Bis(guanidinate) alkoxide complexes of lanthanides: synthesis, structures and use in immortal and stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters

A series of new bis(guanidinate) alkoxide Group 3 metal complexes [Ln((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(OR)] (R=OtBu, Ln=Y, Nd, Sm, Lu; R=OiPr, Ln=Y, Nd, Lu) has been synthesized. X-ray structural determinations revealed that bis(guanidinate) tert-butoxides are monomeric complexes. The isopropoxide complex [Y((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(OiPr)] undergoes slow decomposition in solution, to afford the unusual dimeric amido complex [(Y((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(mu-N(iPr)C triple chemical bond N))2]. Complexes [Ln((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(OR)] (R=OtBu, Ln=Y, Nd, Sm, Lu; R=OiPr, Ln=Y, Nd, Lu) are active catalysts/initiators for the ROP of rac-lactide and rac-beta-butyrolactone under mild conditions. Most of those polymerizations proceed with a significant degree of control. Bis(guanidinate) alkoxides appear to be well suited for achieving immortal polymerization of lactide, through the introduction of large amounts of isopropanol as a chain-transfer agent. The synthesized complexes are able to promote the stereoselective ROP of rac-beta-butyrolactone to afford syndiotactic poly(hydrobutyrate) through a chain-end control mechanism, while they are surprisingly non-stereoselective for the ROP of lactide under strictly similar conditions.     

Guanidinate derivatives of rare-earth metals. The synthesis, properties, and molecular structures of the complexes {(Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2}3Nd, {(Me3Si)2NC(NCy)2}3Lu, and {(Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2}2HC(NPri)2}Nd

The reactions of anhydrous LnCl₃ (Ln = Nd or Lu) with three equivalents of {(Me₃Si)₂NC(NR)₂}Li (R = Prⁱ or Cy; Cy is cyclohexyl) in THF afforded the corresponding tris(guanidinate) derivatives of lanthanides {(Me₃Si)₂NC(NR)₂}₃Ln (Ln = Nd, R = Prⁱ, (1); Ln = Lu, R = Cy (2)), which were isolated after the recrystallization from hexane in 82 and 88% yields, respectively. The complex {(Me₃Si)₂NC(NCy)₂}₂{HC(NCy)₂}Nd (3) containing two guanidinate ligands and one formamidinate ligand was isolated in attempting to synthesize the bis(guanidinate) borohydride derivative by the reaction of {(Me₃Si)₂NC(N-Cy)₂}Na with Nd(BH₄)₃(THF)₂ (in a molar ratio of 2: 1) in THF. This complex is apparently formed as a result of the fragmentation and redistribution of the guanidinate ligands. The X-ray diffraction study showed that in the crystalline state compounds 1–3 are mononuclear complexes containing no coordinated Lewis bases.     

Homoleptic rare-earth metal(III) tetramethylaluminates: structural chemistry, reactivity, and performance in isoprene polymerization

The complexes [Ln(AlMe4)3] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Ho, Lu) have been synthesized by an amide elimination route and the structures of [Lu{(micro-Me)2AlMe2}3], [Sm{(micro-Me)2AlMe2}3], [Pr{(micro-Me)2AlMe2}3], and [La{(micro-Me)2AlMe2}2{(micro-Me)3AlMe}] determined by X-ray crystallography. These structures reveal a distinct Ln3+ cation size-dependency. A comprehensive insight into the intrinsic properties and solution coordination phenomena of [Ln(AlMe4)3] complexes has been gained from extended dynamic 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic studies, as well as 1D 89Y, 2D 1H/89Y, and 27Al NMR spectroscopic investigations. [Ce(AlMe4)3] and [Pr(AlMe4)3] have been used as alkyl precursors for the synthesis of heterobimetallic alkylated rare-earth metal complexes. Both carboxylate and siloxide ligands can be introduced by methane elimination reactions that give the heterobimetallic complexes [Ln{(O2CAriPr)2(micro-AlMe2)}2(AlMe4)(C6H14)n] and [Ln{OSi(OtBu)3}(AlMe3)(AlMe4)2], respectively. [Pr{OSi(OtBu)3}(AlMe3)(AlMe4)2] has been characterized by X-ray structure analysis. All of the cerium and praseodymium complexes are used as precatalysts in the stereospecific polymerization of isoprene (1-3 equivalents of Et2AlCl as co-catalyst) and compared to the corresponding neodymium-based initiators reported previously. The superior catalytic performance of the homoleptic complexes leads to quantitative yields of high-cis-1,4-polyisoprene (>98%) in almost all of the polymerization experiments. In the case of the binary catalyst mixtures derived from carboxylate or siloxide precatalysts quantitative formation of polyisoprene is only observed for nLn:nCl=1:2. The influence of the metal size is illustrated for the heterobimetallic lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, and gadolinium carboxylate complexes, and the highest activities are observed for praseodymium as a metal center in the presence of one equivalent of Et2AlCl.     

