Synthesis of a Stable Biphenyl‐Bis(carbene) and ‐Bis(silylene) [M{(NCH2But)2C6H3‐3,4}]2 (M = C or Si)

Treatment of the biphenyl derivative [S=C{(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₆H₃‐3,4}]₂ or [Cl₂Si{(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₆H₃‐3,4}]₂ with C₈K afforded the new bis(carbene) 1 or the first bis(silylene) 2 , respectively. The X‐ray structure of 2 is presented.     

New tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene chelators for small molecule activation

In an effort to develop new tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands for small molecule activation, two new classes of tripodal NHC ligands TIME^R and TIMEN^R have been synthesized. The carbon-anchored tris(carbene) ligand system TIME^R (R = Me, t-Bu) forms bi- or polynuclear metal complexes. While the methyl derivative exclusively forms trinuclear 3:2 complexes [(TIME^Me)₂M₃]³⁺ with group 11 metal ions, the tert-butyl derivative yields a dinuclear 2:2 complex [(TIME^t-Bu)₂Cu₂]²⁺ with copper(I). The latter complex shows both “normal” and “abnormal” carbene binding modes and accordingly, is best formulated as a bis(carbene)alkenyl complex. The nitrogen-anchored tris(carbene) ligands TIMEN^R (R = alkyl, aryl) bind to a variety of first-row transition metal ions in 1:1 stoichiometry, affording monomeric complexes with a protected reactivity cavity at the coordinated metal center. Complexes of TIMEN^R with Cu(I)/(II), Ni(0)/(I), and Co(I)/(II)/(III) have been synthesized. The cobalt(I) complexes with the aryl-substituted TIMEN^R (R = mesityl, xylyl) ligands show great potential for small molecule activation. These complexes activate for instance dioxygen to form cobalt(III) peroxo complexes that, upon reaction with electrophilic organic substrates, transfer an oxygen atom. The cobalt(I) complexes are also precursors for terminal cobalt(III) imido complexes. These imido complexes were found to undergo unprecedented intra-molecular imido insertion reactions to form cobalt(II) imine species. The molecular and electronic structures of some representative metal NHC complexes as well as the nature of the metal–carbene bond of these metal NHC complexes was elucidated by X-ray and DFT computational methods and are discussed briefly. In contrast to the common assumption that NHCs are pure σ-donors, our studies revealed non-negligible and even significant π-backbonding in electron-rich metal NHC complexes.     

The unusual coordination chemistry of phosphorus-rich linear and cyclic oligophosphanide anions

In this review, the synthesis, reactivity and properties of linear and cyclic oligophosphanides are described. Specifically the structures and versatile reactivity of the anionic ligands (P₄R₄)^2? (R = Bu^t, Ph, Mes), (P₄HR₄)^? (R = Ph and Mes) and cyclo-(P₅Bu^t₄)^? towards main group and transition metal complexes is elucidated. In addition, potential application of metal oligophosphanides as precursors for the preparation of metal phosphides is also briefly discussed.     

Construction of M–M bonds in late transition metal complexes

The 16-electron Co, Rh and Ir half-sandwich complexes of Cp^#M[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] and Cp^#M(E₂S₂C₆H₄) (M = Co, Rh, Ir, Ru; E = S, Se) containing chelating 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligands and benzenedithiolato ligands are promising precursors to build multimetallic clusters by reactions with low oxidation state late transition metal reagents. Such reactions lead to successful constructions of M–M bonds between iridium, rhodium, cobalt, ruthenium, and other late transition metals. Most of these complexes have been characterized by X-ray single crystal determinations and some have been studied by computational methods. Such theoretical studies reveal the covalent bonding nature of those multinuclear complexes. Some of these clusters have been found to have interesting nonlinear optical properties.     

Reactivity of intramolecularly coordinated aluminum compounds to R3EOH (E = Sn,Si). Remarkable migration of N,C,N and O,C,O pincer ligands

