The Chemistry of Stable Silabenzenes

Stable silabenzenes ( 1a; R = Tbt, 1b; R = Bbt) were synthesized by taking advantage of extremely bulky and efficient steric protection groups, 2,4,6‐tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Tbt) and 2,6‐bis‐[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]‐4‐[tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Bbt). The structure of Tbt‐substituted 1a was determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis, which demonstrated the complete delocalization of the π‐electrons of the silabenzene ring. It was found that silabenzene 1a reacted with C–C and C–O multiple bond compounds to give the corresponding [4+2]‐cycloadducts via 1,4‐addition, while 1a underwent both 1,2‐ and 1,4‐additions by the reaction with methanol. Silabenzene 1a dimerized very gradually to afford its [4+2]‐dimer, although 1b showed no change under the same conditions. Photochemical reaction of 1a gave the corresponding silabenzvalene isomer instead of the Dewar silabenzene isomer.     

Unprecedented insertion reaction of a silylene into a B-B bond and generation of a novel borylsilyl anion by boron-metal exchange reaction of the resultant diborylsilane

A kinetically stabilized diarylsilylene, Tbt(Mes)Si: (1, Tbt = 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl, Mes = mesityl), thermally generated from overcrowded disilene Tbt(Mes)Si=Si(Mes)Tbt (2) or stable silylene-isocyanide complex (3a), was found to insert into a B-B bond of bis(pinacolato)diboron, B2(pin)2 (4), and the boron-lithium exchange reaction of the resulting diborylsilane gave the first borylsilyl anion.     

Synthesis and properties of a new kinetically stabilized digermyne: new insights for a germanium analogue of an alkyne

The reduction of an overcrowded (E)-1,2-dibromodigermene, Bbt(Br)Ge=Ge(Br)Bbt (2) [Bbt = 2,6-bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-4-[tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl], with KC8 afforded a stable digermyne, BbtGe[triple bond]GeBbt (1). The Ge[triple bond]Ge triple-bond characters of 1 were revealed by the X-ray crystallographic analysis and spectroscopic studies (UV/vis and Raman spectra) together with theoretical calculations. The Ge[triple bond]Ge bond lengths of the two nonidentical molecules of 1 observed in the unit cell were shorter than that of the previously reported digermyne, Ar'Ge[triple bond]GeAr' (Ar' = 2,6-Dip2C6H3, Dip = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl).     

Doubly bonded systems between heavier Group 15 elements

There has been much interest in the synthesis and properties of doubly bonded systems between heavier Group 15 elements, i. e. heavier analogues of azo-compounds (dipnictenes), from the viewpoints of fundamental and material chemistry. Although such double-bond compounds between heavier main group elements are known to be highly reactive, too much so to be isolated as stable compounds, a number of reports on the synthesis of kinetically stabilized diphosphenes (RP[double bond, length as m-dash]PR), diarsenes (RAs[double bond, length as m-dash]AsR), and phosphaarsenes (RP[double bond, length as m-dash]AsR) bearing bulky substituent have been published since 1980. We have also succeeded in the synthesis of the first stable distibene (RSb[double bond, length as m-dash]SbR) and dibismuthene (RBi[double bond, length as m-dash]BiR) by taking advantage of efficient steric protection groups, 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Tbt) and 2,6-bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-4-[tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Bbt), and revealed their structures and properties systematically. Thus, the doubly bonded compounds between heavier Group 15 elements are no longer imaginary species but are those with real existence which are stable, even in the case of the heaviest non-radioactive element bismuth, when they are appropriately protected by bulky substituents. This Perspective describes our research on the chemistry of kinetically stabilized double-bond compounds between heavier Group 15 elements.     

Stable 2H-azasilirene and 2H-phosphasilirene: Addition reaction of an overcrowded silylene to a nitrile and a phosphaalkyne

In this paper, we present the reaction of an overcrowded silylene bearing a 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Tbt) group with pivalonitrile and t-butylphosphaalkyne to give the corresponding [1+2] cycloadducts, 2H-azasilirene and 2H-phosphasilirene derivatives. This is the first exampleof the isolation of a stable 2H-azasilirene derivative, and the X-ray crystallographic analysis unambiguously revealed its three-membered ring structure in the solid state. In addition, DFT calculations supported three-membered ring character in the structures of the 2H-azasilirene and 2H-phosphasilirene.     

