The CO and CS bond cleavage in carbon dioxide and tolyl isothiocyanate by reactions with the Mo(0) tetraphosphine complex [Mo{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)]

A Mo(0) complex containing a new tetraphosphine ligand [Mo(P₄)(dppe)] (1; P₄ = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂, dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) reacted with CO₂ (1 atm) at 60 °C in benzene to give a Mo(0) carbonyl complex fac-[Mo(CO)(η³-P₄O)(dppe)] (2), where the O abstraction from CO₂ by one terminal P atom in P₄ takes place to give the dangling P(O)Ph₂ moiety together with the coordinated CO. On the other hand, reaction of 1 with TolNCS (Tol = m-MeC₆H₄) in benzene at 60 °C resulted in the incorporation of three TolNCS molecules to the Mo center, forming a Mo(0) isocyanide-isothiocyanate complex trans,mer-[Mo(TolNC)₂(η²-TolNCS)(η³-P₄S)] (4), where the S abstraction occurs from two TolNCS molecules by P₄ and dppe to give the η³-P₄S ligand and free dppeS, respectively, together with two coordinated TolNC molecules. The remaining site of the Mo center is occupied by the third TolNCS ligating at the CS bond in an η²-manner. The X-ray analysis has been undertaken to determine the detailed structures for 2 and 4.     

Reaction of multifunctional molecule (Ph2P(o-C6H4)CHNCH2CH2)3N with triosmium carbonyl clusters

Reaction of (Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄)CHNCH₂CH₂)₃N with 3 equiv. of Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ at ambient temperature affords the triple cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄)CHNCH₂CH₂]₃N (1) through coordination of the phosphine and imine groups. Thermolysis of 1 in benzene leads to decarbonylation and C-H/C-N bond activation of the ligand to generate (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₈(μ₃-Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄)CHNCCH₂) (2). The molecular structure of 2 has been determined by an X-ray diffraction study.     

Silicon version of enamines: Amino-substituted disilenes by the reactions of the disilyne RSiSiR (R = SiPr[CH(SiMe3)2]2) with amines

The reaction of 1,1,4,4-tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-1,4-diisopropyltetrasila-2-yne 1 with secondary or primary amines produced amino-substituted disilenes R(R₂′N)SiSiHR 2a-d (R = SiⁱPr[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂, R₂′NEt₂N (2a), (CH₂CH₂)₂N (2b), ^tBu(H)N (2c), and Ph₂N (2d)). Spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses of 2 showed that 2a-c have a nearly coplanar arrangement of the SiSi double bond and the amino group, giving π-conjugation between the SiSi double bond and the lone pair on the nitrogen atom, whereas 2d has a nearly perpendicular arrangement precluding such conjugation. Theoretical calculations indicate that π-conjugation between the π-orbital of the SiSi double bond and the lone pair on the nitrogen atom is markedly influenced by the torsional angle between the SiSi double-bond plane and the amino-group plane.     

Synthesis of ruthenium phenylindenylidene, carbyne, allenylidene and vinylmethylidene complexes from (PPh3)3−4RuCl2: A mechanistic and structural investigation

