Intermolecular activation of hydrocarbon C-H bonds under ambient conditions by 16-electron neopentylidene and benzyne complexes of molybdenum

CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(2) (1), a complex with alpha-agostic C-H.Mo interactions, evolves neopentane in neat hydrocarbon solutions at room temperature and forms the transient 16-electron alkylidene complex, CpMo(NO)(=CHCMe(3)), which subsequently activates solvent C-H bonds. Thus, it reacts with tetramethylsilane or mesitylene to form CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(CH(2)SiMe(3)) (2) or CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(eta(2)-CH(2)C(6)H(3)-3,5-Me(2)) (3), respectively, in nearly quantitative yields. Under identical conditions, 1 in p-xylene generates a mixture of sp(2) and sp(3) C-H bond activation products, namely CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(3)-2,5-Me(2)) (4, 73%) and CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(eta(2)-CH(2)C(6)H(4)-4-Me) (5, 27%). In benzene at room temperature, 1 transforms to a mixture of CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(5)) (6) and CpMo(NO)(C(6)H(5))(2) (7) in a sequential manner. Most interestingly, the thermal activation of 6 at ambient temperatures gives rise to two parallel modes of reactivity involving either the elimination of benzene and formation of CpMo(NO)(=CHCMe(3)) or the elimination of neopentane and formation of the benzyne complex, CpMo(NO)(eta(2)-C(6)H(4)). In pyridine, these intermediates are trapped as the isolable 18-electron adducts, CpMo(NO)(=CHCMe(3))(NC(5)H(5)) (8) and CpMo(NO)(eta(2)-C(6)H(4))(NC(5)H(5)) (9), and, in hydrocarbon solvents, they effect the intermolecular activation of aliphatic C-H bonds at room temperature to generate mixtures of neopentyl- and phenyl-containing derivatives. However, the distribution of products resulting from the hydrocarbon activations is dependent on the nature of the solvent, probably due to solvation effects and the presence of sigma- or pi-hydrocarbon complexes on the reaction coordinates of the alkylidene and the benzyne intermediates. The results of DFT calculations on these processes in the gas phase support the existence of such hydrocarbon complexes and indicate that better agreement with experimental observations is obtained when the actual neopentyl ligand rather than the simpler methyl ligand is used in the model complexes.     

Concurrent N-H and alpha-C-H bond activations of pyrrolidine and piperidine under ambient conditions by 18e tungsten allyl nitrosyl complexes

18e Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta3-allyl) complexes effect concurrent N-H and alpha-C-H bond activations of cyclic, saturated amines under mild conditions, the conversions involving pyrrolidine being shown. In a similar manner, treatment of Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta3-3,3-Me2C3H3) with piperidine at room temperature results in the clean formation of the alkyl amido complex, Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(NC5H9CMe2CHCH2).     

Intramolecular C-H activation reactions of molybdenacyclobutanes

Molybdenacyclobutane complexes can be prepared by reaction of Cp*Mo(NO)(=CHCMe3) (formed spontaneously by loss of neopentane from Cp*Mo(NO)(CH2CMe3)2 (1) under ambient conditions) with cyclic olefins, including cyclopentene, cycloheptene, and cyclooctene. The cyclopentene metallacyclobutane orients the metallacycle bridgehead protons cis to each other. A trans arrangement is observed for the cyclooctene congener, and both cis and trans orientations occur for the cycloheptene species. The reaction of 1 with cyclohexene initially forms a metallacyclobutane that then undergoes an allylic C-H activation to form an allyl-alkyl-coupled product with the concomitant loss of H2. The analogous allyl-alkyl structure is also observed as the thermodynamic product for the reactions of cycloheptene and cyclooctene with 1. The cyclooctene allyl-alkyl compound (5C) can be converted to an eta2-diene complex by heating with pyridine. Alternatively, heating of 5C in the presence of a variety of olefins displaces the diene ligand that can then be isolated in its unbound state.     

Thermal activation of hydrocarbon C-H bonds by tungsten alkylidene complexes.

