Alkaline‐Earth‐Catalysed Cross‐Dehydrocoupling of Amines and Hydrosilanes: Reactivity Trends,Scope and Mechanism

Alkaline‐earth (Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba) complexes are shown to catalyse the chemoselective cross‐dehydrocoupling (CDC) of amines and hydrosilanes. Key trends were delineated in the benchmark couplings of Ph₃SiH with pyrrolidine or tBuNH₂. Ae{E(SiMe₃)₂}₂ ? (THF)_x (E=N, CH; x=2–3) are more efficient than {N^N}Ae{E(SiMe₃)₂} ? (THF)_n (E=N, CH; n=1–2) complexes (where {N^N}^?={ArN(o‐C₆H₄)C(H)=NAr}^? with Ar=2,6‐iPr₂‐C₆H₃) bearing an iminoanilide ligand, and alkyl precatalysts are better than amido analogues. Turnover frequencies (TOFs) increase in the order Ca<Sr<Ba. Ba{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₂ ? (THF)₃ displays the best performance (TOF up to 3600 h^?1). The substrate scope (>30 products) includes diamines and di(hydrosilane)s. Kinetic analysis of the Ba‐promoted CDC of pyrrolidine and Ph₃SiH shows that 1) the kinetic law is rate=k[Ba]¹[amine]⁰[hydrosilane]¹, 2) electron‐withdrawing p‐substituents on the arylhydrosilane improve the reaction rate and 3) a maximal kinetic isotopic effect (k_SiH/k_SiD=4.7) is seen for Ph₃SiX (X=H, D). DFT calculations identified the prevailing mechanism; instead of an inaccessible σ‐bond‐breaking metathesis pathway, the CDC appears to follow a stepwise reaction path with N?Si bond‐forming nucleophilic attack of the catalytically competent Ba pyrrolide onto the incoming silane, followed by rate limiting hydrogen‐atom transfer to barium. The participation of a Ba silyl species is prevented energetically. The reactivity trend Ca<Sr<Ba results from greater accessibility of the metal centre and decreasing Ae?N_amide bond strength upon descending Group 2.     

Insights into LiAlH4 Catalyzed Imine Hydrogenation

Commercial LiAlH₄ can be used in catalytic quantities in the hydrogenation of imines to amines with H₂. Combined experimental and theoretical investigations give deeper insight in the mechanism and identifies the most likely catalytic cycle. Activity is lost when Li in LiAlH₄ is exchanged for Na or K. Exchanging Al for B or Ga also led to dramatically reduced activities. This indicates a heterobimetallic mechanism in which cooperation between Li and Al is crucial. Potential intermediates on the catalytic pathway have been isolated from reactions of MAlH₄ (M=Li, Na, K) and different imines. Depending on the imine, double, triple or quadruple imine insertion has been observed. Prolonged reaction of LiAlH₄ with PhC(H)=NtBu led to a side-reaction and gave the double insertion product LiAlH₂[N]₂ ([N]=N(tBu)CH₂Ph) which at higher temperature reacts further by ortho-metallation of the Ph ring. A DFT study led to a number of conclusions. The most likely catalyst for hydrogenation of PhC(H)=NtBu with LiAlH₄ is LiAlH₂[N]₂. Insertion of a third imine via a heterobimetallic transition state has a barrier of +23.2 kcal mol⁻¹ (ΔH). The rate-determining step is hydrogenolysis of LiAlH[N]₃ with H₂ with a barrier of +29.2 kcal mol⁻¹. In agreement with experiment, replacing Li for Na (or K) and Al for B (or Ga) led to higher calculated barriers. Also, the AlH₄⁻ anion showed very high barriers. Calculations support the experimentally observed effects of the imine substituents at C and N: the lowest barriers are calculated for imines with aryl-substituents at C and alkyl-substituents at N.     

