Homoleptic iron(ii) and cobalt(ii) bis(phosphoranimide) complexes for the selective hydrofunctionalization of unsaturated molecules

Abstract

Low-coordinate homoleptic bulky M₂(NP^tBu₃)₄ (M = Fe (A), Co (B)) complexes were synthesized and characterized as dimeric structures by crystallographic studies. The iron complex A can catalyze the hydroboration reaction of aldehydes and ketones. The cobalt complex B outperformed its iron counterpart in hydrogenations of several typical alkenes and alkynes under mild conditions. Poisoning experiments indicate that the Co(II)/HBpin catalytic system could be homogeneous.