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Experimental and theoretical techniques were used to investigate the mechanism of pyridine C-H activation by diarylboryl/bis(phosphine) PBP pincer complexes of Ir. The critical intermediate (PBP)IrCO ( 4 ) contains a three-coordinate, Ir-bound boron that retains Lewis acidity in the perpendicular direction. Coordination of pyridine to this boron center in 4 leads to fast insertion of Ir into the 2-CH bond of pyridine, providing a different topology of direction than the conventional directed C-H activation where both the directing group coordination and C-H activation happen at the same metal center. Beyond this critical sequence, the system possesses significant complexity in terms of possible isomers and pathways, which have been thoroughly explored. Kinetic and thermodynamic preferences for the activation of differently substituted pyridines were also investigated. In experimental work, the key intermediate 4 is accessed via elimination of benzene from a phenyl/hydride containing precursor (PB Ph P)IrHCO ( 3 ). Density functional theory (DFT) investigations of the mechanism of benzene loss from 3 revealed the possibility of a genuinely new type of mechanism, whereby the Ph-H bond is made in a concerted process that is best described as C-H reductive elimination from boron, assisted by the transition metal (TMARE). For Ir, this pathway was predicted to be competitive with the more conventional pathways involving C-H reductive elimination from Ir, but still higher in energy barrier. However, for the Rh analog 3-Rh , TMARE was calculated to be the preferred pathway for benzene loss and this prediction was experimentally corroborated through the study of reaction rates and the kinetic isotope effect.

The new alane/bis(phosphine) PAlP pincer-type ligands 2-Me and 2-Et have been prepared by protolysis reactions of N -(diisopropylphoshino)acetamide with Me 3 Al or Et 3 Al in a 2:1 ratio. Upon reaction with a "RhCl" source and pyridine, 2-Me gave rise to a (PAlP)RhMe(py) compound ( 4-Me ), while 2-Et led to the analogous hydride complex (PAlP)RhH(py) ( 4-H ), with a migration of the chloride from Rh to Al. 4-Me and 4-H possess the shortest Rh-Al bonds to date., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Rh complexes of a tridentate PPP ligand bearing 1,2-pyrrolediyl linkers have been prepared, including examples with the central P donor being either a phosphine or a phosphide. Three bimetallic Rh complexes containing the diamandoid Rh 2 P 2 core (P = phosphido) have been structurally and spectroscopically characterized. The Rh-Rh interaction in these three dimers was examined by way of structural comparisons and DFT investigations., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

A bimetallic Pd complex of a bis(pincer) with a diarylpyrazine core has been prepared. The complex demonstrates near-perfect coplanarity of the aromatic core, is fluorescent under UV irradiation, and displays two quasi-reversible reduction events.

Synthesis of a series of hydrocarbon-soluble triarylamines bearing F, CF 3 , and Br substituents showing quasi-reversible redox events in the 0.59-1.32 V range is reported. Chemical oxidation of the amines was carried out with 0.5PhI(OAc) 2 /Me 3 SiX/Na[RCB 11 Cl 11 ] (X = Cl or OTf, R = H or Me), and a few aminium salts were isolated as pure solids.

Protolysis of AlMe 3 or AlBu i 3 with 2-diisopropylphosphinopyrrole (1) yields molecules containing two flanking phosphines and a central Al-Me (2-Me), Al- i Bu (2- i Bu), or Al-H (2-H) unit. The reactions of 2-Me with [L 2 MCl] 2 (L = cyclooctene or 1/2 1,5-cyclooctadiene and M = Rh or Ir) in the presence of pyridine produces PAl Cl P pincer complexes (3-Rh and 3-Ir) with Al-Cl and M-Me bonds. The analogous reaction of a mixture of 2- i Bu and 2-H with [L 2 MCl] 2 and pyridine resulted in the formation of analogous Rh-H (4-Rh) and Ir-H (4-Ir) complexes. Treatment of 3-Rh with NaBEt 3 H produced compound 5-Rh with an Al-Me and a Rh-H bond; the analogous reaction of 3-Ir did not result in a clean product. 4-Ir accepted an equivalent of H 2 to produce 6-Ir with two terminal Ir-H bonds and one bridging Al-H-Ir moiety, whereas 4-Rh did not react with H 2 . The density functional theoretical treatment is in accord with this finding, highlights the likely mechanism for the H 2 addition, and supports the bonding picture in 6-Ir arising from NMR and X-ray diffraction (XRD) observations. Spectroscopic data and XRD studies are consistent with distorted square-pyramidal structures (about Rh or Ir) for compounds 3-5, with an alane occupying the apical position. Complexes 3 and 4 possess some of the shortest known Rh-Al or Ir-Al distances., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 American Chemical Society.)

