Stable mononuclear radical anions of heavier group 13 elements: [(tBu2MeSi)3E.-].[K+(2.2.2-Cryptand)] (E = Al, Ga)

The one-electron reduction of tris(di-tert-butylmethylsilyl)aluminum and -gallium with alkali metals (Li, Na, K) results in the formation of the corresponding radical anions [(tBu2MeSi)3Al*-] (3) and [(tBu2MeSi)3Ga]*- (4), which were isolated in the form of the potassium salt as extremely air- and moisture-sensitive deep red crystals, representing the first isolable mononuclear radical anions of heavier group 13 elements. The molecular structures of both 3.[K+(2.2.2-cryptand)] and 4.[K+(2.2.2-cryptand)] were established by X-ray crystallography, which showed a nearly planar geometry around the radical centers. The EPR spectra of 3 and 4 showed strong characteristic signals with g-values of 2.005 for 3 and 2.015 for 4 with hyperfine coupling constants of a(27Al) = 6.2 mT for 3, a(69Ga) = 12.3 mT, and a(71Ga) = 15.7 mT for 4, corresponding to a planar geometry of the radical center.     

Isolable silyl and germyl radicals lacking conjugation with pi-bonds: synthesis,characterization, and reactivity

The one-electron oxidation reaction of tris[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]silyl and -germyl anions with dichlorogermylene-dioxane complex results in the formation of stable tris[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]silyl and -germyl radicals 1 and 2, representing the first isolable radical species of heavier Group 14 elements lacking stabilization by conjugation with pi-bonds. The crystal structures of both silyl and germyl radicals 1 and 2 showed a completely planar geometry around the radical centers. The ESR spectra of 1 and 2 showed strong signals with characteristic satellites due to the coupling with the 29Si and 73Ge nuclei. The small values of the hyperfine coupling constants a(29Si) and a(73Ge) clearly indicate the pi-character of both radicals, corresponding to a planar geometry and sp2 hybridization of the radical centers. Both 1 and 2 easily undergo halogenation reactions with carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dibromoethane, and benzyl bromide to form the corresponding halosilanes and halogermanes.     

The first silastannene >si=sn<: a new doubly-bonded system of heavier group 14 elements

The reaction of bis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]dilithiosilane 1 with dichlorobis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)stannane in THF at room temperature yielded highly air- and moisture-sensitive deep violet crystals of 1,1-bis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]-2,2-bis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)-1-sila-2-stannaethene 2 with a Si=Sn double bond. The molecular structure of 2 was established by X-ray crystallography, which showed a trans-bent structure (bending angles of 26.2 degrees for the sp2 Si atom and 9.6 degrees for the sp2 Sn atom) with a >Si=Sn< bond length of 2.4188(14) A and a twisting angle of 34.6 degrees . The geometry and regioselectivity of the addition reaction of PhEH (E = O and S) corresponds to the polarity of the double bond Sidelta-=Sndelta+, which is also supported by theoretical calculations on the model silastannene (H3Si)2Si=SnPh2.     

Deprotonation reactions of zirconium and hafnium amide complexes H2N-M[N(SiMe3)2]3 and subsequent silyl migration from amide -N(SiMe3)2 to imide =NH ligands

Ammonolysis of previously reported Cl-M[N(SiMe3)2]3 (M = Zr, 1a; Hf, 1b) leads to the formation of peramides H2N-M[N(SiMe3)2]3 (M = Zr, 2a; Hf, 2b) which upon deprotonation by LiN(SiMe3)2 or Li(THF)3SiPh2But yields imides Li+(THF)n{HN(-)-M[N(SiMe3)2]3} (M = Zr, 3a; Hf, 3b). One -SiMe3 group in 3a-b undergoes silyl migration from a -N(SiMe3)2 ligand to the imide =NH ligand to give Li+(THF)2{Me3SiN(-)-M[NH(SiMe3)][N(SiMe3)2]2} (M = Zr, 4a; Hf, 4b) containing an imide =N(SiMe3) ligand. The kinetics of the 3a --> 4a conversion was investigated between 290 and 315 K and was first-order with respect to 3a. The activation parameters for this silyl migration are DeltaH++ = 13.3(1.3) kcal/mol and DeltaS++ = -34(3) eu in solutions of 3a (in toluene-d8 with 1.07 M THF) prepared in situ. THF in the mixed solvent promoted the 3a --> 4a reaction. The effect of THF on the rate constants of the conversion has been studied, and the kinetics of the reaction was 3.4(0.6)th order with respect to THF. Crystal and molecular structures of H2N-Zr[N(SiMe3)2]3 (2a) and 4a-b have been determined.     

Tetrasilacyclobutadiene ((t)Bu(2)MeSi)(4)Si(4): a new ligand for transition-metal complexes

The anionic complex of [tetrakis(di-tert-butylmethylsilyl) tetrasilacyclobutadiene]dicarbonylcobalt, [(R4Si4)Co(CO)2]-.K+ (R = SiMetBu2) 2-.K+, was synthesized by the reaction of tetrasilacyclobutadiene dianion dipotassium salt [R4Si4]2-.2K+ 1 with an excess of CpCo(CO)2 in THF. X-ray analysis of 2-.[K+(diglyme)2(THF)] showed an almost planar Si4 ring of rectangular shape with an in-plane arrangement of the silyl substituents. 2- was also prepared as a free anion with the [K+[2.2.2]cryptand] counterion by complexation with [2.2.2]cryptand and as a dimer {2-.[K+(THF)3]}2 without complexing reagents in THF. Such a tetrasilacyclobutadiene fragment represents a new type of ligand for Co complexes, being the first example of a cyclobutadiene containing only heavier group 14 elements.     

Metallderivate von Molekülverbindungen. IV. Synthese,Struktur und Reaktivität des Lithium-[tris-(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellanids · DME

Metal Derivatives of Molecular Compounds. IV Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Lithium [Tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellanide · DME Lithium tris(trimethylsilyl)silanide · 1,5 DME [3] and tellurium react in 1,2-dimethoxyethane to give colourless lithium [tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellanide · DME ( 1 ). An X-ray structure determination {-150 · 3·C; P2₁/c; a = 1346.6(4); b = 1497.0(4); c = 1274.5(3) pm; β = 99.22(2)·; Z = 2 dimers; R = 0.030} shows the compound to be dimeric forming a planar Li? Te? Li? Te ring with two tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl substituents in a trans position. Three-coordinate tellurium is bound to the central silicon of the tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl group and to two lithium atoms; the two remaining sites of each four-coordinate lithium are occupied by the chelate ligand DME {Li? Te 278 and 284; Si? Te 250; Li? O 200 pm (2X); Te? Li? Te 105°; Li? Te? Li 75°; O? Li? O 84°}. The covalent radius of 154 pm as determined for the DME-complexed lithium in tellanide 1 is within the range of 155 ± 3 pm, also characteristic for similar compounds. In typical reactions of the tellanide 1 [tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellane ( 2 ), methyl-[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellane ( 4 ) and bis[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]ditellane ( 5 ) are formed.     

A chemical trick: how to make a digermene from a disilene,formation of 3delta-1,2,3,4-disiladigermetene

The unexpected reaction of tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]disilagermirenes (1a and 1b) with GeCl2.dioxane results in the quantitative formation of trans-1,2-dichloro-1,2,3,4-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]-3Delta-1,2,3,4-disiladigermetene, 2, representing the first cyclotetrametallene containing two different heavier group 14 elements and the first digermene incorporated in a four-membered ring. trans-1,2-Dichloro-1,2,3,4-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]-3Delta-1,2,3,4-disilagermastannetene (8), with a Ge=Sn double bond, was also prepared by the reaction of 1 with SnCl2.dioxane. The crystal structure of 2 was established by X-ray crystallography, which showed a folded four-membered ring skeleton with a long Ge=Ge double bond (2.2911(4) A). The structural peculiarities of 2, as well as the possible mechanism of its formation, are also discussed.     

