The effects of substituents,molecular symmetry,ionic radius of the rare earth metal,and macrocycle on the electronic absorption spectra characteristics of sandwich-type bis(phthalocyaninato) and mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth complexes

The electronic absorption spectroscopic data for two series of 60 unsubstituted/substituted bis(phthalocyaninato) and mixed [tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)porphyrinato](phthalocyaninato) rare earth complexes M(Pc)₂, M(Pc^∗)₂ and M(TClPP)(Pc) [M = Y, La…Lu except Pm; Pc^∗ = dianion of 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(4-methoxyphenoxy)phthalocyanine [Pc(MeOPhO)₈], dianion of 3(4),12(13),21(22),30(31)-tetra(tert-butyl)phthalocyanine (TBPc) and TClPP = tetra(4-chloro)phenylporphyrin] have been measured in CHCl₃. In this paper, the influence of the symmetry of macrocycle rare earth molecules, the effects of ionic radius of the rare earth metal and the influence of substituent species (tert-butyl and 4-methoxyphenoxy groups) onto the peripheral benzene rings on the electronic absorption characteristics of sandwich-type compounds have also been tentatively studied in detail.     

Synthesis and structure of stable cis-dimethyl complex of oxotungsten(VI)

Oxotungsten(VI) complex cis-[WO(L^tBu)Me₂] (L^tBu = methylamino-N,N-bis(2-methylene-4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenolate) dianion) was prepared by the transmetallation reaction of [WO(L^tBu)Cl₂] (either cis or trans isomer) with methyl magnesium iodide. This unexpectedly stable dialkyl complex can be activated by Et₂AlCl to catalyze the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene.     

Nickel nitrosyl complexes in a sulfur-rich environment: The first poly(mercaptoimidazolyl)borate derivatives

The diamagnetic nickel mononitrosyl complexes (Tm^R)Ni(NO) (R = Bu^t, p-Tol) and (Bm^R)Ni(PPh₃)(NO) (R = Me, Bu^t) have been readily prepared from Ni(PPh₃)₂(NO)Br and the appropriate Na(Tm^R) or Na(Bm^R) reagents, respectively. These species constitute the first nickel nitrosyl complexes supported by these ligand systems. An X-ray diffraction study of (Tm^p-Tol)Ni(NO) confirmed its pseudo-tetrahedral geometry and the presence of a nearly linear nitrosyl ligand. In contrast, (Bm^Me)Ni(PPh₃)(NO) can be best described as having a trigonal pyramidal geometry, a spatial arrangement unprecedented in nickel nitrosyl chemistry, which is facilitated by the disposition of the Bm^Me ligand and the presence of a weak intramolecular Ni?H–B interaction opposite to the apical triphenylphosphine ligand.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of phthalocyanine-porphyrin complex and its photoelectric conversion properties

A soluble phthalocyanine-porphyrin complex (Lu(TBPor)Pc) has been rapidly synthesized from a lutetium porphyrin (Lu(TBPor)OAc) and a metal-free phthalocyanine (H₂(TBPc)) under microwave irradiation. Its photoelectric conversion properties have also been investigated. The experimental results reveal that Lu(TBPor)Pc exhibits better photoelectric conversion effect than Lu(TBPor)OAc, H₂(TBPc), and Lu(TBPor)OAc/H₂(TBPc) blend. Furthermore, we have also introduced a n-type photoconductor (N,N′-bis(1,5-dimethylhexyl)-3,4:9,10-perylenebis(dicarboximide)(PDHEP)) and TiO₂ into Lu(TBPor)Pc photoelectric cell to fabricate a SnO₂/Lu(TBPor)Pc + PDHEP + TiO₂/Al photoelectric cell, exhibiting the largest short-circuit photocurrent (691.3μA/cm²) among all of lab-made cells under illumination of white light (1.2 mW/cm²).     

