Homoleptic Tetrakis(silyl) Complexes of Pd0 and Pt0 Featuring Metal‐Centred Heterocubane Structures: Evidence for the Existence of the Corresponding Mononuclear PdI and PtI Complexes

We report on the first homoleptic tetrakis(silyl) complexes of zerovalent Group 10 metals. The compounds [MLi₄{Si(3,5‐Me₂pz)₃}₄] (M=Pd and Pt; 3,5‐Me₂pz=3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl) exhibit very appealing metal‐centred heterocubane structures with the central d¹⁰ metal atoms surrounded by four silicon and four lithium atoms. Both compounds were characterised in detail, including X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods such as ⁷Li,²⁹Si and ⁷Li,¹⁹⁵Pt HMQC. Cyclic voltammetry studies, in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, revealed that the corresponding mononuclear cationic d⁹‐M^I and dicationic d⁸‐M^II complexes are accessible by stepwise one‐electron oxidation of the title compounds. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigations provided evidence for the existence of the corresponding paramagnetic palladium(I) and platinum(I) complexes.     

Exploring Excited‐State Tunability in Luminescent Tris‐cyclometalated Platinum(IV) Complexes: Synthesis of Heteroleptic Derivatives and Computational Calculations

The synthesis, structure, electrochemistry, and photophysical properties of a series of heteroleptic tris‐ cyclometalated Pt^IV complexes are reported. The complexes mer‐[Pt(C^N)₂(C′^N′)]OTf, with C^N=C‐deprotonated 2‐(2,4‐difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy) or 2‐phenylpyridine (ppy), and C′^N′=C‐deprotonated 2‐(2‐thienyl)pyridine (thpy) or 1‐phenylisoquinoline (piq), were obtained by reacting bis‐ cyclometalated precursors [Pt(C^N)₂Cl₂] with AgOTf (2 equiv) and an excess of the N′^C′H pro‐ligand. The complex mer‐[Pt(dfppy)₂(ppy)]OTf was obtained analogously and photoisomerized to its fac counterpart. The new complexes display long‐lived luminescence at room temperature in the blue to orange color range. The emitting states involve electronic transitions almost exclusively localized on the ligand with the lowest π–π* energy gap and have very little metal character. DFT and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations on mer‐[Pt(ppy)₂(C′^N′)]⁺ (C′^N′=thpy, piq) and mer/fac‐[Pt(ppy)₃]⁺ support this assignment and provide a basis for the understanding of the luminescence of tris‐cyclometalated Pt^IV complexes. Excited states of LMCT character may become thermally accessible from the emitting state in the mer isomers containing dfppy or ppy as chromophoric ligands, leading to strong nonradiative deactivation. This effect does not operate in the fac isomers or the mer complexes containing thpy or piq, for which nonradiative deactivation originates mainly from vibrational coupling to the ground state.     

Komplexchemie P‐reicher Phosphane und Silylphosphane. XXII. Die Bildung von [η2‐{tBu–P=P–SiMe3}Pt(PR3)2]aus (Me3Si)tBuP–P=P(Me)tBu2 und [η2‐{C2H4}Pt(PR3)2]

Coordination Chemistry of P‐rich Phosphanes and Silylphosphanes. XXII. The Formation of [η²‐{^tBu–P=P–SiMe₃}Pt(PR₃)₂] from (Me₃Si)^tBuP–P=P(Me)^tBu₂ and [η²‐{C₂H₄}Pt(PR₃)₂] (Me₃Si)^tBuP–P = P(Me)^tBu₂ reacts with [η²‐{C₂H₄}Pt(PR₃)₂] yielding [η²‐{^tBu–P=P–SiMe₃}Pt(PR₃)₂]. However, there is no indication for an isomer which would be the analogue to the well known [η²‐{^tBu₂P–P}Pt(PPh₃)₂]. The syntheses and NMR data of [η²‐{^tBu–P=P–SiMe₃}Pt(PPh₃)₂] and [η²‐{^tBu–P=P–SiMe₃}Pt(PMe₃)₂] as well as the results of the single crystal structure determination of [η²‐{^tBu–P=P–SiMe₃}Pt(PPh₃)₂] are reported.     

