Reactivity of Phosphaalkenes toward Carbene Complexes

Reaction of phosphaalkenes RP=C(NMe 2 ) 2 (R = t -Bu, Me 3 Si), featuring an inverse distribution of electron density about the P--C double bond, with Fischer carbene complexes [(CO) 5 M=C(OEt)Ar] (Ar=Ph, 2-MeC 6 H 4 , 2-MeOC 6 H 4 , M = Cr, W) afforded a mixture of complexes [(CO) 5 M{P(R)=C(NMe 2 ) 2 }] and [(CO) 5 M{P(R)=C(OEt)Ar}]. The treatment of phosphaalkene HP=C(NMe 2 ) 2 with compound [(CO) 5 W=C(OEt)(2-MeOC 6 H 4 )] gives rise to the formation of an ( E / Z )-mixture of [(CO) 5 W{P(CH(NMe 2 ) 2 )=C(OEt)(2-MeOC 6 H 4 )}].     

Syntheses and molecular structures of eta3-[(eta5-Cp*)(CO)2Fe-AsPC(SiMe3)2]M(CO)2(eta5-Cp)(M = Mo, W): the first complexes featuring eta3-arsaphosphaallyl ligands

Reaction of (eta5-Cp)(CO)2M=P=C(SiMe3)2 4a (M = Mo) and 4b (M = W) with (eta5-Cp*)(CO)2Fe-As=C(NMe2)2 5 affords the eta3-1-arsa-2-phosphaallyl complexes [(eta5-Cp*)(CO)2Fe-AsPC(SiMe3)2]M(CO)2(eta5-Cp) 6a and 6b, the molecular structures of which were determined by X-ray analyses.     

Synthesis and structures of selected triazapentadienate of Li, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu(I), and Cu(II) using 2,4-N,N'-disubstituted 1,3,5-triazapentadienate anions as ancillary ligands: [N(Ar)C(NMe2)NC(NMe2)N(R)](-) (Ar = Ph, 2,6-(i)Pr2-C6H3; R = H, SiMe3)

Addition reaction of ArN(SiMe 3)M (Ar = Ph or 2,6 - (i) Pr 2-C 6H 3 (Dipp); M = Li or Na) to 2 equivalents of alpha-hydrogen-free nitrile RCN (R = dimethylamido) gave the dimeric [M{N(Ar)C(NMe 2)NC(NMe 2)N(SiMe 3)}] 2 ( 1a, Ar = Ph, M = Li; 1b, Ar = Ph, M = Na; 1c, Ar = Dipp, M = Li). 1d was obtained by hydrolysis of 1c at ambient temperature. Treatment of a double ratio of 1a or 1b with anhydrous MCl 2 (M = Mn, Fe, Co) yielded the 1,3,5-triazapentadienato complexes [M{N(Ph)C(NMe 2)NC(NMe 2)N(SiMe 3)} 2] (M = Mn, 2; Fe, 3; Co, 4) and with NiCl 2.6H 2O gave [M{N(Ph)C(NMe 2)NC(NMe 2)N(H)} 2] (M = Ni, 5). Treatment of an equiv of 1c with anhydrous CuCl in situ and in air led to complexes [{N(Dipp)C(NMe 2)NC(NMe 2)N(SiMe 3)}CuPPh 3] 6 and [Cu{N(Dipp)C(NMe 2)NC(NMe 2)N(H)} 2] 7, respectively. 1c, 1d, and 2- 7 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and microanalysis. 1c, 1d, 5, and 6 were well characterized by (1)H, (13)C NMR, 1c by (7)Li, and 6 by (31)P NMR as well. The structural features of these complexes were described in detail.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of angularly fused tricyclic ring systems by means of 1-metalla-1,3,5-hexatrienes (M=Cr, W)

An efficient pathway for the stereocontrolled synthesis of functionalized, angularly fused tricyclic ring systems from readily available (1-alkynyl)carbene complexes [(OC)(5)M=C(OEt)C(triple bond)CR] (M=Cr, W; R=Ph, c-C(6)H(9)) is described. The synthesis involves the formation of a 1-metalla-1,3,5-hexatriene from the (1-alkynyl)carbene tungsten complex [(OC)(5)W=C(OEt)C(triple bond)C-c-C(6)H(9)] and a secondary amine, and its thermally induced pi-cyclization to a tetrahydroindene, which undergoes a spontaneous isomerization to another tetrahydroindene. Condensation of these tetrahydroindenes with pyran-2-ylidene complexes derived from (1-alkynyl)carbene complexes [(OC)(5)M=C(OEt)C(triple bond)CPh] (M=Cr, W) proceeds smoothly giving angularly fused tricyclic ring systems, rearrangement of which may generate spiro(cyclopentane-1,1-indanes) as side products. The synthesis is highly versatile and can be applied to the formation of various ring systems, such as steroid-type ring skeletons.     

