New side-on bound dinitrogen complexes of zirconium supported by an arene-bridged diamidophosphine ligand and their reactivity with dihydrogen

A new dinitrogen complex, deep blue-green {[NPN]*Zr(THF)}(2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)) ([NPN]* = {[N-(2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2))(2-N-5-MeC(6)H(3))](2)PPh}), was prepared in high yield by the reduction of [NPN]*ZrCl(2) with 2.2 equiv of KC(8) in THF under N(2). The solid-state molecular structure shows that N(2) is strongly activated (N-N bond length: 1.503(6) A) and bound side-on to two Zr atoms. Coordinated THF can be readily replaced by adding pyridine (py) or PMe(2)R (R = Me, Ph) to the complex to obtain {[NPN]*Zr(py)}(2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)) or {[NPN]*Zr(PMe(2)R)}(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)){Zr[NPN]*} in high yield. X-ray diffraction experiments show that the N(2) moiety is strongly activated and remains side-on bound to Zr for the py and PMe(2)Ph adducts; interestingly, only one PMe(2)Ph coordinates to the Zr(2)N(2) unit. {[NPN]*Zr(PMe(2)R)}(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)){Zr[NPN]*} reacts slowly with H(2) to provide {[NPN]*Zr(PMe(2)R)}(mu-H)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)H){Zr[NPN]*}, as determined by isotopic labeling, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The THF adduct does not react with H(2) even after an extended period, whereas the pyridine adduct does undergo a reaction with H(2), but to a mixture of products.     

Hydrosilylation of a dinuclear tantalum dinitrogen complex: cleavage of N2 and functionalization of both nitrogen atoms

Hydrosilylation of the ditantalum dinitrogen complex ([NPN]Ta)2(mu-H)2(mu-eta1:eta2-N2) proceeds via an addition reaction to produce ([NPN]TaH)(mu-H)2(mu-eta1:eta2-N-NSiH2Bu)(Ta[NPN]), which contains a new N-Si bond and a terminal tantalum hydride; this species has been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. This complex undergoes reductive elimination of H2 followed by N-N bond cleavage to generate a new intermediate with the formula ([NPN]TaH)(mu-N)(mu-NSiH2Bu)(Ta[NPN]); confirmation of N-N bond cleavage is evident from the 15N-labeled isotopomer that displays an absence of 15N-15N scalar coupling in the 15N NMR spectrum. In the presence of additional silane, a second hydrosilylation and reductive elimination results to give ([NPN]Ta)2(mu-NSiH2Bu)2, a species in which each dinitrogen-derived N atom has been converted to a bridging silylimide ligand. This latter complex displays C2h symmetry both in solution and in the solid state.     

Substituent effects in the hydrosilylation of coordinated dinitrogen in a ditantalum complex: cleavage and functionalization of N2

The dinitrogen complex ([NPN]Ta)2(mu-eta1:eta2-N2)(mu-H)2, 1, (where [NPN] = (PhNSiMe2CH2)2PPh) undergoes hydrosilylation with primary and secondary alkyl- and arylsilanes, giving a new N-Si bond and a new terminal tantalum hydride derived from one Si-H unit. Various primary silanes can be employed to give isolable complexes of the general formula ([NPN]TaH)(mu-N-N-SiH(n)R(3-n))(mu-H)2(Ta[NPN]) (5, R=Bu, n = 2; 9, R=Ph, n = 2). Analogous complexes featuring secondary silanes are not isolable, because these products, and 5 and 9, are uniformly unstable toward reductive elimination of bridging hydrides as H2, followed by cleavage of the N-N bond to give ([NPN]TaH)(mu-N)(mu-N-SiH(n)R(3-n))(Ta[NPN]) (6, R=Bu, n = 2; 10, R=Ph, n = 2; 15, R=Ph, n = 1; 16, R=Ph and Me, n = 1). The bridging nitrido ligand in these complexes is itself a substrate for a second hydrosilylation when n = 2, and schemes leading to Ta(IV) complexes of the general formula ([NPN]Ta)2(mu-N-SiH2R)(mu-N-SiH2R') via elimination of H2 are reported (4, R=R'=Bu; 12, R=Bu, R' = Ph; 13, R=Bu, R' = CH2CH2SiH3). At this point, the general reaction manifold for these compounds ramifies, with distinct outcomes occurring for different R groups-[NPN] ligand amide migration from Ta to RSi affords 11, whereas stable complex 6 rearranges to give 7, in the presence of excess silane. Ethanediylbissilane reacts with 1 to give 14, isostructural to 7.     

