Reactions of C5H5M (M = Fe, Ni) with substituted thiophenes

The ion molecule reactions between C₅H₅M⁺ (M = Fe, Ni) with some substituted thiophenes have been studied in an ion trap mass spectrometer. The reactions of halogen substituted thiophenes lead to the formation of a new C-C bond between the cyclopentadiene ring and the thiophene with the loss of a neutral HX. The reaction mechanism has been investigated by means of DFT calculations and it was found that the insertion of the metal atom in the C-X bond is the key step in the process.     

Energy analysis of metal-metal bonding in [RM-MR] (M = Zn, Cd, Hg; R = CH3, SiH3, GeH3, C5H5, C5Me5)

The metal-metal bonds of the title compounds have been investigated with the help of energy decomposition analysis at the DFT/TZ2P level. In good agreement with experiment, computations yield Hg-Hg bond distance in [H₃SiHg-HgSiH₃] of 2.706 Å and Zn-Zn bond distance in [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Zn-Zn(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] of 2.281 Å. The Cd-Cd bond distances are longer than the Hg-Hg bond distances. Bond dissociation energies (-BDE) for Zn-Zn bonds in zincocene −70.6 kcal/mol in [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Zn₂] and −70.3 kcal/mol in [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂Zn₂] are greater amongst the compounds under study. In addition, [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂M₂] is found to have a binding energy slightly larger than those in [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂M₂]. The trend of the M-M bond dissociation energy for the substituents R shows for metals the order GeH₃ < SiH₃ < CH₃ < C₅Me₅ < C₅H₅. Electrostatic forces between the metals are always attractive and they are strong (−75.8 to −110.5 kcal/mol). The results demonstrate clearly that the atomic partial charges cannot be taken as a measure of the electrostatic interactions between the atoms. The orbital interaction (covalent bonding) ΔE_orb is always smaller than the electrostatic attraction ΔE_elstat. The M-M bonding in [RM-M-R] (R = CH₃, SiH₃, GeH₃, C₅H₅, C₅Me₅; M = Zn, Cd, Hg) has more than half ionic character (56-64%). The values of Pauli repulsions, ΔE_Pauli, electrostatic interactions, ΔE_elstat, and orbital interactions, ΔE_elstat are larger for mercury compounds as compared to zinc and cadmium.     

Alkaline earth metal poly(hydrogen fluorides) hexafluoroarsenates(V) and hexafluorophosphate(V): M2(H2F3)(HF2)2(AF6) (M = Ca, A = As; M = Sr, A = As, P)

New compounds of the type M₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AF₆) with M = Ca, A = As and M = Sr, A = As, P) were isolated. Ca₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AsF₆) was prepared from Ca(AsF₆)₂ with repeated additions of neutral anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF). It crystallizes in a space group P4₃22 with a = 714.67(10) pm, c = 1754.8(3) pm, V = 0.8963(2) nm³ and Z = 4. Sr₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AsF₆) was prepared at room temperature by dissolving SrF₂ in aHF acidified with AsF₅ in mole ratio SrF₂:AsF₅ = 2:1. It crystallizes in a space group P4₃22 with a = 746.00(12) pm, c = 1805.1(5) pm, V = 1.0046(4) nm³ and Z = 4. Sr₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(PF₆) was prepared from Sr(XeF₂)_n(PF₆)₂ in neutral aHF. It crystallizes in a space group P4₁22 with a = 737.0(3) pm, c = 1793.7(14) pm, V = 0.9744(9) nm³ and Z = 4. The compounds M₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AF₆) gradually lose HF at room temperature in a dynamic vacuum or during being powdered for recording IR spectra or X-ray powder ray diffraction patterns. All compounds are isotypical with coordination of nine fluorine atoms around a metal center forming a distorted Archimedian antiprism with one face capped. This is the first example of the compounds in which H₂F₃⁻ and HF₂⁻ anions simultaneously bridge metal centers forming close packed three-dimensional network of polymeric compounds with low solubility in aHF. The HF₂⁻ anions are asymmetric with usual F?F distances of 227.3-228.5 pm. Vibrational frequency (ν₁) of HF₂⁻ is close to that in NaHF₂. The anion H₂F₃⁻ exhibits unusually small F?F?F angle of 95.1°-97.6° most probably as a consequence of close packed structure.     

