Small Molecule Chemistry of the Pyrazolylborate-Zinc Unit Tp(Cum,Me)Zn

The synthesis of the highly encapsulating pyrazolylborate ligand hydrotris(3-p-cumenyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate (L = Tp(Cum,Me)) and of its zinc hydroxide complex L.Zn-OH (1) are described. 1 is converted by H(2)S into the hydrosulfide complex L.Zn-SH (2). Both 1 and 2 seem to be contaminated with traces of the isomeric species 1' and 2' containing L' with one 3-methyl-5-p-cumenyl substituent. Thermal condensations of 1' and 2 yield the molecular zinc oxide and sulfide complexes L'.Zn-O-Zn.L' (3') and L.Zn-S-Zn.L (4). The hydroxide complex 1 has been found to react readily with cumulated double-bonded species: CO(2) is incorporated in alcoholic solutions to form the alkylcarbonate complexes L.Zn-OCOOR (5). Similarly, CS(2) in ethanol forms the O-ethyl dithiocarbonate complex L.Zn-SC(S)OEt (6). SO(2) is converted to a bridging sulfito ligand in L.Zn-O-SO-O-Zn.L (7), and phenyl isothiocyanate is bound as a thiocarbamidato ligand in L.Zn-SC(O)NHPh (8). Complexes 1, 2, 2', 3', 4, 5, and 6 have been confirmed by structure determinations and complexes 7 and 8 by spectral data.     

Synthesis, structures, and reactivity of yttrium alkyl and alkynyl complexes with mixed Tp(Me2)/Cp ligands

The structurally characterized Tp(Me2)-supported rare earth metal monoalkyl complex (Tp(Me2))CpYCH(2)Ph(THF) (1) was synthesized via the salt-metathesis reaction of (Tp(Me2))CpYCl(THF) with KCH(2)Ph in THF at room temperature. Treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of PhC≡CH under the same conditions afforded the corresponding alkynyl complex (Tp(Me2))CpYC≡CPh(THF) (2). Complex 1 exhibits high activity toward carbodiimides, isocyanate, isothiocyanate, and CS(2); treatment of 1 with such substrates led to the formation of a series of the corresponding Y-C(benzyl) σ-bond insertion products (Tp(Me2))CpY[(RN)(2)CCH(2)Ph] (R = (i)Pr(3a), Cy(3b), 2,6-(i)Pr-C(6)H(3)(3c)), (Tp(Me2))CpY[SC(CH(2)Ph)NPh] (4), (Tp(Me2))CpY[OC(CH(2)Ph)NPh] (5), and (Tp(Me2))CpY(S(2)CCH(2)Ph) (6) in 40-70% isolated yields. Carbodiimides and isothiocyanate can also insert into the Y-C(alkynyl) σ bond of 2 to yield complexes (Tp(Me2))CpY[(RN)(2)CC≡CPh] (R = (i)Pr(7a), Cy(7b)) and (Tp(Me2))CpY[SC(C≡CPh)NPh] (9). Further investigation results indicated that 1 can effectively catalyze the cross-coupling reactions of phenylacetylene with carbodiimides. However, treatment of o-allylaniline with a catalytic amount of 1 gave only the benzyl abstraction product (Tp(Me2))CpY(NHC(6)H(4)CH(2)CH═CH(2)-o)(THF) (10), without observation of the expected organic hydroamination/cyclization product. All of these new complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic properties, and their solid-state structures were also confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Untersuchungen an Polyhalogeniden. XXII [1]. Dimethyldiphenylammoniumpolyiodide (Me2Ph2N)In mit n = 3, 13/3, 6, 8: Darstellung und strukturelle Charakterisierung eines Triiodids (Me2Ph2N)I3, Tridecaiodids (Me2Ph2N)3I13, Dodecaiodids (Me2Ph2N)2I12 und Hexadecaiodids (Me2Ph2N)2I16

