Reactivity of Yttrium Carboxylates Toward Alkylaluminum Hydrides

Yttrocene‐carboxylate complex [Cp*₂Y(OOCAr^Me)] (Cp*=C₅Me₅, Ar^Me=C₆H₂Me₃‐2,4,6) was synthesized as a spectroscopically versatile model system for investigating the reactivity of alkylaluminum hydrides towards rare‐earth‐metal carboxylates. Equimolar reactions with bis‐neosilylaluminum hydride and dimethylaluminum hydride gave adduct complexes of the general formula [Cp*₂Y(μ‐OOCAr^Me)(μ‐H)AlR₂] (R=CH₂SiMe₃, Me). The use of an excess of the respective aluminum hydride led to the formation of product mixtures, from which the yttrium‐aluminum‐hydride complex [{Cp*₂Y(μ‐H)AlMe₂(μ‐H)AlMe₂(μ‐CH₃)}₂] could be isolated, which features a 12‐membered‐ring structure. The adduct complexes [Cp*₂Y(μ‐OOCAr^Me)(μ‐H)AlR₂] display identical ¹J(Y,H) coupling constants of 24.5 Hz for the bridging hydrido ligands and similar ⁸⁹Y NMR shifts of δ=?88.1 ppm (R=CH₂SiMe₃) and δ=?86.3 ppm (R=Me) in the ⁸⁹Y DEPT45 NMR experiments.     

Rare‐Earth‐Metal Alkylaluminates Supported by N‐Donor‐Functionalized Cyclopentadienyl Ligands: C?H Bond Activation and Performance in Isoprene Polymerization

Homoleptic tetramethylaluminate complexes [Ln(AlMe₄)₃] (Ln=La, Nd, Y) reacted with HCp^NMe2 (Cp^NMe2=1‐[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)‐ethyl]‐2,3,4,5‐tetramethyl‐cyclopentadienyl) in pentane at ?35 °C to yield half‐sandwich rare‐earth‐metal complexes, [{C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂(AlMe₃)}Ln(AlMe₄)₂]. Removal of the N‐donor‐coordinated trimethylaluminum group through donor displacement by using an equimolar amount of Et₂O at ambient temperature only generated the methylene‐bridged complexes [{C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe(μ‐CH₂)AlMe₃}Ln(AlMe₄)] with the larger rare‐earth‐metal ions lanthanum and neodymium. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of isostructural complexes and the C? H bond activation of one aminomethyl group. The formation of Ln(μ‐CH₂)Al moieties was further corroborated by ¹³C and ¹H‐¹³C HSQC NMR spectroscopy. In the case of the largest metal center, lanthanum, this C? H bond activation could be suppressed at ?35 °C, thereby leading to the isolation of [(Cp^NMe2)La(AlMe₄)₂], which contains an intramolecularly coordinated amino group. The protonolysis reaction of [Ln(AlMe₄)₃] (Ln=La, Nd) with the anilinyl‐substituted cyclopentadiene HCp^AMe2 (Cp^AMe2=1‐[1‐(N,N‐dimethylanilinyl)]‐2,3,4,5‐tetramethylcyclopentadienyl) at ?35 °C generated the half‐sandwich complexes [(Cp^AMe2)Ln(AlMe₄)₂]. Heating these complexes at 75 °C resulted in the C? H bond activation of one of the anilinium methyl groups and the formation of [{C₅Me₄C₆H₄NMe(μ‐CH₂)AlMe₃}Ln(AlMe₄)] through the elimination of methane. In contrast, the smaller yttrium metal center already gave the aminomethyl‐activated complex at ?35 °C, which is isostructural to those of lanthanum and neodymium. The performance of complexes [{C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe(μ‐CH₂)AlMe₃}‐ Ln(AlMe₄)], [(Cp^AMe2)Ln(AlMe₄)₂], and [{C₅Me₄C₆H₄NMe(μ‐CH₂)AlMe₃}Ln(AlMe₄)] in the polymerization of isoprene was investigated upon activation with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], [PhNMe₂H][B(C₆F₅)₄], and B(C₆F₅)₃. The highest stereoselectivities were observed with the lanthanum‐based pre‐catalysts, thereby producing polyisoprene with trans‐1,4 contents of up to 95.6 %. Narrow molecular‐weight distributions (M_w/M_n<1.1) and complete consumption of the monomer suggested a living‐polymerization mechanism.     

