White phosphorus activation at a metal-phosphorus triple bond: a new route to cyclo-triphosphorus or cyclo-pentaphosphorus complexes of niobium

The Nb-P triple bond in [P≡Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)](-) (Np = CH(2)(t)Bu; Ar = 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3)) has produced the first case of P(4) activation by a metal-ligand multiple bond. Treatment of P(4) with the sodium salt of the niobium phosphide complex in weakly coordinating solvents led to formation of the cyclo-P(3) anion [(P(3))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)](-). Treatment in tetrahydrofuran (THF) led to the formation of a cyclo-P(5) anion [(Ar[Np]N)(η(4)-P(5))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(2)](-), which represents a rare example of a substituted pentaphosphacyclopentadienyl ligand. The P(4) activation pathway was shown to depend on the dimer-monomer equilibrium of the niobium phosphide reagent, which, in turn, depends on the solvent used for the reaction. The pathway leading to the cyclo-P(3) product was shown to require a 2:1 ratio of the phosphide anion to P(4), while the cyclo-P(5) formation requires a 1:1 ratio. The cyclo-P(3) salt has been isolated in 56% yield as orange crystals of the [Na(THF)](2)[(P(3))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)](2) dimer or in 83% yield as an orange powder of [Na(12-crown-4)(2)][(P(3))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)]. A solid-state X-ray diffraction experiment on the former salt revealed that each Nb-P(3) unit exhibits pseudo-C(3) symmetry, while (31)P NMR spectroscopy showed a sharp signal at -223 ppm that splits into a doublet-triplet pair below -50 °C. It was demonstrated that this salt can serve as a P(3)(3-) source upon treatment with AsCl(3), albeit with modest yield of AsP(3). The cyclo-P(5) salt was isolated in 71% yield and structurally characterized from red crystals of [Na(THF)(6)][(Ar[Np]N)(η(4)-P(5))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(2)]. The anion in this salt can be interpreted as the product of trapping of an intermediate pentaphosphacycplopentadienyl structure through migration of one anilide ligand onto the P(5) ring. The W(CO)(5)-capped cyclo-P(3) salt was also isolated in 60% yield as [Na(THF)][(OC)(5)W(P(3))Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)] from the activation of 0.5 equiv of P(4) with the sodium salt of the tungsten pentacarbonyl adduct of the niobium phosphide anion.     

Ethylenebis(triphenylphosphine)platinum as a probe for niobium-mediated diphosphorus chemistry

Ethylenebis(triphenylphosphine)platinum is used as a trap for the P2-containing molecule W(CO)5(P2), which is eliminated at room temperature from a niobium-complexed diphosphaazide ligand. The rate of W(CO)5(P2) elimination is unaffected by the presence of the platinum species. Attempts to generate and trap free P2 with the platinum ethylene complex were hindered by the direct reaction between the platinum starting material and the P2 generator, (Mes*NPP)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3. In this case, reductive cleavage of the P-P bond in the diphosphaazide ligand is induced by platinum coordination, resulting in the formation of a trimetallic system with two bridging, three-coordinate phosphorus atoms.     

A nitridoniobium(V) reagent that effects acid chloride to organic nitrile conversion: synthesis via heterodinuclear (Nb/Mo) dinitrogen cleavage, mechanistic insights, and recycling

