Synthesis and molecular and electronic structure of an unusual paramagnetic borohydride complex Mo(NAr)2(PMe3)2(eta2-BH4)

Reaction of Mo(NAr)2Cl2(DME) (Ar=2,6-C6H3iPr2, DME=1,2-dimethoxyethane) with NaBH4 and PMe3 in THF formed the paramagnetic Mo(V) d1 borohydride complex Mo(NAr)2(PMe3)2(eta2-BH4) (1). Compound 1, which was characterized by EPR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis, provides a rare example both of a paramagnetic bis(imido) group 6 compound and a structurally characterized molybdenum borohydride complex. Density functional theory calculations were used to determine the electronic structure and bonding parameters of 1 and showed that it is best viewed as a 19 valence electron compound (having a primarily metal-based SOMO) in which the BH4- ligand behaves as a sigma-only, 2-electron donor.     

Synthesis and characterization of a cationic ruthenium complex featuring an unusual Bis(eta2-BH) monoborane ligand

The reaction of Cp*Ru(P ( i )Pr 3)Cl with MesBH 2 (Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), followed by chloride abstraction with LiB(C 6F 5) 4.2.5OEt 2 (LiBF 20), afforded the crystallographically characterized complex [Cp*Ru(P ( i )Pr 3)(BH 2Mes)] (+)B(C 6F 5) 4 (-); notably, this represents the first reported cationic complex to feature an eta (2)-BH monoborane ligand, as well as a rare example of bis(eta (2)-BH) ligation.     

Bis(phosphanylamino)benzene ligands: a zinc(II) complex and an unusual nickel(I) complex with a Dewar-benzene-type Ni2P2N2 backbone

ZnPr(2) reacts with 1,2-(NHPPh(2))(2)C(6)H(4) (1) to give the bis-amido complex [Zn(THF){1-N(PPh(2))-2-N(mu-PPh(2))C(6)H(4)-kappa(3)N,N',P}](2) (3), while monolithiated 1 (prepared in situ from 1 and LiBu(n)) reacts with NiCl(2) with formation of the unusual nickel(I) complex [Ni{1-NH(PPh(2))-2-N(micro-PPh(2))C(6)H(4)-kappa(2)N,P}](2) (4), which has a Ni-Ni bond. Complexes 3 and 4 were structurally characterised. Furthermore, the structure of the sterically demanding bis-aminophosphine 1,2-(NHPMes(2))(2)C(6)H(4) (2, Mes = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)) is compared with that of the corresponding phenyl-substituted derivative 1,2-(NHPPh(2))(2)C(6)H(4) (1). B3LYP/LANL2DZ molecular orbital calculations on 4 indicate that a two-electron reduction should convert the Dewar-benzene-like six-membered Ni(2)N(2)P(2) ring 4 in to a benzene-like structure, a structure which is observed for the isoelectronic Zn(II) complex 3.     

A dicoordinate palladium(0) complex with an unusual intramolecular eta(1)-arene coordination

The reaction of (tmeda)PdMe2 with dcpBiph gives (dcpBiph)2Pd in high yield. The solid-state structure of (dcpBiph)2Pd reveals a bent P-Pd-P framework and an unusual eta1-arene interaction between the palladium and the distal ring of one of the biphenyl substituents. In solution, an additional conformer exists which does not show a pi-interaction with a biphenyl ring. The low-coordinate complex, (dcpBiph)2Pd, undergoes C-X oxidative addition reactions with PhX (X = I, Br, Cl). A minor product resulting from metalation of the biphenyl ring is also observed.     

