Sterically crowded diolates of group 13 metals

The dependence of the structure of complexes of sterically crowded 2,4-dimethylpentane-2,4-diol with group 13 metals trialkyls on the kind of metal, as well as steric bulk of the substituents on the metal atoms is reported. The reaction of ^tBu₃Ga with 2,4-dimethylpentane-2,4-diol leads to the formation of an unstable dimeric product {^tBu₂Ga[(OC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂OH]}₂ (1) possessing a four-membered Ga₂O₂ core and two unreacted hydroxyl groups. Compound 1 undergoes further intramolecular reaction to yield the unusual (monoalkyl)gallane O,O^′-chelate complex {^tBuGa[OC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂O]}₂ (2). In contrast to ^tBu₃Ga, ^tBu₃In reacts with 2,4-dimethylpentane-2,4-diol to give the stable dimeric complex ^tBu₄In₂[OC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂OH]₂ (4) stabilised by two intramolecular O-H?O bonds. At higher temperature compound 4 reacts with an excess of ^tBu₃In to form the trinuclear complex ^tBu₅In₃[OC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂O]₂ (5). The reactions of 2,4-dimethylpentane-2,4-diol with trialkylmetallane with small alkyl groups, i.e. Me₃Ga and Me₃In allow for the isolation of the trinuclear diolates {Me₅M₃[OC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂O]₂} [M=Ga (3), M=In (6)]. The crystal structures of 2, 3 and 4 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The reactions of tert-butylmetallane diolates with trimethyl metallanes have been studied. The interaction of the allane complex {^tBuAl[OC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂O]}₂ with Me₃Al results in the formation of the trialuminium mixed-ligand product {Me₃(^tBu)₂Al₃[OC(CH₃)₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂O]₂} (7). Compounds 2 and 4 undergo a total transmetallation reaction in the presence of Me₃M to yield [Me₅M₃(diol-(2H))₂] [M=Al, Ga] products.     

Palladium complexes of multidentate pyrazolylmethyl pyridine ligands: Synthesis,structures and phenylacetylene polymerization

The compounds, 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (_MeNˆNˆN) (L1) and 2,6-bis(3,5-ditertbutylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (_tBuNˆNˆN) (L2), react with either [Pd(NCMe)₂Cl₂] or [Pd(COD)ClMe] to form the mononuclear palladium complexes [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Cl₂] (1), [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)ClMe] (2), [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)Cl₂] (3) and [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)ClMe] (4). Reactions of 1, 2 and 4 with the halide abstractor, NaBAr₄ (Ar = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃), led to the formation of stable tridentate cationic species [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Cl]⁺(5), [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Me]⁺ (6) and [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)Cl]⁺ (7) respectively. The analogous carbonyl linker cationic species [Pd{(3,5-Me₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl]⁺ (9) and [Pd{(3,5-^tBu₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl]⁺ (10), prepared by halide abstraction of the neutral complexes [Pd{(3,5-Me₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl₂] and [Pd{(3,5-^tBu₂pz-CO)₂-py}Cl₂] by NaBAr₄, were however less stable with t_1/2 of 14 and 2 days respectively. Attempts to crystallize 1 and 3 from the mother liquor resulted in the isolation of the salts [Pd(_MeNˆNˆN)Cl]₂[Pd₂Cl₆] (11) and [Pd(_tBuNˆNˆN)Cl]₂[Pd₂Cl₆] (12). Although when complexes 1–4 were reacted with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) or NaBAr₄, no active catalysts for ethylene oligomerization or polymerization were formed, activation with silver triflate (AgOTf) produced active catalysts that oligomerized and polymerized phenylacetylene to a mixture of cis-transoidal and trans-cisoidal polyphenylacetylene.     

