Luminescence Behavior of Cationic and Neutral CuI Complexes of Phosphine and Pyridine Embedded 1,2,3-Triazole.

Synthesis of a potentially polydentate, phosphine and pyridine embedded 1,2,3-triazole, o-Ph2P(C6H4)C(CH)-1,2,3-N3(CH2)(Py) (1) (here onward referred to as "P∩N3∩N") and its copper complexes are described. Reactions of 1 with CuX yielded mononuclear [Cu{(P∩N3∩N)2-κ2-P,N}]X (2 - 4; X = I, CuBr2 and CuCl2) and dinuclear [Cu2{(P∩N3∩N)2-κ4-P,N,N,N}]X (5 X = OTf, 6 X = BF4) complexes. Interestingly, the cationic complex [Cu{(P∩N3∩N)2-κ2-P,N}]I (2) in acetonitrile changes into neutral complex [Cu3(µ2-I)2(µ3-I)(NCCH3){(P∩N3∩N)-κ4(µ2-P,N)(µ2-N,N)}](7), which on addition of dichloromethane reverts back to the cationic form. The photoluminescent characteristics of cationic complexes are significantly impacted by the nature of counteranions and hence the corresponding photoluminescence quantum yields. Cationic complex 2 showed an increase in quantum yield and lifetime on changing over to neutral complex 7. TD-DFT calculations also assisted in assessing the photophysical properties.

Structural Diversity and Rare η1 Cu-C Interactions in CuI Complexes of 1,2,3-Triazole-Functionalized Bisphosphines.

This manuscript describes the synthesis of copper complexes of 1,2,3-triazolyl-phosphines: o-Ph2P(C6H4){1,2,3-N3CC6H5)C(PPh2)} (L1), (C6H5){1,2,3-N3C(C6H4(o-PPh2))-C(PPh2)} (L2), 3-Ph2P(C5H3N){1,2,3-N3C(C6H5)C(PPh2)} (L3), o-Ph2P(C6H4){1,2,3-N3C(C5H5N)C(PPh2)} (L4), and {(3,5-Ph2PC6H4-o)21,2,3-N3CCH} (L5). The reactions of L1-L3 with CuI salts afforded dimeric complexes having the general formula [Cu2(µ -X)2L2] (L = L1, X = Cl, Br and I: 1 - 3; L= L2, X = Cl, Br and I: 4- 6; L = L3; X = Cl, Br, and I: 7-9). The reaction of L4 with CuI in a 1:2 molar ratio afforded 1D-coordination polymer [{(CuI)2{o-Ph2P(C6H4){1,2,3-N3C(C5H5N)C(PPh2)}-µ-((k1-N)(k2-P,P))}}]n (10). The reaction of L5 with cuprous halides (CuX) (X = Br, I) yielded mononuclear complexes [CuX{(3,5-Ph2PC6H4-o)21,2,3-N3CCH}-κ2P,P] (X = Br, 12; I, 13). Crystal structures of complexes 12 and 13 showed close interactions between CuI and the triazole C7 carbon. These relatively short Cu···C7 separations may be due to the η1-C interaction (dπ-pπ bond) between the triazolic carbon atom (via pz orbital) and CuI or three-centered two-electron interaction between CuI and the triazolic C-H bond. The existence of the Cu···C interaction was further evinced by the QTAIM analysis in compounds 12 and 13.

Cationic and Neutral PdII and PtII Pincer Complexes of Phosphinamino-Triazolyl-Pyridine [PN(H)N]: Pincer Ligand-Stabilized Palladium Nanoparticles and Their Catalytic Annulation of Internal Alkynes to Indenones.

