Imidazolinium Cation Research Articles

The Facile Hydrolysis of Imidazolinium Chlorides (N-Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors) Under Basic Aqueous Conditions.

The hydrolysis of imidazolinium chlorides takes place readily in a basic water/dichloromethane biphasic mixture at room temperature. Experimental parameters were optimized to afford full conversions and high yields of γ-aminoformamides starting from twelve symmetrical substrates with alkyl or aryl substituents on their nitrogen atoms, and five unsymmetrical 1-alkyl-3-arylimidazolinium chlorides. NMR and XRD analyses showed that the cleavage of unsymmetrical salts led to γ-alkylamino-N-arylformamides with a high regioselectivity and that bulky alkyl or aryl groups on the formamide moiety led to the isolation of the (E)-isomer in high stereoisomeric purity (>95 %), whereas smaller and more flexible alkyl substituents afforded mixtures of (E)- and (Z)-rotamers. Control experiments showed that the hydrolysis of 1,3-dimesitylimidazolinium chloride (SIMes ⋅ HCl) did not occur readily in pure or acidic water and that the presence of bulky aromatic substituents on the nitrogen atoms of 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolinium chloride (SIDip ⋅ HCl) efficiently slowed down its hydrolysis under basic aqueous conditions. Most strikingly, this work highlighted the critical influence of the counteranion on the reactivity of imidazolinium cations. Indeed, the chloride salts underwent a facile hydrolysis in the presence of water and Na2 CO3 , whereas various other NHC ⋅ HX derivatives reacted much slower or remained essentially inert under these conditions.

Unraveling the dependence of proton transfer on solvent polarity in ion pairs of carbamates and dithiocarbamates with nitrogen‐based counterions

AbstractSmall, but important, differences in the structure–property relationships between ionomers composed of amidinium or imidazolinium groups with alkylcarbamate or alkyldithiocarbamate counterions have been examined experimentally by us previously. To unravel the sources of these differences, DFT calculations are conducted here for ion‐pair complexes (IPs) of these systems and their corresponding uncharged base and acid components (NPs). Calculations include IPs and NPs in which the amidine/amidinium and imidazoline/imidazolinium groups are anchored to a dimethylsiloxane pentamer. A surprising dependence of proton transfer on the dielectric constant (ε) of the medium is found for the systems: Whereas interconversion between the NPs and IPs is strongly dependent on medium dielectric in systems with an alkylcarbamate, none of the initial IP forms with an alkyldithiocarbamate transforms to an NP. Although the calculations do not include individual solvent–solute molecular interactions, they do probe how the components sense their bulk environments. The lack of detectable reversible proton transfer from the amidinium or imidazolinium cations to the dithiocarbamates is consistent with the “principle of proton affinity/pKa equivalence”: Because the acidity of dithiocarbamates is higher than that of carbamates, the gap between their proton affinities (ΔPA) is decreased, favoring stronger electrostatic‐based H‐bonds in the ion‐pair complexes of the dithiocarbamates. The differences can also be estimated from the Deuri–Phukan nucleophilicity index scale, which is based on DFT calculations and suggests a strong dependence of proton transfer on the nucleophilicity of the base and the dielectric constant of the solvent. Predictions from these calculations on some important experimental systems are mentioned.

Steric and Electronic Effects in N-Heterocyclic Carbene Gold(III) Complexes: An Experimental and Computational Study

A series of neutral acridine-based gold(III)-NHC complexes containing the pentafluorophenyl (-C6F5) group were synthesized. All of the complexes were fully characterized by analytical techniques. The square planar geometry around the gold center was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis for complexes 1 (Trichloro [1-methyl-3-(9-acridine)imidazol-2-ylidene]gold(III)) and 2 (Chloro-bis(pentafluorophenyl)[1-methyl-3-(9-acridine)imidazol-2-ylidene]gold(III)). In both cases, the acridine rings play a key role in the crystal packing of the solid structures by mean of π-π stacking interactions, with centroid-centroid and interplanar distances being similar to those found in other previously reported acridine-based Au(I)-NHC complexes. A different reactivity when using a bulkier N-heterocyclic carbene ligand such as 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2-imidazolidinylidene (SIPr) was observed. While the use of the acridine-based NHC ligand led to the expected organometallic gold(III) species, the steric hindrance of the bulky SIPr ligand led to the formation of the corresponding imidazolinium cation stabilized by the tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)aurate(III) [Au(C6F5)4]- anion. Computational experiments were carried out in order to figure out the ground state electronic structure and the binding formation energy of the complexes and, therefore, to explain the observed reactivity.