Formation of organolithium hetero-aggregates [Li4Ar2(nBu)2] (Ar=C6H4CH(Me)NMe2-2) during the directed ortho-lithiation of [1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]benzene

(R)-[1-(Dimethylamino)ethyl]benzene reacts with nBuLi in a 1:1 molar ratio in pentane to quantitatively yield a unique hetero-aggregate (2 a) containing the lithiated arene, unreacted nBuLi, and the complexed parent arene in a 1:1:1 ratio. As a model compound, [Li(4)(C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2)-2)(2)(nBu)(2)] (2 b) was prepared from the quantitative redistribution reaction of the parent lithiated arene Li(C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2)-2) with nBuLi in a 1:1 molar ratio. The mono-Et(2)O adduct [Li(4)(C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2)-2)(2)(nBu)(2)(OEt(2))] (2 c) and the bis-Et(2)O adduct [Li(4)(C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2)-2)(2)(nBu)(2)(OEt(2))(2)] (2 d) were obtained by re-crystallization of 2 b from pentane/Et(2)O and pure Et(2)O, respectively. The single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of 2 b-d show that the overall structural motifs of all three derivatives are closely related. They are all tetranuclear Li aggregates in which the four Li atoms are arranged in an almost regular tetrahedron. These structures can be described as consisting of two linked dimeric units: one Li(2)Ar(2) dimer and a hypothetical Li(2)nBu(2) dimer. The stereochemical aspects of the chiral Li(2)Ar(2) fragment are discussed. The structures as observed in the solid state are apparently retained in solution as revealed by a combination of cryoscopy and (1)H, (13)C, and (6)Li NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, reactivity, and thermal stability of [eta(5):sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2)

Reaction of [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]TiCl(NMe2) (1) with 1 equiv of PhCH2K, MeMgBr, or Me3SiCH2Li gave corresponding organotitanium alkyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2) (R = CH2Ph (2), CH2SiMe3 (4), or Me (5)) in good yields. Treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of n-BuLi afforded the decomposition product {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (3). Complex 5 slowly decomposed to generate a mixed-valence dinuclear species {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe2)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (6). Complex 1 reacted with 1 equiv of PhNCO or 2,6-Me2C6H3NC to afford the corresponding monoinsertion product [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-OC(NMe2)NPh] (7) or [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-C(NMe2)=N(2,6-Me2C6H3)] (8). Reaction of 4 or 5 with 1 equiv of R'NC gave the titanium eta(2)-iminoacyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(NMe2)[eta(2)-C(R)=N(R')] (R = CH2SiMe3, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (9) or tBu (10); R = Me, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (11) or tBu (12)). The results indicated that the unsaturated molecules inserted into the Ti-N bond only in the absence of the Ti-C(alkyl) bond and that the Ti-C(cage) bond remained intact. All complexes were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 6-8, and 10-12 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses.     

Reactivity at the beta-diketiminate ligand Nacnac- on titanium(IV) (Nacnac- = [Ar]NC(CH3)CHC(CH3)N[Ar], Ar = 2,6-[CH(CH3)2]2C6H3). Diimine-alkoxo and bis-anilido ligands stemming from the Nacnac- skeleton

