Syntheses of Cationic, Six-Coordinate Cadmium(II) Complexes Containing Tris(pyrazolyl)methane Ligands. Influence of Charge on Cadmium-113 NMR Chemical Shifts

Treating a thf (thf = tetrahydrofuran) suspension of Cd(acac)(2) (acac = acetylacetonate) with 2 equiv of HBF(4).Et(2)O results in the immediate formation of [Cd(2)(thf)(5)](BF(4))(4) (1). Crystallization of this complex from thf/CH(2)Cl(2) yields [Cd(thf)(4)](BF(4))(2) (2), a complex characterized in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data: monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 7.784(2) ?, b = 10.408(2) ?, c = 14.632(7) ?, beta = 94.64(3) degrees, V = 1181.5(6) ?(3), Z = 2, R = 0.0484. The geometry about the cadmium is octahedral with a square planar arrangement of the thf ligands and a fluorine from each (BF(4))(-) occupying the remaining two octahedral sites. Reactions of [Cd(2)(thf)(5)](BF(4))(4) with either HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3) or HC(3-Phpz)(3) yield the dicationic, homoleptic compounds {[HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)](2)Cd}(BF(4))(2) (3) and {[HC(3-Phpz)(3)](2)Cd}(BF(4))(2) (4) (pz = 1-pyrazolyl). The solid state structure of 3 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data: rhombohedral, R&thremacr;, a = 12.236(8) ?, c = 22.69(3) ?, V = 2924(4) ?(3), Z = 3, R = 0.0548. The cadmium is bonded to the six nitrogen donor atoms in a trigonally distorted octahedral arrangement. Four monocationic, mixed ligand tris(pyrazolyl)methane-tris(pyrazolyl)borate complexes {[HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)][HB(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)]Cd}(BF(4)) (5), {[HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)][HB(3-Phpz)(3)]Cd}(BF(4)) (6), {[HC(3-Phpz)(3)][HB(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)]Cd}(BF(4)) (7), and {[HC(3-Phpz)(3)][HB(3-Phpz)(3)]Cd}(BF(4)) (8) are prepared by appropriate conproportionation reactions of 3or 4 with equimolar amounts of the appropriate homoleptic neutral tris(pyrazolyl)borate complexes [HB(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)](2)Cd or [HB(3-Phpz)(3)](2)Cd. Solution (113)Cd NMR studies on complexes 3-8 demonstrate that the chemical shifts of the new cationic, tris(pyrazolyl)methane complexes are very similar to the neutral tris(pyrazolyl)borate complexes that contain similar substitution of the pyrazolyl rings.     

Dihydrobis(methimazolyl)borate and methimazolyl complexes of titanium

The first poly(methimazolyl)borato complex of group 4, [Ti([double bond, length as m-dash]NCMe(3)){H(2)B(mt)(2)}(2)](mt = methimazolyl), results from the reaction of Na[H(2)B(mt)(2)] with [Ti([double bond, length as m-dash]NCMe(3))Cl(2)(py)(3)] and features both kappa(2)-S,S' and kappa(3)-H,S,S' coordination of H(2)B(mt)(2) ligands coincident within the same molecule.     

Potassium S2N-heteroscorpionates: structure and iridaboratrane formation

The potassium salts of the new S(2)N-heteroscorpionate ligand hydrobis(methimazolyl)(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate [HB(mt)(2)(pz(3,5-Me))](-) and its known analogue hydrobis(methimazolyl)(pyrazolyl)borate [HB(mt)(2)(pz)](-) (prepared from KTp' or KTp and methimazole, Hmt), and the adduct KTp·Hmt have polymeric structures in the solid state (the first a ladder and the other two chains). The iridaboratranes [IrHLL'{B(mt)(2)X}] (X = pz(3,5-Me) or pz), prepared from the heteroscorpionate anion and [{Ir(cod)(μ-Cl)}(2)] (LL' = cod), subsequent carbonylation [LL' = (CO)(2)] and then reaction with phosphine [LL' = (CO)(PR(3)), R = Ph or Cy], have a pendant pyrazolyl ring and a bicyclo-[3.3.0] cage formed by an S(2)-bound B(mt)(2) fragment. The binuclear species [(cod)HIr{μ-B(mt)(3)}IrCl(cod)], the only isolated product of the reaction of KTm with [{Ir(cod)(μ-Cl)}(2)], also has an S(2)-bound iridaboratrane unit but with the third mt ring linked to square planar iridium(I).     

