Double N-H bond activation of N,N'-bis-substituted hydrazines with stable N-heterocyclic silylene

The reaction of N-heterocyclic silylene (NHSi) L [L = CH{(C[double bond, length as m-dash]CH(2))(CMe)(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N)(2)}Si] with benzoylhydrazine, 1,2-dicarbethoxyhydrazine, 1,2-diacetylhydrazine and 1,2-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)hydrazine in 1 : 1 molar ratio resulted in compounds 1-4 with an almost quantitative yield and five coordinate silicon atoms. Compounds 1-4 were formed by double N-H bond activation by deliberate selection of N,N'-bis-substituted hydrazine compounds bearing the -C(O)NHNH- unit. Compounds 1-4 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, EI-MS and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of compounds 1-3 were unambiguously established by single crystal X-ray structural analysis.     

Reactions of a stable silylene with halocarbons

An unusual product formation is observed for the insertion reaction of the thermally stable silylene Si[(NCH(2)Bu(t))(2)C(6)H(4)-1,2][abbrev. as Si(NN)] into the carbon-halogen bond of alkyl or aryl halides RHal (Hal=Cl, Br). In general, depending on the halogen, the reaction either results in a disilane of type (NN)Si(Hal)-(R)Si(NN) for Hal=Cl or a mixture of disilane and the monosilane (NN)Si(R)(Hal) for Hal=Br. The results are put into context to previously suggested mechanisms. The disilane (NN)Si(Hal)-(R)Si(NN)(Hal=Cl or Br) is thermally labile and mild thermolysis yields the corresponding monosilane (NN)Si(R)(Hal) and silylene 1. Additionally, strong evidence is presented for a radical pathway for the reaction of 1 and RHal.     

Reaction of the stable silylene Si[(NCH2But)2C6H4-1,2] with lithium amides

The thermally stable silylene Si[(NCH2But)2C6H4-1,2] 1 undergoes oxidative addition reactions with the lithium amides LiNRR'(R = SiMe3, R' = But; R = SiMe3, R' = C6H3Me2-2,6; R = R' = Me or R = R' = Pri) to afford the new lithium amides Li(THF)2[N(R)Si(SiMe3){(NCH2But)2C6H4-1,2}][R = But2 or R = C6H3Me2-2,6 (3a)] or the new tris(amino)functionalised silyllithiums Li(THF)x[Si{(NCH2But)2C6H4-1,2}NRR'][R = SiMe3, R' = C6H3Me2-2,6, x = 2 (3); R = R'= Me, x = 3 (4) or R = R' = Pri, x = 3 (5)]. Compounds 4 and 5 are stable at ambient temperature but compound 3 is thermally labile and converts into 3a upon heating. The pathway for the formation of 2 and 3 is discussed and the X-ray structures of 2-5 are presented.     

Synthons for coordinatively unsaturated complexes of tungsten, and their use for the synthesis of high oxidation-state silylene complexes

Reduction of Cp*WCl4 afforded the metalated complex (eta6-C5Me4CH2)(dmpe)W(H)Cl (1) (Cp* = C5Me5, dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane). Reactions with CO and H(2) suggested that 1 is in equilibrium with the 16-electron species [Cp(dmpe)WCl], and 1 was also shown to react with silanes R2SiH2 (R2 = Ph2 and PhMe) to give the tungsten(IV) silyl complexes Cp*(dmpe)(H)(Cl)W(SiHR2) (6a, R2 = Ph2; 6b, R2 = PhMe). Abstraction of the chloride ligand in 1 with LiB(C6F5)4 gave a reactive species that features a doubly metalated Cp ligand, [(eta7-C5Me3(CH2)2)(dmpe)W(H)2][B(C6F5)4] (4). In its reaction with dinitrogen, 4 behaves as a synthon for the 14-electron fragment [Cp*(dmpe)W]+, to give the dinuclear dinitrogen complex ([Cp*(dmpe)W]2(micro-N2)) [B(C6F5)4]2 (5). Hydrosilanes R2SiH2 (R2 = Ph2, PhMe, Me2, Dipp(H); Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) were shown to react with 4 in double Si-H bond activation reactions to give the silylene complexes [Cp*(dmpe)H2W = SiR2][B(C6F5)4] (8a-d). Compounds 8a,b (R2 = Ph2 and PhMe, respectively) were also synthesized by abstraction of the chloride ligands from silyl complexes 6a,b. Dimethylsilylene complex 8c was found to react with chloroalkanes RCl (R = Me, Et) to liberate trialkylchlorosilanes RMe2SiCl. This reaction is discussed in the context of its relevance to the mechanism of the direct synthesis for the industrial production of alkylchlorosilanes.     

