Low-temperature 1H, 13C, 77Se,and 125Te NMR studies on the apical-apical ligand exchange via the hypervalent tellurium and selenium ate complexes [10-M-3(C3); M = Se,Te] in the reactions of diaryl tellurides and selenides with aryllithium reagents

Pentafluorophenyl phenyl telluride ( 1 ) and 3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-trifluorophenyl phenyl telluride ( 2 ) react with pentafluorophenyllithium or 3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-trifluorophenyllithium in THF at low temperatures to form the corresponding tellurium ate complexes ( A ) and ( B ) as sole intermediates in the ligand exchange on the hypervalent tellurium atom. The corresponding selenides ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) also react with identical aryllithium reagents in THF to form the discrete intermediates, selenium ate complexes ( C ) and ( D ), in the exchange reactions. In these ligand exchange reactions of tellurides and selenides, electron-withdrawing ligands occupy the apical positions and the exchange takes place between these apical-oriented groups. The low-temperature ¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se, and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopic techniques are effective methods for detection of unstable tellurium and selenium ate complexes.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of 3‐Substituted 3,4‐Dihydro‐1,2,3‐benzotriazine Derivatives Based on the Reaction of o‐Bromobenzyl Azides with Butyllithium

An efficient one‐pot procedure for the preparation of 3‐substituted 3,4‐dihydro‐1,2,3‐benzotriazines 2, 3 , and 4 from o‐bromobenzyl azides 1 is described. The reaction of these azides with BuLi in THF at ?78° generates o‐lithiobenzyl azides via the Br/Li exchange. These lithium compounds immediately undergo intramolecular cyclization to give the corresponding (dihydro‐1,2,3‐benzotriazinyl)lithium intermediates, which are trapped with a variety of acylating agents or BnBr at N(3) exclusively to provide the desired products in moderate to good yields.     

Evaluating cis‐2,6‐Dimethylpiperidide (cis‐DMP) as a Base Component in Lithium‐Mediated Zincation Chemistry

Most recent advances in metallation chemistry have centred on the bulky secondary amide 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide (TMP) within mixed metal, often ate, compositions. However, the precursor amine TMP(H) is rather expensive so a cheaper substitute would be welcome. Thus this study was aimed towards developing cheaper non‐TMP based mixed‐metal bases and, as cis‐2,6‐dimethylpiperidide (cis‐DMP) was chosen as the alternative amide, developing cis‐DMP zincate chemistry which has received meagre attention compared to that of its methyl‐rich counterpart TMP. A new lithium diethylzincate, [(TMEDA)LiZn(cis‐DMP)Et₂] (TMEDA=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) has been synthesised by co‐complexation of Li(cis‐DMP), Et₂Zn and TMEDA, and characterised by NMR (including DOSY) spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography, which revealed a dinuclear contact ion pair arrangement. By using N,N‐diisopropylbenzamide as a test aromatic substrate, the deprotonative reactivity of [(TMEDA)LiZn(cis‐DMP)Et₂] has been probed and contrasted with that of the known but previously uninvestigated di‐tert‐butylzincate, [(TMEDA)LiZn(cis‐DMP)tBu₂]. The former was found to be the superior base (for example, producing the ortho‐deuteriated product in respective yields of 78 % and 48 % following D₂O quenching of zincated benzamide intermediates). An 88 % yield of 2‐iodo‐N,N‐diisopropylbenzamide was obtained on reaction of two equivalents of the diethylzincate with the benzamide followed by iodination. Comparisons are also drawn using 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexamethyldisilazide (HMDS), diisopropylamide and TMP as the amide component in the lithium amide, Et₂Zn and TMEDA system. Under certain conditions, the cis‐DMP base system was found to give improved results in comparison to HMDS and diisopropylamide (DA), and comparable results to a TMP system. Two novel complexes isolated from reactions of the di‐tert‐butylzincate and crystallographically characterised, namely the pre‐metallation complex [{(iPr)₂N(Ph)C?O}LiZn(cis‐DMP)tBu₂] and the post‐metallation complex [(TMEDA)Li(cis‐DMP){2‐[1‐C(=O)N(iPr)₂]C₆H₄}Zn(tBu)], shed valuable light on the structures and mechanisms involved in these alkali‐metal‐mediated zincation reactions. Aspects of these reactions are also modelled by DFT calculations.     

