Long-lived palladium catalysts for CO/vinyl arene polyketones synthesis: a solution to deactivation problems

A series of cationic palladium complexes of general formula [Pd(Me)(MeCN)(N-N)][PF(6)] (N-N = (phen) 1 a, 4,7-dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Cl(2)-phen) 2 a, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Ph(2)-phen) 3 a, 4-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4-Me-phen) 4 a, 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Me(2)-phen) 5 a, 5,5,6,6-tetrafluoro-5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthroline (F(4)-phen) 6 a, containing different substituted phenanthroline ligands, have been prepared from the corresponding neutral chloro derivatives [Pd(Me)(Cl)(N-N)], (1 b-6 b). The X-ray crystal structure of [Pd(Cl)(2)(4,7-Cl(2)-phen)] (2 b') was determined. DFT calculations show that the electron density on the metal is tuned by the substituents on the ligands. The catalytic behavior of complexes 1 a-6 a in the CO/styrene and CO/p-Me-styrene copolymerizations was studied in detail, showing that the generated catalysts are active for at least 90 h, yielding copolymers of high molecular weight. A firm correlation between the electron density on palladium on the one hand and the catalytic activity of the complexes and the molecular weight and the stereochemistry of the polyketones synthesized on the other hand has been established: the catalyst containing the F(4)-phen is thus far the most active among those tested, yielding the syndiotactic CO/styrene copolymer with a stereoregularity of 96 % (uu triad) and with an M(w) value of 1 000 000.     

Structural and electronic differences of copper(I) complexes with tris(pyrazolyl)methane and hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands

Copper(I) complexes with tripodal nitrogen-containing neutral ligands such as tris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L1') and tris(3-tertiary-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L3'), and with corresponding anionic ligands such as hydrotris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (L1-) and hydrotris(3-tertiary-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (L3-) were synthesized and structurally characterized. Copper(I) complexes [Cu(L1')Cl] (1), [Cu(L1')(OClO3)] (2), [Cu(L1')(NCMe)](PF6) (3a), [Cu(L1')(NCMe)](ClO4) (3b), [Cu(L1')(CO)](PF6) (4a), and [Cu(L1')(CO)](ClO4) (4b) were prepared using the ligand L1'. Copper(I) complexes [Cu(L3')Cl] (5) and [Cu(L3')(NCMe)](PF6) (6) with the ligand L3' were also synthesized. Copper(I) complexes [Cu(L1)(NCMe)] (7) and [Cu(L1)(CO)] (8) were prepared using the anionic ligand L1-. Finally, copper(I) complexes with anionic ligand L3- and acetonitrile (9) and carbon monoxide (10) were synthesized. The complexes obtained were fully characterized by IR, far-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The structures of both ligands, L1' and L3', and of complexes 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7, and 10 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The effects of the differences in (a) the fourth ligand and the counteranion, (b) the steric hindrance at the third position of the pyrazolyl rings, and most importantly, (c) the charge of the N3 type ligands, on the structures, spectroscopic properties, and reactivities of the copper(I) complexes are discussed. The observed differences in the reactivities toward O2 of the copper(I) acetonitrile complexes are traced back to differences in the oxidation potentials determined by cyclic voltammetry. A special focus is set on the carbonyl complexes, where the 13C NMR and vibrational data are presented. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to shed light on the differences in CO bonding in the compounds with neutral and anionic N3 ligands. In correlation with the vibrational and electrochemical data of these complexes, it is demonstrated that the C-O stretching vibration is a sensitive probe for the "electron richness" of copper(I) in these compounds.     

