Guanidinate derivatives of rare-earth metals. The synthesis, properties, and molecular structures of the complexes {(Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2}3Nd, {(Me3Si)2NC(NCy)2}3Lu, and {(Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2}2HC(NPri)2}Nd

The reactions of anhydrous LnCl₃ (Ln = Nd or Lu) with three equivalents of {(Me₃Si)₂NC(NR)₂}Li (R = Prⁱ or Cy; Cy is cyclohexyl) in THF afforded the corresponding tris(guanidinate) derivatives of lanthanides {(Me₃Si)₂NC(NR)₂}₃Ln (Ln = Nd, R = Prⁱ, (1); Ln = Lu, R = Cy (2)), which were isolated after the recrystallization from hexane in 82 and 88% yields, respectively. The complex {(Me₃Si)₂NC(NCy)₂}₂{HC(NCy)₂}Nd (3) containing two guanidinate ligands and one formamidinate ligand was isolated in attempting to synthesize the bis(guanidinate) borohydride derivative by the reaction of {(Me₃Si)₂NC(N-Cy)₂}Na with Nd(BH₄)₃(THF)₂ (in a molar ratio of 2: 1) in THF. This complex is apparently formed as a result of the fragmentation and redistribution of the guanidinate ligands. The X-ray diffraction study showed that in the crystalline state compounds 1–3 are mononuclear complexes containing no coordinated Lewis bases.     

Guanidinate borohydride derivatives of lanthanides: synthesis and molecular structures of the [(Me3Si)2NC(NCy)2]Gd(BH4)2DME and [{(Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2}2Sm(BH4)2]−[Li(DME)3]+ complexes. Catalytic activity of the [(Me3Si)2NC(NCy)2]2Ln(BH4)2Li(THF)2 complexes (Ln = Nd, Sm, or Yb) in methyl methacrylate polymerization

The reaction of Gd(BH₄)₃(THF)₂ with two equivalents of sodium N,N′-dicyclohexyl-N″-bis(trimethylsilyl)guanidinate in THF followed by the treatment of the reaction product with 1,2-dimethoxyethane produced the monoguanidinate bis(borohydride) complex [(Me₃Si)₂NC(NCy)₂]Gd(BH₄)₂DME (1) (Cy is cyclohexyl). The treatment of the heterobimetallic samarium complex {(Me₃Si)₂NC(NPrⁱ)₂}₂Sm(BH₄)₂Li(THF)₂, in which the lanthanide and lithium atoms are linked by two bridging borohydride groups, with 1,2-dimethoxyethane afforded the ionic complex [{(Me₃Si)₂NC(NPrⁱ)₂}₂Sm(BH₄)₂]^?[Li(DME)₃]⁺ (2). The structures of complexes 1 and 2 were established by X-ray diffraction. The [(Me₃Si)₂NC(NCy)₂]₂Ln(BH₄)₂Li(THF)₂ complexes (Ln = Nd (3), Sm (4), or Yb (5)) were found to catalyze methyl methacrylate polymerization.     

Syntheses and molecular structures of mono(guanidinate) lanthanide borohydrides and their catalytic activity for MMA-polymerization

The mono(guanidinate) lanthanide borohydride complexes of [(Me₃Si)₂NC(NCy)₂]Ln(BH₄)₂(THF)₂ (Ln = Yb (1), Er (2)) have been synthesized by the reactions of corresponding Ln(BH₄)₃(THF)₃ with sodium guanidinate of [(Me₃Si)₂NC(NCy)₂]Na in a 1:1 molar ratio in THF. They were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectrum and X-ray diffraction analysis. 1 and 2 have similar structures. The lanthanide ion was bonded by an η²-guanidinate ligand, two η³-BH₄ ligands and two THF molecules as a distorted octahedron. The two BH₄ ligands in a complex are equivalent and cis to each other. The structure of solvated sodium guanidinate of {[(Me₃Si)₂NC(NCy)₂]Na(THF)}₂ (3) was also presented. In a dimeric molecule of 3, each Na atom is bound to three nitrogen atoms from two guanidinate groups and one oxygen atom from the THF molecule. 1 and 2 displayed moderate high catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The Er complex is more active than the Yb complex.     

