Crown compounds for anions. Sandwich complexes of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with hexacyanoferrate(III) and nitroprusside anions

Cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) is able to bind hexacyanoferrate(III) and nitroprusside anions to form complexes {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃]₂[Fe(CN)₆]}³⁻ and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃]₂[Fe(CN)₅NO]}²⁻, respectively, which contain one anionic species per two macrocycles. According to X-ray diffraction data, the complexes have unusual sandwich structures wherein the anionic guest is located between the planes of two molecules of 1 and is coordinated to each of these through two types of Fe-C-N-Hg bridges. One type is the simultaneous coordination of a cyanide ligand to all three Hg centres of the cycle. The other type is the coordination of a cyanide group to a single Hg atom of the macrocycle. In both types, the bonding of the anionic guest with the macrocyclic host is accomplished with the participation of π-electrons of the cyanide ligands. The synthesized compounds are the first examples of host-guest complexes of a macrocyclic multidentate Lewis acid with anionic metal complexes.     

Coordination chemistry of macrocyclic multidentate Lewis acids. Synthesis and structures of complexes of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with N,N-dimethylacetamide and n-butyronitrile

Cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ readily reacts with N,N-dimethylacetamide and n-butyronitrile to form the complexes {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](MeCONMe₂)₂} and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](PrⁿCN)}, respectively. According to X-ray diffraction data, the amide ligands are located above and below the plane of the macrocycle, each being coordinated to all Hg atoms of the macrocycle through the O atom. The nitrile ligand is bound to the macrocycle through the N atom, all Hg atoms being also involved in this bonding.     

Coordination chemistry of anticrowns: Complexation of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with nitro compounds

Cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) is capable of reacting with nitromethane to give complex {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](CH₃NO₂)} (2) containing one molecule of the nitro compound per one macrocycle molecule. In this complex, the nitromethane ligand is bound to 1 by its both oxygen atoms, one of which is simultaneously coordinated to all three Hg centres of the macrocycle while the other interacts with a single Hg centre. The complex of similar composition, {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](C₆H₅NO₂)} (3), is produced in the interaction of 1 with nitrobenzene. In this complex too, the both oxygen atoms of the nitro group are involved in the bonding to the macrocycle. A distinctive feature of 3 is that here one oxygen atom of the coordinated nitro derivative is bound by only two Hg centres of 1 whereas the other interacts again with a single Hg site. The reaction of 1 with 5-nitroacenaphthene affords a 1:1 complex, {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](C₁₂H₉NO₂)} (4), having a polydecker sandwich structure in the crystal. Unlike in 3, the aromatic rings of the nitroarene units in 4 are disposed virtually in parallel to the macrocycles. The nitro compound in 4 behaves again as a bidentate ligand, forming three Hg-O bonds with one of the adjacent macrocycles and a single Hg-O bond with another molecule of 1. The complex is characterized also by shortened Hg-C contacts between the Hg centres of 1 and the carbon atoms of the nitroarene moiety as well as shortened C-C contacts between the carbon atoms of the nitroarene and the macrocycle. In the interaction of 1 with 1-nitropyrene, complexes of two compositions, viz. {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](C₁₆H₉NO₂)} (5) and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](C₁₆H₉NO₂)₃} (6) are formed. An X-ray diffraction study of 6 has shown that in this adduct two of three coordinated molecules of the nitro compound are located on one side of the metallacycle plane while the third nitroarene molecule is disposed on its other side. The aromatic rings of all three nitropyrene ligands in 6 are practically parallel to the mean plane of the macrocycle. In contrast to 2-4, each molecule of the nitroarene in 6 is bonded to 1 by a single oxygen atom which is coordinated only to one Hg centre. In the case of one of the nitropyrene ligands that forms much longer Hg-O bond with 1 than two others, an additional contribution to the bonding is made by shortened Hg-C contacts between the macrocycle and the carbon atoms of the aromatic pyrene core and also by shortened C-C contacts between the carbon atoms of the coordinated nitroarene and 1. The synthesized adducts are the first examples of complexes of an anticrown with nitro compounds.     

Synthesis and Electrochemical Behavior of Mixed Organoboron/Organomercury Compounds

As part of our ongoing interest in the synthesis and reduction chemistry of organoboron species, we have investigated the synthesis of mixed organoboron/organomercury complexes by reaction of the Li(THF)₄ salt of dimesityl‐1, 8‐naphthalenediylborate with 1, 2‐(HgCl)₂C₆F₄ and 1, 3‐(HgCl)₂C₆F₄, respectively. The resulting tetranuclear B₂Hg₂ complexes ( 2 and 3 , respectively) were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The cyclic voltammogram of complex 2 , which features a B–Hg–Hg‐B core connected by an ortho‐phenylene (Hg–Hg connection) and two peri‐naphthalenediyl linkers (B–Hg connection), shows significant coupling of the two electroactive boryl units, presumably via a direct σ interaction of the vacant p orbitals of the four neighboring Lewis acids. This conclusion is supported by DFT calculations, which show that the LUMO of 2 spans the four Lewis acids, with a major in phase contribution from the boron 2p orbitals and the mercury 6p orbitals.     

Crown compounds for anions. Sandwich complex of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with [B12H11SCN]2– anion

The reaction of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) with the polyhedral [B₁₂H₁₁SCN]^2– anion in THF at 20 °C affords the {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](B₁₂H₁₁SCN)}^2– (4) and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃]₂(B₁₂H₁₁SCN)}^2– (5) complexes. Complex 5 was isolated as the tetrabutylammonium salt. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that this complex has a bent-sandwich structure in which the [B₁₂H₁₁SCN]^2– anion is located between the planes of two molecules 1 and is coordinated to both these molecules through B—H—Hg bridges and S—Hg bonds. The stability constants of complexes 4 and 5 in THF (20 °C), which were determined from the IR spectroscopic data, are 16 L mol^–1 and 992 L² mol^–2, respectively.     

Crown compounds for anions. Unusual complex of trimetric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with the bromide anion having a polydecker sandwich structure

Here we show that cyclic trimetric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ is capable of forming complexes with [PPh₄]⁺Br⁻, [PPh₃Me]⁺I⁻ and [PPh₄]⁺Cl⁻ of the composition [(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃X]⁻ [PR₃R′]⁺ (X = Br, R = R′ = Ph; X = I, R = Ph, R′ = Me) or {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃X₂}²⁻[PR₃R′]⁺₂ (X = Cl, R = R′ = Ph). An X-ray study of the complex with [PPh₄]⁺Br⁻ revealed that it has the unusual structure of the polydecker bent sandwich wherein each Br⁻ anion is coordinated with six mercury atoms of two neighbouring molecules of (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃.     

Coordination chemistry of anticrowns. Complexation of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C6F4Hg)3 with compounds containing an active methylene group

The reactions of three-mercury anticrown (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) with acetoacetic ester (AE), malonic ester (ME), and malonodinitrile (MN) afford 1: 1 complexes {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](AE)} (3), {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](ME)} (4), and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](MN)} (5). The structures of complexes 3–5 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 3 has a discrete structure in the solid state, whereas complexes 4 and 5 form in the crystal extended stacks representing polydecker sandwiches with alternating molecules of 1 and ME or MN. According to the X-ray diffraction and IR spectral data, the molecule of AE in complex 3 is in the keto form.     

Crown compounds for anions. The nature of chemical bonds in the complexes of halide anions with cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury and some of its analogs

Geometries and electronic structures of the complexes of halide anions with cyclic trimerico-phenylenemercury, (o-C₆H₄Hg)₃, perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury, (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃, vinylenemercury, (C₂H₂Hg)₃, and perfluorovinylenemercury, (C₂F₂Hg)₃, were modelled by the MNDO method. Calculations were performed for [L-X]^– semisandwich complexes, [X-L-X]^2– bipyramidal complexes, and [L-X-L]^– sandwich complexes (where X=Hal,L is a mercury-containing macrocycle). Based on the results of calculations, we concluded that it was advantageous to describe the chemical bonding between halide anions and mercury-containing macrocycles in terms of generalized chemical bonds, which were successfully used for -complexes of transition metals. In the [L-X]^– semisandwich complexes, the halide anion and the metallacycle are involved in the formation of three generalized chemical bonds: one headlight-shaped -bond and two two-lobe -bonds. In the [X-L-X]^2– bipyramidal complexes, each halide anion forms three generalized chemical bonds with the macrocycle. It is possible because the macrocycleL has unoccupied molecular orbitals suitable for the formation of such bonds; these MOs consist mainly of the orbitals of mercury atoms directed toward both the upper and lower halogen atoms. In the [L-X-L]^– sandwich complexes, the halide anion cannot be bonded to each ringvia three bonds, and, hence, an unsymmetrical structure is formed, in which the rings are located at different distances from the central atom: the [L-X]^– semisandwich complex solvated by macrocycleL.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1035–1042, June, 1995.The authors are grateful to V. I. Faustov for valuable remarks.This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 93-03-18342).     

Coordination chemistry of anticrowns. Complexation of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C6F4Hg)3 with the cyanoborohydride anion [H3BCN]− and triethylamineborane Et3NBH3

As was shown by IR spectroscopy, the reaction of the three-mercury anticrown (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) with the [H₃BCN]ion in THF affords the complexes {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃][H₃BCN](5) and [(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃]₂[H₃BCN](6). Complex 6 was isolated from solution in the analytically pure state. According to X-ray diffraction data, complex 6 has a double-decker sandwich structure, in which the borohydride group of the [H₃BCN]^? anion is bound to one anticrown molecule by three B-H-Hg bridges, whereas the cyanide group is cooperatively coordinated by three mercury centers of another molecule 1 through the nitrogen atom. The reaction of compound 1 with triethylamineborane Et₃NBH₃ in THF affords the 1: 1 complex ～[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃][Et₃NBH₃]～ (7). In this adduct, the binding of the aminoborane to the mercury anticrown is also accomplished by B-H-Hg bridges. The stability constants of complexes 5 and 6 in THF were determined.     

Coordination chemistry of mercury-containing anticrowns. Synthesis and structures of the complexes of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with ethanol, THF and bis-2,2′-tetrahydrofuryl peroxide

Cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) is capable of reacting with ethanol to form a 1:1 complex, {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](EtOH)} (2), having a pyramidal structure. The ethanol molecule in 2 is coordinated through the oxygen atom to all Hg atoms of the macrocycle. The interaction of 1 with THF followed by drying of the product obtained in vacuum also gives the corresponding pyramidal 1:1 complex {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](THF)} (3). However, when a THF solution of 1 is slowly concentrated to a small volume and the resulting crystals are not dried, three cocrystallized adducts, viz., {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](THF)₂} (4), {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](THF)₃} (5) and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](THF)₄} (6), containing two, three and even four THF molecules, respectively, are produced. Complex 4 has a bipyramidal structure. Complexes 5 and 6 are also characterized by the presence of a bipyramidal fragment formed by two coordinated THF species. The topological analysis of the DFT-calculated function of the electron density distribution in the crystals of 2 and 3 revealed the critical points (3, −1) on each of the three Hg···O lines, which is in accord with the X-ray diffraction data indicating on the presence of the triply coordinated Lewis base molecule in both adducts. If a THF solution of 1 is held for a month at 20 °C on air under stirring, a sandwich complex of 1 with previously unknown bis-2,2′-tetrahydrofuryl peroxide (THFPO) is formed. The THFPO ligand in this sandwich, {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃]₂(THFPO)} (7), provides all its four oxygen atoms for the bonding to the molecules of 1. Two of these oxygen atoms, belonging to the tetrahydrofuryl moieties, are cooperatively bound each by three Hg atoms of the neighbouring macrocyclic unit whereas two others, belonging to the peroxide group, coordinate to a single Hg atom of the adjacent macrocycle.     

Binding of ferrocene by cyclic trimeric perfluoro-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-phenylenemercury. Synthesis and structure of the first double-decker sandwich complex of a sandwich

The first double-decker sandwich complex of a sandwich was synthesized and fully characterized. The complex was prepared by the reaction of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylene-mercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) with ferrocene in an ethereal solution at 20 °C and has the composition {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃]₂(Cp₂Fe)} (2). The ferrocene sandwich in 2 is located between the planes of two mercury-containing macrocycles and is coordinated to each of them through donation of the -electrons of the ⁵-Cp ligands to vacant orbitals of the mercury atoms of the adjacent molecule 1. It was concluded that all carbon atoms of the ⁵-Cp rings in complex 2 are involved in the bonding to the macrocycles. Complexation with 1 leads to considerable shifts of the (C-H) and (C-H) bands of ferrocene in the IR spectrum to high frequencies. The structure of complex 2 was determined by X-ray diffraction.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2754–2756, December, 2004.     