Studies of Polyhalides. 22. On Dimethyldiphenylammoniumpolyiodides (Me₂Ph₂N)I_n with n = 3, 13/3, 6, and 8: Preparation and Crystal Structures of a Triiodide (Me₂Ph₂N)I₃, Tridecaiodide (Me₂Ph₂N)₃I₁₃, Dodecaiodide (Me₂Ph₂N)₂I₁₂, and Hexadecaiodide (Me₂Ph₂N)₂I₁₆ The new compounds [(CH₃)₂(C₆H₅)₂N]I₃, [(CH₃)₂(C₆H₅)₂N]₃I₁₃, [(CH₃)₂(C₆H₅)₂N]₂I₁₂ and [(CH₃)₂(C₆H₅)₂N]₂I₁₆ have been prepared by the reaction of dimethyldiphenylammonium iodide [(CH₃)₂(C₆H₅)₂N]I with iodine I₂ in ethanol. Their crystal structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The structure of the triiodide may be described as a layerlike packing of pairs of nearly linear symmetric anions and tetraedral cations. The tridecaiodide forms zig-zag chains of iodide ions and iodine molecules with the iodide ion also weakly coordinated by two pentaiodide groups. The dodecaiodide is built from two pentaiodide-groups, which are bridged by an iodine molecule and connected with secondary bonds forming double chains. The hexadecaiodide ion forms layers built up from two heptaiodide groups and one iodine molecule. Thus the dimethyldiphenylammonium cation stabilizes a unique series of polyiodides of extraordinary composition and structure.     

Pyrazolylborate-zinc-nucleobase-complexes, 3:(1) base pairing studies

In solution, the pyrazolylborate-zinc-nucleobase complexes show self-association and base pairing with external nucleobases. The self-association was studied quantitatively for Tp(Cum,Me)Zn-hypoxanthinate and Tp(Cum,Me)Zn-thyminate; the dimerization constants K(D) are 63 +/- 8 and 0.2 +/- 0.1 M(-1), respectively. Of the external nucleobases, 9-ethyladenine forms stable base pairs with the thyminate, uracilate, and xanthinate complexes, 9-isobutylguanine only with the cytosinate complex, 1-methylthymine with the adeninate and diaminopurinate complexes, and 1-methyluracil with the diaminopurinate complex. The association constant for the base pair Tp(Cum,Me)Zn-thyminate:9-ethyladenine was determined by NMR methods as K = 66 +/- 10 M(-1). Structure determinations of the crystalline adducts have confirmed the base pairing for Tp(Cum,Me)Zn-thyminate:9-ethyladenine, Tp(Cum,Me)Zn-cytosinate:9-isobutylguanine, and Tp(Cum,Me)Zn-xanthinate:9-ethyladenine. Both Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen base pairs have been observed. In the solid state, extended base pairing leads to quartet and polymer arrangements.     

Divalent lanthanide complexes supported by the bridged bis(amidinates) L Me3SiN(Ph)CN(CH2)3NC(Ph)NSiMe3]: synthesis, molecular structures and one-electron-transfer reactions

Metathesis reactions of YbI(2) with Li(2)L (L = Me(3)SiN(Ph)CN(CH(2))(3)NC(Ph)NSiMe(3)) in THF at a molar ratio of 1:1 and 1:2 both afforded the Yb(II) iodide complex [{YbI(DME)(2)}(2)(μ(2)-L)] (1), which was structurally characterized to be a dinuclear Yb(II) complex with a bridged L ligand. Treatment of EuI(2) with Li(2)L did not afford the analogous [{EuI(DME)(2)}(2)(μ(2)-L)], or another isolable Eu(II) complex, but the hexanuclear heterobimetallic cluster [{Li(DME)(3)}(+)](2)[{(EuI)(2)(μ(2)-I)(2)(μ(3)-L)(2)(Li)(4)}(μ(6)-O)](2-) (2) was isolated as a byproduct in a trace yield. The rational synthesis of cluster 2 could be realized by the reaction of EuI(2) with Li(2)L and H(2)O in a molar ratio of 1:1.5:0.5. The reduction reaction of LLnCl(THF)(2) (Ln = Yb and Eu) with Na/K alloy in THF gave the corresponding Ln(II) complexes [Yb(3)(μ(2)-L)(3)] (3) and [Eu(μ(2)-L)(THF)](2) (4) in good yields. An X-ray crystal structure analysis revealed that each L in complex 3 might adopt a chelating ligand bonding to one Yb atom and each Yb atom coordinates to an additional amidinate group of the other L and acts as a bridging link to assemble a macrocyclic structure. Complex 4 is a dimer in which the two monomers [Eu(μ(2)-L)(THF)] are connected by two μ(2)-amidinate groups from the two L ligands. Complex 3 reacted with CyN═C═NCy and diazabutadienes [2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)N═CRCR═NC(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2,6] (R═H, CH(3)) (DAD) as a one-electron reducing agent to afford the corresponding Yb(III) derivatives: the complex with an oxalamidinate ligand [LYb{(NCy)(2)CC(NCy)(2)}YbL] (5) and the complexes containing a diazabutadiene radical anion [LYb((i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)NCRCRNC(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2))] (R = H (6), R = CH(3) (7)). Complexes 5-7 were confirmed by an X-ray structure determination.     

