Evolution of the structural chemistry of vanadium organodiphosphonate networks and frameworks: structural consequences of fluoride incorporation in the development of stable phases with void channels

Hydrothermal reactions of solutions containing a vanadate source, an organodiphosphonate, an organonitrogen component, and HF (V/P/O/F) yield a series of oxyfluorovanadium-diphosphonates with charge-compensation provided by organoammonium cations or hydronium cations. While V/P/O/F networks provide the recurrent structural motif, the linkage between the layers and the details of the polyhedral connectivities within the layers are quite distinct for the five structures of this study. [H2pip][V4F4O2(H2O)2{O3P(CH2)3PO3}2] (1) (pip = piperazine) is a conventional three-dimensional (3D) "pillared" layer structure, whose V/P/O/F networks are buttressed by the propylene chains of the diphosphonate ligands. In contrast, [H2en][V2O2F2(H2O)2{O3P(CH2)4PO3}] (2) and [H2en]2[V6F12(H2O)2{O3P(CH2)5PO3}2 {HO3P(CH2)5PO3H}] (3) are two-dimensional (2D) slablike structures constructed of pairs of V/P/O/F networks sandwiching the pillaring organic tethers of the diphosphonate ligands. Despite the common overall topology, the layer substructures are quite different: isolated {VO5F} octahedra in 2 and chains of corner-sharing {VO(3)F(3)} octahedra in 3. The 3D structure of [H2en]2[V7O6F4(H2O)2{O3P(CH2)2PO3}4].7H2O (4.7H2O) exhibits a layer substructure that contains the ethylene bridges of the diphosphonate ligands and are linked through corner-sharing octahedral {VO6} sites. The connectivity requirements provide large channels that enclose readily removed water of crystallization. The structure of [H3O][V3F2(H2O)2{O3P(CH2)2PO3}2].3.5H2O (5.3.5H2O) is also 3D. Because of the similiarity with 4.7H2O, it exhibits V/P/O/F layers that include the organic tethers of the diphosphonates and are linked through corner-sharing {VO6} octahedra. In contrast to the network substructure of 4.7H2O, which contains binuclear and trinuclear vanadium clusters, the layers of 5.3.5 H2O are constructed from chains of corner-sharing {VO4F2} octahedra. Thermal studies of the open framework materials 4 and 5 reveal that incorporation of fluoride into the inorganic substructures provides robust scaffoldings that retain their crystallinity to 450 degrees C and above. In the case of 4, dehydration does not change the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the material, which remains substantially unchanged to 450 degrees C. In the case of 5, there are two dehydration steps, that is, the higher temperature process associated with loss of coordinated water. This second dehydration results in structural changes as monitored by powder X-ray diffraction, but this new phase is retained to ca. 450 degrees C. The materials of this study exhibit a range of reduced oxidation states: 1 is mixed valence V(IV)/V(III) while 2 and 4.7H(2)O are exclusively V(IV) and 3 and 5.3.5H2O are exclusively V(III). These oxidation states are reflected in the magnetic properties of the materials. The paramagnetism of 1 arises from the presence of V(III) and V(IV) sites and conforms to the Curie-Weiss law with C = 2.38 em K/(Oe mol) and = -66 K with mu(eff) (300 K) = 4.33 mu(B). Compounds 3-5 exhibit Curie-Weiss law dependence of magnetism on temperature with mu(eff) (300 K) = 5.45 mu(B) for 3 (six V(III) sites), mu(eff) = 4.60 mu(B) for 4 (seven V(IV) sites) and mu(eff) = 4.13 mu(B) for 5 (two V(III) sites). Compound 2 exhibits antiferromagnetic interactions, and the magnetism may be described in terms of the Heisenberg linear antiferromagnetic chain model for V(IV). The effective magnetic moment at 300 K is 2.77 mu(B) (two V(IV) sites).     

Halide addition/abstraction in phosphido derivatives: isolation of the thallium and silver intermediates