Small Molecule Activation with Intramolecular “Inverse” Frustrated Lewis Pairs

The intramolecular “inverse” frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) of general formula 1-BR₂-2-[(Me₂N)₂C=N]-C₆H₄ ( 3 – 6 ) [BR₂=BMes₂ ( 3 ), BC₁₂H₈, ( 4 ), BBN ( 5 ), BBNO ( 6 )] were synthesized and structurally characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. These novel types of pre-organized FLPs, featuring strongly basic guanidino units rigidly linked to weakly Lewis acidic boryl moieties via an ortho-phenylene linker, are capable of activating H−H, C−H, N−H, O−H, Si−H, B−H and C=O bonds. 4 and 5 deprotonated terminal alkynes and acetylene to form the zwitterionic borates 1-(RC≡C-BR₂)-2-[(Me₂N)₂C=NH]-C₆H₄ (R=Ph, H) and reacted with ammonia, BnNH₂ and pyrrolidine, to generate the FLP adducts 1-(R₂HN→BR₂)-2-[(Me₂N)₂C=NH]-C₆H₄, where the N-H functionality is activated by intramolecular H-bond interactions. In addition, 5 was found to rapidly add across the double bond of H₂CO, PhCHO and PhNCO to form cyclic zwitterionic guanidinium borates in excellent yields. Likewise, 5 is capable of cleaving H₂, HBPin and PhSiH₃ to form various amino boranes. Collectively, the results demonstrate that these new types of intramolecular FLPs featuring weakly Lewis acidic boryl and strongly basic guanidino moieties are as potent as conventional intramolecular FLPs with strongly Lewis acidic units in activating small molecules.     

The B(C6F5)3 Boron Lewis Acid Route to Arene‐Annulated Pentalenes

4,5‐Dimethyl‐1,2‐bis(1‐naphthylethynyl)benzene ( 12 ) undergoes a rapid multiple ring‐closure reaction upon treatment with the strong boron Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ to yield the multiply annulated, planar conjugated π‐system 13 (50 % yield). In the course of this reaction, a C₆F₅ group was transferred from boron to carbon. Treatment of 12 with CH₃B(C₆F₅)₂ proceeded similarly, giving a mixture of 13 (C₆F₅‐transfer) and the product 15 , which was formed by CH₃‐group transfer. 1,2‐Bis(phenylethynyl)benzene ( 8 a ) reacts similarly with CH₃B(C₆F₅)₂ to yield a mixture of the respective C₆F₅‐ and CH₃‐substituted dibenzopentalenes 10 a and 16 . The reaction is thought to proceed through zwitterionic intermediates that exhibit vinyl cation reactivities. Some B(C₆F₅)₃‐substituted species ( 26 , 27 ) consequently formed by in situ deprotonation upon treatment of the respective 1,2‐bis(alkynyl)benzene starting materials ( 24 , 8 ) with the frustrated Lewis pair B(C₆F₅)₃/P(o‐tolyl)₃. The overall formation of the C₆F₅‐substituted products formally require HB(C₆F₅)₂ cleavage in an intermediate dehydroboration step. This was confirmed in the reaction of a thienylethynyl‐containing starting material 21 with B(C₆F₅)₃, which gave the respective annulated pentalene product 23 that had the HB(C₆F₅)₂ moiety 1,4‐added to its thiophene ring. Compounds 12 – 14 , 23 , and 26 were characterized by X‐ray diffraction.     

A Silylene–Borane Lewis Pair as a Tool for Trapping a Water Molecule: Silanol Formation and Dehydrogenation

The Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ and the cyclic silane (Ar^N₂Si)₃ ( 1 ) (Ar^N=o-(CH₃)₂NCH₂C₆H₄) are useful precursors to access the silylene(II)–borane adduct Ar^N₂Si-B(C₆F₅)₃ ( 2 ). Treatment of 2 with water led to coordination and gave the Lewis pair (Ar^N₂H₂O)Si-B(C₆F₅)₃ ( 3 ) that exhibits a hydrogen-bond-stabilized silanol unit. It can be converted into the siloxane [(HAr^N)₂SiOB(C₆F₅)₃]₂O ( 6 ) by dehydrogenation in the presence of a base. Heteronuclear NMR spectroscopic data to characterize the compounds were supported by quantum-chemical calculations.     