Antiproliferative Homoleptic and Heteroleptic Phosphino Silver(I) Complexes: Effect of Ligand Combination on Their Biological Mechanism of Action

A series of neutral mixed-ligand [HB(pz)₃]Ag(PR₃) silver(I) complexes (PR₃ = tertiary phosphine, [HB(pz)₃]⁻ = tris(pyrazolyl)borate anion), and the corresponding homoleptic [Ag(PR₃)₄]BF₄ compounds have been synthesized and fully characterized. Silver compounds were screened for their antiproliferative activities against a wide panel of human cancer cells derived from solid tumors and endowed with different platinum drug sensitivity. Mixed-ligand complexes were generally more effective than the corresponding homoleptic derivatives, but the most active compounds were [HB(pz)₃]Ag(PPh₃) (5) and [Ag(PPh₃)₄]BF₄ (10), both comprising the lipophilic PPh₃ phosphine ligand. Detailed mechanistic studies revealed that both homoleptic and heteroleptic silver complexes strongly and selectively inhibit the selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase both as isolated enzyme and in human ovarian cancer cells (half inhibition concentration values in the nanomolar range) causing the disruption of cellular thiol-redox homeostasis, and leading to apoptotic cell death. Moreover, for heteroleptic Ag(I) derivatives, an additional ability to damage nuclear DNA has been detected. These results confirm the importance of the type of silver ion coordinating ligands in affecting the biological behavior of the overall corresponding silver complexes, besides in terms of hydrophilic–lipophilic balance, also in terms of biological mechanism of action, such as interaction with DNA and/or thioredoxin reductase.     

Zur Reaktivität von alkylthioverbrückten 44‐CVE‐triangularen Platinclustern: Umsetzungen mit bidentaten Phosphanliganden

On the Reactivity of Alkylthio Bridged 44 CVE Triangular Platinum Clusters: Reactions with Bidentate Phosphine Ligands The 44 cve (cluster valence electrons) triangular platinum clusters [{Pt(PR₃)}₃(μ‐SMe)₃]Cl (PR₃ = PPh₃, 2a ; P(4‐FC₆H₄)₃, 2b ; P(n‐Bu)₃, 2c ) were found to react with PPh₂CH₂PPh₂ (dppm) in a degradation reaction yielding dinuclear platinum(I) complexes [{Pt(PR₃)}₂(μ‐SMe)(μ‐dppm)]Cl (PR₃ = PPh₃, 3a ; P(4‐FC₆H₄)₃, 3b ; P(n‐Bu)₃; 3e ) and the platinum(II) complex [Pt(SMe)₂(dppm)] ( 4 ), whereas the addition of PPh₂CH₂CH₂PPh₂ (dppe) to cluster 2a afforded a mixture of degradation products, among others the complexes [Pt(dppe)₂] and [Pt(dppe)₂]Cl₂. On the other hand, the treatment of cluster 2a with PPh₂CH₂CH₂CH₂PPh₂ (dppp) ended up in the formation of the cationic complex [{Pt(dppp)}₂(μ‐SMe)₂]Cl₂ ( 5 ). Furthermore, the terminal PPh₃ ligands in complex 3a proved to be subject to substitution by the stronger donating monodentate phosphine ligands PMePh₂ and PMe₂Ph yielding the analogous complexes [{Pt(PR₃)}₂(μ‐SMe)(μ‐dppm)]Cl (PR₃ = PMePh₂, 3c ; PMe₂Ph, 3d ). NMR investigations on complexes 3 showed an inverse correlation of Tolmans electronic parameter ν with the coupling constants ¹J(Pt,P) and ¹J(Pt,Pt). All compounds were fully characterized by means of NMR and IR spectroscopy. X‐ray diffraction analyses were performed for the complexes [{Pt{P(4‐FC₆H₄)₃}}₂(μ‐SMe)(μ‐dppm)]Cl ( 3b ), [Pt(SMe)₂(dppm)] ( 4 ), and [{Pt(dppp)}₂(μ‐SMe)₂]Cl₂ ( 5 ).     

