A contribution to 1-azapentadienylmetal chemistry: Si, Sn(II), Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes

Complexes of three related 1-azapentadienyl ligands [N(SiMe₂R¹)C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R]⁻, abbreviated as L (R = Bu^t, R¹ = Me), L′ (R = Me = R¹), and L″ (R = Bu^t = R¹), are described. The crystalline compounds Sn(L)₂ (1), Sn(L′)₂ (2), [Sn(L′)(μ-Cl)]₂ (3) and [Sn(L″)(μ-Cl)]₂ (4) were prepared from SnCl₂ and 2 K(L), 2 K(L′), K(L′) and K(L″), respectively, in thf. Treatment of the appropriate lithium 1-azapentadienyl with Si(Cl)Me₃ yielded the yellow crystalline Me₃Si(L) (5) and the volatile liquid Me₃Si(L′) (6) and Me₃Si(L″) (7), each being an N,N,C-trisilyldieneamine. The red, crystalline Fe(L)₂ (8) and Co(L′)₂ (9) were obtained from thf solutions of FeCl₂ with 2 Li(L)(tmeda) and CoCl₂ with 2 K(L′), respectively. Each of 1-9 gave satisfactory C, H, N analyses; 6 and 7 (GC-MS) and 1, 2, 8 and 9 (MS) showed molecular cations and appropriate fragments (also 3 and 4). The ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR (1-4) and IR spectra support the assignment of 1-4 as containing Sn-N(SiMe₂R¹)-C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R moieties and 5-7 as N(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂R¹)C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R molecules; for 1-4 this is confirmed by their X-ray structures. The magnetic moments for 8 (5.56 μ_B) and 9 (2.75 μ_B) are remarkably close to the appropriate Fe and Co complex [M{η³-N(SiMe₃)C(Bu^t)C(H)SiMe₃}₂]; hence it is proposed that 8 and 9 have similar metal-centred, centrosymmetric, distorted octahedral structures.     

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.     

New group 14 element(IV) β-diiminates and a Sn(II) analogue

Seven group 14 element(IV) compounds 2-7 have been prepared, derived either (2-5) from the potassium β-diketiminate K(L) [L = {N(Ar)C(Me)}₂CH, Ar = C₆H₃Prⁱ₂-2,6] (1) or the known lithium β-dialdiminate Li(L′)] [L′ = {N(Ar)C(H)}₂CPh, Ar = C₆H₃Prⁱ₂-2,6]. Treatment of 1 with Bu^tC(O)Cl, Me₃SiCl, Ph₃SnCl, or Me₃SnCl afforded {N(Ar)C(Me)}₂C(H)C(O)Bu^t (2), [ArNC(Me)C(H)C(Me)N(Ar)SiMe₃] (3), [HN(Ar)C(Me)C(H)C(CH₂SnPh₃)N(Ar)] (4), or (5), respectively. Compounds 4 and 5 are remarkable as they have arisen from a tautomer of 1; crystalline centrosymmetric 5 has a fused tricyclic structure, a central eight-membered ring flanked by two six-membered rings. The compounds [GeCl₂(L′)(OGeCl₃)] (6) or [SnCl(L′)Me₂] (7), the first group 14 metal β-dialdiminates, were obtained from Li(L′) and (GeCl₃)₂O or Me₂SnCl₂, respectively. The Sn(II) compound SnCl(L′) (8) was prepared from SnCl₂ and K(L′). The molecular structures of the crystalline compounds 3-8 are reported.     

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.     

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.     

