Large endohedral fullerenes containing two metal ions, Sm2@D2(35)-C88, Sm2@C1(21)-C90, and Sm2@D3(85)-C92, and their relationship to endohedral fullerenes containing two gadolinium ions

The carbon soot obtained by electric arc vaporization of carbon rods doped with Sm(2)O(3) contains a series of monometallic endohedral fullerenes, Sm@C(2n), along with smaller quantities of the dimetallic endohedrals Sm(2)@C(2n) with n = 44, 45, 46, and the previously described Sm(2)@D(3d)(822)-C(104). The compounds Sm(2)@C(2n) with n = 44, 45, 46 were purified by high pressure liquid chromatography on several different columns. For endohedral fullerenes that contain two metal atoms, there are two structural possibilities: a normal dimetallofullerene, M(2)@C(2n), or a metal carbide, M(2)(μ-C(2))@C(2n-2). For structural analysis, the individual Sm(2)@C(2n) endohedral fullerenes were cocrystallized with Ni(octaethylporphyrin), and the products were examined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These data identified the three new endohedrals as normal dimetallofullerenes and not as carbides: Sm(2)@D(2)(35)-C(88), Sm(2)@C(1)(21)-C(90), and Sm(2)@D(3)(85)-C(92). All four of the known Sm(2)@C(2n) endohedral fullerenes have cages that obey the isolated pentagon rule (IPR). As the cage size expands in this series, so do the distances between the variously disordered samarium atoms. Since the UV/vis/NIR spectra of Sm(2)@D(2)(35)-C(88) and Sm(2)@C(1)(21)-C(90) are very similar to those of Gd(2)C(90) and Gd(2)C(92), we conclude that Gd(2)C(90) and Gd(2)C(92) are the carbides Gd(2)(μ-C(2))@D(2)(35)-C(88) and Gd(2)(μ-C(2))@C(1)(21)-C(90), respectively.     

Sc2@C3v(8)-C82 vs. Sc2C2@C3v(8)-C82: drastic effect of C2 capture on the redox properties of scandium metallofullerenes

We describe the first example of scandium dimetallofullerenes, Sc(2)@C(3v)(8)-C(82), which has the same cage as the previously assigned scandium carbide cluster fullerene Sc(2)C(2)@C(3v)(8)-C(82) but they exhibit distinctly different electronic configurations and electronic behaviours, confirming the drastic influence of the internal C(2) unit.     

Thermally stable perfluoroalkylfullerenes with the skew-pentagonal-pyramid pattern: C60(C2F5)4O, C60(CF3)4O, and C60(CF3)6

Reaction of C(60) with CF(3)I at 550 degrees C, which is known to produce a single isomer of C(60)(CF(3))(2,4,6) and multiple isomers of C(60)(CF(3))(8,10), has now been found to produce an isomer of C(60)(CF(3))(6) with the C(s)-C(60)X(6) skew-pentagonal-pyramid (SPP) addition pattern and an epoxide with the C(s)-C(60)X(4)O variation of the SPP addition pattern, C(s)-C(60)(CF(3))(4)O. The structurally similar epoxide C(s)-C(60)(C(2)F(5))(4)O is one of the products of the reaction of C(60) with C(2)F(5)I at 430 degrees C. The three compounds have been characterized by mass spectrometry, DFT quantum chemical calculations, Raman, visible, and (19)F NMR spectroscopy, and, in the case of the two epoxides, single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound C(s)-C(60)(CF(3))(6) is the first [60]fullerene derivative with adjacent R(f) groups that are sufficiently sterically hindered to cause the (DFT-predicted) lengthening of the cage (CF(3))C-C(CF(3)) bond to 1.60 A as well as to give rise to a rare, non-fast-exchange-limit (19)F NMR spectrum at 20 degrees C. The compounds C(s)-C(60)(CF(3))(4)O and C(s)-C(60)(C(2)F(5))(4)O are the first poly(perfluoroalkyl)fullerene derivatives with a non-fluorine-containing exohedral substituent and the first fullerene epoxides known to be stable at elevated temperatures. All three compounds demonstrate that the SPP addition pattern is at least kinetically stable, if not thermodynamically stable, at temperatures exceeding 400 degrees C. The high-temperature synthesis of the two epoxides also indicates that perfluoroalkyl substituents can enhance the thermal stability of fullerene derivatives with other substituents.     

