Studies on the synthesis,spectra and structure of isomerized products of isopentadiene(dicarbonyl)-[ethoxy(aryl)carbene]iron complexes and the crystal structure of tetracarbonyl[ethoxy-(pentachlorophenyl)carbene]iron

Reaction of π-isopentadienetricarbonyliron (1) with aryl lithium ArLi (Ar?phenyl, p-tolyl, p-methoxyphenyl, p-trifluoromethylphenyl) in ether at low temperature, and subsequent alkylation of the acylmetallate formed with triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate[(C₂H₅)₃OBF₄] in aqueous solution at 0°C, gave orange-red crystalline complexes (2-5), the isomerized products of isopentadiene (dicarbonyl) [ethoxy(aryl)carbene] iron with composition of C₅H₈ (CO)₂FeC(OC₂H₅)Ar When LiC₆Cl₅ was used as nucleophilic reagent in the reaction, on alkylation of the afforded acylmetallate intermediate under some reaction conditions, complex (CO)₄FeC(OC₂H₅)C₆Cl₅ (6) was obtained. The molecular structure of complexes 2 and 6 were determined by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements. IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectra of these complexes were investigated.     

Reactions of Organic Azides with Half‐sandwich Complexes of Iridium: Preparation of Mono‐ and Bis(imine) Derivatives

Imine complexes [IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}{P(OR)₃}]BPh₄ ( 1 , 2 ) (Ar = C₆H₅, 4‐CH₃C₆H₄; R = Me, Et) were prepared by allowing chloro complexes [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){P(OR)₃}] to react with benzyl azides ArCH₂N₃. Bis(imine) complexes [Ir(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}₂{P(OR)₃}](BPh₄)₂ ( 3 , 4 ) were also prepared by reacting [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){P(OR)₃}] first with AgOTf and then with benzyl azide. Depending on the experimental conditions, treatment of the dinuclear complex [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)]₂ with benzyl azide yielded mono‐ [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}] ( 5 ) and bis‐[IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}₂]BPh₄ ( 6 ) imine derivatives. In contrast, treatment of chloro complexes [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){P(OR)₃}] with phenyl azide C₆H₅N₃ gave amine derivatives [IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(C₆H₅NH₂){P(OR)₃}]BPh₄ ( 7 , 8 ). The complexes were characterized spectroscopically (IR, NMR) and by X‐ray crystal structure determination of [IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)C₆H₄‐4‐CH₃}{P(OEt)₃}]BPh₄ ( 2b ).     

Crystallization experiments with the dinuclear chelate ring complex di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis[(η2‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐{[(propan‐2‐yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl‐κC1)platinum(II)]

Crystallization experiments with the dinuclear chelate ring complex di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis[(η²‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐{[(propan‐2‐yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl‐κC¹)platinum(II)], [Pt₂(C₁₅H₁₉O₄)₂Cl₂], containing a derivative of the natural compound eugenol as ligand, have been performed. Using five different sets of crystallization conditions resulted in four different complexes which can be further used as starting compounds for the synthesis of Pt complexes with promising anticancer activities. In the case of vapour diffusion with the binary chloroform–diethyl ether or methylene chloride–diethyl ether systems, no change of the molecular structure was observed. Using evaporation from acetonitrile (at room temperature), dimethylformamide (DMF, at 313 K) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, at 313 K), however, resulted in the displacement of a chloride ligand by the solvent, giving, respectively, the mononuclear complexes (acetonitrile‐κN)(η²‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐{[(propan‐2‐yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl‐κC¹)chloridoplatinum(II) monohydrate, [Pt(C₁₅H₁₉O₄)Cl(CH₃CN)]·H₂O, (η²‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐{[(propan‐2‐yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl‐κC¹)chlorido(dimethylformamide‐κO)platinum(II), [Pt(C₁₅H₁₉O₄)Cl(C₂H₇NO)], and (η²‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐{[(propan‐2‐yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl‐κC¹)chlorido(dimethyl sulfoxide‐κS)platinum(II), determined as the analogue {η²‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐[(ethoxycarbonyl)methoxy]phenyl‐κC¹}chlorido(dimethyl sulfoxide‐κS)platinum(II), [Pt(C₁₄H₁₇O₄)Cl(C₂H₆OS)]. The crystal structures confirm that acetonitrile interacts with the Pt^II atom via its N atom, while for DMSO, the S atom is the coordinating atom. For the replacement, the longest of the two Pt—Cl bonds is cleaved, leading to a cis position of the solvent ligand with respect to the allyl group. The crystal packing of the complexes is characterized by dimer formation via C—H…O and C—H…π interactions, but no π–π interactions are observed despite the presence of the aromatic ring.     