Super‐Bulky Penta‐arylcyclopentadienyl Ligands: Isolation of the Full Range of Half‐Sandwich Heavy Alkaline‐Earth Metal Hydrides

Hydrogenolysis of the half‐sandwich penta‐arylcyclopentadienyl‐supported heavy alkaline‐earth‐metal alkyl complexes (Cp^Ar)Ae[CH(SiMe₃)₂](S) (Cp^Ar=C₅Ar₅, Ar=3,5‐ⁱPr₂‐C₆H_3; S=THF or DABCO) in hexane afforded the calcium, strontium, and barium metal–hydride complexes as the same dimers [(Cp^Ar)Ae(μ‐H)(S)]₂ (Ae=Ca, S=THF, 2‐Ca ; Ae=Sr, Ba, S=DABCO, 4‐Ae ), which were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. 2‐Ca , 4‐Sr , and 4‐Ba catalyzed alkene hydrogenation under mild conditions (30 °C, 6 atm, 5 mol % cat.), with the activity increasing with the metal size. A variety of activated alkenes including tri‐ and tetra‐substituted olefins, semi‐activated alkene (Me₃SiCH=CH₂), and unactivated terminal alkene (1‐hexene) were evaluated.     

Barium‐Mediated Cross‐Dehydrocoupling of Hydrosilanes with Amines: A Theoretical and Experimental Approach

Alkaline‐earth (most prominently barium) complexes of the type [Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂?(THF)_x] and [{N^N}Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂}?(THF)_x] are very active and productive precatalysts (TON=396, TOF up to 3600 h^?1; Ca相似文献   

Highly Fluorinated Tris(indazolyl)borate Silylamido Complexes of the Heavier Alkaline Earth Metals: Synthesis,Characterization, and Efficient Catalytic Intramolecular Hydroamination

Heteroleptic silylamido complexes of the heavier alkaline earth elements calcium and strontium containing the highly fluorinated 3‐phenyl hydrotris(indazolyl)borate {F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph}}^? ligand have been synthesized by using salt metathesis reactions. The homoleptic precursors [Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] (Ae=Ca, Sr) were treated with [Tl(F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph})] in pentane to form the corresponding heteroleptic complexes [(F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph})Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂}] (Ae=Ca ( 1 ); Sr ( 3 )). Compounds 1 and 3 are inert towards intermolecular redistribution. The molecular structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by using X‐ray diffraction. Compound 3 exhibits a Sr ??? MeSi agostic distortion. The synthesis of the homoleptic THF‐free compound [Ca{N(SiMe₂H)₂}₂] ( 4 ) by transamination reaction between [Ca{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] and HN(SiMe₂H)₂ is also reported. This precursor constitutes a convenient starting material for the subsequent preparation of the THF‐free complex [(F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph})Ca{N(SiMe₂H)₂}] ( 5 ). Compound 5 is stabilized in the solid state by a Ca???β‐Si?H agostic interaction. Complexes 1 and 3 have been used as precatalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of 2,2‐dimethylpent‐4‐en‐1‐amine. Compound 1 is highly active, converting completely 200 equivalents of aminoalkene in 16 min with 0.50 mol % catalyst loading at 25 °C.     

Heavier Alkaline-Earth Catalyzed Dehydrocoupling of Silanes and Alcohols for the Synthesis of Metallo-Polysilylethers

The dehydrocoupling of silanes and alcohols mediated by heavier alkaline-earth catalysts, [Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂⋅(THF)₂] ( I – III ) and [Ae{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₂⋅(THF)₂], ( IV – VI ) (Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba) is described. Primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols were coupled to phenylsilane or diphenylsilane, whereas tertiary silanes are less tolerant towards bulky substrates. Some control over reaction selectivity towards mono-, di-, or tri-substituted silylether products was achieved through alteration of reaction stoichiometry, conditions, and catalyst. The ferrocenyl silylether, FeCp(C₅H₄SiPh(OBn)₂) ( 2 ), was prepared and fully characterized from the ferrocenylsilane, FeCp(C₅H₄SiPhH₂) ( 1 ), and benzyl alcohol using barium catalysis. Stoichiometric experiments suggested a reaction manifold involving the formation of Ae–alkoxide and hydride species, and a series of dimeric Ae–alkoxides [(Ph₃CO)Ae(μ₂-OCPh₃)Ae(THF)] ( 3 a – c , Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba) were isolated and fully characterized. Mechanistic experiments suggested a complex reaction mechanism involving dimeric or polynuclear active species, whose kinetics are highly dependent on variables such as the identity and concentration of the precatalyst, silane, and alcohol. Turnover frequencies increase on descending Group 2 of the periodic table, with the barium precatalyst III displaying an apparent first-order dependence in both silane and alcohol, and an optimum catalyst loading of 3 mol % Ba, above which activity decreases. With precatalyst III in THF, ferrocene-containing poly- and oligosilylethers with ferrocene pendent to- ( P1 – P4 ) or as a constituent ( P5 , P6 ) of the main polymer chain were prepared from 1 or Fe(C₅H₄SiPhH₂)₂ ( 4 ) with diols 1,4-(HOCH₂)₂-(C₆H₄) and 1,4-(CH(CH₃)OH)₂-(C₆H₄), respectively. The resultant materials were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and DOSY NMR spectroscopy, with estimated molecular weights in excess of 20,000 Da for P1 and P4 . The iron centers display reversible redox behavior and thermal analysis showed P1 and P5 to be promising precursors to magnetic ceramic materials.     

