Syntheses of rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C5H3)2}-Zr{RN(CH2)3NR}, structural analyses of rac-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C5H3)2}Zr{RN(CH2)3NR} (where R is SiMe3 or Ph), and meso to rac isomerization

Syntheses of rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂}Zr{Me₃SiN(CH₂)₃NSiMe₃} (rac-3/meso-3) and rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂}Zr{PhN(CH₂)₃NPh} (rac-4/meso-4) were achieved by metallation of K₂[PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂] · 1.3 THF (2) with Zr{RN(CH₂)₃NR}Cl₂(THF)₂ (where R = SiMe₃ or Ph, respectively) using ethereal solvent. These isomeric pairs were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy; rac-3 and rac-4 were also examined via single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures of rac-3 and rac-4 are notable in the tendency of the cyclopentadienyl rings towards η³ coordination. While isolated samples of rac-3/meso-3 and rac-4/meso-4 slowly isomerize in tetrahydrofuran-d₈ to equilibrium ratios, the isomerization rate for 3 is more than 15-fold greater than that for 4. In addition, equilibrium ratios are rapidly reached when isolated samples of rac-3/meso-3 and rac-4/meso-4 are exposed to tetrabutylammonium chloride in tetrahydrofuran-d₈ solvent. We propose that a nucleophile (either chloride or the phosphine interannular linker) brings about dissociation of one cyclopentadienyl ring, thus promoting the rac/meso isomerization mechanism.     

Reactivity of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine with [Re2(CO)8(CH3CN)2]: Molecular structures of [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)] and [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)Re2(CO)8]

The reaction of the labile compound [Re₂(CO)₈(CH₃CN)₂] with 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine in dichloromethane solution at reflux temperature afforded the structural dirhenium isomers [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)] (1 and 2), and the complex [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)Re₂(CO)₈] (3). In 1, the ligand is σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated to a Re(CO)₃ fragment through pyridine and pyrazine to form a five-membered chelate ring. A seven-membered ring is obtained for isomer 2 by N-coordination of the 2-pyridyl groups while the pyrazine ring remains uncoordinated. For 2, isomers 2a and 2b are found in a dynamic equilibrium ratio [2a]/[2b]  =  7 in solution, detected by ¹H NMR (−50 °C, CD₃COCD₃), coalescence being observed above room temperature. The ligand in 3 behaves as an 8e-donor bridge bonding two Re(CO)₃ fragments through two (σ,σ′-N,N′) interactions. When the reaction was carried out in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, complex [Re₂(CO)₆(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)₂] (4) was obtained in addition to compounds 1-3. The dinuclear rhenium derivative 4 contains two units of the organic ligand σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated in a chelate form to each rhenium core. The X-ray crystal structures for 1 and 3 are reported.     

The preparation of [closo-1-CB9H8-1-COOH-10-(4-C3H7C5H9S)] as intermediate to polar liquid crystals

The preparation of iodo acid [closo-1-CB₉H₈-1-COOH-10-I]⁻ (1) is optimized and scaled from 1 to 40 g of B₁₀H₁₄. The improved preparation of the [arachno-6-CB₉H₁₃-6-COOH]⁻ (5) uses four times smaller volume and can be run conveniently in up to 40 g scale in a 3-L vessel. The optimized oxidation of 5 to [closo-2-CB₉H₉-2-COOH]⁻ (4) requires less oxidant, 12 times smaller volume, and significantly shorter reaction time. The overall yields of the iodo acid 1 as the [NMe₄]⁺ salt are typically 8-10% (10-12 g) for 40 g of B₁₀H₁₄. The iodo acid 1 was transformed to amino acid 8, then to dinitrogen acid 10, and finally to sulfonium acid 2[3] in overall yield of about 13%. The search for a more efficient phosphine ligand for the Pd-catalyzed amination process was not fruitful. Three routes to the sulfonium acid 2[n] were investigated, and the best yield of about 47% was obtained for Cs₂CO₃-assisted cycloalkylation. Liquid crystalline ester of acid 2[3] and 4-butoxyphenol was prepared and investigated.     

