Yttrium Complexes of Arsine,Arsenide, and Arsinidene Ligands

Deprotonation of the yttrium–arsine complex [Cp′₃Y{As(H)₂Mes}] ( 1 ) (Cp′=η⁵‐C₅H₄Me, Mes=mesityl) by nBuLi produces the μ‐arsenide complex [{Cp′₂Y[μ‐As(H)Mes]}₃] ( 2 ). Deprotonation of the As? H bonds in 2 by nBuLi produces [Li(thf)₄]₂[{Cp′₂Y(μ₃‐AsMes)}₃Li], [Li(thf)₄]₂[ 3 ], in which the dianion 3 contains the first example of an arsinidene ligand in rare‐earth metal chemistry. The molecular structures of the arsine, arsenide, and arsinidene complexes are described, and the yttrium–arsenic bonding is analyzed by density functional theory.     

Syntheses of the Antimonides R2Sb− (R = Ph,Mes, tBu,tBu2Sb) and Sb73− by Reactions of Organoantimony Hydrides or cyclo‐(tBuSb)4 with Li,Na, K,or BuLi

Reactions of R₂SbH with BuLi at ?70 °C in tetrahydrofuran (thf) lead to [R₂SbLi(thf)₃] [R = Ph ( 1 ) or R = Mes ( 2 )]. The antimonides [tBu₂SbK(pmdeta)] ( 3 ) (pmdeta = pentamethyldiethylenetriamine), [Li(tmeda)₂][tBu₄Sb₃]·benzene ( 4 ) (tmeda = tetramethylethylenediamine), and [tBu₄Sb₃Na(tmeda, thf)] ( 5 ) result from the reduction of cyclo‐(tBuSb)₄ by Li, Na, or K with pmdeta or tmeda in thf. The primary stibanes RSbH₂ [R = Mes ( 6 ), 2‐(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₂ ( 7 )] are synthesized by reactions of RSbCl₂ with LiAlH₄. PhSbH₂ reacts with BuLi, and tmeda in toluene to give [Sb₇Li₃(tmeda)₃]·toluene ( 8 ). [Sb₇Na₃(pmdeta)₃]·toluene ( 9 ) is obtained from PhSbH₂, Na in liqu. NH₃, pmdeta and toluene. Crystal structures are reported for 1 – 5 and 9 .     

Heterometallic Polyhydride Complexes Containing Yttrium Hydrides with Different Cp Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Hydrogen‐Uptake/Release Properties

A new family of Y₄/M₂ and Y₅/M heterobimetallic rare‐earth‐metal/d‐block‐transition‐metal? polyhydride complexes has been synthesized. The reactions of the tetranuclear yttrium? octahydride complex [{Cp′′Y(μ‐H)₂}₄(thf)₄] (Cp′′=C₅Me₄H, 1‐C₅Me₄H ) with one equivalent of Group‐6‐metal? pentahydride complexes [Cp*M(PMe₃)H₅] (M=Mo, W; Cp*=C₅Me₅) afforded pentanuclear heterobimetallic Y₄/M? polyhydride complexes [{(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₇}(μ‐H)₄MCp*(PMe₃)] (M=Mo ( 2 a ), W ( 2 b )). UV irradiation of compounds 2 a , b in THF gave PMe₃‐free complexes [{(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₆(thf)₂}(μ‐H)₅MCp*] (M=Mo ( 3 a ), W ( 3 b )). Compounds 3 a , b reacted with one equivalent of [Cp*M(PMe₃)H₅] to afford hexanuclear Y₄/M₂ complexes [{Cp*M(μ‐H)₅}{(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₅}{(μ‐H)₄MCp*(PMe₃)}] (M=Mo ( 4 a ), W ( 4 b )). UV irradiation of compounds 4 a , b provided the PMe₃‐free complexes [(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₄{(μ‐H)₅MCp*}₂] (M=Mo ( 5 a ), W ( 5 b )). C₅Me₄Et‐ligated analogue [(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₄{(μ‐H)₅Mo(C₅Me₄Et)}₂] ( 5 a′ ) was obtained from the reaction of 1‐C₅Me₄H with [(C₅Me₄Et)Mo(PMe₃)H₅]. On the other hand, the reaction of pentanuclear yttrium? decahydride complex [{(C₅Me₄R)Y(μ‐H)₂}₅(thf)₂] ( 1‐C₅Me₅ : R=Me; 1‐C₅Me₄Et : R=Et) with [Cp*M(PMe₃)H₅] gave the hexanuclear heterobimetallic Y₅/M? polyhydride complexes [({(C₅Me₄R)Y}₅(μ‐H)₈)(μ‐H)₅MCp*] ( 6 a : M=Mo, R=Me; 6 a′ : M=Mo, R=Et; 6 b : M=W, R=Me). Compound 5 a released two molecules of H₂ under vacuum to give [(Cp′′Y)₄(μ‐H)₂{(μ‐H)₄MoCp*}₂] ( 7 ). In contrast, compound 6 a lost one molecule of H₂ under vacuum to yield [{(Cp*Y)₅(μ‐H)₇}(μ‐H)₄MoCp*] ( 8 ). Both compounds 7 and 8 readily reacted with H₂ to regenerate compounds 5 a and 6 a , respectively. The structures of compounds 4 a , 5 a′ , 6 a′ , 7 , and 8 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Rare‐Earth‐Metal–Hydrocarbyl Complexes Bearing Linked Cyclopentadienyl or Fluorenyl Ligands: Synthesis,Catalyzed Styrene Polymerization,and Structure–Reactivity Relationship