钯催化CO/乙烯共聚配体和阴离子效应

由ＣＯ与乙烯共聚制备的聚酮高分子,属新型功能高分子材料,由于其具有良好的光降解性,避免了传统非降解材料对生态环境造成的白色污染,同时由价廉的ＣＯ代替５０ %的乙烯直接制备高附加值的聚酮高分子,节约了石油资源,合理精细的利用了煤资源和其它化学过程中副产的ＣＯ,符合近代化工对环保和资源的要求,因而在近二十年来得到了快速发展,目前Ｓｈｅｌｌ公司已有万吨级的工业化装置,并有少量产品上市．制备聚酮的关键技术是高效钯 (Ⅱ )催化剂,该催化剂一般以三元组合物的形式加入到聚合釜中［１］,(１)醋酸钯,(２)双膦配体 (Ｌ…     

Interaction of methyl beta-D-xylopyranoside with metal ions: density functional theory study of cationic and neutral bridging and pendant complexes

Density functional theory calculations on complexes of 4C1, 1C4 and 2SO ring conformations of methyl beta-D-xylopyranoside 1 with divalent metal cations, M = Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+, are presented. Bridging and pendant cationic, [M(H2O)41]2+ and [M(H2O)(5)1]2+, as well as neutral complexes, [M(OH)2(H2O)(2)1] and [M(OH)2(H2O)(3)1], and neutral complexes involving a doubly deprotonated sugar, [M(H2O)(4)1(2-)], are considered. In aqueous and chloroform solution the stability of cationic and pendant neutral complexes is greatly diminished compared with gas-phase results. In contrast, bridging neutral complexes [M(OH)2(H2O)(2)1] and those of type [M(H2O)(4)1(2-)], are stabilized with increasing solvent polarity. Solvation also profoundly influences the preferred binding position and ring conformation. Compared with complexes of bare metal cations, additional ligands, e.g., H2O or OH-, significantly reduce the stability of 1C4 ring complexes. Irrespective of the cation, the most stable structure of bridging complexes [M(H2O)(4)1]2+ results from coordination of the metal to O3 and O4 of methyl beta-D-xylopyranoside in its 4C1 ring conformation.     

cis-[Ru(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine)(DMSO)Cl(2)]: useful precursor for the synthesis of heteroleptic terpyridine complexes under mild conditions

[Ru(II)(terpy)(DMSO)Cl(2)] complexes were synthesized as a 5/1 mixture of cis and trans isomers, and their reactivities with CO and with substituted 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine (terpy) moieties have been investigated. The structure of a trans isomer and its CO adduct have been unambiguously assigned by spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The [Ru(terpy)(terpy-Br)](2+) complex prepared either from the cis-[Ru(II)(terpy)(DMSO)Cl(2)] or from the cis-[Ru(II)(terpy-Br)(DMSO)Cl(2)] precursor appeared to be reactive in cross-coupling reactions promoted by low-valent palladium(0) and is an attractive target for the stepwise synthesis of polynuclear complexes bearing vacant coordination sites (terpy-Br for 4'-bromo-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine). Several bipyridine, phenanthroline, and bipyrimidine complexes were prepared this way and their optical and redox properties determined and discussed.     

DFT calculations of 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts in transition metal hydrides

Transition metal hydrides are of great interest in chemistry because of their reactivity and their potential use as catalysts for hydrogenation. Among other available techniques, structural properties in transition metal (TM) complexes are often probed by NMR spectroscopy. In this paper we will show that it is possible to establish a viable methodological strategy in the context of density functional theory, that allows the determination of 1H NMR chemical shifts of hydride ligands attached to transition metal atoms in mononuclear systems and clusters with good accuracy with respect to experiment. 13C chemical shifts have also been considered in some cases. We have studied mononuclear ruthenium complexes such as Ru(L)(H)(dppm)2 with L = H or Cl, cationic complex [Ru(H)(H2O)(dppm)2]+ and Ru(H)2(dppm)(PPh3)2, in which hydride ligands are characterized by a negative 1H NMR chemical shift. For these complexes all calculations are in relatively good agreement compared to experimental data with errors not exceeding 20% except for the hydrogen atom in Ru(H)2(dppm)(PPh3)2. For this last complex, the relative error increases to 30%, probably owing to the necessity to take into account dynamical effects of phenyl groups. Carbonyl ligands are often encountered in coordination chemistry. Specific issues arise when calculating 1H or 13C NMR chemical shifts in TM carbonyl complexes. Indeed, while errors of 10 to 20% with respect to experiment are often considered good in the framework of density functional theory, this difference in the case of mononuclear carbonyl complexes culminates to 80%: results obtained with all-electron calculations are overall in very satisfactory agreement with experiment, the error in this case does not exceed 11% contrary to effective core potentials (ECPs) calculations which yield errors always larger than 20%. We conclude that for carbonyl groups the use of ECPs is not recommended, although their use could save time for very large systems, for instance in cluster chemistry. The reliance of NMR chemical shielding on dynamical effects, such as intramolecular rearrangements or trigonal twists, is also examined for H2Fe(CO)4, K+[HFe(CO)](-), HMn(CO)5 and HRe(CO)5. The accuracy of the theory is also examined for complexes with two dihydrogen ligands (Tp*RuH(H2)2 and [FeH(H2)(DMPE)2]+) and a ruthenium cluster, [H3Ru4(C6H6)4(CO)]+. It is shown that for all complexes studied in this work, the effect of the ligands on the chemical shielding of hydrogen coordinated to metal is suitably calculated, thus yielding a very good correlation between experimental chemical shifts and theoretical chemical shielding.     