The transformation of acid chlorides (RC(O)Cl) to organic nitriles (RC[triple bond]N) by the terminal niobium nitride anion [N[triple bond]Nb(N[Np]Ar)3]- ([1a-N]-, where Np = neopentyl and Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3) via isovalent N for O(Cl) metathetical exchange is presented. Nitrido anion [1a-N]- is obtained in a heterodinuclear N2 scission reaction employing the molybdenum trisamide system, Mo(N[R]Ar)3 (R = t-Bu, 2a; R = Np, 2b), as a reaction partner. Reductive scission of the heterodinuclear bridging N2 complexes, (Ar[R]N)3Mo-(mu-N2)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (R = t-Bu, 3b; R = Np, 3c) with sodium amalgam provides 1 equiv each of the salt Na[1a-N] and neutral N[triple bond]Mo(N[R]Ar)3 (R = t-Bu, 2a-N; R = Np, 2b-N). Separation of 2-N from Na[1a-N] is readily achieved. Treatment of salt Na[1a-N] with acid chloride substrates in tetrahydrofuran (THF) furnishes the corresponding organic nitriles concomitant with the formation of NaCl and the oxo niobium complex O[triple bond]Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (1a-O). Utilization of 15N-labeled 15N2 gas in this chemistry affords a series of 15N-labeled organic nitriles establishing the utility of anion [1a-N]- as a reagent for the 15N-labeling of organic molecules. Synthetic and computational studies on model niobium systems provide evidence for the intermediacy of both a linear acylimido and niobacyclobutene species along the pathway to organic nitrile formation. High-yield recycling of oxo 1a-O to a niobium triflate complex appropriate for heterodinuclear N2 scission has been developed. Specifically, addition of triflic anhydride (Tf2O, where Tf = SO2CF3) to an Et2O solution of 1a-O provides the bistriflate complex, Nb(OTf)2(N[Np]Ar)3 (1a-(OTf)2), in near quantitative yield. One-electron reduction of 1a-(OTf)2 with either cobaltocene (Cp2Co) or Mg(THF)3(anthracene) provided the monotriflato complex, Nb(OTf)(N[Np]Ar)3 (1a-(OTf)), which efficiently regenerates complexes 3b and 3c when treated with the molybdenum dinitrogen anions [N2Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3]- ([2a-N2]-) or [N2Mo(N[Np]Ar)3]- ([2b-N2]-), respectively.     

Reactivity of transition metal-phosphorus triple bonds towards triply bonded [{CpMo(CO)2}2]: formation of heteronuclear cluster compounds

Thermolysis of [Cp*P{W(CO)5}2] (1) in the presence of [{CpMo(CO)2}2] leads to the novel complexes [{(CO)2Cp*W}{CpMo(CO)2}(micro,eta2:eta1:eta1-P2{W(CO)5}2)] (6; Cp=eta5-C5H5, Cp*=eta5-C5Me5), [{(micro-O)(CpMoWCp*)W(CO)4}{micro3-PW(CO)5}2] (7), [{CpMo(CO)2}2{Cp*W(CO)2}{micro3-PW(CO)5}] (8) and [{CpMo(CO)2}2{Cp*W(CO)2}(micro3-P)] (9). The structural framework of the main products 8 and 9 can be described as a tetrahedral Mo2WP unit that is formed by a cyclisation reaction of [{CpMo(CO)2}2] with an [Cp*(CO)2W[triple chemical bond]P-->W(CO)5] intermediate containing a W--P triple bond and subsequent metal-metal and metal-phosphorus bond formation. Photolysis of 1 in the presence of [{CpMo(CO)2}2] gives 8, 9 and phosphinidene complex [(micro3-PW(CO)5){CpMo(CO)2W(CO)5}] (10), in which the P atom is in a nearly trigonal-planar coordination environment formed by one {CpMo(CO)2} and two {W(CO)5} units. Comprehensive structural and spectroscopic data are given for the products. The reaction pathways are discussed for both activation procedures, and DFT calculations reveal the structures with minimum energy along the stepwise Cp* migration process under formation of the intermediate [Cp*(CO)2W[triple chemical bond]P-->W(CO)5].     

Trapping reactions of an intermediate containing a tungsten-phosphorus triple bond with alkynes

The thermolysis of the phosphinidene complex [Cp*P[W(CO)5]2] (1) in toluene in the presence of tBuC(triple bond)CMe leads to the four-membered ring complexes [[[eta2-C(Me)C(tBu)]Cp*(CO)W(mu3-P)[W(CO)3]][eta4:eta1:eta1-P[W(CO)5]WCp*(CO)C(Me)C(tBu)]] (4) as the major product and [[W[Cp*(CO)2]W(CO)2WCp*(CO)[eta1:eta1-C(Me)C(tBu)]](mu,eta3:eta2:eta1-P2[W(CO)5]] (5). The reaction of 1 with PhC(triple bond)CPh leads to [[W(Co)2[eta2-C(Ph)C(Ph)]][(eta4:eta1-P(W(CO)5]W[Cp*(CO)2)C(Ph)C(Ph)]] (6). The products 4 and 6 can be regarded as the formal cycloaddition products of the phosphido complex intermediate [Cp*(CO)2W(triple bond)P --> W(CO)5] (B), formed by Cp* migration within the phosphinidene complex 1. Furthermore, the reaction of 1 with PhC(triple bond)CPh gives the minor product [[[eta2:eta1-C(Ph)C(Ph)]2[W(CO)4]2][mu,eta1:eta1-P[C(Me)[C(Me)]3C(Me)][C(Ph)](C(Ph)]] (7) as a result of a 1,3-dipolaric cycloaddition of the alkyne into a phosphaallylic subunit of the Cp*P moiety of 1. Compounds 4-7 have been characterized by means of their spectroscopic data as well as by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