The reaction of ketene OCCPh(2) with the four-coordinate titanium(IV) imide (L(1))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf) (L(1)(-) = [Ar]NC(CH(3))CHC(CH(3))N[Ar], Ar = 2,6-[CH(CH(3))(2)](2)C(6)H(3)) affords the tripodal dimine-alkoxo complex (L(2))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf) (L(2)(-) = [Ar]NC(CH(3))CHC(O)[double bond]CPh(2)C(CH(3))N[Ar]). Complex (L(2))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf) forms from electrophilic attack of the beta-carbon of the ketene on the gamma-carbon of the Nacnac(-) NCC(gamma)CN ring. On the contrary, nucleophiles such as LiR (R(-) = Me, CH(2)(t)Bu, and CH(2)SiMe(3)) deprotonate cleanly in OEt(2) the methyl group of the beta-carbon on the former Nacnac(-) backbone to yield the etherate complex (L(3))Ti[double bond]NAr(OEt(2)), a complex that is now supported by a chelate bis-anilido ligand (L(3)(2)(-) = [Ar]NC(CH(3))CHC(CH(2))N[Ar]). In the absence of electrophiles or nucleophiles, the robust (L(1))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf) template was found to form simple adducts with Lewis bases such as CN(t)Bu or NCCH(2)(2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)). Complexes (L(2))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf), (L(3))Ti[double bond]NAr(OEt(2)), and the adducts (L(1))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf)(XY) [XY = CN(t)Bu and NCCH(2)(2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2))] were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Facile synthesis of cyclopropene analogues of aluminum and an aluminum pinacolate, and the reactivity of LAl[eta(2)-C(2)(SiMe(3))(2)] toward unsaturated molecules (L=HC[(CMe)(NAr)](2), Ar=2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3))

Reduction of LAlI(2) (1) (L = HC[(CMe)(NAr)](2), Ar = 2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) with potassium in the presence of alkynes C(2)(SiMe(3))(2), C(2)Ph(2), and C(2)Ph(SiMe(3)) yielded the first neutral cyclopropene analogues of aluminum LAl[eta(2)-C(2)(SiMe(3))(2)] (3), LAl(eta(2)-C(2)Ph(2)) (4), and LAl[eta(2)-C(2)Ph(SiMe(3))] (5), respectively, whereas reduction of 1 in the presence of Ph(2)CO gave an aluminum pinacolate LAl[O(2)(CPh(2))(2)] (6), irrespective of the amount of Ph(2)CO employed. The unsaturated molecules CO(2), Ph(2)CO, and PhCN inserted into one of the Al-C bonds of 3 leading to ring enlargement to give novel aluminum five-membered heterocyclic systems LAl[OC(O)C(2)(SiMe(3))(2)] (7), LAl[OC(Ph)(2)C(2)(SiMe(3))(2)] (8), and LAl[NC(Ph)C(2)(SiMe(3))(2)] (9) in high yields. In contrast, 3 reacted with t-BuCN, 2,6-Trip(2)C(6)H(3)N(3) (Trip = 2,4,6-i-Pr(3)C(6)H(2)), and Ph(3)SiN(3) resulting in the displacement of the alkyne moiety to afford LAl[N(2)(Ct-Bu)(2)] (10) with an unprecedented aluminum-containing imidazole ring, and the first monomeric aluminum imides LAlNC(6)H(3)-2,6-Trip(2) (11) and LAlNSiPh(3) (12). All compounds have been characterized spectroscopically. The variable-temperature (1)H NMR studies of 3 and ESR measurements of 3 and 4 suggest that the Al-C-C three-membered-ring systems can be best described as metallacyclopropenes. The (27)Al NMR resonances of 2 and 3 are reported and compared. Molecular structures of compounds 3, 4, 6.OEt(2), 8.OEt(2), and 9 were determined by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis.     

Synthesis and structures of selected benzamidinates of Li, Na, Al, Zr and Sn(II) using the C1-symmetric ligands [N(SiMe3)C(C6H4Me-4 or Ph)NPh]-

Several compounds based on the C(1)-symmetric ligands [N(R)C(Ar)NPh]- [abbreviated as B1 (Ar = C(6)H(4)Me-4) or B2 (Ar = Ph), R = SiMe(3)] are reported. They are the crystalline metal benzamidinates [Li(mu:kappa2-B1)(OEt2)](2) (1), [Al(kappa2-B1)2Me] (2), [Al(kappa2-B1)2X] [X = Cl/Me, 1 : 1 (3)], [Sn(kappa2-B1)2] (4), Zr(kappa2-B1)2Cl2 (5), [Zr(kappa2-B1)3Cl] (6), [Na(mu:kappa2-B1)(tmeda)]2 (7), K[B1] (8), Li(B2)(OEt2) (9) and Zr(kappa2-B1)3Cl (10) and the known benzamidine Z-H2NC(C6H4Me-4) = NPh (11). They were prepared by (i) insertion of the nitrile 4-MeC6H4CN (1, 7, 8, 11) or PhCN (9) into the appropriate M-N(R')Ph [R' = R and M = Li (1, 9), Na (7), K (8)] bond and subsequent hydrolysis for 11 [R' = H and M = Li], or (ii) a ligand transfer reaction using the lithium amidinate 1 and Al(Me)2Cl (2, 3), SnCl2 (4) or ZrCl4 (5, 6), or Li(B2) and ZrCl4 (10). The X-ray structures of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6b (i.e..3PhMe) 7, and 11 are presented. Exploratory polymerisation experiments are described, using 2, 5 or 6 as a procatalyst with methylaluminoxane (MAO) (Al : Zr ca. 500 : 1) as promoter. Thus toluene solutions were exposed to C2H4 under ambient conditions; while 2 was unresponsive, 5 and 6 showed modest activity in the formation of polyethylene.     

