Marcus W. Drover

Self-assembled Ln(III)4 (Ln = Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Yb) [2 × 2] square grids: a new class of lanthanide cluster.

Self-assembly of the Ln(III) ions (Ln = Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Yb) into square [2 × 2] grid-like arrays has been readily effected using simple, symmetric ditopic ligands based on a carbohydrazone core. The metal ions are connected via single atom bridges (e.g., μ2-O(hydrazone), μ2-OH, μ2-OMe, μ2-1,1-N3(-), μ4-O), depending on reaction conditions. The Gd(III)4 examples exhibit intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange (-J < 0.11 cm(-1)), and in one Dy(III)4 example, with a combination of μ2-1,1-N3(-), and μ4-O bridges linking adjacent metal ions, SMM behavior is observed. One thermally driven relaxation process is observed in the temperature range 10-25 K (τ0 = 6.5(1) × 10(-7) s, U(eff) = 110(1) K) in the presence of an 1800 Oe external field, employed to suppress a second quantum based relaxation process. The extended group of Ln(III) ions which submit to this controlled self-assembly, typical of the transition metal ions, indicates the general applicability of this approach to the lanthanides. This occurs despite the anticipated limitations based on larger ionic radii and coordination numbers, and is an encouraging sign for extension to larger grids with appropriately chosen polytopic ligands.

Capturing HBCy2: Using N,O-Chelated Complexes of Rhodium(I) and Iridium(I) for Chemoselective Hydroboration

1,3-N,O-chelated complexes of Rh(I) and Ir(I) cooperatively and reversibly stabilized the B-H bond of HBCy2 to afford six-membered metallaheterocycles (M=Rh (7) or Ir (8)) having a δ-[M]⋅⋅⋅H-B agostic interaction. Treatment of these Shimoi-type borane adducts 7 or 8 with both an aldehyde and an alkene resulted in chemoselective aldehyde hydroboration and reformation of the 1,3-N,O-chelated starting material. The observed chemoselectivity is inverted from that of free HBCy2 , which is selective for alkene hydroboration.

Exploring Regioselective Bond Cleavage and Cross‐Coupling Reactions using a Low‐Valent Nickel Complex

Recently, esters have received much attention as transmetalation partners for cross-coupling reactions. Herein, we report a systematic study of the reactivity of a series of esters and thioesters with [{(dtbpe)Ni}2(μ-η(2):η(2)-C6H6)] (dtbpe=1,2-bis(di-tert-butyl)phosphinoethane), which is a source of (dtbpe)nickel(0). Trifluoromethylthioesters were found to form η(2)-carbonyl complexes. In contrast, acetylthioesters underwent rapid Cacyl-S bond cleavage followed by decarbonylation to generate methylnickel complexes. This decarbonylation could be pushed backwards by the addition of CO, allowing for regeneration of the thioester. Most of the thioester complexes were found to undergo stoichiometric cross-coupling with phenylboronic acid to yield sulfides. While ethyl trifluoroacetate was also found to form an η(2)-carbonyl complex, phenyl esters were found to predominantly undergo Caryl-O bond cleavage to yield arylnickel complexes. These could also undergo transmetalation to yield biaryls. Attempts to render the reactions catalytic were hindered by ligand scrambling to yield nickel bis(acetate) complexes, the formation of which was supported by independent syntheses. Finally, 2-naphthyl acetate was also found to undergo clean Caryl-O bond cleavage, and although stoichiometric cross-coupling with phenylboronic acid proceeded with good yield, catalytic turnover has so far proven elusive.

Oxidation State Dependent Coordination Modes: Accessing an Amidate‐Supported Nickel(I) δ‐bis(C−H) Agostic Complex

Amidate-supported two- and three-coordinate NiI complexes were synthesized by reduction of the corresponding NiII precursors. A dramatic change in binding mode is observed upon reduction from NiII to NiI . The NiI derivatives include an unprecedented NiI bis(C-H) agostic complex and a two-coordinate NiI complex.

Toward anti-Markovnikov 1-Alkyne O-Phosphoramidation: Exploiting Metal-Ligand Cooperativity in a 1,3-N,O-Chelated Cp*Ir(III) Complex.