Linked bis(β-diketiminato) yttrium and lanthanum complexes as catalysts in asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes (AHA)

Linked bis(β-diketiminato) rare-earth metal complexes based on the ethylene-bridged ligand [C₂H₄(BDI^DClP)₂]H₂ [DClP = 2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃] and the cyclohexyl-bridged ligands [Cy(BDI^Ar)₂]H₂ [Ar = PMP (= p-MeOC₆H₄), Mes (= 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂), DIPP (= 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)] were prepared via amine elimination starting from [Ln{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃] (Ln = La, Y). The three cyclohexyl-bridged complexes [{(R,R)-Cy(BDI^Mes)₂}YN(SiMe₃)₂] ((R,R)-3), [{(R,R)-Cy(BDI^Mes)₂}LaN(SiMe₃)₂] ((R,R)-4), and [{(R,R)-Cy(BDI^DIPP)₂}LaN(SiMe₃)₂] ((R,R)-5) were obtained enantiomerically pure. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of the racemic variants of 3 and 4 revealed a distorted square pyramidal coordination geometry around the rare-earth metal, in which the amido ligand occupies the apical position and the two linked β-diketiminato moieties form the basis. The two aromatic substituents adopt a transoid arrangement and both β-diketiminato moieties are bound in a η⁵ coordination mode with close Ln?C contacts. Due to the smaller ionic radius of yttrium vs. lanthanum, the front side of the yttrium complex 3 is sterically more hindered than in the lanthanum complex 4, but there is much more empty coordination space on the rear side, which may rationalize the observed differences in selectivity of 3 in comparison to 4. The catalytic efficiency of the β-diketiminato complexes was strongly affected by steric factors such as ionic radius of the metal and the steric bulk of the aryl substituents, which is an indication for highly steric encumbered catalytic species. The complexes displayed good to moderate catalytic activity in the hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes depending on the steric hindrance around the metal center. The sterically most demanding diisopropylphenyl-substituted complex (R,R)-5 displayed significantly higher enantioselectivities (up to 76% ee), but lower catalytic activity in comparison to the sterically more open mesityl-substituted complex (R,R)-4. The smaller yttrium metal center in complex (R,R)-3 led to reduced activity as well as a reversal in enantioselectivity, which may be rationalized by a change of the approach of the alkene moiety to the Ln-amido bond in the cyclization transition state.     

Synthesis and structure of mono- and di-nuclear complexes of ortho-palladated derived from phosphorus ylides

The phosphorus ylides Ph₃PCHC(O)C₆H₄R (R = 4-Me 1a, 4-Br 1b) react with PdCl₂ in equimolar ratios to give the C,C-orthopalladated [Pd{CHP(C₆H₄)Ph₂CO-C₆H₄-R)}(μ-Cl)]₂ (R = 4-Me 2a, 4-Br 2b) which react with NaClO₄/dppe, NaClO₄/dppm, py and PPh₃ to give the mononuclear derivatives [Pd{CH{P(C₆H₄)Ph₂}COC₆H₄-R}(dppe-P,P′)[(ClO₄) (R = 4-Me 3a, 4-Br 3b), [Pd{CH{P(C₆H₄)Ph₂}COC₆H₄-R}(dppm-P,P′)[(ClO₄ ( (R = 4-Me 4a, 4-Br 4b), [Pd{CH{P(C₆H₄)Ph₂}COC₆H₄-R}Cl(L)] (L = py, R = 4-Me 5a, 4-Br 5b, L = PPh₃, R = 4-Me 6a, 4-Br 6b). The C, C-metalated chelate are demonstrated by an X-ray diffraction study of 3a and 4a. Characterization of the obtained compounds was also performed by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ³¹P, and ¹³C NMR.     

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic behaviour of ansa-zirconocene complexes containing tetraphenylcyclopentadienyl rings: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{Me2Si(η-C5Ph4)(η-C5H3R)}Cl2] (R = H, Bu)