The pressure tunning Raman and IR spectral studies on the multinuclear metal carbyne complexes

The Raman and infrared (IR) spectra of four tungsten metal carbyne complexes I, II, IV and V [Cl(CO)2(L)W[triple bond]CC6H4[triple bond](C[triple bond]CC6H4)n[triple bond]N[triple bond]C[triple bond]]2M (L = TMEDA, n = 0, M = PdI2 or ReCl(CO)3; L = DPPE, n = 1, M = PdI2 or ReCl(CO)3) were studied at high external pressure. Their pressure-induced phase transitions were observed near 20kbar (complexes I), 15 kbar (complexes II), 25 kbar (complex IV) and 30 kbar (complex V). The pressure-induced phase transition likely is first order in complex I and the pressure-induced phase transitions of complexes II, IV and V are mostly second order. The pressure sensitivities d nu/dp of nu(W[triple bond]C) are high in the low-pressure phase area and very low in the high-pressure phase area due to the pressure strengthening pi back-bonding from metal W to pi* orbital of C[triple bond]O in fragment Cl(CO)2(L)W[triple bond]C. The pressure strengthening metal pi back-bonding from metal Re or Pd to pi* orbital of C[triple bond]O or C[triple bond]N also happened to both of central metal centers of NCPd(I2)CN in complex I and NCReCl(CO)3CN in complex II.     

Phosphaalkynes from acid chlorides via P for O(Cl) metathesis: a recyclable niobium phosphide (P(3-)) reagent that effects C-P triple-bond formation

Reported herein is a new, metathetical P for O(Cl) exchange mediated by an anionic niobium phosphide complex that furnished phosphaalkynes (RCP) from acid chlorides (RC(O)Cl) under mild conditions. The niobaziridine hydride complex, Nb(H)(tBu(H)C=NAr)(N[Np]Ar)2 (1, Np = neopentyl, Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3), has been shown previously to react with elemental phosphorus (P4), affording the mu-diphosphide complex, (mu2:eta2,eta2-P2)[Nb(N[Np]Ar)3]2, (2), which can be subsequently reduced by sodium amalgam to the anonic, terminal phosphide complex, [Na][PNb(N[Np]Ar)3] (3). It is now shown that treatment of 3 with either pivaloyl (t-BuC(O)Cl) or 1-adamantoyl (1-AdC(O)Cl) chloride provides the thermally unstable niobacyles, (t-BuC(O)P)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (4-t-Bu) and (1-AdC(O)P)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (4-1-Ad), which are intermediates along the pathway to ejection of the known phosphaalkynes t-BuCP (5-t-Bu) and 1-AdCP(5-1-Ad). Phosphaalkyne ejection from 4-t-Bu and 4-1-Ad proceeds with formation of the niobium(V) oxo complex ONb(N[Np]Ar)3 (6) as a stable byproduct. Preliminary kinetic measurements for fragmentation of 4-t-Bu to 5-t-Bu and 6 in C6D6 solution are consistent with a first-order process, yielding the thermodynamic parameters DeltaH = 24.9 +/- 1.4 kcal mol-1 and DeltaS = 2.4 +/- 4.3 cal mol-1 K-1 over the temperature range 308-338 K. Separation of volatile 5-t-Bu from 6 after thermolysis has been readily achieved by vacuum transfer in yields of 90%. Pure 6 is recovered after vacuum transfer and can be treated with 1.0 equiv of triflic anhydride (Tf2O, Tf = O2SCF3) to afford the bistriflate complex, Nb(OTf)2(N[Np]Ar)3 (7), in high yield. Complex 7 provides direct access to 1 upon reduction with magnesium anthracene, thus completing a cycle of element activation, small-molecule generation via metathetical P-atom transfer, and deoxygenative recycling of the final niobium(V) oxo product.     

