Rhodium Carboxylate Research Articles

Cyclopentadienyl rhodium(III) complexes as catalysts for the insertion of phenyldiazoacetate into E−H bonds

Rhodium(III) complexes catalyze the insertion of carbenoids generated from diazo compounds into E−H bonds (E = B, Si, N, but not C), although less efficiently than classical rhodium(II) carboxylates, despite formally higher oxidation state of the metal.

Tandem [3+2]-cycloaddition/homo-Baldwin rearrangement of silyl nitronates and donor-acceptor cyclopropenes. A novel approach to polysubstituted aziridines starting from nitro compounds

The synthesis of substituted N-silyloxy aziridines through reaction of silyl nitronates and enol diazo acetates is described. The process involves in situ transformation of enol diazo acetates into donor-acceptor cyclopropenes, their [3 + 2]-cycloaddition with nitronates and subsequent rearrangement of fused isoxazolidine intermediates. Depending on the substrate type, generation of prerequisite cyclopropenes could be promoted by various rhodium carboxylates (acetate, octanoate) in catalysts loadings as low as 50 ppm. Relative configuration of all three stereocenters in aziridine ring was established by NMR techniques and supported by quantum chemical calculations.

Controlling Selectivity in the Synthesis of Z‐α,β‐Unsaturated Amidines by Tuning the N‐Sulfonyl Group in a Rhodium(II) Catalyzed 1,2‐H Shift

AbstractN2‐Sulfonyl‐α‐diazo amidines can be synthesized by the reaction of electron rich alkynyl amines with electron poor sulfonyl azides through 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition that proceeds with perfect regioselectivity. In the presence of rhodium(II) carboxylate catalysts, denitrogenation occurs to give the corresponding metallocarbene but there are then two competing processes: 1,2–H shift and O‐transfer from the sulfonyl group to the metallocarbene center. The outcome can be controlled using an electron poor nitrobenzenesulfonyl group and large carboxylate rhodium ligands to select for 1,2–H shift, forming α,β‐unsaturated amidines in high yield and with excellent Z‐selectivity.

Adducts of Rhodium(II) Acetate and Rhodium(II) Pivalate with 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene

In this article, we describe the synthesis of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) adducts of rhodium(II) carboxylate complexes, [Rh2(μ-O2CCR3)4(DBU)2] (R = H (1), Me (2)). The DBU ligand is coordinated to the axial site in both adducts via the imido-nitrogen atom, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 and 2 revealed structurally similar attributes between the compounds. The Rh–Rh bond distance is 2.4108(3) Å for 1 and 2.4143(2) Å for 2. The Rh–N distance is 2.2681(3) Å for compound 1 and 2.2587(10) Å for compound 2. Compound 1, however, crystallized with solvent molecules in its unit cell, and Hirshfeld surface analysis showed intermolecular C–H···O interactions between oxygen atoms of [Rh2(μ-O2CCH3)4] and the hydrogen of the chloroform solvent among other intermolecular close-contact interactions. The crystal structure of compound 2 was found to be devoid of solvent and showed weak intramolecular C–H···O interactions from the DBU axial ligand to the oxygens of the bridging acetates. Otherwise, Hirshfeld analysis showed that 2 was dominated by H···H interactions. UV-vis spectroscopy of both adducts was also conducted in different solvents to examine shifts attributed to the π*(Rh2) to σ*(Rh2) band.

Asymmetric C–H Functionalization in Flow by an Immobilized Rhodium Carboxylate Catalyst

Key words C–H functionalization - rhodium catalysis - diazo compounds - asymmetric catalysis

Scalable Synthesis of Esp and Rhodium(II) Carboxylates from Acetylacetone and RhCl3·xH2O.