Syntheses of Rh complexes of the phosphine-amido-silane SiNP ligand are reported. The reaction of the parent (SiNP)H ligand (4) with 0.5 equiv. [(COE)RhCl] 2 (COE = cis -cyclooctene) in the presence of NaN(SiME 3 ) 2 resulted in the formation of (SiNP)Rh(COE) (5). Compound 5 was converted to a series of (SiNP)Rh(P(OR) 3 ) complexes 6-10 (R = Ph, i Pr, n Bu, Et, or Me) by treatment with the corresponding phosphite. NMR and XRD structural data, as well as the DFT computational analysis indicate that compounds 5-10 are divided into two structural Types ( A and B ), differing in the nature of the interaction of the Si-H bond of the SiNP ligand with Rh.

The synthesis and coordination chemistry of a new class of silyl pincer ligand featuring pyrrole-based linkers is reported. The steric and electronic properties of these bis(phosphinopyrrole)methylsilane ligands were interrogated using their palladium, rhodium, and platinum complexes. The pyrrole-based linker attenuates the donor ability of the ligand relative to its reported 1,2-phenylene congener while maintaining a similar steric profile. Additionally, the silyl donor connected to the N -pyrrolyl groups exhibits a weaker trans influence than the analogous ligand featuring 1,2-phenylene linkers.

Significantly fluorinated triarylmethyl cations have long attracted attention as potentially accessible highly reactive carbocations, but their isolation in a convenient form has proved elusive. We show that abstraction of chloride with a cationic silylium reagent leads to the facile formation of di-, tetra-, and hexafluorinated trityl cations, which could be isolated as analytically pure salts with the [HCB 11 Cl 11 ] - counterion and are compatible with (halo)arene solvents. The F 6 Tr + cation carrying six meta -F substituents was computationally predicted to possess up to 20% higher hydride affinity than the parent triphenylmethyl cation Tr + . We report that indeed F 6 Tr + displays reactivity unmatched by Tr + . F 6 Tr + at ambient temperature abstracts hydrides from the C-H bonds in tetraethylsilane, mesitylene, methylcyclohexane, and catalyzes Friedel-Crafts alkylation of arenes with ethylene, while Tr + does none of these., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Pyridine and quinoline undergo selective C-H activation in the 2-position with Rh and Ir complexes of a boryl/bis(phosphine) PBP pincer ligand, resulting in a 2-pyridyl bridging the transition metal and the boron center. Examination of this reactivity with Rh and Ir complexes carrying different non-pincer ligands on the transition metal led to the realization of the possible isomerism derived from the 2-pyridyl fragment connecting either via B-N/C-M bonds or via B-C/N-M bonds. This M-C/M-N isomerism was systematically examined for four structural types. Each of these types has a defined set of ligands on Rh/Ir besides 2-pyridyl and PBP. A pair of M-C/M-N isomers for each type was computationally examined for Rh and for Ir, totaling 16 compounds. Several of these compounds were isolated or observed in solution by experimental methods, in addition to a few 2-quinolyl variants. The DFT predictions concerning the thermodynamic preference within each M-C/M-N isomeric match the experimental findings very well. In two cases where DFT predicts <2 kcal mol -1 difference in free energy, both isomers were experimentally observed in solution. Analysis of the structural data, of the relevant Wiberg bond indices, and of the ETS-NOCV partitioning of the interaction of the 2-pyridyl fragment with the rest of the molecule points to the strength of the M-C(pyridyl) bond as the dominant parameter determining the relative M-C/M-N isomer favorability. This M-C bond is always stronger for the analogous Ir vs. Rh compounds, but the nature of the ligand trans to it has a significant influence, as well. DFT calculations were used to evaluate the mechanism of isomerization for one of the molecule types., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

An alane/tris(phospine) ligand reacts with AgOTf by coordination of three phosphines to the Ag center and transfer of triflate to the tris(pyrrolyl) Al site. Reaction with Ag[HCB 11 Cl 11 ] results in the coordination of two phosphines to Ag and one to Al, with no significant Ag-Al bonding in either structure.

We report the synthesis of PAlP and PBP pincer complexes of Rh with a central bis( N -pyrrolyl)aluminyl or -boryl unit. Complex (PAl py P)Rh(CO) 2 possesses an aluminyl site stabilized by coordination of pyridine, resulting in a four-coordinate Al. Attempts to access the three-coordinate aluminyl by abstraction of pyridine with BF 3 ·Et 2 O unexpectedly led to a B/Al metathesis with the preservation of the pincer structure in the product (PBP)Rh(CO) 2 . Abstraction of pyridine was carried out using B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 , but the desired (PAlP)Rh(CO) 2 underwent dimerization via isocarbonyl bridging.

Syntheses of a new tripodal alane/tris(phosphine) ligand (AlP3) based on 2-(diisopropylphosphino)pyrrole, and AlP3-supported Ni complexes are reported. The central tris(pyrrolyl)aluminum moiety acts as a stronger Lewis acid towards Ni than other related group 13 element-centered tripodal ligands, as demonstrated by the binding of H2 to Ni and the ease of reduction.