Platinum,iridium and rhodium complexes with substituted bis-(diphenylphosphino)methane ligands Ph2PCH(R)PPh2 (R = Me,Ph or SiMe3)

Substituted phosphines of the type Ph₂PCH(R)PPh₂ and their Pt^II complexes [PtX₂{Ph₂PCH(R)PPh₂}] (R = Me, Ph or SiMe₃; X = halide) were prepared. Treatment of [PtCl₂(NCBu^t)₂] with Ph₂PCH(SiMe₃)-PPh₂ gave [PtCl₂(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)], while treatment with Ph₂PCH(Ph)PPh₂ gave [Pt{Ph₂PCH(Ph)PPh₂}₂]Cl₂. Reaction of p-MeC₆H₄C≡CLi or PhC≡CLi with [PtX₂{Ph₂PCH(Me)PPh₂}] gave [Pt(C≡CC₆H₄Me-p)₂-{Ph₂PCH(Me)PPh₂}] (X = I) and [Pt{Ph₂PC(Me)PPh₂}₂](X = Cl),while reaction of p-MeC₆H₄C≡CLi with [Pt{Ph₂PCH(Ph)PPh₂}₂]Cl₂ gave [Pt{Ph₂PC(Ph)PPh₂}₂]. The platinum complexes [PtMe₂(dpmMe)] or [Pt(CH₂)₄(dpmMe)] fail to undergo ring-opening on treatment with one equivalent of dpmMe [dpmMe = Ph₂PCH(Me)PPh₂]. Treatment of [Ir(CO)Cl(PPh₃)₂] with two equivalents of dpmMe gave [Ir(CO)(dpmMe)₂]Cl. The PF₆ salt was also prepared. Treatment of [Ir(CO)(dpmMe)₂]Cl with [Cu(C≡CPh)₂], [AgCl(PPh₃)] or [AuCl(PPh₃)] failed to give heterobimetallic complexes. Attempts to prepare the dinuclear rhodium complex [Rh₂(CO)₃(μ-Cl)(dpmMe)₂]BPh₄ using a procedure similar to that employed for an analogous dpm (dpm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) complex were unsuccessful. Instead, the mononuclear complex [Rh(CO)(dpmMe)₂]BPh₄ was obtained. The corresponding chloride and PF₆ salts were also prepared. Attempts to prepare [Rh(CO)(dpmMe)₂]Cl in CHCl₃ gave [RhHCl(dpmMe)₂]Cl. Recrystallization of [Rh(CO)(dpmMe)₂]BPh₄ from CHCl₃/EtOH gave [RhO₂(dpmMe)₂]BPh₄. Treatment of [Rh(CO)₂Cl₂]₂ with one equivalent of dpmMe per Rh atom gave two compounds, [Rh(CO)(dpmMe)₂]Cl and a dinuclear complex that undergoes exchange at room temperature between two formulae: [Rh₂(CO)₂(μ-Cl)(μ-CO)(dpmMe)₂]Cl and [Rh₂(CO)₂-(μ-Cl)(dpmMe)₂]Cl. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diorganotin(IV) complexes of 2,5‐dithiobiurea (H2dtbu). The crystal structures of Me2Sn(dtbu) and Ph2Sn(dtbu)

