Aluminacyclopropene: syntheses, characterization, and reactivity toward terminal alkynes

Reactions of LAl with ethyne, mono- and disubstituted alkynes, and diyne to aluminacyclopropene LAl[eta2-C2(R1)(R2)] ((L = HC[(CMe)(NAr)]2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3); R1 = R2 = H, (1); R1 = H, R2 = Ph, (2); R1 = R2 = Me, (3); R1 = SiMe3, R2 = C[triple bond]CSiMe3, (4)) are reported. Compounds 1 and 2 were obtained in equimolar quantities of the starting materials at low temperature. The amount of C2H2 was controlled by removing an excess of C2H2 in the range from -78 to -50 degrees C. Compound 4 can be alternatively prepared by the substitution reaction of LAl[eta2-C2(SiMe3)2] with Me3SiC[triple bond]CC[triple bond]CSiMe3 or by the reductive coupling reaction of LAlI2 with potassium in the presence of Me3SiC[triple bond]CC[triple bond]CSiMe3. The reaction of LAl with excess C2H2 and PhC[triple bond]CH (<1:2) afforded the respective alkenylalkynylaluminum compounds LAl(CH=CH2)(C[triple bond]CH) (5) and LAl(CH=CHPh)(C[triple bond]CPh) (6). The reaction of LAl(eta2-C2Ph2) with C2H2 and PhC[triple bond]CH yielded LAl(CPh=CHPh)(C[triple bond]CH) (7) and LAl(CPh=CHPh)(C[triple bond]CPh) (8), respectively. Rationally, the formation of 5 (or 6) may proceed through the corresponding precursor 1 (or 2). The theoretical studies based on DFT calculations show that an interaction between the Al(I) center and the C[triple bond]C unit needs almost no activation energy. Within the AlC2 ring the computational Al-C bond order of ca. 1 suggests an Al-C sigma bond and therefore less pi electron delocalization over the AlC2 ring. The computed Al-eta2-C2 bond dissociation energies (155-82.6 kJ/mol) indicate a remarkable reactivity of aluminacyclopropene species. Finally, the 1H NMR spectroscopy monitored reaction of LAl(eta2-C2Ph2) and PhC[triple bond]CH in toluene-d8 may reveal an acetylenic hydrogen migration process.     

Regioselective coupling of pentafluorophenyl substituted alkynes: mechanistic insight into the zirconocene coupling of alkynes and a facile route to conjugated polymers bearing electron-withdrawing pentafluorophenyl substituents

The reaction of Cp(2)ZrCl(2) with 2 equiv of BuLi at -78 degrees C, followed by the addition of an unsymmetrical tetra- or pentafluorophenyl substituted alkyne R(1)C[triple bond]CAr(f) (R(1), Ar(f) = (CH(2))(4)Me, p-C(6)F(4)H; Me, p-C(6)F(4)H; Ph, C(6)F(5)), resulted in regioselective couplings of these alkynes to zirconacyclopentadienes in which the Ar(f) substituents preferentially adopt the 3,4-positions (beta beta) of the zirconacyclopentadiene ring. With Cp(2)Zr(py)(Me(3)SiC[triple bond]CSiMe(3)) as the zirconocene reagent, the couplings could be carried out at room temperature; however, at higher temperatures significant quantities of the 2,4-fluoroaryl substituted (alpha beta) isomers were also formed. None of the conditions employed produced the 2,5-fluoroaryl substituted (alpha alpha) isomers. These fluoroaryl-substituted zirconacyclopentadienes were readily converted to butadienes via reactions with acids. The zirconacyclopentadiene Cp(2)ZrC(4)-2,5-Ph(2)-3,4-(C(6)F(5))(2), which resulted from the coupling of PhC[triple bond]C(C(6)F(5)), was converted to the corresponding thiophene by reaction with S(2)Cl(2), and to an arene by reaction with MeO(2)CC[triple bond]CCO(2)Me/CuCl. Mechanistic studies on zirconocene couplings of (p-CF(3)C(6)H(4))C[triple bond]C(p-MeC(6)H(4)) indicate that the observed regioselectivities are determined by an electronic factor that controls the orientation of at least one of the two alkynes as they are coupled. Additionally, these studies suggest an unsymmetrical transition state for the zirconocene coupling of alkynes, and this is supported by DFT calculations. The reaction of [(C(6)F(5))C[triple bond]CCH(2)](2)CH(2) with Cp(2)Zr(py)(Me(3)SiC[triple bond]CSiMe(3)) resulted in a zirconacyclopentadiene in which the pentafluorophenyl substituents have been forced into the 2,5-positions (alpha alpha). Zirconocene coupling of the diyne (C(6)F(5))C[triple bond]C-1,4-C(6)H(4)-C[triple bond]C(C(6)F(5)) provided a route to conjugated polymers bearing electron-withdrawing pentafluorophenyl groups.     