Investigating CN- cleavage by three-coordinate M[N(R)Ar]3 complexes

Three-coordinate Mo[N((t)Bu)Ar]3 binds cyanide to form the intermediate [Ar((t)Bu)N]3Mo-CN-Mo[N((t)Bu)Ar]3 but, unlike its N2 analogue which spontaneously cleaves dinitrogen, the C-N bond remains intact. DFT calculations on the model [NH2]3Mo/CN- system show that while the overall reaction is significantly exothermic, the final cleavage step is endothermic by at least 90 kJ mol(-1), accounting for why C-N bond cleavage is not observed experimentally. The situation is improved for the [H2N]3W/CN- system where the intermediate and products are closer in energy but not enough for CN- cleavage to be facile at room temperature. Additional calculations were undertaken on the mixed-metal [H2N]3Re+/CN- /W[NH2]3 and [H2N]3Re+/CN-/Ta[NH2]3 systems in which the metals ions were chosen to maximise the stability of the products on the basis of an earlier bond energy study. Although the reaction energetics for the [H2N]3Re+/CN /W[NH2]3 system are more favourable than those for the [H2N]3W/CN- system, the final C-N cleavage step is still endothermic by 32 kJ mol(-1) when symmetry constraints are relaxed. The resistance of these systems to C-N cleavage was examined by a bond decomposition analysis of [H2N]M-L1[triple bond]L2-M[NH2]3 intermediates for L1[triple bond]L2 = N2, CO and CN which showed that backbonding from the metal into the L1[triple bond]L2 pi* orbitals is significantly less for CN than for N2 or CO due to the negative charge on CN- which results in a large energy gap between the metal d(pi), and the pi* orbitals of CN-. This, combined with the very strong M-CN- interaction which stabilises the CN intermediate, makes C-N bond cleavage in these systems unfavourable even though the C[triple bond]N triple bond is not as strong as the bond in N2 or CO.     

Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of an anionic heteronuclear metallamacrocyclic triangle

trans-[Pt(C[triple bond]C(Ar)C[triple bond]CH)2(PMe3)2](Ar = C(6)Me(4)-3,4,5,6) (1) reacts with PPN[Au(acac)(2)](Hacac = acetylacetone; 1 : 1.16 molar ratio; PPN = (Ph3P)2N) to give PPN[(Au[Pt(PMe3)2]2)(mu-Ar(C[triple bond]C)2)3] (2) the crystal structure of which showed the anions as quasi equilateral triangles stacked parallel to each other through C-HAu interactions, resulting in channels of rhombic cross-section.     

Phosphaalkenes as long-lived phosphorus cluster surface functional groups: intramolecular P=C addition to a niobium-supported P7 cage

The diniobium octaphosphorus complex (P8)[Nb(OC[(2)Ad]Mes)3]2 (1) (Ad = adamantylidene, Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) contains a reactive niobium phosphinidene moiety that can be exploited for metathetical scission of the NbP bond. When 1 is treated with aryl ketones, loss of ONb(OC[(2)Ad]Mes)3(OEt2) (2) is observed along with concomitant formation of the corresponding phosphaalkene (RC6H4)2CPP7Nb(OC[(2)Ad]Mes)3 (3-R). Complexes 3-R rearrange to incorporate the (RC6H4)2CP unit into the phosphorus cage, thereby generating a saturated organo-phosphorus cluster complexed to the niobium tris-enolate platform, (RC6H4)2CP8Nb(OC[(2)Ad]Mes)3 (4-R). The structure of one such rearranged cluster 4-H, as determined by X-ray crystallography, is briefly discussed. An Eyring analysis of the first-order rearrangement of 3-H to 4-H gives activation parameters of DeltaH(double dagger) = 16.7 kcal/mol and DeltaS(double dagger) = -20.4 eu. A Hammett analysis of the phosphaalkene rearrangement, 3-R to 4-R, with substitution varying at the para positions of the aryl rings, reveals a linear relationship between the sigma values and the rearrangement rate constants. A concerted, asynchronous mechanism for the least-motion rearrangement of 3-H to 4-H is presented. When 1 is treated with alkyl ketones, similar loss of 2 and formation of the corresponding phosphaalkene is observed; however, the phosphaalkene complexes have considerably greater stability and are readily isolated.     

