Ansa [1]trochrocenophanes and their related unstrained 1,1'-disubstituted counterparts: synthesis and electronic structure

The heteroleptic sandwich complex [Cr(eta(5)-C5H5)(eta(7)-C7H7)] (trochrocene) was prepared by subsequent treatment of CrCl3 with NaCp and Mg in the presence of cycloheptatriene in yields of 40%. Selective dimetalation employing tBuLi/tmeda (N, N, N', N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) afforded the highly reactive species [Cr(eta(5)-C5H4Li)(eta(7)-C7H6Li)] x tmeda. An X-ray crystal-structure determination of its thf solvate revealed a symmetrical, dimeric composition in the solid state, that is, a formula of [Cr(eta(5)-C5H4Li)(eta(7)-C7H6Li)]2 x (thf)8, where the C5H4 moieties of both units are connected by two bridging lithium atoms. Addition of different element dihalides to the dilithio precursor facilitated the isolation of ansa complexes with boron and germanium in the bridging position. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction studies on [Cr(eta(5)-C5H4)-BN(SiMe3)2-(eta(7)-C7H6)] and [Cr(eta(5)-C5H4)-GeMe2-(eta(7)-C7H6)] emphasized the strained character with tilt angles of 23.87(13) degrees and 15.07(17) degrees , respectively. In contrast, the isolation of the appropriate [1]stannatrochrocenophane failed because of the thermal lability of the resulting product. However, the corresponding 1,1'-disubstitued derivatives [Cr(eta(5)-C5H4R)(eta(7)-C7H6R)] (R = B(Cl)NiPr2, SiMe3, GeMe3, SnMe3) were obtained by reverse addition of the dilithio precursor to an excess of the element (di)halide. The unstrained nature was proven by a crystal structure analysis of the 1,1'-diborylated species. The electronic structure of these substituted trochrocene derivatives, as well as of the [2]bora and [n]sila congeners (n = 1, 2), was investigated by means of UV-vis spectroscopy and DFT methods. As a consequence of the strong electronic influence of the B-N pi-system on the LUMOs, the UV-vis studies revealed a complementary correlation of the lowest energy band maxima as a function of molecular distortion for the boron containing species on the one hand, and the boron-free compounds on the other hand. These trends were reproduced fairly well by time dependent DFT calculations.     

Organometallic building blocks with amino-substituted cyclopentadienyl and boratabenzene ligands for the synthesis of heterometallic complexes and clusters

A comparative study of the reactivity of isolobal rhenium and molybdenum carbonylmetallates containing a borole, in [Re(eta5-C4H4BPh)(CO)3]- (2), a boratanaphthalene, in [Mo(eta5-2,4-MeC9H6BMe)(CO)3]- (4a) and [Mo(eta5-2,4-MeC9H6BNi-Pr2)(CO)3]- (4b), a boratabenzene, in [Mo(eta5-3,5-Me2C5H3BNi-Pr2)(CO)3]- (6) or a dimethylaminocyclopentadienyl ligand, in [Mo(eta5-C5H4NMe2)(CO)3]- (7), toward palladium(II), gold(I), mercury(II) and platinum(II) complexes has allowed an evaluation of the role of these pi-bonded ligands on the structures and unprecedented coordination modes observed in the resulting metal-metal bonded, heterometallic complexes. The new metallate 6 was reacted with [AuCl(PPh3)], and with 1 or 2 equiv. HgCl2, which afforded the new heterodinuclear complexes [Au{Mo(eta5-3,5-Me2C5H3BNi-Pr2)(CO)3}(PPh3)] (Mo-Au) (10) and [Hg{Mo(eta5-3,5-Me2C5H3BNi-Pr2)(CO)3}Cl] (Hg-Mo) (11) and the heterometallic chain complex [Hg{Mo(eta5-3,5-Me2C5H3BNi-Pr2)(CO)3}2] (Mo-Hg-Mo) (12), respectively. Reactions of the new metallate 7 with HgCl2, trans-[PtCl2(CNt-Bu)2] and trans-[PtCl2(NCPh)2] yielded the heterodinuclear complex [Hg{Mo(eta5-C5H4NMe2)(CO)3}Cl] (Mo-Hg) (15), the heterotrinuclear chain complexes trans-[Pt{Mo(eta5-C5H4NMe2)(CO)3}2(CNt-Bu)2] (Mo-Pt-Mo) (16) and trans-[Pt{Mo(eta5-C5H4NMe2)(CO)3}2(NCPh)2] (Mo-Pt-Mo) (17), the mononuclear complex [Mo(eta5-C5H4NMe2)(CO)3Cl] (18), the lozenge-type cluster [Mo2Pt2(eta5-C5H4NMe2)2(CO)8] (19) and the heterodinuclear complex [[upper bond 1 start]Pt{Mo(eta5-C5H4N[upper bond 1 end]Me2)(CO)3}(NCPh)Cl](Mo-Pt) (20), respectively. The complexes 11, 16, 17.2THF, 18 and 20 have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction and 20 differs from all other compounds in that the dimethylaminocyclopentadienyl ligand forms a bridge between the metals.     

