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Using diphenylacetylene as a π-accepting ligand allows access to a new family of alkali-metal nickelates, which can effectively promote the [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerisation of diphenylacetylene.

Using a bimetallic base combining Na and Co(ii) enables the regioselective sodium-mediated di-cobaltation of fluoroarenes as well as transforming the three C–F bonds of trifluorobenzene into C–N bonds via a cascade activation process.

Hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) has become one of the most studied methods to prepare deuterated molecules, with the primary focus recently on metal-catalyzed C-H activation with transition metals. Here we report the use of a simple sodium amide, NaTMP (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide), combined with tridentate Lewis donor PMDETA (

The Ni-catalysed hydrogenolysis and cross-coupling of aryl ethers has emerged as a powerful synthetic tool to transform inert phenol-derived electrophiles into functionalised aromatic molecules. This has attracted significant interest due to its potential to convert the lignin fraction of biomass into chemical feedstocks, or to enable orthogonal reactivity and late-stage synthetic modification. Although the scope of nucleophiles employed, and hence the C–C and C–heteroatom bonds that can be forged, has expanded significantly since Wenkert’s seminal work in 1979, mechanistic understanding on how these reactions operate is still uncertain since the comparatively inert Caryl–O bond of aryl ethers challenge the involvement of classical mechanisms involving direct oxidative addition to Ni(0). In this review, we document the different mechanisms that have been proposed in the Ni-catalysed hydrogenolysis and cross-coupling of aryl ethers. These include: (i) direct oxidative addition; (ii) Lewis acid assisted C–O bond cleavage; (iii) anionic nickelates, and; (iv) Ni(I) intermediates. Experimental and theoretical investigations by numerous research groups have generated a pool of knowledge that will undoubtedly facilitate future discoveries in the development of novel Ni-catalysed transformations of aryl ethers.1 Introduction2 Direct Oxidative Addition3 Hydrogenolysis of Aryl Ethers4 Lewis Acid Assisted C–O Bond Cleavage5 Anionic Nickelates6 Ni(I) Intermediates7 The ‘Naphthalene Problem’8 Conclusions and Outlook

Exploiting bimetallic cooperation alkali-metal manganate (II) complexes can efficiently promote oxidative homocoupling of terminal alkynes furnishing an array of conjugated 1,3-diynes. The influence of the alkali-metal on these C−C bond forming processes has been studied by preparing and structurally characterizing the alkali-metal tetra(alkyl) manganates [(TMEDA)2Na2Mn(CH2SiMe3)4] and [(PMDETA)2K2Mn(CH2SiMe3)4]. Reactivity studies using phenylacetylene as a model substrate have revealed that for the homocoupling to take place initial metalation of the alkyne is required. In this regard, the lack of basicity of neutral Mn(CH2SiMe3)2 precludes the formation of the diyne. Contrastingly, the tetra(alkyl) alkali-metal manganates behave as polybasic reagents, being able to easily deprotonate phenylacetylene yielding [{(THF)4Na2Mn(C≡CPh)4}∞] and [(THF)4Li2Mn(C≡CPh)4]. Controlled exposure of [{(THF)4Na2Mn(C≡CPh)4}∞] and [(THF)4Li2Mn(C≡CPh)4] to dry air confirmed their intermediary in formation of 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiyne in excellent yields. While the Na/Mn(II) partnership proved to be the most efficient in stoichiometric transformations, under catalytic regimes, the combination of MC≡CAr (M= Li, Na) and MnCl2 (6 mol %) only works for lithium, most likely due to the degradation of alkynylsodiums under the aerobic reaction conditions.

Summary While 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles can be readily prepared by copper(I) alkyne/azide cycloaddition, the methods available to access the alternative 1,5-disubstituted isomers have been significantly less well developed. Exploiting chemical cooperativity, here we report the first examples of s-block bimetallic catalysis using a sodium magnesiate precatalyst as an efficient and versatile new method to synthesize 1,5-disubstituted triazoles via azide/alkyne ligation. Showing an excellent substrate scope and selectivity under mild reaction conditions, this bimetallic approach has also been successfully applied to access symmetrical and non-symmetrical di-triazoles. Mechanistic insights on how the Na/Mg cooperative partnership is established are also provided, supporting a stepwise process where initial deprotonation of the alkyne renders a highly nucleophilic tetra-alkynyl sodium magnesiate to which the azide can coordinate, facilitating its insertion into an Mg-C bond and subsequent cyclization, which is favored by π-coordination of Na to the alkyne C≡C triple bond.