The ansa-bis(cyclopentadiene) compounds, Me₂Si(C₅HPh₄)(C₅H₄R) (R = H (2); Bu^t (3)), have been prepared by the reaction of C₅HPh₄(SiMe₂Cl) (1) with Na(C₅H₅) or Li(C₅H₄Bu^t), respectively, and transformed to the di-lithium derivatives, Li₂{Me₂Si(C₅Ph₄)(C₅H₃R)} (R = H (4); Bu^t (5)), by the action of n-butyllithium. The ansa-zirconocene complexes, [Zr{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Ph₄)(η⁵-C₅H₃R)}Cl₂] (R = H (6); Bu^t (7)), were synthesized from the reaction of ZrCl₄ with 4 or 5, respectively. Compounds 6 and 7 have been tested in the polymerization of ethylene and compared with their methyl-substituted analogues, [Zr{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₃R)}Cl₂] (R = H (8); Bu^t (9)). Whilst 8 and 9 are catalytically active, the tetraphenyl-substituted complexes 6 and 7 proved to be inactive in the polymerization of ethylene. This phenomenon has been explained by DFT calculations based on the reaction intermediates in the polymerization processes involving 6 and 7, which showed that the extraction of a methyl group from the zirconocene complex to form the cationic active specie is endothermic and therefore unfavourable.     

Stereochemistry of the insertion of disubstituted alkynes into the metal aminocarbyne bond in diiron complexes

Terminal alkynes (HCCR^′) (R^′=COOMe, CH₂OH) insert into the metal-carbyne bond of the diiron complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCMe)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, 1a; CH₂Ph, 1b; Me, 1c; Xyl=2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), affording the corresponding μ-vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(R^′)CHCN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, R^′=COOMe, 2; R=CH₂Ph, R^′=COOMe, 3; R=Me, R^′=COOMe, 4; R=Xyl, R^′=CH₂OH, 5; R=Me, R^′=CH₂OH, 6). The insertion is regiospecific and C-C bond formation selectively occurs between the carbyne carbon and the CH moiety of the alkyne. Disubstituted alkynes (R^′CCR^′) also insert into the metal-carbyne bond leading to the formation of [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(R^′)C(R^′)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R^′=Me, R=Xyl, 8; R^′=Et, R=Xyl, 9; R^′=COOMe, R=Xyl, 10; R^′=COOMe, R=CH₂Ph, 11; R^′=COOMe, R=Me, 12). Complexes 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11, in which the iminium nitrogen is unsymmetrically substituted, give rise to E and/or Z isomers. When iminium substituents are Me and Xyl, the NMR and structural investigations (X-ray structure analysis of 2 and 8) indicate that complexes obtained from terminal alkynes preferentially adopt the E configuration, whereas those derived from internal alkynes are exclusively Z. In complexes 8 and 9, trans and cis isomers have been observed, by NMR spectroscopy, and the structures of trans-8 and cis-8 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Trans to cis isomerization occurs upon heating in THF at reflux temperature. In contrast to the case of HCCR^′, the insertion of 2-hexyne is not regiospecific: both [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(CH₂CH₂CH₃)C(Me)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, 13; R=Me, 15) and [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(Me)C(CH₂CH₂CH₃)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, 14, R=Me, 16) are obtained and these compounds are present in solution as a mixture of cis and trans isomers, with predominance of the former.     

Synthesis of (adamantylimido)vanadium(V)-alkyl complexes containing aryloxo ligands and their use as the catalyst precursors for ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene, and ring-opening polymerization of tetrahydrofuran

Various (adamantylimido)vanadium(V) dialkyl complexes containing aryloxo ligands, V(NAd)(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(OAr) [Ad = 1-adamantyl (1); Ar = Ph (a), 4-FC₆H₄ (b), 2,6-F₂C₆H₃ (c), 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (d), C₆F₅ (e)], have been prepared and identified. These complexes were employed as the catalyst precursors for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene (NBE) in the presence of PMe₃ at 80 °C. The activity was strongly affected by the aryloxo substituent and increased in the order: C₆H₅ < 4-FC₆H₄ < 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ << 2,6-F₂C₆H₃, C₆F₅. The same trend was observed in the ROMPs by the arylimido-aryloxo analogues, V(NAr′)(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(OAr) (2a-e; Ar′ = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), under the same conditions, and the activities by the arylimido analogues were generally higher than the adamantylimido analogues in most case. The (imido)vanadium(V) complexes containing O-2,6-F₂C₆H₃ (1,2c) or OC₆F₅ (1,2e) exhibited high catalytic activities, and these results strongly suggest that electronic as well as steric factors play a role. Living ring-opening polymerization of THF proceeded in the presence of V(NAd) (CH₂SiMe₃)(OAr)₂ (Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃, C₆F₅) and [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], affording high molecular weight polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (ex. M_n = 2.11 × 10⁵, M_w/M_n = 1.18).     