Synthesis and oxidation of d(6) tungsten pincer complexes: a complete series of tungsten(ii) hydridocarbonyl and halocarbonyl pincer complexes

Reaction of the neutral P(H)NP ligand [HN(SiMe(2)CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] with tungsten hexacarbonyl resulted in coordination of P(H)NP through both phosphorus donor atoms to form the tungsten complex [W(P(HN)P)(CO)(4)] (1). Reaction of P(H)NP with tris(acetonitrile)tricarbonyl tungsten gave both facial and meridional tridentate isomers [W(P(H)NP)(CO)(3)] (2-fac and 3-mer). These three d(6) tungsten complexes could be interconverted under appropriate conditions. The thermodynamically favored isomer 3 was protonated to form seven-coordinate [W(P(H)NP)(CO)(3)H][BF(4)] (4). A related series of cationic tungsten(ii) halide complexes was synthesized, [W(P(H)NP)(CO)(3)X](+) (6, X = I; 7, X = Br; 8, X = Cl; 9, X = F), by various routes. All of the tungsten(ii) complexes underwent deprotonation at the amine site of the P(H)NP ligand when triethylamine was added, resulting in neutral seven-coordinate complexes. Variable temperature (1)H, (31)P{(1)H}, and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy showed fluxional behavior for all the seven-coordinate complexes reported here. Analysis of IR and NMR spectroscopic data showed trends through the series of coordinated halides. Crystal structures of tetracarbonyl 1, meridional tricarbonyl 3, and cationic hydride 4 were determined to confirm the coordination mode of the P(H)NP ligand.     

Two different hydrogen bond donor ligands together: a selectivity improvement in organometallic {Re(CO)3} anion hosts

Rhenium(I) compounds [Re(CO)(3)(Hdmpz)(2)(ampy)]BAr'(4) and [Re(CO)(3)(N-MeIm)(2)(ampy)]BAr'(4) (Hdmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, N-MeIm = N-methylimidazole, ampy = 2-aminopyridine or 3-aminopyridine) have been prepared stepwise as the sole reaction products in good yields. The cationic complexes feature two different types of hydrogen bond donor ligands, and their anion binding behavior has been studied both in solution and in the solid state. Compounds with 2-ampy ligands are labile in the presence of nearly all of the anions tested. The X-ray structure of the complex [Re(CO)(3)(Hdmpz)(2)(ampy)](+) (2) shows that the 2-ampy ligand is metal-coordinated through the amino group, a fact that can be responsible for its labile character. The 3-ampy derivatives (coordinated through the pyridinic nitrogen atom) are stable toward the addition of several anions and are more selective anion hosts than their tris(pyrazole) or tris(imidazole) counterparts. This selectivity is higher for compound [Re(CO)(3)(N-MeIm)(2)(MeNA)]BAr'(4) (5·BAr'(4), MeNA = N-methylnicotinamide) that features an amido moiety, which is a better hydrogen bond donor than the amino group. Some of the receptor-anion adducts have been characterized in the solid state by X-ray diffraction, showing that both types of hydrogen bond donor ligands of the cationic receptor participate in the interaction with the anion hosts. DFT calculations suggest that coordination of the ampy ligands is more favorable through the amino group only for the cationic complex 2, as a consequence of the existence of a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond. In all other cases, the pyridinic coordination is clearly favored.     