Producción Científica, The deprotonative metalation of organic molecules has become a convenient route to prepare functionalised aromatic substrates. Amongst the different metallating reagents available, sodium bases have recently emerged as a more sustainable and powerful alternative to their lithium analogues. Here we report the study of the sterically demanding electrophilic trap B(CH2SiMe3)3 for the deprotonative borylation of arenes using NaTMP (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide) in combination with tridentate Lewis donor PMDETA (PMDETA = N,N,N′,N′′,N′′-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine). Using anisole and benzene as model substrates, unexpected polybasic behaviour has been uncovered, which enables the formal borylation of two equivalents of the relevant arene. The combination of X-ray crystallographic and NMR monitoring studies with DFT calculations has revealed that while the first B–C bond forming process takes place via a sodiation/borylation sequence to furnish [(PMDETA)NaB(Ar)(CH2SiMe3)3] (I) species, the second borylation step is facilitated by the formation of a borata-alkene intermediate, without the need of an external base. For non-activated benzene, it has aslo been found that under stoichimetric conditions the lateral sodiation of B(CH2SiMe3)3 becomes a competitive reaction pathway furnishing a novel borata-alkene complex. Showing a clear alkali-metal effect, the use of the sodium base is key to access this reactivity, while the metalation/borylation of the amine donor PMDETA is observed instead when LiTMP is used, Universidad de Valladolid. Margarita Salas Postdoctoral Fellowship (CONVREC-2021-221), University of Bern and the Swiss National Science Foundation (Grant numbers 188573, 210608 and R'Equip 206021_177033), The Irish Research Council (M.M. GOIPG/2021/88)

Operating via a special type of Zn/Zn′ cooperation, an atom-efficient method for the arylation of N-tosylimines has been developed combining nucleophilic ZnAr2 with Lewis acidic Zn(C6F5)2.

Exploiting the high aggregation of organolithium complexes, a new structurally diverse family of lithium nickelate clusters has been uncovered, which can be accessed by treating Ni(COD)2 with a large excess of aliphatic lithium acetylides.

While cobalt complexes have already shown their potential for C-H and C-F bond activation of fluoroarenes, their reactivity as metalating agents via Co-H exchange towards these substrates has not been explored. Herein, we report a Co(HMDS)

By switching on cooperative effects, main-group heterobimetallic reagents find widespread applications in cornerstone stoichiometric transformations, offering special reactivities and selectivities inaccessible by conventional monometallic reagents. Recent advances have successfully upgraded these stoichiometric successes to catalytic regimes that are underpinned by the unique cooperative partnership between the two distinct metals.

The Ni‐catalysed cross‐coupling of aryl ethers is a powerful method to forge new C−C and C−heteroatom bonds. However, the inert C(sp2)−O bond means that a canonical mechanism that relies on the oxidative addition of the aryl ether to a Ni0 centre is thermodynamically and kinetically unfavourable, which suggests that alternative mechanisms may be involved. Here, we provide spectroscopic and structural insights into the anionic pathway, which relies on the formation of electron‐rich hetero‐bimetallic nickelates by adding organometallic nucleophiles to a Ni0 centre. Assessing the rich co‐complexation chemistry between Ni(COD)2 and PhLi has led to the structures and solution‐state chemistry of a diverse family of catalytically competent lithium nickelates being unveiled. In addition, we demonstrate dramatic solvent and donor effects, which suggest that the cooperative activation of the aryl ether substrate by Ni0‐ate complexes plays a key role in the catalytic cycle., Assessment of the rich co‐complexation chemistry of Ni(COD)2 and PhLi has led to a new family of structurally diverse lithium nickelates being uncovered. Combined stoichiometric, catalytic, and kinetic studies reveal that these hetero‐bimetallic complexes may be the key intermediates that facilitate the smooth C−O bond cleavage and cross‐coupling of aryl ethers under mild conditions.