A series of rare‐earth‐metal–hydrocarbyl complexes bearing N‐type functionalized cyclopentadienyl (Cp) and fluorenyl (Flu) ligands were facilely synthesized. Treatment of [Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂] with equimolar amount of the electron‐donating aminophenyl‐Cp ligand C₅Me₄H‐C₆H₄‐o‐NMe₂ afforded the corresponding binuclear monoalkyl complex [({C₅Me₄‐C₆H₄‐o‐NMe(μ‐CH₂)}Y{CH₂SiMe₃})₂] ( 1 a ) via alkyl abstraction and C? H activation of the NMe₂ group. The lutetium bis(allyl) complex [(C₅Me₄‐C₆H₄‐o‐NMe₂)Lu(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] ( 2 b ), which contained an electron‐donating aminophenyl‐Cp ligand, was isolated from the sequential metathesis reactions of LuCl₃ with (C₅Me₄‐C₆H₄‐o‐NMe₂)Li (1 equiv) and C₃H₅MgCl (2 equiv). Following a similar procedure, the yttrium‐ and scandium–bis(allyl) complexes, [(C₅Me₄‐C₅H₄N)Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] (Ln=Y ( 3 a ), Sc ( 3 b )), which also contained electron‐withdrawing pyridyl‐Cp ligands, were also obtained selectively. Deprotonation of the bulky pyridyl‐Flu ligand (C₁₃H₉‐C₅H₄N) by [Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂] generated the rare‐earth‐metal–dialkyl complexes, [(η³‐C₁₃H₈‐C₅H₄N)Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(thf)] (Ln=Y ( 4 a ), Sc ( 4 b ), Lu ( 4 c )), in which an unusual asymmetric η³‐allyl bonding mode of Flu moiety was observed. Switching to the bidentate yttrium–trisalkyl complex [Y(CH₂C₆H₄‐o‐NMe₂)₃], the same reaction conditions afforded the corresponding yttrium bis(aminobenzyl) complex [(η³‐C₁₃H₈‐C₅H₄N)Y(CH₂C₆H₄‐o‐NMe₂)₂] ( 5 ). Complexes 1 – 5 were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and X‐ray spectroscopy, and by elemental analysis. In the presence of both [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] and AliBu₃, the electron‐donating aminophenyl‐Cp‐based complexes 1 and 2 did not show any activity towards styrene polymerization. In striking contrast, upon activation with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] only, the electron‐withdrawing pyridyl‐Cp‐based complexes 3 , in particular scandium complex 3 b , exhibited outstanding activitiy to give perfectly syndiotactic (rrrr >99 %) polystyrene, whereas their bulky pyridyl‐Flu analogues ( 4 and 5 ) in combination with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] and AliBu₃ displayed much‐lower activity to afford syndiotactic‐enriched polystyrene.     