The reaction of (Ph₃P)₃RuCl₂ with 1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ol was investigated in various solvents. The reaction in thf under reflux is reported to produce the (PPh₃)₂Cl₂Ru(3-phenylindenylidene) complex (3) which has undergone rearrangement of the allenylidene C₃-spine. We have improved the reliability of the reported synthesis by adding acetyl chloride which converts the formed water of the reaction and thus increases the acidity of the reaction solution. Without the additive, we observed the exclusive formation of an intermediate of the transformation and identified it as dinuclear (PPh₃)₂ClRu(μ-Cl)₃(PPh₃)₂RuCCCPh₂ complex (5). The reaction of (Ph₃P)₃₋₄RuCl₂ with 1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ol in CH₂Cl₂ or C₂H₄Cl₂ under reflux in the presence of excess conc. aqueous HCl afforded the new, neutral (PPh₃)₂Cl₃RuC-CHCPh₂ carbyne complex (7), an HCl adduct of previously elusive (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuCCCPh₂ complex 6 in high yields. In contrast to the formation of complex 3, the reaction in a non-coordinating solvent did not afford the rearrangement of the allenylidene C₃-spine. Complex 7 was converted into complex 3 in thf under reflux under loss of a molecule HCl. Complex 7 was converted with triethylamine under loss of HCl to complex 6. Pentacoordinate complex 6 was crystallized in the presence of O-donor ligands (EtOH, MeOH and H₂O) to give hexacoordinate (PPh₃)₂Cl₂(ROH)RuCCCPh₂ (R = H, CH₃, C₂H₅) complexes (9)-(11) with the O-donor coordinating in trans-position to the allenylidene moiety. The reaction of complex 7 with 2 equiv. of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) gave hexacoordinate (PPh₃)₂Cl₂(DMAP)RuCCCPh₂complex (12) with one molecule DMAP also coordinating in trans-position to the allenylidene group. Methanol and acetic acid in the absence of strong bases afforded the Fischer-carbene complexes (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuC(OCH₃)-CHCPh₂ (14) and (PPh₃)₂Cl₂RuC(OAc)-CHCPh₂ (15) where the nucleophile added to the α-carbon atom. The structures of complexes 5, 7, 9-11, 14, and 15 were solved via X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and structures of bimetallic silicon-containing imido alkylidene complexes of tungsten (R′O)2(ArN)WCH-SiR2-CHW(NAr)(OR′)2 (R = Me, Ph) and (R′O)2(ArN)WCH-SiMe2SiMe2-CHW(NAr)(OR′)2

Bimetallic alkylidene complexes of tungsten (R′O)₂(ArN)WCH-SiR₂-CHW(NAr)(OR′)₂ (R = Me (1), Ph (2)) and (R′O)₂(ArN)WCH-SiMe₂SiMe₂-CHW(NAr)(OR′)₂ (3) (Ar = ; R′ = CMe₂CF₃) have been prepared by the reactions of divinyl silicon reagents R₂Si(CHCH₂)₂ with known alkylidene compounds R′′-CHMo(NAr)(OR′)₂. (R′′ = Bu^t, PhMe₂C) Complexes 1-3 were structurally characterized. Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctene using compounds 1-3 as initiators led to the formation of high molecular weight polyoctenamers with predominant trans-units content in the case of 1 and 3 and predominant cis-units content in the case of 2.     

Synthesis, characterization, and substituent effects of mononuclear ruthenium complexes [RuCl(CO)(PMe3)3(CHCH-C6H4-R-p)] (R = H, CH3, OCH3, NO2, NH2, NMe2)

A series of mononuclear ruthenium complexes [RuCl(CO)(PMe₃)₃(CHCH-C₆H₄-R-p)] (R = H (2a), CH₃ (2b), OCH₃ (2c), NO₂ (2d), NH₂ (2e), NMe₂ (2f)) has been prepared. The respective products have been characterized by elemental analyses, NMR spectrometry, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The structures of complexes 2c and 2d have been established by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies have revealed that electron-releasing substituents facilitate monometallic ruthenium complex oxidation, and the substituent parameter values (σ) show a strong linear correlation with the anodic half-wave or oxidation peak potentials of the complexes.     

Effect of ketimide ligand for ethylene polymerization and ethylene/norbornene copolymerization catalyzed by (cyclopentadienyl)(ketimide)titanium complexes-MAO catalyst systems: Structural analysis for CpTiCl2(NCPh2)

