Synthesis and coordination properties of new bis(phosphinomethyl)pyridine N,P,P'-trioxides

In a search for more hydrocarbon solvent soluble derivatives of the parent ligand, 2,6-[Ph(2)P(O)CH(2)](2)C(5)H(3)NO (1a), a series of new ligands, 2,6-[R(2)P(O)CH(2)](2)C(5)H(3)NO [R = Bz (1b); Tol (1c); Et (1d); Pr (1e); Bu (1f); Pn (1g); Hx (1h); Hp (1i); and Oct (1j)] and 2,6-[RR'P(O)CH(2)](2)C(5)H(3)NO [R = Ph, R' = Bz (2a); R = Ph, R' = Me (2b); R = Ph, R' = Hx (2c); R = Ph, R' = Oct (2d)], have been prepared by either Arbusov or Grignard substitutions on 2,6-bis(chloromethyl)pyridine followed by N-oxidation. The new ligands have been characterized by spectroscopic methods, and their coordination chemistry with selected lanthanide ions has been surveyed. Several 1:1 and 2:1 ligand/metal complexes have been isolated, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses for Nd(2a)(NO(3))(3), Er(2a)(NO(3))(3), Yb(1d)(NO(3))(3), and [Nd(1c)(2)](NO(3))(3) are described. The new structural data are discussed in relation to the structures of complexes formed by 1a.     

Reactions of Li- and Yb-coordinated N,N'-bis(trimethylsilyl)-beta-diketiminates: one- and two-electron reductions, deprotonation, and C-N bond cleavage

The synthesis and characterisation of novel Li and Yb complexes is reported, in which the monoanionic beta-diketiminato ligand has been (i) reduced (SET or 2 [times] SET), (ii) deprotonated, or (iii) C-N bond-cleaved. Reduction of the lithium beta-diketiminate Li(L(R,R'))[L(R,R')= N(SiMe(3))C(R)CHC(R')N(SiMe(3))] with Li metal gave the dilithium derivative [Li(tmen)(mu-L(R,R'))Li(OEt(2))](R = R'= Ph; or, R = Ph, R[prime or minute]= Bu(t)). When excess of Li was used the dimeric trilithium [small beta]-diketiminate [Li(3)(L(R,R[prime or minute]))(tmen)](2)(, R = R'= C(6)H(4)Bu(t)-4 = Ar) was obtained. Similar reduction of [Yb(L(R,R'))(2)Cl] gave [Yb[(mu-L(R,R'))Li(thf)](2)](, R = R[prime or minute]= Ph; or, R = R'= C(6)H(4)Ph-4 = Dph). Use of the Yb-naphthalene complex instead of Li in the reaction with [Yb(L(Ph,Ph))(2)] led to the polynuclear Yb clusters [Yb(3)(L(Ph,Ph))(3)(thf)], [Yb(3)(L(Ph,Ph))(2)(dme)(2)], or [Yb(5)(L(Ph,Ph))(L(1))(L(2))(L(3))(thf)(4)] [L(1)= N(SiMe(3))C(Ph)CHC(Ph)N(SiMe(2)CH(2)), L(2)= NC(Ph)CHC(Ph)H, L(3)= N(SiMe(2)CH(2))] depending on the reaction conditions and stoichiometry. The structures of the crystalline complexes 4, 6x21/2(hexane), 5(C(6)D(6)), and have been determined by X-ray crystallography (and have been published).     

