Iridium, ruthenium, and palladium complexes containing a mesoionic fused imidazolylidene ligand

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.jorganchem.2014.03.021

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine consisting of a pyridine fused to an imidazolium salt at the imidazolium N1-C2 bond and hence protected from forming normal imidazole-2-ylidene complexes undergoes selective activation of the C5-H bond with Ag₂O, i.e. at the imidazolium carbon that is proximal to the pyridine nitrogen. While the silver carbene complex is unstable, transmetallation with [IrCp?Cl₂]₂, [RuCl₂(cym)]₂, and [PdCl(allyl)]₂ afforded stable mesoionic carbene complexes. Two iridium(III) complexes containing one fused carbene ligand and one palladium(II) complex containing two carbene ligands at the metal centre were structurally characterized. The absence of substituents adjacent to the carbene carbon prevents wingtip group activation, and it imparts a reduced stability of the complexes in particular under (mildly) acidic conditions.

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.jorganchem.2014.03.021

Accepted Manuscript
Iridium, Ruthenium, and Palladium Complexes Containing a Mesoionic Fused
Imidazolylidene Ligand
Ana Petronilho, Helge Mueller-Bunz, Martin Albrecht
PII:
S0022-328X(14)00144-2
10.1016/j.jorganchem.2014.03.021
JOM 18526
DOI:
Reference:
To appear in: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry
Received Date: 26 December 2013
Revised Date: 12 March 2014
Accepted Date: 20 March 2014
Please cite this article as: A. Petronilho, H. Mueller-Bunz, M. Albrecht, Iridium, Ruthenium, and
Palladium Complexes Containing a Mesoionic Fused Imidazolylidene Ligand, Journal of Organometallic
Chemistry (2014), doi: 10.1016/j.jorganchem.2014.03.021.
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ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine undergoes selective C–H bond activation to afford mesoionic carbene
complexes with [IrCp*Cl2], [RuCl2(cym)], and [PdCl2]; the N-substituents of these new
carbenes are unusually remote from the metal coordination sphere.

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Iridium, Ruthenium, and Palladium Complexes Containing a Mesoionic Fused
Imidazolylidene Ligand
Ana Petronilho, Helge Mueller-Bunz, and Martin Albrecht
School of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4,
Ireland
Fax: +35317162501; Phone: +35317162504; E-mail: martin.albrecht@ucd.ie
Abstract
Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine consisting of a pyridine fused to an imidazolium salt at the
imidazolium N1–C2 bond and hence protected from forming normal imidazole-2-ylidene
complexes undergoes selective activation of the C5–H bond with Ag2O, i.e. at the
imidazolium carbon that is proximal to the pyridine nitrogen. While the silver carbene
complex is unstable, transmetallation with [IrCp*Cl2]2, [RuCl2(cym)]2, and [PdCl(allyl)]2
afforded stable mesoionic carbene complexes. Two iridium(III) complexes containing one
fused carbene ligand and one palladium(II) complex containing two carbene ligands at the
metal center were structurally characterized. The absence of substituents adjacent to the
carbene carbon prevents wingtip group activation, and it imparts a reduced stability of the
complexes in particular under (mildly) acidic conditions.
Introduction
The discovery and development of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) as ligands has greatly
transformed the organometallic chemistry of transition metals and has demonstrated a marked
impact on the application of metals in synthesis, catalysis, materials science, and medicinal
chemistry [1–11]. A large variety of NHC ligand structures have been discovered,
characterized and applied in metal coordination [12–20]. Ring-fused NHCs are a particular
subclass of NHCs that often display distinct characteristics that are different from normal
imidazole-derived NHCs [21,22]. The most common ring fusion is of course the annulation of
a benzene ring to the C4–C5 bond of the NHC (A, Fig. 1), and indeed a plethora of
applications have been disclosed based on the benzimidazole ring structure [23–25]. Fused
systems that involve one of the imidazole nitrogen atoms (B, C, Fig. 1) have been less
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investigated [26–33], even though a variety of synthetic approaches towards such fused ligand
precursor systems are available and allow for the introduction of a variety of coordination
motifs [34–40].
Based on our interest in strongly donating carbenes such as
mesoionic/abnormal carbenes [41–49], we were particularly interested in fused ligand
systems that include the annulation of the imidazole C2 position (C, Fig. 1), since substitution
at C2 predisposes the ligand to bind via the imidazole C4 or C5 position and hence to produce
abnormal/mesoionic carbenes [13–18].
