Vincent Dorcet

Selective Reduction of Esters to Aldehydes under the Catalysis of Well-Defined NHC–Iron Complexes†

A simple methodol. for the chemoselective redn. of esters to aldehydes with a N-heterocyclic-carbene-iron complex, such as [(IMes)-Fe(CO)4], as the catalyst (1 mol%) in the presence of a secondary silane (diethylsilane or diphenylsilane) as the reducing agent. has been developed. This reaction occurs at room temp. under UV irradn. with both arom. and aliph. esters. Notably, this catalytic system also permitted the efficient and selective redn. of lactones to lactols. Exptl. evidence indicated that the hydrosilylation occurs by oxidative addn. of the hydrosilane to an unsatd. NHC-Fe species to yield a silyl iron hydride complex. [on SciFinder(R)]

Chiral (1,2)-diphenylethylene-salen complexes of triel metals: coordination patterns and mechanistic considerations in the isoselective ROP of lactide.

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure aluminium, gallium and indium complexes supported by chiral (R,R)-((HH)ONNO(HH)) (1), (R,R)-((MeH)ONNO(HMe)) (2), (R,R)-((tButBu)ONNO(tButBu)) (3), (R,R)-((MeNO2)ONNO(MeNO2)) (4), (R,R)-((HOMe)ONNO(HOMe)) (5) and (R,R)-((ClCl)ONNO(ClCl)) (6) (1,2)-diphenylethylene-salen ligands is described. Several of these complexes have been crystallographically authenticated, which highlights a diversity of coordination patterns. Whereas all Ga complexes form [Ga2(CH2SiMe3)4(ONNO)] bimetallic species (ONNO = 1-3), aluminium [AlR(ONNO)] (R = Me, CH2SiMe3) and indium [In(CH2SiMe3)(ONNO)] derivatives are monometallic for ONNO = 1, 2 and 4-6, and only form the bimetallic complexes [Al2R4(ONNO)] and [In2(CH2SiMe3)4(ONNO)] for the most sterically crowded ligand 3. The [AlMe(ONNO)] complexes react with iPrOH to give [AlOiPr(ONNO)] complexes that are robust towards further iPrOH. The [In(CH2SiMe3)(ONNO)] congeners are inert towards excess alcohol, whereas the Ga compounds decompose easily. All these alkyl complexes, as well as the [AlOiPr(ONNO)] derivatives, catalyse the ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of racemic lactide (rac-LA). The [AlMe(ONNO)] complexes require additional alcohol to afford controlled reactions, but [AlOiPr(ONNO)] complexes are single-component catalysts for the isoselective ROP of rac-LA, with values of Pm in the range 0.80-0.90. Experimental evidence unexpectedly shows that chain-end control leads to the isoselectivity of these aluminium catalysts; also, the more crowded the coordination sphere, the higher the isoselectivity. The bimetallic Ga complexes do not afford controlled reactions, but the binary [In(ONNO)(CH2SiMe3)/(PhCH2OH)] systems competently mediate non-stereoselective ROP; evidence is given that an activated monomer mechanism is at work. Kinetic studies show that catalytic activity decreases when electronic density and steric congestion at the metal atom increase.

Heteroleptic Tin(II) Initiators for the Ring-Opening (Co)Polymerization of Lactide and Trimethylene Carbonate: Mechanistic Insights from Experiments and Computations

The tin(II) complexes {LO(x)}Sn(X) ({LO(x)}(-) =aminophenolate ancillary) containing amido (1-4), chloro (5), or lactyl (6) coligands (X) promote the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters. Complex 6, which models the first insertion of L-lactide, initiates the living ROP of L-LA on its own, but the amido derivatives 1-4 require the addition of alcohol to do so. Upon addition of one to ten equivalents of iPrOH, precatalysts 1-4 promote the ROP of trimethylene carbonate (TMC); yet, hardly any activity is observed if tert-butyl (R)-lactate is used instead of iPrOH. Strong inhibition of the reactivity of TMC is also detected for the simultaneous copolymerization of L-LA and TMC, or for the block copolymerization of TMC after that of L-LA. Experimental and computational data for the {LO(x)}Sn(OR)complexes (OR=lactyl or lactidyl) replicating the active species during the tin(II)-mediated ROP of L-LA demonstrate that the formation of a five-membered chelate is largely favored over that of an eight-membered one, and that it constitutes the resting state of the catalyst during this (co)polymerization. Comprehensive DFT calculations show that, out of the four possible monomer insertion sequences during simultaneous copolymerization of L-LA and TMC: 1) TMC then TMC, 2) TMC then L-LA, 3) L-LA then L-LA, and 4) L-LA then TMC, the first three are possible. By contrast, insertion of L-LA followed by that of TMC (i.e., insertion sequence 4) is endothermic by +1.1 kcal mol(-1), which compares unfavorably with consecutive insertions of two L-LA units (i.e., insertion sequence 3) (-10.2 kcal mol(-1)). The copolymerization of L-LA and TMC thus proceeds under thermodynamic control.