Effect of 5-Me substituent(s) on the catalytic activity of palladium(II) 2,2-bipyridine complexes in CO/4-tert-butylstyrene copolymerization

The coordination of two 5-substituted-2,2^′-bipyridines L (L¹=5-methyl-2,2^′-bipyridine, L²=5,5^′-dimethyl-2,2^′-bipyridine) to palladium was studied. The neutral complexes [Pd(L)Cl₂] and [Pd(L)(Me)Cl], and the cationic complexes obtained after chlorine abstraction [Pd(L)₂][BAr^′₄]₂ and [Pd(L)(Me)(NCMe)][BAr^′₄] (Ar^′=3,5-(CF₃)₂-C₆H₃), respectively, were isolated and characterized by NMR and FAB mass spectroscopy. The complex [Pd(L²)(L³)][BAr^′₄]₂ (L³=2,2^′-bipyridine) bearing different ligands, was prepared for comparison purposes. The activity of the monocationic and dicationic complexes as catalytic precursors in the CO/4-tert-butylstyrene copolymerization was compared with that of related well-known catalysts containing the unsubstituted 2,2^′-bipyridine as nitrogen ligand, to evaluate the influence of the substituents in 5- and 5,5^′-position. The presence of one or two substituents on the nitrogen ligand has a positive effect on productivity using both types of precursors. No influence was observed on the polymer properties in terms of molecular weight and tacticity. Analysis of the reactivity of the methyl-palladium complexes towards carbon monoxide shows further differences depending on the nitrogen ligand.     

Cationic rare-earth metal trimethylsilylmethyl complexes supported by THF and 12-crown-4 ligands: synthesis and structural characterization

To expand the limited range of rare-earth metal cationic alkyl complexes known, a series of mono- and dicationic trimethylsilylmethyl complexes supported by THF and 12-crown-4 ligands with [BPh4]-, [BPh3(CH2SiMe3)]-, [B(C6F5)4]-, [B(C6F5)3(CH2SiMe3)]-, and [Al(CH2SiMe3)4]- anions were prepared from corresponding neutral precursors [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3Ln] (Ln = Sc, Y, Lu; L = THF, n = 2 or 3; L = 12-crown-4, n = 1) as solvent-separated ion pairs. The syntheses of the monocationic derivatives [Ln(CH2SiMe3)2(12-crown-4)n(THF)m]+[A]- are all high yielding and proceed rapidly in THF solution at room temperature. A "one pot" procedure using the neutral species directly for the syntheses of a number of lutetium and yttrium dicationic derivatives [Ln(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)n(THF)m]2+[A]-2 with a variety of different anions, a class of compounds previously limited to just a few examples, is presented. When BPh3 is used to generate the ion triple, the presence of 12-crown-4 is required for complete conversion. Addition of a second equiv of 12-crown-4 and a third equiv of [NMe2PhH]+[B(C6F5)4]- abstracts a third alkyl group from [Ln(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)2(THF)x]2+[B(C6F5)4]-2 (Ln = Y, Lu). X-ray crystallography and variable-temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy reveal a structural diversity within the known series of neutral 12-crown-4 supported tris(trimethylsilylmethyl) complexes [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(12-crown-4)] (Ln = Sc, Y, Sm, Gd-Lu) in the solid and solution states. The X-ray structure of [Sc(CH2SiMe3)3(12-crown-4)] exhibits incomplete 12-crown-4 coordination. VT NMR spectroscopy indicates fluxional 12-crown-4 coordination on the NMR time scale. X-ray crystallography of only the second structurally characterized dicationic rare-earth metal alkyl complex [Y(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)(THF)3]2+[BPh4]-2 shows exocyclic 12-crown-4 coordination at the 8-coordinate metal center with well separated counteranions. 11B and 19F NMR spectroscopy of all mono- and dicationic rare-earth metal complexes reported demonstrate that the anions are symmetrical and noncoordinating on the NMR time scale. A series of trends within the 1H and 13C{1H} NMR resonances arising from the Ln-CH2 groups and, in the case of yttrium, the 1JYC coupling constants at the Y-CH2 group and the 89Y chemical shift values are discussed.     

