Synthesis and X-ray structure of cationic β-diimine palladium complexes containing π-methallyl ligand

High yield of cationic palladium β-diimine complexes [(CH₂(MeCNAr)₂)Pd(η³-C₄H₇)][Y] (Ar = C₆H₅, Y = PF₆ (8); 2-Me-C₆H₄, Y = PF₆ (9); 2,6-Me₂-C₆H₃, Y = PF₆ (10); 2,6-iPr₂-C₆H₃, Y = PF₆ (11), Y = B(3,5-(CF₃)₂-C₆H₃)₄ (12)) have been obtained by an oxidative addition of the methallyloxyphosphonium salts (5, 6) to a preformed complex Pd(dba)₂ (7) in the presence of the β-iminoamine ligands (1-4).These complexes are thermally stable and have been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR as well as IR spectroscopy. The structure of the cationic allyl palladium complex (12) has been solved by X-ray crystallography.     

Orthopalladation of phosphorus ylides in endo position with bidentate ligands

The ortho-metallated complexes [Pd₂{κ²(C,C)-C₆H₄(PPh₂CHC(O)C₆H₅R}₂(μ-Cl)₂] (R = Ph (1a), NO₂ (1b), Br (1c)) were prepared by refluxing equimolar mixtures of Ph₃PCHC(O)C₆H₅R, (R = Ph, NO₂, Br) and Pd(OAc)₂ in MeOH, followed by an excess of NaCl. The dinuclear complexes (1a-1c) react with silver trifluoromethylsulfonate and bidentate ligands [L = bipy (2,2′-bipyridine), phen (phenanthroline), dppe (bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), dppp (bis(diphenylphosphino)propane)] giving the mononuclear stabilized orthopalladated complexes in endo position [Pd{κ²(C,C)-C₆H₄(PPh₂CHC(O)R}L](OTf) [R = Ph, L = phen (2a), bipy (3a), dppe (4a), dppp (5a); R = NO₂, L = phen (2b), bipy (3b), dppe (4b), dppp (5b); R = Br, L = phen (2c), bipy (3c), dppe (4c), dppp (5c); OTf = trifluoromethylsulfonate anion]. Orthometalation and ylidic C-coordination are demonstrated by an X-ray diffraction study of 2c and 3c. In the structures, the palladium atom shows a slightly distorted square-planar coordination geometry.     

Investigation on coordination modes of organotin(IV) complexes with 6-thiopurine and related ligands

The organotin(IV) complexes R₂Sn(tpu)₂ · L [L = 2MeOH, R = Me (1); L = 0: R = n-Bu (2), Ph (3), PhCH₂ (4)], R₃Sn(Hthpu) [R = Me (5), n-Bu (6), Ph (7), PhCH₂ (8)] and (R₂SnCl)₂ (dtpu) · L [L = H₂O, R = Me (9); L = 0: R = n-Bu (10), Ph (11), PhCH₂ (12)] have been synthesized, where tpu, Hthpu and dtpu are the anions of 6-thiopurine (Htpu), 2-thio-6-hydroxypurine (H₂thpu) and 2,6-dithiopurine (H₂dtpu), respectively. All the complexes 1-12 have been characterized by elemental, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra analyses. And complexes 1, 2, 7 and 9 have also been determined by X-ray crystallography, complexes 1 and 2 are both six-coordinated with R₂Sn coordinated to the thiol/thione S and heterocyclic N atoms but the coordination modes differed. As for complex 7 and 9, the geometries of Sn atoms are distorted trigonal bipyramidal. Moreover, the packing of complexes 1, 2, 7 and 9 are stabilized by the hydrogen bonding and weak interactions.     

Quinoline-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of iridium: Synthesis, structures and catalytic activities in transfer hydrogenation

Iridium complexes containing quinoline-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been synthesized by the transmetalation route from silver carbene precursors. The silver complexes undergo a facile reaction with [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) to yield a series of carbene complexes [(NHC)Ir(COD)Cl] (NHC = 3-methyl-1-(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2a); 3-n-butyl-1-(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2b); 3-benzyl-1-(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2c); 1,3-di(8-quinolylmethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene (2d). The coordinated COD was replaced by carbon monoxide to yield the corresponding carbonyl species [(NHC)Ir(CO)₂Cl] (3). Complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized by IR, ESI-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of complexes 2b and 2c have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Two analogous Ir(I) complexes 5 and 6 with naphthalene-containing NHC have also been synthesized and characterized. These Ir(I) complexes in the current work have been proved to be active catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones to alcohols using 2-propanol as the hydrogen source.     

