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The reactivities of Fe(iv) oxido complexes of two pentadentate ligands are related to steric and electronic properties of the ligands.

Converting biomass into value-added chemicals is of significant interest and we report an efficient hydrosilylation to convert levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone using cost-effective silanes such as PMHS and TMDS with B(C6F5)3 as catalyst. This metal free methodology works at room temperature reaching TONs and TOFs up to 16000 and 2000 h−1. Insights into the reaction mechanism are reported.

Coal combustion greatly contributes to global emissions of toxic gases into the atmosphere, with sulfur emissions as one of the prominent pollutants in addition to carbon dioxide. Nevertheless, Botswana utilizes Morupule's sub-bituminous coal with average sulfur and ash contents, as determined in this study being 1.9 and 24.4 % by weight with an average calorific value of 22 MJ Kg

New PCNPy pincer nickel complexes have been synthesized through a short synthetic route. Incorporating pyridine as the nitrogen side arm facilitated the C–H activation in the PCN ligand and allowed the cyclometallation with nickel to take place at room temperature. Pyridine also enhanced the stability of β-hydrogen-containing alkyl complexes. Also, the symmetric NCN nickel complex with pyridine side arms was successfully obtained giving a rare example of such type of complexes to be prepared through direct C–H activation. Furthermore, preliminary results showed that the (PCNPy)Ni–Br is active in Kumada coupling reactions particularly the coupling of aryl halides with aryl Grignard reagents.

The synthesis of a new unsymmetrical PCN ligand bearing tert-butyl groups on the phosphorus atom and isopropyl groups on the nitrogen donor atom is presented. It reacts with the commercially availa...

To enable the large-scale use of hydrogen fuel cells for mobility applications, convenient methods for on-board hydrogen storage and release are required. A promising approach is liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), since these are safe, available on a large scale, and compatible with existing refueling infrastructure. Usually, LOHC dehydrogenation is carried out in batch-type reactors by transition metals and their complexes and suffers from slow H

From the reaction of 2-hydroxy-6-methylpyridine (L) with iron(II) tetrafluoroborate, a new mononuclear iron(III) octahedral complex [FeL6](BF4)3 has been isolated. The color of the complex reversibly changed from red at room temperature to yellow-orange at the liquid nitrogen temperature. Magnetization measurements indicate that iron(III) in [FeL6](BF4)3 is in a high-spin state S = 5/2, from room temperature to 1.8 K. The high-spin ground state of iron(III) is also confirmed by DFT calculations. Although the spin-crossover of the complex is not observed, X-band and multifrequency high-field/high-frequency electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy shows rather uncommon iron(III) spectra at room temperature and an unusual change with cooling. Spectral simulations reveal that the S = 5/2 ground state multiplet of the complex can be characterized by the temperature independent axial zero-field splitting parameter of |D| = +2 GHz (0.067 cm−1) while the value of the rhombic parameter E of the order of some tenths MHz increases on lowering the temperature. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) shows that the iron(III) coordination geometry does not change with temperature while supramolecular interactions are temperature dependent, influencing the iron(III) rhombicity. Additionally, the DFT calculations show temperature variation of the HOMO–LUMO gap, in agreement with the changes of color and ESR-spectra of the iron(III) complex with temperature.

Oxidative addition is the standard process for single-bond activation in transition metal catalysis and it is known to operate for many types of bonds, but challenging σ-bonds e. g. C(sp3)−F and C(sp3)−C(sp3) bonds are the exceptions in this respect. This short review aims at demonstrating how both α- and β-eliminations may be better options for activation of unstrained C−F and C−C single bonds. Selected examples of such eliminations are presented with a mechanistic focus indicating how unstrained and unactivated C−C and C−F bonds can be broken by employing α- and β-eliminations in transition metal hydrocarbyl ligands. Our examples show that the reaction barrier in β-eliminations is controlled by the s-character of the participating bonds where a higher s-character gives a better overlap in the multi-center transition state thereby increasing the reactivity; still β-aryl eliminations can compete with the classical β-hydrogen eliminations in certain cases. (Less)

A new generation of N-heterocyclic carbene palladium(II) complexes containing vinyl groups in different positions in the backbone of the N-heterocycle have been developed. The fully characterised monomers were copolymerised with divinylbenzene to fabricate robust polymer supported NHC-PdII complexes and these polymers were applied as heterogeneous catalysts in directed C-H halogenation of arenes with a pyridine-type directing group. The catalysts demonstrated medium-high catalytic activity with up to 90 % conversion and 100 % selectivity in chlorination. They are heterogeneous and recyclable (at least six times) with no significant leaching of palladium in batch mode catalysis. The best catalyst was also applied under continuous flow conditions where it disclosed an exceptional activity (90 % conversion) and 100 % selectivity for the mono-halogenated product for at least six days, with no leaching of palladium, no loss of activity and an ability to maintain the original oxidation state of PdII .