Ligand effects on the catalytic activity [and norbornene (NBE) incorporation] for both ethylene polymerization and ethylene/NBE copolymerization using half-titanocenes (titanium half-sandwich complexes) containing ketimide ligand of type Cp′TiCl₂[NC(R¹)R²] [Cp′ = Cp (1), C⁵Me⁵ (Cp^∗, 2); R¹,R² = ^tBu,^tBu (a), ^tBu,Ph (b), Ph,Ph (c)]-methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst systems have been investigated. CpTiCl₂[NC(^tBu)Ph] (1b) CpTiCl₂(NCPh₂) (1c), and Cp^∗TiCl₂(NCPh₂) (2c) were prepared and identified; the structure of Cp^∗TiCl₂(NCPh₂) (2c) was determined by X-ray crystallography. The catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization increased in the order: 1a > 1b > 1c, suggesting that an electronic nature of the ketimide ligand affects the activity. However, molecular weight distributions for resultant (co)polymers prepared by 1b,c and by 2c-MAO catalyst systems were bi- or multi-modal, suggesting that the ketimide substituent plays a key role in order for these (co)polymerizations to proceed with single catalytically-active species. CpTiCl₂(NC^tBu₂) (1a) exhibited both remarkable catalytic activity and efficient NBE incorporation for ethylene/NBE copolymerization.     

Palladacycles bearing pendant benzamidinate ligands as catalysts for the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions

Three pendant benzamidines [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(CH₂)₂NMe₂}] (1), [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(CH₂Py)}] (2) and [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}] (3) are described. Reactions of 1, 2 or 3 with one molar equivalent of Pd(OAc)₂ in THF give the palladacyclic complexes [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]Pd(OAc) (4), [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N (CH₂Py)}]Pd(OAc) (5) and [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}]Pd(OAc) (6), respectively. Treatment of 4, 5 or 6 with excess of LiCl in chloroform affords [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]PdCl (7), [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂Py)}]PdCl (8) and [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}]PdCl (9). The crystal and molecular structures are reported for compounds 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7. The application of these palladacyclic complexes to the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions was examined.     

The synthesis and single-crystal X-ray structures of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of the difluorovinyl and 1-chloro-2-fluorovinyl-substituted phosphines, PPh2(Z-CFCFH) and PPh2(E-CClCFH)

The coordination chemistry of the fluorovinyl substituted phosphines PPh₂(Z-CFCFH) and PPh₂(E-CClCFH) with K₂MX₄ (M = Pd, Pt; X = Cl, Br, and I) salts has been investigated resulting in the first reported palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of phosphines containing partially fluorinated vinyl groups. The complexes have been characterised by a combination of multinuclear [¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ¹⁹F, ³¹P{¹H}] NMR spectroscopy, and IR/Raman spectroscopy. The single-crystal X-ray structures of trans-[PdX₂{PPh₂(CFCFH)}₂], X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3), trans-[PdCl₂{PPh₂(CClCFH)}₂] (4), cis-[PtX₂{PPh₂(CFCFH)}₂], X = Cl (5), Br (6), trans-[PtI₂{PPh₂(CFCFH)}₂] (7), and both cis- and trans-[PtCl₂{PPh₂(CClCFH)}₂] (8), have been determined. Results obtained from spectroscopic and crystallographic data suggest that replacement of a β-fluorine by hydrogen, whilst reducing the steric demand of the ligand, has little effect on the electronic character of the ligand. The presence of a proton in the vinyl group results in short proton-halide secondary interactions in the solid state (d(H?X) = 2.72(3) for 1, and 2.92(5) Å for 2) forming an infinite chain ribbon motif.     

Crystal structures of amarine and isoamarine and copper(I) coordination chemistry with their allylation products

The crystal structures of amarine (1) and isoamarine (2), important intermediates in the preparation of 1,2-diphenyl-diaminoethane, were successfully determined. Their allylation products, 1,3-diallyl amarine (1)(CH₂CHCH₂)₂Br (3) and isoamarine bromide (2)(CH₂CHCH₂)₂Br (4) [the crystal structures of (1)(CH₂CHCH₂)₂PF₆(3-Br + PF₆) and (2)(CH₂CHCH₂)₂PF₆ (4-Br + PF₆) are also successfully determined to confirm allylation products], react with CuBr to afford (1)₂(CH₂CHCH₂)₄(Cu₂Br₄) (5) and (2)(CH₂CHCH₂)₂(Cu₂Br₃) (6), respectively. Crystal structures of 5 and 6 reveal that 5 is an anion discrete complex without olefin moiety coordination, and 6 has a 1D infinite chain with olefin moiety coordination as a bridging spacer. The fluorescent emission spectra of 5 (λ_emax = 570 nm) and 6 (λ_emax = 642 nm) were measured, and display a significant difference that can be used for solid state fluorescent sensing them.     

