On the origin of dinitrogen hydrogenation promoted by [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2)

The origin of the hydrogenation of the dinitrogen ligand in [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) has been investigated by a combined computational and experimental study. Density functional theory calculations on the zirconocene dinitrogen complex demonstrate significant imido character in the zirconium nitrogen bonds, arising from effective pi-back-bonding from the low-valent zirconium and the side-on bound N2 ligand. The twisted ground-state structure of the N2 complex is a key requirement for nitrogen hydrogenation, as calculations on the model complex [(eta5-C5H5)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) reveal reduced overlap as the dihedral angle between the zirconocene wedges approaches 0 degrees . Experimentally, isotopic labeling studies on the microscopic reverse are consistent with a 1,2-addition mechanism for nitrogen hydrogenation.     

Theoretical study of the mechanism of hydrogenation of side-on coordinated dinitrogen activated by Zr binuclear complexes ([(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2))

The reaction mechanism of the reduction of dinitrogen coordinated side-on to a binuclear Zr complex, [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Zr](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)) (T1), was investigated theoretically using a model complex, [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2)Zr](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)) (A1), employing density functional theory calculations. The effectiveness of A1 in describing T1 was confirmed by comparing the structures, distributions of charge, and frontier molecular orbitals. Our calculations showed that A1 has a twisted structure, resembling that of T1, which results in similar properties. The calculations for A1 and its derivatives on H(2) addition clearly explain the reaction mechanism and the reaction path that T1 follows, as well as the experimentally required reaction conditions. The immediate reaction of the first and second H(2) additions produces [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(4)H)(2)ZrH](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)H(2)) (T2), and this is explained by the barrier heights of the reaction, which were calculated to be 20.4 and 10.9 kcal/mol, respectively. The latter barrier was below that of A1 + 2H(2). Complex T2 may be the initial complex for further H(2) addition under proper conditions, or it could lose one H(2) molecule followed by H migration from the Zr site to the N site. Both reactions are expected to occur, because of the closeness of the barrier heights (25.1 and 36.5 kcal/mol, respectively). Gentle warming is required for further H(2) additions, which can be understood from the energetics as well. The high reactivity of T1 with H(2) has been discussed by the comparison of the calculation of A1 and another complex with different ligands, presenting an interesting indication on the effects of the ligands. These theoretical results and discussion explaining the experiment should provide insight into the nature of the hydrogenation mechanism.     

New palladium(II)-(eta(3/5)- or eta1-indenyl) and dipalladium(I)-(mu,eta3-indenyl) complexes

Reaction of the dimeric species [(eta3-Ind)Pd(mu-Cl)]2 (1) (Ind = indenyl) with NEt3 gives the complex (eta(3-5)-Ind)Pd(NEt3)Cl (3), whereas the analogous reactions with BnNH2 (Bn = PhCH2) or pyridine (py) afford the complexes trans-L2Pd(eta1-Ind)Cl (L = BnNH2 (4), py (5)). Similarly, the one-pot reaction of 1 with a mixture of BnNH2 and the phosphine ligands PR3 gives the mixed-ligand, amino and phosphine species (PR3)(BnNH2)Pd(eta1-Ind)Cl (R = Cy (6a), Ph (6b)); the latter complexes can also be prepared by addition of BnNH2 to (eta(3-5)-Ind)Pd(PR3)Cl (R = Cy (2a), Ph (2b)). Complexes 6 undergo a gradual decomposition in solution to generate the dinuclear Pd(I) compounds (mu,eta3-Ind)(mu-Cl)Pd2(PR3)2 (R = Cy (7a), Ph (7b)) and the Pd(II) compounds (BnNH2)(PR3)PdCl2 (R = Cy (8a), Ph (8b)), along with 1,1'-biindene. The formation of 7 is proposed to proceed by a comproportionation reaction between in situ-generated Pd(II) and Pd0 intermediates. Interestingly, the reverse of this reaction, disproportionation, also occurs spontaneously to give 2. All new compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and, in the case of 3, 4, 5, 6a, 7a, 7b, and 8a, by X-ray crystallography.     

