Carbon-oxygen bond cleavage with eta9,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium sandwich complexes

Treatment of the eta9,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium sandwich complex, (eta9-C9H5-1,3-(SiMe3)2)(eta5-C9H5-1,3-(SiMe3)2)Zr, with dialkyl ethers such as diethyl ether, CH3OR (R=Et, nBu, tBu), nBu2O, or iPr2O resulted in facile C-O bond scission furnishing an eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium alkoxy hydride complex and free olefin. In cases where ethylene is formed, trapping by the zirconocene sandwich yields a rare example of a crystallographically characterized, base-free eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium ethylene complex. Observation of normal, primary kinetic isotope effects in combination with rate studies and the stability of various model compounds support a mechanism involving rate-determining C-H activation to yield an eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium alkyl hydride intermediate followed by rapid beta-alkoxide elimination. For isolable eta6,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium THF compounds, thermolysis at 85 degrees C also resulted in C-O bond cleavage to yield the corresponding zirconacycle. Both mechanistic and computational studies again support a pathway involving haptotropic rearrangement to eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium intermediates that promote rate-determining C-H activation and ultimately C-O bond scission.     

Syntheses and characterization of mu,eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato derivatives of aluminum

The 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato (3,5-tBu(2)pz) derivatives of aluminum [(eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(mu-Al)R(1)R(2)](2) (R(1) = R(2) = Me 1; R(1) = R(2) = Et, 2; R(1) = R(2) = Cl, 3; R(1) = R(2) = I, 4; [(eta(2)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(3)Al], 5; [Al(2)(eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(2)(mu-E)(C triple bond CPh)(2)] (E = S (6), Se (7), Te (8)) have been prepared in good yield. Compounds 1 and 2 were obtained by the reactions of H[3,5-tBu(2)pz] with Me(3)Al and Et(3)Al, respectively. Reaction of [(eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(mu-Al)H(2)](2) with the pyrazole H[3,5-tBu(2)pz] gave [(eta(2)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(3)Al] (5). The reaction of [(eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(mu-Al)R(2)](2) (R = H, Me) and I(2) yielded 4, while the reaction of 1 equiv of K[3,5-tBu(2)pz] and AlCl(3) afforded 3. In addition, the reaction of [Al(2)(eta(1),eta(1)-3,5-tBu(2)pz)(2)(mu-E)H(2)] and HC triple bond CPh gave 6, 7, and 8. All compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The molecular structure analyses of compounds 1, 3, 6, and 7 by X-ray crystallography showed that complexes 1 and 3 are dimeric with two eta(1),eta(1)-pyrazolato groups in twisted conformation while 6 and 7 with two eta(1),eta(1)-pyrazolato groups display a boat conformation.     

An eta(6)-dienyne transition-metal complex

The ruthenium complexes, [(eta5-C5R5)Ru(CH3CN)3]PF6 (1-Cp*, R = Me; 1-Cp, R = H), underwent reaction with both 1-(2-chloro-1-methylvinyl)-2-pentynyl-(Z)-cyclopentene (6-Z) and 1-(2-chloro-1-methylvinyl)-2-pentynyl-(E)-cyclopentene (6-E) to give (eta5-C5R5)Ru[eta6-(5-chloro-4-methyl-6-propylindan)]PF6 (7-Cp*, R = Me; 7-Cp, R = H). In a similar fashion, reaction of 1-Cp and 1-Cp* with 1-isopropenyl-2-pent-1-ynylcyclopentene (8) led to the formation of (eta5-C5R5)Ru(eta6-4-methyl-6-propylindan)]PF6 (9-Cp*, R = Me; 9-Cp, R = H). The reaction of 1-Cp* with 8 at -60 degrees C in CDCl3 solution led to observation of the eta6-dienyne complex, (eta5-C5Me5)Ru[eta6-(1-isopropenyl-2-pent-1-ynylcyclopentene)]PF6 (10), by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Complexes 7-Cp and 10 were characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Structural isomers of aryl-substituted eta(3)-propargyl complexes: eta(2)-1-Metalla(methylene)cyclopropene and eta(3)-benzyl complexes

