Copper-NHC complexes have become increasingly popular over the last decade due to their interesting chemical and photophysical properties. In my laboratory, we are focused on unravelling the interesting properties of copper complexes supported by mono- and poly-NHC platforms. Recently, we have developed pyridyl- and pyridylmethyl-linked Cu(I)-bis(NHC) complexes bearing electron-donating alkyl wingtips and electron-withdrawing substituents. The complexes serve as catalysts in Sonogashira-type coupling of aryl iodides with phenylacetylene derivatives and Ullmann-type coupling of aryl halides with azole and phenol substrates. Unlike other Cu(I) catalysts that require an inert atmosphere to prevent side reactions and/or conduct the best catalytic activity, the Cu-pincer bis(NHC) complexes provide good to excellent cross-coupling yields in air. Mechanistic studies reveal the reactivity of the Cu(I)-pincer bis(NHC) complexes towards O2 leading to Cu-O2 adducts, and towards KOtBu forming the dearomatized complex. These data support the potential applicability of Cu-pincer NHC complexes as bifunctional catalysts in challenging bond activation processes. We have also prepared a series of Cu(I) complexes bound to monodentate NHC and bidentate dipyridylamine ligands and explored their photophysical properties. Our studies through using a collection of experimental and theoretical techniques support the strong dependence of the light-emitting properties of these complexes on the solid-state interactions of these molecules.

Accessing diverse coordination chemistry and fascinating chemical reactivity and photophysical properties of copper via NHC ligands’ modification

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.