Stabilization of a Silaaldehyde by its η2 Coordination to Tungsten

Treatment of pyridine‐stabilized silylene complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄R)(CO)₂(H)W?SiH(py)(Tsi)] (R=Me, Et; py=pyridine; Tsi=C(SiMe₃)₃) with an N‐heterocyclic carbene ^MeIⁱPr (1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) caused deprotonation to afford anionic silylene complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄R)(CO)₂W?SiH(Tsi)][H^MeIⁱPr] (R=Me ( 1‐Me ); R=Et ( 1‐Et )). Subsequent oxidation of 1‐Me and 1‐Et with pyridine‐N‐oxide (1 equiv) gave anionic η²‐silaaldehydetungsten complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄R)(CO)₂W{η²‐O?SiH(Tsi)}][H^MeIⁱPr] (R=Me ( 2‐Me ); R=Et ( 2‐Et )). The formation of an unprecedented W‐Si‐O three‐membered ring was confirmed by X‐ray crystal structure analysis.     

Rare-earth metal allyl and hydrido complexes supported by an (NNNN)-type macrocyclic ligand: synthesis, structure, and reactivity toward biomass-derived furanics

The preparation and characterization of a series of neutral rare‐earth metal complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) supported by the 1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane anion (Me₃TACD^?) are reported. Upon treatment of the neutral allyl complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] with Brønsted acids, monocationic allyl complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂][B(C₆X₅)₄] (Ln=La, Ce, Nd, X=H, F) were isolated and characterized. Hydrogenolysis gave the hydride complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)H₂]_n (Ln=Y, n=3; La, n=4; Sm). X‐ray crystallography showed the lanthanum hydride to be tetranuclear. Reactivity studies of [Ln(Me₃TACD)R₂]_n (R=η³‐C₃H₅, n=0; R=H, n=3,4) towards furan derivatives includes hydrosilylation and deoxygenation under ring‐opening conditions.     

Diimido‐, Imido(oxo)‐, Dioxo‐ und Imido(alkyliden)‐Halbsandwich‐Verbindungen über selektive Hydrolyse und α—H‐Abstraktion an Organylkomplexen des sechswertigen Molybdäns und Wolframs

Diimido, Imido Oxo, Dioxo, and Imido Alkylidene Halfsandwich Compounds via Selective Hydrolysis and α—H Abstraction in Molybdenum(VI) and Tungsten(VI) Organyl Complexes Organometal imides [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NR′)₂Ph] (M = Mo, W, R = H, Me, R′ = Mes, tBu) 4 — 8 can be prepared by reaction of halfsandwich complexes [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NR′)₂Cl] with phenyl lithium in good yields. Starting from phenyl complexes 4 — 8 as well as from previously described methyl compounds [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)₂Me] (M = Mo, W), reactions with aqueous HCl lead to imido(oxo) methyl and phenyl complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)(O)(R)] M = Mo, R = Me ( 9 ), Ph ( 10 ); M = W, R = Ph ( 11 ) and dioxo complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(O)₂(CH₃)] M = Mo ( 12 ), M = W ( 13 ). Hydrolysis of organometal imides with conservation of M‐C σ and π bonds is in fact an attractive synthetic alternative for the synthesis of organometal oxides with respect to known strategies based on the oxidative decarbonylation of low valent alkyl CO and NO complexes. In a similar manner, protolysis of [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)W(NtBu)₂(CH₃)] and [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Mo(NtBu)₂(CH₃)] by HCl gas leads to [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)W(NtBu)Cl₂(CH₃)] 14 und [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Mo(NtBu)Cl₂(CH₃)] 15 with conservation of the M‐C bonds. The inert character of the relatively non‐polar M‐C σ bonds with respect to protolysis offers a strategy for the synthesis of methyl chloro complexes not accessible by partial methylation of [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NR′)Cl₃] with MeLi. As pure substances only trimethyl compounds [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NtBu)(CH₃)₃] 16 ‐ 18 , M = Mo, W, R = H, Me, are isolated. Imido(benzylidene) complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)(CHPh)(CH₂Ph)] M = Mo ( 19 ), W ( 20 ) are generated by alkylation of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)Cl₃] with PhCH₂MgCl via α‐H abstraction. Based on nmr data a trend of decreasing donor capability of the ligands [NtBu]^2— > [O]^2— > [CHR]^2— ? 2 [CH₃]^— > 2 [Cl]^— emerges.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Heterobimetallic Tantalum–Rhodium and Tantalum–Iridium Complexes Connected by a Tantalacyclopentadiene Fragment

