Bonding in Diborane–Metal Complexes: A Quantum‐Chemical and Experimental Study of Complexes Featuring Early and Late Transition Metals

The coordination chemistry of the doubly base‐stabilised diborane(4), [HB(hpp)]₂ (hpp=1,3,4,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrimido‐[1,2‐a]pyrimidinate), was extended by the synthesis of new late transition‐metal complexes containing Cu^I and Rh^I fragments. A detailed experimental study was conducted and quantum‐chemical calculations on the metal–ligand bonding interactions for [HB(hpp)]₂ complexes of Group 6, 9, 11 and 12 metals revealed the dominant B? H? M interactions in the case of early transition‐metal fragments, whereas the B? B? M bonding prevails in the case of the late d‐block compounds. These findings support the experimental results as reflected by the IR and NMR spectroscopic parameters of the investigated compounds. DFT calculations on [MeB(hpp)]₂ and model reactions between [B₂H₄ ? 2NMe₃] and [Rh(μ‐Cl)(C₂H₄)₂] showed that the bicyclic guanidinate allows in principle for an oxidative addition of the B? B bond. However, the formation of σ‐complexes is thermodynamically favoured. The results point to the selective B? H or B? B bond‐activation of diborane compounds by complexation, depending on the chosen transition‐metal fragment.     

A Facile Route for the Synthesis of Polycationic Tellurium Cluster Compounds: Synthesis in Ionic Liquid Media and Characterization by Single‐Crystal X‐ray Crystallography and Magnetic Susceptibility

An innovative soft chemical approach was applied, using ionic liquids as an alternative reaction medium for the synthesis of tellurium polycationic cluster compounds at room temperature. [Mo₂Te₁₂]I₆, Te₆[WOCl₄]₂, and Te₄[AlCl₄]₂ were isolated from the ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl/AlCl₃ ([BMIM]⁺: 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium) and characterized. Black, cube‐shaped crystals of [Mo₂Te₁₂]I₆, which is not accessible by conventional chemical transport reaction, were obtained by reaction of the elements at room temperature in [BMIM]Cl/AlCl₃. The monoclinic structure (P2₁/n, a = 1138.92(2) pm, b = 1628.13(2) pm, c = 1611.05(2) pm, β = 105.88(1) °) is homeotypic to the triclinic bromide [Mo₂Te₁₂]Br₆. In the binulear complex [Mo₂Te₁₂]⁶⁺, the molybdenum(III) atoms are η⁴‐coordinated by terminal Te₄²⁺ rings and two bridging η²‐Te₂^2– dumbbells. Despite the short Mo···Mo distance of 297.16(5) pm, coupling of the magnetic moments is not observed. The paramagnetic moment of 3.53 μ_B per molybdenum(III) atom corresponds to an electron count of seventeen. Black crystals of monoclinic Te₆[WOCl₄]₂ are obtained by the oxidation of tellurium with WOCl₄ in [BMIM]Cl/AlCl₃. Tellurium and tellurium(IV) synproportionate in the ionic liquid at room temperature yielding violet crystals of orthorhombic Te₄[AlCl₄]₂.     

Chemistry of Guanidinate‐Stabilised Diboranes: Transition‐Metal‐Catalysed Dehydrocoupling and Hydride Abstraction

Herein, we analyse the catalytic boron–boron dehydrocoupling reaction that leads from the base‐stabilised diborane(6) [H₂B(hpp)]₂ (hpp=1,3,4,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrimido[1,2‐a]pyrimidinate) to the base‐stabilised diborane(4) [H₂B(hpp)]₂. A number of potential transition‐metal precatalysts was studied, including transition‐metal complexes of the product diborane(4). The synthesis and structural characterisation of two further examples of such complexes is presented. The best results for the dehydrocoupling reactions were obtained with precatalysts of Group 9 metals in the oxidation state of +I. The active catalyst is formed in situ through a multistep process that involves reduction of the precatalyst by the substrate [H₂B(hpp)]₂, and mechanistic investigations indicate that both heterogeneous and (slower) homogeneous reaction pathways play a role in the dehydrocoupling reaction. In addition, hydride abstraction from [H₂B(hpp)]₂ and related diboranes is analysed and the possibility for subsequent deprotonation is discussed by probing the protic character of the cationic boron–hydrogen compounds with NMR spectroscopic analysis.     

