A Gold(I)-Acetylene Complex Synthesised using Single-Crystal Reactivity.

Using single-crystal to single-crystal solid/gas reactivity the gold(I) acetylene complex [Au(L1)(η2-HC≡CH)][BArF4] is cleanly synthesized by addition of acetylene gas to single crystals of [Au(L1)(CO)][BArF4] [L1 = tris-2-(4,4'-di-tert-butylbiphenyl)phosphine, ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]. This simplest gold-alkyne complex has been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy and periodic DFT. Bonding of HC≡CH with [Au(L1)]+ comprises both σ-donation and π-backdonation with additional dispersion interactions within the cavity-shaped phosphine.

T-Shaped Palladium and Platinum {MNO}10 Nitrosyl Complexes.

The synthesis and characterization of a homologous series of T-shaped {MNO}10 nitrosyl complexes of the form [M(PR3)2(NO)]+ (M = Pd, Pt; R = tBu, Ad) are reported. These diamagnetic nitrosyls are obtained from monovalent or zerovalent precursors by treatment with NO and NO+, respectively, and are notable for distinctly bent M-NO angles of ∼123° in the solid state. Adoption of this coordination mode in solution is also supported by the analysis of isotopically enriched samples by 15N NMR spectroscopy. Effective oxidation states of M0/NO+ are calculated, and metal-nitrosyl bonding has been interrogated using DFT-based energy decomposition analysis techniques. While a linear nitrosyl coordination mode was found to be electronically preferred, the M-NO and P-M-P angles are inversely correlated to the extent that binding in this manner is prevented by steric repulsion between the bulky ancillary phosphine ligands.

Stability and C-H Bond Activation Reactions of Palladium(I) and Platinum(I) Metalloradicals: Carbon-to-Metal H-Atom Transfer and an Organometallic Radical Rebound Mechanism.

One-electron oxidation of palladium(0) and platinum(0) bis(phosphine) complexes enables isolation of a homologous series of linear d9 metalloradicals of the form [M(PR3)2]+ (M = Pd, Pt; R = tBu, Ad), which are stable in 1,2-difluorobenzene (DFB) solution for >1 day at room temperature when partnered with the weakly coordinating [BArF4]- (ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) counterion. The metalloradicals exhibit reduced stability in THF, decreasing in the order palladium(I) > platinum(I) and PAd3 > PtBu3, especially in the case of [Pt(PtBu3)2]+, which is converted into a 1:1 mixture of the platinum(II) complexes [Pt(PtBu2CMe2CH2)(PtBu3)]+ and [Pt(PtBu3)2H]+ upon dissolution at room temperature. Cyclometalation of [Pt(PtBu3)2]+ can also be induced by reaction with the 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxyl radical in DFB, and a common radical rebound mechanism involving carbon-to-metal H-atom transfer and formation of an intermediate platinum(III) hydride complex, [Pt(PtBu2CMe2CH2)H(PtBu3)]+, has been substantiated by computational analysis. Radical C-H bond oxidative addition is correlated with the resulting MII-H bond dissociation energy (M = Pt > Pd), and reactions of the metalloradicals with 9,10-dihydroanthracene in DFB at room temperature provide experimental evidence for the proposed C-H bond activation manifold in the case of platinum, although conversion into platinum(II) hydride derivatives is considerably faster for [Pt(PtBu3)2]+ (t1/2 = 1.2 h) than [Pt(PAd3)2]+ (t1/2 ∼ 40 days).

Synthesis of a rhodium(III) dinitrogen complex using a calix[4]arene-based diphosphine ligand.

The synthesis and characterisation of the rhodium(III) dinitrogen complex [Rh(2,2'-biphenyl)(CxP2)(N2)]+ are described, where CxP2 is a trans-spanning calix[4]arene-based diphosphine and the dinitrogen ligand is projected into the cavity of the macrocycle.

Mechanistic Insights into Molecular Crystalline Organometallic Heterogeneous Catalysis through Parahydrogen-Based Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies.

