Reactions of a hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten complex with oxiranes

Reactivity of a hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten complex, Cp¹(CO)₂(H)WSi(H)[C(SiMe₃)₃] (1), toward oxiranes was investigated. Treatment of 1 with racemic mono-substituted oxiranes with a substituent R (R = Ph, vinyl, ^tBu, or ⁿBu) at room temperature produced dihydrido(vinyloxysilyl)tungsten complexes, (E)- and/or (Z)-Cp¹(CO)₂(H)₂W{Si(H)(OCHCHR)[C(SiMe₃)₃]} [(E/Z)-2: R = Ph, (E)-3: R = vinyl, (E)-4: R = ^tBu, (E/Z)-5: R = ⁿBu] in high yields via regioselective ring-opening of oxiranes. When the substituent R on oxirane was relatively large, (E)-isomers (2, 3, and 4) were obtained predominantly (87–97%), while the substituent was a relatively small ⁿBu group, an approximately 1:1 mixture of (E)- and (Z)-isomers [(E/Z)-5] was obtained. Reaction of 1 with 2,2-dimethyloxirane afforded the corresponding complex, Cp¹(CO)₂(H)₂W{Si(H)(OCHCMe₂)[C(SiMe₃)₃]} (6), quantitatively. A reaction mechanism is also discussed.     

Intramolecularly donor-stabilized silenes: Part 6. The synthesis of 1-[2,6-bis(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl]silenes and their reaction with aromatic aldehydes

The intramolecularly donor-stabilized silenes ArR¹SiC(SiMe₃)₂ (3a–d) (3a: R¹ = Me; 3b: R¹ = t-Bu; 3c: R¹ = Ph; 3d: R¹ = SiMe₃; Ar = 2,6-(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃) were prepared by treatment of the (dichloromethyl)oligosilanes (Me₃Si)₂R¹Si–CHCl₂ (1a–d), with 2,6-bis(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyllithium (molar ratio 1:2). For 3c and 3d, X-ray structural analyses were performed indicating that only one dimethylamino group of the tridentate ligand is coordinated to the electrophilic silene silicon atoms, i.e., the central silicon atoms are tetracoordinated. The N → Si donation leads to pyramidalization at the silene silicon atoms; the configuration at the silene carbon atoms is planar. For a chemical characterization 3a and 3c were treated with water to give the silanols ArR¹Si(OH)–CH(SiMe₃)₂ (5a,c). Studies of the reactions of 3a and 3c with benzaldehyde, 4-chlorobenzaldehyde or 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, respectively, revealed an unexpected reaction path leading to the substituted 2-oxa-1-sila-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenes 12a, 12c, 13 and 14. Both 12a and 12c were structurally characterized by X-ray analyses. The formation of these six-membered cyclic compounds, which is discussed in detail, gives support to a dipolar mechanism for the general reaction of silenes with carbonyl derivatives.     

Reactions of β-diketiminatoaluminum hydrides with tert-butyl hydrogenperoxide – Facile formation of dialuminoxanes containing Al–O–Al groups

Treatment of diphenyl-β-diketiminatoaluminum dihydride, LAlH₂ [1, L = {H₅C₆–NC(Me)}₂CH] with neopentyl- or trimethylsilylmethyllithium afforded the corresponding alkylderivatives LAlH(R) [R = CH₂–SiMe₃ (2), CH₂–CMe₃ (3)] by the precipitation of lithium hydride. Deprotonation of a methyl group instead of salt elimination occurred by the similar reaction of the more basic alkyllithium compound LiC(SiMe₃)₃. The reactions of the hydrides 1–3 with tert-butyl hydrogenperoxide did not yield the expected peroxo derivatives, instead the dialuminoxanes LAl(R)–O–Al(R)L [R = OCMe₃ (5), CH₂SiMe₃ (6), CH₂CMe₃ (7)] were isolated in high yields. Their Al–O–Al bridges deviated from linearity and had Al–O–Al bond angles of about 155° on average.     

