A Conjugated Phenylene Nanocage with a Guest-Adaptive Deformable Cavity.

The highly strained, phenylene-derived organic cages are typically regarded as very rigid entities, yet their deformation potential and supramolecular properties remain underexplored. Herein, we report a pliable conjugated phenylene nanocage by synergistically merging rigid and flexible building blocks. The anisotropic cage molecule contains branched phenylene chains capped by a calix[6]arene moiety, the delicate conformational changes of which endow the cage with a remarkably deformable cavity. When complexing with fullerene guests, the cage showcases excellent guest-adaptivity, with its cavity volume capable of swelling by as much as 85 %.

Macrocycle-Induced Modulation of Internuclear Interactions in Homobimetallic Complexes.

A synthetic route has been developed for a series of 3d homobimetallic complexes of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu using three different pyridyldiimine and pyridyldialdimine macrocyclic ligands with ring sizes of 18, 20, and 22 atoms. Crystallographic analyses indicate that while the distances between the metals can be modulated by the size of the macrocycle pocket, the flexibility in the alkyl linkers used to construct the macrocycles enables the ligand to adjust the orientation of the PD(A)I fragments in response to the geometry of the [M2(µ-Cl)2]2+ core, particularly with respect to Jahn-Teller distortions. Analyses by UV-vis spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometry revealed deviations in the properties [M2(µ-Cl)2]2+-containing complexes bound by standard mononucleating ligands, highlighting the ability of macrocycles to use ring size to control the magnetic interactions of pseudo-octahedral, high-spin metal centers.

A Conjugated Figure-of-Eight Oligoparaphenylene Nanohoop with Adaptive Cavities Derived from Cyclooctatetrathiophene Core.

A fully conjugated figure-of-eight nanohoop is presented with facile synthesis. The molecule's lemniscular skeleton features the combination of two strained oligoparaphenylene loops and a flexible cyclooctatetrathiophene core. Its rigid yet guest-adaptive cavities enable the formation of the peanut-like 1:2 host-guest complexes with C60 or C70 , which have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography and characterized in solution. Further computational studies suggest notable geometric variations and non-covalent interactions of the cavities upon binding with different fullerenes, as well as overall conjugation comparable to cycloparaphenylenes.

Biocatalytic oxidation of alcohols using galactose oxidase and a manganese(III) activator for the synthesis of islatravir.

Galactose oxidase (GOase) is a Cu-dependent metalloenzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes. An evolved GOase variant was recently shown to catalyze a desymmetrizing oxidation as the first enzymatic step in the biocatalytic synthesis of islatravir. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is required to activate the GOase, introducing cost and protein burden to the process. Herein we describe that complexes of earth-abundant Mn(iii) (e.g. Mn(OAc)3) can be used at low loadings (2 mol%) as small molecule alternatives to HRP, providing similar yields and purity profiles. While an induction period is observed when using Mn(OAc)3 as the activator, employment of alternative Mn(iii) sources, such as Mn(acac)3 and K3[Mn(C2O4)3], eliminates the induction period and provides higher conversions to product. We demonstrate that use of the Mn(OAc)3 additive is also compatible with subsequent biocatalytic steps in the islatravir-forming cascade. Finally, to exhibit the wider utility of Mn(OAc)3, we show that Mn(OAc)3 functions as a suitable activator for several commercially available variants of GOase with a series of alcohol substrates.

Interdependent Metal-Metal Bonding and Ligand Redox-Activity in a Series of Dinuclear Macrocyclic Complexes of Iron, Cobalt, and Nickel.

