Crystal structure and spectral characterization of hexanuclear oxo titanium(IV) clusters: [Ti6O6(OSi(CH3)3)6(OOCR)6] (R = Bu,CH2Bu,C(CH3)2Et)

Hexanuclear oxo titanium(IV) siloxo carboxylate complexes with the general formula [Ti₆O₆(OSi(CH₃)₃)₆(OOCR)₆] (R = Bu^t (1), CH₂Bu^t (2), C(CH₃)₂Et (3)) were synthesized in quantitative yield, by the reaction of Ti(OSiMe₃)₄ with the appropriate organic acid. Crystal structure determination revealed that molecules of 1–3 are composed of [Ti₆-(μ₃-O)₆] cores stabilized by six syn–syn carboxylato bridges and six terminal siloxide ligands. Each metal atom is surrounded by six oxo atoms, capping the triangular faces of the distorted octahedron. Spectral characterization (IR, NMR) of 1–3 revealed a significant non-equivalence of the carboxylate group interactions, resulting from the asymmetry of the Ti-μ-OOC bonds of the syn–syn bridges. The thermal stability of the studied compounds was determined from TGA/DTA analysis.     

Novel sandwich complexes of zirconium [C9H5(SiMe3)2](C5Me4R)ZrCl2 (R = CH3, CH2CH2NMe2): Synthesis and reduction behavior

Novel half-sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂]ZrCl₃ (3) and sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂](C₅Me₄R)ZrCl₂ (R = CH₃ (1), CH₂CH₂NMe₂ (2)) complexes were prepared and characterized. The reduction of 2 by Mg in THF lead to (η⁵-C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂)[η⁵:η²(C,N)-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]ZrH (7). The structure of 7 was proved by NMR spectroscopy data. Hydrolysis of 2 resulted in the binuclear complex ([C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂]ZrCl₂)₂O (6). The crystal structures of 1 and 6 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Reactions of bis(alkynyl)silanes with HB(C6F5)2: Formation of boryl-substituted silacyclobutene derivatives

Treatment of R₂Si(CC-SiMe₃)₂ [1a (Me), 1b (Ph)] with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at low temperature (253 K (a), 273 K (b)) gives the -B(C₆F₅)₂ substituted silacyclobutene products (4a,b) under kinetic control. Upon warming to room temperature they disappear to form the thermodynamically favoured isomeric silole derivatives (2a,b). Similar treatment of Me₂Si(CC-R¹)₂ [5a (R¹ = Ph), 5b (R¹ = tert-butyl) with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at room temperature gave the stable -B(C₆F₅)₂ substituted silacyclobutene derivatives 6 and 7, respectively. Subsequent photolysis resulted in a Z- to E-isomerization of the substituted exocyclic CC double bonds in these products. The silacyclobutene derivative E-6 was characterized by an X-ray crystal structure analysis.     

Hydroxy- and boronic-acid-functionalized carbosilanes: Synthesis and solid state structure of Si(C6H4-4-SiMe2((CH2)3OH))4

Consecutive synthesis methodologies for the preparation of carbosilanes (Ph)(Me)Si((CH₂)₃B(OH)₂)₂ (2), Si(C₆H₄-4-SiMe₂((CH₂)₃B(OH)₂))₄ (5), (Ph)(Me)Si((CH₂)₃OH)₂ (3), and Si(C₆H₄-4-SiMe_3−n((CH₂)₃OH)_n)₄ (6a, n = 1; 6b, n = 2; 6c, n = 3) are reported. Boronic acids 2 and 5 are accessible by treatment of (Ph)(Me)Si(CH₂CHCH₂)₂ (1) or Si(C₆H₄-4-SiMe₂(CH₂CHCH₂))₄ (4a) with HBBr₂·SMe₂ followed by addition of water, while 3 and 6 are available by the hydroboration of 1 or Si(C₆H₄-4-SiMe_3−n(CH₂CHCH₂)_n)₄ (4a, n = 1; 4b, n = 2; 4c, n = 3) with H₃B·SMe₂ and subsequent oxidation with H₂O₂.The single molecular structure of 6a in the solid state is reported. Representative is that 6a crystallized in the chiral non-centrosymmetric space group P2₁2₁2₁ forming 2D layers due to intermolecular hydrogen bond formation of the HO functionalities along the crystallographic a and c axes.     

