Copper(I) activation of C-X bonds: bimolecular vs. unimolecular reaction mechanism.

Experimental kinetic studies and DFT calculations show that the oxidative addition of aryl halides (Ar-X) to complexes [Cu(NHC)R] follow different paths depending on the nature of X. For X = Br a concerted addition leads to cis-[Cu(NHC)XRAr] from which the usual C-C coupled product Ar-R eliminates. However, for X = I trans-[Cu(NHC)IRAr] is formed instead, leading to the elimination of R-I in a metathesis reaction. This behaviour is accounted for by a change in the reaction mechanism for Ar-I, which involves two molecules of copper(I) complex, the second one stabilising the incipient iodide formed in the C-I breaking (oxidative addition) and C-I forming (reductive elimination) processes.

Pd/Cu bimetallic catalysis to access highly fluorinated biaryls from aryl halides and fluorinated arenes.

An efficient Pd/Cu bimetallic cross-coupling catalysis of fluoroaryl halides and fluoroarenes is reported. In situ generation of the Cu nucleophile by rate determining C-H activation of highly fluorinated aryls (≥4 F atoms) leads to high cross-coupling selectivity with little formation of homocoupling products.

Transmetalation Reactions Triggered by Electron Transfer between Organocopper Complexes.

[Cu(bipy)(C6F5)] reacts with most aryl iodides to form heterobiphenyls by cross-coupling, but when Rf-I is used (Rf = 3,5-dicholoro-2,4,6-trifluorophenyl), homocoupling products are also formed. Kinetic studies suggest that, for the homocoupling reaction, a mechanism based on transmetalation from [Cu(bipy)(C6F5)] to Cu(III) intermediates formed in the oxidative addition step is at work. Density functional theory calculations show that the interaction between these Cu(III) species and the starting Cu(I) complex involves a Cu(I)-Cu(III) electron transfer concerted with the formation of an iodine bridge between the metals and that a fast transmetalation takes place in a dimer in a triplet state between two Cu(II) units.

Comparing Protonolysis and Transmetalation Reactions: Microcalorimetric Studies of C-AuI Bonds in [AuRL] Complexes.

The protonolysis of C-Au bonds in [AuRL] organometallic complexes has been studied by calorimetry for 12 R groups. The experimental data have been combined with density functional theory calculations to obtain bond dissociation energy (BDE) values. The C-Au BDE values show a good correlation with the corresponding isolobal C-H BDE values. The heat released in the protonolysis of [AuRL] has also been measured for R = Ph and L = P(OPh)3, PPh3, PMe3, PCy3, and IPr, and these values strongly depend on the trans influence of L because of the mutual destabilization of the L-Au and Au-C bonds. The enthalpies of the transmetalation reaction [AuR(PPh3)] + SnIBu3 → [AuI(PPh3)] + SnRBu3 for seven R groups have been measured and compared with those of the corresponding [AuR(PPh3)] protonolysis.

Mitos y evidencias en el empleo de la toxina botulínica: espasticidad del adulto y del niño con parálisis cerebral / Myths and evidence on the use of botulinum toxin: spasticity in adults and in children with cerebral palsy

Introducción. La espasticidad es un problema médico frecuente que impacta de forma significativa en la calidad de vida de los pacientes y sus familias. Objetivo. Analizar y dar respuesta a diferentes cuestiones en el uso de la toxina botulínica tipo A (TBA) en nuestra práctica clínica habitual. Desarrollo. Un grupo de expertos en neurología elaboró una lista de temas relacionados con el uso de la TBA. Se consideraron dos grandes bloques: espasticidad del adulto y del niño con parálisis cerebral. Se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía que incluyó los diferentes artículos publicados en español, inglés y francés hasta junio de 2016. El documento se estructuró como un cuestionario que incluyó las preguntas que, según el criterio del panel, podrían generar mayor controversia o duda. El borrador inicial del documento fue revisado por los miembros del panel y se realizaron las modificaciones necesarias hasta alcanzar el mayor grado de consenso. A continuación, el texto final fue validado. Se incluyeron diferentes preguntas sobre diferentes aspectos de la espasticidad en adultos: evaluación de la espasticidad, técnicas de infiltración, dosis, número de puntos, etc. En cuanto a la espasticidad en los niños con parálisis cerebral, se analizaron preguntas como: edad mínima de infiltración, métodos de sedoanalgesia, etc. Conclusiones. Esta revisión constituye una herramienta para neurólogos, médicos rehabilitadores y residentes de ambas especialidades, dentro de diferentes ámbitos específicos del manejo de la TBA (AU)