Molybdenum oxo and imido complexes of beta-diketiminate ligands: synthesis and structural aspects

Treatment of [MoO2(eta2-Pz)2] (Pz = 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolate) with the diketiminate ligand NacNacH (NacNac = CH[C(Me)NAr]2-, Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3) at 55 degrees C leads under reduction of the metal to the formation of the dimeric molybdenum(V) compound [{MoO2(NacNac)}2] (1). The compound was characterized by spectroscopic means and by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The dimer consists of a [Mo2O4]2+ core with a short Mo-Mo bond (2.5591(5) A) and one coordinated diketiminate ligand on each metal atom. The reaction of [MoO2(eta2-Pz)2] with NacNacH in benzene at room temperature leads to a mixture of 1 and the monomeric molybdenum(VI) compound [MoO2(NacNac)(eta2-Pz)] (2). From such solutions, yellow crystals of 2 suitable for X-ray structural analysis were obtained revealing the coordination of one bidentate NacNac and one eta2-coordinate Pz ligand. This renders the two oxo groups inequivalent. Further high oxidation state molybdenum compounds containing the NacNac ligand were obtained by the reaction of [Mo(NAr)2Cl2(dme)] (Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3) and [Mo(N-t-Bu)2Cl2(dme)] (dme = dimethoxyethane) with 1 equiv of the potassium salt NacNacK forming [Mo(NAr)2Cl(NacNac)] (3) and [Mo(N-t-Bu)2Cl(NacNac)] (4), respectively, in good yields. The X-ray structure analysis of 3 revealed a penta-coordinate compound where the geometry is best described as trigonal-bipyramidal.     

Synthesis, reactivity, and electronic structure of [n]vanadoarenophanes: an experimental and theoretical study

An optimized procedure for the selective dimetalation of [V(eta (6)-C 6H 6) 2] by BuLi/tmeda allowed for the isolation and characterization of [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5Li) 2].tmeda. X-ray diffraction of its thf solvate [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5Li) 2].(thf) 7 revealed an unsymmetrical, dimeric composition in the solid state, in which both subunits are connected by three bridging lithium atoms. Treatment with several element dihalides facilitated the isolation of [ n]vanadoarenophanes ( n = 1, 2) with boron and silicon in the bridging positions. In agreement with the number and covalent radii of the bridging elements, these derivatives exhibit molecular ring strain to a greater or lesser extent. The B-B bond of the [2]bora species [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5) 2B 2(NMe 2) 2] was readily cleaved by [Pt(PEt 3) 3] to afford the corresponding oxidative addition product. Subsequently, [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5) 2B 2(NMe 2) 2] was employed as a diborane(4) precursor in the diboration of 2-butyne under stoichiometric, homogeneous, and heterogeneous catalysis conditions. This transformation is facilitated by the reduction of molecular ring strain, which was confirmed by a decrease of the tilt angle alpha observed in the corresponding solid-state structures. EPR spectroscopy was used to probe the electronic structure of strained [ n]vanadoarenophanes and revealed an obvious correlation between the degree of molecular distortion and the observed hyperfine coupling constant a iso. State-of-the-art DFT calculations were able to reproduce the measured isotropic vanadium hyperfine couplings and the coupling anisotropies. The calculations confirmed the decrease of the absolute isotropic hyperfine couplings with increasing tilt angle. Closer analysis showed that this is mainly due to increased positive contributions to the spin density at the vanadium nucleus from the spin polarization of doubly occupied valence orbitals of vanadium-ligand sigma-antibonding character. The latter are destabilized and thus made more polarizable in the bent structures.     