La4B14O27: Ein Lanthan‐ultra‐Oxoborat mit Raumnetzstruktur

La₄B₁₄O₂₇: A Lanthanum ultra‐Oxoborate with a Framework Structure Single crystals of La₄B₁₄O₂₇ could be synthesized by the reaction of La₂O₃, LaCl₃ and B₂O₃ with an access of CsCl as fluxing agent in gastightly sealed platinum ampoules within twenty days at 710 °C and appear as colourless, transparent and waterresistant platelets. The new lanthanum oxoborate La₄B₁₄O₂₇ (monoclinic, C2/c; a = 1120.84(9), b = 641.98(6), c = 2537.2(2) pm, β = 100.125(8)°; Z = 4) is built of a three‐dimensional boron‐oxygen framework containing seven crystallographically different boron atoms. Four of these B³⁺ cations are surrounded by four O^2? anions tetrahedrally, whereas the other three have only three oxygen neighbours with nearly plane triangular coordination figures. Three of the [BO₄]^5? tetrahedra form [B₃O₉]^9? rings by cyclic vertex‐condensation, which are further linked via [BO₃]^3? units to infinite layers. Two of these layers connect via one [B₂O₇]^8? unit of two corner‐shared [BO₄]^5? tetrahedra to double layers, which themselves build up a three‐dimensional framework together with chains consisting of two [BO₄]^5? tetrahedra and one [BO₃]^3? triangle. One of the two crystallographically independent La³⁺ cations (La1) is surrounded by ten O^2? anions and resides within the oxoborate double layers. (La2)³⁺ shows a (8+2)‐fold coordination of O^2? anions and occupies channels along the [110] direction.     

Dodecahydro‐nido‐undecaborate [B11H12]3–

The deprotonation of the nido‐anion [B₁₁H₁₄]^– by two equivalents of LitBu yields the anion [B₁₁H₁₂]^3–. Three observed ¹¹B NMR shifts of this anion in the ratio 1 : 5 : 5 are in agreement with shifts calculated by the GIAO method on the basis of the ab initio computed geometry. The deprotonation can be reversed, giving back [B₁₁H₁₄]^– via [B₁₁H₁₃]^2–. The thermolysis of [Li(thp)_x]₃[B₁₁H₁₂] in thp at 80 °C leads to the closo‐borate [Li(thp)₃]₂[B₁₁H₁₁] under elimination of LiH. Anhydrous air transforms [B₁₁H₁₂]^3– into the known oxa‐nido‐dodecaborate [OB₁₁H₁₂]^–. The rhoda‐closo‐dodecaborate [L₂RhB₁₁H₁₁]^3– is formed from [B₁₁H₁₂]^3– and RhL₃Cl (L = PPh₃).     

Wechselwirkungen in Kristallen, 176. Mitteilung,Redox‐Reaktionen von Hexahydropyren: Kristallstrukturen seiner Radikalanion‐Salze sowie von Trihydropyrenylium‐tetrachloroaluminat und Dichtefunktionaltheorie‐Berechnungen

