Synthetic and Mechanistic Aspects of the Immortal Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Lactide and Trimethylene Carbonate with New Homo‐ and Heteroleptic Tin(II)‐Phenolate Catalysts

Several new heteroleptic Sn^II complexes supported by amino‐ether phenolate ligands [Sn{LOⁿ}(Nu)] (LO¹=2‐[(1,4,7,10‐tetraoxa‐13‐azacyclopentadecan‐13‐yl)methyl]‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenolate, Nu=NMe₂ ( 1 ), N(SiMe₃)₂ ( 3 ), OSiPh₃ ( 6 ); LO²=2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(morpholinomethyl)phenolate, Nu=N(SiMe₃)₂ ( 7 ), OSiPh₃ ( 8 )) and the homoleptic Sn{LO¹}₂ ( 2 ) have been synthesized. The alkoxy derivatives [Sn{LO¹}(OR)] (OR=OiPr ( 4 ), (S)‐OCH(CH₃)CO₂iPr ( 5 )), which were generated by alcoholysis of the parent amido precursor, were stable in solution but could not be isolated. [Sn{LO¹}]⁺[H₂N{B(C₆F₅)₃}₂]^? ( 9 ), a rare well‐defined, solvent‐free tin cation, was prepared in high yield. The X‐ray crystal structures of compounds 3 , 6 , and 8 were elucidated, and compounds 3 , 6 , 8 , and 9 were further characterized by ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy. In the presence of iPrOH, compounds 1 – 5 , 7 , and 9 catalyzed the well‐controlled, immortal ring‐opening polymerization (iROP) of L ‐lactide (L ‐LA) with high activities (ca. 150–550 mol_L?LA mol_Sn^?1 h^?1) for tin(II) complexes. The cationic compound 9 required a higher temperature (100 °C) than the neutral species (60 °C); monodisperse poly(L ‐LA)s were obtained in all cases. The activities of the heteroleptic pre‐catalysts 1 , 3 , and 7 were virtually independent of the nature of the ancillary ligand, and, most strikingly, the homoleptic complex 2 was equally competent as a pre‐catalyst. Polymerization of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) occurs much more slowly, and not at all in the presence of LA; therefore, the generation of PLA‐PTMC copolymers is only possible if TMC is polymerized first. Mechanistic studies based on ¹H and ¹¹⁹Sn{¹H} NMR spectroscopy showed that the addition of an excess of iPrOH to compound 3 yielded a mixture of compound 4 , compound [Sn(OiPr)₂]_n 10 , and free {LO¹}H in a dynamic temperature‐dependent and concentration‐dependent equilibrium. Upon further addition of L ‐LA, two active species were detected, [Sn{LO¹}(OPLLA)] ( 12 ) and [Sn(OPLLA)₂] ( 14 ), which were also in fast equilibrium. Based on assignment of the ¹¹⁹Sn{¹H} NMR spectrum, all of the species present in the ROP reaction were identified; starting from either the heteroleptic ( 1 , 3 , 7 ) or homoleptic ( 2 ) pre‐catalysts, both types of pre‐catalysts yielded the same active species. The catalytic inactivity of the siloxy derivative 6 confirmed that ROP catalysts of the type 1 – 5 could not operate according to an activated‐monomer mechanism. These mechanistic studies removed a number of ambiguities regarding the mechanism of the (i)ROPs of L ‐LA and TMC promoted by industrially relevant homoleptic or heteroleptic Sn^II species.     

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.     

2‐Amino‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐thiadiazole as Bidentate Ligand

The amino substituted bidentate chelating ligand 2‐amino‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole (H₂ L ) was used to prepare 3:1‐type coordination compounds of iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II). In the iron(II) perchlorate complex [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·0.6MeOH·0.9H₂O a 1:1 mixture of mer and fac isomers is present whereas [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃](BF₄)₂·MeOH·H₂O, [Co^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·2H₂O and [Ni^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·MeOH·H₂O feature merely mer derivatives. Moessbauer spectroscopy and variable temperature magnetic measurements revealed the [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃]²⁺ complex core to exist in the low‐spin state, whereas the [Co^II(H₂ L )₃]²⁺ complex core resides in its high‐spin state, even at very low temperatures.     

