Nitrile ligands activation in dinuclear aminocarbyne complexes

The diiron complexes [Fe(Cp)(CO){μ-η²:η²-C[N(Me)(R)]NC(C₆H₃R′)CCH(Tol)}Fe(Cp)(CO)] (R = Xyl, R′ = H, 3a; R = Xyl, R′ = Br, 3b; R = Xyl, R′ = OMe, 3c; R = Xyl, R′ = CO₂Me, 3d; R = Xyl, R′ = CF₃, 3e; R = Me, R′ = H, 3f; R = Me, R′ = CF₃, 3g) are obtained in good yields from the reaction of [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(p-NCC₆H₄R′)(Cp)₂]⁺ (R = Xyl, R′ = H, 2a; R = Xyl, R′ = Br, 2b; R = Xyl, R′ = OMe, 2c; R = Xyl, R′ = CO₂Me, 2d; R = Xyl, R′ = CF₃, 2e; R = Me, R′ = H, 2f; R = Me, R′ = CF₃, 2g) with TolCCLi. The formation of 3 involves addition of the acetylide at the coordinated nitrile and C-N coupling with the bridging aminocarbyne together with orthometallation of the p-substituted aromatic ring and breaking of the Fe-Fe bond. Complexes 3a-e which contain the N(Me)(Xyl) group exist in solution as mixtures of the E-trans and Z-trans isomers, whereas the compounds 3f,g, which posses an exocyclic NMe₂ group, exist only in the Z-cis form. The crystal structures of Z-trans-3b, E-trans-3c, Z-trans-3e and Z-cis-3g have been determined by X-ray diffraction experiments.     

Steric and electronic effects in stabilizing allyl-palladium complexes of “P-N-P” ligands, X2PN(Me)PX2 (X = OC6H5 or OC6H3Me2-2,6)

The chemistry of η³-allyl palladium complexes of the diphosphazane ligands, X₂PN(Me)PX₂ [X = OC₆H₅ (1) or OC₆H₃Me₂-2,6 (2)] has been investigated.The reactions of the phenoxy derivative, (PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂ with [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ (R′ = R″ = H or Me; R′ = H, R″ = Me) give exclusively the palladium dimer, [Pd₂{μ-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}₂Cl₂] (3); however, the analogous reaction with [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ (R′ = R″ = Ph) gives the palladium dimer and the allyl palladium complex [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(1)](PF₆) (R′ = R″ = Ph) (4). On the other hand, the 2,6-dimethylphenoxy substituted derivative 2 reacts with (allyl) palladium chloro dimers to give stable allyl palladium complexes, [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(2)](PF₆) [R′ = R″ = H (5), Me (7) or Ph (8); R′ = H, R″ = Me (6)].Detailed NMR studies reveal that the complexes 6 and 7 exist as a mixture of isomers in solution; the relatively less favourable isomer, anti-[Pd(η³-1-Me-C₃H₄)(2)](PF₆) (6b) and syn/anti-[Pd(η³-1,3-Me₂-C₃H₃)(2)](PF₆) (7b) are present to the extent of 25% and 40%, respectively. This result can be explained on the basis of the steric congestion around the donor phosphorus atoms in 2. The structures of four complexes (4, 5, 7a and 8) have been determined by X-ray crystallography; only one isomer is observed in the solid state in each case.     

Synthesis and protonolysis of neutral aluminum dihydride compounds stabilized by tridentate-substituted pyrrolyl ligands: Synthesis, structural characterization and ring-opening polymerization of ?-caprolactone

