Crown compounds for anions. Unusual complex of trimetric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with the bromide anion having a polydecker sandwich structure

Here we show that cyclic trimetric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ is capable of forming complexes with [PPh₄]⁺Br⁻, [PPh₃Me]⁺I⁻ and [PPh₄]⁺Cl⁻ of the composition [(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃X]⁻ [PR₃R′]⁺ (X = Br, R = R′ = Ph; X = I, R = Ph, R′ = Me) or {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃X₂}²⁻[PR₃R′]⁺₂ (X = Cl, R = R′ = Ph). An X-ray study of the complex with [PPh₄]⁺Br⁻ revealed that it has the unusual structure of the polydecker bent sandwich wherein each Br⁻ anion is coordinated with six mercury atoms of two neighbouring molecules of (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃.     

Coordination chemistry of mercury-containing anticrowns. Synthesis and structures of the complexes of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with ethanol, THF and bis-2,2′-tetrahydrofuryl peroxide

Cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) is capable of reacting with ethanol to form a 1:1 complex, {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](EtOH)} (2), having a pyramidal structure. The ethanol molecule in 2 is coordinated through the oxygen atom to all Hg atoms of the macrocycle. The interaction of 1 with THF followed by drying of the product obtained in vacuum also gives the corresponding pyramidal 1:1 complex {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](THF)} (3). However, when a THF solution of 1 is slowly concentrated to a small volume and the resulting crystals are not dried, three cocrystallized adducts, viz., {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](THF)₂} (4), {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](THF)₃} (5) and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](THF)₄} (6), containing two, three and even four THF molecules, respectively, are produced. Complex 4 has a bipyramidal structure. Complexes 5 and 6 are also characterized by the presence of a bipyramidal fragment formed by two coordinated THF species. The topological analysis of the DFT-calculated function of the electron density distribution in the crystals of 2 and 3 revealed the critical points (3, −1) on each of the three Hg···O lines, which is in accord with the X-ray diffraction data indicating on the presence of the triply coordinated Lewis base molecule in both adducts. If a THF solution of 1 is held for a month at 20 °C on air under stirring, a sandwich complex of 1 with previously unknown bis-2,2′-tetrahydrofuryl peroxide (THFPO) is formed. The THFPO ligand in this sandwich, {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃]₂(THFPO)} (7), provides all its four oxygen atoms for the bonding to the molecules of 1. Two of these oxygen atoms, belonging to the tetrahydrofuryl moieties, are cooperatively bound each by three Hg atoms of the neighbouring macrocyclic unit whereas two others, belonging to the peroxide group, coordinate to a single Hg atom of the adjacent macrocycle.     

Coordination chemistry of macrocyclic multidentate Lewis acids. Synthesis and structures of complexes of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with N,N-dimethylacetamide and n-butyronitrile

Cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ readily reacts with N,N-dimethylacetamide and n-butyronitrile to form the complexes {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](MeCONMe₂)₂} and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](PrⁿCN)}, respectively. According to X-ray diffraction data, the amide ligands are located above and below the plane of the macrocycle, each being coordinated to all Hg atoms of the macrocycle through the O atom. The nitrile ligand is bound to the macrocycle through the N atom, all Hg atoms being also involved in this bonding.     

Coordination chemistry of anticrowns. Complexation of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C6F4Hg)3 with the cyanoborohydride anion [H3BCN]− and triethylamineborane Et3NBH3

As was shown by IR spectroscopy, the reaction of the three-mercury anticrown (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) with the [H₃BCN]ion in THF affords the complexes {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃][H₃BCN](5) and [(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃]₂[H₃BCN](6). Complex 6 was isolated from solution in the analytically pure state. According to X-ray diffraction data, complex 6 has a double-decker sandwich structure, in which the borohydride group of the [H₃BCN]^? anion is bound to one anticrown molecule by three B-H-Hg bridges, whereas the cyanide group is cooperatively coordinated by three mercury centers of another molecule 1 through the nitrogen atom. The reaction of compound 1 with triethylamineborane Et₃NBH₃ in THF affords the 1: 1 complex ～[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃][Et₃NBH₃]～ (7). In this adduct, the binding of the aminoborane to the mercury anticrown is also accomplished by B-H-Hg bridges. The stability constants of complexes 5 and 6 in THF were determined.     