The heterogeneous solid-gas reactions of crystals of [Rh(L2)(propene)][BArF4] (1, L2 = tBu2PCH2CH2PtBu2) with H2 and propene, 1-butene, propyne, or 1-butyne are explored by gas-phase nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy under batch conditions at 25 °C. The temporal evolution of the resulting parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) effects measures catalytic flux and thus interrogates the efficiency of catalytic pairwise para-H2 transfer, speciation changes in the crystalline catalyst at the molecular level, and allows for high-quality single-scan 1H, 13C NMR gas-phase spectra for the products to be obtained, as well as 2D-measurements. Complex 1 reacts with H2 to form dimeric [Rh(L2)(H)(µ-H)]2[BArF4]2 (4), as probed using EXAFS; meanwhile, a single-crystal of 1 equilibrates NMR silent para-H2 with its NMR active ortho isomer, contemporaneously converting into 4, and 1 and 4 each convert para-H2 into ortho-H2 at different rates. Hydrogenation of propene using 1 and para-H2 results in very high initial polarization levels in propane (>85%). Strong PHIP was also detected in the hydrogenation products of 1-butene, propyne, and 1-butyne. With propyne, a competing cyclotrimerization deactivation process occurs to afford [Rh(tBu2PCH2CH2PtBu2)(1,3,4-Me3C6H3)][BArF4], while with 1-butyne, rapid isomerization of 1-butyne occurs to give a butadiene complex, which then reacts with H2 more slowly to form catalytically active 4. Surprisingly, the high PHIP hydrogenation efficiencies allow hyperpolarization effects to be seen when H2 is taken directly from a regular cylinder at 25 °C. Finally, changing the chelating phosphine to Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2 results in initial high polarization efficiencies for propene hydrogenation, but rapid quenching of the catalyst competes to form the zwitterion [Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2){η6-(CF3)2(C6H3)}BArF3].

Single-Crystal to Single-Crystal Addition of H2 to [Ir(iPr-PONOP)(propene)][BArF 4] and Comparison Between Solid-State and Solution Reactivity.

The reactivity of the Ir(I) PONOP pincer complex [Ir(iPr-PONOP)(η2-propene)][BArF 4], 6, [iPr-PONOP = 2,6-(iPr2PO)2C6H3N, ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3] was studied in solution and the solid state, both experimentally, using molecular density functional theory (DFT) and periodic-DFT computational methods, as well as in situ single-crystal to single-crystal (SC-SC) techniques. Complex 6 is synthesized in solution from sequential addition of H2 and propene, and then the application of vacuum, to [Ir(iPr-PONOP)(η2-COD)][BArF 4], 1, a reaction manifold that proceeds via the Ir(III) dihydrogen/dihydride complex [Ir(iPr-PONOP)(H2)H2][BArF 4], 2, and the Ir(III) dihydride propene complex [Ir(iPr-PONOP)(η2-propene)H2][BArF 4], 7, respectively. In solution (CD2Cl2) 6 undergoes rapid reaction with H2 to form dihydride 7 and then a slow (3 d) onward reaction to give dihydrogen/dihydride 2 and propane. DFT calculations on the molecular cation in solution support this slow, but productive, reaction, with a calculated barrier to rate-limiting propene migratory insertion of 24.8 kcal/mol. In the solid state single-crystals of 6 also form complex 7 on addition of H2 in an SC-SC reaction, but unlike in solution the onward reaction (i.e., insertion) does not occur, as confirmed by labeling studies using D2. The solid-state structure of 7 reveals that, on addition of H2 to 6, the PONOP ligand moves by 90° within a cavity of [BArF 4]- anions rather than the alkene moving. Periodic DFT calculations support the higher barrier to insertion in the solid state (ΔG ‡ = 26.0 kcal/mol), demonstrating that the single-crystal environment gates onward reactivity compared to solution. H2 addition to 6 to form 7 is reversible in both solution and the solid state, but in the latter crystallinity is lost. A rare example of a sigma amine-borane pincer complex, [Ir(iPr-PONOP)H2(η1-H3B·NMe3)][BArF 4], 5, is also reported as part of these studies.

Oxidative Addition of a Mechanically Entrapped C(sp)-C(sp) Bond to a Rhodium(I) Pincer Complex.

By use of a macrocyclic phosphinite pincer ligand and bulky substrate substituents, we demonstrate how the mechanical bond can be leveraged to promote the oxidative addition of an interlocked 1,3-diyne to a rhodium(I) center. The resulting rhodium(III) bis(alkynyl) product can be trapped out by reaction with carbon monoxide or intercepted through irreversible reaction with dihydrogen, resulting in selective hydrogenolysis of the C-C σ-bond.

Terminal Alkyne Coupling Reactions Through a Ring: Effect of Ring Size on Rate and Regioselectivity.