Hydride abstraction from C(5)Me(5)(CO)(2)Re(eta(2)-PhC triple bond CCH(2)Ph) (1) gave a 3:1 mixture of eta(3)-propargyl complex [C(5)Me(5)(CO)(2)Re(eta(3)-PhCH-C triple bond CPh)][BF(4)] (5) and eta(2)-1-metalla(methylene)cyclopropene complex [C(5)Me(5)(CO)(2)Re(eta(2)-PhC-C=CHPh)][BF(4)] (6). Observation of the eta(2)-isomer requires 1,3-diaryl substitution and is favored by electron-donating substituents on the C(3)-aryl ring. Interconversion of eta(3)-propargyl and eta(2)-1-metalla(methylene)cyclopropene complexes is very rapid and results in coalescence of Cp (1)H NMR resonances at about -50 degrees C. Protonation of the alkynyl carbene complex C(5)Me(5)(CO)(2)Re=C(Ph)C triple bond CPh (22) gave a third isomer, the eta(3)-benzyl complex [C(5)Me(5)(CO)(2)Re[eta(3)(alpha,1,2)-endo,syn-C(6)H(5)CH(C triple bond CC(6)H(5))]][BF(4)] (23) along with small amounts of the isomeric complexes 5 and 6. While 5 and 6 are in rapid equilibrium, there is no equilibration of the eta(3)-benzyl isomer 23 with 5 and 6.     

Synthesis of a eta 2-2,3-diphosphabutadiene complex of zerovalent platinum from the corresponding eta 2-phosphaalkyne complex

Hydrozirconation of the eta 2-phosphaalkyne complex [Pt(dppe)(eta 2-tBuCP)] with [ZrHCl(eta 5-C5H5)2], followed by treatment with the chlorophosphaalkene ClP=C(SiMe3)2 affords the eta 2-2,3-diphosphabutadiene complex [Pt(dppe)(eta 2-tBuC(H)=PP=C(SiMe3)2]. In the presence of [Pt(PPh3)2] the latter undergoes an addition reaction with water to afford the structurally characterised Pt(II) complex [Pt(dppe)(tBuCH2P(O)HPC(SiMe3)2].     

Syntheses and molecular structures of eta3-[(eta5-Cp*)(CO)2Fe-AsPC(SiMe3)2]M(CO)2(eta5-Cp)(M = Mo, W): the first complexes featuring eta3-arsaphosphaallyl ligands

Reaction of (eta5-Cp)(CO)2M=P=C(SiMe3)2 4a (M = Mo) and 4b (M = W) with (eta5-Cp*)(CO)2Fe-As=C(NMe2)2 5 affords the eta3-1-arsa-2-phosphaallyl complexes [(eta5-Cp*)(CO)2Fe-AsPC(SiMe3)2]M(CO)2(eta5-Cp) 6a and 6b, the molecular structures of which were determined by X-ray analyses.     

Theoretical characterization of stable eta1-N2O-, eta2-N2O-, eta1-N2-, and eta2-N2-bound species: intermediates in the addition reactions of nitrogen hydrides with the pentacyanonitrosylferrate(II) ion