Coordination chemistry of anticrowns: Complexation of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with nitro compounds

Cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) is capable of reacting with nitromethane to give complex {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](CH₃NO₂)} (2) containing one molecule of the nitro compound per one macrocycle molecule. In this complex, the nitromethane ligand is bound to 1 by its both oxygen atoms, one of which is simultaneously coordinated to all three Hg centres of the macrocycle while the other interacts with a single Hg centre. The complex of similar composition, {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](C₆H₅NO₂)} (3), is produced in the interaction of 1 with nitrobenzene. In this complex too, the both oxygen atoms of the nitro group are involved in the bonding to the macrocycle. A distinctive feature of 3 is that here one oxygen atom of the coordinated nitro derivative is bound by only two Hg centres of 1 whereas the other interacts again with a single Hg site. The reaction of 1 with 5-nitroacenaphthene affords a 1:1 complex, {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](C₁₂H₉NO₂)} (4), having a polydecker sandwich structure in the crystal. Unlike in 3, the aromatic rings of the nitroarene units in 4 are disposed virtually in parallel to the macrocycles. The nitro compound in 4 behaves again as a bidentate ligand, forming three Hg-O bonds with one of the adjacent macrocycles and a single Hg-O bond with another molecule of 1. The complex is characterized also by shortened Hg-C contacts between the Hg centres of 1 and the carbon atoms of the nitroarene moiety as well as shortened C-C contacts between the carbon atoms of the nitroarene and the macrocycle. In the interaction of 1 with 1-nitropyrene, complexes of two compositions, viz. {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](C₁₆H₉NO₂)} (5) and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](C₁₆H₉NO₂)₃} (6) are formed. An X-ray diffraction study of 6 has shown that in this adduct two of three coordinated molecules of the nitro compound are located on one side of the metallacycle plane while the third nitroarene molecule is disposed on its other side. The aromatic rings of all three nitropyrene ligands in 6 are practically parallel to the mean plane of the macrocycle. In contrast to 2-4, each molecule of the nitroarene in 6 is bonded to 1 by a single oxygen atom which is coordinated only to one Hg centre. In the case of one of the nitropyrene ligands that forms much longer Hg-O bond with 1 than two others, an additional contribution to the bonding is made by shortened Hg-C contacts between the macrocycle and the carbon atoms of the aromatic pyrene core and also by shortened C-C contacts between the carbon atoms of the coordinated nitroarene and 1. The synthesized adducts are the first examples of complexes of an anticrown with nitro compounds.     

Crown compounds for anions. Sandwich complex of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury with [B12H11SCN]2– anion

The reaction of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) with the polyhedral [B₁₂H₁₁SCN]^2– anion in THF at 20 °C affords the {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](B₁₂H₁₁SCN)}^2– (4) and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃]₂(B₁₂H₁₁SCN)}^2– (5) complexes. Complex 5 was isolated as the tetrabutylammonium salt. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that this complex has a bent-sandwich structure in which the [B₁₂H₁₁SCN]^2– anion is located between the planes of two molecules 1 and is coordinated to both these molecules through B—H—Hg bridges and S—Hg bonds. The stability constants of complexes 4 and 5 in THF (20 °C), which were determined from the IR spectroscopic data, are 16 L mol^–1 and 992 L² mol^–2, respectively.     

Synthesis and X-ray structure of cationic methallyl palladium complexes supported by unsymmetrical β-diimine ligands

Treatment of the unsymmetrical β-iminoamine ligands [PhCN(Ar)CHCNH(Ar)Me] with the zerovalent complex Pd(dba)₂ in the presence of the methallyloxyphosphonium salt, gives high yields of the cationic β-diimine complexes [PhCN(Ar)CH₂CN(Ar)(Me)Pd(η³-C₄H₇)]⁺[PF₆]⁻ (Ar = 2-Me-C₆H₄ (7); 2-MeO-C₆H₄ (8); 2,6-Me₂-C₆H₃ (9); 2,6-iPr₂-C₆H₃ (10)). All the new complexes have been characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The structure of the cationic methallyl palladium complex (10) has been solved by X-ray crystallography.     