Redox Reactions of Hexahydropyrene: Crystal Structures of Its Radical‐Anion Salts as well as of Trihydropyrenylium Tetrachloroaluminate and Density‐Functional‐Theory Calculations Hexahydropyrene 1 , a doubly propane‐1,3‐diyl‐bridged peri‐naphthalene derivative wtih 10 π‐electrons allows both oxidation to its cation as well as reduction to its radical‐anion salts, which could be crystallized and structurally characterized – a rather rare case for small unsaturated hydrocarbons. The unexpected formally threefold dehydrogenation by the oxidizing system AlCl₃/H₂CCl₂ (Bock's reagent) generated the hitherto unknown 1,2,3‐trihydropyrene cation in two polymorphic crystals, which contain 12 π‐electrons delocalized over three anellated six‐membered rings comprising 13 π‐centers. Structural comparison of the altogether four crystallized redox products [K⁺_solv][M^.−] 2a , [K⁺_solv][M^.−]_∞ 2b , [Na⁺_solv][M^.−] 2c , and [(M−3 H)⁺][AlCl⁻₄] 3 with the neutral hydrocarbon 1 reveals only small differences in bond lengths and angles, but establishes solvation contacts, π(η⁶)⋅⋅⋅K⁺ coordination in the polymer 2b , the flattening of one molecular half in the trihydropyren cation of 3 and ten H‐bonds CH⋅⋅⋅Cl to the AlCl₄⁻ counter anion of 3 . DFT/NBO Charge distributions, calculated based on the experimental structural parameters, show charge accumulation in the propanediyl bridges as well as in the peripheral naphthalene C−C bonds of the radical anions. The largest changes result expectedly for the formally triply dehydrogenated 1 , i.e. the trihydropyren cation of 3 , with two slightly positive and partly considerably less negative π‐centers.     

Functionalization of closo‐Borates via Iodonium Zwitterions

A simple method for the functionalization of closo‐borates [closo‐B₁₀H₁₀]^2? ( 1 ), [closo‐1‐CB₉H₁₀]^? ( 2 ), [closo‐B₁₂H₁₂]^2? ( 3 ), [closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₂]^? ( 4 ), and [3,3′‐Co(1,2‐C₂B₉H₁₁)₂]^? ( 5 ) is described. Treatment of the anions and their derivatives with ArI(OAc)₂ gave aryliodonium zwitterions, which were sufficiently stable for chromatographic purification. The reactions of these zwitterions with nucleophiles provided facile access to pyridinium, sulfonium, thiol, carbonitrile, acetoxy, and amino derivatives. The synthetic results are augmented by mechanistic considerations.     

Transition‐Metal π‐Ligation of a Tetrahalodiborane

The reaction of tetraiododiborane (B₂I₄) with trans‐[Pt(BI₂)I(PCy₃)₂] gives rise to the diplatinum(II) complex [{(Cy₃P)(I₂B)Pt}₂(μ₂:η³:η³‐B₂I₄)], which is supported by a bridging diboranyl dianion ligand [B₂I₄]^2?. This complex is the first transition‐metal complex of a diboranyl dianion, as well as the first example of intact coordination of a B₂X₄ (X=halide) unit of any type to a metal center.     

syn‐1,2‐Carboboration of Alkynes with Borenium Cations

The reaction of 8‐(trimethylsiloxy)quinoline ( QOTMS ) with BCl₃ and (aryl)BCl₂ forms QOBCl₂ and QOBCl(aryl). The subsequent addition of stoichiometric AlCl₃ follows one of two paths, dependent on the steric demands of the QO ligand and the electrophilicity of the resulting borenium cation. The phenyl‐ and 5‐hexylthienylborenium cations, QOBPh⁺ and QOBTh⁺ , are formed, whereas QOBCl⁺ is not. Instead, AlCl₃ preferentially binds with QOBCl₂ at oxygen, forming QOBCl₂?AlCl₃ , rather than abstracting chloride. A modest increase in the steric demands around oxygen, by installing a methyl group at the 7‐position of the quinolato ligand, switches the reactivity with AlCl₃ back to chloride abstraction, allowing formation of QOBCl⁺ . All the prepared borenium cations are highly chlorophilic and exhibit significant interaction with AlCl₄^? resulting in an equilibrium concentration of Lewis acidic “AlCl₃” species. The presence of “AlCl₃^” species limits the alkyne substrates compatible with these borenium systems, with reaction of [ QOBPh][AlCl₄] with 1‐pentyne exclusively yielding the cyclotrimerised product, 1,3,5‐tripropylbenzene. In contrast, QOBPh⁺ and QOBTh⁺ systems effect the syn‐1,2‐carboboration of 3‐hexyne. DFT calculations at the M06‐2X/6‐311G(d,p)/PCM(DCM) level confirm that the higher migratory aptitude of Ph versus Me leads to a lower barrier to 1,2‐carboboration relative to 1,1‐carboboration.     