Alkali aminoether-phenolate complexes: synthesis, structural characterization and evidence for an activated monomer ROP mechanism

Several monometallic {LO(i)}M complexes of lithium (M = Li; i = 1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (3)) or potassium (M = K, i = 3 (4)) and the heteroleptic bimetallic lithium complex {LO(3)}Li·LiN(SiMe2H)2 (5), all supported by monoanionic aminoether-phenolate {LO(i)}(-) (i = 1-3) ligands, have been synthesized and structurally characterized. A large range of coordination motifs is represented in the solid state, depending on the chelating ability of the ligand, the size of the metal and the number of metallic centres found in the complex. Pulse-gradient spin-echo NMR showed that 1-4 are monomeric in solution, irrespective of their (mono- or di)nuclearity in the solid-state. VT (7)Li and DOSY NMR measurements conducted for 5 indicated that the two Li atoms in the complex do not exchange positions even at 80 °C. Upon addition of 1-10 equiv. of BnOH, the electron-rich and sterically congested {LO(3)}Li complex (3) promotes the controlled living and immortal ring-opening polymerisation of L-lactide. The combination of polymer end-group analyses and stoichiometric model reactions unambiguously provided evidence that ROP reactions catalyzed by these two-component {LO(i)}Li/BnOH catalyst systems operate according to an activated monomer mechanism, and not via the coordination-insertion scenario frequently assumed for similar alkali phenolate-alcohol systems.

Remarkable thermal stability of Eu(4-phosphonobenzoate): structure investigations and luminescence properties

A new 3D rare-earth hybrid material Eu(p-O(3)PC(6)H(4)COO) has been synthesised by a hydrothermal route from Eu(NO(3))(3) x 5 H(2)O and the rigid precursor, 4-phosphonobenzoic acid. The structure of Eu(p-O(3)PC(6)H(4)COO) has been solved by X-ray diffraction on a powder sample and is described as an inorganic network in which both carboxylic and phosphonic acid groups are linked to Eu ions forming a three-dimensional architecture. Thermal analysis performed on this compound has underlined its remarkable stability up to 510 degrees C and an optical study has been conducted to examine its luminescence properties that have been related to the structure of the material. The structural and luminescence properties have also been compared with the related material Eu phenylphosphonate.

Stable divalent germanium, tin and lead amino(ether)-phenolate monomeric complexes: structural features, inclusion heterobimetallic complexes, and ROP catalysis

Stable germanium(II) and lead(II) amido complexes {LO(i)}M(N(SiMe3)2) (M = Ge(II), Pb(II)) bearing amino(ether)phenolate ligands are readily available using the proteo-ligands {LO(i)}H of general formula 2-CH2NR2-4,6-tBu2-C6H2OH (i = 1, NR2 = N((CH2)2OCH3)2; i = 2, NR2 = NEt2; i = 3, NR2 = aza-15-crown-5) and M(N(SiMe3)2)2 precursors. The molecular structures of these germylenes and plumbylenes, as well as those of {LO(3)}GeCl, {LO(3)}SnCl and of the congeneric {LO(4)}Sn(II)(N(SiMe3)2) where NR2 = aza-12-crown-4, have been determined crystallographically. All complexes are monomeric, with 3-coordinate metal centres. The phenolate systematically acts as a N^O(phenolate) bidentate ligand, with no interactions between the metal and the O(side-arm) atoms in these cases (for {LO(1)}(-), {LO(3)}(-) and {LO(4)}(-)) where they could potentially arise. For each family, the lone pair of electrons essentially features ns(2) character, and there is little, if any, hybridization of the valence orbitals. Heterobimetallic complexes {LO(3)}M(N(SiMe3)2)·LiOTf, where the Li(+) cation sits inside the tethered crown-ether, were prepared by reaction of {LO(3)}M(N(SiMe3)2) and LiOTf (M = Ge(II), Sn(II)). The inclusion of Li(+) (featuring a close contact with the triflate anion) in the macrocycle bears no influence on the coordination sphere of the divalent tetrel element. In association with iPrOH, the amido germylenes, stannylenes and plumbylenes catalyse the controlled polymerisation of L- and racemic lactide. The activity increases linearly according to Ge(II) ≪ Sn(II) ≪ Pb(II). The simple germylenes generate very sluggish catalysts, but the activity is significantly boosted if the heterobimetallic complex {LO(3)}Ge(N(SiMe3)2)·LiOTf is used instead. On the other hand, with 10-25 equiv. of iPrOH, the plumbylenes afford highly active binary catalysts, converting 1000 or 5000 equiv. of monomer at 60 °C within 3 or 45 min, respectively, in a controlled fashion.

