Cyanide ion complexation by a cationic borane

While we have previously reported that [1-(Mes2B)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6]+ ([2]+) complexes fluoride ions to form [1-(Mes2FB)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6] (2-F), we now show that this cationic borane also complexes cyanide to form [1-(Mes2(NC)B)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6] (2-CN). This reaction also occurs under biphasic conditions (H2O-CHCl3) and may serve to transport cyanide in organic phases. The zwitterionic cyanoborate 2-CN has been fully characterized and its crystal structure determined. UV-vis titration experiments carried out in THF indicate that [2]+ has a higher affinity for fluoride (K > 10(8) M(-1)) than cyanide (K = 8.0 (+/-0.5) x 10(5) M(-1)). Steric effects which impede cyanide binding to the sterically congested boron center of [2]+ are most likely at the origin of this selectivity. Finally, electrochemical studies indicate that [2]+ is significantly more electrophilic than its neutral precursor 1-(Mes2B)-8-(Me2NCH2)-(C10H6) (1). These studies also show that reduction of [2]+ is irreversible, possibly because of elimination of the NMe3 moiety under reductive conditions. In fact, [2]OTf reacts with NaBH4 to afford 1-(Mes2B)-8-(CH3)-(C10H6) (4) which has also been fully characterized.     

Synthesis and properties of a cationic bidentate Lewis acid

As part of our efforts to increase the fluoride affinity of bidentate Lewis acids, we have set out to determine if the F(-) anion chelation occurring in such systems can be complemented by favorable Coulombic attractions. To explore this idea, the neutral B/Hg bidentate Lewis acid 1-{Mes(2)B}-8-{(2,6-Me(2)-4-Me(2)NC(6)H(2))Hg}C(10)H(6) (3) and its cationic analogue [1-{Mes(2)B}-8-{(2,6-Me2-4-Me(3)NC(6)H(2))Hg}C(10)H(6)]+ ([4]+) have been synthesized and studied. Compound 3 as well as the triflate salt of [4]+ react with [S(NMe(2))3][Me(3)SiF(2)] to afford the corresponding fluoride complexes [3-micro(2)-F]- and [4-micro(2)-F]. Spectroscopic and structural studies confirm that the F- anion bridges the two Lewis acidic centers in both [3-micro(2)-F]- and [4-micro(2)-F]. UV-vis titration experiments carried out in tetrahydrofuran/water (9/1, v/v) mixtures indicate that the fluoride binding constants of 3 and [4]+ are clearly differentiated and are equal to 1.3 (+/-0.1) x 10(2) M(-1) and 6.2 (+/-0.2) x 10(4) M(-1), respectively. The enhanced fluoride binding constant of [4]+, when compared to 3, confirms that the chelate effect occurring in these types of fluoride receptors can be combined with favorable Coulombic attractions to strengthen the host-guest interaction. Cation [4]+ remains highly selective for F- over other environmentally abundant anions including Cl-, Br-, NO(3)(-), H(2)PO(4)(-), and HSO(4)(-) and shows only a weak response to OAc(-). Finally, the addition of an aqueous solution of Al3+ to a solution containing [4-micro(2)-F] leads to complete regeneration of [4]+, showing that F(-) binding is reversible.     

Fluoride ion capture from water with a cationic borane

The reaction of the [Li(THF)4]+ salt of dimesityl-1,8-naphthalenediylborate with [Me2NCH2]I affords a borane (1-(Mes2B)-8-(Me2NCH2)-C10H6) which can be converted into a cationic borane [3]+ ([1-(Mes2B)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6]+) by methylation with MeOTf. This cationic borane promptly complexes fluoride to afford the corresponding zwitterionic ammonium/fluoroborate 3-F (1-(Mes2FB)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6). Cation [3]+ fails to react with chloride, bromide, and iodide indicating that fluoride complexation is selective. Structural, spectroscopic, and computational studies carried out on 3-F show the existence of an unusual C-H...F-B hydrogen bond. Remarkably, [3]+ captures fluoride from water under biphasic conditions (H2O/CHCl3) to form 3-F. The high fluoride affinity of [3]+ can be correlated to the Coulombic forces which stabilize the B-F bond against heterolysis.     

