The present thesis comprises synthesis and stoichiometric model reactions of well-defined NHC-stabilized copper(I) complexes (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) in order to understand their basic reactivity in borylation and cross-coupling reactions. This also includes the investigations of the reactivity of the ligands used (NHCs and CaaCs = cyclic alkyl(amino)carbenes) with the substrates, i.e. diboron(4) esters and arylboronates, which are addressed in the second part of the thesis. / Die dargelegte Arbeit gliedert sich in zwei Teile. In einem ersten wird die Synthese sowie stöchiometrische Modell-Reaktionen von definierten NHC-stabilisierten Kupfer(I)-Komplexen (NHC = N-heterocyclisches Carben) untersucht, um Einblick in das grundlegende Reaktionsverhalten in Borylierungs- und Kreuzkupplungsreaktionen zu erlangen. Der zweite Teil adressiert die Reaktivität der eingesetzten Liganden (NHCs und CaaCs = cyclische Alkyl Amino Carbene) gegenüber verwendeten sowie möglichen Substraten (Arylboronsäureester und Diboran(4)-Verbindungen).

This thesis examines the interaction of hydrides of the group 13 metals aluminium and gallium with transition metal centres. Furthermore, a gallium-based system is developed which activates a wide range of E-H bonds, with the product of H₂ activation found to act as a catalyst for the reduction of CO₂ to a methanol derivative. Chapter 3 details the synthesis of a number of alane and gallane adducts of expanded-ring N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, which are more strongly σ-donating and sterically shielding analogues of classical NHCs. These NHC adducts are found to be apposite for the formation of σ-alane and σ-gallane complexes at group 6 metal carbonyl fragments, which has allowed the characterisation of the first κ² σ-gallane complexes. The attempted formation of a terminally coordinated κ³ σ-alane complex leads instead to the isolation of a novel dinuclear cluster featuring both μ:κ¹,κ¹ and μ:κ²,κ² coordination to Mo(CO)₃ units. The work presented in Chapter 4 probes the interaction of the β-diketiminate stabilised gallane Dipp₂NacNacGaH₂ with transition metal carbonyls. Far from simply mimicking the chemistry of the alane congener Dipp₂NacNacAlH₂, which forms simple κ¹ and κ² σ-alane complexes, the gallane shows a marked propensity towards dehydrogenation and formation of direct M-Ga(I) bonds. This represents a rare mode of reactivity among group 13 hydrides, being unprecedented beyond boron chemistry, and provides a new route to M-Ga bond formation. Experimental and computational investigations of the mechanism suggest that initial Ga-H oxidative addition is facile, and is generally followed by rate-limiting loss of H₂. The reaction of Dipp2NacNacAlH2 with Co₂(CO)₂ is shown to yield an unusual alane complex which displays an unprecedented degree of Al-H activation in a σ-alane complex. Chapter 5 represents an extension of the work described in Chapter 5, investigating the interaction of Dipp₂NacNacMH₂ (M = Al, Ga) with cationic group 9 transition metal fragments supported by ancillary phosphine ligands. While attempts to isolate unsupported, cationic σ-alane complexes prove unsuccessful, Dipp₂NacNacGaH₂ readily binds to cationic rhodium and iridium centres, forming the first cationic σ-gallane complexes as well as cationic gallylene complexes resulting from complete Ga-H oxidative addition. The extent of Ga-H bond activation is shown to be markedly dependent on the nature of the phosphine co-ligands. In particular, a series of rhodium complexes is reported which represents snapshots of the oxidative addition process, from a Rh(I) σ-gallane complex to a Rh(III) gallylene dihydride, with two further complexes which are on the cusp of these two oxidation states. Described in Chapter 6 are the synthesis and reactivity studies of an ambiphilic system, Dipp₂NacNac′Ga(^tBu), featuring a three-coordinate gallium centre supported by a deprotonated NacNac ligand. The combination of this electrophilic gallium centre with the highly nucleophilic exocyclic alkene functionality facilitates the cooperative activation of protic, hydridic and apolar E-H bonds. Accordingly, molecules including H₂, NH₃, H₂S and SiH4 may be cleaved under mild conditions. Moreover, the hydride product of H₂ activation is shown to be a competent catalyst in conjunction with HBpin for the reduction of CO₂ to the methanol derivative MeOBpin.