Synthesis of neutral and cationic monocyclopentadienyl alkyl niobium and tantalum complexes

Compound [NbCp′Me₄] (Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃, 1) reacted with several ROH compounds (R = tBu, SiiPr₃, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) to give the derivatives [NbCp′Me₃(OR)] (R = tBu 2a, SiiPr₃2b, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃2c). The diaryloxo tantalum compound [TaCp^∗Me₂(OR)₂] (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃3) was obtained by reaction of [TaCp^∗Cl₂Me₂] with 2 equiv of LiOR (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃). Abstraction of one methyl group from these neutral compounds 1-3 with the Lewis acids E(C₆F₅)₃ (E = B, Al) gave the ionic derivatives [NbCp′Me₂X][MeE(C₆F₅)₃] (X = Me 4-E. X = OR; R = SiiPr₃5b-E, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃5c-E. E = B, Al) and [TaCp^∗Me(OR)₂][MeE(C₆F₅)₃] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃6-E; E = B, Al). Polymerization of MMA with the aryloxoniobium compound 2c and Al(C₆F₅)₃ gave syndiotactic PMMA in a low yield, whereas the tetramethylniobium compound 1 and the diaryloxotantalum derivative 3 were inactive.     

Synthesis and structures of four crystalline lithium β-diketiminates derived from [Li{CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2OMe)}]8 and PhCN or BuCN and PhCN

Treatment at ambient temperature in diethyl ether of one equivalent of [Li{CH(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂OMe)}]₈ (A) with (i) two equivalents of PhCN, or (ii) successive equivalent portions of Bu^tCN and PhCN gave from (i) (1) and (2) as well as the known lithium 1-azaallyl [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(Ph)CH(SiMe₃)}]₃, and from (ii) (3) The latter was also obtained from the known [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(Bu^t)CH(SiMe₃)}]₂ and PhCN under similar conditions. Recrystallisation of 2 from THF/hexane afforded (2^′). X-ray diffraction data on 2, 2^′ and 3 are presented; data for 1 were only adequate to confirm its gross tetrameric structure. The particularly novel feature of these transformations of the lithium alkyl A into lithium β-diketiminates 1, 2, 2^′ or 3 is that while the first 1,3-carbon to nitrogen shift from the α-carbon of A is both silicotropic and regiospecific (in so far as SiMe₂OMe > SiMe₃ in migratory aptitude), the second migration is indiscriminate: silicotropy yielding 1 or 3 but prototropy giving 2 (or 2^′). Consistent with these observations, the central carbon atom of the β-diketiminato ligand has significant carbanionic character in 2 or 2^′, attributed to its stabilisation by the exocyclic Me₃Si at C2, whereas in 1 or 3 there is π-delocalisation.     

Formation of 5-phenyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione from molybdenum dithiopropiolato complexes

Molybdenum dithiopropiolato complexes, [(η⁵-C₅R₄R^′)Mo(CO)₂(η²-S₂CCCPh)] (R=H, R^′=Me 1a, R=R^′=H 1b; R=R^′=Me 1c) react with trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMNO · 2H₂O) under mild thermolysis to form 5-phenyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (2). The reaction proceeds through the formation of the oxo-complexes, [(η⁵-C₅R₄R^′)Mo(O)(η³-S₂CCCPh)] (R=H, R^′=Me 3a, R=R^′=H 3b; R=R^′=Me 3c). Direct reaction of 3a-c with TMNO · 2H₂O under thermolysis also results in formation of 2.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of binuclear lanthanide complexes with chiral NOBIN-based NNO ligands