Yttrium and lanthanide diphosphanylamides: syntheses and structures of complexes with one [(Ph2P)2N]- ligand in the coordination sphere

Treatment of the recently reported potassium salt [K(thf)(n)][N(PPh(2))(2)] (n=1.25, 1.5) with anhydrous yttrium or lanthanide trichlorides in THF leads after crystallization from THF/n-pentane (1:2) to the monosubstituted diphosphanylamide complexes [LnCl(2)[(Ph(2)P)(2)N](thf)(3)] (Ln=Y, Sm, Er, Yb). The single-crystal X-ray structures of these complexes show that the metal atoms are surrounded by seven ligands in a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal arrangement, in which the chlorine atoms are located in the apical positions. The diphosphanylamide ligand is always eta(2)-coordinated through the nitrogen atom and one phosphorus atom. Further reaction of [SmCl(2)[(Ph(2)P)(2)N](thf)(3)] with K(2)C(8)H(8) or reaction of [LnI(eta(8)-C(8)H(8))(thf)(3)] with [K(thf)(n)][N(PPh(2))(2)] in THF gives the corresponding cyclooctatetraene complexes [Ln[(Ph(2)P)(2)N](eta(8)-C(8)H(8))(thf)(2)] (Ln=La, Sm). The single crystals of these compounds contain enantiomerically pure complexes. Both compounds adopt a four-legged piano-stool conformation in the solid state. The structures of the A and the C enantiomers were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The more soluble bistrimethylsilyl cyclooctatetraene complex [Y[(Ph(2)P)(2)N](eta(8)-1,4-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(8)H(6))(thf)(2)] was obtained by transmetallation of Li(2)[1,4-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(8)H(6)] with anhydrous yttrium trichloride in THF followed by the addition of one equivalent of [K(thf)(n)][N(PPh(2))(2)]. The (89)Y NMR signal of the complex is split up into a triplet, supporting other observations that the phosphorus atoms are chemically equivalent in solution and, thus, dynamic behavior of the ligand in solution can be anticipated.     

Formation of double cubanes [Sn(7)(NR)(8)] in the reactions of pyridyl and pyrimidinyl amines with Sn(NMe(2))(2): a synthetic and theoretical study

In contrast to the reactions of Sn(NMe(2))(2) with unfunctionalized primary amines (RNH(2)), which yield the simple imido Sn(II) cubanes [SnNR](4), the reactions of 2-pyridyl or 2-pyrimidinyl amines give the mixed-oxidation-state Sn(II)/Sn(IV) double cubanes [Sn(7)(NR)(8)]. In addition to [Sn(7)[2-N(5-Mepy)](8)] x 2thf (1 x 2thf) (py = pyridine) and [Sn(7)[2-N(pm)](8)] x 0.33thf (2 x 0.33thf) (pm = pyrimidine), which were communicated previously, the syntheses and structures of the new complexes [Sn(7)[2-N(4-Mepm)](8)] x 2thf (3 x 2thf), [Sn(7)[2-N(4,6-Me(2)pm)](8)] x 4thf (4 x 4thf), [Sn(7)[2-N(4-Me-6-MeO-pm)](8)] (5), and [Sn(7)[2-N(4-MeO-6-MeO-pm)](8)] (6) are reported. Model DFT calculations on the reactions of Sn(NMe(2))(2) with 2-pmNH(2) or PhNH(2), producing the cubanes [Sn[2-N(pm)]](4) and [SnNPh](4) (respectively), and the corresponding double cubanes [Sn(7)[2-N(pm)](8)] and [Sn(7)(NPh)(8)], show that the presence of intramolecular Sn...N bonding which spans the cubane halves of the complexes is crucial to the formation of the double-cubane structure.     

Benzotriazolate cage complexes of tin(II) and lithium: halide-influenced serendipitous assembly

The one-pot reactions of the tin(II) halides SnX(2) (X = F, Cl, Br, I) with lithium hexamethyldisilazide, [Li(hmds)], and benzotriazole, (bta)H, produce contrasting outcomes. Tin(II) fluoride does not react with [Li(hmds)] and (bta)H, the outcome being the formation of insoluble [Li(bta)](∞). Tin(II) chloride and tin(II) bromide react with [Li(hmds)] and (bta)H in toluene to produce the hexadecametallic tin(II)-lithium cages [(hmds)(8)Sn(8)(bta)(12)Li(8)X(4)]·(n toluene) [X = Cl, 3·(8 toluene); X = Br, 4·(3 toluene)]. The reaction of tin(II) iodide with [Li(hmds)] and (bta)H in thf solvent produces the ion-separated species [{(thf)(2)Li(bta)}(3){Li(thf)}](2)[SnI(4)]·(thf), [5](2)[SnI(4)]·(thf), the structure of which contains a cyclic trimeric unit of lithium benzotriazolate and a rare example of the tetraiodostannate(II) dianion.     

