Tuning main group redox chemistry through steric loading: subvalent Group 13 metal complexes of carbazolyl ligands

The ability of substituted carbazol‐9‐yl systems to ligate in σ fashion through the amido N‐donor, or to adopt alternative coordination modes through the π system of the central five‐membered ring, can be tuned by systematic variation in the steric demands of substituents in the 1‐ and 8‐positions. The differing affinities of the two modes of coordination for hard and soft metal centres can be shown to influence not only cation selectivity, but also the redox properties of the metal centre. Thus, the highly sterically sterically demanding 1,3,6,8‐tetra‐tert‐butylcarbazolyl ligand can be used to generate the structurally characterised amido‐indium(I) complex, [{(tBu₄carb)In}_n], (together with its isostructural thallium counterpart) in which the metal centre interacts with the central pyrrolyl ring in η³ fashion [d(In? N)=2.679(3) Å; d(In? C)=2.819(3), 2.899(3) Å]. By contrast, the smaller 3,6‐di‐tert‐butylcarbazolyl system is less able to restrict the metal centre from binding at the anionic nitrogen donor in the plane of the carbazolyl ligand (i.e. in σ fashion). Analogous chemistry with In^I precursors therefore leads to disproportionation to the much harder In^II [and In⁰], and the formation of the mixed‐valence product, [In₂{In₂(tBu₂carb)₆}], a homoleptic molecular [In₄(NR₂)₆] system. This chemistry reveals a flexibility of ligation for carbazolyl systems that contrasts markedly with that of the similarly sterically encumbered terphenyl ligand family.     

Back‐bonding in Organonickel Complexes with Terpyridine Ligands – A Structural Approach

A series of organonickel complexes [(R′terpy)Ni(aryl)]X (R′terpy = derivatives of 2,2′;6′,6″‐terpyridine; R′ = 4‐H, 4‐Cl, 4‐Tol and 4,4′,4″‐^tBu₃; aryl = 2,6‐dimethylphenyl = Xyl or 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl = Mes; X = Br or PF₆) have been prepared and characterized. The crystal structures exhibit a number of intermolecular H bond type interactions, but the structure determining force seems to be the packing of the aryl co‐ligands. The molecules reveal rather undistorted square planar coordination with a N₃C ligand set, the central Ni–N bond being remarkably short, despite the expected strong trans influence of the aryl co‐ligands. The long‐wavelength absorptions were assigned to charge transfer transitions. No emission is observed at ambient temperature in the solid and in solution and at low temperature in glasses.     

Copolymerization of ethylene with 1,1‐disubstituted olefins catalyzed by ansa‐(fluorenyl)(cyclododecylamido)dimethyltitanium complexes

A series of titanium complexes with ansa‐(fluorenyl)(cyclododecylamido) ligands, Me₂Si(η³‐R)(N‐c‐C₁₂H₂₃)TiMe₂ [R = fluorenyl ( 5 ), 2,7‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 6 ), 3,6‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 7 )], was synthesized. The crystal structure of complex 6 revealed η³‐coordination of the fluorenyl moiety to the metal. Upon activation with trialkylaluminum‐free modified methylaluminoxane, complexes 5 – 7 as well as the corresponding ^tBu amide complexes, Me₂Si(η³‐R)(N^tBu)TiMe₂ [R = fluorenyl ( 2 ), 2,7‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 3 ), 3,6‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 4 )], were adopted as the catalysts for the copolymerization of ethylene (E) and isobutylene (IB). Among these complexes, complex 6 was found to achieve the highest IB incorporation to produce alternating E‐IB copolymers. Complex 6 system also achieved copolymerization of E and limonene. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Alkali Metal Di‐tert‐butylphenylsilanides — tBu2PhSiM (M = Li,Na, K) — Syntheses,Structures, and Reactivity