Terminal alkyne coupling reactions promoted by rhodium(I) complexes of macrocyclic NHC-based pincer ligands-which feature dodecamethylene, tetradecamethylene or hexadecamethylene wingtip linkers viz. [Rh(CNC-n)(C2 H4 )][BArF 4 ] (n=12, 14, 16; ArF =3,5-(CF3 )2 C6 H3 )-have been investigated, using the bulky alkynes HC≡CtBu and HC≡CAr' (Ar'=3,5-tBu2 C6 H3 ) as substrates. These stoichiometric reactions proceed with formation of rhodium(III) alkynyl alkenyl derivatives and produce rhodium(I) complexes of conjugated 1,3-enynes by C-C bond reductive elimination through the annulus of the ancillary ligand. The intermediates are formed with orthogonal regioselectivity, with E-alkenyl complexes derived from HC≡CtBu and gem-alkenyl complexes derived from HC≡CAr', and the reductive elimination step is appreciably affected by the ring size of the macrocycle. For the homocoupling of HC≡CtBu, E-tBuC≡CCH=CHtBu is produced via direct reductive elimination from the corresponding rhodium(III) alkynyl E-alkenyl derivatives with increasing efficacy as the ring is expanded. In contrast, direct reductive elimination of Ar'C≡CC(=CH2 )Ar' is encumbered relative to head-to-head coupling of HC≡CAr' and it is only with the largest macrocyclic ligand studied that the two processes are competitive. These results showcase how macrocyclic ligands can be used to interrogate the mechanism and tune the outcome of terminal alkyne coupling reactions, and are discussed with reference to catalytic reactions mediated by the acyclic homologue [Rh(CNC-Me)(C2 H4 )][BArF 4 ] and solvent effects.

Bulky bis(aryl)triazenides: just aspiring amidinates? A structural and spectroscopic study.

The synthesis and molecular structures (by single crystal X-ray diffraction) of s-, p- and d-metal complexes of the sterically demanding N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)triazenide are reported and the spectroscopic (NMR spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy) and physical properties of these complexes compared to related formamidinate complexes. Through the use of infrared spectroscopy the σ-donor capacity of this ligand is demonstrated to be reduced relative to the structurally isomorphous formamidinate congener, which supports previously advanced theoretical calcluations and DFT results reported herein. These electronic differences are highlighted by the stark contrast in reaction outcomes at rhodium; where [(Dipp2N3)Rh(CO)2] (1) is an isolable, stable complex and the formamidinate complex is not. The coordination chemistry of the triazenide ligand for the s-block metal complexes (M = Li, Na, K) has been shown to give structurally isomorphous complexes to the formamidinate analogue. In contrast to the amidinate complexes, these complexes show extreme lability of coordinated, volatile Lewis-bases, which in turn-yields the highly insoluble base-free triazenide complexes. These complexes are also synthesized directly in the absence of donor solvents. This triazenide ligand has proven to be a suitable ligand for stabilising reactive main group hydrides of Group 13 (M = Ga, In) and attempts at the analogous thallium hydride complex by halide-hydride exchange are reported. Finally attempts at the synthesis of low valent main group complexes are reported ([MIL], M = In, Ga) are also reported, which yield instead disproportionation products ([MIIIXL2], M = Ga, In; [{MIIXL}2], M = Ga).

Isolation and structural characterisation of rhodium(iii) η2-fluoroarene complexes: experimental verification of predicted regioselectivity.

The isolation and solid-state characterisation of complexes featuring partially coordinated benzene, fluorobenzene and all three isomers of difluorobenzene are described. Supported by a DFT analysis, this well-defined homologous series demonstrates the preference for η2-coordination of fluoroarenes via the HC[double bond, length as m-dash]CH sites adjacent to a fluorine substituent.

A shape changing tandem Rh(CNC) catalyst: preparation of bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,5,7-trienes from terminal aryl alkynes.

The preparation of a range of tetraaryl-substituted bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,5,7-trienes using a one-pot procedure starting from terminal aryl alkynes and catalysed by a rhodium(i) complex is reported. This synthesis proceeds by a reaction sequence involving head-to-tail homocoupling of the terminal alkyne and zipper annulation of the resulting gem-enyne. The rhodium catalyst employed is notable for the incorporation of a flexible NHC-based pincer ligand, which is suggested to interconvert between mer- and fac-coordination modes to fulfil the orthogonal mechanistic demands of the two transformations. Evidence for this interesting auto-tandem action of the catalyst is provided by reactions of the precatalyst with model substrates, corroborating proposed intermediates in both component cycles, and norbornadiene, which reversibly captures the change in pincer ligand coordination mode, along with a DFT-based computational analysis.

