Sandwich-like compounds based on the all-metal aromatic unit Al(4)2- and the main-group metals M (M=Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca)

Inspired by the pioneering experimental characterisation of the all-metal aromatic unit Al(4)2- in the bimetallic molecules MAl4- (M=Li, Na, Cu) and by the very recent theoretical design of sandwich-type transition-metal complexes [Al4MAl4]q- (q=0-2; M=Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W), we used density functional theory (DFT) calculations (B3LYP/6-311+G(d) to design a series of novel non-transition-metal sandwich complexes based on the all-metal aromatic unit Al4(2-) and the main-group metals M (M=Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca). The traditional homo-decked sandwich compounds [Al4MAl4]q- (without counterions) and (nM)q+[Al4MAl4]q- (with counterions M) (q=2-3, M=Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca), although some of them are truly energy minima, have a much higher energy than many fused isomers. We thus concluded that it seems unlikely for Al4(2-) to sandwich the main-group metal atoms in the homo-decked sandwich form. Alternatively, we proposed a new type of sandwich complex, namely hetero-decked sandwich compounds [CpMAl4]q-, that are the ground-state structures for each M both with and without counterions. It was shown that with the rigid Cp- partner, the all-metal aromatic unit Al(4)2- might indeed act as a "superatom". These new types of all-metal aromatic unit-based sandwich complexes await future experimental verification.     

Design of sandwichlike complexes based on the planar tetracoordinate carbon unit CAl4(2-)

Ever being a large curiosity, a series of simple "planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC)" molecules have been recently characterized by experiments. Incorporation of such exotic ptC units into the assembled molecular materials, which will bridge the isolated clusters in molecular beams and the potential solid materials, is very challenging. In this paper, we described the first attempt on how to assemble the fewest-number ptC unit CAl42- into molecular materials in sandwich forms on the basis of the density functional theory calculations on a series of model compounds [D(CAl4)M]q- as well as the saturated compounds [D(CAl4)Mn] ((D = CAl42-, Cp-(C5H5-); M = Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca). For M = Li, Be, Mg, and Ca, the ptC unit CAl42- can only be assembled in our newly proposed "heterodecked sandwich" scheme (e.g., [Cp(CAl4)M]q- (M = Li, Na, K, q = 2; M = Be, Mg, Ca, q = 1)) so as to avoid cluster fusion. For M = Na and K, the ptC unit CAl42- can be assembled in both the traditional "homodecked sandwich" [(CAl4)2M]q- (M = Li, Na, K, q = 3; M = Be, Mg, Ca, q = 2) and the novel heterodecked sandwich schemes. Moreover, the counterions were found to have an important role in determining the type of the ground structures for the homodecked sandwich. Various assembled species in extended frameworks were designed. Notably, among all the designed sandwich species, the ptC unit CAl42- generally prefers to interact with the partner deck at the side (Al-Al bond) or corner (Al atom) site. This has not been reported in the sandwich complexes on the basis of the known decks such as Cp-, P5-, N42-, and Al42-, for which only the traditional face-face interaction type was considered. Our results for the first time showed that the ptC unit CAl42- can act as a new type of "superatom". The present results are expected to enrich the flat carbon chemistry, superatom chemistry, metallocenes, and combinational chemistry.     

Cluster-assembled compounds comprising an all-metal subunit Li3Al4-

The recent, experimentally-discovered, all-metal antiaromatic Li3Al4- has attracted great interest and extensive investigations due to its unique chemical bonds and exotic properties. Although a very recent theoretical study demonstrated that the all-metal species Li3Al4- can be effectively stabilized by complexation with 3d transition metals, unfortunately such stabilization is at the expense of losing antiaromaticity (rectangular Al4) to become aromatic (square Al4). Here, we predict theoretically a series of cluster-assembled compounds [DM(Li3Al4)]q- (D=Li3Al4-, Cp-; M=Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca). The assembled species are ground states containing the all-metal antiaromatic Li3Al4- subunits. Many fusion isomers are energetically lower than the homo-decked cluster-assembled compounds, thus, the homo-decked assembly species [M(Li3Al4)2]q- are less likely due to their thermodynamic instability. In addition, the well-retained all-metal antiaromaticity is mainly ascribed to the ionic electrostatic interactions and the protections of rigid organic aromatic Cp-deck avoiding the fusion of Li3Al4-. Our results represent the first example that the all-metal antiaromaticity is well retained in assembled compounds as that in the free Li3Al4- cluster. Sufficiently large interaction energies make the realization of all-metal antiaromatic Li3Al4--incorporated compounds very promising.     

