Charge Effects in PCP Pincer Complexes of NiII bearing Phosphinite and Imidazol(i)ophosphine Coordinating Jaws: From Synthesis to Catalysis through Bonding Analysis

This contribution reports on a new family of Ni^II pincer complexes featuring phosphinite and functional imidazolyl arms. The proligands ^RPIMC^HOP^R′ react at room temperature with Ni^II precursors to give the corresponding complexes [(^RPIMCOP^R′)NiBr], where ^RPIMCOP^R=κ^P,κ^C,κ^P‐{2‐(R′₂PO),6‐(R₂PC₃H₂N₂)C₆H₃}, R=iPr, R′=iPr ( 3 b , 84 %) or Ph ( 3 c , 45 %). Selective N‐methylation of the imidazole imine moiety in 3 b by MeOTf (OTf=OSO₂CF₃) gave the corresponding imidazoliophosphine [(^iPrPIMIOCOP^iPr)NiBr][OTf], 4 b , in 89 % yield (^iPrPIMIOCOP^iPr=κ^P,κ^C,κ^P‐{2‐(iPr₂PO),6‐(iPr₂PC₄H₅N₂)C₆H₃}). Treating 4 b with NaOEt led to the NHC derivative [(NHCCOP^iPr)NiBr], 5 b , in 47 % yield (NHCCOP^iPr=κ^P,κ^C,κ^C‐{2‐(iPr₂PO),6‐(C₄H₅N₂)C₆H₃)}). The bromo derivatives 3–5 were then treated with AgOTf in acetonitrile to give the corresponding cationic species [(^RPIMCOP^R)Ni(MeCN)][OTf] [R=Ph, 6 a (89 %) or iPr, 6 b (90 %)], [(^RPIMIOCOP^R)Ni(MeCN)][OTf]₂ [R=Ph, 7 a (79 %) or iPr, 7 b (88 %)], and [(NHCCOP^R)Ni(MeCN)][OTf] [R=Ph, 8 a (85 %) or iPr, 8 b (84 %)]. All new complexes have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, whereas 3 b , 3 c , 5 b , 6 b , and 8 a were also subjected to X‐ray diffraction studies. The acetonitrile adducts 6 – 8 were further studied by using various theoretical analysis tools. In the presence of excess nitrile and amine, the cationic acetonitrile adducts 6 – 8 catalyze hydroamination of nitriles to give unsymmetrical amidines with catalytic turnover numbers of up to 95.     

Even and odd: uranium(IV) complexes with two,four, and six salicylaldiminate ligands with an unusual κ1-coordination mode

We report the synthesis and structural determination of three uranium(IV) complexes bearing two, four, and six salicylaldiminate ligands. Reaction of UI₄(1,4-dioxane)₂ with two, four, and six equivalents of K[OC₆H₄C(H)=N(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)], 1, yielded [(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)N=C(H)C₆H₄O-κ²(O,N)]₂UI₂(NCCH₃), 2, [(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)N=C(H)C₆H₄O-κ¹(O)]₂[(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)N=C(H)C₆H₄O-κ²(O,N)]₂U(THF), 3, and {[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)N=C(H)C₆H₄O-κ¹(O)]₆U}^2?, 4. While 2 shows normal κ²-coordination through both oxygen and nitrogen donors, 3 has two salicylaldiminate ligands bound only through oxygen and 4 has all six ligands bound only through oxygen. This is an exceedingly rare example of a chelating ligand not completing its chelation in f-element chemistry. In addition, 4 is the first report of a homoleptic octahedral actinide complex with a Schiff base ligand.     

Die Struktur von [Li(tmeda)2][Zn(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)3]

X-Ray Structure of [Li(tmeda)₂][Zn(2,4,6- i Pr₃C₆H₂)₃] A side reaction of zinc halide containing VCl₂(tmeda)₂ and Li(2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂) formed [Li(tmeda)₂][Zn(2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂)₃] · 0,5[(tmeda)Li(μ-Cl)]₂. The crystal structure (orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 26,226(2), b = 19,739(2), c = 27,223(5) Å, Z = 8, R = 0,062, wR² = 0,154) contains trigonal planar zinc anions with Zn–C distances of 2,039(7) Å (average) and a propeller like arrangement of the aryl rings.     