The diorganotin(IV) complexes, R₂Sn(dtbu) (R = Me 1 , n‐Bu 2 , Ph 3 , PhCH₂ 4 ; H₂dtbu = 2,5‐dithiobiurea), have been synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy. The structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by X‐ray crystallography. Crystal structures show that both complexes 1 and 3 consist of molecules in which the bideprotonated ligand is N,S,S‐bonded, and the tin atom exhibits distorted pentacoordination with small differences between the methyl and phenyl derivatives in bond distances and bond angles. The unusual coordination mode of the dtbu²⁻ anion creates four‐ and five‐membered chelate rings. Moreover, the packing of complexes 1 and 3 are stabilized by the hydrogen bonding. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:93–98, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20173     

Zinc-zinc bonded zincocene structures. Synthesis and characterization of Zn2(eta5-C5Me5)2 and Zn2(eta5-C5Me4Et)2

While, in general, decamethylzincocene, Zn(C5Me5)2, and other zincocenes, Zn(C5Me4R)2 (R = H, But, SiMe3), react with dialkyl and diaryl derivatives, ZnR'2, to give the half-sandwich compounds (eta5-C5Me4R)ZnR', under certain conditions the reactions of Zn(C5Me5)2 with ZnEt2 or ZnPh2 produce unexpectedly the dizincocene Zn2(eta5-C5Me5)2 (1) in low yields, most likely as a result of the coupling of two (eta5-C5Me5)Zn* radicals. An improved, large scale (ca. 2 g) synthesis of 1 has been achieved by reduction of equimolar mixtures of Zn(C5Me5)2 and ZnCl2 with KH in tetrahydrofuran. The analogous reduction of Zn(C5Me4R)2 (R = H, SiMe3, But) yields only decomposition products, but the isotopically labeled dimetallocene 68Zn2(eta5-C5Me5)2 and the related compound Zn2(eta5-C5Me4Et)2 (2) have been obtained by this procedure. Compound 2 has lower thermal stability than 1, but it has been unequivocally characterized by low-temperature X-ray diffraction studies. As for 1 a combination of structural characterization techniques has provided unambiguous evidence for its formulation as the Zn-Zn bonded dimer Zn2(eta5-C5Me4Et)2, with a short Zn-Zn bond of 2.295(3) A indicative of a strong Zn-Zn bonding interaction. The electronic structure and the bonding properties of 1 and those of related dizincocenes Zn2(eta5-Cp')2 have been studied by DFT methods (B3LYP level), with computed bond distances and angles for dizincocene 1 very similar to the experimental values. The Zn-Zn bond is strong (ca. 62 kcal.mol-1 for 1) and resides in the HOMO-4, that has a contribution of Zn orbitals close to 60%, consisting mostly of the Zn 4s orbitals (more than 96%).     

Synthesis and structural comparison of a series of divalent Ln(Tp(R,R)')2 (Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb) and trivalent Sm(Tp(Me2))2X (X = F, Cl, I, BPh4) complexes

Reaction of LnI2 (Ln = Sm, Yb) with two equivalents of NaTp(Me2) or reduction of Eu(Tp(Me2))2OTf gives good yields of the highly insoluble homoleptic Ln(II) complexes, Ln(Tp(Me2))2 (Ln = Sm (1a), Yb (2a), Eu (3a)). Use of the additionally 4-ethyl substituted Tp(Me2,4Et) ligand produces the analogous, but soluble Ln(Tp(Me2,4Et))2 (1-3b) complexes. Soluble compounds are also obtained with the Tp(Ph) and Tp(Tn) ligands (Tn = thienyl), Ln(Tp(Ph))2 (Ln = Sm, 1c; Yb, 2c) and Ln(Tp(Tn))2 (Ln = Sm, 1d; Yb, 2d). To provide benchmark parameters for structural comparison the series of Sm(Tp(Me2))2X complexes (X = F, 1e; Cl, 1f; Br, 1g; I, 1h; BPh4, 1j) were prepared either via oxidation of the Sm(Tp(Me2))2 or salt metathesis from SmX3 (X = Cl, Br, I). The solid-state structures of 1-3a, 1b, 1-2c and 1e, 1f, 1h, and 1j were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The homoleptic bis-Tp complexes are all six-coordinate with trigonal antiprismatic geometries, planes of the kappa(3)-Tp ligands are parallel to one another. In the series of Sm(Tp(Me2))2X complexes the structure changes from seven-coordinate molecular compounds, with intact Sm-X bonds, for X = F, Cl, to six-coordinate ionic structures [Sm(Tp(Me2))2]X (X = I, BPh4), suitable crystals of the bromide compound could not be obtained. The dependence of the structures on the size of X is understandable in terms of the interplay between the size of the cleft that the [Sm(Tp(Me2))2](+) fragment can make available and the donor ability of the anionic group toward the hard Sm(III) center.     

