Synthesis,Structure and Reactivity of Disila‐ and Distanna ansa Half‐Sandwich Complexes of Molybdenum and Tungsten

We present the synthesis and characterization of disila‐ and distanna ansa half‐sandwich complexes of Group 6 transition metals. These compounds exhibit high ring strain within the ansa bridge, which is the key factor for the insertion of elemental chalcogens.     

Triphenylamine‐Appended Half‐Sandwich Iridium(III) Complexes and Their Biological Applications

Organometallic half‐sandwich Ir^III complexes of the type [(η⁵‐Cp^x)Ir(N^N)Cl]PF₆ (Cp^x: Cp* or its phenyl Cp^xph or biphenyl Cp^xbiph derivatives; N^N: triphenylamine (TPA)‐substituted bipyridyl ligand groups) were synthesized and characterized. The complexes showed excellent bovine serum albumin (BSA) and DNA binding properties and were able to oxidize NADH to NAD⁺ (NAD=nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) efficiently. The complexes induced apoptosis effectively and led to the emergence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. All complexes showed potent cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.5 to 7.1 μm toward A549 human lung cancer cells after 24 hours of drug exposure, which is up to 14 times more potent than cisplatin under the same conditions.     

A Neutral “Aluminocene” Sandwich Complex: η1‐ versus η5‐Coordination Modes of a Pentaarylborole with ECp* (E=Al,Ga; Cp*=C5Me5)

The pentaaryl borole (Ph*C)₄BXyl^F [Ph*=3,5‐tBu₂(C₆H₃); Xyl^F=3,5‐(CF₃)₂(C₆H₃)] reacts with low‐valent Group 13 precursors AlCp* and GaCp* by two divergent routes. In the case of [AlCp*]₄, the borole reacts as an oxidising agent and accepts two electrons. Structural, spectroscopic, and computational analysis of the resulting unprecedented neutral η⁵‐Cp*,η⁵‐[(Ph*C)₄BXyl^F] complex of Al^III revealed a strong, ionic bonding interaction. The formation of the heteroleptic borole‐cyclopentadienyl “aluminocene” leads to significant changes in the ¹³C NMR chemical shifts within the borole unit. In the case of the less‐reductive GaCp*, borole (Ph*C)₄BXyl^F reacts as a Lewis acid to form a dynamic adduct with a dative 2‐center‐2‐electron Ga?B bond. The Lewis adduct was also studied structurally, spectroscopically, and computationally.     

Theoretical Studies of Inorganic Compounds. 341) Energy Decomposition Analysis of E–E Bonding in Planar and Perpendicular X2E−EX2 (E = B,Al, Ga,In, Tl; X = H,F, Cl,Br, I)

The nature of E–E bonding in group 13 compounds X₂E–EX₂ (E = B, Al, Ga, In, Tl; X = H, F, Cl, Br, I) has been investigated by means of an energy decomposition analysis (EDA) at the BP86/TZ2P level of theory. The calculated equilibrium geometries of all molecules B₂X₄?Tl₂X₄ have a perpendicular (D_2d) geometry. The largest energy barriers for rotation about the E‐E bond are predicted for the hydrogen species B₂H₄?Tl₂H₄. The EDA shows that the rotational barriers of B₂X₄?Tl₂X₄ may not be used for an estimate of the hyperconjugative strength in the D_2d structures except for the tetrahydrides. The values for the planar (D_2h) transition states reveals that π conjugation of the halogen lone‐pair electrons stabilizes the transition states. The bonding analysis shows that hyperconjugation in B₂I₄ is stronger than in B₂H₄ although the latter compound has a higher rotational barrier than the former. In B₂F₄, hyperconjugative stabilization of the perpendicular structure and conjugative stabilization of the planar structure nearly cancel each other yielding a nearly vanishing rotational barrier. The heavier analogues Al₂X₄?Tl₂X₄ have low rotational barriers and rather weak hyperconjugative interactions. The larger rotational barriers of the hydrogen systems Al₂H₄?Tl₂H₄ compared with the tetrahalogen compounds is explained with the cooperation of the relatively large hyperconjugation in the perpendicular form and the relatively weak conjugation in the planar transition structures. The EDA also indicates that the electrostatic (ΔE_elstat) and molecular orbital (ΔE_orb) components of the E–E bonding are similar in magnitude.Thecalculated B‐B bond dissociation energies of B₂X₄ (D_e = 93.0–108.4 kcal/mol) show that the bonds are rather strong. The heavier analogues Al₂X₄?Tl₂X₄ have weaker bonds (D_e = 16.6–61.7 kcal/mol). In general, the X₂E‐EX₂ bond dissociation energies follow the trend for atoms E: B ? Al > Ga > In > Tl and for atoms X: H > F > Cl > I.     

