Diazines and Triazines as Building Blocks in Ligands for Metal-Mediated Catalytic Transformations.

Pyridine is a ubiquitous building block for the design of very diverse ligand platforms, many of which have become indispensable for catalytic transformations. Nevertheless, the isosteric pyrazine, pyrimidine, and triazine congeners have enjoyed thus far a less privileged role in ligand design. In this review, several applications of such fragments in the design of new catalysts are presented. In a significant number of cases described, diazine- and triazine-based ligands either outperform their pyridine congeners or offer alternative catalytic pathways which enable new reactivities. The potential opportunities unlocked by using these building blocks in ligand design are discussed, and the origin of the enhanced catalytic activity is highlighted where mechanistic studies are available.

Terminal N2 Dissociation in [(PNN)Fe(N2 )]2 (µ-N2 ) Leads to Local Spin-State Changes and Augmented Bridging N2 Activation.

Nitrogen fixation at iron centres is a fundamental catalytic step for N2 utilisation, relevant to biological (nitrogenase) and industrial (Haber-Bosch) processes. This step is coupled with important electronic structure changes which are currently poorly understood. We show here for the first time that terminal dinitrogen dissociation from iron complexes that coordinate N2 in a terminal and bridging fashion leaves the Fe-N2 -Fe unit intact but significantly enhances the degree of N2 activation (Δν≈180 cm-1 , Raman spectroscopy) through charge redistribution. The transformation proceeds with local spin state change at the iron centre (S= 1 / 2 ${{ 1/2 }}$ →S=3 /2 ). Further dissociation of the bridging N2 can be induced under thermolytic conditions, triggering a disproportionation reaction, from which the tetrahedral (PNN)2 Fe could be isolated. This work shows that dinitrogen activation can be induced in the absence of external chemical stimuli such as reducing agents or Lewis acids.

Metal-Ligand Cooperativity in Iron Dinitrogen Complexes: Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Disproportionation and an Anionic Fe(0)N2 Hydride.

Metal-ligand cooperativity and redox-active ligands enable the use of open-shell first-row transition metals in catalysis. However, the fleeting nature of the reactive intermediates prevents direct inspection of the relevant catalytic species. By employing phosphine α-iminopyridine (PNN)-based complexes, we show that chemical and redox metal-ligand cooperativity can be combined in the coordination sphere of iron dinitrogen complexes. These systems show dual activation modes either through deprotonation, which triggers reversible core dearomatization, or through reversibly accepting one electron by reducing the imine functionality. (PNN)Fe(N2) fragments can be obtained under mildly reducing conditions. Deprotonation of such complexes induces dearomatization of the pyridine core while retaining a terminally coordinated N2 ligand. This species is nevertheless stable in solution only below -30 °C and undergoes unusual ligand-assisted redox disproportionation through proton-coupled electron transfer at room temperature. The origin of this phenomenon is the significant lability of the α-imine C-H bonds in the dearomatized species, where the calculated bond dissociation free energy is 48.7 kcal mol-1. The dispropotionation reaction yields an overreduced iron compound, demonstrating that the formation of such species can be triggered by mild bases, and does not require harsh reducing agents. Reaction of the dearomatized species with dihydrogen yields a rare anionic Fe hydride that binds dinitrogen and features a rearomatized core.

Redox Activity of Iron Diazine-Diimine Carbonyl and Dinitrogen Complexes: A Comparative Study of the Influence of the Heterocyclic Ring.

A detailed investigation of the electronic structure of diazinediimine iron complexes and their comparison with the pyridine analogues reveals subtle but important differences, imparted by the supporting heterocycle. In the case of LFe(CO)2 complexes (L = pyrazine- and pyrimidinediimine), the characterization of three available redox states confirmed that whereas the nature of the electron-transfer processes is similar, the differences in π-acidity of the supporting heterocycle significantly affect the redox potentials. The reduction of LFe(CO)2 can yield either a ligand-centered radical (for L = pyrimidine) or a C-C-bonded dimer (for L = pyrazine), supported by a dearomatized core. In the latter case, the C-C bond can be reversibly cleaved oxidatively. Compared to the carbonyl analogues, employing weak-field N2 ligands triggers changes in electronic structure for the neutral and reduced LFe(N2) complexes (L = pyrimidinediimine). En route to the synthesis of the nitrogen complexes, the square-planar LFeCl (L = pyrimidinediimine) was isolated. The monoradical character of the supporting chelate triggers the asymmetric distribution of electron density around the heterocycle.

A Redox-Active Heterobimetallic N-Heterocyclic Carbene Based on a Bis(imino)pyrazine Ligand Scaffold.