CycloSiFA: The Next Generation of Silicon-Based Fluoride Acceptors for Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

The ring-opening Si-fluorination of a variety of azasilole derivatives cyclo-1-(iPr₂Si)−4-X−C₆H₃−2-CH₂NR ( 4 : R=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃, X=H; 4 a : R=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, X=H; 9 : R=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃, X=tBuMe₂SiO; 10 : R=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃, X=OH; 13 : R=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃, X=HCCCH₂O; 22 : R=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃, X=tBuMe₂SiCH₂O) with different ¹⁹F-fluoride sources was studied, optimized and the experience gained was used in a translational approach to create a straightforward ¹⁸F-labelling protocol for the azasilole derivatives [¹⁸F] 6 and [¹⁸F] 14 . The latter constitutes a potential clickable CycloSiFA prosthetic group which might be used in PET tracer development using Cu-catalysed triazole formation. Based on our findings, CycloSiFA has the potential to become a new entry into non-canonical labelling methodologies for radioactive PET tracer development.     

Plumbocenes with sec- und tert-Alkyl Substituents

[(C₅H₂tBu₃-1,2,4)₂Pb] ( 1 ), [(C₅HiPr₄)₂Pb] ( 2 ), and [(C₅iPr₅)₂Pb] ( 3 ) have been obtained from PbCl₂ and Li(C₅H₂tBu₃-1,2,4), Na(C₅HiPr₄) and Na(C₅iPr₅), respectively. 3 exists as a 1 : 1 mixture of meso- 3 and rac- 3 which interconvert at elevated temperature via one-at-a-time rotation of isopropyl groups with ΔG^# = 73.0 ± 1.5/73.7 ± 1.5 kJ/mol at 348 K. 3 is slightly bent in the solid state with an angle of 170(1)° between the ring normals.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Monomeric Salicylaldiminato Lanthanide Complexes and Their Catalytic Behavior for Polymerization of ε—Caprolactone

IntroductionSchiffbaseligandscanbeusedtoprovideastereochem icallyrigidligandframeworkinhomogenousprecatalystsofsomemetals,suchassalenCrcatalystsinasymmetricring openingreactionofepoxide1andsalenAlinring openingpolymerizationoflactideandrelatedcyclicesters .2 Recently ,itwasreportedthatthebidentateSchiffbasecomplexesofearlyandlatetransitionmetalscanserveaspromisingalterna tivestometallocenecatalystsforthepolymerizationofα olefins.3Therefore ,theapplicationsofSchiffbaseligandsinorganometallic…     

Iridium(I)‐ und Iridium(III)‐Komplexe mit Triisopropylarsan als Ligand

Iridium(I) and Iridium(III) Complexes with Triisopropylarsane as Ligand The ethene complex trans‐[IrCl(C₂H₄)(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 2 ), which was prepared from [IrCl(C₂H₄)₂]₂ and AsiPr₃, reacted with CO and Ph₂CN₂ by displacement of ethene to yield the substitution products trans‐[IrCl(L)(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 3 : L = CO; 4 : L = N₂). UV irradiation of 2 in the presence of acetonitrile gave via intramolecular oxidative addition the hydrido(vinyl)iridium(III) compound [IrHCl(CH=CH₂)(CH₃CN)(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 5 ). The reaction of 2 with dihydrogen led under argon to the formation of the octahedral complex [IrH₂Cl(C₂H₄)(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 7 ), whereas from 2 under 1 bar H₂ the ethene‐free compound [IrH₂Cl(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 6 ) was generated. Complex 6 reacted with ethene to afford 7 and with pyridine to give [IrH₂Cl(py)(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 8 ). The mixed arsane(phosphane)iridium(I) compound [IrCl(C₂H₄)(PiPr₃)(AsiPr₃)] ( 11 ) was prepared either from the dinuclear complex [IrCl(C₂H₄)(PiPr₃)]2 ( 9 ) and AsiPr₃ or by ligand exchange from [IrCl(C₂H₄)(PiPr₃)(SbiPr₃)] ( 10 ) und triisopropylarsane. The molecular structure of 5 was determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

Elusive Terminal Copper Arylnitrene Intermediates

We report herein three new modes of reactivity between arylazides N₃Ar with a bulky copper(I) β-diketiminate. Addition of N₃Ar^X3 (Ar^X3=2,4,6-X₃C₆H₂; X=Cl or Me) to [ⁱPr₂NN]Cu(NCMe) results in triazenido complexes from azide attack on the β-diketiminato backbone. Reaction of [ⁱPr₂NN]Cu(NCMe) with bulkier azides N₃Ar leads to terminal nitrenes [ⁱPr₂NN]Cu]=NAr that dimerize via formation of a C−C bond at the arylnitrene p-position to give the dicopper(II) diketimide 4 (Ar=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) or undergo nitrile insertion to give diazametallocyclobutene 8 (Ar=4-Ph-2,6-iPr₂C₆H₂). Importantly, reactivity studies reveal both 4 and 8 to be “masked” forms of the terminal nitrenes [ⁱPr₂NN]Cu=NAr that undergo nitrene group transfer to PMe₃, ^tBuNC, and even into a benzylic sp³ C−H bond of ethylbenzene.     

