Synthesis of PCP-supported nickel complexes and their reactivity with carbon dioxide

The Ni amide and hydroxide complexes [(PCP)Ni(NH(2))] (2; PCP=bis-2,6-di-tert-butylphosphinomethylbenzene) and [(PCP)Ni(OH)] (3) were prepared by treatment of [(PCP)NiCl] (1) with NaNH(2) or NaOH, respectively. The conditions for the formation of 3 from 1 and NaOH were harsh (2 weeks in THF at reflux) and a more facile synthetic route involved protonation of 2 with H(2)O, to generate 3 and ammonia. Similarly the basic amide in 2 was protonated with a variety of other weak acids to form the complexes [(PCP)Ni(2-Me-imidazole)] (4), [(PCP)Ni(dimethylmalonate)] (5), [(PCP)Ni(oxazole)] (6), and [(PCP)Ni(CCPh)] (7), respectively. The hydroxide compound 3, could also be used as a Ni precursor and treatment of 3 with TMSCN (TMS=trimethylsilyl) or TMSN(3) generated [(PCP)Ni(CN)] (8) or [(PCP)Ni(N(3))] (9), respectively. Compounds 3-7, and 9 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Although 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 are all four-coordinate complexes with a square-planar geometry around Ni, 5 is a pseudo-five-coordinate complex, with the dimethylmalonate ligand coordinated in an X-type fashion through one oxygen atom, and weakly as an L-type ligand through another oxygen atom. Complexes 2-9 were all reacted with carbon dioxide. Compounds 2-4 underwent facile reaction at low temperature to form the κ(1)-O carboxylate products [(PCP)Ni{OC(O)NH(2)}] (10), [(PCP)Ni{OC(O)OH}] (11), and [(PCP)Ni{OC(O)-2-Me-imidazole}] (12), respectively. Compounds 10 and 11 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. No reaction was observed between 5-9 and carbon dioxide, even at elevated temperatures. DFT calculations were performed to model the thermodynamics for the insertion of carbon dioxide into 2-9 to form a κ(1)-O carboxylate product and understand the pathways for carbon dioxide insertion into 2, 3, 6, and 7. The computed free energies indicate that carbon dioxide insertion into 2 and 3 is thermodynamically favorable, insertion into 8 and 9 is significantly uphill, insertion into 5 and 7 is slightly uphill, and insertion into 4 and 6 is close to thermoneutral. The pathway for insertion into 2 and 3 has a low barrier and involves nucleophilic attack of the nitrogen or oxygen lone pair on electrophilic carbon dioxide. A related stepwise pathway is calculated for 7, but in this case the carbon of the alkyne is significantly less nucleophilic and as a result, the barrier for carbon dioxide insertion is high. In contrast, carbon dioxide insertion into 6 involves a single concerted step that has a high barrier.     

The Insertion of Carbon Dioxide in Combination with RNCS (R Is Et,Ph) or <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N′</Emphasis>-Dihexylcarbodiimide into the Re–O(R) Bonds

The heteromolecular insertion of carbon dioxide in combination with heterocumulenes, iso(thio)cyanates or N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, into rhenium–alkoxy group bond was accomplished for the first time in relation to reactivity of rhenium oxoalkoxides. The ease of combined insertion of iso(thio)cyanate and carbon dioxide into Re–O(Me) bond is determined by the nature of the heterocumulene organic group. Indeed, if ethyl iso(thio)cyanate is used in the reaction, the insertion is reversible, whereas the reaction with PhNCS (unlike PhNCO) together with carbon dioxide leads to complete insertion into two Re–O(R) bonds to give the insertion product (OMe)₁₀O₆Re₄[OC(O){N(Ph)C(S)}₂-OMe]₂. In similar reactions carried out with N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, a dependence of the number of bonds participating in the inner-sphere condensation of the inserted moieties on the duration of the experiment was found for the first time. An increase in the time of synthesis from 3 to 5 h results in insertion involving six rather than three bonds, the heteromolecular insertion products being (OMe),O₆Re₄{OC(O)[(Hex)N=C=N(Hex)]₂}₃ and (OMe)₆O₆Re₄{OC(O)[(Hex)N=C=N(Hex)]₂}₆, respectively.     

