Adrian B. Chaplin

Monomeric and Oligomeric Amine-Borane σ-Complexes of Rhodium. Intermediates in the Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Amine-Boranes

A combined experimental/quantum chemical investigation of the transition metal-mediated dehydrocoupling reaction of H(3)B.NMe(2)H to ultimately give the cyclic dimer [H(2)BNMe(2)](2) is reported. Intermediates and model complexes have been isolated, including examples of amine-borane sigma-complexes of Rh(I) and Rh(III). These come from addition of a suitable amine-borane to the crystallographically characterized precursor [Rh(eta(6)-1,2-F(2)C(6)H(4))(P(i)Bu(3))(2)][BAr(F)(4)] [Ar(F) = 3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)]. The complexes [Rh(eta(2)-H(3)B.NMe(3))(P(i)Bu(3))(2)][BAr(F)(4)] and [Rh(H)(2)(eta(2)-H(3)B.NHMe(2))(P(i)Bu(3))(2)][BAr(F)(4)] have also been crystallographically characterized. Other intermediates that stem from either H(2) loss or gain have been characterized in solution by NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS. These complexes are competent in the catalytic dehydrocoupling (5 mol %) of H(3)B.NMe(2)H. During catalysis the linear dimer amine-borane H(3)B.NMe(2)BH(2).NHMe(2) is observed which follows a characteristic intermediate time/concentration profile. The corresponding amine-borane sigma-complex, [Rh(P(i)Bu(3))(2)(eta(2)-H(3)B.NMe(2)BH(2).NHMe(2))][BAr(F)(4)], has been isolated and crystallographically characterized. A Rh(I) complex of the final product, [Rh(P(i)Bu(3))(2){eta(2)-(H(2)BNMe(2))(2)}][BAr(F)(4)], is also reported, although this complex lies outside the proposed catalytic cycle. DFT calculations show that the first proposed dehydrogenation step, to give H(2)B horizontal lineNMe(2), proceeds via two possible routes of essentially the same energy barrier: BH or NH activation followed by NH or BH activation, respectively. Subsequent to this, two possible low energy routes that invoke either H(2)/H(2)B horizontal lineNMe(2) loss or H(2)B horizontal lineNMe(2)/H(2) loss are suggested. For the second dehydrogenation step, which ultimately affords [H(2)BNMe(2)](2), a number of experimental observations suggest that a simple intramolecular route is not operating: (i) the isolated complex [Rh(P(i)Bu(3))(2)(eta(2)-H(3)B.NMe(2)BH(2).NHMe(2))][BAr(F)(4)] is stable in the absence of amine-boranes; (ii) addition of H(3)B.NMe(2)BH(2).NHMe(2) to [Rh(P(i)Bu(3))(2)(eta(2)-H(3)B.NMe(2)BH(2).NHMe(2))][BAr(F)(4)] initiates dehydrocoupling; and (iii) H(2)B horizontal lineNMe(2) is also observed during this process.

Amine-Borane σ-Complexes of Rhodium. Relevance to the Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Amine-Boranes

Rhodium amine-borane sigma-complexes of H3BNHMe2 have been isolated which are potential intermediates in the catalytic dehydrogenation of H3B.NHMe2.

B-H activation at a rhodium(I) center: isolation of a bimetallic complex relevant to the transition-metal-catalyzed dehydrocoupling of amine-boranes.

The missing link: A bimetallic complex that is relevant to the mechanism of transition-metal-catalyzed amine–borane dehydrocoupling has been isolated. The structure (see picture) contains three different amine–borane activation modes within the same molecule.

Aryl methyl sulfides as substrates for rhodium-catalyzed alkyne carbothiolation: arene functionalization with activating group recycling.

A Rh(I)-catalyzed method for the efficient functionalization of arenes is reported. Aryl methyl sulfides are combined with terminal alkynes to deliver products of carbothiolation. The overall process results in reincorporation of the original arene functional group, a methyl sulfide, into the products as an alkenyl sulfide. The carbothiolation process can be combined with an initial Rh(I)-catalyzed alkene or alkyne hydroacylation reaction in three-component cascade sequences. The utility of the alkenyl sulfide products is also demonstrated in simple carbo- and heterocycle-forming processes. We also provide mechanistic evidence for the course of this new process.

[Ir(PCy3)2(H)2(H2BNMe2)]+ as a Latent Source of Aminoborane: Probing the Role of Metal in the Dehydrocoupling of H3B⋅NMe2H and Retrodimerisation of [H2BNMe2]2

The Ir(III) fragment {Ir(PCy(3))(2)(H)(2)}(+) has been used to probe the role of the metal centre in the catalytic dehydrocoupling of H(3)B⋅NMe(2)H (A) to ultimately give dimeric aminoborane [H(2)BNMe(2)](2) (D). Addition of A to [Ir(PCy(3))(2)(H)(2)(H(2))(2)][BAr(F)(4)] (1; Ar(F) = (C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)), gives the amine-borane complex [Ir(PCy(3))(2)(H)(2)(H(3)B⋅NMe(2)H)][BAr(F)(4)] (2 a), which slowly dehydrogenates to afford the aminoborane complex [Ir(PCy(3))(2)(H)(2)(H(2)B-NMe(2))][BAr(F)(4)] (3). DFT calculations have been used to probe the mechanism of dehydrogenation and show a pathway featuring sequential BH activation/H(2) loss/NH activation. Addition of D to 1 results in retrodimerisation of D to afford 3. DFT calculations indicate that this involves metal trapping of the monomer-dimer equilibrium, 2 H(2)BNMe(2) ⇌ [H(2)BNMe(2)](2). Ruthenium and rhodium analogues also promote this reaction. Addition of MeCN to 3 affords [Ir(PCy(3))(2)(H)(2)(NCMe)(2)][BAr(F)(4)] (6) liberating H(2)B-NMe(2) (B), which then dimerises to give D. This is shown to be a second-order process. It also allows on- and off-metal coupling processes to be probed. Addition of MeCN to 3 followed by A gives D with no amine-borane intermediates observed. Addition of A to 3 results in the formation of significant amounts of oligomeric H(3)B⋅NMe(2)BH(2)⋅NMe(2)H (C), which ultimately was converted to D. These results indicate that the metal is involved in both the dehydrogenation of A, to give B, and the oligomerisation reaction to afford C. A mechanism is suggested for this latter process. The reactivity of oligomer C with the Ir complexes is also reported. Addition of excess C to 1 promotes its transformation into D, with 3 observed as the final organometallic product, suggesting a B-N bond cleavage mechanism. Complex 6 does not react with C, but in combination with B oligomer C is consumed to eventually give D, suggesting an additional role for free aminoborane in the formation of D from C.

