Low coordinate, monomeric molybdenum and tungsten(III) complexes: structure, reactivity and calculational studies of (silox)3Mo and (silox)3ML (M = Mo, W; L = PMe3, CO; silox = (t)Bu3SiO)

Treatment of (silox)3MCl (M = Mo, 1-Cl; W, 2-Cl; silox = (t)Bu3SiO) with PMe3 and Na/Hg led to formation of monomeric, d(3) phosphine adducts, (silox)3MPMe3 (M = Mo, 1-PMe3; W, 2-PMe3) via (silox)3ClMPMe3 (M = Mo, 1-ClPMe3; W, 2-ClPMe3). Structural studies show 1-PMe3 and 2-PMe3 to be highly distorted; calculations on full chemical models corroborate experimentally determined S = 1/2 ground states and their structural features. The compounds contain a bent M-P bond that is characteristic of significant sigma/pi-mixing. PMe3 may be thermally removed from 1-PMe3 in vacuo to produce (4)A2' (silox) 3Mo (1), which was derivatized with CO, NO, and 1/4 P4 to form (silox)3Mo (1-CO), (silox)3MoNO (1-NO), and (silox)3MoP (1-P), respectively. Calculations revealed (silox)3W (2') to have an S = 1/2 ground state, which may render it too reactive to be isolated. Treatment of 2-PMe3 with CO, NO, and 1/4 P4 formed (silox)3WCO (2-CO), (silox)3WNO (2-NO), and (silox)3WP (2-P), respectively. 2-CO and 2-NO are more conveniently prepared from Na/Hg reductions of 2-Cl in the presence of CO and NO, respectively. Calculations reveal subtle effects of nd(z2)/(n+1)s mixing in differentiating the chemistry of Mo and W and in rationalizing the generation of mononuclear species.     

Molybdenum and tungsten structural differences are dependent on ndz(2)/(n + 1)s mixing: comparisons of (silox)3MX/R (M = Mo, W; silox = (t)Bu3SiO)

Treatment of trans-(Et 2O) 2MoCl 4 with 2 or 3 equiv of Na(silox) (i.e., NaOSi (t) Bu 3) afforded (silox) 3MoCl 2 ( 1-Mo) or (silox) 3MoCl ( 2-Mo). Purification of 2-Mo was accomplished via addition of PMe 3 to precipitate (silox) 3ClMoPMe 3 ( 2-MoPMe 3), followed by thermolysis to remove phosphine. Use of MoCl 3(THF) 3 with various amounts of Na(silox) produced (silox) 2ClMoMoCl(silox) 2 ( 3-Mo). Alkylation of 2-Mo with MeMgBr or EtMgBr afforded (silox) 3MoR (R = Me, 2-MoMe; Et, 2-MoEt). 2-MoEt was also synthesized from C 2H 4 and (silox) 3MoH, which was prepared from 2-Mo and NaBEt 3H. Thermolysis of WCl 6 with HOSi ( t )Bu 3 afforded (silox) 2WCl 4 ( 4-W), and sequential treatment of 4-W with Na/Hg and Na(silox) provided (silox) 3WCl 2 ( 1-W, tbp, X-ray), which was alternatively prepared from trans-(Et 2S) 2WCl 4 and 3 equiv of Tl(silox). Na/Hg reduction of 1-W generated (silox) 3WCl ( 2-W). Alkylation of 2-W with MeMgBr produced (silox) 3WMe ( 2-WMe), which dehydrogenated to (silox) 3WCH ( 6-W) with Delta H (double dagger) = 14.9(9) kcal/mol and Delta S (double dagger) = -26(2) eu. Magnetism and structural studies revealed that 2-Mo and 2-MoEt have triplet ground states (GS) and distorted trigonal monopyramid (tmp) and tmp structures, respectively. In contrast, 2-W and 2-WMe possess squashed-T d (distorted square planar) structures, and the former has a singlet GS. Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics studies of the S = 0 and S = 1 states for full models of 2-Mo, 2-MoEt, 2-W, and 2-WMe corroborate the experimental findings and are consistent with the greater nd z (2) /( n + 1)s mixing in the third-row transition-metal species being the dominant feature in determining the structural disparity between molybdenum and tungsten.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of M(PMe3)3(O2CR)2(OH2)H2 (M = Mo, W): aqua-hydride complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

Mo(PMe(3))(6) and W(PMe(3))(4)(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H undergo oxidative addition of the O-H bond of RCO(2)H to yield sequentially M(PMe(3))(4)(eta(2)-O(2)CR)H and M(PMe(3))(3)(eta(2)-O(2)CR)(eta(1)-O(2)CR)H(2) (M = Mo and R = Ph, Bu(t); M = W and R = Bu(t)). One of the oxygen donors of the bidentate carboxylate ligand may be displaced by H(2)O to give rare examples of aqua-dihydride complexes, M(PMe(3))(3)(eta(1)-O(2)CR)(2)(OH(2))H(2), in which the coordinated water molecule is hydrogen-bonded to both carboxylate ligands.     

