Dinuclear Rare‐Earth Metal Alkyl Complexes Supported by Indolyl Ligands in μ‐η2:η1:η1 Hapticities and their High Catalytic Activity for Isoprene 1,4‐cis‐Polymerization

Two series of new dinuclear rare‐earth metal alkyl complexes supported by indolyl ligands in novel μ‐η²:η¹:η¹ hapticities are synthesized and characterized. Treatment of [RE(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂] with 1 equivalent of 3‐(tBuN?CH)C₈H₅NH ( L₁ ) in THF gives the dinuclear rare‐earth metal alkyl complexes trans‐[(μ‐η²:η¹:η¹‐3‐{tBuNCH(CH₂SiMe₃)}Ind)RE(thf)(CH₂SiMe₃)]₂ (Ind=indolyl, RE=Y, Dy, or Yb) in good yields. In the process, the indole unit of L₁ is deprotonated by the metal alkyl species and the imino C?N group is transferred to the amido group by alkyl CH₂SiMe₃ insertion, affording a new dianionic ligand that bridges two metal alkyl units in μ‐η²:η¹:η¹ bonding modes, forming the dinuclear rare‐earth metal alkyl complexes. When L₁ is reduced to 3‐(tBuNHCH₂)C₈H₅NH ( L₂ ), the reaction of [Yb(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂] with 1 equivalent of L₂ in THF, interestingly, generated the trans‐[(μ‐η²:η¹:η¹‐3‐{tBuNCH₂}Ind)Yb(thf)(CH₂SiMe₃)]₂ (major) and cis‐[(μ‐η²:η¹:η¹‐3‐{tBuNCH₂}Ind)Yb(thf)(CH₂SiMe₃)]₂ (minor) complexes. The catalytic activities of these dinuclear rare‐earth metal alkyl complexes for isoprene polymerization were investigated; the yttrium and dysprosium complexes exhibited high catalytic activities and high regio‐ and stereoselectivities for isoprene 1,4‐cis‐polymerization.     

Alternating copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide and carbon dioxide catalyzed by noncyclopentadienyl rare‐earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes

The syntheses of several dialkyl complexes based on rare‐earth metal were described. Three β‐diimine compounds with varying N‐aryl substituents (HL¹=(2‐CH₃O(C₆H₄))N?C(CH₃)CH?C(CH₃)NH(2‐CH₃O(C₆H₄)), HL² = (2,4,6‐(CH₃)₃ (C₆H₂))N?C(CH₃)CH?C(CH₃)NH(2,4,6‐(CH₃)₃(C₆H₂)), HL³ = PhN?C(CH₃)CH(CH₃) NHPh) were treated with Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ to give dialkyl complexes L¹Ln (CH₂SiMe₃)₂ (Ln = Y ( 1a ), Lu ( 1b ), Sc ( 1c )), L²Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) (Ln = Y ( 2a ), Lu ( 2b )), and L³Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) (3). All these complexes were applied to the copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and carbon dioxide as single‐component catalysts. Systematic investigation revealed that the central metal with larger radii and less steric bulkiness were beneficial for the copolymerization of CHO and CO₂. Thus, methoxy‐modified β‐diiminato yttrium bis(alkyl) complex 1a , L¹Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂, was identified as the optimal catalyst, which converted CHO and CO₂ to polycarbonate with a TOF of 47.4 h^?1 in 1,4‐dioxane under a 15 bar of CO₂ atmosphere (T_p=130 °C), representing the highest catalytic activity achieved by rare‐earth metal catalyst. The resultant copolymer contained high carbonate linkages (>99%) with molar mass up to 1.9 × 10⁴ as well as narrow molar mass distribution (M_w/M_n = 1.7). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6810–6818, 2008     

M4(CH2)4 Cubane‐Type Rare‐Earth Methylidene Complexes: Unique Reactivity toward Unsaturated C?O,C?N,and C?S Bonds

