Halide-bridged tetranuclear organocopper(i) clusters supported by indolyl-based NCN pincer ligands and their catalytic activities towards the hydrophosphination of alkenes

Novel tetranuclear organocopper(i) clusters bridged by two halides and two indolyl-based NCN pincer ligands were synthesized through the reactions of Cu(i) halides with lithiated ligands. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the structure of these complexes included a [Cu4X2](2+) cluster unit wherein the four copper ions were stabilized by multiple Cu-Cu interactions, arranged in a distorted tetrahedral fashion and the halide anions mu(3)-bridged with metal centers. Meanwhile, these clusters displayed excellent catalytic activities towards the hydrophosphination of alkenes under solvent-free conditions with wide functional group tolerance.

Automated summary

Novel tetranuclear organocopper(I) clusters with excellent catalytic activities have been synthesized through reactions between Cu(I) halides and lithiated ligands. The structures of these clusters are stabilized by multiple Cu-Cu interactions, with halide anions bridged to the metal centers.