Carbon–Carbon Bond Forming Reactions Promoted by Aluminyl and Alumoxane Anions: Introducing the Ethenetetraolate Ligand

[K{Al(NON^Dipp)}]₂ (NON^Dipp=[O(SiMe₂NDipp)₂]²⁻, Dipp=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) reacts with CS₂ to afford the trithiocarbonate species [K(OEt₂)][Al(NON^Dipp)(CS₃)] 1 or the ethenetetrathiolate complex, [K{Al(NON^Dipp)(S₂C)}]₂ [ 3 ]₂. The dimeric alumoxane [K{Al(NON^Dipp)(O)}]₂ reacts with carbon monoxide to afford the oxygen analogue of 3 , [K{Al(NON^Dipp)(O₂C)}]₂ [ 4 ]₂ containing the hitherto unknown ethenetetraolate ligand, [C₂O₄]⁴⁻.     

Carbon–Carbon Bond Forming Reactions Promoted by Aluminyl and Alumoxane Anions: Introducing the Ethenetetraolate Ligand

[K{Al(NON^Dipp)}]₂ (NON^Dipp=[O(SiMe₂NDipp)₂]^2?, Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) reacts with CS₂ to afford the trithiocarbonate species [K(OEt₂)][Al(NON^Dipp)(CS₃)] 1 or the ethenetetrathiolate complex, [K{Al(NON^Dipp)(S₂C)}]₂ [ 3 ]₂. The dimeric alumoxane [K{Al(NON^Dipp)(O)}]₂ reacts with carbon monoxide to afford the oxygen analogue of 3 , [K{Al(NON^Dipp)(O₂C)}]₂ [ 4 ]₂ containing the hitherto unknown ethenetetraolate ligand, [C₂O₄]^4?.     

β‐Diketiminate‐Stabilized Magnesium(I) Dimers and Magnesium(II) Hydride Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, Adduct Formation,and Reactivity Studies

The preparation and characterization of a series of magnesium(II) iodide complexes incorporating β‐diketiminate ligands of varying steric bulk and denticity, namely, [(ArNCMe)₂CH]^? (Ar=phenyl, (^PhNacnac), mesityl (^MesNacnac), or 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dipp, ^DippNacnac)), [(DippNCtBu)₂CH]^? (^tBuNacnac), and [(DippNCMe)(Me₂NCH₂CH₂NCMe)CH]^? (^DmedaNacnac) are reported. The complexes [(^PhNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^MesNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^DmedaNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^MesNacnac)MgI(thf)], [(^DippNacnac)MgI(thf)], [(^tBuNacnac)MgI], and [(^tBuNacnac)MgI(DMAP)] (DMAP=4‐dimethylaminopyridine) were shown to be monomeric by X‐ray crystallography. In addition, the related β‐diketiminato beryllium and calcium iodide complexes, [(^MesNacnac)BeI] and [{(^DippNacnac)CaI(OEt₂)}₂] were prepared and crystallographically characterized. The reductions of all metal(II) iodide complexes by using various reagents were attempted. In two cases these reactions led to the magnesium(I) dimers, [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] and [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)]. The reduction of a 1:1 mixture of [(^DippNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)] and [(^MesNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)] with potassium gave a low yield of the crystallographically characterized complex [(^DippNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)(μ‐I)Mg(^MesNacnac)]. All attempts to form beryllium(I) or calcium(I) dimers by reductions of [(^MesNacnac)BeI], [{(^DippNacnac)CaI(OEt₂)}₂], or [{(^tBuNacnac)CaI(thf)}₂] have so far been unsuccessful. The further reactivity of the magnesium(I) complexes [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] and [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)] towards a variety of Lewis bases and unsaturated organic substrates was explored. These studies led to the complexes [(^MesNacnac)Mg(L)Mg(L)(^MesNacnac)] (L=THF or DMAP), [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐AdN₆Ad)Mg(^MesNacnac)] (Ad=1‐adamantyl), [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(μ‐AdN₆Ad)Mg(^tBuNacnac)], and [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐tBu₂N₂C₂O₂)Mg(^MesNacnac)] and revealed that, in general, the reactivity of the magnesium(I) dimers is inversely proportional to their steric bulk. The preparation and characterization of [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)₂Mg(^tBuNacnac)] has shown the compound to have different structural and physical properties to [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)]. Treatment of the former with DMAP has given [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(H)(DMAP)], the X‐ray crystal structure of which disclosed it to be the first structurally authenticated terminal magnesium hydride complex. Although attempts to prepare [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)₂Mg(^MesNacnac)] were not successful, a neutron diffraction study of the corresponding magnesium(I) complex, [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] confirmed that the compound is devoid of hydride ligands.     