Synthesis and Characterization of m‐Terphenyl (1,3‐Diphenylbenzene) Compounds Containing Trifluoromethyl Groups

The bis(silyl)triazene compound 2,6‐(Me₃Si)₂‐4‐Me‐1‐(N?N? NC₄H₈)C₆H₂ ( 4 ) was synthesized by double lithiation/silylation of 2,6‐Br₂‐4‐Me‐1‐(N?N? NC₄H₈)C₆H₂ ( 1 ). Furthermore, 2,6‐bis[3,5‐(CF₃)₂‐C₆H₃]‐4‐Me‐C₆H₂‐1‐(N?N? NC₄H₈)C₆H₂ derivative 6 can be easily synthesized by a C,C‐bond formation reaction of 1 with the corresponding aryl‐Grignard reagent, i.e., 3,5‐bis[(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]magnesium bromide. Reactions of compound 4 with KI and 6 with I₂ afforded in good yields novel phenyl derivatives, 2,6‐(Me₃Si)₂‐4‐MeC₆H₂? I and 2,6‐bis[3,5‐(CF₃)₂? C₆H₃]‐4‐MeC₆H₂? I ( 5 and 7 , resp.). On the other hand, the analogous m‐terphenyl 1,3‐diphenylbenzene compound 2,6‐bis[3,5‐(CF₃)₂? C₆H₃]C₆H₃? I ( 8 ) could be obtained in moderate yield from the reaction of (2,6‐dichlorophenyl)lithium and 2 equiv. of aryl‐Grignard reagent, followed by the reaction with I₂. Different attempts to introduce the ^tBu (Me₃C) or neophyl (PhC(Me)₂CH₂) substituents in the central ring were unsuccessful. All the compounds were fully characterized by elemental analysis, melting point, IR and NMR spectroscopy. The structure of compound 6 was corroborated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements.     

Dispersion‐Force‐Assisted Disproportionation: A Stable Two‐Coordinate Copper(II) Complex

The synthesis of the first linear coordinated Cu^II complex Cu{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₂ ( 1 Dipp=C₆H₅‐2,6Prⁱ₂) and its Cu^I counterpart [Cu{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₂]^? ( 2 ) is described. The formation of 1 proceeds through a dispersion force‐driven disproportionation, and is the reaction product of a Cu^I halide and LiN(SiMe₃)Dipp in a non‐donor solvent. The synthesis of 2 is accomplished by preventing the disproportionation into 1 by using the complexing agent 15‐crown‐5. EPR spectroscopy of 1 provides the first detailed study of a two‐coordinate transition‐metal complex indicating strong covalency in the Cu?N bonds.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Low‐Valent Group 14 Element Compounds