Quenched gas-phase reactions of tetraborane(10), B4H10, with substituted alkynes: new nido-dicarbapentaboranes and arachno-monocarbapentaboranes

New alkyl derivatives of the nido-dicarbapentaborane, 1,2-C(2)B(3)H(7), and arachno-carbapentaborane, 1-CB(4)H(10), have been identified as the main volatile carbaborane products in quenched gas-phase reactions of tetraborane(10), B(4)H(10), with alkyl-substituted ethynes RC[triple bond]CR' (R = Me, Et, (n)Pr or (t)Bu, R' = H; R = Me or Et, R' = Me). The gaseous mixtures were heated at 70 degrees C, and monitored by gas-phase mass spectrometry. Each reaction was quenched when the ethyne was used up. The quenched gas-phase reaction of B(4)H(10) and Me(3)SiC[triple bond]CH gave a single volatile carbaborane product, 1-Me(3)Si-1,2-C(2)B(3)H(6).     

Luminescent hepta- and tetradecanuclear complexes of 5,5'-diethynyl-2,2'-bipyridine capped with triangular trinuclear Cu3/Ag3 cluster units

Heteroheptanuclear ReM6 (M = Cu 2, Ag 3) complexes of 5,5-diethynyl-2,2'-bipyridine were prepared by the reaction of [M2(mu-dppm)2(MeCN)2]2+ (dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) with the precursor compound Re(Me3SiC[triple bond]CbpyC[triple bond]CSiMe3)(CO)3Cl in the presence of potassium fluoride by fluoride-catalyzed desilylation. When [Cu2(mu-dppm)2(MeCN)2]2+ reacts directly with Me3SiC[triple bond]CbpyC[triple bond]CSiMe3, a binuclear CuI complex [Cu2(mu-dppm)2(SiMe3C[triple bond]CbpyC[triple bond]CSiMe3)2]2+ (4) was isolated. Further addition of [Cu2(mu-dppm)2(MeCN)2]2+ into a THF-MeOH (3:1, v/v) solution of 4 in the presence of potassium fluoride induced isolation of a tetradecanuclear CuI14 complex [Cu14(mu-dppm)14(C[triple bond]CbpyC[triple bond]C)2]10+, which is composed of a binuclear Cu2(mu-dppm)2 and four triangular trinuclear Cu3 units. Both heteroheptanuclear ReIMI6 and tetradecanuclear CuI14 complexes display luminescence in both solid states and dichloromethane solutions at room temperature with emissive lifetimes in the range of microseconds. The dual emissive feature for the ReM6 and CuI14 complexes is ascribed tentatively to originate from both MLCT [d(Re/Cu) -->pi* (bpy)] and LMCT (acetylide --> M3) transitions. .     

Mechanism of reversible alkyne coupling at zirconocene: ancillary ligand effects

The mechanism of reversible alkyne coupling at zirconium was investigated by examination of the kinetics of zirconacyclopentadiene cleavage to produce free alkynes. The zirconacyclopentadiene rings studied possess trimethylsilyl substituents in the alpha-positions, and the ancillary Cp2, Me2C(eta(5)-C5H4)2, and CpCp* (Cp* = eta(5)-C5Me5) bis(cyclopentadienyl) ligand sets were employed. Fragmentation of the zirconacyclopentadiene ring in Cp2Zr[2,5-(Me3Si)2-3,4-Ph2C4] with PMe3, to produce Cp2Zr(eta(2)-PhC[triple bond]CSiMe3)(PMe3) and free PhC[triple bond]CSiMe3, is first-order in initial zirconacycle concentration and zero-order in incoming phosphine (k(obs) = 1.4(2) x 10(-5) s(-1) at 22 degrees C), and the activation parameters determined by an Eyring analysis (DeltaH(double dagger) = 28(2) kcal mol(-1) and DeltaS(double dagger) = 14(4) eu) are consistent with a dissociative mechanism. The analogous reaction of the ansa-bridged complex Me2C(eta(5)-C5H4)2Zr[2,5-(Me3Si)2-3,4-Ph2C4] is 100 times faster than that for the corresponding Cp2 complex, while the corresponding CpCp* complex reacts 20 times slower than the Cp2 derivative. These rates appear to be largely influenced by the steric properties of the ancillary ligands.     

Mixed-transition-metal acetylides: synthesis and characterization of complexes with up to six different transition metals connected by carbon-rich bridging units