Advancing the understanding of lithum nickelate complexes, here we report a family of homoleptic organonickelate complexes obtained by reacting Ni(COD)

Exploiting the steric incompatibility of the tris-(alkyl)gallium GaR3 (R = CH2SiMe3) and the bulky N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3-bis(tert-butyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (ItBu), here we report the B−H bond activation of pinacolborane (HBPin), which has led to the isolation and structural authentication of a novel ion pair, [{ItBu-BPin}+{GaR3(μ-H)-GaR3}−] (2). Contrastingly, neither ItBu or GaR3 was able to react with HBPin under the conditions of this study. Combining an NHC-stabilized borenium cation, [{ItBu-BPin}+], with an anionic dinuclear gallate, [{GaR3(μ-H)GaR3}−], 2 proved to be unstable in solution at room temperature, evolving to the abnormal NHC-Ga complex [BPinC{{N(tBu)]2CHCGa(R)3}] (3). Interestingly, the structural isomer of 2, with the borenium cation residing at the C4 position of the carbene, [{aItBu-BPin}+{GaR3(μ-H)GaR3}−] (4), was obtained when the abnormal NHC complex [aItBu·GaR3] (1) was heated to 70 °C with HBPin, demonstrating that, under these forced conditions, it is possible to induce thermal frustration of the Lewis base/Lewis acid components of 1, enabling the activation of HBPin. Building on these stoichiometric studies, the frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) reactivity observed for the GaR3/ItBu combination with HBPin could then be upgraded to catalytic regimes, allowing the efficient hydroboration of a range of aldehydes and ketones under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic insights into the possible reaction pathway involved in this process have been gained by combining kinetic investigations with a comparative study of the catalytic capabilities of several gallium and borenium species related to 2. Disclosing a new cooperative partnership, reactions are proposed to occur via the formation of a highly reactive monomeric hydride gallate, [{ItBu- BPin}+{GaR3(H)}−] (I). Each anionic and cationic component of I plays a key role for success of the hydroboration, with the nucleophilic monomeric gallate anion favoring the transfer of its hydride to the C=O bond of the organic substate, which in turn is activated by coordination to the borenium cation.

While it is known that the addition of Group 1 alkoxides to s-block organometallics can have an activating effect on reactivity, the exact nature of this effect is not that well understood. Here we describe the activation of sBu2 Mg towards substituted bromoarenes by adding one equivalent of LiOR (R=2-ethylhexyl), where unusually both sBu groups can undergo efficient Br/Mg exchange. Depending on the substitution pattern on the bromoarene two different types of organometallic intermediates have been isolated, either a mixed aryl/alkoxide [{LiMg(2-FG-C6 H4 )2 (OR)}2 ] (FG=OMe; NMe2 ) or a homoaryl [(THF)4 Li2 Mg(4-FG-C6 H4 )4 ] (FG=OMe, F). Detailed NMR spectroscopic studies have revealed that these exchange reactions and the formation of their intermediates are controlled by a new type of bimetallic Schlenk-type equilibrium between heteroleptic [LiMgsBu2 (OR)], alkyl rich [Li2 MgsBu4 ] and Mg(OR)2 , with [Li2 MgsBu4 ] being the active species performing the Br/Mg exchange process.

A new method for regioselective zincations of challenging N-heterocyclic substrates such as pyrimidines and pyridazine was reported using bimetallic bases TMPZnX⋅LiX (TMP=2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl; X=Cl, Br). Reactions occurred under mild conditions (25-70 °C, using 1.75 equivalents of base without additives), furnishing 2-zincated pyrimidines and 3-zincated pyridazine, which were then trapped with a variety of electrophiles. Contrasting with other s-block metalating systems, which lack selectivity in their reactions even when operating at low temperatures, these mixed Li/Zn bases enabled unprecedented regioselectivities that cannot be replicated by either LiTMP nor Zn(TMP)2 on their own. Spectroscopic and structural interrogations of organometallic intermediates involved in these reactions have shed light on the complex constitution of reaction mixtures and the origins of their special reactivities.