Alkaline Earth Diazapentadienyl Compounds: Structure of [Ba2{(C6H11)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(C6H11)}3{(SiMe3)2N}]

Three different bonding modes in one molecule! The diazapentadienyl ligands in the title compound 1 adopt η¹,η¹-N,N-chelating plus η⁵-terminal, η¹η¹-N,N chelating plus η⁵-bridging, and novel η¹-N plus η³-1-aza-allyl bonding modes. R=cyclohexyl.     

Precursor approach to lanthanide dioxo monocarbodiimides Ln2O2CN2 (Ln=Y, Ho, Er, Yb) by insertion of CO2 into organometallic Ln-N compounds

We present two organometallic precursor approaches leading to the hitherto-unknown dioxo monocarbodiimides (Ln(2)O(2)CN(2)) of the late lanthanides Ho, Er, and Yb as well as yttrium. One involves insertion of CO(2), and the other one is a straightforward route using a molecular single-source precursor. To this end the reactivity of the activated amido lanthanide compound [(Cp(2)ErNH(2))(2)] towards carbon dioxide absorption under supercritical conditions was studied. Selective insertion of CO(2) into the amido complex yielded the single-source precursor [Er(2)(O(2)CN(2)H(4))Cp(4)], which was characterized by vibrational spectroscopy and thermal and elemental analyses. Ammonolysis of this amorphous compound at 700 degrees C affords Er(2)O(2)CN(2). To gain deeper insight into the structural characteristics of the amorphous precursor, a similar molecular carbamato complex was synthesized and fully characterized. X-ray structure analysis of the dimeric complex [Cp(4)Ho(2){mu-eta(1):eta(2)-OC(OtBu)NH}] shows an unusual bonding mode of the tert-butylcarbamate ligand, which acts as both a bridging and side-on chelating group. Ammonolysis of this compound also yielded dioxo monocarbodiimides, and therefore the crystalline carbamato complex turned out to be an alternative precursor for the straightforward synthesis of Ln(2)O(2)CN(2). Analogously, the dioxo monocarbodiimides of Y, Ho, Er, and Yb were synthesized by this route. The crystal structures were determined from X-ray powder diffraction data and refined by the Rietveld method (Ln=Ho, Er). Further spectroscopic characterization and elemental analysis evidenced the existence of phase-pure products. The dioxo monocarbodiimides of holmium and erbium crystallize in the trigonal space group P[over]3m1. According to X-ray powder diffraction, they adopt the Ln(2)O(2)CN(2) (Ln=Ce-Gd) structure type.     

Bis(β‐enaminoketonato) vanadium (III or IV) complexes as catalysts for olefin polymerization

Bis(β‐enaminoketonato) vanadium(III) complexes ( 2a–c ) [O(R₁)C?C(H)_xC(R₂)?NC₆H₅]₂VCl(THF) and the corresponding vanadium(IV) complexes ( 3a–c ) [O(R₁)C?C(H)_xC(R₂)? NC₆H₅]₂VO (R₁ = ? (CH₂)₄? , R₂ = H, x = 0, a ; R₁ = ? C₆H₅, R₂ = H, x = 1, b ; R₁ = ? C₆H₅, R₂ = ? C₆H₅, x = 1, c ) have been synthesized from VCl₃(THF)₃ and VOCl₂(THF)₂, respectively, by treating with 2.0 equivalent β‐enaminoketonato ligands in tetrahydrofuran. Structures of 2b and 3a–c were further confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The complexes were investigated as the catalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of Et₂AlCl. Complexes 2a–c and 3a–c exhibited high catalytic activities (up to 23.76 kg of PE/mmol_V h bar), and afforded polymers with unimodal molecular weight distributions at 70 °C indicating the good thermal stability. The catalytic behaviors were influenced not only by the oxidation state of the catalyst precursors but also by the ligand structures. Complexes 2a–c and 3a–c were also effective catalyst precursors for ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization. The influence of polymerization parameters such as reaction temperature, Al/V molar ratio and hexene feed concentration on the ethylene/hexene copolymerization behaviors have bee also investigated in detail. In addition, the agents such as AlMe₃, AlⁱBu₃, MeMgBr, MgCl₂, and ZnEt₂ were applied to control the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution modal. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3062–3072, 2010     

