Open AccessCatalysis of Alkene Epoxidation by a Series of Gallium(III) Complexes with Neutral N-Donor Ligands
Author(s) -
Wenchan Jiang,
John D. Gorden,
Christian R. Goldsmith
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 233
eISSN - 1520-510X
pISSN - 0020-1669
DOI - 10.1021/ic400570h
Subject(s) - chemistry , denticity , ethylenediamine , medicinal chemistry , ligand (biochemistry) , catalysis , olefin fiber , alkene , reactivity (psychology) , phenanthroline , stereochemistry , chelation , gallium , metal , organic chemistry , receptor , medicine , biochemistry , alternative medicine , pathology
Six gallium(III) complexes with N-donor ligands were synthesized to study the mechanism of Ga(III)-catalyzed olefin epoxidation. These include 2:1 ligand/metal complexes with the bidentate ligands ethylenediamine, 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline, and 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline, as well as 1:1 ligand/metal complexes with the tetradentate N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine, the potentially pentadentate N,N,N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine, and the potentially hexadentate N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine. In solution, each of the three pyridylamine ligands appears to coordinate to the Ga(III) through four donor atoms. The six complexes were tested for their ability to catalyze the epoxidation of alkenes by peracetic acid. Although the complexes with relatively electron-poor phenanthroline derivatives display faster initial reactivity, the gallium(III) complexes with the polydentate pyridylamine ligands appear to be more robust, with less noticeable decreases in their catalytic activity over time. The more highly chelating trispicen and tpen are associated with markedly decreased activity.