Carbene Donor Research Articles

Sb-to-P Metathesis: A Direct Route to Structurally Constrained, Cationic PIII Compound.

Structurally constrained, cationic PIII compound [LP][SbCl4] with an OCO pincer-type ligand (L) having a central carbene donor was directly synthesized via an Sb-to-P metathesis reaction between PCl3 and LSb-Cl. [LP][SbCl4] was isolated and its reactivity with small molecules (ROH and RNH2) was studied, showing that [SbCl4]- is not an innocent counter anion, but an active participant in these reactions. When the [SbCl4]- was replaced with the [CB11H12]- ([Cb]-) anion, the reactions were redirected to [LP]+ cation only. The reactions with alcohols and amines led to the equilibrium between the products of the formal E-H (E=O, N) bond oxidative addition to the P-center and products of the P-center/ligand-assisted bond activation. Remarkably, [LP]+ activated the PhO-H and PhN(H)-H bonds in a reversible, thermoneutral fashion.

Synthesis and Characterization of NHC Stabilized Bis(phenylsulfanyl)stannylene

AbstractReaction of two equivalents of ((CH3)3Si)2C(C6H5)SLi ⋅ 3THF with SnCl2⋅IDipp(IDipp=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene) led to fragmentation of the organolithium component and gave IDipp⋅Sn(SPh)2, compound 3. The latter compound has been further prepared from Ph‐SSi(CH3)3 whereas disproportionation of the Sn(II) species was observed when starting from Ph‐SLi. The stannylene adduct 3 has been characterized spectroscopically and its structure was explored with single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD). The carbene donor in 3 can be displaced by chloride, upon formal HCl addition, giving rise to the ionic stannylene adduct 4 [IDippH]+[SnCl(SPh)2]−, the structure of which was investigated with SCXRD as well.

Investigations of a Copper(II) Bipyridyl-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Macrocycle for CO2 Reduction: Apparent Formation of an Imidazolium Carboxylate Intermediate Leading to Demetalation.

A copper complex supported by a redox-active bipyridyl-N-heterocyclic carbene based ligand framework is reported. From X-ray crystallography, the tetradentate macrocycle provides a distorted square planar geometry around the copper metal center. The complex was investigated for the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) in acetonitrile solutions. Electronic structure calculations were performed on the complex and associated intermediates to provide a fundamental understanding of the metal-ligand redox chemistry and are compared to the previously reported nickel and cobalt analogues. Unlike its predecessors, which are active catalysts for the CO2RR, the copper complex decomposes under reducing conditions in the presence of CO2. A novel decomposition route involving coordination of CO2 to an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) donor of the macrocyclic ligand is proposed based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which is supported by isolation of a putative ligand-CO2 adduct from the electrolyzed solution and its characterization by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The noninnocent behavior of the NHC donors presented here may have important implications for the stability and reactivity of other complexes supported by N-heterocyclic carbenes, and further suggests that cooperative and productive pathways involving metal-bound NHCs could be exploited for CO2 reduction.

Oxidation of Ammonia Catalyzed by a Molecular Iron Complex: Translating Chemical Catalysis to Mediated Electrocatalysis.

Ammonia is a promising candidate in the quest for sustainable, clean energy. With its capacity to serve as an energy carrier, the oxidation of ammonia opens avenues for carbon-neutral approaches to address worldwide growing energy needs. We report the catalytic chemical oxidation of ammonia by an Earth-abundant transition metal complex, trans-[LFeII(MeCN)2][PF6]2, where L is a macrocyclic ligand bearing four N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) donors. Using triarylaminium radical cations in MeCN, up to 182 turnovers of N2 per Fe were obtained from chemical catalysis with an extremely low loading of the Fe catalyst (0.043 mM, 0.004 mol % catalyst). This chemical catalysis was successfully transitioned to mediated electrocatalysis for the oxidation of ammonia. Molecular electrocatalysis by the Fe catalyst and the mediator (p-MeOC6H4)3N exhibited a catalytic half-wave potential (Ecat/2) of 0.18 V vs [Cp2Fe]+/0 in MeCN, and achieved 9.3 turnovers of N2 at an applied potential of 0.20 V vs [Cp2Fe]+/0 at -20 °C in controlled-potential electrolysis, with a Faradaic efficiency of 75 %. Based on computational results, the catalyst undergoes sequential oxidation and deprotonation steps to form [LFeIV(NH2)2]2+, and thereafter bimetallic coupling to form an N-N bond.

