Monomeric Magnesium and Calcium Complexes containing the Rigid,Dianionic 1, 2‐Bis[(2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dtb‐BIAN) and 1, 2‐Bis[(2‐biphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (bph‐BIAN) Ligands

The new rigid bidentate nitrogen ligands 1, 2‐bis[(2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene ( 1 ) (dtb‐BIAN) and 1, 2‐bis[(2‐biphenyl)imino]acenaphthene ( 2 ) (bph‐BIAN) have been synthesized by condensation of 1, 2‐acenaphthylenedione with 2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylaniline and 2‐aminobiphenyl, respectively. Reduction of 1 and 2 with magnesium and calcium results in the formation of the monomeric metal complexes [(dtb‐BIAN)Mg(THF)₂] ( 3 ), [(bph‐BIAN)Mg(DME)₂] ( 4 ), and [(bph‐BIAN)Ca(THF)₃] ( 5 ). Compounds 1 — 5 have been characterized by C/H analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra, the structures of 2 , 3 , and 5 have been estimated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and Molecular Structure of Two Zinc Complexes of 1,2‐Bis[(trimethylsilyl)imino]acenaphthene

The reaction of 1,2‐bis[(trimethylsilyl)imino]acenaphthene ( 1 , tms‐BIAN) with ZnCl₂ and ZnI₂ in THF and Et₂O afford (tms‐BIAN)ZnCl₂ ( 2 ) and (tms‐BIAN)ZnI₂ ( 3 ), respectively. The compounds 2 and 3 were characterized by IR‐ and NMR spectroscopy as well as by single crystal X‐ray analysis.     

C‐O Bond Cleavage of Diethyl Ether and Tetrahydrofurane by [(dpp‐BIAN)AlI(Et2O)] [dpp‐BIAN = 1,2‐bis[(2,6‐di‐iso‐propylphenyl)‐imino]acenaphthene]

At elevated temperatures, the aluminum complex [(dpp‐BIAN)AlI(Et₂O)] ( 1 ) splits the C‐O bonds of diethyl ether and tetrahydrofurane yielding the dimeric alkoxides [(dpp‐BIAN)AlOEt]₂ ( 2 ) and [(dpp‐BIAN)AlO(CH₂)₄I]₂ ( 3 ), respectively. Already at ambient temperatures, a cleavage of the C‐O bond of THF is to observe in the reaction of 1 with CpNa in THF as confirmed by the formation of [(dpp‐BIAN)AlO(CH₂)₄C₅H₅]₂ ( 4a ) and [(dpp‐BIAN)Al{O(CH₂)₄C₅H₅}(THF)] ( 4b ) in a molar ratio of 1:2. The reaction of 1 with t‐BuOK affords the monomeric alkoxide [(dpp‐BIAN)AlO‐t‐Bu(Et₂O)] ( 5 ). Compounds 2 , 3 , and 4a/b were characterized by elemental analyses and IR spectra. Additionally, the structures of 2 and 3 were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

One‐Electron Reduction of Acenaphthene‐1,2‐Diimine Nickel(II) Complexes

New nickel‐based complexes of 1,2‐bis[(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dpp‐bian) with BF₄^? counterion or halide co‐ligands were synthesized in THF and MeCN. The nickel(I) complexes were obtained by using two approaches: 1) electrochemical reduction of the corresponding nickel(II) precursors; and 2) a chemical comproportionation reaction. The structural features and redox properties of these complexes were investigated by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The influence of temperature and solvent on the structure of the nickel(I) complexes was studied in detail, and an uncommon reversible solvent‐induced monomer/dimer transformation was observed. In the case of the fluoride complex, the unpaired electron was found to be localized on the dpp‐bian ligand, whereas all of the other nickel complexes contained neutral dpp‐bian moieties.     

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.     

