Alkaline-Earth Metal Mediated Benzene-to-Biphenyl Coupling

Complex [(^DIPePBDI)Ca]₂(C₆H₆), with a C₆H₆²⁻ dianion bridging two Ca²⁺ ions, reacts with benzene to yield [(^DIPePBDI)Ca]₂(biphenyl) with a bridging biphenyl²⁻ dianion (^DIPePBDI=HC[C(Me)N-DIPeP]₂; DIPeP=2,6-CH(Et)₂-phenyl). The biphenyl complex was also prepared by reacting [(^DIPePBDI)Ca]₂(C₆H₆) with biphenyl or by reduction of [(^DIPePBDI)CaI]₂ with KC₈ in presence of biphenyl. Benzene-benzene coupling was also observed when the deep purple product of ball-milling [(^DIPPBDI)CaI(THF)]₂ with K/KI was extracted with benzene (DIPP=2,6-CH(Me)₂-phenyl) giving crystalline [(^DIPPBDI)Ca(THF)]₂(biphenyl) (52 % yield). Reduction of [(^DIPePBDI)SrI]₂ with KC₈ gave highly labile [(^DIPePBDI)Sr]₂(C₆H₆) as a black powder (61 % yield) which reacts rapidly and selectively with benzene to [(^DIPePBDI)Sr]₂(biphenyl). DFT calculations show that the most likely route for biphenyl formation is a pathway in which the C₆H₆²⁻ dianion attacks neutral benzene. This is facilitated by metal-benzene coordination.     

Diverse Reactivity of a Ca(I) Synthon

Low-valent Mg^I complexes like (BDI)Mg−Mg(BDI) have found wide-spread application as specialty reducing agents (BDI=β-diketiminate). Also their redox reactivity was extensively investigated. In contrast, attempts to isolate similar Ca^I complexes led to reduction of the aromatic solvents or N₂. Complex (^DIPePBDI)Ca(μ₆,μ₆-C₆H₆)Ca(^DIPePBDI) ( VIII ) should be regarded a Ca^II complex with a bridging C₆H₆²⁻ dianion (^DIPePBDI=HC[C(Me)N-DIPeP]₂, DIPeP=2,6-C(H)Et₂-phenyl). It can react as a Ca^I synthon by releasing benzene and two electrons. Herein we describe the reactivity of VIII with benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene, COT, Ph₃SiCl, PhSiH₃, a (BDI)AlI₂ complex, H₂, PhX (X=F, Cl, Br, I), tBuOH and tBuCH₂I. The C₆H₆²⁻ dianion in VIII can react as a 2e⁻ source, a nucleophile or a Brønsted base. In some cases radical reactivity cannot be excluded. Crystal structures of (^DIPePBDI)Ca(μ₈,μ₈-COT)Ca(^DIPePBDI) ( 1 ) and [(^DIPePBDI)CaX ⋅ (THF)]₂ (X=F, Cl, Br, I) ( 2 – 5 ) are described.     

Low Valent Magnesium Chemistry with a Super Bulky β‐Diketiminate Ligand

The steric bulk of the well‐known ^DIPPBDI ligand (CH[C(CH₃)N‐DIPP]₂, DIPP=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) was increased by replacing isopropyl for isopentyl groups. This very bulky ^DIPePBDI ligand could not stabilize the radical species (^DIPePBDI)Mg^.: reduction of (^DIPePBDI)MgI with Na gave (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂ with a rather long Mg‐Mg bond of 3.0513(8) Å. Addition of TMEDA prior to reduction gave complex (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂(C₆H₆), which could also be obtained as its THF adduct. It is speculated that combination of a bulky spectator ligand and TMEDA prevents dimerization of the intermediate Mg^I radical, which then reacts with the benzene solvent. Complex (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂(C₆H₆), which formally contains the anti‐aromatic anion C₆H₆^2?, reacted with tBuOH as a Brønsted base to 1,3‐ and 1,4‐cyclohexadiene and with H₂ as a two electron donor to (^DIPePBDI)₂Mg₂H₂ and C₆H₆. It also reductively cleaved the C?F bond in fluorobenzene and gave (^DIPePBDI)MgPh, (^DIPePBDI)MgF, and C₆H₆.     

Hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten Complexes: Dynamic Behavior and Reactivity Toward Acetone

Reaction of a labile tungsten nitrile complex, [(Cp*)W(CO)₂(NCMe)Me] (Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), with H₃SiC(SiMe₃)₃ gave the hydrido(hydrosilylene) complex [(Cp*)(CO)₂(H)W?Si(H){C(SiMe₃)₃}] ( 1a ). The hydrido(silylene) complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂(H)W?SiMes₂] ( 2 ) (Mes=2,4,6‐Me‐C₆H₂) was synthesized by a similar reaction with H₂SiMes₂. There is a strong interligand interaction between the hydrido and silylene ligands of these complexes; this was confirmed by a neutron diffraction study of [D₂] 1b , that is, the deuterido and η⁵‐C₅Me₄Et derivative of 1a . The exchange between the W? H and the Si? D groups was observed in the deuterido complex [D] 1a . This H/D exchange proceeded slowly at room temperature, but very rapidly under UV irradiation. Variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopy measurements show the dynamic behavior of carbonyl ligands in 1a . Complex 1a reacted with acetone at room temperature to give mainly a hydrosilylation product, [(Cp*)(CO)₂(H)W?Si(OiPr){C(SiMe₃)₃}] ( 3a ), along with a siloxy complex, [(Cp*)(CO)₂WO(Si(H)iPr{C(SiMe₃)₃})] ( 4a ). At low temperature, a different reaction, namely, α‐H abstraction, proceeded to give an equilibrium mixture of 1a and a dihydrido(silyl) complex, [(Cp*)(CO)₂(H)₂W(Si(H){OC(?CH₂)Me}{C(SiMe₃)₃})] ( 5 ).     

A Systematic Study of Structure and E−H Bond Activation Chemistry by Sterically Encumbered Germylene Complexes

A series of new germylene compounds has been synthesized offering systematic variation in the σ‐ and π‐capabilities of the α‐substituent and differing levels of reactivity towards E?H bond activation (E=H, B, C, N, Si, Ge). Chloride metathesis utilizing [(terphenyl)GeCl] proves to be an effective synthetic route to complexes of the type [(terphenyl)Ge(ER_n)] ( 1 – 6 : ER_n=NHDipp, CH(SiMe₃)₂, P(SiMe₃)₂, Si(SiMe₃)₃ or B(NDippCH)₂; terphenyl=C₆H₃Mes₂‐2,6=Ar^Mes or C₆H₃Dipp₂‐2,6=Ar^Dipp; Dipp=C₆H₃iPr₂‐2,6, Mes=C₆H₂Me₃‐2,4,6), while the related complex [{(Me₃Si)₂N}Ge{B(NDippCH)₂}] ( 8 ) can be accessed by an amide/boryl exchange route. Metrical parameters have been probed by X‐ray crystallography, and are consistent with widening angles at the metal centre as more bulky and/or more electropositive substituents are employed. Thus, the widest germylene units (θ>110°) are found to be associated with strongly σ‐donating boryl or silyl ancillary donors. HOMO–LUMO gaps for the new germylene complexes have been appraised by DFT calculations. The aryl(boryl)‐germylene system [Ar^MesGe{B(NDippCH)₂}] ( 6 ‐Mes), which features a wide C‐Ge‐B angle (110.4(1)°) and (albeit relatively weak) ancillary π‐acceptor capabilities, has the smallest HOMO–LUMO gap (119 kJ mol^?1). These features result in 6 ‐Mes being remarkably reactive, undergoing facile intramolecular C?H activation involving one of the mesityl ortho‐methyl groups. The related aryl(silyl)‐germylene system, [Ar^MesGe{Si(SiMe₃)₃}] ( 5 ‐Mes) has a marginally wider HOMO–LUMO gap (134 kJ mol^?1), rendering it less labile towards decomposition, yet reactive enough to oxidatively cleave H₂ and NH₃ to give the corresponding dihydride and (amido)hydride. Mixed aryl/alkyl, aryl/amido and aryl/phosphido complexes are unreactive, but amido/boryl complex 8 is competent for the activation of E?H bonds (E=H, B, Si) to give hydrido, boryl and silyl products. The results of these reactivity studies imply that the use of the very strongly σ‐donating boryl or silyl substituents is an effective strategy for rendering metallylene complexes competent for E?H bond activation.     

