The clusters [Ma(ECp*)b] (M=Pd, Pt; E=Al, Ga, In): structures, fluxionality, and ligand exchange reactions

The synthesis and structural characterization of the novel homoleptic cluster complexes [Pd2(GaCp*)2(mu2-GaCp*)3] (1c), [Pd3(GaCp*)4(mu2-GaCp*)4] (2b) and [Pd3(AlCp*)2(mu2-AlCp*)2(mu3-AlCp*)2] (3) (Cp*=C5Me5) are presented. Furthermore, ligand exchange reactions of these cluster complexes are explored. In contrast to the electronically and sterically saturated complexes [M(ECp*)4] (M=Ni, Pd, Pt), the new unsaturated analogues [M(a)(ER)b] (E=Al, Ga, In) react with a variety of typical ligands (Cp*Al, CO, phosphines, isonitriles) to give new di- and tri-substituted compounds like [Pt2(GaCp*)2(mu2-AlCp*)3] (1d), [PdPt(GaCp*)(PPh3)(mu2-GaCp*)3] (4b), or [Pd3(PPh3)3(mu2-InCp*)(mu3-InCp*)2] (8). The trends of the reactivity of [M(a)(ER)b] as well as their fluxional behavior in solution has been elucidated by NMR spectroscopy, resulting in a mechanistic rationale for the ligand exchange reactions as well as the fluxional processes.     

Nature of chemical bonding and metalloaromaticity of Na2[(MArx')3] (M = B, Al, Ga; Arx' = C6H3-2,6-(C6H5)2)

The nature of chemical bonding and metalloaromaticity of Na(2)[(MArx')(3)] (M = B, Al, Ga) have been studied within the framework of the atoms in molecules (AIM) theory and using electron localization function (ELF) analysis. The π electrons of the studied systems were separated from the total electron density and analyzed. The calculated results indicate that there are closed-shell weak interactions between the sodium atom and the M(3) (M = B, Al, Ga) ring, between the sodium atom and the terminal phenyl group on each Arx', and between the terminal phenyl groups on Arx' in Na(2)[(MArx')(3)]. The Na(2)[(MArx')(3)] has metalloaromatic nature, and the sodium atoms have an active role in determining the computed aromatic properties of the three-numbered cycle.     

DFT calculations of d0 M(NR)(CHtBu)(X)(Y) (M = Mo, W; R = CPh3, 2,6-iPr-C6H3; X and Y = CH2tBu, OtBu, OSi(OtBu)3) olefin metathesis catalysts: structural, spectroscopic and electronic properties

DFT(B3PW91) calculations have been carried out to rationalise the structural, electronic and spectroscopic properties of Mo and W imido M(NR1)(CHR2)(X)(Y) olefin metathesis catalysts by using either simplified or actual ligands of the experimental complexes. The calculated structures, energetics (preference for the syn isomer and alkylidene rotational barrier for the syn/anti interconversion), and spectroscopic properties (NMR J(C-H) coupling constants) are in good agreement with available experimental data. Additionally, the alkylidene nu(C-H) stretching frequencies, not available experimentally, have been calculated. These quasi-tetrahedral complexes have a linear imido group and a C-H alkylidene agostic interaction, which stabilizes the syn isomer. Whether looking at M(NR1)(CHR2)(X)(Y), M = Mo, W, or the isolobal Re complexes, Re(CR1)(CHR2)(X)(Y), a linear correlation is obtained between both the alkylidene nu(C-H) stretching frequencies and J(C-H) coupling constants with the calculated alkylidene C-H bond lengths. These correlations show that the strength of the alpha-C-H agostic interaction increases from alkylidyne Re to imido group 6 complexes and from Mo to W. The NBO and AIM Bader analyses show firstly that the imido and alkylidyne groups are both triply bonded to the metal, but that the triply bonded imido ligand is a weaker electron donor than the alkylidyne, hence the stronger alpha-C-H agostic interaction for group 6 imido complexes. Secondly, one of the pi bonds of the triply bonded ligand is weakened at the transition state of the alkylidene rotation: while no lone pair is formed, the metal-ligand triple bond is polarized. This is more favourable for an imido than for an alkylidyne ligand, hence the lower alkylidene rotational barrier for the former complexes. Conversely, the aryl imido is even less of an electron donor than the alkyl imido group, which in turn strengthens the alpha-C-H agostic interaction and lowers the alkylidene rotational barrier even more.     