Reaction of unsaturated (44e (-) skeleton) [PdPt 2(mu-PPh 2) 2(mu-P 2Ph 4)(R F) 4] 4 with Br (-) produces the saturated (48e (-) skeleton) complex [NBu 4][(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2)(mu-Br)Pd(mu-PPh 2)(mu-P 2Ph 4)Pt(R F) 2] 5 without any M-M' bond. Attempts to eliminate Br (-) of 5 with Ag (+) in CH 2Cl 2 as a solvent gives a mixture of [(R F) 2Pt (III)(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt (III)(R F) 2] and some other unidentified products as a consequence of oxidation and partial fragmentation. However, when the reaction of 5 with Ag (+) is carried out in CH 3CN, no oxidation is observed but the elimination of Br (-) and the formation of [(R F) 2(CH 3CN)Pt(mu-PPh 2)Pd(mu-PPh 2)(mu-P 2Ph 4)Pt(R F) 2] 6 (46e (-) skeleton), a complex with a Pt-Pd bond, takes place. It is noteworthy that the reaction of 5 with TlPF 6 in CH 2Cl 2 does not precipitate TlBr but forms the adduct [(R F) 2PtTl(mu-PPh 2)(mu-Br)Pd(mu-PPh 2)(mu-P 2Ph 4)Pt(R F) 2] 7 with a Pt-Tl bond. Likewise, 5 reacts with [AgOClO 3(PPh 3)] in CH 2Cl 2 forming the adduct [AgPdPt 2(mu-Br)(mu-PPh 2) 2(mu-Ph 2P-PPh 2)(R F) 4(PPh 3)] 8, which contains a Pt-Ag bond. Both adducts are unstable in a CH 3CN solution, precipitating TlBr or AgBr and yielding the unsaturated 6. The treatment of [NBu 4] 2[(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pd(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(R F) 2] in CH 3CN with I 2 (1:1 molar ratio) at 233 K yields a mixture of 4 and 6, which after recrystallization from CH 2Cl 2 is totally converted in 4. If the reaction with I 2 is carried out at room temperature, a mixture of the isomers [NBu 4][(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2)(mu-I)Pd(mu-PPh 2)(mu-P 2Ph 4)Pt(R F) 2] 9 and [NBu 4][(R F)(PPh 2R F)Pt(mu-PPh 2)(mu-I)Pd(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(R F) 2] 10 are obtained. The structures of the complexes have been established on the bases of NMR data, and the X-ray structures of 5- 8 have been studied. The relationship between the different complexes has been studied.     

Isolation and structural characterization of triethanolaminotitanatranes: X-ray structures of partial hydrolysis condensates

A family of triethanolamine complexes of titanium with varying metal/ligand ratios have been prepared from reactions of titanium tetraisopropoxide with triethanolamine. Three nonhydrolytic products, having essentially all isopropoxide ligands substituted by triethanolamine, were prepared as hygroscopic, glassy solids. Crystals of two hexameric titanatrane partial hydrolysis analogues [Ti3(mu 2-O)((HOCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2O)(OCH2CH2)2(mu 2-OCH2CH2)N)2(OCH2CH2)(mu 2- OCH2CH2)2N)]2 (1), and [Ti3(mu 2-O)(OCH(CH3)2)((OCH2CH2)2(mu 2-OCH2CH2)N)2(OCH2CH2)(mu 2- OCH2CH2)2N)]2 (2) were isolated and structurally characterized. The structures consist of a central core of two oxo-bridged dititanatranes (TEA)TiOTi(TEA) (TEAH3 = triethanolamine) with the nonhydrolytic residue (TEA)Ti(TEAH2) included as an adduct in (1), analogously to (TEA)Ti(OPri) in (2).     

Synthesis, characterization, and structural determination of polynuclear lithium aggregates and factors affecting their aggregation

The reaction of [(mu3,mu3-EDBP)Li2]2[(mu3-nBu)Li(0.5Et2O)]2 (1) [EDBP-H2 = 2,2'-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol)] with 1 equiv of ROH in toluene gave [(mu3,mu3-EDBP)Li2]2[(mu3-OR)Li]2 [R = Bn (2), CH2CH2OEt (3), and nBu (4)]. In the presence of 3 equiv of tetrahydrofuran (THF), the hexanuclear compound 1 slowly decomposed to an unusual pentanuclear Li complex, [(mu2,mu3-EDBP)2Li4(THF)2][(mu3-nBu)Li] (5). Further reaction of 5 with ROH gave [(mu2,mu3-EDBP)2Li4(THF)3][(mu4-OR)Li] [R = Bn (6), nBu (7), and CH2CH2OEt (8)] without a major change in its skeleton. Treatment of 2 with an excess of hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) yields [(mu2,mu2-EDBP)Li2(HMPA)2][(mu3-OBn)Li(HMPA)] (9). Compounds [(mu2,mu3-EDBP)2Li4(THF)][(mu4-OCH2CH2OEt)Li]2 (10) and [(mu2,mu2-EDBP)2Li4(mu4-OCH2CH2OEt)(HMPA)]-[Li(HMPA)4]+ (11) can be obtained by the reaction of 3 with an "oxygen-donor solvent" such as THF and HMPA, respectively. Among the compounds described above, 8 has shown great reactivity toward ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide, yielding polymers with very low polydispersity indexes in a wide range of monomer-to-initiator ratios.     

