Trimethylenemethane complexes are metal complexes of the organic compound trimethylenemethane. Several examples are known, and some have been employed in organic synthesis.[1]
The synthesis of cyclobutadieneiron tricarbonyl pointed to the possible existence of related complexes of elusive organic compounds. Trimethylenemethane (TMM) has a natural connection to cyclobutadiene, and, in 1966, Emerson and co-workers reported the first trimethylenemethane (TMM) transition metal complex, η4-[C(CH2)3]Fe(CO)3. This compound became the starting point for extensive studies.
Generally speaking, trimethylenemethane complexes are synthesized in the following four ways: (A) the dehalogenation of α, α'-dihalosubstituted precursors, (B) the thermal extrusion of XY (XY = HCl, Br2, and CH4,) from η3-methylallyl complexes, (C) the ring opening of alkylidenecyclopropanes, and (D) the elimination of Me3SiX [X = OAc, Cl, OS(O)2Me] from functionalized allylsilanes (Figure 1).
Dehalogenation of α, α'-dihalosubstituted precursors
η4-[C(CH2)3]Fe(CO)3, the first trimethylenemethane metal complex to be reported, was obtained from the reaction of 3-chloro-2-chloromethylprop-1-ene with Fe2(CO)9 or Na2[Fe(CO)4].[2] Followed by this result, a number of substituted trimethylenemethane iron complexes have been prepared.[3][4][5]
The thermal extrusion from η3-methylallyl complexes was reported by Emerson.The iron allyl complex, obtained from the reaction of 3-chloro-2-methylprop-1-ene with [Fe2(CO)9], decomposed on heating to afford the iron trimethylenemethane complex.[6]
In the presence of [Fe2(CO)9], the ring opening of 2-substituted methylenecyclopropanes leads to the formation of various η4-trimethylenemethane complexes containing different functional groups, such as (R1 = H, R2 = Ph), (R1 = Me, R2 = Ph), (R1 = R2 = Ph), and (R1 = H, R2 = CH=CH2).[8] The stereochemistry has been elucidated by deuterium-labeling experiments.
Elimination of Me3SiX [X = OAc, Cl, OS(O)2Me] from functionalized allylsilanes
tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) is a precursor to highly reactive η3-trimethylenemethane complexes.[1] Allylsilanes oxidatively add to some low-valent d8 complexes resulting in the formation of an η1-allyl complexes, followed by the formation of an η3-allyl complex, and finally elimination of Me3SiX to yield the η4-trimethylenemethane complex. The isolation of the proposed intermidate further confirmed the mechanism.[9]
According to gas phase electron diffraction, η4-C(CH2)3]Fe(CO)3 adopts a staggered conformation about the iron center. The ligands, which include carbonyl and a trigonal-pyramidal trimethylenemethane, are arranged in the usual umbrella-type configuration. The central carbon of the trimethylenemethane ligand is closer to the iron center compared to the outer methylene carbons. This was confirmed by the Fe-C(central) distance measuring 1.94(1) Å, while the Fe-CH distances were measured at 2.12 Å.[10] Moreover, this result has also been confirmed by X-ray diffraction and vibrational spectrum.[11]
The primary bonding interaction occurs between the 2e set of the Fe(CO)3 fragment and e" on the trimethylenemethane ligand. However, if the metal-trimethylenemethane axis is rotated by 60° into an eclipsed geometry, the interaction between 2e and e" is minimized, which results in an increase in the energy of the HOMO in the complex, which is a significant factor that provides a barrier to rotation, as shown in Figure 6b.
Extended Huckel calculations give a barrier of 87 KJ mol−1 using a planar trimethylenemethane ligand.[12] Introducing a puckered conformation to the trimethylenemethane ligand, which resembles the experimental geometry, leads to an increase in the calculated barrier to 98.6 kJ mol−1. This puckering induces mixing of s character into e" orbitals, causing a more pronounced orientation toward the metal center. Consequently, the overlap between e" and 2e orbitals is enhanced. The degree of puckering, characterized by θ, falls within the range of 12°.[13] The mixing of s character into e" also results in the H-C-H plane being tipped away from the metal. The angle β, between C-1 and C-2 and the plane H-C-H, is typically about 15°.
Trimethylenemethane complexes undergo a wide variety of reactions including those with electrophiles, nucleophiles as well as redox reactions.
η4-C(CH2)3]Fe(CO)3 adds hydrogen chloride to yield η3-CH3C(CH2)]Fe(CO)3. Substituted trimethylenemethane iron complexes, on the other hand, react with strong acids to produce cross-conjugated dienyl iron cations and η4-diene complexes.[14] η4-C(CH2)3]Mo(CO)2(C5H5)+ add nucleophiles to give charge-neutral η3-allyl complexes.[15]
^ abTrost, Barry M.; Mata, Guillaume (2020). "Forging Odd-Membered Rings: Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Cycloadditions of Trimethylenemethane". Accounts of Chemical Research. 53 (7): 1293–1305. doi:10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00152. PMID32525684. S2CID219606826.