Formation of CNHC∧Calkyl and CNHC∧Caryl κ2-Chelate Complexes through Competitive sp3- and sp2-CH Activations: An Experimental and Computational Study.

Depending on the chelate ring present, cyclometalated complexes are useful catalysts for various reactions. The reactivity of IrIII and RhIII NHC complexes bearing aliphatic or aromatic N,N'-substituents and thus featuring various metalation sites toward cyclometalation has been investigated. The RhIII complex bearing an N-mesityl-N'-benzyl-NHC does not participate in any cyclometalation, while the IrIII complex reacts under metalation of an ortho-methyl group of the Mes substituent to give complex [3] with a six-membered chelate ring. The RhIII and IrIII complexes bearing an N-o-tolyl,N-benzyl-NHC undergo sp2-CH activation to yield the cyclometalated complexes [4] and [5] featuring a five-membered CNHC∧C chelate ring. Density functional theory (DFT) studies corroborated the experimental findings.

Preparation of Complexes Bearing N-Alkylated, Anionic or Protic CAACs Through Oxidative Addition of 2-Halogenoindole Derivatives.

CAAC precursors 2-chloro-3,3-dimethylindole 1 and 2-chloro-1-ethyl-3,3-dimethylindolium tetrafluoroborate 2BF4 have been prepared and oxidatively added to [M(PPh3 )4 ] (M=Pd, Pt). Salt 2BF4 reacts with [Pd(PPh3 )4 ] in toluene at 25 °C over 4 days to yield complex cis-[3]BF4 featuring an N-ethyl substituted CAAC, two cis-arranged phosphines and a chloro ligand. Compound trans-[3]BF4 was obtained from the same reaction at 80 °C over 1 day. Salt 2BF4 reacts with [Pt(PPh3 )4 ] to give cis-[4]BF4 . The neutral indole derivative 1 adds oxidatively to [Pt(PPh3 )4 ] to give trans-[5] featuring a CAAC ligand with an unsubstituted ring-nitrogen atom. This nitrogen atom has been protonated with py⋅HBF4 to give trans-[6]BF4 bearing a protic CAAC ligand. The PdII complex trans-[7]BF4 bearing a protic CAAC ligand was obtained in a one-pot reaction from 1 and [Pd(PPh3 )4 ] in the presence of py⋅HBF4 .