Unusual carbon-sulfur bond cleavage in the reaction of a new type of bulky hexathioether with a zerovalent palladium complex

The reaction of a bulky hexathioether, TbtS(o-Phen)S(o-Phen)SS(o-Phen)S(o-Phen)STbt (o-Phen = o-phenylene, Tbt = 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl) (1), with 3 molar amounts of Pd(PPh3)4 afforded trinuclear palladium complex bridged by two benzenedithiolato ligands via a three-step palladium insertion reaction into one sulfur-sulfur and two carbon-sulfur bonds of 1.     

[2+3]Cycloaddition reaction of a kinetically stabilized distibene with a nitrile oxide leading to the formation of a unique heterocyclic compound

The synthesis of a 1-oxa-5-aza-2,3-distibacyclopent-4-ene derivative by the [2+3]cycloaddition reaction of a kinetically stabilized distibene, BbtSb=SbBbt (Bbt = 2,6-bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-4-[tris-(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl), with MesCNO (Mes = mesityl) has been performed. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. E. Lukevics on the occasion of his 70th birthday __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 12, pp. 1880–1887, December, 2006.     

Thermolysis,photolysis, and oxidation of an overcrowded 1,3,2-dithiastannetane derivative

Reactions of a sterically crowded 1,3,2-dithiastannetane derivative bearing 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (=Tbt) and 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl (=Tip) groups on the tin atom are described. Both thermolysis and photolysis of the 1,3,2-dithiastannetane [Tbt(Tip)SnS₂CPh₂] resulted in the formation of products derived from the corresponding stannanethione [Tbt(Tip)Sn=S], while the oxidation reaction by m -chloroperbenzoic acid gave a novel tincontaining heterocyclic system, an 1,2,4,5-oxadithiastannolane derivative.     

Formation of Oxoborane and Thioxoborane from a Dithiastannaboretane Derivative

Reaction with, an oxygen-donating reagent such as DMSO and thermolysis of a 1,3,2,4-dithiastannaboretane derivative bearing 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Tbt) group led to the formation of novel boron–group 16 element double bond compounds, oxoborane (Tbt–B=0) and thioxoborane (Tbt–B=S). The oxoborane and thioxoborane underwent cycloaddition reactions to give the corresponding adducts in good yields.     

A kinetically stabilized ferrocenyl diphosphene: synthesis, structure, properties, and redox behavior

A new, stable ferrocenyl diphosphene [Tbt-P==P-Fc] (1) (Tbt=2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl, Fc = ferrocenyl) was synthesized by the dehydrochlorination reaction of the corresponding diphosphane, [Tbt-P(H)-P(Cl)-Fc] (8), with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in good yield. Diphosphene 1 is very stable in the solid state and also in solution. In the 31P NMR spectrum (C6D6), diphosphene 1 showed a low-fielded AB quartet at delta 501.7 and 479.5 ppm with the coupling constant 1J(PP)=546 Hz, which is characteristic of an unsymmetrically substituted trans-diphosphene. The molecular structure of 1 was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis, which showed a trans-diphosphene with a C-P-P-C torsion angle of 177.86(17) degrees . The phosphorus-phosphorus bond length of 1 [2.0285(15) A] which is considerably shorter than the typical P-P single-bond lengths (ca. 2.22-2.24 A) and within the range of reported P=P double-bond lengths (1.985-2.051 A) for diaryl diphosphenes, evidenced the P=P double-bond character of 1 in the solid state. In addition, the cyclic voltammograms of 1 showed reversible reduction and oxidation couples at -1.95 and +0.34 V versus SCE, respectively. The electrochemical results for 1 were reasonably supported by the DFT calculations, which suggested that the LUMO and HOMO orbitals should be mainly pi* orbital of the diphosphene moiety and d orbitals of the iron(II) atom, respectively.     