Theoretical characterization of stable eta1-N2O-, eta2-N2O-, eta1-N2-, and eta2-N2-bound species: intermediates in the addition reactions of nitrogen hydrides with the pentacyanonitrosylferrate(II) ion

The addition of nitrogen hydrides (hydrazine, hydroxylamine, ammonia, azide) to the pentacyanonitrosylferrate(II) ion has been analyzed by means of density functional calculations, focusing on the identification of stable intermediates along the reaction paths. Initial reversible adduct formation and further decomposition lead to the eta(1)- and eta(2)-linkage isomers of N(2)O and N(2), depending on the nucleophile. The intermediates (adducts and gas-releasing precursors) have been characterized at the B3LYP/6-31G level of theory through the calculation of their structural and spectroscopic properties, modeling the solvent by means of a continuous approach. The eta(2)-N(2)O isomer is formed at an initial stage of adduct decompositions with the hydrazine and azide adducts. Further conversion to the eta(1)-N(2)O isomer is followed by Fe-N(2)O dissociation. Only the eta(1)-N(2)O isomer is predicted for the reaction with hydroxylamine, revealing a kinetically controlled N(2)O formation. eta(1)-N(2) and eta(2)-N(2) isomers are also predicted as stable species.     

IR and Raman characterization of the zincocenes (eta(5)-C5Me5)2Zn2 and (eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(1)-C5Me5)Zn

The measured Raman and IR spectra of solid, polycrystalline bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)dizinc, (eta(5)-C5Me5)2Zn2, 1, and bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)monozinc, (eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(1)-C5Me5)Zn, 8, are reported in some detail. The IR spectra of the vapors of 1 and 8 each trapped in a solid Ar matrix at 12 K confirm the essentially molecular character of the solids. The experimental results have been interpreted with particular reference (i) to the corresponding spectra of (68)Zn-enriched samples of the compounds, and (ii) to the spectra simulated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP level. The marked differences of structure of 1 and 8 contrast with the relatively close similarity of their vibrational spectra, disparities being revealed only on detailed scrutiny, including the effects of (68)Zn enrichment, and primarily at wavenumbers below 1000 cm(-1). The Zn-Zn stretching motion of 1 features not as a single, well-defined mode identifiable with intense Raman scattering but in several normal modes which respond in varying degrees to (68)Zn substitution. A stretching force constant of 1.42 mdyne A(-1) has been estimated for the Zn-Zn bond of 1.     

Syntheses and characterization of mu,eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato derivatives of aluminum

The 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato (3,5-tBu(2)pz) derivatives of aluminum [(eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(mu-Al)R(1)R(2)](2) (R(1) = R(2) = Me 1; R(1) = R(2) = Et, 2; R(1) = R(2) = Cl, 3; R(1) = R(2) = I, 4; [(eta(2)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(3)Al], 5; [Al(2)(eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(2)(mu-E)(C triple bond CPh)(2)] (E = S (6), Se (7), Te (8)) have been prepared in good yield. Compounds 1 and 2 were obtained by the reactions of H[3,5-tBu(2)pz] with Me(3)Al and Et(3)Al, respectively. Reaction of [(eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(mu-Al)H(2)](2) with the pyrazole H[3,5-tBu(2)pz] gave [(eta(2)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(3)Al] (5). The reaction of [(eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(mu-Al)R(2)](2) (R = H, Me) and I(2) yielded 4, while the reaction of 1 equiv of K[3,5-tBu(2)pz] and AlCl(3) afforded 3. In addition, the reaction of [Al(2)(eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(2)(mu-E)H(2)] and HC triple bond CPh gave 6, 7, and 8. All compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The molecular structure analyses of compounds 1, 3, 6, and 7 by X-ray crystallography showed that complexes 1 and 3 are dimeric with two eta(1),eta(1)-pyrazolato groups in twisted conformation while 6 and 7 with two eta(1),eta(1)-pyrazolato groups display a boat conformation.     

