Published as part of the 50 Years SYNTHESIS – Golden Anniversary Issue
Key words
metalation - gallium trans-metal-trapping - carbanions - cooperative effects - lithium
- sodium
Deprotonative metalation (C–H to C–M exchange) of aryl and heteroaryl substrates is
a widely successful tool, utilised in the construction of important organic molecules,
usually producing organometallic intermediates primed for onward reactivity. Longstanding
reagents of choice in this context are alkyllithiums and lithium amides.[1] Synthetic drawbacks to these metalation transformations are commonly, poor functional
group tolerance (at convenient temperatures) and selectivity, necessitating cryogenic
reaction conditions to prevent unwanted side reactions or decomposition of the lithiated
species. One solution to these limitations is to employ metal salts such as MgCl2 or ZnCl2·2LiCl as in situ trapping agents during LiTMP metalations of arenes and N-heterocycles
in THF, in reactions that have been performed under continuous flow conditions (TMP
= 2,2,6,6,-tetramethylpiperidide).[2] A second approach is to use bimetallic systems containing two metals of different
polarity within the same molecule. These systems can be shown to behave in concert,
resulting in higher selectivity and in many cases using ambient reaction conditions
during metalation. Important examples of bimetallic formulations used in deprotonation
reactions are the classic Lochmann–Schlosser superbases,[3] Knochel’s turbo Hauser reagents,[4] and Uchiyama and Mongin’s TMP zincates.[5] This bimetallic approach, combining an alkali metal with a less electropositive
metal (e.g., Mg or Zn) into an ‘ate’ complex has been termed alkali-metal-mediated
metalation and, a series of reactivity and structural studies have demonstrated that
the high reactivity of the alkali metal can be harnessed by the less polar metal,
while retaining the advantages of selectivity that the non-alkali metal provides,
thus representing a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario.[6] Recently we have shown in our Strathclyde research groups that such prodigious metal···metal
cooperative effects can, in certain cases work in sequence in a process that has been
coined trans-metal-trapping (TMT).[7] A general depiction of TMT is given in Scheme [1], and describes a process reliant upon the stepwise reactivity of the two metal organic
reagents with the aromatic substrate. Deprotonation of the substrate with a lithium
amide base exists in a pK
a dependent equilibrium that typically lies towards the lithium amide and unreacted
aromatic substrate, meaning that when used in isolation, a stoichiometric amount of
lithium amide only delivers ca. <10% of product, when intercepted with an electrophile
such as iodine.
However, in the presence of the Lewis acidic carbophilic trap, the lithiated intermediate
can be readily intercepted, resulting in a so called crossover bimetallic complex
that stops short of full transmetalation, where separated lithium and non-lithium
metal products would form. A key aspect of this chemistry proven with lithium is that
the base and the trap do not combine to form a bimetallic complex that would be inert
towards the substrate. Functioning only on emergence of the deprotonated substrate
(carbanion), the trap inserts into the Li–C bond and drives the equilibrium towards
the desired metallated substrate.
Scheme 1 Description of trans-metal-trapping using LiTMP as base, and comparison with conventional
transmetalation
In this article we present a deeper understanding of key mechanistic insights of trans-metal-trapping
(TMT), by combining structural, reactivity, and theoretical studies, using anisole,
a classical substrate in directed ortho-metalation, as a case study. A key feature of our exploratory studies of TMT is the
stepwise reactivity exhibited by the two organometallic constituents. In this respect
the bulky tris(trimethylsilylmethyl)gallium has been demonstrated as an excellent
trap for diazine and fluoroaromatic anions, that when metallated by conventional bases
are prone to rapid decomposition.[8] Therefore this study aims to highlight the benefits of LiTMP/Ga(CH2SiMe3)3 in metalation. From a synthetic perspective, liquid Ga(CH2SiMe3)3 (hereafter GaR3) possesses good hydrocarbon solubility (similar to iBu2AlTMP another successful trapping agent)[7] giving it a decided advantage over salt traps (e.g., MgCl2, ZnCl2),[9] which generally need the use of ethereal solvents (usually THF) and often require
low temperatures to avoid competing salt metathesis reactions. More importantly, gallium
is characterised by strong carbophilicity and is therefore well equipped to sedate
ultra-sensitive anions post metalation with LiTMP. This fact is well illustrated in
our comparative studies into the metalation of fluoroarenes, where it was shown that
