Synthesis and Characterization of Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate

While perfluorinated aryl, aryloxy and alkoxy aluminum species are well-established as weakly coordinating anions (WCAs), corresponding perfluoroalkyl aluminum derivatives are virtually unknown. Reaction of Si(C₂F₅)₃CH₃ with Li[AlH₄] afforded the tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate, [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻. Several salts of the [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻ ion were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopic methods, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction studies and elemental analysis.     

One- and Two-Electron Transfer Oxidation of 1,4-Disilabenzene with Formation of Stable Radical Cations and Dications

Electron-transferable oxidants such as B(C₆F₅)₃/nBuLi, B(C₆F₅)₃/LiB(C₆F₅)₄, B(C₆F₅)₃/LiHBEt₃, Al(C₆F₅)₃/(o-RC₆H₄)AlH₂ (R=N(CMe₂CH₂)₂CH₂), B(C₆F₅)₃/AlEt₃, Al(C₆F₅)₃, Al(C₆F₅)₃/nBuLi, Al(C₆F₅)₃/AlMe₃, (CuC₆F₅)₄, and Ag₂SO₄, respectively were employed for reactions with (L)₂Si₂C₄(SiMe₃)₂(C₂SiMe₃)₂ (L=PhC(NtBu)₂, 1 ). The stable radical cation [ 1 ]^+. was formed and paired with the anions [nBuB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 2 ), [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ (in 3 ), [HB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 4 ), [EtB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 5 ), {[(C₆F₅)₃Al]₂(μ-F)]⁻ (in 6 ), [nBuAl(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 7 ), and [Cu(C₆F₅)₂]⁻ (in 8 ), respectively. The stable dication [ 1 ]²⁺ was also generated with the anions [EtB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ ( 9 ) and [MeAl(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ ( 10 ), respectively. In addition, the neutral compound [(L)₂Si₂C₄(SiMe₃)₂(C₂SiMe₃)₂][μ-O₂S(O)₂] ( 11 ) was obtained. Compounds 2 – 11 are characterized by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and elemental analysis. Compounds 2 – 8 are analyzed by EPR spectroscopy and compounds 9 – 11 by NMR spectroscopy. The structure features are discussed on the central Si₂C₄-rings of 1 , [ 1 ]^+., [ 1 ]²⁺, and 11 , respectively.     

Complexation and Versatile Reactivity of a Highly Lewis Acidic Cationic Mg Complex with Alkynes and Phosphines

[(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 1 ; BDI=CH[C(CH₃)NDipp]₂; Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) was prepared by reaction of (BDI)MgnPr with [Ph₃C⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻]. Addition of 3-hexyne gave [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ (EtC≡CEt)][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻]. Single-crystal X-ray analysis, NMR investigations, Raman spectra, and DFT calculations indicate a significant Mg-alkyne interaction. Addition of the terminal alkynes PhC≡CH or Me₃SiC≡CH led to alkyne deprotonation by the BDI ligand to give [(BDI-H)Mg⁺(C≡CPh)]₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 2 , 70 %) and [(BDI-H)Mg⁺(C≡CSiMe₃)]₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 3 , 63 %). Addition of internal alkynes PhC≡CPh or PhC≡CMe led to [4+2] cycloadditions with the BDI ligand to give {Mg⁺C(Ph)=C(Ph)C[C(Me)=NDipp]₂}₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 4 , 53 %) and {Mg⁺C(Ph)=C(Me)C[C(Me)=NDipp]₂}₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 5 , 73 %), in which the Mg center is N,N,C-chelated. The (BDI)Mg⁺ cation can be viewed as an intramolecular frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) with a Lewis acidic site (Mg) and a Lewis (or Brønsted) basic site (BDI). Reaction of [(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 1 ) with a range of phosphines varying in bulk and donor strength generated [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PPh₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 6 ), [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PCy₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 7 ), and [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PtBu₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 8 ). The bulkier phosphine PMes₃ (Mes=mesityl) did not show any interaction. Combinations of [(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] and phosphines did not result in addition to the triple bond in 3-hexyne, but during the screening process it was discovered that the cationic magnesium complex catalyzes the hydrophosphination of PhC≡CH with HPPh₂, for which an FLP-type mechanism is tentatively proposed.     