The alkali metal silanides tBu₂PhSiM (M = Li, Na, K) are quantitatively accessible from the reaction of tBu₂PhSiBr with alkali metals in heptane, tetrahydrofuran, and benzene at moderately elevated temperature. In contrast to the polymer structure of unsolvated tBu₂PhSiNa, the solvated di‐tert‐butylphenylsilanides tBu₂PhSiNa(THF), tBu₂PhSiK(C₆H₆), tBu₂PhSiK(THF), and tBu₂PhSiK(THF)₂ possess a novel feature in their crystal structures with a dimeric arrangement of tBu₂PhSiM units via π interaction between the tBu₂PhSi group and the alkali metal centers. The alkali metal siloxides tBu₂PhSiOM (M = Li, Na, K) can be synthesized almost quantitatively from tBu₂PhSiM (M = Li, Na, K) with N₂O in tetrahydrofuran at —78 °C. Single crystals of the silanol tBu₂PhSiOH have been obtained from the protolysis of tBu₂PhSiONa with (NH₄)₂SO₄.     

配合物(ArO)2Yb(NPh2)2K(THF)4(Ar=C6H2-t-Bu3-2,4,6)的合成、分子结构和催化行为

Reaction of anhydrous YbC13 with 2 equiv, of sodium 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxide (ArONa, Ar=C6H2-t-Bu3-2,4,6) and 2 equiv, of potassium diphenyl amide in THF afforded the first bis(aryloxo) amido-lanthanide complex of (ArO)2Yb(NPh2)2K(THF)4 (1). In 1, the ytterbium and potassium were bridged via diphenyl amido ligands.The ytterbium metal center was coordinated to two oxygen atoms of aryloxide ligands and two nitrogen atoms of diphenyl amido ligands in a conventional distorted tetrahedral fashion, while the potassium interacted in η^2-fashion with two phenyl rings of the diphenyl amido ligands besides four THF molecules. 1 displayed moderate catalytic activities for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile.     

The Synthesis of tert‐Butyl(dichloromethyl)bis(trimethylsilyl)silane and (Dibromomethyl)ditert‐butyl(trimethylsilyl)silane and their Reactions with Organolithium Derivatives

tert‐Butyl(dichloromethyl)bis(trimethylsilyl)silane ( 4 ), prepared by the reaction of tert‐butylbis(trimethylsilyl)silane with trichloromethane and potassium tert‐butoxide, reacted with 2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyllithium (TipLi) (molar ratio 1 : 2) at room temperature to give (after hydrolytic workup) the silanol tBu(2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂)Si(OH)–CH(SiMe₃)₂ ( 15 ). The formation of 15 is discussed as proceeding through the indefinitely stable silene tBu(2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂)Si=C(SiMe₃)₂ ( 13 ), but attempts to isolate the compound failed. Treatment of (dibromomethyl)ditert‐butyl(trimethylsilyl)silane ( 7 ), made from tBu₂(Me₃Si)SiH, HCBr₃ and KOtBu, with methyllithium (1 : 3) at –78 °C afforded tBu₂MeSi–CHMeSiMe₃ ( 19 ); 7 and phenyllithium (1 : 3) under similar conditions gave tBu₂PhSi–CH₂SiMe₃ ( 20 ). The reaction paths leading to 15 , 19 and 20 are discussed. Reduction of 7 with lithium in THF produced the substituted ethylene tBu₂(Me₃Si)SiCH=CHSitBu₂SiMe₃ ( 21 ). For 21 the results of an X‐ray structural analysis are given.     

Aluminium Diphosphamethanides: Hidden Frustrated Lewis Pairs

The synthesis and characterisation of two aluminium diphosphamethanide complexes, [Al(tBu)₂{κ²P,P′‐Mes*PCHPMes*}] ( 3 ) and [Al(C₆F₅)₂{κ²P,P′‐Mes*PCHPMes*}] ( 4 ), and the silylated analogue, Mes*PCHP(SiMe₃)Mes* ( 5 ), are reported. The aluminium complexes feature four‐membered PCPAl core structures consisting of diphosphaallyl ligands. The silylated phosphine 5 was found to be a valuable precursor for the synthesis of 4 as it cleanly reacts with the diaryl aluminium chloride [(C₆F₅)₂AlCl]₂. The aluminium complex 3 reacts with molecular dihydrogen at room temperature under formation of the acyclic σ²λ³,σ³λ³‐diphosphine Mes*PCHP(H)Mes* and the corresponding dialkyl aluminium hydride [tBu₂AlH]₃. Thus, 3 belongs to the family of so‐called hidden frustrated Lewis pairs.     