We report the synthesis of heterobimetallic Ta–Rh and Ta–Ir complexes bridged by a 2,5‐di‐tert‐butyltantalacyclopentadiene fragment. A mononuclear 2,5‐di‐tert‐butyltantalacyclopentadiene complex 2 was prepared by the reaction of (η²‐Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃)TaCl₃(dme) ( 1 ) with excess amounts of 3,3‐dimethylbut‐1‐yne in the presence of AlCl₃. The tantalacyclopentadiene moiety of complex 2 served as a η⁴‐diene unit for coordinating the Rh and Ir centers; treatment of 2 with [M(μ‐Cl)(cod)]₂ (M = Rh and Ir; cod = cycloocta‐1,5‐diene) in toluene gave TaRh(μ‐C₄H₂^tBu₂)Cl₄(cod) ( 3 ) and [TaIr(μ‐C₄H₂^tBu₂)Cl₄]₂ ( 5 ), respectively. The X‐Ray diffraction study of 3 revealed a dative bond from an electron‐rich Rh toward an electron‐deficient Ta. Upon dissolving 3 in THF, [(thf)TaRh(μ‐C₄H₂^tBu₂)Cl₃]₂(μ‐Cl)₂ ( 4 ) was isolated together with free cycloocta‐1,5‐diene. When complex 5 was treated with 1,2‐bis‐(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), a monomeric Ta–Ir complex, TaIr(μ‐C₄H₂^tBu₂)Cl₄(dppe) ( 6 ), was isolated. Ta–Rh and Ta–Ir heterobimetallic complexes 3 and 6 were reduced by a two‐electron process upon reaction with 2,3,5,6‐tetramethyl‐1,4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,4‐dihydropyrazine ( 7a : Si‐Me₄‐DHP) or 2,5‐dimethyl‐1,4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,4‐dihydropyrazine ( 7b : Si‐Me₂‐DHP) to afford the corresponding complexes TaM(μ‐C₄H₂^tBu₂)Cl₂(L) ( 8 : M = Rh, L = cod; 9 : M = Ir, L = dppe), where the metallacycle moiety was assigned to have a tantalacyclopentadiene fragment with a large contribution of a tantalacyclopentatriene canonical form.     

Quinine‐Derived Imidazolidin‐2‐imine Ligands: Synthesis,Coordination Chemistry,and Application in Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation

Two new optically active bidentate N,N‐ligands, DMIQCI ( 3a ) and DMIQCD ( 3b ), containing a quinuclidine core and an imidazolidin‐2‐imine unit, were synthesized. The reaction of these ligands with [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)RuCl]₄ afforded the brick‐red ruthenium(II) complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Ru(DMIQCI)Cl] ( 4 ) and [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Ru(DMIQCD)Cl] ( 5 ), which were used as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in boiling 2‐propanol. The reactions of 3a and 3b with [(COD)PdCl₂] (COD = 1,5‐cycloocta‐diene) and with [(DME)NiBr₂] (DME = 1,2‐dimethoxyethane) afforded the square‐planar palladium(II) complexes [(DMIQCI)PdCl₂] ( 7 ) and [(DMIQCD)PdCl₂] ( 8 ) or the tetrahedral nickel(II) complexes [(DMIQCI)NiBr₂] ( 9 ) and [(DMIQCD)NiBr₂] ( 10 ), respectively. The X‐ray crystal structures of 4 , 7 , 9· THF, and 10 are reported.     

Half-sandwich dibenzyl complexes of scandium: Synthesis, structure, and styrene polymerization activity

Half-sandwich dibenzyl complexes of scandium have been prepared by stepwise treatment of scandium trichloride with lithium derivatives of silyl-functionalized tetramethylcyclopentadienes (C₅Me₄H)SiMe₂R (R = Me, Ph) and benzyl magnesium chloride. The resulting complexes [Sc(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] and [Sc(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Ph)(CH₂Ph)₂(1,4-dioxane)] show structure related to that of the corresponding bis(trimethylsilylmethyl) compounds [Sc(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂R)(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)]. The four-coordinate complexes display η¹-coordinated benzyl ligands without significant interaction of the ipso-carbon of the phenyl moiety. Conversion of [Sc(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] into the cationic species by treatment with triphenylborane in THF led to the formation of a stable charge separated complex [Sc(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(CH₂Ph)(THF)_x][BPh₃(CH₂Ph)]. Benzyl cation formed using [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] in toluene resulted in a moderately active syndiospecific styrene polymerization catalyst.     

