Hydrocarbyl Ligand Transformation on the Tungsten–Triosmium Cluster Framework

A comprehensive review of the hydrocarbon derivative chemistry of WOs₃ mixed-metal cluster compounds including synthesis, reactivity, ligand transformation, and solution dynamics is presented.     

Insertion Chemistry of Lutetacyclopropene toward Unsaturated C−O/C−N Bonds

Although the reaction chemistry of transition metallacyclopropenes has been well-established in the last decades, the reactivity of rare-earth metallacyclopropenes remains elusive. Herein, we report the reaction of lutetacyclopropene 1 toward a series of unsaturated molecules. The reaction of 1 with one equiv. of PhCOMe, Ar¹CHO (Ar¹=2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), W(CO)₆, and PhCH=NPh provided oxalutetacyclopentenes, metallacyclic lutetoxycarbene, and azalutetacyclopentene via 1,2-insertion of C=O, C≡O, or C=N bonds into Lu−C_sp2 bond, respectively. However, the reaction between 1 and Ar²N=C=NAr² (Ar²=4-MeC₆H₄) gave an acyclic lutetium complex with a diamidinate ligand by the coupling of one molecule of 1 with two carbodiimides, irrespective of the amount of carbodiimide employed. More interestingly, when 1 was treated with two equiv. of Ar¹CHO, the reductive coupling of two C=O bonds was discovered to give a lutetium pinacolate complex along with the release of tolan. Remarkably, the reactivity of 1 is significantly different from that of scandacyclopropenes; these metallacycles derived from 1 all represent the first cases in rare-earth organometallic chemistry.     

Reactivity of the Unsaturated Triosmium Cluster [Os3(CO)8{Ph2PCH2P(Ph)C6H4}(μ-H)] with Thiols

The reaction of the unsaturated cluster [(-H)Os₃(CO)₈{Ph₂PCH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}] 2 with C₂H₅SH, CH₃CH(CH₃)SH and C₆H₅SH are reported. The reaction of 2 with C₂H₅SH yields the new complexes [Os₃(CO)₈(-SC₂H₅)(¹-SC₂H₅){Ph₂PCH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}(-H)] 9 and [Os₃(CO)₈)(SC₂H₅)(Ph₂PCH₂P)(Ph)C₆H₄}] 8 in 24 and 57% yields respectively and the known compound [(Os₃(CO)₈)(-SC₂H₅)(-dppm)(-H)] 7 in 5% yield. Compound 9, which exists as two isomers in solution, converts into 8 almost quantitatively in solution at 25°C and more rapidly in refluxing hexane. Compound8 reacts with H₂ at 110°C to give 7 in high yield (86%). Treatment of 2 with propane-2-thiol yields [Os₃(CO)₈{-SCH(CH₃)CH₃}{Ph₂PCH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}] 10 and [(Os₃(CO)₈{-SCH(CH₃)CH₃}{¹-SCH(CH₃)CH₃}{Ph₂PCH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}(-H)] 11 in 75 and 3% yields respectively while with C₆H₅SH, [(Os₃(CO)₈(-SC₆H₅)(-dppm)(-H)] 6 is obtained as the only product in 75% yield. In both 8 and 10, the thiolato ligand bridges the Os–Os edge which is also bridged by the metallated phenyl group. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods (IR, ¹H and ³¹P NMR). The molecular structures of 7, 8, 9 and 10 are reported as determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Switchable Polymerization Triggered by Fast and Quantitative Insertion of Carbon Monoxide into Cobalt–Oxygen Bonds

A strategy that uses carbon monoxide (CO) as a molecular trigger to switch the polymerization mechanism of a cobalt Salen complex [salen=(R,R)-N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine] from ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of epoxides/anhydrides to organometallic mediated controlled radical polymerization (OMRP) of acrylates is described. The key phenomenon is a rapid and quantitative insertion of CO into the Co−O bond, allowing for in situ transformation of the ROCOP active species (Salen)Co^III-OR into the OMRP photoinitiator (Salen)Co^III-CO₂R. The proposed mechanism, which involves CO coordination to (Salen)Co^III-OR and subsequent intramolecular rearrangement via migratory insertion has been rationalized by DFT calculations. Regulated by both CO and visible light, on-demand sequence control can be achieved for the one-pot synthesis of polyester-b-polyacrylate diblock copolymers (Đ<1.15).     