Syntheses of new Mo(II) and W(II) mono(hydrosulfido) complexes and their conversion into di- and tetranuclear sulfido-bridged heterobimetallic complexes

Treatment of [Cp′MH(CO)₃] (M = Mo, W; Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₅ (Cp), η⁵-C₅Me₅ (Cp*)) with 1/8 equiv of S₈ in THF, followed by the reaction with dppe under UV irradiation, gave new mono(hydrosulfido) complexes [Cp′M(SH)(CO)(dppe)] (Cp′ = Cp: M = Mo (5), W (6); Cp′ = Cp*: M = Mo (7), W (8); dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂). When 5 and 6 dissolved in THF were allowed to react with [RhCl(PPh₃)₃] in the presence of base, heterodinuclear complexes with bridging S and dppe ligands [CpM(CO)(μ-S)(μ-dppe)Rh(PPh₃)] (M = Mo (9), W(10)) were obtained. Semi-bridging feature of the CO ligands were also demonstrated. Upon standing in CH₂Cl₂ solutions, 9 and 10 were converted further to the dimerization products [(CpM)₂{Rh(dppe)}₂(μ₂-CO)₂(μ₃-S)₂] (M = Mo (13), W). Detailed structures of mononuclear 7 and 8, dinuclear 9 and tetranuclear 13 have been determined by the X-ray diffraction.     

Heteronuclear M(II)-Ln(III) (M = Co, Mn; Ln = La, Pr, Sm, Gd, Dy and Er) coordination polymers: Synthesis, structures and magnetic properties

Thirteen novel 3d-4f heteronuclear coordination polymers based on the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H₂pda) and imidazole ligands, HIm[(pda)₃MLn(Im)₂(H₂O)₂]·3H₂O (Im = imidazole; M = Co, Ln = Pr (1), Gd (2), Dy (3), Er (4); M = Mn, Ln = Pr (5), Sm (6), Gd (7), Dy (8), Er (9)), HIm[(pda)₃CoSm(Im)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (10), [(Im)₄M(H₂O)₂][(pda)₄La₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (M = Co (11), Mn (12)), and [(pda)₆Co₃Pr₂(H₂O)₆]·6H₂O (13), have been prepared and structurally characterized. X-ray crystallographic analyses revealed that these complexes display four different types of structures. Complexes 1-9 are isostructural, and possess 1-D chain structures constructed by alternately arrayed nine-coordinated Ln(III) (Ln = Pr, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er) and six-coordinated M(II) (M = Mn, Co) ions. Complex 10 exhibits a unique one-dimensional structure, in which two independent chains are parallel viewed down the a-axis and anti-parallel viewed down the c-axis. Complexes 11 and 12 are isostructural and display 1-D homometallic chain structures. Complex 13 is a 3D framework fabricated through PrN₃O₆ and CoO₆ polyhedrons as building blocks. The variable-temperature solid-state dc magnetic susceptibilities of complexes 2, 3, 4, 9 and 13 have been investigated. Antiferromagnetic exchange interactions were determined for these five complexes.     

Electronically variable imino-phenanthrolinyl-cobalt complexes; synthesis, structures and ethylene oligomerisation studies

The 2-imino-1,10-phenanthroline ligands, 1,10-C₁₂H₇N₂-2-CRN(2,6-i-Pr₂-4-R¹-C₆H₂) [R = R¹ = H (L1); R = H, R¹ = Br (L2); R = H, R¹ = CN (L3); R = H, R¹ = i-Pr (L4); R = Me, R¹ = H (L5); R = Me, R¹ = i-Pr (L6)], have been prepared in high yield from the condensation reaction of 1,10-C₁₂H₇N₂-2-CRO (R = H, Me) with one equivalent of the corresponding 4-substituted 2,6-diisopropylaniline. The molecular structures of L2, L5 and L6 reveal the imino nitrogen atoms to adopt a transoid configuration with respect to the phenanthrolinyl nitrogen atoms. Treatment of Lx with one equivalent of CoCl₂ in n-BuOH at 90 °C gives the high spin complexes, (Lx)CoCl₂ [Lx = L1 (1a), L2 (1b), L3 (1c), L4 (1d), L5 (1e), L6 (1f)], in which the metal centres exhibit distorted square pyramidal geometries. Activation of 1a-1f with excess methylaluminoxane (MAO) gives catalysts that are modestly active for the oligomerisation of ethylene affording mainly linear α-olefins along with some degree of internal olefins. While the donor capability of the 4-position of the N-aryl group does not appear to affect the activity of the catalyst, it does have an influence on the ratio of α-olefins to internal olefins. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been performed on L2, L5, L6, 1a, 1c and 1f.     