Thermal activation of CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(2) (1) in neat hydrocarbon solutions transiently generates the neopentylidene complex, CpW(NO)(=CHCMe(3)) (A), which subsequently activates solvent C-H bonds. For example, the thermolysis of 1 in tetramethylsilane and perdeuteriotetramethylsilane results in the clean formation of CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(CH(2)SiMe(3)) (2) and CpW(NO)(CHDCMe(3))[CD(2)Si(CD(3))(3)] (2-d(12)), respectively, in virtually quantitative yields. The neopentylidene intermediate A can be trapped by PMe(3) to obtain CpW(NO)(=CHCMe(3))(PMe(3)) in two isomeric forms (4a-b), and in benzene, 1 cleanly forms the phenyl complex CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(5)) (5). Kinetic and mechanistic studies indicate that the C-H activation chemistry derived from 1 proceeds through two distinct steps, namely, (1) rate-determining intramolecular alpha-H elimination of neopentane from 1 to form A and (2) 1,2-cis addition of a substrate C-H bond across the W=C linkage in A. The thermolysis of 1 in cyclohexane in the presence of PMe(3) yields 4a-b as well as the olefin complex CpW(NO)(eta(2)-cyclohexene)(PMe(3)) (6). In contrast, methylcyclohexane and ethylcyclohexane afford principally the allyl hydride complexes CpW(NO)(eta(3)-C(7)H(11))(H) (7a-b) and CpW(NO)(eta(3)-C(8)H(13))(H) (8a-b), respectively, under identical experimental conditions. The thermolysis of 1 in toluene affords a surprisingly complex mixture of six products. The two major products are the neopentyl aryl complexes, CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(4)-3-Me) (9a) and CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(4)-4-Me) (9b), in approximately 47 and 33% yields. Of the other four products, one is the aryl isomer of 9a-b, namely, CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(4)-2-Me) (9c) ( approximately 1%). The remaining three products all arise from the incorporation of two molecules of toluene; namely, CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(5))(C(6)H(4)-3-Me) (11a; approximately 12%), CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(5))(C(6)H(4)-4-Me) (11b; approximately 6%), and CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(5))(2) (10; approximately 1%). It has been demonstrated that the formation of complexes 10 and 11a-b involves the transient formation of CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(CH(2)C(6)H(5)) (12), the product of toluene activation at the methyl position, which reductively eliminates neopentane to generate the C-H activating benzylidene complex CpW(NO)(=CHC(6)H(5)) (B). Consistently, the thermolysis of independently prepared 12 in benzene and benzene-d(6) affords CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(5))(C(6)H(5)) (13) and CpW(NO)(CHDC(6)H(5))(C(6)D(5)) (13-d(6)), respectively, in addition to free neopentane. Intermediate B can also be trapped by PMe(3) to obtain the adducts CpW(NO)(=CHC(6)H(5))(PMe(3)) (14a-b) in two rotameric forms. From their reactions with toluene, it can be deduced that both alkylidene intermediates A and B exhibit a preference for activating the stronger aryl sp(2) C-H bonds. The C-H activating ability of B also encompasses aliphatic substrates as well as it reacts with tetramethylsilane and cyclohexanes in a manner similar to that summarized above for A. All new complexes have been characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods, and the solid-state molecular structures of 4a, 6, 7a, 8a, and 14a have been established by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Facile and selective aliphatic C-H bond activation at ambient temperatures initiated by Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe)

Thermolysis of Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe) (1) at ambient temperatures leads to the loss of neopentane and the formation of the eta(2)-diene intermediate, Cp*W(NO)(eta(2)-CH2=CHCH=CH2) (A), which has been isolated as its 18e PMe3 adduct. In the presence of linear alkanes, A effects C-H activations of the hydrocarbons exclusively at their terminal carbons and forms 18e Cp*W(NO)(n-alkyl)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe) complexes. Similarly, treatments of 1 with methylcyclohexane, chloropentane, diethyl ether, and triethylamine all lead to the corresponding terminal C-H activation products. Furthermore, a judicious choice of solvents permits the C-H activation of gaseous hydrocarbons (i.e., propane, ethane, and methane) at ambient temperatures under moderately elevated pressures. However, reactions between intermediate A and cyclohexene, acetone, 3-pentanone, and 2-butyne lead to coupling between the eta(2)-diene ligand and the site of unsaturation on the organic molecule. For example, Cp*W(NO)(eta(3),eta(1)-CH2CHCHCH2C(CH2CH3)2O) is formed exclusively in 3-pentanone. When the site of unsaturation is sufficiently sterically hindered, as in the case of 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene, C-H activation again becomes dominant, and so the C-H activation product, Cp*W(NO)(eta(1)-CH2CMe=CMe2)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe), is formed exclusively from the alkene and 1. All new complexes have been characterized by conventional spectroscopic and analytical methods, and the solid-state molecular structures of most of them have been established by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Finally, the newly formed alkyl ligands may be liberated from the tungsten centers in the product complexes by treatment with iodine. Thus, exposure of a CDCl3 solution of the n-pentyl allyl complex, Cp*W(NO)(n-C5H11)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe), to I2 at -60 degrees C produces n-C5H11I in moderate yields.     