Cationic Aluminium Complexes as Catalysts for Imine Hydrogenation

Strongly Lewis acidic cationic aluminium complexes, stabilized by β–diketiminate (BDI) ligands and free of Lewis bases, have been prepared as their B(C₆F₅)₄⁻ salts and were investigated for catalytic activity in imine hydrogenation. The backbone (R1) and N (R2) substituents on the ^R1,R2BDI ligand (^R1,R2BDI=HC[C(R1)N(R2)]₂) influence sterics and Lewis acidity. Ligand bulk increases along the row ^Me,DIPPBDI<^Me,DIPePBDI≈^tBu,DIPPBDI<^tBu,DIPePBDI; DIPP=2,6-C(H)Me₂-phenyl, DIPeP=2,6-C(H)Et₂-phenyl. The Gutmann-Beckett test showed acceptor numbers of: (^tBu,DIPPBDI)AlMe⁺ 85.6, (^tBu,DIPePBDI)AlMe⁺ 85.9, (^Me,DIPPBDI)AlMe⁺ 89.7, (^Me,DIPePBDI)AlMe⁺ 90.8, (^Me,DIPPBDI)AlH⁺ 95.3. Steric and electronic factors need to be balanced for catalytic activity in imine hydrogenation. Open, highly Lewis acidic, cations strongly coordinate imine rendering it inactive as a Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP). The bulkiest cations do not coordinate imine but its combination is also not an active catalyst. The cation (^tBu,DIPPBDI)AlMe⁺ shows the best catalytic activity for various imines and is also an active catalyst for the Tishchenko reaction of benzaldehyde to benzylbenzoate. DFT calculations on the mechanism of imine hydrogenation catalysed by cationic Al complexes reveal two interconnected catalytic cycles operating in concert. Hydrogen is activated either by FLP reactivity of an Al⋅⋅⋅imine couple or, after formation of significant quantities of amine, by reaction with an Al⋅⋅⋅amine couple. The latter autocatalytic Al⋅⋅⋅amine cycle is energetically favoured.     

A Simple Route to Calcium and Strontium Hydride Clusters

The first strontium hydride complex has been obtained by simply treating Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ with PhSiH₃ in the presence of PMDTA. The Sr complex Sr₆H₉[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃⋅(PMDTA)₃ crystallizes as an “inverse cryptand”: an interstitial H⁻ is surrounded by a Sr₆H₈⁴⁺ cage decorated with amide and PMDTA ligands. The analogous Ca complex could also be obtained and both retain their solid‐state structures in solution: ¹H NMR spectra in C₆D₆ show two doublets and one nonet (4:4:1). Up to 90 °C, no coalescence is observed. The Ca cluster was investigated by DFT calculations and shows atypically low charges on Ca (+1.14) and H (−0.59) which signifies an unexpectedly low ionicity. AIM analysis shows hydride⋅⋅⋅hydride bond paths with considerable electron densities in the bond critical point. The clusters thermally decompose into larger, undefined, metal hydride aggregates.     

On the Stability of a POCsp3OP‐Type Pincer Ligand in Nickel(II) Complexes

We describe the results of a study on the stabilities of pincer‐type nickel complexes relevant to catalytic hydroalkoxylation and hydroamination of olefins, C? C and C? X couplings, and fluorination of alkyl halides. Complexes [(POC_sp3OP)NiX] are stable for X=OSiMe₃, OMes (Mes=1,3,5‐Me₃C₆H₂), NPh₂, and CC? H, whereas the O(tBu) and N(SiMe₃)₂ derivatives decompose readily. The phenylacetylide derivative transforms gradually into the zero‐valent species cis‐[{κ^P,κ^C,κ^C′‐(iPr₂POCH₂CHCH₂)}Ni{η²,κ^C,κ^C′‐(iPr₂P(O)CCPh)}]. Likewise, attempts to prepare [(POC_sp3OP)NiF] gave instead the zwitterionic trinuclear species [{(η³‐allyl)Ni}₂‐{μ,κ^P,κ^O‐(iPr₂PO)₄Ni}]. Characterization of these two complexes provides concrete examples of decomposition processes that can dismantle POC_sp3OP‐type pincer ligands by facile C? O bond rupture. These results serve as a cautionary tale for the inherent structural fragility of pincer systems bearing phosphinite donor moieties, and provide guidelines on how to design more robust analogues.     