Synthesis of a “Masked” Terminal Zinc Sulfide and Its Reactivity with Brønsted and Lewis Acids

The “masked” terminal Zn sulfide, [K(2.2.2‐cryptand)][^MeLZn(S)] ( 2 ) (^MeL={(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)}₂CH), was isolated via reaction of [^MeLZnSCPh₃] ( 1 ) with 2.3 equivalents of KC₈ in THF, in the presence of 2.2.2‐cryptand, at ?78 °C. Complex 2 reacts readily with PhCCH and N₂O to form [K(2.2.2‐cryptand)][^MeLZn(SH)(CCPh)] ( 4 ) and [K(2.2.2‐cryptand)][^MeLZn(SNNO)] ( 5 ), respectively, displaying both Brønsted and Lewis basicity. In addition, the electronic structure of 2 was examined computationally and compared with the previously reported Ni congener, [K(2.2.2‐cryptand)][^tBuLNi(S)] (^tBuL={(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)NC(^tBu)}₂CH).     

Synthesis of a “Masked” Terminal Zinc Sulfide and Its Reactivity with Brønsted and Lewis Acids

The “masked” terminal Zn sulfide, [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][^MeLZn(S)] ( 2 ) (^MeL={(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)}₂CH), was isolated via reaction of [^MeLZnSCPh₃] ( 1 ) with 2.3 equivalents of KC₈ in THF, in the presence of 2.2.2-cryptand, at −78 °C. Complex 2 reacts readily with PhCCH and N₂O to form [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][^MeLZn(SH)(CCPh)] ( 4 ) and [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][^MeLZn(SNNO)] ( 5 ), respectively, displaying both Brønsted and Lewis basicity. In addition, the electronic structure of 2 was examined computationally and compared with the previously reported Ni congener, [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][^tBuLNi(S)] (^tBuL={(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)NC(^tBu)}₂CH).     

Synthesis and characterization of bis(guanidinate)lanthanide diisopropylamido complexes: New highly active initiators for the polymerizations of ε-caprolactone and methyl methacrylate

Treatment of LnCl₃ with [(SiMe₃)₂NC(NiPr)₂]Li in 1:2 molar ratio afforded the soluble bis(guanidinate)lanthanide chlorides {[(SiMe₃)₂NC(NiPr)₂]₂Ln(μ-Cl)}₂ (Ln=Y (1), Nd (2)). Amination of 1 and 2 with two equivalents of LiN(iPr)₂ in a mixture solution of toluene and hexane gave [(SiMe₃)₂NC(NiPr)₂]₂LnN(iPr)₂ (Ln=Y (3), Nd (4)) in good isolated yields. The single-crystal structural analyses of 2 and 3 revealed that the coordination geometries of lanthanide metals are best described as a distorted pseudo-octahedron and a pseudo-pyramid, respectively. Complexes 3 and 4 exhibited extremely high activity for the polymerizations of ε-caprolactone and methyl methacrylate (MMA).     

Gold(I) complexes containing ionic phosphine ligands with a cobaltocenium backbone

