Benzotriazolate cage complexes of tin(II) and lithium: halide-influenced serendipitous assembly

The one-pot reactions of the tin(II) halides SnX(2) (X = F, Cl, Br, I) with lithium hexamethyldisilazide, [Li(hmds)], and benzotriazole, (bta)H, produce contrasting outcomes. Tin(II) fluoride does not react with [Li(hmds)] and (bta)H, the outcome being the formation of insoluble [Li(bta)](∞). Tin(II) chloride and tin(II) bromide react with [Li(hmds)] and (bta)H in toluene to produce the hexadecametallic tin(II)-lithium cages [(hmds)(8)Sn(8)(bta)(12)Li(8)X(4)]·(n toluene) [X = Cl, 3·(8 toluene); X = Br, 4·(3 toluene)]. The reaction of tin(II) iodide with [Li(hmds)] and (bta)H in thf solvent produces the ion-separated species [{(thf)(2)Li(bta)}(3){Li(thf)}](2)[SnI(4)]·(thf), [5](2)[SnI(4)]·(thf), the structure of which contains a cyclic trimeric unit of lithium benzotriazolate and a rare example of the tetraiodostannate(II) dianion.     

Reactions of Li- and Yb-coordinated N,N'-bis(trimethylsilyl)-beta-diketiminates: one- and two-electron reductions, deprotonation, and C-N bond cleavage

The synthesis and characterisation of novel Li and Yb complexes is reported, in which the monoanionic beta-diketiminato ligand has been (i) reduced (SET or 2 [times] SET), (ii) deprotonated, or (iii) C-N bond-cleaved. Reduction of the lithium beta-diketiminate Li(L(R,R'))[L(R,R')= N(SiMe(3))C(R)CHC(R')N(SiMe(3))] with Li metal gave the dilithium derivative [Li(tmen)(mu-L(R,R'))Li(OEt(2))](R = R'= Ph; or, R = Ph, R[prime or minute]= Bu(t)). When excess of Li was used the dimeric trilithium [small beta]-diketiminate [Li(3)(L(R,R[prime or minute]))(tmen)](2)(, R = R'= C(6)H(4)Bu(t)-4 = Ar) was obtained. Similar reduction of [Yb(L(R,R'))(2)Cl] gave [Yb[(mu-L(R,R'))Li(thf)](2)](, R = R[prime or minute]= Ph; or, R = R'= C(6)H(4)Ph-4 = Dph). Use of the Yb-naphthalene complex instead of Li in the reaction with [Yb(L(Ph,Ph))(2)] led to the polynuclear Yb clusters [Yb(3)(L(Ph,Ph))(3)(thf)], [Yb(3)(L(Ph,Ph))(2)(dme)(2)], or [Yb(5)(L(Ph,Ph))(L(1))(L(2))(L(3))(thf)(4)] [L(1)= N(SiMe(3))C(Ph)CHC(Ph)N(SiMe(2)CH(2)), L(2)= NC(Ph)CHC(Ph)H, L(3)= N(SiMe(2)CH(2))] depending on the reaction conditions and stoichiometry. The structures of the crystalline complexes 4, 6x21/2(hexane), 5(C(6)D(6)), and have been determined by X-ray crystallography (and have been published).     