Solvothermal syntheses and crystal structures of new Cu(II) complexes with phenylsuccinic acid

Five new Cu(II) complexes [Cu(psa)(phen)] · 3H₂O (1), [Cu(psa)(2bpy)] · 0.5H₂O (2), [Cu(psa)(2bpy)(H₂O)] · 3H₂O (3), [Cu(psa)(4bpy)] · H₂O (4), and [Cu(psa)_0.5(N₃)(2bpy)] (5) (H₂psa = phenylsuccinic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, and 4bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) were obtained under solvothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 2 and 3 were formed by one-pot reaction. In complex 2, Cu(II) ion is four-coordinated and locates at a slightly distorted square center. In complex 3, the coordinated water molecule occupies the axial site of Cu(II) ion forming a tetragonal pyramid geometry. Complexes 1 and 3 are of 1D chain structures, and extended into 2D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds. Complex 2 is of zipper structure, and further assembled into 2D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. Complex 4 is a 3D CdSO₄-like structure with twofold interpenetration, while complex 5 is a dinuclear compound. The different structures of complexes 1–5 can be attributed to using the auxiliary ligands, indicating an important role of the auxiliary ligands in assembly and structure of the title complexes.     

Synthesis of arene ruthenium triazolato complexes by cycloaddition of the corresponding arene ruthenium azido complexes with activated alkynes or with fumaronitrile

The neutral arene ruthenium azido complexes [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(LL)(N₃)], [LL = acetylacetonato (acac) (4), benzoylacetonato (bzac) (5) diphenylbenzoyl methane (dbzm) (6)] undergo [3+2] cycloaddition reaction with a series of activated alkynes and fumaronitrile to produce the arene ruthenium triazolato complexes: [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(LL){N₃C₂(CO₂R)₂}] [LL = (acac), R = Me (7); LL = (bzac), R = Me (8); LL = (dbzm), R = Me (9); LL = (acac), R = Et (10); LL = (bzac), R = Et (11); LL = (dbzm), R = Et (12) and [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(LL)(N₃C₂HCN)]; LL = acac (13), bzac (14); dbzm (15). However, cationic azido complexes, [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(dppe)(N₃)]⁺ and [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(dppm)(N₃)]⁺ do not undergo such cycloaddition reactions. The complexes were characterized on the basis of microanalyses, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopic data. Crystal structures of representative complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Monomeric and dimeric ruthenium thiooxalate complexes: Structures of CpRu(PPh3)2SCOCO2Me and CpRu(dppe)SCOCO2Et

The hydrosulfido complexes CpRu(L)(L′)SH react with one equivalent of O-alkyl oxalyl chlorides (ROCOCOCl) to form the corresponding O-alkylthiooxalate complexes CpRu(L)(L′)SCOCO₂R (L = L′ = PPh₃ (1), (2); L = PPh₃, L′ = CO (3); R = Me (a), Et (b)). The reactions of the hydrosulfido complexes with half equivalent of oxalyl chloride produce the bimetallic complexes [CpRu(L)(L′)SCO]₂ (L = L′ = PPh₃ (4), (5); L = PPh₃, L′ = CO (6)). The crystal structures of CpRu(PPh₃)₂SCOCO₂Me (1a) and CpRu(dppe)SCOCO₂Et (2b) are reported.     