Adduct formation of [(η7-C7H7)Hf(η5-C5H5)] with isocyanides,phosphines and N-heterocyclic carbenes: An experimental and theoretical study

The reactions of [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Hf(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (1b) with the two-electron donor ligands tert-butyl isocyanide (tBuNC), 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (XyNC), 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene (IMe) and trimethylphosphine (PMe₃) are reported. The 1:1 complexes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Hf(η⁵-C₅H₅)L] (2b, L = tBuNC; 3b, L = XyNC; 4b, L = IMe, 5b, L = PMe₃) have been isolated in crystalline form, and their molecular structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. The stabilities of these hafnium complexes were probed via spectroscopic and theoretical methods, and the results were compared to those previously reported for the corresponding zirconium complexes derived from [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (1a). The X-ray crystal structure of the PMe₃ adduct [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PMe₃)] (5a) was also established.     

Iridium aminyl radical complexes as catalysts for the catalytic dehydrogenation of primary hydroxyl functions in natural products

The cationic tetra-coordinated 16 electron complex [Ir(trop₂dach)]⁺OTf⁻ (1) where (OTf⁻ = CF₃SO₃⁻) and the neutral amine amido complex [Ir(trop₂dach-1H)] (2) were isolated and structurally characterized. The NH function in 1 is easily deprotonated (pK_a^DMSO = 10.5) to yield the amino amido complex [Ir(trop₂dach-1H)] (2), which is deprotonated at pK_a^DMSO = 19.6 to the anionic di(amido) iridate [Ir(trop₂dach-2H)]⁻ (3); [(R,R)-top₂dach stands for the tetrachelating diamino diolefin ligand (R,R)-N,N′-bis(5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; (R,R)-top₂dach-1H and (R,R)-top₂dach-2H indicate the mono and double deprotonated form]. Complex 3 is easily oxidized by 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) to the neutral iridium aminyl radical complex [Ir(trop₂dach-2H)] (4). In combination with BQ as hydrogen acceptor and catalytic amounts of base, 4 serves as catalyst in the highly efficient dehydrogenation of functionalized primary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes, RCH₂OH + BQ → RCHO + H₂BQ (H₂BQ = catechol). Alcohols like geraniol and retinol are rapidly converted to geranial and retinal, while the conversion of sterically hindered alcohols like lavandulol is slower and the primary product, lavandulal, isomerizes to isolavandulal in a classical base-catalyzed reaction.     

New thioether–dithiolate complexes of Cp1Ir and some reactivity features

The reaction of [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ (Cp* = η⁵ − C₅Me₅) with the tridentate 3-thiapentane-1,5-dithiolate ligand, S(CH₂CH₂S⁻)₂ (tpdt), led to the formation of [Cp1Ir(η³ − tpdt)] (1) in 81% isolated yield. Subsequent reactions of 1 with [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of [Cp1Ir(μ − η²:η³ − tpdt)Cp1IrCl][PF₆] (2) and [Cp1Irμ − η²:η³ − tpdt)Cp1IrCl][Cp1IrCl₃] (3) in 86 and 79% yields, respectively, based on 1, whereas the reactions of 1 with [(COD)IrCl]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of the homo-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ − η¹:η³ − tpdt)(COD)IrCl (4) (92% yield) and [Cp1Ir(μ − η²:η³ − tpdt)(COD)Ir] [(COD)IrCl₂] (5) (82% yield). Reactions between 1 and [(COD)RhCl]₂, yielded the hetero-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ − η¹:η³ − tpdt)(COD)RhCl (6) and [Cp1Ir(μ − η²:η³ − tpdt)(COD)Rh][(COD)RhCl₂] (7), in 92 and 93% yields, respectively. The reaction of 1 with methyl iodide gave mono-methylated derivative [Cp1Ir(η³-C₄H₈S₃Me)]I (8) (93% yield). All these compounds have been comprehensively characterized.     

New thioether–dithiolate complexes of Cp1Ir and some reactivity features

The reaction of [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ (Cp* = η⁵ ? C₅Me₅) with the tridentate 3-thiapentane-1,5-dithiolate ligand, S(CH₂CH₂S^?)₂ (tpdt), led to the formation of [Cp1Ir(η³ ? tpdt)] (1) in 81% isolated yield. Subsequent reactions of 1 with [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of [Cp1Ir(μ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)Cp1IrCl][PF₆] (2) and [Cp1Irμ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)Cp1IrCl][Cp1IrCl₃] (3) in 86 and 79% yields, respectively, based on 1, whereas the reactions of 1 with [(COD)IrCl]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of the homo-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ ? η¹:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)IrCl (4) (92% yield) and [Cp1Ir(μ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)Ir] [(COD)IrCl₂] (5) (82% yield). Reactions between 1 and [(COD)RhCl]₂, yielded the hetero-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ ? η¹:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)RhCl (6) and [Cp1Ir(μ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)Rh][(COD)RhCl₂] (7), in 92 and 93% yields, respectively. The reaction of 1 with methyl iodide gave mono-methylated derivative [Cp1Ir(η³-C₄H₈S₃Me)]I (8) (93% yield). All these compounds have been comprehensively characterized.     

