Synthesis and X‐ray Structures of the Polycyclic Dimers {[PhB(μ‐NtBu)2AsN(tBu)H]LiI}2 and [PhB(μ‐NtBu)2AsN(tBu)Li]2

The metathesis of [PhB(μ‐NtBu)₂]AsCl and tBuN(H)Li in 1:1 molar ratio in diethyl ether produced the amido derivative [PhB(μ‐NtBu)₂AsN(tBu)H] ( 1 ) in good yield. The lithiation of 1 with one equivalent of nBuLi afforded the lithium salt [PhB(μ‐NtBu)₂AsN(tBu)Li] ( 2a ). Both 1 and 2a were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 2a is comprised of a U‐shaped, centrosymmetric dimer in which the monomeric [PhB(μ‐NtBu)₂AsN(tBu)]^?Li⁺ units are linked by Li‐N interactions to give a six‐rung ladder. Oxidation of 2a with one‐half equivalent of I₂ in diethyl ether resulted in hydrogen abstraction from the solvent to give the dimeric lithium iodide adduct {[PhB(μ‐NtBu)₂AsN(tBu)H]LiI}₂ ( 1 ·LiI) with a central Li₂I₂ ring.     

Neue molekulare Indium‐Zinn‐Sauerstoff‐ und Indium‐Zinn‐Natrium‐Sauerstoff‐Chlor‐Cluster

Abstract. The five‐membered heteroelement cluster THF · Cl₂In(O^tBu)₃Sn reacts with the sodium stannate [Na(O^tBu)₃Sn]₂ to produce either the new oxo‐centered alkoxo cluster ClInO[Sn(O^tBu)₂]₃ ( 1 ) (in low yield) or the heteroleptic alkoxo cluster Sn(O^tBu)₃InCl₃Na[Sn(O^tBu)₂]₂ ( 2 ). X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal that in compound 1 the polycyclic entity is made of three tin atoms which together with a central oxygen atom form a trigonal, almost planar triangle, perpendicular to which a further indium atom is connected through the oxygen atom. The metal atoms thus are arranged in a Sn₃In pyramid, the edges of which are all saturated by bridging tert‐butoxy groups. The indium atom has a further chloride ligand. Compound 2 has two trigonal bipyramids as building blocks which are fused together at a six coordinate indium atom. One of the bipyramids is of the type SnO₃In with tert‐butyl groups on the oxygen atoms, while the other has the composition InCl₃Na with chlorine atoms connecting the two metals. The sodium atom in 2 has further contacts to two plus one alkoxide groups which are part of a[Sn(O^tBu)₂]₂ dimer disposing of a Sn₂O₂ central cycle. The hetero element cluster in 2 thus combines three closed entities and its skeleton SnO₃InCl₃NaO₂Sn₂O₂ consists of three different metallic and two different non‐metallic elements.     

Dioxygen Activation by Non‐Adiabatic Oxidative Addition to a Single Metal Center

A chromium(I) dinitrogen complex reacts rapidly with O₂ to form the mononuclear dioxo complex [Tp^tBu,MeCr^V(O)₂] (Tp^tBu,Me=hydrotris(3‐tert‐butyl‐5‐methylpyrazolyl)borate), whereas the analogous reaction with sulfur stops at the persulfido complex [Tp^tBu,MeCr^III(S₂)]. The transformation of the putative peroxo intermediate [Tp^tBu,MeCr^III(O₂)] (S=³/₂) into [Tp^tBu,MeCr^V(O)₂] (S=¹/₂) is spin‐forbidden. The minimum‐energy crossing point for the two potential energy surfaces has been identified. Although the dinuclear complex [(Tp^tBu,MeCr)₂(μ‐O)₂] exists, mechanistic experiments suggest that O₂ activation occurs on a single metal center, by an oxidative addition on the quartet surface followed by crossover to the doublet surface.     

tert‐Butyl(tert‐butoxy)zinc Hydroxides: Hybrid Models for Single‐Source Precursors of ZnO Nanocrystals