Studies of the reactions of tripodal pyridine-containing ligands with Re(CO)5Br leading to rheniumtricarbonyl complexes with potential biomedical applications

The complexes formed from the reaction of N-acylated tris-(pyridin-2-yl)methylamine (LH) with [Re(CO)(5)Br] depend on the structure of the ligand and the reaction conditions. Thus, while N-[1,1,1-tris-(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]acetamide coordinates through the three pyridine nitrogens to give a stable cationic complex [LHRe(CO)(3)Br], the analogous N-benzoyl ligand reacts under similar conditions to give a neutral complex [LRe(CO)(3)] with coordination through two pyridine nitrogens and a deprotonated amide. To try to explain these different outcomes, the reactions of some structurally related N-acylated [1,1-bis(pyridin-2-yl)]methylamines (L'H) with [Re(CO)(5)Br] have been studied and the reaction pathways identified. These studies indicate that a neutral complex [L'HRe(CO)(3)Br] is initially formed in which the amide portion of the ligand is uncoordinated, but that this complex under appropriate conditions then rearranges to give a cationic complex [L'HRe(CO)(3)]Br in which the coordinated amide nitrogen either remains protonated or is present in its imidic acid tautomeric form. Elimination of HBr from these complexes either thermally or in the presence of base then gives stable neutral complexes [L'Re(CO)(3)]. The impact of the N-acyl group and any substituent at the apex of the tripodal ligands (L'H) on the relative stabilities of intermediate complexes on the reaction pathway helps provide an explanation for the observed difference in behaviour of the N-acylated tris(pyridin-2-yl)methylamines (LH).     

Pyrazolyl-pyrimidine based ligands in palladium catalyzed copolymerization and terpolymerization of CO/olefins

Cationic palladium(II) complexes of the type containing bisnitrogen ligands with a pyrazole moiety were synthesized from the corresponding neutral derivatives [PdClMe(N-N′)]. Their characterization by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy in solution evidences the presence of the Pd-Me group cis to the pyrazole ring. The catalytic behaviour of the cationic complexes in CO/4-tert-butylstyrene copolymerization and CO/ethylene/4-tert-butylstyrene terpolymerization was investigated. Productivity was greatly enhanced when the reaction was carried out in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). Molecular weights and polydispersity (M_w/M_n) of the obtained polyketones resulted among the best reported for C_s-bisnitrogen planar ligands.     

(S)-(2-(2'-Pyridyl)ethyl)cysteamine and (S)-(2-(2'-pyridyl)ethyl)-d,l-homocysteine as ligands for the "fac-[M(CO)(3)](+)" (M = Re, (99m)Tc) core

The reaction of fac-[NEt(4)](2)[Re(CO)(3)Br(3)] with (S)-(2-(2'-pyridyl)ethyl)cysteamine, L(1), in methanol leads to the formation of the cationic fac-[Re(CO)(3)(NSN)][Br] complex, 1, with coordination of the nitrogen of the pyridine, the sulfur of the thioether, and the nitrogen of the primary amine. When fac-[NEt(4)](2)[Re(CO)(3)Br(3)] reacts with the homocysteine derivative (S)-(2-(2'-pyridyl)ethyl)-d,l-homocysteine, L(2), the neutral fac-Re(CO)(3)(NSO) complex, 2, is produced with coordination of the nitrogen of the primary amine, the sulfur of the thioether, and the oxygen of the carboxylate group, while the pyridine ring remains uncoordinated. The analogous technetium-99m complexes, 1' and 2', were also prepared quantitatively by the reaction of L(1) and L(2) with the fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) precursor at 70 degrees C in water. Given that both (S)-(2-(2'-pyridyl)ethyl)cysteamine and homocysteine can be easily N- or S-derivatized by a bioactive molecule of interest, both the NSN or NSO ligand systems could be used to develop target-specific radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and therapy.     