Chirale Gallium‐ und Indium‐Alkoxometallate

Chiral Gallium and Indium Alkoxometalates Li₂(S)‐BINOLate ((S)‐BINOL = (S)‐(–)‐2,2′‐Dihydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl) generated by dilithiation of (S)BINOL with two equivalents ⁿBuLi was reacted with GaCl₃ und InCl₃ in THF to the alkoxometalates [{Li(THF)₂}{Li(THF)}₂{Ga((S)‐BINOLate)₃}] ( 1 ) and [{Li(THF)₂}₂{Li(THF)}{In((S)‐BINOLate)₃}] · [{Li(THF)₂}{Li(THF)}₂{In((S)‐ BINOLate)₃}]₂ ( 3 ), respectively. 1 and 3 crystallize from THF/toluene mixtures as 1 · 2 toluene and 3 · 8 toluene. The treatment of PhCH₂GaCl₂ with Li₂(S)‐BINOLate in THF under reflux, followed by recrystallization of the product from DME gives the gallate [{Li(DME)}₃{Ga((S)BINOLate)₃}] · 1.5 THF ( 2 · 1.5 THF). 1 – 3 were characterized by NMR, IR and MS techniques. In addition, 1 · 2 toluene, 2 · 1.5 THF and 3 · 8 toluene were investigated by X‐ray structure analyses. According to them, a distorted octahedral coordination sphere around the group 13 metal was formed, built‐up by three BINOLate ligands. The three Li⁺ counter ions act as bridging units by metal‐oxygen coordination. The coordination sphere of the Li⁺ ions was completed, depending on the available space, by one or two THF ligands ( 1 · 2 toluene, 3 · 8 toluene) and one DME ligand ( 2 · 1.5 THF), respectively. The sterical dominance of the BINOLate ligands can be shown by the almost square‐planar coordination of the Li⁺ ions in 2 · 1.5 THF giving a small twisting angle of only 17°.     

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     

A square‐planar tellurium(II) complex with Te,Te′‐chelating ligands

While exploring the chemistry of tellurium‐containing dichalcogenidoimidodiphosphinate ligands, the first all‐tellurium member of a series of related square‐planar E^II(E′)₄ complexes (E and E′ are group 16 elements), namely bis(P,P,P′,P′‐tetraphenylditelluridoimidodiphosphinato‐κ²Te,Te′)tellurium(II) (systematic name: 2,2,4,4,8,8,10,10‐octaphenyl‐1λ³,5,6λ⁴,7λ³,11‐pentatellura‐3,9‐diaza‐2λ⁵,4λ⁵,8λ⁵,10λ⁵‐tetraphosphaspiro[5.5]undeca‐1,3,7,9‐tetraene), C₄₈H₄₀N₂P₄Te₅, was obtained unexpectedly. The formally Te^II centre is situated on a crystallographic inversion centre and is Te,Te′‐chelated to two anionic [(TePPh₂)₂N]⁻ ligands in an anti conformation. The central Te^II(Te)₄ unit is approximately square planar [Te—Te—Te = 93.51 (3) and 86.49 (3)°], with Te—Te bond lengths of 2.9806 (6) and 2.9978 (9) Å.     

Donor property of cobalt(II) Schiff base complexes toward triphenyltin(IV)‐chloride: A kinetic study

In this study, some cobalt(II)tetraaza Schiff base complexes were used as donors in coordinating to triphenyltin(IV)chloride as acceptors; the kinetics and mechanism of the adduct formation were studied spectrophotometrically. Co(II)tetraaza Schiff base complexes used were [Co(amaen)][N,N′‐ethylene‐bis‐(o‐amino‐α‐methylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt(II)] ( 1 ), [Co(appn)] [N,N′‐1,2‐propylene‐bis‐(o‐amino‐α‐phenylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt(II)] ( 2 ), [Co(ampen)] [N,N′‐ethylene‐bis‐(o‐amino‐α‐phenylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt‐(II)] ( 3 ), [Co(cappn)][N,N′‐1,2‐proylene‐bis‐(5‐chloro‐o‐amino‐α‐phenylbenzylideneiminato)cobalt(II)] ( 4 ), and [Co(campen)] [N,N′‐ethylene‐bis‐(5‐chloro‐o‐amino‐α‐phenylbenzylid‐eneiminato)cobalt(II)] ( 5 ). The reactivity trend of the complexes in interaction with triphenyltin(IV)chloride was Co(amaen) > Co(appn) > Co(ampen) > Co(cappn) > Co(campen). The linear plots of k_obs versus the molar concentration of the triphenyltin(IV)chloride, a high span of the second‐order rate constant k₂ values, and large negative values of ΔS^≠ and low ΔH^≠ values suggest an associative (A) mechanism for the acceptor–donor adduct formation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 635–640, 2012     