A Comparison of the Stability and Reactivity of Diamido‐ and Diaminocarbene Copper Alkoxide and Hydride Complexes

The mononuclear N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) copper alkoxide complexes [(6‐NHC)CuOtBu] (6‐NHC=6‐MesDAC ( 1 ), 6‐Mes ( 2 )) have been prepared by addition of the free carbenes to the tetrameric tert‐butoxide precursor [Cu(OtBu)]₄, or by protonolysis of [(6‐NHC)CuMes] (6‐NHC=6‐MesDAC ( 3 ), 6‐Mes ( 4 )) with tBuOH. In contrast to the relatively stable diaminocarbene complex 2 , the diamidocarbene derivative 1 proved susceptible to both thermal and hydrolytic ring‐opening reactions, the latter affording [(6‐MesDAC)Cu(OC(O)CMe₂C(O)N(H)Mes)(CNMes)] ( 6 ). The intermediacy of [(6‐MesDAC)Cu(OH)] in this reaction was supported by the generation of Cu₂O as an additional product. Attempts to generate an isolable copper hydride complex of the type [(6‐MesDAC)CuH] by reaction of 1 with Et₃SiH resulted instead in migratory insertion to generate [(6‐MesDAC‐H)Cu(P(p‐tolyl)₃)] ( 9 ) upon trapping by P(p‐tolyl)₃. Migratory insertion was also observed during attempts to prepare [(6‐Mes)CuH], with [(6‐Mes‐H)Cu(6‐Mes)] ( 10 ) isolated, following a reaction that was significantly slower than in the 6‐MesDAC case. The longer lifetime of [(6‐Mes)CuH] allowed it to be trapped stoichiometrically by alkyne, and also employed in the catalytic semi‐reduction of alkynes and hydrosilylation of ketones.     

β‐Hydrogen Elimination Reactions of Nickel and Palladium Methoxides Stabilised by PCP Pincer Ligands

Nickel and palladium methoxides [(^iPrPCP)M‐OMe], which contain the ^iPrPCP pincer ligand, decompose upon heating to give products of different kinds. The palladium derivative cleanly gives the dimeric Pd⁰ complex [Pd(μ‐^iPrPCHP)]₂ (^iPrPCHP=2,6‐bis(diisopropylphosphinomethyl)phenyl) and formaldehyde. In contrast, decomposition of [(^iPrPCP)Ni‐OMe] affords polynuclear carbonyl phosphine complexes. Both decomposition processes are initiated by β‐hydrogen elimination (BHE), but the resulting [(^iPrPCP)M‐H] hydrides undergo divergent reaction sequences that ultimately lead to the irreversible breakdown of the pincer units. Whereas the Pd hydride spontaneously experiences reductive C?H coupling, the decay of its Ni analogue is brought about by its reaction with formaldehyde released in the BHE step. Kinetic measurements showed that the BHE reaction is reversible and less favourable for Ni than for Pd for both kinetic and thermodynamic reasons. DFT calculations confirmed the main conclusions of the kinetic studies and provided further insight into the mechanisms of the decomposition reactions.     

C–C bridged Ni(II) complexes bearing β‐keto‐9‐fluorenyliminato ligands prepared by different in situ bonding mechanisms and their use in catalytic (co)polymerization of norbornene and styrene

Two C–C bridged Ni(II) complexes bearing β‐keto‐9‐fluorenyliminato ligands with electron‐withdrawing groups (─CF₃), Ni{PhC(O)CHC[N(9‐fluorenyl)]CF₂}₂ (Ni 1 ) and Ni{CF₃C(O)CHC[N(9‐fluorenyl)]Ph}₂ (Ni 2 ), were synthesized by metal coordination reaction and different in situ bonding mechanisms. The C–C bridged bonds of Ni 1 were formed by in situ intramolecular trifluoromethyl and 9‐fluorenyl carbon–carbon cross‐coupling reaction and those of Ni 2 were formed by in situ intramolecular 9‐fluorenyl carbon–carbon radical coupling reaction mechanism. The obtained complexes were characterized using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The crystal and molecular structures of Ni 1 and Ni 2 with C–C bridged configuration were determined using X‐ray diffraction. Ni 1 and Ni 2 were used as catalysts for norbornene (NB) polymerization after activation with B(C₆F₅)₃ and the catalytic activities reached 10⁶ g_polymer mol_Ni^?1 h^?1. The copolymerization of NB and styrene catalyzed by the Ni 1 /B(C₆F₅)₃ system showed high activity (10⁵ g_polymer mol_Ni^?1 h^?1) and the catalytic activities decreased with increasing feed content of styrene. All vinyl‐type copolymers exhibited high molecular weight (10⁴ g mol^?1), narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 1.71–2.80), high styrene insertion ratios (11.13–50.81%) and high thermal stability (T_d > 380°C) and could be made into thin films with high transparency in the visible region (400–800 nm).     