High yield synthesis and reactivity of a phosphinidene bridged dimolybdenum complex

Protonation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHR*)(CO)4] (Cp = eta5-C5H5, R* = 2,4,6-C6H2tBu3) with HBF4.OEt2 gives the hydridophosphinidene complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PR*)(CO)4]BF4, which is easily deprotonated with H2O to give the known phosphinidene complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4] in 95% yield. Reaction of the latter with I2 gives the unsaturated phosphinidene complex [Mo2Cp2I2(mu-PR*)(CO)2], which exhibits an intermetallic distance of 2.960(2) A. Irradiation of solutions of [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4] with UV light gives a mixture of the triply bonded [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(mu-CO)2] and the hydridophosphido derivative [Mo2Cp2(mu-H){mu-P(CH2CMe2)C6H2tBu2}(CO)4] as major species. The latter complex results from an intramolecular C-H bond cleavage from a tBu group and has been characterized by spectroscopy and an X-ray study. Irradiation in the presence of HCC(p-tol) results in the insertion of the alkyne into the Mo-P bond to give [Mo2Cp2{mu-eta1:eta2,kappa-C(p-tol)CHPR*}(CO)4] structurally characterized through an X-ray study.     

Thermal activation of hydrocarbon C-H bonds initiated by a tungsten allyl complex

Gentle thermolysis of the allyl complex, CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (1), at 50 degrees C in neat hydrocarbon solutions results in the loss of neopentane and the generation of transient intermediates that subsequently activate solvent C-H bonds. Thus, thermal reactions of 1 with tetramethylsilane, mesitylene, and benzene effect single C-H activations and lead to the exclusive formation of CpW(NO)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (2), CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(3)-3,5-Me(2))(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (3), and CpW(NO)(C(6)H(5))(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (4), respectively. The products of reactions of 1 with other methyl-substituted arenes indicate an inherent preference of the system for the activation of stronger arene sp(2) C-H bonds. For example, C-H bond activation of p-xylene leads to the formation of CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(4)-4-Me)(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (5) (26%) and CpW(NO)(C(6)H(3)-2,5-Me(2))(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (6) (74%). Mechanistic and labeling studies indicate that the transient C-H-activating intermediates are the allene complex, CpW(NO)(eta(2)-H(2)C=C=CMe(2)) (A), and the eta(2)-diene complex, CpW(NO)(eta(2)-H(2)C=CHC(Me)=CH(2)) (B). Intermediates A and B react with cyclohexene to form CpW(NO)(eta(3)-CH(2)C(2-cyclohexenyl)CMe(2))(H) (18) and CpW(NO)(eta(3)-CH(2)CHC)(Me)CH(2)C(beta)H(C(4)H(8))C(alpha)H (19), respectively, and intermediate A can be isolated as its PMe(3) adduct, CpW(NO)(PMe(3))(eta(2)-H(2)C=C=CMe(2)) (20). Interestingly, thermal reaction of 1 with 2,3-dimethylbut-2-ene results in the formation of a species that undergoes eta(3) --> eta(1) isomerization of the dimethylallyl ligand following the initial C-H bond-activating step to yield CpW(NO)(eta(3)-CMe(2)CMeCH(2))(eta(1)-CH(2)CHCMe(2)) (21). Thermolyses of 1 in alkane solvents afford allyl hydride complexes resulting from three successive C-H bond-activation reactions. For instance, 1 in cyclohexane converts to CpW(NO)(eta(3)-C(6)H(9))(H) (22) with dimethylpropylcyclohexane being formed as a byproduct, and in methylcyclohexane it forms the two isomeric complexes, CpW(NO)(eta(3)-C(7)H(11))(H) (23a,b). All new complexes have been characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods, and the solid-state molecular structures of 2, 3, 4, 18, 19, 20, and 21 have been established by X-ray crystallographic analyses.     