This work explores the use of water-in-supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) microemulsions for the extraction of polar metabolites from plants. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves and polyethylene glycol trimethylnonyl ether (TMN) surfactants were selected for a case study. A CO2-water-TMN 10 mixture at 35 °C and 30.0 MPa extracted 7 mg target analyte/g dry leaves. The extraction was proven to occur due to a water-surfactant liquid solution rather than a water-in-CO2 microemulsion. Using a modified extraction setup, the microemulsion was created prior to extraction. TMN 6 was able to dissolve enough water in CO2 to extract steviol glycosides, in detectable but very small amounts.

We report the first examples of the carbide ligand in (Cy3P)2Cl2Ru≡C (RuC) developing into a μ3 ligand toward metal centers. Conventionally, sterics exclude this coordination mode, but Fe2(CO)9 and Co2(CO)8 expel bridging CO ligands upon reaction with RuC to form trimetallic (Cy3P)2Cl2Ru═CFe2(CO)8 (RuCFe2) and (Cy3P)2Cl2Ru═CCo2(CO)7 (RuCCo2) complexes. Thus, the proximity offered by metal–metal associations in bimetallic carbonyl complexes allows the formation of trinuclear carbide complexes as verified by NMR, Mossbauer, and X-ray spectroscopic techniques.

We report an efficient process for the oxidation of benzyl alcohols using molecular oxygen as the oxidant catalyzed by Ag-Cu catalysts supported on polyoxometalates (Ag-Cu/POM). The Ag-Cu/POM catalyst was prepared by galvanic displacement in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol. The catalysts were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The oxidation reaction was carried out using a Schlenk– line setup, under ambient atmospheric pressure. Reaction products were identified by GC–MS and quantified with GC using an internal standard method. The Ag-Cu/POM catalyst gave close to 100% benzyl alcohol conversion in 5 h with >99% selectivity to benzaldehyde. When tested on various benzyl alcohol derivatives the Ag-Cu catalysts showed good conversions and >99% selectivity to the corresponding aldehydes. The Ag-Cu catalysts supported on the POM are highly stable, and don’t show tendency to leach or deactivate. The catalysts are heterogeneous in nature and easy to recover after reactions, and could be reused at least 5 times without significant loss in activity and selectivity.

A systematic study of the photophysical and electrochemical properties of triscyclometalated homoleptic iridium(III) complexes based on 2-(1-naphthyl)pyridine (npy) ligands is presented. A systematic investigation of ligand substitution patterns showed an influence on the lifetime of the excited state, with slight changes in the absorption and emission spectral features. Specifically, the emission lifetime of a complex of an npy ligand substituted with a strongly electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl group was longer than that of the corresponding complex with the electronically nonperturbed ligand (3.7 μs versus 1.5 μs). Electronically complementary ligands and complexes with ­orthogonal configurations showed slightly shorter excited state lifetimes compared with unsubstituted npy (1.4–3.0 μs). All complexes displayed reversible or quasireversible redox-couple processes, with the complex of the trifluoromethylated ligand showing the highest ground-state oxidation potential E1/2 ox [Ir(III)/Ir(IV) = 0.95 V vs. SCE in CH2Cl2]. This study showed that these complexes can be used as efficient photoredox catalysts, as demonstrated by their application in a regioselective methoxytrifluoromethylation in which the npy complexes showed equal or better performance compared with the archetypical photo­redox catalyst tris[2-phenylpyridinato]iridium(III).

