Novel sandwich complexes of zirconium [C9H5(SiMe3)2](C5Me4R)ZrCl2 (R = CH3, CH2CH2NMe2): Synthesis and reduction behavior

Novel half-sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂]ZrCl₃ (3) and sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂](C₅Me₄R)ZrCl₂ (R = CH₃ (1), CH₂CH₂NMe₂ (2)) complexes were prepared and characterized. The reduction of 2 by Mg in THF lead to (η⁵-C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂)[η⁵:η²(C,N)-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]ZrH (7). The structure of 7 was proved by NMR spectroscopy data. Hydrolysis of 2 resulted in the binuclear complex ([C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂]ZrCl₂)₂O (6). The crystal structures of 1 and 6 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Cp2Ti{[OC(O)C5H4]Cr(CO)2NO]}2 and Cp2Ti{[(OC(O)C5H4]Cr(NO)2X}2 syntheses and spectra of chromium-titanium complexes bridged by carboxylate substituted cyclopentadienyl group

Complete demethylation of Cp₂Ti(CH₃)₂ in dichloromethane with 2 M equivalent of [η⁵-(C₅H₄COOH)]Cr(CO)₂NO (5), [η⁵-(C₅H₄COOH)]Cr(NO)₂X] (X = Cl 6, X = I 7), and [η⁵-(C₅H₄COOH)]W(CO)₃CH₃ (8); gives Cp₂Ti{[OC(O)C₅H₄]Cr(CO)₂NO}₂ (13), Cp₂Ti{[OC(O)C₅H₄]Cr(NO)₂Cl}₂ (14), Cp₂Ti{[OC(O)C₅H₄]Cr(NO)₂I}₂ (15),and Cp₂Ti{[OC(O)C₅H₄]W(CO)₃CH₃}₂ (16), respectively. The chemical shifts of C(2)-C(5) carbon atoms of compounds 13-15 have been assigned using two-dimensional HetCOR NMR spectroscopy. The assigned chemical shifts were compared with the NMR data of their analogues of ferrocene, and the opposite correlation on the assignments was observed for cynichrodenoyl moieties.     

Organoselenium(II) and selenium(IV) compounds containing 2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4 moieties: solution behavior and solid state structure

The cleavage of the Se-Se bond in [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ (1) was achieved by treatment with SO₂Cl₂ (1:1 molar ratio) or elemental halogens to yield [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeX [X = Cl (2), Br (3), I (4)]. Oxidation of 1 with SO₂Cl₂ (1:3 molar ratio) gave [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeCl₃ (5). [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeS(S)CNR₂ [R = Me (6), Et (7)] were prepared by reacting [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeBr with Na[S₂CNR₂] · nH₂O (R = Me, n = 2; R = Et, n = 3). The reaction of 3 with K[(SPMe₂)(SPPh₂)N] resulted in isolation of [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Se-S-PMe₂N-PPh₂S (8). The compounds were characterized by solution NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ⁷⁷Se, 2D experiments). The solid-state molecular structures of 2, 4-8 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds are monomeric, with the N atom of the pendant CH₂NMe₂ arm involved in a three-center-four-electron N?Se-X (X = halogen, S) bond. This results in a T-shaped coordination geometry for the Se(II) atom in 2, 4, 6-8. In 5, the Se(IV) atom achieves a square pyramidal coordination in the mononuclear unit. Loosely connected dimers are formed through intermolecular Se?Cl interactions (3.40 Å); the overall coordination geometry being distorted octahedral. In all compounds hydrogen bonds involving halide or sulfur atoms generate supramolecular associations in crystals.     