Calcium‐Catalyzed Arene C−H Bond Activation by Low‐Valent AlI

The low‐valent ß‐diketiminate complex (^DIPPBDI)Al is stable in benzene but addition of catalytic quantities of [(^DIPPBDI)CaH]₂ at 20 °C led to (^DIPPBDI)Al(Ph)H (^DIPPBDI=CH[C(CH₃)N‐DIPP]₂, DIPP=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl). Similar Ca‐catalyzed C?H bond activation is demonstrated for toluene or p‐xylene. For toluene a remarkable selectivity for meta‐functionalization has been observed. Reaction of (^DIPPBDI)Al(m‐tolyl)H with I₂ gave m‐tolyl iodide, H₂ and (^DIPPBDI)AlI₂ which was recycled to (^DIPPBDI)Al. Attempts to catalyze this reaction with Mg or Zn hydride catalysts failed. Instead, the highly stable complexes (^DIPPBDI)Al(H)M(^DIPPBDI) (M=Mg, Zn) were formed. DFT calculations on the Ca hydride catalyzed arene alumination suggest that a similar but more loosely bound complex is formed: (^DIPPBDI)Al(H)Ca(^DIPPBDI). This is in equilibrium with the hydride bridged complex (^DIPPBDI)Al(μ‐H)Ca(^DIPPBDI) which shows strongly increased electron density at Al. The combination of Ca‐arene bonding and a highly nucleophilic Al center are key to facile C?H bond activation.     

Cyclohydroamination of Aminoalkenes Catalyzed by Disilazide Alkaline‐Earth Metal Complexes: Reactivity Patterns and Deactivation Pathways

The behavior of the first aminophenolate catalysts of the large alkaline earth metals (Ae) [(LOⁱ)AeN(SiMe₂R)₂(thf)_x] (i=1–4; Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba; R=H, Me; x=0–2) for the cyclohydroamination of terminal aminoalkenes is discussed. The complexes [(BDI)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] (Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba, x=1–2; (BDI)H=H₂C[C(Me)N‐2,6‐(iPr)₂C₆H₃]₂)) and [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₃)₂(thf)] supported by the β‐diketiminate (BDI)^? ligand have also been employed for comparative and mechanistic considerations. The catalytic performances decrease in the order Ca>Sr?Ba, which is the opposite trend to that previously observed during the intermolecular hydroamination of activated alkenes catalyzed by the same alkaline‐earth metal complexes. Catalyst efficacy increases when the chelating and donating ability of the aminophenolate ligands decreases. For given metals and ancillary scaffolds, disilazide catalysts that incorporate the N(SiMe₃)₂^? amido group outclass their congeners containing the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? amide owing to the lower basicity of the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? with respect to the N(SiMe₃)₂^? group, and also because Ae–N(SiMe₂H)₂ catalysts suffer from irreversible deactivation through the dehydrogenative coupling of amine and hydrosilane moieties. This deactivation process takes place at 25 °C in the case of [(LOⁱ)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] phenolate complexes and occurs even with the related [(BDI)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] complex, albeit under conditions harsher than those required for effective cyclohydroamination catalysis. A mechanistic scenario for cyclohydroamination catalyzed by [(LX)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] complexes ((LX)^?=(LOⁱ)^? or (BDI)^?) is proposed. Although beneficial for the synthesis of Ae heteroleptic complexes able to resist deleterious Schlenk‐type equilibria, the use of the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? is prejudicial to catalytic activity in the case of catalyzed transformations that involve reactive amine (and potentially other) substrates. Mechanistic and kinetic investigations further illustrate the interplay between the catalytic activity, operative mechanism, and identity of the metal, ancillary ligand, and amido group. These studies suggest that the widely accepted mechanism for cyclohydroamination reactions cannot be extended systematically to all alkaline‐earth catalysts. The [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₂H)₂{H₂NCH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂CH?CH₂}₂] complex, the first Ca–aminoalkene adduct structurally characterized, was prepared quantitatively and essentially behaves like [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₂H)(thf)], thus serving as a model compound for mechanistic studies, as illustrated during stoichiometric reactions monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthese,Struktur und Reaktivität von η3‐1,2‐Diphosphaallylkomplexen sowie von [{(η5‐C5H5)(CO)2W–Co(CO)3}{μ‐AsCH(SiMe3)2}(μ‐CO)]

