Theoretical analysis of the electronic structure and bonding stability of the TCNE dimer dianion (TCNE) 2 2-

The (TCNE)(2)(2)(-) dimer dianion formed by connecting two TCNE(-) anions via a four-center, two-electron pi-orbital bond is studied using ab initio theoretical methods and a model designed to simulate the stabilization due to surrounding counterions. (TCNE)(2)(2)(-) is examined as an isolated species and in a solvation environment representative of tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent. The intrinsic strength of this novel bond and the influences of internal Coulomb repulsions, of solvent stabilization and screening, and of counterion stabilization are all considered. The geometry, electronic and thermodynamic stabilities, electronic absorption spectra, and electron detachment energies of this novel dianion are examined to help understand recent experimental findings. Our findings lead us to conclude that the (TCNE)(2)(2)(-) dianion's observation in solid materials is likely a result of its stabilization by surrounding countercations. Moreover, our results suggest the dianion is geometrically metastable in THF solution, with a barrier to dissociation into two TCNE(-) anions that can be quickly surmounted at room temperature but not at 77 K. This finding is consistent with what is observed in laboratory studies of low- and room-temperature solutions of salts containing this dianion. Finally, we assign two peaks observed (at 77 K in methyl-THF glass) in the UV-vis region to (1) electronic transitions involving the four-center orbitals and (2) detachment of an electron from the four-center pi-bonding orbital to generate (TCNE)(2)(-) + e(-).     

A computational study of the crystal and electronic structure of the room temperature organometallic ferromagnet V(TCNE)2

We study numerically the crystal and electronic structure of the room temperature organometallic ferromagnet of general composition V(TCNE)(x) x y solvent with x approximately 2, starting from both the experimental structure of its iron analog which results from the EXAFS experiment as well as the theoretical model structure compatible with magnetic measurements on this type of compounds. The results of the numerical study performed at the density functional level of theory show that the experimentally determined structure complies with the magnetic measurements and thus can serve as a prototype structure for the entire family of the M(TCNE)(2) organometallic magnets. Both the results of the numerical study and the magnetic experiments are interpreted using a proposed model Hamiltonian.     

Control of two-electron four-center (2e-/4c) C-C bond formation observed for tetracyanoethenide dimerization, [TCNE]2(2-)

Cu(PPh3)3(TCNE) (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene) and 14 other examples form [TCNE]22- dimers possessing a long 2.89 +/- 0.05 A two-electron four-center (2e-/4c) C-C bond in the solid state. This bond arises from the overlap of the b2g pi* singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) on each [TCNE]*- fragment, forming a filled bonding orbital of b2u symmetry, and the stabilizing effect of the cation...anion interactions in the crystal that exceed the anionic repulsion. In contrast, Mn(C5H5)(CO)2(TCNE) exhibits a related, but different, [TCNE]*-...TCNE]*- motif in the solid state that lacks the 2e-/4c C-C bonding. To better understand the unusual nature of 2e-/4c C-C bonding, the genesis of the differences between their respective pi-[TCNE]*-...TCNE]*- interactions was sought. The lack of 2e-/4c C-C bond formation is attributed to the weaker radical character of the [TCNE]*- ligand, which has a total spin population of only 0.5 electron, half of that required for two S = 1/2 [TCNE]*- moieties to form a [TCNE]22- dimer. Hence, the antiferromagnetic MnII-[TCNE]*- intramolecular interaction (between the formally S = 1/2 Mn-bound [TCNE]*- and the paramagnetic Mn(II)) dominates over the intermolecular pi-[TCNE]*--[TCNE]*- spin coupling (between two S = 1/2 [TCNE]*- needed to form [TCNE]22-). Therefore, by selecting specific metal ions that can interact with sigma-[TCNE]*-, dimerization forming [TCNE]22- can be favored or disfavored.     