Trivalent [(C5Me5)2(THF)Ln]2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2) complexes as reducing agents including the reductive homologation of CO to a ketene carboxylate, (mu-eta4-O2C-C=C=O)2-

The [Z(2)Ln(THF)](2)(mu-eta(2)():eta(2)()-N(2)) complexes (Z = monoanionic ligand) generated by reduction of dinitrogen with trivalent lanthanide salts and alkali metals are strong reductants in their own right and provide another option in reductive lanthanide chemistry. Hence, lanthanide-based reduction chemistry can be effected in a diamagnetic trivalent system using the dinitrogen reduction product, [(C(5)Me(5))(2)(THF)La](2)(mu-eta(2)():eta(2)()-N(2)), 1, readily obtained from [(C(5)Me(5))(2)La][BPh(4)], KC(8), and N(2). Complex 1 reduces phenazine, cyclooctatetraene, anthracene, and azobenzene to form [(C(5)Me(5))(2)La](2)[mu-eta(3):eta(3)-(C(12)H(8)N(2))], 2, (C(5)Me(5))La(C(8)H(8)), 3, [(C(5)Me(5))(2)La](2)[mu-eta(3):eta(3)-(C(14)H(10))], 4, and [(C(5)Me(5))La(mu-eta(2)-(PhNNPh)(THF)](2), 5, respectively. Neither stilbene nor naphthalene are reduced by 1, but 1 reduces CO to make the ketene carboxylate complex {[(C(5)Me(5))(2)La](2)[mu-eta(4)-O(2)C-C=C=O](THF)}(2), 6, that contains CO-derived carbon atoms completely free of oxygen.     

Dinitrogen functionalization with terminal alkynes, amines, and hydrazines promoted by [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2): observation of side-on and end-on diazenido complexes in the reduction of N2 to hydrazine

Functionalization of the N2 ligand in the side-on bound dinitrogen complex, [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2), has been accomplished by addition of terminal alkynes to furnish acetylide zirconocene diazenido complexes, [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(C[triple bond]CR)]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2H2) (R = nBu, tBu, Ph). Characterization of [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(C[triple bond]CCMe3)]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2H2) by X-ray diffraction revealed a side-on bound diazenido ligand in the solid state, while variable-temperature 1H and 15N NMR studies established rapid interconversion between eta1,eta1 and eta2,eta2 hapticity of the [N2H2]2- ligand in solution. Synthesis of alkyl, halide, and triflato zirconocene diazenido complexes, [(eta5-C5Me4H)2ZrX]2(mu2,eta1,eta1-N2H2) (X = Cl, I, OTf, CH2Ph, CH2SiMe3), afforded eta1,eta1 coordination of the [N2H2]2- fragment both in the solid state and in solution, demonstrating that sterically demanding, in some cases pi-donating, ligands can overcome the electronically preferred side-on bonding mode. Unlike [(eta5-C5Me4H)2ZrH]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2H2), the acetylide and alkyl zirconocene diazenido complexes are thermally robust, resisting alpha-migration and N2 cleavage up to temperatures of 115 degrees C. Dinitrogen functionalization with [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) was also accomplished by addition of proton donors. Weak Br?nsted acids such as water and ethanol yield hydrazine and (eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(OH)2 and (eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(OEt)2, respectively. Treatment of [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) with HNMe2 or H2NNMe2 furnished amido or hydrazido zirconocene diazenido complexes that ultimately produce hydrazine upon protonation with ethanol. These results contrast previous observations with [(eta5-C5Me5)2Zr(eta1-N2)]2(mu2,eta1,eta1-N2) where loss of free dinitrogen is observed upon treatment with weak acids. These studies highlight the importance of cyclopentadienyl substituents on transformations involving coordinated dinitrogen.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of Be(eta 5-C5Me5)(eta 1-C5Me4H). Evidence for ring-inversion leading to Be(eta 5-C5Me4H)(eta 1-C5Me5)

The mixed-ring beryllocene Be(C5Me5)(C5Me4H), that contains eta 5-C5Me5 and eta 1-C5Me4H rings, the latter bonded to the metal through the CH carbon atom (X-ray crystal structure) reacts at room temperature with CNXyl (Xyl = C6H3-2,6-Me2) to give an iminoacyl product, Be(eta 5-C5Me4H)[C(NXyl)C5Me5] derived from the inverted beryllocene structure Be (eta 5-C5Me4H)(eta 1-C5Me5).     