3-center-4-electron bonding in [(silox)2Mo=NtBu]2(mu-Hg) controls reactivity while frontier orbitals permit a dimolybdenum pi-bond energy estimate

Na/Hg reduction of (silox)2Cl2Mo=NtBu (3) afforded C2h [(silox)2Mo=NtBu]2(mu-Hg) (12-Hg), which consists of two distorted trigonal monoprisms with Hg at the each apex (d(MoHg) = 2.6810(5) A). Calculations reveal 3c4e bonding in the linear MoHgMo linkage that renders 12-Hg susceptible to nucleophilic cleavage. Exposure to PMe3 and pyridine rapidly (<5 min) affords (silox)2(tBuN)MoLn (L = PMe3, n = 1 (1-PMe3); py, n = 2 (1-py2)), while poorer nucleophiles (L = C2H4, 2-butyne) yield adducts (e.g., 1-C2H4 and 1-C2Me2) after prolonged heating. The HOMO and LUMO of 12-Hg are "stretched" pi and pi* orbitals from which four states arise: 1Ag (GS), 3Bu, 1Bu, and 1Ag. DeltaE = E(1Bu) - E(3Bu) = 2K, where K is the exchange energy. Magnetic studies indicate E(3Bu) - E(1Ag) approximately 550 cm-1 (calcd 1744 cm-1), and a UV-vis absorption at 10 000 cm-1 is assigned to 1Ag --> 1Bu, permitting K to be evaluated as 4725 cm-1. With the pi --> pi* transition in Schrock's [Mo(NAr)(CH2tBu)(OC6F5)]2 (4) assigned at 528 nm, this estimation places its pi-bond energy as {E(pi2 --> pi1pi*1 in 4) - E(1Ag --> 1Bu in 12-Hg)} + E(1Ag --> 3Bu in 12-Hg) = 27 kcal/mol.     

Evidence for strong tantalum-to-boron dative interactions in (silox)3Ta(BH3) and (silox)3Ta(eta2-B,Cl-BCl2Ph) (silox = tBu3SiO)1

Treatment of (silox)3Ta (1, silox = tBu3SiO) with BH3.THF and BCl2Ph afforded (silox)3Ta(BH3) (2) and (silox)3Ta(eta2-B,Cl-BCl2Ph) (3), which are both remarkably stable Ta(III) compounds. NMe3 and ethylene failed to remove BH3 from 2, and no indication of BH3 exchange with BH3.THF-d8 was noted via variable-temperature 1H NMR studies. Addition of BH3.THF to (silox)3TaH2 provided the borohydride-hydride (silox)3HTa(eta3-BH4) (5), and its thermolysis released H2 to generate 2. Exposure of 2 to D2 enabled the preparation of isotopologues (silox)3Ta(BH3-nDn) (n = 0, 2; 1, 2-D; 2, 2-D2; 3, 2-D3) for isotopic perturbation of chemical shift studies, but these failed to distinguish between "inverse adduct" (i.e., (silox)3Ta-->BH3) or (silox)3Ta(eta2-B,H-BH3) forms of 2. Computational models (RO)3Ta(BH3) (R = H, 2'; SiH3, 2SiH SiMe3, 2SiMe, and SitBu3, 2SiBu) were investigated to assess the relative importance of steric and electronic effects on structure and bonding. With small R, eta2-B,H structures were favored, but for 2SiMe and 2SiBu, the dative structure proved to be similar in energy. The electonic and vibrational features of both structure types were probed. The IR spectrum of 2 was best matched by the eta2-B,H conformer of 2SiBu. In related computations pertaining to 3, small R models favored the oxidative addition of a BCl bond, while with R = SitBu3 (3SiBu), an excellent match with its X-ray crystal structure revealed the critical steric influence of the silox ligands.     