The reactivity of the cubane‐type rare‐earth methylidene complex [Cp′Lu(μ₃‐CH₂)]₄ ( 1 , Cp′=C₅Me₄SiMe₃) with various unsaturated electrophiles was investigated. The reaction of 1 with CO (1 atm) at room temperature gave the bis(ketene dianion)/dimethylidene complex [Cp′₄Lu₄(μ₃‐CH₂)₂(μ₃,η²‐O‐C?CH₂)₂] ( 2 ) in 86 % yield through the insertion of two molecules of CO into two of the four lutetium–methylidene units. In the reaction with the sterically demanding N,N‐diisopropylcarbodiimide at 60 °C, only one of the four methylidene units in 1 reacted with one molecule of the carbodiimide substrate to give the mono(ethylene diamido)/trimethylidene complex [Cp′₄Lu₄(μ₃‐CH₂)₃{iPrNC(=CH₂)NiPr}] ( 3 ) in 83 % yield. Similarly, the reaction of 1 with phenyl isothiocyanate gave the ethylene amido thiolate/trimethylidene complex [Cp′₄Lu₄(μ₃‐CH₂)₃{PhNC(S)=CH₂}] ( 4 ). In the case of phenyl isocyanate, two of the four methylidene units in 1 reacted with four molecules of the substrate at ambient temperature to give the malonodiimidate/dimethylidene complex [Cp′₄Lu₄(μ₃‐CH₂)₂{PhN=C(O)CH₂(O)C?NPh}₂] ( 5 ) in 87 % yield. In this reaction, each of the two lutetium–methylidene bonds per methylidene unit inserted one molecule of phenyl isocyanate. All the products have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and microelemental analyses.     

Rare‐Earth Metal Alkyl Complexes with 3‐Arylamido‐Functionalized Indolyl Ligands: Synthesis,Characterization and Reactivity†

A series of dinuclear rare‐earth metal alkyl complexes {[μ‐η²:η¹:η¹‐3‐( L NCH)(CH₂SiMe₃)Ind]RE(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)}₂ ( L ¹ = 2‐^tBuC₆H₄, RE = Y, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb; L ² = 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂, RE = Dy, Er; Ind = indolyl) and {[μ‐η²:η¹:η¹‐3‐( L NCH₂)Ind]RE(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)}₂ ( L ¹, RE = Y, Dy, Er, Yb; L ², RE = Er, Yb) bearing 3‐arylamido functionalized indolyl ligands having diverse bonding modes with metal ions were synthesized either by the insertion reaction of the imino group to the RE—C bond or by the alkane elimination reaction. In the preparation of above complexes, rare‐earth metal alkyl complexes [μ‐η⁵:η¹:η¹‐3‐( L ²NCH)(CH₂SiMe₃)Ind]Gd(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)}₂ with a μ‐η⁵:η¹:η¹ coordination mode to the gadolinium ion and {[μ‐η³:η¹:η¹‐3‐( L ²NCH₂)Ind]Dy(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)}₂ with a μ‐η³:η¹:η¹ coordination mode to the dysprosium ion were unexpectedly isolated. The reactions of 3‐( L ²N=CH)Ind with Er(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ at room temperature, generated a tetranuclear imino‐indolyl erbium intermediate {[μ‐η¹:η¹‐3‐( L ²N=CH)Ind]Er(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)}₄, which can transform into the amido functionalized indolyl erbium complex in hot toluene. Moreover, the reactivities of the newly synthesized ytterbium complex with N‐heterocyclic compounds were investigated, affording the corresponding products of the mixed pyridyl‐indolyl, imidazolyl‐indolyl, and ortho‐metalated complexes. The yttrium complexes showed a high regioselectivity and steroselectivity for the isoprene polymerization with 1,4‐trans selectivity up to 91.7% and 1,4‐cis selectivity up to 96.1% in the presence of cocatalysts, respectively.     

Synthesis and Characterization of donor‐functionalized ansa‐Cyclopentadienyl‐Indenyl and ansa‐Indenyl‐Indenyl Complexes of Yttrium,Samarium, Thulium,and Lutetium