Selenoquinones Stabilized by Ruthenium(II) Arene Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Cytotoxicity

A new series of monoselenoquinone and diselenoquinone π complexes, [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁴‐C₆R₄SeE)] (R=H, E=Se ( 6 ); R=CH₃, E=Se ( 7 ); R=H, E=O ( 8 )), as well as selenolate π complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁵‐C₆H₃R₂Se)][SbF₆] (R=H ( 9 ); R=CH₃ ( 10 )), stabilized by arene ruthenium moieties were prepared in good yields through nucleophilic substitution reactions from dichlorinated‐arene and hydroxymonochlorinated‐arene ruthenium complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(C₆R₄XCl)][SbF₆]₂ (R=H, X=Cl ( 1 ); R=CH₃, X=Cl ( 2 ); R=H, X=OH ( 3 )) as well as the monochlorinated π complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁵‐C₆H₃R₂Cl)][SbF₆]₂ (R=H ( 4 ); R=CH₃ ( 5 )). The X‐ray crystallographic structures of two of the compounds, [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁴‐C₆Me₄Se₂)] ( 7 ) and [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁴‐C₆H₄SeO)] ( 8 ), were determined. The structures confirm the identity of the target compounds and ascertain the coordination mode of these unprecedented ruthenium π complexes of selenoquinones. Furthermore, these new compounds display relevant cytotoxic properties towards human ovarian cancer cells.     

Cationic Allyl Complexes of the Rare‐Earth Metals: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and 1,3‐Butadiene Polymerization Catalysis

Monocationic bis‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La, Nd; X=H, F) and dicationic mono‐allyl complexes of yttrium and the early lanthanides [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₆]²⁺[BPh₄]₂^? (Ln=La, Nd) were prepared by protonolysis of the tris‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(diox)] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; diox=1,4‐dioxane) isolated as a 1,4‐dioxane‐bridged dimer (Ln=Ce) or THF adducts [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(thf)₂] (Ln=Ce, Pr). Allyl abstraction from the neutral tris‐allyl complex by a Lewis acid, ER₃ (Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃) gave the ion pair [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[ER₃(η¹‐CH₂CH?CH₂)]^? (Ln=Y, La; ER₃=Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃). Benzophenone inserts into the La? C_allyl bond of [La(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^? to form the alkoxy complex [La{OCPh₂(CH₂CH?CH₂)}₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^?. The monocationic half‐sandwich complexes [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La; X=H, F) were synthesized from the neutral precursors [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)] by protonolysis. For 1,3‐butadiene polymerization catalysis, the yttrium‐based systems were more active than the corresponding lanthanum or neodymium homologues, giving polybutadiene with approximately 90 % 1,4‐cis stereoselectivity.     

Organometallic Niobium and Tantalum Complexes with Primary Phosphine Ligands: Syntheses and Molecular Structures of [Cp*MCl4(PH2R)] (M = Nb,Ta; Cp* = C5Me5;R = But,Ad, Cy,Ph, 2, 4, 6‐Me3C6H2 (Mes))

The reaction of [Cp*MCl₄] (M = Nb, Ta; Cp* = C₅Me₅) with PH₂R in toluene at room temperature gives the primary phosphine complexes [Cp*MCl₄(PH₂R)] [Cp* = C₅Me₅; M = Nb: R = Bu^t ( 1a ), Ad ( 2a ), Cy ( 3a ), Ph ( 4a ), 2, 4, 6‐Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes) ( 5a ); M = Ta: R = Bu^t ( 1b ), Ad ( 2b ), Cy ( 3b ), Ph ( 4b ), Mes ( 5b )] in high yield. 1—5 were characterized spectroscopically (NMR, IR, MS) and by crystal structure determinations. The starting material [Cp*TaCl₄] is monomeric in the solid state, as shown by crystal structure determination.     

