Reaction of Carbon Anions With Iron α,β-Unsaturated Ketimine Complexes

Complexes (η⁴-PhCH=CHCR=NPh)Fe(CO)₃, where R=H(1a) and CH₃ were synthesized in excellent yield from the reaction of the corresponding α,β-unsaturated ketimines with excess Fe₂(CO)₉. Reaction of la with (Ph)₂CHLi and (CH₃)₂(NC)CLi at ?78°C or ambient temperature followed by acid quenching gave trans-PhCH=CHCHRNHPh, where R=CHPH₂ and C(CH₃)₂CN, respectively, in good yield. In the presence of 1 atm. of CO the reaction of 1a with (CH₃)₂(NC)CLi, followed by CuCl₂ oxidation resulted in the formation of a carbamyl choride, trans-PhCH=CHCH[C(CH₃)₂CN]N(Ph)COCl. This species was converted to a carbamate compound trans-PhCH=CHCH[C(CH₃)₂ - CN]N(Ph)COOCH₃ in MeOH in the presence of Ag⁺.     

Synthese und Koordinationschemie von Diisocyanmethan

Synthesis and Coordination Chemistry of Disocyanomethane Disocyanomethane ( 1 ) was synthesized starting from bis(formylamido)methane by the Ugi method. 1 decomposes vigourously above its melting point (−15 °C) into a brown insoluble solid. The isocyanide can be stabilized by coordination to a transition metal complex fragment. The complexes (CO)₅Cr(CN‐CH₂‐NC) ( 2 ), (CO)₅Cr(CN‐CH₂‐NC)Cr(CO)₅ ( 3 ), CpMn(CO)₂(CN‐CH₂‐NC) ( 4 ), CpMn(CO)₂(CN‐CH₂‐NC)(CO)₂MnCp ( 5 ), CpMn(CO)₂‐(CN‐CH₂‐NC)Cr(CO)₅ ( 6 ), CpMn(CO)₂(CN‐CH₂‐NC)Cu(pz*)₃BH ( 7 ) and (CO)₅Cr(CN‐CH₂‐NC)Cu(pz*)₃BH ( 8 ) (pz* = 3, 5‐dimethylpyrazolyl) were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. The structures of bis(formylamido)methane, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 9.189(5), b = 6.881(3), c = 7.616(2)Å, β = 91.24(4)°, R₁ = 0.0475, wR₂ = 0.1748, and the diisocyanomethane complexes 2 , monoclinic, C2/c, a = 24.996(7), b = 5.882(2), c = 20.572(6)Å, β = 134.62(2)°, R₁ = 0.0582, wR₂ = 0.1357, 4 , monoclinic, P2₁/a, a = 12.143(4), b = 5.848(2), c = 14.301(5)Å, β = 97.77(3)°, R₁ = 0.0355, wR₂ = 0.0972, 6 monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 11.537(7), b = 12.248(5), c = 12.54(2)Å, β = 102.75(8), R₁ = 0.1333, wR₂ = 0.3024 and 7 , triclinic, P1¯, a = 9.8841(9), b = 9.9517(9), c = 16.2479(15)Å, α = 104.790(2), β = 90.530(2), γ = 98.213(2)°, R₁ = 0.0416, wR₂ = 0.1198 were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and Insertion Chemistry of Mixed Tether Uranium Metallocene Complexes

The synthesis of mixed tethered alkyl uranium metallocenes has been investigated by examining the reactivity of the bis(tethered alkyl) metallocene [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)₂U] ( 1 ) with substrates that react with only one of the U? C linkages. The effect of these mixed tether coordination environments on the reactivity of the remaining U? C bond has been studied by using CO insertion chemistry. One equivalent of azidoadamantane (AdN₃) reacts with 1 to yield the mixed tethered alkyl triazenido complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂‐CH₂NNN‐Ad‐κ²N^1,3)]. Similarly, a single equivalent of CS₂ reacts with 1 to form the mixed tethered alkyl dithiocarboxylate complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂‐ CH₂C(S)₂‐κ²S,S′)], a reaction that constitutes the first example of CS₂ insertion into a U⁴⁺? C bond. Complex 1 reacts with one equivalent of pyridine N‐oxide by C? H bond activation of the pyridine ring to form a mixed tethered alkyl cyclometalated pyridine N‐oxide complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)U(C₆H₄NO‐κ²C,O)]. The remaining (η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)^2? ligand in each of these mixed tethered species show reactivity towards CO and tethered enolate ligands form by insertion. Subsequent rearrangement have been identified in [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)U(C₅H₄NO‐κ²C,O)(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂C(?CH₂)O‐κO)] and [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂NNN‐Ad‐κ²N^1,3)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂C(?CH₂)O‐κO)].     

