Switching the Electron-Donating Ability of Phosphines through Proton-Responsive Imidazolin-2-ylidenamino Substituents

Stimuli-responsive ancillary ligands are valuable tools to control the activity and selectivity of transition-metal catalysts. The synthesis and characterization of a series of metal complexes containing phosphines with proton-responsive imidazolin-2-ylidenamino substituents are reported. Determination of the ligand-donor properties revealed that protonation of each substituent increases the Tolman electronic parameter (TEP) of the phosphine by 22 cm⁻¹, hence allowing for switching of the electron-donor power of phosphine 2 within an unprecedented range (ΔTEP=43.4 cm⁻¹).     

Sterically Crowded Tris(2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl)phosphine – Is it Still a Ligand?

Tris(2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl)phosphine, P(o-TMSC₆H₄)₃, was synthesised and characterised in solution and in the solid state. The large steric bulk prevents most reactions of the phosphorus donor and makes the compound air stable both in the solid state as well as in solution. This shielded phosphine can still undergo three reactions, namely protonation, oxidation to the phosphine oxide under harsh conditions and complexation to Au^I, thus forming a complex with linear coordination. Unexpectedly, complexation was unsuccessful with a range of other metal cations. Neither Pd^II, Pt^II, Zn^II nor Hg^II reacted and even the remaining coinage metal cations Cu^I and Ag^I could not be coordinated. Both the parent molecule as well as the reaction products were structurally characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and the conformational change of geometry required to accommodate the additional atoms was analysed in detail. Apart from chemical oxidation with H₂O₂, P(o-TMSC₆H₄)₃ displays reversible electrochemical oxidation with a potential not unlike the one of sterically unencumbered phosphines for which the oxidation is usually not reversible. P(o-TMSC₆H₄)₃ can thus be considered a model compound for the investigation of the electronic properties of sterically unencumbered phosphines.     

Suzuki coupling catalyzed by a homoleptic Pd(I)-Pd(I) solvento complex

The Pd^I-Pd^I bonded complex [Pd₂(CH₃CN)₆][SbF₆]₂ is catalytically active towards Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of aryl bromides or chlorides with various arylboronic acids under mild conditions giving good to excellent yields. Its performance is enhanced by the introduction of stoichiometric or limited phosphines. The effects of different ligands, metal oxidation states [Pd(II), Pd(I) Pd(0)], bases and solvents have been examined.     

Four-coordinated palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes containing the Lewis-acid {M(S2CNHR)(PR3′)} group combined with a variety of other ligands

A new series of four-coordinated Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes in which the Lewis-acid (14-electron) {M(S₂CNHR)(PR₃′)} group is combined with a variety of other ligands (such as RHNCS₂^?, I^?, SCN^?, SnCl₂I^?) has been synthesised and studied. The structures of the new compounds are discussed in relation to their specroscopic, magnetic and thermal properties. In the case of [M(S₂CNHR)₂(PR₃′)] complexes both the spectroscopic data (IR, ¹H NMR, UV-Vis) and their thermal behaviour strongly suggest the coexistence of two kinds of gem-disulphide ligands, one acting as a bidentate ligand and the other one as a unidentate. Also it was confirmed that the chemical behaviour of the bis(N-alkyldithiocarbamato) complexes of Pd(II) and Pt(II) towards tertiary phosphines is similar to that of the isoelectronic xanthate complexes rathe than to the bis(N,N-dialkyldithiocarbamato) complexes.     

Ternary Alkali Metal Transition Metal Acetylides

The first alkali metal transition metal acetylides of general composition A₂M⁰C₂ (A = Na ? Cs, M⁰ = Pd, Pt) were obtained by solid state reactions of alkali metal acetylides with palladium and platinum. They are characterized by chains, which are separated by alkali metal ions. Analogous chains also separated by alkali metal ions are the characteristic structural feature of acetylides of composition AM^IC₂, which are accessible by reacting AC₂H with M^II in liquid ammonia (A = Li ? Cs, M^I = Cu, Ag, Au). Despite their structural similarities they possess different properties, as acetylides of composition A₂M⁰C₂ are semiconductors with very small indirect band gaps and slightly extended C–C distances compared to a C–C triple bond, whereas acetylides of composition AM^IC₂ show a typical salt‐like behavior with C–C distances close to the expected value for a C–C triple bond of 120 pm. But with the help of simple chemical models these differences can be made plausible. Furthermore, it is shown that only by a combination of different methods (powder diffraction with X‐rays and neutrons, solid state NMR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy) it was possible to characterize this new class of compounds structurally and chemically.     

