Activation of SO2F2 at a Rhodium PNP Pincer Complex: Ligand Supported S-F Bond Cleavage to Generate NSO2F Derivatives.

The κ2-(P,N)-phosphine ligand precursor NH(CH2CH2PCy2)2 can be used for the synthesis of the rhodium(I) complex [Rh(CO){ĸ3-(P,N,P)-Cy2PC2H4NHC2H4PCy2}][Cl] (1). The deprotonated complex [Rh(CO){ĸ3-(P,N,P)-Cy2PC2H4NC2H4PCy2}] (2) shows a cooperative reactivity of the PNP ligand in the activation reaction of SO2F2 to yield the rhodium fluorido complex trans-[Rh(F)(CO){ĸ2-(P,P)-Cy2PC2H4N(SO2F)C2H4PCy2}]2 (3) by S-F bond cleavage. It is remarkable that no reaction was observed when 3 was treated with hydrogen sources e. g. dihydrogen, organosilicon compounds such as triethylsilane or TMS-CF3 and different fluorine sources such as SF4 or Selectfluor®. However, the treatment of complex 3 with XeF2 in the presence of CsF resulted in the formation of the unique fluorido rhodium(III) complex cis,trans-[Rh(F)3(CO){ĸ2-(P,P)-Cy2PC2H4N(SO2F)C2H4PCy2}]2 (4). In the presence of pyridine(HF)X or BF3 the fluorido complex 3 converted into the dicationic complexes [Rh(CO){ĸ2-(P,P)-Cy2PC2H4N(SO2F)C2H4PCy2}]2[XF]2, X=HF (5) or BF3 (6), respectively.

An amorphous Lewis-acidic zirconium chlorofluoride as HF shuttle: C-F bond activation and formation.

An exceptional HF transfer reaction by C-F bond activation of fluoropentane and a subsequent hydrofluorination of alkynes at room temperature is reported. An amorphous Lewis-acidic Zr chlorofluoride serves as heterogeneous catalyst, which is characterised by an eightfold coordination environment at Zr including chlorine atoms. The studies are seminal in establishing sustainable fluorine chemistry.

Conversion of a AuI Fluorido Complex into an N-Fluoroamido Derivative: N-F versus Au-N Reactivity.

The AuI complex [Au{N(F)SO2 Ph}(SPhos)] (SPhos=dicyclohexyl(2',6'-dimethoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)phosphane) (2) bearing a fluoroamido ligand has been synthesized by reaction of the fluorido complex [Au(F)(SPhos)] (1) with NFSI (NFSI=N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide). A reaction with CO resulted in an unprecedented insertion into the N-F bond at 2. With the carbene precursor N2 CH(CO2 Et) N-F bond cleavage gave the Au-F bond insertion product [Au{CHF(CO2 C2 H5 )}(SPhos)] (7). The presence of CNtBu led to Au-N cleavage at 2 and concomitant amide formation to give the cationic complex [Au(CNtBu)(SPhos)][N(F)SO2 Ph)] (5), which reacted further to give FtBu as well as the cyanido complex [Au(CN)(SPhos)] (6). These results led to the development of a process for the amination of electrophilic organic substrates by transfer of the fluoroamido group NF(SO2 Ph)- .

Reactivity of Xantphos-Type Rhodium Complexes Towards SF4 : SF3 Versus SF2 Complex Generation.