Unusual neutral ligand coordination to arsenic and antimony trifluoride

The preparations and spectroscopic characterisation of the hydrolytically unstable As(III) complexes, [AsF(3)(OPR(3))(2)] (R = Me or Ph) and [AsF(3){Me(2)P(O)CH(2)P(O)Me(2)}] are described and represent the first examples of complexes of AsF(3) with neutral ligands. The crystal structure of [AsF(3){Me(2)P(O)CH(2)P(O)Me(2)}] contains dimers with bridging diphosphine dioxide, but there are also long contacts between the dimers to neighbouring phosphine oxide groups, completing a very distorted six-coordination at arsenic and producing a weakly associated polymer structure. The reaction of AsF(3) with OAsPh(3) affords Ph(3)AsF(2), and no arsine oxide complex was formed. Reaction of SbF(3) with OER(3) (R = Me or Ph, E = P or As), Me(2)P(O)CH(2)P(O)Me(2) and Ph(2)P(O)(CH(2))(n)P(O)Ph(2) (n = 1 or 2) in MeOH produces [SbF(3)(OER(3))(2)], [SbF(3){Me(2)P(O)CH(2)P(O)Me(2)}] and [SbF(3){Ph(2)P(O)(CH(2))(n)P(O)Ph(2)}] respectively. The X-ray structures reveal that the complexes contain square pyramidal SbF(3)O(2) cores with apical F and cis disposed pnictogen oxides. However, whilst [SbF(3)(OER(3))(2)] (R = Ph: E = P or As; R = Me: E = As) and [SbF(3){Ph(2)P(O)CH(2)P(O)Ph(2)}] are monomeric, [SbF(3){Me(2)P(O)CH(2)P(O)Me(2)}] is a dimer with bridging diphosphine dioxides producing a twelve-membered ring, and [SbF(3){Ph(2)P(O)(CH(2))(2)P(O)Ph(2)}] is a chain polymer with diphosphine dioxide bridges. In the OAsR(3) reactions with SbF(3), R(3)AsF(2) are also formed. Notably the Sb-O(P) bonds are shorter than As-O(P), despite the covalent radii (As < Sb), consistent with very weak coordination of the AsF(3). IR and multinuclear ((1)H, (19)F and (31)P) NMR data are reported and discussed. BiF(3) does not react with pnictogen oxide ligands under similar conditions and halide exchange of bismuth chloro complexes with Me(3)SnF gave BiF(3).     

Lewis base character of the phosphorus atom in phosphanido-niobocene complexes. Synthesis of new early-early homo- and heterobimetallic entities

The reaction of phosphanido complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)(PPh(2))] [L = CO (1), CNXylyl (2)] with early transition metal halides in high oxidation states has been carried out. New bimetallic niobocene complexes [{Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)}(μ-PPh(2))(MCl(5))] [M = Nb, L = CO (3), L = CNXylyl (4); M = Ta, L = CO (5), L = CNXylyl (6)] have been successfully synthesized by the reaction with [MCl(5)](2) (M = Nb or Ta). In a similar way [{Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)}(μ-PPh(2))(MCl(4))] [M = Ti, L = CO (13), CNXylyl (14); M = Zr, L = CO (15), CNXylyl (16)] were synthesized using MCl(4) (M = Ti or Zr). Solutions of complexes 4-6 in chloroform produced new ionic derivatives [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(P(H)Ph(2))(L)] [MCl(6)] [M = Nb, L = CO (7), L = CNXylyl (8); M = Ta, L = CO (9), L = CNXylyl (10)]. Ionic complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(P(Cl)Ph(2))(L)] [NbCl(4)O(thf)] [L = CO (11), CNXylyl (12)] were formed from solutions in thf - rapidly in the case of 3 but more slowly for 4. New heterometallic complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)(μ-PPh(2)){(Ti(η(5)-C(5)R(5))Cl(3)}] [R = H, L = CO (17), CNXylyl (18); R = CH(3), L = CO (19), CNXylyl (20)] were synthesized by the reaction of 1 or 2 with [Ti(η(5)-C(5)R(5))Cl(3)] (R = H or CH(3)). All of these compounds were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structures of 9 and 12 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Organolathanide-catalyzed regioselective intermolecular hydroamination of alkenes, alkynes, vinylarenes, di- and trivinylarenes, and methylenecyclopropanes. Scope and mechanistic comparison to intramolecular cyclohydroaminations