PC bond cleavage of (silox)3NbPMe3 (silox = tBu3SiO) under dihydrogen leads to (silox)3Nb=CH2, (silox)3Nb=PH or (silox)3NbP(H)Nb(silox)3, and CH4

Photolysis of the equilibrium mixture (silox)3NbPMe3 (1) + H2 (1-3 atm) right arrow over left arrow (silox)3Nb(Heq)2 (2e, tbp)/(silox)3Nb(Ht)2 (2t, pseudo-Td) + PMe3 causes PC bond cleavage. Depending on conditions, various amounts of (silox)3Nb=CH2 (3), (silox)3Nb=PH (5-H), (silox)3Nb=PMe (5-Me), (silox)3Nb=P(H)Nb(silox)3 (9, precipitated if N2 is present; X-ray), (silox)3NbH (4, active only through equilibration with 2e,t), and CH4 are produced. Addition of PH3 to 1 provides an independent route to 5-H; its deprotonation gives [(silox)3NbP]Li (6), whose methylation yields 5-Me. Early conversion 3:5-H ratios of approximately 3:1 suggest that initial PC bond activation is slow relative to subsequent PC bond cleavages. Addition of HPMe2 and H2PMe to 1 generates (silox)3HNbPMe2 (7) and (silox)3HNbPHMe (8), respectively, and both degrade faster than PMe3. A mechanism based around sequential PC or CH oxidative addition, followed by 1,2-elimination events, is proposed. The limiting step in the decomposition of all PMe3 is a slow hydrogenation of 3 to regenerate 2e,t and produces CH4. Hydrides 2e,t are likely to be the photolytically active species.     

Reactivity of Mo(PMe3)6 towards benzothiophene and selenophenes: new pathways relevant to hydrodesulfurization

Mo(PMe(3))(6) cleaves a C-S bond of benzothiophene to give (kappa(2)-CHCHC(6)H(4)S)Mo(PMe(3))(4), which rapidly isomerizes to the olefin-thiophenolate and 1-metallacyclopropene-thiophenolate complexes, (kappa(1),eta(2)-CH(2)CHC(6)H(4)S)Mo(PMe(3))(3)(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2)) and (kappa(1),eta(2)-CH(2)CC(6)H(4)S)Mo(PMe(3))(4). The latter two molecules result from a series of hydrogen transfers and are differentiated according to whether the termini of the organic fragments coordinate as olefin or eta(2)-vinyl ligands, respectively. The reactions between Mo(PMe(3))(6) and selenophenes proceed differently from those of the corresponding thiophenes. For example, whereas Mo(PMe(3))(6) reacts with thiophene to give eta(5)-thiophene and butadiene-thiolate complexes, (eta(5)-C(4)H(4)S)Mo(PMe(3))(3) and (eta(5)-C(4)H(5)S)Mo(PMe(3))(2)(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2)), selenophene affords the metallacyclopentadiene complex [(kappa(2)-C(4)H(4))Mo(PMe(3))(3)(Se)](2)[Mo(PMe(3))(4)] in which the selenium has been completely abstracted from the selenophene moiety. Likewise, in addition to (kappa(1),eta(2)-CH(2)CC(6)H(4)Se)Mo(PMe(3))(4) and (kappa(1),eta(2)-CH(2)CHC(6)H(4)Se)Mo(PMe(3))(3)(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2)), which are counterparts of the species observed in the benzothiophene reaction, the reaction of Mo(PMe(3))(6) with benzoselenophene yields products resulting from C-C coupling, namely [kappa(2),eta(4)-Se(C(6)H(4))(CH)(4)(C(6)H(4))Se]Mo(PMe(3))(2) and [mu-Se(C(6)H(4))(CH)C(CH)(2)(C(6)H(4))](mu-Se)[Mo(PMe(3))(2)][Mo(PMe(3))(2)H].     

Symmetry and geometry considerations of atom transfer: deoxygenation of (silox)3WNO and R3PO (R = Me, Ph, (t)Bu) by (silox)3M (M = V, NbL (L = PMe3, 4-picoline), Ta; silox = (t)Bu3SiO)