Practical Enantioselective Arylation and Heteroarylation of Aldehydes with In Situ Prepared Organotitanium Reagents Catalyzed by 3‐Aryl‐H8‐BINOL‐Derived Titanium Complexes

A highly efficient and practical method for the catalytic enantioselective arylation and heteroarylation of aldehydes with organotitanium reagents, prepared in situ by the reaction of aryl‐ and heteroaryllithium reagents with ClTi(OiPr)₃, is described. Titanium complexes derived from DPP‐H₈‐BINOL ( 3 d ; DPP=3,5‐diphenylphenyl) and DTBP‐H₈‐BINOL ( 3 e ; DTBP=3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl) exhibit excellent catalytic activity in terms of enantioselectivity and turnover efficiency for the transformation, providing diaryl‐, aryl heteroaryl‐, and diheteroarylmethanol derivatives in high enantioselectivity at low catalyst loading (0.2–2 mol %). The reaction begins with a variety of aryl and heteroaryl bromides through their conversion into organolithium intermediates by Br/Li exchange with nBuLi, thus providing straightforward access to a range of enantioenriched alcohols from commercially available starting materials. Various 2‐thienylmethanols can be synthesized enantioselectively by using commercially available 2‐thienyllithium in THF. The reaction can be carried out on a 10 mmol scale at 0.5 mol % catalyst loading, demonstrating its preparative utility.     

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.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Planar Chiral (Arene)tricarbonylchromium Complexes via Enantioselective Deprotonation by Conformationally Constrained Chiral Lithium‐Amide Bases

Enantioselective lithiation/electrophile addition reactions with eight chiral Li‐amide bases, 1 – 8 , and five [Cr(arene)(CO)₃] complexes, 9 – 13 , were investigated. Restriction of conformational freedom in the chiral Li‐amide base Li‐ 1 , in general, did not result in an increase in asymmetric induction. A new route to enantiomerically enriched (75 – 92%) planar chiral ortho‐substituted benzaldehyde complexes via enantioselective lithiation of benzaldimine complexes 16 and 17 is reported. Within the (1S)‐enantiomer series of o‐substituted benzaldehyde complexes 18a – d , the sign of the specific rotation, [α], is found to be positive, except for the trimethylstannyl derivative 18b . This is interpreted in terms of a reversed conformation of the aldehyde group.     

