Zerovalent Rhodium and Iridium Silatranes Featuring Two‐Center,Three‐Electron Polar σ Bonds

Species with 2‐center, 3‐electron (2c/3e^?) σ bonds are of interest owing to their fascinating electronic structures and potential for interesting reactivity patterns. Report here is the synthesis and characterization of a pair of zerovalent (d⁹) trigonal pyramidal Rh and Ir complexes that feature 2c/3e^? σ bonds to the Si atom of a tripodal tris(phosphine)silatrane ligand. X‐ray diffraction, continuous wave and pulse electron paramagnetic resonance, density‐functional theory calculations, and reactivity studies have been used to characterize these electronically distinctive compounds. The data available highlight a 2c/3e^? bonding framework with a σ*‐SOMO of metal 4‐ or 5d_z² parentage that is partially stabilized by significant mixing with Si (3p_z) and metal (5‐ or 6p_z) orbitals. Metal‐ligand covalency thus buffers the expected destabilization of transition‐metal (TM)‐silyl σ*‐orbitals by d–p mixing, affording well‐characterized examples of TM–main group, and hence polar, 2c/3e^? σ “half‐bonds”.     

Germacyclobutenes: Generation by 1,1‐Carbalumination or 1,1‐Carbagallation and Their Photophysical Properties

Aluminium‐ and gallium‐functionalised alkenylalkynylgermanes, R¹₂Ge(C?C?R²)[C{E(CMe₃)₂}?C(H)?R²] (E=Al, Ga), exhibit a close contact between the coordinatively unsaturated Al or Ga atoms and the α‐C atoms of the intact ethynyl groups. These interactions activate the Ge?C(alkynyl) bonds and favour the thermally induced insertion of these C atoms into the E?C(vinyl) bonds by means of 1,1‐carbalumination or 1,1‐carbagallation reactions. For the first time the latter method was shown to be a powerful alternative to known metallation processes. Germacyclobutenes with an unsaturated GeC₃ heterocycle and endo‐ and exocyclic C?C bonds resulted from concomitant Ge?C bond formation to the β‐C atoms of the alkynyl groups. These heterocyclic compounds show an interesting photoluminescence behaviour with Stokes shifts of >110 nm. The fascinating properties are based on extended π‐delocalisation including σ*‐orbitals localised at Ge and Al. High‐level quantum chemical DFT and TD‐DFT calculations for an Al compound were applied to elucidate their absorption and emission properties. They revealed a biradical excited state with the transfer of a π‐electron into the empty p‐orbital at Al and a pyramidalisation of the metal atom.     

Chelation versus Binucleation: Metal Complex Formation with the Hexadentate all‐cis‐N1,N2‐Bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine

The hexadentate ligand all‐cis‐N¹,N²‐bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (L^e) was synthesized in five steps with an overall yield of 39 % by using [Ni(taci)₂]SO₄?4 H₂O as starting material (taci=1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol). Crystal structures of [Na_0.5(H₆L^e)](BiCl₆)₂Cl_0.5?4 H₂O ( 1 ), [Ni(L^e)]‐ Cl₂?5 H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu(L^e)](ClO₄)₂?H₂O ( 3 ), [Zn(L^e)]CO₃?7 H₂O ( 4 ), [Co(L^e)](ClO₄)₃ ( 5 c ), and [Ga(H_?2L^e)]‐ NO₃?2 H₂O ( 6 ) are reported. The Na complex 1 exhibited a chain structure with the Na⁺ cations bonded to three hydroxy groups of one taci subunit of the fully protonated H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ ligand. In 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 c , a mononuclear hexaamine coordination was found. In the Ga complex 6 , a mononuclear hexadentate coordination was also observed, but the metal binding occurred through four amino groups and two alkoxo groups of the doubly deprotonated H_?2(L^e)^2?. The steric strain within the molecular framework of various M(L^e) isomers was analyzed by means of molecular mechanics calculations. The formation of complexes of L^e with Mn^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, and Cd^II was investigated in aqueous solution by using potentiometric and spectrophotometric titration experiments. Extended equilibrium systems comprising a large number of species were observed, such as [M(L^e)]²⁺, protonated complexes [MH_z(L^e)]^2+z and oligonuclear aggregates. The pK_a values of H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ (25 °C, μ=0.10 m ) were found to be 2.99, 5.63, 6.72, 7.38, 8.37, and 9.07, and the determined formation constants (log β) of [M(L^e)]²⁺ were 6.13(3) (Mn^II), 20.11(2) (Cu^II), 13.60(2) (Zn^II), and 10.43(2) (Cd^II). The redox potentials (vs. NHE) of the [M(L^e)]^3+/2+ couples were elucidated for Co (?0.38 V) and Ni (+0.90 V) by cyclic voltammetry.     