Synthesis, molecular structure, and catalytic activity of borohydride complexes [(Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2]2Nd(BH4)2Li(thf)2 and [(Me3Si)2NC(NPri)2]2Sm(BH4)2Li(thf)2

The reactions of lanthanide tris(borohydrides) Ln(BH₄)₃(thf)₃ (Ln = Sm or Nd) with 2 equiv. of lithium N,N′-diisopropyl-N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)guanidinate in toluene produced the [(Me₃Si)₂NC(NPrⁱ)₂]Ln(BH₄)₂Li(thf)₂ complexes (Ln = Sm or Nd), which were isolated in 57 and 42% yields, respectively, by recrystallization from hexane. X-ray diffraction experiments and NMR and IR spectroscopic studies demonstrated that the reactions afford monomeric ate complexes, in which the lanthanide and lithium atoms are linked to each other by two bridging borohydride groups. The complexes exhibit catalytic activity in polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 441–445, March, 2007.     

Half-sandwich bis(tetramethylaluminate) complexes of the rare-earth metals: synthesis, structural chemistry, and performance in isoprene polymerization

The protonolysis reaction of [Ln(AlMe(4))(3)] with various substituted cyclopentadienyl derivatives HCp(R) gives access to a series of half-sandwich complexes [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))]. Whereas bis(tetramethylaluminate) complexes with [1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)] and [C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3)] ancillary ligands form easily at ambient temperature for the entire Ln(III) cation size range (Ln=Lu, Y, Sm, Nd, La), exchange with the less reactive [1,2,4-(Me(3)C)(3)C(5)H(3)] was only obtained at elevated temperatures and for the larger metal centers Sm, Nd, and La. X-ray structure analyses of seven representative complexes of the type [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))] reveal a similar distinct [AlMe(4)] coordination (one eta(2), one bent eta(2)). Treatment with Me(2)AlCl leads to [AlMe(4)] --> [Cl] exchange and, depending on the Al/Ln ratio and the Cp(R) ligand, varying amounts of partially and fully exchanged products [{Ln(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl)(Cp(R))}(2)] and [{Ln(mu-Cl)(2)(Cp(R))}(n)], respectively, have been identified. Complexes [{Y(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl)(C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3))}(2)] and [{Nd(AlMe(4))(mu-Cl){1,2,4-(Me(3)C)(3)C(5)H(2)}}(2)] have been characterized by X-ray structure analysis. All of the chlorinated half-sandwich complexes are inactive in isoprene polymerization. However, activation of the complexes [Ln(AlMe(4))(2)(Cp(R))] with boron-containing cocatalysts, such as [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], [PhNMe(2)H][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], or B(C(6)F(5))(3), produces initiators for the fabrication of trans-1,4-polyisoprene. The choice of rare-earth metal cation size, Cp(R) ancillary ligand, and type of boron cocatalyst crucially affects the polymerization performance, including activity, catalyst efficiency, living character, and polymer stereoregularity. The highest stereoselectivities were observed for the precatalyst/cocatalyst systems [La(AlMe(4))(2)(C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3))]/B(C(6)F(5))(3) (trans-1,4 content: 95.6 %, M(w)/M(n)=1.26) and [La(AlMe(4))(2)(C(5)Me(5))]/B(C(6)F(5))(3) (trans-1,4 content: 99.5 %, M(w)/M(n)=1.18).     