[N,N′‐Bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthene‐1,2‐diimine‐1κ2N,N′]heptacarbonyl‐1κC,2κ3C,3κ3C‐di‐μ3‐tellurido‐triiiron(II)(2 Fe—Fe)

The sterically hindered title complex, [Fe₃Te₂(C₃₆H₄₀N₂)(CO)₇], was obtained by substitution of two carbonyl groups in the [Fe₃(μ₃‐Te)₂(CO)₉] cluster by the bulky redox‐active N,N′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthene‐1,2‐diimine (dpp‐BIAN) ligand. The asymmetric unit contains two molecules of the same geometry. The C=N bond lengths in dpp‐BIAN indicate a rather low level of electron transfer from the cluster core to the dpp‐BIAN ligand.     

Addition of alkynes to a gallium bis-amido complex: imitation of transition-metal-based catalytic systems

Acetylene, phenylacetylene, and alkylbutynoates add reversibly to (dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian) (dpp‐bian=1,2‐bis[(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐imino]acenaphthene) to give addition products [dpp‐bian(R¹C?CR²)]Ga–Ga[(R²C?CR¹)dpp‐bian]. The alkyne adds across the Ga? N? C section, which results in new carbon–carbon and carbon–gallium bonds. The adducts were characterized by electron absorption, IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and their molecular structures have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. According to the X‐ray data, a change in the coordination number of gallium from three [in (dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian)] to four (in the adducts) results in elongation of the metal–metal bond by approximately 0.13 Å. The adducts undergo a facile alkynes elimination at elevated temperatures. The equilibrium between [dpp‐bian(PhC?CH)]Ga–Ga[(HC?CPh)dpp‐bian] and [(dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian) + 2 PhC?CH] in toluene solution was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The equilibrium constants at various temperatures (298≤T≤323 K) were determined, from which the thermodynamic parameters for the phenylacetylene elimination were calculated (ΔG°=2.4 kJ mol^?1, ΔH°=46.0 kJ mol^?1, ΔS°=146.0 J K^?1mol^?1). The reactivity of (dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian) towards alkynes permits use as a catalyst for carbon–nitrogen and carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions. The bisgallium complex was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the hydroamination of phenylacetylene with anilines. For instance, with [(dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian)] (2 mol %) in benzene more than 99 % conversion of PhNH₂ and PhC?CH into PhN?C(Ph)CH₃ was achieved in 16 h at 90 °C. Under similar conditions, the reaction of 1‐aminoanthracene with PhC?CH catalyzed by (dpp‐bian)Ga–Ga(dpp‐bian) formed a carbon–carbon bond to afford 1‐amino‐2‐(1‐phenylvinyl)anthracene in 99 % yield.     

Synthese eines hexanuklearen Calcium–Phosphor‐Käfigs über heteroleptische Calcium‐amid‐phosphanid‐Vorstufen

Synthesis of a Hexanuclear Calcium–Phosphorus‐Cage The metalation of tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphane with calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] yields the dimer {(Me₃Si)₂N–Ca(THF)[μ‐P(H)Si^tBu₃]}₂ ( 1 ). In THF monomerization occurs and dismutation reactions lead to the homoleptic compounds, namely (THF)₂Ca[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ and (THF)₄Ca[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₂. In toluene, 1 undergoes dismutation reactions, bis(tetrahydrofuran)calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] is regained and [(Me₃Si)₂N–Ca(THF)]₂Ca[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₄ ( 2 ) precipitates. At raised temperatures, 2 undergoes a homometallic metalation with the loss of two equivalents of HN(SiMe₃)₂ and dimerizes. The thus formed cage compound (THF)₂Ca₆[PSi^tBu₃]₄[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₄ ( 3 ) with a central Ca₄P₄ heterocubane moiety crystallizes upon cooling of the toluene solution. The molecular structures of 2 and 3 were determined.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Annulation of 1,2‐Diborylalkenes and ‐Arenes with 1‐Bromo‐2‐[(Z)‐2‐bromoethenyl]arenes: A Modular Approach to Multisubstituted Naphthalenes and Fused Phenanthrenes