The stepwise reaction of Me₂SiCl₂ with K[C₅H₃ ^tBuMe‐3] or Li[C₉H₇] and then with K[C₉H₆CH₂CH₂‐ NMe₂‐1] followed by double deprotonation with NaH or LiBu, yields the two dimethylsilicon bridged cyclopentadienyl‐indenyl and indenyl‐indenyl donor‐functionalized ligand systems K₂[(C₅H₂ ^tBu‐3‐Me‐5)SiMe₂(1‐C₉H₅CH₂CH₂NMe₂‐3)] ( 1 ), and Li₂[(1‐C₉H₆)SiMe₂(1‐C₉H₅CH₂CH₂NMe₂‐3)] ( 2 ), respectively. Treatment of 1 with YCl₃(THF)₃, SmCl₃(THF)_1.77, TmI₃(DME)₃, and LuCl₃(THF)₃ gives the mixed ansa‐metallocenes [(C₅H₂ ^tBu‐3‐Me‐5)SiMe₂(1‐C₉H₅CH₂CH₂NMe₂‐3)]LnX (X = Cl, Ln = Y ( 3 ), Sm ( 4 ), Lu ( 5 ); X = I, Ln = Tm ( 6 )), respectively. The reaction of 2 with LuCl₃(THF)₃ yields [(1‐C₉H₆)SiMe₂(1‐C₉H₅CH₂CH₂NMe₂‐3)]LuCl ( 7 ). Compound 4 reacts with LiMe to give the corresponding alkyl derivative [(C₅H₂ ^tBu‐3‐Me‐5)SiMe₂(1‐C₉H₅CH₂CH₂NMe₂‐3)]Sm(CH₃) ( 8 ). The new complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, MS spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 5 and 6 were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Organometallic Compounds of the Lanthanides. 157 [1] The Molecular Structure of Tris(trimethylsilylmethyl)samarium, ‐erbium, ‐ytterbium,and ‐lutetium

SmCl₃ reacts with Me₃SiCH₂Li in THF yielding Sm(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₃ ( 1 ). The single crystal X‐ray structural analyses of 1 , Er(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ ( 2 ), Yb(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ ( 3 ), and Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ ( 4 ) show the Sm atom in a fac‐octahedral coordination and the heavier lanthanides Er, Yb, and Lu trigonal bipyramidally coordinated with the three alkyl ligands in equatorial and two THF molecules in axial positions.     

Yttrium bis(alkyl) and bis(amido) complexes bearing N,O multidentate ligands. Synthesis and catalytic activity towards ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide

Methoxy‐modified β‐diimines HL ¹ and HL ² reacted with Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ to afford the corresponding bis(alkyl)s [L¹Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) and [L²Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂] ( 2 ), respectively. Amination of 1 with 2,6‐diisopropyl aniline gave the bis(amido) counterpart [L¹Y{N(H)(2,6‐iPr₂? C₆H₃)}₂] ( 3 ), selectively. Treatment of Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ with methoxy‐modified anilido imine HL ³ yielded bis(alkyl) complex [L³Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)] ( 4 ) that sequentially reacted with 2,6‐diisopropyl aniline to give the bis(amido) analogue [L³Y{N(H)(2,6‐iPr₂? C₆H₃)}₂] ( 5 ). Complex 2 was “base‐free” monomer, in which the tetradentate β‐diiminato ligand was meridional with the two alkyl species locating above and below it, generating tetragonal bipyramidal core about the metal center. Complex 3 was asymmetric monomer containing trigonal bipyramidal core with trans‐arrangement of the amido ligands. In contrast, the two cis‐located alkyl species in complex 4 were endo and exo towards the O,N,N tridentate anilido‐imido moiety. The bis(amido) complex 5 was confirmed to be structural analogue to 4 albeit without THF coordination. All these yttrium complexes are highly active initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐LA at room temperature. The catalytic activity of the complexes and their “single‐site” or “double‐site” behavior depend on the ligand framework and the geometry of the alkyl (amido) species in the corresponding complexes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5662–5672, 2007     

Lewis Base Assisted Magnesium Complexes Incorporating Pyrrolyl and Ketiminate Ligands: Synthesis,Structural Diversity and Characterization

A series of four, five and six‐coordinated magnesium derivatives integrating with substituted pyrrole and ketimine ligands are conveniently synthesized. Reaction of two equiv of 2‐dimethylaminomethyl pyrrole with Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in THF affords the monomeric magnesium complex Mg[C₄H₃N(2‐CH₂NMe₂)]₂ (THF)₂ ( 1 ) in high yield along with elimination of two equiv of HN(SiMe₃)₂. Similarly, the reaction between two equiv of 2‐t‐butylaminomethyl pyrrole and Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in THF renders the magnesium derivative, Mg[C₄H₃N(2‐CH₂NH^tBu)]₂(THF)2₂( 2 ) in good yield. Interestingly, reaction between two equiv of 2‐t‐butylaminomethyl pyrrole and Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in toluene, instead of THF, generates Mg[C₄H₃N(2‐CH2NH^tBu)]₂ ( 3 ), also in high yield. Furthermore, the assembly of two equiv of ketimine ligand, HOCMeCHCMeNAr (Ar = C₆H₃‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂) and Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂, yields five‐coordinated magnesium derivatives, Mg(OCMeCHCMeNAr)₂(THF) ( 4 ) and Mg(OCMeCHCMeNAr)₂(OEt₂) ( 5 ), using THF and diethyl ether, respectively. All the aforementioned derivatives are characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy as well as 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 are subjected to X‐ray diffraction analysis in solid state.     