Ethylenediamine Addition Improves Performance and Suppresses Phase Instabilities in Mixed-Halide Perovskites

We show that adding ethylenediamine (EDA) to perovskite precursor solutions improves the photovoltaic device performance and material stability of high-bromide-content, methylammonium-free, formamidinium cesium lead halide perovskites FA1–xCsxPb(I1–yBry)3, which are currently of interest for perovskite-on-Si tandem solar cells. Using spectroscopy and hyperspectral microscopy, we show that the additive improves film homogeneity and suppresses the phase instability that is ubiquitous in high-Br perovskite formulations, producing films that remain stable for over 100 days in ambient conditions. With the addition of 1 mol % EDA, we demonstrate 1.69 eV-gap perovskite single-junction p-i-n devices with a VOC of 1.22 V and a champion maximum-power-point-tracked power conversion efficiency of 18.8%, comparable to the best reported methylammonium-free perovskites. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques, we show that EDA reacts with FA+ in solution, rapidly and quantitatively forming imidazolinium cations. It is the presence of imidazolinium during crystallization which drives the improved perovskite thin-film properties.

Fe(III)-catalyzed oxidative coupling of alkylnitriles with aromatic carboxylic acids: Facile access to cyanomethyl esters

The first oxidative coupling of alkylnitriles with aromatic carboxylic acids using di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as oxidant was achieved under the catalysis of ionic Fe(III) complexes bearing an imidazolinium cation. This protocol features nontoxic iron catalysis, direct α-C(sp3)–H bond oxidative esterification of alkylnitriles, non-prefunctionalized starting materials, and a broad substrate scope with outstanding steric hindrance tolerance, providing a novel, straightforward, and green approach toward cyanomethyl ester synthesis.

Esterification of the Primary Benzylic C-H Bonds with Carboxylic Acids Catalyzed by Ionic Iron(III) Complexes Containing an Imidazolinium Cation.

The first iron-catalyzed esterification of the primary benzylic C-H bonds with carboxylic acids using di-tert-butyl peroxide as an oxidant is achieved by novel ionic iron(III) complexes containing an imidazolinium cation. The use of well-defined, air-stable, and available iron(III) complex in a 5 mol % loading and readily available starting materials with a broad generality and outstanding sterically hindered tolerance renders this methodology a useful alternative to other protocols that are typically employed for the synthesis of benzyl esters.

Synergistic Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel in Aqueous Chloride Solutions by an Imidazolinium Carboxylate Salt

Mild steel infrastructure is constantly under corrosive attack in most environmental and industrial conditions. There is an ongoing search for environmentally friendly, highly effective inhibitor compounds that can provide a protective action in situations ranging from the marine environment to oil and gas pipelines. In this work an organic salt comprising a protic imidazolinium cation and a 4-hydroxycinnamate anion has been shown to produce a synergistic corrosion inhibition effect for mild steel in 0.01 M NaCl aqueous solutions under acidic, neutral, and basic conditions; an important and unusual phenomenon for one compound to support inhibition across a range of pH conditions. Significantly, the individual components of this compound do not inhibit as effectively at equivalent concentrations, particularly at pH 2. Immersion studies show the efficacy of these inhibitors in stifling corrosion as observed from optical, SEM, and profilometry experiments. The mechanism of inhibition appears to be dominated ...

Effect of imidazolinium salts bearing hydroxy substituents on palladium-catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck coupling reactions

Palladium anionic complexes with imidazolinium cations containing hydroxyl substituents were used as catalyst precursors in the Suzuki–Miyaura and the Heck cross-coupling. High activity of anionic complexes was noted in the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of 2-bromotoluene with phenylboronic acid at 40 oC in 2-propanol and a 2-propanol/water mixture using conventional heating or microwaves. Similarly, bromonaphtalene and iodonaphtalene reacted efficiently with naphtylboronic acid and 4-methylnaphtylboronic acid. A remarkably lower activity was noted when anionic palladium complexes were employed in the Heck coupling of 2,3-dihydrofuran with iodobenzene. An increase in conversion in the Heck reaction was achieved when Pd(OAc)2 was used as a catalyst precursor together with imidazolinium salts as co-catalysts.