This report examines reactions of a series of Ir complexes supported by the diarylboryl/bis(phosphine) PBP pincer ligand with ethylene: (PBP)IrH 4 ( 1 ), (PBP)IrH 2 (CO) ( 2 ), and (PBP)Ir(CO) 2 ( 3 ). The outcomes of these reactions differ from those typical for Ir complexes supported by other pincer ligands and do not give rise to simple ethylene adducts or products of insertion of Ir into the C-H bond of ethylene. Instead, the elements of ethylene are incorporated into the molecules to result in B-C bonds. In the case of 2 and 3 , ethylene addition results in the formation of B/Ir bridging ethylidene complexes 5 and 6 . For 6 , the addition of ethylene (and the analogous addition of 1-hexene) is shown to be partially reversible. Addition of ethylene to 2 and 3 is remarkable because they are saturated at Ir and yet the net outcome is such that ethylene binds without replacing any ligands already present. A mechanistic inquiry suggests that dissociation of CO from 3 or 6 is necessary in order for the addition or loss of ethylene to proceed., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A series of binuclear homo- and heterobimetallic complexes of the general type (PNP)M-[linker]-M(PNP) have been prepared (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; PNP = a diarylamido/bis(phosphine) pincer ligand; -[linker]- = -C≡C-, -C≡CC≡C-, -C≡CC 6 H 4 C≡C-). Each (PNP)M site can be oxidized by one electron, and this work reports the investigation of the mixed-valence behavior in terms of the communication between the two redox sites and the degree of the delocalization in the monooxidized cation. The compounds were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis-NIR and EPR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations. The complex with the longest examined linker, (PNP)Ni-C≡CC 6 H 4 C≡C-Ni(PNP) ( 9Ni ), exhibited no discernible communication between the redox sites. The homobimetallic complexes (PNP)M-C≡CC≡C-M(PNP) ( 6M ) displayed a lower degree of communication in comparison to the -C≡C- linker analogues (PNP)M-C≡C-M(PNP) ( 3M ). Within each of these two subsets, the relative degree of communication and delocalization was determined to be Pd < Ni ≤ Pt. On the Robin-Day scale, compounds 6M can be assigned class I for M = Pd and class II for M = Ni, Pt. Complex 3Pd also falls into class II, while 3Ni and 3Pt may be viewed as borderline class II/III cases. It is likely that the communication in the Ni systems has the advantage of the smaller size of Ni, resulting in a greater physical proximity of the redox sites, while the 5d metal Pt possesses the greatest ability for orbital interaction with the -C≡C- linker.

This report discloses a combined experimental and computational study aimed at understanding C-S reductive elimination from Co(iii) supported by a diarylamido/bis(phosphine) PNP pincer ligand. Divalent (PNP)Co-aryl complexes could be easily oxidized to five-coordinate Co(iii) derivatives, and anion metathesis provided five-coordinate (PNP)Co(Ar)(SAr') complexes of Co(iii). In contrast to their previously described (POCOP)Co(Ar)(SAr') analogs, but similarly to the (PNP)Rh(Ar)(SAr') and (POCOP)Rh(Ar)(SAr') analogs, (PNP)Co(Ar)(SAr') undergo C-S reductive elimination with the formation of the desired diarylsulfide product ArSAr'. DFT studies and experimental observations are consistent with a concerted process. However, in contrast to the Rh analogs, the immediate product of such reductive elimination, the unobserved Co(i) complex (PNP)Co, un-dergoes rapid comproportionation with the (PNP)Co(Ar)(SAr') starting material to give Co(ii) compounds (PNP)Co-Ar and (PNP)Co-SAr'., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2020.)

Silver halide complexes of a borane/bis(phosphine) ligand have been prepared and characterized. With AgF, the borane abstracts fluoride, resulting in a zwitterionic complex. With AgCl, AgBr, and AgI, the halide stays coordinated to Ag, with little to no Ag-B interaction.

A high-valent, rhenium(V) oxo complex (PCP)ReOCl 2 (1; PCP=bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)phenyl) undergoes a deprotonation and "dearomatization" upon treatment with LiN(SiMe 3 ) 2 to give (P*CP)ReOCl (2 a), in which Re is bound to a new dianionic P*CP ligand. Compound 2 a was studied spectroscopically, structurally, and computationally and was determined to have non-negligible Re=C multiple bond character, leading to its formulation as a new pseudo-carbenoid species. Reaction of 2 a or its iodo analogue (P*CP)ReOI (2 b) with CO 2 provided access to (PCP)ReOX(CO 2 ) (X=Cl or I, 3 a/b), the product of 1,3-cycloaddition and C-C bond formation., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A new diarylmido-based pincer proto ligand (iPrPNHSbPh) with one -PPri2 and one -SbPh2 side donor has been synthesized. Three complexes of its amido form were prepared using standard metalation techniques: (iPrPNSbPh)PdCl, (iPrPNSbPh)RhCO, and (iPrPNSbPh)Ir(COE), where COE = cis-cyclooctene. These complexes were compared with their previously reported analogs incorporating a -PPh2 side donor in place of -SbPh2. The -SbPh2 donor arm is less donating towards the metal and is less strongly trans-influencing, based on the structural and IR spectroscopic analysis of the Rh complexes. The redox potential of the Pd complexes is only marginally affected by the change from -PPh2 to -SbPh2. (iPrPNSbPh)Ir(COE) proved to be a slower and less selective catalyst in the dehydrogenative borylation of terminal alkynes (DHBTA) than its -PPh2 analog.