The synthesis and reaction chemistry of heteromultimetallic transition-metal complexes by linking diverse metal-complex building blocks with multifunctional carbon-rich alkynyl-, benzene-, and bipyridyl-based bridging units is discussed. In context with this background, the preparation of [1-{(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C}-3-{(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C}-5-(PPh(2))C(6)H(3)] (10) (dppf = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; tBu(2)bpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl; Ph = phenyl) is described; this complex can react further, leading to the successful synthesis of heterometallic complexes of higher nuclearity. Heterotetrametallic transition-metal compounds were formed when 10 was reacted with [{(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))RhCl(2)}(2)] (18), [(Et(2)S)(2)PtCl(2)] (20) or [(tht)AuC[triple bond]C-bpy] (24) (Me = methyl; Et = ethyl; tht = tetrahydrothiophene; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl-5-yl). Complexes [1-{(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C}-3-{(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C}-5-{PPh(2)RhCl(2)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))}C(6)H(3)] (19), [{1-[(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C]-3-[(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C]-5-(PPh(2))C(6)H(3)}(2)PtCl(2)] (21), and [1-{(eta(2)-dppf)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuC[triple bond]C}-3-{(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C}-5-{PPh(2)AuC[triple bond]C-bpy}C(6)H(3)] (25) were thereby obtained in good yield. After a prolonged time in solution, complex 25 undergoes a transmetallation reaction to produce [(tBu(2)bpy)(CO)(3)ReC[triple bond]C-bpy] (26). Moreover, the bipyridyl building block in 25 allowed the synthesis of Fe-Ru-Re-Au-Mo- (28) and Fe-Ru-Re-Au-Cu-Ti-based (30) assemblies on addition of [(nbd)Mo(CO)(4)] (27), (nbd = 1,5-norbornadiene), or [{[Ti](mu-sigma,pi-C[triple bond]CSiMe(3))(2)}Cu(N[triple bond]CMe)][PF(6)] (29) ([Ti] = (eta(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)Ti) to 25. The identities of 5, 6, 8, 10-12, 14-16, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28, and 30 have been confirmed by elemental analysis and IR, (1)H, (13)C{(1)H}, and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy. From selected samples ESI-TOF mass spectra were measured. The solid-state structures of 8, 12, 19 and 26 were additionally solved by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, confirming the structural assignment made from spectroscopy.     

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. 28. Core enlargement of tungsten-iridium clusters with alkynyl, ethyndiyl, and butadiyndiyl reagents

Reaction of [WIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5Me5)] (1c) with [W(C[triple bond]CPh)(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] afforded the edge-bridged tetrahedral cluster [W2Ir3(mu4-eta2-C2Ph)(mu-CO)(CO)9(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)] (3) and the edge-bridged trigonal-bipyramidal cluster [W3Ir3(mu4-eta2-C2Ph)(mu-eta2-C=CHPh)(Cl)(CO)8(eta-C5Me5)(eta-C5H5)2] (4) in poor to fair yield. Cluster 3 forms by insertion of [W(C[triple bond]CPh)(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] into Ir-Ir and W-Ir bonds, accompanied by a change in coordination mode from a terminally bonded alkynyl to a mu4-eta2 alkynyl ligand. Cluster 4 contains an alkynyl ligand interacting with two iridium atoms and two tungsten atoms in a mu4-eta2 fashion, as well as a vinylidene ligand bridging a W-W bond. Reaction of [WIr3(CO)11(eta-C5H5)] (1a) or 1c with [(eta-C5H5)(CO)2 Ru(C[triple bond]C)Ru(CO)2(eta-C5H5)] afforded [Ru2WIr3(mu5-eta2-C2)(mu-CO)3(CO)7(eta-C5H5)2(eta-C5R5)] [R = H (5a), Me (5c)] in low yield, a structural study of 5a revealing a WIr3 butterfly core capped and spiked by Ru atoms; the diruthenium ethyndiyl precursor has undergone Ru-C scission, with insertion of the C2 unit into a W-Ir bond of the cluster precursor. Reaction of [W2Ir2(CO)10(eta-C5H5)2] with the diruthenium ethyndiyl reagent gave [RuW2Ir2{mu4-eta2-(C2C[triple bond]C)Ru(CO)2(eta-C5H5)}(mu-CO)2(CO)6(eta-C5H5)3] (6) in low yield, a structural study of 6 revealing a butterfly W2Ir2 unit capped by a Ru(eta-C5H5) group resulting from Ru-C scission; the terminal C2 of a new ruthenium-bound butadiyndiyl ligand has been inserted into the W-Ir bond. Reaction between 1a, [WIr3(CO)11(eta-C5H4Me)] (1b), or 1c and [(eta-C5H5)(CO)3W(C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C)W(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] afforded [W2Ir3{mu4-eta2-(C2C[triple bond]C)W(CO)3(eta-C5H5)}(mu-CO)2(CO)2(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5R5)] [R = H (7a), Me (7c); R5 = H4Me (7b)] in good yield, a structural study of 7c revealing it to be a metallaethynyl analogue of 3.     

