Pentynol to furan conversion - Search for the best trans-[MX2(YNC10H14O)2] catalyst

Conversion of 4-pentyn-1-ol (A) into 2-methyl-2-pent-4-ynyloxy-tetrahydrofuran (B) is catalysed by camphorimine complexes trans-[PdCl₂(YNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] (Y = NMe₂, NHMe, NH₂, OH, OMe, Prⁱ, Ph), trans-[PdBr₂(YNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] (Y = NMe₂, NH₂, OH, Ph), trans-[PtCl₂(YNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] (Y = NMe₂, NHMe, NH₂). In the presence of H₂O those catalysts further promote the conversion of 2-methyl-2-pent-4-ynyloxy-tetrahydrofuran (B) into 5-(2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-yloxy)-pentan-2-one (C). The efficiency of each process highly depends on the characteristics of the Y group (at the camphor ligand), the halide (co-ligand) and the transition metal. To ascertain on the relevance of each parameter into the properties of the catalysts, the rate constants for A → B and B → C processes, TON, TOF and catalysts Activities (A_i) for A → B conversion were calculated. From the three sets of complexes studied the most efficient catalyst is trans-[PdCl₂(H₂NNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] while trans-[PdCl₂(PhNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] is the less efficient. Palladium chloride are considerably better catalysts than palladium bromide complexes except in the case of trans-[PdBr₂(HONC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] that resembles chloride complexes efficiency. Compared to palladium, platinum complexes are considerably less efficient catalysts.     

Cationic (fluoromesityl)palladium(II) complexes

Halide abstraction from [Pd(μ-Cl)(Fmes)(NCMe)]₂ (Fmes = 2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl or nonafluoromesityl) with TlBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂/MeCN gives [Pd(Fmes)(NCMe)₃]BF₄, which reacts with monodentate ligands to give the monosubstituted products trans-[Pd(Fmes)L(NCMe)₂]BF₄ (L = PPh₃, P(o-Tol)₃, 3,5-lut, 2,4-lut, 2,6-lut; lut = dimethylpyridine), the disubstituted products trans-[Pd(Fmes)(NCMe)(PPh₃)₂]BF₄, cis-[Pd(Fmes)(3,5-lut)₂(NCMe)]BF₄, or the trisubstituted products [Pd(Fmes)L₃]BF₄ (L = CN^tBu, PHPh₂, 3,5-lut, 2,4-lut). Similar reactions using bidentate chelating ligands give [Pd(Fmes)(L-L)(NCMe)]BF₄ (L-L = bipy, tmeda, dppe, OPPhPy₂-N,N′, (OH)(CH₃)CPy₂-N,N′). The complexes trans-[Pd(Fmes)L₂(NCMe)]BF₄ (L = PPh₃, tht) (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) and [Pd(Fmes)(L-L)(NCMe)]BF₄ (L-L = bipy, tmeda) were obtained by halide extraction with TlBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂/MeCN from the corresponding neutral halogeno complexes trans-[Pd(Fmes)ClL₂] or [Pd(Fmes)Cl(L-L)]. The aqua complex trans-[Pd(Fmes)(OH₂)(tht)₂]BF₄ was isolated from the corresponding acetonitrile complex. Overall, the experimental results on these substitution reactions involving bulky ligands suggest that thermodynamic and kinetic steric effects can prevail affording products or intermediates different from those expected on purely electronic considerations. Thus,water, whether added on purpose or adventitious in the solvent, frequently replaces in part other better donor ligands, suggesting that the smaller congestion with water compensates for the smaller M-OH₂ bond energy.     