Y,Lu, and Gd Complexes of NCO/NCS Pincer Ligands: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalysis in the cis‐1,4‐Selective Polymerization of Isoprene

A series of NCO/NCS pincer precursors, 3‐(Ar²OCH₂)‐2‐Br‐(Ar¹N?CH)C₆H₃ ((^Ar1NCO^Ar2)Br, 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d ) and 3‐(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃SCH₂)‐2‐Br‐(Ar¹N?CH)C₆H₃ ((^Ar1NCS^Me)Br, 4a and 4b ) were synthesized and characterized. The reactions of [^Ar1NCO^Ar2]Br/ [^Ar1NCS^Me]Br with nBuLi and the subsequent addition of the rare‐earth‐metal chlorides afforded their corresponding rare‐earth‐metal–pincer complexes, that is, [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)YCl₂(thf)₂] ( 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d ), [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)LuCl₂(thf)₂] ( 6a , 6d ), [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)GdCl₂(thf)₂] ( 7 ), [{(^Ar1NCS^Me)Y(μ‐Cl)}₂{(μ‐Cl)Li(thf)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 8 , 9 ), and [{(^Ar1NCS^Me)Gd(μ‐Cl)}₂{(μ‐Cl)Li(thf)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 10 , 11 ). These diamagnetic complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures of compounds 5a , 6a , 7 , and 10 were well‐established by X‐ray diffraction analysis. In compounds 5a , 6a , and 7 , all of the metal centers adopted distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometries with the NCO donors and two oxygen atoms from the coordinated THF molecules in equatorial positions and the two chlorine atoms in apical positions. Complex 10 is a dimer in which the two equal moieties are linked by two chlorine atoms and two Cl? Li? Cl bridges. In each part, the gadolinium atom adopts a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. Activated with alkylaluminum and borate, the gadolinium and yttrium complexes showed various activities towards the polymerization of isoprene, thereby affording highly cis‐1,4‐selective polyisoprene, whilst the NCO? lutetium complexes were inert under the same conditions.     

Reactivity of Yttrium Carboxylates Toward Alkylaluminum Hydrides

Yttrocene‐carboxylate complex [Cp*₂Y(OOCAr^Me)] (Cp*=C₅Me₅, Ar^Me=C₆H₂Me₃‐2,4,6) was synthesized as a spectroscopically versatile model system for investigating the reactivity of alkylaluminum hydrides towards rare‐earth‐metal carboxylates. Equimolar reactions with bis‐neosilylaluminum hydride and dimethylaluminum hydride gave adduct complexes of the general formula [Cp*₂Y(μ‐OOCAr^Me)(μ‐H)AlR₂] (R=CH₂SiMe₃, Me). The use of an excess of the respective aluminum hydride led to the formation of product mixtures, from which the yttrium‐aluminum‐hydride complex [{Cp*₂Y(μ‐H)AlMe₂(μ‐H)AlMe₂(μ‐CH₃)}₂] could be isolated, which features a 12‐membered‐ring structure. The adduct complexes [Cp*₂Y(μ‐OOCAr^Me)(μ‐H)AlR₂] display identical ¹J(Y,H) coupling constants of 24.5 Hz for the bridging hydrido ligands and similar ⁸⁹Y NMR shifts of δ=?88.1 ppm (R=CH₂SiMe₃) and δ=?86.3 ppm (R=Me) in the ⁸⁹Y DEPT45 NMR experiments.     

Versatile reactivity of half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes toward carboranylamidinates and their derivatives: synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity for norbornene polymerization

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate‐based half‐sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ‐Cl)Cl}₂] (M=Ir, Rh; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18‐electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 a ; Cab^N‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 b ), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DCC)] ( 1 c ; Cab^N‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHCy)]). A series of 16‐electron half‐sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 a ; Cab^N′‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DCC)] ( 2 b , Cab^N′‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 c ) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DCC)] (M=Ir 3 a , 3 b ; Rh 3 c , 3 d ), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl₂}₂] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHR)]S^? (R=iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C? Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1 a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10⁶ g_PNB ${{\rm{mol}}_{{\rm{Ir}}}^{ - {\rm{1}}} }Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate-based half-sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl}(2)] (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18-electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?a; Cab(N)-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?b), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DCC)] (1?c; Cab(N)-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHCy)]). A series of 16-electron half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?a; Cab(N')-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DCC)] (2?b, Cab(N')-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?c) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DCC)] (M = Ir 3?a, 3?b; Rh 3?c, 3?d), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl(2)}(2)] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHR)]S(-) (R = iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C-Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1?a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10(6) g(PNB) mol(Ir)(-1) h(-1) for the polymerization of norbornene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene (PNB) were investigated under various reaction conditions. All complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis and IR and NMR spectroscopy; the structures of 1?a-c, 2?a, b; and 3?a, b, d were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Heterobi‐ and ‐trinuclear Complexes with an Amino(ethynyl)carbene as Bridging Ligand

