Activation of a σ-SnSn bond at copper, followed by double addition to an alkyne

Many synthetically useful copper-catalyzed transformations involve the activation of apolar or weakly polar σ-bonds (E-H and E-E' bonds, with E = C, B, Si, Sn, etc.). Yet, little is known so far about the associated elementary steps, and it is highly desirable to gain better knowledge regarding the way σ-bonds can be activated by copper to help further development in this area. To this end, we became interested in investigating the coordination and activation of apolar or weakly polar σ-bonds at copper using chelating assistance. Here we report investigations of gold and copper complexes deriving from the diphosphine-stannane [Ph2P(o-C6H4)Me2Sn-SnMe2(o-C6H4)PPh2] 1. The σ-SnSn bond of 1 readily undergoes oxidative addition at both gold and copper, giving bis(stannyl) Au(+) and Cu(+) complexes 2 and 3. Coordination of 1 to CuBr leads to the neutral complex 4 which features more σ-SnSn complex character. The ability of complex 3 to undergo insertion reactions with alkynes was then examined. With methyl propiolate, a clean reaction occurred, and the bis-stannylated alkene copper complex 5 was isolated. The structures of ligand 1 and complexes 2-5 have been unambiguously determined by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and crystallography. These results substantiate the ability of copper to promote the addition of apolar σ-bonds to CC multiple bonds via a 2e redox sequence and draw thereby an unprecedented parallel with the group 10 metals.