Zinc-Mediated Intermolecular Reductive Radical Fluoroalkylsulfination of Unsaturated Carbon–Carbon Bonds with Fluoroalkyl Bromides and Sulfur Dioxide

A versatile and general zinc-mediated intermolecular reductive radical fluoroalkylsulfination of unsaturated C−C bonds has been developed using readily available fluoroalkyl bromides and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-bis(sulfur dioxide) adduct (DABSO) with wide substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. Sulfur dioxide anion radical generated in situ from the reduction of sulfur dioxide with zinc may be involved in the reaction mechanism.     

A Silver(I)–Gold(II) Hexanuclear Guanidinate–Benzoate Cluster with Short Au–Au Bonds

Abstract  Attempts to remove the halide atoms from [Au₂(hpp)₂Cl₂], 1, Hhpp = 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine, with Ag(I) benzoate lead to the formation of the Au(I)–Ag(I) product, [(PhCOO)₂Au₄(hpp)₄Ag₂(PhCOO)₄], 2. This material is stable to air and light at room temperature and shows a UV–vis spectrum in THF with absorbances at 575, 440, 345, and 273 nm. The mixed metal product crystallizes as green crystals in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The Au–Au distances of 2.4473(19) ? are the shortest gold–gold distances reported to date. The gold···silver distance is 3.344(3) ? and the silver···silver distance is 2.771(6) ?. This latter distance is short compared with the Ag···Ag distance of 2.902(3) ? in the eight-membered silver benzoate dimer starting material. The Au(II) hpp and Ag(I) benzoate components are linked by carboxylate groups and two gold-silver interactions. This result stands in structural contrast to terminal carboxylate products observed with Au(II) ylides and amidinates wherein the carboxylate is not bridging to another metal atom. Index Abstract  Three equivalents of silver benzoate react with [Au₂(hpp)₂Cl₂], 1, Hhpp = 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine, to form the gold(II)-silver(I) product, 2, [(PhCOO)₂Au₄(hpp)₄Ag₂(PhCOO)₄]. The gold–gold distance of 2.4473(19) ? is the shortest gold–gold distance reported to date. The gold–silver distance is 3.344(3) ? and the silver–silver distance is 2.771(6) ?. Dedicated to the memory of F. Albert Cotton (1930–2007).     

Structural Investigation of the First Stages of Pyrolysis of Si-C-O Preceramic Polymers Containing Si–H Bonds

The polymer-to-glass transformation in the Si-C-O system usually involves cross-linking reactions at the C sites, which transform for example Si– H3 sites into (Si)4 sites, leading to the formation of a silicon oxycarbide network. Identification of the various C sites that form during pyrolysis under inert atmosphere is rather difficult from 13C MAS-NMR spectra, due to strong overlap of resonance lines, which prevents an accurate determination of the chemical shift values. This paper reports on the use of a spectral editing technique called Inversion Recovery Cross Polarization (IRCP), which, when combined with Cross Polarization (CP) technique, allows us to identify and quantify the formation of Si- H2-Si bridges during the early stages of the pyrolytic transformation of a polysiloxane containing Si–CH3 and Si–H groups. Several Si-C-O systems characterized by the same initial number of Si–CH3 bonds but with increasing number of Si–H bonds, have been investigated by MAS-NMR as well as thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TG/MS). The Si—H bonds play clearly an active role in the insertion of C atoms within the silica network.     

