Amido Complexes of Iridium with a PNP Pincer Ligand: Reactivity toward Alkynes and Hydroamination Catalysis

Abstract

The pincer ligand HN(CH2CH2PPh2)2 (1; PNHP) reacted with [{Ir(μ-X)(cod)}2] (X = Cl, OMe), affording complexes [fac-(PNHP)Ir(cod)]Cl (2) and [fac-(PNP)Ir(cod)] (3), respectively. The X-ray molecular structure of 2 showed that the PNP ligand coordinates in a facial fashion, with the N atom in an axial site and both P atoms coordinated in the equatorial plane. Compound 1 is able to protonate the hydroxo bridges in the complex [{Ir(μ-OH)(coe)2}2] forming the new amido complex [mer-(PNP)Ir(coe)] (4). Complex 4 is an extremely air sensitive compound, as confirmed by the isolation of the oxo complex [mer-(PNP)Ir(η2-O2)] (8) from its interaction with air. Protonation of 4 with HBF4 afforded the corresponding amino complex [mer-(PNHP)Ir(coe)]BF4 (5), whose molecular structure enlightened by X-ray crystallography confirmed the PNP ligand to be coordinated in a meridional fashion. The coe ligand in 4 is tightly bonded to iridium; however, under an atmosphere of ethylene at 60 °C or with acrylonitrile at 70 °C complex 4 exchanges the olefin, affording compounds [mer-(PNP)Ir(η2-C2H4)] (6) and [mer-(PNP)Ir(η2-C2H3CN)] (7), respectively. Interaction of 4 with alkynes depends on the nature of the substrate; therefore, methyl phenylpropiolate reacted with 4, affording the adduct [mer-(PNP)Ir(η2-PhCCC(O)OMe)] (9), while the parent acetylene undergoes a double C–H activation, affording the Ir(III) complex [fac-(PNHP)IrH(C≡CH)2] (10). A DFT theoretical analysis of this transformation supports a metal–ligand cooperation mechanism. The reaction starts by deprotonation of an alkyne moiety by the PNP ligand followed by oxidative addition of the C–H bond to the metal of a second alkyne molecule. Additionally, we have tested complex 4 as a catalyst for the addition of gaseous ammonia to activated unsaturated substrates. A DFT theoretical analysis disclosed the operative mechanism on these organic transformations, which starts with a nucleophilic attack of ammonia to the bound alkyne, hydrogen migration to the metal, and reductive elimination steps.