A Series of Isolable Silanoic Thio‐, Seleno‐, and Telluroesters (LSi(X)OR) with Donor‐Supported SiX Double Bonds (L=β‐Diketiminate; X=S,Se, Te)

The first silicon analogues of carbonic (carboxylic) esters, the silanoic thio‐, seleno‐, and tellurosilylesters 3 (Si?S), 4 (Si?Se), and 5 (Si?Te), were prepared and isolated in crystalline form in high yield. These thermally robust compounds are easily accessible by direct reaction of the stable siloxysilylene L(Si:)OSi(H)L′ 2 (L=HC(CMe)₂[N(aryl)₂], L′=CH[(C?CH₂)‐CMe][N(aryl)]₂; aryl=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with the respective elemental chalcogen. The novel compounds were fully characterized by methods including multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Owing to intramolecular N→Si donor–acceptor support of the Si?X moieties (X=S, Se, Te), these compounds have a classical valence‐bond N⁺–Si–X^? resonance betaine structure. At the same time, they also display a relatively strong nonclassical Si?X π‐bonding interaction between the chalcogen lone‐pair electrons (n_π donor orbitals) and two antibonding Si? N orbitals (σ*_π acceptor orbitals mainly located at silicon), which was shown by IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Accordingly, the Si?X bonds in the chalcogenoesters are 7.4 ( 3 ), 6.7 ( 4 ), and 6.9 % ( 5 ) shorter than the corresponding Si? X single bonds and, thus, only a little longer than those in electronically less disturbed Si?X systems (“heavier” ketones).     

Anionic Gold(I) Complexes—Twelve‐ and Ten‐Vertex Monocarba‐closo‐borate Anions with Carbon–Gold σ Bonds

The anionic gold(I) complexes [1‐(Ph₃PAu)‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₁]^? ( 1 ), [1‐(Ph₃PAu)‐closo‐1‐CB₉H₉]^? ( 2 ), and [2‐(Ph₃PAu)‐closo‐2‐CB₉H₉]^? ( 3 ) with gold–carbon 2c–2e σ bonds have been prepared from [AuCl(PPh₃)] and the respective carba‐closo‐borate dianion. The anions have been isolated as their Cs⁺ salts and the corresponding [Et₄N]⁺ salts were obtained by salt metathesis reactions. The salt Cs‐ 3 isomerizes in the solid state and in solution at elevated temperatures to Cs‐ 2 with ΔH_iso=(?75±5) kJ mol^?1 (solid state) and ΔH^≠=(118±10) kJ mol^?1 (solution). The compounds were characterized by vibrational and multi‐NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The crystal structures of [Et₄N]‐ 1 , [Et₄N]‐ 2 , and [Et₄N]‐ 3 were determined. The bonding parameters, NMR chemical shifts, and the isomerization enthalpy of Cs‐ 3 to Cs‐ 2 are compared to theoretical data.     