The Nature of the UC Double Bond: Pushing the Stability of High‐Oxidation‐State Uranium Carbenes to the Limit

Treatment of [K(BIPM^MesH)] (BIPM^Mes={C(PPh₂NMes)₂}^2?; Mes=C₆H₂‐2,4,6‐Me₃) with [UCl₄(thf)₃] (1 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^MesH)(Cl)₃(thf)] ( 1 ), which generated [U(BIPM^Mes)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 2 ), following treatment with benzyl potassium. Attempts to oxidise 2 resulted in intractable mixtures, ligand scrambling to give [U(BIPM^Mes)₂] or the formation of [U(BIPM^MesH)(O)₂(Cl)(thf)] ( 3 ). The complex [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(OEt₂)(tmeda)] ( 4 ) (BIPM^Dipp={C(PPh₂NDipp)₂}^2?; Dipp=C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂; tmeda=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) was prepared from [Li₂(BIPM^Dipp)(tmeda)] and [UCl₄(thf)₃] and, following reflux in toluene, could be isolated as [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 5 ). Treatment of 4 with iodine (0.5 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(thf)₂] ( 6 ). Complex 6 resists oxidation, and treating 4 or 5 with N‐oxides gives [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂‐ (μ‐Cl)₂Li(tmeda)] ( 7 ) and [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 8 ). Treatment of 4 with tBuOLi (3 equiv) and I₂ (1 equiv) gives [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃(I)] ( 9 ), which represents an exceptionally rare example of a crystallographically authenticated uranium(VI)–carbon σ bond. Although 9 appears sterically saturated, it decomposes over time to give [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃]. Complex 4 reacts with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO to form [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(tmeda)(OCPhtBu)] ( 10 ) and [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(tmeda)(OCPh₂)] ( 11 ). In contrast, complex 5 does not react with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO, which we attribute to steric blocking. However, complexes 5 and 6 react with PhCHO to afford (DippNPPh₂)₂C?C(H)Ph ( 12 ). Complex 9 does not react with PhCOtBu, Ph₂CO or PhCHO; this is attributed to steric blocking. Theoretical calculations have enabled a qualitative bracketing of the extent of covalency in early‐metal carbenes as a function of metal, oxidation state and the number of phosphanyl substituents, revealing modest covalent contributions to U?C double bonds.     

Seven-Membered Cyclic Potassium Diamidoalumanyls

The seven-membered cyclic potassium alumanyl species, [{SiN^Mes}AlK]₂ [{SiN^Mes}={CH₂SiMe₂N(Mes)}₂; Mes=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂], which adopts a dimeric structure supported by flanking K-aryl interactions, has been isolated either by direct reduction of the iodide precursor, [{SiN^Mes}AlI], or in a stepwise manner via the intermediate dialumane, [{SiN^Mes}Al]₂. Although the intermediate dialumane has not been observed by reduction of a Dipp-substituted analogue (Dipp=2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃), partial oxidation of the potassium alumanyl species, [{SiN^Dipp}AlK]₂, where {SiN^Dipp}={CH₂SiMe₂N(Dipp)}₂, provided the extremely encumbered dialumane [{SiN^Dipp}Al]₂. [{SiN^Dipp}AlK]₂ reacts with toluene by reductive activation of a methyl C(sp³)-H bond to provide the benzyl hydridoaluminate, [{SiN^Dipp}AlH(CH₂Ph)]K, and as a nucleophile with BPh₃ and RN=C=NR (R=i-Pr, Cy) to yield the respective Al-B- and Al-C-bonded potassium aluminaborate and alumina-amidinate products. The dimeric structure of [{SiN^Dipp}AlK]₂ can be disrupted by partial or complete sequestration of potassium. Equimolar reactions with 18-crown-6 result in the corresponding monomeric potassium alumanyl, [{SiN^Dipp}Al−K(18-cr-6)], which provides a rare example of a direct Al−K contact. In contrast, complete encapsulation of the potassium cation of [{SiN^Dipp}AlK]₂, either by an excess of 18-cr-6 or 2,2,2-cryptand, allows the respective isolation of bright orange charge-separated species comprising the ‘free’ [{SiN^Dipp}Al]⁻ alumanyl anion. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed on this moiety indicate HOMO-LUMO energy gaps in the of order 200–250 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Bi−P Bond Homolysis as a Route to Reduced Bismuth Compounds and Reversible Activation of P4