The reaction of [(η⁵-R₂PC₅H₄)₂Co][PF₆] with (Me₂S)AuCl (1:2) resulted in {[(η⁵-R₂PC₅H₄)₂Co](AuCl)₂}[PF₆] (R = Ph, Cy, or ⁱ Pr). With a 1:1 ratio of [(η⁵-R₂PC₅H₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₅)][PF₆] to (Me₂S)AuCl, yellow crystalline {[(η⁵-R₂PC₅H₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₅)](AuCl)}[PF₆] was produced. The reaction of {[(η⁵-Cy₂PC₅H₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₅)](AuCl)}[PF₆] with phenyl acetylene gave {[(η⁵-Cy₂PC₅H₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₅)][Au(C≡C–Ph)]}[PF₆], while the reaction of {[(η⁵-Cy₂PC₅H₄)₂Co](AuCl)₂}[PF₆] with phenyl acetylene produced the unusual ionic complex {[(η⁵-Cy₂PC₅H₄)₂Co][Au(C≡C–Ph)]₂}[Au(C≡C–Ph)₂]. The structure of this complex has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, and a possible pathway for its formation is suggested. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Synthesis, molecular structure, and catalytic activity of borohydride complexes [(Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2]2Nd(BH4)2Li(thf)2 and [(Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2]2Sm(BH4)2Li(thf)2

The reactions of lanthanide tris(borohydrides) Ln(BH₄)₃(thf)₃ (Ln = Sm or Nd) with 2 equiv. of lithium N,N′-diisopropyl-N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)guanidinate in toluene produced the [(Me₃Si)₂NC(NPrⁱ)₂]Ln(BH₄)₂Li(thf)₂ complexes (Ln = Sm or Nd), which were isolated in 57 and 42% yields, respectively, by recrystallization from hexane. X-ray diffraction experiments and NMR and IR spectroscopic studies demonstrated that the reactions afford monomeric ate complexes, in which the lanthanide and lithium atoms are linked to each other by two bridging borohydride groups. The complexes exhibit catalytic activity in polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 441–445, March, 2007.     

Hydrogenolysis of Dinuclear PCNR Ligated PdII μ-Hydroxides and Their Mononuclear PdII Hydroxide Analogues

The hydrogenolysis of mono- and dinuclear Pd^II hydroxides was investigated both experimentally and computationally. It was found that the dinuclear μ-hydroxide complexes {[(PCN^R)Pd]₂(μ-OH)}(OTf) (PCN^H=1-[3-[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]phenyl]-1H-pyrazole; PCN^Me=1-[3-[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]phenyl]-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole) react with H₂ to form the analogous dinuclear hydride species {[(PCN^R)Pd]₂(μ-H)}(OTf). The dinuclear μ-hydride complexes were fully characterized, and are rare examples of structurally characterized unsupported singly bridged μ-H Pd^II dimers. The {[(PCN^Me)Pd]₂(μ-OH)}(OTf) hydrogenolysis mechanism was investigated through experiments and computations. The hydrogenolysis of the mononuclear complex (PCN^H)Pd-OH resulted in a mixed ligand dinuclear species [(PCN^H)Pd](μ-H)[(PCC)Pd] (PCC=a dianionic version of PCN^H bound through phosphorus P, aryl C, and pyrazole C atoms) generated from initial ligand “rollover” C−H activation. Further exposure to H₂ yields the bisphosphine Pd⁰ complex Pd[(H)PCN^H]₂. When the ligand was protected at the pyrazole 5-position in the (PCN^Me)Pd−OH complex, no hydride formed under the same conditions; the reaction proceeded directly to the bisphosphine Pd⁰ complex Pd[(H)PCN^Me]₂. Reaction mechanisms for the hydrogenolysis of the monomeric and dimeric hydroxides are proposed.     

Remarkable Anticancer Activity of Triruthenium-Arene Clusters Compared to Tetraruthenium-Arene Clusters