The sequential reaction of the amino(trimethylsilyl)carbene complex [(CO)₅W=C(NH₂)C≡CSiMe₃] ( 1 ) with nBuLi and [I‐Fe(CO)₂Cp] affords the C(carbene)‐N bridged heterobinuclear complex [(CO)₅W=C{NHFe(CO)₂Cp}C≡CSiMe₃] ( 2 ). Desilylation of 1 is achieved by treatment with KF in THF/MeOH. From the reaction of the resulting complex [(CO)₅W=C(NH₂)C≡CH] ( 3 ) with nBuLi and [I‐Fe(CO)₂Cp] two binuclear WFe compounds in a ratio of approximately 1:1 are obtained: the C(carbene)‐C≡C bridged complex 4 and the C(carbene)‐N bridged complex 5 . Repetition of the deprotonation/metallation sequence yields the trinuclear WFe₂ complex 6 . One Fe(CO)₂Cp fragment in 6 is bonded to the amino group and the other one to the terminal carbon atom of the ethynyl substituent. The analogous reaction of 3 with nBuLi and [Br‐Ni(PMe₂Ph)₂Mes] gives a ca. 1:1 mixture of two heterobinuclear complexes ( 7 and 8 ). Complex 7 is bridged by the C(carbene)‐C≡C and complex 8 by the C(carbene)‐N fragment. Subsequent reaction of 7 with BuLi and [Br‐Ni(PMe₂Ph)₂Mes] finally affords the trinuclear WNi₂ complex 9 related to 6 . The solid‐state structure of 2 is established by an X‐ray diffraction analysis. The spectroscopic data of the bi‐ and trinuclear complexes indicate electronic communication between the metal centers through the bridging group.     

Cationic Allyl Complexes of the Rare‐Earth Metals: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and 1,3‐Butadiene Polymerization Catalysis

Monocationic bis‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La, Nd; X=H, F) and dicationic mono‐allyl complexes of yttrium and the early lanthanides [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₆]²⁺[BPh₄]₂^? (Ln=La, Nd) were prepared by protonolysis of the tris‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(diox)] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; diox=1,4‐dioxane) isolated as a 1,4‐dioxane‐bridged dimer (Ln=Ce) or THF adducts [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(thf)₂] (Ln=Ce, Pr). Allyl abstraction from the neutral tris‐allyl complex by a Lewis acid, ER₃ (Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃) gave the ion pair [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[ER₃(η¹‐CH₂CH?CH₂)]^? (Ln=Y, La; ER₃=Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃). Benzophenone inserts into the La? C_allyl bond of [La(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^? to form the alkoxy complex [La{OCPh₂(CH₂CH?CH₂)}₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^?. The monocationic half‐sandwich complexes [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La; X=H, F) were synthesized from the neutral precursors [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)] by protonolysis. For 1,3‐butadiene polymerization catalysis, the yttrium‐based systems were more active than the corresponding lanthanum or neodymium homologues, giving polybutadiene with approximately 90 % 1,4‐cis stereoselectivity.     

Fine Tuning of Metallaborane Geometries: Chemistry of Metallaboranes of Early Transition Metals Derived from Metal Halides and Monoborane Reagents

