Silicon‐ and Tin‐Containing Open‐Chain and Eight‐Membered‐Ring Compounds as Bicentric Lewis Acids toward Anions

Herein, we report the syntheses of silicon‐ and tin‐containing open‐chain and eight‐membered‐ring compounds Me₂Si(CH₂SnMe₂X)₂ ( 2 , X=Me; 3 , X=Cl; 4 , X=F), CH₂(SnMe₂CH₂I)₂ ( 7 ), CH₂(SnMe₂CH₂Cl)₂ ( 8 ), cyclo‐Me₂Sn(CH₂SnMe₂CH₂)₂SiMe₂ ( 6 ), cyclo‐(Me₂SnCH₂)₄ ( 9 ), cyclo‐Me_(2?n)X_nSn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂SnX_nMe_(2?n) ( 5 , n=0; 10 , n = 1, X= Cl; 11 , n=1, X= F; 12 , n=2, X= Cl), and the chloride and fluoride complexes NEt₄[cyclo‐ Me(Cl)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(Cl)Me?F] ( 13 ), PPh₄[cyclo‐Me(Cl)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(Cl)Me?Cl] ( 14 ), NEt₄[cyclo‐Me(F)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(F)Me?F] ( 15 ), [NEt₄]₂[cyclo‐Cl₂Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂SnCl₂?2 Cl] ( 16 ), M[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?Cl] ( 17 a , M=PPh₄; 17 b , M=NEt₄), NEt₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?F] ( 18 ), NEt₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(F)Me₂)₂?F] ( 19 ), and PPh₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?Br] ( 20 ). The compounds were characterised by electrospray mass‐spectrometric, IR and ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, ²⁹Si, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopic analysis, and, except for 15 and 18 , single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Darstellung und Kristallstrukturen von tBu‐substituierten Disiloxanen des Typus tBu2SiX‐O‐SiYtBu2 (X = Y = OH,Br; X = OH,Y = H) und den Addukten tBu3SiOH·(HO3SCF3)0.5·H2O und tBu3SiOLi·(LiO3SCF3)2·(H2O)2

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of tBu‐substituted Disiloxanes tBu₂SiX‐O‐SiYtBu₂ (X = Y = OH, Br; X = OH, Y = H) and of the Adducts tBu₃SiOH·(HO₃SCF₃)_0.5·H₂O and tBu₃SiOLi·(LiO₃SCF₃)₂·(H₂O)₂ The disiloxanes tBu₂SiX‐O‐SiYtBu₂ (X = Y = H, OH) are accessible from the reaction of CF₃SO₂Cl with tBu₂SiHOH or tBu₂Si(OH)₂. By this reaction the disiloxane tBu₂SiH‐O‐SiHtBu₂ is formed together with tBu₂SiH‐O‐SiOHtBu₂. The disiloxanes tBu₂SiX‐O‐SiYtBu₂ (X = Y = Cl, Br) can be synthesized almost quantitatively from tBu₂SiH‐O‐SiHtBu₂ with Cl₂ and Br₂ in CH₂Cl₂. The structures of the disiloxanes tBu₂SiX‐O‐SiYtBu₂ (X = H, Y = OH; X = Y = OH, Br) show almost linear Si‐O‐Si units with short Si‐O bonds. Single crystals of the adducts tBu₃SiOH·(HO₃SCF₃)_0.5·H₂O and tBu₃SiOLi·(LiO₃SCF₃)₂·(H₂O)₂ have been obtained from the reaction of tBu₃SiOH with CF₃SO₃H and of tBu₃SiO₃SCF₃ with LiOH. According to the result of the X‐ray structural analysis (hexagonal, P‐62c), tBu₃SiOLi · (LiO₃SCF₃)₂·(H₂O)₂ features the ion pair [(tBu₃SiOLi)₂(LiO₃SCF₃)₃(H₂O)₃Li]⁺ [CF₃SO₃]^?. The central framework of the cation forms a trigonal Li₆ prism.     