(Z)‐1,2‐Diaryl‐1,2‐bis(pinacolatoboryl)ethenes underwent double‐cross‐coupling reactions with 1‐bromo‐2‐[(Z)‐2‐bromoethenyl]arenes in the presence of [Pd(PPh₃)₄] as a catalyst and 3 M aqueous Cs₂CO₃ as a base in THF at 80 °C. The double‐coupling reaction gave multisubstituted naphthalenes in good to high yields. Annulation of 1,2‐bis(pinacolatoboryl)arenes with bromo(bromoethenyl)arenes in the presence of a catalyst system that consisted of [Pd₂(dba)₃] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) and 2‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐2′,6′‐dimethoxybiphenyl (SPhos) under the same conditions produced fused phenanthrenes in good to high yields. The first annulation coupling occurred regiospecifically at the bromoethenyl moiety. This procedure is applicable to the facile synthesis of polysubstituted anthracenes, benzothiophenes, and dibenzoanthracenes through a double annulation pathway by using the corresponding dibromobis[(Z)‐2‐bromoethenyl]benzenes as diboryl coupling partners.     

Synthesis of Square‐Planar Aluminum(III) Complexes

The synthesis of two four‐coordinate and square planar (SP) complexes of aluminum(III) is presented. Reaction of a phenyl‐substituted bis(imino)pyridine ligand that is reduced by two electrons, Na₂(^PhI₂P^2?), with AlCl₃ afforded five‐coordinate [(^PhI₂P^2?)Al(THF)Cl] ( 1 ). Square‐planar [(^PhI₂P^2?)AlCl] ( 2 ) was obtained by performing the same reaction in diethyl ether followed by lyphilization of 2 from benzene. The four‐coordinate geometry index for 2 , τ₄, is 0.22, where 0 would be a perfectly square‐planar molecule. The analogous aluminum hydride complex, [(^PhI₂P^2?)AlH] ( 3 ), is also square‐planar, and was characterized crystallographically and has τ₄=0.13. Both 2 and 3 are Lewis acidic and bind 2,6‐lutidine.     

New high-spin iron complexes based on bis(imino)acenaphthenes (BIAN): synthesis,structure, and magnetic properties

The reactions of iron diiodide with one and two equivalents of the monopotassium salt of 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dpp-BIAN) in diethyl ether gave the complexes [(dpp-BIAN)FeI]₂ (1) and (dpp-BIAN)₂Fe (2), respectively. The bis-ligand complex (tms-BIAN)₂Fe (3) was synthesized by the exchange reaction of the monosodium salt of 1,2-bis(trimethylsilylimino)acenaphthene (tms-BIAN) with iron diiodide. The reaction of FeI₂ with tms-BIAN affords the chelate complex (tms-BIAN)FeI₂ (4), whereas the reaction of FeBr₂·2H₂O with tms-BIAN is accompanied by elimination of trimethylsilyl groups to form the tris-ligand acenaphthene-1,2-diimine complex [(H₂BIAN)₃Fe][FeBr₃·THF]₂ (5) containing two types of iron ions. Compounds 1–5 were characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 1–5 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. For high-spin complexes 1–3, the temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities were measured in the range of 4–300 K.     

Magnesium and calcium complexes with two diimine radical-anion ligands. Molecular structure of the Ca complex with 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene

Four- and five-coordinate magnesium and calcium complexes containing two diimine radical-anion ligands with compositions (dpp-BIAN)₂Mg (1), (dpp-BIAN)₂Ca (2), (dtb-BIAN)₂Mg (3), and (dtb-BIAN)₂Ca(THF) (4) (dpp-BIAN is 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene and dtb-BIAN is 1,2-bis[(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) were synthesized. At 120 K, the ESR spectra of complexes 1–4 in a toluene matrix show signals characteristic of biradical derivatives. The molecular structure of compound 2 was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. At 293 K, the magnetic moments of compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 2.55, 2.57, 2.76, and 2.79 μ_B, respectively, which are indicative of the presence of two unpaired electrons localized on the ligands.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2051–2055, October, 2004.     