Reaction of [Cp_nMCl_4?x] (M=V: n=x=2; M=Nb: n=1, x=0) or [Cp*TaCl₄] (Cp=η⁵‐C₅H₅, Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), with [LiBH₄?thf] at ?70 °C followed by thermolysis at 85 °C in the presence of [BH₃?thf] yielded the hydrogen‐rich metallaboranes [(CpM)₂(B₂H₆)₂] ( 1 : M=V; 2 : M = Nb) and [(Cp*Ta)₂(B₂H₆)₂] ( 3 ) in modest to high yields. Complexes 1 and 3 are the first structurally characterized compounds with a metal–metal bond bridged by two hexahydroborate (B₂H₆) groups forming a symmetrical complex. Addition of [BH₃?thf] to 3 results in formation of a metallaborane [(Cp*Ta)₂B₄H₈(μ‐BH₄)] ( 4 ) containing a tetrahydroborate ligand, [BH₄]^?, bound exo to the bicapped tetrahedral cage [(Cp*Ta)₂B₄H₈] by two Ta‐H‐B bridge bonds. The interesting structural feature of 4 is the coordination of the bridging tetrahydroborate group, which has two B? H bonds coordinated to the tantalum atoms. All these new metallaboranes have been characterized by mass, ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis and the structural types were established unequivocally by crystallographic analysis of 1 – 4 .     

Bis(amido)cyclodiphosph(III)azane Complexes of Yttrium and the Lanthanides

The first cyclodiphosph(III)azane complexes of the rare‐earth elements have been synthesized. Reactions of the lithium salt cis‐[(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂{Li(thf)}₂] with anhydrous yttrium trichloride or the heavier lanthanide trichlorides resulted in the corresponding cyclodiphosph(III)azane complexes [Li(thf)₄][{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}LnCl₂] (Ln=Y ( 1 a ), Ho ( 1 b ), Er ( 1 c )). The single‐crystal X‐ray structures showed that compounds 1 a – c consisted of ion pairs composed of a [Li(thf)₄]⁺ cation and a C_2v symmetric [{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}LnCl₂]^? anion. By treating cis‐[(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂{Li(thf)}₂] with anhydrous SmCl₃ in THF, the trimetallic complex [{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}SmCl₃Li₂(thf)₄] ( 2 ) was obtained. The influence of the ionic radii of the lanthanides can be seen in the single‐crystal X‐ray structure of compound 2 , which forms a six‐membered Cl‐Li‐Cl‐Li‐Cl‐Sm metallacycle. The ring adopts a boat conformation in which one chlorine atom and the samarium atom are displaced from the Cl₂Li₂ least‐square plane. Heating of the metalate complexes in toluene resulted in the extrusion of lithium chloride and the formation of the neutral dimeric metal chloride complexes of the composition [(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂LnCl(thf)]₂ (Ln=Y ( 3 a ), La ( 3 b ) Nd ( 3 c ), Sm ( 3 d )). Furthermore, treating 1 a with KNPh₂ resulted in a lithium metalate complex of the composition [Li(thf)₄][{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}Y(NPh₂)₂] ( 4 ). The coordination mode of the {(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}^2? ligand in 4 is different to that observed in 1 a – c , 2 , and 3 a – d ; instead of a symmetric η² coordination of the ligand, a heterocubane‐type structure is observed in the solid state. The complex [(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂NdCl(thf)] ( 3 c ) was used as a Ziegler–Natta catalyst for the polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene to poly‐cis‐1,4‐butadiene. The observed activities of the Ziegler–Natta catalyst strongly depended upon the nature of the cocatalyst; in some case very high turnover rates and a cis selectivity of 93–94 % were observed.     

Group 3 Metal Initiators with an [OSSO]‐Type Bis(phenolate) Ligand for the Stereoselective Polymerization of Lactide Monomers

A series of 1,ω‐dithiaalkanediyl‐bridged bis(phenols) of the general type [OSSO]H₂ with variable steric properties and various bridges were prepared. The stoichiometric reaction of the bis(phenols) 1,3‐dithiapropanediyl‐2,2′‐bis(4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol), 1,3‐dithiapropanediyl‐2,2′‐bis[4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenol], rac‐2,3‐trans‐propanediyl‐1,4‐dithiabutanediyl‐2,2′‐bis[4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenol], rac‐2,3‐trans‐butanediyl‐1,4‐dithiabutane diyl‐2,2′‐bis[4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenol], rac‐2,3‐trans‐hexanediyl‐1,4‐dithiabutanediyl‐2,2′‐bis[4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenol], 1,3‐dithiapropanediyl‐2,2′‐bis[6‐(1‐methylcyclohexyl)‐4‐methylphenol] (C₁, R=1‐methylcyclohexyl), and 1,4‐dithiabutanediyl‐2,2′‐bis[6‐(1‐methylcyclohexyl)‐4‐methylphenol] with rare‐earth metal silylamido precursors [Ln{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₃(thf)_x] (Ln=Sc, x=1 or Ln=Y, x=2; thf=tetrahydrofuran) afforded the corresponding scandium and yttrium bis(phenolate) silylamido complexes [Ln(OSSO){N(SiHMe₂)₂}(thf)] in moderate to good yields. The monomeric nature of these complexes was shown by an X‐ray diffraction study of one of the yttrium complexes. The complexes efficiently initiated the ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐ and meso‐lactide to give heterotactic‐biased poly(rac‐lactides) and highly syndiotactic poly(meso‐lactides). Variation of the ligand backbone and the steric properties of the ortho substituents affected the level of tacticity in the polylactides.     