S-F-bond activation of sulfur tetrafluoride at [Rh(Cl)(tBu xanPOP)] (1; tBu xanPOP=9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis-(di-tert-butylphosphino)-xanthene) led to the formation of the cationic complex [Rh(F)(Cl)(SF2 )(tBu xanPOP)][SF5 ] (2 a) together with trans-[Rh(Cl)(F)2 (tBu xanPOP)] (3) and cis-[Rh(Cl)2 (F)(tBu xanPOP)] (4) which both could also be obtained by the reaction of SF5 Cl with 1. In contrast to that, the conversion of SF4 at the methyl complex [Rh(Me)(tBu xanPOP)] (5) gave the isolable and room-temperature stable cationic λ4 -trifluorosulfanyl complex [Rh(Me)(SF3 )(tBu xanPOP)][SF5 ] (6). Treatment of 6 with the Lewis acids BF3 or AsF5 produced the dicationic difluorosulfanyl complex [Rh(Me)(SF2 )(tBu xanPOP)][BF4 ]2 (8 a) or [Rh(Me)(SF2 )(tBu xanPOP)][AsF6 ]2 (8 b), respectively. Refluorination of 8 a was possible with the use of dimethylamine giving [Rh(Me)(SF3 )(tBu xanPOP)][BF4 ] (9). A reaction of 6 with trichloroisocyanuric acid (TClCA) gave the fluorido complex [Rh(F)(Cl)(SF2 )(tBu xanPOP)][Cl] (2 b) together with chloromethane and SF5 Cl.

Platinum Indolylphosphine Fluorido and Polyfluorido Complexes: An Interplay between Cyclometallation, Fluoride Migration, and Hydrogen Bonding.

The reaction of [PtCl2 (COD)] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene) with diisopropyl-2-(3-methyl)indolylphosphine (iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)) led to the formation of the platinum(ii) chlorido complexes, cis-[PtCl2 {iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}2 ] (1) and trans-[PtCl2 {iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}2 ] (2). The cis-complex 1 reacted with NEt3 yielding the complex cis-[PtCl{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}] (3) bearing a cyclometalated κ2 -(P,N)-phosphine ligand, while the isomer 2 with a trans-configuration did not show any reactivity towards NEt3 . Treatment of 1 or 3 with (CH3 )4 NF (TMAF) resulted in the formation of the twofold cyclometalated complex cis-[Pt{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}2 ] (4). The molecular structures of the complexes 1-4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The fluorido complex cis-[PtF{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}] ⋅ (HF)4 (5 ⋅ (HF)4 ) was formed when complex 4 was treated with different hydrogen fluoride sources. The Pt(ii) fluorido complex 5 ⋅ (HF)4 exhibits intramolecular hydrogen bonding in its outer coordination sphere between the fluorido ligand and the NH group of the 3-methylindolyl moiety. In contrast to its chlorido analogue 3, complex 5 ⋅ (HF)4 reacted with CO or the ynamide 1-(2-phenylethynyl)-2-pyrrolidinone to yield the complexes trans-[Pt(CO){κ2 -(P,C)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 NCO)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}][F(HF)4 ] (7) and a complex, which we suggest to be cis-[Pt{C=C(Ph)OCN(C3 H6 )}{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}][F(HF)4 ] (9), respectively. The structure of 9 was assigned on the basis of DFT calculations as well as NMR and IR data. Hydrogen bonding of HF and NH to fluoride was proven to be crucial for the existence of 7 and 9.

Activation of pentafluoropropane isomers at a nanoscopic aluminum chlorofluoride: hydrodefluorination versus dehydrofluorination.

The hydrofluorocarbon 245 isomers, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,2- pentafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa, HFC-245cb, and HFC-245eb) were activated through C-F bond activations using aluminium chlorofluoride (ACF) as a catalyst. The addition of the hydrogen source Et3SiH is necessary for the activation of the secondary and tertiary C-F bonds. Multiple C-F bond activations such as hydrodefluorinations and dehydrofluorinations were observed, followed by hydroarylation and Friedel-Crafts-type reactions under mild conditions.

C-H and C-F Bond Activation Reactions of Fluorinated Propenes at Rhodium: Distinctive Reactivity of the Refrigerant HFO-1234yf.

The reaction of [Rh(H)(PEt3 )3 ] (1) with the refrigerant HFO-1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) affords an efficient route to obtain [Rh(F)(PEt3 )3 ] (3) by C-F bond activation. Catalytic hydrodefluorinations were achieved in the presence of the silane HSiPh3 . In the presence of a fluorosilane, 3 provides a C-H bond activation followed by a 1,2-fluorine shift to produce [Rh{(E)-C(CF3 )=CHF}(PEt3 )3 ] (4). Similar rearrangements of HFO-1234yf were observed at [Rh(E)(PEt3 )3 ] [E=Bpin (6), C7 D7 (8), Me (9)]. The ability to favor C-H bond activation using 3 and fluorosilane is also demonstrated with 3,3,3-trifluoropropene. Studies are supported by DFT calculations.

