Boosting Low‐Valent Aluminum(I) Reactivity with a Potassium Reagent

The reagent RK [R=CH(SiMe₃)₂ or N(SiMe₃)₂] was expected to react with the low‐valent (^DIPPBDI)Al (^DIPPBDI=HC[C(Me)N(DIPP)]₂, DIPP=2,6‐iPr‐phenyl) to give [(^DIPPBDI)AlR]^?K⁺. However, deprotonation of the Me group in the ligand backbone was observed and [H₂C=C(N‐DIPP)?C(H)=C(Me)?N?DIPP]Al^?K⁺ ( 1 ) crystallized as a bright‐yellow product (73 %). Like most anionic Al^I complexes, 1 forms a dimer in which formally negatively charged Al centers are bridged by K⁺ ions, showing strong K⁺???DIPP interactions. The rather short Al–K bonds [3.499(1)–3.588(1) Å] indicate tight bonding of the dimer. According to DOSY NMR analysis, 1 is dimeric in C₆H₆ and monomeric in THF, but slowly reacts with both solvents. In reaction with C₆H₆, two C?H bond activations are observed and a product with a para‐phenylene moiety was exclusively isolated. DFT calculations confirm that the Al center in 1 is more reactive than that in (^DIPPBDI)Al. Calculations show that both Al^I and K⁺ work in concert and determines the reactivity of 1 .     

Cationic Aluminium Complexes as Catalysts for Imine Hydrogenation

Strongly Lewis acidic cationic aluminium complexes, stabilized by β–diketiminate (BDI) ligands and free of Lewis bases, have been prepared as their B(C₆F₅)₄⁻ salts and were investigated for catalytic activity in imine hydrogenation. The backbone (R1) and N (R2) substituents on the ^R1,R2BDI ligand (^R1,R2BDI=HC[C(R1)N(R2)]₂) influence sterics and Lewis acidity. Ligand bulk increases along the row ^Me,DIPPBDI<^Me,DIPePBDI≈^tBu,DIPPBDI<^tBu,DIPePBDI; DIPP=2,6-C(H)Me₂-phenyl, DIPeP=2,6-C(H)Et₂-phenyl. The Gutmann-Beckett test showed acceptor numbers of: (^tBu,DIPPBDI)AlMe⁺ 85.6, (^tBu,DIPePBDI)AlMe⁺ 85.9, (^Me,DIPPBDI)AlMe⁺ 89.7, (^Me,DIPePBDI)AlMe⁺ 90.8, (^Me,DIPPBDI)AlH⁺ 95.3. Steric and electronic factors need to be balanced for catalytic activity in imine hydrogenation. Open, highly Lewis acidic, cations strongly coordinate imine rendering it inactive as a Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP). The bulkiest cations do not coordinate imine but its combination is also not an active catalyst. The cation (^tBu,DIPPBDI)AlMe⁺ shows the best catalytic activity for various imines and is also an active catalyst for the Tishchenko reaction of benzaldehyde to benzylbenzoate. DFT calculations on the mechanism of imine hydrogenation catalysed by cationic Al complexes reveal two interconnected catalytic cycles operating in concert. Hydrogen is activated either by FLP reactivity of an Al⋅⋅⋅imine couple or, after formation of significant quantities of amine, by reaction with an Al⋅⋅⋅amine couple. The latter autocatalytic Al⋅⋅⋅amine cycle is energetically favoured.     

Calcium‐Catalyzed Arene C−H Bond Activation by Low‐Valent AlI

The low‐valent ß‐diketiminate complex (^DIPPBDI)Al is stable in benzene but addition of catalytic quantities of [(^DIPPBDI)CaH]₂ at 20 °C led to (^DIPPBDI)Al(Ph)H (^DIPPBDI=CH[C(CH₃)N‐DIPP]₂, DIPP=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl). Similar Ca‐catalyzed C?H bond activation is demonstrated for toluene or p‐xylene. For toluene a remarkable selectivity for meta‐functionalization has been observed. Reaction of (^DIPPBDI)Al(m‐tolyl)H with I₂ gave m‐tolyl iodide, H₂ and (^DIPPBDI)AlI₂ which was recycled to (^DIPPBDI)Al. Attempts to catalyze this reaction with Mg or Zn hydride catalysts failed. Instead, the highly stable complexes (^DIPPBDI)Al(H)M(^DIPPBDI) (M=Mg, Zn) were formed. DFT calculations on the Ca hydride catalyzed arene alumination suggest that a similar but more loosely bound complex is formed: (^DIPPBDI)Al(H)Ca(^DIPPBDI). This is in equilibrium with the hydride bridged complex (^DIPPBDI)Al(μ‐H)Ca(^DIPPBDI) which shows strongly increased electron density at Al. The combination of Ca‐arene bonding and a highly nucleophilic Al center are key to facile C?H bond activation.     