Synthesis and structures of some new types of lithium beta-diketiminates

The tetracyclic dilithio-Si,Si'-oxo-bridged bis(N,N'-methylsilyl-beta-diketiminates) 2 and 3, having an outer LiNCCCNLiNCCCN macrocycle, were prepared from [Li{CH(SiMe(3))SiMe(OMe)(2)}](infinity) and 2 PhCN. They differ in that the substituent at the beta-C atom of each diketiminato ligand is either SiMe(3) (2) or H (3). Each of and has (i) a central Si-O-Si unit, (ii) an Si(Me) fragment N,N'-intramolecularly bridging each beta-diketiminate, and (iii) an Li(thf)(2) moiety N,N'-intermolecularly bridging the two beta-diketiminates (thf = tetrahydrofuran). Treatment of [Li{CH(SiMe(3))(SiMe(2)OMe)}](8) with 2Me(2)C(CN)(2) yielded the amorphous [Li{Si(Me)(2)((NCR)(2)CH)}](n) [R = C(Me)(2)CN] (4). From [Li{N(SiMe(3))C(Bu(t))C(H)SiMe(3)}](2) (A) and 1,3- or 1,4-C(6)H(4)(CN)(2), with no apparent synergy between the two CN groups, the product was the appropriate (mu-C(6)H(4))-bis(lithium beta-diketiminate) 6 or 7. Reaction of [Li{N(SiMe(3))C(Ph)=C(H)SiMe(3)}(tmeda)] and 1,3-C(6)H(4)(CN)(2) afforded 1,3-C(6)H(4)(X)X' (X =CC(Ph)N(SiMe3)Li(tmeda)N(SiMe3)CH; X' = CN(SiMe3)Li(tmeda)NC(Ph)=C(H)SiMe3)(9). Interaction of A and 2[1,2-C(6)H(4)(CN)(2)] gave the bis(lithio-isoindoline) derivative [C6H4C(=NH)N{Li(OEt2)}C=C(SiMe3)C(Bu(t))=N(SiMe3)]2 (5). The X-ray structures of 2, 3, 5 and 9 are presented, and reaction pathways for each reaction are suggested.     

Synthesis and structures of the [benzamidinato]3- complexes Li3(tmeda)(L1)]2 and [Li(thf)4][Li5(L2)(OEt2)2] [L1 = N(SiMe3)C(Ph)N(SiMe3) and L2 = N(SiMe3)C(C6H4-4)NPh

Reduction at ambient temperature of each of the lithium benzamidinates [Li(L(1))(tmeda)] or [{Li(L(2))(OEt(2))(2)}(2)] with four equivalents of lithium metal in diethyl ether or thf furnished the brown crystalline [Li(3)(L(1))(tmeda)] (1) or [Li(thf)(4)][Li(5)(L(2))(2)(OEt(2))(2)] (2), respectively. Their structures show that in each the [N(R(1))C(R(3))NR(2)](3-) moiety has the three negative charges largely localised on each of N, N' and R = Aryl); a consequence is that the "aromatic" 2,3- and 5,6-CC bonds of R(3) approximate to being double bonds. Multinuclear NMR spectra in C(6)D(6) and C(7)D(8) show that 1 and 2 exhibit dynamic behaviour. [The following abbreviations are used: L(1) = N(SiMe(3))C(Ph)N(SiMe(3)); L(2) = N(SiMe(3))C(C(6)H(4)Me-4)N(Ph); tmeda = (Me(2)NCH(2)-)(2); thf = tetrahydrofuran.] This reduction is further supported by a DFT analysis.     