Preparation and characterization of the fullerene diols 1,2-C(60)(OH)(2), 1,2-C(70)(OH)(2), and 5,6-C(70)(OH)(2)

The simple fullerene diols C(60)(OH)(2) and C(70)(OH)(2) were prepared by addition of RuO(4) followed by acid hydrolysis. The 1,2-C(60)(OH)(2) isomer was formed from C(60), and two isomers (1,2 and 5,6) of C(70)(OH)(2) were formed in the RuO(4) hydroxylation of C(70). These compounds are much more soluble in THF and dioxane than the parent fullerenes. More highly hydroxylated materials are formed as well.     

An efficient approach for theoretical study on the low-energy isomers of large fullerenes C90-C140

An approach that consists of a molecular mechanics method based on the second generation reactive empirical bond order (REBO) potential and the more accurate semiempirical method PM3 (Parametric Method No. 3) was proposed to predict the energetically favored isomers of the fullerenes from C90 to C140 at the semiempirical level. All the 578,701 isolated-pentagon-rule isomers of fullerenes from C90 to C140 were enumerated from topological structures and systematically searched using an energy minimization method to select the best 100 low-energy isomers based on the REBO potential for each fullerene. Then these candidate isomers were further optimized by PM3 and ranked again to determine the top low-energy isomers. This approach was applied to calculate the energetically favored isomers of C90-C140. The results of C90-C120 are in good agreement with the published results by quantum-chemical methods. Furthermore, the top five low-energy isomers of C90-C120, as well as C122-C140 which have scarcely been systematically studied before, are also predicted with the approach. The analysis of the structures showed that the hexagon-neighbor rule is an important factor to the stability of C90-C140. The time cost for the systematical search based on the REBO potential was also discussed. It indicates that the approach proposed is efficient for predicting the energetically favored isomers of large fullerenes at the semiempirical level.     

Isolation of three isomers of Sm@C84 and X-ray crystallographic characterization of Sm@D(3d)(19)-C84 and Sm@C2(13)-C84

Three isomers with the composition Sm@C(84) were isolated from carbon soot obtained by electric arc vaporization of carbon rods doped with Sm(2)O(3). These isomers were labeled Sm@C(84)(I), Sm@C(84)(II), and Sm@C(84)(III) in order of their elution times during chromatography on a Buckyprep column with toluene as the eluent. Analysis of the structures by single-crystal X-ray diffraction on cocrystals formed with Ni(II)(octaethylporphyrin) reveals the identities of two of the isomers: Sm@C(84)(I) is Sm@C(2)(13)-C(84), and Sm@C(84)(III) is Sm@ D(3d)(19)-C(84). Sm@C(84)(II) can be identified as Sm@C(2)(11)-C(84) on the basis of the similarity of its UV/vis/NIR spectrum with that of Yb@C(2)(11)-C(84), whose carbon cage has been characterized by (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Comparison of the three Sm@C(84) isomers identified in this project with two prior reports of the preparation and isolation of isomers of Sm@C(84) indicate that five different Sm@C(84) isomers have been found and that the source of samarium used for the generation of fullerene soot is important in determining which of these isomers form.     

Variable-temperature 19F NMR and theoretical study of 1,9- and 1,7-C60F(CF3) and C(s-) and C1-C60F17(CF3): hindered CF3 rotation and through-space J(FF) coupling

Milligram amounts of the new compounds 1,9- and 1,7-C60F(CF3) (ca. 85:15 mixture of isomers) and C60F3(CF3) were isolated from a high-temperature C60/K2PtF6 reaction mixture and purified to 98 mol % compositional purity by two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography using Buckyprep and Buckyclutcher columns. The previously observed compounds C60F5(CF3) and C60F7(CF3) were also purified to 90+ mol % for the first time. Variable-temperature 19F NMR spectra of the mixture of C60F(CF3) isomers and the previously reported mixture of C(s)- and C1-C60F17(CF3) isomers demonstrate for the first time that fullerene(F)n(CF3)m derivatives with adjacent F and CF3 substituents exhibit slow-exchange limit hindered CF3 rotation spectra at -40 +/- 10 degrees C. The experimental and density functional theory (DFT) predicted deltaH++ values for CF3 rotation in 1,9-C60F(CF3) are 46.8(7) and 46 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The DFT-predicted deltaH++ values for 1,7-C60F(CF3), C(s)-C60F17(CF3), and C1-C60F17(CF3) are 20, 44, and 54 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The (> or = 4)J(FF) values from the slow-exchange-limit 19F spectra, which vary from ca. 0 to 48(1) Hz, show that the dominant nuclear spin-spin coupling mechanism is through-space coupling (i.e., direct overlap of fluorine atom lone-pair orbitals) rather than coupling through the sigma-bond framework. The 2J(FF) values within the CF3 groups vary from 107(1) to 126(1) Hz. Collectively, the NMR data provide an unambiguous set of (> or = 4)J(FF) values for three different compounds that can be correlated with DFT-predicted or X-ray diffraction derived distances and angles and an unambiguous set of 2J(FF) values that can serve as an internal standard for all future J(FF) calculations.     