Rhodium(II) carboxylates are privileged catalysts for the most challenging carbene-, nitrene-, and oxo-transfer reactions. In this work, we address the strategic challenges of current organic and inorganic synthesis methods to access these rhodium(II) complexes through an oxidative rearrangement strategy and a reductive ligation reaction. These studies illustrate the multiple benefits of oxidative rearrangement in the process-scale synthesis of congested carboxylates over nitrile anion alkylation reactions, and the impressive effect of inorganic additives in the reductive ligation of rhodium(III) salts.

Electrophilic Iron Catalyst Paired with a Lithium Cation Enables Selective Functionalization of Non-Activated Aliphatic C-H Bonds via Metallocarbene Intermediates.

Combining an electrophilic iron complex [Fe(F pda)(THF)]2 (3) [F pda=N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-phenylenediamide] with the pre-activation of α-alkyl-substituted α-diazoesters reagents by LiAl(ORF )4 [ORF =(OC(CF3 )3 ] provides unprecedented access to selective iron-catalyzed intramolecular functionalization of strong alkyl C(sp3 )-H bonds. Reactions occur at 25 °C via α-alkyl-metallocarbene intermediates, and with activity/selectivity levels similar to those of rhodium carboxylate catalysts. Mechanistic investigations reveal a crucial role of the lithium cation in the rate-determining formation of the electrophilic iron-carbene intermediate, which then proceeds by concerted insertion into the C-H bond.

Electrophilic Iron Catalyst Paired with a Lithium Cation Enables Selective Functionalization of Non‐Activated Aliphatic C−H Bonds via Metallocarbene Intermediates

AbstractCombining an electrophilic iron complex [Fe(Fpda)(THF)]2 (3) [Fpda=N,N′‐bis(pentafluorophenyl)‐o‐phenylenediamide] with the pre‐activation of α‐alkyl‐substituted α‐diazoesters reagents by LiAl(ORF)4 [ORF=(OC(CF3)3] provides unprecedented access to selective iron‐catalyzed intramolecular functionalization of strong alkyl C(sp3)−H bonds. Reactions occur at 25 °C via α‐alkyl‐metallocarbene intermediates, and with activity/selectivity levels similar to those of rhodium carboxylate catalysts. Mechanistic investigations reveal a crucial role of the lithium cation in the rate‐determining formation of the electrophilic iron‐carbene intermediate, which then proceeds by concerted insertion into the C−H bond.

Enantioselective Denitrogenative Annulation of 1H‐Tetrazoles with Styrenes Catalyzed by Rhodium

AbstractSulfonylation of 1H‐tetrazoles with triflic anhydride in the presence of chiral rhodium(II) carboxylate dimers causes denitrogenation to generate α‐azo rhodium(II) carbenoid species as new types of donor/acceptor carbenoids, which then readily react with styrenes to afford 3,5‐diaryl‐2‐pyrazolines with a high degree of enantioselectivity.

Enantioselective Denitrogenative Annulation of 1H-Tetrazoles with Styrenes Catalyzed by Rhodium.

Sulfonylation of 1H-tetrazoles with triflic anhydride in the presence of chiral rhodium(II) carboxylate dimers causes denitrogenation to generate α-azo rhodium(II) carbenoid species as new types of donor/acceptor carbenoids, which then readily react with styrenes to afford 3,5-diaryl-2-pyrazolines with a high degree of enantioselectivity.

Synthesis of 2-halo-2Н-azirine-2-carboxylic acid amides and esters by isomerization of 5-(dialkylamino/alkoxy)-substituted isoxazoles, catalyzed by iron(II) sulfate

N,N-Dialkylamides and esters of 2-(chloro/bromo/iodo)-2H-azirine-2-carboxylic acids were synthesized by isomerization of 4-halo-5-(dialkylamino/alkoxy)isoxazoles in the presence of catalytic amounts of FeSO4·7H2O. The use of iron(II) sulfate as catalyst, compared to its chloride, provides the advantage of avoiding halide exchange products in isomerization reactions of 4-bromo- and 4-iodoisoxazoles, as well as prevents catalyst deactivation by the 5-amino substituent of isoxazole, compared to rhodium(II) carboxylates.