Titanium(IV) complexes containing mono‐cyclopentadienyl and bulky trityloxy mixed ligands: synthesis and polymerization activity

Eight new R¹CpTiCl₂(OC(C₆H₄R²)Ph₂) complexes were synthesized by the reaction of R¹CpTiCl₃ with Ph₂(R²C₆H₄)COH (R²C₆H₄ = phenyl or o‐methyl‐phenyl) in the presence of Et₃N in good yield and characterized by ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, IR and mass spectrometry. A suitable single crystal of complex 2 (R¹: CH₃, R²: H) was obtained and the structure determined by X‐ray diffraction. When activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO), all complexes were active for the polymerization of ethylene and styrene. The effect of variation in temperature, catalyst concentration and MAO/catalyst molar ratio was also studied. Complex 5 (R¹: n‐C₄H₉, R²: H) showed a moderate conversion (37.4%) for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of linear α‐olefins to high‐molecular weight polyethylenes using cationic α‐diimine nickel(II) complexes containing chloro‐substituted ligands

A series of α‐diimine nickel(II) complexes containing chloro‐substituted ligands, [(Ar)N?C(C₁₀H₆)C?N(Ar)]NiBr₂ ( 4a , Ar = 2,3‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 4b , Ar = 2,4‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 4c , Ar = 2,5‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 4d , Ar = 2,6‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 4e , Ar = 2,4,6‐C₆H₂Cl₃) and [(Ar)N?C(C₁₀H₆)C?N(Ar)]₂NiBr₂ ( 5a , Ar = 2,3‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 5b , Ar = 2,4‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 5c , Ar = 2,5‐C₆H₃Cl₂), have been synthesized and investigated as precatalysts for ethylene polymerization. In the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, these complexes are highly effective catalysts for the oligomerization or polymerization of ethylene under mild conditions. The catalyst activity and the properties of the products were strongly affected by the aryl‐substituents of the ligands used. Depending on the catalyst structure, it is possible to obtain the products ranging from linear α‐olefins to high‐molecular weight polyethylenes. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1964–1974, 2006     

The chemistry of cyclopentadienyl-ruthenacyclopentatrienes: novel carbon monoxide and isocyanide insertion reactions in [η5-C5H5)Ru(η4-C5Ph2H2NBut)Br]

Reaction of the novel ruthenacyclopentatriene [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(C₄Ph₂H₂)Br] (1) with isocyanides gives the imino-2,5-diphenylcyclopentadiene complexes [(η⁵-C₅H₅Ru(η⁴-C₅Ph₂H₂NR)Br] (2, R = Me, Et, Cy, t-Bu, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃); a novel fluxional process involving phenyl substituent rotation and imino nitrogen inversion has been identified for 2 (R = t-Bu, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), the interpretation of which is supported by the X-ray crystal structure determination of 2 (R = t-Bu).     