Rearrangement and decomposition of (CH3)3M (M = Si, Ge, Sn) ions: A DFT study

Pathways for the rearrangement and decomposition of the (CH₃)₃M⁺ (M = Si, Ge, Sn) ions are traced by the detection of stationary points on the potential energy surfaces of these ions by the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ method. All three systems have stationary points similar in geometry, but very different in energy, especially on going from M = Si, Ge on the one hand to M = Sn on the other. In addition to previously found isomers of (CH₃)₃Si⁺ which have their analogs in the two other systems, “side-on” complexes with ethane and propane were revealed for all cations studied. Predicted changes in transition state and dissociation energies on going from M = Si to M = Sn allowed us to rationalize the trends for the relative decomposition product yields observed in mass-spectrometry studies of these cations.     

Isobutene-isoprene copolymerization initiated by [Cp∗MMe2][(n-C18H37E)B(C6F5)3] (M = Ti, Hf; E = O, S) and related compounds

The highly electrophilic borane B(C₆F₅)₃ reacts with e.g., n-octadecanol (n-C₁₈H₃₇OH) and n-octadecanethiol (n-C₁₈H₃₇SH) to form equilibrium mixtures of the reactants and their 1:1 adducts (n-C₁₈H₃₇EH)B(C₆F₅)₃ (E = O, S). The latter are acidic, and react with Cp∗MMe₃ (M = Ti, Hf) in polar and non-polar solvents to give methane and the unstable complexes [Cp∗MMe₂][(n-C₁₈H₃₇E)B(C₆F₅)₃]. The latter are very good initiators for the copolymerization of isobutene with isoprene at relatively high temperatures, giving high conversions to high molecular weight isobutene-isoprene copolymers. The weight average molecular weights are unusually high for the temperatures used, consistent with current theories of the role of weakly coordinating anions. The effects of changing the substituents on the alcohols are also investigated.     

Experimental study on preparation of LaMO3 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) nanocrystals and their catalytic activity

The perovskite-type oxides LaMO₃ (M = Fe, Co, Ni) were prepared by a glycine combustion method using La (NO₃)₃·6H₂O and Fe (NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Co (NO₃)₂·6H₂O, Ni (NO₃)₂·6H₂O as the raw materials, respectively, and C₂H₅NO₂ as gelating agent. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM, HRTEM, SEM and BET. The catalytic activity of LaMO₃ (M = Fe, Co, Ni) nanocrystals on thermal decomposition of NH₄CIO₄ (AP) were carried out by DTA and TG. The burning rate of the propellant modified by obtained LaCoO₃ was measured by strand burner method. The experimental results showed that the obtained products can play a catalytic role in the thermal decomposition of AP and combustion of AP-based propellant. The order of the catalytic performance of obtained products on AP thermal decomposition is LaCoO₃ > LaNiO₃ ≈ LaFeO₃. Adding 2% of LaCoO₃ nanocrystals to AP decreases the decomposition temperature by 134 °C and increases the heat of decomposition by 0.8 kJ g⁻¹. Compared with basic propellant, the burning rate of propellant modified by 1% LaCoO₃ nanocrystals increases around 8%.     

Metal complexes of 2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrin: M(2-NCH2C6H5NCTPP) (M = Ni, Pd) and Mn(2-NCH2C6H5NCTPP)Br (NCTPP = N-confused 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl porphyrinate)

The crystal structures of (2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrinato-N,N′,N″) nickel(II) methylene chloride solvate [Ni(2-NCH₂C₆H₅NCTPP); 4], (2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrinato-N,N′,N″) palladium(II) [Pd(2-NCH₂C₆H₅NCTPP); 5] and bromo(2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrinato-N,N′,N″) manganese(III) toluene solvate [Mn(2-NCH₂C₆H₅NCTPP)Br·C₆H₅CH₃; 3·C₆H₅CH₃] have been established. The coordination sphere around the Ni²⁺ ion in 4 (or Pd²⁺ ion in 5) is distorted square planar (DSP), whereas for Mn³⁺ in 3·C₆H₅CH₃, it is a square-based pyramid with the Br atom lying in the axial site. The g value of 11.34, measured from parallel polarization of the X-band EPR spectra at 4 K, is consistent with a high spin mononuclear manganese(III) centre (S = 2) in 3. The magnitude of the axial (D) zero-field splitting (ZFS) for the mononuclear Mn(III) centre in 3 was determined approximately to be 1.4 cm⁻¹ by paramagnetic susceptibility measurements and conventional EPR spectroscopy.     