The reaction of organoaluminum compounds containing O,C,O or N,C,N chelating (so called pincer) ligands [2,6-(YCH₂)₂C₆H₃]AlⁱBu₂ (Y = MeO 1, ^tBuO 2, Me₂N 3) with R₃SnOH (R = Ph or Me) gives tetraorganotin complexes [2,6-(YCH₂)₂C₆H₃]SnR₃ (Y = MeO, R = Ph 4, Y = MeO, R = Me 5; Y = ^tBuO, R = Ph 6, Y = ^tBuO, R = Me 7; Y = Me₂N, R = Ph 8, Y = Me₂N, R = Me 9) as the result of migration of O,C,O or N,C,N pincer ligands from aluminum to tin atom. Reaction of 1 and 2 with (ⁿBu₃Sn)₂O proceeded in similar fashion resulting in 10 and 11 ([2,6-(YCH₂)₂C₆H₃]SnⁿBu₃, Y = MeO 10; Y = ^tBuO 11) in mixture with ⁿBu₃SnⁱBu. The reaction 1 and 3 with 2 equiv. of Ph₃SiOH followed another reaction path and ([2,6-(YCH₂)₂C₆H₃]Al(OSiPh₃)₂, Y = MeO 12, Me₂N 13) were observed as the products of alkane elimination. The organotin derivatives 4–11 were characterized by the help of elemental analysis, ESI-MS technique, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy and in the case 6 and 8 by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). Compounds 12 and 13 were identified using elemental analysis,¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si NMR and IR spectroscopy.     

Effects of bulky substituent groups on the Si–Si triple bonding in RSiSiR and the short Ga–Ga distance in Na2[RGaGaR]: A theoretical study

The steric and electronic effects of bulky aryl and silyl groups on the Si–Si triple bonding in RSiSiR and the short Ga–Ga distance in Na₂[RGaGaR] are investigated by density functional calculations. As typical bulky groups, Tbt = C₆H₂-2,4,6-{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₃, Ar′ = C₆H₃-2,6-(C₆H₃-2,6-iPr₂)₂, Ar¹ = C₆H₃-2,6-(C₆H₂-2,4,6-iPr₃)₂, SiMe(SitBu₃)₂, and SiiPrDis₂ (Dis = CH(SiMe₃)₂) are investigated and characterized. The importance of large basis sets is emphasized for density functional calculations.     

Cationic palladium(II), platinum(II) and ruthenium(II) complexes containing a chelating difluoro-substituted thiourea ligand

The fluorine substituted thiourea 2,6-F₂C₆H₃C(O)NHC(S)NEt₂ was prepared in good yield from the reaction of 2,6-F₂C₆H₃C(O)Cl with KSCN and Et₂NH in acetone. Using this compound several heteroleptic, monocationic Pd(II), Pt(II) and Ru(II) complexes of the type cis-[M{κ²S,O-2,6-F₂C₆H₃C(O)NC(S)NEt₂}(L)]PF₆ [M = Pt, Pd; L = (Ph₃P)₂, ^tBu₂bipy, 1,10-phen] as well as [Ru(η⁶-p-cym){κ²S,O-2,6-F₂C₆H₃C(O)NC(S)NEt₂}(PPh₃)]PF₆ were prepared in high yields. The compounds were characterised by spectroscopic methods and, in one case, by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Adduct formation of [(η7-C7H7)Hf(η5-C5H5)] with isocyanides,phosphines and N-heterocyclic carbenes: An experimental and theoretical study

The reactions of [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Hf(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (1b) with the two-electron donor ligands tert-butyl isocyanide (tBuNC), 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (XyNC), 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene (IMe) and trimethylphosphine (PMe₃) are reported. The 1:1 complexes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Hf(η⁵-C₅H₅)L] (2b, L = tBuNC; 3b, L = XyNC; 4b, L = IMe, 5b, L = PMe₃) have been isolated in crystalline form, and their molecular structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. The stabilities of these hafnium complexes were probed via spectroscopic and theoretical methods, and the results were compared to those previously reported for the corresponding zirconium complexes derived from [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (1a). The X-ray crystal structure of the PMe₃ adduct [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PMe₃)] (5a) was also established.     

Coordination chemistry of [Cp*Fe(η5-P3C2tBu2)] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) with copper(I) halides – Formation of oligomeric and polymeric compounds

The reaction of the 1,2,4-triphosphaferrocene [Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂)] (1) with CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio leads to the formation of the oligomeric compounds [{Cu(μ-X)}₆(μ₆-X)Cu(MeCN)₃{μ,η²-(Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂))}₂{μ₃,η³-(Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂))}] (X = Cl (2), Br (3)) and [{Cu(μ-I)}₃{Cu(μ₃-I)}₃Cu(μ₆-I){μ,η²-(Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂))}₃{η¹-(Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂))}] (4) revealing Cu(I) halide cages surrounded by 1,2,4-triphosphaferrocene moieties. The reaction of [Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₃C₂tBu₂)] with CuI in a 1:4 stoichiometry leads to the formation of the two-dimensional polymer [{Cu(μ-I)}₄{Cu(μ₃-I)(MeCN)}₂{μ₃,η³-(Cp*Fe(P₃C₂tBu₂))}]_n (5). The oligomeric compounds show dynamic behavior in solution monitored by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. All compounds are additionally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of Ph2LSn(μ-OH)Bu3SnCl. Trapping of monomeric triorganotin hydroxide Ph2LSnOH

