Polyfluoroaromatic compounds with a NCClR group—a reactive type of polyfluoroarene

This review deals with syntheses and reactivity of polyfluoroarenes with a NCClR group (including those with RCl). The most promising and convenient methods of synthesis of these type compounds are based on co-pyrolysis reactions of low-basic polyfluoroaromatic amines with RCCl₃ type derivatives and the interaction of such amines and polyfluoroaromatic hydrazines with RCX₃ (XCl,F) compounds in the presence of AlCl₃ at moderate temperature; they have no analogues in the nonfluorinated series. Reactions with different nucleophilic reagents, the formation of electrophilic intermediates of the nitrilium cation type and reactions of the latter with aromatic and fluoroaromatic hydrocarbons, amines, and compounds with CN, C≡N and CO multiple bonds are described. It is shown that polyfluoroaromatic compounds with a NCClR group are promising precursors for syntheses of a wide range of compounds of various classes, including heterocyclic derivatives.     

The first evidence for a transient stibaallene ArSbCCR2

Dechlorofluorination of ArSb(F)-C(Cl)CR₂ (CR₂ = fluorenylidene, Ar = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl) by tert-butyllithium afforded a 3,4-bis(fluorenylidene)-1,2-distibacyclobutane. The formation of the latter probably involves the transient stibaallene ArSbCCR₂ followed by a head-to-head dimerization via two SbC double bonds. Molecular orbital calculations at the ab initio and DFT levels support the head-to-head dimerization of ArSbCCR₂ with the formation of a 1,2-distibacyclobutane.     

A ruthenium(II) allenylidene complex with a 4,5-diazafluorene functional group: A new building-block for organometallic molecular assemblies

The synthesis of the new ruthenium(II) allenylidene complex [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂][OTf] (4) (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) terminated with a 4,5-diazafluorene ligand is reported. Further coordination of that metal allenylidene to ruthenium and rhenium moieties leads to the bimetallic adducts [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Ru(bpy)₂}][B(C₆F₅)₄]₃ (5a), [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Ru(^tBu-bpy)₂}][PF₆]₃ (5b) and [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Re(CO)₃Cl}][OTf] (6). Their optical and electrochemical properties show that the allenylidene moiety is an attractive molecular clip for the access to larger original redox-active homo/heteronuclear multi-component supramolecular assemblies. The X-ray crystal structure of the allenylidene metal building block is also described.     

Reactivity of Ph3PNLi towards P and P electrophiles

A study of the reactivity of Ph₃PNLi towards phosphorus electrophiles allowed us to develop a general method to isolate, or cleanly generate in situ, a broad family of polyphosphinimines displaying PN-P bonds. A preliminary application of this methodology is presented here with the synthesis of various Schwesinger-type bases by a simple new procedure employing Ph₃PNLi.     

Direct addition of supercritical alcohols, acetone or acetonitrile to the alkenes without catalysts

The reactions of the alkenes with supercritical organic compounds under non-catalytic conditions were investigated. The H and CR₂OH, CH₂COCH₃ or CH₂CN of supercritical alcohols (CHR₂OH), acetone (CH₃COCH₃) or acetonitrile (CH₃CN) added to the CC bonds of alkenes form C-C bonds between the α-carbons of the supercritical organic compounds and the sp² carbons of the alkenes.     

Organometallic chemistry and catalysis on gold metal surfaces

As in transition metal complexes, CN-R ligands adsorbed on powdered gold undergo attack by amines to give putative diaminocarbene groups on the gold surface. This reaction forms the basis for the discovery of a gold metal-catalyzed reaction of CN-R, primary amines (R′NH₂) and O₂ to give carbodiimides (R′-NCN-R). An analogous reaction of CO, RNH₂, and O₂ gives isocyanates (R-NCO), which react with additional amine to give urea (RNH)₂CO products. The gold-catalyzed reaction of CN-R with secondary amines (HNR′₂) and O₂ gives mixed ureas RNH(CO)NR′₂. In another type of gold-catalyzed reaction, secondary amines HN(CH₂R)₂ react with O₂ to undergo dehydrogenation to the imine product, RCHN(CH₂R). Of special interest is the high catalytic activity of gold powder, which is otherwise well-known for its poor catalytic properties.     

Hyperpolarizability of donor-acceptor azines subject to push-pull character and steric hindrance

The push-pull character of two series of donor-acceptor azines has been quantified by ¹³C, ¹⁵N chemical shift differences of the partial C(1)N(1) and N(2)C(2) double bonds in the central linking C(1)N(1)-N(2)C(2) unit and by the quotient of the occupations of the bonding π and anti-bonding π^∗ orbitals of these bonds. Excellent correlation of the latter push-pull parameter with the corresponding bond lengths d_CN strongly recommend both the occupation quotients π^∗/π and the corresponding bond lengths as reasonable sensors for quantifying the push, pull character along the CN-NC linking unit, for the donor-acceptor quality of the two series of azines and for the molecular hyperpolarizability ß₀ of these compounds. Within this context, reasonable conclusions concerning the interplay of steric hindrance in the chromophore, push-pull character and hyperpolarizability of the azines and their application as NLO materials will be drawn.     

