular syntheses. We demonstrate that main-group indium(III) complexes featuring bis(imino) acenaphthene (BIAN) ligands are readily accessible through a mechanochemical milling approach. The synthetic methodology reported bypasses the use of large solvent quantities and transition metal reagents for ligand synthesis, and reduces reaction times dramatically.

Results

Conclusion