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Hydrolysis Stability of Bidentate Phosphites Utilized as Modifying Ligands in the Rh-Catalyzed n-Regioselective Hydroformylation of Olefins
The stability of ligands and catalysts is an almost neglected issue in homogeneous catalysis, but it is crucial for successful application of this methodology in technical scale. We have studied the effect of water on phosphites, which are the most applied cocatalysts in the n-regioselective homogeneous Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation of olefins. The stability of the bidentate nonsymmetrical diphosphite L1, as well as its two monophosphite constituents L2 and L3, toward hydrolysis was investigated by means of in situ NMR spectroscopy under similar conditions as applied in industry. Hydrolysis pathways, intermediates, and kinetics were clarified. DFT calculations were used to support the experimentally found data. The acylphosphite unit L2, which reacts with water in an unselective manner, was proven to be much less stable than the phenolphosphite L3. The stability of the bidentate ligand L1 can be therefore mainly attributed to its phenolphosphite moiety. With an excess of water, the hydrolysis of L1 and L2 as well as their Rh-complexes is first-order with respect to the phosphite. Surprisingly, coordination to Rh significantly stabilizes the monodentate ligand L2, while in strong contrast, the bidentate ligand L1 decomposes faster in the Rh complex. NMR spectroscopy provided evidence for the existence of species from decomposition of phosphites, which can likewise coordinate as ligands to the metal. Electron-withdrawing groups in the periphery of the acylphosphite moiety decrease the stability of L1, whereas 3,5-disubstituted salicylic acid derivatives with bulky groups showed superior stability. These modifications of L1 also give rise to different catalytic performances in the n-regioselective hydroformylation of n-octenes and 2-pentene, from which the 3,5-di-t-butyl-substituted ligand offered a higher n-regioselectivity accompanied by a lowering of the reaction rate in comparison to the parent ligand L1.
Ambient Hydrogenation and Deuteration of Alkenes Using a Nanostructured Ni-Core-Shell Catalyst
A general protocol for the selective hydrogenation and deuteration of a variety of alkenes is presented. Key to success for these reactions is the use of a specific nickel-graphitic shell-based core–shell-structured catalyst, which is conveniently prepared by impregnation and subsequent calcination of nickel nitrate on carbon at 450 °C under argon. Applying this nanostructured catalyst, both terminal and internal alkenes, which are of industrial and commercial importance, were selectively hydrogenated and deuterated at ambient conditions (room temperature, using 1 bar hydrogen or 1 bar deuterium), giving access to the corresponding alkanes and deuterium-labeled alkanes in good to excellent yields. The synthetic utility and practicability of this Ni-based hydrogenation protocol is demonstrated by gram-scale reactions as well as efficient catalyst recycling experiments. © 2021 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH
A Stable Manganese Pincer Catalyst for the Selective Dehydrogenation of Methanol
For the first time, structurally defined manganese pincer complexes catalyze the dehydrogenation of aqueous methanol to hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which is a transformation of interest with regard to the implementation of a hydrogen and methanol economy. Excellent long-term stability was demonstrated for the Mn-PNPiPr catalyst, as a turnover of more than 20 000 was reached. In addition to methanol, other important hydrogen carriers were also successfully dehydrogenated.
Unraveling the H2 Promotional Effect on Palladium-Catalyzed CO Oxidation Using a Combination of Temporally and Spatially Resolved Investigations
The promotional effect of H2 on the oxidation of CO is of topical interest, and there is debate over whether this promotion is due to either thermal or chemical effects. As yet there is no definitive consensus in the literature. Combining spatially resolved mass spectrometry and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), we observe a specific environment of the active catalyst during CO oxidation, having the same specific local coordination of the Pd in both the absence and presence of H2. In combination with Temporal Analysis of Products (TAP), performed under isothermal conditions, a mechanistic insight into the promotional effect of H2 was found, providing clear evidence of nonthermal effects in the hydrogen-promoted oxidation of carbon monoxide. We have identified that H2 promotes the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism, and we propose this is linked to the increased interaction of O with the Pd surface in the presence of H2. This combination of spatially resolved MS and XAS and TAP studies has provided previously unobserved insights into the nature of this promotional effect.
Iron-Based Binary Catalytic System for the Valorization of CO2 into Biobased Cyclic Carbonates
The atom economic conversion of epoxidized vegetable oils and fatty acid derivatives with CO2 into cyclic carbonates permits the synthesis of novel oleo compounds from renewable resources as well as the valorization of CO2 as a C1-building block. Organic phosphorus salts proved to be selective catalysts for this reaction. In a widespread screening 11 inexpensive and nontoxic iron salts were evaluated as cocatalysts to enhance the reaction rate. In the presence of 0.25 mol % iron chloride the selectivity and conversion were significantly improved. The reaction parameters were optimized under solvent-free conditions, and the scope and limitation were evaluated for 9 epoxidized fatty acid esters and 4 epoxidized vegetable oils. The biobased carbonates were isolated in excellent yields up to 95% and can be considered to be based on 100% CO2 in respect to carbon. This binary catalyst system features high efficiency and plain simplicity while valorizing CO2 into cyclic carbonates based on renewable feedstocks.