The addition of nitrogen hydrides (hydrazine, hydroxylamine, ammonia, azide) to the pentacyanonitrosylferrate(II) ion has been analyzed by means of density functional calculations, focusing on the identification of stable intermediates along the reaction paths. Initial reversible adduct formation and further decomposition lead to the eta(1)- and eta(2)-linkage isomers of N(2)O and N(2), depending on the nucleophile. The intermediates (adducts and gas-releasing precursors) have been characterized at the B3LYP/6-31G level of theory through the calculation of their structural and spectroscopic properties, modeling the solvent by means of a continuous approach. The eta(2)-N(2)O isomer is formed at an initial stage of adduct decompositions with the hydrazine and azide adducts. Further conversion to the eta(1)-N(2)O isomer is followed by Fe-N(2)O dissociation. Only the eta(1)-N(2)O isomer is predicted for the reaction with hydroxylamine, revealing a kinetically controlled N(2)O formation. eta(1)-N(2) and eta(2)-N(2) isomers are also predicted as stable species.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of Be(eta 5-C5Me5)(eta 1-C5Me4H). Evidence for ring-inversion leading to Be(eta 5-C5Me4H)(eta 1-C5Me5)

The mixed-ring beryllocene Be(C5Me5)(C5Me4H), that contains eta 5-C5Me5 and eta 1-C5Me4H rings, the latter bonded to the metal through the CH carbon atom (X-ray crystal structure) reacts at room temperature with CNXyl (Xyl = C6H3-2,6-Me2) to give an iminoacyl product, Be(eta 5-C5Me4H)[C(NXyl)C5Me5] derived from the inverted beryllocene structure Be (eta 5-C5Me4H)(eta 1-C5Me5).     

Chemical and electrochemical reduction of polyarene manganese tricarbonyl cations: hapticity changes and generation of syn- and anti-facial bimetallic eta4,eta6-naphthalene complexes

(Eta6-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(+) is reduced reversibly by two electrons in CH(2)Cl(2) to afford (eta4-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(-). The chemical and electrochemical reductions of this and analogous complexes containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) coordinated to Mn(CO)(3)(+) indicate that the second electron addition is thermodynamically easier but kinetically slower than the first addition. Density functional theory calculations suggest that most of the bending or folding of the naphthalene ring that accompanies the eta6 --> eta4 hapticity change occurs when the second electron is added. As an alternative to further reduction, the 19-electron radicals (eta6-PAH)Mn(CO)(3) can undergo catalytic CO substitution when phosphite nucleophiles are present. Chemical reduction of (eta6-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(+) and analogues with one equivalent of cobaltocene affords a syn-facial bimetallic complex (eta4,eta6-naphthalene)Mn(2)(CO)(5), which contains a Mn-Mn bond. Catalytic oxidative activation under CO reversibly converts this complex to the zwitterionic syn-facial bimetallic (eta4,eta6-naphthalene)Mn(2)(CO)(6), in which the Mn-Mn bond is cleaved and the naphthalene ring is bent by 45 degrees . Controlled reduction experiments at variable temperatures indicate that the bimetallic (eta4,eta6-naphthalene)Mn(2)(CO)(5) originates from the reaction of (eta4-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(-) acting as a nucleophile to displace the arene from (eta6-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(+). Heteronuclear syn-facial and anti-facial bimetallics are formed by the reduction of mixtures of (eta6-naphthalene)Mn(CO)(3)(+) and other complexes containing a fused polycyclic ring, e.g., (eta5-indenyl)Fe(CO)(3)(+) and (eta6-naphthalene)FeCp(+). The great ease with which naphthalene-type manganese tricarbonyl complexes undergo an eta6 --> eta4 hapticity change is the basis for the formation of both the homo- and heteronuclear bimetallics, for the observed two-electron reduction, and for the far greater reactivity of (eta6-PAH)Mn(CO)(3)(+) complexes in comparison to monocyclic arene analogues.     

eta1:eta2-Alkynyl-bridged W-Si complexes: formation, structure, and reaction with acetone

Reactions of (eta5-C5Me4R)(CO)2(MeCN)WMe (R = Me, Et) with HPh2SiCCtBu gave the novel alkynyl-bridged W-Si complexes, (eta5-C5Me4R)(CO)2W(mu-eta1:eta2-CCtBu)(SiPh2) (R = Me, Et), whose alkynyl ligands bridge the tungsten and silicon atoms in an eta1:eta2-coordination mode. The structures of these complexes were fully characterized, including X-ray crystallography. Treatment of (eta5-C5Me5)(CO)2W(mu-eta1:eta2-CCtBu)(SiPh2) with acetone resulted in acetone insertion into the silicon-alkynyl linkage followed by intramolecular C-H activation of the tBu group to give the chelate-type alkyl-alkene complex, (eta5-C5Me5)(CO)2W(eta1:eta2-CH2CMe2C=CHSiPh2OCMe2).     

