Tetraaryl-methane analogues in group 14—V. Distortion of tetrahedral geometryin terms of through-space π–π and π–σ interactions andNMR sagging in terms of π–σcharge transfer

44 members of thecompound series Ph_4−nMR_n (M=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; R=o-, m-, p-Tol; n=0–4) were synthesized (15 newcompounds). The crystal structures of Ph₃Sn (o-Tol) and PhSn (o-Tol)₃ were determined and compared to 16 known structures. Subject to the distanced (M–C), an interplay between through-space π–π repulsion and π–σ attraction leads to either elongated or compressed tetrahedral geometry. ²⁹ Si-, ¹¹⁹ Sn- and ²⁰⁷ Pb-NMR chemical shifts were determined in solution and in the solid state. ⁷³ Ge chemical shifts were measured only in solution. Anupfield or downfield sagging of the chemical shifts along each series is rationalized in terms of a π–σcharge transfer which is constrained by torsion of the aromatic groups.     

Lithiated γ-O-functionalized propyl phenyl sulfides and sulfones of the type Li[CH(SOxPh)CH2CH2OR] (x = 0, 2). [Li{CH(SPh)CH2CH2Ot-Bu}(tmeda)] – A structurally characterized organolithium inner complex

Lithiation of O-functionalized alkyl phenyl sulfides PhSCH₂CH₂CH₂OR (R = Me, 1a; i-Pr, 1b; t-Bu, 1c; CPh₃, 1d) with n-BuLi/tmeda in n-pentane resulted in the formation of α- and ortho-lithiated compounds [Li{CH(SPh)CH₂CH₂OR}(tmeda)] (α-2a–d) and [Li{o-C₆H₄SCH₂CH₂CH₂OR)(tmeda)] (o-2a–d), respectively, which has been proved by subsequent reaction with n-Bu₃SnCl yielding the requisite stannylated γ-OR-functionalized propyl phenyl sulfides n-Bu₃SnCH(SPh)CH₂CH₂OR (α-3a–d) and n-Bu₃Sn(o-C₆H₄SCH₂CH₂CH₂OR) (o-3a–d). The α/ortho ratios were found to be dependent on the sterical demand of the substituent R. Stannylated alkyl phenyl sulfides α-3a–c were found to react with n-BuLi/tmeda and n-BuLi yielding the pure α-lithiated compounds α-2a–c and [Li{CH(SPh)CH₂CH₂OR}] (α-4a–b), respectively, as white to yellowish powders. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of [Li{CH(SPh)CH₂CH₂Ot-Bu}(tmeda)] (α-2c) exhibited a distorted tetrahedral coordination of lithium having a chelating tmeda ligand and a C,O coordinated organyl ligand. Thus, α-2c is a typical organolithium inner complex.Lithiation of O-functionalized alkyl phenyl sulfones PhSO₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OR (R = Me, 5a; i-Pr, 5b; CPh₃, 5c) with n-BuLi resulted in the exclusive formation of the α-lithiated products Li[CH(SO₂Ph)CH₂CH₂OR] (6a–c) that were found to react with n-Bu₃SnCl yielding the requisite α-stannylated compounds n-Bu₃SnCH(SO₂Ph)CH₂CH₂OR (7a–c). The identities of all lithium and tin compounds have been unambiguously proved by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn).     

peri-Naphthylenediamines 18. 1,8-Bis(dimethylamino)-4-vinylnaphthalene

The 1-[1,8-bis(dimethylamino)-4-naphthyl[ethyl carbocation generated from the corresponding alcohol in benzene in the presence of Al₂O₃ undergoes elimination according to theE1 mechanism to give previously unknown 1,8-bis(dimethylami no)-4-vinyl naphthalene in a good yield. This compound was also synthesized from 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)-4-formylnaphthalene by the Wittig reaction. Polymerization of the vinylic derivative obtained was studied.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 2297–2300, September, 1996.     