Achieving Site Selectivity in Metal-Catalyzed Electron-Rich Carbene Transfer Reactions from N-Tosylhydrazones.

Catalyst control of the site-selectivity of electron-rich alkyl, aryl disubstituted carbenes generated in situ from o-alkenyl-substituted N-tosylhydrazones was achieved in this study. Exposure of these substrates to copper iodide triggered the formation of α-alkoxy 2H-naphthalenones. This investigation established that changing the catalyst to a rhodium(II) carboxylate turned off cyclization and migration of the electron-rich metal carbene with the β-carboxylate and turned on allylic C-H bond functionalization to diastereoselectively afford 1H-indenes. Examination of the scope of this reaction revealed that ethereal, aminomethylene, and unactivated 2° C-H bonds could be functionalized.

Synthesis of oxazolidinones: rhodium-catalyzed C-H amination of N-mesyloxycarbamates.

N-Mesyloxycarbamates undergo intramolecular C-H amination reactions to afford oxazolidinones in good to excellent yields in the presence of rhodium(ii) carboxylate catalysts. The reaction is performed under green conditions and potassium carbonate is used, forming biodegradable potassium mesylate as a reaction by-product. This method enables the production of electron-rich, electron-deficient, aromatic and heteroaromatic oxazolidinones in good to excellent yields. Conformationally restricted cyclic secondary N-mesyloxycarbamates furnish cis-oxazolidinones in high yields and selectivity; DFT calculations are provided to account for the observed selectivity. trans-Oxazolidinones were prepared from acyclic secondary N-mesyloxycarbamates using Rh2(oct)4. The selectivity was reverted with a cytoxazone N-mesyloxycarbamate precursor using large chiral rhodium(ii) carboxylate complexes, affording the corresponding cis-oxazolidinone. This orthogonal selectivity was used to achieve the formal synthesis of (-)-cytoxazone.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Pyrrolidines by the Diverted N-H Insertion Reaction of Metallocarbenes with β-Aminoketone Derivatives.

A highly stereoselective route to functionalized pyrrolidines by the metal-catalyzed diverted N-H insertion of a range of diazocarbonyl compounds with β-aminoketone derivatives is described. A number of catalysts (rhodium(II) carboxylate dimers, copper(I) triflate, and an iron(III) porphyrin) are shown to promote the process under mild conditions to give a wide range of highly substituted proline derivatives. The reaction starts as a metallocarbene N-H insertion but is diverted by an intermolecular aldol reaction.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Pyrrolidines by the Diverted N−H Insertion Reaction of Metallocarbenes with β‐Aminoketone Derivatives

AbstractA highly stereoselective route to functionalized pyrrolidines by the metal‐catalyzed diverted N−H insertion of a range of diazocarbonyl compounds with β‐aminoketone derivatives is described. A number of catalysts (rhodium(II) carboxylate dimers, copper(I) triflate, and an iron(III) porphyrin) are shown to promote the process under mild conditions to give a wide range of highly substituted proline derivatives. The reaction starts as a metallocarbene N−H insertion but is diverted by an intermolecular aldol reaction.

ChemInform Abstract: Synergistic Rhodium(II) Carboxylate and Broensted Acid Catalyzed Multicomponent Reactions of Enalcarbenoids: Direct Synthesis of α‐Pyrrolylbenzylamines.

ChemInform Abstract: Synergistic Rhodium(II) Carboxylate and Broensted Acid Catalyzed Multicomponent Reactions of Enalcarbenoids: Direct Synthesis of α‐Pyrrolylbenzylamines.

