Browsing by Author "Frey, Wolfgang"

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Open Access
Absolute configuration of small molecules by co‐crystallization
(2020) Krupp, Felix; Frey, Wolfgang; Richert, Clemens
The most reliable method to determine the absolute configuration of chiral molecules is X‐ray crystallography, but small molecules can be difficult to crystallize. We report rapid co‐crystallization of tetraaryladamantanes with small molecules as different as n‐decane to nicotine to produce crystals for X‐ray analysis and the assignment of absolute configuration when the molecules are chiral. A screen of 52 diverse compounds gave inclusion in co‐crystals for 88 % of all cases and a high‐resolution structure in 77 % of cases. Furthermore, starting from three milligrams of analyte, a combination of NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography produced a full structure in less than three days using an adamantane crystallization chaperone that encapsulates the analyte at room temperature.
Open Access
Application of cyclic diaryliodonium salts in the synthesis of axially chiral natural product analogues
(2024) Klischan, Moritz K. T.; David, Céline; Grudzinski, Daniel; Frey, Wolfgang; Stork, Björn; Pietruszka, Jörg
The application of cyclic diaryliodonium salts in the synthesis of bioactive natural product analogues was demonstrated. Axially chiral biaryls were obtained via the enantioselective ring opening of cyclic diaryliodonium salts. Regioselective borylation was key in accessing both enantiomers of a biphenol key intermediate in eight steps overall. 8,8″-Amino biflavones were synthesized, their bioactivity profiled, and the eutomer identified. The structure-activity relationship was probed.
Open Access
Asymmetric hydrocyanation of N‐phosphinoyl aldimines with acetone cyanohydrin by cooperative Lewis acid/onium salt/Brønsted base catalysis
(2021) Junge, Thorsten; Titze, Marvin; Frey, Wolfgang; Peters, René
α‐Amino acids are of fundamental importance for life. Both natural and artificial α‐amino acids also play a crucial role for pharmaceutical purposes. The catalytic asymmetric Strecker reaction still provides one of the most attractive strategies to prepare scalemic α‐amino acids. Here we disclose a new concept for Strecker reactions, in which an achiral Brønsted base cooperates with a Lewis acid and an aprotic ammonium salt, which are both arranged in the same chiral catalyst entity. The described method could successfully address various long‐standing practical issues of this reaction type. The major practical advantages are that (1) the N‐protecting group is readily removable, (2) acetone cyanohydrin is attractive as cyanation reagent in terms of atom economy and cost efficiency, (3) an excess of the cyanation reagent is not necessary, (4) the new method does not require additives and (5) is performed at ambient temperature.
Open Access
Asymmetric Rh diene catalysis under confinement : isoxazole ring‐contraction in mesoporous solids
(2024) Marshall, Max; Dilruba, Zarfishan; Beurer, Ann‐Katrin; Bieck, Kira; Emmerling, Sebastian; Markus, Felix; Vogler, Charlotte; Ziegler, Felix; Fuhrer, Marina; Liu, Sherri S. Y.; Kousik, Shravan R.; Frey, Wolfgang; Traa, Yvonne; Bruckner, Johanna R.; Plietker, Bernd; Buchmeiser, Michael R.; Ludwigs, Sabine; Naumann, Stefan; Atanasova, Petia; Lotsch, Bettina V.; Zens, Anna; Laschat, Sabine
Covalent immobilization of chiral dienes in mesoporous solids for asymmetric heterogeneous catalysis is highly attractive. In order to study confinement effects in bimolecular vs monomolecular reactions, a series of pseudo‐C2‐symmetrical tetrahydropentalenes was synthesized and immobilized via click reaction on different mesoporous solids (silica, carbon, covalent organic frameworks) and compared with homogeneous conditions. Two types of Rh‐catalyzed reactions were studied: (a) bimolecular nucleophilic 1,2‐additions of phenylboroxine to N‐tosylimine and (b) monomolecular isomerization of isoxazole to 2H‐azirne. Polar support materials performed better than non‐polar ones. Under confinement, bimolecular reactions showed decreased yields, whereas yields in monomolecular reactions were only little affected. Regarding enantioselectivity the opposite trend was observed, i. e. effective enantiocontrol for bimolecular reactions but only little control for monomolecular reactions was found.