Hexakis(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)cyclotristannoxane – a Molecular Diorganotin Oxide with Kinetically Inert Sn–O Bonds

The single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis of hexakis(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)cyclotristannoxane, cyclo‐[(2,4,6‐i‐Pr₃‐C₆H₂)₂SnO]₃ ( 1 ), is reported and reveals this compound to contain an almost planar six‐membered ring. Redistribution reactions of 1 with cyclo‐(t‐Bu₂SnO)₃ and t‐Bu₂SiCl₂, respectively, failed and indicate an unusual kinetic inertness of the Sn–O bonds in 1 as compared to related molecular diorganotin oxides containing less bulkier substituents. The redistribution reaction of cyclo‐(t‐Bu₂SnO)₃ with cyclo‐(t‐Bu₂SnS)₂ leads to an equilibrium involving the trimeric diorganotin oxysulphides cyclo‐t‐Bu₂Sn(OSnt‐Bu₂)₂S ( 2 a ) and cyclo‐t‐Bu₂Sn(SSnt‐Bu₂)₂O ( 2 b ).     

Lithiated Stannasilanes – Building Blocks for Monocyclic Si–Sn Rings

Dilithiated di(stannyl)oligosilanes (^tBu₂Sn(Li)– (SiMe₂)_n–Sn(Li)^tBu₂; 4 , n = 2; 5 , n = 3) were synthesized by the reaction of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) with the α,ω‐hydrido tin substituted oligosilanes (^tBu₂Sn(H)– (SiMe₂)_n–Sn(H)^tBu₂; 1 , n = 2; 2 , n = 3). Surprisingly, the reaction of 1 and 3 (^tBu₂Sn(H)–(SiMe₂)₄–Sn(H)^tBu₂) with LDA resulted not in the formation of the lithiated compound, but what one can find is the formation of the 5,5‐ditert.butyl‐octamethyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrasila‐5‐stannacyclopentane ( 8 ) (n = 4) in addition to the expected product 4 (n = 4) and the 3,3,6,6‐tetratert.butyl‐octamethyl‐1,2,4,5‐tetrasila‐3,6‐distannacyclohexane ( 7 ) (n = 3). Reactions of 4 and 5 with dimethyl and diphenyldichlorosilanes yielding monocyclic Si–Sn derivatives ( 9 – 11 ) are also discussed. The solid‐state structures of 7 and 11 were determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

The Synthesis of tert‐Butyl(dichloromethyl)bis(trimethylsilyl)silane and (Dibromomethyl)ditert‐butyl(trimethylsilyl)silane and their Reactions with Organolithium Derivatives

tert‐Butyl(dichloromethyl)bis(trimethylsilyl)silane ( 4 ), prepared by the reaction of tert‐butylbis(trimethylsilyl)silane with trichloromethane and potassium tert‐butoxide, reacted with 2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyllithium (TipLi) (molar ratio 1 : 2) at room temperature to give (after hydrolytic workup) the silanol tBu(2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂)Si(OH)–CH(SiMe₃)₂ ( 15 ). The formation of 15 is discussed as proceeding through the indefinitely stable silene tBu(2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂)Si=C(SiMe₃)₂ ( 13 ), but attempts to isolate the compound failed. Treatment of (dibromomethyl)ditert‐butyl(trimethylsilyl)silane ( 7 ), made from tBu₂(Me₃Si)SiH, HCBr₃ and KOtBu, with methyllithium (1 : 3) at –78 °C afforded tBu₂MeSi–CHMeSiMe₃ ( 19 ); 7 and phenyllithium (1 : 3) under similar conditions gave tBu₂PhSi–CH₂SiMe₃ ( 20 ). The reaction paths leading to 15 , 19 and 20 are discussed. Reduction of 7 with lithium in THF produced the substituted ethylene tBu₂(Me₃Si)SiCH=CHSitBu₂SiMe₃ ( 21 ). For 21 the results of an X‐ray structural analysis are given.     

Unexpected Silaazetidine Formation in the Thermolysis of thf‐Supported Silanimine Et2Si=N–SitBu3·thf

The silyl amide Et₂SiCl‐NLi‐SitBu₃ can be cleanly prepared from precursor silylamine Et₂SiCl‐NH‐SitBu₃ and Li[nBu]. The CF₃SO₃SiMe₃ induced LiCl elimination of Et₂SiCl‐NLi‐SitBu₃ in thf afforded a 2‐silaazetidine derivative by [2+2] cycloaddition of Et₂Si=N–SitBu₃ with Et₂Si(OCH=CH₂)–NH–SitBu₃. X‐ray quality crystals of this 2‐silaazetidine derivative (triclinic, space group P$\bar{1}$ ) were grown from benzene at room temperature. The starting material for this approach, Et₂SiCl–NH–SitBu₃, is water‐sensitive. Hydrolysis of Et₂SiCl‐NH‐SitBu₃ gave [tBu₃SiNH₃]Cl along with (Et₂SiO)_n oligomers. The hydro chloride [tBu₃SiNH₃]Cl could be isolated and was characterized by X‐ray crystallography (trigonal, space group P$\bar{3}$ ).     