Alkylzinc alkoxides, [RZnOR′]₄, have received much attention as efficient precursors of ZnO nanocrystals (NCs), and their “Zn₄O₄” heterocubane core has been regarded as a “preorganized ZnO”. A comprehensive investigation of the synthesis and characterization of a new family of tert‐butyl(tert‐butoxy)zinc hydroxides, [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)_x(μ₃‐OH)_4?x], as model single‐source precursors of ZnO NCs is reported. The direct reaction between well‐defined [tBuZnOH]₆ ( 1₆ ) and [tBuZnOtBu]₄ ( 2₄ ) in various molar ratios allows the isolation of new mixed cubane aggregates as crystalline solids in a high yield: [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)₃(μ₃‐OH)] ( 3 ), [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)₂(μ₃‐OH)₂] ( 4 ), [(tBu)₄Zn₄(μ₃‐OtBu)(μ₃‐OH)₃] ( 5 ). The resulting products were characterized in solution by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The thermal transformations of 2 – 5 were monitored by in situ variable‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric measurements. The investigation showed that the Zn?OH groups appeared to be a desirable feature for the solid‐state synthesis of ZnO NCs that significantly decreased the decomposition temperature of crystalline precursors 3 – 5 .     

Diimido‐, Imido(oxo)‐, Dioxo‐ und Imido(alkyliden)‐Halbsandwich‐Verbindungen über selektive Hydrolyse und α—H‐Abstraktion an Organylkomplexen des sechswertigen Molybdäns und Wolframs

Diimido, Imido Oxo, Dioxo, and Imido Alkylidene Halfsandwich Compounds via Selective Hydrolysis and α—H Abstraction in Molybdenum(VI) and Tungsten(VI) Organyl Complexes Organometal imides [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NR′)₂Ph] (M = Mo, W, R = H, Me, R′ = Mes, tBu) 4 — 8 can be prepared by reaction of halfsandwich complexes [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NR′)₂Cl] with phenyl lithium in good yields. Starting from phenyl complexes 4 — 8 as well as from previously described methyl compounds [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)₂Me] (M = Mo, W), reactions with aqueous HCl lead to imido(oxo) methyl and phenyl complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)(O)(R)] M = Mo, R = Me ( 9 ), Ph ( 10 ); M = W, R = Ph ( 11 ) and dioxo complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(O)₂(CH₃)] M = Mo ( 12 ), M = W ( 13 ). Hydrolysis of organometal imides with conservation of M‐C σ and π bonds is in fact an attractive synthetic alternative for the synthesis of organometal oxides with respect to known strategies based on the oxidative decarbonylation of low valent alkyl CO and NO complexes. In a similar manner, protolysis of [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)W(NtBu)₂(CH₃)] and [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Mo(NtBu)₂(CH₃)] by HCl gas leads to [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)W(NtBu)Cl₂(CH₃)] 14 und [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Mo(NtBu)Cl₂(CH₃)] 15 with conservation of the M‐C bonds. The inert character of the relatively non‐polar M‐C σ bonds with respect to protolysis offers a strategy for the synthesis of methyl chloro complexes not accessible by partial methylation of [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NR′)Cl₃] with MeLi. As pure substances only trimethyl compounds [(η⁵‐C₅R₅)M(NtBu)(CH₃)₃] 16 ‐ 18 , M = Mo, W, R = H, Me, are isolated. Imido(benzylidene) complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)(CHPh)(CH₂Ph)] M = Mo ( 19 ), W ( 20 ) are generated by alkylation of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(NtBu)Cl₃] with PhCH₂MgCl via α‐H abstraction. Based on nmr data a trend of decreasing donor capability of the ligands [NtBu]^2— > [O]^2— > [CHR]^2— ? 2 [CH₃]^— > 2 [Cl]^— emerges.     

Tetrakis(5‐tert‐butylpyrazole‐1κN2)tetrachloro‐1κCl,2κ3Cl‐μ‐oxo‐1:2κ2O‐diiron(III)

The title compound, [Fe₂Cl₄O(C₇H₁₂N₂)₄], contains vertex‐sharing distorted tetrahedral [FeOCl₃]^? and octahedral [FeOCl(Hpz^tBu)₄]⁺ moieties (Hpz^tBu is 5‐tert‐­butyl­pyrazole), linked by a bent oxo bridging ligand. The two Fe^III centres are also bridged by intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the pyrazole N—H groups and the O^2? and Cl^? ligands.     