We describe the synthesis of a triazolyl-pyridine-based aminophosphine, N-(diphenylphosphaneyl)-6-(1-phenyl)-1H-(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine-2-amine [2,6-{(PPh2)-N(H)(C5H3N)(C2HN3C6H5)}] [1, PN(H)N hereafter], and its palladium and platinum complexes and their catalytic application. The reaction of 1 with [M(COD)Cl2] (M = Pd or Pt) afforded the cationic complex [(MCl){PN(H)N}-κ3-P,N,N]Cl [M = Pd (2) or Pt (3)]. Alternatively, compounds 2 and 3 were also synthesized by treating [2,6-{H2N(C5H3N)(C2HN3C6H5)}] (A) with [M(COD)Cl2] (M = Pd or Pt), followed by the addition of stoichiometric amounts of PPh2Cl and Et3N. The neutral, dearomatized complexes [(MCl){PNN}-κ3-P,N,N] [M = Pd (4) or Pt (5)] were prepared by the deprotonation of the NH of 2 and 3 with 1 equiv of tBuOK. Compounds 4 and 5 were also synthesized stepwise by treating [2,6-{H2N(C5H3N)(C2HN3C6H5)}] (A) with [M(COD)Cl2] (M = Pd or Pt) to give intermediate complexes [{MCl2}2,6-{NH2(C5H3N)(C2HN3C6H5)-κ2-N,N}] [M = Pd (B) or Pt (C)], which were subsequently phosphinated. The in situ-generated PNN ligand-stabilized Pd nanoparticles from compound 2 catalyzed the annulation of o-bromobenzaldehyde with alkynes to yield indenone derivatives. Mechanistic investigations suggested that the reaction was catalyzed by Pd nanoparticles (Pd@2) generated from compound 2 and proceeded through sequential oxidative addition, alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination steps to produce indanone products.

Copper(I) Complexes of Amide Functionalized Bisphosphine: Proximity Enhanced Metal-Ligand Cooperativity and Its Catalytic Advantage in C(sp3)-H Bond Activation of Unactivated Cycloalkanes in Dehydrogenative Carboxylation Reactions.

The reactions of amide functionalized bisphosphine, o-Ph2PC6H4C-(O)N(H)C6H4PPh2-o (1) (BalaHariPhos), with copper salts is described. Treatment of 1 with CuX in a 1:1 molar ratio yielded chelate complexes of the type [CuX{(o-Ph2PC6H4C(O)N(H)C6H4PPh2-o)}-κ2-P,P] (X = Cl, 2; Br, 3; and I, 4), which on subsequent treatment with KOtBu resulted in a dimeric complex [Cu(o-Ph2PC6H4C(O)(N)C6H4PPh2-o)]2 (5). Interestingly, complexes 2-4 showed weak N-H···Cu interactions. These weak H-bonding interactions are studied in detail both experimentally and computationally. Also, CuI complexes 2-5 were employed in the oxidative dehydrogenative carboxylation (ODC) of unactivated cycloalkanes in the presence of carboxylic acids to form the corresponding allylic esters. Among complexes 2-5, halide-free dimeric CuI complex 5 showed excellent metal-ligand cooperativity in the oxidative dehydrogenative carboxylation (ODC) in the presence of carboxylic acids to form the corresponding allylic esters through C(sp3)-H bond activation of unactivated cycloalkanes. Mechanistic details of the catalytic process were established by isolating the precatalyst [Cu{(o-Ph2PC6H4C(O)(NH)C6H4PPh2-o)-κ2-P,P}(OOCPh)] (6) and fully characterized by mass spectrometry, NMR data, and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Density functional theory-based calculations further provided a quantitative understanding of the energetics of a series of H atom transfer steps occurring in the catalytic cycle.

Platinum Assisted Tandem P-C Bond Cleavage and P-N Bond Formation in Amide Functionalized Bisphosphine o-Ph2PC6H4C(O)N(H)C6H4PPh2-o: Synthesis, Mechanistic, and Catalytic Studies.