Access to Stable Metalloradical Cations with Unsupported and Isomeric Metal–Metal Hemi‐Bonds

Metalloradical species [Co₂Fv(CO)₄]^.+ ( 1 ^.+, Fv=fulvalenediyl) and [Co₂Cp₂(CO)₄]^.+ ( 2 ^.+, Cp=η⁵‐C₅H₅), formed by one‐electron oxidations of piano‐stool cobalt carbonyl complexes, can be stabilized with weakly coordinating polyfluoroaluminate anions in the solid state. They feature a supported and an unsupported (i.e. unbridged) cobalt–cobalt three‐electron σ bond, respectively, each with a formal bond order of 0.5 (hemi‐bond). When Cp is replaced by bulkier Cp* (Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), an interchange between an unsupported radical [Co₂Cp*₂(CO)₄]^.+ (anti‐ 3 ^.+) and a supported radical [Co₂Cp*₂(μ‐CO)₂(CO)₂]^.+ (trans‐ 3 ^.+) is observed in solution, which cocrystallize and exist in the crystal phase. 2 ^.+ and anti‐ 3 ^.+ are the first stable thus isolable examples that feature an unsupported metal–metal hemi‐bond, and the coexistence of anti‐ 3 ^.+ and trans‐ 3 ^.+ in one crystal is unprecedented in the field of dinuclear metalloradical chemistry. The work suggests that more stable metalloradicals of metal–metal hemi‐bonds may be accessible by using metal carbonyls together with large and weakly coordinating polyfluoroaluminate anions.     

Barium as Honorary Transition Metal in Action: Experimental and Theoretical Study of Ba(CO)+ and Ba(CO)−

Ba(CO)⁺ and Ba(CO)^? have been produced and isolated in a low‐temperature neon matrix. The observed C?O stretching wavenumber for Ba(CO)⁺ of 1911.2 cm^?1 is the most red‐shifted value measured for any metal carbonyl cations, indicating strong π backdonation of electron density from Ba⁺ to CO. Quantum chemical calculations indicate that Ba(CO)⁺ has a ²Π reference state, which correlates with the ²D(5d¹) excited state of Ba⁺ that comprises significant Ba⁺(5d_π¹)→CO(π* LUMO) backbonding, letting the Ba(CO)⁺ complex behave like a conventional transition‐metal carbonyl. A bonding analysis shows that the π backdonation in Ba(CO)⁺ is much stronger than the Ba⁺(5d_σ/6s)←CO(HOMO) σ donation. The Ba⁺ cation in the ²D(5d¹) excited state is a donor rather than an acceptor. Covalent bonding in the radical anion Ba(CO)^? takes place mainly through Ba(5d_π)←CO^?(π* SOMO) π donation and Ba(5d_σ/6s)←CO^?(HOMO) σ donation. The most important valence functions at barium in Ba(CO)⁺ cation and Ba(CO)^? anion are the 5d orbitals.     

Transition‐Metal Complexes [(PMe3)2Cl2M(E)] and [(PMe3)2(CO)2M(E)] with Naked Group 14 Atoms (E=C–Sn) as Ligands; Part 1: Parent Compounds

The equilibrium geometries and bond dissociation energies of 16‐valence‐electron(VE) complexes [(PMe₃)₂Cl₂M(E)] and 18‐VE complexes [(PMe₃)₂(CO)₂M(E)] with M=Fe, Ru, Os and E=C, Si, Ge, Sn were calculated by using density functional theory at the BP86/TZ2P level. The nature of the M? E bond was analyzed with the NBO charge decomposition analysis and the EDA energy‐decomposition analysis. The theoretical results predict that the heavier Group 14 complexes [(PMe₃)₂Cl₂M(E)] and [(PMe₃)₂(CO)₂M(E)] with E=Si, Ge, Sn have C_2v equilibrium geometries in which the PMe₃ ligands are in the axial positions. The complexes have strong M? E bonds which are slightly stronger in the 16‐VE species 1ME than in the 18‐VE complexes 2ME . The calculated bond dissociation energies show that the M? E bonds become weaker in both series in the order C>Si>Ge>Sn; the bond strength increases in the order Fe<Ru<Os for 1ME , whereas a U‐shaped trend Ru<Os<Fe is found for 2ME . The M? E bonding analysis suggests that the 16‐VE complexes 1ME have two electron‐sharing bonds with σ and π symmetry and one donor–acceptor π bond like the carbon complex. Thus, the bonding situation is intermediate between a typical Fischer complex and a Schrock complex. In contrast, the 18‐VE complexes 2ME have donor–acceptor bonds, as suggested by the Dewar–Chatt–Duncanson model, with one M←E σ donor bond and two M→E π‐acceptor bonds, which are not degenerate. The shape of the frontier orbitals reveals that the HOMO?2 σ MO and the LUMO and LUMO+1 π* MOs of 1ME are very similar to the frontier orbitals of CO.     

