A “vertex electron pair” scheme (VEPS) for describing the skeletal electron distribution in borane-type clusters

A predominantly localized electron pair scheme is outlined for describing the electron distribution and bonding in closo borane anions B_nH_n²⁻ and related electron deficient deltahedral clusters, in which a skeletal electron pair is assigned to each vertex, one pair being regarded as delocalized just inside the roughly spherical surface on which the skeletal atoms lie. The scheme gives a clearer picture of the electron distribution than is conveyed by resonating 2- and 3-centre bonds in the polyhedron edges and faces, and allows the bond orders of the polyhedron edge links to be calculated readily. The consequence of formal removal of BH²⁺ units from closo species B_nH_n²⁻ to generate nido species B_n−1H_n−1⁴⁻ and arachno species B_n−2H_n−2⁶⁻ is explored, and seen to allow rationalization of two features of such deltahedral-fragment clusters: (i) why a high-connectivity vertex is left vacant and (ii) why the frontier orbitals of such species concentrate electronic charge around their open faces. Moreover, in the case of D_4‘h B₄H₄⁶⁻ (cf. C₄H₄²⁻) and D_5h B₅H₅⁶⁻ (cf. C₅H₅⁻), the approach leads directly to the familiar picture for aromatic ring systems in which the highest filled, doubly degenerate π-bonding molecular orbital concentrates electronic charge in rings above and below the polygon on which the skeletal nuclei lie. It also leads to the expectation that arachno clusters with non-adjacent vacant vertices will be more stable than those with adjacent vacant vertices.     

Novel iodoammonium cations: Synthesis and characterization of o-C6H4(NH2)2IX (X = I, AsF6, AlI4)

The new iodoammonium salts o-C₆H₄(NH₂)₂I⁺I⁻ (1) and o-C₆H₄(NH₂)₂I⁺ AsF₆⁻ (2) were prepared by reaction of o-phenylene diamine with I₂ or I₃⁺AsF₆⁻, respectively. Compound 1 reacts with AlI₃ yielding quantitatively the corresponding tetraiodoaluminate o-C₆H₄(NH₂)₂I⁺AlI₄⁻ (3). The species were characterized by chemical analysis, vibrational (IR and Raman) and temperature-dependent ¹H NMR spectropscopy. Direct evidence for a N---I bond was found in the Raman spectra of 1, 2 and 3 (ν(NI) = 599–600 cm⁻¹).     

Studies of N-heterocyclic compounds with triosmium clusters: Formation of the heterocyclic-linked dicluster compound [Os 6(μ-H)2(μ3-C6H4N3)2(CO)18]

The cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂] reacts with indazole (C₇H₆N₂) to give two isomeric products [0s₃(μ-H)(μ-C₇H₅N₂)(CO)₁₀] in which the five-membered ring has been metallated with N-H cleavage to give an N,N-bonded isomer or with C-H cleavage to give a C,N-bonded isomer. These two isomers have very similar X-ray structures but can be clearly distinguished by ¹H NMR methods. They are shown to correspond to related clusters derived from pyrazole. Benzotriazole (C₆H₅N₃) also reacts (as shown earlier by others) to give two isomers: an N,N-bonded species [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₁₀] coordinated only through the five-membered ring and a minor C,N-bonded isomer [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₁₀], metallated at the C₆ ring and coordinated through both rings. The former isomer reacts with Me₃NO in acetonitrile to give [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₉(MeCN)] which thermally looses MeCN to produce the coupled product [Os₆(μ-H)₂(μ₃-C₆H₄N₃)₂(CO)₁₈] which was shown by X-ray structure determination to have all six nitrogen atoms coordinated to osmium, a novel situation for coordinated benzotriazole. The two Os₃ units are linked together by an OsNNOsNN ring in a boat conformation with the whole cluster adopting C₂ symmetry.     

Metallorganische lewissäuren : XX. Reaktionen von (π-C5H5)(CO)2LM-X (L = CO, PR3; M = Mo, W; X = BF4, PF6, AsF6, SbF6) mit Schwefel-haltigen liganden

The compounds (π-C₅H₅)(CO)₂LM-X (L = CO, PR₃; M = Mo, W; X = BF₄, PF₆, AsF₆, SbF₆) react with H₂S, p-MeC₆H₄SH, Ph₂S and Ph₂SO(L′) to give ionic complexes [(π-C₅H₅)(CO)₂LML′]⁺ X⁻. Also sulfur-bridged complexes, [(π-C₅H₅)(CO)₃W---SH---W(CO)₃(π-C₅H₅)]⁺ AsF₆⁻ and [(π-C₅H₅)(CO)₃M-μ-S₂C=NCH₂Ph-M(CO)₃(π-C₅H₅)], have been obtained. Reactions with SO₂ and CS₂ have been examined.     