Nature of the near‐IR band in the electronic absorption spectra of neutral bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth(III) complexes: Time‐dependent density functional theory calculations

The nature of the near‐IR band in the electronic absorption spectra of bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth(III) complexes Y(Pc)₂ (1), La(Pc)₂ (2), Y(Pc)(Por) (3), Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₄] (4), Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₈] (5), and Y(Pc)[Pc(β‐OCH₃)₈] (6) was studied on the basis of time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations. The electronic dipole moment along the z‐axis in the electronic transition of the near‐IR band in all the studied neutral bis(tetrapyrrole) yttrium(III) and lanthanum(III) double‐deckers is well explained on the basis of the composition analysis of the orbitals involved. The electronic transition in the near‐IR band causes the reversion of the orbital orientation of one tetrapyrrole ring in both homoleptic and heteroleptic bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth complexes and induces electron transfer from the tetrapyrrole ring with lower orbital energy to the other ring in the heteroleptic bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth(III) complexes. The near‐IR band can work as an ideal characteristic absorption band to reflect the π–π interaction between the two tetrapyrrole rings in bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth(III) double‐decker complexes because of its peculiar electronic transition nature. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Tris‐cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes with Three Different Ligands: a New Example with 2‐(2,4‐Difluorophenyl)pyridine‐Based Complex

An iridium(III) complex comprising three different cyclometalated phenylpyridine‐based ligands was designed and synthesized. Interestingly, mixed‐ligand complexes could be obtained by using a simple and straightforward procedure. A tris(heteroleptic) Ir^III complex was obtained as a mixture of stereoisomers that could not be separated. Photophysical properties of the tris(heteroleptic) complex was investigated by UV/VIS absorption and luminescence spectroscopy, and compared with those of the parent homoleptic complexes. Modelling by time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) was also performed to elucidate the nature and the location of the excited state, and to support the experimental results.     

Theoretical study of the electronic spectra of bi‐ and tri‐heteronuclear platinum complexes

The electronic structure and the spectroscopic properties of [Pt(NH₃)₄][Au(CN)₂]₂, [Pt(NH₃)₄][Ag(CN)₂]₂, [Pt(CNCH₃)₄][Pt(CN)₄], and [Pt(CNCH₃)₄][Pd(CN)₄] were studied at the HF, MP2, B3LYP, and PBE levels. In all the complexes, it was found that the nature of the intermetal interactions is consistent with the presence of a high‐ionic contribution (90%) and a dispersion‐type interaction (10%). The absorption spectra of these complexes were calculated by the single‐excitation time‐dependent (TD) method at the HF, B3LYP, and PBE levels. The [Pt(NH₃)₄][M(CN)₂]₂ (M ? Au, Ag) complexes showed a ¹(dσ* → pσ) transition associated with a metal–metal charge transfer. On the other hand, the [Pt(CNCH₃)₄][M(CN)₄] (M ? Pt, Pd) complexes showed a ¹(dσ* → π*) transition associated with a metal‐to‐metal and ligand charge transfer. The values obtained theoretically are in agreement with the experimental range. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

A Copper(I)–Arene Complex With an Unsupported η6 Interaction

Addition of PR₃ (R=Ph or OPh) to [Cu(η²‐Me₆C₆)₂][PF₆] results in the formation of [(η⁶‐Me₆C₆)Cu(PR₃)][PF₆], the first copper–arene complexes to feature an unsupported η⁶ arene interaction. A DFT analysis reveals that the preference for the η⁶ binding mode is enforced by the steric clash between the methyl groups of the arene ligand and the phenyl rings of the phosphine co‐ligand.     

Access to Heteroleptic Fluorido‐Cyanido Complexes with a Large Magnetic Anisotropy by Fluoride Abstraction

Silicon‐mediated fluoride abstraction is demonstrated as a means of generating the first fluorido‐cyanido transition metal complexes. This new synthetic approach is exemplified by the synthesis and characterization of the heteroleptic complexes, trans‐[M^IVF₄(CN)₂]^2? (M=Re, Os), obtained from their homoleptic [M^IVF₆]^2? parents. As shown by combined high‐field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetization measurements, the partial substitution of fluoride by cyanide ligands leads to a marked increase in the magnetic anisotropy of trans‐[ReF₄(CN)₂]^2? as compared to [ReF₆]^2?, reflecting the severe departure from an ideal octahedral (O_h point group) ligand field. This methodology paves the way toward the realization of new heteroleptic transition metal complexes that may be used as highly anisotropic building‐blocks for the design of high‐performance molecule‐based magnetic materials.     