Two new amido binuclear complexes {(1)YN(SiMe₃)₂}₂ · C₇H₈ (3 · C₇H₈) and {(2)SmN(SiMe₃)₂}₂ · C₆H₁₄ (4 · C₆H₁₄) have been readily prepared in good yields by amine elimination reaction between Ln[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ (Ln = Sm, Y) and chiral NNO ligands, (S)-2-(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (1H₂) and (S)-5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,8,8′-octahydro-2-(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneamino)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (2H₂), respectively. They both have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, elemental analyses, and X-ray diffraction analyses. They are active catalysts for asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes and ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide, affording cyclic amines in excellent conversions with moderate ee values and isotactic-rich polylactides, respectively.     

Synthetic and X-ray diffraction studies of borosiloxane cages [R′Si(ORBO)3SiR′] and the adducts of [BuSi{O(PhB)O}3SiBu] with pyridine or N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine

Eleven borosiloxane [R′Si(ORBO)₃SiR′] compounds where R′ = Bu^t and R = Ph (1), 4-PhC₆H₄ (2), 4-Bu^tC₆H₄ (3), 3-NO₂C₆H₄ (4), 4-CH(O)C₆H₄ (5), CpFeC₅H₄ (6), 4-C(O)CH₃C₆H₄ (7), 4-ClC₆H₄ (8), 2,4-F₂C₆H₃ (9), and R′ = cyclo-C₆H₁₁ and R = Ph (10), and 4-BrC₆H₄ (11) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (IR, NMR), mass spectrometric and, for compounds where R′ = Bu^t and R = 4-PhC₆H₄ (2), 4-Bu^tC₆H₄ (3), 3-NO₂C₆H₄ (4), CpFeC₅H₄ (6) and 2,4-F₂C₆H₃ (9), X-ray diffraction studies. These compounds contain trigonal planar RBO₂ and tetrahedral R′SiO₃ units located around 11-atom “spherical” Si₂O₆B₃ cores. The dimensions of the Si₂O₆B₃ cores in compounds 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 are remarkably similar. The reaction between [Bu^tSi{O(PhB)O}₃SiBu^t] (1), and excess pyridine yields the 1:1 adduct [Bu^tSi{O(PhB)O}SiBu^t]. NC₅H₅ (12) while the reaction between 1 and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine in equimolar amounts affords a 2:1 borosiloxane:amine adduct [Bu^tSi{O(PhB)O}₃SiBu^t]₂ · Me₂NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (13). Compounds 12 and 13 were characterised with IR and (¹H, ¹³C and¹¹B) NMR spectroscopies and the structure of the pyridine complex 12 was determined with X-ray techniques.     

Synthesis, crystal structure of bis(arylamido)lanthanide methyl complexes and their catalytic behavior for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Reactions of [N(C₆H₃i-Pr₂-2,6)(SiMe₃)]₂LnCl(THF) (Ln=Nd, Yb) with two equivalents of MeLi in a mixture solution of toluene and Et₂O gave [N(C₆H₃i-Pr₂-2,6)(SiMe₃)]₂LnCH₃(μ-CH₃)Li(THF)₃·PhCH₃ (Ln=Nd (1), Yb (2)) in good isolated yields as crystalline solids. The single-crystal structural analysis of 2 revealed that the coordination geometry of ytterbium ion is best described as a distorted pseudo-tetrahedron. Both 1 and 2 are active for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate to give syndiotactic-rich and high molecular weight polymers (M_n>10⁴) with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n<2).     

Mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes: Synthesis,structure and their activity for l-lactide polymerization

Alkane elimination reaction between Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ (Ln = Y, Lu) with one equivalent of the amidines with different steric demanding HL ([CyC(N-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)₂]H (HL₁), [CyC(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]H (HL₂), [PhC(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]H (HL₃)) in THF afforded a series of mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes [CyC(N-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)₂]Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) (Ln = Y (1), Lu (3)), [CyC(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)₂ (Ln = Y (4), Lu (6)), and [PhC(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)₂ (7) in 75–89% isolated yields. For the early lanthanide metal Nd, THF slurry of NdCl₃ was stirred with three equiv of LiCH₂SiMe₃ in THF, followed by addition of one equiv of the amidines HL₁ or HL₂ gave an “ate” complex [CyC(N-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)₂]Nd(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(μ-Cl)Li(THF)₃ (2) in 48% yield and a neutral [CyC(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Nd(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)₂ (5) in 52% yield, respectively. They were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy (except for 2 and 5 for their strong paramagnetic property). Complexes 2, 3, 4 and 5 were subjected to X-ray single crystal structure determination. These neutral mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes showed activity towards l-lactide polymerization to give high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution polymers.     

Synthesis and structural studies of some titanium and zirconium complexes with chiral bis(amide), amidinate or bis(amidinate) ligands

Reaction of bis(amide) sodium Na₂[(1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-(NSiMe₃)₂-C₆H₁₀] (Na₂[L¹]) with Ti(OiPr)₂Cl₂ in different conditions gave mixed-ligand complexes [Ti(OiPr)Cl][L¹] (1) or [Ti(OiPr)₂Cl]₂[L¹] (2); 2 is a dinuclear titanium example in which Ti atoms are bridged by nitrogen and oxygen atoms simultaneously forming a distorted rhombic core. Reaction of the amine-amidinate ligand (1R,2R)-(−)-1-Li[NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)]-2-(NHSiMe₃)-C₆H₁₀(Li[L²]) or rarely linked bis(amidinate) ligand Li₂[(1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-{NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)}₂-C₆H₁₀](Li₂[L³]) with ZrCl₄ yielded the unbridged and bridged bis(amidinate) complexes ZrCl₂[L²]₂ (3) and [ZrCl₂(THF)][L³] (4), respectively; Moreover, the reaction of (1R,2R)-(−)-1-Li[NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)]-2-Li(NSiMe₃)C₆H₁₀(Li₂[L²]) with Ti(OiPr)₂Cl₂ gave a new type of tridentate amido-amidinate product [Ti(OiPr)₂][L²] (6), which is a distinct model compared to [Ti(OiPr)₂Cl][L²] (5) yielded from Li[L²]. All the products have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and the structural studies are presented detailedly comparing with relevant compounds.     

Synthesis and characterisation of six Fe(II or III), Co(II) or Zr(IV) complexes containing the ligand [CH(SiMe2R)P(Ph)2NSiMe3] (R = Me, NEt2) and of [Co{N(SiMe3)C(Ph)C(H)P(Ph)2NSiMe3}2]

The C,N-(trimethylsilyliminodiphenylphosphoranyl)silylmethylmetal complexes [Fe(L)₂] (3), [Co(L)₂] (4), [ZrCl₃(L)]·0.83CH₂Cl₂ (5), [Fe(L)₃] (6), [Fe(L′)₂] (7) and [Co(L′)₂] (8) have been prepared from the lithium compound Li[CH(SiMe₂R)P(Ph)₂NSiMe₃] [1a, (R = Me) {≡ Li(L)}; 1b, (R = NEt₂) {≡ Li(L′)}] and the appropriate metal chloride (or for 7, FeCl₃). From Li[N(SiMe₃)C(Ph)C(H)P(Ph)₂NSiMe₃] [≡ Li(L″)] (2), prepared in situ from Li(L) (1a) and PhCN, and CoCl₂ there was obtained bis(3-trimethylsilylimino- diphenylphosphoranyl-2-phenyl-N-trimethylsilyl-1-azaallyl-N,N′)cobalt(II) (9). These crystalline complexes 3-9 were characterised by their mass spectra, microanalyses, high spin magnetic moments (not 5) and for 5 multinuclear NMR solution spectra. The X-ray structure of 3 showed it to be a pseudotetrahedral bis(chelate), the iron atom at the spiro junction.     

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.