Selenium-and tellurium-containing silatrane derivatives having an ECH2Si fragment (E = Se, Te)

Previously unknown 1-(methylselenomethyl)-and 1-(phenyltelluromethyl)silatrane, bis(silatranylmethyl) selenide, bis(silatranylmethyl) telluride, bis(silatranylmethyl) diselenide, and dimethyl(triethoxysilylmethyl)telluronium, phenyl(silatranylmethyl)telluronium, methylbis(silatranylmethyl)selenonium, methylbis(silatranylmethyl)telluronium, and tris(silatranylmethyl)selenonium iodides were synthesized. The NMR spectra of these compounds, as well as of isostructural (methylchalcogenomethyl)triethoxysilanes, 1-(methylchalcogenomethyl)silatranes, the corresponding methylchalcogenonium iodides, methylorganyl(silatranylmethyl)chalcogenonium iodides, bis(trialkoxysilylmethyl) chalcogenides, and bis(silatranylmethyl) chalcogenides, in CDCl₃, CD₃OH, CD₃CN, and DMSO-d ₆ were studied.     

Synthesis and Reaction Chemistry of Sb(ECH2CH2NMe2)3 (E = O,S)

The antimony aminoalkoxide and aminothiolates Sb(ECH₂CH₂NMe₂)₃ [E = O ( 1 ), S ( 2 )] were synthesized and their ability to form adducts with other metal moieties investigated. Compound 1 forms 1:1 adducts with NiI₂ ( 3 ) and M(acac)₂ [M = Cd ( 4 ), Ni ( 5 )], while 2 undergoes ligand exchange with AlMe₃ to afford Me₂AlSCH₂CH₂NMe₂ ( 6 ). The structures of 2 – 4 and 6 were determined. Compound 2 incorporates three S, N‐chelating ligands though the interaction with nitrogen is weaker than in analogous alkoxide complexes. Product 3 reveals one iodine has migrated from nickel to antimony, and all three alkoxide ligands bridge the two metals through μ₂‐O atoms. In contrast, in 4 , only one alkoxide links the antimony and cadmium. Compound 6 adopts the same structure, a chelating S,N ligand generating a tetrahedral center at aluminum, as known tBu₂AlSCH₂CH₂NR₂ species (R = Me, Et).     

Phosphine and solvent effects on oxidative addition of CH3Br to Pd(PR3) and Pd(PR3)2 complexes

The reaction between bromomethane CH(3)Br and Pd(0) phosphine complexes Pd(PR(3)) and Pd(PR(3))(2) resulting in the corresponding Pd(II) species Pd(PR(3))(CH(3))Br and Pd(PR(3))(2)(CH(3))Br was studied computationally with DFT methods. The oxidative addition can take place through two different mechanisms: concerted or S(N)2 transition state. The effect of a number of variables on the height of the barrier associated to each of these two mechanisms is systematically analyzed. The variables considered include the number of ligands on the metal (mono- or bis-phosphine), the nature of the phosphine (PF(3), PH(3), PMe(3) or PPh(3)), and the nature of the solvent (gas phase, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide). A number of trends can be identified, resulting in a complex picture where the nature of the phosphine and the solvent can be tuned to favor one of the two possible mechanisms, with the corresponding stereochemical implications that can be extrapolated to the behaviour of more sophisticated substrates.     

Metal scrambling in the trinuclear (Pt(2)Se(2)M)(M = Pt, Pd, Au) system using an electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) directed synthetic methodology; isolation and crystallographic characterization of (Pt(2)(mu(3)-Se)(2)(PPh(3))(4)[Pt(cod)])(PF(6))(2) and (Pt(mu(3)-Se)(2)(PPh(3))(2)[Pt(cod)](2))(PF(6))(2) (cod = cyclo-octa-1,5-diene)

Pt(2)(mu-Se)(2)(PPh(3))(4) reacts with PtCl(2)(cod) to give (Pt(2)(mu(3)-Se)(2)(PPh(3))(4)[Pt(cod)])(2+) and an unexpected cod-rich product that arises from metal scrambling, viz. (Pt(mu(3)-Se)(2)(PPh(3))(2)[Pt(cod)](2))(2+). The formation of these species was detected and followed by electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) and subsequently verified by batch synthesis and crystallographic characterization. Other metal-scrambled aggregate products were successfully detected.     