Synthese und Struktur von Sr6P8‐Polyedern in gemischten Phosphaniden/Phosphandiiden des Strontiums

Synthesis and Structures of Sr₆P₈ Polyhedra in Mixed Phosphanides/Phosphandiides of Strontium The strontiation of H₂PSiⁱPr₃ ( 1 ) with (THF)₂Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in THF yields colorless tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran‐O)strontium bis(triisopropylsilylphosphanide) ( 3 ). The central alkaline earth metal atom has an octahedral environment with the phosphanide ligands in trans position. The homometalation in toluene leads to the elimination of 1 and THF. Cooling of this solution gives crystals of colorless tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran‐O)hexastrontium‐tetrakis(triisopropylsilylphosphanide)‐tetrakis(triisopropylsilylphosphandiide) ( 4 ). The equimolar reaction of H₂PSi^tBu₃ ( 2 ) with (THF)₂Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in toluene yields in the first step heteroleptic dimeric {(Me₃Si)₂NSr(THF)₂[P(H)Si^tBu₃]}₂ ( 5 )₂. This compounds monomerizes in THF to (Me₃Si)₂N–Sr(THF)₄[P(H)Si^tBu₃] ( 6 ), which forms an equilibrium with the homoleptic dismutation products (THF)₂Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ and (THF)₄Sr[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₂ ( 7 ). Compound ( 5 )₂ undergoes a intramolecular strontiation and bis(tetrahydrofuran‐O)hexastrontium‐tetrakis[tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphanide]‐tetrakis[tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphandiide] ( 8 ) is isolated. The central Sr₆P₈‐polyhedra of 4 and 8 are very similar.     

Lutetium‐Methanediide‐Alkyl Complexes: Synthesis and Chemistry

The first four‐coordinate methanediide/alkyl lutetium complex (BODDI)Lu₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(μ₂‐CHSiMe₃)(THF)₂ (BODDI=ArNC(Me)CHCOCHC(Me)NAr, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) ( 1 ) was synthesized by a thermolysis methodology through α‐H abstraction from a Lu–CH₂SiMe₃ group. Complex 1 reacted with equimolar 2,6‐iPrC₆H₃NH₂ and Ph₂C?O to give the corresponding lutetium bridging imido and oxo complexes (BODDI)Lu₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(μ₂‐N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)(THF)₂ ( 2 ) and (BODDI)Lu₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(μ₂‐O)(THF)₂ ( 3 ). Treatment of 3 with Ph₂C?O (4 equiv) caused a rare insertion of Lu–μ₂‐O bond into the C?O group to afford a diphenylmethyl diolate complex 4 . Reaction of 1 with PhN=C?O (2 equiv) led to the migration of SiMe₃ to the amido nitrogen atom to give complex (BODDI)Lu₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₂‐μ‐{PhNC(O)CHC(O)NPh(SiMe₃)‐κ³N,O,O}(THF) ( 5 ). Reaction of 1 with tBuN?C formed an unprecedented product (BODDI)Lu₂(CH₂SiMe₃){μ₂‐[η²:η²‐tBuNC(=CH₂)SiMe₂CHC?NtBu‐κ¹N]}(tBuN?C)₂ ( 6 ) through a cascade reaction of N?C bond insertion, sequential cyclometalative γ‐(sp³)‐H activation, C?C bond formation, and rearrangement of the newly formed carbene intermediate. The possible mechanistic pathways between 1 , PhN?C?O, and tBuN?C were elucidated by DFT calculations.     

