A Convergent, Modular Approach to Trifluoromethyl-Bearing 5-Membered Rings via Catalytic C(sp3 )-H Activation.

Trifluoromethyl-bearing 5-membered rings are prevalent in bioactive molecules, but modular approaches to these compounds by functionalization of robust C(sp3 )-H bonds in a direct and selective manner are extremely challenging. Herein we report the rhodium-catalyzed α-CF3 -α-alkyl carbene insertion into C(sp3 )-H bonds of a broad range of substrates to access 7 types of CF3 -bearing saturated 5-membered carbo- and heterocycles. The reaction is particularly effective for benzylic C-H insertion exerting good site-, diastereo- and enantiocontrol, and applicable to the synthesis of chiral CF3 analogues of bioactive molecules. Ruthenium α-CF3 -α-alkyl carbene complexes underwent stoichiometric reactions to give C-H insertion products, lending evidence for the involvement of metal α-CF3 -α-alkyl carbene species in the catalytic cycle. DFT calculations revealed that the π⋅⋅⋅π attraction and intra-carbene C-H⋅⋅⋅F hydrogen bond elucidate the origin of selectivity of the benzylic C-H insertion reactions.

Self-Assembly of Molecular Trefoil Knots Featuring Pentadecanuclear Homoleptic AuI -, AuI /AgI -, or AuI /CuI -Alkynyl Coordination.

Metal-free and metal-containing molecular trefoil knots are fascinating ensembles that are usually covalently assembled, the latter requiring the rational design of di- or multidentate/multipodal ligands as connectors. In this work, we describe the self-assembly of pentadecanuclear AuI trefoil knots [Au15 (C≡CR)15 ] from monoalkynes HC≡CR (R=9,9-X2 -fluorenyl with X=nBu, n-hexyl) and [AuI (THT)Cl]. Hetero-bimetallic counterparts [Au9 M6 (C≡CR)15 ] (M=Cu/Ag) were self-assembled by reactions of [Au15 (C≡CR)15 ] with [Cu(MeCN)4 ]+ /AgNO3 and HC≡CR. The type of pentadecanuclear trefoil knots described herein is characterized by X-ray crystallography, 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS. [Au9 Cu6 (C≡CR)15 ] is relatively stable in hexane; its excited state properties were investigated. DFT calculations revealed that non-covalent metal-metal and metal-ligand interactions, together with longer alkyl chain-strengthened inter-ligand dispersion interactions, govern the stability of the trefoil knot structures.

RuV -Acylimido Intermediate in [RuIV (Por)Cl2 ]-Catalyzed C-N Bond Formation: Spectroscopic Characterization, Reactivity, and Catalytic Reactions.

Metal-catalyzed C-N bond formation reactions via acylnitrene transfer have recently attracted much attention, but direct detection of the proposed acylnitrenoid/acylimido M(NCOR) (R=aryl or alkyl) species in these reactions poses a formidable challenge. Herein, we report on Ru(NCOR) intermediates in C-N bond formation catalyzed by [RuIV (Por)Cl2 ]/N3 COR, a catalytic method applicable to aziridine/oxazoline formation from alkenes, amination of substituted indoles, α-amino ketone formation from silyl enol ethers, amination of C(sp3 )-H bonds, and functionalization of natural products and carbohydrate derivatives (up to 99 % yield). Experimental studies, including HR-ESI-MS and EPR measurements, coupled with DFT calculations, lend evidence for the formulation of the Ru(NCOR) acylnitrenoids as a RuV -imido species.

Iron-Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective cis-Dihydroxylation of Trisubstituted Alkenes with Aqueous H2 O2.