Synthesis and group 9 complexes of macrocyclic PCP and POCOP pincer ligands.

The synthesis of macrocyclic variants of commonly employed phosphine-based pincer (pro)ligands derived from meta-xylene (PCP-14) and resorcinol (POCOP-14) is described, where the P-donors are trans-substituted with a tetradecamethylene linker. The former was accomplished using a seven-step asymmetric procedure involving (-)-cis-1-amino-2-indanol as a chiral auxiliary and ring-closing olefin metathesis. A related, but non-diastereoselective route was employed for the latter, which consequently necessitated chromatographic separation from the cis-substituted by-product. The proligands are readily metalated and homologous series of MI(CO) and MIIICl2(CO) derivatives (M = Rh, Ir) have been isolated and fully characterised in solution and the solid state. Metal hydride complexes are generated during the synthesis of the former and have been characterised in situ using NMR spectroscopy.

Synthesis and rhodium complexes of macrocyclic PNP and PONOP pincer ligands.

The synthesis of macrocyclic variants of commonly employed phosphine-based pincer ligands derived from lutidine (PNP-14) and 2,6-dihydroxypyridine (PONOP-14) is described, where the P-donors are trans-substituted with a tetradecamethylene linker. This was accomplished using an eight-step procedure involving borane protection, ring-closing olefin metathesis, chromatographic separation from the cis-substituted diastereomers, and borane deprotection. The rhodium coordination chemistry of these ligands has been explored, aided by the facile synthesis of 2,2'-biphenyl (biph) adducts [Rh(PNP-14)(biph)][BArF4] and [Rh(PONOP-14)(biph)][BArF4] (ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3). Subsequent hydrogenolysis enabled generation of dihydrogen, ethylene and carbonyl derivatives; notably the ν(CO) bands of the carbonyl complexes provide a means to compare the donor properties of the new pincer ligands with established acyclic congeners.

Rhodium(I) Pincer Complexes of Nitrous Oxide.

The synthesis of two well-defined rhodium(I) complexes of nitrous oxide (N2 O) is reported. These normally elusive adducts are stable in the solid state and persist in solution at ambient temperature, enabling comprehensive structural interrogation by 15 N NMR and IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These methods evidence coordination of N2 O through the terminal nitrogen atom in a linear fashion and are supplemented by a computational energy decomposition analysis, which provides further insights into the nature of the Rh-N2 O interaction.

Synthesis and Structural Dynamics of Five-Coordinate Rh(III) and Ir(III) PNP and PONOP Pincer Complexes.

The synthesis and characterization of a homologous series of five-coordinate rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes of PNP (2,6-( tBu2PCH2)2C5H3N) and PONOP (2,6-( tBu2PO)2C5H3N) pincer ligands are described: [M(PNP)(biph)][BArF4] (M = Rh, 1a; Ir, 1b; biph = 2,2'-biphenyl; ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) and [M(PONOP)(biph)][BArF4] (M = Rh, 2a; Ir, 2b). These complexes are structurally dynamic in solution, exhibiting pseudorotation of the biph ligand on the 1H NMR time scale (Δ G⧧ ca. 60 kJ mol-1) and, in the case of the flexible PNP complexes, undergoing interconversion between helical and puckered pincer ligand conformations (Δ G⧧ ca. 10 kJ mol-1). Remarkably, the latter is sufficiently facile that it persists in the solid state, leading to temperature-dependent disorder in the associated X-ray crystal structures. Reaction of 1 and 2 with CO occurs for the iridium congeners 1b and 2b, leading to the formation of sterically congested carbonyl derivatives.

A convenient method for the generation of {Rh(PNP)}+ and {Rh(PONOP)}+ fragments: reversible formation of vinylidene derivatives.

The substitution reactions of [Rh(COD)2][BArF4] with PNP and PONOP pincer ligands 2,6-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)pyridine and 2,6-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinito)pyridine in the weakly coordinating solvent 1,2-F2C6H4 are shown to be an operationally simple method for the generation of reactive formally 14 VE rhodium(i) adducts in solution. Application of this methodology enables synthesis of known adducts of CO, N2, H2, previously unknown water complexes, and novel vinylidene derivatives [Rh(pincer)(CCHR)][BArF4] (R = tBu, 3,5-tBu2C6H3), through reversible reactions with terminal alkynes.