Redox Chemistry of Heterobimetallic Polypnictogen Triple-Decker Complexes – Rearrangement,Fragmentation and Transfer

The redox chemistry of the heterobimetallic triple-decker complexes [(Cp*Fe)(Cp′′′Co)(μ,η⁵:η⁴-E₅)] (E=P ( 1 ), As ( 2 ), Cp*=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl, Cp′′′=1,2,4-tri-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl) and [(Cp′′′Co)(Cp′′′Ni)(μ,η³:η³-E₃)] (E=P ( 10 ), As ( 11 )) was investigated. Compound 1 and 2 could be oxidized to the monocations 3 and 4 and further to the dications 5 and 6 , while the initially folded cyclo-E₅ ligand planarizes upon oxidation. The reduction leads to an opposite change in the geometry of the middle deck, which is now folded stronger into the direction of the other metal fragment (formation of monoanions 7 and 8 ). For the arsenic compound 8 , a different behavior is found since a fragmentation into an As₆ ( 9 ) and As₃ ligand complex occurs. The Co and Ni triple-decker complexes 10 and 11 can be oxidized initially to the heterometallic monocations 12 and 13 , which are not stable in solution and convert selectively into the homometallic nickel complexes 14 and 15 and the cobalt complexes 16 and 17 . This behavior was further proven by the oxidation of [(Cp′′′Co)(Cp′′Ni)(μ,η³:η²-P₃)] ( 19 , Cp′′=1,3-di-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl) comprising two different Cp ligands. The transfer of {Cp^RM} fragments can be suppressed when a {W(CO)₅} unit is coordinated to the P₃ ligand ( 20 ) prior to the oxidation and the mixed cobalt and nickel cation 21 can be isolated. The reduction of 10 and 11 yields the heterometallic monoanions 22 and 23 , where no transfer of the {Cp^RM} fragments is observed.     

Metallorganische Verbindungen mit N-substituierten 3-Hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyridon-Liganden: quadratisch-planare Rhodium(I)-, Iridium(I)- und Palladium(II)-Komplexe

Organometallic Compounds with N -substituted 3-Hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyridone Ligands: square planar Rhodium(I), Iridium(I), and Palladium(II) Complexes Reactions of [(OC)₂MCl]₂ (M = Rh, Ir) or [(cod)RhCl]₂ with the anions of N-Aryl or N-Alkyl substituted 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyridones (O–O′) yield complexes of the general formula [L₂M(O–O′)]. Compounds of this type are also available from reactions of [(OC)₂Rh(acac)] with the corresponding neutral ligands. Substitution of one carbonyl-ligand of the N-phenyl complex [(OC)₂Rh(C₁₂H₁₀NO₂)] ( 2 ) with cyclooctene affords [(OC)(C₈H₁₄)Rh(C₁₂H₁₀NO₂)] ( 8 ). The palladium complexes [(R₃P)Pd(O–O′)Cl] (R = Et, Bu), [(C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂) · Pd(O–O′)] and [(Et₃P)₂Pd(O–O′)]BF₄ ( 9 – 12 ) were synthesized from [(R₃P)PdCl₂]₂, [(C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂)PdCl]₂ or [(Et₃P)PdCl₂]. The structures of the N-methyl compounds [(OC)₂Rh(C₇H₈NO₂)] ( 1 ) and [(Ph₃P)Pd(C₇H₈NO₂)Cl] ( 9 ) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

The reactions of Cr(CO)6, Fe(CO)5, and Ni(CO)4 with O2 yield viable oxo‐metal carbonyls