Versatility of heterocyclic thioamides in the construction of a trinuclear cluster [Cu3I3(dppe)3 (SC5H4NH)] and Cu(I) linear polymers {Cu6(SC5H4NH)6I6}n x 2nCH3CN and {Cu(I)6 (SC3H6N2)6X6}n (X = Br, I)

Reaction of copper(I) iodide with pyridine-2-thione (2-SC5H4NH) and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) in a CH3CN-CHCl3 mixture yielded a triangular cluster, [Cu3I3(mu2-P,P-dppe)3 (eta1-SC5H4NH)], 1. Similar reaction with 2-SC5H4NH and a series of diphosphanes, Ph2P-X-Ph2P {X = -CH2- (dppm), -(CH2)3- (dppp), -(CH2)4- (dppb), -CH=CH- (dppen)}, gave a novel iodo-bridged hexanuclear Cu(I) linear polymer,{Cu6(mu3-SC5H4NH)4 (mu2-SC5H4NH)2 (I4)(mu-I)2-}n x 2nCH3CN, 2. Reactions of copper(I) iodide/copper(I) bromide with 1,3-imidazolidine-2-thione (SC3H6N2) in a CH3CN-CHCl3 mixture yielded hexanuclear Cu(I) linear chain polymers, [{Cu6(mu3-SC3H6N2)2 (mu2-SC3H6N2)4X2 (mu-X)4}n] (X = Br, 4; I, 5). In compound 1, two iodide atoms and one dppe form the dinuclear Cu(mu2-I)2 (mu2-dppe)Cu core, and two dppe ligands bridge this core with the third Cu(I) center coordinated to 2-SC5H4NH via the S atom. The chain polymer 2 has a centrosymmetric hexanuclear central core, Cu6S6I4 (mu-I)2--, formed by dimerization of six-membered trinuclear motifs, Cu3(mu2-SC3H6N2)3I3 via (mu3-S) bonding modes of the thione ligand, and has four terminal and two bridging iodine atoms in trans-orientations. Linear chains are separated by the nonbonded acetonitrile molecules. In 4 and 5, three copper(I) bromide or copper(I) iodide moieties and three SC3H6N2 ligands combined via bridging S donor atoms to form the six-membered trinuclear Cu3(mu2-SC3H6N2)3I3 cores which polymerized via S and X atoms in a side-on fashion to form linear chain polymers, [{Cu6(mu3-SC3H6N2)2 (mu2-SC3H6N2)4X2(mu-X)4}n]. The (mu3-S) modes of bonding of neutral heterocyclic thioamides are first examples, as are trinuclear cluster and linear polymers rare examples in copper chemistry.     

Ag4L2 nanocage as a building unit toward the construction of silver metal strings

Self-assembly of AgNO 3 with the semirigid tetratopic ligands 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(benzoimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (TBim) and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (TDMBim) afforded compounds [Ag 4(mu 4-TBim) 2(mu 2-eta (2)-NO 3) 2](NO 3) 2. (1)/ 2CH 2Cl 2.2CH 3OH ( 1mu (1)/ 2CH 2Cl 2.2CH 3OH) and [(NO 3 (-)) subset{Ag 4(mu 4-TDMBim) 2}][Ag(NO 3) 2](NO 3) 2.CH 2Cl 2.CH 3OH.4H 2O ( 2.CH 2Cl 2.CH 3OH.4H 2O), respectively. The structures of 1 and 2 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Both compounds adopt a M 4L 2-type tetragonal metalloprismatic cage structure, [Ag 4(mu 4-L) 2] (4+), with strong intramolecular silver-silver contacts. Compound 1 is a discrete species, while compound 2 is a novel infinite chainlike supramolecular array involving silver metal strings assembled from a [Ag 4(mu 4-L) 2] (4+) nanocage and silver linkages. Thermogravimetric analyses of 1. (1)/ 2CH 2Cl 2.2CH 3OH and 2.CH 3OH.4H 2O indicate that the Ag 4L 2-cage structures of 1 and 2 both are thermally stable up to 330 degrees C. Results from an in situ (1)H NMR study of AgNO 3 and TDMBim in different molar ratios unambiguously revealed the successive self-organization process, in which self-organization of the molecular cage takes place initially followed by crystallization of the corresponding supramolecular arrays with silver metal strings.     

Chemisorption of (CHx and C2Hy) hydrocarbons on Pt(111) clusters and surfaces from DFT studies

We used the B3LYP flavor of density functional theory (DFT) to study the chemisorption of all CH(x) and C(2)H(y) intermediates on the Pt(111) surface. The surface was modeled with the 35 atom Pt(14.13.8) cluster, which was found to be reliable for describing all adsorption sites. We find that these hydrocarbons all bind covalently (sigma-bonds) to the surface, in agreement with the studies by Kua and Goddard on small Pt clusters. In nearly every case the structure of the adsorbed hydrocarbon achieves a saturated configuration in which each C is almost tetrahedral with the missing H atoms replaced by covalent bonds to the surface Pt atoms. Thus, (Pt(3))CH prefers a mu(3) hollow site (fcc), (Pt(2))CH(2) prefers a mu(2) bridge site, and PtCH(3) prefers mu(1) on-top sites. Vinyl leads to (Pt(2))CH-CH(2)(Pt), which prefers a mu(3) hollow site (fcc). The only exceptions to this model are ethynyl (CCH), which binds as (Pt(2))C=CH(Pt), retaining a CC pi-bond while binding at a mu(3) hollow site (fcc), and HCCH, which binds as (Pt)HC=CH(Pt), retaining a pi bond that coordinates to a third atom of a mu(3) hollow site (fcc) to form an off center structure. These structures are in good agreement with available experimental data. For all species we calculated heats of formation (DeltaH(f)) to be used for considering various reaction pathways on Pt(111). For conditions of low coverage, the most strongly bound CH(x) species is methylidyne (CH, BE = 146.61 kcal/mol), and ethylidyne (CCH(3), BE = 134.83 kcal/mol) among the C(2)H(y) molecules. We find that the net bond energy is nearly proportional to the number of C-Pt bonds (48.80 kcal/mol per bond) with the average bond energy decreasing slightly with the number of C ligands.     