Thioureato-verbrückte zweikernige Komplexe der Lanthanoide Darstellung und Struktur von [{PhC(NPh)NC(S)NEt2}{Et2NC(S)NH}LnBr(thf)]2 (Ln = Gd,Sm)

Thioureato Brigded Binuclear Complexes of the Lanthanides Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [{PhC(NPh)NC(S)NEt₂}{Et₂NC(S)NH}LnBr(thf)]₂ (Ln = Gd, Sm) The reaction of potassium-N-(diethylaminothiocarbonyl)-N′-phenyl-benzamidinat with LnBr₃ (Ln = Gd, Sm) leads to the formation of the binuclear complexes [{PhC(NPh)NC(S)NEt₂}{Et₂NC(S)N}LnBr(thf)]₂} (Ln = Gd 1 , Sm 2 ). The two bridging thiureatoligands are probably built during the reaction of potassium with the starting ligand. Coordination by one N-(diethylaminothiocarbonyl)-N′-phenylbenzamidinato-ligand, one Br-ion and one THF-ligand leads to square antiprismatic coordination of the lanthanoids. The structures of both compounds were characterized by X-ray analysis ( 1 : P1 (Nr.2), Z = 1, a = 12,006(4) Å, b = 12,245(4) Å, c = 13,612(3) Å, α = 70,55(3)°, β = 68,21(3)°, γ = 81,31(3)° 2 : P1 (Nr.2), Z = 1, a = 11,803(3) Å, b = 12,344(5) Å, c = 12,797(8) Å, α = 103,07(5)°, β = 101,76(3)°, γ = 114,13(3)°)     

Rare-earth tricyanomelaminates [NH(4)]Ln[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)H(2)O (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy): structural investigation, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and photoluminescence

The rare-earth tricyanomelaminates, [NH(4)]Ln[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O (LnTCM; Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy), have been synthesized through ion-exchange reactions. They have been characterized by powder as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, and solid-state (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N MAS NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray powder pattern common to all nine rare-earth tricyanomelaminates LnTCM (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) indicates that they are isostructural. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction pattern of LnTCM is indicative of non-merohedral twinning. The crystals are triclinic and separation of the twin domains as well as refinement of the structure were successfully carried out in the space group P1 for LaTCM (LaTCM; P1, Z=2, a=7.1014(14), b=13.194(3), c=13.803(3) A, alpha=90.11(3), beta=77.85(3), gamma=87.23(3) degrees , V=1262.8(4) A(3)). In the crystal structure, each Ln(3+) is surrounded by two nitrogen atoms from two crystallographically independent tricyanomelaminate moieties and seven oxygen atoms from crystal water molecules. The positions of all of the hydrogen atoms of the ammonium ions and water molecules could not be located from difference Fourier syntheses. The presence of [NH(4)](+) ions as well as two NH groups belonging to two crystallographically independent monoprotonated tricyanomelaminate moieties has only been confirmed by subjecting LaTCM to solid-state (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N{(1)H} cross-polarization (CP) MAS NMR and advanced CP experiments such as cross-polarization combined with polarization inversion (CPPI). The (1)H 2D double-quantum single-quantum homonuclear correlation (DQ SQ) spectrum and the (15)N{(1)H} 2D CP heteronuclear-correlation (HETCOR) spectrum have revealed the hydrogen-bonded (N--HN) dimer of monoprotonated tricyanomelaminate moieties as well as H-bonding through [NH(4)](+) ions and H(2)O molecules. The structures of the other eight rare-earth tricyanomelaminates (LnTCM; Ln=Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) have been refined from X-ray powder diffraction data by the Rietveld method. Photoluminescence studies of [NH(4)]Eu[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O have revealed orange-red (lambda(max)=615 nm) emission due to the (5)D(0)-(7)F(2) transition, whereas [NH(4)]Tb[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O has been found to show green emission with a maximum at 545 nm arising from the (5)D(4)-(7)F(5) transition. DTA/TG studies of [NH(4)]Ln[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O have indicated several phase transitions associated with dehydration of the compounds above 150 degrees C and decomposition above 200 degrees C.     

N,N'-diisopropyl-N'-bis(trimethylsilyl)guanidinate ligand as a supporting coordination environment in yttrium chemistry. Synthesis, structure, and properties of complexes [(Me(3)Si)(2)NC(Ni-Pr)(2)]YCl(2)(THF)(2), [(Me(3)Si)(2)NC(Ni-Pr)(2)]Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF)(2), and [(Me(3)Si)(2)NC(Ni-Pr)(2)]Y[(mu-H)(mu-Et)(2)BEt](2)(THF)