Open Access
Catalytic asymmetric chlorination of isoxazolinones
(2022) Wannenmacher, Nick; Keim, Noah; Frey, Wolfgang; Peters, René
Organic compounds featuring a chlorine substituted stereocenter are frequently found in nature and are interesting for pharmaceutical applications and as synthetic building blocks. Catalytic methods to generate such stereocenters by C,H bond functionalization are still relatively rare. Here we report the first catalytic asymmetric chlorination of isoxazolinones, a synthetically and biologically interesting class of heterocycles, which can be considered as precursors for β‐aminoacids. The title reaction was catalyzed with high enantioselectivity by a planar chiral ferrocene based palladacycle in high to excellent yields. It is showcased that the products are valuable for post‐synthetic transformations. An SN2 reaction proceeded with smooth inversion of the absolute configuration. The substitution product could then be transformed into an α‐azido β‐aminoacid derivative via a reductive, diastereoselective ring opening.
Open Access
Cationic group VI metal imido alkylidene N‐heterocyclic carbene nitrile complexes : bench‐stable, functional‐group‐tolerant olefin metathesis catalysts
(2020) Benedikter, Mathis J.; Musso, Janis V.; Frey, Wolfgang; Schowner, Roman; Buchmeiser, Michael R.
Despite their excellent selectivities and activities, Mo‐and W‐based catalysts for olefin metathesis have not gained the same widespread use as Ru‐based systems, mainly due to their inherent air sensitivity. Herein, we describe the synthesis of air‐stable cationic‐at‐metal molybdenum and tungsten imido alkylidene NHC nitrile complexes. They catalyze olefin metathesis reactions of substrates containing functional groups such as (thio‐) esters, (thio‐) ethers and alcohols without the need for prior activation, for example, by a Lewis acid. The presence of a nitrile ligand was found to be essential for their stability towards air, while no decrease in activity and productivity could be observed upon coordination of a nitrile. Variations of the imido and anionic ligand revealed that alkoxide complexes with electron‐withdrawing imido ligands offer the highest reactivities and excellent stability compared to analogous triflate and halide complexes.
Open Access
Cationic tungsten alkylidyne N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes : synthesis and reactivity in alkyne metathesis
(2020) Hauser, Philipp M.; Ende, Melita van der; Groos, Jonas; Frey, Wolfgang; Wang, Dongren; Buchmeiser, Michael R.
The first cationic and neutral tungsten alkylidyne N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes bearing one triflate ligand were synthesized and tested for their reactivity in alkyne metathesis. Both types of tungsten alkylidyne complexes display a higher productivity in alkyne metathesis than the analogous neutral tungsten alkylidyne NHC trisalkoxide complexes. Reaction of W(≡CC6H4OMe)(1,3‐bis(1‐hydroxy‐1,1‐trifluoromethylethyl)‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene)Cl (W18) with AgB(ArF)4 (ArF = 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) resulted in the unexpected formation of, to the best of our knowledge, the first cationic ditungstatetrahedrane W2(1,3‐bis(1‐hydroxy‐1,1‐trifluoromethyl‐ethyl)‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene)2(MeCN)(µ‐((Ar)CC(Ar)))+ (B(ArF)4)- (W19, Ar = C6H4OMe), which suggests bimolecular decomposition as a possible decomposition pathway of cationic tungsten alkylidyne NHC complexes. Reaction of the cationic tungsten alkylidyne NHC complex W(≡CC6H4OMe)(1,3‐diisopropylimidazol‐2‐ylidene)(OC(CF3)2Me)2(NCtBu)+ (B(ArF)4)- (W7) with 1‐phenyl‐1‐propyne allowed for the isolation of a cationic tungstacyclobutadiene W(C3(Ph)(Me)(C6H4OMe))(1,3‐diisopropylimidazol‐2‐ylidene)(OC(CF3)2Me)2(NCtBu)+ (B(ArF)4)- (W20). Its formation strongly supports a cationic active species in the alkyne metathesis with tungsten alkylidyne NHC complexes.