[M]
[M]
N
N
N
N
N
N
+
+
+
[M]
A
B
C
Fig. 1 Schematic representation of ring-annelated imidazolium salts and their most probably site of metallation
(arrows), green arrows lead to normal carbene complexes, purple arrows to mesoionic/abnormal carbene
complexes.
Results and Discussion
Ligand synthesis. The fused imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine skeleton was readily available by
thermal condensation of 1,2,3-triazole with bromopyridine and subsequent elimination of
nitrogen at elevated temperatures according to a procedure described by Hubert and
Reimlinger (Scheme 1) [34]. The desired product was obtained as HBr salt in yields
significantly higher (75%) than when using chloropyridine as starting material. After
neutralization, alkylation with MeI proceeded essentially quantitatively and gave the
imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinium salt 1 as a pale yellow solid.
Iridium and ruthenium complexation. Metallation of 1 via C–H bond activation using
[IrCp*Cl2]2 in refluxing toluene did not produce any carbene complex and just returned
starting materials. As a consequence, the silver carbene formation and subsequent
transmetallation was considered [49,50], even though abnormal silver carbene complexes
were noted to be very unstable and often have too short lifetimes to be useful for
transmetallation [51–53]. Upon reaction of 1 with Ag2O, indeed, a silver carbene complex
formed as inferred from the disappearance of the resononance of one imidazolium proton at
δH 8.2 ppm in the 1H NMR spectrum and an associated minor shifts of the residual signals due
to the different substitution pattern upon metallation. Attempts to isolate and fully
characterize the putative complex were unsuccessful due to its limited stability. For example,
gradual decomposition was observed in CDCl3 solution within a few hours, yielding
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predominantly the protonated ligand precursor together with some other unidentified
compounds.
Due to the restricted stability of the silver carbene complex, a one-pot procedure was applied
which involved a mixture of ligand precursor 1, Ag2O, and the transmetallating agent in order
to trap any formed silver carbene. According to this procedure, several metal carbene
complexes were successfully prepared from 1. Complex 2a was obtained from 1 at room
temperature upon transmetallation of the in-situ generated silver carbene intermediate with
[IrCp*Cl2]2, or cleaner, when starting from the imidazolium tetrafluoroborate salt. The iodide
analogue 2b was prepared either in situ or in a stepwise manner from 2a and an iodide source
such as KI in acetone. Likewise, the ruthenium(II) complex 3 was isolated when using
[RuCl2(cym)]2 for transmetallation. Both complexes formed in high spectroscopic yield
1
(>90% according to H NMR spectroscopic analysis of crude reaction mixtures). Complexes
2a and 3 were readily purified by recrystallisation or by column chromatography on silica,
albeit with substantially lower yields. In contrast, purification of complex 2b a by column
chromatography was unsuccessful. Both complexes 2 and 3 are stable for weeks in the solid
state even when stored in air.
Scheme 1
I–
1. ∆T
2. MeI
Ag2O
[IrCp*Cl2]2
H
N
N+
N
Ir
+
N
X
N
N
N
Br
N
X
1
2a X = Cl
b X = I
Ag2O
[RuCl2(cym)]2
KI
5
6
iPr
1
4
N
4
5
Ru
Cl
Cl
N
N
3
2
N3
3
Complex 2a and 2b have very similar analytical features. Complex 2a was characterized by
1H NMR spectroscopy and showed a singlet for the CHimid at δH 6.96 ppm, which is
substantially upfield compared to the imidazolium precursor (δH 8 ppm). Also the pyridinic
protons shift to slightly higher field upon metallation (∆δ ca. 0.5 ppm) apart from the C6-
bound proton, which is deshielded to almost 9 ppm. The iridium-bound carbon resonates at
128.4 ppm, a value significantly low when compared to shifts in similar fused iridium(III)
carbene complexes [30], yet in good agreement with other abnormal imidazolylidene
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1
13
complexes [42,54]. Both H and C NMR spectra revealed only one set of signals, which
strongly indicates chemoselective metallation either at the imidazolium C4 or C5 position (cf
Scheme 1 for atom labeling). The significant deshielding of the pyridinic C6-bound proton
points to an interaction of this site with the IrCp*Cl2 fragment and hence metallation at the
imidazole C5 position. Moreover, the singlet at δH 3.80 ppm attributed to the NCH3 group
shows a nuclear Overhauser effect (nOe) with the singlet of the imidazole heterocycle at δH
6.96 ppm as well as with the doublet due to the pyridinic C3-bound proton at δH 7.35 ppm,
providing evidence that the site ortho to the NCH3 group is not metallated. These two
mutually independent probes strongly suggest selective activation of the C5–H bond during
silver carbene complex formation. Chemoselective C5–H bond activation seems to be
governed by electronic factors, in particular imparted by the electron-withdrawing impact of
the fused pyridine system, which activates the α-position as typical in classical N-ylide
chemistry [55–58]. Steric factors seem much less relevant, due partly to the linear
coordination geometry assumed for the silver carbene intermediate [59], and also due to the
small size of the methyl substituents at nitrogen. Related low-valent iridium(I) carbene
complexes derived from imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine systems were reported previously, though in
those cases, substitutents at the imidazole C4 or C5 position were introduced to direct the
metallation exclusively to the imidazole C5 or C4 site, respectively [30].