Influence of Peripheral Substitution on the Magnetic Behavior of Single‐Ion Magnets Based on Homo‐ and Heteroleptic TbIII Bis(phthalocyaninate)

A series of homoleptic ([Tb^III(Pc)₂]) and heteroleptic ([Tb^III(Pc)(Pc′)]) Tb^III bis(phthalocyaninate) complexes that contain different peripheral substitution patterns (i.e., tert‐butyl or tert‐butylphenoxy groups) have been synthesized in their neutral radical forms and then reduced into their corresponding anionic forms as stable tetramethylammonium/tetrabutylammonium salts. All of these compounds were spectroscopically characterized and their magnetic susceptibility properties were investigated. As a general trend, the radical forms exhibited larger energy barriers for spin reversal than their corresponding reduced compounds. Remarkably, heteroleptic complexes that contain electron‐donor moieties on one of the two Pc ligands show higher effective barriers and blocking temperatures than their homoleptic derivatives. This result is assigned to the elongation of the N? Tb distances in the substituted macrocycle, which brings the terbium(III) ion closer to the unsubstituted Pc, thus enhancing the ligand‐field effect. In particular, heteroleptic [Tb^III(Pc)(Pc′)] complex 4 , which contains one octa(tert‐butylphenoxy)‐substituted Pc ring and one bare Pc ring, exhibits the highest effective barrier and blocking temperature for a single‐molecule magnet reported to date.     

Palladium(II) Acetylide Complexes with Pincer‐Type Ligands: Photophysical Properties,Intermolecular Interactions,and Photo‐cytotoxicity

Two classes of cationic palladium(II) acetylide complexes containing pincer‐type ligands, 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (terpy) and 2,6‐bis(1‐butylimidazol‐2‐ylidenyl)pyridine (C^N^C), were prepared and structurally characterized. Replacing terpy with the strongly σ‐donating C^N^C ligand with two N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) units results in the Pd^II acetylide complexes displaying phosphorescence at room temperature and stronger intermolecular interactions in the solid state. X‐ray crystal structures of [Pd(terpy)(C≡CPh)]PF₆ ( 1 ) and [Pd(C^N^C)(C≡CPh)]PF₆ ( 7 ) reveal that the complex cations are arranged in a one‐dimensional stacking structure with pair‐like Pd^II⋅⋅⋅Pd^II contacts of 3.349 Å for 1 and 3.292 Å for 7 . Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations were used to examine the electronic properties. Comparative studies of the [Pt(L)(C≡CPh)]⁺ analogs by ¹H NMR spectroscopy shed insight on the intermolecular interactions of these Pd^II acetylide complexes. The strong Pd−C_carbene bonds render 7 and its derivative sufficiently stable for investigation of photo‐cytotoxicity under cellular conditions.     

Ketimido Metallophthalocyanines: An Approach to Phthalocyanine‐Supported Mononuclear High‐Valent Ruthenium Complexes

A “metal–ketimine+ArI(OR)₂” approach has been developed for preparing metal–ketimido complexes, and ketimido ligands are found to stabilize high‐valent metallophthalocyanine (M? Pc) complexes such as ruthenium(IV) phthalocyanines. Treatment of bis(ketimine) ruthenium(II) phthalocyanines [Ru^II(Pc)(HN?CPh₂)₂] ( 1a ) and [Ru^II(Pc)(HNQu)₂] ( 1b ; HNQu=N‐phenyl‐1,4‐benzoquinonediimine) with PhI(OAc)₂ affords bis(ketimido) ruthenium(IV) phthalocyanines [Ru^IV(Pc)(N?CPh₂)₂] ( 2a ) and [Ru^IV(Pc)(NQu)₂] ( 2b ), respectively. X‐ray crystal structures of 1b and [Ru^II(Pc)(PhN?CHPh)₂] ( 1c ) show Ru? N(ketimine) distances of 2.075(4) and 2.115(3) Å, respectively. Complexes 2a , 2b readily revert to 1a , 1b upon treatment with phenols. ¹H NMR spectroscopy reveals that 2a , 2b are diamagnetic and 2b exists as two isomers, consistent with a proposed eclipsed orientation of the ketimido ligands in these ruthenium(IV) complexes. The reaction of 1a , 1b with PhI(OAc)₂ to afford 2a , 2b suggests the utility of ArI(OR)₂ as an oxidative deprotonation agent for the generation of high‐valent metal complexes featuring M? N bonds with multiple bonding characters. DFT and time‐dependent (TD)‐DFT calculations have been performed on the electronic structures and the UV/Vis absorption spectra of 1b and 2b , which provide support for the diamagnetic nature of 2b and reveal a significant barrier for rotation of the ketimido group about the Ru? N(ketimido) bond.     

