CNC Ligand Research Articles

Controllable synthesis of hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles with pyridine-2,6-bis-imidazolium frameworks for CO2 conversion.

A series of hard-template-derived hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (HMONs) with pyridine-2,6-bis-imidazolium frameworks have been described for the first time. As a part of the investigation, to evaluate the effects of the hard template nature, the Si/CTAB and organosilica/TEOS molar ratios, and the stepwise addition of precursors, four reaction conditions denoted as methods A-D were designed. In the presence of polystyrene latex as a hard template, the HMONs that we wished to synthesize were not yielded with a Si/CTAB molar ratio of 3 (method A), but we could synthesize the desired HMONs with a Si/CTAB molar ratio of 9 and an organosilica : TEOS ratio of 1 : 99 (method B). The ratio of organosilica to TEOS could be improved up to 2.5 : 97.5 if the precursor additions are made in a stepwise manner rather than by simultaneous additions (method C). Using sSiO2 as a hard template, a yolk-shell morphology was observed by adopting a Si/CTAB molar ratio of 3 (method D). The HMONs were modified by iodide ions and their activity was explored toward the coupling of CO2 with epoxides. Among the catalysts, I-HMON-L-C-2.5 exhibited excellent results under mild reaction conditions. Well-oriented pore sizes and short channel length facilitated easy mass transfer from one side and the integration of the interior hollow regions of the catalyst particles from the other side improved the CO2 retention time around pores where the imidazolium organocatalysts were located, which made I-HMON-L-C-2.5 an effective catalyst for title CO2 utilization. The catalyst was reused at least six times without exhibiting any changes in its activity. HMONs can also be used as solid CNC ligands for the preparation of copper catalysts for the click reaction between phenyl acetylene and benzyl azide.

Tuning the Catalytic Activity of a Pincer Complex of Rhodium(I) by Supramolecular and Redox Stimuli.

We report the rhodium(I) complex [Rh(CNC-NDI)(CO)]+ , in which CNC-NDI refers to a pincer-CNC ligand decorated with a naphthalenediimide moiety. Due to the presence of the planar CNC ligand and the naphthalenediimide moiety, the electronic nature of the complex can be modulated by means of supramolecular and redox stimuli, respectively. The metal complex shows a strong π-π-stacking interaction with coronene. This interaction has an impact on the electron-richness of the metal, as demonstrated by the shifting of the ν(CO) stretching band to a lower frequency. The addition of tetrabutylammonium fluoride facilitates the sequential one- and two-electron reduction of the NDI moiety of the ligand, thus resulting in a situation in which the ligand can increase its electron-donor strength in two levels. The nature of the interaction with the fluoride anion was studied computationally. The catalytic activity of the [Rh(CNC-NDI)(CO)]+ complex was tested in the cycloisomerization of alkynoic acids, where it is observed that the activity of the catalyst can be modulated between four levels of activity, which correspond to i) the use of the unmodified catalyst, ii) catalyst+coronene, iii) catalyst+2 equivalents of fluoride, and iv) catalyst+5 equivalents of fluoride.

Tuning the Catalytic Activity of a Pincer Complex of Rhodium(I) by Supramolecular and Redox Stimuli

AbstractWe report the rhodium(I) complex [Rh(CNC−NDI)(CO)]+, in which CNC−NDI refers to a pincer‐CNC ligand decorated with a naphthalenediimide moiety. Due to the presence of the planar CNC ligand and the naphthalenediimide moiety, the electronic nature of the complex can be modulated by means of supramolecular and redox stimuli, respectively. The metal complex shows a strong π–π‐stacking interaction with coronene. This interaction has an impact on the electron‐richness of the metal, as demonstrated by the shifting of the ν(CO) stretching band to a lower frequency. The addition of tetrabutylammonium fluoride facilitates the sequential one‐ and two‐electron reduction of the NDI moiety of the ligand, thus resulting in a situation in which the ligand can increase its electron‐donor strength in two levels. The nature of the interaction with the fluoride anion was studied computationally. The catalytic activity of the [Rh(CNC−NDI)(CO)]+ complex was tested in the cycloisomerization of alkynoic acids, where it is observed that the activity of the catalyst can be modulated between four levels of activity, which correspond to i) the use of the unmodified catalyst, ii) catalyst+coronene, iii) catalyst+2 equivalents of fluoride, and iv) catalyst+5 equivalents of fluoride.