Bismuth diphenylphosphanides Bi(NON^R)(PPh₂) (NON^R=[O(SiMe₂NR)₂], R=tBu, 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃, Aryl) undergo facile decomposition via single‐electron processes to form reduced Bi and P species. The corresponding derivatives Bi(NON^R)(PCy₂) are stable. Reaction of the isolated Bi^II radical ^.Bi(NON^Ar) with white phosphorus (P₄) proceeds with the reversible and selective activation of a single P?P bond to afford the bimetallic μ,η^1:1‐bicyclo[1.1.0]tetraphosphabutane compound.     

Reactivity of titanium imidazolin-2-iminato complexes with 2,6-diisopropylaniline and 2-{(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-iminomethyl}pyrrole

Abstract

We report the reactions of imidazolin-2-iminato titanium complexes [(Im^RN)Ti(NMe₂)₃] (R = Mes, 2b; R = Dipp, 2c; Mes = mesityl, Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) with 2,6-diisopropylaniline in a 1:3 molar ratio to yield the titanium imido complexes of composition [(Im^RNH)Ti = N(^Dipp)(HN^Dipp)₂] (R = Mes, 3b; R = Dipp, 3c) in good yield by the Ti-Niminato bond cleavage at 60 °C. In contrast, the reaction of [(Im^RN)Ti(NMe₂)₃] with 2,6-diisopropylaniline in a 1:1 molar ratio afforded mono-substituted products [(Im^RN)Ti(NMe₂)₂(HN^Dipp)] (R = Mes, 4b; R = Dipp, 4c) in good yield. The reaction of [(Im^RN)Ti(NMe₂)₃] with the iminopyrrole ligand [2-(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃-N = CH)C₄H₃NH] (N^DippPyH) in a 1:1 ratio afforded mixed ligands, titanium complexes [(Im^RN)Ti(NMe₂)₂(N^Dipp-Py)] (R = tBu, 5a; R = Dipp, 5c) with imidazolin-2-iminato and iminopyrrolide ligands. Molecular structures of 3b, 3c, 4c, 5a, and 5c were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The solid-state structures of 3b and 3c clearly indicate the formation of true Ti = N double bonds, measuring 1.730(2) Å and 1.727(1) Å, respectively. The solid-state structures of 5a and 5c reveal the formation of five-coordinate titanium complexes.     

Indyllithium and the Indyl Anion [InL]−: Heavy Analogues of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

Reduction of the indate complex In(NON^Ar)(μ‐Cl)₂Li(OEt₂)₂ (NON^Ar=[O(SiMe₂NAr)₂]^2?; Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with sodium generates the In^II diindane species [In(NON^Ar)]₂. Further reduction with a mixture of potassium and [2.2.2]crypt affords the In^I N‐heterocyclic indyl anion [In(NON^Ar)]^?, which crystallizes with a non‐contacted [K([2.2.2]crypt)]⁺ cation. The indyl anion can also be isolated as the indyllithium compound In(NON^Ar)(Li{THF}₃), which contains an In?Li bond. Density functional theory calculations show that the HOMO of the indyl anion is a metal‐centred lone pair, and preliminary reactivity studies confirm its nucleophilic behaviour.     