Understanding the role of an easy-to-prepare aldimine-alkyne carboamination catalyst, [Ti(NMe2)3(NHMe2)][B(C6F5)4]

A series of reactivity studies of the carboamination pre-catalyst [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] as well as the preparation of other catalysts are reported in this work. Treatment of [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] with the aldimines Ar′NCHtol (Ar′ = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃, tol = 4-MeC₆H₄), and depending on the reaction conditions, results in isolation of [Me₂NCHR′][B(C₆F₅)₄] (1) or (Me₂N)₂CHtol, as well as the asymmetric titanium dimer [(Me₂N)₂(HNMe₂)Ti(μ₂-N[2,6-Me₂C₆H₃])₂Ti(NHMe₂)(NMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (2). Protonation of CpTi(NMe₂)₃ and Cp^∗Ti(NMe₂)₃ results in isolation of the salts, [CpTi(NMe₂)₂(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (3) and [Cp^∗Ti(NMe₂)₂(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (4), respectively. Treatment of compounds 3 or 4 with H₂N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃] results in formation of the imido salts [CpTi(N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃])(NHMe₂)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (5) (58% yield) or [Cp^∗Ti(N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃])(NHMe₂)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (6). When Ti(NMe₂)₄ is treated with [Et₃Si][B(C₆F₅)₄], the salt [Ti(NMe₂)₃(N[SiEt₃]Me₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (7) is obtained, and treatment of the latter with [2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃]NCHtol produces the imine adduct [Ti(NMe₂)₃(κ¹-[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃]NCHtol)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (8). The carboamination catalytic activity of complexes 2-7 was investigated and compared to [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄]. Likewise, a proposed mechanism to the active carboamination catalyst stemming from [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] is described.     

X-ray and multinuclear NMR study of the mixed aggregate [(Ph2P(O)N(CH2Ph)CH3) · LiOC6H2-2,6-{C(CH3)3}2-4-CH3) · C7H8]2: a model for the directed metalation of phosphinamides

The addition of LiBuⁿ to a toluene solution of Ph₂P(O)N(CH₂Ph)CH₃1 and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol 5 leads to the formation of the mixed dimer [(Ph₂P(O)N(CH₂Ph)CH₃) · LiOC₆H₂-2,6-{C(CH₃)₃}₂-4-CH₃) · C₇H₈]₂6. The single crystal X-ray structure shows that two lithium aryloxide moieties dimerize giving rise to a Li₂O₂ core in which each lithium atom is additionally coordinated to a phosphinamide 1 ligand. The multinuclear magnetic resonance study (¹H, ⁷Li, ¹³C, ³¹P) indicates that the solid-state structure is preserved in toluene solution. Complex 6 may be considered as a model for the pre-complexation step preceding the metalation of phosphinamides by an organolithium base.     

Syntheses of rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C5H3)2}-Zr{RN(CH2)3NR}, structural analyses of rac-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C5H3)2}Zr{RN(CH2)3NR} (where R is SiMe3 or Ph), and meso to rac isomerization

Syntheses of rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂}Zr{Me₃SiN(CH₂)₃NSiMe₃} (rac-3/meso-3) and rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂}Zr{PhN(CH₂)₃NPh} (rac-4/meso-4) were achieved by metallation of K₂[PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂] · 1.3 THF (2) with Zr{RN(CH₂)₃NR}Cl₂(THF)₂ (where R = SiMe₃ or Ph, respectively) using ethereal solvent. These isomeric pairs were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy; rac-3 and rac-4 were also examined via single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures of rac-3 and rac-4 are notable in the tendency of the cyclopentadienyl rings towards η³ coordination. While isolated samples of rac-3/meso-3 and rac-4/meso-4 slowly isomerize in tetrahydrofuran-d₈ to equilibrium ratios, the isomerization rate for 3 is more than 15-fold greater than that for 4. In addition, equilibrium ratios are rapidly reached when isolated samples of rac-3/meso-3 and rac-4/meso-4 are exposed to tetrabutylammonium chloride in tetrahydrofuran-d₈ solvent. We propose that a nucleophile (either chloride or the phosphine interannular linker) brings about dissociation of one cyclopentadienyl ring, thus promoting the rac/meso isomerization mechanism.     