Allylpalladium (II) complexes with dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinate ligands: Synthesis, structure, spectroscopy and their transformation into palladium chalcogenides

The synthesis, characterization and thermal behavior of new monomeric allylpalladium (II) complexes with dichalcogenoamidodiphosphinate anions are reported. The complexes [R = H, R′ = Prⁱ, E = S (1a); R = H, R′ = Prⁱ, E = Se (1b); R = H, R′ = Ph, E = S (1c); R = H, R′ = Ph, E = Se (1d); R = Me, R′ = Prⁱ, E = S (2a); R = Me, R′ = Prⁱ, E = Se (2b); R = Me, R′ = Ph, E = S (2c); R = Me, R′ = Ph, E = Se (2d)] have been prepared by room temperature reaction of [Pd(η³-CH₂C(R)CH₂)(acac)] (acac = acetylacetonate) with dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinic acids in acetonitrile solution. The complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ³¹P{¹H}, ⁷⁷Se{¹H}), FT-IR and elemental analyses. The crystal structures of complexes 1a, 1d and 2d have been reported and they consist of a six-membered PdE₂P₂N ring (E = S for 1a and Se for 1d and 2d) and an allyl group, C₃H₄R(R = H for 1a and 1d and Me for 2d). Thermogravimetric studies have been carried out for few representative complexes. The complexes thermally decompose in argon atmosphere to leave a residue of palladium chalcogenides, which have been characterized by PXRD, SEM and EDS.     

Homolysis of the Ln-N bond: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of organolanthanide(II) complexes with 2-pyridylmethyl and 3-pyridylmethyl-functionalized indenyl ligands

Two series of new organolanthanide(II) complexes with general formula {η⁵:η¹-[1-R-3-(2-C₅H₄NCH₂)C₉H₅]}₂Ln(II) (R = H-, Ln = Yb (3), Eu (4); R = Me₃Si-, Ln = Yb (5), Eu (6)), and {η⁵:η¹-[1-R-3-(3-C₅H₄NCH₂)C₉H₅]}₂Ln(II) (R = H-, Ln = Yb (9), Eu (10); R = Me₃Si-, Ln = Yb (11), Eu (12)) were synthesized by silylamine elimination with one-electron reductive reactions of lanthanide(III) amides [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃Ln(μ-Cl)Li(THF)₃ (Ln = Yb, Eu) with 2 equiv. 1-R-3-(2-C₅H₄NCH₂)C₉H₆ (R = H (1), Me₃Si- (2)) or 1-R-3-(3-C₅H₄NCH₂)C₉H₆ (R = H (7), Me₃Si- (8)) in good yields. All the complexes were fully characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods. Complexes 3 and 5 were additionally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The catalytic activities of the complexes for MMA polymerization were examined. It was found that complexes with 3-pyridylmethyl substituent on the indenyl ligands could function as single-component MMA polymerization catalysts with good activities, while the complexes with 2-pyridylmethyl substituent on the indenyl ligands cannot catalyze MMA polymerization. The temperatures and solvents effect on the MMA polymerization have also been examined.     

Transition metal complexes with thiosemicarbazide-based ligands. Part LIV. Nickel(II) complexes with pyridoxal semi- (PLSC) and thiosemicarbazone (PLTSC). Crystal and molecular structure of [Ni(PLSC)(H2O)3](NO3)2 and [Ni(PLTSC-H)py]NO3

This paper describes the synthesis of the first Ni(II) complexes with pyridoxal semicarbazone (PLSC), viz. Ni(PLSC)Cl₂ · 3.5H₂O (1), [Ni(PLSC)(H₂O)₃](NO₃)₂ (2), Ni(PLSC)(NCS)₂ · 4H₂O (3), [Ni(PLSC-2H)NH₃] · 1.5H₂O (4), as well as two new complexes with pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone (PLTSC), [Ni(PLTSC-H)py]NO₃ (5) and [Ni(PLTSC-H)NCS] (6). Complexes 1–3 are paramagnetic and have most probably an octahedral structure, for complex 2 this was proved by X-ray diffraction analysis. In contrast, complexes 4–6 are diamagnetic and have a square-planar structure, and in the case of complex 5 this was also confirmed by X-ray structural analysis. In all cases the Schiff bases are coordinated as tridentate ligands with an ONX (X = O, PLSC; X = S, PLTSC) set of donor atoms. With the complexes involving the neutral form of PLSC and the monoanionic form of PLTSC, the PL moiety is in the form of a zwitterion. In addition to the above-mentioned techniques, all the complexes were characterized by measuring their molar conductivities, UV–Vis and partial IR spectra.     