Enhancing the Variability of [Ge9] Cluster Chemistry through Phosphine Functionalization

The synthetic approach towards molecules that contain Ge atoms with oxidation state 0, and which are exclusively connected to other Ge atoms, is explored by using anionic clusters extracted from binary solids. Besides providing a novel variable method for the introduction of alkenyl moieties to [Ge₉] cluster compounds, this work expands the spectrum of mixed-functionalized [Ge₉] cluster anions, which are suitable for the straightforward synthesis of zwitterionic compounds upon coordination to metal cations. In detail, the synthesis of a series of mixed-functionalized [Ge₉] clusters is reported, including [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₃PRR^I] (R=tBu, R^I=(CH₂)₃CH=CH₂; 2 ) and [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂PRR^I]⁻ (R and R^I: alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aminoalkyl; 3 a to 11 a , TMS: (trimethyl)silyl). In 2 and 3 a , pentenyl functionalization of the [Ge₉] clusters was achieved by reaction of the novel chlorophosphine tBu{(CH₂)₃CH=CH₂}PCl ( 1 ) with silylated [Ge₉] clusters. Furthermore, the reactivity of the cluster anions 3 a to 11 a towards NHC^DippMCl (NHC^Dipp=1,3-di(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolylidine; M=Cu, Ag) showed a dependency on the steric demand of the phosphine either zwitterions ( 3 -MNHC^Dipp to 7 -MNHC^Dipp) featuring P–M interactions are formed, or Ge–M coordination ( 8 -MNHC^Dipp to 11 -MNHC^Dipp) occurs. For M=Ag, the formation of zwitterionic complexes was unequivocally proven by NMR investigations showing ¹J(³¹P-¹⁰⁷Ag/¹⁰⁹Ag) spin-spin coupling.     

Regioselective Insertion of Aluminum(I) in the cyclo‐P5 Ring of Pentaphosphaferrocene

A route to directly access mixed Al–Fe polyphosphide complexes was developed. The reactivity of pentaphosphaferrocene, [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐P₅)] (Cp*=C₅Me₅), with two different low‐valent aluminum compounds was investigated. The steric and electronic environment around the [Al^I] centre are found to be crucial for the formation of the resulting Al–Fe polyphosphides. Reaction with the sterically demanding [Dipp‐BDIAl^I] (Dipp‐BDI={[2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃NCMe]₂CH}^?) resulted in the first Al‐based neutral triple‐decker type polyphosphide complex. For [(Cp*Al^I)₄], an unprecedented regioselective insertion of three [Cp*Al^III]²⁺ moieties into two adjacent P?P bonds of the cyclo‐P₅ ring of [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐P₅)] was observed. The regioselectivity of the insertion reaction could be rationalized by isolating an analogue of the reaction intermediate stabilized by a strong σ‐donor carbene.     

Carbon–chalcogen bond formation initiated by [Al(NONDipp)(E)]− anions containing Al–E{16} (E{16} = S,Se) multiple bonds

Multiply-bonded main group metal compounds are of interest as a new class of reactive species able to activate and functionalize a wide range of substrates. The aluminium sulfido compound K[Al(NON^Dipp)(S)] (NON^Dipp = [O(SiMe₂NDipp)₂]²⁻, Dipp = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃), completing the series of [Al(NON^Dipp)(E)]⁻ anions containing Al–E{16} multiple bonds (E{16} = O, S, Se, Te), was accessed via desulfurisation of K[Al(NON^Dipp)(S₄)] using triphenylphosphane. The crystal structure showed a tetrameric aggregate joined by multiple K⋯S and K⋯π(arene) interactions that were disrupted by the addition of 2.2.2-cryptand to form the separated ion pair, [K(2.2.2-crypt)][Al(NON^Dipp)(S)]. Analysis of the anion using density functional theory (DFT) confirmed multiple-bond character in the Al–S group. The reaction of the sulfido and selenido anions K[Al(NON^Dipp)(E)] (E = S, Se) with CO₂ afforded K[Al(NON^Dipp)(κ²E,O-EC{O}O)] containing the thio- and seleno-carbonate groups respectively, consistent with a [2 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction and C–E bond formation. An analogous cycloaddition reaction took place with benzophenone affording compounds containing the diphenylsulfido- and diphenylselenido-methanolate ligands, [κ²E,O-EC{O}Ph₂]²⁻. In contrast, when K[Al(NON^Dipp)(E)] (E = S, Se) was reacted with benzaldehyde, two equivalents of substrate were incorporated into the product accompanied by formation of a second C–E bond and complete cleavage of the Al–E{16} bonds. The products contained the hitherto unknown κ²O,O-thio- and κ²O,O-seleno-bis(phenylmethanolate) ligands, which were exclusively isolated as the cis-stereoisomers. The mechanisms of these cycloaddition reactions were investigated using DFT methods.