Synthesis of bis(indenyl)zirconium dihydrides and subsequent rearrangement to eta5,eta3-4,5-dihydroindenediyl ligands: evidence for intermediates during the hydrogenation to tetrahydroindenyl derivatives

Exposure of eta9,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium sandwich complexes to 4 atm of H2 resulted in facile oxidative addition to furnish the corresponding zirconocene dihydrides, (eta5-C9H5-1,3-R2)2ZrH2 (R = SiMe3, SiMe2Ph, CHMe2). Continued hydrogenation completed conversion to the tetrahydroindenyl derivatives, (eta5-C9H9-1,3-R2)2ZrH2. Deuterium labeling studies established that dihydrogen (dideuterium) addition to the benzo rings is intramolecular and stereospecific, occurring solely from the endo face of the ligand, proximal to the zirconium. In the absence of dihydrogen, the bis(indenyl)zirconium dihydrides rearranged to new zirconium monohydride complexes containing an unusual eta5,eta3-4,5-dihydroindenediyl ligand, arising from metal-to-benzo ring hydrogen transfer. Mechanistic studies, including a normal, primary kinetic isotope effect measured at 23 degrees C, are consistent with a pathway involving regio- and stereoselective insertion of a benzo C=C bond into a zirconium hydride. The stereochemistry of the insertion reaction, and hence the eta5,eta3-4,5-dihydroindenediyl product, is influenced by the presence of donor ligands and controlled by the preferred conformation of the indenyl rings. Exposure of the zirconium hydrides containing the eta5,eta3-4,5-dihydroindenediyl rings to 1 atm of dihydrogen afforded the tetrahydroindenyl zirconium dihydride complexes, establishing the intermediacy of this unusual coordination environment during benzo ring hydrogenation.     

New palladium(II)-(eta(3/5)- or eta1-indenyl) and dipalladium(I)-(mu,eta3-indenyl) complexes

Reaction of the dimeric species [(eta3-Ind)Pd(mu-Cl)]2 (1) (Ind = indenyl) with NEt3 gives the complex (eta(3-5)-Ind)Pd(NEt3)Cl (3), whereas the analogous reactions with BnNH2 (Bn = PhCH2) or pyridine (py) afford the complexes trans-L2Pd(eta1-Ind)Cl (L = BnNH2 (4), py (5)). Similarly, the one-pot reaction of 1 with a mixture of BnNH2 and the phosphine ligands PR3 gives the mixed-ligand, amino and phosphine species (PR3)(BnNH2)Pd(eta1-Ind)Cl (R = Cy (6a), Ph (6b)); the latter complexes can also be prepared by addition of BnNH2 to (eta(3-5)-Ind)Pd(PR3)Cl (R = Cy (2a), Ph (2b)). Complexes 6 undergo a gradual decomposition in solution to generate the dinuclear Pd(I) compounds (mu,eta3-Ind)(mu-Cl)Pd2(PR3)2 (R = Cy (7a), Ph (7b)) and the Pd(II) compounds (BnNH2)(PR3)PdCl2 (R = Cy (8a), Ph (8b)), along with 1,1'-biindene. The formation of 7 is proposed to proceed by a comproportionation reaction between in situ-generated Pd(II) and Pd0 intermediates. Interestingly, the reverse of this reaction, disproportionation, also occurs spontaneously to give 2. All new compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and, in the case of 3, 4, 5, 6a, 7a, 7b, and 8a, by X-ray crystallography.     

