Synthesis and Reactivity of Bis(silylene)-Coordinated Calcium and Divalent Lanthanide Complexes

Divalent lanthanide complexes of Eu ( 1 ) and Yb ( 2 ) coordinated by a chelating pyridine-based bis(silylene) ligand were isolated and fully characterized. Compared to the Eu^II complex 1 , the Yb^II complex 2 presents a lower thermal stability, resulting in the activation of one Si^II−N bond and formation of an Yb^III complex ( 3 ), which features a unique silylene-pyridyl-amido ligand. The different thermal stability of 1 and 2 points towards reduction-induced cleavage of one Si^II−N bond of the bis(silylene) ligand. Successful isolation of the corresponding redox-inert bis(silylene) Ca^II complex ( 5 ) was achieved at low temperature and thermal decomposition into a Ca^II complex ( 4 ) bearing the same silylene-pyridyl-amido ligand was identified. In this case, the thermolysis reaction proceeds through another, non-redox induced, mechanism. An alternative higher yielding route to 4 was developed through an in situ generated silylene-pyridyl-amine proligand.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Alkynyl Complexes of Groups 1 and 2

The synthesis of N‐heterocyclic carbene adducts of alkynyl lithium and magnesium is achieved, and different degrees of association are observed. Reaction of strontium amide nacnacSrN(SiMe₃)₂(thf) (nacnac=CH(CMe2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N)₂) with PhC≡CH in THF yields the dimeric alkynyl complex [nacnacSr(thf)(μ‐C≡CPh)]₂ which shows an interesting coordination geometry around the metal center. The compound retains the THF molecules, unlike its lighter congener, even in hydrocarbon solvents.     

Relative Lability and Chemoselective Transmetallation of NHC in Hybrid Phosphine‐NHC Ligands: Access to Heterometallic Complexes

The relative lability and transmetallation aptitude of trialkylphosphine and NHC donors, integrated in semi‐rigid hybrid ligands attached to [Ag₄Br₄] pseudo‐cubanes, lies in favor of the NHC and is used to selectively access unprecedented NHC complexes with heterobimetallic cores, such as Ag–Cu ( 4^Cy ) and Ag–Ir ( 5 ^{t Bu} ). These can be viewed as an arrested state before the full transmetallation of both donors, which gives the homodinuclear Cu ( 3^Cy ) and Ir ( 6^Cy ) complexes. The observed NHC transmetallation aptitude and reactivity urges caution in the common notion that views the NHC as a universal spectator.     

Rare‐Earth‐Metal Methylidene Complexes

Transition‐metal carbene complexes have been known for about 50 years and widely applied as reagents and catalysts in organic transformations. In contrast, the carbene chemistry of the rare‐earth metals is much less developed, but has attracted the research interest in the recent years. In this field rare‐earth‐metal alkylidene, especially methylidene, compounds are an emerging class of compounds with a high synthetic potential for organometallic chemistry and maybe in the future also for organic chemistry.     

Nucleophilic Phosphinidene Complexes: Access and Applicability

Syntheses, properties, and reactivities of nucleophilic phosphinidene complexes [L_nM?P? R] are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the electronic tuning of this emerging class of phosphorus reagents, using different ancillary ligands and coordinatively unsaturated transition‐metal moieties. The difference in applicability of the established stable 18‐electron and transient 16‐electron phosphinidenes is addressed.     

Highly Fluorinated Tris(indazolyl)borate Silylamido Complexes of the Heavier Alkaline Earth Metals: Synthesis,Characterization, and Efficient Catalytic Intramolecular Hydroamination

Heteroleptic silylamido complexes of the heavier alkaline earth elements calcium and strontium containing the highly fluorinated 3‐phenyl hydrotris(indazolyl)borate {F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph}}^? ligand have been synthesized by using salt metathesis reactions. The homoleptic precursors [Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] (Ae=Ca, Sr) were treated with [Tl(F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph})] in pentane to form the corresponding heteroleptic complexes [(F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph})Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂}] (Ae=Ca ( 1 ); Sr ( 3 )). Compounds 1 and 3 are inert towards intermolecular redistribution. The molecular structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by using X‐ray diffraction. Compound 3 exhibits a Sr ??? MeSi agostic distortion. The synthesis of the homoleptic THF‐free compound [Ca{N(SiMe₂H)₂}₂] ( 4 ) by transamination reaction between [Ca{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] and HN(SiMe₂H)₂ is also reported. This precursor constitutes a convenient starting material for the subsequent preparation of the THF‐free complex [(F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph})Ca{N(SiMe₂H)₂}] ( 5 ). Compound 5 is stabilized in the solid state by a Ca???β‐Si?H agostic interaction. Complexes 1 and 3 have been used as precatalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of 2,2‐dimethylpent‐4‐en‐1‐amine. Compound 1 is highly active, converting completely 200 equivalents of aminoalkene in 16 min with 0.50 mol % catalyst loading at 25 °C.     

