Group 12 metal aryl selenolates. Crystal and molecular structure of [2-(Et2NCH2)C6H4]2Se2 and [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4Se]2M (M = Zn, Cd)

Diorganodiselenide [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ (1) was obtained by hydrolysis/oxidation of the corresponding [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeLi derivative. The treatment of [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ with elemental sodium in THF resulted in [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeNa (2). Reactions between alkali metal selenolates [2-(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeM′ (R = Me, Et; M′ = Li, Na) and MCl₂ (M = Zn, Cd) in a 2:1 molar ratio resulted in the [2-(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄Se]₂M species [R = Me, M = Zn (3), Cd (4); R = Et, M = Zn (5), Cd (6)]. The new compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se, ¹¹³Cd) and mass spectrometry. The crystal and molecular structures of 1, 3 and 4 revealed monomeric species stabilized by N → Se (for 1) and N → M (for 3 and 4) intramolecular interactions.     

Intramolecular nucleophilic substitution in C6F5 moiety. The fluoride-dialkylamino exchange in decafluorodiphenlamino moiety

The reactions of [In(NEt₂)₃]₂ and Sb(NEt₂)₃ with an equimolar amount of decafluorodiphenylamine (DFDPA, LH) lead to the indium or antimony amides [(C₆F₅)₂NIn(NEt₂)₂]₂ (1) and (C₆F₅)₂NSb(NEt₂)₂ (2). Compound 2 rearranged further to give monofluoride Et₂NSb(F)[N(o-Et₂N-C₆F₄)(C₆F₅)] (3) and then difluoride F₂Sb[N(o-Et₂N-C₆F₄)₂] (4). The hydrolysis of 4 gave free ligand HN(o-Et₂N-C₆F₄)₂ (5). Closely related HN(o-Me₂N-C₆F₄)₂ (6) was prepared from the reaction of Bi(NMe₂)₃ with DFDPA. The reactions of LiN(C₆F₅)₂·THF with metal halides gave Sb[N(C₆F₅)₂]₃ (7), Me₃Sb(Br)[N(C₆F₅)₂] (8), Me₃Sb(Cl)[N(C₆F₅)₂] (9), Me₃Sb[N(C₆F₅)₂]₂ (10), [Li(THF)₂][In{N(C₆F₅)₂}₃Cl] (11). The X-ray structural investigations of 2 and 8 are presented.     

Synthesis and characterization of cationic and zwitterionic allyl zirconium complexes derived from trimethylenemethane (TMM) cyclopentadienylzirconium acetamidinates

Protonation of the trimethylenemethane derivatives, Cp*Zr(σ²,π-C₄H₆)[N(R¹)C(Me)N(R²)] (1a: R¹=R²=i-Pr and 1b: R¹=Et, R²=t-Bu) (Cp*=η⁵-C₅Me₅), by [PhNMe₂H][B(C₆F₅)₄] in chlorobenzene at −10 °C provides the cationic methallyl complexes, Cp*Zr(η³-C₄H₇)[N(R¹)C(Me)N(R²)] (2a: R¹=R²=i-Pr and 2b: R¹=Et, R²=t-Bu), which are thermally robust in solution at elevated temperatures as determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Addition of B(C₆F₅)₃ to 1a and 1b provides the zwitterionic allyl complexes, Cp*Zr{η³-CH₂C[CH₂B(C₆F₅)₃]CH₂}[N(R¹)C(Me)N(R²)] (3a: R¹=R²=i-Pr and 3b: R¹=Et, R²=t-Bu). The crystal structures of 2b and 3a have been determined. Neither the cationic complexes 2 or the zwitterionic complexes 3 are active initiators for the Ziegler-Natta polymerization of ethylene and α-olefins.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of novel lithium- and palladium-1-azaallyls