Theoretical study of the mechanism of CH2CO + CN reaction

The potential energy surface information of the CH₂CO + CN reaction is obtained at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) level. To gain further mechanistic knowledge, higher‐level single‐point calculations for the stationary points are performed at the QCISD(T)/6‐311++G(d,p) level. The CH₂CO + CN reaction proceeds through four possible mechanisms: direct hydrogen abstraction, olefinic carbon addition–elimination, carbonyl carbon addition–elimination, and side oxygen addition–elimination. Our calculations demonstrate that R→IM1→TS3→P3: CH₂CN + CO is the energetically favorable channel; however, channel R→IM2→TS4→P4: CH₂NC + CO is considerably competitive, especially as the temperature increases (R, IM, TS, and P represent reactant, intermediate, transition state, and product, respectively). The present study may be helpful in probing the mechanism of the CH₂CO + CN reaction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Gemischtligandkomplexe des Rheniums. V. Die Bildung von Nitrenkomplexen durch Kondensation von Aceton an koordinierten Nitridoliganden. Darstellung und Strukturen von fac-[Re{NC(CH3)2CH2C(O)CH3}X3(Me2PhP)2]-Komplexen (X = Cl,Br)

Mixed-ligand Complexes of Rhenium. V. The Formation of Nitrene Complexes by Condensation of Acetone at Coordinated Nitrido Ligands. Syntheses and Structures of fac-[Re{NC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}X₃(Me₂PhP)₂] Complexes (X = Cl, Br) The reaction of rhenium(V)-mixed-ligand complexes of the general formula [ReN(Cl)(Me₂PhP)₂(R₂tcb)] (HR₂tcb = N? (N,N-dialkylthiocarbamoyl)benzamidine) with HCl or HBr in acetone initializes a condensation of the solvent and results in nitrene-like compounds as a consequence of a nucleophilic attack of the coordinated nitrido ligand on the condensed acetone. The chelate ligands are removed during this reaction and complexes of the type fac-[Re{NC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}X₃(Me₂PhP)₂] (X = Cl, Br) are formed. fac-[Re{NC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}Cl₃(Me₂PhP)₂] crystallizes triclinic in the space group P1, a = 8.575(4); b = 9.088(3); c = 18.389(9) Å; α = 75.67(3)°, β = 85.30(3)°, γ = 70.58(4)°; Z = 2. A final R value of 0.031 was obtained on the basis of 6011 independent reflections with I ≥ 2σ(I). Rhenium is coordinated in a distorted octahedral environment with the three chloro ligands in facial positions. The rhenium-nitrogen bond (1,68(1) Å) is only slightly longer than typical Re? N bonding distances in nitrido complexes. fac-[Re{NC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}Br₃(Me₂PhP)₂] is isomorphous with the chloro complex. Triclinic cell with a = 8.625(4); b = 9.198(3); c = 18.581(5) Å; α = 75.62(3)°, β = 85.40(3)°, γ = 70.91(3)°; Z = 2. The R value converged at 0.049 on the basis of 3644 independent reflections with I ≥ 2σ(I). fac-[Re{NC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}Cl₃(Me₂PhP)₂] as well as fac-[Re{NC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(O)CH₃}Br₃(Me₂PhP)₂] crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space group P1.     