Bis(pyrazole)- and bis(pyrazolyl)-palladium complexes as phenylacetylene polymerization catalysts

Two types of pyrazole-based palladium complexes were used to catalyze the polymerization of phenylacetylene. Catalysts with electron-withdrawing linkers, [{1,3-(3,5-R₂pzCO)₂C₆H₄}Pd₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂] (R = ^tBu (1), Ph (2), Me (3), [{2,6-(3,5-R₂pzCO)₂C₅H₃N)}PdCl₂] (R = ^tBu (4), Me (5)), show high conversion; whilst those with simple pyrazole ligands, [(3,5-R₂pz)₂PdCl₂] (R = H (6), Me (7), ^tBu (8)), [(3,5-^tBu₂pz)₂PdCl(Me)] (9), have much lower conversions. Conversion greatly improved when 9 was used to catalyze the co-polymerization of sulfur dioxide and phenylacetylene. Both types of catalysts produce predominantly trans–cisoidal polyphenylacetylene.     

Synthesis and ROMP activity of aminophenol-substituted tungsten(VI) and molybdenum(VI) complexes

Tungsten(VI) and molybdenum(VI) complexes [MO(L¹)Cl₂] and [M(X)(L²)Cl₃] (X = O, NPh) with tridentate aminobis(phenolate) ligand L¹ = methylamino-N,N-bis(2-methylene-4,6-dimethylphenolate) and bidentate aminophenolate ligand L² = 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenolate) were prepared and characterised. These complexes are principally stable in open atmosphere under ambient conditions. When activated with Et₂AlCl, they exhibited high activity in ring-opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP) of 2-norbornene (NBE) and its derivatives. Especially complexes [M(NPh)(L²)Cl₃], which are easily available from corresponding metal oxides MO₃ by a simple three-step synthesis, were found very efficient ROMP catalysts for NBE (M = Mo, W) and 2-norbornen-5-yl acetate (M = Mo).     

Titanium ketimide complexes as α-olefin homo- and copolymerisation catalysts. X-ray diffraction structures of [TiCp(NCBu2)Cl2] (Cp=Ind, Cp*)

The synthesis of [TiInd(NC^tBu₂)Cl₂] and the applications of [TiCp^′(NC^tBu₂)Cl₂] (Cp^′=Ind, Cp*, Cp) as ethylene and propylene homopolymerisation catalysts, as well as its behaviour as catalysts of ethylene and 10-undecen-1-ol copolymerisation are described. The optimisation of the catalytic reactions showed that all compounds are very active homopolymerisation catalysts, particularly [TiInd(NC^tBu₂)Cl₂] that gives 123.37 × 10⁶ g/(molTi [E] h) and 50.77 × 10⁶ g/(molTi [P] h) of linear polyethylene and atatic polypropylene, respectively. The less active homopolymerisation catalyst, [TiCp(NC^tBu₂)Cl₂], is the most effective ethylene/10-undecen-1-ol copolymerisation catalyst, leading to the highest degree of polar monomer incorporation. The polymers obtained were characterised by NMR and DSC. The molecular structures of [TiCp^′(NC^tBu₂)Cl₂] (Cp^′=Ind, Cp*) were determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Volatile organic compounds sensing properties of tetrakis(alkylthio)-substituted lutetium(III) bisphthalocyanines thin films

The effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as acetone, methanol, ethanol, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane, and hexane on electrical conductivity of thin films of bis[tetrakis(alkylthio)phthalocyaninato]lutetium(III) double decker complexes [(C_nH_2n+1S)₄Pc]₂Lu(III) was investigated. The [(C_nH_2n+1S)₄Pc]₂Lu(III) molecules substituted with different alkylthia chains (n = 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16) were coated on interdigital transducers using a jet spray technique. A change (increase or decrease) in the conductivity of the [(C_nH_2n+1S)₄Pc]₂Lu(III) films was observed depending on the concentration of the VOCs, which was ranging from 500 to 5000 ppm. The decrease in the conductivity of the sensors for the dissolvent of the compounds (chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane and hexane) could be related to swelling of the films. On the other hand, the increase in the conductivity of the sensors for the other VOCs (acetone, methanol and ethanol) could be resulted from that the VOCs act as electron donors and/or acceptors in the films. A linear relationship between the sensor response and concentration of the VOC vapors is obtained. The sensitivities of the [(C_nH_2n+1S)₄Pc]₂Lu(III) films were in the range of 2.10⁻⁴-3.10⁻³%/ppm.     