Ruthenium vinylidene and carbyne complexes containing a multifunctional tridentate ligand with a PNN donor set

The neutral, octahedral ruthenium vinylidene complexes mer,trans-[(PNN)Cl₂Ru(CCHR)] (PNN = N-(2-diphenylphosphinobenzylidene)-2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine; R = Ph, 1a; R = ^tBu, 1b) are reported. An X-ray crystallographic study of 1a confirms the tridentate, meridional coordination mode of the PNN ligand. Compounds 1a and 1b undergo regioselective electrophilic addition with HBF₄ · Et₂O at C_β of the vinylidene ligand at low temperatures, and are cleanly and quantitatively converted to the ruthenium carbynes mer,trans-[(PNN)Cl₂Ru(CCH₂R)][BF₄] (R = Ph, 2a; R = ^tBu, 2b). Carbynes 2a and 2b are stable only at low temperatures (<−50 °C). Complex 1a undergoes ligand substitution with L to yield mer,trans-[(PNN)Cl₂Ru(L)] (L = MeCN, 3a; L = CO, 3b).     

Synthesis, spectroscopy and structures of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes containing mercapto-o-carborane

The reactions of [M₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂(PMe₂Ph)₂] with mercapto-o-carboranes in the presence of pyridine afforded mono-nuclear complexes of composition, [MCl(SCb°R)(py)(PMe₂Ph)] (M = Pd or Pt; Cb° = o-C₂B₁₀H₁₀; R = H or Ph). The treatment of [PdCl₂(PEt₃)₂] with PhCb°SH yielded trans-[Pd(SCb°Ph)₂(PEt₃)₂] (4) which when left in solution in the presence of pyridine gave another substitution product, [Pd(SCb°Ph)₂(py)(PEt₃)] (5). The structures of [PdCl(SCb°Ph)(py)(PMe₂Ph)] (1), [Pd(SCb°Ph)₂(PEt₃)₂] (4) and [Pd(SCb^oPh)₂(py)(PEt₃)] (5) were established unambiguously by X-ray crystallography. The palladium atom in these complexes adopts a distorted square-planar configuration with neutral donor atoms occupying the trans positions. Thermolysis of [PdCl(SCb°)(py)(PMe₂Ph)] (2) in TOPO (trioctylphosphine oxide) at 200 °C gave nanocrystals of TOPO capped Pd₄S which were characterized by XRD pattern and SEM.     

Ruthenium and rhodium nitrosyl complexes containing dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinate ligands

Interaction of [Ru(NO)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(R₂PS)₂] in refluxing N,N-dimethylformamide afforded trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(R₂PS)₂}₂] (R = Ph (1), Prⁱ (2)). Reaction of [Ru(NO)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(Ph₂PSe)₂] led to formation of a mixture of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(Ph₂PSe)₂}₂] (3) and trans-[Ru(NO)Cl{N(Ph₂PSe)₂}{Ph₂P(Se)NPPh₂}] (4). Reaction of Ru(NO)Cl₃ · xH₂O with K[N(Ph₂PO)₂] afforded cis-[Ru(NO)(Cl){N(Ph₂PO)₂}₂] (5). Treatment of [Rh(NO)Cl₂(PPh₃)₂] with K[N(R₂PQ)₂] gave Rh(NO){N(R₂PQ)₂}₂] (R = Ph, Q = S (6) or Se (7); R = Prⁱ, Q = S (8) or Se (9)). Protonation of 8 with HBF₄ led to formation of trans-[Rh(NO)Cl{HN(Prⁱ₂PS)₂}₂][BF₄]₂ (10). X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the nitrosyl ligands in 2 and 4 are linear, whereas that in 9 is bent with the Rh–N–O bond angle of 125.7(3)°.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of rhodium hydride complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Addition of excesses of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) IEt₂Me₂, IⁱPr₂Me₂ or ICy (IEt₂Me₂ = 1,3-diethyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; IⁱPr₂Me₂ = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; ICy = 1,3-dicyclohexylimidazol-2-ylidene) to [HRh(PPh₃)₄] (1) affords an isomeric mixture of [HRh(NHC)(PPh₃)₂] (NHC = IEt₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-2), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-3), ICy (cis-/trans-4) and [HRh(NHC)₂(PPh₃)] (IEt₂Me₂(cis-/trans-5), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-6), ICy (cis-/trans-7)). Thermolysis of 1 with the aryl substituted NHC, 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (IMesH₂), affords the bridging hydrido phosphido dimer, [{(PPh₃)₂Rh}₂(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)] (8), which is also the reaction product formed in the absence of carbene. When the rhodium precursor was changed from 1 to [HRh(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (9) and treated with either IMes (=1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene) or ICy, the bis-NHC complexes trans-[HRh(CO)(IMes)₂] (10) and trans-[HRh(CO)(ICy)₂] (11) were formed. In contrast, the reaction of 9 with IⁱPr₂Me₂ gave [HRh(CO)(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (cis-/trans-12) and the unusual unsymmetrical dimer, [(PPh₃)₂Rh(μ-CO)₂Rh(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (13). The complexes trans-3, 8, 10 and 13 have been structurally characterised.     

