Synthesis, structural characterization, reactivity, and catalytic properties of copper(I) complexes with a series of tetradentate tripodal tris(pyrazolylmethyl)amine ligands

摘要

Novel tris(pyrazolylmethyl)amine ligands TpaMe3, Tpa*,Br, and TpaBr3 have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The coordination chemistries of these three new tetradentate tripodal ligands and the already known Tpa and Tpa* have been explored using different copper(I) salts as starting materials. Cationic copper(I) complexes [TpaxCu]PF6 (1-4) have been isolated from the reaction of [Cu(NCMe)4]PF6 and 1 equiv of the ligand. Complexes 2 (Tpax = Tpa*) and 3 (Tpax = TpaMe3) have been characterized by X-ray studies. The former is a 1D helical coordination polymer, and the latter is a tetranuclear helicate. In both structures, the Tpax ligand adopts a μ2: κ2:κ1-coordination mode. However, in solution, all of the four complexes form fluxional species. When CuI is used as the copper(I) source, neutral compounds 5-8 have been obtained. Complexes 6-8 exhibit a 1:1 metal-to-ligand ratio, whereas 5 presents 2:1 stoichiometry. Its solid-state structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction, revealing its 3D polymeric nature. The polymer is composed by the assembly of [Tpa 2Cu4I4] units, in which Cu4I 4 presents a step-stair structure. The Tpa ligands bridge the Cu 4I4 clusters, adopting also a μ2: κ2:κ1-coordination mode. As observed for the cationic derivatives, the NMR spectra of 5-8 show the equivalence of the three pyrazolyl arms of the ligands in these complexes. The reactivities of cationic copper(I) derivatives 1-4 with PPh3 and CO have been explored. In all cases, 1:1 adducts [TpaxCuL]PF6 [L = PPh3 (9-11), CO (12-15)] have been isolated. The crystal structure of [Tpa*Cu(PPh3)]PF6 (9) has been obtained, showing that the coordination geometry around copper(I) is trigonal-pyramidal with the apical position occupied by the tertiary amine N atom. The Tpa* ligand binds the Cu center to three of its four N atoms, with one pyrazolyl arm remaining uncoordinated. In solution, the carbonyl adducts 13-15 exist as a mixture of two isomers; the four- and five-coordinate species can be distinguished by means of their IR νCO stretching bands. Finally, the catalytic activities of complexes 1-4 have been demonstrated in carbene- and nitrene-transfer reactions. © 2014 American Chemical Society.