Dominik Munz

Propane Activation by Palladium Complexes with Chelating Bis(NHC) Ligands and Aerobic Cooxidation

The development of efficient aerobic oxidation methods remains a challenge for the selective functionalization of C-H bonds in alkanes. Herein we report the development of a C-H functionalization procedure for propane by using a palladium catalyst with chelating bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands in trifluoroacetic acid together with a vanadium co-catalyst. Halides play a decisive role in the reaction. The experimental results are presented together with supporting kinetic data and an isotope effect. The reaction can be run with dioxygen as the oxidant if vanadium salts and halides are present in the reaction mixture. Experimental as well as computational results favor a mechanism involving C-H activation by palladium(II), followed by oxidation to palladium(IV) by bromine.

Alkane C–H Functionalization and Oxidation with Molecular Oxygen

The application of environmentally benign, cheap, and economically viable oxidation procedures is a key challenge of homogeneous, oxidative alkane functionalization. The typically harsh reaction conditions and the propensity of dioxygen for radical reactivity call for extraordinary robust catalysts. Mainly three strategies have been applied. These are (1) the combination of a catalyst responsible for C-H activation with a cocatalyst responsible for dioxygen activation, (2) transition-metal catalysts, which react with both hydrocarbons and molecular oxygen, and (3) the introduction of very robust main-group element catalysts for C-H functionalization chemistry. Herein, these three approaches will be assessed and exemplified by the reactivity of chelated palladium (N-heterocyclic carbene) catalysts in combination with a vanadium cocatalyst, the methane functionalization by cobalt catalysts, and the reaction of group XVII compounds with alkanes.

ortho-Phenylene bridged palladium bis-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis, structure and catalysis

A series of ortho-phenylene bridged palladium bis-NHC complexes has been synthesized. Complexes with imidazolium and benzimidazolium derived NHCs and methyl-/benzyl-wingtips are reported. Bis(benz)imidazoles with a doubly brominated ortho-phenylene bridge could be obtained by an electrophilic substitution reaction. The structure of the complexes could be confirmed by three solid-state structures. All catalysts have been tested in the catalytic functionalisation of propane. The catalytic activity is highly dependent on the ligand, whereas ligand effects on the regioselectivity (n/iso) are much smaller.

Synthesis of Hemilabile Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs) and Applications in Organometallic Chemistry

A versatile methodology, involving readily available starting materials, allows for the synthesis of stable hemilabile bidentate cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs) featuring alkene, ether, amine, imine, and phosphine functionalities. The stability of the free carbenes has been exploited for the synthesis of copper(I) and gold(I) complexes. It is shown that the pendant imine moiety stabilizes the gold(III) oxidation state and enables the C-C bond oxidative addition of biphenylene to the corresponding cationic gold(I) complex. The latter and the corresponding copper(I) complex show high catalytic activity for the hydroarylation of α-methylstyrene with N,N-dimethylaniline, and the copper(I) complex promotes the anti-Markovnikov hydrohydrazination of phenyl acetylene with high selectivity.

Selective Monooxidation of Light Alkanes Using Chloride and Iodate

We describe an efficient system for the direct partial oxidation of methane, ethane, and propane using iodate salts with catalytic amounts of chloride in protic solvents. In HTFA (TFA = trifluoroacetate), >20% methane conversion with >85% selectivity for MeTFA have been achieved. The addition of substoichiometric amounts of chloride is essential, and for methane the conversion increases from <1% in the absence of chloride to >20%. The reaction also proceeds in aqueous HTFA as well as acetic acid to afford methyl acetate. (13)C labeling experiments showed that less than 2% of methane is overoxidized to (13)CO2 at 15% conversion of (13)CH4. The system is selective for higher alkanes: 30% ethane conversion with 98% selectivity for EtTFA and 19% propane conversion that is selective for mixtures of the mono- and difunctionalized TFA esters. Studies of methane conversion using a series of iodine-based reagents [I2, ICl, ICl3, I(TFA)3, I2O4, I2O5, (IO2)2S2O7, (IO)2SO4] indicated that the chloride enhancement is not limited to iodate.

On the Mechanism of the Palladium Bis(NHC) Complex Catalyzed CH Functionalization of Propane: Experiment and DFT Calculations**

We report a detailed mechanistic study on the CH functionalization of alkanes by palladium complexes with chelating bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) (NHC) complexes. The experimental results are complemented by detailed DFT calculations, which allow us to rationalize the regioselectivity and the catalytic activity. The study includes a library of catalysts with different electronic and steric properties, kinetic data, and isotope effects. The combined experimental and computational results favor a mechanism involving organometallic palladium(IV) intermediates. Furthermore, it is shown that at high halide loadings a different mechanism is operative.

NHC-CAAC Heterodimers with Three Stable Oxidation States

The synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene (CAAC) heterodimers is presented. As the free carbenes do not react together in solution, the synthetic approach involves the addition of a free NHC to a cyclic iminium salt, which results in the formation of the protonated heterodimer. Subsequent deprotonation leads to the isolation of the corresponding mixed Wanzlick dimers. One- and two-electron oxidations of these triazaolefins result in the formation of stable cationic radicals and bis(cations), respectively, which have been isolated and fully characterized. Cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, spin density, and DFT calculations suggest that these heterodimers feature complementary electronic properties to tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs).

Modular Approach to Kekulé Diradicaloids Derived from Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbenes

A modular approach for the synthesis of Kekulé diradicaloids is reported. The key step is the insertion of a carbene, namely, a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC), into the C-H bonds of two terminal alkynes linked by a spacer. Subsequent hydride abstraction, followed by two-electron reduction of the corresponding bis(iminium) salts, affords the desired diradicaloids. This synthetic route readily allows for the installation of communicating spacers, featuring different degrees of aromaticity and lengths, and gives the possibility of generating unsymmetrical compounds with two different CAACs. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), NMR, UV-vis, and X-ray studies in combination with quantum-chemical calculations give insight into the electronic nature of the deeply colored Kekulé diradicaloids. They feature a singlet ground state with varying degrees of diradical character in combination with small singlet/triplet gaps. Upon lengthening of the spacer, the properties of the compounds approach those of monoradicals in which steric protection of the propargyl radical moiety is necessary to inhibit decomposition pathways. Most of these diradicaloids are stable at room temperature, both in solution and in the solid state, but are highly oxygen-sensitive. They represent the first diradicaloids derived from iminium salts.

Catalytic Hydrocarbon Oxidation by Palladium-bis-NHC-Complexes

We report density functional theory studies on the CH-activation and functionalization of methane and propane by palladium (II) complexes with chelating bis(NHC) ligands. The combined experimental and computational results indicate that a palladium tetrahalogenido complex is the resting state of the reaction, while the CH-activation constitutes the rate-determining step of the catalytic cycle.

Mechanism and regioselectivity of the osmium-catalyzed aminohydroxylation of olefins.

The mechanism and regioselectivity of the osmium-catalyzed aminohydroxylation of olefins was investigated in detail by density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G(d)) calculations in the gas phase and with the CPCM-solvent model. A systematic variation of the catalyst system (OsO(4) and various nitrogen sources) and the substrates electronic situation was conducted. Activation barriers could be correlated to Hammett values and linear Gibbs free energy relations could be determined. Experimental results, which indicated an electronic influence on the regioselectivity, could be confirmed and appear to be predictable. The reaction follows a [3+2] mechanism. We additionally report results on the experimentally observed competing dihydroxylation reaction and the ligand-induced reaction rate acceleration.