Dinitrogen functionalization with terminal alkynes, amines, and hydrazines promoted by [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2): observation of side-on and end-on diazenido complexes in the reduction of N2 to hydrazine

Functionalization of the N2 ligand in the side-on bound dinitrogen complex, [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2), has been accomplished by addition of terminal alkynes to furnish acetylide zirconocene diazenido complexes, [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(C[triple bond]CR)]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2H2) (R = nBu, tBu, Ph). Characterization of [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(C[triple bond]CCMe3)]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2H2) by X-ray diffraction revealed a side-on bound diazenido ligand in the solid state, while variable-temperature 1H and 15N NMR studies established rapid interconversion between eta1,eta1 and eta2,eta2 hapticity of the [N2H2]2- ligand in solution. Synthesis of alkyl, halide, and triflato zirconocene diazenido complexes, [(eta5-C5Me4H)2ZrX]2(mu2,eta1,eta1-N2H2) (X = Cl, I, OTf, CH2Ph, CH2SiMe3), afforded eta1,eta1 coordination of the [N2H2]2- fragment both in the solid state and in solution, demonstrating that sterically demanding, in some cases pi-donating, ligands can overcome the electronically preferred side-on bonding mode. Unlike [(eta5-C5Me4H)2ZrH]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2H2), the acetylide and alkyl zirconocene diazenido complexes are thermally robust, resisting alpha-migration and N2 cleavage up to temperatures of 115 degrees C. Dinitrogen functionalization with [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) was also accomplished by addition of proton donors. Weak Br?nsted acids such as water and ethanol yield hydrazine and (eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(OH)2 and (eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(OEt)2, respectively. Treatment of [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) with HNMe2 or H2NNMe2 furnished amido or hydrazido zirconocene diazenido complexes that ultimately produce hydrazine upon protonation with ethanol. These results contrast previous observations with [(eta5-C5Me5)2Zr(eta1-N2)]2(mu2,eta1,eta1-N2) where loss of free dinitrogen is observed upon treatment with weak acids. These studies highlight the importance of cyclopentadienyl substituents on transformations involving coordinated dinitrogen.     

Formation and characterization of the oxygen-rich hafnium dioxygen complexes: OHf(eta2-O2)(eta2-O3), Hf(eta2-O2)3, and Hf(eta2-O2)4

Hafnium atom oxidation by dioxygen molecules has been investigated using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy. The ground-state hafnium atom inserts into dioxygen to form primarily the previously characterized HfO(2) molecule in solid argon. Annealing allows the dioxygen molecules to diffuse and react with HfO(2) to form OHf(eta(2)-O(2))(eta(2)-O(3)), which is characterized as a side-on bonded oxo-superoxo hafnium ozonide complex. Under visible light (532 nm) irradiation, the OHf(eta(2)-O(2))(eta(2)-O(3)) complex either photochemically rearranges to a more stable Hf(eta(2)-O(2))(3) isomer, a side-on bonded di-superoxo hafnium peroxide complex, or reacts with dioxygen to form an unprecedented homoleptic tetra-superoxo hafnium complex: Hf(eta(2)-O(2))(4). The Hf(eta(2)-O(2))(4) complex is determined to possess a D(2d) geometry with a tetrahedral arrangement of four side-on bonded O(2) ligands around the hafnium atom, which thus presents an 8-fold coordination. These oxygen-rich complexes are photoreversible; that is, formation of Hf(eta(2)-O(2))(3) and Hf(eta(2)-O(2))(4) is accompanied by demise of OHf(eta(2)-O(2))(eta(2)-O(3)) under visible (532 nm) light irradiation and vice versa with UV (266 nm) light irradiation.     