The Reactions of Carbon Monoxide with Silyl and Silenyl Lithium – Synthesis and Isolation of the First Stable Tetra‐Silyl Di‐Ketyl Biradical and 1‐Silaallenolate Lithium

Reactions of carbon monoxide (CO) with tBu₂MeSiLi and (E)‐(tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=Si(SiMetBu₂)Li?2 THF ( 4 ) were studied both experimentally and computationally. Reaction of tBu₂MeSiLi with CO in hexane yields the first stable tetra‐silyl di‐ketyl biradical [(tBu₂MeSi)₂COLi]^.₂ ( 3 ). Reaction of 4 with CO yields selectively and quantitatively the first reported 1‐silaallenolate, (tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=C=Si(SiMetBu₂)OLi?THF ( 5 ). Both 3 and 5 were characterized by X‐ray crystallography and biradical 3 also by EPR spectroscopy. Silaallenolate 5 reacts with Me₃SiCl to produce siloxy substituted 1‐silaallene (tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=C=Si(SiMetBu₂)OSiMe₃. The reaction of 4 with CO provides a new route to 1‐silaallenes. The mechanisms of the reactions of tBuMe₂SiLi and of 4 with CO were studied by DFT calculations.     

Synthesis and Structure of the First Stannadisiloxanediol: [Me2N(CH2)2]2Sn(OSit‐Bu2OH)2. A Potential Precursor for the Preparation of Multi Component Oxides

The synthesis of [Me₂N(CH₂)₂]₂Sn(OSit‐Bu₂OH)₂ ( 1 ) by the base‐assisted cohydrolysis of [Me₂N(CH₂)₂]₂SnCl₂ and t‐Bu₂SiCl₂ is described. The molecular structure of 1 , determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, features a pentacoordinated tin atom owing to the intramolecular coordination of the nitrogen atom of one 3‐dimethylaminopropyl group, and reveals both intramolecular Si(Sn)O···H‐O and intermolecular N···H‐O hydrogen bonding. Compound 1 is a rare example of a metallasiloxanol and holds potential for the preparation of multi component oxide materials.     

Über Bildung und Reaktionen der CH2Li‐Derivate von tBu2P–P=P(CH3)tBu2 und (Me3Si)tBuP–P=P(CH3)tBu2

Formation and Reactions of the CH₂Li‐Derivatives of ^tBu₂P–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ and (Me₃Si)^tBuP–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ With ⁿBuLi, (Me₃Si)^tBuP–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 1 ) and ^tBu₂P–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 2 ) yield (Me₃Si)^tBuP–P=P(CH₂Li)^tBu₂ ( 3 ) and ^tBu₂P–P=P(CH₂Li)^tBu₂ ( 4 ), wich react with Me₃SiCl to give (Me₃Si)^tBuP–P=P(CH₂–SiMe₃)^tBu₂ ( 5 ) and ^tBu₂P–P=P(CH₂–SiMe₃)^tBu₂ ( 6 ), respectively. With ^tBu₂P–P(SiMe₃)–P^tBuCl ( 7 ), compound 3 forms 5 as well as the cyclic products [H₂C–P(^tBu)₂=P–P(^tBu)–P^tBu] ( 8 ) and [H₂C–P(^tBu)₂=P–P(P^tBu₂)–P(^tBu)] ( 9 ). Also 3 forms 8 with ^tBuPCl₂. The cleavage of the Me₃Si–P‐bond in 1 by means of C₂Cl₆ or N‐bromo‐succinimide yields (Cl)^tBuP–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 10 ) or (Br)^tBuP–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 11 ), resp. With LiP(SiMe₃)₂, 10 forms (Me₃Si)₂P–P(^tBu)–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 12 ), and Et₂P–P(^tBu)–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 13 ) with LiPEt₂. All compounds are characterized by ³¹P NMR Data and mass spectra; the ylide 5 and the THF adduct of 4 additionally by X‐ray structure analyses.     

