Arene Solvents Research Articles

Cesium Reduction of a Lithium Diamidochloroberyllate.

Room temperature reaction of elemental cesium with the dimeric lithium chloroberyllate [{SiNDipp}BeClLi]2 [{SiNDipp} = {CH2SiMe2N(Dipp)}2, where Dipp = 2,6-di-isopropylphenyl, in C6D6 results in activation of the arene solvent. Although, in contrast to earlier observations of lithium and sodium metal reduction, the generation of a mooted cesium phenylberyllate could not be confirmed, this process corroborates a previous hypothesis that such beryllium-centered solvent activation also necessitates the formation of hydridoberyllium species. These observations are further borne out by the study of an analogous reaction performed in toluene, in which case the proposed generation of formally low oxidation state beryllium radical anion intermediates induces activation of a toluene sp3 C-H bond and the isolation of the polymeric cesium benzylberyllate, [Cs({SiNDipp}BeCH2C6H5)]∞.

Arenium-ion-catalysed halodealkylation of fully alkylated silanes.

'Organic silicon' is not found in nature but modern chemistry is hard to imagine without silicon bound to carbon. Although silicon-containing commodity chemicals such as those emerging from the 'direct process'1-4 look simple, it is not trivial to selectively prepare aryl-substituted and alkyl-substituted (functionalized) silicon compounds, known as silanes. Chlorosilanes such as Me4-nSiCln (n = 1-3) as well as SiCl4 (n = 4) are common starting points for the synthesis of silicon-containing molecules. Yet these methods often suffer from challenging separation problems5. Conversely, silanes with four alkyl groups are considered synthetic dead ends. Here we introduce an arenium-ion-catalysed halodealkylation that effectively converts Me4Si and related quaternary silanes into a diverse range of functionalized derivatives. The reaction uses an alkyl halide and an arene (co)solvent: the alkyl halide is the halide source that eventually engages in a Friedel-Crafts alkylation with the arene to regenerate the catalyst6, whereas the arenium ion acts as a strong Brønsted acid for the protodealkylation step7. The advantage of the top-down halodealkylation methodology over reported bottom-up procedures is demonstrated, for example, in the synthesis of a silicon drug precursor. Moreover, chemoselective chlorodemethylation of the rather inert Me3Si group attached to an alkyl chain followed by oxidative degradation is shown to be an entry into Tamao-Fleming-type alcohol formation8,9.

Tale of Three Molecular Nitrides: Mononuclear Vanadium (V) and (IV) Nitrides As Well As a Mixed-Valence Trivanadium Nitride Having a V3N4 Double-Diamond Core.

Transmetallation of [VCl3(THF)3] and [TlTptBu,Me] afforded [(TptBu,Me)VCl2] (1, TptBu,Me = hydro-tris(3-tert-butyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl)borate), which was reduced with KC8 to form a C3v symmetric VII complex, [(TptBu,Me)VCl] (2). Complex 1 has a high-spin (S = 1) ground state and displays rhombic high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) spectra, while complex 2 has an S = 3/2 4A2 ground state observable by conventional EPR spectroscopy. Complex 1 reacts with NaN3 to form the VV nitride-azide complex [(TptBu,Me)V≡N(N3)] (3). A likely VIII azide intermediate en route to 3, [(TptBu,Me)VCl(N3)] (4), was isolated by reacting 1 with N3SiMe3. Complex 4 is thermally stable but reacts with NaN3 to form 3, implying a bis-azide intermediate, [(TptBu,Me)V(N3)2] (A), leading to 3. Reduction of 3 with KC8 furnishes a trinuclear and mixed-valent nitride, [{(TptBu,Me)V}2(μ4-VN4)] (5), conforming to a Robin-Day class I description. Complex 5 features a central vanadium ion supported only by bridging nitride ligands. Contrary to 1, complex 2 reacts with NaN3 to produce an azide-bridged dimer, [{(TptBu,Me)V}2(1,3-μ2-N3)2] (6), with two antiferromagnetically coupled high-spin VII ions. Complex 5 could be independently produced along with [(κ2-TptBu,Me)2V] upon photolysis of 6 in arene solvents. The putative {VIV≡N} intermediate, [(TptBu,Me)V≡N] (B), was intercepted by photolyzing 6 in a coordinating solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), yielding [(TptBu,Me)V≡N(THF)] (B-THF). In arene solvents, B-THF expels THF to afford 5 and [(κ2-TptBu,Me)2V]. A more stable adduct (B-OPPh3) was prepared by reacting B-THF with OPPh3. These adducts of B are the first neutral and mononuclear VIV nitride complexes to be isolated.