Supramolecular Control of the Oxidative Addition as a Way To Improve the Catalytic Efficiency of Pincer-Rhodium (I) Complexes.

1 H NMR studies using a cationic complex with a pyridine-di-imidazolylidene pincer ligand of formula [Rh(CNC)(CO)]+ revealed that this compound showed high binding affinity with coronene in CH2 Cl2 . The interaction between coronene and the planar RhI complex is established by means of π-stacking interactions. This interaction has a strong impact on the electron-donating strength of the pincer CNC ligand, which is increased significantly, as demonstrated by the shifting of the ν(CO) stretching bands to lower frequencies. The addition of coronene increases the reaction rate of the nucleophilic attack of methyl iodide on the rhodium (I) pincer complex, and also has a positive effect on the performance of the complex as a catalyst in the cycloisomerization of 4-pentynoic acid. These findings highlight the importance of supramolecular interactions for tuning the reactivity and catalytic activity of square-planar metal complexes.

Supramolecular Control of the Oxidative Addition as a Way To Improve the Catalytic Efficiency of Pincer‐Rhodium (I) Complexes

Abstract1H NMR studies using a cationic complex with a pyridine‐di‐imidazolylidene pincer ligand of formula [Rh(CNC)(CO)]+ revealed that this compound showed high binding affinity with coronene in CH2Cl2. The interaction between coronene and the planar RhI complex is established by means of π‐stacking interactions. This interaction has a strong impact on the electron‐donating strength of the pincer CNC ligand, which is increased significantly, as demonstrated by the shifting of the ν(CO) stretching bands to lower frequencies. The addition of coronene increases the reaction rate of the nucleophilic attack of methyl iodide on the rhodium (I) pincer complex, and also has a positive effect on the performance of the complex as a catalyst in the cycloisomerization of 4‐pentynoic acid. These findings highlight the importance of supramolecular interactions for tuning the reactivity and catalytic activity of square‐planar metal complexes.

Heteropolymetallic Architectures as Snapshots of Transmetallation Processes at Different Degrees of Transfer.

Novel heteropolymetallic architectures have been built by integrating Pd, Au and Ag systems. The dinuclear [(CNC)(PPh3)Pd‐G11M(PPh3)](ClO4) (G11M=Au (3), Ag (4); CNC=2,6‐diphenylpyridinate) and trinuclear [{(CNC)(PPh3)Pd}2 G11M](ClO4) (G11M=Au (6), Ag (5)) complexes have been accessed or isolated. Structural and DFT characterization unveil striking interactions of one of the aryl groups of the CNC ligand(s) with the G11M center, suggesting these complexes constitute models of transmetallation processes. Further analyses allow to qualitatively order the degree of transfer, proving that Au promotes the highest one and also that Pd systems favor higher degrees than Pt. Consistently, Energy Decomposition Analysis calculations show that the interaction energies follow the order Pd−Au > Pt−Au > Pd−Ag > Pt−Ag. All these results offer potentially useful ideas for the design of bimetallic catalytic systems.

A Cytotoxic Bis(1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene)carbazolide Gold(III) Complex Targets DNA by Partial Intercalation.

