F NMR spectroscopy as useful tool for determining the structure in solution of coordination compounds of MF5 (M = Nb, Ta)

The salts S(NMe₂)₃]MF₆] (M = Nb, 2a; M = Ta, 2b) and S(NMe₂)₃]M₂F₁₁] (M = Nb, 2c; M = Ta, 2d) have been prepared by reacting MF₅ (M = Nb, 1a; M = Ta, 1b) with S(NMe₂)₃]SiMe₃F₂] (TASF reagent) in the appropriate molar ratio. The solid state structure of 2b has been ascertained by X-ray diffraction. The 1:1 molar ratio reactions of 1a with a variety of organic compounds (L) give the neutral adducts NbF₅L L = Me₂CO, 3a; L = MeCHO, 3b; L = Ph₂CO, 3c; L = tetrahydrofuran (thf), 3d; L = MeOH, 3e; L = EtOH, 3f; L = HOCH₂CH₂OMe, 3g; L = Ph₃PO, 3h; L = NCMe, 3i] in good yields. The complexes MF₅L M = Nb, L = HCONMe₂, 3j; M = Nb, L = (NMe₂)₂CO, 3k; M = Ta, L = (NMe₂)₂CO, 3l; M = Nb, L = OC(Me)CHCMe₂, 3m] have been detected in solution in admixture with other unidentified products, upon 2:1 molar reaction of 1 with the appropriate reagent L. The ionic complexes NbF₄(tht)₂]NbF₆], 4a, and NbF₄(tht)₂]Nb₂F₁₁], 4b, have been obtained by combination of tetrahydrothiophene (tht) and 1a, in 1:1 and 2:3 molar ratios, respectively. The treatment of 1 with a two-fold excess of L leads to the species MF₄L₄]MF₆] M = Nb, L = HCONMe₂, 5a; M = Ta, L = HCONMe₂, 5b; M = Nb, L = thf, 5c; M = Ta, L = thf, 5d; M = Nb, L = OEt₂, 5e]. The new complexes have been fully characterised by NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, the revised ¹⁹F NMR features of the known compounds MF₅L M = Ta, L = Me₂CO, 3n; M = Ta, L = Ph₂CO, 3o; M = Ta, L = MePhCO, 3p; M = Ta, L = thf, 3q; M = Nb, L = CH₃CO₂H, 3r; M = Nb, L = CH₂ClCO₂H, 3s; M = Ta, L = CH₂ClCO₂H, 3t], TaF₄(acac), TaF₄(Me-acac) and TaF(Me-acac)₃]TaF₆] (Me-acac = methylacetylacetonato anion) are reported.