Copper Complexes with New Pyridylpyrazole Based Ligands

We report the synthesis, characterization, and crystal structures of new ligands of the pyridinylpyrazole type, i.e., 3,5‐bis(4‐butoxyphenyl)‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole ( L ¹ ) and 3,5‐bis(4‐phenoxyphenyl)‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole ( L ² ) (Scheme 1), and the study of their coordination behavior towards Cu^I and Cu^II. The versatility of this type of ligand, which can give access to different coordination spheres about the metal center, depending on the nature of the copper starting material used in the preparation of the complexes (Scheme 2), is illustrated. Thus, pseudo‐tetrahedral Cu^I as well as six‐coordinated tetragonal and distorted tetragonal pyramidal Cu^II derivatives were obtained for [Cu(L)₂]PF₆, [Cu(Cl)₂(L)₂] (L= L ¹ , L ² ), and [Cu(Cl)( L ¹ )₂]PF₆, respectively. We also present a crystallographic support of a distorted octahedral cis‐bis(tetrafluoroborato‐κF)copper(II) compound found for [Cu(BF₄)₂( L ¹ )₂] ( 3 ).     

Bis[(dialkylamino)cyclopropenimine]‐Stabilized PIII‐ and PV‐Centered Dications

The treatment of bis[(dialkylamino)cyclopropenimines] with dihalophosphines in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) to form diimine‐stabilized P^III‐centered dications is reported. The structures of the new compounds were determined by using X‐ray diffraction analysis and their donor abilities as ligands evaluated through electrochemical methods. Despite the two positive charges that they bear, these compounds depict intermediate behavior between that of phosphines and phosphites. The coordination of the [L₂PR]²⁺ moiety to Au^I and Ag^I is also reported. Even more surprisingly, these phosphorus centers can be oxidized to the corresponding P^V dications in the presence of strong oxidants such as peroxides or XeF₂.     

[Ni(cod)2][Al(ORF)4], a Source for Naked Nickel(I) Chemistry

The straightforward synthesis of the cationic, purely organometallic Ni^I salt [Ni(cod)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]⁻ was realized through a reaction between [Ni(cod)₂] and Ag[Al(OR^F)₄] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene). Crystal‐structure analysis and EPR, XANES, and cyclic voltammetry studies confirmed the presence of a homoleptic Ni^I olefin complex. Weak interactions between the metal center, the ligands, and the anion provide a good starting material for further cationic Ni^I complexes.     

Systematic DFT Studies on Binary Pseudo-tetrahedral Zintl Anions: Relative Stabilities and Reactivities towards Protons,Trimethylsilyl Groups,and Iron Complex Fragments

Binary pseudo-tetrahedral Zintl anions composed of (semi)metal atoms of the p-block elements have proven to be excellent starting materials for the synthesis of a variety of heterometallic and intermetalloid transition metal–main group metal cluster anions. However, only ten of the theoretically possible 48 anions have been experimentally accessed to date as isolable salts. This brings up the question whether the other species are generally not achievable, or whether synthetic chemists just have not succeeded in their preparation so far. To contribute to a possible answer to this question, global minimum structures were calculated for all anions of the type (TrTt₃)⁵⁻, (TrPn₃)²⁻, and (Tt₂Pn₂)²⁻, comprising elements of periods 3 to 6 (Tr: triel, Al⋅⋅⋅Tl; Tt: tetrel, Si⋅⋅⋅Pb; Pn: pnictogen, P⋅⋅⋅Bi). By analyzing the computational results, a concept was developed to predict which of the yet missing anions should be synthesizable and why. Additionally, the results of an electrophilic attack by protons or trimethylsilyl groups or a nucleophilic attack by transition metal complex fragments are described. The latter yields butterfly-like structures that can be viewed as a new form of adaptable tridentate chelating ligands.     