Synthetic and Structural Studies on the Cyclic Bis(amino)stannylenes Sn[(NR)2C10H6‐1, 8] and their Reactions with SnCl2 or Si[(NCH2But)2C6H4‐1, 2] (R = SiMe3 or CH2But)

Treatment of {HNR}₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8 [R = SiMe₃ ( 1 ), CH₂Bu^t ( 2 )] with Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ afforded the cyclic stannylene Sn[{NR}₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8] [R = SiMe₃ ( 3 ), CH₂Bu^t ( 4 )]. From 3 and SnCl₂ in THF and crystallisation from toluene, the product was the crystalline tetracyclic compound ( 5 ) as the (toluene)_0.5‐solvate. Reaction of 4 with the silylene Si[(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₆H₄‐1, 2] ( 6 ) [abbreviated as Si(NN)] in benzene and crystallisation in presence of Et₂O furnished the crystalline tricyclic complex Sn[{Si(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₆H₄‐1′, 2′}₂‐{(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8}] ( 7 ) as the Et₂O‐solvate. Complex 5 slowly dissociated into its factors 3 and SnCl₂ in toluene, but rapidly in THF. Solutions of 7 in C₆D₆, C₇D₈ or THF‐d₈, studied by multinuclear, variable temperature NMR spectroscopy, revealed the presence of an equilibrium between 8 (an isomer of 7 , in which the skeletal atoms of the eight‐membered ring were , rather than the of 7 ) and 4 + 2 Si(NN), with 8 dominant in PhMe but not in THF; additionally 8 was shown to be fluxional and solutions of 8 in C₆D₆ or C₇D₈ decomposed to give the silane Si(NN)[(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8], 6 and Sn metal. The X‐ray structures of 3 , 5 and 7 are presented.     

Synthesis and Reactivity towards DIBAL‐H of Cyclo‐Siloxanes cyclo‐[R2SiOSi(Ot‐Bu)2O]2, cyclo‐(t‐BuO)2Si(OSiR2)2O,and cyclo‐R2Si[OSi(Ot‐Bu)2]2O (R = Me,Ph)

The six‐, eight‐ and twelve‐membered cyclo‐siloxanes, cyclo‐[R₂SiOSi(Ot‐Bu)₂O]₂ (R = Me ( 1 ), Ph ( 2 )), cyclo‐(t‐BuO)₂Si(OSiR₂)₂O (R = Me ( 3 ), Ph ( 4 )), cyclo‐R₂Si[OSi(Ot‐Bu)₂]₂O (R = Me ( 5 ), Ph ( 6 )) and cyclo‐[(t‐BuO)₂Si(OSiMe₂)₂O]₂ ( 3a ) were synthesized in high yields by the reaction of (t‐BuO)₂Si(OH)₂ and [(t‐BuO)₂SiOH]₂O with R₂SiCl₂ and (R₂SiCl)₂O (R = Me, Ph). Compounds 1 — 6 were characterized by solution and solid‐state ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry and osmometric molecular weight determination. The molecular structure of 4 has been determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction and features a six‐membered cyclo‐siloxane ring that is essentially planar. The reduction of 1 — 6 with i‐Bu₂AlH (DIBAL‐H) led to the formation of the metastable aluminosiloxane (t‐BuO)₂Si(OAli‐Bu₂)₂ ( 7 ) along with Me₂SiH₂ and Ph₂SiH₂.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Low‐Valent Group 14 Element Compounds