Synthesis, structures and reactions of lithium complexes of [(o-RCHC6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3]-(R = H, SiMe3) ligands

N-Trimethylsilyl o-methylphenyldiphenylphosphinimine, (o-MeC6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3 (1), was prepared by reaction of Ph2P(Br)=NSiMe3 with o-methylphenyllithium. Treatment of 1 with LiBun and then Me3SiCl afforded (o-Me3SiCH2C6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3 (2). Lithiations of both 1 and 2 with LiBu(n) in the presence of tmen gave crystalline lithium complexes [Li{CH(R)C6H4(PPh(2=NSiMe3)-.tmen](3, R = H; 4, R = SiMe3). From the mother liquor of 4, traces of the tmen-bridged complex [Li{CH(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}]2(mu-tmen) (5) were obtained. Reaction of 2 with LiBun in Et2O yielded complex [Li{CH(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}.OEt2] (6). Reaction of lithiated with Me2SiCl2 in a 2:1 molar ratio afforded dimethylsilyl-bridged compound Me2Si[CH2C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2]2 (7). Lithiation of 7 with two equivalents of LiBun in Et2O yielded [Li2{(CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2)2SiMe2}.0.5OEt2](8.0.5OEt2). Treatment of 4 with PhCN formed a lithium enamide complex [Li{N(SiMe3)C(Ph)CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}.tmen] (9). Reaction of two equivalents of 5 with 1,4-dicyanobenzene gave a dilithium complex [{Li(OEt2)2}2(1,4-{C(N(SiMe3)CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}2C6H4)] (10). All compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structures of compounds 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.     

Reaction of p-toluenesulfonylamide and M(NMe2)4 (M = Ti, V): generation of electron-deficient imido complexes of early transition metals

p-Toluenesulfonamide (p-TsNH2) was successfully employed as an imido ligand precursor in the synthesis of highly air- and moisture-sensitive titanium(IV) and vanadium(IV) complexes. Reaction of M(NMe2)4 (M = Ti, V) with TsNH2 in toluene afforded [M(micro-NTs)(NMe2)2]2 dimer complexes (M = Ti (1), V (2)). By contrast, the reaction carried out in dichloromethane led to [Ti[micro-N,O-NTs]Cl(NMe2)(NHMe2)2]2 (3) and [Ti[micro-N,O-NTs]Cl2(NHMe2)2]n (4) through solvent activation. The same reaction of M(NMe2)4/TsNH2 conducted in the presence of an excess of trimethylchlorosilane produced [V(=NTs)Cl2(NHMe2)2] (5) and [(Me2HN)Cl2Ti(micro2-N-NTs-kappa2N,O)2TiCl2(NHMe2)2] (6). Alternatively, compound 6 has also been prepared from TiCl2(NMe2)2 and TsNH2. 1 was reacted with trimethylchlorosilane to afford the amide complex [Ti[micro-N,O'-N(SiMe3)Ts-kappa3N,O,O']Cl2(NMe2)]2 (7) in which the tosylimide bond has been silylated. Compounds 1-6 represents the first examples of sulfonylimido complexes for titanium and vanadium.     