Ten-electron coordination and reactivity of an arylphosphinidene ligand

Photochemical decarbonylation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4] (Cp = eta5-C5H5; R* = 2,4,6-C6H2tBu3) gives [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2], which shows the first example of a remarkable 10-electron donor arylphosphinidene ligand which bridges two Mo atoms through its phosphorus atom while being pi-bonded to one Mo center through the six carbon atoms of the aryl ring. This causes a severe pyramidal distortion of the P-bound C atom. The complex adds CO to give [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta4-PR*)(CO)3], which has an 8-electron donor PR* ligand, and then the parent complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PR*)(CO)4]. Protonation of [Mo2Cp2(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2] gives the hydride [Mo2Cp2(H)(mu-kappa1:kappa1,eta6-PR*)(CO)2]+, which undergoes P-C bond cleavage and hydride migration, affording the phosphido cation [Mo2Cp2(mu-P)(eta6-R*H)(CO)2]+.     

Dinuclear oxidative addition of N-H and S-H bonds at chromium. Reaction of (*)Cr(CO)(3)(C(5)Me(5)) with [o-(HA)C(6)H(4)S-Cr(CO)(3)(C(5)Me(5))] (A = S,NH) yielding [eta(2)-o-(mu-A)C(6)H(4)S-Cr(C(5)Me(5))](2) and H-Cr(CO)(3)(C(5)Me(5))

Reaction of the 17-electron radical (*)Cr(CO)(3)Cp* (Cp* = C(5)Me(5)) with 0.5 equiv of 2-aminophenyl disulfide [(o-H(2)NC(6)H(4))(2)S(2)] results in rapid oxidative addition to form the initial product (o-H(2)N)C(6)H(4)S-Cr(CO)(3)Cp*. Addition of a second equivalent of (*)Cr(CO)(3)Cp* to this solution results in the formation of H-Cr(CO)(3)Cp* as well as (1)/(2)[[eta(2)-o-(mu-NH)C(6)H(4)S]CrCp*](2). Spectroscopic data show that (o-H(2)N)C(6)H(4)S-Cr(CO)(3)Cp* loses CO to form [eta(2)-(o-H(2)N)C(6)H(4)S]Cr(CO)(2)Cp*. Attack on the N-H bond of the coordinated amine by (*)Cr(CO)(3)Cp* provides a reasonable mechanism consistent with the observation that both chelate formation and oxidative addition of the N-H bond are faster under argon than under CO atmosphere. The N-H bonds of uncoordinated aniline do not react with (*)Cr(CO)(3)Cp*. Reaction of the 2 mol of (*)Cr(CO)(3)Cp* with 1,2-benzene dithiol [1,2-C(6)H(4)(SH)(2)] yields the initial product (o-HS)C(6)H(4)S-Cr(CO)(3)Cp and 1 mol of H-Cr(CO)(3)Cp*. Addition of 1 equiv more of (*)Cr(CO)(3)Cp to this solution also results in the formation of 1 equiv of H-Cr(CO)(3)Cp*, as well as the dimeric product (1)/(2)[[eta(2)-o-(mu-S)C(6)H(4)S]CrCp*](2). This reaction also occurs more rapidly under Ar than under CO, consistent with intramolecular coordination of the second thiol group prior to oxidative addition. The crystal structures of [[eta(2)-o-(mu-NH)C(6)H(4)S]CrCp*](2) and [[eta(2)-o-(mu-S)C(6)H(4)S]CrCp*](2) are reported.     

The elusive 16-electron Cp*M(NO)Me(2)(M = Mo, W) complexes and their spontaneous conversions to Cp*M(NMe)(O)Me isomers.

