Organometallic complexes for nonlinear optics. 41: Syntheses and quadratic NLO properties of 4-{4-(4-nitrophenyl)diazophenyl}ethynylphenylethynyl complexes

The syntheses of [Au(CC-4-C₆H₄CC-4-C₆H₄NN-4-C₆H₄NO₂)(PPh₃)] (3), trans-[Ru(CC-4-C₆H₄-CC-4-C₆H₄NN-4-C₆H₄NO₂)Cl(dppm)₂] (4), [Ru(CC-4-C₆H₄CC-4-C₆H₄NN-4-C₆H₄NO₂)(dppe)(η-C₅Me₅)] (5), and [Ni(CC-4-C₆H₄NN-4-C₆H₄NO₂)(PPh₃)(η-C₅H₅)] (6) are reported, together with a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of 4. Quadratic nonlinearities for 3–6 and [Ru(CC-4-C₆H₄NO₂)(dppe)(η-C₅Me₅)] (7) have been determined at 1.064 μm and 1.300 μm by the hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) technique, comparison to related complexes revealing that β values increase on introduction of azo group and π-system lengthening.     

Novel heterotetrametallic compounds derived from 1-(ferrocenylethynyl)(η6-arene)tricarbonylchromium

The synthesis and characterization of two new heterotetrametallic complexes are described. Reaction of [Cr(CO)₃(η⁶-C₆H₅)CC-{(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}](1) with Co₂(CO)₈ or Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄ afford the heterotetrametallic complexes [Cr(CO)₃(η⁶-C₆H₅){Co₂(CO)₆-μ²-η²-CC–}(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}](2), and [Cr(CO)₃(η⁶-C₆H₅){Mo₂Cp₂(CO)₄-μ²-η²-CC–}(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)](3) in 80% and 41% yield, respectively. All complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C) NMR, and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for 1 and 3. Structural data reveal that the coordination of dimolybdenum moiety to the alkyne unit influence the orientation of the carbonyl groups coordinated to the chromium as well as the Cp rings bound to the iron metal centre.     

Synthesis of niobocene imido cations: X-ray crystal structure of [Nb(NBu)(η-C5H4SiMe3)2(CNBu)][BPh4]

The reduction of [Nb(NBu^t)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Cl] by sodium amalgam followed by oxidation by [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂][BPh₄] in the presence of CNBu^t gave [Nb(NBu^t)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(CNBu^t)][BPh₄] (1). In a similar manner, [Nb(NPh)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(CNBu^t)][BPh₄] (2), [Nb(NPh)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(CO)][BPh₄] (3) and [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(CNBu^t)][BPh₄] (4), were prepared. The reduction of [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}Cl] gave, depending on the experimental conditions, either the d¹-d¹ dimer [(Nb{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}(μ-NBu^t))₂] (5) or the hydride derivative [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}H] (6). The reaction of 5 with I₂ led to the formation of [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}I] (7). The molecular structure of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Reaction of the RuTp(PR3)Cl fragment with alkynols: Formation of carbene,vinylidene, allenylidene,and carbyne complexes