Mesoporous SBA-15-supported chiral catalysts: preparation,characterization and asymmetric catalysis

Two mesoporous silica-supported chiral Rh and Ru catalysts 5 and 6 with ordered two-dimensional hexagonal mesostructures were prepared by directly postgrafting organometallic complexes RhCl[(R)-MonoPhos(CH₂)₃Si(OMe)₃][(R,R)-DPEN] and RuCl₂[(R)-MonoPhos(CH₂)₃Si(OMe)₃][(R,R)-DPEN] (DPEN = 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) on SBA-15. During the asymmetric hydrogenation of various aromatic ketones under 40 atm H₂, both catalysts exhibited high catalytic activities (more than 97% conversions) and moderate enantioselectivities (33–54% ee). Furthermore, the chiral Rh catalyst 5 could be easily recovered and used repetitively five times without significantly affecting its catalytic activity and enantioselectivity. A catalytic comparison of the mesoporous silica-supported chiral Rh catalyst 4 prepared by a postmodification method is also discussed.     

Catalytic dehydrocoupling of thienyl/furyl-substituted carbosilanes – Synthesis and characterization of functional poly(hydrosilane)s [RMe2Si(CH2)xSiH]n, (R = 2-Th, 4-Me-2-Th, 2-Fu, 5-Me-2-Fu; x = 2 and 3)

The carbosilanes RMe₂Si(CH₂)_xSiH₃, [R = 2-Th (1a, 2a), 4-Me-2-Th (3a, 4a), 2-Fu (5a, 6a), 5-Me-2-Fu (7a, 8a); x = 2 and 3], with primary SiH₃ end groups undergo a facile dehydropolymerization under ambient conditions (50 °C, 48 h) in presence of Cp₂TiCl₂/2.2 n-BuLi catalyst to afford the corresponding poly(hydrosilane)s 1–8 bearing carbosilyl side chains appended with thienyl/furyl groups. These have been characterized by GPC, IR, multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ²⁹Si{¹H}) NMR, UV and PL spectral studies.     

Long-distance electronic interaction in a molecular wire consisting of a ferrocenyl–ethynyl unit bridging two [(η5-C5H5)(dppe)M] metal centers

Several multinuclear ferrocenyl–ethynyl complexes of formula [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)M^II?CC–(fc)_n–CC–M^II(dppe)(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (fc = ferrocenyl; dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂; 1: M^II = Ru²⁺, n = 1; 2: M^II = Ru²⁺, n = 2; 3: M^II = Ru²⁺, n = 3; 4: M^II = Fe²⁺, n = 2; 5: M^II = Fe²⁺, n = 3) were studied. Structural determinations of 2 and 4 confirm the ferrocenyl group directly linked to the ethynyl linkage which is linked to the pseudo-octahedral [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)M] metal center. Complexes of 1–5 undergo sequential reversible oxidation events from 0.0 V to 1.0 V referred to the Ag/AgCl electrode in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ solution and the low-potential waves have been assigned to the end-capped metallic centers. The solid-state and solution-state electronic configurations in the resulting oxidation products of [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺ were characterized by IR, X-band EPR spectroscopy, and UV–Vis at room temperature and 77 K. In [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺, broad intervalence transition band near 1600 nm is assigned to the intervalence transition involving photo-induced electron transfer between the Ru³⁺ and Fe²⁺ metal centers, indicating the existence of strong metal-to-metal interaction. Application of Hush’s theoretical analysis of intervalence transition band to determine the nature and magnitude of the electronic coupling between the metal sites in complexes [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺ is also reported. Computational calculations reveal that the ferrocenyl–ethynyl-based orbitals do mix significantly with the (η⁵-C₅H₅)(dppe)Ru metallic orbitals. It clearly appears from this work that the ferrocenyl–ethynyl spacers strongly contribute in propagating electron delocalization.     