Synthesis and characterization of cationic tungsten(V) methylidynes

Cationic tungsten(V) methylidynes [L4W(X)[triple bond]CH]+[B(C6F5)4]- [L = PMe3, 0.5dmpe (dmpe = Me2PCH2CH2PMe2), X = Cl, OSO2CF3] have been prepared in high yield by a one-electron oxidation of the neutral tungsten(IV) methylidynes L4W(X)[triple bond]CH with [Ph3C]+[B(C6F5)4]-. The ease and reversibility of the one-electron oxidation of L4W(X)[triple bond]CH were demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry in tetrahydrofuran (E1/2 is approximately -0.68 to -0.91 V vs Fc). The paramagnetic d1 (S = 1/2) complexes were characterized in solution by electron spin resonance (g = 2.023-2.048, quintets due to coupling to 31P) and NMR spectroscopy and Evans magnetic susceptibility measurements (mu = 2.0-2.1 muB). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed that the cationic methylidynes are structurally similar to the neutral precursor methylidynes. In addition, the neutral (PMe3)4W(Cl)[triple bond]CH was deprotonated with a strong base at the trimethylphosphine ligand to afford (PMe3)3(Me2PCH2)W[triple bond]CH, a tungsten(IV) methylidyne complex that features a (dimethylphosphino)methyl ligand.     

Silylene-bridged dinuclear iron complexes [Cp(OC)2Fe]2SiX2 (X = H,F, Cl,Br, I). Synthesis,molecular structure,vibrational spectroscopy,and theoretical studies

The mu2-silylene-bridged iron complexes [Cp(OC)(2)Fe](2)SiX(2) (X = F (2), Br (4), I (5)) have been prepared from the mu2-SiH(2) functional precursor [Cp(OC)(2)Fe](2)SiH(2) (1) by hydrogen/halogen exchange, using HBF(4), CBr(4), and CH(2)I(2), respectively. The fluoro- and bromo-substituted derivatives 2 and 4 are converted upon UV irradiation to the carbonyl- and dihalosilylene-bridged dinuclear complexes [Cp(OC)Fe](2) (mu2-CO)(mu2-SiX(2)) (X = F (6), Br (7)) via CO elimination. All new compounds have been characterized spectroscopically, and, in addition, the molecular structure of 2, 4, and the previously reported chloro derivative [Cp(OC)(2)Fe](2)SiCl(2) (3) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. For 1-5, the Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra have been recorded and discussed, together with density functional theory calculations, which support the experimental results of the structural and vibrational analysis. The computed geometries, harmonic vibrational wavenumbers, and their corresponding Raman scattering activities are in good agreement with the experimental data. A significant dependence of the CO and Fe-Si stretching modes on the X substituents of the mu2-silylene bridge has been observed and discussed.     

Reaction of the Mo3S4 cluster with dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate: an ESR-active cluster and an organometallic cluster formed by alpha,beta-conjugate addition

A seven-electron cluster [Mo3(mu3-S){mu3-SC(CO(2)CH(3))=C(CO(2)CH(3))S}{mu-SC(CO(2)CH(3))=CH(CO(2)CH(3))}(dtp)3(mu-OAc)] [2, S2P(OC(2)H(5))2-; dtp = diethyldithiophosphate] and an organometallic cluster [Mo3(mu3-S){mu3-SC(CO(2)CH(3))=C(CO(2)CH(3))S}{mu-SC(CO(2)CH(3))CH(OCH(3))(CO2)}(dtp)2(CH(3)OH)(mu-OAc)](Mo-C) (3) were obtained by reaction in methanol of the sulfur-bridged trinuclear complex [Mo3(mu3-S)(mu-S)3(dtp)3(CH(3)CN)(mu-OAc)] (1) with dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD). The X-ray structures of 2 and 3 revealed the adduct formation of two DMAD molecules to the respective Mo(3)S(4) cores. 2 is paramagnetic and obeys the Curie-Weiss law: the mu(eff) value at 300 K is 1.90 muB. The electron spin resonance signal was observed at 173 K. The density functional theory calculation of 2 demonstrated that the main components of the singly occupied molecular orbitals of alpha and beta spins are Mo d electrons and the main components of lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals are of Mo and the olefin moiety with one C-S bond. A one-electron reversible oxidation process of 2 was observed at E1/2 = -0.11 V vs Fc/Fc+. The electronic spectrum of 2 has a peak at 468 nm (epsilon = 2170 M(-1) cm(-1)) and shoulders at 640 (918) and 797 (605) nm, and 3 has shoulders at 441 (1740) and 578 (625) nm and a distinct peak at 840 (467) nm. An intermediate [Mo3(mu3-S){mu3-SC(CO(2)CH(3))=C(CO(2)CH(3))S}{mu-SC(CO(2)CH(3))=CH(CO(2)CH(3))}(dtp)3(mu-OAc)]+ (4) is tentatively suggested: a one-electron reduction of 4 gives 2, and a nucleophilic conjugate addition of CH(3)O- to the alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl group of 4 gives 3.     

