Studies on the Reactivity of [Ge9]4− towards [Fe(cot)(CO)3]: Synthesis and Characterization of [Ge8Fe(CO)3]3− and of the Anionic Organometallic Species [Fe(cot)(CO)3]−

Reaction of cyclooctatetraene (COT) iron(II) tricarbonyl, [Fe(cot)(CO)₃], with one equivalent of K₄Ge₉ in ethylenediamine (en) yielded the cluster anion [Ge₈Fe(CO)₃]^3? which was crystallographically‐characterized as a [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]⁺ salt in [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]₃[Ge₈Fe(CO)₃]. The chemically‐reduced organometallic species [Fe(η³‐C₈H₈)(CO)₃]^? was also isolated as a side‐product from this reaction as [K(2,2,2‐crypt)][Fe(η³‐C₈H₈)(CO)₃]. Both species were further characterized by EPR and IR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry. The [Ge₈Fe(CO)₃]^3? cluster anion represents an unprecedented functionalized germanium Zintl anion in which the nine‐atom precursor cluster has lost a vertex, which has been replaced by a transition‐metal moiety.     

Step‐by‐Step Synthesis of the Endohedral Stannaspherene [Ir@Sn12]3− via the Capped Cluster Anion [Sn9Ir(cod)]3−

The endohedral stannaspherene cluster anion [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? was synthesized in two steps. The reaction of K₄Sn₉ with [IrCl(cod)]₂ (cod: 1,5‐cyclooctadienyl) in ethylenediamine (en) solution first yielded the [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]⁺ salt (2,2,2‐crypt: 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) of the capped cluster anion [Sn₉Ir(cod)]^3?. Subsequently, crystals of this compound were dissolved in en, followed by the addition of triphenylphosphine or 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane and treatment at elevated temperatures. [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? was obtained and characterized as the [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]⁺ salt. The isolation of [Sn₉Ir(cod)]^3? as an intermediate product establishes that the formation of the stannaspherene [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? occurs through the oxidation of [Sn₉Ir(cod)]^3?. Among the structurally characterized tetrel cluster anions, [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? is a unique example of a stannaspherene, and one of the rare spherical clusters encapsulating a metal atom that is not a member of Group 10. Single‐crystal structure determination shows that the novel Zintl ion cluster has nearly perfect icosahedral I_h point symmetry.     

Ligand Effects on the Electronic Structure of Heteroleptic Antimony‐Centered Radicals

We report on the structures of three unprecedented heteroleptic Sb‐centered radicals [L(Cl)Ga](R)Sb^. ( 2‐R , R=B[N(Dip)CH]₂ 2‐B , 2,6‐Mes₂C₆H₃ 2‐C , N(SiMe₃)Dip 2‐N ) stabilized by one electropositive metal fragment [L(Cl)Ga] (L=HC[C(Me)N(Dip)]₂, Dip=2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃) and one bulky B‐ ( 2‐B ), C‐ ( 2‐C ), or N‐based ( 2‐N ) substituent. Compounds 2‐R are predominantly metal‐centered radicals. Their electronic properties are largely influenced by the electronic nature of the ligands R, and significant delocalization of unpaired‐spin density onto the ligands was observed in 2‐B and 2‐N . Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies showed that 2‐B undergoes a quasi‐reversible one‐electron reduction, which was confirmed by the synthesis of [K([2.2.2]crypt)][L(Cl)GaSbB[N(Dip)CH]₂] ([K([2.2.2]crypt)][ 2‐B ]) containing the stibanyl anion [ 2‐B ]^?, which was shown to possess significant Sb?B multiple‐bonding character.     

Polytellurides and Polyselenides – Compounds Containing $_{\infty}^{1}\rm [Te_{6}-Te_{4}]^{4-}$ and [Sn(Se4)3]2− Anions

The reactions of the Zintl phase K₂Cs₂Sn₉ with elemental tellurium and selenium in ethylenediamine have been investigated. From the reaction of K₂Cs₂Sn₉ with elemental tellurium [K‐(2,2,2‐crypt)]₄Te₆Te₄ ( 2 ) and [K‐(2,2,2‐crypt)]₂Sn₂Te₃ ( 3 ) were obtained, whereas the reaction of K₂Cs₂Sn₉ with elemental selenium led to the formation of [K‐(2,2,2‐crypt)]₂Sn(Se₄)₃ ( 4 ) and [K‐(2,2,2‐crypt)]₂Cs₂Sn₂Se₆·2en ( 5 )¹⁾. Compounds 2 , 4 , 5 have been characterized by single crystal X‐ray structure determination.     