Titanium complexes bearing aromatic-substituted β-enaminoketonato ligands: Syntheses, structure and olefin polymerization behavior

A series of titanium complexes [(Ar)NC(CF₃)CHC(R)O]₂TiCl₂ (4b: Ar = -C₆H₄OMe(p), R = Ph; 4c: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(p), R = Ph; 4d: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(o), R = Ph; 4e: Ar = α-Naphthyl, R = Ph; 4f: Ar = -C₆H₅, R = t-Bu; 4g: Ar = -C₆H₄OMe(p); R = t-Bu; 4h: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(p); R = t-Bu; 4i: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(o); R = t-Bu) has been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures reveal that complexes 4b, 4c and 4h adopt distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium center. With modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, complexes 4b-c and 4f-i are active catalysts for ethylene polymerization and ethylene/norbornene copolymerization, and produce high molecular weight polyethylenes and ethylene/norbornene alternating copolymers. In addition, the complex 4c/MMAO catalyst system exhibits the characteristics of a quasi-living copolymerization of ethylene and norbornene with narrow molecular weight distribution.     

Diphenylphosphino(phenyl pyridin-2-yl methylene)amine palladium(II) complexes: Chemoselective alkene hydrocarboxylation initiators

The heteroditopic, P-N-chelating ligand diphenylphosphino(phenyl pyridin-2-yl methylene)amine (1) has been synthesised via a simple ‘one-pot’ procedure and its donor characteristics assessed. The neutral [MX(Y)(1-κ²-P-N)] (3, M = Rh, X = Cl, Y = CO; 4, M = Pd, X = Y = Cl; 5, M = Pd, X = Cl, Y = Me; 6, M = Pt, X = Y = Cl; 7, M = Pt, X = Cl, Y = Me; 8, M = Pt, X = Y = Me) and cationic [Pd(Me)(MeCN)(1-κ²-P-N)][Z] (9, Z = B{3,5-(CF₃)₂-C₆H₃}4; 10, Z = PF₆) complexes of 1 have been prepared and characterised. The solid-state structures of complexes 3, 4, 6 and 7 have been established by X-ray crystallography. Reactions of [PdCl(Me)(1-κ²-P-N)] towards CO and ^tBuNC have been investigated, affording the corresponding η¹-acyl (12) and -iminoacyl (14) complexes, respectively. Similar insertion chemistry is observed for the cationic derivative 9. Treatment of the acyl complex 12 with ethene at elevated pressure establishes an equilibrium between the starting material and the product resulting from insertion, 13. Under catalytic conditions, combination of palladium(II) with 1 in MeOH affords a selective initiator for the formation of 4-oxo-hexanoic acid methyl ester (15) from CO/ethene (38 bar, 90 °C).     

Photophysical properties and computational investigations of tricarbonylrhenium(I)[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole]L and tricarbonylrhenium(I)[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]L derivatives (X = N-CH3, O, or S; L = Cl, pyridine)

We report a combined experimental and computational study of new rhenium tricarbonyl complexes based on the bidentate heterocyclic N-N ligands 2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole (X = N-CH₃, O, or S) and 2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline (X = N-CH₃, O, or S). Two sets of complexes are reported. Chloro complexes, described by the general formula Re(CO)₃[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole]Cl (X = N-CH₃, 1; X = O, 2; X = S, 3) and Re(CO)₃[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]Cl (X = N-CH₃, 4; X = O, 5; X = S, 6) were synthesized heating at reflux Re(CO)₅Cl with the appropriate N-N ligand in toluene. The corresponding pyridine set {Re(CO)₃[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo-X-azole]py}PF₆ (X = N-CH₃, 7; X = O, 8; X = S, 9) and {Re(CO)₃[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]py}PF₆ (X = N-CH₃, 10; X = O, 11; X = S, 12) was synthesized by halide abstraction with silver nitrate of 1-6 followed by heating in pyridine and isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts. All complexes have been fully characterized by IR, NMR, electrochemical techniques and luminescence. The crystal structures of 1 and 7 were obtained by X-ray diffraction. DFT and time-dependent (TD) DFT calculations were carried out for investigating the effect of the organic ligand on the optical properties and electronic structure of the reported complexes.     

