We investigated the low-valent chemistry of Al and Ga with the ligand tBuDPM, a dipyrromethene ligand scaffold with two large tBu groups in the flanking 1- and 9-positions and a mesityl group in the backbone 5-position. Attempted synthesis of (tBuDPM)AlI by reduction of (tBuDPM)AlI2 with KC8 failed. However, reduction of (tBuDPM)GaI2 (1) with K/KI led to successful isolation of (tBuDPM)GaI (3). The GaII intermediate in the reduction process crystallized as a digallane: [(tBuDPM)GaI]2 (2). Also, 3 crystallized as a dinuclear complex with a Ga–Ga bond. However, in a benzene solution, the 3 dissociates into two mononuclear complexes. Reaction of a benzene solution of (tBuDPM)GaI with excess Me3SiN3 gave the tetrazagallole product (tBuDPM)Ga[N4(SiMe3)2] (4) and not the alternative azide-amide product (tBuDPM)Ga(N3)[N(SiMe3)2], which according to calculations is thermodynamically considerably more stable. Theoretical investigations on the nature of the Ga–Ga bonds in 2 and 3 and the mechanism for selective formation of 4 have been included.
We report the conversion of anisoles and olefins to alkenyl anisoles via a transition-metal-catalyzed arene C–H activation and olefin insertion mechanism. The catalyst precursor, [(η2-C2H4)2Rh(μ-OAc)]2, and the in situ oxidant Cu(OPiv)2 (OPiv = pivalate) convert anisoles and olefins (ethylene or propylene) to alkenyl anisoles. When ethylene is used as the olefin, the o/m/p ratio varies between approximately 1:3:1 (selective for 3-methoxystyrene) and 1:5:10 (selective for 4-methoxystyrene). When propylene is the olefin, the o/m/p regioselectivity varies between approximately 1:8:20 and 1:8.5:5. The o/m/p ratios depend on the concentration of pivalic acid and olefin. For example, when using ethylene, at relatively high pivalic acid concentrations and low ethylene concentrations, the o/m/p regioselectivity is 1:3:1. Conversely, again for use of ethylene, at relatively low pivalic acid concentrations and high ethylene concentrations, the o/m/p regioselectivity is 1:5:10. Mechanistic studies of the conversion of anisoles and olefins to alkenyl anisoles provide evidence that the regioselectivity is likely under Curtin–Hammett conditions.