ChemInform Abstract: Molecular Structures of Gaseous Dichloro- and Dibromo(dioxo)molybdenum( VI). Are the Mo=O Bond Distances and the O=Mo=O Bond Angles Similar?

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Inter-Alkali-Metal Dative Bond in the MMN3− (M=Alkali Metal) Cluster

Alkali metals are generally Lewis acids. On the contrary, Lewis basic character of alkali metals forming donor – acceptor complexes is a very rare phenomenon. In this contribution, I have theoretically designed an anionic cluster MMN₃⁻ (M=alkali metals) on the basis of experimentally known reagent, alkali salt of azide ion MN₃, which shows unprecedented M:⁻→M donor-acceptor interaction. To the best of author's knowledge, the characterization of such donor-acceptor interaction among alkali metals is unprecedented. Formation of the 2c–2e donor-acceptor bonds have been confirmed by quantum theory of atoms in molecules and electron localization function analyses. The calculated bond dissociation energies are significant suggesting their possible spectroscopic identification.     

New Intermetalloid Ge9-clusters with Copper and Gold: Filling Vacancies in the Cluster Chemistry of [Ge9(Hyp)3]− (Hyp=Si(SiMe3)3)

We present a series of new intermetalloid clusters (R₃P)CuGe₉₍(Hyp)₃, (R=Me, Et, iPr, nBu, tBu) (Hyp=Si(SiMe₃)₃) (R₃P)AuGe₉(Hyp)₃MGe₉(Hyp)₃ (R=Ph, Me; M=Au, Cu). In conjunction with already known clusters, these give new insights into the bonding situation of metal bridged Ge₉ clusters as well as a better understanding of the formation of these clusters. Additionally, the intermetalloid clusters with the smallest phosphine PMe₃ show new bonding motives.     

Ylenes in the M(II)→Si(IV) (M=Si, Ge, Sn) coordination mode

The reaction of the methimazolyl (mt, i.e., 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolide) substituted silane Si(mt)(4) with SnCl(2) and GeCl(2) in dioxane affords the paddlewheel-shaped complexes [ClSi(μ-mt)(4)MCl] (M=Sn (1) and Ge (2), respectively). These compounds represent the first crystallographically characterized hexacoordinate silicon complexes comprising a Sn or Ge atom in the Si coordination sphere. An attempt to synthesize the related silicon compound 3 [ClSi(μ-mt)(4)SiCl] instead afforded the trisilane [ClSi(μ-mt)(4)Si-SiCl(3)] (3a), which provides the first crystallographic evidence for the feasibility of oligosilanes with adjacent hexacoordinate Si atoms. One of the hexacoordinate Si atoms of 3a features the unprecedented (Si(2)S(4))Si skeleton. Natural bonding orbital (NBO) analyses of compounds 1, 2, 3a (and the target compound 3) revealed characteristics of M(II)→Si(IV) (for 2 and 3) or M(I)→Si(IV) (for 3a) dative bonding in the systems with M=Si and Ge, whereas compound 1 exhibits a covalent Sn(III)-Si(III) bond.     

Room-Temperature-Observable Interconversion Between Si(IV) and Si(II) via Reversible Intramolecular Insertion Into an Aromatic C−C Bond

An easily isolable silacycloheptatriene (silepin) 1 b was synthesized from the reaction of a N-heterocyclic imino (IPrN) substituted tribromosilane IPrNSiBr₃ with the sterically congested bis(trimethylsilyl)triisopropylsilyl silanide KSi(TMS)₂Si(ⁱPr)₃ (BTTPS). In solution, the Si(IV) silepin 1 b is in a thermodynamic equilibrium with the acyclic Si(II) silylene 1 a . The relative concentration of the Si(II) or Si(IV) isomers can be controlled by temperature variation and observed by variable temperature NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. DFT calculations show a small reaction barrier for the Si(II)⇌Si(IV) interconversion and a small energy gap between the Si(II) and Si(IV) species. The reactivity of 1 a/b is demonstrated on a variety of small molecules.     