A homodinuclear complex of manganese containing novel ligand, Mn2(CO)6(μ-H){μ-S(SC3H5)C=C(PPr3)S}

The title complex Mn₂(CO)₆(μ-H){μ-S(SC₃H₅)C=C(PPr₃ⁱ)S} was synthesized by allyation of the homobinuclear anion [Mn₂(CO)₆(μ-H){μ-S(SC₃H₅)C=C(PPr₃ⁱ)S}]⁻¹, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR and ³¹P NMR spectra. The molecular structure shows that it contains a novel fairly planar ligand S(S)C=C(PPr₃ⁱ)S, and the two Mn(CO)₃ fragments are symmetrically placed at both sides of the plane of the ligand.     

Nido-6-metalladecaborane chemistry: Molecular structure and fluxionality of [6,6,6,6-(CO)2(PPh3)2-nido-6-WB9H13]

The molecular and crystal structure of the nido-6-tungstadecaborane [6,6,6,6-(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂-nido-6-WB₉H₁₃] (1) has been determined showing that the tungsten atom is incorporated into the 6-position of a nido 10-vertex (WB₉) cage. The tungsten atom has a seven-coordinate capped trigonal prismatic environment and is bonded to two hydrogen and three boron atoms of the {B₉H₁₃} cage, in addition to two CO groups and two PPh₃ ligands. Variable-temperature (−90°C to +50°C) ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy of 1 reveals that the exo-polyhedral ligands about the tungsten atom are fluxional with respect to PPh₃ site exchange with an activation energy (ΔG‡), at the coalescence temperature (−73°C), of <38 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Rate coefficients for the reactions of cyclohexadienyl (c-C6H7) radicals with O2 and NO at room temperature

Rate coefficients for the reactions of cyclohexadienyl (c-C₆H₇) radicals with O₂ and NO were measured at 296 ± 2 K. The c-C₆H₇ radicals were detected selectively by laser-induced fluorescence. The rate coefficient for the reaction of c-C₆H₇ with O₂, (4.4 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, was independent of the bath-gas (He) pressure (13–80 Torr). In the reaction of c-C₆H₇ with NO, thermal equilibrium among c-C₆H₇, NO, and C₆H₇NO was observed. The forward and reverse reactions were in the falloff region, and the equilibrium constant was (1.5 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹⁵ cm³ molecule⁻¹.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the novel trimanganese tetrathiolate incomplete cubane: [Mo(η-C5H5)2(H)CO][Mn3(CO)9(μ-SC6H5)4]

An unexpected trimanganese(I) tetrathiolate-bridged complex, [Mn₃(CO)₉(μ-SC₆H₅)₄]⁻, with an incomplete cubane structure, was obtained by thermal reaction of [Mn₂(CO)₁₀] with [Mo(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂(SC₆H₅)₂]. The structure, established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, shows the cation, [Mo(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂(H)CO]⁺, directed towards the vacant site of the cubane structure. Possible routes by which the anion and the cation could be formed are discussed.     

Dimethylchalkogenide als liganden in kationischen cyclopentadienyleisen-bis(phosphin)-komplexen: synthese, reaktivität und kristallstruktur von [C5H5Fe(P(OCH3)3)2(S(CH3)2)]PF6

Thermal displacement of coordinated nitriles RCN (R = CH₃, C₂H₅ or n-C₃H₇) in [C₅H₅Fe(L₂)(NCR)]X complexes (L₂ = P(OCH₃)₃)₂, (P(OC₆H₅)₃)₂ or (C₆H₅)₂PC₂H₄P(C₆H₅)₂ (DPPE)) by E(CH₃)₂ affords high yields of [C₅H₅Fe(L₂)(E(CH₃)₂)]X compounds (E = S, Se and Te; X = BF₄ or PF₆). Spectroscopic data and ligand displacement reactions are presented and discussed together with related observations on [C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂(E(CH₃)₂)]BF₄ compounds. The molecular structure of [C₅H₅Fe(P(OCH₃)₃)₂(S(CH₃)₂)]PF₆ was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n-C⁵_2h (No. 14) with a = 8.4064(12), b = 11.183(2), c = 50.726(8) Å, β = 90.672(13)° and Z = 8 molecules per unit cell. The coordination sphere of the iron atom is pseudo-tetrahedral with an Fe---S bond distance of 2.238 Å.     