the resultant gallium TMT product had far superior stability against decomposition
(via benzyne formation) than the aluminium counterpart.[8b] The poor stability may also be attributed to the fluorophilicity of aluminium meaning
that aluminium traps may in general be incompatible with fluorinated substrates. Apart
from these intrinsic properties of GaR3, a key specification of the trapping reagent, as demonstrated with iBu2AlTMP previously,[7] is its inertness towards co-complexation with LiTMP, and therefore our first step
was to establish whether GaR3 is bulky enough to compromise its ability to form a weakly basic, coordinatively
saturated ate complex with LiTMP. Such separation of the organometallic reagents appears
a prerequisite for an effective TMT process, and this is underlined by the fact that
LiTMP/iBu2AlTMP mixtures are better TMT agents than LiTMP/iBu3Al mixtures, which form the aluminate LiAl(TMP)(iBu)3 in a complicated equilibrium mixture of five compounds.[7a] Thus a comparison of the 1H NMR spectra (Figure [1]) of an equimolar mixture of LiTMP and GaR3 and those of the individual components reveals that the two TMT reagents remain separate
in benzene-d
6 solution. The lack of co-complexation is best deduced by the informative singlet
at δ = 0.13 which corresponds to coincidentally overlapping CH2 and CH3 resonances of the CH2SiMe3 group on gallium.[10] Furthermore, resonances for both tetrameric and trimeric forms of LiTMP are present
and identical to those previously reported.[11]
Figure 1 Comparative 1H NMR spectra of free GaR3 (bottom), free LiTMP (middle), and a mixture of GaR3 and LiTMP (top) in C6D6
To further understand the ability (or lack thereof) to co-complexation we elected
to perform some DFT studies, in order to determine energetics of such a process, forming
a hypothetical lithium gallate I. In the optimised geometry of I the metals are connected by a TMP bridge and an alkyl bridge with another two monosilyl
groups terminally bonded to the gallium atom. GaR3 was modelled as a monomer according to its known structure in the solid state,[12] while LiTMP was modelled as a monomer, and a trimer and tetramer which are the two
known aggregates of this compound in non-polar solvents.[11] Co-complexation between monomeric LiTMP is energetically favoured (–17.1 kcal mol–1), which is unsurprising given the high energy of monomeric LiTMP (Table [1]). Crucially, co-complexation of both trimeric and tetrameric LiTMP with GaR3 are energetically disfavoured (+9.0 kcal mol–1), and in line with the finding from the solution studies.
Table 1 Comparison of DFT-Computed Relative Energies of Co-complexation of LiTMP and GaR3
 
|
|
|
n
|
ΔE Co-complexation (kcal mol–1)
|
|
1
|
–17.1
|
|
3
|
+9.0
|
|
4
|
+9.0
|
Next we determined to ascertain the effect of Lewis donor ligands on the TMT process.
In particular PMDETA (N,N,N′,N′′N′′-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) has been crucial in facilitating the crystallisation
of TMT products,[8] which is important since structural data of these complexes provide valuable information
on the modus operandi of metalation. Reaction between PMDETA, LiTMP, and GaR3 at room temperature in hexane for one hour lead to the isolation and structural
characterization of [Li{Me2NCH2CH2N(Me)CH2CH2N(Me)CH2}(TMP)GaR2] (1). The molecular structure of 1 (Figure [2], top) reveals that PMDETA has been metallated at a terminal NCH3 group. The lithium atom reveals a contacted ion pair arrangement where the two metal
centres connect through two anions, namely a TMP bridge and an ambidentate NCH2 fragment of the metallated PMDETA.
Figure 2 Molecular structure of 1 with 30% probability displacement ellipsoids (top); all hydrogen atoms except those
on metallated CH2 group of PMDETA have been omitted for clarity. Molecular structure of 2 with 30% probability displacement ellipsoids (bottom); all hydrogen atoms except
those on metallated CH2 group of TMEDA have been omitted for clarity.
Interestingly, that a TMP anion is retained in the structure might suggest that it
is GaR3 that deprotonated the substrate as the structure incorporates a TMP anion and only
two monosilyl groups on gallium. However GaR3 on its own is not a sufficiently strong base to metallate PMDETA, therefore the α-deprotonation
is based on the stepwise cooperation between LiTMP and GaR3. LiTMP deprotonates the triamine followed by the fast trans-metal-trapping process
with GaR3 yielding a proposed intermediate A (Scheme [2]) where concomitantly produced TMPH helps to fill the coordination sphere of lithium
and is thus in close proximity to GaR3. The sterically encumbered intermediate and enhanced acidity of coordinated TMPH
makes it possible for the otherwise inert gallium alkyl to react affording 1 and Me4Si.
