New Trinuclear Complexes of Group 6, 8, and 9 Metals with a Triply Bridging Borylene Ligand

Trinuclear complexes of group 6, 8, and 9 transition metals with a (μ₃‐BH) ligand [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Rh)₂(μ‐CO)M′(CO)₅], 3 and 4 ( 3 : M′=Mo; 4 : M′=W) and 5 – 8 , [(Cp*Ru)₃(μ₃‐CO)₂(μ₃‐BH)(μ₃‐E)(μ‐H){M′(CO)₃}] ( 5 : M′=Cr, E=CO; 6 : M′=Mo, E=CO; 7 : M′=Mo, E=BH; 8 : M′=W, E=CO), have been synthesized from the reaction between nido‐[(Cp*M)₂B₃H₇] (nido‐ 1 : M=Rh; nido‐ 2 : M=RuH, Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) and [M′(CO)₅ ? thf] (M′=Mo and W). Compounds 3 and 4 are isoelectronic and isostructural with [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)M′(CO)₅], (M′=Cr, Mo and W) and [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Co)₂(μ‐CO)(μ‐H)₂M′′H(CO)₃], (M′′=Mn and Re). All compounds are composed of a bridging borylene ligand (B?H) that is effectively stabilized by a trinuclear framework. In contrast, the reaction of nido‐ 1 with [Cr(CO)₅ ? thf] gave [(Cp*Rh)₂Cr(CO)₃(μ‐CO)(μ₃‐BH)(B₂H₄)] ( 9 ). The geometry of 9 can be viewed as a condensed polyhedron composed of [Rh₂Cr(μ₃‐BH)] and [Rh₂CrB₂], a tetrahedral and a square pyramidal geometry, respectively. The bonding of 9 can be considered by using the polyhedral fusion formalism of Mingos. All compounds have been characterized by using different spectroscopic studies and the molecular structures were determined by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Fine Tuning of Metallaborane Geometries: Chemistry of Metallaboranes of Early Transition Metals Derived from Metal Halides and Monoborane Reagents

Reaction of [Cp_nMCl_4?x] (M=V: n=x=2; M=Nb: n=1, x=0) or [Cp*TaCl₄] (Cp=η⁵‐C₅H₅, Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), with [LiBH₄?thf] at ?70 °C followed by thermolysis at 85 °C in the presence of [BH₃?thf] yielded the hydrogen‐rich metallaboranes [(CpM)₂(B₂H₆)₂] ( 1 : M=V; 2 : M = Nb) and [(Cp*Ta)₂(B₂H₆)₂] ( 3 ) in modest to high yields. Complexes 1 and 3 are the first structurally characterized compounds with a metal–metal bond bridged by two hexahydroborate (B₂H₆) groups forming a symmetrical complex. Addition of [BH₃?thf] to 3 results in formation of a metallaborane [(Cp*Ta)₂B₄H₈(μ‐BH₄)] ( 4 ) containing a tetrahydroborate ligand, [BH₄]^?, bound exo to the bicapped tetrahedral cage [(Cp*Ta)₂B₄H₈] by two Ta‐H‐B bridge bonds. The interesting structural feature of 4 is the coordination of the bridging tetrahydroborate group, which has two B? H bonds coordinated to the tantalum atoms. All these new metallaboranes have been characterized by mass, ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis and the structural types were established unequivocally by crystallographic analysis of 1 – 4 .     