Synthesis,Properties, and Application of Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)gallate, [Ga(C2F5)4]−

Weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) are important for academic reasons as well as for technical applications. Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)gallate, [Ga(C₂F₅)₄]^?, a new WCA, is accessible by treatment of [GaCl₃(dmap)] (dmap=4‐dimethylaminopyridine) with LiC₂F₅. The anion [Ga(C₂F₅)₄]^? proved to be reluctant towards deterioration by aqueous hydrochloric acid or lithium hydroxide. Various salts of [Ga(C₂F₅)₄]^? were synthesized with cations such as [PPh₄]⁺, [CPh₃]⁺, [(O₂H₅)₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺, and [Li(dec)₂]⁺ (dec=diethyl carbonate). Thermolysis of [(O₂H₅)₂(OH₂)₂][Ga(C₂F₅)₄]₂ gives rise to a dihydrate of tris(pentafluoroethyl)gallane, [Ga(C₂F₅)₃(OH₂)₂]. All products were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Furthermore, an outlook for the application of [Li(dec)₂][Ga(C₂F₅)₄] as a conducting salt in lithium‐ion batteries is presented.     

Aluminum(III) Cations [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes2]+: Synthesis,Characterization, and Application in FLP-Chemistry

The three-coordinate aluminum cations ligated by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ (NHC=IMe^Me 4 , IiPr^Me 5 , IiPr 6 , Mes=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) were prepared via hydride abstraction of the alanes (NHC) ⋅ AlHMes₂ (NHC=IMe^Me 1 , IiPr^Me 2 , IiPr 3 ) using [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ in toluene as hydride acceptor. If this reaction was performed in diethyl ether, the corresponding four-coordinate aluminum etherate cations [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes₂(OEt₂)]⁺ [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 7 – 9 (NHC=IMe^Me 7 , IiPr^Me 8 , IiPr 9 ) were isolated. According to a theoretical and experimental assessment of the Lewis-acidity of the [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺ cation is the acidity larger than that of B(C₆F₅)₃ and of similar magnitude as reported for Al(C₆F₅)₃. The reaction of [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 4 with the sterically less demanding, basic phosphine PMe₃ afforded a mixed NHC/phosphine stabilized cation [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂(PMe₃)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 10 . Equimolar mixtures of 4 and the sterically more demanding PCy₃ gave a frustrated Lewis-pair (FLP), i.e., [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻/PCy₃ FLP-11 , which reacts with small molecules such as CO₂, ethene, and 2-butyne.     

Ethyl‐Zinc(II)‐Cation Equivalents: Synthesis and Hydroamination Catalysis

Ion‐like ethylzinc(II) compounds with weakly coordinating aluminates [Al(OR^F)₄]^? and [(R^FO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR^F)₃]^? (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) were synthesized in a one‐pot reaction and fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, and by quantum chemical calculations. The catalytic activity of ion‐like Et‐Zn[Al(OR^F)₄] in intermolecular hydroamination and in the unusual double hydroamination of anilines and alkynes was investigated. Favorable performance was also found in comparison to the Et₂Zn/ [PhNMe₂H]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? system generated in situ at lower catalyst loadings of 2.5 mol %.     

Cationic Niobium-Sandwich and Piano-Stool Complexes

The syntheses of the homoleptic bis(arene) niobium cations [Nb(arene)₂]⁺ (arene = C₆H₃Me₃, C₆H₅Me) with 16 valence electrons and heteroleptic arene-carbonyl cations [(CO)Nb(arene)₂]⁺ (arene = C₆H₃Me₃, C₆H₅Me) and [(arene)M(CO)₄]⁺ (arene = C₆H₃Me₃, C₆H₆) obeying 18 valence electrons are described. Stabilization of these complexes was achieved by using the weakly coordinating anions [Al(OR^F)₄]⁻ or [F{Al(OR^F)₃}₂]⁻ (R^F = C(CF₃)₃). The limits of two synthesis routes starting from neutral Nb(arene)₂ (arene = C₆H₃Me₃, C₆H₅Me) or [NEt₄][M(CO)₆] (M = Nb, Ta) were investigated. All compounds were analyzed by single crystal X-ray determination, vibrational and NMR spectroscopy. DFT calculations were executed to support the experimental data.     