The reactions of amide functionalized bisphosphine o-Ph2PC6H4C(O)N(H)C6H4PPh2-o (1) with platinum salts are described. Treatment of 1 with [Pt(COD)Cl2] yielded a chelate complex, [PtCl2{o-Ph2PC6H4C(O)N(H)C6H4PPh2-o}κ2-P,P] (2), which on subsequent treatment with LiHMDS formed a novel 1,2-azaphospholene-phosphine complex [Pt(C6H5)Cl{o-C6H4{C(O)N(o-PPh2(C6H4))P(Ph)}}κ2-P,P] (3) involving a tandem P-C bond cleavage and P-N bond formation. The same complex 3 on passing dry HCl gas afforded the dichloro complex [PtCl2{o-C6H4{C(O)N(o-PPh2(C6H4))P(Ph)}}κ2-P,P] (5). Complex 2 upon refluxing in toluene or treatment of 1 with [Pt(COD)Cl2] in the presence of a base at room temperature resulted in the pincer complex [PtCl{o-Ph2PC6H4C(O)N(C6H4PPh2-o)}κ3-P,N,P] (4). Reaction of 1 with [Pt(COD)ClMe] at room temperature also afforded the pincer complex [PtMe{o-Ph2PC6H4C(O)N(C6H4PPh2-o)}κ3-P,N,P] (6). Mechanistic studies on 1,2-azaphospholene formation showed the reductive elimination of LiCl to form a phosphonium salt that readily adds one of the P-C bonds oxidatively to the in situ generated Pt0 species to form a chelate complex 3. The analogous palladium complex [PdCl2{o-C6H4{C(O)N(o-PPh2(C6H4))P(Ph)}}κ2-P,P] (7) showed excellent catalytic activity toward N-alkylation of amines with alcohols with a very low catalyst loading (0.05 mol %), and the methodology is very efficient toward the gram-scale synthesis of many N-alkylated amines.

Synthesis and Characterisation of Novel Bis(diphenylphosphane oxide)methanidoytterbium(III) Complexes.

Reaction of [YbCp2(dme)] (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, dme = 1,2 dimethoxyethane) with bis(diphenylphosphano)methane dioxide (H2dppmO2) leads to deprotonation of the ligand H2dppmO2 and oxidation of ytterbium, forming an extremely air-sensitive product, [YbIII(HdppmO2)3] (1), a six-coordinate complex with three chelating (OPCHPO) HdppmO2 ligands. Complex 1 was also obtained by a redox transmetallation/protolysis synthesis from metallic ytterbium, Hg(C6F5)2, and H2dppmO2. In a further preparation, the reaction of [Yb(C6F5)2] with H2dppmO2, not only yielded compound 1, but also gave a remarkable tetranuclear cage, [Yb4(µ-HdppmO2)6(µ-F)6] (2) containing two [Yb(µ-F)]2 rhombic units linked by two fluoride ligands and the tetranuclear unit is encapsulated by six bridging HdppmO2 donors. The fluoride ligands of the cage result from C-F activation of pentafluorobenzene and concomitant formation of p-H2C6F4 and m-H2C6F4, the last being an unexpected product.

Rare Au···H Interactions in Gold(I) Complexes of Bulky Phosphines Derived from 2,6-Dibenzhydryl-4-methylphenyl Core.

Gold(I) complexes of sterically demanding phosphines derived from 2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-methylphenyl core viz: 2,6-dibenzhydryl-N,N-bis((diphenylphosphane)-methyl)-4-methylaniline (1), (2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-methylphenyl)-diphenylphosphane (2), N-(2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-methylphenyl)-1,1-diphenylphosphanamine (3), and (2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-methylphenoxy)-diphenylphosphane (4) are described. The reaction of 1 with 2 equiv of [AuCl(SMe2)] in dichloromethane yielded [{AuCl}2{Ar*N(CH2PPh2)2}] (5), which on further treatment with 2 equiv of AgSbF6 and 1 equiv of 1 produced 12-membered dimeric complex [Au2{µ-(Ar*N(CH2PPh2)2)2}][(SbF6)2] (6). A similar reaction of 5 with AgSbF6 in CH3CN afforded [{Au(NCCH3)}2{Ar*N(CH2PPh2)2}][(SbF6)2] (7). Equimolar reactions of bulky phosphines 2, 3, and 4 with [AuCl(SMe2)] resulted in [AuCl(PPh2Ar*)] (8), [AuCl(PPh2NHAr*)] (9), and [AuCl(PPh2OAr*)] (10). Complexes 9 and 10 on treatment with AgSbF6 in CH3CN produced the cationic complexes [Au(NCCH3)(PPh2NHAr*)][(SbF6)] (11) and [Au(NCCH3)(PPh2OAr*)][(SbF6)] (12), respectively. The molecular structure of complex 6 revealed the presence of a strong intramolecular aurophilic interaction with a Au···Au distance of 2.9720(4) Å. Careful analysis of molecular structure of 5 revealed the presence of rare Au···H-C (sp3) interactions between the gold(I) atom and one of the methylene protons of -NCH2PPh2 groups. The solution 1H NMR signals of the methylene protons of 5 showed a considerable downfield shift (∼1 ppm) compared to that of the free ligand indicating their interactions (Au···H) with the Au atom. Complexes 8 and 10 also showed Au···H interactions in their molecular structures. The existence of the Au···H interaction was studied by variable temperature 1H NMR data in the case of complex 5 and further evinced by the QTAIM analysis in complexes 5, 8, and 10.