Reliable methods for enantioselective cis-dihydroxylation of trisubstituted alkenes are scarce. The iron(II) complex cis-α-[FeII (2-Me2 -BQPN)(OTf)2 ], which bears a tetradentate N4 ligand (Me2 -BQPN=(R,R)-N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-methylquinolin-8-yl)-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine), was prepared and characterized. With this complex as the catalyst, a broad range of trisubstituted electron-deficient alkenes were efficiently oxidized to chiral cis-diols in yields of up to 98 % and up to 99.9 % ee when using hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) as oxidant under mild conditions. Experimental studies (including 18 O-labeling, ESI-MS, NMR, EPR, and UV/Vis analyses) and DFT calculations were performed to gain mechanistic insight, which suggested possible involvement of a chiral cis-FeV (O)2 reaction intermediate as an active oxidant. This cis-[FeII (chiral N4 ligand)]2+ /H2 O2 method could be a viable green alternative/complement to the existing OsO4 -based methods for asymmetric alkene dihydroxylation reactions.

Ruthenium(II) Porphyrin Quinoid Carbene Complexes: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Reactivity toward Carbene Transfer and Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reactions.

Reactivity study of novel metal carbene complexes can offer new opportunities in catalytic carbene transfer reactions as well as in other synthetic protocols. Metal complexes with quinoid carbene (QC) ligands are assumed to be key intermediates in a variety of metal-catalyzed QC transfer reactions using diazo quinones, which demands development of the chemistry of QC transfer of well characterized metal-QC complexes. Herein we report the isolation and QC transfer of ruthenium porphyrins [Ru(Por)(QC)] which contribute the first examples of (i) structurally characterized metal-QC complex (by X-ray crystallography) and (ii) isolated metal-QC complex that undergoes QC transfer reaction. The complexes [Ru(Por)(QC)] were prepared from reaction of [Ru(Por)(CO)] with diazo quinones and exhibited dual reactivity, i.e., hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) as well as QC transfer. The stoichiometric QC transfer reactions from these Ru-QC complexes to nitrosoarenes (ArNO) afforded nitrones in up to 90% yield, and the corresponding catalytic reactions were also developed. Both the stoichiometric and catalytic reactions for a series of QC ligands bearing electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents showed a reverse substituent effect on the QC transfer reactivity. Complexes [Ru(Por)(QC)] are also reactive toward C-H and X-H (X = N, S) bonds and can catalyze aerobic oxidation of 1,4-cyclohexadiene; their stoichiometric HAT reactions with unsaturated hydrocarbons gave product yields of up to 88%. The unique dual reactivity and electronic feature of [Ru(Por)(QC)] were studied by spectroscopic means and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Intramolecular Nitrene Insertion into Saturated C-H-Bond-Mediated C-N Bond Cleavage of a Coordinated NHC Ligand.

Ruthenium(II) complexes bearing a tridentate bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligand reacted with iminoiodanes (PhI=NR) resulting in the formation of isolable ruthenium(III)-amido intermediates, which underwent cleavage of a C-N bond of the tridentate ligand and formation of an N-substituted imine group. The RuIII -amido intermediates have been characterized by 1 H NMR, UV/Vis, ESI-MS, and X-ray crystallography. DFT calculations were performed to provide insight into the reaction mechanism.

Solvent-Induced Cluster-to-Cluster Transformation of Homoleptic Gold(I) Thiolates between Catenane and Ring-in-Ring Structures.

Supramolecular ensembles adopting ring-in-ring structures are less developed compared with catenanes featuring interlocked rings. While catenanes with inter-ring closed-shell metallophilic interactions, such as d10 -d10 AuI -AuI interactions, have been well-documented, the ring-in-ring complexes featuring such metallophilic interactions remain underdeveloped. Herein is described an unprecedented ring-in-ring structure of a AuI -thiolate Au12 cluster formed by recrystallization of a AuI -thiolate Au10 [2]catenane from alkane solvents such as hexane, with use of a bulky dibutylfluorene-2-thiolate ligand. The ring-in-ring AuI -thiolate Au12 cluster features inter-ring AuI -AuI interactions and underwent cluster core change to form the thermodynamically more stable Au10 [2]catenane structure upon dissolving in, or recrystallization from, other solvents such as CH2 Cl2 , CHCl3 , and CH2 Cl2 /MeCN. The cluster-to-cluster transformation process was monitored by 1 H NMR and ESI-MS measurements. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to provide insight into the mechanism of the "ring-in-ring⇌ [2]catenane" interconversions.