Alkaline-Earth Metal Mediated Benzene-to-Biphenyl Coupling

Complex [(^DIPePBDI)Ca]₂(C₆H₆), with a C₆H₆²⁻ dianion bridging two Ca²⁺ ions, reacts with benzene to yield [(^DIPePBDI)Ca]₂(biphenyl) with a bridging biphenyl²⁻ dianion (^DIPePBDI=HC[C(Me)N-DIPeP]₂; DIPeP=2,6-CH(Et)₂-phenyl). The biphenyl complex was also prepared by reacting [(^DIPePBDI)Ca]₂(C₆H₆) with biphenyl or by reduction of [(^DIPePBDI)CaI]₂ with KC₈ in presence of biphenyl. Benzene-benzene coupling was also observed when the deep purple product of ball-milling [(^DIPPBDI)CaI(THF)]₂ with K/KI was extracted with benzene (DIPP=2,6-CH(Me)₂-phenyl) giving crystalline [(^DIPPBDI)Ca(THF)]₂(biphenyl) (52 % yield). Reduction of [(^DIPePBDI)SrI]₂ with KC₈ gave highly labile [(^DIPePBDI)Sr]₂(C₆H₆) as a black powder (61 % yield) which reacts rapidly and selectively with benzene to [(^DIPePBDI)Sr]₂(biphenyl). DFT calculations show that the most likely route for biphenyl formation is a pathway in which the C₆H₆²⁻ dianion attacks neutral benzene. This is facilitated by metal-benzene coordination.     

Unsupported Mg–Alkene Bonding

The first intermolecular early main group metal–alkene complexes were isolated. This was enabled by using highly Lewis acidic Mg centers in the Lewis base-free cations (^MeBDI)Mg⁺ and (^tBuBDI)Mg⁺ with B(C₆F₅)₄⁻ counterions (^MeBDI=CH[C(CH₃)N(DIPP)]₂, ^tBuBDI=CH[C(tBu)N(DIPP)]₂, DIPP=2,6-diisopropylphenyl). Coordination complexes with various mono- and bis-alkene ligands, typically used in transition metal chemistry, were structurally characterized for 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, cyclooctene, 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene, 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene, and 2-ethyl-1-butene. In all cases, asymmetric Mg–alkene bonding with a short and a long Mg−C bond is observed. This asymmetry is most extreme for Mg–(H₂C=CEt₂) bonding. In bromobenzene solution, the Mg–alkene complexes are either dissociated or in a dissociation equilibrium. A DFT study and AIM analysis showed that the C=C bonds hardly change on coordination and there is very little alkene→Mg electron transfer. The Mg–alkene bonds are mainly electrostatic and should be described as Mg²⁺ ion-induced dipole interactions.     

Low Valent Magnesium Chemistry with a Super Bulky β‐Diketiminate Ligand

The steric bulk of the well‐known ^DIPPBDI ligand (CH[C(CH₃)N‐DIPP]₂, DIPP=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) was increased by replacing isopropyl for isopentyl groups. This very bulky ^DIPePBDI ligand could not stabilize the radical species (^DIPePBDI)Mg^.: reduction of (^DIPePBDI)MgI with Na gave (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂ with a rather long Mg‐Mg bond of 3.0513(8) Å. Addition of TMEDA prior to reduction gave complex (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂(C₆H₆), which could also be obtained as its THF adduct. It is speculated that combination of a bulky spectator ligand and TMEDA prevents dimerization of the intermediate Mg^I radical, which then reacts with the benzene solvent. Complex (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂(C₆H₆), which formally contains the anti‐aromatic anion C₆H₆^2?, reacted with tBuOH as a Brønsted base to 1,3‐ and 1,4‐cyclohexadiene and with H₂ as a two electron donor to (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂H₂ and C₆H₆. It also reductively cleaved the C?F bond in fluorobenzene and gave (^DIPePBDI)MgPh, (^DIPePBDI)MgF, and C₆H₆.     