Sterically Demanding Phosphines with 2,6-Dibenzhydryl-4-methylphenyl Core: Synthesis of RuII, PdII, and PtII Complexes, and Structural and Catalytic Studies.

The synthesis of sterically demanding aminophosphine and phosphinite ligands Ar*NHPPh2 (1) and Ar*OPPh2 (2), based on 2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-methylphenyl core having bulky benzhydryl groups, and their RuII, PdII and PtII complexes is described. The reactions of 1 and 2 with [Ru(η6- p-cymene)Cl2]2 in 2:1 molar ratios produced mononuclear complexes [RuCl2{(η6- p-cymene)PPh2-EAr*}-κ1-P] (E = NH (3) and O (4)). Interestingly, complexes 3 and 4, upon refluxing in chlorobenzene, displace the p-cymene ring by one of the phenyl rings of side arms, forming rare η6-arene coordinated tethered complexes [RuCl2{(PPh2-EAr*)-κ1-P-η6-arene}] (E = NH (5) and O (6)). Treatment of 1 and 2 with [M(COD)Cl2] [M = Pd, Pt] in 2:1 ratios afforded mononuclear complexes [MCl2{(PPh2EAr*)-κ1-P}2] (E = NH, M= Pd (7), Pt (8); E = O, M= Pd (9), Pt (10)). Similarly, 1:1 reactions of 1 and 2 with [Pd(COD)Cl2] produced chloro-bridged dinuclear complexes [PdCl2{(PPh2EAr*)-κ1-P}]2 (E = NH (11) and O (12)), whereas [Pt(COD)Cl2] yielded only the mononuclear complexes 8 and 10. The reactions of 1 and 2 with [Pd(η3-C3H5)Cl]2 in 2:1 molar ratios produced the mononuclear complexes [PdCl{(η3-C3H5)(PPh2EAr*)-κ1-P}] (E = NH (13) and O (14)). Many of these complexes have been structurally characterized, which show C-H···π interactions between the methine hydrogen of the benzhydryl and with one of the carbon atoms of the phenyl ring attached to the phosphorus center. The complex [RuCl2{(η6- p-cymene)PPh2-NHAr*}-κ1-P] (3) shows very short C-H···π interactions of 2.36 Å; in addition, C-H···M interactions were observed between the methine hydrogen of one of the benzhydryl groups and palladium centers in 11 and 13. The tethered ruthenium complex 5 is found to be an excellent catalyst for the catalytic oxidation of various styrene derivatives.

Two Triazole-Based Phosphine Ligands Prepared via Temperature-Mediated Li/H Exchange: Cu(I) and Au(I) Complexes and Structural Studies.

The kinetically favored triazole-based phosphine 1-(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)-4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole (2, L1) and its thermodynamically preferred isomer, 5-(diphenylphosphino)-1,4-diphenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole (3, L2), were obtained by the temperature-controlled lithiation of 2-bromotriazole followed by the reaction with chlorodiphenylphosphine. The structures of phosphines 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray diffraction. Upon reaction with late transition-metal derivatives (Cu(I), Ag(I), and Au(I)), phosphines 2 and 3 form complexes with monodentate (Cu(I), Ag(I), and Au(I); κ(1)-P), chelate (Cu(I); κ(2)-P,N), bridged bidentate (Cu(I); µ(2)-P,N), and tridentate (Cu(I); µ(2),κ(2)-P,N,N) modes of coordination. Reactions with copper(I) halides produced mono-, di-, and tetranuclear complexes, whereas the reaction of 2 with [Cu(NCCH3)4]BF4 yielded the binuclear complex [Cu2(CH3CN)2{o-Ph2P(C6H4){1,2,3-N3C(Ph)C(H)}-µ-(κ-P,κ-N),κ-N}2](BF4)2 (10) with the ligand acting as a six-electron donor involving phosphorus and two triazole nitrogen atoms. The copper complexes of 2 and 3 containing rhomboid Cu2X2 units, [(Cu)2(µ-X)2{o-Ph2P(C6H4){1,2,3-N3C(Ph)C(H)}-κ-P}2] (4, X = Cl; 5, X = Br), on treatment with 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2'-bipyridine gave mixed-ligand complexes of the type [(CuX)(N∩N-κ(2)-N,N){o-Ph2P(C6H4){1,2,3-N3C(Ph)C(H)}-κ-P}] (N∩N = 1,10-phen and 2,2'-bipy; X = Cl, Br, and I).

