Insertion vs. site epimerization with singly-bridged and doubly-bridged metallocene polymerization catalysts

A statistical model has been employed to determine the unidirectional site epimerization probability, ε, during propylene polymerization with the following C₁-symmetric metallocene precatalysts activated with MAO (MAO = methylaluminoxane): doubly-bridged rac-(1,2-SiMe₂)₂{η⁵-C₅H₂-4-(CHMe(CMe₃))}{η⁵-C₅H-3,5-(CHMe₂)₂}ZrCl₂ (1) and (1,2-SiMe₂)₂{η⁵-C₅H₂-4-(1R,2S,5R-menthyl)}{η⁵-C₅H-3,5-(CHMe₂)₂}ZrCl₂ (2); and singly-bridged Me₂C(3-(2-adamantyl)-C₅H₃)(C₁₃H₈)ZrCl₂ (3) and Me₂Si(3-(2-adamantyl)-C₅H₃)(C₁₃H₈)ZrCl₂ (4). For 1/MAO a steep tacticity dependence on monomer concentration was found, as ε increased from 0.114 to 0.909 as [C₃H₆] decreased from 12.5 M to 0.5 M; similarly, ε increased for 2/MAO from 0.177 to 0.709. For 3/MAO, ε was moderately responsive to an increase in polymerization temperature, as ε increased from 0.000 to 0.485 from T_p = 0-90 °C ([C₃H₆] = 1.1 M). Similarly, ε increased for 4/MAO from 0.709 to 0.913 from T_p = 0-40 °C; at higher temperatures, bidirectional site epimerization was implicated.     

Alkyl and dialkylammonium tetrafluoroborate catalyzed cis-trans isomerization of 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triphenylcyclotrisiloxane

Alkyl and dialkylammonium tetrafluoroborate promoted cis-trans isomerization of 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triphenylcyclotrisiloxane (1) in DMSO-d₆ were studied. The isomerization equilibrium constant K are within the range of 3.74-3.30 from 22 to 47 °C. Thermodynamic parameters of ΔH° and ΔS° for the isomerization were −0.95 kcal/mol and −0.59 cal/mol-K respectively. The isomerization rate is first order in [cis-1] and second order in [R_nNH_4−nBF₄]. Both components of R_nNH_4−n⁺ and BF₄⁻ are essential for the catalytic cis-trans isomerization. The catalytic strength follows the decreasing order of ⁺H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃⁺>n-C₈H₁₇NH₃⁺>n-C₁₆H₃₃NH₃⁺>Me₃CNH₃⁺>PhCH₂NH₃⁺>Et₂NH₂⁺?Ph₂CHNH₃⁺, Et₃NH⁺. Inversion region was observed in the plot of ln(k_f/T) versus (1/T) with the ceiling located at around 38 °C. The positive activation enthalpy of 9 kcal/mol was estimated at 22-32 °C. The activation enthalpy turns to be slightly negative at T>38 °C.     

The hapticity of cyclooctatetraene in its first row mononuclear transition metal carbonyl complexes: Several examples of octahapto coordination