Open Access
Chromium(VI) bisimido dichloro, bisimido alkylidene, and chromium(V) bisimido iodo N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes
(2020) Panyam, Pradeep K. R.; Stöhr, Laura; Wang, Dongren; Frey, Wolfgang; Buchmeiser, Michael R.
Reaction of CrCl2(N-tBu)2 with 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMe), 1,3-dimethyl-4,5-dichloroimidazol-2-ylidene (IMeCl2), 1,3-di(2-propyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IPr), 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMes) and 1,3-bis(2,6-(2-Pr)2C6H3)imidazol-2-ylidene (IDipp) yields the corresponding N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts CrCl2(IMe)(N-tBu)2 (1), CrCl2(IMeCl2)(N-tBu)2 (2), CrCl2(IPr)(N-tBu)2 (3), CrCl2(IMes)(N-tBu)2 (4) and CrCl2(IDipp)(N-tBu)2 (5). Likewise, reaction of CrCl2(N-2,6-(2-Pr)2C6H3)2 and CrCl2(N-adamantyl)2 with IMes yields CrCl2(N-2,6-(2-Pr)2C6H3)2(IMes) (6) and CrCl2(N-adamantyl)2(IMes) (7), respectively. Reaction of CrCl2(N-tBu)2 with the bidentate NHCs 1-R-3-(1-(2-LiO-C6H4))imidazol-2-ylidene yields the corresponding pentacoordinated Cr(VI) complexes CrCl2(1-R-3-(1-(2-O-C6H4))imidazol-2-ylidene)2C6H3)2(IMes) (R = 2,4,6-(CH3)3C6H2, 8), (R = tBu, 9), (R = 2-phenyl-C6H4, 10). Reaction of the chromium(VI) complex Cr(N-2,6-(2-Pr)2-C6H3)2(CH2C(CH3)3)2 with 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene·AgI yields the bimetallic silver adduct of the chromium alkylidene complex (11) along with the tetrahedral chromium(V) complex CrI(N-2,6-(2-Pr)2-C6H3)2(1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) (12). Compounds 1-4, 7, 9-12 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Finally, the chromium(VI) bisimido-amido complexes 13-14 bearing the N-6-(2-(diethylboryl)phenyl)pyridyl-2-yl-motif are reported.
Open Access
A common C2‐symmetric 2,2’‐biphenol building block and its application in the synthesis of (+)‐di‐epi‐gonytolide A
(2023) Greb, Julian; Drennhaus, Till; Klischan, Moritz K. T.; Schroeder, Zachary W.; Frey, Wolfgang; Pietruszka, Jörg
A variety of biaryl polyketides exhibit remarkable bioactivities. However, their synthetic accessibility is often challenging. Herein, the enantioselective preparation and synthetic application of an axially chiral 2,2’‐biphenol building block is outlined that represents a common motif of these intriguing natural products. Based on the highly regioselective and scalable bromination of a phenol precursor, a coupling process by Lipshutz cuprate oxidation was developed. A copper‐mediated deracemization strategy proved to be superior to derivatization or kinetic resolution approaches. Key steps in the overall building block synthesis were rationalized through DFT studies. Utilizing the 2,2’‐biphenol, a highly diastereoselective five step synthesis of formerly unknown (+)‐di‐epi‐gonytolide A was developed, thus showcasing the building block's general potential for the synthesis of natural products and their derivatives. En route, the first enantioselective construction of a chromone dimer intermediate was established.