Quantum chemical study of ethylene addition to group-7 oxo complexes MO2(CH3)(CH2) (M = Mn, Tc, Re)

Quantum chemical calculations using DFT at the B3LYP level have been carried out for the reaction of ethylene with the group-7 compounds ReO₂(CH₃)(CH₂) (Re1), TcO₂(CH₃)(CH₂) (Tc1) and MnO₂(CH₃)(CH₂) (Mn1). The calculations suggest rather complex scenarios with numerous pathways, where the initial compounds Re1-Mn1 may either engage in cycloaddition reactions or numerous addition reactions with concomitant hydrogen migration. There are also energetically low-lying rearrangements of the starting compounds to isomers which may react with ethylene yielding further products. The [2 + 2]_Re,C cycloaddition reaction of the starting molecule Re1 is kinetically and thermodynamically favored over the [3 + 2]_C,O and [3 + 2]_O,O cycloadditions. However, the reaction which leads to the most stable product takes place with initial rearrangement to the dioxohydridometallacyclopropane isomer Re1a that adds ethylene with concomitant hydrogen migration yielding Re1a-1. The latter reaction has a slightly higher barrier than the [2 + 2]_Re,C cycloaddition reaction. The direct [3 + 2]_C,O cycloaddition becomes more favorable than the [2 + 2]_M,C reaction for the starting compounds Tc1 and Mn1 of the lighter metals technetium and manganese but the calculations predict that other reactions are kinetically and thermodynamically more favorable than the cycloadditions. The reactions with the lowest activation barriers lead after rearrangement to the ethyl substituted dioxometallacyclopropanes Tc1a-1 and Mn1a-1. The manganese compound exhibits an even more complex reaction scenario than the technetium compounds. The thermodynamically most stable final product of ethylene addition to Mn1 is the ethoxy substituted metallacyclopropane Mn1a-2 which has, however, a high activation barrier.     

Structure and bonding of MCB5H7 and its sandwiched dimer CB5H6M-MCB5H6 (M = Si, Ge, Sn): Isomer stability and preference for slip distorted structure

We find sandwiched metal dimers CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆ (M = Si, Ge, Sn) which are minima in the potential energy surface with a characteristic M-M single bond. The NBO analysis and the M-M distances (Å) (2.3, 2.44 and 2.81 for M = Si, Ge, Sn) indicate substantial M-M bonding. Formal generation of CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆ has been studied theoretically. Consecutive substitution of two boron atoms in B₇H⁻²₇ by M (Si, Ge, Sn) and carbon, respectively followed by dehydrogenation may lead to our desired CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆. We find that the slip distorted geometry is preferred for MCB₅H₇ and its dehydrogenated dimer CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆. The slip-distortion of M-M bond in CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆ is more than the slip distortion of M-H bond in MCB₅H₇. Molecular orbital analysis has been done to understand the slip distortion. Larger M-M bending (CB₅H₆M-MCB₅H₆) in comparison with M-H bending (MCB₅H₇) is suspected to be encouraged by stabilization of one of the M-M π bonding MO’s. Preference of M to occupy the apex of pentagonal skeleton of MCB₅H₇ over its icosahedral analogue MCB₁₀H₁₁ has been observed.     

Reaction between LiF and MF5 (M = Ta, Nb) in a fluorine atmosphere

LiMF₆ (M = Ta, Nb) was prepared by the reaction between LiF and MF₅ (M = Ta, Nb) in F₂ gas. Pure LiMF₆ (M = Ta, Nb) salts were obtained by using the reaction at temperatures higher than 473 K under 80 kPa (F₂) for 24 h. The x values in LiMF_x (M = Ta, Nb) were confirmed as 5.7-6.0 by XRD-Rietveld analysis. Results showed that LiMF₆ (M = Ta, Nb) has a trigonal structure (, Z = 3). The respective lattice parameters of LiTaF₆ and LiNbF₆ are a₀ = 0.533 nm, c₀ = 1.362 and a₀ = 0.532 nm, c₀ = 1.360. The equivalent conductivities of both LiMF₆ (M = Ta, Nb) in propylene carbonate (PC) are equal at 15.2 Ω⁻¹ cm² mol⁻¹ at 0.01 mol dm⁻³. The electrochemical potential window of TaF₆⁻ is 7.0 V, which is 0.4 and 0.2 V wider, respectively, than those of BF₄⁻ and PF₆⁻.     