Treatment of (RH₂C)₂C₅H₃N-2,6 (R=SiMe₃) with BuⁿLi followed by addition of Me₃SiCl gave the tetrasilyl pyridine derivative (R₂HC)₂C₅H₃N-2,6 1 in high yield. Further lithiation of 1 with BuⁿLi and reaction of the intermediate with PhCN led to the new lithium-1-azaallyl [Li{N(R)C(Ph)C(R)(C₅H₃N-2,6)(CHR₂)}]₂2, while metallation of the previously described di-lithium compounds [Li{N(R)C(R^′)CH}₂(C₅H₃-2,6)]Li(tmen)_n (R=SiMe₃, R^′=Bu^t, n=1 or R=SiMe₃, R^′=Ph, n=2) with PdCl₂(PhCN)₂ yielded the novel metallacycles [Pd{{N(H)(R)C(R^′)CH}{N(SiMe₂CH₂)C(R^′)CH}C₅H₃N-2,6}] 3 (R^′=Bu^t) and [Pd{{N(R)C(R^′)CH}{N(R)(H)C(R^′)CH}C₅H₃N-2,6}₂] (R^′=Ph) 4 in moderate to low yield. Compound 3 is unusual in being the first example of a crystallographically characterised PdNSiC heterocycle which is believed to be formed via an intramolecular CH-activation of a trimethylsilyl group by Pd(II). All four compounds were fully characterised by NMR-spectroscopy, microanalysis (not 4) and X-ray diffraction.     

Fluorinated tellurium(IV) azides and their precursors

The perfluoroaryl tellurolates C₆F₅TeLi (1) and 4-CF₃C₆F₄TeLi (2) were prepared. These intermediates were identified by NMR spectroscopy and may form, depending on the reaction conditions, either the corresponding ditellanes C₆F₅TeTeC₆F₅ (3) and CF₃C₆F₄TeTeC₆F₄CF₃ (4) by subsequent oxidation, or in the case of 1, a telluranthrene (C₆F₄Te)₂ (5) by reaction with itself. The halogenation products of 5, ( C₆F₄Te)₂F₄ (6), (C₆F₄Te)₂Cl₄ (7), (C₆F₄Te)₂Br₄ (8), as well as the azidation product (C₆F₄Te)₂(N₃)₄ (9) were synthesized. Furthermore, in pursuit of our recent work on tellurium azides, the syntheses and properties of R₂Te(N₃)₂ (R=CF₃ (10), C₆F₂H₃ (11)) and RTe(N₃)₃ (R=CF₃ (12) and C₆F₅ (13)) are reported. The crystal structures of CF₃C₆F₄TeTeC₆F₄CF₃ (4), (C₆F₄Te)₂Br₄ (8), and (C₆F₂H₃)₂Te(N₃)₂ (11) were determined.     

Synthesis,characterizations and crystal structures of new antimony (III) complexes with dithiocarbamate ligands

Eight new antimony (III) complexes containing dithiocarbamate ligands (R₂NCS₂)₂SbBr [R₂NCS₂ = OC₄H₈NCS₂ (1), C₂H₅NC₄H₈NCS₂ (2), Me₂NCS₂ (3), C₄H₈NCS₂ (4)] and (R₂NCS₂)₃Sb[R₂NCS₂ = C₅H₁₀NCS₂ (5), Bz₂NCS₂ (6), Et₂NCS₂ (7), (HOCH₂CH₂)₂NCS₂ (8)] have been synthesized by the reactions of antimony (III) halides with dithiocarbamate ligands in 1:2 or 1:3 stoichiometries. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, melting point as well as spectral [IR and NMR (¹H and ¹³C)] studies. The crystal structures of complexes 1, 5 and 8 have been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, and their electrochemical character has also been studied.     