A contribution to 1-azapentadienylmetal chemistry: Si, Sn(II), Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes

Complexes of three related 1-azapentadienyl ligands [N(SiMe₂R¹)C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R]⁻, abbreviated as L (R = Bu^t, R¹ = Me), L′ (R = Me = R¹), and L″ (R = Bu^t = R¹), are described. The crystalline compounds Sn(L)₂ (1), Sn(L′)₂ (2), [Sn(L′)(μ-Cl)]₂ (3) and [Sn(L″)(μ-Cl)]₂ (4) were prepared from SnCl₂ and 2 K(L), 2 K(L′), K(L′) and K(L″), respectively, in thf. Treatment of the appropriate lithium 1-azapentadienyl with Si(Cl)Me₃ yielded the yellow crystalline Me₃Si(L) (5) and the volatile liquid Me₃Si(L′) (6) and Me₃Si(L″) (7), each being an N,N,C-trisilyldieneamine. The red, crystalline Fe(L)₂ (8) and Co(L′)₂ (9) were obtained from thf solutions of FeCl₂ with 2 Li(L)(tmeda) and CoCl₂ with 2 K(L′), respectively. Each of 1-9 gave satisfactory C, H, N analyses; 6 and 7 (GC-MS) and 1, 2, 8 and 9 (MS) showed molecular cations and appropriate fragments (also 3 and 4). The ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR (1-4) and IR spectra support the assignment of 1-4 as containing Sn-N(SiMe₂R¹)-C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R moieties and 5-7 as N(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂R¹)C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R molecules; for 1-4 this is confirmed by their X-ray structures. The magnetic moments for 8 (5.56 μ_B) and 9 (2.75 μ_B) are remarkably close to the appropriate Fe and Co complex [M{η³-N(SiMe₃)C(Bu^t)C(H)SiMe₃}₂]; hence it is proposed that 8 and 9 have similar metal-centred, centrosymmetric, distorted octahedral structures.     

Titanium and zirconium ketimide complexes: synthesis and ethylene polymerisation catalysis

The syntheses of ketimide titanium complexes of the type Ti(NC^tBu₂)₃X (X = Cl, Cp, Ind), Ti(NC^tBu₂)₄ and the zirconium complex CpZr(NC^tBu₂)₂Cl are described. When activated by MAO, all compounds are ethylene polymerisation catalysts. In the conditions studied, the most active catalyst is CpZr(NC^tBu₂)₂Cl, with an activity of 2.7 × 10⁵ kg/(molZr [E] h). Titanium complexes are less active by about two orders of magnitude. The polyethylene produced is linear, as determined by NMR spectroscopy. Molecular structures of Ti(NC^tBu₂)₃X (X = Cl, Cp, Ind) and Ti(NC^tBu₂)₄ were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction.     

Tin(IV) and organotin(IV) derivatives of bis(pyrazolyl)acetate: Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and behaviour in solution.: X-ray single crystal study of bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetatotri-iodotin(IV) [SnI3(bdmpza)]

Novel heteroscorpionate-containing tin and organotin(IV) complexes, [SnR_nX_3 − n(L)], R = Me, Buⁿ, Ph, or cy; X = Cl, Br or I, n = 0, 1, 2 or 3; L = bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetate (bpza) or bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetate (bdmpza), have been synthesized and characterized by spectral (IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, ^119mSn Mössbauer) and analytical data. In [SnI₃(bdmpza)], the ligand is fac-N,N′,O-tridentate, the three iodine atoms thus also fac about the six-coordinate tin(IV) atom. Neutral bpzaH reacts with BuⁿSnCl₃, PhSnCl₃ and SnCl₄ in Et₂O in the absence of base, yielding 1:1 adducts [XSnCl₃(bpzaH)] (X = R or Cl).     