Transition metal complexes with terminal oxo and dioxygen ligands exist in metal oxidation reactions, and many are key intermediates in various catalytic and biological processes. The prototypical oxo‐metal [(OC)₅Cr? O, (OC)₄Fe? O, and (OC)₃Ni? O] and dioxygen‐metal carbonyls [(OC)₅Cr? OO, (OC)₄Fe? OO, and (OC)₃Ni? OO] are studied theoretically. All three oxo‐metal carbonyls were found to have triplet ground states, with metal‐oxo bond dissociation energies of 77 (Cr? O), 74 (Fe? O), and 51 (Ni? O) kcal/mol. Natural bond orbital and quantum theory of atoms in molecules analyses predict metal‐oxo bond orders around 1.3. Their featured ν(MO, M = metal) vibrational frequencies all reflect very low IR intensities, suggesting Raman spectroscopy for experimental identification. The metal interactions with O₂ are much weaker [dissociation energies 13 (Cr? OO), 21 (Fe? OO), and 4 (Ni? OO) kcal/mol] for the dioxygen‐metal carbonyls. The classic parent compounds Cr(CO)₆, Fe(CO)₅, and Ni(CO)₄ all exhibit thermodynamic instability in the presence of O₂, driven to displacement of CO to form CO₂. The latter reactions are exothermic by 47 [Cr(CO)₆], 46 [Fe(CO)₅], and 35 [Ni(CO)₄] kcal/mol. However, the barrier heights for the three reactions are very large, 51 (Cr), 39 (Fe), and 40 (Ni) kcal/mol. Thus, the parent metal carbonyls should be kinetically stable in the presence of oxygen. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Oxidation of a P−C Bond under Mild Conditions

The reactivity of phosphenium dication [(Ph₃P)₂C‐P‐NiPr₂]²⁺, 1²⁺ , towards pyridine N‐oxide (O‐py) has been investigated. The resulting oxophosphonium dication [(Ph₃P)₂C(NiPr₂)P(O)(O‐py)]²⁺, 2²⁺ , was surprisingly stabilized by a less nucleophilic O‐py ligand instead of pyridine (py). This compound was then identified as an analogue of the elusive Criegee intermediate as it underwent oxygen insertion into the P?C bond through a mechanism usually observed for Baeyer–Villiger oxidations. This oxygen insertion appears to be the first example of a Baeyer–Villiger oxidation involving O‐py.     

Synthese,Struktur und Eigenschaften der Komplexe [(H2O)Cl4Os≡N‐IrCl(C5Me5)(AsPh3)], [(Ph3Sb)Cl4Os≡N‐IrCl(C5Me5)(SbPh3)], [(Ph3Sb)2Cl3Os≡N‐IrCl(COD)] und [{(Me2PhP)2(CO)Cl2Re≡N}2ReNCl2(PMe2Ph)]

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Properties of the Complexes [(H₂O)Cl₄Os≡N‐IrCl(C₅Me₅)(AsPh₃)], [(Ph₃Sb)Cl₄Os≡N‐IrCl(C₅Me₅)(SbPh₃)], [(Ph₃Sb)₂Cl₃Os≡N‐IrCl(COD)] and [{(Me₂PhP)₂(CO)Cl₂Re≡N}₂ReNCl₂(PMe₂Ph)] The dinuclear complexes [(H₂O)Cl₄Os≡N‐IrCl(C₅Me₅)(AsPh₃)]·H₂O ( 1 ·H₂O), [(Ph₃Sb)Cl₄Os≡N‐IrCl(C₅Me₅)(SbPh₃)] ( 2 ), and [(Ph₃Sb)₂Cl₃Os≡N‐IrCl(COD)] ( 3 ) result from the reaction of the nitrido complexes [(Ph₃As)₂OsNCl₃] and [(Ph₃Sb)₂OsNCl₃] with the iridium compounds [IrCl₂(C₅Me₅)]₂ and [IrCl(COD)]₂ in dichloromethane. 1 crystallizes as 1 ·H₂O in form of green platelets in the monoclinic space group Cm and a = 1105.53(6); b = 1486.76(9); c = 2024.88(10) pm, β = 97.191(4)°, Z = 4. The formation of 1 in air involves a ligand exchange, and the coordination of a water molecule in trans position to the Os‐N triple bond. The resulting complex fragments [(H₂O)Cl₄Os≡N] and [IrCl(C₅Me₅)(AsPh₃)] are connected by an asymmetric nitrido bridge Os≡N‐Ir. The nitrido bridge is characterised by an Os‐N‐Ir bond angle of 173.7(7)°, and distances Os‐N = 168(1) pm and Ir‐N = 191(1) pm. 2 crystallizes in clumped together brown platelets with the space group and a = 1023.3(3), b = 1476.2(3), c = 1872.5(6) pm, α = 74.60(2), β = 73.84(2), γ = 76.19(2)°, Z = 2. In 2 the asymmetric nitrido bridge Os≡N‐Ir joins the two complex fragments [(Ph₃Sb)Cl₄Os≡N] and [IrCl(C₅Me₅)(SbPh₃)], which are formed by a ligand exchange reaction. 3 forms dark green crystals with the triclinic space group and a = 1079.4(1), b = 1172.3(1), c = 1696.7(2) pm, α = 101.192(9),β = 92.70(1), γ = 92.61(1)°, Z = 2. The distances in the almost linear nitrido bridge (Os≡N‐Ir = 175.3(7)°) are Os‐N = 171(1) pm and Ir‐N = 183(1) pm. The reaction of [ReNCl₂(PMe₂Ph)₃] with [Mo(CO)₃(NCMe)₃] unexpectedly affords the trinuclear complex [{(Me₂PhP)₂(OC)Cl₂Re≡N}₂ReNCl₂(PMe₂Ph)] ( 4 ) as the main product. It forms triclinic brown crystals with the composition 4 ·2THF and the space group (a = 1382.70(7), b = 1498.58(7), c = 1760.4(1) pm, α = 99.780(7), β = 99.920(7), γ = 114.064(6)°, Z = 2). In the trinuclear complex, the central fragment, [ReNCl₂(PMe₂Ph)] is joined in trans position to two nitrido complexes [(Me₂PhP)₂(CO)Cl₂Re≡N], giving an almost linear Re≡N‐Re‐N≡Re arrangement. The bond angles and distances in the nitrido bridges are Re‐N‐Re = 167.8(3)°, Re‐N = 171.1(8) pm and 204.2(8) pm; and Re‐N‐Re = 168.1(4)°, Re‐N = 170.9(9) and 203.5(9) pm respectively. As expected, the Re‐N bond length to the terminal nitrido ligand on the central Re atom is much shorter at 161.2(9) pm than the triple bonds of the asymmetric bridges.     