Comparative bonding behavior of functional cyclopentadienyl ligands and boron-containing analogues in heterometallic complexes and clusters

The reactivity of isolobal molybdenum carbonylmetalates containing a 2-boratanaphthalene, [Mo(eta5-2,4-MeC9H6BMe)(CO)3]- (5a) and [Mo(eta5-2,4-MeC9H6BNi-Pr2)(CO)3]- (5b), a 1-boratabenzene, [Mo(eta5-3,5-Me2C5H3BNi-Pr2)(CO)3]- (8), or a functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligand, the new metalate [Mo(eta5-C5H4Ph)(CO)3]- (7) and [Mo(eta5-C5H4NMe2)(CO)3]- (9), toward palladium (I and II) or platinum (I and II) complexes, such as trans-[PdCl2(NCPh)2], [Pd2(NCMe)6](BF4)2, trans-[PtCl2(PEt3)2], and [N(n-Bu)4]2 [Pt2Cl4(CO)2], has been investigated, and this has allowed an evaluation of the influence of the pi-bonded ligands on the structures and unprecedented coordination modes observed in the resulting metal-metal-bonded heterometallic clusters. The new 58 CVE planar-triangulated centrosymmetric clusters, [Mo2Pd2(eta5-C5H4Ph)2(CO)6(PEt3)2] (11), [Mo2Pd2(eta5-2,4-MeC9H6BNi-Pr2)2(CO)6] (12), [Mo(2)Pd(2)(eta5-3,5-Me2C5H3BNi-Pr2)2(CO)6] (13), [Mo2Pd2(eta5-C5H4NMe2)2(CO)6(PEt3)2] (15), [Mo2Pt2(eta5-C5H4NMe2)2(CO)6(PEt3)2] (16), and [Mo2Pt2(eta5-C5H4NMe2)2(CO)8] (20), have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their structural features were compared with those of the 54 CVE cluster [Re2Pd2(eta5-C4H4BPh)2(CO)6)] (4), previously obtained from the borole-containing metalate [Re(eta5-C4H4BPh)(CO)3]- (2), in which a 2e-3c B-C(ipso)-Pd interaction involving the pi-ring was observed. As an extension of what has been observed in 4, clusters 12 and 13 present a direct interaction of the boratanaphthalene (12) and the boratabenzene (13) ligands with palladium. In clusters 11, 15, 16, and 20, the pi-ring does not interact with the palladium (11 and 15) or platinum centers (16 and 20), which confers to these clusters a geometry very similar to that of [Mo2Pd2(eta5-C5H5)2(CO)6(PEt3)2] (3b). The carbonylmetalates [Mo(pi-ring)(CO)3]- are thus best viewed as formal four electron donors which bridge a dinuclear d9-d9 unit. The orientation of this building block in the clusters influences the shape of their metal cores and the bonding mode of the bridging carbonyl ligands. The crystal structure of new centrosymmetric complex [Mo(eta5-C5H4Ph)(CO)3]2 (10) was determined, and it revealed intramolecular contacts of 2.773(4) A between the carbon atoms of carbonyl groups across the metal-metal bond and intermolecular bifurcated interactions between the carbonyl oxygen atoms (2.938(4) and 3.029(4) A), as well as intermolecular C-H...pi(Ar)(C=C) interactions (2.334(3) and 2.786(4) A) involving the phenyl substituents.     