The two cyclooctatetraene metal carbonyls that have been synthesized are the tetrahapto derivative (η⁴-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₃ and the hexahapto derivative (η⁶-C₈H₈)Cr(CO)₃ using the reactions of cyclooctatetraene with Fe(CO)₅ and with fac-(CH₃CN)₃Cr(CO)₃, respectively. Related C₈H₈M(CO)_n (M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni; n = 4, 3, 2, 1) species have now been investigated by density functional theory in order to explore the scope of cyclooctatetraene metal carbonyl chemistry. In this connection, the existence of octahapto (η⁸-C₈H₈)M(CO)_n species is predicted as long as the central metal M does not exceed the 18-electron configuration by receiving eight electrons from the η⁸-C₈H₈ ring. Thus the lowest energy structures (η⁸-C₈H₈)Ti(CO)_n (n = 3, 2, 1), (η⁸-C₈H₈)M(CO)_n (M = V, Cr; n = 2, 1), and (η⁸-C₈H₈)Mn(CO) all have octahapto η⁸-C₈H₈ rings. An exception is (η⁶-C₈H₈)Fe(CO), with a hexahapto η⁶-C₈H₈ ring and thus only a 16-electron configuration for the iron atom. Hexahapto (η⁶-C₈H₈)M(CO)_n structures are predicted for the known (η⁶-C₈H₈)Cr(CO)₃ as well as the unknown (η⁶-C₈H₈)Ti(CO)₄, (η⁶-C₈H₈)V(CO)₃, (η⁶-C₈H₈)Mn(CO)₂, and (η⁶-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₂ with 18, 18, 17, 17, and 18 electron configurations, respectively, for the central metal atoms. There are two types of tetrahapto C₈H₈M(CO)_n complexes. In the 1,2,3,4-tetrahapto (η⁴-C₈H₈)M(CO)_n complexes two adjacent CC double bonds, forming a 1,3-diene unit similar to butadiene, are bonded to the metal atom. In the 1,2,5,6-tetrahapto (η^2,2-C₈H₈)M(CO)₃ derivatives two non-adjacent CC double bonds of the C₈H₈ ring are bonded to the metal atom. The known (η⁴-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₃ is a 1,2,3,4-tetrahapto complex. The unknown isomeric 1,2,5,6-tetrahapto complex (η^2,2-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₃ is predicted to lie ∼15 kcal/mol above (η⁴-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₃. The related 1,2,5,6-tetrahapto complexes (η^2,2-C₈H₈)Cr(CO)₄, (η^2,2-C₈H₈)Mn(CO)₄, [(η^2,2-C₈H₈)Mn(CO)₃]⁻, (η^2,2-C₈H₈)Co(CO)₂, and (η^2,2-C₈H₈)Ni(CO)₂ are all predicted to be low-energy structures.     

Measurements of the isochoric heat capacity,the critical point (TC, ρC) and vapor–liquid coexistence curve (TS, ρS) of high-purity toluene near the critical point

Isochoric heat capacities (C_V, V, T), phase boundary properties (T_S, ρ_S) and the critical (T_C, ρ_C) parameters for high-purity (0.9999+ mole fraction) toluene have been measured with a high temperature, high pressure, nearly constant volume adiabatic calorimeter and quasi-static thermogram technique. Measurements were made at three selected liquid and vapor isochores 777.8, 555.25, and 214.64 kg m⁻³ in the temperature range from 379 to 591 K. For five near-critical isochores 268.68, 281.68, 296.62, 301.52, and 318.28 kg m⁻³, the measurements were made in the immediate vicinity of the coexistence curve in order to accurately determine the phase transition temperatures (T_S, ρ_S) (shape of the coexistence curve near the critical point) and the critical parameters (T_C, ρ_C). The total combined uncertainty of heat capacity, density, and temperature measurements were estimated to be less than 2%, 0.06%, and 15 mK, respectively. The uncertainties reported in this paper are expanded uncertainties at the 95% confidence level with a coverage factor of k = 2. The uncertainty of the phase transition and the critical temperature value was 0.02 K. The Krichevskii parameter for some toluene-containing binary mixtures was calculated. The derived values of the Krichevskii parameter were used to estimate the effect of dilute impurities on the critical parameters of toluene. The measured values of saturated density near the critical point were interpreted in terms of the “complete scaling” theory in order to study singularity behavior of the coexistence curve diameter. The measured isochoric heat capacities and saturated densities were compared with the data reported by other authors and values calculated from an equation of state and other correlations.     

Thermodynamics of interactions between organic ammonium ions and sulfonatocalixarenes

Calorimetric titration and NMR experiments in aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) at 298.15 K have been done to determine the binding mode, complex stability constants and thermodynamics (ΔG°, ΔH°, and TΔS°) for 1:1 inclusion complexation of water-soluble calix[n]arenesulfonates (CnAS, n = 4 and 6) and thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate (TCAS) with acethylcholine, carnitine, betaine and benzyltrimethylammonium ion. The results show the inclusion complexations are driven by enthalpy (ΔH° < 0), accompanied by negative entropic changes (ΔS° < 0). The binding affinities (C4AS > C6AS > TCAS) are discussed from the viewpoint of CH-π/π-π interactions, electrostatic interactions and size/shape-fit relationship between host and guest.     