Diiron-aminocarbyne complexes with amine or imine ligands: C-N coupling between imine and aminocarbyne ligands promoted by tolylacetylide addition to [Fe2{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)(NHCPh2)(Cp)2][SO3CF3]

A terminally coordinated CO ligand in the complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 1a; R = Xyl, 1b; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), is readily displaced by primary and secondary amines (L), in the presence of Me₃NO, affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)(L)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, L = NH₂Et, 4a; R = Xyl, L = NH₂Et, 4b; R = Me, L = NH₂Prⁱ, 5a; R = Xyl, L = NH₂Prⁱ, 5b; R = Xyl, L = NH₂C₆H₁₁, 6; R = Xyl, L = NH₂Ph, 7; R = Xyl, L = NH₃, 8; R = Me, L = NHMe₂, 9a; R = Xyl, L = NHMe₂, 9b; R = Xyl, = NH(CH₂)₅, 10). In the absence of Me₃NO, NH₂Et gives addition at the CO ligand of 1b, yielding [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){C(O)NHEt}(Cp)₂] (11). Carbonyl replacement is also observed in the reaction of 1a-b with pyridine and benzophenone imine, affording [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)R}(μ-CO)(CO)(L)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, L = Py, 12a; R = Xyl, L = Py, 12b; R = Me, L = HNCPh₂, 13a; R = Xyl, L = HNCPh₂, 13b). The imino complex 13b reacts with p-tolylacetylide leading to the formation of the μ-vinylidene-diaminocarbene compound [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η²- CC(Tol)C(Ph)₂N(H)CN(Me)(Xyl){(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp₂)] (15) which has been studied by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and characterisation of two novel Rh(I) carbene complexes: Crystal structure of [Rh(acac)(CO)(L1)]

The [Rh(acac)(CO)(L)] (acac = acetylacetonato; L₁ = 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolinylidene and L₂ = 1,3-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolinylidene) complexes were prepared by the action of the parent carbene on [Rh(acac)(CO)₂] in THF. The crystal structure characterisation of [Rh(acac)(CO)(L₁)] revealed a slightly distorted square planar geometry with the carbene ligand orientated almost perpendicular to the equatorial plane; an elongated trans Rh-O bond of 2.0806(18) Å reflecting the considerable trans-influence of the carbene ligand. By measuring the CO stretching frequencies in a range of [Rh(acac)(CO)(L)] complexes (L = CO, L₁, L₂, PPh₃, PⁿBu₃, P(O-2,4-^tBu₂-Ph)₃) the following electron donating ability series was established: L₁ ∼ L₂ ∼ PⁿBu₃ > PPh₃ > P(O-2,4-^tBu₂-Ph)₃ > CO; indicating the carbenes investigated in this study to have a similar electronic cis-influence as trialkyl phosphines. Both complexes do not display hydroformylation activity towards 1-hexene in the absence of added phosphine or phosphite ligands under the conditions investigated (P = 60; T = 85 °C). In the presence of a phosphine or phosphite ligand the resulting hydroformylation catalysis was identical to that observed for [Rh(acac)(CO)₂] and the corresponding ligand and subsequent high-pressure ³¹P NMR studies confirmed substitution of the carbene ligand under these conditions.     