Crystalline Na-Si(NN) derivatives [Si(NN)= Si((NCH2tBu)2C6H4-1,2)]: the silylenoid [Si(NN)OMe]-, the dianion [(NN)Si-Si(NN)]2-, and the radical anion c-[Si(NN)]3-

Reactions of the silylene Si[(NCH2Bu(t))2C6H4-1,2], [Si(NN)], with NaOMe, excess Na or 1/3 Na yield the X-ray-characterised crystalline compounds [Na(micro-Si(NN)OMe)(THF)(OEt2)]2 (2b), [Na(THF)2Si(NN)]2 (3) and [Na(THF)4][(Si(NN))3-c] (4).     

Synthesis and structure of ruthenium-silylene complexes: activation of Si-Cl bonds in N-heterocyclic silanes

Ru(0) complexes of bis(imino)pyridine ligands, [eta2-N3]Ru(eta6-Ar) and {[N3]Ru}2(mu-N2), where Ar = C6H6 or C6H5Me and [N3] = 2,6-(MesN=CMe)2C5H3N, react with N-heterocyclic silicon(IV) compounds to yield Ru(II) silylene complexes of the type [N3]Ru(X)(Cl){Si(NN)} (X = H, Cl, and Si(NN) = N,N'-bis(neopentyl)-1,2-phenylenedi(amino)silylene). The activation of two groups on the silane occurs in a stepwise fashion: initial oxidative addition of a Si-X bond, followed by 1,2-migration (alpha-elimination) of the Si-Cl group to the metal. Reversible dissociation from the Ru(II) center leads to free silylene, which can be preferentially trapped with Ru(0) complexes to generate a zero-valent silylene complex, [N3]Ru(N2){Si(NN)}, which also contains a terminal dinitrogen ligand.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Alkenyldecaborane and Alkenyl Monocarbon Carboranes

Decaborane(14) reacts with 1-(CH(3))(3)SiC&tbd1;CC(4)H(9) in the presence of dimethyl sulfide to give the new alkenyldecaborane 5-(S(CH(3))(2))-6-[(CH(3))(3)Si(C(4)H(9))C=CH]B(10)H(11) (I). Crystal data for 5-(S(CH(3))(2))-6-[(CH(3))(3)Si(C(4)H(9))C=CH]B(10)H(11): space group P2(1)/n, monoclinic, a = 9.471(1) ?, b = 13.947(3) ?, c = 17.678(3) ?, beta = 100.32(1) degrees. A total of 3366 unique reflections were collected over the range 2.0 degrees /= 3sigma(F(o)(2)) and were used in the final refinement. R(F)() = 0.083; R(w)(F)() = 0.094. The single-crystal X-ray structure of 5-(S(CH(3))(2))-6-[((CH(3))(3)Si)(2)C=CH]B(10)H(11) (A) is also reported. Crystal data for 5-(S(CH(3))(2))-6-[((CH(3))(3)Si)(2)C=CH]B(10)H(11): space group, P2(1)2(1)2(1), orthorhombic, a = 9.059 (3) ?, b = 12.193(4) ?, c = 21.431(3) ?. A total of 4836 unique reflections were collected over the range 6 degrees /= 3sigma(F(o)(2)) and were used in the final refinement. R(F)() = 0.052; R(w)(F)() = 0.059. The reactions of 5-(S(CH(3))(2))6-[(CH(3))(3)Si(C(4)H(9))C=CH]B(10)H(11) and 5-(S(CH(3))(2))6-[((CH(3))(3)Si)(2)C=CH]B(10)H(11) with a variety of alkyl isocyanides were investigated. All of the alkenyl monocarbon carboranes reported are the result of incorporation of the carbon atom from the isocyanide into the alkenyldecaborane framework and reduction of N&tbd1;C bond to a N-C single bond. The characterization of these compounds is based on (1)H and (11)B NMR data, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry.     