Unsymmetrical and symmetrical diphosphazane ligands derived from o-phenylene phosphorochloridite

Two new diphosphazane ligands, PrⁱN(PPh₂)(PO₂C₆H₄) ( 1 ) and PrⁱN{P(O₂C₆H₄)}₂ ( 3 ), have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic data. The structure of 1 has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: Monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 16, a = 34.149(5) Å, b = 9.717(6) Å, c = 29.439(5) Å, β = 125.11(2)°, V = 7991 ų, R = 0.058, R_w = 0.061. This compound shows two different P–N bond lengths (1.654 (4) and 1.743(4) Å) and a P–N–P angle of 120.7(2)°. Variable temperature ³¹P NMR measurements for 1 and 3 throw light on the nature of the conformers present in solution.     

Ruthenium Tris(pyrazolyl)borate Complexes. Part 20 [1]. Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of Neutral Trispyrazolylborate Ruthenium Vinylidene Complexes

Summary. The reaction of RuTp(COD)Cl (1) with PPh₂Prⁱ and terminal alkynes HCCR (R=C₆H₅, C₄H₃S, C₆H₄OMe, Fc, C₆H₄–Fc, C₆H₉) affords the neutral vinylidene complexes RuTp(PPh₂Prⁱ) (Cl)(=C=CHR) (2a–2f) in high yields. These complexes do not react with MeOH to give methoxy carbene complexes of the type RuTp(PPh₂Prⁱ)(Cl)(=C(OMe)CH₂R), but react with oxygen to yield the CO complex RuTp(PPh₂R)(Cl)(CO) (3). The structures of 2b, 2f, and 3 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Ruthenium Tris(pyrazolyl)borate Complexes. Part 20 [1]. Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Neutral Trispyrazolylborate Ruthenium Vinylidene Complexes

The reaction of RuTp(COD)Cl (1) with PPh₂Prⁱ and terminal alkynes HCCR (R=C₆H₅, C₄H₃S, C₆H₄OMe, Fc, C₆H₄–Fc, C₆H₉) affords the neutral vinylidene complexes RuTp(PPh₂Prⁱ) (Cl)(=C=CHR) (2a–2f) in high yields. These complexes do not react with MeOH to give methoxy carbene complexes of the type RuTp(PPh₂Prⁱ)(Cl)(=C(OMe)CH₂R), but react with oxygen to yield the CO complex RuTp(PPh₂R)(Cl)(CO) (3). The structures of 2b, 2f, and 3 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

An H-Substituted Rhodium Silylene

Divergent reactivity of organometallic rhodium(I) complexes, which led to the isolation of neutral rhodium silylenes, is described. Addition of PhRSiH₂ (R=H, Ph) to the rhodium cyclooctene complex (^iPrNNN)Rh(COE) (1-COE; ^iPrNNN=2,5-[iPr₂P=N(4-iPrC₆H₄)]₂N(C₆H₂)⁻, COE=cyclooctene) resulted in the oxidative addition of an Si−H bond, providing rhodium(III) silyl hydride complexes (^iPrNNN)Rh(H)SiHRPh (R=H, 2 -SiH₂Ph; Ph, 2 -SiHPh₂). When the carbonyl complex (^iPrNNN)Rh(CO) ( 1 -CO) was treated with hydrosilanes, base-stabilized rhodium(I) silylenes κ²-N,N-(^iPrNNN)(CO)Rh=SiRPh (R=H, 3 -SiHPh; Ph, 3 -SiPh₂) were isolated and characterized using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Both silylene species feature short Rh−Si bonds [2.262(1) Å, 3 -SiHPh; 2.2702(7) Å, 3 -SiPh₂] that agree well with the DFT-computed structures. The overall reaction led to a change in the ^iPrNNN ligand bonding mode (κ³→κ²) and loss of H₂ from PhSiRH₂, as corroborated by deuterium labelling experiments.     

