Bis(phenolate)-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of oxo- and imido-vanadium(V)

Abstract

Oxo- and imido-vanadium(V) metal complexes supported by bis(phenolate)-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized and structurally identified. In the presence of [(Ph3P)2N]Cl ([PPN]Cl), saturated NHC oxo-vanadium complexes showed activity in the coupling of CO2 and cyclohexene oxide (CHO) into cis-cyclohexene carbonate (cis-CHC). More importantly, the oxo-vanadium complex bearing the less electron-donating benzannulated NHC ligand was found to be more active in CHO conversion to poly(cyclohexene carbonate) (PCHC) in addition to the cis-CHC, highlighting the beneficial effect of the weak electron-donating ability of the latter vs. saturated NHC ligands within such vanadium catalysts. Evaluation of the saturated NHC imido-vanadium catalyst performance led to the same activity and selectivity as the analogous oxo-vanadium catalysts owing to its reactivity with CO2 via a [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction forming an oxo-vanadium species.