Though LiTMP (TMP=2,2',6,6'-tetramethylpiperidide) is a commonly used amide, surprisingly the heavier NaTMP has hardly been utilised. Here, by mixing NaTMP with tridentate donor PMDETA (N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine), we provide structural, and mechanistic insights into the sodiation of non-activated arenes (e.g. anisole and benzene). While these reactions are low yielding, adding B(OiPr)3 has a profound effect, not only by intercepting the CAr -Na bond, but also by driving the metalation reaction towards quantitative formation of more stabilized sodium aryl boronates. Demonstrating its metalating power, regioselective C2-metalation/borylation of naphthalene has been accomplished contrasting with single-metal based protocols which are unselective and low yielding. Extension to other arenes allows for in situ generation of aryl boronates which can then directly engage in Suzuki-Miyaura couplings, furnishing a range of biaryls in a selective and efficient manner.

While Ni{N(SiMe3)2}2 is unstable, the thermally stable and chemically robust tris-amido sodium nickelate [Ni{N(SiMe3)2}3][Na(PMDETA)2] can be prepared directly from NiBr2 and 3 equiv of Na{N(SiMe3)...

Exploiting the cooperative action of Lewis acid Zn(C6F5)2 with diarylzinc reagents, the efficient arylation of N,O-acetals to access diarylmethylamines is reported. Reactions take place under mild reaction conditions without the need for transtion-metal catalysis. Mechanistic investigations have revealed that Zn(C6F5)2 not only acts as a Lewis acid activator, but also enables the regeneration of nucleophilic ZnAr2 species, allowing a limiting 50 mol% to be employed., Operating via a special type of Zn/Zn′ cooperation, a new transition-metal free and atom efficient method of arylating N,O-acetals has been developed combining nucleophilic ZnPh2 with Lewis acidic Zn(C6F5)2.

Using the bimetallic combination sBu2Mg⋅2 LiOR (R=2‐ethylhexyl) in toluene enables efficient and regioselective Br/Mg exchanges with various dibromo‐arenes and ‐heteroarenes under mild reaction conditions and provides bromo‐substituted magnesium reagents. Assessing the role of Lewis donor additives in these reactions revealed that N,N,N′,N′′,N′′‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDTA) finely tunes the regioselectivity of the Br/Mg exchange on dibromo‐pyridines and quinolines. Combining spectroscopic with X‐ray crystallographic studies, light has been shed on the mixed Li/Mg constitution of the organometallic intermediates accomplishing these transformations. These systems reacted effectively with a broad range of electrophiles, including allyl bromides, ketones, aldehydes, and Weinreb amides in good yields., Using the bimetallic combination sBu2Mg⋅2 LiOR (R=2‐ethylhexyl) in toluene enables a very fast regioselective Br/Mg exchange of dibromo(hetero)arenes in toluene. The regioselectivity of the exchange can be finely tuned by the coordination preference of lithium, which can be switched, in some cases, by the addition of Lewis donors such as PMDTA.

More than four decades ago, a complex identified as the planar homoleptic lithium nickelate "Li

Advancing the applications of s-block heterobimetallic complexes in catalysis, we report the use of potassium magnesiate (PMDETA)2K2Mg(CH2SiMe3)4 [PMDETA=N,N,N’,N’,N’’-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine] for the catalytic hydrophosphinylation of styrenes under mild conditions. Exploiting chemical cooperation, this bimetallic approach offers greater catalytic activity and chemoselectivity than the single-metal components KCH2SiMe3 and Mg(CH2SiMe3)2. Stoichiometric studies between (PMDETA)2K2Mg(CH2SiMe3)4 and Ph2P(O)H help to elucidate the constitution of the active catalytic species, and illustrate the influence of donors on the potassium cation coordination, and how this may impact catalytic activity. Mechanistic investigations support that the rate determining step is the insertion of the olefinic substrate.