Synthesis of the Cyclic Group 13 Phosphinidenides [(NHC)PMCl2]2 (NHC = SIMes,SIDipp; M = Al,Ga)

The N-heterocyclic carbene stabilized phosphinidenides (SIMes)PK [SIMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolidine-2-ylidene] and (SIDipp)PK [SIDipp = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolidine-2-ylidene] were used as precursors in salt elimination reactions with MCl₃ (M = Al, Ga) in order to obtain new group 13 phosphinidenide compounds. The new compounds [(NHC)PMCl₂]₂ (NHC = SIMes, SIDipp; M = Al, Ga) exhibit dimerization in solid state as well as in solution and show different shapes of the central M₂P₂ cycle (butterfly or nearly square planar conformation) in solid state, depending on the size of the NHC ligand bound to the phosphorus atom.     

From mixed group 13 cations [M(AlCp*)3]+ (M = Ga/In/Tl) to an Al4+ cluster

AlCp*-complexes with transition metals have shown to be highly reactive and enable C–H or Si–H bond activation. Yet, complexes of AlCp* with low-valent main-group metals are scarce. Here, we report the syntheses of [M(AlCp*)₃][Al(OR^F)₄] (R^F = C(CF₃)₃) with M = Ga, In, Tl, which include the first covalent Al–In and Al–Tl bonds. For M = Ga, AlCp*-coordination induced the formation of the dication [Ga₂(AlCp*)₆]²⁺ in the solid state, which exhibits a solvent and temperature dependent monomer–dimer equilibrium in solution. By contrast, the In and Tl complexes are monomeric and prone to reduction to the metal by the electron-rich AlCp*-moieties. The QTAIM analysis suggests that the metal centres are already highly reduced in the complexes, while the positive charge is distributed onto the AlCp* units. Addition of Me₃TACN (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) to the Ga- and Tl-complex salts resulted in an isomerization to the novel low-valent Al₄⁺ cation [(Me₃TACN)Al(AlCp*)₃][Al(OR^F)₄]. Intermittently formed tetrahedral GaAl₃⁺ clusters could be structurally characterized. From a detailed mechanistic study of this isomerization, the very high yield and clean preparation of [(Me₃TACN)Al(AlCp*)₃][Al(OR^F)₄] was devised from [M(Me₃TACN)][Al(OR^F)₄] (M = Ga, Tl) and [(AlCp*)₄].

Mixed low-valent group 13 cations with formally reduced metal atoms have been prepared via addition of [(AlCp*)₄] to the low-valent cation salts of Ga, In and Tl. Addition of an aza-crown ether resulted in isomerization to a novel Al₄⁺ cluster.     

Comparison of the structure and magnetic order in a series of layered Ni(II) organophosphonates, Ni[(RPO3)(H2O)] (R = C6H5, CH3, C18H37)

The reaction of nickel chloride with phenyl phosphonic acid under hydrothermal conditions resulted in the isolation of yellow-green single crystals of Ni[(C(6)H(5)PO(3))(H(2)O)]. The structure of the compound has been solved by X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies. Ni[(C(6)H(5)PO(3))(H(2)O)] crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmn2(1) and is isostructural with the Mn(II), Fe(II), and Co(II) analogues. It presents the typical features of the hybrid 2D structures, consisting of alternating inorganic and organic layers. The former are formed by six-coordinated nickel(II) ions bridged by oxygen atoms into the layers. The inorganic layers are capped by the phenyl phosphonate groups, with phenyl groups of two adjacent ligands forming a hydrophobic bilayer region, and van der Waals contacts are established between them. The magnetic properties investigated by means of dc and ac susceptibility measurements point to an AF exchange coupling between nearest neighboring Ni(II) ions. Below 5 K, the compound orders magnetically showing the typical features of a canted antiferromagnet. The magnetic behavior and magnetic dimensionality of Ni[(C(6)H(5)PO(3))(H(2)O)] have been fully analyzed and compared to those of the Ni(II) parent compounds Ni[(RPO(3))(H(2)O)] (where R = CH(3), C(18)H(37)), which exhibit different symmetries of the inorganic layers and lengths of the R groups.     