Deoxygenations of (silox)(3)WNO (12) and R(3)PO (R = Me, Ph, (t)Bu) by M(silox)(3) (1-M; M = V, NbL (L = PMe(3), 4-picoline), Ta; silox = (t)Bu(3)SiO) reflect the consequences of electronic effects enforced by a limiting steric environment. 1-Ta rapidly deoxygenated R(3)PO (23 degrees C; R = Me (DeltaG degrees (rxn)(calcd) = -47 kcal/mol), Ph) but not (t)Bu(3)PO (85 degrees, >2 days), and cyclometalation competed with deoxygenation of 12 to (silox)(3)WN (11) and (silox)(3)TaO (3-Ta; DeltaG degrees (rxn)(calcd) = -100 kcal/mol). 1-V deoxygenated 12 slowly and formed stable adducts (silox)(3)V-OPR(3) (3-OPR(3)) with OPR(3). 1-Nb(4-picoline) (S = 0) and 1-NbPMe(3) (S = 1) deoxygenated R(3)PO (23 degrees C; R = Me (DeltaG degrees (rxn)(calcd from 1-Nb) = -47 kcal/mol), Ph) rapidly and 12 slowly (DeltaG degrees (rxn)(calcd) = -100 kcal/mol), and failed to deoxygenate (t)Bu(3)PO. Access to a triplet state is critical for substrate (EO) binding, and the S --> T barrier of approximately 17 kcal/mol (calcd) hinders deoxygenations by 1-Ta, while 1-V (S = 1) and 1-Nb (S --> T barrier approximately 2 kcal/mol) are competent. Once binding occurs, significant mixing with an (1)A(1) excited state derived from population of a sigma-orbital is needed to ensure a low-energy intersystem crossing of the (3)A(2) (reactant) and (1)A(1) (product) states. Correlation of a reactant sigma-orbital with a product sigma-orbital is required, and the greater the degree of bending in the (silox)(3)M-O-E angle, the more mixing energetically lowers the intersystem crossing point. The inability of substrates EO = 12 and (t)Bu(3)PO to attain a bent 90 degree angle M-O-E due to sterics explains their slow or negligible deoxygenations. Syntheses of relevant compounds and ramifications of the results are discussed. X-ray structural details are provided for 3-OPMe(3) (90 degree angle V-O-P = 157.61(9) degrees), 3-OP(t)Bu(3) ( 90 degree angle V-O-P = 180 degrees ), 1-NbPMe(3), and (silox)(3)ClWO (9).     

Ditungsten Siloxide Hydrides, [(silox)(2)WH(n)()](2) (n = 1, 2; silox = (t)BuSiO), and Related Complexes

The addition of 4.0 equiv of Na(silox) to Na[W(2)Cl(7)(THF)(5)] afforded (silox)(2)ClW&tbd1;WCl(silox)(2) (1, 65%). Treatment of 1 with 2.0 equiv of MeMgBr in Et(2)O provided (silox)(2)MeW&tbd1;WMe(silox)(2) (2, 81%). In the presence of 1 atm of H(2), reduction of 1 with 2.0 equiv of Na/Hg in DME provided (silox)(2)HW&tbd1;WH(silox)(2) (3, 70%), characterized by a hydride resonance at delta 19.69 (J(WH) = 325 Hz, (1)H NMR). Exposure of 2 to 1 atm of H(2) yielded 3 and CH(4) via (silox)(2)HW&tbd1;WMe(silox)(2) (4); use of D(2) led to [(silox)(2)WD](2) (3-d(2)). Exposure of 3 to ethylene ( approximately 1 atm, 25 degrees C) in hexanes generated (silox)(2)EtW&tbd1;WEt(silox)(2) (5), but solutions of 5 reverted to 3 and free C(2)H(4) upon standing. NMR spectral data are consistent with a sterically locked, gauche, C(2) symmetry for 1-5. Thermolysis of 3 at 100 degrees C (4 h) resulted in partial conversion to (silox)(2)HW&tbd1;W(OSi(t)Bu(2)CMe(2)CH(2))(silox) (6a, approximately 60%) and free H(2), while extended thermolysis with degassing (5 d, 70 degrees C) produced a second cyclometalated rotational isomer, 6b (6a:6b approximately 3:1). When left at 25 degrees C (4 h) in sealed NMR tubes, 6 and free H(2) regenerated 3. Reduction of 1 with 2.0 equiv of Na/Hg in DME also afforded 6a (25%). When 3 was exposed to approximately 3 atm of H(2), equilibrium amounts of [(silox)(2)WH(2)](2) (7) were observed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy (3 + H(2) right harpoon over left harpoon 7; 25.9-88.7 degrees C, DeltaH = -9.6(4) kcal/mol, DeltaS = -21(2) eu). Benzene solutions of 3 and 1-3 atm of D(2) revealed incorporation of deuterium into the silox ligands, presumably via intermediate 6. In sealed tubes containing [(silox)(2)WCl](2) (1) and dihydrogen (1-3 atm), (1)H NMR spectral evidence for [(silox)(2)WCl](2)(&mgr;-H)(2) (8) was obtained, suggesting that formation of 3 from 1 proceeded via reduction of 8. Alternatively, 3 may be formed from direct reduction of 1 to give [(silox)(2)W](2) (9), followed by H(2) addition. Hydride chemical shifts for 7 are temperature dependent, varying from delta 1.39 (-70 degrees C, toluene-d(8)), to delta 3.68 (90 degrees C). (29)Si{(1)H} NMR spectra revealed a similar temperature dependence of the silox (delta 12.43, -60 degrees C, to delta 13.64, 45 degrees C) resonances. These effects may arise from thermal population of a low-lying, deltadelta, paramagnetic excited state of D(2)(d)() [(silox)(2)W](2)(&mgr;-H)(4) (DeltaE approximately 2.1 kcal/mol, chi(7a) approximately 0.03), an explanation favored over thermal equilibration with an energetically similar but structurally distinct isomer (e.g., [(silox)(2)WH(2)](2)(&mgr;-H)(2), DeltaG degrees approximately 0.69 kcal/mol, chi(7b) approximately 0.25) on the basis of spectral arguments. Extended Hückel and ab initio molecular orbital calculations on model complexes [(H(3)SiO)(2)W](2)(&mgr;-H)(4) (staggered bridged 7a', EHMO), [(H(3)SiO)(2)WH(2)](2) (all-terminal 7b', EHMO), [(H(3)SiO)(2)W](2) (9', EHMO), (HO)(4)W(2)(H(4)) (staggered-bridged 7", ab initio), and (HO)(4)W(2)(H(4)) (bent-terminal 7, ab initio) generally support the explanation of a thermally accessible excited state and assign 7 a geometry intermediate between the all-terminal and staggered-bridged forms.     