The tetravalent germanium and tin compounds of the general formulae Ph*EX₃ (Ph* = C₆H₃Trip‐2,6, Trip = C₆H₂iPr₃‐2,4,6; E = Sn, X = Cl ( 1a ), Br ( 1b ); E = Ge, X = Cl ( 2 )) are synthesized by reaction of Ph*Li·OEt₂ with EX₄. The subsequent reaction of 1a , b with LiP(SiMe₃)₂ leads to Ph*EP(SiMe₃)₂ (E = Sn ( 3 ), Ge ( 4 )) and the diphosphane (Me₃Si)₂PP(SiMe₃)₂ by a redox reaction. In an alternative approach 3 and 4 are synthesized by using the corresponding divalent compounds Ph*ECl (E = Ge, Sn) in the reaction with LiP(SiMe₃)₂. The reactivity of Ph*SnCl is extensively investigated to give with LiP(H)Trip a tin(II)‐phosphane derivative Ph*SnP(H)Trip ( 6 ) and with Li₂PTrip a proposed product [Ph*SnPTrip]^– ( 7 ) with multiple bonding between tin and phosphorus. The latter feature is confirmed by DFT calculations on a model compound [PhSnPPh]^–. The reaction with Li[H₂PW(CO)₅] gives the oxo‐bridged tin compound [Ph*Sn{W(CO)₅}(μ‐O)₂SnPh*] ( 8 ) as the only isolable product. However, the existence of 8 as the bis‐hydroxo derivative [Ph*Sn{W(CO)₅}(μ‐OH)₂SnPh*] ( 8a ) is also possible. The Sn^IV derivatives Ph*Sn(OSiMe₃)₂Cl ( 9 ) and [Ph*Sn(μ‐O)Cl]₂ ( 10 ) are obtained by the oxidation of Ph*SnCl with bis(trimethylsilyl)peroxide and with Me₃NO, respectively. Besides the spectroscopic characterization of the isolated products compounds 1a , 2 , 3 , 4 , 8 , and 10 are additionally characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Homoleptic Two‐Coordinate Silylamido Complexes of Chromium(I), Manganese(I), and Cobalt(I)

Anionic two‐coordinate complexes of first‐row transition‐metal(I) centres are rare molecules that are expected to reveal new magnetic properties and reactivity. Recently, we demonstrated that a N(SiMe₃)₂^? ligand set, which is unable to prevent dimerisation or extraneous ligand coordination at the +2 oxidation state of iron, was nonetheless able to stabilise anionic two‐coordinate Fe^I complexes even in the presence of a Lewis base. We now report analogous Cr^I and Co^I complexes with exclusively this amido ligand and the isolation of a [Mn^I{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂]₂^2? dimer that features a Mn?Mn bond. Additionally, by increasing the steric hindrance of the ligand set, the two‐coordinate complex [Mn^I{N(Dipp)(SiMe₃)}₂]^? was isolated (Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂‐C₆H₃). Characterisation of these compounds by using X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements is provided along with ligand‐field analysis based on CASSCF/NEVPT2 ab initio calculations.     

Synthese und Strukturen von [Cu8As3(AsSiMe3)2(dppb)4]+‐[Cu{As2(SiMe3)2}{As4(SiMe3)4}]‐, [Cu8As3(AsSiMe3)2(dppb)4]+‐[Cu{As(SiMe3)2}2]‐ und [Cu10(Sb3)2(SbSiMe3)2(dppm)6]

The reaction of CuCl, LiAs(SiMe₃)₂ and dppb (Bis(diphenylphosphino)butane) leads to the formation of ionic cluster complexes. Depending on the reaction conditions one can isolate [Cu₈As₃(AsSiMe₃)₂(dppb)₄]⁺[Cu{As₂(SiMe₃)₂}{As₄(SiMe₃)₄}]^‐ ( 1 ) and [Cu₈As₃(AsSiMe₃)₂(dppb)₄]⁺[Cu{As(SiMe₃)₂}₂]^‐ ( 2 ). The same reaction of CuCl, dppm (Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) and LiSb(SiMe₃)₂ leads to the neutral cluster complex [Cu₁₀(Sb₃)₂(SbSiMe₃)₂(dppm)₆] ( 3 ). The structures of 1‐3 have been solved by X‐ray single crystal analyses.     