The syntheses of bis(triazolium)carbazole precursors and their corresponding coinage metal (Au, Ag) complexes are reported. For alkylated triazolium salts, di‐ or tetranuclear complexes with bridging ligands were isolated, while the bis(aryl) analogue afforded a bis(carbene) AuI‐CNC pincer complex suitable for oxidation to the redox‐stable [AuIII(CNC)Cl]+ cation. Although the ligand salt and the [AuIII(CNC)Cl]+ complex were both notably cytotoxic toward the breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231, the AuIII complex was somewhat more selective. Electrophoresis, viscometry, UV‐vis, CD and LD spectroscopy suggest the cytotoxic [AuIII(CNC)Cl]+ complex behaves as a partial DNA intercalator. In silico screening indicated that the [AuIII(CNC)Cl]+ complex can target DNA three‐way junctions with good specificity, several other regular B‐DNA forms, and Z‐DNA. Multiple hydrophobic π‐type interactions involving T and A bases appear to be important for B‐form DNA binding, while phosphate O⋅⋅⋅Au interactions evidently underpin Z‐DNA binding. The CNC ligand effectively stabilizes the AuIII ion, preventing reduction in the presence of glutathione. Both the redox stability and DNA affinity of the hit compound might be key factors underpinning its cytotoxicity in vitro.

Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction under Visible-Light Irradiation by Ruthenium CNC Pincer Complexes.

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction using a ruthenium photosensitizer, a sacrificial reagent 1,3-dimethyl-2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (BI(OH)H), and a ruthenium catalyst were carried out. The catalysts contain a pincer ligand, 2,6-bis(alkylimidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine (CNC) and a bipyridine (bpy). The photocatalytic reaction system resulted in HCOOH as a main product (selectivity 70-80 %), with a small amount of CO, and H2 . Comparative experiments (a coordinated ligand (NCMe vs. CO) and substituents (tBu vs. Me) of the CNC ligand in the catalyst) were performed. The turnover number (TONHCOOH ) of carbonyl-ligated catalysts are higher than those of acetonitrile-ligated catalysts, and the carbonyl catalyst with the smaller substituents (Me) reached TONHCOOH =5634 (24 h), which is the best performance among the experiments.

Synthesis, Structure, and Hydrogenolysis of Pyridine Dicarbene Iron Dialkyl Complexes.

Two methods for the synthesis of bis(imidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine iron dialkyl complexes, (CNC)Fe(CH2SiMe3)2, have been developed. The first route consists of addition of two equivalents of LiCH2SiMe3 to the iron dihalide complex, (CNC)FeBr2, while the second relies on addition of the free CNC ligand to readily-prepared (py)2Fe(CH2SiMe3)2 (py = pyridine). With aryl-substituted CNC ligands, octahedral complexes of the type ( Ar CNC)Fe(CH2SiMe3)2(N2) ( Ar CNC = bis(arylimidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine) were isolated, where the dinitrogen ligand occupies the site trans to the pyridine of the CNC-chelate. In contrast, the alkyl-substituted variant, (tBuACNC)Fe(CH2SiMe3)2 (tBuACNC = 2,6-(tBu-imidazol-2-ylidene)2pyridine) was isolated as the five-coordinate compound lacking dinitrogen. Exposure of the ( Ar CNC)Fe(CH2SiMe3)2(N2) derivatives to an H2 atmosphere resulted in formation of the corresponding iron hydride complexes ( Ar CNC)FeH4. These compounds catalyzed hydrogen isotope exchange between the deuterated benzene solvent and H2, generating isotopologues and isotopomers of ( Ar CNC)Fe(H n )(D4-n ) (n = 0-4). When (3,5-Me2 MesCNC)Fe(CH2SiMe3)2(N2) (3,5-Me2 MesCNC = 2,6-(2,4,6-Me3-C6H2-imidazol-2-ylidene)2-3,5-Me2-pyridine) was treated successively with H2 and then N2, the corresponding reduced dinitrogen complex (3,5-Me2 MesCNC)Fe(N2)2 was isolated. The same product was also obtained following addition of pinacolborane to (3,5-Me2 MesCNC)Fe(CH2SiMe3)2(N2).