[p‐tBu‐calix[4](OMe)2(OBeCl)2]: The First Structually Characterized Beryllium Calixarene Complex

Treatment of [p‐^tBu‐calix[4](OMe)₂(OLi)₂] with two equivalents of BeCl₂ gave the unprecedented dinuclear beryllium complex [p‐p‐^tBu‐calix[4](OMe)₂(OBeCl)₂], which was structurally characterized, both in solution (NMR) and in the solid state (X‐ray structure analysis).     

From Dibismuthenes to Three‐ and Two‐Coordinated Bismuthinidenes by Fine Ligand Tuning: Evidence for Aromatic BiC3N Rings through a Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

The reduction of N,C,N‐chelated bismuth chlorides [C₆H₃‐2,6‐(CH?NR)₂]BiCl₂ [where R=tBu ( 1 ), 2′,6′‐Me₂C₆H₃ ( 2 ), or 4′‐Me₂NC₆H₄ ( 3 )] or N,C‐chelated analogues [C₆H₂‐2‐(CH?N‐2′,6′‐iPr₂C₆H₃)‐4,6‐(tBu)₂]BiCl₂ ( 4 ) and [C₆H₂‐2‐(CH₂NEt₂)‐4,6‐(tBu)₂]BiCl₂ ( 5 ) is reported. Reduction of compounds 1 – 3 gave monomeric N,C,N‐chelated bismuthinidenes [C₆H₃‐2,6‐(CH?NR)₂]Bi [where R=tBu ( 6 ), 2′,6′‐Me₂C₆H₃ ( 7 ) or 4′‐Me₂NC₆H₄ ( 8 )]. Similarly, the reduction of 4 led to the isolation of the compound [C₆H₂‐2‐(CH?N‐2′,6′‐iPr₂C₆H₃)‐4,6‐(tBu)₂]Bi ( 9 ) as an unprecedented two‐coordinated bismuthinidene that has been structurally characterized. In contrast, the dibismuthene {[C₆H₂‐2‐(CH₂NEt₂)‐4,6‐(tBu)₂]Bi}₂ ( 10 ) was obtained by the reduction of 5 . Compounds 6 – 10 were characterized by using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and their structures, except for 7 , were determined with the help of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. It is clear that the structure of the reduced products (bismuthinidene versus dibismuthene) is ligand‐dependent and particularly influenced by the strength of the N→Bi intramolecular interaction(s). Therefore, a theoretical survey describing the bonding situation in the studied compounds and related bismuth(I) systems is included. Importantly, we found that the C₃NBi chelating ring in the two‐coordinated bismuthinidene 9 exhibits significant aromatic character by delocalization of the bismuth lone pair.     