Mechanistic Insights into an Unexpected Carbon Dioxide Insertion Reaction through the Crystal Structures of Carbamic Diphenylthiophosphinic Anhydride and l‐[(4‐Nitrophenyl)‐sulfonyl]‐trans‐2,5‐pyrrolidinedicarboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

The crystal structures of an unexpected carbon dioxide inserted carbamidiphenylthiophosphinic anhydride and l‐[(4‐nitrophenyl) sulfonyl]‐trans‐2, 5‐pyrrolidinedicarboxylic acid methyl ester were determined by X‐ray analysis. They crystallized in the space group P2₁(#4) with a =0.9550(2), b = 0.9401(4), c= 1.2880(2) nm, β= 107.74°, V= 1.1013 (5) nm³, D_caled= 1.349 g/cm³, Z = 2 and P2₁2₁2₁(# 19) with a = 1.4666(2), b = 0.7195(2), c = 1.6339(2) nm, V = 1.7240(7) nm³, D_caled = 1.434 g/cm³, Z = 4, respectively. Through the investigation of these two crystal structures, the mechanistic insights into this unexpected carbon dioxide insertion in the reaction of trans‐2,5‐disubstituted pyrrolidine with diphenylthiophosphoryl chloride in the presence of potassium carbonate were disclosed.     

Zur Reaktion der Alkin‐Kupfer(I)‐Komplexe [CuX(S‐Alkin)] (X = Cl,Br, I; S‐Alkin = 3,3,6,6‐Tetramethyl‐1‐thia‐4‐cycloheptin) mit den Phosphanen PMe3 und Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2 (dppe)

Organometallic Compounds of Copper. XVIII. On the Reaction of the Alkyne Copper(I) Complexes [CuX(S‐Alkyne)] (X = Cl, Br, I; S‐Alkyne = 3,3,6,6‐Tetramethyl‐1‐thiacyclohept‐4‐yne) with the Phosphanes PMe₃ and Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂ (dppe) The alkyne copper(I) halide complexes [CuX(S‐Alkyne)]_n ( 2 ) ( 2 a : X = Cl, 2 b : X = Br, 2 c : X = I; S‐Alkyne = 3,3,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐thiacyclohept‐4‐yne; n = 2, ∞) add the phosphanes PMe₃ and Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂ (dppe) to form the mono‐ and dinuclear copper compounds [(S‐Alkyne)CuX(PMe₃)] ( 6 ) ( 6 a : X = Cl, 6 b : X = Br) and [(S‐Alkyne)CuX(μ‐dppe)CuX(S‐Alkyne)] ( 7 a : X = Cl, 7 b : X = Br, 7 c : X = I), respectively. By‐product in the reaction of 2 a with dppe is the tetranuclear complex [(S‐Alkyne)Cu(μ‐X)₂Cu(μ‐dppe)₂Cu(μ‐X)₂Cu(S‐Alkyne)] ( 8 ). In case of the compounds 7 prolonged reaction times yield the alkyne‐free dinuclear copper complexes [Cu₂X₂(dppe)₃] ( 9 ) ( 9 a : X = Cl, 9 b : X = Br, 9 c : X = I)). X‐ray diffraction studies were carried out with the new compounds 6 a , 6 b , 7 b , 8 , and 9 c .     