[C2B10]---[B12] double cage boron compounds—a new approach to the synthesis of water-soluble boron-rich compounds for BNCT

A new approach in the synthesis of water-soluble boron-rich compounds was proposed. The closo-dodecaborate cage is used as a hydrophilic substitutent providing for the water-solubility of the molecule whereas the carborane cage can be used for attachment to biomolecules using earlier developed methods. The double-cage molecules [o-, m-, and p-CB₁₀H₁₀C(CH₂)₄OB₁₂H₁₁]²⁻ were prepared by the reaction of the tetramethylene oxonium derivative of the closo-dodecaborate anion, [B₁₂H₁₁O(CH₂)₄]⁻, with the corresponding lithiated carboranes. The compounds obtained have doubled the boron contents and could serve for the synthesis of agents for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT).     

A novel arene bonding mode in the mixed-metal cluster Os4Ru(μ-H) 3(CO) 12(μ3-η-C6H5) P(OMe)3

The ionic coupling of [Os₄H₂(CO)₁₂]²⁻ with [Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)(MeCN)₃]²⁺ affords the neutral mixed metal cluster Os₄Ru(μH)₂(CO)₁₂(η⁶-C₆H₆) 1. The reaction of 1 with trimethylphosphite leads to the initial formation of the addition product Os₄Ru(μH)₂(CO)₁₂(η⁶-C₆H₆)P(OMe)₃ 2, but this complex rearranges in solution to give Os₄Ru(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₂(μ₃-η⁶-C₆H₅)P(OMe)₃ 3. An X-ray structure of 3 shows that the metal core of the cluster is a ruthenium-spiked Os₄ tetrahedron, with one hydrogen atom from the arene having transferred to the Os₄ core, and one arene carbon bridging an Os-Os edge, while the ring as a whole remains η⁶-bound to the Ru atom.     

Synthesis and characterization of Na5[Co(CO)3(P{(CH2)nC6H4-P-SO3}3)2], n = 1, 2, 3, and 6. Novel zwitterion

The electron donating water soluble phosphines, P{(CH₂)nC₆H₄-p-SO₃Na}₃,n = 1, 2, 3 and 6, react rapidly with Co₂(CO)₈ under two phase reaction conditions to yield the disproportionation products, [Co(CO)₃(P{(CH₂)nC₆H₄-p-SO₃Na₃}₂] [Co(CO)₄]. Selective precipitation yields the formally zwitterionic complex anions as the sodium salt, [Co(CO)₃(P{(CH₂)nC₆H₄-p-SO₃} ₃)₂]⁵⁻. The anions can be used as precursors to water soluble cobalt hydroformylation catalysts under two phase and supported aqueous phase conditions. The tendency to form alcohol products is low with these complexes. The behavior of the catalysts is consistent with an active species that remains water soluble during the reaction and is not leached into the nonaqueous phase.     

Synthesis and characterisation of the methylene-inserted mixed-chalcogenide compounds Fe2(CO)6(μ-SeCH2Te) and Fe2(CO)6(μ-SCH2Te)

The methylene-bridged, mixed-chalogen compounds Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SeCH₂Te) (1) and Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SCH₂Te) (3) have been synthesised from the room temperature reaction of diazomethane with Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SeTe) and Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-STe), respectively. Compounds 1 and 3 have been characterised by IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy. The structure of 1 has been elucidated by X-ray crystallography. The crystalsare monoclinic,space group P2₁/n, A = 6.695(2), B = 13.993(5), C = 14.007(4)Å, β = 103.03(2)°, V = 1278(7) ų, Z = 4, D_c = 2.599 g cm⁻³ and R = 0.030 (R_w = 0.047).     