Vapour pressure and excess Gibbs free energy of binary mixtures of hydrogen sulphide with ethane, propane, and n-butane at temperature of 182.33 K

The vapour pressure of binary mixtures of hydrogen sulphide with ethane, propane, and n-butane was measured at T = 182.33 K covering most of the composition range. The excess Gibbs free energy of these mixtures has been derived from the measurements made. For the equimolar mixtures for (H₂S + C₂H₆), (820.1 ± 2.4) J · mol⁻¹ for (H₂S + C₃H₈), and (818.6 ± 0.9) J · mol⁻¹ for (H₂S + n-C₄H₁₀). The binary mixtures of H₂S with ethane and with propane exhibit azeotropes, but that with n-butane does not.     

Synthesis and structure of chiral-at-metal complexes with the ligand (S)-2-[(Sp)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]-4-isopropyloxazoline

Half-sandwich complexes of formula [(ηⁿ-ring)MClL]PF₆ [L = (S)-2-[(S_p)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]-4-isopropyloxazoline; (ηⁿ-ring)M = (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh; (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir; (η⁶-p-MeC₆H₄iPr)Ru; (η⁶-p-MeC₆H₄iPr)Os] have been prepared and spectroscopically characterised. The molecular structures of the rhodium and iridium compounds have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The related solvate complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)ML(Me₂CO)]²⁺ (M = Rh, Ir) are active catalysts for the Diels-Alder reaction between methacrolein and cyclopentadiene.     

Assembly and structures of five new Cu(II) complexes based on the V-shaped building block [Cu(dbsf)]

Five new copper(II) complexes [Cu(dbsf)(H₂O)]_n · 0.5n(i-C₃H₇OH) (1), [Cu(dbsf)(4,4′-bpy)_0.5]_n · nH₂O (2), [Cu(dbsf)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]₂ · (n-C₃H₇OH) · 0.5H₂O (3), [Cu(dbsf)(phen)(H₂O)]₂ · 1.5H₂O (4) and [Cu(dbsf)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]_n · n(i-C₃H₇OH) (5) (H₂dbsf = 4,4′-dicarboxybiphenyl sulfone, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, i-C₃H₇OH = isopropanol, n-C₃H₇OH = n-propanol) have been synthesized under hydro/solvothermal conditions. All of the complexes are assembled from V-shaped building blocks, [Cu(dbsf)]. Complex 1 is composed of 1D double-chains. In complex 2, dbsf²⁻ ligands and 4,4′-bpy ligands connect Cu(II) ions into catenane-like 2D layers. These catenane-like 2D layers stack in an ABAB fashion to form a 3D supramolecular network. Complexes 3 and 4 are 0D dimers, in which two [Cu(dbsf)] units encircle to form dimetal macrocyclic molecules. However, in complex 5, the V-shaped building blocks [Cu(dbsf)] are joined head-to-tail, resulting in the formation of infinite tooth-like chains. The different structures of complexes 3 and 5 may be attributed to the different solvent molecules included.     

Homo- and copolymerization of styrene and 1-alkene using Ph2Zn-Et(Ind)2ZrCl2-MAO initiator systems

Homopolymerization of α-olefins (1-C_nH_2n, n = 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 18) and their copolymerization with styrene were carried out in toluene at 60 °C using diphenylzinc-ethenylbisindenylzirconium dichloride-methylaluminoxane as initiator system. Atactic polystyrene and almost isotactic poly(α-olefin)s were obtained. Copolymerization of S/α-olefin with this initiator system gave isotactic olefin-enriched copolymers. According to DSC analysis, the homopolymers P(1-C₁₂H₂₄), P(1-C₁₆H₃₂), and P(1-C₁₈H₃₆) as well their styrene copolymers are crystalline.     