Polyfluorinated Tris(pyrazolyl)borates. Syntheses and Spectroscopic and Structural Characterization of Group 1 and Group 11 Metal Complexes of [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)](-) and [HB(3-(CF(3))Pz)(3)](-)

The fluorinated tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)](-) and [HB(3-(CF(3))Pz)(3)](-) (where Pz = pyrazolyl) have been synthesized as their sodium salts from the corresponding pyrazoles and NaBH(4) in high yield. These sodium complexes and the related [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]K(DMAC) were used as ligand transfer agents in the preparation of the copper and silver complexes [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]Cu(DMAC), [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]CuPPh(3), [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]AgPPh(3), and [HB(3-(CF(3))Pz)(3)]AgPPh(3). Metal complexes of the fluorinated [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)](-) ligand have highly electrophilic metal sites relative to their hydrocarbon analogs. This is evident from the formation of stable adducts with neutral oxygen donors such as H(2)O, dimethylacetamide, or thf. Furthermore, the metal compounds derived from fluorinated ligands show fairly long-range coupling between fluorines of the trifluoromethyl groups and the hydrogen, silver, or phosphorus. The solid state structures show that the fluorines are in close proximity to these nuclei, thus suggesting a possible through-space coupling mechanism. Crystal structures of the sodium adducts exhibit significant metal-fluorine interactions. The treatment of [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]Na(H(2)O) with Et(4)NBr led to [Et(4)N][HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)], which contains a well-separated [Et(4)N](+) cation and the [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)](-) anion in the solid state. Crystal data with Mo Kalpha (lambda = 0.710 73 ?) at 193 K: [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]Na(H(2)O), C(15)H(6)BF(18)N(6)NaO, a = 7.992(2) ?, b = 15.049(2) ?, c = 9.934(2) ?, beta = 101.16(2) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/m, Z = 2; [{HB(3-(CF(3))Pz)(3)}Na(thf)](2), C(32)H(30)B(2)F(18)N(12)Na(2)O(2), a = 9.063(3) ?, b = 10.183(2) ?, c = 12.129(2) ?, alpha = 94.61(1) degrees, beta = 101.16(2) degrees, gamma = 95.66(2) degrees, triclinic, &Pmacr;1, Z = 1; [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]Cu(DMAC), C(19)H(13)BCuF(18)N(7)O, a = 15.124(4) ?, b = 8.833(2) ?, c = 21.637(6) ?, beta = 105.291(14) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z = 4; [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]CuPPh(3), C(33)H(19)BCuF(18)N(6)P, a = 9.1671(8) ?, b = 14.908(2) ?, c = 26.764(3) ?, beta = 94.891(1) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4; [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]AgPPh(3).0.5C(6)H(14), C(36)H(26)AgBF(18)N(6)P, a = 13.929(2) ?, b = 16.498(2) ?, c = 18.752(2) ?, beta = 111.439(6) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4; [Et(4)N][HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)], C(23)H(24)BF(18)N(7), a = 10.155(2) ?, b = 18.580(4) ?, c = 16.875(5) ?, beta = 99.01(2) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z = 4.     

Synthesis and characterisation of alkaline earth bis(diphenylphosphano)metallocene complexes and heterobimetallic alkaline earth metal/platinum(II) complexes [Ae(thf)(x)(η5-C5H4PPh2)2Pt(Me)2] (Ae = Ca, Sr, Ba)

A series of alkaline earth metallocene complexes carrying the diphenylphosphanocyclopentadienyl ligand, [Ae(L)(x)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)PPh(2))(2)] (Ae = Ca, L = thf, x = 1 (6a); Ae = Ca, L = dme, x = 1 (6b); Ae = Sr, L = thf, x = 1 (7); Ae = Ba, L = thf, x = 1 (8a); Ae = Ba, L = dme, x = 2 (8b)), were prepared by redox transmetallation/protolysis from the free metals, diphenylmercury and diphenylphosphanocyclopentadiene. These complexes were characterised using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and two by single crystal X-ray diffraction. [Ca(dme)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)PPh(2))(2)] (6b) is a discrete neutral monomeric eight coordinate molecule in which the phosphorus atoms are not coordinated to the calcium ion and the larger barium analogue, ten-coordinate [Ba(dme)(2)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)PPh(2))(2)] (8b), has an extremely bent sandwich structure due to the two dme ligands attached to the metal. Bimetallic complexes, [Ae(thf)(x)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)PPh(2))(2)Pt(Me)(2)].(solv) (Ae = Ca, L = thf, x = 2, solv = 1.5thf (9); Ae = Sr, L = thf, x = 3, solv = 1.5thf (10); Ae = Ba, L = thf, x = 3, solv = thf (11)) were obtained by reaction of the homometallic complexes with [Pt(cod)(Me)(2)]. The crystal structures of [Ca(thf)(2)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)PPh(2))(2)Pt(Me)(2)].1.5thf (9), [Sr(thf)(3)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)PPh(2))(2)Pt(Me)(2)].1.5thf (10) and [Ba(thf)(3)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)PPh(2))(2)Pt(Me)(2)].thf (11) show the eight (calcium) and nine coordinate (strontium and barium) fragments acting as a chelating metalloligand attached to the square planar platinum through the phosphorus donor atoms. The solution chemistry of these bimetallic complexes has been investigated by NMR spectroscopy, electro-spray ionisation mass spectrometry and conductivity experiments which indicate that the bimetallic compounds persist in solution.     