Functionalization of the macropolyhedral borate anion cluster [B22H22]: isolation and characterization of the OH and OEt derivatives

Preparation and characterization of the first derivatives of the fused macropolyhedral anion [B₂₂H₂₂]²⁻ are reported. The species [B₂₂H₂₁OH]²⁻ (1) and [B₂₂H₂₁OEt]²⁻ (2) are obtained from workup of the products of the reaction between HgBr₂ and [NBzlEt₃]₂[B₂₂H₂₂]; a cluster involving the conjoining of a closo-B₁₂ icosahedron with a nido-B₁₀ cluster. Washing the products with ethanol followed by thin-layer chromatography allows the isolation of 1 and 2, reproducibly, in yields of 27 and 20%, respectively. The species were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal structure determinations of the two species identify novel features. Apparently the influence of the O atoms in the ions [B₂₂H₂₁OH]²⁻ and [B₂₂H₂₁OEt]²⁻ results in the lengthening of what was a gunwale B---B connection adjacent to the junction of the two cages such that the distances are 2.180 and 2.230 Å, respectively. These latter are longer than the corresponding distance in the parent species [B₂₂H₂₂]²⁻, which is 2.09 Å; quite long for a normal B---B distance. Thus it is assumed that these B atoms, in 1 and 2, one of which bears the substituent, are not bonded to each other.     

Synthesis of titanium(IV) complexes that contain the Bis(silylamide) ligand of the type [1,8-C10H6(NR)2], and alkene polymerization catalyzed by [1,8-C10H6(NR)2]TiCl2-cocatalyst system

[1,8-C₁₀H₆(NR)₂]TiCl₂ (3; R=SiMe₃, SiⁱBuMe₂, SiⁱPr₃) complexes have been prepared from dilithio salts [1,8-C₁₀H₆(NR)₂]Li₂ (2) and TiCl₄ in diethyl ether in moderate yields (60–63%). These complexes showed significant catalytic activities for ethylene polymerization and for ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO), methyl isobutyl aluminoxane (MMAO), AlⁱBu₃– or AlEt₃–Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ as a cocatalyst. The catalytic activities performed in heptane (cocatalyst MMAO) were higher than those carried out in toluene (cocatalyst MAO): 709 kg-PE/mol-Ti·h could be attained for ethylene polymerization by using [1,8-C₁₀H₆(NSiⁱBuMe₂)₂]TiCl₂–MMAO catalyst system.     

Stability of the silicon-ruthenium bond in the presence of a strong nucleophile. Phase sensitive H NMR COSY and crystal structure of Ru(CO)2(NH2CH2C6H5)2(Si(C6H5)(CH3)2)I

The ruthenium(II) complex Ru(CO)₂(NH₂(NH₂CH₂C₆H₅)₂(Si(C₆H₅)(CH₃)₂)I has been prepared by the reaction of Ru(CO)₄(Si(C₆H₅)(CH₃)₂)I with benzylamine. Two-dimensional homonuclear ¹H NMR experiments examine the scalar coupling of the enantiotopic amino and methylene protons of the benzylamine ligand. X-ray analysis of Ru(CO)₂(NH₂CH₂C₆H₅)₂(Si(C₆H₅)(CH₃)₂)I·1/3C₅H₁₂ (triclinic; P ; a = 14.266(4), b = 15.748(5), c = 20.082(6) Å; = 94.38(3), β = 96.30(2), γ = 101.52(2)°) indicates three crystallographically unique complexes form a clathrate with a pentane guest.     

Preparation, structures, and haptotropic rearrangement of novel dinuclear ruthenium complexes, (μ2,η:η-guaiazulene)Ru2(CO)4(CNR)

Novel isonitrile derivatives of a diruthenium carbonyl complex, (μ₂,η³:η⁵-guaiazulene)Ru₂(CO)₅ (2), were synthesized by substitution of a CO ligand by an isonitrile, and were subjected to studies on thermal and photochemical haptotropic interconversion. Treatment of 2 (a 45:55 mixture of two haptotropic isomers, 2-A and 2-B) with RNC at room temperature resulted in coordination of RNC and alternation of the coordination mode of the guaiazulene ligand to form (μ₂,η¹:η⁵-guaiazulene)Ru₂(CO)₅(CNR), 5d–5f, [5d; R=^tBu, 5e; 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, or 5f; 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃] in moderate to good yields. Thermal dissociation of a CO ligand from 5 at 60 °C resulted in quantitative formation of a desirable isonitrile analogue of 2, (μ₂,η³:η⁵-guaiazulene)Ru₂(CO)₄(CNR), 4d–4f, [4d; R=^tBu, 4e; 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, or 4f; 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃], as a 1:1 mixture of the two haptotropic isomers. A direct synthetic route from 2 to 4d–4f was alternatively discovered; treatment of 2 with one equivalent of RNC at 60 °C gave 4d–4f in moderate yields. All of the new compounds were characterized by spectroscopy, and structures of 5d (R=^tBu) and 4d-A (R=^tBu) were determined by crystallography. Thermal and photochemical interconversion between the two haptotropic isomers of 4d–4f revealed that the isomer ratios in the thermal equilibrium and in the photostatic state were in the range of 48:52–54:46.     