A series of aluminum compounds containing tridentate pyrrolyl ligands were obtained from related aluminum dihydride compounds via protonolysis. Treatment of tetranuclear aluminum compound [C₄H₂N{2,5-(CH₂NMe₂)₂}Al₂H₅]₂ (1) with two equivalents of [C₄H₃N{2,5-(CH₂NMe₂)₂}] in methylene chloride at 0 °C led to the formation of [C₄H₂N{2,5-(CH₂NMe₂)₂}]AlH₂ (2). Similarly, when the deuterated aluminum compound 1D was used, the corresponding aluminum compound [C₄H₂N{2,5-(CH₂NMe₂)₂}]AlD₂ (2D) could be isolated. The reaction of 2 with one or two equivalents of phenylethyne, triphenylmethanethiol, 2,6-diisopropylaniline, or triphenylsilanol generated mononuclear aluminum compounds [[C₄H₂N{2,5-(CH₂NMe₂)₂}]AlRR′ (3, R = -CCPh, R′ = H; 4, R = R′ = -CCPh; 5, R = -SCPh₃, R′ = H; 6, R = R′ = -SCPh₃; 7, R = -NH(2,6-ⁱPr₂Ph), R′ = H; 8, R = R′ = -NH(2,6-ⁱPr₂Ph); 9, R = -OSiPh₃, R′ = H; 10, R = R′ = -OSiPh₃). Related Al-D compounds of 3, 5, 7 and 9 were also synthesized and corresponding IR spectroscopic data well matched in comparison of the stretching frequencies of Al-H and Al-D. The molecular structures of 2D, 4, 5, 5D, 7, and 10 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 2, 5, and 7 initiated the ring-opening polymerization of ?-caprolactone and produced high-molecular weight of poly-?-caprolactone.     

Substituted lithiumtrimethylsiloxysilanides LiSiRR′(OSiMe3) - Investigations of their synthesis, stability and reactivity

The reactions of the trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RR′SiCl (1a-h: R′ = Ph, 1a: R = H, 1b: R = Me, 1c: R = Et, 1d: R = ⁱPr, 1e: R = ^tBu, 1f: R = Ph, 1g: R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes), 1h: R = 2,4,6-(Me₂CH)₃C₆H₂ (Tip); 1i: R = R′ = Mes) with lithium metal in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C and in a mixture of THF/diethyl ether/n-pentane in a volume ratio 4:1:1 at −110 °C lead to mixtures of numerous compounds. Dependent on the substituents silyllithium derivatives (Me₃SiO)RR′SiLi (2b-i), Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂Li (3a-g), Me₃SiRR′SiLi (4a-h), (LiO)RR′SiLi (12e, 12g-i), trisiloxanes (Me₃SiO)₂SiRR′ (5a-i) and trimethylsiloxydisilanes (6f^∗, 6h^∗, 6i^∗) are formed. All silyllithium compounds were trapped with Me₃SiCl or HMe₂SiCl resulting in the following products: (Me₃SiO)RR′SiSiMe₂R″ (6b-i: R″ = Me, 7c-i: R″ = H), Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂SiMe₂R″ (8a-g: R″ = Me, 9a-g: R″ = H), Me₃SiRR′SiSiMe₂R″ (10a-h: R″ = Me, 11a-h: R″ = H) and (HMe₂SiO)RR′SiSiMe₂H (13e, 13g-i). The stability of trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2 depends on the substituents and on the temperature. (Me₃SiO)Mes₂SiLi (2i) is the most stable compound due to the high steric shielding of the silicon centre. The trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2a-g undergo partially self-condensation to afford the corresponding trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithiums Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂Li (3a-g). (Me₃)Si-O bond cleavage was observed for 2e and 2g-i. The relatively stable trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2f, 2g and 2i react with n-butyllithium under nucleophilic butylation to give the n-butyl-substituted silyllithiums ⁿBuRR′SiLi (15g, 15f, 15i), which were trapped with Me₃SiCl. By reaction of 2g and 2i with 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene the corresponding 1,1-diarylsilacyclopentenes 17g and 17i are obtained.X-ray studies of 17g revealed a folded silacyclopentene ring with the silicon atom located 0.5 Å above the mean plane formed by the four carbon ring atoms.     

Facile synthesis of achiral and chiral PCN pincer palladium(II) complexes and their application in the Suzuki and copper-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions

Five non-symmetrical PCN pincer palladium(II) complexes [PdCl{C₆H₃-2-(CHNR)-6-()}] (R = m-ClC₆H₄, R′ = Ph (2a); R = Ph, R′ = Ph (2b); R = i-Pr, R′ = Ph (2c); R = m-ClC₆H₄, R′ = i-Pr (2d); R = (S)-1-phenylethyl, R′ = Ph (2e)) have been easily prepared in only two steps from readily available m-hydroxybenzaldehyde and characterized by HRMS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR and IR spectra. The molecular structures of 2a and 2b have been further determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The obtained Pd complexes were found to be effective catalysts for the Suzuki and copper-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions which could be carried out in the undried solvent under air.     