Direct reaction of iodine-activated lanthanoid metals with 2,6-diisopropylphenol

Rare earth metals activated with ca. 2% iodine react directly with 2,6-diisopropylphenol (HOdip) in tetrahydrofuran (thf), 1,2-dimethoxyethane (dme), and dig-dme (dig = di(2-methoxyethyl) ether) to give solvated phenolate complexes [Ln(Odip)(3)(thf)(n)] (Ln = La, Nd, n = 3; Ln = Sm, Dy, Y, Yb, n = 2), [Eu(Odip)(μ-Odip)(thf)(2)](2), [Ln(Odip)(3)(dme)(2)] (Ln = La, Yb) and [La(Odip)(3)(dig)] in good yield for Ln = La, Nd, Eu but modest yield for smaller Ln metals under comparable conditions. However, increasing the excess of metal greatly increased the yield for Ln = Y. The synthetic method has general potential, at least for lanthanoid phenolates. Comparison redox transmetallation/protolysis (RTP) reactions between Ln metals, Hg(C(6)F(5))(2) and the phenol gave higher yields in shorter time and, for Eu, gave [Eu(Odip)(3)(thf)(3)] in contrast to an Eu(II) complex from Eu(I(2)). New [Ln(Odip)(3)(thf)(3)] complexes have fac-octahedral structures and [Ln(Odip)(3)(thf)(2)] monomeric five coordinate distorted trigonal bipyramidal structures with apical thf ligands. [Eu(Odip)(μ-Odip)(thf)(2)](2) is an unsymmetrical dimer with two bridging Odip ligands. One five coordinate Eu atom has distorted trigonal bipyramidal stereochemistry and the other is distorted square pyramidal. Whilst [La(Odip)(3)(dme)(2)] has irregular seven coordination with mer-Odip and chelating dme ligands, [Ln(Odip)(3)(dme)(2)] (Ln = Dy, Y (prepared by ligand exchange), Yb) are monomeric six coordinate with one chelating and one unidentate dme. A six coordinate fac-octahedral arrangement is observed in [La(Odip)(3)(dig)].     

Synthesis and characterization of pentachlorophenyl-metal derivatives with d0 and d10 electron configurations

By reaction of [TiCl(3)(thf)(3)] with LiC(6)Cl(5), the homoleptic organotitanium(III) derivative [Li(thf)(4)][Ti(III)(C(6)Cl(5))(4)] (1) has been prepared as a paramagnetic (d(1), S = 1/2, g(av) = 1.959(2)), extremely air-sensitive compound. Oxidation of 1 with [N(C(6)H(4)Br-4)(3)][SbCl(6)] gives the diamagnetic (d(0)) organotitanium(IV) species [Ti(IV)(C(6)Cl(5))(4)] (2). Compounds 1 and 2 are also electrochemically related (E(1/2) = 0.05 V). The homoleptic, diamagnetic (d(10)) compounds [N(PPh(3))(2)][Tl(C(6)Cl(5))(4)] (3) and [Sn(C(6)Cl(5))(4)] (4) have also been prepared. Nearly tetrahedral environments have been found for the d(0), d(10), and d(1) metal centers in the molecular structures of compounds 2-4 as well as in that of [Li(thf)(2)(OEt(2))(2)][Ti(III)(C(6)Cl(5))(4)].CH(2)Cl(2) (1') (X-ray diffraction). The reaction of the heavier Group 4 metal halides, MCl(4) (M = Zr, Hf) with LiC(6)Cl(5) in the presence of [NBu(4)]Br gives, in turn, the heteroleptic species [NBu(4)][M(C(6)Cl(5))(3)Cl(2)] (M = Zr (5), Hf (6)). Compounds 5 and 6 are isomorphous and isostructural, with the metal center in a trigonal-bipyramidal (TBPY-5) environment defined by two axial Cl ligands and three equatorial C(6)Cl(5) groups (X-ray diffraction). No redox features are observed for compounds 3-6 in CH(2)Cl(2) solution between -1.6 and +1.6 V.     