This report describes an isostructural series of dinuclear iron, cobalt, and nickel complexes bound by a redox-active macrocyclic ligand. The series spans five redox levels (34-38 e-/cluster core), allowing for a detailed investigation into both the degree of metal-metal interaction and the extent of ligand-based redox-activity. Magnetometry, electrochemistry, UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy, and crystallography were used in conjunction with DFT computational analyses to extract the electronic structures of the six homodinuclear complexes. The isoelectronic, 34 e- species [(3PDI2)Fe2(PMe3)2(µ-Cl)](OTf) and [(3PDI2)Co2(PMe3)2(µ-Cl)](OTf)3 exhibit metal-metal single bonds, with varying amounts of electron density delocalization into the ligand as a function of the effective nuclear charge of the metal ions. One- and two-electron reductions of [(3PDI2)Co2(PMe3)2(µ-Cl)](OTf)3 lead to isolable products, which show successive increases in both the Co-Co distances and the extent of reduction of the ligand manifold. This trend results from reduction of a Co-Co σ* orbital, which was found to be heavily mixed with the redox-active manifold of the 3PDI2 ligand. A similar trend was observed in the 37 and 38 e- dinickel complexes [(3PDI2)Ni2(PMe3)2(µ-Cl)](OTf)2 and [(3PDI2)Ni2(PMe3)2(µ-Cl)](OTf); however, their higher electron counts lead to high-spin ground states that result from occupation of a high-lying δ/δ* manifold with significant Ni-NPDI σ* character. This change in ground state configuration reforms a M-M bonding interaction in the 37 e- complex, but formation of the 38 e- species again disrupts the M-M bond alongside the transfer of electron density to the ligand.

N-H Bond Formation at a Diiron Bridging Nitride.

Despite their connection to ammonia synthesis, little is known about the ability of iron-bound, bridging nitrides to form N-H bonds. Herein we report a linear diiron bridging nitride complex supported by a redox-active macrocycle. The unique ability of the ligand scaffold to adapt to the geometric preference of the bridging species was found to facilitate the formation of N-H bonds via proton-coupled electron transfer to generate a µ-amide product. The structurally analogous µ-silyl- and µ-borylamide complexes were shown to form from the net insertion of the nitride into the E-H bonds (E=B, Si). Protonation of the parent bridging amide produced ammonia in high yield, and treatment of the nitride with PhSH was found to liberate NH3 in high yield through a reaction that engages the redox-activity of the ligand during PCET.

Tuning Metal-Metal Interactions through Reversible Ligand Folding in a Series of Dinuclear Iron Complexes.

A dinucleating macrocyclic ligand with two redox-active, pyridyldiimine components was shown to undergo reversible ligand folding to accommodate various substitution patterns, metal ion spin states, and degrees of Fe-Fe bonding within the cluster. An unfolded-ligand geometry with a rectangular Fe2(µ-Cl)2 core and an Fe-Fe distance of 3.3262(5) Å served as a direct precursor to two different folded-ligand complexes. Chemical reduction in the presence of PPh3 resulted in a diamagnetic, folded ligand complex with an Fe-Fe bonding interaction (dFe-Fe = 2.7096(17) Å) between two intermediate spin (SFe = 1) Fe(II) centers. Ligand folding was also induced through anion exchange on the unfolded-ligand species, producing a complex with three PhS- ligands and a temperature-dependent Fe-Fe distance. In this latter example, the weak ligand field of the thiolate ligands led to a product with weakly coupled, high-spin Fe(II) ions (SFe = 2; J = -50.1 cm-1) that form a bonding interaction in the ground state and a nonbonding interaction in the excited state(s), as determined by SQUID magnetometry and variable temperature crystallography. Finally, both folded-ligand complexes were shown to reform an unfolded-ligand geometry through convergent syntheses of a complex with an Fe-Fe bonded Fe2(µ-SPh)2 core (dFe-Fe = 2.7320(11) Å). Experimentally validated DFT calculations were used to investigate the electronic structures of all species as a way to understand the origin of Fe-Fe bonding interactions, the extent of ligand reduction, and the nature of the spin systems that result from multiple, weakly interacting spin centers.

Reversible Heterolytic Cleavage of the H-H Bond by Molybdenum Complexes: Controlling the Dynamics of Exchange Between Proton and Hydride.