Isolable fluorinated triphenylmethyl cation salts of [HCB11Cl11]-: demonstration of remarkable hydride affinity.

Significantly fluorinated triarylmethyl cations have long attracted attention as potentially accessible highly reactive carbocations, but their isolation in a convenient form has proved elusive. We show that abstraction of chloride with a cationic silylium reagent leads to the facile formation of di-, tetra-, and hexafluorinated trityl cations, which could be isolated as analytically pure salts with the [HCB11Cl11]− counterion and are compatible with (halo)arene solvents. The F6Tr+ cation carrying six meta-F substituents was computationally predicted to possess up to 20% higher hydride affinity than the parent triphenylmethyl cation Tr+. We report that indeed F6Tr+ displays reactivity unmatched by Tr+. F6Tr+ at ambient temperature abstracts hydrides from the C–H bonds in tetraethylsilane, mesitylene, methylcyclohexane, and catalyzes Friedel–Crafts alkylation of arenes with ethylene, while Tr+ does none of these.

Uranium(iv) alkyl cations: synthesis, structures, comparison with thorium(iv) analogues, and the influence of arene-coordination on thermal stability and ethylene polymerization activity.

Reaction of [(XA2)U(CH2SiMe3)2] (1; XA2 = 4,5-bis(2,6-diisopropylanilido)-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene) with 1 equivalent of [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] in arene solvents afforded the arene-coordinated uranium alkyl cations, [(XA2)U(CH2SiMe3)(η n -arene)][B(C6F5)4] {arene = benzene (2), toluene (3), bromobenzene (4) and fluorobenzene (5)}. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 were crystallographically characterized, and in all cases the arene is π-coordinated. Solution NMR studies of 2-5 suggest that the binding preferences of the [(XA2)U(CH2SiMe3)]+ cation follow the order: toluene ≈ benzene > bromobenzene > fluorobenzene. Compounds 2-4 generated in C6H5R (R = H, Me or Br, respectively) showed no polymerization activity under 1 atm of ethylene. By contrast, 5 and 5-Th (the thorium analogue of 5) in fluorobenzene at 20 and 70 °C achieved ethylene polymerization activities between 16 800 and 139 200 g mol-1 h-1 atm-1, highlighting the extent to which common arene solvents such as toluene can suppress ethylene polymerization activity in sterically open f-element complexes. However, activation of [(XA2)An(CH2SiMe3)2] {M = U (1) or Th (1-Th)} with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] in n-alkane solvents did not afford an active polymerization catalyst due to catalyst decomposition, illustrating the critical role of PhX (X = H, Me, Br or F) coordination for alkyl cation stabilization. Gas phase DFT calculations, including fragment interaction calculations with energy decomposition and ETS-NOCV analysis, were carried out on the cationic portion of 2'-Th, 2', 3' and 5' (analogues of 2-Th, 2, 3 and 5 with hydrogen atoms in place of ligand backbone methyl and tert-butyl groups), providing insight into the nature of actinide-arene bonding, which decreases in strength in the order 2'-Th > 2' ≈ 3' > 5'.

An Isolable Three-Coordinate Germanone and Its Reactivity.