The Crystal Structure of Solvent‐Free Silver Dodecachloro‐closo‐dodecaborate Ag2[B12Cl12] from Aqueous Solution

Colourless octahedral single crystals of solvent‐free Ag₂[B₁₂Cl₁₂] (cubic, Pa3¯; a = 1238.32(7) pm, Z = 4) are obtained by the metathesis reaction of Cs₂[B₁₂Cl₁₂] with an aqueous solution of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and recrystallization of the crude product from water. The crystal structure is best described as a distorted anti‐CaF₂‐type arrangement in which the quasi‐icosahedral [B₁₂Cl₁₂]^2— anions (d(B—B) = d(B—Cl) = 177—180 pm) are arranged in a cubic closest‐packed fashion. The tetrahedral interstices are filled with Ag⁺ cations which are strongly displaced from their ideal positions. Thereby each silver atom gets coordinated by six chlorine atoms from the edges of three [B₁₂Cl₁₂]^2— anions providing a distorted octahedral coordination sphere to the Ag⁺ cations (d(Ag—Cl) = 283—285 pm, CN = 6).     

Synthesis and X‐ray Crystallography of Two Lead(II) Decahydro‐closo‐Decaborate Hydrates

The reaction of Pb[CO₃] with an aqueous solution of (H₃O)₂[B₁₀H₁₀] in an equimolar ratio leads to two lead(II) decahydro‐closo‐decaborate hydrates both as triclinic, pale yellow single crystals. The water‐rich compound with the formula [Pb(H₂O)₃]₂Pb[B₁₀H₁₀]₃ · 5.5H₂O crystallizes in the space group P1 (a = 711.72(4), b = 1243.14(8), c = 2064.83(12) pm, α = 81.806(3), β = 83.795(3), γ = 80.909(3)°) with Z = 2. The compound with the lower water content, [Pb(H₂O)₃]Pb[B₁₀H₁₀]₂ · 1.5H₂O, also crystallizes in P1 (a = 718.46(4), b = 1288.75(8), c = 1279.91(8) pm, α = 70.145(3), β = 75.976(3), γ = 80.324(3)°) with Z = 2. Both structures can be described as layered arrangements and contain one Pb²⁺ cation each, which is only coordinated by the hydridic hydrogen atoms of the hydroborate anions. All the others are primarily surrounded by three water molecules in a non‐planar fashion and additional hydrogen atoms of [B₁₀H₁₀]^2– anions. The non‐lead‐bonded crystal water molecules in both structures are all connected via hydrogen bonds to the water molecules, which coordinate the Pb²⁺ cations, as well as via non‐classical hydrogen bonds to the cluster anions and reside between the layers. The [B₁₀H₁₀]^2– anions show only slight distortions from their ideal shape as bicapped square antiprisms.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur von Cadmium‐Dodekahydro‐closo‐Dodekaborat‐Hexahydrat,Cd(H2O)6[B12H12]