Generation and coupling of [Mn(dmpe)2(C triple bond CR)(C triple bond C)]* radicals producing redox-active C4-bridged rigid-rod complexes

The symmetric d(5) trans-bis-alkynyl complexes [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(2)] (R = Me, 1 a; Et, 1 b; Ph, 1 c) (dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane) have been prepared by the reaction of [Mn(dmpe)(2)Br(2)] with two equivalents of the corresponding acetylide LiC triple bond CSiR(3). The reactions of species 1 with [Cp(2)Fe][PF(6)] yield the corresponding d(4) complexes [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(2)][PF(6)] (R = Me, 2 a; Et, 2 b; Ph, 2 c). These complexes react with NBu(4)F (TBAF) at -10 degrees C to give the desilylated parent acetylide compound [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(2)][PF(6)] (6), which is stable only in solution at below 0 degrees C. The asymmetrically substituted trans-bis-alkynyl complexes [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(C triple bond CH)][PF(6)] (R = Me, 7 a; Et, 7 b) related to 6 have been prepared by the reaction of the vinylidene compounds [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(C=CH(2))] (R = Me, 5 a; Et, 5 b) with two equivalents of [Cp(2)Fe][PF(6)] and one equivalent of quinuclidine. The conversion of [Mn(C(5)H(4)Me)(dmpe)I] with Me(3)SiC triple bond CSnMe(3) and dmpe afforded the trans-iodide-alkynyl d(5) complex [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiMe(3))I] (9). Complex 9 proved to be unstable with regard to ligand disproportionation reactions and could therefore not be oxidized to a unique Mn(III) product, which prevented its further use in acetylide coupling reactions. Compounds 2 react at room temperature with one equivalent of TBAF to form the mixed-valent species [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)](2)(micro-C(4))][PF(6)] (11) by C-C coupling of [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(C triple bond C*)] radicals generated by deprotonation of 6. In a similar way, the mixed-valent complex [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiMe(3))](2)(micro-C(4))][PF(6)] [12](+) is obtained by the reaction of 7 a with one equivalent of DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene). The relatively long-lived radical intermediate [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(C triple bond C*)] could be trapped as the Mn(I) complex [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(triple bond C-CO(2))] (14) by addition of an excess of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) to the reaction mixtures of species 2 and TBAF. The neutral dinuclear Mn(II)/Mn(II) compounds [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CR(3))](2)(micro-C(4))] (R = H, 11; R = SiMe(3), 12) are produced by the reduction of [11](+) and [12](+), respectively, with [FeCp(C(6)Me(6))]. [11](+) and [12](+) can also be oxidized with [Cp(2)Fe][PF(6)] to produce the dicationic Mn(III)/Mn(III) species [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CR(3))](2)(micro-C(4))][PF(6)](2) (R = H, [11](2+); R = SiMe(3), [12](2+)). Both redox processes are fully reversible. The dinuclear compounds have been characterized by NMR, IR, UV/Vis, and Raman spectroscopies, CV, and magnetic susceptibilities, as well as elemental analyses. X-ray diffraction studies have been performed on complexes 4 b, 7 b, 9, [12](+), [12](2+), and 14.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Coupling of Ethynylated p-Carborane Derivatives: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Modular Ethynylated p-Carborane Molecules

Methodology leading to a new class of rodlike p-carborane derivatives is described, involving the palladium-catalyzed coupling of B-iodinated p-carboranes with terminal alkynes. The products of these reactions contain an alkyne substituent at a boron vertex of the p-carborane cage. Reaction of closo-2-I-1,12-C(2)B(10)H(11) (1) with closo-2-(C&tbd1;CH)-1,12-C(2)B(10)H(11) (3) in the presence of pyrrolidine and catalytic quantities of bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium dichloride and cupric iodide yields 1,2-(closo-1',12'-C(2)B(10)H(11)-2'-yl)(2) acetylene (4). Oxidative coupling of 3 in the presence of cupric chloride in piperidine affords 1,4-(closo-1',12'-C(2)B(10)H(11)-2'-yl)(2)-1,3-butadiyne (5). Reaction of 2 molar equiv. of closo-2,9-I(2)-1,12-C(2)B(10)H(10) (6) withcloso-2,9-(C&tbd1;CH)(2)-1,12-C(2)B(10)H(10) (7) in the presence of pyrrolidine and catalytic quantities of bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium dichloride and cupric iodide yields closo-2,9-(closo-2'-I-9'-C&tbd1;C-1',12'-C(2)B(10)H(10))(2)-1,12-C(2)B(10)H(10) (8), a rigid, iodine-terminated carborod trimer in which the p-carborane cages are linked at the 2 and 9 B-vertices by alkyne (C&tbd1;C) bridges. The molecular structures of 5 and the previously described closo-2,9-(C&tbd1;CSiMe(3))(2)-1,12-C(2)B(10)H(10) (9) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystallographic data are as follows: for 5, monoclinic, space group P2/a, a = 12.352(6) ?, b = 14.169 (6) ?, c = 12.384(5) ?, beta = 109.69(2) degrees, V = 2041 ?(3), Z = 4, R = 0.098, R(w)( )()= 0.135; for 9, monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 22.111(4) ?, b = 7.565(2) ?, c = 6.943(2) ?, beta = 107.871(8) degrees, V = 1105 ?(3), Z = 2, R = 0.059, R(w)( )()= 0.090.     