The Reactions of Carbon Monoxide with Silyl and Silenyl Lithium – Synthesis and Isolation of the First Stable Tetra‐Silyl Di‐Ketyl Biradical and 1‐Silaallenolate Lithium

Reactions of carbon monoxide (CO) with tBu₂MeSiLi and (E)‐(tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=Si(SiMetBu₂)Li?2 THF ( 4 ) were studied both experimentally and computationally. Reaction of tBu₂MeSiLi with CO in hexane yields the first stable tetra‐silyl di‐ketyl biradical [(tBu₂MeSi)₂COLi]^.₂ ( 3 ). Reaction of 4 with CO yields selectively and quantitatively the first reported 1‐silaallenolate, (tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=C=Si(SiMetBu₂)OLi?THF ( 5 ). Both 3 and 5 were characterized by X‐ray crystallography and biradical 3 also by EPR spectroscopy. Silaallenolate 5 reacts with Me₃SiCl to produce siloxy substituted 1‐silaallene (tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=C=Si(SiMetBu₂)OSiMe₃. The reaction of 4 with CO provides a new route to 1‐silaallenes. The mechanisms of the reactions of tBuMe₂SiLi and of 4 with CO were studied by DFT calculations.     

Isoprene polymerization with indolide‐imine supported rare‐earth metal alkyl and amidinate complexes

Reaction of 7‐{(N‐2,6‐R)iminomethyl)}indole ( HL¹ , R = dimethylphenyl; HL² , R = diisopropylphenyl) and rare‐earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂, generated new rare‐earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes LLn(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) [L = L¹: Ln = Lu ( 1a ), Sc ( 1b ); L = L²: Ln = Lu ( 3a ), Sc ( 3b )] and mono(alkyl) complexes L²₂Lu(CH₂SiMe₃) ( 4a ). Treatment of alkyl complexes 1a and 4a with N,N′‐diisopropylcarbodiimide afforded the corresponding amidinates L¹Lu{iPr₂NC(CH₂SiMe₃)NiPr₂}₂ ( 2a ) and L²₂Lu{iPr₂NC(CH₂SiMe₃)NiPr₂} ( 5a ), respectively. These new rare‐earth metal alkyls and amidinates except 4a in combination with aluminum alkyls and borate generated efficient homogeneous catalysts for the polymerization of isoprene, providing high cis‐1,4 selectivity and high molar mass polyisoprene with narrow molar mass distribution (M_n = 2.65 × 10⁵, M_w/M_n = 1.07, cis‐1,4 98.2%, −60 °C). The environmental hindrance around central metals arising from the bulkiness of the ligands, the Lewis‐acidity of rare‐earth metal ions, the types of aluminum tris(alkyl)s and borate, and polymerization temperature influenced significantly on both the catalytic activity and the regioselectivity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5251–5262, 2008     

Synthesis of ferrocene‐containing N‐aryloxo β‐ketoiminate lanthanide complexes and polymerization of ε‐caprolactone

The synthesis, characterization and ε‐caprolactone polymerization behavior of lanthanide amido complexes stabilized by ferrocene‐containing N‐aryloxo functionalized β‐ketoiminate ligand FcCOCH₂C(Me)N(2‐HO‐5‐Bu^t‐C₆H₃) (LH₂, Fc = ferrocenyl) are described. The lanthanide amido complexes [LLnN(SiMe₃)₂(THF)]₂ [Ln = Nd ( 1 ), Sm ( 2 ), Yb ( 3 ), Y ( 4 )] were synthesized in good yields by the amine elimination reactions of LH₂ with Ln[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃(µ‐Cl)Li(THF)₃ in a 1:1 molar ratio in THF. These complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy was added for the analysis of complex 4 . The definitive molecular structures of complexes 1 and 3 were determined by X‐ray diffraction studies. Complexes 1 – 4 can initiate the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone with moderate activity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemie polyfunktioneller Moleküle. 119 [1] Tetracarbonyl-dicobalt-tetrahedran-Komplexe mit den Liganden Bis(diphenyl-phosphanyl)amin, 2-Butin-1,4-diol und tert-Butylphosphaacetylen — Kristallstrukturanalyse des Phosphaalkin-Derivats