Complexes (PCP R )Re(O)(OAc) 2 [R = i Pr (4a) and t Bu (4b); PCP = κ 3 -P,C,P-2,6-(R 2 PCH 2 ) 2 C 6 H 3 ] undergo unexpected irreversible hydrolysis to yield (PCP R )Re(O)(OAc)(OH) (3a/3b) and free AcOH. 3a and 3b are highly fluxional in solution, possibly via AcOH loss and the intermediacy of (PCP R )Re(O) 2 , which was isolated for R = t Bu (5b).

Synthetic methods for the coordination of the monoanionic bis[2-(diisopropylphosphino)-4-methylphenyl]amido (PNP) ligand framework to the cerium(III) cation have been developed and applied for the isolation of a series of {(PNP)Ce} and {(PNP) 2 Ce} type complexes. The structures of the complexes were studied by X-ray diffraction and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. We found that the cerium(III) ion can induce the elimination of one of the iPr groups at phosphorus to yield a new dianionic PNP tridentate framework (PNP -iPr ) featuring a phosphido-donor functionality, which is bound to the cerium ion with the shortest known Ce-P bond of 2.7884(14) Å for molecular compounds. The reaction of the complex [(PNP)Ce{N(SiMe 3 ) 2 } 2 ] (1) with Ph 2 CO gave the Ce-bound product of C-C coupling, - N(SiMe 3 )SiMe 2 CH 2 -CPh 2 O - , through the C-H bond activation of a SiMe 3 group. 31 P NMR spectroscopy was used to estimate the presence of a vacant coordination position at the cerium ion in the Ce III -PNP complexes by the examination of the δ( 31 P) shift recorded both in non-polar (C 6 D 6 ) and polar ([D 8 ]THF) solvents. Moreover, 31 P NMR spectroscopy was also found to be a useful tool for the estimation of the Ce-P bond distances in {(PNP)Ce III } and {(PNP) 2 Ce III } systems. Electrochemical and computational studies for 1 and its lanthanum analogue containing a redox-innocent metal center revealed the stabilization of the Ce III oxidation state by the PNP ligand., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Transition-metal mediated C-H functionalization has emerged as a powerful method in the chemistry relevant to the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and advanced materials. Because organic molecules typically contain multiple types of C-H bonds, selective C-H functionalization is a major ongoing challenge. C-H activation of heteroatom-containing organics has often been approached via the use of the directing effect, whereby the coordination to the basic heteroatom directs the reactive metal center to a specific C-H bond. We now report a different approach where the nitrogen donor in pyridine derivatives coordinates to an ancillary Lewis acidic boryl ligand directly attached to the metal (iridium) center, as opposed to the metal itself. This topology directs the iridium center to activate a different C-H bond than in the cases of directing donor coordination to the metal. Using this strategy, we demonstrate ortho-regiospecific C-H activation of pyridines and an example of the subsequent functionalization via C-C bond formation.

While investigating rhodium-catalyzed Negishi coupling, it was observed that the (PNP)Rh fragment readily inserted into zinc-carbon bonds to form isolable molecules with covalent rhodium-zinc bonds.

The manuscript reports the synthesis, characterization, and analysis of electronic structure in a series of complexes of small perfluorocarbon ligands with the (PNP)Rh fragment (where PNP is a diarylamido/bis(phosphine) pincer ligand). Reactions of (PNP)Rh(TBE) as the source of (PNP)Rh with CHF 3 and C 2 HF 5 produced perfluoroalkylidene complexes (PNP)Rh[double bond, length as m-dash]CF 2 and (PNP)Rh[double bond, length as m-dash]C(F)(CF 3 ). (PNP)Rh[double bond, length as m-dash]CF 2 could also be obtained via the reaction of (PNP)Rh(TBE) with Me 3 SiCF 3 /CsF, with an admixture of (PNP)Rh(C 2 F 4 ), where TBE = tert -butylethylene. Abstraction of fluoride from these neutral (PNP)RhC x F y complexes was successful, although only abstraction from (PNP)Rh[double bond, length as m-dash]CF 2 allowed unambiguous identification of the Rh product, [(PNP)Rh[triple bond, length as m-dash]CF] + . DFT computational studies allowed comparison of relative energies of (PNP)Rh(C 2 F 4 ) and [(PNP)Rh(C 2 F 3 )] + isomers as well as comparisons between the electronic structure of the [double bond, length as m-dash]CF 2 , C 2 F 4 , and [triple bond, length as m-dash]CF + complexes and their hydrocarbon analogues., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017.)