Low-coordinate chromium siloxides: the "box" [Cr(mu-Cl)(mu-OSitBu3)]4, distorted trigonal [(tBu3SiO)3Cr][Na(benzene)] and [(tBu3SiO)3Cr][Na(dibenzo-18-c-6)], and trigonal (tBu3SiO)3Cr

Treatment of CrCl(2)(THF)(2) with NaOSi(t)Bu(3) afforded the tetrameric "box" [Cr(mu-Cl)(mu-OSi(t)Bu(3))](4) (1, X-ray). THF cleaved 1 to provide trans-(silox)ClCr(THF)(2) (2), whereas degradation of 1 with 4-picoline caused disproportionation and the generation of trans-Cl(2)Cr(4-pic)(2) and trans-(silox)(2)Cr(4-pic)(x) (n = 2, 3; 3, 3-4-pic). Chromous centers in 1 were antiferromagnetically coupled, and density functional calculations on the high-spin (multiplicity = 17) model [Cr(mu-Cl)(mu-OH)](4) (1') revealed that its singly occupied 3d orbitals spanned an energy range of approximately 2 eV. The addition of 8 equiv of Na(silox) to 1 yielded [((t)Bu(3)SiO)Cr(mu-OSi(t)Bu(3))(2)]Na.C(6)H(6) (4, Y shaped, angle OCrO(Na) = 91.28(7) degrees), and treatment of 4 with dibenzo-18-crown-6 produced [(silox)(3)Cr][Na(dibenzo-18-crown-6)] (5, angle OCrO = approximately 120 degrees, (120 + alpha) degrees, (120 - alpha) degrees). Calculations of [((t)Bu(3)SiO)Cr(mu-OSi(t)Bu(3))(2)]Na (4') and Cr(silox)(3)(-) (5') provided reasonable matches with the experimental geometries (X-ray). The trigonal chromic derivative (silox)(3)Cr (6) was synthesized from CrCl(3)(THF)(3) for structural and calculational comparisons to the chromous derivatives.     

Synthesis and reactivity of [(silox)2Mo=NR]2Hg (R=tBu, tAmyl; silox=OSitBu3): unusual thermal stability and ready nucleophilic cleavage rationalized by electronic factors