Chains,helices, sheets and unusual 3D nets: Diverse structures of the flexible,ditopic ligand 1,2-bis(3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazolyl)ethane

The flexible ditopic ligand 1,2-bis(3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl)ethane (L^4Et) displays remarkable versatility in the complexes that it forms with transition metals with products ranging from 1D chains to interpenetrating 3D networks. The L^4Et ligand itself crystallises in the space group P2₁, adopting a helical twist, although it is found in a variety of other conformations in its complexes. Coordination polymers containing the L^4Et ligand vary from almost straight, parallel 1D chains of [Ag₂(L^4Et)₂(ClO₄)₂(DMF)]·DMF (1), through interdigitating helical complexes containing tetrahedral Zn(II), [Zn(NCS)₂(L^4Et)]·DMF·H₂O (2) to 2D sheets of [Cu(L^4Et)₂(H₂O)₂](PF₆)₂·xH₂O (3) and the three-fold interpenetrating 3D network of [Co(L^4Et)₂(NCS)₂] (4). The 3D network adopts an unusual 3D 4-connected dmp (6⁵.8) topology. Dimensionality can be limited by the use of chelating co-ligands, demonstrated by the formation of the dinuclear complex [{Cu(py-2,6-CO₂)(H₂O)}₂(L^4Et)] (5).     

Synthesis, characterization and structural studies of diorganotin(IV) complexes with Schiff base ligand salicylaldehyde isonicotinylhydrazone

Eight diorganotin(IV) complexes of salicylaldehyde isonicotinylhydrazone (H₂SalN) R₂Sn(SalN) R = t-Bu 1, Ph 2, PhCH₂3, o-ClC₆H₄CH₂4, p-ClC₆H₄CH₂5,m-ClC₆H₄CH₂6,o-FPhCH₂7, p-FC₆H₄CH₂8 were prepared. All complexes 1-8 have been characterized by elemental, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR analyses. The crystal structures of H₂SalN and complex 1 were determined by X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses. Studies show that H₂SalN is a tridentate planar ligand. For complex 1, the tin atom lies in this plane and forms a five- and six-membered chelate ring with the tridentate ligand. A comparison of the IR spectra of the ligand with those of the corresponding complexes, reveals that the disappearance of the bands assigned to carbonyl unambiguously confirms that the ligand coordinate with the tin in the enol form.     

Self-assembly of triorganotin(IV) or diorganotin(IV) moieties and 2-methylpyrazine-5-acid: Syntheses, characterizations and crystal structures of monomeric, polymeric or tetranuclear macrocyclic compounds

A series of diorganotin(IV) and triorganotin(IV) compounds of the type [R₂Sn(pca)₂ClSnR₃]₂ (RPhCH₂1, 2-ClC₆H₄CH₂2, 2-FC₆H₄CH₂3, 4-FC₆H₄CH₂4, 4-CNC₆H₄CH₂5, 4-ClC₆H₄CH₂6, 2,4-Cl₂C₆H₃CH₂7; Hpca2-methylpyrazine-5-acid), [(ⁿBu)₃Sn(pca)]_∞8, [(CH₃)₂Cl₂Sn(pca)Sn(CH₃)₂(pca)]_∞9, {[(ⁿBu)₂Sn(pca)]₂O}₂10 and {[Ph₂Sn(pca)]₃O₂[Ph₂Sn(OCH₃)]} 11 have been obtained by reactions of 2-methylpyrazine-5-acid with triorganotin(IV) chloride, diorganotin(IV) dichloride, and diorganotin(IV) oxide. All compounds were characterized by elemental, IR, and NMR spectra analyses. The crystal structure of compounds 1, 8-11 were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, which revealed that compound 1 was tetranuclear macrocyclic structures with seven-coordinate and five-coordinate tin atoms, compounds 8 and 9 were polymeric chain structures with five-coordinate and seven-coordinate tin atoms, compounds 10 and 11 were monomeric structures with six-coordinate and five-coordinate tin atoms.     