Lewis adducts of the side-on end-on dinitrogen-bridged complex [{(NPN)Ta}2(mu-H)2(mu-eta 1:eta 2-N2)] with AlMe3, GaMe3, and B(C6F5)3: synthesis, structure, and spectroscopic properties

Reaction of the side-on end-on dinitrogen complex [{(NPN)Ta}(2)(mu-H)(2)(mu-eta(1):eta(2)-N(2))] (1; in which NPN=(PhNSiMe(2)CH(2))(2)PPh), with the Lewis acids XR(3) results in the adducts [{(NPN)Ta}(2)(mu-H)(2)(mu-eta(1):eta(2)-NNXR(3))], XR(3)=GaMe(3) (2), AlMe(3) (3), and B(C(6)F(5))(3) (4). The solid-state molecular structures of 2, 3, and 4 demonstrate that the N-N bond length increases relative to those found in 1 by 0.036, 0.043, and 0.073 A, respectively. In solution complexes 2-4 are fluxional as evidenced by variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The (15)N{(1)H} NMR spectra of 2-4 are reported; furthermore, their vibrational properties and electronic structures are evaluated. The vibrational structures are found to be closely related to that of the parent complex 1. Detailed spectroscopic analysis on 2-4 leads to the identification of the theoretically expected six normal modes of the Ta(2)N(2) core. On the basis of experimental frequencies and the QCB-NCA procedure, the force constants are determined. Importantly, the N-N force constant decreases from 2.430 mdyn A(-1) in 1 to 1.876 (2), 1.729 (3), and 1.515 mdyn A(-1) (4), in line with the sequence of N-N bond lengths determined crystallographically. DFT calculations on a generic model of the Lewis acid adducts 2-4 reveal that the major donor interaction between the terminal nitrogen atom and the Lewis acid is mediated by a sigma/pi hybrid molecular orbital of N(2), corresponding to a sigma bond. Charge analysis performed for the adducts indicates that the negative charge on the terminal nitrogen atom of the dinitrogen ligand increases with respect to 1. The lengthening of the N-N bond observed for the Lewis adducts is therefore explained by the fact that charge donation from the complex fragment into the pi* orbitals of dinitrogen is increased, while electron density from the N-N bonding orbitals p(sigma) and pi(h) is withdrawn due to the sigma interaction with the Lewis acid.     

Spectroscopic properties and quantum chemistry-based normal coordinate analysis (QCB-NCA) of a dinuclear tantalum complex exhibiting the novel side-on end-on bridging geometry of N2: correlations to electronic structure and reactivity

The vibrational properties and the electronic structure of the side-on end-on N(2)-bridged Ta complex ([NPN]Ta(micro-H))(2)(micro-eta(1):eta(2)-N(2)) (1) (where [NPN] = (PhNSiMe(2)CH(2))(2)PPh) are analyzed. Vibrational characterization of the Ta(2)(micro-N(2))(micro-H)(2) core is based on resonance Raman and infrared spectroscopies evaluated with a novel quantum chemistry-based normal coordinate analysis (QCB-NCA). The N-N stretching frequency is found at 1165 cm(-)(1) exhibiting a (15)N(2) isotope shift of -37 cm(-)(1). Four other modes of the Ta(2)N(2)H(2) core are observed between 430 and 660 cm(-)(1). Two vibrations of the bridging hydrido ligands are also identified in the spectra. On the basis of experimental frequencies and the QCB-NCA procedure, the N-N force constant is determined to be 2.430 mdyn A(-)(1). The Ta-N force constants are calculated to be 2.517 mdyn A(-)(1) for the Ta-eta(1)-N(2) bond and 1.291 and 0.917 mdyn A(-)(1) for the Ta-eta(2)-N(2) bonds, respectively. DFT calculations on 1 suggest that the bridging dinitrogen ligand carries a charge of -1.1, which is equally distributed over the two nitrogen atoms. However, orbital analysis reveals that the terminal nitrogen makes lower contributions to the pi orbitals and much higher contributions to the pi orbitals of the N(2) ligand than the bridging nitrogen. This suggests that reactions of the dinitrogen ligand with electrophiles should preferentially occur at the terminal N atom, in agreement with experimental results.     