The (phosphino)tetraphenylborate ligand in ruthenium-arene chemistry

The synthesis of a series of anionic half-sandwich ruthenium-arene complexes [E][RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene){PR₂(p-Ph₃BC₆H₄)}] (E = Bu₄N⁺: R = Ph, 1a, ⁱPr, 1b or Cy, 1c; E = bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium or PNP⁺: R = Ph, 1a′, ⁱPr, 1b′ or Cy, 1c′) are reported. X-ray crystallographic studies of 1a′ and 1b′ confirmed the three-legged piano-stool coordination geometry. In solution, complexes 1a-c and 1a′-c′ are proposed to form monomer-dimer equilibria as a result of chloride ligand dissociation. Complexes 1a-c and 1a′-c′ also form the formally neutral zwitterionic complexes [RuCl(L)(η⁶-p-cymene){PR₂(p-Ph₃BC₆H₄)}] (L = pyridine: R = Ph, 2a, ⁱPr, 2b or Cy, 2c; L = MeCN: R = Ph, 3a, ⁱPr, 3b or Cy, 3c) via chloride ligand abstraction using AgNO₃ or MeOTf.     

Syntheses and characterization of η-cyclopentadienyl and η-indenyl ruthenium(II) complexes of arylazoimidazoles: The molecular structure of the complex [(η-C5H5)Ru(PPh3)(C6H5-NN-C3H3N2)]

The complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl] (1) reacts with several arylazoimidazole (RaaiR′) ligands, viz., 2-(phenylazo)imidazole (Phai-H), 1-methyl-2-(phenylazo)imidazole (Phai-Me), 1-ethyl-2-(phenylazo)imidazole (Phai-Et), 2-(tolylazo)imidazole (Tai-H), 1-methyl-2-(tolylazo)imidazole (Tai-Me) and 1-ethyl-2-(tolylazo)imidazole (Tai-Et), gave complexes of the type [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)(RaaiR′)]⁺ {where R, R′ = H (2), R = H, R′ = CH₃ (3), R = H, R′ = C₂H₅ (4), R = CH₃, R′ = H (5), R, R′ = CH₃ (6), R = CH₃, R′ = C₂H₅ (7)}. The complex [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(PPh₃)₂(CH₃CN)]⁺ (8) undergoes reactions with a series of N,N-donor azo ligands in methanol yielding complexes of the type [(η⁵-C₉H₇) Ru(PPh₃)(RaaiR′)]⁺ {where R, R′ = H (9), R = H, R′ = CH₃ (10), R = CH₃, R′ = H (11), R = CH₃, R′ = C₂H₅ (12)}, respectively. These complexes were characterized by FT IR and FT NMR spectroscopy as well as by analytical data. The molecular structure of the complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)(C₆H₅-NN-C₃H₃N₂)]⁺ (2) was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Allylpalladium (II) complexes with dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinate ligands: Synthesis, structure, spectroscopy and their transformation into palladium chalcogenides

The synthesis, characterization and thermal behavior of new monomeric allylpalladium (II) complexes with dichalcogenoamidodiphosphinate anions are reported. The complexes [R = H, R′ = Prⁱ, E = S (1a); R = H, R′ = Prⁱ, E = Se (1b); R = H, R′ = Ph, E = S (1c); R = H, R′ = Ph, E = Se (1d); R = Me, R′ = Prⁱ, E = S (2a); R = Me, R′ = Prⁱ, E = Se (2b); R = Me, R′ = Ph, E = S (2c); R = Me, R′ = Ph, E = Se (2d)] have been prepared by room temperature reaction of [Pd(η³-CH₂C(R)CH₂)(acac)] (acac = acetylacetonate) with dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinic acids in acetonitrile solution. The complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ³¹P{¹H}, ⁷⁷Se{¹H}), FT-IR and elemental analyses. The crystal structures of complexes 1a, 1d and 2d have been reported and they consist of a six-membered PdE₂P₂N ring (E = S for 1a and Se for 1d and 2d) and an allyl group, C₃H₄R(R = H for 1a and 1d and Me for 2d). Thermogravimetric studies have been carried out for few representative complexes. The complexes thermally decompose in argon atmosphere to leave a residue of palladium chalcogenides, which have been characterized by PXRD, SEM and EDS.     