Germabenzenylpotassium: A Germanium Analogue of a Phenyl Anion

Reduction of the stable germabenzene, 1‐Tbt‐2‐tert ‐butyl‐germabenzene (Tbt=2,4,6‐tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl), with KC₈ resulted in the formation of 2‐tert ‐butylgermabenzenylpotassium, that is, the germanium analogue of phenylpotassium, under concomitant elimination of the aryl group from the Ge atom. Under an inert atmosphere, this germabenzenylpotassium could be isolated in the form of stable yellow crystals. In the crystalline state, as well as in solution, the germabenzenyl moiety adopts a monomeric form, even though the X‐ray diffraction analysis suggests the presence of highly reactive Ge=C double bonds. The spectroscopic and X‐ray crystallographic analyses, in combination with theoretical calculations indicate an ambident character for this germabenzenyl anion, with contributions from aromatic and germylene resonance structures.     

Synthesis and properties of stable 2-metallanaphthalenes of heavier group 14 elements

The first stable neutral stannaaromatic compound, 2-stannanaphthalene , was synthesized by taking advantage of an extremely bulky and efficient steric protection group, 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Tbt). The molecular structure and aromaticity of were discussed on the basis of X-ray crystallographic analysis, NMR, UV-vis, and Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and theoretical calculations. 2-Germanaphthalene , which has a framework similar to that of , was synthesized for comparison, and systematic elucidation was made for the properties of 2-metallanaphthalene systems containing a heavier group 14 element (Si, Ge, or Sn).     

One-electron reduction of kinetically stabilized dipnictenes: synthesis of dipnictene anion radicals

The redox behavior of kinetically stabilized dipnictenes, BbtE=EBbt [E = P, Sb, Bi; Bbt = 2,6-bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-4-[tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl], was systematically disclosed using cyclic voltammetry and theoretical calculations. It was found that they showed reversible one-electron redox couples in the reduction region. The anion radical species of the Bbt-substituted diphosphene and distibene were successfully synthesized by the reduction of the corresponding neutral dipnictenes (BbtP=PBbt and BbtSb=SbBbt). Their structures were reasonably characterized by ESR, UV-vis, and Raman spectroscopy, and the distibene anion radical was structurally characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Synthese,Eigenschaften und Struktur von Amin-Addukten der Lithium-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]zinkate

Synthesis, Properties, and Structure of the Amine Adducts of Lithium Tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]zincates . Bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]zinc and the aliphatic amine 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazinane (tmta) yield in n-pentane the 1:1 adduct, the tmta molecule bonds as an unidentate ligand to the zinc atom. Bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]zinc · tmta crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with {a = 897.7(3); b = 1 114.4(4); c = 1 627.6(6) pm; α = 90.52(1); β = 103.26(1); γ = 102.09(1)°; Z = 2}. The central C₂ZnN moiety displays a nearly T-shaped configuration with a CZnC angle of 157° and Zn? C bond lengths of 199 pm. The Zn? N distances of 239 pm are remarkably long and resemble the loose coordination of this amine; a nearly complete dissociation of this complex is also observed in benzene. The addition of aliphatic amines such as tmta or tmeda to an equimolar etheral solution of lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)methanide and bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]zinc leads to the formation of the amine adducts of lithium tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]zincate. Lithium tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]zincate · tmeda · 2 Et₂O crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with {a = 1 920.2(4); b = 2 243.7(5); c = 2 390.9(5) pm; Z = 8}. In the solid state solvent separated ions are observed; the lithium cation is distorted tetrahedrally surrounded by the two nitrogen atoms of the tmeda ligand and the oxygen atoms of both the diethylether molecules. The zinc atom is trigonal planar coordinated; the long Zn? C bonds with a value of 209 pm can be attributed to the steric and electrostatic repulsion of the three carbanionic bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl substituents.     

