Addition compounds of MoO2Cl2 with chiral sulfoxides. First molecular structures of dioxomolybdenum complexes bearing chiral non-racemic sulfoxide as ligand

MoO₂Cl₂(L)₂ [L = (R)-(+)-methyl-p-tolylsulfoxide (R-MeTolSO) (1), methyl-p-tolylsulfoxide (MeTolSO) (2), 2-benzenesulfinyl-1,1-diphenylethanol (BSDPE) (3), 1-benzenesulfinyl-2-methyl-2-propanol (BSMP) (4), benzenesulfinylmethyl 4-methylphenyl ketone (BSMMPK) (5)], and MoO₂Cl₂(L) [L = BSDPE (6), BSMP (7), BSMMPK (8), (S,S)-bis(p-tolylsulfinyl)methane (S,S-TolSOCH₂SOTol) (9), bis(methylsulfinyl)methane (MeSOCH₂SOMe) (10), bis(phenylsulfinyl)methane (PhSOCH₂SOPh) (11)] have been synthesized by reacting a solution of MoO₂Cl₂(H₂O)₂ in diethyl ether with the corresponding ligand. The crystal and molecular structures of 1, 2, and 9 have been established by X-ray diffraction analysis. The ability of 1 and 9 as catalysts for the enantioselective reduction of sulfoxides to sulphides and the oxidation of sulphides to sulfoxides has been examined.     

Copper(I)-imine complexes: Synthesis and catalytic activity in olefin cyclopropanation

Different imine-type ligands, prepared by the condensation of anilines or of α-methylbenzylamine with 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (pyim^1,2) or 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde (quim^1,2) were prepared. These species act as N,N′-bidentate, chelating ligands upon coordination to Cu(I): treatment of [Cu(PPh₃)₃Cl] with an equimolar amount of the ligands resulted in the displacement of two molecules of PPh₃, giving rise to the formation of [Cu(pyim^1,2)(PPh₃)Cl] (1-2) and [Cu(quim^1,2)(PPh₃)Cl] (3-4), respectively. The copper derivatives 1-4 proved to be highly active catalysts in olefin cyclopropanation in the presence of ethyl diazoacetate, even using deactivated olefins (namely, 2-cyclohexen-1-one) as substrate. The X-ray structure of complex 2, [Cu(pyim²)(PPh₃)Cl], is also reported.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ru(II), Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes of the “Daniphos” ligands and their application in the hydrogen transfer catalysis

The synthesis of arene-ruthenium(II) and C₅Me₅-rhodium(III) and -iridium(III) complexes of chiral arene-chromium-tricarbonyl-based P^∧P and P^∧N ligands is described. Three complexes were characterized in the solid state by X-ray structural analysis. The complexes were tested in the catalytic hydrogen transfer reactions as well as in the kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols, where some complexes showed good conversion, but low enantioselectivity.     

Oxo-bridged bis oxo-vanadium(V) complexes with tridentate Schiff base ligands (VOL)2O (L = SAE, SAMP, SAP): Synthesis, structure and epoxidation catalysis under solvent-free conditions

The dinuclear V(V) complexes (VOL)₂O (L = SAE (1), SAMP (2), SAP (3)) have been synthesized from VO(acac)₂ and the corresponding tridentate ligands LH₂ in methanol under reflux conditions and subsequent air oxidation in organic solvent. They have been characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, by thermogravimetric analysis, and by single crystal X-ray diffraction for 1 and 2. DFT calculations were carried out for a better understanding of the vibrational pattern, principally the V-O related vibrations. Complex [VO(SAP)]₂O (3) catalyzes the epoxidation of cyclooctene by TBHP in water in the absence of any added solvent with good selectivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of the inclusion compound of a ferrocenyldiimine dioxomolybdenum complex with heptakis-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin

A dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex bearing the diimine ligand N,N′-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)ethylenediamine (FcNN) has been prepared in good yield by the reaction of FcNN with MoO₂Cl₂(THF)₂. One isomeric form was identified by ¹H NMR (including NOE experiments), corresponding to the cis,cis geometry with respect to the CN bonds of the free ligand. The polynuclear complex was immobilized in permethylated β-cyclodextrin (TRIMEB) by addition of the guest to a solution of TRIMEB in a mixture of dichloromethane and nitromethane. Removal of the solvent led to the isolation of an inclusion compound with a 2:1 host:guest stoichiometry. For comparison, an inclusion compound containing just the ligand FcNN and TRIMEB was prepared using a similar method. The products were characterized in the solid state by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), FT-IR and ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy. UV-Vis measurements were also carried out in solution. Both the complex MoO₂Cl₂(FcNN) and its inclusion compound with TRIMEB catalyze with high selectivity the liquid phase epoxidation of cyclooctene using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. In general, the catalytic behavior of the Mo^VI complex was not markedly affected by encapsulation in TRIMEB, although observed activities were slightly lower.     

Unprecedented rhodium-mediated catalytic transfer hydrogenation of a phosphonate functionalized olefin in ecofriendly media

RhCl₃ · xH₂O catalyst-mediated hydrogenation reactions of vinyl phosphonic diethyl ester H₂CCH-P(O)(OEt)₂ (1) have been investigated. Results demonstrate that the hydrogenation of H₂CCH-P(O)(OEt)₂ (1) to CH₃CH₂-P(O)(OEt)(OH) (2) proceeds in the presence of RhCl₃ · xH₂O catalyst, without any external hydrogen source and ancillary ligands, to near qualitative yields in ethanol and water media. ³¹P, ¹³C and ¹H NMR and deuterium-labeling experiments provide evidence for the non-concerted mechanistic pathway associated with the hydrogenation of 1 to 2.     

Synthesis, characterization and olefin metathesis studies of a family of ruthenium phosphonium alkylidene complexes

The synthesis of four ruthenium phosphonium alkylidene complexes [(H₂IMes)Cl₂RuCH(PCy₃)]⁺[A]⁻ (1, A = B(C₆F₅)₄; 2, A = BF₄; 3, A = OTf; 4, A = BPh₄), differing only in the anion is described. The X-ray structures of 1, 3 and 4 show them to be isostructural in the cation, with no interaction between the Ru centers and the anion. Ring closing metathesis of a substrate to a six-membered methylcyclohexene at 0 °C in CD₂Cl₂ using 1 mol% catalyst, shows that catalysts 1-4 behave very similarly, and exhibit superior activity in comparison to Grubbs second generation and fast-initiating catalysts.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and catalytic activity of a palladium(II) complex bearing a new ditopic thiophene-N-heterocyclic carbene ligand

A new thiophene-functionalized benzimidazolium salt (2) has been prepared by reacting N-methylbenzimidazole with 2-bromomethylthiophene (1), which in turn was obtained by bromination of 2-thiophenemethanol with PBr₃. Subsequent reaction of salt 2 with Pd(OAc)₂ afforded the cis-configured bis(carbene) Pd(II) complex (cis-3), which in solution exists as an inseparable mixture of cis-anti and cis-syn-rotamers in a 3.5:1 ratio. All new compounds have been fully characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods. A preliminary catalytic study shows that cis-3 is highly active in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid in/on water as environmentally benign reaction media.     

New molybdenum(VI) catalysts for the epoxidation of cyclohexene: synthesis, reactivity and crystal structures

Compounds 1-6 of the type MoO₂X₂L₂ (X=F, Cl, Br; L=OPMePh₂, OPPh₃) have been prepared in order to investigate the variation in catalytic activity with changes in electronic and steric properties. All six complexes catalyze the epoxidation of cyclohexene with tert-butylhydroperoxide, and the species with X=Cl and L=OPMePh₂ (2) displays the best activity with 83% conversion and 90% selectivity in one hour at ambient atmosphere. These inexpensive and easily prepared dioxo catalysts are stable to air and water. Reactions of the dioxo compounds with H₂O₂ and t-BuOOH have also been carried out. The structures of MoO₂F₂(OPMePh₂)₂ (1) and the product of its reaction with H₂O₂, MoO(O₂)₂(OPMePh₂)₂ (7) have been solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Palladium(II), platinum(II), ruthenium(II) and mercury(II) complexes of potentially tridentate Schiff base ligands of (E, N, O) type (E = S, Se, Te): Synthesis, crystal structures and applications in Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions

Schiff bases of 2-hydroxybenzophenone (HBP) (C₆H₅)(2-HOC₆H₄)CN(CH₂)_nEAr (L1/L2: E = S, Ar = Ph, n = 2/3; L3/L4: E = Se, Ar = Ph, n = 2/3; L5/L6: E = Te, Ar = 4-MeOC₆H₄, n = 2/3) and their complexes [PdCl(L-H)] (L = L1−L6; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11), [PtCl(L3-H/L5-H)] (4/8), [PtCl₂(L4/L6)₂] (6/12), [(p-cymene)RuCl(L5/L6)]Cl (9/13) and [HgBr₂(L5/L6)₂] (10/14) have been synthesized and characterized by proton, carbon-13, selenium-77 and tellurium-125 NMR, IR and mass spectra. Single crystal structures of L1, 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 were solved. The Pd-E bond distances (Å): 2.2563(6) (E = S), 2.3575(6)−2.392(2) (E = Se); 2.5117(5)−2.5198(5) (E = Te) are near the lower end of the bond length range known for them. The Pt-Se bond length, 2.3470(8) Å, is also closer to the short values reported so far. The Heck and Suzuki reaction were carried out using complexes 1, 3, 5 and 7 as catalysts under aerobic condition. The percentage yields for trans product in Heck reaction were found upto 85%.     

Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties of new homotrinuclear copper(II) complexes

Two new mononuclear bis(oxamato) complexes with the formula [nBu₄N]₂[M(nabo)] M = Ni (4), Cu (5), with nabo = 2,3-naphthalene-bis(oxamato) have been synthesized as precursors for trinuclear oxamato-bridged transition metal complexes. Starting from 5 the homo-trinuclear complex [Cu₃(nabo)(pmdta)₂(BF₄)](BF₄) · MeCN · Et₂O (7), with pmdta = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, has been prepared. The central N,N′-2,3-naphthalene bridge of 7 is so far the most extended π-conjugated bridge of trinuclear bis(oxamato) type transition metal complexes. The goal of this work was to verify the N,N′-2,3-naphthalene bridge of 7 on its magnetic properties in comparison to the N,N′-o-phenylene bridge of the related homo-trinuclear complex [Cu₃(opba)(pmdta)₂(NO₃)](NO₃) · 2MeCN (6) (opba = o-phenylene-bis(oxamato)). The crystal structures of 4-7 were solved. The magnetic properties of 6 and 7 were studied by susceptibility measurements versus temperature. For the intramolecular J parameter, values of −89 cm⁻¹ (6) and −113 cm⁻¹ (7) were obtained. The different J values are discussed based on the crystal structures of 6 and 7.     

Oxomolybdenum(III, IV and V) complexes of thiofunctional ligands

Reaction of [MoO₂(acac)₂] with (S is a thioether, S′ a thiophenolate function) yielded the compound Li₇(thf)₁₇{MoO}₈ · 10thf · hexane, where {MoO}₈ represents one 1, three (2, linked, via the oxo group, to [Li(thf)₃]⁺) and two (3a, linked by two [Li(thf)₂]⁺).A mixed-valent variant of 3, (3b, with an additional[Li(thf)₃]⁺ attached to S′), was also identified. The compounds model features pertinent to oxo-transferases containing the molybdopterin cofactor.     