Alcohol addition to acetonitrile activated by the [Re6(mu3-Se)8]2+ cluster core

The addition of methanol and ethanol to the previously reported cluster solvates [Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)5(MeCN)](SbF6)2 and trans-[Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)4(CH3CN)2][SbF6]2 afforded three cluster complexes with imino ester ligands: {Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)5[HN=C(OCH3)(CH3)]}(SbF6)2, {Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)5[HN=C(OCH2CH3)(CH3)]}{SbF6}2, and trans-{Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)4[HN=C(OCH3)(CH3)]2}{SbF6}2. In all cases, predominant formation of the Z isomers was observed.     

Magnitude and directionality of the interaction energy of the aliphatic CH/pi interaction: significant difference from hydrogen bond

The CCSD(T) level interaction energies of CH/pi complexes at the basis set limit were estimated. The estimated interaction energies of the benzene complexes with CH(4), CH(3)CH(3), CH(2)CH(2), CHCH, CH(3)NH(2), CH(3)OH, CH(3)OCH(3), CH(3)F, CH(3)Cl, CH(3)ClNH(2), CH(3)ClOH, CH(2)Cl(2), CH(2)FCl, CH(2)F(2), CHCl(3), and CH(3)F(3) are -1.45, -1.82, -2.06, -2.83, -1.94, -1.98, -2.06, -2.31, -2.99, -3.57, -3.71, -4.54, -3.88, -3.22, -5.64, and -4.18 kcal/mol, respectively. Dispersion is the major source of attraction, even if substituents are attached to the carbon atom of the C-H bond. The dispersion interaction between benzene and chlorine atoms, which is not the CH/pi interaction, is the cause of the very large interaction energy of the CHCl(3) complex. Activated CH/pi interaction (acetylene and substituted methanes with two or three electron-withdrawing groups) is not very weak. The nature of the activated CH/pi interaction may be similar to the hydrogen bond. On the other hand, the nature of other typical (nonactivated) CH/pi interactions is completely different from that of the hydrogen bond. The typical CH/pi interaction is significantly weaker than the hydrogen bond. Dispersion interaction is mainly responsible for the attraction in the CH/pi interaction, whereas electrostatic interaction is the major source of attraction in the hydrogen bond. The orientation dependence of the interaction energy of the typical CH/pi interaction energy is very small, whereas the hydrogen bond has strong directionality. The weak directionality suggests that the hydrogen atom of the interacting C-H bond is not essential for the attraction and that the typical CH/pi interaction does not play critical roles in determining the molecular orientation in molecular assemblies.     

Synthesis, characterization, and catalysis of mixed-ligand lithium aggregates, excellent initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide

Three novel mixed-ligand lithium aggregates, [(mu(3)-EDBP)Li(2)](2)[(mu(3)-(n)Bu)Li(0.5Et(2)O)](2) (1), [(mu(3)-EDBP)Li(2)](2)[(mu(3)-OBn)Li](2) (2), and [(mu(3)-EDBP)Li(2)](2)[(mu(3)-OCH(2)CH(2)OCH(2)CH(3))Li](2) (3), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The reaction of 2,2'-ethylidene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol) (EDBP-H(2)) with 3.6 molar equiv of (n)BuLi gives 1 in high yield. 1 further reacts with benzyl alcohol and 2-ethoxyethanol respectively to yield the corresponding products 2 and 3. Experimental results show that 2 and 3 efficiently initiate the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide in a controlled fashion, yielding polymers with very narrow polydispersity indexes in a wide range of monomer-to-initiator ratios.     