Developing Reagents To Orient Fullerene Derivatives. Formation and Structural Characterization of (eta(2)-C(60)O)Ir(CO)Cl(As(C(6)H(5))(3))(2)

In order to obtain crystals of fullerene oxides that are suitable for single-crystal X-ray diffraction, the reactions between C(60)O and Vaska type iridium complexes have been examined. While reaction with Ir(CO)Cl(P(C(6)H(5))(3))(2)(and with triphenylphosphine but not triphenylarsine) results in partial deoxygenation of the fullerene epoxide, reaction with Ir(CO)Cl(As(C(6)H(5))(3))(2)()()produces crystalline (eta(2)-C(60)O)Ir(CO)Cl(AsPh(3))(2).4.82C(6)H(6).0.18CHCl(3). Black triangular prisms of (eta(2)-C(60)O)Ir(CO)Cl(AsPh(3))(2).4.82C(6)H(6).0.18CHCl(3)form in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 14.662(2) ?, b = 19.836(2) ?, c = 28.462(5) ?, and beta = 100.318(12) degrees at 123 (2) K with Z = 4. Refinement (on F(2)) of 10 472 reflections and 1095 parameters with 10 restraints yielded wR2 = 0.152 and a conventional R = 0.066 (for 7218 reflections with I > 2.0sigma(I)). The structure shows that the iridium complex is bound to a 6:6 ring junction of the fullerene with four partially occupied sites for the epoxide oxygen atom. Thus, while deoxygenation of the fullerene does not occur upon reaction with Ir(CO)Cl(AsPh(3))(2), there is a greater degree of disorder in (eta(2)-C(60)O)Ir(CO)Cl(AsPh(3))(2)than previously reported for (eta(2)-C(60)O)Ir(CO)Cl(PPh(3))(2).     

X-ray Crystallographic Characterization of New Soluble Endohedral Fullerenes Utilizing the Popular C(82) Bucky Cage. Isolation and Structural Characterization of Sm@C(3v)(7)-C(82), Sm@C(s)(6)-C(82), and Sm@C(2)(5)-C(82)

Three isomers of Sm@C(82) that are soluble in organic solvents were obtained from the carbon soot produced by vaporization of hollow carbon rods doped with Sm(2)O(3)/graphite powder in an electric arc. These isomers were numbered as Sm@C(82)(I), Sm@C(82)(II), and Sm@C(82)(III) in order of their elution times from HPLC chromatography on a Buckyprep column with toluene as the eluent. The identities of isomers, Sm@C(82)(I) as Sm@C(s)(6)-C(82), Sm@C(82)(II) as Sm@C(3v)(7)-C(82), and Sm@C(82)(III) as Sm@C(2)(5)-C(82), were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction on cocrystals formed with Ni(octaethylporphyrin). For endohedral fullerenes like La@C(82), which have three electrons transferred to the cage to produce the M(3+)@(C(82))(3-) electronic distribution, generally only two soluble isomers (e.g., La@C(2v)(9)-C(82) (major) and La@C(s)(6)-C(82) (minor)) are observed. In contrast, with samarium, which generates the M(2+)@(C(82))(2-) electronic distribution, five soluble isomers of Sm@C(82) have been detected, three in this study, the other two in two related prior studies. The structures of the four Sm@C(82) isomers that are currently established are Sm@C(2)(5)-C(82), Sm@C(s)(6)-C(82), Sm@C(3v)(7)-C(82), and Sm@C(2v)(9)-C(82). All of these isomers obey the isolated pentagon rule (IPR) and are sequentially interconvertable through Stone-Wales transformations.     