Preparation, structures and some reactions of novel diynyl complexes of iron and ruthenium

Reactions between HC triple bond CC triple bond CSiMe3 and several ruthenium halide precursors have given the complexes Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CSiMe3)(L2)Cp'[Cp'= Cp, L = CO (1), PPh3 (2); Cp' = Cp*, L2= dppe (3)]. Proto-desilylation of 2 and 3 have given unsubstituted buta-1,3-diyn-1-yl complexes Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CH)(L2)Cp'[Cp'= Cp, L = PPh3 (5); Cp'= Cp*, L2 = dppe (6)]. Replacement of H in 5 or 6 with Au(PR3) groups was achieved in reactions with AuCl(PR3) in the presence of KN(SiMe3)2 to give Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CAu(PR3)](L2)Cp'[Cp' = Cp, L = PPh3, R = Ph (7); Cp' = Cp*, L2= dppe, R = Ph (8), tol (9)]. The asymmetrically end-capped [Cp(Ph3P)2Ru]C triple bond CC triple bond C[Ru(dppe)Cp*] (10) was obtained from Ru(C triple bond CC triple bond CH)(dppe)Cp* and RuCl(PPh3)2Cp. Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations of and are reported, with a comparative determination of the structure of Fe(C triple bond CC triple bond CSiMe3)(dppe)Cp* (4), and those of a fifth polymorph of [Ru(PPh3)2Cp]2(mu-C triple bond CC triple bond C) (12), and [Ru(dppe)Cp]2(mu-C triple bond CC triple bond C) (13).     

Ionic-liquid-promoted decaborane dehydrogenative alkyne-insertion reactions: a new route to o-carboranes

Unlike in conventional organic solvents, where Lewis base catalysts are required, decaborane dehydrogenative alkyne-insertion reactions proceed rapidly in biphasic ionic-liquid/toluene mixtures with a wide variety of terminal and internal alkynes, thus providing efficient, one-step routes to functional o-carborane 1-R-1,2-C2B10H11 and 1-R-2-R'-1,2-C2B10H10 derivatives, including R = C6H5- (1), C6H13- (2), HC[triple bond]C-(CH2)5- (3), (1-C2B10H11)-(CH2)5- (4), CH3CH2C(O)OCH2- (5), (C2H5)2NCH2- (6), NC-(CH2)3- (7), 3-HC[triple bond]C-C6H4- (8), (1-C2B10H11)-1,3-C6H4- (9), HC[triple bond]C-CH2-O-CH2- (10); R,R' = C2H5- (11); R = HOCH2-, R' = CH3- (12); R = BrCH2-; R' = CH3- (13); R = H2C=C(CH3)-, R' = C2H5- (14). The best results were obtained from reactions with only catalytic amounts of bmimCl (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride), where in many cases reaction times of less than 20 min were required. The experimental data for these reactions, the results observed for the reactions of B10H13(-) salts with alkynes, and the computational studies reported in the third paper in this series all support a reaction sequence involving (1) the initial ionic liquid promoted formation of the B10H13(-) anion, (2) addition of B10H13(-) to the alkyne to form an arachno-R,R'-C2B10H13(-) anion, and (3) protonation of arachno-R,R'-C2B10H13(-) to form the final neutral 1-R-2-R'-1,2-C2B10H10 product with loss of hydrogen.     

Synthetic and computational studies of the palladium(iv) system Pd(alkyl)(aryl)(alkynyl)(bidentate)(triflate) exhibiting selectivity in C-C reductive elimination

Synthetic routes to methyl(aryl)alkynylpalladium(iv) motifs are presented, together with studies of selectivity in carbon-carbon coupling by reductive elimination from Pd(IV) centres. The iodonium reagents IPh(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)(OTf) (R = SiMe(3), Bu(t), OTf = O(3)SCF(3)) oxidise Pd(II)Me(p-Tol)(L(2)) (1-3) [L(2) = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe) (1), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) (2), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (3)] in acetone-d(6) or toluene-d(9) at -80 °C to form complexes Pd(IV)(OTf)Me(p-Tol)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)(L(2)) [R = SiMe(3), L(2) = dmpe (4), bpy (5), phen (6); R = Bu(t), L(2) = dmpe (7), bpy (8), phen (9)] which reductively eliminate predominantly (>90%) p-Tol-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR above ～-50 °C. NMR spectra show that isomeric mixtures are present for the Pd(IV) complexes: three for dmpe complexes (4, 7), and two for bpy and phen complexes (5, 6, 8, 9), with reversible reduction in the number of isomers to two occurring between -80 °C and -60 °C observed for the dmpe complex 4 in toluene-d(8). Kinetic data for reductive elimination from Pd(IV)(OTf)Me(p-Tol)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSiMe(3))(dmpe) (4) yield similar activation parameters in acetone-d(6) (66 ± 2 kJ mol(-1), ΔH(?) 64 ± 2 kJ mol(-1), ΔS(?)-67 ± 2 J K(-1) mol(-1)) and toluene-d(8) (E(a) 68 ± 3 kJ mol(-1), ΔH(?) 66 ± 3 kJ mol(-1), ΔS(?)-74 ± 3 J K(-1) mol(-1)). The reaction rate in acetone-d(6) is unaffected by addition of sodium triflate, indicative of reductive elimination without prior dissociation of triflate. DFT computational studies at the B97-D level show that the energy difference between the three isomers of 4 is small (12.6 kJ mol(-1)), and is similar to the energy difference encompassing the six potential transition state structures from these isomers leading to three feasible C-C coupling products (13.0 kJ mol(-1)). The calculations are supportive of reductive elimination occurring directly from two of the three NMR observed isomers of 4, involving lower activation energies to form p-TolC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSiMe(3) and earlier transition states than for other products, and involving coupling of carbon atoms with higher s character of σ-bonds (sp(2) for p-Tol, sp for C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-SiMe(3)) to form the product with the strongest C-C bond energy of the potential coupling products. Reductive elimination occurs predominantly from the isomer with Me(3)SiC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C trans to OTf. Crystal structure analyses are presented for Pd(II)Me(p-Tol)(dmpe) (1), Pd(II)Me(p-Tol)(bpy) (2), and the acetonyl complex Pd(II)Me(CH(2)COMe)(bpy) (11).     