Skeletal Rearrangement in the ZnII‐Catalyzed [4+2]‐Annulation of Disubstituted N‐Hydroxy Allenylamines with Nitrosoarenes to Yield Substituted 1,2‐Oxazinan‐3‐one Derivatives

This work reports zinc‐catalyzed [4+2]‐annulation reactions of disubstituted N‐hydroxy allenylamines with nitrosoarenes to afford substituted 1,2‐oxazinan‐3‐ones with a skeletal rearrangement. This annulation is applicable to a reasonable scope of allenylamines and nitrosoarenes. Our control experiments indicate that nitrosobenzene can also implement this annulation through a radical annulation path, but with poor efficiency. Zn(OTf)₂ or AgOTf greatly improves the efficiency of this [4+2]‐annulation; the effect of these metal species is discussed in detail.     

An Unusual Mixed‐Anionic Iodine‐Rich Polyiodide: [Rb(crypt‐2,2,2)]4(I5)2(I8)

Black crystals of [Rb(crypt‐2,2,2)]₄(I₅)₂(I₈) were obtained from a dichloromethane/ethanol solution of RbI, I₂ and Kryptofix‐2,2,2®. The crystal structure (monoclinic, P2₁/c (no. 14), a = 1250.1(1), b = 2555.2(2), c = 2313.4(3) pm, β = 121.45(1)°, V = 6309.9(11)·10⁶ pm³, Z = 2) consists of [Rb(crypt‐2,2,2)]⁺ cations leaving three‐dimensional channels for the V‐shaped (I₅)^? and Z‐shaped (I₈)^2? anions which are isolated from each other.     

Expanding the Chemistry of Molecular U2+ Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of the {[C5H3(SiMe3)2]3U}− Anion

The synthesis of new molecular complexes of U²⁺ has been pursued to make comparisons in structure, physical properties, and reactivity with the first U²⁺ complex, [K(2.2.2‐cryptand)][Cp′₃U], 1 (Cp′=C₅H₄SiMe₃). Reduction of Cp′′₃U [Cp′′=C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂] with KC₈ in the presence of 2.2.2‐cryptand or 18‐crown‐6 generates [K(2.2.2‐cryptand)][Cp′′₃U], 2‐K(crypt) , or [K(18‐crown‐6)(THF)₂][Cp′′₃U], 2‐K(18c6) , respectively. The UV/Vis spectra of 2‐K and 1 are similar, and they are much more intense than those of U³⁺ analogues. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data for 1 and 2‐K(crypt) reveal lower room temperature χ_MT values relative to the experimental values for the 5f³ U³⁺ precursors. Stability studies monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy show that 2‐K(crypt) and 2‐K(18c6) have t_1/2 values of 20 and 15 h at room temperature, respectively, vs. 1.5 h for 1 . Complex 2‐K(18c6) reacts with H₂ or PhSiH₃ to form the uranium hydride, [K(18‐crown‐6)(THF)₂][Cp′′₃UH], 3 . Complexes 1 and 2‐K(18c6) both reduce cyclooctatetraene to form uranocene, (C₈H₈)₂U, as well as the U³⁺ byproducts [K(2.2.2‐cryptand)][Cp′₄U], 4 , and Cp′′₃U, respectively.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Cationic Low‐Valent Gallium Complexes of Cryptand[2.2.2]

The synthesis and characterization of two bimetallic, cationic low‐valent gallium–cryptand[2.2.2] complexes is reported. The reaction of cryptand[2.2.2] with Ga₂Cl₄ gave two different cations, [Ga₃Cl₄(crypt‐222)]⁺ ( 1 ) or [Ga₂Cl₂(crypt‐222)]²⁺ ( 2 ), depending on whether or not trimethylsilyl triflate (Me₃SiOTf) was added as a co‐reagent. Complexes 1 and 2 are the first examples of bimetallic cryptand[2.2.2] complexes, as well as the first low‐valent gallium–cryptand[2.2.2] complexes. Computational methods were used to evaluate the bonding in the gallium cores.     