Catalytic P--H activation by Ti and Zr catalysts

Catalytic dehydrocoupling of phosphines was investigated using the anionic zirconocene trihydride salts [Cp*2Zr(mu-H)3Li]3 (1 a) or [Cp*2Zr(mu-H)3K(thf)4] (1 b), and the metallocycles [CpTi(NPtBu3)(CH2)4] (6) and [Cp*M(NPtBu3)(CH2)4] (M=Ti 20, Zr 21) as catalyst precursors. Dehydrocoupling of primary phosphines RPH2 (R=Ph, C6H2Me3, Cy, C10H7) gave both dehydrocoupled dimers RP(H)P(H)R or cyclic oligophosphines (RP)n (n=4, 5) while reaction of tBu3C6H2PH2 gave the phosphaindoline tBu2(Me2CCH2)C6H2PH 9. Stoichiometric reactions of these catalyst precursors with primary phosphines afforded [Cp*2Zr((PR)2)H][K(thf)4] (R=Ph 2, Cy 3, C6H2Me3 4), [Cp*2Zr((PPh)3)H][K(thf)4] (5), [CpTi(NPtBu3)(PPh)3] (7) and [CpTi(NPtBu3)(mu-PHPh)]2 (8), while reaction of 6 with (C6H2tBu3)PH2 in the presence of PMe3 afforded [CpTi(NPtBu3)(PMe3)(P(C6H2tBu3)] (10). The secondary phosphines Ph2PH and (PhHPCH2)2CH2 also undergo dehydrocoupling affording (Ph2P)2 and (PhPCH2)2CH2. The bisphosphines (CH2PH2)2 and C6H4(PH2)2 are dehydrocoupled to give (PCH2CH2PH)2)(12) and (C6H4P(PH))2 (13) while prolonged reaction of 13 gave (C6H4P2)(8) (14). The analogous bisphosphine Me2C6H4(PH)2 (17) was prepared and dehydrocoupling catalysis afforded (Me2C6H2P(PH))2 (18) and subsequently [(Me2C6H2P2)2(mu-Me2C6H2P2)]2 (19). Stoichiometric reactions with these bisphosphines gave [Cp*2Zr(H)(PH)2C6-H4][Li(thf)4] (22), [CpTi(NPtBu3)(PH)2C6H4]2 (23) and [Cp*Ti(NPtBu3)(PH)2C6H4] (24). Mechanistic implications are discussed.     

f-Element disiloxanediolates: novel Si-O-based inorganic heterocycles

The preparation and structural characterization of scandium and f-element complexes derived from the disiloxanediolate dianion, [(Ph2SiO)2O]2-, are reported. Reactions of in situ prepared Ln[N(SiMe3)2]3 (Ln = Eu, Sm, Gd) with (Ph2SiOH)2O in different stoichiometries afforded the lanthanide disiloxanediolates [Eu[[(Ph2SiO)2O]Li(Et2O)]3] (1), [[[(Ph2SiO)2O]Li(dme)]2SmCl(dme)] (2), and [[[((Ph2SiO)2O]Li(thf)2]2GdN(SiMe3)2] (3). In situ formed (Ph2SiOLi)2O reacted with anhydrous NdBr3 (molar ratio 3:1) to give polymeric [[Nd[(Ph2SiO)2O]3[mu-Li(thf)]2[mu2LiBrLi(thf)(Et2O)]]n] (4). Treatment of 3 with Ph2Si(OH)2 in the presence of acetonitrile yielded the dilithium trisiloxanediolate derivative [[Ph2Si(OSiPh2O)2][Li(MeCN)]2]2 (5), which according to an X-ray analysis displays an Li4O4 heterocubane structure. The trinuclear scandium complex [[[(Ph2SiO)2O]Sc(acac)2]2Sc(acac)] (6) was obtained by reaction of [(C5Me5)Sc(acac)2] (C5Me5 = eta5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with (Ph2SiOH)2O in a 3:2 molar ratio. Selective formation of the colorless uranium(VI) derivative [U[Ph2Si(OSiPh20)2]2[(Ph2SiO)2O]] (7) was observed when uranocene, U(eta8-C8H8)2, was allowed to react with (Ph2SiOH)2O. An X-ray diffraction study of the solvated derivative [U[Ph2Si(OSiPh2O)2]2[(Ph2SiO)2O]].Et2O.TMEDA (TMEDA= N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-ethylenediamine) (7a) revealed the presence of both the original [(Ph2SiO)2O]2- dianion as well as the ring-enlarged [Ph2Si(OSiPh2O)2]2- ligand in the same molecule.     