Synthese und Charakterisierung neuer intramolekular stickstoffstabilisierter Organoaluminium‐ und Organogalliumalkoxide

Synthesis and Characterization of New Intramolecularly Nitrogen‐stabilized Organoaluminium‐ and Organogallium Alkoxides The intramolecularly nitrogen stabilized organoaluminium alkoxides [Me₂Al{μ‐O(CH₂)₃NMe₂}]₂ ( 1a ), Me₂AlOC₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₃‐2,4,6 ( 2a ), [(S)‐Me₂Al{μ‐OCH₂CH(i‐Pr)NH‐i‐Pr}]₂ ( 3a ) and [(S)‐Me₂Al{μ‐OCH₂CH(i‐Pr)NHCH₂Ph}]₂ ( 4 ) are formed by reacting equimolar amounts of AlMe₃ and Me₂N(CH₂)₃OH, C₆H₂[(CH₂NMe₂)₃‐2,4,6]OH, (S)‐i‐PrNHCH(i‐Pr)CH₂OH, or (S)‐PhCH₂NHCH(i‐Pr)CH₂OH, respectively. An excess of AlMe₃ reacts with Me₂N(CH₂)₂OH, Me₂N(CH₂)₃OH, C₆H₂[(CH₂NMe₂)₃‐2,4,6]OH, and (S)‐i‐PrNHCH(i‐Pr)CH₂OH producing the “pick‐a‐back” complexes [Me₂AlO(CH₂)₂NMe₂](AlMe₃) ( 5 ), [Me₂AlO(CH₂)₃NMe₂](AlMe₃) ( 1b ), [Me₂AlOC₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₃‐2,4,6](AlMe₃)₂ ( 2b ), and [(S)‐Me₂AlOCH₂CH(i‐Pr)NH‐i‐Pr](AlMe₃) ( 3b ), respectively. The mixed alkyl‐ or alkenylchloroaluminium alkoxides [Me(Cl)Al{μ‐O(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]₂ ( 6 ) and [{CH₂=C(CH₃)}(Cl)Al{μ‐O(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]₂ ( 8 ) are to obtain from Me₂AlCl and Me₂N(CH₂)₂OH and from [Cl₂Al{μ‐O(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]₂ ( 7 ) and CH₂=C(CH₃)MgBr, respectively. The analogous dimethylgallium alkoxides [Me₂Ga{μ‐O(CH₂)₃NMe₂}]₂ ( 9 ), [(S)‐Me₂Ga{μ‐OCH₂CH(i‐Pr)NH‐i‐Pr}]_n ( 10 ), [(S)‐Me₂Ga{μ‐OCH₂CH(i‐Pr)NHCH₂Ph}]_n ( 11 ), [(S)‐Me₂Ga{μ‐OCH₂CH(i‐Pr)N(Me)CH₂Ph}]_n ( 12 ) and [(S)‐Me₂Ga{μ‐OCH₂(C₄H₇NHCH₂Ph)}]_n ( 13 ) result from the equimolar reactions of GaMe₃ with the corresponding alcohols. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐ and ²⁷Al‐NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Additionally, the structures of 1a , 1b , 2a , 2b , 3a , 5 , 6 and 8 were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Ab initio quantum chemical studies of reaction mechanism for CN with CH2CO

Six product channels have been found in the association reaction of CN + CH₂CO, and a variety of possible complexes and saddle points along the minimum energy reaction paths have been characterized at the UMP2(full)/6‐31G(d) level. The dominant reaction channels are the production of CH₂CN + CO and CH₂NC + CO. The isomerization and dissociation reactions of the major products of CH₂CN and CH₂NC have been investigated using the G2MP2 level. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of diiron(I) 1,2-dimethylethanedithiolate complexes with bridging or chelating 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene

The reaction of complex [μ-SCH(CH₃)CH(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₆ (1) with trans-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene (trans-dppv) in the presence of Me₃NO?2H₂O in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN afforded complex {[μ-SCH(CH₃)CH(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅}₂(trans-dppv) (2) with a bridging dppv. Complex [μ-SCH(CH₃)CH(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₄(cis-dppv) (3) was prepared by the reaction of 1 with cis-dppv and Me₃NO?2H₂O. The new complexes 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Styrene Aziridination by Iron(IV) Nitrides

Thermolysis of the iron(IV) nitride complex [PhB(tBuIm)₃Fe?N] with styrene leads to formation of the high‐spin iron(II) aziridino complex [PhB(tBuIm)₃Fe‐N(CH₂CHPh)]. Similar aziridination occurs with both electron‐rich and electron‐poor styrenes, while bulky styrenes hinder the reaction. The aziridino complex [PhB(tBuIm)₃Fe‐N(CH₂CHPh)] acts as a nitride synthon, reacting with electron‐poor styrenes to generate their corresponding aziridino complexes, that is, aziridine cross‐metathesis. Reaction of [PhB(tBuIm)₃Fe‐N(CH₂CHPh)] with Me₃SiCl releases the N‐functionalized aziridine Me₃SiN(CH₂CHPh) while simultaneously generating [PhB(tBuIm)₃FeCl]. This closes a synthetic cycle for styrene azirdination by a nitride complex. While the less hindered iron(IV) nitride complex [PhB(MesIm)₃Fe?N] reacts with styrenes below room temperature, only bulky styrenes lead to tractable aziridino products.     