Reactions of tBu2P–PLi–PtBu2 with [(Et3P)2MCl2] (M = Ni,Pd, Pt). Synthesis and Properties of [(1,2‐η‐tBu2P=P–PtBu2)M(PEt3)Cl] (M=Ni,Pd)

^tBu₂P–PLi–P^tBu₂·2THF reacts with [cis‐(Et₃P)₂MCl₂] (M = Ni, Pd) yielding [(1,2‐η‐^tBu₂P=P–P^tBu₂)Ni(PEt₃)Cl] and [(1,2‐η‐^tBu₂P=P–P^tBu2)Pd(PEt₃)Cl], respectively. ^tBu₂P– PLi–P^tBu₂ undergoes an oxidation process and the ^tBu₂P–P–P^tBu₂ ligand adopts in the products the structure of a side‐on bonded 1,1‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐(di‐tert‐butylphosphino)diphosphenium cation with a short P–P bond. Surprisingly, the reaction of ^tBu₂P–PLi–P^tBu₂·2THF with [cis‐(Et₃P)₂PtCl₂] does not yield [(1,2‐η‐^tBu₂P=P–P^tBu₂)Pt(PEt₃)Cl].     

Synthesis and Chloride Affinity of Sterically Demanding Ditopic Lithium Bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borates

The synthesis and full characterization of the sterically demanding ditopic lithium bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borates Li₂[p‐C₆H₄(B(Ph)pz^R₂)₂] is reported (pz^R = 3‐phenylpyrazol‐1‐yl ( 3 ^Ph), 3‐t‐butylpyrazol‐1‐yl ( 3 ^tBu)). Compound 3 ^Ph crystallizes from THF as THF‐adduct 3 ^Ph(THF)₄ which features a straight conformation with a long Li···Li distance of 12.68(1) Å. Compound 3 ^tBu was found to function as efficient and selective scavenger of chloride ions. In the presence of LiCl it forms anionic complexes [ 3 ^tBuCl]⁻ with a central Li‐Cl‐Li core (Li···Li = 3.75(1) Å).     

β‐Diketiminate‐Stabilized Magnesium(I) Dimers and Magnesium(II) Hydride Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, Adduct Formation,and Reactivity Studies

