On Alkylideneamidosulfenyl Chlorides and 1‐Thia‐2‐azoniaallene Salts

X‐Ray‐diffraction analysis of ^tBu₂CN SCl ( 4b ) revealed an almost linear CNS unit with an SN bond order of ca. 1.9 (Fig. 1), in agreement with the structure of a 1‐thia‐2‐azoniaallene chloride. With SCl₂ and SbCl₅, compound 4b was transformed into the imidosulfurous dichloride 6 (Scheme 2). With morpholine, compounds 4b and 6 afforded the sulfenamide 7 and the aminosulfonium salt 8 , respectively. The (diarylmethylene)amidosulfenyl chlorides 4g , h , i reacted with SbCl₅ to give SbCl salts of the 1,2‐benzisothiazoles 9a , b , d , most likely via 1‐thia‐2‐azoniaallene intermediates 2 (Scheme 3).     

Planarity of acetamides,thioacetamides, and selenoacetamides: Crystal structure of N,N‐dimethylselenoacetamide

The planarity of acetamides 1a–3a , thioacetamides 4a–6a , and selenoacetamides 7a–9a , R¹R²NC(=E)CH₃ where E = O, S, Se, and R¹, R² = H or CH₃, was investigated using theoretical calculations at the density functional theory (DFT) level. The calculations showed that the methyl substitution on nitrogen and the change from the amide moiety (NCO) to NCS or NCSe group increased the double bond character of the N C bond. In other words, the planarity of these compounds ( 1a–9a ) increases in the order NH₂ < NHCH₃ < N(CH₃)₂ and O < S < Se. The calculations of bending energy suggest that the planar geometry represents the lowest energy conformation for all compounds investigated in this work. N,N‐Dimethyl‐selenoacetamide ( 9a ), (CH₃)₂NC(Se) CH₃, has the largest bending energy of 10.37 kcal/mol, which suggests that it possesses the greatest planarity among the compounds 1a–9a . However, the solid phase molecular structure of 9a was found to be slightly nonplanar by X‐ray crystallography. The slight nonplanarity observed experimentally is very likely the consequence of intermolecular interactions arising within the crystal packing. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:380–386, 2002; Published online in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10056     

Sol–gel derived Si/C/O/N‐materials: molecular model compounds,xerogels and porous ceramics

Polymeric Si/C/O/N xerogels, with the idealized polymer network structure comprising [Si O Si(NCN)₃]_n moieties, were prepared by reactions of hexachlorodisiloxane (Cl₃Si O SiCl₃) with bis(trimethylsilyl)carbodiimide (Me₃Si NCN SiMe₃, BTSC). NMR and FTIR spectra indicate the existence of ‐NCN‐ and Si O Si‐ units in the xerogels and also in the ceramic materials obtained upon pyrolysis. The feasibility of this reaction protocol was confirmed on the molecular level by the deliberate synthesis of the macrocyclic compound [SiPh₂ O SiPh₂(NCN)]₂, the crystal structure and spectroscopic data of which are reported. The influence of pyridine as a catalyst for the cross‐linking reaction was studied. The degree of cross‐linking increased within the polymers with the addition of pyridine. It was shown by the reaction of hexachlorodisiloxane with excess pyridine that the latter appears to activate only one out of the two ‐SiCl₃ moieties under formation of hexacoordinated silicon compounds. The crystal structure of Cl₃Si O SiCl₃(pyridine)₂ is presented. Quantum chemical calculations are in support of this adduct being a potential intermediate in the pyridine catalyzed sol–gel process. The ceramic yield after pyrolysis of the Si/C/O/N‐xerogels at 1000 °C, which reaches values up to 50%, was found to depend on the aging protocol (time, temperature), whereas no correlation was found with the amount of pyridine added for xerogel synthesis. The Si/C/N/O‐ceramics obtained after pyrolysis at 1000 °C under NH₃ are completely amorphous. Chemically they have to be considered as hybrids between an ideal [SiOSi(NCN)₃]_n network and glass‐like Si₂N₂O. The products are mesoporous with closed pores and a broad pore size distribution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization, and stability of carbodiimide groups in carbodiimide‐functionalized latex dispersions and films