Controlling the heterolytic cleavage of the H-H bond of dihydrogen is critically important in catalytic hydrogenations and in the catalytic oxidation of H2. We show how the rate of reversible heterolytic cleavage of H2 can be controlled, spanning 4 orders of magnitude at 25 °C, from 2.1 × 103 s-1 to ≥107 s-1. Bifunctional Mo complexes, [CpMo(CO)(κ3-P2N2)]+ (P2N2 = 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane diphosphine ligand with alkyl/aryl groups on N and P), have been developed for heterolytic cleavage of H2 into a proton and a hydride, akin to frustrated Lewis pairs. The H-H bond cleavage is enabled by the basic amine in the second coordination sphere. The products of heterolytic cleavage of H2, Mo hydride complexes bearing protonated amines, [CpMo(H)(CO)(P2N2H)]+, were characterized by spectroscopic studies and by X-ray crystallography. Variable-temperature 1H, 15N, and 2-D 1H-1H ROESY NMR spectra indicated rapid exchange of the proton and hydride. The exchange rates are in the order [CpMo(H)(CO)(PPh2NPh2H)]+ > [CpMo(H)(CO)(PtBu2NPh2H)]+ > [CpMo(H)(CO)(PPh2NBn2H)]+ > [CpMo(H)(CO)(PtBu2NBn2H)]+ > [CpMo(H)(CO)(PtBu2NtBu2H)]+. The pKa values determined in acetonitrile range from 9.3 to 17.7 and show a linear correlation with the logarithm of the exchange rates. This correlation likely results from the exchange process involving key intermediates that differ by an intramolecular proton transfer. Specifically, the proton-hydride exchange appears to occur by formation of a molybdenum dihydride or dihydrogen complex, resulting from proton transfer from the pendant amine to the metal hydride. The exchange dynamics are controlled by the relative acidity of the [CpMo(H)(CO)(P2N2H)]+ and [CpMo(H2)(CO)(P2N2)]+ isomers, providing a design principle for controlling heterolytic cleavage of H2.

Semibullvalene and diazasemibullvalene: recent advances in the synthesis, reaction chemistry, and synthetic applications.

Semibullvalene (SBV) and its aza analogue 2,6-diazasemibullvalene (NSBV) are theoretically interesting and experimentally challenging organic molecules because of four unique features: highly strained ring systems, intramolecular skeletal rearrangement, extremely rapid degenerate (aza-)Cope rearrangement, and the predicted existence of neutral homoaromatic delocalized structures. SBV has received much attention in the past 50 years. In contrast, after NSBV was predicted in 1971 and the first in situ synthesis was realized in 1982, no progress on NSBV chemistry was made until our results in 2012. We have been interested in the reaction chemistry of 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes (dilithio reagents for short), especially for their applications in the synthesis of SBV and NSBV, because (i) the cyclodimerization of dilithio reagents could provide the potential eight-carbon skeleton of SBV from four-carbon butadiene units and (ii) the insertion reaction of dilithio reagents with C≡N bonds of two nitriles could provide a 6C + 2N skeleton that might be a good precursor for the synthesis of NSBV. Therefore, we initiated a journey into the synthesis and reaction chemistry of SBV and NSBV starting from dilithio reagents that has been ongoing since 2006. In this Account, we outline mainly our recent achievements in the synthesis, structural characterization, reaction chemistry, synthetic application, and theoretical/computational analysis of NSBV. Two efficient strategies for the synthesis of NSBV from dilithio reagents and nitriles via oxidant-induced C-N bond formation are described. Structural investigations of NSBV, including X-ray crystal structure analysis, determination of the activation barrier for the aza-Cope rearrangement, and theoretical analysis, show that the localized structure of NSBV is the predominant form and that the homoaromatic delocalized structure exists as a minor component in the equilibrium. We also discuss the reaction chemistry and synthetic applications of NSBV. Several novel reaction patterns have been explored, including thermolysis, C-N bond insertion, rearrangement-cycloaddition, oxidation, and nucleophilic ring-opening reactions. Diverse and interesting N-containing polycyclic skeletons can be constructed, such as nickelaazetidine, 1,5-diazatriquinacenes, and triazabrexadienes, which are not available by other means. Our results show that NSBV not only features a rapid aza-Cope rearrangement with a low activation barrier but also acts as unique synthetic reagent that is significantly different from aziridine. The strained rigid ring systems as a whole can be involved in the reactions. Our achievements highlight two significant advances: (i) the well-established efficient synthesis and isolation of NSBV has greatly accelerated the development of NSBV chemistry, and (ii) the previously unattainable molecules have become "normal" and routine starting materials for the synthesis of otherwise unavailable but interesting structures. We expect that our pursuits will inspire and help direct future chemical and physical research on NSBV.

Facile P-C/C-H Bond-Cleavage Reactivity of Nickel Bis(diphosphine) Complexes.