Chemistry of Polyfunctional Molecules. 119 [1]. Tetracarbonyl-dicobalt-tetrahedrane Complexes with the Ligands Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)-amine, 2-Butin-1,4-diol, and tert.-Butylphosphaacetylene — Crystal Structure of the Phosphaalkyne Derivative Co₂(μ-CO)₂(CO)₄(μ-Ph₂P? NH? PPh₂—P,P′) · 1/2C₆H₅CH₃ ( 4 · 1/2C₆H₅CH₃) reacts with 2-butine-1,4-diol, HOCH₂? C?C? CH₂OH ( 5 ), to the dark-red tetrahedrane complex Co₂(CO)₄(μ-η²,η²-HOCH₂? C?C? CH₂OH? C², C³) · (μ-Ph₂P? NH? PPh₂? P,P′) · THF (6 · THF). With t-butyl-phosphaacetylene, tBu? C?P ( 7 ), 4 · THF forms Co₂(CO)₄(μ-η²,η²-tBu? C?P)(μ-Ph₂P? NH? PPh₂? P,P′) ( 8 ), which also belongs to the tetrahydrane type. The compounds were characterized by their mass, IR, ³¹P{¹H} NMR, ¹³C{¹H} NMR, and¹H NMR spectra. Crystals suitable for X-ray structure analyses have been obtained for 8 from dioxane. The dark red blocks crystallize in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group with the lattice constants a = 1404,1(5), b = 1330,0(7), c = 2578,8(10)pm; β = 90,82(3)°.     

Synthese eines Titana-Oxacyclohexanringes durch kontrollierte Ringöffnung von Tetrahydrofuran. Kristallstrukturen von [Ti(CH2)4O{Me2Si(NBut)2}]2, [TiCl{Me2Si(NBut)2}]3(μ3-O)(μ3-Cl) und [Li2(THF)3{Me2Si(NBut)2}]

Synthesis of a Titana-Oxacyclohexane Ring by Controlled Ring Opening of Tetrahydrofurane. Crystal Structures of [Ti(CH₂)₄O{Me₂Si(NBu^t)₂}]₂, [TiCl{Me₂Si(NBu^t)₂}]₃(μ₃-O)(μ₃-Cl), and [Li₂(THF)₃{Me₂Si(NBu^t)₂}] [TiCl₃(THF)₃] reacts with [(Bu^tNLi)₂SiMe₂]₂ in diethyl ether at –35 °C under redox disproportionation and formation of the yellow titana(IV)-oxacyclohexane complex [Ti(CH₂)₄O{Me₂Si(NBu^t)₂}]₂. According to the crystal structure analysis the titanium atoms are linked to form centrosymmetric dimers via the oxygen atoms of the Ti(CH₂)₄O six-membered rings, which are in chair conformation. Along with the nitrogen atoms of the chelating [Me₂Si(NBu^t)₂]^2– ligands the titanium atoms obtain a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal surrounding. While [TiCl{Me₂Si(NBu^t)₂}]₃(μ₃-O)(μ₃-Cl) with a cluster-like structure is obtained as a by-product. According to the crystal structure analysis of [Li₂(THF)₃ · {Me₂Si(NBu^t)₂}], which is involved in the synthesis reaction, the two lithium atoms are connected with both the nitrogen atoms of the t-butyl amide groups and bridged via an oxygen atom of one of the THF molecules.     

Dinuclear Dysprosium and Ytterbium Complexes Incorporating N,N‐Bis(pyrrolyl‐α‐methyl)‐N‐methylamine Ligand: Syntheses and Structures