Front Cover: Small-Molecule Activation by Heteroleptic Metallasilylenes (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2/2023)

We report on reactions of heteroleptic metallasilylenes L¹(Cl)MSiL² (M=Al 1 , Ga 2 , L¹=HC[C(Me)NDipp]₂, Dipp=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃; L²=PhC(N^tBu)₂) with CO₂, N₂O, and Me₃SiN₃, yielding the corresponding carbonate complexes L¹(Cl)MOSi(CO₃-κ²O,O−)L² (M=Al 3 , Ga 4 ), silanoic esters L¹(Cl)MOSi(O)L² (M=Al 5 , Ga 6 ), and silaimine L¹(Cl)GaSi(NSiMe₃)L² ( 8 ), whereas {L²Si[N(SiMe₃)Al(Cl)C(Me)NDipp][CHC(Me)N(Dipp)]} 7 was formed by C−C bond cleavage of the L¹ ligand. Compounds 3 – 8 were characterized by NMR (¹H, ¹³C) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

β-Diketiminato Rare-Earth Metal Complexes: The Influence of Monoatomic Substituents in the N-aryl Moieties on Structures and Properties

Treatment of β-diketiminate ligands bearing different N-aryl monoatomic substituents [HL^H = (C₆H₅)N = C(Me)CH=C(Me)NH(C₆H₅), HL^F = (2,6-F₂C₆H₃)N=C(Me)CH=C(Me)NH(2,6-F₂C₆H₃), and HL^Cl = (2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃)N=C(Me)CH=C(Me)NH(2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃)] with Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ (Ln = Y and Lu) afforded a variety of β-diketiminato rare-earth metal complexes depending on substituents, namely, phenyl ring C–H bond activated complexes (L')(L^H)Lu(THF) ( 1b , L' = (C₆H₄)N = C(Me)CH=C(Me)N(C₆H₅)), six-coordinate homoleptic complexes (L^H)₃Ln [Ln = Y ( 1aa ), Lu ( 1bb )], five-coordinate monoalkyl complexes (L^F)₂Ln(CH₂SiMe₃) [Ln = Y ( 2a ), Lu ( 2b )], and four-coordinate dialkyl complexes (L^Cl)Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ [Ln = Y ( 3a ), Lu ( 3b )]. All these complexes were characterized with NMR spectroscopy, and lutetium complexes 1b , 1bb and 3b were structurally validated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover, dialkyl complexes 3 promoted the polymerization of 2-vinylpyridine (2-VP) to produce atactic poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) with quantitative yield. On activation with an equimolar amount of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], complexes 3 afforded highly isotactic P2VP with an mm value up to 94 %. Both ¹H NMR spectrum and MALDI-TOF mass analysis of an oligomer indicate that the polymerization was initiated by coordination insertion of 2-VP into the Y-CH₂SiMe₃ bond.     

Syntheses and Structures of Zinc Bis(phosphinimino)methanide Complexes

Reactions of bis(phosphinimino)methanes H₂C(PPh₂NR)₂ [R = SiMe₃ (L¹H), Ph (L²H), 2,6‐iPr₂‐C₆H₃ (DIPP) (L³H)] with ZnR₂ (R = Me, Et) yielded the corresponding bis(phosphinimino)methanide zinc complexes LZnMe [L² ( 1 ), L³ ( 2 )] and LZnEt [L¹ ( 3 ), L² ( 4 ), and L³ ( 5 )]. Complexes 1 – 5 were characterized by heteronuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Comparison of Characteristic Structural Features among the Triade of Tris(cyclopentadienyl)(Group-4 Metal) Complex Cations: a Combined Theoretical and Experimental Study