Palladium(II)/allylpalladium(II) complexes with xanthate ligands: Single-source precursors for the generation of palladium sulfide nanocrystals

In an effort to find simple and common single-source precursors for palladium sulfide nanostructures, palladium(II) complexes, [Pd(S₂X)₂] (X = COMe (1), COⁱPr (2)) and η³-allylpalladium complexes with xanthate ligands, [(η³-CH₂C(CH₃)CR₂)Pd(S₂X)] (R = H, X = COMe (3); R = H, X = COEt (4); R = H, X = COⁱPr (5); R = CH₃, X = COMe (6)), have been investigated. The crystal structures of [Pd(S₂X)₂] (X = COMe (1), CoⁱPr (2)) and [(η³-CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂)Pd(S₂COMe)] (3) have been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complexes, 1, 2 and 3 all contain a square planar palladium(II) centre. In the allyl complex 3, this is defined by the two sulfurs of the xanthate and the outer carbons of the 2-methylallyl ligand, while in the complexes, 1 and 2 it is defined by the four sulfur atoms of the xanthate ligand. Thermogravimetric studies have been carried out to evaluate the thermal stability of η³-allylpalladium(II) analogues. The complexes are useful precursors for the growth of nanocrystals of PdS either by furnace decomposition or solvothermolysis in dioctyl ether. The solvothermal decomposition of complexes in dioctyl ether gives a new metastable phase of PdS which can be transformed to the more stable tetragonal phase at 320 °C. The nanocrystals obtained have been characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM and EDX.     

N-heterocyclic carbene coordinated gallanes and chlorogallanes

The preparation of the N-heterocyclic carbene coordinated gallium complexes [GaH₃(IXy)] (1), [GaH₃(IDipp)] (2), [GaClH₂(IMes)] (3) and [GaCl₂H(IMes)] (4), where IXy = 1,3-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, IDipp = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene and IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, are reported. All four complexes have been characterised by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy and, for complexes 2, 3 and 4, single crystal X-ray structure determination. These compounds represent some of the most thermally stable molecular gallium hydrides known, with 4 being the most thermally stable gallium hydride reported (dec. 274 °C). These remarkable thermal stabilities translate to significant aerobic stability such that all four compounds may be handled in dry air without significant decomposition. Compounds 2, 3 and 4 exist as distorted tetrahedra in the solid state with gallium to carbene C-donor bonds that shorten with increasing Lewis acidity of the gallium centre. Compound 2 co-crystallizes with 1 equiv. of 2,6-diisopropylphenylaniline and exhibits several weak intermolecular bonding interactions in the solid-state.     

A combined experimental and theoretical study of metallic salts of thiapentadienyl, sulfinylpentadienyl and butadienesulfonyls

Alternative methods for the synthesis of the following acyclic salts (CH₂CHCHCHS)M [M = K, 1(K); Na, 1(Na); Li, 1(Li)], (CH₂CHCHCHSO)M [M = K, 2(K); Na, 2(Na)], (CH₂CHCHCHSO₂)M [M = K, 3(K); Na, 3(Na); Li, 3(Li)], (CH(Me)CHC(Me)CHSO₂)M [Me5-syn, M = K, 9(K); Na, 9(Na); Li, 9(Li), (CH(Me)CHCHC(Me)S)M [Me5-syn, M = K, 10(K); Na, 10(Na); Me5-anti, M = K, 11(K); Na, 11(Na)] are described, as a result of the activation of C-S bond in dihydrothiophenes by deprotonation with different bases. The effect of methyl substituents in the dihydrothiophenes is significant, which modifies considerably the choice of the base. The influence of the reaction conditions, type of solvent, base and dihydrothiophenes is analyzed. The NMR spectroscopy, including NOESY, ROESY and difference NOE establish the preferred U conformation for all derivatives, and support a delocalization of charge on the thiapentadienyl (1M) and sulfinylpentadienyl (2M) complexes. However, a conjugated diene structure is proposed on the butadienesulfonyl compounds (3M), in which the negative charge is delocalized in the SO₂ fragment and stabilized with the corresponding cations (M = K, Na and Li). In presence of traces of base, compounds 3M suffer a rearrangement, to the most stable S conformer, 13M. The stability of 3M depends on the size of the cation, the greater the size, the greater stability. Furthermore, a theoretical study shows that electronic and geometrical properties (energy conformers, charge distributions and relative stabilities) of the thiapentadienyl, sulfinylpentadienyl and butadienesulfonyl anions and their corresponding metal salts 1M-3M (M = Li, Na and K) shows to be in good agreement with the experimental findings.