Unusual cleavage of P-C and C-H bonds of the P2 N2 ligand, in heteroleptic [Ni(P2 N2 )(diphosphine)](2+) complexes under mild conditions, results in the formation of an iminium formyl nickelate featuring a C,P,P-tridentate coordination mode. The structures of both the heteroleptic [Ni(P2 N2 )(diphosphine)](2+) complexes and the resulting iminium formyl nickelate have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate the mechanism of the P-C/C-H bond cleavage, which involves C-H bond cleavage, hydride rotation, Ni-C/P-H bond formation, and P-C bond cleavage.

Molybdenum Hydride and Dihydride Complexes Bearing Diphosphine Ligands with a Pendant Amine: Formation of Complexes with Bound Amines.

CpMo(CO)(PNP)H complexes (PNP = (R2PCH2)2NMe, R = Et or Ph) were synthesized by displacement of two CO ligands of CpMo(CO)3H by the PNP ligand; these complexes were characterized by IR and variable temperature (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. CpMo(CO)(PNP)H complexes are formed as mixture of cis- and trans-isomers. The structures of both cis-CpMo(CO)(P(Et)N(Me)P(Et))H and trans-CpMo(CO)(P(Ph)N(Me)P(Ph))H were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical oxidation of CpMo(CO)(P(Et)N(Me)P(Et))H and CpMo(CO)(P(Ph)N(Me)P(Ph))H in CH3CN are both irreversible at slow scan rates and quasireversible at higher scan rates, with E1/2 = -0.36 V (vs Cp2Fe(+/0)) for CpMo(CO)(P(Et)N(Me)P(Et))H and E1/2 = -0.18 V for CpMo(CO)(P(Ph)N(Me)P(Ph))H. Hydride abstraction from CpMo(CO)(PNP)H with [Ph3C](+)[A](-) (A = B(C6F5)4 or BAr(F)4; [Ar(F) = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]) afforded "tuck-in" [CpMo(CO)(κ(3)-PNP)](+) complexes that feature the amine bound to the metal. Displacement of the κ(3) Mo-N bond by CD3CN gives [CpMo(CO)(PNP)(CD3CN)](+). The kinetics of this reaction were studied by (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy for [CpMo(CO)(κ(3)-P(Et)N(Me)P(Et))](+), providing the activation parameters ΔH(⧧) = 21.6 ± 2.8 kcal/mol, ΔS(⧧) = -0.3 ± 9.8 cal/(mol K), Ea = 22.1 ± 2.8 kcal/mol. Protonation of CpMo(CO)(P(Et)N(Me)P(Et))H affords the Mo dihydride complex [CpMo(CO)(κ(2)-P(Et)N(Me)P(Et))(H)2](+), which loses H2 to generate [CpMo(CO)(κ(3)-P(Et)N(Me)P(Et))](+) at room temperature. Our results show that the pendant amine has a strong driving force to form stable "tuck-in" [CpMo(CO)(κ(3)-PNP)](+) complexes, and also promotes hydrogen elimination from [CpMo(CO)(PNP)(H)2](+) complexes by formation of a Mo-N dative bond. CpMo(CO)(dppp)H (dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) was studied as a Mo diphosphine analogue without a pendant amine, and the product of protonation of this complex gives [CpMo(CO)(dppp)(H)2](+).

Diastereoselective nucleophilic ring-opening reactions of 2,6-diazasemibullvalenes for the synthesis of diverse functionalized δ(1) -bipyrroline derivatives.

Nucleophilic ring-opening reactions of 2,6-diazasemibullvalenes (NSBVs) were investigated. Different types of nucleophile (alcohols, phenols, thiols, carboxylic acids, water, enols, amines, indoles, metal-halide salts, sodium azide, organozinc compounds, lithium alkynethiolate, and sulfoxonium ylides) were used to afford diverse functionalized Δ(1) -bipyrroline derivatives in good yields with high regio- and diastereoselectivity. Most of the reactions featured milder conditions and higher reactivity relative to those for common aziridine derivatives, probably because of the rigid ring system and substitution patterns of NSBVs.