Treatment of [Cp*Mo(NO)Cl(mu-Cl)](2) with magnesium (Me(2)Mg.dioxane, MeMgCl) or aluminum (Me(3)Al) methylating reagents affords the known compound [Cp*Mo(NO)Me(mu-Cl)](2) (1). Similar treatment of the dichloro precursor with MeLi in ethereal solvents generates an equimolar mixture of 1 and the trimethyl "ate" complex, Cp*MoMe(3)(NO-Li(OEt(2)(n)), (2-Et(2)O). Reaction of 2-Et(2)O with a source of [Me](+) forms Cp*MoMe(3)(=N-OMe)(3), a rare terminal alkoxylimido complex. Metathesis of the chloro ligands of [Cp*Mo(NO)Cl(mu-Cl)](2) by MeLi in toluene at low temperatures produces the target dimethyl complex, Cp*Mo(NO)Me(2) (4), in 75% isolated yield. In solution, 4 is predominantly a monomeric species, whereas in the solid state it adopts a dimeric or oligomeric structure containing isonitrosyl bridges as indicated by IR and (15)N/(13)C NMR spectroscopies. Hydrolysis of 4 affords meso- and rac-[Cp*Mo(NO)Me](2)(mu-O) (5), and the reactions of 4 with a range of Lewis bases, L, to form the 18e adducts Cp*Mo(NO)(L)Me(2) (e.g., Cp*Mo(NO)(PMe(3))Me(2) (7)), have established it to be the most electrophilic complex of its family. Acidolysis of the methyl groups of 4 is also facile. Most notably, 4 is thermally unstable in solution and undergoes isomerization via nitrosyl N-O bond cleavage to its oxo(imido) form, Cp*Mo(NMe)(O)Me (11), which is isolable from the final reaction mixture as the mu-oxo-bridged adduct formed by 4 and 11, i.e., Cp*Mo(NO)Me(2)(mu-O)Cp*Mo(NMe)Me (4 <-- 11). The rate of this isomerization is significantly faster for the tungsten dimethyl complex; hence, Cp*W(NO)Me(2) (12) is not isolable free of a supporting donor interaction and can only be isolated as Cp*W(NO)Me(2)(mu-O)Cp*W(NMe)Me (12 <-- 13) or Cp*W(NO)Me(2)(PMe(3)) (14) adducts.     

Silylenediamido [(CH3)2Si(NTs)2(2-); Ts = p-CH3C6H4SO2] complexes of iridium: synthesis, structures and facile Si-N bond cleavage

The N,N'-bis(sulfonyl)diaminosilane TsdmsinH(2) (TsdmsinH(2) = (CH(3))(2)Si(NHTs)(2), Ts = p-CH(3)C(6)H(4)SO(2)) reacted with [Cp*IrCl(2)](2) (Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)(CH(3))(5)) in the presence of a base to give the coordinatively unsaturated (silylenediamido)iridium complex [Cp*Ir(Tsdmsin)] (2), which was further converted to the 18e adducts [Cp*Ir(Tsdmsin)L] (L = P(C(6)H(5))(3) (3a), P(OC(2)H(5))(3), CO); the reactions of 2 and 3a with water led to the formation of the imido-bridged dinuclear complex [Cp*Ir(micro(2)-NTs)(2)IrCp*] and the bis(amido) complex [Cp*Ir(NHTs)(2){P(C(6)H(5))(3)}], respectively.     

Syntheses and structures of heterometallic clusters by the reaction of o-carboranyl cobaltadichalcogenolato complexes

Metalladichalcogenolate cluster complexes [Cp'Co{E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))}]{Co2(CO)5} [Cp' = eta5-C5H5, E = S(3a), E = Se(3b); Cp' = eta5-C5(CH3)5, E = S(4a), E = Se(4b)], {CpCo[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))]}(2)Mo(CO)2] [E = S(5a), Se(5b)], Cp*Co(micro2-CO)Mo(CO)(py)2[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] [E = S(6a), Se(6b)], Cp*Co[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))]Mo(CO)2[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] [E = S(7a), Se(7b)], (Cp'Co[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))]W(CO)2 [E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] [Cp' = eta5-C5H5, E = S(8a), E = Se(8b); Cp' = eta5-C5(CH3)5, E = S(9a), E = Se(9b)], {CpCo[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))]}(2)Ni [E = S(10a), Se(10b)] and 3,4-(PhCN(4)S)-3,1,2-[PhCN(4)SCo(Cp)S(2)]-3,1,2-CoC(2)B(9)H(8) 12 were synthesized by the reaction of [Cp'CoE(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] [Cp' = eta5-C5H5, E = S(1a), E = Se(1b); Cp' = eta5-C5(CH3)5, E = S(2a), E = Se(2b)] with Co2(CO)8, M(CO)3(py)3 (M = Mo, W), Ni(COD)2, [Rh(COD)Cl]2, and LiSCN4Ph respectively. Their spectrum analyses and crystal structures were investigated. In this series of multinuclear complexes, 3a,b and 4a,b contain a closed Co3 triangular geometry, while in complexes 5a-7b three different structures were obtained, the tungsten-cobalt mixed-metal complexes have only the binuclear structure, and the nickel-cobalt complexes were obtained in the trinuclear form. A novel structure was found in metallacarborane complex 12, with a B-S bond formed at the B(7) site. The molecular structures of 4a, 5a, 6a, 7b, 9a, 9b, 10a and 12 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Unusual thermal C-h bond activation by a tungsten allene complex