Addition of Alkynes to High Nuclearity Platinum–Ruthenium Carbonyl Cluster Complexes

The reactions of the mixed metal cluster complexes PtRu₅(CO)₁₆(μ₆-C)[Pt(PBu )], 5 and PtRu₅(CO)₁₆(μ₆-C)[Pt(PBu ]₂, 6 with selected alkynes have been investigated. Compound 5 adds one and two equivalents of PhC₂H to yield the new compounds PtRu₅(CO)₁₅(μ₆-C)(μ₃-PhC₂H)[Pt(PBu )], 8 and PtRu₅(CO) -C)( -PhC₂H)₂[Pt(PBu )], 9 at 40 and 68°C, respectively. Compound 6 was found to react with PhC₂H at 40°C to yield the new compound PtRu₅(CO) -C)( -PhC₂H)[Pt(PBu )]₂, 10. The reaction of 6 with PhC₂Ph at 97°C yielded the new compound PtRu₅(CO) -C)( -PhC₂Ph)₂[Pt(PBu )]₂, 11. All products were characterized crystallographically by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The structure of 8 consists of a pseudo-octahedral PtRu₅ cluster with a second platinum atom bridging a basal edge of the Ru₅ square pyramid. A triply bridging PhC₂H ligand is bonded to the two platinum atoms and one of the ruthenium atoms. The structure of 9 consists of a nido-dodecahedral Pt₂Ru₅ cluster with a carbido ligand in the interior that is not bonded to all seven of the metal atoms. It also contains two triply bridging PhC₂H ligands. The structure of 10 consists of a central octahedral cluster of five ruthenium atoms and one platinum atom. Two additional platinum atoms are bonded to the platinum atom in this cluster but these atoms are not bonded to any other metal atoms of the PtRu₅ cluster. A triply bridging PhC₂H ligand is coordinated to the group of three platinum atoms. The structure of 11 consists of an octahedral PtRu₅ cluster with two additional platinum atoms capping two PtRu₂ triangular faces. There are two PhC₂Ph ligands bridging two Ru₃ triangular faces of the central octahedron. This report is dedicated to Professor Ilya Moiseev on the occasion of his 75th birthday for his many pioneering contributions to the chemistry of metal clusters.     

Antimony Trichloride–Catalyzed Michael Addition of Indoles to the α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones

Indoles undergo conjugate addition with α,β‐unsaturated ketones in the presence of a catalytic amount of antimony trichloride under refluxing condition to afford the corresponding Michael adduct in excellent yields. The substitution on the indole ring occurred exclusively at 3‐position without a trace of any N‐alkylated products.     

Bond Length–Electron Density Relationships: From Covalent Bonds to Hydrogen Bond Interactions

It is possible to treat bond distances of covalent C-H bonds and CH hydrogen bonds simultaneously assuming a logarithmic relationship with the electron density at the bond critical point. Similar relationships have been found for other X-H/XH bonds. The data used for obtaining these equations have been determined theoretically. All the systems have been fully optimized and their electron densities calculated at the B3LYP/6-311 + + G(d,p) level.     

Acidic Ionic Liquid–Catalyzed Highly Efficient Reaction of Indoles to α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones

A novel method for the Michael reaction of indoles to α,β‐unsaturated ketones catalyzed by acidic ionic liquid is reported. We obtained the corresponding products in excellent yields in the presence of [hmim]HSO₄. Development of this method has resulted in a new protocol for the synthesis of β‐indolylketones.     

On-Demand Electrochemical Epoxidation in Nano-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry to Locate Carbon–Carbon Double Bonds

Reported here is the first on-demand electrochemical epoxidation incorporated into the standard nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) workflow for double-bond identification. The capability lies in a novel tunable electro-epoxidation of double bonds, where onset of the reaction can be controlled by simply tuning the spray voltage. On-demand formation of mono-/multiple epoxides is achieved at different voltages. The electro-epoxidized products are then fragmented by tandem MS to generate diagnostic ions, indicating the double bond position(s). The process is completed within seconds, holding great potential for high-throughput analysis. The rapid switch-on/off electro-epoxidation of a single sample, the low sample consumption, the demonstrated applicability to complex lipids containing multiple double bonds, and the advantage of not requiring extra apparatus make this method attractive for use in lipid-related biological studies.     