Synthesis and Electrochemical Investigation of Phosphine Substituted Diiron Phosphadithiolate Complexes

This work reports on ligand exchange reactions between a [FeFe] hydrogenase model containing the higher homologue ( PhosDT ) and phosphines selected to cover a variety of electronic properties and possible coordination modes. Additionally, the amount of the phosphines and the reaction temperature were varied to study the formation of complexes with multiple phosphines or altered binding modes. Due to steric effects caused by the position of the bridgehead, the phosphines bind preferentially at the more accessible iron centre on the phosphinate averted side. While all ligand exchanges resulted in a ligand-specific main product at room temperature, reflux conditions induced decomposition in case of PhosDT-(κ²-dppe) and PhosDT-(κ²-dppv) and a change in the binding mode for the dppm containing complex. Moreover, we highlight two novel iron complexes obtained as side products of the reactions with dppe and dppv, while in case of dppm an additional model with two bridging phosphine ligands was generated. Finally, the six novel phosphine substituted PhosDT models were electrochemically investigated, revealing a cathodic shift compared to the starting material due to the increased electron density at the iron atoms. Moreover, the models with monodentate ligands exhibit a different CV pattern for the Fe^IFe^I/Fe^IFe⁰ process than complexes with bidentate phosphines.     

Polymerization of Acrylonitrile-Metal Halide Complexes in the Frozen State. V. Comparison of Metal Cations and Halogen Anions in Radiation-Induced Polymerization of Acrylonitrile-Metal Halide Complexes

The radiation-induced polymerization of acrylonitrile in the frozen aqueous solutions of various metal chlorides and zinc halides was studied to compare the accelerating effect of metal cations and halogen anions. Among metal chlorides examined, zinc, stannous, manganese, and nickel cations gave greater rates and degrees of polymerization. Of the halogen anions, the rate of polymerization decreased in the order, Br^?, CI^?, SCN^? ? I^?, CH₃CO₂ ^?, and the degree of polymerization decreased in the order, Br^?, SCN^? ? CI^? ? I^? ? CH₃CO₂ ^?. The increase of the rate and the degree of polymerization was confirmed below the eutectic temperatures of the hydrated metal chlorides and ice. This suggests that the increment of the rate and the degree of polymerization is attributed to formation of hydrated metal chloride-acrylonitrile complexes accompanied by their solidification in eutectic mixtures with ice. The radioactivation analysis of polymers obtained in frozen dilute aqueous zinc bromide solution reveals appreciable contribution of water to generation of initiating species.     

1d‐3,4‐Di‐O‐(di­phenyl­methylphos­pho­nio)‐1,2,5,6‐tetra‐O‐methyl‐chiro‐inositol diiodide

The title compound, 3,4,5,6‐tetra­methoxy­cyclo­hexane‐1,2‐diyl­dioxy­bis­(methyl­di­phenyl­phospho­nium) diiodide, C₃₆­H₄₄­O₆­P₂²⁺·­2I^?, was prepared from a New Zealand natural product, d ‐chiro‐inositol, in order to develop new catalytic metal complexes. The inositol ring retains its usual chair conformation with only minor perturbations caused by the bound di­phenyl­methyl­phosphines. Crystal‐packing forces are provided by C—H?I cation–anion interactions.     

