Solid-state static Cu and P CP/MAS NMR, and liquid-state EXAFS studies on copper(I) O,O′-dialkyldithiophosphate cluster compounds: Formation of the copper(I) O,O′-di-iso-amyldithiophosphate cluster compound on the surface of synthetic chalcocite

Polycrystalline octa-nuclear copper(I) O,O′-di-i-propyl- and O,O′-di-i-amyldithiophosphate cluster compounds, {Cu₈[S₂P(OR)₂]₆(μ₈-S)} where R = ⁱPr and ⁱAm, were synthesized and characterized by ³¹P CP/MAS NMR at 8.46 T and static ⁶⁵Cu NMR at multiple magnetic field strengths (7.05, 9.4 and 14.1 T). The symmetries of the electronic environments around the P sites were estimated from the ³¹P chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) parameters, δ_aniso and η. Analyses of the ⁶⁵Cu chemical shift and quadrupolar splitting parameters for these compounds are presented with the data being compared to those for the analogous octa-nuclear cluster compounds with R = ⁿBu and ⁱBu. The ⁶⁵Cu transverse relaxation for the copper sites in {Cu₈[S₂P(OⁱPr)₂]₆(μ₈-S)} and {Cu₈[S₂P(OⁱAm)₂]₆(μ₈-S)} was found to be very different, with a relaxation time, T₂, of 590 μs (Gaussian) and 90 μs (exponential), respectively. The structures of {Cu₄[S₂P(OⁱPr)₂]₄} and {Cu₈[S₂P(OⁱPr)₂]₆(μ₈-S)} cluster compounds in the liquid- and the solid-state were studied by Cu K-edge EXAFS. The disulfide, [S₂P(OⁱAm)₂]₂, was obtained and characterized by ³¹P{¹H} NMR. The interactions of the disulfide and of the potassium O,O′-di-i-amyldithiophosphate salt with the surfaces of synthetic chalcocite (Cu₂S) were probed using solid-state ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and only the presence of copper(I) dithiophosphate species with the {Cu₈[S₂P(OⁱAm)₂]₆(μ₈-S)} structure was observed.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of neutral salicylaldiminato nickel(II) complexes bearing a single N-heterocyclic carbene ligand

Neutral salicylaldiminato Ni(II) complexes bearing a single N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand [3,5-^tBu₂-2-(O)C₆H₂CHNAr]Ni(C{RNCHCHNⁱPr})Ph [Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, R = Bn (1); Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, R = ⁱPr (2)], have been synthesized via a one-pot procedure in high yield. The X-ray structure analysis reveals that both of 1 and 2 adopt distorted square-planar coordination geometry and NHC carbon (C_carbene) is trans to the ketimine nitrogen. Preliminary study indicates that complex 1 is inert toward the insertion of ethylene, however, it can catalyze the dimerization of ethylene in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) with a moderate activity of 3.05 × 10⁴ g(mol Ni)⁻¹ h ⁻¹ atm⁻¹ in a highly selective fashion.     

Synthesis and chemistry of the bis(trimethylsilyl)amido bis-tetrahydrofuranates of the group 2 metals magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. X-ray crystal structures of Mg[N(SiMe3)2]2·2THF and related Mn[N(SiMe3)2]2·2THF

Transamination reactions utilizing the compound mercuric bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, Hg{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂, in tetrahydrofuran (THF), and the metals Na, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Al have been investigated. Thus the THF solvated compounds Na[N(SiMe₃)₂]·THF and M[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂·2THF, M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba (1–4), have been prepared. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and the related manganese compound Mn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂·2THF (5) are reported. Interaction of the silylamides, 2–4, with a range of crown ethers apparently proceeded with elimination of silylamine, (Me₃Si)₂NH, and novel ring opening of the crown ethers, generating species containing a donor alkoxide ligand with a vinyl ether function, presumably, ---O(CH₂CH₂O)_nCH=CH₂ (n = 3−5). The silylamides 2–4 were also cleanly converted to the corresponding alkoxides (from ¹H NMR data) in reactions with stoichiometric quantities of 3-ethyl-3-pentanol.     