Self-assembly of di- and triorganotin(IV) complexes: Syntheses, characterization and crystal structures of 1D polymeric chain containing O,O-diethyl or O,O-diisopropyl phosphoric acid ligands

A series of organotin(IV) complexes with O,O-diethyl phosphoric acid (L¹H) and O,O-diisopropyl phosphoric acid (L²H) of the types: [R₃Sn · L]_n (L = L¹, R = Ph 1, R = PhCH₂2, R = Me 3, R = Bu 4; L = L², R = Ph 9, R = PhCH₂10, R = Me 11, R = Bu 12), [R₂Cl Sn · L]_n (L = L¹, R = Me 5, R = Ph 6, R = PhCH₂7, R = Bu 8; L = L², R = Me 13, R = Ph 14, R = PhCH₂15, R = Bu 16), have been synthesized. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, TGA, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy analysis. Among them, complexes 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography diffraction analysis. In the crystalline state, the complexes adopt infinite 1D infinite chain structures which are generated by the bidentate bridging phosphonate ligands and the five-coordinated tin centers.     

New synthesis and thermal studies of palladacycloalkanes and their precursors

A series of new palladacycloalkanes of formula cis-[PdL₂(CH₂)_n] (9. n = 6, L = PPh₃; 10. n = 6, L₂ = dppe; 11. n = 8, L = PPh₃; 12. n = 8, L₂ = dppe) have been prepared by two routes. In the first route, the precursor bis(1-alkenyl) complexes cis-[PdL₂((CH₂)_nCHCH₂)₂] (1. n = 2, L = PPh₃, 2. n = 2, L₂ = dppe, 3. n = 3, L = PPh₃, 4. n = 3, L₂ = dppe) were allowed to react with Grubb’s 2nd generation catalyst to give the palladacycloalkenes, cis-[PdL₂(CH₂)_nCHCH(CH₂)_n] (5. n = 2, L = PPh₃, 6. n = 2, L₂ = dppe, 7. n = 3, L = PPh₃, 8. n = 3, L₂ = dppe), which were then hydrogenated to the palladacycloalkanes, 9-12. In the second route, the di-Grignard reagents BrMg(CH₂)_nMgBr (n = 6, 8) were reacted with the palladium complex [PdCl₂(COD)] followed by immediate ligand displacement to form the respective palladacycloalkanes 10 and 12. The complexes obtained were characterized by a range of spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Thermal decomposition studies were carried out on the palladacycloalkanes 9-12 and the main organic products shown to be 1-alkenes and 2-alkenes.     

Preparation of phosphinoferrocene carboxamides from isocyanates. Synthesis and structural characterisation of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with 1′-(diphenylphosphino)-1-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)ferrocene

The reaction of in situ generated 1′-(diphenylphosphino)-1-lithioferrocene with isocyanates RNCO affords the respective phosphino-carboxamides Ph₂PfcCONHR (fc = ferrocene-1,1′-diyl, R = cyclohexyl (2), and Ph (3)) in moderate yields. The coordination behaviour of 3 chosen as a representative was studied in palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes. Depending on the metal precursor and the reaction conditions, the following compounds featuring this ligand as a P-monodentate or an O,P-chelating donor were isolated and characterised by spectroscopic methods (IR, multinuclear NMR and electrospray ionisation MS): trans-[PdCl₂(3-κP)₂] (5), trans-[PtCl₂(3-κP)₂] (6), cis-[PtCl₂(3-κP)₂] (7), [SP-4-4]-[(L^NC)PdCl(3-κP)] (8; L^NC = 2-[(dimethylamino-κN)methyl]phenyl-κC¹), and [SP-4-3]-[(L^NC)PdCl(3-κ²O,P)]SbF₆ (9). Besides, the crystal structures of a phosphine oxide resulting by oxidation of 2, viz Ph₂P(O)fcCONHCy (4), and of complexes 5·2Et₂O and 9 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Organoplatinum(II) complexes with phosphite ligands