Synthesis and structures of crystalline lithium 1-azaallyls and a 1,3-diazaallyl derived from Li{CH(SiMe3)(SiMe3−n(OMe)n)} (n=1 or 2) and Li{CH(SiMe2OMe)2} and RCN (R=Bu, Ph, 2,5-Me2C6H3, or Ad)

Crystalline [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(^tBu)C(H)(SiMe₃)}]₂ (5), [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(Ph)C(H)(SiMe₃)}]₂ (6), [C(C₆H₃Me₂-2,5)C(H)(SiMe₃)}(TMEDA)](7), [Li{N(SiMe(OMe)₂)C(^tBu)C(H)(SiMe₃)}(THF)]₂ (8), Li{N(SiMe(OMe)₂)C(Ph)C(H)(SiMe₃)}(TMEDA) (9) and [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(^tBu)C(H)(SiMe₂OMe)}]₂ (10) were readily obtained at ambient temperature from (i) [Li{CH(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂OMe)}]₈ (1) and an equivalent portion of RCN (R=^tBu (5), Ph (6) or 2,5-Me₂C₆H₃ (7)); (ii) [Li{CH(SiMe₃)(SiMe(OMe)₂)}]_∞ (2) and an equivalent portion of ^tBuCN (8) or PhCN (9); and (iii) [Li{CH(SiMe₂OMe)₂}]_∞ (3) and one equivalent of ^tBuCN (10). Reactions (i) and (ii) were regiospecific with SiMe_3−n(OMe)_n>SiMe₃ in 1,3-migration from C (in 1 or 2)→N. The 1-azaallyl ligand was bound to the lithium atom as a terminally bound κ¹-enamide (8 and 10), a bridging η³-1-azaallyl (6), or a bridging κ¹-enamide (5). The stereochemistry about the CC bond was Z for 5, 8 and 10 and E for 7. X-ray data are provided for 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 and multinuclear NMR spectra data in C₆D₆ or C₆D₅CD₃ for each of 5-10.     

Reactions of P4S10 and pyPS2Cl with N,N′-diphenylurea and N,N′-diphenylthiourea

The reaction of P₄S₁₀ (1) with N,N′-diphenylurea (PhNH)₂CO (2) results in new heterocyclic compounds: the pyridinium salt of 1,3-diphenyl-2-sulfido-2-thioxo-1,3-diaza-2λ⁵-phosphetidine (3) (with a P–N–C–N cycle) and the pyridinium salt of 1,4-diphenyl-2,5-disulfido-2,5-dithioxo-1,4-dithiadiaza-2λ⁵,5λ⁵-diphosphinane (4), containing the (P–S–N)₂ cycle and the cyclic thiophosphates [pyH]₂[P₂S₈] (5), [pyH]₂[P₂S₇] (6) and [pyH]₃[P₃S₉] (7). A similar reaction, but carried out with N,N′-diphenylthiourea (PhNH)₂CS (8), leads to the formation of 4 and 6. pyPS₂Cl (9), used as an alternative starting material, also yields compounds 3, 4, 5, and further [pyH][PS₂Cl₂] (10) and S₈ after reaction with 2. Compound 3 reacts with Pd(CH₃COO)₂, with the formation of the complex [Pd(Ph₂N₂COPS₂)₂] (11). The crystal structures of 3 and 7 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Chemically modified oximato complexes of titanium(IV) isopropoxide as new precursors for the sol-gel preparation of nano-sized titania: Crystal and molecular structure of [Ti{ONC10H16}4·2CH2Cl2]

Reactions of [Ti(OPrⁱ)₄] with various oximes, in anhydrous refluxing benzene yielded complexes of the type [Ti{OPrⁱ}_4−n{L}_n], where, n = 1-4 and LH = (CH₃)₂CNOH (1-4), C₉H₁₆CNOH (5-8) and C₉H₁₈CNOH (9-12). The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements, FAB-mass, FT-IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}) spectral studies. The FAB-mass spectra of mono- (1), and di- (2), (6), (10) substituted products indicate their dimeric nature and that of tri- (3) and tetra- (4), (8) substituted derivatives suggest their monomeric nature. Crystal and molecular structure of [Ti{ONC₁₀H₁₆}₄·2CH₂Cl₂] (8A) suggests that the oximato ligands bind the metal in a dihapto η²-(N, O) manner, leading to the formation of an eight coordinated species. Thermogravimetric curves of (3), (6) and (10) exhibit multi-step decomposition with the formation of TiO₂ as the final product in each case, at 900 °C. Low temperature (∼600 °C) sol-gel transformations of (2), (3), (4), (6), (7) and (8) yielded nano-sized titania (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), respectively. Formation of anatase phase in all the titania samples was confirmed by powder XRD patterns, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. SEM images of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) exhibit formation of nano-grains with agglomer like surface morphologies. Compositions of all the titania samples were investigated by EDX analyses. The absorption spectra of the two representative samples, (a) and (f) indicate an energy band gap of 3.17 eV and 3.75 eV, respectively.     