Reaction of Al–E (E = S, Se) multiple bonds with C O functionalities generates new C–E bonds.     

Synthesis and EPR/UV/Vis‐NIR Spectroelectrochemical Investigation of a Persistent Phosphanyl Radical Dication

The reaction of the bis(imidazoliumyl)‐substituted P^I cation [(2‐Im^Dipp)P(4‐Im^Dipp)]⁺ ( 10 ⁺) (2‐Im=imidazolium‐2‐yl; 4‐Im=imidazolium‐4‐yl; Dipp=2,6‐di‐isopropylphenyl) with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (HOTf) or methyl trifluoromethylsulfonate (MeOTf) yields the corresponding protonated [(2‐Im^Dipp)PH(4‐Im^Dipp)]²⁺ ( 11 ²⁺) and methylated [(2‐Im^Dipp)PMe(4‐Im^Dipp)]²⁺ ( 12 ²⁺) dications, respectively. EPR/UV/Vis‐NIR spectroelectrochemical investigation of the low‐coordinated P^I cation 10 ⁺ predicted a stable and “bottleable” P‐centered radical dication [(2‐Im^Dipp)P(4‐Im^Dipp)]^2+. ( 13 ^2+.). The reaction of 10 ⁺ with the nitrosyl salt NO[OTf] yields the persistent phosphanyl radical dication 13 ^2+. as triflate salt in crystalline form. Quantum chemical investigation revealed an exceptional high spin density at the P atom.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Magnesium‐Substituted Polystibides [(LMg)4Sb8]

Redox reactions of [(L^1,2Mg)₂] and Sb₂R₄ (R=Me, Et) yielded the first Mg‐substituted realgar‐type Sb₈ polystibides [(L^1,2Mg)₄(μ₄,η^2:2:2:2‐Sb₈)] (L¹=HC[C(Me)N(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)]₂, L²=HC[C(Me)N(2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃)]₂). Compounds [(L^1,2Mg)₂] serve both as reducing agents, initiating the cleavage of the Sb?C bonds, and as stabilizers for the resulting Sb₈ polyanion. The polystibides were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and X‐ray structure analysis. In addition, results from quantum chemical calculations are presented.     

Four‐Membered Heterometallacyclic d0 and d1 Complexes of Group 4 Metallocenes with Amidato Ligands

A study of the coordination chemistry of different amidato ligands [(R)N?C(Ph)O] (R=Ph, 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dipp)) at Group 4 metallocenes is presented. The heterometallacyclic complexes [Cp₂M(Cl){κ²‐N,O‐(R)N?C(Ph)O}] M=Zr, R=Dipp ( 1 a ), Ph ( 1 b ); M=Hf, R=Ph ( 2 )) were synthesized by reaction of [Cp₂MCl₂] with the corresponding deprotonated amides. Complex 1 a was also prepared by direct deprotonation of the amide with Schwartz reagent [Cp₂Zr(H)Cl]. Salt metathesis reaction of [Cp₂Zr(H)Cl] with deprotonated amide [(Dipp)N?C(Ph)O] gave the zirconocene hydrido complex [Cp₂M(H){κ²‐N,O‐(Dipp)N?C(Ph)O}] ( 3 ). Reaction of 1 a with Mg did not result in the desired Zr(III) complex but in formation of Mg complex [(py)₃Mg(Cl) {κ²‐N,O‐(Dipp)N?C(Ph)O}] ( 4 ; py=pyridine). The paramagnetic complexes [Cp′₂Ti{κ²‐N,O‐(R)N?C(Ph)O}] (Cp′=Cp, R=Ph ( 7 a ); Cp′=Cp, R=Dipp ( 7 b ); Cp′=Cp*, R=Ph ( 8 )) were prepared by the reaction of the known titanocene alkyne complexes [Cp₂′Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] (Cp′=Cp ( 5 ), Cp′=Cp* ( 6 )) with the corresponding amides. Complexes 1 a , 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 a , 7 b , and 8 were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The structure and bonding of complexes 7 a and 8 were also characterized by EPR spectroscopy.     