Abstract The in vitro activity of a series of ruthenium clusters, [(η⁶-C₆H₆)(η⁶-C₆Me₆)₂Ru₃(μ-H)₃(μ₃-O)][BF₄], [(η⁶-C₆H₆)(η⁶-1,4-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru₃(μ-H)₃(μ₃-O)][BF₄], [(η⁶-C₆H₆)₄Ru₄(μ-H)₄][BF₄]₂, [(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)₄Ru₄(μ-H)₄][BF₄]₂ and [(η⁶-C₆H₆)₄Ru₄(μ-H)₃(μ-OH)][Cl]₂, has been evaluated against A2780 and A2780cisR ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Both triruthenium clusters are very active compared to ruthenium compounds in general, whereas the tetraruthenium clusters do not display significant cytotoxicities. Since the triruthenium clusters are known to form supramolecular interactions with arenes and other functions, it is possible that such interactions are also important with respect to their mode of biological activity. The X-ray structure analysis of [(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)₄Ru₄(μ-H)₄][PF₆]₂ is also reported. Graphical Abstract The in vitro activity of a series of ruthenium clusters has been evaluated against A2780 and A2780cisR ovarian carcinoma cell lines and their activity compared to cisplatin. The triruthenium clusters are very active, while the tetraruthenium clusters do not display significant cytotoxicities. Dedicated to Professor Dieter Fenske on the occasion of his 65th birthday anniversary     

Synthesis and characterization of the [Ru(η5-C5Me4CF3)(CO)2]2 and Ru6(μ3-H)(η2-μ4-CO)2(μ-CO)(CO)12(η5-C5Me4CF3) complexes

The reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with tetramethyltrifluoromethylcyclopentadiene at various ratios of the reagents was studied. Refluxing of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with a sixfold excess of tetramethyltrifluoromethylcyclopentadiene in octane in an inert atmosphere gave a complex, which is, according to X-ray diffraction data, a dimer,trans-[Ru(η⁵-C₅Me₄CF₃)(CO)₂]₂. The reaction under the same conditions but starting from Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and C₅Me₄CF₃H in 2∶1 molar ratio gave a hexaruthenium cluster [Ru₆(μ₃-H)(η₂-μ₄-CO)₂(μ-CO)(Co)₁₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄CF₂)], which was characterized by IR as well as¹H,¹³C, and¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. According to X-ray diffraction data, an Ru₄ tetrahedron, in which two edges are bound by additional “briding” Ru atoms, constitutes the frame of this compound. This complex has one (η⁵-C₅Me₄CF₃) ligand, as well as one (μ₃-H) and two (η²-μ₄-CO) groups. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 507–512, March, 1998.     

Synthesis and Complexation Study of New Aminoalkynyl−amidinate Ligands

The current library of amidinate ligands has been extended by the synthesis of two novel dimethylamino-substituted alkynylamidinate anions of the composition [Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NR)₂]⁻ (R = ⁱPr, cyclohexyl (Cy)). The unsolvated lithium derivatives Li[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NR)₂] ( 1 : R = ⁱPr, 2 : R = Cy) were obtained in good yields by treatment of in situ-prepared Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−Li with the respective carbodiimides, R−N=C=N−R. Recrystallization of 1 and 2 from THF afforded the crystalline THF adducts Li[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NR)₂] ⋅ nTHF ( 1 a : R = ⁱPr, n=1; 2 a : R = Cy, n=1.5). Precursor 2 was subsequently used to study initial complexation reactions with selected di- and trivalent transition metals. The dark red homoleptic vanadium(III) tris(alkynylamidinate) complex V[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NCy)₂]₃ ( 3 ) was prepared by reaction of VCl₃(THF)₃ with 3 equiv. of 2 (75 % yield). A salt-metathesis reaction of 2 with anhydrous FeCl₂ in a molar ratio of 2 : 1 afforded the dinuclear homoleptic iron(II) alkynylamidinate complex Fe₂[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NCy)₂]₄ ( 4 ) in 69 % isolated yield. Similarly, treatment of Mo₂(OAc)₄ with 3 or 4 equiv. of 2 provided the dinuclear, heteroleptic molybdenum(II) amidinate complex Mo₂(OAc)[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NCy)₂]₃ ( 5 ; yellow crystals, 50 % isolated yield). The cyclohexyl-substituted title compounds 2 a , 4 , and 5 were structurally characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Unexpected results of the reactions of manganese and vanadium β-diketiminate halide complexes with Na[HBEt3]