Elusive Antimony‐Centered Radical Cations: Isolation,Characterization, Crystal Structures,and Reactivity Studies

One‐electron oxidation of the stibines Aryl₃Sb ( 1 , Aryl=2,6‐ⁱ Pr₂‐4‐OMe‐C₆H₂; 2 , Aryl=2,4,6‐ⁱ Pr₃‐C₆H₂) with AgSbF₆ and NaBAryl^F₄ (Aryl^F=3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) afforded the first structurally characterized examples of antimony‐centered radical cations 1 ^.+[BAryl^F₄]⁻ and 2 ^.+[BAryl^F₄]⁻. Their molecular and electronic structures were investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, in conjunction with theoretical calculations. Moreover, their reactivity was investigated. The reaction of 2 ^.+[BAryl^F₄]⁻ and p ‐benzoquinone afforded a dinuclear antimony dication salt 3 ²⁺[BAryl^F₄]₂⁻, which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The formation of the dication 3 ²⁺ further confirms that the isolated stibine radical cations are antimony‐centered.     

Elusive Antimony‐Centered Radical Cations: Isolation,Characterization, Crystal Structures,and Reactivity Studies

One‐electron oxidation of the stibines Aryl₃Sb ( 1 , Aryl=2,6‐ⁱ Pr₂‐4‐OMe‐C₆H₂; 2 , Aryl=2,4,6‐ⁱ Pr₃‐C₆H₂) with AgSbF₆ and NaBAryl^F₄ (Aryl^F=3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) afforded the first structurally characterized examples of antimony‐centered radical cations 1 ^.+[BAryl^F₄]⁻ and 2 ^.+[BAryl^F₄]⁻. Their molecular and electronic structures were investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, in conjunction with theoretical calculations. Moreover, their reactivity was investigated. The reaction of 2 ^.+[BAryl^F₄]⁻ and p ‐benzoquinone afforded a dinuclear antimony dication salt 3 ²⁺[BAryl^F₄]₂⁻, which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The formation of the dication 3 ²⁺ further confirms that the isolated stibine radical cations are antimony‐centered.     

Different Complexation Behavior of P‐Functionalized Ferrocene Derivatives Towards SnCl2, SnCl4 and SnPh2Cl2: Auto‐ionization and Redox‐Type Reactions

The novel phosphonyl‐substituted ferrocene derivatives [Fe(η⁵‐Cp)(η⁵‐C₅H₃{P(O)(O‐iPr)₂}₂‐1,2)] ( Fc^1,2 ) and [Fe{η⁵‐C₅H₄P(O)(O‐iPr)₂}₂] ( Fc^1,1′ ) react with SnCl₂, SnCl₄, and SnPh₂Cl₂, giving the corresponding complexes [(Fc^1,2)₂SnCl][SnCl₃] ( 1 ), [{(Fc^1,1′)SnCl₂}_n] ( 2 ), [(Fc^1,1′)SnCl₄] ( 3 ), [{(Fc^1,1′)SnPh₂Cl₂}_n] ( 4 ), and [(Fc^1,2)SnCl₄] ( 5 ), respectively. The compounds are characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and IR spectroscopy, ³¹P and ¹¹⁹Sn CP‐MAS NMR spectroscopy, cyclovoltammetry, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and single‐crystal as well as powder X‐ray diffraction analyses. The experimental work is accompanied by DFT calculations, which help to shed light on the origin for the different reaction behavior of Fc^1,1′ and Fc^1,2 towards tin(II) chloride.     

Unusual Hafnium–Pyridylamido/ERn Heterobimetallic Adducts (ERn=ZnR2 or AlR3)

NMR spectroscopy and DFT studies indicate that the Symyx/Dow Hf(IV)–pyridylamido catalytic system for olefin polymerization, [{N^?,N,C_Nph^?}HfMe][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 1 , Nph=naphthyl), interacts with ER_n (E=Al or Zn, R=alkyl group) to afford unusual heterobimetallic adducts [{N^?,N}HfMe(μ‐C_Nph)(μ‐R)ER_n?1][B(C₆F₅)₄] in which the cyclometalated Nph acts as a bridge between Hf and E. ¹H VT (variable‐temperature) EXSY NMR spectroscopy provides direct evidence of reversible alkyl exchanges in heterobimetallic adducts, with ZnR₂ showing a higher tendency to participate in this exchange than AlR₃. 1‐Hexene/ER_n competitive reactions with 1 at 240 K reveal that the formation of adducts is strongly favored over 1‐hexene polymerization. Nevertheless, a slight increase in the temperature (to >265 K) initiates 1‐hexene polymerization.     