Triosmium compounds containing the oxametallacycle [Os(CO)3{C(R)CHC(O)CHC(H)C5H4FeC5H5}] moiety. Synthesis and electrochemical studies

The compounds [Os₃(CO)₁₀{μ,η³-(SCH₂CH₂SCCHC(O)CHCH(C₅H₄)Fe (C₅H₅)}] (2), [Os₃(CO)₉{μ,η³-(SCH₂CH₂SCCHC(O)CHCH(C₅H₄)Fe(C₅H₅)}] (3) and [Os₃(CO)₈{μ₃,η²-{CCHC(O)CHCH(C₅H₄)Fe(C₅H₅)}(SCH₂CH₂S)}] (4) have been obtained by rupture of S-C bonds in the ketene dithioacetal [C₅H₅FeC₅H₄CHCHC(O)CHC(SCH₂CH₂S)], in their reaction with the activated cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂]. The presence of an oxametallacycle in these derivatives has been confirmed by an X-ray diffraction analysis. The electrochemical study has indicated the ability of these compounds to modify the electrode surfaces.     

Synthesis and reactivity of η-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-propenyl rhenium complexes: Molecular structure of [(η:η-C5Me4CH2CHCH2)Re(CO)2]

The fulvene complexes [(η⁶-C₅Me₄CH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)] (1a, RI; 1b, RC₆F₅) react at the exocyclic methylene carbon with a vinylmagnesium bromide solution to produce the anionic species [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)]⁻. Protonation with HCl at 0 °C produces the hydride complexes [trans-(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(R)(H)] (2a, RI; 2b, RC₆F₅). Thermolysis of an hexane solution of the iodo-hydride (2a) under a CO atmosphere yields the complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₃] (3) and [Re(CO)₅I] as by-product. Thermolysis of 2b produced three new products, mainly the chelated complex [(η⁵:η²-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂] (4) and complex 3, with a non-coordinated olefin group, in moderated yield, and traces of [Re(CO)₅(C₆F₅)]. Thermolysis of an hexane solution of 2 in presence of an excess of PMe₃, afforded the phosphine derivative [(η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CHCH₂)Re(CO)₂(PMe₃)] (5). All the complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. The molecular structure of 4 has also been determined. The molecule exhibits a formal three-legged piano-stool structure, with two CO groups, and the third position corresponding to the η²-coordination of the propenyl side arm of the η⁵-C₅Me₄ ring.     

Electrochemical, EPR and computational results on [Fe2Cp2(CO)2]-based complexes with a bridging hydrocarbyl ligand

The dimetallacyclopentenone complexes [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η³−C_αHC_β(R)C(O)}] (R = CH₂OH, 1a; R = CMe₂OH, 1b; R = Ph, 1c) were prepared by photolytic reaction of [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₄] with alkyne according to the literature procedure. The X-ray and the electrochemical characterization of 1c are presented. The μ-allenyl compound [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²_α,β−C_αHC_βCMe₂][BF₄] ([2][BF₄]), obtained by reaction of 1b with HBF₄, underwent monoelectron reduction to give a radical species which was detected by EPR at room temperature. The EPR signal has been assigned to [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²_α,β-C_αHC_βCMe₂}], [2]^•. The molecular structures of [2]⁺ and [2]^• were optimized by DFT calculations. The unpaired electron in [2]^• is localized mainly at the metal centers and, coherently, [2]^• does not undergo carbon-carbon dimerization, by contrast with what previously observed for the μ-vinyl radical complex [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²-CHCH(Ph)}]^•, [3]^•. Electron spin density distributions similar to the one of [2]^• were found for the μ-allenyl radical complexes [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η²_α,β-C_αHC_βC(R¹)(R²)}]^• (R¹ = R² = H, [4]^•; R¹ = H, R² = Ph, [5]^•; R¹ = R² = Ph, [6]^•).     