The reaction of anhydrous YCl3 with an equimolar amount of lithium N,N'-diisopropyl-N' '-bis(trimethylsilyl)guanidinate, Li[(Me3Si)2NC(Ni-Pr)2], in tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded the monomeric monoguanidinate dichloro complex {(Me3Si)2NC(Ni-Pr)2}YCl2(THF)2 (1). Alkylation of complex 1 with 2 equiv of LiCH2SiMe3 in hexane at 0 degrees C yielded the monomeric salt-free dialkyl complex {(Me3Si)2NC(Ni-Pr)2}Y(CH2SiMe3)2(THF)2 (2). The bis(triethylborohydride) complex [(Me3Si)2NC(Ni-Pr)2]Y[(mu-H)(mu-Et)2BEt]2(THF) (5) was prepared by the reaction of complex 1 with 2 equiv of LiBEt3H in a toluene-THF mixture at 0 degrees C. The complexes 1, 2, and 5 were structurally characterized. Complex 2 as well as the systems 2-Ph3B, 2-Ph3B-MAO, and 1-MAO (MAO = methylaluminoxanes) in toluene were inactive in ethylene polymerization, while the product obtained in situ from the reaction of complex 2 with a 2-fold molar excess of PhSiH3 in toluene polymerized ethylene with moderate activity.     

On the Perovskites Ba2LnSbO6 (Ln = Nd,Sm, Eu,Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er, Yb)

Polycrystalline Ba₂LnSbO₆ (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb) are cubic, perovskite-type compounds, space group Fm3m (No. 225), Z = 4, with a values from a = 8.544(2) Å for Ba₂NdSbO₆ to a = 8.368(1) Å for Ba₂YbSbO₆. X-ray diffraction data for all the compounds and the results of magnetic measurements for two of them are given.     

Gas-Phase Structures of Potassium Tetrakis(hexafluoro- acetylacetonato) Lanthanide(III) Complexes [KLn(C5HF6O2)4] (Ln=La,Gd, Lu)

The molecular structures of potassium tetrakis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)lanthanide(III) complexes [KLn(hfa)₄] (Ln=La, Gd, Lu; hfa=C₅HF₆O₂,) were studied by synchronous gas-phase electron diffraction/mass spectrometry (GED/MS) supported by quantum-chemical (DFT/PBE0) calculations. The compounds sublime congruently and the vapors contain a single molecular species: the heterobinuclear complex [KLn(hfa)₄]. All molecules are of C₁ symmetry with the lanthanide atom in the center of an LnO₈ coordination polyhedron, while the potassium atom is coordinated by three ligands with formation of three K−O and three K−F bonds. One hfa ligand is not bonded to the potassium atom. Topological analysis of the electron-density distributions confirmed the existence of ionic-type K−O and K−F bonding. The structures of the free [KLn(hfa)₄] molecules are compared with those of the related compounds [KDy(hfa)₄] and [KEr(hfa)₄] in their crystalline state. The complex nature of the chemical bonding is discussed on the basis of electron-density topology analyses.     

Assisted Self-Assembly to Target Heterometallic Mn-Nd and Mn-Sm SMMs: Synthesis and Magnetic Characterisation of [Mn7Ln3(O)4(OH)4(mdea)3(piv)9(NO3)3] (Ln=Nd,Sm, Eu,Gd)**

In an assisted self-assembly approach starting from the [Mn₆O₂(piv)₁₀(4-Me-py)₂(pivH)₂] cluster a family of Mn−Ln compounds (Ln=Pr−Yb) was synthesised. The reaction of [Mn₆O₂(piv)₁₀(4-Me-py)₂(pivH)₂] ( 1 ) with N-methyldiethanolamine (mdeaH₂) and Ln(NO₃)₃ ⋅ 6H₂O in MeCN generally yields two main structure types: for Ln=Tb−Yb a previously reported Mn₅Ln₄ motif is obtained, whereas for Ln=Pr−Eu a series of Mn₇Ln₃ clusters is obtained. Within this series the Gd^III analogue represents a special case because it shows both structural types as well as a third Mn₂Ln₂ inverse butterfly motif. Variation in reaction conditions allows access to different structure types across the whole series. This prompts further studies into the reaction mechanism of this cluster assisted self-assembly approach. For the Mn₇Ln₃ analogues reported here variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest that antiferromagnetic interactions between the spin carriers are dominant. Compounds incorporating Ln=Nd^III( 2 ), Sm^III( 3 ) and Gd^III ( 5 ) display SMM behaviour. The slow relaxation of the magnetisation for these compounds was confirmed by ac measurements above 1.8 K.     