Cleavage of hydrazine and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine by dinuclear tantalum hydrides: formation of imides, nitrides, and N,N-dimethylamine

The complexes (RPh[NPN]Ta)2(mu-H)4 (RPh[NPN] = RP(CH2SiMe2NPh)2) activate molecular nitrogen to give (RPh[NPN]Ta)2(mu-eta1-eta2-N2)(mu-H)2; however, addition of hydrazine to (CyPh[NPN]Ta)2(mu-H)4 promotes cleavage of the N-N bond and N-H activation to give the bridging bisimide complex (CyPh[NPN]Ta)2(mu-H)2(mu-NH)2. Substitution of the phosphine substituent from cyclohexyl to phenyl allows for characterization of (PhPh[NPN]Ta)2(mu-H)2(mu-NH)2 crystallographically. Addition of the substituted hydrazine Me2NNH2 results in formation of a mono(nitride) complex, (RPh[NPN]Ta)2(mu-H)3(mu-N). The N-N bond has again been cleaved, but the second nitrogen atom has been functionalized and ejected as Me2NH.     

Formation of phosphorus-nitrogen bonds by reduction of a titanium phosphine complex under molecular nitrogen

The reduction of high oxidation state metal complexes in the presence of molecular nitrogen is one of the most common methods to synthesize a dinitrogen complex. However, the presence of strong reducing agents combined with the poor binding ability of N2 can lead to unanticipated outcomes. For example, the reduction of [NPN]ZrCl2(THF) (where NPN = PhP(CH2SiMe2NPh)2) with KC8 under N2 leads to the formation of the side-on bridged dinuclear dinitrogen complex ([NPN]Zr(THF))2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2) with an N-N bond distance of 1.503(3) A; however, reduction of the corresponding titanium precursor, [NPN]TiCl2, under N2 does not generate a dinitrogen complex, rather the bis(phosphinimide) derivative, ([N(PN)N]Ti)2, is isolated in which the added N2 is incorporated between the titanium and phosphine centers. Performing the reaction under 15N2 results in the 15N label being incorporated in the phosphinimide unit. A suggested mechanism for this process involves an initially formed dinitrogen complex being over reduced to generate a species with bridging nitrides that undergoes nucleophilic attack by the coordinated phosphine ligands and formation of the P=N bond of the phosphinimide.     

Side-on bound dinitrogen complex of zirconium supported by a P2N2 macrocyclic ligand

Reduction of [P 2N 2]ZrCl 2 (where P 2N 2 = PhP(CH 2SiMe 2NSiMe 2CH 2) 2PPh) by KC 8 under N 2 generates the dinuclear dinitrogen complex ([P 2N 2]Zr) 2(mu-eta (2):eta (2)-N 2) and impurities in varying yields depending on the solvent and temperature. The toluene complex [P 2N 2]Zr(eta (6)-C 7H 8) along with a dinuclear species with bridging PC 6H 5 groups is observable. Also observable in the crude reaction mixtures is the mu-oxodiazenido derivative, ([P 2N 2]Zr) 2(mu-eta (2):eta (2)-N 2H 2)(mu-O), due to reaction with trace H 2O. This paper reports the full details of the preparation of ([P 2N 2]Zr) 2(mu-eta (2):eta (2)-N 2) including an improved method that involves reduction at low temperatures in a tetrahydrofuran solvent. Also reported is a reproducible synthesis of the oxodiazenido complex along with the X-ray structures of the dinitrogen complex and the oxodiazenido derivative.     