Synthese,Struktur und Photochemie von Olefiniridium(I)‐Komplexen mit Acetylacetonatoliganden

Synthesis, Structure, and Photochemical Behavior of Olefine Iridium(I) Complexes with Acetylacetonato Ligands The bis(ethene) complex [Ir(κ²‐acac)(C₂H₄)₂] ( 1 ) reacts with tertiary phosphanes to give the monosubstitution products [Ir(κ²‐acac)(C₂H₄)(PR₃)] ( 2 – 5 ). While 2 (R = iPr) is inert toward PiPr₃, the reaction of 2 with diphenylacetylene affords the π‐alkyne complex [Ir(κ²‐acac)(C₂Ph₂)(PiPr₃)] ( 6 ). Treatment of [IrCl(C₂H₄)₄] with C‐functionalized acetylacetonates yields the compounds [Ir(κ²‐acacR^1,2)(C₂H₄)₂] ( 8 , 9 ), which react with PiPr₃ to give [Ir(κ²‐acacR^1,2)(C₂H₄)(PiPr₃)] ( 10 , 11 ) by displacement of one ethene ligand. UV irradiation of 5 (PR₃ = iPr₂PCH₂CO₂Me) and 11 (R² = (CH₂)₃CO₂Me) leads, after addition of PiPr₃, to the formation of the hydrido(vinyl)iridium(III) complexes 7 and 12 . The reaction of 2 with the ethene derivatives CH₂=CHR (R = CN, OC(O)Me, C(O)Me) affords the compounds [Ir(κ²‐acac)(CH₂=CHR)(PiPr₃)] ( 13 – 15 ), which on photolysis in the presence of PiPr₃ also undergo an intramolecular C–H activation. In contrast, the analogous complexes [Ir(κ²‐acac)(olefin)(PiPr₃)] (olefin = (E)‐C₂H₂(CO₂Me)₂ 16 , (Z)‐C₂H₂(CO₂Me)₂ 17 ) are photochemically inert.     

A Capped Octahedral MHC6 Compound of a Platinum Group Metal

A MHC₆ complex of a platinum group metal with a capped octahedral arrangement of donor atoms around the metal center has been characterized. This osmium compound OsH{κ²‐C,C‐(PhBIm‐C₆H₄)}₃, which reacts with HBF₄ to afford the 14 e^? species [Os{κ²‐C,C‐(PhBIm‐C₆H₄)}(Ph₂BIm)₂]BF₄ stabilized by two agostic interactions, has been obtained by reaction of OsH₆(PiPr₃)₂ with N,N′‐diphenylbenzimidazolium chloride ([Ph₂BImH]Cl) in the presence of NEt₃. Its formation takes place through the C,C,C‐pincer compound OsH₂{κ³‐C,C,C‐(C₆H₄‐BIm‐C₆H₄)}(PiPr₃)₂, the dihydrogen derivative OsCl{κ²‐C,C‐(PhBIm‐C₆H₄)}(η²‐H₂)(PiPr₃)₂, and the five‐coordinate osmium(II) species OsCl{κ²‐C,C‐(PhBIm‐C₆H₄)}(PiPr₃)₂.     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene by mono‐ and trinuclear nickel complexes with indanimine ligands

A series of new indanimine ligands [ArN?CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)OH] (Ar = Ph, R = Me ( 1 ), R = H ( 2 ), and R = Cl ( 3 ); Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃, R = Me ( 4 ), R = H ( 5 ), and R = Cl ( 6 )) were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of indanimines with Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O results in the formation of the trinuclear hexa(indaniminato)tri (nickel(II)) complexes Ni₃[ArN = CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₆ (Ar = Ph, R = Me ( 7 ), R = H ( 8 ), and R = Cl ( 9 )) and the mononuclear bis(indaniminato)nickel (II) complexes Ni[ArN?CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₂ (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃, R = Me ( 10 ), R = H ( 11 ), and R = Cl ( 12 )). All nickel complexes were characterized by their IR, NMR spectra, and elemental analyses. In addition, X‐ray structure analyses were performed for complexes 7 , 10 , 11 , and 12 . After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), these nickel(II) complexes can polymerize norbornene to produce addition‐type polynorbornene (PNB) with high molecular weight M_v (10⁶ g mol^?1), highly catalytic activities up to 2.18 × 10⁷ gPNB mol^?1 Ni h^?1. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of PNB have been investigated for various reaction conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 489–500, 2008     

Synthesis and crystal structure of inclusion compounds: Trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboxylic acid with boric acid and tetrabutylammonium salt