Octacarbonyl Anion Complexes of Group Three Transition Metals [TM(CO)8]− (TM=Sc,Y, La) and the 18‐Electron Rule

We report the gas‐phase synthesis of stable 20‐electron carbonyl anion complexes of group 3 transition metals, TM(CO)₈^? (TM=Sc, Y, La), which are studied by mass‐selected infrared (IR) photodissociation spectroscopy. The experimentally observed species, which are the first octacarbonyl anionic complexes of a TM, are identified by comparison of the measured and calculated IR spectra. Quantum chemical calculations show that the molecules have a cubic (O_h) equilibrium geometry and a singlet (¹A_1g) electronic ground state. The 20‐electron systems TM(CO)₈^? are energetically stable toward loss of one CO ligand, yielding the 18‐electron complexes TM(CO)₇^? in the ¹A₁ electronic ground state; these exhibit a capped octahedral structure with C_3v symmetry. Analysis of the electronic structure of TM(CO)₈^? reveals that there is one occupied valence molecular orbital with a_2u symmetry, which is formed only by ligand orbitals without a contribution from the metal atomic orbitals. The adducts of TM(CO)₈^? fulfill the 18‐electron rule when only those valence electrons that occupy metal–ligand bonding orbitals are considered.     

Stability of Noble‐Gas‐Bound SiH3+ Clusters

The stability of noble gas (Ng)‐bound SiH₃⁺ clusters is explored by ab initio computations. Owing to a high positive charge (+1.53 e^?), the Si center of SiH₃⁺ can bind two Ng atoms. However, the Si?Ng dissociation energy for the first Ng atom is considerably larger than that for the second one. As we go down group 18, the dissociation energy gradually increases, and the largest value is observed for the case of Rn. For NgSiH₃⁺ clusters, the Ar–Rn dissociation processes are endergonic at room temperature. For He and Ne, a much lower temperature is required for it to be viable. The formation of Ng₂SiH₃⁺ clusters is also feasible, particularly for the heavier members and at low temperature. To shed light on the nature of Si?Ng bonding, natural population analysis, Wiberg bond indices computations, electron‐density analysis, and energy‐decomposition analysis were performed. Electron transfer from the Ng centers to the electropositive Si center occurs only to a small extent for the lighter Ng atoms and to a somewhat greater extent for the heavier analogues. The Si?Xe/Rn bonds can be termed covalent bonds, whereas the Si?He/Ne bonds are noncovalent. The Si?Ar/Kr bonds possess some degree of covalent character, as they are borderline cases. Contributions from polarization and charge transfer and exchange are key terms in forming Si?Ng bonds. We also studied the effect of substituting the H atoms of SiH₃⁺ by halide groups (?X) on the Ng binding ability. SiF₃⁺ showed enhanced Ng binding ability, whereas SiCl₃⁺ and SiBr₃⁺ showed a lower ability to bind Ng than SiH₃⁺. A compromise originates from the dual play of the inductive effect of the ?X groups and X→Si π backbonding (p_z–p_z interaction).     

Transition‐Metal Complexes of Tetrylones [(CO)5W‐E(PPh3)2] and Tetrylenes [(CO)5W‐NHE] (E=C–Pb): A Theoretical Study

