Unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Research Articles

Wingtip-Flexible N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Unsymmetrical Connection between IMes and IPr.

IMes (IMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) and IPr (IPr=1,3- bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) represent by far the most frequently used N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in homogeneous catalysis, however, despite numerous advantages, these ligands are limited by the lack of steric flexibility of catalytic pockets. We report a new class of unique unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligands that are characterized by freely-rotatable N-aromatic wingtips in the imidazol-2-ylidene architecture. The combination of rotatable N-CH2 Ar bond with conformationally-fixed N-Ar linkage results in a highly modular ligand topology, entering the range of geometries inaccessible to IMes and IPr. These ligands are highly reactive in Cu(I)-catalyzed β-hydroboration, an archetypal borylcupration process that has had a transformative impact on the synthesis of boron-containing compounds. The most reactive Cu(I)-NHC in this class has been commercialized in collaboration with MilliporeSigma to enable broad access of the synthetic chemistry community. The ligands gradually cover %Vbur geometries ranging from 37.3 % to 52.7 %, with the latter representing the largest %Vbur described for an IPr analogue, while retaining full flexibility of N-wingtip. Considering the modular access to novel geometrical space in N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis, we anticipate that this concept will enable new opportunities in organic synthesis, drug discovery and stabilization of reactive metal centers.

Vanadium(V) Complexes Containing Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands: Highly Efficient Synthesis and Catalytic Behavior towards Ethylene/Propylene Copolymerization

Vanadium(V) Complexes Containing Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands: Highly Efficient Synthesis and Catalytic Behavior towards Ethylene/Propylene Copolymerization

Synthesis of Phenol-Tagged Ruthenium Alkylidene Olefin Metathesis Catalysts for Robust Immobilisation Inside Metal–Organic Framework Support

Two new unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligand (uNHC)-based ruthenium complexes featuring phenolic OH function were obtained and fully characterised. The more active one was then immobilised on the metal–organic framework (MOF) solid support (Al)MIL-101-NH2. The catalytic activity of such a heterogeneous system was tested, showing that, while the heterogeneous catalyst is less active than the corresponding homogeneous catalyst in solution, it can catalyse selected olefin metathesis reactions, serving as the proof-of-concept for the immobilisation of catalytically active complexes in MOFs using a phenolic tag.

Alternating Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization Promoted by Ruthenium Catalysts Bearing Unsymmetrical NHC Ligands

In this paper, Grubbs- and Hoveyda–Grubbs-type olefin metathesis catalysts featuring N-cyclopentyl/N’-mesityl backbone-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized. Their propensity to promote the alternating ring-opening metathesis copolymerization (ROMP) of norbornene (NBE) with cyclooctene (COE) or cyclopentene (CPE) was evaluated and compared to that shown by analogous N-cyclohexyl complexes. High degrees of chemoselectivity were achieved in both copolymerizations. The presence of the N-cyclopentyl substituent allowed for the achievement of up to 98% and 97% of alternating diads for NBE-COE and NBE-CPE copolymers, respectively, at low comonomer ratios. Density functional theory (DFT) studies showed that both the sterical and electronic effects of NHC ligands influence catalyst selectivity.

Ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts bearing two bulky and unsymmetrical NHC ligands

The activity profile of the new indenylidene complexes containing two unsymmetrical N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands was investigated. They turned out to be effective in both straightforward olefin metathesis reactions, such as ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) of diethyl diallylmalonate, as well as in more demanding processes, such as RCM of 2,2‐di‐(2‐methylallyl)tosylate leading to a product bearing a tetrasubstituted double bond, and in selective ethenolysis of methyl and ethyl oleate.

Specialized Olefin Metathesis Catalysts Featuring Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Bearing N-(Fluoren-9-yl) Arm

Specialized Olefin Metathesis Catalysts Featuring Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Bearing N-(Fluoren-9-yl) Arm

Specialized Olefin Metathesis Catalysts Featuring Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Bearing N-(Fluoren-9-yl) Arm

Beneficial structural motifs from two known state-of-the-art olefin metathesis catalysts types, bearing unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbenes (uNHCs), were combined into a new hybridized design thereby translating the complementary beneficial reactivity demonstrated by their ‘parent’ complexes to the new N-fluorene derived olefin metathesis catalysts. Two chelating 2-iso-propoxy-benzylidene (Hoveyda-type) and two 3-phenyl-1H-inden-1-ylidene (indenylidene-type) complexes were successfully prepared by in situ generation of either the N′-mesityl (Mes) or N′-diisopropylphenyl (Dipp) derived uNHCs taking advantage of the thermal decomposition of the corresponding 2-(penta-fluorophenyl)-imidazolidines (NHC adducts). The new fluorene-derived catalysts mediate challenging olefin metathesis processes, such as α-olefin self-metathesis, with high selectivity and conversion.