Cyclohexylcarbodiimidoethyl methacrylate (CCEMA) and t‐butylcarbodiimidoethyl methacrylate (t‐BCEMA) were prepared in a two‐step synthesis. These monomers were then used to prepare carbodiimide‐functionalized PBMA and PEHMA latex particles, employing two‐stage emulsion polymerization, with the carbodiimide–methacrylate monomers being introduced only in the second stage under monomer‐starved conditions. During emulsion polymerization, the carbodiimide moiety ( NCN ) was found to be unstable at pH 4, but stable when the pH of the dispersion was increased to 8, using NaHCO₃ as the buffer. Survival of  NCN group against hydrolysis during the polymerization, and during storage in the dispersion, was enhanced by using EHMA as the comonomer (more hydrophobic) and the t‐butyl carbodiimide derivative. The t‐butyl group provides more steric hindrance to the hydrolysis reaction. A decrease in the reaction temperature from 80°C to 60°C was also found to increase the extent of  NCN group incorporation during emulsion polymerization. Under ideal conditions, more than 98% of the  NCN groups in the monomer feed are successfully incorporated into the latex. When these latex particles are mixed with a  COOH containing latex and allowed to dry, polymer diffusion leading to crosslinking occurs. Films annealed at 60°C reach a gel content of 60% in 10 h. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 855–869, 2000     

Arylation reaction of N‐dichlorophosphoryl‐P‐trichlorophosphazene

The reactions of N‐dichlorophosphoryl‐P‐trichlorophosphazene (Cl₃PN POCl₂) with phenylmagnesium chloride, o‐tolylmagnesium chloride, p‐tolylmagnesium chloride, p‐chlorophenylmagnesium chloride, 2‐mesitylmagnesium bromide, and 2‐thienyl lithium were studied. The resulting pentaaryl phosphazenes R₃PN P(O)R₂ were separated by using column chromatography, their structures were defined by IR, elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, and mass spectroscopy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 14:138–143, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10114     

(2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenylimino)thioxo-and -selenoxophosphoranes. Synthesis and structural characterization

A series of stable imino(chalcogeno)phosphoranes R  P( X)  NAr, RPh, 2, 4, 6-Me₃C₆H₂, 2, 4, 6-i-Pr₃C₆H₂; Ar 2, 4, 6-t-Bu₃C₆H₂; X  S, Se ( 5bd, 6b,c ), has been prepared by the oxidation of λ³-imino-phosphines R  P  N  Ar ( 4b-d ) with sulfur and selenium. When P  (tert-butyl)iminophosphine, t-Bu  P  N-  Ar ( 4a ), was reacted with S₈ and Se_iv the corresponding oligomeric metaphosphonimidates 7, 8 were obtained. All new compounds are characterized by their NMR spectra. The constitution of the imino(thioxo)phosphorane 5d is proved by X-ray crystal structure determination.     

UV Laser‐Induced Gas‐Phase Copolymerization of Carbon Disulfide and Ethene

Summary: The laser irradiation at 193 nm of a gaseous mixture of carbon disulfide and ethene induces the copolymerization of both compounds and affords the chemical vapour deposition of a C/S/H polymer, the composition of which indicates the reaction between two to three CS₂ molecules and one C₂H₄ molecule. Polymer structure is interpreted on the basis of X‐ray photoelectron and FT‐IR spectra as consisting of >CS, >CC<,  CH₂ CH₂ , (CC)S_nC_{4 − n},  C (CS) S ,  S (CS) S , and C S S C configurations. The gas‐phase copolymerization of carbon disulfide and ethene represents the first example of such a reaction between carbon disulfide and a common monomer.

Scheme showing the expected reaction of excited CS₂ molecules with other CS₂ molecules to form dimers, which then react with another CS₂ molecule or add to ethene.     