Planar carbon radical's assembly and stabilization, a way to design spin-based molecular materials

In this work, we report the first computational study on the assembly and stabilization of a novel kind of radical, i.e., the planar tetracoordinate carbon radical CAl(4)(-). Based on the 6-31+G(d)-UB3LYP, UMP2 and UCCSD(T) calculations on charged [D(CAl(4))M](q-), saturated [D(CAl(4))M(n)] and extended (CpM)(p)(CAl(4))(q) sandwich-like compounds (D = CAl(4)(-), Cp(-); M = Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca), we find that for the six metals, the planar radical CAl(4)(-) can only be assembled in the "hetero-decked sandwich" scheme (e.g. [CpM(CAl(4))](q-)) rather than the traditional "homo-decked sandwich" scheme. Moreover, the low and high spin states of the designed sandwich-like species are perfectly degenerate during assembly. This can be ascribed to the good spin conservation of the CAl(4)(-) deck and the good spatial separation between two CAl(4)(-) decks. Our results show for the first time that the planar radical CAl(4)(-) can act as a new type of spin-embedded "superatom" for cluster assembly when it is assisted by a rigid partner like Cp(-). The good spin-conservation of CAl(4)(-) is very promising for the future design of novel paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials. The ionic, clustering and radical interactions between the two decks are analyzed in detail, which is quite crucial to improve the insight and understanding of the nature and origin of the interactions of the "deck-core-deck" in the metallocenes. Such information is also important in understanding the radical reactions and designing novel spin-based molecular materials. The present study should be expected to enrich the flat carbon chemistry, radical chemistry, metallocene chemistry and combinatorial chemistry.     

Sandwich-like compounds based on bare all-boron cluster B(6)(2-)

Here, we theoretically predict antiaromatic double-decked compounds [DMB(6)](q-) (D = B(6)(2-), Cp(-); M = Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca) as well as the triple-decked sandwich-like species. Being energetically higher than the fusion isomers, the homo-decked assembly species [B(6)MB(6)](q-) without and with counterions are less likely to be observed experimentally. The hetero-decked sandwich species are low-lying minima containing double-fold antiaromatic B(6)(2-) building blocks. Additionally, the well-retained double antiaromaticity is mainly ascribed to the ionic electrostatic interaction and the protection of rigid Cp-deck in order to avoid the fusion of B(6)(2-). Our results represent the first example that the antiaromaticity is well retained in assembled compounds as in the free B(6)(2-) cluster. Realization of the double antiaromatic B(6)(2-)-incorporated assembled compound is very promising.     

Royal crown-shaped electride Li3-N3-Be containing two superatoms: new knowledge on aromaticity

The structure and aromaticity of a royal crown-shaped molecule Li(3)-N(3)-Be are studied at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ level. This molecule is a charge-separated system and can be denoted as Li(3) (2+)N(3) (3-)Be(+). It is found that the Li(3) (2+) ring exhibits aromaticity mainly because the Li(3) (2+) ring can share the pi-electron with the N(3) (-3) ring. The 4n+2 electron counter rule can be satisfied for the Li(3) (2+) subunit if the shared pi valence electron of N(3) (3-) subunit is also taken into account. This new knowledge on aromaticity of a ring from the interactions between subunits is revealed first time in this paper. Li(3)-N(3)-Be can be also regarded as a molecule containing two superatoms (Li(3) and N(3)), which may be named as a "superomolecule." Li(3)-N(3)-Be is a new metal-nonmetal-metal type sandwich complex. The N(3) (3-) trianion in the middle repulses the electron clouds of the two metal subunits (mainly to the Li(3) superatom) to generate an excess electron, and thus Li(3)-N(3)-Be is also an electride. This phenomenon of the repulsion results in: (a) the HOMO energy level increased, (b) the electron cloud in HOMO distended, (c) the area of the negative NICS value extended, and (d) the VIE value lowered. So the superomolecule Li(3)-N(3)-Be is not only a new metal-nonmetal-metal type sandwich complex but also a new type electride, which comes from the interaction between the alkali superatom (Li(3)) and the nonmetal superatom (N(3)).     