IR and Raman characterization of the zincocenes (eta(5)-C5Me5)2Zn2 and (eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(1)-C5Me5)Zn

The measured Raman and IR spectra of solid, polycrystalline bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)dizinc, (eta(5)-C5Me5)2Zn2, 1, and bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)monozinc, (eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(1)-C5Me5)Zn, 8, are reported in some detail. The IR spectra of the vapors of 1 and 8 each trapped in a solid Ar matrix at 12 K confirm the essentially molecular character of the solids. The experimental results have been interpreted with particular reference (i) to the corresponding spectra of (68)Zn-enriched samples of the compounds, and (ii) to the spectra simulated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP level. The marked differences of structure of 1 and 8 contrast with the relatively close similarity of their vibrational spectra, disparities being revealed only on detailed scrutiny, including the effects of (68)Zn enrichment, and primarily at wavenumbers below 1000 cm(-1). The Zn-Zn stretching motion of 1 features not as a single, well-defined mode identifiable with intense Raman scattering but in several normal modes which respond in varying degrees to (68)Zn substitution. A stretching force constant of 1.42 mdyne A(-1) has been estimated for the Zn-Zn bond of 1.     

Li(CH(Me)P(Ph)2(NCO2Me))2(THF)2]: crystal,solution, and calculated structure of a N-delocalized lithium phosphazene

The first crystal structure of the lithium complex of a P-alkyl-P,P-diphenyl(N-methoxycarbonyl)phosphazene has been characterized. It is dimeric, with the anion chelating the lithium in an unusual six-membered ring. A monomer-dimer equilibrium has been identified in THF solution. Ab initio calculations indicated that the six-membered ring is electronically favored over an alternative Li-C-P-N four-membered ring.     

A series of dinuclear homo- and heterometallic complexes with two or three bridging sulfido ligands derived from the tungsten tris(sulfido) complex [Et(4)N][(Me(2)Tp)WS(3)] (Me(2)Tp = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate)

The generation of heterobimetallic complexes with two or three bridging sulfido ligands from mononuclear tris(sulfido) complex of tungsten [Et(4)N][(Me(2)Tp)WS(3)] (1; Me(2)Tp = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) and organometallic precursors is reported. Treatment of 1 with stoichiometric amounts of metal complexes such as [M(PPh(3))(4)] (M = Pt, Pd), [(PtMe(3))(4)(micro(3)-I)(4)], [M(cod)(PPh(3))(2)][PF(6)] (M = Ir, Rh; cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), [Rh(cod)(dppe)][PF(6)] (dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2)), [CpIr(MeCN)(3)][PF(6)](2) (Cp = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)), [CpRu(MeCN)(3)][PF(6)], and [M(CO)(3)(MeCN)(3)] (M = Mo, W) in MeCN or MeCN-THF at room temperature afforded either the doubly bridged complexes [Et(4)N][(Me(2)Tp)W(=S)(micro-S)(2)M(PPh(3))] (M = Pt (3), Pd (4)), [(Me(2)Tp)W(=S)(micro-S)(2)M(cod)] (M = Ir, Rh (7)), [(Me(2)Tp)W(=S)(micro-S)(2)Rh(dppe)], [(Me(2)Tp)W(=S)(micro-S)(2)RuCp] (10), and [Et(4)N][(Me(2)Tp)W(=S)(micro-S)(2)W(CO)(3)] (12) or the triply bridged complexes including [(Me(2)Tp)W(micro-S)(3)PtMe(3)] (5), [(Me(2)Tp)W(micro-S)(3)IrCp][PF(6)] (9), and [Et(4)N][(Me(2)Tp)W(micro-S)(3)Mo(CO)(3)] (11), depending on the nature of the incorporated metal fragment. The X-ray analyses have been undertaken to clarify the detailed structures of 3-5, 7, and 9-12.     