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Cadmium Dodecahydro closo‐Dodecaborate Hexahydrate, Cd(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂] Through neutralization of the aqueous free acid (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with cadmium carbonate (CdCO₃) and after isothermic evaporation of the resulting solution, colourless lath‐shaped single crystals of Cd(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂] are obtained. Cadmium dodecahydro closo‐dodecaborate hexahydrate crystallizes at room temperature in the monoclinic system (space group: C2/m) with the lattice constants a = 1413.42(9), b = 1439.57(9), c = 749.21(5) pm and β = 97.232(4)° (Z = 4). The crystal structure of Cd(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂] can be regarded as a monoclinic distortion variant of the CsCl‐type structure. Two crystallographically different [Cd(H₂O)₆]²⁺ octahedra (d(Cd–O) = 227–230 pm) are present which only differ in their relative orientation. The intramolecular bond lengths for the quasi‐icosahedral [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? cluster anions range in the intervals usually found for dodecahydro closo‐dodecaborates (d(B–B) = 177–179 pm, d(B–H) = 103–116 pm). The hydrogen atoms of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? clusters have no direct coordinative influence on the Cd²⁺ cations. Due to the fact that no “zeolitic” crystal water molecules are present, a stabilization of the lattice takes place mainly via the B–H^δ?···^+δH–O hydrogen bonds.     

Das Lanthan‐Dodekahydro‐closo‐Dodekaborat‐Hydrat [La(H2O)9]2[B12H12]3·15 H2O und sein Oxonium‐Chlorid‐Derivat [La(H2O)9](H3O)Cl2[B12H12]·H2O

The Lanthanum Dodecahydro‐closo‐Dodecaborate Hydrate [La(H₂O)₉]₂[B₁₂H₁₂]₃·15 H₂O and its Oxonium‐Chloride Derivative [La(H₂O)₉](H₃O)Cl₂[B₁₂H₁₂]·H₂O By neutralization of an aqueous solution of the free acid (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with basic La₂O₃ and after isothermic evaporation colourless, face‐rich single crystals of a water‐rich lanthanum(III) dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate hydrate [La(H₂O)₉]₂[B₁₂H₁₂]₃·15 H₂O are isolated. The compound crystallizes in the trigonal system with the centrosymmetric space group (a = 1189.95(2), c = 7313.27(9) pm, c/a = 6.146; Z = 6; measuring temperature: 100 K). The crystal structure of [La(H₂O)₉]₂[B₁₂H₁₂]₃·15 H₂O can be characterized by two of each other independent, one into another posed motives of lattice components. The [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ anions (d(B–B) = 177–179 pm; d(B–H) = 105–116 pm) are arranged according to the samarium structure, while the La³⁺ cations are arranged according to the copper structure. The lanthanum cations are coordinated in first sphere by nine oxygen atoms from water molecules in form of a threecapped trigonal prism (d(La–O) = 251–262 pm). A coordinative influence of the [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ anions on La³⁺ has not been determined. Since “zeolitic” water of hydratation is also present, obviously the classical H–O^δ–···^+δH–O‐hydrogen bonds play a significant role in the stabilization of the crystal structure. During the conversion of an aqueous solution of (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with lanthanum trichloride an anion‐mixed salt with the composition [La(H₂O)₉](H₃O)Cl₂[B₁₂H₁₂]·H₂O is obtained. The compound crystallizes in the hexagonal system with the non‐centrosymmetric space group (a = 808.84(3), c = 2064.51(8) pm, c/a = 2.552; Z = 2; measuring temperature: 293 K). The crystal structure can be characterized as a layer‐like structure, in which [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ anions and H₃O⁺ cations alternate with layers of [La(H₂O)₉]³⁺ cations (d(La–O) = 252–260 pm) and Cl⁻ anions along [001]. The [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ (d(B–B) = 176–179 pm; d(B–H) = 104–113 pm) and Cl⁻ anions exhibit no coordinative influence on La³⁺. Hydrogen bonds are formed between the H₃O⁺ cations and [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ anions, also between the water molecules of [La(H₂O)₉]³⁺ and Cl⁻ anions, which contribute to the stabilization of the crystal structure.     