Substitution of MeCN ligands in the activated cluster Os3(CO)10(MeCN)2 by the unsaturated diphosphine ligands (Z)-Ph2PCH=CHPPh2 (cDPPEn) or 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd) proceeds rapidly at room temperature to furnish the ligand-bridged cluster 1,2-Os3(CO)10(P-P) (P-P represents cDPPEn or bpcd). Heating 1,2-Os3(CO)10(P-P) leads to the formation of the thermodynamically more stable chelating isomer 1,1-Os3(CO)10(P-P). Each compound of Os3(CO)10(P-P) has been characterized by x-ray diffraction, IR, 31P NMR and 1H NMR. Ligand isomerization kinetics have been investigated by UV-VIS and 31P NMR (for cDPPEn) or 1H NMR (for bpcd) spectroscopies. The isomerization mechanism is discussed based on the activation parameters and CO inhibition (for cDPPEn) or ligand trapping experiments (for bpcd). Thermolysis of 1,1-Os3(CO)10(bpcd) in refluxing toluene gives the hydrido cluster HOs3(CO)9[μ-(PPh2)C=C{PPh(C6H4)}C(O)CH2C(O)] and the benzyne cluster HOs3(CO)8(μ3-C6H4)[μ2,η1-PPhC=C(PPh2)C(O)CH2C(O)]. Photolysis of 1,1-Os3(CO)10(bpcd) using near UV light affords HOs3(CO)9[μ-(PPh2)C=C{PPh(C6H4)}C(O)CH2C(O)] as the sole product. HOs3(CO)8(μ3-C6H4)[μ2,η1-PPhC=C(PPh2)C(O)CH2C(O)] has been characterized in solution by IR and NMR spectroscopies. Furthermore its molecular structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Reversible C-H bond formation in HOs3(CO)9[μ-(PPh2)C=C{PPh(C6H4)}C(O)CH2C(O)] is demonstrated by ligand trapping studies to give 1,1-Os3(CO)9L(bpcd) (where L = CO, phosphine) via the unsaturated intermediate 1,1-Os3(CO)9(bpcd). The kinetics for reductive coupling in HOs3(CO)9[γ-(PPh2)C=C{PPh(C6H4)}C(O)CH2C(O)] and DOs3(CO)9[μ-(PPh2-d10)C=C{P(Ph-d5)(C6D4)}C(O)CH2C(O)] in the presence of PPh3 give rise to a kH/kD value of 0.88, whose magnitude supports the existence of a preequilibrium involving the hydride(deuteride) cluster and a transient arene-bound Os3 species that precedes the rate-limiting formation of 1,1-Os3(CO)9(bpcd). Strong proof for the proposed hydride(deuteride)/arene preequilibrium has been obtained from photochemical studies employing the isotopically labeled cluster 1,1-Os3(CO)10(bpcd-d4ortho), whose bpcd phenyl groups each contain one ortho hydrogen and deuterium atom. Equilibrium and kinetic isotope effects in the orthometallation step has been determined by 1H NMR in photochemical studies. Kinetics for the transformation from HOs3(CO)9[μ-(PPh2)C=C{PPh(C6H4)}C(O)CH2C(O)] to HOs3(CO)8(μ3-C6H4)[μ2,η1-PPhC=C(PPh2)C(O)CH2C(O)] has been studied by UV-VIS spectroscopy for which the mechanism is discussed.