Syntheses, Structure and Reactivity of η³‐1,2‐Diphosphaallyl Complexes and [{(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂W–Co(CO)₃}{μ‐AsCH(SiMe₃)₂}(μ‐CO)] Reaction of ClP=C(SiMe₂iPr)₂ ( 3 ) with Na[Mo(CO)₃(η⁵‐C₅H₅)] afforded the phosphavinylidene complex [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂Mo=P=C(SiMe₂iPr)₂] ( 4 ) which in situ was converted into the η¹‐1,2‐diphosphaallyl complex [η⁵‐(C₅H₅)(CO)₂Mo{η³‐tBuPPC(SiMe₂iPr)₂] ( 6 ) by treatment with the phosphaalkene tBuP=C(NMe₂)₂. The chloroarsanyl complexes [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₃M–As(Cl)CH(SiMe₃)₂] [where M = Mo ( 9 ); M = W ( 10 )] resulted from the reaction of Na[M(CO)₃(η⁵‐C₅H₅)] (M = Mo, W) with Cl₂AsCH(SiMe₃)₂. The tungsten derivative 10 and Na[Co(CO)₄] underwent reaction to give the dinuclear μ‐arsinidene complex [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂W–Co(CO)₃{μ‐AsCH(SiMe₃)₂}(μ‐CO)] ( 11 ). Treatment of [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂Mo{η³‐tBuPPC(SiMe₃)₂}] ( 1 ) with an equimolar amount of ethereal HBF₄ gave rise to a 85/15 mixture of the saline complexes [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂Mo{η²‐tBu(H)P–P(F)CH(SiMe₃)₂}]BF₄ ( 18 ) and [Cp(CO)₂Mo{F₂PCH(SiMe₃)₂}(tBuPH₂)]BF₄ ( 19 ) by HF‐addition to the PC bond of the η³‐diphosphaallyl ligand and subsequent protonation ( 18 ) and/or scission of the PP bond by the acid ( 19 ). Consistently 19 was the sole product when 1 was allowed to react with an excess of ethereal HBF₄. The products 6 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 18 and 19 were characterized by means of spectroscopy (IR, ¹H‐, ¹³C{¹H}‐, ³¹P{¹H}‐NMR, MS). Moreover, the molecular structures of 6 , 11 and 18 were determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Boosting Low-Valent Aluminum(I) Reactivity with a Potassium Reagent

The reagent RK [R=CH(SiMe₃)₂ or N(SiMe₃)₂] was expected to react with the low-valent (^DIPPBDI)Al (^DIPPBDI=HC[C(Me)N(DIPP)]₂, DIPP=2,6-iPr-phenyl) to give [(^DIPPBDI)AlR]⁻K⁺. However, deprotonation of the Me group in the ligand backbone was observed and [H₂C=C(N-DIPP)−C(H)=C(Me)−N−DIPP]Al⁻K⁺ ( 1 ) crystallized as a bright-yellow product (73 %). Like most anionic Al^I complexes, 1 forms a dimer in which formally negatively charged Al centers are bridged by K⁺ ions, showing strong K⁺⋅⋅⋅DIPP interactions. The rather short Al–K bonds [3.499(1)–3.588(1) Å] indicate tight bonding of the dimer. According to DOSY NMR analysis, 1 is dimeric in C₆H₆ and monomeric in THF, but slowly reacts with both solvents. In reaction with C₆H₆, two C−H bond activations are observed and a product with a para-phenylene moiety was exclusively isolated. DFT calculations confirm that the Al center in 1 is more reactive than that in (^DIPPBDI)Al. Calculations show that both Al^I and K⁺ work in concert and determines the reactivity of 1 .     