Complex 2b shows essentially identical NMR spectroscopic characteristics as the chloride
analogue 2a. Most notable differences are the stronger deshielding of the pyridinic C6–H
resonance (δH 9.07 ppm; cf 8.96 ppm in 2a) and the N–CH3 signal (δH 4.02 ppm; cf 3.80 ppm
13
in 2a) and the carbenic resonance in the C NMR spectrum, which appeared ca. 10 ppm
higher field than in 2a (δC 118.9 ppm).
The structures of complexes 2a and 2b were confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. The
molecular structures unambiguously confirm the chemoselectivity of metallation as deduced
from spectroscopic analyses in solution (Fig. 2). The Ir–C bond length is identical within
esd’s in both complexes, 2.034(5) Å and 2.036(2) Å, respectively (Table 1). This distance is
similar to related iridium NHC complexes [30,60–64]. The piano-stool geometry is slightly
flatter in the iodide complex 2b, as indicated by the consistently wider angles between the
three “legs”, while most of the angles involving the Cp* centroid are more acute than in the
chloride analogue 2a.
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Fig. 2 ORTEP presentation of the molecular structures of 2a (a) and 2b (b; 50% probability, H atoms omitted for
clarity).
Table 1. Selected bond lengths (Å) and angles (deg) for complexes 2a and 2b.
2a (X = Cl)
2.034(5)
2b (X = I)
2.036(2)
Ir–C1
Ir–X1
2.4117(11)
2.4307(11)
1.798(2)
2.71165(16)
2.72149(16)
1.8258(9)
1.368(3)
Ir–X2
Ir–Cpcentroid
C1–C2
1.372(6)
C1–Ir–X1
C1–Ir–X2
X1–Ir–X2
C1–Ir–Cpcentroid
X1–Ir–Cpcentroid
X2–Ir–Cpcentroid
85.82(12)
88.09(13)
88.50(4)
87.16(6)
93.07(6)
90.173(5)
125.91(6)
124.17(3)
125.26(3)
129.47(15)
123.42(8)
128.01(8)
In both complexes, bond length analysis suggests a pronounced localization of the double
bonds in the annelated pyridine ring and formation of a 2-pyridylidene-type ground structure
[65–68]. Specifically, the pyridine c and e bonds are significantly shorter than average
conjugated C–C bonds and indicate partially localized C=C double bonds, while the b and d
bonds are elongated (Fig. 3). Similarly, the imidazole 2,3-bond, which does not form part of
the pyridyl framework is substantially shorter than the pyridyl a bond, pointing to a localized
2-pyridylidene unit.
1.363
1.358
1.412 1.418
1.377 1.360
1.378 1.374
e
d
f
IrCp*X2
c
N
a
b
1.406
1.406
N
1.375
1.382
1.344
1.338
5

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Fig. 3. Bond length alteration in iridium complexes 2a and 2b; values for 2a in grey (esds ≤0.007 Å for all
bonds) and for 2b in green (esds 0.003 Å for all bonds).
Palladium complexation. Transmetallation according to similar procedures as described for
complexes 2 and 3 involving the palladium precursor [PdCl(allyl)]2 afforded the biscarbene
complex 4 together with minor other species (Scheme 2). Attempts to use a similar
transmetallation procedure with [PdCl2(NCMe)2] were not successful and the imidazolium
ligand precursor was recovered. Despite extensive efforts to purify complex 4, we did not
succeed in obtaining microanalytically pure material. Purification was thwarted by the
formation of palladium black during this process, which may point towards a limited stability
of complex 4 or the anticipated transient (allyl)(carbene)palladium complex intermediate [69].