Tris(trimethylsilyl)silylamin und seine lithiierten und silylierten Derivate — Kristallstruktur des dimeren Lithium-trimethylsilyl-[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]amids

Tris(trimethylsilyl)silylamine and the lithiated and silylated Derivatives — X-Ray Structure of the dimeric Lithium Trimethylsilyl-[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]amide The ammonolysis of the chlor, brom or trifluormethanesulfonyl tris(trimethylsilyl)silane yields the colorless tris(trimethylsilyl)silylamine, destillable at 51°C and 0.02 Torr. The subsequent lithiation, reaction with chlor trimethylsilane and repeated lithiation lead to the formation of lithium tris(trimethylsilyl)silylamide, trimethylsilyl-[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]amine and finally lithium trimethylsilyl-[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]amide, which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 1 386.7(2); b = 2 040.2(3); c = 1 609.6(2) pm; β = 96.95(1)° and Z = 4 dimeric molecules. The cyclic Li₂N₂ moiety with Li? N bond distances displays a short transannular Li …? Li contact of 229 pm. The dimeric molecule shows nearly C₂-symmetry, so that one lithium atom forms agostic bonds to both the trimethylsilyl groups, the other one to the tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl substituents. However, the ⁷Li{¹H}-NMR spectrum displays a high field shifted singlet at —1.71 ppm. The lithiation of trimethylsilyl-[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]amine leads to a high field shift of the ²⁹Si{¹H} resonance of about 12 ppm for the Me₃SiN group, whereas the parameters of the tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl ligand remain nearly unaffected.     

Oxygen capture by lithiated organozinc reagents containing aromatic 2-pyridylamide ligands

The sequential reaction of ZnMe2 with a 2-pyridylamine (HN(2-C5H4N)R, R = Ph: 1; 3,5-Xy (=3,5-xylyl): 2; 2,6-Xy: 3; Bz (=benzyl): 4; Me: 5), tBuLi and thereafter with oxygen affords various lithium zincate species, the solid-state structures of which reveal a diversity of oxo-capture modes. Amine 1 reacts to give both dimeric THF [Li(Me)OZn[N(2-C5H4N)Ph]2] (6), wherein oxygen has inserted into the Zn-C bond of a [MeZn[N(2-C5H4N)-Ph]2] ion, and the trigonal Li2Zn complex, bis(OtBu)-capped (THF x Li)2-[[(mu3-O)tBu]2Zn[N(2-C5H4N)Ph]2] (7). The structural analogue of 6 (8) results from the employment of 2, while the use of more sterically congested 3 yields a pseudo-cubane dimer [(THF x [Li(tBu)OZn(OtBu)Me]]2] (9) notable for the retention of labile Zn-C(Me). Amines 4 and 5 afford the oxo-encapsulation products [mu4-O)Zn4[(2-C5H4N)-NBz]6] (10b), and [tBu(mu3-O)-Li3(mu6-O)Zn3[(2-C5H4N)NMe]6] (11), respectively, with concomitant oxo-insertion into a Li-C interaction resulting in capping of the fac-isomeric (mu6-O)M3M'3 distorted octahedral core of the latter complex by a tert-butoxide group.     

Functionalization of aminophosphanes: synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of novel dilithium and trilithium complexes containing silicon-fused heteronuclear SiN2PLi five-membered rings

A first structurally characterized primary aminophosphane (Ar 2PNH 2 ( 2); Ar = 2,4,6- iPr 3C 6H 2) that is a stable solid at room temperature without decomposition by self-condensation is reported. Reactions of N-phosphanyllithium amide ( tBu 2PNHLi ( 3)) with Me 2SiCl 2 and MeSiCl 3 in Et 2O result in the formation of Me 2Si(NHP tBu 2) 2 ( 4) and MeSi(NHP tBu 2) 3 ( 5), respectively. Subsequent treatment of 4 and 5 with 2 and 3 equiv of nBuLi gave the dilithium ( 6) and trilithium ( 7) complexes, respectively. Further treatment of 5 with 3 equiv of AlMe 3 yielded the trialuminum complex MeSi[N(AlMe 2)P tBu 2] 3 ( 8). These three complexes were investigated by microanalysis and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The dilithium complex [Me 2Si(NLiP tBu 2) 2.3THF] ( 6) and the trilithium complex [MeSi(NLiP tBu 2) 3.3Et 2O] ( 7) were further characterized by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis.     