Reaction of the silylene Si[(NCH2But)2C6H4-1,2] with the alkali metal silylamides M[N(SiMe3)R](M = Li, Na or K; R = SiMe3 or SiMe2Ph)

The thermally stable silylene Si[(NCH(2)Bu(t))(2)C(6)H(4)-1,2] 1 undergoes oxidative addition reactions with the alkali metal silylamides MN(SiMe(3))(2)(M = Li, Na or K) to afford the new alkali metal amides MN(SiMe(3))[(1)SiMe(3)][M = Li (2), Na (3) or K (4)]. Reaction of two equivalents of 1 with LiN(R)(SiMe(3)) leads in a two-step process to the compound LiN[(1)R][(1)SiMe(3)][R = SiMe(2)Ph (5) or SiMe(3) (6)]. Alternatively, 1 reacts with 3 to afford NaN[(1)SiMe(3)](2) (7). The structures of 2-5 and are presented and the formation of 2-7 is discussed.     

Alkali metal complexes of sterically demanding amino-functionalized secondary phosphanide ligands

The reaction between {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}PCl(2) (4) and one equivalent of either [C(6)H(4)-2-NMe(2)]Li or [2-C(5)H(4)N]ZnCl, followed by in situ reduction with LiAlH(4) gives the secondary phosphanes {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(C(6)H(4)-2-NMe(2))PH (5) and {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(2-C(5)H(4)N)PH (6) in good yields as colourless oils. Metalation of 5 with Bu(n)Li in THF gives the lithium phosphanide [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(C(6)H(4)-2-NMe(2))P]Li(THF)(2)] (7), which undergoes metathesis with either NaOBu(t) or KOBu(t) to give the heavier alkali metal derivatives [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(C(6)H(4)-2-NMe(2))P]Na(tmeda)] (8) and [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(C(6)H(4)-2-NMe(2))P]K(pmdeta)] (9) after recrystallization in the presence of the corresponding amine co-ligand [tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, pmdeta = N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine]. The pyridyl-functionalized phosphane 6 undergoes deprotonation on treatment with Bu(n)Li to give a red oil corresponding to the lithium compound [{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(2-C(5)H(4)N)P]Li (10) which could not be crystallized. Treatment of this oil with NaOBu(t) gives the sodium derivative [{[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(2-C(5)H(4)N)P]Na}(2) x (Et(2)O)](2) (11), whilst treatment of with KOBu(t), followed by recrystallization in the presence of pmdeta gives the complex [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(2-C(5)H(4)N)P]K(pmdeta)](2) (12). Compounds 5-12 have been characterised by (1)H, (13)C{(1)H} and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses; compounds 7-9, and 12 have additionally been characterised by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 7-9 crystallize as discrete monomers, whereas 11 crystallizes as an unusual dimer of dimers and 12 crystallizes as a dimer with bridging pyridyl-phosphanide ligands.     

Does a sterically bulky group occupy the equatorial site in trigonal bipyramidal phosphorus?

[structure: see text] The sterically bulky tert-butyl group occupies an apical position in trigonal bipyramidal phosphorus in the compound [CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2]P(t-Bu)(1,2-O2C6Cl4) in contrast to the occupation of an equatorial position by the small methyl group in [CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2]P(Me)(1,2-O2C6Cl4); this observation contradicts the familiar "apicophilicity rules" for trigonal bipyramidal phosphorus. Low-temperature solution 31P NMR spectra of [CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2]P(R)(1,2-O2C6Cl4) (R = Me, Et, and n-Bu) show the presence of more than two isomers.     

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.     

Complexes of the heavier alkaline Earth metals Ca, Sr, and Ba with O-functionalized phosphanide ligands

Metathesis reactions between either SrI(2) or BaI(2) and 2 equiv of the potassium phosphanide [[(Me(3)Si)(2)CH]-(C(6)H(4)-2-OMe)P]K yield, after recrystallization, the complexes [[([Me(3)Si](2)CH)(C(6)H(4)-2-OMe)P](2)M(THF)(n)] [M = Sr, n = 2 (5); Ba, n = 3 (6)]. Similar metathesis reactions between MI(2) and 2 equiv of the more sterically demanding potassium phosphanide [[(Me(3)Si)(2)CH](C(6)H(3)-2-OMe-3-Me)P]K yield the chemically isostructural complexes [[([Me(3)Si](2)CH)(C(6)H(3)-2-OMe-3-Me)P](2)M(THF)(2)] [M = Ca (9), Sr (7), Ba (8)]. Compounds 5-9 have been characterized by multi-element NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Complex 9 is thermally unstable and decomposes at room temperature to give the tertiary phosphane [(Me(3)Si)(2)CH](C(6)H(3)-2-OMe-3-Me)P(Me) and an unidentified Ca-containing product. Compounds 5 and 6 also decompose at elevated temperatures to give the corresponding tertiary phosphane [(Me(3)Si)(2)CH](C(6)H(4)-2-OMe)P(Me) and intractable metal-containing products. The decomposition of 5, 6, and 9 suggests that these compounds undergo an intramolecular methyl migration from the O atom in one phosphanide ligand to the P atom of an adjacent phosphanide ligand to give species containing dianionic alkoxo-phosphanide ligands.     