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

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

Carbon-nitrogen bond formation via the reaction of terminal alkynes with a dinuclear side-on dinitrogen complex

The dinuclear dinitrogen complex ([P2N2]Zr)2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2) reacts with terminal aryl alkynes to generate a new species in which the dinitrogen unit has been functionalized. The products formed have the general formula ([P2N2]Zr)2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2CCAr)(mu-CCAr) and display a styryl-hydrazido unit bridging the two Zr centers along with a bridging arylalkynide. The crystal structures of three of these products are reported. A mechanism is proposed for this process that involves cycloaddition of the alkyne to the side-on dinitrogen unit followed by protonation of the Zr-C bond by a second equivalent of terminal alkyne. A fluxional process is operative in solution that equilibrates the phosphorus nuclei at high temperature; in the slow exchange limit, the two [P2N2]Zr ends of complex are inequivalent as evidenced by four resonances in the 31P NMR spectrum for the inequivalent phosphorus donors. This C-N bond-forming reaction is unique in that an activated dinitrogen fragment undergoes a reaction with an alkyne.     

Complete disassembly of carbon disulfide by a ditantalum complex

The side-on end-on dinitrogen complex [PhP(CH(2)SiMe(2)NPh)(2)Ta](μ-H)(2)(μ-η(2):η(1)-N(2)) reacts with CS(2) with complete cleavage of both C=S double bonds and the formation of [PhP(CH(2)SiMe(2)NPh)(2)Ta](μ-S)(2)(μ-CH(2)), which has two bridging sulfides and a bridging methylene unit. Further reaction with H(2) produces CH(4) and the disulfide complex.     

Dinitrogen reduction by TmII,DyII, and NdII with simple amide and aryloxide ligands

Dinitrogen can be reduced to the planar M2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2) structure without employing cyclopentadienyl or complicated polydentate ligands using the recently discovered divalent oxidation states of Tm(II), Dy(II), and Nd(II). Complexes of these ions with common monodentate amide and aryloxide ligands can effect N2 reduction. THF solutions of LnI2 (Ln = Tm, Dy) in the presence of 2 equiv of NaN(SiMe3)2 reduce dinitrogen to form {[(Me3Si)2N]2(THF)Ln}2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2) complexes that have planar Ln2N2 units and 1.264(7) and 1.305(6) A NN bonds consistent with (N2)2- moieties. With the stronger reductant Nd(II), aryloxides are sufficient ancillary ligands: the NdI2/2KOC6H3tBu2-2,6 (KOAr) system forms [(ArO)2(THF)2Nd]2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2), which has a 1.242(7) A NN bond.     

Synthesis, structure, and 15N NMR studies of paramagnetic lanthanide complexes obtained by reduction of dinitrogen

The recently discovered LnZ3/M and LnZ2Z'/M methods of reduction (Ln = lanthanide; M = alkali metal; Z, Z' = monoanionic ligands that allow these combinations to generate "LnZ2" reactivity) have been applied to provide the first crystallographically characterized dinitrogen complexes of cerium, [C5Me5)2(THF)Ce]2(mu-eta2.eta2-N2) and [(C5Me4H)2(THF)Ce]2(mu-eta2.eta2-N2), so that the utility of 15N NMR spectroscopy with paramagnetic lanthanides could be determined. [(C5Me5)2(THF)Pr]2(mu-eta2.eta2-N2) and [(C5Me4H)2(THF)Pr]2(mu-eta2.eta2-N2) were also synthesized, crystallographically characterized, and studied by 15N NMR methods. The data were compared to those of [(C5Me5)2Sm]2(mu-eta2.eta2-N2). [(C5Me5)2(THF)Ce]2(mu-eta2.eta2-N2) and [(C5Me5)2(THF)Pr]2(mu-eta2.eta2-N2) are unlike their (C5Me4H)1- analogs in that the solvating THF molecules are cis rather than trans. Structural information on precursors, (C5Me4H)3Ce, (C5Me4H)3Pr, and the oxidation product [(C5Me5)2Ce]2(mu-O) is also presented.     