Diazaallyls of group 4 metals based on trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane

Amination of 1-bromo-2-methylpyridine with trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane gives the corresponding bis(aminopyridine) H₂L¹. Conversion of the same diamine to the N,N′-bis(amino-4,4-dimethylthiazoline) H₂L² is also completed in three steps. The analogous aminooxazoline is however inaccessible, although the aminocyclohexane analogue is prepared readily. The proligand H₂L¹ forms bis(aminopyridinato) alkyl complexes of the type [ZrL¹R₂] (R = CH₂Ph, CH₂Bu^t). The molecular structure of the neopentyl complex shows that the chiral backbone leads to a puckering of the N₄Zr coordination sphere, which contrasts with the related cyclohexyl-bridged Schiff-base complexes which are essentially planar. [ZrL²(CH₂Bu^t)₂] - the first aminothiazolinato complex - is formed similarly. A comparison of the structures of [ZrL¹(CH₂Bu^t)₂] and [ZrL²(CH₂Bu^t)₂] indicates that the latter has a fully delocalised N-C-N system, rather similar to a bis(amidinate). Reaction of H₂L² with [Ti(NMe₂)₄] gives [TiL²(NMe₂)₂] which appears to be C₂-symmetric like the above complexes according to NMR spectra, but has one uncoordinated thiazoline unit in the solid state. This is a result of increased ring strain at the smaller titanium metal centre.     

Dibenzothiepins, phthalans and phthalides from 4-heterosubstituted dibenzothiins

The lithiation of 4-heterosubstituted dibenzothiins 1 (phenoxathiin, phenothiazine and thianthrene) with lithium and a catalytic amount of 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DTBB, 7.5% molar) in THF at temperatures ranging from −90 to −78°C gives the corresponding functionalised organolithium intermediate I, which by reaction with different electrophiles [H₂O, D₂O, Bu^tCHO, PhCHO, Ph(CH₂)₂CHO, Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₅CO, (CH₂)₇CO] at the same temperature, followed by hydrolysis, gives the expected functionalised thiols 2. Cyclisation of some thiols 2 under acidic conditions leads to the corresponding seven-membered dibenzo heterocycles 5. In the case of thianthrene 1c, after addition of a carbonyl compound as the first electrophile [MeCHO, Bu^tCHO, Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₅CO], the corresponding intermediate II can be lithiated again and react with a second electrophile. Diols 3 are obtained after hydrolysis when a carbonyl compound [Bu^tCHO, PhCHO, Ph(CH₂)₂CHO, Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₅CO] is used as the second electrophile. Acidic cyclisation of diols 3 gives substituted phthalans 6 in almost quantitative yields. Finally, in the case of using carbon dioxide as the second electrophile, phthalides 4 are obtained after acidic hydrolysis.     

Synthesis and structures of some sterically hindered zinc complexes containing 6-membered and rings

Zinc β-diketiminates containing the N,N′-chelating ligand [{N(SiMe₃)C(Ph)}₂CH]⁻ (≡LL⁻) [Zn(LL)(μ-Cl)]₂ (1) and [ZnEt(LL)thf] (2) were prepared from 2ZnCl₂ + [Li(LL)]₂ and ZnEt₂ + H(LL), respectively. The new phenols 2-(N-R-piperazinyl-N′-methyl)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol [R = Ph (3a), Me (3b)] and 2,2-[μ-N,N′-piperazindiyldimethyl]-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol) (4) were obtained from 2,4-tBu₂C₆H₃OH, (CH₂O)_n and the appropriate piperazine. Zinc phenoxides 5, 7 and 8 were derived from 2ZnEt₂ with 2(3a), 2(3b) and 4, respectively. Controlled methanolysis of 5 furnished the bis(phenoxo)zinc compound Zn[OC₆H₂tBu₂-2,4-{CH₂N(CH₂CH₂)₂NPh}-6]₂ (6). The X-ray structures of the crystalline zinc compounds 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8, are presented; each of 5-8 contains two six-membered rings. The centrosymmetric molecule 1 has a rhomboidal (ZnCl)₂ core with exceptionally different Zn-Cl and Zn-Cl′ bond lengths of 2.248(1) and 2.509(1) Å, respectively. None of 1, 2 or 5-8 was an effective catalyst for the copolymerisation of an oxirane and CO₂.     