Synthesis of ansa-[n]silacyclopentadienyl-cycloheptatrienyl-chromium complexes (n = 1, 2): novel precursors for polymers bearing chromium in the backbone

Reaction of [(eta5-C5H4Li)(eta7-C7H6Li)Cr]tmeda with a variety of dialkyl(dichloro)silanes in aliphatic solvents afforded the corresponding [1]silatrochrocenophanes. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction analysis of the [1]silatrochrocenophanes bearing Me2Si, (iPr)2Si, and silacyclobutane bridges revealed tilt angles alpha of 15.56(12) degrees , 15.8(1) degrees , and 16.33(17) degrees , respectively. Analogously, a [2]silatrochrocenophane (6) was prepared in excellent yield by reaction of [(eta5-C5H4Li)(eta7-C7H6Li)Cr]tmeda with 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetramethyldisilane. This complex also was characterized structurally and exhibited a tilt angle alpha of 2.60(15) degrees. The [1]silatrochrocenophane bearing the Me2Si bridge underwent facile and regioselective carbon-silicon bond cleavage with [Pt(PEt3)4] to give a very high yield of an oxidative addition product. The ring-opening polymerization of these novel [1]silatrochrocenophanes afforded ring-opened chromium-based polymers.     

Stoichiometric and homogeneous-catalytic diboration of the n=n double bond of azobenzene

The diboration of the N=N double bond of azobenzene was achieved by reaction of the [3]diboraplatinametalloarenophanes derived from ferrocene, [Fe(eta5-C5H4)B(NMe2)Pt(PEt3)2B(NMe2)(eta5-C5H4)], and bis(benzene)chromium, [Cr(eta6-C6H5)B(NMe2)Pt(PEt3)2B(NMe2)(eta6-C6H5)], with an excess of azobenzene in toluene at elevated temperature. The formation of the anticipated ansa-bis(boryl)hydrazines was substantiated by the determination of the molecular structure of the chromium derivative by X-ray diffraction. The synthesis of the ansa-bis(boryl)hydrazine derivative of ferrocene could also be accomplished under homogeneous catalysis conditions. Hence, reaction of the well-known [2]boraferrocenophane, [Fe(eta5-C5H4)2B2(NMe2)2], and azobenzene in the presence of 5 mol % [Pt(PEt3)3] afforded the bis-borylated hydrazine derivative in good yields.     

Zwitterionic ring-borylated ansa-chromocene complexes

Ring borylation of [Me4C2(eta5-C5H4)2CrCO] by B(C6F5)3 affords the zwitterionic complex {Me4(eta5-C5H4)(eta5-C4H3B(C6F5)3)}CrH(CO) (1), the first structurally characterized bent-metallocene complex of Cr(4+). This species decomposes thermally to the zwitterionic species {Me4(eta5-C5H4)(eta5-C4H3B(C6F5)3)}Cr (2) and the ionic species [Me4C2(eta5-C5H4)2CrCO][HB(C6F5)3] (3). The molecular structure of 2 is also described.     

Imidomolybdenum(IV) porphyrin complexes: synthesis, characterization, and intermetal imido transfer reactivity

The imido(meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato)molybdenum(IV) complexes, (TTP)Mo=NR, where R = C6H5 (1a), p-CH3C6H4 (1b), 2,4,6-(CH3)3C6H2 (1c), and 2,6-(i-Pr)2C6H4 (1d), can be prepared by the reaction of (TTP)MoCl2 with 2 equiv of LiNHR in toluene. Upon treatment of the imido complexes with pyridine derivatives, NC5H4-p-X (X = CH3, CH(CH3)2, C[triple bond]N), new six-coordinate complexes, (TTP)Mo=NR.NC5H4-p-X, were observed. The reaction between the molybdenum imido complexes, (TTP)Mo=NC6H5 or (TTP)Mo=NC6H4CH3, and (TTP)Ti(eta2-PhC[triple bond]CPh) resulted in complete imido group transfer and two-electron redox of the metal centers to give (TTP)Mo(eta2-PhC[triple bond]CPh) and (TTP)Ti=NC6H5 or (TTP)Ti=NC6H4CH3.     