Rhodium(III) and Iridium(III) Complexes of a NHC-Based Macrocycle: Persistent Weak Agostic Interactions and Reactions with Dihydrogen.

The synthesis and characterization of five-coordinate rhodium(III) and iridium(III) 2,2'-biphenyl complexes [M(CNC-12)(biph)][BArF 4] (M = Rh (1a), Ir (1b)), featuring the macrocyclic lutidine- and NHC-based pincer ligand CNC-12 are reported. In the solid state these complexes are notable for the adoption of weak ε-agostic interactions that are characterized by M···H-C contacts of ca. 3.0 Å by X-ray crystallography and ν(CH) bands of reduced wavenumber by ATR IR spectroscopy. Remarkably, these interactions persist on dissolution and were observed at room temperature using NMR spectroscopy (CD2Cl2) and solution-phase IR spectroscopy (CCl4). The associated metrics point toward a stronger M···H-C interaction in the iridium congener, and this conclusion is borne out on interrogation of 1 in silico using DFT-based NBO and QTAIM analyses. Reaction of 1 with dihydrogen resulted in hydrogenolysis of the biaryl and formation of fluxional hydride complexes, whose ground state formulations as [Rh(CNC-12)H2][BArF 4] (2a″) and [Ir(CNC-12)H2(H2)][BArF 4] (2b‴) are proposed on the basis of inversion recovery and variable-temperature NMR experiments, alongside a computational analysis. Reactions of 1 and 2 with carbon monoxide help support their respective structural properties.

Terminal Alkyne Coupling Reactions through a Ring: Mechanistic Insights and Regiochemical Switching.

The mechanism and selectivity of terminal alkyne coupling reactions promoted by rhodium(I) complexes of NHC-based CNC pincer ligands have been investigated. Synthetic and kinetic experiments support E- and gem-enyne formation through a common reaction sequence involving hydrometallation and rate-determining C-C bond reductive elimination. The latter is significantly affected by the ligand topology: Employment of a macrocyclic variant enforced exclusive head-to-head coupling, contrasting the high selectivity for head-to-tail coupling observed for the corresponding acyclic pincer ligand.

Rotaxane synthesis exploiting the M(i)/M(iii) redox couple.

In the context of advancing the use of metal-based building blocks for the construction of mechanically interlocked molecules, we herein describe the preparation of late transition metal containing [2]rotaxanes (1). Capture and subsequent retention of the interlocked assemblies are achieved by the formation of robust and bulky complexes of rhodium(iii) and iridium(iii) through hydrogenation of readily accessible rhodium(i) and iridium(i) complexes [M(COD)(PPh3)2][BArF4] (M = Rh, 2a; Ir, 2b) and reaction with a bipyridyl terminated [2]pseudorotaxane (3·db24c8). This work was underpinned by detailed mechanistic studies examining the hydrogenation of 1 : 1 mixtures of 2 and bipy in CH2Cl2, which proceeds with disparate rates to afford [M(bipy)H2(PPh3)2][BArF4] (M = Rh, 4a[BArF4], t = 18 h @ 50 °C; Ir, 4b[BArF4], t < 5 min @ RT) in CH2Cl2 (1 atm H2). These rates are reconciled by (a) the inherently slower reaction of 2a with H2 compared to that of the third row congener 2b, and (b) the competing and irreversible reaction of 2a with bipy, leading to a very slow hydrogenation pathway, involving rate-limiting substitution of COD by PPh3. On the basis of this information, operationally convenient and mild conditions (CH2Cl2, RT, 1 atm H2, t ≤ 2 h) were developed for the preparation of 1, involving in the case of rhodium-based 1a pre-hydrogenation of 2a to form [Rh(PPh3)2]2[BArF4]2 (8) before reaction with 3·db24c8. In addition to comprehensive spectroscopic characterisation of 1, the structure of iridium-based 1b was elucidated in the solid-state using X-ray diffraction.

Air stable NHCs: a study of stereoelectronics and metallorganic catalytic activity.

The air stable NHC IPrBr is reported. A stereoelectronic study of IPrBr and its similarly stable relative IMesBr demonstrates metal complex specific changes in NHC donicity versus the ubiquitous IPr and IMes. Application to a Suzuki coupling and an iridium transfer hydrogenation gives superior outcomes using IPrBr and IMesBr.