Spectroscopic and thermodynamic studies of binary mixtures composed of nematogenic and non-nematogenic components

The effect of a non-nematic guest, tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), on the liquid-crystaline state of the host, 4-n-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (5CB), has been investigated. It was shown by absorption spectroscopy that TCNE forms a 1 : 1 charge transfer complex with 5CB in the nematic phase, similar to that in the isotropic solution. The effect of TCNE on the transition temperature was investigated by comparison with a normal guest, 2,3-dimethylbutane (DMB), which has a molecular volume comparable with that of TCNE but has no specific interaction with the host. TCNE was found to lower the transition temperature much more strikingly than DMB, suggesting the peculiar effect of complex formation. The theoretical background is given based on molecular field theory.     

Unusually long, multicenter, cation(δ+)···anion(δ-) bonding observed for several polymorphs of [TTF][TCNE

The α, β, and δ polymorphs of [TTF][TCNE] (TTF=tetrathiafulvalene; TCNE=tetracyanoethylene) exhibit a new type of long, multicenter bonding between the [TTF]^δ+ and [TCNE]^δ? moieties, demonstrating the existence of long, hetero‐multicenter bonding with a cationic^δ+???anionic^δ? zwitterionic‐like structure. These diamagnetic π‐[TTF]^δ+[TCNE]^δ? heterodimers exhibit a transfer of about 0.5 e^? from the TTF to the TCNE fragments, as observed from experimental studies, in accord with theoretical predictions, that is, [TTF^δ+???TCNE^δ?] (δ?0.5). They have several interfragment distances <3.4 Å, and a computed interaction energy of ?21.2 kcal mol^?1, which is typical of long, multicenter bonds. The lower stability of [TTF]^δ+[TCNE]^δ? with respect to typical ionic bonds is due, in part, to the partial electron transfer that reduces the electrostatic bonding component. This reduced electrostatic interaction, and the large interfragment dispersion stabilize the long, heterocationic/anionic multicenter interaction, which in [TTF^δ+???TCNE^δ?] always involves two electrons, but have ten, eight, and eight bond critical points (bcps) involving C? C, N? S, and sometimes C? S and C? N components for the α, β, and δ polymorphs, respectively. In contrast, γ‐[TTF][TCNE] possesses [TTF]₂²⁺ and [TCNE]₂^2? dimers, each with long, homo‐multicenter 2e^?/12c (c=center, 2 C+4 S) [TTF]₂²⁺ cationic⁺???cationic⁺ bonds, as well as long, homo‐multicenter 2e^?/4c [TCNE]₂^2? anionic^????anionic^? bonding. The MO diagrams for the α, β, and δ polymorphs have all of the features found for conventional covalent C? C bonds, and for all of the previously studied multicenter long bonds, for example, π‐[TTF]₂²⁺ and π‐[TCNE]₂^2?. The HOMOs for α‐, β‐, and δ‐[TTF][TCNE] have 2c C? S and 3c C? C? C orbital‐overlap contributions between the [TTF]^δ+? and [TCNE]^δ? moieties; these are the shortest intra [TTF???TCNE] separations. Thus, from an orbital‐overlap perspective, the bonding has 2c and 3c components residing over one S and four C atoms.     

Spectroscopic and thermodynamic studies of binary mixtures composed of nematogenic and non-nematogenic components

The effect of a non-nematic guest, tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), on the liquid-crystaline state of the host, 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB), has been investigated. It was shown by absorption spectroscopy that TCNE forms a 1 : 1 charge transfer complex with 5CB in the nematic phase, similar to that in the isotropic solution. The effect of TCNE on the transition temperature was investigated by comparison with a normal guest, 2,3-dimethylbutane (DMB), which has a molecular volume comparable with that of TCNE but has no specific interaction with the host. TCNE was found to lower the transition temperature much more strikingly than DMB, suggesting the peculiar effect of complex formation. The theoretical background is given based on molecular field theory.     