Near-Infrared Phosphorescent Supramolecular Alkyl/Aryl-Iridium Porphyrin Assemblies by Axial Coordination.

Five-coordinated d6 metal complexes are relatively uncommon but can be useful building blocks for the construction of supramolecular assemblies. In this work we have used the strong trans effect of aryl and alkyl ligands for the synthesis of luminescent five-coordinated organoiridium porphyrins, which are useful building blocks for the construction of metallamacrocycles and metallacages of iridium through metal-ligand interactions at the axial positions of iridium porphyrins (Ir(por)). Diverse di- or tritopic aryl or alkyl linkers were employed as the axial ligands to coordinate Ir(por) at an axial position to afford di- or trinuclear five-coordinated [{Ir(ttp)}n (X)] (ttp=5,10,15,20-tetrakis(p-tolyl)porphyrinato(2-); n=2, X=diaryl; n=3, X=trialkyl). [{Ir(ttp)}n (X)] could be further coordinated with ditopic isocyanide or pyridine ligands at the other axial site of each Ir(ttp) to give unprecedented cyclic supramolecular metalloporphyrin assemblies, including tetra- and hexanuclear metallamacrocycles and hexanuclear metallacages. The Ir(por) metallamacrocycles and metallacages display phosphorescence in the near-infrared region with quantum yields of around 2 % and microsecond emission lifetimes.

cis-Dioxorhenium(V/VI) Complexes Supported by Neutral Tetradentate N4 Ligands. Synthesis, Characterization, and Spectroscopy.

A series of cis-dioxorhenium(V) complexes containing chiral tetradentate N4 ligands, including cis-[ReV(O)2(pyxn)]+ (1; pyxn = N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine), cis-[ReV(O)2(6-Me2pyxn)]+ (cis-2), cis-[ReV(O)2(R,R-pdp)]+ (3; R,R-pdp = 1,1'-bis((R,R)-2-pyridinylmethyl)-2,2'-bipyrrolidine), cis-[ReV(O)2(R,R-6-Me2pdp)]+ (4), and cis-[ReV(O)2(bqcn)]+ (5; bqcn = N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-di(quinolin-8-yl)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine), were synthesized. Their structures were established by X-ray crystallography, showing Re-O distances in the range of 1.740(3)-1.769(8) Å and O-Re-O angles of 121.4(2)-124.8(4)°. Their cyclic voltammograms in MeCN (0.1 M [NBu4]PF6) display a reversible ReVI/V couple at E1/2 = 0.39-0.49 V vs SCE. In aqueous media, three proton-coupled electron transfer reactions corresponding to ReVI/V, ReV/III, and ReIII/II couples were observed at pH 1. The Pourbaix diagrams of 1·OTf, 3·OTf, and 5·OTf have been examined. The electronic absorption spectra of the cis-dioxorhenium(V) complexes show three absorption bands at around 800 nm (600-1730 dm3 mol-1 cm-1), 580 nm (1700-5580 dm3 mol-1 cm-1), and 462-523 nm (3170-6000 dm3 mol-1 cm-1). Reaction of 1 with Lewis acids (or protic acids) gave cis-[ReV(O)(OH)(pyxn)]2+ (1·H+), in which the Re-O distances are lengthened to 1.788(5) Å. Complex cis-2 resulted from isomerization of trans-2 at elevated temperature. cis-[ReVI(O)2(pyxn)](PF6)2 (1'·(PF6)2) was obtained by constant-potential electrolysis of 1·PF6 in MeCN (0.1 M [NBu4]PF6) at 0.56 V vs SCE; it displays shorter Re-O distances (1.722(4), 1.726(4) Å) and a smaller O-Re-O angle (114.88(18)°) relative to 1 and shows a d-d transition absorption band at 591 nm (ε = 77 dm3 mol-1 cm-1). With a driving force of ca. 75 kcal mol-1, 1' oxidizes hydrocarbons with weak C-H bonds (75.5-76.3 kcal mol-1) via hydrogen atom abstraction. DFT and TDDFT calculations on the electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of the cis-dioxorhenium(V/VI) complexes were performed.

