Adducts of Niobium (V) and Tantalum (V) Halides. XV. Ligand Exchange of the Adducts with Some Phosphoryl Compounds

The ligand exchange MX₅·L + *L?MX₅·*L + L for the octahedral adducts MX₅·L, in an inert solvent (CH₂Cl₂ or CHCl₃) with neutral ligands, proceeds via a dissociative D mechanism when M = Nb, X = Cl and L = phosphoryl compound. A dissociative interchange I_d mechanism is suggested when M = Nb or Ta, and X = F. A first order rate law and positive values for ΔS* (+4 to +14 cal K^?1 mol^?1) are observed for the exchanges on the pentachloride adducts. However, a second order rate law and large negative values for ΔS* (-15 to -24 cal K^?1 mol^?1) are found for the intermolecular neutral ligand exchange (measured by ¹H-NMR.) and for the intramolecular fluorine exchange (measured by ¹⁹F-NMR.) reactions on the pentafluoride adducts. The fluorine exchange is 2 to 5 times faster than the ligand exchange. The exchanges, on the pentachloride and on the pentafluoride adducts, are slowed down with increasing donor strength of the phosphoryl compound.