Synthesis and characterization of ethylthioethylcyclopentadienyl organolanthanide complexes: CpLnCl (Ln=Gd,Dy), Cp2LnCpTh (Ln=Yb,Sm, Dy,Y) and CpThErCl2·2THF

Six new ethylthioethylcyclopentadienyl containing organolanthanide complexes CpLnCl [Ln=Gd (1), Dy (2)] and Cp₂LnCp^Th [Cp=C₅H₅, Ln=Yb (3), Sm (4), Dy (5), Y (6)] were synthesized by the reaction of ethylthioethyl‐cyclopentadienyl (Cp^Th) sodium salt with LnCl₃ or Cp₂LnCl in THF. Complexes 1–6 were characterized by elemental analyses, infrared and mass spectroscopies. The molecular structures of complexes 1–3 were also determined by the X‐ray single crystal diffraction. The results show that the side‐chain sulfur atom on the ethylthioethylcyclopentadienyl ring can form intramolecular chelating coordination to the central lanthanide ion, improving the stability of organolanthanide complexes and reducing the number of coordinated THF molecules.     

Activation of SO2 with [(η5‐C5Me5)2Ln(THF)2] (Ln=Eu,Yb) Leading to Dithionite and Sulfinate Complexes

The reaction of decamethylytterbocene [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Yb(THF)₂] with SO₂ at low temperature gave two new compounds, namely, the Yb^III dithionite/sulfinate complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Yb(μ₃,1κ²O^1,3,2κ³O^2,2′,4‐S₂O₄)}₂{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Yb(μ,1κO,2κO′‐C₅Me₅SO₂)}₂] ( 1 ) and the Yb^III dithionite complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Yb}₂(μ,1κ²O^1,3,2κ²O^2,4‐S₂O₄)] ( 2 ). After extraction of 1 , the mixture was heated to give the dinuclear tetrasulfinate complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Yb}₂(μ,κO,κO’‐C₅Me₅SO₂)₄] ( 3 a ). In contrast, from the reaction of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Eu(THF)₂] with SO₂ only the tetrasulfinate complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Eu}₂(μ,κO,κO’‐C₅Me₅SO₂)₄] ( 3 b ) was isolated. Two major reaction pathways were observed: 1) reductive coupling of two SO₂ molecules to form the dithionite anion S₂O₄^2?; and 2) nucleophilic attack of one metallocene C₅Me₅ ligand on the sulfur atom of SO₂. The compounds presented are the first dithionite and sulfinate complexes of the f‐elements.     

Neue Thiophosphate: Die Verbindungen Li6Ln3(PS4)5 (Ln: Y,Gd, Dy,Yb, Lu) und Ag3Y(PS4)2

New Thiophosphates: The Compounds Li₆Ln₃(PS₄)₅ (Ln: Y, Gd, Dy, Yb, Lu) and Ag₃Y(PS₄)₂ The new thiophosphates Li₆Ln₃(PS₄)₅ (Ln: Y, Gd, Dy, Yb, Lu) were synthesized by heating mixtures of Ln, P, S, and Li₂S₄ at 900 °C (100 h) and they were investigated by single crystal X‐ray methods. The compounds with Ln = Y (a = 28.390(2), b = 10.068(1), c = 33.715(2) Å, β = 113.85(1)°), Gd (a = 28.327(2), b = 10.074(1), c = 33.822(2) Å, β = 114.297(7)°), Dy (a = 28.124(6), b = 10.003(2), c = 33.486(7) Å, β = 113.89(3)°), Yb (a = 28.178(3), b = 9.977(1), c = 33.392(4) Å, β = 113.65(1)°), and Lu (a = 28.169(6), b = 10.002(2), c = 33.432(7) Å, β = 113.54(3)°) are isotypic and crystallize in a new structure type (C2/c; Z = 12). Main feature are PS₄ tetrahedra isolated from each other surrounding the Ln and Li atoms via their S atoms. The coordination number of the five crystallographically independent Ln atoms is eight, but the polyhedra are quite different and they are interlinked to larger units extending in [010]. The environment of the Li atoms is irregular and formed by five to six S atoms. The crystal structure is compared with that of Li₉Ln₂(PS₄)₅ (Ln: Nd, Gd). For the synthesis of Ag₃Y(PS₄)₂ (a = 16.874(3), b = 9.190(2), c = 9.312(2) Å, β = 123.17(3)°) a mixture of Y, P, S, and Ag₂S was heated to 700 °C (50 h). The thiophosphate crystallizes in a new structure type (C2/c; Z = 4) composed of isolated PS₄ tetrahedra. The two crystallographically independent Ag atoms are surrounded by four S atoms in the shape of distorted tetrahedra. The Ag(1)S₄ polyhedra are cornershared to strands running along [001], which are linked together via Ag(2)S₄ tetrahedra. The environment of the Y atoms is composed of eight S atoms each building distorted square antiprisms. These polyhedra are connected with each other via common edges to a strand running along [001].     