This thesis examines the effects of coordinating highly sterically demanding and strongly electron donating saturated N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) at late transition metal centres. Chapter III details the synthesis of a range of iridium complexes of the type (NHC)2IrHxCly [x = 1, 2; y = 0, 1], bearing the saturated NHCs 5-Mes, 6-Mes and 7-Mes. Unusually facile activation chemistry is observed in the reaction of [Ir(COE)2Cl]2 with 6-Mes and 7-Mes to form the doubly cyclometallated species (6-Mes')2IrH and (7-Mes')2IrH, which were fully characterised. The responses of these complexes to the addition of dihydrogen and HCl were studied, leading to the controlled synthesis of range of precursors to 14-electron iridium cations. In Chapter IV the formation of low valent iridium cations with weakly coordinating anions is targeted. Isolation of the cationic complexes [(NHC)(NHC')IrH][BArf4] and [(NHC)2IrH2][BArf4] (NHC = 6-Mes, 7-Mes) showcases the stabilising power offered by these expanded ring systems. This allowed the study the interaction of these low valent species with a range of amine-borane substrates which are known to be readily dehydrogenated. Thermodynamic data on the C-H bond activation processes occurring at these iridium centres were able to be obtained due to facile, reversible oxidative addition of C-H bonds across the 14-electron iridium. Chapter V focuses on the effects of increasing the steric bulk of these NHCs to limit the coordination of multiple ligands at the metal centre. Use of 2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl (Dipp) groups on the expanded ring NHCs, instead of mesityl groups, leads to an unprecedented mode of reactivity with [Ir(COE)2Cl]2. Activation and cleavage of C-N bonds in the carbene ring is observed, resulting in an open chain ligand chelating to the metal centre. Activation of the backbone in this manner has allowed the synthesis of saturated NHCs bearing a weakly coordinating anion on the ring. Here the first example of an anionic, saturated NHC is reported. In Chapter VI these highly sterically demanding NHCs are exploited to stabilise active species in low valent gold chemistry. The extreme steric bulk of the 6-Dipp ligand disfavours reduction of Au(I) to Au(0), however the resulting cation is observed to interact strongly with the weakly coordinating anion, [BArf4]-. Thus, attempts were made to optimise the anion and conditions to isolate a catalytically relevant intermediate. The strong donating power of these expanded ring NHCs is also exploited to activate gold hydride complexes of the type (NHC)AuH (NHC = 6-Dipp, 7-Dipp). Analogues of [H3]+ containing gold atoms ([{LAu}2H]+ and [LAuH2]+) supported by expanded ring NHCs were also targeted.

Le manuscrit présente une étude approfondie sur l'hydrogénation/cyclisation de cyano-aminoboranes pour la synthèse de composés BN cycliques catalysée par un complexe de ruthénium. Le premier chapitre est une introduction bibliographique mettant en évidence l'intérêt des molécules BN cycliques et décrivant les étapes élémentaires clés dans les systèmes catalytiques impliquant l'activation de la liaison B-H et la réduction de la liaison CN menant, en particulier, à la formation d'une liaison B-N. On se concentrera sur la réactivité des complexes bis (dihydrogène), RuH2(H2)2(PR3)2, avec les liaisons B-H et CN. Le deuxième chapitre présente la synthèse et la caractérisation d'une série de cyano- aminoboranes ainsi que leur transformation catalytique en utilisant RuH2(H2)2(PR3)2 sous H2. Les 1H-2,1-benzazaboroles cycliques correspondants sont formés de manière sélective et caractérisés par RMN, IR, rayons X et HRMS. Le troisième chapitre détaille l'étude mécanistique sur le processus catalytique avec la découverte de quelques étapes élémentaires, l'isolement d'un complexe comportant le substrat en transformation et la compréhension des processus d'activation des liaisons B-H et C=N. Des réactions stœchiométriques, des expériences de RMN à température variable et des calculs théoriques seront notamment analysées. Le quatrième chapitre contient une étude du potentiel synthétique du parent 1H-2,1-benzazaborole nouvellement formé. Sa réactivité en conditions basiques ainsi que sa transformation catalytique en utilisant des procédés bien établis impliquant la rupture d'une liaison N-H sont évaluées. Le cas spécifique de la cyclotrimérisation des 1H-2,1-benzazaboroles en borazines cycliques est détaillé au chapitre 5 ainsi qu'une étude de leurs propriétés optoélectroniques. / The manuscript presents an in-depth study on the ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogenation/cyclization of cyano-aminoboranes for the synthesis of cyclic BN-compounds. The first chapter is a bibliographic introduction highlighting the interest in cyclic BN-molecules and describing key elementary steps in catalytic systems involving B-H bond activation and CN bond reduction, leading in particular to B?N bond formation. A focus on the reactivity of the bis(dihydrogen) complexes, RuH2(H2)2(PR3)2, with B-H and CN bonds will be provided. The second chapter presents the synthesis and characterization of a series of cyano-aminoboranes along with their catalytic transformation using RuH2(H2)2 (PCy3)2 under H2. The corresponding cyclic 1H-2,1-benzazaboroles are cleanly formed and characterized by NMR, IR, X-ray, and HRMS. The third chapter details a mechanistic investigation on the catalytic process with the discovery of some elementary steps, the isolation of a complex featuring the substrate in transformation, and the understanding of the hydrogen transfer processes. Stoichiometric reactions, variable temperature NMR experiments and theoretical calculations will be in particular analyzed. The fourth chapter contains a study on the synthetic potential of the newly formed 1H-2,1-benzazaborole parent. Its reactivity in basic conditions as well as its catalytic transformation using well-established N-H bond cleavage systems are assessed. The specific case of cyclotrimerization of 1H-2,1-benzazaboroles into cyclic borazines is detailed in chapter 5 along with a study on their optoelectronic properties.