1‐Oxa‐nido‐dodecaborate [OB11H12]− from the Controlled Oxidation of the closo‐Borates [B11H11]2− and [B12H12]2−

The closo‐dodecaborate [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? is degraded at room temperature by oxygen in an acidic aqueous solution in the course of several weeks to give B(OH)₃. The degradation is induced by Ag²⁺ ions, generated from Ag⁺ by the action of H₂S₂O₈. Oxa‐nido‐dodecaborate(1?) is an intermediate anion, that can be separated from the reaction mixture as [NBzlEt₃][OB₁₁H₁₂] after five days in a yield of 18 %. The action of FeCl₃ on the closo‐undecaborate [B₁₁H₁₁]^2? in an aqueous solution gives either [B₂₂H₂₂]^2? (by fusion) or nido‐B₁₁H₁₃(OH)^? (by protonation and hydration), depending on the concentration of FeCl₃. In acetonitrile, however, [B₁₁H₁₁]^2? is transformed into [OB₁₁H₁₂]^? by Fe³⁺ and oxygen. The radical anions [B₁₂H₁₂] ^{˙ ?} and [B₁₁H₁₁] ^{˙ ?} are assumed to be the primary products of the oxidation with the one‐electron oxidants Ag²⁺ and Fe³⁺, respectively. These radical anions are subsequently transformed into [OB₁₁H₁₂]^? by oxygen. The crystal structure analysis shows that the structure of [OB₁₁H₁₂]^? is derived from the hypothetical closo‐oxaborane OB₁₂H₁₂ by removal of the B3 vertex, leaving a non‐planar pentagonal aperture with a three‐coordinate O vertex, as predicted by NMR spectra and theory.     

The Triboracyclopropenyl Dianion: The Lightest Possible Main‐Group‐Element Hückel π Aromatic

Hückel π aromaticity is typically a domain of carbon‐rich compounds. Only very few analogues with non‐carbon frameworks are currently known, all involving the heavier elements. The isolation of the triboracyclopropenyl dianion is presented, a boron‐based analogue of the cyclopropenyl cation, which belongs to the prototypical class of Hückel π aromatics. Reduction of Cl₂BNCy₂ by sodium metal produced [B₃(NCy₂)₃]^2?, which was isolated as its dimeric Na⁺ salt (Na₄[B₃(NCy₂)₃]₂?2 DME; 1 ) in 45 % yield and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry measurements established an extremely high oxidation potential for 1 (E_pc=?2.42 V), which was further confirmed by reactivity studies. The Hückel‐type π aromatic character of the [B₃(NCy₂)₃]^2? dianion was verified by various theoretical methods, which clearly indicated π aromaticity for the B₃ core of a similar magnitude to that in [C₃H₃]⁺ and benzene.     

Undecahalo‐closo‐undecaborates [B11Hal11]2–

The closo‐undecaborate A₂[B₁₁H₁₁] (A = NBzlEt₃) can be halogenated with excess N‐chlorosuccine imide, bromine or iodine, respectively, to give the perhalo‐closo‐undecaborates A₂[B₁₁Hal₁₁] (Hal = Cl, Br, I). The chlorination in the 11 : 1 ratio of the reagents yields A₂[B₁₁HCl₁₀], whose subsequent iodination makes A₂[B₁₁Cl₁₀I] available. The three type [B₁₁Hal₁₁]^2– anions show only one and the two type [B₁₁Cl₁₀X]^2– anions (X = H, I) only two ¹¹B NMR peaks in the ratio 10 : 1, thus exhibiting the same degenerate rearrangement of the octadecahedral B₁₁ skeleton as is well‐known for [B₁₁H₁₁]^2–. The crystal structure analysis of A₂[B₁₁Br₁₁] and A₂[B₁₁I₁₁] reveals a rigid octadecahedral skeleton in the solid state, up to 330 K, whose B–B bond lengths deviate more or less from the idealized C_2v gas phase structure, but are in good accordance with the distances of A₂[B₁₁H₁₁]. Electrochemical experiments elucidate the mechanism of the known oxidation of [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– to give [B₂₂H₂₂]^2–: A first one‐electron transfer is followed by the dimerization of the [B₁₁H₁₁]^– monoanion, whereas neutral B₁₁H₁₁, a presumably most reactive species, does not play a role as an intermediate. The electrochemical oxidation of [B₁₁Hal₁₁]^2– anions also starts with a one‐electron transfer, which is perfectly reversible only in the case of Hal = Br. There is no electrochemical indication for the formation of [B₂₂Hal₂₂]^2–. The neutral species B₁₁Hal₁₁ should be a short‐lived, very reactive species.     

