Travis J. Williams

Discovery, Applications, and Catalytic Mechanisms of Shvo's Catalyst

7.1. Proposed Mechanisms 2306 7.2. Kinetic Isotope Effect Studies 2306 7.3. Amine Coordination and Exchange 2306 7.4. Computational Studies 2307 7.5. Summary 2307 8. Analogous Systems 2308 8.1. Structural Analogues 2308 8.1.1. Cyclopentadienyl Amine Derivatives 2308 8.1.2. μ-Iodo Homologue 2308 8.1.3. Silica-Supported Homologue 2309 8.1.4. Phosphine-Substituted Homologue 2309 8.2. Osmium 2309 8.3. Iron 2310 9. Outlook 2311 10. Acknowledgments 2311 11. References 2311

Toward the ideal synthesis. New transition metal-catalyzed reactions inspired by novel medicinal leads

Studies in our laboratory are directed at the advancement of synthesis, biology, and medicine. This lecture will focus on new transition metal-catalyzed reactions that have been inspired by biologically potent targets such as phorbol and Taxol® and by the more general interest in producing syntheses that are concise, efficient, cost- and resource-effective, environmentally benign, quick, and simple to conductin essence, ideal. A special emphasis in our program is placed on new transition metal-catalyzed reactions that, in the absence of catalyst, would be forbidden or difficult to achieve. We have thus far reported the first examples of intramolecular metal-catalyzed [4+2], [5+2], and [4+4] cycloadditions, reactions that produce 6-, 7-, and 8-membered rings, respectively. Recent advances in our [5+2] cycloaddition studies will be presented, including new catalysts for relative and absolute stereochemical control. We will also describe recyclable catalysts that can be used in water, thereby minimizing cost and environmental concerns about solvent waste streams. New multicomponent reactions will also be presented. Finally, we will report a new [6+2] cycloaddition that produces an 8-membered ring.

A Robust, Air-Stable, Reusable Ruthenium Catalyst for Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane

We describe an efficient homogeneous ruthenium catalyst for the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB). This catalyst liberates more than 2 equiv of H(2) and up to 4.6 system wt % H(2) from concentrated AB suspensions under air. Importantly, this catalyst is robust, delivering several cycles of dehydrogenation at high [AB] without loss of catalytic activity, even with exposure to air and water.

C-H Bond Activation by Air-Stable [(Diimine)MII(μ2-OH)]22+ Dimers (M = Pd, Pt)

Air- and water-tolerant C−H activation is observed in reactions of [(diimine)Pt(μ2-OH)]22+ dimers with allylic and benzylic C−H groups. The reactions proceed in good yields under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies indicate that the active species is the monomeric [(diimine)Pt(OH2)]2+ dication. The related palladium species, [(diimine)Pd(μ2-OH)]22+, exhibit similar stoichiometric activations and also effect catalytic oxidation of cyclohexene to benzene with molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant.

A prolific catalyst for dehydrogenation of neat formic acid

Formic acid is a promising energy carrier for on-demand hydrogen generation. Because the reverse reaction is also feasible, formic acid is a form of stored hydrogen. Here we present a robust, reusable iridium catalyst that enables hydrogen gas release from neat formic acid. This catalysis works under mild conditions in the presence of air, is highly selective and affords millions of turnovers. While many catalysts exist for both formic acid dehydrogenation and carbon dioxide reduction, solutions to date on hydrogen gas release rely on volatile components that reduce the weight content of stored hydrogen and/or introduce fuel cell poisons. These are avoided here. The catalyst utilizes an interesting chemical mechanism, which is described on the basis of kinetic and synthetic experiments.

Inspirations from nature. New reactions, new therapeutic leads, and new drug delivery systems

Studies in our laboratory focus on problems in chemistry (new reactions and synthesis), biology (novel modes of action), and medicine (new therapeutic leads and drug delivery systems). These interconnected and often synergistic activities are inspired by an interest in novel structures, frequently from nature, that possess unique modes of action and significant clinical potential. Described herein are some examples of recent work from our laboratory that have led to new transition metal-catalyzed reactions, a new and remarkably potent therapeutic lead, and new drug delivery systems that are in clinical trials.