The niobaziridine-hydride functional group: synthesis and divergent reactivity

A multistep synthetic strategy enables the isolation of the niobaziridine-hydride complex Nb(H)(eta2-tBu(H)C=NAr)(N[Np]Ar)2 (1, Np = neopentyl, Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2), which functions as a reactive synthon for its tautomer, the three-coordinate, trisamide species Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (2). Treatment of 1 with various small molecules has demonstrated its capacity to effect two-electron reduction chemistry. Most noteworthy is the reaction between 1 and elemental phosphorus (P4), providing in high yield the bridging diphosphide complex (mu2:eta2,eta2-P2)[Nb(N[Np]Ar)3]2. However, unsaturated organic functionality including nitriles and aldehydes can insert into the Nb-H bond of 1, leaving the niobaziridine ring intact, thus demonstrating that dual pathways of reactivity are available to the niobaziridine-hydride functional group.     

Amidinate-carboxylate complexes of dimolybdenum and ditungsten: M2(O2CR)2((NiPr)2CR')2. Preparations, molecular and electronic structures and reactions.

The compounds M(2)(O(2)CMe)(4) and the lithium amidinates Li[(N(i)Pr)(2)CR] react to give the new compounds trans-M(2)(O(2)CMe)(2)[(N(i)Pr)(2)CR](2) where M = Mo or W and R = Me (M = Mo only), -C[triple bond]C(t)Bu, -C[triple bond]CPh and -C[triple bond]C-Fc where Fc = 1-ferrocenyl. The limitations of this type of reaction are described based on steric considerations together with the preparation and characterization of the compound Mo(2)(micro-O(2)C-9-anthracene)(2)[eta(2)-(N(i)Pr)(2)CMe](2). The electronic structures of the bis-amidinate-bis-carboxylate M(2) complexes are described based on model compounds employing density functional theory and are correlated with the experimental observations of their physicochemical properties and in particular their observed electronic absorption spectra which show intense MLCT absorption bands. Preliminary studies of the reactions of these bis-amidinate-bis-carboxylate complexes in the preparation of 1-D oligomers are also described along with the preparation and molecular structures of the compounds [Li(N(i)Pr)(2)CR.THF](2) where R = 2-thienyl or -C[triple bond]C-Ph. The kinetic lability of these new M(2)-containing compounds toward ligand exchange is also noted.     

beta-Diiminato ligand (L) transformations in reactions of KL with PI3 and I2 [L = {N(C6H3Pr(i)2-2,6)C(H)}2CPh

The reaction of the potassium beta-diiminate KL (L = [{N(Ar)C(H)}(2)CPh](-); Ar = C(6)H(3)Pr(i)(2)-2,6) with PI(3) unexpectedly produced a phosphenium salt of the intermolecularly C,C-coupled ligand [P(I){N(Ar)CH}(2)C(C(6)H(4)-4)C(Ph)(CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NAr)(2)](+)[I(3)](-), while an intramolecularly N,N-coupled salt [N[upper bond 1 start](Ar)C(H)C(Ph)C(H)N[upper bond 1 end](Ar)](+)[I(5)](-) was isolated from KL + I(2).     

Synthesis and reactivity of cationic niobium and tantalum methyl complexes supported by imido and β-diketiminato ligands

The synthesis and reactivity of the cationic niobium and tantalum monomethyl complexes [(BDI)MeM(N(t)Bu)][X] (BDI = [Ar]NC(CH(3))CHC(CH(3))N[Ar], Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3); M = Nb, Ta; X = MeB(C(6)F(5))(3), B(C(6)F(5))(4)] was investigated. The cationic alkyl complexes failed to irreversibly bind CO but formed phosphine-trapped acyl complexes [(BDI)(R(3)PC(O)Me)M(N(t)Bu)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (R = Et, Cy) in the presence of a combination of trialkylphosphines and CO. Treatment of the monoalkyl cationic Nb complex with XylNC (Xyl = 2,6-Me(2)-C(6)H(3)) resulted in irreversible formation of the iminoacyl complex [(BDI)(XylN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(Me))Nb(N(t)Bu)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], which did not bind phosphines but would add a methide group to the iminoacyl carbon to provide the known ketimine complex (BDI)(XylNCMe(2))Nb(N(t)Bu). Further stoichiometric chemistry explored i) migratory insertion reactions to form new alkoxide, amidinate, and ketimide complexes; ii) protonolysis reactions with Ph(3)SiOH to form thermally robust cationic siloxide complexes; and iii) catalytic high-density polyethylene formation mediated by the cationic Nb methyl complex.     