Insertion of ketenes into lanthanocene n-butylamide and imidazolate complexes

Reaction of Cp₂LnNHⁿBu with 1 equiv. of Ph₂CCO in toluene affords dimeric complexes [Cp₂Ln(OC(CHPh₂)NⁿBu)]₂ [Ln = Yb (1), Dy (2)], derived from a formal insertion of the CC bond of the ketene into the N–H bond. Treatment of CpErCl₂ with 2 equiv. of LiNHⁿBu followed by reacting with Ph₂CCO affords a rearrangement product [Cp₂Er(OC(CHPh₂)NⁿBu)]₂ (3). Treatment of [Cp₂Ln(μ-Im)]₃ (Im = imidazolate) with PhRCCO gives [Cp₂Ln(μ-OC(Im)CPhR)]₂ [R = Et, Ln = Yb (4); R = Ph, Ln = Yb (5), Er (6)]. In contrast to the previous observations that [Cp₂ErNⁱPr₂]₂ and [Cp₂ErNHEt]₂ react with ketenes to give di-insertion products, in the present cases the presence of excess of ketenes has no influence on the final product even with prolonged heating and only monoinsertion products are isolated. All these complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and mass spectroscopies. The structures of complexes 1 and 3–6 were also determined through X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis.     

Enantioselective self-assembly,crystallographic structure and magnetic properties of the two enantiomers of the optically active canted antiferromagnet [Ru(bpy)3][Mn2(ox)3]

The two enantiomers of [Ru(bpy)₃][Mn₂(ox)₃] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, ox = oxalate), namely [(Δ)-Ru(bpy)₃][(Δ)-Mn₂(ox)₃], (Δ-1) and [(Λ)-Ru(bpy)₃][(Λ)-Mn₂(ox)₃], (Λ-1), were obtained as single crystals using [(Δ)-Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and [(Λ)-Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, respectively, as a chiral templating cation. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds crystallise in the enantiomeric chiral cubic space groups, P4₃32 (Δ-1) and P4₁32 (Λ-1), with a = 15.492(2) and 15.507(2) Å, respectively (Z = 4). Both structures include a three-dimensional 10-gon 3-connected (10,3) anionic network wrapped around the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ cations. In both crystalline enantiomers, the resolved ruthenium template cation imposes both the topology and the absolute configuration of all the metal centres. The thermal variation of the magnetic susceptibility, measured on Δ-1 and Λ-1 crystals, reveals an antiferromagnetic coupling between the oxalate-bridged manganese ions in the paramagnetic region characterised by a negative Weiss constant Θ = −35 K. Below T_N = 13 K, Δ-1 and Λ-1 exhibit a canted antiferromagnetic order.     

Rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes bearing a monodentate arylamido ancillary ligand: Synthesis,structure, and Olefin polymerization catalysis

The reaction of Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(thf)₂ with 1 equiv. of the amine ligand 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃NH(SiMe₃) gave the corresponding amido-ligated rare earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes [2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃N(SiMe₃)]Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(thf) (Ln = Sc (1), Y (2), Ho (3), Lu (4)), which represent rare examples of bis(alkyl) rare earth metal complexes bearing a monodentate anionic ancillary ligand. In the case of Gd, a similar reaction gave the bimetallic complex Gd₂(μ-CH₂SiMe₂NC₆H₃ⁱPr₂-2,6)₃(thf)₃ (5) through intramolecular C–H activation of a methyl group of Me₃Si on the amido ligand by Gd–CH₂SiMe₃ and the subsequent ligand redistribution. Complexes 1–5 were structurally characterized by X-ray analyses. On treatment with 1 equiv of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] in toluene at room temperature, complexes 1–4 showed high activity for the living polymerization of isoprene. The 1/[Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] system showed high activity also for the polymerization of 1-hexene and styrene.     

