Heteronuclear 3 d/Dy(III) coordination clusters as catalysts in a domino reaction.

Three isoskeletal tetranuclear coordination clusters with general formula [M(II) 2 Dy(III) 2 L4 (EtOH)6 ](ClO4 )2 ⋅2 EtOH, (M=Co, 1; M=Ni, 2) and [Ni(II) 2 Dy(III) 2 L4 Cl2 (CH3 CN)2 ]⋅2 CH3 CN (3), have been synthesized and characterized. These air-stable compounds, and in particular 3, display efficient homogeneous catalytic behavior in the room-temperature synthesis of trans-4,5-diaminocyclopent-2-enones from 2-furaldehyde and primary or secondary amines under a non-inert atmosphere.

Sonogashira couplings catalyzed by collaborative (N-heterocyclic carbene)-copper and -palladium complexes.

A general protocol for the Sonogashira reaction using a 100:1 combination of (N-heterocyclic carbene)-Cu and (N-heterocyclic carbene)-Pd complexes is presented. Catalyst loadings of 1 mol % (NHC)-Cu and 0.01 mol % (NHC)-Pd allow for the coupling of aryl bromides and aryl alkynes, in air and in a non-anhydrous solvent, in high yields.