Scheme 2 Proposed reaction sequence for the surprising formation of 1
Although we have no direct evidence for the proposed mechanism, it is supported indirectly
by the notion that triorganogallium reagents cannot deprotonate coordinating additives
such as PMDETA or TMEDA as C–H bonds adjacent to N centres in tertiary amines are
only weakly acidic. In addition, it was found that the bulkiness of a reagent such
as GaR3 precludes chelation and instead, it acts as a bridging ligand as observed in the
crystal structure of R3Ga–TMEDA–GaR3,[13] Further, to an extent, experimental support for the proposed pathway came from the
addition of a similar, but smaller Lewis donor TMEDA to the mixture of LiTMP and GaR3 from which we were able to isolate crystals of [(TMEDA)Li{Me2NCH2CH2N(Me)CH2}GaR3] (2) (Figure [2], bottom). The molecular structure of 2 has a contacted ion pair structure with three alkyl groups on gallium and no TMP
anion incorporation, reminiscent of the proposed intermediate A. Here, due to the smaller size of the diamine, N4-tetracoordinated lithium is capped with two molecules of TMEDA one of which is metallated
and the other one is neutral, completing the coordination sphere and avoiding the
close proximity of TMPH and GaR3, which would induce alkyl basicity. Confident that LiTMP and GaR3 indeed remain separate in non-coordinating solvent, yet cooperate in metalation reactions
we next tested this mixture as a TMT reagent using anisole as a benchmark molecule
in directed ortho-metalation. Thus, to a hexane suspension of equimolar amounts of GaR3 and LiTMP at room temperature, a molar equivalent of anisole was added to give a
light yellow suspension. After stirring the mixture for one hour, an equivalent of
PMDETA was added and the solution placed at –33 °C affording a crop of colourless
crystals of [(PMDETA)Li(o-C6H4OMe)GaR3] (3) in 55% isolated yield (Scheme [3]).
Scheme 3 Synthesis of [(PMDETA)Li(o-C6H4OMe)Ga(CH2SiMe3)3] (3)
The structure of 3 (Figure [3]) revealed the formation of a mixed-metal lithium gallate with the metal centres
connected by an ambidentate ortho-metallated anisole fragment giving rise to a contacted ion-pair structure. The ortho carbon of the metallated anisole fragment bonds to gallium forming a new Ga–C bond
(Ga–C13 2.0501(15) Å). The distorted tetrahedral lithium is fully solvated by the
tridentate PMDETA as well as from the oxygen atom of anisole. In these studies we
have demonstrated that LiTMP and GaR3 are a highly efficient combination of base and trap, to selectively metallate useful
aromatic molecules, illustrated by the potency of LiTMP as a base and of GaR3 in being able to stabilise the newly formed organic carbanions. Probing the synthetic
utility of 3, I2 was added as an electrophilic source in an effort to prepare 2-iodoanisole. Interestingly,
only a trace amount of ca. 1% of the quenched product was obtained, presumably reflecting
the high stability of the metallated C–Ga bond. Thus, this TMT system is excellent
in the stabilisation of incipient carbanions albeit the stability likely inhibits
the downstream utility in simple electrophilic quenching studies.