Reactions of Organic Azides with Half‐sandwich Complexes of Iridium: Preparation of Mono‐ and Bis(imine) Derivatives

Imine complexes [IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}{P(OR)₃}]BPh₄ ( 1 , 2 ) (Ar = C₆H₅, 4‐CH₃C₆H₄; R = Me, Et) were prepared by allowing chloro complexes [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){P(OR)₃}] to react with benzyl azides ArCH₂N₃. Bis(imine) complexes [Ir(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}₂{P(OR)₃}](BPh₄)₂ ( 3 , 4 ) were also prepared by reacting [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){P(OR)₃}] first with AgOTf and then with benzyl azide. Depending on the experimental conditions, treatment of the dinuclear complex [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)]₂ with benzyl azide yielded mono‐ [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}] ( 5 ) and bis‐[IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)Ar}₂]BPh₄ ( 6 ) imine derivatives. In contrast, treatment of chloro complexes [IrCl₂(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){P(OR)₃}] with phenyl azide C₆H₅N₃ gave amine derivatives [IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(C₆H₅NH₂){P(OR)₃}]BPh₄ ( 7 , 8 ). The complexes were characterized spectroscopically (IR, NMR) and by X‐ray crystal structure determination of [IrCl(η⁵‐C₅Me₅){κ¹‐NH=C(H)C₆H₄‐4‐CH₃}{P(OEt)₃}]BPh₄ ( 2b ).     

Inverse sandwich complexes based on low‐valent group 13 elements and cyclobutadiene: A theoretical investigation on E‐C4H4‐E (E = Al,Ga, In,Tl)

The chemistry of the low‐valent Group 13 elements (E = B, Al, Ga, In, Tl) has formed the recent hot topic. Recently, a series of low‐valent Group 13‐based compounds have been synthesized, i.e., [E‐Cp*‐E]⁺ (E = Al, Ga, In, Tl) cations, which have been termed as the interesting “inverse sandwich” complexes. To enrich the family of inverse sandwiches, we report our theoretical design of a new type of inverse sandwiches E‐C₄H₄‐E (E = Al, Ga, In, Tl) for stabilizing the low‐valent Group 13 elements. The calculated dissociation energies indicate that unlike [E‐Cp‐E]⁺ that dissociates via loss of the charged atom E⁺, E‐C₄H₄‐E dissociates via loss of the neutral atom E with the bond strengths of Al > Ga > In > Tl. Moreover, E‐C₄H₄‐E are more stable in dissociation than [E‐Cp‐E]⁺ cations. By comparing with other various isomers, we found that the inverted E‐C₄H₄‐E should be kinetically quite stable with the least conversion barriers of 33.5, 33.5, 35.2, and 36.9 kcal/mol for E = Al, Ga, In, and Tl, respectively. Furthermore, replacement of cyclobutadiene‐H atoms by the highly electron‐positive groups such as SiH₃ and Si(CH₃)₃ could significantly stabilize the inverted form in thermodynamics. Possible synthetic routes are proposed for E‐C₄H₄‐E. With no need of counterions, the newly designed neutral complexes E‐C₄H₄‐E welcome future synthesis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Theoretical Studies of Inorganic Compounds. 27 Quantum Chemical Investigations of Transition Metal Nitrido Complexes with a TM‐N‐E Linkage (E = Main Group Element)