Synthesis and characterization of Pd and Pt complexes of 1,3-bis(ferrocenylchalcogeno)propanes: crystal structures of FcSe(CH2)3SeFc and [M{FcE(CH2)3E'Fc}2](PF6)2 (M = Pd, Pt; E, E' = Se, Te; Fc = [Fe(eta5-C5H5)(eta5-C5H4)])

Reaction of a 1,3-bis(ferrocenylchalcogeno)propane, FcE(CH2)3E'Fc (L: E, E' = Se or Te; Fc = [Fe(eta5-C5H5)(eta5-C5H4)]), with a palladium(II) or platinum(II) precursor [M(NCMe)4](PF6)2 (M = Pd or Pt) in acetonitrile at room temperature led in good yield to the bis-chelate complexes [ML2](PF6)2. The structures of FcSe(CH2)3SeFc and all six complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies showed that electronic communication between ferrocenyl groups, absent in all three bis(ferrocenylchalcogeno)propanes, is established on complexation only for E = Se and E' = Se or Te, when the through-bond Fe...Fe distance is reduced to 13.17 A or less.     

Diverse evolution of [[Ph(2)P(CH(2))(n)PPh(2)]Pt(mu-S)(2)Pt[Ph(2)P(CH(2))(n)PPh(2)]] (n = 2, 3) metalloligands in CH(2)Cl(2)

The nucleophilicity of the [Pt(2)S(2)] core in [[Ph(2)P(CH(2))(n)PPh(2)]Pt(mu-S)(2)Pt[Ph(2)P(CH(2))(n)PPh(2)]] (n = 3, dppp (1); n = 2, dppe (2)) metalloligands toward the CH(2)Cl(2) solvent has been thoroughly studied. Complex 1, which has been obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction, is structurally related to 2 and consists of dinuclear molecules with a hinged [Pt(2)S(2)] central ring. The reaction of 1 and 2 with CH(2)Cl(2) has been followed by means of (31)P, (1)H, and (13)C NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and X-ray data. Although both reactions proceed at different rates, the first steps are common and lead to a mixture of the corresponding mononuclear complexes [Pt[Ph(2)P(CH(2))(n)PPh(2)](S(2)CH(2))], n = 3 (7), 2 (8), and [Pt[Ph(2)P(CH(2))(n)PPh(2)]Cl(2)], n = 3 (9), 2 (10). Theoretical calculations give support to the proposed pathway for the disintegration process of the [Pt(2)S(2)] ring. Only in the case of 1, the reaction proceeds further yielding [Pt(2)(dppp)(2)[mu-(SCH(2)SCH(2)S)-S,S']]Cl(2) (11). To confirm the sequence of the reactions leading from 1 and 2 to the final products 9 and 11 or 8 and 10, respectively, complexes 7, 8, and 11 have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Additional experiments have allowed elucidation of the reaction mechanism involved from 7 to 11, and thus, the origin of the CH(2) groups that participate in the expansion of the (SCH(2)S)(2-) ligand in 7 to afford the bridging (SCH(2)SCH(2)S)(2-) ligand in 11 has been established. The X-ray structure of 11 is totally unprecedented and consists of a hinged [(dppp)Pt(mu-S)(2)Pt(dppp)] core capped by a CH(2)SCH(2) fragment.     

Synthesis and photoelectron spectroscopic studies of N(CH2CH2NMe)3P=E (E = O, S, NH, CH2)