The reaction of triorganotin(IV) compound Ph₂LSnCl (1), (L = 2,6-(t-BuOCH₂)₂C₆H₃), with (Bu₃Sn)₂O resulted to the isolation of Ph₂LSn(μ-OH)Bu₃SnCl (2), in which a monomeric triorganotin(IV) hydroxide Ph₂LSnOH intermolecularly coordinates Bu₃SnCl moiety. Compound 2 was characterized by combination of ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy, ESI/MS, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction.     

Redox-induced umpolung of transition metal carbenes

Metal carbene complexes have been at the forefront of organic and organometallic synthesis and are instrumental in guiding future sustainable chemistry efforts. While classical Fischer and Schrock type carbenes have been intensely studied, compounds that do not fall within one of these categories have attracted attention only recently. In addition, applications of carbene complexes rarely take advantage of redox processes, which could open up a new dimension for their use in practical processes. Herein, we report an umpolung of a nucleophilic palladium carbene complex, [{PC(sp²)P}^tBuPd(PMe₃)] ({PC(sp²)P}^tBu = bis[2-(di-iso-propylphosphino)-4-tert-butylphenyl]methylene), realized by successive one-electron oxidations that generated a cationic carbene complex, [{PC(sp²)P}^tBuPdI]⁺, via a carbene radical, [{PC˙(sp²)P}^tBuPdI]. An EPR spectroscopic study of [{PC˙(sp²)P}^tBuPdI] indicated the presence of a ligand-centered radical, also supported by the results of reactions with 9,10-dihydroanthracene and PhSSPh. The cationic carbene complex shows electrophilic behavior toward nucleophiles such as NaH, ^pTolNHLi, PhONa, and PMe₃, resulting from an inversion of the electronic character of the Pd–C_carbene bond in [{PC(sp²)P}^tBuPd(PMe₃)]. The redox induced umpolung is reversible and unprecedented.     

Pressure–volume–temperature measurements of phosphonium-based ionic liquids and analysis with simple equations of state

In spite of the great importance of the (P, V, T) data of phosphonium–based ionic liquids, only limited information on these data seems to be available in the open literature. In this work, we present the results for the density measurements of the trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride, [(C₆H₁₃)₃P(C₁₄H₂₉)][Cl] and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium dicyanamide, [(C₆H₁₃)₃P(C₁₄H₂₉)][N(CN₂)] with an estimated uncertainty of ±0.5 kg · m^?3. The ranges of temperature and pressure are T = (273.15 to 318.15) K and p = (0.1 to 25) MPa for [(C₆H₁₃)₃P(C₁₄H₂₉)][Cl] and T = (273.15 to 318.15) K and p = (0.1 to 35) MPa for [(C₆H₁₃)₃P(C₁₄H₂₉)][N(CN₂)]. The high consistency of our data for [(C₆H₁₃)₃P(C₁₄H₂₉)][Cl] compared with those measured by other authors allowed all the experimental data for this IL to be combined and correlated using the Goharshadi–Morsali–Abbaspour equation of state over a wide range of temperature and pressure. From this equation, thermomechanical coefficients as the isothermal compressibility, thermal expansivity, thermal pressure, and internal pressure were calculated for the two ILs. The Sanchez–Lacombe equation of state was used also for (P, V, T) correlation and the estimation of the free volume in these phosphonium ionic liquids. Finally ionic volumes for trihexyltetradecylphosphonium cation and several anions available in the literature made possible the calculation of the free (hole) volume.     

Synthesis,structures and full characterization of p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene mono-, di-, tri- and pentaanionic ligand precursors