Microcalorimetric titration of a tetra-p-sulphonated calix[4]arene with α,ω-alkyl diammonium ions in an aqueous solution

25,26,27,28-Tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene-5,11,17,23-tetrasulphonate was in a heat-conduction calorimeter titrated with α,ω-alkyl diammonium ions, n=(3–7), in an aqueous solution at pH 7.1. Apparent concentration binding constants (K_c) and enthalpy changes are reported for a 1 : 1 binding model at minimized concentration ranges. The standard Gibbs energy change, ΔG⁰=−RTln K_c, has a non-linear dependence of the alkyl chain length, n. The interaction is strongest at n≥5. A similar trend is observed for the enthalpy change. However, the fit of the experimental data to the 1 : 1 model was quite poor and neither 1 : 2 nor 2 : 1 models gave any further improvement. Concentration-dependent results were also obtained. It is therefore concluded that the interaction observed is more complex.     

Theoretical study of [Hg3(o-C6F4)3]n · {benzene} (n = 1, 2) complexes

The electronic structure and spectroscopic properties of [Hg₃(o-C₆F₄)₃]_n · {benzene} (n = 1, 2) were studied at the HF, MP2 and PBE levels. The interaction between [Hg₃(o-C₆F₄)₃] and benzene at the HF and MP2 levels was analyzed. Secondary π-interactions (Hg–benzene) were found to be the main contribution short-range stability in the [Hg₃(o-C₆F₄)₃] · {benzene} complex. At the MP2 and PBE levels equilibrium Hg–C distances of 338.4 and 361.4 pm; and interaction energies of 46.6 and 29.2 kJ/mol were found, respectively. The absorption spectra of these complexes were calculated by the single excitation time-dependent method at PBE level.     

Neutron diffraction study of the β′ and γ phases of LiFeO2

The β, β′, γ and α phases of LiFeO₂, synthesized as powders, were annealed at different temperatures and characterized by X-ray measurements. The β′ and γ modifications were also studied by time-of-flight neutron diffraction (ISIS Facility, UK). The structure of the β′ phase was refined in the monoclinic C2/c space group (a=8.566(1), b=11.574(2), c=5.1970(5) Å, β=146.064(5)°) to wR_p=0.071–0.080 (data from four counter banks). Fe and Li atoms are ordered over two of the four independent sites, and partially disordered over the other two. The ordered Li has a distorted tetrahedral coordination. The γ structure was refined at RT (a=4.047(1), c=8.746(2) Å) and at 570 °C (a=4.082(3), c=8.822(6) Å) in the I4₁/amd symmetry, showing full order with Li in octahedral coordination at RT, and in a split-atom configuration at high temperature. On annealing, the β′ polymorph was found to transform to γ at 550 °C, thus suggesting that it is a metastable phase. Electrostatics is discussed as the driving force for the α→β′→γ ordering process of LiFeO₂.     

Production of hyperlithiated Li2F by a laser ablation of LiF–Li3N mixture

Lithium-excess binary clusters Li_nF_n−1 (n=2–9) were detected by photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in a supersonic cluster beam generated by a laser ablation of a solid mixture of lithium fluoride and nitride. Laser power dependence of the Li₂F⁺ signal intensity has indicated that the ionization energy of the hyperlithiated Li₂F molecule is lower than 4.66 eV. The theoretical vertical ionization energy obtained by the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d) calculations are 4.47 eV. No nitrogen-containing clusters were detected. The absence of Li₄N is ascribed to the exothermicity of the reaction, 2Li₃N→N₂+Li₆.     