β-Diketiminato Rare-Earth Metal Complexes: The Influence of Monoatomic Substituents in the N-aryl Moieties on Structures and Properties

Treatment of β-diketiminate ligands bearing different N-aryl monoatomic substituents [HL^H = (C₆H₅)N = C(Me)CH=C(Me)NH(C₆H₅), HL^F = (2,6-F₂C₆H₃)N=C(Me)CH=C(Me)NH(2,6-F₂C₆H₃), and HL^Cl = (2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃)N=C(Me)CH=C(Me)NH(2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃)] with Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ (Ln = Y and Lu) afforded a variety of β-diketiminato rare-earth metal complexes depending on substituents, namely, phenyl ring C–H bond activated complexes (L')(L^H)Lu(THF) ( 1b , L' = (C₆H₄)N = C(Me)CH=C(Me)N(C₆H₅)), six-coordinate homoleptic complexes (L^H)₃Ln [Ln = Y ( 1aa ), Lu ( 1bb )], five-coordinate monoalkyl complexes (L^F)₂Ln(CH₂SiMe₃) [Ln = Y ( 2a ), Lu ( 2b )], and four-coordinate dialkyl complexes (L^Cl)Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ [Ln = Y ( 3a ), Lu ( 3b )]. All these complexes were characterized with NMR spectroscopy, and lutetium complexes 1b , 1bb and 3b were structurally validated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover, dialkyl complexes 3 promoted the polymerization of 2-vinylpyridine (2-VP) to produce atactic poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) with quantitative yield. On activation with an equimolar amount of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], complexes 3 afforded highly isotactic P2VP with an mm value up to 94 %. Both ¹H NMR spectrum and MALDI-TOF mass analysis of an oligomer indicate that the polymerization was initiated by coordination insertion of 2-VP into the Y-CH₂SiMe₃ bond.     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene by mono‐ and trinuclear nickel complexes with indanimine ligands

A series of new indanimine ligands [ArN?CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)OH] (Ar = Ph, R = Me ( 1 ), R = H ( 2 ), and R = Cl ( 3 ); Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃, R = Me ( 4 ), R = H ( 5 ), and R = Cl ( 6 )) were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of indanimines with Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O results in the formation of the trinuclear hexa(indaniminato)tri (nickel(II)) complexes Ni₃[ArN = CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₆ (Ar = Ph, R = Me ( 7 ), R = H ( 8 ), and R = Cl ( 9 )) and the mononuclear bis(indaniminato)nickel (II) complexes Ni[ArN?CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₂ (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃, R = Me ( 10 ), R = H ( 11 ), and R = Cl ( 12 )). All nickel complexes were characterized by their IR, NMR spectra, and elemental analyses. In addition, X‐ray structure analyses were performed for complexes 7 , 10 , 11 , and 12 . After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), these nickel(II) complexes can polymerize norbornene to produce addition‐type polynorbornene (PNB) with high molecular weight M_v (10⁶ g mol^?1), highly catalytic activities up to 2.18 × 10⁷ gPNB mol^?1 Ni h^?1. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of PNB have been investigated for various reaction conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 489–500, 2008     

Direct synthesis using gold atoms: synthesis,infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectra and molecular orbital investigations of monoethylene gold(0), (C2H4Au

The reaction of Au atoms with ¹²C₂H₄ or ¹²C₂H₄/Ar mixtures at 8–10 K yields a single product. Using Au and ¹²C₂H₄ concentration experiments, warm-up studies and ¹³C₂H₄/Ar, ¹²C₂H₄/¹³C₂H₄/Ar isotopic substitution, coupled with infrared and UV-visible spectroscopy, the product is characterized to be monoethylene gold(0), (C₂H₄)Au, the first reported example of a zerovalent gold-olefin complex. Extended Hückel molecular orbital calculations proved to be a useful aid towards the assignment of the optical spectrum of (C₂H₄)Au. The thermal stability of (C₂H₄)Au in solid C₂H₄ at 70 K is discussed in terms of the feasibility of a macroscale, liquid nitrogen temperature, chemical synthesis. The molecular and electronic properties of the group of complexes (C₂H₄)M and M(0₂), where M = Ag or Au, are compared and discussed.     