Cleavage of the Fe—Fe Bond of （Me2SiSiMe2） [η^5－C5H4Fe（CO）2]2 with Na／Hg and Molecular Structure of the Ring－Opened Complex

The reaction of the rifle cyclic complex (1) with sodium amalgam in THF resulted in the expected cleavage of the Fe-Fe bond to afford his-sodium salt ( Me2SiSiMe2 ) [η^5-C5H4Fe(CO)2]2 (4). The latter was not isolated and was used directly to react with MeI, PhCH2Cl, CH3C(O)Cl, PhC(O)Cl,Cy3SnCl (Cy= cyclohexyl) or Ph3SnCl to afford corresponding ring-opened derivatives (Me2SiSiMe2) [η^5-C5H4Fe(CO)2]2 [5, R=Me; 6, R=PhCH2; 7, R=CH3C(O); 8, R=PhC(O); 9, R = Cy3Sn or 10, R = Ph3Sn ]. The crystal and molecular structures of 10 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecule took the desired ant/ conformation around the Si-Si bond. The length of the Si--Si bond is 0.2343(3)nm, which is essentially identical to that in the cyclic structure of 1[0.2346(4) tun]. This result unambiguously demonstrates that the Si--Si bond in the cyclic structure of 1 is not subject to obvious strain.     

乙烯基锡修饰的双吡唑甲烷第六族金属羰基化合物的合成与反应

通过双吡唑基甲基锂与二苯基乙烯基碘化锡的反应, 合成了桥头碳上带有乙烯基锡修饰的双吡唑甲烷配体。在回流的THF中这些乙烯基锡修饰的双吡唑甲烷配体(R3SnCHPz2, R3Sn为三乙烯基锡或二苯基乙烯基锡;Pz代表取代吡唑)与M(CO)5THF (M = Mo或W)反应产生杂双金属化合物R3SnCHPz2M(CO)3。在这些化合物中,一个乙烯基以h2方式配位到金属钼或钨上,双吡唑甲烷表现为一个三齿k3-(p,N,N)配体。(CH2=CH)3SnCH(3,5-Me2Pz)2W(CO)3和Ph2(CH2=CH)SnCH(3,5-Me2Pz)2W(CO)3与I2的反应也被研究。前者给出化合物CH2(3,5-Me2Pz)2W(CO)4,而后者随着有机锡的丢失产生四元金属杂环化合物CH(3,5-Me2Pz)2W(CO)3I。用PhSNa处理该四元金属杂环化合物导致碘负离子被取代,得到化合物CH(3,5-Me2Pz)2W(CO)3SPh。     

Electronic Structure of Thiolate‐bridged Diiron Complexes and a Single‐electron Oxidation Reaction: A Combination of Experimental and Computational Studies

Single‐electron oxidation of a diiron‐sulfur complex [Cp*Fe(μ‐bdt)FeCp*] ( 1 , Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅; bdt=benzene‐1,2‐dithiolate) to [Cp*Fe(μ‐bdt)FeCp*]⁺ ( 2 ) has been experimentally conducted. The bdt ligand with redox‐active character has been computationally proposed to be a dianion (bdt^2?) rather than previously proposed monoanion (bdt^·?) radical in 1 though it has un‐equidistant aromatic C? C bond lengths. The ground state of 1 is predicted to be two low‐spin ferrous ions (S_Fe=0) and 2 has a medium‐spin ferric ion (S_Fe=1/2) and a low‐spin ferrous center (S_Fe=0), and the oxidation of 1 to 2 is calculated to be a single‐metal‐based process. Both complexes have no significant antiferromagnetic coupling character.     