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical behavior of unsymmetric transition metal-terminated biphenyl ethynyl thiols

The synthesis of the biphenyl alkynyl thiols and thioesters R′-CC-C₆H₄-C₆H₄-SR (3: R′ = SiMe₃, R = C(O)Me; 4: R′ = SiMe₃, R = H; 5: R′ = H, R = C(O)Me) from I-C₆H₄-C₆H₄-SC(O)Me (1) is described. Molecules 1 and 5 have been used as starting materials in the synthesis of mono- and heterobimetallic transition metal complexes of type L_nM′-CC-C₆H₄-C₆H₄-SR (7: L_nM′ = Fc, R = C(O)Me; 8: L_nM′ = Fc, R = H; 10: L_nM′ = (Ph₃P)Au, R = C(O)Me; 14: L_nM′ = FcPPh₂-Au, R = C(O)Me; Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe; FcPPh₂ = (η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)Fe). While complex 7is accessible by the Sonogashira cross-coupling of Fc-CCH (6) with 1, molecules 10 and 14 can be prepared by treatment of the thioester 5 with (Ph₃P)AuCl (9) and FcPPh₂-AuCl (13), respectively.The molecular solid state structures of 3, 7, 10 and 13-15 have been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. Typical features of these species are their linear M-CC-C₆H₄-C₆H₄-SR structure and the lack of coplanarity of the biphenyl arene rings. The overall length of these complexes are 13.345(2) Å for 3 (molecule A), 15.146(3) Å for 7, 15.705(2) Å for 10 (molecule A) and 15.649(4) Å for 14. The thioester groups are pointing away from the ferrocene building block. In 7 a linear 1D chain is set-up by π-interactions between two independent molecules of 7. Characteristic for 15 is the formation of a Au₂I₂ ring, while 13 is monomeric.All compounds were studied with cyclic voltammetry. Characteristic are the reversible ferrocene Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox wave, the irreversible reduction of Au(I) to Au(0), the oxidative cleavage of the S-C(O)Me sulfur-carbon (3, 5, 7, 10 and 14) and of the sulfur-hydrogen bond (4 and 8), respectively. Electronic effects extending from the -SH-end group to the ferrocene unit resulting in considerable shifts of the redox potential of the latter entity are found. Coordination of Au(I) at the FcPPh₂ moiety also results in a shift of the redox potential of the ferrocene group indicative of an electron withdrawing effect of the Au(I) species.     

Synthesis, characterization and bromination of bis(phosphinoferrocenyl) gold(I) compounds

Reaction of [(dppf)Au₂Br₂] (3) {dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene} and [(dippf)Au₂Br₂] (4) {dippf = 1,1′-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ferrocene} with excess bromine yields two new complexes [(C₅H₄Br₃)(PR₂)AuBr] (R = Ph, 5; R = i-Pr, 6). Bromination of the free diphosphinoferrocene ligands produces the expected brominated cyclopentenes (C₅H₄Br₃)(PR₂) (R = Ph, 7; R = i-Pr, 8) in good yields; however, these compounds could not be complexed to gold due to reduced basicity of 7 and 8. When the bromination is performed under wet aerobic conditions the oxidized pseudo-centrosymmetric product, [doppf][FeBr₄] (9) {doppf = 1,1′-bis(oxodiphenylphosphino)ferrocene, is formed as the major product. Solid-state structures of 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9 have been established by means of single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and reactivity of asymmetrically substituted ansa-bridged zirconocene complexes: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{R(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}Cl2] (R = Bu, Bu) and [Zr{Bu(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}(CH2Ph)2]

The dialkyl complexes, (R = Prⁱ, R′ = Me (2a), CH₂Ph (3a); R = Buⁿ, R′ = Me (2b), CH₂Ph (3b); R = Bu^t, R′ = Me (2c), CH₂Ph (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Me (2d), CH₂Ph (3d)), have been synthesized by the reaction of the ansa-metallocene dichloride complex, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (R = Prⁱ (1a), Buⁿ (1b), Bu^t (1c), Ph (1d)), and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Gringard reagent. The insertion reaction of the isocyanide reagent, CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6, into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of 2 gave the corresponding η²-iminoacyl derivatives, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}{η²-MeCNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6}Me] (R = Prⁱ (4a), Buⁿ (4b), Bu^t (4c), Ph (4d)). The molecular structures of 1b, 1c and 3b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Reactions of trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes with lithium metal - On the mechanism of the formation of trimethylsiloxysilyllithium compounds LiSiRR’(OSiMe3)