The phosphite complexes cis-[PtMe₂L(SMe₂)] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 1a, or L = P(OPh)₃, 1b, were synthesized by the reaction of cis,cis-[Me₂Pt(μ-SMe₂)₂PtMe₂] with 2 equiv. of L. If 4 equiv. of L was used the bis-phosphite complexes cis-[PtMe₂L₂] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 2a, or L = P(OPh)₃, 2b, were obtained. The reaction of cis-[Pt(p-MeC₆H₄)₂(SMe₂)₂] with 2 equiv. of L gave the aryl bis-phosphite complexes cis-[Pt(p-MeC₆H₄)₂L₂] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 2a′, or L = P(OPh)₃, 2b′. Use of 1 equiv. of L in the latter reaction gave the bis-phosphite complex along with the starting complex in a 1:1 ratio.The complexes failed to react with MeI. The reaction of cis,cis-[Me₂Pt(μ-SMe₂)₂PtMe₂] with 2 equiv. of the phosphine PPh₃ gave cis-[PtMe₂(PPh₃)₂] and cis-[PtMe₂(PPh₃)(SMe₂)] along with unreacted starting material. Reaction of cis-[PtMe₂L(SMe₂)], 1a and 1b with the bidentate phosphine ligand bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂, gave [PtMe₂(dppm)], 8, along with cis-[PtMe₂L₂], 2. The reaction of cis-[PtMe₂L(SMe₂)] with 1/2 equiv. of the bidentate N-donor ligand NN = 4,4′-bipyridine yielded the binuclear complexes [PtMe₂L(μ-NN)PtMe₂L] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 3a, or L = P(OPh)₃, 3b.The complexes were fully characterized using multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, and ¹⁹⁵Pt) spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and structures of o-phenylene-bridged Cp/phosphinoamide titanium complexes

Addition of R′₂PCl to anilines substituted with di- or trimethylcyclopentadienyl unit at ortho-position affords ortho-phenylene-bridged Me₂Cp or Me₃Cp/phosophinoamide ligands, 2-(RMe₂C₅H₂)C₆H₄NHPR′₂ (R = Me or H; R′ = Ph, iPr, or Cyclohexyl). Successive addition of Ti(NMe₂)₄ and Me₂SiCl₂ to the ligands affords the desired dichlorotitanium complexes, [2-(η⁵-RMe₂C₅H)C₆H₄NPR′ ₂− κ²N,P]TiCl₂ (R = H, R′ = Ph, 9; R = Me, R′ = Ph, 10; R = H, R′ = iPr, 11; R = Me, R′ = iPr, 12; R = H, R′ = Cy, 13; R = Me, R′ = Cy, 14). By using Zr(NMe₂)₄ instead of Ti(NMe₂)₄, a zirconium complex, [2-(η⁵-Me₃C₅H)C₆H₄NP(iPr)₂−κ²N,P]ZrCl₂ (15) is prepared. Molecular structures of 10, 14 and [2-(η⁵-Me₂C₅H₂)C₆H₄NPPh₂− κN]Ti(NMe₂)₂ (16) were determined. The metric parameters determined on the X-ray crystallographic studies and the chemical shifts of the ³¹P NMR signal indicate that the phosphorous atom coordinates to the titanium in the dichloro-complexes 9-15. The titanium and zirconium complexes show negligible activity in ethylene and ethylene/1-hexene (co)polymerization when activated with MAO or iBu₃Al/[Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄].     

Derivatisation of boryl substituted titanium half-sandwich complexes - Molecular structures of [Ti{(η-C5H4)B(NiPr2)N(H)tBu}Cl2(NMe2)] and [{TiCl2(μ-{OB(NHMe2)-η-C5H4})}2-μ-O]

The half-sandwich complex [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr}(NMe₂)₃] (6) was prepared from (η¹-C₅H₅)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr (5) and [Ti(NMe₂)₄] with cleavage of one equivalent of HNMe₂ and further converted into the corresponding constrained geometry complex [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)NiPr}(NMe₂)₂] (7) by elimination of a second equivalent of HNMe₂. Reaction of the half-sandwich complexes [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)R}(NMe₂)₃] (R = iPr, tBu) with excess Me₃SiCl yielded the corresponding dichloro complexes [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)R}Cl₂(NMe₂)] (R = tBu (10), iPr (11)). The intermediate species [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr}Cl(NMe₂)₂] (9) could also be spectroscopically characterised. Partial hydrolysis of 10 and 11, respectively, resulted in formation of [{TiCl₂(μ-{OB(NHMe₂)-η⁵-C₅H₄})}₂-μ-O] (12). The molecular structures of 10 and 12 have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Complex 10, when activated with MAO, was found to be a highly active styrene polymerisation catalyst while being inactive towards the polymerisation of ethylene.     