Open Access
Cooperative Lewis acid‐1,2,3‐triazolium‐aryloxide catalysis : pyrazolone addition to nitroolefins as entry to diaminoamides
(2023) Wanner, Daniel M.; Becker, Patrick M.; Suhr, Simon; Wannenmacher, Nick; Ziegler, Slava; Herrmann, Justin; Willig, Felix; Gabler, Julia; Jangid, Khushbu; Schmid, Juliane; Hans, Andreas C.; Frey, Wolfgang; Sarkar, Biprajit; Kästner, Johannes; Peters, René
Pyrazolones represent an important structural motif in active pharmaceutical ingredients. Their asymmetric synthesis is thus widely studied. Still, a generally highly enantio- and diastereoselective 1,4-addition to nitroolefins providing products with adjacent stereocenters is elusive. In this article, a new polyfunctional CuII-1,2,3-triazolium-aryloxide catalyst is presented which enables this reaction type with high stereocontrol. DFT studies revealed that the triazolium stabilizes the transition state by hydrogen bonding between C(5)-H and the nitroolefin and verify a cooperative mode of activation. Moreover, they show that the catalyst adopts a rigid chiral cage/pore structure by intramolecular hydrogen bonding, by which stereocontrol is achieved. Control catalyst systems confirm the crucial role of the triazolium, aryloxide and CuII, requiring a sophisticated structural orchestration for high efficiency. The addition products were used to form pyrazolidinones by chemoselective C=N reduction. These heterocycles are shown to be valuable precursors toward β,γ’-diaminoamides by chemoselective nitro and N-N bond reductions. Morphological profiling using the Cell painting assay identified biological activities for the pyrazolidinones and suggest modulation of DNA synthesis as a potential mode of action. One product showed biological similarity to Camptothecin, a lead structure for cancer therapy.
Open Access
The coordination behaviour of CuI photosensitizers bearing multidentate ligands investigated by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy
(2020) Rentschler, Martin; Iglesias, Sirma; Schmid, Marie‐Ann; Liu, Cunming; Tschierlei, Stefanie; Frey, Wolfgang; Zhang, Xiaoyi; Karnahl, Michael; Moonshiram, Dooshaye
A systematic series of four novel homo‐ and heteroleptic CuI photosensitizers based on tetradentate 1,10‐phenanthroline ligands of the type X^N^N^X containing two additional donor moieties in the 2,9‐position (X=SMe or OMe) were designed. Their solid‐state structures were assessed by X‐ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry, UV‐vis absorption, emission and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy were then used to determine their electrochemical, photophysical and structural features in solution. Following, time‐resolved X‐ray absorption spectroscopy in the picosecond time scale, coupled with time‐dependent density functional theory calculations, provided in‐depth information on the excited state electron configurations. For the first time, a significant shortening of the Cu−X distance and a change in the coordination mode to a pentacoordinated geometry is shown in the excited states of the two homoleptic complexes. These findings are important with respect to a precise understanding of the excited state structures and a further stabilization of this type of photosensitizers.
Open Access
Direkte enantioselektive Addition von Alkinen an Imine unter Verwendung eines hocheffizienten Palladacyclus als Katalysator
(2022) Pfeffer, Camilla; Probst, Patrick; Wannenmacher, Nick; Frey, Wolfgang; Peters, René
Enantiomerenreine Propargylamine sind sehr wertvolle Synthesebausteine. Große Anstrengungen wurden bereits unternommen, um Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung zu entwickeln. Als vermutlich wichtigste Synthesestrategie ist die 1,2-Addition von Alkinen an Imine zu nennen. Trotz aussichtsreicher Fortschritte sind für die bekannten Verfahren unter Verwendung von Zn- und Cu-Katalysatoren hohe Katalysatorladungen, die typischerweise im Bereich von 2-60 mol % für neutrale Aldiminsubstrate liegen, notwendig. Wir entwickelten einen planar-chiralen Pd-Komplex, welcher als hocheffizienter Katalysator für die direkte asymmetrische Alkin-Addition an Imine dient und sehr geringe Katalysatorladungen ermöglicht. Umsatzzahlen von bis zu 8700 wurden erreicht. Unsere Untersuchungen legen nahe, dass mit Hilfe eines acac-Liganden, der als interne katalytische Base fungiert, ein Pd-Acetylid-Komplex als katalytisch relevantes Intermediat erzeugt wird. Weiterhin konnten wir zeigen, dass der Katalysator unter den Reaktionsbedingungen weitgehend stabil ist und keine Produktinhibierung auftritt. Insgesamt sind 39 Beispiele aufgeführt, die alle nahezu enantiomerenreine Produkte ergaben.