[Ru(NHC)(P-P)(CO)HF] (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene; P-P = xantphos, dppf) complexes: Efforts to prepare new hydrodefluorination catalysts

The ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) hydride fluoride complexes Ru(NHC)(P-P)(CO)HF (NHC = ICy (3), IEt₂Me₂ (5), P-P = xantphos; NHC = ICy (7), P-P = dppf) have been prepared by treatment of the corresponding dihydride complexes [Ru(NHC)(P-P)(CO)H₂] (NHC = ICy (2), IEt₂Me₂ (4) P-P = xantphos; NHC = ICy (6), P-P = dppf) with Et₃N·3HF. In all cases, the hydride fluoride complexes exist in solution as two conformers or isomers. Although 3, 5 and 7 could be converted back to 2, 4 and 6, respectively, by heating with Et₃SiH, efforts to generate a catalytic cycle for the hydrodefluorination of aromatic fluorocarbons by subsequent reaction of Ru(NHC)(P-P)(CO)H₂ with C₆F₆ were prevented by the much more favourable cyclometallation of the carbene ligand.     

Relationships between Fe NMR, Mössbauer parameters, electrochemical properties and the structures of ferrocenylketimines

A comparative study of the electrochemical properties, ⁵⁷Fe NMR and Mössbauer spectroscopic data of compounds [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe{(η⁵-C₅H₄)-C(R¹)N-R²}] {R¹ = H, R² = CH₂-CH₂OH (1a), CH(Me)-CH₂OH (1b), CH₂C₆H₅ (1c), C₆H₄-2Me (1d), C₆H₄-2SMe (1e) or C₆H₄-2OH (1f) and R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = C₆H₄-2Me (2d)} is reported. The X-ray crystal structure of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe{(η⁵-C₅H₄)-CHN-C₆H₄-2OH}] (1f) is also described. Density functional theoretical (DFT) studies of these systems have allowed us to examine the effects induced by the substituents of the “-C(R¹)N-R²” moiety or the aryl rings (in 1d-1f) upon the electronic environment of the iron(II) centre.     

Transition metal cyclopentadienyl complexes bearing perfluoro-4-tolyl substituents

Depending on the ratio of starting materials and the reaction conditions, perfluorotoluene (C₆F₅CF₃) reacts with sodium cyclopentadienide (NaCp; Cp = C₅H₅) and excess sodium hydride to afford, after acidic aqueous workup, moderate to high yields of mono-, bis-, tris-, and tetrakis(perfluoro-4-tolyl)cyclopentadiene (1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Treatment of 1 with excess NaH in THF afforded sodium (perfluoro-4-tolyl)cyclopentadienide (5) in 90% yield. Reaction of FeBr₂ with 2 equiv. of 5 afforded a 68% yield of (η⁵-C₅H₄C₇F₇)₂Fe (6). Reaction of ZrCl₄(THF)₂ with 2 equiv. of 5 afforded a 58% yield of (η⁵-C₇F₇C₅H₄)₂ZrCl₂ (7). Reaction of Mn(CO)₅Br with 5 afforded a 74% yield of (η⁵-C₇F₇C₅H₄)Mn(CO)₃ (8). Treatment of 3b with NaH and then with Mn(CO)₅Br in DME afforded a 26% yield of [η⁵-1,2,4-(C₇F₇)₃C₅H₂]Mn(CO)₃ (9). Treatment of 3b with NaH and then with FeBr₂ in DME afforded a trace yield of [η⁵-1,2,4-(C₇F₇)₃C₅H₂]₂Fe (10), which was not fully characterized. Dienes 2a, 3a, and 3b and metal complexes 7, 8, and 9 were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Infrared spectroscopic analysis of the substituted CpMn(CO)₃ complexes showed a linear increase of 5 cm⁻¹ in the A-symmteric stretching frequency for each C₇F₇ substituent, compared to the analogous value of 4 cm⁻¹ reported earlier for each pentafluorophenyl (C₆F₅) substituent. Solution voltammetric analysis of the substituted ferrocene 6 revealed a shift in the E_1/2 of 465 mV relative to ferrocene, compared to the analogous value of about 340 mV for 1,1′-bis(pentafluorophenyl)ferrocene.     

