Metal versus ligand alkylation in the reactivity of the (bis-iminopyridinato)Fe catalyst

The alkylation of the Brookhart-Gibson {2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2(C5H3N)} FeCl2 precatalyst with 2 equiv of LiCH2Si(CH3)3 led to the isolation of several catalytically very active products depending on the reaction conditions. The expected dialkylated species {2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2}(C5H3N)Fe(CH2SiMe3)2 (2) was indeed the major component of the reaction mixture. However, other species in which alkylation occurred at the pyridine ring ortho position, {2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2-2-CH2SiMe3}(C5H3N)Fe(CH2SiMe3) (1), and at the imine C atom, {2-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]-6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhNC(CH3)(CH2 SiMe3)](C5H3N)}Fe(CH2SiMe3) (3), have also been isolated and fully characterized. In addition, deprotonation of the methyl-imino functions and formation of a new divalent Fe catalyst {[2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN-C=(CH2)]2(C5H3N)}Fe(mu-Cl)Li(THF)3 (4) also occurred depending on the reaction conditions. In turn, the formation of 4 might trigger the reductive coupling of two units through the methyl-carbon wings. This process resulted in the one-electron reduction of the metal center, affording a dinuclear Fe(I) alkyl catalyst {[{[2,6-(i-Pr)2C6H5]N=C(CH3)}(C5H3N){[2,6-(i-Pr)26H5]N=CCH2}Fe(CH2SiMe3)]}2 (5). Different from other metal derivatives, complex 5 could not be prepared from the monodeprotonated version of the ligand. Its reaction with a mixture of FeCl2 and RLi afforded instead [{2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN-C=(CH2)]2(C5H3N)}FeCH2Si(CH3)3][Li(THF)4] (6) which is also catalytically active. All of these high-spin species have been shown to have high catalytic activity for olefin polymerization, producing polymers of two distinct natures, depending on the formal oxidation state of the metal center.     

Reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia at a well-protected reaction site in a molybdenum triamidoamine complex

We have synthesized a triamidoamine ligand ([(RNCH2CH2)3N]3-) in which R is 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3 (HexaIsoPropylTerphenyl or HIPT). The reaction between MoCl4(THF)2 and H3[HIPTN3N] in THF followed by 3.1 equiv of LiN(SiMe3)2 led to formation of orange [HIPTN3N]MoCl. Reduction of [HIPTN3N]MoCl with magnesium in THF under dinitrogen led to formation of salts that contain the {[HIPTN3N]Mo(N2)}- ion. The {[HIPTN3N]Mo(N2)}- ion can be oxidized by zinc chloride to give [HIPTN3N]Mo(N2) or protonated to give [HIPTN3N]Mo-N=N-H. Other relevant compounds that have been prepared include {[HIPTN3N]Mo-N=NH2}+, [HIPTN3N]MoN, {[HIPTN3N]Mo=NH}+, and {[HIPTN3N]Mo(NH3)}+. (The anion is usually {B(3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)4}- = {BAr'4}-.) Reduction of [HIPTN3N]Mo(N2) with CoCp2 in the presence of {2,6-lutidinium}BAr'4 in benzene leads to formation of ammonia and {[HIPTN3N]Mo(NH3)}+. Preliminary X-ray studies suggest that the HIPT substituent creates a deep, three-fold symmetric cavity that protects a variety of dinitrogen reduction products against bimolecular decomposition reactions, while at the same time the metal is left relatively open toward reactions near the equatorial amido ligands.     

Dinitrogen partial reduction by formally zero- and divalent vanadium complexes supported by the bis-iminopyridine system

Reduction of the two trivalent 2,6-{[2,6-(i-Pr)2C6H5]N=C(CH3)}2(C5H3N)VCl3 and {[2,6-{[2,6-(i-Pr)2C6H3]N-C=(CH2)}2(C5H3N)]VCl(THF) complexes with excess NaH afforded two corresponding end-on dinitrogen-bridged complexes [2,6-{[2,6-(i-Pr)2C6H5]N=C(CH3)}2(C5H3N)V]2(m-N2).(hexane) (1) and [{[2,6-{[2,6-(i-Pr)2C6H3]N-C=(CH2)}2(C5H3N)]V]2(m-N2).(hexane) (3). Despite their very close structural similarity, the two species have completely different natures. The first is paramagnetic and may be regarded as generated by the two-electron attack of two formally zerovalent vanadium moieties on the same N2 unit. In the nearly diamagnetic 3 instead, the N2 unit has been reduced by two vanadium atoms, formally divalent. Structural analysis and DFT calculations have indicated that partial reduction of the bridging nitrogen occurred for both complexes while, in the case of 1, substantial metal-to-ligand electron transfer also occurs.     