Highly active, chemo- and regioselective Yb(II) and Sm(II) catalysts for the hydrophosphination of styrene with phenylphosphine.

Stable heteroleptic amido Yb(II) and Sm(II) complexes bearing aminoether-phenolate ligands and devoid of coordinated solvent have been structurally characterized. They afford highly active, chemoselective and, in the case of monoadditions, 100 % anti-Markovnikov regiospecific catalysts (down to 0.04 mol % loading) for the hydrophosphination of styrene with PhPH2 under mild conditions.

Multiple single-molecule magnet behaviors in dysprosium dinuclear complexes involving a multiple functionalized tetrathiafulvalene-based ligand.

The reaction between the 2-(1-(2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-methylpyridyl)-4,5-(4,5-bis(propylthio)-tetrathiafulvalenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-pyridine ligand (L) and 2 equiv of Dy(hfac)3·2H2O (hfac(-) = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate) and 1 equiv each of Dy(hfac)3·2H2O and Dy(tta)3·2H2O (tta(-) = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) metallic precursors leads to two dinuclear complexes, [Dy2(hfac)6(L)]·(CH2Cl2)2·C6H14 (1) and [Dy2(hfac)3(tta)3(L)] (2), respectively. Their X-ray structures reveal that the two coordination sites are occupied by one Dy(III) ion. The Dy(III) ion coordinated to the benzoimidazolylpyridine (bzip) moiety adopts a D4d coordination sphere, while the Dy(III) ion coordinated to the 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-pyridine (dpp) moiety is in a D3h surrounding. In a zero dc field, the dynamic magnetic measurements show a slow relaxation for the D4d eight-coordination Dy(III) magnetization for 1 and 2. Application of an external dc field induces multirelaxation signals of the magnetic susceptibility for both compounds. The low frequency and high frequency of the out-of-phase magnetic signals are attributed to the Dy(III) ion in D4d and D3h surroundings, respectively. The two complexes can be described as double induced-field mononuclear single-molecule magnets.

Transfer Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Derivatives Catalyzed by an Inexpensive Phosphine-Free Manganese Precatalyst

A very simple and inexpensive catalytic system based on abundant manganese as transition metal and on an inexpensive phosphine-free bidendate ligand, 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine, has been developed for the reduction of a large variety of carbonyl derivatives with 2-propanol as hydrogen donor. Remarkably, the reaction proceeds at room temperature with low catalyst loading (down to 0.1 mol %) and exhibits a good tolerance toward functional groups. High TON (2000) and TOF (3600 h-1) were obtained.

Chemistry of diruthenium analogue of pentaborane(9) with heterocumulenes: toward novel trimetallic cubane-type clusters.

Reactions of the CS2 and CO2 heterocumulene ligands with nido-ruthenaborane cluster [1,2-(Cp*Ru)2(μ-H)2B3H7], 1, were explored (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl). Compound 1 when treated with CS2 underwent metal-assisted hydroboration to yield arachno-ruthenaborane [(Cp*Ru)2(B3H8)(CS2H)], 2, with a dithioformato ligand attached to it. The chemistry of 2 was then explored with various transition metal carbonyl compounds under photolytic and thermolytic conditions. Thermolysis of 2 with [Mn2(CO)10] resulted in the formation of an unprecedented cubane-type cluster [(Cp*Ru)2Mn(CO)3(CS2H2)B3H4], 3, with a rare [M3E5] formulation (E = B, S). On the other hand, when compound 2 was photolyzed in the presence of [Mn2(CO)10], it yielded an incomplete cubane-type cluster [(Cp*Ru)2Mn(CO)3BH2(CS2H2)], 4. The room-temperature reaction of 2 with [Fe2(CO)9] yielded heterometallic arachno clusters [(Cp*Ru)(CO)2{Fe(CO)3}2S2CH3], 6 and [(Cp*Ru)2(B3H8)(CO){Fe(CO)3}2(CS2H)], 7. In contrast, photolysis of 2 with [Fe2(CO)9] yielded a tetrahedral cluster [(Cp*Ru)(CO)2S(μ-H){Fe(CO)3}3], 8, tethered to an exo-polyhedral moiety [(Cp*Ru)(CO)2]. Compound 6 provides an unusual bonding pattern by means of fusing the wing-tip vertex (S) of the [Fe2S2] butterfly core by an exo-polyhedral [(Cp*Ru)(CO)2] unit. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to provide insight into the mechanistic pathway, electronic structure, and bonding properties.