Molekül‐ und Kristallstruktur von Bis[chloro(μ‐phenylimido)(η5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)tantal(IV)](Ta–Ta), [{TaCl(μ‐NPh)Cp*}2]

Molecular and Crystal Structure of Bis[chloro(μ‐phenylimido)(η⁵‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)tantalum(IV)](Ta–Ta), [{TaCl(μ‐NPh)Cp*}₂] Despite the steric hindrance of the central atom in [TaCl₂(NPh)Cp*] (Ph = C₆H₅, Cp* = η⁵‐C₅(CH₃)₅), caused by the Cp* ligand, the imido‐ligand takes a change in bond structure when this educt is reduced to the binuclear complex [{TaCl(μ‐NPh)Cp*}₂] in which tantalum is stabilized in the unusual oxidation state +4.     

Direct Evidence for a [4+2] Cycloaddition Mechanism of Alkynes to Tantallacyclopentadiene on Dinuclear Tantalum Complexes as a Model of Alkyne Cyclotrimerization

A dinuclear tantalum complex, [Ta₂Cl₆(μ‐C₄Et₄)] ( 2 ), bearing a tantallacyclopentadiene moiety, was synthesized by treating [(η²‐EtC?CEt)TaCl₃(DME)] ( 1 ) with AlCl₃. Complex 2 and its Lewis base adducts, [Ta₂Cl₆(μ‐C₄Et₄)L] (L=THF ( 3 a ), pyridine ( 3 b ), THT ( 3 c )), served as more active catalysts for cyclotrimerization of internal alkynes than 1 . During the reaction of 3 a with 3‐hexyne, we isolated [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐C₆Et₆)(μ‐η²:η²‐EtC?CEt)] ( 4 ), sandwiched by a two‐electron reduced μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐hexaethylbenzene and a μ‐η²:η²‐3‐hexyne ligand, as a product of an intermolecular cyclization between the metallacyclopentadiene moiety and 3‐hexyne. The formation of arene complexes [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐C₆Et₄Me₂)(μ‐η²:η²‐Me₃SiC?CSiMe₃)] ( 7 b ) and [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐C₆Et₄RH)(μ‐η²:η²‐Me₃SiC?CSiMe₃)] (R=nBu ( 8 a ), p‐tolyl ( 8 b )) by treating [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐C₄Et₄)(μ‐η²:η²‐Me₃SiC?CSiMe₃)] ( 6 ) with 2‐butyne, 1‐hexyne, and p‐tolylacetylene without any isomers, at room temperature or low temperature were key for clarifying the [4+2] cycloaddition mechanism because of the restricted rotation behavior of the two‐electron reduced arene ligands without dissociation from the dinuclear tantalum center.     

High polymerization of methyl methacrylate with organonickel/MMAO systems

A series of nickel complexes, including Ni(acac)₂, (C₅H₅)Ni(η³‐allyl), and [NiMe₄Li₂(THF)₂]₂, that were activated with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) exhibited high catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) but showed no catalytic activity for the polymerization of ethylene and 1‐olefins. The resulting polymers exhibited rather broad molecular weight distributions and low syndiotacticities. In contrast to these initiators, the metallocene complexes (C₅H₅)₂Ni, (C₅Me₅)₂Ni, (Ind)₂Ni, and (Me₃SiC₅H₄)₂Ni provided narrower molecular weight distributions at 60 °C when these initiator were activated with MMAO. Half‐metallocene complexes such as (C₅H₅)NiCl(PPh₃), (C₅Me₅)NiCl(PPh₃), and (Ind)NiCl(PPh₃) produced poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with much narrower molecular weight distributions when the polymerization was carried out at 0 °C. Ni[1,3‐(CF₃)₂‐acac]₂ generated PMMA with high syndiotacticity. The NiR(acac)(PPh₃) complexes (R = Me or Et) revealed high selectivity in the polymerization of isoprene that produced 1,2‐/3,4‐polymer at 0 °C exclusively, whereas the polymerization at 60 °C resulted in the formation of cis‐1,4‐rich polymers. The polymerization of ethylene with Ni(1,3‐tBu₂‐acac)₂ and Ni[1,3‐(CF₃)₂‐acac]₂ generated oligo‐ethylene with moderate catalytic activity, whereas the reaction of ethylene with Ni(acac)₂/MMAO produced high molecular weight polyethylene. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4764–4775, 2000     