Synthesis of LnII‐in‐Cryptand Complexes by Chemical Reduction of LnIII‐in‐Cryptand Precursors: Isolation of a NdII‐in‐Cryptand Complex

Lanthanide triflates have been used to incorporate Nd^III and Sm^III ions into the 2.2.2‐cryptand ligand (crypt) to explore their reductive chemistry. The Ln(OTf)₃ complexes (Ln=Nd, Sm; OTf=SO₃CF₃) react with crypt in THF to form the THF‐soluble complexes [Ln^III(crypt)(OTf)₂][OTf] with two triflates bound to the metal encapsulated in the crypt. Reduction of these Ln^III‐in‐crypt complexes using KC₈ in THF forms the neutral Ln^II‐in‐crypt triflate complexes [Ln^II(crypt)(OTf)₂]. DFT calculations on [Nd^II(crypt)]²⁺], the first Nd^II cryptand complex, assign a 4f⁴ electron configuration to this ion.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis and Transformations of Cationic CpRu(II)(naphthalene) and CpRu(II)(naphthoquinone) Complexes

Details of the direct synthesis of cationic Ru(II)(η⁵‐Cp)(η⁶‐arene) complexes from ruthenocene using microwave heating are reported. Developed for the important catalyst precursor [Ru(II)(η⁵‐Cp)(η⁶‐1‐4,4a,8a‐naphthalene)][PF₆] reaction time could be shortened from three days to 15 min. The method was extended to [Ru(II)(η⁶‐benzene)(η⁵‐Cp)][PF₆], [Ru(II)(η⁵‐Cp)(η⁶‐toluene)][PF₆], [Ru(II)(η⁵‐Cp)(η⁶‐mesitylene)][PF₆], [Ru(II)(η⁵‐Cp)(η⁶‐hexamethylbenzene)][PF₆], [Ru(II)(η⁵Cp)(η⁶‐indane)][PF₆], [Ru(II)(η⁵‐Cp)(η⁶‐2,6‐dimethylnaphthalene)][PF₆], and [Ru(II)(η⁵‐Cp)(η⁶‐pyrene)][PF₆]. 1‐methylnaphthalene and 2,3‐dimethylnaphthalene afforded mixtures of regioisomeric complexes. [Ru(Cp)(CH₃CN)₃][PF₆], derived from the naphthalene precursor provided access to the cationic RuCp complexes of naphthoquinone, tetralindione, 1,4‐dihydroxynaphthalene, and 1,4‐dimethoxynaphthalene. Reduction of the tetralindione complex afforded selectively the endo,endo diol derivative. X‐Ray structures of five complexes are reported.     

Gold‐catalyzed [4+2] Annulations of Dienes with Nitrosoarenes as 4 π Donors: Nitroso‐Povarov Reactions

This work reports the first success of the nitroso‐Povarov reaction, involving gold‐catalyzed [4+2] annulations of nitrsoarenes with substituted cyclopentadienes. In this catalytic sequence, nitrosoarenes presumably attack gold‐π‐dienes by a 1,4‐addition pathway, generating allylgold nitrosonium intermediates to complete an intramolecular cyclization. Acyclic dienes are also applicable substrates, and affording oxidative nitroso‐Povarov products.     

Solution Synthesis,Structure, and CO2 Reduction Reactivity of a Scandium(II) Complex, {Sc[N(SiMe3)2]3}−

The first crystallographically characterizable complex of Sc²⁺, [Sc(NR₂)₃]⁻ (R=SiMe₃), has been obtained by LnA₃/M reactions (Ln=rare earth metal; A=anionic ligand; M=alkali metal) involving reduction of Sc(NR₂)₃ with K in the presence of 2.2.2‐cryptand (crypt) and 18‐crown‐6 (18‐c‐6) and with Cs in the presence of crypt. Dark maroon [K(crypt)]⁺, [K(18‐c‐6)]⁺, and [Cs(crypt)]⁺ salts of the [Sc(NR₂)₃]⁻ anion are formed, respectively. The formation of this oxidation state of Sc is also indicated by the eight‐line EPR spectra arising from the I =7/2 ⁴⁵Sc nucleus. The Sc(NR₂)₃ reduction differs from Ln(NR₂)₃ reactions (Ln=Y and lanthanides) in that it occurs under N₂ without formation of isolable reduced dinitrogen species. [K(18‐c‐6)][Sc(NR₂)₃] reacts with CO₂ to produce an oxalate complex, {K₂(18‐c‐6)₃}{[(R₂N)₃Sc]₂(μ‐C₂O₄‐κ ¹O:κ ¹O′′)}, and a CO₂⁻ radical anion complex, [(R₂N)₃Sc(μ‐OCO‐κ ¹O:κ ¹O′)K(18‐c‐6)]_n .     