Cyclohydroamination of Aminoalkenes Catalyzed by Disilazide Alkaline‐Earth Metal Complexes: Reactivity Patterns and Deactivation Pathways

The behavior of the first aminophenolate catalysts of the large alkaline earth metals (Ae) [(LOⁱ)AeN(SiMe₂R)₂(thf)_x] (i=1–4; Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba; R=H, Me; x=0–2) for the cyclohydroamination of terminal aminoalkenes is discussed. The complexes [(BDI)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] (Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba, x=1–2; (BDI)H=H₂C[C(Me)N‐2,6‐(iPr)₂C₆H₃]₂)) and [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₃)₂(thf)] supported by the β‐diketiminate (BDI)^? ligand have also been employed for comparative and mechanistic considerations. The catalytic performances decrease in the order Ca>Sr?Ba, which is the opposite trend to that previously observed during the intermolecular hydroamination of activated alkenes catalyzed by the same alkaline‐earth metal complexes. Catalyst efficacy increases when the chelating and donating ability of the aminophenolate ligands decreases. For given metals and ancillary scaffolds, disilazide catalysts that incorporate the N(SiMe₃)₂^? amido group outclass their congeners containing the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? amide owing to the lower basicity of the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? with respect to the N(SiMe₃)₂^? group, and also because Ae–N(SiMe₂H)₂ catalysts suffer from irreversible deactivation through the dehydrogenative coupling of amine and hydrosilane moieties. This deactivation process takes place at 25 °C in the case of [(LOⁱ)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] phenolate complexes and occurs even with the related [(BDI)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] complex, albeit under conditions harsher than those required for effective cyclohydroamination catalysis. A mechanistic scenario for cyclohydroamination catalyzed by [(LX)AeN(SiMe₂H)₂(thf)_x] complexes ((LX)^?=(LOⁱ)^? or (BDI)^?) is proposed. Although beneficial for the synthesis of Ae heteroleptic complexes able to resist deleterious Schlenk‐type equilibria, the use of the N(SiMe₂H)₂^? is prejudicial to catalytic activity in the case of catalyzed transformations that involve reactive amine (and potentially other) substrates. Mechanistic and kinetic investigations further illustrate the interplay between the catalytic activity, operative mechanism, and identity of the metal, ancillary ligand, and amido group. These studies suggest that the widely accepted mechanism for cyclohydroamination reactions cannot be extended systematically to all alkaline‐earth catalysts. The [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₂H)₂{H₂NCH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂CH?CH₂}₂] complex, the first Ca–aminoalkene adduct structurally characterized, was prepared quantitatively and essentially behaves like [(BDI)CaN(SiMe₂H)(thf)], thus serving as a model compound for mechanistic studies, as illustrated during stoichiometric reactions monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Heteroleptic Silylamido Phenolate Complexes of Calcium and the Larger Alkaline Earth Metals: β‐Agostic Ae⋅⋅⋅Si?H Stabilization and Activity in the Ring‐Opening Polymerization of L‐Lactide

The factors governing the stability and the reactivity towards cyclic esters of heteroleptic complexes of the large alkaline earth metals (Ae) have been probed. The synthesis and stability of a family of heteroleptic silylamido and alkoxide complexes of calcium [{LOⁱ}Ca? Nu(thf)_n] supported by mono‐anionic amino ether phenolate ligands (i=1, {LO¹}^?=4‐(tert‐butyl)‐2,6‐bis(morpholinomethyl)phenolate, Nu^?=N(SiMe₂H)₂^?, n=0, 4 ; i=2, {LO²}^?=2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐{[2‐(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidin‐1‐yl]methyl}phenolate, Nu^?=N(SiMe₂H)₂^?, n=0, 5 ; i=4, {LO⁴}^?=2‐{[bis(2‐methoxyethyl)amino]methyl}‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenolate, Nu^?=N(SiMe₂H)₂^?, n=1, 6 ; Nu^?=HC?CCH₂O^?, n=0, 7 ) and those of the related [{LO³}Ae? N(SiMe₂H)₂] ({LO³}^?=2‐[(1,4,7,10‐tetraoxa‐13‐azacyclopentadecan‐13‐yl)methyl]‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenolate Ae=Ca, 1 ; Sr, 2 ; Ba, 3 ) have been investigated. The molecular structures of 1 , 2 , [( 4 )₂], 6 , and [( 7 )₂] have been determined by X‐ray diffraction. These highlight Ae???H? Si internal β‐agostic interactions, which play a key role in the stabilization of [{LOⁱ}Ae? N(SiMe₂H)₂] complexes against ligand redistribution reactions, in contrast to regular [{LOⁱ}Ae? N(SiMe₃)₂]. Pulse‐gradient spin‐echo (PGSE) NMR measurements showed that 1 , 4 , 6 , and 7 are monomeric in solution. Complexes 1 – 7 mediate the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of L ‐lactide highly efficiently, converting up to 5000 equivalents of monomer at 25 °C in a controlled fashion. In the immortal ROP performed with up to 100 equivalents of exogenous 9‐anthracenylmethanol or benzyl or propargyl alcohols as a transfer agent, the activity of the catalyst increased with the size of the metal ( 1 < 2 < 3 ). For Ca‐based complexes, the enhanced electron‐donating ability of the ancillary ligand favored catalyst activity ( 1 > 6 > 4 ≈ 5 ). The nature of the alcohol had little effect over the activity of the binary catalyst system 1 /ROH; in all cases, both the control and end‐group fidelity were excellent. In the living ROP of L ‐LA, the HC?CCH₂O^? initiating group (as in 7 ) proved superior to N(SiMe₂H)₂^? or N(SiMe₃)₂^? (as in 6 or [{LO⁴}Ca? N(SiMe₃)₂] ( B ), respectively).     