Synthesis of aromatic polyethers by Scholl reaction. V. Synthesis and polymerization of 1,3-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) benzoyl]benzene, 1,4-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy)benzoyl]benzene,bis[4-(1-naphthoxy)phenyl]methane, 1,3-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) phenylmethyl]benzene,and 1,4-bis-[4-(1-naphthoxy)phenylmethyl]benzene

This article describes the synthesis and the cation-radical polymerization (Scholl reaction) of 1,3-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) benzoyl] benzene ( 6 ) and 1,4-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) benzoyl]- benzene ( 7 ) initiated by FeCI₃. This polymerization produced poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s (PEEKK) of number average molecular weight (M?_n) up to 5400 g/mol. The synthesis of bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) phenyl] methane ( 8 ), 1,3-bis[4-(1-napthoxy) phenylmethyl] benzene ( 9 ), and 1,4-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) phenylmethyl] benzene ( 10 ) are also described. Polyethers of M?_n up to 15400 g/mol at a FeCl₃/monomer molar ratio of 2/1 were obtained. An increased polymerizability of the monomers 9 and 10 containing two CH₂ groups versus that of the corresponding monomers containing two carbonyl groups ( 6 and 7 ) was observed. This enhanced polymerizability was explained based on the increased nucleophilicity of monomers 9 and 10 .     

Palladium complexes of bis(acyclic diaminocarbene) ligands with chiral N-substituents and 8-membered chelate rings

Reaction of cis-dichloridobis(p-trifluoromethylphenylisocyanide)palladium(II) with N,N′-bis[(R)-1-phenylethyl]-1,3-diaminopropane afforded an enantiomerically pure, C₁-symmetric bis(acyclic diaminocarbene)PdCl₂ complex in 41% yield. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex revealed that three of the four carbene nitrogens are twisted out of conjugation with the carbene units, apparently as a result of steric interactions between one phenyl group and the propylene backbone of the chelate. A similar reaction with N,N′-bis[(R)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]-1,3-diaminopropane did not lead to an isolable bis(carbene) complex, instead forming significant amounts of bis(ammonium) salt as a decomposition product. However, reaction of the same palladium isocyanide precursor with a mixture of all diastereomers of N,N′-bis[1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]-1,3-diaminopropane provided an achiral, C_s-symmetric palladium bis(acyclic diaminocarbene) complex derived exclusively from the (R,S) diamine in 20% yield. An X-ray structure showed that the (R,S) stereochemistry allows the bulky naphthyl groups to adopt an orientation that avoids steric interactions with the backbone that likely lead to the instability of the homochiral analogue. The two palladium carbene complexes catalyzed the aza-Claisen rearrangement of an allylic imidate to an allylic amide in 24–34% yield, with an enantiomeric excess of 8% ee for the [(R)-1-phenylethyl]-substituted complex.     

Platinum(IV) complexes with α,ω-bis(pyrazol-1-yl) alkanediyl and diethyl ether/thioether ligands. Crystal structures of dibromodimethyl[1,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane]platinum(IV) and trimethyl-bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]etherplatinum(IV) tetrafluoroborate

Reactions of the flexible α,ω-bis(pyrazol-1-yl) compounds 1,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane (L1), 1,8-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)-n-octane (L2), bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]ether (L3) and bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]thioether (L4) with precursor organometallic platinum complexes ([(PtBr₂Me₂)_n], [(PtIMe₃)₄] and [(PtMe₂(cod)]/I₂) are described herein. The spectroscopic characterization of the platinum(IV) products of these reactions [PtBr₂Me₂{pz(CH₂)_mpz}], m = 2 (1) or 8 (2), [PtI₂Me₂{pz(CH₂)₂pz}] (3), [PtMe₃(pzCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂pz)][BF₄] (4) and [PtMe₃(pzCH₂CH₂SCH₂CH₂pz)][CF₃SO₃] (5), where ‘pz’ is pyrazol-1-yl, is discussed. Furthermore, solid state structures of 1, a complex with a seven-membered chelate ring, and 4, a complex bearing the neutral κ²N,N′,κO ligand bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]ether (L3) are reported.     