N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of Zn(II): synthesis, X-ray structures and reactivity

The synthesis of six novel zinc (II) mono(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes is described. 1,3-Bis(mesityl)-imidazol-2-ylidene was reacted with the zinc salts ZnX₂ (X=Cl, CH₃COO, PhCOO, and PhCH₂COO) to yield the corresponding monomeric Zn-NHC complex ZnCl₂(NHC)(THF) (1) and dimeric [Zn(OOCCH₃)₂(NHC)]₂ (2), [Zn(OOCPh)₂(NHC)]₂ (3), [Zn(OOCCH₂Ph)₂(NHC)]₂ (4) (NHC=1,3-bis(mesityl)-imidazol-2-ylidene). Reaction of 1 with 2 equivalents of silver trifluoromethanesulfonate yielded monomeric Zn(O₃SCF₃)₂(NHC)(THF) (5), reaction of 1 with sodium {[R(+)-α-2-(1-phenyl-ethylimino)-methyl]-phenolate} yielded monomeric ZnCl(OC₆H₄-2-CHN(CHPhCH₃)(NHC) (6). Compounds 1, 4-6 were structurally characterized by X-ray analysis. Selected compounds were investigated for their activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide with cyclohexene oxide as well as in the ring-opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide and ε-caprolactone.     

A family of four-coordinate iron(II) complexes bearing the sterically hindered tris(pyrazolyl)borato ligand Tp(tBu,Me)

A new family of 14‐electron, four‐coordinate iron(II) complexes of the general formula [Tp^tBu,MeFeX] (Tp^tBu,Me is the sterically hindered hydrotris(3‐tert‐butyl‐5‐methyl‐pyrazolyl) borate ligand and X=Cl ( 1 ), Br, I) were synthesized by salt metathesis of FeX₂ with Tp^tBu,MeK. The related fluoride complex was prepared by reaction of 1 with AgBF₄. Chloride 1 proved to be a good precursor for ligand substitution reactions, generating a series of four‐coordinate iron(II) complexes with carbon, oxygen, and sulphur ligands. All of these complexes were fully characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods and most were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Magnetic measurements for all complexes agreed with a high‐spin (d⁶, S=2) electronic configuration. The halide series enabled the estimation of the covalent radius of iron in these complexes as 1.24 Å.     

Nitrogenase model complexes [Cp*Fe(mu-SR(1))2(mu-eta(2)-R(2)N=NH)FeCp*] (R(1) = Me, Et; R(2) = Me, Ph; Cp* = eta(5)-C5Me5): synthesis, structure, and catalytic N-N bond cleavage of hydrazines on diiron centers

The reactions of [Cp*Fe(mu-SR1)3FeCp*] (Cp* = eta5-C5Me5; R1 = Et, Me) with 1.5 equiv R2NHNH2 (R2 = Ph, Me) give the mu-eta2-diazene diiron thiolate-bridged complexes [Cp*Fe(mu-SR1)2(mu-eta2-R2N NH)FeCp*], along with the formation of PhNH2 and NH3. These mu-eta2-diazene diiron thiolate-bridged complexes exhibit excellent catalytic N-N bond cleavage of hydrazines under ambient conditions.     

Optically active transition metal complexes: LVI. Preparation and Stereochemistry of (+)578- and (-)578-(n-C6H6RuX(Me) [Ph2PNHCH(Me) (Ph)], where x = Cl,SnCl3

The synthesis and resolution of (+)₅₇₈- and (-)₅₇₈-(η-C₆H₆)RuCl(Me) [Ph₂PNHCH(Me) (Ph)] is described. Insertion of anhydrous SnCl₂ into the Ru-Cl bond yielded (+)₅₇₈- and (-)₅₇₈-(η-C₆H₆)RuSnCl₃(Me)-[Ph₂PNHCH(Me) (Ph)], the stereoselectivity of which is dependent on the reaction conditions. All the new complexes were found to be configurationally stable in a wide variety of solvents up to 60°C./     

The open-chain triphosphanes RMe2SiCH2P(PR'2)2 (R = Me, Ph; R' = SiMe3, Cy, Ph)

The triphosphanes RMe(2)SiCH(2)P(PR'(2))(2) (R = Me, Ph; R' = SiMe(3), Cy) are synthesised in good yield via metathesis of organodichlorophosphanes and LiPR'(2), while for R' = Ph a propensity to form (Ph(2)P)(2) precludes isolation of the in situ characterised triphosphanes. Where R = Me and R' = SiMe(3) the triphosphane has also been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction and exhibits a single geometric conformer in the solid state, though solution-phase NMR spectra are indicative of facile conformational exchange across a wide temperature range. All of the described triphosphanes exhibit comparable behaviour, with their respective (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectra manifesting anomalous 'second-order' characteristics, which are considered using full spin-Hamiltonian simulation. Preliminary studies of coordination chemistry and ancillary reactivity of the triphosphanes are described.     