Pt–M Complexes (M=Ag, Au) as Models for Intermediates in Transmetalation Processes

Heteropolynuclear complexes [(CNC)(PPh3 )PtM(PPh3 )]ClO4 [M=Au (1), Ag (2)] and [{Pt(CNC)(PPh3 )}2 M]ClO4 [M=Ag (3), Au (4); CNC=2,6-diphenylpyridinate] were prepared and studied by X-ray crystallography, spectroscopic techniques, and DFT calculations. The X-ray crystal structures of 1, 3, and 4 confirmed the existence of Pt-M bonds and M⋅⋅⋅Cipso interactions involving one of the phenyl fragments of CNC. Their NMR spectra showed the persistence of the Pt-M interactions in solution and also revealed an intramolecular metronome-like dynamic process consisting of back-and-forth motion of the acidic M fragments along the C-Pt-C axis. DFT calculations on these complexes identified two main orbital interactions between the [PtCNC] and [M]+ fragments, namely, donation from the former to a vacant orbital of the latter and much weaker backdonation from the acidic M to the Pt fragment. Overall, the strength of the [Pt]⋅⋅⋅M interactions is higher for the gold compounds than for their silver counterparts. The interaction between the acidic center (silver or gold) and the carbon atom of one of the phenylene rings in these heteropolymetallic complexes can be envisaged as the first step in a process of interchange of aryl ligands. However, the ligand exchange cannot progress further due to the polydentate nature of the CNC ligand, and therefore these structures can be considered as frozen snapshots of a transmetalation reaction that has been arrested at different stages of the process.

Comparison of Interfacial Electron Transfer Efficiency in [Fe(ctpy)2]2+-TiO2 and [Fe(cCNC)2]2+-TiO2 Assemblies: Importance of Conformational Sampling.

Fe(II)-polypyridines have limited applications as chromophores in dye-sensitized solar cells due to the short lifetimes (∼100 fs) of their photoactive metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) states formed upon photoexcitation. Recently, a 100-fold increase in the MLCT lifetime was observed in a [Fe(CNC)2]2+ complex (CNC = 2,6-bis(3-methylimidazole-1-ylidine)pyridine) which has strong σ-donating N-heterocyclic carbene ligand in comparison to the weaker field parent [Fe(tpy)2]2+ complex (tpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine). This study utilizes density functional theory (DFT), time-dependent DFT, and quantum dynamics simulations to investigate the interfacial electron transfer (IET) in [Fe(cCNC)2]2+ (cCNC = 4'-carboxy-2,6-bis(3-methylimidazole-1-ylidine)pyridine) and [Fe(ctpy)2]2+ (ctpy = 4'-carboxy-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine) sensitized TiO2. Our results suggest that the replacement of tpy by CNC ligand does not significantly speed up the IET kinetics in the [Fe(cCNC)2]2+-TiO2 assembly in comparison to the [Fe(ctpy)2]2+-TiO2 analogue. The high IET efficiency in the [Fe(cCNC)2]2+-TiO2 assemblies is therefore due to longer lifetime of [Fe(cCNC)2]2+ photoactive 3MLCT states rather than faster electron injection kinetics. It was also found that the inclusion of conformational sampling in the computational model is important for proper description of the IET processes in these systems, as the models relying on the use of only fully optimized structures may yield misleading results. The simulations presented in this work also illustrate various pitfalls of utilizing properties such as electronic coupling, number of available acceptor states, and driving force, as well as calculations based on Fermi's golden rule framework, to reach conclusions on the IET efficiency in dye-semiconductor systems.