Synthesis, characterization, and applications in Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions of amphiphilic cyclopalladated ferrocenylimines

A series of novel amphiphilic ferrocenylimines and their cyclopalladated complexes of general formula [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄CR₁NR₂)] (R₁=H, R₂=C₁₂H₂₅-n4a, R₁=H, R₂=C₁₆H₃₃-n4b, R₁=CH₃, R₂=C₁₂H₂₅-n4c, R₁=CH₃, R₂=C₁₆H₃₃-n4d), [PdCl{[(η⁵-C₅H₅)]Fe[(η⁵-C₅H₃)CR₁NR₂]}]₂ (5a-d), [PdCl{[(η⁵-C₅H₅)]Fe[(η⁵-C₅H₃)-CR₁NR₂]}(PPh₃)] (6a-d), were prepared and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR, IR, HRMS, and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of 5c,d were determined by X-ray crystallography. These amphiphilic cyclopalladated complexes are thermally stable and insensitive to oxygen and moisture. The redox properties of 4a-d, 5a-d, 6a-d were also investigated using cyclic voltammetric technique. Compounds 5a-d, 6a-d displayed good activity in the Heck reaction of a variety of aryl halides with ethyl acrylate or styrene and the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid in bulk solution. They are also suitable for formation of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films.     

Metal β-diketiminates revisited: ansa-CH2-bridged bis(β-diketiminate)s of lithium and aluminium having diverse structures

The metal β-diketiminato ligand-to-metal binding modes are briefly reviewed, with reference particularly to our previous work on metal complexes using the ligands [{N(R¹)C(R²)}₂CH] (R¹ = SiMe₃ = R and R² = Ph; or R¹ = C₆H₃Prⁱ₂-2,6 and R² = Me). The syntheses of the β-diketimines H[{N(R)C(Ar)}₂CH] 1 (Ar = Ph) and 2 (Ar = C₆H₄Me-4) and the ansa-CH₂-bridged bis(β-diketimine)s 3 (Ar = Ph) and 4 (Ar = C₆H₄Me-4) are reported. Thus, from the appropriate compound Li[{N(R)C(Ar)}₂CH] and H₂O, (CH₂Br)₂ or CH₂Br₂ the product was 2, 3 or 4. Compound 1 was prepared from K[{N(R)C(Ph)}₂CH] and (CH₂Br)₂. Each of 3 or 4 with LiBuⁿ surprisingly yielded the bicyclic dilithium compound 5 (Ar = Ph) or 6 (Ar = C₆H₄Me-4) in which each of the β-diketiminato fragments is an N,N′-bridge between the two lithium atoms and the CH₂ moiety joins the two ligands through their central carbon atoms. However, 4 with AlMe₃ yielded the expected ansa-CH₂-bridged-bis[(β-diketiminato)(dimethyl)alane] 7, which was also obtained from 6 and Al(Cl)Me₂. X-ray structures of the known compounds 2 and 3, and of 5, 6 and 7 are presented; the ¹H NMR spectra of 6 in toluene-d₈ show that there is restricted rotation about the NC-C₆H₄Me-4 bond.     

Modeling the platinum-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of ethylene: The nucleophilic addition of HNEt2 to coordinated ethylene in trans-PtBr2(C2H4)(HNEt2)