Organolanthanide complexes of the type Cp'(2)LnCH(SiMe(3))(2) (Cp' = eta(5)-Me(5)C(5); Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Lu) and Me(2)SiCp' '(2)LnCH(SiMe(3))(2) (Cp' ' = eta(5)-Me(4)C(5); Ln = Nd, Sm, Lu) serve as efficient precatalysts for the regioselective intermolecular hydroamination of alkynes R'Ctbd1;CMe (R' = SiMe(3), C(6)H(5), Me), alkenes RCH=CH(2) (R = SiMe(3), CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)), butadiene, vinylarenes ArCH=CH(2) (Ar = phenyl, 4-methylbenzene, naphthyl, 4-fluorobenzene, 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene, 4-methoxybenzene, 4-(dimethylamino)benzene, 4-(methylthio)benzene), di- and trivinylarenes, and methylenecyclopropanes with primary amines R' 'NH(2) (R' ' = n-propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl) to yield the corresponding amines and imines. For R = SiMe(3), R = CH(2)=CH lanthanide-mediated intermolecular hydroamination regioselectively generates the anti-Markovnikov addition products (Me(3)SiCH(2)CH(2)NHR' ', (E)-CH(3)CH=CHCH(2)NHR' '). However, for R = CH(3)CH(2)CH(2), the Markovnikov addition product is observed (CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)CHNHR' 'CH(3)). For internal alkynes, it appears that these regioselective transformations occur under significant stereoelectronic control, and for R' = SiMe(3), rearrangement of the product enamines occurs via tautomerization to imines, followed by a 1,3-trimethylsilyl group shift to stable N-SiMe(3)-bonded CH(2)=CMeN(SiMe(3))R' ' structures. For vinylarenes, intermolecular hydroamination with n-propylamine affords the anti-Markovnikov addition product beta-phenylethylamine. In addition, hydroamination of divinylarenes provides a concise synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline structures via coupled intermolecular hydroamination/subsequent intramolecular cyclohydroamination sequences. Intermolecular hydroamination of methylenecyclopropane proceeds via highly regioselective exo-methylene C=C insertion into Ln-N bonds, followed by regioselective cyclopropane ring opening to afford the corresponding imine. For the Me(2)SiCp' '(2)Nd-catalyzed reaction of Me(3)SiCtbd1;CMe and H(2)NCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH(3), DeltaH() = 17.2 (1.1) kcal mol(-)(1) and DeltaS() = -25.9 (9.7) eu, while the reaction kinetics are zero-order in [amine] and first-order in both [catalyst] and [alkyne]. For the same substrate pair, catalytic turnover frequencies under identical conditions decrease in the order Me(2)SiCp' '(2)NdCH(SiMe(3))(2) > Me(2)SiCp' '(2)SmCH(SiMe(3))(2) > Me(2)SiCp' '(2)LuCH(SiMe(3))(2) > Cp'(2)SmCH(SiMe(3))(2), in accord with documented steric requirements for the insertion of olefinic functionalities into lanthanide-alkyl and -heteroatom sigma-bonds. Kinetic and mechanistic evidence argues that the turnover-limiting step is intermolecular C=C/Ctbd1;C bond insertion into the Ln-N bond followed by rapid protonolysis of the resulting Ln-C bond.     

Probing the reactivity and electronic structure of a uranium(V) terminal oxo complex

Treatment of the U(III)-ylide adduct U(CH(2)PPh(3))(NR(2))(3) (1, R = SiMe(3)) with TEMPO generates the U(V) oxo metallacycle [Ph(3)PCH(3)][U(O)(CH(2)SiMe(2)NSiMe(3))(NR(2))(2)] (2) via O-atom transfer, in good yield. Oxidation of 2 with 0.85 equiv of AgOTf affords the neutral U(VI) species U(O)(CH(2)SiMe(2)NSiMe(3))(NR(2))(2) (3). The electronic structures of 2 and 3 are investigated by DFT analysis. Additionally, the nucleophilicity of the oxo ligands in 2 and 3 toward Me(3)SiI is explored.     

Synthetic and structural studies of donor-functionalized alkoxy derivatives of gallium

The synthesis of a range of alkyl/chloro-gallium alkoxide and amido/alkoxide compounds was achieved via a series of protonolysis and alcoholysis steps. The initial reaction involved the synthesis of [Me(Cl)Ga{N(SiMe(3))(2)}](2) (1) via methyl group transfer from the reaction of GaCl(3) with two equivalents of LiN(SiMe(3))(2). Reaction of 1 with varying amounts of ROH resulted in the formation of [Me(Cl)Ga(OR)](2) (2, R = CH(2)CH(2)OMe; 3, CH(CH(3))CH(2)NMe(2)), [Me(Cl)Ga{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(μ(2)-OR)Ga(Cl)Me] (4, R = CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)), or [MeGa(OR)(2)] (5, R = CH(CH(3))CH(2)NMe(2)). Compound 4 represents an intermediate in the formation of dimeric complexes, of the type [Me(Cl)Ga(OR)](2), when formed from compound [Me(Cl)Ga{N(SiMe(3))(2)}](2). A methylgallium amido/alkoxide complex [MeGa{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(OCH(2)CH(2)OMe)](2) (6) was isolated when 2 was further reacted with LiN(SiMe(3))(2). In addition, reaction of 2 with HO(t)Bu resulted in a simple alcohol/alkoxide exchange and formation of [Me(Cl)Ga(O(t)Bu)](2) (7). In contrast to the formation of 1, the in situ reaction of GaCl(3) with one equivalent of LiN(SiMe(3))(2) yielded [Cl(2)Ga{N(SiMe(3))(2)}](2) in low yield, where no methyl group transfer has occurred. Reaction of alcohol with [Cl(2)Ga{N(SiMe(3))(2)}](2) was then found to yield [Cl(2)Ga(OR)](2) (8, R = CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)), and further reaction of 8 with LiN(SiMe(3))(2) yielded the gallium amido alkoxide complex, [ClGa{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(OR)](2) (9, R = CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)), similar to 6. The structures of compounds 4, 5, 7, and 8 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

