Heteronuclear 3d/DyIII Coordination Clusters as Catalysts in a Domino Reaction

Three isoskeletal tetranuclear coordination clusters with general formula [(M2Dy2L4)-Dy-II-L-III(EtOH)(6)](ClO4)(2)2EtOH, (M=Co, 1; M=Ni, 2) and [(Ni2Dy2L4Cl2)-Dy-II-L-III(CH3CN)(2)]2CH(3)CN (3), have been synthesized and characterized. These air-stable compounds, and in particular 3, display efficient homogeneous catalytic behavior in the room-temperature synthesis of trans-4,5-diaminocyclopent-2-enones from 2-furaldehyde and primary or secondary amines under a non-inert atmosphere.