The preparation and characterization of a series of magnesium(II) iodide complexes incorporating β‐diketiminate ligands of varying steric bulk and denticity, namely, [(ArNCMe)₂CH]^? (Ar=phenyl, (^PhNacnac), mesityl (^MesNacnac), or 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dipp, ^DippNacnac)), [(DippNCtBu)₂CH]^? (^tBuNacnac), and [(DippNCMe)(Me₂NCH₂CH₂NCMe)CH]^? (^DmedaNacnac) are reported. The complexes [(^PhNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^MesNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^DmedaNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^MesNacnac)MgI(thf)], [(^DippNacnac)MgI(thf)], [(^tBuNacnac)MgI], and [(^tBuNacnac)MgI(DMAP)] (DMAP=4‐dimethylaminopyridine) were shown to be monomeric by X‐ray crystallography. In addition, the related β‐diketiminato beryllium and calcium iodide complexes, [(^MesNacnac)BeI] and [{(^DippNacnac)CaI(OEt₂)}₂] were prepared and crystallographically characterized. The reductions of all metal(II) iodide complexes by using various reagents were attempted. In two cases these reactions led to the magnesium(I) dimers, [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] and [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)]. The reduction of a 1:1 mixture of [(^DippNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)] and [(^MesNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)] with potassium gave a low yield of the crystallographically characterized complex [(^DippNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)(μ‐I)Mg(^MesNacnac)]. All attempts to form beryllium(I) or calcium(I) dimers by reductions of [(^MesNacnac)BeI], [{(^DippNacnac)CaI(OEt₂)}₂], or [{(^tBuNacnac)CaI(thf)}₂] have so far been unsuccessful. The further reactivity of the magnesium(I) complexes [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] and [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)] towards a variety of Lewis bases and unsaturated organic substrates was explored. These studies led to the complexes [(^MesNacnac)Mg(L)Mg(L)(^MesNacnac)] (L=THF or DMAP), [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐AdN₆Ad)Mg(^MesNacnac)] (Ad=1‐adamantyl), [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(μ‐AdN₆Ad)Mg(^tBuNacnac)], and [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐tBu₂N₂C₂O₂)Mg(^MesNacnac)] and revealed that, in general, the reactivity of the magnesium(I) dimers is inversely proportional to their steric bulk. The preparation and characterization of [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)₂Mg(^tBuNacnac)] has shown the compound to have different structural and physical properties to [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)]. Treatment of the former with DMAP has given [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(H)(DMAP)], the X‐ray crystal structure of which disclosed it to be the first structurally authenticated terminal magnesium hydride complex. Although attempts to prepare [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)₂Mg(^MesNacnac)] were not successful, a neutron diffraction study of the corresponding magnesium(I) complex, [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] confirmed that the compound is devoid of hydride ligands.     

Alkyne Metathesis with Silica‐Supported and Molecular Catalysts at Parts‐per‐Million Loadings

Improvement of the activity, stability, and chemoselectivity of alkyne‐metathesis catalysts is necessary before this promising methodology can become a routine method to construct C≡C triple bonds. Herein, we show that grafting of the known molecular catalyst [MesC≡Mo(OtBu_F6)₃] ( 1 , Mes=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl, OtBu_F6=hexafluoro‐tert‐butoxy) onto partially dehydroxylated silica gave a well‐defined silica‐supported active alkyne‐metathesis catalyst [(≡SiO)Mo(≡CMes)(OtBu_F6)₂] ( 1 /SiO_2‐700). Both 1 and 1 /SiO_2‐700 showed very high activity, selectivity, and stability in the self‐metathesis of a variety of carefully purified alkynes, even at parts‐per‐million catalyst loadings. Remarkably, the lower turnover frequencies observed for 1 /SiO_2‐700 by comparison to 1 do not prevent the achievement of high turnover numbers. We attribute the lower reactivity of 1 /SiO_2‐700 to the rigidity of the surface Mo species owing to the strong interaction of the metal site with the silica surface.     

The Reactions of Carbon Monoxide with Silyl and Silenyl Lithium – Synthesis and Isolation of the First Stable Tetra‐Silyl Di‐Ketyl Biradical and 1‐Silaallenolate Lithium

Reactions of carbon monoxide (CO) with tBu₂MeSiLi and (E)‐(tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=Si(SiMetBu₂)Li?2 THF ( 4 ) were studied both experimentally and computationally. Reaction of tBu₂MeSiLi with CO in hexane yields the first stable tetra‐silyl di‐ketyl biradical [(tBu₂MeSi)₂COLi]^.₂ ( 3 ). Reaction of 4 with CO yields selectively and quantitatively the first reported 1‐silaallenolate, (tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=C=Si(SiMetBu₂)OLi?THF ( 5 ). Both 3 and 5 were characterized by X‐ray crystallography and biradical 3 also by EPR spectroscopy. Silaallenolate 5 reacts with Me₃SiCl to produce siloxy substituted 1‐silaallene (tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=C=Si(SiMetBu₂)OSiMe₃. The reaction of 4 with CO provides a new route to 1‐silaallenes. The mechanisms of the reactions of tBuMe₂SiLi and of 4 with CO were studied by DFT calculations.     