Room-temperature phosphorescence and energy transfer in luminescent multinuclear platinum(II) complexes of branched alkynyls

A series of luminescent branched platinum(II) alkynyl complexes, [1,3,5-{RC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]C-C6H4C[triple bond]C}3C6H3] (R=C6H5, C6H4OMe, C6H4Me, C6H4CF3, C5H4N, C6H4SAc, 1-napthyl (Np), 1-pyrenyl (Pyr), 1-anthryl-8-ethynyl (HC[triple bond]CAn)), [1,3-{PyrC[triple chemical bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}2-5-{(iPr)3SiC[triple bond]C}C6H3], and [1,3-{PyrC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}2-5-(HC[triple bond]C)C6H3], was successfully synthesized by using the precursors [1,3,5-{Cl(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}3C6H3] or [1,3-{Cl(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}2-5-{(iPr)3SiC[triple bond]C}C6H3]. The X-ray crystal structures of [1,3,5-{MeOC6H4C[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}3C6H3] and [1,8-{Cl(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]C}2An] have been determined. These complexes were found to show long-lived emission in both solution and solid-state phases at room temperature. The emission origin of the branched complexes [1,3,5-{RC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}3C6H3] with R=C6H5, C6H4OMe, C6H4Me, C6H4CF3, C5H4N, and C6H4SAc was tentatively assigned to be derived from triplet states of predominantly intraligand (IL) character with some mixing of metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) (dpi(Pt)-->pi*(C[triple bond]CR)) character, while the emission origin of the branched complexes with polyaromatic alkynyl ligands, [1,3,5-{RC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}3C6H3] with R=Np, Pyr, or HC[triple bond]CAn, [1,3-{PyrC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}2-5-{(iPr)3SiC[triple bond]C}C6H3], [1,3-{PyrC[triple bond]C(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]CC6H4C[triple bond]C}2-5-(HC[triple bond]C)C6H3], and [1,8-{Cl(PEt3)2PtC[triple bond]C}2An], was tentatively assigned to be derived from the predominantly 3IL states of the respective polyaromatic alkynyl ligands, mixed with some 3MLCT (d(pi)(Pt)-->pi*(C[triple bond]CR)) character. By incorporating different alkynyl ligands into the periphery of these branched complexes, one could readily tune the nature of the lowest energy emissive state and the direction of the excitation energy transfer.     

The reaction of 'GaI' with a 1,3-diyne: synthesis,characterisation and reactivity of a novel C-C coupled ene-diyne-bis(gem-organodigallium(III)) complex

Treatment of 'GaI' with a 1,3-diyne, Me3SiC[triple bond]CC[triple bond]CSiMe3, leads to C-C coupling reactions and the isolation of the novel organogallium species, [Ga4I8[C8(SiMe3)4]], as two isomeric forms; their X-ray crystal structures show them to contain the first structurally authenticated gem-organodigallium fragments and to exhibit rare examples of Ga-alkyne pi-interactions.     

Selective C-C bond formation between alkynes mediated by the [RuCp(PR)(3)](+) fragment leading to allyl,butadienyl, and allenyl carbene complexes--an experimental and theoretical study