Synthesis and characterization of ionic organotin compounds [R2SnCl2(2-quin)](HNEt3) and crystal structures of [(2,4-Cl2-C6H3CH2)2SnCl2(2-quin)](HNEt3)

Eight ionic organotin compounds [R₂SnCl₂(2-quin)]⁻(HNEt₃)⁺ have been synthesized by reactions of 2-quinH with R₂SnCl₂ (R = PhCH₂1, 2-Cl-C₆H₄CH₂2, 4-Cl-C₆H₄CH₂3, 2-F-C₆H₄CH₂4, 4-F-C₆H₄CH₂5, 4-CN-C₆H₄CH₂6, Ph 7, 2,4-Cl₂-C₆H₃CH₂8) in the presence of organic base NEt₃, and their structures have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopies. The structure of [(2,4-Cl₂-C₆H₃CH₂)₂SnCl₂(2-quin)]⁻(NEt₃)⁺ (8) has been determined by X-ray diffraction study. Studies show that compound 8 has a monomeric structure with the central tin atom six-coordinate in a distorted octahedral configuration and the nitrogen atoms of the 2-quin ligands are coordinating to the tin atom in all the eight compounds.     

Simple protocol for the synthesis of the asymmetric PCP pincer ligand [C6H4-1-(CH2PPh2)-3-(CH(CH3)PPh2)] and its Pd(II) derivative [PdCl{C6H3-2-(CH2PPh2)-6-(CH(CH3)PPh2)}]

The asymmetric PCP pincer ligand [C₆H₄-1-(CH₂PPh₂)-3-(CH(CH₃)PPh₂)] (4) has been synthesized in a facile manner in three simple steps in high yield. Metallation of PCP pincer ligand (4) with [Pd(COD)Cl₂] affords complex [PdCl{C₆H₃-2-(CH₂PPh₂)-6-(CH(CH₃)PPh₂)}] (7) in good yield.     

Trifluoroacetylacetonate rhodium(III) methyl complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(L)][BPh4] and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(I)] (L = CH3CN, NH3, pyridine), in comparison with their acetylacetonate analogs

The oxidative addition of CH₃I to planar rhodium(I) complex [Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂] in acetonitrile (TFA is trifluoroacetylacetonate) leads to the formation of cationic, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (1), or neutral, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (4), rhodium(III) methyl complexes depending on the reaction conditions. 1 reacts readily with NH₃ and pyridine to form cationic complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (2) and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(Py)][BPh₄] (3), respectively. Acetylacetonate methyl complex of rhodium(III), cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (5), was obtained by the action of NaI on cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] in acetone at −15 °C. Complexes 1-5 were characterized by elemental analysis, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR. For complexes 2, 3, 4 conductivity data in acetone solutions are reported. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 were determined. NMR parameters of 1-5 and related complexes are discussed from the viewpoint of their isomerism.     

New synthetic route to polyphosphine ligands bearing 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(phosphino)benzene framework: structural characterizations of 1,4-(PPh2)2-2,5-(PR2)2-C6F2 (R = Ph, Pr, Et)

Reactions of 1,4-dibromo-2,5-difluorobenzene with two equivalents of lithium diisopropylamide at low temperature (T < −90 °C) followed by a quench with a slight excess of ClPPh₂ afford 1,4-dibromo-2,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3,6-difluorobenzene (1) in good yields. Reacting 1 with two equivalents of BuLi followed by a quench with a slight excess of ClPR₂ yield novel 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(phosphino)-3,6-difluorobenzenes 1,4-(PPh₂)₂-2,5-(PR₂)₂-C₆F₂ (R = Ph (2a); R = ⁱPr (2b); R = Et (2c)) in moderate yields. Compounds 1 and 2a-c were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. In addition, molecular structures of 2a-c have been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Phosphorus atoms of PPh₂/PR₂ substituents in 2a-c are displaced from the plane of the central phenyl ring due to steric interactions with neighboring groups.     