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl2{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}] with a series of small molecules

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl₂(κ⁴-P4)] (2; P4 = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂) with a series of small molecules have been investigated. Thus, treatment of 2 with alkynes RCCR′ (R = Ph, R′ = H; R = p-tolyl, R′ = H; R = Me, R′ = Ph) in benzene or toluene gave neutral mono(alkyne) complexes [MoCl₂(RCCR′)(κ³-P4)] containing tridentate P4 ligand, which were converted to cationic complexes [MoCl(RCCR′)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl having tetradentate P4 ligand upon dissolution into CDCl₃ or CD₂Cl₂. The latter complexes were available directly from the reactions of 2 with the alkynes in CH₂Cl₂. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with 1 equiv. of XyNC (Xy = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) afforded a seven-coordinate mono(isocyanide) complex [MoCl₂(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)] (7), which reacted further with XyNC to give a cationic bis(isocyanide) complex [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (8). From the reaction of 2 with CO, a mono(carbonyl) complex [MoCl₂(CO)(κ⁴-P4)] (9) was obtained as a sole isolable product. Reaction of 9 with XyNC afforded [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (10a) having a pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry with axial CO and XyNC ligands, whereas that of 7 with CO resulted in the formation of a mixture of 10a and its isomer 10b containing axial CO and Cl ligands. Structures of 7 and 9 as well as [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆](8′) and [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆] (10a′) derived by the anion metathesis from 8 and 10a, respectively, were determined in detail by the X-ray crystallography.     

Convenient syntheses of fluorous phenols of the formula HOC6H5−n((CH2)3(CF2)7CF3)n (n=1, 2) and the corresponding triarylphosphites

The aldehydic benzyl ethers PhCH₂OC₆H₄CHO (2; a/b = para/meta series) are readily available from the corresponding phenols and react with Wittig reagents derived from [Ph₃PCH₂CH₂R_f8]⁺I⁻ (R_f8=(CF₂)₇CF₃) to give PhCH₂OC₆H₄CHCHCH₂R_f8 (86-93%, Z major). Reactions with H₂ over Pd/C give the fluorous phenols HOC₆H₄(CH₂)₃R_f8(4a,b; 87-91%). Condensations with PCl₃ and NEt₃ (3.0:1.0:3.3 mol ratio) give the fluorous phosphites P[OC₆H₄(CH₂)₃R_f8]₃(5a,b; 92-94%), but traces of 4a,b are difficult to remove. The phthalate-based benzyl ethers PhCH₂OC₆H₃(COOR)₂ (7; ,5/3,4 OC₆H₃-3,n-(R)₂ series) are easily accessed and reduced with LiAlH₄ to the diols PhCH₂OC₆H₃(CH₂OH)₂(8c,d; 89-90%). Diol 8c and the Dess-Martin periodinane react to give the dialdehyde PhCH₂OC₆H₃(CHO)₂ (9c; 95%). This is elaborated by a sequence analogous to 2→4→5 to the fluorous phenol HOC₆H₃((CH₂)₃R_f8)₂ (11c; 97%/96%, two steps) and phosphite P[OC₆H₃((CH₂)₃R_f8)₂]₃ (12c, 92%), from which traces of 11c are difficult to remove. Diol 8d can be similarly elaborated to 11d, but the dialdehyde 9d is labile and the combined yield of the Dess-Martin/Wittig steps is 32%. The CF₃C₆F₁₁/toluene partition coefficients of 11c,d, and 12c (two pony tails; 70:30, 72:28, 92:8) are much higher than those of 4a and b (one pony tail; 12:88, 14:86).     

Synthesis and characterisation of six Fe(II or III), Co(II) or Zr(IV) complexes containing the ligand [CH(SiMe2R)P(Ph)2NSiMe3] (R = Me, NEt2) and of [Co{N(SiMe3)C(Ph)C(H)P(Ph)2NSiMe3}2]