Photochemical Activities of N‐Nitroso Carboxamides and Sulfoximides and Their Application to DNA Cleavage

N‐Nitroso compounds containing benzene, fluorene or fluorenone rings were synthesized. Photolysis of these compounds with 312‐nm UV light provided the NO ^. species, the presence of which was corroborated by use of an EPR method and of 2‐phenyl‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazolin‐1‐oxyl 3‐oxide (PTIO) as a trapping agent. During irradiation of N‐methyl‐N‐nitroso‐9‐fluorenone carboxamide ( 14 c ) in the absence of PTIO, it underwent decomposition followed by recombination to give the heterocyclic nitric oxide radical 15 . Incorporation of intercalating moieties endowed the N‐nitroso compounds with DNA‐cleaving ability through single‐strand scission upon UV irradiation in a phosphate buffer (pH 5.0–8.0) under aerobic conditions.     

The pentacoordinated [Cr(CO)5]2− dianion in [2,2,2‐crypt‐K]2[Cr(CO)5] ethylenediamine monosolvate

Bis[(4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane)potassium(+)] pentacarbonylchromate(2−) ethylenediamine monosolvate, [K(C₁₈H₃₆N₂O₆)]₂[Cr(CO)₅]·C₂H₈N₂, was obtained from the reaction between K₃Cd₂Sb₂ and Cr(CO)₆ in ethylenediamine in the presence of the macrocyclic 2,2,2‐crypt ligand. The structure provides the first crystallographic characterization of the pentacoordinated [Cr(CO)₅]²⁻ dianion. The central Cr^III atom is coordinated by five carbonyl ligands in a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal geometry. The distribution of the Cr—C bond lengths indicates a greater degree of back bonding from Cr^III to the equatorial carbonyl ligands compared with the axial carbonyl ligands.     

[Sn9HgSn9]6–: An Intermetalloid Zintl Ion with Two Sn9 Connected by Heteroatom

The title compound [K([2,2,2]crypt)]₁₂[Sn₉]₂[Sn₉HgSn₉] has been obtained by reaction of elemental mercury with the binary phase K₄Sn₉ in ethylenediamine after addition of [2,2,2]crypt and layering with toluene. The X‐ray single crystal analysis shows that the compound consists of two isolated Sn₉ clusters and two Sn₉ clusters connected by a mercury atom.     

New fluorous ponytailed 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium halide salts

It is possible that fluorous compounds could be utilized as directing forces in crystal engineering for applications in materials chemistry or catalysis. Although numerous fluorous compounds have been used for various applications, their structures in the solid state remains a lively matter for debate. The reaction of 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridine with HX (X = I or Cl) yielded new fluorous ponytailed pyridinium halide salts, namely 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide, C₈H₉F₃NO⁺·I⁻, (1), and 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium chloride, C₈H₉F₃NO⁺·Cl⁻, (2), which were characterized by IR spectroscopy, multinuclei (¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F) NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Structure analysis showed that there are two types of hydrogen bonds, namely N—H…X and C—H…X. The iodide anion in salt (1) is hydrogen bonded to three 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium cations in the crystal packing, while the chloride ion in salt (2) is involved in six hydrogen bonds to five 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium cations, which is attributed to the smaller size and reduced polarizability of the chloride ion compared to the iodide ion. In the IR spectra, the pyridinium N—H stretching band for salt (1) exhibited a blue shift compared with that of salt (2).     