Synthesis and reactions of group 6 metal half-sandwich complexes of 2,2-dicyanoethylene-1,1-dichalcogenolates [(Cp*)M[E(2)C=C(CN)(2)](2)]-(M = Mo,W; E = S,Se)

A series of group 6 transition metal half-sandwich complexes with 1,1-dichalcogenide ligands have been prepared by the reactions of Cp*MCl(4)(Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5); M = Mo, W) with the potassium salt of 2,2-dicyanoethylene-1,1-dithiolate, (KS)(2)C=C(CN)(2) (K(2)-i-mnt), or the analogous seleno compound, (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) (K(2)-i-mns). The reaction of Cp*MCl(4) with (KS)(2)C=C(CN)(2) in a 1:3 molar ratio in CH(3)CN gave rise to K[Cp*M(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (M = Mo, 1a, 74%; M = W, 2a, 46%). Under the same conditions, the reaction of Cp*MoCl(4) with 3 equiv of (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) afforded K[Cp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (3a) and K[Cp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))] (4) in respective yields of 45% and 25%. Cation exchange reactions of 1a, 2a, and 3a with Et(4)NBr resulted in isolation of (Et(4)N)[Cp*Mo(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (1b), (Et(4)N)[Cp*W(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (2b), and (Et(4)N)[Cp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (3b), respectively. Complex 4 crystallized with one THF and one CH(3)CN molecule as a three-dimensional network structure. Inspection of the reaction of Cp*WCl(4) with (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) by ESI-MS revealed the existence of three species in CH(3)CN, [Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)]-, [Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))]-, and [Cp*W(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))(2)]-, of which [Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))]-(5) was isolated as the main product. Treatment of 2a with 1/4 equiv of S(8) in refluxing THF resulted in sulfur insertion and gave rise to K[Cp*W(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(S(S(2))C=C(CN)(2))](6), which crystallized with two THF molecules forming a three-dimensional network structure. 6 can also be prepared by refluxing 2a with 1/4 equiv of S(8) in THF. 3a readily added one Se atom upon treatment with 1 mol of Se powder in THF to give 4 in high yield, while the treatment of 3a or 4 with 2 equiv of Na(2)Se in THF led to formation of a dinuclear complex [(Cp*Mo)(2)(mu-Se)(mu-Se(Se(3))C=C(CN)(2))] (7). The structure of 7 consists of two Cp*Mo units bridged by a Se(2-) and a [Se(Se(3))C=C(CN)(2)](2-) ligand in which the triselenido group is arranged in a nearly linear way (163 degrees). The reaction of 2a with 2 equiv of CuBr in CH(3)CN yielded a trinuclear complex [Cp*WCu(2)(mu-Br)(mu(3)-S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (8), which crystallized with one CH(3)CN and generated a one-dimensional chain polymer through bonding of Cu to the N of the cyano groups.     

Dimethylhydroxyoxosulfonium(VI) Hexafluoridometallates, [(CH3)2SO(OX)]+[MF6]–(X = H,D; M = As,Sb)

Dimethylsulfone reacts in the binary superacidic systems XF/MF₅ (X = H, D; M = As, Sb) under the formation of the corresponding salts of the type [(CH₃)₂SO(OX)]⁺[MF₆]^–. The salts are characterized by low temperature vibrational spectroscopy. In case of [(CH₃)₂SO(OH)]⁺[SbF₆]^– a single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis is reported. The salt crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with eight formula units per unit cell [a = 10.3281(3) Å, b = 12.2111(4) Å, c = 13.9593(4) Å]. The experimental results are discussed together with quantum chemical calculations on the PBE1PBE/6‐311G++(3pd,3df) level of theory.     

Pillared layered structures based upon M(III) ethylene diphosphonates: the synthesis and crystal structures of M(III)(H(2)O)(HO(3)P(CH(2))(2)PO(3)) (M = Fe, Al, Ga)

A three-dimensional iron(III) diphosphonate, Fe(III)(H(2)O)(HO(3)P(CH(2))(2)PO(3)), I, has been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca (no. 61) where a = 9.739(5) A, b = 9.498(5) A, c = 15.940(8) A, V = 1474.4(1) A(3), Z = 8, and R(1) = 0.0380. The structure consists of inorganic sheets pillared by the 1,2-ethylenediphosphonate groups. The sheets are composed of Fe(H(2)O)O(5) octahedra connected through PO(3)C tetrahedra. The corresponding isostructural aluminum (II) and gallium (III) compounds were also synthesized and indexed: II, a = 9.534(1) A, b = 9.255(2) A, c = 15.724(1) A, V = 1387.5(1) A(3); III, a = 9.670(1) A, b = 9.357(2) A, c = 15.862(4) A, V = 1435.4(1) A(3).     