Coordination chemistry of anticrowns. Complexation of cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C6F4Hg)3 with compounds containing an active methylene group

The reactions of three-mercury anticrown (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ (1) with acetoacetic ester (AE), malonic ester (ME), and malonodinitrile (MN) afford 1: 1 complexes {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](AE)} (3), {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](ME)} (4), and {[(o-C₆F₄Hg)₃](MN)} (5). The structures of complexes 3–5 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 3 has a discrete structure in the solid state, whereas complexes 4 and 5 form in the crystal extended stacks representing polydecker sandwiches with alternating molecules of 1 and ME or MN. According to the X-ray diffraction and IR spectral data, the molecule of AE in complex 3 is in the keto form.     

Bimetallic ruthenium-tin chemistry: Synthesis and molecular structure of arene ruthenium complexes containing trichlorostannyl ligands

A series of neutral, anionic and cationic arene ruthenium complexes containing the trichlorostannyl ligand have been synthesised from SnCl₂ and the corresponding arene ruthenium dichloride dimers [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ₂-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = C₆H₆, PrⁱC₆H₄Me). While the reaction with triphenylphosphine and stannous chloride only gives the neutral mono(trichlorostannyl) complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(PPh₃)(SnCl₃)Cl] (1) and [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(PPh₃)(SnCl₃)Cl] (2), the neutral di(trichlorostannyl) complex [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(NCPh)(SnCl₃)₂] (3) could be obtained for the para-cymene derivative with benzonitrile as additional ligand. By contrast, the analogous reaction with the benzene derivative leads to a salt composed of the cationic mono(trichlorostannyl) complex [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(NCPh)₂(SnCl₃)]⁺ (5) and of the anionic tris(trichlorostannyl) complex [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(SnCl₃)₃]⁻ (6). On the other hand, [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(μ₂-Cl)Cl]₂ reacts with SnCl₂ and hexamethylenetetramine hydrochloride or 18-crown-6 to give the anionic di(trichlorostannyl) complex [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(SnCl₃)₂Cl]⁻ (4), isolated as the hexamethylenetetrammonium salt or the chloro-tin 18-crown-6 salt. The single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of 1, 2, [(CH₂)₆N₄H][4], [(18-crown-6)SnCl][4] and [5][6] reveal for all complexes a pseudo-tetrahedral piano-stool geometry with ruthenium-tin bonds ranging from 2.56 (anionic complexes) to 2.60 Å (cationic complex).     

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.     

(+)-Neomenthyl- and (−)-phenylmenthyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl and indenyl yttrocenes as catalysts in asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes (AHA)

The chiral, terpenoid-substituted yttrocene [(η⁵-neomenthylCp)₂Y{o-C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂}] (1) can be prepared via facile arene elimination starting from [Y(o-C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂)₃]. Compound 1 retains a C₁-symmetric structure in solution on the NMR time scale, due to tight binding of the amine donor. The (−)-phenylmenthyl-substituted complexes [(η⁵-(−)-phenylmenthylCp)₂Y(μ-Cl)₂Li(OEt₂)₂] (5) and [(η⁵-(−)-phenylmenthylCp)₂YN(SiMe₃)₂] (6) were prepared via salt metathesis. Reaction of YCl₃ with the planar chiral (1-neomenthylindenyl)lithium predominantly produced a single, C₂-symmetric, racemic-like diastereomer. The X-ray crystal structure analysis confirmed that [(η⁵-(+)-NMInd)₂Y(μ-Cl)₂Li(Et₂O)₂] (7) represents the same p-S, p-S metallocene diastereomer and adopts a very similar conformation as observed by Erker in his zirconocene complexes. Complex 7 reacts with LiN(SiMe₃)₂ to form [(η⁵-(+)-NMInd)₂YN(SiMe₃)₂] (8) with retention of configuration. Complexes 1, 6 and 8 showed moderate to good catalytic activity in asymmetric hydroamination/cyclizations of aminoalkenes, but enantioselectivities were limited to a maximum of 38% ee for the sterically most hindered catalyst 8. The indenyl complex 8 is prone to protolytic loss of an indenyl ligand at low (?0.5%) catalyst loading, if sterically undemanding aminoalkene substrates are applied.     