CH Bond Activation during and after the Reactions of a Metallacyclic Amide with Silanes: Formation of a μ‐Alkylidene Hydride Complex,Its H–D Exchange,and β‐H Abstraction by a Hydride Ligand

Metallacyclic complex [(Me₂N)₃Ta(η²‐CH₂SiMe₂NSiMe₃)] ( 3 ) undergoes C?H activation in its reaction with H₃SiPh to afford a Ta/μ‐alkylidene/hydride complex, [(Me₂N)₂{(Me₃Si)₂N}Ta(μ‐H)₂(μ‐C‐η²‐CHSiMe₂NSiMe₃)Ta(NMe₂)₂] ( 4 ). Deuterium‐labeling studies with [D₃]SiPh show H–D exchange between the Ta?D ?Ta unit and all methyl groups in [(Me₂N)₂{(Me₃Si)₂N}Ta(μ‐D)₂(μ‐C‐η²‐CHSiMe₂NSiMe₃)Ta(NMe₂)₂] ([D₂]‐ 4 ) to give the partially deuterated complex [D_n]‐ 4 . In addition, 4 undergoes β‐H abstraction between a hydride and an NMe₂ ligand and forms a new complex [(Me₂N){(Me₃Si)₂N}Ta(μ‐H)(μ‐N‐η²‐C,N‐CH₂NMe)(μ‐C‐η²‐C,N‐CHSiMe₂NSiMe₃)Ta(NMe₂)₂] ( 5 ) with a cyclometalated, η²‐imine ligand. These results indicate that there are two simultaneous processes in [D_n]‐ 4 : 1) H–D exchange through σ‐bond metathesis, and 2) H?D elimination through β‐H abstraction (to give [D_n]‐ 5 ). Both 4 and 5 have been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of β‐Ketoiminate‐Stabilized Gallium Hydrides for Chemical Vapor Deposition Applications

Bis‐β‐ketoimine ligands of the form [(CH₂)_n{N(H)C(Me)?CHC(Me)?O}₂] (LⁿH₂, n=2, 3 and 4) were employed in the formation of a range of gallium complexes [Ga(Lⁿ)X] (X=Cl, Me, H), which were characterised by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The β‐ketoimine ligands have also been used for the stabilisation of rare gallium hydride species [Ga(Lⁿ)H] (n=2 ( 7 ); n=3 ( 8 )), which have been structurally characterised for the first time, confirming the formation of five‐coordinate, monomeric species. The stability of these hydrides has been probed through thermal analysis, revealing stability at temperatures in excess of 200 °C. The efficacy of all the gallium β‐ketoiminate complexes as molecular precursors for the deposition of gallium oxide thin films by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) has been investigated through thermogravimetric analysis and deposition studies, with the best results being found for a bimetallic gallium methyl complex [L³{GaMe₂}₂] ( 5 ) and the hydride [Ga(L³)H] ( 8 ). The resulting films ( F5 and F8 , respectively) were amorphous as‐deposited and thus were characterised primarily by XPS, EDXA and SEM techniques, which showed the formation of stoichiometric ( F5 ) and oxygen‐deficient ( F8 ) Ga₂O₃ thin films.     

Synthese und Charakterisierung neuer intramolekular stickstoffstabilisierter Organoaluminium‐ und Organogalliumalkoxide