Figure 3 Molecular structure of 3 with 30% probability displacement ellipsoids; all hydrogen atoms have been omitted
for clarity
Underscoring the utility of this metal pairing, we next investigated an analogous
system using NaTMP in place of LiTMP, rationalising that the larger alkali metal may
be better equipped to form a complex with GaR3, hence limiting the ability of the system to promote TMT. Firstly a control reaction
between NaTMP and anisole in hexane at room temperature, followed by a standard iodine
quench in THF afforded only ca. 20% of 2-iodoanisole. A second control reaction of
the in situ GaR3/NaTMP mixture with PMDETA reveals metalation of a methyl group of the Lewis donor
after structural characterisation. The structure of this product [Na{Me2NCH2CH2N(Me)CH2CH2N(Me)CH2}(TMP)GaR2] (4) (Figure [4], top) is directly analogous to that of the lithium gallate 1. Anticipating that since metalation occurs in this instance, then GaR3 and NaTMP remain as separate entities in solution, GaR3 was added to NaTMP in a J. Young’s NMR tube in C6D6, causing dissolution of the normally insoluble NaTMP. The 1H NMR spectrum after 15 minutes revealed, in contrast to the case with LiTMP, that
the characteristic resonance of GaR3 was absent, indicating the surprising formation of a co-complex, albeit the resonances
are broad and indicative of either a mixture of compounds or a system undergoing a
degree of exchange. This reaction mixture was probed further by adding anisole directly
and reaction monitoring revealed a small amount of metalation alongside the signals
of coordinated anisole (Figure [5]). Further monitoring by 1H NMR details that additional metalation does not occur over an 18 hour window at
room temperature. Repeating the reaction in a Schlenk flask at room temperature in
hexane followed by addition of TMEDA after two hours stirring, and placing at 4 °C,
resulted in a crop of crystals that were characterised X-ray diffraction as [(TMEDA)Na(o-C6H4OMe)GaR3] (5, 17%) (Figure [4], bottom), a sodium analogue of 3. This result is surprising since reaction of the suggested sodium gallate with anisole
would likely possess insufficient basicity to promote metalation, comparable with
the LiTMP/iBuAl3 mixture that forms a lithium aluminate that lacks the intrinsic basicity to promote
C–H bond cleavage.[7a] Thus we attribute the reactivity as the result of unrestricted NaTMP that had not
yet formed a complex with GaR3, in accordance with the busier 1H NMR spectrum recorded after 15 minutes. Probing the co-complex formation further,
an equimolar mixture of NaTMP and GaR3 in C6D6 was monitored by 1H NMR until the spectra ceased evolving. At this point (3 days) anisole was added
and the resulting spectrum detailed that metalation does not occur, giving further
evidence to our original hypothesis and emphasizing the importance of the lithium
reagent in preventing co-complexation and therefore subdued reactivity (Figure [5]).
Figure 4 Molecular structure of 4 with 30% probability displacement ellipsoids (top); all hydrogen atoms have been
omitted for clarity except for those on the metallated CH2 group of PMDETA. Molecular structure of 5 with 30% probability displacement ellipsoids (bottom); all hydrogen atoms have been
omitted for clarity.
Figure 5 Comparative NMR spectra illustrating that as co-complex formation progresses in time
the extent of metalation decreases
Lastly we sought to investigate whether the order of addition would prejudice the
reaction in favour of the metallated (trapped) product, rationalising that pre-complexation
of anisole with Lewis acidic GaR3 would compromise the moderately slow complexation of GaR3 with NaTMP and hence result in enhanced yields of metallated products. In this case
reaction between GaR3 and anisole in a J. Young’s NMR tube in C6D6 for 15 minutes was followed by addition of NaTMP. At this point trans-metal-trapped
anisole [(TMP(H)Na(o-C6H4OMe)GaR3] (6) was observed in the 1H NMR spectrum in 74% yield against hexamethylbenzene (C6Me6) as internal standard (Scheme [4]). Addition of TMEDA to this mixture affords a spectrum reminiscent of 5.
Scheme 4 The effect of addition order in TMT using GaR3/NaTMP system. GaR3 and NaTMP form complex limiting TMT to give 5 (left). Pre-reaction of GaR3 with anisole enhances yield of 6 (right).
Repeating this reaction in a Schlenk flask and conducting an electrophilic quench
with iodine resulted in formation of 2-iodoanisole in 65% yield. That sodium gallate
5 affords 2-iodoanisole in reasonable yields after an electrophilic quench is itself
surprising since the analogous reaction with 3 only affords trace amounts of products. This clear alkali metal effect, with the
sodium gallate exhibiting far superior onward reactivity than the lithium counterpart
suggests that when paired with the appropriate secondary metal, gallium–carbon bond
functionalisation can be facile.
Finally, while we have demonstrated that the GaR3 trans-metal-trapping system is highly efficient in stabilising emergent carbanions,
post metalation with LiTMP, taking this trans-metal-trapping to the next level, that
is, using the complexes in further C-element bond formation, remains to be realised
as a routine procedure. The challenge is that since the trap must be a strong Lewis
acidic carbophilic metal complex, logically that will produce a strong metal–carbon
bond that may not be easily broken by an electrophile. Standard electrophilic quenching
strategies using either iodine, or N-bromosuccinimide proved to be unsuccessful, resulting in essentially hydrolysed material
after reaction and aqueous workup. This is rather unsurprising given the robust nature
of the Ga–C bonds formed using the LiTMP GaR3 system. Thus, we turned attention to C–C bond formation via palladium-catalysed cross-coupling
protocols. A reaction between 3, 4-bromobenzonitrile, and Pd(PPh3)4 in THF at 80 °C for 16 hours was performed. After a standard organic workup, the
cross-coupled product 2′-methoxybiphenyl-4-carbonitrile (7) was isolated in 73% yield. However the reaction yield was not reproducible (typically
yields varied in the range 50–70% on repeated runs), and variable amounts of 4-[(trimethylsilyl)methyl]benzonitrile
were obtained, indicating that under these conditions the reaction evidenced poor
selectivity. Using a different organic electrophile, benzoyl chloride, under the same
conditions resulted in a moderate 62% yield of 2-benzoylanisole (8) (Scheme [5]).
