Until recently, computational tools were mainly used to explain chemical reactions after experimental results were obtained. With the rapid development of software and hardware technologies to make computational modeling tools more reliable, they can now provide valuable insights and even become predictive. In this review, we highlighted several studies involving computational predictions of unexpected reactivities or providing mechanistic insights for organic and organometallic reactions that led to improved experimental results. Key to these successful applications is an integration between theory and experiment that allows for incorporation of empirical knowledge with precise computed values. Computer modeling of chemical reactions is already a standard tool that is being embraced by an ever increasing group of researchers, and it is clear that its utility in predictive reaction design will increase further in the near future. 3.3.4.

Despite steady progress in catalytic methods for the borylation of hydrocarbons, methane has not yet been subject to this transformation. Here we report the iridium-catalyzed borylation of methane using bis(pinacolborane) in cyclohexane solvent. Initially, trace amounts of borylated products were detected with phenanthroline-coordinated Ir complexes. A combination of experimental high-pressure and high-throughput screening, and computational mechanism discovery techniques helped to rationalize the foundation of the catalysis and identify improved phosphine-coordinated catalytic complexes. Optimized conditions of 150°C and 3500-kilopascal pressure led to yields as high as ∼52%, turnover numbers of 100, and improved chemoselectivity for monoborylated versus diborylated methane.

A nickel complex was found to be capable of stepwise reducing nitrate to dinitrogen gas using carbon monoxide as the reaction partner.

Combined computational and experimental studies elucidate the mechanism and suggest rational design and optimization strategies of a bis(phosphine)-supported iridiumcatalyst for methane monoborylation. The activation of the C−H bond in methane via oxidative addition using tris(boryl) iridium(III) complexes bearing bis-chelating supporting ligands is modeled computationally. This model shows that the use of the soft Lewis base ligand such as 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe) lowers the activation barrier of the rate-determining step as it facilitates polarization of the metal-center, lowering the barrier of the oxidative addition to afford a seven-coordinate iridium(V) intermediate. The experimental optimization of this reaction using high-throughput methods shows that up to 170 turnovers can be achieved at 150 °C (500 psi) within 16 h using bis(pinacolato)diboron, a well-defined homogeneous and monomeric catalyst (dmpe)Ir(COD)Cl that is readily available from commercial precursors, with selectivity for the monoborylation product. High-boiling cyclic aliphatic solvents decalin and cyclooctane also prove suitable for this reaction, while being inert toward borylation. In accordance with the lower calculated activation barrier, catalytic turnover is also observed at 120 °C with up to 50 turnovers over the course of 4 days in cyclohexane solvent. It was found that the borylation of methane is only achieved via one catalytic cycle, and buildup of pinacolborane, a side-product from methane borylation with bis(pinacolato)diboron, inhibits catalytic activity.