Photovoltaic cells and fluorescence sensing are two important areas of research in chemistry. The combination of photon-activated electron donors with electron acceptors provides a strong platform for the study of optical devices. A series of four oligothiophene-ruthenium complexes has been synthesized. Variation in oligothiophene length and bipyridine substitution allowed comparison of these variables on electronic properties. The longer oligothiophenes display lower energy absorption and emission compared to the shorter ones. Aromatic conjugation appears more complete with para-, rather than meta-, substitution. Oligothiophenes and Ru(bpy)32+ are highly fluorescent individually, but fluorescence is quenched when connected. Bonds of carbon to fluorine are among the strongest single bonds. Single bonds between carbon and hydrogen are also very strong and are ubiquitous. The ability to manipulate these bonds is of great interest to chemists. Two tungsten metal complexes, [6 (perfluorophenyl)bipyridyl] tetracarbonyltungsten and [6-(phenyl)bipyridyl]tetracarbonyltungsten, were prepared for mechanistic C-F and C-H bond activation studies, respectively. These compounds were synthesized through Stille and Suzuki coupling of commercial reagents. Ligands were then bound to tungsten to form the tetracarbonyl complexes.

N-phenylpyridin-2-amine , treated with stochiometric amount of palladium(II) acetate in dichloromethane at 65-70¢J for 4 h, to give high yield palladacycle 53. The reaction of palladacycle 53 with potassium aryltrifluoroborates in 1,4-dioxane at 140¢J for 24 h, could give a variety of N-(2-pyridinyl)carbazoles 55a-55m via sequential C-H bond activation. Carbazole derivative 55a reacted with irdium chloride gave iridium dimer, which followed by addition of picolinic acid via ligand exchange will form iridium complexes, which can further be utilized as OLEDs materials.

This thesis is composed of two parts. The palladium-catalysted synthesis of 2-arylphenols and carbazoles via carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bond activation is described. Treatment of 2-phenoxypyridines with two and a half equivalents of potassium aryltrifluoroborate and 10 mol % of Pd(OAc)2 in the presence of two equivalents of Ag2CO3, one equivalent of p-benzoquinone (BQ), and four equivalents of DMSO with (or without) H2O at 130-140 oC for 48 h in dried CH2Cl2 gave the ortho-arylated 2-phenoxypyridines in modest to excellent yields. The investigation of kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD) is determined to be 5.25, which indicates that C-H bond cleavage occurs in the rate-determining step. 2-(Biphenyl-2-yloxy)pyridines was treated with methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate and subsequently sodium methoxide to give the 2-arylphenols to demonstrate the pyridine is a removable directing group. On the other hand, a novel one-pot synthesis for N-pyridylcarbazoles by the reaction of N-phenylpyridin-2-amines with potassium aryltrifluoroborates using Pd(OAc)2 as the catalyst is presented. For instance, reaction of N-phenylpyridin-2-amines with four equivalents of potassium aryltrifluoroborate under the optimal reaction condition gave N-pyridylcarbazoles in 67% yield along with N-(biphenyl-2-yl)pyridin-2-amine in 13% yield. The investigation of kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD) for first C-H bond activation/C-C bond formation step is determined to be 2.14, and that of the second C-H bond activation/C-N bond formation steps is 1.18. On the basis of KIE analysis, it might indicate that first C-H activation undergo direct C-H bond cleacage, and second step should be via electrophilic aromatic substitution.