Synthesis and structure of W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(CO)(3) (mp = monoanion of 2-mercaptopyridine) and its reactions with 2,2'-pyridine disulfide and/or NO to yield W(eta(2)-mp)(4), W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(NO)(2), and W(eta(2)-mp)(3)(NO)

Oxidative addition of the sulfur-sulfur bond of 2,2'-pyridine disulfide (C(5)H(4)NS-SC(5)H(4)N) with L(3)W(CO)(3) [L = pyridine, (1)/(3)CHPT; CHPT = cycloheptatriene] in methylene chloride solution yields the seven-coordinate W(II) thiolate complex W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(CO)(3) (mp = monoanion of 2-mercaptopyridine). This complex undergoes slow further oxidative addition with additional pyridine disulfide, yielding W(eta(2)- mp)(4). Reaction of W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(CO)(3) with NO results in quantitative formation of the six-coordinate W(0) complex W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(NO)(2). Reaction of W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(CO)(3) with NO in the presence of added pyridine disulfide yields the seven-coordinate W(II) nitrosyl complex W(eta(2)-mp)(3)(NO) as well as W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(NO)(2) and trace amounts of W(eta(2)-mp)(4). The complex W(eta(2)-mp)(3)(NO) is formed during the course of the reaction and not by reaction of W(eta(2)-mp)(4) or W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(NO)(2) with NO under these conditions. The crystal structures of W(eta(2)- mp)(2)(CO)(3), W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(NO)(2), and W(eta(2)-mp)(3)(NO) are reported.     

Chemistry of mangana- and rhenatricarbadecaboranyl tricarbonyl complexes: evidence for an associative mechanism of ligand substitution involving an eta6-eta4 cage-slippage process analagous to eta5-eta3-cyclopentadienyl ring-slippage

The reaction of the tricarbadecaboranyl anion, 6-Ph-nido-5,6,9-C(3)B(7)H(9)(-), with M(CO)(5)Br [M = Mn, Re] or [(eta(6)-C(10)H(8))Mn(CO)(3)(+)]BF(4)(-) yielded the half-sandwich metallatricarbadecaboranyl analogues of (eta(5)-C(5)H(5))M(CO)(3) [M = Mn, Re]. For both 1,1,1-(CO)(3)-2-Ph-closo-1,2,3,4-MC(3)B(7)H(9) [M = Mn (2) and Re (3)], the metal is eta(6)-coordinated to the puckered six-membered open face of the tricarbadecaboranyl cage. Reactions of 2 and 3 with isocyanide at room temperature produced complexes 8-(CNBu(t))-8,8,8-(CO)(3)-9-Ph-nido-8,7,9,10-MC(3)B(7)H(9) [M = Mn (4), Re (5)], having the cage eta(4)-coordinated to the metal. Photolysis of 4 and 5 then resulted in the loss of CO and the formation of 1-(CNBu(t))-1,1-(CO)(2)-2-Ph-closo-1,2,3,4-MC(3)B(7)H(9) [M = Mn, Re (6)], where the cage is again eta(6)-coordinated to the metal. Reaction of 2 and 3 with 1 equiv of phosphine at room temperature produced the eta(6)-coordinated monosubstituted complexes 1,1-(CO)(2)-1-P(CH(3))(3)-2-Ph-closo-1,2,3,4-MC(3)B(7)H(9) [M = Mn (7), Re (9)] and 1,1-(CO)(2)-1-P(C(6)H(5))(3)-2-Ph-closo-1,2,3,4-MC(3)B(7)H(9) [M = Mn (8), Re (10)]. NMR studies of these reactions at -40 degrees C showed that substitution occurs by an associative mechanism involving the initial formation of intermediates having structures similar to those of the eta(4)-complexes 4 and 5. The observed eta(6)-eta(4) cage-slippage is analogous to the eta(5)-eta(3) ring-slippage that has been proposed to take place in related substitution reactions of cyclopentadienyl-metal complexes. Reaction of 9 with an additional equivalent of P(CH(3))(3) gave 8,8-(CO)(2)-8,8-(P(CH(3))(3))(2)-9-Ph-nido-8,7,9,10-ReC(3)B(7)H(9) (11), where the cage is eta(4)-coordinated to the metal. Photolysis of 11 resulted in the loss of CO and the formation of the disubstituted eta(6)-complex 1-CO-1,1-(P(CH(3))(3))(2)-2-Ph-closo-1,2,3,4-ReC(3)B(7)H(9) (12).     