Treatment of (DME)Cl2Mo(=NR)2 (R=tBu, (1-tBu), tAmyl (1-tAmyl)) with 2 equiv of tBu3SiOH (siloxH) and 1 equiv of HCl produced (silox)2Cl2Mo=NR (R=tBu, (3-tBu), tAmyl (3-tAmyl)); subsequent reduction by Na/Hg afforded the Mo(V) chloride, (silox)2ClMo=NtBu (4-tBu), and the Mo(IV) mercury derivatives, [(silox)2Mo=NR]2Hg (R=tBu ((5-tBu)2Hg), tAmyl ((5-tAmyl)2Hg)). Reductions of 3-tBu and 3-tAmyl in the presence of L (L=PMe3, pyridine, 4-picoline) led to the isolation of adducts (silox)2(Me3P)Mo=NR (R=tBu (6-tBu), tAmyl (6-tAmyl)) and (silox)2L2Mo=NtBu (L=py (7-py), 4-pic (7-4-pic)). Single-crystal X-ray structural investigations of pseudo-tetrahedral 4-tBu, Hg-capped, pseudo-trigonal planar (5-tBu)2Hg, pseudo-tetrahedral 6-tBu, and trigonal bipyramidal 7-4-pic reveal that all possess a closed O-Mo-O angle when compared to the N=Mo-O angles. A molecular orbital rationale and supporting calculations suggest that this is a manifestation of the greater pi-donating ability of the imido relative to that of the siloxides. While the D(Mo-Hg) of [(HO)2Mo=NH]2Hg ((5')2Hg) was calculated to be 22.4 kcal/mol, (5-R)2Hg (R=tBu, tAmyl) are remarkably stable; (5-tBu)2Hg degraded in a first-order fashion with DeltaG=31.9(1) kcal/mol. In the presence of strong (L=PMe, pyridine, S8) or weak (L=2-butyne, ethylene, N2O, 1,4,7,10-tetrathiacyclododecane, 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexathiacyclooctadecane) nucleophiles, an enhanced rate of Mo-Hg bond cleavage was noted, with some of the former group generating adducts in <5 min; the products were 6-tBu, 7-py, (silox)2(S)Mo=NtBu (10-tBu), (silox)2Mo=NtBu(C2Me2) (8-tBu), (silox)2(C2H4)Mo=NtBu (11-tBu), (silox)2(O)Mo=NtBu (9-tBu), and a mixture of 10-tBu and 11-tBu, respectively. Some of these were independently prepared via substitution of 6-tBu. According to calculations and a molecular orbital rationale, dissociation of the Mo-Hg bond in (5-R)2Hg (R=tBu, tAmyl) is orbitally forbidden, and the addition of a nucleophile to the terminus of the Mo-Hg-Mo linkage mitigates the symmetry requirements. The mechanism of thermal degradation was studied with mixed success. NMR spectroscopy revealed imido exchange between (5-tBu)2Hg and (5-tAmyl)2Hg during an initial induction period and a subsequent rapid exchange period that implicated free 5-R (R=tBu, tAmyl). Further crossover studies revealed siloxide exchange as an additional complication.     

The reactivity of Mo(PMe3)(6) towards heterocyclic nitrogen compounds: transformations relevant to hydrodenitrogenation

The reactions of Mo(PMe3)6 towards a variety of five- and six-membered heterocyclic nitrogen compounds (namely, pyrrole, indole, carbazole, pyridine, quinoline, and acridine) have been studied to provide structural models for the coordination of these heterocycles to the molybdenum centers of hydrodenitrogenation catalysts. Pyrrole reacts with Mo(PMe3)6 to yield the eta5-pyrrolyl derivative (eta5-pyr)Mo(PMe3)3H, while indole gives sequentially (eta1-indolyl)Mo(PMe3)4H, (eta5-indolyl)Mo(PMe3)3H, and (eta6-indolyl)Mo(PMe3)3H, with the latter representing the first example of a structurally characterized complex with an eta6-indolyl ligand. Likewise, carbazole reacts with Mo(PMe3)6 to give (eta6-carbazolyl)Mo(PMe3)3H with an eta6-carbazolyl ligand. The reactions of Mo(PMe3)6 with six-membered heterocyclic nitrogen compounds display interesting differences in the nature of the products. Thus, Mo(PMe3)6 reacts with pyridine to give an eta2-pyridyl derivative [eta2-(C5H4N)]Mo(PMe3)4H as a result of alpha-C-H bond cleavage, whereas quinoline and acridine give products of the type (eta6-ArH)Mo(PMe3)3 in which both ligands coordinate in an eta6-manner. For the reaction with quinoline, products with both carbocyclic and heterocyclic coordination modes are observed, namely [eta6-(C6)-quinoline]Mo(PMe3)3 and [eta6-(C5N)-quinoline]Mo(PMe3)3, whereas only carbocyclic coordination is observed for acridine.     

Synthesis of triamidoamine ligands of the type (ArylNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N and molybdenum and tungsten complexes that contain an [ArylNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]3- ligand

Aryl bromides react with (H(2)NCH(2)CH(2))(3)N in a reaction catalyzed by Pd(2)(dba)(3) in the presence of BINAP and NaO-t-Bu to give the arylated derivatives (ArylNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N [Aryl = C(6)H(5) (1a), 4-FC(6)H(4) (1b), 4-t-BuC(6)H(4) (1c), 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (1d), 3,5-Ph(2)C(6)H(3) (1e), 3,5-(4-t-BuC(6)H(4))(2)C(6)H(3) (1f), 2-MeC(6)H(4) (1g), 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2) (1h)]. Reactions between (ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N (Ar = C(6)H(5), 4-FC(6)H(4), 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3), and 3,5-Ph(2)C(6)H(3)) and Mo(NMe(2))(4) in toluene at 70 degrees C lead to [(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]Mo(NMe(2)) complexes in yields ranging from 64 to 96%. Dimethylamido species (Ar = 4-FC(6)H(4), 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3)) could be converted into paramagnetic [(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]MoCl species by treating them with 2,6-lutidinium chloride in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The "direct reaction" between 1a-f and MoCl(4)(THF)(2) in THF followed by 3 equiv of MeMgCl yielded [(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]MoCl species (3a-f) in high yield. If 4 equiv of LiMe instead of MeMgCl are employed in the direct reaction, then [(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]MoMe species are formed. Tungsten species, [(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]WCl, could be prepared by analogous "direct" methods. Cyclic voltammetric studies reveal that MoCl complexes become more difficult to reduce as the electron donating ability of the [ArylNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]3- ligand increases, and the reductions become less reversible, consistent with ready loss of chloride from ([(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]MoCl)(-). Tungsten complexes are more difficult to reduce, and reductions are irreversible on the CV time scale.     

Thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanism of (silox)3M(olefin) to (silox)3M(alkylidene) rearrangements (silox = tBu3SiO; M = Nb, Ta)

Olefin complexes (silox)(3)M(ole) (silox = (t)Bu(3)SiO; M = Nb (1-ole), Ta (2-ole); ole = C(2)H(4), C(2)H(3)Me, C(2)H(3)Et, C(2)H(3)C(6)H(4)-p-X (X = OMe, H, CF(3)), C(2)H(3)(t)Bu, (c)C(5)H(8), (c)C(6)H(10), (c)C(7)H(10) (norbornene)) rearrange to alkylidene isomers (silox)(3)M(alk) (M = Nb (1=alk), Ta (2=alk); alk = CHMe, CHEt, CH(n)Pr, CHCH(2)C(6)H(4)-p-X (X = OMe, H, CF(3) (Ta only)), CHCH(2)(t)Bu, (c)C(5)H(8), (c)C(6)H(10), (c)C(7)H(10) (norbornylidene)). Kinetics and labeling experiments suggest that the rearrangement proceeds via a delta-abstraction on a silox CH bond by the beta-olefin carbon to give (silox)(2)RM(kappa(2)-O,C-OSi(t)Bu(2)CMe(2)CH(2)) (M = Nb (4-R), Ta (6-R); R = Me, Et, (n)Pr, (n)Bu, CH(2)CH(2)C(6)H(4)-p-X (X = OMe, H, CF(3) (Ta only)), CH(2)CH(2)(t)Bu, (c)C(5)H(9), (c)C(6)H(11), (c)C(7)H(11) (norbornyl)). A subsequent alpha-abstraction by the cylometalated "arm" of the intermediate on an alpha-CH bond of R generates the alkylidene 1=alk or 2=alk. Equilibrations of 1-ole with ole' to give 1-ole' and ole, and relevant calculations on 1-ole and 2-ole, permit interpretation of all relative ground and transition state energies for the complexes of either metal.     

Macropolyhedral boron-containing cluster chemistry. Synchrotron X-ray structural analysis of [(PMe2Ph)2Pd2B16H20(PMe2Ph)2] and [(PMe2Ph)3Pt2B16H18(PMe2Ph)]: models of intermediates to more condensed metallaboranes from the [(PMe2Ph)2PtB8H12] thermolysis system

Thermolyses of [(PMe2Ph)2PdB8H12] and [(PMe2Ph)2PtB8H12] respectively yield eighteen-vertex [(PMe2Ph)2Pd2B16H20(PMe2Ph)2] and [(PMe2Ph)3Pt2B16H18(PMe2Ph)], which exhibit structure models for probable successive precursive intermediates for the more condensed macropolyhedral metallaboranes [(PMe2Ph)4Pt3B14H16], [(PMe2Ph)2Pt2B12H16] and [(PMe2Ph)2Pt2B16H15(C6H4Me)(PMe2Ph)] that have previously been reported as products from [(PMe2Ph)2PdB8H12] thermolyses.     

Oxidative addition of dihydrogen to (eta6-arene)Mo(PMe3)3 complexes: origin of the naphthalene and anthracene effects

In contrast to the benzene and naphthalene compounds (eta(6)-PhH)Mo(PMe(3))(3) and (eta(6)-NpH)Mo(PMe(3))(3), the anthracene complex (eta(6)-AnH)Mo(PMe(3))(3) reacts with H(2) to undergo a haptotropic shift and give the eta(4)-anthracene compound (eta(4)-AnH)Mo(PMe(3))(3)H(2). Density functional theory calculations indicate that the increased facility of naphthalene and anthracene to adopt eta(4)-coordination modes compared to that of benzene is a consequence of the fact that the Mo-(eta(4)-ArH) bonding interaction increases in the sequence benzene < naphthalene < anthracene, while the Mo-(eta(6)-ArH) bonding interaction follows the sequence benzene > naphthalene approximately anthracene.     