Y,Lu, and Gd Complexes of NCO/NCS Pincer Ligands: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalysis in the cis‐1,4‐Selective Polymerization of Isoprene

A series of NCO/NCS pincer precursors, 3‐(Ar²OCH₂)‐2‐Br‐(Ar¹N?CH)C₆H₃ ((^Ar1NCO^Ar2)Br, 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d ) and 3‐(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃SCH₂)‐2‐Br‐(Ar¹N?CH)C₆H₃ ((^Ar1NCS^Me)Br, 4a and 4b ) were synthesized and characterized. The reactions of [^Ar1NCO^Ar2]Br/ [^Ar1NCS^Me]Br with nBuLi and the subsequent addition of the rare‐earth‐metal chlorides afforded their corresponding rare‐earth‐metal–pincer complexes, that is, [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)YCl₂(thf)₂] ( 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d ), [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)LuCl₂(thf)₂] ( 6a , 6d ), [(^Ar1NCO^Ar2)GdCl₂(thf)₂] ( 7 ), [{(^Ar1NCS^Me)Y(μ‐Cl)}₂{(μ‐Cl)Li(thf)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 8 , 9 ), and [{(^Ar1NCS^Me)Gd(μ‐Cl)}₂{(μ‐Cl)Li(thf)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 10 , 11 ). These diamagnetic complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures of compounds 5a , 6a , 7 , and 10 were well‐established by X‐ray diffraction analysis. In compounds 5a , 6a , and 7 , all of the metal centers adopted distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometries with the NCO donors and two oxygen atoms from the coordinated THF molecules in equatorial positions and the two chlorine atoms in apical positions. Complex 10 is a dimer in which the two equal moieties are linked by two chlorine atoms and two Cl? Li? Cl bridges. In each part, the gadolinium atom adopts a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. Activated with alkylaluminum and borate, the gadolinium and yttrium complexes showed various activities towards the polymerization of isoprene, thereby affording highly cis‐1,4‐selective polyisoprene, whilst the NCO? lutetium complexes were inert under the same conditions.     

Elektronenreiche Phenylkomplexe der Übergangsmetalle. II. Li4Co2(C6H5)4 · 4THF,Li4Co2(C6H5)4 · 3 Dioxan und Li3Co(C6H5)2(LiC6H5) · 5THF,die ersten Komplexe mit einer Bis(phenyl)cobalt(0)- und -cobalt(-I)-Einheit

Electron-rich Phenyl Complexes of Transition Metals. II. Li₄Co₂(C₆H₅)₄ · 4THF, Li₄Co₂(C₆H₅)₄ · 3 Dioxan and Li₃Co(C₆H₅)₂(LiC₆H₅) · 5THF, the First Complexes with a Bis(phenyl)-cobalt(0)- and -cobalt(-I) Unity . Li₂Co^II(C₆H₅)₄ · 4THF reacts spontaneously in benzene by splitting off of two phenyl radicals to a dimeric bis(phenyl) cobalt(0) complex which has been isolated as a THF and a dioxan adduct Li₄Co₂(C₆H₅)₄ · 4THF and Li₄Co₂(C₆H₅)₄ · 3 Dioxan, respectively. Reduction with lithiumphenyl in ether gives a phenyl cobalt(-I) complex Li₄Co(C₆H₅)₃ · 5THF containing besides σ-bonded phenyl anions lithium phenyl coordinated to cobalt in a π-complex like manner, proved by means of ¹³C? NMR-spectroscopy. The stabilization of the low oxidation states is explained by coordination of the lithium ions to cobalt by multiple center bonds, and for each compound a plausible structure is derived.     