Syntheses and spectra of chromium-titanium complexes bridged by carboxylate substituted cyclopentadienyl group: The structure of Cp2Ti(CH3){[OC(O)C5H4]Cr(NO)2Cl}

Mono-demethylation of Cp₂Ti(CH₃)₂ in dichloromethane with 1 M equivalent of [η⁵-(C₅H₄COOH)]Cr(CO)₂NO (5), [η⁵-(C₅H₄COOH)]Cr(NO)₂X] (X = Cl 6, X = I 7) and [η⁵-(C₅H₄COOH)]W(CO)₃CH₃ (8) gives Cp₂Ti(CH₃){[OC(O)C₅H₄]Cr(CO)₂NO} (9), Cp₂Ti(CH₃){[OC(O)C₅H₄]Cr(NO)₂Cl} (10), Cp₂Ti(CH₃){[OC(O)C₅H₄]Cr(NO)₂I} (11) and Cp₂Ti(CH₃){[OC(O)C₅H₄]W(CO)₃CH₃} (12), respectively. The structure of 10 has been solved by X-ray diffraction studies. One of the nitrosyl groups is located at the site away from the exocyclic carbonyl carbon of the Cp(Cr) ring with twist angle of 178.1°. All the data reveals that Cp₂Ti(CH₃)- is a strong electron-donating group. The opposite correlation was observed on the chemical shift assignments of C(2)-C(5) in compounds 5-12, using HetCOR NMR spectroscopy, as compared with the NMR data of their ferrocene analogues. The electron density distribution in the cyclopentadienyl ring is discussed on the basis of ¹³C NMR data and those of 10 are compared with the calculations via density functional B3LYP correlation- exchange method.     

Structural investigations on new iron-acyl derivatives of B(C6F5)3

Reactions between [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(MeCO)(CO)(L)], L = PPh₃ (1), PMe₃ (2), PPhMe₂ (3), PCy₃ (4), CO (5), and B(C₆F₅)₃ give new complexes [Fe(η-C₅H₅){MeCOB(C₆F₅)₃}(CO)(L)] L = PPh₃ (7), PMe₃ (8), PPhMe₂ (9), PCy₃ (10), CO (11), where B(C₆F₅)₃ coordinates selectively to the O-acyl groups. Hydrolysis of 7 gives [Fe(η-C₅H₅){HOB(C₆F₅)₃}(CO)(PPh₃)] (6). The X-ray structures of 6, 8 and 11 have been determined. Calculations, using density functional theory, demonstrate that the charge transfer to the acyl group on Lewis acid coordination is more significant in the σ than the π system. Both effects lead to a lengthening of the acyl C-O bond thus π populations cannot be inferred from the distance changes.     

X-ray crystal structures and solution dynamics of sodium organofluorotitanates [Na{Ti2(C5Me5)2F7}] and [NaTi6(C5Me5)5F20(H2O)]·(THF)

[Na{Ti₂(C₅Me₅)₂F₇}] (1) was prepared from sodium fluoride and [{Ti(C₅Me₅)F₃}₂] [H.W. Roesky, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 31 (1992) 864-866]. The solid-state 1 consists of a polymeric chain of two rows of dititanate anions [Ti₂(C₅Me₅)₂F₇]⁻ connected by sodium ions in the middle of the chain. Each sodium ion is coordinated by five fluorine atoms from three [Ti₂(C₅Me₅)₂F₇]⁻ anions. The variable-temperature ¹⁹F NMR of CD₃CN solution of 1 revealed interconversions of monomeric species [Na(CD₃CN)_n{Ti₂(C₅Me₅)₂F₇}] (1solv) with different number of CD₃CN ligands on the sodium ion. The addition of HMPA to the CD₃CN solution of 1 allows ¹⁹F NMR observation of 1·HMPA (1a) and 1·HMPA·CD₃CN (1b) in the slow exchange. The solid-state structure of [NaTi₆(C₅Me₅)₅F₂₀(H₂O)]·(THF) (2·THF) reveals the sodium ion coordinated by four fluorine atoms from the anion [Ti₂(C₅Me₅)₂F₇]⁻ and by three fluorine atoms from the cluster [Ti₄(C₅Me₅)₃F₁₃(H₂O)].     