Unraveling the origin of the peculiar reaction field of triruthenium ring core structures

The molecular and electronic structures, stabilities, bonding features, and spectroscopic properties of prototypical ligand stabilized [cyclo-Ru3(mu2-X)3]0,3+ (X = H, BH, CH2, NH2, OH, Cl, NH, CO, O, PH2, CF2, CCl2, CNH, N3) isocycles have been thoroughly investigated by means of electronic structure calculation methods at the DFT level of theory. All [cyclo-Ru3(mu2-X)3]0,3+ species, except [cyclo-Ru3(mu2-H)3]3+, are predicted to be aromatic molecules. In contrast, the [cyclo-Ru3(mu2-H)3]3+ species exhibits a high antiaromatic character, which would be responsible for the well-established peculiar reaction field of hydrido-bridged triruthenium core structures. The aromaticity/antiaromaticity of the model [cyclo-Ru3(mu2-X)3]0,3+ isocycles was verified by an efficient and simple criterion in probing the aromaticity/antiaromaticity of a molecule, that of the nucleus-independent chemical shift, NICS(0), NICS(1), NICS(-1), NICSzz(1), and NICSzz(-1), along with the NICS scan profiles. The versatile chemical reactivity of the antiaromatic [cyclo-Ru3(mu2-H)3]3+ molecule related to the activation of small molecules that leads to the breaking of various strong single and double bonds is thoroughly investigated by means of electronic structure computational techniques, and the mechanistic details for a representative activation process, that of the dehydrogenation of NH3, to form a triply bridging imido-group (mu3-NH) face-capping the Ru3 ring are presented. Finally, the molecular and electronic structures, stabilities, and bonding features of a series of [cyclo-Ru3(mu2-H)3(mu3-Nuc)]0,1,2+ (Nuc = BH, BCN, BOMe, C4-, CH3-, CMe3-, N3-, NH, N3-, NCO-, OCN-, NCS-, O2-, S2-, OH-, P3-, POH2-, Cl-, O22-, NCH, AlMe, GaMe, C6H6, and cyclo-C3H2Me) products formed upon reacting the archetype [cyclo-Ru3(mu2-H)3]3+ molecule with the appropriate substrates are also comprehensibly analyzed.     

Edge-bridging and face-capping coordination of alkenyl ligands in triruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes derived from hydrazines: synthetic, structural, theoretical, and kinetic studies

The reactions of the triruthenium cluster complex [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-eta2-HNNMe2)(CO)9] (1; H2NNMe2=1,1-dimethylhydrazine) with alkynes (PhC triple bond CPh, HC triple bond CH, MeO2CC triple bond CCO2Me, PhC triple bond CH, MeO2CC triple bond CH, HOMe2CC triple bond CH, 2-pyC triple bond CH) give trinuclear complexes containing edge-bridging and/or face-capping alkenyl ligands. Whereas the edge-bridged products are closed triangular species (three Ru-Ru bonds), the face-capped products are open derivatives (two Ru-Ru bonds). For terminal alkynes, products containing gem (RCCH2) and/or trans (RHCCH) alkenyl ligands have been identified in both edge-bridging and face-capping positions, except for the complex [Ru3(mu3-eta2-HNNMe2)(mu3-eta3-HCCH-2-py)(mu-CO)(CO)7], which has the two alkenyl H atoms in a cis arrangement. Under comparable reaction conditions (1:1 molar ratio, THF at reflux, time required for the consumption of complex 1), some reactions give a single product, but most give mixtures of isomers (not all the possible ones), which were separated. To determine the effect of the hydrazido ligand, the reactions of [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-eta2-MeNNHMe)(CO)9] (2; HMeNNHMe=1,2-dimethylhydrazine) with PhC triple bond CPh, PhC triple bond CH, and HC triple bond CH were also studied. For edge-bridged alkenyl complexes, the Ru--Ru edge that is spanned by the alkenyl ligand depends on the position of the methyl groups on the hydrazido ligand. For face-capped alkenyl complexes, the relative orientation of the hydrazido and alkenyl ligands also depends on the position of the methyl groups on the hydrazido ligand. A kinetic analysis of the reaction of 1 with PhC[triple chemical bond]CPh revealed that the reaction follows an associative mechanism, which implies that incorporation of the alkyne in the cluster is rate-limiting and precedes the release of a CO ligand. X-ray diffraction, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and calculations of minimum-energy structures by DFT methods were used to characterize the products. A comparison of the absolute energies of isomeric compounds (obtained by DFT calculations) helped rationalize the experimental results.     

Hydrogen for fluorine exchange in CH4-xFx by monomeric [1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2CeH: experimental and computational studies