Nitridorhenium(V) Complexes with 1,3‐Dialkyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidenes

The nitridorhenium(V) complexes [ReNCl₂(PR₂Ph)₃] (R = Me, Et) react with the N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) 1,3‐diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐5‐ylidene (L^Et) or 1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^Me) in absolutely dry THF under complete replacement of the equatorial coordination sphere. The resulting [ReNCl(L^R)₄]⁺ complexes (L^R = L^Me, L^Et) are moderately stable as solids and in solution, but decompose in hot methanol under formation of [ReO₂(L^R)₄]⁺ complexes. With 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐5‐ylidene (L^i‐Pr), the loss of the nitrido ligand and the formation of a dioxo species is more rapid and no nitridorhenium intermediate could be isolated. The Re‐C bond lengths in [ReNCl(L^Et)₄]Cl of approximately 2.195Å are relatively long and indicate mainly σ‐bonding in the electron‐deficient d² system under study. The hydrolysis of the nitrido complexes proceeds via the formation of [ReO₃N]^2? anions as could be verified by the isolation and structural characterization of the intermediates [{ReN(PMe₂Ph)₃}{ReO₃N}]₂ and [{ReN(OH₂)(L^Et)₂}₂O][ReO₃N].     

Activation of SF6 at Platinum Complexes: Formation of SF3 Derivatives and Their Application in Deoxyfluorination Reactions

The activation of SF₆ at [Pt(PR₃)₂] R=Cy, i Pr complexes in the presence of PR₃ led selectively and in an unprecedented reaction route to the generation of the SF₃ complexes trans ‐[Pt(F)(SF₃)(PR₃)₂]. These can also be synthesized from SF₄ and the SF₂ derivative trans ‐[Pt(F)(SF₂)(PCy₃)₂][BF₄] was characterized by X‐ray crystallography. trans ‐[Pt(F)(SF₃)(PR₃)₂] complexes are useful tools for deoxyfluorination reactions and novel fluorido complexes bearing a SOF ligand are formed. Based on these studies a process for the deoxyfluorination of ketones was developed with SF₆ as fluorinating agent.     

Lanthanide(II) Complexes Supported by N,O‐Donor Tripodal Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Ligand‐Dependent Redox Behavior

The preparation and characterization of a series of complexes of the Yb and Eu cations in the oxidation state II and III with the tetradentate N,O‐donor tripodal ligands (tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA), BPA^? (HBPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), BPPA^? (HBPPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), and MPA^2? (H₂MPA=(2‐pyridylmethyl)bis(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine) is reported. The X‐ray crystal structures of the heteroleptic Ln²⁺ complexes [Ln(TPA)I₂] (Ln=Eu, Yb) and [Yb(BPA)I(CH₃CN)]₂, of the Ln²⁺ homoleptic [Ln(TPA)₂]I₂ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) and [Eu(BPA)₂] complexes, and of the Ln³⁺ [Eu(BPPA)₂]OTf and [Yb(MPA)₂K(dme)₂] (dme=dimethoxyethane) complexes have been determined. Cyclic voltammetry studies carried out on the bis‐ligand complexes of Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺ show that the metal center reduction occurs at significantly lower potentials for the BPA^? ligand as compared with the TPA ligand. This suggests that the more electron‐rich character of the BPA^? ligand results in a higher reducing character of the lanthanide complexes of BPA^? compared with those of TPA. The important differences in the stability and reactivity of the investigated complexes are probably due to the observed difference in redox potential. Preliminary reactivity studies show that whereas the bis‐TPA complexes of Eu²⁺ and Yb²⁺ do not show any reactivity with heteroallenes, the [Eu(BPA)₂] complex reduces CS₂ to afford the first example of a lanthanide trithiocarbonate complex.     