The formation, reactivity and interconversion of novel small eta(1)- and eta(3)-triazacyclononane complexes of rhodium(I) and rhodium(III)

We have successfully synthesised and characterised a number of eta(1)- and eta(3)-triazacyclononane Rh(I) and Rh(III) derivatives. By using different reaction conditions, we have been able to convert one of the eta(1)-triazacyclononane complexes to an eta(3)-derivative. Also, we have observed a rare example of an addition of an organic fragment to a metal bound ligand to form a quaternary carbon centre.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance and spectroscopic characteristics of electrogenerated mixed-valent systems [(eta 5-C5Me5)M(mu-L)M(eta 5-C5Me5)]+ (M = Rh, Ir; L = 2,5-diiminopyrazines) in relation to the radicals [(eta 5-C5Me5)ClM(mu-L)MCl(eta 5-C5Me5)]+ and [(eta 5-C5Me5)M(mu-L)MCl(eta 5-C5Me5)]2+

Electrochemical reduction of the dinuclear [(eta 5-C5Me5)ClM(mu-L)MCl(eta 5-C5Me5)]2+ ions (M = Rh, Ir; L = 2,5-bis(1-phenyliminoethyl)pyrazine (bpip) and 2,5-bis[1-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)iminoethyl]pyrazine (bxip)) proceeds via the paramagnetic intermediates [(eta 5-C5Me5)ClM(mu-L)MCl(eta 5-C5Me5)]+ (L = bpip) or [(eta 5-C5Me5)M(mu-L)MCl(eta 5-C5Me5)]2+ (L = bxip) and [(eta 5-C5Me5)M(mu-L)M(eta 5-C5Me5)]+. Whereas the first is clearly a radical species with a small g anisotropy, the chloride-free cations are distinguished by structured intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) bands in the near-infrared region and by rhombic electron paramagnetic resonance features between g = 1.9 and g = 2.3, which suggests considerable metal participation at the singly occupied MO. Alternatives for the d configuration assignment and for the role of the bisbidentate-conjugated bridging ligands will be discussed. The main difference between bpip and bxip systems is the destabilization of the chloride-containing forms through the bxip ligand for reasons of steric interference.     

Polynuclear magnesium and magnesium-titanium species. Syntheses and crystal structures of [Mg4(mu3,eta2-ddbfo)2(mu,eta2-ddbfo)2(mu,eta1-ddbfo)29eta1-ddbfo2],