B-Alkylation and Arylation of [(η5-C5Me5Mo)2B5H9]: Synthesis and Characterization of Isomeric [(η5-C5Me5Mo)2B5H9-nRn] (When R = n-Bu, n = 2, 1; R = Ph, n = 2, 1)

Abstract  Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H₉], 1 with 5-fold excess of n-BuLi at −70 °C followed by excess of RI (R = n-Bu or Ph) at room temperature yielded B-R inserted metallaboranes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H₈R] (2: R = n-Bu, 5: R = Ph), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H₇R₂] (3, 4: R = n-Bu; 6, 7: R = Ph). Isolated yields of mono-alkyl/arylated species are better than di-alkyl/arylated ones. All the new cluster compounds have been characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C NMR and mass spectroscopy as simple substitution derivatives of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H₉] and the structural types of one of these species, 2 was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Graphical Abstract  Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H₉], with 5-fold excess of n-BuLi at −70 °C followed by excess of RI (R = n-Bu or Ph) at room temperature yielded B-R inserted metallaboranes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅Mo)₂B₅H_9-nR_n] (When R = n-Bu, n = 2, 1; R = Ph, n = 2, 1).      

Synthesis,Structure, Bonding,and Reactivity of Metal Complexes Comprising Diborane(4) and Diborene(2): [{Cp*Mo(CO)2}2{μ‐η2:η2‐B2H4}] and [{Cp*M(CO)2}2B2H2M(CO)4], M=Mo,W

The reaction of [(Cp*Mo)₂(μ‐Cl)₂B₂H₆] ( 1 ) with CO at room temperature led to the formation of the highly fluxional species [{Cp*Mo(CO)₂}₂{μ‐η²:η²‐B₂H₄}] ( 2 ). Compound 2, to the best of our knowledge, is the first example of a bimetallic diborane(4) conforming to a singly bridged C_s structure. Theoretical studies show that 2 mimics the Cotton dimolybdenum–alkyne complex [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂C₂H₂]. In an attempt to replace two hydrogen atoms of diborane(4) in 2 with a 2e [W(CO)₄] fragment, [{Cp*Mo(CO)₂}₂ B₂H₂W(CO)₄] ( 3 ) was isolated upon treatment with [W(CO)₅?thf]. Compound 3 shows the intriguing presence of [B₂H₂] with a short B?B length of 1.624(4) Å. We isolated the tungsten analogues of 3 , [{Cp*W(CO)₂}₂B₂H₂W(CO)₄] ( 4 ) and [{Cp*W(CO)₂}₂B₂H₂Mo(CO)₄] ( 5 ), which provided direct proof of the existence of the tungsten analogue of 2 .     

Synthesis,Structure, Bonding,and Reactivity of Metal Complexes Comprising Diborane(4) and Diborene(2): [{Cp*Mo(CO)2}2{μ‐η2:η2‐B2H4}] and [{Cp*M(CO)2}2B2H2M(CO)4], M=Mo,W

The reaction of [(Cp*Mo)₂(μ‐Cl)₂B₂H₆] ( 1 ) with CO at room temperature led to the formation of the highly fluxional species [{Cp*Mo(CO)₂}₂{μ‐η²:η²‐B₂H₄}] ( 2 ). Compound 2, to the best of our knowledge, is the first example of a bimetallic diborane(4) conforming to a singly bridged C_s structure. Theoretical studies show that 2 mimics the Cotton dimolybdenum–alkyne complex [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂C₂H₂]. In an attempt to replace two hydrogen atoms of diborane(4) in 2 with a 2e [W(CO)₄] fragment, [{Cp*Mo(CO)₂}₂ B₂H₂W(CO)₄] ( 3 ) was isolated upon treatment with [W(CO)₅⋅thf]. Compound 3 shows the intriguing presence of [B₂H₂] with a short B−B length of 1.624(4) Å. We isolated the tungsten analogues of 3 , [{Cp*W(CO)₂}₂B₂H₂W(CO)₄] ( 4 ) and [{Cp*W(CO)₂}₂B₂H₂Mo(CO)₄] ( 5 ), which provided direct proof of the existence of the tungsten analogue of 2 .     