Oxidation of Ammonia Catalyzed by a Molecular Iron Complex: Translating Chemical Catalysis to Mediated Electrocatalysis

Ammonia is a promising candidate in the quest for sustainable, clean energy. With its capacity to serve as an energy carrier, the oxidation of ammonia opens avenues for carbon‐neutral approaches to address worldwide growing energy needs. We report the catalytic chemical oxidation of ammonia by an Earth‐abundant transition metal complex, trans‐[LFeII(MeCN)2][PF6]2, where L is a macrocyclic ligand bearing four N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) donors. Using triarylaminium radical cations in MeCN, up to 182 turnovers of N2 per Fe were obtained from chemical catalysis with an extremely low loading of the Fe catalyst (0.043 mM, 0.004 mol % catalyst). This chemical catalysis was successfully transitioned to mediated electrocatalysis for the oxidation of ammonia. Molecular electrocatalysis by the Fe catalyst and the mediator (p‐MeOC6H4)3N exhibited a catalytic half‐wave potential (Ecat/2) of 0.18 V vs [Cp2Fe]+/0 in MeCN, and achieved 9.3 turnovers of N2 at an applied potential of 0.20 V vs [Cp2Fe]+/0 at −20 °C in controlled‐potential electrolysis, with a Faradaic efficiency of 75%. Based on computational results, the catalyst undergoes sequential oxidation and deprotonation steps to form [LFeIV(NH2)2]2+, and thereafter bimetallic coupling to form an N−N bond.

Synthesis and bonding in platinum(II) complexes with cyclometalated carbene and isoelectronic bis(phosphino)metallocene ligands

Four cycloplatinated complexes of the type [Pt(C^C*){M(η5-C5H4PPh2)2-κ2P,P'}][PF6]n (M = Fe, n = 1; M = Co, n = 2), where C^C* is 2-(3-methylimidazol-2- ylidene-1-yl-κC2)phenyl-κC1 and similar cyclometalated ligands bearing an additional aromatic ring and phenyl substituents at the imidazol-2-ylidene unit, were prepared and structurally characterized by spectroscopic methods (NMR and ESI MS), elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry and DFT calculations. Experimental structural parameters and DFT calculations consistently indicate differentiation of the Pt-bound phosphine groups due to unlike trans influence of the phenyl and carbene donor moieties at the cyclometalated ligand in these compounds

A Cationic Pt(II) Dinitrogen Adduct: Synthesis and Characterization of a CCC-aNHC Pincer Pt Complex with Abnormal N-Heterocyclic Carbene Donor Arms

A Cationic Pt(II) Dinitrogen Adduct: Synthesis and Characterization of a CCC-aNHC Pincer Pt Complex with Abnormal <i>N</i>-Heterocyclic Carbene Donor Arms

Synthesis and Reactivity of Fe(II) Complexes Containing Cis Ammonia Ligands.

The development of earth-abundant transition-metal complexes for electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation is needed to facilitate a renewable energy economy. Important to this goal is a fundamental understanding of how ammonia binds to complexes as a function of ligand geometry and electronic effects. We report the synthesis and characterization of a series of Fe(II)-NH3 complexes supported by tetradentate, facially binding ligands with a combination of pyridine and N-heterocyclic carbene donors. Electronic modification of the supporting ligand led to significant shifts in the FeIII/II potential and variations in NH bond acidities. Finally, investigations of ammonia oxidation by cyclic voltammetry, controlled potential bulk electrolysis, and through addition of stoichiometric organic radicals, TEMPO and tBu3ArO• are reported. No catalytic oxidation of NH3 to N2 was observed, and 15N2 was detected only in reactions with tBu3ArO•.

Front Cover: A Tetrapodal Penta‐Carbene Ligand and Iron(III) Complex (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 20/2023)

The Front Cover shows selected tetrapodal-pentadentate “butterflies” taking flight. First noted as bearing resemblance to butterflies by Paine and Nordlander, these 5-coordinate frameworks have found applications in areas such as H2 evolution catalysis, N2 reduction chemistry, and as scaffolds to support high-valent metal-oxo compounds. Our contribution to this topology consists of a carbon butterfly composed of five N-heterocyclic carbene donors bridged by arylborate linkers to provide a dianionic framework upon removal of five protons. More information can be found in the Research Article by J. J. Scepaniak and co-workers.