A rare three‐coordinate germanone [IPrN]2Ge=O (IPrN=bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐imino) was successfully isolated. The germanone has a rather high thermal stability in arene solvent, and no detectable change was observed at 80 °C for at least one week. However, high thermal stability of [IPrN]2Ge=O does not prevent its reactivity toward small molecules. Structural analysis and initial reactivity studies revealed the highly polarized nature of the terminal Ge=O bond. Besides, the addition of phenylacetylene, as well as O‐atom transfer with 2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide make it a mimic of nucleophilic transition‐metal oxides. Mechanism for O‐atom transfer reaction was investigated via DFT calculations, which revealed that the reaction proceeds via a [2+2] cycloaddition intermediate.

Insights into the Composition and Structural Chemistry of Gallium(I) Triflate

Abstract“GaOTf” is a simple, convenient source of low‐valent gallium for synthetic chemistry and catalysis. However, little is currently known about its composition or reactivity. In this work, 71Ga NMR spectroscopy shows the presence of [Ga(arene)n]+ salts on oxidation of Ga metal with AgOTf in arene solvents. However, a more complex picture of speciation is uncovered by X‐ray diffraction studies. In all cases, mixed‐valence compounds containing Ga‐arene and Ga‐OTf coordination motifs, in addition to an unusual “naked” [Ga]+ ion, are found. Addition of 18‐crown‐6 allows for the isolation of a discrete GaI crown complex. Evidence of a potential intermediate in the formation of “GaOTf” has been isolated in the form of the bimetallic silver(I)/gallium(I) cluster anion [Ag4{Ga(OTf)3}4(μ‐Ga)6(OTf)4]2−.

Insights into the Composition and Structural Chemistry of Gallium(I) Triflate.

“GaOTf” is a simple, convenient source of low‐valent gallium for synthetic chemistry and catalysis. However, little is currently known about its composition or reactivity. In this work, 71Ga NMR spectroscopy shows the presence of [Ga(arene)n]+ salts on oxidation of Ga metal with AgOTf in arene solvents. However, a more complex picture of speciation is uncovered by X‐ray diffraction studies. In all cases, mixed‐valence compounds containing Ga‐arene and Ga‐OTf coordination motifs, in addition to an unusual “naked” [Ga]+ ion, are found. Addition of 18‐crown‐6 allows for the isolation of a discrete GaI crown complex. Evidence of a potential intermediate in the formation of “GaOTf” has been isolated in the form of the bimetallic silver(I)/gallium(I) cluster anion [Ag4{Ga(OTf)3}4(μ‐Ga)6(OTf)4]2−.

Tris(carbene) Stabilization of Monomeric Magnesium Cations: A Neutral, Nontethered Ligand Approach

Herein, we describe the syntheses and structural characterization of bis(carbene)- and tris(carbene)-stabilized organomagnesium cations. The reaction of the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) stabilized Grignard reagent (iPrNHC)2Mg(Me)(Br) (1) and Na[BArF4] (iPrNHC = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene, ArF = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) in chlorobenzene yields exclusively the bis(NHC)-stabilized dication [{(iPrNHC)2Mg}2(μ-Me)2][(BArF4)2] (2). If the reaction is performed in ethereal or nonpolar arene solvents, 2 undergoes Schlenk-type rearrangements to tris(NHC)-stabilized cations [(iPrNHC)3Mg(Me)][BArF4] (3[BArF4]) and [(iPrNHC)3Mg(Br)][BArF4] (4[BArF4]). These monomeric cations 3[A] and 4[A] (A = BArF4, BPh4) can be independently prepared as single pure products in high yields using common hydrocarbon solvents. The electronic influence of tris(carbene) stabilization is further evidenced by an NHC-mediated ionization of magnesium bromide in the absence of abstraction reagents. The reaction between the sterically unencumbered 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene (MeNHC) ligand and (MeNHC)2MgBr2 (7) resulted in two geometrically unique cations of the type [(MeNHC)3MgBr][Br]: complex 8a bearing a weakly coordinating bromide anion resulting in a trigonal bipyramidal magnesium center, and complex 8b bearing a noncoordinating bromide anion where the magnesium atom resides in a tetrahedral coordination environment. All isolated complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and their bonding was investigated by density functional theory (DFT).