Chemically modified oximato complexes of titanium(IV) isopropoxide as new precursors for the sol-gel preparation of nano-sized titania: Crystal and molecular structure of [Ti{ONC10H16}4·2CH2Cl2]

Reactions of [Ti(OPrⁱ)₄] with various oximes, in anhydrous refluxing benzene yielded complexes of the type [Ti{OPrⁱ}_4−n{L}_n], where, n = 1-4 and LH = (CH₃)₂CNOH (1-4), C₉H₁₆CNOH (5-8) and C₉H₁₈CNOH (9-12). The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements, FAB-mass, FT-IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}) spectral studies. The FAB-mass spectra of mono- (1), and di- (2), (6), (10) substituted products indicate their dimeric nature and that of tri- (3) and tetra- (4), (8) substituted derivatives suggest their monomeric nature. Crystal and molecular structure of [Ti{ONC₁₀H₁₆}₄·2CH₂Cl₂] (8A) suggests that the oximato ligands bind the metal in a dihapto η²-(N, O) manner, leading to the formation of an eight coordinated species. Thermogravimetric curves of (3), (6) and (10) exhibit multi-step decomposition with the formation of TiO₂ as the final product in each case, at 900 °C. Low temperature (∼600 °C) sol-gel transformations of (2), (3), (4), (6), (7) and (8) yielded nano-sized titania (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), respectively. Formation of anatase phase in all the titania samples was confirmed by powder XRD patterns, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. SEM images of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) exhibit formation of nano-grains with agglomer like surface morphologies. Compositions of all the titania samples were investigated by EDX analyses. The absorption spectra of the two representative samples, (a) and (f) indicate an energy band gap of 3.17 eV and 3.75 eV, respectively.     

Reactivity of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine with [Re2(CO)8(CH3CN)2]: Molecular structures of [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)] and [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)Re2(CO)8]

The reaction of the labile compound [Re₂(CO)₈(CH₃CN)₂] with 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine in dichloromethane solution at reflux temperature afforded the structural dirhenium isomers [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)] (1 and 2), and the complex [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)Re₂(CO)₈] (3). In 1, the ligand is σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated to a Re(CO)₃ fragment through pyridine and pyrazine to form a five-membered chelate ring. A seven-membered ring is obtained for isomer 2 by N-coordination of the 2-pyridyl groups while the pyrazine ring remains uncoordinated. For 2, isomers 2a and 2b are found in a dynamic equilibrium ratio [2a]/[2b]  =  7 in solution, detected by ¹H NMR (−50 °C, CD₃COCD₃), coalescence being observed above room temperature. The ligand in 3 behaves as an 8e-donor bridge bonding two Re(CO)₃ fragments through two (σ,σ′-N,N′) interactions. When the reaction was carried out in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, complex [Re₂(CO)₆(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)₂] (4) was obtained in addition to compounds 1-3. The dinuclear rhenium derivative 4 contains two units of the organic ligand σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated in a chelate form to each rhenium core. The X-ray crystal structures for 1 and 3 are reported.     

Functionalized cyclodiphosphazanes cis-[BuNP(OR)]2 (R=C6H4OMe-o, CH2CH2OMe, CH2CH2SMe, CH2CH2NMe2) as neutral 2e, 4e or 8e donor ligands

Cyclodiphosphazanes having donor functionalities such as cis-[^tBuNP(OR)]₂ (R = C₆H₄OMe-o (2); R = CH₂CH₂OMe (3); R = CH₂CH₂SMe (4); R = CH₂CH₂NMe₂ (5)) were obtained in good yield by reacting cis-[^tBuNPCl]₂ (1) with corresponding nucleophiles. The reactions of 2-5 with [RuCl₂(η⁶-cymene)]₂, [MCl(COD)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir), [PdCl₂(PEt₃)]₂ and [MCl₂(COD)] (M=Pd, Pt) result in the formation of exclusively monocoordinated mononuclear complexes of the type cis-[{^tBuNP(OR)}₂ML_n-κP] irrespective of the reaction stoichiometry and the reaction conditions. In contrast, 2-5 react with [RhCl(CO)₂]₂, [PdCl(η³-C₃H₅)]₂, CuX (X=Cl, Br, I) to give homobinuclear complexes. Interestingly, CuX produces both mono and binuclear complexes depending on the stoichiometry of the reactants and the reaction conditions. The mononuclear complexes on treatment with appropriate metal reagents furnish heterometallic complexes.     