The reaction pathway for the formation of the trimethylsiloxysilyllithium compounds (Me₃SiO)RR′SiLi (2a: R = Et, 2b: R = ⁱPr, 2c: R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes); 2a-c: R′ = Ph; 2d: R = R′ = Mes) starting from the conversion of the corresponding trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RR′SiCl (1a-d) in the presence of excess lithium in a mixture of THF/diethyl ether/n-pentane at −110 °C was investigated.The trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RPhSiCl (1a: R = Et, 1b: R = ⁱPr, 1c: R = Mes) react with lithium to give initially the trimethylsiloxysilyllithium compounds (Me₃SiO)RPhSiLi (2a-c). These siloxysilyllithiums 2 couple partially with more trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes 1 to produce the siloxydisilanes (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-SiPhR(OSiMe₃) (Ia-c), and they undergo bimolecular self-condensation affording the trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithium compounds (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-RPhSiLi (3a-c). The siloxydisilanes I are cleaved by excess of lithium to give the trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums (Me₃SiO)RPhSiLi (2). In the case of the two trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithiums (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-RPhSiLi (3a: R = Et, 3b: R = ⁱPr) a reaction with more trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RPhSiCl (1a, 1b) takes place under formation of siloxytrisilanes (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-RPhSi-SiPhR(OSiMe₃) (IIa: R = Et, IIb: R = ⁱPr) which are cleaved by lithium to yield the trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums (Me₃SiO)RPhSiLi (2a, 2b) and the trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithiums (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-RPhSiLi (3a, 3b). The dimesityl-trimethylsiloxy-silyllithium (Me₃SiO)Mes₂SiLi (2d) was obtained directly by reaction of the trimethylsiloxychlorosilane (Me₃SiO)Mes₂SiCl (1d) and lithium without formation of the siloxydisilane intermediate. Both silyllithium compounds 2 and 3 were trapped with HMe₂SiCl giving the products (Me₃SiO)RR′Si-SiMe₂H and (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-RPhSi-SiMe₂H.     

Bimetallic nickel complexes of macrocyclic tetraiminodiphenols and their ethylene polymerization

Schiff’s base condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4-R-phenol and affords 34-membered macrocyclic tetraiminodiphenol compounds, (R = H and R′ = iPr, 1; R = Me and R′ = iPr, 2; R = F and R′ = iPr, 3; R = Me and R′ = Et, 4; R = F and R′ = Et, 5) in good yields (47-62%), from which dinuclear nickel complexes, (R = H and R′ =  iPr, 6; R = Me and R′ = iPr, 7; R = F and R′ = iPr, 8) are prepared. Molecular structures of 2, dipotassium salt of 1, and 7 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Addition of B(C₆F₅)₃ to a toluene solution of 6-8 gives insoluble precipitates which show good activity for ethylene polymerization.     

Olefin-aminocarbyne coupling in diiron complexes: Synthesis of new bridging aminoallylidene complexes

