Substituted Ferrocenylboranes – Potential Ligand Precursors for ansa‐ Metallocenes,Constrained Geometry Complexes and ansa‐Diamido Complexes

A wide range of potential ligand precursors and related compounds have been synthesized from ferrocenyldibromoborane and ferrocenylenebis(dibromoborane) via salt elimination reactions. These comprise ligand precursors suitable for the preparation of (i) ansa‐metallocenes such as [FcB(η¹‐C₅H₅)₂] ( 2 ), [FcB(1‐C₉H₇)₂] ( 3 ), [FcB(3‐C₉H₇)₂] ( 4 ) and [1,1′‐fc{B(3‐C₉H₇)₂}₂] ( 11 ), (ii) constrained geometry complexes such as [FcB(1‐C₉H₇)N(H)Ph] ( 7 ) and [FcB(3‐C₉H₇)N(H)Ph] ( 8 ), (iii) ansa‐diamido complexes such as [FcB(N(H)Ph)₂] ( 9 ) as well as (iv) the related compounds [FcB(Br)N(H)tBu] ( 5 ), [FcB(Br)N(H)Ph] ( 6 ), [1,1′‐fc{B(Br)N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] ( 12 ) and [1,1′‐fc{B(Br)NiPr₂}₂] ( 13 ) (Fc = ferrocenyl, fc = ferrocenylene, C₅H₅ = cyclopentadienyl, C₉H₇ = indenyl). All new compounds have been characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopic techniques and in the case of 7 and 12 by X‐ray diffraction methods.     

Diradicaloid or Zwitterionic Character: The Non‐Tetrahedral Unsaturated Compound [Si4{N(SiMe3)Dipp}4] with a Butterfly‐type Si4 Substructure

The reduction of the tribromoamidosilane {N(SiMe₃)Dipp}SiBr₃ (Dipp=2,6‐i Pr₂C₆H₃) with potassium graphite or magnesium resulted in the formation of [Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₄] ( 1 ), a bicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasilatetraamide. The Si₄ motif in 1 does not adopt a tetrahedral substructure and exhibits two three‐coordinate and two four‐coordinate silicon atoms. The electronic situation on the three‐coordinate silicon atoms is rationalized with positive and negative polarization based on EPR analysis, magnetization measurements, and DFT calculations as well as ²⁹Si CP MAS NMR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy in solution. Reactivity studies with 1 and radical scavengers confirmed the partial charge separation. Compound 1 reacts with sulfur to give a novel type of silicon sulfur cage compound substituted with an amido ligand, [Si₄S₃{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₄] ( 2 ).     

Substituent Effect on the Electronic Properties and Nature of the W≡C Bond in trans‐Cl(OC)(H3P)3W(≡C‐para‐C6H4X) (X = H,F, SiH3, CN,NO2, SiMe3, CMe3, NH2, NMe2) Complexes: A Computational Quantum Chemistry Study

In this investigation, we describe substituent effect on the dipole moment, ionization potential, electron affinity, structure, frontier orbitals energy, in the trans‐Cl(OC)(H₃P)₃W(≡C‐para‐C₆H₄X) (X = H, F, SiH₃, CN, NO₂, SiMe₃, CMe₃, NH₂, NMe₂) complexes using MPW1PW91 quantum chemical calculations. The nature of chemical bond between the [Cl(OC)(H₃P)₃W]⁻ and [C‐para‐C₆H₄X]⁺ fragments was illustrated with energy decomposition analysis (EDA). Percentage composition in terms of the defined groups of frontier orbitals for these complexes was inspected to investigate the character in metal–ligand bonds. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was used for illustration of metal–ligand bonds in these complexes.     