The synthesis, structure and ethene polymerisation catalysis of mono(salicylaldiminato) titanium and zirconium complexes

The silyl ethers 3-But-2-(OSiMe3)C6H3CH=NR (2a-e) have been prepared by deprotonation of the known iminophenols (1a-e) and treatment with SiClMe3 (a, R = C6H5; b, R = 2,6-Pri2C6H3; c, R = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2; d, R = 2-C6H5C6H4; e, R = C6F5). 2a-c react with TiCl4 in hydrocarbon solvents to give the binuclear complexes [Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}Cl(mu-Cl3)TiCl3] (3a-c). The pentafluorophenyl species 2e reacts with TiCl4 to give the known complex Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}2Cl2. The mononuclear five-coordinate complex, Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)}Cl3 (4c), was isolated after repeated recrystallisation of 3c. Performing the dehalosilylation reaction in the presence of tetrahydrofuran yields the octahedral, mononuclear complexes Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}Cl3(THF) (5a-e). The reaction with ZrCl4(THF)2 proceeds similarly to give complexes Zr{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(R)}Cl3(THF) (6b-e). The crystal structures of 3b, 4c, 5a, 5c, 5e, 6b, 6d, 6e and the salicylaldehyde titanium complex Ti{3-But-2-(O)C6H3CH=O}Cl3(THF) (7) have been determined. Activation of complexes 5a-e and 6b-e with MAO in an ethene saturated toluene solution gives polyethylene with at best high activity depending on the imine substituent.     

Synthesis and structure of diamido ether uranium(IV) and thorium(IV) halide "ate" complexes and their conversion to salt-free bis(alkyl) complexes

The high-yield synthesis, spectroscopic and structural determination of three new uranium(IV) and thorium(IV)ate complexes supported by three different diamido ether ligands are reported. The reaction of Li2[2,6-iPr2PhN(CH2CH2)]2O (Li2[DIPPNCOCN]) with 1 equiv. of UCl4 in THF generates [DIPPNCOCN]UCl3Li(THF)2(1), while reaction in toluene/ether gives salt-free [DIPPNCOCN]UCl2.1/2C7H8(2), which was identified by paramagnetically shifted 1H NMR. Reaction of 0.5 equiv. of {[tBuNON]UCl2}2([tBuNON]=[(CH3)3CN(Si(CH3)2)]2O2-) with 3.5 equiv. LiI in toluene and a minimal amount of THF results in [tBuNON]UI3Li(THF)2(3) and is very similar in structure to 1. {[MesNON]ThCl3Li(THF)}2(4), a dimeric complex with a Th2Li2Cl6 core, is prepared by reaction of Li2[2,4,6-Me3PhN(Si(CH3)2)]2O (Li2[MesNON]) with ThCl4 in THF. The analogous reaction in toluene did not yield the salt-free complex but rather a sterically crowded diligated compound, [MesNON]2Th (5), which was also structurally characterized. Complex 5 was prepared rationally by reacting 2 equiv. Li2[MesNON] with ThCl4 in toluene. The reaction of 1 and 3 with 2 equiv. of LiCH2Si(CH3)3 generates the stable, salt-free organoactinides [DIPPNCOCN]U(CH2Si(CH3)3)2(6) and [tBuNON]U(CH2Si(CH3)3)2(7). Complex 6 was structurally characterized. These reactions illustrate the viability of ate complexes as useful synthetic precursors.     