Synthesis of titanium(IV) complexes that contain the Bis(silylamide) ligand of the type [1,8-C10H6(NR)2], and alkene polymerization catalyzed by [1,8-C10H6(NR)2]TiCl2-cocatalyst system

[1,8-C₁₀H₆(NR)₂]TiCl₂ (3; R=SiMe₃, SiⁱBuMe₂, SiⁱPr₃) complexes have been prepared from dilithio salts [1,8-C₁₀H₆(NR)₂]Li₂ (2) and TiCl₄ in diethyl ether in moderate yields (60–63%). These complexes showed significant catalytic activities for ethylene polymerization and for ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO), methyl isobutyl aluminoxane (MMAO), AlⁱBu₃– or AlEt₃–Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ as a cocatalyst. The catalytic activities performed in heptane (cocatalyst MMAO) were higher than those carried out in toluene (cocatalyst MAO): 709 kg-PE/mol-Ti·h could be attained for ethylene polymerization by using [1,8-C₁₀H₆(NSiⁱBuMe₂)₂]TiCl₂–MMAO catalyst system.     

Reactions of the sterically hindered organosilicon diol (Me3Si)2C(SiMe2OH)2 and some of its derivatives

The diol R₂C(SiMe₂OH)₂ (R = Me₃Si) has been shown to react with: SO₂Cl₂ to give R₂ Me₂; SOCl₂ to give R₂C(SiMe₂Cl)₂; Me₃SiI or Me₃SiCl to give R₂C(SiMe₂OSiMe₃)₂; R′COCl; (R′ = Me or CF₃) to give R₂C(SiMe₂O₂CR′)-(SiMe₂Cl); (R′CO)₂O (R′ = Me or CF₃ to give R₂C(SiMe₂O₂CR′)₂; with MeOH containing acid to give R₂C(SiMe₂OMe)₂; with neutral MeOH to give R₂C-(SiMe₂OMe)₂ and probably R₂ Me₂; MeLi to give R₂C(SiMe₂OLi)₂ (and the latter to react with PhMeSiF₂ to give R₂ Me₂). The diacetate R₂C(SiMe₂O₂CMe)₂ reacts with CsF in MeCN to give R₂C(SiMe₂F)₂; it does not react with NaN₃ or KSCN in MeCN, but the bis(trifluoroacetate) reacts with these salts with KOCN to give R₂C(SiMe₂X)₂ (X = N₃, NCS, NCO).     

Synthesis and characterisation of Hf(thd)2X2 derivatives [X = N(SiMe3)2, OSiMe3 and OSiBuMe2] as precursors for MOCVD of hafnium silicate films

Hafnium β-diketonatochlorides HfCl₂(thd)₂ (1), HfCl(thd)₃ (2) as well as β-diketonato-silylamide and/or siloxide derivatives of 1 namely Hf(thd)₂[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (3), Hf(thd)₂(OSiMe₃)₂ (4) and Hf(thd)₂(OSi^tBuMe₂)₂ (5) (thd = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and TGA. 2 and 5 were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The siloxide ligands are in cis position for 5 and exert a strong trans effect. The new volatile compounds were tested as single-source precursors for the deposition of HfSi_xO_y films by pulsed liquid injection MOCVD on Si(1 0 0) and R plane sapphire. The as-deposited at 600–800 °C films were essentially amorphous, Hf-rich (Hf/Hf + Si = 0.7–0.85) and smooth.     

Preparation, structures, and haptotropic rearrangement of novel dinuclear ruthenium complexes, (μ2,η:η-guaiazulene)Ru2(CO)4(CNR)

Novel isonitrile derivatives of a diruthenium carbonyl complex, (μ₂,η³:η⁵-guaiazulene)Ru₂(CO)₅ (2), were synthesized by substitution of a CO ligand by an isonitrile, and were subjected to studies on thermal and photochemical haptotropic interconversion. Treatment of 2 (a 45:55 mixture of two haptotropic isomers, 2-A and 2-B) with RNC at room temperature resulted in coordination of RNC and alternation of the coordination mode of the guaiazulene ligand to form (μ₂,η¹:η⁵-guaiazulene)Ru₂(CO)₅(CNR), 5d–5f, [5d; R=^tBu, 5e; 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, or 5f; 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃] in moderate to good yields. Thermal dissociation of a CO ligand from 5 at 60 °C resulted in quantitative formation of a desirable isonitrile analogue of 2, (μ₂,η³:η⁵-guaiazulene)Ru₂(CO)₄(CNR), 4d–4f, [4d; R=^tBu, 4e; 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, or 4f; 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃], as a 1:1 mixture of the two haptotropic isomers. A direct synthetic route from 2 to 4d–4f was alternatively discovered; treatment of 2 with one equivalent of RNC at 60 °C gave 4d–4f in moderate yields. All of the new compounds were characterized by spectroscopy, and structures of 5d (R=^tBu) and 4d-A (R=^tBu) were determined by crystallography. Thermal and photochemical interconversion between the two haptotropic isomers of 4d–4f revealed that the isomer ratios in the thermal equilibrium and in the photostatic state were in the range of 48:52–54:46.     