Coordination chemistry of N-heterocyclic stannylenes: a combined synthetic and Mössbauer spectroscopy study

The N-heterocyclic stannylenes (NHSns), [(Dipp) N(CH(2))(n)N(Dipp)S n] (Dipp = 2,6- (i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3); n = 2, 1; n = 3, 5) and [((t)Bu) N(CHMe)(2)N((t)Bu)S n] (10) are competent ligands toward a variety of transition metal centers, as seen in the complexes [W(CO)(5)·1] (2), [(OC)(4)Fe(μ-1)(2)Fe(CO)(4)] (3), [(OC)(4)Fe(μ-1)Fe(CO)(4)] (4), [Fe(CO)(4)·5](n) (6, n = 1 or 2), [(OC)(4)Fe(μ-5)Fe(CO)(4)] (7), [Ph(3)PPt(μ-1)(2)PtPPh(3)] (8), [Fe(CO)(4)·10] (11), and [(η(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(2)Mn·10] (12). X-ray crystallographic studies show that the NHSns are structurally largely unperturbed binding to the metal, but in contrast to the parent NHCs, NHSns often adopt a bridging position across dinuclear metal units. The balance between terminal and bridging positions for the stannylene is evidently closely balanced as shown by the observation of both monomers and dimers for 6 in the solid state and in solution. (119)Sn and (57)Fe Mo?ssbauer spectroscopy of the complexes shows the tin atoms in such complexes to be consistent with electron deficient Sn(II) centers.     

Synthesis and luminescence behaviour of novel heterodecanuclear silver(I)-rhenium(I) alkynyl complexes. X-ray crystal structures of [Ag6(mu-dppm)4[mu3-C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C-Re(Me2bpy)(CO)3]4](PF6)2 and [Ag6(mu-dppm)4[mu3-C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C-Re(Br2phen)(CO)3]4](PF6)2

A novel series of luminescent heterodecanuclear mixed-metal alkynyl complexes, [Ag6(mu-dppm)4[mu3-C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C-Re(N--N)(CO)3]4](PF6)2, (N--N = tBu2bpy, Me2bpy, phen, Br2phen), have been successfully synthesized; the X-ray crystal structures of [Ag6(mu-dppm)4[mu3-C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C-Re(Me2bpy)(CO)3]4](PF6)2 and [Ag6(mu-dppm)4[mu3-C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C-Re(Br2phen)(CO)3]4](PF6)2 have also been determined.     

Structural consequences of the one-electron reduction of d4 [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp']+ and the electronic structure of the d5 radicals [M(CO)L(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'] {L = CO and P(OCH2)3CEt}

Reduction of [M(CO)2(eta-RC[triple bond]CR')Tp']X {Tp' = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, M = Mo, X = [PF6]-, R = R' = Ph, C6H4OMe-4 or Me; R = Ph, R' = H; M = W, X = [BF4]-, R = R' = Ph or Me; R = Ph, R' = H} with [Co(eta-C5H5)2] gave paramagnetic [M(CO)2(eta-RC[triple bond]CR')Tp'], characterised by IR and ESR spectroscopy. X-Ray structural studies on the redox pair [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp'] and [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp'][PF6] showed that oxidation is accompanied by a lengthening of the C[triple bond]C bond and shortening of the Mo-C(alkyne) bonds, consistent with removal of an electron from an orbital antibonding with respect to the Mo-alkyne bond, and with conversion of the alkyne from a three- to a four-electron donor. Reduction of [Mo(CO)(NCMe)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'][PF6] with [Co(eta-C5H5)2] in CH2Cl2 gives [MoCl(CO)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'], via nitrile substitution in [Mo(CO)(NCMe)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'], whereas a similar reaction with [M(CO){P(OCH2)3CEt}(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp']+ (M = Mo or W) gives the phosphite-containing radicals [M(CO){P(OCH2)3CEt}(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp']. ESR spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations on [M(CO)L(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'] {M = Mo or W, L = CO or P(OCH2)3CEt} show the SOMO of the neutral d5 species (the LUMO of the d4 cations) to be largely d(yz) in character although much more delocalised in the W complexes. Non-coincidence effects between the g and metal hyperfine matrices in the Mo spectra indicate hybridisation of the metal d-orbitals in the SOMO, consistent with a rotation of the coordinated alkyne about the M-C2 axis.     