A selective convenient ruthenium-mediated synthesis of mixed acetals

Addition of alcohols and phenols to allyl ethers catalyzed mainly by ruthenium complexes was studied. Complexes of ruthenium generated in situ from precursors such as {[RuCl₂(1,5-COD)]_x} or [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] and from external ligands such as phosphines (e.g. PPh₃, PBu₃, BINAP) or phosphites (e.g. P(OPh)₃, P(OMe)₃) were found to be particularly efficient catalysts of the studied reactions. Transacetalization reaction could be practically completely eliminated by the addition of a base (particularly Na₂CO₃) to the catalytic systems. It was observed that the selectivity of mixed acetals formation increases with increasing value of Θ parameter of phosphines. Especially interesting results (0–5% of transacetalization) have been obtained for catalytic systems generated from {[RuCl₂(1,5-COD)]_x} or [Ru₃(CO)₁₂], phosphines (PPh₃, BINAP, dppe, tris(2,4,6-tri-metylphenyl)phosphine, or dppf) and Na₂CO₃. The mechanism of mixed acetals formation has been investigated using deuterated reagents. It is postulated that the examined reaction is a nucleophilic addition of ROH to a hydrido-π-allyl complex formed during oxidative addition of allyl substrate to metal complex. As a result, a new, selective, and convenient method of the synthesis of symmetrical and, in particular, unsymmetrical (mixed) acetals has been developed. Mixed acetals CH₃CH₂CH(OR¹)(OR²) may be obtained in the reaction of R¹-O-allyl with R²OH or R¹OH with R²-O-allyl, depending on the structure of R¹ and R².     

Synthesis and Coordination Ability of a Donor-Stabilised Bis-Phosphinidene

Chelating phosphines have long been a mainstay as efficient directing ligands in transition-metal catalysis. Low-valent derivatives, namely chelating phosphinidenes, are to date unknown, and could lead to chelating complexes containing more than one metal centre due to the intrisic capacity of phosphinidenes to bind two metal fragments at one P-centre. Here we describe the synthesis of the first such chelating bis-phosphinidene ligand, XantP₂ ( 2 ), generated by the reduction of a diphosphino xanthene derivative, Xant(PH₂)₂ ( 1 ) with ^iPrNHC (^iPrNHC=[:C{N(iPr)C(H)}₂]). Initial studies have shown that this novel chelating ligand can act as a bidentate ligand towards element dihalides (i.e. FeCl₂, ZnI₂, GeCl₂, SnBr₂), forming cationic complexes with the tetryl elements. In contrast, XantP₂ demonstrates an ability to bind multiple metal centres in the reaction with CuCl, leading to a cationic Cu₃P₃ ring complex, with Cu centres bridged by phosphinidene arms. Density Functional Theory calculations show that 2 indeed holds 4 lone pairs of electrons, shedding further light on the coordination capacity for this novel ligand class through observation of directionality and hybridisation of these electron pairs.     

Organometallic Chemistry of Rhodium and Iridium : By R.S. Dickson. Academic Press,London-New York, 1983, x + 421 pages, £28.00, $49.00. ISBN 0122154800.

Mixtures of Cu^I compounds (CuOC(CH₃)₃, CuO₂CC₆H₅) optically active chelate phosphines ((?)Diop, (+)Norphos, (?)BPPFA) are catalysts for the quantitative hydrosilylation of acetophenone with diphenylsilane, optical yields ranging between 10 and 40% ee.     

Template Synthesis,Metalation, and Self‐Assembly of Protic Gold(I)/(NHC)2 Tectons Driven by Metallophilic Interactions

A new protocol for the synthesis of protic bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) complexes of Au^I by a stepwise metal‐controlled coupling of isocyanide and propargylamine is described. They are used as tectons for the construction of supramolecular architectures through metalation and self‐assembly. Notably a unique polymeric chain of Cu^I with alternate Au^I/bis(imidazolate) bridging scaffolds and strong unsupported Cu^I–Cu^I interactions has been generated, as well as a 28‐metal‐atoms cluster containing a nanopiece of Cu₂O trapped by peripheral Au^I/bis(imidazolate) moieties.     