Of note, 1H NMR analysis of the soluble fractions does not indicate formation of any products
by reductive elimination and neither a 4-(allyl)-imidazolium derivative nor a 4-
chloroimidazolium salt was detected. [70,71]. In contrast, mass spectrometric analysis of
crude product mixtures suggests formation of an allylimidazolium salt (signal at 173.1320
amu). Additionally, mass peaks at 279.0435 and 411.0803 indicate the presence of
[Pd(allyl)carbene]+ and [Pd(allyl)(carbene)2]+, respectively, as potential intermediates during
the generation of 4.
Complex 4 is stable for days in CDCl3 solution. Decomposition was observed after several
weeks, however, by the formation of a black residue. This process is accelerated at higher
temperatures, which regenerates the imidazolium precursor 1 as evidenced by the appearance
of two doublets at 8.95 and 8.17 ppm corresponding to the imidazolium protons bound to C4
and C5. Similarly, addition of NH4(BF4) induces rapid demetallation and formation of the
imidazolium salt 1.BF4 according to 1H NMR spectroscopy.
The coordination mode of carbenes to the PdX2 unit is variable and both dimeric
[Pd(carbene)X2] as well as monomeric biscarbene systems of type [PdX2(carbene)2] have
precedents [72–76]. Coordination of two carbene ligands to the palladium centre has been
surmised from HR-MS data, which show a molecular ion at 439.9788 amu in good agreement
with the expected 439.9787 amu for the molecular ion [4]+. Moreover, an X-ray structure
analysis unambiguously confirmed the formation of complex 4. The molecular structure (Fig.
4) features a palladium center in a distorted square-planar geometry and the two carbene
ligands in mutual cis position. The two asymmetric carbene ligands are in mutual syn
arrangement, with both pyridyl fragments located on the same side of the palladium
coordination plane. The two carbene ligands are almost perpendicular to the metal
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coordination plane, torsion angles are 70.86° and 73.60° for C2–C1–Pd–C9 and C10–C9–Pd–
C1, respectively. The two heterocycles are in a disrotatory arrangement and form a V-shaped
ligand sphere.
Scheme 2
I–
Ag2O
[Pd(allyl)Cl]2
N
N+
N
N
N
N
Pd
Cl
Cl
1
4
Fig. 4 ORTEP presentation of the molecular structure of 4 (30% probability, H atoms and cocrystallized CHCl3
and H2O molecules omitted for clarity). Selected bond distances (Å) and angles (deg): Pd–C1 1.981(4); Pd–C9
1.990(4); Pd–Cl1 2.3877(10); Pd–Cl2 2.3752(10); C1–Pd–C9 88.12(15); C1–Pd–Cl1 178.68(10); C1–Pd–Cl2
90.01(10); C9–Pd–Cl1 90.56(12); C9–Pd–Cl2 178.13(12); Cl2–Pd–Cl1 91.30(4).
1
In the H and 13C NMR spectrum, a single set of sharp resonances was observed, which
indicates either a rigid arrangement with Cs symmetry, or a rotation about the Pd–C bonds
that is fast on the NMR time scale. Variable temperature experiments down to –20 °C did not
reveal any signal broadening that would support restricted Pd–C bond rotation at this
temperature. Similar cis coordination of the two carbene ligands in related [Pd(carbene)2X2]
complexes has been reported, often in a mixture with the corresponding trans isomer. In the
case of 4, the absence of any sterically hindering ortho substituents at the carbene may
facilitate the thermodynamically more favored cis coordination of the two high trans-
influencing carbene ligands. Similarly, the absence of steric bulk in ortho position may
facilitate rotational flexibility.
The absence of substituents in positions adjacent to the carbene bond may have beneficial
implications in suppressing bond activation processes as observed in related NHC complexes
with ortho substituents [77,78]. The absence also directly affects the stability of the
complexes. For example, complex 2a is unstable under acidic conditions, which is in
significant contrast to the stability of related iridium(III) carbene complexes [79]. The
7

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complex readily decomposes when exposed to dilute HCl in CH2Cl2 (ca. 30 mM) solution and
within minutes, the ligand precursor 1 and [IrCp*Cl2]2 were observed as the major products
by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
Other metals. While the transmetallation route is typically rather general, all our attempts to
synthesise a rhodium(I) or an iridium(I) complex from the fused imidazolium salt 1 and
[MCl(cod)]2 in the presence of Ag2O have failed thus far (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene).