Reactivity of ZrCl4 and HfCl4 with silylamines and thermal decomposition of the compounds [MCl4{NH(R)(SiR′3)}] (M = Zr,Hf, R = tBu,R′ = Me; R = SiR′3 = SiMe3, SiMe2H)

The Lewis acid/base adducts [MCl₄{NH(R)(SiR′₃)}] (M = Zr, Hf; R = tBu, R′ = Me; R = SiR′₃ = SiMe₃, SiMe₂H) were synthesized by the 1:1 reaction of MCl₄ with NH(R)(SiR′₃) in dichloromethane solution at room temperature. The decomposition of [MCl₄{NH(R)(SiR′₃)}] proceeds with the elimination of R′₃SiCl, as shown by thermogravimetric analysis. Pyrolysis of the compounds at 620 °C under inert conditions (N₂, vacuum) afforded powders of composition [ClMN] or [Cl₂MNH]. Preliminary low pressure chemical vapour deposition experiments show that [MCl₄{NH(R)(SiR′₃)}] deposits thin films of metal nitride contaminated with metal oxide.     

Synthesis and characterization of Li(I)-M(II) (M = Co, Ni) heterometallic complexes as molecular precursors for LiMO2

Lithium-containing heterometallic complexes with cobalt (Li₂Co₂(Piv)₆(2,4-Lut)₂ (2, Piv is the pivalate anion) and Li₂Co₂(O₂CCH₂Bu^t)₆(2,4-Lut)₂ (3)) and with nickel (Li₂Ni₂(Piv)₆(DME)₂ (4) and Li₂Ni₂(Piv)₆(2,2′-bpy)₂ (5)) were synthesized. The structures of the complexes were established by X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties of complexes 2 and 4 were studied. The thermal behavior of compounds 2, 3, and 5 was investigated. It was shown that the compounds under study can be used as molecular precursors for the synthesis of lithium cobaltate and nickelate.     

Reassignment of the crystal space group of crystalline Pr[M(CN)6] · 5H2O (M = Cr,Fe, Co)

Refinement of the X-ray crystal structures of Pr[M(CN)₆] · 5H₂O (M = Cr, Fe, Co) enables their space group to be reassigned to P6₃/mmc. Spectral characteristics are reported for M = Cr and the distinction between the pentahydrate and tetrahydrate series is clearly made from assignments of the infrared spectra.     

Argon matrix effect on the geometry and infrared spectrum of H2CMH2 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf): A theoretical study

Within the framework of polarizable continuum model with integral equation formalism (IEF-PCM), an argon matrix effect on the geometry and infrared frequencies of the agostic H₂CMH₂ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) methylidene complexes was investigated at B3LYP level of theory with the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis set for C, H, and Ti atoms and Stuttgart/Dresden ECPs MWB28 and MWB60 for the Zr and Hf atoms. At the B3LYP/IEF-PCM level of theory, H₂CTiH₂ was optimized to an energy minimum having a pyramidal structure. The calculated dipole moment of this structure is 3.06 D. The B3LYP/IEF-PCM simulations gave the three complexes’ agostic angle ∠HCM (°), distance r(H?M) (Å), and CM bond length r(CM) (Å) as follows: ∠HCTi = 87.4, r(H?Ti) = 2.079, r(CTi) = 1.803; ∠HCZr = 89.3, r(H?Zr) = 2.243, r(CZr) = 1.956; ∠HCHf = 94.7, r(H?Hf) = 2.343, r(CHf) = 1.972. As a comparison, the B3LYP simulations gave the values as follows: ∠HCTi = 91.5, r(H?Ti) = 2.150, r(CTi) = 1.811; ∠HCZr = 92.9, r(H?Zr) = 2.299, r(CZr) = 1.955; ∠HCHf = 95.6, r(H?Hf) = 2.352, r(CHf) = 1.967. As far as the MH₂ symmetric and asymmetric stretching and CH₂ wagging frequencies are concerned, the IEF-PCM calculated values are in better agreement with the experimental argon matrix ones than those calculated based on a gas phase model.     

Reverse Kocheshkov reaction - Redistribution reactions between RSn(OCH2CH2NMe2)2Cl (R = Alk, Ar) and PhSnCl3: Experimental and DFT study

A series of organotin compounds bearing two intramolecular N → Sn coordination bonds RSn(OCH₂CH₂NMe₂)₂Cl (R = Me (4), n-Bu (5), Mes (6)) were synthesized in good yields. These compounds as well as 2 (R = Ph) react with PhSnCl₃ to give redistribution products RPhSnCl₂ and (Me₂NCH₂CH₂O)₂SnCl₂ (3). The direction of redistribution reactions is reverse to Kocheshkov reaction. DFT calculations have shown that the driving force of the reactions is formation of intramolecular N → Sn coordination bonds in (RO)₂SnCl₂ (3), the Lewis acid stronger than RSn(OR)₂Cl (2, 4-6). The mechanism of the redistribution reaction between 2 and PhSnCl₃ consists of two steps: (1) initial exchange of OCH₂CH₂NMe₂ and Cl to give PhSn(OCH₂CH₂NMe₂)Cl₂ (7) followed by (2). Ph and OCH₂CH₂NMe₂ exchange.     