Fluoride ion complexation by a B(2)/Hg heteronuclear tridentate Lewis acid

The reaction of [Li(THF)(4)][1,8-mu-(Mes(2)B)C(10)H(6)] with HgCl(2) affords [1,1'-(Hg)-[8-(Mes(2)B)C(10)H(6)](2)] () or [1-(ClHg)-8-(Mes(2)B)C(10)H(6)] (), depending on the stoichiometry of the reagents. These two new compounds have been characterized by (1)H, (13)C, (11)B and (199)Hg NMR, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The cyclic voltammogram of in THF shows two distinct waves observed at E(1/2) -2.31 V and -2.61 V, corresponding to the sequential reductions of the two boron centers. Fluoride titration experiments monitored by electrochemistry suggest that binds tightly to one fluoride anion and more loosely to a second one. Theses conclusions have been confirmed by a UV-vis titration experiment which indicates that the first fluoride binding constant (K(1)) is greater than 10(8) M(-1) while the second (K(2)) equals 5.2 (+/- 0.4) x 10(3) M(-1). The fluoride binding properties of have been compared to those of [1-(Me(2)B)-8-(Mes(2)B)C(10)H(6)] () and [1-((2,6-Me(2)-4-Me(2)NC(6)H(2))Hg)-8-(Mes(2)B)C(10)H(6)] (). Both experimental and computational results indicate that its affinity for fluoride anions is comparable to that of but significantly lower than that of the diborane . In particular, the fluoride binding constants of , and in chloroform are respectively equal to 5.0 (+/- 0.2) x 10(5) M(-1), 1.0 (+/- 0.2) x 10(3) M(-1) and 1.7 (+/- 0.1) x 10(3) M(-1). Determination of the crystal structures of the fluoride adducts [S(NMe(2))(3)][-mu(2)-F] and [S(NMe(2))(3)][-mu(2)-F] along with computational results indicate that the higher fluoride binding constant of arises from a strong chelate effect involving two fluorophilic boron centers.     

Probing the influence of steric bulk on anion binding by triarylboranes: comparative studies of FcB(o-Tol)2, FcB(o-Xyl)2 and FcBMes2

Steric crowding brought about on pyramidalization at boron has been predicted computationally to be of central importance to the strength and selectivity of anion binding by triarylboranes. The role of steric factors in systems containing a ferrocenyl reporter unit has been systematically probed in the current study by comparison of the F(-)/CN(-) binding properties of FcB(o-Tol)(2) (1, o-Tol = C(6)H(4)Me-2), FcB(o-Xyl)(2) (2, o-Xyl = C(6)H(3)Me(2)-2,6) and FcBMes(2) (3, Mes = C(6)H(2)Me(3)-2,4,6)), both in solution and in the solid state. Somewhat surprisingly, the inclusion of an extra ortho-methyl aryl substituent (e.g. for 2/3vs.1) is found to have a relatively small effect on the binding affinities of these boranes (e.g. log(10)K(CN) = 5.94(0.02), 4.73(0.01), 5.56(0.02), for 1, 2 and 3 respectively). Consistent with this observation, the degree of pyramidalization at boron determined for the cyanide adducts [1·CN](-), [2·CN](-) and [3·CN](-) in the solid state is also found to be essentially invariant (∠C(aryl)-B-C(aryl) = 338, 337, 337°, respectively), as are the B-CN and mean B-C(aryl) distances. In the solid state at least, it is apparent that the adverse steric effects potentially brought about by increasing ortho substitution are mitigated by a greater degree of synchronous rotation of the aryl substituents about the B-C(aryl) bonds. Thus a mean inter-plane angle of 71° is observed for [1·CN](-) while the corresponding values for [2·CN](-) and [3·CN](-) are 78° and 79°.     

Fluoride ion chelation by a bidentate phosphonium/borane Lewis acid

The phosphonium borane [1-Mes2B-2-MePh2P-(C6H4)]+ ([2]+) has been synthesized as an iodide salt by alkylation of 1-Mes2B-2-Ph2P-(C6H4) with MeI. This novel cationic borane complexes fluoride to afford the corresponding zwitterionic fluoroborate complex 1-FMes2B-2-MePh2P-(C6H4) (2-F) with a binding constant in MeOH exceeding that of 1-Mes2B-4-MePh2P-(C6H4) ([1]+) by at least 4 orders of magnitude. Structural and computational results indicate that the high fluorophilicity of [2]+ arises from both Coulombic and cooperative effects which lead to formation of a B-F-->P interaction with a F-->P distance of 2.666(2) A. These results, which are supported by NBO and AIM analyses, show that the latent phosphorus-centered Lewis acidity of the phosphonium moiety in [2]+ can be exploited to enhance fluoride binding via chelation.     