Mononuclear and binuclear copper(I) complexes ligated by bis(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane: insight into the fundamental coordination chemistry of three-coordinate copper(I) complexes with a neutral coligand

By using the neutral bidentate nitrogen-containing ligand, bis(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L1' '), the copper(I) complexes [Cu(L1' ')2](CuCl2) (1CuCl2), [Cu(L1' ')2](ClO4) (1ClO4), [Cu(L1' ')]2(ClO4)2 (2ClO4), [Cu(L1' ')]2(BF4)2 (2BF4), [Cu(L1' ')(NCMe)](PF6) (3PF6), [Cu(L1' ')(PPh3)](ClO4) (4ClO4), [Cu(L1' ')(PPh3)](PF6) (4PF6), [{Cu(L1' ')(CO)}2(mu-ClO4)](ClO4) (5ClO4), and the copper(II) complexes [{Cu(L1' ')}2(mu-OH)2(mu-ClO4)2] (6), and [Cu(L1' ')Cl2] (7) were systematically synthesized and fully characterized by X-ray crystallography and by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. In the case of copper(II), ESR spectroscopy was also applied. In comparison with the related neutral tridentate ligand L1', bis-chelated copper(I) complexes and binuclear linear-coordinated copper(I) complexes are easy to obtain with L1' ', like 1CuCl2, 1ClO4, 2ClO4, and 2BF4. Importantly, stronger and bulkier ligands such as acetonitrile (3PF6) and especially triphenylphosphine (4ClO4 and 4PF6) generate three-coordinate structures with a trigonal-planar geometry. Surprisingly, for the smaller ligand carbon monoxide, a mononuclear three-coordinate structure is very unstable, leading to the formation of a binuclear complex (5ClO4) with one bridging perchlorate anion, such that the copper(I) centers are four-coordinate. The same tendency is observed for the copper(II) bis(mu-hydroxo) compounds 6, which is additionally bridged by two perchlorate anions. Both copper(II) complexes 6 and 7 were obtained by molecular O2 oxidation of the corresponding copper(I) complexes. A comparison of the new copper(I) triphenylphosphine complexes 4ClO4 and 4PF6 with corresponding species obtained with the related tridentate ligands L1' and L1 (8ClO4 and 9, respectively) reveals surprisingly small differences in their spectroscopic properties. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to shed light on the differences in bonding in these compounds and the spectral assignments. Finally, the reactivity of the different bis(pyrazolyl)methane complexes obtained here toward PPh3, CO, and O2 is discussed.     

Chiral boron-bridged bisoxazoline (borabox) ligands: structures and reactivities of Pd and Cu complexes

Anionic boron-bridged bisoxazolines (borabox ligands) have been synthesized and characterized in their protonated forms. The ligands are tuneable over a wide range, allowing either alkyl or aryl substituents at the oxazoline rings and the central bridging boron atom. The structural parameters of this new ligand type have been investigated by X-ray analyses of palladium and copper complexes. Electronic properties have been studied by (13)C NMR spectroscopy and by DFT calculations on palladium allyl complexes and compared to those of analogous bisoxazoline (box) complexes. Borabox complexes are more electron-rich at the metal center than their neutral box congeners, and as a consequence of the longer bonds between the bridging atom and the oxazoline rings, their bite angles are larger. Palladium(II) complexes bearing an unsubstituted allyl ligand and homoleptic copper(II) complexes each possess an almost flat chelate ring. NMR analysis of a (1,3-diphenylallyl)(borabox)palladium complex showed a 92:8 mixture of (syn,syn) and (anti,syn) allyl isomers, in contrast with a previously reported box analogue that existed exclusively in the (syn,syn) form. Comparison of the corresponding crystal structures revealed that the distance between the bisoxazoline and the allyl ligand in the borabox complex is shorter. In the copper-catalyzed allylic oxidation of cyclohexene and cyclopentene with tert-butyl perbenzoate, borabox ligands gave results similar-and in some cases superior-to those obtained with analogous box ligands.     