Access to new Janus head ligands: linking sulfur diimides and phosphanes for hemilabile tripodal scorpionates

Reactions of lithium dialkyl/phenyl phosphanylmethylides, RR'PCH(X)Li (R, R' = Me, Et, Ph and R = Me, R' = Ph; X = H or Me), with sulfur diimides S(NR')2 (R' = (t)Bu or SiMe3) in an equimolar ratio yielded Janus head complexes with the structural motif [Li{RR'PCH(X)S(NR')2}]2 (R' = (t)Bu, SiMe3). The basic core of these dimeric complexes is composed of a (LiN)(2) four-membered ring containing two four-coordinated lithium atoms. A lithium complex of the new Janus head ligand with another structural motif [TMEDA·Li{Ph(2)PCH(2)S(NSiMe3)2}] (6) could be isolated from the reaction of [Ph2PCH2Li·TMEDA] with S(NSiMe3)2. Two monomeric complexes [Mg{Me2PCH2S(NR')2}2] (7, 8) were synthesised by a straightforward reaction of [Li{Me2PCH2S(NR')2}2] with MgCl2 in pentane. The magnesium atom is chelated by one phosphorus atom and two nitrogen atoms of each unit of the hemilabile ligand in a tripodal manner, leading to octahedral geometry around the magnesium cation. A complete analysis of [Ph2PCH2(SNSiMe3)(HNSiMe3)] (9) is also described in which one nitrogen atom of the imido moiety is protonated.     

Primary amido substituted diborane4 compounds and imidodiborate4 anions

Treatment of the diborane(4) compound B(2)(NMe(2))(4) with aniline or 2,6-dimethylaniline results in the primary amido compounds B(2)(NHR)(4)(R = Ph, 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)); subsequent treatment with n-BuLi in toluene in each case affords the first examples of anionic imidodiborates namely Li(4)(thf)(6)B(2)(NPh)(4) and Li(4)(thf)(4)B(2)(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(4); all complexes have been characterised crystallographically.     

From the tetra(amino) phosphonium cation, [P(NHPh)4]+, to the tetra(imino) phosphate trianion, [P(NPh)4]3-, two-faced ligands that bind anions and cations

The tetraanilino phosphonium cation, [P(N(H)Ph)4]+, 1+, is sequentially deprotonated by Bu(n)Li in thf. The deprotonation reaction of the chloride derivative, Cl, was monitored by (31)P NMR, which revealed the successive formation of the neutral [P(N(H)Ph)3(NPh)], 2, the monoanionic [P(N(H)Ph)2(NPh)2]-, 3-, the dianionic [P(N(H)Ph)(NPh)3]2-, 4(2-), and finally the trianionic species [P(NPh)(4)](3-), (3-). Considering the isoelectronic relationship of oxo, =O, and imino groups, =NR, as well as hydroxy, -OH, and amino groups, -N(H)R, the neutral complex corresponds to phosphoric acid, H3PO4, whereas the anions 3-, 4(2-) and 5(3-) are analogues of dihydrogen phosphate, H2PO4-, monohydrogenphosphate, HPO4(2-), and orthophosphate ions, PO4(3-), respectively. Solid state structures were obtained of 1Cl, 2LiCl(thf)(2), 3Li(thf)(3.5), 3Li(2)Cl(thf)(4.25), 3Li(2)Cl(thf)(6) and 5Li(4)Cl(thf)(4). All systems provide two separate N-P-N chelation sites at opposite ligand faces, either consisting of the di(amino) arrangement P(NH)(2), acting as a double H-bond donor, the di(imino) arrangement PN(2), donating two electron pairs, or the mixed amino imino arrangement P(N)(NH), which supplies both electron pair and H-donor site. Interesting in this aspect is the mixed amino imino derivative 3- which has the ability to chelate a Lewis acid, such as a metal ion, at one face and a Lewis base, such as an anionic or neutral donor at the opposite ligand face. The formation of 1-D aggregates and the entrapment of lithium chloride are key characteristics of the supramolecular structures of the discussed complexes.     