Introduction. Spasticity is a medical problem with a high incidence that significantly impact on the quality of life of patients and their families. Aim. To analyze and to answer different questions about the use of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) in our clinical practice. Development: A group of experts in neurology develop a list of topics related with the use of BTA. Two big groups were considered: spasticity in adults and in children with cerebral palsy. A literature search at PubMed for English, French, and Spanish language articles published up to June 2016 was performed. The manuscript was structured as a questionnaire that includes those questions that, according to the panel opinion, could generate more controversy or doubt. The initial draft was reviewed by the expert panel members to allow for modifications, and after subsequent revisions for achieving the highest degree of consensus, the final text was then validated. Different questions about diverse aspects of spasticity in adults, such as methods for evaluating spasticity, infiltration techniques, doses, number of infiltration points, etc. Regarding spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, the document included questions about minimum age of infiltration, methods of analgesia, etc. Conclusions: This review is a tool for continuous training for neurologist and rehabilitation specialist and residents of both specialties, about different specific areas of the management of BTA (AU)

In Situ Generation of ArCu from CuF2 Makes Coupling of Bulky Aryl Silanes Feasible and Highly Efficient.

A bimetallic system of Pd/CuF2, catalytic in Pd and stoichiometric in Cu, is very efficient and selective for the coupling of fairly hindered aryl silanes with aryl, anisyl, phenylaldehyde, p-cyanophenyl, p-nitrophenyl, or pyridyl iodides of conventional size. The reaction involves the activation of the silane by Cu(II), followed by disproportionation and transmetalation from the Cu(I)(aryl) to Pd(II), upon which coupling takes place. Cu(III) formed during disproportionation is reduced to Cu(I)(aryl) by excess aryl silane, so that the CuF2 system is fully converted into Cu(I)(aryl) and used in the coupling. Moreover, no extra source of fluoride is needed. Interesting size selectivity towards coupling is found in competitive reactions of hindered aryl silanes. Easily accessible [PdCl2 (IDM)(AsPh3)] (IDM = 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) is by far the best catalyst, and the isolated products are essentially free from As or Pd (<1 ppm). The mechanistic aspects of the process have been experimentally examined and discussed.

Diamine-catalyzed addition of ZnEt2 to PhC(O)CF3 : two mechanisms and autocatalytic asymmetric enhancement.

NMR spectroscopic studies of the catalytic addition reaction of ZnEt2 to PhC(O)CF3 in the presence of three very efficient catalysts [TMEDA, tBuBOX, and L; where L is a chiral diamine synthesized from optically pure (R,R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine and (S)-2,2'-bis-(bromomethyl)-1,1'-binaphthalene] reveal large differences in their behavior. For the ligands TMEDA and tBuBOX, the catalysis shows no unusual features and proceeds via [(NN)Zn(Et){OC(CF3 )(Et)Ph}]. For NNL, the observation of autocatalytic asymmetric enhancement during the catalysis, and unusual inverse concentration dependence on the reaction rate, indicate the participation of an additional novel catalytic cycle that goes through a dinuclear intermediate containing one ZnEt2 and one ZnEt fragment connected by NN and OR bridges. Interestingly, the (19) F NMR signals of the main product of the reaction ([Zn(Et){OC*(CF3 )(Et)Ph}]2 ) allowed us to assess the enantioselectivity of the processes in situ without the assistance of chiral chromatography.