Reactions of Organic Azides with Half‐sandwich Complexes of Iridium: Preparation of Mono‐ and Bis(imine) Derivatives

Imine complexes [IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}{P(OR)₃}]BPh₄ ( 1 , 2 ) (Ar = C₆H₅, 4‐CH₃C₆H₄; R = Me, Et) were prepared by allowing chloro complexes [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){P(OR)₃}] to react with benzyl azides ArCH₂N₃. Bis(imine) complexes [Ir(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}₂{P(OR)₃}](BPh₄)₂ ( 3 , 4 ) were also prepared by reacting [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){P(OR)₃}] first with AgOTf and then with benzyl azide. Depending on the experimental conditions, treatment of the dinuclear complex [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)]₂ with benzyl azide yielded mono‐ [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}] ( 5 ) and bis‐[IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}₂]BPh₄ ( 6 ) imine derivatives. In contrast, treatment of chloro complexes [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){P(OR)₃}] with phenyl azide C₆H₅N₃ gave amine derivatives [IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(C₆H₅NH₂){P(OR)₃}]BPh₄ ( 7 , 8 ). The complexes were characterized spectroscopically (IR, NMR) and by X‐ray crystal structure determination of [IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)C₆H₄‐4‐CH₃}{P(OEt)₃}]BPh₄ ( 2b ).     

Reactions of Dienes with a Mo(0) Complex with Tetraphosphine Coligand [Mo(P4)(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)] (P4 = Meso‐o‐C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2)

Reaction of tetraphosphine complex [Mo(κ⁴‐P4)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)] (1; P4 = meso‐o‐C₆H₄‐(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂) with E‐1,3‐pentadiene in toluene at 60 °C gave the η⁴‐diene complex [Mo(η⁴‐E‐1,3‐pentadiene)(κ⁴‐P4)] (2), which is present as a mixture of two isomers due to the orientation of the Me group in the diene ligand. Treatment of 1 with Z‐1,3‐pentadien also resulted in the formation of 2 as the sole product after heating the reaction mixture at 90 °C. Whereas the reaction of 1 with 1,3‐cyclohexadiene at 60 °C afforded the η⁴‐diene complex [Mo(η⁴‐cyclohexadiene)(κ⁴‐P4)] (6), that with cyclopentadiene led to the C‐H bond scission product [η⁵‐C₅H₅)MoH(κ³‐P4)] (7). Detailed structures were determined by X‐ray crystallography for 2, 6,and 7, and fluxional feature of 6 in solution was clarified based on the VT‐NMR studies.     

UV–visible spectroscopy for zirconocene activation by MAO in olefin polymerization: activity versus wavenumber

Activation of ansa‐zirconocenes of the type Rac [Zr{1‐Me₂Si(3‐R‐(η⁵‐C₉H₅))(3‐R′‐(η⁵‐C₉H₅))}Cl₂] [R = Et, R′ = H ( 1 ); R = Pr, R′ = H ( 2 ); and R = Et, R′ = Pr ( 3 ), R, R′ = Me ( 4 ) and R, R′ = Bu ( 5 )] by MAO has been studied by UV–visible spectroscopy. Compounds 1–3 have been tested in the polymerization of ethylene at different Al:Zr ratios. UV–vis spectroscopy was used to determine a correlation between the electronic structures of ( 1–5 ) and their polymerization activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and Computational Studies on Uranium Diazomethanediide Complexes

Uranium diazomethanediide complexes can be prepared and their synthesis, structure and reactivity were explored. Reaction of the uranium imido compound [η⁵-1,2,4-(Me₃Si)₃C₅H₂]₂U=N(p-tolyl)(dmap) ( 1 ) or [η⁵-1,3-(Me₃C)₂C₅H₃]₂U=N(p-tolyl)(dmap) ( 4 ) with Me₃SiCHN₂ cleanly yields the first isocyanoimido metal complexes [η⁵-1,2,4-(Me₃Si)₃C₅H₂]₂U(=NNC)(μ-CNN=)U(dmap)[η⁵-1,2,4-(Me₃Si)₃C₅H₂]₂ ( 2 ) and {[η⁵-1,3-(Me₃C)₂C₅H₃]₂U[μ-(=NNC)]}₆ ( 5 ), respectively. Both compounds exhibit remarkable thermal stability and were fully characterized. According to density functional theory (DFT) studies the bonding between the Cp₂U²⁺ and [NNC]²⁻ moieties is strongly polarized with a significant 5 f orbital contribution, which is also reflected in the reactivity of these complexes. For example, complex 5 acts as a nucleophile toward alkylsilyl halides and engages in a [2+2] cycloaddition with CS₂, but no reaction occurs in the presence of internal alkynes.     