[(C6F5)2IF2][BF4], the First Salt with the Electrophilic Cation [(C6F5)2IF2]+: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Structure

The substitution of hypervalently bonded fluorine atoms in C₆F₅IF₄ was performed with C₆F₅BF₂ and resulted in the new salt [(C₆F₅)₂IF₂][BF₄]. The iodonium(V) salt was characterized by multi‐NMR and Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray crystal structure analysis. The fluorinating ability of the new electrophilic cation [(C₆F₅)₂IF₂]⁺ was exemplified in reactions with monovalent iodine compounds (C₆F₅I, p‐FC₆H₄I, and I₂) and with electron‐poor tri(organyl)pnictanes ER₃ (E = P, As, Sb, Bi; R = C₆F₅). In a heterogeneous reaction with CsF in MeCN the [(C₆F₅)₂IF₂]⁺ cation forms the dinuclear [{(C₆F₅)₂IF₂}₂F]⁺ cation.     

Rare-Earth-Metal Pentadienyl Half-Sandwich and Sandwich Tetramethylaluminates–Synthesis,Structure, Reactivity,and Performance in Isoprene Polymerization

Targeting the synthesis of rare-earth-metal pentadienyl half-sandwich tetramethylaluminate complexes, homoleptic [Ln(AlMe₄)₃] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Lu) were treated with equimolar amounts of the potassium salts K(2,4-dmp) (2,4-dmp=2,4-dimethylpentadienyl), K(2,4-dipp) (2,4-dipp=2,4-diisopropylpentadienyl), and K(2,4-dtbp) (2,4-dtbp=2,4-di-tert-butylpentadienyl). The reactions involving the larger rare-earth-metal centers lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium gave selectively the desired half-sandwich complexes [(2,4-dmp)La(AlMe₄)₂], [(2,4-dipp)La(AlMe₄)₂], and [(2,4-dtbp)Ln(AlMe₄)₂] (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd) in high crystalline yields. Smaller rare-earth-metal centers yielded preferentially the sandwich complexes [(2,4-dmp)₂Ln(AlMe₄)] (Ln=Y, Lu) and [(2,4-dipp)₂Y(AlMe₄)]. Activation with fluorinated borate/borane co-catalysts gave highly active catalyst systems for the fabrication of polyisoprene, displaying molecular weight distributions as low as M_w/M_n=1.09 and a maximum cis-1,4 selectivity of 90.4 %. The equimolar reaction of half-sandwich complex [(2,4-dtbp)La(AlMe₄)₂] with B(C₆F₅)₃ led to the isolation and full characterization of the single-component catalyst {{(2,4-dtbp)La[(μ-Me)₂AlMe(C₆F₅)]}[Me₂Al(C₆F₅)₂]}₂. The reaction of the latter complex with 10 equivalents of isoprene could be monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Also, a donor-induced aluminato/gallato exchange was achieved with [(2,4-dtbp)La(AlMe₄)₂] and GaMe₃(OEt₂) leading to [(2,4-dtbp)La(GaMe₄)₂].     

Low-Valent MxAl3 Cluster Salts with Tetrahedral [SiAl3]+ and Trigonal-Bipyramidal [M2Al3]2+ Cores (M=Si/Ge)

Schnöckel's [(AlCp*)₄] and Jutzi's [SiCp*][B(C₆F₅)₄] (Cp*=C₅Me₅) are landmarks in modern main-group chemistry with diverse applications in synthesis and catalysis. Despite the isoelectronic relationship between the AlCp* and the [SiCp*]⁺ fragments, their mutual reactivity is hitherto unknown. Here, we report on their reaction giving the complex salts [Cp*Si(AlCp*)₃][WCA] ([WCA]⁻=[Al(OR^F)₄]⁻ and [F{Al(OR^F)₃}₂]⁻; R^F=C(CF₃)₃). The tetrahedral [SiAl₃]⁺ core not only represents a rare example of a low-valent silicon-doped aluminium-cluster, but also—due to its facile accessibility and high stability—provides a convenient preparative entry towards low-valent Si−Al clusters in general. For example, an elusive binuclear [Si₂(AlCp*)₅]²⁺ with extremely short Al−Si bonds and a high negative partial charge at the Si atoms was structurally characterised and its bonding situation analysed by DFT. Crystals of the isostructural [Ge₂(AlCp*)₅]²⁺ dication were also obtained and represent the first mixed Al−Ge cluster.     