Self-assembly directed by C-H activation: Synthesis and characterization of [(CpIr)2(R-NC-Ph-CNR)]2(4,4-bipyridine)2·(OTf)4 (R = Ph, Me)

Self-assembly of a novel class of bis-imine-cyclometalated macrocycles [(Cp^∗Ir)₂(Ph-NC-Ph-CN-Ph)]₂(4,4′-bipyridine)₂·(OTf)₄ (3a) and [(Cp^∗Ir)₂(Me-NC-Ph-CN-Me)]₂(4,4′-bipyridine)₂·(OTf)₄ (3b) was directed by double-site C-H activations of aromatic bis-imine substrates. Two synthetic routes were established, using either (i) binuclear cyclometalated complexes (Cp^∗Ir)₂L1Cl₂ (1a) and (Cp^∗Ir)₂L2Cl₂ (1b) or (ii)4,4′-bipyridine(bpy)-bridged complex (Cp^∗IrCl₂)₂(bpy) (2) as starting materials. All the products were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and EA. Isomers were found in macrocyclic complexes, which were thermodynamically stable from reversible transformation in days. Highly robust structure of the cyclometalated macrocycles was indicated by the existence of stable isomer pairs. One isomer of 3b was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It was a rare case for half-sandwich metallosupramolecular macrocycles that weak interactions between macrocycles and OTf ions were fully captured in detail, and were demonstrated to be essential for the maintenance of tunnel structures of macrocycles in crystal packing.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of cyclometallated palladium (II) compounds containing difunctional ligands with [P,P], [As,As], [N,N], [P,As], [P,N] and [P,O] donor atoms

Treatment of the chloro-bridged dinuclear complex [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}(μ-Cl)]₂ (1) with homobidentate [P,P], [As,As], [N,N], and heterobidentate [P,As], [P,N] ligands in a 1:1 molar ratio gave the dinuclear complexes [{Pd[3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N](Cl)}₂{μ-L}] (L = Ph₂PC₄H₆(NH)CH₂PPh₂ (2); Ph₂As(CH₂)₂AsPh₂ (3); 1,3-(NH₂CH₂)₂C₆H₄ (4); Ph₂P(CH₂)₂AsPh₂ (5); Ph₂P(CH₂)₂NH₂ (6)), with the bidentate ligands bridging the two cyclometallated fragments.The reaction with the homobidentate ligands in a 1:2 molar ratio in the presence of NaClO₄ afforded the mononuclear compounds [[Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{L-P,P}][ClO₄] (L = Ph₂PC₄H₆(NH)CH₂PPh₂ (7); (o-Tol)₂P(CH₂)₂P(o-Tol)₂ (8)), [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{Ph₂As(CH₂)₂AsPh₂-As,As}][ClO₄] (9) and [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{L-N,N}][ClO₄] (L = NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₂ (10); NH₂(C₆H₈)CH₂(C₆H₈)NH₂ (11); 1,3-(NH₂CH₂)₂C₆H₄ (12); 1,3-(NH₂)₂C₅H₃N (13); NH₂(C₆H₄)O(C₆H₄)NH₂ (14); NMe₂(CH₂)₂NMe₂ (15)), in which the chloro ligands are absent and the bidentate ligands are chelated to the palladium atom.Reaction of 1 with Ph₂P(CH₂)₂AsPh₂ in 1:2 molar ratio in acetone in the presence of NH₄PF₆ afforded the analogous mononuclear compound [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂AsPh₂-P,As}][PF₆] (16); whereas reaction with Ph₂P(CH₂)₃NH₂ gave [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃N(CMe₂)-P,N}][PF₆] (17), derived from intermolecular condensation between the aminophosphine and acetone. Condensation of the NH₂ group was precluded by change of solvent, using dichloromethane.Iminophoshines also reacted with 1 in 1:2 molar ratio in acetone to give a new series of mononuclear cyclometallated complexes: [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{L-P,N}][ClO₄] (L = Ph₂PC₆H₄C(H)NCy (20); Ph₂PC₆H₄C(H)NC(CH₃)₃ (21); Ph₂PC₆H₄C(H)NNMe₂ (22); Ph₂PC₆H₄C(H)NNHMe (23); Ph₂PC₆H₄C(H)NNHPh (24)). Analogous complexes with a stable P,O-chelate were obtained using bidentate [P,O] donor ligands: [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{L-P,O}][Cl] (L = 2-(Ph₂P)C₆H₄CHO (25); Ph₂PN(Me)C(O)Me (26)).The crystal structures of compounds 1, 5, 15, 16, 18, 20 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Rearrangement of phosphinohydrazide ligand -NPh-N(PPh2)2 in transition metal coordination sphere: Synthesis and characterization of nickel and cobalt spirocyclic complexes M(NPh-PPh2N-PPh2)2 and their properties