Mechanism, kinetics and selectivity of selenocyclization of 5-alkenylhydantoins: an experimental and computational study.

The mechanism and selectivity of a bicyclic hydantoin formation by selenium-induced cyclization are investigated. The proposed mechanism involves the intermediates formed by an electrophilic addition of the selenium reagent on a double bond of the starting 5-alkenylhydantoin prior the cyclization. These intermediates are readily converted into the more stable cyclic seleniranium cations. A key step of the mechanism is an intramolecular cyclization which is realized through an anti-attack of the internal nucleophile, the amidic nitrogen, to the seleniranium cation yielding the intermediate imidazolinium cations. Their deprotonation is followed by the formation of the fused bicyclic reaction products. Important intermediates and key transition states are studied by using density functional theory (DFT) methods. The pathways of the reaction are investigated in detail. There are two regioselective pathways related to 5-exo and 6-endo products. Theoretical calculations and the monitoring of the cyclization reaction using 1H NMR spectroscopy are in a good agreement with the proposed mechanism and are consistent with our experimental results. The preferred pathway for formation of 5-exo products is confirmed.

Antiprotozoal activity and DNA binding of dicationic acridones.

Dicationic acridone derivatives were synthesized and their antiparasitic activity was evaluated. Acridones displayed in vitro nanomolar IC50 values against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense STIB900 with selectivity indices >1000. Compounds 1b, 3a, and 3b were as potent as the reference drug melarsoprol in this assay. Submicromolar-range activities were observed against wild-type (NF54) and resistant (K1) strains of Plasmodium falciparum, whereas no significant activity was detected against Trypanosoma cruzi or Leishmania donovani. Compounds 1a and 1b were curative in the STIB900 mouse model for human African trypanosomiasis. UV spectrophotometric titrations and circular dichroism (CD) experiments with fish sperm (FS) DNA showed that these compounds form complexes with DNA with binding affinities in the 10(4) M(-1) range. Biological and biophysical data show that antiparasitic activity, toxicity, and DNA binding of this series of acridones are dependent on the relative position of both imidazolinium cations on the heterocyclic scaffold.

Novel imidazolinium ionic liquids and organic salts

The preparation and physical properties of a novel family of ionic liquids and organic salts based on the imidazolinium cation are described, and compared with their imidazolium analogues in some cases. Ionic liquids were obtained with the triflate, formate and salicylate anions, while > 100 °C melting points were observed with acetate and several other benzoate derivatives. The triflate salt was less ion-conductive than the corresponding imidazolium salt, but less so than expected on the basis of its viscosity, suggesting a contribution from proton conductivity. The electrochemical window of the imidazolinium was slightly extended in the reductive direction, due to the lower proton activity produced by the cation in this case. Imidazolinium salts are also known to exhibit anti-corrosion properties and hence a preliminary study of this property is also reported; 2-methylimidazolinium 4-hydroxycinnamate was found to show strong anodic corrosion inhibition on mild steel.

Isolation of N-Heterocyclic Alkyl Intermediates en Route to Transition Metal N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Insight into a C–H Activation Mechanism

An imidazolinium cation has been incorporated into an arene-linked diphosphine pincer ligand, [2]+, and the metalation of this ligand has been investigated via direct imidazolinium C–H activation to Pd0 and Pt0. The expected NHC-ligated metal-hydride species [5]PF6 (M = Pt) and 6 (M = Pd) are obtained if the halide-free imidazolinium salt [2]PF6 is used. In contrast, treatment of the imidazolinium chloride salt [2]Cl with M(PPh3)4 leads to isolation of N-heterocyclic alkyl MII species 3 (M = Pd) and 4 (M = Pt), in which the imidazolinium C–H bond remains intact. Interestingly, there are no apparent agostic interactions between the imidazolinium protons and the metal centers in 3 and 4, indicating that these species represent an unusual type of arrested C–H activation intermediate. While Pd complex 3 is thermally stable, Pt complex 4 undergoes C–H activation to afford the corresponding NHC-PtII-hydride species [5]Cl upon heating. Additionally, both complexes 3 and 4 undergo rapid C–H activation upon abstraction of the metal-bound halide to form 6 and [5]PF6, respectively. The nature of the bonding in the unusual N-heterocyclic alkyl species is investigated computationally.