Highly efficient, facile, room temperature intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloadditions catalyzed by cationic rhodium(I): one step to cycloheptenes and their libraries.

A cationic rhodium(I) complex--[(C(10)H(8))Rh(cod)](+) SbF(6)(-)--catalyzes the remarkably efficient intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition of vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) and various alkynes, providing cycloheptene cycloadducts in excellent yields in minutes at room temperature. The efficacy and selectivity of this catalyst are also shown in a novel diversification strategy, affording a cycloadduct library in one step from nine commercially available components.

A dual site catalyst for mild, selective nitrile reduction

We report a novel ruthenium bis(pyrazolyl)borate scaffold that enables cooperative reduction reactivity in which boron and ruthenium centers work in concert to effect selective nitrile reduction. The pre-catalyst compound [κ(3)-(1-pz)2HB(N = CHCH3)]Ru(cymene)(+) TfO(-) (pz = pyrazolyl) was synthesized using readily-available materials through a straightforward route, thus making it an appealing catalyst for a number of reactions.

Thermochemistry and Molecular Structure of a Remarkable Agostic Interaction in a Heterobifunctional Ruthenium−Boron Complex

A boron-pendant ruthenium species forms a unique agostic methyl bridge between the boron and ruthenium atoms in the presence of a ligating solvent, acetonitrile. NMR inversion-recovery experiments enabled the activation and equilibrium thermochemistry for formation of the agostic bridge to be measured. The mechanism for bridge formation involves displacement of an acetonitrile ligand; thus, this is a rare example of a case where an agostic C-H ligand competitively displaces another tightly binding ligand from a coordinatively saturated complex. Characterization of this complex gives unique insights into the development of C-H activation catalysis based on this ligand-metal bifunctional motif.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Ammonia Borane Dehydrogenation: Mechanism and Utility

One of the greatest challenges in using H2 as a fuel source is finding a safe, efficient, and inexpensive method for its storage. Ammonia borane (AB) is a solid hydrogen storage material that has garnered attention for its high hydrogen weight density (19.6 wt %) and ease of handling and transport. Hydrogen release from ammonia borane is mediated by either hydrolysis, thus giving borate products that are difficult to rereduce, or direct dehydrogenation. Catalytic AB dehydrogenation has thus been a popular topic in recent years, motivated both by applications in hydrogen storage and main group synthetic chemistry. This Account is a complete description of work from our laboratory in ruthenium-catalyzed ammonia borane dehydrogenation over the last 6 years, beginning with the Shvo catalyst and resulting ultimately in the development of optimized, leading catalysts for efficient hydrogen release. We have studied AB dehydrogenation with Shvos catalyst extensively and generated a detailed understanding of the role that borazine, a dehydrogenation product, plays in the reaction: it is a poison for both Shvos catalyst and PEM fuel cells. Through independent syntheses of Shvo derivatives, we found a protective mechanism wherein catalyst deactivation by borazine is prevented by coordination of a ligand that might otherwise be a catalytic poison. These studies showed how a bidentate N-N ligand can transform the Shvo into a more reactive species for AB dehydrogenation that minimizes accumulation of borazine. Simultaneously, we designed novel ruthenium catalysts that contain a Lewis acidic boron to replace the Shvo -OH proton, thus offering more flexibility to optimize hydrogen release and take on more general problems in hydride abstraction. Our scorpionate-ligated ruthenium species (12) is a best-of-class catalyst for homogeneous dehydrogenation of ammonia borane in terms of its extent of hydrogen release (4.6 wt %), air tolerance, and reusability. Moreover, a synthetically simplified ruthenium complex supported by the inexpensive bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligand is a comparably good catalyst for AB dehydrogenation, among other reactions. In this Account, we present a detailed, concise description of how our work with the Shvo system progressed to the development of our very reactive and flexible dual-site boron-ruthenium catalysts.