Novel Complexes Of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes For Transition-Metal Catalysis

Invention Summary:

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are tremendously valuable in the synthesis of small molecules and are among the most important methods for the construction of diverse chemicals. In numerous Pd-catalyzed reactions, NHCs (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbenes) are advantageous as ancillary ligands due to their strong -donation and steric tuning around the metal center. Rutgers scientists have characterized and analyzed reactivity of novel Pd(II)-NHC precatalysts, that are highly active in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of amides by N–C(O) activation, Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of esters and aryl chlorides, and Buchwald–Hartwig amination.

Furthermore, a direct and facile synthesis method of the novel Pd(II)-NHC precatalysts has been developed from readily available anilines as throw-away ligands. The availability of various aniline scaffolds, including those with structural and electronic diversity, offers advantages in the design and fine-tuning of challenging cross-coupling reactions.

Market Applications:

• Synthesis of fine chemicals, functional materials or polymers

Advantages:

• Air- and moisture- stable
• Higher reactivity in cross-coupling reactions than the currently used cinnamyl and pyridine throw-away ligands
• Simple synthesis from inexpensive and readily available materials
• Ease of variation in reactivity and catalyst activation time by changing aniline ligands

Intellectual Property & Development Status:

Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration.