Synthesis and Properties of the Weakly Coordinating Anion [Me3NB12Cl11]−

The weakly coordinating anion [Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁]^? has been prepared by a simple two‐step procedure. The anion [Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁]^? is easily obtained in batches of up to 20 g by chlorination of the known [H₃NB₁₂H₁₁]^? anion with SbCl₅ at about 190 °C and subsequent N‐methylation with methyl iodide. Starting from Na[Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁], several synthetically useful salts with reactive cations ([NO]⁺, [Ph₃C]⁺, and [(Et₃Si)₂H]⁺) were prepared. Full spectroscopic (NMR, IR, Raman, TGA, MS) characterization and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies confirmed the identity and purity of the products. The thermal, chemical, and electrochemical stability as well as the basicity of the [Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁]^? anion is similar to that of the structurally related weakly coordinating 1‐carba‐closo‐dodecaborate and closo‐dodecaborate anions. The facile preparation of the [Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁]^? anion and its ideal chemical and physical properties make it a cheap alternative to other classes of weakly coordinating anions.     

Synthesis and application of molybdenum (III) complexes bearing weakly coordinating anions as catalysts of isobutylene polymerization

Acetonitrile ligated molybdenum (III) complexes of the structure [MoCl(NCCH₃)₅]²⁺ bearing different weakly coordinating anions [B(C₆F₅)₄]^? (WCA a), [B{C₆H₃(m‐CF₃)₂}₄]^? (WCA b) and [(C₆F₅)₃B‐C₃H₃N₂‐B(C₆F₅)₃]^? (WCA c) were applied as homogeneous catalysts of the polymerization of isobutylene. High monomer conversions were obtained in short reaction times (<30 min). The molecular weight of the resulting polyisobutylene is nearly independent of parameters such as temperature, solvent, monomer concentration, but is strongly influenced by the type of WCA and by chain transfer reactions which were observed in these systems. Highly reactive low molecular weight polyisobutylenes (M_n < 2000 g/mol) were obtained with a high content of exo double bond end groups as shown by ¹H NMR analysis. Furthermore, experiments were performed to reduce the isomerization of these exo end groups into other internal double bonds by varying the polymerization parameters. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3775–3786, 2010     

Trifluoromethylboranes and -borates: new synthetic strategies and applications

The synthesis of salts with the [B(CF₃)₄]⁻ anion has been the starting point for new developments in the field of trifluoromethylboron chemistry. In contrast to the previous syntheses of (CF₃)_nB derivatives (n=1–3), achieved exclusively by CF₃ transfer, the synthesis of the [B(CF₃)₄]⁻ anion was accomplished by fluorination of the [B(CN)₄]⁻ anion with ClF or ClF₃ in anhydrous HF. Owing to its thermal and chemical stability, [B(CF₃)₄]⁻ is an attractive weakly coordinating anion. However, in concentrated sulfuric acid one of the four CF₃ groups is solvolyzed to a CO ligand to yield the neutral borane carbonyl (CF₃)₃BCO. It has been shown that the borane carbonyl compound is a versatile synthetic building block, and numerous reactions have been investigated. The addition of nucleophiles to the C atom of the CO ligand is favored, and examples for new derivatives are the anions [(CF₃)₃BCPnic]⁻ (Pnic=N, P, As). Under certain conditions, ligand-exchange reactions are also observed, for example, the formation of (CF₃)₃BNCH. Finally, the borane carbonyl compound is a component of the conjugated Brønsted–Lewis superacid HF/(CF₃)₃BCO.     

Silver‐Free Activation of Ligated Gold(I) Chlorides: The Use of [Me3NB12Cl11]− as a Weakly Coordinating Anion in Homogeneous Gold Catalysis

Phosphane and N‐heterocyclic carbene ligated gold(I) chlorides can be effectively activated by Na[Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁] ( 1 ) under silver‐free conditions. This activation method with a weakly coordinating closo‐dodecaborate anion was shown to be suitable for a large variety of reactions known to be catalyzed by homogeneous gold species, ranging from carbocyclizations to heterocyclizations. Additionally, the capability of 1 in a previously unknown conversion of 5‐silyloxy‐1,6‐allenynes was demonstrated.     

Li[B(OCH2CF3)4]: Synthesis,Characterization and Electrochemical Application as a Conducting Salt for LiSB Batteries