Parallel modes of C-H bond activation initiated by CpMo(NO)(CH2CMe3)(C6H5) at ambient temperatures

The molybdenum nitrosyl complex Cp*Mo(NO)(CH2CMe3)(C6H5) reacts at room temperature via elimination of neopentane or benzene to form the transient species Cp*Mo(NO)(=CHCMe3) and Cp*Mo(NO)(eta2-C6H4). These reactive intermediates effect the intermolecular activation of hydrocarbon C-H bonds via the reverse of the transformations by which they are generated. Thermolysis of Cp*Mo(NO)(CH2CMe3)(C6H5) in pyridine yields the adducts Cp*Mo(NO)(=CHCMe3)(NC5H5) and Cp*Mo(NO)(eta2-C6H4)(NC5H5), and the benzyne complex has been characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Interplay of cubic building blocks in (et6-arene)ruthenium-containing tungsten and molybdenum oxides

A series of molybdenum and tungsten organometallic oxides containing [Ru(arene)]2+ units (arene =p-cymene, C6Me6) was obtained by condensation of [[Ru(arene)Cl2]2] with oxomolybdates and oxotungstates in aqueous or nonaqueous solvents. The crystal structures of [[Ru(eta6-C6Me6]]4W4O16], [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr]]4W2O10], [[[Ru-(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]2(mu-OH)3]2][[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]2W8O28(OH)2[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)(H2O)]2], and [[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)]2M5O18[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)(H2O)]] (M = Mo, W) have been determined. While the windmill-type clusters [[Ru(eta6-arene)]4(MO3)4(mu3-O)4] (M = Mo, W; arene =p-MeC6H4iPr, C6Me6), the face-sharing double cubane-type cluster [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]4(WO2)2(mu3-O)4(mu4-O)2], and the dimeric cluster [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)(WO3)3(mu3-O)3(mu3-OH)Ru(eta6-pMeC6H4iPr)(H2O)]2(mu-WO2)2]2- are based on cubane-like units, [(Ru(eta6-C6Me6)]2M5O18[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)(H2O)]] (M = Mo, W) are more properly described as lacunary Lindqvist-type polyoxoanions supporting three ruthenium centers. Precubane clusters [[Ru(eta6-arene)](MO3)2(mu-O)3(mu3-O)]6- are possible intermediates in the formation of these clusters. The cluster structures are retained in solution, except for [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]4Mo4O16], which isomerizes to the triple-cubane form.     

A non-classical hydrogen bond in the molybdenum arene complex [eta 6-C6H5C6H3(Ph)OH]Mo(PMe3)3: evidence that hydrogen bonding facilitates oxidative addition of the O-H bond

Mo(PMe3)6 reacts with 2,6-Ph2C6H3OH to give the eta 6-arene complex [eta 6-C6H5C6H3(Ph)OH]Mo(PMe3)3 which exhibits a non-classical Mo...H-OAr hydrogen bond; DFT calculations indicate that the hydrogen bonding interaction facilitates oxidative addition of the O-H bond to give [eta 6,eta 1-C6H5C6H3(Ph)O]Mo(PMe3)2H.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of palladacycles that contain a chiral rhenium fragment in the backbone: New cyclometalation and catalyst design strategies