Group 11 complexes containing the [C5(CN)5]- ligand; 'coordination-analogues' of molecular organometallic systems

The reactions of Na[C(5)(CN)(5)] (Na[1]) with group 11 phosphine complexes [(P)(n)MCl] (M = Cu, Ag, Au, P = Ph(3)P; M = Cu, P = dppe (Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))] give a range of compounds containing the pentacyanocyclopentadienide ligand, [C(5)(CN)(5)](-) (1). The new complexes [(Ph(3)P)(2)M{1}](2) [M = Cu (3); M = Ag (5)], [(Ph(3)P)(3)Ag{1}] (4), [(dppe)(3)Cu(2){1}(2)] (6) and [Au(PPh(3))(2)][1] (7) include the first complete series of group 11 complexes of any cyclopentadienide ligand to be structurally characterised.     

Studies of a series of [Ni(P(R)2N(Ph)2)2(CH3CN)]2+ complexes as electrocatalysts for H2 production: substituent variation at the phosphorus atom of the P2N2 ligand

A series of [Ni(P(R)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) complexes containing the cyclic diphosphine ligands [P(R)(2)N(Ph)(2) = 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane; R = benzyl (Bn), n-butyl (n-Bu), 2-phenylethyl (PE), 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl (TP), and cyclohexyl (Cy)] have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the cations of [Ni(P(Bn)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) and [Ni(P(n-Bu)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) have distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometries. The Ni(0) complex [Ni(P(Bn)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)] was also synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction studies and shown to have a distorted tetrahedral structure. These complexes, with the exception of [Ni(P(Cy)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2), all exhibit reversible electron transfer processes for both the Ni(II/I) and Ni(I/0) couples and are electrocatalysts for the production of H(2) in acidic acetonitrile solutions. The heterolytic cleavage of H(2) by [Ni(P(R)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) complexes in the presence of p-anisidine or p-bromoaniline was used to determine the hydride donor abilities of the corresponding [HNi(P(R)(2)N(Ph)(2))(2)](BF(4)) complexes. However, for the catalysts with the most bulky R groups, the turnover frequencies do not parallel the driving force for elimination of H(2), suggesting that steric interactions between the alkyl substituents on phosphorus and the nitrogen atom of the pendant amines play an important role in determining the overall catalytic rate.     

Assembly of an allenylidene ligand, a terminal alkyne, and an acetonitrile molecule: formation of osmacyclopentapyrrole derivatives

Treatment in acetonitrile at -30 C of the hydride-alkenylcarbyne complex [OsH([triple bond]CCH=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(P(i)Pr3)2][BF4]2 (1) with (t)BuOK produces the selective deprotonation of the alkenyl substituent of the carbyne and the formation of the bis-solvento hydride-allenylidene derivative [OsH(=C=C=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(P(i)Pr3)2]BF4 (2), which under carbon monoxide atmosphere is converted into [Os(CH=C=CPh2)(CO)(CH3CN)2(P(i)Pr3)2]BF4 (3). When the treatment of 1 with (t)BuOK is carried out in dichloromethane at room temperature, the fluoro-alkenylcarbyne [OsHF([triple bond]CCH=CPh2)(CH3CN)(P(i)Pr3)2]BF4 (4) is isolated. Complex 2 reacts with terminal alkynes. The reactions with phenylacetylene and cyclohexylacetylene afford [Os[(E)-CH=CHR](=C=C=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(P(i)Pr3)2]BF4 (R = Ph (5), Cy (6)), containing an alkenyl ligand beside the allenylidene, while the reaction with acetylene in dichloromethane at -20 degrees C gives the hydride-allenylidene-pi-alkyne [OsH(=C=C=CPh2)(eta2-HC[triple bond]CH)(P(i)Pr3)2]BF4 (7), with the alkyne acting as a four-electron donor ligand. In acetonitrile under reflux, complexes 5 and 6 are transformed into the osmacyclopentapyrrole compounds [Os[C=C(CPh2CR=CH)CMe=NH](CH3CN)2]BF4 (R = Ph (8), Cy (9)), as a result of the assembly of the allenylidene ligand, the alkenyl group, and an acetonitrile molecule. The X-ray structures of 2, 5, and 8 are also reported.     