Niobium Bis- and Mono(Pentafulvene) Complexes: E−H Bond Cleavage and Insertion Reactions (E=C,N, O)

Bis(η⁵:η¹-(di-para-tolyl)pentafulvene)niobium chloride ( 1 ) reacts with methyl lithium via salt metathesis to the methylated bis(pentafulvene)niobium complex 2 , and with lithium 2,6-diisopropylanilide addition and subsequent N−H bond activation to the imido mono(pentafulvene)niobium complex 3 . Avoiding the competing protonation of the chloride, bis(pentafulvene)niobium complex 2 reacts with primary aromatic and aliphatic amines to form terminal niobocene imido complexes, and with water to form the analog terminal oxo complex. Secondary methyl amines undergo a simultaneous N−H and C−H activation to form niobaaziridines under mild conditions. In contrast to other reported examples, 3 can be employed to investigate the uncontested reactivity of mono(pentafulvene)niobium complexes. Reaction with 4-tert-butylphenol selectively yields a niobocene phenolate complex. Unprecedented for mono(pentafulvene)niobium complexes, treating 3 with multiple-bond-containing substrates (nitriles, isocyanates) smoothly results the insertion into the Nb-C_exo σ-bond, forming the corresponding alkylidene amido and imidato complexes.     

Divacant polyoxotungstates: reactivity of the gamma-decatungstates [γ-XW10O36]8-(X = Si, Ge)

The dilacunary, Keggin-based gamma-decatungstate ions [γ-XW(10)O(36)](8-) (X = Si, Ge) {XW(10)} exhibit an exciting and versatile solution chemistry, which is probably unmatched by any other lacunary polytungstate. The reactivity of {XW(10)} in the presence, and even absence, of electrophiles, includes loss/gain of tungsten, isomerization, and dimerization. Ever since the syntheses and structures of {XW(10)} were reported, many research groups around the world have investigated the reactivity of these polyanions towards nucleophiles (mostly d-block metal ions) and different products with various shape, size and composition were obtained. Here we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in this subarea of polyoxometalate chemistry, with a focus on synthetic and structural aspects.     

Asymmetric allylation polymerization of bis(allylsilane) and dialdehyde containing Siphenyl linkage

Repetitive Sakurai–Hosomi allylation between dialdehyde and bis(allylsilane) yielded a polymer having stereogenic carbons in its main chain. In the presence of an enantiopure Lewis acid catalyst such as chiral (acyloxy)borane (CAB), the allylation polymerization proceeded in a stereoselective manner to give optically active polymers. We have prepared new monomers containing Siphenyl linkages for the asymmetric allylation polymerization. After polymerization, the Siphenyl linkages in the main chain could be cleaved easily to give the corresponding chiral homoallylic alcohol. The enantiomeric purity of the chiral polymer was then evaluated by chiral HPLC analysis of the alcohol obtained from the degradation.     

Ab initio study of mechanism of forming a spiro-heterocyclic ring compound involving Si from dichlorosilylenesilylene (Cl2Si=Si:)→Cl2Si=Si: and aldehyde

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between singlet dichlorosilylenesilylene (Cl₂Si=Si:)→Cl₂Si=Si: and aldehyde has been investigated with the CCSD(T)//MP2/6-31G* method. From the potential energy profile, it could be predicted that the reaction has one dominant reaction pathway. The reaction rules presented is that the two reactants firstly form a four-membered ring silylene through the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Because of the 3p unoccupied orbital of Si: atom in the four-membered ring silylene and the π orbital of aldehyde forming a π → p donor–acceptor bond, the four-membered ring silylene further combines with aldehyde to form an intermediate. Because the Si: atom in the intermediate happens sp ³ hybridization after transition state, then the intermediate isomerizes to a spiro-heterocyclic ring compound involving Si via a transition state.     

Electronic structure of the surface compounds ≡SiOElCl3 (El, = C,Si, Ge,Sn) and their thermal stability

The SCF MO LCA0 method in the MNDO approximation has been used to consider the electronic structure of the surface compounds SlODlCl₃ (El = C, Si, Ge, Sn), modelled by extended clusters. The thermal stabilities of these groups are compared and conclusions ore drawn about the probable mechanism of the interaction of the surface silanol groups of SiO₂ with ElCl₄ molecules.Institute for Surface Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 19–22, January–February, 1991. Original article submitted March 11, 1990.     