peri-Naphthylenediamines

The reaction of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (“proton sponge”) with trifluoroacetic anhydride afforded new derivatives of naphtho[1,8-c,d]pyran,viz., trans-) (4) andcis-1,3-dihydroxy-6,7-bis(dimethylamino)-1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1H,3H-naphthol[1,8-c,d]pyran (5) and symmetrical 3,4,10,11-tetrakis(dimethylamino)-7,14-bis(trifluoromethyl)-7,14-epoxydinaphtho[1,8-a,b;1′, 8′-ef]cyclooctane (3), which belongs to a new type of double “proton sponges,” along with the expected 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)-4-trifluoroacetylnaphthalene. The structures of compounds3 and4 were established by spectral studies and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis of 7-hydroxy-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-ones based on a ‘[3+3] cyclization/domino retro-Michael-aldol-lactonization’ strategy

The TiCl₄-mediated [3+3] cyclization of 2,4-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)penta-1,3-diene with 3-silyloxyalk-2-en-1-ones afforded 2-acetylphenols, which were transformed into functionalized chromones. The Me₃SiOTf-mediated condensation of the latter with 1,3-bis(silyl enol ethers) and subsequent domino ‘retro-Michael-aldol-lactonization’ reaction afforded 7-hydroxy-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-ones.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Thermal Behaviour of Some New Copper Complexes with tridentate β-iminoketone ligands

The reaction of Cu(AcO)₂ · H₂O and tridentate β-iminoketone ligands yielded four new copper complexes: acetato{4-{[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amino}pent-3-en-2-onato}copper(II) ( 1 ), triacetato{4-{[3-(dimethylamino)-propyl]amino}pent-3-en-2-onato}dicopper(II) ( 2 ), {4-{[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amino}-1,1,1-trifluoropent-3-en-2-onato}( trifluoroacetato)copper(II) ( 3 ), and pentaacetato{4-{[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]amino}-1,1,1-trifluoropent-3-en-2- onato}tricopper(II) ( 4 ). All compounds were coloured and air-stable solids. The crystal structures of 1 and the dioxane adduct of 3 , μ-(1,4-dioxane)bis{{4-{[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amino}-1,1,1-trifluoropent-3- en-2-onato}(trifluoroacetato)copper(II)} ( 3a ), were determined. Complex 1 consists of dimeric units [{Cu(AcO)L}₂] in the solid state (L = β-iminoketonato ligand). In 3a , two [Cu(CF₃COO)L] are linked via the O-atoms of the coordinated solvent 1,4-dioxane. Compound 1 crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a formula unit in a cell having the dimensions a = 11.152(6)Å, b = 10.104(3)Å, c = 11.805(7)Å, and β = 99.02(4)Å, and compound 3a crystallized in the triclinic space group P1 with a formula unit in a cell having the dimensions a = 8.709(3)Å, b = 9.439(4)Å, c = 12.395(3)Å, α = 67.57(3)°, β = 77.01(2)°, and β = 84.17(3)°. Mass spectra (MS), thermal analysis (DTA/TG), and evaporation-rate measurements are reported for all compounds. The influence of fluorination on the structure and volatility will be discussed.     

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical studies of the heterometallic diclusters [{Fe2(μ-CO)(CO)6(μ-PPh2)Au}2(diphosphine)] (diphosphine=dppm, dppip, dppe, dppp)

Treatment of [(ClAu)₂(diphosphine)] {diphosphine=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), bis(diphenylphosphino)isopropane (dppip), 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp)} with two equivalents of the anion [Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)]⁻ in the presence of TlBF₄ gives the new heterometallic diclusters [{Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)Au}₂(diphosphine)] that have been isolated and characterized. Their ³¹P-NMR spectra show different patterns as a function of the diphosphine ligand. The electrochemical behavior of these compounds has been investigated and compared with that of the mono- [Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)(μ-AuPPh₃)] and tricluster [{Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)Au}₃(triphos)] derivatives.     