Novel hetero-bimetallic metalla-macrocycles based on the bis-1-pyridyl ferrocene [Fe(eta 5-C5H(4)-1-C5H4N)2] ligand. Design,synthesis and structural characterization of the complexes [Fe(eta 5-C5H(4)-1-C5H4N)2](AgI)2(2+)/(CuII)2(4+)/(ZnII)2(4+)

The bidentate sandwich ligand [Fe(eta 5-C5H(4)-1-C5H4N)2] has been prepared, structurally characterized and employed in the preparation of the novel supramolecular heterobimetallic metalla-macrocycles [Fe(eta 5-C5H(4)-1-C5H4N)2]Ag2(NO3)(2).1.5H2O, [Fe(eta 5-C5H(4)-1-C5H4N)2]Cu2(CH3COO)(4).3H2O and [Fe(eta 5-C5H(4)-1-C5H4N)2]Zn2Cl4.     

Dinuclear nickel complexes with a Ni(2)O(2) core: a structural and magnetic study

The acetylacetonate complexes [Ni(2)L(1)(acac)(MeOH)] x H(2)O, 1 x H(2)O and [Ni(2)L(3)(acac)(MeOH)] x 1.5H(2)O, 2 x 1.5H(2)O (H(3)L(1) = (2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazolidine and H(3)L(3) = (2-(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazolidine) were prepared and fully characterised. Their crystal structures show that they are dinuclear complexes, extended into chains by hydrogen bond interactions. These compounds were used as starting materials for the isolation of the corresponding [Ni(2)HL(x)(o-O(2)CC(6)H(4)CO(2))(H(2)O)] x n MeOH and [Ni(2)HL(x)(O(2)CCH(2)CO(2))(H(2)O)]x nH(2)O dicarboxylate complexes (x = 1, 3; n = 1-3). The crystal structures of [Ni(2)HL(1)(o-O(2)CC(6)H(4)CO(2))(H(2)O)] x MeOH, 3 x MeOH, [Ni(2)HL(3)(o-O(2)CC(6)H(4)CO(2))(H(2)O)] x 3 MeOH, 4 x 3 MeOH and [Ni(2)HL(1)(O(2)CCH(2)CO(2))(H(2)O)] x 2.5H(2)O x 0.25 MeOH x MeCN, 5 x 2.5H(2)O x 0.25 MeOH x MeCN, were solved. Complexes 3-5 show dinuclear [Ni(2)HL(x)(dicarboxylate)(H(2)O)] units, expanded through hydrogen bonds that involve carboxylate and water ligands, as well as solvate molecules. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibilities of all the complexes show an intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling between the Ni(II) ions, which is attempted to be rationalized by comparison with previous results and in the light of molecular orbital treatment. Magnetisation measurements are in accord with a S = 2 ground state in all cases.     

Syntheses,reactivity, and crystal structures of molybdenum complexes with pyridine-2-thionate (pyS)-containing ligands: crystal structures of [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(CO)(2)](2)(mu-eta(1),eta(2)-pyS)(2), exo-[Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(CO)(eta(2)-pyS)(eta(2)-dppe)], [Mo(CO)(3)(eta(1)-SC(5)H(4)NH)(eta(2)-dppm)], and [Mo(CO)(eta(2)-pyS)(2)(eta(2)-dppm)

The doubly bridged pyridine-2-thionate (pyS) dimolybdenum complex [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(CO)(2)](2)(mu-eta(1),eta(2)-pyS)(2) (1) is accessible by the reaction of [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(CO)(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)Br] with pySK in methanol at room temperature. Complex 1 reacts with piperidine in acetonitrile to give the complex [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(CO)(2)(eta(2)-pyS)(C(5)H(10)NH)] (2). Treatment of 1 with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) results in the formation of complex [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(CO)(2)(eta(1)-pyS)(phen)] (3), in which the pyS ligand is coordinated to Mo through the sulfur atom. Four conformational isomers, endo,exo-complexes [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(CO)(eta(2)-pyS)(eta(2)-diphos)] (diphos = dppm, 4a-4d; dppe, 5a-5d), are accessible by the reactions of 1 with dppm and dppe in refluxing acetonitrile. Homonuclear shift-correlated 2-D (31)P((1)H)-(31)P((1)H) NMR experiments of the mixtures 4a-4d have been employed to elucidate the four stereoisomers. The reaction of 4 and pySK or [Mo(CO)(3)(eta(1)-SC(5)H(4)NH)(eta(2)-dppm)] (6) and O(2) affords allyl-displaced seven-coordinate bis(pyridine-2-thionate) complex [Mo(CO)(eta(2)-pyS)(2)(eta(2)-dppm)] (7). All of the complexes are identified by spectroscopic methods, and complexes 1, 5d, 6, and 7 are determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 5d crystallize in the orthorhombic space groups Pbcn and Pbca with Z = 4 and 8, respectively, whereas 6 belongs to the monoclinic space group C2/c with Z = 8 and 7 belongs to the triclinic space group Ponemacr; with Z = 2. The cell dimensions are as follows: for 1, a = 8.3128(1) A, b = 16.1704(2) A, c = 16.6140(2) A; for 5d, a = 17.8309(10) A, b = 17.3324(10) A, c = 20.3716(11) A; for 6, a = 18.618(4) A, b = 16.062(2) A, c = 27.456(6) A, beta = 96.31(3) degrees; for 7, a = 9.1660(2) A, b = 12.0854(3) A, c = 15.9478(4) A, alpha = 78.4811(10) degrees, beta = 80.3894(10) degrees, gamma = 68.7089(11) degrees.     