Trialkylboron/lanthanide metallocene hydride chemistry: polydentate bridging of (HBEt3)- to lanthanum

The reaction of [(C(5)Me(5))(2)LaH](x) with BEt(3) is reported, and the solid-state structures of the lanthanum product (C(5)Me(5))(2)La[(mu-H)(mu-Et)(2)BEt], 1, and its THF adduct (C(5)Me(5))(2)La(THF)[(mu-H)(mu-Et)BEt(2)], 2, are compared with that of the hydride-bridged "tuckover" complex (C(5)Me(5))(2)La(mu-H)(mu-eta(1):eta(5)-CH(2)C(5)Me(4))La(C(5)Me(5)), 3.     

Expanding dinitrogen reduction chemistry to trivalent lanthanides via the LnZ3/alkali metal reduction system: evaluation of the generality of forming Ln2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2) complexes via LnZ3/K

The Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/K dinitrogen reduction system, which mimicks the reactions of the highly reducing divalent ions Tm(II), Dy(II), and Nd(II), has been explored with the entire lanthanide series and uranium to examine its generality and to correlate the observed reactivity with accessibility of divalent oxidation states. The Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/K reduction of dinitrogen provides access from readily available starting materials to the formerly rare class of M(2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)) complexes, [[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Ln](2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)), 1, that had previously been made only from TmI(2), DyI(2), and NdI(2) in the presence of KN(SiMe(3))(2). This LnZ(3)/alkali metal reduction system provides crystallographically characterizable examples of 1 for Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Y, Tm, and Lu. Sodium can be used as the alkali metal as well as potassium. These compounds have NN distances in the 1.258(3) to 1.318(5) A range consistent with formation of an (N=N)(2)(-) moiety. Isolation of 1 with this selection of metals demonstrates that the Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/alkali metal reaction can mimic divalent lanthanide reduction chemistry with metals that have calculated Ln(III)/Ln(II) reduction potentials ranging from -2.3 to -3.9 V vs NHE. In the case of Ln = Sm, which has an analogous Ln(III)/Ln(II) potential of -1.55 V, reduction to the stable divalent tris(amide) complex, K[Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)], is observed instead of dinitrogen reduction. When the metal is La, Ce, Pr, or U, the first crystallographically characterized examples of the tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] anions, [M[N(SiMe(3))(2)](4)](-), are isolated as THF-solvated potassium or sodium salts. The implications of the LnZ(3)/alkali metal reduction chemistry on the mechanism of dinitrogen reduction and on reductive lanthanide chemistry in general are discussed.     

Structural diversity of lithium sulfenamides: 7Li NMR studies in solution and crystal structures of [Li2(eta2-(CH3)3C-NS-C6H4CH(3)-4)2(THF)2] and [Li2(eta1-4-CH3C6H4-NS-C6H4CH(3)-4)2(THF)4

Two lithium sulfenamides were prepared by reaction of (CH(3))(3)C-N(H)-S-C(6)H(4)CH(3)-4 (1) and 4-CH(3)C(6)H(4)-N(H)-S-C(6)H(4)CH(3)-4 (2) with an alkyllithium. The unsolvated sulfenamide Li[(CH(3))(3)C-NS-C(6)H(4)CH(3)-4] (3) was soluble enough for variable-temperature (VT) (7)Li NMR to provide evidence of a dynamic exchange of oligomers in solution. The crystal structures of the solvated sulfenamides of [Li(2)(eta(2)-(CH(3))(3)C-NS-C(6)H(4)CH(3)-4)(2)(THF)(2)] (4) and of [Li(2)(eta(1)-4-CH(3)C(6)H(4)-NS-C(6)H(4)CH(3)-4)(2)(THF)(4)] (6) consisted of dimers in which the anions display different hapticities. The VT (7)Li NMR spectra of 4 suggest that the two different structures exist in equilibrium in toluene-THF mixtures. These compounds are easily oxidized to the neutral thioaminyl radicals as identified by EPR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis,characterization, and solution redox properties of (trimpsi)M(CO)(2)(NO) complexes [M = V,Nb, Ta; trimpsi = (t)BuSi(CH(2)PMe(2))(3)