Preparation and characterization of diarylphosphazene and diarylphosphinohydrazide complexes of titanium, tungsten and ruthenium and phosphorylketimido complexes of rhenium

Reaction of the proligand Ph2PN(SiMe3)2 (L1) with WCl6 gives the oligomeric phosphazene complex [WCl4(NPPh2)]n, 1 and subsequent reaction with PMe2Ph or NBu4Cl gives [WCl4(NPPh2)(PMe2Ph)] (2) or [WCl5(NPPh2)][NBu4] (3), respectively. DF calculations on [WCl5(NPPh2)][NBu4] show a W=N double bond (1.756 A) and a P-N bond distance of 1.701 A, which combined with the geometry about the P atom suggests, there is no P-N multiple bonding. Reaction of L1 with [ReOX3(PPh3)2] in MeCN (X = Cl or Br) gives [ReX2(NC(CH3)P(O)Ph2)(MeCN)(PPh3)](X = Cl, 4, X = Br, 5) which contains the new phosphorylketimido ligand. It is bound to the rhenium centre with a virtually linear Re-N-C arrangement (Re-N-C angle = 176.6 degrees, when X = Cl) and there is multiple bonding between Re and N (Re-N = 1.809(7) A when X = Cl). The proligand Ph2PNHNMe2(L2H) reacts with [(C5H5)TiCl3] to give [(C5H5)TiCl2(Me2NNPPh2)] (6). An X-ray crystal structure of the complex shows the ligand (L2) is bound by both nitrogen atoms. Reaction of the proligands Ph2PNHNR2[R2 = Me2 (L2H), -(CH2CH2)2NCH3 (L3H), (CH2CH2)2CH2 (L4H)] with [{RuCl(mu-Cl)(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)}2] gave [RuCl2(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)L] {L = L2H (7), L3H (8), L4H (9)}. The X-ray crystal structures of 7-9 confirmed that the phosphinohydrazine ligand is neutral and bound via the phosphorus only. Reaction of complexes 7-9 with AgBF4 resulted in chloride ion abstraction and the formation of the cationic species [RuCl(6-p-MeC6H4iPr)(L)]+ BF4- {(L = L2H (10), L3H (11), L4H (12)}. Finally, reaction of complex 6 with [{RuCl(mu-Cl)(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)}2] gave the binuclear species [(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)Cl2Ru(mu2,eta3-Ph2PNNMe2)TiCl2(C5H5)], 13.     

Acetylide-bridged organometallic oligomers via the photochemical metathesis of methyl-iron(II) complexes