Xenophilic complexes bearing a Tp(R) Ligand, [Tp(R)M--M'Ln] [Tp(R) = Tp(iPr2), Tp(#) (Tp(Me2,4-Br)); M=Ni, Co, Fe, Mn; M'Ln = Co(CO)4, Co(CO)3(PPh3), RuCp(CO)2]: the two metal centers are held together not by covalent interaction but by electrostatic attraction

A series of dinuclear complexes, [Tp(R)M--M'L(n)] [Tp(iPr(2) )M--Co(CO)(4) (1; M=Ni, Co, Fe, Mn); Tp(#)M--Co(CO)(4) (1'; M=Ni, Co); Tp(#)Ni--RuCp(CO)(2) (3')] (Tp(iPr(2) )=hydrotris(3,5-diisopropylpyrazolyl)borato; Tp(#) (Tp(Me(2),4-Br))=hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-4-bromopyrazolyl)borato), has been prepared by treatment of the cationic complexes [Tp(iPr(2) )M(NCMe)(3)]PF(6) or the halo complexes [Tp(#)M--X] with the appropriate metalates. Spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of 1-3' reveals that the tetrahedral, high-spin Tp(R)M fragment and the coordinatively saturated carbonyl-metal fragment (M'L(n)) are connected only by a metal-metal interaction and, thus, the dinuclear complexes belong to a unique class of xenophilic complexes. The metal-metal interaction in the xenophilic complexes is polarized, as revealed by their nu(CO) vibrations and structural features, which fall between those of reference complexes: covalently bonded species [R--M'L(n)] and ionic species [M'L(n)](-). Unrestricted DFT calculations for the model complexes [Tp(H(2) )Ni--Co(CO)(4)], [Tp(H(2) )Ni--Co(CO)(3)(PH(3))], and [Tp(H(2) )Ni--RuCp(CO)(2)] prove that the two metal centers are held together not by covalent interactions, but by electrostatic attractions. In other words, the obtained xenophilic complexes can be regarded as carbonylmetalates, in which the cationic counterpart interacts with the metal center rather than the oxygen atom of the carbonyl ligand. The xenophilic complexes show divergent reactivity dependent on the properties of donor molecules. Hard (N and O donors) and soft donors (P and C donors) attack the Tp(R)M part and the ML(n) moiety, respectively. The selectivity has been interpreted in terms of the hard-soft theory, and the reactions of the high-spin species 1-3' with singlet donor molecules should involve a spin-crossover process.     

The dramatic effect of NH3 co-ligation on the Fe+-assisted activation of carbon dioxide in the gas phase: from bare metal ions to complexes

The catalytic efficiency of Fe(+) ion over the CO(2) decomposition in the gas phase has been extensively investigated with the help of electronic structure calculation methods. Potential-energy profiles for the activation process Fe(+) + CO(2) --> CO + FeO(+) along two rival potential reaction paths, namely the insertion and addition pathways, originating from the end-on kappa(1)-O and kappa(2)-O,O coordination modes of CO(2) with the metal ion, respectively, have been explored by DFT calculations. For each pathway the potential energy surfaces of the high-spin sextet (S = 5/2) and the intermediate-spin quartet (S = 3/2) spin-states have been explored. The complete energy reaction profile calculated by a combination of ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) computational techniques reveals a two-state reactivity, involving two spin inversions, for the decomposition process and accounts well for the experimentally observed inertness of bare Fe(+) ions towards CO(2) activation. Furthermore, the coordination of up to three extra ancillary NH(3) ligands with the Fe(+) metal ion has been explored and the geometric and energetic reaction profiles of the CO(2) activation processes Fe(+) + n x NH(3) + CO(2) --> [Fe(NH(3))(n)(CO(2))](+) --> [Fe(NH(3))(n)(O)(CO)](+) --> CO + [Fe(O)(NH(3))(n)](+) (n = 1, 2 or 3) have thoroughly been scrutinized for both the insertion and the addition mechanisms. Inter alia, the geometries and energies of the various states of the [Fe(NH(3))(n)(CO(2))](+) and [Fe(NH(3))(n)(O)(CO)](+) complexes are explored and compared. Finally, a detailed analysis of the coordination modes of CO(2) in the cationic [Fe(NH(3))(n)(CO(2))](+) (n = 0, 1, 2 and 3) complexes is presented.     