Inefficient transmetallation was noted previously when using an imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium
system [30], and failure to isolate any desired complex may be a direct consequence of the
weak carbene–metal bond. Likewise, the preparation of a copper(I) compound via
transmentallation from silver with CuCl was unsuccessful, presumably again due to a low
stability of the copper complex when bound to the abnormal and sterically unprotected
imidazolylidene ligand [80].
Preliminary Catalytic applications. Based on the established track record of iridium carbene
complexes in hydrogen transfer catalysis [81–87], the catalytic activity of complex 2a was
investigated in transfer hydrogenation using iPrOH as sacrificial hydrogen donor. In a
representative reaction, benzophenone was used as model substrate (Scheme 3). The reaction
requires the addition of KOH as a base (substrate/base/catalyst 100:10:1) and proceeds at
moderate rates, leading to essentially full conversion within 16 h. This activity is substantially
lower than that reported for related carbene iridium(III) complexes and may be a direct
consequence of the limited stability of the iridium–carbene bond in 2a as a consequence of
the low steric protection.
Scheme 3
O
OH
cat. 2a (1 mol%)
KOH, iPrOH
12% (1h)
28% (2 h)
>90% (16 h)
Conclusion
Unsubstituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-derived carbenes constitute an attractive novel ligand
system. The precursors are easily synthesized and allow for introducing further functionality,
for example through flexible N-alkylation. Procedures for the metallation of these ligands
with iridium(III), ruthenium(II), and palladium(II) have been successfully developed. The
8

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ligand imparts features that are absent in classical imidazole-derived carbenes, in particular
because of the absence of protecting bulky substituents at the positions adjacent to the carbene
site. A current limitation pertains to the stability of the complexes, e.g. towards acids and
acidic materials including silica. The introduction of chelating substituents may substantially
increase the stability, with obvious implications for catalysis and other applications in
materials science and biochemical areas.
Experimental Section
General. Solvents were purified using an alumina/catalyst column system (Thermovac Co.).
All other reagents were commercially available and were used as received. Unless specified
otherwise, NMR spectra were recorded at 25 °C on Varian Innova spectrometers operating at
300, 400 or 500 MHz (1H NMR) and 75, 100 or 125 MHz (13C{1H} NMR), respectively.
Chemical shifts (δ in ppm, coupling constants J in Hz) were referenced to residual solvent
resonances. Assignments are based on homo- and heteronuclear shift correlation
spectroscopy. Microanalyses were performed by the Microanalytical Laboratory at University
College Dublin, Ireland; residual solvents were also identified by 1H NMR spectroscopy. HR-
MS was performed on a Waters 2795-LCT Mass Spectrometer using ESI-TOF ionization.
N-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinium iodide 1. In the absence of any solvent, 1H-triazole
(1.0 mL, 17 mmol) and 2-bromopyridine (2.0 ml, 20 mmol) were mixed in a pressure vessel
and stirred at 160 ºC for 14 h. The resulting solid was cooled to room temperature, dissolved
in hot MeCN (100 mL) and filtered and washed with MeCN (3 × 100 mL). The filtrate was
concentrated to ca. 30 mL and layered with Et2O (200 mL). A white precipitate formed,
which was isolated by filtration and dried. The solid was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (50 mL) and
washed with KOH (1M, 100 mL). The organic phase was separated, dried over MgSO4,
filtered, and the volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The resulting solid was
dissolved in MeCN (15 mL) and MeI (1.5 mL, 24 mmol) and heated in a microwave reactor
(3 h, 100 ºC). The mixture was layered with Et2O (50 mL), which induced the formation of a
pale yellow precipitate. This solid was filtered off, washed with copious amounts of Et2O and
dried under vacuum to afford compound 1 in overall 47% yield (2.07 g, 8.0 mmol). 1H NMR
3
3
(400 MHz, CD3CN) δ 8.73 (d, JHH = 6.0 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 8.17 (d, JHH = 2.2 Hz, 1H, Himid),
3
3
3
7.98–7.91 (m, 2H, Hpy), 7.90 (d, JHH = 2.2 Hz, 1H, Himid), 7.47 (ddd, JHH = 7.2 Hz, JHH
=
9

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4
13
6.0 Hz, JHH = 1.0 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 4.03 (s, 3H, NCH3). C {1H} NMR (100 MHz, CD3CN) δ
140.2 (Cpy), 133.9 (CHpy), 129.7 (CHpy), 126.5 (CHimid), 117.4 (CHpy), 115.1 (CHimid), 111.3
(CHpy), 34.2 (NCH3). Anal. calcd. for C8H9N2I: C, 36.95; H, 3.49; N, 10.77. Found: C, 36.16;
H, 3.19; N, 10.40. HR-MS found 133.0766; calcd for C8H9N2 [M–I]+: 133.0760.