Gentle thermolysis of the 18e alkyl-allyl complex, CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(eta(3)-3,3-Me(2)C(3)H(3)) (1), generates a reactive 16e allene intermediate, CpW(NO)(eta(2)-CH(2)=C=CMe(2)) (A), with the concomitant evolution of neopentane via hydrogen abstraction from the dimethylallyl ligand. A has been structurally characterized as its PMe(3) adduct and is capable of effecting single and multiple C-H bond activations of hydrocarbon solvents. For example, the thermal reaction of 1 with cyclohexane leads to the formation of the 18e cyclohexenyl hydrido complex, CpW(NO)(eta(3)-C(6)H(9))(H) (5), as a result of three successive C-H activations of the alkane solvent.     

Unusual reactivity of tris(pyrazolyl)borate zirconium benzyl complexes

The synthesis and reactivity of [Tp*Zr(CH2Ph)2][B(C6F5)4] (2, Tp* = HB(3,5-Me2pz)3, pz = pyrazolyl) have been explored to probe the possible role of Tp'MR2+ species in group 4 metal Tp'MCl3/MAO olefin polymerization catalysts (Tp' = generic tris(pyrazolyl)borate). The reaction of Tp*Zr(CH2Ph)3 (1) with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] in CD2Cl2 at -60 degrees C yields 2. 2 rearranges rapidly to [{(PhCH2)(H)B(mu-Me2pz)2}Zr(eta2-Me2pz)(CH2Ph)][B(C6F5)4] (3) at 0 degrees C. Both 2 and 3 are highly active for ethylene polymerization and alkyne insertion. Reaction of 2 with excess 2-butyne yields the double insertion product [Tp*Zr(CH2Ph)(CMe=CMeCMe=CMeCH2Ph)][B(C6F5)4] (4). Reaction of 3 with excess 2-butyne yields [{(PhCH2)(H)B(mu-Me2pz)2}Zr(Cp*)(eta2-Me2pz)][B(C6F5)4] (6, Cp* = C5Me5) via three successive 2-butyne insertions, intramolecular insertion, chain walking, and beta-Cp* elimination.     

Parallel transformations of cyclohexene mediated by the Cp*W(NO) fragment

Hydrogenolysis of Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)2 at room temperature in cyclohexene results in the formation of the intermediate 16e organometallic complex, [Cp*W(NO)(eta2-cyclohexene)]. This intermediate leads to three parallel transformations of cyclohexene, namely (a) C-H activation of cyclohexene to form an eta3-cyclohexenyl hydrido complex, (b) combination of cyclohexene and H2 to form a cyclohexyl hydrido complex, and (c) coupling of two molecules of cyclohexene with concomitant loss of two hydrogen atoms to form a complex containing a novel eta1,eta3-(cyclohexyl)cyclohexenyl ligand. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses of products resulting from transformations (b) and (c) have been effected.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of palladacycles that contain a chiral rhenium fragment in the backbone: New cyclometalation and catalyst design strategies

The bromocyclopentadienyl complex [(eta5-C5H4Br)Re(CO)3] is converted to racemic [(eta5-C5H4Br)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH2PPh2)] (1 b) similarly to a published sequence for cyclopentadienyl analogues. Treatment of enantiopure (S)-[(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH3)] with nBuLi and I2 gives (S)-[(eta5-C5H4I)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH3)] ((S)-6 c; 84 %), which is converted (Ph3C+ PF6 -, PPh2H, tBuOK) to (S)-[(eta5-C5H4I)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH2PPh2)] ((S)-1 c). Reactions of 1 b and (S)-1 c with Pd[P(tBu)3]2 yield [{(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(mu-X)}2] (10; X = b, Br, rac/meso, 88 %; c, I, S,S, 22 %). Addition of PPh3 to 10 b gives [(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(PPh3)(Br)] (11 b; 92 %). Reaction of (S)-[(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH2PPh2)] ((S)-2) and Pd(OAc)(2) (1.5 equiv; toluene, RT) affords the novel Pd3(OAc)4-based palladacycle (S,S)-[(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(mu-OAc)2Pd(mu-OAc)2Pd(mu-PPh2CH2)(Ph3P)(ON)Re(eta5-C5H4)] ((S,S)-13; 71-90 %). Addition of LiCl and LiBr yields (S,S)-10 a,b (73 %), and Na(acac-F6) gives (S)-[(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(acac-F6)] ((S)-16, 72 %). Reaction of (S,S)-10 b and pyridine affords (S)-[(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(NC5H5)(Br)] ((S)-17 b, 72 %); other Lewis bases yield similar adducts. Reaction of (S)-2 and Pd(OAc)2 (0.5 equiv; benzene, 80 degrees C) gives the spiropalladacycle trans-(S,S)-[{(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)}2Pd] (39 %). The crystal structures of (S)-6 c, 11 b, (S,S)- and (R,R)-132 C7H8, (S,S)-10 b, and (S)-17 b aid the preceding assignments. Both 10 b (racemic or S,S) and (S)-16 are excellent catalyst precursors for Suzuki and Heck couplings.     

