Carbene Moiety Research Articles

Theoretical investigation of carboranylpyrrole structures and the thermal resistance and conducting properties of carboranylpyrrole polymers

The carboranylpyrrole polymers are functional materials with superior thermal resistance and conducting performances. The carboranylpyrrole structures and Laplacian bond order (LBO) of carborane moiety, as well as the thermal resistance and conducting properties of carboranylpyrrole dimers or polymers, were investigated theoretically. The 11B NMR chemical shifts of 3-(2-methyl-o-carboranyl)alkyl-1H-pyrrole monomers (CP-1 to CP-5) were calculated and analyzed. The average LBO values of some characteristic chemical bonds in the carborane cages of CP-1 to CP-5 molecules were calculated. It is found that the average LBO values of carborane moieties change slightly with the increase in alkyl chain length. The temperature resulting in about 15–20 % weight loss for CP-1, CP-3, CP-4 and CP-5 polymers is predicted to be more than 700 °C. Apart from the C–C bonds in carborane moieties of 3-(2-R-o-carboranyl)propyl-1H-pyrrole (R = CH2OH, CH2OCH3, CN, COCl, Ph) substituents, the LBO values of other bonds in these cages change slightly relative to that in the molecule of 3-(2-methyl-o-carboranyl)propyl-1H-pyrrole (CP-3). The C–C bond LBO values in the carborane cages of these substituents with electron-donating groups (R = CH2OH, CH2OCH3) are bigger than that in CP-3, while those values in those substituents with electron-withdrawing groups (R = CN, COCl, Ph) are smaller than that in CP-3. The polymerization activity calculated for CP-1 to CP-5 monomers increases with the increase in alkyl chain length. The calculated orbital energy gap (∆ELUMO−HOMO) of CP-1 to CP-5 dimers decreases with the increase in alkyl chain length, and accordingly, the electronic conductivity has the potential to increase. In addition, the calculated band gaps of CP-1 to CP-5 dimers cell models also decrease with the increase in alkyl chain length.

Improved synthesis of MC4-PPEA and the biological evaluation of its hydroxymethyl derivative

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) is an intriguing target for the treatment of many diseases, including cancer. Previously, our group demonstrated that carborane clusters may be used to increase the potency of small molecule inhibitors of Nampt over other, similarly sized organic moieties. Herein, we report a greatly improved, gram-scale synthesis of our most potent agent: 1-(4'-(trans-3″-(3‴-pyridyl) acrylamide)butyl)-1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (MC4-PPEA). Additionally, the carborane moiety of the molecule has been modified with a hydroxymethyl functional group to allow for its covalent attachment to targeted prodrugs, the synthesis of which are underway. Using cell viability assays, we demonstrate that this new derivative exhibits low, to mid-nanomolar potencies against human breast cancer cell lines in vitro.

Carbenylative Amination and Alkylation of Vinyl Iodides via Palladium Alkylidene Intermediates.

Most palladium-catalyzed reactions involving insertion of alkylidenes with α-hydrogens undergo β-hydride elimination from alkylpalladium(II) intermediates to form alkenes. Vinyl iodides were shown to generate η(3)-allylpalladium intermediates that resist β-hydride elimination, preserving the sp(3) center adjacent to the carbene moiety. Acyclic stereocontrol (syn/anti) for carbenylative amination and alkylation reactions was low, suggesting a lack of control in the migratory insertion step. Highly hindered carbene precursors inexplicably led to formation of Z-alkenes with high levels of stereocontrol.

Group 11 Metal Complexes with Electron‐poor, 4,5‐Disubstituted Diimidazol‐2‐ylidene Ligands

AbstractNovel dinuclear silver(I) and gold(I) complexes with 4,5‐disubstituted diimidazol‐2,2′‐diylidene ligands featuring a methylene or 1,3‐propylene bridge between the two N‐heterocyclic carbene moieties were prepared and characterized. The substituents in the backbone of the heterocyclic ring are electron‐withdrawing groups (chlorine atoms or cyanide groups) and their effect on the spectroscopic and structural properties of the resulting complexes was analyzed and discussed.