Homolytic C−H Bond Activation by Phosphine−Quinone-Based Radical Ion Pairs

Herein, we present the formation of transient radical ion pairs (RIPs) by single-electron transfer (SET) in phosphine−quinone systems and explore their potential for the activation of C−H bonds. PMes₃ (Mes=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂) reacts with DDQ (2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone) with formation of the P−O bonded zwitterionic adduct Mes₃P−DDQ ( 1 ), while the reaction with the sterically more crowded PTip₃ (Tip=2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂) afforded C−H bond activation product Tip₂P(H)(2-[CMe₂(DDQ)]-4,6-iPr₂-C₆H₂) ( 2 ). UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopic studies showed that the latter reaction proceeds via initial SET, forming RIP [PTip₃]⋅⁺[DDQ]⋅⁻, and subsequent homolytic C−H bond activation, which was supported by DFT calculations. The isolation of analogous products, Tip₂P(H)(2-[CMe₂{TCQ−B(C₆F₅)₃}]-4,6-iPr₂-C₆H₂) ( 4 , TCQ=tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone) and Tip₂P(H)(2-[CMe₂{oQ^tBu−B(C₆F₅)₃}]-4,6-iPr₂-C₆H₂) ( 8 , oQ^tBu=3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone), from reactions of PTip₃ with Lewis-acid activated quinones, TCQ−B(C₆F₅)₃ and oQ^tBu−B(C₆F₅)₃, respectively, further supports the proposed radical mechanism. As such, this study presents key mechanistic insights into the homolytic C−H bond activation by the synergistic action of radical ion pairs.     

Tuning the Lewis Acidity of Neutral Silanes Using Perfluorinated Aryl- and Alkoxy Substituents

The emerging field of Lewis acidic silanes demonstrates the versability of molecular silicon compounds for catalytic applications. Nevertheless, when compared to the multifunctional boron Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃, silicon derivatives still lack in terms of reactivity. In this regard, we demonstrate the installation of perfluorotolyl groups (Tol^F) on neutral silicon atoms to obtain the respective tetra- and trisubstituted silanes Si(Tol^F)₄ and HSi(Tol^F)₃. These compounds were fully characterized including SC-XRD analysis but unexpectedly showed no significant Lewis acidity. By using strongly electron-withdrawing perfluorocresolato groups (OTol^F) the tetrasubstituted silane Si(OTol^F)₄ was obtained, bearing an 8 % increased Δδ(³¹P) shift when applying the Gutmann-Beckett method, compared to literature-known Si(OPh^F)₄. Ultimately the heteroleptic Si(Ph^F)₂pin^F was successfully synthesized and fully characterized including SC-XRD analysis, introducing a highly Lewis acidic silicon atom holding two silicon-carbon bonds.     

Planar Chiral Organoborane Lewis Acids Derived from Naphthylferrocene

Enantiomerically pure metalated 2‐(1‐naphthyl)ferrocene (NpFc) derivatives NpFcM (M=SnMe₃, HgCl) were prepared and characterized by multinuclear NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and elemental analysis. Optical rotation measurements were performed and the absolute configuration of the new planar chiral ferrocene species was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The mercuriated species NpFcHgCl proved suitable as a reagent for the preparation of the chiral organoborane Lewis acid NpFcBCl₂, which can in turn be converted to other ferrocenylboranes by replacement of Cl with nucleophiles. The highly Lewis acidic perfluoroarylborane derivatives NpFcB(C₆F₅)Cl and NpFcB(C₆F₅)₂ were successfully prepared by treatment with CuC₆F₅. The structures were studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and variable‐temperature ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, which suggested that π stacking of a C₆F₅ group on boron with the adjacent naphthyl group is energetically favorable. UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry measurements were performed to examine the electronic properties of these novel redox‐active chiral Lewis acids.     