2,4-Disila-1-germatricyclo[2.1.0.0(2,5)]pentane: a new type of cage compound of group 14 elements with an extremely long Ge-C bridge bond and an "Umbrella"-type configuration of a Ge atom

The thermolysis of 1,1,2,3-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]-4-phenyl-1,2-disila-3-germacyclopenta-2,4-diene 1 at 175 degrees C results in the quantitative formation of 1,2,3,4-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]-5-phenyl-2,4-disila-1-germatricyclo[2.1.0. 02,5]pentane 2, representing a new type of cage compound of group 14 elements. The crystal structure of 2 was established by X-ray crystallography, which showed an extremely long Ge-C bridge bond of 2.242(3) A and an "umbrella"-type configuration of the Ge atom. The compound 2 readily reacted with benzaldehyde to produce 1,4,5,7-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]-3,6-diphenyl-2-oxa-1,4-disila-5-germabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene 3 with an endocyclic Ge=C double bond.     

Anisole-diphenoxide ligands and their zirconium dichloride and dialkyl complexes

Linear triphenol H3[RO3] (2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-R-phenol; R = Me, tBu) was found to undergo selective mono-deprotonation and mono-O-methylation. Deprotonation of H3[RO3] with 1 equiv of nBuLi resulted in the formation of Li{H2[RO3]}(Et2O)2 (R = Me (1a), tBu (1b)), in which the central phenol unit was lithiated. Treatment of H3[RO3] with methyl p-toluenesulfonate in the presence of K2CO3 in CH3CN gave the corresponding anisol-diphenol H2[RO2O] (2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-R-anisole; R = Me (2a), tBu (2b)). Reaction of H2[RO2O] with 2 equiv of nBuLi gave the dilithiated derivatives Li2[RO2O]. The lithium salts were reacted with ZrCl4 in toluene/THF to obtain the dichloride complex [RO2O]ZrCl2(thf) (R = Me (3a), tBu (3b)). 3b underwent dimerization along with a loss of THF to generate {[tBuO2O]ZrCl2}2 (4), whereas 4 was dissolved in THF to regenerate the monomer 3b. Alkylation of 3 with MeMgBr, PhCH2MgCl, and Me3SiCH2MgCl gave [MeO2O]ZrMe2(thf) (5), [RO2O]Zr(CH2Ph)2 (R = Me (6a), tBu (6b)), and [tBuO2O]Zr(CH2SiMe3)2 (7), respectively. Reaction of 3b with LiBHEt3 produced the hydride-bridged dimer [Li2(thf)4Cl]{[tBuO3]Zr}2(micro-H)3} (8), in which demethylation of the dianionic [tBuO2O] ligand took place to give the trianionic [tBuO3] ligand. The X-ray crystal structures of 1b, 2a, 3a, 4, 6a, and 7 were reported.     

Tetrasilatetrahedranide: a silicon cage anion

The first silicon cage anion, tris{bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl](methyl)silyl}tetrasilatetrahedranide (6-), has been synthesized by the reaction of tetrakis{bis[bis(trimethylsilylmethyl](methyl)silyl}tetrasilatetrahedrane with potassium graphite in diethyl ether by reductive cleavage of exocyclic Si-Si bond. The structural characterization of K+(18-crown-6).6- has been achieved by X-ray crystallography, showing that 6- is a separated ion pair and the tetrasilatetrahedranide moiety has a significantly distorted tetrahedrane skeleton containing one inverted tetrahedral (umbrella type) silicon atom. The four silicon atoms in the Si4 skeleton are equivalent on the NMR time scale due to the migration of the Dis2MeSi substituent.     