Molecular Thorium Trihydrido Clusters Stabilized by Cyclopentadienyl Ligands

Hydrogenolysis of alkyl‐substituted cyclopentadienyl (Cp^R) ligated thorium tribenzyl complexes [(Cp^R)Th(p‐CH₂‐C₆H₄‐Me)₃] ( 1 – 6 ) afforded the first examples of molecular thorium trihydrido complexes [(Cp^R)Th(μ‐H)₃]_n (Cp^R=C₅H₂(^tBu)₃ or C₅H₂(SiMe₃)₃, n=5; C₅Me₄SiMe₃, n=6; C₅Me₅, n=7; C₅Me₄H, n=8; 7 – 10 and 12 ) and [(Cp^#)₁₂Th₁₃H₄₀] (Cp^#=C₅H₄SiMe₃; 13 ). The nuclearity of the metal hydride clusters depends on the steric profile of the cyclopentadienyl ligands. The hydrogenolysis intermediate, tetra‐nuclear octahydrido thorium dibenzylidene complex [(Cp^ttt)Th(μ‐H)₂]₄(μ‐p‐CH‐C₆H₄‐Me)₂ (Cp^ttt=C₅H₂(^tBu)₃) ( 11 ) was also isolated. All of the complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Hydride positions in [(Cp^Me4)Th(μ‐H)₃]₈ (Cp^Me4=C₅Me₄H) were further precisely confirmed by single‐crystal neutron diffraction. DFT calculations strengthen the experimental assignment of the hydride positions in the complexes 7 to 12 .     

CH Bond Activation with Triel Metals: Indium and Gallium Zwitterions through Internal Hydride Abstraction in Rigid Salan Ligands

The hydropyrimidine salan (salan=N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐bis[(2‐hydroxyphenyl)methylene]‐1,2‐diaminoethane) proteo‐ligands with a rigid backbone {ON^(CH₂)^NO}H₂ react with M(CH₂SiMe₃)₃ (M=Ga, In) to yield the zwitterions {ON^(CH⁺)^NO}M^?(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ (M=Ga, 2 ; In, 3 ) by abstraction of a hydride from the ligand backbone followed by elimination of dihydrogen. By contrast, with Al₂Me₆, the neutral‐at‐metal bimetallic complex [{ON^(CH₂)^NO}AlMe]₂ ( [1]₂ ) is obtained quantitatively. The formation of indium zwitterions is also observed with sterically more encumbered ligands containing o‐Me substituents on the phenolic rings, or an N (CHPh) N moiety in the heterocyclic core. Overall, the ease of C?H bond activation follows the order Al?Ga<In. Experimental data based on model complexes, XRD studies, and ²H NMR spectroscopy show that the formation of the Ga/In zwitterion involves rapid release of SiMe₄ followed by evolution of H₂, and suggest the formation of a transient metal‐hydride species. DFT calculations indicate that the systems {ON^(CH₂)^NO}H₂+M(CH₂SiMe₃)₃ (M=Al, Ga, In) all initially lead to the formation of the neutral monophenolate dihydrocarbyl species through a single protonolysis. From here, the thermodynamic product, the model neutral‐at‐metal complex 1 , is formed in the case of aluminum after a second protonolysis. On the other hand, lower activation energy pathways lead to the generation of zwitterionic complexes 2 and 3 in the cases of gallium and indium, and the formation of these zwitterions obeys a strict kinetic control; the computations suggest that, as inferred from the experimental data, the reaction proceeds through an instable metal‐hydride species, which could not be isolated synthetically.     