Titanium(IV) complexes with monocyclopentadienyl and phenoxy-alkoxo ligands: Synthesis,structures and catalytic properties for ethylene polymerization

Three monochlorotitanium complexes Cp′Ti(2,4-^tBu₂-6-(CPh₂O)C₆H₂O)Cl [Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₅ (2), η⁵-C₅(CH₃)₅ (3), η⁵-C₅H₂Ph₂CH₃ (4)] have been synthesized in high yields (>90%) by the reaction of corresponding Cp′TiCl₃ with the dilithium salt of ligand 2,4-^tBu₂-6-(CPh₂OH)C₆H₂OH (1). When activated by [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ and AlⁱBu₃, complexes 2–4 exhibit reasonable catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization, producing polyethylenes with moderate molecular weights and melting points. Addition of excess water to complex 2 gave the oxo-bridged complex [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)(2,4-^tBu₂-6-(CPh₂O)C₆H₂O)]₂O (5). Complexes 4 and 5 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Reactions of benzopinacol with group 13 alkyl metals:: Crystal structure of Me6In4[OC(C6H5)2C(C6H5)2O]2(OCH3)2, a new alkylalkoxo indium diolate

Reactions of Me₅Al₃[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂ (1) with alcohols ROH (R = Me, Et, ^tBu) in a 1:1 molar ratio afforded the compound Me₂Al₂[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂(C₄H₈O) (2) and a mixture of methylaluminum alkoxides. The alcohols acted as the factor formally eliminating a molecule of Me₃Al (as a methylaluminum alkoxide) from compound 1. ^tBu₃Al reacted with an equimolar amount of benzopinacol to form the monomeric complex ^tBuAl[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O](C₄H₈O) (3). Reactions of Me₃Ga and Me₃In with benzopinacol yielded trinuclear complexes Me₅M₃[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂ (4 (M = Ga), 5 (M = In)), isostructural to compound 1. In the presence of water and alcohols, compounds 4 and 5 underwent a decomposition reaction to benzopinacol and a mixture of metalloxanes and alkoxides. An unusual methylmethoxo indium benzopinacolate Me₆In₄[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂(OCH₃)₂ (6) was obtained in the reaction of benzopinacol with Me₃In and Me₂InOMe in a 1:1:1 molar ratio. Molecular structures of the compounds 3, 4 and 6 were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of [Bu3SbCr(CO)5], [Bu3BiM(CO)5] (M = Cr, W), and [Bu3BiMnCp′(CO)2] (Cp′ = η-C5H4CH3)

Syntheses and crystal structures of [^tBu₃SbCr(CO)₅] (1), [^tBu₃BiM(CO)₅] [M = Cr (2), W (3)] and [^tBu₃BiMnCp′(CO)₂] (4) (Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃) are reported.     

Reactions of 1,2-catechol with Bu3M (M = Ga, In). Structures of intermediate products

Reactions of 1,2-catechol with ^tBu₃M (M = Ga, In) have been studied. Trinuclear compounds [^tBu₅M₃(OC₆H₄O)₂] [M = Ga (1), M = In (2)] were synthesised in the reaction of 2 equiv. of C₆H₄(OH)₂ with 3 equiv. of ^tBu₃M in refluxing solvents. At room temperature the reaction of 1,2-catechol with ^tBu₃In in Et₂O leads to the formation of a binuclear complex [^tBu₄In₂(OC₆H₄OH)₂ · 2Et₂O] (3) possessing a four-membered In₂O₂ core and two unreacted hydroxyl groups. The same reaction carried out in a non-coordinating solvent (CH₂Cl₂) results in formation a compound [^tBu₃In₂(OC₆H₄O)(OC₆H₄OH)] (4), which undergoes a reaction with ^tBu₃In to yield the product 2. Moreover two intermediate isomeric products 5 and 6 of formula [^tBu₃Ga₂(OC₆H₄O)(OC₆H₄OH)] were isolated from the post-reaction mixture of 1,2-catechol with ^tBu₃Ga. The compound 6 possessing a different coordination of gallium atoms than 5 is a result of the intramolecular rearrangement of the compound 5 to decrease the steric repultion between ligands. Compounds 3 and 6 were structurally characterised. According to the structure of intermediate products 3-6 a reaction pathway of 1,2-catechols with group 13 metal trialkyls was proposed.     