The reaction of alkynes with [RuCp(PR(3))(CH(3)CN)(2)]PF(6) (R=Me, Ph, Cy) affords, depending on the structure of the alkyne and the substituent of the phosphine ligand, allyl carbene or butadienyl carbene complexes. These reactions involve the migration of the phosphine ligand or a facile 1,2 hydrogen shift. Both reactions proceed via a metallacyclopentatriene complex. If no alpha C[bond]H bonds are accessible, allyl carbenes are formed, while in the presence of alpha C[bond]H bonds butadienyl carbenes are typically obtained. With diphenylacetylene, on the other hand, a cyclobutadiene complex is formed. A different reaction pathway is encountered with HC[triple bond]CSiMe(3), ethynylferrocene (HC[triple bond]CFc), and ethynylruthenocene (HC[triple bond]CRc). Whereas the reaction of [RuCp(PR(3))(CH(3)CN)(2)]PF(6) (R=Ph and Cy) with HC[triple bond]CSiMe(3) affords a vinylidene complex, with HC[triple bond]CFc and HC[triple bond]CRc this reaction does not stop at the vinylidene stage but subsequent cycloaddition yields allenyl carbene complexes. This latter C[bond]C bond formation is effected by strong electronic coupling of the metallocene moiety with the conjugated allenyl carbene unit, which facilitates transient vinylidene formation with subsequent alkyne insertion into the Ru[double bond]C bond. The vinylidene intermediate appears only in the presence of bulky substituents of the phosphine coligand. For the small R=Me, head-to-tail coupling between two alkyne molecules involving phosphine migration is preferred, giving the more usual allyl carbene complexes. X-ray structures of representative complexes are presented. A reasonable mechanism for the formation of both allyl and allenyl carbenes has been established by means of DFT calculations. During the formation of allyl and allenyl carbenes, metallacyclopentatriene and vinylidene complexes, respectively, are crucial intermediates.     

C-C coupling reactions in the coordination sphere of rhodium(I) and rhodium(III): New routes for the di- and trimerization of terminal alkynes

The alkynyl(vinylidene)rhodium(I) complexes trans-[Rh(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)(=C=CHR)(PiPr3)2] 2, 5, 6 react with CO by migratory insertion to give stereoselectively the butenynyl compounds trans-[Rh{eta1-(Z)-C(=CHR)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR}(CO)(PiPr3)2](Z)-7-9, of which (Z)-7 (R=Ph) and (Z)-8 (R=tBu) rearrange upon heating or UV irradiation to the (E) isomers. Similarly, trans-[Rh{eta1-C(=CH2)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh}(CO)(PiPr3)2] 12 and trans-[Rh{eta1-(Z)-C(=CHCO2Me)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR}(CO)(PiPr3)2](Z)-15, (Z)-16 have been prepared. At room temperature, the corresponding "non-substituted" derivative trans-[Rh{eta1-C(=CH2)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH}(CO)(PiPr3)2] 18 is in equilibrium with the butatrienyl isomer trans-[Rh(eta1-CH=]C=C=CH2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] 19 that rearranges photochemically to the alkynyl complex trans-[Rh(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CH2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] 20. Reactions of (Z)-7, (E)-7, (Z)-8 and (E)-8 with carboxylic acids R'CO2H (R'=CH3, CF3) yield either the butenyne (Z)- and/or (E)-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CHR or a mixture of the butenyne and the isomeric butatriene, the ratio of which depends on both R and R'. Treatment of 2 (R=Ph) with HCl at -40 degrees C affords five-coordinate [RhCl(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh){(Z)-CH=CHPh}(PiPr3)2] 23, which at room temperature reacts by C-C coupling to give trans-[RhCl{eta2-(Z)-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CHPh}(PiPr3)2](Z)-21. The related compound trans-[RhCl(eta2-HC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CH2)(PiPr3)2] 27, prepared from trans-[Rh(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH)(=C=CH2)(PiPr3)2] 17 and HCl, rearranges to the vinylvinylidene isomer trans-[RhCl(=C=CHCH=CH2)(PiPr3)2] 28. While stepwise reaction of 2with CF3CO2H yields, via alkynyl(vinyl)rhodium(III) intermediates (Z)-29 and (E)-29, the alkyne complexes trans-[Rh(kappa1-O2CCF3)(eta2-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CHPh)(PiPr3)2](Z)-30 and (E)-30, from 2 and CH3CO2H the acetato derivative [Rh(kappa2-O2CCH3)(PiPr3)2] 33 and (Z)-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=]CHPh are obtained. From 6 (R=CO2Me) and HCl or HC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCO2Me the chelate complexes [RhX(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCO2Me){kappa2(C,O)-CH=CHC(OMe)=O}(PiPr3)2] 34 (X=Cl) and 35 (X=C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCO2Me) have been prepared. In contrast to the reactions of [Rh(kappa2-O2CCH3)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CE)(CH=CHE)(PiPr3)2] 37(E=CO2Me) with chloride sources which give, via intramolecular C-C coupling, four-coordinate trans-[RhCl{eta2-(E)-EC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CHE}(PiPr3)2](E)-36, treatment of 37with HC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CE affords, via insertion of the alkyne into the rhodium-vinyl bond, six-coordinate [Rh(kappa2-O2CCH3)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CE){eta1-(E,E)-C(=CHE)CH=CHE}(PiPr3)2] 38. The latter reacts with MgCl2 to yield trans-[RhCl{eta2-(E,E)-EC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CC(=CHE)CH=CHE}(PiPr3)2] 39, which, in the presence of CO, generates the substituted hexadienyne (E,E)-EC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CC(=CHE)CH=CHE 40.     