Quantum chemical calculations at the BP86/TZVPP//BP86/SVP level are performed for the tetrylone complexes [W(CO)₅‐E(PPh₃)₂] ( W‐1 E ) and the tetrylene complexes [W(CO)₅‐NHE] ( W‐2 E ) with E=C–Pb. The bonding is analyzed using charge and energy decomposition methods. The carbone ligand C(PPh₃) is bonded head‐on to the metal in W‐1 C , but the tetrylone ligands E(PPh₃)₂ are bonded side‐on in the heavier homologues W‐1 Si to W‐1 Pb . The W? E bond dissociation energies (BDEs) increase from the lighter to the heavier homologues ( W‐1 C : D_e=25.1 kcal mol^?1; W‐1 Pb : D_e=44.6 kcal mol^?1). The W(CO)₅←C(PPh₃)₂ donation in W‐1 C comes from the σ lone‐pair orbital of C(PPh₃)₂, whereas the W(CO)₅←E(PPh₃)₂ donation in the side‐on bonded complexes with E=Si–Pb arises from the π lone‐pair orbital of E(PPh₃)₂ (the HOMO of the free ligand). The π‐HOMO energy level rises continuously for the heavier homologues, and the hybridization has greater p character, making the heavier tetrylones stronger donors than the lighter systems, because tetrylones have two lone‐pair orbitals available for donation. Energy decomposition analysis (EDA) in conjunction with natural orbital for chemical valence (NOCV) suggests that the W? E BDE trend in W‐1 E comes from the increase in W(CO)₅←E(PPh₃)₂ donation and from stronger electrostatic attraction, and that the E(PPh₃)₂ ligands are strong σ‐donors and weak π‐donors. The NHE ligands in the W‐2 E complexes are bonded end‐on for E=C, Si, and Ge, but side‐on for E=Sn and Pb. The W? E BDE trend is opposite to that of the W‐1 E complexes. The NHE ligands are strong σ‐donors and weak π‐acceptors. The observed trend arises because the hybridization of the donor orbital at atom E in W‐2 E has much greater s character than that in W‐1 E , and even increases for heavier atoms, because the tetrylenes have only one lone‐pair orbital available for donation. In addition, the W? E bonds of the heavier systems W‐2 E are strongly polarized toward atom E, so the electrostatic attraction with the tungsten atom is weak. The BDEs calculated for the W? E bonds in W‐1 E , W‐2 E and the less bulky tetrylone complexes [W(CO)₅‐E(PH₃)₂] ( W‐3 E ) show that the effect of bulky ligands may obscure the intrinsic W? E bond strength.     

The Pi‐Nature of Methyl Obtained by the Natural Bond Orbital Method: Orbital‐Based Rationalizations of Site‐Dependent Substitution Effects on Fine Color‐Tuning of Luminescence

Both C‐H bonding and antibonding (σ_CH and σ*_CH) of a methyl group would contribute to the highest occupied or lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO or LUMO) in methylated derivatives of Ir(ppz)₂ 3 iq (ppz = 1‐phenylpyrazole and 3iq = isoquinoline‐3‐carboxylate). This is found by analysis of HOMO (or LUMO) formed by linear combination of bond orbitals using the natural bond orbital (NBO) method. The elevated level of HOMO (or LUMO) uniformly found for each methylated derivative, indicating the σ_CH‐destabilization outweighs the σ*_CH‐stabilization. To broaden the HOMO‐LUMO gap, methylation at a carbon having smaller contribution to HOMO and/or larger contribution to LUMO is suggested.     

Atom‐Precise Organometallic Zinc Clusters

The bottom‐up synthesis of organometallic zinc clusters is described. The cation {[Zn₁₀](Cp*)₆Me}⁺ ( 1 ) is obtained by reacting [Zn₂Cp*₂] with [FeCp₂][BAr₄^F] in the presence of ZnMe₂. In the presence of suitable ligands, the high reactivity of 1 enables the controlled abstraction of single Zn units, providing access to the lower‐nuclearity clusters {[Zn₉](Cp*)₆} ( 2 ) and {[Zn₈](Cp*)₅(^tBuNC)₃}⁺ ( 3 ). According to DFT calculations, 1 and 2 can be described as closed‐shell species that are electron‐deficient in terms of the Wade–Mingos rules because the apical ZnCp* units that constitute the cluster cage do not have three, but only one, frontier orbitals available for cluster bonding. Zinc behaves flexibly in building the skeletal metal–metal bonds, sometimes providing one major frontier orbital (like Group 11 metals) and sometimes providing three frontier orbitals (like Group 13 elements).     