Synthesis and Characterization of New Intramolecularly Nitrogen‐stabilized Organoaluminium‐ and Organogallium Alkoxides The intramolecularly nitrogen stabilized organoaluminium alkoxides [Me₂Al{μ‐O(CH₂)₃NMe₂}]₂ ( 1a ), Me₂AlOC₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₃‐2,4,6 ( 2a ), [(S)‐Me₂Al{μ‐OCH₂CH(i‐Pr)NH‐i‐Pr}]₂ ( 3a ) and [(S)‐Me₂Al{μ‐OCH₂CH(i‐Pr)NHCH₂Ph}]₂ ( 4 ) are formed by reacting equimolar amounts of AlMe₃ and Me₂N(CH₂)₃OH, C₆H₂[(CH₂NMe₂)₃‐2,4,6]OH, (S)‐i‐PrNHCH(i‐Pr)CH₂OH, or (S)‐PhCH₂NHCH(i‐Pr)CH₂OH, respectively. An excess of AlMe₃ reacts with Me₂N(CH₂)₂OH, Me₂N(CH₂)₃OH, C₆H₂[(CH₂NMe₂)₃‐2,4,6]OH, and (S)‐i‐PrNHCH(i‐Pr)CH₂OH producing the “pick‐a‐back” complexes [Me₂AlO(CH₂)₂NMe₂](AlMe₃) ( 5 ), [Me₂AlO(CH₂)₃NMe₂](AlMe₃) ( 1b ), [Me₂AlOC₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₃‐2,4,6](AlMe₃)₂ ( 2b ), and [(S)‐Me₂AlOCH₂CH(i‐Pr)NH‐i‐Pr](AlMe₃) ( 3b ), respectively. The mixed alkyl‐ or alkenylchloroaluminium alkoxides [Me(Cl)Al{μ‐O(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]₂ ( 6 ) and [{CH₂=C(CH₃)}(Cl)Al{μ‐O(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]₂ ( 8 ) are to obtain from Me₂AlCl and Me₂N(CH₂)₂OH and from [Cl₂Al{μ‐O(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]₂ ( 7 ) and CH₂=C(CH₃)MgBr, respectively. The analogous dimethylgallium alkoxides [Me₂Ga{μ‐O(CH₂)₃NMe₂}]₂ ( 9 ), [(S)‐Me₂Ga{μ‐OCH₂CH(i‐Pr)NH‐i‐Pr}]_n ( 10 ), [(S)‐Me₂Ga{μ‐OCH₂CH(i‐Pr)NHCH₂Ph}]_n ( 11 ), [(S)‐Me₂Ga{μ‐OCH₂CH(i‐Pr)N(Me)CH₂Ph}]_n ( 12 ) and [(S)‐Me₂Ga{μ‐OCH₂(C₄H₇NHCH₂Ph)}]_n ( 13 ) result from the equimolar reactions of GaMe₃ with the corresponding alcohols. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐ and ²⁷Al‐NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Additionally, the structures of 1a , 1b , 2a , 2b , 3a , 5 , 6 and 8 were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Umsetzungen von Cp*NbCl4 und Cp*TaCl4 mit Trimethylsilyl‐azid,Me3Si‐N3. Molekülstrukturen der bis(azido)‐oxo‐verbrückten Komplexe [Cp*NbCl(N3)(μ‐N3)]2(μ‐O) und [Cp*TaCl2(μ‐N3)]2(μ‐O) (Cp* = Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)

Reactions of Cp*NbCl₄ and Cp*TaCl₄ with Trimethylsilyl‐azide, Me₃Si‐N₃. Molecular Structures of the Bis(azido)‐Oxo‐Bridged Complexes [Cp*NbCl(N₃)(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) and [Cp*TaCl₂(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (Cp* = Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) The chloro ligands in Cp*TaCl₄ (1c) can be stepwise substituted for azido ligands by reactions with trimethylsilyl azide, Me₃Si‐N₃ (A) , to generate the complete series of the bis(azido)‐bridged dimers [Cp*TaCl_3‐n(N₃)_n(μ‐N₃)]₂ ( n = 0 (2c) , n = 1 (3c) , n = 2 (4c) and n = 3 (5c) ). If the solvent CH₂Cl₂ contains traces of water, an additional oxo bridge is incorporated to give [Cp*‐TaCl₂(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (6c) or [Cp*TaCl(N₃)(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (7c) , respectively. Both 6c and 7c are also formed in stoichiometric reactions from [Cp*TaCl₂(μ‐OH)]₂(μ‐O) (8c) and A . Analogous reactions of Cp*NbCl₄ (1b) with A were used to prepare the azide‐rich dinuclear products [Cp*NbCl_3‐n(N₃)_n(μ‐N₃)]₂ (n = 2 (4b) , and n = 3 (5b) ), and [Cp*NbCl(N₃)(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (7b) . The mononuclear complex Cp*Ta(N₃)Me₃ (10c) is obtained from Cp*Ta(Cl)Me₃ and A . All azido complexes were characterised by their IR as well as their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra; X‐ray crystal structure analyses are available for 6c and 7b .     

Synthesis and Characterization of Intramolecularly Stabilized Chiral Dimethylindium Alkoxides and their Use as Cross Coupling Reagents

The enantiomerically pure dimeric N, O‐5‐chelates [Me₂In(μ‐OCH₂CH(R)NMe₂)]₂ {R = Me (S) ( 2 ); R = ⁱPr (S) ( 3 ); R = ⁱBu (S) ( 4 ); R = Bz (S) ( 5 )}, and [Me₂In‐{μ‐(1R, 2S)‐OCH(Ph)CH(Me)NMe₂}]₂ ( 6 ), as well as the achiral dimeric N, O‐6‐chelate [Me₂In(μ‐O(CH₂)₃NMe₂)]₂ ( 7 ) have been synthesized from trimethylindium and equimolar amounts of the corresponding enantiomerically pure dimethylamino alcohols or of the achiral dimethylaminopropanol by elimination of methane. Their ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectra as well as the X‐ray single crystal structure analyses of [Me₂In{μ‐O(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]₂ ( 1 ), 3, 5, 6 and 7 are described and discussed. The coordinative N→In bonds of the five‐coordinate indium complexes show dynamic dissociation/association processes. 1—6 were found to be useful reagents for the partial kinetic resolution of 2‐carbomethoxy‐1, 1′‐binaphthyl triflate.     