Mono and dinuclear rhodium, iridium and ruthenium complexes containing chelating 2,2′-bipyrimidine ligands: Synthesis, molecular structure, electrochemistry and catalytic properties

The mononuclear cations [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(bpym)]⁺ (1), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl(bpym)]⁺ (2), [(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl(bpym)]⁺ (3) and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl(bpym)]⁺ (4) as well as the dinuclear dications [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (5), [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (6), [{(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (7) and [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl}₂(bpym)]²⁺ (8) have been synthesised from 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpym) and the corresponding chloro complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂]₂, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl₂]₂, [(η⁶-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)RuCl₂]₂ and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl₂]₂, respectively. The X-ray crystal structure analyses of [3][PF₆], [5][PF₆]₂, [6][CF₃SO₃]₂ and [7][PF₆]₂ reveal a typical piano-stool geometry around the metal centres; in the dinuclear complexes the chloro ligands attached to the two metal centres are found to be, with respect to each other, cis oriented for 5 and 6 but trans for 7. The electrochemical behaviour of 1-8 has been studied by voltammetric methods. In addition, the catalytic potential of 1-8 for transfer hydrogenation reactions in aqueous solution has been evaluated: All complexes catalyse the reaction of acetophenone with formic acid to give phenylethanol and carbon dioxide. For both the mononuclear and dinuclear series the best results were obtained (50 °C, pH 4) with rhodium complexes, giving turnover frequencies of 10.5 h⁻¹ for 1 and 19 h⁻¹ for 5.     

Trifluoroacetylacetonate rhodium(III) methyl complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(L)][BPh4] and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(I)] (L = CH3CN, NH3, pyridine), in comparison with their acetylacetonate analogs

The oxidative addition of CH₃I to planar rhodium(I) complex [Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂] in acetonitrile (TFA is trifluoroacetylacetonate) leads to the formation of cationic, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (1), or neutral, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (4), rhodium(III) methyl complexes depending on the reaction conditions. 1 reacts readily with NH₃ and pyridine to form cationic complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (2) and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(Py)][BPh₄] (3), respectively. Acetylacetonate methyl complex of rhodium(III), cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (5), was obtained by the action of NaI on cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] in acetone at −15 °C. Complexes 1-5 were characterized by elemental analysis, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR. For complexes 2, 3, 4 conductivity data in acetone solutions are reported. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 were determined. NMR parameters of 1-5 and related complexes are discussed from the viewpoint of their isomerism.     

Titanium(IV) complexes with monocyclopentadienyl and phenoxy-alkoxo ligands: Synthesis,structures and catalytic properties for ethylene polymerization

Three monochlorotitanium complexes Cp′Ti(2,4-^tBu₂-6-(CPh₂O)C₆H₂O)Cl [Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₅ (2), η⁵-C₅(CH₃)₅ (3), η⁵-C₅H₂Ph₂CH₃ (4)] have been synthesized in high yields (>90%) by the reaction of corresponding Cp′TiCl₃ with the dilithium salt of ligand 2,4-^tBu₂-6-(CPh₂OH)C₆H₂OH (1). When activated by [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ and AlⁱBu₃, complexes 2–4 exhibit reasonable catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization, producing polyethylenes with moderate molecular weights and melting points. Addition of excess water to complex 2 gave the oxo-bridged complex [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)(2,4-^tBu₂-6-(CPh₂O)C₆H₂O)]₂O (5). Complexes 4 and 5 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Alternative syntheses and X-ray diffraction analyses of the parent tricarbaborane compounds [nido-7,8,9-C3B8H11], [nido-7,8,10-C3B8H11] and [1-(η-C5H5)-closo-1,2,4,10-FeC3B8H11]