The acetylido methyl iron(II) complexes, cis/trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(CH(3))] (1) and trans-[Fe(depe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(CH(3))] (2) (dmpe = 1,2-dimethylphoshinoethane; depe = 1,2-diethylphosphinoethane), were synthesized by transmetalation from the corresponding alkyl halide complexes. Acetylido methyl iron(II) complexes were also formed by transmetalation from the chloride complexes, trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(Cl)] or trans-[Fe(depe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(Cl)]. The structure of trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))(CH(3))] (1a) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The methyl acetylido iron complexes, [Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(CH(3))] (1), are thermally stable in the presence of acetylenes; however, under UV irradiation, methane is lost with the formation of a metal bisacetylide. Photochemical metathesis of cis- or trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(CH(3))(C[triple bond]CR)] (R = C(6)H(5) (1a), 4-C(6)H(4)OCH(3) (1b)) with terminal acetylenes was used to selectively synthesize unsymmetrically substituted iron(II) bisacetylide complexes of the type trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CR)(C[triple bond]CR')] [R = Ph, R' = Ph (6a), 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4) (6b), (t)()Bu (6c), Si(CH(3))(3) (6d), (CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]CH (6e); R = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4), R' = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4), (6g), (t)()Bu (6h), (CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]CH (6i), adamantyl (6j)]. The structure of the unsymmetrical iron(II) bisacetylide complex trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4)OCH(3))] (6b) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The photochemical metathesis of the bis-acetylene, 1,7-octadiyne, with trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(CH(3))(C[triple bond]CPh)] (1a), was utilized to synthesize the bridged binuclear species trans,trans-[(C(6)H(5)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(mu-C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))] (11). The trinuclear species trans,trans,trans-[(C(6)H(5)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(mu-C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(mu-C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]C)Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(5))] (12) was synthesized by the photochemical reaction of Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CPh)(C[triple bond]C(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond]CH) (6e) with Fe(dmpe)(2)(CH(3))(2). Extended irradiation of the bisacetylide complexes with phenylacetylene resulted in insertion of the terminal alkyne into one of the metal acetylide bonds to give acetylide butenyne complexes. The structure of the acetylide butenyne complex, trans-[Fe(dmpe)(2)(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4)OCH(3))(eta(1)-C(C(6)H(5))=CH(C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4)OCH(3)))] (9a) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Reduction of carbodiimides by samarium(II) bis(trimethylsilyl)amides-formation of oxalamidinates and amidinates through C-C coupling or C-H activation

The reaction of [Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2(THF)2] (THF=tetrahydrofuran) with carbodiimides RN=C=NR (R=Cy, C6H3-2,6-iPr2) led to the formation of dinuclear SmIII complexes via differing C-C coupling processes. For R=Cy, the product [{(Me3Si)2N}2Sm(micro-C2N4Cy4)Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2] (1) has an oxalamidinate [C2N4Cy4]2- ligand resulting from coupling at the central C atoms of two CyNCNCy moieties. In contrast, for R=C6H3-2,6-iPr2, H transfer and an unusual coupling of two iPr methine C atoms resulted in a linked formamidinate complex, [{(Me3Si)2N}2Sm{micro-(RNC(H)N(Ar-Ar)NC(H)NR)}Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2] (2) (Ar-Ar=C6H3-2-iPr-6-C(CH3)2C(CH3)2-6'-C6H3-2'-iPr). Analogous reactions of RN=C=NR (R=Cy, C6H3-2,6-iPr2) with the SmII "ate" complex [Sm{N(SiMe2)3Na] gave 1 for R=Cy, but a novel C-substituted amidinate complex, [(THF)Na{N(R)C(NR)CH2Si(Me2)N(SiMe3)}Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2] (3), for R=C6H3-2,6-iPr2, via gamma C-H activation of a N(SiMe3)2 ligand.     

Alkali metal complexes of sterically hindered mono- and di-carbanions containing Si-O bonds

The oxygen-bridged, silicon-substituted alkane {(Me3Si)2CH(SiMe2)}2O (1) may be prepared by the reaction of {(Me3Si)2CH}Li with ClSiMe2OSiMe2Cl in refluxing THF. Similarly, the alkane {(Me3Si)(Me2MeOSi)CH(SiMe2CH2)}2 (2) is readily accessible from the reaction between {(Me3Si)(Me2MeOSi)CH}Li and ClSiMe2CH2CH2SiMe2Cl under the same conditions. Compound 1 reacts with two equivalents of MeK to give the polymeric complex [[{(Me3Si)2C(SiMe2)}2O]K2(OEt2)]infinity [5(OEt2)] after recrystallisation. Treatment of 2 with two equivalents of either MeLi or MeK gives the corresponding complexes [{(Me3Si)(Me2MeOSi)C(SiMe2CH2)}2Li][Li(DME)3] [7(DME)3] and [{(Me3Si)(Me2MeOSi)C(SiMe2CH2)}2K2]n (8), respectively, after recrystallisation. Treatment of the alkane (Me3Si)2(Me2MeOSi)CH with one equivalent of MeK gives the polymeric complex [{(Me3Si)2(Me2MeOSi)C}K]infinity (3). These compounds have been identified by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses and compounds 5(OEt2), 7(DME)3 and 3 have been further characterised by X-ray crystallography. Compound 7(DME)3 crystallises as a solvent-separated ion pair, whereas 5(OEt2) and 3 adopt polymeric structures in the solid state.     