Insertion reactions of alkynes and organic isocyanides into the palladium-carbon bond of dimetallic Fe-Pd alkoxysilyl complexes

Insertion of MeO(2)C-C[triple bond]C-CO(2)Me (DMAD) into the Pd-C bond of the heterodimetallic complex [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]d(dmba-C)] (2) (dppm = Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2), dmba-C = metallated dimethylbenzylamine) and [(OC)(3){(MeO)(3)Si}F[upper bond 1 start]e(mu-dppm)P[upper bond 1 end]d(8-mq-C,N)] (3) (8-mq-C,N = cyclometallated 8-methylquinoline) yielded the sigma-alkenyl complexes [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]d{C(CO(2)Me)=C(CO(2)Me)(o-C(6)H(4)CH(2)NMe(2))}] (7) and [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]d{C(CO(2)Me)[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CO(2)Me)(CH(2)C(9)H(6)N)}] (8), respectively. The latter afforded the adduct [(OC)(3){(MeO)(3)Si}F[upper bond 1 start]e(mu-dppm)P[upper bond 1 end]d{C(CO(2)Me)=C(CO(2)Me)(CH(2)C(9)H(6)N)}(CNBu(t))] (9) upon reaction with 1 equiv. of Bu(t)NC. The heterodinuclear sigma-butadienyl complexes [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]d{C(Ph=C(Ph)C(CO(2)Me)=(CO(2)Me)(o-C(6)H(4)CH(2)NMe(2))}] (11) and [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]d{C(Ph)=C(CO(2)Et)C(Ph)=C(CO(2)Et)(CH(2)C(9)H(6)N)}] (13) have been obtained by reaction of the metallate K[Fe{Si(OMe)(3)}(CO)(3)(dppm-P)] (dppm = Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2)) with [P[upper bond 1 start]dCl{C(Ph)=C(Ph)C(CO(2)Me)=C(CO(2)Me)(o-C(6)H(4)CH(2)N[upper bond 1 end]Me(2))}] or [P[upper bond 1 start]dCl{C(Ph)=C(CO(2)Et)C(Ph)=(CO(2)Et)}(CH(2)C(9)H(6)N[upper bond 1 end])], respectively. Monoinsertion of various organic isocyanides RNC into the Pd-C bond of 2 and 3 afforded the corresponding heterometallic iminoacyl complexes. In the case of complexes [(OC)(3){(MeO)(3)Si}F[upper bond 1 start]e(mu-dppm)P[upper bond 1 end][upper bond 1 start]d{C=(NR)(CH(2)C(9)H(6)N[upper bond 1 end])}] (15a R = Ph, 15b R = xylyl), a static six-membered C,N chelate is formed at the Pd centre, in contrast to the situation in [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]d{C(=NR)(o-C(6)H(4)CH(2)NMe(2))}] (14a R = o-anisyl, 14b R = 2,6-xylyl) where formation of a mu-eta(2)-Si-O bridge is preferred over NMe(2) coordination. The outcome of the reaction of the dimetallic alkyl complex [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]dMe] with RNC depends both on the stoichiometry and the electronic donor properties of the isocyanide employed for the migratory insertion process. In the case of o-anisylisocyanide, the iminoacyl complex [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]d{C(=N-o-anisyl)Me}] (16) results from the reaction in a 1 : 1 ratio. Addition of three equiv. of o-anisylisocyanide affords the tris(insertion) product [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]d{[C(=N-o-anisyl)](3)Me}] (18). After addition of a fourth equivalent of o-anisylNC, exclusive formation of the isocyanide adduct [(OC)(3){(MeO)(3)Si}F[upper bond 1 start]e(mu-dppm)P[upper bond 1 end]d{[C(=N-o-anisyl)](3)Me}(CN-o-anisyl)] (19) was spectroscopically evidenced. In the complex [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]d{[C(=N-o-C(6)H(4)COCH(2))](2)Me}] (20), the sigma-bound diazabutadienyl unit is part of a 12-membered organic macrocyle which results from bis(insertion) of 1,2-bis(2-isocyanophenoxy)ethane into the Pd-Me bond of the precursor complex [(OC)(3)F[upper bond 1 start]e{mu-Si(OMe)(2)([lower bond 1 start]OMe)}(mu-dppm)P[lower bond 1 end][upper bond 1 end]dMe]. In contrast, addition of two equivalents of tert-butylisocyanide to a solution of the latter afforded [(OC)(3){(MeO)(3)Si}F[upper bond 1 start]Fe(mu-dppm)P[upper bond 1 end]d{C(=NBu(t))Me}(CNBu(t))] (21) in which both a terminal and an inserted isocyanide ligand are coordinated to the Pd centre. In all cases, there was no evidence for competing CO substitution at the Fe(CO)(3) fragment by RNC. The molecular structures of the insertion products 8 x CH(2)Cl(2) and 16 x CH(2)Cl(2) have been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Formation,structure and reactivity of boryloxycarbyne complexes of group 6 metals