Cooperative Application of Conventional and Microwave Heating

AbstractThe coordinated, cooperative use of microwave heating with conventional heating can provide advantages in chemical synthesis. Here, heterogeneous mixtures comprising ionic, highly microwave‐absorbing organic reagents and nearly microwave‐transparent arene solvents are heated conventionally and/or with microwaves, resulting in faster and, in some cases, higher yielding reactions when the two heating methods are applied cooperatively as compared to either method independently. Control experiments in more polar arene solvents show no advantage of cooperative heating, consistent with selective microwave heating phenomena. The experiments are facilitated by reactor technology that regulates internal reaction temperature and coordinates the application of conventional and microwave heating. The positive outcomes in this initial exploratory system suggest that cooperative heating can offer benefits in other systems designed for selective microwave heating.

Triazacyclohexane chromium triflate complexes as precursors for the catalytic selective olefin trimerisation and its investigation by mass spectrometry

A novel set of linear α-olefin trimerisation pre-catalysts is presented. The R3TACCr(OTf)3 (R3TAC = 1,3,5-trialkyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane) complexes produce an active system after facile activation with less than 10 equivalents of trialkylaluminium. Isomerisation was observed in many cases, which is proposed to occur via the π-allyl complex mechanism, though this was minimised by optimisation of the reaction conditions. The pre-catalysts can be synthesised from R3TACCrCl3 in neat TfOH or by addition of R3TAC to Cr(OTf)3 or better Cr(OTf)3(THF)3, the synthesis and structure of which is presented here. The use of this highly defined system allowed the identification of 2-methyl-1-hexene as a side product of activation with AlMe3, in agreement with the proposed metallacyclic mechanism. Isomer distribution of the trimer product is similar to R3TACCrCl3/MAO activated systems and depends mostly on the ligand substituent R. ESI mass spectrometry of an ortho-difluorobenzene solution of the activated catalyst was analysed at different stages of reaction. A series of signals was observed that matched those expected for cationic chromium species predicted by the metallacyclic mechanism. In particular, [R3TACCrMe2]+ was observed to form immediately after alkylation with AlMe3, while [R3TACCr(olefin)n]+ (n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and olefin = 1-hexene or 1-octene) formed after addition of 1-hexene. Absence of any detected tetramer and observation of [R3TACCr(olefin)4]+ leads to the conclusion that a metallacycloheptane-olefin complex may lead to β-H abstraction rather than insertion and may even be required to avoid formation of [R3TACCr(olefin)1]+ which is observed in only very small amounts indicating a low stability. Chromium(I) complexes [R3TACCr(arene)]+ with the arene solvent can also be observed and their signal intensity indicate a relative stability of o-C6H4F2 < cymene < benzene < PhF, toluene < p-xylene.

Palladium-Catalyzed Homocoupling of Highly Fluorinated Arylboronates: Studies of the Influence of Strongly vs Weakly Coordinating Solvents on the Reductive Elimination Process.

C-C reductive elimination from [PdL2(C6F5)2] to form polyfluorinated biaryls has been a challenge for over 50 years. Thus, palladium-catalyzed homocoupling of arylboronates (ArF-Bpin) containing two ortho-fluorine substituents is very difficult, as the reaction typically stops at the [PdL2(ArF)2] stage after two transmetalation steps. The transmetalated complexes cis-[Pd(MeCN)2(C6F5)2] (3a), cis-[Pd(MeCN)2(2,4,6-C6F3H2)2] (3b), and cis-[Pd(MeCN)2(2,6-C6F2H3)2] (3e) have been isolated from the reaction of ArF-Bpin with Pd(OAc)2 in acetonitrile solvent, with no homocoupling observed. However, catalytic homocoupling proceeds smoothly in a "weakly coordinating" arene solvent as long as no ancillary ligands or coordinating solvents are present. DFT computations reveal that the active catalyst formed by arene solvent coordination leads to an overall reduced barrier for the reductive elimination step compared to the formation of stable [PdL2(ArF)2] complexes in the presence of a donor ligand or solvent L.