Umsetzungen von Cp*NbCl4 und Cp*TaCl4 mit Trimethylsilyl‐azid,Me3Si‐N3. Molekülstrukturen der bis(azido)‐oxo‐verbrückten Komplexe [Cp*NbCl(N3)(μ‐N3)]2(μ‐O) und [Cp*TaCl2(μ‐N3)]2(μ‐O) (Cp* = Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)

Reactions of Cp*NbCl₄ and Cp*TaCl₄ with Trimethylsilyl‐azide, Me₃Si‐N₃. Molecular Structures of the Bis(azido)‐Oxo‐Bridged Complexes [Cp*NbCl(N₃)(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) and [Cp*TaCl₂(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (Cp* = Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) The chloro ligands in Cp*TaCl₄ (1c) can be stepwise substituted for azido ligands by reactions with trimethylsilyl azide, Me₃Si‐N₃ (A) , to generate the complete series of the bis(azido)‐bridged dimers [Cp*TaCl_3‐n(N₃)_n(μ‐N₃)]₂ ( n = 0 (2c) , n = 1 (3c) , n = 2 (4c) and n = 3 (5c) ). If the solvent CH₂Cl₂ contains traces of water, an additional oxo bridge is incorporated to give [Cp*‐TaCl₂(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (6c) or [Cp*TaCl(N₃)(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (7c) , respectively. Both 6c and 7c are also formed in stoichiometric reactions from [Cp*TaCl₂(μ‐OH)]₂(μ‐O) (8c) and A . Analogous reactions of Cp*NbCl₄ (1b) with A were used to prepare the azide‐rich dinuclear products [Cp*NbCl_3‐n(N₃)_n(μ‐N₃)]₂ (n = 2 (4b) , and n = 3 (5b) ), and [Cp*NbCl(N₃)(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (7b) . The mononuclear complex Cp*Ta(N₃)Me₃ (10c) is obtained from Cp*Ta(Cl)Me₃ and A . All azido complexes were characterised by their IR as well as their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra; X‐ray crystal structure analyses are available for 6c and 7b .     

Synthesis of a Metallo‐Iminosilane via a Silanone–Metal π‐Complex

Facile oxygenation of the acyclic amido‐chlorosilylene bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) Ni⁰ complex [{N(Dipp)(SiMe₃)ClSi:→Ni(NHC)₂] ( 1 ; Dipp=2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₄; N‐heterocyclic carbene=C[(ⁱPr)NC(Me)]₂) with N₂O furnishes the first Si‐metalated iminosilane, [DippN=Si(OSiMe₃)Ni(Cl)(NHC)₂] ( 3 ), in a rearrangement cascade. Markedly, the formation of 3 proceeds via the silanone (Si=O)–Ni π‐complex 2 as the initial product, which was predicted by DFT calculations and observed spectroscopically. The Si=O and Si=N moieties in 2 and 3 , respectively, show remarkable hydroboration reactivity towards H−B bonds of boranes, in the former case corroborating the proposed formation of a (Si=O)–Ni π‐complex at low temperature.     

Imino‐Bridged Bisphosphaalkenes (2,4‐Diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes)

Deprotonation of aminophosphaalkenes (RMe₂Si)₂C?PN(H)(R′) (R=Me, iPr; R′=tBu, 1‐adamantyl (1‐Ada), 2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂ (Mes*)) followed by reactions of the corresponding Li salts Li[(RMe₂Si)₂C?P(M)(R′)] with one equivalent of the corresponding P‐chlorophosphaalkenes (RMe₂Si)₂C?PCl provides bisphosphaalkenes (2,4‐diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes) [(RMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NR′. The thermally unstable tert‐butyliminobisphosphaalkene [(Me₃Si)₂C?P]₂NtBu ( 4 a ) undergoes isomerisation reactions by Me₃Si‐group migration that lead to mixtures of four‐membered heterocyles, but in the presence of an excess amount of (Me₃Si)₂C?PCl, 4 a furnishes an azatriphosphabicyclohexene C₃(SiMe₃)₅P₃NtBu ( 5 ) that gave red single crystals. Compound 5 contains a diphosphirane ring condensed with an azatriphospholene system that exhibits an endocylic P?C double bond and an exocyclic ylidic P⁽⁺⁾? C^(?)(SiMe₃)₂ unit. Using the bulkier iPrMe₂Si substituents at three‐coordinated carbon leads to slightly enhanced thermal stability of 2,4‐diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes [(iPrMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NR′ (R′=tBu: 4 b ; R′=1‐Ada: 8 ). According to a low‐temperature crystal‐structure determination, 8 adopts a non‐planar structure with two distinctly differently oriented P?C sites, but ³¹P NMR spectra in solution exhibit singlet signals. ³¹P NMR spectra also reveal that bulky Mes* groups (Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂) at the central imino function lead to mixtures of symmetric and unsymmetric rotamers, thus implying hindered rotation around the P? N bonds in persistent compounds [(RMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NMes* ( 11 a , 11 b ). DFT calculations for the parent molecule [(H₃Si)₂C?P]₂NCH₃ suggest that the non‐planar distortion of compound 8 will have steric grounds.     