Cube-type nitrido complexes containing titanium and alkali/alkaline-earth metals

Treatment of [[Ti(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(mu-NH)](3)(mu(3)-N)] with alkali-metal bis(trimethylsilyl)amido derivatives [M[N(SiMe(3))(2)]] in toluene affords edge-linked double-cube nitrido complexes [M(mu(4)-N)(mu(3)-NH)(2)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(mu(3)-N)]](2) (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) or corner-shared double-cube nitrido complexes [M(mu(3)-N)(mu(3)-NH)(5)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(mu(3)-N)](2)] (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs). Analogous reactions with 1/2 equiv of alkaline-earth bis(trimethylsilyl)amido derivatives [M[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(thf)(2)] give corner-shared double-cube nitrido complexes [M[(mu(3)-N)(mu(3)-NH)(2)Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(mu(3)-N)](2)] (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba). If 1 equiv of the group 2 amido reagent is employed, single-cube-type derivatives [(thf)(x)[(Me(3)Si)(2)N]M[(mu(3)-N)(mu(3)-NH)(2)Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(mu(3)-N)]] (M = Mg, x = 0; M = Ca, Sr, Ba, x = 1) can be isolated or identified. The tetrahydrofuran molecules are easily displaced with 4-tert-butylpyridine in toluene, affording the analogous complexes [(tBupy)[(Me(3)Si)(2)N]M[(mu(3)-N)(mu(3)-NH)(2)Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(mu(3)-N)]] (M = Ca, Sr). The X-ray crystal structures of [M(mu(3)-N)(mu(3)-NH)(5)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(mu(3)-N)](2)] (M = K, Rb, Cs) and [M[(mu(3)-N)(mu(3)-NH)(2)Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(mu(3))-N)](2)] (M = Ca, Sr) have been determined. The properties and solid-state structures of the azaheterometallocubane complexes bearing alkali and alkaline-earth metals are discussed.     

Sulfur-bridged early-late heterobimetallics synthesized by incorporation of titanium,vanadium, and molybdenum into bis(hydrosulfido) templates of group 9 metals

Reactions of the bis(hydrosulfido) complexes [Cp*Rh(SH)(2)(PMe(3))] (1a; Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with [CpTiCl(3)] (Cp = eta(5)-C(5)H(5)) and [TiCl(4)(thf)(2)] in the presence of triethylamine led to the formation of the sulfido-bridged titanium-rhodium complexes [Cp*Rh(PMe(3))(micro(2)-S)(2)TiClCp] (2a) and [Cp*Rh(PMe(3))(micro2-S)(2)TiCl(2)] (3a), respectively. Complex 3a and its iridium analogue 3b were further converted into the bis(acetylacetonato) complexes [Cp*M(PMe(3))(micro(2)-S)(2)Ti(acac)(2)] (4a, M = Rh; 4b, M = Ir) upon treatment with acetylacetone. The hydrosulfido complexes 1a and [Cp*Ir(SH)(2)(PMe(3))] (1b) also reacted with [VCl(3)(thf)(3)] and [Mo(CO)(4)(nbd)] (nbd = 2,5-norbornadiene) to afford the cationic sulfido-bridged VM2 complexes [(Cp*M(PMe(3))(micro2-S)(2))2V](+) (5a(+), M = Rh; 5b(+), M = Ir) and the hydrosulfido-bridged MoM complexes [Cp*M(PMe(3))(micro2-SH)(2)Mo(CO)(4)] (6a, M = Rh; 6b, M = Ir), respectively.     

Lewis base character of the phosphorus atom in phosphanido-niobocene complexes. Synthesis of new early-early homo- and heterobimetallic entities

The reaction of phosphanido complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)(PPh(2))] [L = CO (1), CNXylyl (2)] with early transition metal halides in high oxidation states has been carried out. New bimetallic niobocene complexes [{Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)}(μ-PPh(2))(MCl(5))] [M = Nb, L = CO (3), L = CNXylyl (4); M = Ta, L = CO (5), L = CNXylyl (6)] have been successfully synthesized by the reaction with [MCl(5)](2) (M = Nb or Ta). In a similar way [{Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)}(μ-PPh(2))(MCl(4))] [M = Ti, L = CO (13), CNXylyl (14); M = Zr, L = CO (15), CNXylyl (16)] were synthesized using MCl(4) (M = Ti or Zr). Solutions of complexes 4-6 in chloroform produced new ionic derivatives [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(P(H)Ph(2))(L)] [MCl(6)] [M = Nb, L = CO (7), L = CNXylyl (8); M = Ta, L = CO (9), L = CNXylyl (10)]. Ionic complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(P(Cl)Ph(2))(L)] [NbCl(4)O(thf)] [L = CO (11), CNXylyl (12)] were formed from solutions in thf - rapidly in the case of 3 but more slowly for 4. New heterometallic complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)(μ-PPh(2)){(Ti(η(5)-C(5)R(5))Cl(3)}] [R = H, L = CO (17), CNXylyl (18); R = CH(3), L = CO (19), CNXylyl (20)] were synthesized by the reaction of 1 or 2 with [Ti(η(5)-C(5)R(5))Cl(3)] (R = H or CH(3)). All of these compounds were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structures of 9 and 12 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Catalytic P--H activation by Ti and Zr catalysts