An efficient synthesis and crystal structure of novel 1‐oxo‐2‐propyl‐4‐(substituted)phenylimino‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydro[1,4,3]thiazaphosphorino[4,3‐a][1,3,2]benzodiazaphosphorine 3‐oxides

A series of 1‐oxo‐2‐propyl‐4‐(substituted)phenylimino‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydro‐[1,4,3]thiazaphosphorino[4,3‐a][1,3,2]benzodiazaphosphorine 3‐oxides ( 5a–g ) has been synthesized in excellent yields via the reaction of 1‐(2‐bromoethyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐3‐propyl‐1,3,2‐benzodiazaphosphorin‐4(1H)‐one 2‐oxide with (substituted) phenyl isothiocyanates, which contain the proximate imino and phosphoryl groups in the fused heterocycle. The structures of all of the new compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic methods and microanalyses. The results from X‐ray crystallography analysis of 5a showed that the proximate imino and phosphoryl groups are not coplanar due to their being jointly located in the fused heterocycle, thus having ring tension, and this then destroys the conjugation between the CN and the PO moieties. As a result, the length of the P C bond, measured as 1.8285(18) Å, is just the same as that of a P C bond not involved in conjugation (1.80–1.85 Å). Also, the C(1), C(2), S(1), C(3), P(1), and N(2) atoms of the [1,4,3]thiazaphosphorino moiety exist preferably in the boat conformation. The coplanar C(1), N(2), C(3), and S(1) atoms, within an average deviation of 0.0564 Å, form the ground floor of the boat conformation, whereas, the P(1) and C(2) atoms are on the same side of the coplanar structure with the distance of 0.7729 Å and 0.7621 Å, respectively. On the other hand, around the CN double bond, the P(1) C(3) bond and the N(1) C(11) bond are in a trans relationship because of the repulsive action of the n‐propyl group in the 2‐position of the title compound. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:599–610, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10041     

Bis(trimethylsilyl)diazene revisited. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of nitrogen NMR parameters of some azo‐compounds

Calculations of nitrogen NMR parameters [chemical shifts δN and indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constants J(N,N), J(N,¹³C), J(²⁹Si,N)] of noncyclic azo‐compounds R¹ NN R² (R¹, R² = H, Me, Ph, SiH₃, SiMe₃) and cyclic azo‐compounds [NNCH₂, NN(CH₂)₃ NN(CH₂)₂SiH₂, and NN(SiH₂CH₂SiH₂)] by density functional theory (DFT) methods [B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) level of theory] provide data in reasonable agreement with experimental values. The influence of cis‐ and trans‐geometry is reflected by the calculations, and amino‐nitrenes are also included for comparison. The spin–spin coupling constants are analyzed with respect to contact (Fermi contact term, FC) and non‐ contact contributions (paramagnetic and diamagnetic spin‐orbital terms, PSO and DSO, and spin‐dipole term, SD). Bis(trimethylsilyl)diazene 6a can be generated by an alternative method, using the reaction of bis(trimethylsilyl)sulfur diimide with bis‐ (trimethylsilyl)amino‐trimethylsilylimino‐phosphane. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:84–91, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20075     

A novel and facile one‐pot synthesis of pyridylselenium compounds through selective bromine–magnesium exchange with isopropylmagnesium halide

One‐pot synthesis of various unsymmetrical 2‐bromo‐5‐pyridylselenium compounds has been carried out under non‐cryogenic conditions by selective single bromine–magnesium exchange of 2,5‐dibromopyridine using isopropylmagnesium chloride. This exchange gives 2‐bromo‐5‐pyridylmagnesium chloride, which upon the insertion of elemental selenium followed by the treatment with alkyl halide gives the title compounds in good yield. This exchange has also been extended towards bromine–magnesium exchange of 2‐bromopyridine for the improved synthesis of 2‐pyridylselenium compounds. The molecular structure of 2‐bromo‐5‐selenopyridyltribromomethane has been examined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. From the molecular structure it was found that intermolecular BrBr, NSe and SeBr interactions control its crystal packing. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The reaction OF N‐dichlorophosphoryl‐ P‐trichlorophosphazene with alkyl grignard reagents

The reactions of N‐dichlorophosphoryl‐P‐trichlorophosphazene Cl₃PN P(O)Cl₂ ( 1 ) with benzylmagnesium bromide, 2‐phenylethylmagnesium bromide, trimethylsilylmethylmagnesium chloride, n‐butylmagnesium bromide, cyclohexylmagnesium bromide, cyclopentylmagnesium bromide, tert‐butylmagnesium bromide, iso‐propylmagnesium bromide, and ethylmagnesium bromide were studied. Tri‐ and pentaalkyl phosphazenes were obtained in very poor yield from trimethylsilylmethylmagnesium chloride and cyclohexylmagnesium bromide, respectively. Trialkylphosphoryl compounds formed from benzyl‐, 2‐phenylethyl‐, and n‐butylmagnesium bromide. No phosphorus compound could be isolated from the reaction of 1 with t‐butyl‐, cyclopentyl‐, iso‐propyl‐, and ethylmagnesium bromide. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 14:413–416, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10153     

