Alkene Isomerization–Hydroboration Catalyzed by First-Row Transition-Metal (Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) N-Phosphinoamidinate Complexes: Origin of Reactivity and Selectivity

We describe the results of our combined experimental and computational investigation of structurally analogous (N-phosphinoamidinate)metal(N(SiMe3)2) precatalysts ((PN)M; M = Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, and Ni2+; d5–d8) in the isomerization–hydroboration of 1-octene, cis-4-octene, or trans-4-octene (1a–c) with HBPin. As part of this investigation, the synthesis and crystallographic characterization of diamagnetic (PN)Ni, ((PN)NiH)2, (PN)NiH(L) (L = pyridine or DMAP), and (PN)Ni(NHdipp) (dipp = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) are reported. Divergent catalytic reactivity and selectivity was noted for members of the (PN)M series; (PN)Mn and (PN)Ni afforded poor hydroboration yields, whereas the use of (PN)Fe or (PN)Co afforded high conversion and selectivity for the terminal borylation product, (n-octyl)BPin (2a). DFT calculations involving (PN)M as well as stoichiometric reactivity studies featuring (PN)Ni confirmed that (PN)MH intermediates generated upon reaction of (PN)M with HBPin represent viable catalytic species whereby formati...