Preparation of Dimethyl and Chloro/Methyl Complexes of Platinum(II) Supported by α‐Diimine Ligands: Trends in the Ease of Oxidation to Platinum(IV)

α‐Diimine ligands react with the platinum(II) alkyl complexes [(Me₂S)PtMe₂]₂ and (Me₂S)₂PtClMe to form (RDAB^R′)PtMe₂ and (RDAB^R′)PtClMe (RDAB^R′=RN=CR′−CR′=NR; R=2,6‐Me₂Ph, 2,6‐(CHMe₂)₂Ph, 3,5‐Me₂Ph, 3,5‐(CF₃)₂Ph, C₆H₁₁; R′=Me, H). The oxidation of these complexes with Cl₂, I₂, N‐chlorosuccinimide, [PtCl₆]²⁻ and (TMEDA)PtMe₂I₂ has been investigated. Attempts to determine the oxidation potentials of the Pt^II complexes electrochemically yielded only irreversible one‐electron oxidations. However, a qualitative ordering of increasing difficulty of oxidation has been determined for the series (RDAB^R′)PtMe₂<(RDAB^R′)PtClMe<(RDAB^R′)PtCl₂≪(RDAB^R′)PtMe(solvent)]⁺. The oxidation proceeds via a two‐electron inner‐sphere electron transfer from a bridged binuclear intermediate. The oxidation of (RDAB^R′)PtMe₂ by (TMEDA)PtMe₂I₂ exhibits characteristic third‐order kinetics, first‐order each in [Pt^II], [Pt^IV] and [I⁻]. Oxidation by a one‐electron process in MeCN solution results in a rapid subsequent disproportionation to Pt^IIMe and Pt^IVMe₃ cations with MeCN occupying the fourth or sixth coordination sites. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure determinations for [(2,6‐Me₂PhDAB^Me)PtMe₃(MeCN)]⁺[PtCl₆]_0.5(MeCN) and [(CyDAB^H)PtMe₃(MeCN)]⁺[PtCl₆]_0.5(MeCN) are reported.     

Diamond‐ and Graphite‐Like Octacyanometalate‐Based Polymers Induced by Metal Ions

By using cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine (chxn), Ni(ClO₄)₂ ? 6H₂O and Na₃[Mo(CN)₈] ? 4H₂O, a 3D diamond‐like polymer {[Ni^II(chxn)₂]₂[Mo^IV(CN)₈] ? 8H₂O}_n ( 1 ) was synthesised, whereas the reaction of chxn and Cu(ClO₄)₂ ? 6H₂O with Na₃[M^V(CN)₈] ? 4H₂O (M=Mo, W) afforded two isomorphous graphite‐like complexes {[Cu^II(chxn)₂]₃[Mo^V(CN)₈]₂ ? 2H₂O}_n ( 2 ) and {[Cu^II(chxn)₂]₃[W^V(CN)₈]₂ ? 2H₂O}_n ( 3 ). When the same synthetic procedure was employed, but replacing Na₃[Mo(CN)₈] ? 4H₂O by (Bu₃NH)₃[Mo(CN)₈] ? 4H₂O (Bu₃N=tributylamine), {[Cu^II(chxn)₂Mo^IV(CN)₈][Cu^II(chxn)₂] ? 2H₂O}_n ( 4 ) was obtained. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses showed that the framework of 4 is similar to 2 and 3 , except that a discrete [Cu(chxn)₂]²⁺ moiety in 4 possesses large channels of parallel adjacent layers. The experimental results showed that in this system, the diamond‐ or graphite‐like framework was strongly influenced by the inducement of metal ions. The magnetic properties illustrate that the diamagnetic [Mo^IV(CN)₈] bridges mediate very weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the Ni^II ions in 1 , but lead to the paramagnetic behaviour in 4 because [Mo^IV(CN)₈] weakly coordinates to the Cu^II ions. The magnetic investigations of 2 and 3 indicate the presence of ferromagnetic coupling between the Cu^II and W^V/Mo^V ions, and the more diffuse 5d orbitals lead to a stronger magnetic coupling interaction between the W^V and Cu^II ions than between the Mo^V and Cu^II ions.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Reactivity of [enH]4[Sn2Se6]·en, [enH]4[Sn2Te6]·en and [enH]4[Sn2S6]: Known Anions within Novel Coordination Spheres obtained by Novel Synthesis Routes