Nickel(0) Complexes with Fluorinated Alkyne Ligands and their Reactivity towards Semihydrogenation and Hydrodefluorination with Water

The current work describes the synthesis and full characterization of zerovalent nickel complexes of the type [(dippe)Ni(η²‐C,C‐F_n‐alkyne)] (dippe=1,2‐bis(di‐isopropylphosphino‐ethane), F_n‐alkyne=fluorinated aromatic alkyne, n=1, 3, 5; 3a , 3b , 3c ) and [{(dippe)Ni}₂(μ²‐C,C‐F_n‐alkyne)] ( 4 ). Reactions with complexes 3a , 3b , 3c , and water as the hydrogen source, yield selective semihydrogenation of the bound alkyne to the corresponding alkene, accompanied by partial hydrodefluorination of the aromatic ring. Different alkynes were tested; on using the alkyne with five fluorine atoms over the aromatic ring, partial defluorination was achieved under the mildest reaction conditions, followed in reactivity by the alkyne with three fluorine atoms. The alkyne with only one fluorine atom was barely defluorinated. The use of triethylsilane as a sacrificial hydride source resulted in an overall increase in reactivity towards defluorination.     

Reduction of Digallane [(dpp‐bian)Ga?Ga(dpp‐bian)] with Group 1 and 2 Metals

The reduction of digallane [(dpp‐bian)Ga? Ga(dpp‐bian)] ( 1 ) (dpp‐bian=1,2‐bis[(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) with lithium and sodium in diethyl ether, or with potassium in THF affords compounds featuring the direct alkali metal–gallium bonds, [(dpp‐bian)Ga? Li(Et₂O)₃] ( 2 ), [(dpp‐bian)Ga? Na(Et₂O)₃] ( 3 ), and [(dpp‐bian)Ga? K(thf)₅] ( 7 ), respectively. Crystallization of 3 from DME produces compound [(dpp‐bian)Ga? Na(dme)₂] ( 4 ). Dissolution of 3 in THF and subsequent crystallization from diethyl ether gives [(dpp‐bian)Ga? Na(thf)₃(Et₂O)] ( 5 ). Ionic [(dpp‐bian)Ga]^?[Na([18]crown‐6)(thf)₂]⁺ ( 6 a ) and [(dpp‐bian)Ga]^?[Na(Ph₃PO)₃(thf)]⁺ ( 6 b ) were obtained from THF after treatment of 3 with [18]crown‐6 and Ph₃PO, respectively. The reduction of 1 with Group 2 metals in THF affords [(dpp‐bian)Ga]₂M(thf)_n (M=Mg ( 8 ), n=3; M=Ca ( 9 ), Sr ( 10 ), n=4; M=Ba ( 11 ), n=5). The molecular structures of 4 – 7 and 11 have been determined by X‐ray crystallography. The Ga? Na bond lengths in 3 – 5 vary notably depending on the coordination environment of the sodium atom.     

Chelate‐Thiolate‐Coordinate Ligands Modulating the Configuration and Electrochemical Property of Dinitrosyliron Complexes (DNICs)