Strain-controlled, photochemically, or thermally promoted haptotropic shifts of cyclopentadienyl ligands in group 8 metallocenophanes

Cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligands in moderately strained [1]- and [2]ferrocenophanes [Fe{(eta5-C5H4)2(ERx)y}: Fe{(eta5-C5H4)2SiMe2} (1), Fe{(eta5-C5H4)CH2}2 (10)] and highly strained [2]ruthenocenophanes [Ru{(eta5-C5H4)CR2}2 {R = H (15), Me (16)}] are susceptible to partial substitution by P donors and form mixed-hapticity metallocycles-[M(L2){(eta5-C5H4)(ERx)y(eta1-C5H4)}]: [Fe(dppe){(eta5-C5H4)SiMe2(eta1-C5H4)}] (5), [Fe(dmpe){(eta5-C5H4)SiMe2(eta1-C5H4)}] (6), [Fe(dmpe){(eta5-C5H4)(CH2)2(eta1-C5H4)}] (11), [Ru(dmpe){(eta5-C5H4)(CH2)2(eta1-C5H4)}] (17), [Ru(dmpe){(eta5-C5H4)(CMe2)2(eta1-C5H4)}] (18), and [Ru(PMe3)2{(eta5-C5H4)(CH2)2(eta1-C5H4)}] (19)-through haptotropic reduction of one eta5-, pi-bound Cp to eta1, sigma-coordination. These reactions are strain-controlled, as highly ring-tilted [2]ruthenocenophanes 15 and 16 [tilt angles (alpha) approximately 29-31 degrees ] react without irradiation to form thermodynamically stable products, while moderately strained [n]ferrocenophanes 1 and 10 (alpha approximately 19-22 degrees ) require photoactivation. The iron-containing photoproducts 5 and 11 are metastable and thermally retroconvert to their strained precursors and free phosphines at 70 degrees C. In contrast, the unprecedented ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the essentially ring-strain-free adduct 6 to afford poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) [Fe(eta5-C5H4)2SiMe2]n (Mw approximately 5000 Da) was initiated by the thermal liberation of small amounts of P donor. Unlike reactions with bidentate analogues, monodentate phosphines promoted photolytic ROP of ferrocenophanes 1 and 10. MALDI-TOF analysis suggested a cyclic structure for the soluble poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane), 8-cyclic, produced from 1 in this manner. While the polymer likewise produced from 10 was insoluble, the initiation step in the ROP process was modeled by isolation of a tris(phosphine)-substituted ring-opened ferrocenophane [Fe(PMe3)3{(eta5-C5H4)(CH2)2(C5H5)}][OCH2CH3] (13[OCH2CH3]) generated by irradiation of 10 and PMe3 in a protic solvent (EtOH). Studies of the cation 13 revealed that the Fe center reacts with a Cp- anion with loss of the phosphines to form [Fe(eta5-C5H5){(eta5-C5H4)(CH2)2(C5H5)}] (14) under conditions identical to those of the ROP experiments, confirming the likelihood of "back-biting" reactions to yield cyclic structures or macrocondensation to produce longer chains.     

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.     