The C,N-(trimethylsilyliminodiphenylphosphoranyl)silylmethylmetal complexes [Fe(L)₂] (3), [Co(L)₂] (4), [ZrCl₃(L)]·0.83CH₂Cl₂ (5), [Fe(L)₃] (6), [Fe(L′)₂] (7) and [Co(L′)₂] (8) have been prepared from the lithium compound Li[CH(SiMe₂R)P(Ph)₂NSiMe₃] [1a, (R = Me) {≡ Li(L)}; 1b, (R = NEt₂) {≡ Li(L′)}] and the appropriate metal chloride (or for 7, FeCl₃). From Li[N(SiMe₃)C(Ph)C(H)P(Ph)₂NSiMe₃] [≡ Li(L″)] (2), prepared in situ from Li(L) (1a) and PhCN, and CoCl₂ there was obtained bis(3-trimethylsilylimino- diphenylphosphoranyl-2-phenyl-N-trimethylsilyl-1-azaallyl-N,N′)cobalt(II) (9). These crystalline complexes 3-9 were characterised by their mass spectra, microanalyses, high spin magnetic moments (not 5) and for 5 multinuclear NMR solution spectra. The X-ray structure of 3 showed it to be a pseudotetrahedral bis(chelate), the iron atom at the spiro junction.     

Syntheses of platinum(II) complexes of cyclo-octenyl group and isolation of a self-assembled oxo-bridged macrocyclic complex [Pt4(Spy)4(C8H12-O-C8H12)2]

Reactions of [Pt₂(μ-Cl)₂(C₈H₁₂OMe)₂] (1) (C₈H₁₂OMe = 8-methoxy-cyclooct-4-ene-1-yl) with various anionic chalcogenolate ligands have been investigated. The reaction of 1 with Pb(Spy)₂ (HSpy = pyridine-2-thiol) yielded a binuclear complex [Pt₂(Spy)₂(C₈H₁₂OMe)₂] (2). A trinuclear complex [Pt₃(Spy)₄(C₈H₁₂OMe)₂] (3) was isolated by a reaction between 2 and [Pt(Spy)₂]_n. The reaction of 1 with HSpy in the presence of NaOMe generated 2 and its demethylated oxo-bridged tetranuclear complex [Pt₄(Spy)₄(C₈H₁₂-O-C₈H₁₂)₂] (4). Treatment of 1 with ammonium diisopropyldithiophosphate completely replaced C₈H₁₂OMe resulting in [Pt(S₂P{OPrⁱ}₂)₂] (5), whereas non-rigid 5-membered chelating ligand, Me₂NCH₂CH₂E⁻, produced mononuclear complexes [Pt(ECH₂CH₂NMe₂)(C₈H₁₂OMe)] (E = S (6), Se (7)). These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ¹⁹⁵Pt{¹H}) and absorption spectroscopy. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Thermolysis of 2, 6 and 7 in HDA gave platinum nanoparticles.     

Polyhedral monocarbaborane chemistry : Reactions of the [6-Ph-nido-6-CB9H11] anion with two-electron donors to yield a series of neutral arachno and closo ten-vertex monocarbaborane derivatives

Reaction of the ten-vertex [6-Ph-nido-6-CB₉H₁₁]⁻ anion (1) with two-electron donor ligands L, where L is SMe₂, NH₂Ph, NC₅H₅, NC₅H₄-para-CH₂Ph, NC₅H₄-para-Ph or NC₉H₇ (where NC₉H₇ is quinoline) in the presence of {FeCl₃(OH₂)₆} gives the six neutral arachno ten-vertex monocarbaboranes [6-Ph-9-L-arachno-6-CB₉H₁₂], compounds 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 11, respectively, isolatable in yields of up to 63%. On prolonged treatment with {FeCl₃(OH₂)₆} oxidative cluster closure of the four compounds 4, 7, 9 and 11 that have pyridine-type ligands gives the neutral closo ten-vertex monocarbaboranes [1-Ph-6-L-closo-1-CB₉H₈], compounds 6, 8, 10 and 12, respectively, in yields of 49-92%. All new species 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and NMR spectroscopy. [This paper is an annotated exposition of parts of an oral presentation at the Third Pan-European Meeting of Boron Chemists, EUROBORON-3, Pruhonice, The Czech Republic, September 2004, of which the proceedings constitute this volume of Journal of Organometallic Chemistry.]     