The tetravalent germanium and tin compounds of the general formulae Ph*EX₃ (Ph* = C₆H₃Trip‐2,6, Trip = C₆H₂iPr₃‐2,4,6; E = Sn, X = Cl ( 1a ), Br ( 1b ); E = Ge, X = Cl ( 2 )) are synthesized by reaction of Ph*Li·OEt₂ with EX₄. The subsequent reaction of 1a , b with LiP(SiMe₃)₂ leads to Ph*EP(SiMe₃)₂ (E = Sn ( 3 ), Ge ( 4 )) and the diphosphane (Me₃Si)₂PP(SiMe₃)₂ by a redox reaction. In an alternative approach 3 and 4 are synthesized by using the corresponding divalent compounds Ph*ECl (E = Ge, Sn) in the reaction with LiP(SiMe₃)₂. The reactivity of Ph*SnCl is extensively investigated to give with LiP(H)Trip a tin(II)‐phosphane derivative Ph*SnP(H)Trip ( 6 ) and with Li₂PTrip a proposed product [Ph*SnPTrip]^– ( 7 ) with multiple bonding between tin and phosphorus. The latter feature is confirmed by DFT calculations on a model compound [PhSnPPh]^–. The reaction with Li[H₂PW(CO)₅] gives the oxo‐bridged tin compound [Ph*Sn{W(CO)₅}(μ‐O)₂SnPh*] ( 8 ) as the only isolable product. However, the existence of 8 as the bis‐hydroxo derivative [Ph*Sn{W(CO)₅}(μ‐OH)₂SnPh*] ( 8a ) is also possible. The Sn^IV derivatives Ph*Sn(OSiMe₃)₂Cl ( 9 ) and [Ph*Sn(μ‐O)Cl]₂ ( 10 ) are obtained by the oxidation of Ph*SnCl with bis(trimethylsilyl)peroxide and with Me₃NO, respectively. Besides the spectroscopic characterization of the isolated products compounds 1a , 2 , 3 , 4 , 8 , and 10 are additionally characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Cationic organotin cluster [t‐Bu2Sn(OH)(H2O)]22+2OTf−‐catalyzed one‐pot three‐component syntheses of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles and 2,4,6‐triarylpyridines in water

The cationic organotin cluster [t‐Bu₂Sn(OH)(H₂O)]₂²⁺2OTf^? is easy to prepare and stable in air. The catalytic activity of [t‐Bu₂Sn(OH)(H₂O)]₂²⁺2OTf^? as a neutral organotin Lewis acid catalyst is probed through the one‐pot three‐component syntheses of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles from aldehydes, hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium azide, and of 2,4,6‐triarylpyridines from aromatic aldehydes, substituted acetophenones and ammonium acetate. The reactions proceed well in the presence of 1 mol% of [t‐Bu₂Sn(OH)(H₂O)]₂²⁺2OTf^? in water and provide the corresponding 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles and 2,4,6‐triarylpyridines in good to excellent yields. The method reported has several advantages such as the catalyst being neutral, low catalyst loading and use of water as a green solvent.     

Studien zur Reaktion von [Me2AlP(SiMe3)2]2 mit basenstabilisierten Organogalliumchloriden und ‐hydriden

Investigations on the Reactivity of [Me₂AlP(SiMe₃)₂]₂ with Base‐stabilized Organogalliumhalides and ‐hydrides [Me₂AlP(SiMe₃)₂]₂ ( 1 ) reacts with dmap?Ga(Cl)Me₂, dmap?Ga(Me)Cl₂, dmap?GaCl₃ and dmap?Ga(H)Me₂ with Al‐P bond cleavage and subsequent formation of heterocyclic [Me₂GaP(SiMe₃)₂]₂ ( 2 ) as well as dmap?AlMe_xCl_3?x (x = 3 8 ; 2 3 ; 1 4 ; 0 5 ). The reaction between equimolar amounts of dmap?Al(Me₂)P(SiMe₃)₂ and dmap?Ga(t‐Bu₂)Cl yield dmap?Ga(t‐Bu₂)P(SiMe₃)₂ ( 6 ) and dmap?AlMe₂Cl ( 3 ). 2 – 8 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, 2 and 6 also by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum(III) and tin(II) complexes supported by diiminophosphinate ligands and their application in ring‐opening polymerization catalysis of ε‐caprolactone