Magnetic ordering (Tc = 90 K) observed for layered [Fe(II)(TCNE*-)(NCMe)2]+[Fe(III)Cl4]- (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene)

[Fe(TCNE)(NCMe)2][FeCl4] is isolated from the reaction of TCNE and FeCl2(NCMe)2 and orders as a ferrimagnet below 90 K and is the initial member of a new class of magnets. It is the first metal-TCNE magnet with direct bonding between metal ion and [TCNE]*- whose structure has been determined, and it possesses a novel planar mu4-[TCNE]*- spin coupling unit bonded to four FeII's, with an axial pair of MeCNs. The [FeIIICl4]- anion occupies sites between the [FeII(TCNE*-)(NCMe)2]+ layers. [Fe(TCNE)(NCMe)2][FeCl4] has a coercive field of 1730 Oe and a remnant magnetization of 7500 emuK/mol at 50 K.     

Solid-state NMR spectra and long intradimer bonds in the pi-[TCNE]22- dianion

The principal (13)C chemical-shift values for the pi-[TCNE](2)(2-) dimer anion within an array of counterions have been measured to understand better the electronic structure of these atypical chemical species in several related TCNE-based structures. The structure of pi-[TCNE](2)(2-) is unusual as it contains two very long C-C bond lengths (ca. 2.9 Angstroms) between the two monomeric units and has been found to exist as a singlet state, suggestive of a (1)A(1g) (b(2u)(2)b(1g)(0)) electronic configuration. A systematic study of several oxidation states of [TCNE](n) (n = 0, 1-, 2-) was conducted to determine how the NMR chemical-shift tensor values change as a function of electronic structure and to understand the interactions that lead to spin-pairing of the monomer units. The density functional theory (DFT) calculated nuclear shielding tensors are correlated with the experimentally determined principal chemical-shift values. Such theoretical methods provide information on the tensor magnitudes and orientations of their principal tensor components with respect to the molecular frame. Both theoretical and experimental ethylenic chemical-shielding tensors reveal high sensitivity in the component, delta(perpendicular), lying in the monomer molecular plane and perpendicular to the pi-electron plane. This largest shift dependence on charge density is observed to be about -111 ppm/e(-) for delta(perpendicular). The component in the molecular plane but parallel to the central C=C bond, delta(parallel), exhibits a sensitivity of approximately -43 ppm/e(-). However, the out-of-plane component delta'(perpendicular) shows a minimal dependence of -2.6 ppm/e(-) on the oxidation state (n) of [TCNE](n). These relative values support the claim that it is changes within the ethylenic pi-electrons and not the sigma-electrons that best account for the dramatic variations in bonding and shift tensors in this series of compounds. Concerning the intraion bonding, relatively weak Wiberg bond orders between the two monomeric components of the dimer correlate with the long bonds linking the two [TCNE(*)](-) monomers. The chemical-shift tensors for the cyano group, compared to the ethylene shifts, exhibit a reduced sensitivity on the TCNE oxidation state. The experimental principal chemical-shift components agree (within typical errors) with the calculated quantum mechanical shieldings used to correlate the bonding. The embedded ion model (EIM) was used to investigate the typically large electrostatic lattice potential in these ionic materials. Chemical-shielding principal values calculated with the EIM model differ from experiment by +/-3.82 ppm on average, whereas in the absence of an electrostatic field model, the experimental and theoretical results agree by +/-4.42 ppm, which is only a modest increase in error considering the overall ionic magnitudes associated with the tensor variations. Apparently, the effects of the sizable long-range electrostatic fields cancel when the shifts are computed because of lattice symmetry.     

Structure and magnetic ordering of a 2-D Mn(II)(TCNE)I(OH2) (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene) organic-based magnet (T(c) = 171 K)

Mn(II)(TCNE)I(OH(2)) was isolated from the reaction of tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and MnI(2)(THF)(3), and has a 2-D structure possessing an unusual, asymmetric bonded μ(4)-[TCNE]˙(-). Direct antiferromagnetic coupling between the S = 5/2 Mn(II) and S = 1/2 [TCNE]˙(-) leads to magnetic ordering as a canted antiferrimagnet at a T(c) of 171 K.     