Synthesis and reactivity of para-substituted benzoylmethyltellurium(II and IV) compounds: observation of intermolecular C-H-O hydrogen bonding in the crystal structure of (p-MeOC6H4COCH2)2TeBr2

Bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurium dibromides, (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeBr₂, (Y=H (1a), Me (1b), MeO (1c)) can be prepared either by direct insertion of elemental Te across C_Rf-Br bonds (where C_Rf refers to α-carbon of a functionalized organic moiety) or by the oxidative addition of bromine to (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂Te (Y=H (2a), Me (2b), MeO (2c)). Bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurium dichlorides, (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeCl₂ (Y=H (3a), Me (3b), MeO (3c)), are prepared by the reaction of the bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurides 2a-c with SO₂Cl₂, whereas the corresponding diiodides (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeI₂ (Y=H (4a), Me (4b), MeO (4c)) can be obtained by the metathetical reaction of 1a-c with KI, or alternatively, by the oxidative addition of iodine to 2a-c. The reaction of 2a-c with allyl bromide affords the diorganotellurium dibromides 1a-c, rather than the expected triorganotelluronium bromides. Compounds 1-4 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy (solution and solid-state) and in case of 1c also by X-ray crystallography. (p-MeOC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeBr₂ (1c) provides, a rare example, among organotellurium compounds, of a supramolecular architecture, where C-H-O hydrogen bonds appear to be the non-covalent intermolecular associative force that dominates the crystal packing.     

Phase transitions in K3AlF6

Phase transitions in the elpasolite-type K₃AlF₆ complex fluoride were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, electron diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction. Three phase transitions were identified with critical temperatures , and . The α-K₃AlF₆ phase is stable below T₁ and crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell with a=18.8588(2)Å, b=34.0278(2)Å, c=18.9231(1)Å, β=90.453(1)° (a=2a_c−c_c, b=4b_c, c=a_c+2c_c; a_c, b_c, c_c—the basic lattice vectors of the face-centered cubic elpasolite structure) and space group I2/a or Ia. The intermediate β phase exists only in very narrow temperature interval between T₁ and T₂. The γ polymorph is stable in the T₂<T<T₃ temperature range and has an orthorhombic unit cell with a=36.1229(6)Å, b=17.1114(3)Å, c=12.0502(3)Å (a=3a_c−3c_c, b=2b_c, c=a_c+c_c) at 250 °C and space group Fddd. Above T₃ the cubic δ polymorph forms with a_c=8.5786(4)Å at 400 °C and space group . The similarity between the K₃AlF₆ and K₃MoO₃F₃ compounds is discussed.     

On the microstructure and symmetry of apparently hexagonal BaAl2O4

The P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) crystal structure reported for BaAl₂O₄ at room temperature has been carefully re-investigated by a combined transmission electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction study. It is shown that the poor fit of this P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) structure model for BaAl₂O₄ to neutron powder diffraction data is primarily due to the failure to take into account coherent scattering between different domains related by enantiomorphic twinning of the P6₃22 parent sub-structure. Fast Fourier transformation of [0 0 1] lattice images from small localized real space regions (∼10 nm in diameter) are used to show that the P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) crystal structure reported for BaAl₂O₄ is not correct on the local scale. The correct local symmetry of the very small nano-domains is most likely orthorhombic or monoclinic.     

Preparation and characterization of rhenium (I) tricarbonyl dithiocarbamate compounds; Re(CO)3(S2CNMe2)(L)

The title compounds were prepared in good yield by treatment of Re(CO)₅Cl or [Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]Br with sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate hydrate (NaS₂CNMe₂·H₂O) and a neutral ligand yielding eight Re(CO)₃(S₂CNMe₂)(L) derivatives: L = NH₃1, pyridine (py) 2, imidazole (im) 3, pyrazole (pz) 4, triphenylphospine (PPh₃) 5, 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) 6, t-butyl isocyanide (t-BuNC) 7, and cyclohexyl isocyanide (CyNC) 8. The resulting new complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and infrared spectroscopy. Each was also structurally elucidated by X-ray crystallography. General structural features in all eight compounds were similar. The orientation of the three single-faced ligands, py, im and pz, demonstrates an interaction with the filled π orbital of the dithiocarbamate. Compounds were tested for stability under conditions that mimic physiological conditions; 1-4 quickly decomposed, 7 and 8 decomposed over 24 h while 5 and 6 were stable.     