The corresponding BF4 salt was obtained by stirring 1 (1.80 g, 6.9 mmol) and (NH4)BF4 (1.45
g, 14 mmol) in H2O (20 mL) for 1 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and
the residue was suspended in CH2Cl2 (30 mL) and filtered. The filtrate was dried over
MgSO4, and evaporated to dryness to yield the BF4 salt of 1 as a yellow solid (1.34 g, 6.1
mmol, 88%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3CN) δ 8.65 (d, 3JHH = 6.0 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 8.06 (d, 3JHH
=
2.2 Hz, 1H, Himid), 7.98–7.86 (m, 2H, Hpy), 7.82 (d, 3JHH = 2.2 Hz, 1H, Himid), 7.43 (ddd, 3JHH
= 7.2 Hz, 3JHH = 6.0 Hz, 4JHH = 1.0 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 3.98 (s, 3H, NCH3).
Complex 2a. The imidazolium iodide 1 (100 mg, 0.46 mmol), [IrCp*Cl2]2 (180 mg, 0.23
mmol) and Ag2O (53 mg, 0.23 mmol) were suspended in dry and degassed CH2Cl2 (10 mL)
and stirred at RT for 14 h. The suspension was filtered through Celite, and the filtrate layered
with Et2O (150 mL), which induced gradual formation of a redish precipitate. This precipitate
1
was collected by filtration and dried in vacuo. Analysis of the residue by H NMR
spectroscopy indicates 2a as the major compound (76% spectroscopic yield). An analytically
pure sample was obtained by purifying the residue by flash chromatography (SiO2;
CH2Cl2/acetone 1:1).
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.96 (d, 1H, 3JHH = 6.9 Hz, Hpy), 7.44 (ddd, 3JHH = 6.9 Hz, 3JHH
4
3
= 9.0 Hz, JHH = 1.0, 1H, Hpy), 7.35 (dt, JHH = 9.0 Hz, 4JHH = 1.0 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 6.96 (s, 1H,
3
4
Himid), 6.93 (td, JHH = 6.9 Hz, JHH = 1.0, 1H, Hpy), 3.80 (s, 3H, NCH3), 1.61 (s, 15H, CCp–
13
CH3). C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 140.4 (Cpy), 133.1 (CHpy), 129.4 (CHpy), 128.5
(Cimid–Ir), 128.4 (CHimid), 113.2 (CHpy), 108.2 (CHpy), 87.4 (CCp), 33.1 (NCH3), 8.9 (CCp–
CH3). Anal. calcd. for C18H23N2IrCl2 (530.51) × 0.25 CH2Cl2: C, 39.73; H, 4.29; N, 5.08.
Found: C, 39.98; H, 4.19; N, 4.74. HR-MS found 495.1201; calcd for C18H23N2IrCl [M–Cl]+:
495.1179.
Complex 2b. The imidazolium iodide 1 (100 mg, 0.46 mmol), [IrCp*Cl2]2 (180 mg, 0.23
mmol), Ag2O (106 mg, 0.46 mmol) and KI (225 mg, 1.4 mmol) were suspended in dry and
degassed CH2Cl2 (10 mL) and stirred at RT for 14 h. Purification was identical to that
1
described for 2a and afforded 2b in 79% spectroscopic yield. H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ
10

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3
3
4
9.07 (d, JHH = 6.9 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 7.54–7.44 (m, 2H, Hpy Himid), 7.41 (dt, JHH = 9.0 Hz, JHH
=1.0 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 6.99 (dt, 3JHH = 6.9 Hz, 4JHH =1.0 Hz, 1H, CHpy), 4.01 (s, 3H, NCH3), 1.58
13
(s, 15H, CCp–CH3). C{1H} NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3) δ 140.3 (Cpy), 132.5 (CHpy), 128.8
(CHimid), 128.6 (CHpy), 118.9 (Cimid–Ir), 112.2 (CHpy), 107.7 (CHpy), 89.6 (CCp), 31.9 (NCH3),
8.3 (CCp–CH3). HR-MS found 587.0524; calcd for C18H23N2IrI [M–I]+: 587.0535.