Stable N‐Heterocyclic Germylenes of the Type [Fe{(η5‐C5H4)NR}2Ge] and Their Oxidation Reactions with Sulfur,Selenium, and Diphenyl Diselenide

Three new N‐heterocyclic germylenes of the type [Fe{(η⁵‐C₅H₄)NR}₂Ge] ( 1R Ge) containing particularly bulky alkyl [R = 2‐adamantyl (Ad), 1,1,2,2‐tetramethylpropyl (Pr*)] or aryl substituents [R = 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dipp)] were prepared and structurally characterized, in two cases (R = Ad, Dipp), by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Together with the previously described homologues with R = trimethylsilyl (TMS), tert‐butyl (tBu), and mesityl (Mes) their oxidative addition reactions with S₈ and Se₈ were studied, which afforded compounds of the type [ 1R Ge(μ‐E)]₂ (E = S, Se). The low solubility of most of these products severely hampered their purification and characterization. Nevertheless, their structural characterization by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction was possible in six cases (E = S, R = Ad, Pr*; E = Se, R = Ad, Pr*, Mes, Dipp). No solubility problems were encountered in oxidative addition reactions with diphenyl diselenide, affording products of the type 1R Ge(SePh₂)₂, whose crystal structures could be determined in four cases (R = TMS, tBu, Mes, Dipp). Short intramolecular CH ··· Se contacts compatible with hydrogen bonds were observed for [ 1Ad Ge(μ‐Se)]₂, [ 1Pr* Ge(μ‐Se)]₂, and 1tBu Ge(SePh₂)₂.     

Synthesis and characterization of zinc complexes and reactivity with primary phosphines

Zinc complexes of chelating monoanionic N-donors and neutral diphosphine ligands were synthesized by reaction of diethylzinc with 1,3-diketimine, diazabutadiene, and diphosphine ligand precursors. These complexes were reacted with primary phosphines in an attempt to solicit phosphine dehydrocoupling reactivity. In most cases, insoluble zinc-containing precipitates were formed and ligands were liberated. For the most sterically encumbered complex, (^DippL)ZnEt (3, ^DippL = [(2,6-ⁱPrC₆H₃)NC(CH₃)]₂CH^?), a product assigned as the zinc-phosphide (^DippL)ZnPHPh (6) was observed but could not be isolated as a pure compound. A new, less bulky β-diketiminate complex (^TolL)ZnEt (2, ^TolL = [(p-CH₃C₆H₄)NC(CH₃)]₂CH^?) was reacted with primary phosphines to give a precipitate and the bis(β-diketiminate)zinc complex (^TolL)₂Zn (5), an apparent product of comproportionation. (^MesAI)ZnEt (1, ^MesAI = MesNC(Me)(Et)C(Me) = NMes) and 2 were structurally characterized.     

Synthesis and characterization of zinc complexes and reactivity with primary phosphines

Zinc complexes of chelating monoanionic N-donors and neutral diphosphine ligands were synthesized by reaction of diethylzinc with 1,3-diketimine, diazabutadiene, and diphosphine ligand precursors. These complexes were reacted with primary phosphines in an attempt to solicit phosphine dehydrocoupling reactivity. In most cases, insoluble zinc-containing precipitates were formed and ligands were liberated. For the most sterically encumbered complex, (^DippL)ZnEt (3, ^DippL = [(2,6-ⁱPrC₆H₃)NC(CH₃)]₂CH⁻), a product assigned as the zinc-phosphide (^DippL)ZnPHPh (6) was observed but could not be isolated as a pure compound. A new, less bulky β-diketiminate complex (^TolL)ZnEt (2, ^TolL = [(p-CH₃C₆H₄)NC(CH₃)]₂CH⁻) was reacted with primary phosphines to give a precipitate and the bis(β-diketiminate)zinc complex (^TolL)₂Zn (5), an apparent product of comproportionation. (^MesAI)ZnEt (1, ^MesAI = MesNC(Me)(Et)C(Me) = NMes) and 2 were structurally characterized.     