Metallat‐Ionen [Al(OR)4]— als Chelatliganden für Übergangsmetall‐Kationen

Metalat Ions [Al(OR)₄]^— as Chelating Ligands for Transition Metal Cations Waterfree CoCl₂ can be reacted with [{Li(Diglyme)}{Al(O^tBu)₄}] in THF to the complex [Li(THF)₄][{CoCl₂}{Al(O^tBu)₄}]. Addition of diglyme to the reaction mixtures gives the blue compound [Li(diglyme)₂][{CoCl₂}{Al(O^tBu)₄}] ( 1 ). According to this procedure the Fe^II complex [Li(Diglyme)₂][{FeCl₂}₂{Al(O^tBu)₄}] ( 2 ) was formed by treatment of FeCl₂ with Li[Al(O^tBu)₄]. [{Li(diglyme)}{Al(O^tBu)₄}] in THF/diglyme can be used as alkoxide transfer reagent on TiCl₄ to give the neutral complex [TiCl₂(O^tBu)₂(diglyme)] ( 3 ). The sky‐blue salt [Li(THF)₄]₂[{CoCl₂}₃{Al(OCH₂Ph)₄}₂] ( 4 ) was obtained by reaction of Li[Al(OCH₂Ph)₄] with CoCl₂ in THF. By treatment of 4 with diglyme ligand redistribution was observed giving the sky‐blue compound [Li(Diglyme)₂]₂[{CoCl₂}₃{Al(OCH₂Ph)₄}₂] ( 5 ) and the violet salt [Li(Diglyme)₂]₂[Co₂Cl₅(OCH₂Ph)] ( 6 ). A similar salt can be synthesized also directly from Li[Al(O^tBu)₄] and CoCl₂ in diglyme to give [Li(Diglyme)₂]₂[Co₂Cl₅(O^tBu)] ( 7 ). 1 — 7 were characterized by IR spectroscopy, partly by mass spectrometry and X‐ray analyses. UV‐VIS spectra were recorded from 1 and 5 . According to the X‐ray analyses the M^II ions as well as the Al^III ions are coordinated distorted tedrahedrally. In 1 , 2 , 4 und 5 the unit [Al(OR)₄]^— acts a chelating ligand as desired.     

Acyl‐Phosphide Anions via an Intermediate with Carbene Character: Reactions of K[PtBu2] and CO

The analogy of the reactivity of group 1 phosphides to that of FLPs is further demonstrated by reactions with CO, affording a new synthetic route to acyl‐phosphide anions. The reaction of [K(18‐crown‐6)][PtBu₂] ( 1 ) with CO affords [(18‐crown‐6)K?THF₂][Z‐tBuP=C(tBu)O] ( 2?THF₂ ) as the major product, and the minor product [K₆(18‐crown‐6)][(tBu₂PCO)₂]₃ ( 3 ). Species 2 reacts with either BPh₃ or additional CO to give [K(18‐crown‐6)][(Ph₃B)tBuPC(tBu)O] ( 4 ) and [K(18‐crown‐6)][(OCtBu)₂P] ( 5 ), respectively. The acyl‐phosphide anion 2 is thought to be formed by a photochemically induced radical process involving a transient species with triplet carbene character, prompting 1,2‐tert‐butyl group migration. A similar process is proposed for the subsequent reaction of 2 with CO to give 5 .     

Rare‐Earth‐Metal Methyl,Amide, and Imide Complexes Supported by a Superbulky Scorpionate Ligand

The reaction of monomeric [(Tp^tBu,Me)LuMe₂] (Tp^tBu,Me=tris(3‐Me‐5‐tBu‐pyrazolyl)borate) with primary aliphatic amines H₂NR (R=tBu, Ad=adamantyl) led to lutetium methyl primary amide complexes [(Tp^tBu,Me)LuMe(NHR)], the solid‐state structures of which were determined by XRD analyses. The mixed methyl/tetramethylaluminate compounds [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe({μ₂‐Me}AlMe₃)] (Ln=Y, Ho) reacted selectively and in high yield with H₂NR, according to methane elimination, to afford heterobimetallic complexes: [(Tp^tBu,Me)Ln({μ₂‐Me}AlMe₂)(μ₂‐NR)] (Ln=Y, Ho). X‐ray structure analyses revealed that the monomeric alkylaluminum‐supported imide complexes were isostructural, featuring bridging methyl and imido ligands. Deeper insight into the fluxional behavior in solution was gained by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic studies at variable temperatures and ¹H–⁸⁹Y HSQC NMR spectroscopy. Treatment of [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe(AlMe₄)] with H₂NtBu gave dimethyl compounds [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe₂] as minor side products for the mid‐sized metals yttrium and holmium and in high yield for the smaller lutetium. Preparative‐scale amounts of complexes [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe₂] (Ln=Y, Ho, Lu) were made accessible through aluminate cleavage of [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe(AlMe₄)] with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda). The solid‐state structures of [(Tp^tBu,Me)HoMe(AlMe₄)] and [(Tp^tBu,Me)HoMe₂] were analyzed by XRD.     

