Bimetallic complexes that merge metallocene and pincer-metal building blocks: synthesis, stereochemistry and catalytic reactivity.

This perspective is to illustrate the synthesis and applications of bimetallic complexes by merging a metallocene and a (cyclopentadienyl/aryl) pincer metal complex. Four possible ways to merge metallocene and pincer-metal motifs are reported and representative examples are discussed in more detail. These bimetallic complexes have been employed in some important catalytic reactions such as cross-coupling, transfer hydrogenation or synthesis of ammonia.

Computational Study of Bridge Splitting, Aryl Halide Oxidative Addition to Pt , and Reductive Elimination from Pt : Route to Pincer-Pt Reagents with Chemical and Biological Applications.

Density functional theory computation indicates that bridge splitting of [Pt R (μ-SEt )] proceeds by partial dissociation to form R Pt (μ-SEt )Pt R (SEt ), followed by coordination of N-donor bromoarenes (L-Br) at Pt leading to release of Pt R (SEt ), which reacts with a second molecule of L-Br, providing two molecules of PtR (SEt )(L-Br-N). For R=4-tolyl (Tol), L-Br=2,6-(pzCH ) C H Br (pz=pyrazol-1-yl) and 2,6-(Me NCH ) C H Br, subsequent oxidative addition assisted by intramolecular N-donor coordination via Pt Tol (L-N,Br) and reductive elimination from Pt intermediates gives mer-Pt (L-N,C,N)Br and Tol . The strong σ-donor influence of Tol groups results in subtle differences in oxidative addition mechanisms when compared with related aryl halide oxidative addition to palladium(II) centres.

Replacing the -phenyl Ring in Tamoxifen with a -Connected NCN Pincer-Pt-Cl Grouping by Post-Modification †.

Post-modification of a series of NCN-pincer platinum(II) complexes [PtX(NCN-R-4)] (NCN = [CH(CHNMe)-2,6], R = C(O)H, C(O)Me and C(O)Et), X = Cl or Br) at the -position using the McMurry reaction was studied. The synthetic route towards two new [PtCl(NCN-R-4)] (R = C(O)Me and C(O)Et) complexes used above is likewise described. The utility and limitations of the McMurry reaction involving these pincer complexes was systematically evaluated.

Computational Analysis of Mesomerism in para-Substituted mer-NCN Pincer Platinum(II) Complexes, Including its Relationships with Hammett σ Substituent Parameters.

Density Functional Theory studies of square-planar Pt pincer structures, (4-Z-NCN)PtCl ([4-Z-NCN] =[4-Z-2,6-(Me NCH ) C H -N,C,N] , Z=H, NO , CF , CO H, CHO, Cl, Br, I, F, SMe, SiMe , tBu, OH, NH , NMe ), enable characterisation of mesomerism for the pincer-Pt interaction. Relationships between Hammett σ substituent parameters of Z and DFT data obtained from NBO6 and AOMix computation are used to probe the interaction of the 5d orbital of platinum with π-orbitals of the arene ring. Analogous computation for 2,6-(Me CH ) C H Z (Z=H, CF , CHO, Cl, Br, I, F, SMe, SiMe , tBu, OH, NH ) and (4-H-NCN)PtZ allows an estimation of the relative substituent effects of "(CH NMe ) PtZ" on π-delocalisation in the pincer system.

Imidazolylidene Cu(II) Complexes: Synthesis Using Imidazolium Carboxylate Precursors and Structure Rearrangement Pathways.

Copper(II) complexes of type (NHC)CuX (X = OAc, Cl, Br, BF, and NO) bearing monodentate -heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) were prepared by decarboxylation of imidazolium carboxylates as a new synthetic methodology for Cu(II)-NHC complexes. In contrast to the classical deprotonation method, the decarboxylation protocol does not require anaerobic conditions and provides access to complexes with NHCs that are unstable as free carbenes such as ,'-diisopropyl-imidazolylidene and ,'-dimethyl-imidazolylidene. Spectroscopic evidence of the formation of the Cu-C bond is provided by UV-vis and EPR, in particular by the 44 MHz carbene hyperfine coupling constant using a C-labeled imidazolylidene ligand.