The hexachalcogenodistannates K₆[Sn^III₂Se₆] or Li₄[Sn^IV₂Te₆]·8en were recently reported to simultaneously act as mild oxidants and chalcogenide sources in reactions with CoCl₂/LiCp* (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienide) while the Sn—E (E = Se, Te) fragment is not kept in the products, e.g. [(Cp*Co)₃(μ₃‐Se)₂], [(Cp*Co)₃(μ₃‐Se)₂][Cl₂Co(μ₂‐Cl)₂Li(thf)₂] or [(Cp*Co)₄(μ₃‐Te)₄]. In search of related reagents with possibly different reaction behavior, we isolated and crystallographically characterized isotypic compounds [enH]₄[Sn^IV₂Se₆]�en ( 1 ), and [enH]₄[Sn^IV₂Te₆]·en ( 2 ) (en = 1, 2‐diaminoethane), that result from an uncommon disproportion/re‐arrangement reaction: distannate(III) K₆[Sn₂E₆] (E = Se, Te) was reacted with en·2HCl to yield 1 or 2 under disproportion of Sn^III to Sn^II and Sn^IV. Another pathway was necessary to synthesize the respective but solvent‐free thiostannate [enH]₄ [Sn^IV₂S₆] ( 3 ), since the phase “K₆[Sn₂S₆]” is unknown. This second method started out from SnCl₄·2THF and S(SiMe₃)₂ in en solution. However, using E(SiMe₃)₂ (E = Se, Te) instead of S(SiMe₃)₂, 1 and 2 are also obtained this way. 1—3 are the first chalcogenostannates that exhibit exclusively [enH]⁺ counterions. The compounds were characterized by means of X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. They seem to be suitable for reactions towards group 8‐10 metal complexes. Preliminary experiments indicate that the binary anions 1 — 3 coordinated by 1‐aminoethylammonium ions react more slowly compared to the anionic phases tested until now.     

Bis(arylimido) Molybdenum(VI) Amidinate and Guanidinate Complexes; Molecular Structures of [(ArN)2MoMe{N(Cy)C[N(i‐Pr)2]N(Cy)}] (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3; Cy = Cyclohexyl) and [(2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3N)2MoCl2] · [NH=C(C6H5)CH(SiMe3)2]

The reaction of [(ArN)₂MoCl₂] · DME (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃) ( 1 ) with lithium amidinates or guanidinates resulted in molybdenum(VI) complexes [(ArN)₂MoCl{N(R¹)C(R²)N(R¹)}] (R¹ = Cy (cyclohexyl), R² = Me ( 2 ); R¹ = Cy, R² = N(i‐Pr)₂ ( 3 ); R¹ = Cy, R² = N(SiMe₃)₂ ( 4 ); R¹ = SiMe₃, R² = C₆H₅ ( 5 )) with five coordinated molybdenum atoms. Methylation of these compounds was exemplified by the reactions of 2 and 3 with MeLi affording the corresponding methylates [(ArN)₂MoMe{N(R¹)C(R²)N(R¹)}] (R¹ = Cy, R² = Me ( 6 ); R¹ = Cy, R² = N(i‐Pr)₂ ( 7 )). The analogous reaction of 1 with bulky [N(SiMe₃)C(C₆H₅)C(SiMe₃)₂]Li · THF did not give the corresponding metathesis product, but a Schiff base adduct [(ArN)₂MoCl₂] · [NH=C(C₆H₅)CH(SiMe₃)₂] ( 8 ) in low yield. The molecular structures of 7 and 8 are established by the X‐ray single crystal structural analysis.     

Thermally Stable Heterobinuclear Bivalent Group 14 Metal Complexes Ar2M−Sn[1,8-(NR)2C10H6] (M=Ge,Sn; Ar=2,6-(Me2N)2C6H3; R=CH2tBu)

The first thermally robust Ge ^II −Sn ^II compound 1 and the structurally characterized Sn^II-Sn^II analogue 2 , which maintain their structural integrity in solution, were obtained by treating MAr₂ (M=Ge, Sn; Ar=2,6-(Me₂N)₂C₆H₃) with Sn[1,8-(NR₂)₂C₁₀H₆] (R=CH₂tBu). On the basis of structural and spectroscopic data, the M−Sn bond is regarded as the interaction of a MAr₂ donor with an Sn[1,8-(NR₂)₂C₁₀H₆] acceptor.     

