PCP Pincer Complexes Research Articles

Direct Synthesis of Low-Coordinate Pd Catalysts Supported on SiO2 via Surface Organometallic Chemistry

Highly dispersed low-coordinate Pd sites on SiO2 are fabricated by grafting the PdII PCP-pincer complex (tBuPCP)Pd–OH (tBuPCP = 2,6-C6H3(CH2PtBu2)2) on SiO2, followed by calcination with ozone (100 °C) and reduction with H2 (300 °C). The chemisorption process and structure of this organometallic complex on SiO2 is established by solution-phase 1H and 31P NMR and solid-state 31P CPMAS NMR spectroscopy, XPS, DRIFTS, and AC-HAADF-STEM. The CO adsorption properties of the Pd centers reveal a surprisingly high fraction of adsorption sites where CO is bound in a linear fashion, indicative of low-coordinate Pd. Furthermore, enhanced selectivity of these catalyst centers in aerobic alcohol oxidation versus a control catalyst argues that these low-coordinate sites are the catalytically active sites.

ChemInform Abstract: Co(II) PCP Pincer Complexes as Catalysts for the Alkylation of Aromatic Amines with Primary Alcohols.

Efficient alkylations of amines by alcohols catalyzed by well-defined Co(II) complexes are described that are stabilized by a PCP ligand (N,N′-bis(diisopropylphosphino)-N,N′-dimethyl-1,3-diaminobenzene) based on the 1,3-diaminobenzene scaffold. This reaction is an environmentally benign process implementing inexpensive, earth-abundant nonprecious metal catalysts and is based on the acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation concept. A range of primary alcohols and aromatic amines were efficiently converted into mono-N-alkylated amines in good to excellent isolated yields.

Arene C–H Bond Coordination versus C–H Bond Cleavage in Low-Valent Group 6 Carbonyl Pincer Complexes

The reaction of hexacarbonyl group 6 complexes with the P(CH)P ligand N,N′-bis(diisopropylphosphino)-N,N′-dimethyl-1,3-diaminobenzene was investigated. The objective was to obtain PCP pincer complexes via directed C–H bond activation and cleavage. In the case of chromium and molybdenum, complexes [Cr(κ3P,CH,P-P(CH)PNMe-iPr)(CO)3] and [Mo(κ3P,CH,P-P(CH)PNMe-iPr)(CO)3], featuring η2-Caryl–H bonds, were formed and no C–H bond cleavage took place. With tungsten the expected seven-coordinate hydrido carbonyl W(II) complex [W(κ3P,C,P-PCPNMe-iPr)(CO)3H] was formed. DFT mechanistic studies corroborate the experimental observations and indicate that the M–H bond strength grows in the order Cr–H < Mo–H < W–H, explaining the preference for the hydride complex only in the case of W. X-ray structures of these complexes are presented.

Co(II) PCP Pincer Complexes as Catalysts for the Alkylation of Aromatic Amines with Primary Alcohols.

Efficient alkylations of amines by alcohols catalyzed by well-defined Co(II) complexes are described that are stabilized by a PCP ligand (N,N'-bis(diisopropylphosphino)-N,N'-dimethyl-1,3-diaminobenzene) based on the 1,3-diaminobenzene scaffold. This reaction is an environmentally benign process implementing inexpensive, earth-abundant nonprecious metal catalysts and is based on the acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation concept. A range of primary alcohols and aromatic amines were efficiently converted into mono-N-alkylated amines in good to excellent isolated yields.

Reduced State of Iridium PCP Pincer Complexes in Electrochemical CO2 Hydrogenation

We present a computational study on the mechanism for electrochemical reduction of CO2 using a PCP pincer iridium(III) dihydride complex. Our results point toward a mechanism that involves an in situ-generated iridium(I) hydride as the active species for the CO2 to formate reduction. The iridium(III) path can operate in parallel but is associated with higher activation free energies in the reaction between the metal hydride and CO2, compared to the reaction at the in situ-generated iridium(I) species.