A Silyliumylidene Cation Stabilized by an Amidinate Ligand and 4‐Dimethylaminopyridine

The synthesis and reactivity of a silyliumylidene cation stabilized by an amidinate ligand and 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) are described. The reaction of the amidinate silicon(I) dimer [ L Si:]₂ ( 1 ; L =PhC(NtBu)₂) with one equivalent of N‐trimethylsilyl‐4‐dimethylaminopyridinium triflate [4‐NMe₂C₅H₄NSiMe₃]OTf and two equivalents of DMAP in THF afforded [ L Si(DMAP)]OTf ( 2 ). The ambiphilic character of 2 is demonstrated from its reactivity. Treatment of 2 with 1 in THF afforded the disilylenylsilylium triflate [ L′ ₂( L )Si]OTf ( 3 ; L′ = L Si:) with the displacement of DMAP. The reaction of 2 with [K{HB(iBu)₃}] and elemental sulfur in THF afforded the silylsilylene [ L SiSi(H){(NtBu)₂C(H)Ph}] ( 4 ) and the base‐stabilized silanethionium triflate [ L Si(S)DMAP]OTf ( 5 ), respectively. Compounds 2 , 3 , and 5 have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography.     

Intermolecular Hydroamination of Vinylarenes by Iminoanilide Alkaline‐Earth Catalysts: A Computational Scrutiny of Mechanistic Pathways

A thorough computational exploration of the mechanistic intricacies of the intermolecular hydroamination (HA) of vinylarenes by a recently reported class of kinetically stabilised iminoanilide [{N^N}Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂} ? (THF)_n] alkaline‐earth amido compounds (Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba) is presented. Two distinct mechanistic pathways for catalytic HA mediated by alkaline‐earth and rare‐earth compounds have emerged over the years that account equally well for the specific features of the process. On one hand, a concerted proton‐assisted pathway to deliver the amine product in a single step can be invoked and, on the other, a stepwise σ‐insertive pathway that comprises a rapid, reversible migratory olefin insertion step linked to a less facile, irreversible Ae?C alkyl bond aminolysis. The results of the study presented herein, which employed a heavily benchmarked and reliable DFT methodology, supports a stepwise σ‐insertive pathway that involves fast and reversible migratory C?C bond insertion into the polar Ae?N pyrrolido σ bond. This proceeds with strict 2,1 regioselectivity via a highly polarised four‐centre transition state (TS) structure, linked to irreversible intramolecular Ae?C bond aminolysis of the alkaline‐earth alkyl intermediate as the energetically favourable mechanism. Turnover‐limiting aminolysis is consistent with the significant KIE measured; the DFT‐derived effective barrier matches the Eyring parameter empirically determined for the best‐performing {N^N}Ba(NR₂) catalyst gratifyingly well. It also predicts the observed trend in reactivity (Ca<Sr<Ba) correctly and the computationally estimated primary KIE is close to the observed values. Non‐competitive kinetic demands militate against the operation of the alternative concerted proton‐assisted pathway, which describes N?C bond formation triggered by concomitant amino proton transfer at the C?C linkage via a multi‐centre TS structure. A detailed comparison of {N^N}Ae(NR₂) catalysts revealed that the variation in the Ae?pyrrolido bond strength together with the degree of protection of the alkaline earth by a sterically encumbering iminoanilide ligand scaffold not only profoundly influences the performance in HA catalysis, but also the likelihood of traversing rival mechanistic pathways.     