On the Reactivity of Phosphaalumenes towards C−C Multiple Bonds
Heterocycles containing group 13 and 15 elements such as borazines are an integral part of organic, biomedical and materials chemistry. Surprisingly, heterocycles containing P and Al are rare. We have now utilized phosphaalumenes in reactions with alkynes, alkenes and conjugated double bond systems. With sterically demanding alkynes 1,2-phosphaalumetes were afforded, whereas the reaction with HCCH or HCCSiMe3 gave 1,4-phosphaaluminabarrelenes. Using styrene saturated 1,2-phosphaalumates were formed, which reacted further with additional styrene to give different regio-isomers of 1,4-aluminaphosphorinanes. Using ethylene, a 1,4-aluminaphosphorinane is obtained, while with 1,3-butadiene a bicyclic system containing an aluminacyclopentane and a phosphirane unit was synthesized. The experimental work is supported by theoretical studies to shed light on the mechanism governing the formation of these heterocycles.
Azadiphosphaindane-1,3-diyls: A Class of Resonance-Stabilized Biradicals
Conversion of 1,2-bis(dichlorophosphino)benzene with sterically demanding primary amines led to the formation of 1,3-dichloro-2-aza-1,3-diphosphaindanes of the type C6H4(μ-PCl)2N-R. Reduction yielded the corresponding 2-aza-1,3-diphosphaindane-1,3-diyls (1), which can be described as phosphorus-centered singlet biradical(oid)s. Their stability depends on the size of the substituent R: While derivatives with R=Dmp (2,6-dimethylphenyl) or Ter (2,6-dimesitylphenyl) underwent oligomerization, the derivative with very bulky R=tBuBhp (2,6-bis(benzhydryl)-4-tert-butylphenyl) was stable with respect to oligomerization in its monomeric form. Oligomerization involved activation of the fused benzene ring by a second equivalent of the monomeric biradical and can be regarded as formal [2+2] (poly)addition reaction. Calculations indicate that the biradical character in 1 is comparable with literature-known P-centered biradicals. Ring-current calculations show aromaticity within the entire ring system of 1. © 2020 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH
A General and Highly Selective Palladium-Catalyzed Hydroamidation of 1,3-Diynes
A chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective mono-hydroamidation of (un)symmetrical 1,3-diynes is described. Key for the success of this novel transformation is the utilization of an advanced palladium catalyst system with the specific ligand Neolephos. The synthetic value of this general approach to synthetically useful α-alkynyl-α, β-unsaturated amides is showcased by diversification of several structurally complex molecules and marketed drugs. Control experiments and density-functional theory (M06L-SMD) computations also suggest the crucial role of the substrate in controlling the regioselectivity of unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes. © 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH
Enzyme Activity by Design: An Artificial Rhodium Hydroformylase for Linear Aldehydes
Artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) are hybrid catalysts that offer a unique opportunity to combine the superior performance of natural protein structures with the unnatural reactivity of transition-metal catalytic centers. Therefore, they provide the prospect of highly selective and active catalytic chemical conversions for which natural enzymes are unavailable. Herein, we show how by rationally combining robust site-specific phosphine bioconjugation methods and a lipid-binding protein (SCP-2L), an artificial rhodium hydroformylase was developed that displays remarkable activities and selectivities for the biphasic production of long-chain linear aldehydes under benign aqueous conditions. Overall, this study demonstrates that judiciously chosen protein-binding scaffolds can be adapted to obtain metalloenzymes that provide the reactivity of the introduced metal center combined with specifically intended product selectivity.
Synthesis of Single Atom Based Heterogeneous Platinum Catalysts: High Selectivity and Activity for Hydrosilylation Reactions
Catalytic hydrosilylation represents a straightforward and atom-efficient methodology for the creation of C-Si bonds. In general, the application of homogeneous platinum complexes prevails in industry and academia. Herein, we describe the first heterogeneous single atom catalysts (SACs), which are conveniently prepared by decorating alumina nanorods with platinum atoms. The resulting stable material efficiently catalyzes hydrosilylation of industrially relevant olefins with high TON (≈105). A variety of substrates is selectively hydrosilylated including compounds with sensitive reducible and other functional groups (N, B, F, Cl). The single atom based catalyst shows significantly higher activity compared to related Pt nanoparticles.