Mikhail S. Nechaev

Expanded‐Ring N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes Efficiently Stabilize Gold(I) Cations, Leading to High Activity in π‐Acid‐Catalyzed Cyclizations

A series of six- and seven-membered expanded-ring N-heterocyclic carbene (er-NHC) gold(I) complexes has been synthesized using different synthetic approaches. Complexes with weakly coordinating anions [(er-NHC)AuX] (X(-) = BF4(-), NTf2(-), OTf(-)) were generated in solution. According to their (13)C NMR spectra, the ionic character of the complexes increases in the order X(-) = Cl(-) < NTf2(-) < OTf(-) < BF4(-). Additional factors for stabilization of the cationic complexes are expansion of the NHC ring and the attachment of bulky substituents at the nitrogen atoms. These er-NHCs are bulkier ligands and stronger electron donors than conventional NHCs as well as phosphines and sulfides and provide more stabilization of [(L)Au(+)] cations. A comparative study has been carried out of the catalytic activities of five-, six-, and seven-membered carbene complexes [(NHC)AuX], [(Ph3 P)AuX], [(Me2S)AuX], and inorganic compounds of gold in model reactions of indole and benzofuran synthesis. It was found that increased ionic character of the complexes was correlated with increased catalytic activity in the cyclization reactions. As a result, we developed an unprecedentedly active monoligand cationic [(THD-Dipp)Au]BF4 (1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrodiazepin-2-ylidene gold(I) tetrafluoroborate) catalyst bearing seven-membered-ring carbene and bulky Dipp substituents. Quantitative yields of cyclized products were attained in several minutes at room temperature at 1 mol % catalyst loadings. The experimental observations were rationalized and fully supported by DFT calculations.

Mechanisms in the Reaction of Palladium(II)–π‐Allyl Complexes with Aryl Halides: Evidence for NHC Exchange Between Two Palladium Complexes

A detailed experimental and DFT study (PBE level) of the reaction of [Pd(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(tmiy)(PR(3))]BF(4) (tmiy = tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene, PR(3) = phosphane), precursors to monoligated Pd(0) species, with aryl electrophiles yielding 2-arylimidazolium salt is reported. Experiments establish that an autocatalytic ligand transfer mechanism is preferred over Pd(IV) and sigma-bond metathesis pathways, and that transmetalation is the rate-determining step. Calculations indicate that the key step involves the concerted exchange of NHC and iodo ligands between two different Pd(II) complexes. This is corroborated by experimental results showing the slower reaction of complexes containing the bulkier dipdmiy (dipdmiy = diisopropyldimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene).

Divalent silicon, germanium, and tin compounds with element--heteroatom bonds

Principal results and trends in chemistry of organic derivatives of divalent silicon, germanium, and tin containing bonds between these elements and the halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur atoms are briefly surveyed. Selected characteristics of compounds with the element--phosphorus and element--arsenic bonds are discussed for comparison. Data on the synthesis and structures of new types of these compounds, viz., germanium(ii) diacylates, the alkoxy derivatives E14(OR)2 and E14(OR)Y (E14 = Ge, Sn; R = Me2NCH2CH2; Y = Cl, AcO, (Me3Si)2N), and the ate-complexes Li(+)[E14(OCH2CH2NMe2)3](–) and [Li(thf)2](+)[TsiE14(SBu)2](–) (E14 = Ge, Sn; Tsi = (Me3Si)3C), are presented. It was established for the first time that germanium(ii) and tin(ii) derivatives can be stabilized in the monomeric form only through the intramolecular Nsp3→E14 coordination bonds and the σ-acceptor effect of the oxygen atoms without introduction of bulky substituents.

Dual reactivity of N-heterocyclic carbenes towards copper(II) salts

Complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) with copper(II) halogenides are unstable. Upon formation, these complexes decompose to give haloamidinium salts. Contrastingly, O-substituted copper(II) NHC complexes are fairly stable. A series of new five-, six- and seven-membered ring NHC complexes of Cu(OAc)(2) have been synthesised and characterised in the solid state.