Group 12 metal aryl selenolates. Crystal and molecular structure of [2-(Et2NCH2)C6H4]2Se2 and [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4Se]2M (M = Zn, Cd)

Diorganodiselenide [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ (1) was obtained by hydrolysis/oxidation of the corresponding [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeLi derivative. The treatment of [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ with elemental sodium in THF resulted in [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeNa (2). Reactions between alkali metal selenolates [2-(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeM′ (R = Me, Et; M′ = Li, Na) and MCl₂ (M = Zn, Cd) in a 2:1 molar ratio resulted in the [2-(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄Se]₂M species [R = Me, M = Zn (3), Cd (4); R = Et, M = Zn (5), Cd (6)]. The new compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se, ¹¹³Cd) and mass spectrometry. The crystal and molecular structures of 1, 3 and 4 revealed monomeric species stabilized by N → Se (for 1) and N → M (for 3 and 4) intramolecular interactions.     

Synthesis and characterization of anionic lanthanide complexes {[o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4]Ln(MeC5H4)2}{Li(DME)3} (Ln = Yb, Sm, Nd) and their catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The syntheses and structures of a series of new lanthanide complexes supported by a chelating diamide ligand N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-o-phenylenediamine are described. Anhydrous LnCl₃ reacts with Li₂[o-(Me₃SiN)₂C₆H₄], followed by treatment of NaC₅H₄Me in 1:1:2 molar ratio to afford the corresponding anionic complexes: {[o-(Me₃SiN)₂C₆H₄]Ln(MeC₅H₄)₂}{Li(DME)₃} [Ln = Yb (1), Sm (2), Nd(3)] in high yield. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 were further determined by X-ray diffraction techniques to be an ion-pair complex composed by an anion [o-(Me₃SiN)₂C₆H₄]Ln(MeC₅H₄)₂] and a cation [Li(DME)₃]. Complexes 1-3 showed high catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) at r.t., giving the syndiotactic-rich polymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.64-1.82).     

Synthesis and structure of the silylated benzene radical anion salts [K([18]crown-6){C6H4(SiMe3)2-1,4}] and [K([18]crown-6)(THF)2][C6H2(SiMe3)4-1,2,4,5]

The crystalline compound [K([18]crown-6){C₆H₄(SiMe₃)₂-1,4}] (1) was prepared by the low-temperature reduction of the para-disilylated benzene with K/[18]crown-6 in toluene followed by recrystallisation from the same solvent. Reduction of 1,2,4,5-tetrasilylated benzene with 2(K/[18]crown-6) in toluene produced a hydrocarbon-insoluble powder identified as the dianionic derivative [K([18]crown-6)]₂[C₆H₂(SiMe₃)₄-1,2,4,5)] (2), which upon crystallisation from THF/Et₂O yielded [K([18]crown-6)(THF)₂][C₆H₂(SiMe₃)₄-1,2,4,5] (3). An X-ray diffraction study revealed that 1 comprised a contact ion pair with the crown-encapsulated K cation η⁵-connected to the planar ring of the substituted benzene radical anion, while 3 contained a well separated cation and anion.     

Chiral “P-N-P” ligands, (C20H12O2)PN(R)PY2 [R = CHMe2, Y = C6H5, OC6H5, OC6H4-4-Me, OC6H4-4-OMe or OC6H4-4-Bu] and their allyl palladium complexes

Chiral “P-N-P” ligands, (C₂₀H₁₂O₂)PN(R)PY₂ [R = CHMe₂, Y = C₆H₅ (1), OC₆H₅ (2), OC₆H₄-4-Me (3), OC₆H₄-4-OMe (4) or OC₆H₄-4-^tBu (5)] bearing the axially chiral 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-dioxy moiety have been synthesised. Palladium allyl chemistry of two of these chiral ligands (1 and 2) has been investigated. The structures of isomeric η³-allyl palladium complexes, (R′ = Me or Ph; Y = C₆H₅ or OC₆H₅) have been elucidated by high field two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The solid state structure of [Pd(η³-1,3-Ph₂-C₃H₃){κ²-(racemic)-(C₂₀H₁₂O₂)PN(CHMe₂)PPh₂}](PF₆) has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Preliminary investigations show that the diphosphazanes, 1 and 2 function as efficient auxiliary ligands for catalytic allylic alkylation but give rise to only moderate levels of enantiomeric excess.     