1‐Azonia‐2‐boratanaphthalenes

The 1‐azonia‐2‐boratanaphthalenes (NH)(BX)C₈H₆ can be synthesized from 2‐aminostyrene and the dihaloboranes XBHal₂ ( 1 ‐ 4 : X = Cl, Br, iPr, tBu). Further derivatives (NH)(BX)C₈H₆ are obtained from 1 by replacing Cl by alkoxy or alkyl groups [ 5 ‐ 8 : X = OMe, OtBu, Me, (CH₂)₃NMe₂]. The hydrolysis of 1 gives a mixture of the bis(azoniaboratanaphthyl) oxide [(NH)BC₈H₆]₂O ( 9 ) and the hydroxy derivative (NH)[B(OH)]C₈H₆ ( 10 ). The diboryl oxide 9 crystallizes in the space group C2/c. The lithiation of 4 at the nitrogen atom gives [NLi(tmen)](BtBu)C₈H₆ ( 11 ), which upon reaction with the diborane(4) B₂Cl₂(NMe₂)₂ yields the 1, 2‐bis(azoniaboratanaphthyl)diborane B₂[N(BtBu)C₈H₆]₂(NMe₂)₂ ( 12 ). The 2‐chloro‐1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl derivative (NMe)(BCl)C₈H₅Ph ( 13 ) of the parent (NH)(BH)C₈H₆ can be synthesized from the aminoborane BCl₂(NMePh) and phenylethyne. Substitution of Cl in 13 gives the derivatives (NMe)(BX)C₈H₅Ph [ 14 ‐ 20 : X = N(SiMe₃)₂, Me, Et, iBu, tBu, CH₂SiMe₃, Ph] and the reaction of 13 with Li₂O affords the bis(azoniaboratanaphthyl) oxide [(NMe)BC₈H₅Ph]₂O ( 21 ). The reaction of 16 or 19 with [(MeCN)₃Cr(CO)₃] yields the complexes [{(NMe)(BX)C₈H₅Ph}Cr(CO)₃] ( 22 , 23 : X = Et, CH₂SiMe₃), in which the chromium atom is hexahapto bound to the homoarene part of 16 or 19 , respectively. The complex 23 crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c. Upon reaction of the phenols para‐C₆H₄R(OH) with the aryldichloroboranes ArBCl₂ and subsequent condensation of the products with phenylethyne, the 1‐oxonia‐2‐boratanaphthalenes O(BAr)C₈H₄RPh with R in position 6 and Ph in position 4 are formed ( 24 ‐ 26 : Ar = Ph, R = H, Me, OMe; 27 ‐ 29 : Ar = C₆F₅, R = H, Me, OMe). The azoniaboratanaphthalenes 1 ‐ 23 were characterized by NMR methods.     

Rare‐Earth‐Metal–Hydrocarbyl Complexes Bearing Linked Cyclopentadienyl or Fluorenyl Ligands: Synthesis,Catalyzed Styrene Polymerization,and Structure–Reactivity Relationship

A series of rare‐earth‐metal–hydrocarbyl complexes bearing N‐type functionalized cyclopentadienyl (Cp) and fluorenyl (Flu) ligands were facilely synthesized. Treatment of [Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂] with equimolar amount of the electron‐donating aminophenyl‐Cp ligand C₅Me₄H‐C₆H₄‐o‐NMe₂ afforded the corresponding binuclear monoalkyl complex [({C₅Me₄‐C₆H₄‐o‐NMe(μ‐CH₂)}Y{CH₂SiMe₃})₂] ( 1 a ) via alkyl abstraction and C? H activation of the NMe₂ group. The lutetium bis(allyl) complex [(C₅Me₄‐C₆H₄‐o‐NMe₂)Lu(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] ( 2 b ), which contained an electron‐donating aminophenyl‐Cp ligand, was isolated from the sequential metathesis reactions of LuCl₃ with (C₅Me₄‐C₆H₄‐o‐NMe₂)Li (1 equiv) and C₃H₅MgCl (2 equiv). Following a similar procedure, the yttrium‐ and scandium–bis(allyl) complexes, [(C₅Me₄‐C₅H₄N)Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] (Ln=Y ( 3 a ), Sc ( 3 b )), which also contained electron‐withdrawing pyridyl‐Cp ligands, were also obtained selectively. Deprotonation of the bulky pyridyl‐Flu ligand (C₁₃H₉‐C₅H₄N) by [Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂] generated the rare‐earth‐metal–dialkyl complexes, [(η³‐C₁₃H₈‐C₅H₄N)Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(thf)] (Ln=Y ( 4 a ), Sc ( 4 b ), Lu ( 4 c )), in which an unusual asymmetric η³‐allyl bonding mode of Flu moiety was observed. Switching to the bidentate yttrium–trisalkyl complex [Y(CH₂C₆H₄‐o‐NMe₂)₃], the same reaction conditions afforded the corresponding yttrium bis(aminobenzyl) complex [(η³‐C₁₃H₈‐C₅H₄N)Y(CH₂C₆H₄‐o‐NMe₂)₂] ( 5 ). Complexes 1 – 5 were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and X‐ray spectroscopy, and by elemental analysis. In the presence of both [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] and AliBu₃, the electron‐donating aminophenyl‐Cp‐based complexes 1 and 2 did not show any activity towards styrene polymerization. In striking contrast, upon activation with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] only, the electron‐withdrawing pyridyl‐Cp‐based complexes 3 , in particular scandium complex 3 b , exhibited outstanding activitiy to give perfectly syndiotactic (rrrr >99 %) polystyrene, whereas their bulky pyridyl‐Flu analogues ( 4 and 5 ) in combination with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] and AliBu₃ displayed much‐lower activity to afford syndiotactic‐enriched polystyrene.     