Ruthenium Complexes Bearing Thiophene-Based Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands as Selective Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis in Toluene and Environmentally Friendly 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran.

Three mono-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ruthenium 2-isopropoxybenzylidene (10 a-c) and one bis(NHC) indenylidene complex (8) bearing an unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligand were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The catalytic activity of the newly obtained complexes were evaluated in ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and ene-yne (RCEYM) reactions in toluene and environmentally friendly 2-MeTHF under air. The results confirmed that although all tested reactions can be successfully mediated by catalysts 10 a-c, their general reactivity is lower than the benchmark all-purpose Ru catalysts with symmetrical NHC ligands. However, the latter cannot compete with specialized ruthenium complex 10 a in industrially relevant self-CM of terminal olefins in neat conditions.

Expanding the Family of Hoveyda–Grubbs Catalysts Containing Unsymmetrical NHC Ligands

A series of Hoveyda–Grubbs second-generation catalysts containing N-alkyl/N′-aryl N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized and investigated in representative olefin metathesis reactions. Steric perturbations of unsymmetrical NHCs were achieved through modulation of the hindrance of alkyl (neopentyl, neophyl, cyclohexyl) and aryl (2-isopropylphenyl, mesityl) substituents at the nitrogen atoms in combination with different backbone configurations (syn and anti). The NHC substitution patterns strongly influence the stability and reactivity of the corresponding complexes. In general, complexes bearing an anti NHC backbone are more stable and more active than their corresponding syn isomers. In both the series, the presence of bulky, highly branched N-alkyl groups tends to give reduced catalytic differences between syn and anti isomers, whereas the nature of the N′-aryl substituent (2-isopropylphenyl or mesityl) gives rise to different activity and/or selectivity. Of note, an N′-mesityl catalyst w...

Metathesis Catalysts with Fluorinated Unsymmetrical NHC Ligands

The synthesis of new fluorinated ruthenium(II) carbene second-generation precatalysts with unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligands has been developed. The reaction profiles of these complexes have been studied in RCM with model substrates such as diethyl diallyl- and allylmethallyl-malonate, and CM model reaction of allylbenzene with 1,4-diacetoxybut-2-ene. In olefin metathesis reactions, the new fluorinated second-generation Grubbs complexes exhibit comparable activity with respect to commercially available Grubbs catalysts. On the other hand, in RCM reactions, the Hoveyda-type catalysts present a latent character, which is not present in the classical second-generation Hoveyda catalyst.

Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Activity of New Ruthenium(II) Indenylidene Complexes Bearing Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

New robust and air-stable ruthenium(II) indenylidene type second-generation precatalysts with unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized. The reaction profiles of these complexes were studied in commercial-grade solvents in air with model substrates leading to the di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted olefins. In addition, application of selected precatalysts for olefin metathesis reactions on a broad spectrum of substrates with different functional groups was examined. Studies of solvent effects for the selected precatalysts as well as thermal activation of the corresponding complexes showed significant differences in their activities. Observed relationships in connection with single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed the influence of the unsymmetrical NHC ligands on the initiation rate of precatalysts. Dissociation of the phosphine ligand, the rate-determining step for our most active precatalysts, is accelerated by the steric repulsion of the dangling benzyl arm and the tricyclohexylphosphine ligand. A precatalyst with a hemilabile benzyl arm evinced decreased activity, probably due to coordination of the heteroatom to the ruthenium core taking place after dissociation of the phosphine ligand.

New catalysts with unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

The importance of unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbenes (uNHCs) as ligands in metal-catalyzed reactions is undeniable. While uNHCs show similar properties as compared with symmetrical NHCs, dissymmetrization allows for further fine-tuning. The introduction of chelatization, hemilability, bifunctionality, shielding effects, and chirality-transfer influences the catalyst's stability, reactivity, and selectivity, thus offering access to tailor-made systems including mono- and multidentate uNHC ligands. Based on selected examples, the structure-reactivity relationship of uNHCs employed in metal catalysts is presented. The focus is on catalytically active complexes, which either offer access to new applications or lead to significantly improved results in metal-catalyzed reactions.