Catalytic dehydrocoupling of phosphines was investigated using the anionic zirconocene trihydride salts [Cp*2Zr(mu-H)3Li]3 (1 a) or [Cp*2Zr(mu-H)3K(thf)4] (1 b), and the metallocycles [CpTi(NPtBu3)(CH2)4] (6) and [Cp*M(NPtBu3)(CH2)4] (M=Ti 20, Zr 21) as catalyst precursors. Dehydrocoupling of primary phosphines RPH2 (R=Ph, C6H2Me3, Cy, C10H7) gave both dehydrocoupled dimers RP(H)P(H)R or cyclic oligophosphines (RP)n (n=4, 5) while reaction of tBu3C6H2PH2 gave the phosphaindoline tBu2(Me2CCH2)C6H2PH 9. Stoichiometric reactions of these catalyst precursors with primary phosphines afforded [Cp*2Zr((PR)2)H][K(thf)4] (R=Ph 2, Cy 3, C6H2Me3 4), [Cp*2Zr((PPh)3)H][K(thf)4] (5), [CpTi(NPtBu3)(PPh)3] (7) and [CpTi(NPtBu3)(mu-PHPh)]2 (8), while reaction of 6 with (C6H2tBu3)PH2 in the presence of PMe3 afforded [CpTi(NPtBu3)(PMe3)(P(C6H2tBu3)] (10). The secondary phosphines Ph2PH and (PhHPCH2)2CH2 also undergo dehydrocoupling affording (Ph2P)2 and (PhPCH2)2CH2. The bisphosphines (CH2PH2)2 and C6H4(PH2)2 are dehydrocoupled to give (PCH2CH2PH)2)(12) and (C6H4P(PH))2 (13) while prolonged reaction of 13 gave (C6H4P2)(8) (14). The analogous bisphosphine Me2C6H4(PH)2 (17) was prepared and dehydrocoupling catalysis afforded (Me2C6H2P(PH))2 (18) and subsequently [(Me2C6H2P2)2(mu-Me2C6H2P2)]2 (19). Stoichiometric reactions with these bisphosphines gave [Cp*2Zr(H)(PH)2C6-H4][Li(thf)4] (22), [CpTi(NPtBu3)(PH)2C6H4]2 (23) and [Cp*Ti(NPtBu3)(PH)2C6H4] (24). Mechanistic implications are discussed.     

Reactivity of calix-tetrapyrrole SmII and SmIII complexes with acetylene: isolation of an "N-confused" calix-tetrapyrrole ring

The nature of the substituents present on the calix-tetrapyrrole tetra-anion ligand [[R2C(C4H2N)]4]4- (R = [-(CH2)5-]0.5, Et) determines the type of reactivity of the corresponding SmII compounds with acetylene. With R = [-(CH2)5-]0.5, dehydrogenation occurred to yield the nearly colorless dinuclear diacetylide complex [[[[-(CH2)5-]4-calix-tetrapyrrole]SmIII]2(mu-C2Li4)].THF as the only detectable reaction product. Conversely, with R = Et, acetylene coupling in addition to dehydrogenation resulted in the formation of a dimeric butatrienediyl enolate derivative [[(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)SmIII[Li[Li(thf)]2(mu-OCH=CH2)]]2(mu,eta2,eta'2-HC=C=C=CH)]. Reaction of the trivalent hydride [(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)(thf)SmIII[(mu-H)[Li(thf)]]2 or of the terminally bonded methyl derivative [(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)(CH3)SmIII[[Li(thf)]2[Li(thf)2](mu3-Cl)]] with acetylene resulted in a mixture of the carbide [[(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)SmIII]2(mu-C2Li4)].Et2O with the dimerization product [[(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)SmIII[Li[Li(thf)]2(mu3-OCH=CH2)]]2-mu,eta2,eta'2-HC=C=C=CH)]. The same reaction also yielded a third product, a trivalent complex [[(Et8-calix-tetrapyrrole)SmIII[Li(thf)2]]2], in which the macrocycle was isomerized by shifting the ring attachment of one of the four pyrrole rings.     