Facile Synthetic Access to Rhenium(II) Complexes: Activation of Carbon–Bromine Bonds by Single‐Electron Transfer

The five‐coordinated Re^I hydride complexes [Re(Br)(H)(NO)(PR₃)₂] (R=Cy 1 a , iPr 1 b ) were reacted with benzylbromide, thereby affording the 17‐electron mononuclear Re^II hydride complexes [Re(Br)₂(H)(NO)(PR₃)₂] (R=Cy 3 a , iPr 3 b ), which were characterized by EPR, cyclic voltammetry, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. In the case of dibromomethane or bromoform, the reaction of 1 afforded Re^II hydrides 3 in addition to Re^I carbene hydrides [Re(?CHR¹)(Br)(H)(NO)(PR₃)₂] (R¹=H 4 , Br 5 ; R=Cy a , iPr b ) in which the hydride ligand is positioned cis to the carbene ligand. For comparison, the dihydrogen Re^I dibromide complexes [Re(Br)₂(NO)(PR₃)₂(η²‐H₂)] (R=Cy 2 a , iPr 2 b ) were reacted with allyl‐ or benzylbromide, thereby affording the monophosphine Re^II complex salts [R₃PCH₂R′][Re(Br)₄(NO)(PR₃)] (R′=? CH?CH₂ 6 , Ph 7 ). The reduction of Re^II complexes has also been examined. Complex 3 a or 3 b can be reduced by zinc to afford 1 a or 1 b in high yield. Under catalytic conditions, this reaction enables homocoupling of benzylbromide (turnover frequency (TOF): 3 a 150, 3 b 134 h^?1) or allylbromide (TOF: 3 a 575, 3 b 562 h^?1). The reaction of 6 a and 6 b with zinc in acetonitrile affords in good yields the monophosphine Re^I complexes [Re(Br)₂(NO)(MeCN)₂(PR₃)] (R=Cy 8 a , iPr 8 b ), which showed high catalytic activity toward highly selective dehydrogenative silylation of styrenes (maximum TOF of 61 h^?1). Single‐electron transfer (SET) mechanisms were proposed for all these transformations. The molecular structures of 3 a , 6 a , 6 b , 7 a , 7 b , and 8 a were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Redox Behaviour of Cymantrene Fischer Carbene Complexes in Designing Organometallic Multi‐tags

A series of Group 7 Fischer carbene complexes, [Cp(CO)₂Mn^I=C(OEt)Ar] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl, Ar=Th=thienyl ( 1 a ), Ar=Fu=furyl ( 2 a ), Ar=Fc=ferrocenyl ( 3 a )) and biscarbene complexes, [Cp(CO)₂Mn?C(OEt)?Ar′?(OEt)C?Mn(CO)₂Cp] (Ar′=Th′=2,5‐thienylene ( 1 b ), Ar′=Fu′=2,5‐furylene ( 2 b ), Ar′=Fc′=1,1′‐ferrocendiyl ( 3 b )) was synthesized and characterized. Chemical oxidation of [Cp(CO)₂Mn?C(OEt)Fc] ( 3 a ) and isolation of the oxidised species [3 a][PF₆] possessing a Mn^II centre proved possible below ?30 °C in dichloromethane solution. The ESR spectrum of the transiently stable radical cation, [3 a][PF₆] , confirmed the presence of a low‐spin Mn^II centre characterized by a rhombic g tensor (g_x=1.975, g_y=2.007 and g_z=2.130) in frozen dichloromethane at 77 K with ⁵⁵ Mn hyperfine coupling constants A₁, A₂ and A₃ of 115, 33 and 43 G, respectively. Electrochemical studies demonstrated the influence of the Ar substituent on the oxidation potential. All complexes showed that the redox potentials of carbene double bond reduction and Mn^I oxidation were dependent on the type of Ar group, but only 3 b showed resolved oxidations for the two Mn^I centres. Surprisingly, Mn^I oxidation occurs at lower potentials than ferrocenyl oxidation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to delineate the nature of the species involved in the oxidation and reduction processes and clearly confirm that oxidation of Mn^I is favoured over that of ferrocene.