A density functional theory computational chemistry study has revealed a fundamental structural difference between [Ti(Cp)₃]⁺ and its congeners [Zr(Cp)₃]⁺ and [Hf(Cp)₃]⁺/(Cp=cyclopentadienyl). Whereas the latter two are found to contain three uniformely η⁵-coordinated Cp ligands (3η⁵-structural type), [Ti(Cp)₃]⁺ is shown to prefer a 2η⁵η² structure. [Ti(Cp)₃]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻ ( 10 ⋅[B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻) was experimentally generated by treatment of [Ti(Cp)₃(Me)] ( 7a ) with B(C₆F₅)₃ (Scheme 3). Low-temperature ¹H-NMR spectroscopy in CDFCl₂ (143 K, 600 MHz; Fig. 8) showed a splitting of the Cp resonance into five lines in a 2 : 5 : 2 : 5 : 1 ratio which would be in accord with the theoretically predicted 2η⁵η²-type structure of [Ti(Cp)₃]⁺. The precursor [Ti(Cp)₃(Me)] ( 7a ) exhibits two ¹H-NMR Cp resonances in a 10 : 5 ratio in CD₂Cl₂ at 223 K. Treatment of [HfCl(Cp)₂(Me)] ( 6c ) with sodium cyclopentadienide gave [Hf(Cp)₃(Me)] ( 7c ) (Scheme 1). Its reaction with B(C₆F₅)₃ furnished the salt [Hf(Cp)₃]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻ ( 8 ⋅[B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻), which reacted with tert-butyl isocyanide to give the cationic complex [Hf(Cp)₃(C=N−CMe₃)]⁺ ( 9a ; with counterion [B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻ (Scheme 2). Complex cation 9a was characterized by X-ray diffraction (Fig. 7). Its Hf(Cp₃) moiety is of the 3η⁵-type. The structure is distorted trigonal-pyramidal with an average D−Hf−D angle of 118.8° and an average D−Hf−C(1) angle of 96.5° (D denotes the centroids of the Cp rings; Table 6). Cation 9a is a typical d⁰-isocyanide complex exhibiting structural parameters of the C≡N−CMe₃ group (d(C(1)−N(2))=1.146 (5) Å; IR: v˜(C≡N) 2211 cm⁻¹) very similar to free uncomplexed isonitrile. Analogous treatment of 8 with carbon monoxide yielded the carbonyl (d⁰-group-4-metal) complex [Hf(Cp)₃(CO)]⁺ ( 9b ; with counterion [B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻) (Scheme 2) that was also characterized by X-ray crystal-structure analysis (Fig. 6). Complex 9b is also of the 3η⁵-structural type, similar to the peviously described cationic complex [Zr(Cp)₃(CO)]⁺, and exhibits properties of the CO ligand (d(C−O)=1.11 (2) Å; IR: v˜(C≡O) 2137 cm⁻¹) very similar to the free carbon monoxide molecule.     

Tricoordinate Organochromium(III) Complexes Supported by a Bulky Silylamido Ligand Produce Ultra‐High‐Molecular Weight Polyethylene in the Absence of Activators

Low‐coordinate organoCr(III) complexes supported by the silylamido ligand –N(SiMe₃)DIPP (DIPP = 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) are ethylene polymerization catalyst precursors without the need of additional cocatalyst. The reaction of CrCl₃(THF)₃ with 3 or 2 equiv. of LiN(SiMe₃)DIPP yields either a four‐membered cyclometalated Cr complex or Cr[N(SiMe₃)DIPP]₂Cl, respectively, with no trace of Cr[N(SiMe₃)DIPP]₃. Addition of 1 equiv. of LiN(SiMe₃)DIPP to Cr[N(SiMe₃)DIPP]₂Cl also leads to the four‐membered metallacycle, which upon heating transforms to a new six‐membered Cr metallacycle, likely via a σ‐bond metathesis step. Cr[N(SiMe₃)DIPP]₂Cl can be readily converted to bis(amido)Cr(III) vinyl and alkyl complexes Cr[N(SiMe₃)DIPP]₂R (R = vinyl, Bn, and Me). All of these structurally characterized low‐coordinate Cr(III) complexes with a Cr–C bond initiate the polymerization of ethylene in the absence of activators or cocatalysts, producing ultra‐high‐molecular weight polyethylene.     