Novel eta1-N,eta2-C,C-binding mode between pyridinyl-functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligands and iridium

The reaction between 2-(2,3,4,5-tetramethyl-cyclopenta-1,3-dienyl)-pyridine 1 and IrCl3 was performed in an attempt to synthesize a cyclometalated system with decreased pi conjugation in the ligand. An unexpected reduction and rearrangement of bis-pyridinyl-cyclopentadienyl cyclometalated Ir(III) intermediate 2 took place yielding bis-pyridinyl-fulvene Ir(I) complex 4, which exhibits a novel bis-eta1-N,eta2-C,C-binding mode between the pyridinyl-functionalized fulvene ligand and iridium. The iridium atom in 4 is not sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl moieties; rather, the two cyclopentadienyl groups adopt a pi-pi stacking arrangement with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.494 A. The Cl/P(wedge)O ligand-exchange reaction between 4 and 2-[(diphenylphosphanyl)-methyl]-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-propan-2-ol 5 led to loss of one pyridinyl-functionalized fulvene ligand and produced complex 6, in which the remaining pyridinyl-functionalized fulvene ligand exhibits the mono-eta1-N,eta2-C,C-binding mode.     

Dinuclear copper(II) complexes of a novel 3-(aminomethyl)naphthoquinone Mannich base: Synthesis,structural, magnetic and electrochemical studies

A novel versatile tridentate 3-(aminomethyl)naphthoquinone proligand, 3-[N-(2-pyridylmethyl)aminobenzyl]-2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HL), was obtained from the Mannich reaction of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Lawsone) with 2-aminomethylpyridine (amp) and benzaldehyde. The reactions of HL with CuCl₂·2H₂O yielded two novel dinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L)(H₂O)(μ-Cl)Cu(L)Cl] (1b), [CuCl(L)(μ-Cl)Cu(amp)Cl] (2) and a polymeric compound, [Cu(L)Cl)]_n (1a), whose relative yields were sensitive to temperature, reagents concentration and presence of base. The crystalline structures of 1b and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The two copper atoms in complex 1b are connected by a single chloro bridge with a Cu?Cu separation of 4.1342(8) Å and Cu(1)–Cl(1)–Cu(2) angle of 109.31(4)°. In complex 2 the two copper atoms are held together by a chloro and a naphthalen-2-olate bridges [Cu(1)–Cl(2)–Cu(2) and Cu(1)–O(1)–Cu(2) angles being 83.31(3) and 109.70(9)°, respectively, and the Cu?Cu separation, 3.3476(9) Å]. As expected, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of complex 1b showed weak antiferromagnetic intramolecular coupling between the copper(II) centers, with J = −5.7 cm⁻¹, and evidenced for complex 2 strong antiferromagnetic coupling, with J ∼ −120 cm⁻¹. Furthermore, the magnetic behaviour of compound 1a suggested an infinite 1D coordination polymeric structure in which the copper(II) centers are connected by Cl–Cu–Cl bridges. Solution data (UV–Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry) indicated structural changes of 2 and 1a in CH₃CN, and evidenced conversion of polymer 1a into dimer 1b.     