Reaction of the neutral tricarbaborane nido-7,8,9-C₃B₈H₁₂ (1) with triethylamine in CH₂Cl₂ led to quantitative deprotonation and isolation of the corresponding Et₃NH⁺ salt of the [nido-7,8,9-C₃B₈H₁₁]⁻ anion (2). This was converted into PSH⁺ and Me₄N⁺ salts via metathetic cation exchange. Heating of the solid Me₄N⁺[7,8,9-C₃B₈H₁₁]⁻ in mineral oil at 350 °C for 2 h resulted in thermal rearrangement and isolation of the cage isomeric compound Me₄N⁺[7,8,10-C₃B₈H₁₁]⁻. Finally, compound 1 was directly complexed via reaction with [CpFe(CO)₂]₂ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) to generate the ferratricarbollide sandwich [1-Cp-closo-1,2,4,10-FeC₃B₈H₁₁] (4) in 60% yield. The structures of all the generic compounds of tricarbollide chemistry, 1 (PSH⁺ salt), 2 (MePPh₃⁺salt), and 4, were established unambiguously by an X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Syntheses and characterization of cyano-bridged homo and hetero bimetallic complexes containing η and η-cyclic hydrocarbons

The reactions of [(ind)Ru(PPh₃)₂CN] (ind = η⁵-C₉H₇) (1) and [CpRu(PPh₃)₂CN] (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) (2) with [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(bipy)Cl]Cl (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) (3) in the presence of AgNO₃/NH₄BF₄ in methanol, respectively, yielded dicationic cyano-bridged complexes of the type [(ind)(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(bipy)(η⁶-p-cymene)](BF₄)₂ (4) and [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(bipy)(η⁶-p-cymene)](BF₄)₂ (5). The reaction of [CpRu(PPh₃)₂CN] (2), [CpOs(PPh₃)₂CN] (6) and [CpRu(dppe)CN] (7) with the corresponding halide complexes and [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ formed the monocationic cyano-bridge complexes [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Os(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (8), [Cp(PPh₃)₂Os(μ- CN)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (9) and [Cp(dppe)Ru(μ-CN)Os(PPh₃)₂Cp](BF₄) (10) along with the neutral complexes [Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru (η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (11), [Cp(PPh₃)₂Os(μ-CN)Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (12), and [Cp(dppe) Ru(μ-CN)Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂] (13). These complexes were characterized by FT IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures of complexes 4, 8 and 11 were solved by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Preparation of chelate bis(imine)nickel allyl systems by reaction of their corresponding butadiene complexes with electrophiles

The chelate 1,2-bis(imine)nickel(butadiene) complex 4a (chelate ligand derived from condensation of biacetyl with 2,6-diisopropylaniline) adds the strong Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ at the terminal carbon atom of the butadiene ligand to yield the dipolar substituted π-allyl-type betaine complex (lig)Ni[η³-C₃H₄-CH₂B(C₆F₅)₃] (Z-6a). At 90 °C the kinetically formed product equilibrated with its E-6a isomer. Similarly, 4a adds the boron Lewis acid (pyrrolyl)B(C₆F₅)₂ to yield the corresponding neutral dipolar π-allyl betaine complex Z-7a, that slowly equilibrated with E-7a over several hours at ambient temperature. Protonation of the butadiene ligand of complex 4a was achieved by treatment with the neutral Brønsted acid (2H-pyrrol)B(C₆F₅)₃ to yield the [(lig)Ni(η³-crotyl)⁺][(pyrrolyl)B(C₆F₅)₃⁻] salt 9a (Z-/E-9a ratio=90:10 upon preparation). At 298 K this salt rearranged to a 5:95 mixture of Z-9a/E-9a with a Gibbs activation energy of ΔG^‡ (298 K)=22.3±0.2 kcal mol⁻¹. Complex 4a added [Ph₃C⁺] to the butadiene ligand to yield the salt [(lig)Ni(η³-C₃H₄-CH₂CPh₃)⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] (Z-12a), that proved isomerically stable under the applied reaction conditions. Similar reactions were carried out starting from the acenaphthylene 1,2-dione derived chelate bis(imine)Ni(butadiene) complex 4b. The systems 6, 7, 9 and 12 were found to be active ethene polymerization catalysts in the presence of Al(i-Bu)₃.     