First X-ray characterization and theoretical study of pi-alkyne,alkynyl-hydride,and vinylidene isomers for the same transition metal fragment [Cp*Ru(PEt3)2]+

The reaction of the chloro-complex [CpRuCl(PEt(3))(2)] with acetylene gas in methanol gave the pi-alkyne complex [CpRu(eta(2)-HCtbd1;CH)(PEt(3))(2)][BPh(4)] (1), which has been structurally characterized by X-ray analysis. The alkyne complex undergoes spontaneous isomerization even at low temperature, yielding the metastable alkynyl-hydride complex [CpRu(H)(Ctbd1;CH)(PEt(3))(2)][BPh(4)] (2), as the result of the oxidative addition of the alkyne C-H bond. This compound has also been structurally characterized despite it tautomerizes spontaneously into the stable primary vinylidene [CpRu(=C=CH(2))(PEt(3))(2)][BPh(4)] (3). This species has been alternatively prepared by a two-step deprotonation/protonation synthesis from the pi-alkyne complex. Moreover, the reaction of the initial chloro-complex with monosubstituted alkynes HCtbd1;CR (R = SiMe(3), Ph, COOMe, (t)Bu) has been studied without detection of pi-alkyne intermediates. Instead of this, alkynyl-hydride complexes were obtained in good yields. They also rearrange to the corresponding substituted vinylidenes. In the case of R = SiMe(3), the isomerization takes place followed by desilylation, yielding the primary vinylidene complex. X-ray crystal structures of the vinylidene complexes [CpRu(=C=CH(2))(PEt(3))(2)][BPh(4)] (3) and [CpRu(=C=CHCOOMe)(PEt(3))(2)][BPh(4)] (10) have also been determined. Both, full ab initio and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations were carried out, respectively, on the model system [CpRu(C(2)H(2))(PH(3))(2)](+) (A) and the real complex [CpRu(C(2)H(2))(PEt(3))(2)](+) (B) to analyze the steric and electronic influence of ligands on the structures and relative energies of the three C(2)H(2) isomers. QM/MM calculations have been employed to evaluate the role of the steric effects of real ligands, whereas full ab initio energy calculations on the optimized QM/MM model have allowed recovering the electronic effects of ligands. Additional pure quantum mechanics calculations on [CpRu(C(2)H(2))(PH(3))(2)](+) (C) and [CpRu(C(2)H(2))(PMe(3))(2)](+) (D) model systems have been performed to analyze in more detail the effects of different ligands. Calculations have shown that the steric effects induced by the presence of bulky substituents in phosphine ligand are responsible for experimentally observed alkyne distortion and for relative destabilization of the alkyne isomer. Moreover, increasing the phosphine basicity and sigma donor capabilities of ligands causes a relative stabilization of an alkynyl-hydride isomer. The combination of both steric and electronic effects, makes alkyne and alkynyl-hydride isomers to be close in energy, leading to the isolation of both complexes.     