The monomeric metallocenecerium hydride, Cp'(2)CeH (Cp' = 1,2,4-tri-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl), reacts instantaneously with CH(3)F, but slower with CH(2)F(2), to give Cp'(2)CeF and CH(4) in each case, a net H for F exchange reaction. The hydride reacts very slowly with CHF(3), and not at all with CF(4), to give Cp'(2)CeF, H(2), and 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-tri-tert-butylbenzene. The substituted benzenes are postulated to result from trapping of a fluorocarbene fragment derived by alpha-fluoride abstraction from Cp'(2)CeCF(3). The fluoroalkyl, Cp'(2)CeCF(3), is generated by reaction of Cp'(2)CeH and Me(3)SiCF(3) or by reaction of the metallacycle, [(Cp')(Me(3)C)(2)C(5)H(2)C(Me(2))CH(2)]Ce, with CHF(3), and its existence is inferred from the products of decomposition, which are Cp'(2)CeF, the isomeric tri-tert-butylbenzenes and in the case of Me(3)SiCF(3), Me(3)SiH. The fluoroalkyls, Cp'(2)CeCH(2)F and Cp'(2)CeCHF(2), generated from the metallacycle and CH(3)F and CH(2)F(2), respectively, are also inferred by their decomposition products, which are Cp'(2)CeF, CH(2), and CHF, respectively, which are trapped. DFT(B3PW91) calculations have been carried out to examine several reaction paths that involve CH and CF bond activation. The calculations show that the CH activation by Cp(2)CeH proceeds with a low barrier. The carbene ejection and trapping by H(2) is the rate-determining step, and the barrier parallels that found for reaction of H(2) with CH(2), CHF, and CF(2). The barrier of the rate-determining step is raised as the number of fluorines increases, while that of the CH activation path is lowered as the number of fluorines increases, which parallels the acidity.     

Reactions of the heavier group 14 element alkyne analogues Ar'EEAr' (Ar' = C6H3-2,6(C6H3-2,6-Pri2)2; E = Ge, Sn) with unsaturated molecules: probing the character of the EE multiple bonds

Reactions of the alkyne analogues Ar'EEAr' (Ar' = C6H3-2,6(C6H3-2,6-Pr(i)2)2; E = Ge (1); Sn (2)) with unsaturated molecules are described. Reaction of 1 and 2 with azobenzene afforded the new hydrazine derivatives Ar'E{(Ph)NN(Ph)}EAr' (E = Ge (3); Sn (4)). Treatment of 1 with Me3SiN3 gave the cyclic singlet diradicaloid Ar'Ge{mu2-(NSiMe3)}2GeAr' (5), whereas 2 afforded the monoimide bridged Ar'Sn{mu2-N(SiMe3)}SnAr' (6). Reaction of 1 with t-BuNC or PhCN yielded the adduct Ar'GeGe(CNBu(t))Ar' (7) or the ring compound (8). In contrast, the tin compound 2 did not react with either t-BuNC or PhCN. Treatment of 1 with N2CH(SiMe3) generated Ar'Ge{mu2-CH(SiMe3)}{mu2:eta2-N2CH(SiMe3)}{mu2-N2CH(SiMe3)}GeAr' (9) which contains ligands in three different bridging modes and no Ge-Ge bonding. Reaction of 1 with an excess of N(2)O gave a germanium peroxo species Ar'(HO)Ge(mu2-O)(mu2:eta2-O2)Ge(OH)Ar' (10) which features a ring. Oxidation of 1 by tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) led to cleavage of the Ge-Ge bond and formation of a large multiring system of formula Ar'Ge3+{(TCNE)2-}3{(GeAr')+}3. The digermyne 1 also reacted with 1 equiv of PhCPh to give the 1,2-digermacyclobutadiene 12, which has a ring, and with Me(3)SiCCH or PhCC-CCPh to activate a flanking C6H3-2,6-Pr(i)2 ring and give the tricyclic products 13 and 14. The "distannyne" 2 did not react with these acetylenes. Overall, the experiments showed that 1 is highly reactive toward unsaturated molecules, whereas the corresponding tin congener 2 is much less reactive. A possible explanation of the reactivity differences in terms of the extent of the singlet diradical character of the Ge-Ge and Sn-Sn bonds is discussed.     

Heptanuclear and decanuclear manganese complexes with the anion of 2-hydroxymethylpyridine

The synthesis and magnetic properties are reported of two new clusters [Mn(10)O(4)(OH)(2)(O(2)CMe)(8)(hmp)(8)](ClO(4))(4) (1) and [Mn(7)(OH)(3)(hmp)(9)Cl(3)](Cl)(ClO(4)) (2). Complex 1 was prepared by treatment of [Mn(3)O(O(2)CMe)(6)(py)(3)](ClO(4)) with 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (hmpH) in CH(2)Cl(2), whereas 2 was obtained from the reaction of MnCl(2).4H(2)O, hmpH, and NBu(n)(4)MnO(4) in MeCN followed by recrystallization in the presence of NBu(n)(4)ClO(4). Complex 1.2py.10CH(2)Cl(2).2H(2)O crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. The cation consists of 10 Mn(III) ions, 8 mu(3)-O(2)(-) ions, 2 mu(3)-OH(-) ions, 8 bridging acetates, and 8 bridging and chelating hmp(-) ligands. The hmp(-) ligands bridge through their O atoms in two ways: two with mu(3)-O atoms and six with mu(2)-O atoms. Complex 2.3CH(2)Cl(2).H(2)O crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. The cation consists of four Mn(II) and three Mn(III) ions, arranged as a Mn(6) hexagon of alternating Mn(II) and Mn(III) ions surrounding a central Mn(II) ion. The remaining ligation is by three mu(3)-OH(-) ions, three terminal chloride ions, and nine bridging and chelating hmp(-) ligands. Six hmp(-) ligands contain mu(2)-O atoms and three contain mu(3)-O atoms. The Cl(-) anion is hydrogen-bonded to the three mu(3)-OH(-) ions. Variable-temperature direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility data were collected for complex 1 in the 5.00-300 K range in a 5 kG applied field. The chi(M)T value gradually decreases from 17.87 cm(3) mol(-1) K at 300 K to 1.14 cm(3) mol(-1) K at 5.00 K, indicating an S = 0 ground state. The ground-state spin of complex 2 was established by magnetization measurements in the 0.5-3.0 T and 1.80-4.00 K ranges. Fitting of the data by matrix diagonalization, incorporating only axial anisotropy (DS(z)(2)), gave equally good fits with S = 10, g = 2.13, D = -0.14 cm(-1) and S = 11, g = 1.94, D = -0.11 cm(-1). Magnetization versus dc field scans down to 0.04 K reveal no hysteresis attributable to single-molecule magnetism behavior, only weak intermolecular interactions.     