Ru–η6‐Arene Cations [{(Ph2PC6H4)2B(η6‐Ph)}RuX]+ (X=Cl,H) as Lewis Acids

The reactivity of [{(Ph₂PC₆H₄)₂B(η⁶‐Ph)}RuCl][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 1 ) as a Lewis acid was investigated. Treatment of 1 with mono and multidentate phosphorus Lewis bases afforded the Lewis acid–base adducts with the ortho‐carbon atom of the coordinated arene ring. Similar reactivity was observed upon treatment with N‐heterocyclic carbenes; however, adduct formation occurred at both ortho‐ and para‐carbon atoms of the bound arene with the para‐position being favoured by increased steric demands. Interestingly treatment with isocyanides resulted in adduct formation with the B‐centre of the ligand framework. The hydride‐cation [{(Ph₂PC₆H₄)₂B(η⁶‐Ph)}RuH] [B(C₆F₅)₄] was prepared via reaction of 1 with silane. This species in the presence of a bulky phosphine behaves as a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) to activate H₂ between the phosphorus centre and the ortho‐carbon atom of the η⁶‐arene ring.     

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 .     

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.     

Molecular Gallium Arsenide Phosphide Clusters Prepared from AsP3, P4, and [{GaC(SiMe3)3}4]

Treatment of AsP₃ with 0.75 equivalents of [{GaC(SiMe₃)₃}₄] resulted in selective insertion of three equivalents of {GaC(SiMe₃)₃} into the three As? P bonds to give [As{GaC(SiMe₃)₃}₃P₃] ( 1 ‐As) with an intact cyclo‐P₃ ring. This yellow compound has been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, combustion analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, UV/Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry (THF, 0.2 M [TBA][B(C₆F₅)₄]; TBA=tetrabutyl ammonium). Computational models of 1 ‐As and the isomeric [P{GaC(SiMe₃)₃}₃AsP₂] ( 1 ‐P) have been investigated as well, revealing several interesting electronic features of these cage molecules. Following from the cyclic voltammetry studies of 1 ‐As that highlight an irreversible two‐electron reduction at ?2.2 V versus Fc/Fc⁺, treatment with one equivalent of [Mg(C₁₄H₁₀)(thf)₃] resulted in two‐electron reduction to provide [As{GaC(SiMe₃)₃}₃P₃Mg(thf)₃] ( 2 ), in which the Mg²⁺ ion has inserted into one of the P? P bonds of the cyclo‐P₃ ring. It was also found that treatment of AsP₃ or P₄ with one equivalent of [{GaC(SiMe₃)₃}₄] resulted in formation of the quadruple insertion products [As{GaC(SiMe₃)₃}₄P₃] ( 3 ) and [P{GaC(SiMe₃)₃}₄P₃] ( 4 ), respectively.     