A new Li salt with views to success in electrolytes is synthesized in excellent yields from lithium borohydride with excess 2,2,2‐trifluorethanol (HOTfe) in toluene and at least two equivalents of 1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME). The salt Li[B(OTfe)₄] is obtained in multigram scale without impurities, as long as DME is present during the reaction. It is characterized by heteronuclear magnetic resonance and vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman), has high thermal stability (T_{decomposition}>271 °C, DSC) and shows long‐term stability in water. The concentration‐dependent electrical conductivity of Li[B(OTfe)₄] is measured in water, acetone, EC/DMC, EC/DMC/DME, ethyl acetate and THF at RT In DME (0.8 mol L ^?1) it is 3.9 mS cm^?1, which is satisfactory for the use in lithium‐sulfur batteries (LiSB). Cyclic voltammetry confirms the electrochemical stability of Li[B(OTfe)₄] in a potential range of 0 to 4.8 V vs. Li/Li⁺. The performance of Li[B(OTfe)₄] as conducting salt in a 0.2 mol L ^?1 solution in 1:1 wt % DME/DOL is investigated in LiSB test cells. After the 40th cycle, 86 % of the capacity remains, with a coulombic efficiency of around 97 % for each cycle. This indicates a considerable performance improvement for LiSB, if compared to the standard Li[NTf₂]/DOL/DME electrolyte system.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Dendronized Polymers

Summary: This research aims at the synthesis of several dendrons with different functional groups on their surface, and their use as functionalizing agents of synthetic polymers. Two principal products were synthesized and characterized: dendronized MDI oligomers and dendronized PMMI. The results of the characterization studies of dendronized polymers demonstrated the influence of the polarity of dendrons and the dendronization pathway on the properties of the final products.     

Synthesis of Five‐ and Six‐Coordinate Tris(pentafluoroethyl)fluorosilicates

The research area of perfluoroalkylsilanes is still in its infancy. Although there are already many examples of difluorotriorganylsilicates, the first example of a completely characterized trifluorotriorganylsilicate is presented, the dianion [Si(C₂F₅)₃F₃]^2?. The strongly electron‐withdrawing influence of the pentafluoroethyl groups appears to be a fundamental cause of the stability of this compound. This dianion is also the first structurally characterized example of a tris(pentafluoroethyl)silicon compound. The synthesis and complete characterization of [PPh₄]₂[Si(C₂F₅)₃F₃] and [PPh₄][Si(C₂F₅)₃F₂] along with the precursor [H(OEt₂)₂][Si(C₂F₅)₃F₂] was achieved from SiCl₄ and LiC₂F₅.     

Synthesis,Properties, and Application of Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)gallate, [Ga(C2F5)4]−

Weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) are important for academic reasons as well as for technical applications. Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)gallate, [Ga(C₂F₅)₄]^?, a new WCA, is accessible by treatment of [GaCl₃(dmap)] (dmap=4‐dimethylaminopyridine) with LiC₂F₅. The anion [Ga(C₂F₅)₄]^? proved to be reluctant towards deterioration by aqueous hydrochloric acid or lithium hydroxide. Various salts of [Ga(C₂F₅)₄]^? were synthesized with cations such as [PPh₄]⁺, [CPh₃]⁺, [(O₂H₅)₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺, and [Li(dec)₂]⁺ (dec=diethyl carbonate). Thermolysis of [(O₂H₅)₂(OH₂)₂][Ga(C₂F₅)₄]₂ gives rise to a dihydrate of tris(pentafluoroethyl)gallane, [Ga(C₂F₅)₃(OH₂)₂]. All products were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Furthermore, an outlook for the application of [Li(dec)₂][Ga(C₂F₅)₄] as a conducting salt in lithium‐ion batteries is presented.     

Pentafluoroethylaluminates: A Combined Synthetic,Spectroscopic, and Structural Study

Salts of the tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate anion [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻ were obtained from AlCl₃ and LiC₂F₅. They were isolated with different counter-cations and characterized by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Degradation of the [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻ ion was found to proceed via 1,2-fluorine shifts and stepwise loss of CF(CF₃) under formation of [(C₂F₅)_4−nAlF_n]⁻ (n=1–4) as assessed by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and supported by results of DFT calculations. In addition, the [(C₂F₅)AlF₃]⁻ ion was structurally characterized.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate

While perfluorinated aryl, aryloxy and alkoxy aluminum species are well-established as weakly coordinating anions (WCAs), corresponding perfluoroalkyl aluminum derivatives are virtually unknown. Reaction of Si(C₂F₅)₃CH₃ with Li[AlH₄] afforded the tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate, [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻. Several salts of the [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻ ion were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopic methods, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction studies and elemental analysis.     

Synthesis of a Perfluorinated Phenoxyphosphorane and Conversion to Its Hexacoordinate Anions

We report the synthesis and structural characterization of a neutral P^V Lewis acid, P(OC₆F₅)₅, and salts containing the six-coordinate anions [P(OC₆F₅)₅F]⁻ and [P(OC₆F₅)₆]⁻. The latter anion exhibits a rare example of F–π_arene interactions in both the solid and the solution phase, which has been quantitatively studied by variable-temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy. The Lewis acid strength of P(OC₆F₅)₅ has been assessed through experimental fluoride ion competition experiments and quantum-chemical calculations of its fluoride ion affinity (FIA) and global electrophilicity index (GEI). Our findings highlight the importance of considering solvent effects in electrophilicity calculations, even when neutral Lewis acids are involved, and show a rare divergence between FIA and GEI trends. The coordinating abilities of the [P(OC₆F₅)₆]⁻ and [P(OC₆F₅)₅F]⁻ anions towards the trityl cation, as a prototypical electrophile, have been assessed.     