The CO and CS bond cleavage in carbon dioxide and tolyl isothiocyanate by reactions with the Mo(0) tetraphosphine complex [Mo{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)]

A Mo(0) complex containing a new tetraphosphine ligand [Mo(P₄)(dppe)] (1; P₄ = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂, dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) reacted with CO₂ (1 atm) at 60 °C in benzene to give a Mo(0) carbonyl complex fac-[Mo(CO)(η³-P₄O)(dppe)] (2), where the O abstraction from CO₂ by one terminal P atom in P₄ takes place to give the dangling P(O)Ph₂ moiety together with the coordinated CO. On the other hand, reaction of 1 with TolNCS (Tol = m-MeC₆H₄) in benzene at 60 °C resulted in the incorporation of three TolNCS molecules to the Mo center, forming a Mo(0) isocyanide-isothiocyanate complex trans,mer-[Mo(TolNC)₂(η²-TolNCS)(η³-P₄S)] (4), where the S abstraction occurs from two TolNCS molecules by P₄ and dppe to give the η³-P₄S ligand and free dppeS, respectively, together with two coordinated TolNC molecules. The remaining site of the Mo center is occupied by the third TolNCS ligating at the CS bond in an η²-manner. The X-ray analysis has been undertaken to determine the detailed structures for 2 and 4.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and structures of the uranyl tellurates AgUO2(HTeO5) and Pb2UO2(TeO6)

Two uranyl tellurates, AgUO₂(HTeO₅) (1) and Pb₂UO₂(TeO₆) (2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and were structurally, chemically, and spectroscopically characterized. 1 crystallizes in space group Pbca, a=7.085(2) Å, b=11.986(3) Å, c=13.913(4) Å, V=1181.5(5) Å³, Z=8; 2 is in P2(1)/c, a=5.742(1) Å, b=7.789(2) Å, c=7.928(2) Å, V=90.703(2) Å³, and Z=2. These are the first structures reported for uranyl compounds containing tellurate. The U⁶⁺ cations are present as (UO₂)²⁺ uranyl ions that are coordinated by O atoms to give pentagonal and square bipyramids in compounds 1 and 2, respectively. The structural unit in 1 is a sheet consisting of chains of edge-sharing uranyl pentagonal bipyramids that are one bipyramid wide, linked through the dimers of TeO₆ octahedra. In 2, uranyl square bipyramids share each of their equatorial vertices with different TeO₆ octahedra, giving a sheet with the autunite-type topology. Sheets in 1 and 2 are connected through the low-valence cations that are located in the interlayer region. The structures of 1 and 2 are compared to those of uranyl compounds containing octahedrally coordinated cations.     

Synthesis of unnatural pentahydroxylated pyrrolizidines: 5-epi- and 5,7a-di-epi-hyacinthacine C1

Stereocontrolled synthesis of 5-epi- and 5,7a-di-epi-hyacinthacine C₁ (7 and 8), two potential glycosidase inhibitors are described using α,β-unsaturated ketone 9 as homochiral starting material. The key step in the synthesis is the highly diastereoselective dihydroxylation reaction of 9, that allows the obtention of a single bis-hydroxylated ketone (10). Further derivatization into two epimeric mesylate esters followed by internal cyclization form the pyrrolizidinic compounds 7 and 8. This type of compounds can be useful in glycobiology due to their ability to inhibit carbohydrate-processing enzymes.     

Networks of icosahedra in the sodium-zinc-stannides Na16Zn13.54Sn13.46(5), Na22Zn20Sn19(1), and Na34Zn66Sn38(1)

The three new ternary phases Na₁₆Zn_13.54Sn_13.46(5) (I), Na₂₂Zn₂₀Sn₁₉₍₁₎ (II), and Na₃₄Zn₆₆Sn₃₈₍₁₎ (III) were obtained by direct fusion of the pure elements and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments: I, Ibam, Z=8, a=27.401(1), b=16.100(1), c=18.431(1) Å, R₁/wR₂ (all data)=0.051/0.088; II, Pnma, Z=4, a=16.403(1), b=15.598(1), c=22.655(6) Å, R₁/wR₂ (all data)=0.038/0.071; III, R3¯m, Z=3, a=16.956(1), c=36.861(1) Å, R₁/wR₂ (all data)=0.045/0.092. The structures consist of complex 3D cluster networks made of Zn and Sn atoms with the common motif of Kagomé nets of icosahedra. Additionally to the new heteroatomic {Zn_12−xSn_x} icosahedra that are omnipresent, triangular units, cages, and pairs of triply fused icosahedra fill the cavities of the Kagomé nets in compounds I, II, and III, respectively. Whereas I crystallizes in a new structure type, II and III have structural analogs in trielide chemistry. All three compounds closely approach the electron numbers expected for valence compounds according to the extended 8-N rule. The concept of achieving an isovalent situation to triel elements by combination of electron poorer and richer elements and the readily mixing of Zn and Sn allow the formation of icosahedral and triangular clusters without the participation of a group 13 element.