The Iminoborane tBuB≡NtBu as a Dipolarphile in (2+3) Cycloadditions

The iminoborane tBuB≡NtBu and the diazomethane tBuCH=N₂ give the (2+3) cycloadduct [—HC(tBu)—N=N—N(tBu)=B(tBu)—] in a 1:1 reaction and the seven‐membered ring [—C(tBu)=N—NH—N(tBu)=B(tBu)—N(tBu)=B(tBu)—] in a 2:1 reaction. The (2+3) cycloadduct decomposes above 0 °C to give the seven‐membered ring, N₂, and HC(tBu)=N—N=CH(tBu) in the ratio 2:1:1. The borane tBuB≡NtBu and organic azides R″N₃ yield the (2+3) cycloadducts [—R″N—N=N—N(tBu)=B(tBu)—] (R″ = Me, Et, Pr, Bu, iBu, sBu, C₅H₁₁, c‐C₅H₉, c‐C₆H₁₁, Bzl, EtOOC).     

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

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

Phosphine (oxide)‐(thio) phenolate palladium complexes: Synthesis,characterization and (co)polymerization of norbornene

A series of palladium complexes ( 2a–2g ) ( 2a : [6‐^tBu‐2‐PPh₂‐C₆H₃O]PdMe(Py); 2b : [6‐C₆F₅–2‐PPh₂‐C₆H₃O]PdMe(Py); 2c : [6‐^tBu‐2‐PPh^tBu‐C₆H₃O]PdMe(Py); 2d : [2‐PPh^tBu‐C₆H₄O] PdMe(Py); 2e : [6‐SiMe₃–2‐PPh₂‐C₆H₃O]PdMe(Py); 2f : [2‐^tBu‐6‐(Ph₂P=O)‐C₆H₃O]PdMe(Py); 2g : [6‐SiMe₃–2‐(Ph₂P=O)‐C₆H₃S]PdMe(Py)) bearing phosphine (oxide)‐(thio) phenolate ligand have been efficiently synthesized and characterized. The solid‐state structures of complexes 2d , 2f and 2g have been further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, which revealed a square‐planar geometry of palladium center. In the presence of B(C₆F₅)₃, these complexes can be used as catalysts to polymerize norbornene (NB) with relatively high yields, producing vinyl‐addition polymers. Interestingly, 2a /B(C₆F₅)₃ system catalyzed the polymerization of NB in living polymerization manner at high temperature (polydispersity index 1.07, M_n up to 1.5 × 10⁴). The co‐polymerization of NB and polar monomers was also studied using catalysts 2a and 2f . All the obtained co‐polymers could dissolve in common solvent.     

Synthesis and Molecular Structure of a Hexaaminodistannane Comprising two Identical Triaminotin Subunits

Reaction of the previously characterized lithium stannate [HC{SiMe₂N(4‐CH₃C₆H₄)}₃SnLi(thf)₃] ( 1 ) with AgCl afforded the corresponding distannane [HC{SiMe₂N(4‐CH₃C₆H₄)}₃Sn]₂ ( 2 ) as the product of an oxidative coupling in good yield. Its [2, 2, 2]bicyclooctane‐related cage structure, comprising the trisilylmethane unit and the triamido‐tin fragment, as well as the Sn‐Sn bond (2.8204(4)Å) were established by single crystal structure analysis: Space group group P2₁/n, Z = 2, lattice dimensions at 120(2) K: a = 13.6515(3), b = 15.8391(3), c = 16.3522(3)Å, β = 102.7760(10)°, R₁ = 0.0347.     