Chemistry of Diruthenium and Dirhodium Analogues of Pentaborane(9): Synthesis and Characterization of Metal N,S‐Heterocyclic Carbene and B‐Agostic Complexes

Building upon our earlier results on the synthesis of electron‐precise transition‐metal–boron complexes, we continue to investigate the reactivity of pentaborane(9) and tetraborane(10) analogues of ruthenium and rhodium towards thiazolyl and oxazolyl ligands. Thus, mild thermolysis of nido‐[(Cp*RuH)₂B₃H₇] ( 1 ) with 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (2‐mbtz) and 2‐mercaptobenzoxazole (2‐mboz) led to the isolation of Cp*‐based (Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) borate complexes 5 a , b [Cp*RuBH₃L] ( 5 a : L=C₇H₄NS₂; 5 b : L=C₇H₄NOS)) and agostic complexes 7 a , b [Cp*RuBH₂(L)₂], ( 7 a : L=C₇H₄NS₂; 7 b : L=C₇H₄NOS). In a similar fashion, a rhodium analogue of pentaborane(9), nido‐[(Cp*Rh)₂B₃H₇] ( 2 ) yielded rhodaboratrane [Cp*RhBH(L)₂], 10 (L=C₇H₄NS₂). Interestingly, when the reaction was performed with an excess of 2‐mbtz, it led to the formation of the first structurally characterized N,S‐heterocyclic rhodium‐carbene complex [(Cp*Rh)(L₂)(1‐benzothiazol‐2‐ylidene)] ( 11 ) (L=C₇H₄NS₂). Furthermore, to evaluate the scope of this new route, we extended this chemistry towards the diruthenium analogue of tetraborane(10), arachno‐[(Cp*RuCO)₂B₂H₆] ( 3 ), in which the metal center possesses different ancillary ligands.     

The approach to 4d/4f-polyphosphides

The first 4d/4f polyphosphides were obtained by reaction of the divalent metallocenes [Cp*₂Ln(thf)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) with [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^2:2-P₂)] or [Cp*Mo(CO)₂(η³-P₃)]. Treatment of [Cp*₂Ln(thf)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) with [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^2:2-P₂)] gave the 16-membered bicyclic compounds [(Cp₂*Ln)₂P₂(CpMo(CO)₂)₄] (Ln = Sm, Yb) as the major products. From the reaction involving samarocene, the cyclic P₄ complex [(Cp*₂Sm)₂P₄(CpMo(CO)₂)₂] and the cyclic P₅ complex [(Cp*₂Sm)₃P₅(CpMo(CO)₂)₃] were also obtained as minor products. In each reaction, the P₂ unit is reduced and a rearrangement occurred. In dedicated cases, a P–P bond formation takes place, which results in a new aggregation of the central phosphorus scaffold. In the reactions of [Cp*₂Ln(thf)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) with [Cp*Mo(CO)₂P₃] a new P–P bond is formed by reductive dimerization and the 4d/4f hexaphosphides [(Cp*₂Ln)₂P₆(Cp*Mo(CO)₂)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) were obtained.     

1,2,3,4,7-Pentamethylindenyl complex [(η5-C9H2Me5)RhI2]2 as a synthon for the [(η5-C9H2Me5)Rh]2+ fragment

The reaction of the iodide complex [(η⁵-C₉H₂Me₅)RhI₂]₂ (1) or the acetonitrile complex [(η⁵-C₉H₂Me₅)Rh(MeCN)₃]²⁺ with Tl[Tl(η-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁)] afforded rhodacarborane (η⁵-C₉H₂Me₅)Rh(7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁) (2). The cationic triple-decker complex with the bridging boratabenzene ligand [Cp*Fe(μ-η:η-C₅H₃Me₂BMe)Rh(η⁵-C₉H₂Me₅)]²⁺ (3) was synthesized by the reaction of the nitromethane solvate [(η⁵-C₉H₂Me₅)Rh(MeNO₂)₃]²⁺ with the sandwich compound Cp*Fe(η-C₅H₃Me₂BMe). The structure of 2 was established by X-ray diffraction. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1623–1625, August, 2008.     