Chemoselective anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of α,β-ethylenic compounds with amines using montmorillonite clay

The catalytic activity of montmorillonite clays as a catalyst for the hydroamination of α,β-ethylenic compounds with amines was tested. Aniline and substituted anilines reacted with α,β-ethylenic compounds in the presence of catalytic amount of commercially available clay to afford exclusively anti-Markovnikov adduct in excellent yields. Aniline reacted with ethyl acrylate to yield only anti-Markovnikov adduct N-[2-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl]aniline (mono-addition product). No Markovnikov adduct (N-[1-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl]aniline and double addition product N,N-bis[2-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl]aniline were formed under selected reaction conditions. For a better exploitation of the catalytic activity in terms of increased activity and improved selectivity for the mono-addition product, the reaction parameters were optimized in terms of temperature, solvent, reactant mole ratio. Under optimized reaction conditions, montmorillonite clay K-10 showed a superior catalytic performance in the hydroamination of ethyl acrylate with aniline with a conversion of aniline to mono-addition product (almost 100% chemoselectivity) with a high rate constant 0.3414 min⁻¹ compared to the reported protocols. The dependence of conversion of aniline over different types of montmorillonite clays (K-10, K-20, K-30, Al-Pillared clay and untreated clay) has also been discussed. The activities of clay for the hydroamination of different aromatic and aliphatic amines have also been investigated. Under harsh reaction conditions (increased temperature and long reaction time) small amounts of di-addition products were observed. The kinetics data has been interpreted using the initial rate approach model.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and spectroscopic characterization of two neutral heterobimetallic clusters MS4Cu4(pz)6X2 (where M = Mo (1) or W (2), X = Cl (1) or disordered Cl/Br (2), and pz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole)

The title complexes were synthesized in acetone by the reaction of [n-Bu₄N]₂[MoS₄Cu₄Cl₄] and pz^Me2 for compound 1, and n-Bu₄NBr, [NH₄]₂[WS₄], CuCl and pz^Me2 for compound 2. X-ray diffraction studies of 1 and 2 demonstrate that four of the six edges of the tetrahedral [MS₄]²⁻ core are bridged by four copper atoms, giving a pentanuclear structure MS₄Cu₄(pz^Me2)₆X₂ (M = Mo, W) with the five metal atoms essentially coplanar. The four Cu atoms exhibit two different coordination modes. Each of one pair of mutually trans Cu atoms is coordinated by two (μ₃-S) atoms and two nitrogen atoms of pz^Me2 rings, giving a distorted tetrahedral CuS₂N₂ arrangement. The other two mutually trans Cu atoms are coordinated by two (μ₃-S) atoms, one nitrogen atom of pz^Me2 and one terminal Cl or Br ligand, giving a distorted tetrahedral CuS₂NX unit. In addition to being structurally studied by X-ray diffraction, the title compounds have been characterized by IR, UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The IR results, which include low-frequency M–S_b stretching bands, are consistent with the X-ray structural analysis and confirm that the [MS₄]²⁻ cores are coordinated through all four sulfur atoms in the complexes 1 and 2.     

Crystal structure and IR spectrum of 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol–ethanol (2/1)

1-O-α- -Glucopyranosyl- -mannitol–ethanol (2/1), (C₁₂H₂₄O₁₁)₂–C₂H₅OH, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ with unit cell dimensions a=11.4230(8) Å, b=9.525(4) Å, c=15.854(2) Å, β=102.751(7)° and V=1682.4(7) ų, Z=2, D_x=1.45 Mg m⁻³, λ (Mo-K_α)=0.71069 Å, μ=0.128 mm⁻¹, F(000)=788 and T=293(2) K. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least-squares calculations on F² to R₁=0.0371[I>2σ(I)], and 0.0930 (all data, 3542 independent reflections, R_int=0.021). There are two molecules of glucopyranosylmannitol (GPM) and one ethanol molecule in the asymmetric unit, and the glucopyranosyl ring adopts a chair conformation in both GPM molecules. Bond lengths and angles accord well with the mean values of related structures. The conformation along the mannitol side chain for one of the GPM molecules was the same as for the known polymorphs of -mannitol, while the conformation of the other molecule was different, indicating different conformational arrangements in the terminal carbon atoms of the mannitol side chains of the two GPM molecules. The structure in 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol–ethanol (2/1) is held together by a very complex hydrogen bonding system, which consists of an infinte chain propagating along the b-axis and a discontinuous chain, which binds the ethanol molecule to the structure. The FTIR spectra for anhydrous GPM, GPM dihydrate and GPM–ethanol (2/1) were recorded. Both IR and X-ray results indicate the extensive hydrogen bonding in crystalline state.     