In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) investigations have been performed to provide insights into the reaction mechanism of a palladium(II) catalyzed undirected C–H acetoxylation reaction in the presence of an oxidant. A Pd(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complex π-stacked onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was used as the catalyst. The Pd speciation during the catalytic process was examined by XAS, which revealed a possible mechanism over the course of the reaction. Pd(II) complexes in the as-synthesized catalyst first go through a gradual ligand substitution where chloride ions bound to Pd(II) are replaced by other ligands with a mean bond distance to Pd matching Pd–C/N/O. Parallel to this the mean oxidation state of Pd increases indicating the formation of Pd(IV) species. At a later stage, a fraction of the Pd complexes start to slowly transform into Pd nanoclusters. The mean average oxidation state of Pd decreases to the initial state at the end of the experiment which means that comparable amounts of Pd(0) and Pd(IV) are present. These observations from heterogeneous catalysis are in good agreement with its homogeneous analog and they support a Pd(II)–Pd(IV)–Pd(II) reaction mechanism.

An N-heterocyclic carbene palladium(II) complex containing two anthracene side arms was immobilized on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by π-stacking. The activity of the homogeneous analogue and the supported complex in undirected C–H acetoxylation reaction of arenes was studied. The results show that the catalytic efficiency in acetoxylation of benzene is improved in the immobilized materials compared to the homogeneous analogue. According to XPS analysis, the immobilized catalyst maintains the original oxidation state of PdII after the catalytic reaction.

New diamagnetic nickel(II) complexes based on an unsymmetrical (1-(3-((ditert-butylphosphino)methyl)phenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-methanamine) (PCN) pincer ligand were synthesized and characterized by 1H, 31P{1H}, and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy. Their molecular structures were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Oxidation to high-valent paramagnetic Ni(III) dihalide complexes was achieved through straightforward reaction of the corresponding diamagnetic halide complexes with anhydrous CuX2 (X = Cl, Br). In agreement with this, the complexes are active in Kharasch addition of CCl4 to olefins. The reaction of the hydroxo complex (8) and the amido complex (11) with CO2 produced the hydrogen carbonate and carbamate complexes, respectively. The hydrogen carbonate complex was converted to the dinuclear nickel carbonate complex (10). The methyl (13), phenyl (14), and p-tolylacetylide (15) complexes are also described in the current study providing the first example of the hydrocarbyl nickel complexes based on an unsymmetric ar...

Pincer complexes attract considerable attention both as interesting objects for fundamental studies and efficient catalysts. This review describes a relatively new offshoot of the field – namely, the chemistry of iridium complexes with aliphatic PCsp3P non-innocent pincer ligands. High flexibility, often combined with possibility to activate internal C–H bonds, offers several new patterns of metal-ligand cooperation; some of them were successfully used in catalysis of acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation, olefin hydroformylation and deuterium exchange, others opened up for remarkable stoichiometric reactions.

A nickel(II) hydroxo complex (3) supported by a cyclohexyl based POCsp3OP pincer ligand (POCsp3OP = cis-1,3-Bis-(di-tert-butylphosphinito)cyclohexyl) is reported. Complex 3 reacts with CO to form the corresponding hydroxycarbonyl complex, (POCsp3OP)NiCOOH (4). Complex 3 is also reactive towards CO2, forming a bicarbonate species (5) that under reduced pressure loses ½ eq. of H2O and CO2 to give a binuclear, bridged carbonate complex (6). All compounds were characterized in the solid state by X-ray diffraction.

A heterogeneous catalyst system for Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions was developed using polyoxometalates as supports for palladium. The catalyst system was synthesized in a one step process using sodium phosphotungstate and palladium acetate. We used the supported catalyst in organic media without the need for special ligands. Substantial activity was observed after several recycles. The catalyst showed high product selectivity with yields up to > 95 % in both Suzuki and Heck reactions.

A series of complexes with oxathiacrown ethers appended to a [Ru(bpy)2]2+ moiety have been synthesized and characterised using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. The complexes exhibit strong MLCT luminescence bands in the range 608–611 nm and one reversible metal centred oxidation potential in the range 1.00–1.02 V. Their selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ metal ions have been investigated using electronic absorption, luminescence, cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry titrations. Their responses towards selected cations and anions have also been investigated using electronic absorption and luminescence. While the complexes are selective towards Hg2+ and Cd2+ ions, none of them is selective towards Pb2+ ions. In particular, complex 2 gives a selective change in the UV/Vis absorbance with Hg2+ making it possible to detect mercury down to a detection limit of 68 ppm. The binding constants and limits of detection of the complexes have been calculated, with values ranging from 4.37 to 5.38 and 1.4 × 10−3 to 6.8 × 10−5 for log Ks and LOD respectively.