A novel PNN-type pincer ligand has been accessed via imine reduction with LiAlH 4 to provide the phosphine diamino proligand, PN H N H (1). The ligand, 1, as well as PN H P can be metallated directly, via N-H cleavage, with L 2 ReOX 2 (OEt) precursors to access six-coordinate (PNP)ReOCl 2 (2) and (PNN H )ReOX 2 (3-Cl, X = Cl; 3-Br, X = Br) in good yield. 3-Cl and 3-Br undergo dehydrohalogenation upon treatment with NEt 3 , furnishing the five-coordinate phosphine/diamido PNN-type compounds (PNN)ReOX (4-Cl, X = Cl; 4-Br, X = Br) in excellent yield, presenting as a mixture of rotameric diasteromers. The reversibility of this deprotonation, and the coordinative unsaturation of 4-Cl is shown in reactions with HCl (aq) and PMe 3 providing 3-Cl and 4-PMe3, respectively. Treatment of 4-Cl with AgOAc, AgOTf, or NaHBEt 3 lead to formation of (PNN)ReO(OAc) (4-OAc), (PNN)ReO(OTf) (4-OTf), and (PNN)ReO(H) (4-H), all isolated in excellent yields in varying diasteromeric ratios. The nature of the isomerism was analyzed based on solid-state structural studies and solution NMR data.

The catalytic C-H borylation of arenes with HBpin (pin = pinacolate) using POCOP-type pincer complexes of Ir has been demonstrated, with turnover numbers exceeding 10 000 in some cases. The selectivity of C-H activation was based on steric preferences and largely mirrored that found in other Ir borylation catalysts. Catalysis in the (POCOP)Ir system depends on the presence of stoichiometric quantities of sacrificial olefin, which is hydrogenated to consume the H2 equivalents generated in the borylation of C-H bonds with HBpin. Smaller olefins such as ethylene or 1-hexene were more advantageous to catalysis than sterically encumbered tert-butylethylene (TBE). Olefin hydroboration is a competing side reaction. The synthesis and isolation of multiple complexes potentially relevant to catalysis permitted examination of several key elementary reactions. These experiments indicate that the C-H activation step in catalysis ostensibly involves oxidative addition of an aromatic C-H bond to the three-coordinate (POCOP)Ir species. The olefin is mechanistically critical to gain access to this 14-electron, monovalent Ir intermediate. C-H activation at Ir(I) here is in contrast to the olefin-free catalysis with state-of-the-art Ir complexes supported by neutral bidentate ligands, where the C-H activating step is understood to involve trivalent Ir-boryl intermediates.

The unexpectedly facile insertion of Rh or Ir into a B-Ph bond (reversible for Rh) converts a borane/bis(phosphine) precursor into a boryl/bis(phosphine) PBP pincer ligand. Interconversions between the boryl/borane/borate central functionality are demonstrated in reactions with dihydrogen.

A two-step reaction to convert terminal alkynes into triborylalkenes is reported. In the first step, the terminal alkyne and pinacolborane (HBpin) are converted into an alkynylboronate, which is catalyzed by an iridium complex supported by a SiNN pincer ligand. In the second step, treatment of the reaction mixture with CO generates a new catalyst which mediates dehydrogenative diboration of alkynylboronate with pinacolborane. The mechanism of the diboration remains unclear but it does not proceed via intermediacy of hydroboration products or via B2 pin2., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C5SC02161H.].

Following the report on the successful use of SiNN pincer complexes of iridium as catalysts for dehydrogenative borylation of terminal alkynes (DHBTA) to alkynylboronates, this work examined a wide variety of related pincer ligands in the supporting role in DHBTA. The ligand selection included both new and previously reported ligands and was developed to explore systematic changes to the SiNN framework (the 8-(2-diisopropylsilylphenyl)aminoquinoline). Surprisingly, only the diarylamido/bis(phosphine) PNP system showed any DHBTA reactivity. The specific PNP ligand (bearing two diisopropylphosphino side donors) used in the screen showed DHBTA activity inferior to SiNN. However, taking advantage of the ligand optimization opportunities presented by the PNP system via the changes in the substitution at phosphorus led to the discovery of a catalyst whose activity, longevity, and scope far exceeded that of the original SiNN archetype. Several Ir complexes were prepared in a model PNP system and evaluated as potential intermediates in the catalytic cycle. Among them, the (PNP)Ir diboryl complex and the borylvinylidene complex were shown to be less competent in catalysis and thus likely not part of the catalytic cycle.

New carborane anions carrying one or three triflyloxy substituents are described. The mono-triflyloxy substituted carborane can be halogenated to give pentabromo and decachloro derivatives with preservation of the B-OTf linkage. The use of [HCB11Cl10OTf](-) as a weakly coordinating anion is demonstrated.