Heterometallic Polyhydride Complexes Containing Yttrium Hydrides with Different Cp Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Hydrogen‐Uptake/Release Properties

A new family of Y₄/M₂ and Y₅/M heterobimetallic rare‐earth‐metal/d‐block‐transition‐metal? polyhydride complexes has been synthesized. The reactions of the tetranuclear yttrium? octahydride complex [{Cp′′Y(μ‐H)₂}₄(thf)₄] (Cp′′=C₅Me₄H, 1‐C₅Me₄H ) with one equivalent of Group‐6‐metal? pentahydride complexes [Cp*M(PMe₃)H₅] (M=Mo, W; Cp*=C₅Me₅) afforded pentanuclear heterobimetallic Y₄/M? polyhydride complexes [{(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₇}(μ‐H)₄MCp*(PMe₃)] (M=Mo ( 2 a ), W ( 2 b )). UV irradiation of compounds 2 a , b in THF gave PMe₃‐free complexes [{(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₆(thf)₂}(μ‐H)₅MCp*] (M=Mo ( 3 a ), W ( 3 b )). Compounds 3 a , b reacted with one equivalent of [Cp*M(PMe₃)H₅] to afford hexanuclear Y₄/M₂ complexes [{Cp*M(μ‐H)₅}{(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₅}{(μ‐H)₄MCp*(PMe₃)}] (M=Mo ( 4 a ), W ( 4 b )). UV irradiation of compounds 4 a , b provided the PMe₃‐free complexes [(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₄{(μ‐H)₅MCp*}₂] (M=Mo ( 5 a ), W ( 5 b )). C₅Me₄Et‐ligated analogue [(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₄{(μ‐H)₅Mo(C₅Me₄Et)}₂] ( 5 a′ ) was obtained from the reaction of 1‐C₅Me₄H with [(C₅Me₄Et)Mo(PMe₃)H₅]. On the other hand, the reaction of pentanuclear yttrium? decahydride complex [{(C₅Me₄R)Y(μ‐H)₂}₅(thf)₂] ( 1‐C₅Me₅ : R=Me; 1‐C₅Me₄Et : R=Et) with [Cp*M(PMe₃)H₅] gave the hexanuclear heterobimetallic Y₅/M? polyhydride complexes [({(C₅Me₄R)Y}₅(μ‐H)₈)(μ‐H)₅MCp*] ( 6 a : M=Mo, R=Me; 6 a′ : M=Mo, R=Et; 6 b : M=W, R=Me). Compound 5 a released two molecules of H₂ under vacuum to give [(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₂{(μ‐H)₄MoCp*}₂] ( 7 ). In contrast, compound 6 a lost one molecule of H₂ under vacuum to yield [{(Cp*Y)₅(μ‐H)₇}(μ‐H)₄MoCp*] ( 8 ). Both compounds 7 and 8 readily reacted with H₂ to regenerate compounds 5 a and 6 a , respectively. The structures of compounds 4 a , 5 a′ , 6 a′ , 7 , and 8 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

[(CH3)Al(CH2)]12: Methylaluminomethylene (MAM-12)

The molecular structure of enigmatic “poly(aluminium-methyl-methylene)” (first reported in 1968) has been unraveled in a transmetalation reaction with gallium methylene [Ga₈(CH₂)₁₂] and AlMe₃. The existence of cage-like methylaluminomethylene moieties was initially suggested by the reaction of rare-earth-metallocene complex [Cp*₂Lu{(μ-Me)₂AlMe₂}] with excess AlMe₃ affording the deca-aluminium cluster [Cp*₄Lu₂(μ₃-CH₂)₁₂Al₁₀(CH₃)₈] in low yield (Cp*=C₅Me₅). Treatment of [Ga₈(CH₂)₁₂] with excess AlMe₃ reproducibly gave the crystalline dodeca-aluminium complex [(CH₃)₁₂Al₁₂(μ₃-CH₂)₁₂] (MAM-12). Revisiting a previous approach to “poly(aluminium-methyl-methylene” by using a (C₅H₅)₂TiCl₂/AlMe₃ (1 : 100) mixture led to amorphous solids displaying solubility behavior and spectroscopic features similar to those of crystalline MAM-12. The gallium methylene-derived MAM-12 was used as an efficient methylene transfer reagent for ketones.     