Open Access
Efficient and spatially controlled functionalization of SBA‐15 and initial results in asymmetric Rh‐catalyzed 1,2‐additions under confinement
(2021) Beurer, Ann‐Katrin; Kirchhof, Manuel; Bruckner, Johanna R.; Frey, Wolfgang; Baro, Angelika; Dyballa, Michael; Giesselmann, Frank; Laschat, Sabine; Traa, Yvonne
Selectively functionalized mesoporous silica may considerably advance heterogeneous catalysis through the controlled immobilization of highly selective complex catalysts inside the mesopores. However, spatially controlled functionalization and the precise analytical verification are still a challenge. In this publication, we report a method, which ensures a selective functionalization of the mesopore surface with a clickable linker and thus makes it possible to study confinement effects during catalyzed reactions. First, we passivate the silanol groups on the particle surface and in the pore entrances of the mesoporous silica material SBA‐15 with 1,1,1‐trimethyl‐N‐(trimethylsilyl)silanamine. Then we remove the template by solvent extraction and functionalize the pore walls with 3‐azidopropyltriethoxysilane before we click the catalyst. In initial experiments of asymmetric Rh‐catalyzed 1,2‐addition, we investigate the performance of a catalyst clicked selectively in the mesopores and compare it to the dissolved catalyst as well as to the catalyst immobilized exclusively on the external surface of SBA‐15.
Open Access
Enantiodivergent [4+2] cycloaddition of dienolates by polyfunctional Lewis acid/zwitterion catalysis
(2020) Miskov‐Pajic, Vukoslava; Willig, Felix; Wanner, Daniel M.; Frey, Wolfgang; Peters, René
Diels-Alder reactions have become established as one of the most effective ways to prepare stereochemically complex six‐membered rings. Different catalysis concepts have been reported, including dienophile activation by Lewis acids or H‐bond donors and diene activation by bases. Herein we report a new concept, in which an acidic prodiene is acidified by a Lewis acid to facilitate deprotonation by an imidazolium-aryloxide entity within a polyfunctional catalyst. A metal dienolate is thus formed, while an imidazolium-ArOH moiety probably forms hydrogen bonds with the dienophile. The catalyst type, readily prepared in few steps in high overall yield, was applied to 3‐hydroxy‐2‐pyrone and 3‐hydroxy‐2‐pyridone as well as cyclopentenone prodienes. Maleimide, maleic anhydride, and nitroolefin dienophiles were employed. Kinetic, spectroscopic, and control experiments support a cooperative mode of action. High enantioselectivity was observed even with unprecedented TONs of up to 3680.
Open Access
Enantioenriched boron C,N‐chelates via chirality transfer
(2023) Stöckl, Yannick; Tait, Ethan J.; Frey, Wolfgang; Wegner, Sascha; Claasen, Birgit; Zens, Anna; Laschat, Sabine
Molecules stereogenic only at tetrahedral boron atoms show great promise for applications, for example as chiroptical materials, but are scarcely investigated due to their synthetic challenge. Hence, this study reports a two-step synthesis of enantioenriched boron C,N-chelates. First, the diastereoselective complexation of alkyl/aryl borinates with chiral aminoalcohols furnished boron stereogenic heterocycles in up to 86 % yield and d.r. >98 : 2. Treatment of these O,N-complexes with chelate nucleophiles was surmised to transfer the stereoinformation via the ate-complex into the C,N-products. This chirality transfer succeeded by substitution of the O,N-chelates with lithiated phenyl pyridine to give boron stereogenic C,N-chelates in up to 84 % yield and e.r. up to 97 : 3. The chiral aminoalcohol ligands could be recovered after isolation of the C,N-chelates. The chirality transfer tolerated alkyl, alkynyl and (hetero-)aryl moieties at boron and could be further extended by post-modification: transformations such as catalytic hydrogenations or sequential deprotonation/electrophilic trapping were feasible while maintaining the stereochemical integrity of the C,N-chelates. Structural aspects of the boron chelates were studied by variable temperature NMR and X-ray diffraction.