A new redox-active N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) architecture is obtained using N-methylated pyrazinediimine iron complexes as precursors. The new species exhibit strong π-accepting/σ-donating properties and are able to ligate two metal centres simultaneously. The redox activity was demonstrated by the reversible chemical oxidation of a heterobimetallic Fe0 /RhI example, which affords an isolable ligand-based radical cation. The reversible redox process was then applied in the catalytic hydrosilylation of 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone, where the reaction rate could be reversibly controlled as a function of the catalyst oxidation state. The new NHC exhibits high electrophilicity and nucleophilicity, which was demonstrated in the reversible activation of alcohols and amines. The electronic structure of the resulting complexes was investigated through various spectroscopic and computational methods.

Bis(imino)pyrazine-Supported Iron Complexes: Ligand-Based Redox Chemistry, Dearomatization, and Reversible C-C Bond Formation.

Iron complexes supported by novel π-acidic bis(imino)pyrazine (PPzDI) ligands can be functionalized at the nonligated nitrogen atom, and this has a marked effect on the redox properties of the resulting complexes. Dearomatization is observed in the presence of cobaltocene, which reversibly reduces the pyrazine core and not the imine functionality, as observed in the case of the pyridinediimine-ligated iron analogues. The resulting ligand-based radical is prone to dimerization through the formation of a long carbon-carbon bond, which can be subsequently cleaved under mild oxidative conditions.

Site-Selective trans-Hydrostannation of 1,3- and 1,n-Diynes: Application to the Total Synthesis of Typhonosides†E and F, and a Fluorinated Cerebroside Analogue.

Propargyl alcohols are privileged substrates for stereochemically unorthodox trans-hydrostannation reactions catalyzed by [Cp*RuCl]4 (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), because an incipient hydrogen bond between the -OH group and the polarized [Ru-Cl] unit assists substrate binding. For this very reason, it is also possible to subject diyne derivatives carrying one -OH group to site-selective stannylation, even if the acetylene units are conjugated and hence, electronically coupled. An unusual temperature dependence was observed in that heating tends to improve site-selectivity, whereas per-stannylation is favored when the reaction is carried out in the cold. This counterintuitive trend can be rationalized based on spectroscopic data; additional support comes from the isolation of the unusual bimetallic complex 11. The bridging fulvene and enynyl ligands in 11 are thought to reflect an interligand redox isomerization process likely triggered by synchronous activation of the 1,3-diyne substrate by two metal centers. The preparative relevance of site-selective trans-hydrostannation is illustrated by the total synthesis of two members of the typhonoside series of glycolipids, which are endowed with neuroprotective properties. Moreover, the preparation of a fluoroalkene sphingosine analogue shows that the tin residue also serves as a versatile handle for late-stage modification of a bioactive target compound.

Formation of Gold(III) Alkyls from Gold Alkoxide Complexes.

The gold(III) methoxide complex (C∧N∧C)AuOMe (1) reacts with tris(p-tolyl)phosphine in benzene at room temperature under O abstraction to give the methylgold product (C∧N∧C)AuMe (2) together with O=P(p-tol)3 ((C∧N∧C) = [2,6-(C6H3t Bu-4)2pyridine]2-). Calculations show that this reaction is energetically favorable (ΔG = -32.3 kcal mol-1). The side products in this reaction, the Au(II) complex [Au(C∧N∧C)]2 (3) and the phosphorane (p-tol)3P(OMe)2, suggest that at least two reaction pathways may operate, including one involving (C∧N∧C)Au• radicals. Attempts to model the reaction by DFT methods showed that PPh3 can approach 1 to give a near-linear Au-O-P arrangement, without phosphine coordination to gold. The analogous reaction of (C∧N∧C)AuOEt, on the other hand, gives exclusively a mixture of 3 and (p-tol)3P(OEt)2. Whereas the reaction of (C∧N∧C)AuOR (R = But, p-C6H4F) with P(p-tol)3 proceeds over a period of hours, compounds with R = CH2CF3, CH(CF3)2 react almost instantaneously, to give 3 and O=P(p-tol)3. In chlorinated solvents, treatment of the alkoxides (C∧N∧C)AuOR with phosphines generates [(C∧N∧C)Au(PR3)]Cl, via Cl abstraction from the solvent. Attempts to extend the synthesis of gold(III) alkoxides to allyl alcohols were unsuccessful; the reaction of (C∧N∧C)AuOH with an excess of CH2=CHCH2OH in toluene led instead to allyl alcohol isomerization to give a mixture of gold alkyls, (C∧N∧C)AuR' (R' = -CH2CH2CHO (10), -CH2CH(CH2OH)OCH2CH=CH2 (11)), while 2-methallyl alcohol affords R' = CH2CH(Me)CHO (12). The crystal structure of 11 was determined. The formation of Au-C instead of the expected Au-O products is in line with the trend in metal-ligand bond dissociation energies for Au(III): M-H > M-C > M-O.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Alkyne trans-Hydrometalation: Mechanistic Insights and Preparative Implications.