Vinyl oxidative coupling as a synthetic route to catalytically active monovalent chromium

Reaction of the deprotonated form of cis-{(t-Bu)N(H)P[μ-N(t-Bu)](2)PN(H)(t-Bu)} with CrCl(3)(THF)(3) afforded the trivalent cis-{(t-Bu)NP[μ-N(t-Bu)](2)PN(t-Bu)}[Li (THF)])CrCl(2) (1). Subsequent reaction with 2 equiv of vinyl Grignard (CH(2)=CH)Mg Cl gave the butadiene derivative (cis-{(t-Bu)NP[μ-N(t-Bu)](2)PN(t-Bu)}[Li(THF)])Cr(cis-η(4)-butadiene) (3) formally containing the metal in its monovalent state. The presence of the monovalent state was thereafter confirmed by DFT calculations. The coordination of the butadiene unit appears to be rather robust since reaction with Me(3)P afforded cleavage of the dimeric ligand core but not its displacement. The reaction formed the new butadiene complex [(t-Bu)N-P-N(t-Bu)]Cr(cis-η(4)-butadiene)PMe(3) (4) containing a regular NPN monoanion. In agreement with the presence of monovalent chromium, complexes 3 and 4 act as single-component self-activating catalysts for selective ethylene trimerization and dimerization, respectively.     

Unique formation of a pentanuclear lanthanum(III) thiolate oxide cluster via control of hydrolysis

The reaction of [(TMS)2N]3La(mu-Cl)Li(THF)3 (1) and HSPh produced a bimetallic complex [{(TMS)2N}2La(THF)]2(mu-SPh)(mu-Cl)] (2). Compound [{(TMS)2N}2La5O(SPh)10LiCl2(THF)6] (3) was prepared by control of the hydrolysis of 2 and LiCl or 1 and HSPh with the proper amount of water. 1 was treated first with 1/6 equiv of H2O and then with equimolar HSPh; a polymeric complex [{(TMS)2N}2(mu-SPh)La(mu-SPh)Li(THF)2](infinity) (4) was isolated. 3 contains a central [(mu-SPh)4(mu3-SPh)2{La(THF)}4(mu3-O)]4+ tetrahedral fragment in which two La atoms are linked by a pair of mu-SPh- and mu3-Cl- ligands to a [{(TMS)2N}2La]+ fragment, while the other two are bridged by two mu-SPh- ligands to a [Li(THF)2]+ fragment, forming a bee-shaped structure.     

Synthesis of [(HIPTNCH2CH2)3N]Cr Compounds (HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3) and an evaluation of chromium for the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia

Red-black [HIPTN3N]Cr (1) ([HIPTN3N]3- = [(HIPTNCH2CH2)3N]3- where HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3 = HexaIsoPropylTerphenyl) can be prepared from CrCl3, while green-black [HIPTN3N]Cr(THF) (2) can be prepared from CrCl3(THF)3. Reduction of {1|2} (which means either 1 or 2) with potassium graphite in ether at room temperature yields [HIPTN3N]CrK (3) as a yellow-orange powder. There is no evidence that dinitrogen is incorporated into 1, 2, or 3. Compounds that can be prepared readily from {1|2} include red [HIPTN3N]CrCO (4), blood-red [HIPTN3N]CrNO (6), and purple [HIPTN3N]CrCl (7, upon oxidation of {1|2} with AgCl). The dichroic (purple/green) Cr(VI) nitride, [HIPTN3N]CrN (8) was prepared from Bu4NN3 and 7. X-ray studies have been carried out on 4, 6, and 7, and on two co-crystallized compounds, 7 and [HIPTN3N]CrN3 (65:35) and [HIPTN3N]CrN3 and 8 (50:50). Exposure of a degassed solution of {1|2} to an atmosphere of ammonia does not yield "Cr(NH3)" as a stable and well-behaved species analogous to Mo(NH3). An attempt to reduce dinitrogen under conditions described for the catalytic reduction of dinitrogen by [HIPTN3N]Mo compounds with 8 yielded a substoichiometric amount (0.8 equiv) of ammonia, which suggests that some ammonia is formed from the nitride but none is formed from dinitrogen.     