Improved protonation, collision-induced decomposition efficiency and structural assessment for 'red tide' brevetoxins employing nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry

Brevetoxins are a group of natural neurotoxins found in blooms of red tide algae. Previous electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS) studies show that all brevetoxins have high affinities for sodium ions, and they form abundant sodium adduct ions, [M + Na]+, in ES-MS, even when trace contamination is the only source of sodium ions. Attempts to obtain informative product ions from the collision-induced decomposition (CID) of [M + Na]+ brevetoxin precursor ions resulted only in uninformative sodium ion signals, even under elevated collision energies. In this study, a nano-ES-MS approach was developed wherein ammonium fluoride was used to form cationic [M + NH4]+ adducts of brevetoxin-2 and brevetoxin-3; a significant increase in the abundance of protonated brevetoxin molecules [M + H]+ also resulted, whereas the abundance of sodium adducts of brevetoxins [M + Na]+ was observed to decrease. Under CID, both [M + NH4]+ and [M + H]+ gave similar, abundant product ions and thus underwent the same types of fragmentation. This indicated that ammonium ions initially attached to brevetoxins forming [M + NH4]+ easily lose neutral ammonia in a first step in the gas phase, leaving protonated brevetoxin [M + H]+ to readily undergo further fragmentation under CID.     

Structural and electrochemical investigations of the high fluoride affinity of sterically hindered 1,8-bis(boryl)naphthalenes

The reaction of 10-bromo-9-oxa-10-boraanthracene with the tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran)lithium salt of dimesityl-1,8-naphthalenediylborate in diethyl ether affords 1-(dimesitylboryl)-8-(10'-bora-9'-oxaanthryl)naphthalene (2). This diborane reacts with [Me3SiF2][S(NMe2)3)] to afford the anionic complex [2-mu2-F]-, which has been isolated as a [S(NMe2)3]+ salt. The cyclic voltammograms of diborane 2 as well as 1-(dimesitylboryl)-8-(10'-bora-9'-thiaanthryl)naphthalene (1) exhibit two reversible reductions at E(1/2) = -2.200 and -2.566 V (vs FcH/FcH+) for 1 and E(1/2) = -2.248 and -2.620 V (vs FcH/FcH+) for 2 corresponding to the sequential reduction of the two boron centers. These two waves simultaneously disappear upon fluoride addition, thus indicating the formation of fluoride chelate complexes [1-mu2-F]- and [2-mu2-F]-. To identify the origin of the high fluoride affinity displayed by these diboranes, the structures of 2 and [2-mu2-F]- have been studied experimentally and computationally. The crystallographic studies show that the structure of 2 is distorted, thus indicating the presence of important steric repulsions between the neighboring boryl moieties. By contrast, the structure of the anionic complex [2-mu2-F]- is much more sterically relaxed than that of 2, as indicated by a reduction of the B-B distance from 3.279(4) A in 2 to 2.922(7) A in [2-mu2-F]-. The structural results suggest that the high fluoride affinity displayed by 2 results, at least in part, from the relief of steric repulsions induced by fluoride binding. Finally, the nature of the bonding as well as the strength of the interactions involved in the B-F-B bridge of [2-mu2-F]- has been studied using density functional theory calculations and Atoms-In-Molecules analyses. These calculations indicate that the enthalpic gain associated with the formation of two B-F bonds in [2-mu2-F]- only amounts to a fraction of the energy of a terminal B-F bond. These calculations also suggest that the relief of steric repulsions induced by fluoride binding in 2 may contribute to the high fluoride affinity of these types of molecules.     