Planar chiral alkenylferrocene phosphanes: Preparation, structural characterisation and catalytic use in asymmetric allylic alkylation

Planar chiral alkenylferrocene phosphanes, viz. (S_p)-[Fe(η⁵-C₅H₃-1-PPh₂-2-CHCR₂)(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (R = H, (S_p)-2; Ph, (S_p)-5) and (S_p)-[Fe(η⁵-C₅H₃-1-PPh₂-2-(E)-CHCHR)(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (R = Ph, (S_p)-3; C(O)CH₃, (S_p)-6; and CO₂CH₂CH₃, (S_p)-7) have been prepared by alkenylation of (S_p)-2-(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocenecarboxaldehyde and tested as ligands for enantioselective palladium-catalysed allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyprop-2-en-1-yl acetate with dimethyl malonate. All phosphanylalkenes formed active catalysts. However, the induced enantioselectivity was only poor to moderate [12-43% ee after 20 h at room temperature], with the ee’s and configuration of the preferred product strongly depending on the ligand structure. The catalytic results have been related to solution properties (NMR, ESI MS) and the solid-state structural data (X-ray diffraction) of [Pd(η³-1,3-Ph₂C₃H₃){(S_p)-2-η²:κP}]ClO₄ ((S_p)-12), which represent a model of the plausible reaction intermediate.     

Isobutene-isoprene copolymerization initiated by [Cp∗MMe2][(n-C18H37E)B(C6F5)3] (M = Ti, Hf; E = O, S) and related compounds

The highly electrophilic borane B(C₆F₅)₃ reacts with e.g., n-octadecanol (n-C₁₈H₃₇OH) and n-octadecanethiol (n-C₁₈H₃₇SH) to form equilibrium mixtures of the reactants and their 1:1 adducts (n-C₁₈H₃₇EH)B(C₆F₅)₃ (E = O, S). The latter are acidic, and react with Cp∗MMe₃ (M = Ti, Hf) in polar and non-polar solvents to give methane and the unstable complexes [Cp∗MMe₂][(n-C₁₈H₃₇E)B(C₆F₅)₃]. The latter are very good initiators for the copolymerization of isobutene with isoprene at relatively high temperatures, giving high conversions to high molecular weight isobutene-isoprene copolymers. The weight average molecular weights are unusually high for the temperatures used, consistent with current theories of the role of weakly coordinating anions. The effects of changing the substituents on the alcohols are also investigated.     

Synthesis and structures of nickel(II) and copper(II) compounds of 5,5,7,13-tetramethyl-13-nitro-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane and the 13-ethyl-5,5,7-trimethyl-homologue

Reduction by NaBH₄ of the imine functions of (5,7,7,13-tetramethyl-13-nitro-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradec-4-ene)-nickel(II) and -copper(II), and of their 13-ethyl-5,7,7-trimethyl-homologues, yield the nitro-substituted cyclic tetraamine cations (5,5,7,13-tetramethyl-13-nitro-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)-nickel(II) and -copper(II), [M(neh)]²⁺, and (13-ethyl-5,5,7-trimethyl-homologues, [M(nph)]²⁺, respectively. The nickel(II) cations form square–planar, singlet ground, state salts with poorly coordinating anions and octahedral, triplet ground state, compounds with additional ligands, trans-β-[Ni(neh)A₂], A⁻ = Cl⁻, NCS⁻ and trans-β-[Ni(neh)A₂](ClO₄)₂, X = NH₃, MeCN, all with nitrogen configuration III, 1R,4R,8S,11S = β. With oxalate the chain-polymeric compound catena-trans-β-[Ni(neh)(μ-C₂O₄)]_n · 3n(H₂O) is formed. Folded macrocycle compounds cis-α-[Ni(neh)(C₅H₇O₂)]ClO₄ and cis-α-[{Ni(neh)}₂(C₂O₄)](ClO₄)₂ are formed with the chelates acetylacetonate and oxalate, with configuration 1R,4R,8R,11R = α. These react with HClO₄ to form metastable α-[Ni(neh)](ClO₄)₂ with retention of configuration. The copper(II) cations form crimson salts with poorly coordinating anions and compounds of the type β-[Cu(neh)A]ClO₄ of varying shades of blue with coordinating anions. Structures of singlet ground state square–planar nickel(II) compounds β-[Ni(neh)](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O, β-[Ni(neh)](ClO₄)₂, β-[Ni(neh)]₂[ZnCl₃(OH₂)]₂[ZnCl₄] · H₂O and α-[Ni(neh)](ClO₄)₂, the triplet ground state chain-polymeric compound catena-trans-β-[Ni(neh)(μ-C₂O₄)]_n · 3n(H₂O) and of square–pyramidal β-[Cu(nph)Cl]ClO₄ are reported.     