Magnetic ordering in the rare earth molecule-based magnets,Ln(TCNE)(3) (Ln = Gd,Dy; TCNE = tetracyanoethylene)

The reaction of LnI(3) x xMeCN (Ln = Gd, Dy) and TCNE (tetracyanoethylene) in acetonitrile forms Ln(2)[C(4)(CN)(8)](3) x xMeCN. These paramagnetic light-colored solids contain the S = 0 octacyanobutandiide dianion, [C(4)(CN)(8)](2-), which upon desolvation of these products forms dark green Ln(TCNE)(3). In these compounds the central C[bond]C sigma bond in [C(4)(CN)(8)](2-) is broken, re-forming S = 1/2 [TCNE]*(-). as evidenced by the color change and the infrared spectra. Ln(TCNE)(3) exhibit coupling between Ln(3+) and [TCNE]*(-) and magnetically order as ferrimagnets at 8.5 (Dy) and 3.5 (Gd) K.     

Complexes of Oxygenated trans-Azoalkanes and Tetracyanoethylene. The Interaction of pi Oxygen Dipoles with an Electron Poor Alkene

The N-oxide and N,N'-dioxide (1ao and 1ado) of trans-1,1'-azonorbornane (1) associate with TCNE in solution and in the solid state. The solution complexes are characterized by charge-transfer optical absorptions at lambda(m) 364 and 540 nm in CH(2)Cl(2) for 1ao/TCNE and 1ado/TCNE, respectively. These complexes are weakly bound, with K(f) values of 0.5-3.0 M(-)(1). Crystals of (1ao)(2)/TCNE and 1ado/TCNE are isolable, and their structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Local donor-acceptor (DA) interactions between the pi dipolar donors and the electron poor TCNE are found. Crystals of (1ao)(2)/TCNE are composed of discrete D-A-D triads in which the 1ao oxygen approaches one of the olefinic C atoms (C(1), 2.86 ?) of TCNE more closely than the other (C(2), 3.07 ?). The O-C(1)-C(2) angle is 87 degrees, and the azooxide molecular plane lies perpendicular to the molecular plane of TCNE. 1ado/TCNE crystals are composed of extended -D-A-D-A- strands in which both oxygen poles of the azodioxide simultaneously interact with alternate TCNE acceptors. The D-A geometry here is structurally analogous to that in the (1ao)(2)/TCNE crystal. PM3 calculations of 1:1 and 1:2 trans HN(O)NH(O)/TCNE complexes constrained to have D-A (O-C) distances of 2.88 ?, but which are otherwise geometry optimized, reproduce the DA topology observed in the crystalline samples.     

Synthesis and reactivity of the Tl1 salts of

Synthons Tl1[TCNE]*- (1) and Tl12[TCNE]2- (2), for [TCNE]*- and [TCNE]2-, respectively, in metathesis reactions have been quantitatively prepared and characterized. The structure of 1 was solved and refined in a monoclinic unit cell at 27 degrees C [C2/c, a = 12.6966 (12) angstroms, b=7.7599 (7) angstroms, c=15.5041 (15) angstroms, beta = 96.610 (5) degrees , V= 1517.4 (2) angstroms3, Dcalcd = 2.911 gcm-3, Z=8, R1 = 0.0575, omegaR2=0.0701] and exhibits nuCN absorptions at 2,191 (s) and 2,162 (s) cm-1 consistent with metal-bound [TCNE]*-. The structure of 1 consists of a distorted square antiprismatic octacoordinate Tl1 bound to six monodentate [TCNE]*-s with TlN separations ranging from 2.901 to 3.171 angstroms averaging 3.020 angstroms, and one bidentate [TCNE]*- with TlN separations averaging 3.279 angstroms. The TlN bonding is attributed to electrostatic bonding. The [TCNE]*-s form dimerized zigzag chains with intra- and interdimer separations of 2.87 and 3.29 angstroms, respectively. The tight pi-[TCNE](2)2- dimer is diamagnetic and has the shortest intradimer [TCNE]*- distance reported. These synthons for [TCNE]*- and [TCNE]2- in metathesis reactions lead to the precipitation of, for example, TlIX (X = Cl, Br, OAc). Reaction of 1 with MnIII(porphyrin)X (X = Cl, OAc) forms the molecule-based magnets of [MnIII(porphyrin)][TCNE] composition, while the reaction of [CrI(C6H6)2]Br and (Me2N)2CC(NMe2)2Cl2, [TDAE]Cl2, with 1 forms [CrI(C6H6)2] [TCNE] and [TDAE][TCNE]2, respectively. The structure of [TDAE][TCNE]2.MeCN was solved and refined in an orthorhombic unit cell at 21 degrees C [I222, a = 10.2332(15), b = 13.341(6), c = 19.907(8) angstroms, V= 2717.7 angstroms3, Z = 4; Dcalcd = 1.216 gcm-3, R=0.083, Romega = 0.104] and exhibits upsilonCN absorptions at 2,193 (m), 2,174 (s), and 2,163 (s) cm-1 consistent with isolated [TCNE](2)2- , in contrast to the aforementioned TlI bound [TCNE](2)2-. The reaction of 2 with [TDAE]Cl2 forms [TDAE]2+[TCNE]2-.     