H-type aggregation of functional metal ion sensing phthalocyanines: Synthesis,characterization and electrochemistry

We report, in this study, the preparation and physical characterization of the peripherally functionalized ionophore ligand, 4,5-bis(6-hydroxyhexan-3ylthio)-1,2-dicyanobenzene (1) and its branched thioalcohol-substituted phthalocyanines, 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octakis{6-hydroxyhexan-3-ylthio)-metal (II) or (III) phthalocyanines {M{Pc[SCH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₈} {M = Pb(II) (2), Zn(II) (3), Cu(II) (4), Co(II) (5) and Mn(III), X = Cl⁻ (6)} which can selectively bind soft-metal ions such as silver (I) and palladium (II). It was observed by means of UV–Vis absorption spectrophotometry that the aggregates formed lead to a low solubility of the phthalocyanines in protic solvents, such as low molecular alcohols. However, the addition of AgNO₃ and Na₂PdCl₄ into a THF–MeOH solution of {M{Pc[SCH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₈X} {M = Pb(II) (2), Zn(II) (3), Cu(II) (4), Co(II) (5) and Mn(III), X = Cl⁻ (6)} induced optical changes, which indicated the formation of twisted H-type dimers (blue shift, face-to-face fashion) of {M{Pc[SCH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₈} complexes, bound by four PdCl₂ and AgNO₃ units in THF solution. Elemental analysis data, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS), FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and UV–Vis spectral data were used as complementary techniques. Voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of the complexes were performed on Pt in DMSO/TBAP. The first reduction and oxidation processes of 5 were found to be split due to the presence of facile equilibria between the species coordinated differently at axial positions. The Mn(III)Pc(−2)X⁻ complex (6) displayed well-defined colour changes during its reduction processes. The redox behaviour of the Mn(III)Pc(−2)X⁻ complex was observed to be affected significantly by the existence of oxygen in solution due to the formation of μ-oxo MnPc species, Mn(III)Pc–O–PcMn(III). This effect was clarified well by in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of the first germanium-containing alkylidene complexes of molybdenum R3Ge-CHMo(NAr)(OR′)2 (R = Me, Ph) with direct germanium-carbene carbon bond

The novel germanium-containing alkylidene complexes of molybdenum R₃Ge-CHMo(NAr)(OCMe₂CF₃)₂ (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃; R = Me, Ph) have been prepared by the reaction of organogermanium vinyl reagents R₃ GeCHCH₂ with known alkylidene compounds Alkyl-CHMo(NAr)(OCMe₂CF₃)₂ (Alkyl = Bu^t, PhMe₂C). The titled compounds were isolated as crystalline solids and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. The geometry of the Mo atoms in the compounds can be described as a distorted tetrahedron.     

Protonation of the lithio derivatives of the 1,2,4-tri-phosphaferrocenes, [LiFe(η-P2C2Bu2PBu)(η-C5R5)] (R = H, Me): Crystal and molecular structure of [Fe(η-P3C2Bu2BuH)(η-C5Me5)]

A new synthetic route is described to generate the 4-centre-5 electron donor ring system (P₃C₂^tBu₂BuH), via protonation of the lithium salts [LiFe(η⁴-P₂C₂^tBu₂PBu)(η⁵-C₅R₅)] (R = H, Me). The molecular structure of [Fe(η⁴-P₃C₂^tBu₂BuH)(η⁵-C₅R₅)] (R = Me) has been determined by a single crystal X-ray study.     