Hexanuclear Fe(III)2Co(III)2M(II)2 (M = Cu, Ni, Mn) clusters based on Kläui's tripodal ligand and tricyanometalates: syntheses, structures and magnetic properties

With the use of Kl?ui's tripodal ligand, [(Cp)Co(P(O)(OEt)(2))(3)](-) (L(CoEt), Cp = cyclopentadiene) as the auxiliary ligand to react with different metal salts and tricyanometalate building blocks, five neutral trimetallic hexanuclear complexes: [(Tp)(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)Cu(2)(L(CoEt))(2)]·6H(2)O (1, Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate), [(Tp*)(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)Cu(2)(L(CoEt))(2)]·2H(2)O (2, Tp* = hydridotris(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)borate), [(pzTp)(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)Cu(2)(L(CoEt))(2)]·H(2)O·3MeOH (3, pzTp = tetra(pyrazolyl)borate), [(Tp)(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)Ni(2)(L(CoEt))(2)(MeCN)(2)]·2MeCN·2H(2)O (4) and [(Tp)(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)Mn(2)(L(CoEt))(2)(MeCN)(2)]·2MeCN (5), have been obtained and structurally characterized. Magnetic measurements confirm that there are ferromagnetic couplings between the cyano-bridged Fe and Cu/or Ni ions and antiferromagnetic interaction between the cyano-bridged Fe and Mn ions. Slow relaxation of the magnetization is observed in complexes 1 and 4, while complex 3 exhibits metamagnetic behavior with a critical field of 17.5 kOe.     

Reactivity of calix-tetrapyrrole SmII and SmIII complexes with acetylene: isolation of an "N-confused" calix-tetrapyrrole ring

The nature of the substituents present on the calix-tetrapyrrole tetra-anion ligand [[R2C(C4H2N)]4]4- (R = [-(CH2)5-]0.5, Et) determines the type of reactivity of the corresponding SmII compounds with acetylene. With R = [-(CH2)5-]0.5, dehydrogenation occurred to yield the nearly colorless dinuclear diacetylide complex [[[[-(CH2)5-]4-calix-tetrapyrrole]SmIII]2(mu-C2Li4)].THF as the only detectable reaction product. Conversely, with R = Et, acetylene coupling in addition to dehydrogenation resulted in the formation of a dimeric butatrienediyl enolate derivative [[(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)SmIII[Li[Li(thf)]2(mu-OCH=CH2)]]2(mu,eta2,eta'2-HC=C=C=CH)]. Reaction of the trivalent hydride [(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)(thf)SmIII[(mu-H)[Li(thf)]]2 or of the terminally bonded methyl derivative [(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)(CH3)SmIII[[Li(thf)]2[Li(thf)2](mu3-Cl)]] with acetylene resulted in a mixture of the carbide [[(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)SmIII]2(mu-C2Li4)].Et2O with the dimerization product [[(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)SmIII[Li[Li(thf)]2(mu3-OCH=CH2)]]2-mu,eta2,eta'2-HC=C=C=CH)]. The same reaction also yielded a third product, a trivalent complex [[(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)SmIII[Li(thf)2]]2], in which the macrocycle was isomerized by shifting the ring attachment of one of the four pyrrole rings.     

Highly stereoselective addition of stannylcuprates to alkynones

The addition of stannylcuprate reagents such as (Bu3Sn)(PhS)CuLi to alkynones has been found to proceed in high yield and with excellent stereoselectivity for the Z isomer of the product (>95%). The behavior of the stannylcuprates is thus very different from that of their "carbocuprate" counterparts such as Me2CuLi or Me2Cu(CN)Li2 which are nonstereoselective. Furthermore, in contrast to the reactions of (R3Sn)(PhS)CuLi with the corresponding alkynoates, the presence of a proton source in the reaction medium has no effect on the stereoselectivity of the reaction of alkynones.     