Calorimetric study of sodium-rich zirconium phosphate

The heat capacity investigation of crystalline pentasodium zirconium tris(phosphate) was carried out in a vacuum adiabatic calorimeter between 7 and 340 K and in a differential scanning calorimeter of the heat bridge type between 330 and 620 K. Between 389 and 424 K, an isostructural solid-to-solid phase transition of Na₅Zr(PO₄)₃, has been found, the nature of which is connected with a centering of off-centered zirconium atoms in octahedral sites and an occupation transfer between sodium sites in the structure. The results were used to calculate the characteristics of the phase transition and the thermodynamic functions of Na₅Zr(PO₄)₃: the transition temperature T°_trs, enthalpy of transition Δ_trsH°, entropy of transition Δ_trsS°; enthalpy H°(T)−H°(0), entropy S°(T) and Gibbs function G°(T)−H°(0) over the range from 0 to 620 K. From hydrofluoric acid solution microcalorimetry, the enthalpy of solution of Na₅Zr(PO₄)₃ at 298.15 K has been determined and the standard enthalpy of formation has been derived. By combining the data obtained by the two techniques, the Gibbs function of formation of Na₅Zr(PO₄)₃ at 298.15 K has been calculated.     

An unexpected cluster opening upon the formation of electronically unsaturated η-(cyclooctenyl)metallacarboranes of rhodium(III) and iridium(III) with sterically reduced [(PhCH2)2C2B9H9] ligand

The room-temperature metallation reactions of the K⁺ salt of the [7,8-(PhCH₂)₂-7,8-nido-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ anion (1) with the COD-metal μ-chloride dimers [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)₂Rh₂(μ-Cl)₂] (2) and [(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)₂Ir₂(μ-Cl)₂] (3) in benzene/ethanol solution gave formally 16-electron pseudocloso-type complexes with the η³-cyclooctenyl ligand at the metal vertices, [3-{(1-3-η³)-C₈H₁₃}-1,2-(PhCH₂)₂-pseudocloso-3,1,2-MC₂B₉H₉] [4, M = Rh(III); 5, M = Ir(III)]. No evidence supporting the existence of an agostic C-H?M bonding interaction in these compounds was obtained either from the crystallographic or the phase-sensitive 2-D [¹H-¹H] NOESY/EXSY studies of 4. The extraordinary stability of complexes 4 and 5 can therefore be associated with their cage-deformed cluster structures, where electronically-deficient (16-electron) metal centers are believed to be stabilized by additional electron density released from the polyhedral C-C bond cleavage. DFT solid-state calculations performed for closo (18-electron) and pseudocloso (16-electron) Rh(III) complexes, [3-(η⁵-C₅Me₅)-1,2-(PhCH₂)₂-closo-3,1,2-RhC₂B₉H₉] (6, C-C, 1.7397 Å) and [3-{(1-3-η³)-C₈H₁₃}-1,2-(4′-MeC₆H₄)₂-pseudocloso-3,1,2-RhC₂B₉H₉] (9, C?C, 2.420(2) Å), showed that the electron density transfer from the carborane moiety to the rhodium center is marginally greater for complex 9, in accordance with the idea that electronics rather than sterics play a crucial role in the stabilization of 16-electron pseudocloso-metallacarborane species.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of binuclear ruthenium complexes bearing 1,8′-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)naphthalene