Dinitrogen activation, partial reduction, and formation of coordinated imide promoted by a chromium diiminepyridine complex

Reduction of {2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2(C5H3N)}CrCl (3) with NaH afforded the dinuclear dinitrogen complex {[{2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2(C5H3N)}Cr(THF)]2(mu-N2)}.THF (5). Reaction carried in exclusion of dinitrogen afforded instead deprotonation of the ligand with the formation of {2-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]-6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhNC=CH2](C5H3N)}Cr(THF) (4). Further reduction of 5 with NaH yielded a curious dinuclear compound formulated as [{2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2(C5H3N)}Cr(THF)][{2-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]-6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhNC=CH2](C5H3N)}Cr(THF)](mu-N2 H)(mu-Na)2 (6) containing two sodium atoms only bound to the dinitrogen unit and the pi systems of the two diiminepyridine ligands. Subsequent reduction with NaH triggered a complex series of events, leading to the formation of a species formulated as {2-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]-6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhNC=CH2](C5H3N)}Cr(mu-NH)][Na(THF)] (7) on the basis of crystallographic, spectroscopic, isotopic labeling, and chemical degradation experiments.     

Reduction of carbodiimides by samarium(II) bis(trimethylsilyl)amides-formation of oxalamidinates and amidinates through C-C coupling or C-H activation

The reaction of [Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2(THF)2] (THF=tetrahydrofuran) with carbodiimides RN=C=NR (R=Cy, C6H3-2,6-iPr2) led to the formation of dinuclear SmIII complexes via differing C-C coupling processes. For R=Cy, the product [{(Me3Si)2N}2Sm(micro-C2N4Cy4)Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2] (1) has an oxalamidinate [C2N4Cy4]2- ligand resulting from coupling at the central C atoms of two CyNCNCy moieties. In contrast, for R=C6H3-2,6-iPr2, H transfer and an unusual coupling of two iPr methine C atoms resulted in a linked formamidinate complex, [{(Me3Si)2N}2Sm{micro-(RNC(H)N(Ar-Ar)NC(H)NR)}Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2] (2) (Ar-Ar=C6H3-2-iPr-6-C(CH3)2C(CH3)2-6'-C6H3-2'-iPr). Analogous reactions of RN=C=NR (R=Cy, C6H3-2,6-iPr2) with the SmII "ate" complex [Sm{N(SiMe2)3Na] gave 1 for R=Cy, but a novel C-substituted amidinate complex, [(THF)Na{N(R)C(NR)CH2Si(Me2)N(SiMe3)}Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2] (3), for R=C6H3-2,6-iPr2, via gamma C-H activation of a N(SiMe3)2 ligand.     

Synthesis of [(HIPTNCH2CH2)3N]V compounds (HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3) and an evaluation of vanadium for the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia

Green [HIPTN3N]V(THF) ([HIPTN3N]3- = [(HIPTNCH2CH2)3N]3-, where HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3) can be prepared in a 70-80% yield via the addition of H3[HIPTN3N] to VCl3(THF)3 in THF, followed by the addition of LiN(SiMe3)2. From [HIPTN3N]V(THF), the following have been prepared: {[HIPTN3N]VN2}K, [HIPTN3N]V(NH3), [HIPTN3N]V=NH, [HIPTN3N]V=NSiMe3, [HIPTN3N]V=O, [HIPTN3N]V=S, and [HIPTN3N]V(CO). No ammonia is formed from dinitrogen using {[HIPTN3N]VN2}K, [HIPTN3N]V=NH, or [HIPTN3N]V(NH3) as the initial species under conditions that were successful in the analogous [HIPTN3N]Mo system. X-ray structural studies are reported for [HIPTN3N]V(THF) and [HIPTN3N]V(NH3).     

Preparation, characterization, and magnetic behavior of the ln derivatives (ln = nd, la) of a 2,6-diiminepyridine ligand and corresponding dianion