Hydrogen-Bridged Oligosilanylsilyl Mono- and Oligosilanylsilyl Dications

Hydrogen-bridged oligosilanylsilyl borates 8 [B(C₆F₅)₄], 9 [B(C₆F₅)₄] and diborates 10 [B(C₆F₅)₄]₂ have been prepared by hydride transfer between α-ω-dihydrido- ( 11 ) and branched tetrahydrido-oligosilanes ( 13 ) and trityl cation. The obtained cyclic intramolecularly stabilized silylium ions 8 , 9 and bissilylium ion 10 were characterized by low temperature NMR spectroscopy supported by the results of density functional calculations. The branched Si−H−Si monocation 9 undergoes at low temperatures a fast degenerate rearrangement, which exchanges the Si−H groups with a barrier of 31 kJ mol⁻¹ via an antarafacial transition state. Reaction of the branched monocation 9 with a second equivalent of trityl cation or of the branched oligosilane 13 with two equivalents of trityl cation, gives at −80 °C the corresponding bissilylium ion 10 , an example for a new class of highly reactive poly-Lewis acids.     

Group 6 Oxyfluoro-Anion Salts of [XeF5]+ and [Xe2F11]+: Syntheses and Structures of [XeF5][M2O2F9] (M=Mo,W), [Xe2F11][M′OF5] (M′=Cr,Mo, W), [XeF5][HF2]⋅CrOF4, and [XeF5][WOF5]⋅XeOF4

The reactions of the fluoride-ion donor, XeF₆, with the fluoride-ion acceptors, M′OF₄ (M′=Cr, Mo, W), yield [XeF₅]⁺ and [Xe₂F₁₁]⁺ salts of [M′OF₅]⁻ and [M₂O₂F₉]⁻ (M=Mo, W). Xenon hexafluoride and MOF₄ react in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF) to give equilibrium mixtures of [Xe₂F₁₁]⁺, [XeF₅]⁺, [(HF)_nF]⁻, [MOF₅]⁻, and [M₂O₂F₉]⁻ from which the title salts were crystallized. The [XeF₅][CrOF₅] and [Xe₂F₁₁][CrOF₅] salts could not be formed from mixtures of CrOF₄ and XeF₆ in aHF at low temperature (LT) owing to the low fluoride-ion affinity of CrOF₄, but yielded [XeF₅][HF₂]⋅CrOF₄ instead. In contrast, MoOF₄ and WOF₄ are sufficiently Lewis acidic to abstract F⁻ ion from [(HF)_nF]⁻ in aHF to give the [MOF₅]⁻ and [M₂O₂F₉]⁻ salts of [XeF₅]⁺ and [Xe₂F₁₁]⁺. To circumvent [(HF)_nF]⁻ formation, [Xe₂F₁₁][CrOF₅] was synthesized at LT in CF₂ClCF₂Cl solvent. The salts were characterized by LT Raman spectroscopy and LT single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which provided the first X-ray crystal structure of the [CrOF₅]⁻ anion and high-precision geometric parameters for [MOF₅]⁻ and [M₂O₂F₉]⁻. Hydrolysis of [Xe₂F₁₁][WOF₅] by water contaminant in HF solvent yielded [XeF₅][WOF₅]⋅XeOF₄. Quantum-chemical calculations were carried out for M′OF₄, [M′OF₅]⁻, [M′₂O₂F₉]⁻, {[Xe₂F₁₁][CrOF₅]}₂, [Xe₂F₁₁][MOF₅], and {[XeF₅][M₂O₂F₉]}₂ to obtain their gas-phase geometries and vibrational frequencies to aid in their vibrational mode assignments and to assess chemical bonding.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Crystal Structure of 1,3‐Dipentafluorophenyl‐2,2,2,4,4,4‐hexazido‐1,3‐diaza‐2,4‐diphosphetidine

1,3‐Dipentafluorophenyl‐2,2,2,4,4,4‐hexazido‐1,3‐diaza‐2,4‐diphosphetidine ( 1 ) was synthesized by the reaction of [(C₆F₅)NPCl₃]₂ with trimethylsilyl azide in CH₂Cl₂ and characterized by multinuclear NMR and vibrational spectroscopy. The molecular structure of the compound was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. [(C₆F₅)NP(N₃)₃]₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 9.6414(2), b = 7.4170(1) and c = 15.9447(4) Å, β = 94.4374(9)°, with 2 formula units per unit cell. The bond situation in [(C₆F₅)NP(N₃)₃]₂ has been studied on the basis of NBO analysis. The antisymmetric stretching vibration of the azide groups is discussed. The structural diversity of 1 and 1,3‐diphenyl‐2,2,2,4,4,4‐hexazido‐1,3‐diaza‐2,4‐diphosphetidine in solution and in the solid state depending on the aryl substituent at the nitrogen atom is discussed.     