Treatment of [RuCl₂(η⁶-C₆H₆)]_x with bidentate phosphine ligand BDNA [1,8-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)naphthalene] in methanol at room temperature gave η⁶-benzene-ruthenium complexes Ru₂Cl₄(η⁶-C₆H₆)₂(μ-BDNA) (1). Complex 1 further reacted with AgBF₄ to form complex [Ru₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)(η⁶-C₆H₆)₂(μ-BDNA)](BF₄) (2). [RuCl₂(η⁶-C₆H₆)]_x reacted with BDNA in refluxing methanol and then the reaction solution was treated with AgBF₄ to generate complex [Ru₂Cl₂(η⁶-C₆H₆)₂(μ-BDNA)₂](BF₄)₂ (3). Their compositions and structures had been determined by elemental analyses, NMR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffractions. X-ray diffraction showed that complex 1 belonged to monoclinic crystal system, P2₁/c space group with Z = 4, a = 12.810 Å, b = 21.507 Å, c = 18.471 Å, β = 107.95°; complex 2 belonged monoclinic crystal system, P2₁/n space group with Z = 4, a = 14.498 Å, b = 15.644 Å, c = 20.788 Å, β = 103.404°, and complex 3 belonged to monoclinic crystal system, P2₁/n space group with Z = 2, a = 13.732 Å, b = 14.351 Å, c = 19.733 Å, β = 94.82°.     

Reductive dearomatization of biphenyl: sequential one-pot regioselective introduction of two different electrophiles

The reaction of biphenyl (1) with an excess of lithium in THF at room temperature leads to a solution of the corresponding dianion (I), which by successive reactions with an alkyl fluoride [E₁ = n-C₈H₁₇F, c-C₅H₉CH₂F, CH₂CH(CH₂)₄F] at 0 °C and another electrophile [E₂ = n-C₄H₉Br, Et₂CO, Me₂C(O)CH₂, i-Pr₃SiCl] at −78 °C yields the corresponding 1,4-disubstituted 1,4-dihydrobiphenyls 3 in a regioselective manner, as mixtures of cis- and trans-isomers. The diastereomers of 3 are separated by column chromatography.     

Anomalous charge transport in CeB6

The comprehensive study of conductivity σ, Hall coefficient R_H and Seebeck coefficient S has been carried out on high-quality single crystals of CeB₆ in a wide range of temperatures 1.8-300 K. An anomalous behavior of all transport characteristics (σ, R_H, S) was found for the first time in the vicinity of T^*≈80 K. The strong decrease of conductivity σ as well as the unusual asymptotic behavior of Seebeck coefficient S(T)∼−ln T observed below T^* allowed us to conclude in favor of crossover between different regimes of charge transport in CeB₆. The pronounced change of Hall mobility μ_H, which diminishes from the maximum value of 20 cm²/(V s) at T^* to the values of ∼6 cm²/(V s) at T∼10 K, seems to be attributed to the strong enhancement of charge carriers scattering due to fast spin fluctuations on Ce-sites. The low-temperature anomalies of the charge transport characteristics are compared with the predictions of the Kondo-lattice model.     

Synthesis and characterization of cyclopentadienyl/alkoxo titanium dichlorides: structural analysis of monocyclopentadienyl titanium dichlorides with ligands derived from menthol and borneol

A variety of monocyclopentadienyl alkoxo titanium dichloride and bisalkoxo titanium dichloride complexes have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The titanium derivatives containing both cyclopentadienyl and various alkoxo ligands [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)(OR)Cl₂] (1-5) have been synthesized from the reaction of [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)Cl₃] with 1 equivalent of the corresponding alcohol in THF in the presence of triethylamine (ROH = Adamantanol, 1R,2S,5R-(−)-menthol, 1S-endo-(−)-borneol, cis-1,3-(−)-benzylideneglycerol, 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranose). The bisalkoxo titanium dichloride derivatives [TiCl₂(OR)₂] (6-10) have been prepared by a redistribution reaction between Ti(OR)₄ and TiCl₄ compounds 6-8 (OR = Adamantanoxy, (1R,2S,5R)-(−)menthoxy, (1S-endo)-(−)-borneoxy) and by reaction of [Ti(OR)₂(OPrⁱ)₂]₂ with CH₃COCl compounds 9 and 10 (OR = 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranoxy, and 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranoxy). The molecular structures of 2 and 3 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Trimetallic FePd2 and FePt2 4-ferrocenyl-NCN pincer complexes