The bromocyclopentadienyl complex [(eta5-C5H4Br)Re(CO)3] is converted to racemic [(eta5-C5H4Br)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH2PPh2)] (1 b) similarly to a published sequence for cyclopentadienyl analogues. Treatment of enantiopure (S)-[(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH3)] with nBuLi and I2 gives (S)-[(eta5-C5H4I)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH3)] ((S)-6 c; 84 %), which is converted (Ph3C+ PF6 -, PPh2H, tBuOK) to (S)-[(eta5-C5H4I)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH2PPh2)] ((S)-1 c). Reactions of 1 b and (S)-1 c with Pd[P(tBu)3]2 yield [{(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(mu-X)}2] (10; X = b, Br, rac/meso, 88 %; c, I, S,S, 22 %). Addition of PPh3 to 10 b gives [(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(PPh3)(Br)] (11 b; 92 %). Reaction of (S)-[(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH2PPh2)] ((S)-2) and Pd(OAc)(2) (1.5 equiv; toluene, RT) affords the novel Pd3(OAc)4-based palladacycle (S,S)-[(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(mu-OAc)2Pd(mu-OAc)2Pd(mu-PPh2CH2)(Ph3P)(ON)Re(eta5-C5H4)] ((S,S)-13; 71-90 %). Addition of LiCl and LiBr yields (S,S)-10 a,b (73 %), and Na(acac-F6) gives (S)-[(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(acac-F6)] ((S)-16, 72 %). Reaction of (S,S)-10 b and pyridine affords (S)-[(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(NC5H5)(Br)] ((S)-17 b, 72 %); other Lewis bases yield similar adducts. Reaction of (S)-2 and Pd(OAc)2 (0.5 equiv; benzene, 80 degrees C) gives the spiropalladacycle trans-(S,S)-[{(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)}2Pd] (39 %). The crystal structures of (S)-6 c, 11 b, (S,S)- and (R,R)-132 C7H8, (S,S)-10 b, and (S)-17 b aid the preceding assignments. Both 10 b (racemic or S,S) and (S)-16 are excellent catalyst precursors for Suzuki and Heck couplings.     

2 + 2] cross coupling of benzene and tropylium ligands in reductively activated piano stool complexes of Mn,Cr, and W

We have established cation/anion coupling reactions between the tropylium ligand in [M(eta7-C7H7)(CO)3]+ (M = Cr, W) and the reductively activated eta4-benzene ligand in [Mn(eta4-C6H6)(CO)3]- (3-) to form [M(CO)3(mu2-eta6:eta5-C7H7-C6H6)Mn(CO)3]; [Cr(CO)3(mu2-eta6:eta5-C7H7-C6H6)Mn(CO)3] can be further reduced to [Cr(CO)3(mu2-eta5:eta4-C7H7-C6H6)Mn(CO)3]2-, in which the tropylium and benzene ligands have undergone a [2 + 2] cross coupling reaction.     

1]molybdarenophanes: strained metallarenophanes with aluminum, gallium, and silicon in bridging positions

The first [1]molybdarenophanes were synthesized and structurally characterized. The aluminum and gallium compounds [(Me2Ntsi)Al(eta6-C6H5)2Mo] (2a) and [(Me2Ntsi)Ga(eta6-C6H5)2Mo] (2b) [Me2Ntsi = C(SiMe3)2(SiMe2NMe2)] were obtained from [Mo(LiC6H5)2].TMEDA and (Me2Ntsi)ECl2 [E = Al, Ga] in analytical pure form with isolated yields of 74% (2a) and 52% (2b). The silicon-bridged species [Ph2Si(eta6-C6H5)2Mo] (2c) was synthesized from [Mo(LiC6H5)2].TMEDA and Ph2SiCl2. Compound 2c was isolated as a crystalline material in an approximately 90% overall purity, from which a single crystal was used for X-ray analysis. The molecular structures of all three [1]molybdarenophanes 2a-c were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The ring-tilt angle alpha was found to be 18.28(17), 21.24(10), and 20.23(29) degrees for 2a, 2b, and 2c, respectively. Variable temperature NMR measurements of 2a and 2b (-80 to 80 degrees C; 500 MHz) showed a dynamic behavior of the gallium species 2b but not of compound 2a. The dynamic behavior of 2b was rationalized by assuming that the Ga-N donor bond breaks, inversion at the nitrogen atom occurs, and a rotation of the Me2Ntsi ligand takes place followed by a re-formation of the Ga-N bond on the other side of the gallium atom. The analysis of the signals of meta and ortho protons of 2b gave approximate values of DeltaG not equal of 59.6 and 59.1 kJ mol-1, respectively. Compound 2b reacted with [Pt(PEt3)3] to give the ring-open product [(eta6-C6H6)Mo{eta6-C6H5[GaPh(Me2Ntsi)]}] (3b). The molecular structure of 3b was deduced from a single-crystal X-ray determination. The formation of the unexpected platinum-free product 3b can be rationalized by assuming that benzene reacted with 2b in a 1:1 ratio. Through a series of 1H NMR experiments with 2b it was shown that small amounts of donor molecules (e.g., THF) in benzene are needed to form 3b; in the absence of a donor molecule, 2b is thermally stable.     