19F NMR Investigations of the Reaction of B(C6F5)3 with Different Tri(alkyl)aluminum Compounds

Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, B(C₆F₅)₃ reacts with triethylaluminum, AlEt₃ to a mixture of Al(C₆F₅)_3−nEt_n and Al₂(C₆F₅)_6−nEt_n compounds depending on the B/Al ratio. From excess borane to excess AlEt₃ the species Al(C₆F₅)₃ → Al(C₆F₅)₂Et Al₂(C₆F₅)₄Et₂ → Al₂(C₆F₅)₃Et₃ → Al₂(C₆F₅)₂Et₄ → Al₂(C₆F₅)Et₅ are formed and differentiated by their para-F signal in ¹⁹F NMR. The reaction between B(C₆F₅)₃ and the higher aluminum alkyls, tri(iso-butyl)aluminum and tri(n-hexyl)aluminum AlR₃ (R = i-Bu, n-C₆H₁₃) is slower and requires AlR₃ excess to shift the C₆F₅ R exchange equilibria to almost complete formation of Al(C₆F₅)R₂ and BR₃. At equimolar ratio the equilibrium lies on the side of the unchanged borane together with its boranate [B(C₆F₅)₃R]⁻ anion. For tri(n-octyl)aluminum even at large Al(n-C₈H₁₇)₃ excess no C₆F₅ alkyl exchange can be observed, but boranate anions form.     

Competition for Hydride Between Silicon and Boron: Synthesis and Characterization of a Hydroborane-Stabilized Silylium Ion

Potent main-group Lewis acids are capable of activating element-hydrogen bonds. To probe the rivalry for hydride between silylium- and borenium-ion centers, a neutral precursor with the hydrosilane and hydroborane units in close proximity on a naphthalene-1,8-diyl platform was designed. Abstraction of one hydride leads to a hydroborane-stabilized silylium ion rather than a hydrosilane-coordinated borenium ion paired with [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ or [HCB₁₁Cl₁₁]⁻ as counteranions. Characterization by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction supported by DFT calculations reveals a cationic, unsymmetrical open three-center, two-electron (3c2e) Si−H−B linkage.     

Dynamics and counterion-dependence of the structures of weakly bound Ag+-P4S3 complexes

In an earlier publication (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002 , 124, 7111) we showed that polymeric cationic [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ complexes (n=1, 2) are accessible if partnered with a suitable weakly coordinating counterion of the type [Al(OR^F)₄]^? (OR^F: poly‐ or perfluorinated alkoxide). The present work addresses the following questions that could not be answered in the initial report: How many P₄S₃ cages can be bound to a Ag⁺ ion? Why are these complexes completely dynamic in solution in the ³¹P NMR experiments? Can these dynamics be frozen out in a low‐temperature ³¹P MAS NMR experiment? What are the principal binding sites of the P₄S₃ cage towards the Ag⁺ ion? What are likely other isomers on the [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ potential energy surface? Counterion influence: Reactions of P₄S₃ with Ag[Al{OC(CH₃)(CF₃)₂}₄] (Ag[hftb]) and Ag[{(CF₃)₃CO}₃Al‐F‐Al{OC(CF₃)₃)}₃] (Ag[al‐f‐al]) gave [(P₄S₃)Ag[hftb]]_∞ ( 7 ) as a molecular species, whereas [Ag₂(P₄S₃)₆]²⁺[al‐f‐al]^?₂ ( 8 ) is an isolated 2:1 salt. We suggest that a maximum of three P₄S₃ cages may be bound on average to an Ag⁺ ion. Only isolated dimeric dications are formed with the largest cation, but polymeric species are obtained with all other smaller aluminates. Thermodynamic Born–Haber cycles, DFT calculations, as well as solution NMR and ESI mass spectrometry indicate that 8 exhibits an equilibrium between the dication [Ag₂(P₄S₃)₆]²⁺ (in the solid state) and two [Ag(P₄S₃)₃]⁺ monocations (in the gas phase and in solution). Dynamics: ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy showed these solid adducts to be highly dynamic, to an extent that the ²J_P,P coupling within the cages could be resolved (J‐res experiment). This is supported by DFT calculations, which show that the extended PES of [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ (n=1–3) and [Ag₂(P₄S₃)₂]⁺ is very flat. The structures of α‐ and γ‐P₄S₃ were redetermined. Their variable‐temperature ³¹P MAS NMR spectra are discussed jointly with those of all four currently known [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ adducts with n=1, 2, and 3.