Diverse Reactivity of a Ca(I) Synthon

Low-valent Mg^I complexes like (BDI)Mg−Mg(BDI) have found wide-spread application as specialty reducing agents (BDI=β-diketiminate). Also their redox reactivity was extensively investigated. In contrast, attempts to isolate similar Ca^I complexes led to reduction of the aromatic solvents or N₂. Complex (^DIPePBDI)Ca(μ₆,μ₆-C₆H₆)Ca(^DIPePBDI) ( VIII ) should be regarded a Ca^II complex with a bridging C₆H₆²⁻ dianion (^DIPePBDI=HC[C(Me)N-DIPeP]₂, DIPeP=2,6-C(H)Et₂-phenyl). It can react as a Ca^I synthon by releasing benzene and two electrons. Herein we describe the reactivity of VIII with benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene, COT, Ph₃SiCl, PhSiH₃, a (BDI)AlI₂ complex, H₂, PhX (X=F, Cl, Br, I), tBuOH and tBuCH₂I. The C₆H₆²⁻ dianion in VIII can react as a 2e⁻ source, a nucleophile or a Brønsted base. In some cases radical reactivity cannot be excluded. Crystal structures of (^DIPePBDI)Ca(μ₈,μ₈-COT)Ca(^DIPePBDI) ( 1 ) and [(^DIPePBDI)CaX ⋅ (THF)]₂ (X=F, Cl, Br, I) ( 2 – 5 ) are described.     

Treatment of Silylene–Phosphinidene with Chalcogens Resulted Exclusively in the Formation of Silicon-Bonded Chalcogens

Chalcogen-bonded silicon phosphinidenes LSi(E)−P−^MecAAC (E=S ( 1 ); Se ( 2 ); Te ( 3 ); L=PhC(NtBu)₂; ^MecAAC=C(CH₂)(CMe₂)₂N-2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)) were synthesized from the reactions of silylene–phosphinidene LSi−P−^MecAAC ( A ) with elemental chalcogens. All the compounds reported herein have been characterized by multinuclear NMR, elemental analyses, LIFDI-MS, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Furthermore, the regeneration of silylene–phosphinidene ( A ) was achieved from the reactions of 2 – 3 with L′Al (L′=HC{(CMe)(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃N)}₂). Theoretical studies on chalcogen-bonded silicon phosphinidenes indicate that the Si−E (E=S, Se, Te) bond can be best represented as charge-separated electron-sharing σ-bonding interaction between [LSi−P−^MecAAC]⁺ and E⁻. The partial double-bond character of Si−E is attributed to significant hyperconjugative donation from the lone pair on E⁻ to the Si−N and Si−P σ*-molecular orbitals.     

Synthesis and structure of metalloid aluminum clusters—intermediates on the way to the elements

Metastable Aluminum(I) halide solutions proved to have a high potential for the synthesis of novel subvalent Al compounds, such as Al_nX_m species (X=Cl, Br, I; n<m, average oxidation state of Al below +3 or n>m, average oxidation state of Al below +1) or Al_nR_m species (R=bulky ligand; n>m). There are two principal reaction types, which are essential for the formation of the compounds discussed herein. The disproportionation, which finally results in Al(III) halides and Al metal and the metathesis which leads to a substitution of X atoms against R groups. By this way the metalloid cluster compounds [Al₇{N(SiMe₃)₂}₆]⁻, [Al₁₂{N(SiMe₃)₂}₈]⁻, [Al₁₄I₆{N(SiMe₃)₂}₆]²⁻, [Al₆₉{N(SiMe₃)₂}₁₈]³⁻, and [Al₇₇{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂₀]²⁻ could be isolated. The characteristic feature of these metalloid Al clusters is the number of AlAl contacts being larger than the number of Alligand bonds, i.e. there are more ‘naked’ than ligand-bonded Al atoms. Furthermore, the topology of the closest packing in Al metal is already pre-formed in these compounds.     

Cyclohydroamination of Aminoalkenes Catalyzed by Disilazide Alkaline‐Earth Metal Complexes: Reactivity Patterns and Deactivation Pathways