Crystal structure and spectral characterization of hexanuclear oxo titanium(IV) clusters: [Ti6O6(OSi(CH3)3)6(OOCR)6] (R = Bu,CH2Bu,C(CH3)2Et)

Hexanuclear oxo titanium(IV) siloxo carboxylate complexes with the general formula [Ti₆O₆(OSi(CH₃)₃)₆(OOCR)₆] (R = Bu^t (1), CH₂Bu^t (2), C(CH₃)₂Et (3)) were synthesized in quantitative yield, by the reaction of Ti(OSiMe₃)₄ with the appropriate organic acid. Crystal structure determination revealed that molecules of 1–3 are composed of [Ti₆-(μ₃-O)₆] cores stabilized by six syn–syn carboxylato bridges and six terminal siloxide ligands. Each metal atom is surrounded by six oxo atoms, capping the triangular faces of the distorted octahedron. Spectral characterization (IR, NMR) of 1–3 revealed a significant non-equivalence of the carboxylate group interactions, resulting from the asymmetry of the Ti-μ-OOC bonds of the syn–syn bridges. The thermal stability of the studied compounds was determined from TGA/DTA analysis.     

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

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

From lithium ketazides to isomeric silylketazine-rings - imine-enamine tautomerism

Di(tert-butylmethyl)ketazine (I) reacts with n-BuLi in a 1:1 molar ratio to give a monolithium salt (II). The reaction of II with ^tBu₂SiF₂ in n-hexane leads, even in a 1:1 molar ratio, to the formation of the isomeric five- and four-membered ring compounds 1 and 2. Compound 1 has an endocyclic imine and an exocyclic enamine unit. The opposite is found for 2. The acyclic monosubstitution product, ^tBu₂SiFCH₂-C^tBuN-NC^tBuCH₃ (III) could not be isolated. It reacts with the lithium ketazide to give 1 or 2. I is reformed. The reaction in THF yields only the four-membered ring 2. In a comparable reaction of the lithium ketazide and (H₃C)₂SiF₂, the substitution product 3 could be isolated. A possible formation mechanism for 2 includes an intermediate silene IV. Both compounds 1 and 2 react with H₃C-OH under cleavage of the endocyclic Si-N-bond to give the addition product 5. The reaction mechanism includes a hydrogen shift from a nitrogen atom to a carbon atom via an imine-enamine tautomerism. In a 2:1 molar ratio, n-BuLi and the di(tert-butylmethyl)-ketazine (I) form the dilithium salt, 6. Compound 6 crystallizes from THF as trimer with four imine and two enamine units. A seven-membered ring (7) isomeric to 1 and 2 is the result of the reaction of 6 with ^tBu₂SiF₂. Compound 7 contains one imine and one enamine unit in the ring skeleton.The comparable reaction of the (CH₃)₃Si-substituted dilithium-di(tert-butylmethyl)ketazide and ^tBu₂SiF₂ yields the five-membered ring compound 8 with one endocyclic imine and one exocyclic enamine unit.Quantum chemical calculations of 1, 2, 7 and the intermediate silene IV have been carried out and show a low energy difference between the cyclic silyl-ketazine isomers.     

Synthesis and evaluation of substituted pyrazoles palladium(II) complexes as ethylene polymerization catalysts

The substituted pyrazole palladium complexes, (3,5-^tBu₂pz)₂PdCl₂ (1) (3,5-Me₂pz)₂PdCl₂ (2), (3-Mepz)₂PdCl₂ (3) and (pz)₂PdCl₂ (4) (pzH=pyrazole), can be prepared from the reaction of (COD)PdCl₂ with the appropriate pyrazole. The chloromethyl derivative, (3,5-^tBu₂pz)₂PdCl(Me) (5), was prepared from (COD)PdClMe and ^tBu₂pzH. X-ray crystal structure determination of 1 and 5 established their structures in the solid state to be the trans-isomer. After activation of 1-4 and 5 with methylaluminoxane (MAO) the resulting palladium complexes were used as catalysts in ethylene polymerization, yielding linear high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The highest activity was observed for (3,5-^tBu₂pz)PdClMe.     