CaII,YbII and SmII Bis(Amido) Complexes Coordinated by NHC Ligands: Efficient Catalysts for Highly Regio- and Chemoselective Consecutive Hydrophosphinations with PH3

The first example of intermolecular hydrophosphination of styrene, 2-vinylpyridine and phenylacetylene with PH₃ catalyzed by bis-(amido) complexes [(Me₃Si)₂N]₂M(NHC)₂ (M=Ca, Yb, Sm) coordinated by NHC ligands is described. The reactions of styrene with PH₃ proceed under mild conditions in quantitative yields to afford only anti-Markovnikov product and allow for the chemoselective synthesis of primary, secondary and tertiary phosphines. Addition of phenylacetylene to PH₃ regardless the initial molar substrates ratio results in the exclusive formation of a tertiary tris-(Z-styryl)-phosphine. Crucial effect of the Lewis base coordinated to the metal ion in precatalyst on catalytic activity in styrene hydrophosphination with PH₃ was demonstrated. Free NHCs were also found to be able to promote addition of PH₃ to styrene, however they provide much lower reaction rates compared to the metal complexes.     

Role of Anionic Backbone in NHC-Stabilized Coinage Metal Complexes: New Precursors for Atomic Layer Deposition**

Cu and Ag precursors that are volatile, reactive, and thermally stable are currently of high interest for their application in atomic-layer deposition (ALD) of thin metal films. In pursuit of new precursors for coinage metals, namely Cu and Ag, a series of new N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based Cu^I and Ag^I complexes were synthesized. Modifications in the substitution pattern of diketonate-based anionic backbones led to five monomeric Cu complexes and four closely related Ag complexes with the general formula [M(^tBuNHC)(R)] (M=Cu, Ag; ^tBuNHC=1,3-di-tert-butyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene; R=diketonate). Thermal analysis indicated that most of the Cu complexes are thermally stable and volatile compared to the more fragile Ag analogs. One of the promising Cu precursors was evaluated for the ALD of nanoparticulate Cu metal deposits by using hydroquinone as the reducing agent at appreciably low deposition temperatures (145–160 °C). This study highlights the considerable impact of the employed ligand sphere on the structural and thermal properties of metal complexes that are relevant for vapor-phase processing of thin films.     

Bis‐NHC Chelate Complexes of Nickel(0) and Platinum(0)

For a long time d¹⁰‐ML₂ fragments have been known for their potential to activate unreactive bonds by oxidative addition. In the development of more active species, two approaches have proven successful: the use of strong σ‐donating ligands leading to electron‐rich metal centers and the employment of chelating ligands resulting in a bent coordination geometry. Combining these two strategies, we synthesized bis‐NHC chelate complexes of nickel(0) and platinum(0). Bis(1,5‐cyclooctadiene)nickel(0) and ‐platinum(0) react with bisimidazolium salts, deprotonated in situ at room temperature, to yield tetrahedral or trigonal‐planar bis‐NHC chelate olefin complexes. The synthesis and characterization of these complexes as well as a first example of C? C bond activation with these systems are reported. Due to the enforced cis arrangement of two NHCs, these compounds should open interesting perspectives for bond‐activation chemistry and catalysis.     

Charge‐Separated and Molecular Heterobimetallic Rare Earth–Rare Earth and Alkaline Earth–Rare Earth Aryloxo Complexes Featuring Intramolecular Metal–π‐arene Interactions

A new family in town! Treatment of a rare‐earth metal (Ln) and either a potential divalent rare‐earth metal (Ln′) or an alkaline earth metal (Ae) with 2,6‐diphenylphenol (HOdpp) at elevated temperatures (200–250 °C) afforded heterobimetallic aryloxo complexes (see figure). Both a charge‐separated species, [(Ln′/Ae)₂(Odpp)₃][Ln(Odpp)₄], and a neutral species, [AeEu(Odpp)₄], were obtained and crystallographically characterised.