The behavior of the first aminophenolate catalysts of the large alkaline earth metals (Ae) [(LOⁱ)AeN(SiMe₂R)₂(thf)_x] (i=1–4; Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba; R=H, Me; x=0–2) for the cyclohydroamination of terminal aminoalkenes is discussed. The complexes [(BDI)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] (Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba, x=1–2; (BDI)H=H₂C[C(Me)N‐2,6‐(iPr)₂C₆H₃]₂)) and [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₃)₂(thf)] supported by the β‐diketiminate (BDI)^? ligand have also been employed for comparative and mechanistic considerations. The catalytic performances decrease in the order Ca>Sr?Ba, which is the opposite trend to that previously observed during the intermolecular hydroamination of activated alkenes catalyzed by the same alkaline‐earth metal complexes. Catalyst efficacy increases when the chelating and donating ability of the aminophenolate ligands decreases. For given metals and ancillary scaffolds, disilazide catalysts that incorporate the N(SiMe₃)₂^? amido group outclass their congeners containing the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? amide owing to the lower basicity of the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? with respect to the N(SiMe₃)₂^? group, and also because Ae–N(SiMe₂H)₂ catalysts suffer from irreversible deactivation through the dehydrogenative coupling of amine and hydrosilane moieties. This deactivation process takes place at 25 °C in the case of [(LOⁱ)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] phenolate complexes and occurs even with the related [(BDI)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] complex, albeit under conditions harsher than those required for effective cyclohydroamination catalysis. A mechanistic scenario for cyclohydroamination catalyzed by [(LX)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] complexes ((LX)^?=(LOⁱ)^? or (BDI)^?) is proposed. Although beneficial for the synthesis of Ae heteroleptic complexes able to resist deleterious Schlenk‐type equilibria, the use of the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? is prejudicial to catalytic activity in the case of catalyzed transformations that involve reactive amine (and potentially other) substrates. Mechanistic and kinetic investigations further illustrate the interplay between the catalytic activity, operative mechanism, and identity of the metal, ancillary ligand, and amido group. These studies suggest that the widely accepted mechanism for cyclohydroamination reactions cannot be extended systematically to all alkaline‐earth catalysts. The [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₂H)₂{H₂NCH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂CH?CH₂}₂] complex, the first Ca–aminoalkene adduct structurally characterized, was prepared quantitatively and essentially behaves like [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₂H)(thf)], thus serving as a model compound for mechanistic studies, as illustrated during stoichiometric reactions monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Modification of Yttrium Silyl-Bridged Amide Alkyl Complexes through Si−H/C−H Cross-Dehydrocoupling of Silanes with a Silylamino Ligand: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Mechanism

A new method for the modification of a silylamino ligand has been developed through mono and dual C(sp³)−H/Si−H cross-dehydrocoupling with silanes. The reaction of [LY{η²-(C,N)-CH₂Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (L=bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-β-diketiminato, L′ ( 1^L ′); L=tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, Tp^Me2 ( 1^TpMe2 )) with 2 equivalents of PhSiH₃ in toluene gave the complexes [LY{η²-(C,N)-C(SiH₂Ph)₂Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (L=L′ ( 2^L’ ); L=Tp^Me2 ( 2^TpMe2 )). Moreover, 1^TpMe2 reacted with the secondary silanes Ph₂SiH₂ and Et₂SiH₂ to afford the corresponding mono C−H activation products [Tp^Me2Y{η²-(C,N)-CH(SiHR₂)Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (R=Ph ( 4 b ); R=Et ( 4 c )). The equimolar reaction of 1^TpMe2 with PhSiH₃ also produced the mono C−H activation product 4 a ([Tp^Me2Y{η²-(C,N)-CH(SiH₂Ph)Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}(thf)]). A study of their reactivity showed that 4 a facilely reacted with 2 equivalents of benzothiazole by an unusual 1,1-addition of the C=N bond of the benzothiazolyl unit to the Si−H bond to give the C−H/Si−H cross-dehydrocoupling product [(Tp^Me2)Y{η³-(N,N,N)-N(SiMe₃)SiMe₂CH₂Si(Ph)(CSC₆H₄N)(CHSC₆H₄N)}] ( 5 ). These results indicate that this modification endows the silylamino ligand with novel reactivity.     

Shedding Light on the Diverse Reactivity of NacNacAl with N-Heterocycles

The aluminum(I) compound NacNacAl (NacNac=[ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)NAr]⁻, Ar=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃, 1 ) shows diverse and substrate-controlled reactivity in reactions with N-heterocycles. 4-Dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), a basic substrate in which the 4-position is blocked, induces rearrangement of NacNacAl by shifting a hydrogen atom from the methyl group of the NacNac backbone to the aluminum center. In contrast, C−H activation of the methyl group of 4-picoline takes place to produce a species with a reactive terminal methylene. Reaction of 1 with 3,5-lutidine results in the first example of an uncatalyzed, room-temperature cleavage of an sp² C−H bond (in the 4-position) by an Al^I species. Another reactivity mode was observed for quinoline, which undergoes 2,2′-coupling. Finally, the reaction of 1 with phthalazine produces the product of N−N bond cleavage.     