Distorted equatorial coordination environments and weakening of U=O bonds in uranyl complexes containing NCN and NPN ligands

Treatment of [UO(2)Cl(2)(thf)(3)] in thf with 2 equiv of Na[PhC(NSiMe(3))(2)] (Na[NCN]) or Na[Ph(2)P(NSiMe(3))(2)] (Na[NPN]) gives uranyl complex [UO(2)(NCN)(2)(thf)] (1) or [UO(2)(NPN)(2)] (3), respectively. Each complex is a rare example of out-of-plane equatorial nitrogen ligand coordination; the latter contains a significantly bent O=U=O unit and represents the first example of a uranyl ion within a quadrilateral-faced monocapped trigonal prismatic geometry. Removal of the thf in 1 gives [UO(2)(NCN)(2)] (2) with in-plane N donor ligands. Addition of 3 equiv of Na[NCN] gives the tris complex [Na(thf)(2)PhCN][[UO(2)(NCN)(3)] (4.PhCN) with elongation and weakening of one U=O bond through coordination to Na(+). Hydrolysis of 4 provides the oxo-bridged dimer [Na(thf)UO(2)(NCN)(2)](2)(micro(2)-O) (6), a complex with the lowest reported O=U=O symmetrical stretching frequency (nu(1) = 757 cm(-)(1)) for a dinuclear uranyl complex. The anion in complex 4 is unstable in solution but can be stabilized by the introduction of 18-crown-6 to give [Na(18-crown-6)][UO(2)(NCN)(3)] (5). The structures of 1-4 and 6 have been determined by crystallography, and all except 2 show significant deviations of the N ligand atoms from the equatorial plane, driven by the steric bulk of the NCN and NPN ligands. Despite the unusual geometries, these distortions in structure do not appear to have any direct effect on the bonding and electronic structure of the uranyl ion. The main influences toward lowering the U=O bond stretching frequency (nu(1)) are the donating ability of the equatorial ligands, overall charge of the complex, and U=O.Na-type interactions. The intense orange/red colors of these compounds are because of low-energy ligand-to-metal charge-transfer electronic transitions.     

Zinc-rich compounds of iron and cobalt: formation of [Fe2Zn(n)] (n = 2-4) and [Co2Zn3] cores

The reactions of heteroleptic GaCp*/CO containing transition metal complexes of iron and cobalt, namely [(CO)(3)M(μ(2)-GaCp*)(m)M(CO)(3)] (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; M = Fe, m = 3; M = Co, m = 2) and [Fe(CO)(4)(GaCp*)], with ZnMe(2) in toluene and the presence of a coordinating co-solvent were investigated. The reaction of the iron complex [Fe(CO)(4)(GaCp*)] with ZnMe(2) in presence of tetrahydrofurane (thf) leads to the dimeric compound [(CO)(4)Fe{μ(2)-Zn(thf)(2)}(2)Fe(CO)(4)] (1). Reaction of [(CO)(3)Fe(μ(2)-GaCp*(3))Fe(CO)(3)] with ZnMe(2) and stoichiometric amounts of thf leads to the formation of [(CO)(3)Fe{μ(2)-Zn(thf)(2)}(2)(μ(2)-ZnMe)(2)Fe(CO)(3)] (2) containing {Zn(thf)(2)} as well as ZnMe ligands. Using pyridine (py) instead of thf leads to [(CO)(3)Fe{μ(2)-Zn(py)(2)}(3)Fe(CO)(3)] (3) via replacement of all GaCp* ligands by three{Zn(py)(2)} groups. In contrast, reaction of [(CO)(3)Co(μ(2)-GaCp*)(2)Co(CO)(3)] with ZnMe(2) in the presence of py or thf leads in both cases to the formation of [(CO)(3)Co{μ(2)-ZnL(2)}(μ(2)-ZnCp*)(2)Co(CO)(3)] (L = py (4), thf (5)) via replacement of GaCp* with {Zn(L)(2)} units as well as Cp* transfer from the gallium to the zinc centre. All compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis.     

Manipulation of reaction pathways in redox transmetallation-ligand exchange syntheses of lanthanoid(II)/(III) aryloxide complexes