Synthetic and spectroscopic studies of some mono-hydrido-bridged complexes of platinum(II)

The mono-hydrido-bridged complexes (PEt₃)₂(Ar)Pt(μ₂-H)Pt(Ar)(PEt₃)₂]-[BPh₄] (Ar = Ph, 4-MeC₆H₄ and 2,4-Me₂C₆H₃) have been obtained by treating trans-[Pt(Ar)(MeOH)(PEt₃)₂][BF₄] with sodium formate and Na[BPH₄]. The cations [PEt₃)₂(Ar)Pt(μ₂-H)Pt(Ar^b')(PEt₃)₂]^b+ (Ar = Ph and Ar^b' - 2,4-Me₂C₆H₃ and 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ have bee identified in solution. Their ^b1H- and ^b31P-NMR data are reported. The X-ray crystal structure of [(PEt₃)₂(Ph)Pt(μ₂-H)Pt(Ph)(PEt₃)₂][BPh₄] is reported.     

Phenyliodine(V) fluorides

The known compound phenyltetrafluoroiodine(V) is shown by X-ray diffraction to have a tetragonal pyramidal structure with an apical phenyl group. This structure is compared to that of IF(OTeF₅)₄, where the apical position is occupied by the fluorine atom. C₆H₅IF₄ adds F⁻, forming C₆H₅IF₅⁻, which has a pentagonal pyramidal structure with an apical phenyl group. Fluoride abstraction from C₆H₅IF₄ by SbF₅ results in the formation of the cation C₆H₅IF₃⁺, which has a pseudotrigonal bipyramidal structure with the phenyl group occupying an equatorial position. Isoelectronic C₆H₅IOF₂ has a similar structure, with the phenyl group and oxygen atom both occupying equatorial positions.     

Coordinatively Unsaturated Amidotitanocene Cations with Inverted σ and π Bond Strengths: Controlled Release of Aminyl Radicals and Hydrogenation/Dehydrogenation Catalysis

Cationic amidotitanocene complexes [Cp₂Ti(NPhAr)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅; Ar=phenyl ( 1 a ), p-tolyl ( 1 b ), p-anisyl ( 1 c )) were isolated. The bonding situation was studied by DFT (Density Functional Theory) using EDA-NOCV (Energy Decomposition Analysis with Natural Orbitals for Chemical Valence). The polar Ti−N bond in 1 a–c features an unusual inversion of σ and π bond strengths responsible for the balance between stability and reactivity in these coordinatively unsaturated species. In solution, 1 a–c undergo photolytic Ti−N cleavage to release Ti(III) species and aminyl radicals ⋅ NPhAr. Reaction of 1 b with H₃BNHMe₂ results in fast homolytic Ti−N cleavage to give [Cp₂Ti(H₃BNHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 3 ). 1 a–c are highly active precatalysts in olefin hydrogenation and silanes/amines cross-dehydrogenative coupling, whilst 3 efficiently catalyzes amine-borane dehydrogenation. The mechanism of olefin hydrogenation was studied by DFT and the cooperative H₂ activation key step was disclosed using the Activation Strain Model (ASM).     

2H‐Azirines as Ligands: Structural Characterization of the First Neutral and Cationic (η5‐C5Me5)Rh(III) 2H‐Azirine Complexes

The synthesis and structural characterization of two azirine rhodium(III ) complexes are described. The stabilization, N‐coordination and phenylgroup π‐stacking of the highly reactive and strained 3‐phenyl‐2H‐azirine by transition metal coordination is observed. The reaction of the dimeric complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)RhCl₂]₂ with 3‐phenyl‐2H‐azirine (az) in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature in a 1:2 molar ratio afforded the neutral mono‐azirine complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)RhCl₂(az)]. The subsequent reaction of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)RhCl₂]₂ with six equivalents of az and 4 equivalents of AgOTf yielded the cationic tris‐azirine complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Rh(az)₃](OTf)₂. After purification, all complexes have been fully characterized. The molecular structures of the novel rhodium(III ) complexes exhibit slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometries around the metal atoms.     