The reaction of RuTp(COD)Cl (1) with PR₃ (PR₃ = PPh₂ⁱPr, PⁱPr₃, PPh₃) and propargylic alcohols HCCCPh₂OH, HCCCFc₂OH (Fc = ferrocenyl), and HCCC(Ph)MeOH has been studied.In the case of PR₃ = PPh₂ⁱPr, PⁱPr₃ and HCCCPh₂OH, the 3-hydroxyvinylidene complexes RuTp(PPh₂ⁱPr)(CCHC(Ph)₂OH)Cl (2a) and RuTp(PⁱPr₃)(CCHC(Ph₂)OH)Cl (2b) were isolated.With PR₃ = PPh₂ⁱPr and HCCCFc₂OH as well as with PR₃ = PPh₃ and HCCCPh₂OH dehydration takes place affording the allenylidene complexes RuTp(PPh₂ⁱPr)(CCCFc₂)Cl (3b) and RuTp(PPh₃)(CCCPh₂)Cl (3c).Similarly, with PPh₂ⁱPr and HCCC(Ph)MeOH rapid elimination of water results in the formation of the vinylvinylidene complex RuTp(PPh₂ⁱPr)(CCHC(Ph)CH₂)Cl (4).In contrast to the reactions of the RuTp(PR₃)Cl fragment with propargylic alcohols, with HCC(CH₂)_nOH (n = 2, 3, 4, 5) six-, and seven-membered cyclic oxycarbene complexes RuTp(PR₃)(C₄H₆O)Cl (5), RuTp(PR₃)(C₅H₈O)Cl (6), and RuTp(PR₃)(C₆H₁₀O)Cl (7) are obtained. On the other hand, with 1-ethynylcyclohexanol the vinylvinylidene complex RuTp(PPh₂ⁱPr)(CCHC₆H₉)Cl (8) is formed. The reaction of the allenylidene complexes 3a–c with acid has been investigated. Addition of CF₃COOH to a solution of 3a–c resulted in the reversible formation of the novel RuTp vinylcarbyne complexes [RuTp(PPh₂ⁱPr)(C–CHCPh₂)Cl]⁺ (9a), [RuTp(PPh₂ⁱPr)(C–CHCFc₂)Cl]⁺ (9b), and [RuTp(PPh₃)(C–CHCPh₂)Cl]⁺ (9c). The structures of 3a, 3b, and 5b have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Hemilability and nonrigidity in metal complexes of bidentate P,PS donor ligands

Hemilability and nonrigidity in a series of mixed P,PS donor ligands has been studied in the complexes [Pd(P,PS)Cl₂], [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)(P,PS)][SbF₆], and [Rh(cod)(P,PS)][SbF₆] (P,PS = Ph₂P-Q-P(S)Ph₂). The effect of bite angle, the rigidity of the ligand backbone, and the role of the ancillary ligands are discussed.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of diaryldiazomethanes across N-ethoxy-carbonyl-N-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)amine and reactivity of the resulting 2-azabutadienes towards thiolates and cyclic amides

1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of diaryldiazomethanes Ar₂CN₂ across Cl₃C–CHN–CO₂Et 1 yields Δ³-1,2,4-triazolines 2. Thermolysis of 2 leads, via transient azomethine ylides 3, to diaryldichloroazabutadienes [Ar(Ar')CN–CHCCl₂] 4. Treatment of 4a (Ar = Ar' = C₆H₅) and 4c (Ar = Ar' = p-ClC₆H₄) with NaSR in DMF yields 2-azabutadienes [Ar₂CN–C(H)C(SR)₂] 5. In contrast, nucleophilic attack of NaStBu on 4 affords azadienic dithioethers [Ar₂CN–C(S^tBu)C(H)(S^tBu)] (7a Ar = C₆H₅; 7b Ar' = p-ClC₆H₄). The reaction of 4a with NaSEt conducted in neat EtSH produces [Ph₂CN–C(H)(SEt)–CCl₂H] 8, which after dehydrochloration by NaOMe and subsequent addition of NaSEt is converted to [Ph₂CN–C(SEt)C(H)(SEt)] 7c. Upon the reaction of 4c with NaSⁱPr, the intermediate dithioether [(p-ClC₆H₄)₂CN–CHC(SⁱPr)₂] 5k is converted to tetrakisthioether [(p-ⁱPrSC₆H₄)₂CN–CHC(SⁱPr)₂] 6. Treatment of 4a with the sodium salt of piperidine leads to [Ph₂CN–CHC(NC₅H₁₀)₂] 10. The coordination of 6 on CuBr affords the macrocyclic dinuclear Cu(I) complex 11. The crystal structures of 5i, 7a,b, 10 and 11 have been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) as a moderately coordinating anion: Studies from chemistry of the cationic coordinatively unsaturated mono- and diruthenium amidinates