This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of a series of pincer ligands and their Ni, Pd, Pt, and Rh complexes. The ligands under examination are based on a diarylamine which is modified either by two phosphino (-PR2) substituents in the ortho-positions (PNP ligands) or by a combination of a phosphino and an iminyl (-CH═NX) substituent (PNN ligands). The ligands can be broken down into three groups: (a) C2v-symmetric PNP ligands with identical side -PR2 donors, (b) Cs-symmetric PNP' ligands with different -PR2 side donors, and (c) PNN ligands containing a -P(i)Pr2 side donor. All of the ligands under study readily formed square-planar complexes of the types (PNZ)PdCl, (PNZ)Pd(OAc), and (PNZ)RhCO, where PNZ is the corresponding anionic tridentate pincer ligand. For select PNP ligands, (PNP)NiCl and (PNP)PtCl were also studied. The (PNZ)MCl complexes (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) underwent quasireversible oxidation in cyclic voltammetry experiments. Based on the close similarity of formal potentials for Ni, Pd, and Pt analogs, and based on the previous literature evidence, these oxidation events are ascribed primarily to the PNZ ligand, and the E1/2 values can be used to compare the ease of oxidation of different ligands. A (PNP)PdCl complex containing methoxy substituents para- to the central nitrogen underwent two quasireversible oxidations. Two mono-oxidized complexes were isolated and structurally characterized in comparison to their neutral analog, revealing minimal changes in the bond distances and angles. Several other neutral complexes were also structurally characterized. The carbonyl stretching frequency in (PNZ)RhCO complexes was used to gauge the donating ability of the various pincer ligands toward the metal. Comparison of E1/2 values for (PNZ)PdCl and νCO values for (PNZ)RhCO revealed that the two are not consistently correlated across all the studied ligands and can be tuned to different degrees through judicious ligand alteration.

Reaction of CO2 with a Pd(I)-Pd(I) dimer supported by amido/bis(phosphine) pincer PNP ligands produces free CO in the presence of Me3SiCl and Me3SiOTf.

This article describes a well-defined pincer-Rh catalyst for C-S cross-coupling reactions. (POCOP)Rh(H)(Cl) serves as an active precatalyst for the coupling of aryl chlorides and bromides with aryl and alkyl thiols under reasonable conditions (3% mol cat., 110 °C, 2-24 h, >90% yield). For select substrates, >90% yields were obtained with catalyst loading as low as 0.1%. Key mechanistic intermediates have been isolated and fully characterized, including (POCOP)Rh(Ph)(SPh) (6a) and (POCOP)Rh(SPh2) (6b). The aryl/bis(phosphinite) (POCOP)Rh system has been shown to favor aryl thiolate reductive elimination at elevated temperatures and in some cases at room temperature, compared with the analogous diarylamido/bis(phosphine) (PNP)Rh pincer system. Concerted reductive elimination has been studied with 6a directly and in the presence of aryl bromide and aryl chloride traps. This investigation demonstrates a clear rate dependence on aryl chloride concentration during catalysis, a dependence that is absent when using aryl bromides. The rate of catalysis is dramatically reduced or brought to zero for ortho-tolyl halides, which can be traced to slower C-S coupling and slower carbon-halogen oxidative addition for ortho-substituted aryls. The influence of the sterics in the thiol component is less straightforward. The S-H oxidative addition product (POCOP)Rh(H)(SPh) (16) has been fully characterized and its reactivity has been examined, resulting in the isolation of the sodium-thiolate adduct (POCOP)Rh(NaSPh) (19). The solid-state structure of 19 shows Na interactions not only with sulfur, but also with a neighboring Rh and the chelating aryl carbon of the pincer framework. The reactivity of 16 and 19 indicates that these potential side products should not hinder catalysis.

Compounds with carbon-boron bonds are versatile intermediates for building more complex molecules via the elaboration of the carbon-boron bonds into other carbon-element bonds. The synthesis of carbon-boron bonds by catalytic dehydrogenative borylation of carbon-hydrogen bonds with dialkoxyboranes (RO)2BH is particularly attractive. It has been demonstrated for a variety of carbon-hydrogen bond types but not for the C(sp)-H bonds of terminal alkynes, for which hydroboration of the triple bond is a competing process. We report a new iridium catalyst that is strictly chemoselective for C-H borylation of terminal alkynes. The key to the success of this catalyst appears to be the new ancillary SiNN pincer ligand that combines amido, quinoline, and silyl donors and gives rise to structurally unusual Ir complexes. A variety of terminal alkynes (RC≡C-H) can be converted to their alkynylboronates (RC≡C-Bpin, where pin = pinacolate) in high yield and purity within minutes at ambient temperature.