Xenophilic complexes bearing a Tp(R) Ligand, [Tp(R)M--M'Ln] [Tp(R) = Tp(iPr2), Tp(#) (Tp(Me2,4-Br)); M=Ni, Co, Fe, Mn; M'Ln = Co(CO)4, Co(CO)3(PPh3), RuCp(CO)2]: the two metal centers are held together not by covalent interaction but by electrostatic attraction

A series of dinuclear complexes, [Tp(R)M--M'L(n)] [Tp(iPr(2) )M--Co(CO)(4) (1; M=Ni, Co, Fe, Mn); Tp(#)M--Co(CO)(4) (1'; M=Ni, Co); Tp(#)Ni--RuCp(CO)(2) (3')] (Tp(iPr(2) )=hydrotris(3,5-diisopropylpyrazolyl)borato; Tp(#) (Tp(Me(2),4-Br))=hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-4-bromopyrazolyl)borato), has been prepared by treatment of the cationic complexes [Tp(iPr(2) )M(NCMe)(3)]PF(6) or the halo complexes [Tp(#)M--X] with the appropriate metalates. Spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of 1-3' reveals that the tetrahedral, high-spin Tp(R)M fragment and the coordinatively saturated carbonyl-metal fragment (M'L(n)) are connected only by a metal-metal interaction and, thus, the dinuclear complexes belong to a unique class of xenophilic complexes. The metal-metal interaction in the xenophilic complexes is polarized, as revealed by their nu(CO) vibrations and structural features, which fall between those of reference complexes: covalently bonded species [R--M'L(n)] and ionic species [M'L(n)](-). Unrestricted DFT calculations for the model complexes [Tp(H(2) )Ni--Co(CO)(4)], [Tp(H(2) )Ni--Co(CO)(3)(PH(3))], and [Tp(H(2) )Ni--RuCp(CO)(2)] prove that the two metal centers are held together not by covalent interactions, but by electrostatic attractions. In other words, the obtained xenophilic complexes can be regarded as carbonylmetalates, in which the cationic counterpart interacts with the metal center rather than the oxygen atom of the carbonyl ligand. The xenophilic complexes show divergent reactivity dependent on the properties of donor molecules. Hard (N and O donors) and soft donors (P and C donors) attack the Tp(R)M part and the ML(n) moiety, respectively. The selectivity has been interpreted in terms of the hard-soft theory, and the reactions of the high-spin species 1-3' with singlet donor molecules should involve a spin-crossover process.     

Synthesis of U(IV) imidos from Tp*2U(CH2Ph) (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) by extrusion of bibenzyl

Addition of organic azides, N(3)R (R = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl (Mes), phenyl (Ph), 1-adamantyl (Ad)), to a solution of the uranium(III) alkyl complex, Tp*(2)U(CH(2)Ph) (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) (1), results in the formation of a family of uranium(iv) imido derivatives, Tp*(2)U(NR) (2-R). Notably, these complexes were synthesized in high yields by coupling of the benzyl groups to form bibenzyl. The uranium(IV) imido derivatives, 2-Mes, 2-Ph, and 2-Ad, were all characterized by both (1)H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and 2-Mes and 2-Ad were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. In the molecular structure of 2-Mes, typical κ(3)-coordination of the Tp* ligands was observed; however in the case of 2-Ad, one pyrazole ring of a Tp* ligand has rotated away from the metal centre, forcing a κ(2)-coordination of the pyrazoles. This results in a uranium-hydrogen interaction with the Tp* B-H. Treating these imido complexes with para-tolualdehyde results in multiple bond metathesis, forming the terminal uranium(IV) oxo complex, Tp*(2)U(O), and the corresponding imine.