The synthesis and the crystal and molecular structure of N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)P=CH(2) is reported. The P-N(ax) distance is rather long in N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)P=CH(2). The ylide N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)P=CH(2) proved to be a stronger proton acceptor than proazaphosphatrane N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)P, since it was shown to deprotonate N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)PH(+). The extremely strong basicity of the ylide is in accordance with its low ionization energy (6.3 eV), which is the lowest in the presently investigated series N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)P=E (E: CH(2), NH, lone pair, O and S), and to the best of our knowledge it is the smallest value observed for a non-conjugated phosphorus ylide. Computations reveal the existence of two bond strech isomers, and the stabilization of the phosphorus centered cation by electron donation from the equatorial and the axial nitrogens. Similar stabilizing effects operate in the case of protonation of E. A fine balance of these different interactions determines the P-N(ax) distance, which is thus very sensitive to the level of the theory applied. According to the quantum mechanical calculations, methyl substitution at the equatorial nitrogens flattens the pyramidality of this atom, increasing its electron donor capability. As a consequence, the PN(ax) distance in the short-transannular bonded protonated systems and the radical cations is longer by about 0.5 A in the N(eq)(Me) than in the N(eq)(H) systems. Accordingly, isodesmic reaction energies show that a stabilization of about 25 and 10 kcal/mol is attributable to the formation of the transannular bond in case of N(eq)(H) and the experimentally realizable N(eq)(Me) species, respectively.     

MX2(AsH3)2(M=Pd,Pt;X=Cl,Br,I)的含时密度泛函理论研究

采用密度泛函方法(B3LYP)优化了MX2(AsH3)2[M=Pd；X=Cl(1)，Br(2)，I(3)和M=Pt；X=Cl(4)，Br(5)，I(6)]的基态结构，得到的几何参数与实验结果符合．以基态几何为基础，将TD-DFT方法用于计算标题配合物的电子吸收光谱．研究结果表明，金属的dx2-y2与配体所组成的反键轨道为LUMO轨道，从而该类配合物具有d-d跃迁属性的吸收带；在多数跃迁过程中，配体也有较大的贡献．     

Synthesis of the elusive (R3P)2MF2 (M = Pd, Pt) complexes

The synthesis and characterization of previously unknown palladium(II) and platinum(II) difluoro phosphine complexes are described. These complexes can be obtained either via a halide metathesis reaction with AgF in dichloromethane or by reacting the corresponding dimethyl complexes with XeF2. While the Pt(II) complexes can be prepared with both aryl- and alkyl-phosphine ligands, the stability of the Pd(II) complexes is limited to those having cis-oriented trialkyl phosphine ligands.     

Dinuclear PCP pincer complexes from Lewis acidic [Pd(OTf)(PCP)] and basic [Pd(4-Spy)(PCP)] (OTf = triflate; 4-Spy = 4-pyridinethiolate; PCP = (-)CH(CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))(2))

The Lewis acidic pincer with a labile triflate ligand, viz. [Pd(OTf)(PCP)] (PCP = (-)CH(CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))(2)) was prepared from [PdCl(PCP)] with AgOTf. It reacts readily with neutral bidentate ligands [L = 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bpy) and 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf)] to give dinuclear PCP pincers [{Pd(PCP)}(2)(micro-L)][OTf](2) (L = 4,4'-bpy, 2; dppf,3). [PdCl(PCP)] also reacts with 4-mercaptopyridine in the presence of KOH to give a Lewis basic pincer with a free pyridine functional group [Pd(4-Spy)(PCP)]4. Its metalloligand character is exemplified by the isolation of an asymmetric dinuclear double-pincer complex [{Pd(PCP)}(2)(micro-4-Spy)][PF(6)] 6 bridged by an ambidentate pyridinethiolato ligand. Complexes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Syntheses and structures of the arylaluminum chalcogenides (ArAlE)2 (Ar = 2-(NEt2CH2)-6-MeC6H3, E = Se; Ar = 2,6-(NEt2CH2)2C6H3, E = Se, Te)

Two intramolecular stabilized arylaluminum dihydrides, (2-(NEt2CH2)-6-MeC6H3)AlH2 (1) and (2,6-(NEt2CH2)2C6H3)AlH2 (2), were prepared by reducing the corresponding dichlorides with an excess of LiAlH4 in diethyl ether. Reactions of 1 and 2 with elemental selenium afforded the dimeric arylaluminum selenides [(2-(NEt2CH2)-6-MeC6H3)AlSe]2 (3) and [(2,6-(NEt2CH2)2C6H3)AlSe]2 (4). Reaction of 2 with metallic tellurium gave the dimeric arylaluminum telluride [(2,6-(NEt2CH2)2C6H3)AlTe]2 (5). The possible reaction pathway is discussed, and molecular structures determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses are presented for 3 and 5.     