Charge Effects in PCP Pincer Complexes of Ni(II) bearing Phosphinite and Imidazol(i)ophosphine Coordinating Jaws: From Synthesis to Catalysis through Bonding Analysis.

This contribution reports on a new family of Ni(II) pincer complexes featuring phosphinite and functional imidazolyl arms. The proligands (R) PIMC(H) OP(R') react at room temperature with Ni(II) precursors to give the corresponding complexes [((R) PIMCOP(R') )NiBr], where (R) PIMCOP(R) =κ(P) ,κ(C) ,κ(P) -{2-(R'2 PO),6-(R2 PC3 H2 N2 )C6 H3 }, R=iPr, R'=iPr (3 b, 84 %) or Ph (3 c, 45 %). Selective N-methylation of the imidazole imine moiety in 3 b by MeOTf (OTf=OSO2 CF3 ) gave the corresponding imidazoliophosphine [((iPr) PIMIOCOP(iPr) )NiBr][OTf], 4 b, in 89 % yield ((iPr) PIMIOCOP(iPr) =κ(P) ,κ(C) ,κ(P) -{2-(iPr2 PO),6-(iPr2 PC4 H5 N2 )C6 H3 }). Treating 4 b with NaOEt led to the NHC derivative [(NHCCOP(iPr) )NiBr], 5 b, in 47 % yield (NHCCOP(iPr) =κ(P) ,κ(C) ,κ(C) -{2-(iPr2 PO),6-(C4 H5 N2 )C6 H3 )}). The bromo derivatives 3-5 were then treated with AgOTf in acetonitrile to give the corresponding cationic species [((R) PIMCOP(R) )Ni(MeCN)][OTf] [R=Ph, 6 a (89 %) or iPr, 6 b (90 %)], [((R) PIMIOCOP(R) )Ni(MeCN)][OTf]2 [R=Ph, 7 a (79 %) or iPr, 7 b (88 %)], and [(NHCCOP(R) )Ni(MeCN)][OTf] [R=Ph, 8 a (85 %) or iPr, 8 b (84 %)]. All new complexes have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, whereas 3 b, 3 c, 5 b, 6 b, and 8 a were also subjected to X-ray diffraction studies. The acetonitrile adducts 6-8 were further studied by using various theoretical analysis tools. In the presence of excess nitrile and amine, the cationic acetonitrile adducts 6-8 catalyze hydroamination of nitriles to give unsymmetrical amidines with catalytic turnover numbers of up to 95.

Synthesis and Reactivity of Four- and Five-Coordinate Low-Spin Cobalt(II) PCP Pincer Complexes and Some Nickel(II) Analogues.

Anhydrous CoCl2 or [NiCl2(DME)] reacts with the ligand PCPMe-iPr (1) in the presence of nBuLi to afford the 15e and 16e square planar complexes [Co(PCPMe-iPr)Cl] (2) and [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)Cl] (3), respectively. Complex 2 is a paramagnetic d7 low-spin complex, which is a useful precursor for a series of Co(I), Co(II), and Co(III) PCP complexes. Complex 2 reacts readily with CO and pyridine to afford the five-coordinate square-pyramidal 17e complexes [Co(PCPMe-iPr)(CO)Cl] (4) and [Co(PCPMe-iPr)(py)Cl] (5), respectively, while in the presence of Ag+ and CO the cationic complex [Co(PCPMe-iPr)(CO)2]+ (6) is afforded. The effective magnetic moments μeff of all Co(II) complexes were derived from the temperature dependence of the inverse molar magnetic susceptibility by SQUID measurements and are in the range 1.9 to 2.4 μB. This is consistent with a d7 low-spin configuration with some degree of spin–orbit coupling. Oxidation of 2 with CuCl2 affords the paramagnetic Co(III) PCP complex [Co(PCPMe-iPr)Cl2] (7), while the synthesis of the diamagnetic Co(I) complex [Co(PCPMe-iPr)(CO)2] (8) was achieved by stirring 2 in toluene with KC8 in the presence of CO. Finally, the cationic 16e Ni(II) PCP complex [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(CO)]+ (10) was obtained by reacting complex 3 with 1 equiv of AgSbF6 in the presence of CO. The reactivity of CO addition to Co(I), Co(II), and Ni(II) PCP square planar complexes of the type [M(PCPMe-iPr)(CO)]n (n = +1, 0) was investigated by DFT calculations, showing that formation of the Co species, 6 and 8, is thermodynamically favorable, while Ni(II) maintains the 16e configuration since CO addition is unfavorable in this case. X-ray structures of most complexes are provided and discussed. A structural feature of interest is that the apical CO ligand in 4 deviates significantly from linearity, with a Co–C–O angle of 170.0(1)°. The DFT-calculated value is 172°, clearly showing that this is not a packing but an electronic effect.

ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Catalytic Activities of Porphyrin‐Based PCP Pincer Complexes.

AbstractPeripherically metalated porphyrin phosphine pincer complexes are developed and their catalytic activity is demonstrated for the allylation of benzaldehyde with allylstannane.

Cobalt PCP Pincer Complexes via an Unexpected Sequence of Ortho Metalations

The cobalt PCP pincer complexes [Co{2,6-(CH2PPh2-κP)2C6H3-κC1}(L)2], where L = PMe3 (1), CO (2), have been prepared. Complex 1 is obtained by a transmetalation reaction between 1-lithio-2,6-bis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)benzene and [CoCl(PMe3)3]. Subsequent exposure of 1 to CO gave complex 2. Complexes 1 and 2 can also be obtained from 1,3-bis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)benzene and [CoMe(PMe3)4]. Instead of ortho metalation occurring directly at the C2 (pincer) position of the diphosphine, ortho metalation first occurs at the C4 position to form [Co{2-(CH2PPh2-κP)-4-(CH2PPh2)-C6H3-κC1}(PMe3)3] (4). After reflux of the reaction mixture for 24 h, a rearrangement of 4 occurs to give pincer complex 1 with loss of PMe3 in ca. 50% yield; this rearrangement was accompanied by some decomposition. The mechanism for the conversion of 4 to 1 has been probed using 1-deuterio-2,6-bis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)benzene. Unexpectedly, the labeled ligand led to 15% deuterium enrichment of an ortho CH of the terminal PPh2 g...

Synthesis and Catalytic Activities of Porphyrin‐Based PCP Pincer Complexes

2,18-Bis(diphenylphosphino)porphyrins undergo peripheral cyclometalation with group 10 transition-metal salts to afford the corresponding porphyrin-based PCP pincer complexes. The porphyrinic plane and the PCP-pincer unit are apparently coplanar, with small strain. The catalytic activities of the porphyrin-based pincer complexes at the periphery were investigated in the allylation of benzaldehyde with allylstannane and in the 1,4-reduction of chalcone to discover the electronic interplay between the inner metal and the outer metal in catalysis.

Synthesis and Catalytic Activities of Porphyrin‐Based PCP Pincer Complexes

Abstract2,18‐Bis(diphenylphosphino)porphyrins undergo peripheral cyclometalation with group 10 transition‐metal salts to afford the corresponding porphyrin‐based PCP pincer complexes. The porphyrinic plane and the PCP‐pincer unit are apparently coplanar, with small strain. The catalytic activities of the porphyrin‐based pincer complexes at the periphery were investigated in the allylation of benzaldehyde with allylstannane and in the 1,4‐reduction of chalcone to discover the electronic interplay between the inner metal and the outer metal in catalysis.

Bifunctional Ruthenium(II) PCP Pincer Complexes and Their Catalytic Activity in Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Reactions

New air-stable ruthenium complex 1, bearing the dibenzobarrelene-based cooperating ligand, was synthesized in 96% yield and fully characterized. The examination of its coordination chemistry revealed that the ruthenium center in 1 is slightly distorted from octahedral geometry, and 31P NMR is consistent with the formation of trans-spanned pincer complexes bearing strongly bent dibenzobarrelene-based ligands. The catalytic activity of the new complex was examined in acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols and acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols with amines.