Complex 3. Compound 1·BF4 (150 mg, 0.34 mmol), [Ru(p-cym)Cl2]2 (210 mg, 0.34 mmol),
and Ag2O (80 mg, 0.34 mmol) were suspended in dry and degassed CH2Cl2 (15 mL) and
stirred at RT for 14 h. The suspension was filtered through Celite and the solvent removed
under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by chromatography (SiO2;
acetone). The orange band was collected and evaporated to dryness to afford complex 3 as an
1
orange solid (52 mg, 0.12 mmol, 34%), which was recrystallized from CH2Cl2/pentane. H
3
3
3
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.89 (d, JHH = 6.8 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 7.44 (dd, JHH = 6.8 Hz, JHH
=
3
8.4 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 7.33 (d, JHH = 8.4 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 7.10 (s, 1H, Himid), 6.96 (t, 3JHH = 8.4 Hz,
1H, Hpy), 5.33, 5.19 (2 × d, 3JHH = 6.0 Hz, 2H, Hcym), 3.78 (s, 3H, NCH3), 2.94 (septet, 3JHH
=
6.0 Hz, 1H, CHMe2), 2.03 (s, 3H, Ccym–CH3), 1.29 (d, 3JHH = 6.0 Hz, 6H, CH–CH3). 13C{1H}
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 144.9 (Cimid–Ru), 141.1(Cpy), 133.2 (CHpy), 129.2 (CHpy), 128.8
(CHimid), 113.4 (CHpy), 108.9 (CHpy), 104.4, 103.6 (2 × CHcym), 84.2, 83.3 (2 × Ccym), 33.2
(NCH3), 30.6 (CHMe2), 22.4 (Ccym–CH3), 18.5 (CH–CH3). Anal. calcd. for C18H22Cl2N2Ru
(438.36) × 0.8 CH2Cl2: C, 44.60; H, 4.70; N, 5.53. Found: C, 44.34; H, 4.62; N, 5.26. HR-MS
found 403.0535; calcd for C18H22N2RuCl [M–Cl]+: 403.0515.
Complex 4. Imidazolium salt 1 (100 mg, 0.40 mmol), [Pd(allyl)Cl]2 (74 mg, 0.20 mmol) and
Ag2O (93 mg, 0.40 mmol) were suspended in CH2Cl2 (10 mL) and stirred overnight at RT.
The suspension was filtered through Celite, and the solvent was concentrated to 3 mL and
layered with pentane. The greenish solid was collected and dried (47 mg, 0.11 mmol, 38%),
and recrystallized from CHCl3/Et2O. Despite several recrystallization and other purification
1
attempts, no satisfactory microanalytical data were obtained [88]. H NMR (400 MHz,
3
3
3
CDCl3) δ 9.10 (d, JHH = 6.8 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 7.43 (dt, JHH = 8.8 Hz, JHH = 6.8 Hz, 1H, Hpy),
3
7.31 (d, JHH = 8.8 Hz, 1H, Hpy), 6.95–6.91 (m, 2H, Hpy+Himid), 3.75 (s, 3H, NCH3).
13C{1H}NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 145.2 (Cimid–Pd), 140.4 (Cpy), 134.2(CHpy), 129.9 (CHpy),
129.4 (CHimid), 113.9 (CHpy), 108.2 (CHpy), 32.7 (NCH3). Anal. calcd. for C16H16Cl2N4Pd
11

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
(441.65) × 0.8 CHCl3: C, 37.56; H, 3.15; N, 10.43. Found: C, 37.95; H, 2.72; N, 9.93. HR-MS
found 439.9788; calcd for C16H16N4PdCl2 [M]+: 439.9787.
Typical catalytic procedure. A mixture of complex 2a (2.6 mg, 5 µmol), iPrOH (10 mL) and
aqueous KOH (2M, 0.05 mL, 0.1 mmol) was stirred at reflux for 10 minutes. Benzophenone
(91 mg, 0.5 mmol) was added and heating was continued. Aliquots (0.1 mL) were taken at
indicated times, poured into cyclohexane (0.2 mL), and evaporated to dryness. Yields were
determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy using CDCl3 as solvent.
Crystallographic details.
