Copper(II) complexes incorporating poly/perfluorinated alkoxyaluminate-type weakly coordinating anions: syntheses, characterization and catalytic application in stereoselective olefin aziridination

Dalton Trans. 2011 Jun 7;40(21):5746-54. doi: 10.1039/c1dt10280j. Epub 2011 Apr 26.

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of a series of cationic copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(NCR)(6)][Al(OC(CF(3))(2)R')(4)](2) (R = CH(3), Ph; R' = CF(3), Ph, PhCH(3)), incorporating poly/perfluoronated alkoxyaluminates as weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) is presented. Aziridination of various olefins, such as the unreactive olefins e.g. ethylhex-2-enoate and 1-decene, with N-tosyliminophenyliodinane catalyzed by [Cu(NCR)(6)][Al(OC(CF(3))(2)R')(4)](2) affords very good yields (up to 96%) and high TOFs (up to 5000 h(-1)) under mild conditions. Using disubstituted olefins as substrates, high stereoselectivities are obtained at room temperature. The to date highest cis : trans ratio (98 : 2) of the obtained aziridines is achieved for cis-stilbene in good yield (85%) as well as promising TOF (> 2000 h(-1)). The investigation of the solvent effect on yield and selectivity reveals that for certain oleophilic substrates (1-decene), less polar solvents, such as dichloromethane are a better choice than acetonitrile, which is commonly considered as the best solvent for olefin aziridination. Accordingly, a mechanism involving a paramagnetic copper nitrene intermediate with both concerted and stepwise pathways is proposed.

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / chemistry*
  • Aluminum / chemistry
  • Anions / chemistry
  • Aziridines / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis*
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry
  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Fluorine / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Anions
  • Aziridines
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Fluorine
  • Copper
  • Aluminum