A one-pot synthesis of ortho-arylated 9-(pyridin-2-yl)-9H-carbazoles via C-H bond activation, in which palladium(II)-catalyzed cross-coupling of 9-(pyridin-2-yl)-9H-carbazoles with potassium aryltrifluoroborates is presented. Silver nitrate and tert-butanol were proved to be the best oxidant and solvent for the process, respectively. The product yields fluctuated from modest to excellent, and the reaction showed sufficient functional group tolerance. p-Benzoquinone served as an important ligand for the transmetalation and reductive elimination steps in the catalytic process. The key intermediate of the reaction, 9-(pyridin-2-yl)-9H-carbazole palladacycle was isolated and confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD) for the C-H bond activation step was measured as 0.87. In addition, Hammett experiment gave a negative rho value, -2.14 with a reasonable correlation (R2 = 0.90). The directing group, pyridyl was demonstrated as a removable functional group. Finally, a rational catalytic mechanism is presented based on all experimental evidence.

The results from density functional theory (DFT) studies into C–H bond activation, hydrogen transfer, and alkyne–to–vinylidene isomerization are presented in this work. The reaction mechanism for the reductive elimination (RE) of methane from [ κ3- TpPtIV(CH3)2H (1)] (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) by oxidative addition (OA) of benzene to form [ κ3-TpPtIV(Ph)2H] (19) was investigated through DFT calculations. For 31 density functionals, the calculated values for the barriers to methane formation (Ba1) and release (Ba2) from 1 were benchmarked against the experimentally reported values of 26 (Ba1) and 35 (Ba2) kcal•mol-1, respectively. The values for Ba1 and Ba2, calculated at the B3LYP/DZP level of theory, are 24.6 and 34.3 kcal•mol-1, respectively. The best performing functional was BPW91 where the m.a.e. for the calculated values of the two barriers is 0.68 kcal•mol-1. Classic and newly proposed mechanisms for metal-mediated hydrogen transfer (HT) were analyzed with density functional theory (DFT) and Bader's "Atoms In Molecules" (AIM) analysis. Seven sets of bonding patterns that characterize theconnectivity in metal-mediate HT were found from the analysis of representative models for σ-bond metathesis ( σBM), oxidative addition / reductive elimination (OA/RE), and alternative mechanisms. The mechanism for the formation of the alkynyl, vinylidene complex, [(PiPr3)2Rh(CCPh)(CC(H)(Ph))] (2), by the addition of two equivalents of phenylacetylene (PA) to [( η3-C3H5)Rh(PiPr3)2] (1) was studied through DFT calculations. Two experimentally observed intermediates on the reaction coordinate are the η2-PA, alkynyl complex, [(PiPr3)2Rh( η2-HCCPh)(CCPh)] (Ia) and the fivecoordinate, pseudo square-pyramidal, RhIII–H complex, [(PiPr3)2Rh(H)(CCPh)2] (Ib), and were found to be in equilibrium. The relative energies of Ia, Ib, and 2 (relative to 1 + 2PA) depend on the phosphine that was used in the calculation; the predicted product is 2 with PiPr3 and PEt3 but Ia with PMe3, PMe2Ph, PMePh2, PPh3, and PH3. The equilibrium between Ia and Ib was calculated with PEt3 and one conformation of PiPr3. We investigated the mechanism for the formation of 2 from Ia, and a lower energy pathway where the π-bound PA of Ia slips to bind through the σ-C–H bond prior to the formation of 2 through hydrogen migration was found.