Reaction of DyCl₃ with two equivalents of NaN(SiMe₃)₂ in THF yielded {Dy(μ‐Cl)[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂(THF)}₂ ( 1 ). X‐ray crystal structure analysis revealed that 1 is a centrosymmetric dimer with asymmetrically bridging chloride ligands. The metal coordination arrangement can be best described as distorted trigonal bipyramid. The bond lengths of Ln–Cl and Ln–N showed a decreasing trend with the contraction of the size of Ln³⁺. Treatment of N,N‐bis(pyrrolyl‐α‐methyl)‐N‐methylamine (H₂dpma) with 1 and known compound {Yb(μ‐Cl)[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂(THF)}₂, respectively, led to the formations of [Dy(μ‐Cl)(dpma)(THF)₂]₂ ( 2 ) and {Yb(μ‐Cl)[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂(THF)}₂ ( 3 ). Compounds 2 and 3 were fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, elemental analysis, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Structure determination indicated that 2 and 3 exhibit as centrosymmetric dimers with asymmetrically bridging chloride ligands. One pot reactions involving LnCl₃ (Ln = Dy and Yb), LiN(SiMe₃)₂, and H₂dpma were explored and desired products 2 and 3 were not yielded, which indicated that 1 and {Yb(μ‐Cl)[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂(THF)}₂ are the demanding precursors to synthesize Dysprosium and Ytterbium complexes supported by dpma^2– ligand. Compounds 2 and 3 are the first reported lanthanide complexes chelated by dpma^2– ligand.     

Chiral (1,2)‐Diphenylethylene‐Salen Complexes of Triel Metals: Coordination Patterns and Mechanistic Considerations in the Isoselective ROP of Lactide

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure aluminium, gallium and indium complexes supported by chiral (R,R)‐(^HHONNO^HH) ( 1 ), (R,R)‐(^MeHONNO^HMe) ( 2 ), (R,R)‐(^tButBuONNO^tButBu) ( 3 ), (R,R)‐(^MeNO2ONNO^MeNO2) ( 4 ), (R,R)‐(^HOMeONNO^HOMe) ( 5 ) and (R,R)‐(^ClClONNO^ClCl) ( 6 ) (1,2)‐diphenylethylene‐salen ligands is described. Several of these complexes have been crystallographically authenticated, which highlights a diversity of coordination patterns. Whereas all Ga complexes form [Ga₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₄(ONNO)] bimetallic species (ONNO= 1 – 3 ), aluminium [AlR(ONNO)] (R=Me, CH₂SiMe₃) and indium [In(CH₂SiMe₃)(ONNO)] derivatives are monometallic for ONNO= 1 , 2 and 4 – 6 , and only form the bimetallic complexes [Al₂R₄(ONNO)] and [In₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₄(ONNO)] for the most sterically crowded ligand 3 . The [AlMe(ONNO)] complexes react with iPrOH to give [AlOiPr(ONNO)] complexes that are robust towards further iPrOH. The [In(CH₂SiMe₃)(ONNO)] congeners are inert towards excess alcohol, whereas the Ga compounds decompose easily. All these alkyl complexes, as well as the [AlOiPr(ONNO)] derivatives, catalyse the ring‐opening polymerisation (ROP) of racemic lactide (rac‐LA). The [AlMe(ONNO)] complexes require additional alcohol to afford controlled reactions, but [AlOiPr(ONNO)] complexes are single‐component catalysts for the isoselective ROP of rac‐LA, with values of P_m in the range 0.80–0.90. Experimental evidence unexpectedly shows that chain‐end control leads to the isoselectivity of these aluminium catalysts; also, the more crowded the coordination sphere, the higher the isoselectivity. The bimetallic Ga complexes do not afford controlled reactions, but the binary [In(ONNO)(CH₂SiMe₃)/(PhCH₂OH)] systems competently mediate non‐stereoselective ROP; evidence is given that an activated monomer mechanism is at work. Kinetic studies show that catalytic activity decreases when electronic density and steric congestion at the metal atom increase.     

Silicon‐ and Tin‐Containing Open‐Chain and Eight‐Membered‐Ring Compounds as Bicentric Lewis Acids toward Anions