Self-Assembled Cyclophane-Type Copper(I) Complexes of 2,4,6-Tris(diphenylphosphino)-1,3,5-triazine and Their Catalytic Application.

The triazine-based trisphosphine, 2,4,6-tris(diphenylphosphino)-1,3,5-triazine (1) was prepared in improved yield by reacting cyanuric chloride with 3 equiv of trimethylsilyldiphenylphosphine. The solid-state structure of 1 showed short intermolecular P···P contacts of 3.362 Å, which is significantly shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii of phosphorus atoms (3.6 Å). The reaction of 2,4,6-tris(diphenylphosphino)-1,3,5-triazine (1) with copper(I) salts in a 2:3 molar ratio yielded various cyclophane-type complexes in quantitative yield. The solid-state structures of these clusters have been found to depend on the size of the halide ions, the solvent employed, and the reaction conditions. Copper(I) chloride formed a monomeric metallocyclophane, whereas copper(I) bromide and copper(I) iodide derivatives preferred dimeric and 1D-polymeric structures, respectively. The tricationic complexes derived from Cu(I) ion and 2,4,6-tris(diphenylphosphino)-1,3,5-triazine also adopted monomeric metallocyclophane structures. These complexes have been employed in the A(3) coupling reaction under microwave irradiation. The copper(I) iodide derivative showed excellent catalytic efficiency.

Construction of the first rhodium(I) cyclic pentameric structure [Rh(CO)Cl{(µ-N(t)BuP)2(C≡CPh)2}]5 using (phenylethynyl)cyclodiphosphazanes.

To examine the steric effect of the phosphorus substituents in cyclodiphosphazanes, two less sterically demanding alkynyl-functionalized cis-[(µ-N(t)BuP)2(C≡CPh)2] (1) and trans-[(µ-N(t)BuP)2(C≡CPh)2] (2) were synthesized. The cis isomer 1, with a large subtending angle (135.8°) upon treatment with [Rh(CO)2Cl]2, afforded the first rhodium(I) cyclic pentameric macrocycle [Rh(CO)Cl{(µ-N(t)BuP)2(C≡CPh)2}]5 (3). The crystal structure of the cyclic pentamer 3 closely resembles a classical "Ferris wheel".

Diamondoid-Type Copper Coordination Polymers Containing Soft Cyclodiphosphazane Ligands.

Three novel coordination polymers have been synthesized by reacting cis- and trans-alkyne-appended cyclodiphosphazanes with CuX (X = Br, I) salts. The reaction of cis-[(PhC≡CP)2(µ-N(t)Bu)2] (1) with CuBr in a 1:3 molar ratio gave a 3D coordination polymer, [{Cu4(µ3-Br)4}{(cis-(PhC≡CP)2(µ-N(t)Bu)2)Cu4(µ2-Br)4(cis-(PhC≡CP)2(µ-N(t)Bu)2)}4]n (3), having diamondoid topology with an unprecedented copper alkyne coordination, whereas the reaction of 1 with CuI in a 1:4 molar ratio afforded a 1D polymeric complex, [{Cu4(µ3-I)4}(NCCH3)2{cis-(PhC≡CP)2(µ-N(t)Bu)2}2]n (4). In contrast, the reaction of trans-[(PhC≡CP)2(µ-N(t)Bu)2] (2) with CuI was found to be independent of stoichiometry and afforded a 3D coordination polymer, [{Cu4(µ3-I)4}{trans-(PhC≡CP)2(µ-N(t)Bu)2}2]n (5), exclusively.

Short-bite PNP ligand-supported rare tetranuclear [Cu4I4] clusters: structural and photoluminescence studies.