It is reported about quantum chemical DFT calculations of various transition metal (TM) nitrido complexes which contain a TM‐N‐E linkage. The goal is to elucidate the nature of the TM‐N‐E bonding situation with modern quantum chemical tools. Five comparative investigations have been carried out. (a) Comparison of the N‐donor ability in the nitrido complexes Cl₃W‐N‐ECl_n where ECl_n = NaCl, MgCl₂, AlCl₃. (b) Comparative analysis of the bonding situation in Cl₄W‐N‐X where X = Na, MgCl, AlCl₂, SiCl₃, PCl₂, SCl, Cl. (c) Comparison of the structure and bonding in Cl₅W‐NPH₃, Cl₅W‐OPH₃⁺, Cl₄W‐(NPH₃)(OPH₃)⁺. (d) Comparative analysis of the bonding situation in Cl₅Ta‐OPH₃, Cl₅W‐NPH₃, Cl₅Re‐CPH₃. (e) Energy decomposition analysis of the bonding of the isolobal ligands NPH₃ and Cp with WCl₅.     

Synthesis,Structures and DFT Studies of Imido‐bridged and (Bis)ligand‐coordinated Titanium Complexes

Syntheses and structures of five imido‐bridged dinuclear titanium complexes and two (bis)ligand‐coordinated mononuclear titanium complexes are reported. Addition of 1 or 2 equiv. of Schiff base ligand (((1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)methylene)amino)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐2‐ol (H₂L) to Ti(NMe₂)₄ resulted in transamination with 4 equiv. of dimethylamides generating a (bis)ligand‐coordinated complex Ti(L)₂ ( 1 ). Treatment of Ti(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv. of ^tBuNH₂ followed by addition of 1 equiv. of H₂L afforded an imido‐bridged complex [Ti(L)(N^tBu)]₂ ( 2 ). 1:1:1:1 reaction of Ti(NMe₂)₄/RNH₂/H₂L/py(or phen) produced imido‐bridgedcomplexes [Ti(L)(NPh)(py)]₂ ( 3 ), [Ti(L)(4‐F‐PhN)(py)]₂·Tol ( 4 ·Tol), [Ti(L)(4‐Cl‐PhN)(py)]₂·Tol·THF ( 5 ·Tol·THF), [Ti(L)(4‐Br‐PhN)(py)]₂·Tol ( 6 ·Tol) and a (bis)ligand‐coordinated complex Ti(L)₂·phen ( 7 ) (py = pyridine, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline). Attempts to prepare the monomeric titianium imido complexes were unsuccessful. DFT studies show that the assumed compound which contains Ti = N species is less stable than imido‐bridged Ti‐N(R)‐Ti complexes, providing the better understanding of the experimental results.     

Photoinduced Carbon Monoxide Release from Half‐Sandwich Iron(II) Carbonyl Complexes by Visible Irradiation: Kinetic Analysis and Mechanistic Investigation

Three half‐sandwich iron(II) complexes, [Fe(η⁵‐Cp)(cis‐CO)₂X] (X^?=Cl^?, Br^?, I^?), were synthesized and characterized. The kinetics of the CO‐releasing behaviour of these complexes upon illumination by visible irradiation in various media was investigated. Our results indicated that the CO release was significantly affected by the auxiliary ligands. Of the three light sources used (blue, green, and red), blue light exhibited the highest efficiency. In the photoinduced CO release, the solvents and exogenous nucleophiles in the media were involved, which allowed their CO‐releasing reaction to comply with pseudo first‐order model rather than the characteristic zero‐order model for a photochemical reaction. In aqueous media (D₂O), an intermediate bearing the core of {Fe^II(cis‐CO)₂} involving cleavage of cyclopentadiene was detected. Despite the non‐absorption of the red light, its illumination combined with nucleophilic substitution did cause considerable CO release. Assessment of the cytotoxicity of the three complexes indicated that they showed good biocompatibility.     