Complete integration of carbene-transfer chemistry into biosynthesis.

Biosynthesis is an environmentally benign and renewable approach that can be used to produce a broad range of natural and, in some cases, new-to-nature products. However, biology lacks many of the reactions that are available to synthetic chemists, resulting in a narrower scope of accessible products when using biosynthesis rather than synthetic chemistry. A prime example of such chemistry is carbene-transfer reactions1. Although it was recently shown that carbene-transfer reactions can be performed in a cell and used for biosynthesis2,3, carbene donors and unnatural cofactors needed to be added exogenously and transported into cells to effect the desired reactions, precluding cost-effective scale-up of the biosynthesis process with these reactions. Here we report the access to a diazo ester carbene precursor by cellular metabolism and a microbial platform for introducing unnatural carbene-transfer reactions into biosynthesis. The α-diazoester azaserine was produced by expressing a biosynthetic gene cluster in Streptomyces albus. The intracellularly produced azaserine was used as a carbene donor to cyclopropanate another intracellularly produced molecule-styrene. The reaction was catalysed by engineered P450 mutants containing a native cofactor with excellent diastereoselectivity and a moderate yield. Our study establishes a scalable, microbial platform for conducting intracellular abiological carbene-transfer reactions to functionalize a range of natural and new-to-nature products and expands the scope of organic products that can be produced by cellular metabolism.

A Tetrapodal Penta‐Carbene Ligand and Iron(III) Complex

AbstractWe report the first tetrapodal pentadentate ligand composed of five N‐heterocyclic carbene donors. The proto‐ligand [CC4H5Me](OTf)3 (3) is formed in good yields from commercially available reagents. Upon removal of 5 proton equivalents from 3 with bulky non‐nucleophilic bases a dianionic penta‐carbene framework is provided in good yields as a dilithium complex CC4MeLi2 (4). Addition of FeCl3 to a solution of 4 formed in situ provides CC4MeFeCl (5) in moderate yield. Solution‐state magnetism measurements of 5 are consistent with a S=1/2 Fe(III) center. The related diamagnetic Fe(II) compound CC4MeFe (6) can be formed through reduction of 5 using KC8 though poor solubility characteristics have hampered its formation on a preparative scale and full characterization.

Synthesis and reactivity of Pd(II) imidoyl complexes obtained by insertion of isocyanoferrocene into the Pd-C bonds of orthopalladated precursors.

While the multifaceted reactivity of organic isocyanides has been extensively demonstrated, that of their organometallic analogue, isocyanoferrocene (FcNC; Fc = ferrocenyl), has not yet been adequately explored. This contribution describes the syntheses of novel chelating Pd(II) imidoyl complexes, [(YCH2C6H4C(NFc)-κ2Y,C)PdCl(PR3)], by insertion of FcNC into the Pd-C bond of cyclopalladated precursors [(YCH2C6H4-κ2Y,C)PdCl(PR3)] (Y = Me2N, MeS, R = Ph, Me). The imidoyl complexes underwent facile alkylation with [Me3O][BF4] to produce the cationic aminocarbene complexes [{YCH2C6H4C(N(Me)Fc)-κ2Y,C}PdCl(PR3)][BF4]. All compounds were fully characterised using a combination of spectroscopic methods (NMR, FTIR and ESI MS), cyclic voltammetry and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In addition, DFT calculations were used to describe the bonding in the two compound families. Analyses with intrinsic bond orbitals (IBOs) and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) consistently pointed to the transformation of an X-type imidoyl C-ligand (σ-organyl) into an L-type carbene donor upon alkylation, which has only a minor structural consequence. Also reported is the unexpected conversion of the imidoyl complex [(Me2NCH2C6H4C(NFc)-κ2N,C)PdCl(PPh3)] into (Z)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(ferrocenylimino)isoindolin-2-ium tetrafluoroborate as a reductive elimination product, which was induced by Lewis and Brønsted acids.

The acid-mediated isomerization of iridium(III) complexes with cyclometalated NHC ligands: kinetic vs. thermodynamic control.