The Versatile Coordination Modes of Monophosphine‐o‐Carborane in the Formation of Iridium and Rhodium Complexes: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Characterization

Monophosphine‐o‐carborane has four competitive coordination modes when it coordinates to metal centers. To explore the structural transitions driven by these competitive coordination modes, a series of monophosphine‐o‐carborane Ir,Rh complexes were synthesized and characterized. [Cp*M(Cl)₂{1‐(PPh₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁}] (M=Ir ( 1 a ), Rh ( 1 b ); Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), [Cp*Ir(H){7‐(PPh₂)‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₁₁}] ( 2 a ), and [1‐(PPh₂)‐3‐(η⁵‐Cp*)‐3,1,2‐MC₂B₉H₁₀] (M=Ir ( 3 a ), Rh ( 3 b )) can be all prepared directly by the reaction of 1‐(PPh₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁ with dimeric complexes [(Cp*MCl₂)₂] (M=Ir, Rh) under different conditions. Compound 3 b was treated with AgOTf (OTf=CF₃SO₃^?) to afford the tetranuclear metallacarborane [Ag₂(thf)₂(OTf)₂{1‐(PPh₂)‐3‐(η⁵‐Cp*)‐3,1,2‐RhC₂B₉H₁₀}₂] ( 4 b ). The arylphosphine group in 3 a and 3 b was functionalized by elemental sulfur (1 equiv) in the presence of Et₃N to afford [1‐{(S)PPh₂}‐3‐(η⁵‐Cp*)‐3,1,2‐MC₂B₉H₁₀] (M=Ir ( 5 a ), Rh ( 5 b )). Additionally, the 1‐(PPh₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁ ligand was functionalized by elemental sulfur (2 equiv) and then treated with [(Cp*IrCl₂)₂], thus resulting in two 16‐electron complexes [Cp*Ir(7‐{(S)PPh₂}‐8‐S‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₉)] ( 6 a ) and [Cp*Ir(7‐{(S)PPh₂}‐8‐S‐9‐OCH₃‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₉)] ( 7 a ). Compound 6 a further reacted with nBuPPh₂, thereby leading to 18‐electron complex [Cp*Ir(nBuPPh₂)(7‐{(S)PPh₂}‐8‐S‐7,8‐C₂B₉H₁₀)] ( 8 a ). The influences of other factors on structural transitions or the formation of targeted compounds, including reaction temperature and solvent, were also explored.     

Synthesis and Structure of the Tetrameric [Cp*V(μ‐F)2]4 (Cp* = C5Me5); Preparation of the Imido Molybdenum Fluoride [(2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3N)2MoF2] · THF and the Structural Investigation of [(2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3N)6Mo4(μ3‐F)2Me2(μ‐O)4]

Treating [Cp*V(μ‐Cl)₂]₃ (Cp* = C₅Me₅) and [(2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃N)₂MoMe₂], respectively, with Me₃SnF afforded the title compounds [Cp*V(μ‐F)₂]₄ ( 1 ) and [(2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃N)₂MoF₂] · THF ( 2 ). 1 has a tetrameric structure, in which four V atoms can be regarded as being arranged at the vertices of a distorted tetrahedron, with four long edges bridged by one F atom and each of the other two short edges bridged by two F atoms with a mean V–F bond length of 2.00 Å. A hydrolyzed product of 2 , [(2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃N)₆Mo₄(μ₃‐F)₂Me₂(μ‐O)₄] ( 3 ) was characterized by elemental analyses and X‐ray single crystal study. The X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that 3 has a unique tetranuclear structure, containing two five and two six coordinated Mo atoms connecting each other by four μ‐O and two μ₃‐F atoms. The geometries around the two Mo atoms can be described having distorted trigonal bipyramidal and distorted octahedral coordination spheres, respectively. The Mo–(μ‐O) bond lengths are 1.813 Å (average) for five coordinated Mo atoms and 2.030 Å (average) for those of six coordinated, respectively, indicating an additional π bonding between five coordinated Mo atoms and the μ‐O atoms. The Mo–(μ₃‐F) distances range from 2.291 to 2.352 Å.     