Comparing main group and transition-metal square-planar complexes of the diselenoimidodiphosphinate anion: a solid-state NMR investigation of M[N(iPr2PSe)2]2 (M = Se, Te; Pd, Pt)

A comparison of the square-planar complexes of group 10 (Pd(II), Pt(II)) and 16 (Se(II), Te(II)) centers with the tetraisopropyldiselenoimidodiphosphinate anion, [N((i)Pr2PSe)2](-), is made on the basis of the results of a solid-state (31)P, (77)Se, (125)Te, and (195)Pt NMR investigation. Density functional theory calculations of the respective chemical shift and (14)N electric field gradient tensors in these compounds complement the experimental results. The NMR spectra were analyzed to determine the respective phosphorus, selenium, tellurium, and platinum chemical shift tensors along with numerous indirect spin-spin coupling constants. Special attention was given to observed differences in the NMR parameters for the transition metal and main-group square-planar complexes. Residual dipolar coupling between (14)N and (31)P, not observed in the solid-state (31)P NMR spectra of the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes, was observed at 4.7 and 7.0 T for M[N((i)Pr 2PSe)2]2(M = Se, Te) yielding average values of R((31)P, (14)N)eff = 890 Hz, CQ((14)N) = 2.5 MHz, (1) J( (31)P, (14)N) iso= 15 Hz, alpha = 90 degrees , beta = 17 degrees . The span, Omega, and calculated orientation of the selenium chemical shift tensor for the diselenoimidodiphosphinate anion is found to depend on whether the selenium is located within a pseudoboat or distorted-chair MSe 2P 2N six-membered ring. The largest reported values of (1)J((77)Se, (77)Se) iso, 405 and 435 Hz, and (1)J((125)Te, (77)Se)iso, 1120 and 1270 Hz, were obtained for the selenium and tellurium complexes, respectively; however, in contrast a correspondingly large value of (1)J((195)Pt, (77)Se)iso was not found. The chemical shift tensors for the central atoms, Se(II) and Te(II), possess positive skews, while for Pt(II) its chemical shift tensor has a negative kappa. This observed difference for the shielding of the central atoms has been explained using a qualitative molecular orbital approach.     

Telluro- and seleno-bridged TiIV-MII (M = Ni,Pd, Pt) heterobimetallic complexes

Summary Heterobimetallic complexes of the types [Cp₂Ti(-EAr)₂-M(dppe)] (ClO₄)₂ [(1)–(4); M, E = Ni, Te (1); Ni, Se (2); Pt, Te (3); Pt, Se (4); Ar = Ph (a), C₆H₄-4-Me (b), C₆H₄-4-OMe (c), C₆H₄-4-OEt (d)] and [Cp₂Ti(-TeAr)₂-MCl ₂] [M = Pd (5), Pt (6)] were obtained by the reactions of Cp₂Ti(EAr)₂ with M(dppe)(ClO₄)₂ and M(PhCN)₂Cl₂, respectively. While (1), (5) and (6) are stable in the solid state as well as in solution, (2)–(4) undergo dissociation to M(dppe)(EAr)₂ and Cp₂Ti(ClO₄)₂ in solution, as shown by multinuclear (³¹P{¹H},¹⁹⁵Pt{¹H}, ¹²⁵Te{¹H}) n.m.r. studies. The reaction of Cp₂Ti(SeAr)₂ with M(PhCN)₂Cl₂, however, leads to the formation of Cp₂TiCl₂ and a polymeric material [M(SeAr)₂] _n .     

Ni[(EPiPr2)2N]2 complexes: stereoisomers (E = Se) and square-planar coordination (E = Te)

The reaction of ((i)Pr 2PE) 2NM.TMEDA (M = Li, E = Se; M = Na, E = Te) with NiBr 2.DME in THF affords Ni[(SeP (i)Pr 2) 2N] 2 as either square-planar (green) or tetrahedral (red) stereoisomers, depending on the recrystallization solvent; the Te analogue is obtained as the square-planar complex Ni[(TeP (i)Pr 2) 2N] 2.     