Facile Synthesis of Flexible, Donor–Acceptor Side-Chain Functionalized Copolymers via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

A series of polymers has been synthesized via ring-opening metathesis polymerization of donor–acceptor side-chain functionalized monomers. The backbones of the polymers are based on poly(norbornene)s and/or poly(cyclooctene)s, while the side-chains consist of electron-rich 1,5-dialkoxynaphthalene and electron-deficient 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (pyromellitic dianhydride). The monomers were proven to be living which allowed for the generation of controlled homopolymers and block copolymers. Side-chain functionalized alternating poly(norbornene/cyclooctene)s were generated using a Grubbs-type initiator containing an unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligand. Using UV–vis spectroscopy, a charge-transfer band was detected in random and alternating copolymer solutions due to intramolecular interactions.

Dynamic behaviour attributed to chiral carbohydrate substituents of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in square planar nickel complexes

Nickel complexes having acetylated glucopyranosyl group incorporated N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands with methyl or benzyl groups as an N-substituent exhibit two kinds of dynamic behaviours in solution (1)H NMR spectroscopy. One of the dynamic behaviours is attributed to the anti- and syn-rotamers, which occur by the rotation of the unsymmetrical NHC ligands around the axes of the Ni-C bonds. The other is attributed to the diastereomers of the syn-rotamers, which occur by opposite rotation of the imidazolylidene rings and the chiral carbohydrate group incorporated into the NHC ligands. Crystallographic analysis of the nickel complex having the NHC ligand with acetylated glucopyranosyl and benzyl groups as N-substituents showed CH-π interaction between the glucopyranosyl unit of each NHC ligand and the phenyl ring of the other NHC ligand in the complex in the solid state.

Ruthenium‐Based Olefin Metathesis Catalysts Coordinated with Unsymmetrical N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Activity

A series of ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalysts coordinated with unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands has been prepared and fully characterized. These complexes are readily accessible in one or two steps from commercially available [(PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru==CHPh]. All of the complexes reported herein promote the ring-closing of diethyldiallyl and diethylallylmethallyl malonate, the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of 1,5-cyclooctadiene, and the cross metathesis of allyl benzene with cis-1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene, in some cases surpassing in efficiency the existing second-generation catalysts. Especially in the cross metathesis of allyl benzene with cis-1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene, all new catalysts demonstrate similar or higher activity than the second-generation ruthenium catalysts and, most importantly, afford improved E/Z ratios of the desired cross-product at conversion above 60 %. The influence of the unsymmetrical NHC ligands on the initiation rate and the activation parameters for the irreversible reaction of these ruthenium complexes with butyl vinyl ether were also studied. Finally, the synthesis of the related chlorodicarbonyl(carbene) rhodium(I) complexes allowed for the study of the electronic properties of the new unsymmetrical NHC ligands that are discussed in detail.

New pinene-derived pyridines as bidentate chiral ligands

A synthesis of new bidentate pyridines 8a– d, 9, and 10 has been developed, starting from triflate 14, readily available from β-pinene 11. A copper complex of the pyridine–oxazoline ligands 8a has been found to catalyze asymmetric allylic oxidation of cyclic olefins 36a– c with good conversion rates and acceptable enantioselectivity (≤67% ee). The imidazolium salt 10 has been identified as a precursor of the corresponding N, N′-unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, whose complex with palladium catalyzed the intramolecular amide enolate α-arylation leading to oxindole 45 in excellent yield but with low enantioselectivity.

Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalysts Bearing an N-Fluorophenyl-N-Mesityl-Substituted Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene

Two new ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalysts, each bearing an unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, have been synthesized and fully characterized. Their catalytic performance has been evaluated in ring-closing metathesis, cross metathesis, and ring-opening metathesis polymerization reactions.

Ruthenium Metathesis Catalysts with Saturated Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

The facile synthesis of two new unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands from commercially available monosubstituted diamines is presented. The resultant unsymmetrical NHC ligands have been complexed to ruthenium to give novel olefin metathesis initiators. Of particular interest, the new complexes (7a and 8a) gave significantly different E:Z ratios in cross-metathesis reactions and gave an improved selectivity in diastereoselective ring-closing metathesis, in comparison to the corresponding Grubbs 2 (2) and Hoveyda−Grubbs (3) complexes.