Tetranuclear magnesium complexes with chelating alkoxo ligands have been synthesized with the aim of investigating coordinatively unsaturated magnesium sites able to bind TiX4 (X = Cl, OR), of the type necessary for the formation of the active centers in polymerization catalysts. The magnesium compound [Mg4(mu3,eta2-ddbfo)2(mu,eta2-ddbfo)2(mu,eta1-ddbfo)2(eta1-ddbfo)2] x 2CH2Cl2 (1) (ddbfo = 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranoxide) was prepared by the reaction of MgBu2 with ddbfoH in dichloromethane. Complex 1 exists as a centrosymmetric tetranuclear species with two different types of magnesium centers corresponding to octahedral MgO6 and trigonal bipyramidal MgO5 geometry. Compound 1 is monoclinic, space group P2(1/c), with a = 12.053(2) A, b = 13.323(3) A, c = 17.069(3) A, beta = 98.50(3) degrees , and Z = 4. The reaction of 1 with methanol in tetrahydrofuran (THF) gave compound [Mg4(mu3-OMe)2(mu,eta2-ddbfo)2(mu,eta1-ddbfo)2(eta1-ddbfo)2(CH3OH)5] x CH3OH x THF (2). During this reaction one of the two five-coordinate MgO5 centers in 1 is completed by a methanol molecule and becomes octahedral in 2. Species 2 belongs to the P2(1/n) monoclinic space group, with a = 13.323(3) A, b = 20.768(4) A, c = 27.584(6) A, beta = 104.26(3) degrees , and Z = 4. Compound [Mg4(mu3,eta2-thffo)2(mu,zeta2-thffo)2(mu,eta1-thffo)2[mu-OTi(DIPP)3]2] x 2CH2Cl2 (3) is formed as a result of substitution of two thffo (thffo = 2-tetrahydrofurfuroxide) ligands bonded to the five-coordinate magnesium atom in [Mg4(thffo)8] by bulky OTi(DIPP)3 (DIPP = diisopropylphenolate) groups. Crystals of 3 are monoclinic, space group P2(1/n), with a = 17.069(3) A, b = 18.421(4) A, 17.815(4) A, beta = 90.77(3) degrees , and Z = 4. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1-3 are discussed in terms of explaining the role of the coordinatively unsaturated magnesium site in chiral catalyst active center formation.     

Unprecedented coordination modes and demetalation pathways for unbridged polyenyl ligands. Ruthenium eta1,eta4-cycloheptadienyl complexes from allyl/alkyne cycloaddition

Cationic (eta6-hexamethylbenzene)ruthenium(II) mediates the [3 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of allyl and alkyne ligands, leading to the unexpected isolation of eta1,eta4-cycloheptadienyl complexes, an unprecedented coordination mode for transition metal complexes of simple organic rings. The nonconjugated, eta1,eta4-coordinated complex is obtained as the kinetic reaction product from treatment of the unsubstituted allyl complex with excess ethyne; this complex rearranges slowly at 80 degrees C to the thermodynamically more stable conjugated eta5-cycloheptadienyl isomer. The eta1,eta4-coordinated isomer is fluxional at room temperature, undergoing rapid and reversible equilibration with a cycloheptatriene hydride intermediate via facile beta-hydride elimination/reinsertion. The reinsertion process is remarkably regioselective, returning the nonconjugated eta1,eta4-cycloheptadienyl isomer exclusively at room temperature. For reactions incorporating dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate (DMAD) as one or both of the alkyne components, eta1,eta4-coordination appears to be both kinetically and thermodynamically favored, despite undergoing equilibration among all possible eta1,eta4-cycloheptadienyl and cycloheptatriene hydride isomers prior to arriving at one observed eta1,eta4-isomer. For this series, no isomerization to eta5-coordination is observed even upon prolonged heating. In contrast, the cyclization incorporating both DMAD and phenylacetylene proceeds directly to the eta5-cycloheptadienyl isomer at or below room temperature, indicating that eta5-coordination remains energetically accessible to this system. The DMAD-based cyclization reactions produce structurally diverse minor byproducts, including both eta1,eta4-methanocyclohexadiene and acyclic eta3,eta2-heptadienyl isomers, which have been isolated and rigorously characterized. The unusual eta1,eta4-coordination of the seven-membered ring leads to unique new organic products upon oxidative demetalation by iodinolysis. Thus, reactions with excess iodine afford bridged tricyclic cyclopropane-containing lactones or substituted cycloheptatrienes in good but sometimes variable yields, depending on the substrate and specific reaction conditions. The ruthenium in these reactions is returned in high yield as the interesting cationic mu-triiodo pseudodimer of (eta6-hexamethylbenzene)ruthenium, which is obtained as a triiodide salt. This Ru(III) complex, along with several representative Ru(II) cyclization products, has been characterized in the solid state by X-ray crystallography.