Enthalpy-Driven Polyisobutylene Depolymerization

Polyisobutylene (PIB) oligomers containing terminal alkene groups depolymerize rapidly at room temperature in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and an arene solvent like benzene. This d...

Coordination of arenes and phosphines by charge separated alkaline earth cations.

Generation of β-diketiminato group 2 cations, [(MeBDI)Ae]+ and [(t-BuBDI)Ae]+ (MeBDI = HC{(Me)CN-2,6-i-Pr2C6H3}2; t-BuBDI = HC{(t-Bu)CN-2,6-i-Pr2C6H3}2; Ae = Mg or Ca), in conjunction with the weakly coordinating anion, [Al{OC(CF3)3}4]-, allows the characterisation of charge separated alkaline earth η6-π adducts to toluene or benzene when crystallised from the arene solvents. Addition of 1,4-difluorobenzene to [(MeBDI)Mg]+ results in the isolation of [(MeBDI)Mg(1,4-F2C6H4)3]+ in which the fluorobenzene molecules coordinate via κ1-F-M interactions. Although DFT analysis indicates that the polyhapto arene binding to Mg is effectively electrostatic in origin, the interactions with Ca (Sr and Ba) are observed to invoke small but significant π overlap of the arene HOMOs with the alkaline earth valence nd orbitals. Reaction of triphenylphosphine with [(MeBDI)Mg]+ and [(t-BuBDI)Mg]+ in toluene solvent allows the isolation of the respective terminally coordinated magnesium-phosphine adducts. The resultant Mg-P bond lengths [2.5972(13), 2.6805(12) Å] are comparable to those previously observed in magnesium derivatives of terminal but formally anionic phosphide ligands, while the effectively electrostatic nature of the bonding is supported by DFT calculations.

Arene Selectivity by a Flexible Coordination Polymer Host.

The coordination polymers [Ag4(O2CCF3)4(phen)3]⋅ phen⋅arene (1⋅phen⋅arene) (phen=phenazine; arene=toluene, p‐xylene or benzene) have been synthesised from the solution phase in a series of arene solvents and crystallographically characterised. By contrast, analogous syntheses from o‐xylene and m‐xylene as the solvent yield the solvent‐free coordination polymer [Ag4(O2CCF3)4(phen)2] (2). Toluene, p‐xylene and benzene have been successfully used in mixed‐arene syntheses to template the formation of coordination polymers 1⋅phen⋅arene, which incorporate o‐ or m‐xylene. The selectivity of 1⋅phen⋅arene for the arene guests was determined, through pairwise competition experiments, to be p‐xylene>toluene≈benzene>o‐xylene>m‐xylene. The largest selectivity coefficient was determined as 14.2 for p‐xylene:m‐xylene and the smallest was 1.0 for toluene:benzene.

PFG‐NMR measurement of self‐diffusion coefficients of long‐chain α‐olefins and their mixtures in semi‐crystalline polyethylene

ABSTRACTThe self‐diffusion coefficients of C6–C16 long‐chain α‐olefins and their mixtures in semi‐crystalline polyethylene were measured through the pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG‐NMR). The effects of chain length, polyethylene (PE) type, and co‐monomer type in PE on the diffusion coefficients were investigated. Moreover, the influence of halohydrocarbon, cycloalkanes, and arene solvents on the diffusion coefficients of C12 α‐olefin in PE was characterized. The results have demonstrated that the diffusion coefficient of the single‐component α‐olefin in PE decreases exponentially with the increase of the carbon number of α‐olefin, and the crystallinity and crystal morphology of PE play a more important role than the co‐monomer type in determining the diffusion coefficients of α‐olefins. In addition, the apparent diffusion coefficients were used to represent the diffusion behaviors of the α‐olefin mixtures in PE. Owing to the presence of other hydrocarbon solvents, namely trichloromethane, cyclohexane, and benzene, the diffusion coefficients of C12 long‐chain α‐olefin in PE are significantly enhanced, and such promoting effect of the hydrocarbon solvents in polyolefin elastomer (POE) is much stronger than those in high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44143.