Syntheses and reactivities of azido coordinated CpCo(dithiolene) complexes

Azido coordinated dithiolene complexes [CpCo(N₃){S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(S-CHR¹R²)], where R¹, R² = H (4a); R¹ = H, R² = SiMe₃ (4b); R¹ = H, R² = CO₂Et (4c), were synthesized by the reactions of the corresponding Cl⁻ coordinated precursors [CpCo(Cl){S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(S-CHR¹R²)] (3a-3c) with sodium azide. The Cl⁻ coordinated complex 3d (R¹, R² = CO₂Me) did not produce any N₃⁻ coordinated complexes but formed the CR¹R²-bridged alkylidene adduct [CpCo{S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(CR¹R²)] (2d; R¹, R² = CO₂Me). The structure of 4a was determined by X-ray diffraction study. In the molecular structure of 4a, the coordinated N₃⁻ ligand and CHR¹R² group were located at the same side with respect to the dithiolene ring (syn form), although the corresponding Cl⁻ precursor (3a; R¹, R² = H) was anti form. A structural conversion of syn/anti was conceivable during the Cl⁻/N₃⁻ ligand exchange. Thermal (80 °C) and photochemical reactions (Hg lamp) of 4a-4c were performed. Among them, 4c was relatively well reacted compared with the others to form the CR¹R²-bridged alkylidene adduct (2c; R¹ = H, R² = CO₂Et), followed by a formal HN₃ elimination, and the reaction also produced non-adduct of the cobalt dithiolene complex [CpCo{S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}] (1). The electrochemical 1e⁻ reduction of 4c underwent a formal N₃⁻ ligand elimination, and successive second reduction caused the CHR¹R² group elimination or reformed the CR¹R²-bridged alkylidene adduct 2c.     

Rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes of thioarylazoimidazoles: Synthesis,structure, spectral characterization,electrochemistry and DFT calculation

[M(SRaaiNR′)Cl₃] (M = Rh(III), Ir(III) and SRaaiNR′ = 1-alkyl-2-{(o-thioalkyl)phenylazo}imidazole) complexes are described in this article. The single crystal X-ray structure of one of the complexes, [Rh(SMeaaiNEt)Cl₃] (3b), shows a tridentate chelation of SMeaaiNEt via N(imidazole), N(azo) and S(thioether) donor centres. Spectral characterization has been done by IR, UV–Vis and ¹H NMR data. The electronic structure, redox properties and spectra are well supported by DFT and TDDFT computation on the complexes.     

Synthesis, structures, and catalytic properties for ethylene polymerization of bridged [η,η-C5H4CHPhArO]TiCl2 complexes

A number of bridged half-sandwich titanium complexes [η⁵:η¹-2-C₅H₄CHPh-4-R¹-6-R²C₆H₂O]TiCl₂ [R¹ = H (5), Me (6), ^tBu (7, 8); R² = H (6, 7), ^tBu (5, 8)] were synthesized from the reaction of their corresponding trimethylsilyl substituted ligand precursors 2-Me₃SiC₅H₄CHPh-4-R¹-6-R²C₆H₂OSiMe₃ [R¹ = H (1), Me (2), ^tBu (3, 4); R² = H (2, 3), ^tBu (1, 4)] with TiCl₄ in hexane. All new complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Molecular structures of complexes 5 and 8 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Upon activation with AlⁱBu₃/Ph₃CB (C₆F₅)₄, complexes 5-8 exhibit reasonable catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 1-hexene, producing polyethylene and poly(ethylene-co-1-hexene) with moderate molecular weights.     

Palladium complexes of multidentate pyrazolylmethyl pyridine ligands: Synthesis,structures and phenylacetylene polymerization

The compounds, 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (_MeNˆNˆN) (L1) and 2,6-bis(3,5-ditertbutylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (_tBuNˆNˆN) (L2), react with either [Pd(NCMe)₂Cl₂] or [Pd(COD)ClMe] to form the mononuclear palladium complexes [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Cl₂] (1), [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)ClMe] (2), [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)Cl₂] (3) and [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)ClMe] (4). Reactions of 1, 2 and 4 with the halide abstractor, NaBAr₄ (Ar = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃), led to the formation of stable tridentate cationic species [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Cl]⁺(5), [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Me]⁺ (6) and [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)Cl]⁺ (7) respectively. The analogous carbonyl linker cationic species [Pd{(3,5-Me₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl]⁺ (9) and [Pd{(3,5-^tBu₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl]⁺ (10), prepared by halide abstraction of the neutral complexes [Pd{(3,5-Me₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl₂] and [Pd{(3,5-^tBu₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl₂] by NaBAr₄, were however less stable with t_1/2 of 14 and 2 days respectively. Attempts to crystallize 1 and 3 from the mother liquor resulted in the isolation of the salts [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Cl]₂[Pd₂Cl₆] (11) and [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)Cl]₂[Pd₂Cl₆] (12). Although when complexes 1–4 were reacted with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) or NaBAr₄, no active catalysts for ethylene oligomerization or polymerization were formed, activation with silver triflate (AgOTf) produced active catalysts that oligomerized and polymerized phenylacetylene to a mixture of cis-transoidal and trans-cisoidal polyphenylacetylene.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Assessment of the Antioxidant Activity of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) Complexes Derived from Scorpionate Ligands

