Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of new types of constrained geometry group 4 metal complexes derived from picolyl-substituted dicarbollide ligand systems

The syntheses of group 4 metal complexes containing the picolyldicarbollyl ligand Dcab^PyH nido-7-HNC₅H₄(CH₂)-8-R-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀] (2) are reported. New types of constrained geometry group 4 metal complexes (Dcab^Py)MCl₂, {(η⁵-RC₂B₉H₉)(CH₂)(η¹-NC₅H₄)}MCl₂] (M = Ti, 3; Zr, 4; R = H, a; Me, b), were prepared by the reaction of 2 with M(NMe₂)₂Cl₂ (M = Ti, Zr). The reaction of 2 with M(NMe₂)₄ in toluene afforded (Dcab^Py)M(NMe₂)₂, {(η⁵-RC₂B₉H₉)(CH₂)(η¹-NC₅H₄)}M(NMe₂)₂] (M = Ti, 5; Zr, 6; R = H, a; Me, b), which readily reacted with Me₃SiCl to yield the corresponding chloride complexes (Dcab^Py)MCl₂ (M = Ti, 3; Zr, 4; R = H, a; Me, b). The structures of the diamido complexes (Dcab^Py)M(NMe₂)₂ (M = Ti, 5; Zr, 6) were established by X-ray diffraction studies of 5a, 5b, and 6a, which verified an η⁵:η¹-bonding mode derived from the dicarbollylamino ligand. Related constrained geometry catalyst CGC-type alkoxy titanium complexes, (Dcab^Py)Ti(OⁱPr)₂ (7), were synthesized by the reaction of 2 with Ti(OⁱPr)₄. Sterically less demanding phenols such as 2-Me-C₆H₄OH replaced the coordinated amido ligands on (Dcab^Py)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (5a) to yield aryloxy stabilized CGC complexes (Dcab^Py)Ti(OPh^Me)₂(Ph^Me  =  2- Me-C₆H₄, 8). NMR spectral data suggested that an intramolecular Ti-N coordination was intact in solution, resulting in a stable piano-stool structure with two aryloxy ligands residing in two of the leg positions. The aryloxy coordinations were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies on complexes (Dcab^Py)Ti(OPh^Me)₂ (8).