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Dinuclear rhodium-NHC complexes of formula [Rh(μ-Cl)(NHC)(η2-coe)]2 react with 2-vinylpyridine to yield the chelate compounds RhCl(NHC)(κ-N,η2-CH2═CHC5H4N) {NHC = IPr, 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-carbene; IMes, 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-carbene}. The strained metallacycle can be opened by substitution of the pyridine ring by the small electron-rich PEt3 to give RhCl(IPr){η2-CH2═CH(C5H4N)}(PEt3), whereas π ligands such as olefins or alkynes undergo C-C coupling to yield 2-(butenyl)pyridine or 2-(butadienyl)pyridine RhCl(NHC){κ-N,η2-CH(R)═CH(C5H4N)} complexes by formal hydroalkenylation of the unsaturated bond by vinylpyridine. Reaction of the dinuclear precursors with 2-vinylpyrazine in the presence of pyridine affords the η2 derivative RhCl(IPr){η2-CH2═CH(C4H3N2)}(py). Compound RhCl(IMes)(κ-N,η2-CH2═CHC5H4N) is an efficient catalyst for the hydroalkenylation of a range of alkenes and alkynes with 2-vinylpyridine and 2-vinylpyrazine. The butadienyl-heterocycle derivatives resulting from coupling of 2-vinylazines with alkynes undergo a thermal 6π-electrocyclization to yield 4H-quinolizines or 6H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrazines depending on the nature and position of the substituent of the butadienyl fragment. DFT calculations reveal that fused N-bridgehead heterocycles are more stable than opened butadienylazine derivatives, in spite of the dearomatization of the azine moiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regioselective double hydrophosphination of alkynes mediated by rhodium catalysts is presented. The distinctive stereoelectronic properties of the NHC ligand prevent the catalyst deactivation by diphosphine coordination thereby allowing for the closing of a productive catalytic cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental and theoretical studies on the factors that control the coordination chemistry of N-donor ligands in square-planar complexes of the type RhCl(NHC)L1L2 (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) are presented. The dinuclear complexes [Rh(μ-Cl)(IPr)(η2-olefin)]2 {IPr = 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-carbene} have been reacted with different combinations of ligands including pyridine, acetonitrile, 2-pyridylacetonitrile, triphenylphosphine, tricyclohexylphosphine, carbon monoxide or molecular oxygen. In addition, the reactivity of RhCl(IPr)(PPh3)2 has also been studied. Pyridine preferentially coordinates trans to the carbene ligand whereas π-acceptor ligands (olefin, CO or PPh3) are prone to bind cis to IPr and trans to chlorido, unless steric bulk hinders the coordination of the ligand (PCy3). In contrast, acetonitrile is more labile than pyridine but is able to form complexes coordinated cis-to-IPr. Molecular dioxygen also displaces the labile cyclooctene ligand in RhCl(IPr)(η2-coe)(py) to give a square-planar dioxygen adduct which can be transformed into a peroxo derivative by additional coordination of pyridine. Charge decomposition analysis (CDA) shows that σ-donation values are similar for coordination at cis- or trans-IPr positions, whereas efficient π-backbonding is significantly observed at cis position being the favoured coordination site for π-acceptor ligands. The Rh-IPr rotational barrier in a series of square-planar complexes has been analysed. It has been found that the main contribution is the steric hindrance of the ancillary ligand. The presence of a π-donor ligand such as chlorido slows down the dynamic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of neutral and cationic RhIII-hydride and RhIII-ethyl complexes bearing a NHC ligand has been synthesized and evaluated as catalyst precursors for H/D exchange of styrene using CD3OD as a deuterium source. Various ligands have been examined in order to understand how the stereoelectronic properties can modulate the catalytic activity. Most of these complexes proved to be very active and selective in the vinylic H/D exchange, without deuteration at the aromatic positions, displaying very high selectivity toward the β-positions. In particular, the cationic complex [RhClH(CH3CN)3(IPr)]CF3SO3 showed excellent catalytic activity, reaching the maximum attainable degree of β-vinylic deuteration in only 20 min. By modulation of the catalyst structure, we obtained improved α/β selectivity. Thus, the catalyst [RhClH(κ2-O,N-C9H6NO)(SIPr)], bearing an 8-quinolinolate ligand and a bulky and strongly electron-donating SIPr as the NHC, showed total selectivity for the β-vinylic positions. This systematic study has shown that increased electron density and steric demand at the metal center can improve both the catalytic activity and selectivity. Complexes bearing ligands with very high steric hindrance, however, proved to be inactive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general regioselective rhodium-catalyzed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes is presented. The presence of a pyridine ligand (py) in a Rh-N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) catalytic system not only dramatically switches the chemoselectivity from alkyne cyclotrimerization to dimerization but also enhances the catalytic activity. Several intermediates have been detected in the catalytic process, including the π-alkyne-coordinated RhI species [RhCl(NHC)(η2-HCCCH2Ph)(py)] ( 3) and [RhCl(NHC){η2-C( tBu)C( E)CHCH tBu}(py)] ( 4) and the RhIII-hydride-alkynyl species [RhClH{CCSi(Me)3}(IPr)(py)2] ( 5). Computational DFT studies reveal an operational mechanism consisting of sequential alkyne CH oxidative addition, alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination. A 2,1-hydrometalation of the alkyne is the more favorable pathway in accordance with a head-to-tail selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forging the lock that autolocks! RhNHC catalysts promote a new access to 4 H ‐ quinolizine species from 2 ‐ vinylpyridine and terminal and internal alkynes through CH activation and CC coupling reactions (see figure). N ‐ Bridgehead heterocycle formation is favored for internal ‐ over terminal ‐ substituted butadienylpyridine derivatives in a thermal 6π ‐ electrocyclization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]