Synthesis and Structures of New Oxidation/ Cycloaddition Products of λ3‐Cyclodiphosphazanes

Reaction of the cyclodiphosphazane [(OC₄H₈N)P(μ‐N‐t‐Bu)₂P(HN‐t‐Bu)] ( 1 ) with an equimolar quantity of diisopropyl azodicarboxylate afforded the phosphinimine product [(OC₄H₈N)P(μ‐N‐t‐Bu)₂P=N‐t‐Bu)(N(CO₂ ‐i‐Pr)NHCO₂‐i‐Pr] ( 6 ) having a P^III‐N‐P^V skeleton. Similar products [(t‐BuNH)P(μ‐N‐t‐Bu)₂P=N‐t‐Bu)(N(CO₂Et)NHCO₂Et] ( 7 ) and [(CO₂‐i‐Pr)HNN(CO₂‐i‐Pr)](t‐BuN=P(μ‐N‐t‐Bu)₂POCH₂CMe₂CH₂O[P(μ‐N‐t‐Bu)₂P=N‐t‐Bu)(N(CO₂‐i‐Pr)NH(CO₂‐i‐Pr)] ( 8 ) were spectroscopically characterized in the reaction of [(t‐BuNH)P‐N‐t‐Bu]₂ ( 2 ) and [(t‐BuNH)P(μ‐N‐t‐Bu)₂POCH₂CMe₂CH₂OP(μ‐N‐t‐Bu)₂P(NH‐t‐Bu)] ( 3 ) with diethyl‐ and diisopropyl azodicarboxylate, respectively. By contrast, the reaction of [(μ‐t‐BuN)P]₂[O‐6‐t‐Bu‐4‐Me‐C₆H₂]₂CH₂ ( 4 ) and [(C₅H₁₀N)P‐μ‐N‐t‐Bu]₂ ( 5 ) with diisopropyl azodicarboxylate afforded the mono‐ and bis‐oxidized compounds [(O)P(μ‐N‐t‐Bu)₂P][O‐6‐t‐Bu‐4‐Me‐C₆H₂]₂CH₂ ( 9 ) and [(C₅H₁₀N)(O)P‐μ‐N‐t‐Bu]₂ ( 10 ), respectively. Oxidative addition of o‐chloranil to 7 and its DIAD analogue [(t‐BuNH)P(μ‐N‐t‐Bu)₂P=N‐t‐Bu)(N(CO₂‐i‐Pr)NHCO₂‐i‐Pr] ( 11 ) afforded [(C₆Cl₄‐1, 2‐O₂)(t‐BuNH)P(μ‐N‐t‐Bu)₂P=N‐t‐Bu)(N(CO₂R)NHCO₂R] [R = Et ( 12 ) and i‐Pr ( 13 )] containing tetra‐ and pentacoordinate P^V atoms in the cyclodiphosphazane ring. The structures of 6 , 9 , 12 and 13 have been confirmed by X‐ray structure determination. For comparison, the X‐ray structure of the double cycloaddition product [(C₆Cl₄‐1, 2‐O₂)(t‐BuNH)PN‐t‐Bu]₂ ( 14 ), obtained from the reaction of 2 with two mole equivalents of o‐chloranil is also reported.     

Structure‐Directing Forces in Intercluster Compounds of Cationic [Ag14(CCtBu)12Cl]+ Building Blocks and Polyoxometalates: Long‐Range versus Short‐Range Bonding Interactions