Sandwich iridium complexes with the monoanionic carborane ligand [9-SMe2-7,8-C2B9H10]−

The reaction of the [(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)IrBr₂]₂ complex with Tl[Tl(η-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁)] afforded the iridacarborane compound (η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)Ir(η-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁). The cationic complex [Cp*Ir(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)]⁺PF₆ ⁻ (5 · PF₆, Cp* is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) was synthesized by the reaction of [Cp*IrCl₂]₂ with Na[9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]. The structures of (η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)Ir(η-cod) (cod is 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and 5 · PF₆ were established by X-ray diffraction. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 81–84, January, 2006.     

Molecular Polyarsenides of the Rare‐Earth Elements

Reduction of [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐As₅)] with [Cp′′₂Sm(thf)] (Cp′′=η⁵‐1,3‐(tBu)₂C₅H₃) under various conditions led to [(Cp′′₂Sm)(μ,η⁴:η⁴‐As₄)(Cp*Fe)] and [(Cp′′₂Sm)₂As₇(Cp*Fe)]. Both compounds are the first polyarsenides of the rare‐earth metals. [(Cp′′₂Sm)(μ,η⁴:η⁴‐As₄)(Cp*Fe)] is also the first d/f‐triple decker sandwich complex with a purely inorganic planar middle deck. The central As₄^2? unit is isolobal with the 6π‐aromatic cyclobutadiene dianion (CH)₄^2?. [(Cp′′₂Sm)₂As₇(Cp*Fe)] contains an As₇^3? cage, which has a norbornadiene‐like structure with two short As?As bonds in the scaffold. DFT calculations confirm all the structural observations. The As?As bond order inside the cyclo As₄ ligand in [(Cp′′₂Sm)(μ,η⁴:η⁴‐As₄)(Cp*Fe)] was estimated to be in between an As?As single bond and a formally aromatic As₄^2? system.     

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.     

Photochemical substitution of benzene in the iron cyclohexadienyl complex [(η<Superscript>5</Superscript>-C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>7</Subscript>)Fe(η-C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>6</Subscript>)]<Superscript>+</Superscript>

The visible light irradiation of the [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(η-C₆H₆)]⁺ cation (1) in acetonitrile resulted in the substitution of the benzene ligand to form the labile acetonitrile species [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(MeCN)₃]⁺ (2). The reaction of 1 with Bu^tNC in MeCN produced the stable isonitrile complex [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(Bu^tNC)₃]⁺ (3). The photochemical reaction of cation 1 with pentaphosphaferrocene Cp*Fe(η-cyclo-P₅) afforded the triple-decker cation with the bridging pentaphospholyl ligand, [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(μ-η:η-cyclo-P₅)FeCp*]⁺ (4). The latter complex was also synthesized by the reaction of cation 2 with Cp*Fe(η-cyclo-P₅). The structure of the complex [3]PF₆ was established by X-ray diffraction. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2088–2091, November, 2007.     

Reactions of [Cp*Ru(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)(NBD)]<Superscript>+</Superscript> with diynes

Abstract  Formal [2 + 2 + 2] addition reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)][BF₄] (NBD = norbornadiene) with 4,4′-Diethynylbiphenyl generates [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂. The reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)][BF₄] with 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne generates the unusual [2 + 2 + 2] additional organic compound Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph in addition to the organometallic compound [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄]. [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BPh₄]₂ is generated after the reaction of compound [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂ with Na[BPh₄]. The structure of this compound was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. A possible approach to form Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph and [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄] is suggested. Graphical Abstract  Formal [2 + 2 + 2] addition reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ (NBD = norbornadiene) with 4,4′-Diethynylbiphenyl generates [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂. The reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)][BF₄] with 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne simply generates unusual [2 + 2 + 2] additional organic compound Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph in addition to the organometallic compound [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄]. [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BPh₄]₂ is generated after the reaction of compound [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂ with Na[BPh₄]. The structure of this compound was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. And the possible approach to form Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph and [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄] was suggested. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