Diimido‐, Imido(oxo)‐, Dioxo‐ und Imido(alkyliden)‐Halbsandwich‐Verbindungen über selektive Hydrolyse und α—H‐Abstraktion an Organylkomplexen des sechswertigen Molybdäns und Wolframs

Diimido, Imido Oxo, Dioxo, and Imido Alkylidene Halfsandwich Compounds via Selective Hydrolysis and α—H Abstraction in Molybdenum(VI) and Tungsten(VI) Organyl Complexes Organometal imides [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NR′)₂Ph] (M = Mo, W, R = H, Me, R′ = Mes, tBu) 4 — 8 can be prepared by reaction of halfsandwich complexes [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NR′)₂Cl] with phenyl lithium in good yields. Starting from phenyl complexes 4 — 8 as well as from previously described methyl compounds [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)₂Me] (M = Mo, W), reactions with aqueous HCl lead to imido(oxo) methyl and phenyl complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)(O)(R)] M = Mo, R = Me ( 9 ), Ph ( 10 ); M = W, R = Ph ( 11 ) and dioxo complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(O)₂(CH₃)] M = Mo ( 12 ), M = W ( 13 ). Hydrolysis of organometal imides with conservation of M‐C σ and π bonds is in fact an attractive synthetic alternative for the synthesis of organometal oxides with respect to known strategies based on the oxidative decarbonylation of low valent alkyl CO and NO complexes. In a similar manner, protolysis of [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)W(NtBu)₂(CH₃)] and [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Mo(NtBu)₂(CH₃)] by HCl gas leads to [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)W(NtBu)Cl₂(CH₃)] 14 und [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Mo(NtBu)Cl₂(CH₃)] 15 with conservation of the M‐C bonds. The inert character of the relatively non‐polar M‐C σ bonds with respect to protolysis offers a strategy for the synthesis of methyl chloro complexes not accessible by partial methylation of [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NR′)Cl₃] with MeLi. As pure substances only trimethyl compounds [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NtBu)(CH₃)₃] 16 ‐ 18 , M = Mo, W, R = H, Me, are isolated. Imido(benzylidene) complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)(CHPh)(CH₂Ph)] M = Mo ( 19 ), W ( 20 ) are generated by alkylation of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)Cl₃] with PhCH₂MgCl via α‐H abstraction. Based on nmr data a trend of decreasing donor capability of the ligands [NtBu]^2— > [O]^2— > [CHR]^2— ? 2 [CH₃]^— > 2 [Cl]^— emerges.     

Zur Reaktivität von Titanocenkomplexen [Ti(Cp′)2(η2‐Me3SiC≡CSiMe3)] (Cp′ = Cp,Cp*) gegenüber Benzoldicarbonsäuren

On the Reactivity of Titanocene Complexes [Ti(Cp′)₂(η²‐Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃)] (Cp′ = Cp, Cp*) towards Benzenedicarboxylic Acids Titanocene complexes [Ti(Cp′)₂(BTMSA)] ( 1a , Cp′ = Cp = η⁵‐C₅H₅; 1b , Cp′ = Cp* = η⁵‐C₅Me₅; BTMSA = Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃) were found to react with iodine and methyl iodide yielding [Ti(Cp′)₂(μ‐I)₂] ( 2a / b ; a refers to Cp′ = Cp and b to Cp′ = Cp*), [Ti(Cp′)₂I₂] ( 3a / b ) and [Ti(Cp′)₂(Me)I] ( 4a / b ), respectively. In contrast to 2a , complex 2b proved to be highly moisture sensitive yielding with cleavage of HCp* [{Ti(Cp*)I}₂(μ‐O)] ( 7 ). The corresponding reactions of 1a / b with p‐cresol and thiophenol resulted in the formation of [Ti(Cp′)₂{O(p‐Tol)}₂] ( 5a / b ) and [Ti(Cp′)₂(SPh)₂] ( 6a / b ), respectively. Reactions of 1a and 1b with 1,n‐benzenedicarboxylic acids (n = 2–4) resulted in the formation of dinuclear titanium(III) complexes of the type [{Ti(Cp′)₂}₂{μ‐1,n‐(O₂C)₂C₆H₄}] (n = 2, 8a / b ; n = 3, 9a / b ; n = 4, 10a / b ). All complexes were fully characterized analytically and spectroscopically. Furthermore, complexes 7 , 8b , 9a ·THF, 10a / b were also be characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses.     