Application Effect of Comprehensive Noise Reduction Technology in Outpatients with Vitiligo: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Noise is a kind of perceived public nuisance that is closely related to people's subjective feelings and lives. This study explores the clinical application effect of comprehensive noise reduction technology in outpatients with vitiligo. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with vitiligo were selected in the Department of Dermatology at Baoding No. 2 Central Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021, as the control group (CG), receiving 5S management mode, and 80 patients with vitiligo from February 2021 to October 2022 were selected as the study group (SG), receiving comprehensive noise reduction technology combined with the 5S management mode for this retrospective study. The effects of different management modes on these patients were observed. RESULTS: SG had higher nursing quality scores in service attitude, service initiative, communication skills, environmental management and item management and overtly a lower noise level than CG (all P < 0.001). The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores of the two groups at the end of treatment were significantly lower than those on admission (P < 0.05), with SG showing a lower score than CG (P < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that noise levels and HAMA scores had a positive correlation (r = 0.423, P < 0.001). Patients with negative feelings about medical treatment caused by various noise sources in SG were obviously less than those in CG (P < 0.05). Both the groups had a statistical difference in overall satisfaction (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The investigation and data analysis demonstrated that comprehensive noise reduction in outpatients with vitiligo had a considerable effect. This technology can standardise the behaviour of medical staff, enhance nursing quality, reduce noise levels and alleviate patients' anxiety and improve their satisfaction. It has great benefits for the outpatient environment and patients.

2,6-Diazasemibullvalenes: synthesis, structural characterization, reaction chemistry, and theoretical analysis.

A series of 2,6-diazasemibullvalenes (NSBVs) were synthesized and isolated from the reaction of 1,4-dilithio-1,3-dienes with nitriles via oxidant-induced C-N bond formation. For the first time, the activation barrier and an X-ray crystal structure of a substituted 2,6-diazasemibullvalene were determined. All NSBVs show extremely rapid aza-Cope rearrangement in solution, but the rapid aza-Cope rearrangement is "frozen" in the solid state, as shown by solid-state NMR measurements and X-ray single-crystal structural analysis. Insertion of unsaturated compounds or a low-valent metal center into the NSBV C-N bond gave diverse and interesting ring-expansion products. Theoretical analysis showed that the localized structure is predominant and that the homoaromatic delocalized structure exists as a minor component in the equilibrium.

Zirconocene and Si-tethered diynes: a happy match directed toward organometallic chemistry and organic synthesis.

Characterizing reactive organometallic intermediates is critical for understanding the mechanistic aspects of metal-mediated organic reactions. Moreover, the isolation of reactive organometallic intermediates can often result in the ability to design new synthetic methods. In this Account, we outline synthetic methods that we developed for a variety of diverse Zr/Si organo-bimetallic compounds and Si/N heteroatom-organic compounds through the detailed study of zirconacyclobutene-silacyclobutene fused compounds. Two basic components are involved in this chemistry. The first is the Si-tethered diyne, which owes its rich reactive palette to the combination of the Si-C bond and the C≡C triple bond. The second is the low-valent zirconocene species Cp(2)Zr(II), which has proven very useful in organic synthesis. The reaction of these two components affords the zirconacyclobutene-silacyclobutene fused compound, which is the key reactive Zr/Si organo-bimetallic intermediate discussed here. We discuss the three types of reactions that have been developed for the zirconacyclobutene-silacyclobutene fused intermediate. The reaction with nitriles (the C≡N triple bond) is introduced in the first section. In this one-pot reaction, up to four different components can be combined: the Si-tethered diyne can be reacted with three identical nitriles, with differing nitriles, or with a nitrile and other unsaturated organic substrates such as formamides, isocyanides, acid chlorides, aldehydes, carbodiimides, and azides. Several unexpected multiring, fused Zr/Si organo-bimetallic intermediates were isolated and characterized. A wide variety of N-heterocycles, such as 5-azaindole, pyrrole, and pyrroloazepine derivatives, were obtained. We then discuss the reaction with alkynes (the C≡C triple bond). A consecutive skeletal rearrangement, differing from that observed in the reactions with nitriles, takes place in this reaction. Finally, we discuss the reaction with the C═X substrates (where X is O or N), including ketones, aldehydes, and isocyanides. Oxa- and azazirconacycles are formed via a new skeletal rearrangement. Our results show that the zirconocene and the Si-tethered diyne cooperate as a "chemical transformer" after treatment with various substrates, leading to a diverse range of cyclic Zr/Si organo-bimetallic compounds. This mechanism-derived synthesis of organometallic and organic compounds demonstrates that the investigation of metal-mediated reactions and the isolation of reactive organometallic intermediates not only contribute to the understanding of complex reactions but can also lead to the discovery of synthetically useful methods.