Peripheral SH-functionalisation of carbosilane dendrimers including the synthesis of the model compound dimethylbis(propanethiol)silane and their interaction with rhodium complexes

Treatment of the allyl-containing compounds Me2Si(CH2CHCH2)2 and MeSi(CH2CHCH2)3 with thioacetic acid in the presence of AIBN gave Me2Si[(CH2)3SC(O)CH3]2 and MeSi[(CH2)3SC(O)CH3]3, respectively, which were reduced with LiAlH4 to the dithiols Me2Si[(CH2)3SH]2(3) and MeSi[(CH2)3SH]3(4). This protocol was applied to the first and second generations of the doubly and triply-branched carbosilane allyl dendrimers, Si[(CH2)3SiMe(CH2CHCH2)2]4(G(1)allyl-8), Si[(CH2)3SiMe{(CH2)3SiMe(CH2CHCH2)2}2]4(G(2)allyl-16), Si[(CH2)3Si(CH2CHCH2)3]4(G(1)allyl-12), and Si[(CH2)3Si{(CH2)3Si(CH2CHCH2)3}3]4(G(2)allyl-36) to give the corresponding SH functionalised surface dendrimers Si[(CH2)3SiMe(CH2CH2CH2SH)2]4(G(1)SH-8), G(2)SH-16, G(1)SH-12, and G(2)SH-36. Reactions of 3 with [M(acac)(diolefin)](M = Rh, Ir; diolefin = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, 2,5-norbornadiene) gave the compounds of the type [M2(mu-Me2Si[(CH2)3S]2)(diolefin)2]n. These diolefin complexes are octanuclear (n= 4) in solution while the complex [Rh2(mu-Me2Si[(CH2)3S]2)(cod)2]n(5) is tetranuclear in the solid state. The structure of 5, solved by X-ray diffraction methods, consists of a 20-membered metallomacrocycle formed by two dimethylbis(propylthiolate)silane moieties bridging four fragments Rh(cod) in a mu2 fashion through the sulfur atoms. Treatment of [Rh(acac)(CO)2] with 3 gave [Rh2(mu-Me2Si[(CH2)3S]2)(CO)4]n, which is a mixture of tetra (n= 2) and octanuclear (n= 4) complexes in a 2 : 1 ratio in solution, while the related complex [Rh2(mu-Me2Si[(CH2)3S]2)(CO)2(PPh3)2]2 is tetranuclear. Reactions of [Rh(acac)(L-L)](L-L = cod, (CO)2, (CO)(PPh3)) with 4 and the dendrimers G(1)SH-8, G(2)SH-16, and G(1)SH-12, gave microcrystalline solids of formulae [Rh3(MeSi[(CH2)3S]3)(L-L)3]n, [Si[(CH2)3SiMe{(CH2)3SRh(cod)}2]4]n([G(1)Rh(cod)-8]n), [Si[(CH2)3Si{(CH2)3SRh(cod)}3]4]n([G(1)Rh(cod)-12]n), etc., which presumably are tridimensional coordination polymers.     

Cube-type nitrido complexes containing titanium and zinc/copper

Several azaheterometallocubane complexes containing [MTi3N4] cores have been prepared by the reaction of [{Ti(eta5-C5Me5)(mu-NH)}3(mu3-N)] (1) with zinc(II) and copper(I) derivatives. The treatment of 1 with zinc dichloride in toluene at room temperature produces the adduct [Cl2Zn{(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (2). Attempts to crystallize 2 in dichloromethane gave yellow crystals of the ammonia adduct [(H3N)Cl2Zn{(mu3-NH)Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu-NH)2(mu3-N)}] (3). The analogous reaction of 1 with alkyl, (trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl, or amido zinc complexes [ZnR2] leads to the cube-type derivatives [RZn{(mu3-N)(mu3-NH)2Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (R = CH2SiMe3 (5), CH2Ph (6), Me (7), C5H4SiMe3 (8), N(SiMe3)2 (9)) via RH elimination. The amido complex 9 decomposes in the presence of ambient light to generate the alkyl derivative [{Me3Si(H)N(Me)2SiCH2}Zn{(mu3-N)(mu3-NH)2Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (10). The chloride complex 2 reacts with lithium cyclopentadienyl or lithium indenyl reagents to give the cyclopentadienyl or indenyl zinc derivatives [RZn{(mu3-N)(mu3-NH)2Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (R = C5H5 (11), C9H7 (12)). Treatment of 1 with copper(I) halides in toluene at room temperature leads to the adducts [XCu{(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (X = Cl (13), I (14)). Complex 13 reacts with lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amido in toluene to give the precipitation of [{Cu(mu4-N)(mu3-NH)2Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}2] (15). Complex 15 is prepared in a higher yield through the reaction of 1 with [{CuN(SiMe3)2}4] in toluene at 150 degrees C. The addition of triphenylphosphane to 15 in toluene produces the single-cube compound [(Ph3P)Cu{(mu3-N)(mu3-NH)2Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (16). The X-ray crystal structures of 3, 8, 9, and 15 have been determined.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of Sm(II) and Yb(II) complexes containing sterically demanding, chelating secondary phosphide ligands