Tris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)methane‐Based Heterobimetallic Complexes that Contain Zn and CdTransition‐Metal Bonds: Synthesis,Structures, and Quantum Chemical Calculations

Reactions of the tris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)methanide amido complexes [M′{C(3,5‐Me₂pz)₃}{N(SiMe₃)₂}] (M′=Mg ( 1 a ), Zn ( 1 b ), Cd ( 1 c ); 3,5‐Me₂pz=3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl) with two equivalents of the acidic Group 6 cyclopentadienyl (Cp) tricarbonyl hydrides [MCp(CO)₃H] (M=Cr ( 2 a ), Mo ( 2 b )) gave different types of heterobimetallic complex. In each case, two reactions took place, namely the conversion of the tris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)methanide ligand (Tpmd*) into the ‐methane derivative (Tpm*) and the reaction of the acidic hydride M?H bond with the M′?N(SiMe₃)₂ moiety. The latter produces HN(SiMe₃)₂ as a byproduct. The Group 2 representatives [Mg(Tpm*){MCp(CO)₃}₂(thf)] ( 3 a / b ) form isocarbonyl bridges between the magnesium and chromium/molybdenum centres, whereas direct metal–metal bonds are formed in the case of the ions [Zn(Tpm*){MCp(CO)₃}]⁺ ( 4 a / b ; [MCp(CO)₃]^? as the counteranion) and [Cd(Tpm*){MCp(CO)₃}(thf)]⁺ ( 5 a / b ; [Cd{MCp(CO)₃}₃]^? as the counteranion). Complexes 4 a and 5 a / b are the first complexes that contain Zn?Cr, Cd?Cr, and Cd?Mo bonds (bond lengths 251.6, 269.8, and 278.9 pm, respectively). Quantum chemical calculations on 4 a / b* (and also on 5 a / b* ) provide evidence for an interaction between the metal atoms.     

Iron(III)‐Complexes Engaged in the Biochemical Processes in Seawater. II. Voltammetry of Fe(III)‐Malate Complexes in Model Aqueous Solution

Characteristics of iron(III) complexes with malic acid in 0.55 mol L^?1 NaCl were investigated by voltammetric techniques. Three iron(III)‐malate redox processes were detected in the pH range from 4.5 to 11: first one at ?0.11 V, second at ?0.35 V and third at ?0.60 V. First process was reversible, so stability constants of iron(III) and iron(II) complexes were calculated: log K₁(Fe^III(mal))=12.66±0.33, log β₂(Fe^III(mal)₂)=15.21±0.25, log K₁(Fe^II(mal))=2.25±0.36, and log β₂(Fe^II(mal)₂)=3.18±0.32. In the case of second and third reduction process, conditional cumulative stability constants of the involved complexes were determined using the competition method: log β(Fe(mal)₂(OH)_x)=15.28±0.10 and log β(Fe(mal)₂(OH)_y)=27.20±0.09.     

Structures and Stability of Complexes of E(C6F5)3 (E = B,Al, Ga,In) with Acetonitrile

Complexes formed by interaction of E(C₆F₅)₃ (E = B, Al, Ga, In) with excess of acetonitrile (AN) were structurally characterized. Quantum chemical computations indicate that for Al(C₆F₅)₃ and In(C₆F₅)₃ the formation of a complex of 1:2 composition is more advantageous than for B(C₆F₅)₃ and Ga(C₆F₅)₃, in line with experimental observations. Formation of the solvate [Al(C₆F₅)₃ · 2AN] · AN is in agreement with predicted thermodynamic instability of [Al(C₆F₅)₃ · 3AN]. Tensimetry study of B(C₆F₅)₃ · CH₃CN reveals its stability in the solid state up to 197 °C. With the temperature increase, the complex undergoes irreversible thermal decomposition with pentafluorobenzene formation.     

{1,1′‐(Dimethylsilylene)bis[methanechalcogenolato]}diiron Complexes [2Fe2E(Si)] (E=S,Se, Te) – [FeFe] Hydrogenase Models

(Bis‐selenolato) and (bis‐tellurolato)diiron complexes [2Fe2E(Si)] were prepared and compared with the known (bis‐thiolato)diiron complex A to assess their ability to produce hydrogen from protons. Treatment of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] with 4,4‐dimethyl‐1,2,4‐diselenasilolane ( 1 ) in boiling toluene afforded hexacarbonyl{μ‐{[1,1′‐(dimethylsilylene)bis[methaneselenolato‐κSe : κSe]](2 ?)}}diiron(Fe? Fe) ( 2 ). The analog bis‐tellurolato complex hexacarbonyl{μ‐{[1,1′‐(dimethylsilylene)bis[methanetellurolato‐κTe : κTe]](2 ?)}}diiron(Fe? Fe) ( 3 ) was obtained by treatment of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] with dimethylbis(tellurocyanatomethyl)dimethylsilane, which was prepared in situ. All compounds were characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The electrocatalytic properties of the [2Fe2X(Si)] (X=S, Se, Te) model complexes A, 1 , and 2 towards hydrogen formation were evaluated.     