The group 11 metal complexes of two short-bite PNP ligands, C6H5N{P(OC6H3(OMe-o)(C3H5-p))2}2 (1) and C6H5N{P(OC6H4C3H5-o)2}2 (2), are described. Ligands 1 and 2 on treatment with copper(I) halides (CuX, X = Cl, Br, or I) yielded dimeric, tetranuclear complexes of the type [(CuX)4{C6H5N(PR2)2}] (R = OC6H3(OMe-o)(C3H5-p), X = Cl (3), Br (5), I (7); R = OC6H3(C3H5-o), X = Cl (4), Br (6), I (8)). The chloro-derivative 3 adopts the common "stair-step" geometry, whereas the bromo- and iodo-derivatives form Cu4 square planes with two tetracoordinating µ4-halides capping the axial positions to give octahedral geometry with two other µ2-halides being in the plane. The iodo-derivative 8 with a very short Cu-Cu distance of 2.568 Å shows photoluminescence in the solid state.

Novel trisphosphine ligand containing 1,3,5-triazine core, [2,4,6-C3N3{C6H4PPh2-p}3]: synthesis and transition metal chemistry.

The trisphosphine ligand with triazine core, 2,4,6-tris{4-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl}-1,3,5-triazine (2), was synthesized in moderate yield by reacting 2,4,6-tris(4-bromophenyl)-1,3,5-triazine with 3 equiv of KPPh2. The tris(phosphine) 2 undergoes facile oxidation to give trischalcogenides 2,4,6-C3N3{C6H4P(E)Ph2-p}3 (E = O, 3; S, 4; Se, 5) on treatment with aqueous H2O2, elemental sulfur, or selenium. The reaction between 2 and [AuCl(SMe2)] yielded a trinuclear complex, [(AuCl)3{2,4,6-C3N3(C6H4PPh2-p)3}] (6), which on further treatment with pyridyl ligands such as 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (1,10-phen) produced the mixed-ligand complexes [{Au(2,2'-bpy)}3{2,4,6-C3N3(C6H4PPh2-p)3}](OTf)3 (7) and [{Au(1,10-phen)}3{2,4,6-C3N3(C6H4PPh2-p)3}](OTf)3 (8), where OTf indicates trifluoromethansulfonate. Several trimetallic complexes such as [{Ru(η(6)-cymene)Cl2}3{2,4,6-C3N3(C6H4PPh2-p)3}] (9), [{Pd(η(3)-C3H5)Cl}3{2,4,6-C3N3(C6H4PPh2-p)3}] (10), [{Rh(COD)Cl}3{2,4,6-C3N3(C6H4PPh2-p)3}] (11) and [{Ir(COD)Cl}3{2,4,6-C3N3(C6H4PPh2-p)3}] (12) have also been synthesized and characterized. The reactions of 2 with [M(COD)Cl2] and CuI afforded metallo-cyclophane type complexes, [(MCl2)3L2] (M = Pd; 13, Pt; 14) (L = 2,4,6-tris{4-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl}-1,3,5-triazine) and [(CuI)3L2] (15), in good yield.

CuI-Amidobis(phosphine)-Catalyzed Direct Amidation of Unactivated Alkanes via C(sp3)-H Activation.

Herein, we describe an acid-base-free, sustainable, and efficient method for direct amidation of unactivated alkanes and toluene derivatives, using the dimeric CuI complex [CuI{o-Ph2PC6H4CONC6H4PPh2-o}2] (here onward referred to as [PNP-Cu]2). Using this method, C(sp3)-N bond formation was achieved through the activation of very challenging C(sp3)-H bonds in cycloalkanes, alkenes, allyl groups, and benzyl groups, with tolerance toward ketonic groups, heterocycles, and halide functionalities. One of the precatalysts, (PNHP-Cu-Npht) was isolated and structurally characterized. Isomerization in allyl-functionalized alkanes and selective benzylic alkylation in ketones were observed. This is a novel method for C(sp3)-N bond formation via direct N-alkylation of phthalimide, sulfonamide, benzamide, and phosphamidate.

ZnCl2-catalysed transfer hydrogenation of carbonyls and chemoselective reduction of the CC bond in α,ß-unsaturated ketones.