F NMR spectroscopy as useful tool for determining the structure in solution of coordination compounds of MF5 (M = Nb, Ta)

The salts [S(NMe₂)₃][MF₆] (M = Nb, 2a; M = Ta, 2b) and [S(NMe₂)₃][M₂F₁₁] (M = Nb, 2c; M = Ta, 2d) have been prepared by reacting MF₅ (M = Nb, 1a; M = Ta, 1b) with [S(NMe₂)₃][SiMe₃F₂] (TASF reagent) in the appropriate molar ratio. The solid state structure of 2b has been ascertained by X-ray diffraction. The 1:1 molar ratio reactions of 1a with a variety of organic compounds (L) give the neutral adducts NbF₅L [L = Me₂CO, 3a; L = MeCHO, 3b; L = Ph₂CO, 3c; L = tetrahydrofuran (thf), 3d; L = MeOH, 3e; L = EtOH, 3f; L = HOCH₂CH₂OMe, 3g; L = Ph₃PO, 3h; L = NCMe, 3i] in good yields. The complexes MF₅L [M = Nb, L = HCONMe₂, 3j; M = Nb, L = (NMe₂)₂CO, 3k; M = Ta, L = (NMe₂)₂CO, 3l; M = Nb, L = OC(Me)CHCMe₂, 3m] have been detected in solution in admixture with other unidentified products, upon 2:1 molar reaction of 1 with the appropriate reagent L. The ionic complexes [NbF₄(tht)₂][NbF₆], 4a, and [NbF₄(tht)₂][Nb₂F₁₁], 4b, have been obtained by combination of tetrahydrothiophene (tht) and 1a, in 1:1 and 2:3 molar ratios, respectively. The treatment of 1 with a two-fold excess of L leads to the species [MF₄L₄][MF₆] [M = Nb, L = HCONMe₂, 5a; M = Ta, L = HCONMe₂, 5b; M = Nb, L = thf, 5c; M = Ta, L = thf, 5d; M = Nb, L = OEt₂, 5e]. The new complexes have been fully characterised by NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, the revised ¹⁹F NMR features of the known compounds MF₅L [M = Ta, L = Me₂CO, 3n; M = Ta, L = Ph₂CO, 3o; M = Ta, L = MePhCO, 3p; M = Ta, L = thf, 3q; M = Nb, L = CH₃CO₂H, 3r; M = Nb, L = CH₂ClCO₂H, 3s; M = Ta, L = CH₂ClCO₂H, 3t], TaF₄(acac), TaF₄(Me-acac) and [TaF(Me-acac)₃][TaF₆] (Me-acac = methylacetylacetonato anion) are reported.     

Bis(pyrazole)- and bis(pyrazolyl)-palladium complexes as phenylacetylene polymerization catalysts

Two types of pyrazole-based palladium complexes were used to catalyze the polymerization of phenylacetylene. Catalysts with electron-withdrawing linkers, [{1,3-(3,5-R₂pzCO)₂C₆H₄}Pd₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂] (R = ^tBu (1), Ph (2), Me (3), [{2,6-(3,5-R₂pzCO)₂C₅H₃N)}PdCl₂] (R = ^tBu (4), Me (5)), show high conversion; whilst those with simple pyrazole ligands, [(3,5-R₂pz)₂PdCl₂] (R = H (6), Me (7), ^tBu (8)), [(3,5-^tBu₂pz)₂PdCl(Me)] (9), have much lower conversions. Conversion greatly improved when 9 was used to catalyze the co-polymerization of sulfur dioxide and phenylacetylene. Both types of catalysts produce predominantly trans–cisoidal polyphenylacetylene.     