New examples of metalloaromatic Al-clusters: (Al4M4)Fe(CO)3 (M = Li, Na and K) and (Al4M4)2Ni: rationalization for possible synthesis

Ab initio calculations reveal that all-metal antiaromatic molecules like Al4M4 (M = Li, Na and K) can be stabilized in half sandwich (Al4M4)Fe(CO)3 and full sandwich (Al4M4)2Ni complexes. The formation of the full sandwich complex [(Al4M4)2Ni] from its organometallic precursor depends on the stability of the organic-inorganic hybrid (C4H4)Ni(Al4Li4).     

Investigation of the typical triangular structure B3 in boron chemistry: insight into bare all-boron clusters used as ligands or building blocks

Even though boron clusters are quite significant, bare boron clusters as ligands in chemical compounds are still unknown. Triangular B(3) is a key constituent of all-boron clusters and widely applied in the boron compounds. As a basic step toward understanding the assembly and stabilization of bare all-boron clusters and the possibility of their fusion during the cluster-assembly process, we made the first attempt to assemble the smallest bare all-boron unit B(3)-. Both the "homo-decked sandwich" and "hetero-decked sandwich" schemes were applied to the assembly of B(3)- at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d, p) level. For all the considered alkali- and alkaline earth metals, B(3)- can only be assembled in "hetero-decked sandwich" scheme (e.g., CpMB(3)(q-)) so as to avoid cluster fusion, whereas it cannot be assembled in the traditional "homo-decked sandwich" scheme (B(3)MB(3)(q-)) because of thermodynamic and kinetic instability. Various assembled species in extended frameworks are designed. In particular, the dimerization of the hetero-decked sandwich-like CpMB(3)(q-) could lead to a new type of antiaromatic triple-decker sandwich-like complexes CpMB(6)Cp(2q-) that contain the all-boron antiaromatic unit B(6)(2-). Our work supports the experimental identification of the B(6)(2-) anion (with M+ counterions) in a photoelectron spectroscopy study. Additionally, the electronic and structural properties of B(3)- are well conserved during cluster-assembly, characteristic of a "superatom" feature. Our results are expected to be helpful for understanding the assembly and stabilization of bare all-boron cluster chemistry. Also, our work should give insight toward designing and understanding bare boron clusters as potential new ligands for coordination chemistry and as new building blocks for materials science. Interestingly, our results should provide hints to embellish, functionalize, isolate, and protect bare all-boron clusters.     

Base free lithium-organoaluminate and the gallium congener: potential precursors to heterometallic assemblies

The first examples of base free lithium-organoaluminate and the corresponding gallium compound [LM(Me)OLi]3 (M = Al (3), Ga (4); L = HC{C(Me)N-2,6-iPr2C6H3}2) have been prepared by the reaction of Li[N(SiMe3)2] with the corresponding metal hydroxides LM(Me)OH (M = Al (1), Ga(2)); the oxygen atom in the M-O-Li fragment exists as oxide ion and is involved in the central Li3O3 six-membered ring formation.     

Mixed alkylamido aluminate as a kinetically controlled base

The mechanisms by which directed ortho metalation (DoM) and postmetalation processes occur when aromatic compounds are treated with mixed alkylamido aluminate i-Bu3Al(TMP)Li (TMP-aluminate 1; TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide) have been investigated by computation and X-ray diffraction. Sequential reaction of ArC(=O)N(i-Pr)2 (Ar = phenyl, 1-naphthyl) with t-BuLi and i-Bu3Al in tetrahydrofuran affords [2-(i-Bu3Al)C(m)H(n)C(=O)N(i-Pr)2]Li x 3 THF (m = 6, n = 4, 7; m = 10, n = 6, 8). These data advance the structural evidence for ortho-aluminated functionalized aromatics and represent model intermediates in DoM chemistry. Both 7 and 8 are found to resist reaction with HTMP, suggesting that ortho-aluminated aromatics are incapable of exhibiting stepwise deprotonative reactivity of the type recently shown to pertain to the related field of ortho zincation chemistry. Density functional theory calculations corroborate this view and reveal the existence of substantial kinetic barriers both to one-step alkyl exchange and to amido-alkyl exchange after an initial amido deprotonation reaction by aluminate bases. Rationalization of this dichotomy comes from an evaluation of the inherent Lewis acidities of the Al and Zn centers. As a representative synthetic application of this high kinetic reactivity of the TMP-aluminate, the highly regioselective deprotonative functionalization of unsymmetrical ketones both under mild conditions and at elevated temperatures is also presented.     