Synthesis and some properties of binuclear ruthenocenes bridged by oligoynes: formation of bis(cyclopentadienylidene)cumulene diruthenium complexes in the two-electron oxidation

The monoynes [Rc*C[triple bond]CRc*] and [Rc'C[triple bond]CRc'] were obtained in improved yields using [Mo(CO)6]/2-FC6H5OH as a catalyst in the alkyne metathesis of [Rc*C[triple bond]CMe] and [Rc'C[triple bond]CMe], respectively (Rc = ruthenocenyl, Rc* = 1',2',3',4',5'-pentamethylruthenocenyl, and Rc' = 2',3',4',5'-tetramethylruthenocenyl groups). The diynes [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)2Rc*] and [Rc'(C[triple bond]C)2Rc'] were synthesized by the oxidative coupling of the corresponding terminal ethynes in good yields. The triyne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)3Rc*] and the tetrayne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)4Rc*] were prepared by the hetero- and homocoupling of [Rc*C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]CH], which was obtained from the reaction of [Rc*C[triple bond]CCHO] with Li[N2CSiMe3], respectively. Although the oxidation waves did not always exhibit a clear two-electron oxidation process, the oxidation potentials shifted to a lower potential with an increase in the number of methyl substituents on the ruthenocenyl ring, and shifted to a higher potential with the increase in the number of C[triple bond]C units; this result is in contrast to that found in the [Rc(CH=CH)(n)Rc] series. The chemical oxidation of [Rc'C[triple bond]CRc'] yielded a stable two-electron-oxidized species, the structure of which was confirmed by X-ray crystallography to be [Ru2(mu2-eta(6):eta(6)-C5Me4C=CC5Me4)(eta-C5H5)2](BF4)2. Changing the substituents (Rc, Rc*, and Rc') had no effect on the chemical oxidation, but in the case of the Rc' series the Me substituent increased the stability of the two-electron-oxidized species in solution. The diyne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)2Rc*] and the triyne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)3Rc*] also gave a similar but unstable two-electron-oxidized species. In acetone or acetonitrile, the two-electron-oxidized species of [Rc*C[triple bond]CRc*] and [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)2Rc*] gradually formed the corresponding bis(fulvene)-type complexes. This implies that the two-electron-oxidized species of [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)(n)Rc*] are destabilized with the increasing n.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, reactivity, and thermal stability of [eta(5):sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2)

Reaction of [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]TiCl(NMe2) (1) with 1 equiv of PhCH2K, MeMgBr, or Me3SiCH2Li gave corresponding organotitanium alkyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2) (R = CH2Ph (2), CH2SiMe3 (4), or Me (5)) in good yields. Treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of n-BuLi afforded the decomposition product {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (3). Complex 5 slowly decomposed to generate a mixed-valence dinuclear species {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe2)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (6). Complex 1 reacted with 1 equiv of PhNCO or 2,6-Me2C6H3NC to afford the corresponding monoinsertion product [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-OC(NMe2)NPh] (7) or [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-C(NMe2)=N(2,6-Me2C6H3)] (8). Reaction of 4 or 5 with 1 equiv of R'NC gave the titanium eta(2)-iminoacyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(NMe2)[eta(2)-C(R)=N(R')] (R = CH2SiMe3, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (9) or tBu (10); R = Me, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (11) or tBu (12)). The results indicated that the unsaturated molecules inserted into the Ti-N bond only in the absence of the Ti-C(alkyl) bond and that the Ti-C(cage) bond remained intact. All complexes were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 6-8, and 10-12 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses.     

Sulfur, tin and gold derivatives of 1-(2'-pyridyl)-ortho-carborane, 1-R-2-X-1,2-C2B10H10 (R = 2'-pyridyl, X = SH, SnMe3 or AuPPh3)

Reaction of the lithium salt of 1-(2'-pyridyl)-ortho-carborane, Li[1-R-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)](R = 2'-NC(5)H(4)), with sulfur, followed by hydrolysis, gave the mercapto-o-carborane, 1-R-2-SH-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10) which forms chiral crystals containing helical chains of molecules linked by intermolecular S-H...N hydrogen bonds. The cage C(1)-C(2) and exo C(2)-S bond lengths (1.730(3) and 1.775(2)[Angstrom], respectively) are indicative of exo S=C pi bonding. The tin derivative 1-R-2-SnMe(3)-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10), prepared from Li[1-R-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)] and Me(3)SnCl, crystallises with no significant intermolecular interactions. The pyridyl group lies in the C(1)-C(2)-Sn plane, oriented to minimise the NSn distance (2.861(3)[Angstrom]). The tin environment is distorted trigonal bipyramidal with axial N and Me. The gold derivative 1-R-2-AuPPh(3)-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10), prepared from Li[1-R-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)] and AuCl(PPh(3)), reveals no NAu interaction in its crystal structure.