Tripodal S-Ligand Complexes of Copper(I) as Catalysts for Alkene Aziridination, Sulfide Sulfimidation, and C-H Amination.

Copper(I) complexes of tris(thioimidazolyl)borates (R'TmR), including [Cu(TmPh)(PR″3)] (R″ = Ph, Cu1; Cy, Cu2) and [Cu(R'TmPh)(PR″3)]+ (R' = N-methylimidazole; R″ = Ph, Cy) were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The X-ray crystal structures of Cu1 and Cu2 feature a tripodal TmPh ligand coordinated in κ3-S,S,S mode. Using Cu2 as a catalyst (loading: 1 mol %), the aziridination of styrenes and sulfimidation of thioanisoles with PhI═NTs at RT for 3 and 0.5 h, respectively, both resulted in product yields of up to 99%. Cu2 also catalyzed intramolecular amination of the aryl C-H bond of vinyl azides with up to 98% yield. DFT calculations were performed to gain insight into the mechanism of the Cu2-catalyzed aziridination reaction.

From Cluster to Polymer: Ligand Cone Angle Controlled Syntheses and Structures of Copper(I) Alkynyl Complexes.

Copper(I) alkynyl complexes have attracted tremendous attention in structural studies, as luminescent materials, and in catalysis, and homoleptic complexes have been reported to form polymers or large clusters. Herein, six unprecedented structures of Cu(I) alkynyl complexes and a procedure to measure the cone angles of alkynyl ligands based on the crystal structures of these complexes are reported. An increase of the alkynyl cone angle in the complexes leads to a modulation of the structures from polymeric [((PhC≡CC≡C)Cu)2 (NH3 )]∞ , to a large cluster [(TripC≡CC≡C)Cu]20 (MeCN)4 , to a relatively small cluster [(TripC≡C)Cu]8 (Trip=2,4,6-iPr3 -C6 H2 ). The complexes exhibit yellow-to-red phosphorescence at ambient temperature in the solid state and the luminescence behavior of the Cu20 cluster is sensitive to acetonitrile.

Highly Enantioselective Iron-Catalyzed cis-Dihydroxylation of Alkenes with Hydrogen Peroxide Oxidant via an Fe(III) -OOH Reactive Intermediate.

The development of environmentally benign catalysts for highly enantioselective asymmetric cis-dihydroxylation (AD) of alkenes with broad substrate scope remains a challenge. By employing [Fe(II) (L)(OTf)2 ] (L=N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-methyl-8-quinolyl)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine) as a catalyst, cis-diols in up to 99.8 % ee with 85 % isolated yield have been achieved in AD of alkenes with H2 O2 as an oxidant and alkenes in a limiting amount. This "[Fe(II) (L)(OTf)2 ]+H2 O2 " method is applicable to both (E)-alkenes and terminal alkenes (24 examples >80 % ee, up to 1 g scale). Mechanistic studies, including (18) O-labeling, UV/Vis, EPR, ESI-MS analyses, and DFT calculations lend evidence for the involvement of chiral Fe(III) -OOH active species in enantioselective formation of the two C-O bonds.

Density functional theory calculations on oxidative C-C bond cleavage and N-O bond formation of [Ru(II)(bpy)2(diamine)](2+) via reactive ruthenium imide intermediates.