The decisive role of ligand metathesis in Au/Pd bimetallic catalysis.

AuClL(1)/PdCl2L(2)2 cocatalyzed coupling of Ar(1)X and Ar(2)SnBu3 is feasible for bulky Ar(1), provided that at least one ligand on Pd is not strongly coordinating. This can be achieved in situ by Au/Pd ligand exchange if L(1) is weakly coordinating. When the exchange is slow, independent preparation of appropriate catalysts is recommended.

Strong metallophilic interactions in the palladium arylation by gold aryls.

It's the second step that counts: arylation of Pd by Au takes place through transition states and intermediates featuring strong Au⋅⋅⋅Pd metallophilic interactions. However, the aryl transfer from [AuArL] to [PdArClL(2)] is thermodynamically disfavored and will not occur unless an irreversible Ar-Ar coupling from [PdAr(2)L(2)] follows.

Bimetallic catalysis using transition and Group†11 metals: an emerging tool for C-C coupling and other reactions.

Bimetallic catalysis refers to homogeneous processes in which either two transition metals (TM), or one TM and one Group 11 (G11) element (occasionally Hg also), cooperate in a synthetic process (often a C-C coupling) and their actions are connected by a transmetalation step. This is an emerging research area that differs from the isolated or tandem applications of the now classic processes (Stille, Negishi, Suzuki, Hiyama, Heck). Most of the reactions used so far combine Pd with a second metal, often Cu or Au, but syntheses involving very different TM couples (e.g., Cr/Ni in the catalyzed vinylation of aldehydes) have also been developed. Further development of the topic will soon demand a good knowledge of the mechanisms involved in bimetallic catalysis, but this knowledge is very limited for catalytic processes. However, there is much information available, dispersed in the literature, coming from basic research on exchange reactions occurring out of any catalytic cycle, in polynuclear complexes. These are essentially the same processes expected to operate in the heart of the catalytic process. This Review gathers together these two usually isolated topics in order to stimulate synergy between the bimetallic research coming from more basic organometallic studies and the more synthetic organic approaches to this chemistry.

Cationic intermediates in the Pd-catalyzed negishi coupling. kinetic and density functional theory study of alternative transmetalation pathways in the Me-Me coupling of ZnMe2 and trans-[PdMeCl(PMePh2)2].

The complexity of the transmetalation step in a Pd-catalyzed Negishi reaction has been investigated by combining experiment and theoretical calculations. The reaction between trans-[PdMeCl(PMePh(2))(2)] and ZnMe(2) in THF as solvent was analyzed. The results reveal some unexpected and relevant mechanistic aspects not observed for ZnMeCl as nucleophile. The operative reaction mechanism is not the same when the reaction is carried out in the presence or in the absence of an excess of phosphine in the medium. In the absence of added phosphine an ionic intermediate with THF as ligand ([PdMe(PMePh(2))(2)(THF)](+)) opens ionic transmetalation pathways. In contrast, an excess of phosphine retards the reaction because of the formation of a very stable cationic complex with three phosphines ([PdMe(PMePh(2))(3)](+)) that sequesters the catalyst. These ionic intermediates had never been observed or proposed in palladium Negishi systems and warn on the possible detrimental effect of an excess of good ligand (as PMePh(2)) for the process. In contrast, the ionic pathways via cationic complexes with one solvent (or a weak ligand) can be noticeably faster and provide a more rapid reaction than the concerted pathways via neutral intermediates. Theoretical calculations on the real molecules reproduce well the experimental rate trends observed for the different mechanistic pathways.

Enthalpy of ligand substitution in cis organopalladium complexes with monodentate ligands.