This manuscript describes chemoselective reduction of CC in α,ß-unsaturated ketones and the transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones catalysed by ZnCl2-phosphinamino-triazolyl-pyridine (0.5 mol%) using KOH/iPrOH as a H2 source. A detailed mechanistic study using DFT calculations (B3LYP-D3/def2-TZVP) revealed the key role of metal-ligand cooperation (MLC) in the catalytic reaction demonstrating the non-innocent behaviour of the phosphine ligand.

CuI-amidobis(phosphine) catalyzed C(sp3)-C(sp3) direct homo- and hetero-coupling of unactivated alkanes via C(sp3)-H activation.

Herein, we present a CuI-dimer, [CuI{Ph2PC6H4C(O)NC6H4PPh2-o}]2, which catalyzed direct C(sp3)-H homocoupling of benzyl and cycloalkane derivatives with excellent yields and regio-selectivity. The method is very simple and tolerates various functionalities. Synergistic metal-ligand cooperativity was observed in Cu-N bond cleavage and protonation of nitrogen, and facilitates a bifunctional pathway, minimising the free energy corrugation for catalytic intermediates.

Catalytic utility of PNN-based MnI pincer complexes in the synthesis of quinolines and transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl derivatives.

This manuscript describes the synthesis of a triazolyl-pyridine-based phosphine, N-((diphenylphosphaneyl)methyl)-N-methyl-6-(1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridin-2-amine, [2,6-{(PPh2)CH2N(Me)(C5H3N)(C2HN3C6H5)}] (1) (here onwards referred to as PNN) and its cationic and neutral MnI complexes and catalytic applications. The reaction of 1 with Mn(CO)5Br afforded a cationic complex [Mn(CO)3(PNN)]Br (2), which is highly stable in solid state, but in solution it gradually loses one of the CO groups to form a neutral complex [Mn(CO)2(PNN)Br] (3). Complex 2 on treatment with AgBF4 also yielded a cationic complex [Mn(CO)3(PNN)]BF4 (4). These complexes efficiently promoted the synthesis of quinoline derivatives via acceptor-less dehydrogenative coupling of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol and ketones, with complex 3 showing the highest activity with a very low catalyst loading (0.03 mol%) at 110 °C. Complex 3 (0.5 mol%) also showed excellent catalytic activity in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes to form respective secondary and primary alcohols.

Arene displacement, C-H activation and acetonitrile insertion reactions enabled by coordination of a functionalized iminophosphorane to a RuII-p-cymene scaffold.

Reaction of a sterically demanding iminophosphorano-phosphine, Ph2PCH2Ph2PNAr* (here onwards referred to as PCPNAr*; Ar* = 2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-methylphenyl), (1) with [Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2]2 yielded three different types of complex, [RuCl2{(η6-p-cymene)(PCPNAr*)-κ1-P}] (2), [RuCl{(P(O)CPNAr*)(κ2-N,C)(C-η6-arene)}] (3) and [RuCl{(POCPNAr*)(κ2-N,C-o)(C-η6-arene)}] (4), depending on the reaction conditions via CH activation, tethered η6-arene coordination, ortho-metallation or PN bond cleavage/rearrangement reactions. Interestingly, a similar reaction in CH3CN in the presence of AgBF4 resulted in the insertion of CH3CN into the PN bond to form a novel metallacycle [Ru(NCMe)3{(PC2PN(CH3)CNAr*)-κ3-N,N,P}][BF4]2 (5) containing 4- and 5-membered rings via an aza-Wittig type reaction. Complex 4 showed very good catalytic activity in the transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds.

Synthesis, structural studies and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 2-[(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl]pyridin-1-ium hexa-kis-(nitrato-κ2 O,O')thorate(IV).

Reaction of thorium(IV) nitrate with 2-[(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)meth-yl]pyridine (L) yielded (LH)2[Th(NO3)6] or (C14H13N4)2[Th(NO3)6] (1), instead of the expected mixed-ligand complex [Th(NO3)4 L 2], which was detected in the mass spectrum of 1. In the structure, the [Th(NO3)6]2- anions display an icosa-hedral coordination geometry and are connected by LH+ cations through C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The LH+ cations inter-act via N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important inter-actions are O⋯H/H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions, which represent a 55.2% contribution.