Scheme 5 Palladium-mediated C–C bond formation from 3, using 4-bromobenzonitrile or benzoyl chloride, affording 2′-methoxybiphenyl-4-carbonitrile
or 2-benzoylanisole, respectively
Rationalising that under the reasonably harsh reaction conditions required to promote
cross-coupling, competing reaction of a CH2SiMe3 occurs, we decided to perform one more reaction between the homoleptic lithium gallate
LiGaR4, and 4-iodoacetophenone. Once more the cross-coupled product was formed in a moderate
62% yield against a ferrocene internal standard. Thus while we demonstrate a rare
example of gallium-based cross-coupling,[8b]
[14] conclusions can be drawn. A major facet of the trans-metal-trapping strategy is
the stabilisation of incipient carbanions by forming strong C–Ga bonds. This however,
as one would expect, appears to be problematic, from the standpoint of facile onward
reactivity. Thus, this case study clearly suggests a way forward for trans-metal-trapping.
Finding new pairings of base and trapping agent that do not co-complex in the mild
conditions used in reaction is the first goal since the lack of co-complexation promotes
higher yielding processes. The choice of trap should also fulfil two requirements:
(i) the atom should be able to form strong enough M–C bonds to stabilise the frequently
sensitive metalation anions; (ii) the resulting M–C bonds should also be labile enough
to promote straightforward reactivity into more complicated and synthetically useful
bis-aryl or heteroaryl molecules. Moreover, despite the fact that the LiTMP/GaR3 system is a superior base/trap pairing, the NaTMP/GaR3 system is more predisposed to favour onward Ga–C functionalisation. Replacing lithium
by sodium as the pre-eminent metallating agent would be attractive from a sustainability
viewpoint given their comparative earth abundance. Future work will determine whether
this alkali metal effect is due primarily to sodium versus lithium or whether the
different coordination spheres involved (e.g., TMEDA versus PMDETA) influences the
remarkable difference in iodination efficiency. Current work in our laboratories is
focussed on meeting these goals by incorporating the crucial elements into new trans-metal-trapping
systems.
All reactions and manipulations were conducted under a protective argon atmosphere
using either standard Schlenk techniques or an MBraun glove box fitted with a gas
purification and recirculation unit. NMR experiments were conducted in J. Young’s
tubes oven dried and flushed with argon prior to use. Hexane, toluene, and THF were
dried by heating to reflux over sodium benzophenone ketyl and then distilled under
N2 prior to use. All other reagents were purchased commercially from Sigma-Aldrich and
dried via distillation (where appropriate) from the appropriate drying agent prior
to use. LiTMP[11] and Ga(CH2SiMe3)3
[15] were prepared as previously described or by slight variations thereof. NMR Spectroscopy:
NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AV3 or AV 400 MHz spectrometer operating at
400.13 MHz for 1H, 376.46 MHz for 7Li and 100.62 MHz for 13C. All 13C spectra were proton decoupled. 1H and 13C NMR spectra were referenced against the appropriate solvent signal. 7Li NMR spectra were referenced against LiCl in D2O at δ = 0.00. X-ray Crystallography: Crystallographic data were collected on Oxford
Diffraction instruments with Mo Kα radiation (λ = 0.71073 Å) or Cu Kα radiation (λ
= 1.54184 Å). Structures were solved using SHELXS[16a] or OLEX2,[16b] while refinement was carried out on F2 against all independent reflections by the full matrix least-squares method using
the SHELXL programs or by the GaussNewton algorithm using OLEX2. All non-hydrogen
atoms were refined using anisotropic thermal parameters. Selected crystallographic
details and refinement details are provided in Table S1. CCDC 1880970–1880974 contains
the supplementary crystallographic data for these structures. These data can be obtained
free of charge from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre via www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/getstructures.