DFT calculations are performed on [Ru(II)(bpy)2(tmen)](2+) (M1, tmen = 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediamine) and [Ru(II)(bpy)2(heda)](2+) (M2, head = 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexanediamine), and on the oxidation reactions of M1 to give the C-C bond cleavage product [Ru(II)(bpy)2(NH=CMe2)2](2+) (M3) and the N-O bond formation product [Ru(II)(bpy)2(ONCMe2CMe2NO)](2+) (M4). The calculated geometrical parameters and oxidation potentials are in good agreement with the experimental data. As revealed by the DFT calculations, [Ru(II)(bpy)2(tmen)](2+) (M1) can undergo oxidative deprotonation to generate Ru-bis(imide) [Ru(bpy)2(tmen-4 H)](+) (A) or Ru-imide/amide [Ru(bpy)2(tmen-3 H)](2+) (A') intermediates. Both A and A' are prone to C-C bond cleavage, with low reaction barriers (ΔG(≠)) of 6.8 and 2.9 kcal mol(-1) for their doublet spin states (2)A and (2)A', respectively. The calculated reaction barrier for the nucleophilic attack of water molecules on (2)A' is relatively high (14.2 kcal mol(-1)). These calculation results are in agreement with the formation of the Ru(II)-bis(imine) complex M3 from the electrochemical oxidation of M1 in aqueous solution. The oxidation of M1 with Ce(IV) in aqueous solution to afford the Ru(II)-dinitrosoalkane complex M4 is proposed to proceed by attack of the cerium oxidant on the ruthenium imide intermediate. The findings of ESI-MS experiments are consistent with the generation of a ruthenium imide intermediate in the course of the oxidation.

Ruthenium porphyrins with axial π-conjugated arylamide and arylimide ligands.

A series of ruthenium porphyrins [Ru(IV)(por)(NHY)2] and [Ru(VI)(por)(NY)2] bearing axially coordinated π-conjugated arylamide and arylimide ligands, respectively, have been synthesized. The crystal structures of [Ru(IV)(tmp)(NHY)2] (tmp = 5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrinato(2-)) with Y = 4'-methoxy-biphenyl-4-yl (Ar-Ar-p-OMe), 4'-chloro-biphenyl-4-yl (Ar-Ar-p-Cl), and 9,9-dibutyl-fluoren-2-yl (Ar^Ar) show axial Ru-N(arylamide) distances of 1.978(4), 1.971(6), and 1.985(13) Å, respectively. [Ru(IV)(tmp)(NH{Ar^Ar})2] is an example of metalloporphyrins that bind an arylamide ligand featuring a co-planar biphenyl unit. The [Ru(IV)(por)(NHY)2] complexes show a quasi-reversible reduction couple or irreversible reduction wave attributed to Ru(IV)→Ru(III) with Epc from -1.06 to -1.40 V versus Cp2Fe(+/0) and an irreversible oxidation wave with Epa from -0.04 to 0.19 V versus Cp2Fe(+/0). Reaction of the [Ru(IV)(por)(NHY)2] with bromine afforded [Ru(IV)(por)(NHY)Br]. PhI(OAc)2 oxidation of the [Ru(IV)(por)(NHY)2] gave [Ru(VI)(por)(NY)2]; the latter can be prepared from reaction of [Ru(II)(por)(CO)] with aryl azides N3Y. The crystal structure of [Ru(VI)(tmp)(N{Ar-Ar-p-OMe})2] features Ru-N(arylimide) distances of 1.824(5) and 1.829(5) Å. Alkene aziridination and C-H amination catalyzed by "[Ru(II)(tmp)(CO)]+π-conjugated aryl azides", or mediated by [Ru(VI)(por)(NY)2] with Y = biphenyl-4-yl (Ar-Ar) and Ar-Ar-p-Cl, gave aziridines and amines in moderate yields. The electronic structure of [Ru(VI)(por)(NY)2] was examined by DFT calculations.

Nonheme iron mediated oxidation of light alkanes with oxone: characterization of reactive oxoiron(IV) ligand cation radical intermediates by spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations.