The synthesis, complete characterization, and solid state conformation of a new series of p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene (Bu^tC5) mono-, di-, tri- and pentaanions are reported. X-ray structures of the alkali metal salts illustrate the strong influence of the alkali metal ion on the structure of the calixanion. The strength of the alkali metal base and its reaction stoichiometry play an important role in the conformation and level of deprotonation of the resulting anion. Reaction of Bu^tC5 in a 2:1 molar ratio with alkali metal bases M₂CO₃ (M = Rb, Cs), or in a 1:1 ratio with M₂CO₃ (M = Na, K), MOH (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs) or MH (M = Li, Na) produces Bu^tC5 monoanions, but Bu^tC5 reacts in a 1:1 molar ratio with M₂CO₃ (M = Rb, Cs) or a 1:2 molar ratio with MOC(CH₃)₃ (M = Na, K) to afford Bu^tC5 dianions. Due to the steric bulkiness of the Bu^t group no polymeric structures are observed. Alkali metal salts of trianionic Bu^tC5 were obtained in high yields from reactions of Bu^tC5 with MOC(CH₃)₃ (M = Li, Na, K), BuⁿLi, LiH and LiOH in a 1:3 molar ratio. Pentaanionic Bu^tC5 salts were obtained by the reaction with MOC(CH₃)₃ (M = Li, Na, K) or BuⁿLi in a 5:1 ratio. X-ray crystal structures of Bu^tC5 · Na and Bu^tC5 · Cs indicate that the size of the alkali metal influences the level of cation-π arene interactions and therefore the conformation of the Bu^tC5 unit; for example, Bu^tC5 · Na has a cone conformation while Bu^tC5 · Cs shows a flattened cone conformation. Cation-π arene interactions are observed in most of the calixarene salts.     

Synthesis of heteronuclear (MoRu2) clusters from 16-electron half-sandwich complexes (p-Cymene)Ru[E2C2(B10H10)] (E = S,Se)

The heterometallic cluster complexes {(p-Cymene)Ru[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)]}Mo(CO)₂{(CO)₃Ru[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)]} (2) and {(p-Cymene)Ru[Se₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)]}₂Mo(CO)₂ (3) (p-Cymene = η⁶-4-isopropyl-toluene) have been synthesized from the reactions of 16-electron half-sandwich ruthenium 1,2-dichalcogenolate carborane complexes (p-Cymene)Ru[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S(1a), Se(1b)) with Mo(CO)₃(Py)₃ in the presence of BF₃ · Et₂O. The complexes of 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analysis and IR, NMR spectra. The molecular structure of 2 has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 2 is unsymmetrical and the two Ru–Mo single bonds (2.7893(14), 2.8189(13) Å) are each supported by a symmetrically bridging o-carborane-1,2-dithiolato ligand.     

Synthesis,structures and properties of two novel charge-transfer complexes with the ratio of ferrocenyl:POM of 1:1, (Bu4N)[CpFeCpCH2N(C2H5)3][M6O19] (M = Mo,W)

The first charge-transfer (CT) complexes containing the cationic ferrocenyl donor CpFeCpCH₂N⁺(C₂H₅)₃ and polyoxometalate (POM) acceptors of the Lindqvist structural type [M₆O₁₉]^2? (M=Mo, W) with the ratio of ferrocenyl:POM of 1:1, (Bu₄N)[CpFeCpCH₂N(C₂H₅)₃][Mo₆O₁₉] (1) and (Bu₄N)[CpFeCpCH₂N(C₂H₅)₃][W₆O₁₉] (2), were synthesized in high yields (67–71%) by traditional solution synthetic method, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum, luminescent spectrum and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray structure of the two novel CTCs were both solved in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n and show the close interaction of the hydrogen atoms of the CpFeCpCH₂N⁺(C₂H₅)₃ with the oxygen atoms on the surface of the POM. The UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum in the solid state indicates the presence of a new CT band at λ_max = 576 nm and 590 nm for 1 and 2, respectively, attributed to CT transitions between the ferrocenyl donors and the POM acceptors. The luminescent spectroscopy of 1 exhibits the weakened fluorescence signals compared to that of the corresponding POM and the cationic donor, however, 2 has an intense emission at about ca. 394 nm and may be excellent candidates for potential solid-state photofunctional materials.     

Optoelectronic and nonlinear optical properties of tBu4PcTiO/polymer composite materials

The optoelectronic and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a soluble 2,(3)-(tetra-tert-butylphthalocyaninato)titanium(IV) oxide (tBu₄PcTiO) in solutions and in the solid states have been described. The nonlinear response demonstrated that tBu₄PcTiO exhibited strong RSA at 532 nm for both solution and solid-state based experiments. The decrease in the effective intensity dependent nonlinear absorption coefficient with increasing input intensities possibly results from high order triple state transitions of the excited-state population. No evidence of film fatigue or degradation was observed in the PMMA/tBu₄PcTiO film, after numerous scans at varying laser intensity. The doping of tBu₄PcTiO into poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylene-vinylene] (MEH-PPV) results in the apparent increases of the open circuit voltage (Voc) and the short circuit photocurrent density under illumination with 40 mW cm⁻² white-light. The light absorption of tBu₄PcTiO incorporated into polymer represents the dominant contribution to the enhancement of the photocurrent. The dependence of the short circuit photocurrent in an ITO/tBu₄PcTiO-doped MEH-PPV/Al cell on the incident light intensity (I_in) between 30 and 200 mW cm⁻² was also investigated.     