Ferrocene-bridged NCN pincer complexes of structural type Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄-4-NCN-1-MX)₂ (X = I: 6, M = Pd; 7, M = Pt; X = Cl: 8, M = Pt; NCN = [4-C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6]⁻) are accessible by the subsequent reaction of Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄-4-NCNH)₂ (4) with ⁿBuLi and [PtCl₂(SEt₂)₂] (synthesis of 8) or treatment of Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄-4-NCN-1-I)₂ (5) with [Pd₂(dba)₃] (synthesis of 6) or [Pt(tol)₂(SEt₂)]₂ (synthesis of 7) (dba = dibenzylidene acetone, tol = 4-tolyl). In addition, the Sonogashira cross-coupling of Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄I)₂ (1) with HCC-4-NCNH (2) gives Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄-CC-4-NCNH)₂ (3). The reaction behavior of 3 towards ^tBuLi is reported as well.Cyclovoltammetric studies show that the ferrocene entity can be oxidized reversibly. The Fe(II)/Fe(III) potential decreases with increasing electron density at the NCN pincer units due to the presence of the M-halide moiety (M = Pd, Pt).The solid state structure of Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄-4-NCN-1-PdI)₂ (6) is presented. In 6 the Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂ unit connects two NCN-PdI pincer entities with palladium in a square-planar environment. The cyclopentadienyl ligands show a staggered conformation. The C₆H₂ rings are tilted by 23.5(3)° towards the C₅H₄ entities and the C₆H₂ plane is almost coplanar with the coordination plane (10.3(3)°).     

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical behavior of unsymmetric transition metal-terminated biphenyl ethynyl thiols

The synthesis of the biphenyl alkynyl thiols and thioesters R′-CC-C₆H₄-C₆H₄-SR (3: R′ = SiMe₃, R = C(O)Me; 4: R′ = SiMe₃, R = H; 5: R′ = H, R = C(O)Me) from I-C₆H₄-C₆H₄-SC(O)Me (1) is described. Molecules 1 and 5 have been used as starting materials in the synthesis of mono- and heterobimetallic transition metal complexes of type L_nM′-CC-C₆H₄-C₆H₄-SR (7: L_nM′ = Fc, R = C(O)Me; 8: L_nM′ = Fc, R = H; 10: L_nM′ = (Ph₃P)Au, R = C(O)Me; 14: L_nM′ = FcPPh₂-Au, R = C(O)Me; Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe; FcPPh₂ = (η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)Fe). While complex 7is accessible by the Sonogashira cross-coupling of Fc-CCH (6) with 1, molecules 10 and 14 can be prepared by treatment of the thioester 5 with (Ph₃P)AuCl (9) and FcPPh₂-AuCl (13), respectively.The molecular solid state structures of 3, 7, 10 and 13-15 have been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. Typical features of these species are their linear M-CC-C₆H₄-C₆H₄-SR structure and the lack of coplanarity of the biphenyl arene rings. The overall length of these complexes are 13.345(2) Å for 3 (molecule A), 15.146(3) Å for 7, 15.705(2) Å for 10 (molecule A) and 15.649(4) Å for 14. The thioester groups are pointing away from the ferrocene building block. In 7 a linear 1D chain is set-up by π-interactions between two independent molecules of 7. Characteristic for 15 is the formation of a Au₂I₂ ring, while 13 is monomeric.All compounds were studied with cyclic voltammetry. Characteristic are the reversible ferrocene Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox wave, the irreversible reduction of Au(I) to Au(0), the oxidative cleavage of the S-C(O)Me sulfur-carbon (3, 5, 7, 10 and 14) and of the sulfur-hydrogen bond (4 and 8), respectively. Electronic effects extending from the -SH-end group to the ferrocene unit resulting in considerable shifts of the redox potential of the latter entity are found. Coordination of Au(I) at the FcPPh₂ moiety also results in a shift of the redox potential of the ferrocene group indicative of an electron withdrawing effect of the Au(I) species.