Analysis of the structures of three (PNP)Pd-Pd(PNP) dimers [where PNP stands for anionic diarylamido/bis(phosphine) pincer ligands] has been carried out with the help of single-crystal X-ray diffractometry and density functional theory (DFT) calculations on isolated molecules. The three dimers under study possess analogous ancillary ligands; two of them differ only by an F versus Me substituent in a remote (five bonds away from Pd) position of the pincer ligand. Despite these close similarities, X-ray structural determinations revealed two distinct structural motifs: a highly symmetric molecule with a long Pd-Pd bond or a highly distorted molecule with Pd-Pd bonds ca. 0.14 Å shorter. DFT calculations on a series of (PNP)Pd-Pd(PNP) dimers (as molecules in the gas phase) confirmed the existence of these distinct minima for dimers carrying large isopropyl substituents on the P-donor atoms (as in the experimental structure). These minima are nearly isoergic conformers. Evidently, the electronically preferred symmetric structure for the dimer (with a square-planar environment about Pd and a linear N-Pd-Pd-N vector) is not sterically possible with the preferred Pd-Pd distance. Thus, the minima correspond to either a symmetric structure with a long Pd-Pd bond distance or a structure with a short Pd-Pd distance but with substantial distortions in the Pd coordination environment to alleviate steric conflict. This notion is supported by finding only a single minimum (symmetric and with short Pd-Pd bonds) for each of the dimers carrying smaller substituents (H or Me) on the P atoms, regardless of the remote substitution.

The title compound, [Ni(C(18)H(30)FO(2)P(2))(C(3)H(4)N(2))]PF(6), was prepared by halide abstraction with TlPF(6) in the presence of CH(3)CN in CDCl(3) from the respective neutral pincer chlorido analogue followed by addition of pyrazole. The PO-C-OP pincer ligand acts in typical trans-P(2) tridentate fashion to generate a distorted square-planar nickel structure. The Ni-N(pyrazole) distance is 1.925 (2) Å and the plane of the pyrazole ligand is rotated 56.2 (1)° relative to the approximate square plane surrounding the Ni(II) center in which the pyrazole is bound to the Ni(II) atom through its sp(2)-hybridized N atom. This Ni-N distance is similar to bond lengths in the other reported Ni(II) pincer-ligand square-planar pyrazole complex structures; however, its dihedral angle is significantly larger than any of those for the latter set of pyrazole complexes.

A method for C-alkylation of [HCB(11)Cl(11)](-) anions using potassium tert-butoxide and alkyl iodides in tert-butanol is presented. Trimethylammonium salts of the corresponding C-alkylated derivatives are easily isolated and obtained in good yields.

Neutral, mono-, and dicationic phosphorus(III) compounds are accessible with a supporting PNP pincer ligand (PNP = [4-Me-2-iPr(2)P-C(6)H(3))(2)N]). Reaction of (PNP)H with PCl(3) and nBu(3)N furnished (PNP)PCl(2) (1), which displays a highly temperature-dependent structure in solution. Synthesis and characterization by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography of Cl/Br-scrambled derivatives, a monocationic derivative [(PNP)PCl][HCB(11)H(11)] (4), and the dicationic derivatives [(PNP)P][OTf](2) (5), [(PNP)P][B(C(6)F(5))(4)](2) (6), [(PNP)P][B(12)Cl(12)] (7) established that 1 not only undergoes several fluxional processes in solution but also possesses a temperature-dependent ground state structure. Reaction of 1 with a Ni(0) source initially leads to a phosphine-phosphinidene complex, followed by thermal generation of P(4)., (Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Reactions of a series of phenyl esters with a (PNP)Rh fragment have been studied. PhO(2)CPh only underwent C-H oxidative addition (OA). PhO(2)CCF(3) chiefly underwent acyl-oxygen OA. PhO(2)CBu(t) and PhO(2)CNEt(2) initially underwent OA of an ortho-C-H bond of the phenyl group but continued thermolysis led to the phenyl-oxygen OA products., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012)

The diarylamido/bis(phosphine) PNP pincer ligand (2-(i)Pr(2)P-4-MeC(6)H(3))(2)N has been evaluated as a scaffold for supporting a BF(2) fragment. Compound (PNP)BF(2) (6) was prepared by simple metathesis of (PNP)Li (5) with Me(2)SBF(3). NMR spectra of 6 in solution are of apparent C(2) symmetry, suggestive of a symmetric environment about boron. However, a combination of X-ray structural studies, low-temperature NMR investigations, and DFT calculations consistently establish that the ground state of this molecule contains a classical four-coordinate boron with a PNBF(2) coordination environment, with one phosphine donor in PNP remaining "free". Fortuitous formation of a single crystal of (PNP)BF(2)·HBF(4) (7), in which the "free" phosphine is protonated, furnished another structure containing the same PNBF(2) environment about boron for comparison and the two PNBF(2) environments in 6 and 7 are virtually identical. DFT studies on several other diarylamido/bis(phosphine) pincer (PNP)BF(2) systems were carried out and all displayed a similar four coordinate PNBF(2) environment in the ground state structures. The symmetric appearance of the room-temperature NMR spectra is explained by the rapid interconversion between two degenerate four-coordinate, C(1)-symmetric ground-state forms. Lineshape analysis of the (1)H and (19)F NMR spectra over a temperature range of 180-243 K yielded the activation parameters ΔH(‡) = 8.1(3) kcal mol(-1) and ΔS(‡) = -6.0(15) eu, which are broadly consistent with the calculated values. Calculations indicate that the exchange of phosphine donors at the boron center proceeds by an intrinsically dissociative mechanism., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011)