The isomerization of iridium(III) complexes with metalated N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands was studied. The fac isomers of complexes with 1-phenyl-3-methylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene or 1-phenyl-3-benzylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene ligands are transformed cleanly into the mer isomers when solutions of the complexes are treated with first HNTf2 and then NEt3. The transformation can be accomplished within a few minutes and the side product (NEt3H)(NTf2) is easy to separate. Spectroscopic and structural analyses indicate that the isomerization proceeds by protonation of the carbene ligand at the metalated phenyl group, accompanied by a fac → mer rearrangement of the carbene donors. An iridium complex with a 1-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-f]phenanthridine-based carbene ligand could not be isomerized under similar conditions, most likely because of its reduced conformational flexibility.

α-Methylation of Ketones and Indoles Catalyzed by a Manganese(I) PCNHCP Pincer Complex with Methanol as a C1 Source

Acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation is a powerful reaction in sustainable synthesis. When combined in a tandem reaction with dehydrogenative coupling or hydrogen borrowing, acceptorless dehydrogenation can be used for the environmentally benign construction of C–C, C–N, and C–O bonds. While many of these reactions rely on using precious metals, in the past decade the use of earth-abundant metals has become more prevalent. If a green and renewable feedstock could be introduced as well, the sustainability of the acceptorless dehydrogenation could further be increased. Methanol would be such a substrate and could serve as a renewable C1 source when used for the methylation of a wide variety of substrates. Herein, we report the efficient manganese-catalyzed α-methylation of ketones and indoles. The manganese catalyst is based on a PCNHCP pincer platform containing a rare central carbene donor. The reaction supports a diverse set of functional groups, occurs at moderate temperatures (110 °C), and provides the corresponding methylated ketones and indoles in excellent yields. In contrast to previously reported mechanisms, the herein reported mechanism does not depend on metal–ligand cooperativity but rather proceeds via (i) a metal-based mechanism featuring a manganese hydride or (ii) via a ligand-centered mechanism where a manganese-carbonyl acts as catalytic center, depending on the used additive.

Engineered Myoglobin Catalysts for Asymmetric Intermolecular Cyclopropanation Reactions.

Biocatalysis has covered an increasingly important role in the synthesis and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and other high value compounds. In the interest of expanding the range of synthetically useful reactions accessible via biocatalysts, our group has explored the potential and application of engineered myoglobins for 'abiological' carbene transfer catalysis. These transformations provide a direct route for the construction of new carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds, including the synthesis of cyclopropane rings, which are key motifs and pharmacophores in many drugs and bioactive natural products. In this award article, we survey the progress made by our group toward the development of myoglobin-based catalysts for asymmetric intermolecular cyclopropanation reactions. The high stereoselectivity exhibited by these biocatalysts in these reactions, combined with their broad substrate scope, scalability, and robustness to high substrate loading and organic co-solvents, contribute to make these systems particularly useful for chemical synthesis and biocatalysis at the preparative scale. Extension of the scope of biocatalytic carbene transfer reactions to include different classes of carbene donor reagents has created new opportunities for the asymmetric synthesis of functionalized cyclopropanes. Furthermore, the integration of myoglobin-catalyzed stereoselective cyclopropanations with chemical diversification of the enzymatic products has furnished attractive chemoenzymatic strategies to access a diverse range of optically active cyclopropane scaffolds of high value for drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, and the synthesis of natural products.

Enantioselective Single and Dual α-C-H Bond Functionalization of Cyclic Amines via Enzymatic Carbene Transfer.

Cyclic amines are ubiquitous structural motifs found in pharmaceuticals and biologically active natural products, making methods for their elaboration via direct C-H functionalization of considerable synthetic value. Herein, we report the development of an iron-based biocatalytic strategy for enantioselective α-C-H functionalization of pyrrolidines and other saturated N-heterocycles via a carbene transfer reaction with diazoacetone. Currently unreported for organometallic catalysts, this transformation can be accomplished in high yields, high catalytic activity, and high stereoselectivity (up to 99:1 e.r. and 20,350 TON) using engineered variants of cytochrome P450 CYP119 from Sulfolobus solfataricus. This methodology was further extended to enable enantioselective α-C-H functionalization in the presence of ethyl diazoacetate as carbene donor (up to 96:4 e.r. and 18,270 TON), and the two strategies were combined to achieve a one-pot as well as a tandem dual C-H functionalization of a cyclic amine substrate with enzyme-controlled diastereo- and enantiodivergent selectivity. This biocatalytic approach is amenable to gram-scale synthesis and can be applied to drug scaffolds for late-stage C-H functionalization. This work provides an efficient and tunable method for direct asymmetric α-C-H functionalization of saturated N-heterocycles, which should offer new opportunities for the synthesis, discovery, and optimization of bioactive molecules.