DFT computational studies[17] employing the B3LYP method[18]
[19] and the 6-311G(d,p) basis set.[20]
[(PMDETA)Li(o-C6H4OMe)Ga(CH2SiMe3)3] (3)
[(PMDETA)Li(o-C6H4OMe)Ga(CH2SiMe3)3] (3)
To a suspension of LiTMP (0.074 g, 0.5 mmol) and Ga(CH2SiMe3)3 (0.165 g, 0.5 mmol) in hexane (10 mL), an equivalent of anisole (0.054 g, 54 μL,
0.5 mmol) was added at r.t. As soon as anisole was added, a yellow fine suspension
was formed which persisted during stirring for 1 hour at r.t. PMDETA (0.11 mL, 0.5
mmol) was added, the solvent was exchanged in vacuo for toluene and the yellow solution
placed in freezer to obtain 3 (0.17 g, 55%) as colourless crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis.
1H NMR (400.13 MHz, 298 K, THF-d
8): δ = 7.44 (d, 1 H, Ar-H), 6.78 (t, 1 H, Ar-H), 6.53 (t, 1 H, p-CH), 6.40 (d, 1 H, Ar-H), 6.40 (d, 1 H, Ar-H), 3.59 (s, 3 H, OCH
3), 2.47 (m, 4 H, NCH
2CH
2N), 2.37 (m, 4 H, NCH
2CH
2N), 2.26 (s, 3 H, NCH
3), 2.20 [s, 12 H, N(CH
3)2], –0.19 [s, 27 H, Si(CH
3)3], –0.85 (s, 6 H, CH
2SiMe3).
13C NMR (100.62 MHz, 298 K, THF-d
8): δ = 166.7 (Ar-C), 155.2 (C-Ga), 138.8 (Ar-C), 125.0 (Ar-C), 120.9 (Ar-C), 119.4 (Ar-C), 107.5 (Ar-C), 58.5 (PMDETA), 56.2 (PMDETA), 54.3 (OCH3), 46.0 (PMDETA), 43.7 (PMDETA), 3.9 [Si(CH3)3], 0.5 (CH2SiMe3).
7Li NMR (376.46 MHz, 298 K, THF-d
8): δ = 0.14.
Anal. Calcd for C28H63GaLiN3OSi3: C, 54.35; H, 10.26; N, 6.79. Found: C, 54.95; H, 9.94; N, 7.55.
[(TMEDA)Na(o-C6H4OMe)Ga(CH2SiMe3)3] (5)
[(TMEDA)Na(o-C6H4OMe)Ga(CH2SiMe3)3] (5)
In a Schlenk flask, Ga(CH2SiMe3)3 (0.33 g, 1 mmol) and NaTMP (0.163 g, 1 mmol) were suspended in hexane and stirred
at r.t. for 1 h. To this mixture, one equivalent of anisole (0.11 mL, 1 mmol) was
added, retaining the white suspension, and stirred at r.t. for a further 2 h. Upon
addition of TMEDA (0.21 mL, 1 mmol), a colourless solution was obtained which, with
slow cooling to 4 °C, produced a crop of colourless crystals of 5 (98 mg, 17%).
1H NMR (400.13 MHz, 298 K, C6D6): δ = 8.00 (dd, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.09 (td, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.04 (td, 1 H, Ar-H), 6.56 (dd, 1 H, Ar-H), 6.40, 3.46 (s, 3 H, OCH
3), 1.59 [s, 12 H, N(CH
3)2], 1.54 (s, 4 H, NCH
2CH
2N), 0.33 [s, 27 H, Si(CH
3)3], –0.51 (s, 6 H, CH
2SiMe3).
13C NMR (100.62 MHz, 298 K, C6D6): δ = 165.1 (Ar-C), 149.7 (C-Ga), 141.4 (Ar-C), 127.9 (Ar-C), 123.0 (Ar-C), 112.2 (Ar-C), 56.9 (OCH3), 56.5 (TMEDA), 45.1 (TMEDA), 3.6 [Si(CH3)3], –0.7 (CH2SiMe3).
2′-Methoxybiphenyl-4-carbonitrile (7)
2′-Methoxybiphenyl-4-carbonitrile (7)
To a solution of 3 (200 mg, 0.323 mmol) in THF (8 mL) were added 4-bromobenzonitrile (59 mg, 0.323 mmol)
and Pd(PPh3)4 (18 mg 5 mol%). The mixture was then stirred at reflux temperature for 16 h. After
removal of all volatiles in vacuo, the residue was extracted with Et2O (20 mL), then washed with H2O (2 × 10 mL) and brine (2 × 10 mL). The organic phase was then dried (MgSO4) and concentrated. Column chromatography (silica gel, hexane/EtOAc 95:5–90:10) afforded
7 (49 mg, 0.24 mmol, 73%) as a colourless oil; Rf
= 0.45. 1H and 13C NMR spectra are in agreement with those previously published.[21]
2-Benzoylanisole (8)
To a solution of 3 (200 mg, 0.323 mmol) in THF (8 mL) were added Pd(PPh3)4 (18 mg, 5 mol%) followed by benzoyl chloride (0.037 mL, 0.323 mmol) via syringe.
The mixture was then stirred at reflux temperature for 16 h. After removal of all
volatiles in vacuo, the residue was extracted with Et2O (20 mL), then washed with H2O (2 × 10 mL) and brine (2 × 10 mL). The organic phase was then dried (MgSO4) and concentrated. Column chromatography (silica gel, hexane/EtOAc 95:5–90:10) afforded
8 (43 mg, 0.20 mmol, 62%) as a colourless solid; Rf
= 0.35. 1H and 13C NMR spectra are in agreement with those previously published.[22]
NMR Study: Synthesis of [(TMP(H)Na(o-C6H4OMe)GaR3] (6)
NMR Study: Synthesis of [(TMP(H)Na(o-C6H4OMe)GaR3] (6)
In a J. Young’s NMR tube, Ga(CH2SiMe3)3 (83 mg, 0.25 mmol) and anisole (27 μL, 0.25 mmol) were combined together in C6D6 solvent affording a colourless solution. 1H NMR analysis confirmed no reactivity had occurred between these two species. To
this mixture, NaTMP (41 mg, 0.25 mmol) was added and upon dissolution gave a colourless
solution. Analysis by 1H NMR spectroscopy indicated metalation of anisole had occurred in 74% yield (using
C6Me6 as an internal standard) to give 6. [Note: TMP(H) resonances are lower frequency by ~0.3 ppm than ‘free’ TMP(H); we
propose this is due to coordination of TMP(H) to Na in the absence of any other donor
molecules.) Finally, addition of TMEDA (38 μL, 0.25 mmol) resulted in its coordination
to the sodium centre and release of TMP(H) (confirmed by 1H NMR).
[(TMP(H)Na(o-C6H4OMe)GaR3] (6)
[(TMP(H)Na(o-C6H4OMe)GaR3] (6)
1H NMR (400.13 MHz, 298 K, C6D6): δ = 7.97 (dd, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.09 (m, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.02 (td, 1 H, p-CH), 6.61 (d, 1 H, Ar-H), 3.46 (s, 3 H, OCH
3), 2.08 (s, C6Me6), 1.28 [m, 2 H, γ-TMP(H)], 0.92 [t, 4 H, β-TMP(H)], 0.70 [s, 12 H, CH
3 of TMP(H)], 0.26 [s, 28 H, Si(CH
3)3 + TMP(H)], –0.57 (s, 6 H, CH
2SiMe3).
Post-TMEDA Addition:
1H NMR (400.13 MHz, 298 K, C6D6): δ = 7.90 (dd, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.06 (m, 1 H, Ar-H), 6.98 (td, 1 H, p-CH), 6.58 (d, 1 H, Ar-H), 3.48 (s, 3 H, OCH
3), 2.08 (s, C6Me6), 1.65 (m, 16 H, TMEDA), 1.53 [m, 2 H, γ-TMP(H)], 1.24 [t, 4 H, β-TMP(H)], 1.05 [s,
12 H, CH
3 of TMP(H)], 0.25 [s, 28 H, Si(CH
3)3 + TMP(H)], –0.59 (s, 6 H, CH
2SiMe3).
NMR Study: Synthesis of [(PMDETA)Li(o-C6H4OMe)Ga(CH2SiMe3)3] (3)
NMR Study: Synthesis of [(PMDETA)Li(o-C6H4OMe)Ga(CH2SiMe3)3] (3)
In a J. Young’s NMR tube, equimolar amounts of Ga(CH2SiMe3)3 (83 mg, 0.25 mmol) and LiTMP (36 mg, 0.25 mmol) were combined in C6D6 (0.5 mL) resulting in a white suspension. Addition of anisole (27 μL, 0.25 mmol)
was then performed and allowed to react for 1 h at r.t. with a white suspension persisting.