Imidazolidines as hydride sources for the formation of late transition-metal monohydrides

The reaction of a series of imidazolidines with chloro-complexes of Ir, Rh and Ru affords the clean generation of the corresponding monohydrido metal species. Computational analysis of the reduction process suggests that the reaction proceeds via imidazolidine coordination followed by β-hydride elimination, affording the metal hydride and the imidazolinium cation as the only reaction products. The application of imidazolidines for reduction of transition-metal halides represents a principally new method for selective generation of monohydrides. No over-reduction takes place even when using a large excess of the imidazolidine.

New chiral ionic liquids based on imidazolinium salts

The preparation and application of a new series of chiral ionic liquids are described. The salts are based on imidazolinium cations. Some of the cations also incorporated an axial chirality at the C(2) position next to the central chirality. These cations display a very high rotational barrier along the arene–imidazolinium axis. Furthermore, an analogue with a chiral anion was prepared. The salts have low melting points. Their potential as solvents and as chiral shift reagents was explored, resulting for the first time in an example of a chiral ionic liquid as a shift reagent for a neutral compound.

Photomodulation of Ionic Interaction and Reactivity: Reversible Photoconversion between Imidazolium and Imidazolinium

An interconversion system between imidazolium and imidazolinium has been proposed for the first time. Imidazolium and imidazolinium cations exhibit different reactivity due to the difference in the aromaticity and charge localization structure, which is successfully controlled by means of photoirradiation in the present system. A 4,5-dithiazolylimidazolium salt was prepared and studied as a new class of photochromic materials modulating electrostatic interactions and chemical reactivities. The photochromic 4,5-dithiazolylimidazolium showed reversible photoconversions between imidazolium open-form and imidazolinium closed-form upon successive irradiation with UV and visible light. The imidazolinium closed-form exhibited characteristic solvato- and ionochromisms in which the absorption maximum shifted by more than 80 nm depending on the solvent polarity and counteranions, whereas the imidazolium open-form showed no such solvent-dependent property. Because the corresponding nonionic 4,5-dithiazolylimidazole also did not exhibit the solvent-dependent absorption profile both in open- and closed-forms, the appearance of these chromisms in imidazolinium closed-form was attributed to the change in the extent of ionic interaction, which was brought about by the photoconversion of imidazolium to imidazolinium. The photoderived strong ionic interaction of imidazolinium with counteranion was further applied to the photocontrolled nucleophilic reaction system. Whereas the imidazolium open-form was inert to nucleophiles such as sodium methoxide, the imidazolinium closed-form was reactive to the nucleophilic reaction, demonstrating a photogated reaction system.

Theoretical investigation of the catalytic mechanism of the protein arginine deiminase 4 enzyme

The mechanism of the transcriptional coregulator protein arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) in catalyzing the calcium-dependent conversion of specific arginine residues to citrulline and ammonia, was studied in the framework of density functional theory using the hybrid B3LYP exchange correlation potential and a medium-large basis set. Active site of enzyme was modeled by four key catalytic residues: Asp350, His471, Asp473 and Cys645. A guanidinium-containing derivative was considered as substrate model. Results of the present investigation support the experimental hypothesis concerning the occurrence of a tetrahedral intermediate having ammonium as leaving group, during the catalytic process. Besides, in the transition state leading to this intermediate the nucleophilic activity of the thiolate anion of Cys645 and the ability of the imidazolinium cation of His471 in giving the proton to the substrate, appear mutually enhanced. The rate determining step of the whole process occurring in gas phase was recognized in the ammonia release step. Solvation effects on the catalytic mechanism determine significant modifications as far as the energetics is concerned. The data obtained in the protein medium indicate that the kinetics of the process could be controlled by the nucleophilic attack of cysteine sulfur to the substrate carbon atom concerted with the proton shift from imidazolium ion to one of guanidinium amino groups.

Carbon transfer reactions of Δ 2-oxazolinium and thiazolinium cations

Δ 2-Oxazolinium and thiazolinium cations with or without an appendage at any of the heteroatoms transfer their C(2) units at the carboxylic acid oxidation level to binucleophiles and provide the corresponding heterocycles, thus mimicking carbon transfer reactions exhibited by THF models, N-methyl N'-tosyl/acetyl imidazolinium cations. However, these azolinium cations react with phen ethyl amine and tryptamine to furnish their N-acyl derivatives.