Crown compounds for anions. The nature of chemical bonds in the complexes of halide anions with cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury and some of its analogs

Geometries and electronic structures of the complexes of halide anions with cyclic trimerico-phenylenemercury, (o-C₆H₄Hg)₃, perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury, (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃, vinylenemercury, (C₂H₂Hg)₃, and perfluorovinylenemercury, (C₂F₂Hg)₃, were modelled by the MNDO method. Calculations were performed for [L-X]^– semisandwich complexes, [X-L-X]^2– bipyramidal complexes, and [L-X-L]^– sandwich complexes (where X=Hal,L is a mercury-containing macrocycle). Based on the results of calculations, we concluded that it was advantageous to describe the chemical bonding between halide anions and mercury-containing macrocycles in terms of generalized chemical bonds, which were successfully used for -complexes of transition metals. In the [L-X]^– semisandwich complexes, the halide anion and the metallacycle are involved in the formation of three generalized chemical bonds: one headlight-shaped -bond and two two-lobe -bonds. In the [X-L-X]^2– bipyramidal complexes, each halide anion forms three generalized chemical bonds with the macrocycle. It is possible because the macrocycleL has unoccupied molecular orbitals suitable for the formation of such bonds; these MOs consist mainly of the orbitals of mercury atoms directed toward both the upper and lower halogen atoms. In the [L-X-L]^– sandwich complexes, the halide anion cannot be bonded to each ringvia three bonds, and, hence, an unsymmetrical structure is formed, in which the rings are located at different distances from the central atom: the [L-X]^– semisandwich complex solvated by macrocycleL.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1035–1042, June, 1995.The authors are grateful to V. I. Faustov for valuable remarks.This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 93-03-18342).     

Complexes of Mercury(II) Cyanide with Crown Ethers in Dimethylsulfoxide

The complexation of mercury(II) cyanide with macrocyclic ligands 15-crown-5,18-crown-6 and dibenzo-24-crown-8 in dimethylsulfoxide was studied using¹⁹⁹Hg NMR measurements. No significant complexation with 15-crown-5was observed. The stability constants K_s for 1 : 1 complexes with two other ligands were determined and found to be similar, in contrary to the results reported in nitrobenzene. Solvent effects on K_s values obtained are discussed in comparison with the literature data. X-ray crystal structure of Hg(CN)₂.A18-crown-6 was also determined.     

Synthesis and characterization of anionic lanthanide complexes {[o-(Me3SiN)2C6H4]Ln(MeC5H4)2}{Li(DME)3} (Ln = Yb, Sm, Nd) and their catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The syntheses and structures of a series of new lanthanide complexes supported by a chelating diamide ligand N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-o-phenylenediamine are described. Anhydrous LnCl₃ reacts with Li₂[o-(Me₃SiN)₂C₆H₄], followed by treatment of NaC₅H₄Me in 1:1:2 molar ratio to afford the corresponding anionic complexes: {[o-(Me₃SiN)₂C₆H₄]Ln(MeC₅H₄)₂}{Li(DME)₃} [Ln = Yb (1), Sm (2), Nd(3)] in high yield. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 were further determined by X-ray diffraction techniques to be an ion-pair complex composed by an anion [o-(Me₃SiN)₂C₆H₄]Ln(MeC₅H₄)₂] and a cation [Li(DME)₃]. Complexes 1-3 showed high catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) at r.t., giving the syndiotactic-rich polymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.64-1.82).