Seeking to enrich the yet less explored field of scorpionate complexes bearing antioxidant properties, we, here, report on the synthesis, characterization and assessment of the antioxidant activity of new complexes derived from three scorpionate ligands. The interaction between the scorpionate ligands thallium(I) hydrotris(5-methyl-indazolyl)borate (TlTp^4Bo,5Me), thallium(I) hydrotris(4,5-dihydro-2H-benzo[g]indazolyl)borate (TlTp^a) and potassium hydrotris(3-tert-butyl- pyrazolyl)borate (KTp^tBu), and metal(II) chlorides, in dichloromethane at room temperature, produced a new family of complexes having the stoichiometric formula [M(Tp^4Bo,5Me)₂] (M = Cu, 1; Zn, 4; Cd, 7), [M(Tp^a)₂] (M = Cu, 2; Zn, 5; Cd, 8), [Cu(Hpz^tBu)₃Cl₂] (3), [Zn(Tp^tBu)Cl] (6) and [Cd(Bp^tBu)(Hpz^tBu)Cl] (9). The obtained metal complexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis, highlighting the total and partial hydrolysis of the scorpionate ligand Tp^tBu during the synthesis of the Cu(II) complex 3 and the Cd(II) complex 9, respectively. An assessment of the antioxidant activity of the obtained metal complexes was performed through both enzymatic and non-enzymatic assays against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl- hydrazyl (DPPH^·), 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS^+·), hydroxyl (HO^·), nitric oxide (NO^·), superoxide (O₂⁻) and peroxide (OOH^·) radicals. In particular, the complex [Cu(Tp^a)₂]⋅0.5H₂O (2) exhibited significant antioxidant activity, as good and specific activity against superoxide (O₂^−·), (IC50 values equal to 5.6 ± 0.2 μM) and might be identified as auspicious SOD-mimics (SOD = superoxide dismutase).     

Syntheses and structures of zinc and tin(II) compounds with hemilabile N-silyl-tert-butylamido and N-silyl-p-tolylamido ligands that contain pendent tert-butoxy groups

Syntheses and solid-state structures of zinc and tin(II) compounds, containing the N-silyl-amide ligands (O^tBu)(NR)SiMe₂, R = ^tBu (L^tBu), or R = p-tolyl (L^pTol), are reported. The N-silyl amines were synthesized by modified published procedures from commercially available Me₂SiCl₂, ^tBuOH, and ^tBuNH₂, or p-Me-C₆H₄NH₂, respectively. Treatment of SnCl₂ with LiL^pTol furnished Sn(L^pTol)₂, which was X-ray structurally characterized and shown to contain two covalent Sn-N bonds and two asymmetrical O → Sn donor bonds. The single-crystal X-ray structure of Sn(L^tBu)₂ revealed a much more symmetrically-coordinated, pseudo-trigonal-bipyramidal tin atom. Aminolysis of diethylzinc with HL^pTol produced [EtZn(L^pTol)]₂, which crystallized as a centrosymmetric dimer, containing four-coordinate zinc atoms connected by bridging amides. Zinc dichloride, by contrast, reacted with two equivalents of LiL^tBu to produce the homoleptic, pseudo-spirocyclic Zn(L^tBu)₂.