Decacarbonylbis(methylcyclopentadienyl)‐tetrahedro‐diiridiumdimolybdenum and decacarbonylbis(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)‐tetrahedro‐diiridiumdimolybdenum dichloromethane hemisolvate

The two title compounds, [Mo₂Ir₂(C₆H₇)₂(CO)₁₀] and [Mo₂Ir₂(C₉H₁₃)₂(CO)₁₀]·0.5CH₂Cl₂, respectively, or collectively [Mo₂Ir₂(μ‐CO)₃(CO)₇(η⁵‐C₅H_5?nMe_n)₂] (n = 1 or 4), have a pseudo‐tetrahedral Mo₂Ir₂ core geometry, an η⁵‐­C₅H_5?nMe_n group ligating each Mo atom, bridging carbonyls spanning the edges of an MoIr₂ face and seven terminally bound carbonyl groups.     

Lanthanide versus Actinide Reactivity in the Formation of Sterically Crowded [(C5Me5)3MLn] Nitrile and Isocyanide Complexes

The limits of steric crowding in organometallic metallocene complexes have been examined by studying the synthesis of [(C₅Me₅)₃ML_n] complexes as a function of metal in which L=Me₃CCN, Me₃CNC, and Me₃SiCN. The bis(tert‐butyl nitrile) complexes [(C₅Me₅)₃Ln(NCCMe₃)₂] (Ln=La, 1 ; Ce, 2 ; Pr, 3 ) can be isolated with the largest lanthanide metal ions, La³⁺, Ce³⁺, and Pr³⁺. The Pr³⁺ ion also forms an isolable mono‐nitrile complex, [(C₅Me₅)₃Pr(NCCMe₃)] ( 4 ), whereas for Nd³⁺ only the mono‐adduct [(C₅Me₅)₃Nd(NCCMe₃)] ( 5 ) was observed. With smaller metal ions, Sm³⁺ and Y³⁺, insertion of Me₃CCN into the M? C(C₅Me₅) bond was observed to form the cyclopentadiene‐substituted ketimide complexes [(C₅Me₅)₂Ln{NC(C₅Me₅)(CMe₃)}(NCCMe₃)] (Ln=Sm, 6 ; Y, 7 ). With tert‐butyl isocyanide ligands, a bis‐isocyanide product can be isolated with lanthanum, [(C₅Me₅)₃La(CNCMe₃)₂] ( 8 ), and a mono‐isocyanide product with neodymium, [(C₅Me₅)₃Nd(CNCMe₃)] ( 9 ). Silicon–carbon bond cleavage was observed in reactions between [(C₅Me₅)₃Ln] complexes and trimethylsilyl cyanide, Me₃SiCN, to produce the trimeric cyanide complexes [{(C₅Me₅)₂Ln(μ‐CN)(NCSiMe₃)}₃] (Ln=La, 10 ; Pr, 11 ). With uranium, a mono‐nitrile reaction product, [(C₅Me₅)₃U(NCCMe₃)] ( 12 ), which is analogous to 5 , was obtained from the reaction between [(C₅Me₅)₃U] and Me₃CCN, but [(C₅Me₅)₃U] reacts with Me₃CNC through C? N bond cleavage to form a trimeric cyanide complex, [{(C₅Me₅)₂U(μ‐CN)(CNCMe₃)}₃] ( 13 ).     

1,3-Diene Polymerization Promoted by Half-Sandwich Rare-Earth-Metal Dimethyl Complexes: Active Species Clustering and Cationization/Deactivation Processes

When activated with fluorinated borate cocatalysts the trimetallic complexes [Cp*LnMe₂]₃ (Ln=Y, Lu; Cp*=C₅Me₅) promote efficiently the formation of high-cis polybutadiene. Respective polyisoprenes instead bear much less pronounced microstructures, but reveal crosslinked products at lower polymerization temperatures. Varying the amount of cocatalyst, the emerging active species were examined by NMR spectroscopic techniques (incl. ¹H DOSY). The occurrence of donor-solvent and thermally induced degradation products of the highly reactive precatalyst [Cp*YMe₂]₃ and derived catalyst species was revealed by the elucidation of methylidene clusters [Cp*₃Y₃Me₄(CH₂)(thf)₂] and [Cp*₆Y₆Me₄(CH₂)₄], as well as [(Cp*Y)₂Me₂(N(Me)₂(C₆H₄)]_n[B(C₆F₅)₄]_n, implying a multimetallic active species.     