Iron(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes of N‐Alkylimidazoles and 1‐Methyl‐1H‐1, 2, 4‐Triazole: X‐ray Studies,Magnetic Characterization,and DFT Calculations

Using the ligands N‐methylimidazole ( MeIm ), N‐ethylimidazole ( EtIm ), N‐propylimidazole ( PrIm ), and 1‐methyl‐1H‐1, 2, 4‐triazole ( MeTz ) three series with a total of 13 iron(II) complexes were isolated. The series comprise of the following complexes: (a) [Fe( MeIm )₆](ClO₄)₂ ( 1 ), [Fe( EtIm )₆](ClO₄)₂ ( 2 ), [Fe( PrIm )₆](ClO₄)₂( 3 ), [Fe( MeTz )₆](ClO₄)₂ ( 4 ), [Fe( MeIm )₆](MeSO₃)₂ ( 5 ), [Fe( EtIm )₆](MeSO₃)₂ ( 6 ), and [Fe( MeTz )₆](BF₄)₂ ( 10 ); (b) [Fe( MeIm )₄(MeSO₃)₂]( 7 ), [Fe( EtIm )₄(MeSO₃)₂] ( 8 ), and [Fe( PrIm )₄(MeSO₃)₂] ( 9 ); (c) [Fe( MeIm )₄(NCS)₂] ( 15 ), [Fe( EtIm )₄(NCS)₂] ( 16 ), and [Fe( MeTz )₄(NCS)₂] ( 17 ). Single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies were performed on 7 – 10 and 15 – 17 . Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed on selective examples of all series, and confirmed them to be in the HS state over the range 6–300 K. DFT calculations were performed at BP86/def‐SV(P) and TPSSh/def2‐TZVPP level on all [Fe L ₆]²⁺ complex cations and the neutral complexes 7 – 9 and 15 – 17 . Additionally the four homoleptic nickel(II) complexes [Ni L ₆](ClO₄)₂ ( 11 : L = MeIm ; 12 : L = EtIm ; 13 : L = PrIm ; 14 : L = MeTz ) were synthesized and compounds 11 – 13 structurally characterized. UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopic measurements were carried out on all homoleptic iron(II) and nickel(II) complexes. The 10Dq values were determined to be in the range of 11547–11574 and 10471–10834 cm^–1 for the iron(II) and nickel(II) complexes, respectively.     

Synthesis and Structures of Dinuclear Aluminum Complexes Based on Bis(β-diketiminate) Ligands

A series of ten dinuclear aluminum alkyl complexes based on rigid, semirigid, and flexible bis(β-diketiminate) ligands (NacNac) has been obtained from the reaction of trimethylaluminum and the corresponding bis(β-diketimine)s. All compounds were fully characterized using NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of five compounds have been investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

NMR Analysis and Regiochemical Structure of Some Selectively 13C‐Enriched Poly(propylene)s

Summary: The regiochemical structures of poly(propylene)s obtained in the presence of three single‐site catalysts, Cp*Ti(CH₃)₃ + B(C₆F₅)₃ (I + III), CpTi(CH₃)₃ + B(C₆F₅)₃ (II + III), and VCl₄ + anisole + Al(C₂H₅)₂Cl (V + A), are investigated by ¹³C NMR analysis. Polymer 1 , obtained in the presence of I + III is, seemingly, fully regioregular, while, surprisingly, polymer 2 , obtained in the presence of II + III, appears to be alternating sequence of primary and secondary regioblocks, very much like polymer 3 , obtained in the presence of V + A. The stereochemical structure of the polymer obtained in the presence of I + III is in excellent agreement with a Bernoullian statistical model of the stereoselective propagation, while those of the other two polymers possibly require a Coleman‐Fox model.