Enhanced reactivity of 2-rhodaoxetanes through a labile acetonitrile ligand

New cationic, square-planar, ethene complexes [(Rbpa)RhI(C2H4)]+ [2a]--[2c]+ (Rbpa = N-alkyl-N,N-di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine; [2a]+: alkyl =R=Me; [2b]+: R = Bu; [2c]+: R = Bz) have been selectively oxygenated in acetonitrile by aqueous hydrogen peroxide to 2-rhoda(III)oxetanes with a labile acetonitrile ligand, [(Rbpa)RhIII(kappa2-C,O-CH2CH2O-)(MeCN)]+, [3a]+-[3c]+. The rate of elimination of acetaldehyde from [(Rbpa)RhIII(kappa2-C,O-CH2CH2O-)(MeCN)]+ increases in the order R = Me< R = Bu< R = Bz. Elimination of acetaldehyde from [(Bzbpa)RhIII(kappa2-C,O-CH2CH2O)(MeCN)]+ [3c]+, in the presence of ethene results in regeneration of ethene complex [(Bzbpa)RhI(C2H4)]+ [2c]+, and closes a catalytic cycle. In the presence of Z,Z-1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod) the corresponding cod complex [(Bzbpa)RhI(cod)]+ [6c]+ is formed. Further oxidation of [3c]+ by H2O2 results in the transient formylmethyl-hydroxy complex [(Bzbpa)RhIII(OH)[kappa1-C-CH2C(O)H]]+ [5c]+.     

Mobile phase variations in thermospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of pesticides

The effect of four different mobile phase compositions with reversed-phase methanol-water (50:50) + 0.05 M ammonium acetate, methanol-water (50:50) + 0.05 M ammonium formate, acetonitrile-water (50:50) + 0.05 M ammonium acetate and acetonitrile-water (50:50) + 0.05 M ammonium formate were compared in filament-on thermospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of carbamate and chlorotriazine pesticides. In the positive-ion mode, [M + H]+ and [M + NH4]+ were generally the base peaks for the chlorotriazines and the carbamates, respectively. Depending on the mobile phase used, other adduct ions obtained corresponded to [M + CH3CN + H]+, [M + CH3OH + NH4]+, [M + CH3COONH4 + NH4 - 2H2O]+, [M + CH3CN + NH4]+, [M + CH3COONH4 + H - H2O]+ and the dimer [2M + H]+. In the negative-ion mode, [M - H]- and adducts with the ionizing additive [M + CH3COO]- or [M + HCOO]- were obtained. Other ions for the carbamates carbaryl and oxamyl corresponded to [M - CONHCH3 + CH3COOH]- and [M - CON(CH3)2 + HCOO]-, respectively. The variation of mobile phase composition provides additional structural information in thermospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with no appreciable loss of sensitivity. Applications are reported for the determination of carbamate and chlorotriazine pesticides at the ng/g level in spiked and real soil samples, respectively.     

Tridurylboranes extended by three arylethynyl groups as a new family of boron-based pi-electron systems

A series of tris(phenylethynylduryl)boranes (R-C(6)H(4)-C&tbd1;C-duryl)(3)B with various substituents R have been prepared as air-stable solids owing to the steric protection of the boron atom by the three bulky duryl groups. These compounds show unique photophysical properties due to the p(pi)-pi conjugation through the p-orbital on the boron atom. In particular, a push-pull type derivative with R = NMe(2) exhibits a significant solvatochromism of fluorescence from blue to orange colors.     

Novel cation [N(SO2NMe3)2]+ and its synthesis and crystal structure. Dichloride of imido-bis(sulfuric) acid HN(SO2Cl)2. Part 1. Crystal structures of KN(SO2Cl)2.(1/2)CH3CN, KN(SO2Cl)2.(1/6)CH2Cl2, and [PCl4][N(SO2Cl)2

Several salts of bis(chlorosulfonyl)imide HN(SO2Cl)2 (1), namely, two solvates of its potassium salt, KN(SO2Cl)2.(1/2)CH3CN (1K1), KN(SO2Cl)2.(1/6)CH2Cl2 (1K2), and its tetrachlorophosphonium salt, [PCl4][N(SO2Cl)2] (2), were prepared and structurally characterized. The reaction of HN(SO2Cl)2 with Me3N gives the [N(SO2Cl)2]- salt of a novel cation, [N(SO2NMe3)2]+. This cation is analogous to the [HC(SO2NMe3)2]+ cation, but in contrast to the latter, it is fairly stable to hydrolysis. The salt [N(SO2NMe3)2]+[N(SO2Cl)2]- (3) can be converted into salts of other anions by being treated with diluted aqueous solutions of the respective acids, and thus NO3-, Cl-.H2O, SeO3(2-), CH3COO-, HSO4-, (COO)2(2-) salts were prepared. Treatment of 3 with concentrated HNO3 gave the [N(SO2NMe3)2]+ [O2NO-H-ONO2]- salt, and the addition of an HCl-acidified FeCl3 aqueous solution yielded the FeCl4- salt. Methanolysis resulted in the formation of MeOSO3- and [MeOSO2NSO2OMe]- salts. All salts have been characterized by chemical analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, and X-ray structure determinations.     

