Ligands cobalt catalyst stability

As can be deduced from Eq.(2), the liberation of the catalytically active [YCo] species is of prime importance, the neutral ligand L merely stabilizing the catalyst as the isolable complexes YCoL. The influence of the neutral ligand at cobalt on the temperature at which initial pyridine formation occurred was investigated using the test reaction [Eq.(42)]. 

Cobalt and iridium complexes can also function as hydroformylation catalysts, but of course the cobalt catalysts are much better known.t The reduced activity of Co and Ir compared to Rh has been attributed to the greater stability of their 18-electron complexes to ligand dissociatioii. The Co and Ir systems do provide some interesting comparisons with Rh, both in the behavior of the catalytic systems and in the identification of catalytic intermediates. 

The structural features of 11b are noteworthy even in the presence of excess amino acid, only the 1 1 complex of 12 and Co was detected by NMR spectroscopy in sharp contrast to complex 4 (Fignre 4.4). This is probably due to the steric bulk of ligand 12 and explains its increased reactivity and lower stability. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain reproducible results using complex 11b, as yields (40-70%) and reaction time (8 8 h) were batch-dependent. In many cases, an initiation time was observed before the reaction started. Mukaiyama and co-workers used ferf-butyl hydroperoxide as a cobalt-catalyst for the hydration of certain olefins when initiation of the reaction was difficult. A similar effect was observed in the hydroazidation reaction when using catalyst 11 with ethanesulfonyl azide (7) for the hydroazidation of 4-phenylbut-l-ene (3), complete conversion was observed after 2-8 h using 30% of ferf-butyl hydroperoxide. In situ formation of complex 11b in the reaction mixture leads to reproducible reaction times (2h) and yields (70%). Co(BF4)2-6H20 was the best Co salt for this procedure, as complex formation was faster than with other salts and quick oxidation to the Co(III) complex occurred in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide. 

Abstract This chapter focuses on carbon monoxide as a reagent in M-NHC catalysed reactions. The most important and popular of these reactions is hydro-formylation. Unfortunately, uncertainty exists as to the identity of the active catalyst and whether the NHC is bound to the catalyst in a number of the reported reactions. Mixed bidentate NHC complexes and cobalt-based complexes provide for better stability of the catalyst. Catalysts used for hydroaminomethylation and carbonyla-tion reactions show promise to rival traditional phosphine-based catalysts. Reports of decarbonylation are scarce, but the potential strength of the M-NHC bond is conducive to the harsh conditions required. This report will highlight, where appropriate, the potential benefits of exchanging traditional phosphorous ligands with iV-heterocyclic carbenes as well as cases where the role of the NHC might need re-evaluation. A review by the author on this topic has recently appeared [1]. 

In contrast to the above heterogeneous catalyst based on a Co(III)cyclam complex, in the catalyst reported earlier by Das Clark [26], pyridine which was used as an ancillary ligand to stabilize the cobalt(III) complex in the immobilized state was foimd to escape from reaction mixtures heated between 110-130°C. However, no metal leaching was observed. Catalysis reuse was possible for this catalyst after catalyst regeneration achieved by addition of pyridine to the substrate-used catalyst reaction systems. 

It should be recognized that the stability of cobalt complexes under carbon monoxide can be enhanced by the addition of ligands, as is the case for phosphine-modified cobalt hydroformylation catalysts (57, 58). The stability will also probably depend on properties of the solvent employed. Nevertheless, the plot shown in Fig. 4 appears to be quite useful for assessing long-term cobalt stability under H2/CO in the absence of strongly coordinating solvents or ligands. 

The hydroformylation of olefins is one of the largest and most prominent industrial catalytic processes, producing millions of tons of aldehydes annually [102]. Initially, cobalt-carbonyl species were used as catalyst, though rhodium complexes modified by special ligands, usually phosphines, are predominantly used nowadays. Over the last two decades, continued development of new phosphine and phosphite ligands has allowed significant advances in hydroformylation chemistry, especially with respect to catalyst selectivity and stability [103]. 

A high CO pressure would shift equilibrium (4.3) to the left and the catalytic reaction would become slower. In this complex CO is a far better ligand than an alkene. On the other hand the reaction uses CO as a substrate, so it cannot be omitted. Furthermore, low pressures of CO may lead to decomposition of the cobalt carbonyl complexes to metallic cobalt and CO, which is also undesirable. Finally, the product alcohol may stabilize divalent cobalt species which are not active as a catalyst ... 

In the sixties it was recognized that ligand substitution on the cobalt carbonyl might influence the performance of the catalyst. It has been found that aryl phosphines or phosphites have little influence in fact they may not even coordinate to cobalt under such high CO pressures. Tertiary alkyl phosphines, however, have a profound influence [5] the reaction is much slower, the selectivity to linear products increases, the carbonyl complex formed, HCoL(CO)3, is much more stable, and the catalyst acquires activity for hydrogenation. This process has been commercialized by Shell. As a result of the higher stability of the cobalt complex, the Shell process can be operated at lower pressures and higher temperatures (50-100 bar vs 200-300 bar for HCo(CO)4, 170°C vs 140°C). 

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