Activation of SF6 at Platinum Complexes: Formation of SF3 Derivatives and Their Application in Deoxyfluorination Reactions.

The activation of SF6 at [Pt(PR3 )2 ] R=Cy, iPr complexes in the presence of PR3 led selectively and in an unprecedented reaction route to the generation of the SF3 complexes trans-[Pt(F)(SF3 )(PR3 )2 ]. These can also be synthesized from SF4 and the SF2 derivative trans-[Pt(F)(SF2 )(PCy3 )2 ][BF4 ] was characterized by X-ray crystallography. trans-[Pt(F)(SF3 )(PR3 )2 ] complexes are useful tools for deoxyfluorination reactions and novel fluorido complexes bearing a SOF ligand are formed. Based on these studies a process for the deoxyfluorination of ketones was developed with SF6 as fluorinating agent.

Competing reaction pathways of 3,3,3-trifluoropropene at rhodium hydrido, silyl and germyl complexes: C-F bond activation versus hydrogermylation.

The reaction of the silyl complex [Rh{Si(OEt)3}(PEt3)3] (1) with 3,3,3-trifluoropropene afforded the rhodium complex [Rh(CH2CHCF3){Si(OEt)3}(PEt3)2] (2) which features a bonded fluorinated olefin. In contrast the rhodium hydrido complex [Rh(H)(PEt3)3] (3) yielded on treatment with 3,3,3-trifluoropropene in the presence of a base the fluorido complex [Rh(F)(PEt3)3] (4) together with 1,1-difluoro-1-propene by C-F bond activation. At low temperature the intermediate fac-[Rh(H)(CH2CHCF3)(PEt3)3] (5) was detected by NMR spectroscopy. The germyl complex [Rh(GePh3)(PEt3)3] (6) reacted also with 3,3,3-trifluoropropene by C-F bond activation affording again the fluorido complex [Rh(F)(PEt3)3] (4) as well as the (3,3-difluoroallyl)triphenylgermane 7. The catalytic hydrogermylation of 3,3,3-trifluoropropene in the presence of various germanium hydrides under mild conditions was developed by employing complex 6 as a catalyst. The molecular structures of both germane derivatives (3,3-difluoroallyl)triphenylgermane 7 and 1,1,1-trifluoropropane-3-triphenylgermane 8 were determined by X-ray crystallography.

Synthesis of a rhodium(i) germyl complex: a useful tool for C-H and C-F bond activation reactions.

The dihydrido germyl complex cis,fac-[Rh(GePh3)(H)2(PEt3)3] (2) was synthesized by an oxidative addition of HGePh3 at [Rh(H)(PEt3)3] (1). Treatment of 2 with neohexene generated the rhodium(i) germyl complex [Rh(GePh3)(PEt3)3] (3). Alternatively, treatment of the methyl complex [Rh(CH3)(PEt3)3] (4) with HGePh3 furnished at room temperature also 3. Low-temperature NMR measurements revealed an initial formation of the oxidative addition product fac-[Rh(GePh3)(H)(CH3)(PEt3)3] (5), which transforms into the intermediate complex [Rh(GePh3)(H)(CH3)(PEt3)2] (6) by dissociation of a triethylphosphine ligand. The reductive elimination of methane and coordination of PEt3 afforded the germyl complex 3. Treatment of 3 with CO gave the biscarbonyl complex [Rh(GePh3)(CO)2(PEt3)2] (7). The molecular structures of the complexes 2, 3 and 7 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The germyl complex 3 reacted with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine or pentafluorobenzene to furnish the C-H activation products [Rh(4-C5NF4)(PEt3)3] (8) and [Rh(C6F5)(PEt3)3] (9), respectively. The reaction of 3 with hexafluorobenzene or perfluorotoluene gave selectively the C-F activation products 9 and [Rh(4-C6F4CF3)(PEt3)3] (10). Treatment of 3 with pentafluoropyridine resulted in the formation of the C-F activation products 8 and [Rh(2-C5NF4)(PEt3)3] (11) in a 1 : 10 ratio. The two isomeric activation compounds [Rh{(E)-CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CF(CF3)}(PEt3)3] (12) and [Rh{(Z)-CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CF(CF3)}(PEt3)3] (13) were obtained in a 3 : 1 ratio by reaction of 3 with hexafluoropropene. On exposure to oxygen the highly air sensitive complex 12 reacts to yield the peroxido-bridged dirhodium complex [Rh{(E)-CF[double bond, length as m-dash]CF(CF3)}(µ-κ(1):η(2)-O2)(PEt3)2]2 (14). The molecular structure of 14 was determined by X-ray crystallography.