Coordination complexes with cis-TCNE radical anion ligands. models of M[TCNE]2 magnets

The synthesis and characterization of two manganese(II) complexes formally each featuring two cis-tetracyanoethylenide radical anionic ligands (TCNE*/-) are reported. In each case, tris(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)amine serves as a capping ligand, blocking three facial coordination sites. Crystal structures show that the two TCNE anions in each molecule exhibit an intramolecular stacking interaction that forms what can be considered a coordinated (TCNE2)2- moiety. These molecules are presumed to be structural models of some of the local bonding in the family of amorphous, ferrimagnetic, M[TCNE]2.y(solvent) coordination polymer magnets. Magnetic measurements indicate that the (TCNE2)2- bridge is diamagnetic and not a good mediator of magnetic exchange, a result that might explain the observed lower ordering temperatures in some of the polymer magnets.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of a [Ni(II)(TCNE)(NCMe)2-delta][BF4] magnet (Tc = 40 K)

The reaction of (NBu4)(TCNE) (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene) and [Ni(NCMe)6][BF4]2 in CH2Cl2 forms layered [Ni(TCNE)(MeCN)2-delta][BF4], a magnet ( Tc = 40 K) with a ferromagnetic interaction within Ni-mu 4-[TCNE](*-) layers, and a new general route to the preparation of [M(TCNE)(NCMe)2][anion] magnets has been identified.     

Electron-transfer salts of 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylferrocene, Fe(II)(C5Me5)(C5H5). Structure and magnetic properties of two 1:1 and two 2:3 Fe(C5Me5)(C5H5) electron-transfer salts of tetracyanoethylene

The reaction of Fe(II)(C5Me5)(C5H5), FeCpCp, with percyano acceptors, A [A = C4(CN)6 (hexacyanobutadiene), TCNQF4 (perfluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane), and DDQ (2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone)], results in formation of 1:1 charge-transfer salts of [Fe(III)CpCp]*]*+[A]*- composition. With A = TCNQ (7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane) a 1:2 electron-transfer salt with FeCpCp forms. With A = TCNE (tetracyanoethylene) a pair of 1:1 salts as well as a pair of 2:3 salts of [FeCpCp]2[TCNE]3.S (S = CH2Cl2, THF) have been isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [FeCpCp][TCNE] consists of parallel 1-D.D(*+)A(*-)D(*+)A(*-)D(*+)A(*-). chains, while [FeCpCp][TCNE].MeCN has a herringbone array of D(*+)A2(2-)D(*+) dimers separated by solvent molecules. Although each [TCNE](-) is disordered, the diamagnetic [TCNE]2(2-) dimer is structurally different from those observed earlier with an intradimer separation of 2.79 A. The [TCNE](-) in the 2:3 [FeCpCp]2[TCNE]3.S exists as an eclipsed diamagnetic [TCNE]2(2-) dimer with an intradimer ethylene C.C separation of 2.833 and 2.903 A for the CH2Cl2- and THF-containing materials, respectively. The bond distances and angles for all the cations are essentially equivalent, and the distances are essentially equivalent to those previously reported for [FeCp2](*+) and [FeCp2](*+) cations. The average Fe-C5H5-ring and Fe-C5Me5-ring centroid distances are 1.71 and 1.69 A, respectively, which are 0.05 A longer than reported for Fe(II)CpCp. The one-electron reduction potential for Fe(II)CpCp is 0.11 V (vs SCE). The 5 K EPR of [FeCpCp](*+)[BF4](-) exhibits an axially symmetric powder pattern with g(parallel) = 4.36 and g(perpendicular) = 1.24, and the EPR parameters are essentially identical to those reported for ferrocenium and decamethylferrocenium. The high-temperature magnetic susceptibility for polycrystalline samples of these complexes can be fit by the Curie-Weiss law, chi = C/(T - theta), with low theta values and mu(eff) values from 2.08 to 3.43 mu(B), suggesting that the polycrystalline samples measured had varying degrees of orientation. [FeCpCp][TCNE] exhibits the highest effective moment of 3.43 mu(B)/Fe and weak ferromagnetic coupling, as evidenced from the theta of 3.3 K; however, unexpectedly, it does not magnetically order above 2 K. The formation of the four phases comprising FeCpCp and TCNE emphasizes the diversity of materials that may form and the present inability to predict neither solid-state compositions nor structure types.     