Metallation studies of organofunctional trisiloxanes

Summary The organofunctional trisiloxanes Me₃SiOSiMe(R)OSiMe₃ [R=(CH₂)₂PPh₂, (CH₂)₃C₅H₄N, (CH₂)₃CN, (CH₂)₂Ph, (CH₂)₂SPh, CH=CH₂ and CH₂CH=CH₂] have been reacted with metal halide and-carbonyl moieties in order to determine the coordination preferences of materials being used as models for metallated longchain linear functionalised polysiloxanes. The products [Me₃SiOSiMe(R)OSiMe₃]₃ML_n [R=(CH₂)₂PPh₂, ML_n=RhCl],cis-[Me₃SiOSiMe(R)OSiMe₃]₂ML_n [R=(CH₂)₂PPh₂ or (CH₂)₃C₅H₄N, ML_n=Mo(CO)₄],trans-[Me₃SiOSiMe(R)OSiMe₃]₂ML_n[R=(CH₂)₂PPh₂, ML_n=NiCl₂, PdCl₂, PtCl₂ and [Rh(CO)Cl] and [Me₃SiOSiMe(R)OSiMe₃]ML_n [R=(CH₂)₂PPh₂, ML_n=Mo(CO)₃(2,2-bipyridine); R=(CH₂)₂Ph, ML_n=Mo(CO)₃; R=(CH₂)₃C₅H₄N, (CH₂)₃CN, or (CH₂)₂SPh, ML_n=Rh(CO)₂Cl; R=CH=CH₂ or CH₂CH=CH₂, ML_n=Fe(CO)₄] have been isolated and characterised spectroscopically in the course of these studies.     

Solvolysis Products of the Types [RhMeL2(Me3[9]aneN3)]2+ and [RuCl3—XLX(Me3[9]aneN3)](x)+ (x = 1‐2) and Preparation and Structure of [Ru([9]aneS3)(Me3[9]aneN3)](CF3SO3)2

Solvolysis of [RhMe(CF₃SO₃)₂(Me₃[9]aneN₃)] ( 1 ) (Me₃[9]aneN₃ = 1, 4, 7‐trimethyl‐1, 4, 7‐triazacyclononane) in CH₃CN, DMSO or pyrazole (L) leads to substitution of both trifluoromethylsulfonate ligands and formation of the cationic complexes [RhMeL₂(Me₃[9]aneN₃)](CF₃SO₃)₂ 3—5 . In contrast, treatment of [RuCl₃(Me₃[9]aneN₃)] ( 2 ) with Ag(CF₃SO₃) in a 1:3 ratio for 2h in CH₃CN leads to formation of the tetranuclear complex [{RuCl₃(Me₃[9]aneN₃)}₂Ag₂(CF₃SO₃)(CH₃CN)](CF₃SO₃) · CH₃CN ( 6 ) with a novel [(RuCl₃)₂Ag₂] core. More forcing conditions enable the substitution of respectively one or two chloride ligands by CH₃CN (reflux 18h) or DMF (85°C, 1h) to afford [RuCl₂(CH₃CN)(Me₃[9]aneN₃)](CF₃SO₃) ( 7 ) and [RuCl(DMF)₂(Me₃[9]aneN₃)](CF₃SO₃)₂ ( 8 ). The heteroleptic sandwich complex [Ru([9]aneS₃)(Me₃[9]aneN₃)](CF₃SO₃)₂ ( 9 ) can be prepared by reduction of 2 with Zn powder in acetone in the presence of 3 equiv. of Ag(CF₃SO₃), followed by addition of [9]aneS₃ (1, 4, 7‐trithiacyclononane). The redox potential E°(Ru³⁺/Ru²⁺) of +1.87 V vs NHE for 9 is only —0.12 V lower than that of the homoleptic complex [Ru([9]aneS₃)₂]²⁺. Crystal structures are reported for 3 — 9 .     