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

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

Metallorganische Verbindungen der Lanthanoide. 88. Monomere Lanthanoid(III)-amide: Synthese und Röntgenstrukturanalyse von [Nd{N(C6H5)(SiMe3)}3(THF)], [Li(THF)2(μ-Cl)2Nd{N(C6H3Me2-2,6)(SiMe3)}2(THF)] und [ClNd{N(C6H3-iso-Pr2-2,6)(SiMe3)}2(THF)]

Organometallic Compounds of the Lanthanides. 88. Monomeric Lanthanide(III) Amides: Synthesis and X-Ray Crystal Structure of [Nd{N(C₆H₅)(SiMe₃)}₃(THF)], [Li(THF)₂(μ-Cl)₂Nd{N(C₆H₃Me₂-2,6)(SiMe₃)}₂(THF)], and [ClNd{N(C₆H₃-iso-Pr₂-2,6)(SiMe₃)} ₂(THF)] A series of lanthanide(III) amides [Ln{N(C₆H₅) · (SiMe₃)}₃(THF)_x] [Ln = Y ( 1 ), La ( 2 ), Nd ( 3 ), Sm ( 4 ), Eu ( 5 ), Tb ( 6 ), Er ( 8 ), Yb ( 9 ), Lu ( 10 )] could be prepared by the reaction of lanthanide trichlorides, LnCl₃, with LiN(C₆H₅)(SiMe₃). Treatment of NdCl₃(THF)₂ and LuCl₃(THF)₃ with the lithium salts of the bulky amides [N(C₆H₃R₂-2,6)(SiMe₃)]^? (R = Me, iso-Pr) results in the formation of the lanthanide diamides [Li(THF)₂(μ-Cl)₂Nd{N(C₆H₃Me₂-2, 6)(SiMe₃)}₂(THF)] ( 11 ) and [ClLn{N(C₆H₃-iso-Pr₂-2,6)(SiMe₃)} ₂(THF)] [Ln = Nd ( 12 ), Lu ( 13 )], respectively. The ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and mass spectra of the new compounds as well as the X-ray crystal structures of the neodymium derivatives 3 , 11 and 12 are discussed.     

Titanium(IV) Cations with Trigonal Monopyramidal Geometry: Unusual Lewis Acids Supported by a Triaryl Triamidoamine Ligand

Protonolysis of the titanium alkyl complex [Ti(CH₂SiMe₃)(Xy-N₃N)] (Xy-N₃N=[{(3,5-Me₂C₆H₃)NCH₂CH₂}₃N]³⁻) supported by a triamidoamine ligand, with [NEt₃H][B(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)₄] or [PhNMe₂H][B(C₆F₅)₄] afforded the cations [Ti(Xy-N₃N)][A] (A⁻=[B(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)₄]⁻ ( 1[B(Ar^Cl)₄] ; B(Ar^Cl)₄=tetrakis(3,5-dichlorophenyl)borate); A⁻=[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ ( 1[B(Ar^F)₄] ; B(Ar^F)₄=tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate). These Lewis acidic cations were reacted with coordinating solvents to afford the cations [Ti(L)(Xy-N₃N)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 2-L ; L=Et₂O, pyridine and THF). XRD analysis revealed a trigonal monopyramidal (TMP) geometry for the tetracoordinate cations in 1[B(Ar^X)₄] and trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) geometry for the pentacoordinate cations in 2-L . Variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy showed a dynamic equilibrium for 2-Et₂O in solution, involving the dissociation of Et₂O. Coordination to the titanium(IV) center activated the THF molecule, which, in the presence of NEt₃, underwent ring-opening to give the titanium alkoxide [Ti(O(CH₂)₄NEt₃)(Xy-N₃N)][B(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)₄] ( 3 ). Hydride abstraction from C_β,eq of the triamidoamine ligand arm in [Ti(CH₂SiMe₃)(Xy-N₃N)] or [Ti(NMe₂)(Xy-N₃N)] with [Ph₃C][B(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)₄] led to the diamidoamine–imine complex [Ti(R){(Xy-N=CHCH₂)(Xy-NCH₂CH₂)₂N}][B(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)₄] (R=CH₂SiMe₃ ( 4 a ); R=NMe₂ ( 4 b )). Hydride addition to 4 b with [Li(THF)][HBPh₃] gave [Ti(NMe₂)(Xy-N₃N)], whereas KH deprotonated further to give [Ti(NMe₂){(Xy-NCH=CH)(Xy-NCH₂CH₂)₂N}] ( 5 ). XRD on single crystals of 3 and 4 b confirmed the proposed structures.     