Organometallic benzylidene anilines: donor-acceptor features in NCN-pincer Pt(ii) complexes with a 4-(E)-[(4-R-phenyl)imino]methyl substituent.

A series of organometallic 4,4'-substituted benzylidene aniline complexes 4-ClPt-3,5-(CH2NMe2)2C6H2CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NC6H4R'-4', abbreviated as PtCl[NCN(CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NC6H4R'-4')-4], with R' = NMe2, Me, H, Cl, CN (, respectively), was synthesized via a Schiff-base condensation reaction involving reaction of PtCl[NCN(CH[double bond, length as m-dash]O)-4] () with the appropriate 4-R'-substituted aniline derivative () in toluene. The resulting arylplatinum(ii) products were obtained in 75-88% yield. Notably, product was also obtained in 68% yield from a reaction in the solid state by grinding solid with aniline .

Directed ortho-lithiation: observation of an unexpected 1-lithio to 3-lithio conversion of 1-lithio-naphthyllithium compounds with an ortho-directing 2-(dimethylamino)methyl group.

Regioselectivity is an important aspect in the design of organic protocols involving Directed ortho-Lithiation (DoL) of arenes, in particular with those arenes containing heteroatom substituents as directing groups. The DoL of 2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]naphthalene (dman) that proceeds with low regioselectivity was revisited by varying both the nature of the lithiating reagent (either n-BuLi or t-BuLi) and/or the solvent (pentane or diethyl ether); the 3-deuterated substrate, 3-Ddman, was also investigated as a substrate to compare to that of dman. The 3-lithio regioisomer exists as tetranuclear [2-(Me2NCH2)C10H6Li-3]4, 1, both in the solid state (X-ray) and in solution (NMR).

Mechanistic studies on the SCS-pincer palladium(II)-catalyzed tandem stannylation/electrophilic allylic substitution of allyl chlorides with hexamethylditin and benzaldehydes.

This paper describes a mechanistic study of the SCS-pincer Pd(II)-catalyzed auto-tandem reaction consisting of the stannylation of cinnamyl chloride with hexamethylditin, followed by an electrophilic allylic substitution of the primary tandem-reaction product with 4-nitrobenzaldehyde to yield homoallylic alcohols as the secondary tandem products. As it turned out, the anticipated stannylation product, cinnamyl trimethylstannane, is not a substrate for the second part of the tandem reaction. These studies have provided insight in the catalytic behavior of SCS-pincer Pd(II) complexes in the auto-tandem reaction and on the formation and possible involvement of Pd(0) species during prolonged reaction times.

Synthesis of multimetallic dendrimers through non-covalent interactions.

Hexa-ammonium functionalized Dendriphos ligands and mono-sulfonate functionalized metal complexes have been used as building blocks for the preparation of multimetallic dendritic assemblies. These metallodendrimers consist of a single metal centre surrounded by an oligocationic shell formed by the coordinated Dendriphos ligands and multiple associated anionic organometallic complexes.

SCS-pincer palladium-catalyzed auto-tandem catalysis using dendritic catalysts in semi-permeable compartments.

Novel monometallic and dendritic SCS-pincer palladium complexes 2, 3 and 4 have been synthesized in good yields (60-89%) and high purity (palladium loading >97%). These complexes were successfully used as catalysts in the stannylation of cinnamyl chloride with hexamethylditin and in the catalytic auto-tandem reaction consisting of this stannylation followed by an electrophilic addition with 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, showing similar reaction rates and selectivities for all complexes. Dendritic complex 4 has furthermore been used in the compartmentalized catalysis of single and auto-tandem reactions, allowing catalyst reuse for four consecutive runs.

Mono N,C,N-pincer complexes of titanium, vanadium and niobium. Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity in olefin polymerisation.