Metathesis between [(Me3Si)2CH)(C6H4-2-OMe)P]K and SmI2(THF)2 in THF yields [([Me3Si]2CH)(C6H4-2-OMe)P)2Sm(DME)(THF)] (1), after recrystallization. A similar reaction between [(Me3Si)2CH)(C6H3-2-OMe-3-Me)P]K and SmI2(THF)2 yields [([Me3Si]2CH)(C6H3-2-OMe-3-Me)P)2Sm(DME)].Et2O (2), while reaction between [(Me3Si)2CH)(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)P]K and either SmI2(THF)2 or YbI2 yields the five-coordinate complex [([Me3Si]2CH)(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)P)2Sm(THF)] (3) or the solvent-free complex [([Me3Si]2CH)(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)P)2Yb] (4), respectively. X-ray crystallography shows that complex 2 adopts a distorted cis octahedral geometry, while complex 1 adopts a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry (1, triclinic, P1, a = 11.0625(9) A, b = 15.924(6) A, c = 17.2104(14) A, alpha = 72.327(2) degrees, beta = 83.934(2) degrees, gamma = 79.556(2) degrees, Z = 2; 2, monoclinic, P2(1), a = 13.176(4) A, b = 13.080(4) A, c = 14.546(4) A, beta = 95.363(6) degrees, Z = 2). Complex 3 crystallizes as monomers with a square pyramidal geometry at Sm and exhibits short contacts between Sm and the ipso-carbon atoms of the ligands (3, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 14.9880(17) A, b = 13.0528(15) A, c = 24.330(3) A, beta = 104.507(2) degrees, Z = 4). Whereas preliminary X-ray crystallographic data for 4 indicate a monomeric structure in the solid state, variable-temperature 1H, 13C(1H), 31P(1H), and 171Yb NMR spectroscopies suggest that 4 undergoes an unusual dynamic process in solution, which is ascribed to a monomer-dimer equilibrium in which exchange of the bridging and terminal phosphide groups may be frozen out at low temperature.     

Chiral bridged aminotroponiminate complexes of the lanthanides

The enantiomerically pure bridged aminotroponimines, S,S- and R,R-H2{(iPrATI)2diph}, in which two amino-isopropyl-troponimine moieties are linked by 1,2-diamino-1,2-diphenylethane, were deprotonated with nBuLi to give the corresponding dilithium salts [{Li(THF)}2{(S,S)-(iPrATI)2diph)}] (1a) and [{Li(THF)}2{(R,R)-(iPrATI)2diph)}] (1b). The potassium salts [{K(THF)2}2{(S,S)-(iPrATI)2diph}] (2a) and [{K(THF)2}2{(R,R)-(iPrATI)2diph}] (2b) were obtained by a deprotonation reaction with KH. Transmetallation of 2a and 2b with anhydrous lanthanide trichlorides led to [(S,S)-{(iPrATI)2diph}LnCl(THF)] (Ln = Ho (3a), Er (4a)) and [(R,R)-{(iPrATI)2diph}LnCl(THF)] (Ln = Ho (3b), Er (4b), Yb (5b)), respectively. The corresponding Yb complex [(S,S)-{(iPrATI)2diph}YbCl(THF)] (5a) was obtained by treatment of 1a with YbCl3 at elevated temperature. Performing the same reaction at room temperature results in the metallate complex [(S,S)-{(iPrATI)2diph}YbCl2][Li(THF)4] (6). Reaction of NaC5H5 with afforded [(S,S)-{(iPrATI)2diph}Yb(eta5-C5H5)(THF)] (7). The structures of 1a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6, and 7 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction in the solid-state.