Boosting Low‐Valent Aluminum(I) Reactivity with a Potassium Reagent

The reagent RK [R=CH(SiMe₃)₂ or N(SiMe₃)₂] was expected to react with the low‐valent (^DIPPBDI)Al (^DIPPBDI=HC[C(Me)N(DIPP)]₂, DIPP=2,6‐iPr‐phenyl) to give [(^DIPPBDI)AlR]^?K⁺. However, deprotonation of the Me group in the ligand backbone was observed and [H₂C=C(N‐DIPP)?C(H)=C(Me)?N?DIPP]Al^?K⁺ ( 1 ) crystallized as a bright‐yellow product (73 %). Like most anionic Al^I complexes, 1 forms a dimer in which formally negatively charged Al centers are bridged by K⁺ ions, showing strong K⁺???DIPP interactions. The rather short Al–K bonds [3.499(1)–3.588(1) Å] indicate tight bonding of the dimer. According to DOSY NMR analysis, 1 is dimeric in C₆H₆ and monomeric in THF, but slowly reacts with both solvents. In reaction with C₆H₆, two C?H bond activations are observed and a product with a para‐phenylene moiety was exclusively isolated. DFT calculations confirm that the Al center in 1 is more reactive than that in (^DIPPBDI)Al. Calculations show that both Al^I and K⁺ work in concert and determines the reactivity of 1 .     

Synthesis,Characterization and Reactivity of the Tricarbonyl(formylcycloheptatrienyl)iron‐Anion [(η3‐C7H6CHO)Fe(CO)3]−

Deprotonation of the readily available organometallic aldehyde derivative [(η⁴‐C₇H₇CHO)Fe(CO)₃] ( 2 ) with NaN(SiMe₃)₂ in benzene solution at ambient temperature afforded the anionic formylcycloheptatrienyl complex Na[(η³‐C₇H₆CHO)Fe(CO)₃] ( 3 ). The anion is fluxional in solution and displays a unique ambident reactivity towards electrophiles (MeI, Me₃SiCl). New substituted [(η⁴‐RC₇H₆CHO)Fe(CO)₃] and [(η⁴‐heptafulvene)Fe(CO)₃] complexes have been identified as the products. Treatment of 3 with 0.5 equivalents of dimeric [(COD)RhCl]₂ (COD = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) afforded the functionalized Fe‐Rh cycloheptatrienyl complex [(μ‐C₇H₆CHO)(CO)₃FeRh(COD)] ( 7 ) in up to 86 % yield. Carbonylation of 7 under an atmosphere of CO led to facile conversion to the heterobimetallic pentacarbonyl derivative [(μ‐C₇H₆CHO)(CO)₃FeRh(CO)₂] ( 8 ), which is also accessible in lower yield from the direct reaction of 3 with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂.     

CH Bond Activation during and after the Reactions of a Metallacyclic Amide with Silanes: Formation of a μ‐Alkylidene Hydride Complex,Its H–D Exchange,and β‐H Abstraction by a Hydride Ligand

Metallacyclic complex [(Me₂N)₃Ta(η²‐CH₂SiMe₂NSiMe₃)] ( 3 ) undergoes C?H activation in its reaction with H₃SiPh to afford a Ta/μ‐alkylidene/hydride complex, [(Me₂N)₂{(Me₃Si)₂N}Ta(μ‐H)₂(μ‐C‐η²‐CHSiMe₂NSiMe₃)Ta(NMe₂)₂] ( 4 ). Deuterium‐labeling studies with [D₃]SiPh show H–D exchange between the Ta?D ?Ta unit and all methyl groups in [(Me₂N)₂{(Me₃Si)₂N}Ta(μ‐D)₂(μ‐C‐η²‐CHSiMe₂NSiMe₃)Ta(NMe₂)₂] ([D₂]‐ 4 ) to give the partially deuterated complex [D_n]‐ 4 . In addition, 4 undergoes β‐H abstraction between a hydride and an NMe₂ ligand and forms a new complex [(Me₂N){(Me₃Si)₂N}Ta(μ‐H)(μ‐N‐η²‐C,N‐CH₂NMe)(μ‐C‐η²‐C,N‐CHSiMe₂NSiMe₃)Ta(NMe₂)₂] ( 5 ) with a cyclometalated, η²‐imine ligand. These results indicate that there are two simultaneous processes in [D_n]‐ 4 : 1) H–D exchange through σ‐bond metathesis, and 2) H?D elimination through β‐H abstraction (to give [D_n]‐ 5 ). Both 4 and 5 have been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Calcium Hydride Cation [CaH]+ Stabilized by an NNNN‐type Macrocyclic Ligand: A Selective Catalyst for Olefin Hydrogenation