The reaction of [(^Menacnac^Dipp)Mn(μ-Cl)]₂(2) (^Menacnac^Dipp = HC(C(Me)NDipp)₂; Dipp = 2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃) with sodium triethylborohydride in a toluene—THF mixture afforded the complex [(^Menacnac^Dipp)Mn(μ-H)₂BEt₂(THF)] (3). The reaction of 2 with Na[HBEt₃] in toluene under THF-free conditions gave a mixture of products. The set and the ratio of these products in the resulting crystalline mixture were established by quantitative powder X-ray diffraction analysis: [(^Menacnac^Dipp)Mn(μ-H)]₂(1), [(^Menacnac^Dipp)?Mn(μ-H)₂BEt₂] (4), and unreacted compound 2 in the ratio of 15:4:1 and traces of an unknown crystalline phase. The reaction of [(^Menacnac^Dipp)VCl₂] (5) with Na[HBEt₃] yielded the compound [(^Menacnac^Dipp)V(μ-H)(μ,κ^1:1?C:C′?C₂H₄)BEt₂] (6) containing the unusual ligand [HBEt₂(CH₂CH₂)]^2?. The vanadium analog of compound 3, [(^Menacnac^Dipp)V(μ-H)₂BEt₂(THF)] (7), was isolated in one experiment. Besides. a small amount of the complex [(^Menacnac^Dipp)V(μ-H)BEt₃(THF)] (8) was detected in the mixture of crystalline products. The structures of compounds 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

     

Reactive collisions in quadrupole cells. Part I. Reaction of [CH3NH2]+˙ with the isomeric butenes and pentenes

The reactions of mass-selected [CH₃NH₂]⁺˙ ions with the isomeric butenes and pentenes were studied at low collision energies in the radiofrequency-only quadrupole collision cell of a hybrid BEqQ tandem mass spectrometer. Characteristic iminium ions arising by addition of the methylamine to the olefin followed by fragmentation are observed for but-1-ene pent-1-ene and 3-methylbut-1-ene. However, for but-2-ene pent-2-ene 2-methylpropene 2-methylbut-1-ene and 2-methylbut-2-ene the major reaction channel of [CH₃NH₂]⁺˙ is charge exchange to form the olefinic molecular ion. The isomeric olefins are characterized to a considerable extent by the characteristic ion–molecule reactions that these molecular ions undergo with the neutral olefin.     

Catalytic activity of bis(dialkylamino)carbenium salts in hydrosilylation reactions

Bis(dialkylamino)carbenium salts {[(Me₂N)₂CCl]⁺}₂MCl₄ ²⁻ (M=Ni, Pd) and {[Me₂NC(X)NR₂]⁺}₂PtCl₆ ²⁻ (R=Me, All; X=H, Cl, Me) are efficient catalysts for hydrosilylation of allyl phenyl ether, triallylamine, allyl chloride, allylamine, and 1-octene with various hydrosilanes. The catalytic activity is dependent on the salt composition and the nature of the metal M, the saturated compound, and the hydrosilane used. The catalysts used are usually insoluble in the reaction mixture, active, and stable. In some cases, carbenium salts are more selective than Speier's catalyst. Novel catalysts, silica-immobilized dialkylaminocarbenium salts, have been prepared. The kinetics of the reaction have been considered. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1041–1044, May, 1997.     

Lanthanide versus Actinide Reactivity in the Formation of Sterically Crowded [(C5Me5)3MLn] Nitrile and Isocyanide Complexes