Synthetic and theoretical study of the incorporation of metal halides in [{Ti(eta5-C5Me5)(mu-NH)}3(mu3-N)

The capacity of the imido-nitrido organometallic ligand [{Ti(eta5-C5Me5)(mu-NH)}3(mu3-N)] (1) to entrap main group metal halides MXn has been investigated. Treatment of 1 with metal halides in toluene or dichloromethane afforded several soluble adducts [MXn(L)] (L=1) in good yields. The reaction of 1 with one equivalent of Group 1 and 13 monohalides MX afforded single cube-type complexes [XM{(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (M=Li, X=Br (2), I (3); M=Na, X=I (4); M=In, X=I (5); M=Tl, X=I (6)). Analogous treatment of 1 with Group 2 and 14 dihalides MX(2) gave the corresponding adducts [I2M{(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (M=Mg (7), Ca (8), Sr (9)) and [Cl(2)M{(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (M=Sn (10), Pb (11)). The treatment of 1 with SnI2 or the reaction of 10 with MeI at 60 degrees C afforded two azametallocubane units linked by two bridging iodine atoms [{ISn(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}2(mu-I)2] (12). Indium triiodide reacted with 1 in toluene to form the adduct [I3In(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)] (13). Density functional theory calculations have been carried out to study these processes and evaluate the influence of the solvent. X-ray crystal structure determinations have been performed for complexes 10, 12, and 13.     

Tetranuclear nickel(II) complexes with genuine mu3-1,1,3 and mu4-1,1,3,3 azide bridges

Unique tetranickel(II) complexes have been synthesized which incorporate genuine mu3-1,1,3 or mu4-1,1,3,3 bridging azido ligands. Identification of two distinct isomeric mu4-1,1,3,3 binding modes confirms the structural flexibility of the quadruply bridging azide.     

Polynuclear magnesium and magnesium-titanium species. Syntheses and crystal structures of [Mg4(mu3,eta2-ddbfo)2(mu,eta2-ddbfo)2(mu,eta1-ddbfo)29eta1-ddbfo2],

Tetranuclear magnesium complexes with chelating alkoxo ligands have been synthesized with the aim of investigating coordinatively unsaturated magnesium sites able to bind TiX4 (X = Cl, OR), of the type necessary for the formation of the active centers in polymerization catalysts. The magnesium compound [Mg4(mu3,eta2-ddbfo)2(mu,eta2-ddbfo)2(mu,eta1-ddbfo)2(eta1-ddbfo)2] x 2CH2Cl2 (1) (ddbfo = 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranoxide) was prepared by the reaction of MgBu2 with ddbfoH in dichloromethane. Complex 1 exists as a centrosymmetric tetranuclear species with two different types of magnesium centers corresponding to octahedral MgO6 and trigonal bipyramidal MgO5 geometry. Compound 1 is monoclinic, space group P2(1/c), with a = 12.053(2) A, b = 13.323(3) A, c = 17.069(3) A, beta = 98.50(3) degrees , and Z = 4. The reaction of 1 with methanol in tetrahydrofuran (THF) gave compound [Mg4(mu3-OMe)2(mu,eta2-ddbfo)2(mu,eta1-ddbfo)2(eta1-ddbfo)2(CH3OH)5] x CH3OH x THF (2). During this reaction one of the two five-coordinate MgO5 centers in 1 is completed by a methanol molecule and becomes octahedral in 2. Species 2 belongs to the P2(1/n) monoclinic space group, with a = 13.323(3) A, b = 20.768(4) A, c = 27.584(6) A, beta = 104.26(3) degrees , and Z = 4. Compound [Mg4(mu3,eta2-thffo)2(mu,zeta2-thffo)2(mu,eta1-thffo)2[mu-OTi(DIPP)3]2] x 2CH2Cl2 (3) is formed as a result of substitution of two thffo (thffo = 2-tetrahydrofurfuroxide) ligands bonded to the five-coordinate magnesium atom in [Mg4(thffo)8] by bulky OTi(DIPP)3 (DIPP = diisopropylphenolate) groups. Crystals of 3 are monoclinic, space group P2(1/n), with a = 17.069(3) A, b = 18.421(4) A, 17.815(4) A, beta = 90.77(3) degrees , and Z = 4. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1-3 are discussed in terms of explaining the role of the coordinatively unsaturated magnesium site in chiral catalyst active center formation.