Chemische und cyclovoltammetrische Untersuchung der Redoxreaktionen der Decahalogendecaborate closo‐[B10X10]2– und hypercloso‐[B10X10]· – (X = Cl,Br). Kristallstrukturanalyse von Cs2[B10Br10] · 2 H2O

Chemical and Cyclovoltammetric Investigation of the Redoxreactions of the Decahalodecaborates closo ‐[B₁₀X₁₀]^2– and hypercloso ‐[B₁₀X₁₀]^{· –} (X = Cl, Br)¹⁾. Crystal Structure Analysis of Cs₂[B₁₀Br₁₀] · 2 H₂O The oxidation of the decachloro‐closo‐decaborates(2–) Cs₂[B₁₀Cl₁₀] or [Me₄N]₂[B₁₀Cl₁₀] with Tl(CF₃COO)₃ leads to the corresponding radical monoanion hypercloso‐[B₁₀Cl₁₀] ^{· –}, which was characterized by ESR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. [B₁₀Cl₁₀] ^{· –} does not dimerize like [B₁₀H₁₀] ^{· –} but it is reduced by acetonitrile to the dianion [B₁₀Cl₁₀]^2–. Cs₂[B₁₀Cl₁₀] reacts with stronger oxidation agents like CoF₃ (in dichloromethane) or XeF₂ (in perfluorhexane), respectively, to yield B₉Cl₉ and, in traces, B₈Cl₈. In opposite to this, the decabromoderivative Cs₂[B₁₀Br₁₀] does not show any reaction with Tl(CF₃COO)₃ in acetonitrile or with CoF₃ in CH₂Cl₂. The oxidation of the dianions [B₁₀X₁₀]^2– (X = Cl, Br) was studied by electroanalytical methods (cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronocoulometry). Formal potentials were determined for the two steps of the reaction, which do not seem to be affected by structural rearrangements. The crystal structure of Cs₂[B₁₀Br₁₀] · 2 H₂O was analyzed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Cs₂[B₁₀Br₁₀] · 2 H₂O crystallizes monoclinic (space group I2/a, (no. 15), Z = 8, a = 1361.54(9) pm, b = 1215.89(5) pm, c = 3108.4(2) pm, α = 90°, β = 97.916(8)°, γ = 90°). The closo‐cluster B₁₀Br₁₀^2– has a bicapped square antiprismatic structure with idealized D_4d symmetry.     

S‐Functionalized Cysteine: Powerful Ligands for the Labelling of Bioactive Molecules with Triaquatricarbonyltechnetium‐99m(1+) ([99mTc(OH2)3(CO)3]+)

S‐Alkylated cysteines are used as efficient tridentate N,O,S‐donor‐atom ligands for the fac‐[M(CO)₃]⁺ moiety (M=^99mTc or Re). Reaction of (Et₄N)₂[ReBr₃(CO)₃] ( 3 ) with the model S‐benzyl‐L ‐cysteine ( 2 ) leads to the formation of [Re( 2′ )(CO)₃] ( 4 ) as the exclusive product ( 2′ =C‐terminal anion of 2 ). The tridentate nature of the alkylated cysteine in 4 was established by X‐ray crystallography. Compound 2 reacts with [^99mTc(OH₂)₃(CO)₃]⁺ under mild conditions (10⁻⁴ M , 50°, 30 min) to afford [^99mTc( 2′ )(CO)₃] ( 5 ) and represents, therefore, an efficient chelator for the labelling of biomolecules. L ‐Cysteine, S‐alkylated with a 3‐aminopropyl group (→ 7 ), was conjugated via a peptide coupling sequence with Coα‐[α‐(5,6‐dimethyl‐1H‐benzimidazolyl)]‐Coβ‐cyanocobamic b‐acid ( 6 ), the b‐acid of cyanocob(III)alamin (vitamin B₁₂) (Scheme 3). More convenient was a one‐pot procedure with a derivative of vitamin B₁₂ comprising a free amine group at the b‐position. This amine 15 was treated with NHS (N‐hydroxysuccinimide)‐activated 1‐iodoacetic acid 14 to introduce an I‐substituent in vitamin B₁₂. Subsequent addition of unprotected L ‐cysteine resulted in nucleophilic displacement of the I‐atom by the S‐substituent, affording the vitamin B₁₂ alkylated cysteine fragment 17 (Scheme 4). The procedure was quantitative and did not require purification of intermediates. Both cobalamin–cysteine conjugates could be efficiently labelled with [^99mTc(OH₂)₃(CO)₃]⁺ ( 1 ) under conditions identical to those of the model complex 5 . Biodistribution studies of the cobalamin conjugates in mice bearing B10‐F16 melanoma tumors showed a tumor uptake of 8.1±0.6% and 4.4±0.5% injected dose per gram of tumor tissue after 4 h and 24 h, respectively (Table 1).     