Heavy cyclopropene analogues R4SiGe2 and R4Ge3 (R = SiMetBu2) – New members of the cyclic digermenes family

1H-Siladigermirene R₄SiGe₂ (2a) and 1H-trigermirene R₄Ge₃ (2b) (R = SiMe^tBu₂) with a GeGe double bond were synthesized by the reaction of tetrachlorodigermane RGeCl₂–GeCl₂R with dilithiosilane R₂SiLi₂ and dilithiogermane R₂GeLi₂, respectively. The skeletal GeGe double bond of 2a is trans-bent (51.0(2)°) with a bond distance of 2.2429(6) Å. The reaction of both 2a and 2b with CH₂Cl₂ resulted in the formation of unusual four-membered ring compounds 5a and 5b as a result of a ring expansion reaction. 1H-Trisilirene 7a and 3H-disilagermirene 7b with an SiSi double bond also smoothly reacted with CH₂Cl₂ to yield the four-membered ring systems 8a and 8b, respectively.     

Synthesis,structure, spectroscopy and redox energetics of a series of uranium(IV) mixed-ligand metallocene complexes

A series of uranium(IV) mixed-ligand amide–halide/pseudohalide complexes (C₅Me₅)₂U[N(SiMe₃)₂](X) (X = F (1), Cl (2), Br (3), I (4), N₃ (5), NCO (6)), (C₅Me₅)₂U(NPh₂)(X) (X = Cl (7), N₃ (8)), and (C₅Me₅)₂U[N(Ph)(SiMe₃)](X) (X = Cl (9), N₃ (10)) have been prepared by one electron oxidation of the corresponding uranium(III) amide precursors using either copper halides, silver isocyanate, or triphenylphosphine gold(I)azide. Agostic U?H–C interactions and η³-(N,C,C′) coordination are observed for these complexes in both the solid-state and solution. There is a linear correlation between the chemical shift values of the C₅Me₅ ligand protons in the ¹H NMR spectra and the U^IV/U^III reduction potentials of the (C₅Me₅)₂U[N(SiMe₃)₂](X) complexes, suggesting that there is a common origin, that is overall σ-/π-donation from the ancillary (X) ligand to the metal, contributing to both observables. Optical spectroscopy of the series of complexes 1–6 is dominated by the (C₅Me₅)₂U[N(SiMe₃)₂] core, with small variations derived from the identity of the halide/pseudohalide. The considerable π-donating ability of the fluoride ligand is reflected in both the electrochemistry and UV-visible-NIR spectroscopic behavior of the fluoride complex (C₅Me₅)₂U[N(SiMe₃)₂](F) (1). The syntheses of the new trivalent uranium amide complex, (C₅Me₅)₂U[N(Ph)(SiMe₃)](THF), and the two new weakly-coordinating electrolytes, [Pr₄N][B{3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃}₄] and [Pr₄N][B(C₆F₅)₄], are also reported.     

Organo-aluminum,zinc and magnesium derivatives of the imidotris(amido)phosphate Me3SiNP(NHtBu)3

Reactions of (^tBuHN)₃PNSiMe₃ (1) with the alkyl-metal reagents dimethylzinc, trimethylaluminum and di-n-butylmagnesium yield the monodeprotonated complexes [MeZn{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}] (2), [Me₂Al{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}] (3) and [Mg{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}₂] (4), respectively. Attempts to further deprotonate complex 2 with n-butyllithium or di-n-butylmagnesium result in nucleophilic displacement of the methylzinc fragment by lithium or magnesium. The two remaining amino protons of 3 are removed by reaction with di-n-butylmagnesium to give a heterobimetallic complex in which the coordination sphere of magnesium is completed by two molecules of THF (5 · 2THF) or one molecule of TMEDA (5 · TMEDA). Reaction of complex 3 with 1 equiv. of n-butyllithium followed by treatment of the product with di-n-butylmagnesium yields the complex {Me₂Al[(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(N^tBu)₂]MgBu} Li · 4THF (6 · 4THF), the first example of a triply deprotonated complex of 1 containing three different metals. Reaction of complex 5 with iodine results in cleavage of an Al–Me group to give {MeIAl[(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(N^tBu)₂Mg]} (7). Complexes 5 · 2THF, 5 · TMEDA, 6 · 4THF and 7 have been characterized in solution by multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P and ⁷Li) NMR spectroscopy, while the solid-state structures of 2, 4 and 5 · 2THF have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a photoresponsive organodirhodium complex with active S–S bonds: [(CpPhRh)2(μ-CH2)2(μ-O2SSO2)] (CpPh = η5-C5Me4Ph)