New sol–gel precursors for binary oxides of antimony,Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> (senarmonite) and α-Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>: synthesis and characterization of some ketoximate modified antimony(III) alkoxides

Hydrolysis of pure Sb(OPrⁱ)₃ by sol–gel method followed by sintering at 500 °C yields microcrystallites of Sb₂O₃ (senarmonite phase). Under similar conditions bimetallic alkoxide, [NaSb(OPrⁱ)₄], yields a mixture of binary oxides Sb₂O₃ and Sb₂O₄. Chemical modification of Sb(OPrⁱ)₃ with oximes forms monomeric products of the type [Sb(OPrⁱ)_3−n {ON=C(CH₃)R} _n ] {where R = CH₃, n = 1 [1]; n = 2 [2]; n = 3 [3]; R = 2-C₅H₄N, n = 1 [4]; n = 2 [5]; n = 3 [6]; R = 2-C₄H₃O, n = 1 [7]; n = 2 [8]; n = 3 [9]; R = 2-C₄H₃S, n = 1 [10]; n = 2 [11]; n = 3 [12]}. The liquid products [1–3, 7 & 10] were purified by distillation while the solids by recrystallization. All these products were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C{¹H}) and representative derivatives [1], [2] and [3] by FAB mass studies. On the basis of these studies, a distorted pyramidal structure for all the derivatives may be assumed in the solution state containing an end-on coordination of oximes with the metal atom. Hydrolysis of the distilled precursors [1], [2] and [3] under sol–gel conditions yields pure nano-sized α-Sb₂O₄. All the oxides were characterized by XRD, SEM and EDX analysis exhibiting minimum particle size for the oxide obtained from the precursor [3].     

1,3-Diene Polymerization Promoted by Half-Sandwich Rare-Earth-Metal Dimethyl Complexes: Active Species Clustering and Cationization/Deactivation Processes

When activated with fluorinated borate cocatalysts the trimetallic complexes [Cp*LnMe₂]₃ (Ln=Y, Lu; Cp*=C₅Me₅) promote efficiently the formation of high-cis polybutadiene. Respective polyisoprenes instead bear much less pronounced microstructures, but reveal crosslinked products at lower polymerization temperatures. Varying the amount of cocatalyst, the emerging active species were examined by NMR spectroscopic techniques (incl. ¹H DOSY). The occurrence of donor-solvent and thermally induced degradation products of the highly reactive precatalyst [Cp*YMe₂]₃ and derived catalyst species was revealed by the elucidation of methylidene clusters [Cp*₃Y₃Me₄(CH₂)(thf)₂] and [Cp*₆Y₆Me₄(CH₂)₄], as well as [(Cp*Y)₂Me₂(N(Me)₂(C₆H₄)]_n[B(C₆F₅)₄]_n, implying a multimetallic active species.     

From Metallaborane to Borylene Complexes: Syntheses and Structures of Triply Bridged Ruthenium and Tantalum Borylene Complexes

Reaction of [1,2‐(Cp*RuH)₂B₃H₇] ( 1 ; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with [Mo(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃] yielded arachno‐[(Cp*RuCO)₂B₂H₆] ( 2 ), which exhibits a butterfly structure, reminiscent of 7 sep B₄H₁₀. Compound 2 was found to be a very good precursor for the generation of bridged borylene species. Mild pyrolysis of 2 with [Fe₂(CO)₉] yielded a triply bridged heterotrinuclear borylene complex [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*RuCO)₂(μ‐CO){Fe(CO)₃}] ( 3 ) and bis‐borylene complexes [{(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Ru)(μ‐CO)}₂Fe₂(CO)₅] ( 4 ) and [{(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*Ru)Fe(CO)₃}₂(μ‐CO)] ( 5 ). In a similar fashion, pyrolysis of 2 with [Mn₂(CO)₁₀] permits the isolation of μ₃‐borylene complex [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*RuCO)₂(μ‐H)(μ‐CO){Mn(CO)₃}] ( 6 ). Both compounds 3 and 6 have a trigonal‐pyramidal geometry with the μ₃‐BH ligand occupying the apical vertex, whereas 4 and 5 can be viewed as bicapped tetrahedra, with two μ₃‐borylene ligands occupying the capping position. The synthesis of tantalum borylene complex [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*TaCO)₂(μ‐CO){Fe(CO)₃}] ( 7 ) was achieved by the reaction of [(Cp*Ta)₂B₄H₈(μ‐BH₄)] at ambient temperature with [Fe₂(CO)₉]. Compounds 2 – 7 have been isolated in modest yield as yellow to red crystalline solids. All the new compounds have been characterized in solution by mass spectrometry; IR spectroscopy; and ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and the structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis of 2 – 6 .     