Redox transmetallation/ligand exchange reactions of lanthanoid metals (Ln), Hg(C6F5)2 and HOAr(OMe) (Ar(OMe) = C6H2-2,6-Bu(t)-4-OMe), in thf (tetrahydrofuran) gave, for Ln = Yb, [Yb(OAr(OMe))2(thf)3], and for Ln = Sm, a mixture of [Sm(II)(OAr(OMe))2(thf)3] and mainly [Sm(III)(Ar(OMe))3(thf)] x thf. X-Ray structure determinations show the divalent complexes to have distorted square-pyramidal stereochemistry with transoid thf and OAr(OMe) ligands in the basal plane. Treatment of [Yb(OAr(OMe))2(thf)3] with diethyl ether or PhMe at room temperature gave [Yb(OAr(OMe))2] or [Yb(OAr(OMe))2] x 0.5 PhMe. For lanthanoids Ln = Nd, Er or Y, the reactions with Hg(C6F5)2 and HOAr(OMe) yielded complex product mixtures, from one of which the novel erbium aryloxide fluoride cage [Er3(OAr(OMe))4(mu2-F)3(mu3-F)2(thf)4] x thf x 0.5 C6H14 was isolated. The cage core consists of a triangle of Er atoms joined to two mu3-fluoride ligands and three further mu2-fluorides bridge adjacent Er atoms. One of the Er atoms is six-coordinate with additionally two OAr(OMe) ligands whilst the other two have one OAr(OMe) and two thf ligands and are seven coordinate. Substitution of Hg(C6F5)2 by Hg(CCPh)2 in the redox transmetallation/ligand exchange reactions gave the new derivatives [Ln(OAr(OMe))3(thf)] x thf (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Ho) in good yields whilst Ln = Yb gave [Yb(OAr(OMe))2(thf)3]. Recrystallisation of [Sm(OAr(OMe))3(thf)] x thf from dme (1,2-dimethoxyethane) yielded [Sm(OAr(OMe))3(dme)]. Structural characterisation of [Ln(OAr(OMe))3(thf)] x thf (Ln = Nd, Ho) and [Sm(OAr(OMe))3(dme)] showed monomeric four-coordinate distorted tetrahedral and five-coordinate distorted square-pyramidal complexes respectively. For the smaller lanthanoids Ln = Y, Er or Lu, reactions with Hg(CCPh)2 and HOAr(OMe) gave the mixed aryloxide/alkynide complexes [Ln(OAr(OMe))2(CCPh)(thf)2]. Oxidation of the divalent ytterbium aryloxide [Yb(OAr(OMe))2(thf)3] by Hg(CCPh)2 in thf gave the analogous [Yb(OAr(OMe))2(CCPh)(thf)2]. The erbium alkynide [Er(OAr(OMe))2(CCPh)(thf)2] x 0.25 C6H14 has distorted square-pyramidal stereochemistry with transoid OAr(OMe) and thf ligands in the basal plane and a rare (for Ln) terminal alkynide ligand in the apical position. The reactive Lu-C bond in the [Lu(OAr(OMe))2(CCPh)(thf)2] complexes could be slowly cleaved by free HOAr(OMe) in hydrocarbon solvents, yielding Lu(OAr(OMe))3 species and fortuitous partial hydrolysis of [Er(Ar(OMe))2(CCPh)(thf)2] gave the dimeric [Er(OAr(OMe))2(mu-OH)2]2.     

Synthesis and structures of some bimetallic (Li/Ca, Li/Zn, Li/Li) diamides derived from 1,2-bis(neopentylamino)benzene and of Li2[{N(SiMe2NPr(i)2)}2C6H4-1,2](thf)3

The following crystalline, or microcrystalline (4), metal diamides have been prepared under mild conditions from the N,N'-disubstituted 1,2-diaminobenzene [{N(R)H}2C6H4-1,2] (H(2): R = CH2But; H2L': R = SiMe2NPri2): [Li(thf)(mu-L)(mu-I)Ca(thf)] (1), [Li(thf)4][{Zn(mu-L)}3(mu3-Cl)] (2), [Li(thf)4][Zn(L)2] (3), [{Li(OEt2)(mu-L)Zn}2(mu-L)] (4), [Li(OEt2)(mu-L)Zn(mu-L)Zn(LH)] (5) and [Li(thf)(mu-L')Li(thf)2] (6). Compounds 1-5 were obtained from [Li2(L)] and CaI2 (1) or ZnCl2 (2-5) while 6 was derived from H2(L') and LiBun. Compound 5 was isolated as a very minor by-product from the synthesis of 4, and is assumed to have been formed therefrom by adventitious hydrolysis. The green salt 3 was paramagnetic with the negative charge uniformly delocalised on the two ligands. The other compounds were colourless and diamagnetic. The X-ray structures of each, except 4, are reported and discussed.     

Niobium and tantalum tris(methimazolyl)borate complexes [M(=NC6H3iPr2-2,6)Cl2{HB(mt)3}] (M = Nb, Ta; mt = methimazolyl)

The first early transition metal tris(methimazolyl)borate com-plexes [M(=NR)Cl2{HB(mt)3}] (M = Nb, Ta; R = C6H3(i)Pr(2)-2,6; mt = methimazolyl) have been obtained from the reactions of [Nb(=NR)Cl3(DME)] or [Ta(=NR)Cl3(THF)2] (DME = dimethyl ether; THF = tetrahydrofuran) with Na[HB(mt)3] and structurally characterized, illustrating that the HB(mt)3 ligand can indeed be compatible with "hard" metals in high oxidation states.