RuS4Cl12 und Ru2S6Cl16, zwei neue Ruthenium(II)‐Komplexe mit SCl2‐Liganden

RuS₄Cl₁₂ and Ru₂S₆Cl₁₆, Two New Ruthenium(II) Complexes with SCl₂ Ligands Ru powder was reacted with SCl₂ in closed silika ampoules at 140 °C. From the black solution three compounds RuS₄Cl₁₂ 1 , Ru₂S₆Cl₁₆ 2 , and Ru₂S₄Cl₁₃ 3 could be crystallized and characterized by x ray analysis. Black crystals of 1 (monoclinic, a = 9.853(1) Å, b = 11.63(1) Å, c = 15.495(1) Å, β = 105.23(1)°, space group P2₁/c, z = 4) are identified as Trichlorsulfonium‐tris(dichlorsulfan)trichloro‐ruthenat(II) SCl₃[RuCl₃(SCl₂)₃]. In the structure the complex anions fac‐[RuCl₃(SCl₂)₃]^– and the cations [SCl₃]⁺ are connected to ion pairs by three chlorine bridges. The brown crystals of 2 (triclinic, a = 7.754(2) Å, b = 7.997(2) Å, c = 10.708(2) Å, α = 103.74(3)°, β = 98.44(3)°, γ = 108.58(3)°, space group P‐1, z = 1) contain the binuclear complex Bis‐μ‐chloro‐dichloro‐hexakis(dichlorsulfan)‐diruthenium(II), (SCl₂)₃ClRu(μ‐Cl)₂RuCl(SCl₂)₃ with two fac‐RuCl₃(SCl₂)₃‐units connected by two chlorine bridges. 3 was identifyed as a known mixed valence Ru(II,III) binuclear complex [Cl₂(SCl₂)Ru(μ‐Cl)₃Ru(SCl₂)₃]. The vibrational spectra and the thermal behaviour of the compounds are discussed.     

Early Main Group Metal Catalysis: How Important is the Metal?

Organocalcium compounds have been reported as efficient catalysts for various alkene transformations. In contrast to transition metal catalysis, the alkenes are not activated by metal–alkene orbital interactions. Instead it is proposed that alkene activation proceeds through an electrostatic interaction with a Lewis acidic Ca²⁺. The role of the metal was evaluated by a study using the metal‐free catalysts: [Ph₂N⁻][Me₄N⁺] and [Ph₃C⁻][Me₄N⁺]. These “naked” amides and carbanions can act as catalysts in the conversion of activated double bonds (CO and CN) in the hydroamination of Ar NCO and R NCN R (R=alkyl) by Ph₂NH. For the intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated CC bonds in H₂CCHCH₂CPh₂CH₂NH₂ the presence of a metal cation is crucial. A new type of hybrid catalyst consisting of a strong organic Schwesinger base and a simple metal salt can act as catalyst for the intramolecular alkene hydroamination. The influence of the cation in catalysis is further evaluated by a DFT study.     

Synthesis and structural consideration of 1‐chloro‐N,N′,N″‐tris(pentafluorophenyl)azagermatrane: Azagermatrane with the shortest intramolecular N → Ge bond

Two compounds of a novel‐type azagermatrane, N(CH₂CH₂NC₆F₅)₃Ge‐Hal: HalCl ( 1 ), Br ( 2 ), were prepared via a metathetical reaction of trilithium salt of tetramine, N[CH₂CH₂N(Li)C₆F₅]₃, with corresponding GeHal₄. A single crystal structure of 1 was determined by the X‐ray diffraction study: The compound shows the strongest transannular N_ax → Ge interaction (2.148(7) Å) among other studied azagermatranes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:738–741, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20476     

Preparation of 1,3‐diphosphabuta‐1,3‐dienes from sterically encumbered phosphaalkyne and phosphaethenyllithium