Novel pyridazine based scorpionate ligands in cobalt and nickel boratrane compounds

Heating of 6-methylpyridazine-3-thione (HPn(Me)) and 6-tert-butylpyridazine-3-thione (HPn(tBu)) with potassium borohydride in diphenylmethane in a 3:1 ratio gave two new scorpionate ligands K[HB(Pn(Me))(3)] and K[HB(Pn(tBu))(3)]. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the methyl derivative K[HB(Pn(Me))(3)] revealed a dimeric species with one potassium atom coordinated by six sulfur atoms of two scorpionate ligands and a second potassium atom coordinated by three nitrogen atoms of one of the two ligands as well as by three water molecules. The reaction of K[HB(Pn(tBu))(3)] with nickel(II) chloride or cobalt(II) chloride in CH(2)Cl(2) led to the new boratrane compounds [M{B(Pn(tBu))(3)}Cl] (M = Ni 1, Co 3) where a formal reduction of the metal ions to Ni(I) and Co(I), respectively, and activation of the B-H bond occurred. Similar reactivity was observed by employing K[HB(Pn(R))(3)] (R = Me, tBu) and nickel(II) chloride in water. Reaction with cobalt(II) chloride in water also gave boratrane compounds [Co{B(Pn(R))(3)}(Pn(R))] (R = tBu 4, Ph 5), but instead of a chloride a bidentate pyridazinethionate ligand from a defragmentated scorpionate is found in the molecules. The molecular structures of all nickel and cobalt compounds were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses confirming the formation of boratranes in compounds 1-5. Magnetic measurements confirm the reduced oxidation states and the paramagnetic character of the Ni(I) and Co(I) complexes. Supportive DFT studies were carried out for a better understanding of the electronic nature of the metal-boron bond of the boratrane complexes.     

Synthetic and structural experiments on yttrium, cerium and magnesium trimethylsilylmethyls and their reaction products with nitriles; with a note on two cerium beta-diketiminates

The yttrium, cerium and magnesium bis(trimethylsilyl)methyls [Ln[CH(SiMe3)2]3][Ln = Y (1), Ce (2)], and the known compound Mg[[CH(SiMe3)2]2 (C) and [Mg(mu-Br)[CH(SiMe3)2](OEt2)]2 (D) formed the crystalline nitrile adducts [1(NCBut)2] (5), [2(NCPh)] (6), [C(NCR)2][R = But (8), Ph (9), C6H3Me2-2,6 (10)] and [Mg(mu-Br)[CH(SiMe3)2](NCR)]2 [R = But (11), Ph (12), C6H3Me2-2,6 (13)], rather than beta-diketiminato-metal insertion products. The beta-diketiminato-cerium complex [Ce[(N(SiMe3)C(C6H4But-4))2CH][N(SiMe3)2]2] (16) was obtained from [Ce[N(SiMe3)2]3] and the beta-diketimine H[[N(SiMe3)C(C6H4But-4)]2CH]]. The cerium alkyl 2 and [Ln[CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2OMe)]3][Ln = Y (3), Ce (4)] were obtained from the appropriate lithium alkyl precursor and [Ce(OC6H2But2-2,6-Me-4)3] or LnCl3, respectively. Heating complex 3 with benzonitrile in toluene afforded 2,2-dimethyl-4,6-diphenyl-5-trimethylsilyl-1,3-diaza-2-silahexa-1,3-diene (7), a member of a new class of heterocycles. The X-ray structures of the crystalline compounds, D, [Mg[CH(SiMe3)2]2(OEt2)2], the known [Ce(Cl)[(N(SiMe3)C(Ph))2CH]2] (E) and 16 are reported. The cerium alkyl (like 1) has one close Ce...C contact for each ligand, attributed to a gamma-C-Ce agostic interaction. The Ln alkyls and have a trigonal prismatic arrangement of the chelating ligands (each of the same chirality at Calpha) around the metal. In an arene solution at 313 K exists as two isomers, as evident from detailed NMR spectroscopic experiments.     

Rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes bearing amidinate ancillary ligands: synthesis, characterization, and performance as catalyst precursors for cis-1,4 selective polymerization of isoprene

A family of rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes bearing monoanionic amidinate [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)](-) (R = cyclohexyl (Cy), phenyl (Ph)) as ancillary ligands were synthesized and characterized. One-pot salt metathesis reaction of anhydrous LnCl(3) with one equivalent of amidinate lithium [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Li, following the introduction of two equivalents of NaN(SiMe(3))(2) in THF at room temperature afforded the neutral and unsolvated mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (R = Cy (1); R = Ph (2)), and the "ate" mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(amide) complex [CyC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Lu[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(μ-Cl)Li(THF)(3) (3) in 61-72% isolated yields. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Single crystal structural determination revealed that the central metal in complexes 1 and 2 adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry, and in complex 3 forms a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. In the presence of AlMe(3), and in combination with one equimolar amount of [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], complexes 1 and 2 showed high activity towards isoprene polymerization to give high molecular weight polyisoprene (M(n) > 10(4)) with good cis-1,4 selectivity (>90%).     