Isomerization,Ring Expansion,and Ring Contraction of 1,3‐Diphosphete Complexes

Reactions between the 1,3‐diphosphete complex [Cp′′′Co(η⁴‐P₂C₂tBu₂)] ( 1 ) and Ag[Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄] (Ag[pftb]) were carried out under different conditions. In CH₂Cl₂, the unprecedented 1,2‐diphosphete isomerization product [Ag₂{Cp′′′Co(μ,η⁴:η¹:η¹‐1,2‐P₂C₂tBu₂)}₂{Cp′′′Co(μ,η⁴:η¹‐1,2‐P₂C₂tBu₂)}₂]⋅2[pftb] ( 2 ) could be isolated. In diffusion experiments of 1 in n‐hexane with Ag[pftb] in CH₂Cl₂, the triphosphacobaltocenium complex [Cp′′′Co(η⁵‐P₃C₂tBu₂)][pftb] ( 4 ) and the phosphirenylium complex [Cp′′′Co(η³‐PC₂tBu₂)][pftb] ( 5 ) were obtained, showing a ring expansion and a ring contraction, respectively, under mild conditions. Moreover, addition of pyridine to the Ag complex 2 led to the new 1,2‐diphosphete complex [Cp′′′Co(η⁴‐1,2‐P₂C₂tBu₂)] ( 3 ). Compound 3 is also formed by thermolysis of 1 , making it a promising method for this type of isomerization. 1,2‐Diphosphete complexes like 3 are thermodynamically more stable but also synthetically more elusive than their 1,3‐isomer counterparts.     

Ethyl‐Zinc(II)‐Cation Equivalents: Synthesis and Hydroamination Catalysis

Ion‐like ethylzinc(II) compounds with weakly coordinating aluminates [Al(OR^F)₄]^? and [(R^FO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR^F)₃]^? (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) were synthesized in a one‐pot reaction and fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, and by quantum chemical calculations. The catalytic activity of ion‐like Et‐Zn[Al(OR^F)₄] in intermolecular hydroamination and in the unusual double hydroamination of anilines and alkynes was investigated. Favorable performance was also found in comparison to the Et₂Zn/ [PhNMe₂H]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? system generated in situ at lower catalyst loadings of 2.5 mol %.     

The role of solvent‐ligated metal(II) complexes incorporating (fluoroalkoxy)aluminates as weakly coordinating anions in isobutylene polymerization

Nitrile‐ligated copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes comprising (fluoroalkoxy)aluminates as weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) have been synthesized and applied for the polymerization of isobutylene at room temperature (30°C). The polymers obtained are in the low and moderate molecular weight range and show characteristics of the highly reactive polyisobutylene. Results indicate that the fluoroalkoxy aluminate WCAs have even a higher tolerance toward water in IB polymerization than the earlier tested perfluoroborate WCAs. Studies showed that water plays an important role in the polymerization process, which indicates a polymerization mechanism similar to a proton‐initiated carbocation polymerization. The role of the WCAs and their importance for the room‐temperature polymerization process was re‐examined, and the effect of the addition of proton and electron donors including proton traps (2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylpyridine or DTBP) was studied in detail. The polymerization reaction seems to be dominated by transfer reactions that lead to the high content of exo double bonds while propagation proceeds via conventional cationic polymerization. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Silver(I) Complexes of the Weakly Coordinating Solvents SO2 and CH2Cl2: Crystal Structures,Bonding, and Energetics of [Ag(OSO)][Al{OC(CF3)3}4], [Ag(OSO)2/2][SbF6], and [Ag(CH2Cl2)2][SbF6]

Pushing the limits of coordination chemistry : The most weakly coordinated silver complexes of the very weakly coordinating solvents dichloromethane and liquid sulfur dioxide were prepared. Special techniques at low temperatures and the use of weakly coordinating anions allowed structural characterization of [Ag(OSO)][Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄], [Ag(OSO)_2/2][SbF₆], and [Ag(Cl₂CH₂)₂][SbF₆] (see figure). An investigation of the bonding shows that these complexes are mainly stabilized by electrostatic monopole–dipole interactions.

     

Towards a Sustainable Synthesis of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ether by Homogeneous Catalysis and Uptake of Molecular Formaldehyde

Oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME_n; CH₃(‐OCH₂‐)_nO‐CH₃, n=3–5) are a novel class of sustainable synthetic fuels, which are of increasing interest due to their soot‐free combustion. Herein a novel anhydrous OME_n synthesis route is presented. Catalyzed by trimethyloxonium salts, dimethoxymethane takes up monomeric gaseous formaldehyde instantaneously and forms high purity OME_n at temperatures of 25–30 °C. This new anhydrous approach using molecular formaldehyde and catalytic amounts of highly active trimethyloxonium salts represents a promising new step towards a sustainable formation of OME_n emanating from CO₂ and H₂.