Compound trans-PtBr₂(C₂H₄)(NHEt₂) (1) has been synthesized by Et₂NH addition to K[PtBr₃(C₂H₄)] and structurally characterized. Its isomer cis-PtBr₂(C₂H₄)(NHEt₂) (3) has been obtained from 1 by photolytic dissociation of ethylene, generating the dinuclear trans-[PtBr₂(NHEt₂)]₂ intermediate (2), followed by thermal re-addition of C₂H₄, but only in low yields. The addition of further Et₂NH to 1 in either dichloromethane or acetone yields the zwitterionic complex trans-Pt⁽⁻⁾Br₂(NHEt₂)(CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾HEt₂) (4) within the time of mixing in an equilibrated process, which shifts toward the product at lower temperatures (ΔH° = −6.8 ± 0.5 kcal/mol, ΔS° = 14.0 ± 2.0 e.u., from a variable temperature IR study). ¹H NMR shows that free Et₂NH exchanges rapidly with H-bonded amine in a 4·NHEt₂ adduct, slowly with the coordinated Et₂NH in 1, and not at all (on the NMR time scale) with Pt-NHEt₂ or -CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾HEt₂ in 4. No evidence was obtained for deprotonation of 4 to yield an aminoethyl derivative trans-[PtBr₂(NHEt₂)(CH₂CH₂NEt₂)]⁻ (5), except as an intermediate in the averaging of the diasteretopic methylene protons of the CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾HEt₂ ligand of 4 in the higher polarity acetone solvent. Computational work by DFT attributes this phenomenon to more facile ion pair dissociation of 5·Et₂NH₂⁺, obtained from 4·Et₂NH, facilitating inversion at the N atom. Complex 4 is the sole observable product initially but slow decomposition occurs in both solvents, though in different ways, without observable generation of NEt₃. Addition of TfOH to equilibrated solutions of 4, 1 and excess Et₂NH leads to partial protonolysis to yield NEt₃ but also regenerates 1 through a shift of the equilibrium via protonation of free Et₂NH. The DFT calculations reveal also a more favourable coordination (stronger Pt-N bond) of Et₂NH relative to PhNH₂ to the Pt^II center, but the barriers of the nucleophilic additions of Et₂NH to the C₂H₄ ligand in 1 and of PhNH₂ to trans-PtBr₂(C₂H₄)(PhNH₂) (1a) are predicted to be essentially identical for the two systems.     

Use of Suzuki cross-coupling as a route to 2-phenoxy-6-iminopyridines and chiral 2-phenoxy-6-(methanamino)pyridines

The anisyl boronic acids, 2-OMe-3-R²-5-R¹-C₆H₂B(OH)₂ (R¹=R²=H (a); R¹=H, R²=Ph (b); R¹=Me, R²=H (c); R¹=Cl, R²=H (d); R¹=t-Bu, R²=H (e)), have been employed in Suzuki cross-coupling reactions with either 2-bromo-6-formylpyridine (I) or 2-bromo-6-acetylpyridine (II) generating, following a facile deprotection step, the 2-phenoxy-6-carbonylpyridines, 2-(2′-OH-3′-R²-5′-R¹-C₆H₂)-6-(CHO)C₅H₃N (R¹=R²=H (1a); R¹=Me, R²=H (1c); R¹=Cl, R²=H (1d); R¹=t-Bu, R²=H (1e)) and 2-(2′-OH-3′-R²-5′-R¹-C₆H₂)-6-(CMeO)C₅H₃N (R¹=R²=H (2a); R¹=H, R²=Ph (2b)). Condensation reactions of 1 and 2 with 2,6-diisopropylaniline proceed smoothly to give the 2-phenoxy-6-iminopyridines, 2-(2′-OH-3′-R²-5′-R¹-C₆H₂)-6-{CHN(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃)}C₅H₃N (R¹=R²=H (3a); R¹=Me, R²=H (3c); R¹=Cl, R²=H (3d); R¹=t-Bu, R²=H (3e)) and 2-(2′-OH-3′-R²-5′-R²-C₆H₂)-6-{CMeN(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃)}C₅H₃N (R¹=H, R²=Ph (4a), R¹=H, R²=Ph (4b)). Reduction of the imino unit (and concomitant C-C bond formation) in 3 can be achieved by treatment with trimethylaluminium or methyllithium which, following hydrolysis, furnishes the racemic chiral 2-phenoxy-6-(methanamino)pyridines, 2-(2′-OH-3′-R²-5′-R¹-C₆H₂)-6-{CHMe-NH(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃)}C₅H₃N (R¹=R²=H (5a); R¹=Me, R²=H (5c); R¹=Cl, R²=H (5d); R¹=t-Bu, R²=H (5e)). This work represents a straightforward and rapid synthetic route to libraries of sterically and electronically variable phenoxy-substituted imino- and methanamino-pyridines, which are expected to act as useful ligands or proligands for late and early transition metal-mediated alkene polymerisation catalysis.     