Reactions of thioethers with Mn(2)(CO)(7)(mu-S(2)) proceed with CO displacement and insertion of the sulfur atom into the Mn-Mn bond

The reaction of Mn(2)(CO)(7)(mu-S(2)) (2) with SMe(2) yielded the new complexes Mn(2)(CO)(6)(mu-S(2))(mu-SMe(2)) (3) and Mn(4)(CO)(14)(SMe(2))(mu(3)-S(2))(mu(4)-S(2)) (4) in 18 and 41% yields, respectively. The reaction of 2 with the cyclic thioether thietane SCH(2)CH(2)CH(2) yielded the new complexes Mn(2)(CO)(6)(mu-S(2))(mu-SCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)) (5) and Mn(4)(CO)(14)(SCH(2)CH(2)CH(2))(mu(3)-S(2))(mu(4)-S(2)) (6) in 12 and 52% yields, respectively, and the reaction of 2 with 1,4,9-trithiacyclododecane (12S3) yielded Mn(2)(CO)(6)(mu-12S3)(mu-S(2)) (7) and Mn(4)(CO)(14)(12S3)(mu(3)-S(2))(mu(4)-S(2)) (8) in 8 and 24% yields, respectively. Compounds 3 and 5-7 were characterized crystallographically. Compounds 3, 5, and 7 have similar structures in which the thioether ligand has replaced the bridging carbonyl ligand of 2 and its sulfur atom has been inserted into the manganese-manganese bond. The two manganese atoms are not mutually bonded, and two Mn(CO)(3) groups are held together through the bridging disulfido ligand and the bridging sulfur atom of the thioether ligand. Compound 6 contains a Mn(4)(mu(3)-S(2))(mu(4)-S(2)) moiety without metal-metal bonds. On the basis of spectroscopic data, compounds 4 and 8 are believed to have similar structures.     

The synthesis, structure and dynamic behaviour of disubstituted alkenylphosphine derivatives of [Rh6(CO)16

A series of [Rh(6)(CO)(16)] substituted derivatives containing Ph(2)P(alkenyl) ligands has been synthesized starting from the [Rh(6)(CO)(16-x)(NCMe)(x)](x= 1, 2) clusters and Ph(2)P((CH(2))(n)CH=CH(2))(n= 2, 3) phosphines. It was shown that the terminal alkenyl substituents in these phosphines easily undergo isomerization in the coordination sphere of the hexarhodium complexes to give the allyl -CH(2)CH=C(H)R (R = Me and Et) fragments coordinated through the double bond of the rearranged organic moieties. The solid-state structure of two clusters, [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=C(H)CH(3))](4) and [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=C(H)CH(2)CH(3))](8), was established by X-ray crystallography. Solution structures of the products obtained were also characterized by IR and NMR ((1)H, (31)P, (1)H-(1)H COSY and (1)H-(1)H NOE) spectroscopy. It was shown that 4 and 8 exist in solution as mixtures of three isomers (A, B and C), which differ in the conformation of the coordinated allyl fragment. A similar (two species, A and B) equilibrium was found to occur in the solution of the [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=CH(2))](2) cluster. The dynamic behaviour of 2, 4 and 8[Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH=CH(2))] has been studied using VT (31)P and (1)H-(1)H NOESY NMR spectroscopy, rate constants and activation parameters of the (A<-->B) isomerization processes were determined. It was shown that the most probable mechanism of this isomerization involves a dissociative [Rh6(CO)(14)(kappa1-Ph(2)P(alkenyl))] intermediate and re-coordination of the double bond to the same metal atom where the process started from. The conversion of the A and B species in and into the third isomer very likely occurs through the transfer of an allyl hydrogen atom onto the rhodium skeleton to give eventually cis conformation of the coordinated allyl fragment.