The Nature of the UC Double Bond: Pushing the Stability of High‐Oxidation‐State Uranium Carbenes to the Limit

Treatment of [K(BIPM^MesH)] (BIPM^Mes={C(PPh₂NMes)₂}^2?; Mes=C₆H₂‐2,4,6‐Me₃) with [UCl₄(thf)₃] (1 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^MesH)(Cl)₃(thf)] ( 1 ), which generated [U(BIPM^Mes)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 2 ), following treatment with benzyl potassium. Attempts to oxidise 2 resulted in intractable mixtures, ligand scrambling to give [U(BIPM^Mes)₂] or the formation of [U(BIPM^MesH)(O)₂(Cl)(thf)] ( 3 ). The complex [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(OEt₂)(tmeda)] ( 4 ) (BIPM^Dipp={C(PPh₂NDipp)₂}^2?; Dipp=C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂; tmeda=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) was prepared from [Li₂(BIPM^Dipp)(tmeda)] and [UCl₄(thf)₃] and, following reflux in toluene, could be isolated as [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 5 ). Treatment of 4 with iodine (0.5 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(thf)₂] ( 6 ). Complex 6 resists oxidation, and treating 4 or 5 with N‐oxides gives [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂‐ (μ‐Cl)₂Li(tmeda)] ( 7 ) and [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 8 ). Treatment of 4 with tBuOLi (3 equiv) and I₂ (1 equiv) gives [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃(I)] ( 9 ), which represents an exceptionally rare example of a crystallographically authenticated uranium(VI)–carbon σ bond. Although 9 appears sterically saturated, it decomposes over time to give [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃]. Complex 4 reacts with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO to form [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(tmeda)(OCPhtBu)] ( 10 ) and [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(tmeda)(OCPh₂)] ( 11 ). In contrast, complex 5 does not react with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO, which we attribute to steric blocking. However, complexes 5 and 6 react with PhCHO to afford (DippNPPh₂)₂C?C(H)Ph ( 12 ). Complex 9 does not react with PhCOtBu, Ph₂CO or PhCHO; this is attributed to steric blocking. Theoretical calculations have enabled a qualitative bracketing of the extent of covalency in early‐metal carbenes as a function of metal, oxidation state and the number of phosphanyl substituents, revealing modest covalent contributions to U?C double bonds.     

Homoleptic lanthanide metallocenes and their derivates: syntheses,structural characterization and their catalysis for ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone

Homoleptic lanthanide metallocenes Cp′₃Ln [Cp′ = methylcyclopentadienyl, Ln = Y ( 1 ), Er ( 2 ), Sm ( 3 ); Cp′ = cyclopentadienyl, Ln = Er ( 4 ) and Sm ( 5 )] have been found to be a novel type of initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL). Among them, complex 1 shows the highest catalytic activity for ROP of ε‐CL. In addition, a novel neutral trifluoroethoxo yttrium complex [(MeC₅H₄)₂Y(µ‐OCH₂CF₃)]₂ ( 6 ) has been synthesized by the reaction of 1 with trifluoroethanol in 1:1 molar ratio in toluene and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis. Preliminary study shows that the catalytic activity of tris(methylcyclopentadienyl)yttrium complex 1 is higher than that of bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)yttrium complex 6 . The mechanism of the present polymerization was studied by NMR spectra. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Flexible Approach to Strained Sandwich Compounds: Chiral [1]Ferrocenophanes with Boron,Gallium, Silicon,and Tin in Bridging Positions