Triflate complexes of mono- and diruthenium amidinates, (η⁶-C₆R₆)Ru(κ¹-OTf){η²-R′NC(R′′)NR′} (1: R = Me; 2: R = H) and (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(μ-η²-ⁱPrNC(Me)NⁱPr)Ru(κ¹-OTf)(η⁵-C₅R₅) (3: R = Me; 4: R = H), are synthesized, and coordination behavior of the triflate anion to the coordinatively unsaturated ruthenium species is investigated by crystallography and variable temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy (¹⁹F, ¹H). The monoruthenium amidinate complexes have three-legged piano-stool structures in single crystals, which include a κ¹-OTf ligand with the Ru–O bond of 2.15–2.20 Å. In contrast, reversible dissociation of OTf is observed in variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy in liquid states; the activation energy for the dissociation and recombination of the OTf ligand is varied with the substituents on the arene and amidinate ligand in the corresponding ruthenium cation and the solvent used. A typical example of moderately coordinating ability of the OTf ligand is seen in ¹⁹F NMR spectra of (η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(κ¹-OTf){η²-ⁱPrNC(Me)NⁱPr} (1a) and (η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(κ¹-OTf){η²-ⁱPrNC(Me)NⁱPr} (2a) in CD₂Cl₂ at the temperature range from −90 to 20 °C, in which the OTf anion is dissociated in 1a, whereas 2a has a relatively robust Ru–OTf bond. Combination of crystallography and VT NMR contributes to understanding the difference in coordination behavior of the OTf ligand between two diruthenium amidinates, (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(μ-η²-ⁱPrNC(Me)NⁱPr)Ru(κ¹-OTf)(η⁵-C₅Me₅) (3) and (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ru(μ-η²-ⁱPrNC(Me)NⁱPr)Ru(κ¹-OTf)(η⁵-C₅H₅) (4); the results suggest that the electron-donating and sterically demanding η⁵-C₅Me₅ helps for dissociation of the triflate ligand. Moderate coordinating ability of the triflate anion sometimes provides characteristic reactions of mono- and diruthenium amidinates which differ from the corresponding neutral halogeno-compounds or cationic coordinatively unsaturated homologues bearing fluorinated tetraarylborates; a typical example is given by inhibition of coordination of ethylene to the [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru{η²-^tBuNC(Ph)N^tBu}]⁺ species by the OTf ligand.     

Reaction of isocyanides with iminophosphorane-based carbene ligands: Synthesis of unprecedented ketenimine–ruthenium complexes

The RuC bond of the bis(iminophosphorano)methandiide-based ruthenium(II) carbene complexes [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ²-C,N-C[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)] (R = Et (1), Ph (2)) undergoes a C–C coupling process with isocyanides to afford ketenimine derivatives [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,C,N-C(CNR′)[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)] (R = Et, R′ = Bz (3a), 2,6-C₆H₃Me₂ (3b), Cy (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Bz (4a), 2,6-C₆H₃Me₂ (4b), Cy (4c)). Compounds 3–4a–c represent the first examples of ketenimine–ruthenium complexes reported to date. Protonation of 3–4a with HBF₄ · Et₂O takes place selectively at the ketenimine nitrogen atom yielding the cationic derivatives [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(κ³-C,C,N-C(CNHBz)[P{NP(O)(OR)₂}Ph₂]₂)][BF₄] (R = Et (5a), Ph (6a)).     

Reactivity of the tethered alkyl uranium bonds of (η5:κ1-C5Me4SiMe2CH2)2U

Uranium-carbon bond reactivity has been investigated with the bis(tethered silylalkyl) uranium metallocene (η⁵:κ¹-C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂)₂U, 1. Tert-butyl nitrile, ^tBuCN, inserts into both of the tethered U-C bonds to produce the bis(tethered ketimide) complex [η⁵:κ¹-C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂C(^tBu)N]₂U, 2, which has unusually bent U-N-C bond angles. Carbon dioxide also inserts into both U-C bonds of 1 yielding the bis(tethered carboxylate) (C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂CO₂)₂U, 3. Neither PhCCPh nor PhCCH insert into the U-C bonds, but PhCCH cleaves the silylalkyl tethers in 1 to generate (C₅Me₄SiMe₃)^1? ligands in the complex (C₅Me₄SiMe₃)₂U(CCPh)₂, 4.     