Three-coordinate bis(phosphinimino)methanide derivatives of ‘open shell’ [M(II)] (M = Mn, Fe, Co) transition metals

An alternative two-step synthesis of the previously reported bis(diphenylphosphinimino)methane [CH₂(Ph₂P = NC₆H₃ⁱPr₂-2,6)₂] involving bromine oxidation of dppm and metathesis with 2,6-diisopropylaniline is described. [CH₂(Ph₂PNC₆H₃ⁱPr₂-2,6)₂] is readily deprotonated by the transition metal silylamides [M{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] (M = Mn, Fe and Co) to provide a series of exclusively three-coordinate derivatives [{CH(Ph₂PNC₆H₃ⁱPr₂-2,6)₂M{N(SiMe₃)₂}] which have been characterised by elemental analysis, magnetic measurements and, in the case of the Fe derivative, X-ray structural analysis. Reactivity studies have shown that even such sterically demanding bis(phosphinimino)methanide ligands are prone to protonolysis and reductive [P(V) to P(III)] degradation which limits their utility as stable platforms for further M(II) derivitisation.     

Assembly of 3‐D Network Structures Containing Oxydiacetate and CeIII or CeIV

Reaction of CeCl₃·7H₂O with Na₂(oda) (oda = O(CH₂CO₂)₂^2— oxydiacetate) in a 2:3 ratio gives the neutral cerium(III) complex [Ce₂(oda)₃(H₂O)₃]·9H₂O ( 1 ). Treatment of a 1:3 mixture of CeCl₃·7H₂O and H₂oda in water with 4 molar equivalents of NaOH also gives 1 but, with a larger excess of NaOH, the tri‐sodium salt Na₃[Ce(oda)₃]·9H₂O ( 2 ) is isolated. Formation of a tri‐ammonium analogue of 2 can be achieved by neutralisation of an aqueous solution of CeCl₃·7H₂O and H₂(oda) in a 1:3 ratio by NH₄OH, giving (NH₄)₃[Ce(oda)₃]·7H₂O ( 3 ). Use of the cerium(IV) reagent (NH₄)₂[Ce(NO₃)₆] with Na₂(oda) results in reduction to cerium(III) under ambient conditions and isolation of 1 . However, in the absence of light this reaction yields crystals of the novel cerium(IV) heterobimetallic [Ce(oda)₃Na₄(NO₃)₂] ( 4 ). Each of these complexes exhibit a 3‐D network structure having a common nine‐coordinate [Ce(oda)₃]^n— (n = 2 or 3) subunit, irrespective of the oxidation state of cerium. In 1 , six [Ce(oda)₃]^3— anions are connected, through bridging bidentate carboxylates, to a second Ce³⁺ site further coordinated by three water molecules. In contrast, the ammonium salt 2 , displays isolated [Ce(oda)₃]^3— anions, devoid of further carboxylate bonding, but enmeshed within a network of hydrogen‐bonded NH₄⁺ cations and water molecules. The remarkable structure of 4 consists of infinite 2‐D sheets of [Na₂(NO₃)]⁺ pillared by [Ce(oda)₃]^2— units, the connectivity arising by multidentate nitrate and carboxylate bridging.     