Palladium Complexes with Tridentate N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands: Selective “Normal” and “Abnormal” Bindings and Their Anticancer Activities

A series of new imidazolium salts was synthesized by simple quaternization reactions of 1-benzyl-1H-imidazole or 1-benzyl-2-methyl-1H-imidazole and their derivatives with 2-chloro-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)acetamide. These resulting imidazolium salts were successfully employed as ligand precursors for the syntheses of novel palladium(II) complexes bearing tridentate ligands of N-heterocyclic carbene, amidate, and pyridine donor moieties. Simple tuning of the reaction conditions allowed selective coordination of the N-heterocyclic carbene moiety in either “normal” or “abnormal” binding modes. An isomeric pair of palladium complexes with “normal” and “abnormal” N-heterocyclic carbenes was successfully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Theoretical calculations indicated that the palladium complex with “normal” NHC coordination was more thermally stable than its isomeric complex with “abnormal” NHC binding. The potential of these two sets of palladium complexes as anticancer drugs was eva...

Copper and Silver Carbene Complexes without Heteroatom‐Stabilization: Structure, Spectroscopy, and Relativistic Effects

Salts of a copper and a silver carbene complex were prepared from dimesityl diazomethane, made possible by the steric shielding of the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ancillary ligand IPr**. The mint-green complex [IPr**Ag=CMes2 ](+) [NTf2 ](-) is the first isolated silver carbene complex without heteroatom donor substituents. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction provides evidence for a predominant carbenoid character, and supports the postulation of such reactive species as intermediates in silver-catalyzed C-H activation reactions. The greenish yellow copper carbene complex [IPr**Cu=CMes2 ](+) [NTf2 ](-) has spectroscopic properties in between the isostructural silver complex and the already reported emerald green gold carbene complex. A comparison in the Group 11 series indicates that relativistic effects are responsible for the strong σ bond and the significant π back-bonding in the gold carbene moiety.

From spherical to leaf-like morphologies: tunable supramolecular assembly of alkynylgold(I) complexes through variations of the alkyl chain length.

A series of luminescent polynuclear alkynylgold(I) complexes with different lengths of alkyl chains attached at the N-heterocyclic carbene moieties has been synthesised and demonstrated to display intriguing self-assembly behaviours through a cooperative growth mechanism. Variation of the alkyl chain length was found to cause drastic morphological differences in the aggregates and to strongly affect the thermodynamic parameters as revealed by the nucleation-elongation model.

The nature of Pd–carbene and Pd–halogen bonds in (bisNHC)PdX2 type catalysts: insights from density functional theory

Pd–carbene and Pd–halogen play a key role in the catalytic activity of (bisNHC)PdX2 complexes and they can be fine-tuned with proper substitution in the carbene moiety and choosing a weakly coordinating halide ion.

AuICl-bound N-heterocyclic carbene ligands form MII4(LAuCl)6 integrally gilded cages.

The incorporation of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) moiety into a self-assembled MII4L6 cage framework required the NHC first to be metallated with gold(i). Bimetallic cages could then be constructed using zinc(ii) and cadmium(ii) templates, showing weak luminescence. The cages were destroyed by the addition of further gold(i) in the form of AuI(2,4,6-trimethoxybenzonitrile)2SbF6, which caused the reversibly-formed cages to disassemble and controllably release the AuI-NHC subcomponent into solution. This release in turn induced the growth of gold nanoparticles. The rate of dianiline release could be tuned by capsule design or through the addition of chemical stimuli, with different release profiles giving rise to different nanoparticle morphologies.

Formation of a C-C double bond from two aliphatic carbons. Multiple C-H activations in an iridium pincer complex.

The search for novel, atom-economic methods for the formation of C-C bonds is of crucial importance in synthetic chemistry. Especially attractive are reactions where C-C bonds are formed through C-H activation, but the coupling of unactivated, alkane-type Csp3 -H bonds remains an unsolved challenge. Here, we report iridium-mediated intramolecular coupling reactions involving up to four unactivated Csp3 -H bonds to give carbon-carbon double bonds under the extrusion of dihydrogen. The reaction described herein is completely reversible and the direction can be controlled by altering the reaction conditions. With a hydrogen acceptor present a C-C double bond is formed, while reacting under dihydrogen pressure leads to the reverse process, with some of the steps representing net Csp3 -Csp3 bond cleavage. Mechanistic investigations revealed a conceptually-novel overall reactivity pattern where insertion or deinsertion of an Ir carbene moiety, formed via double C-H activation, into an Ir-C bond is responsible for the key C-C bond formation and cleavage steps.