Addition of TiCl(4) or ZrCl(4) to (PNP)Rh(CH(2)==CH(t)Bu) (1) rapidly gives complexes (PNP)Rh(MCl(3))(Cl) (M = Ti, 2; Zr, 3) in 75-77% yield (PNP = (4-Me-2-((i)Pr(2)P)-C(6)H(3))(2)N). Compound 2 can also be synthesized via a reaction of (PNP)RhCl with TiCl(3) or of (PNP)TiCl(3) with 1/2 [(cod)RhCl](2)., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011)

The use of weakly coordinating anions BAr(F)(4) (where Ar(F) = 3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)) and CB(11)H(12) allows one to access clean reactions of the [(PNP)Pd](+) fragment (PNP = bis(2-(i)Pr(2)P4-Me-phenyl)amido) with the B-H bond in catecholborane (CatBH) and catecholdiboron (CatBBCat). In both cases, a net heterolytic cleavage of B-H or B-B takes place, with the nitrogen atom of PNP being a recipient of a boryl fragment. The resultant products [(PN(BCat)P)PdH](+) (2) and [(PN(BCat)P)PdBCat](+) (3) were isolated as either BAr(F)(4) or CB(11)H(12) salts and fully characterized. They are susceptible to hydrolysis, with the B-N bond hydrolyzing selectively and rapidly at RT to give [(PN(H)P)PdH](+) (1) and [(PN(H)P)PdBCat](+) (4). Notably, 4 and 2 are isomers, but they do not interconvert even under thermolysis at 90 °C. The Pd-B bond in 4 can be further hydrolyzed more slowly, to give 1. On the other hand, a Pd-B bond was formed from the Pd-H bond in 2 by reaction with excess CatBH (and evolution of H(2)), producing 3.

A pincer-based (P(O)C(O)P)Rh catalyst is demonstrated to be an active and well-defined catalyst for the coupling of select aryl and alkyl Grignards with aryl iodides. The proposed intermediacy of oxidative addition of aryl halides to (P(O)C(O)P)Rh(I) is supported by the isolation of the oxidative addition product.

A serendipitously discovered construction of a carbazole nucleus by lithiation of N-methylated bis(4-methyl-2,6-dibromophenyl)amine is described. It was used to synthesize an NNN pincer-type ligand that combines a central carbazole site (N-methylated in the precursor ligand) with two flanking aldimine donors bearing mesityl substituents. The installation of this ligand on Pd was accomplished via an N-Me cleaving reaction with (COD)PdCl(2) producing MeCl and (NNN)PdCl (where NNN is an anionic carbazolyl/bis(imine) pincer ligand). Several (NNN)PdX complexes were characterized spectroscopically. (NNN)PdOTf ((-)OTf = triflate or (-)O(3)SCF(3)) readily reacted with stoichiometric amounts of water in benzene or dichloromethane to give a cationic water adduct [(NNN)Pd(OH(2))]OTf. An X-ray diffraction study on a single crystal of (NNN)PdCl revealed an almost perfectly square planar environment about Pd and an almost perfectly planar carbazole/bis(imine) conjugated system. Cyclic voltammetry of (NNN)PdCl showed quasi-reversible oxidation at E(1/2) = 0.72 V vs Fc/Fc(+) which is most likely ligand-based.

The fully chlorinated closo-dodecaborate salt Cs(2)[B(12)Cl(12)] was prepared in high yield from Cs(2)[B(12)H(12)] and SO(2)Cl(2) in acetonitrile at refluxing temperature. [Ph(3)C](2)[B(12)Cl(12)] was obtained by simple metathesis reactions. Catalytic hydrodefluorination of benzotrifluoride sp(3) C-F bonds was accomplished using [Ph(3)C](2)[B(12)Cl(12)] as a precatalyst and Et(3)SiH as a stoichiometric reagent. Full consumption of the sp(3) C-F bonds in p-FC(6)H(4)CF(3) and C(6)F(5)CF(3) with a turnover number up to 2000 was achieved.

The Pd(I)-Pd(I) dimer [((F)PNP)Pd-](2) reacts with O(2) upon exposure to light to produce either the superoxide ((F)PNP)PdO(2) or the peroxide [((F)PNP)PdO-](2), which exist in equilibrium with free O(2). Both complexes contain square-planar Pd(II) centers. The unpaired electron density in ((F)PNP)PdO(2) is localized on the superoxide ligand.