Synthesis and structural behavior of the P-functional organotin chlorides [Ph2P(CH2)3]2SnCl2, Ph2P(CH2)3SnCl2Me, and Ph2P(CH2)nSnCl3 (n=2, 3)

The P-functional organotin dichloride [Ph₂P(CH₂)₃]₂SnCl₂ (3) is synthesized by reaction of Ph₂P(CH₂)₃MgCl with SnCl₄ independently of the molar ratio of the starting compounds. The corresponding organotin trichlorides Ph₂P(CH₂)_nSnCl₂R (4: n=2, R=Cl; 5: n=3, R=Cl; 6: n=3, R=Me) are formed in a cleavage reaction of Ph₂P(CH₂)_nSnCy₃ (n=2, 3) with SnCl₄ or MeSnCl₃, respectively. The main features of the crystal structures of 3–6 are both intra- and intermolecular PSn coordinations and the existence of intermolecular Sn---ClSn bridges. For further characterization of the title compounds, the adducts 4(Ph₃PO)₂ (7) and 5(Ph₃PO) (8), as well as the P-oxides and P-sulfides of 3–6 (9–15), are synthesized. The results of crystal structure analyses of 7, 11, 12, and 14 are reported. The structures of 9–15 are characterized by intramolecular P=XSn interactions (X=O, S). A first insight into the structural behavior of the compounds 3–15 in solution is discussed on the basis of multinuclear NMR data.     

Synthesis and characterization of isomanolonitrile dithiolato palladium complexes. Crystal structure of (PPh3)2Pd(S2C4N2) and (Et4N)2WS4Pd(S2C4N2)

A series of isomalononitrile dithiolato palladium complexes, (PPh₃)₂Pd(1-mnt) (1), [P(OPh)₃]₂Pd(i-mnt) (2), (PPh₃)(py)Pd(i-mnt)·CH₃CN (4), (Et₄N)₂Pd(i-mnt)₂ (4) and (Ph₄As)₂Pd(i-mnt)₂ (5) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. The reaction between (Et₄N)₂Pd(i-mnt)₂ (4) and (Et₄N)₂WS₄ gave a mixed metal cluster (Et₄N)₂WS₄Pd(i-mnt) (6). The crystallographically determined structures of 1 and 6 are reported.     

Übergangsmetall-silyl-komplexe L. darstellung, struktur und reaktivität der Trihydrido-Silyl-und -Stannyl-Komplexe L3FeH3(ER3) (E =Si,

Photochemical reaction of (CO)₂(dppe)Fe(H)(SiR₃) with HSiR₃ (SiR₃ = Si(OMe)₃, Si(OEt)₃, SiMe₃, SiMe₂Ph, SiPh₃) yields the trihydrido silyl complexes (CO)(dppe)FeH₃(SiR₃ ). The analogous complexes (PR′Ph₂)₃ FeH₃(ER₃) are prepared by reaction of the H₂ -complexes (PR′Ph₂)₃FeH₂(H₂) with HER₃ (ER₃ = SiMe₃, SiMC₂Ph, SiMePh₂, SiPh₃, Si(Me₂)OSi(Me₂)H, SnPh₃, SnEt₃). Additional derivates of (CO) (dppe)FeH₃(SiR₃) (SiR₃ = SiMePh₂) and (PR′Ph₂)₃FeH₃(SiR₃) (SiR₃ = Si(OMe)₃, SiH₂Ph, SiHPh₂, Si(OEt)₃, SiMePhCl) are accessible by silane exchange starting from (CO)(dppe)FeH₃(SiMe₃) and (PR′Ph₂) ₃FeH₃(SiMe₃). (PBuPh₂)₃FeH₃(SiMePh₂) was also prepared from (PBuPh₂)₃FeH₂(N₂) and HSiMePh₂, and (PBuPh₂)₃FeH₃(SnMe₃) from (PBuPh₂)₃FeH₂(H₂) and Me₃SnCl. The complex (PBuPh₂) ₃FeH₃(SnMe₃) crystallizes as a toluene solvate in the cubic space group I 3d and shows crystallographically imposed C₃-symmetry. The complexes (CO)₂ (dppe)Fe(H)(SiR₃) and (PR′Ph₂)₃FeH₃(ER₃) are highly dynamic in solution. Low temperature NMR measurements and the E, Fe, H coupling constants strongly indicate that the exchange mechanism involves η²-HER₃ ligands.     