Aqueous coordination of cyanide and verification of the composition of the resulting coordination compound is important to ensure confidence in its coordination. Isothiocyanato compounds 1–7 were synthesized employing different synthetic routes and the complex, [Mo2O2(μ-S)2(SCN)5(CH3CN)]3−, 4, was structurally characterized. Ligand exchange reaction of 4 with cyanide forms 8, a cyano complex. Complex 8 was isolated as an organosoluble salt and fully characterized and confirmed as the major product formed in the aqueous ligand exchange reaction of 4–7 with cyanide. The crystal structure of 8 revealed the unusual [Mo2O2(μ-S)2(CN)5]3− anion where the two molybdenum(V) centers are unsymmetrically coordinated. A second unsymmetric cyano complex [Mo2O3(μ-S)2(CN)2]2− 9, presumed hydrolysis product from an aqueous reaction, was isolated and structurally characterized revealing one square pyramidal Mo center and one tetrahedral Mo center in the binuclear core. Attempts to quantify the first order dissociative ligand substitution rate of thiocyanate in 4 to form 8 using the stopped-flow method gave an estimated minimum rate constant of 70 s−1. This confirms that the exchange reaction is sufficiently fast to be useful in aqueous coordination of cyanide.

Through a salt metathesis reaction, ( t −Bu PCN)Pd-ONO 2 ( 2 ) was prepared and used as a precursor for producing ( t −Bu PCN)Pd-OH ( 3 ) and ( t −Bu PCN)Pd-aryl acetylide complexes 4 (phenyl acetylide) and 5 (p-tolyl acetylide). The aryl acetylide complexes could also be prepared through another synthetic route: by condensation of 3 with the corresponding aryl acetylene. The reactivity of complexes 3 and 4 toward carbon dioxide was studied and it was found that both reactions give the hydrogen carbonate complex ( 6 ). The low reactivity of the Pd-acetylide bond was further confirmed by the fact that the propiolate complex undergoes decarboxylation to give 4 . PCN palladium complexes are good catalysts for the decarboxylative cross coupling reactions between acetylene carboxylic acids and aryl halides. The yield of the cross coupling product was improved by adding a catalytic amount of CuI.

Heterogeneous catalysts for selective oxidation of C-H bonds were synthesized by co-polymerization of new N-heterocyclic carbene-palladium(II) (NHC-PdII) monomers with divinylbenzene. The polymer-supported NHC-PdII-catalysed undirected C-H acetoxylation of simple and methylated arenes as well as polyarenes, with similar or superior efficiency compared to their homogeneous analogues. In particular, the regioselectivity has been improved in the acetoxylation of biphenyl and naphthalene compared to the best homogeneous catalysts. The new polymer-supported catalysts maintain the original oxidation state of PdII after repeated catalytic reactions, and exhibit no significant leaching of palladium. In addition, the new catalysts have been successfully recovered and reused without loss of activity over several cycles of reactions. (Less)

A new generation of N-heterocyclic carbene palladium(II) complexes containing vinyl groups in different positions in the backbone of the N-heterocycle have been developed. The fully characterised monomers were copolymerised with divinylbenzene to fabricate robust polymer supported NHC-Pd

Metalation of two cyclohexane-based phosphinite pincer ligands, cis-POCyPO (4) and trans-POCyPO (5) (POCyPO = {1,3-bis-[(di-tert-butylphosphinito]cyclohexane}−), is reported. In line with previously published results (Dalton Trans. 2009, 8626, DOI: 10.1039/B910798C), ligand 4 undergoes aromatization to give benzene-based complex (POCOP)IrHCl (3) at high temperatures in the presence of [Ir(COD)Cl]2. However, here we present the isolation of carbene complex (POCyOP)═IrCl (6) which is an intermediate in the aromatization process; upon reaction with H2, 6 can be readily transformed to the corresponding hydrido-chloride 8. Metalation of trans-POCyOP ligand 5 gives hydrido-chloride 13 which only upon further heating can be converted to the corresponding carbene 14. A mechanistic study of hydrogenation of carbene 6 is reported, as well as interesting ambient temperature CO-induced C–H activation in β-position of 6, a process that under other circumstances takes place around 200 °C. The cis complex (POCyOP)IrHCl ...