Kinetically stabilized 2‐lithio‐1‐(2,4,6‐tri‐t‐butylphenyl)‐1‐phosphapropene was allowed to react with a bulky phosphaalkyne Mes*CP (Mes* = 2,4,6‐t‐Bu₃C₆H₂) followed by quenching with iodomethane or benzyl bromide to give the corresponding 1,3‐diphosphabuta‐1,3‐dienes. The presence of the bulky Mes* group on the 1‐phosphorus atom prevents intramolecular [2+2] cyclization and gave the PC PC skeleton, whereas Mes*CP reacted with half an equivalent of nucleophile to afford the PCPC four‐membered ring compounds. X‐ray crystallography of 4‐benzyl‐1,3‐diphosphabuta‐1,3‐diene confirmed the molecular structure showing conjugation on the 1,3‐diphosphabuta‐1,3‐diene moiety. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:357–360, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20104     

Efficient synthesis and crystal structure of 2‐propyl‐5‐(substituted)phenyl‐1,4‐dioxo‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydro‐[1,4,2]diazaphosphorino[1,2‐a] [1,3,2]benzodiazaphosphorine 3‐oxides

In order to search for novel antitumor and antiviral agents with high activity and low toxicity, some 2‐propyl‐5‐(substituted)phenyl‐1,4‐dioxo‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydro‐[1,4,2]diazaphosphorino[1,2‐a][1,3,2]benzodiazaphosphorine 3‐oxides ( 2a–e ) have been designed incorporating the proximate carbonyl and phosphoryl groups into the benzoannulated phosphadiamide heterocycle and synthesized in acceptable yields. These compounds contain the proximate carbonyl and phosphoryl groups in the fused heterocycle. Their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic methods and microanalyses. The results from X‐ray crystallography analysis of 2a showed that the proximate carbonyl and phosphoryl groups are not coplanar because of their being jointly located in the fused heterocycle, having ring tension, and this then destroys the conjugation between the CO and the PO moieties. As a result, the length of the P C bonds measured as 1.851(3)–1.852(3) Å are just the same as that of a P C bond not involved in conjugation (1.80–1.85 Å). Also,the C(1), C(2), C(3), N(2), N(3), and P(1) atoms of the [1,4,2]diazaphosphorino moiety exist preferably in the boat conformation. The coplanar C(1), C(3), N(2), and N(3) atoms, within an average deviation of 0.0102 Å, form the ground floor of the boat conformation, whereas the P(1) and C(2) atoms are on the same side of the coplanar structure with the distance of 0.7067 and 0.6315 Å, respectively. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:63–71, 2002; DOI 10.1002/hc.1107     

Bis­[S‐methyl 3‐(2‐bromo­benzyl­idene)­di­thio­cab­aza­to‐N3,S]­platinum(II)

The Schiff base ligand in the title complex, [Pt(C₉H₈BrN₂S₂)₂], is deprotonated from its tautomeric thiol form and coordinated to Pt^IIvia the mercapto S and β–N atoms. The configuration about Pt^II is a perfect square‐planar, with two equivalent Pt—N [2.023 (3) Å] and Pt—S [2.293 (1) Å] bonds. The phenyl ring is twisted against the coordination moiety Pt1/N1/N1′/S2′/S2 by 31.8 (2)°, due to the steric hindrance induced by ortho‐substituted bulky Br atom.     