Further reactions of some bis(vinylidene)diruthenium complexes

Whereas {Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (2) is the only product formed by deprotonation of [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]⁺ with dbu, a mixture of 2 with Ru{CCCHCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (3) and {Cp*Ru(PPh₂CHCCH-)}₂ (4) is obtained with KOBu^t. A similar reaction with [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCMeCMeC)}]⁺ (5) gave Ru{CCCMeCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (6). X-ray structures of 4, 5 and 6 confirm the presence of the 1-ruthena-2,4-diphosphabicyclo[1.1.1]pentane moiety, which is likely formed by an intramolecular attack of the deprotonated dppm ligand on C(1) of the vinylidene ligand. Protonation of {Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (8-Ru) regenerates its precursor [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]²⁺ (7-Ru). Ready oxidation of the bis(vinylidene) complex affords the cationic carbonyl [Ru(CO)(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (9) (X-ray structure).     

Oxidatively induced reactions of a diimine platinum(IV) tetramethyl complex

The oxidation of the Pt(IV) tetramethyl complex [ArNCHCHNAr]PtMe₄ (Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) has been investigated in acetonitrile and dichloromethane. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrates that the irreversible oxidation of [ArNCHCHNAr]PtMe₄ occurs at a slightly less positive oxidation potential than the irreversible oxidation of the analogous Pt(II) species [ArNCHCHNAr]PtMe₂. The product distribution arising from the oxidation depends strongly on the reaction conditions and includes cationic Pt(IV) species (acetonitrile, dichloromethane solvents) and Pt(II) species (dichloromethane only). Evidence is presented that suggests that homolytic cleavage of a weakened PtC bond in is involved in the oxidatively induced reactions.     

Ferrole-type compounds containing thiophenic or thiepinic rings in the 3,4-positions of the metallacycle

The new ferrole Fe₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Fc)CC{C(H)C(R)S}CC(SiMe₃)] [R = SiMe₃ (1) and R = Fc (2)] and ruthenoles Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(H)}CC(Fc)] 3 and Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC(SCCFc)C(H)C(Fc)] 4, have been obtained from the reactions of M₃(CO)₁₂ (M = Fe, Ru) and FcCCSCCSiMe₃ through S-C bond activations and C-C coupling reactions. Thermolysis of Ru₂(CO)₆[μ₃-η²,η⁴,η³-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃}Ru(CO)₃}CC(Fc)] alone and in the presence of HCCFc, yielded the compounds Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃)}CC(Fc)] 5 and Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃)C(H)C(Fc)}CC(Fc)] 6, respectively. The crystal structures of the compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6 are reported.     

Reactions of β-alkoxyvinyl trihalogenomethyl ketones with triethyl phosphite

The Perkow reaction of triethyl phosphite and β-alkoxyvinyl trihalogenomethyl ketones, which have common acyclic or cyclic structural fragment: -O-CC-C(O)CX₂Cl, yielded dienyl phosphates: -O-CC-C[OP(O)(OEt)₂]CX₂ where X = F or Cl, whereas γ-bromo-β-methoxy-α,β-unsaturated trifluoromethyl ketone CF₃C(O)CHC(OMe)CH₂Br gave diene CF₃C[OP(O)(OEt)₂]CH-C(OMe)CH₂.     

Further chemistry of ruthenium butatrienylidene complexes

Several complexes have been obtained from reactions carried out in early attempts to prepare the diynyl complexes Ru(CCCCR)(dppe)Cp* (R = H, SiMe₃). These have been identified crystallographically as the acyl complex Ru{CCC(O)Me}(dppe)Cp* (3), the cationic imido complex [Ru{CCC(NH₂)Me}(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (4), the binuclear butenynylallenylidene [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ-CCC(OMe)CHCMeCC}]PF₆ (5), and the bis(ethynyl)cyclobutenylidene [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ-CCC₄H₂(SiMe₃)CC}]PF₆ (6). NMR studies of 5 have revealed the existence of two isomers. Plausible routes for their formation from the putative butatrienylidene intermediate [Ru(CCCCH₂)(dppe)Cp*]⁺ (A) are discussed.     

Highly chemo- and stereoselective glycosidation of permethacrylated O-glycosyl trichloroacetimidate reagents promoted by TMSNTf2

TMSNTf₂ has been used efficiently as a promoter in glycosidation reaction involving permethacrylated Schmidt reagents. While TMSNTf₂ is known to be a powerful activator for CO double bonds, we have discovered that this reagent can activate CN double bond selectively, even in the presence of excess CO groups of permethacrylated O-glycosyl trichloroacetimidate substrates. Glycosides are synthesized in moderate to reasonable yields with an excellent overall β-stereoselectivity.     