Hexafluoroantimony(V) salts of the cationic Ti(IV) fluoride non metallocene complexes [TiF3(MeCN)3]+ and [TiF2L]2+ (L = 15-Crown-5 and 18-Crown-6). Preparation, characterization and thermodynamic stability

The cationic titanium fluoride containing complexes [fac-TiF3(MeCN)3][SbF6].MeCN (1), [trans-TiF2(15-Crown-5)][SbF6]2(2) and [trans-TiF2(18-Crown-6)][SbF6]2(2), were prepared by the reaction of TiF4, the molecular ligand and SbF5 in MeCN. Complexes 1-3 were characterized by X-ray single crystal analysis, elemental analysis, IR, NMR and mass spectroscopy. Titanium tetrafluoride reacts with the SbF5 in SO2 with the formation of fac-[TiF3(SO2)3]+, detected by 19F NMR. Application of the volume-based approach to thermodynamics (VBT) offers a means, for the first time, of exploring the energetics surrounding these materials and in the thermodynamic section a discussion of this new approach is provided. It emerges that the basis of the thermodynamic driving force of formation of [TiF3L3][SbF6](s) salts, that enforces the unfavourable [DeltaH degrees =+ 237 (+/-20) kJ mol(-1)] fluoride ion transfer from the Lewis acid TiF4(s) to SbF5(l) to give the hypothetical [TiF3]+[SbF6]-(s), is the higher Ti-L (L = ligand) bond energy in the cationic complexes [TiF3L3]+ as compared to that in the molecular adducts TiF4L2(s) and SbF5L(s) so giving rise to larger enthalpies of complexation of [TiF3]+(g) by 3L(g) compared to those for complexation of TiF4(g) by 2L(g) and SbF5(g) by 1L(g). Formation of the trans-[TiF2(15-Crown-5)]2+ and trans-[TiF2(18-Crown-6)]2+ is accounted for the stabilization of [TiF2]2+ cation by the five donor acceptor Ti-O contacts and the accompanying positive charge delocalization. Cationic titanium(IV) complexes fac-[TiF3MeCN)3-nLn]+(n= 0-3) and cis-[TiF318-Crown-6)]+, trans-[TiF2(Crown)]2+(Crown = 15-Crown-5 and 18-Crown-6) were obtained in MeCN solution by the reaction of fac-[TiF3(MeCN)3]+ and L = Et2, THF, H2 or crown ethers. Complexes fac-[TiF3(MeCN)3-nLn][SbF6] L = Et2, THF, H2O, crown ethers are unstable in MeCN solution and slowly decompose giving molecular complexes cis-TiF4L2, cis-TiF4(Crown), SbF5L, titanium oxofluoride and alkoxide complexes. The structure of the fac-[TiF3(MeCN)3]+ is similar to the fac-[TiCl3(MeCN)3]+ and the complexes trans-[TiF2L]2+ L = 15-Crown-5, 18-Crown-6 have very similar geometries to that of trans-[TiCl2(15-Crown-5)]+ showing that the essential features of coordination are the same for the cationic titanium chloride and fluoride complexes with MeCN and 15-Crown-5, 18-Crown-6.     

The [2,5,12-C3B8H15]- anion, the first representative of the eleven-vertex hypho family of tricarbaboranes

In one synthetic step from the readily available 9-Me(2)SCH(2)-nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(11) (compound 1), the first representative of the eleven-vertex hypho family of tricarbaboranes, [2,5,12-C(3)B(8)H(15)][X] (X=[NMe4]+ or [PPh4]+) (compound 2), has been isolated in 32% yield and structurally characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and computational methods. Both [NMe4]+ or [PPh4]+ salts of anion 2 were found to undergo degradative conversion to the [hypho-6,7-C(2)B(6)H(13)]- anion (anion 3) in alkaline medium. The [PPh4]+ salt of anion 2 converted quantitatively to the [6-CH3-arachno-5,10-C(2)B(8)H(12)]- anion (anion 4) if passed through a silica column or to the neutral 5-CH3-arachno-6,9-C(2)B(8)H(13) (compound 5) on treatment of its [NMe4]+ salt with dilute HCl. Moreover, the reaction of compound 2 with [RhCl2(C(5)Me(5))]2 afforded the eleven-vertex ruthenadicarbaborane [1-C(5)Me(5)-4-CH(3)-closo-1,2,3-RhC(2)B(8)H(9)] (compound 8). All these reactions resulted in an extrusion of one of the cluster carbon atoms into an exoskeletal position.     

