Induction stabilizing ligand

Herrmann et al. reported for the first time in 1996 the use of chiral NHC complexes in asymmetric hydrosilylation [12]. An achiral version of this reaction with diaminocarbene rhodium complexes was previously reported by Lappert et al. in 1984 [40]. The Rh(I) complexes 53a-b were obtained in 71-79% yield by reaction of the free chiral carbene with 0.5 equiv of [Rh(cod)Cl]2 in THF (Scheme 30). The carbene was not isolated but generated in solution by deprotonation of the corresponding imidazolium salt by sodium hydride in liquid ammonia and THF at - 33 °C. The rhodium complexes 53 are stable in air both as a solid and in solution, and their thermal stability is also remarkable. The hydrosilylation of acetophenone in the presence of 1% mol of catalyst 53b gave almost quantitative conversions and optical inductions up to 32%. These complexes are active in hydrosilylation without an induction period even at low temperatures (- 34 °C). The optical induction is clearly temperature-dependent it decreases at higher temperatures. No significant solvent dependence could be observed. In spite of moderate ee values, this first report on asymmetric hydrosilylation demonstrated the advantage of such rhodium carbene complexes in terms of stability. No dissociation of the ligand was observed in the course of the reaction. 

A heterobimetallic BINOL-Ga/Li complex 53 has been developed for the enantioselective ARO of meso-cpoxides (BINOL = l,T-bi(2-naphthol)).278 Using />-methoxyphenol as the nucleophile, this etherification reaction was observed to take place with a high level of asymmetric induction. An improved catalyst 54 has also been reported that exhibits greater stability under the reaction conditions and delivers higher yields and ee s (Equation (78)).279 A simple catalyst derived from Sc(OTf)3 and the chiral bipyridine ligand 52 has been shown to be effective for the ARO of aryl-substituted /// -epoxides with aliphatic alcohols to give high ee s (Equation (79)).280... 

This mechanism is inconsistent with the following facts First, no effect is observed when Cu+2 is replaced by Zn+2 or Cd+2, which should have the same inductive effect on the electrons of the ligand. Second, in view of the extremely low redox stability of Cu(I) bound to the same ligands (52, 57), it is not likely that Cu(II) should undergo partial reduction by the ligand-i.e., that the electron withdrawal by Cu(II) should exceed that induced by H+ or other cations. Finally, no increased reactivity of the copper bound ligand towards OH or H radicals has been observed (10). These radicals are known to react with aliphatic compounds via hydrogen abstraction. 

The introduction of -alkyl substituents to the secondary amine donors of the macrocycle results in anodic shifts in both oxidation and reduction potentials of the complexes relative to the parent ligand systems (Table II). The extent of anodic shifts depends on the number of alkyl groups introduced to the ligand (47,55a). That is, -alkylation makes the attainment of the Ni(I) state easier and the Ni(III) state more difficult. The stabilization of Ni(I) species by -alkylation is ascribed to solvation and stereochemical effects (55b, 60). -Ethyl groups have greater inductive effects than -methyl groups and yield less anodic shift in both oxidation and reduction potentials (47). This anodic shift of redox potentials may be attributed to weaker Ni-N interactions in the -alkylated complexes. The weaker Ni-N interaction for the tertiary amine results in the stabilization of antibonding o--orbitals of the Ni(II) complex, which makes it more favorable to add an electron, but less favorable to remove an electron. 

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