Herein, we report the syntheses of silicon‐ and tin‐containing open‐chain and eight‐membered‐ring compounds Me₂Si(CH₂SnMe₂X)₂ ( 2 , X=Me; 3 , X=Cl; 4 , X=F), CH₂(SnMe₂CH₂I)₂ ( 7 ), CH₂(SnMe₂CH₂Cl)₂ ( 8 ), cyclo‐Me₂Sn(CH₂SnMe₂CH₂)₂SiMe₂ ( 6 ), cyclo‐(Me₂SnCH₂)₄ ( 9 ), cyclo‐Me_(2?n)X_nSn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂SnX_nMe_(2?n) ( 5 , n=0; 10 , n = 1, X= Cl; 11 , n=1, X= F; 12 , n=2, X= Cl), and the chloride and fluoride complexes NEt₄[cyclo‐ Me(Cl)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(Cl)Me?F] ( 13 ), PPh₄[cyclo‐Me(Cl)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(Cl)Me?Cl] ( 14 ), NEt₄[cyclo‐Me(F)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(F)Me?F] ( 15 ), [NEt₄]₂[cyclo‐Cl₂Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂SnCl₂?2 Cl] ( 16 ), M[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?Cl] ( 17 a , M=PPh₄; 17 b , M=NEt₄), NEt₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?F] ( 18 ), NEt₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(F)Me₂)₂?F] ( 19 ), and PPh₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?Br] ( 20 ). The compounds were characterised by electrospray mass‐spectrometric, IR and ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, ²⁹Si, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopic analysis, and, except for 15 and 18 , single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Diversification of ortho‐Fused Cycloocta‐2,5‐dien‐1‐one Cores and Eight‐ to Six‐Ring Conversion by σ Bond C−C Cleavage

Sequential treatment of 2‐C₆H₄Br(CHO) with LiC≡CR¹ (R¹=SiMe₃, tBu), nBuLi, CuBr?SMe₂ and HC≡CCHClR² [R²=Ph, 4‐CF₃Ph, 3‐CNPh, 4‐(MeO₂C)Ph] at ?50 °C leads to formation of an intermediate carbanion (Z)‐1,2‐C₆H₄{C_A(=O)C≡C_BR¹}{CH=CH(CH^?)R²} ( 4 ). Low temperatures (?50 °C) favour attack at C_B leading to kinetic formation of 6,8‐bicycles containing non‐classical C‐carbanion enolates ( 5 ). Higher temperatures (?10 °C to ambient) and electron‐deficient R² favour retro σ‐bond C?C cleavage regenerating 4 , which subsequently closes on C_A providing 6,6‐bicyclic alkoxides ( 6 ). Computational modelling (CBS‐QB3) indicated that both pathways are viable and of similar energies. Reaction of 6 with H⁺ gave 1,2‐dihydronaphthalen‐1‐ols, or under dehydrating conditions, 2‐aryl‐1‐alkynylnaphthlenes. Enolates 5 react in situ with: H₂O, D₂O, I₂, allylbromide, S₂Me₂, CO₂ and lead to the expected C ‐E derivatives (E=H, D, I, allyl, SMe, CO₂H) in 49–64 % yield directly from intermediate 5 . The parents (E=H; R¹=SiMe₃, tBu; R²=Ph) are versatile starting materials for NaBH₄ and Grignard C=O additions, desilylation (when R¹=SiMe) and oxime formation. The latter allows formation of 6,9‐bicyclics via Beckmann rearrangement. The 6,8‐ring iodides are suitable Suzuki precursors for Pd‐catalysed C?C coupling (81–87 %), whereas the carboxylic acids readily form amides under T3P® conditions (71–95 %).     

Reactivity of TpMe2‐Supported Yttrium Alkyl Complexes toward Aromatic N‐Heterocycles: Ring‐Opening or CC Bond Formation Directed by CH Activation

Unusual chemical transformations such as three‐component combination and ring‐opening of N‐heterocycles or formation of a carbon–carbon double bond through multiple C–H activation were observed in the reactions of Tp^Me2‐supported yttrium alkyl complexes with aromatic N‐heterocycles. The scorpionate‐anchored yttrium dialkyl complex [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] reacted with 1‐methylimidazole in 1:2 molar ratio to give a rare hexanuclear 24‐membered rare‐earth metallomacrocyclic compound [Tp^Me2Y(μ‐N,C‐Im)(η²‐N,C‐Im)]₆ ( 1 ; Im=1‐methylimidazolyl) through two kinds of C–H activations at the C2‐ and C5‐positions of the imidazole ring. However, [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] reacted with two equivalents of 1‐methylbenzimidazole to afford a C–C coupling/ring‐opening/C–C coupling product [Tp^Me2Y{η³‐(N,N,N)‐N(CH₃)C₆H₄NHCH?C(Ph)CN(CH₃)C₆H₄NH}] ( 2 ). Further investigations indicated that [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] reacted with benzothiazole in 1:1 or 1:2 molar ratio to produce a C–C coupling/ring‐opening product {(Tp^Me2)Y[μ‐η²:η¹‐SC₆H₄N(CH?CHPh)](THF)}₂ ( 3 ). Moreover, the mixed Tp^Me2/Cp yttrium monoalkyl complex [(Tp^Me2)CpYCH₂Ph(THF)] reacted with two equivalents of 1‐methylimidazole in THF at room temperature to afford a trinuclear yttrium complex [Tp^Me2CpY(μ‐N,C‐Im)]₃ ( 5 ), whereas when the above reaction was carried out at 55 °C for two days, two structurally characterized metal complexes [Tp^Me2Y(Im‐Tp^Me2)] ( 7 ; Im‐Tp^Me2=1‐methyl‐imidazolyl‐Tp^Me2) and [Cp₃Y(HIm)] ( 8 ; HIm=1‐methylimidazole) were obtained in 26 and 17 % isolated yields, respectively, accompanied by some unidentified materials. The formation of 7 reveals an uncommon example of construction of a C?C bond through multiple C–H activations.     

