Two-step solid-state synthesis of PEPPSI-type compounds

peer-reviewedThe two-step mechanochemical preparation of carbene–pyridine complexes of palladium and platinum is reported. The organometallic products, which represent a class of commercially available catalysts, are rapidly formed in excellent yield proving solvent-free synthesis to be a viable synthetic alternative even in the case of NHC-containing compounds

Synthesis of a square-planar rhodium alkylidene N-heterocyclic carbene complex and its reactivity toward alkenes

The first rhodium alkylidene square-planar complex stabilized by an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, RhCl(-CHPh)(IPr)PPh3 (2; IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-carbene), has been prepared by reaction of RhCl(IPr)(PPh3)2 (1) with phenyldiazomethane and its dynamic behavior in solution studied. Treatment of 2 with alkenes results in the formation of the ¿2-olefin complexes RhCl(¿2-CH2-CHR)(IPr)PPh3 (3, R = H; 4, R = Ph; 5, R = OEt) and new olefins arising from the coupling of the alkylidene with the alkenes, likely via a metallacyclobutane intermediate

R-Allyl Nickel(II) Complexes with Chelating N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Catalytic Activity

The N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) nickel complexes [(L)Ni(NHC)][BArF4] (ArF = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)- phenyl; L = allyl (1), methylallyl (2); NHC = 1-(2-picolyl)-3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene (a), 1-(2-picolyl)-3-isopropylimidazol-2-ylidene (b), 1-(2-picolyl)-3-n-butylimidazol-2-ylidene (c), 1-(2-picolyl)-3-phenylimidazol-2-ylidene (d), 1-(2-picolyl)-3- methylbenzoimidazol-2-ylidene (e), 1-(2-picolyl)-4,5-dichloro-3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene (f)) have been obtained in high yields and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, 1d was unambiguously characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1a−f/2a−f have shown catalytic activity toward dimerization and hydrosilylation of styrenes. In particular, 1a proved to be the most efficient catalyst in the dimerization of styrene derivatives in the absence of cocatalyst. Also, complexes 1a,d showed high selectivity and moderate to good yields in hydrosilylation reactions

Mechanistic Elucidation of the Arylation of Non-Spectator N-Heterocyclic Carbenes at Copper Using a Combined Experimental and Computational Approach

CuI(NHC)Br complexes (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) undergo a direct reaction with iodobenzene to give 2-arylated benzimidazolium products. The nature of the N-substituent on the NHC ligand influences the reactivity of the CuI(NHC)Br complex toward arylation. N-Benzyl or N-phenyl substituents facilitate arylation, whereas N-mesityl substituents hinder arylation. Density functional theory calculations show that an oxidative addition/reductive elimination pathway involving CuIII species is energetically feasible. A less hindered CuI(NHC)Br complex with N-benzyl groups is susceptible to oxidation reactions to give 1,3-dibenzylbenzimidazolium cations containing a CuIBr anion (various polymorphs). The results described herein are of relevance to C–H functionalization of (benz)azoles

Constructing correctly in wood: new insights into timber technology approaches through purist and liberalist schools of thought.

Conventionally, technology-based articles focus on methods by which architects and engineers designed and built to present new methods, materials to evidence novelty in technical terms. This paper does not do that. Instead, through a current overview of past and present timber practices, it will present a new cultural perspective by looking at timber technology from purist and liberalist approaches. Indicating a moralistic sensibility of what "constructing correctly" in wood means to them, with these two attitudes implying inherent values, this paper seeks to project a new cultural dimension on technology. More importantly, the approaches convincingly reflects our relationship with digital technology, as timber culture and tradition come to terms with the inevitability of the digital age