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine oxide) complexes of the lanthanide nitrates; synthesis, characterisation and crystal structures of [La(Ph3PO)4(NO3)3]·Me2CO and [Lu(Ph3PO)4(NO3)2]NO3

The reaction of Ln(NO₃)₃·6H₂O (Ln=La, Ce, Pr or Nd) with a sixfold excess of Ph₃PO in acetone formed [Ln(Ph₃PO)₄(NO₃)₃]·Me₂CO. The crystal structure of the La complex shows a nine-coordinate metal centre with four phosphine oxides, two bidentate and one monodentate nitrate groups, and PXRD studies show the same structure is present in the other three complexes. In CH₂Cl₂ or Me₂CO solutions, ³¹P NMR studies show that the complexes are essentially completely decomposed into [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃] and Ph₃PO. Similar reactions in ethanol gave [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃] only. In contrast for Ln=Sm, Eu or Gd, only the [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃] are formed from either acetone or ethanol solutions. For the later lanthanides Ln=Tb–Lu, acetone solutions of Ln(NO₃)₃·6H₂O and Ph₃PO gave [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃] only, even with a large excess of Ph₃PO, but from cold ethanol [Ln(Ph₃PO)₄(NO₃)₂]NO₃ (Ln=Tb, Ho–Lu) were obtained. The structure of [Lu(Ph₃PO)₄(NO₃)₂]NO₃ shows an eight-coordinate metal centre with four phosphine oxides and two bidentate nitrate groups. In solution in CH₂Cl₂ or Me₂CO the tetrakis-complexes show varying amounts of decomposition into mixtures of [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃], [Ln(Ph₃PO)₄(NO₃)₂]NO₃ and Ph₃PO as judged by ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. The [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃] also partially decompose in solution for Ln=Dy–Lu, forming some tetrakis(phosphine oxide) species.     

(Z)-1-methoxy-4-(diphenylphosphino) but-1-ene-3-yne: A versatile synthon for unsymmetrically substituted (diphenylphosphino) diacetylene derivatives

An efficient synthesis of Ph₂P-C≡C-C≡C-Li, 1, was found, starting from commercially available (Z)-1-methoxybut-1-ene-3-yne and its diphenylphosphino derivative 2. The lithio compound 1 was condensed with electrophiles to give Ph₂P-C≡C-C≡C—Σ (Σ = SiR₃, SnR₃, B(NⁱPr)₂) 3. Compound 2 was easily transformed into the phosphonium salt 6 and the phosphine oxide 7 using MeI and H₂O₂ respectively. Derivatives 3 (Σ = SiMe₃, SnMe₃) are reactive at phosphorus and at the Σ group; complexation with W(CO)₅THF gave the expected derivatives W(CO)₅Ph₂P-C≡C-C≡C—Σ (Σ = SiMe₃, SnMe₃), 10, and in the case of Σ = SnMe₃, coupling reaction between Ph₂P-C≡-C-C≡C-SnMe₃, 3c, and (η⁵-IC₅H₄)Mn(CO)₃ in the presence of PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ as a catalyst gave the complex 11, Ph₂P-C≡C-C≡C-(η⁵-C₅H₄)Mn(CO)₃.     

Synthesis and characterization of oxo---imido and alkyl---imido complexes of molybdenum(VI)

Treatment of the complex Mo(Nmes)(O)Cl₂(dme) (mes=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl; dme=1,2-dimethoxyethane) with KTp^Me2, NaCp and bipy gives the corresponding derivatives (Tp^Me2)Mo(Nmes)(O)Cl (1), CpMo(Nmes)(O)Cl (2) and Mo(Nmes)(O)Cl₂(bipy) (3). Other oxo---imido compounds of composition Mo(Nmes)(O)(S₂CNR₂)₂ (R₂=C₄H₄ 4, C₅H₁₀ 5, ⁱPr₂ 6) can be obtained by reacting Mo(Nmes)(O)Cl₂(dme) with the appropriate dithiocarbamate salt. The NMR properties of 4–6 are consistent with the presence of two rapidly equilibrating dithiocarbamate ligands. The reaction of Mo(Nmes)(O)Cl₂(dme) with different Grignard reagents, Mg(R)X, produces the trialkyl imido complexes Mo(Nmes)R₃Cl (R=Me 7, CH₂C(Me)₂Ph 8, CH₂SiMe₃ 9).     