From alkenylphosphane aminoallenylidene ruthenium(II) complexes to highly unsaturated ruthenaphosphabicycloheptene complexes

The alkenylaminoallenylidene complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCC(NEt₂)[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (2) has been prepared by the reaction of the allenylidene [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇)(CCCPh₂){κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (1) with the ynamine MeCCNEt₂. The reaction proceeds regio- and stereoselectively, and the insertion of the ynamine takes place exclusively at the C_βC_γ bond of the unsaturated chain. The secondary allenylidene [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCC(H)[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (3) is obtained, in a one-pot synthesis, from the reaction of aminoallenylidene 2 with LiBHEt₃ and subsequent treatment with silica. Moreover, the addition of an excess of NaBH₄ to a solution of the complex 2 in THF at room temperature gives exclusively the alkynyl complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCCH₂[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)] (5). The heating of a solution of allenylidene derivative 3 in THF at reflux gives regio- and diastereoselectively the cyclobutylidene complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇) (PPh₃)][PF₆](4) through an intramolecular cycloaddition of the CC allyl and the C_αC_β bonds in the allenylidene complex 3. The structure of complex 4 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Nickel alkynyl and allenylidene complexes: Synthesis and properties

Copper-catalyzed reaction of [Cp(PPh₃)NiCl] with the terminal alkynes H-CC-C(O)R (R = O-Menthyl, NMe₂, Ph) yields the alkynyl complexes [Cp(PPh₃)Ni-CC-C(O)R]. Subsequent O-methylation with either [Me₃O]BF₄ or MeSO₃CF₃ affords cationic allenylidene complexes, [Cp(PPh₃)NiCCC(OMe)R]⁺X¯ (X = BF₄, SO₃CF₃). N-Alkylation of Cp(PPh₃)Ni-pyridylethynyl complexes likewise gives cationic allenylidene complexes. [Cp(PPh₃)Ni-CC-C(CH)₄N] adds BF₃ at nitrogen. Modification of the ligand sphere in these nickel allenylidene complexes is possible by replacing PPh₃ by PMe₃ in the alkynyl complex precursors. The first allenylidene(carbene)nickel cation, [Cp(SIMes)NCCC(OMe)NMe₂]⁺, is accessible by successive reaction of [Cp(SIMes)NiCl] with H-CC-C(O)NMe₂ and [Me₃O]BF₄. By the analogous sequence an allenylidene complex containing the chelating (diphenylphosphanyl)ethylcyclopentadienyl ligand can be prepared. DFT Calculations were carried out on the allenylidene complex cation [Cp(PPh₃)NiCCC(OMe)NMe₂]⁺ and on its precursor, the alkynyl complex [Cp(PPh₃)Ni-CC-C(O)NMe₂]. Based on the spectroscopic data and a X-ray structure analysis the bonding in the new nickel allenylidene complexes is best represented by several resonance forms, an alkynyl resonance form considerably contributing to the overall bond.     

Iodo-alkynyl- and iodo-butadiynyl-ruthenium complexes

Addition of [I(py)₂]BF₄ to Ru(CCH)(dppe)Cp∗ gave the iodovinylidene [Ru(CCHI)(dppe)Cp∗]BF₄1, which could be deprotonated to Ru(CCI)(dppe)Cp∗ 2. The attempted preparation of Ru(CCCCI)(dppe)Cp∗, followed by derivatisation with tcne, gave the dienynyl Ru{CCC[C(CN)₂]CIC(CN)₂}(dppe)Cp∗ 3. The Pd(0)/Cu(I)-catalysed reaction of 3 with Ru{CCCCAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp∗ afforded Ru{CCCC(CN)₂CC(CN)₂Au(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp∗ 4 by formal replacement of I⁺ by [Au(PPh₃)]⁺. XRD structures of 1-4 are reported.     

Synthesis and properties of conjugated bimetallic ruthenium complexes with σ,σ-bridging azobenzene chains

A versatile synthetic route to conjugated bimetallic ruthenium complexes with σ,σ-bridging azobenzene chains was developed, and new ruthenium complexes with various ligands were synthesized and characterized. These bimetallic complexes showed a remarkable absorption in the visible region (λ_max: 452-483 nm), and undergo trans-to-cis isomerization under UV light irradiation for short time. Electrochemical study showed that the metal centers in bimetallic complexes containing the CHCHC₆H₄NNC₆H₄CHCH bridge interact with each other.     

IR laser ablation of poly(vinyl chloride): Formation of monomer and deposition of nanofibres of chlorinated polyhydrocarbon

IR laser-induced ablation of poly(vinyl chloride) was examined under different irradiation conditions and its volatile and solid products were characterized by mass, infrared, UV and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron microscopy and thermogravimetry. It is demonstrated that the major component among the volatile products is monomeric vinyl chloride and that the process causes deposition of Cl-containing polymeric films. The proportion between the volatile and solid products as well as the nature of the deposited films at different laser fluences have been examined. We show that the deposited films incorporate less Cl atoms than poly(vinyl chloride) and that they initially contain conjugated CC bonds and incorporate nano-sized fibre and necklace features. The process represents the first example of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) into monomer and makes it possible to fabricate crosslinked Cl-containing intractable polymer films.