Crystallization of [Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂Cl][BF₄] and different polyoxometalates in organic solvents yields a series of new intercluster compounds: [Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂Cl(CH₃CN)]₂[W₆O₁₉] ( 1 ), (nBu₄N)[Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂Cl(CH₃CN)]₂[PW₁₂O₄₀] ( 2 ), and [Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂Cl]₂[Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂Cl(CH₃CN)]₂[SiMo₁₂O₄₀] ( 3 ). Applying the same technique to a system starting from polymeric {[Ag₃(C?CtBu)₂][BF₄]?0.6 H₂O}_n and the polyoxometalate (nBu₄N)₂[W₆O₁₉] results in the formation of [Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂(CH₃CN)₂][W₆O₁₉] ( 4 ). Here, the Ag₁₄ cluster is generated from polymeric {[Ag₃(C?CtBu)₂][BF₄]?0.6 H₂O}_n during crystallization. In a similar way, [Ag₁₅(C?CtBu)₁₂(CH₃CN)₅][PW₁₂O₄₀] ( 5 ) has been obtained from {[Ag₃(C?CtBu)₂][BF₄]?0.6 H₂O}_n and (nBu₄N)₃[PW₁₂O₄₀]. The use of charged building blocks was intentional, because at these conditions the contribution of long‐range Coulomb interactions would benefit most from full periodicity of the intercluster compound, thus favoring formation of well‐crystalline materials. The latter has been achieved, indeed. However, as a most conspicuous feature, equally charged species aggregate, which demonstrates that the short‐range interactions between the “surfaces” of the clusters represent the more powerful structure direction forces than the long‐range Coulomb bonding. This observation is of significant importance for understanding the mechanisms underlying self‐organization of monodisperse and structurally well‐defined particles of nanometer size.     

From a Phosphaketenyl‐Functionalized Germylene to 1,3‐Digerma‐2,4‐diphosphacyclobutadiene

The first 4π‐electron resonance‐stabilized 1,3‐digerma‐2,4‐diphosphacyclobutadiene [L^H₂Ge₂P₂] 4 (L^H=CH[CHNDipp]₂ Dipp=2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) with four‐coordinate germanium supported by a β‐diketiminate ligand and two‐coordinate phosphorus atoms has been synthesized from the unprecedented phosphaketenyl‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic germylene [L^HGe‐P=C=O] 2 a prepared by salt‐metathesis reaction of sodium phosphaethynolate (P≡C?ONa) with the corresponding chlorogermylene [L^HGeCl] 1 a . Under UV/Vis light irradiation at ambient temperature, release of CO from the P=C=O group of 2 a leads to the elusive germanium–phosphorus triply bonded species [L^HGe≡P] 3 a , which dimerizes spontaneously to yield black crystals of 4 as isolable product in 67 % yield. Notably, release of CO from the bulkier substituted [L^tBuGe‐P=C=O] 2 b (L^tBu=CH[C(^tBu)N‐Dipp]₂) furnishes, under concomitant extrusion of the diimine [Dipp‐NC(^tBu)]₂, the bis‐N,P‐heterocyclic germylene [DippNC(^tBu)C(H)PGe]₂ 5 .     

Donor‐unsupported Phosphanylmethanides Li[CH2PR2] (R = tBu,Ph) – Crystal Structure of Li[CH2PtBu2] Solved by XRPD and DFT‐D Calculations

The solvent‐free methyllithium derivatives Li[CH₂PR₂] (R = tBu, Ph) were prepared via the reaction of CH₃PR₂ with Li[tBu]. It should be noted that the deprotonation of CH₃PtBu₂ with Li[tBu] occurred at 60 °C, whereas Li[CH₂PPh₂] was already formed from CH₃PPh₂ with Li[tBu] at ambient temperature. The structure determination of di‐tert‐butylphosphanylmethyllithium was performed by high resolution X‐ray powder diffraction analysis at different temperatures. This led to two possible structure solutions with similar quality criteria (space groups Iba2 and I2/a). Therefore CASTEP DFT‐D calculations were applied to verify the correct crystal structure. The solid‐state structure of di‐tert‐butylphosphanylmethyllithium consists of alternating edge‐sharing six‐ and four‐membered rings, which form a polymeric, infinite double‐chain along the crystallographic c axis in the monoclinic space group I2/a. Two Li[CH₂PtBu₂] units connected via an inversion center form a six‐membered Li₂C₂P₂ ring in the chair conformation. The nearly flat four‐membered Li₂C₂ ring, is oriented perpendicularly to the twofold axis.     