Exploring the Reactivity of B-Connected Carboranylphosphines in Frustrated Lewis Pair Chemistry: A New Frame for a Classic System

The primary phosphines MesPH₂ and tBuPH₂ react with 9-iodo-m-carborane yielding B9-connected secondary carboranylphosphines 1,7-H₂C₂B₁₀H₉-9-PHR (R=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes; 1 a ), tBu ( 1 b )). Addition of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF) to 1 a , b resulted in the zwitterionic compounds 1,7-H₂C₂B₁₀H₉-9-PHR(p-C₆F₄)BF(C₆F₅)₂ ( 2 a , b ) through nucleophilic para substitution of a C₆F₅ ring followed by fluoride transfer to boron. Further reaction with Me₂SiHCl prompted a H−F exchange yielding the zwitterionic compounds 1,7-H₂C₂B₁₀H₉-9-PHR(p-C₆F₄)BH(C₆F₅)₂ ( 3 a , b ). The reaction of 2 a , b with one equivalent of R'MgBr (R’=Me, Ph) gave the extremely water-sensitive frustrated Lewis pairs 1,7-H₂C₂B₁₀H₉-9-PR(p-C₆F₄)B(C₆F₅)₂ ( 4 a , b ). Hydrolysis of the B−C₆F₄ bond in 4 a , b gave the first tertiary B-carboranyl phosphines with three distinct substituents, 1,7-H₂C₂B₁₀H₉-9-PR(p-C₆F₄H) ( 5 a , b ). Deprotonation of the zwitterionic compounds 2 a , b and 3 a , b formed anionic phosphines [1,7-H₂C₂B₁₀H₉-9-PR(p-C₆F₄)BX(C₆F₅)₂]⁻[DMSOH]⁺ (R=Mes, X=F ( 6 a ), R=tBu, X=F ( 6 b ); R=Mes, X=H ( 7 a ), R=tBu, X=H ( 7 b )). Reaction of 2 a , b with an excess of Grignard reagents resulted in the addition of R’ at the boron atom yielding the anions [1,7-H₂C₂B₁₀H₉-9-PR(p-C₆F₄)BR’(C₆F₅)₂]⁻ (R=Mes, R’=Me ( 8 a ), R=tBu, R’=Me ( 8 b ); R=Mes, R’=Ph ( 9 a ), R=tBu, R’=Ph ( 9 b )) with [MgBr(Et₂O)_n]⁺ as counterion. The ability of the zwitterionic compounds 3 a , b to hydrogenate imines as well as the Brønsted acidity of 3 a were investigated.     

Theoretical study of [Hg3(o-C6F4)3]n · {benzene} (n = 1, 2) complexes

The electronic structure and spectroscopic properties of [Hg₃(o-C₆F₄)₃]_n · {benzene} (n = 1, 2) were studied at the HF, MP2 and PBE levels. The interaction between [Hg₃(o-C₆F₄)₃] and benzene at the HF and MP2 levels was analyzed. Secondary π-interactions (Hg–benzene) were found to be the main contribution short-range stability in the [Hg₃(o-C₆F₄)₃] · {benzene} complex. At the MP2 and PBE levels equilibrium Hg–C distances of 338.4 and 361.4 pm; and interaction energies of 46.6 and 29.2 kJ/mol were found, respectively. The absorption spectra of these complexes were calculated by the single excitation time-dependent method at PBE level.     

Unsupported Mg–Alkene Bonding

The first intermolecular early main group metal–alkene complexes were isolated. This was enabled by using highly Lewis acidic Mg centers in the Lewis base-free cations (^MeBDI)Mg⁺ and (^tBuBDI)Mg⁺ with B(C₆F₅)₄⁻ counterions (^MeBDI=CH[C(CH₃)N(DIPP)]₂, ^tBuBDI=CH[C(tBu)N(DIPP)]₂, DIPP=2,6-diisopropylphenyl). Coordination complexes with various mono- and bis-alkene ligands, typically used in transition metal chemistry, were structurally characterized for 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, cyclooctene, 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene, 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene, and 2-ethyl-1-butene. In all cases, asymmetric Mg–alkene bonding with a short and a long Mg−C bond is observed. This asymmetry is most extreme for Mg–(H₂C=CEt₂) bonding. In bromobenzene solution, the Mg–alkene complexes are either dissociated or in a dissociation equilibrium. A DFT study and AIM analysis showed that the C=C bonds hardly change on coordination and there is very little alkene→Mg electron transfer. The Mg–alkene bonds are mainly electrostatic and should be described as Mg²⁺ ion-induced dipole interactions.