Structural and spectral characteristics of the electrogenerated tetracyanoethylene dianion

Structural and spectral characteristics of the electrogenerated tetracyanoethylene dianion (TCNE2-) were experimentally and theoretically examined. Spectroelectrochemistry of TCNE gives the spectra of TCNE2- in CH3CN at 220 nm, and in CH2Cl2 at 300 nm. These spectral characteristics are well explained by CIS/6-31G(d) and semiempirical CNDO/S-CI calculations. The bands in CH3CN and in CH2Cl2 are assigned to the degenerate 1E<--1A1 transition at the D2d structure and the 1B2u<--1Ag transition at the D2h structure, respectively. The rotation barrier of the C=C bond in TCNE2- is estimated by Hartree-Fock (HF), second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation (MP2) and fourth-order MP (MP4) calculations with 6-31G(d), 6-31+G(d) and 6-311+G(d) basis sets as 42-51 kJ mol(-1). The D2d structure is most stable, and the D2h structure represents the transition state of the internal rotation. The calculations reveal that the two-electron addition to the antibonding LUMO of TCNE causes an easy rotation around the C=C bond of TCNE2- characterized by the formal single bond. These results show that TCNE2- preferentially adopts D2d and D2h structures in solvents depending upon the solvent nature by virtue of the easy rotation around the C=C bond.     

Solid-State 13C NMR Evidence for Long Multicenter Intradimer Bonding in Zwitterion-like Structures

The principal values of the ¹³C chemical shift tensor for the β and δ polymorphs of π-[TTF⋅⋅⋅TCNE] (TTF=tetrathiafulvalene; TCNE=tetracyanoethylene) have been analyzed to understand the abnormally long intra-dimer bonding of singlet π-[TTF^δ+⋅⋅⋅TCNE^δ−]. These structures possess 12 intradimer contacts <3.40 Å, with the shortest intra π-[TTF⋅⋅⋅TCNE] separations involving 2-center (2c) C−S and 3c C−C−C orbital overlap contributions between the [TTF]^δ+ and [TCNE]^δ−. This solid-state NMR study compares the [TTF⋅⋅⋅TCNE] ¹³C tensor data against previously reported π-[TTF]₂²⁺ and π-[TCNE]₂²⁻ homo-dimers to determine how the tensor principal values change as a function of electronic structure for both TTF and TCNE moieties. In the β and δ phases of [TTF⋅⋅⋅TCNE], the TCNE ethylenic ¹³C shift tensors predict TCNE oxidation states of −0.46 and −0.73, respectively. The TTF sites are less similar to benchmark ¹³C data with the β-phase differing primarily in the ethylenic π-electrons. The δ form differs significantly from the homo-dimer data at all principal values at both the ethylenic and CH sites, indicating changes to both the π-electrons and σ-bonds. In both hetero-dimer phases, the NMR changes supports long bond formation at nitrile and CH sites not observed in homo-dimers.     