Preparations of a series of coinage metal complexes with pyridine-based bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands including transmetalation to palladium complexes

A silver complex bearing 2,6-bis(3-tert-butylimidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine (CNC) ligands was easily prepared from the reaction of the CNC ligand precursor with Ag2O. The CNC ligand contains relatively bulky substituents, tert-butyl, on nitrogen atoms. Use of the silver complex as a carbene transfer reagent gave rise to a copper and a gold complex, completing a series of coinage metal complexes [M2(CNC)2](BF4)2 (M = Cu, Ag, Au). In all the coinage metal complexes, the X-ray crystallographic analyses showed that the two CNC ligand strands are intertwined each other and surround the metal ions in a double helical fashion. Moreover, the carbene transfer reactions afforded a monomeric palladium complex [Pd(CNC)Cl]BF4 and a CNC-bridged dipalladium complex [{Pd(η3-C3H5)Cl}2(μ-CNC)]. Facile chloride ligand abstraction from the dipalladium complex yielded a chlorido-bridged dipalladium complex [{Pd(η3-C3H5)}2(μ-CNC)(μ-Cl)]BF4.

Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing Lutidine-Derived Pincer CNC Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Hydrogenation of C-N bonds.

A series of Ru complexes containing lutidine-derived pincer CNC ligands have been prepared by transmetalation with the corresponding silver-carbene derivatives. Characterization of these derivatives shows both mer and fac coordination of the CNC ligands depending on the wingtips of the N-heterocyclic carbene fragments. In the presence of tBuOK, the Ru-CNC complexes are active in the hydrogenation of a series of imines. In addition, these complexes catalyze the reversible hydrogenation of phenantridine. Detailed NMR spectroscopic studies have shown the capability of the CNC ligand to be deprotonated and get involved in ligand-assisted activation of dihydrogen. More interestingly, upon deprotonation, the Ru-CNC complex 5 e(BF4 ) is able to add aldimines to the metal-ligand framework to yield an amido complex. Finally, investigation of the mechanism of the hydrogenation of imines has been carried out by means of DFT calculations. The calculated mechanism involves outer-sphere stepwise hydrogen transfer to the C-N bond assisted either by the pincer ligand or a second coordinated H2 molecule.

Hydrogenation of imines catalysed by ruthenium(ii) complexes based on lutidine-derived CNC pincer ligands

The preparation of new Ru(II) complexes incorporating fac-coordinated lutidine-derived CNC ligands is reported. These derivatives are selectively deprotonated by (t)BuOK at one of the methylene arms of the pincer, leading to catalytically active species in the hydrogenation of imines.

Heteropolynuclear Pt(II)–M(I) Clusters with a C∧N∧C Biscyclometalated Ligand

The mononuclear complex [(EtO2C-C∧N∧C)Pt(dmpyz)] (1) (dmpyz = 2,5-dimethylpyrazine) has been synthesized by reaction of [(EtO2C-C∧N∧C)Pt(dmso)] (A) with dmpyz in a 1:1 molar ratio in dichloromethane. Complex 1 is the precursor for preparing the homodinuclear complex [{(EtO2C-C∧N∧C)Pt}2(μ-dmpyz)] (2) and the heterotrinuclear clusters [{(EtO2C-C∧N∧C)Pt(dmpyz)}2M]X (M = Cu, X = PF6 (3); M = Ag, X = BF4 (4)). Compounds 1, 2, and 4 were studied by X-ray diffraction methods. In the crystal packing of 1 and 2, the molecules display short intermolecular π···π contacts, which control the solid-state emissive behavior. X-ray study on 4 shows two [Pt2Ag] sandwich-type clusters in the asymmetric unit, both with the two square-planar “(R-CNC)Pt(dmpyz)” moieties stabilized by two Pt → Ag donor–acceptor bonds as well as by η1- and η2-Ag–C interactions. Intramolecular π–π contacts were found between the pyridine rings of the CNC ligands within the same Pt2Ag cluster. 1H and 195Pt NMR studies confirm that the Pt2M cluster...