The enthalpy for the substitution reaction cis-[PdRf(2)(THF)(2)] + 2 L -->cis-[PdRf(2)L(2)] + 2THF (THF = tetrahydrofuran) has been measured in THF by calorimetric methods for Rf = 3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-trifluorophenyl, L = PPh(3), AsPh(3), SbPh(3), PMePh(2), PCyPh(2), PMe(3), AsMePh(2), or L(2) = dppe (1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), dppf (1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene). The values determined show that the substitution enthalpy has a strong dependence on the electronic and steric properties of the ligand. The study of the consecutive substitution reactions cis-[PdRf(2)(THF)(2)] + L -->cis-[PdRf(2)L(THF)] + THF, and cis-[PdRf(2)L(THF)] + L -->cis-[PdRf(2)L(2)] + THF has been carried our for L = PPh(3) and L = PCyPh(2). The first substitution is clearly more favorable for the bulkier leaving ligand, but the second gives practically the same DeltaH value for both cases, indicating that the differences in steric hindrance happen to compensate the electronic differences for both ligands. The X-ray structures of cis-[PdRf(2)(PMePh(2))(2)], cis-[PdRf(2)(dppe)] and cis-[PdRf(2)(dppf)] are reported.

C-C reductive elimination in palladium complexes, and the role of coupling additives. A DFT study supported by experiment.

A DFT study of R-R reductive elimination (R = Me, Ph, vinyl) in plausible intermediates of Pd-catalyzed processes is reported. These include the square-planar tetracoordinated systems cis-[PdR(2)(PMe(3))(2)] themselves, possible intermediates cis-[PdR(2)(PMe(3))L] formed in solution or upon addition of coupling promoters (L = acetonitrile, ethylene, maleic anhydride (ma)), and tricoordinated intermediates cis-[PdR(2)(PMe(3))] (represented as L = empty). The activation energy ranges from 0.6 to 28.6 kcal/mol in the gas phase, increasing in the order vinyl-vinyl < Ph-Ph < Me-Me, depending on R, and ma < "empty" < ethylene < PMe(3) approximately MeCN, depending on L. The effect of added olefins was studied for a series of olefins, providing the following order of activation energy: p-benzoquinone < ma < trans-1,2-dicyanoethylene < 3,5-dimethylcyclopent-1-ene < 2,5-dihydrofuran < ethylene < trans-2-butene. Comparison of the calculated energies with experimental data for the coupling of cis-[PdMe(2)(PPh(3))(2)] in the presence of additives (PPh(3), p-benzoquinone, ma, trans-1,2-dicyanoethylene, 2,5-dihydrofuran, and 1-hexene) reveals that: (1) There is no universal coupling mechanism. (2) The coupling mechanism calculated for cis-[PdMe(2)(PMe(3))(2)] is direct, but PPh(3) retards the coupling for cis-[PdMe(2)(PPh(3))(2)], and DFT calculations support a switch of the coupling mechanism to dissociative for PPh(3). (3) Additives that would provide intermediates with coupling activation energies higher than a dissociative mechanism (e.g., common olefins) produce no effect on coupling. (4) Olefins with electron-withdrawing substituents facilitate the coupling through cis-[PdMe(2)(PR(3))(olefin)] intermediates with much lower activation energies than the starting complex or a tricoordinated intermediate. Practical consequences are discussed.

Observation of a hidden intermediate in the Stille reaction. Study of the reversal of the transmetalation step.

A study of the reaction of cis-[PdRf2(AsPh3)2] (Rf = 3,5-C6Cl2F3) with ISnBu3 (that is the reversal of the natural Stille reaction of [PdRfI(AsPh3)2] with RfSnBu3) allows for the observation of cis-[PdRf2(AsPh3)(ISnBu3)], the expected intermediate from a cyclic transmetalation in the direct Stille reaction, thus providing experimental support to the operation of cyclic transmetalation pathways.

Study of the replacement of weak ligands on square-planar organometallic nickel(II) complexes. Organo-nickel aquacomplexes.