Iron(II)‐ and Cobalt(II) Complexes with Tridentate Bis(imino)pyridine Nitrogen Ligands Bearing Chiral Bulky Aliphatic and Aromatic Substituents: Crystal Structure of [CoCl2{2, 6‐bis[R‐(+)‐(bornylimino)methyl]pyridine}]

Iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes ( 7 ‐ 15 ) based on new aldimine 2, 6‐bis[(imino)methyl]pyridine ( 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ) and ketimine (2, 6‐bis[(imino)ethyl]pyridine ( 3 , 5 ) ligands with bulky chiral aliphatic or aromatic terminal groups have been prepared and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR‐, mass spectroscopy (EI), and elemental analysis. The complex [CoCl₂(BBoMP)]·¹/₂ CHCl₃ ( 13 ) (BBoMP: 2, 6‐bis{(R‐(+)‐(bornylimino)‐methyl}pyridine) crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁ with cell dimensions: a = 7.6603(11) Å, b = 28.3153(14) Å, c = 13.537(2) Å, V = 2908.1(6) ų, Z = 4. The coordination sphere around Co is distorted trigonal bipyramidal.     

Room‐temperature Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction with α‐diimine Pd(II) catalysts

An α‐diimine Pd(II) complex containing chiral sec‐phenethyl groups, {bis[N,N′‐(4‐methyl‐2‐sec‐phenethylphenyl)imino]‐2,3‐butadiene}dichloropalladium (rac‐ C1 ), was synthesized and characterized. rac‐ C1 was applied as an efficient catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction between various aniline halides and arylboronic acid in PEG‐400–H₂O at room temperature. Among a series of aniline halides, rac‐ C1 did not catalyze the cross‐coupling of aniline chlorides and fluorides but efficiently catalyzed the cross‐coupling of aniline bromides and iodides with phenylboronic acid. The catalytic activity reduced slightly with increasing steric hindrance of the aniline bromides. The complexes {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐2,6‐diphenylphenyl)imino]‐2,3‐butadiene}dichloropalladium and {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐2,6‐diphenylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene}dichloropalladium were also found to be efficient catalysts for the reaction. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kristallstrukturen und spektroskopische Eigenschaften von 2λ3‐Phospha‐1, 3‐dionaten und 1, 3‐Dionaten des Calciums ‐ ein Vergleich am Beispiel der 1, 3‐Diphenyl‐ und 1, 3‐Di(tert‐butyl)‐Derivate

Crystal Structures and Spectroscopic Properties of 2λ³‐Phospha‐1, 3‐dionates and 1, 3‐Dionates of Calcium ‐ Comparative Studies on the 1, 3‐Diphenyl and 1, 3‐Di(tert‐butyl) Derivatives A hydrogen‐metal exchange between dibenzoylphosphane and calcium carbide in tetrahydrofuran (THF) followed by addition of the ligand 1, 3, 5‐trimethyl‐1, 3, 5‐triazinane (TMTA) furnishes the binuclear complex bis[(tmta‐N, N′, N″)calcium bis(dibenzoylphosphanide)] ( 1a ) co‐crystallizing with benzene. Similarly, reaction of bis(2, 2‐dimethylpropionyl)phosphane with bis(thf‐O)calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] in 1, 2‐dimethoxyethane (DME) gives bis(dme‐O, O′)calcium bis[bis(2, 2‐dimethylpropionyl)phosphanide] ( 1b ) in high yield. The carbon analogues 1, 3‐diphenylpropane‐1, 3‐dione (dibenzoylmethane) or 2, 2, 6, 6‐tetramethylheptane‐3, 5‐dione (dipivaloylmethane) and bis(thf‐O)calcium bis[tris(trimethylsilylmethyl)zincate] in DME afford bis(dme‐O, O′)calcium bis(dibenzoylmethanide) ( 2a ) and the binuclear complex (μ‐dme‐O, O′)bis[(dme‐O, O′)calcium bis(dipivaloylmethanide)] ( 2b ), respectively. Dialkylzinc formed during the metalation reaction shows no reactivity towards the 1, 3‐dionates 2a and 2b . Finally, from the reaction of the unsymmetrically substituted ligand 2‐(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentanone and bis(thf‐O)calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] in toluene, the trinuclear complex 3 is obtained, co‐crystallizing with THF. The β‐ketoester anion bridges solely via the cyclopentanone unit.     