Carbene-dichlorosilylene stabilized phosphinidenes exhibiting strong intramolecular charge transfer transition.

The unstable species dichlorosilylene was previously stabilized by carbene. The lone pair of electrons on the silicon atom of (carbene)SiCl2 can form a coordinate bond with metal-carbonyls. Herein we report that (carbene)SiCl2 can stabilize a phosphinidene (Ar-P, a carbone analogue) with the general formula carbene→SiCl2→P-Ar (carbene = cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC; 2) and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC; 3)). Compounds 2 and 3 are stable, isolable, and storable at 0 °C (2) to room temperature (3) under an inert atmosphere. The crystals of 2 and 3 are dark blue and red, respectively. The intense blue color of 2 arises due to the strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) transition from πSi═P→π*cAAC. The electronic structure and bonding of 2, 3 were studied by theoretical calculations. The HOMO of the molecule is located on the πSi═P bond, while the LUMO is located at the carbene moiety (cAAC or NHC). The dramatic change in color of these compounds from red (3, NHC) to blue (2, cAAC) is ascribed to the difference in energy of the LUMO within the carbenes (cAAC/NHC) due to a lower lying LUMO of cAAC.

Lipase-catalyzed asymmetric acylation of boron cluster-containing secondary alcohols

The lipase-catalyzed asymmetric acetylation of secondary alcohols containing a carborane (boron cluster) moiety was investigated. Most lipases examined showed poor catalytic activity toward carborane-containing secondary alcohol 1a, but lipase TL efficiently catalyzed the acetylation of 1a with high enantioselectivity, to afford (R)-3a. This selectivity is similar to that of the general lipase-catalyzed acylation of secondary alcohols. Utilizing lipase TL, we succeeded in the resolution of carborane-containing alcohol 5, synthesized as a progesterone receptor ligand candidate, and evaluated the activities of the two enantiomers.

Immobilization of an Anthracene‐Tagged Ruthenium Complex on a 2,4,7‐Trinitrofluoren‐9‐one‐Grafted Silica: Efficiency and Recyclability in Olefin Metathesis Reactions

AbstractAn anthracene group was linked to the N‐heterocyclic carbene moiety of a M71‐SIPr‐type Ru complex. The tagged complex thus obtained was immobilized by charge‐transfer interactions to a 2,4,7‐trinitrofluoren‐9‐one‐grafted passivated silica. The immobilized complex proved to be an efficient olefin metathesis catalyst and was reused five times in a multisubstrate olefin metathesis procedure.

Hemilabile and bimetallic coordination in Rh and Ir complexes of NCN pincer ligands.

Two new pincer ligands have been developed that contain a central N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) moiety linked to two pendant pyrazole groups by either a methylene (NCN(me)) or ethylene (NCN(et)) chain. The coordination of these two ligands to rhodium and iridium resulted in a variety of binding modes. Tridentate coordination of the ligands was observed in the complexes [Rh(NCN(me))(COD)]BPh4 (8), [Ir(NCN(me))(COD)]BPh4 (10), [Rh(NCN(et))(CO)2]BPh4 (13), and [Ir(NCN(me))(CO)2]BPh4 (14), and monodentate NHC coordination was observed for [Ir(NCN(me))2(COD)]BPh4 (11) and [Ir(NCN(et))2(COD)]BPh4 (12). Both tridentate and bidentate coordination modes were characterized for [Rh(NCN(et))(COD)]BPh4 (9) in the solution and solid state, respectively, while an unusual bridging mode was observed for the bimetallic complex [Rh(μ-NCN(me))(CO)]2(BPh4)2 (15). The impact of this diverse coordination chemistry on the efficiency of the complexes as catalysts for the addition of NH, OH, and SiH bonds to alkynes was explored.

Di-, tri-, and tetranuclear copper(I) complexes of phenanthroline-linked dicarbene ligands.