Allenes as carbon nucleophiles in intramolecular attack on (pi-1,3-diene)palladium complexes: evidence for trans carbopalladation of the 1,3-diene

Reaction of allene-substituted cyclohexa- and cyclohepta-1,3-dienes with [PdCl(2)(PhCN)(2)] gave eta(3)-(1,2,3)-cyclohexenyl- and eta(3)-(1,2,3)-cycloheptenylpalladium complexes, respectively, in which C-C bond formation between the allene and the 1,3-diene has occurred. Analysis of the (pi-allyl)palladium complexes by NMR spectroscopy, using reporter ligands, shows that the C-C bond formation has occurred by a trans carbopalladation involving nucleophilic attack by the middle carbon atom of the allene on a (pi-diene)palladium(II) complex. The stereochemistry of the (pi-allyl)palladium complexes was confirmed by benzoquinone-induced stereoselective transformations to allylic acetates.     

Promotion of iridium-catalyzed methanol carbonylation: mechanistic studies of the cativa process

The iridium/iodide-catalyzed carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid is promoted by carbonyl complexes of W, Re, Ru, and Os and simple iodides of Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga, and In. Iodide salts (LiI and Bu(4)NI) are catalyst poisons. In situ IR spectroscopy shows that the catalyst resting state (at H(2)O levels > or = 5% w/w) is fac,cis-[Ir(CO)(2)I(3)Me](-), 2. The stoichiometric carbonylation of 2 into [Ir(CO)(2)I(3)(COMe)](-), 6, is accelerated by substoichiometric amounts of neutral promoter species (e.g., [Ru(CO)(3)I(2)](2), [Ru(CO)(2)I(2)](n), InI(3), GaI(3), and ZnI(2)). The rate increase is approximately proportional to promoter concentration for promoter:Ir ratios of 0-0.2. By contrast anionic Ru complexes (e.g., [Ru(CO)(3)I(3)](-), [Ru(CO)(2)I(4)](2)(-)) do not promote carbonylation of 2 and Bu(4)NI is an inhibitor. Mechanistic studies indicate that the promoters accelerate carbonylation of 2 by abstracting an iodide ligand from the Ir center, allowing coordination of CO to give [Ir(CO)(3)I(2)Me], 4, identified by high-pressure IR and NMR spectroscopy. Migratory CO insertion is ca. 700 times faster for 4 than for 2 (85 degrees C, PhCl), representing a lowering of Delta G(++) by 20 kJ mol(-1). Ab initio calculations support a more facile methyl migration in 4, the principal factor being decreased pi-back-donation to the carbonyl ligands compared to 2. The fac,cis isomer of [Ir(CO)(2)I(3)(COMe)](-), 6a (as its Ph(4)As(+) salt), was characterized by X-ray crystallography. A catalytic mechanism is proposed in which the promoter [M(CO)(m)I(n)] (M = Ru, In; m = 3, 0; n = 2, 3) binds I(-) to form [M(CO)(m)I(n+1)](-)H(3)O(+) and catalyzes the reaction HI(aq) + MeOAc --> MeI + HOAc. This moderates the concentration of HI(aq) and so facilitates catalytic turnover via neutral 4.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of group 6 transition metal complexes with terminal fluoromethylidyne (CF) ligands; a DFT/NBO/NRT comparison of bonding characteristics of terminal NO, CF and CH ligands

A family of group 6 transition metal complexes M(C(5)R(5))(CO)(2)(CF) [M = Cr, Mo, W; R = H, Me] with terminal fluoromethylidyne ligands have been synthesized through the reduction of the corresponding trifluoromethyl precursors with potassium graphite or magnesium graphite. They have been characterized spectroscopically and in some cases crystallographically, although the structures show disorder between the CO and CF ligands. The M[triple bond]CF subunit reacts as a triple bond to form cluster complexes containing μ(3)-CF ligands on reaction with Co(2)(CO)(8). Computational (DFT/NBO/NRT) studies on M(C(5)H(5))(CO)(2)(CF) [M = Cr, Mo, W] and the corresponding cationic fragments M(CO)(2)(XY)(+) illustrate significant differences in the metal-ligand bonding between CF and its isoelectronic analogue NO, as well as with its hydrocarbon analogue CH.