A series of Al(III) and Sn(II) diiminophosphinate complexes have been synthesized. Reaction of Ph(ArCH₂)P(?NBu^t)NHBu^t (Ar = Ph, 3 ; Ar = 8‐quinolyl, 4 ) with AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) gave aluminum complexes [R₂Al{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ar)}] (R = Me, Ar = Ph, 5 ; R = Me, Ar = 8‐quinolyl, 6 ; R = Et, Ar = Ph, 7 ; R = Et, Ar = quinolyl, 8 ). Lithiated 3 and 4 were treated with SnCl₂ to afford tin(II) complexes [ClSn{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ar)}] (Ar = Ph, 9 ; Ar = 8‐quinolyl, 10 ). Complex 9 was converted to [(Me₃Si)₂NSn{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ph)}] ( 11 ) by treatment with LiN(SiMe₃)₂. Complex 11 was also obtained by reaction of 3 with [Sn{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂]. Complex 9 reacted with [LiOC₆H₄Bu^t‐4] to yield [4‐Bu^tC₆H₄OSn{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ph)}] ( 12 ). Compounds 3–12 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structures of complexes 6 , 10 , and 11 were further characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. The catalytic activity of complexes 5–8 , 11 , and 12 toward the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (CL) was studied. In the presence of BzOH, the complexes catalyzed the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐CL in the activity order of 5 > 7 ≈ 8 > 6 ? 11 > 12 , giving polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions. The kinetic studies showed a first‐order dependency on the monomer concentration in each case. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4621–4631, 2006     

Chiral (1,2)‐Diphenylethylene‐Salen Complexes of Triel Metals: Coordination Patterns and Mechanistic Considerations in the Isoselective ROP of Lactide

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure aluminium, gallium and indium complexes supported by chiral (R,R)‐(^HHONNO^HH) ( 1 ), (R,R)‐(^MeHONNO^HMe) ( 2 ), (R,R)‐(^tButBuONNO^tButBu) ( 3 ), (R,R)‐(^MeNO2ONNO^MeNO2) ( 4 ), (R,R)‐(^HOMeONNO^HOMe) ( 5 ) and (R,R)‐(^ClClONNO^ClCl) ( 6 ) (1,2)‐diphenylethylene‐salen ligands is described. Several of these complexes have been crystallographically authenticated, which highlights a diversity of coordination patterns. Whereas all Ga complexes form [Ga₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₄(ONNO)] bimetallic species (ONNO= 1 – 3 ), aluminium [AlR(ONNO)] (R=Me, CH₂SiMe₃) and indium [In(CH₂SiMe₃)(ONNO)] derivatives are monometallic for ONNO= 1 , 2 and 4 – 6 , and only form the bimetallic complexes [Al₂R₄(ONNO)] and [In₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₄(ONNO)] for the most sterically crowded ligand 3 . The [AlMe(ONNO)] complexes react with iPrOH to give [AlOiPr(ONNO)] complexes that are robust towards further iPrOH. The [In(CH₂SiMe₃)(ONNO)] congeners are inert towards excess alcohol, whereas the Ga compounds decompose easily. All these alkyl complexes, as well as the [AlOiPr(ONNO)] derivatives, catalyse the ring‐opening polymerisation (ROP) of racemic lactide (rac‐LA). The [AlMe(ONNO)] complexes require additional alcohol to afford controlled reactions, but [AlOiPr(ONNO)] complexes are single‐component catalysts for the isoselective ROP of rac‐LA, with values of P_m in the range 0.80–0.90. Experimental evidence unexpectedly shows that chain‐end control leads to the isoselectivity of these aluminium catalysts; also, the more crowded the coordination sphere, the higher the isoselectivity. The bimetallic Ga complexes do not afford controlled reactions, but the binary [In(ONNO)(CH₂SiMe₃)/(PhCH₂OH)] systems competently mediate non‐stereoselective ROP; evidence is given that an activated monomer mechanism is at work. Kinetic studies show that catalytic activity decreases when electronic density and steric congestion at the metal atom increase.     

tBu2P?PP(X)tBu2-Ylide (X = Cl,Br, I) durch Halogenierung von [tBu2P]2P?SiMe3

tBu₂P? P?P(X)tBu₂ Ylides (X = Cl, Br, I) by Halogenation of [tBu₂P]₂P? SiMe₃ [tBu₂P]₂P? SiMe₃ 1 with halogenating agents as Br₂, I₂, Br-succinimide, CCl₄, CBr₄, CI₄ or C₂Cl₆ via cleavage of the Si? P bond in 1 produces the ylides tBu₂P? P?P(X)tBu₂ (X = Cl, Br, I). This proceeds independent from the formerly known pathway – [tBu₂P]₂PLi + 1,2-dibromoethane – and shows that the Li-phosphide must not be present as a necessary requirement for the formation of ylides.     