A photoresponsive rhodium dinuclear complex having phenyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp^Ph = η⁵-C₅Me₄Ph) and photosensitive dithionite (μ-O₂SSO₂) ligands, [(Cp^PhRh)₂(μ-CH₂)₂(μ-O₂SSO₂)] (1), has been synthesized. The crystal of complex 1 (monoclinic, C2/m (No. 12), a = 24.805(2) Å, b = 29.111(2) Å, c = 10.8475(11) Å, β = 105.9830(7)°, V = 7530.0(12) Å³, Z = 8) consists of two independent molecules, 1-cis and 1-trans, with different arrangement of the Cp^Ph ligands. The flexibility, volume, and shape of the reaction cavities around the dithionite unit of 1-cis and 1-trans in the crystal are discussed. The crystal structures of the precursors of 1, trans-[(Cp^PhRh)₂(μ-Cl)₂Cl₂] and trans-[(Cp^PhRh)₂(μ-CH₂)₂Me₂], are also reported.     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic activity of a ruthenium carbene complex coordinated with bidentate 2-pyridine-carboxylato ligands

The halide and phosphine free complex [(sIMes)(C₅H₄N-2-CO₂)₂RuCHPh] (7) (sIMes = 1,3-dimesitylimidazolidin-2-ylidene) bearing two bidentate 2-pyridinecarboxylato ligands was synthesized from the carbene complex [(sIMes)(PCy₃)(Cl)₂RuCHPh] (4) and the silver 2-pyridine-carboxylate (8). The molecular structure of the octahedral complex 7 reveals that the two carboxylato functions are coordinated in cis geometry to the ruthenium center. Catalyst 7 exhibits activity in ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions after addition of a cocatalyst (HCl) in dichloromethane as well as in methanol solution.     

Effects of bulky substituent groups on the Si–Si triple bonding in RSiSiR and the short Ga–Ga distance in Na2[RGaGaR]: A theoretical study

The steric and electronic effects of bulky aryl and silyl groups on the Si–Si triple bonding in RSiSiR and the short Ga–Ga distance in Na₂[RGaGaR] are investigated by density functional calculations. As typical bulky groups, Tbt = C₆H₂-2,4,6-{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₃, Ar′ = C₆H₃-2,6-(C₆H₃-2,6-iPr₂)₂, Ar¹ = C₆H₃-2,6-(C₆H₂-2,4,6-iPr₃)₂, SiMe(SitBu₃)₂, and SiiPrDis₂ (Dis = CH(SiMe₃)₂) are investigated and characterized. The importance of large basis sets is emphasized for density functional calculations.     

Versatile Ru-based metathesis catalysts designed for both homogeneous and heterogeneous processes

The synthesis of new ruthenium-based catalysts applicable for both homogeneous and heterogeneous metathesis is described. Starting from the Hoveyda-Grubbs first generation (1) and the Hoveyda-Grubbs second generation (2) catalysts the homogeneous catalysts [RuCl((RO)₃Si–C₃H₆–N(R′)–CO–C₃F₆–COO)(CH–o-O–iPr–C₆H₄)(SIMes)] (4: R = Et, R′ = H; 5: R = R′ = Me) (SIMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene) were prepared by substitution of one chloride ligand with trialkoxysilyl functionalized silver carboxylates (RO)₃Si–C₃H₆–N(R′)–CO–C₃F₆–COOAg (3a: R = Et, R′ = H; 3b: R = R′ = Me). These homogeneous ruthenium-species are among a few known examples with mixed anionic ligands. Exchange of both chloride ligands afforded the catalysts [Ru((RO)₃Si–C₃H₆–N(R′)–CO–C₃F₆–COO)(CH–o-O–iPr–C₆H₄)(SIMes)] (9: R = Et, R′ = H; 11: R = R′ = Me) and [Ru((RO)₃Si–C₃H₆–N(R′)–CO–C₃F₆–COO)(CH–o-O–iPr–C₆H₄)(PCy₃)] (8: R = Et, R′ = H; 10: R = R′ = Me). The reactivity of the new complexes was tested in homogeneous ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of N,N-diallyl-p-toluenesulfonamide and TONs of up to 5000 were achieved. Heterogeneous catalysts were obtained by reaction of 4, 5 and 8–11 with silica gel (SG-60). The resultant supported catalysts 4a, 5a, 8a–11a showed reduced activity compared to their homogenous analogues, but rival the activity of similar heterogeneous systems.