Theoretical study of the stability of multiply charged C70 fullerenes

We have calculated the electronic energies and optimum geometries of C(70) (q+) and C(68) (q+) fullerenes (q=0-14) by means of density functional theory. The ionization energies for C(70) and C(68) fullerenes increase more or less linearly as functions of charge, consistent with the previously reported behavior for C(60) and C(58) [S. Diaz-Tendero et al., J. Chem. Phys. 123, 184306 (2005)]. The dissociation energies corresponding to the C(70) (q+)-->C(68) (q+)+C(2), C(70) (q+)-->C(68) ((q-1)+)+C(2) (+), C(70) (q+)-->C(68) ((q-2)+)+C(+)+C(+), C(70) (q+)-->C(68) ((q-3)+)+C(2+)+C(+), and C(70) (q+)-->C(68) ((q-4)+)+C(2+)+C(2+) decay channels show that C(70) (q+) (like C(60) (q+)) is thermodynamically unstable for q>or=6. However, the slope of the dissociation energy as a function of charge for a given decay channel is different from that of C(60) (q+) fullerenes. On the basis of these results, we predict q=17 to be the highest charge state for which a fission barrier exists for C(70) (q+).     

Cooperative Effects in π-Ligand Bridged Dinuclear Complexes. XII [1]. Heterodinuclear Electron Poor μ-Cyclooctatetraene Complexes with CrFe-and CrCo-Combinations

The synfacial heterodinuclear μ-Cot complexes (Cot = cyclooctatetraene) [(CpCr) (CpM)]μ-Cot (Cp = cyclopentadienyl; M ? Fe, 3 ; M ? Co, 4 ) are formed in a thermal reaction of the mononuclear mixed sandwich compound CpCr(n⁶-Cot) and CpML_n [M ? Fe, L_n = benzene (Bz); M ? Co, L_n = (C₂H₄)₂]. 3 possesses two unpaired electrons whereas 4 has only one unpaired electron and is ESR active. From the molecular structure of 3 and from the ESR data of 4 it can be deduced that the unpaired electrons are localized at the Cr centers predominantly forcing a close electronical relation between the heterodinuclear compounds 3 and 4 and the mononuclear sandwich complexes chromocene and CpCrBz, respectively.     

Lithiation of (tBuNH)3PNSiMe3 and formation of tetraimidophosphate complexes containing M3O3 rings (M = Li, K): X-ray structure of the stable radical [(Me3SiN)P(mu3-N(t)Bu)3[mu3-Li(THF)]3(OtBu))

The reaction of ((t)BuNH)(3)PNSiMe(3) (1) with 1 equiv of (n)BuLi results in the formation of Li[P(NH(t)Bu)(2)(N(t)Bu)(NSiMe(3))] (2); treatment of 2 with a second equivalent of (n)BuLi produces the dilithium salt Li(2)[P(NH(t)Bu)(N(t)Bu)(2)(NSiMe(3))] (3). Similarly, the reaction of 1 and (n)BuLi in a 1:3 stoichiometry produces the trilithiated species Li(3)[P(N(t)Bu)(3)(NSiMe(3))] (4). These three complexes represent imido analogues of dihydrogen phosphate [H(2)PO(4)](-), hydrogen phosphate [HPO(4)](2)(-), and orthophosphate [PO(4)](3)(-), respectively. Reaction of 4 with alkali metal alkoxides MOR (M = Li, R = SiMe(3); M = K, R = (t)Bu) generates the imido-alkoxy complexes [Li(3)[P(N(t)Bu)(3)(NSiMe(3))](MOR)(3)] (8, M = Li; 9, M = K). These compounds were characterized by multinuclear ((1)H, (7)Li, (13)C, and (31)P) NMR spectroscopy and, in the cases of 2, 8, and 9.3THF, by X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, 2 exists as a dimer with Li-N contacts serving to link the two Li[P(NH(t)Bu)(2)(N(t)Bu)(NSiMe(3))] units. The monomeric compounds 8 and 9.3THF consist of a rare M(3)O(3) ring coordinated to the (LiN)(3) unit of 4. The unexpected formation of the stable radical [(Me(3)SiN)P(mu(3)-N(t)Bu)(3)[mu(3)-Li(THF)](3)(O(t)Bu)] (10) is also reported. X-ray crystallography indicated that 10 has a distorted cubic structure consisting of the radical dianion [P(N(t)Bu)(3)(NSiMe(3))](.2)(-), two lithium cations, and a molecule of LiO(t)Bu in the solid state. In dilute THF solution, the cube is disrupted to give the radical monoanion [(Me(3)SiN)((t)BuN)P(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)Li(THF)(2)](.-), which was identified by EPR spectroscopy.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of elemental site preferences in quasicrystalline approximants (R-phases) within the Li-Mg-Zn-Al system