The oxidation of light alkanes that is catalyzed by heme and nonheme iron enzymes is widely proposed to involve highly reactive {Fe(V)=O} species or {Fe(IV)=O} ligand cation radicals. The identification of these high-valent iron species and the development of an iron-catalyzed oxidation of light alkanes under mild conditions are of vital importance. Herein, a combination of tridentate and bidentate ligands was used for the generation of highly reactive nonheme {Fe=O} species. A method that employs [Fe(III)(Me3tacn)(Cl-acac)Cl](+) as a catalyst in the presence of oxone was developed for the oxidation of hydrocarbons, including cyclohexane, propane, and ethane (Me3tacn=1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane; Cl-acac=3-chloro-acetylacetonate). The complex [Fe(III)(Tp)2](+) and oxone enabled stoichiometric oxidation of propane and ethane. ESI-MS, EPR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, (18)O labeling experiments, and DFT studies point to [Fe(IV)(Me3tacn)({Cl-acac}(.+))(O)](2+) as the catalytically active species.

Nonheme iron-mediated amination of C(sp3)-H bonds. Quinquepyridine-supported iron-imide/nitrene intermediates by experimental studies and DFT calculations.

The 7-coordinate complex [Fe(qpy)(MeCN)2](ClO4)2 (1, qpy = 2,2':6',2″:6″,2''':6''',2''''-quinquepyridine) is a highly active nonheme iron catalyst for intra- and intermolecular amination of C(sp(3))-H bonds. This complex effectively catalyzes the amination of limiting amounts of not only benzylic and allylic C(sp(3))-H bonds of hydrocarbons but also the C(sp(3))-H bonds of cyclic alkanes and cycloalkane/linear alkane moieties in sulfamate esters, such as those derived from menthane and steroids cholane and androstane, using PhI═NR or "PhI(OAc)2 + H2NR" [R = Ts (p-toluenesulfonyl), Ns (p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)] as nitrogen source, with the amination products isolated in up to 93% yield. Iron imide/nitrene intermediates [Fe(qpy)(NR)(X)](n+) (CX, X = NR, solvent, or anion) are proposed in these amination reactions on the basis of experimental studies including ESI-MS analysis, crossover experiments, Hammett plots, and correlation with C-H bond dissociation energies and with support by DFT calculations. Species consistent with the formulations of [Fe(qpy)(NTs)2](2+) (CNTs) and [Fe(qpy)(NTs)](2+) (C) were detected by high-resolution ESI-MS analysis of the reaction mixture of 1 with PhI═NTs (4 equiv). DFT calculations revealed that the reaction barriers for H-atom abstraction of cyclohexane by the ground state of 7-coordinate CNTs and ground state of C are 15.3 and 14.2 kcal/mol, respectively, in line with the observed high activity of 1 in catalyzing the C-H amination of alkanes under mild conditions.

Bis(sulfonylimide)ruthenium(VI) porphyrins: X-ray crystal structure and mechanism of C-H bond amination by density functional theory calculations.

The X-ray crystal structure of [Ru(VI) (NMs)2 (tmp)] (Ms=SO2 - p-MeOC6 H4 ; tmp=5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrinato(2-)), a metal sulfonylimide complex that can undergo alkene aziridination and C-H bond amination reactions, shows a Ru=N distance of 1.79(3) Šand Ru-N-S angle of 162.5(3)°. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the electronic structures of [Ru(VI) (NMs)2 (tmp)] and model complex [Ru(VI) (NMs)2 (por(0) )] (por(0) =unsubstituted porphyrinato(2-)) using the M06L functional gave results in agreement with experimental observations. For the amination of ethylbenzene by the singlet ground state of [Ru(VI) (NMs)2 (por(0))], DFT calculations using the M06L functional revealed an effectively concerted pathway involving rate-limiting hydrogen atom abstraction without a distinct radical rebound step. The substituent effect on the amination reactivity of ethylbenzene by [Ru(VI) (NX)2 (por(0) )] (X=SO2 -p-YC6 H4 with Y=MeO, Me, H, Cl, NO2 ) was examined. Electron-withdrawing Y groups lower the energy of the LUMOs of [Ru(VI) (NX)2 (por(0))], thus facilitating their interaction with the low-lying HOMO of the ethylbenzene C-H bond and hence increasing the reactivity of [Ru(VI) (NX)2 (por(0) )]. DFT calculations on the amination/aziridination reactions of [Ru(VI) (NSO2 C6 H5 )2 (por(0) )] with pent-4-enal, an aldehyde substrate bearing acyl, homoallylic, and allylic C-H bonds and a C=C bond, revealed a lower reaction barrier for the amination of the acyl C-H bond than for both the amination of the other C-H bonds and aziridination of the C=C bond in this substrate.