Chem 8(12), 3382-3394 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.chempr.2022.11.004, Published by Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA

Advancing the understanding of using alkali-metal alkoxides as additives to organomagnesium reagents in Mg-Br exchange reactions, a homologous series of mixed-ligand alkyl/alkoxide alkali-metal magnesiates [MMg(CH

Exploiting chemical cooperation between Na and Fe(II) within the bimetallic base [dioxane ⋅ NaFe(HMDS) 3] (I), (dioxane=1,4-dioxane, HMDS=N(SiMe 3) 2) the selective ferration of fluorobenzene, 1-fluoronaphthalene, 1,4-difluorobenzene, 1,2,4-trifluorobenzene, 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene, 1-bromo-3,5-difluorobenzene, 3-fluoroanisole and 3,5-difluoroanisole has been realized, affording sodium ferrates [dioxane ⋅ Na(HMDS)(2-F-C 6H 4)Fe(HMDS)] ∞ (1), [dioxane ⋅ Na(HMDS)(2-F-C 10H 6)Fe(HMDS)] ∞ (2), [dioxane ⋅ {Na(HMDS)(2,5-F 2-C 6H 3)Fe(HMDS)} 2] ∞ (3), [dioxane ⋅ {Na(HMDS)(2,3,6-F 3-C 6H 2)Fe(HMDS)} 2] ∞ (4), [(dioxane) 1.5 ⋅ Na(HMDS)(2,4,6-F 3-C 6H 2)Fe(HMDS)] 2 (5), [(dioxane) 1.5 ⋅ {Na(HMDS)(4-Br-2,6-F 2-C 6H 2)Fe(HMDS) 2] (6), [{(dioxane) 2 ⋅ Na 2Fe(HMDS) 2(2-methoxy-6-F-C 6H 3)} +{Fe(HMDS) 3} −] ∞ (7) and [dioxane ⋅ {Na(HMDS)(4-methoxy-2,6-F 2-C 6H 2)Fe(HMDS)} 2] ∞ (8), respectively. Reactions take place under mild reaction conditions, with excellent control of the selectivity and no competing C−F bond activation is observed. Showcasing complex polymeric arrangements in some cases, the structures of compounds 1–8 have been determined by X-ray crystallographic studies. In all cases, the Fe(II) centers occupy the position in the relevant fluoroarene that was previously filled by a proton, confirming that these metallations are actually ferration processes whereas the Na atoms prefer to form Na⋅⋅⋅F dative interactions. Compounds 1–8 are thermally stable and do not undergo benzyne formation (through NaF elimination) and their formation contrasts with the inertness of Fe(HMDS) 2 which fails to act as a base to metallate fluoroarenes.

A tandem protocol to access tertiary alcohols has been developed which combines the organocatalytic oxidation of secondary alcohols to ketones followed by their chemoselective addition by several RLi reagents. Reactions take place at room temperature, under air and in aqueous solutions, a trio of conditions that are typically forbidden in polar organometallic chemistry.