Synthesis, structure and characterization of dimolybdaheteroboranes

Chalcogen-stabilized dimolybdaboranes 3-5 (3: [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₅Se(Ph)], 4: [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₃Se₂(SeCH₂Ph)] and 5: [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₃H₆(BSR)(μ-η¹-SR)] (R = 2,6-(^tBu)₂-C₆H₂OH)) have been isolated from the mild pyrolysis of dichalcogenide ligands, RE-E‘R (R = Ph: E = S, E‘ = Se; R = CH₂Ph, [2,6-(^tBu)₂-C₆H₂OH]: E = E‘ = Se, S) and [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₈], 2, an intermediate generated from the reaction of [Cp^∗MoCl₄] (1) (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅), with [LiBH₄.thf]. The geometry of [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₅Se(Ph)] is similar to that of [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₅H₉], in which one BH₃ unit on the open face is replaced by a triple bridged selenium atom. All the compounds have been characterized in solution by ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structural types were unequivocally established by X-ray crystallographic analysis of compounds 3-5.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of New Divanada‐ and Diniobaboranes Containing Chalcogen Atoms

The reaction of [Cp_nMCl_4?x] (M=V: n=2, x=2; M=Nb: n=1, x=0; Cp=η⁵‐C₅H₅) with LiBH₄ ? THF followed by thermolysis in the presence of dichalcogenide ligands E₂R₂ (E=S, Te; R=2,6‐(tBu)₂‐C₆H₂OH, Ph) and 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (C₇H₅NS₂) yielded dimetallaheteroboranes [{CpV(μ‐TePh)}₂(μ₃‐Te)BH ? thf] ( 1 ), [(CpV)₂(BH₃S)₂] ( 2 ), [(CpNb)₂B₄H₁₀S] ( 3 ), [(CpNb)₂B₄H₁₁S(tBu)₂C₆H₂OH] ( 4 ), and [(CpNb)₂B₄H₁₁TePh] ( 5 ). In cluster 1 , the V₂BTe atoms define a tetrahedral framework in which the boron atom is linked to a THF molecule. Compound 2 can be described as a dimetallathiaborane that is built from two edge‐fused V₂BS tetrahedron clusters. Cluster 3 can be considered as an edge‐fused cluster in which a trigonal‐bipyramidal unit (Nb₂B₂S) has been fused with a tetrahedral core (Nb₂B₂) by means of a common Nb₂ edge. In addition, thermolysis of an in‐situ‐generated intermediate that was produced from the reaction of [Cp₂VCl₂] and LiBH₄ ? THF with excess BH₃ ? THF yielded oxavanadaborane [(CpV)₂B₃H₈(μ₃‐OEt)] ( 6 ) and divanadaborane cluster [(CpV)₂B₅H₁₁] ( 7 ). Cluster 7 exhibits a nido geometry with C_2v symmetry and it is isostructural with [(Cp*M)₂B₅H_9+n] (M=Cr, Mo, and W, n=0; M=Ta, n=2; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅). All of these new compounds have been characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹¹B NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis and the structural types were established unequivocally by crystallographic analysis of compounds  1 – 4 , 6 , and 7 .