Syntheses of platinum(II) complexes of cyclo-octenyl group and isolation of a self-assembled oxo-bridged macrocyclic complex [Pt4(Spy)4(C8H12-O-C8H12)2]

Reactions of [Pt₂(μ-Cl)₂(C₈H₁₂OMe)₂] (1) (C₈H₁₂OMe = 8-methoxy-cyclooct-4-ene-1-yl) with various anionic chalcogenolate ligands have been investigated. The reaction of 1 with Pb(Spy)₂ (HSpy = pyridine-2-thiol) yielded a binuclear complex [Pt₂(Spy)₂(C₈H₁₂OMe)₂] (2). A trinuclear complex [Pt₃(Spy)₄(C₈H₁₂OMe)₂] (3) was isolated by a reaction between 2 and [Pt(Spy)₂]_n. The reaction of 1 with HSpy in the presence of NaOMe generated 2 and its demethylated oxo-bridged tetranuclear complex [Pt₄(Spy)₄(C₈H₁₂-O-C₈H₁₂)₂] (4). Treatment of 1 with ammonium diisopropyldithiophosphate completely replaced C₈H₁₂OMe resulting in [Pt(S₂P{OPrⁱ}₂)₂] (5), whereas non-rigid 5-membered chelating ligand, Me₂NCH₂CH₂E⁻, produced mononuclear complexes [Pt(ECH₂CH₂NMe₂)(C₈H₁₂OMe)] (E = S (6), Se (7)). These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ¹⁹⁵Pt{¹H}) and absorption spectroscopy. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Thermolysis of 2, 6 and 7 in HDA gave platinum nanoparticles.     

New organomercury(II) compounds containing intramolecular N → Hg interactions: crystal and molecular structure of [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]HgCl and [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]Hg[S(S)PPh2]

[2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]HgCl (1) was prepared by reacting HgCl₂ with [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Li in diethyl ether. The reactions of 1 with the sodium or ammonium salt of the appropriate thiophosphinato ligand, in 1:1 molar ratio, afford the isolation of [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Hg[S(S)PR₂] [R=Me (2), Et (3), Ph (4)], [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Hg[S(O)PPh₂] (5) and [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Hg[S(S)P(OⁱPr)₂] (6). The compounds were investigated by IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 1 and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Due to the strong intramolecular coordination of the N atom of the pendant CH₂NMe₂ arm [Hg(1)-N(1) 2.764(6) and 2.725(4) Å in 1 and 4, respectively] both compounds exhibit a T-shaped (C,N)HgX core in the molecular unit, with almost linear arrangement of the covalent bonds [C(1)-Hg(1)-Cl(1) 176.93(18)° in 1, and C(1)-Hg(1)-S(1) 169.54(16)° in 4]. The crystals of 1 contain discrete monomeric molecules, while the crystals of 4 contain dimer associations built through asymmetric bridging dithiophosphinato ligands [Hg(1)-S(1) 2.3911(16) Å, Hg(1)?S(2a) 3.102(2) Å], thus resulting in an overall pseudo-trigonal bipyramidal (or seesaw) (C,N)HgS₂ core, with the nitrogen atom and the weekly bonded sulfur atom in equatorial positions [N(1)-Hg(1)?S(2a) 82.01(10)°].     

Lutetium gets a crown: Synthesis, structure and reaction chemistry of the separated ion pair complex, [Li(12-crown-4)2][(C5Me5)2LuMe2]

Reaction of (C₅Me₅)₂Lu(Me)(μ-Me)Li(THF)₃ (2) with excess 12-crown-4 affords the new separated ion pair complex, [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂LuMe₂] (3), in excellent yield. This complex reacts with 2,6-diisopropylaniline and phenylacetylene to give the methyl amide complex [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Lu(Me)(NH-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)] (4) and the bis(acetylide) complex [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Lu(C≡C-Ph)₂] (5), respectively. Attempts to promote methane loss from complexes 3 and 4 to generate a lutetium methylidene or imido complex, respectively, were unsuccessful. The ability of the bis(acetylide) complex 5 to act as a π-tweezer complex was also explored. Reaction between [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Lu(C≡C-Ph)₂] (5) and CuSPh gave only intractable lutetium products and the copper(I) species [Li(12-crown-4)₂][Cu(C≡C-Ph)₂] (8). The new lutetium complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy. Finally, the X-ray crystal structures of (C₅Me₅)₂Lu(Me)(μ-Me)Li(THF)₃ (2), [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂LuMe₂] (3), [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Lu(Me)(NH-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)] (4), [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Lu(C≡C-Ph)₂] (5), and [Li(12-crown-4)₂][Cu(C≡C-Ph)₂] (8) are also reported.     