The molecular structure and dynamic NMR spectrum of bis[(η5-cyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylmolybdenum]-μ-ethyne(MoMo)

The title compound, (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Mo₂(CO)₄(μ-HCCH) has a molecular structure practically identical to that of its previously described analog containing μ-EtCCEt. Its¹³C NMR at ?144°C has a broad doublet in the terminal CO region; this sharpens at ?118°C then again broadens (-100°C) and finally coalesces below ?58°C to a single resonance. The appearance of a semi-bridging CO (SBCO) ligand in the title compound and its EtCCEt analog, but not in a related compound with μ-H₂CCCH₂ is attributed to internal crowding and it is suggested that these compounds may provide the most unambiguous examples of such an effect.     

Visible-light photolysis of [FeCp(η6-toluene)][PF6] as a clean,convenient and general route to iron-vinylidene and iron-acetylide complexes

Visible-light photolysis of the cheap starting material [FeCp(η⁶-toluene)][PF₆] (Cpη⁵-C₅H₅) using a simple 100-W globe in the presence of diphenyldiphosphinoethane (dppe) and terminal alkynes cleanly yields the vinylidene complexes [FeCp(dppe)(CCHR)][PF₆] and, upon further deprotonation, the iron-alkynyl complexes; the reaction is extended to ferrocenylacetylene to yield a bimetallic complex.     

A convenient route to six-membered heterocyclic carbene complexes: Reactions of aminoallenylidene complexes with 1,3-bidentate nucleophiles

Pentacarbonyl dimethylamino(methoxy)allenylidene complexes of chromium and tungsten, [(CO)₅MCCC(NMe₂)OMe] (M = Cr (1a), W (1b)), react with 1,3-bidentate nucleophiles such as amidines and guanidine, H₂N–C(NH)R (R = Ph, C₆H₄NH₂-4, C₆H₄NO₂-3, NH₂), by displacing the methoxy substituent to give exclusively dimethylamino(imino)-allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCCC{NC(NH₂)R}NMe₂] (2a–5a, 2b). Treatment of the chromium complexes 2a–5a with catalytic amounts of hydrochloric acid or HBF₄ gives rise to an intramolecular cyclization. Addition of the terminal NH₂ substituent to the C_α–C_β bond of the allenylidene chain affords pyrimidinylidene complexes 6–9 in high yield. In contrast to the chromium complexes 2a–5a, the corresponding tungsten complex 2b could not be induced to cyclize due to the lower electrophilicity of the α-carbon atom in 2b. The dimethylamino(phenyl)allenylidene complex [(CO)₅CrCCC(NMe₂)Ph] (10) reacts with benzamidine or guanidine similarly to 1a. However, the second reaction step – cyclization to give pyrimidinylidene complexes – proceeds much faster. Therefore, the formation of an imino(phenyl)allenylidene complex as an intermediate is established only by IR spectroscopy. The analogous reaction of 10 with 3-amino-5-methylpyrazole affords, via a formal [3+3]-cycloaddition, a pyrazolo[1,5a]pyrimidinylidene complex 13. Compound 13 is obtained as two isomers differing in the relative position of the N-bound proton (1H or 4H). The related reaction of 10 with thioacetamide yields a thiazinylidene complex and additionally an alkenyl(amino)carbene complex.     

Syntheses,structures and comparative electrochemical study of π-acetylene complexes of cobalt

The preparation and characterization of the complexes [Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)]₂(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂(CC)₂C₂H) (2), [Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)]₂(μ-η²-HC₂(CC)₂C₂H) (3), Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dmpm)(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂CCSiMe₃) (4), Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dmpm)(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂CCH) (5), [Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dmpm)]₂(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂(CC)₂C₂SiMe₃) (6) and [Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dmpm)]₂(μ-η²-HC₂(CC)₂C₂H) (7) are described. A comparative electrochemical study of all these complexes and the related [Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)]₂(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂(CC)₂C₂SiMe₃) (1), Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂CCH) and Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)(μ-η²-HC₂CCH) is presented by means of the cyclic and square-wave voltammetry techniques. Crystals of 2 and 3 suitable for single-crystal X-ray diffraction were grown and the molecular structures of these compounds are discussed.     