The enantiomerically pure dibromoferrocene 3 [(S_p,S_p)‐1,1′‐dibromo‐2,2′‐di(isopropyl)ferrocene], equipped with two iPr groups in α positions, was prepared using known “Ugi amine” chemistry. Species 3 was targeted in order to gain access to new [1]ferrocenophanes ([1]FCPs) to be used as monomers for ring‐opening polymerization. The iPr groups on the sandwich unit were introduced to stabilize bridging moieties, as well as to increase solubilities of targeted metallopolymers. The planar chiral dibromide 3 can quantitatively be lithiated at 0 °C [2 equiv nBuLi, hexanes/thf (9:1), 30 min]. Salt‐metathesis reactions with respective element dichloride species gave chiral [1]FCPs with a variety of bridging moieties [ER_x=Ga[2‐(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄] ( 4 a ), SiMe₂ ( 4 b ), SntBu₂ ( 4 c ), BNiPr₂ ( 4 d )]. The new [1]FCPs were fully characterized including single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The stabilizing iPr groups on the Cp rings increase the thermal stabilities of 4 b – d compared to known [1]FCPs, equipped with the same bridging moieties. All three compounds 4 b – d are volatile and could be isolated by vacuum sublimation. Our new approach to [1]FCPs has the potential to overcome many of the existing difficulties in ferrocenophane chemistry, such as limited stability of starting monomers and low solubilities of resulting polyferrocenes.     

Untersuchungen zur Sb–Sb‐Bindungsknüpfung in der Koordinationssphäre von Übergangsmetallen

Investigations of Sb–Sb Bond Formation Reactions in the Coordination Sphere of Transition Metals The reaction of SbCl₃ with various transition metal metalates of the type K[ML_n] [ML_n = Ni(CO)Cp*, Fe(CO)Cp′, Co(CO)₄; Cp* = η⁵‐C₅Me₅, Cp′ = η⁵‐C₅H₄Me] in the presence of [Cr(CO)₅thf] have been studied. With K[Ni(CO)Cp*] and K[Fe(CO)₂Cp′] the trigonal‐pyramidal complexes [(μ₃‐Sb){Ni(CO)Cp*}₃] ( 1 ) and [(μ₃‐Sb){Fe · (CO)₂Cp′}₃] ( 2 ), respectively, are obtained. The reaction with K[Co(CO)₄] leads to the tetrahedral cluster [Co₃(CO)₉(μ₃‐Sb{Cr(CO)₅})] ( 3 ) and the butterfly cluster [Co₂(CO)₆(μ‐SbCl)(μ‐SbCl{Cr(CO)₅})] ( 4 ). All products are characterised by X‐ray crystal structure determination. In contrast to the corresponding [(CO)₅CrPCl₃] system forming P–P bonds, starting from SbCl₃/[Cr(CO)₅thf] does not cause a Sb–Sb bond formation.     

Zur Reaktivität von Titanocenkomplexen [Ti(Cp′)2(η2‐Me3SiC≡CSiMe3)] (Cp′ = Cp,Cp*) gegenüber Benzoldicarbonsäuren

On the Reactivity of Titanocene Complexes [Ti(Cp′)₂(η²‐Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃)] (Cp′ = Cp, Cp*) towards Benzenedicarboxylic Acids Titanocene complexes [Ti(Cp′)₂(BTMSA)] ( 1a , Cp′ = Cp = η⁵‐C₅H₅; 1b , Cp′ = Cp* = η⁵‐C₅Me₅; BTMSA = Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃) were found to react with iodine and methyl iodide yielding [Ti(Cp′)₂(μ‐I)₂] ( 2a / b ; a refers to Cp′ = Cp and b to Cp′ = Cp*), [Ti(Cp′)₂I₂] ( 3a / b ) and [Ti(Cp′)₂(Me)I] ( 4a / b ), respectively. In contrast to 2a , complex 2b proved to be highly moisture sensitive yielding with cleavage of HCp* [{Ti(Cp*)I}₂(μ‐O)] ( 7 ). The corresponding reactions of 1a / b with p‐cresol and thiophenol resulted in the formation of [Ti(Cp′)₂{O(p‐Tol)}₂] ( 5a / b ) and [Ti(Cp′)₂(SPh)₂] ( 6a / b ), respectively. Reactions of 1a and 1b with 1,n‐benzenedicarboxylic acids (n = 2–4) resulted in the formation of dinuclear titanium(III) complexes of the type [{Ti(Cp′)₂}₂{μ‐1,n‐(O₂C)₂C₆H₄}] (n = 2, 8a / b ; n = 3, 9a / b ; n = 4, 10a / b ). All complexes were fully characterized analytically and spectroscopically. Furthermore, complexes 7 , 8b , 9a ·THF, 10a / b were also be characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses.     