Reaktionen eines Dibismutans und von Cyclobismutanen mit Metallcarbonylen ‐ Synthesen von Komplexen mit R2Bi‐, RBi‐, Bi2‐ und Bin‐Liganden (R = Me3CCH2, Me3SiCH2)

Reactions of a Dibismuthane and of Cyclobismuthanes with Metal Carbonyls ‐ Syntheses of Complexes with R₂Bi‐, RBi‐, Bi₂‐ and Bi_n‐ligands (R = Me₃CCH₂, Me₃SiCH₂) Reactions of [Fe₂(CO)₉] with [(Me₃CCH₂)₄Bi]₂ or cyclo‐(Me₃SiCH₂Bi)_n (n = 3 ‐ 5) lead to the complexes [(R₂Bi)₂Fe(CO)₄], [RBiFe(CO)₄]₂[R = Me₃CCH₂, Me₃SiCH₂] and [Bi₂Fe₃(CO)₉]. [Bi₂{Mn(CO)₂C₅H₄CH₃}₃] forms in a photochemical reaction of [Mn(CO)₃C₅H₄CH₃] with cyclo‐(Me₃SiCH₂Bi)_n.     

Crystallographic report: Di(p‐chlorobenzyl)tin bis(N‐methylpiperazinyldithiocarbamate)

The tin atom in (4‐Cl‐C₆H₄CH₂)₂Sn[S₂CN(CH₂CH₂)₂NCH₃]₂ is in a C₂S₄ skew‐trapezoidal bipyramidal geometry with the two carbon atoms being disposed over the weaker Sn? S bonds. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

C?H Bond Activation/Borylation of Furans and Thiophenes Catalyzed by a Half‐Sandwich Iron N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complex

A coordinatively unsaturated iron‐methyl complex having an N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand, [Cp*Fe(L^Me)Me] ( 1 ; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅, L^Me=1,3,4,5‐tetramethyl‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene), is synthesized from the reaction of [Cp*Fe(TMEDA)Cl] (TMEDA=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) with methyllithium and L^Me. Complex 1 is found to activate the C? H bonds of furan, thiophene, and benzene, giving rise to aryl complexes, [Cp*Fe(L^Me)(aryl)] (aryl=2‐furyl ( 2 ), 2‐thienyl ( 3 ), phenyl ( 4 )). The C? H bond cleavage reactions are applied to the dehydrogenative coupling of furans or thiophenes with pinacolborane (HBpin) in the presence of tert‐butylethylene and a catalytic amount of 1 (10 mol % to HBpin). The borylation of the furan/thiophene or 2‐substituted furans/thiophenes occurs exclusively at the 2‐ or 5‐positions, respectively, whereas that of 3‐substituted furans/thiophenes takes place mainly at the 5‐position and gives a mixture of regioisomers. Treatment of 2 with 2 equiv of HBpin results in the quantitative formation of 2‐boryl‐furan and the borohydride complex [Cp*Fe(L^Me)(H₂Bpin)] ( 5 ). Heating a solution of 5 in the presence of tert‐butylethylene led to the formation of an alkyl complex [Cp*Fe(L^Me)CH₂CH₂tBu] ( 6 ), which was found to cleave the C? H bond of furan to produce 2 . On the basis of these results, a possible catalytic cycle is proposed.     

Controlled Synthesis of Heterotrimetallic Single‐Chain Magnets from Anisotropic High‐Spin 3 d–4 f Nodes and Paramagnetic Spacers

By using the node‐and‐spacer approach in suitable solvents, four new heterotrimetallic 1D chain‐like compounds (that is, containing 3d–3d′–4f metal ions), {[Ni(L)Ln(NO₃)₂(H₂O)Fe(Tp*)(CN)₃] ? 2 CH₃CN ? CH₃OH}_n (H₂L=N,N′‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)‐1,3‐diaminopropane, Tp*=hydridotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)borate; Ln=Gd ( 1 ), Dy ( 2 ), Tb ( 3 ), Nd ( 4 )), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. All of these compounds are made up of a neutral cyanide‐ and phenolate‐bridged heterotrimetallic chain, with a {? Fe? C?N? Ni(? O? Ln)? N?C? }_n repeat unit. Within these chains, each [(Tp*)Fe(CN)₃]^? entity binds to the Ni^II ion of the [Ni(L)Ln(NO₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺ motif through two of its three cyanide groups in a cis mode, whereas each [Ni(L)Ln(NO₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺ unit is linked to two [(Tp*)Fe(CN)₃]^? ions through the Ni^II ion in a trans mode. In the [Ni(L)Ln(NO₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺ unit, the Ni^II and Ln^III ions are bridged to one other through two phenolic oxygen atoms of the ligand (L). Compounds 1 – 4 are rare examples of 1D cyanide‐ and phenolate‐bridged 3d–3d′–4f helical chain compounds. As expected, strong ferromagnetic interactions are observed between neighboring Fe^III and Ni^II ions through a cyanide bridge and between neighboring Ni^II and Ln^III (except for Nd^III) ions through two phenolate bridges. Further magnetic studies show that all of these compounds exhibit single‐chain magnetic behavior. Compound 2 exhibits the highest effective energy barrier (58.2 K) for the reversal of magnetization in 3d/4d/5d–4f heterotrimetallic single‐chain magnets.     