The limits of steric crowding in organometallic metallocene complexes have been examined by studying the synthesis of [(C₅Me₅)₃ML_n] complexes as a function of metal in which L=Me₃CCN, Me₃CNC, and Me₃SiCN. The bis(tert‐butyl nitrile) complexes [(C₅Me₅)₃Ln(NCCMe₃)₂] (Ln=La, 1 ; Ce, 2 ; Pr, 3 ) can be isolated with the largest lanthanide metal ions, La³⁺, Ce³⁺, and Pr³⁺. The Pr³⁺ ion also forms an isolable mono‐nitrile complex, [(C₅Me₅)₃Pr(NCCMe₃)] ( 4 ), whereas for Nd³⁺ only the mono‐adduct [(C₅Me₅)₃Nd(NCCMe₃)] ( 5 ) was observed. With smaller metal ions, Sm³⁺ and Y³⁺, insertion of Me₃CCN into the M? C(C₅Me₅) bond was observed to form the cyclopentadiene‐substituted ketimide complexes [(C₅Me₅)₂Ln{NC(C₅Me₅)(CMe₃)}(NCCMe₃)] (Ln=Sm, 6 ; Y, 7 ). With tert‐butyl isocyanide ligands, a bis‐isocyanide product can be isolated with lanthanum, [(C₅Me₅)₃La(CNCMe₃)₂] ( 8 ), and a mono‐isocyanide product with neodymium, [(C₅Me₅)₃Nd(CNCMe₃)] ( 9 ). Silicon–carbon bond cleavage was observed in reactions between [(C₅Me₅)₃Ln] complexes and trimethylsilyl cyanide, Me₃SiCN, to produce the trimeric cyanide complexes [{(C₅Me₅)₂Ln(μ‐CN)(NCSiMe₃)}₃] (Ln=La, 10 ; Pr, 11 ). With uranium, a mono‐nitrile reaction product, [(C₅Me₅)₃U(NCCMe₃)] ( 12 ), which is analogous to 5 , was obtained from the reaction between [(C₅Me₅)₃U] and Me₃CCN, but [(C₅Me₅)₃U] reacts with Me₃CNC through C? N bond cleavage to form a trimeric cyanide complex, [{(C₅Me₅)₂U(μ‐CN)(CNCMe₃)}₃] ( 13 ).     

Synthesis and properties of guanidinate derivatives of rare-earth metals. Molecular structures of the { (Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2}2Y(µ-Cl)2Li(THF)2, [{ (Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2}2SmCl]2 and {(Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2} Sm(µ3-BH4)2(DME) complexes

The reaction of anhydrous SmCl₃ with two equivalents of lithium N,N′-diisopropyl-N″-bis(trimethylsilyl)guanidinate in THF afforded the [{(Me₃Si)₂NC(NPrⁱ)₂}₂SmCl]₂ complex (1) in 82% yield. Analogous reactions with YCl₃ and GdCl₃ produced the ate-complexes { (Me₃Si)₂NC(NPrⁱ)₂}₂Ln(µ-Cl)₂Li(THF)₂ (Ln = Y (2) and Gd (3)). The structures of complexes 1 and 2 were established by X-ray diffraction. The reaction of complex 1 with NaBH₄ in hexane (20 °C) followed by treatment with dimethoxyethane yielded the unexpected product, { (Me₃Si)₂NC(NPrⁱ)₂}Sm(µ³-BH₄)₂(DME) (5). X-ray diffraction study showed that both borohydride ligands in complex 5 are tridentate.     

Rare-earth metal allyl and hydrido complexes supported by an (NNNN)-type macrocyclic ligand: synthesis, structure, and reactivity toward biomass-derived furanics

The preparation and characterization of a series of neutral rare‐earth metal complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) supported by the 1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane anion (Me₃TACD^?) are reported. Upon treatment of the neutral allyl complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] with Brønsted acids, monocationic allyl complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂][B(C₆X₅)₄] (Ln=La, Ce, Nd, X=H, F) were isolated and characterized. Hydrogenolysis gave the hydride complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)H₂]_n (Ln=Y, n=3; La, n=4; Sm). X‐ray crystallography showed the lanthanum hydride to be tetranuclear. Reactivity studies of [Ln(Me₃TACD)R₂]_n (R=η³‐C₃H₅, n=0; R=H, n=3,4) towards furan derivatives includes hydrosilylation and deoxygenation under ring‐opening conditions.     