Facile Access to Dative,Single, and Double Silicon−Metal Bonds Through M−Cl Insertion Reactions of Base-Stabilized SiII Cations

Silicon(II) cations can offer fascinating reactivity patterns due to their unique electronic structure: a lone pair of electrons, two empty p orbitals and a positive charge combined on a single silicon center. We now report the facile insertion of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilized silyliumylidene ions into M−Cl bonds (M=Ru, Rh), forming a series of novel chlorosilylene transition-metal complexes. Theoretical investigations revealed a reaction mechanism in which the insertion into the M−Cl bond with concomitant 1,2-migration of a silicon-bound NHC to the transition metal takes place after formation of an initial silyliumylidene transition-metal complex. The mechanism could be verified experimentally through characterization of the intermediate complexes. Furthermore, the obtained chlorosilylene complexes can be conveniently utilized as synthons to access Si−M and Si=M bonding motifs bonds through reductive dehalogenation.     

Formal Insertion of Alkenes Into C(sp3)−F Bonds Mediated by Fluorine-Hydrogen Bonding

C−F Insertion reactions represent an attractive approach to prepare valuable fluorinated compounds. The high strength of C−F bonds and the low reactivity of the fluoride released upon C−F bond cleavage, however, mean that examples of such processes are extremely scarce in the literature. Here we report a reaction system that overcomes these challenges using hydrogen bond donors that both activate C−F bonds and allow for downstream reactions with fluoride. In the presence of hexafluoroisopropanol, benzyl and propargyl fluorides undergo efficient formal C−F bond insertion across α-fluorinated styrenes. This process, which does not require any additional fluorinating reagent, occurs under mild conditions and delivers products featuring the gem-difluoro motif, which is attracting increasing interest in medicinal chemistry. Moreover, readily available organic bromides can be engaged directly in a one-pot process that avoids the isolation of organic fluorides.     

Towards Extended Zinc Ethylsulfinate Networks by Stepwise Insertion of Sulfur Dioxide into Zn−C Bonds

The ability to utilize polluting gases in efficient metal-mediated transformations is one of the most pressing challenges of modern chemistry. Despite numerous studies on the insertion of SO₂ into M−C bonds, the chemical reaction of SO₂ with organozinc compounds remains little explored. To fill this gap, we report here the systematic study of the reaction of Et₂Zn towards SO₂ as well as the influence of Lewis bases on the reaction course. Whereas the equimolar reaction provided a novel example of a structurally characterized organozinc ethylsulfinate compound of general formula [(EtSO₂)ZnEt]_n, the utilization of an excess of SO₂ led to the formation of the zinc(II) bis(ethylsulfinate) compound [(EtSO₂)₂Zn]_n. Moreover, we have discovered that the presence of N-donor Lewis bases represents an efficient tool for the preparation of extended zinc ethylsulfinates, which in turn led to the formation of 1D [(EtSO₂ZnEt)₂(hmta)]_n and 2D [((EtSO₂)₂Zn)₂(DABCO)]_n ⋅ solv (in which solv=THF or toluene, hmta= hexamethylenetetramine, and DABCO=1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) coordination polymers, respectively. The results of DFT calculations on the reactivity of SO₂ towards selected Zn−C reactive species as well as the role of an N-donor Lewis base on the stabilization of the transition states complement the discussion.     

Ultra-Thin Gold Cluster Films by Langmuir–Blodgett-Techniques

The extraordinary electronic properties of the full-shell cluster Au₅₅(PPh₃)₁₂Cl₆ and its ligand modified derivatives make them one of the most attractive building blocks in future nanoelectronics. The reason is the ability to act as a single electron switch or transistor at room temperature. As a consequence of this knowledge, further developments to organize these quantum dots in two dimensions are necessary. In this study, the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique has been applied to generate extended two-dimensionally organized arrangements of Au₅₅(PPh₃)₁₂Cl₆, Au₅₅[(cyclopentyl)₇Si₈O₁₂(CH₂)₃SH]₁₂Cl₆ and of Au₅₅(PhSH) _x Cl₆. Film formation was performed by spreading dichloromethane or pentane solutions of the clusters onto the water surface in a LB trough, followed by compression by means of a film balance. From the π-A isotherms exact cluster dimensions could be calculated from monolayers, except for Au₅₅[(cyclopentyl)₇Si₈O₁₂(CH₂)₃SH]₁₂Cl₆, the size of which resulted as too small. The reason is to be seen in the formation cluster double layers. Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) investigations of the thin films on the water surface, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of transferred films clearly demonstrated formation of densely packed monolayers and of double layers, respectively. These extended mono- and double layers are now available for electric investigations and the construction of layered systems. Those works are in progress. Dedicated to Professor Ilya Moiseev on the occasion of his 75th birthday.     