C-C alpha insertion: insertion of an alkyne into the C-C single bond between the carbene-carbon atom and the alpha-carbon atom of a Fischer carbene complex by an unprecedented metalla(di-pi-methane) skeletal rearrangement

The first examples of insertion of a C(triple bond)C bond of an alkyne into a C(carbene)-Calpha single bond of a carbene complex (C-Calpha insertion) are reported. (prim-Alkyl)carbene complexes [(OC)(5)M=C(OEt)CH(2)R] (1 a-f; M=Cr, W; R=nPr, C(7)H(7), Ph) undergo C-Calpha insertion of electron-deficient alkynes [PhC(triple bond)CC(XEt)NMe(2)]BF(4) (5 a,b; X=O, S) to give zwitterionic carbiminium carbonylmetalates 3 a-g, which are thermally transformed into (CO)(4)M chelate carbene complexes 4 a-g by elimination of CO. The overall reaction is highly regio- and stereoselective. It involves an unprecedented metalla(di-pi-methane) rearrangement as the key step.     

Synthesis of a crystalline molecular complex of Y2+, [(18-crown-6)K][(C5H4SiMe3)3Y

The La(2+) complex [K(18-crown-6)(OEt(2))][Cp″(3)La] (1) [Cp″ = C(5)H(3)(SiMe(3))(2)-1,3], can be synthesized under N(2), but in the presence of KC(5)Me(5), 1 reduces N(2) to the (N═N)(2-) product [(C(5)Me(5))(2)(THF)La](2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)). This suggests a dichotomy in terms of ligands that optimize isolation of reduced dinitrogen complexes versus isolation of divalent complexes of the rare earths. To determine whether the first crystalline molecular Y(2+) complex could be isolated using this logic, Cp'(3)Y (2) (Cp' = C(5)H(4)SiMe(3)) was synthesized from YCl(3) and KCp' and reduced with KC(8) in the presence of 18-crown-6 in Et(2)O at -45 °C under argon. EPR evidence was consistent with Y(2+) and crystallization provided the first structurally characterizable molecular Y(2+) complex, dark-maroon-purple [(18-crown-6)K][Cp'(3)Y] (3).     

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.     

Uranium (III) scorpionates: synthesis and structure of [(TpMe2)2U[N(C6H5)2]] and [(TpMe2)2U[N(SiMe3)2]

Reaction of [(Tp(Me)2)(2)UI] with KNR(2) (R = C(6)H(5), SiMe(3)) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded the monomeric trivalent actinide amide complexes [(Tp(Me)2)(2)U[N(C(6)H(5))(2)]], 1, and [(Tp(Me)2)(2)U[N(SiMe(3))(2)]], 2. The complexes have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and their structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. In the solid state 1 and 2 exhibit distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometries. The U-NR(2) bond lengths in both complexes are the same but in complex 2 the greater steric demands of the N(SiMe(3))(2) ligand led to elongated U-N(pz) bonds, especially those opposite the amido ligand.     

Organoiron compounds derived from the indium 'carbene analogues', [In(N(Ar)C(Me))2CH] (Ar = dipp = 2,6-iPr2C6H3; = Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2)

Oxidative insertion of the In(I) 'carbene analogues', [In{N(Dipp)C(Me))2CH] (Ar = Dipp = 2,6-iPr2C6H3; Ar = Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) into the Fe-I bond of [CpFe(CO)2I] occurred cleanly and under mild conditions to yield the In(III) compounds [CH((CH3)2CN-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2In(I)FeCp(CO)2] and [CH( (CH3)2CN-2,4,6-Me3C6H3)2In(I)FeCp(CO)2], which have been fully characterised in solution and the solid state. Attempts to abstract the iodide anion from [CH( (CH3)2CN-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2In(I)FeCp(CO)2] to form cationic species containing a coordinated indium diyl were unsuccessful and resulted in a complex mixture of products from which two ionic species were isolated. Neither cation was found to contain indium by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These observations were indicative of ill-defined decomposition pathways as have been noted by previous workers. A further attempt to form a cationic iron species containing a coordinated [In(N(Dipp)C(Me) )2CH] fragment resulted in oxidation of the iron centre from Fe(II) to Fe(III), with deposition of indium metal, and the isolation of a cationic Fe(III) beta-diketiminate complex.     