Chelation versus Binucleation: Metal Complex Formation with the Hexadentate all‐cis‐N1,N2‐Bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine

The hexadentate ligand all‐cis‐N¹,N²‐bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (L^e) was synthesized in five steps with an overall yield of 39 % by using [Ni(taci)₂]SO₄?4 H₂O as starting material (taci=1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol). Crystal structures of [Na_0.5(H₆L^e)](BiCl₆)₂Cl_0.5?4 H₂O ( 1 ), [Ni(L^e)]‐ Cl₂?5 H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu(L^e)](ClO₄)₂?H₂O ( 3 ), [Zn(L^e)]CO₃?7 H₂O ( 4 ), [Co(L^e)](ClO₄)₃ ( 5 c ), and [Ga(H_?2L^e)]‐ NO₃?2 H₂O ( 6 ) are reported. The Na complex 1 exhibited a chain structure with the Na⁺ cations bonded to three hydroxy groups of one taci subunit of the fully protonated H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ ligand. In 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 c , a mononuclear hexaamine coordination was found. In the Ga complex 6 , a mononuclear hexadentate coordination was also observed, but the metal binding occurred through four amino groups and two alkoxo groups of the doubly deprotonated H_?2(L^e)^2?. The steric strain within the molecular framework of various M(L^e) isomers was analyzed by means of molecular mechanics calculations. The formation of complexes of L^e with Mn^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, and Cd^II was investigated in aqueous solution by using potentiometric and spectrophotometric titration experiments. Extended equilibrium systems comprising a large number of species were observed, such as [M(L^e)]²⁺, protonated complexes [MH_z(L^e)]^2+z and oligonuclear aggregates. The pK_a values of H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ (25 °C, μ=0.10 m ) were found to be 2.99, 5.63, 6.72, 7.38, 8.37, and 9.07, and the determined formation constants (log β) of [M(L^e)]²⁺ were 6.13(3) (Mn^II), 20.11(2) (Cu^II), 13.60(2) (Zn^II), and 10.43(2) (Cd^II). The redox potentials (vs. NHE) of the [M(L^e)]^3+/2+ couples were elucidated for Co (?0.38 V) and Ni (+0.90 V) by cyclic voltammetry.     

Influence of Cl/Br substitution on the stereochemical peculiarities of copper(I) π‐complexes with the 1‐allyl‐2‐amino­pyridinium cation

By using alternating‐current electrochemical synthesis, crystals of the Cu^Iπ‐complexes bis(1‐allyl‐2‐amino­pyridinium) di‐μ‐chloro‐bis­[chloro­copper(I)], (C₈H₁₁N₂)₂[Cu₂Cl₄] or [H₂NC₅H₄NC₃H₅][CuCl₂], and bis(1‐allyl‐2‐amino­pyridinium) di‐μ‐(chloro/bromo)‐bis­[(chloro/bromo)copper(I)], (C₈H₁₁N₂)₂[Cu₂Br_2.2Cl_1.8] or [H₂NC₅H₄NC₃H₅][CuBr_1.10Cl_0.90], have been obtained and structurally investigated. In each of the isostructural (isomorphous) compounds, the distorted tetrahedral Cu environment involves three halide atoms and the C=C bond of the ligand. Both compounds reside on inversion centres, and the dimeric [Cu₂X₄·2H₂NC₅H₄NC₃H₅] units are bonded into a three‐dimensional structure by N—H⋯X hydrogen bonds. The Br content in the terminal X1 position is much higher than that in the bridged X2 site.     

From Dibismuthenes to Three‐ and Two‐Coordinated Bismuthinidenes by Fine Ligand Tuning: Evidence for Aromatic BiC3N Rings through a Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

