Synlett 2023; 34(10): 1169-1173
DOI: 10.1055/a-1937-9296
cluster
Dispersion Effects

Activation Barriers for Cobalt(IV)-Centered Reductive Elimination Correlate with Quantified Interatomic Noncovalent Interactions

Lucas Loir-Mongazon
,
Carmen Antuña-Hörlein
,
Christophe Deraedt
,
Yann Cornaton
,
Centre national de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Strasbourg, GENCI-IDRIS grant 2021-A0100812469, the HPC Center of the University of Strasbourg grant g2021a248c.


Abstract

In this joint theoretical and experimental study, an analysis of weak interligand noncovalent interactions within Co(IV) [Cp*Co(phpy)X]+ cobaltacycles (phpy = 2-phenylenepyridine, κ C,N ) was carried out by using the independent gradient model/intrinsic bond strength index (IGM/IBSI) method to evaluate the dependency of the catalytically desired reductive elimination pathway (RE) on the nature of the X ligand. It is shown that the barrier for activation of the RE pathway correlates directly with the IBSI of the X-to-carbanionic chelate’s carbon. This correlation suggests that in silico prediction of which X ligand is more prone to operate an efficient Cp*Co-catalyzed directed X-functionalization of an aromatic C–H bond is attainable. A set of experiments involving various sources of X ligands supported the theoretical conclusions.

Supporting Information



Publication History

Received: 13 July 2022

Accepted after revision: 06 September 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
06 September 2022

Article published online:
11 October 2022

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