Investigation of the stability of the M-H-B bond in borane sigma complexes [M(CO)5(eta1-BH2R.L)] and [CpMn(CO)2(eta1-BH2R.L)] (M=Cr, W; L=tertiary amine or phosphine): substituent and Lewis base effects

We investigated the influence of a substituent and a Lewis base on boron upon the thermodynamic stability of metal complexes of borane-Lewis base adducts, [M(CO)5(eta1-BH(2)R.L)] (M=Cr, W) and [CpMn(CO)2(eta1-BH2R.L)], where R=Cl, I, m-C6H4F, Ph, H, Me, Et; L=PMe3, PPh3, NMe3, quinuclidine. In these compounds, the stability of the metal-borane linkage was enhanced by increasing the electron-releasing ability of the substituent on boron. A stronger base L additionally stabilized the complexes. The strength of the borane-metal interaction is thus mainly ascribed to the electron donation from the BH sigma orbital to metal rather than the back-donation into the BH sigma* orbital. This result supports the bonding model for the B-H-M linkage in the borane complexes suggested by MO calculations, where the borane-to-metal electron donation is predominant while the metal back-donation into the BH sigma* orbital is negligible. Such a stability trend of the borane complexes makes a sharp contrast to that of many silane and dihydrogen complexes.     

Ti-Mo heterobimetallic thiacalix[4]arene complex containing an unusual alpha-agostic micro2-eta5:eta2-cyclopentadienyl ligand

A stepwise reaction of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (TC4A-(OH)(4)) with [CpTiCl3]-NEt(3) and cis-[Mo(N(2))(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(4)] afforded a new Ti-Mo heterobimetallic complex [TC4A-(O)(4)Ti(micro2-C(5)H(5))MoH(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] which shows an unusual alpha-agostic micro2-eta5:eta2-coordination of a cyclopentadienyl ligand.     

Solution structures and behavior of trans-RuH(eta(1)-BH(4)) (binap)(1,2-diamine) complexes

The solution structures of a number of trans-RuH(eta(1)-BH(4))[(S)-tolbinap](1,2-diamine) precatalysts [TolBINAP = 2,2'-bis(di-4-tolylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl; 1,2-diamine==(S,S)- or (R,R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine (DPEN), ethylenediamine (EN), and (S)-1,1-di(4-anisyl)-2-isopropylethylenediamine (DAIPEN)] have been determined using 2D NMR ((1)H--(1)H DQF-COSY, (1)H--(13)C HMQC, (1)H--(31)P HSQC, and (1)H--(15)N HSQC), and a double-pulsed field-gradient spin-echo (DPFGSE) NOE technique. All the octahedral Ru complexes adopt a trans configuration with respect to the BH(4) and hydride ligands. Amine protons of trans-RuH(eta(1)-BH(4))[(S)-tolbinap](1,2-diamine) complexes undergo H/D exchange in (CD(3))(2)CDOD. This inherent high acidity, coupled with the lability and chemical properties of the BH(4) ligand, allows for precatalyst activation without the need for an added base, in contrast to trans-RuCl(2)[(S)-tolbinap](1,2-diamine) precatalysts, which require a strong base for generation of a catalytic species. The H/BH(4) complex in a 2-propanol solution is converted to catalytically active [trans-RuH{(S)-tolbinap}{(S,S)-dpen}(ROH)](+) [(RO)(ROH)(n)](-) (R = (CH(3))(2)CH), a loosely associated ion pair of the discrete (solvated) cationic fragment and anionic species.     

Synthesis and characterization of an iron(II) eta(2)-hydrazine complex

The iron phosphine complex cis-[Fe(DMeOPrPE)2(eta2-N2H4)][BPh4]2 {DMeOPrPE = 1,2-bis[bis(methoxypropyl)phosphino]ethane} was synthesized and structurally characterized. The structure exhibits the first eta2 coordination of hydrazine to iron, which may be relevant to intermediates trapped during nitrogenase turnover. The reaction of I with acid results in the formation of ammonia via a disproportionation reaction.     

Gold(I) eta2-arene complexes

The reaction of 9-{[N-n-propyl-N-(diphenylphosphino)amino]methyl}anthracene (1) with Au(SMe2)Cl yields complex 2 with an arm-opening configuration. The latter is treated with AgClO4 to form complex 4 and then respectively reacted with acetonitrile, pyridine, and triphenylphosphine sulfide to afford novel gold(I) eta2-arene complexes 3a-c, which have arm-closing configurations and feeble or weak fluorescence emissions. The observation can be attributed to charge transfer from the anthracene unit to the Au+ ion. When the solution of 3a or 4 in CH2Cl2 was added with 1 equiv of Ph3P, complex 5 with the arm-opening configuration was formed and strong emission was restored.     