Trialkyl imido niobium and tantalum compounds: synthesis, structural study and migratory insertion reactions

Trialkyl imido niobium and tantalum complexes [MR(3)(NtBu)] (M = Nb, R = Me 2, CH(2)CMe(3)3, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 4, CH(2)SiMe(3)5; M = Ta, R = Me 6, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 7, CH(2)SiMe(3)8) have been prepared by treatment of solutions containing [MCl(3)(NtBu)py(2)] (M = Nb 1a, Ta 1b) with three equivalents of magnesium reagent. By an unexpected hydrolysis reaction of the tris-trimethylsilylmethyl imido tantalum compound 8a, a μ-oxo derivative [(Me(3)SiCH(2)O)(Me(3)SiCH(2))(3)Ta(μ-O)Ta(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(NtBu)] (8a) was formed and its structure was studied by X-ray diffraction methods. Reactions of trialkyl imido compounds with two equivalents of isocyanide 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)NC result in the migration of two alkyl groups, leading to the formation of a series of alkyl imido bisiminoacyl derivatives [MR(NtBu){C(R)NAr}(2)] (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); M = Nb, R = Me 9, CH(2)CMe(3)10, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 11, CH(2)SiMe(3)12, CH(2)Ph 13; M = Ta, R = CH(2)CMe(3)14, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 15, CH(2)SiMe(3)16). All compounds were studied by IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C and (15)N) spectroscopy.     

Chloride-bridged oxovanadium(V) complexes with alkoxyalkoxide ligands. Synthesis, structure, electrochemistry and reactivities

A series of mixed alkoxyalkoxo chloro complexes of vanadium(V), [VOCl2(OCH2CH2OR)]2 (R = Me, Et, iPr, Bz), [VOCl2(OCMe2CH2OMe)]2 and [VOCl2(OCH2(cyclo-C4H7O)]2, were synthesised and characterised. The title compounds can be obtained either from VOCl3 and the alkoxyalcohols by HCl elimination or from the corresponding lithium alkoxides and VOCl3 by salt metathesis reaction. X-Ray diffraction studies revealed the title compounds to be dimers with chloride bridging ligands and intramolecular ether coordination. Electrochemical results obtained by cyclic voltammetry indicate irreversible, reductive behaviour. The interactions of the title compounds with oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus donor ligands were examined. Phosphorus and nitrogen donors lead to reduction products whereas tetrahydrofuran coordinates to the vanadium(V) centre by breaking the chloride bridge. All tetrahydrofuran complexes, [VOCl2(OCH2CH2OR)(thf)] (R = Me, Et, iPr) and [VOCl2(OCMe2CH2OMe)(thf)], have been characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The solid-state structures of these complexes show that they consist of six-coordinate monomers. Reaction of [VOCl2(OCH2CH(2)OMe)]2 with Me3SiCH2MgCl gave [VO(CH2SiMe3)3], which has been structurally characterised. The compounds were tested as catalysts for epoxidation and polymerisation reactions. They convert unfunctionalised olefins into the corresponding epoxides with moderate activity. They are good pre-catalysts for the polymerisation of ethene and oligomerise 1-hexene.     

A chiral stannate as an "ansa" pi-arene ligand in rhodium chemistry

Reaction of the triamido stannate MeSi[SiMe(2)N[(R)-CHMePh]](3)SnLi (1) with 0.5 molar equivalent of [RhCl(olefin)(2)](2) (olefin = COE, C(2)H(4)) or [RhCl(P(i)Pr(3))(2)](2) yielded the Rh-Sn complexes [MeSi[SiMe(2)N[(R)-CHMePh]](2)[SiMe(2)N[(R)-CHMe(eta(6)-C(6)H(5))]SnRh(L)] (L = COE: 2a, C(2)H(4): 2b, P(i)Pr(3) 3); their intramolecular eta(6)-coordination, along with the tin-rhodium bond, represents the first "ansa" pi-arene/stannate system.     