P−P Condensation and P−N/P−P Bond Metathesis: Facile Synthesis of Cationic Tri- and Tetraphosphanes

[L_C^RP((PhP)₂C₂H₄)][OTf] ( 4 a,b [OTf]) and [L_C^iPrP(PPh₂)₂][OTf] ( 5 b [OTf]) were prepared from the reaction of imidazoliumyl-substituted dipyrazolylphosphane triflate salts [L_C^RP(pyr)₂][OTf] ( 3 a,b [OTf]; a : R=Me, b =iPr; L_C^R=1,3-dialkyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-yl; pyr=3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl) with the secondary phosphanes PhP(H)C₂H₄P(H)Ph) and Ph₂PH. A stepwise double P−N/P−P bond metathesis to catena-tetraphosphane-2,3-diium triflate salt [(Ph₂P)₂(L_C^MeP)₂][OTf]₂ ( 7 a [OTf]₂) is observed when reacting 3 a [OTf] with diphosphane P₂Ph₄. The coordination ability of 5 b [OTf] was probed with selected coinage metal salts [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]OTf, AgOTf and AuCl(tht) (tht=tetrahydrothiophene). For AuCl(tht), the helical complex [{(Ph₂PPL_C^iPr)Au}₄][OTf]₄ ( 9 [OTf]₄) was unexpectedly formed as a result of a chloride-induced P−P bond cleavage. The weakly coordinating triflate anion enables the formation of the expected copper(I) and silver(I) complexes [( 5 b )M(CH₃CN)₃][OTf]₂ (M=Cu, Ag) ( 10 [OTf]₂, 11 [OTf]₂).     

Halogen-Substituted Cyclotrigermenes: The π(Ge = Ge)-σ*(Ge–X) Interaction and a Unique Dynamic Behavior

Abstract

The halogen-substituted cyclotrigermenes (^tBu₃Si)₃Ge₃X (X = F, Cl, Br, I) (2) were synthesized by the reaction of tris(tri-tert-butylsilyl)cyclotrigermenylium tetrakis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate) (1 ⁺?TTFPB^?) with potassium halides (KF, KCl, KBr, KI). Intramolecular halogen migration over the three-membered ring skeleton was observed in the solution.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT     

Reductive Coupling of (Fluoro)pyridines by Linear 3d-Metal(I) Silylamides of Cr–Co: A Tale of C−C Bond Formation,C−F Bond Cleavage and a Pyridyl Radical Anion

Herein, we disclose the facile reduction of pyridine (and its derivatives) by linear 3d-metal(I) silylamides (M=Cr–Co). This reaction resulted in intermolecular C−C coupling to give dinuclear metal(II) complexes bearing a bridging 4,4′-dihydrobipyridyl ligand. For iron, we demonstrated that the C−C coupling is reversible in solution, either directly or by reaction with substrates, via a presumed monomeric metal(II) complex bearing a pyridyl radical anion. In the course of this investigation, we also observed that the dinuclear metal(II) complex incorporating iron facilitated the isomerisation of 1,4-cyclohexadiene to 1,3-cyclohexadiene as well as equimolar amounts of benzene and cyclohexene. Furthermore, we synthesised and structurally characterised a non-3d-metal-bound pyridyl radical anion. The reactions of the silylamides with perfluoropyridine led to C−F bond cleavage with the formation of metal(II) fluoride complexes of manganese, iron and cobalt along with the homocoupling or reductive degradation of the substrate. In the case of cobalt, the use of lesser fluorinated pyridines led to C−F bond cleavage but no homocoupling. Overall, in this paper we provide insights into the multifaceted behaviour of simple (fluoro)pyridines in the presence of moderately to highly reducing metal complexes.     

Influence of the Flexibility of Nickel PCP-Pincer Complexes on C−H and P−C Bond Activation and Ethylene Reactivity: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

Using a pincer platform based on a bridgehead NHC donor with functional side arms, the combined effect of increased flexibility in six-membered pyrimidine-type heterocycles compared to the more often studied five-membered imidazole, and rigidity of phosphane side arms was examined. The unique features observed include: 1) the reaction of the azolium C_sp2−H bond with [Ni(cod)₂] affording a carbanionic ligand in [NiCl(PC_sp3^HP)] ( 8 ) rather than a carbene; 2) its transformation into the NHC, hydrido complex [NiH(PC^NHCP)]PF₆ ( 9 ) upon halide abstraction; 3) ethylene insertion into the Ni−H bond of the latter and ethyl migration to the N−C−N carbon atom of the heterocycle in [Ni(PC^EtP)]PF₆ ( 10 ); and 4) an unprecedented C−P bond activation transforming the P−C^NHC−P pincer ligand of 8 in a C−C^NHC−P pincer and a terminal phosphanido ligand in [Ni(PPh₂)(CC^NHCP)] ( 15 ). The data are supported by nine crystal structure determinations and theoretical calculations provided insights into the mechanisms of these transformations, which are relevant to stoichiometric and catalytic steps of general interest.     