Mono- and bisphenoxy derivatives of bis(indenyl)zirconium(IV)

A series of (C₉H₇)₂Zr(OAr)Cl and (C₉H₇)₂Zr(OAr)₂ complexes, where Ar = C₆H₅, p-ClC₆H₄, α-C₁₀H₇, or β-C₁₀H₇, have been synthesised by the reaction of bis(indenyl)zirconium(IV)-dichloride with an appropriate phenol in a 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratio in refluxing benzene in the presence of triethylamine. These complexes have been characterised by elemental analyses, conductance measurements and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR and electronic) studies.     

Snapshots of the oxidative-addition process of silanes to nickel(0)

Addition of hydridosilanes, Ar₂SiHX, to the labile Ni(0) benzene complex [(dtbpe)Ni]₂(C₆H₆) (1; dtbpe=1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane) gives mononuclear Ni(II) hydride silyl complexes of the formulation (dtbpe)Ni(μ-H)SiAr₂X (2, X=H, Ar=Mes; 3, X=H, Ar=Ph; 4, X=Me, Ar=Ph; 5, X=Cl, Ar=Ph). Although the crystal structures of two representatives of the series indicate square-planar coordination around nickel, in solution structures having apparent C_2v symmetry are observed. We propose that this behavior is due to a fluxional process that involves η²-SiH intermediates. Other data are also consistent with the facile reductive elimination of the silane to regenerate nickel(0) products. Oxidation of 2 and 3 with triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate results in silane elimination and formation of [(dtbpe)Ni(η³-C₆H₅CPh₂)⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] (6), the structure of which shows the CPh₃⁻ ligand bound to a Ni(II) center through a phenyl ring in an η³-allylic fashion.     

Organonickel(II) Complexes with Anionic N-Donor Ligands. Hydration of coordinated nitriles at a nickel(II) site

The hydroxo complex (Bu₄N)₂[Ni₂(C₆F₅)₄(μ-OH)₂]reacts with 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro benzenamine (C₆F₅-NH₂), 1,3-diaryltriaz-1-enes (ArNH? N=N? Ar, Ar = Ph, 4-MeC₆H₄, 4-MeOC₆H₄), 7-aza-1H-indole (= 1H-pyrrolo[2.3-b]pyridine; Hazind), N-phenylpyridin-2-amine(pyNHPh), and N-phenylpyridine-2-carboxamide (py-CONHPh) at room temperature in acetone to give the binuclear complexes (Bu₄N)₂[Ni₂(C₆F₅)₄(μ-C₆F₅NH)₂] ( 1 ) and (Bu₄N)₂[{Ni(C₆F₅)₂} 2(μ-OH)(μ-azind)] ( 2 ) and the mononuclear complexes Bu₄N[Ni(C₆F₅)2(ArN₃Ar)] ( 3 – 5 ), Bu₄N[Ni(C₆F₅)₂(pyNPh)] ( 6 ), and Bu₄N[Ni(C₆F₅)₂(pyCONPh)] ( 7 ). The hydroxo.complex (Bu₄N)₂[{Ni(C₆F₅)2-(μ-OH)}₂] promotes the nucleophilic addition of water to pyridine-2-carbonitrile, 2-aminoacetonitrile, and 2-(dimethylamino)acetonitrile, and complexes 8 – 10 containing pyridine-2-carboxamidato, 2-aminoacetamidato and 2-(dimethylamino)acetamidato ligands are formed. Analytical (C, H, N) and spectroscopic (IR, ¹H and ¹⁹F-NMR, and FAB-MS) data were used for structural assignments. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of (Bu₄N)₂[{Ni(C₆F₅)₂}₂(μ-OH)(μ-azind)] ( 2 ) established the binuclear nature of the anion; the two Ni-atoms are bridged by an OH group and a 7-aza-7H-indol-7-yl group, but the central Ni? O? Ni? N? C? N ring is not planar, the dihedral angle between the Ni? O? Ni and Ni? N? C? N? Ni planes being 84.4°.     