Convenient syntheses of fluorous phenols of the formula HOC6H5−n((CH2)3(CF2)7CF3)n (n=1, 2) and the corresponding triarylphosphites

The aldehydic benzyl ethers PhCH₂OC₆H₄CHO (2; a/b = para/meta series) are readily available from the corresponding phenols and react with Wittig reagents derived from [Ph₃PCH₂CH₂R_f8]⁺I⁻ (R_f8=(CF₂)₇CF₃) to give PhCH₂OC₆H₄CHCHCH₂R_f8 (86-93%, Z major). Reactions with H₂ over Pd/C give the fluorous phenols HOC₆H₄(CH₂)₃R_f8(4a,b; 87-91%). Condensations with PCl₃ and NEt₃ (3.0:1.0:3.3 mol ratio) give the fluorous phosphites P[OC₆H₄(CH₂)₃R_f8]₃(5a,b; 92-94%), but traces of 4a,b are difficult to remove. The phthalate-based benzyl ethers PhCH₂OC₆H₃(COOR)₂ (7; ,5/3,4 OC₆H₃-3,n-(R)₂ series) are easily accessed and reduced with LiAlH₄ to the diols PhCH₂OC₆H₃(CH₂OH)₂(8c,d; 89-90%). Diol 8c and the Dess-Martin periodinane react to give the dialdehyde PhCH₂OC₆H₃(CHO)₂ (9c; 95%). This is elaborated by a sequence analogous to 2→4→5 to the fluorous phenol HOC₆H₃((CH₂)₃R_f8)₂ (11c; 97%/96%, two steps) and phosphite P[OC₆H₃((CH₂)₃R_f8)₂]₃ (12c, 92%), from which traces of 11c are difficult to remove. Diol 8d can be similarly elaborated to 11d, but the dialdehyde 9d is labile and the combined yield of the Dess-Martin/Wittig steps is 32%. The CF₃C₆F₁₁/toluene partition coefficients of 11c,d, and 12c (two pony tails; 70:30, 72:28, 92:8) are much higher than those of 4a and b (one pony tail; 12:88, 14:86).     

Reactivity of a functionalized trisamido ligand with Zr(NMe2)4 and GaMe3

NMR study of the reactivity of multifunctional ligand cis,cis-C₆H₉(NHCH₂C₆H₄-o-PPh₂)₃ (1) with GaMe₃ and Zr(NMe₂)₄ was carried out, yielding [cis,cis-(κ^N-NHCH₂C₆H₄-o-PPh₂)(κ^N-NCH₂C₆H₄-o-PPh₂)₂C₆H₉]GaMe (2) and [cis,cis-(NCH₂C₆H₄-o-PPh₂)₃C₆H₉]Ga₂Me₃ (3), and [cis,cis-(NCH₂C₆H₄-o-PPh₂)₃C₆H₉]Zr(NMe₂) (4), respectively. The spectral properties of 2 and 3 are very similar to that observed for the equivalent aluminum species already reported, but form at a much slower rate which allows for the observation of a GaMe₃⋅1 adduct. Species 4 undergoes coordination/displacement of one of the phosphine arms, which was observed using both NMR spectroscopy and DFT analyses.     

Structural investigations on new iron-acyl derivatives of B(C6F5)3

Reactions between [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(MeCO)(CO)(L)], L = PPh₃ (1), PMe₃ (2), PPhMe₂ (3), PCy₃ (4), CO (5), and B(C₆F₅)₃ give new complexes [Fe(η-C₅H₅){MeCOB(C₆F₅)₃}(CO)(L)] L = PPh₃ (7), PMe₃ (8), PPhMe₂ (9), PCy₃ (10), CO (11), where B(C₆F₅)₃ coordinates selectively to the O-acyl groups. Hydrolysis of 7 gives [Fe(η-C₅H₅){HOB(C₆F₅)₃}(CO)(PPh₃)] (6). The X-ray structures of 6, 8 and 11 have been determined. Calculations, using density functional theory, demonstrate that the charge transfer to the acyl group on Lewis acid coordination is more significant in the σ than the π system. Both effects lead to a lengthening of the acyl C-O bond thus π populations cannot be inferred from the distance changes.     