Diorganotin(IV) compounds containing 2-(Et2NCH2)C6H4 moieties: Configurational stability in solution and solid state structures

Hypercoordinated diorganotin(IV) dichloride, [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂SnCl₂ (1), was prepared by reacting [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Li with SnCl₄. Halide-exchange reactions between 1 and the appropriate potassium halides gave [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂SnX₂ [X = F (2), Br (3), I (4)]. Reaction of 1 with excess of Na₂S gave the cyclo-[{2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄}₂SnS]₂ (5). The solution behavior of the title compounds in solution was investigated by multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F and ¹¹⁹Sn) NMR spectroscopy, including variable temperature studies. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed for all compounds intramolecular N → Sn coordination thus resulting in distorted octahedral (C,N)₂SnX₂ configurations. Planar chirality is observed as result of the non-planarity of the SnC₃N rings; all compounds, however, crystallizing as racemates. The isomers are linked by extensive hydrogen bonds to give different supramolecular architectures in the crystals of compounds 1, 3 and 4.     

Synthesis of electron-rich platinum centers: Platinum0(carbene)(alkene)2 complexes

The synthesis and molecular structure of the zero-valent platinum-mono-carbene-bis-alkene complexes [Pt⁰(NHC)(dimethyl fumarate)₂] (NHC = 1,3-dimesityl-imidazol-2-ylidene (1a); 1,3-dimesityl-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (2a); diphenyl-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (2b) are described. Two routes have been evaluated for the synthesis of 1a and 2a, involving reaction of a zero-valent platinum compound either with an isolated carbene ligand, or with an in situ generated carbene ligand. The in situ method proved to be easier and gave similar yields of about 50% after crystallization. Attempts have been made to synthesize similar compounds with N-phenyl and N-alkyl groups, of which the latter met with little success. However, (1,3-diphenyl-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene)-bis(η²-dimethyl fumarate) platinum(0) (2b) could be obtained in 49% yield, after crystallization, from the appropriate Wanzlick dimer.Compound 1a reacts with H₂ and D₂ in sequences of oxidative addition, migration–insertion involving dimethyl fumarate, and reductive elimination to form neutral hydrido platinum (II) carbene complexes, probably containing a metallacyclic (R)–CO … Pt unit.     

Palladium and platinum complexes with planar chiral 1,2-disubstituted ferrocenes containing phosphine and thioether donor groups

Three palladium(II) complexes and four platinum(II) complexes having general formula CpFe{1,2-C₅H₃(PPh₂)(CH₂SR)}MCl₂ (M = Pd, R = Ph, Et and tBu; M = Pt, R = Ph, Et, tBu and Cy) have been synthesized by reaction of the corresponding CpFe{1,2-C₅H₃(PPh₂)(CH₂SR)} ligands with PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ or PtCl₂(CH₃CN)₂. These complexes have been fully characterized in solution and in solid state. In all cases, monomeric square planar complexes were obtained as pure diastereoisomers.     

Catalytic cyclopropanation of olefins using copper(I) diphosphinoamines

Catalytic cyclopropanation reactions of olefins with ethyl diazoacetate were carried out using copper(I) diphosphinoamine (PPh₂)₂N(R) (R = ⁱPr, H, Ph and –CH₂–C₆H₄–CHCH₂) complexes at 40 °C in chloroform. High yields of the cyclopropanes were obtained in all cases. The rate of the reaction was influenced by the nuclearity of the complex and the binding mode of the ligand which was either bridging or chelating. Comparison of isostructural complexes shows that the rate follows the order R = ⁱPr > H > Ph, where R is the substituent on the N. However, cyclopropane formation versus dimerization of the carbene, and trans to cis ratios of cyclopropane was similar in all cases. The nearly identical selectivity for different products formed was indicative of a common catalytic intermediate. A labile “copper–olefin” complex which does not involve the phosphine or the counterion is the most likely candidate. The differences in the reaction rates for different complexes are attributed to differences in the concentration of the catalytically active species which are in equilibrium with the catalytically inactive copper–phosphinoamine complex. To test the hypothesis a diphosphinoamine polymer complexed to copper(I) was used as a heterogeneous catalyst. Leaching of copper(I) and deactivation of the catalyst confirmed the proposed mechanism.