Activation of SO2 with [(η5‐C5Me5)2Ln(THF)2] (Ln=Eu,Yb) Leading to Dithionite and Sulfinate Complexes

The reaction of decamethylytterbocene [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Yb(THF)₂] with SO₂ at low temperature gave two new compounds, namely, the Yb^III dithionite/sulfinate complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Yb(μ₃,1κ²O^1,3,2κ³O^2,2′,4‐S₂O₄)}₂{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Yb(μ,1κO,2κO′‐C₅Me₅SO₂)}₂] ( 1 ) and the Yb^III dithionite complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Yb}₂(μ,1κ²O^1,3,2κ²O^2,4‐S₂O₄)] ( 2 ). After extraction of 1 , the mixture was heated to give the dinuclear tetrasulfinate complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Yb}₂(μ,κO,κO’‐C₅Me₅SO₂)₄] ( 3 a ). In contrast, from the reaction of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Eu(THF)₂] with SO₂ only the tetrasulfinate complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Eu}₂(μ,κO,κO’‐C₅Me₅SO₂)₄] ( 3 b ) was isolated. Two major reaction pathways were observed: 1) reductive coupling of two SO₂ molecules to form the dithionite anion S₂O₄^2?; and 2) nucleophilic attack of one metallocene C₅Me₅ ligand on the sulfur atom of SO₂. The compounds presented are the first dithionite and sulfinate complexes of the f‐elements.     

Reduction of (1,3-diformylindenyl)cyclopentadienylruthenium derivatives

The reduction of the (1,3-diformylindenyl)cyclopentadienylruthenium derivatives {η⁵-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCp (Cp = C₅H₅), {η⁵-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCp* (Cp* = C₅Me₅), and {η⁵-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCpF (Cp^F = C₅Me₄CF₃) with NaBH₄ or LiAlH₄ under mild conditions affords the [1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)indenyl]cyclopentadienylruthenium complexes {η⁵-1,3-(CH₂OH)₂C₉H₅}RuCp, {η⁵-1,3-(CH₂OH)₂C₉H₅}RuCp*, and {η⁵-1,3-(CH₂OH)₂C₉H₅}-RuCp^F, respectively, in good yields.     

Trapping of Tricarbonyl(η1,η2‐homoallyl)iron and Tricarbonyl(η3‐allyl)iron Anion Intermediates with 2‐(Phenylsulfonyl)‐3‐phenyloxaziridine

The addition of reactive carbanions to (η⁴‐1,3‐diene)Fe(CO)₃ complexes at ?78 °C and 25 °C produced putative homoallyl and allyl anion complexes, respectively. Reaction of the reactive intermediates with 2‐(phenylsulfonyl)‐3‐phenyloxaziridine afforded nucleophilic substituted (η⁴‐1,3‐diene)Fe(CO)₃ complexes.     

Copolymerization of ethylene with 1,1‐disubstituted olefins catalyzed by ansa‐(fluorenyl)(cyclododecylamido)dimethyltitanium complexes

A series of titanium complexes with ansa‐(fluorenyl)(cyclododecylamido) ligands, Me₂Si(η³‐R)(N‐c‐C₁₂H₂₃)TiMe₂ [R = fluorenyl ( 5 ), 2,7‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 6 ), 3,6‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 7 )], was synthesized. The crystal structure of complex 6 revealed η³‐coordination of the fluorenyl moiety to the metal. Upon activation with trialkylaluminum‐free modified methylaluminoxane, complexes 5 – 7 as well as the corresponding ^tBu amide complexes, Me₂Si(η³‐R)(N^tBu)TiMe₂ [R = fluorenyl ( 2 ), 2,7‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 3 ), 3,6‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 4 )], were adopted as the catalysts for the copolymerization of ethylene (E) and isobutylene (IB). Among these complexes, complex 6 was found to achieve the highest IB incorporation to produce alternating E‐IB copolymers. Complex 6 system also achieved copolymerization of E and limonene. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013