Mesityl‐phenolato‐vanadium(III)‐Komplexe: Synthese,Struktur und Verhalten

Mesityl‐vanadium(III)‐phenolate Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity Protolysis reactions of [VMes₃(THF)] with ortho‐substituted phenols (2‐iso‐propyl‐(H–IPP), 2‐tert‐butyl(H–TBP), 2,4,6‐trimethylphenol (HOMes) and 2,2′biphenol (H₂–Biphen) yield the partially and fully phenolate substituted complexes [VMes(OAr)₂(THF)₂] (OAr = IPP ( 1 ), TBP ( 2 )), [VMes₂(OMes)(THF)] ( 4 ), [V(OAr)₃(THF)₂] (OAr = TBP ( 3 ), OMes ( 5 )), and [V₂(Biphen)₃(THF)₄] ( 6 ). Treatment of 6 with Li₂Biphen(Et₂O)₄ results in formation of [{Li(OEt₂)}₃V(Biphen)₃] ( 7 ) and with MesLi complexes [{Li(THF)₂}₂VMes(Biphen)₂] · THF ( 8 ) and [{Li(DME)}VMes₂(Biphen)] ( 9 ) are formed. Reacting [VCl₃(THF)₃] with LiOMes in 1 : 1 to 1 : 4 ratios yields the componds [VCl_3–n(OMes)_n(THF)₂] (n = 1 ( 5 b ), 2 ( 5 a ), 3 ( 5 )) and [{Li(DME)₂}V(OMes)₄] ( 5 c ), the latter showing thermochromism due to a complexation/decomplexation equilibrium of the solvated cation. The mixed ligand mesityl phenolate complexes [{Li(DME)_n}{VMes₂(OAr)₂}] (OAr = IPP ( 10 ), TBP ( 11 ), OMes ( 12 ) (n = 2 or 3) and [{Li(DME)₂}{VMes(OMes)₃}] ( 15 ) are obtained by reaction of 1 , 2 , 5 a and 5 with MesLi. With [{Li(DME)₂(THF)}{VMes₃(IPP)}] ( 13 ) a ligand exchange product of 10 was isolated. Addition of LiOMes to [VMes₃(THF)] forming [Li(THF)₄][VMes₃(OMes)] ( 14 ) completes the series of [Li(solv.)_x][VMes_4–n(OMes)_n] (n = 1 to 4) complexes which have been oxidised to their corresponding neutral [VMes_4–n(OMes)_n] derivatives 16 to 19 by reaction with p‐chloranile. They were investigated by epr spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 1 , 3 , 5 , 5 a , 5 a – Br , 7 , 10 and 13 have been determined by X‐ray analysis. In 1 (monoclinic, C2/c, a = 29.566(3) Å, b = 14.562(2) Å, c = 15.313(1) Å, β = 100.21(1)°, Z = 8), 3 (orthorhombic, Pbcn, a = 28.119(5) Å, b = 14.549(3) Å, c = 17.784(4) Å, β = 90.00°, Z = 8), ( 5 ) (triclinic, P1, a = 8.868(1) Å, b = 14.520(3) Å, c = 14.664(3) Å, α = 111.44(1)°, β = 96.33(1)°, γ = 102.86(1)°, Z = 2), 5 a (monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 20.451(2) Å, b = 8.198(1) Å, c = 15.790(2) Å, β = 103.38(1)°, Z = 4) and 5 a – Br (monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 21.264(3) Å, b = 8.242(4) Å, c = 15.950(2) Å, β = 109.14(1)°, Z = 4) the vanadium atoms are coordinated trigonal bipyramidal with the THF molecules in the axial positions. The central atom in 7 (trigonal, P3c1, a = 20.500(3) Å, b = 20.500(3) Å, c = 18.658(4) Å, Z = 6) has an octahedral environment. The three Li(OEt₂)⁺ fragments are bound bridging the biphenolate ligands. The structures of 10 (monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 16.894(3) Å, b = 12.181(2) Å, c = 25.180(3) Å, β = 91.52(1)°, Z = 4) and 13 (orthorhombic, Pna2₁, a = 16.152(4) Å, b = 17.293(6) Å, c = 16.530(7) Å, Z = 4) are characterised by separated ions with tetrahedrally coordinated vanadate(III) anions and the lithium cations being the centres of octahedral and trigonal bipyramidal solvent environments, respectively.     

Nafion/Titanium Dioxide‐Coated Lithium Anode for Stable Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have shown great potential as high energy‐storage devices. However, the stability of the Li metal anode is still a major concern. This is due to the formation of lithium dendrites and severe side reactions with polysulfide intermediates. We herein develop an anode protection method by coating a Nafion/TiO₂ composite layer on the Li anode to solve these problems. In this architecture, Nafion suppresses the growth of Li dendrites, protects the Li anode, and prevents side reactions between polysulfides and the Li anode. Moreover, doped TiO₂ further improves the ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of the Nafion membrane. Li–S batteries with a Nafion/TiO₂‐coated Li anode exhibit better cycling stability (776 mA h g^?1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C, 1 C=1672 mA g^?1) and higher rate performance (787 mA h g^?1 at 2 C) than those with a pristine Li anode. This work provides an alternative way to construct stable Li anodes for high‐performance Li–S batteries.     