Isomeric metamorphosis: Si3E (E = S, Se, and Te) bicyclo[1.1.0]butane and cyclobutene

Group 14 and 16 hybrid heavy bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (tBu2MeSi)4Si3E (E = S, Se, and Te) 2a-c have been prepared by the [1 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of trisilirene 1 and the corresponding chalcogen. Bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes 2 have exceedingly short bridging Si-Si bonds (2.2616(19) A for 2b and 2.2771(13) A for 2c), a phenomenon explained by the important contribution of the trisilirene-chalcogen pi-complex character to the overall bonding of 2. Photolysis of 2a and 2b produced their valence isomers, the heavy cyclobutenes 3a and 3b, featuring flat four-membered Si3E rings and a planar geometry of the Si=Si double bond. The mechanism of such isomerization was studied using deuterium-labeled 2a-d6 to ascertain the preference of the pathway, involving the direct concerted symmetry-allowed transformation of bicyclo[1.1.0]butane 2 to cyclobutene 3.     

Photochemical isomerization of 1,2,5-trisilabicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-3,6-diene to 1,4,7-trisilabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene

Upon irradiation of a benzene-d6 solution of 1,2,2,5-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]-4,7-diaryl- 1,2,5-trisilabicyclo-[3.2.0]hepta-3,6-diene [1a: aryl = phenyl, b: aryl = 3,5-bis-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl], 1,4,7,7-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl-(methyl)silyl]-2,5-diaryl-1,4,7- trisilabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene (2a,b) was formed via skeletal rearrangement.     

New synthetic routes to a disulfidodinickel(II) complex: characterization and reactivity of a Ni2(mu-eta2:eta2-S2) core

Activation of elemental sulfur by the monovalent nickel complex [PhTt (tBu)]Ni(CO) [PhTt(tBu)=phenyl{tris[(tert-butylmethyl)thio]methyl}borate] generates the disulfidodinickel(II) complex 2. This species is alternatively accessible via thermal decomposition of [PhTt (tBu)]Ni(SCPh3). Spectroscopic, magnetic, and X-ray diffraction studies establish that 2 contains a mu-eta(2):eta(2)-S2 ligand that fosters antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the Ni (II) ions. This observation is in contrast to the lighter congener, oxygen, which strongly favors the bis(mu-oxo)dinickel(III) structure. 2 oxidizes PPh 3 to SPPh3 and reacts with O2, generating several products, one of which has been identified as [(PhTt (tBu))Ni]2(mu-S) (3).     

Tripodal amido boron and aluminum complexes

The synthesis and structural elucidations of novel boron and aluminum complexes incorporating the tripodal triamido [N3]3- ligand framework that is hypothesized to promote the preorganized pyramidal geometry for high Lewis acidity are reported. Salt metathesis between the in situ-generated trianionic lithium complexes of the tripodal amido ligands with BCl3 leads to boranes HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3B (1) and MeSi[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3B (2); however, substitution of the N-Ar group with the bulky tBu affords the unexpected non-boron-containing LiCl adduct {[HC(SiMe2NtBu)2(SiMeNtBu)]Li3(Et2O)Cl}2 (3) via apparent elimination of MeBCl2. The products derived from the salt metathesis reaction with AlCl3 are determined by the reaction medium: while the reaction in a hexanes-ether mixture or toluene affords solvated salt adduct HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3Al.ClLi(Et2O)2 (4) or salt adduct HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3Al.ClLi (5), respectively; the addition of a small amount of THF produces a mixture of complexes HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3Al.(THF) (6, major) and HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3Al(OCH=CH2).Li(THF)2 (7, minor). The desired complex 6 can be exclusively formed using HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3Li3.(THF)3 and the hexanes-ether mixture solvent. The molecular structures of complexes 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 have been elucidated by X-ray diffraction studies. The structure of 1 shows an approximately trigonal pyramidal geometry at B with no significant N-B p-p pi-interactions. The strong salt adduct and solvate formation of the tripodal amido Al complex, as well as its similarity to the strong Lewis acid Al(C6F5)3 in the THF adduct and enolaluminate formation and structure, indicate the desired core structure [N3]Al is indeed highly Lewis acidic.     