C‐O Bond Cleavage of Diethyl Ether and Tetrahydrofurane by [(dpp‐BIAN)AlI(Et2O)] [dpp‐BIAN = 1,2‐bis[(2,6‐di‐iso‐propylphenyl)‐imino]acenaphthene]

At elevated temperatures, the aluminum complex [(dpp‐BIAN)AlI(Et₂O)] ( 1 ) splits the C‐O bonds of diethyl ether and tetrahydrofurane yielding the dimeric alkoxides [(dpp‐BIAN)AlOEt]₂ ( 2 ) and [(dpp‐BIAN)AlO(CH₂)₄I]₂ ( 3 ), respectively. Already at ambient temperatures, a cleavage of the C‐O bond of THF is to observe in the reaction of 1 with CpNa in THF as confirmed by the formation of [(dpp‐BIAN)AlO(CH₂)₄C₅H₅]₂ ( 4a ) and [(dpp‐BIAN)Al{O(CH₂)₄C₅H₅}(THF)] ( 4b ) in a molar ratio of 1:2. The reaction of 1 with t‐BuOK affords the monomeric alkoxide [(dpp‐BIAN)AlO‐t‐Bu(Et₂O)] ( 5 ). Compounds 2 , 3 , and 4a/b were characterized by elemental analyses and IR spectra. Additionally, the structures of 2 and 3 were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

3‐Rhoda‐1,2‐diazacyclopentanes: A Series of Novel Metallacycle Complexes Derived From CN Functionalization of Ethylene

Rh‐containing metallacycles, [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NR)₂‐]Cl; TPA=N,N,N,N‐tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine have been accessed through treatment of the Rh^I ethylene complex, [(TPA)Rh(η²‐CH₂CH₂)]Cl ([ 1 ]Cl) with substituted diazenes. We show this methodology to be tolerant of electron‐deficient azo compounds including azo diesters (RCO₂N?NCO₂R; R=Et [ 3 ]Cl, R=iPr [ 4 ]Cl, R=tBu [ 5 ]Cl, and R=Bn [ 6 ]Cl) and a cyclic azo diamide: 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3,5‐dione (PTAD), [ 7 ]Cl. The latter complex features two ortho‐fused ring systems and constitutes the first 3‐rhoda‐1,2‐diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane. Preliminary evidence suggests that these complexes result from N–N coordination followed by insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]?N bond. In terms of reactivity, [ 3 ]Cl and [ 4 ]Cl successfully undergo ring‐opening using p‐toluenesulfonic acid, affording the Rh chlorides, [(TPA)Rh^III(Cl)(κ¹‐(C)‐CH₂CH₂(NCO₂R)(NHCO₂R)]OTs; [ 13 ]OTs and [ 14 ]OTs. Deprotection of [ 5 ]Cl using trifluoroacetic acid was also found to give an ethyl substituted, end‐on coordinated diazene [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NH)₂‐]⁺ [ 16 ]Cl, a hitherto unreported motif. Treatment of [ 16 ]Cl with acetyl chloride resulted in the bisacetylated adduct [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NAc)₂‐]⁺, [ 17 ]Cl. Treatment of [ 1 ]Cl with AcN?NAc did not give the Rh?N insertion product, but instead the N,O‐chelated complex [(TPA)Rh^I ( κ²‐(O,N)‐CH₃(CO)(NH)(N?C(CH₃)(OCH?CH₂))]Cl [ 23 ]Cl, presumably through insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]?O bond.