Lutetium alkyl and hydride complexes in a non-cyclopentadienyl coordination environment

Lutetium alkyl complexes [Lu(L)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(THF)(n)], which contain a sulfur-linked bis(phenolato) ligand such as 2,2'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) (L=tbmp, 1) or 1,4-dithiabutanediyl-bis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) (L=etbmp, 2), were isolated from the reaction of the lutetium tris(alkyl) complex [Lu(CH(2)SiMe(3))(3)(THF)(2)] with H(2)L. The monomeric structures of these complexes were confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies, showing distorted octahedral geometry around the metal centre. The reaction of [Lu(tbmp)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(THF)(2)] (1) with alcohols ROH (R=iPr, CHPh(2), CPh(3)) results in the formation of the corresponding alkoxide complexes [Lu(tbmp)(OR)(THF)(n)] (4-6). With PhSiH(3) hydride complexes [Lu(L)(mu-H)(THF)(n)](2) (L=tbmp, 7; etbmp, 8) have been prepared in moderate to good yields. They adopt a dimeric form in the solid state as revealed by the X-ray crystal structure of 7. The reactivity of the hydride complexes and their catalytic activity in the ring-opening polymerisation of L-lactide and the hydrosilylation of alkenes are also discussed.     

Osmabenzenes from the reactions of a dicationic osmabenzyne complex

Treatment of the osmabenzyne Os([triple bond]CC(SiMe(3))=C(Me)C(SiMe(3))=CH)Cl(2)(PPh(3))(2) (1) with 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) and thallium triflate (TlOTf) produces the thermally stable dicationic osmabenzyne [Os([triple bond]CC(SiMe(3))=C(Me)C(SiMe(3))=CH)(bipy)(PPh(3))(2)](OTf)(2) (2). The dicationic osmabenzyne 2 reacts with ROH (R = H, Me) to give osmabenzene complexes [Os(=C(OR)CH=C(Me)C(SiMe(3))=CH)(bipy)(PPh(3))(2)]OTf, in which the metallabenzene ring deviates significantly from planarity. In contrast, reaction of the dicationic complex 2 with NaBH(4) produces a cyclopentadienyl complex, presumably through the osmabenzene intermediate [Os(=CHC(SiMe(3))=C(Me)C(SiMe(3))=CH)(bipy)(PPh(3))(2)]OTf. The higher thermal stability of [Os(=C(OR)CH=C(Me)C(SiMe(3))=CH)(bipy)(PPh(3))(2)]OTf relative to [Os(=CHC(SiMe(3))=C(Me)C(SiMe(3))=CH)(bipy)(PPh(3))(2)]OTf can be related to the stabilization effect of the OR groups on the metallacycle. A theoretical study shows that conversion of the dicationic osmabenzyne complex [Os([triple bond]CC(SiMe(3))=C(Me)C(SiMe(3))=CH)(bipy)(PPh(3))(2)](OTf)(2) to a carbene complex by reductive elimination is thermodynamically unfavorable. The theoretical study also suggests that the nonplanarity of the osmabenzenes [Os(=C(OR)CH=C(Me)C(SiMe(3))=CH)(bipy)(PPh(3))(2)]OTf is mainly due to electronic reasons.     

Solution dynamics and molecular structure elucidation of novel aluminium derivatives containing diaminodimethylsilane ligands

The interaction of dimethyldiaminosilane ligands of general formula SiMe2(NR2)(NR'2)(NR2, NR'2 = NiHPr, NHtBu, NC4H8, NHCH2CH2NMe2) with AlX3 (X = Cl, Me) has been investigated and the synthesis of novel aluminium derivatives is reported, namely AlMe3[SiMe2(NR2)(NR'2)], AlX2[SiMe2(NR)(NR'2)] and AlMe[SiMe2(NR)2], containing the silane ligand as neutral, monoanionic and dianionic species, respectively. Moreover, the solution molecular structures and dynamics have been elucidated via 1D/2D variable temperature NMR spectroscopy showing the influence of the N-substituents of the silane ligand and of the aluminium ancillary ligands.     

O(2) activation and hydrolysis of Salan rare-earth metal alkyl complexes

Salan ligated yttrium alkyl complex , L(1)Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(THF) (Salan = L(1): [2-O-3,5-tBu(2)-C(6)H(2)CH(2)N(CH(3))CH(2)](2)), was exposed to an oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere to give a bimetallic alkoxide complex , [L(1)Y(mu-OCH(2)SiMe(3))](2). Whilst the lutetium counterparts (L(1)Lu(CH(2)SiMe(3))(THF)) and (L(2)Lu(CH(2)SiMe(3))(THF); L(2): [2-O-3-tBu-C(6)H(2)CH(2)N(CH(3))CH(2)](2)) were hydrolysed with moist nitrogen to afford mixed hydroxy/silyloxy complexes and ([L(1,2)Lu(mu-OSiMe(3))(mu-OH)LuL(1,2)]), respectively.     