Bis(σ-B-H) complexes of copper(i): precursors to a heterogeneous amine-borane dehydrogenation catalyst.

A series of bis(σ-B-H) complexes of copper(i) have been prepared by displacement of arene solvent from a β-diketiminate copper(i) complex by four-coordinate boranes, H3B-L (L = NMe3, lutidine). In the presence of the same copper arene complex, the secondary amine-borane H3B-NMe2H undergoes dehydrogenation. We provide evidence for formation of a heterogengous catalyst from decomposition of the solution species.

Microwave-specific acceleration of a Friedel-Crafts reaction: evidence for selective heating in homogeneous solution.

Thermally promoted Friedel-Crafts benzylation of arene solvents has been examined under both conventional convective heating with an oil bath and heating using microwave (MW) energy. Bulk solution temperatures-as measured by internal and external temperature probes and as defined by solvent reflux-were comparable in both sets of experiments. MW-specific rate enhancements were documented under certain conditions and not others. The observed rate enhancements at a given temperature are proposed to arise from selective MW heating of polar solutes, perturbing thermal equilibrium between the solute and bulk solution. Central to MW-specific thermal phenomena is the difference between heat and temperature. Temperature is a measure of the ensemble average kinetic molecular energy of all solution components, but temperature does not provide information about solute-specific energy differences that may arise as a consequence of selective MW heating. Enhanced chemical reactivity of the MW-absorbing solute can be described as a MW-specific "extra-temperature thermal effect", because the measurable solution temperature only captures a portion of the solute kinetic molecular energy. Experimental factors that favor MW-specific rate enhancements are discussed with an eye toward future development of MW-actuated organic reactions, in which the observed thermal reactivity exceeds what is predicted from temperature-based Arrhenius calculations.

Structure and Solution Reactivity of (Triethylsilylium)triethylsilane Cations

Reaction of triphenylmethylium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4], with excess neat triethylsilane affords triethylsilylium(triethylsilane) tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, [(Et3Si)2(μ-H)][B(C6F5)4] (1), identified by X-ray crystallography. In chlorobenzene and fluorobenzene, 1 is observed in solution. When 1 is dissolved in benzene or toluene, the evolved gas was shown to be hydrogen. Isotope labeling experiments demonstrate that the hydrogen arises from the reaction of Et3SiH with the silylium complex of the arene solvent.

Platinum-Mediated C−H Bond Activation of Arene Solvents and Subsequent C−C Bond Formation

The reactions of cis-[PtCl2(SOMe2)2] and imines 2,6-Cl2C6H3CH═NCH2(4-XC6H4) (1a, X = H; 1b, X = Cl), 2,6-Cl2C6H3CH═NCH2(2,6-F2C6H3) (1f), and 2,6-Cl2C6H3CH═N(4-ClC6H4) (1g) carried out in toluene at 90 °C in the presence of sodium acetate dissolved in methanol produced compounds [PtCl{(MeC6H3)(2-ClC6H3)CHNR)}SOMe2] (R = CH2C6H5 (4a), CH2(4-ClC6H4) (4b), CH2(2,6-F2C6H3) (4f), and 4-ClC6H4 (4g)), containing seven-membered platinacycles via “formal insertion” of a toluene molecule in the metallacycle. These compounds are formed in a process involving several steps, the most relevant being intermolecular C−H activation of a solvent toluene molecule and formation of a carbon−carbon bond. The reaction of cis-[PtCl2(SOMe2)2] and imine 2,6-Cl2C6H3CH═NCH2(4-ClC6H4) (1b) under analogous conditions was also carried out using other arene solvents such as benzene and ortho-, meta-, and para-xylene and produced in all cases seven-membered platinacycles. DFT calculations indicate that the stability of the metallacycles ...