As opposed to the reversible redox reaction ({Fe(NO)₂}¹⁰ reduced‐form DNIC [(NO)₂Fe(S(CH₂)₃S)]^2? ( 1 )?{Fe(NO)₂}⁹ oxidized‐form [(NO)₂Fe(S(CH₂)₃S)]^?), the chemical oxidation of the {Fe(NO)₂}¹⁰ DNIC [(NO)₂Fe(S(CH₂)₂S)]^2? ( 2 ) generates the dinuclear {Fe(NO)₂}⁹–{Fe(NO)₂}⁹ complex [(NO)₂Fe(μ‐SC₂H₄S)₂Fe(NO)₂]^2? ( 3 ) bridged by two terminal [SC₂H₄S]^2? ligands. On the basis of the Fe K‐edge pre‐edge energy and S K‐edge XAS, the oxidation of complex 1 yielding [(NO)₂Fe(S(CH₂)₃S)]^? is predominantly a metal‐based oxidation. The smaller S1‐Fe1‐S2 bond angle of 94.1(1)° observed in complex 1 (S1‐Fe1‐S2 88.6(1)° in complex 2 ), compared to the bigger bond angle of 100.9(1)° in the {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ DNIC [(NO)₂Fe(S(CH₂)₃S)]^?, may be ascribed to the electron‐rich {Fe(NO)₂}¹⁰ DNIC preferring a restricted bite angle to alleviate the electronic donation of the chelating thiolate to the electron‐rich {Fe(NO)₂}¹⁰ core. The extended transition state and natural orbitals for chemical valence (ETS‐NOCV) analysis on the edt‐/pdt‐chelated {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ and {Fe(NO)₂}¹⁰ DNICs demonstrates how two key bonding interactions, that is, a Fe?S covalent σ bond and thiolate to the Fe d charge donation, between the chelating thiolate ligand and the {Fe(NO)₂}^9/10 core could be modulated by the backbone lengths of the chelating thiolate ligands to tune the electrochemical redox potential (E_1/2=?1.64 V for complex 1 and E_1/2=?1.33 V for complex 2 ) and to dictate structural rearrangement/chemical transformations (S‐Fe‐S bite angle and monomeric vs. dimeric DNICs).     

The Coordination Chemistry of Pentafluorophenylphosphino Pincer Ligands to Platinum and Palladium

The synthesis of electron‐poor PCP pincer ligands 1,3‐((C₆F₅)₂PO)₂C₆H₄, 1,3‐((C₆F₅)₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₄, and 1‐((C₆F₅)₂PO)‐3‐(tBu₂PCH₂)C₆H₄, and their coordination chemistry to platinum and palladium is described. The most electron‐poor ligand 1,3‐((C₆F₅)₂PO)₂C₆H₄ (POCOPH) reacts with Group 10 metal chloride precursors to form a range of unusual cis, trans‐dimers of the type κ²‐P,P‐[(POCOPH)MCl(L)]₂ (M=Pt, Pd; L=Cl, Me), which undergo metallation to form [(POCOP)MCl] pincer complexes only under prolonged thermolysis. The formation of such cis,trans‐dimers during pincer complex formation can be mitigated through the use of starting materials with more strongly binding ancillary ligands, improving the overall rate of ligand metallation. Carbonyl complexes of the type [(PCP)M(CO)]⁺ were synthesised from the pincer chloride complexes by halide abstraction, and displayed large ν(C?O) values, from 2170–2111 cm^?1, confirming the electron‐poor nature of the compounds. The [(PCP)Pd(CO)]⁺ complexes also demonstrated the ability to reversibly bind carbon monoxide both in solution and the solid state, with the rate of decarbonylation increasing with increasing wavenumber for the C?O stretch.     

Mononuclear Complexes of Platinum Group Metals Containing η6‐ and η5‐Cyclic Π‐Perimeter Hydrocarbon and Pyridylpyrazolyl Derivatives: Syntheses and Structural Studies

Piano‐stool‐shaped platinum group metal compounds, stable in the solid state and in solution, which are based on 2‐(5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine ( L ) with the formulas [(η⁶‐arene)Ru( L )Cl]PF₆ {arene = C₆H₆ ( 1 ), p‐cymene ( 2 ), and C₆Me₆, ( 3 )}, [(η⁶‐C₅Me₅)M( L )Cl]PF₆ {M = Rh ( 4 ), Ir ( 5 )}, and [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)( L )]PF₆ ( 6 ), [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Os(PPh₃)( L )]PF₆ ( 7 ), [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Ru(PPh₃)( L )]PF₆ ( 8 ), and [(η⁵‐C₉H₇)Ru(PPh₃)( L )]PF₆ ( 9 ) were prepared by a general method and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The molecular structures of compounds 4 and 5 were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In each compound the metal is connected to N1 and N11 in a k² manner.     