Substituted 1,3,2,4‐benzodithiadiazines and related compounds

Despite some limitations, the 1:1 condensation of n‐RC₆H₄‐N=S=N‐SiMe₃ (n = 2, 3, 4; R = CH₃, OCH₃, F, Cl, CF₃) with SCl₂, followed by intramolecular electrophilic ortho‐cyclization, was found to be a general synthetic approach to the corresponding 5‐R, 6‐R, and 7‐R–substituted 1,3,2,4‐benzodithiadiazines, formally antiaromatic 12π‐electron compounds. For precursors with n = 3, the high regioselectivity of the cyclization resulted in exclusive (R = OCH₃, F) or predominant (R = CH₃, Cl) formation of 6‐R isomers; the ratio of the major 6‐R isomer to the minor 8‐R one was found to be 72:28 (R = CH₃) or 78:22 (R = Cl). The preferred direction of cyclization is consistent with thermodynamics of the corresponding intermediate σ‐complexes as well as factors of kinetic control for an orbital‐controlled El‐Nu reaction. According to the X‐ray diffraction data, the molecules of 5‐CF₃ (15) and 6‐F (12) derivatives are nearly planar, while the molecules of 5‐OCH₃ (7) and 6‐CH₃ (4) derivatives are bent along the S¹ … N⁴ line by ∼11° (7) or 7° (4). An attempt to adopt CsF‐induced intramolecular nucleophilic ortho‐cyclization of Ar_F‐S‐N=S=N‐SiMe₃ into polyfluorinated 1,3,2,4‐benzodithiadiazines for polyfluoropyridine derivatives resulted in formation of polyfluorinated aminopyridines. Data obtained are consistent with a previously suggested scheme of sulfur–nitrogen chain shortening during cyclization. Mild acid hydrolysis of the title compounds was shown to be a convenient synthetic route to substituted 2,2′‐diaminodiphenyl disulfides (including polyfluorinated ones) via the corresponding 2‐aminobenzenethiols. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 10: 113–124, 1999     

Y,Lu, and Gd Complexes of NCO/NCS Pincer Ligands: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalysis in the cis‐1,4‐Selective Polymerization of Isoprene

A series of NCO/NCS pincer precursors, 3‐(Ar²OCH₂)‐2‐Br‐(Ar¹N?CH)C₆H₃ ((^Ar1NCO^Ar2)Br, 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d ) and 3‐(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃SCH₂)‐2‐Br‐(Ar¹N?CH)C₆H₃ ((^Ar1NCS^Me)Br, 4a and 4b ) were synthesized and characterized. The reactions of [^Ar1NCO^Ar2]Br/ [^Ar1NCS^Me]Br with nBuLi and the subsequent addition of the rare‐earth‐metal chlorides afforded their corresponding rare‐earth‐metal–pincer complexes, that is, [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)YCl₂(thf)₂] ( 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d ), [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)LuCl₂(thf)₂] ( 6a , 6d ), [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)GdCl₂(thf)₂] ( 7 ), [{(^Ar1NCS^Me)Y(μ‐Cl)}₂{(μ‐Cl)Li(thf)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 8 , 9 ), and [{(^Ar1NCS^Me)Gd(μ‐Cl)}₂{(μ‐Cl)Li(thf)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 10 , 11 ). These diamagnetic complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures of compounds 5a , 6a , 7 , and 10 were well‐established by X‐ray diffraction analysis. In compounds 5a , 6a , and 7 , all of the metal centers adopted distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometries with the NCO donors and two oxygen atoms from the coordinated THF molecules in equatorial positions and the two chlorine atoms in apical positions. Complex 10 is a dimer in which the two equal moieties are linked by two chlorine atoms and two Cl? Li? Cl bridges. In each part, the gadolinium atom adopts a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. Activated with alkylaluminum and borate, the gadolinium and yttrium complexes showed various activities towards the polymerization of isoprene, thereby affording highly cis‐1,4‐selective polyisoprene, whilst the NCO? lutetium complexes were inert under the same conditions.     

SiSi Double Bonds: Synthesis of an NHC‐Stabilized Disilavinylidene

An efficient two‐step synthesis of the first NHC‐stabilized disilavinylidene (Z)‐(SIdipp)SiSi(Br)Tbb ( 2 ; SIdipp=C[N(C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)CH₂]₂, Tbb=C₆H₂‐2,6‐[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂‐4‐tBu, NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) is reported. The first step of the procedure involved a 2:1 reaction of SiBr₂(SIdipp) with the 1,2‐dibromodisilene (E)‐Tbb(Br)SiSi(Br)Tbb at 100 °C, which afforded selectively an unprecedented NHC‐stabilized bromo(silyl)silylene, namely SiBr(SiBr₂Tbb)(SIdipp) ( 1 ). Alternatively, compound 1 could be obtained from the 2:1 reaction of SiBr₂(SIdipp) with LiTbb at low temperature. 1 was then selectively reduced with C₈K to give the NHC‐stabilized disilavinylidene 2 . Both low‐valent silicon compounds were comprehensively characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. Additionally, the electronic structure of 2 was studied by various quantum‐chemical methods.