Ligand Effects on the Electronic Structure of Heteroleptic Antimony‐Centered Radicals

We report on the structures of three unprecedented heteroleptic Sb‐centered radicals [L(Cl)Ga](R)Sb^. ( 2‐R , R=B[N(Dip)CH]₂ 2‐B , 2,6‐Mes₂C₆H₃ 2‐C , N(SiMe₃)Dip 2‐N ) stabilized by one electropositive metal fragment [L(Cl)Ga] (L=HC[C(Me)N(Dip)]₂, Dip=2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃) and one bulky B‐ ( 2‐B ), C‐ ( 2‐C ), or N‐based ( 2‐N ) substituent. Compounds 2‐R are predominantly metal‐centered radicals. Their electronic properties are largely influenced by the electronic nature of the ligands R, and significant delocalization of unpaired‐spin density onto the ligands was observed in 2‐B and 2‐N . Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies showed that 2‐B undergoes a quasi‐reversible one‐electron reduction, which was confirmed by the synthesis of [K([2.2.2]crypt)][L(Cl)GaSbB[N(Dip)CH]₂] ([K([2.2.2]crypt)][ 2‐B ]) containing the stibanyl anion [ 2‐B ]^?, which was shown to possess significant Sb?B multiple‐bonding character.     

Planar N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Diarylborenium Ions: Synthesis by Cationic Borylation and Reactivity with Lewis Bases

The NHC–borane adduct (IBn)BH₃ ( 1 ) (NHC= N‐heterocyclic carbene; IBn=1,3‐dibenzylimidazol‐2ylidene) reacts with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] through sequential hydride abstraction and dehydrogenative cationic borylation(s) to give singly or doubly ring closed NHC–borenium salts 2 and 3 . The planar doubly ring closed product [C₃H₂(NCH₂C₆H₄)₂B][B(C₆F₅)₄] is resistant to quaternization at boron by Et₂O coordination, but forms classical Lewis acid–base adducts with the stronger donors Ph₃P, Et₃PO, or 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). Treatment of 3 with tBu₃P selectively yields the unusual oligomeric borenium salt trans‐[(C₃H₂(NCH₂C₆H₄)₂B)₂(C₃H₂(NCHC₆H₄)₂B)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 7 ).     

Synthetic and Structural Studies on the Cyclic Bis(amino)stannylenes Sn[(NR)2C10H6‐1, 8] and their Reactions with SnCl2 or Si[(NCH2But)2C6H4‐1, 2] (R = SiMe3 or CH2But)

Treatment of {HNR}₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8 [R = SiMe₃ ( 1 ), CH₂Bu^t ( 2 )] with Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ afforded the cyclic stannylene Sn[{NR}₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8] [R = SiMe₃ ( 3 ), CH₂Bu^t ( 4 )]. From 3 and SnCl₂ in THF and crystallisation from toluene, the product was the crystalline tetracyclic compound ( 5 ) as the (toluene)_0.5‐solvate. Reaction of 4 with the silylene Si[(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₆H₄‐1, 2] ( 6 ) [abbreviated as Si(NN)] in benzene and crystallisation in presence of Et₂O furnished the crystalline tricyclic complex Sn[{Si(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₆H₄‐1′, 2′}₂‐{(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8}] ( 7 ) as the Et₂O‐solvate. Complex 5 slowly dissociated into its factors 3 and SnCl₂ in toluene, but rapidly in THF. Solutions of 7 in C₆D₆, C₇D₈ or THF‐d₈, studied by multinuclear, variable temperature NMR spectroscopy, revealed the presence of an equilibrium between 8 (an isomer of 7 , in which the skeletal atoms of the eight‐membered ring were , rather than the of 7 ) and 4 + 2 Si(NN), with 8 dominant in PhMe but not in THF; additionally 8 was shown to be fluxional and solutions of 8 in C₆D₆ or C₇D₈ decomposed to give the silane Si(NN)[(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8], 6 and Sn metal. The X‐ray structures of 3 , 5 and 7 are presented.