Novel access to carbodiphosphoranes in the coordination sphere of group 10 metals: template synthesis and protonation of PCP pincer carbodiphosphorane complexes of C(dppm)2

In a novel template synthesis of carbodiphosphoranes (CDPs), the phosphine functionalized CDP ligand C(dppm)(2) (dppm = Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2)) is formed in the coordination sphere of group 10 metals from CS(2) and 4 equivalents of dppm. The products are the PCP pincer complexes [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) and 2 equivalents of dppmS. The compound C(dppm)(2), which is composed of a divalent carbon atom and two dppm subunits, represents a new PCP-type pincer ligand with the formally neutral carbon Lewis base of the CDP functionality as the central carbon. Treatment of [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Pd, Pt) with hydrochloric acid results in protonation at the CDP carbon atom and the formation of the PCP pincer complexes [M(Cl)(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt). The PCP pincer ligand [CH(dppm)(2)](+) involves a formally cationic central carbon donor. The reaction of [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl with HCl leads to the extrusion of NiCl(2) and formation of the diprotonated CDP compound [CH(2)(dppm)(2)]Cl(2), from which the monoprotonated conjugate base [CH(dppm)(2)]Cl is obtained upon addition of bases, such as NH(3). The crystal structures of [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Ni, Pd, Pt), [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)](2)[NiCl(4)], [M(Cl)(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt) as well as [CH(2)(dppm)(2)]Cl(2) and [CH(dppm)(2)]Cl are presented. A comparison of the solid state structures reveals interesting features, e.g. infinite supramolecular networks mediated by C-H···Cl hydrogen bond interactions and an unexpected loss of molecular symmetry upon protonation in the complexes [M(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)(Cl)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt) as a result of the flexible ligand backbone. Additionally the new compounds were characterized comprehensively in solution by multinuclear (31)P, (13)C and (1)H NMR spectroscopy: Several spectroscopic parameters show a striking variability in particular regarding the carbodiphosphorane functionality. Furthermore the compound [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and could be shown to display quasi-reversible oxidative as well as reductive behaviour.

Aliphatic pincer-type POCOP ligands and their complexation behaviour with iridium: Crystal structure of an iridium(III) phosphinite complex

Reaction of 2 equivalents of 1,3-bis-(di- tert-butylphosphinito)-2-methyl-propane ( 1a) with [Ir(COD)Cl] 2 affords the first aliphatic diphosphinite PCP pincer complex with iridium, Ir(H){( t-Bu 2POCH 2) 2C(Me)}Cl ( 2). The poor yield of 2 is partly explained by the formation of a di-nuclear byproduct [IrCl(COD)] 2( μ 2-{( t-Bu 2POCH 2) 2CH(Me)}) ( 3). Reaction of 1,3-bis-(di- iso-propylphosphinito)-2-methyl-propane ( 1b) under the same condition does not give any cyclometallation, and reaction with IrCl 3·H 2O in DMF leads to complete decomposition of the pincer ligand under the formation of Ir(H)( i-Pr 2P(OH)) 3(CO) ( 4), underpinning the comparatively low thermal stability of aliphatic phosphinite pincer systems.

Ligand-Metal Cooperation in PCP Pincer Complexes: Rational Design and Catalytic Activity in Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of Alcohols

Ligand-Metal Cooperation in PCP Pincer Complexes: Rational Design and Catalytic Activity in Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of Alcohols

Ligand–Metal Cooperation in PCP Pincer Complexes: Rational Design and Catalytic Activity in Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of Alcohols

A helping hand: The dibenzobarrelene-based PCP pincer complex 1 was designed as a bifunctional catalyst for the acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols. The mechanism of the H2 release involves interaction between the hydride ligand and the acidic sidearm in the intermediate 2 (red O, yellow Cl, green P, blue Ir). The feasibility of the complete catalytic cycle was studied using a stoichiometric model and the reaction was subsequently realized in a catalytic fashion.