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of benzosilolo[2,3-b]indoles via cleavage of a C(sp3)-Si bond and consequent intramolecular C(sp2)-Si coupling.

An efficient process involving Pd-catalyzed selective cleavage of a C(sp(3))-Si bond and consequent intramolecular C(sp(2))-Si coupling has been developed, affording benzosilolo[2,3-b]indoles as a new type of silicon-bridged polyheteroarene in excellent yields. Aldehyde was found for the first time to be able to promote the efficiency of the catalytic process remarkably.

One-pot selective syntheses of 5-azaindoles through zirconocene-mediated multicomponent reactions with three different nitrile components and one alkyne component.

5-Azaindoles either with three different substituents at their 2-, 4-, and 6-positions or with two identical substituents at their 2- and 6-positions and a different one at the 4-position, were obtained in good to excellent isolated yields by a zirconocene-mediated multicomponent process. Each reaction involved four organic partners, comprising a Si-tethered diyne, one tBuCN component, and two (either different or identical) nitriles. All these four components were combined through the action of a Cp(2)Zr(II) species into a three-ring fused Zr/Si-containing organometallic complex in a perfectly chemo- and regioselective manner. This multicomponent reaction process consisted of three reaction steps, all of which were made clear through the isolation and characterization of their corresponding organometallic intermediates: the zirconacyclopropene-azasilacyclopentadienes 2, the allenyl-aza-zirconacycles 3, and the three-ring fused complexes 6. X-ray single-crystal structural analyses of two three-ring fused Zr/Si-containing intermediates and two 5-azaindoles unambiguously showed the positions of the different substituents and the regioselectivity. Iminopyrrole derivatives could be also highly selectively prepared from a Si-tethered diyne and two different nitriles.

Selective Electrochemical Oxidation of Functionalized Pyrrolidines.

A method for the selective electrochemical aminoxyl-mediated Shono-type oxidation of pyrrolidines to pyrrolidinones is described. These transformations show the high selectivity and functional group compatibility. This chemistry also demonstrates the use of an operationally simple ElectraSyn 2.0 and cost-effective stainless-steel electrode for the electrochemical oxidation of functionalized pyrrolidines.

Cleavage and reorganization of Zr-C/Si-C bonds leading to Zr/Si-N organometallic and heterocyclic compounds.

The t-BuCN-stabilized zirconacyclopropene-azasilacyclopentadiene complexes 2 are generated in situ in high yields from the Si-tethered diynes, Cp(2)Zr(II) species, and 2 equiv of t-BuCN via a coordination-induced Zr-C/Si-C bond cleavage and reorganization. Complexes 2 have been demonstrated to be synthetically very useful. A variety of novel Zr/Si organo-bimetallic compounds and Si/N heterocyclic compounds, such as azasilacyclopentadienes, azasilacyclohexadienes, and allenylazazirconacycles, are obtained in high yields when complexes 2 are treated with ketones, carbodiimides, alkynes, elemental sulfur (S(8)), acid chlorides, or nitriles. In this chemistry, t-BuCN behaves as both an initiator and a brake/release handle to initiate and control the reaction process.

Efficient one-pot synthesis of N-containing heterocycles by multicomponent coupling of silicon-tethered diynes, nitriles, and isocyanides through intramolecular cyclization of iminoacyl-Zr intermediates.

An efficient multicomponent synthesis of 5-azaindoles and dihydropyrrolo[3,2-c]azepines was achieved by zirconocene-mediated coupling of silicon-tethered diynes, nitriles, and isocyanides. The synthesis, structures, and intramolecular cyclization of mono- and bis(iminoacyl)--Zr intermediates were investigated to elucidate the reaction process. Upon hydrolysis, the isolated mono(iminoacyl)--Zr intermediates underwent intramolecular cyclization to afford tetrasubstituted 5-azaindoles, whereas intramolecular cyclization of bis(iminoacyl)--Zr intermediates led to the formation of dihydropyrrolo[3,2-c]azepines. The structure of a bis(iminoacyl)--Zr intermediate, formed through insertion of two molecules of CyNC into the Zr--C bond, and structures of two dihydropyrrolo[3,2-c]azepines were characterized by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis.