The Bis(pentafluoroethyl)germylene Trimethylphosphane Adduct (C2F5)2Ge⋅PMe3: Characterization,Ligand Properties,and Reactivity

The synthesis of the germylene phosphane adduct (C₂F₅)₂Ge?PMe₃ is described. Starting from (C₂F₅)₃GeH in an excess of PMe₃, heating was applied, whereupon reductive elimination of C₂F₅H occurred. The molecular structure was ascertained by X‐ray diffraction and compared with information obtained by quantum chemical methods. The ligand properties were derived by studying the IR spectrum of the nickel(0) complex [Ni(CO)₃{Ge(C₂F₅)₂(PMe₃)}] in the CO region. (C₂F₅)₂Ge?PMe₃ turned out to be a π‐accepting ligand comparable to PMe₃, in terms of Tolman's electronic parameter. Furthermore a [2+4] cycloaddition reaction with 2,3‐dimethyl‐1,3‐butadiene, and σ‐bond insertion reactions were recorded. Activation of the C?Cl bond in dichloromethane gives rise to the formation of the phosphonium ylide complex [(C₂F₅)₂Cl₂Ge‐CH₂PMe₃], which was fully characterized by X‐ray diffraction.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur des trimeren [(Me3Si)2CH]2Al?CN

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Trimeric [(Me₃Si)₂CH]₂Al? CN Tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]dialane(4) 1 with an Al? Al bond reacts with tert-butyl isocyanide in the molar ratio of 1:2 within three days to give a mixture of several unknown products, from which the title compound 4 is isolated in a 26% yield by recrystallization from n-pentane. 4 is a trimer in the solid state via Al? C?N? Al bridges showing a nine-membered Al₃C₃N₃ heterocycle in a boat conformation. In contrary to the reaction with phenyl isocyanide the expected dark red product of the twofold insertion into the Al? Al bond under formation of a carbon-carbon single bond is detected only spectroscopically as a minor by-product.     

Concurrent Stabilization of π‐Donor and π‐Acceptor Ligands in Aromatized and Dearomatized Pincer [(PNN)Re(CO)(O)2] Complexes

Aromatized cationic [(PNN)Re(π acid)(O)₂]⁺ ( 1 ) and dearomatized neutral [(PNN*)Re(π acid)(O)₂] ( 2 ) complexes (where π acid=CO ( a ), tBuNC ( b ), or (2,6‐Me₂)PhNC ( c )), possessing both π‐donor and π‐acceptor ligands, have been synthesized and fully characterized. Reaction of [(PNN)Re(O)₂]⁺ ( 4 ) with lithiumhexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS) yield the dearomatized [(PNN*)Re(O)₂] ( 3 ). Complexes 1 and 2 are prepared from the reaction of 4 and 3 , respectively, with CO or isocyanides. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures of 1 a and 1 b show the expected trans‐dioxo structure, in which the oxo ligands occupy the axial positions and the π‐acidic ligand occupies the equatorial plane in an overall octahedral geometry about the rhenium(V) center. DFT studies revealed the stability of complexes 1 and 2 arises from a π‐backbonding interaction between the d_xy orbital of rhenium, the π orbital of the oxo ligands, and the π* orbital of CO/isocyanide.     

Solvent‐Dependent Dihydrogen/Dihydride Stability for [Mo(CO)(Cp*)H2(PMe3)2]+[BF4]− Determined by Multiple Solvent⋅⋅⋅Anion⋅⋅⋅Cation Non‐Covalent Interactions

Low‐temperature (200 K) protonation of [Mo(CO)(Cp*)H(PMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) by Et₂O ? HBF₄ gives a different result depending on a subtle solvent change: The dihydrogen complex [Mo(CO)(Cp*)(η²‐H₂)(PMe₃)₂]⁺ ( 2 ) is obtained in THF, whereas the tautomeric classical dihydride [Mo(CO)(Cp*)(H)₂(PMe₃)₂]⁺ ( 3 ) is the only observable product in dichloromethane. Both products were fully characterised (ν_CO IR; ¹H, ³¹P, ¹³C NMR spectroscopies) at low temperature; they lose H₂ upon warming to 230 K at approximately the same rate (ca. 10^?3 s^?1), with no detection of the non‐classical form in CD₂Cl₂, to generate [Mo(CO)(Cp*)(FBF₃)(PMe₃)₂] ( 4 ). The latter also slowly decomposes at ambient temperature. One of the decomposition products was crystallised and identified by X‐ray crystallography as [Mo(CO)(Cp*)(FH???FBF₃)(PMe₃)₂] ( 5 ), which features a neutral HF ligand coordinated to the transition metal through the F atom and to the BF₄^? anion through a hydrogen bond. The reason for the switch in relative stability between 2 and 3 was probed by DFT calculations based on the B3LYP and M05‐2X functionals, with inclusion of anion and solvent effects by the conductor‐like polarisable continuum model and by explicit consideration of the solvent molecules. Calculations at the MP4(SDQ) and CCSD(T) levels were also carried out for calibration. The calculations reveal the key role of non‐covalent anion–solvent interactions, which modulate the anion–cation interaction ultimately altering the energetic balance between the two isomeric forms.     

