The role of ligand displacement in SmII-HMPA-based reductions

Addition of HMPA to [Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)] produces a less reactive reductant in contrast to addition of HMPA to SmI(2). While the [Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)]-HMPA combination results in a more powerful reductant based on the redox potential, the observed decrease in reactivity is attributed to steric hindrance caused by the nonlabile ligand -N(SiMe(3))(2) and HMPA around the Sm metal. The importance of ligand displacement (exchange) in Sm(II)-HMPA-based reactions and insight into the mechanism of [Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)]-HMPA and SmI(2)-HMPA reductions are presented.     

Reactions of palladium germylene complexes: formation of sulfide bridges

Reactivity of three novel Pd germylene species is presented. (Et(3)P)(2)PdGe[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (1) and (dppe)PdGe[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (6) react with COS to give the sulfide bridged species (Et3P)2Pd(mu S)Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2 (2) and (dppe)Pd(mu S)Ge-[N(SiMe3)2]2 (7) (dppe = (diphenylphosphino)ethane). (Ph(3)P)(2)PdGe[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (4) reacts with COS to give the disulfide bridged complex (Ph(3)P)(2)Pd(muS)(2)Ge[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (5) resulting in Pd-Ge bond cleavage. This phosphine dependent reactivity is explored. Crystal structures of 2, 5, 7, and the dimeric form of complex 2, (8), are reported. In the presence of excess germylene, complexes 2 and 5 are shown to partially regenerate their parent palladium germylene complexes, 1 and 4, respectively, via photolysis or heating.     

Chromium(III) and chromium(IV) bis(trimethylsilyl)amido complexes as ethylene polymerisation catalysts

Oxidation of Cr[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2) with iodine and dicumyl peroxide results in tetrahedral Cr(iv) Cr[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)I(2) and trigonal planar Cr(iii) Cr[N(SiMe(3))(2)](OCMe(2)Ph)(2), respectively; both complexes have been characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and both are active for ethylene polymerisation with alkylaluminium co-catalysts.     

Pentavalent uranium trans-dihalides and -pseudohalides

Pentavalent uranium complexes of the formula U(V)X(2)[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) (X = F(-), Cl(-), Br(-), N(3)(-), NCS(-)) are accessible from the oxidation of U(III)[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) through two sequential, one-electron oxidation reactions (halides) and substitution through salt metathesis (pseudohalides). Uranium(v) mixed-halides are also synthesized by successive one-electron oxidation reactions.     

Synthetic and structural studies of donor-functionalized alkoxy derivatives of gallium

The synthesis of a range of alkyl/chloro-gallium alkoxide and amido/alkoxide compounds was achieved via a series of protonolysis and alcoholysis steps. The initial reaction involved the synthesis of [Me(Cl)Ga{N(SiMe(3))(2)}](2) (1) via methyl group transfer from the reaction of GaCl(3) with two equivalents of LiN(SiMe(3))(2). Reaction of 1 with varying amounts of ROH resulted in the formation of [Me(Cl)Ga(OR)](2) (2, R = CH(2)CH(2)OMe; 3, CH(CH(3))CH(2)NMe(2)), [Me(Cl)Ga{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(μ(2)-OR)Ga(Cl)Me] (4, R = CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)), or [MeGa(OR)(2)] (5, R = CH(CH(3))CH(2)NMe(2)). Compound 4 represents an intermediate in the formation of dimeric complexes, of the type [Me(Cl)Ga(OR)](2), when formed from compound [Me(Cl)Ga{N(SiMe(3))(2)}](2). A methylgallium amido/alkoxide complex [MeGa{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(OCH(2)CH(2)OMe)](2) (6) was isolated when 2 was further reacted with LiN(SiMe(3))(2). In addition, reaction of 2 with HO(t)Bu resulted in a simple alcohol/alkoxide exchange and formation of [Me(Cl)Ga(O(t)Bu)](2) (7). In contrast to the formation of 1, the in situ reaction of GaCl(3) with one equivalent of LiN(SiMe(3))(2) yielded [Cl(2)Ga{N(SiMe(3))(2)}](2) in low yield, where no methyl group transfer has occurred. Reaction of alcohol with [Cl(2)Ga{N(SiMe(3))(2)}](2) was then found to yield [Cl(2)Ga(OR)](2) (8, R = CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)), and further reaction of 8 with LiN(SiMe(3))(2) yielded the gallium amido alkoxide complex, [ClGa{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(OR)](2) (9, R = CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)), similar to 6. The structures of compounds 4, 5, 7, and 8 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Postfunctionalization of periodic mesoporous silica SBA-1 with magnesium(II) and iron(II) silylamides

Magnesium silylamide complexes Mg[N(SiHMe(2))(2)](2)(THF)(2) and Mg[N(SiPhMe(2))(2)](2) were synthesized according to transsilylamination and alkane elimination protocols, respectively, utilizing Mg[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2) and [Mg(n-Bu)](2) as precursors. Cage-like periodic mesoporous silica SBA-1 was treated with donor solvent-free dimeric [Mg{N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(2)](2), [Mg{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2)](2) and monomeric Mg[N(SiPhMe(2))(2)](2), producing hybrid materials [Mg(NR(2))(2)]@SBA-1 with magnesium located mainly at the external surface. Consecutive grafting of [Mg{N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(2)](2) and [Fe(II){N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(2)](2) onto SBA-1 led to heterobimetallic hybrid materials which exhibit complete consumption of the isolated surface silanol groups, evidencing intra-cage surface functionalization. All materials were characterized by DRIFT spectroscopy, nitrogen physisorption and elemental analysis.     

The intramolecular rearrangement of phosphinohydrazides [R'2P-NR-NR-M] → [RN═PR'2-NR-M]: general rules and exceptions. transformations of bulky phosphinohydrazines (R-NH-N(PPh2)2, R = tBu, Ph2P)

Reactions of diphosphinohydrazines R-NH-N(PPh(2))(2) (R = tBu (1), Ph(2)P (3)) with some metalation reagents (Co[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2), LiN(SiMe(3))(2), La[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3), nBuLi, MeLi) were performed. Compound 1 was synthesized by the reaction of Ph(2)PCl with tert-butylhydrazine hydrochloride in 83% yield. This compound reveals temperature-dependent (31)P NMR spectra due to hindered rotation about the P-N bonds. Complicated redox reaction of 1 with Co[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) proceeds with cleavage of the P-N and N-N bonds to form a binuclear cobalt complex [Co{HN(PPh(2))(2)-κ(2)P,P'}(2)(μ-PPh(2))](2) (2) demonstrating a short Co···Co distance of 2.3857(5) ?, which implies a formal double bond between the Co atoms. Strong nucleophiles (nBuLi, MeLi) cause fragmentation of the molecules 1 and 3, while reactions of 3 with lithium and lanthanum silylamides give products of the NNP → NPN rearrangement [Li{Ph(2)P(NPPh(2))(2)-κ(2)N,N'}(THF)(2)] (4) and [La{Ph(2)P(NPPh(2))(2)-κ(2)N,N'}{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2)] (5), respectively. These complexes represent the first examples of a κ(2)N,N' bonding mode for the triphosphazenide ligand [(Ph(2)PN)(2)PPh(2)](-). DFT calculations showed large energy gain (52.1 kcal/mol) of the [NNP](-) to [NPN](-) anion rearrangement.     

A début for base stabilized monoalkylsilylenes

The first base stabilized monoalkylsilylenes LSitBu (2) and LSi[C(SiMe(3))(3)] (3) (L = PhC(NtBu)(2)) were synthesized by the facile metathesis reactions of LitBu and KC(SiMe(3))(3) with LSiCl (1). The reaction of LSitBu (2) with N(2)O afforded the dimer [LSitBu(μ-O)](2) (4) which contains a four-membered Si(2)O(2) ring.     

Synthesis and reactivity of a conveniently prepared two-coordinate bis(amido) nickel(II) complex

A strictly two-coordinate nickel(II) bis(amido) complex has been prepared and its reactivity towards a variety of small molecules is described. Ni[N(SiMe(3))(DIPP)](2) reacts with DMAP and acetonitrile to form T-shaped three-coordinate complexes, and preliminary results show that Ni[N(SiMe(3))(DIPP)](2) is a catalyst for the hydrosilation of olefins with secondary silanes at ambient temperature.     

Expanding dinitrogen reduction chemistry to trivalent lanthanides via the LnZ3/alkali metal reduction system: evaluation of the generality of forming Ln2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2) complexes via LnZ3/K

The Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/K dinitrogen reduction system, which mimicks the reactions of the highly reducing divalent ions Tm(II), Dy(II), and Nd(II), has been explored with the entire lanthanide series and uranium to examine its generality and to correlate the observed reactivity with accessibility of divalent oxidation states. The Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/K reduction of dinitrogen provides access from readily available starting materials to the formerly rare class of M(2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)) complexes, [[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Ln](2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)), 1, that had previously been made only from TmI(2), DyI(2), and NdI(2) in the presence of KN(SiMe(3))(2). This LnZ(3)/alkali metal reduction system provides crystallographically characterizable examples of 1 for Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Y, Tm, and Lu. Sodium can be used as the alkali metal as well as potassium. These compounds have NN distances in the 1.258(3) to 1.318(5) A range consistent with formation of an (N=N)(2)(-) moiety. Isolation of 1 with this selection of metals demonstrates that the Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/alkali metal reaction can mimic divalent lanthanide reduction chemistry with metals that have calculated Ln(III)/Ln(II) reduction potentials ranging from -2.3 to -3.9 V vs NHE. In the case of Ln = Sm, which has an analogous Ln(III)/Ln(II) potential of -1.55 V, reduction to the stable divalent tris(amide) complex, K[Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)], is observed instead of dinitrogen reduction. When the metal is La, Ce, Pr, or U, the first crystallographically characterized examples of the tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] anions, [M[N(SiMe(3))(2)](4)](-), are isolated as THF-solvated potassium or sodium salts. The implications of the LnZ(3)/alkali metal reduction chemistry on the mechanism of dinitrogen reduction and on reductive lanthanide chemistry in general are discussed.     

O(2) activation and hydrolysis of Salan rare-earth metal alkyl complexes

Salan ligated yttrium alkyl complex , L(1)Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(THF) (Salan = L(1): [2-O-3,5-tBu(2)-C(6)H(2)CH(2)N(CH(3))CH(2)](2)), was exposed to an oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere to give a bimetallic alkoxide complex , [L(1)Y(mu-OCH(2)SiMe(3))](2). Whilst the lutetium counterparts (L(1)Lu(CH(2)SiMe(3))(THF)) and (L(2)Lu(CH(2)SiMe(3))(THF); L(2): [2-O-3-tBu-C(6)H(2)CH(2)N(CH(3))CH(2)](2)) were hydrolysed with moist nitrogen to afford mixed hydroxy/silyloxy complexes and ([L(1,2)Lu(mu-OSiMe(3))(mu-OH)LuL(1,2)]), respectively.     

Synthesis and luminescence studies of mono- and C3-symmetric, tris(ligand) complexes of Sm(III), Y(III) and Eu(III) with sulfur-bridged binaphtholate ligands

A series of trivalent mono- and tris(ligand) lanthanide complexes of a sulfur-bridged binaphthol ligand [1,1'-S(2-HOC(10)H(4)Bu(t)(2)-3,6)(2)] H(2)L(SN), have been prepared and characterised both structurally and photophysically. The H(2)L(SN) ligand provides an increased steric bulk and offers an additional donor atom (sulfur) as compared with 1,1'-binaphthol (BINOL), a ligand commonly used to complex Lewis acidic lanthanide catalysts. Reaction of the diol H(2)L(SN) with [Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)] affords silylamido- and amino- derivatives [Sm(L(SN))[N(SiMe(3))(2)][HN(SiMe(3))(2)]] and the crystallographically characterised [Sm(L(SN))[N(SiMe(3))(2)](thf)(2)] with different degrees of structural rigidity, depending on the presence of coordinating solvents. The binaphthyl groups of the L(SN) ligand act as sensitisers of the metal centred emission, which is observed for the Eu(III) and Sm(III) complexes studied. We have therefore sought to use emission spectroscopy as a non-invasive technique to monitor a monomer-dimer equilibrium in these complexes. A dramatic difference between the emission properties of the unreactive dimeric Sm(III) aryloxide complex, the solvated monomeric analogues and the amido adduct demonstrated the potential use of such a technique. For a few representative lanthanides (Ln = Sm, Eu and Y) the reaction of the dilithium salt Li(2)L(SN) with either [Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2]3)] or [LnCl(3)(thf)(3)] affords only the homoleptic complex [Li(S)(3)][LnL(SN)(3)](S = thf or diethyl ether); we report the structural characterisation of the Sm complex. However, the reactions of this dipotassium salt K(2)L(SN) with [Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)] or [SmCl(3)(thf)(3)] give only [SmL(SN)N(SiMe(3))(2)], or intractable mixtures respectively, in which no (tris)binaphtholate is observed. The only isolable lanthanide-L(SN) halide adduct so far is [YbL(SN)I(thf)].     

Sterically demanding and chiral N,N'-disubstituted N-heterocyclic germylenes and stannylenes

The N,N'-dimesitylene substituted o-phenylenediamine 1 reacts with Sn[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) under formation of the monomeric N-heterocyclic stannylene 2, while the chiral N,N'-substituted o-phenylenediamine 3 reacts with E[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (E = Ge, Sn) under formation of the chiral germylene 4 and the chiral stannylene 5, respectively. X-Ray diffraction studies with both stannylenes demonstrated that the metal centers in these compounds are sufficiently sterically protected to prevent interaction between the tin center and the nitrogen donors of adjacent molecules.     