New Homoleptic Rare‐Earth Metal Complexes Comprising the Unsymmetrically Substituted Amidinate Ligand [MeC(NEt)(NtBu)]–

New homoleptic complexes of selected rare‐earth elements containing the unsymmetrically substituted amidinate ligand [MeC(NEt)(NtBu)]^– [= (L)^–] were synthesized and fully characterized. Treatment of in situ‐prepared Li(L) ( 1 ) with anhydrous lanthanide(III) chlorides, LnCl₃ (Ln = Sc, La, Ce, Ho), afforded three different types of amidinate complexes depending on the ionic radius of the central metal atom. The large La³⁺ formed the octa‐coordinate DME solvate La(L)₃(DME) ( 2 ). Using Ce³⁺, the octa‐coordinate “ate” complex Li(THF)[Ce(L)₄] ( 3 ) was formed. Depending on the crystallization conditions, compound 3 could be crystallized in two modifications differing in the coordination environment around Li. In the case of the smaller Sc³⁺ and Ho³⁺ ions, six‐coordinate homoleptic Sc(L)₃ ( 4 ) and Ho(L)₃ ( 5 ) were isolated. The title compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. With Ln = La and Ce, several by‐products incorporating lithium, chlorine and/or oxygen were also isolated and structurally characterized.     

In vitro antibacterial and antifungal assay of poly‐(ethylene oxamide‐N,N′‐diacetate) and its polymer–metal complexes

A new polyester, poly‐(ethylene oxamide‐N,N′‐diacetate) (PEODA), containing glycine moiety was synthesized by the reaction of oxamide‐N,N′‐diacetic acid and ethylene glycol and its polymer–metal complexes were synthesized with transition metal ions. The monomer oxamide‐N,N′‐diacetic acid was prepared by the reaction of glycine and diethyl oxalate. The polymer and its metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and other spectroscopic techniques. The in vitro antibacterial activities of all the synthesized polymers were investigated against some bacteria and fungi. The analytical data revealed that the coordination polymers of Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) are coordinated with two water molecules, which are further supported by FTIR spectra and TGA data. The polymer–metal complexes showed excellent antibacterial activities against both types of microorganisms; the polymeric ligand was also found to be effective but less so than the polymer–metal complexes. On the basis of the antimicrobial behavior, these polymers may be used as antifungal and antifouling coating materials in fields like life‐saving medical devices and the bottoms of ships. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diaqua­bis[4‐(4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)­benzoato‐κ2O,O′]cobalt(II), and the cadmium(II) and copper(II) analogues: new self‐complementary hydrogen‐bond donor/acceptor modules for designing hydrogen‐bonded frameworks

In the isostructural title complexes, [M(C₉H₆N₃O₂)₂(H₂O)₂] [M = Co^II, (I), Cd^II, (II), and Cu^II, (III); the metal centres reside on a twofold axis in the space group C2/c for (I) and (II)], the metal centres are surrounded by four O atoms from two O,O′‐bidentate carboxyl­ate groups and by two trans‐coordinated aqua ligands, forming a distorted octa­hedral environment. The mol­ecules possess four hydrogen‐bond donor (two aqua ligands) and four hydrogen‐bond acceptor sites (two triazole groups), and aggregate by self‐association, forming two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded frameworks [via O—H⋯N inter­actions; O⋯N = 2.749 (3)–2.872 (3) Å]. The layers are parallel and are tightly packed with short inter­layer distances of 4.93, 4.95 and 5.01 Å for (I), (II) and (III), respectively.     

Novel Dinuclear Redox‐isomeric Complexes with a Tetrapodal Pyridine‐based Ligand

Tris‐o‐semiquinonato cobalt complexes react with a tetrapodal pyridine‐derived ligand to form dinuclear cobalt compounds of general formula (OMP)[CoQ₂]₂, where OMP = 2,2′‐(pyridine‐2,6‐diyl)bis(N¹,N¹,N³,N³‐tetramethylpropane‐1,3‐diamine), Q = mono‐ or dianion of 3,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐o‐benzoquinone (complex 1 ) and it derivatives: 3,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4,5‐N,N′‐piperazino‐o‐benzoquinone (complex 2 ), and 3,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐Cl‐o‐benzoquinone (complex 3 ). Single crystal X‐ray crystallography of 1 and 3 indicates two bis‐quinonato cobalt units bound by an OMP ligand, which acts as a bridge. Each central cobalt atom is chelated by one N¹,N¹,N³,N³‐tetramethylpropane‐1,3‐diamine and two o‐quinonato fragments. The nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring is uncoordinated. All complexes were characterized by NIR‐IR and EPR spectroscopy, precise adiabatic vacuum calorimetry, and by variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. All data indicate a reversible thermally driven redox‐isomeric (valence tautomeric) transformation in the solid state for all complexes.     