Transmetallation of 4,4'-bis{(2,6-bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenylgold)diphenyl-phosphino}biphenyl (3) with MCl(4) (M = Ti, NbCl, V) in benzene gave the corresponding transition metal pincer complexes (4) and insoluble 4,4'-bis[P-(chloro gold(I))diphenylphosphino]biphenyl (2), which can be quantitatively recovered and recycled. Interestingly, 3 did not react with TiCl(3). However, reaction of 2,6-bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyllithium (1) with TiCl(3) resulted in formation of the novel diaryltitanium(IV) compound 5 (16% yield), comprising one N,C,N-mer bound NCN-pincer ligand and a second NCN-pincer ligand that is rearranged from a 1,2,6-isomer to a 1,2,4 one.

SO2-binding properties of cationic η6,η1-NCN-pincer arene ruthenium platinum complexes: spectroscopic and theoretical studies.

The SO(2)-binding properties of a series of η(6),η(1)-NCN-pincer ruthenium platinum complexes (NCN = 2,6-bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl anion) have been studied by both UV-visible spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. When an electron-withdrawing [Ru(C(5)R(5))](+) fragment (R = H or Me) is η(6)-coordinated to the phenyl ring of the NCN-pincer platinum fragment (cf. [2](+) and [3](+), see Scheme 1), the characteristic orange coloration (pointing to η(1)- SO(2) binding to Pt) of a solution of the parent NCN-pincer platinum complex 1 in dichloromethane upon SO(2)-bubbling is not observed.

Coulombic inter-ligand repulsion effects on the Pt(II) coordination chemistry of oligocationic, ammonium-functionalized triarylphosphines.

The Pt(II) coordination chemistry of oligocationic ammoniomethyl- and neutral aminomethyl-substituted triarylphosphines (L) is described. Complexes of the type PtX(2)(L)(2) (X = Cl, I) have been isolated and characterized. For the hexa-meta-ammoniomethyl-substituted ligands [1](6+) and [2](6+), two ligands always occupy a trans-configuration with respect to each other in complexes of the type PtX(2)(L)(2), while for the tri-para-ammoniomethyl-substituted ligand [7](3+), the trans/cis ratio is dependent on the ionic strength of the solution.

Steric, electronic, and secondary effects on the coordination chemistry of ionic phosphine ligands and the catalytic behavior of their metal complexes.

The effects of introducing ionic functionalities in phosphine ligands on the coordination chemistry of these ligands and the catalytic behavior of the corresponding metal complexes are reviewed. The steric and electronic consequences of such functionalizations are discussed. Apart from these steric and electronic effects, the presence of charged groups often leads to additional, supramolecular interactions that occur in the second coordination sphere of the metal complex, such as intramolecular, interligand hydrogen bonding and Coulombic repulsion.

The mechanism of the modified Ullmann reaction.

The copper-mediated aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions developed by Fritz Ullmann and Irma Goldberg required stoichiometric amounts of copper and very high reaction temperatures. Recently, it was found that addition of relatively cheap ligands (diamines, aminoalcohols, diketones, diols) made these reactions truly catalytic, with catalyst amounts as low as 1 mol% or even lower. Since these catalysts are homogeneous, it has opened up the possibility to investigate the mechanism of these modified Ullmann reactions.

Mono(NCN-pincer palladium)-metalloporphyrin catalysts: evidence for supramolecular bimetallic catalysis.

The synthesis and catalytic properties of ditopic mono-pincer-mono-porphyrin complexes were investigated. The statistical Adler condensation reaction of 3,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-4-bromo-benzaldehyde, p-tolylaldehyde, and pyrrole, furnished an AB(3)-type tetraphenylporphyrin, containing three meso-p-tolyl groups and one meso-3,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-4-bromophenyl group. This material was converted into the ditopic ligand [2H(Br)], which comprises one porphyrin site and an NCN-pincer type ligand moiety.

Redox chemistry and electronic properties of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine-bridged diruthenium complexes controlled by N,C,N'-biscyclometalated ligands.

To investigate the consequences of cyclometalation for electronic communication in dinuclear ruthenium complexes, a series of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (tppz) bridged diruthenium complexes was prepared and studied. These complexes have a central tppz ligand bridging via nitrogen-to-ruthenium coordination bonds, while each ruthenium atom also binds either a monoanionic, N,C,N'-terdentate 2,6-bis(2'-pyridyl)phenyl (R-N(wedge)C(wedge)N) ligand or a 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (tpy) ligand. The N,C,N'-, that is, biscyclometalation, instead of the latter N,N',N''-bonding motif significantly changes the electronic properties of the resulting complexes.