Ruthenium(v) terminal arylimido corroles: isolation, spectroscopic characterization and reactivity.

Terminal Ru(v)-imido species are thought to be as reactive to group transfer reactions as their Ru(v)-oxo homologues, but are less studied. With the electron-rich corrole ligand, relatively stable and isolable Ru(v)-arylimido complexes [Ru(tBu-Cor)(NAr)] (H3(tBu-Cor) = 5,15-diphenyl-10-(p-tert-butylphenyl)corrole, Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (Mes), 2,6-(iPr)2C6H3 (Dipp), 2,4,6-(iPr)3C6H2 (Tipp), and 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3 (BTF)) can be prepared from [Ru(tBu-Cor)]2 under strongly reducing conditions. This type of Ru(v)-monoarylimido corrole complex with S = ½ was characterized by high-resolution ESI mass spectrometry, X-band EPR, resonance Raman spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, and elemental analysis, together with computational studies. Under heating/light irradiation (xenon lamp) conditions, the complexes [Ru(tBu-Cor)(NAr)] (Ar = Mes, BTF) could undergo aziridination of styrenes and amination of benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds with up to 90% product yields.

Modification of N-terminal α-amino groups of peptides and proteins using ketenes.

A method of highly selective N-terminal modification of proteins as well as peptides by an isolated ketene was developed. Modification of a library of unprotected peptides XSKFR (X varies over 20 natural amino acids) by an alkyne-functionalized ketene (1) at room temperature at pH 6.3 resulted in excellent N-terminal selectivity (modified α-amino group/modified ε-amino group = >99:1) for 13 out of the 20 peptides and moderate-to-high N-terminal selectivity (4:1 to 48:1) for 6 of the 7 remaining peptides. Using an alkyne-functionalized N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester (2) instead of 1, the modification of peptides XSKFR gave internal lysine-modified peptides for 5 out of the 20 peptides and moderate-to-low N-terminal selectivity (5:1 to 1:4) for 13 out of the 20 peptides. Proteins including insulin, lysozyme, RNaseA, and a therapeutic protein BCArg were selectively N-terminally modified at room temperature using ketene 1, in contrast to the formation of significant or major amounts of di-, tri-, or tetra-modified proteins in the modification by NHS ester 2. The 1-modified proteins were further functionalized by a dansyl azide compound through click chemistry without the need for prior treatment.

Highly selective intramolecular carbene insertion into primary C-H bond of α-diazoacetamides mediated by a (p-cymene)ruthenium(II) carboxylate complex.

Complex [(p-cymene)Ru(η(1)-O(2)CCF(3))(2)(OH(2))] mediated transformation of α-diazoacetamides ArCH(2)N(C(CH(3))(3))C(O)CHN(2) to result in carbene insertion into the primary C-H bond exclusively, with the γ-lactam products being isolated in up to 98% yield. This unexpected reaction is striking in view of the presence of usually more reactive sites such as secondary C-H bonds in the substrates. DFT calculations based on proposed Ru-carbene species provide insight into this unique selectivity.