Coordinatively unsaturated W(IV)-bis(pyridine) complexes, a reactive source of W(IV)

Addition of 2 equiv of a sigma-donor ligand (L = pyridine, 4-picoline, or quinoline) to complexes of the type [W(NPh)(eta(4)-arene)(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)] (arene = CH3CH2C6H5 (3), CH3CH2CH2C6H5 (4)) gave the W(IV)L2 compounds, [W(NPh)(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)(C5H5N)2] (5), [W(NPh)(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)(p-C6H7N)2] (6), and [W(NPh)(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)(C9H7N)2] (7). Synthesis of compounds 5 and 6 by Na degrees reduction of [W(NPh)(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)Cl2] in the presence of 3 equiv of L (L = 5, pyridine or 6, 4-picoline) is also presented. Compounds 5, 6, and 7 display hindered rotation of the donor ligands about the W-N bonds, resulting from a steric interaction with the Me3Si groups of the diamide ligand. The coordinative unsaturation of 5 and 6 has also been explored. Compounds 5 and 6 readily react with either CO and PMe3 to generated the six coordinate complexes [W(NPh)(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)(C5H5N)2(CO)] (8a), [W(NPh)(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)(C6H7N)2(CO)] (8b), [W(NPh)(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)(C5H5N)(PMe3)2] (10a), and [W(NPh)(o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4)(C6H7N)(PMe3)2] (10b), respectively.     

Preparation and Crystal Structure of Hetero-metal Clusters [h5-C5H4C(O)CH2CH2C(O)OCH3]FeCoM(m3-S)(CO)8 (M = Mo or W)

The hetero-metal clusters [h5-C5H4C(O)CH2CH2C(O)OCH3]FeCoM(m3-S)(CO)8 (M = Mo 1, M = W 2) were prepared by thermal reactions of FeCo2(CO)9(m3-S) with metal exchange reagent [h5-C5H4C(O)CH2CH2C(O)OCH3]M(CO)3Na (M = Mo or W) in THF. Cluster 1 reacted with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine at room temperature to yield the cluster hydrazone derivative (m3-S)CoFeMo(CO)8[h5-C5H4C(NR)Me] [R = NHC6H3-2,4-(NO2)2] 3. All the compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR spectra. Cluster 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: C18H11O11SCoFeMo, Mr = 646.05, triclinic, space group P_1, a = 8.148(2), b = 10.685(3), c = 13.410(4) ?, a = 100.077(5), b = 102.452(5), g = 91.108(6)°, V = 1120.4(5) ?3, Z = 2, Dc = 1.915 g/cm3, F(000) = 636, m = 2.071 mm-1, the final R = 0.0378 and wR = 0.0968 for 5074 observations with (I > 2s(I)).     

Formation,structure and reactivity of boryloxycarbyne complexes of group 6 metals

Reaction of the diborane(4) B(2)(NMe(2))(2)I(2) with two equivalents of K[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))M(CO)(3)] (M=Cr, Mo, W) yielded the dinuclear boryloxycarbyne complexes [[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(2)M(triple bond)CO](2)B(2)(NMe(2))(2)] (4 a, M=Mo; b, M=W; c, M=Cr), which were fully characterised in solution by multinuclear NMR methods. The Mo and W complexes 4 a, b proved to be kinetically favoured products of this reaction and underwent quantitative rearrangement in solution to afford the complexes [[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(2)M(triple bond)CO]B(NMe(2))B(NMe(2))[M(CO)(3)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))]] (5 a, M=Mo; b, M=W); 5 a was characterised by X-ray crystallography in the solid state. Corresponding reactions of B(2)(NMe(2))(2)I(2) with only one equivalent of K[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))M(CO)(3)] (M=Mo, W) initially afforded 1:1 mixtures of the boryloxycarbyne complexes 4 a, b and unconsumed B(2)(NMe(2))(2)I(2). This mixture, however, yielded finally the diborane(4)yl complexes [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(3)M[B(NMe(2))B(NMe(2))I]] (6 a, M=Mo; b, M=W) by [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(3)M] transfer and rearrangement. Density functional calculations were carried out for 4 c and 5 a, b.     

Preparation and properties of the aqua ions [W(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(12)](n+) (n = 5, 6) and crystal structure of (Me(2)NH(2))(6)[W(4)S(4)(NCS)(12)].0.5H(2)O

The [3 + 1] reaction of [W(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) with [W(CO)(6)] in 2 M HCl under hydrothermal conditions (130 degrees C) gives the [W(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(12)](6+) cuboidal cluster, reduction potential 35 mV vs NHE (6+/5+ couple). The reduced form is obtained by controlled potential electrolysis. X-ray crystal structure was determined for (Me(2)NH(2))(6)[W(4)S(4)(NCS)(12)].0.5H(2)O. The W-W and W-S bond lengths are 2.840 and 2.379 A, respectively.