Construction of a monoanionic S,N,S-pincer ligand with a pyrrole core by sequential [1,2] phospho-Fries rearrangement. Characterization of palladium and silver coordination complexes.

The synthesis of an S,NH,S-pincer ligand possessing a pyrrole core and two O,O-diethylthiophosphonyl groups to design P=S lateral coordination sites is reported. The synthetic procedure to produce this ligand makes use of the nitrogen atom of the pyrrole heterocycle to successively functionalize the ortho-positions with the two O,O-diethylthiophosphonyl moieties. The ortho-functionalization arises from a repetition of a [1,2] base-induced rearrangement allowing the transformation of O,O-diethyl-N-pyrollylthiophosphoramidate to ortho-thiophosphonate.

Synthesis of and evidence for electronic communication within heteromultimetallic tetrakis(NCN-pincer metal)-(metallo)porphyrin hybrids.

Several heteromultimetallic pincer-porphyrin hybrids have been prepared in excellent yields by stepwise metalation of a general precursor, [2H(Br(NCN))(4)], which was designed in such a way so as to guarantee selectivity for either the porphyrin or pincer sites during the metalation steps. First, a metal was introduced in the porphyrin cavity using a metal(II) salt, followed by metalation of the pincer units through oxidative addition to an appropriate metal(0) complex. The resulting multimetallic complexes show an appreciable amount of intramolecular communication between the meso-pincer metal groups and the central metalloporphyrin component.

Selective para-halogenation and dimerization of N,C,N'-arylruthenium(II) and -(III) 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine cations.

The N,C,N'-bonded arylruthenium 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (tpy) complex salts [Ru(NCN)(tpy)](Cl) ([1a](Cl), NCN = 2,6-bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl) and [Ru(N--C--N)(tpy)](PF(6)), ([2a](PF(6)), N--C--N = 2,6-bis(2-pyridyl)phenyl) can be halogenated under very mild conditions by oxidation with copper(II) halogen salts. Halogenation occurs exclusively para to the site of metalation and yields the cations [Ru(4-R-NCN)(tpy)](+) (R = Cl, [1b](+) and R = Br [1c](+)) and [Ru(4-R-N--C--N)(tpy)](+) (R = Cl, [2b](+) and R = Br [2c](+)). In the presence of an excess of oxidant relative to [1a](+), the halogenation reaction follows first order kinetics in the oxidized ruthenium complex.

Enzymatic immobilization of organometallic species: biosilification of NCN- and PCP-pincer metal species using demosponge axial filaments.

Silicatein protein filaments isolated from marine demosponges have been used to influence the condensation of siloxanes bearing organometallic pincer complexes. The siliceous material is formed under remarkably mild conditions and the organometallic pincer becomes an intrinsic part of the silica. The immobilisation of a metal pincer, which acts as a sensor and initial results on the immobilisation of a pre-catalytic pincer species are reported.

Hexacationic Dendriphos ligands in the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction: scope and mechanistic studies.

The combination of Pd(2)dba(3) x CHCl(3) and hexacationic triarylphosphine-based Dendriphos ligands (1-3) leads to a highly active catalytic system in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. Under relatively mild reaction conditions, nonactivated aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides can be coupled at a low Pd loading (0.1 mol %).

Sulfato-bridged ECE-pincer palladium(II) complexes: structures in the solid-state and in solution, and catalytic properties.

ECE-pincer sulfato palladium complexes (pincer = [C(6)H(3)(CH(2)E)(2)-2,6](-); E = SPh (), SMe (), S(t)Bu (), NMe(2) ()) were synthesized and characterized. In the solid-state (X-ray determinations) and exist as neutral ECE-pincer palladium sulfato complexes with a mu(2)-O,O' bridging sulfato ligand. IR and Raman spectroscopic studies revealed that in the solid-state the complexes can be present as either solely neutral or as a mixture of neutral and ionic species, depending on the preparation and morphology of the solids.