A series of ternary and quaternary R-phase compounds in the Li-Mg-Zn-Al system are synthesized from pure elements in sealed Ta tubes with starting compositions based on the suggestions from electronic structure calculations using relative Mulliken populations to quantify the site preferences for the various elements. Single-crystal structural analyses reveal new R-phase compounds with various Li/Mg and Zn/Al ratios. The space group of all compounds is Im3 (No. 204). Five quaternary phases [Li1.00(1)Mg0.63(2)Zn1.23(1)Al2.14(1) (1), a = 14.073(3) A; Li1.00(1)Mg0.63(1)Zn1.42(1)Al1.96(1) (2), a = 14.088(3) A; Li1.01(1)Mg0.62(1)Zn1.31(1)Al2.06(1) (3), a = 14.096(5) A; Li1.03(1)Mg0.60(1)Zn1.78(3)Al1.59(3) (4), a = 13.993(5) A; Li0.78(2)Mg0.85(2)Zn2.47(1)Al0.94(1) (5), a = 13.933(2) A] and four ternary compounds [Li1.63Zn0.81(1)Al2.56(1) (6), a = 14.135(3) A; Li1.63Zn1.42(1)Al1.95(1) (7), a = 13.966(5) A; Li1.63Zn1.59(1)Al1.78(1) (8), a = 13.947(2) A; and Li1.63Zn1.77(1)Al1.60(1) (9), a = 13.933(4) A] are identified. The crystal structure exhibits an Al/Zn (M sites) network constructed from M12 icosahedra and M60 buckyball-type clusters. Li/Mg atoms (A sites) fill cavities within the Al/Zn network to give pentagonal dodecahedra (A20). The site-potential studies (relative Mulliken populations) indicate two groups of atomic sites (positively and negatively polarized), which are consistent with the single-crystal studies. Further differentiation of site potentials among the various electropositive sites leads to segregation of Li and Mg, which is also verified experimentally. The analysis of relative Mulliken populations in an intermetallic framework provides a useful method for elucidating elemental site preferences when diffraction techniques cannot unequivocally solve the site preference problem.     

Reactivity patterns of thermally stable, terminal, electrophilic phosphinidene complexes towards diazoalkanes: oxidation at the phosphorus centre and formation of P-bound eta1-phosphaazine, eta1-phosphaalkene and eta3-diazaphosphaallene complexes

The thermally stable, terminal phosphinidene complexes [CpM(CO)2(eta1-PNiPr2)]AlCl4(Cp= Cp, Cp*; M = Fe) and [Cp*M(CO)3(eta1-PNiPr2)]AlCl4 (M = Cr, Mo, W) react with Ph2C=N=N to form terminal P-coordinated eta1-phosphaazine and eta3-diazaphosphaallene ligands, respectively, whereas [CpFe(CO)2(eta1-PNiPr2)]AlCl4 reacts with Me3SiCHN2 affording a terminal phosphorus bound eta1-phosphaalkene complex.     

Sandwich complexes based on the "all-metal" Al4 2- aromatic ring

We report on novel sandwichlike structures [Al(4)MAl(4)](q-) (q=0-2 and M=Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W) based on the recently synthesized all-metal aromatic Al(4)(2-) square ring. The sandwichlike structures have two aromatic tetraaluminum square rings which trap a transition-metal cation from either the first, second, or third row. The stability of the anionic sandwichlike complexes towards electron detachment is discussed, and addition of alkali cations is found to stabilize the 2- charged complexes, preventing spontaneous electron detachment. Once the sandwichlike complexes are formed, the Al(4)(2-) square properties remain nearly unchanged; this fact strongly supports the hypothesis that in these complexes the Al(4)(2-) square rings remain aromatic.     