The reduction of N,C,N‐chelated bismuth chlorides [C₆H₃‐2,6‐(CH?NR)₂]BiCl₂ [where R=tBu ( 1 ), 2′,6′‐Me₂C₆H₃ ( 2 ), or 4′‐Me₂NC₆H₄ ( 3 )] or N,C‐chelated analogues [C₆H₂‐2‐(CH?N‐2′,6′‐iPr₂C₆H₃)‐4,6‐(tBu)₂]BiCl₂ ( 4 ) and [C₆H₂‐2‐(CH₂NEt₂)‐4,6‐(tBu)₂]BiCl₂ ( 5 ) is reported. Reduction of compounds 1 – 3 gave monomeric N,C,N‐chelated bismuthinidenes [C₆H₃‐2,6‐(CH?NR)₂]Bi [where R=tBu ( 6 ), 2′,6′‐Me₂C₆H₃ ( 7 ) or 4′‐Me₂NC₆H₄ ( 8 )]. Similarly, the reduction of 4 led to the isolation of the compound [C₆H₂‐2‐(CH?N‐2′,6′‐iPr₂C₆H₃)‐4,6‐(tBu)₂]Bi ( 9 ) as an unprecedented two‐coordinated bismuthinidene that has been structurally characterized. In contrast, the dibismuthene {[C₆H₂‐2‐(CH₂NEt₂)‐4,6‐(tBu)₂]Bi}₂ ( 10 ) was obtained by the reduction of 5 . Compounds 6 – 10 were characterized by using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and their structures, except for 7 , were determined with the help of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. It is clear that the structure of the reduced products (bismuthinidene versus dibismuthene) is ligand‐dependent and particularly influenced by the strength of the N→Bi intramolecular interaction(s). Therefore, a theoretical survey describing the bonding situation in the studied compounds and related bismuth(I) systems is included. Importantly, we found that the C₃NBi chelating ring in the two‐coordinated bismuthinidene 9 exhibits significant aromatic character by delocalization of the bismuth lone pair.     

A Coordination Compound of Ge0 Stabilized by a Diiminopyridine Ligand

Reduction of the cationic Ge^II complex [dimpyrGeCl][GeCl₃] (dimpyr=2,6‐(ArN=CMe)₂NC₅H_3, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with potassium graphite in benzene affords an air sensitive, dark green compound of Ge⁰, [dimpyrGe], which is stabilized by a bis(imino)pyridine platform. This compound is the first example of a complex of a zero‐valent Group 14 element that does not contain a carbene or carbenoid ligand. This species has a singlet ground state. DFT studies revealed partial delocalization of one of the Ge lone pairs over the π*(C?N) orbitals of the imines. This delocalization results in a partial multiple‐bond character between the Ge atom and imine nitrogen atoms, a fact supported by the X‐ray crystallography and IR spectroscopy data.     

Tripodale Bis(2,6‐iminophosphoranyl)pyridin‐Liganden: Eisen‐ und Cobalt‐Komplexe mit Potential in der Ethen‐Polymerisation

Tripodal Bis(2,6‐iminophosphoranyl)pyridine Ligands: Iron and Cobalt Complexes with a Potential in Ethene Polymerisation By Staudinger Reaction of bis‐2,6‐diphenylphosphanyl‐pyridine with aryl‐, alkyl‐ and silylazides tripodal ligands L = 2,6‐(Ph₂P=NR)₂C₅H₃N (R = Ph 1 a , Mes 1 b , Ad  1 c , SiMe₃ 1 d ) are synthesized. The reaction of ligand 1 b  with equimolar amounts of [CoCl₂(THF)₂] and [FeCl₂(THF)_1.5] in THF does not lead to the expected neutral complexes [(k³‐L)MCl₂] but to coordination compounds of the composition L₂(CoCl₂)₃ ( 2 a ) und L(FeCl₂)₂ ( 3 ). By using acetonitrile as solvent or by crystallisation of 2 a from hot acetonitrile the cationic complex [(k³‐L)CoCl(MeCN)]Cl ( 2 b ) is formed as a second product. The molecular structure 2 b has been characterized by an X‐ray single crystal structure analysis (triclinic, P1, Z = 2, a = 1299.8(1), b = 1488.8(2), c = 1674.2(2) pm, α = 82.911(13)°, β = 76.715(12)°, γ = 72.758(11)°). A preliminary test with 3 shows, that coordination compounds of the ligand system introduced here have potential as catalysts in methyl alumoxane mediated ethene polymerisation.