Catalyst and substituent effects on the rhodium(II)-catalysed intramolecular Buchner reaction

Intramolecular rhodium(II)-catalysed aromatic addition (Buchner) reactions of a range of α- and β-substituted α-diazoketones are reported. Both steric and electronic effects are evident for the aromatic additions investigated. In general, highly efficient aromatic addition is achieved through use of rhodium carboxylates bearing electronegative ligands, such as rhodium trifluoroacetate, while aromatic addition employing rhodium catalysts with more electron-donating ligands, such as rhodium caprolactam, is less efficient. Excellent levels of diastereoselectivity are possible for this process in the presence of rhodium acetate and rhodium caprolactam, however, a reduction in diastereocontrol is generally associated with use of the more reactive, electronegative catalysts. Interestingly, these catalyst effects can be overcome through the steric effects of the substituents on the α-diazoketone substrates, with the presence of sterically bulky substituents at the 2- or 3-position rendering the aromatic addition essentially catalyst independent in terms of efficiency and diastereocontrol.

Synergistic rhodium(II) carboxylate and brønsted acid catalyzed multicomponent reactions of enalcarbenoids: direct synthesis of α-pyrrolylbenzylamines.

The design of a synergistic rhodium(II) carboxylate and BINOL phosphoric acid catalyzed efficient multicomponent reaction of enaldiazo compounds, arylamines, and aryl aldehydes leading to the first transition-metal-catalyzed direct synthesis of valuable α-pyrrolylbenzylamines is disclosed. The reaction is proposed to involve a transient ammonium ylide of a new class of electrophilic rhodium enalcarbenoid, its regioselective Mannich reaction, and a cyclocondensation cascade. The methodology was used in a highly diastereoselective synthesis of a binaphthyl based chiral pyrrole.

Designing Enzyme-like Catalysts: A Rhodium(II) Metallopeptide Case Study

Chemists have long been fascinated by metalloenzymes and their chemistry. Because enzymes are essential for biological processes and to life itself, they present a key to understanding the world around us. At the same time, if chemists could harness the reactivity and selectivity of enzymes in designed transition-metal catalysts, we would have access to a powerful practical advance in chemistry. But the design of enzyme-like catalysts from scratch presents enormous challenges. Simplified, designed systems often don't provide the opportunity to mimic the complex features of enzymes such as selectivity in polyfunctional environments and access to reactive intermediates incompatible with bulk aqueous solution. Extensive efforts by numerous groups have led to remarkable designed metalloproteins that contain complex folds, including well-defined secondary and tertiary structure surrounding complex polymetallic centers. These structural achievements, however, have not yet led to general approaches to useful catalysts; continued efforts and new insights are needed. Our efforts have combined the attributes of enzymatic and traditional catalysis, bringing the benefits of polypeptide ligands to bear on completely nonbiological transition-metal centers. With a focus on designing useful catalytic activity, we have examined rhodium(II) carboxylates, bound to peptide chains through carboxylate side chains. Among other advantages, these complexes are stable and catalytically active in water. Our efforts have centered on two main interests: (1) understanding how Nature's ligand of choice, polypeptides, can be used to control the chemistry of nonbiological metal centers, and (2) mimicking metalloenzyme characteristics in designed, nonbiological catalysts. This Account conveys our motivation and goals for these studies, outlines progress to date, and discusses the future of enzyme-like catalyst design. In particular, these studies have resulted in on-bead, high-throughput screens for asymmetric metallopeptide catalysts. In addition, peptide-based molecular recognition strategies have facilitated the site-specific modification of protein substrates. Molecular recognition enables site-specific, proximity-driven modification of a broad range of amino acids, and the concepts outlined here are compatible with natural protein substrates and with complex, cell-like environments. We have also explored rhodium metallopeptides as hybrid organic-inorganic inhibitor molecules that block protein-protein interactions.

Arylation of Rhodium(II) Azavinyl Carbenes with Boronic Acids

A highly efficient and stereoselective arylation of in situ-generated azavinyl carbenes affording 2,2-diaryl enamines at ambient temperatures has been developed. These transition-metal carbenes are directly produced from readily available and stable 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles in the presence of a rhodium carboxylate catalyst. In several cases, the enamines generated in this reaction can be cyclized into substituted indoles employing copper catalysis.