Alkali‐metal ferrates containing amide groups have emerged as regioselective bases capable of promoting Fe−H exchanges of aromatic substrates. Advancing this area of heterobimetallic chemistry, a new series of sodium ferrates is introduced incorporating the bulky arylsilyl amido ligand N(SiMe3)(Dipp) (Dipp=2,6‐iPr2‐C6H3). Influenced by the large steric demands imposed by this amide, transamination of [NaFe(HMDS)3] (HMDS=N(SiMe3)2) with an excess of HN(SiMe3)(Dipp) led to the isolation of heteroleptic [Na(HMDS)2Fe{N(SiMe3)Dipp}]∞ (1) resulting from the exchange of just one HMDS group. An alternative co‐complexation approach, combining the homometallic metal amides [NaN(SiMe3)Dipp] and [Fe{N(SiMe3)Dipp}2] induces lateral metallation of one Me arm from the SiMe3 group in the iron amide furnishing tetrameric [NaFe{N(SiCH2Me2)Dipp}{N(SiMe3)Dipp}]4 (2). Reactivity studies support that this deprotonation is driven by the steric incompatibility of the single metal amides rather than the basic capability of the sodium reagent. Displaying synergistic reactivity, heteroleptic sodium ferrate 1 can selectively promote ferration of pentafluorobenzene using one of its HMDS arms to give heterotrileptic [Na{N(SiMe3)Dipp}(HMDS)Fe(C6F5)]∞ (4). Attempts to deprotonate less activated pyridine led to the isolation of NaHMDS and heteroleptic Fe(II) amide [(py)Fe{N(SiMe3)Dipp}(HMDS)] (5), resulting from an alternative redistribution process which is favoured by the Lewis donor ability of this substrate., Influenced by the large steric demands imposed by the 2,6‐diisopropyl‐N‐(trimethylsilyl)anilide ligand, N(SiMe3)Dipp, new examples of chemical cooperativity on sodium ferrates have been disclosed. This includes: (a) the chemoselective ferration of pentafluorobenzene by a heteroleptic tris(amido) sodium ferrate; and, (b) the lateral metallation of a N(SiMe3)Dipp group at one Me of its SiMe3 substituent when attempting the co‐complexation of the sodium and iron (II) single‐metal amides.

S.E.G.-G. and J.G.A thank the Spanish MINECO and MIC (Project PID2020-113473GB-I00). J.G.-A. thanks: i) the Fundación BBVA for the award of a “Beca Leonardo a Investigadores y Creadores Culturales 2017”; and ii) PhosAgro/UNESCO/IUPAC for the award of a “Green Chemistry for Life Grant”. A.P.S is indebted to Spanish MINECO (Project CTQ2014-56345-P, CTQ2017-88357-P, and RYC-2012-09800), and Gobierno del Principado de Asturias (FICYT, Project FC-15-GRUPIN14-106) for financial support. E.H. acknowledges the SNF (188573) and the EPSRC (EP/S020837/2) for their generous financial support

Though s-block organometallics are indispensable tools in synthetic chemistry, their impact in homogeneous catalysis has been small compared to that for transition metals. Surprisingly, however, Group 1 and 2 compounds have recently been utilised in hydroelementation catalysis. For example, transfer hydrogenation of alkenes to alkanes has been catalysed by Group 2 (Ca, Sr, Ba) bis-hexamethyldisilazides (HMDS), though reactions failed with magnesium. Stimulated by the knowledge that alkali metals can mediate applications of other compounds, this study reports successful catalytic transfer hydrogenation of alkenes with magnesium bis-hexamethyldisilazide when combined with alkali metals in heterobimetallic complexes. By screening all Group 1 metals (Li-Cs), the efficiency of these catalyses gives an indication of the relative power of the synergistic effect exerted on magnesium by the alkali metal. The Cs-Mg partnership shows the best efficiency with styrene, while K-Mg works best with 1,1-diphenylethylene.

Exploiting cooperative effects between Na and FeII centres present in tris(amide) ferrate complexes has led to the chemoselective ferration of pentafluorobenzene, benzene, toluene, anisole, and pyridine being realised at room temperature. The importance of this bimetallic partnership is demonstrated by neither the relevant sodium amide (NaHMDS or NaTMP) nor the FeII amide Fe(HMDS)2 efficiently metallating these substrates under the conditions of this study. By combining NMR studies with the isolation of key intermediates and DFT calculations, we offer a possible mechanism for how these reactions take place, uncovering a surprising reaction pathway in which the metals cooperate in a synchronised manner. Although the isolated products are formally the result of Fe‐H exchange, theoretical calculations indicate that the aromatic substrates undergo Na‐H exchange followed by fast intramolecular transmetallation to Fe, thus stabilizing the newly generated aryl fragment., Combining iron with sodium in tris(amido) complexes has led to the selective ferration of non‐activated arenes being accomplished. A new cooperative mechanism is disclosed, whereby the sodium performs the metal‐H exchange and this is followed by a fast intramolecular trans‐metal trapping of the aryl anion by the iron centre.