Role of cluster size and substrate in the gas phase C{single bond}C bond coupling reactions of allyl halides mediated by Agn and Agn-1H cluster cations

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that the silver hydride cluster cation Ag4H+ promotes C{single bond}C bond coupling of allylbromide [G.N. Khairallah, R.A.J. O'Hair, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 44 (2005) 728]. Here the influence of both the nature and the size of the silver cluster cation and the substrate on C{single bond}C bond coupling are examined. Thus each of the cations Ag2H+, Ag4H+, Ag3+, and Ag5+ were allowed to react with three different halides: allyl chloride, allyl bromide and allyl iodide. No C{single bond}C bond coupling is observed in the reactions of the cluster cations with allyl chloride. There are four main reaction sequences that result in C{single bond}C b..