Synthesis, characterization and comparison of group 14 pyrrolides and indolides Ph3MX (M = Si, Ge, Sn; X = C4H4N, C8H6N)

The biologically important heterocycles pyrrole, C₄H₄N, and indole, C₈H₆N, ought to be useful as reagents in organic synthesis. Unfortunately, working with them has proved to be difficult because they tend to self-polymerize in solution, especially in the presence of acid catalysts. When the self-polymerization can be controlled, however, the pyrrole and indole units should provide an important route to selective N-metal binding, particularly when these ligands are activated by alkyl-lithium reagents. Using this approach, a general synthesis of the group 14 pyrrolides and indolides, Ph₃MX (M = Si, Ge, Sn; X = C₄H₄N, C₈H₆N), has been developed and the results are reported here. The compounds are formed as high-melting, white crystalline solids and have been characterized by ¹³C-, ²⁹Si- and ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR, Raman and electron-impact mass spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis. A single-crystal X-ray study of Ph₃Si(C₄H₄N) has shown that the compound is disordered in the tetragonal lattice, even at low temperature (100 K).     

Electronic structure and molecular properties of binuclear group VII pentalene metal carbonyl complexes [C8H6{M(CO3)}2] (M = Mn,Tc, Re,Bh): A relativistic density functional theory study

Homobimetallic systems where the metals are linked through a pentalenediide ligand, of the type anti-[Pn{M(CO)₃}₂] (Pn = pentalenediide), which include transition metals of the group VII with M = ₂₅Mn (1), ₄₃Tc (2), ₇₃Re (3) and ₁₀₇Bh (4), and the syn-[Pn{M(CO)₃}₂] isomer with M = ₂₅Mn (s1), ₄₃Tc (s2), ₇₃Re (s3) and ₁₀₇Bh (s4), were studied with relativistic all-electron density functional (DFT) calculations, including spin-orbit (SO) coupling via the two components ZORA Hamiltonian. The electronic structure was studied in detail in the four systems. Broken symmetry calculations were performed for all the paramagnetic systems to verify their mixed-valence character. The infrared (IR) spectra were obtained at the scalar relativistic regime and the UV–Vis was obtained by time-dependent spin-orbit DFT and compared against the experimental data available (only for 1 and 3). The relative binding energy calculations predict that the not yet reported s1, 2, s2, 4 and s4 complexes may be synthesized. Their optical and vibrational properties are described here.     

Some complexes containing carbon chains end-capped by M(CO)2Tp′ [M = Mo, W; Tp′ = HB(pz)3, HB(dmpz)3] groups

Complexes M(CCCSiMe₃)(CO)₂Tp′ (Tp′ = Tp [HB(pz)₃], M = Mo 2, W 4; Tp′ = Tp^∗ [HB(dmpz)₃], M = Mo 3) are obtained from M(CCCSiMe₃)(O₂CCF₃)(CO)₂(tmeda) (1) and K[Tp′].Reactions of 2 or 4 with AuCl(PPh₃)/K₂CO₃ in MeOH afforded M{CCCAu(PPh₃)}(CO)₂Tp′ (M = Mo 5, W 6) containing C₃ chains linking the Group 6 metal and gold centres.In turn, the gold complexes react with Co₃(μ₃-CBr)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ to give the C₄-bridged {Tp(OC)₂M}CCCC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (M = Mo 7, W 8), while Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Co₃{μ₃-C(CC)₂Au(PPh₃)}(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ give {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)₂C{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (9) via a phosphine-gold(I) halide elimination reaction. The C₃ complexes Tp′(OC)₂MCCCRu(dppe)Cp^∗ (Tp′ = Tp, M = Mo 10, W 11; Tp′ = Tp^∗, M = Mo 12) were obtained from 2-4 and RuCl(dppe)Cp^∗ via KF-induced metalla-desilylation reactions. Reactions between Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Ru{(CC)_nAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp^∗ (n = 2, 3) afforded {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)_n{Ru(dppe)Cp^∗} (n = 2 13, 3 14), containing C₅ and C₇ chains, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 12 are reported.