Potential Precursors for Terminal Methylidene Rare-Earth-Metal Complexes Supported by a Superbulky Tris(pyrazolyl)borato Ligand

A series of solvent-free heteroleptic terminal rare-earth-metal alkyl complexes stabilized by a superbulky tris(pyrazolyl)borato ligand with the general formula [Tp^tBu,MeLnMeR] have been synthesized and fully characterized. Treatment of the heterobimetallic mixed methyl/tetramethylaluminate compounds [Tp^tBu,MeLnMe(AlMe₄)] (Ln=Y, Lu) with two equivalents of the mild halogenido transfer reagents SiMe₃X (X=Cl, I) gave [Tp^tBu,MeLnX₂] in high yields. The addition of only one equivalent of SiMe₃Cl to [Tp^tBu,MeLuMe(AlMe₄)] selectively afforded the desired mixed methyl/chloride complex [Tp^tBu,MeLuMeCl]. Further reactivity studies of [Tp^tBu,MeLuMeCl] with LiR or KR (R=CH₂Ph, CH₂SiMe₃) through salt metathesis led to the monomeric mixed-alkyl derivatives [Tp^tBu,MeLuMe(CH₂SiMe₃)] and [Tp^tBu,MeLuMe(CH₂Ph)], respectively, in good yields. The SiMe₄ elimination protocols were also applicable when using SiMe₃X featuring more weakly coordinating moieties (here X=OTf, NTf₂). X-ray structure analyses of this diverse set of new [Tp^tBu,MeLnMeR/X] compounds were performed to reveal any electronic and steric effects of the varying monoanionic ligands R and X, including exact cone-angle calculations of the tridentate tris(pyrazolyl)borato ligand. Deeper insights into the reactivity of these potential precursors for terminal alkylidene rare-earth-metal complexes were gained through NMR spectroscopic studies.     

Strukturen zweifach metallierter Derivate von 3, 3‐Dimethyl‐1, 5‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1, 5‐diaza‐pentan mit Lithium und Aluminium sowie zweier Donor‐substituierter Digallane

Structural Characterization of Bis(metallated) Derivatives of 3, 3‐Dimethyl‐1, 5‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1, 5‐diaza‐pentane with Lithium and Aluminum and of two Donor‐substituted Digallanes The diaminopropane derivative Me₂C[CH₂N(H)SiMe₃]₂ is metallated with n‐butyllithium and lithium tetrahydridoaluminate to obtain Me₂C[CH₂N(Li)SiMe₃]₂ and Me₂C[CH₂N(Li)SiMe₃][CH₂N(AlH₂)SiMe₃], respectively. Both compounds exhibit a central eight‐membered ring, Li₄N₄ or Li₂Al₂N₄. Me₂C[CH₂N(Li)SiMe₃]₂ reacts with Ga₂Cl₄ · 2dioxane under formation of the corresponding tetra(amino)digallane. This is monomeric, in contrast to a dimeric tetraalkoxy‐substituted digallane, Ga₄O^tBu₈. All compounds were characterized by single crystal X‐ray crystallography.     

First Copper(I) and Silver(I) Complexes Containing Phosphanylphosphido Ligands

Three new complexes with phosphanylphosphido ligands, [Cu₄{μ₂‐P(SiMe₃)‐PtBu}₄] ( 1 ), [Ag₄{μ₂‐P(SiMe₃)‐PtBu₂}₄] ( 2 ) and [Cu{η¹‐P(SiMe₃)‐PiPr₂}₂]^–[Li(Diglyme)₂]⁺ ( 3 ) were synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Complexes 1 and 2 were obtained in the reactions of lithium derivative of diphosphane tBu₂P‐P(SiMe₃)Li · 2.7THF with CuCl and [iBu₃PAgCl]₄, respectively. The X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the complexes 1 and 2 present macrocyclic, tetrameric form with Cu₄P₄ and Ag₄P₄ core. Complex 3 was prepared in the reaction of CuCl with a different derivative of lithiated diphosphane iPr₂P‐P(SiMe₃)Li · 2(Diglyme). Surprisingly, the X‐ray analysis of 3 revealed that in this reaction instead of the tetramer the monomeric form, ionic complex [Cu{η¹‐P(SiMe₃)‐PiPr₂}₂]^–[Li(Diglyme)₂]⁺ was formed.