Friedel–Crafts Ring-Coupling Reactions Promoted by Tungsten Dearomatization Agent

The complexes TpW(NO)(PMe3)(L), where L = phenol, N,N-dimethylanilinium, or naphthalene, undergo protonation followed by addition of an aromatic nucleophile. The addition of aromatic molecules occurs at the para carbon of the phenol or aniline ring or the beta carbon of the naphthalene. The addition occurs anti to the metal fragment, as determined by X-ray crystallography. In the case where L = phenol or N,N-dimethylanilinium, treatment of the bound arene with an electrophilic heteroatom followed by an aromatic nucleophile sets two stereocenters, with both additions occurring anti to the metal. The resultant ligands have been removed from the metal by oxidative decomplexation using ceric ammonium nitrate.