Synthesis and molecular and electronic structure of an unusual paramagnetic borohydride complex Mo(NAr)2(PMe3)2(eta2-BH4)

Reaction of Mo(NAr)2Cl2(DME) (Ar=2,6-C6H3iPr2, DME=1,2-dimethoxyethane) with NaBH4 and PMe3 in THF formed the paramagnetic Mo(V) d1 borohydride complex Mo(NAr)2(PMe3)2(eta2-BH4) (1). Compound 1, which was characterized by EPR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis, provides a rare example both of a paramagnetic bis(imido) group 6 compound and a structurally characterized molybdenum borohydride complex. Density functional theory calculations were used to determine the electronic structure and bonding parameters of 1 and showed that it is best viewed as a 19 valence electron compound (having a primarily metal-based SOMO) in which the BH4- ligand behaves as a sigma-only, 2-electron donor.     

A normal equilibrium isotope effect for oxidative addition of H2 to (eta6-anthracene)Mo(PMe3)3

Oxidative addition of H2 and D2 to the anthracene complex (eta6-AnH)Mo(PMe3)3 giving (eta4-AnH)Mo(PMe3)3X2 (X = H, D) is characterized by a normal equilibrium isotope effect (KH/KD > 1) at temperatures close to ambient; calculations on (eta4-AnH)Mo(PH3)3H2 indicate that this is a consequence of relatively low energy Mo-H vibrational modes.     

Syntheses and molecular structures of eta3-[(eta5-Cp*)(CO)2Fe-AsPC(SiMe3)2]M(CO)2(eta5-Cp)(M = Mo, W): the first complexes featuring eta3-arsaphosphaallyl ligands

Reaction of (eta5-Cp)(CO)2M=P=C(SiMe3)2 4a (M = Mo) and 4b (M = W) with (eta5-Cp*)(CO)2Fe-As=C(NMe2)2 5 affords the eta3-1-arsa-2-phosphaallyl complexes [(eta5-Cp*)(CO)2Fe-AsPC(SiMe3)2]M(CO)2(eta5-Cp) 6a and 6b, the molecular structures of which were determined by X-ray analyses.     

Nucleophilic reactivity and oxo/sulfido substitution reactions of MVIO3 Groups (M = Mo, W)

The nucleophilic reactivity of oxo ligands in the groups M(VI)O(3) in the trigonal complexes [(Me(3)tacn)MO(3)] (M = Mo (1), W (10)) and [(Bu(t)(3)tach)MO(3)] (M = Mo (5), W (14)) has been investigated. Complexes 1/10 can be alkylated with MeOTf to give [(Me(3)tacn)MO(2)(OMe)](1+) (2/11), silylated with Pr(i)(3)SiOTf to form [(Me(3)tacn)MO(2)(OSiPr(i)(3))](+) (3/12), and protonated with HOTf to yield [(Me(3)tacn)MoO(2)(OH)](+) (4). Similarly, complexes 5/14 can be silylated to [(Bu(t)(3)tach)MO(2)(OSiPr(i)(3))](+) (6/15) and protonated to [(Bu(t)(3)tach)MO(2)(OH)](+) (7/16). Products were isolated as triflate salts in yields exceeding 70%. When excess acid was used, the dinuclear mu-oxo species [(Bu(t)(3)tach)(2)M(2)O(5)](2+) (8/17) were obtained. X-ray structures are reported for 2-4, 6-8, 12, and 15-17. All mononuclear complexes have dominant trigonal symmetry with a rhombic distortion owing to a M[bond]OR bond (R = Me, SiPr(i)(3), H), which is longer than M[double bond]O oxo interactions; the latter exert a substantial trans influence on M[bond]N bond lengths. Oxo ligands in 5/14 undergo replacement with sulfide. Lawesson's reagent effects formation of [(Bu(t)(3)tach)MS(3)] (9/18), 14 with excess B(2)S(3) yields incompletely substituted [(Bu(t)(3)tach)WOS(2)] (20), and 5 with excess B(2)S(3) yields [(Bu(t)(3)tach)Mo(IV)O(S(4))] (19). The structures of 9, 19, and 20 are reported. Precedents for M(VI)S(3) groups in five- and six-coordinate molecules are limited. This investigation is the first detailed study of the behavior of M(VI)O(3) groups in nucleophilic and oxo/sulfido substitution reactions and should be useful in synthetic approaches to the active sites of the xanthine oxidase enzyme family and of certain tungstoenzymes. (Bu(t)(3)tach = 1,3,5-tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane, Me(3)tacn = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclonane; OTf = triflate).