Highly active and selective photochemical reduction of CO2 to CO using molecular-defined cyclopentadienone iron complexes.

Herein, we report highly active (cyclopentadienone)iron-tricarbonyl complexes for CO2 photoreduction using visible light with an Ir complex as photosensitizer and TEOA as electron/proton donor. Turnover numbers (TON) of ca. 600 (1 h) with initial turnover frequencies (TOF) up to 22.2 min(-1) were observed. Operando FTIR measurements allowed for the proposal of a plausible mechanism for catalyst activation.

Efficient and selective hydrogen generation from bioethanol using ruthenium pincer-type complexes.

Catalytic generation of hydrogen from aqueous ethanol solution proceeds in the presence of pincer-type transition metal catalysts. Optimal results are obtained applying a [Ru(H)(Cl)(CO)(iPr2PEtN(H)EtPiPr2)] complex (catalyst TON 80,000) in the presence of water and base. This dehydrogenation reaction provides up to 70% acetic acid in a selective manner. For the first time, it is shown that bioethanol obtained from fermentation processes can be used directly in this protocol without the need for water removal. The produced hydrogen can be directly utilized in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, since very low amounts of CO are formed.

Palladium-catalysed carbonylative α-arylation of acetone and acetophenones to 1,3-diketones.

Three COmponent -arylation: A carbonylative ketone -arylation process employing acetone for the first time, as well as acetophenones, is described (see scheme). The reaction tolerates a range of (hetero)aryl iodides and several functionalised aryl ketone coupling partners. Only low pressures of molecular CO are applied and no additional solvent is necessary.

An examination of the palladium/Mor-DalPhos catalyst system in the context of selective ammonia monoarylation at room temperature.

An examination of the [{Pd(cinnamyl)Cl}(2)]/Mor-DalPhos (Mor-DalPhos = di(1-adamantyl)-2-morpholinophenylphosphine) catalyst system in Buchwald-Hartwig aminations employing ammonia was conducted to better understand the catalyst formation process and to guide the development of precatalysts for otherwise challenging room-temperature ammonia monoarylations. The combination of [{Pd(cinnamyl)Cl}(2)] and Mor-DalPhos afforded [(κ(2)-P,N-Mor-DalPhos)Pd(η(1)-cinnamyl)Cl] (2), which, in the presence of a base and chlorobenzene, generated [(κ(2)-P,N-Mor-DalPhos)Pd(Ph)Cl] (1 a). Halide abstraction from 1 a afforded [(κ(3)-P,N,O-Mor-DalPhos)Pd(Ph)]OTf (5), bringing to light a potential stabilizing interaction that is offered by Mor-DalPhos. An examination of [(κ(2)-P,N-Mor-DalPhos)Pd(aryl)Cl] (1 b-f) and related precatalysts for the coupling of ammonia and chlorobenzene at room temperature established the suitability of 1 a in such challenging applications. The scope of reactivity for the use of 1 a (5 mol %) encompassed a range of (hetero)aryl (pseudo)halides (X = Cl, Br, I, OTs) with diverse substituents (alkyl, aryl, ether, thioether, ketone, amine, fluoro, trifluoromethyl, and nitrile), including chemoselective arylations.

A selective palladium-catalyzed carbonylative arylation of aryl ketones to give vinylbenzoate compounds.

Preparation of enols: when treated with [{Pd(cinnamyl)Cl}(2)]/cataCXium A (nBuPAd(2), Ad=adamantyl) under an atmosphere of CO, aryl ketones react with aryl halides in a carbonylative C-O coupling reaction to form (Z)-vinyl benzoates.

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of indoles via ammonia cross-coupling-alkyne cyclization.

The synthesis of indoles via the metal-catalyzed cross-coupling of ammonia is reported for the first time; the developed protocol also allows for the unprecedented use of methylamine or hydrazine as coupling partners. These Pd/Josiphos-catalyzed reactions proceed under relatively mild conditions for a range of 2-alkynylbromoarenes.

Synthesis of 3-aminoisoxazoles via the addition-elimination of amines on 3-bromoisoxazolines.

A novel two-step procedure for the synthesis of 3-amino-5-substituted-isoxazoles is described. In the presence of a base, readily available 3-bromoisoxazolines react with amines to afford 3-aminoisoxazolines. An oxidation protocol was developed for these heterocycles to provide 3-aminoisoxazoles in consistently high yield.