The Fascinating Flexibility and Coordination Modes of a Pentamethylene Connected Macrocyclic CNC Pincer Ligand

Abstract

The coordination chemistry of an electron-rich macrocyclic CNC pincer-ligand consisting of two pentamethylene tethered N-heterocyclic carbene moieties on a carbazole backbone (bimcaC5) is investigated by mainly NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structure analysis. A bridging coordination mode is found for the lithium complex. With the larger and softer potassium ion, the ligand adopts a facial coordination mode and a polymeric structure by intermolecular potassium nitrogen interactions. The facial coordination is also confirmed at a Cp*Ru fragment, while C-H activation under dehydrogenation at the alkyl chain is observed upon reaction with [Ru(PPh3)3Cl2]. In contrast, Pd(OAc)2 reacts under C-H activation at the central carbon atom of the pentamethylene tether to an alkyl-pincer macrocycle.

Keywords

• pincer ligand
• macrocycle
• N-heterocyclic carbene
• lithium
• potassium
• ruthenium