Group 13 Ligand Supported Heavy‐Metal Complexes: First Structural Evidence for Gallium–Lead and Gallium–Mercury Bonds

Heavy‐metal complexes of lead and mercury stabilized by Group 13 ligands were derived from the oxidative addition of Ga(ddp) (ddp=HC(CMeNC₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)₂, 2‐diisopropylphenylamino‐4‐diisopropyl phenylimino‐2‐pentene) with corresponding metal precursors. The reaction of Me₃PbCl and Ga(ddp) afforded compound [{(ddp)Ga(Cl)}PbMe₃] ( 1 ) composed of Ga? Pb^IV bonds. In addition, the monomeric plumbylene‐type compound [{(ddp)Ga(OSO₂CF₃)}₂Pb(thf)] ( 2 a ) with an unsupported Ga‐Pb^II‐Ga linkage was obtained by the reaction of [Pb(OSO₂CF₃)₃] with Ga(ddp) (2 equiv). Compound 2 a falls under the rare example of a discrete plumbylene‐type compound supported by a nonclassical ligand. Interesting structural changes were observed when [Pb(OSO₂CF₃)₃] ? 2 H₂O was treated with Ga(ddp) in a 1:2 ratio to yield [{(ddp)Ga(μ‐OSO₂CF₃)}₂(OH₂)Pb] ( 2 b ) at below ?10 °C. Compound 2 b consists of a bent Ga‐Pb‐Ga backbone with a bridging triflate group between the Ga? Pb bond and a weakly interacting water molecule at the gallium center. Similarly, the reaction of mercury thiolate Hg(SC₆F₅) with Ga(ddp) (2 equiv) produced the bimetallic homoleptic compounds anti‐[{(ddp)Ga(SC₆F₅)}₂Hg] ( 3 a ) and gauche‐[{(ddp)Ga(SC₆F₅)}₂Hg] ( 3 b ), respectively, with a linear Ga‐Hg‐Ga linkage. Compounds 1 – 3 were structurally characterized and these are the first examples of compounds comprised of Ga? Pb^II, Ga? Pb^IV, and Ga? Hg bonds.     

Intramolecularly Stabilised Group 10 Metal Stannyl and Stannylene Complexes: Multi‐pathway Synthesis and Observation of Platinum‐to‐Tin Alkyl Transfer

Reaction of [PdClMe(P^N)₂] with SnCl₂ followed by Cl‐abstraction leads to apparent Pd?C bond activation, resulting in methylstannylene species trans‐[PdCl{(P^N)₂SnClMe}][BF₄] (P^N=diaryl phosphino‐N‐heterocycle). In contrast, reaction of Pt analogues with SnCl₂ leads to Pt?Cl bond activation, resulting in methylplatinum species trans‐[PtMe{(P^N)₂SnCl₂}][BF₄]. Over time, they isomerise to methylstannylene species, indicating that both kinetic and thermodynamic products can be isolated for Pt, whereas for Pd only methylstannylene complexes are isolated. Oxidative addition of RSnCl₃ (R=Me, Bu, Ph) to M⁰ precursors (M=Pd or Pt) in the presence of P^N ligands results in diphosphinostannylene pincer complexes trans‐[MCl{(P^N)₂SnCl(R)}][SnCl₄R], which are structurally similar to the products from SnCl₂ insertion. This showed that addition of RSnCl₃ to M⁰ results in formal Sn?Cl bond oxidative addition. A probable pathway of activation of the tin reagents and formation of different products is proposed and the relevancy of the findings for Pd and Pt catalysed processes that use SnCl₂ as a co‐catalyst is discussed.     

Secondary Interactions in Phosphane‐Functionalized Group 4 Cycloheptatrienyl–Cyclopentadienyl Sandwich Complexes

Twice as reactive : The coordination chemistry of phosphane‐functionalized Zr and Hf cycloheptatrienyl–cyclopentadienyl complexes gives rise to unusual secondary interactions associated with the presence of Lewis acidic 16‐electron sandwich moieties. These structures can develop weak dative bonds as exemplified by the noncovalent Pd→Zr interaction in the heterobimetallic {Zr₂Pd} complex (see picture).

     

Synthesis of Triangular Tripalladium Cations as Noble‐Metal Analogues of the Cyclopropenyl Cation

The first C₃‐symmetric 44‐core‐valence‐electron triangular palladium clusters, [{(SAr′)(PAr₃)Pd}₃]⁺, have been synthesized by activation of the C? S bond of isothioureas. Owing to delocalized metal–metal bonding, these stable complexes are the first noble‐metal analogues of the π‐aromatic cyclopropenyl cation [C₃H₃]⁺, with their all‐metal aromaticity involving d‐type atomic orbitals.     

Lanthanoid–Transition‐Metal Bonding in Bismetallocenes

Bismetallocenes [Cp₂LuReCp₂] and [Cp*₂LaReCp₂] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl; Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) were prepared using different synthetic strategies. Salt metathesis—performed in aromatic hydrocarbons to avoid degradation pathways caused by THF—were identified as an attractive alternative to alkane elimination. Although alkane elimination is more attractive in the sense of its less elaborate workup, the rate of the reaction shows a strong dependence on the ionic radius of Ln³⁺ (Ln=lanthanide) within a given ligand set. Steric hindrance can cause a dramatic decrease in the reaction rate of alkane elimination. In this case, salt metathesis should be considered the better alternative. Covalent bonding interactions between the Ln and transition‐metal (TM) cations has been quantified on the basis of the delocalization index. Its magnitude lies within the range characteristic for bonds between transition metals. Secondary interactions were identified between carbon atoms of the Cp ligand of the transition metal and the Ln cation. Model calculations clearly indicated that the size of these interactions depends on the capability of the TM atom to act as an electron donor (i.e., a Lewis base). The consequences can even be derived from structural details. The observed clear dependency of the Lu?Ru and interfragment Lu?C bonding on the THF coordination of the Lu atom points to a tunable Lewis acidity at the Ln site, which provides a method of significantly influencing the structure and the interfragment bonding.     