Synthesis and antioxidant activity of novel 15‐alkyl/aryl‐13, 17‐dihydro‐15λ5‐dibenzo [e,k] [1, 3, 7, 10, 2] dioxadiazaphosphacyclotridecin‐15‐selones/thiones/ones

A new class of phosphorus macrocycles were synthesized from 2‐[(E)‐2‐2 [(hydroxymethyl) phenyl] imino ethylidene) amino] phenyl methanol 1 with various phenylphosphorodichloridates, phenyldichlorophosphine, and ethyldichlorophosphite in the presence of triethylamine at 0–10°C under N₂ atmosphere in THF. All the title compounds were confirmed by analytical and spectral data (IR, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ³¹P‐NMR, and mass). The title compounds exhibited promising anti‐oxidant activity. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Deprotonation of Coordinated Phosphanes in a Rhenium Complex: CC Coupling with Diimine Coligands

The reaction of fac‐[Re(bipy)(CO)₃(PMe₃)][OTf] (bipy=2,2′‐bipyridine) with KN(SiMe₃)₂ affords two neutral products: cis,trans‐[Re(bipy)(CO)₂(CN)(PMe₃)], and a thermally unstable compound, which features a new C?C bond between a P‐bonded methylene group (from methyl group deprotonation) and the C6 position of bipy. The solid‐state structures of more stable 1,2‐bis[(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene analogs, resulting from the deprotonation of PMe₃, PPhMe₂, and PPh₂Me ligands, are determined by X‐ray diffraction.     

New 3,3′[2,2′‐oxy‐bis‐(oxazaborolidine)]‐ethylenes. Structural studies by NMR,X‐ray,and quantum chemistry methods

3,3′‐[2,2′‐Oxy‐bis‐(4S‐methyl, 5R‐phenyl‐1,3,2‐oxazaborolidine)]ethylene ( 4a ) and 3,3′‐[2, 2′‐oxy‐(4S‐methyl‐5R‐phenyl‐1,3,2‐oxazaborolidine)‐ (1,3,2‐benzoxazaborolidine)]ethylene ( 4b ) were synthesized by the reaction of N,N′‐bis‐[(1R,2S)‐norephedrine]oxalyl ( 3a ) or N,N′‐[((1R,2S)‐norephedrine, o‐hydroxyphenylamine]oxalyl ( 3b ) with BH₃‐THF. The molecular structure of these compounds was established by NMR and infrared spectroscopy. The molecular geometry for 4 was studied by means of theoretical methods, resulting in structures that were in total agreement with those obtained by spectroscopy data and X‐ray diffraction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:513–519, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20151     

Aluminum complexes with mono-and dianionic diimine ligands

The metathesis reaction of the magnesium complex [(dpp-BIAN)²⁻Mg²⁺(THF)₃] (dpp-BIAN is 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) with one equivalent of AlCl₃ in toluene gave the [(dpp-BIAN)²⁻AlCl₂]⁻[Mg₂Cl₃(THF)₆]⁺ complex (1). Reduction of dpp-BIAN with aluminum metal in the presence of AlCl₃ and AlI₃ in toluene and diethyl ether afforded the radical-anionic complex [(dpp-BIAN)⁻AlCl²] (2) and the dianionic complexes [(dpp-BIAN)²⁻AlI(Et₂O)] (3) and [(dpp-BIAN)²⁻AlCl(Et₂O)] (4), respectively. Compounds 1–4 were isolated in the crystalline state and characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structures of compounds 1–3 were established by X-ray diffraction. Compound 2 was characterized by ESR spectroscopy. Compounds 3 and 4 were studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 409–415, March, 2006.     

Reaction of the N‐heterocyclic carbene, 1,3‐dimesityl‐ imidazol‐2‐ylidene,with a uranyl triflate complex,UO2(OTf)2(thf)3

The N‐heterocyclic carbene, 1,3‐dimesityl‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene (IMes) reacts with tetrahydrofuran (THF) in the presence of an oxidizing uranyl triflate complex, UO₂(OTf)₂(thf)₃ (^?OTf = ^?OSO₂CF₃), to give 1,4‐bis(1,3‐dimesityl‐2‐imidazolium)‐1,3‐butadiene bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate), formally understood as the coupling product of two equivalents of IMes with [CH?CH? CH?CH](OTf)₂. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.