Reaction of dibenzyl calcium complex [Ca(Me₄TACD)(CH₂Ph)₂], containing the neutral NNNN‐type macrocyclic ligand Me₄TACD (Me₄TACD=1,4,7,10‐tetramethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane), with triphenylsilane gave the cationic dinuclear calcium hydride [Ca₂H₂(Me₄TACD)₂](PhCHSiPh₃)₂ which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The cation can be regarded as the ligand‐stabilized dimeric form of hypothetical [CaH]⁺. Hydrogenolysis of benzyl calcium cation [Ca(Me₄TACD)(CH₂Ph)(thf)]⁺ gave dicationic calcium hydrides [Ca₂H₂(Me₄TACD)₂][BAr₄]₂ (Ar=C₆H₄‐4‐^tBu; C₆H₃‐3,5‐Me₂) containing weakly coordinating anions. In THF, they catalyzed the isotope exchange of H₂ and D₂ to give HD and the hydrogenation of unactivated 1‐alkenes.     

Reactivity of Yttrium Carboxylates Toward Alkylaluminum Hydrides

Yttrocene‐carboxylate complex [Cp*₂Y(OOCAr^Me)] (Cp*=C₅Me₅, Ar^Me=C₆H₂Me₃‐2,4,6) was synthesized as a spectroscopically versatile model system for investigating the reactivity of alkylaluminum hydrides towards rare‐earth‐metal carboxylates. Equimolar reactions with bis‐neosilylaluminum hydride and dimethylaluminum hydride gave adduct complexes of the general formula [Cp*₂Y(μ‐OOCAr^Me)(μ‐H)AlR₂] (R=CH₂SiMe₃, Me). The use of an excess of the respective aluminum hydride led to the formation of product mixtures, from which the yttrium‐aluminum‐hydride complex [{Cp*₂Y(μ‐H)AlMe₂(μ‐H)AlMe₂(μ‐CH₃)}₂] could be isolated, which features a 12‐membered‐ring structure. The adduct complexes [Cp*₂Y(μ‐OOCAr^Me)(μ‐H)AlR₂] display identical ¹J(Y,H) coupling constants of 24.5 Hz for the bridging hydrido ligands and similar ⁸⁹Y NMR shifts of δ=?88.1 ppm (R=CH₂SiMe₃) and δ=?86.3 ppm (R=Me) in the ⁸⁹Y DEPT45 NMR experiments.     

Complexation and Versatile Reactivity of a Highly Lewis Acidic Cationic Mg Complex with Alkynes and Phosphines

[(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 1 ; BDI=CH[C(CH₃)NDipp]₂; Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) was prepared by reaction of (BDI)MgnPr with [Ph₃C⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻]. Addition of 3-hexyne gave [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ (EtC≡CEt)][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻]. Single-crystal X-ray analysis, NMR investigations, Raman spectra, and DFT calculations indicate a significant Mg-alkyne interaction. Addition of the terminal alkynes PhC≡CH or Me₃SiC≡CH led to alkyne deprotonation by the BDI ligand to give [(BDI-H)Mg⁺(C≡CPh)]₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 2 , 70 %) and [(BDI-H)Mg⁺(C≡CSiMe₃)]₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 3 , 63 %). Addition of internal alkynes PhC≡CPh or PhC≡CMe led to [4+2] cycloadditions with the BDI ligand to give {Mg⁺C(Ph)=C(Ph)C[C(Me)=NDipp]₂}₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 4 , 53 %) and {Mg⁺C(Ph)=C(Me)C[C(Me)=NDipp]₂}₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 5 , 73 %), in which the Mg center is N,N,C-chelated. The (BDI)Mg⁺ cation can be viewed as an intramolecular frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) with a Lewis acidic site (Mg) and a Lewis (or Brønsted) basic site (BDI). Reaction of [(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 1 ) with a range of phosphines varying in bulk and donor strength generated [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PPh₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 6 ), [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PCy₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 7 ), and [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PtBu₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 8 ). The bulkier phosphine PMes₃ (Mes=mesityl) did not show any interaction. Combinations of [(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] and phosphines did not result in addition to the triple bond in 3-hexyne, but during the screening process it was discovered that the cationic magnesium complex catalyzes the hydrophosphination of PhC≡CH with HPPh₂, for which an FLP-type mechanism is tentatively proposed.