     

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Aza-Crown Ether Complexes as Biomimetics for Lanthanide and Calcium Dependent Alcohol Dehydrogenases**

Understanding the role of metal ions in biology can lead to the development of new catalysts for several industrially important transformations. Lanthanides are the most recent group of metal ions that have been shown to be important in biology, that is, in quinone-dependent methanol dehydrogenases (MDH). Here we evaluate a literature-known pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and 1-aza-15-crown-5 based ligand platform as scaffold for Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, La³⁺ and Lu³⁺ biomimetics of MDH and we evaluate the importance of ligand design, charge, size, counterions and base for the alcohol oxidation reaction using NMR spectroscopy. In addition, we report a new straightforward synthetic route (3 steps instead of 11 and 33 % instead of 0.6 % yield) for biomimetic ligands based on PQQ. We show that when studying biomimetics for MDH, larger metal ions and those with lower charge in this case promote the dehydrogenation reaction more effectively and that this is likely an effect of the ligand design which must be considered when studying biomimetics. To gain more information on the structures and impact of counterions of the complexes, we performed collision induced dissociation (CID) experiments and observe that the nitrates are more tightly bound than the triflates. To resolve the structure of the complexes in the gas phase we combined DFT-calculations and ion mobility measurements (IMS). Furthermore, we characterized the obtained complexes and reaction mixtures using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and show the presence of a small amount of quinone-based radical.     

Thermal Studies on Solid Complexes of Saccharin with Divalent Transition Metal Ions

The thermal decompositions of Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of saccharin were studied in static air atmosphere. All of the complexes contain four molecules of coordination water and two molecules of crystallization water. The water molecules were removed in a single stage, except from the Zn(II) complex, which exhibited two endothermic effects. The dehydration process was usually accompanied by a sharp colour change. The anhydrous complexes exhibited a phase transition and the decomposition or combustion of saccharin occurred in the second and subsequent stages. The final decomposition products were identified by XRPD as the respective metal oxides. The kinetic parameters, such as the order of reaction and energy of activation for the dehydration stage, were evaluated and the thermal stabilities of the complexes are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Equilibrium and Kinetic Properties of the Lanthanoids(III) and Various Divalent Metal Complexes of the Heptadentate Ligand AAZTA

Towards improved kinetic stability : A detailed account of the complexation properties of the ligand 1,4‐bis(hydroxycarbonylmethyl)‐6‐[bis(hydroxycarbonylmethyl)]amino‐6‐methylperhydro‐1,4‐diazepine (AAZTA; see figure) is reported. Its Gd³⁺ complex shows a kinetic stability superior to that of complexes formed by higher denticity ligands and opens the way for a new reference structure for MRI contrast agents.

     

Heavier Alkaline-Earth Catalyzed Dehydrocoupling of Silanes and Alcohols for the Synthesis of Metallo-Polysilylethers

The dehydrocoupling of silanes and alcohols mediated by heavier alkaline-earth catalysts, [Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂⋅(THF)₂] ( I – III ) and [Ae{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₂⋅(THF)₂], ( IV – VI ) (Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba) is described. Primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols were coupled to phenylsilane or diphenylsilane, whereas tertiary silanes are less tolerant towards bulky substrates. Some control over reaction selectivity towards mono-, di-, or tri-substituted silylether products was achieved through alteration of reaction stoichiometry, conditions, and catalyst. The ferrocenyl silylether, FeCp(C₅H₄SiPh(OBn)₂) ( 2 ), was prepared and fully characterized from the ferrocenylsilane, FeCp(C₅H₄SiPhH₂) ( 1 ), and benzyl alcohol using barium catalysis. Stoichiometric experiments suggested a reaction manifold involving the formation of Ae–alkoxide and hydride species, and a series of dimeric Ae–alkoxides [(Ph₃CO)Ae(μ₂-OCPh₃)Ae(THF)] ( 3 a – c , Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba) were isolated and fully characterized. Mechanistic experiments suggested a complex reaction mechanism involving dimeric or polynuclear active species, whose kinetics are highly dependent on variables such as the identity and concentration of the precatalyst, silane, and alcohol. Turnover frequencies increase on descending Group 2 of the periodic table, with the barium precatalyst III displaying an apparent first-order dependence in both silane and alcohol, and an optimum catalyst loading of 3 mol % Ba, above which activity decreases. With precatalyst III in THF, ferrocene-containing poly- and oligosilylethers with ferrocene pendent to- ( P1 – P4 ) or as a constituent ( P5 , P6 ) of the main polymer chain were prepared from 1 or Fe(C₅H₄SiPhH₂)₂ ( 4 ) with diols 1,4-(HOCH₂)₂-(C₆H₄) and 1,4-(CH(CH₃)OH)₂-(C₆H₄), respectively. The resultant materials were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and DOSY NMR spectroscopy, with estimated molecular weights in excess of 20,000 Da for P1 and P4 . The iron centers display reversible redox behavior and thermal analysis showed P1 and P5 to be promising precursors to magnetic ceramic materials.     