Crystal data for complexes 2a, 2b, and 4 were collected by using an Agilent Technologies
SuperNova. A diffractometer fitted with an Atlas detector that uses monochromated Mo–Kα
radiation (0.71073 Å). A complete dataset was collected, assuming that the Friedel pairs are
not equivalent. An analytical numeric absorption correction was performed [89]. The
structures were solved by direct methods using SHELXS–97 and refined by full-matrix least-
squares fitting on F2 for all data using SHELXL–97 [90]. Hydrogen atoms were added at
calculated positions and refined by using a riding model. Anisotropic thermal displacement
parameters were used for all nonhydrogen atoms. Complex 4 cocrystallised with one
molecule of CHCl3 and the unit cell contained a partially occupied molecule of H2O.
Crystallographic details are summarized in Table 2. CCDC numbers 976513–976515 contain
the supplementary crystallographic data for this paper. These data can be obtained free of
charge from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre via
www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/data_request/cif.
Table 2. Crystal data and structure refinement for complexes 2a, 2b, and 4.
2a
2b
4
CCDC number
Empirical formula
Formula weight
Temperature
976513
976514
976515
C17H17.29N4O0.145Cl5Pd a)
C18H23N2Cl2Ir
530.48
C18H23N2I2Ir
713.38
563.64
100(2) K
100(2) K
100(2) K
Wavelength
0.71073 Å
0.71073 Å
0.71073 Å
Crystal system
Space group
Monoclinic
P21/c (#14)
a = 7.1510(2) Å
b = 17.4375(4) Å
c = 14.8259(3) Å
Monoclinic
P21/c (#14)
a = 9.1068(1) Å
b = 13.8960(2) Å
c = 15.3864(1) Å
Monoclinic
C2/c (#15)
Unit cell dimensions
a = 17.4655(4) Å
b = 14.7960(2) Å
c = 16.2258(3) Å
12

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
β = 92.875(2)°
1846.40(8) Å3
β = 95.512(1)°
1938.12(4) Å3
4
β = 97.765(2)°
4154.61(13) Å3
8
Volume
Z
4
Density (calculated)
Absorption coefficient
F(000)
1.908 g cm–3
7.521 mm–1
1024
2.445 g cm–3
10.076 mm–1
1312
1.802 g cm–3
1.548 mm–1
2236
Crystal size
0.11 × 0.08 × 0.04 mm3
2.85 to 29.46°
21858
0.12 × 0.10 × 0.06 mm3
2.90 to 29.56°
55028
0.31 × 0.20 × 0.16 mm3
2.98 to 29.76°
46652
data collection
θ range
Reflections collected
Independent reflections
4691 [R(int) = 0.0338]
5144 [R(int) = 0.0351]
99.7 %
5481 [R(int) = 0.0292]
99.2 %
Completeness
θ = 27.50° 99.2 %
Absorption correction
Max., min. transmission
Restraints, parameters
Goodness–of–fit on F2
Analytical
Analytical
Analytical
0.765, 0.496
0, 214
0.588, 0.394
0, 214
0.925, 0.871
0, 249
1.165
1.059
1.022
R1, wR2 [I>2
σ
(I)]
0.0281, 0.0619
0.0331, 0.0635
1.487, –1.146 e Å–3
0.0147, 0.0265
0.0173, 0.0273
0.563, –0.589 e Å–3
0.0496, 0.1176
0.0631, 0.1294
2.478, –1.502 e Å–3
R1, wR2 [all data]
Largest diff. peak, hole
a) The hydrogen atoms of the water molecule could not be detected.
Acknowledgments.
We thank Hannah Smith for technical assistance, the European Research Council and Science
Foundation Ireland for financial support, and Johnson-Matthey for a generous loan of iridium.
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Table of contents entry
X–
N+
5
4
N
Ag2O
[M]
selective C5–H activation
iPr
N
N
Ru
N
Ir
N
Cl
Cl
N
N
X
N
N
X
Pd
Cl
Cl
Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine undergoes selective C–H bond activation to afford mesoionic carbene
complexes with [IrCp*Cl2], [RuCl2(cym)], and [PdCl2]; the N-substituents of these new
carbenes are unusually remote from the metal coordination sphere.
Highlights
• A fused mesoionic pyrido-imidazolylidene was metallated with Ir, Ru, Pd
• Metallation occurs selectively at the carbon proximal to the pyridine
• Little steric protection of the mesoionic carbenes destabilizes the M–C bond
17