A family of 2,9-di(3-R-1H-imidazolium-1-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline iodides and hexafluorophosphates (R = allyl, benzyl, mesityl, picolyl) were synthesized from 2,9-diiodophenanthroline and imidazole or N-substituted imidazoles. Simple reactions of these diimidazolium salts with copper powder at room temperature have afforded a series of multinuclear copper(I)-NHC complexes in good yields. The structures vary depending on the N substituents and counterions. [Cu4(L1)2(MeCN)4](PF6)4 (R = allyl) exhibits a zigzag Cu4 chain with two terminal [Cu(NHC)(MeCN)2] and two internal [Cu(phen)(NHC)] moieties. [Cu3(L2)2](PF6)3 (R = benzyl) contains a strictly linear Cu3 framework with two [Cu(NHC)2] units and a [Cu(phen)2] located at the center. Both complexes [Cu3(L4)2](PF6)3 (R = mesityl) and [Cu3(L5)2](PF6)3 (R = picolyl) consist of a triangular Cu3 core in which two copper(I) ions are surrounded by a phen and a NHC group and the third copper(I) is coordinated by two NHC groups. [Cu3(L3)2](PF6)3 derived from 2,9-di(3-benzyl-1H-benzimidazolium-1-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline hexafluorophosphate can undergo transannulation of the benzimidazolylidene ring giving [Cu2(L3')2](PF6)2. The decomposition process might involve solvent-induced rearrangement of the ligand and hydrolysis of carbene moieties. Treatment of 2,9-di(3-mesityl-1H-benzimidazolium-1-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline iodide with copper powder generated dinuclear complex [Cu2(L4)2][Cu2(μ-I)2I2] (R = mesityl) possessing a macrocyclic cation and [Cu2(μ-I)2I2](2-) anion. Tetranuclear complex [Cu4(L5)2(μ-I)2](CuI3) (R = picolyl) has been obtained from its diimidazolium iodide and copper powder. All Cu(I) complexes have been characterized by X-ray single diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, and NMR spectra. Their redox behavior and fluorescent properties have also been studied.

Synthesis and biological assays on cancer cells of dinuclear gold complexes with novel functionalised di(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands

New dinuclear di(N-heterocyclic carbene) silver(I), gold(I) and gold(III) complexes have been synthesised and their antiproliferative effects towards various cancer cell lines have been screened. The di(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands have a propylene linker between the carbene moieties and the imidazole backbone has been functionalised with a 1-benzyl- or 1-PEG-1,2,3-triazole ring (PEG=poly(ethylene glycol)) via a CuAAC (copper azido alkyne cycloaddition) reaction. The resulting gold(I) and gold(III) complexes display an antiproliferative activity superior to that of the unfunctionalised pristine complexes together with a higher selectivity towards cancerous cells with respect to healthy cells.

(Spectro)electrochemical investigations on (ferrocenyl)thiophenes modified by tungsten Fischer carbenes

A series of thiophene tungsten Fischer carbene complexes of type [(CO)5W=C(OMe)R] (1, R = 2-Th; 4, R = fcthFc) and [(CO)5W=C(OMe)-R′-(OMe)C=W(CO)5] (2, R′ = th; 5, R′ = fcthfc) was synthesized for investigating low energy charge transfer interactions between the carbene substituents and the transition metal carbonyl fragment incorporating the thiophene heterocyclic system (Th = Thienyl; th = 2,5-thiendiyl; Fc = ferrocenyl; fc = 1,1′-ferrocenediyl). Electrochemical investigations were carried out on these complexes to get a closer insight into the electronic properties of 1, 2, 4 and 5. Typical electrode reactions could be found for the carbene reductions itself and for the tungsten carbonyl oxidation processes in all metal carbene complexes. However, for the thiophene complex 2 two well-separated one-electron reduction events were observed, suggesting an interaction of the Fischer carbene moieties in 2-, over the thiophene bridge. Reversible one-electron redox events for the ferrocenyl moieties in complexes 4 and 5 were also observed. During the UV–Vis–NIR spectroelectrochemical investigations typical low energy absorptions for the mixed-valent α,α′-diferrocenyl thiophene increment were found for these two complexes, as well as high energy NIR absorptions, which were attributed to metal–metal charge transfer transition between the tungsten carbonyl increment and the ferrocenyl units (complexes 4 and 5). Further infrared spectroelectrochemical studies reveal that the electronic interactions between the tungsten carbene and the ferrocenyl electrophores in the corresponding cationic species (4+, 42+, 5+, 52+) can be described with weakly coupled class II systems according to Robin and Day.