Various forms of linear dipyridyls in discrete rectangles, dinuclear rods, and one-dimensional networks containing (eta5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III)

[Cp*Rh(eta1-NO3)(eta2-NO3)] (1) reacted with pyrazine (pyz) to give a dinuclear complex [Cp*Rh(eta1-NO3)(mu-pyz)(0.5)]2.CH2Cl2(3.CH2Cl2). Tetranuclear rectangles of the type [Cp*Rh(eta1,mu-X)(mu-L)(0.5)]4(OTf)4(4a: X = N3, L = bpy; 4b: X = N3, L = bpe; 4c: X = NCO, L = bpy) were prepared from [Cp*Rh(H2O)3](OTf)2 (2), a pseudo-halide (Me3SiN3 or Me3SiNCO), and a linear dipyridyl [4,4'-bipyridine (bpy) or trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe)] by self-assembly through one-pot synthesis at room temperature. Treating complex with NH4SCN and dipyridyl led to the formation of dinuclear rods, [Cp*Rh(eta1-SCN)3]2(LH2) (5a: L = bpy; 5b: L = bpe), in which two Cp*Rh(eta1-SCN)3 units are connected by the diprotonated dipyridyl (LH2(2+)) through N(+)-H...N hydrogen bonds. Reactions of complex 2 with 1-(trimethylsilyl)imidazole (TMSIm) and dipyridyl (bpy or bpe) also produced another family of dinuclear rods [Cp*Rh(ImH)3]2.L (6a: L = bpy; 6b: L = bpe). Treating 1 and 2 with TMSIm and NH4SCN (in the absence of dipyridyl) generated a 1-D chain [Cp*Rh(ImH)3](NO3)2 (7) and a 1-D helix [Cp*Rh(eta1-SCN)2(eta1-SHCN)].H2O (8.H2O), respectively. The structures of complexes 3.CH2Cl2, 4a.H2O, 4c.2H2O, 5b, 6a, 7 and 8.H2O were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and reactions of group 6 metal half-sandwich complexes of 2,2-dicyanoethylene-1,1-dichalcogenolates [(Cp*)M[E(2)C=C(CN)(2)](2)]-(M = Mo,W; E = S,Se)

A series of group 6 transition metal half-sandwich complexes with 1,1-dichalcogenide ligands have been prepared by the reactions of Cp*MCl(4)(Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5); M = Mo, W) with the potassium salt of 2,2-dicyanoethylene-1,1-dithiolate, (KS)(2)C=C(CN)(2) (K(2)-i-mnt), or the analogous seleno compound, (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) (K(2)-i-mns). The reaction of Cp*MCl(4) with (KS)(2)C=C(CN)(2) in a 1:3 molar ratio in CH(3)CN gave rise to K[Cp*M(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (M = Mo, 1a, 74%; M = W, 2a, 46%). Under the same conditions, the reaction of Cp*MoCl(4) with 3 equiv of (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) afforded K[Cp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (3a) and K[Cp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))] (4) in respective yields of 45% and 25%. Cation exchange reactions of 1a, 2a, and 3a with Et(4)NBr resulted in isolation of (Et(4)N)[Cp*Mo(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (1b), (Et(4)N)[Cp*W(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (2b), and (Et(4)N)[Cp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (3b), respectively. Complex 4 crystallized with one THF and one CH(3)CN molecule as a three-dimensional network structure. Inspection of the reaction of Cp*WCl(4) with (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) by ESI-MS revealed the existence of three species in CH(3)CN, [Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)]-, [Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))]-, and [Cp*W(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))(2)]-, of which [Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))]-(5) was isolated as the main product. Treatment of 2a with 1/4 equiv of S(8) in refluxing THF resulted in sulfur insertion and gave rise to K[Cp*W(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(S(S(2))C=C(CN)(2))](6), which crystallized with two THF molecules forming a three-dimensional network structure. 6 can also be prepared by refluxing 2a with 1/4 equiv of S(8) in THF. 3a readily added one Se atom upon treatment with 1 mol of Se powder in THF to give 4 in high yield, while the treatment of 3a or 4 with 2 equiv of Na(2)Se in THF led to formation of a dinuclear complex [(Cp*Mo)(2)(mu-Se)(mu-Se(Se(3))C=C(CN)(2))] (7). The structure of 7 consists of two Cp*Mo units bridged by a Se(2-) and a [Se(Se(3))C=C(CN)(2)](2-) ligand in which the triselenido group is arranged in a nearly linear way (163 degrees). The reaction of 2a with 2 equiv of CuBr in CH(3)CN yielded a trinuclear complex [Cp*WCu(2)(mu-Br)(mu(3)-S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (8), which crystallized with one CH(3)CN and generated a one-dimensional chain polymer through bonding of Cu to the N of the cyano groups.