Nickel(II) Complexes of Pentadentate N5 Ligands as Catalysts for Alkane Hydroxylation by Using m‐CPBA as Oxidant: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

A new family of nickel(II) complexes of the type [Ni(L)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂, where L=N‐methyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L1, 1 ), N‐benzyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyrid‐2‐yl‐methyl)‐ethylenediamine (L2, 2 ), N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐(6‐methyl‐pyrid‐2‐yl‐methyl)‐ethylenediamine (L3, 3 ), N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐(quinolin‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L4, 4 ), and N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐imidazole‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L5, 5 ), has been isolated and characterized by means of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure of [Ni(L3)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ reveals that the nickel(II) center is located in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry constituted by all the five nitrogen atoms of the pentadentate ligand and an acetonitrile molecule. In a dichloromethane/acetonitrile solvent mixture, all the complexes show ligand field bands in the visible region characteristic of an octahedral coordination geometry. They exhibit a one‐electron oxidation corresponding to the Ni^II/Ni^III redox couple the potential of which depends upon the ligand donor functionalities. The new complexes catalyze the oxidation of cyclohexane in the presence of m‐CPBA as oxidant up to a turnover number of 530 with good alcohol selectivity (A/K, 7.1–10.6, A=alcohol, K=ketone). Upon replacing the pyridylmethyl arm in [Ni(L1)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ by the strongly σ‐bonding but weakly π‐bonding imidazolylmethyl arm as in [Ni(L5)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ or the sterically demanding 6‐methylpyridylmethyl ([Ni(L3)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ and the quinolylmethyl arms ([Ni(L4)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂, both the catalytic activity and the selectivity decrease. DFT studies performed on cyclohexane oxidation by complexes 1 and 5 demonstrate the two spin‐state reactivity for the high‐spin [(N5)Ni^II?O^.] intermediate (ts1_hs, ts2_doublet), which has a low‐spin state located closely in energy to the high‐spin state. The lower catalytic activity of complex 5 is mainly due to the formation of thermodynamically less accessible m‐CPBA‐coordinated precursor of [Ni^II(L5)(OOCOC₆H₄Cl)]⁺ ( 5 a ). Adamantane is oxidized to 1‐adamantanol, 2‐adamantanol, and 2‐adamantanone (3°/2°, 10.6–11.5), and cumene is selectively oxidized to 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol. The incorporation of sterically hindering pyridylmethyl and quinolylmethyl donor ligands around the Ni^II leads to a high 3°/2° bond selectivity for adamantane oxidation, which is in contrast to the lower cyclohexane oxidation activities of the complexes.     

A Mixed‐Valence {Fe13} Cluster Exhibiting Metal‐to‐Metal Charge‐Transfer‐Switched Spin Crossover

It is promising and challenging to manipulate the electronic structures and functions of materials utilizing both metal‐to‐metal charge transfer (MMCT) and spin‐crossover (SCO) to tune the valence and spin states of metal ions. Herein, a metallocyanate building block is used to link with a Fe^II‐triazole moiety and generates a mixed‐valence complex {[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃]₉[Fe^II₄(trz‐ph)₆]}?[Ph₃PMe]₂?[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃] ( 1 ; trz‐ph=4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole). Moreover, MMCT occurs between Fe^III and one of the Fe^II sites after heat treatment, resulting in the generation of a new phase, {[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^II(CN)₃][(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃]₈ [Fe^IIIFe^II₃(trz‐ph)₆]}? [Ph₃PMe]₂?[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃] ( 1 a ). Structural and magnetic studies reveal that MMCT can tune the two‐step SCO behavior of 1 into one‐step SCO behavior of 1 a . Our work demonstrates that the integration of MMCT and SCO can provide a new alternative for manipulating functional spin‐transition materials with accessible multi‐electronic states.