Highly Active Catalysts for the Transfer Dehydrogenation of Alkanes: Synthesis and Application of Novel 7–6–7 Ring‐Based Pincer Iridium Complexes

A series of Ir–PCP pincer precatalysts [(7–6–7‐^RPCP)Ir(H)(Cl)] and [(7–6–7‐^ArPCP)Ir(H)(Cl)(MeCN)] bearing a novel “7–6–7” fused‐ring skeleton have been synthesized based upon the postulate that the catalytic species would have durability due to their rather rigid structure and high activity owing to the low but sufficient flexibility of their backbones, which are not completely fixed. Treatment of these precatalysts with NaOtBu gave rise to the active 14 electron (14e) species [(7–6–7‐^iPrPCP)Ir] and [(7–6–7‐^PhPCP)Ir], which can trap hydrogen and were spectroscopically characterized as the tetrahydride complexes. Both [(7–6–7‐^iPrPCP)Ir] and [(7–6–7‐^PhPCP)Ir] were found to be highly effective in the transfer dehydrogenation of cyclooctane with tert‐butylethylene as the hydrogen acceptor, the initial reaction rate at high temperature (230 °C) being higher for [(7–6–7‐^iPrPCP)Ir] than [(7–6–7‐^PhPCP)Ir], and the turnover number (TON) of the overall hydrogen transfer being higher for the latter. Nonetheless, the estimated TONs were as high as 4600 and 4820 for the two complexes at this temperature, respectively, which are unprecedented absolute values. In terms of durability, the [(7–6–7‐^PhPCP)Ir] complex is the catalyst of choice for this reaction. Structural analysis and computational studies support the importance of the low flexibility of the ligand core.     

Redox and Anion Exchange Chemistry of a Stibine–Nickel Complex: Writing the L,X, Z Ligand Alphabet with a Single Element

According to the covalent bond classification (CBC) method, two‐electron donors are defined as L‐type ligands, one‐electron donors as X‐type ligands, and two‐electron acceptors as Z‐type ligands. These three ligand functions are usually associated to the nature of the ligating atom, with phosphine, alkyl, and borane groups being prototypical examples of L‐, X‐ and Z‐ligands, respectively. A new SbNi platform is reported in which the ligating Sb atom can assume all three CBC ligand functions. Using both experimental and computational data, it is shown that PhICl₂ oxidation of (o‐(Ph₂P)C₆H₄)₃SbNi(PPh₃) ( 1 ) into [(o‐(Ph₂P)C₆H₄)₃ClSb]NiCl ( 2 ) is accompanied by a conversion of the stibine L‐type ligand of 1 into a stiboranyl X‐type ligand in 2 . Furthermore, the reaction of 2 with the catecholate dianion in the presence of cyclohexyl isocyanide results in the formation of [(o‐(Ph₂P)C₆H₄)₃(o‐O₂C₆H₄Sb)]Ni(CNCy) ( 4 ), a complex featuring a nickel atom coordinated by a Lewis acidic, Z‐type, stiborane ligand.     

Hydride Reactivity of NiII?X?NiII Entities: Mixed‐Valent Hydrido Complexes and Reversible Metal Reduction

After the lithiation of PYR‐H₂ (PYR^2?=[{NC(Me)C(H)C(Me)NC₆H₃(iPr)₂}₂(C₅H₃N)]^2?), which is the precursor of an expanded β‐diketiminato ligand system with two binding pockets, its reaction with [NiBr₂(dme)] led to a dinuclear nickel(II)–bromide complex, [(PYR)Ni(μ‐Br)NiBr] ( 1 ). The bridging bromide ligand could be selectively exchanged for a thiolate ligand to yield [(PYR)Ni(μ‐SEt)NiBr] ( 3 ). In an attempt to introduce hydride ligands, both compounds were treated with KHBEt₃. This treatment afforded [(PYR)Ni(μ‐H)Ni] ( 2 ), which is a mixed valent Ni^I? μ‐H? Ni^II complex, and [(PYR‐H)Ni(μ‐SEt)Ni] ( 4 ), in which two tricoordinated Ni^I moieties are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled. Compound 4 is the product of an initial salt metathesis, followed by an intramolecular redox process that separates the original hydride ligand into two electrons, which reduce the metal centres, and a proton, which is trapped by one of the binding pockets, thereby converting it into an olefin ligand on one of the Ni^I centres. The addition of a mild acid to complex 4 leads to the elimination of H₂ and the formation of a Ni^IINi^II compound, [(PYR)Ni(μ‐SEt)NiOTf] ( 5 ), so that the original Ni^II(μ‐SEt)Ni^IIX core of compound 3 is restored. All of these compounds were fully characterized, including by X‐ray diffraction, and their molecular structures, as well as their formation processes, are discussed.