Preparation,structure, and reactivity of 1,3,4,6-tetrakis-(isopropylthio)thieno[3,4-c]thiophene-palladium complex with tetracyanoethylene

The reaction of 1,3,4,6-tetrakis(isopropylthio)thieno[3,4-c]thiophene ( 1 ) with the palladium complex Pd₂(dba)₃CHCl₃ (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) and tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) gave a new palladium complex in which two isopropylthio groups of 1 and the double bond of TCNE were trigonally coordinated to palladium. The X-ray analysis revealed the electron donation from palladium to TCNE, leading to a lengthening of the C?C double bond in TCNE and distortion of TCNE from planarity. The radical cation of 1 and the radical anion of TCNE were detected by ESR spectroscopy in methylene dichloride solution of the complex, although the radical content was estimated from the paramagnetic susceptibility to be less than 1%. The reaction of the complex with aniline gave the same product as that in the reaction of the radical cation of 1 with aniline.     

Physical and Chemical Interaction of Homoconjugated Dienes with Tetracyanoethylene

EDA-complexes of bicyclo[2,2,n]alkadienes (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) ( 1 (n)-series), 1,4-cyclohexadiene ( 2 ) and various other cyclic monoenes, dienes and trienes as donors and tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) as acceptor were investigated. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic constants of the complexes were determined and correlated with the ionisation potentials (I^D) of the hydrocarbon donors obtained from PE. spectroscopy. The nature of the dominant energy contributions to the ground state and the two lowest CT-states of these weak complexes is discussed and structural conclusions are drawn. The role of the complexes in the addition reaction of the hydrocarbon components and TCNE is discussed. The homo Diels-Alder addition product of 1 (2) and TCNE, 9,9,10,10-tetracyanoquadricyclo[2,2,2,0^2,6,2^3,5]decane, and the ‘ene’-addition product of 2 and TCNE, 5-[1′,1′,2′,2′-tetracyanoethyl]-1,3-cyclohexadiene were prepared and characterized. Preliminary results for the mechanistic scheme governing the dehydrogenation of 2 by TCNE are reported.     

TCNE dimer dianion coordination complexes, [Mn(TPA)(TCNE)]2[micro2-(TCNE)2] and [Mn(TPA)(micro4-C4(CN)8)0.5].ClO4, TPA=tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

The structures and magnetic properties of two products that result from the reactions of [Mn(TPA)(CH3CN)2](ClO4)2, TPA=tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and potassium tetracyanoethylenide, KTCNE, are reported. [Mn(TPA)(TCNE)]2[mu2-(TCNE)2] (1) and [Mn(TPA)(micro4-C4(CN)8)0.5].ClO4 (2) are obtained by using two different ratios of the initial reactants. Each was intended to possess two or more cis-TCNE radical anions (TCNE*/-) as ligands. 1 is a dinuclear species that crystallizes in the triclinic system in the space group P, with a=10.4432(17), b=12.2726(16), and c=13.708(2) A; alpha=88.505(12), beta=75.560(14), and gamma=87.077(12) degrees; V=1698.9(4) A3; and Z=1 and features two metal centers each with three nearly orthogonal TCNE*/- ligands. However, the three TCNE*/- ligands are all dimerized via the formation of four-center, two-electron bonds: two bridge the two Mn(II) centers, and a third TCNE*/- ligand forms an intermolecular bond to another equivalent TCNE*/-. 2 crystallizes in the tetragonal system in the space group P42212, with a=17.170(3), b=17.170(3), and c=17.1837(6) A; V=5065.9(13) A3; and Z=8. It consists of a ribbon-like coordination polymer containing the previously observed but still relatively rare octacyanobutyl dianion. The [C4(CN)8]2- anion is derived from the dimerization of two TCNE radical anions via the formation of a new sigma bond, and each anion bridges four Mn(II) centers. Both 1 and 2 display magnetic behavior consistent with only weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the high-spin d5 Mn(II) in which the TCNE*/- are rendered diamagnetic through dimerization.