Synthesis and structures of zirconium complexes [Et2H2N]+2[ZrCl6]2–, [Me3NCH2Ph]+2[ZrCl6]2–•MeCN, [Ph3PC6H4(CHPh2-4)]+2[ZrCl6]2–•2 MeCN,and [Ph4Sb]+2[ZrCl6]2–

Russian Chemical Bulletin - The complexes [Et2H2N]+2[ZrCl6]2– (1), [Me3NCH2Ph]+2[ZrCl6]2–?MeCN (2), [Ph3PC6H4(CHPh2-4)]+2[ZrCl6]2–?2 MeCN (3), and...     

Hybrid Lewis acid/hydrogen-bond donor receptor for fluoride

[reaction: see text] To verify if hydrogen-bond donor groups can assist fluoride binding at the boron center of triaryl boranes, o-(dimesitylboryl)trifluoroacetanilide has been synthesized. Reaction of this new borane with [n-Bu(4)N][F] in acetone affords the corresponding fluoroborate complex whose stability constant exceeds that of [Mes(3)BF](-) by at least 2 orders of magnitude. Presumably, the higher fluoride affinity of o-(dimesitylboryl)trifluoroacetanilide results from the cooperativity of the Lewis acidic boron center and the hydrogen-bond donor trifluoroacetamide group.     

Synthesis and reactivity of o-benzylphosphino- and o-α-methylbenzyl(N,N-dimethyl)amine-boranes

The series of o-benzylphosphino-boranes, o-(R(2)B)C(6)H(4)CH(2)PtBu(2) (R = Cl 3, Ph 4, Cy 6, C(6)F(5) 7, Mes 8) and o-(BBN)C(6)H(4)CH(2)PtBu(2) (5), were synthesized from reactions of the respective chloroboranes with the lithiated benzyl-phosphine. In an analogous fashion, the α-methylbenzyl(N,N-dimethyl)amine-boranes o-(R(2)B)C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2) (R = Cl 10, Ph 11, Cy 12, C(6)F(5) 13, Mes 14) were prepared. While these species were inactive in the catalytic hydrogenation of tBuN═CHPh, compounds 7, 8, and 14 did react with H(2) at elevated temperatures (100 °C), resulting in the elimination of HC(6)F(5) and mesitylene, respectively. In the latter case, the species o-((Mes)HB)C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2) 15 was isolated. 14 was also shown to react with H(2)O to give the species o-((Mes)(HO)B)C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2) 16 with the loss of mesitylene. The structure of these compounds and the nature of these reactions were also probed spectroscopically, crystallographically, and computationally. The energies for the products of hydrogenation, the phosphonium and ammonium hydridoborates, were computed. In all cases, these products were endothermic with respect to the precursor phosphine-boranes and amine-boranes and H(2). The barriers to H(2) activation were found to be in the range of 24-38 kcal/mol. These theoretical studies also demonstrate that the steric bulk around the boron center dramatically affects the activation barrier for H(2) activation, while the Lewis acidity of the borane has the largest effect on the stabilization of the resulting onium-borohydride. In the case of the elimination reactions, the driving forces appear to be the loss of arene byproduct and formation of a strong donor-acceptor bond.     

Proton induced P-H and Mo-H bond activation at the phosphide bridged dimolybdenum complexes [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHR)(CO)4](R = Cy, 2,4,6-C6H2R'3; R'= H, Me, tBu)