Surprisingly Different Reaction Behavior of Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metal Bis(trimethylsilyl)amides toward Bulky N‐(2‐Pyridylethyl)‐N′‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)pivalamidine

N‐(2,6‐Diisopropylphenyl)‐N′‐(2‐pyridylethyl)pivalamidine (Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)‐C₂H₄‐Py) ( 1 ), reacts with metalation reagents of lithium, magnesium, calcium, and strontium to give the corresponding pivalamidinates [(tmeda)Li{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}] ( 6 ), [Mg{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}₂] ( 3 ), and heteroleptic [{(Me₃Si)₂N}Ae{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}], with Ae being Ca ( 2 a ) and Sr ( 2 b ). In contrast to this straightforward deprotonation of the amidine units, the reaction of 1 with the bis(trimethylsilyl)amides of sodium or potassium unexpectedly leads to a β‐metalation and an immediate deamidation reaction yielding [(thf)₂Na{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)}] ( 4 a ) or [(thf)₂K{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)}] ( 4 b ), respectively, as well as 2‐vinylpyridine in both cases. The lithium derivative shows a similar reaction behavior to the alkaline earth metal congeners, underlining the diagonal relationship in the periodic table. Protonation of 4 a or the metathesis reaction of 4 b with CaI₂ in tetrahydrofuran yields N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)pivalamidine (Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐NH₂) ( 5 ), or [(thf)₄Ca{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)}₂] ( 7 ), respectively. The reaction of AN(SiMe₃)₂ (A=Na, K) with less bulky formamidine Dipp‐N=C(H)‐N(H)‐C₂H₄‐Py ( 8 ) leads to deprotonation of the amidine functionality, and [(thf)Na{Dipp‐N=C(H)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}]₂ ( 9 a ) or [(thf)K{Dipp‐N=C(H)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}]₂ ( 9 b ), respectively, are isolated as dinuclear complexes. From these experiments it is obvious, that β‐metalation/deamidation of N‐(2‐pyridylethyl)amidines requires bases with soft metal ions and also steric pressure. The isomeric forms of all compounds are verified by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis and are maintained in solution.     

Pivaloylmetals (tBu‐COM: M=Li,MgX, K) as Equilibrium Components

Short‐lived pivaloylmetals, (H₃C)₃C‐COM, were established as the reactive intermediates arising through thermal heterolytic expulsion of O=CtBu₂ from the overcrowded metal alkoxides tBuC(=O)‐C(‐OM)tBu₂ (M=MgX, Li, K). In all three cases, this fission step is counteracted by a faster return process, as shown through the trapping of tBu‐COM by O=C(tBu)‐C(CD₃)₃ with formation of the deuterated starting alkoxides. If generated in the absence of trapping agents, all three tBu‐COM species “dimerize” to give the enediolates MO‐C(tBu)=C(tBu)‐OM along with O=CtBu₂ (2 equiv). A common‐component rate depression by surplus O=CtBu₂ proves the existence of some free tBu‐COM (separated from O=CtBu₂); but companion intermediates with the traits of an undissociated complex such as tBu‐COM & O=CtBu₂ had to be postulated. The slow fission step generating tBu‐COMgX in THF levels the overall rates of dimerization, ketone addition, and deuterium incorporation. Formed by much faster fission steps, both tBu‐COLi and tBu‐COK add very rapidly to ketones and dimerize somewhat slower (but still fairly fast, as shown through trapping of the emerging O=CtBu₂ by H₃CLi or PhCH₂K, respectively). At first sight surprisingly, the rapid fission, return, and dimerization steps combine to very slow overall decay rates of the precursor Li and K alkoxides in the absence of trapping agents: A detailed study revealed that the fast fission step, generating tBu‐COLi in THF, is followed by a kinetic partitioning that is heavily biased toward return and against the product‐forming dimerization. Both tBu‐COLi and tBu‐COK form tBu‐CH=O with HN(SiMe₃)₃, but only tBu‐COK is basic enough for being protonated by the precursor acyloin tBuC(=O)‐C(‐OH)tBu₂.     