Reactions of α-phenylethynyl-trans-β-styryl complexes with isonitriles: hemi-labile alkyne coordination

Treatment of the complex [Ru{C(CCPh)CHPh}Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (1) with one equivalent of CNR(R =^tBu, C₆H₃Me₂-2,6) gives [Ru{C(CCPh)CHPh}Cl(CNR)(CO)(PPh₃)₂]. Addition of a further equivalent of isonitrile and [NH₄]PF₆ leads to the salts [Ru{C(CCPh)CHPh}Cl(CNR)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ and the mixed species [Ru{C(CCPh) CHPh}(CO)(CN^tBu)(CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆. The related [Ru{C(CCPh)CHPh}(CN^t(CO)₂     

Stilbene analogues incorporating the Co(η-C4Ph4)(η-C5H4-) end group

A number of organometallic stilbenes of the general type [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHR] are reported where R is C₆H₄X-4 (X = H, OMe, Br, NO₂), 1-naphthyl, 9-anthryl, 1-pyrenyl, (η⁵-C₅H₄)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄), and (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄Y) {Y = CHO, CHC(CN)₂ and CHCHC₅H₄-η⁵)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)}. They were prepared by Wittig or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions which yield both E and Z or only E products respectively. The isomers were separated and all compounds characterised by standard spectroscopic techniques as well as by X-ray diffraction methods in many cases. The electrochemistry of the stilbene analogues in dichloromethane solution is also reported. In most, the (η⁵-C₅H₄)Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄) functional group undergoes a reversible one-electron oxidation. For those molecules that also include (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄Y), this is preceded by the reversible oxidation of the ferrocenyl group. Spectroscopic and structural data suggests that for most compounds there is little electronic interaction between Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄) and the R end groups which are effectively independent of one another. The only exceptions to this are Z and E-[Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHC₆H₄NO₂-4], and [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHC₅H₄-η⁵)Fe{η⁵-C₅H₄CHC(CN)₂}] where the electronic spectra are respectively consistent with a significant Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)/NO₂ donor/acceptor interaction and a less significant Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)/C(CN)₂ one. However, OTTLE studies show that in the electronic spectra of [Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄CHCHR]⁺ there are low energy absorption bands (950-1800 nm) which are attributed to R → Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)⁺ or, when R is a ferrocenyl-base group, Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄) → (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄Y)⁺ charge transfer transitions. The ferrocenyl compounds undergo cis/trans isomerisation on the OTTLE experiment timescale.     

A theoretical study on the alkene insertion step in Rh-Yanphos catalyzed hydroformylation

This paper studied the mechanism of the alkene insertion elementary step in the asymmetric hydroformylation （AHF） catalyzed by RhH（CO）2[（R,S）-Yanphos] using four alkene substrates （CH2=CH- Ph, CH2=CH-Ph-（p）-Me, CH2=CH-C（==O）OCH3 and CH2=CH-OC（=O）-Ph, abbreviated as A1-A4）. Interestingly, the equatorial vertical coordination mode （A mode） with respect to the Rh center was found for AI and A2 but not for A3 and A4, although the equatorial in-plane coordination mode （E mode） was found for A1 -A4. The relative energy of the E mode of the -q2-intermediates is lower than that of the A mode. In the alkene insertion step, Path 1 is more favorable than Path 2 for this system. As for AI and A2, there could be a transformation between 2eq and 2ax.     

Electron-transfer-catalyzed ligand substitution of carboxylato niobocene complex induced by electrochemical oxidation

Electrochemical reduction of niobocene dichloride (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂NbCl₂1 formulated as in the presence of 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid yields to the complex [Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(κ²-O,O-OOC(C₆H₃)(NH₂)₂)] 3. When CN(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) formulated as xylylisonitrile (CNXylyl) is added to a complex 3 solution, a substitution reaction takes place to lead to the complex [Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(κ¹-O-OOC(C₆H₃)(NH₂)₂)(CN(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)) 4 after 3 h. An alternative way to yield quantitatively and nearly instantaneously 4 consists in a previous oxidation of 3 in the presence of CNXylyl. Hence, we present here a new example of electron-transfer-catalyzed (ETC) ligand substitution of carboxylato niobocene complex induced by electrochemical oxidation. The structure of the complexes, the formation mechanism are described using electrochemical and spectroscopic data. Electrochemical simulation have been done to verify experimental results and to complete them with a kinetic study.     

