Bis-N-heterocyclic Carbene Aminopincer Ligands Enable High Activity in Ru-Catalyzed Ester Hydrogenation.

Bis-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) aminopincer ligands were successfully applied for the first time in the catalytic hydrogenation of esters. We have isolated and characterized a well-defined catalyst precursor as a dimeric [Ru2(L)2Cl3]PF6 complex and studied its reactivity and catalytic performance. Remarkable initial activities up to 283,000 h(-1) were achieved in the hydrogenation of ethyl hexanoate at only 12.5 ppm Ru loading. A wide range of aliphatic and aromatic esters can be converted with this catalyst to corresponding alcohols in near quantitative yields. The described synthetic protocol makes use of air-stable reagents available in multigram quantities, rendering the bis-NHC ligands an attractive alternative to the conventional phosphine-based systems.

Pyridyl-functionalised 3H-1,2,3,4-triazaphospholes: synthesis, coordination chemistry and photophysical properties of low-coordinate phosphorus compounds.

Novel conjugated, pyridyl-functionalised triazaphospholes with either tBu or SiMe3 substituents at the 5-position of the N3 PC heterocycle have been prepared by a [3+2] cycloaddition reaction and compared with structurally related, triazole-based systems. Photoexcitation of the 2-pyridyl-substituted triazaphosphole gives rise to a significant fluorescence emission with a quantum yield of up to 12 %. In contrast, the all-nitrogen triazole analogue shows no emission at all. DFT calculations indicate that the 2-pyridyl substituted systems have a more rigid and planar structure than their 3- and 4-pyridyl isomers. Time-dependent (TD) DFT calculations show that only the 2-pyridyl-substituted triazaphosphole exhibits similar planar geometry, with matching conformational arrangements in the lowest energy excited state and the ground state; this helps to explain the enhanced emission intensity. The chelating P,N-hybrid ligand forms a Re(I) complex of the type [(N^N)Re(CO)3 Br] through the coordination of nitrogen atom N(2) to the metal centre rather than through the phosphorus donor. Both structural and spectroscopic data indicate substantial π-accepting character of the triazaphosphole, which is again in contrast to that of the all-nitrogen-containing triazoles. The synthesis and photophysical properties of a new class of phosphorus-containing extended π systems are described.

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of an unprecedented phosphinine-Cu4Br4 cluster.

A hitherto unprecedented polynuclear phosphinine-Cu(I) complex has been prepared and crystallographically characterized. The molecular structure in the crystal verifies the presence of the heterocubane-type tetrameric cluster [LCuBr]4 (L = 2,4-diphenyl-5-methyl-6-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)phosphinine), which unexpectedly shows in the solid state temperature-independent orange phosphorescence solely from an (3)XMLCT state, in clear contrast to the well-established dual-emissive-state model for luminescent Cu4X4L4 clusters.

2,4,6-Triarylphosphinines versus 2,4,6-triarylpyridines: an investigation of the differences in reactivity between structurally related aromatic phosphorus and nitrogen heterocycles.

The novel atropisomeric pyridine derivative rac-10 has been synthesized and structurally characterized. In contrast to its phosphorus analogue 3, axially chiral 10 has a considerably lower rotational barrier as estimated by DFT calculations. However, the presence of the two enantiomers could be confirmed by means of chiral analytical HPLC analysis and by protonation experiments with a chiral acid. Compound rac-10 could be further dehydrogenated by treatment with DDQ to the benzo(h)quinoline derivative rac-12. This conversion failed for the phosphorus analogue rac-3. Interestingly, although 2,4,6-triarylphosphinines undergo facile CH activation with [Cp*IrCl2 ]2 in the presence of NaOAc, this reaction does not proceed with the corresponding pyridine derivatives. On the other hand, the latter ones can be selectively ortho-metalated with Pd(OAc)2 , leading to acetate-bridged dimeric species, which could be unambiguously confirmed by means of X-ray crystal structure analysis. The treatment of phosphinines with Pd(OAc)2 led instead to the formation of the unusual cofacial oxidative coupling products 16 and 17, which consist of a phosphorus-containing cage structure.

Substituent effects in pyridyl-functionalized pyrylium salts, pyridines and λ3,σ2-phosphinines: a fundamental and systematic study.

A series of substituted, pyridyl-functionalized 2,4,6-triarylpyrylium salts were prepared and investigated for their light absorption and emission properties. After reaction with P(SiMe3)3, the corresponding λ3-phosphinines were obtained, which carry on the 4- or 6-aryl ring ±I and ±M substituents. Supported by DFT calculations, a systematic evaluation of the σ-donor and π-donor as well as π-acceptor properties of these low-coordinate P,N-hybrid ligands was performed. The modular synthetic approach allowed us at the same time to synthesize the structurally related bipyridine derivatives for comparison reasons. Reaction of the chelating ligands with [W(CO)6] in THF afforded the corresponding [(P^N)W(CO)4] and [(N^N)W(CO)4] complexes. A crystallographic characterization of selected coordination compounds revealed significant structural differences between the pyridyl-phosphinine- and the bipyridine-based compounds. Their characterization by means of IR-spectroscopy gave experimental insight into the electronic properties of the respective ligands.

Functional polyoxometalates from solvothermal reactions of VOSO4 with tripodal alkoxides - a study on the reactivity of different "tris" derivatives.

We report a study on the structure directing effects of functional groups and counterions. The aim was to find a facile and high yielding synthetic procedure to obtain polyoxometalate (POM) building blocks for post-functionalisation. Therefore, solvothermal reactions of VOSO4 with various tris(hydroxymethyl)methane derivatives in alkaline methanolic solutions were investigated. In doing so, new POM fragments were isolated and characterised. The binding modes of the functionalised tripodal alkoxides turned out to be surprisingly different.

Tuning the electronic effects of aromatic phosphorus heterocycles: an unprecedented phosphinine with significant P(π)-donor properties.

A hitherto unprecedented electronic situation has been observed for a substituted, pyridyl-functionalized phosphinine. In contrast to previous studies, this compound shows considerable π-donor properties as the result of the rather strong +M effect of the CH3S-substituent, changing the electronic properties of this low-coordinate and aromatic phosphorus heterocycle substantially.