Incorporation of stable organic radicals of the tris(2,4, 6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical series to pyrrole units as models for semiconducting polymers with high spin multiplicity. 1

The condensation reactions between (4-amino-2,6-dichlorophenyl)bis(2, 4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical and acetylacetone or 1, 4-bis(5-methyl-2-thienyl)-1,4-butanedione yield [2,6-dichloro-4-(2, 5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolyl)phenyl]bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical (3(*)()) and [2,6-dichloro-4-[2, 5-bis(5-methyl-2-thienyl)-1-pyrrolyl]phenyl]bis(2,4, 6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical (4(*)()), respectively. EPR studies of both radicals 3(*)() and 4(*)() in CH(2)Cl(2) solution suggest a weak electron delocalization with coupling constant values of 1.25 and 1.30 G, respectively, with the six aromatic hydrogens. Their electrochemical behavior was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. Both radicals show reversible reduction processes at E degrees = -0.69 V and -0.61 V versus SSCE, respectively, and anodic peak potentials at E(p)(a) = 1.10 and 0.72 V, respectively, versus SSCE at a scan rate (nu) of 200 mV s(-)(1), being reversible for radical 4(*)(). X-ray analysis of radical 3(*)() shows a high value (65 degrees ) of the dihedral angle between the 2,5-dimethylpyrrolidyl moiety and the phenyl ring. Smooth oxidation of radical 4(*)() in CH(2)Cl(2) containing trifluoroacetic acid gives an ionic diradical species with a weak electron interaction (|D/hc| = 0.0047 cm(-)(1)). A Curie plot of the Deltam(s)() = +/-2 signal intensity versus the inverse of the absolute temperature in the range between 4 and 70 K suggests a triplet or a nearly degenerate singlet-triplet ground state.     

A new disilene with π-accepting groups from the reaction of disilyne RSi≡SiR (R = Si(i)Pr[CH(SiMe3)2]) with isocyanides

The reaction of 1,1,4,4-tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-1,4-diisopropyltetrasila-2-yne (1) with tert-butylisocyanide or tert-octylisocyanide produced the corresponding disilyne-isocyanide adducts [RSiSiR(CNR')(2)] (R = Si(i)Pr[CH(SiMe(3))(2)](2), R' = (t)Bu (2a) or CMe(2)CH(2)(t)Bu (2b)), which are stable below -30 °C and were characterized by spectroscopic data and, in the case of 2a, X-ray crystallography. Upon warming to room temperature, 2 underwent thermal decomposition to produce 1,2-dicyanodisilene R(NC)Si═Si(CN)R (3) and 1,2-dicyanodisilane R(NC)HSiSiH(CN)R (4) via C-N bond cleavage and elimination of an alkane and an alkene. The 1,2-dicyanodisilene derivative 3 was characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Coordination chemistry of a kinetically stabilized germabenzene: syntheses and properties of stable eta6-germabenzene complexes coordinated to transition metals

The first stable eta6-germabenzene complexes, that is, [M(CO)3(eta6-C5H5GeTbt)] {M=Cr (2), Mo (3), and W (4); Tbt=2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl}, have been synthesized by ligand-exchange reactions between [M(CO)3(CH3CN)3] (M=Cr, Mo, and W) and the kinetically stabilized germabenzene 1 and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. In the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 2-4, all of the signals for the germabenzene rings were shifted upfield relative to their counterparts in the free germabenzene 1. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 2 and 4 revealed that the germabenzene ligand was nearly planar and was coordinated to the M(CO)3 group (M=Cr, W) in an eta6 fashion. The formation of complexes 2-4 from germabenzene 1 should be noted as the application of germaaromatics as 6pi-electron ligands toward complexation with Group 6 metals. On the other hand, treatment of 1 with [{RuCp*Cl}4] (Cp*=C5Me5) in THF afforded a novel eta5-germacyclohexadienido complex of ruthenium-[RuCp*{eta5-C5H5GeTbt(Cl)}] (9)-instead of the expected eta6-germabenzene-ruthenium cationic complex [RuCp*{eta6-C5H5GeTbt}]Cl (10). Crystallographic structural analysis of 9 showed that the five carbon atoms of the germacyclohexadienido ligand of 9 were coordinated to the Ru center in an eta5 fashion.     