New Ga/N‐based Active Lewis Pairs,Trifunctional Ga–Ga Compounds,Reactions with Cyanamide and Dual Insertion of Isocyanate

Hydrogallation of Me₃Si–C≡C–NR'₂ with R₂Ga–H (R = tBu, CH₂tBu, iBu) yielded Ga/N‐based active Lewis pairs, R₂Ga–C(SiMe₃)=C(H)–NR'₂ ( 7 ). The Ga and N atoms adopt cis‐positions at the C=C bonds and show weak Ga–N interactions. tBu₂GaH and Me₃Si–C≡C–N(C₂H₄)₂NMe afforded under exposure of daylight the trifunctional digallium(II) compound [MeN(C₂H₄)₂N](H)C=C(SiMe₃)Ga(tBu)–Ga(tBu)C(SiMe₃)=C(H)[N(C₂H₄)₂NMe] ( 8 ), which results from elimination of isobutene and H₂ and Ga–Ga bond formation. 8 was selectively obtained from the ynamine and [tBu(H)Ga–Ga(H)tBu]₂[HGatBu₂]₂. 7a (R = tBu; NR'₂ = 2,6‐Me₂NC₅H₈) and H₈C₄N–C≡N afforded the adduct tBu₂Ga‐C(SiMe₃)=C(H)(2,6‐Me₂NC₅H₈) · N≡C–NC₄H₈ ( 11 ) with the nitrile bound to gallium. The analogous ALP with harder Al atoms yielded an adduct of the nitrile dimer or oligomers of the nitrile at room temperature. The reaction of 7a with Ph–N=C=O led to the insertion of two NCO groups into the Ga–C_vinyl bond to yield a GaOCNCN heterocycle with Ga bound to O and N atoms ( 12 ).     

Amidinato Germylene‐Zinc Complexes: Synthesis,Bonding, and Reactivity

Despite the explosive growth of germylene compounds as ligands in transition metal complexes, there is a modicum of precedence for the germylene zinc complexes. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of new germylene zinc complexes [PhC(NtBu)₂Ge{N(SiMe₃)₂}→ZnX₂]₂ (X= Br ( 2 ) and I ( 3 )) supported by (benz)‐amidinato germylene ligands are reported. The solid‐state structures of 2 and 3 have been validated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies, which revealed the dimeric nature of the complexes, with distorted tetrahedral geometries around the Ge and Zn center. DFT calculations reveal that the Ge–Zn bonds in 2 and 3 are dative in nature. The reaction of 2 with elemental sulfur resulted in the first structurally characterized germathione stabilized ZnBr₂ complexes PhC(NtBu)₂Ge(=S){N(SiMe₃)₂}→ZnBr₂ ( 5 ). Therefore, the Ge=S in 5 is in‐between Ge–S single and Ge=S double bond length, owing to the coordination of a sulfur lone pair of electrons to ZnBr₂.     

Enantiomerically Pure Constrained Geometry Complexes of the Rare-Earth Metals Featuring a Dianionic N-Donor Functionalised Pentadienyl Ligand: Synthesis and Characterisation

We report the preparation of enantiomerically pure constrained geometry complexes (cgc) of the rare-earth metals bearing a pentadienyl moiety (pdl) derived from the natural product (1R)-(−)-myrtenal. The potassium salt 1 , [Kpdl*], was treated with ClSiMe₂NHtBu, and the resulting pentadiene 2 was deprotonated with the Schlosser-type base KOtPen/nBuLi (tPen=CMe₂(CH₂Me)) to yield the dipotassium salt [K₂(pdl*SiMe₂NtBu)] ( 3 ). However, 3 rearranges in THF solution to its isomer 3’ by a 1,3-H shift, which elongates the bridge between the pdl and SiMe₂NtBu moieties by one CH₂ unit. This is crucial for the successful formation of various monomeric C₁- or dimeric C₂-symmetric rare-earth cgc complexes with additional halide, tetraborohydride, amido and alkyl functionalities. All compounds have been extensively characterised by solid-state X-ray diffraction analysis, solution NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses.     