A one‐dimensional carboxyl­ate‐bridged helical copper(II) complex containing (quinolin‐8‐yl­oxy)­acetate

The title compound, catena‐poly[­[bromo­copper(II)]‐μ‐(quin­olin‐8‐yl­oxy)­acetato‐κ⁴N,O,O′:O′′], [CuBr(C₁₁H₈NO₃)]_n, is a novel carboxyl­ate‐bridged one‐dimensional helical copper(II) polymer. The metal ion exhibits an approximately square‐pyramidal CuBrNO₃ coordination environment, with the three donor atoms of the ligand and the bromide ion occupying the basal positions, and an O atom belonging to the carboxyl­ate group of an adjacent mol­ecule in the apical site. Carboxyl­ate groups are mutually cis oriented, and each anti–anti carboxyl­ate group bridges two copper(II) ions via one apical and one basal position [Cu⋯Cu = 5.677 (1) Å], resulting in the formation of a helical chain along the crystallographic b axis.     

Structural Investigation of New Lithium Amidinates and Guanidinates

A series of potentially useful lithium amidinates and guanidinates were prepared and fully characterized. Treatment of N,N′‐diisopropylcarbodiimide with phenyllithium in diethyl ether afforded the lithium amidinate [PhC(NiPr)₂Li(OEt₂)]₂ ( 1 ). Similar treatment of N,N′‐diorganocarbodiimides R′–N=C=N–R′ [R′ = iPr, cyclohexyl (Cy)] with secondary lithium amides LiNR₂ [R₂ = Et₂, iPr₂, (CH₂)₄] followed by crystallization from THF or 1,4‐dioxane gave the lithium guanidinates [R₂NC(NR′)₂Li(S)]₂ [ 2 : R = Et, R′ = iPr, S = THF; 3 : R₂ = (CH₂)₄, R′ = iPr, S = THF; 4 : R = R′ = iPr, S = ½ 1,4‐dioxane; 5 : R₂ = (CH₂)₄, R′ = Cy, S = 1,4‐dioxane] as crystalline solids. Reaction of N‐lithioaziridine with the corresponding carbodiimides afforded solvent‐deficient [{C₂H₄NC(NiPr₂)₂}₂Li₂(THF)]₂ ( 6 ), and [C₂H₄NC(NEt)(NtBu)Li(THF)]₂ ( 7 ). Crystal structure determination revealed the presence of common ladder‐type dimeric structures for 1 – 5 . Compound 6 exists as a dimer of two ladder‐type dimers in the crystal, and 7 exhibits an unusual dimeric structure comprising an eight‐membered C₂N₄Li₂ ring.     

Lithium‐Aluminate‐Catalyzed Hydrophosphination Applications

Synthesized, isolated, and characterized by X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopic studies, lithium phosphidoaluminate iBu₃AlPPh₂Li(THF)₃ has been tested as a catalyst for hydrophosphination of alkynes, alkenes, and carbodiimides. Based on the collective evidence of stoichiometric reactions, NMR monitoring studies, kinetic analysis, and DFT calculations, a mechanism involving deprotonation, alkyne insertion, and protonolysis is proposed for the [iBu₃AlHLi]₂ aluminate catalyzed hydrophosphination of alkynes with diphenylphosphine. This study enhances further the development of transition‐metal‐free, atom‐economical homogeneous catalysis using common sustainable main‐group metals.     

Electrophilic Iron Catalyst Paired with a Lithium Cation Enables Selective Functionalization of Non‐Activated Aliphatic C−H Bonds via Metallocarbene Intermediates

Combining an electrophilic iron complex [Fe(^Fpda)(THF)]₂ ( 3 ) [^Fpda=N,N′‐bis(pentafluorophenyl)‐o‐phenylenediamide] with the pre‐activation of α‐alkyl‐substituted α‐diazoesters reagents by LiAl(OR^F)₄ [OR^F=(OC(CF₃)₃] provides unprecedented access to selective iron‐catalyzed intramolecular functionalization of strong alkyl C(sp³)?H bonds. Reactions occur at 25 °C via α‐alkyl‐metallocarbene intermediates, and with activity/selectivity levels similar to those of rhodium carboxylate catalysts. Mechanistic investigations reveal a crucial role of the lithium cation in the rate‐determining formation of the electrophilic iron‐carbene intermediate, which then proceeds by concerted insertion into the C?H bond.