Reaction of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran. Lewis acid effect on the reaction pathway

Reaction of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran in the presence of lanthanide triflates, as well as CuOTf, Sn(OTf)2, SnCl2, ZnCl2, GaCl3, and MgI2, proceeds as a formal [3+4]-cycloaddition leading to a newly formed seven-membered ring. This reaction was found to be typical of cyclopropane-1,1-diesters and dinitriles, as well as 1-nitrocyclo-propanecarboxylates containing aromatic, heteroaromatic, and vinylic substituents at the C(2) atom of the small ring. When Me3SiOTf, TiCl4, SnCl4, or BF3·OEt2 were used as initiators, unusual cyclic hemiacetals were formed via the conjugate 1,4-addition of a cyclopropane and a nucleophile to the diene moiety.

Catalytic activity of palladium complexes with stable diaminocarbenes containing five-, six- and seven-membered rings in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction

A comparative study of catalytic activity of palladium complexes with N-heterocyclic carbenes in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction was conducted. The studies were carried out for the complexes containing carbenes with five-membered rings based on imidazole and imidazoline, and carbenes with expanded six- and seven-membered rings. The influence of the solvent nature, the base type, and the iodide ions on the catalytic activity of complexes was also examined.

Novel Intramolecular C-Aryl-S Bond Activation by an Electron Rich, Ring-Expanded-NHC-Rh centre: A Combined Experimental and DFT Study

The reaction of (o-MeSPh)-N-functionalized tetrahydropyrimidinium salts with KN(SiMe3)2 and [Rh(COD)Cl]2 in THF leads to the formation of a novel dimeric RhIII bis-carbene complex. The reaction involves the unexpected cleavage/oxidative addition of the aryl-sulfur bond to give dimeric metallated RhIII with bridging MeS< moieties. This unusual reaction is probably a consequence of the sterically imposing structure and strong donor capacity of ring-expanded N-heterocyclic carbenes (RE-NHCs). An X-ray structure of the [(Ph,DIPP-NHC)Rh(Cl)(SMe)2] product complex has been obtained, and DFT studies were undertaken to gain an insight into the reaction pathway.

Can Sn(OCH2CH2NMe2)2 behave as a stannylene? Equatorial–axial isomerism in the tin(II)–iron(0) complex (Me2NCH2CH2O)2Sn–Fe(CO)4

Equatorial-axial isomerism of the tin(II)-iron(0) complex (Me2NCH2CH2O)2Sn-Fe(CO)4 (), which indicates that the free Sn(OCH2CH2NMe2)2 () ligand can behave as a stannylene, has been revealed and studied by NMR and IR spectroscopy in solution as well as by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis in the solid-state.

Addition homo- and copolymerization of 3-triethoxysilyltricyclo[4.2.1.0 2,5 ]non-7-ene

New norbornene type monomer bearing reactive triethoxysilyl group was synthesized, and its addition homo- and copolymerization with 3-trimethylsilyltricyclonon-7-ene was studied. The target monomer was obtained using regio- and stereospecific [2σ+2σ+2π] cyclo-addition of quadricyclane with vinyltrichlorosilane followed by the reaction of the formed cycloadduct with ethanol in the presence of triethylamine. Addition polymerization was investigated over the three-component Pd-containing catalytic system (Pd complex, Na+[B(3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)4]–(cocatalyst) and tricyclohexylphosphine). The N-heterocyclic carbene Pd complex (SIPrPd(cinn)Cl) with high activity and tolerance to the Si—O—C moieties was used as a catalyst. The yields of the homo- and copolymers were 24—68% depending on the monomer (comonomer): Pd: B: PCy3 ratio. The obtained addition polymers are high-molecular-weight amorphous products, the glass transition temperature of which exceeds 300 °C. The presence of reactive Si(OC2H5)3 groups in the homo- and copolymers made it possible to carry out a hard-to-realize cross-linking involving side substituents and followed by the formation of insoluble polymers.

An unprecedentedly simple method of synthesis of aryl azides and 3-hydroxytriazenes

Fischers approach towards the synthesis of aryl azides and triazinoles from diazonium salts and hydroxylammonium chloride (phenylhydraxylamine) was reinvestigated and optimized. The new methodology enables the preparation of aryl azides and triazinoles in high yields in water at room temperature. The procedure is very simple, robust, easily scalable, reproducible, and “green”.