Iminophosphinite pincer palladium complexes: Synthesis and application

Iminophosphinite pincer palladium complexes were synthesized and evaluated as potential catalysts in the Suzuki coupling reactions of phenylboronic acid and various aryl halides. The iminophosphinite ligands were synthesized through condensation reactions between 2-bromo-3-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2,4,6-trimethylaniline and 2,6-diisopropylaniline, followed by phosphorylation with chlorodiphenylphosphine and chlorodicyclohexylphosphine. Oxidative addition of the pincer ligands to Pd₂(dba)₃ afforded palladium iminophosphinite complexes [(2-(CHNR)-6-(OPR′₂)C₆H₃)PdBr] (R = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, R′ = Ph (2a) or Cy (2b); R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, R′ = Ph (2c) or Cy (2d)). Reaction of 2b and silver trifluoroacetate gave the corresponding iminophosphinite palladium trifluoroacetate (3). The solid state structures of 2a, 2d, and 3 were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction studies.     

Synthesis, characterization, and magnetic properties of new binuclear CuCu bis(oxamato) complexes

Two new neutral, binuclear Cu^IICu^II bis(oxamato) complexes with the formula [Cu₂(opba)(pmdta)(MeOH)] · 1/2MeOH · dmf (3) and [Cu₂(nabo)(pmdta)(MeOH)] (4), with opba = o-phenylene-bis(oxamato), nabo = 2,3-naphthalene-bis(oxamato), pmdta = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine and dmf = dimethylformamide have been synthesized and their crystal structures have been determined. The structure of 3 consists of dimeric [Cu₂(opba)(pmdta)(MeOH)] entities, joined together by mutual intermolecular Cu?O contacts of the Cu²⁺ ion of one [Cu(opba)]²⁻ complex fragment and one carboxylate atom of the oxamato group of a second [Cu(opba)]²⁻ complex fragment. The structure of 4 consists of neutral binuclear complexes joined together by hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions, giving rise to an unique supramolecular 1D-chain. The magnetic properties of 3 and 4 were studied by susceptibility measurements versus temperature. For the intramolecular J parameter, identical values of (−114 ± 2) cm⁻¹ (3) and (−112 ± 2) cm⁻¹ (4) were obtained.     

Cyclodextrin inclusion compounds of vanadium complexes: Structural characterization and catalytic sulfoxidation

Reaction of potassium vanadate with the hydrazone ligand derived from Schiff-base condensation of salicylaldehyde and biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid hydrazide (H₂salhybiph) in the presence of two equivalents α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) in water yields the 1:2 inclusion compound K[VO₂(salhybiph)@(α-CD)₂]. Characterization in solution confirmed the integrity of the inclusion compound in the polar solvent water. The inclusion compound crystallizes together with additional water molecules as K[VO₂(salhybiph)@(α-CD)₂] · 18H₂O in the monoclinic space group P2(1). Two α-CD rings forming a hydrogen bonded head to head dimer are hosting the hydrophobic biphenyl side chain of the complex K[VO₂(salhybiph)]. The supramolecular aggregation of the inclusion compound in the solid state is established through hydrogen bonding interactions among adjacent α-CD hosts and with vanadate moieties of the guest complexes as well as ionic interactions with the potassium counterions. In contrast the supramolecular structure of the guest complex K[VO₂(salhybiph)] without the presence of CD host molecules is governed by π-π-stacking interactions and additional CH/π interactions. The new inclusion complex K[VO₂(salhybiph)@(α-CD)₂] and the analogous 1:1 inclusion compound with β-CD were tested as catalyst in the oxidation of methyl phenyl sulfide (thioanisol) using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant in a water/ethanol mixture, under neutral as well as acidic conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of heteroscorpionate dioxo-tungsten(VI) complexes

Twelve new dioxo W(VI) complexes of a family of heteroscorpionate ligands of the type [(L)WO₂Y], where L = N₂X ligand and Y = Cl or OR, have been synthesized and characterized. With the more sterically bulky ligands we show that these complexes exist as isolable cis and trans isomers and compare the rate of such isomerization with their corresponding dioxo Mo(VI) analogs.     

