Grubbs-Hoveyda-type complexes with variable 4-R (complexes 1: 4-R = NEt(2), OiPr, H, F, NO(2)) and 5-R substituents (complexes 2: 5-R = NEt(2), OiPr, Me, F, NO(2)) at the 2-isopropoxy benzylidene ether ligand and with variable 4-R substituents (complexes 3: 4-R = H, NO(2)) at the 2-methoxy benzylidene ether ligand were synthesized and the respective Ru(II/III) redox potentials (ranging from ΔE = +0.46 to +1.04 V), and UV-vis spectra recorded. The initiation kinetics of complexes 1-3 with the olefins diethyl diallyl malonate (DEDAM), butyl vinyl ether (BuVE), 1-hexene, styrene, and 3,3-dimethylbut-1-ene were investigated using UV-vis spectroscopy. Electron-withdrawing groups at the benzylidene ether ligands were found to increase the initiation rates, while electron-donating groups lead to slower precatalyst activation; accordingly with DEDAM, the complex 1(NO(2)) initiates almost 100 times faster than 1(NEt(2)). The 4-R substituents (para to the benzylidene carbon) were found to have a stronger influence on physical and kinetic properties of complexes 1 and 2 than that of 5-R groups para to the ether oxygen. The DEDAM-induced initiation reactions of complexes 1 and 2 are classified as two-step reactions with an element of reversibility. The hyperbolic fit of the k(obs) vs [DEDAM] plots is interpreted according to a dissociative mechanism (D). Kinetic studies employing BuVE showed that the initiation reactions simultaneously follow two different mechanistic pathways, since the k(obs) vs [olefin] plots are best fitted to k(obs) = k(D)·k(4)/k(-D)·[olefin]/(1 + k(4)/k(-D)·[olefin]) + k(I)·[olefin]. The k(I)·[olefin] term dominates the initiation behavior of the sterically less demanding complexes 3 and was shown to correspond to an interchange mechanism with associative mode of activation (I(a)), leading to very fast precatalyst activation at high olefin concentrations. Equilibrium and rate constants for the reactions of complexes 1-3 with the bulky PCy(3) were determined. In general, sterically demanding olefins (DEDAM, styrene) and Grubbs-Hoveyda type complexes 1 and 2 preferentially initiate according to the dissociative pathway; for the less bulky olefins (BuVE, 1-hexene) and complexes 1 and 2 both D and I(a) are important. Activation parameters for BuVE reactions and complexes 1(NEt(2)), 1(H), and 1(NO(2)) were determined, and ΔS(‡) was found to be negative (ΔS(‡) = -113 to -167 J·K(-1)·mol(-1)) providing additional support for the I(a) catalyst activation.

ContentsI. Introduction 3363 II. Scope of This Review 3364 III. Complexes of the Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metal Ions 3365 A. Lithium 3365 B. Sodium 3367 C. Potassium 3368 D. Rubidium 3369 E. Cesium 3369 F. Distribution Statistics of the CF‚‚‚Metal Distances 3370 G. Calcium, Strontium, and Barium 3371 H. Complexes of the Fluoro Macrocycles in Solution 3371 I. Stereoselective Synthesis Using CF Donors as Directing Groups 3372 IV. Complexes of the Transition Metals Including Zn, Cd, Hg 3373 A. First Row Transition Elements Sc−Zn 3373 B. Second Row Transition Elements Y−Cd 3374 1. Zirconium 3374 2. Silver 3375 3. Other Second Row Transition Elements 3376 C. Third Row Transition Elements La−Hg 3377 V. Complexes of the Lanthanides and Actinides 3377 VI. Complexes of the Main Group Metals 3377 A. Gallium and Indium 3378 B. Thallium 3378 C. Germanium, Tin, Lead, and Bismuth 3379 VII. On the Possibility of CF‚‚‚HN and CF‚‚‚HO Hydrogen Bonds 3379 VIII. Recurring Structural Motifs in the Coordination Chemistry of the CF Unit and Concluding Remarks 3380 IX. Acknowledgments 3381 X. References and Notes 3381

The electron-donating properties of N-heterocyclic carbenes ([N,N'-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imidazol]-2-ylidene and the respective dihydro ligands) with 4,4'-R-substituted aryl rings (4,4'-R=NEt2, OC(12)H(25), Me, H, Br, S(4-tolyl), SO(4-tolyl), SO2(4-tolyl)) were studied. Twelve new N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized as well as the respective iridium complexes [IrCl(cod)(NHC)] and [IrCl(CO)2(NHC)]. Cyclic voltammetry (DeltaE1/2) and IR (nu (CO)) can be used to measure the electron-donating properties of the carbene ligands. Modifying the 4-positions with electron-withdrawing substituents (4-R=-SO(2)Ar, DeltaE1/2=+0.92 V) results in NHC ligands with virtually the same electron-donating capacity as a trialkylphosphine in [IrCl(cod)(PCy3)] (DeltaE1/2 =+0.95 V), while [IrCl(cod)(NHC)] complexes with 4-R=NEt2 (DeltaE1/2= +0.59 V) show drastically more cathodic redox potentials and significantly enhanced donating properties.

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The strong electron-donation and the steric bulk of trialkylphosphines renders them as very useful ligands for palladium-catalyzed cross coupling reactions. This critical review reports on the synthesis of two families of trialkylphosphines (diadamantylalkylphosphines, fluorenyldialkylphosphines) and the properties of the respective palladium complexes in various cross coupling reactions, which evolved as alternatives to the classical Pd/PtBu(3) system. In contrast to the latter phosphine the new classes of ligands are characterized by a highly flexible ligand design, which allows the fine tuning of catalytic properties to the specific needs of certain substrates and also enables the attachment of additional tags to impart certain useful properties onto the respective phosphines (179 references).