Propene homo- and copolymerization using homogeneous and supported metallocene catalysts based on Me2Si(2-Me-Benz[e]lnd)2ZrCl2

The isoselective propene polymerization using the supported catalyst SiO₂/MAO/Me₂Si(2-Me-Benz[e]Ind)₂ZrCl₂/AlR₃ was investigated and compared with propene polymerization using the corresponding homogeneous catalyst system. The influence of propene concentration, polymerization medium, temperature, comonomer, and external aluminium alkyls on polymerization kinetics and polypropene properties such as molecular mass, stereo- and regioselectivity, morphology, and bulk density was studied. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Syntheses, structures, and properties of high-nuclear 3d-4f clusters with amino acid as ligand: {Gd6Cu24}, {Tb6Cu26}, and {(Ln6Cu24)2Cu} (Ln = Sm, Gd)

Four novel high-nuclear 3d-4f heterometallic clusters were obtained through the self-assembly of Ln(III), Cu(II), and amino acid ligands (2-methylalanine (mAla), glycine (Gly), and L-proline (Pro), respectively). The metal skeleton of cluster 1, [Gd6Cu24(mu3-OH)30(mAla)16(ClO4)(H2O)22].(ClO4)17.(OH)2.(H2O)2(0), may be described as a huge {Gd6Cu12} octahedron connected with 12 additional Cu(II) ions. The structure of cluster 2, Na4[Tb6Cu26(mu3-OH)30(Gly)18(ClO4)(H2O)22].(ClO4)25.(H2O)42, may be described as a {Tb6Cu24} main structure connected with two [Cu(Gly)(H2O)2]+ groups. Compounds {[Ln6Cu24(mu3-OH)30(Pro)12(Ac)6(ClO4)(H2O)13]2Cu(Pro)2}.(ClO4)18.(OH)16.(H2O)55 (Ln= Sm (3), Gd (4)) are 61-nuclear clusters, which represent the largest known 3d-4f clusters so far, the structure can be described as two {Ln6Cu24} octahedral units connected by a trans-Cu(proline)2 bridge. The electrical conductivity measurements reveal that they are temperature-sensitive semiconductors. The magnetic susceptibility measurements display that compound 4 is ferromagnetic.     

Syntheses, structures, optical and magnetic properties of Ba2MLnSe5 (M = Ga, In; Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er)

The twelve quaternary rare-earth selenides Ba(2)MLnSe5 (M = Ga, In; Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er) have been synthesized for the first time. The compounds Ba(2)GaLnSe(5) (Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er) are isostructural and crystallize in a new structure type in the centrosymmetric space group P ?1 of the triclinic system while the isostructural compounds Ba(2)InLnSe(5) (Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er) belong to the Ba(2)BiInS(5) structure type and crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric space group Cmc2(1) of the orthorhombic system. The structures contain infinite one-dimensional anionic chains (1)(∞)[GaLnSe(5)](4-) and (1)(∞)[InLnSe(5)](4-), and both chains are built from LnSe(6) octahedra and MSe(4) (M = Ga, In) tetrahedra in the corresponding selenides. As deduced from the diffuse reflectance spectra, the band gaps of most Ba(2)MLnSe(5) (M = Ga, In; Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er) compounds are around 2.2 eV. The magnetic susceptibility measurements on Ba(2)GaGdSe(5) and Ba(2)InLnSe(5) (Ln = Nd, Gd, Dy, Er) indicate that they are paramagnetic and obey the Curie-Weiss law, while the magnetic susceptibility of Ba(2)InSmSe(5) deviates from the Curie-Weiss law as a result of the crystal field splitting. Furthermore, Ba(2)InYSe(5) exhibits a strong second harmonic generation response close to that of AgGaSe(2), when probed with the 2090 nm laser as fundamental wavelength.