¹³C NMR spectra of 10%‐enriched poly[(2‐¹³C)propylene], 1′ and 2′ , prepared under the conditions reported in Table 1 for the corresponding poly(propylene)s, 1 and 2 . The resonances of the tertiary carbons are diagnostic of the regioblock structure of sample 2′ .     

Syntheses,Spectra, Thermal Studies and Crystal Structures of Vitamin B13 Complexes of Nickel(II) with N,N,N′,N′‐Tetramethylethylenediamine and 2,2‐Dimethylpropane‐1,3‐diamine

Two nickel(II) complexes of vitamin B13 (H₃Or) with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) and 2,2‐dimethylpropane‐1,3‐diamine (dmpen) were synthesized and characterized by means of elemental and thermal analyses, magnetic susceptibility, and IR and UV/Vis spectroscopic studies. The crystal structures of mer‐[Ni(HOr)(H₂O)₂(tmen)] · H₂O ( 1 ) and [Ni(HOr)(dmpen)₂] ( 2 ) were determined by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In the complexes, which crystallize in the triclinic system (space group for 1 ) and the monoclinic system (space group P2₁/c for 2 ), the Ni^II ions exhibit a distorted octahedral coordination. Ni^II ions are chelated by the deprotonated nitrogen atom of the pyrimidine ring and the oxygen atom of the carboxylate group, the distorted octahedral coordination completed by one tmen and two aqua ligands for 1 or two dmpen ligands for 2 .     

Synthesis,Structure, and Properties of Iron(II) and Manganese(II) Bis[Tris(1‐Ethyl‐4‐Methylimidazolyl‐κN)Phosphine] Complexes

Fe^IIL₂(OTf)₂ ( 1 ) and Mn^IIL₂(OTf)₂ ( 2 ) (L = tris(1‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazolyl‐κN)phosphine; OTf= trifluoromethanesulfonate) were synthesized and their X‐ray structures were determined. Both complexes possess distorted octahedral geometry with high spin electron configuration at ambient temperature. Compound 1 exhibits a quasi‐reversible wave with E_1/2 of 0.745 V versus Ag/AgNO₃. Variable temperature magnetic measurements indicate that no spin‐crossover phenomenon for 1 is observed between 2.5 and 300 K. In addition, a plot of 1/χ_M versus T(K) is linear with a Curie constant of 3.48 emu mol^?1 K.     

Unprecedented Bonding Situation in Viable E2(NHBMe)2 (E=Be,Mg; NHBMe=(HCNMe)2B) Complexes: Neutral E2 Forms a Single E−E Covalent Bond

Is it possible to facilitate the formation of a genuine Be?Be or Mg?Mg single bond for the E₂ species while it is in its neutral state? So far, (NHC^R)Be?Be(NHC^R) (R=H, Me, Ph) have been reported where Be₂ is in ¹Δ_g excited state imposing a formal Be?Be bond order of two. Herein, we present the formation of a single E?E (E=Be, Mg) covalent bond in E₂(NHB^Me)₂ (E=Be, Mg; NHB^Me=(HCN^Me)₂B) complexes where E₂ is in ³∑_u⁺ excited state having (nσ_g⁺)²(nσ_u⁺)¹((n+1)σ_g⁺)¹ (n=2 for Be and n=4 for Mg) valence electron configuration and it forms electron‐shared bonding with two NHB^Me radicals. The effects of bonding with nσ_u⁺ and (n+1)σ_g⁺ orbitals will cancel each other, providing the former E?E bond order as one. Be₂(NHB^Me)₂ complex is thermochemically stable with respect to possible dissociation channels at room temperature, whereas the two exergonic channels, Mg₂(NHB^Me)₂ → Mg + Mg(NHB^Me)₂ and Mg₂(NHB^Me)₂ → Mg₂ + (NHB^Me)₂, are kinetically inhibited by a free energy barrier of 15.7 and 18.7 kcal mol^?1, respectively, which would likely to be further enhanced in cases of bulkier substituents attached to the NHB ligands. Therefore, the title complexes are first viable systems which feature a neutral E₂ moiety with a single E?E covalent bond.