Unerwartete Reduktion von [Cp*TaCl4(PH2R)] (R = But,Cy, Ad,Ph, 2,4,6‐Me3C6H2; Cp* = C5Me5) durch Reaktion mit DBU – Molekülstruktur von [(DBU)H][Cp*TaCl4] (DBU = 1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐en)

Unexpected Reduction of [Cp*TaCl₄(PH₂R)] (R = Bu^t, Cy, Ad, Ph, 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂; Cp* = C₅Me₅) by Reaction with DBU – Molecular Structure of [(DBU)H][Cp*TaCl₄] (DBU = 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene) [Cp*TaCl₄(PH₂R)] (R = Bu^t, Cy, Ad, Ph, 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes); Cp* = C₅Me₅) react with DBU in an internal redox reaction with formation of [(DBU)H][Cp*TaCl₄] ( 1 ) (DBU = 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene) and the corresponding diphosphane (P₂H₂R₂) or decomposition products thereof. 1 was characterised spectroscopically and by crystal structure determination. In the solid state, hydrogen bonding between the (DBU)H cation and one chloro ligand of the anion is observed.     

Highly Strained Heterometallacycles of Group 4 Metallocenes with Bis(diphenylphosphino)methanide Ligands

A study of the coordination chemistry of different bis(diphenylphosphino)methanide ligands [Ph₂PC(X)PPh₂] (X=H, SiMe₃) with Group 4 metallocenes is presented. The paramagnetic complexes [Cp₂Ti{κ²‐P,P‐Ph₂PC(X)PPh₂}] (X=H ( 3 a ), X=SiMe₃ ( 3 b )) have been prepared by the reactions of [(Cp₂TiCl)₂] with [Li{C(X)PPh₂}₂(thf)₃]. Complex 3 b could also be synthesized by reaction of the known titanocene alkyne complex [Cp₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] with Ph₂PC(H)(SiMe₃)PPh₂ ( 2 b ). The heterometallacyclic complex [Cp₂Zr(H){κ²‐P,P‐Ph₂PC(H)PPh₂}] ( 4 aH ) has been prepared by reaction of the Schwartz reagent with [Li{C(H)PPh₂}₂(thf)₃]. Reactions of [Cp₂HfCl₂] with [Li{C(X)PPh₂}₂(thf)₃] gave the highly strained corresponding metallacycles [Cp₂M(Cl){κ²‐P,P‐Ph₂PC(X)PPh₂}] ( 5 aCl and 5 bCl ) in very good yields. Complexes 3 a , 4 aH , and 5 aCl have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Complex 3 a has also been characterized by EPR spectroscopy. The structure and bonding of the complexes has been investigated by DFT analysis. Reactions of complexes 4 aH , 5 aCl , and 5 bCl did not give the corresponding more unsaturated heterometallacyclobuta‐2,3‐dienes.     

1,3-Diene Polymerization Promoted by Half-Sandwich Rare-Earth-Metal Dimethyl Complexes: Active Species Clustering and Cationization/Deactivation Processes

When activated with fluorinated borate cocatalysts the trimetallic complexes [Cp*LnMe₂]₃ (Ln=Y, Lu; Cp*=C₅Me₅) promote efficiently the formation of high-cis polybutadiene. Respective polyisoprenes instead bear much less pronounced microstructures, but reveal crosslinked products at lower polymerization temperatures. Varying the amount of cocatalyst, the emerging active species were examined by NMR spectroscopic techniques (incl. ¹H DOSY). The occurrence of donor-solvent and thermally induced degradation products of the highly reactive precatalyst [Cp*YMe₂]₃ and derived catalyst species was revealed by the elucidation of methylidene clusters [Cp*₃Y₃Me₄(CH₂)(thf)₂] and [Cp*₆Y₆Me₄(CH₂)₄], as well as [(Cp*Y)₂Me₂(N(Me)₂(C₆H₄)]_n[B(C₆F₅)₄]_n, implying a multimetallic active species.