When trans-[NiRf2L2] (Rf = 3,5-C6Cl2F3; L = group 15 soft monodentate weak ligand such as SbPh3 or AsPh3) is dissolved in wet (CD3)2CO, isomerization (to give cis-[NiRf2L2]) and subsequent substitutions of L by (CD3)2CO or by water occur, and several complexes containing acetone and aqua ligands are formed. The isomerization takes place in a few seconds at room temperature. The substitution reactions on the cis isomer formed are faster. The kinetics of the equilibria between all of the participating species have been studied by 19F exchange spectroscopy experiments at 217 K, and the exchange rates and rate constants have been calculated. These data reflect the weakness of acetone compared to water and AsPh3. The data obtained are the first available for square-planar nickel(II) aquacomplexes. The bulkier AsCyPh2 ligand slows down the exchange processes while the displacement of AsMePh2 is clearly disfavored. Activation entropy studies support an associative ligand substitution. All of these data fit well with the previously reported relative activity of these complexes as catalysts in norbornene polymerization.

Neutral and cationic complexes with P-bonded 2-pyridylphosphines as N-donor ligands toward rhodium. Electrical charge vs steric hindrance on the conformational control.

Bimetallic palladium(II)-rhodium(I) and gold(I)-rhodium(I) complexes of the type [(4,4'-Me2-bipy)(C6F5)Pd(mu-PPh(3-n)Pyn)Rh(diene)](BF4)2 and [(C6F5)Au(mu-PPh(3-n)Pyn)Rh(diene)](BF4) (n = 2, 3; Py = 2-pyridyl) have been synthesized. The P donor atom of the bridging ligands (mu-PPh(3-n)Pyn) is coordinated to the Pd or to the Au center. The resulting complexes react with [Rh(diolefin)(solv)2]+ (solv = acetone) in a way similar to pyrazolylborates, affording square-planar or pentacoordinated rhodium complexes with two or the three N-donor ends chelating the Rh atom. The metallacycles formed upon chelation can adopt one of two conformations in the square-planar Rh(I) complexes, either bringing the other metal close to the Rh center or bringing it to a remote position. The first conformation is preferred for the gold P-coordinated complexes and the second for the palladium complexes. The X-ray structures of [(4,4'-Me2-bipy)](C6F5)Pd(mu-PPhPy2)Rh(COD)](BF4)2 (COD = 1,5 cyclooctadiene) and [Au(C6F5)(mu-PPhPy2)Rh(TFB)](BF4) (TFB = 5,6,7,8-tetrafuoro-1,4-dihydro-1,4-etenonaphthalene) are reported.

Anionic platinum complexes with 2-pyridylphosphines as ligands for rhodium: synthesis of zwitterionic Pt-Rh organometallic compounds.

Bimetallic zwitterionic platinum(II)-rhodium(I) complexes of the type [(C(6)F(5))(3)Pt(micro-PPy(n)Ph(3)(-)(n)Rh(CO)(2))] and [(C(6)F(5))(3)Pt(micro-PPy(n)Ph(3)(-)(n)())Rh(diene))] (n = 2, 3; Py = 2-pyridyl) have been prepared. The P end of the bridging ligands (micro-PPy(n)Ph(3)(-)(n)) is always coordinated to the Pt center, while the N-donor ends chelate the Rh atom, giving metallacycles comparable to pyrazolylborate-Rh complexes. These metallacycles can adopt two conformations, either with the Pt complex in pseudoaxial position approaching the Rh center or with the Pt complex in a remote position. The preferred conformation depends on the steric hindrance at the rhodium center. In less sterically demanding Rh-carbonyl complexes the Pt moiety gets close to the Rh moiety as this brings closer the opposite charges of the zwitterion. For diene complexes mixtures of conformers are obtained. The X-ray structures of [(C(6)F(5))(3)Pt(micro-PPhPy(2))Rh(COD)] (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and [(C(6)F(5))(3)Pt(micro-PPhPy(2))Rh(CO)(2)] are reported.