Synthesis, characterization and catalytic performances of benzimidazolin-2-iminato actinide (IV) complexes in the Tishchenko reactions for symmetrical and unsymmetrical esters

Abstract

A new family of benzimdazolin-2-iminato actinide−(IV) complexes [(Bim7-MeDipp/MeN)An(N(SiMe3)2)3] (An = U (3), Th (4)) and [(Bim4-MeDipp/MeN)An(N(SiMe3)2)3] (An = U (5), Th (6)) were synthesized and their solid state structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic performances of complexes 3–6 towards the homo- and cross-coupling of aldehydes (Tishchenko reaction) were studied and the thorium complexes 4 and 6 displayed moderate to high activities for the production of the corresponding symmetric and unsymmetrical esters. Coupling of aldehyde and alcohols, known as the tandem proton-transfer esterification, and the intermolecular coupling reaction between aldehyde and trifluoromethylketones were also investigated by these thorium complexes, indicating a complementary method to obtain unsymmetrical esters selectively. Plausible mechanisms for these reactions are proposed based on stoichiometric studies.