Formation of a tetranuclear nickel(ii) complex containing an unusual bridging ligand

Russian Chemical Bulletin -     

Trimethylsilylated allyl complexes of nickel. The stabilized bis(pi-allyl)nickel complex [eta3-1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3]2Ni and its mono(pi-allyl)NiX (X=Br, I) derivatives

Reaction of 2 equiv of K[1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3] with NiBr2(dme) in THF at -78 degrees C produces the orange pi-allyl complex [1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3]2Ni (1). Unlike the pyrophoric (C3H5)2Ni, the trimethylsilylated derivative only slowly decomposes in air (from hours to days). Both eclipsed (1a) and staggered (1b) conformations are found in solution; the eclipsed form irreversibly converts to the thermodynamically more stable staggered conformation when heated above 85 degrees C. Single-crystal X-ray structures obtained for both 1a and 1b confirm that the allyl ligands are bound in a trihapto manner to the metals and that trimethylsilyl substituents are in syn, anti arrangements. Density functional theory calculations performed on the bis(allyl)nickel complexes indicate that the substituents exert little effect on the basic metal-ligand geometries. Trimethylphosphine is converted to tetramethyltetraphosphane, (MeP)4, on reaction with 1. In toluene, 3-bromo-1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)propene reacts with (COD)2Ni to produce the dimeric purple complex {[1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3]NiBr}2 (2a). Both NMR and X-ray crystallographic data establish that the allyl ligands are staggered and that the trimethylsilyl substituents are in a syn, syn conformation. NMR data indicate that the reaction of one equivalent of 1 with Br2 in benzene produces an analogous complex (2b) with the allyl ligand substituents in a syn, anti configuration. When 1 equiv of 1 is treated with I2 in hexanes, the dark red dimeric complex {[1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3]NiI}2 (3) is formed. Its X-ray crystal structure demonstrates that both eclipsed (3a) and staggered (3b) allyl conformation are present. The trimethylsilyl groups on the allyl ligands are in syn, anti arrangements in the two forms.     

F2Al(mu-eta2:eta2-O2)AlF2: an unusual, stable aluminum peroxo compound

The oxidation processes in the industrial production of aluminum from cryolite melts are not fully understood. Oxidation of AlOF2- leads initially to AlOF2 radicals. The structure of the AlOF2 dimer and several oxidized and reduced forms of this compound are investigated by theoretical methods and compared to analogous boron and gallium compounds. The thermodynamic stability of these compounds is investigated. It is shown that the dimeric compound of AlOF2 contains a symmetric peroxo bridge and is unexpectedly stable toward decomposition.     

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).     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new lapacholate complex with nickel(II), [Ni(Lap)2(DMF)(H2O)]

The crystal and molecular structure of dilapacholateaqua(dimethylformamide)nickel(II) was determined by X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 with a = 9.8671(9) Å, b = 10.654(1) Å, c = 15.289(2) Å, α = 86.98(1)°, β = 79.32(1)°, γ = 87.031(8)°, and Z = two molecules per unit cell. The structure was solved from 5094 reflections with I>2σ(I) and refined by full matrix least-square to an agreement R ₁-factor of 0.0564. The nickel(II) is in a NiO₆ octahedral environment, cis coordinated to two lapacholate anions through their adjacent carbonyl [Ni–O distances of 2.075(2) and 2.066(2) Å], and phenyl oxygens [Ni–O lengths of 2.011(2) and 2.021(2) Å], and to a water [d(Ni–Ow) = 2.073(2) Å] and a DMF [d(Ni–O) = 2.076(2) Å] at axial positions. Some physicochemical and spectroscopic properties of the complex are also reported.