Phosphido pincer complexes of platinum: synthesis, structure and reactivity

A series of platinum(II) complexes supported by the tridentate bis(phosphine)phosphido ligand bis(2-diisopropylphosphinophenyl)phosphide) [(i)Pr-PPP] have been synthesized and characterized (1-4). X-Ray structural studies of [(i)Pr-PPP]PtCl (1) and [(i)Pr-PPP]PtCH(3) (3) complexes show meridional [(i)Pr-PPP] ligands around approximately square-planar platinum centers. Structural data and NMR analysis highlight a strong trans influence for the phosphido phosphorous donor, comparable to that of the anionic aryl carbon of the classic PCP pincer complexes. A series of thermally stable [PPP]Pt(IV) compounds, including [PPP]Pt(CH(3))(2)X [X = I (5) and SbF(6) (6)], were also synthesized. The study of the binding affinity of SO(2) and NO to complex 1 has also been addressed.

Homogeneous dehydrogenation of liquid organic hydrogen carriers catalyzed by an iridium PCP complex

The activity of the PCP pincer complex IrH2{C6H3-2,6-(OPBu(t)2)2)}, (3) as a catalyst for the dehydrogenation of the potential liquid organic hydrogen carriers: perhydro-dibenzofuran (4), perhydro-indole (5), N-methyl perhydro-indole (6), 4,4'-bipiperridine (7), 4-amino-methylpiperridine (8), and aminomethylcyclohexane (9) was investigated. Only low levels of dehydrogenation were achieved with 4 at 150 and 200 degrees C except in the presence a hydrogen acceptor, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene (tbe). At temperatures above 150 degrees C, 3 showed high activity with 5 but only for the release of H2 across the C-N bond. Dehydrogenation of 6 at 150 degrees C was found to release up to 2.9 wt% H2, giving N-methyl tetrahydroindole in 92% yield, but only 7% N-methyl indole. However, efficient dehydrogenation of the aliphatic hydrogens occurred at 200 degrees C giving mixtures that approached a approximately 1:3 equilibrium between N-methyl indole and N-methyl tetrahydroindole at longer reaction times. The pincer catalyst was observed to be effective for the dehydrogenation of 7 and 8 at 200 degrees C but the products polymerize. The catalytic dehydrogenation of 9 was very efficient at 200 degrees C but gave primarily the undesired products dibenzylamine (68%), benzylidenebenzylamine (22%), ammonia and only minor amount of benzonitrile (10%). At 160 degrees C, 85% of the substrate was consumed after 24 h of heating but only a minor amount of cyclohexanecarbonitrile (2%) was detected with the major products being biscyclohexylmethylamine (45%) and cyclohexylmethyl-cyclohexylimine (38%). The nitrile yield is remarkably improved to 97% when the dehydrogenation was carried out at 160 degrees C in the presence of 10 mol% NaOBu(t) but heating the reaction mixtures containing the base to 200 degrees C resulted in the decomposition of the pincer catalyst.

ChemInform Abstract: Iridium PCP Pincer Complexes: Highly Active and Robust Catalysts for Novel Homogeneous Aliphatic Dehydrogenations

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Quantum chemical calculations for the geometry and intramolecular rearrangements of a model nickel(ii) o-semiquinone complex with a PCP pincer ligand

The structure and intramolecular rearrangements of the model five-coordinate nickel PCP-pincer complex with the o-semiquinone ligand were studied by the density functional theory method at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. The isomerization associated with swing vibrations of the o-semiquinone ligand can occur virtually barrierless (0.7 kcal mol−1). The dynamics of the coordination sphere determined by pendulum vibrations of the o-semiquinone ligand has the energy barriers of 4–5 kcal mol−1, which is in good agreement with experimental data. A comparison of the results of calculations with the ESR spectroscopic data revealed the dependence of the types and the energy characteristics of intramolecular rearrangements on the nature of substituents at the phosphorus atom.