Monomeric Magnesium and Calcium Complexes containing the Rigid,Dianionic 1, 2‐Bis[(2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dtb‐BIAN) and 1, 2‐Bis[(2‐biphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (bph‐BIAN) Ligands

The new rigid bidentate nitrogen ligands 1, 2‐bis[(2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene ( 1 ) (dtb‐BIAN) and 1, 2‐bis[(2‐biphenyl)imino]acenaphthene ( 2 ) (bph‐BIAN) have been synthesized by condensation of 1, 2‐acenaphthylenedione with 2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylaniline and 2‐aminobiphenyl, respectively. Reduction of 1 and 2 with magnesium and calcium results in the formation of the monomeric metal complexes [(dtb‐BIAN)Mg(THF)₂] ( 3 ), [(bph‐BIAN)Mg(DME)₂] ( 4 ), and [(bph‐BIAN)Ca(THF)₃] ( 5 ). Compounds 1 — 5 have been characterized by C/H analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra, the structures of 2 , 3 , and 5 have been estimated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Reactions of Lithium Salts of Triphosphanes tBu2P–PLi–PtBu2 and tBu2P–PLi–P(NEt2)2 with Metal Complexes [(R3P)2MCl2] (M = Ni,Pd, Pt,R3P = Et3P,pTol3P,Ph2EtP,iPr3P)

tBu₂P–PLi–PtBu₂ · 2THF reacts with [(R₃P)₂MCl₂] (M = Pt, Pd, Ni; R₃P = Et₃P, pTol₃P, Ph₂EtP, iPr₃P) to yield isomers of [(1,2‐η‐tBu₂P=P–PtBu₂)M(PR₃)Cl], in which the tBu₂P–P–PtBu₂ ligand adopts the arrangement of a side‐on bonded 1,1‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐(di‐tert‐butylphosphanyl)diphosphenium cation. tBu₂P–PLi–P(NEt₂)₂ · 2THF reacts with [(R₃P)₂MCl₂] but does not form complexes with a tBu₂P–P–P(NEt₂)₂ moiety, however, splitting of a P–P(NEt₂)₂ bond of the parent triphosphane takes place.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes and Imidazole‐2‐thiones as Ligands for the Gold(I)‐Catalysed Hydroamination of Phenylacetylene

Gold(I) complexes of 1‐[1‐(2,6‐dimethylphenylimino)alkyl]‐3‐(mesityl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene (C^Imine_R), 1,3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene (IMes) and of the corresponding thione derivatives (S^Imine_R and IMesS) were prepared and structurally characterised. The solid‐state structure of the C^Imine_R and S^Imine_R gold(I) complexes showed monodentate coordination of the ligand and a dangling imine group that could bind reversibly to the metal centre to stabilise otherwise unstable catalytic intermediates. Interestingly, reaction of C^Imine_tBu with [AuCl(SMe₂)] led to the formation of [(C^Imine_tBu)AuCl], which rearranges upon crystallisation into the unusual complex cation [(C^Imine_tBu)₂Au]⁺, with AuCl₂^? as the counterion. The activity of the gold complexes in the hydroamination of phenylacetylene with substituted anilines was tested and compared to control catalyst systems. The best catalytic performance was obtained with [(C^Imine_tBu)AuCl], with the exclusive formation of the Markovnikov addition product in excellent yield (>95 %) regardless of the substituents on aniline.     

New Homoleptic Rare Earth 3,5‐Diphenylpyrazolates and 3,5‐Di‐tert‐butylpyrazolates and a Noteworthy Structural Discontinuity