New Cu(I) Coordination Complexes Based on Tetrathiafulvalene Substituted Triazol‐pyridine Ligand: Synthesis,Properties and Theoretical Studies

Two Cu(I) complexes based on the thioethyl‐bridged triazol‐pyridine ligand with tetrathiafulvalene unit (TTF‐TzPy, L ), [Cu(I)(Binap)(L)]BF₄ ( 5 , Binap=2,2’‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1’‐binaphthyl) and [Cu(I)(Xantphos)(L)]BF₄ ( 6 , Xantphos=9,9‐dimethyl‐4,5‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐xanthene), have been synthesized. All new compounds are characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR and mass spectroscopies. The complex 5 has been determined by X‐ray structure analyses which shows that the central copper (I) ion assumes distorted tetrahedral geometry. The photophysical, computational and electrochemical properties of L and 5 ‐ 6 have been investigated. The most representative molecular orbital energy‐level diagrams and the spin‐allowed singlet? singlet electronic transitions of the three compounds have been calculated with density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT). The luminescence bands of Cu(I) complexes 5 ‐ 6 have been assigned as mixed intraligand and metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer ³(MLCT+π→π^*) transitions through analysis of the photophysical properties and DFT calculations. The electrochemical studies reveal that 5 ‐ 6 undergo reversible TTF/TTF^+?/TTF²⁺ redox processes and one irreversible Cu⁺→Cu²⁺ oxidation process.     

Palladium(II)-, Platin(II)-, Ruthenium(II)-, Rhodium(III)- und Iridium(III)-Komplexe von Desoxyfructosazin

Metal Complexes of Biologically Important Ligands. CIII. [1] Palladium(II), Platinum(II), Ruthenium(II), Rhodium(III), and Iridium(III) Complexes of Desoxyfructosazine The reactions of the pyrazine derivative desoxyfructosazin(pz) with K₂PtCl₄ and with the chlorobridged [M(PR₃)Cl₂]₂ (M = Pd, Pt), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl₂]₂ and [(η⁶-p-Cymol)RuCl₂]₂ give the watersoluble complexes cis-Cl₂Pt(pz)₂, (R₃P)(Cl)M(pz)M(Cl)(PR₃) (M = Pd, Pt), (η⁵-C₅Me₅)(Cl)₂M(pz)M(Cl)₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅) (M = Rh, Ir), (η⁶-p-Cymol)(Cl₂)Ru(pz)Ru(Cl)₂(η⁶-p-Cymol).     

Reactions of Rare‐Earth Metal Based Lewis Pairs with Azides†

The reactivity of homoleptic rare‐earth metal aryloxide based Lewis pairs toward organic azide substrates has been investigated herein. Treatment of RE(OAr)₃ (RE = La, Sm, Y, and Sc, Ar = 2,6‐^tBu₂‐C₆H₃), PEt₃ and Me₃SiN₃ in 2 : 1 : 1 molar ratio resulted in formation of separated ion pair complexes [Me₃Si‐PEt₃]⁺[(ArO)₃RE‐N=N=N‐RE(OAr)₃]^– under mild conditions. Replacement of phosphine with the nitrogen‐containing Lewis base 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) produced analogous rare‐earth azide complexes with [Me₃Si‐DABCO]⁺ counterions. In contrast, reaction of the La(OAr)₃/PEt₃ Lewis pair with 1‐adamantyl azide (AdN₃) afforded the typical frustrated Lewis pair‐type 1,1‐addition product. A tetrahydrofuran ring‐opening reaction was also observed for the resulting rare‐earth azide complex with the [Me₃Si‐PEt₃]⁺ cation, with cleavage of the C—O bond by Si/P cooperation.     

Low‐Temperature N2 Binding to Two‐Coordinate L2Fe0 Enables Reductive Trapping of L2FeN2− and NH3 Generation

The two‐coordinate [(CAAC)₂Fe] complex [CAAC=cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene] binds dinitrogen at low temperature (T2 complex, [(CAAC)₂Fe(N₂)], was trapped by one‐electron reduction to its corresponding anion [(CAAC)₂FeN₂]^? at low temperature. This complex was structurally characterized and features an activated dinitrogen unit which can be silylated at the β‐nitrogen atom. The redox‐linked complexes [(CAAC)₂Fe^I][BAr^F₄], [(CAAC)₂Fe⁰], and [(CAAC)₂Fe^?IN₂]^? were all found to be active for the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia upon treatment with KC₈ and HBAr^F₄?2 Et₂O at ?95 °C [up to (3.4±1.0) equivalents of ammonia per Fe center]. The N₂ reduction activity is highly temperature dependent, with significant N₂ reduction to NH₃ only occurring below ?78 °C. This reactivity profile tracks with the low temperatures needed for N₂ binding and an otherwise unavailable electron‐transfer step to generate reactive [(CAAC)₂FeN₂]^?.