C-N-palladacyclic-catalyzed Heck reaction in EGME/water: Rate and regioselectivity controlled by the solvents ratio

Novel as well as known C,N-palladacyclic neutral complexes were tested as precatalyst in the Heck reaction between bromobenzene and styrene under aerobic conditions. The catalytic system Pd(II) complex/K₂CO₃/EGME-H₂O (EGME = ethylene glycol monomethyl ether) showed to be highly efficient. Best performances of the catalysts were achieved by controlling the amount of water: generally a H₂O content within the 25-50% v/v range resulted in the highest conversion of the substrates into trans-stilbene. As a matter of fact, bromobenzene and styrene can be converted quantitatively using only 0.01 mol% of precatalyst with very high regioselectivity for the trans product and with a TOF of 10 000 h⁻¹. In the absence of water, all complexes were less efficient and differences in their activity were found, while such a differentiation disappeared when water was added.     

Palladium(II) complexes of 2-, 3-, and 4-quinolinyl(diphenyl)phosphane and di-(3-quinolinyl)phenylphosphane: Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic screening

One previously known and three novel quinolinyl phosphanes were synthesized by either a reaction between a lithiated diphenylphosphane and the appropriate chloroquinoline or by a reaction between a lithiated haloquinoline and an arylchlorophosphane. The reaction of the quinolinyl phenylphosphane ligands with PdCl₂(cod) produced monomeric palladium complexes in diethyl ether and dimeric, chlorine-bridged complexes in dichloromethane. Crystal structures of the palladium complexes confirm that the quinolinyl phenylphosphanes do not form chelated structures while bonded to the metal centre. 2-Quinolinyl(diphenyl)phosphane has a tendency to form a cis-isomer while bonded to the metal centre in the mononuclear complex due to attractive interactions between two ligands. A catalytic study showed that the quinolinyl phenylphosphane ligands are moderately active in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of various aryl halides in air.     

Synthesis, reactivities and catalytic carbonylation of rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes containing isomeric acetylpyridine ligands

[Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ reacts with two mole equivalent of 2-acetylpyridine (a), 3-acetylpyridine (b) and 4-acetylpyridine (c) to afford chelate [Rh(CO)Cl(η²-N∩O)] (1a) and non-chelate [Rh(CO)₂Cl(η¹-N∼O)] (1b, 1c) complexes, where, N∩O = a, N∼O = b, c. Oxidative addition (OA) of 1a-1c with CH₃I and C₂H₅I yields penta coordinate rhodium(III) complexes, [Rh(COR)ClI(η²-N∩O)] {R = -CH₃ (2a); -C₂H₅ (3a)} and [Rh(COR)(CO)ClI(η¹-N∼O)] {R = -CH₃ (2b, 2c); -C₂H₅ (3b, 3c)}. Kinetic study for the reaction of 1a-1c with CH₃I indicates a pseudo-first order reaction. The catalytic activity of 1a-1c for the carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid and its ester was evaluated at different initial CO pressures 5, 10 and 20 bar at ∼25 °C and higher turn over numbers (TON = 1581-1654) were obtained compared to commercial Monsanto’s species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ (TON = 1000) under the reaction conditions: temperature = 130 ± 1 °C, pressure = 15-32 bar, rpm = 450, time = 1 h and catalyst: substrate = 1: 1900.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of copper(II) bishexafluoroacetylacetonate complexes with N-donor ligands

The reactions of Cu(hfac)₂ with different N-donor ligands such as 2-ethynylpyridine and imidazole give copper complexes Cu(hfac)₂(ethynylpyridine) (1) and Cu(hfac)₂(ImH)₂ (2), respectively. The reaction of Cu(hfac)₂ · (ethynylpyridine) (1) and ethynylpyridine with oxygen in tmeda (tmeda = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) in the presence of copper(I) chloride gives Cu(hfac)₂(tmeda) (3). Finally, [Cu(hfac)₂(H₂O)]₂(μ-TCNE) (4) was prepared by reaction of Cu₂O on the free acid β-diketone in the presence of TCNE (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene) (ratio 1.5:1:1), under an atmosphere of oxygen-free Ar. The previously synthesized Cu(hfac)TCNE proceeded further reaction by disproportionation, yielding [Cu(hfac)₂(H₂O)]₂(μ-TCNE). All new compounds have been structurally characterized and their thermal properties were examined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).