Metallderivate von Molekülverbindungen. V. Synthese und Struktur von Hexakis{lithium-[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellanid}—Cyclopentan (1/1)

Metal Derivatives of Molecular Compounds. V. Synthesis and Structure of Hexakis{lithium-[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellanide}—Cyclopentane (1/1) . Lithium [tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellanide—DME (1/1) [1 b] prepared from lithium tris(trimethylsilyl)silanide—DME (2/3) [3] and tellurium, reacts with hydrogen chloride in toluene to form [tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellane ( 1 ) [1 b]. Subsequent metalation of this compound with lithium n-butanide gives lithium [tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellanide ( 2 ) free of coordinating solvent. Pale yellow crystals are obtained from cyclopentane solution. An X-ray structure determination {P1 ; a = 1 558.5(7); b = 1 598.4(8); c = 1 643.5(6) pm; α = 117.64(4); β = 91.63(3); γ = 117.19(3)°; Z = 1; R = 0.032} shows them to be the (1/1) packing complex ( 2 ′) of hexakis{lithium-[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]tellanide} and disordered cyclopentane molecules —{Li? Te? Si[Si(CH₃)₃]₃}₆ · C₅H₁₀.     

Synthesis and structure of divalent thulium borohydrides, and their application in ε-caprolactone polymerisation

The new divalent thulium compound [Tm(BH(4))(2)(DME)(2)] could be prepared by reduction of [Tm(BH(4))(3)(THF)(3)] or from TmI(2) and KBH(4). It was used as a precursor to the divalent [(Tp(tBu,Me))Tm(BH(4))(THF)] by reaction with potassium tris(2-tBu-4-Me)pyrazolylborate (KTp(tBu,Me)). Both Tm(II) compounds were found active as ε-caprolactone polymerisation catalysts.     

Synthesis and reactivity of copper(I) complexes containing a bis(imidazolin-2-imine) pincer ligand

The new pincer ligand 2,6-bis[(1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-imino)methyl]pyridine (TL(tBu)) has been prepared in high yield from 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (1) and 1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-imine (3). Reaction of TL(tBu) with [Cu(MeCN)4]PF6 affords the highly reactive copper(I) complex [(TL(tBu))Cu]PF6, [5]PF6, which forms the stable copper(I) isocyanide complexes [6a]PF6 (nu(CN) = 2179 cm(-1)) and [6b]PF6 (nu(CN) = 2140 cm(-1)) upon addition of tert-butyl or 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide, respectively. For the cations 6a and 6b, DFT calculations reveal ground-state electronic structures of the type [(TL(tBu)-kappaN(1):kappaN(2))Cu(CNR)] with tricoordinate geometries around the copper atoms. Exposure of [5]PF6 to the air readily leads to trapping of atmospheric CO2 to form the square-planar complex [(TL(tBu))Cu(HCO3-kappaO)]PF6, [7]PF6, with the bicarbonate ligand adopting a rarely observed monodentate coordination mode. In chlorinated solvents such as dichloromethane or chloroform, [5]PF(6) rapidly abstracts chloride by reductive dechlorination of the solvent to yield [(TL(tBu))CuCl]PF6, [8]PF6 quantitatively. Reaction of TL(tBu) with copper(I) bromide or chloride affords complexes 9a and 9b, respectively, for which X-ray diffraction analysis, low-temperature NMR experiments and DFT calculations reveal the presence of a kappa(2)-coordinated ligand of the type [(TL(tBu)-kappaN(1):kappaN(2))CuX]. In solution, complex 9b undergoes slow disproportionation forming the mixed-valence copper(II)/copper(I) system [(TL(tBu))CuCl][CuCl2], [8]CuCl2 with a linear dichlorocuprate(I) counterion.