Über die Reaktionen von CH2=P(NMe2)3 mit Fe(CO)5, Cr(CO)6 und CS2; Molekülstrukturen von [MeP(NMe2)3][(CO)5CrC(O)CH=P(NMe2)3] und (CO)4Fe=C(OMe)CH=P(NMe2)3

The Reactions of CH₂=P(NMe₂)₃ with Fe(CO)₅, Cr(CO)₆, and CS₂; Molecular Structures of [MeP(NMe₂)₃][(CO)₅CrC(O)CH=P(NMe₂)₃], and (CO)₄Fe=C(OMe)CH=P(NMe₂)₃ The ylide CH₂=P(NMe₂)₃ ( 1 ) reacts with several binary transition metal carbonyls M(CO)_x to produce the corresponding salt like compounds [MeP(NMe₂)₃][(CO)_x–1MC(O)CH=P(NMe₂)₃] (M = Fe ( 3 ), Cr ( 4 )). The related reaction with CS₂ leads to the salt [MeP(NMe₂)₃][SC(S)CH=P(NMe₂)₃] ( 2 ). While 4 is thermally stable, 3 rapidly decomposes at room temperature with formation of [MeP(NMe₂)₃]₂[Fe₂(CO)₈] ( 8 ). Alkylation of 3 (at –50 °C) and 4 with MeSO₃CF₃ produces the related carbene complexes (CO)_x–1M=C(OMe)CH=P(NMe₂)₃ ( 5 ) and ( 6 ); the reaction of 3 with Me₃SiCl results in the formation of the carbene complex (CO)₄Fe=C(OSiMe₃)CH=P(NMe₂)₃ ( 7 ). 4 crystallizes in the space group P2₁2₁2₁ (No. 19) with a = 1111.1(2), b = 1476.1(3), c = 1823.1(4) pm and Z = 4. 5 crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n (No. 14) with a = 1303.6(3), b = 910.5(4), c = 1627.0(4) pm, β = 96.06(2)° and Z = 4. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) and IR spectroscopy.     

Dinuclear gold(I) dithiophosphonate complexes: synthesis,luminescent properties,and X-ray crystal structures of [AuS(2)PR(OR')](2) (R = Ph,R' = C(5)H(9); R = 4-C(6)H(4)OMe,R' = (1S,5R,2S)-(--)-menthyl; R = Fc,R' = (CH(2))(2)O(CH(2))(2)OMe)

2,4-Diaryl- and 2,4-diferrocenyl-1,3-dithiadiphosphetane disulfide dimers (RP(S)S)(2) (R = Ph (1a), 4-C(6)H(4)OMe (1b), FeC(10)H(9) (Fc) (1c)) react with a variety of alcohols, silanols, and trialkylsilyl alcohols to form new dithiophosphonic acids in a facile manner. Their corresponding salts react with chlorogold(I) complexes in THF to produce dinuclear gold(I) dithiophosphonate complexes of the type [AuS(2)PR(OR')](2) in satisfactory yield. The asymmetrical nature of the ligands allows for the gold complexes to form two isomers (cis and trans) as verified by solution (1)H and (31)P[(1)H] NMR studies. The X-ray crystal structures of [AuS(2)PR(OR')](2) (R = Ph, R' = C(5)H(9) (2); R = 4-C(6)H(4)OMe, R' = (1S,5R,2S)-(-)-menthyl (3); R = Fc, R' = (CH(2))(2)O(CH(2))(2)OMe (4)) have been determined. In all cases only the trans isomer is obtained, consistent with solid state (31)P NMR data obtained for the bulk powder of 3. Crystallographic data for 2 (213 K): orthorhombic, Ibam, a = 12.434(5) A, b = 19.029(9) A, c = 11.760(4) A, V = 2782(2) A(3), Z = 4. Data for 3 (293 K): monoclinic, P2(1), a = 7.288(2) A, b = 12.676(3) A, c = 21.826(4) A, beta = 92.04(3) degrees, V = 2015.0(7) A(3), Z = 2. Data for 4 (213 K): monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 11.8564(7) A, b = 22.483(1) A, c = 27.840(2) A, beta = 91.121(1) degrees, V = 7419.8(8) A(3), Z = 8. Moreover, 1a-c react with [Au(2)(dppm)Cl(2)] to form new heterobridged trithiophosphonate complexes of the type [Au(2)(dppm)(S(2)P(S)R)] (R = Fc (12)). The luminescence properties of several structurally characterized complexes have been investigated. Each of the title compounds luminesces at 77 K. The results indicate that the nature of Au...Au interactions in the solid state has a profound influence on the optical properties of these complexes.     