Organometallic Diaza‐dimetalla‐Norbornanes and ‐Cyclohexanes of Aluminium,Gallium and Indium

Selective formation of 1,3,3,4,6,6‐hexamethyl‐1,4‐diaza‐3,6‐diinda‐norborane was achieved by the reaction of bis(lithiomethyl‐methylamino)methane with dimethylindium chloride by simultaneous formation of two dative metal‐carbon and two metal‐nitrogen bonds accompanied by two ring closures. The synthesis of heterometallic compounds of this type, namely 1,3,3,4,6,6‐hexamethyl‐3‐alumina‐1,4‐diaza‐6‐galla‐norborane [Me₂AlCH₂N(Me)]CH₂[N(Me)CH₂GaMe₂], was also attempted by the reaction of bis(lithiomethyl‐methylamino)methane with dimethylaluminium and ‐gallium chloride. This compound is formed, but cannot be separated from the simultaneously formed homometallic compounds [Me₂MCH₂N(Me)]₂CH₂(M = Al, Ga). The compounds were identified by elemental analyses, mass spectra, NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C), and by determination of their crystal structures in which they are present as monomers. The norbornane‐like structure is favoured over potential isomers containing three‐membered rings and over polymeric aggregation in both compounds. In addition, the crystal structure of dimethyl(dimethylaminomethyl)indium was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, which shows an intermolecular aggregation into a six‐membered ring dimer.     

Rare‐Earth‐Metal Methyl,Amide, and Imide Complexes Supported by a Superbulky Scorpionate Ligand

The reaction of monomeric [(Tp^tBu,Me)LuMe₂] (Tp^tBu,Me=tris(3‐Me‐5‐tBu‐pyrazolyl)borate) with primary aliphatic amines H₂NR (R=tBu, Ad=adamantyl) led to lutetium methyl primary amide complexes [(Tp^tBu,Me)LuMe(NHR)], the solid‐state structures of which were determined by XRD analyses. The mixed methyl/tetramethylaluminate compounds [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe({μ₂‐Me}AlMe₃)] (Ln=Y, Ho) reacted selectively and in high yield with H₂NR, according to methane elimination, to afford heterobimetallic complexes: [(Tp^tBu,Me)Ln({μ₂‐Me}AlMe₂)(μ₂‐NR)] (Ln=Y, Ho). X‐ray structure analyses revealed that the monomeric alkylaluminum‐supported imide complexes were isostructural, featuring bridging methyl and imido ligands. Deeper insight into the fluxional behavior in solution was gained by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic studies at variable temperatures and ¹H–⁸⁹Y HSQC NMR spectroscopy. Treatment of [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe(AlMe₄)] with H₂NtBu gave dimethyl compounds [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe₂] as minor side products for the mid‐sized metals yttrium and holmium and in high yield for the smaller lutetium. Preparative‐scale amounts of complexes [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe₂] (Ln=Y, Ho, Lu) were made accessible through aluminate cleavage of [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe(AlMe₄)] with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda). The solid‐state structures of [(Tp^tBu,Me)HoMe(AlMe₄)] and [(Tp^tBu,Me)HoMe₂] were analyzed by XRD.     

Zweikernige Palladium(II)‐, Platin(II)‐ und Iridium(III)‐Komplexe von Bis[imidazol‐4‐yl]alkanen

Dinuclear Palladium(II), Platinum(II), and Iridium(III) Complexes of Bis[imidazol‐4‐yl]alkanes The reaction of bis(1,1′‐triphenylmethyl‐imidazol‐4‐yl) alkanes ((CH₂)_n bridged imidazoles L(CH₂)_nL, n = 3–6) with chloro bridged complexes [R₃P(Cl)M(μ‐Cl)M(Cl)PR₃] (M = Pd, Pt; R = Et, Pr, Bu) affords the dinuclear compounds [Cl₂(R₃P)M–L(CH₂)_nL–M(PR₃)Cl₂] 1 – 17 . The structures of [Cl₂(Et₃P)Pd–L(CH₂)₃L–Pd(PEt₃)Cl₂] ( 1 ), [Cl₂(Bu₃P)Pd–L(CH₂)₄L–Pd(PBu₃)Cl₂] ( 10 ), [Cl₂(Et₃P)Pd–L(CH₂)₅L–Pd(PEt₃)Cl₂] ( 3 ), [Cl₂(Et₃P)Pt–L(CH₂)₃L–Pt(PEt₃)Cl₂] ( 13 ) with trans Cl–M–Cl groups were determined by X‐ray diffraction. Similarly the complexes [Cl₂(Cp*)Ir–L(CH₂)_nL–Ir(Cp*)Cl₂] (n = 4–6) are obtained from [Cp*(Cl)Ir(μ‐Cl)₂Ir(Cl)Cp*] and the methylene bridged bis(imidazoles).     