Ruthenium Complexes Bearing Bis‐N‐heterocyclic Carbene Donors in TiO2 Sensitization for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

AbstractThis report presents ruthenium (II) complexes featuring bis‐imidazole‐2‐ylidene donors and carboxylic acid‐functionalized terpyridine ligands (tpy−COOH or tpy4′−phenyl−COOH). We introduced the monodentate −NCS or pyridine carboxylate ligands into the coordination sphere to render sizeable changes in photo‐functional attributes. The coordination of the thiocyanate ligands to these ruthenium centers extends their absorption tails up to 800 nm. In contrast, the absorption bands of complexes featuring isonicotinic acid last only until 600 nm. Even though phenyl spacers at the acceptor end rendered a bathochromic shift in the λmax, in their absence, complexes exhibited a longer electron lifetime at the TiO2 photoanode. The complexes devoid of phenyl spacers show lower charge transfer resistance at the TiO2/electrolyte interface giving improved photon conversion efficiency (PCE) in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). Herein, we analyze the relationship between the structure and the light‐harvesting efficiency via a combined experimental and computational approach.

Ligand-stabilized heteronuclear diatomics of group 13 and 15.

A theoretical investigation of ligand-stabilized MX diatomics (M=group 13, X=group 15 element) with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands has been carried out to assess bonding and electronic structure. Binding of two ligands in the form L-MX-L is generally preferred over binding of a single ligand as L-MX or MX-L. Binding of carbene donor ligands is predicted to be thermodynamically favorable for all the systems, and is very favorable for the lighter group 15 systems (nitrogen and phosphorus). Detailed analysis of the bonding in these complexes has been carried out with energy decomposition analysis (EDA). In all cases, the carbene to boron and carbene to nitrogen bonding is described as an electron-sharing double bond with both σ and π bonding interactions. For the heavier elements, bonding to C (except for PC interactions) is best described as a donor-acceptor σ single bond.

Enantioselective Synthesis of α-Trifluoromethyl Amines via Biocatalytic N-H Bond Insertion with Acceptor-Acceptor Carbene Donors.

The biocatalytic toolbox has recently been expanded to include enzyme-catalyzed carbene transfer reactions not occurring in Nature. Herein, we report the development of a biocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of enantioenriched α-trifluoromethyl amines through an asymmetric N–H carbene insertion reaction catalyzed by engineered variants of cytochrome c552 from Hydrogenobacter thermophilus. Using a combination of protein and substrate engineering, this metalloprotein scaffold was redesigned to enable the synthesis of chiral α-trifluoromethyl amino esters with up to >99% yield and 95:5 er using benzyl 2-diazotrifluoropropanoate as the carbene donor. When the diazo reagent was varied, the enantioselectivity of the enzyme could be inverted to produce the opposite enantiomers of these products with up to 99.5:0.5 er. This methodology is applicable to a broad range of aryl amine substrates, and it can be leveraged to obtain chemoenzymatic access to enantioenriched β-trifluoromethyl-β-amino alcohols and halides. Computational analyses provide insights into the interplay of protein- and reagent-mediated control on the enantioselectivity of this reaction. This work introduces the first example of a biocatalytic N–H carbenoid insertion with an acceptor–acceptor carbene donor, and it offers a biocatalytic solution for the enantioselective synthesis of α-trifluoromethylated amines as valuable synthons for medicinal chemistry and the synthesis of bioactive molecules.

Nickel(II) complexes containing tridentate ONCi ligands (i = abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene donors) and their catalytic application in Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction.

New nickel complexes with tridentate phenoxy-amidate-aNHC donor groups were synthesized from the reactions between nickel acetate and imidazolium ligand precursors in net pyridine. An unusual degradation pathway was observed, leading to imidazole derivatives occupying the fourth coordination sites in these square planar complexes. A new imidazole-coordinated nickel complex was found to be efficient in catalyzing Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling with aryl chlorides under 3 mol% of catalyst loading. The catalytic activities were superior to those of its reported normal NHC counterpart. Instead of the common procedure of using additional phosphine, the addition of IMes·HCl significantly enhances the product yields of the catalytic reaction.