Direct thermally induced reactions between rare earth metals (Ln = Y,Ce, Dy, Ho, and Er) activated by Hg metal and 3,5‐diphenylpyrazole (Ph₂pzH) or 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylpyrazole (tBu₂pzH) yielded either homoleptic complexes [Ln_n(R₂pz)_3n] or a heteroleptic complex [Ln(Ph₂pz)₃(Ph₂pzH)₂] From Ph₂pzH, [Ce₃(Ph₂pz)₉], [Dy₂(Ph₂pz)₆], [Ho₂(Ph₂pz)₆], and [Y(Ph₂pz)₃(Ph₂pzH)₂] were isolated. The first has a bowed trinuclear Ce₃ backbone with two η² pyrazolate ligands on the terminal metal atoms and one on the middle, and bridging by both μ‐η²:η² and μ‐η²:η⁵ ligands between the terminal and the central Ce atoms. Although both the Dy and Ho complexes are dinuclear, the former has the rare μ‐η²:η¹ bridging whilst the latter has μ‐η²:η² bridging. Thus the dysprosium complex is seven‐coordinate and the holmium is eight‐coordinate, in contrast to any correlation with Ln³⁺ ionic radii, and the series has a remarkable structural discontinuity. The heteroleptic Y complex is eight coordinate with three chelating Ph₂pz and two transoid unidentate Ph₂pzH ligands. From tBu₂pzH, dimeric [Ln₂(tBu₂pz)₄] (Ln = Ce, Er) were isolated and are isomorphous with eight coordinate Ln atoms ligated by two chelating terminal tBu₂pz and two μ‐η²:η² tBu₂pz donor groups. They are also isomorphous with previously reported La, Nd, Yb, and Lu complexes.     

Synthese,Struktur und Eigenschaften des Natriumsilanids tBu2PhSiNa – ein Zugang zu Di‐tert‐butyl‐phenylsilylsubstituierten Verbindungen

The Sodium Silanide t Bu₂PhSiNa: Synthesis, Properties, Structure Analysis – a Synthetic Pathway to Introduce the t Bu₂PhSi‐Ligand The sodium silanide tBu₂PhSiNa is easily obtained by the reaction of sodium metal with tBu₂PhSiBr at elevated temperatures in n‐heptane, THF or dibutylether. An X‐ray crystal structure analysis reveals, that the sodium silanide 3 contains chains of tBu₂PhSiNa units with η⁶ sodium–phenyl‐contacts. Oxidation of tBu₂PhSiNa with TCNE proceeds with formation of the disilane tBu₂PhSi–SiPhtBu₂.     

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.     

Tetrakis­(tetra­hydro­furan‐κO)­lithium mer‐tris­(carbazolyl‐κN)‐trans‐di­chloro(tetra­hydro­furan‐κO)­zirconate

In the title compound, [Li(C₄H₈O)₄][ZrCl₂(C₁₂H₈N)₃(C₄H₈O)], the environment of the Zr atom is pseudo‐octahedral, with the three carbazolyl ligands in a mer configuration. The counter‐ion of the zirconium complex is composed of an Li atom surrounded by four tetra­hydro­furan (THF) mol­ecules. The THF mol­ecule attached to the Zr atom is disordered over two sites, as are two of the THF mol­ecules in the lithium moiety. All bond distances and angles are consistent with those in complexes with similar structural entities. The Zr—N bond distances are 2.2185 (18) and 2.167 (3) Å.     

Synthese eines hexanuklearen Calcium–Phosphor‐Käfigs über heteroleptische Calcium‐amid‐phosphanid‐Vorstufen

Synthesis of a Hexanuclear Calcium–Phosphorus‐Cage The metalation of tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphane with calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] yields the dimer {(Me₃Si)₂N–Ca(THF)[μ‐P(H)Si^tBu₃]}₂ ( 1 ). In THF monomerization occurs and dismutation reactions lead to the homoleptic compounds, namely (THF)₂Ca[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ and (THF)₄Ca[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₂. In toluene, 1 undergoes dismutation reactions, bis(tetrahydrofuran)calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] is regained and [(Me₃Si)₂N–Ca(THF)]₂Ca[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₄ ( 2 ) precipitates. At raised temperatures, 2 undergoes a homometallic metalation with the loss of two equivalents of HN(SiMe₃)₂ and dimerizes. The thus formed cage compound (THF)₂Ca₆[PSi^tBu₃]₄[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₄ ( 3 ) with a central Ca₄P₄ heterocubane moiety crystallizes upon cooling of the toluene solution. The molecular structures of 2 and 3 were determined.