Treatment of [Et(4)N][M(CO)(6)] (M = Nb, Ta) with I(2) in DME at -78 degrees C produces solutions of the bimetallic anions [M(2micro-I)(3)(CO)(8)](-). Addition of the tripodal phosphine (t)BuSi(CH(2)PMe(2))(3) (trimpsi) followed by refluxing affords (trimpsi)M(CO)(3)I [M = Nb (1), Ta (2)], which are isolable in good yields as air-stable, orange-red microcrystalline solids. Reduction of these complexes with 2 equiv of Na/Hg, followed by treatment with Diazald in THF, results in the formation of (trimpsi)M(CO)(2)(NO) [M = Nb (3), Ta (4)] in high isolated yields. The congeneric vanadium complex, (trimpsi)V(CO)(2)(NO) (5), can be prepared by reacting [Et(4)N][V(CO)(6)] with [NO][BF(4)] in CH(2)Cl(2) to form V(CO)(5)(NO). These solutions are treated with 1 equiv of trimpsi to obtain (eta(2)-trimpsi)V(CO)(3)(NO). Refluxing orange THF solutions of this material affords 5 in moderate yields. Reaction of (trimpsi)VCl(3)(THF) (6) with 4 equiv of sodium naphthalenide in THF in the presence of excess CO provides [Et(4)N][(trimpsi)V(CO)(3)] (7), (trimpsi)V(CO)(3)H, and [(trimpsi)V(micro-Cl)(3)V(trimpsi)][(eta(2)-trimpsi)V(CO)(4)].3THF ([8][9].3THF). All new complexes have been characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods, and the solid-state molecular structures of 2.(1)/(2)THF, 3-5, and [8][9].3THF have been established by X-ray diffraction analyses. The solution redox properties of 3-5 have also been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Cyclic voltammograms of 3 and 4 both exhibit an irreversible oxidation feature in CH(2)Cl(2) (E(p,a) = -0.71 V at 0.5 V/s for 3, while E(p,a) = -0.55 V at 0.5 V/s for 4), while cyclic voltammograms of 5 in CH(2)Cl(2) show a reversible oxidation feature (E(1/2) = -0.74 V) followed by an irreversible feature (0.61 V at 0.5 V/s). The reversible feature corresponds to the formation of the 17e cation [(trimpsi)V(CO)(2)(NO)](+) ([5](+)()), and the irreversible feature likely involves the oxidation of [5](+)() to an unstable 16e dication. Treatment of 5 with [Cp(2)Fe][BF(4)] in CH(2)Cl(2) generates [5][BF(4)], which slowly decomposes once formed. Nevertheless, [5][BF(4)] has been characterized by IR and ESR spectroscopies.     

Reaction properties of the trans-hyponitrite complex [Ru2(CO)4(mu-H)(mu-PBu(t)2)(mu-Ph2PCH2PPh2)(mu-eta2-ONNO)

The protonation of [Ru(2)(CO)(4)(mu-H)(mu-PBu(t)()(2))(mu-dppm)(mu-eta(2)-ONNO)] (1) with HBF(4) occurs at the oxygen of the noncoordinating side of the trans-hyponitrite ligand to give [Ru(2)(CO)(4)(mu-H)(mu-PBu(t)()(2))(mu-dppm)(mu-eta(2)-ONNOH)][BF(4)] (2) in good yield. The monoprotonated hyponitrite in 2 is deprotonated easily by strong bases to regenerate 1. Furthermore, 1 reacts with the methylating reagent [Me(3)O][BF(4)] to afford [Ru(2)(CO)(4)(mu-H)(mu-PBu(t)()(2))(mu-dppm)(mu-eta(2)-ONNOMe)][BF(4)] (3). The molecular structures of 2 and 3 have been determined crystallographically, and the structure of 2 is discussed with the results of the DFT/B3LYP calculations on the model complex [Ru(2)(CO)(4)(mu-H)(mu-PH(2))(mu-H(2)PCH(2)PH(2))(mu-eta(2)-ONNOH)](+) (2a). Moreover, the thermolysis of 2 in ethanol affords [Ru(2)(CO)(4)(mu-H)(mu-OH)(mu-PBu(t)()(2))(mu-dppm)][BF(4)] (4) in high yield, and the deprotonation of 4 by DBU in THF yields the novel complex [Ru(2)(CO)(4)(mu-OH)(mu-PBu(t)()(2))(mu-dppm)] (5).     