Catalytic oxidation of diorganotin(IV) carboxylates to mixed-ligand monoalkyltin(IV) carboxylates by Ag and structure characterization of the mixed-ligand monoalkyltin(IV) 2-pyridinecarboxylate (2-ClPhCH2)Sn(2-ClPhCO2)(O2CC5H4N-2)2

The complexes of the type (ArCH₂)₂SnO were catalytic-oxygenated by Ag⁺ and yielded mixed-ligand organotin(IV) complexes (ArCH₂)(2-C₅H₄NCO₂)₂(ArCOO)tin(IV) (Ar = C₆H₅ (1), 2-ClC₆H₄ (2), 2-CNC₆H₄ (3), 4-ClC₆H₄ (4), 4-CNC₆H₄ (5), 2-FC₆H₄ (6)). The complexes 1-6 are characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopies. Single X-ray crystal structure analysis has been determined, which reveals that the center tin atom of complex 2 is seven-coordinated geometry.     

Quantum chemical study of ethylene addition to group-7 oxo complexes MO2(CH3)(CH2) (M = Mn, Tc, Re)

Quantum chemical calculations using DFT at the B3LYP level have been carried out for the reaction of ethylene with the group-7 compounds ReO₂(CH₃)(CH₂) (Re1), TcO₂(CH₃)(CH₂) (Tc1) and MnO₂(CH₃)(CH₂) (Mn1). The calculations suggest rather complex scenarios with numerous pathways, where the initial compounds Re1-Mn1 may either engage in cycloaddition reactions or numerous addition reactions with concomitant hydrogen migration. There are also energetically low-lying rearrangements of the starting compounds to isomers which may react with ethylene yielding further products. The [2 + 2]_Re,C cycloaddition reaction of the starting molecule Re1 is kinetically and thermodynamically favored over the [3 + 2]_C,O and [3 + 2]_O,O cycloadditions. However, the reaction which leads to the most stable product takes place with initial rearrangement to the dioxohydridometallacyclopropane isomer Re1a that adds ethylene with concomitant hydrogen migration yielding Re1a-1. The latter reaction has a slightly higher barrier than the [2 + 2]_Re,C cycloaddition reaction. The direct [3 + 2]_C,O cycloaddition becomes more favorable than the [2 + 2]_M,C reaction for the starting compounds Tc1 and Mn1 of the lighter metals technetium and manganese but the calculations predict that other reactions are kinetically and thermodynamically more favorable than the cycloadditions. The reactions with the lowest activation barriers lead after rearrangement to the ethyl substituted dioxometallacyclopropanes Tc1a-1 and Mn1a-1. The manganese compound exhibits an even more complex reaction scenario than the technetium compounds. The thermodynamically most stable final product of ethylene addition to Mn1 is the ethoxy substituted metallacyclopropane Mn1a-2 which has, however, a high activation barrier.     

Gallium tri-chloride derivatives of the sterically demanding pyridines 2,6-Ar2C6H3N (Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 or 2,4,6-Pr3C6H2)

The sterically demanding pyridines 2,6-Ar₂C₆H₃N [Ar = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (1) or 2,4,6-Prⁱ₃C₆H₂ (2)] were prepared by a palladium catalysed Kumada C–C coupling reaction in high yield. Pyridine 1 reacted with one equivalent of GaCl₃ to afford the tetra-chloro gallate–pyridinium ion pair complex [GaCl₄]⁻[2,6-(2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂)₂C₆H₃NH]⁺ (3). Contrastingly, pyridine 2 reacted with one equivalent of GaCl₃ to afford the anticipated donor-acceptor complex [GaCl₃{2,6-(2,4,6-Prⁱ₃C₆H₂)₂C₆H₃N}] (4). Complexes 1–4 have been characterised variously by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, CHN, and mass spectrometry.