An unprecedented Nd[2,6-[[2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N=C(CH(3))](2)(C(5)H(3)N)]NdI(2)(THF) (1) complex was prepared by oxidizing metallic Nd with I(2) in THF and in the presence of 2,6-[[2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N=C(CH(3))](2)(C(5)H(3)N). The magnetic behavior at variable T clearly indicated that the complex should be regarded as a trivalent Nd atom antiferromagnetically coupled to a radical anion. By using the doubly deprotonated form of the diimino pyridine ligand [[2,6-[[2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N-C=CH(2)](2)(C(5)H(3)N)](2-) (2) the corresponding trivalent complexes [[2,6-[[2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N-C=CH(2)](2)(C(5)H(3)N)]Ln (THF)](mu-Cl)(2)[Li(THF)(2)].0.5 (hexane) [Ln = Nd (3), La (4)] were obtained and characterized. Reduction of these species afforded electron transfer to the ligand system which gave ligand dimerization via C-C bond formation through one of the two ene-amido functions of each molecule. The resulting dinuclear [[([2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N-C=(CH(2)))(C(5)H(3)N)([2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N=CCH(2))]Ln(THF)(2)(mu-Cl)[Li(THF)(3)])(2).2(THF) [Ln = Nd (5), La (6)] were isolated and characterized.     

"Ionic carbenes": synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of rare-Earth metal methylidene complexes

Treatment of mixed chloride tetramethylaluminate polynuclear clusters {Cp*Y[(mu-Me)2AlMe2](mu-Cl)}2 and {Cp*6La6[(mu-Me)3AlMe]4(mu3-Cl)2(mu2-Cl)6} with toluene/THF solutions produces "aluminum-free" methylidene complexes [Cp*3Ln3(mu-Cl)3(mu3-Cl)(mu3-CH2)(THF)3] (Ln = Y, La). The trinuclear methylidene complexes are isostructural in the solid state and feature a sterically well-shielded Schrock-type nucleophilic CH22- unit, which is prone to Tebbe-like methylenation reactions with ketones and aldehydes. The rapid polymerization of gamma-valerolactone reveals intrinsic rare-earth metal reactivity.     

Formation of a paramagnetic Al complex and extrusion of Fe during the reaction of (diiminepyridine)Fe with AlR3 (R = Me, Et)

The reaction of the {2,6-[2,6-(iPr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2(C5H3N)}FeCl2 catalyst precursor with R3Al [R = Me, Et] afforded {2,6-[2,6-(iPr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2(C5H3N)}AlMe2 (1) and [eta4-LAl2Et3(mu-Cl)]Fe-(eta6-C7H8) (2), respectively. These paramagnetic species arises from both transmetalation, during which the strong terdentate ligand loses the Fe center, and reduction. The extent of reduction depends on the nature of the Al alkylating agent. The electrons necessary for the reduction are likely to be provided by cleavage of Fe-C bond of transient low-valent organo-Fe species.     

Synthesis of molybdenum complexes that contain "hybrid" triamidoamine ligands, [(hexaisopropylterphenyl-NCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2N-aryl]3-, and studies relevant to catalytic reduction of dinitrogen

In the Buchwald-Hartwig reaction between HIPTBr (HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3 = hexaisopropylterphenyl) and (H2NCH2CH2)3N, it is possible to obtain a 65% isolated yield of (HIPTNHCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2NH2. A second coupling then can be carried out to yield a variety of "hybrid" ligands, (HIPTNHCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2NHAr, where Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3, 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3, 3,5-(MeO)2C6H3, 3,5-Me2NC5H3, 3,5-Ph2NC5H3, 2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2, or 2,4,6-Me3C6H2. The hybrid ligands may be attached to Mo to yield [hybrid]MoCl species. From the monochloride species, a variety of other species such as [hybrid]MoN, {[hybrid]MoN2}Na, and {[hybrid]Mo(NH3)}+ can be prepared. [Hybrid]MoN2 species were prepared through oxidation of {[hybrid]MoN2}Na species with ZnCl2, but they could not be isolated. [Hybrid]Mo=N-NH species could be observed as a consequence of the protonation of {[hybrid]MoN2}- species, but they too could not be isolated as a consequence of a facile decomposition to yield dihydrogen and [hybrid]MoN2 species. Attempts to reduce dinitrogen catalytically led to little or no ammonia being formed from dinitrogen. The fact that no ammonia was formed from dinitrogen in the case of Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3, 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3, or 3,5-(MeO)2C6H3 could be attributed to a rapid decomposition of intermediate [hybrid]Mo=N-NH species in the catalytic reaction, a decomposition that was shown in separate studies to be accelerated dramatically by 2,6-lutidine, the conjugate base of the acid employed in the attempted catalytic reduction. X-ray structures of [(HIPTNHCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2N{3,5-(CF3)2C6H3}]MoCl and [(HIPTNHCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2N(3,5-Me2C6H3)]MoN2}Na(THF)2 are reported.     