The study of solvation in pressurized systems requires in situ analysis. An optimal spectroscopic technique for such studies would enable the detection of any compound and have resolution enough to differentiate different compounds within a multicomponent mixture. Here we show for the first time that we can follow dissolution kinetics of a model compound, D-limonene, in supercritical carbon dioxide using in situ Raman spectroscopy. Dissolution rate constants were measured at different stirring speeds, temperatures (45 and 55 °C) and amounts of CO2, corresponding to pressures in the range of 8.4 to 17.0 MPa. Dissolution half-lives ranged from 3 min (at 45 °C and 8.4 MPa) up to more than 1 hour (at 55 °C 16.9 MPa). The results indicate that dissolution is mostly controlled by diffusion, while convection did not play a significant role. Dissolution rate constants showed a non-linear inverse relation with diffusivity, while temperature did not influence the dissolution rate constants significantly. Dissolution kinetics is revealed as a significant aspect to consider for the optimization of extraction and separation processes based on supercritical carbon dioxide. Overall, this study offers new insight into solvation phenomena in pressurized fluids.

Two hydride compounds with aliphatic pincer ligands, (PCyP)IrH2 (PCyP = {cis-1,3-bis[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]cyclohexane}− (1) and (PCyP)IrH4 (2), have been studied, with emphasis on features where such systems differ from arene-based analogues. Both compounds reveal relatively rapid exchange between α-C–H and Ir–H, which can occur via formation of carbene or through demetalation, with nearly equal barriers. This observation is confirmed by deuterium incorporation into the α-C–H position. Complex 1 can reversibly add an N2 molecule, which competes with the α-agostic bond for a coordination site at iridium. The hydrogen binding mode in tetrahydride 2 is discussed on the basis of NMR and IR spectra, as well as DFT calculations. While the interpretation of the data is somewhat ambiguous, the best model seems to be a tetrahydride with minor contribution from a dihydrido–dihydrogen complex. In addition, the catalytic activity of 1 in deuterium exchange using benzene-d6 as a deuterium source is presented.

To achieve high selectivity in directed C–H activation, an NHC ligand was introduced to a palladium catalyst. A range of Pd-PEPPSI complexes were applied in the direct acetoxylation of 2-phenylpyridine. The best catalyst was found to be the one based on a diisopropylphenyl-substituted NHC ligand, and this was successfully used for the functionalization of sp2as well as more challenging sp3bonds for a broad variety of substrates. The explored method showed a highly improved selectivity compared to previously reported results with up to 96 % yield for the monoacetoxylated product. Kinetic studies show that sterics of the catalyst is less important in dictating conversion and selectivity; despite an induction period, it was shown that the catalyst is molecular in nature. (Less)

In the title compound, [Pd(C11H9N)(C13H14N2)Cl2], the PdII ion is coordinated by two Cl anions, one carbene C atom and one pyridine N atom in a slightly distorted square-planar geometry. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked through weak C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds into a tape structure., The title compound, [PdCl2(C11H9N)(C13H14N2)], represents a new class of palladium-based polymerizable monomer which could give a potentially catalytically active polymer. It was synthesized via transmetallation from the corresponding silver complex. The PdII ion coordinates two Cl anions, one C atom from the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand and one N atom from the 4-phenyl­pyridine ligand, displaying a slightly distorted square-planar geometry. The dihedral angle between the imidazole ring and the pyridine ring is 34.53 (8)°. The Pd—C bond length between the NHC ligand and the PdII ion is 1.9532 (16) Å. In the crystal, weak non-classical C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a tape structure along [101]. A weak π–π inter­action is also observed [centroid–centroid distance = 3.9117 (11) Å].

The cyclometallated dinuclear (2-phenyl-pyridine) palladium acetate and chloride [{PdCl(phpy)}(2)] and [{PdOAc(phpy)}(2)] were reacted with potentially bridging N- and S-donor ligands. The N,N-ligands bind with only one nitrogen and form monomeric products. The S,S-ligand binds in a chelate mode, also forming a monomeric complex. 3,3-Dimethyl glutarate, on the other hand, binds in a bridging mode. An X-ray structure of the complex with naphthyridine is presented. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A simple method has been developed for the cross dehydrogenative coupling between two different primary alcohols using readily available RuCl2(PPh3)3 as a precatalyst through the borrowing-hydrogen approach. The present methodology is applicable to a large variety of alcohol derivatives including long chain aliphatic alcohols and heteroaryl alcohols. In addition, the methodology was applied in a straightforward protocol to synthesize commercially available fragrances such as Rosaphen and Cyclamenaldehyde in good yields.