The bridging aminocarbyne complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 1a; Xyl, 1b; 4-C₆H₄OMe, 1c; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆ H₃) react with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate, in the presence of Me₃NO and NaH, to give the corresponding μ-allylidene complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³- C_α(N(Me)(R))C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R′)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = Me, R′ = CN, 3a; R = Xyl, R′ = CN, 3b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = CN, 3c; R = Me, R′ = CO₂Me, 3d; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = CO₂Me, 3e). Likewise, 1a reacts with styrene or diethyl maleate, under the same reaction conditions, affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(R′)C_γ(H)(R″)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = H, R″ = C₆H₅, 3f; R′ = R″ = CO₂Et, 3g). The corresponding reactions of [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(CH₂Ph)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (1d) with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate afford the complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(Me)(CH₂Ph))C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R′)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = CN, 3h; CO₂Me, 3i), respectively.The coupling reaction of olefin with the carbyne carbon is regio- and stereospecific, leading to the formation of only one isomer. C-C bond formation occurs selectively between the less substituted alkene carbon and the aminocarbyne, and the C_β-H, C_γ-H hydrogen atoms are mutually trans.The reactions with acrylonitrile, leading to 3a-c and 3h involve, as intermediate species, the nitrile complexes [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NC-CHCH₂)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (M = Fe, R = Me, 4a; M = Fe, R = Xyl, 4b; M = Fe, R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, 4c; M = Ru, R = CH₂C₆H₅, 4d).Compounds 3a, 3d and 3f undergo methylation (by CH₃SO₃CF₃) and protonation (by HSO₃CF₃) at the nitrogen atom, leading to the formation of the cationic complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(Me)₃)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CN, 5a; R = CO₂Me, 5b; R = C₆H₅, 5c) and [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(H)(Me)₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CN, 6a; R = CO₂Me, 6b; R = C₆H₅, 6c), respectively.Complex 3a, adds the fragment [Fe(CO)₂(THF)(Cp)]⁺, through the nitrile functionality of the bridging ligand, leading to the formation of the complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(CNFe(CO)₂Cp)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (9).In an analogous reaction, 3a and [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃], in the presence of Me₃NO, are assembled to give the tetrameric species [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(CN[Fe₂{μ- CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂])}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 10a; R = Xyl, 10b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, 10c).The molecular structures of 3a and 3b have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

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

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

Syntheses, structures and catalytic activity of copper(II) complexes with hydroxyindanimine ligands

A series of new hydroxyindanimine ligands [ArNCC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)OH] (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃, R = H (HL¹), R = Cl (HL²), and R = Me (HL³)) were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of hydroxyindanimine with Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O results in the formation of the mononuclear bis(hydroxyindaniminato)copper(II) complexes Cu[ArNCC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₂ (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃, R = H (1), R = Cl (2), and R = Me (3)). The complex 2′ was obtained from the chlorobenzene solution of the complex 2, which has the same molecule formula with the complex 2 but it is a polymorph. All copper(II) complexes were characterized by their IR and elemental analyses. In addition, X-ray structure analyses were performed for complexes 1, 2, and 2′. After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), complexes 1-3 can be used as catalysts for the vinyl polymerization of norbornene with moderate catalytic activities. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene have been investigated for various reaction conditions.     

Synthetic and X-ray diffraction studies of borosiloxane cages [R′Si(ORBO)3SiR′] and the adducts of [BuSi{O(PhB)O}3SiBu] with pyridine or N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine

Eleven borosiloxane [R′Si(ORBO)₃SiR′] compounds where R′ = Bu^t and R = Ph (1), 4-PhC₆H₄ (2), 4-Bu^tC₆H₄ (3), 3-NO₂C₆H₄ (4), 4-CH(O)C₆H₄ (5), CpFeC₅H₄ (6), 4-C(O)CH₃C₆H₄ (7), 4-ClC₆H₄ (8), 2,4-F₂C₆H₃ (9), and R′ = cyclo-C₆H₁₁ and R = Ph (10), and 4-BrC₆H₄ (11) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (IR, NMR), mass spectrometric and, for compounds where R′ = Bu^t and R = 4-PhC₆H₄ (2), 4-Bu^tC₆H₄ (3), 3-NO₂C₆H₄ (4), CpFeC₅H₄ (6) and 2,4-F₂C₆H₃ (9), X-ray diffraction studies. These compounds contain trigonal planar RBO₂ and tetrahedral R′SiO₃ units located around 11-atom “spherical” Si₂O₆B₃ cores. The dimensions of the Si₂O₆B₃ cores in compounds 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 are remarkably similar. The reaction between [Bu^tSi{O(PhB)O}₃SiBu^t] (1), and excess pyridine yields the 1:1 adduct [Bu^tSi{O(PhB)O}SiBu^t]. NC₅H₅ (12) while the reaction between 1 and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine in equimolar amounts affords a 2:1 borosiloxane:amine adduct [Bu^tSi{O(PhB)O}₃SiBu^t]₂ · Me₂NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (13). Compounds 12 and 13 were characterised with IR and (¹H, ¹³C and¹¹B) NMR spectroscopies and the structure of the pyridine complex 12 was determined with X-ray techniques.     