Monomeric Chini‐Type Triplatinum Clusters Featuring Dianionic and Radical‐Anionic π*‐Systems

Owing to their unique topologies and abilities to self‐assemble into a variety of extended and aggregated structures, the binary platinum carbonyl clusters [Pt₃(CO)₆]_n^2? (“Chini clusters”) continue to draw significant interest. Herein, we report the isolation and structural characterization of the trinuclear electron‐transfer series [Pt₃(μ‐CO)₃(CNAr^Dipp2)₃]^n? (n=0, 1, 2), which represents a unique set of monomeric Pt₃ clusters supported by π‐acidic ligands. Spectroscopic, computational, and synthetic investigations demonstrate that the highest‐occupied molecular orbitals of the mono‐ and dianionic clusters consist of a combined π*‐framework of the CO and CNAr^Dipp2 ligands, with negligible Pt character. Accordingly, this study provides precedent for an ensemble of carbonyl and isocyanide ligands to function in a redox non‐innocent manner.     

Preparation and Characterization of Uranium–Iron Triple‐Bonded UFe(CO)3− and OUFe(CO)3− Complexes

We report the preparation of UFe(CO)₃⁻ and OUFe(CO)₃⁻ complexes using a laser‐vaporization supersonic ion source in the gas phase. These compounds were mass‐selected and characterized by infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and state‐of‐the‐art quantum chemical studies. There are unprecedented triple bonds between U 6d/5f and Fe 3d orbitals, featuring one covalent σ bond and two Fe‐to‐U dative π bonds in both complexes. The uranium and iron elements are found to exist in unique formal U(I or III) and Fe(−II) oxidation states, respectively. These findings suggest that there may exist a whole family of stable df–d multiple‐bonded f‐element‐transition‐metal compounds that have not been fully recognized to date.     

Bonding Analysis of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Tautomers and Phosphine Ligands in Transition‐Metal Complexes: A Theoretical Study

DFT calculations at the BP86/TZ2P level were carried out to analyze quantitatively the metal–ligand bonding in transition‐metal complexes that contain imidazole (IMID), imidazol‐2‐ylidene (nNHC), or imidazol‐4‐ylidene (aNHC). The calculated complexes are [Cl₄TM(L)] (TM=Ti, Zr, Hf), [(CO)₅TM(L)] (TM=Cr, Mo, W), [(CO)₄TM(L)] (TM=Fe, Ru, Os), and [ClTM(L)] (TM=Cu, Ag, Au). The relative energies of the free ligands increase in the order IMID<nNHC<aNHC. The energy levels of the carbon σ lone‐pair orbitals suggest the trend aNHC>nNHC>IMID for the donor strength, which is in agreement with the progression of the metal–ligand bond‐dissociation energy (BDE) for the three ligands for all metals of Groups 4, 6, 8, and 10. The electrostatic attraction can also be decisive in determining trends in ligand–metal bond strength. The comparison of the results of energy decomposition analysis for the Group 6 complexes [(CO)₅TM(L)] (L=nNHC, aNHC, IMID) with phosphine complexes (L=PMe₃ and PCl₃) shows that the phosphine ligands are weaker σ donors and better π acceptors than the NHC tautomers nNHC, aNHC, and IMID.     

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.