Thermodynamic, kinetic, and mechanistic study of oxygen atom transfer from mesityl nitrile oxide to phosphines and to a terminal metal phosphido complex

The enthalpies of oxygen atom transfer (OAT) from mesityl nitrile oxide (MesCNO) to Me(3)P, Cy(3)P, Ph(3)P, and the complex (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoP (Ar = 3,5-C(6)H(3)Me(2)) have been measured by solution calorimetry yielding the following P-O bond dissociation enthalpy estimates in toluene solution (±3 kcal mol(-1)): Me(3)PO [138.5], Cy(3)PO [137.6], Ph(3)PO [132.2], (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoPO [108.9]. The data for (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoPO yield an estimate of 60.2 kcal mol(-1) for dissociation of PO from (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoPO. The mechanism of OAT from MesCNO to R(3)P and (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoP has been investigated by UV-vis and FTIR kinetic studies as well as computationally. Reactivity of R(3)P and (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoP with MesCNO is proposed to occur by nucleophilic attack by the lone pair of electrons on the phosphine or phosphide to the electrophilic C atom of MesCNO forming an adduct rather than direct attack at the terminal O. This mechanism is supported by computational studies. In addition, reaction of the N-heterocyclic carbene SIPr (SIPr = 1,3-bis(diisopropyl)phenylimidazolin-2-ylidene) with MesCNO results in formation of a stable adduct in which the lone pair of the carbene attacks the C atom of MesCNO. The crystal structure of the blue SIPr·MesCNO adduct is reported, and resembles one of the computed structures for attack of the lone pair of electrons of Me(3)P on the C atom of MesCNO. Furthermore, this adduct in which the electrophilic C atom of MesCNO is blocked by coordination to the NHC does not undergo OAT with R(3)P. However, it does undergo rapid OAT with coordinatively unsaturated metal complexes such as (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)V since these proceed by attack of the unblocked terminal O site of the SIPr·MesCNO adduct rather than at the blocked C site. OAT from MesCNO to pyridine, tetrahydrothiophene, and (Ar[(t)Bu]N)(3)MoN was found not to proceed in spite of thermochemical favorability.     

Heterobimetallic Coinage Metal-Ruthenium Complexes Supported by Anionic N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

The lithium complexes [(WCA-NHC)Li(toluene)] of anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes with a weakly coordinating borate moiety (WCA-NHC, WCA=B(C₆F₅)₃, NHC=IDipp=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) were used for the preparation of silver(I) or copper(I) WCA-NHC complexes. While the reactions in THF with AgCl or CuCl afforded anionic mono- and dicarbene complexes with solvated lithium counterions [Li(THF)_n]⁺ (n=3, 4), the reactions in toluene proceeded with elimination of LiCl and formation of the neutral phosphine and arene complexes [(WCA-NHC)M(PPh₃)] and [(WCA-NHC)M(η²-toluene)] (M=Ag, Cu). The latter were used for the preparation of chlorido- and iodido-bridged heterobimetallic Ag/Ru and Cu/Ru complexes [(WCA-NHC)M(μ-X)₂Ru(PPh₃)(η⁶-p-cymene)] (M=Ag, Cu, X=Cl; M=Ag, X=I). Surprisingly, these complexes resisted the elimination of CuCl, AgCl, or AgI, precluding WCA-NHC transmetalation.     