The reaction of diphosphinohydrazine PhNH-N(PPh₂)₂ (1) with cobalt(II) silylamide, Co[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂, proceeds via formation of unstable phosphinohydrazide complex Co[NPh-N(PPh₂)₂]₂ followed by rearrangement to a new chelating compound Co(NPh-PPh₂N-PPh₂)₂ (2). Disproportionation of nickel(I) silylamide, (Ph₃P)₂Ni-N(SiMe₃)₂, in the presence of 1, yields Ni(0) and Ni(II) phosphinoamide complexes: Ni[(Ph₂P)₂N-NPhH]₂ (3), Ni(NPh-PPh₂N-PPh₂)₂ (4). X-ray analysis reveals tetrahedral environment of the cobalt atom in 2 and square-planar environment of the nickel atom in cis-4. In contrast to the crystalline patterns, the solutions of 2 in THF or toluene have EPR signal which is typical to square-planar low-spin d⁷ cobalt complex. The reactions of 2 with dioxygen, elemental sulfur and diphenyldiazomethane led to the spirocyclic insertion products Co(NPh-PPh₂N-PPh₂X)₂ (X = O, S, NNCPh₂) while the absorption of carbon monoxide is reversible.     

Understanding the role of an easy-to-prepare aldimine-alkyne carboamination catalyst, [Ti(NMe2)3(NHMe2)][B(C6F5)4]

A series of reactivity studies of the carboamination pre-catalyst [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] as well as the preparation of other catalysts are reported in this work. Treatment of [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] with the aldimines Ar′NCHtol (Ar′ = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃, tol = 4-MeC₆H₄), and depending on the reaction conditions, results in isolation of [Me₂NCHR′][B(C₆F₅)₄] (1) or (Me₂N)₂CHtol, as well as the asymmetric titanium dimer [(Me₂N)₂(HNMe₂)Ti(μ₂-N[2,6-Me₂C₆H₃])₂Ti(NHMe₂)(NMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (2). Protonation of CpTi(NMe₂)₃ and Cp^∗Ti(NMe₂)₃ results in isolation of the salts, [CpTi(NMe₂)₂(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (3) and [Cp^∗Ti(NMe₂)₂(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (4), respectively. Treatment of compounds 3 or 4 with H₂N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃] results in formation of the imido salts [CpTi(N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃])(NHMe₂)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (5) (58% yield) or [Cp^∗Ti(N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃])(NHMe₂)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (6). When Ti(NMe₂)₄ is treated with [Et₃Si][B(C₆F₅)₄], the salt [Ti(NMe₂)₃(N[SiEt₃]Me₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (7) is obtained, and treatment of the latter with [2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃]NCHtol produces the imine adduct [Ti(NMe₂)₃(κ¹-[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃]NCHtol)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (8). The carboamination catalytic activity of complexes 2-7 was investigated and compared to [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄]. Likewise, a proposed mechanism to the active carboamination catalyst stemming from [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] is described.