Open Access
Hierarchical silica inverse opals as a catalyst support for asymmetric molecular heterogeneous catalysis with chiral Rh‐diene complexes
(2021) Deimling, Max; Kousik, Shravan R.; Abitaev, Karina; Frey, Wolfgang; Sottmann, Thomas; Koynov, Kaloian; Laschat, Sabine; Atanasova, Petia
The efficacy of heterogeneous catalysis relies heavily on diffusion and distribution of reactants within catalyst supports. However, the presence of confinement, essential for reaction selectivity, drastically slows down molecular transport. Here, macro‐mesoporous silica inverse opal (SiO2-IO) films were used as a model system to study the rather unexplored molecular infiltration behavior using a probe molecule resembling a catalyst via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). CLSM analysis revealed homogeneous tracer distribution in SiO2-IO and attachment to both transport and mesopores. Bulk macro‐mesoporous SiO2-IO support was used for the attachment of mono‐ and bis‐functionalized chiral Rh‐diene complexes, and the catalytic activity and selectivity with respect to the support was studied. Lower enantioselectivity was observed with the bis‐functionalized ligand due to ligand entanglement and reduced accessibility of the active site, while the mono‐functionalized ligand gave an excellent enantioselectivity of 94 %ee in the asymmetric 1,2‐addition of triphenylboroxine to N‐tosylimines and could be recycled up to three times.
Open Access
How the way a naphthalimide unit is implemented affects the photophysical and -catalytic properties of Cu(I) photosensitizers
(2022) Yang, Yingya; Doettinger, Florian; Kleeberg, Christian; Frey, Wolfgang; Karnahl, Michael; Tschierlei, Stefanie
Driven by the great potential of solar energy conversion this study comprises the evaluation and comparison of two different design approaches for the improvement of copper based photosensitizers. In particular, the distinction between the effects of a covalently linked and a directly fused naphthalimide unit was assessed. For this purpose, the two heteroleptic Cu(I) complexes CuNIphen (NIphen = 5-(1,8-naphthalimide)-1,10-phenanthroline) and Cubiipo (biipo = 16H-benzo-[4′,5′]-isoquinolino-[2′,1′,:1,2]-imidazo-[4,5-f]-[1,10]-phenanthroline-16-one) were prepared and compared with the novel unsubstituted reference compound Cuphen (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). Beside a comprehensive structural characterization, including two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray analysis, a combination of electrochemistry, steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy was used to determine the electrochemical and photophysical properties in detail. The nature of the excited states was further examined by (time-dependent) density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. It was found that CuNIphen exhibits a greatly enhanced absorption in the visible and a strong dependency of the excited state lifetimes on the chosen solvent. For example, the lifetime of CuNIphen extends from 0.37 µs in CH2Cl2 to 19.24 µs in MeCN, while it decreases from 128.39 to 2.6 µs in Cubiipo. Furthermore, CuNIphen has an exceptional photostability, allowing for an efficient and repetitive production of singlet oxygen with quantum yields of about 32%.
Open Access
Molybdenum alkylidyne silyloxy N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes : highly active alkyne metathesis catalysts that can be handled in air
(2022) Musso, Janis V.; Gramm, Vincent; Stein, Sarjano; Frey, Wolfgang; Buchmeiser, Michael R.