Synthesis and reactivity of asymmetrically substituted ansa-bridged zirconocene complexes: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{R(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}Cl2] (R = Bu, Bu) and [Zr{Bu(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}(CH2Ph)2]

The dialkyl complexes, (R = Prⁱ, R′ = Me (2a), CH₂Ph (3a); R = Buⁿ, R′ = Me (2b), CH₂Ph (3b); R = Bu^t, R′ = Me (2c), CH₂Ph (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Me (2d), CH₂Ph (3d)), have been synthesized by the reaction of the ansa-metallocene dichloride complex, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (R = Prⁱ (1a), Buⁿ (1b), Bu^t (1c), Ph (1d)), and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Gringard reagent. The insertion reaction of the isocyanide reagent, CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6, into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of 2 gave the corresponding η²-iminoacyl derivatives, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}{η²-MeCNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6}Me] (R = Prⁱ (4a), Buⁿ (4b), Bu^t (4c), Ph (4d)). The molecular structures of 1b, 1c and 3b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Coordination and extraction studies of an unexplored bi-functional ligand,carbamoyl methyl pyrazole (CMPz) with uranium(VI), lanthanum(III) and cerium(III) nitrates

The bi-functional carbamoyl methyl pyrazole ligands, C₅H₇N₂CH₂CONBu₂ (L₁), C₅H₇N₂CH₂CONⁱBu₂ (L₂), C₃H₃N₂CH₂CONBu₂ (L₃), C₃H₃N₂CH₂CONⁱBu₂ (L₄) and C₅H₇N₂CH₂CON(C₈H₁₇)₂ (L₅) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analysis methods. The selected coordination chemistry of L₁ to L₄ with [UO₂(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O], [La(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O] and [Ce(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O] has been evaluated. Structures for the compounds [UO₂(NO₃)₂ C₅H₇N₂CH₂CONBu₂] (6) [UO₂(NO₃)₂ C₅H₇N₂CH₂CONⁱBu₂] (7) and [Ce(NO₃)₃{C₃H₃N₂CH₂CONⁱBu₂}₂] (11) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Preliminary extraction studies of the ligand L₅ with U(VI) and Pu(IV) in tracer level showed an appreciable extraction for U(VI) and Pu(IV) up to 10 M HNO₃ but not for Am(III). Thermal studies of the compounds 6 and 7 in air revealed that the ligands can be destroyed completely on incineration.     

Trifluoroacetylacetonate rhodium(III) methyl complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(L)][BPh4] and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(I)] (L = CH3CN, NH3, pyridine), in comparison with their acetylacetonate analogs

The oxidative addition of CH₃I to planar rhodium(I) complex [Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂] in acetonitrile (TFA is trifluoroacetylacetonate) leads to the formation of cationic, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (1), or neutral, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (4), rhodium(III) methyl complexes depending on the reaction conditions. 1 reacts readily with NH₃ and pyridine to form cationic complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (2) and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(Py)][BPh₄] (3), respectively. Acetylacetonate methyl complex of rhodium(III), cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (5), was obtained by the action of NaI on cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] in acetone at −15 °C. Complexes 1-5 were characterized by elemental analysis, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR. For complexes 2, 3, 4 conductivity data in acetone solutions are reported. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 were determined. NMR parameters of 1-5 and related complexes are discussed from the viewpoint of their isomerism.     