Does dinitrogen hydrogenation follow different mechanisms for [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) and {[PhP(CH2SiMe2NSiMe2CH2)PPh]Zr}2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) complexes? A computational study

The mechanisms of dinitrogen hydrogenation by two different complexes--[(eta(5)-C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Zr](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)), synthesized by Chirik and co-workers [Nature 2004, 427, 527], and {[P(2)N(2)]Zr}(2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)), where P(2)N(2) = PhP(CH(2)SiMe(2)NSiMe(2)CH(2))(2)PPh, synthesized by Fryzuk and co-workers [Science 1997, 275, 1445]--are compared with density functional theory calculations. The former complex is experimentally known to be capable of adding more than one H(2) molecule to the side-on coordinated N(2) molecule, while the latter does not add more than one H(2). We have shown that the observed difference in the reactivity of these dizirconium complexes is caused by the fact that the former ligand environment is more rigid than the latter. As a result, the addition of the first H(2) molecule leads to two different products: a non-H-bridged intermediate for the Chirik-type complex and a H-bridged intermediate for the Fryzuk-type complex. The non-H-bridged intermediate requires a smaller energy barrier for the second H(2) addition than the H-bridged intermediate. We have also examined the effect of different numbers of methyl substituents in [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(n)H(5)(-)(n))(2)Zr](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)) for n = 0, 4, and 5 (n = 5 is hypothetical) and [(eta(5)-C(5)H(2)-1,2,4-Me(3))(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(2)Zr](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)) and have shown that all complexes of this type would follow a similar H(2) addition mechanism. We have also performed an extensive analysis on the factors (side-on coordination of N(2) to two Zr centers, availability of the frontier orbitals with appropriate symmetry, and inflexibility of the catalyst ligand environment) that are required for successful hydrogenation of the coordinated dinitrogen.     

Homolysis of the Ln-N (Ln = Yb, Eu) bond. Synthesis, structural characterization and catalytic activity of ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes with methoxyethyl functionalized indenyl ligands

The interaction of methoxyethyl functionalized indene compounds (C(9)H(6)-1-R-3-CH(2)CH(2)OMe, R =t-BuNHSiMe(2)(1), Me(3)Si (2), H (3)) with [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3)(Ln=Yb (4), Eu (5)) produced a series of new ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes via tandem silylamine elimination/homolysis of the Ln-N (Ln=Yb, Eu) bond. Treatment of the lanthanide(III) amides [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3)(Ln=Yb (4), Eu (5) with 2 equiv. of, 1,2 and 3, respectively, produced, after workup, the ytterbium(II) complexes [eta5:eta1-Me(2)Si(MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5))(NHBu-t)](2)Yb(II) (6), (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5)SiMe(3))(2)Yb(II) (7), (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(6))(2)Yb(II)(8) and the corresponding europium(II) complexes [eta5:eta1-Me(2)Si(MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5))(NHBu-t)](2)Eu(II)(9), (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5)SiMe(3))(2)Eu(II)(10) and (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(6))(2)Eu(II)(11) in moderate to good yield. In contrast, interaction of the corresponding indene compounds 1, 2 or 3 with the lanthanide amides [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln (Ln = Yb, Eu) was not observed, while addition of 0.5 equiv. of anhydrous LiCl to the corresponding reaction mixture produced, after workup, the corresponding ytterbium(II) or europium(II) complexes. All the new compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes, and were determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. The catalytic activity of all the ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes on MMA polymerization was examined. It was found that all the ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes can function as single-component MMA polymerization catalysts. The temperature, solvent and ligand effects on the catalytic activity were studied.