Ein neuer Aluminium/Nickel/Oxo‐Cluster: [Ni(acac)OAl(OtBu)2]4

A New Aluminum/Nickel/Oxo‐Cluster: [Ni(acac)OAl(OtBu)₂]₄ When bis(tert‐butoxy)alane (tBu‐O)₂AlH is allowed to react with nickeldiacetylacetonate at elevated temperature a new nickel/aluminum/oxo cluster [Ni(acac)OAl(OtBu)₂]₄ is formed together with aluminum acetylacetonate Al(acac)₃ and some other products. The metal/oxo cluster is isolated by crystallization and structurally fully characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The molecule [Ni(acac)OAl(OtBu)₂]₄ contains an eight membered Al₄O₄ cycle, to which eight mutually edge sharing NiO₂Al cycles are fused. The overall point symmetry of the metal/oxo cluster is almost S₄. While the aluminum atoms are tetrahedrally surrounded by oxygen ligands (mean distances Al‐O in‐between 1, 730(6) and 1, 789(6) Å)), the nickel atoms are in a square pyramidal coordination sphere of oxygen atoms (Ni‐O_axial = 1.938(6) Å, Ni‐O_basal = 2.056(9) Å; all polyhedra are distorted). The nickel atoms have a d⁸ high spin electron configuration (μ_eff = 3.32 B.M.).     

Trinuclear Phosphaferroles from Alkylidyne‐Phosphaalkyne Coupling Reactions

Reaction of bisalkylidyne cluster compounds [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃‐CR)₂] ( 1a—d ) ( a , R = H; b , R = F; c , R = Cl; d , R = Br) with the phosphaalkyne t‐C₄H₉‐C≡P ( 2 ) yield a single isomer of the phosphaferrole cluster [Fe₃(CO)₈][CR‐C(t‐Bu)‐P‐CR] ( 3a—d ). However, the three isomeric compounds [Fe₃(CO)₈][C(OEt)‐C(t‐Bu)‐P‐C(Me)] ( 5a ), [Fe₃(CO)₈][C(Me)‐C(t‐Bu)‐P‐C(OEt)] ( 5b ), and [Fe₃(CO)₈][C(OEt)‐C(Me)‐C(t‐Bu)‐P] ( 5c ) are obtained in the reaction of [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃‐CMe)(μ₃‐C‐OEt)] ( 4 ) with 2 . As the phosphaferroles 3 possess a lone pair of electrons at the phosphorus atom they can act as ligands. [Fe₃(CO)₈][CF‐C(t‐Bu)‐P‐CF]ML_n ( 7a—c ) ( a , ML_n = Cr(CO)₅; b , ML_n = CpMn(CO)₂; c , ML_n = Cp^*Mn(CO)₂) were formed from 3b and L_nM(η²‐C₈H₁₄) ( 6a—c ). The dinuclear cluster [Fe₂(CO)₆][CF‐CF‐C(t‐Bu)‐PH(OMe)] ( 8 ) was obtained from 3b and NiCl₂·6H₂O in methanol. The structures of 3a—d , 5a—c , 7b , and 8 have been elucidated by X‐ray crystal structure determinations.     

Synthesis and Structure of (N,)C,N‐chelated Organoantimony(III) and Bismuth(III) Cations and Isolation of Their Adducts with Ag[CB11H12]