Homoleptic lanthanide guanidinate complexes: The effective initiators for the polymerization of trimethylene carbonate and its copolymerization with ε‐caprolactone

The ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) using homoleptic lanthanide guanidinate complexes [RNC(NR′₂)NR]₃Ln as single component initiators has been fully investigated for the first time. The substituents on guanidinate ligands and center metals show great effect on the catalytic activities of these complexes, that is, ? N(CH₂)₅ > ? NⁱPr₂ > ? NPh₂ (for R′), ? Cy > ? ⁱPr (for R), and Yb > Sm > Nd. Among them, [Ph₂NC(NCy)₂]₃Yb shows the highest catalytic activity. Some features and kinetic behaviors of the TMC polymerization initiated by [Ph₂NC(NCy)₂]₃Yb were studied in detail. The polymerization rate is first order, with the monomer concentration and M_n of the polymer increasing with the polymer yield increasing linearly. The results indicated the present system having “living character.” A mechanism that the polymerization occurs via acyl‐oxygen bond cleavage rather than alkyl‐oxygen bond cleavage was proposed. The copolymerization of TMC with ?‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) initiated by [Ph₂NC(NCy)₂]₃Yb was also tested. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1778–1786, 2005     

Binding H2, N2, H-, and BH3 to transition-metal sulfur sites: synthesis and properties of [RuL(PR3)(N2Me2S2)] Complexes (L=eta2-H2, H-, BH3; R=Cy, iPr)

The reactions of [Ru(N₂)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [‘N₂Me₂S₂’=1,2‐ethanediamine‐N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐bis(2‐benzenethiolate)(2?)] [ 1 a (R=iPr), 1 b (R=Cy)] and [μ‐N₂{Ru(N₂)(PiPr₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)}₂] ( 1 c ) with H₂, NaBH₄, and NBu₄BH₄, intended to reduce the N₂ ligands, led to substitution of N₂ and formation of the new complexes [Ru(H₂)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [ 2 a (R=iPr), 2 b (R=Cy)], [Ru(BH₃)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [ 3 a (R=iPr), 3 b (R=Cy)], and [Ru(H)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)]^? [ 4 a (R=iPr), 4 b (R=Cy)]. The BH₃ and hydride complexes 3 a , 3 b , 4 a , and 4 b were obtained subsequently by rational synthesis from 1 a or 1 b and BH₃?THF or LiBEt₃H. The primary step in all reactions probably is the dissociation of N₂ from the N₂ complexes to give coordinatively unsaturated [Ru(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] fragments that add H₂, BH₄^?, BH₃, or H^?. All complexes were completely characterized by elemental analysis and common spectroscopic methods. The molecular structures of [Ru(H₂)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [ 2 a (R=iPr), 2 b (R=Cy)], [Ru(BH₃)(PiPr₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] ( 3 a ), [Li(THF)₂][Ru(H)(PiPr₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] ([Li(THF)₂]‐ 4 a ), and NBu₄[Ru(H)(PCy₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] (NBu₄‐ 4 b ) were determined by X‐ray crystal structure analysis. Measurements of the NMR relaxation time T₁ corroborated the η² bonding mode of the H₂ ligands in 2 a (T₁=35 ms) and 2 b (T₁=21 ms). The H,D coupling constants of the analogous HD complexes HD‐ 2 a (¹J(H,D)=26.0 Hz) and HD‐ 2 b (¹J(H,D)=25.9 Hz) enabled calculation of the H? D distances, which agreed with the values found by X‐ray crystal structure analysis ( 2 a : 92 pm (X‐ray) versus 98 pm (calculated), 2 b : 99 versus 98 pm). The BH₃ entities in 3 a and 3 b bind to one thiolate donor of the [Ru(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] fragment and through a B‐H‐Ru bond to the Ru center. The hydride complex anions 4 a and 4 b are extremely Brønsted basic and are instantanously protonated to give the η²‐H₂ complexes 2 a and 2 b .