Isolation and crystallographic identification of four isomers of Sm@C90

Four isomers with the composition SmC(90) were obtained from carbon soot produced by electric arc vaporization of carbon rods doped with Sm(2)O(3). These were labeled Sm@C(90)(I), Sm@C(90)(II), Sm@C(90)(III), and Sm@C(90)(IV) in order of their elution times during chromatography on a Buckyprep column with toluene as the eluent. Analysis of the structures by single-crystal X-ray diffraction on cocrystals formed with Ni(octaethylporphyrin) reveals the identities of the individual isomers as follows: I, Sm@C(2)(40)-C(90); II, Sm@C(2)(42)-C(90); III, Sm@C(2v)(46)-C(90) and IV, Sm@C(2)(45)-C(90). This is the most extensive series of isomers of any endohedral fullerene to have their individual structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cage structures of these four isomers can be related pairwise to one another in a formal sense through sequential Stone-Wales transformations.     

Crystallographic X-ray analyses of Yb@C(2v)(3)-C80 reveal a feasible rule that governs the location of a rare earth metal inside a medium-sized fullerene

Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of Yb@C(2v)(3)-C(80)·Ni(II)(OEP)·CS(2)·1.5C(6)H(6) (OEP = octaethylporphinate) reveal that a relatively flat region of the fullerene interacts with the Ni(II)(OEP) molecule, featuring shape-matching interactions. Surprisingly, it is found that the internal metal is located under a hexagonal carbon ring apart from the 2-fold axis of the C(2v)(3)-C(80) cage, presenting the first example of metallofullerenes with an asymmetrically positioned metal. Such an anomalous location of Yb(2+) is associated with its strong ability to pursue a large coordination number and the lack of hexagon along the C(2) axis of C(2v)(3)-C(80). It is accordingly assumed that a suitable cage hexagon is most likely to be preferred by the single rare earth metal to stay behind inside a medium-sized fullerene, such as C(80) and C(82).     

Electrosynthesis of a Sc3N@I(h)-C80 methano derivative from trianionic Sc3N@I(h)-C80

The electrosynthetic method has been used for the selective synthesis of fullerene derivatives that are otherwise not accessible by other procedures. Recent attempts to electrosynthesize Sc(3)N@I(h)-C(80) derivatives using the Sc(3)N@I(h)-C(80) dianion were unsuccessful because of its low nucleophilicity. Those results prompted us to prepare the Sc(3)N@C(80) trianion, which should be more nucleophilic and reactive with electrophilic reagents. The reaction between Sc(3)N@C(80) trianions and benzal bromide (PhCHBr(2)) was successful and yielded a methano derivative, Sc(3)N@I(h)-C(80)(CHPh) (1), in which the >CHPh addend is selectively attached to a [6,6] ring junction, as characterized by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and NMR and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy. The electrochemistry of 1 was studied using cyclic voltammetry, which showed that 1 exhibits the typical irreversible cathodic behavior of pristine Sc(3)N@I(h)-C(80), resembling the behavior of other methano adducts of Sc(3)N@I(h)-C(80). The successful synthesis of endohedral metallofullerene derivatives using trianionic Sc(3)N@I(h)-C(80) and dianionic Lu(3)N@I(h)-C(80), but not dianionic Sc(3)N@I(h)-C(80), prompted us to probe the causes using theoretical calculations. The Sc(3)N@I(h)-C(80) trianion has a singly occupied molecular orbital with high spin density localized on the fullerene cage, in contrast to the highest occupied molecular orbital of the Sc(3)N@I(h)-C(80) dianion, which is mainly localized on the inside cluster. The calculations provide a clear explanation for the different reactivities observed for the dianions and trianions of these endohedral fullerenes.     

Trifluoromethyl derivatives of insoluble small-HOMO-LUMO-gap hollow higher fullerenes. NMR and DFT structure elucidation of C2-(C74-D3h)(CF3)12, Cs-(C76-Td(2))(CF3)12, C2-(C78-D3h(5))(CF3)12, Cs-(C80-C2v(5))(CF3)12, and C2-(C82-C2(5))(CF3)12