Silicon‐ and Tin‐Containing Open‐Chain and Eight‐Membered‐Ring Compounds as Bicentric Lewis Acids toward Anions

Herein, we report the syntheses of silicon‐ and tin‐containing open‐chain and eight‐membered‐ring compounds Me₂Si(CH₂SnMe₂X)₂ ( 2 , X=Me; 3 , X=Cl; 4 , X=F), CH₂(SnMe₂CH₂I)₂ ( 7 ), CH₂(SnMe₂CH₂Cl)₂ ( 8 ), cyclo‐Me₂Sn(CH₂SnMe₂CH₂)₂SiMe₂ ( 6 ), cyclo‐(Me₂SnCH₂)₄ ( 9 ), cyclo‐Me_(2?n)X_nSn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂SnX_nMe_(2?n) ( 5 , n=0; 10 , n = 1, X= Cl; 11 , n=1, X= F; 12 , n=2, X= Cl), and the chloride and fluoride complexes NEt₄[cyclo‐ Me(Cl)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(Cl)Me?F] ( 13 ), PPh₄[cyclo‐Me(Cl)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(Cl)Me?Cl] ( 14 ), NEt₄[cyclo‐Me(F)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(F)Me?F] ( 15 ), [NEt₄]₂[cyclo‐Cl₂Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂SnCl₂?2 Cl] ( 16 ), M[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?Cl] ( 17 a , M=PPh₄; 17 b , M=NEt₄), NEt₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?F] ( 18 ), NEt₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(F)Me₂)₂?F] ( 19 ), and PPh₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?Br] ( 20 ). The compounds were characterised by electrospray mass‐spectrometric, IR and ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, ²⁹Si, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopic analysis, and, except for 15 and 18 , single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Molecular Thorium Trihydrido Clusters Stabilized by Cyclopentadienyl Ligands

Hydrogenolysis of alkyl‐substituted cyclopentadienyl (Cp^R) ligated thorium tribenzyl complexes [(Cp^R)Th(p‐CH₂‐C₆H₄‐Me)₃] ( 1 – 6 ) afforded the first examples of molecular thorium trihydrido complexes [(Cp^R)Th(μ‐H)₃]_n (Cp^R=C₅H₂(^tBu)₃ or C₅H₂(SiMe₃)₃, n=5; C₅Me₄SiMe₃, n=6; C₅Me₅, n=7; C₅Me₄H, n=8; 7 – 10 and 12 ) and [(Cp^#)₁₂Th₁₃H₄₀] (Cp^#=C₅H₄SiMe₃; 13 ). The nuclearity of the metal hydride clusters depends on the steric profile of the cyclopentadienyl ligands. The hydrogenolysis intermediate, tetra‐nuclear octahydrido thorium dibenzylidene complex [(Cp^ttt)Th(μ‐H)₂]₄(μ‐p‐CH‐C₆H₄‐Me)₂ (Cp^ttt=C₅H₂(^tBu)₃) ( 11 ) was also isolated. All of the complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Hydride positions in [(Cp^Me4)Th(μ‐H)₃]₈ (Cp^Me4=C₅Me₄H) were further precisely confirmed by single‐crystal neutron diffraction. DFT calculations strengthen the experimental assignment of the hydride positions in the complexes 7 to 12 .     

Cationic Allyl Complexes of the Rare‐Earth Metals: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and 1,3‐Butadiene Polymerization Catalysis

Monocationic bis‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La, Nd; X=H, F) and dicationic mono‐allyl complexes of yttrium and the early lanthanides [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₆]²⁺[BPh₄]₂^? (Ln=La, Nd) were prepared by protonolysis of the tris‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(diox)] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; diox=1,4‐dioxane) isolated as a 1,4‐dioxane‐bridged dimer (Ln=Ce) or THF adducts [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(thf)₂] (Ln=Ce, Pr). Allyl abstraction from the neutral tris‐allyl complex by a Lewis acid, ER₃ (Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃) gave the ion pair [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[ER₃(η¹‐CH₂CH?CH₂)]^? (Ln=Y, La; ER₃=Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃). Benzophenone inserts into the La? C_allyl bond of [La(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^? to form the alkoxy complex [La{OCPh₂(CH₂CH?CH₂)}₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^?. The monocationic half‐sandwich complexes [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La; X=H, F) were synthesized from the neutral precursors [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)] by protonolysis. For 1,3‐butadiene polymerization catalysis, the yttrium‐based systems were more active than the corresponding lanthanum or neodymium homologues, giving polybutadiene with approximately 90 % 1,4‐cis stereoselectivity.