Two new inclusion compounds (n-C₄H₉)₄N⁺C₁₈-H₁₃O₄ ⁻·B(OH)₃ (1) and (n-C₄H₉)₄N⁺C₁₈H₁₃O₄ ⁻ (2) were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data: compound 1, monoclinic P2(1)/c, a = 1.569 9(1) nm, b = 0.995 5(6) nm, c = 2.293 3(1) nm, β = 109.962(3)°, Z = 4, and R ₁ = 0.0434, wR = 0.075 9; compound 2, monoclinic C2/c, a = 1.400 5(3) nm, b = 1,282 1(2) nm, c = 1.765 7(3) nm, β = 100.388(1)°, Z = 4, and R ₁ = 0.0584, wR = 0.096 6. In the crystal structure of 1, the tetramers formed by two trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboxylic acid (EADA) anions and two boric acid molecules were connected through O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to generate a channel type host lattice. The tetra-n-butylammonium cations were stacked to give two columns within each channel with cross-sectional size of about 2.30 nm × 0.93 nm. In the crystal structure of 2, similar honeycomb host lattices with big size were also formed along the [101] direction by three-dimensional accumulation of EADA anions. The tetra-n-butylammonium cations were accommodated in a zigzag fashion within each channel. Translated from Acta Chimica Sinica, 2006, 64(18): 1904–1910 [译自: 化学学报]     

Synthesis,Structure, and Stability of Lithium Arylphosphanidyl-diarylphosphane Oxide

The reaction of LiP(H)Tipp ( 2a ) and KP(H)Tipp ( 2b , Tipp = C₆H₂-2,4,6-iPr₃), which are accessible via metalation of Tipp-PH₂ ( 1 ), with bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)phosphinic chloride yields Tipp-P=P(OM)Ar₂ [M = Li ( 3a ) and K ( 3b )]. These complexes show characteristic chemical ³¹P shifts and large ¹J_PP coupling constants. These compounds degrade with elimination of the phosphinidene Tipp-P: and the alkali metal diarylphosphinites M–O–PAr₂ [M = Li ( 4a ) and K ( 4b )]. The phosphinidene forms secondary degradation products (like the meso and R,R/S,S-isomers of diphosphane Tipp-P(H)–P(H)Tipp ( 5 ) via insertion into a P–H bond of newly formed Tipp-PH₂), whereas the crystallization of [Tipp-P=P(OLi)Ar₂ · LiOPAr₂ · LiCl · 2Et₂O]₂ (i.e. [ 3a·4a· LiCl · 2Et₂O]₂) succeeds from diethyl ether. The metathesis reactions of LiP(SiiPr₃)Tipp and LiP(SiiPr₃)Mes (Mes = C₆H₂-2,4,6-Me₃) with Ar₂P(O)Cl yield Ar*-P=P(OSiiPr₃)Ar₂ (Ar* = Mes, Tipp) which degrade to Ar₂POSiiPr₃ and other secondary products.     

Platinum Indolylphosphine Fluorido and Polyfluorido Complexes: An Interplay between Cyclometallation,Fluoride Migration,and Hydrogen Bonding

The reaction of [PtCl₂(COD)] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene) with diisopropyl-2-(3-methyl)indolylphosphine (iPr₂P(C₉H₈N)) led to the formation of the platinum(ii ) chlorido complexes, cis-[PtCl₂{iPr₂P(C₉H₈N)}₂] ( 1 ) and trans-[PtCl₂{iPr₂P(C₉H₈N)}₂] ( 2 ). The cis-complex 1 reacted with NEt₃ yielding the complex cis-[PtCl{κ²-(P,N)-iPr₂P(C₉H₇N)}{iPr₂P(C₉H₈N)}] ( 3 ) bearing a cyclometalated κ²-(P,N)-phosphine ligand, while the isomer 2 with a trans-configuration did not show any reactivity towards NEt₃. Treatment of 1 or 3 with (CH₃)₄NF (TMAF) resulted in the formation of the twofold cyclometalated complex cis-[Pt{κ²-(P,N)-iPr₂P(C₉H₇N)}₂] ( 4 ). The molecular structures of the complexes 1–4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The fluorido complex cis-[PtF{κ²-(P,N)-iPr₂P(C₉H₇N)}{iPr₂P(C₉H₈N)}] ⋅ (HF)₄ ( 5 ⋅ (HF)₄) was formed when complex 4 was treated with different hydrogen fluoride sources. The Pt(ii ) fluorido complex 5 ⋅ (HF)₄ exhibits intramolecular hydrogen bonding in its outer coordination sphere between the fluorido ligand and the NH group of the 3-methylindolyl moiety. In contrast to its chlorido analogue 3 , complex 5 ⋅ (HF)₄ reacted with CO or the ynamide 1-(2-phenylethynyl)-2-pyrrolidinone to yield the complexes trans-[Pt(CO){κ²-(P,C)-iPr₂P(C₉H₇NCO)}{iPr₂P(C₉H₈N)}][F(HF)₄] ( 7 ) and a complex, which we suggest to be cis-[Pt{C=C(Ph)OCN(C₃H₆)}{κ²-(P,N)-iPr₂P(C₉H₇N)}{iPr₂P(C₉H₈N)}][F(HF)₄] ( 9 ), respectively. The structure of 9 was assigned on the basis of DFT calculations as well as NMR and IR data. Hydrogen bonding of HF and NH to fluoride was proven to be crucial for the existence of 7 and 9 .     