A ferrocenyl-bridged intramolecularly coordinated bis(diorganostannylene): Synthesis, molecular structure and reactivity of [4-t-Bu-2,6-{P(O)(O-i-Pr)2C6H2Sn}C5H4]2Fe

The intramolecularly coordinated heteroleptic stannylene [4-t-Bu-2,6-{P(O)(O-i-Pr)₂}₂C₆H₂]SnCl serves as synthon for the synthesis of the ferrocenyl-bridged bis(diorganostannylene) [4-t-Bu-2,6-{P(O)(O-i-Pr)₂}₂C₆H₂SnC₅H₄]₂Fe (1) which in turn reacts with W(CO)₆ and Cr(CO)₄(C₇H₈) to provide the corresponding transition metal complexes [4-t-Bu-2,6-{P(O)(O-i-Pr)₂}₂C₆H₂Sn{W(CO)₅}C₅H₄]₂Fe (2) and [4-t-Bu-2,6-{P(O)(O-i-Pr)₂}₂C₆H₂SnC₅H₄]₂Fe · Cr(CO)₄ (3), respectively. Reaction of compound 1 with sulphur and atmospheric moisture gave, under partial tin-carbon and oxygen-carbon bond cleavage, a tetranuclear organotin-oxothio cluster 5. All compounds were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, and IR spectroscopy, as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 3 were also investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Cyclovoltametric studies reveal the influence of the organostannyl moieties on the redox-behaviour of compounds 1-3 in comparison with unsubstituted ferrocene.     

Understanding the role of an easy-to-prepare aldimine-alkyne carboamination catalyst, [Ti(NMe2)3(NHMe2)][B(C6F5)4]

A series of reactivity studies of the carboamination pre-catalyst [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] as well as the preparation of other catalysts are reported in this work. Treatment of [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] with the aldimines Ar′NCHtol (Ar′ = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃, tol = 4-MeC₆H₄), and depending on the reaction conditions, results in isolation of [Me₂NCHR′][B(C₆F₅)₄] (1) or (Me₂N)₂CHtol, as well as the asymmetric titanium dimer [(Me₂N)₂(HNMe₂)Ti(μ₂-N[2,6-Me₂C₆H₃])₂Ti(NHMe₂)(NMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (2). Protonation of CpTi(NMe₂)₃ and Cp^∗Ti(NMe₂)₃ results in isolation of the salts, [CpTi(NMe₂)₂(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (3) and [Cp^∗Ti(NMe₂)₂(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (4), respectively. Treatment of compounds 3 or 4 with H₂N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃] results in formation of the imido salts [CpTi(N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃])(NHMe₂)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (5) (58% yield) or [Cp^∗Ti(N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃])(NHMe₂)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (6). When Ti(NMe₂)₄ is treated with [Et₃Si][B(C₆F₅)₄], the salt [Ti(NMe₂)₃(N[SiEt₃]Me₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (7) is obtained, and treatment of the latter with [2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃]NCHtol produces the imine adduct [Ti(NMe₂)₃(κ¹-[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃]NCHtol)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (8). The carboamination catalytic activity of complexes 2-7 was investigated and compared to [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄]. Likewise, a proposed mechanism to the active carboamination catalyst stemming from [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] is described.     