Über Umlagerungen bei der Cyclialkylierung von Arylpentanolen zu 2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐inden‐Derivaten, 3. Mitteilung

On Rearrangements by Cyclialkylations of Arylpentanols to 2,3‐Dihydro‐1 H ‐indene Derivatives. Part 3. The Acid‐Catalyzed Cyclialkylation of 3,4‐Dimethyl‐ and 3‐([ ² H ₃ ]Methyl)‐4‐methyl‐3‐phenylpentan‐2‐ol The cyclialkylation of 2‐([²H₃]methyl)‐4‐methyl‐4‐phenyl[1,1,1‐²H₃]pentan‐3‐ol ( 4 ) yielded a 1 : 1 mixture of 1,1‐di([²H₃]methyl)‐2,3‐dimethyl‐1H‐indene ( 5 ) and of 2,3‐dihydro‐2,3‐di([²H₃]methyl)‐1,1‐dimethyl‐1H‐indene ( 6 ) (Scheme 1) [1]. However, it was not clear whether the transposition takes place through the successive migration of a Ph, a Me and again the Ph group (Scheme 2, Path A: shift IV → VII → VIIa ) or through Ph‐, Me‐, and then i‐Pr‐group (Scheme 2, Path B: IV → VII → VIIb ). The cyclialkylation of 3‐([²H₃]methyl)‐4‐methyl‐3‐phenylpentan‐2‐ol ( 7 ) yielded only one product, the 2,3‐dihydro‐2‐([²H₃]methyl)‐1,1,3‐trimethyl‐1H‐indene ( 8 ), in accordance with the migrations according to Path A. This result is also a support for the total mechanism proposed for the cyclialkylation of 4 (Scheme 2). The transition of a tertiary to a secondary carbenium ion is not definitely ensured (see [1]).     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Cesium Hexamminesodium Decahydro‐closo‐decaborate‐Ammonia(1/1), Cs[Na(NH3)6][B10H10]·NH3

Cs[Na(NH₃)₆][B₁₀H₁₀]·NH₃ was synthesised from cesium and disodium‐decahydro‐closo‐decaborate Na₂B₁₀H₁₀ in liquid ammonia, from which it crystallized in form of temperature sensitive colorless plates (triclinic, P1¯, a = 8.4787(7) Å, b = 13.272(1) Å, c = 17.139(2) Å, α = 88.564(1)°, β = 89.773(1)°, γ = 81.630(1)°, V = 1907.5(3) ų, Z = 4). The compound is the first example of an alkali metal boranate with two different types of cations. The decahydro‐closo‐decaborate dianions [B₁₀H₁₀]^2— and the cesium cations form a equation/tex2gif-stack-1.gif[Cs₂(B₁₀H₁₀)₂]^2— layer parallel to the ac plane. These layers are separated by N—H···N‐hydrogen bonded hexamminesodium cations.