Reaction of the diborane(4) B(2)(NMe(2))(2)I(2) with two equivalents of K[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))M(CO)(3)] (M=Cr, Mo, W) yielded the dinuclear boryloxycarbyne complexes [[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(2)M(triple bond)CO](2)B(2)(NMe(2))(2)] (4 a, M=Mo; b, M=W; c, M=Cr), which were fully characterised in solution by multinuclear NMR methods. The Mo and W complexes 4 a, b proved to be kinetically favoured products of this reaction and underwent quantitative rearrangement in solution to afford the complexes [[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(2)M(triple bond)CO]B(NMe(2))B(NMe(2))[M(CO)(3)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))]] (5 a, M=Mo; b, M=W); 5 a was characterised by X-ray crystallography in the solid state. Corresponding reactions of B(2)(NMe(2))(2)I(2) with only one equivalent of K[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))M(CO)(3)] (M=Mo, W) initially afforded 1:1 mixtures of the boryloxycarbyne complexes 4 a, b and unconsumed B(2)(NMe(2))(2)I(2). This mixture, however, yielded finally the diborane(4)yl complexes [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(3)M[B(NMe(2))B(NMe(2))I]] (6 a, M=Mo; b, M=W) by [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(3)M] transfer and rearrangement. Density functional calculations were carried out for 4 c and 5 a, b.     

The reactivity of gallium-(I), -(II) and -(III) heterocycles towards Group 15 substrates: attempts to prepare gallium-terminal pnictinidene complexes

The reactivity of a series of Ga(I), Ga(II) and Ga(III) heterocyclic compounds towards a number of Group 15 substrates has been investigated with a view to prepare examples of gallium-terminal pnictinidene complexes. Although no examples of such complexes were isolated, a number of novel complexes have been prepared. The reactions of the gallium(I) N-heterocyclic carbene analogue, [K(tmeda)][:Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)](2)}] (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) with cyclo-(PPh)(5) and PhN[double bond, length as m-dash]NPh led to the unusual anionic spirocyclic complexes, [{kappa(2)P,P'-(PhP)(4)}Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)](2)}](-) and [{kappa(2)N,C-PhNN(H)(C(6)H(4))}Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)](2)}](-), via formal reductions of the Group 15 substrate. The reaction of the digallane(4), [Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)](2)}](2), with (Me(3)Si)N(3) afforded the paramagnetic, dimeric imido-gallane complex, [{[N(Ar)C(H) ](2)}Ga{mu-N(SiMe(3))}](2), via a Ga-Ga bond insertion process. In addition, the new gallium(III) phosphide, [GaI{P(H)Mes*}{[N(Ar)C(H)](2) }], Mes* = C(6)H(2)Bu(t)(3)-2,4,6; was prepared and treated with diazabicycloundecane (DBU) to give [Ga(DBU){P(H)Mes*}{[N(Ar)C(H)](2)}], presumably via a gallium-terminal phosphinidene intermediate, [Ga{[double bond, length as m-dash]PMes*}{[N(Ar)C(H)](2) }]. The possible mechanisms of all reactions are discussed, all new complexes have been crystallographically characterised and all paramagnetic complexes have been studied by ENDOR and/or EPR spectroscopy.