The treatment of N,C,N‐chelated antimony(III) and bismuth(III) chlorides [C₆H₃‐2,6‐(CH=NR)₂]MCl₂ [R = tBu and M = Sb ( 1 ) or Bi ( 2 ); R = Dmp and M = Sb ( 3 ) or Bi ( 4 )] (Dmp = 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃) with one molar equivalent of Ag[CB₁₁H₁₂] led to a smooth formation of corresponding ionic pairs {[C₆H₃‐2,6‐(CH=NR)₂]MCl}⁺[CB₁₁H₁₂]^– [R = tBu and M = Sb ( 7 ) or Bi ( 8 ), R = Dmp and M = Sb ( 9 ) or Bi ( 10 )]. Similarly, the reaction of C,N‐chelated analogues [C₆H₂‐2‐(CH=NDip)‐4,6‐(tBu)₂]MCl₂ [M = Sb ( 5 ) or Bi ( 6 ), Dip = 2′,6′‐iPr₂C₆H₃] gave compounds {[C₆H₂‐2‐(CH=NDip)‐4,6‐(tBu)₂]MCl}⁺[CB₁₁H₁₂]^– [M = Sb ( 11 ) or Bi ( 12 )]. All compounds 7 – 12 were characterized with ¹H, ¹¹B and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, ESI‐mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and molecular structures of 7 – 9 and 12 were determined by the help of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. In contrast, all attempts to cleave also the second M–Cl bond in 7 – 12 using another molar equivalent Ag[CB₁₁H₁₂] remained unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the reaction between 7 (or 8 ) and Ag[CB₁₁H₁₂] produced unprecedented adducts of both reagents namely {[C₆H₃‐2,6‐(CH=NtBu)₂]SbCl}₂²⁺[Ag₂(CB₁₁H₁₂)₄]^2– ( 13 ) and {[C₆H₃‐2,6‐(CH=NtBu)₂]BiCl}⁺[Ag(CB₁₁H₁₂)₂]^– ( 14 ) in a reproducible manner. The molecular structures of these sparingly soluble compounds were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Two Different Pathways in the Reduction of [(S=)PCl(μ‐NtBu)]2 with Na

Reduction of the cyclodiphosphazane [(S=)ClP(μ‐NtBu)]₂ ( 1 ) with sodium metal in refluxing toluene proceeds via two different pathways. One is a Wurtz‐type pathway involving elimination of NaCl from 1 followed by head‐to‐tail cyclization to give the hexameric macrocycle [(μ‐S)P(μ‐NtBu)₂P(=S)]₆ ( 2 ). The other pathway involves reduction of the P=S bonds of 1 to generate colorless singlet biradicaloid dianion trans‐[S?P(Cl)(μ‐NtBu)]₂^2?, which is observed in the polymeric structures of three‐dimensional [{(S?)ClP(μ‐NtBu)₂PCl(S)}Na(Na ? THF₂)]_n ( 3 ) and two dimensional [{(S?)ClP(μ‐NtBu)₂PCl(S)} (Na ? THF)₂]_n ( 4 ).     

Neutral and Anionic Monomeric Zirconium Imides Prepared via Selective C=N Bond Cleavage of a Multidentate and Sterically Demanding β‐Diketiminato Ligand

A sterically encumbering multidentate β‐diketiminato ligand, ^tBuL2 (^tBuL2=[ArNC(tBu)CHC(tBu)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]^?, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃), is reported in this study along with its coordination chemistry to zirconium(IV). Using the lithio salt of this ligand, Li(^tBuL2) ( 4 ), the zirconium(IV) precursor (^tBuL2)ZrCl₃ ( 6 ) could be readily prepared in 85 % yield and structurally characterized. Reduction of 6 with 2 equiv of KC₈ resulted in formation of the terminal and mononuclear zirconium imide‐chloride [C(tBu)CHC(tBu)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]Zr(=NAr)(Cl) ( 7 ) as the result of reductive C=N cleavage of the imino fragment in the multidentate ligand ^tBuL2 by an elusive Zr^II species (^tBuL2)ZrCl ( A ). The azabutadienyl ligand in 7 can be further reduced by 2 e^? with KC₈ to afford the anionic imide [K(THF)₂]{[CH(tBu)CHC(tBu)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]Zr=NAr} ( 8‐2THF ) in 42 % isolated yield. Complex 8‐2THF results from the oxidative addition of an amine C?H bond followed by migration to the vinylic group of the formal [C(tBu)CHC(tBu)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]^? ligand in 7 . All halides in 6 can be replaced with azides to afford (^tBuL2)Zr(N₃)₃ ( 9 ) which was structurally characterized, and reduction with two equiv of KC₈ also results in C=N bond cleavage of ^tBuL2 to form [C(tBu)CHC(tBu)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]Zr(=NAr)(N₃) ( 10 ), instead of the expected azide disproportionation to N^3? and N₂. Solid‐state single crystal structural studies confirm the formation of mononuclear and terminal zirconium imido groups in 7 , 8‐Et₂O , and 10 with Zr=NAr distances being 1.8776(10), 1.9505(15), and 1.881(3) Å, respectively.