Syntheses and Characterization of Organoimido Complexes of Niobium(V); Potential CVD Precursors

New niobium imido complexes (RN)Nb(NEt₂)₃ (R = Prⁿ, Prⁱ and Bu^t), potential precursors to grow niobium containing thin films by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), were prepared by reacting the corresponding (RN)NbCl₃py₂ complexes (R = Prⁿ, Prⁱ and Bu^t; py = pyridine) with LiNEt₂ in hydrocarbon solvents. The structures of (RN)NbCl₃py₂ (R = Prⁱ and Bu^t), determined by X-ray crystallography, are mononuclear with distorted octahedral geometries, For each complex, three chloride ligands are cis to the imido ligand and occupy meridional positions. One of two py ligands is cis to and the other is trans to the imido ligand. For (PrⁱN)NbCl₃py₂, the Nb=NPrⁱ bond distance (Å) is 1.733(3) and the ∠Nb=N-Prⁱ angle (°) is 178.0(3). Crystal data: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 8.805(2), b = 14.930(4), c = 13, 407(3) Å, β = 93.37(2)°, V = 1759.5(7) ų, Z = 4, D_c = 1.565 g cm³. For (Bu^tN)NbCl₃py₂, the Nb=NBu^t bond distance (Å) is 1.734(4) and the ∠Nb=N-Bu^l angle (°) is 174.8(4). Crystal data: monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 9.609(1), b = 13.591(6), c = 14.615(2) Å, β = 90.05(1)°, V = 1908.5(9) ų, Z = 4, D_c = 1.492 g cm^?3.     

Bis(β‐diketiminato) lanthanide amides: synthesis,structure and catalysis for the polymerization of l‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone

Treatment of the chlorides (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnCl (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph = [(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(C₆H₅)]^?) with 1 equiv. of NaNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) afforded the monoamides (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (Ln = Y ( 1 ), Yb ( 2 )) in good yields. Anhydrous LnCl₃ reacted with 2 equiv. of NaL^2,6‐iPr2_Ph in THF, followed by treatment with 1 equiv. of NaNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃), giving the analogues (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (Ln = Sm ( 3 ), Nd ( 4 )). Two monoamido complexes stabilized by two L^2‐Me ligands, (L^2‐Me)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (L^2‐Me = [N(2‐MeC₆H₄)C(Me)]₂CH)^?; Ln = Y ( 5 ), Yb ( 6 )), were also synthesized by the latter route. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 were fully characterized, including X‐ray crystal structure analyses. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 are isostructural. The central metal in each complex is ligated by two β‐diketiminato ligands and one amido group in a distorted trigonal bipyramid. All the complexes were found to be highly active in the ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide (L‐LA) and ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) to give polymers with relatively narrow molar mass distributions. The activity depends on both the central metal and the ligand (Yb < Y < Sm ≈ Nd and L^2‐Me < L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph). Remarkably, the binary 3/benzyl alcohol (BnOH) system exhibited a striking ‘immortal’ nature and proved able to quantitatively convert 5000 equiv. of L‐LA with up to 100 equiv. of BnOH per metal initiator. All the resulting PLAs showed monomodal, narrow distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.06 ? 1.08), with molar mass (M_n) decreasing proportionally with an increasing amount of BnOH. The binary 4/BnOH system also exhibited an ‘immortal’ nature in the polymerization of ε‐CL in toluene. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.