Triphenylphosphan-Nickel(0)-Komplexe mit Isocyanid-Liganden — [(RNC)nNi(PPh3)4–n] (n = 1–3)

Triphenylphosphane Nickel(0) Complexes with Isocyanide Ligands — [(RNC)_nNi(PPh₃)_4–n] (n = 1–3) Synthesis and properties of the isocyanide triphenylphosphane nickel(0) complexes [(RNC)Ni(PPh₃)₃], [(RNC)₂Ni(PPh₃)₂] and [(RNC)₃Ni(PPh₃)] (R = ^tBu, Cy, PhCH₂, p-TosCH₂) are described. I.r. and ³¹P n.m.r. spectra were recorded and the X-ray crystal structure of [(PhCH₂NC)₂Ni(PPh₃)₂] was determined.     

Nucleophilic Reactions of Osmanaphthalynes with PMe3 and H2O

Members of a new class of complexes, 2 (CF₃), 2 (H), 2 (Br), 2 (I), and 2 (OCH₃), have been synthesized in a one-pot method involving the treatment of osmanaphthalynes bearing corresponding substituents ( 1 (CF₃), 1 (H), 1 (Br), 1 (I), and 1 (OCH₃)) with trimethylphosphine (PMe₃) and water. The main reaction process involves two steps, namely a ligand-exchange with trimethylphosphine and nucleophilic addition of water to the Os≡C bond of the osmanaphthalyne. The substituents have a significant influence on the rate of the reaction, as befits a nucleophilic addition. Fortunately, the key intermediate [ 1 (OCH₃)]′ could be successfully captured, and the detailed reaction mechanism has been explored with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which were in excellent agreement with the experimental findings. All of the target complexes have been fully characterized by ¹H, ³¹P{¹H}, and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis.     

Stereo‐ and Regioselective Alkyne Hydrometallation with Gold(III) Hydrides

The hydroauration of internal and terminal alkynes by gold(III) hydride complexes [(C^N^C)AuH] was found to be mediated by radicals and proceeds by an unexpected binuclear outer‐sphere mechanism to cleanly form trans‐insertion products. Radical precursors such as azobisisobutyronitrile lead to a drastic rate enhancement. DFT calculations support the proposed radical mechanism, with very low activation barriers, and rule out mononuclear mechanistic alternatives. These alkyne hydroaurations are highly regio‐ and stereospecific for the formation of Z‐vinyl isomers, with Z/E ratios of >99:1 in most cases.     

Insights into the Mechanism of Reaction of [(C5Me5)2SmII(thf)2] with CO2 and COS by DFT Studies

Reaction mechanisms for the oxidative reactions of CO₂ and COS with [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm] have been investigated by means of DFT methods. The experimental formation of oxalate and dithiocarbonate complexes is explained. Their formation involve the samarium(III) bimetallic complexes [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm‐CO₂‐Sm(C₅Me₅)₂] and [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm‐COS‐Sm(C₅Me₅)₂] as intermediates, respectively, ruling out radical coupling for the formation of the oxalate complex.     

[(Me3Si)Si]3EtGe9Pd(PPh3), a Pentafunctionalized Deltahedral Zintl Cluster: Synthesis,Structure, and Solution Dynamics

The title compound, which has a ten‐atom deltahedral cluster core of Ge₉Pd, was synthesized through insertion of Pd(PPh₃) into the tetrasubstituted nona‐germanium cluster [(Me₃Si)Si]₃EtGe₉ through a reaction of the latter with Pd(PPh₃)₄. This first reaction of neutral tetrasubstituted nine‐atom clusters shows that they retain reactivity despite their neutral charge. The Ge₉Pd core is the first that incorporates a 5‐connected transition metal other than from Group VI, a noble metal in this case. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction shows that the ten‐atom core is a closo‐cluster with the expected shape of a bicapped square antiprism. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy show that, in contrast to the parent tetra‐substituted [(Me₃Si)Si]₃EtGe₉, the new compound does not exhibit dynamics. Relativistic DFT calculations are used to explain the differences.     

Unexpected Migratory Insertion Reactions of M(alkyl)2 (M=Zn,Cd) and Diamidocarbenes

The electrophilic character of free diamidocarbenes (DACs) allows them to activate inert bonds in small molecules, such as NH₃ and P₄. Herein, we report that metal coordinated DACs also exhibit electrophilic reactivity, undergoing attack by Zn and Cd dialkyl precursors to afford the migratory insertion products [(6‐MesDAC‐R)MR] (M=Zn, Cd; R=Et, Me; Mes=mesityl). These species were formed via the spectroscopically characterised intermediates [(6‐MesDAC)MR₂], exhibiting barriers to migratory insertion which increase in the order MR₂ = ZnEt₂ < ZnMe₂ < CdMe₂. Compound [(6‐MesDAC‐Me)CdMe] showed limited stability, undergoing deposition of Cd metal, by an apparent β‐H elimination pathway. These results raise doubts about the suitability of diamidocarbenes as ligands in catalytic reactions involving metal species bearing nucleophilic ligands (M‐R, M‐H).     

Simple Lanthanide Amides [(Me3Si)2N]3Ln(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 as Highly Efficient Catalysts for the Nitroaldol Reaction

This contribution is to report the application of simple lanthanide amides [(Me3Si)2N]3Ln(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 exhibiting a high activity toward catalyzing Henry reaction of aromatic aldehydes with nitroalkanes to give β-nitroalcohols or β-nitroolefins with a very good chemoselectivity by controlling the reaction temperatures and by selecting aromatic aldehydes. It was found that this catalytic system was compatible with a wide range of substrates of aldehydes.