Hypervalence in germanium compounds containing the tetracylic moiety {S(C6H3S)2O}Ge via O···Ge transannular interactions: A structural study

Treatment of R_nGeCl_4−n with {S(C₆H₃SH)₂O} (1) afforded the stable phenoxathiin-4,6-dithiolate compounds [{S(C₆H₃S)₂O}GeR₂] [n = 2; R = Et (2), Ph (3)] and [{S(C₆H₃S)₂O}GeRCl] [n = 1; R = Et (4), Ph (5)]. Treatment of GeCl₄ with 1 in benzene afforded the dichloro compound [{S(C₆H₃S)₂O}GeCl₂] (8) at 7 °C. Bromo compounds [{S(C₆H₃S)₂O}GeRBr] [R = Et (6), Ph (7)] and [{S(C₆H₃S)₂O}GeBr₂] (9) were synthesized by halogen exchange from the appropriate chloro derivative using KBr/HBr. X-ray structure determinations of diorganyl dithiolate compounds 2 and 3 revealed that germanium atom is contained in a boat–chair-shaped eight-membered central ring and displays a tetrahedral geometry. In contrast, compounds 4–6 display a boat–boat-shaped central ring with a significant intramolecular transannular O···Ge interaction. The geometry of the pentacoordinate Ge atom in these last complexes may be described as distorted trigonal bipyramidal with a 62–65% distortion displacement.     

1,4-Cycloaddition of pyrazole with mesityl oxide; solid-state structure of bicyclic [C6H5Me3N2(OH)]Cl

The synthesis of bicyclic 6-hydroxy-6,8,8-dimethyl-5-aza-1-azonia-bicyclo[3.3.0]octa-1,3-diene chloride, [C₆H₅Me₃N₂(OH)]Cl, (5) by the HCl-catalyzed 1,4-cycloaddition of pyrazole (1) with mesityl oxide (4) is described. A proposed mechanism for the formation of 5 will be given.     

Hydrogen-bonded systems between monocarboxylic acids and the trinuclear cluster cation [H3Ru3(C6H6)(C6Me6)2(O)]: cold-spray ionisation mass spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic studies

The hydrogen-bonded systems formed between monocarboxylic acid derivatives and the trinuclear arene-ruthenium cluster cation [H₃Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)]⁺ (1) have been studied in solution by cold-spray ionisation mass spectroscopy (CSI-MS) and in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of the tetrafluoroborate salts. The presence of 1:1 (acid:cluster) adducts in acetone solution has been clearly demonstrated by CSI-MS. Single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of selected acid-cluster complexes show that in every case the hydroxyl of the acid function interacts strongly with the μ₃-oxo ligand of cation 1, the O ? O distance ranging from 2.499(9) to 2.595(11) Å.     

Reactions of bis(alkynyl)silanes with HB(C6F5)2: Formation of boryl-substituted silacyclobutene derivatives

Treatment of R₂Si(CC-SiMe₃)₂ [1a (Me), 1b (Ph)] with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at low temperature (253 K (a), 273 K (b)) gives the -B(C₆F₅)₂ substituted silacyclobutene products (4a,b) under kinetic control. Upon warming to room temperature they disappear to form the thermodynamically favoured isomeric silole derivatives (2a,b). Similar treatment of Me₂Si(CC-R¹)₂ [5a (R¹ = Ph), 5b (R¹ = tert-butyl) with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at room temperature gave the stable -B(C₆F₅)₂ substituted silacyclobutene derivatives 6 and 7, respectively. Subsequent photolysis resulted in a Z- to E-isomerization of the substituted exocyclic CC double bonds in these products. The silacyclobutene derivative E-6 was characterized by an X-ray crystal structure analysis.     

Gallium tri-chloride derivatives of the sterically demanding pyridines 2,6-Ar2C6H3N (Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 or 2,4,6-Pr3C6H2)

The sterically demanding pyridines 2,6-Ar₂C₆H₃N [Ar = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (1) or 2,4,6-Prⁱ₃C₆H₂ (2)] were prepared by a palladium catalysed Kumada C–C coupling reaction in high yield. Pyridine 1 reacted with one equivalent of GaCl₃ to afford the tetra-chloro gallate–pyridinium ion pair complex [GaCl₄]⁻[2,6-(2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂)₂C₆H₃NH]⁺ (3). Contrastingly, pyridine 2 reacted with one equivalent of GaCl₃ to afford the anticipated donor-acceptor complex [GaCl₃{2,6-(2,4,6-Prⁱ₃C₆H₂)₂C₆H₃N}] (4). Complexes 1–4 have been characterised variously by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, CHN, and mass spectrometry.