Cumulative author index: Vol 251 (1983)—275 (1984)

By reaction of (η-C₅H₅)W(CO)₃SH with Os₃(CO)₁₁(NCCH₃) the (η⁵-C₅H₅)W(CO)₃S unit is introduced into the trinuclear osmium cluster through the sulfur atom. The primary reaction product (μ₂-H)Os₃(CO)₁₀[μ₂-SW(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₃] can be converted thermally into the pyramidal Os₃SW cluster (η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₁₁, whose structure was solved by a single crystal X-ray structure analysis. The molecule has a pyramidal Os₃SW skeleton with, in a first approximation a planar Os₃S basis. Only two of the three OsOs distances are in accordance with chemical bonds.     

Synthesis of new chloro methyl niobium and tantalum complexes with silyl-cyclopentadienyl ligands: X-ray crystal structure of [Ta{η-C5H3(SiMe3)2}Cl2Me2]

Trichloro methyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₃Me] (X = Cl, 2; Me, 3), dichloro dimethyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₂Me₂] (X = Cl, 4; Me, 5) and tetramethyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Me₄] (X = Me, 6; Cl, 7) niobium complexes were synthesized by treatment of starting tetrachloro derivatives [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (X = Cl, 1a; Me, 1b) with dimethyl zinc or chloro methyl magnesium in different proportions and conditions. A mixture of trichloro methyl and dichloro dimethyl tantalum complexes [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl_4−xMe_x] (x = 1, 8; 2, 9) in a 2:1 molar ratio was obtained in the reaction of [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (1c) with 0.5 equivalents of ZnMe₂ in toluene at low temperature. 8 could be isolated as single compound when 1 equivalent of 1c was added to the mixtures of 8 and 9, while the reaction of 1c with 1.5 equivalents of dimethyl zinc gave 9 as unitary product. However, [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₄] (1d) reacts with 0.5 equivalents of alkylating reagent giving the trichloro methyl compound [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₃Me] (10) in good yield. On the other hand, [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₄] (1d) reacts with 2 equivalents of MgClMe in hexane at room temperature giving a mixture of dichloro dimethyl and chloro trimethyl complexes[Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl_4−xMe_x] (x = 2, 11; 3, 12), while the use of 4 equivalents of MgClMe converts 1c into the tetramethyl derivative [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Me₄] (13). Finally, a tetramethyl tantalum complex [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Me₄] (14) was prepared by reaction of [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (X = Cl, 1c; Me, 1d) with 5 (X = Cl) or 4 (X = Me) equivalents of MgClMe in diethyl ether (X = Cl) or hexane (X = Me), respectively, as solvent. All the complexes were studied by IR and NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structure of the complex 11 was determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

McMurry reactions of (η-acetylcyclopentadienyl) cobalt-(η-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene) with benzophenone: ketone couplings and a pinacol/pinacolone rearrangement

The reaction of (η⁴-C₄Ph₄) Co[η⁵-C₅H₄-C(O)Me], 5, with benzophenone under McMurry conditions (TiCl₄/Zn/THF) gives the hetero-coupled product (η⁴-C₄Ph₄)Co[η⁵-C₅H₄-C(Me)CPh₂], 7, together with the dicobalt species: trans-(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)Co[(η⁵-C₅H₄-C(Me)C(Me)-η⁵-C₅H₄₋)] Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄), 9, and the pinacolone Me[(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)Co(η⁵-C₅H₄)]₂C-C(O)Me, 10. The latter is apparently formed from the pinacol by migration of an (η⁴-C₄Ph₄)Co[(η⁵-C₅H₄) group. Preferential migration of the cobalt sandwich moiety rather than a methyl group is rationalized in terms of a favored transition state involving a metal-stabilized cation. The products 7, 9 and 10, and also the ketone (η⁴-C₄Ph₄)Co[η⁵- C₅H₄-C(O)Et], 6, were all characterized by X-ray crystallography.