Substituted N-picolylethylenediamines of the type (ArNHCH2CH2){(2-C5H4N)CH2}NR [R = Me, 4-CH2=CH(C6H4)CH2, (2-C5H4N)CH2] and their transition metal(II) halide complexes

Alkylation of (ArNHCH2CH2){(2-C5H4N)CH2}NH with RX [RX = MeI, 4-CH2=CH(C6H4)CH2Cl) and (2-C5H5N)CH2Cl] in the presence of base has allowed access to the sterically demanding multidentate nitrogen donor ligands, {(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)NHCH2CH2}{(2-C5H4N)CH2}NMe (L1), {(2,6-Me3C6H3)NHCH2CH2}{(2-C5H4N)CH2}NCH2(C6H4)-4-CH=CH2 (L2) and (ArNHCH2CH2){(2-C5H4N)CH2}2N (Ar = 2,4-Me2C6H3 L3a, 2,6-Me2C6H3 L3b) in moderate yield. L3 can also be prepared in higher yield by the reaction of (NH2CH2CH2){(2-C5H4N)CH2}2N with the corresponding aryl bromide in the presence of base and a palladium(0) catalyst. Treatment of L1 or L2 with MCl2 [MCl2 = CoCl2.6H2O or FeCl2(THF)1.5] in THF affords the high spin complexes [(L1)MCl2](M = Co 1a, Fe 1b) and [(L2)MCl2](M = Co 2a, Fe 2b) in good yield, respectively; the molecular structure of reveals a five-coordinate metal centre with bound in a facial fashion. The six-coordinate complexes, [(L3a)MCl2](M = Co 3a, Fe 3b, Mn 3c) are accessible on treatment of tripodal L3a with MCl2. In contrast, the reaction with the more sterically encumbered leads to the pseudo-five-coordinate species [(L3b)MCl2](M = Co 4a, Fe 4b) and, in the case of manganese, dimeric [(L3b)MnCl(mu-Cl)]2 (4c); in 4a and 4b the aryl-substituted amine arm forms a partial interaction with the metal centre while in 4c the arm is pendant. The single crystal X-ray structures of , 1a, 3b.MeCN, 3c.MeCN, 4b.MeCN and 4c are described as are the solution state properties of 3b and 4b.     

Anisole-diphenoxide ligands and their zirconium dichloride and dialkyl complexes

Linear triphenol H3[RO3] (2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-R-phenol; R = Me, tBu) was found to undergo selective mono-deprotonation and mono-O-methylation. Deprotonation of H3[RO3] with 1 equiv of nBuLi resulted in the formation of Li{H2[RO3]}(Et2O)2 (R = Me (1a), tBu (1b)), in which the central phenol unit was lithiated. Treatment of H3[RO3] with methyl p-toluenesulfonate in the presence of K2CO3 in CH3CN gave the corresponding anisol-diphenol H2[RO2O] (2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-R-anisole; R = Me (2a), tBu (2b)). Reaction of H2[RO2O] with 2 equiv of nBuLi gave the dilithiated derivatives Li2[RO2O]. The lithium salts were reacted with ZrCl4 in toluene/THF to obtain the dichloride complex [RO2O]ZrCl2(thf) (R = Me (3a), tBu (3b)). 3b underwent dimerization along with a loss of THF to generate {[tBuO2O]ZrCl2}2 (4), whereas 4 was dissolved in THF to regenerate the monomer 3b. Alkylation of 3 with MeMgBr, PhCH2MgCl, and Me3SiCH2MgCl gave [MeO2O]ZrMe2(thf) (5), [RO2O]Zr(CH2Ph)2 (R = Me (6a), tBu (6b)), and [tBuO2O]Zr(CH2SiMe3)2 (7), respectively. Reaction of 3b with LiBHEt3 produced the hydride-bridged dimer [Li2(thf)4Cl]{[tBuO3]Zr}2(micro-H)3} (8), in which demethylation of the dianionic [tBuO2O] ligand took place to give the trianionic [tBuO3] ligand. The X-ray crystal structures of 1b, 2a, 3a, 4, 6a, and 7 were reported.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of beta-diketiminate-lanthanide amides and their catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and epsilon-caprolactone