Luminescent Heteropolynuclear Complexes of 3,5‐Dimethylpyrazolate [Pt2Au2M2(Me2pz)8] (M=Ag,Cu) Showing the Synergistic Effect of Three Transition Elements in the Excited State

Swap the coins! The Pt₂Au₂, Pt₂Au₂Cu₂, and Pt₂Au₂Ag₂ complexes of 3,5‐dimethylpyrazolate exhibit yellow‐green, orange, and sky‐blue luminescence, respectively (see figure). The emission energies of Pt₂Au₂M₂ complexes can be controlled by the change of the third coinage metal ions M. The Pt₂Au₂M₂ complexes take the cis configuration with respect to the Au₂M₂ plane.

     

Temperature‐Dependent Electron Shuffle in Molecular Group 13/15 Intermetallic Complexes

Monovalent RAl (R=HC[C(Me)N(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)]₂) reacts with E₂Et₄ (E=Sb, Bi) with insertion into the weak E? E bond and subsequent formation of RAl(EEt₂)₂ (E=Sb 1 ; Bi 2 ). The analogous reactions of RGa with E₂Et₄ yield a temperature‐dependent equilibrium between RGa(EEt₂)₂ (E=Sb 3 ; Bi 4 ) and the starting reagents. RIn does not interact with Sb₂Et₄ under various reaction conditions, but formation of RIn(BiEt₂)₂ ( 5 ) was observed in the reaction with Bi₂Et₄ at low temperature.     

Base‐Stabilized Boryl and Cationic Haloborylene Complexes of Iron

The synthesis of base‐stabilized boryl and borylene complexes is reported. An N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐stabilized iron–dihydroboryl complex was prepared by two different routes including methane liberation and salt elimination. A range of base‐stabilized iron–dichloroboryl complexes was prepared by addition of Lewis bases to boryl complexes. Base‐stabilized, cationic monochloroborylene complexes were synthesized from these boryl complexes by halide abstraction by using weakly coordinating anions.     

Isolation of a Neutral Boron‐Containing Radical Stabilized by a Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Carbene

Utilizing a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) as a ligand, neutral CAAC‐stabilized radicals containing a boryl functionality could be prepared by reduction of the corresponding haloborane adducts. The radical species with a duryl substituent was fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. Compared to known neutral boryl radicals, the isolated radical species showed larger spin density on the boron atom. Furthermore, the compound that was isolated is extraordinarily stable to high temperatures under inert conditions, both in solution and in the solid state. Electrochemical investigations of the radical suggest the possibility to generate a stable formal boryl anion species.     

Multiple Bonding Between Group 3 Metals and Fe(CO)3−

Heteronuclear Group 3 metal/iron carbonyl anion complexes ScFe(CO)₃^?, YFe(CO)₃^?, and LaFe(CO)₃^? are prepared in the gas phase and studied by mass‐selective infrared (IR) photodissociation spectroscopy as well as quantum‐chemical calculations. All three anion complexes are characterized to have a metal–metal‐bonded C_3v equilibrium geometry with all three carbonyl ligands bonded to the iron center and a closed‐shell singlet electronic ground state. Bonding analyses reveal that there are multiple bonding interactions between the bare group‐3 elements and the Fe(CO)₃^? fragment. Besides one covalent electron‐sharing metal–metal σ bond and two dative π bonds from Fe to the Group 3 metal, there is additional multicenter covalent bonding with the Group 3 atom bonded to Fe and the carbon atoms.     

Crystallographic Evidence for Direct Metal–Metal Bonding in a Stable Open‐Shell La2@Ih‐C80 Derivative

Endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) have novel structures and properties that are closely associated with the internal metallic species. Benzyl radical additions have been previously shown to form closed‐shell adducts by attaching an odd number of addends to open‐shell EMFs (such as Sc₃C₂@I_h‐C₈₀) whereas an even number of groups are added to closed‐shell EMFs (for example Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀). Herein we report that benzyl radical addition to the closed‐shell La₂@I_h‐C₈₀ forms a stable, open‐shell monoadduct instead of the anticipated closed‐shell bisadduct. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction results show the formation of a stable radical species. In this species, the La?La distance is comparable to the theoretical value of a La?La covalent bond and is shorter than reported values for other La₂@I_h‐C₈₀ derivatives, providing unambiguous evidence for the formation of direct La?La bond.     

Unprecedented Efficient Structure Controlled Phosphorescence of Silver(I) Clusters Stabilized by Carba‐closo‐dodecaboranylethynyl Ligands

{Ag₂(12‐C≡C‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₁)}_n and selected pyridine ligands have been used for the synthesis of photostable Ag^I clusters that, with one exception, exhibit for Ag^I compounds unusual room‐temperature phosphorescence. Extraordinarily intense phosphorescence was observed for a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal Ag^I₇ cluster that shows an unprecedented quantum yield of Φ=0.76 for Ag^I clusters. The luminescence properties correlate with the structures of the central Ag^I_n motifs as shown by comparison of the emission properties of the clusters with different numbers of Ag^I ions, different charges, and electronically different pyridine ligands.