[Cp*RuCl]4 (1) has previously been shown to be the precatalyst of choice for stereochemically unorthodox trans-hydrometalations of internal alkynes. Experimental and computational data now prove that the alkyne primarily acts as a four-electron donor ligand to the catalytically active metal fragment [Cp*RuCl] but switches to adopt a two-electron donor character once the reagent R3MH (M = Si, Ge, Sn) enters the ligand sphere. In the stereodetermining step the resulting loaded complex evolves via an inner-sphere mechanism into a ruthenacyclopropene which swiftly transforms into the product. In accord with the low computed barriers, spectral and preparative data show that the reaction is not only possible but sometimes even favored at low temperatures. Importantly, such trans-hydrometalations are distinguished by excellent levels of regioselectivity when unsymmetrical alkynes are used that carry an -OH or -NHR group in vicinity of the triple bond. A nascent hydrogen bridge between the protic substituent and the polarized [Ru-Cl] unit imposes directionality onto the ligand sphere of the relevant intermediates, which ultimately accounts for the selective delivery of the R3M- group to the acetylene C-atom proximal to the steering substituent. The interligand hydrogen bonding also allows site-selectivity to be harnessed in reactions of polyunsaturated compounds, since propargylic substrates bind more tightly than ordinary alkynes; even the electronically coupled triple bonds of conjugated 1,3-diynes can be faithfully discriminated as long as one of them is propargylic. Finally, properly positioned protic sites lead to a substantially increased substrate scope in that they render even 1,3-enynes, arylalkynes, and electron-rich alkynylated heterocycles amenable to trans-hydrometalation which are otherwise catalyst poisons.

Gold(III)-CO and gold(III)-CO2 complexes and their role in the water-gas shift reaction.

The water-gas shift (WGS) reaction is an important process for the generation of hydrogen. Heterogeneous gold catalysts exhibit good WGS activity, but the nature of the active site, the oxidation state, and competing reaction mechanisms are very much matters of debate. Homogeneous gold WGS systems that could shed light on the mechanism are conspicuous by their absence: gold(I)-CO is inactive and gold(III)-CO complexes were unknown. We report the synthesis of the first example of an isolable CO complex of Au(III). Its reactivity demonstrates fundamental differences between the CO adducts of the neighboring d (8) ions Pt(II) and Au(III): whereas Pt(II)-CO is stable to moisture, Au(III)-CO compounds are extremely susceptible to nucleophilic attack and show WGS reactivity at low temperature. The key to understanding these dramatic differences is the donation/back-donation ratio of the M-CO bond: gold-CO shows substantially less back-bonding than Pt-CO, irrespective of closely similar ν(CO) frequencies. Key WGS intermediates include the gold-CO2 complex [(C^N^C)Au]2(µ-CO2), which reductively eliminates CO2. The species identified here are in accord with Au(III) as active species and a carboxylate WGS mechanism.

An element through the looking glass: exploring the Au-C, Au-H and Au-O energy landscape.

Gold, the archetypal "noble metal", used to be considered of little interest in catalysis. It is now clear that this was a misconception, and a multitude of gold-catalysed transformations has been reported. However, one consequence of the long-held view of gold as inert metal is that its organometallic chemistry contains many "unknowns", and catalytic cycles devised to explain gold's reactivity draw largely on analogies with other transition metals. How realistic are such mechanistic assumptions? In the last few years a number of key compound classes have been discovered that can provide some answers. This Perspective attempts to summarise these developments, with particular emphasis on recently discovered gold(iii) complexes with bonds to hydrogen, oxygen, alkenes and CO ligands.

Reactivity of Gold Hydrides: O2 Insertion into the Au-H Bond.

Dioxygen reacts with the gold(I) hydride (IPr)AuH under insertion to give the hydroperoxide (IPr)AuOOH, a long-postulated reaction in gold catalysis and the first demonstration of O2 activation by Au-H in a well-defined system. Subsequent condensation gave the peroxide (IPr)Au-OO-Au(IPr) (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). The reaction kinetics are reported, as well as the reactivity of Au(I) hydrides with radical scavengers.

Interligand Interactions Dictate the Regioselectivity of trans-Hydrometalations and Related Reactions Catalyzed by [Cp*RuCl]. Hydrogen Bonding to a Chloride Ligand as a Steering Principle in Catalysis.