Palladium complexes of a new type of N-heterocyclic carbene ligand derived from a tricyclic triazolooxazine framework

A new type of tricyclic triazolooxazine derived N-heterocyclic carbene precursors were developed by the alkylation reaction of a tricyclic triazolooxazine framework. In particular, the reaction of 5a,6,7,8,9,9a-hexahydro-4H-benzo[b][1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-d][1,4]oxazine with methyl iodide and ethyl iodide yielded the tricyclic triazolooxazine derived N-heterocyclic carbene precursors, (1−2)a, in 67 −84% yield. The tricyclic triazolooxazinium iodide salts, (1−2)a, underwent metallation in a straight forward manner upon treatment with PdCl2 in the presence of K2CO3 in pyridine to give the trans-{3-(R)-5a,6,7,8,9,9a-hexahydro-4H-benzo[b][1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-d][1,4]oxazin-4-ylidene} PdI2(pyridine) [R = Me (1b), Et (2b)] complexes in 23 −25% yield. The new tricyclic triazolooxazine derived N-heterocyclic carbene moiety, as stabilized upon binding to palladium in the (1−2)b complexes, was structurally characterized by the X-ray single crystal diffraction studies. A new class of a tricyclic triazolooxazine derived N-heterocyclic carbene ligand has been developed by simple alkylation of a tricyclic triazolooxazine framework and the ligand has been stabilized by complexation with palladium in its (NHC)PdI2(pyridine) type complexes.

Triazolyl Alkoxy Fischer Carbene Complexes in Conjugation with Ferrocene/Pyrene as Sensory Units: Multifunctional Chemosensors for Lead(II), Copper(II), and Zinc(II) Ions

The regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of alkoxy alkynyl Fischer carbene complex 1 with azidomethyl ferrocene 2 and with azidomethyl pyrene 4 under solvent-free conditions yielded the triazolyl Fischer carbene complexes 3 (C27H21O6N3FeW) and 5 (C33H21O6N3W), respectively. The cation complexation properties of these receptors have been systematically studied using electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The exceptional structural feature existing in these receptors is the presence of a Fischer carbene moiety, connected to the ferrocene or pyrene moiety through a 1,2,3-triazole ring. Receptor 3 contains a redox-active ferrocene moiety and is highly selective toward Pb2+ ion, whereas receptor 5, having a fluorescent pyrene unit, selectively recognizes Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions. The binding ability of receptor 3 can be inferred either from the redox shift (the anodic shift ΔE1/2 = 55 mV) or the highly visual output response for Pb2+ ion. Receptor 5 displays considerable chelation-enhanced fluore...

Preparation and reactivity of an isolable N-heterocyclic carbene–borane

Deprotonation of the N-heterocyclic carbene 1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-ylidene (1) with n-butyl lithium in the 4-position, followed by addition of bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)boronfluoride, Mes2BF, afforded 4-[bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)boryl]-1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-ylidene (6), which contains non-interacting carbene and borane moieties and can thus be regarded as a potential intramolecular frustrated Lewis pair (FLP). Alternatively, 6 can be conveniently prepared from 1 by reaction with Mes2BF via the abnormal carbene–borane adduct 7, which could be converted into 6 by treatment with potassium hexamethyldisilazide, K(HMDS). The reactions of 6 with the rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(COD)Cl]2 and [Rh(CO)2Cl]2 furnished [(6)Rh(COD)Cl] (8) and [(6)Rh(CO)2Cl] (9), with the latter allowing an assessment of the donor properties of 6 by IR spectroscopy. 6 reacted with carbon dioxide and tert-butyl isocyanate to form the adducts 6·CO2 (11) and 6·tBuNCO (12), which proved unstable in solution, with partial dissociation into the starting materials. The X-ray crystal structures of 6, 7, 8·2CH2Cl2 and 12 are reported.