A series of molybdenum alkylidyne silyloxy N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of the general formula [Mo(≡C(R))(OSiPh3)3(NHC)] (R=tBu, 4‐methoxyphenyl, 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl; NHC = 1,3‐diisopropylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, 1,3‐dicyclohexylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, 1,3‐dicyclohexyl‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene, 1,3‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, 1,3‐dimethyl‐4,5‐dichloroimidazol‐2‐ylidene) was synthesized. Single crystal X‐ray analyses revealed that with increasing steric demand of the alkylidyne group, enhanced air‐stability of the complexes in the solid‐state is achieved with the most stable complex (R=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl, NHC = 1,3‐diisopropylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) being stable in air for 24 h without showing signs of decomposition in 1H NMR. In contrast to previously reported air‐stable molybdenum‐based complexes, the novel catalysts proved to be highly active in alkyne metathesis, allowing for turnover numbers (TONs) of up to 6000 without further activation, and tolerant towards several functional groups such as tosyl, ether, ester, thioether and nitro moieties. Their air stability allows for facile handling of the catalysts in air and even after exposure to ambient atmosphere for one week, the most stable representative still displayed high productivity in alkyne metathesis.
Open Access
Neutral and cationic molybdenum imido alkylidene cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC) complexes for olefin metathesis
(2023) Kundu, Koushani; Musso, Janis V.; Benedikter, Mathis J.; Frey, Wolfgang; Gugeler, Katrin; Kästner, Johannes; Buchmeiser, Michael R.
The first neutral and cationic Mo imido alkylidene cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC) complexes of the general formulae [Mo(N-Ar)(CHCMe2Ph)(X)2(CAAC)] and [Mo(N−Ar)(CHCMe2Ph)(X)(CAAC)][B(ArF)4] (X=Br, Cl, OTf, OC6F5; CAAC=1-(2,6-iPr2-C6H3)-3,3,5,5-tetramethyltetrahydropyrrol-2-ylidene) have been synthesized from molybdenum imido bishalide alkylidene DME precursors. Different combinations of the imido and “X” ligands have been employed to understand synthetic peculiarities. Selected complexes have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Due to the pronounced σ-donor/π-acceptor characteristics of CAACs, the corresponding neutral and cationic molybdenum imido alkylidene CAAC complexes do not require the presence of stabilizing donor ligands such as nitriles. Calculations on the PBE0-D3BJ/def2-TZVP level for PBE0-D3BJ/def2-SVP optimized geometries revealed partial charges at molybdenum similar to the corresponding molybdenum imido alkylidene N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes with a slightly higher polarization of the molybdenum alkylidene bond in the CAAC complexes. All cationic complexes have been tested in olefin metathesis reactions and showed improved activity compared to the analogous NHC complexes for hydrocarbon-based substrates, allowing for turnover numbers (TONs) up to 9500 even at room temperature. Some Mo imido alkylidene CAAC complexes are tolerant towards functional groups like thioethers and sulfonamides.
Open Access
Non-porous organic crystals and their interaction with guest molecules from the gas phase
(2020) Casco, Mirian Elizabeth; Krupp, Felix; Grätz, Sven; Schwenger, Alexander; Damakoudi, Vassiliki; Richert, Clemens; Frey, Wolfgang; Borchardt, Lars
Some organic molecules encapsulate solvents upon crystallization. One class of compounds that shows a high propensity to form such crystalline solvates are tetraaryladamantanes (TAAs). Recently, tetrakis(dialkoxyphenyl)-adamantanes have been shown to encapsulate a wide range of guest molecules in their crystals, and to stabilize the guest molecules against undesired reactions. The term ‘encapsulating organic crystals’ (EnOCs) has been coined for these species. In this work, we studied the behavior of three TAAs upon exposition to different guest molecules by means of sorption technique. We firstly measured the vapor adsorption/desorption isotherms with water, tetrahydrofuran and toluene, and secondly, we studied the uptake of methane on dry and wet TAAs. Uptake of methane beyond one molar equivalent was detected for wet crystals, even though the materials showed a lack of porosity. Thus far, such behavior, which we ascribe to methane hydrate formation, had been described for porous non-crystalline materials or crystals with detectable porosity, not for non-porous organic crystals. Our results show that TAA crystals have interesting properties beyond the formation of conventional solvates. Gas-containing organic crystals may find application as reservoirs for gases that are difficult to encapsulate or are slow to form crystalline hydrates in the absence of a host compound. Wet tetraaryladamantane crystals take up methane in form of methane hydrate structure I, even though they appear non-porous to argon.