Taking TiF4 complexes to extremes--the first examples with phosphine co-ligands

The first soft donor adducts of TiF(4), [TiF(4)(diphosphine)] (diphosphine = o-C(6)H(4)(PMe(2))(2), R(2)P(CH(2))(2)PR(2), R = Me or Et) have been prepared from [TiF(4)(MeCN)(2)] and the diphosphines in rigorously anhydrous CH(2)Cl(2), as extremely moisture sensitive yellow solids, and characterised by multinuclear NMR ((1)H, (31)P, (19)F), IR and UV/vis spectroscopy. The crystal structure of [TiF(4){Et(2)P(CH(2))(2)PEt(2)}] has been determined and shows a distorted six-coordinate geometry with disparate Ti-F(transF) and Ti-F(transP) distances and long Ti-P bonds. Weaker soft donor ligands including Ph(3)P, Ph(2)P(CH(2))(2)PPh(2), o-C(6)H(4)(PPh(2))(2), Ph(2)As(CH(2))(2)AsPh(2), o-C(6)H(4)(AsMe(2))(2) and (i)PrS(CH(2))(2)S(i)Pr do not form stable complexes with TiF(4), although surprisingly, fluorotitanate(IV) salts of the previously unknown doubly protonated ligand cations [LH(2)][Ti(4)F(18)] (L = o-C(6)H(4)(PPh(2))(2), o-C(6)H(4)(AsMe(2))(2) and (i)PrS(CH(2))(2)S(i)Pr) are formed in some cases as minor by-products. The structure of [o-C(6)H(4)(PPh(2)H)(2)][Ti(4)F(18)] shows the first authenticated example of a diprotonated o-phenylene-diphosphine. The synthesis and full spectroscopic characterisation are reported for a range of TiF(4) adducts with hard N- or O-donor ligands for comparison purposes, along with crystal structures of [TiF(4)(thf)(2)], [TiF(4)(Ph(3)EO)(2)]·2CH(2)Cl(2) (E = P or As), and [TiF(4)(bipy)].     

Zinc complexes supported by claw-type aminophenolate ligands: synthesis, characterization and catalysis in the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide

A series of zinc silylamido complexes bearing claw-type multidentate aminophenolate ligands, [LZnN(SiMe(3))(2)] (L = -OAr(1)-CH(2)N[(CH(2))(n)NR(2)]CH(2)Ar(2), n = 2 or 3; R = Me or Et (1a-3a, 5a, 7a and 8a); L = -OC(6)H(2)-4,6-(t)Bu(2)-2-CH(2)N[(CH(2))(2)OMe](2) (9a)), have been synthesized via the reaction of Zn[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) and 1 equiv. of corresponding aminophenol. The reaction of Zn[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) with the proligand L(6)H (2-{N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-N-[3-(N',N'-dimethylamino)propyl]aminomethyl}-4-methyl-6-tritylphenol) resulted in the formation of bisphenolate zinc complex 6 regardless of the stoichiometric ratio of the two starting materials. Complex 4b with an initiating group of 3-tert-butyl-2-methoxy-5- methylbenzyloxy was obtained and further studied via the X-ray diffraction method to be monomeric. Zinc ethyl complex 2c was also prepared from the reaction of ZnEt(2) and 1 equiv. of proligand L(2)H as the representative complex with an alkyl initiating group. All zinc silylamido complexes efficiently initiated the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide in the presence or absence of isopropanol at ambient temperature. The steric and electronic characteristics of the ancillary ligands significantly influenced the polymerization performance of the corresponding zinc complexes. The introduction of bulky ortho- substituents on the phenoxy moiety resulted in an apparent decrease of catalytic activity while a slightly enhanced isotactic selectivity. Meanwhile, the elongation of the pendant amine arm to three-carbon-atom linkage led to significant decline of the catalytic activity in the absence of isopropanol. The zinc ethyl complex 2c was not such an efficient initiator as the silylamido ones, but the alkoxy complex 4b gave an obviously faster and better controlled polymerization when compared to the zinc silylamido complexes.