Synthesis and characterization of uranium(III) compounds supported by the hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)borate ligand: Crystal structures of [U(Tp)2(X)] complexes (X = OC6H2-2,4,6-Me3, dmpz, Cl)

Reaction of [U(Tp^Me2)₂(NR₂)] (R = Ph, SiMe₃) with protic substrates such as 2,4,6-trimethylphenol (HOC₆H₂-2,4,6-Me₃), 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Hdmpz), 2-mercaptopyridine (HSC₅H₄N) and phenylacetylene (HCCPh) afforded the corresponding [U(Tp^Me2)₂(OAr)] (Ar = C₆H₂-2,4,6-Me₃) (1), [U(Tp^Me2)₂(dmpz)] (2), [U(Tp^Me2)₂(η²-SC₅H₄N)] (3), and [U(Tp^Me2)₂(CCPh)] (4) compounds. Reaction of [U(Tp^Me2)₂(NR₂)] with Me₃SnCl or Me₃SiBr gave [U(Tp^Me2)₂Cl] (5) and [U(Tp^Me2)₂Br] (6), respectively, in high yield. The amido precursors failed to react with cyclopentadiene, but metathesis of [U(Tp^Me2)₂I] with NaCp yielded [U(κ³-Tp^Me2)(κ²-Tp^Me2)(η⁵-Cp)] (7). Thermolysis of 7 resulted in oxidation of the metal centre and redistribution of the ligands, giving [UCp₃(dmpz)] (8), pyrazabole (9) and [U(Tp^Me2)(dmpz)₃] (10). The complexes have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and the structures of 1, 2, and 5 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. In the solid state the complexes exhibit distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometries.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of Ba5(μ5-OH)[μ3-OCH(CF3)2]4[μ2-OCH(CF3)2]4 [OCH(CF3)2](THF)4(H2O)·THF: a source of barium fluoride

The reaction between metallic barium and fluoroisopropanol or alcoholysis of [Ba(OPrⁱ)₂] produces a pentanuclear fluoroalkoxide. Its X-ray structure determination showed its formulation to correspond to Ba₅(μ₅-OH)[μ₃-OCH(CF₃)₂]₄[μ₂-OCH(CF₃)₂]₄ [OCH(CF₃)₂](THF)₄(H₂O)·THF. The metallic core is based on a square pyramid encapsulating an hydroxo ligand. In addition to the barium---alkoxide bonds [2.53(3)–2.86(3) Å] neutral O-donors, four THF [2.82(2)–2.86(3) Å] and one H₂O [2.79(3) Å] and secondary barium---fluorine interactions [2.99(2)–3.31(2) Å] ensure high coordination numbers, from 9 to 11 for the metal centers. Hydrogen bonding between the apical fluoroisopropoxide, the water molecule and one THF molecule, non-bonded to a metal center, accounts for the stability of the hydrate and illustrates the Lewis acidity of fluoroalkoxides. Thermal decomposition leads to BaF₂.     

The electrolyte NRTL model and speciation approach as applied to multicomponent aqueous solutions of H2SO4, Fe2(SO4)3, MgSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 at 230–270 °C

This work presents chemical modeling of solubilities of metal sulfates in aqueous solutions of sulfuric acid at high temperatures. Calculations were compared with experimental solubility measurements of hematite (Fe₂O₃) in aqueous ternary and quaternary systems of H₂SO₄, MgSO₄ and Al₂(SO₄)₃ at high temperatures. A hybrid model of ion-association and electrolyte non-random two liquid (ENRTL) theory was employed to fit solubility data in three ternary systems H₂SO₄–MgSO₄–H₂O, H₂SO₄–Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 235–270 °C and H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 150–270 °C. Employing the Aspen Plus™ property program, the electrolyte NRTL local composition model was used for calculating activity coefficients of the ions Al³⁺, Mg²⁺ Fe³⁺ and SO₄²⁻, HSO₄⁻, OH⁻, H₃O⁺, respectively, as well as molecular species. The solid phases were hydronium alunite (H₃O)Al₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆, hematite Fe₂O₃ and magnesium sulfate monohydrate (MgSO₄)·H₂O which were employed as constraint precipitation solids in calculating the metal sulfate solubilities. A correlation for the equilibrium constants of the association reactions of complex species versus temperature was implemented. Based on the maximum-likelihood principle, the binary interaction energy parameters for the ionic species as well as the coefficients for equilibrium constants of the reactions were obtained simultaneously using the solubility data of the ternary systems. Following that, the solubilities of metal sulfates in the quaternary systems H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–MgSO₄–H₂O, H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 250 °C and H₂SO₄–Al₂(SO₄)₃–MgSO₄–H₂O at 230–270 °C were predicted. The calculated results were in excellent agreement with the experimental data.     