Catching the First Oligomerization Event in the Catalytic Formation of Polyaminoboranes: H3B·NMeHBH2·NMeH2 Bound to Iridium

We report the first insertion step at a metal center for the catalytic dehydropolymerization of H(3)B·NMeH(2) to form the simplest oligomeric species, H(3)B·NMeHBH(2)·NMeH(2), by the addition of 1 equiv of H(3)B·NMeH(2) to [Ir(PCy(3))(2)(H)(2)(η(2)-H(3)B·NMeH(2))][BAr(F)(4)] to give [Ir(PCy(3))(2)(H)(2)(η(2)-H(3)B·NMeHBH(2)·NMeH(2))][BAr(F)(4)]. This reaction is also catalytic for the formation of the free linear diborazane, but this is best obtained by an alternative stoichiometric synthesis.

Bis(σ-amine–borane) Complexes: An Unusual Binding Mode at a Transition-Metal Center†

Getting a fix: Bis(σ-amine–borane) rhodium complexes featuring a new binding mode (two amine–borane ligands) have been prepared (see picture; Rh yellow, P green, B pink, N blue). These complexes undergo dehydrocoupling to afford di- or trimeric cyclic aminoboryl products.

Tuning the [L2Rh⋯H3B·NR3]+ interaction using phosphine bite angle. Demonstration by the catalytic formation of polyaminoboranes

Efficient catalysts for the dehydrocoupling or dehydropolymerisation of H(3)B·NMe(x)H((3-x)) (x = 1, 2) have been developed by variation of the P-Rh-P angle in {Rh(Ph(2)P(CH(2))(n)PPh(2))}(+) fragments (n = 2-5).

Amine− and Dimeric Amino−Borane Complexes of the {Rh(PiPr3)2}+ Fragment and Their Relevance to the Transition-Metal-Mediated Dehydrocoupling of Amine−Boranes

Complexes formed between {Rh(P(i)Pr(3))(2)}(+) or {Rh(H)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))(2)}(+) fragments and the amine- and dimeric amino-borane sigma ligands H(3)B.NMe(3) and [H(2)BNMe(2)](2) have been prepared and their solution and solid-state structures determined: [Rh(P(i)Pr(3))(2)(eta(2)-H(3)B.NMe(3))][BAr(F)(4)] (1), [Rh(P(i)Pr(3))(2){eta(2)-(H(2)BNMe(2))(2)}][BAr(F)(4)] (2), [Rh(H)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))(2)(eta(2)-H(3)B.NMe(3))][BAr(F)(4)] (3), and [Rh(H)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))(2){eta(2)-(H(2)BNMe(2))(2)}][BAr(F)(4)] (4) [Ar(F) = C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)]. The last compound was only observed in the solid state, as in solution it dissociates to give [Rh(H)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))(2)][BAr(F)(4)] and [H(2)BNMe(2)](2) due to steric pressure between the ligand and the metal fragment. The structures and reactivities of these new complexes are compared with the previously reported tri-isobutyl congeners. On the basis of (11)B and (1)H NMR spectroscopy in solution and the Rh...B distances measured in the solid state, the P(i)Pr(3) complexes show tighter interactions with the sigma ligands compared to the P(i)Bu(3) complexes for the Rh(I) species and a greater stability toward H(2) loss for the Rh(III) salts. For the Rh(I) species (1 and 2), this is suggested to be due to electronic factors associated with the bending of the ML(2) fragment. For the Rh(III) complexes (3 and 4), the underlying reasons for increased stability toward H(2) loss are not as clear, but steric factors are suggested to influence the relative stability toward a loss of dihydrogen, although other factors, such as supporting agostic interactions, might also play a part. These tighter interactions and a slower H(2) loss are reflected in a catalyst that turns over more slowly in the dehydrocoupling of H(3)B.NHMe(2) to give the dimeric amino-borane [H(2)BNMe(2)](2), when compared with the P(i)Bu(3)-ligated catalyst (ToF 4 h(-1), c.f., 15 h(-1), respectively). The addition of excess MeCN to 1, 2, or 3 results in the displacement of the sigma-ligand and the formation of the adduct species trans-[Rh(P(i)Pr(3))(2)(NCMe)(2)][BAr(F)(4)] (with 1 and 2) and the previously reported [Rh(H)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))(2)(NCMe)(2)][BAr(F)(4)] (with 3).

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Branched‐Selective Alkyne Hydroacylation: A Ligand‐Controlled Regioselectivity Switch

Its all in the ligand: By choice of the appropriate diphosphine ligand a previously linear-selective alkyne hydroacylation process can be “switched” to be highly branched-selective (see scheme, l=linear, b=branched). Structural data for the ortho-iPr-dppe–rhodium catalyst suggest restricted rotation of the phosphine aryl units may be responsible for the observed selectivity.