Selective conversion of alcohols in water to carboxylic acids by in situ generated ruthenium trans dihydrido carbonyl PNP complexes.

In this work, we present a mild method for direct conversion of primary alcohols into carboxylic acids with the use of water as an oxygen source. Applying a ruthenium dihydrogen based dehydrogenation catalyst for this cause, we investigated the effect of water on the catalytic dehydrogenation process of alcohols. Using 1 mol% of the catalyst we report up to high yields. Moreover, we isolated key intermediates which most likely play a role in the catalytic cycle. One of the intermediates was identified as a trans dihydrido carbonyl complex which is generated in situ in the catalytic process.

Structure of (NH4)3GaF6 investigated by multinuclear magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy in comparison with rietveld refinement.

The structure of ammonium gallium cryolite (NH(4))(3)GaF(6) was investigated by (19)F and (69,71)Ga magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR in comparison with X-ray powder diffraction followed by Rietveld refinement. In agreement with previous thermodynamic measurements, NMR experiments on (NH(4))(3)GaF(6) support the model of rigid GaF(6) octahedra. At high spinning speeds (30 kHz), the scalar coupling between the six equivalent (19)F nuclei and (69,71)Ga can be directly observed in the powder spectra. The coupling constants are J(19)F(69)Ga = 197 Hz and J(19)F(71)Ga = 264 Hz. To explain the (71)Ga spectra recorded at 3 kHz a small distribution of quadrupolar frequencies has to be included. The spread of the spinning sidebands hints to a largest nu(Q) value of 28 kHz for (71)Ga. This can be explained by the occurrence of highly symmetric GaF(6) octahedra, which are tilted against the surrounding atoms. In addition, the incomplete motional excitation does not average out the quadrupolar effects. NMR findings are in discrepancy to those of Rietveld refinement. As result it appears that X-ray diffraction is not sensitive enough to deliver proper results.

Decreased diversity but increased substitution rate in host mtDNA as a consequence of Wolbachia endosymbiont infection.

A substantial fraction of insects and other terrestrial arthropods are infected with parasitic, maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria that manipulate host reproduction. In addition to imposing direct selection on the host to resist these effects, endosymbionts may also have indirect effects on the evolution of the mtDNA with which they are cotransmitted. Patterns of mtDNA diversity and evolution were examined in Drosophila recens, which is infected with the endosymbiont Wolbachia, and its uninfected sister species D. subquinaria. The level of mitochondrial, but not nuclear, DNA diversity is much lower in D. recens than in D. subquinaria, consistent with the hypothesized diversity-purging effects of an evolutionarily recent Wolbachia sweep. The d(N)/d(S) ratio in mtDNA is significantly greater in D. recens, suggesting that Muller's ratchet has brought about an increased rate of substitution of slightly deleterious mutations. The data also reveal elevated rates of synonymous substitutions in D. recens, suggesting that these sites may experience weak selection. These findings show that maternally transmitted endosymbionts can severely depress levels of mtDNA diversity within an infected host species, while accelerating the rate of divergence among mtDNA lineages in different species.