Dissolution was achieved by the addition of PMDETA (53 μL, 0.25 mmol) to afford a
yellow solution; compound 3 was obtained in 75% yield (1H NMR with C6Me6 as internal standard).
1H NMR (400.13 MHz, 298 K, C6D6): δ = 8.19 (d, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.06 (t, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.02 (dt, 1 H, p-CH), 6.31 (d, 1 H, Ar-H), 3.44 (s, 3 H, OCH
3), 2.03 (s, 3 H, NCH
3), 1.83 (m, 4 H, NCH
2CH
2N), 1.75 (m, 4 H, NCH
2CH
2N), 1.57 [s, 12 H, N(CH
3)2], 0.32 [s, 27 H, Si(CH
3)3], –0.34 (s, 6 H, CH
2SiMe3).
13C NMR (100.62 MHz, 298 K, C6D6): δ = 164.6 (Ar-C), 142.6 (Ar-C), 131.7 (C-Ga), 124.3 (Ar-C), 125.9 (Ar-C), 116.5 (Ar-C), 62.7 (OCH3), 57.2 (PMDETA), 53.5 (PMDETA), 45.6 (PMDETA), 44.5 (PMDETA), 4.1 [Si(CH3)3], 1.5 (CH2SiMe3).
7Li NMR (376.46 MHz, 298 K, C6D6): δ = 0.10.
Metalation of Anisole followed by Electrophilic Quenching Using I2: NaTMP + Anisole
Metalation of Anisole followed by Electrophilic Quenching Using I2: NaTMP + Anisole
In a Schlenk flask, NaTMP (0.163 g, 1 mmol) was suspended in hexane (10 mL) at r.t.
To this, anisole (0.11 mL, 1 mmol) was added affording a white suspension, and the
mixture was stirred at r.t. for 2 h. In a separate Schlenk tube, a solution of I2 (6 mmol) was prepared in THF (10 mL). Both Schlenk tubes were then cooled to –78
°C in an acetone/dry ice bath and stirred for 20 min until completely cooled. Then,
the I2/THF solution was syphoned into the mixture at –78 °C and allowed to slowly warm up
to r.t. over 16 h. Workup of the mixture was achieved by addition of sat. aq Na2S2O3 solution until bleaching occurred (approx. 20 mL), followed by addition of sat. aq
NH4Cl (10 mL). The mixture was then extracted with EtOAc (3 × 10 mL) and the combined
organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL), dried (MgSO4), and filtered. All organic solvents were then removed under reduced pressure to
give a brown solid; 2-iodoanisole was obtained in 20% yield (NMR using C6Me6 a internal standard in CDCl3). Spectroscopic values obtained are in good agreement with those previously reported
in the literature.[23]
Metalation of Anisole followed by Electrophilic Quenching Using I2: LiTMP (or NaTMP) + GaR3 + Anisole
Metalation of Anisole followed by Electrophilic Quenching Using I2: LiTMP (or NaTMP) + GaR3 + Anisole
In a Schlenk flask, LiTMP (0.146 g, 1 mmol) and Ga(CH2SiMe3)3 (0.33 g, 1 mmol) were suspended in hexane (10 mL) at r.t. To this, anisole (0.11
mL, 1 mmol) was added retaining a white suspension, and the mixture was stirred at
r.t. for 2 h [for NaTMP (0.163 g, 1 mmol) reaction, the order of addition was reversed
so that NaTMP was added last]. In a separate Schlenk tube, a solution of I2 (6 mmol) was prepared in THF (10 mL). Both flasks were then cooled to –78 °C in an
acetone/dry ice bath and stirred for 20 min until completely cooled. Then, the I2/THF solution was syphoned into the mixture at –78 °C and allowed to slowly warm up
to r.t. overnight (approx. 16 h in total). Workup of the mixture was achieved by addition
of sat. aq Na2S2O3 solution until bleaching occurred (approx. 20 mL), followed by addition of sat. aq
NH4Cl (10 mL). The mixture was then extracted with EtOAc (3 × 10 mL) and the combined
organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL), dried (MgSO4), and filtered. All organic solvents were then removed under reduced pressure to
give a brown solid. The yield of 2-iodoanisole was 65% (using NaTMP) and 1.5% (LiTMP)
(NMR using C6Me6 as internal standard in CDCl3). NMR data are in agreement with those previously published for 2-iodoanisole.[23]