Tritopic NHC Precursors: Unusual Nickel Reactivity and Ethylene Insertion into a C(sp3)–H Bond

The imidazolium chloride [C₃H₃N(C₃H₆NMe₂)N{C(Me)(=NDipp)}]Cl ( 1 ; Dipp=2,6‐diisopropyl phenyl), a potential precursor to a tritopic N^imineC^NHCN^amine pincer‐type ligand, reacted with [Ni(cod)₂] to give the Ni^I‐Ni^I complex 2 , which contains a rare cod‐derived η³‐allyl‐type bridging ligand. The implied intermediate formation of a nickel hydride through oxidative addition of the imidazolium C−H bond did not occur with the symmetrical imidazolium chloride [C₃H₃N₂{C(Me)(=NDipp)}₂]Cl ( 3 ). Instead, a Ni−C(sp³) bond was formed, leading to the neutral N^imineCHN^imine pincer‐type complex Ni[C₃H₃N₂{C(Me)(=NDipp)}₂]Cl ( 4 ). Theoretical studies showed that this highly unusual feature in nickel NHC chemistry is due to steric constraints induced by the N substituents, which prevent Ni−H bond formation. Remarkably, ethylene inserted into the C(sp³)−H bond of 4 without nickel hydride formation, thus suggesting new pathways for the alkylation of non‐activated C−H bonds.     

Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution at Benzene with Powerful Strontium Hydride and Alkyl Complexes

Key to the isolation of the first alkyl strontium complex was the synthesis of a strontium hydride complex that is stable towards ligand exchange reactions. This goal was achieved by using the super bulky β‐diketiminate ligand ^DIPePBDI (CH[C(Me)N‐DIPeP]₂, DIPeP=2,6‐diisopentylphenyl). Reaction of ^DIPePBDI‐H with Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ gave (^DIPePBDI)SrN(SiMe₃)₂, which was converted with PhSiH₃ into [(^DIPePBDI)SrH]₂. Dissolved in C₆D₆, the strontium hydride complex is stable up to 70 °C. At 60 °C, H–D isotope exchange gave full conversion into [(^DIPePBDI)SrD]₂ and C₆D₅H. Since H–D exchange with D₂ is facile, the strontium hydride complex served as a catalyst for the deuteration of C₆H₆ by D₂. Reaction of [(^DIPePBDI)SrH]₂ with ethylene gave [(^DIPePBDI)SrEt]₂. The high reactivity of this alkyl strontium complex is demonstrated by facile ethylene polymerization and nucleophilic aromatic substitution with C₆D₆, giving alkylated aromatic products and [(^DIPePBDI)SrD]₂.     

CH Bond Activation with Triel Metals: Indium and Gallium Zwitterions through Internal Hydride Abstraction in Rigid Salan Ligands

The hydropyrimidine salan (salan=N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐bis[(2‐hydroxyphenyl)methylene]‐1,2‐diaminoethane) proteo‐ligands with a rigid backbone {ON^(CH₂)^NO}H₂ react with M(CH₂SiMe₃)₃ (M=Ga, In) to yield the zwitterions {ON^(CH⁺)^NO}M^?(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ (M=Ga, 2 ; In, 3 ) by abstraction of a hydride from the ligand backbone followed by elimination of dihydrogen. By contrast, with Al₂Me₆, the neutral‐at‐metal bimetallic complex [{ON^(CH₂)^NO}AlMe]₂ ( [1]₂ ) is obtained quantitatively. The formation of indium zwitterions is also observed with sterically more encumbered ligands containing o‐Me substituents on the phenolic rings, or an N (CHPh) N moiety in the heterocyclic core. Overall, the ease of C?H bond activation follows the order Al?Ga<In. Experimental data based on model complexes, XRD studies, and ²H NMR spectroscopy show that the formation of the Ga/In zwitterion involves rapid release of SiMe₄ followed by evolution of H₂, and suggest the formation of a transient metal‐hydride species. DFT calculations indicate that the systems {ON^(CH₂)^NO}H₂+M(CH₂SiMe₃)₃ (M=Al, Ga, In) all initially lead to the formation of the neutral monophenolate dihydrocarbyl species through a single protonolysis. From here, the thermodynamic product, the model neutral‐at‐metal complex 1 , is formed in the case of aluminum after a second protonolysis. On the other hand, lower activation energy pathways lead to the generation of zwitterionic complexes 2 and 3 in the cases of gallium and indium, and the formation of these zwitterions obeys a strict kinetic control; the computations suggest that, as inferred from the experimental data, the reaction proceeds through an instable metal‐hydride species, which could not be isolated synthetically.