Synthesis,Structures, and Properties of Crystalline Salts with Radical Anions of Metal‐Containing and Metal‐Free Phthalocyanines

Radical anion salts of metal‐containing and metal‐free phthalocyanines [MPc(3?)]^.?, where M=Cu^II, Ni^II, H₂, Sn^II, Pb^II, Ti^IVO, and V^IVO ( 1 – 10 ) with tetraalkylammonium cations have been obtained as single crystals by phthalocyanine reduction with sodium fluorenone ketyl. Their formation is accompanied by the Pc ligand reduction and affects the molecular structure of metal phthalocyanine radical anions as well as their optical and magnetic properties. Radical anions are characterized by the alternation of short and long C?N_imine bonds in the Pc ligand owing to the disruption of its aromaticity. Salts 1 – 10 show new bands at 833–1041 nm in the NIR range, whereas the Q‐ and Soret bands are blue‐shifted by 0.13–0.25 eV (38‐92 nm) and 0.04–0.07 eV (4–13 nm), respectively. Radical anions with Ni^II, Sn^II, Pb^II, and Ti^IVO have S=1/2 spin state, whereas [Cu^IIPc(3?)]^.? and [V^IVOPc(3?)]^.? containing paramagnetic Cu^II and V^IVO have two S=1/2 spins per radical anion. Central metal atoms strongly affect EPR spectra of phthalocyanine radical anions. Instead of narrow EPR signals characteristic of metal‐free phthalocyanine radical anions [H₂Pc(3?)]^.? (linewidth of 0.08–0.24 mT), broad EPR signals are manifested (linewidth of 2–70 mT) with g‐factors and linewidths that are strongly temperature‐dependent. Salt 11 containing the [Na^IPc(2?)]^? anions as well as previously studied [Fe^IPc(2?)]^? and [Co^IPc(2?)]^? anions that are formed without reduction of the Pc ligand do not show changes in molecular structure or optical and magnetic properties characteristic of [MPc(3?)]^.? in 1 – 10 .     

Promotion by phosphorus compounds of ruthenium-catalyzed methyl formate homologation

Trivalent phosphorus compounds are promoters for methyl formate homologation to ethanol and ethyl formate catalyzed by ruthenium compounds in the presence of iodide at 220°C and 27 MPa of synthesis gas. Under these conditions the phosphines are quaternized, but decomposition of phosphonium salts occurs during the reaction. Promotion is also observed for methyltriphenyl-phosphonium bromide and triphenylphosphine sulfide, but benzyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide, triphenylarsine, and triphenylantimony are not effective. The major ruthenium species present is Ru(CO)₃I₃^- but with triphenylantimony a trimethylantimony complex, Ru(CO)₂(Sb(CH₃)₃)₂I₂, can be isolated in high yield.     

A Facile Method for the Synthesis of Binary Tungsten Iodides

The preparation of tungsten iodides in large quantities is a challenge because these compounds are not accessible using an easy synthesis method. A new, remarkably efficient route is based on a halide exchange reaction between WCl₆ and SiI₄. The reaction proceeds at moderate temperatures in a closed glass vessel. The new compounds W₃I₁₂ (W₃I₈?2 I₂) and W₃I₉ (W₃I₈? I₂) containing the novel [W₃I₈] cluster are formed at 120 and 150 °C, and remain stable in air. W₃I₁₂ is an excellent starting material for the synthesis of other metal‐rich tungsten iodides. At increasing temperature these trinuclear clusters undergo self‐reduction until an octahedral tungsten cluster is formed in W₆I₁₂. The synthesis, structure, and an analysis of the bonding of compounds containing this new trinuclear tungsten cluster are presented.     

Ammonium metal phosphates: Emerging materials for energy storage

The search for new materials that can hold the heteroatoms viz., nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus becomes crucial for robust energy storage and conversion devices. Recently, ammonium metal phosphates (NH₄MPO₄, M = Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, etc.) and their hydrates have emerged as promising materials because of their attractive virtues; rapid electron transport because of the existence of more electroactive sites; and highly redox-active centres and rapid ion transport because of the intercalated water interactions. The synthesis of different dimensionalities (0D–3D) of these materials is facile and robust that boosts the electrochemical performances to some extent. This review emphasises the recent state-of-the-art work published on the ammonium metal phosphates for energy storage and a brief discussion on key challenges and future directions.