Synthesis and structures of crystalline lithium 1-azaallyls and a 1,3-diazaallyl derived from Li{CH(SiMe3)(SiMe3−n(OMe)n)} (n=1 or 2) and Li{CH(SiMe2OMe)2} and RCN (R=Bu, Ph, 2,5-Me2C6H3, or Ad)

Crystalline [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(^tBu)C(H)(SiMe₃)}]₂ (5), [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(Ph)C(H)(SiMe₃)}]₂ (6), [C(C₆H₃Me₂-2,5)C(H)(SiMe₃)}(TMEDA)](7), [Li{N(SiMe(OMe)₂)C(^tBu)C(H)(SiMe₃)}(THF)]₂ (8), Li{N(SiMe(OMe)₂)C(Ph)C(H)(SiMe₃)}(TMEDA) (9) and [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(^tBu)C(H)(SiMe₂OMe)}]₂ (10) were readily obtained at ambient temperature from (i) [Li{CH(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂OMe)}]₈ (1) and an equivalent portion of RCN (R=^tBu (5), Ph (6) or 2,5-Me₂C₆H₃ (7)); (ii) [Li{CH(SiMe₃)(SiMe(OMe)₂)}]_∞ (2) and an equivalent portion of ^tBuCN (8) or PhCN (9); and (iii) [Li{CH(SiMe₂OMe)₂}]_∞ (3) and one equivalent of ^tBuCN (10). Reactions (i) and (ii) were regiospecific with SiMe_3−n(OMe)_n>SiMe₃ in 1,3-migration from C (in 1 or 2)→N. The 1-azaallyl ligand was bound to the lithium atom as a terminally bound κ¹-enamide (8 and 10), a bridging η³-1-azaallyl (6), or a bridging κ¹-enamide (5). The stereochemistry about the CC bond was Z for 5, 8 and 10 and E for 7. X-ray data are provided for 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 and multinuclear NMR spectra data in C₆D₆ or C₆D₅CD₃ for each of 5-10.     

Lutetium gets a crown: Synthesis, structure and reaction chemistry of the separated ion pair complex, [Li(12-crown-4)2][(C5Me5)2LuMe2]

Reaction of (C₅Me₅)₂Lu(Me)(μ-Me)Li(THF)₃ (2) with excess 12-crown-4 affords the new separated ion pair complex, [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂LuMe₂] (3), in excellent yield. This complex reacts with 2,6-diisopropylaniline and phenylacetylene to give the methyl amide complex [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Lu(Me)(NH-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)] (4) and the bis(acetylide) complex [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Lu(C≡C-Ph)₂] (5), respectively. Attempts to promote methane loss from complexes 3 and 4 to generate a lutetium methylidene or imido complex, respectively, were unsuccessful. The ability of the bis(acetylide) complex 5 to act as a π-tweezer complex was also explored. Reaction between [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Lu(C≡C-Ph)₂] (5) and CuSPh gave only intractable lutetium products and the copper(I) species [Li(12-crown-4)₂][Cu(C≡C-Ph)₂] (8). The new lutetium complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy. Finally, the X-ray crystal structures of (C₅Me₅)₂Lu(Me)(μ-Me)Li(THF)₃ (2), [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂LuMe₂] (3), [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Lu(Me)(NH-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)] (4), [Li(12-crown-4)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Lu(C≡C-Ph)₂] (5), and [Li(12-crown-4)₂][Cu(C≡C-Ph)₂] (8) are also reported.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of cyclometallated palladium (II) compounds containing difunctional ligands with [P,P], [As,As], [N,N], [P,As], [P,N] and [P,O] donor atoms