Thermal Studies on Solid Complexes of Uracil With Some Divalent Transition Metal Ions

The thermal behaviour of Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pd(II) complexes of uracil was studied by TG, DTG and DTA in a dynamic nitrogen atmosphere. Two processes occur in the isolated uracil complexes: dehydration and pyrolytic decomposition. In the hydrated complexes, the first stage observed was the loss of water molecules, which was followed by decomposition of the uracil. The thermal dehydration of the complexes occurred in from one to three steps. The final decomposition products were found to be the respective metal oxides, except in the cases of the Co(II) and Pd(II) complexes, which produced metallic cobalt and palladium, respectively. The order of reaction and energy of activation for the dehydration stage were evaluated.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Heteroleptic Alkyl and Amide Iminoanilide Alkaline Earth and Divalent Rare Earth Complexes for the Catalysis of Hydrophosphination and (Cyclo)Hydroamination Reactions

[{N^N}M(X)(thf)_n] alkyl (X=CH(SiMe₃)₂) and amide (X=N(SiMe₃)₂) complexes of alkaline earths (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) and divalent rare earths (Yb^II and Eu^II) bearing an iminoanilide ligand ({N^N}^?) are presented. Remarkably, these complexes proved to be kinetically stable in solution. X‐ray diffraction studies allowed us to establish size–structure trends. Except for one case of oxidation with [{N^N}Yb^II{N(SiMe₃)₂}(thf)], all these complexes are stable under the catalytic conditions and constitute effective precatalysts for the cyclohydroamination of terminal aminoalkenes and the intermolecular hydroamination and intermolecular hydrophosphination of activated alkenes. Metals with equal sizes across alkaline earth and rare earth families display almost identical apparent catalytic activity and selectivity. Hydrocarbyl complexes are much better catalyst precursors than their amido analogues. In the case of cyclohydroamination, the apparent activity decreases with metal size: Ca>Sr>Ba, and the kinetic rate law agrees with R_CHA=k[precatalyst]¹[aminoalkene]¹. The intermolecular hydroamination and hydrophosphination of styrene are anti‐Markovnikov regiospecific. In both cases, the apparent activity increases with the ionic radius (Ca<Sr<Ba) but the rate laws are different, and obey R_HA=k[styrene]¹[amine]¹[precatalyst]¹ and R_HP=k[styrene]¹[HPPh₂]⁰[precatalyst]¹, respectively. Mechanisms compatible with the rate laws and kinetic isotopic effects are proposed. [{N^N}Ba{N(SiMe₃)₂}(thf)₂] ( 3 ) and [{N^N}Ba{CH(SiMe₃)₂}(thf)₂] ( 10 ) are the first efficient Ba‐based precatalysts for intermolecular hydroamination and hydrophosphination, and display activity values that are above those reported so far. The potential of the precatalysts for C? N and C? P bond formation is detailed and a rare cyclohydroamination–intermolecular hydroamination “domino” sequence is presented.     

Tuning Coordination in s‐Block Carbazol‐9‐yl Complexes

1,3,6,8‐Tetra‐tert‐butylcarbazol‐9‐yl and 1,8‐diaryl‐3,6‐di(tert‐butyl)carbazol‐9‐yl ligands have been utilized in the synthesis of potassium and magnesium complexes. The potassium complexes (1,3,6,8‐tBu₄carb)K(THF)₄ ( 1 ; carb=C₁₂H₄N), [(1,8‐Xyl₂‐3,6‐tBu₂carb)K(THF)]₂ ( 2 ; Xyl=3,5‐Me₂C₆H₃) and (1,8‐Mes₂‐3,6‐tBu₂carb)K(THF)₂ ( 3 ; Mes=2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂) were reacted with MgI₂ to give the Hauser bases 1,3,6,8‐tBu₄carbMgI(THF)₂ ( 4 ) and 1,8‐Ar₂‐3,6‐tBu₂carbMgI(THF) (Ar=Xyl 5 , Ar=Mes 6 ). Structural investigations of the potassium and magnesium derivatives highlight significant differences in the coordination motifs, which depend on the nature of the 1‐ and 8‐substituents: 1,8‐di(tert‐butyl)‐substituted ligands gave π‐type compounds ( 1 and 4 ), in which the carbazolyl ligand acts as a multi‐hapto donor, with the metal cations positioned below the coordination plane in a half‐sandwich conformation, whereas the use of 1,8‐diaryl substituted ligands gave σ‐type complexes ( 2 and 6 ). Space‐filling diagrams and percent buried volume calculations indicated that aryl‐substituted carbazolyl ligands offer a steric cleft better suited to stabilization of low‐coordinate magnesium complexes.