Dinitrogen Activation and Addition to Unsaturated C−E (E=C,N, O,S) Bonds Mediated by Transition Metal Complexes

Dinitrogen (N₂) activation and functionalization is of fundamental interest and practical importance. This review focuses on N₂ activation and addition to unsaturated substrates, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, heteroallenes, aldehydes, ketones, acid halides, nitriles, alkynes, and allenes, mediated by transition metal complexes, which afforded a variety of N−C bond formation products. Emphases are placed on the reaction modes and mechanisms. We hope that this work would stimulate further explorations in this challenging field.     

Nitrene Insertion into C?C and C?H Bonds of Diamide Diimine Ligands Ligated to Chromium and Iron

The impact of redox non‐innocence (RNI) on chemical reactivity is a forefront theme in coordination chemistry. A diamide diimine ligand, [{‐CHN(1,2‐C₆H₄)NH(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)}₂]ⁿ (n=0 to −4), (dadi)ⁿ, chelates Cr and Fe to give [(dadi)M] ([ 1 Cr(thf)] and [ 1 Fe]). Calculations show [ 1 Cr(thf)] (and [ 1 Cr]) to have a d⁴ Cr configuration antiferromagnetically coupled to (dadi)²⁻*, and [ 1 Fe] to be S=2. Treatment with RN₃ provides products where RN is formally inserted into the C C bond of the diimine or into a C H bond of the diimine. Calculations on the process support a mechanism in which a transient imide (imidyl) aziridinates the diimine, which subsequently ring opens.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Luminescence Studies of Trinuclear Rhenium–Cobalt Mixed-Metal Alkynyl Complexes Containing a Tetrahedral Co2C2 Cluster Unit

The reaction of rhenium(I) diynyl complexes [Re(CO)₃(N–N)(CC--CCH)] [N–N = ^tBu₂bpy (1), bpy (2)] with Co₂(CO)₈ in THF yielded a new class of luminescent trinuclear rhenium–cobalt mixed-metal alkynyl complexes, [Co₂{-HC₂CC[Re(CO)₃(N–N)]}(CO)₆] [N–N = ^tBu₂bpy (3), bpy (4)]. Their luminescence and electrochemical properties have also been studied.     

Silylene–Nickel Promoted Cleavage of B−O Bonds: From Catechol Borane to the Hydroborylene Ligand

The first 16 valence electron [bis(NHC)](silylene)Ni⁰ complex 1 , [(^TMSL)ClSi:→Ni(NHC)₂], bearing the acyclic amido-chlorosilylene (^TMSL)ClSi: (^TMSL=N(SiMe₃)Dipp; Dipp=2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₄) and two NHC ligands (N-heterocyclic carbene=:C[(Prⁱ)NC(Me)]₂) was synthesized in high yield and structurally characterized. Compound 1 is capable of facile dihydrogen activation under ambient conditions to give the corresponding HSi-NiH complex 2 . Most notably, 1 reacts with catechol borane to afford the unprecedented hydroborylene-coordinated (chloro)(silyl)nickel(II) complex 3 , {[cat(^TMSL)Si](Cl)Ni←:BH(NHC)₂}, via the cleavage of two B−O bonds and simultaneous formation of two Si−O bonds. The mechanism for the formation of 3 was rationalized by means of DFT calculations, which highlight the powerful synergistic effects of the Si:→Ni moiety in the breaking of incredibly strong B−O bonds.