Cluster-assembled materials based on M12N12 (M = Al, Ga) fullerene-like clusters

We report the results of density functional theory calculations on cluster-assembled materials based on M(12)N(12) (M = Al, Ga) fullerene-like clusters. Our results show that the M(12)N(12) fullerene-like structure with six isolated four-membered rings (4NRs) and eight six-membered rings (6NRs) has a T(h) symmetry and a large HOMO-LUMO gap, indicating that the M(12)N(12) cluster would be ideal building blocks for the synthesis of cluster-assembled materials. Via the coalescence of M(12)N(12) building blocks, we find that the M(12)N(12) clusters can bind into stable assemblies by either 6NR or 4NR face coalescence, which enables the construction of rhombohedral or cubic nanoporous framework of varying porosity. The rhombohedral-MN phase is energetically more favorable than the cubic-MN phase. The M(12)N(12) fullerene-like structures in both phases are maintained and the M-N bond lengths between M(12)N(12) monomers are slightly larger than that in isolated M(12)N(12) clusters and the bulk wurtzite phases. The band analysis of both phases reveals that they are all wide-gap semiconductors. Because of the nanoporous character of these phases, they could be used for gas storage, heterogeneous catalysis, filtration and so on.     

Interaction of molecular nitrogen and oxygen with extraframework cations in zeolites with double six-membered rings of oxygen-bridged silicon and aluminum atoms: a DFT study

The interaction of N(2) and O(2) with extraframework cations of zeolite frameworks was studied by DFT, using the B3LYP method. The extraframework cation sites located in the vicinity of the double six-member rings (D6R) of FAU zeolites (SI, SI', SIII') were considered and clusters with composition (M(n)(+))(2/)(n)()H(12)Si(10)Al(2)O(18), M = Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), were selected to represent the adsorption centers. The cation sites SII in the center of single six-membered rings (S6R) were modeled by [M(I)H(12)Si(4)Al(2)O(6)](-) and M(II)H(12)Si(4)Al(2)O(6) clusters. The adsorption energy of N(2) and O(2) is the highest for Li(+) cations at the SIII' cation sites, while for the SI' and SII sites the adsorption energies decrease in the order Ca(2+) > Na(+) > Li(+). The calculated small N(2) adsorption energy for Li(+) cations at SII sites suggests that these sites do not take part in the sorption process in agreement with results of NMR studies and Monte Carlo simulations. The N(2) adsorption complexes with the extraframework cations are linear, while those of O(2) are bent regardless of the extraframework cation location. The SIII' cation sites are the most favorable ones with respect to N(2) adsorption capacity and N(2)/O(2) selectivity; the SII sites are less selective and the SI sites are not accessible.     

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

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

Structure of Metal Aluminophosphates:Al9-xMxP12O48(TREN)4·yNH4·zH2O[TREN=N(CH2CH2NH3)Hm, M=Mn, Co]

Two large-pore metal-doped aluminophosphates, Mn4Al5(PO4)12[N(C2H4NH3)3]3[N(C2H4NH3)2·(C2H4NH2)](NH4)2·14H2O(Mn4-NJU) and Co4Al5(PO4)12[N(C2H4NH3)3][N(C2H4NH3)2(C2H4NH2)]3·(NH4)4·13H2O(Co4-NJU), which have the same open framework structures, were hydrothermally synthesized. The structures of these compounds consist of TO4 tetrahedra, which are linked together by corner-sharing to form an open framework with unique intersecting twelve-membered ring channels in three dimensions. The compounds crystallize in cubic space group I(-4)3m with a=1.6795(2) nm and V=4.7374(9) nm3 for Mn4-NJU, and a=1.67372(19) nm and V=4.6887(9) nm3 for Co4-NJU, respectively. Single crystal structure analyses show that the protruding O atoms of the frameworks of the compounds are linked to protonated 4-(2-aminoethyl)diethylenetriamine(TREN, C6H18N4) ions in the windows by means of hydrogen-bonding under the hydrothermal condition. It is also found that the components inside the super cages of the compounds are changeable, and the metal ions M2 (M=Mn, Co) and Al3 disorderedly occupy the same crystallographic positions.