Iron-molybdenum charge-transfer hybrids containing organometallic and inorganic fragments bridged by aryldiazenido ligands in a mu-eta(6):eta(1) coordination mode: syntheses, characterization, X-ray structures, electrochemistry, and theoretical investigation

Representative members of a new family of covalently bonded charge-transfer molecular hybrids, of general formula [(eta5-C5H5)Fe(mu,eta6:eta1-p-RC6H4NN)Mo(eta2-S2CNEt2)3] +PF6- (R: H, 5+PF6-; Me, 6+PF6-; MeO, 7+PF6-) and [(eta5-C5Me5)Fe(mu,eta6:eta1-C6H5NN)Mo(eta2-S2CNEt2)3]+PF6-, 8+PF6-, have been synthesized by reaction of the corresponding mixed-sandwich organometallic hydrazines [(eta5-C5H5)Fe(eta6-p-RC6H4NHNH2)]+PF6- (R: H, 1+PF6-; Me, 2+PF6-; MeO, 3+PF6-) and [(eta5-C5Me5)Fe(eta6-C6H5NHNH2)]+PF6-, 4+PF6-, with cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) bis(diethyldithiocarbamato) complex, [MoO2(S2CNEt2)2], in the presence of sodium diethyldithiocarbamato trihydrate, NaSC(=S)NEt2.3H2O, in refluxing methanol. These iron-molybdenum complexes consist of organometallic and inorganic fragments linked each other through a pi-conjugated aryldiazenido bridge coordinated in eta6 and eta1 modes, respectively. These complexes were fully characterized by FT-IR, UV-visible, and 1H NMR spectroscopies and, in the case of complex 7+PF6-, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Likewise, the electrochemical and solvatochromic properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry and UV-visible spectroscopy, respectively. The electronic spectra of these hybrids show an absorption band in the 462-489 and 447-470 nm regions in CH2Cl2 and DMSO, respectively, indicating the existence of a charge-transfer transition from the inorganic donor to the organometallic acceptor fragments through the aryldiazenido spacer. A rationalization of the properties of 5+PF6--8+PF6- is provided through DFT calculations on a simplified model of 7+PF6-. Besides the heterodinuclear complexes 5+PF6--8+PF6-, the mononuclear molybdenum diazenido derivatives, [(eta1-p-RC6H4NN)Mo(eta2-S2CNEt2)3] (R: H, 9; Me, 10; MeO, 11), resulting from the decoordination of the [(eta5-C5H5)Fe]+ moiety of complexes 5+PF6--7+PF6-, were also isolated. For comparative studies, the crystalline and molecular structure of complex 10.Et2O was also determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and its electronic structure computed.     

Ring-opening protonolysis of sila[1]ferrocenophanes as a route to stabilized silylium ions

The ring-opening reactions of a series of sila[1]ferrocenophanes with protic acids of anions with various degrees of noncoordinating character have been explored. Ferrocenyl-substituted silyl triflates FcSiMe2OTf (5 a) and Fc(3)SiOTf (5 b) (Fc=(eta5-C5H4)Fe(eta5-C5H5)) were synthesized by means of HOTf-induced ring-opening protonolysis of strained sila[1]ferrocenophanes fcSiMe2 (3 a) and fcSiFc2 (3 b) (fc=(eta5-C5H4)2Fe). Reaction of 3 a and 3 b with HBF4 yielded fluorosubstituted ferrocenylsilanes FcSiMe2F (6 a) and Fc3SiF (6 b) and suggested the intermediacy of a highly reactive silylium ion capable of abstracting F- from the [BF4]- ion. Generation of the solvated silylium ions [FcSiMe2THF]+ (7a+), [Fc3SiTHF]+ (7b+) and [FcSiiPr2OEt2]+ (7c+) at low temperatures, by reaction of the corresponding sila[1]ferrocenophanes (3 a, 3 b, and fcSiiPr2 (3 c), respectively) with H(OEt2)(S)TFPB (S=Et2O or THF; TFPB=tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate) was monitored by using low-temperature 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. In situ reaction of 7a+, 7b+, and 7c+ with excess pyridine generated [FcSiMe2py]+ (8a+), [Fc3Sipy]+ (8b+), and [FcSiiPr2py]+ (8c+), respectively, as observed by 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. A preparative-scale reaction of 3 b with H(OEt2)(THF)TFPB at -60 degrees C and subsequent addition of excess pyridine gave isolable red crystals of 8b-[TFPB]CHCl3, which were characterized by 1H and 29Si NMR spectroscopy as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Coordination chemistry of a kinetically stabilized germabenzene: syntheses and properties of stable eta6-germabenzene complexes coordinated to transition metals