Electronic and geometrical manipulation of the excited state of bis-terdentate homo- and heteroleptic ruthenium complexes

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of two new bis-terdentate Ru(II) complexes. Compound 1 is a homoleptic complex containing two CNC N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) based ligands, whereas compound 2 bears one CNC ligand and an ancillary terpyridine ligand. The redox and photophysical properties of both compounds have been investigated and their X-ray crystal structures determined. Complex 1 displays a close-to-perfect octahedral coordination geometry and is not luminescent at room temperature while complex 2 features room temperature and 77 K luminescence despite its partially distorted geometry. The presence of the NHC moieties brings a significant amount of electronic density to the metal centre therefore lowering its oxidation potential with respect to that of analogous polypyridyl complexes.

N-heterocyclic carbene tethered amido complexes of palladium and platinum

With a view to applications in bifunctional catalysis, a modular cross-coupling strategy has been used to prepare amine bis(imidazolium) salts (3a and 3b) and an amine mono(imidazolium) salt (6) as precursors to chelating amido-NHC ligands. Treating the pro-ligands 3 with 3 equivalents of the bulky base KHMDS and Pd(OAc)(2) or PtCl(2)(COD) gave the four amido bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) pincer complexes [CNC-R]M-I [M = Pd (7) or Pt (8); R = i-Pr (a) or n-Bu (b)], including the first examples of platinum complexes of a CNC ligand. The reaction of 7a with AgOTf in pyridine gave the cationic complex {[CNC-i-Pr]Pd-py}OTf (9a). Heating a mixture of amine mono(imidazolium) salt 6 with PdCl(2) or K(2)PtCl(4), K(2)CO(3) and KI in pyridine at 100 °C gave the complexes [C,NH]MI(2)py [M = Pd (10) or Pt (11)], in which the amine arm of the NHC ligand is not deprotonated and does not coordinate to the metal. For a solution of 10 in 1,4-dioxane, deprotonation of the amine occurred in a biphasic reaction with aqueous KOH at 40 °C, giving the dimeric amido complex {[C,N]Pd(μ-OH)}(2) (12). The more inert Pt analogue 11 was unreactive under the same conditions. Solid-state structures of the complexes 7a, 7b, 9a, 10, 11 and 12 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Synthesis and characterization of a dinuclear Ni complex containing a bridging CNC pincer ligand

The reaction of the bis(carbene) pincer ligand MeCNC with nickel acetate and Bu 4NBr produced [( MeCNC) 3Ni 2] 4+[Br] 4 ( 2), a complex that contains the MeCNC ligand in both traditional tridentate chelating modes as well as in a unique, bridging mode between two Ni 2+ ions. While 2 could not be crystallized or isolated in a pure form, the anion exchange of bromide with triflate yielded [( MeCNC) 3Ni 2] 4+[OTf] 4 ( 4), which could be recrystallized from methanol and isolated pure. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of 4 confirmed the unusual dual-coordination modes of the MeCNC ligand towards Ni 2+ in these species, and represents the initial example of a Group 10 complex of a bridging CNC ligand.

2,6-Bis(imidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine Complexes of Lanthanoïdes: A Theoretical Study of the Bonding Situation and Selective Complexation

The coordination of a bis(NHC)pyridyl (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) ligand to d0 fragments of group 3, lanthanide, and actinide series (M = Sc, Y, La, Sm, Lu, U, and Am) has been theoretically investigated at the DFT level. The influence of the π-donation ability of the co-ligand has been emphasized by comparing the trichloro, trisamido fragments and bare ions. The coordination of the tridentate CNC ligand is dominated by the ligand→metal σ-donations, but unprecedented Nam→Ccarb “back-bonding” was evidenced in the trisamido complexes of La, Sm, and Am. The ability of the bis(NHC)pyridine ligand B for lanthanide/actinide differentiation has been examined, substantiating the critical influence of the electronic properties of the co-ligand and carbene moieties.

Experimental and computational study of a reductive elimination mechanism in a methyl–Pd(ii)–CNC carbene complex

Experimental and density functional studies on the decomposition of a novel palladium-methyl complex of the rigid CNC ligand 2,6-bis(1-alkylimidazolin-2-yliden-3-yl)pyridine show that reductive elimination to give 2-methylimidazolium species is a facile reaction.