Yttrium and lanthanide diphosphanylamides: syntheses and structures of complexes with one [(Ph2P)2N]- ligand in the coordination sphere

Treatment of the recently reported potassium salt [K(thf)(n)][N(PPh(2))(2)] (n=1.25, 1.5) with anhydrous yttrium or lanthanide trichlorides in THF leads after crystallization from THF/n-pentane (1:2) to the monosubstituted diphosphanylamide complexes [LnCl(2)[(Ph(2)P)(2)N](thf)(3)] (Ln=Y, Sm, Er, Yb). The single-crystal X-ray structures of these complexes show that the metal atoms are surrounded by seven ligands in a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal arrangement, in which the chlorine atoms are located in the apical positions. The diphosphanylamide ligand is always eta(2)-coordinated through the nitrogen atom and one phosphorus atom. Further reaction of [SmCl(2)[(Ph(2)P)(2)N](thf)(3)] with K(2)C(8)H(8) or reaction of [LnI(eta(8)-C(8)H(8))(thf)(3)] with [K(thf)(n)][N(PPh(2))(2)] in THF gives the corresponding cyclooctatetraene complexes [Ln[(Ph(2)P)(2)N](eta(8)-C(8)H(8))(thf)(2)] (Ln=La, Sm). The single crystals of these compounds contain enantiomerically pure complexes. Both compounds adopt a four-legged piano-stool conformation in the solid state. The structures of the A and the C enantiomers were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The more soluble bistrimethylsilyl cyclooctatetraene complex [Y[(Ph(2)P)(2)N](eta(8)-1,4-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(8)H(6))(thf)(2)] was obtained by transmetallation of Li(2)[1,4-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(8)H(6)] with anhydrous yttrium trichloride in THF followed by the addition of one equivalent of [K(thf)(n)][N(PPh(2))(2)]. The (89)Y NMR signal of the complex is split up into a triplet, supporting other observations that the phosphorus atoms are chemically equivalent in solution and, thus, dynamic behavior of the ligand in solution can be anticipated.     

Synthesis and structure of 6-aminofulvene-2-aldiminate complexes

We report here a synthetic route to bis(N,N'-aryl)-6-aminofulvene-2-aldimine (AFA) ligand systems, specifically Ph(2)-AFAH and Dip(2)-AFAH. The synthesis and structural characterization of a series of Cu(I) complexes [(Ph(2)-AFA)Cu(CNPh)(2)] (2), [(Ph(2)-AFA)Cu(CN(i)Pr)] (3), and [(Dip(2)-AFA)Cu(CN(i)Pr)] (4), from the reaction of the corresponding lithiated AFA systems with Cu-Cl derivatives are reported; notably in the case of [(Ph(2)-AFA)Cu(CNPh)(2)] studies have revealed the existence of two structural isomers (2a and 2b), both of which can be isolated and structurally characterized. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the two crystal forms are comparatively close in energy, and geometry optimization reveals a convergence of these two forms to a geometry that more closely resembles the solid-state structure of isomer 2b, having a CH···π interaction. The reactions of the AFA compounds Ph(2)-AFAH and Dip(2)-AFAH with ZnMe(2) and AlMe(3) have also been investigated, and the results of these reactions are described here.     

A new series of dinuclear Au(I) complexes linked by diethynylpyridine groups

A series of novel digold complexes incorporating ethynyl pyridine derivatives as a spacer unit, [(R(3)P)Au(C[triple bond]C)X(C[triple bond]C)Au(PR(3))] (R = Ph, X = 2,5-pyridine (1); R = Cy (cyclohexane), X = 2,5-pyridine (2); R = Ph, X = 2,6-pyridine (3); R = Ph, X = 2,5'-bipyridine (4); R = Ph, X = 2,6'-bipyridine (5)), has been synthesised. All the complexes have been characterised spectroscopically and the structures determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The central (C[triple bond]C)(X)(C[triple bond]C) unit is essentially linear for complexes 1, 2 and 4 and kinked for complexes 3 and 5, but only in 1, with the shortest spacer group and the less bulky phosphine ligand, is there evidence of d(10)...d(10) Au...Au interactions (Au-Au 3.351(2) A). The solution UV/visible absorption and emission spectra for all the complexes are similar to those of the free ligands suggesting that the spectra are dominated by pi-pi* ligand-centred transitions and this is confirmed by DFT calculations.