Synthesis of the (N2)3- radical from Y2+ and its protonolysis reactivity to form (N2H2)2- via the Y[N(SiMe3)2]3/KC8 reduction system

Examination of the Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/KC(8) reduction system that allowed isolation of the (N(2))(3-) radical has led to the first evidence of Y(2+) in solution. The deep-blue solutions obtained from Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) and KC(8) in THF at -35 °C under argon have EPR spectra containing a doublet at g(iso) = 1.976 with a 110 G hyperfine coupling constant. The solutions react with N(2) to generate (N(2))(2-) and (N(2))(3-) complexes {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Y}(2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)) (1) and {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Y}(2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2))[K(THF)(6)] (2), respectively, and demonstrate that the Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/KC(8) reaction can proceed through an Y(2+) intermediate. The reactivity of (N(2))(3-) radical with proton sources was probed for the first time for comparison with the (N(2))(2-) and (N(2))(4-) chemistry. Complex 2 reacts with [Et(3)NH][BPh(4)] to form {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Y}(2)(μ-N(2)H(2)), the first lanthanide (N(2)H(2))(2-) complex derived from dinitrogen, as well as 1 as a byproduct, consistent with radical disproportionation reactivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of an Al(69)(3-) cluster with 51 naked Al atoms: analogies and differences to the previously characterized Al(77)(2-) cluster

A disproportionation process of a metastable AlCl solution with a simultaneous ligand exchange-Cl is substituted by N(SiMe(3))(2)-leads to a [Al(69)[N(SiMe(3))(2)](18)](3-) cluster compound that can be regarded as an intermediate on the way to bulk metal formation. The cluster was characterized by an X-ray crystal structural analysis. Regarding its structure and the packing within the crystal, this metalloid cluster with 4 times more Al atoms than ligands is compared to the [Al(77)N(SiMe(3))(2)](20)](2-) cluster that has been published four years ago. Although there is a similar packing density of the Al atoms in both clusters as well as in Al metal, the X-ray structural analysis shows significant differences in topology and distance proportions. The differences between these-at a first glance almost identical-Al clusters demonstrate that results of physical measuring, e.g., of nanostructured surfaces which carry supposedly identical cluster species, have to be interpreted with great caution.     

Iron-arylimide clusters [Fe(m)()(NAr)(n)Cl(4)](2)(-) (m,n = 2, 2; 3, 4; 4, 4) from a ferric amide precursor: synthesis,characterization, and comparison to Fe-S chemistry

Tetrahedral FeCl[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF) (2), prepared from FeCl(3) and 2 equiv of Na[N(SiMe(3))(2)] in THF, is a useful ferric starting material for the synthesis of weak-field iron-imide (Fe-NR) clusters. Protonolysis of 2 with aniline yields azobenzene and [Fe(2)(mu-Cl)(3)(THF)(6)](2)[Fe(3)(mu-NPh)(4)Cl(4)] (3), a salt composed of two diferrous monocations and a trinuclear dianion with a formal 2 Fe(III)/1 Fe(IV) oxidation state. Treatment of 2 with LiCl, which gives the adduct [FeCl(2)(N(SiMe(3))(2))(2)](-) (isolated as the [Li(TMEDA)(2)](+) salt), suppresses arylamine oxidation/iron reduction chemistry during protonolysis. Thus, under appropriate conditions, the reaction of 1:1 2/LiCl with arylamine provides a practical route to the following Fe-NR clusters: [Li(2)(THF)(7)][Fe(3)(mu-NPh)(4)Cl(4)] (5a), which contains the same Fe-NR cluster found in 3; [Li(THF)(4)](2)[Fe(3)(mu-N-p-Tol)(4)Cl(4)] (5b); [Li(DME)(3)](2)[Fe(2)(mu-NPh)(2)Cl(4)] (6a); [Li(2)(THF)(7)][Fe(2)(mu-NMes)(2)Cl(4)] (6c). [Li(DME)(3)](2)[Fe(4)(mu(3)-NPh)(4)Cl(4)] (7), a trace product in the synthesis of 5a and 6a, forms readily as the sole Fe-NR complex upon reduction of these lower nuclearity clusters. Products were characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis, by electronic absorption, (1)H NMR, and M?ssbauer spectroscopies, and by cyclic voltammetry. The structures of the Fe-NR complexes derive from tetrahedral iron centers, edge-fused by imide bridges into linear arrays (5a,b; 6a,c) or the condensed heterocubane geometry (7), and are homologous to fundamental iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster motifs. The analogy to Fe-S chemistry also encompasses parallels between Fe-mediated redox transformations of nitrogen and sulfur ligands and reductive core conversions of linear dinuclear and trinuclear clusters to heterocubane species and is reinforced by other recent examples of iron- and cobalt-imide cluster chemistry. The correspondence of nitrogen and sulfur chemistry at iron is intriguing in the context of speculative Fe-mediated mechanisms for biological nitrogen fixation.     

Rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes bearing amidinate ancillary ligands: synthesis, characterization, and performance as catalyst precursors for cis-1,4 selective polymerization of isoprene

A family of rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes bearing monoanionic amidinate [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)](-) (R = cyclohexyl (Cy), phenyl (Ph)) as ancillary ligands were synthesized and characterized. One-pot salt metathesis reaction of anhydrous LnCl(3) with one equivalent of amidinate lithium [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Li, following the introduction of two equivalents of NaN(SiMe(3))(2) in THF at room temperature afforded the neutral and unsolvated mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (R = Cy (1); R = Ph (2)), and the "ate" mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(amide) complex [CyC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Lu[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(μ-Cl)Li(THF)(3) (3) in 61-72% isolated yields. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Single crystal structural determination revealed that the central metal in complexes 1 and 2 adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry, and in complex 3 forms a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. In the presence of AlMe(3), and in combination with one equimolar amount of [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], complexes 1 and 2 showed high activity towards isoprene polymerization to give high molecular weight polyisoprene (M(n) > 10(4)) with good cis-1,4 selectivity (>90%).     

Intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes catalyzed by Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) grafted onto periodic mesoporous silicas

Homoleptic rare-earth metal silylamide complexes Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) (Ln = Y, La, Nd) were grafted onto a series of partially dehydroxylated periodic mesoporous silica (PMS) supports, SBA-15(-500) (d(p) = 7.9 nm), SBA-15LP(-500) (d(p) = 16.6 nm), and MCM-41(-500) (d(p) = 4.1 nm). The hybrid materials Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)@PMS efficiently catalyze the intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization reaction of 2,2-dimethyl-4-penten-1-amine. Under the prevailing slurry conditions the metal size (Y > La > Nd), the pore size, and the particle morphology affect the catalytic performance. Material Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)@SBA-15LP(-500) displayed the highest activity (TOF = up to 420 h(-1) at 60 °C), with the extralarge pores minimizing restrictive product inhibition and substrate diffusion effects. The catalytic activity of Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)@SBA-15LP(-500) is found to be much higher than that of the molecular counterpart (TOF = up to 54 h(-1)), and its recyclability is demonstrated.     

C-H activation of ethers and alkanes by germylene-aryl halide complexes

Regioselective, room-temperature C-H activation of alkanes and ethers by stable germylenes and aryl halides is reported. Germylenes, Ge[CH(SiMe3)2]2 and Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2, and aryl halides, PhI, PhBr, and PhCl, have been employed. High yields of C-H activation products can be obtained through the use of high-dilution techniques.     

Gallium and indium hydrazides. Molecular and electronic structure of In[N(SiMe3)NMe2]3 and related compounds

Gallium and indium hydrazides, Ga[N(SiMe(3))NMe(2)](3) (1) and In[N(SiMe(3))NMe(2)](3) (2), were synthesized from the reactions of metal chlorides and Li[N(SiMe(3))NMe(2)]. Single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that compound 2 was monomeric with trigonal planar geometries on the indium and the indium-bonded nitrogen atoms. The average In[bond]N distance of 2.078(3) A and the N[bond]In[bond]N[bond]N dihedral angles did not provide clear structural evidence of In[bond]N pi-bonding. The electronic absorption spectra of the indium hydrazido complex revealed transitions at significantly lower energies compared to those observed in the tris(amido) compounds, In[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) (3) and In[N((t)Bu)(SiMe(3))](3) (4). The absorptions of the indium and gallium compounds were attributed to ligand-metal charge transfer transitions. Trends in the electronic transitions for compounds 2 and 3 calculated at the time-dependent density functional and configuration interaction including single excitations levels, both using a minimal basis set, were consistent with the experimental data, and Mulliken charge analyses support the assignment to ligand-to-metal charge transfer transitions. These calculations also demonstrated the presence of pi-bonding between the In and N p-orbitals, and an analogy is drawn to the frontier molecular orbitals of trimethylenemethane. The low-lying spectroscopic transition in 2, and thus its yellow color, results from mixing of the lone pair electrons on the beta-nitrogens of the hydrazido ligands with the HOMO of the InN(3) core.