Nucleophilic attack toward group 4 metal complexes bearing reactive 1-Aza-1,3-butadienyl and imido moieties

Unique (1-aza-2-butenyl)titanium complexes bearing a phosphonium ylide moiety [Ti=NTbt{C(Me)(PR3)CH=C(Me)N(Mes)}Cl] (3-5, Tbt = 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl, Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) were formed by the nucleophilic attack of PMe3, P(n-Bu)3, and 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe) toward the corresponding (1-aza-1,3-butadienyl)titanium complex, [Ti=NTbt{C(Me)CHC(Me)N(Mes)}(mu-Cl)2Li(tmeda)] (2a). The reaction of a lithium beta-diketiminate, [Li{N(Tbt)C(Me)CHC(Me)N(Mes)}] (1) with [TiIICl2(dmpe)2] also resulted in the formation of the same complex 5. Density functional theory calculation indicated that the negative charge of the model molecule of 3 was slightly delocalized to the C3N plane. In addition, the calculation of the model molecule of 2a suggested the electrophilicity of 2a at the carbon atom connecting to the titanium atom. Interestingly, the reaction of zirconium and hafnium analogues (2b and 2c) with PMe3 and dmpe did not proceed. In contrast to the cases of phosphine reagents, pyridine which was found to undergo the nucleophilic attack toward the titanium center of 2a gave the pyridine-coordinated titanium-imide [Ti=NTbt{C(Me)CHC(Me)N(Mes)}Cl(py)] (7).     

Photochemical isomerization of 1,2,5-trisilabicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-3,6-diene to 1,4,7-trisilabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene

Upon irradiation of a benzene-d6 solution of 1,2,2,5-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl]-4,7-diaryl- 1,2,5-trisilabicyclo-[3.2.0]hepta-3,6-diene [1a: aryl = phenyl, b: aryl = 3,5-bis-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl], 1,4,7,7-tetrakis[di-tert-butyl-(methyl)silyl]-2,5-diaryl-1,4,7- trisilabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene (2a,b) was formed via skeletal rearrangement.     

Tetrylenes chelated by hybrid amido-amino ligand: derivatives of 2-[(N,N-dimethylamino)methyl]aniline

Reaction of 2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]aniline with butyllithium, followed by conversion with trimethylsilyl, triphenylsilyl, triphenylgermyl, trimethylstannyl, or tri-n-butylstannyl chloride, gives the corresponding substituted aniline. These compounds were further deprotonated by butyllithium and reacted with germanium, tin, and lead dichlorides, respectively, in both stoichiometric ratios 2:1 and 1:1, providing the target homo- ([2-(Me(2)NCH(2))C(6)H(4)(YR(3))N](2)M) and heteroleptic ([2-(Me(2)NCH(2))C(6)H(4)(YR(3))N]MCl) germylenes and stannylenes, where M = Ge, Sn, Y = Si, Ge, and R = Me, Ph. Unlike all of these cases, the heteroleptic plumbylene can only be obtained with this reaction when the amide is substituted by a trimethylsilyl moiety. Anilines substituted by trimethyltin or tri-n-butyltin moieties gave transmetalation products after the second deprotonation by butyllithium. The trimethyltin-substituted stannylenes could likewise not be obtained by hexamethyldisilazane elimination of (trimethylstannyl)-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]aniline with 0.5 mol equiv of either bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]tin or {bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]tin chloride}. Products of these reactions are heterocubanes with compositions {[2-(Me(2)NCH(2))C(6)H(4)N]Sn}(4) and [2-(Me(2)NCH(2))C(6)H(4)N](2)(μ(2)-SnMe(2))(2), respectively, and Me(4)Sn or Me(3)SnCl. The structures of trimethylsilyl- and triphenylgermyl-substituted germylenes, stannylenes, and plumbylenes, as well as a number of their precursors, in the crystalline state, were investigated by X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy in solution. Density functional theory methods were used for evaluation of the structures of several compounds.