New rac‐XP(O)(OC6H5)(NHC6H4‐p‐CH3) [X = N(CH3)(cyclo‐C6H11) and NH(C3H5)] and rac‐(C6H5CH2NH)P(O)(OC6H5)(NH‐cyclo‐C6H11) mixed‐amide phosphinates

The mixed‐amide phosphinates, rac‐phenyl (N‐methylcyclohexylamido)(p‐tolylamido)phosphinate, C₂₀H₂₇N₂O₂P, (I), and rac‐phenyl (allylamido)(p‐tolylamido)phosphinate, C₁₆H₁₉N₂O₂P, (II), were synthesized from the racemic phosphorus–chlorine compound (R,S)‐(Cl)P(O)(OC₆H₅)(NHC₆H₄‐p‐CH₃). Furthermore, the phosphorus–chlorine compound ClP(O)(OC₆H₅)(NH‐cyclo‐C₆H₁₁) was synthesized for the first time and used for the synthesis of rac‐phenyl (benzylamido)(cyclohexylamido)phosphinate, C₁₉H₂₅N₂O₂P, (III). The strategies for the synthesis of racemic mixed‐amide phosphinates are discussed. The P atom in each compound is in a distorted tetrahedral (N¹)P(=O)(O)(N²) environment. In (I) and (II), the p‐tolylamido substituent makes a longer P—N bond than those involving the N‐methylcyclohexylamido and allylamido substituents. In (III), the differences between the P—N bond lengths involving the cyclohexylamido and benzylamido substituents are not significant. In all three structures, the phosphoryl O atom takes part with the N—H unit in hydrogen‐bonding interactions, viz. an N—H...O=P hydrogen bond for (I) and (N—H)(N—H)...O=P hydrogen bonds for (II) and (III), building linear arrangements along [001] for (I) and along [010] for (III), and a ladder arrangement along [100] for (II).     

Carboxylate-bridged copper(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes [(Cu(3)Ln(2)(oda)(6)(H(2)O)(6)).12H(2)O](n)(Ln = Dy,Ho, Er,Y; oda = oxydiacetate)

The hydrothermal reaction of Ln(2)O(3) (Ln = Dy and Ho), Cu(OAc)(2).2H(2)O, and oxydiacetic acid in the approximate mole ratio of 1:3:8 resulted in the formation of two new members of the isostructural series of polymers formulated as [(Cu(3)Ln(2)(oda)(6)(H(2)O)(6)).12H(2)O](n), crystallizing in the hexagonal crystal system, space group P6/mcc (No. 192). Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities and EPR spectra are reported for the heterometallic compounds Cu-Dy 1, Cu-Ho 2, Cu-Er 3, and Cu-Y 4. The results are discussed in terms of the structure of the compounds, the electronic properties of the lanthanide ions, and the exchange interactions between the magnetic ions.     

Bimetallic assemblies, [Ni(en)2]3[M(CN)6]2·3H2O (en = H2NCH2CH2NH2; M = Fe,Co)

The reaction between tris(ethyl­enedi­amine)­nickel(II) cations and hexa­cyanometallate(III) anions (M = Fe, Co) yields ordered bimetallic assemblies, catena‐poly­[[tris­(ethyl­enedi­amine)­nickel‐bis(μ‐hexa­cyano­iron‐N,N′)] trihydrate] and catena‐poly­[[tris­(ethyl­enedi­amine)­nickel‐bis(μ‐hexa­cyano­cobalt‐N,N′)] trihydrate], [{Ni(C₂H₈N₂)₂}₃{M(CN)₆}₂]·3H₂O, in which both cis and trans [Ni(en)₂] and [M(CN)₆] moieties are linked to give S‐shaped Ni–NC–M–CN–Ni–NC–M–CN–Ni units which are cross­linked to give ribbons parallel to the b axis. The two compounds are isomorphous with mean metal–ligand distances Fe—C = 1.940 (3), Co—C = 1.844 (3) and Ni—N = 2.102 (2) Å for the iron, and 2.105 (3) Å for the cobalt compound. These compounds appear to be identical with those formulated as [Ni(en)₂]₃[M(CN)₆]₂·2H₂O [Ohba, Maruona, Okawa, Enoki & Latour (1994). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116 , 11566–11567; Ohba, Fukita & Okawa (1997). J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. pp. 1733–1737] which were indexed on a smaller unit cell and described as disordered.     

Metal germylyne complexes [Mtbd1;Ge-R] and metallogermylenes [M-Ge-R]: DFT analysis of the systems [(Cp)(CO)(n)()Mtbd1;GeMe] (M = Cr,Mo, W,Fe(2+), n = 2; M = Fe,n = 1) and [(Cp)(CO)(n)()M-GeMe] (M = Cr,Mo, W,n = 3; M = Fe,n = 2)

Quantum chemical calculations at the gradient corrected DFT level using the exchange correlation functionals BP86 and B3LYP of the geometries of the title compounds are reported. The theoretically predicted bond lengths and angles of the model compounds are in excellent agreement with experiment. The nature of the metal-ligand interactions is quantitatively analyzed with an energy decomposition method. The analysis of the electronic structure of the neutral metal germylyne complexes Ia-Id and the metallogermylenes IIa-IId shows that the former compounds have about the same degree of electrostatic and covalent bonding, while the relative strength of the covalent contributions in the latter molecules is lower (41-42%) than the electrostatic attraction (58-59%). The a' '(pi) bonding contribution in the group-6 germylyne complexes Ia-Ic is rather high (42% of the orbital interactions). In the iron complex Id, it is even higher (53.8%) than the sigma bonding. The pi bonding contributions to the covalent bonding become much less (18-20%) in the metallogermylenes IIa-IId.     