Lewis Base Assisted Magnesium Complexes Incorporating Pyrrolyl and Ketiminate Ligands: Synthesis,Structural Diversity and Characterization

A series of four, five and six‐coordinated magnesium derivatives integrating with substituted pyrrole and ketimine ligands are conveniently synthesized. Reaction of two equiv of 2‐dimethylaminomethyl pyrrole with Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in THF affords the monomeric magnesium complex Mg[C₄H₃N(2‐CH₂NMe₂)]₂ (THF)₂ ( 1 ) in high yield along with elimination of two equiv of HN(SiMe₃)₂. Similarly, the reaction between two equiv of 2‐t‐butylaminomethyl pyrrole and Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in THF renders the magnesium derivative, Mg[C₄H₃N(2‐CH₂NH^tBu)]₂(THF)2₂( 2 ) in good yield. Interestingly, reaction between two equiv of 2‐t‐butylaminomethyl pyrrole and Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in toluene, instead of THF, generates Mg[C₄H₃N(2‐CH2NH^tBu)]₂ ( 3 ), also in high yield. Furthermore, the assembly of two equiv of ketimine ligand, HOCMeCHCMeNAr (Ar = C₆H₃‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂) and Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂, yields five‐coordinated magnesium derivatives, Mg(OCMeCHCMeNAr)₂(THF) ( 4 ) and Mg(OCMeCHCMeNAr)₂(OEt₂) ( 5 ), using THF and diethyl ether, respectively. All the aforementioned derivatives are characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy as well as 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 are subjected to X‐ray diffraction analysis in solid state.     

Potential Precursors for Terminal Methylidene Rare-Earth-Metal Complexes Supported by a Superbulky Tris(pyrazolyl)borato Ligand

A series of solvent-free heteroleptic terminal rare-earth-metal alkyl complexes stabilized by a superbulky tris(pyrazolyl)borato ligand with the general formula [Tp^tBu,MeLnMeR] have been synthesized and fully characterized. Treatment of the heterobimetallic mixed methyl/tetramethylaluminate compounds [Tp^tBu,MeLnMe(AlMe₄)] (Ln=Y, Lu) with two equivalents of the mild halogenido transfer reagents SiMe₃X (X=Cl, I) gave [Tp^tBu,MeLnX₂] in high yields. The addition of only one equivalent of SiMe₃Cl to [Tp^tBu,MeLuMe(AlMe₄)] selectively afforded the desired mixed methyl/chloride complex [Tp^tBu,MeLuMeCl]. Further reactivity studies of [Tp^tBu,MeLuMeCl] with LiR or KR (R=CH₂Ph, CH₂SiMe₃) through salt metathesis led to the monomeric mixed-alkyl derivatives [Tp^tBu,MeLuMe(CH₂SiMe₃)] and [Tp^tBu,MeLuMe(CH₂Ph)], respectively, in good yields. The SiMe₄ elimination protocols were also applicable when using SiMe₃X featuring more weakly coordinating moieties (here X=OTf, NTf₂). X-ray structure analyses of this diverse set of new [Tp^tBu,MeLnMeR/X] compounds were performed to reveal any electronic and steric effects of the varying monoanionic ligands R and X, including exact cone-angle calculations of the tridentate tris(pyrazolyl)borato ligand. Deeper insights into the reactivity of these potential precursors for terminal alkylidene rare-earth-metal complexes were gained through NMR spectroscopic studies.     

d–d Dative Bonding Between Iron and the Alkaline‐Earth Metals Calcium,Strontium, and Barium

Double deprotonation of the diamine 1,1′‐(tBuCH₂NH)‐ferrocene ( 1 ‐H₂) by alkaline‐earth (Ae) or Eu^II metal reagents gave the complexes 1 ‐Ae (Ae=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) and 1 ‐Eu. 1 ‐Mg crystallized as a monomer while the heavier complexes crystallized as dimers. The Fe???Mg distance in 1 ‐Mg is too long for a bonding interaction, but short Fe???Ae distances in 1 ‐Ca, 1 ‐Sr, and 1 ‐Ba clearly support intramolecular Fe???Ae bonding. Further evidence for interactions is provided by a tilting of the Cp rings and the related ¹H NMR chemical‐shift difference between the Cp α and β protons. While electrochemical studies are complicated by complex decomposition, UV/Vis spectral features of the complexes support Fe→Ae dative bonding. A comprehensive bonding analysis of all 1 ‐Ae complexes shows that the heavier species 1 ‐Ca, 1 ‐Sr, and 1 ‐Ba possess genuine Fe→Ae bonds which involve vacant d‐orbitals of the alkaline‐earth atoms and partially filled d‐orbitals on Fe. In 1 ‐Mg, a weak Fe→Mg donation into vacant p‐orbitals of the Mg atom is observed.