Early Main Group Metal Catalysis: How Important is the Metal?

Organocalcium compounds have been reported as efficient catalysts for various alkene transformations. In contrast to transition metal catalysis, the alkenes are not activated by metal-alkene orbital interactions. Instead it is proposed that alkene activation proceeds through an electrostatic interaction with a Lewis acidic Ca2+. The role of the metal was evaluated by a study using the metal-free catalysts: [Ph2N-][Me4N+] and [Ph3C-][Me4N+]. These naked amides and carbanions can act as catalysts in the conversion of activated double bonds (CO and CN) in the hydroamination of ArNCO and RNCNR (R=alkyl) by Ph2NH. For the intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated CC bonds in H2CCHCH2CPh2CH2NH2 the presence of a metal cation is crucial. A new type of hybrid catalyst consisting of a strong organic Schwesinger base and a simple metal salt can act as catalyst for the intramolecular alkene hydroamination. The influence of the cation in catalysis is further evaluated by a DFT study.