The synthesis and catalytic activity of lanthanide monoamido complexes supported by a beta-diketiminate ligand are described. Donor solvents, such as DME, can cleave the chloro bridges of the dinuclear beta-diketiminate ytterbium dichloride {[(DIPPh)2nacnac]YbCl(mu-Cl)3Yb[(DIPPh)2nacnac](THF)} (1) [(DIPPh)2nacnac = N,N-diisopropylphenyl-2,4-pentanediimine anion] to produce the monomeric complex [(DIPPh)2nacnac]YbCl2(DME) (2) in high isolated yield. Complex 2 is a useful precursor for the synthesis of beta-diketiminate-ytterbium monoamido derivatives. Reaction of complex 2 with 1 equiv of LiNPri2 in THF at room temperature, after crystallization in THF/toluene mixed solvent, gave the anionic beta-diketiminate-ytterbium amido complex [(DIPPh)2nacnac]Yb(NPri2)(mu-Cl)2Li(THF)2 (3), while similar reaction of complex 2 with LiNPh2 produced the neutral complex [(DIPPh)2nacnac]Yb(NPh2)Cl(THF) (4). Recrystallization of complex 3 from toluene solution at elevated temperature led to the neutral beta-diketiminate-lanthanide amido complex [{(DIPPh)2nacnac}Yb(NPri2)(mu-Cl)]2 (5). The reaction medium has a significant effect on the outcome of the reaction. Complex 2 reacted with 1 equiv of LiNPri2 and LiNC5H10 in toluene to produce directly the neutral beta-diketiminate-lanthanide amido complexes 5 and [{(DIPPh)2nacnac}Yb(NC5H10)(THF)(mu-Cl)]2 (6), respectively. These complexes were well characterized, and their crystal structures were determined. Complexes 4-6 exhibited good catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and epsilon-caprolactone.     

Tripodal amido boron and aluminum complexes

The synthesis and structural elucidations of novel boron and aluminum complexes incorporating the tripodal triamido [N3]3- ligand framework that is hypothesized to promote the preorganized pyramidal geometry for high Lewis acidity are reported. Salt metathesis between the in situ-generated trianionic lithium complexes of the tripodal amido ligands with BCl3 leads to boranes HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3B (1) and MeSi[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3B (2); however, substitution of the N-Ar group with the bulky tBu affords the unexpected non-boron-containing LiCl adduct {[HC(SiMe2NtBu)2(SiMeNtBu)]Li3(Et2O)Cl}2 (3) via apparent elimination of MeBCl2. The products derived from the salt metathesis reaction with AlCl3 are determined by the reaction medium: while the reaction in a hexanes-ether mixture or toluene affords solvated salt adduct HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3Al.ClLi(Et2O)2 (4) or salt adduct HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3Al.ClLi (5), respectively; the addition of a small amount of THF produces a mixture of complexes HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3Al.(THF) (6, major) and HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3Al(OCH=CH2).Li(THF)2 (7, minor). The desired complex 6 can be exclusively formed using HC[SiMe2N(4-MeC6H4)]3Li3.(THF)3 and the hexanes-ether mixture solvent. The molecular structures of complexes 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 have been elucidated by X-ray diffraction studies. The structure of 1 shows an approximately trigonal pyramidal geometry at B with no significant N-B p-p pi-interactions. The strong salt adduct and solvate formation of the tripodal amido Al complex, as well as its similarity to the strong Lewis acid Al(C6F5)3 in the THF adduct and enolaluminate formation and structure, indicate the desired core structure [N3]Al is indeed highly Lewis acidic.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two coordination polymers based on N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)pyromellitic diimide and fluorescence thiocyanate sensing

Transition Metal Chemistry - Two N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)pyromellitic diimide (3-pmpmd) coordination polymers, namely{[Hg(3-pmpmd)I2]·H2O)}n (1), {[Ni2(3-pmpmd)3 (NO3)4]·2CH3OH}n...