New alkenyl-substituted group 4 C-ansa-metallocene complexes. Reactivity of the substituent at the carbon ansa bridge

The allyl-substituted group 4 metal complexes [M{(R)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti, R = CH₂CHCH₂, (2); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂ (3); M = Zr, R = CH₂CHCH₂ (4), R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂ (5)] have been synthesized by the reaction of allyl ansa-magnesocene derivatives and the tetrachloride salts of the corresponding transition metal. The dialkyl complexes ] [M = Ti, R = CH₂=CHCH₂, R′ = Me (6), R′ = CH₂Ph (7); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂, R′ = Me (8), R′ = CH₂Ph (9); M = Zr, R = CH₂CHCH₂, R′ = Me (10), R′ = CH₂Ph (11); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂, R′ = Me (12), R′ = CH₂Ph (13)] have been synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding ansa-metallocene dichloride complexes 2-5 and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Grignard reagent. Compounds 2-5 reacted with H₂ under catalytic conditions (Wilkinson’s catalyst or Pd/C) to give the hydrogenation products [M{(R)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = CH₂CH₂CH₃ (14) or R = CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ (15); M = Zr and R = CH₂CH₂CH₃ (16) or R = CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ (17)]. The reactivity of 2-5 has also been tested in hydroboration and hydrosilylation reactions. The hydroboration reactions of 3, 4 and 5 with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN) yielded the complexes [M{(9-BBN)CH₂CH(R)CH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = H (18); M = Zr and R = H (19) or R = CH₃ (20)]. The reaction with the silane reagents HSiMe₂Cl gave the corresponding [M{ClMe₂SiCH₂CHRCH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = H (21); M = Zr and R = H (22) or R = CH₃ (23)]. The reaction of 22 with t-BuMe₂SiOH produced a new complex [Zr{t-BuMe₂SiOSi(Me₂)CH₂CH₂CH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (24) through the formation of Si-O-Si bonds. On the other hand, reactivity studies of some zirconocene complexes were carried out, with the insertion reaction of phenyl isocyanate (PhNCO) into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of [Zr{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}₂Me₂] (25) giving [{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)]}Zr{Me{κ²-O,N-OC(Me)NPh}] as a mixture of two isomers 26a-b. The reaction of [Zr{(n-Bu)(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(CH₂Ph)₂] (27) with CO also provided a mixture of two isomers [{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)]}Zr(CH₂Ph){κ²-O,C-COCH₂Ph}] 28a-b. The molecular structures of 4, 11, 16 and 17 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Hydride addition at μ-vinyliminium ligand obtained from disubstituted alkynes

New μ-vinylalkylidene complexes cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(R′)C_β(R″)C_αHN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = Me, R′ = R″ = Me, 3a; R = Me, R′ = R″ = Et, 3b; R = Me, R′ = R″ = Ph, 3c; R = CH₂Ph, R′ = R″ = Me, 3d; R = CH₂Ph, R′ = R″ = COOMe, 3e; R = CH₂ Ph, R′ = SiMe₃, R″ = Me, 3f) have been obtained b yreacting the corresponding vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(R′)C_β(R″)C_αN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (2a-f) with NaBH₄. The formation of 3a-f occurs via selective hydride addition at the iminium carbon (C_α) of the precursors 2a-f. By contrast, the vinyliminium cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ (R′) = C_β(R″)C_α = N(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R′ = R″ = COOMe, 4a; R′ = R″ = Me, 4b; R′ = Prⁿ, R″ = Me, 4c; Prⁿ = CH₂CH₂CH₃, Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) undergo H⁻ addition at the adjacent C_β, affording the bis-alkylidene complexes cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(R′)C(H)(R″)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂], (5a-c). The cis and trans isomers of [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(Et)C_β(Et)C_αN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (4d) react differently with NaBH₄: the former reacts at C_α yielding cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(Et)C_β(Et)C_αHN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂], 6a, whereas the hydride attack occurs at C_β of the latter, leading to the formation of the bis alkylidene trans-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(Et)C(H)(Et)CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (5d). The structure of 5d has been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. Other μ-vinylalkylidene complexes cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(R′)C_β(R″)C_αHN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂], (R′ = R″ = Ph, 6b; R′ = R″ = Me, 6c) have been prepared, and the structure of 6c has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Compound 6b results from treatment of cis-[Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_γ(Ph)C_β(Ph)C_αN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (4e) with NaBH₄, whereas 6c has been obtained by reacting 4b with LiHBEt₃. Both cis-4d and trans-4d react with LiHBEt₃ affording cis-6a.