Reaction of a mixture of insoluble higher fullerenes with CF3I at 500 degrees C produced a single abundant isomer of C74(CF3)12, C76(CF3)12, and C80(CF3)12, two abundant isomers of C78(CF3)12 and C82(CF3)12, and an indeterminant number of isomers of C84(CF3)12. Using a combination of 19F NMR spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and the structures and spectra of previously reported fullerene(CF3)n compounds, the most-probable structures of six of the seven isolated compounds were determined to be specific isomers of C2-(C74-D3h)(CF3)12, Cs-(C76-Td(2))(CF3)12), C2-(C78-D3h(5))(CF3)12), Cs-(C80-C2v(5))(CF3)12), C2-(C82-C2(5))(CF3)12), and C2-(C82-C2(3))(CF3)12) containing ribbons and/or loops of edge-sharing para-C6(CF3)2 hexagons. The seventh isolated compound is a C1 isomer of C78(CF3)12 containing two such ribbons. This set of compounds represents only the second reported isolable compound with the hollow C74-D3h cage and the first experimental evidence for the existence of the hollow fullerenes C76-Td(2), C78-D3h(5), C80-C2v(5), and C82-C2(5) in arc-discharge soots.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of Be(eta 5-C5Me5)(eta 1-C5Me4H). Evidence for ring-inversion leading to Be(eta 5-C5Me4H)(eta 1-C5Me5)

The mixed-ring beryllocene Be(C5Me5)(C5Me4H), that contains eta 5-C5Me5 and eta 1-C5Me4H rings, the latter bonded to the metal through the CH carbon atom (X-ray crystal structure) reacts at room temperature with CNXyl (Xyl = C6H3-2,6-Me2) to give an iminoacyl product, Be(eta 5-C5Me4H)[C(NXyl)C5Me5] derived from the inverted beryllocene structure Be (eta 5-C5Me4H)(eta 1-C5Me5).     

Sc2S@C(s)(10528)-C72: a dimetallic sulfide endohedral fullerene with a non isolated pentagon rule cage

A non isolated pentagon rule metallic sulfide clusterfullerene, Sc(2)S@C(s)(10528)-C(72), has been isolated from a raw mixture of Sc(2)S@C(2n) (n = 35-50) obtained by arc-discharging graphite rods packed with Sc(2)O(3) and graphite powder under an atmosphere of SO(2) and helium. Multistage HPLC methods were utilized to isolate and purify the Sc(2)S@C(72). The purified Sc(2)S@C(s)(10528)-C(72) was characterized by mass spectrometry, UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystallographic analysis unambiguously elucidated that the C(72) fullerene cage violates the isolated pentagon rule, and the cage symmetry was assigned to C(s)(10528)-C(72). The electrochemical behavior of Sc(2)S@C(s)(10528)-C(72) shows a major difference from those of Sc(2)S@C(s)(6)-C(82) and Sc(2)S@C(3v)(8)-C(82) as well as the other metallic clusterfullerenes. Computational studies show that the Sc(2)S cluster transfers four electrons to the C(72) cage and C(s)(10528)-C(72) is the most stable cage isomer for both empty C(72)(4-) and Sc(2)S@C(72), among the many possibilities. The structural differences between the reported fullerenes with C(72) cages are discussed, and it is concluded that both the transfer of four electrons to the cage and the geometrical requirements of the encaged Sc(2)S cluster play important roles in the stabilization of the C(s)(10528)-C(72) cage.     

Studies directed toward the total synthesis of azaspiracid: stereoselective construction of C(1)-C(12), C(13)-C(19), and C(21)-C(25) fragments

[reaction: see text] The efficient entry to the C(1)-C(12), C(13)-C(19), and C(21)-C(25) fragments of azaspiracid is outlined. The C(1)-C(12) portion is constructed using a key asymmetric allenyl borane addition to the corresponding alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde. The synthesis of the C(13)-C(19) portion utilizes an Evans asymmetric alkylation followed by Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation. In addition, a novel solution to the mismatched effects of a neighboring chiral oxazolidinone during a Sharpless dihydroxylation is detailed.     

Single samarium atoms in large fullerene cages. Characterization of two isomers of Sm@C92 and four isomers of Sm@C94 with the X-ray crystallographic identification of Sm@C1(42)-C92, Sm@C(s)(24)-C92, and Sm@C3v(134)-C94