Co(III) complexes of Me-salpn and Me-salbn and the ring size effect on the coordination modes and electrochemical properties: The crystal structures of trans-[Co(Me-salpn)(py)2]PF6 and cis-α-[Co(Me-salbn)(4-Mepy)2]BPh4 · 4-Mepy

The synthesis and characterization of a series of cobalt(III) complexes of the general type [Co(N₂O₂)(L₂)]⁺ are described. The N₂O₂ Schiff base ligands used are Me-salpn (H₂Me-salpn = N,N′-bis(methylsalicylidene)-1,3-propylenediamine) (1–3) and Me-salbn (H₂Me-salbn = N,N′-bis(methylsalicylidene)-1,4-butylenediamine) (4–5). The two ancillary ligands L include: pyridine (py) 1, 3-metheylpyridine (3-Mepy) 2, 1-methylimidazole (1-MeIm) 3, 4-methylpyridine (4-Mepy) 4 and pyridine (py) 5. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of trans-[Co^III(Me-salpn)(py)₂]PF₆, 1, and cis-α-[Co^III(Me-salbn)(4-Mepy)₂]BPh₄ · 4-Mepy, 4, have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Examination of the solution and crystalline structures revealed that the outer coordination sphere of the complexes exerts a noticeable influence on the inner coordination sphere of the Co(III) ion. The electrochemical reduction of these complexes at a glassy carbon electrode in acetonitrile solution indicates that the first reduction process corresponding to Co^III–Co^II is electrochemically irreversible, which is accompanied by the dissociation of the axial (R-py)–cobalt bonds. It has also been observed that the Co(III) state is stabilized with increasing the flexibility of the ligand environment.     

Uncommon Heterocyclization into a Pyrazole System of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-3-(2-Naphthyl)-3-chloro-2-propenal Semicarbazone and Thiosemicarbazone

By reaction of Z-3-(2-naphthyl)-3-chloro-2-propenal with semicarbazide hydrochloride and thiosemicarbazide the corresponding semicarbazone and thiosemicarbazone were obtained that underwent a heterocyclization into a pyrazole system with elimination of amide moieties and with migration of the naphthyl fragment into the position 4 of the pyrazole ring. The alkylation of 4-(2-naphthyl)pyrazole synthesized with 2-nitropentachloro-1,3-butadiene afforded 1,1-bis[4-(2-naphthyl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-2-nitrotrichloro-1,3-butadiene.__________Translated from Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 753–755.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Vashkevich, Potkin, Kozlov.     

Synthesis, Structure, and Physical Studies of the New β-LiVOAsO4 Compound

Two new compounds of the A_xMOXO₄ family, β-LiVOAsO₄ and β-VOAsO₄, have been synthesized by solid state reaction and electrochemical lithium deintercalation from β-LiVOAsO₄, respectively. Both compounds are isostructural and are built like other β-VOXO₄ (X=S, P) by (VO₅)_∞ chains of distorted VO₆ octahedra connected via corner-shared AsO₄ tetrahedra. For β-LiVOAsO₄ the additional Li⁺ ions occupy chains of edge-shared octahedra running perpendicularly to the (VO₅)_∞ chains. The one-dimensional antiferromagnetic behavior suggested by the structure has been experimentaly confirmed. It is shown that lithium deintercalation occurs through a first-order transition at 4.02 V vs Li⁺/Li⁰. From chemical bond considerations it is shown why the redox potential of a given transition element M in a six-fold coordination involving (M=O)^m+ units lies between those observed in oxides and in M₂(XO₄)₃ compounds with (XO₄)ⁿ⁻ oxo anions (X=S, P, As).