The first stable eta6-germabenzene complexes, that is, [M(CO)3(eta6-C5H5GeTbt)] {M=Cr (2), Mo (3), and W (4); Tbt=2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl}, have been synthesized by ligand-exchange reactions between [M(CO)3(CH3CN)3] (M=Cr, Mo, and W) and the kinetically stabilized germabenzene 1 and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. In the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 2-4, all of the signals for the germabenzene rings were shifted upfield relative to their counterparts in the free germabenzene 1. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 2 and 4 revealed that the germabenzene ligand was nearly planar and was coordinated to the M(CO)3 group (M=Cr, W) in an eta6 fashion. The formation of complexes 2-4 from germabenzene 1 should be noted as the application of germaaromatics as 6pi-electron ligands toward complexation with Group 6 metals. On the other hand, treatment of 1 with [{RuCp*Cl}4] (Cp*=C5Me5) in THF afforded a novel eta5-germacyclohexadienido complex of ruthenium-[RuCp*{eta5-C5H5GeTbt(Cl)}] (9)-instead of the expected eta6-germabenzene-ruthenium cationic complex [RuCp*{eta6-C5H5GeTbt}]Cl (10). Crystallographic structural analysis of 9 showed that the five carbon atoms of the germacyclohexadienido ligand of 9 were coordinated to the Ru center in an eta5 fashion.     

Ten-electron coordination and reactivity of an arylphosphinidene ligand

Photochemical decarbonylation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4] (Cp = eta5-C5H5; R* = 2,4,6-C6H2tBu3) gives [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2], which shows the first example of a remarkable 10-electron donor arylphosphinidene ligand which bridges two Mo atoms through its phosphorus atom while being pi-bonded to one Mo center through the six carbon atoms of the aryl ring. This causes a severe pyramidal distortion of the P-bound C atom. The complex adds CO to give [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta4-PR*)(CO)3], which has an 8-electron donor PR* ligand, and then the parent complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4]. Protonation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2] gives the hydride [Mo2Cp2(H)(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2]+, which undergoes P-C bond cleavage and hydride migration, affording the phosphido cation [Mo2Cp2(mu-P)(eta6-R*H)(CO)2]+.     

Ansa-bridged eta5-cyclopentadienyl molybdenum and tungsten complexes: synthesis, structure and application in olefin epoxidation

Ansa-bridged eta(5)-cyclopentadienyl molybdenum and tungsten tricarbonyl complexes of formula [M(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)(CH(2))(3)-eta(1)-CH(2))(CO)(3)] (M=Mo or W) were synthesized and the X-ray crystal structure of the tungsten complex is reported. In the epoxidation of cyclooctene the molybdenum compound shows a high catalytic activity, approaching the observed activities for the most reactive unbridged complexes of composition CpMo(CO)(3)X (X=Cl, CH(3)). The activity of the tungsten complex is also amongst the highest catalytic activities for the olefinic epoxidation of complexes with the composition CpW(CO)(3)X and WO(2)X(2)L(2), reported so far. The low ring strain of the ansa-bridged system improves the stability of the complexes under oxidative conditions considerably in comparison to derivatives with a shorter bridge and therefore paves the way to introduction of chirality in these systems.