Metal–metal bonding in metal–string complexes M3(dpa)4X2 (M = Ni, Co, dpa = di(2-pyridyl)amido, and X = Cl, NCS) from resonance Raman and infrared spectroscopy

Infrared and Raman spectra for metal–string complexes M₃(dpa)₄X₂ (M = Ni, Co, dpa = di(2-pyridyl)amido, and X = Cl, NCS) are studied. We assign the Ni₃ asymmetric stretching vibration to infrared lines at 304 and 311 cm⁻¹ for Ni₃(dpa)₂Cl₂ and Ni₃(dpa)₂(NCS)₂, respectively. A Raman shift at 242 cm⁻¹ is assigned to the Ni₃ symmetric stretching mode. For Co₃ complexes a line for the Co₃ asymmetric stretching mode appears at 313 and 331 cm⁻¹ for Co₃(dpa)₂Cl₂ and Co₃(dpa)₂(NCS)₂, respectively.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of [(CF3)3GePt(PPh3)2]2Hg

The reaction of Pt(PPh₃)_n (n = 3 or 4) with [(CF₃)₃Ge]₂Hg or (CF₃)₃GeHgPt(PPh₃)₂Ge(CF₃)₃ (I) gives a stable diplatinum complex [(CF₃)₃GePt(PPh₃)₂]₂Hg (II). X-Ray analysis has established that compound II contains a Ge---Pt---Hg---Pt---Ge chain of C₂ symmetry. Both of the Pt atoms have distorted square-planar coordinations. The bond lengths are: Pt---Hg, 2.630(2) and 2.665(2) Å; Ge---Pt, 2.410(4) and 2.407(4) Å.

Compound II reacts with dihydrogen in THF solution under mild conditions to give mercury and the hydride (CF₃)₃GePt(PPh₃)₂H. On interaction of II with R₂Hg organomercurials (R = Cl, Et, GeEt₃, Ge(CF₃)₃, Ge(C₆F₅)₃) an unknown reaction takes place: Pt(PPh₃)₂ moieties migrate from the polymetallic grouping into the substrate with the formation of the corresponding RHgPt(PPh₃)₂R complexes or their demercuration products, R₂Pt(PPh₃);, (R = Cl, Et). The latter react further with complex I formed in the first step of the process to give Hg and (CF₃)₃GePt(PPh₃)₂R. The reaction schemes are discussed.     

Syntheses of gold-manganese and gold-rhenium clusters, [(Ph3PAu)3M(CO)4] and [(Ph3PAu)4M(CO)4] (M = Mn, Re), and the crystal structure of [(Ph3PAu)4Mn(CO)4]BF4

The specific additions of one, three or four Ph₃PAu groups to [M(CO)₅]⁻ (M=Mn, Re) are described. Thus [M(CO)₅] ⁻ in THF reacts with [(Ph₃PAu)₃O]BF₄ to give [(Ph₃PAu)₄Mn(CO)₄]BF₄. An X-ray crystal structure of the M = Mn example shows the cation to have a trigonal bipyramidal Au₄Mn core with the Mn in an equatorial site. The previously known neutral (Ph₃PAu)₃M(CO)₄ clusters are formed by addition of two Ph₃PAu groups, using the mixed reagent [(Ph₃PAu) ₃O]BF₄/[ppn][Co(CO)₄], to Ph₃PAuM(CO)₅, which itself is readily prepared from [M(CO)₅]⁻ and Ph₃PAuCl.     

Structure and stability of closo-BnHn−2(CO)2 (n = 5–12)

Closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ (n = 5–12), isolobal analogues of closo-C₂B_n−2H_n, have been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G^**density functional level of theory. The most stable isomers of closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ are similar to those of closo-C₂B_n−2H_n in geometric patterns apart from closo-B₆H₄(CO)₂, and closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ is much less strained than closo-C₂B_n−2H_n. Energetic analysis identifies closo-B₆H₄(CO)₂, closo-B₁₂H₁₀(CO)₂ and closo-B₁₀H₈(CO)₂ to be most stable, of which the latter two cages have been prepared experimentally. On the basis of the negative and rather large nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS), closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ are aromatic. To aid further experimental study, the CO stretching frequencies have been computed.