Group 4 metallacarboranes of constrained geometries derived from B(cage)- and C(cage)-silylamido-substituted carborane ligands: a synthetic and structural investigation

The reactions of RNHSi(Me)₂Cl (1, R=t-Bu; 2, R=2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃) with the carborane ligands, nido-1-Na(C₄H₈O)-2,3-(SiMe₃)₂-2,3-C₂B₄H₅ (3) and Li[closo-1-R′-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀] (4), produced two kinds of neutral ligand precursors, nido-5-[Si(Me)₂N(H)R]-2,3-(SiMe₃)₂-2,3-C₂B₄H₅, (5, R=t-Bu) and closo-1-R′-2-[Si(Me)₂N(H)R]-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (6, R=t-Bu, R′=Ph; 7, R=2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃, R′=H), in 85, 92, and 95% yields, respectively. Treatment of closo-2-[Si(Me)₂NH(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)]-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (7) with three equivalents of freshly cut sodium metal in the presence of naphthalene produced the corresponding cage-opened sodium salt of the “carbons apart” carborane trianion, [nido-3-{Si(Me)₂N(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)}-1,3-C₂B₁₀H₁₁]³⁻ (8) in almost quantitative yield. The reaction of the trianion, 8, with anhydrous MCl₄ (M=Ti and Zr) in 1:1 molar ratio in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C, resulted in the formation of the corresponding half-sandwich neutral d⁰-metallacarborane, closo-1-M[(Cl)(THF)_n]-2-[1′-η¹σ-N(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)(Me)₂Si]-2,4-η⁶-C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (M=Ti (9), n=0; M=Zr (10), n=1) in 47 and 36% yields, respectively. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H-, ¹¹B-, and ¹³C-NMR spectra and IR spectra. The carborane ligand, 7, was also characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 7 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=8.2357(19) Å, b=28.686(7) Å, c=9.921(2) Å; β=93.482(4)°; V=2339.5(9) ų, and Z=4. The final refinements of 7 converged at R=0.0736; wR=0.1494; GOF=1.372 for observed reflections.     

Substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands—10. Intramolecular steric interactions in [(η-C5H3(SiMe3)2)Mo(CO)2(L)I]

Reaction of C₅H₄(SiMe₃)₂ with Mo(CO)₆ yielded [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂)Mo(CO)₃]₂, which on addition of iodine gave [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂Mo(CO)₃I]. Carbonyl displacement by a range of ligands: [L = P(OMe)₃, P(OPrⁱ)₃,P(O-o-tol)₃, PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PPh₃, P(m-tol)₃] gave the new complexes [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂ MO(CO)₂(L)I]. For all the trans isomer was the dominant, if not exclusive, isomer formed in the reaction. An NOE spectral analysis of [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂)Mo(CO)₂(L)I] L = PMe₂Ph, P(OMe)₃] revealed that the L group resided on the sterically uncongested side of the cyclopentadienyl ligand and that the ligand did not access the congested side of the molecule. Quantification of this phenomenon [L = P(OMe)₃] was achieved by means of the vertex angle of overlap methodology. This methodology revealed a steric preference with the trans isomer (less congestion of CO than I with an SiMe₃ group) being the more stable isomer for L = P(OMe)₃.     

Sandwich-type transition metal complexes [(CBO)n]2M with carbon boronyl ligands (CBO)n (n=4–6)

A density functional theory investigation on a series of sandwich-type transition metal complexes [(CBO)_n]₂M (n=4–6; M=transition metals) with carbon boronyls (CBO)_n as effective aromatic ligands has been presented in this work at B3LYP level. The ground-states of these complexes possess staggered D_nd symmetries, while the corresponding eclipsed D_nh structures exist as transition states with slightly higher energies (within 5.8 kJ/mol). Carbon boronyl complexes [(CBO)_n]₂M are confirmed to be much more stable than their boron carbonyl isomers [(BCO)_n]₂M, which, on the other hand, take eclipsed ground-states with D_nh symmetries. The carbon boronyl complexes [(BCO)_n]₂M proposed in this work parallelize the well-known sandwich-type hydrocarbon complexes [C_nH_n]₂M in coordination chemistry with boronyl groups –BO isolobal to –H atoms in corresponding ligands.