Mononuclear (Pd, Pt), heterodinuclear (PdAg, PtAg), and tetranuclear (Pd2Ag2, Pt2Ag2) 1,1-ethylenedithiolato complexes

lp;&-5q;1 The reactions of [Tl2[S2C=C[C(O)Me]2]]n with [MCl2L2] (1:1) or with [MCl2(NCPh)2] and PPh3 (1:1:2) give complexes [M[eta2-S2C=C[C(O)Me]2]L2] [M = Pt, L2 = 1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod) (1); L2 = bpy, M = Pd (2a), Pt (2b), L = PPh3, M = Pd (3a), Pt (3b)] whereas with MCl2 and QCl (2:1:2) anionic derivatives Q2[M[eta2-S2C=C[C(O)Me]2]2] [M = Pd, Q = NMe4 (4a), Ph3P=N=PPh3 (PPN) (4a'), M = Pt, Q = NMe4 (4b)] are produced. Complexes 1 and 3 react with AgClO4 (1:1) to give tetranuclear complexes [[ML2]2Ag2[mu2,eta2-(S,S')-[S2C=C[C(O)Me]2]2]](ClO4)2 [L = PPh3, M = Pd (5a), Pt (5b), L2 = cod, M = Pt (5b')], while the reactions of 3 with AgClO4 and PPh3 (1:1:2) give dinuclear [[M(PPh3)2][Ag(PPh3)2][mu2,eta2-(S,S')-S2C=C[C(O)Me]2]]]ClO4 [M = Pd (6a), Pt (6b)]. The crystal structures of 3a, 3b, 4a, and two crystal forms of 5b have been determined. The two crystal forms of 5b display two [Pt(PPh3)2][mu2,eta2-(S,S')-[S2C=C[C(O)Me]2]2] moieties bridging two Ag(I) centers.     

Aluminosilicate relatives: Chalcogenoaluminogermanates Rb(3)(AlQ(2))(3)(GeQ(2))(7) (Q = S, Se)

The new compounds Rb(3)(AlQ(2))(3)(GeQ(2))(7) [Q = S (1), Se (2)] feature the 3D anionic open framework [(AlQ(2))(3)(GeQ(2))(7)](3-) in which aluminum and germanium share tetrahedral coordination sites. Rb ions are located in channels formed by the connection of 8, 10, and 16 (Ge/Al)S(4) tetrahedra. The isostructural sulfur and selenium derivatives crystallize in the space group P2(1)/c. 1: a = 6.7537(3) ?, b = 37.7825(19) ?, c = 6.7515(3) ?, and β = 90.655(4)°. 2: a = 7.0580(5) ?, b = 39.419(2) ?, c = 7.0412(4) ?, β = 90.360(5)°, and Z = 2 at 190(2) K. The band gaps of the congruently melting chalcogenogermanates are 3.1 eV (1) and 2.4 eV (2).     

Spiro- und monocyclische Zirkonium(IV)-amide Zr(L2)2 und L2ZrCl2 mit L2 = ( ? NMe ? SiMe2)2 Y (Y = NMe,O, CH2)

Spiro and Monocyclic Zr(IV) Amides Zr(L₂)₂ and L₂ZrCl₂ with L₂ = (? NMe? SiMe₂)₂ Y (Y = NMe, O, CH₂) The preparation of the spirocyclic Zr(IV) amides Zr[(NMeSiMe₂)₂Y]₂, Y = NMe, O, CH₂, by the reaction of ZrCl₄ with α, ω-dilithio diamines is reported. The monomeric spiranes are cleaved by ZrCl₄ to yield the monocyclic compounds Y(SiMe₂NMe)₂ZrCl₂. These are oligomeric or polymeric; the i.r. spectra suggest a structure consisting of edge-sharing [L₂ZrCl_4/2] octahedra.