Reactions of internal alkynes with R3M-H (M = Si, Ge, Sn) follow an unconventional trans-addition mode in the presence of [Cp*Ru(MeCN)3]PF6 (1) as the catalyst; however, the regioselectivity is often poor with unsymmetrical substrates. This problem can be solved upon switching to a catalyst comprising a [Ru-Cl] bond, provided that the acetylene derivative carries a protic functional group. The R3M unit is then delivered with high selectivity to the alkyne-C atom proximal to this steering substituent. This directing effect originates from the ability of the polarized [Ru-Cl] bond to engage in hydrogen bonding with the protic substituent, which helps upload, activate, and lock the alkyne within the coordination sphere. An additional interligand contact of the chloride with the -MR3 center positions the incoming reagent in a matching orientation that translates into high regioselectivity. The proposed secondary interactions within the loaded catalyst are in line with a host of preparative and spectral data and with the structures of the novel ruthenium π-complexes 10 and 11 in the solid state. Moreover, the first X-ray structure of a [Ru(σ-stannane)] complex (12a) is presented, which indeed features peripheral Ru-Cl···MR3 contacts; this adduct also corroborates that alkyne trans-addition chemistry likely involves σ-complexes as reactive intermediates. Finally, it is discussed that interligand cooperativity might constitute a more general principle that extends to mechanistically distinct transformations. The presented data therefore make an interesting case for organometallic chemistry that provides inherently better results when applied to substrates containing unprotected rather than protected -OH, -NHR, or -COOH groups.

Electrochemistry of Au(II) and Au(III) pincer complexes: determination of the Au(II)-Au(II) bond energy.

The bond energy of the unsupported Au-Au bond in the Au(ii) dimer [(C(∧)N(∧)C)Au]2 and the difference between Au(III)-OH and Au(III)-H bond enthalpies have been determined experimentally by electrochemical methods, with Au-OH and Au-H complexes showing unexpected differences in their reduction pathways, supported by DFT modelling.

Gold peroxide complexes and the conversion of hydroperoxides into gold hydrides by successive oxygen-transfer reactions.

Gold catalysts are widely studied in chemical and electrochemical oxidation processes. Computational modelling has suggested the participation of Au-OO-Au, Au-OOH or Au-OH surface species, attached to gold in various oxidation states. However, no structural information was available as isolable gold peroxo and hydroperoxo compounds were unknown. Here we report the syntheses, structures and reactions of a series of gold(III) peroxides, hydroperoxides and alkylperoxides. The Au-O bond energy in peroxides is weaker than in oxides and hydroxides; however, the Au-OH bond is also weaker than Au-H. Consequently Au-OH compounds are capable of oxygen-transfer generating gold hydrides, a key reaction in a water splitting cycle and an example that gold can react in a way that other metals cannot. For the first time it has become possible to establish a direct connection from peroxides to hydrides: Au-OO-Au→Au-OOH→Au-OH→Au-H, via successive oxygen-transfer events.

Alkali aminoether-phenolate complexes: synthesis, structural characterization and evidence for an activated monomer ROP mechanism.

Several monometallic {LO(i)}M complexes of lithium (M = Li; i = 1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (3)) or potassium (M = K, i = 3 (4)) and the heteroleptic bimetallic lithium complex {LO(3)}Li·LiN(SiMe2H)2 (5), all supported by monoanionic aminoether-phenolate {LO(i)}(-) (i = 1-3) ligands, have been synthesized and structurally characterized. A large range of coordination motifs is represented in the solid state, depending on the chelating ability of the ligand, the size of the metal and the number of metallic centres found in the complex. Pulse-gradient spin-echo NMR showed that 1-4 are monomeric in solution, irrespective of their (mono- or di)nuclearity in the solid-state. VT (7)Li and DOSY NMR measurements conducted for 5 indicated that the two Li atoms in the complex do not exchange positions even at 80 °C. Upon addition of 1-10 equiv. of BnOH, the electron-rich and sterically congested {LO(3)}Li complex (3) promotes the controlled living and immortal ring-opening polymerisation of L-lactide. The combination of polymer end-group analyses and stoichiometric model reactions unambiguously provided evidence that ROP reactions catalyzed by these two-component {LO(i)}Li/BnOH catalyst systems operate according to an activated monomer mechanism, and not via the coordination-insertion scenario frequently assumed for similar alkali phenolate-alcohol systems.

A thermally stable gold(III) hydride: synthesis, reactivity, and reductive condensation as a route to gold(II) complexes.

Going for gold: The first thermally stable gold(III) hydride [(C N C)*AuH] is presented. It undergoes regioselective insertions with allenes to give gold(III) vinyl complexes, and reductive condensation with [(C N C)*AuOH] to the air-stable Au(II) product, [(C N C)*(2)Au(2)], with a short nonbridged gold-gold bond.

Cyclometallated gold(III) hydroxides as versatile synthons for Au-N, Au-C complexes and luminescent compounds.

The gold(III) hydroxide κ(3)-(C^N^C)*Au(OH) reacts with C-H and N-H compounds and arylboronic acids to produce a range of perfluoroaryls, N-heterocyclic and alkynyl compounds in high yields; some of which show unexpectedly strong modulation of their photoluminescence from yellow to blue [(C^N^C)* = 2,6-(C(6)H(3)Bu(t))(2)pyridine].