Metal-ligand cooperation between iridium(III) and a 1,3-N,O-chelating phosphoramidate ligand has been used to develop a protocol for the intermolecular O-phosphoramidation of 1-alkynes. This selective C-O bond-forming reaction differs from that of standard amidation reactions, highlighting the ability to control N- or O-functionalization based on judicious choice of N,O-chelating ligand and metal center. Advances toward the development of catalytic anti-Markovnikov O-phosphoramidation using iridium(III), including characterization of rare reactive intermediates that invoke 1,3-bidentate donor ligand hemilability, are disclosed.

Phosphoramidate-Supported Cp*Ir(III) Aminoborane H2 B=NR2 Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Solution Dynamics.

Reaction of aminoboranes H2 B=NR2 (R=iPr or Cy) with the cationic Cp*Ir(III) phosphoramidate complex [IrCp*{κ(2) -N,O-Xyl(N)P(O)(OEt)2 }][BAr(F) 4 ] generates the aminoborane complexes [IrCp*(H){κ(1) -N-η(2) -HB-Xyl(N)P(OBHNR2 )(OEt)2 }][BAr(F) 4 ] (R=iPr or Cy) in which coordination of a P=O bond with boron weakens the B=N multiple bond. For these complexes, solution- and solid-state, as well as DFT computational techniques, have been employed to substantiate B-N bond rotation of the coordinated aminoborane.

3-Rhoda-1,2-diazacyclopentanes: A Series of Novel Metallacycle Complexes Derived From CN Functionalization of Ethylene

Rh-containing metallacycles, [(TPA)Rh(III)(κ(2)-(C,N)-CH2CH2(NR)2-]Cl; TPA = N,N,N,N-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine have been accessed through treatment of the Rh(I) ethylene complex, [(TPA)Rh(η(2)-CH2CH2)]Cl ([1]Cl) with substituted diazenes. We show this methodology to be tolerant of electron-deficient azo compounds including azo diesters (RCO2N=NCO2R; R = Et [3]Cl, R = iPr [4]Cl, R = tBu [5]Cl, and R = Bn [6]Cl) and a cyclic azo diamide: 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-dione (PTAD), [7]Cl. The latter complex features two ortho-fused ring systems and constitutes the first 3-rhoda-1,2-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane. Preliminary evidence suggests that these complexes result from N-N coordination followed by insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]-N bond. In terms of reactivity, [3]Cl and [4]Cl successfully undergo ring-opening using p-toluenesulfonic acid, affording the Rh chlorides, [(TPA)Rh(III)(Cl)(κ(1)-(C)-CH2CH2(NCO2R)(NHCO2R)]OTs; [13]OTs and [14]OTs. Deprotection of [5]Cl using trifluoroacetic acid was also found to give an ethyl substituted, end-on coordinated diazene [(TPA)Rh(III)(κ(2)-(C,N)-CH2CH2(NH)2-](+) [16]Cl, a hitherto unreported motif. Treatment of [16]Cl with acetyl chloride resulted in the bisacetylated adduct [(TPA)Rh(III)(κ(2)-(C,N)-CH2CH2(NAc)2-](+), [17]Cl. Treatment of [1]Cl with AcN=NAc did not give the Rh-N insertion product, but instead the N,O-chelated complex [(TPA)Rh(I)(κ(2)-(O,N)-CH3(CO)(NH)(N=C(CH3)(OCH=CH2))]Cl [23]Cl, presumably through insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]-O bond.

Catalytic Functionalization of Styrenyl Epoxides via 2-Nickela(II)oxetanes

Low-valent nickel is shown to preferentially isomerize mono- or disubstituted epoxides into their corresponding aldehydes. Experiments with tetrasubstituted epoxides demonstrate that these reactions proceed via reactive 2-nickelaoxetane intermediates, and that the oxidative addition step likely occurs with retention of configuration. The monosubstituted aldehyde isomerization products were found to rapidly react with HBpin to form boronate esters. These hydroboration reactions could be performed catalytically.