Treatment of the chloro-bridged dinuclear complex [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}(μ-Cl)]₂ (1) with homobidentate [P,P], [As,As], [N,N], and heterobidentate [P,As], [P,N] ligands in a 1:1 molar ratio gave the dinuclear complexes [{Pd[3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N](Cl)}₂{μ-L}] (L = Ph₂PC₄H₆(NH)CH₂PPh₂ (2); Ph₂As(CH₂)₂AsPh₂ (3); 1,3-(NH₂CH₂)₂C₆H₄ (4); Ph₂P(CH₂)₂AsPh₂ (5); Ph₂P(CH₂)₂NH₂ (6)), with the bidentate ligands bridging the two cyclometallated fragments.The reaction with the homobidentate ligands in a 1:2 molar ratio in the presence of NaClO₄ afforded the mononuclear compounds [[Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{L-P,P}][ClO₄] (L = Ph₂PC₄H₆(NH)CH₂PPh₂ (7); (o-Tol)₂P(CH₂)₂P(o-Tol)₂ (8)), [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{Ph₂As(CH₂)₂AsPh₂-As,As}][ClO₄] (9) and [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{L-N,N}][ClO₄] (L = NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₂ (10); NH₂(C₆H₈)CH₂(C₆H₈)NH₂ (11); 1,3-(NH₂CH₂)₂C₆H₄ (12); 1,3-(NH₂)₂C₅H₃N (13); NH₂(C₆H₄)O(C₆H₄)NH₂ (14); NMe₂(CH₂)₂NMe₂ (15)), in which the chloro ligands are absent and the bidentate ligands are chelated to the palladium atom.Reaction of 1 with Ph₂P(CH₂)₂AsPh₂ in 1:2 molar ratio in acetone in the presence of NH₄PF₆ afforded the analogous mononuclear compound [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂AsPh₂-P,As}][PF₆] (16); whereas reaction with Ph₂P(CH₂)₃NH₂ gave [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃N(CMe₂)-P,N}][PF₆] (17), derived from intermolecular condensation between the aminophosphine and acetone. Condensation of the NH₂ group was precluded by change of solvent, using dichloromethane.Iminophoshines also reacted with 1 in 1:2 molar ratio in acetone to give a new series of mononuclear cyclometallated complexes: [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{L-P,N}][ClO₄] (L = Ph₂PC₆H₄C(H)NCy (20); Ph₂PC₆H₄C(H)NC(CH₃)₃ (21); Ph₂PC₆H₄C(H)NNMe₂ (22); Ph₂PC₆H₄C(H)NNHMe (23); Ph₂PC₆H₄C(H)NNHPh (24)). Analogous complexes with a stable P,O-chelate were obtained using bidentate [P,O] donor ligands: [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}{L-P,O}][Cl] (L = 2-(Ph₂P)C₆H₄CHO (25); Ph₂PN(Me)C(O)Me (26)).The crystal structures of compounds 1, 5, 15, 16, 18, 20 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Room-temperature long-lived [Nb2F11] salts of radical cations of simple arenes: EPR, UV-Vis and DFT results

The computed structures of the long-lived radical cation salts [Arene][Nb₂F₁₁] [Arene = 1,4-F₂-2,5-(OMe)₂C₆H₂, 2; 1,4-(OMe)₂C₆H₄, 3; 2,5-(OEt)₂(Me)C₆H₃, 4; C₆H₆, 5] and that of the transient [1,3-(OMe)₂C₆H₄][Nb₂F₁₁], 6, obtained for the gas-phase by DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G∗∗ level, are presented. The degree of inertness observed in chloroform solution seems to increase on decreasing the steric demand of the ring substituents, and may be correlated to the calculated distance between the cation-centroid and the niobium atoms. The room-temperature EPR spectra of 2-4, in CHCl₃, are described in detail; the spectrum of 3 is compared to those of analogous 1,4-dimethoxybenzene radical species reported previously. The EPR spectra display a hyperfine structure due to coupling of the unpaired electron with nuclei belonging to both the cation (H and F in the case of 2) and the anion (F and eventually Nb). The UV-Vis spectra of 2-4 exhibit one strong absorption attributed to the cation and one anion-to-cation charge-transfer band (e.g. for 3 at 398 and 589 nm, respectively). Thermodynamic calculations indicate that the low yield formation of the benzene radical salt 5 occurs with Gibbs free energy variation significantly higher than those involved in the synthesis of 2-4 and 6.