1,3-Dichloro-2-butene: a useful precursor for the 2-butene-1,3-dianion and its corresponding 1,3-dipolar synthon

The reaction of 1,3-dicloro-2-butene (1; 5:1 Z:E-mixture) with lithium powder and a catalytic amount of 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DTBB, 1% molar) in the presence of different electrophiles [EtCHO, PrⁱCHO, Bu^tCHO, c-C₆H₁₁CHO, Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₄CO, (CH₂)₅CO, (c-C₃H₅)₂CO, Me₃SiCl] in THF at temperatures ranging between −78 and −50°C gives, after hydrolysis with water, the corresponding products 2 in different Z:E-ratios depending on the electrophile used. Treatment of some diols 2 with hydrochloric acid gives dienic alcohols 3 or substituted dihydropyrans 4, depending on the structure of the starting diol. Finally, the same dichlorinated starting material is transformed into the corresponding allylic amines derived from morpholine and benzyl methyl amine and submitted to the same DTBB-catalysed lithiation as above, so after reaction with different electrophiles [Bu^tCHO, c-C₆H₁₁CHO, Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₄CO, (CH₂)₅CO, Me₃SiCl] and final hydrolysis with water, compounds 7 are isolated having a Z-configuration. A mechanistic explanation for this behaviour is given.     

Thermal behaviour of hexanuclear titanium(IV) oxo isopropoxide carboxylates,and their usability as a single-source TiO2 CVD precursors

Hexanuclear oxo titanium(IV) isopropoxide carboxylates, of the general formula [Ti₆O₆(OPrⁱ)₆(O₂CR)₆] (R = Bu^t (1), CH₂Bu^t (2)) and [Ti₆O₆(OPrⁱ)₆(O₂CC(CH₃)₂Et)₆] · 0.5(C₇H₈) (3), have been synthesized as polycrystalline powders in order to study their thermal properties and usability as TiO₂ CVD precursors. Analysis of thermogravimetric and variable temperature (VT-IR) data shows that the thermal stability of the synthesized complexes decreases as follows 3 > 2 > 1. The composition of the vapors formed during the thermolysis of 1–3 were qualitatively analysed with VT-IR methods and mass spectrometry (MS-EI). According to obtained results, the decomposition of 1 and 2 proceeds with a partial decomposition and the formation of a volatile and stable titanium species, sufficient for their transport in vapors. The formation of volatile titanium-containing derivatives is an important factor that decides the application of 1 and 2 as precursors in CVD experiments. The high stability of 3 causes the thermal decomposition of this complex to be observed just above 573 K, and volatile titanium-containing derivatives were not detected in vapors. These results indicate that 3 could not be used as a precursor in CVD processes.     

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

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

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum complexes of 2-pyrazol-1-yl-ethenolate ligands

The synthesis and the characterization of some new aluminum complexes with bidentate 2-pyrazol-1-yl-ethenolate ligands are described. 2-(3,5-Disubstituted pyrazol-1-yl)-1-phenylethanones, 1-PhC(O)CH₂-3,5-R₂C₃HN₂ (1a, R = Me; 1b, R = Bu^t), were prepared by solventless reaction of 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole or 3,5-di-tert-butyl pyrazole with PhC(O)CH₂Br. Reaction of 1a or 1b with (R¹ = Me, Et) yielded N,O-chelate alkylaluminum complexes (2a, R = R¹ = Me; 2b, R = Bu^t, R¹ = Me; 2c, R = Me, R¹ = Et). Compound 1a was readily lithiated with LiBuⁿ in thf or toluene to give lithiated species 3. Treatment of 3 with 0.5 equiv of MeAlCl₂ or AlCl₃ yielded five-coordinated aluminum complexes [XAl(OC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1})₂] (4, X = Me; 5, X = Cl). Reaction of 5 with an equiv of LiHBEt₃ generated [Al(OC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1})₃] (6). Complex 6 was also obtained by reaction of 3 with 1/3 equiv of AlCl₃. Treatment of 5 with 2 equiv of AlMe₃ yielded complex 2a, whereas with an equiv of AlMe₃ afforded a mixture of 2a and [Me(Cl)AlOC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1}] (7). Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a-2c and 4-6 were characterized by elemental analyses, NMR and IR (for 1a and 1b) spectroscopy. The structures of complexes 2a and 5 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Both 2a and 5 are monomeric in the solid state. The coordination geometries of the aluminum atoms are a distorted tetrahedron for 2a or a distorted trigonal bipyramid for 5.