Conformational fluxionality in a palladium(II) complex of flexible click chelator 4-phenyl-1-(2-picolyl)-1,2,3-triazole: A dynamic NMR and DFT study

An experimental and theoretical DFT study was carried out on the solution behavior in [D₇]DMF for bis-chelate complex [Pd(L)₂](BF₄)₂·2CH₃CN (L = 4-phenyl-1-(2-picolyl)-1,2,3-triazole). In structure of [Pd(L)₂]²⁺, the central square-planar palladium(II) cation is trans-chelated by two L substrates, each through the pyridine and the triazole N2 nitrogen atoms, forming two six-membered metallacycles. These can adopt boat-like conformations anti-trans-[Pd(L)₂]²⁺ and syn-trans-[Pd(L)₂]²⁺ in which the picolyl methylene carbons are anti or syn, respectively, relative to the palladium coordination plane. In solution, the boat-to-boat inversion at both metallacycles takes place. The conformers are in a dynamic equilibrium, which was monitored by variable-temperature (VT) ¹H NMR spectroscopy in the temperature range of 223-353 K. The equilibrium lies on the side of the anti-trans-[Pd(L)₂]²⁺ conformer and the corresponding reaction enthalpy and entropy is estimated to be 0.6 ± 0.5 kcal mol⁻¹ and 0.8 ± 1 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. From the full-line-shape analysis of resonances in the VT ¹H NMR spectra, the activation enthalpy and activation entropy was determined to be 13.0 ± 0.4 kcal mol⁻¹ and 2.7 ± 1.6 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The activation entropy close to zero suggests a nondissociative mechanism for the isomerisation. DFT investigation revealed that the isomerisation proceeds through a one step mechanism with a barrier of 11.40 kcal mol⁻¹. The structures of the syn and anti conformers as well as that of the transition state were characterized. Energy decomposition analysis was carried out in order to explore the origins of the stability difference between the syn and anti isomers.     

Strictly heterodinuclear compounds containing U and Cu or Ni ions

Treatment of [M(H₂Lⁱ)] with UCl₄ in pyridine led to the formation of the dinuclear complexes [MLⁱ(py)UCl₂(py)₂] and/or [Hpy][MLⁱ(py)UCl₃] [Lⁱ = N,N′-bis(3-hydroxysalicylidene)-R, R = 1,2-phenylenediamine (i = 1), R = trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (i = 2), R = 2-amino-benzylamine (i = 3), R = 1,3-propanediamine (i = 4), R = 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine (i = 5); M = Cu or Ni]. The crystal structures show that the 3d and 5f ions occupy, respectively, the N₂O₂ and O₄ cavities of the Schiff base ligand, the U⁴⁺ ion adopting a dodecahedral or pentagonal bipyramidal configuration in the neutral and anionic complexes, respectively.     

Synthesis and structure of stable cis-dimethyl complex of oxotungsten(VI)

Oxotungsten(VI) complex cis-[WO(L^tBu)Me₂] (L^tBu = methylamino-N,N-bis(2-methylene-4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenolate) dianion) was prepared by the transmetallation reaction of [WO(L^tBu)Cl₂] (either cis or trans isomer) with methyl magnesium iodide. This unexpectedly stable dialkyl complex can be activated by Et₂AlCl to catalyze the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of the palladium N-heterocyclic carbene cluster complexes [Pd3(μ-CO)3(NHC)3] and [Pd3(μ-SO2)3(NHC)3]

The reduction of trans-[Pd(NHC)₂Cl₂] (NHC = IMes, 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene; IⁱPr₂ = 1,3-bis-isopropylimidazol-2-ylidene) with potassium graphite under an atmosphere of CO affords the palladium NHC carbonyl clusters [Pd₃(μ-CO)₃(NHC)₃] (NHC = IMes, 1; IⁱPr₂, 3). Treatment of 1 with SO₂ at room temperature yields the bridging SO₂ complex [Pd₃(μ-SO₂)₃(IMes)₃] (4) in quantitative yield. Complexes 1, 3 and 4 have been structurally characterised by X-ray crystallography.