The new hydride complexes [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHR)(CO)4] having bulky substituents (R = 2,4,6-C(6)H2tBu3= Mes*, R = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3= Mes) have been prepared in good yield by addition of Li[PHR] to the triply bonded [Mo2Cp2(CO)4] and further protonation of the resulting anionic phosphide complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHR)(CO)4]-. Protonation of the Mes* compound with either [H(OEt2)2][B{3,5-C6H3(CF3)2}4] or HBF4.OEt2 gives the cationic phosphinidene complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PMes*)(CO)4]+ in high yield. In contrast, protonation of the analogous hydride compounds with Mes or Cy substituents on phosphorus give the corresponding unsaturated tetracarbonyls [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHR)(CO)4]+, which are unstable at room temperature and display a cis geometry. Decomposition of the latter give the electron-precise pentacarbonyls [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHR)(mu-CO)(CO)4]+, also displaying a cis arrangement of the metal fragments. In the presence of BF4- as external anion, fluoride abstraction competes with carbonylation to yield the neutral fluorophosphide hydrides [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PFR)(CO)4]. Similar results were obtained in the protonation reactions of the hydride compounds having a Ph substituent on phosphorus. In that case, using HCl as protonation reagent gave the chloro-complex [Mo2ClCp2(mu-PHPh)(CO)4] in good yield. The structures and dynamic behaviour of the new compounds are analyzed on the basis of solution IR and 1H, 31P, 19F and 13C NMR data as well as the X-ray studies carried out on [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHMes)(CO)4](cis isomer), [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PFMes)(CO)4](trans isomer), [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHCy)(mu-CO)(CO)4](BF4) and [Mo2ClCp2(mu-PHPh)(CO)4].     

New bidentate cationic and zwitterionic relatives of Crabtree's hydrogenation catalyst

Inspired by the monodentate P,N ligation strategy featured in Crabtree's catalyst [(COD)Ir(PCy3)(Py)]+PF6-([1]+PF6-), a new class of bidentate cationic ([2]+X-) and zwitterionic (3) Ir complexes have been developed, which are capable of mediating the hydrogenation of alkenes under mild conditions and in a wider range of solvents than is possible for [1]+PF6-.     

Synthesis of the novel [W3PdS4H3(dmpe)3(CO)]+ cubane cluster and kinetic studies on the substitution of coordinated hydrides in acidic media

Reaction of the incomplete cuboidal [W3S4H3(dmpe)3]+ cluster with a Pd(0) complex under a CO atmosphere produces a rare example of a heterodimetallic hydrido cluster of formula [W3PdS4H3(dmpe)3(CO)]+ ([1]+). There are not significant changes in the W-W bond lengths on going from the trinuclear to the tetranuclear cluster. The average W-W and W-Pd bond distances of 2.769[10] and 2.90[2] A, respectively, are consistent with the presence of single bonds between metal atoms. The heterodimetallic [1]+ complex is easier to oxidize and more difficult to reduce than its trinuclear precursor, which reflects the electron-donating capability of the Pd(CO) fragment. However, mechanistic studies on the reaction of [1]+ with acids show a lower basicity for this complex in comparison with that of its trinuclear precursor, so there is a major electron-density rearrangement within the cluster core upon Pd(CO) coordination. This rearrangement is also reflected in an unusual expansion of the sulfur tetrahedron within the W3PdS4 core with the concomitant elongation of the W-S bond distances by 0.04 A with respect to the analogous bond lengths in the trinuclear precursor. For those thermodynamically favored proton-transfer processes, the reaction mechanism of [1]+ with acids is quite similar to that observed for the incomplete trinuclear cluster, with only small changes in the rate constants. The reaction of [1]+ with HCl in acetonitrile/water mixtures produces [W3PdS4Cl3(dmpe)3(CO)]+ ([2]+) in two kinetically distinguishable steps. Proton transfer occurs in the initial step, in which the W-H bonds are attacked by the acid to yield dihydrogen-bonded adducts that are further attacked by an acetonitrile molecule to give [W3PdS4(CH3CN)3(dmpe)3(CO)]4+ and dihydrogen. The nature of processes involved in the second step are not well-understood with the present data, although it is very likely that these correspond to some secondary processes. In the third resolved step, the coordinated CH3CN ligands in [W3PdS4(CH3CN)3(dmpe)3(CO)]4+ are substituted by Cl- to afford the final [2]+ product. No reaction is observed between [1]+ and HCl in neat acetonitrile, whereas the product of the reaction of [1]+ with HBF4 or Hpts (pts- = p-toluenesulfonate) in this solvent is [W3PdS4(CH3CN)3(dmpe)3(CO)]4+. The reaction occurs in a single kinetic step with a first- (Hpts) or second-order (HBF4) dependence with respect to the acid. The first- and second-order acid dependences can be interpreted through the initial formation of dihydrogen adducts with one or two acid molecules, respectively.