Selective Difunctionalization of Unactivated Aliphatic Alkenes Enabled by a Metal-Metallaaromatic Catalytic System

The design of organometallic catalysts is crucial in the development of catalytic reactions. Herein, we describe a heterometallic [Os-Cu] complex with the characteristics of bimetallics, metal-laaromatics, and pincer complexes. This complex serves as a highly effective catalyst for selective amino- and oxyselenation of unactivated alkenes. More than 80 examples including challenging substrates of unsymmetric aliphatic alkenes and amine-based nucleophiles in such reactions are provided. These reactions produce 1,2-difunctionalized products with good yields and high levels of chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. Our studies revealed the following: (i) The usually inert osmium center activates the N- or O-centered nucleophiles. (ii) The copper-osmium bonding and its cooperative effects play essential roles in control the selectivity by bringing the reaction components into close proximity. (iii) The metallaaromatic moiety helps to stabilize the intermediate. These findings provide a versatile platform for catalyst design based on metal-metallaaromatic cooperative effects that have not been attained previously with bimetallic complexes.

Automated summary

The design of organometallic catalysts plays a crucial role in the development of catalytic reactions. In this study, a heterometallic [Os-Cu] complex with characteristics of bimetallics, metal-laaromatics, and pincer complexes is described as a highly effective catalyst for selective amino- and oxyselenation of unactivated alkenes.