Two isomers of Sm@C(92) and four isomers of Sm@C(94) were isolated from carbon soot obtained by electric arc vaporization of carbon rods doped with Sm(2)O(3). Analysis of the structures by single-crystal X-ray diffraction on cocrystals formed with Ni(II)(octaethylporphyrin) reveals the identities of two of the Sm@C(92) isomers: Sm@C(92)(I), which is the more abundant isomer, is Sm@C(1)(42)-C(92), and Sm@C(92)(II) is Sm@C(s)(24)-C(92). The structure of the most abundant form of the four isomers of Sm@C(94), Sm@C(94)(I), is Sm@C(3v)(134)-C(94), which utilizes the same cage isomer as the previously known Ca@C(3v)(134)-C(94) and Tm@C(3v)(134)-C(94). All of the structurally characterized isomers obey the isolated pentagon rule. While the four Sm@C(90) and five isomers of Sm@C(84) belong to common isomerization maps that allow these isomers to be interconverted through Stone-Wales transformations, Sm@C(1)(42)-C(92) and Sm@C(s)(24)-C(92) are not related to each other by any set of Stone-Wales transformations. UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and computational studies indicate that Sm@C(1)(42)-C(92) is more stable than Sm@C(s)(24)-C(92) but possesses a smaller HOMO-LUMO gap. While the electronic structures of these endohedrals can be formally described as Sm(2+)@C(2n)(2-), the net charge transferred to the cage is less than two due to some back-donation of electrons from π orbitals of the cage to the metal ion.     

Six IPR isomers of C90 fullerene captured as chlorides: carbon cage connectivities and chlorination patterns

Three C(90) fractions were isolated by multi-step HPLC from fullerene soot obtained from direct current (DC) arc discharge of undoped graphite rods. C(90) of each fraction was chlorinated with VCl(4) or SbCl(5) in ampoules at 290-310 °C, affording a series of C(90)Cl(n) compounds. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography with the use of synchrotron radiation resulted in structure elucidation of seven C(90)Cl(n) compounds containing six different isolated pentagon rule (IPR) C(90) cages (the number of the C(90) isomer is given in the parentheses): C(90)(46)Cl(32) (I), C(90)(34)Cl(32) (II), C(90)(35)Cl(24) (III), and C(90)(35)Cl(28) (IV), C(90)(32)Cl(24) (V as co-crystals with III), co-crystals of C(90)(30)Cl(22) and C(90)(28)Cl(24) (VI), and C(90)(28)Cl(24) (VII). Cage connectivities of C(90) isomers 35 and 28 have been crystallographically confirmed for the first time. The chlorination patterns of the C(90)Cl(n) molecules are discussed in terms of the formation of isolated aromatic systems and isolated C=C double bonds on the fullerene cage. The distribution of six C(90) isomers in three HPLC fractions is compared with data from the literature.     

Very large, soluble endohedral fullerenes in the series La2C90 to La2C138: isolation and crystallographic characterization of La2@D5(450)-C100

An extensive series of soluble dilanthanum endohedral fullerenes that extends from La(2)C(90) to La(2)C(138) has been discovered. The most abundant of these, the nanotubular La(2)@D(5)(450)-C(100), has been isolated in pure form and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Reductive reactivity of the organolanthanide hydrides, [(C5Me5)2LnH]x, leads to ansa-allyl cyclopentadienyl (eta(5)-C5Me4CH2-C5Me4CH2-eta(3))2- and trianionic cyclooctatetraenyl (C8H7)3- ligands

The reductive reactivity of lanthanide hydride ligands in the [(C5Me5)2LnH]x complexes (Ln = Sm, La, Y) was examined to see if these hydride ligands would react like the actinide hydrides in [(C5Me5)2AnH2]2 (An = U, Th) and [(C5Me5)2UH]2. Each lanthanide hydride complex reduces PhSSPh to make [(C5Me5)2Ln(mu-SPh)]2 in approximately 90% yield. [(C5Me5)2SmH]2 reduces phenazine and anthracene to make [(C5Me5)2Sm]2(mu-eta(3):eta(3)-C12H8N2) and [(C5Me5)2Sm]2(mu-eta(3):eta(3)-C10H14), respectively, but the analogous [(C5Me5)2LaH]x and [(C5Me5)2YH]2 reactions are more complicated. All three lanthanide hydrides reduce C8H8 to make (C5Me5)Ln(C8H8) and (C5Me5)3Ln, a reaction that constitutes another synthetic route to (C5Me5)3Ln complexes. In the reaction of [(C5Me5)2YH]2 with C8H8, two unusual byproducts are obtained. In benzene, a (C5Me5)Y[(eta(5)-C5Me4CH2-C5Me4CH2-eta(3))] complex forms in which two (C5Me5)(1-) rings are linked to make a new type of ansa-allyl-cyclopentadienyl dianion that binds as a pentahapto-trihapto chelate. In cyclohexane, a (C5Me5)2Y(mu-eta(8):eta(1)-C8H7)Y(C5Me5) complex forms in which a (C8H8)(2-) ring is metalated to form a bridging (C8H7)(3-) trianion.