Study on the Bond Covalency and Bond Susceptibility in NdCr_(1-x)M_xO_3 (M=Mn, Fe, Co)

IntroductionNdCrl-.M.Os(M=Mn,Fe,Co)'-'haveanorthorhombicperovskite-typestrUcture,andareallp-typesendconductors.lnNdCr,-.Mn.O,'andNdCr,-.Fe.O,',theaverage(Cr,Mn)-Oand(Cr,Fe)-Obonddistancesandeffectivemagneticmomentincreasewiththeincreasingdopinglevel,indicatingthatMn3 andFe3 ionsareinhigh-spinstateswith(dE)'(dY)'and(dE)'(dY)'electronconfigurationsrespectively.However,forNdCr,x.Co.O,'atlowtemperatures,theaverage(Cr,Co)-Obonddistancesandeffectivemagneticmomentsdecrease,suggestingtha…     

Reductive Eliminations from λ(3)-Iodanes: Understanding Selectivity and the Crucial Role of the Hypervalent Bond

This computational study investigates the factors governing the selectivity of the reductive eliminations from rapidly equilibrating isomeric λ(3)-iodanes derived from a diaryl iodonium salt and a nucleophile. The chemoselectivity is mainly determined by the partial charge at the ipso-carbon atom involved in the 3-center-4-electron bond.     

Theoretical studies on the band structures of superconducting solid compounds: Nb3X (X=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb)

The band structures of several analogous superconducting A-15 type solid compounds, Nb3X (X=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb), have been calculated by use of the tight-binding method within the Extended Huckel approximation (EHT). By analysis of their energy bands, densities of states and crystal orbital overlap populations, the dependence of the superconducting transition temperatures (Tc) on the electronic structures and bondings is qualitatively elucidated.     

Atom Exchange Versus Reconstruction: (GexAs4−x)x− (x=2, 3) as Building Blocks for the Supertetrahedral Zintl Cluster [Au6(Ge3As)(Ge2As2)3]3−

The Zintl anion (Ge₂As₂)²⁻ represents an isostructural and isoelectronic binary counterpart of yellow arsenic, yet without being studied with the same intensity so far. Upon introducing [(PPh₃)AuMe] into the 1,2-diaminoethane (en) solution of (Ge₂As₂)²⁻, the heterometallic cluster anion [Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]³⁻ is obtained as its salt [K(crypt-222)]₃[Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]⋅en⋅2 tol ( 1 ). The anion represents a rare example of a superpolyhedral Zintl cluster, and it comprises the largest number of Au atoms relative to main group (semi)metal atoms in such clusters. The overall supertetrahedral structure is based on a (non-bonding) octahedron of six Au atoms that is face-capped by four (Ge_xAs_4−x)^x− (x=2, 3) units. The Au atoms bind to four main group atoms in a rectangular manner, and this way hold the four units together to form this unprecedented architecture. The presence of one (Ge₃As)³⁻ unit besides three (Ge₂As₂)²⁻ units as a consequence of an exchange reaction in solution was verified by detailed quantum chemical (DFT) calculations, which ruled out all other compositions besides [Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]³⁻. Reactions of the heavier homologues (Tt₂Pn₂)²⁻ (Tt=Sn, Pb; Pn=Sb, Bi) did not yield clusters corresponding to that in 1 , but dimers of ternary nine-vertex clusters, {[AuTt₅Pn₃]₂}⁴⁻ (in 2 – 4 ; Tt/Pn=Sn/Sb, Sn/Bi, Pb/Sb), since the underlying pseudo-tetrahedral units comprising heavier atoms do not tend to undergo the said exchange reactions as readily as (Ge₂As₂)²⁻, according to the DFT calculations.