The preparation of M(PR3)2 (S2(S)PC6H4OMe) (M=Ni,Pd, Pt) from Lawessons reagent

Summary Reaction of Lawessons reagent (MeOC₆H₄P(S)S₂P(S)C₆H₄OMe) (1) withbis-phosphine-dihalide complexes of nickel, palladium and platinum proceeds with asymmetric bridge cleavage to give M(PR₃)₂(S₂(S)PC₆H₄OMe) (2). The new compounds were characterised by³¹P n.m.r., i.r. and microanalyses.     

Transition-Metal-Substituted Gallanes: Synthesis and Spectroscopic Studies of Highly Polar σ(M—Ga) Bonds,Structures of trans-(Ph3P)(CO)3Co—Ga[(CH2)3N(C 2H5)2]R (R = Cl,CH3) and (n5-C5H5)(CO)2Fe—GaCl2 [N(CH3)3]

The salt elimination reaction of the transition carbonyl metal-lates [L(CO)_nM](Na/K) (M = Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Re, Fe, Co, Ni; L= CO, n⁵-C₅R₅, PR₃; n= 1-4; R= alkyl, aryl) with the base-stabilized galliumhalides Cl_aGaR₃ -a(Do) (R = H, alkyl, halide; Do = THF, N(CH₃)₃, NC₇H₁₃) or Cl_aGa[(CH₂)₃N-R₂](R)₂ - _a yielded almost quantitatively the transition metal-substituted, gallanes [L(CO)_nM]_aGaR₃ - _a(Do) and [L(CO)_n-M]_aGa[(CH₂)₃NR₂](R)₂ - _a, respectively. Residual halide functionalities in these complexes were selectively replaced by various other groups. The new compounds were characterized by means of elemental analysis, ¹H-, ¹³C-, ³¹P-NMR, MS, and lR v(CO) data. The single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of trans-(Ph₃P)(CO)₃Co-Ga[(CH₂) ₃N(C₂H₅)₂](R)( 6s : R = Cl, 6t : R= CH₃) showed s̀(Co-Ga) lengths of 237.78(4) and 249.5(1) pm, respectively. A short s̀(Fe-Ga) contact of 236.18(3) pm was found for (n⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₂Fe-Ga-Cl₂[N(CH ₃)₃] ( 5a ). Low-pressure MOCVD experiments were performed to give thin films of analytically pure CoGa alloy.     

Synthesis and characterization of quasi-two-coordinate transition metal dithiolates M(SAr*)2 (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn; Ar* = C6H3-2,6(C6H2-2,4,6-Pri3)2

A sequence of first row transition metal(II) dithiolates M(SAr)(2) (M = Cr(1), Mn(2), Fe(3), Co(4), Ni(5) and Zn(6); Ar = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)(3))(2)) has been synthesized and characterized. Compounds 1-5 were obtained by the reaction of two equiv of LiSAr with a metal dihalide, whereas 6 was obtained by treatment of ZnMe(2) with 2 equiv of HSAr. They were characterized by spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and X-ray crystallography. The dithiolates 1, 2, and 4-6 possess linear or nearly linear SMS units with further interactions between M and two ipso carbons from C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)(3) rings. The iron species 3, however, has a bent geometry, two different Fe-S distances, and an interaction between iron and one ipso carbon of a flanking ring. The secondary M-C interactions vary in strength in the sequence Cr(2+) approximately Fe(2+) > Co(2+) approximately Ni(2+) > Mn(2+) approximately Zn(2+) such that the manganese and zinc compounds have essentially two coordination but the chromium and iron complexes are quasi four and three coordinate, respectively. The geometric distortions in the iron species 3 suggested that the structure represents the initial stage of a rearrangement into a sandwich structure involving metal-aryl ring coordination. The bent structure of 3 probably also precludes the observation of free ion magnetism of Fe(2+) recently reported for Fe{C(SiMe(3))(3)}(2). DFT calculations on the model compounds M(SPh)(2) (M = Cr-Ni) support the higher tendency of the iron species to distort its geometry.