Metall‐π‐Aren‐Wechselwirkungen in den Kristallstrukturen von zwei Lewis‐Donor‐freien Arylbis(cyclopentadienyl)lanthanoiden

Metal‐π‐Arene‐Interactions in the Solid‐State Structures of Two Lewis Donor‐Free Arylbis(cyclopentadienyl)lanthanoids Ar*Yb(C₅H₄Me)₂ ( 1 ) and Ar*SmCp₂ ( 2 ) (Ar* = 2,6‐Mes₂C₆H₃) have been obtained by the reaction of LiAr* with Yb(C₅H₄Me)₃ or SmCp₃ in toluene. Red crystals of 1 and orange crystals of 2 were characterized by X‐ray structure analysis. The lanthanoids are η⁵‐coordinated to the cyclopentadienyl ligands and η¹‐coordinated to the ipso carbon atom of the aryl groups. Additional π‐arene contacts to one mesityl group give rise to a different pyramidalisation of the metal centers, which depends on the size of the central lanthanoid atom.     

Pincer‐Type Heck Catalysts and Mechanisms Based on PdIV Intermediates: A Computational Study

Pincer‐type palladium complexes are among the most active Heck catalysts. Due to their exceptionally high thermal stability and the fact that they contain Pd^II centers, controversial Pd^II/Pd^IV cycles have been often proposed as potential catalytic mechanisms. However, pincer‐type Pd^IV intermediates have never been experimentally observed, and computational studies to support the proposed Pd^II/Pd^IV mechanisms with pincer‐type catalysts have never been carried out. In this computational study the feasibility of potential catalytic cycles involving Pd^IV intermediates was explored. Density functional calculations were performed on experimentally applied aminophosphine‐, phosphine‐, and phosphite‐based pincer‐type Heck catalysts with styrene and phenyl bromide as substrates and (E)‐stilbene as coupling product. The potential‐energy surfaces were calculated in dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent and demonstrate that Pd^II/Pd^IV mechanisms are thermally accessible and thus a true alternative to formation of palladium nanoparticles. Initial reaction steps of the lowest energy path of the catalytic cycle of the Heck reaction include dissociation of the chloride ligands from the neutral pincer complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Cl)] [X=NH, R=piperidinyl ( 1 a ); X=O, R=piperidinyl ( 1 b ); X=O, R=iPr ( 1 c ); X=CH₂, R=iPr ( 1 d )] to yield cationic, three‐coordinate, T‐shaped 14e^? palladium intermediates of type [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd]⁺ ( 2 ). An alternative reaction path to generate complexes of type 2 (relevant for electron‐poor pincer complexes) includes initial coordination of styrene to 1 to yield styrene adducts [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Cl)(CH₂?CHPh)] ( 4 ) and consecutive dissociation of the chloride ligand to yield cationic square‐planar styrene complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(CH₂?CHPh)]⁺ ( 6 ) and styrene. Cationic styrene adducts of type 6 were additionally found to be the resting states of the catalytic reaction. However, oxidative addition of phenyl bromide to 2 result in pentacoordinate Pd^IV complexes of type [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(C₆H₅)]⁺ ( 11 ), which subsequently coordinate styrene (in trans position relative to the phenyl unit of the pincer cores) to yield hexacoordinate phenyl styrene complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(C₆H₅)(CH₂?CHPh)]⁺ ( 12 ). Migration of the phenyl ligand to the olefinic bond gives cationic, pentacoordinate phenylethenyl complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(CHPhCH₂Ph)]⁺ ( 13 ). Subsequent β‐hydride elimination induces direct HBr liberation to yield cationic, square‐planar (E)‐stilbene complexes with general formula [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(CHPh?CHPh)]⁺ ( 14 ). Subsequent liberation of (E)‐stilbene closes the catalytic cycle.