Ligand Effects on the Electronic Structure of Heteroleptic Antimony-Centered Radicals

We report on the structures of three unprecedented heteroleptic Sb-centered radicals [L(Cl)Ga](R)Sb^. ( 2-R , R=B[N(Dip)CH]₂ 2-B , 2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃ 2-C , N(SiMe₃)Dip 2-N ) stabilized by one electropositive metal fragment [L(Cl)Ga] (L=HC[C(Me)N(Dip)]₂, Dip=2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃) and one bulky B- ( 2-B ), C- ( 2-C ), or N-based ( 2-N ) substituent. Compounds 2-R are predominantly metal-centered radicals. Their electronic properties are largely influenced by the electronic nature of the ligands R, and significant delocalization of unpaired-spin density onto the ligands was observed in 2-B and 2-N . Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies showed that 2-B undergoes a quasi-reversible one-electron reduction, which was confirmed by the synthesis of [K([2.2.2]crypt)][L(Cl)GaSbB[N(Dip)CH]₂] ([K([2.2.2]crypt)][ 2-B ]) containing the stibanyl anion [ 2-B ]⁻, which was shown to possess significant Sb−B multiple-bonding character.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed N‐Nitroso‐Directed CH Addition to Ethyl 2‐Oxoacetate for Cycloaddition/Fragmentation Synthesis of Indazoles

Rh^III‐catalyzed N‐nitroso‐directed C?H addition to ethyl 2‐oxoacetate allows subsequent construction of indazoles, a privileged heterocycle scaffold in synthetic chemistry, through the exploitation of reactivity between the directing group and installed group. The formal [2+2] cycloaddition/fragmentation reaction pathway identified herein, a unique reactivity pattern hitherto elusive for the N‐nitroso group, emphasizes the importance of forward reactivity analysis in the development of useful C?H functionalization‐based synthetic tools. The synthetic utility of the protocol is demonstrated with the synthesis of a tricyclic‐fused ring system. The diversity of covalent linkages available for the nitroso group should enable the extension of the genre of reactivity reported herein to the synthesis of other types of heterocycles.     

Solution Synthesis,Structure, and CO2 Reduction Reactivity of a Scandium(II) Complex, {Sc[N(SiMe3)2]3}−

The first crystallographically characterizable complex of Sc²⁺, [Sc(NR₂)₃]⁻ (R=SiMe₃), has been obtained by LnA₃/M reactions (Ln=rare earth metal; A=anionic ligand; M=alkali metal) involving reduction of Sc(NR₂)₃ with K in the presence of 2.2.2‐cryptand (crypt) and 18‐crown‐6 (18‐c‐6) and with Cs in the presence of crypt. Dark maroon [K(crypt)]⁺, [K(18‐c‐6)]⁺, and [Cs(crypt)]⁺ salts of the [Sc(NR₂)₃]⁻ anion are formed, respectively. The formation of this oxidation state of Sc is also indicated by the eight‐line EPR spectra arising from the I =7/2 ⁴⁵Sc nucleus. The Sc(NR₂)₃ reduction differs from Ln(NR₂)₃ reactions (Ln=Y and lanthanides) in that it occurs under N₂ without formation of isolable reduced dinitrogen species. [K(18‐c‐6)][Sc(NR₂)₃] reacts with CO₂ to produce an oxalate complex, {K₂(18‐c‐6)₃}{[(R₂N)₃Sc]₂(μ‐C₂O₄‐κ ¹O:κ ¹O′′)}, and a CO₂⁻ radical anion complex, [(R₂N)₃Sc(μ‐OCO‐κ ¹O:κ ¹O′)K(18‐c‐6)]_n .     

Properties of the polyhydride anions [WH5(PMe2Ph)3]- and [ReH4(PMePh2)3]- and periodic trends in the acidity of polyhydride complexes

The new anionic complexes [K(18-crown-6)][WH5(PMe2Ph)3], [K(1,10-diaza-18-crown-6)][WH5(PMe2Ph)3], [K(2,2,2-crypt)][ReH4(PMePh2)3], and [K(1,10-diaza-18-crown-6)][ReH4(PMePh2)3] were prepared by reaction of KH/crown or KH/crypt with the appropriate neutral polyhydride WH6(PMe2Ph)3 or ReH5(PMePh2)3. The rate of deprotonation of the rhenium hydride in THF is much greater for the reaction involving crypt compared with that of crown. The structure of [ReH4(PMePh2)3]- is distorted pentagonal bipyramidal as determined by an X-ray diffraction study of the crypt salt. No hydridic-protonic M-H...HN bonding is detected between the hydrides of the anionic hydrides and the amino hydrogens of the cations [K(1,10-diaza-18-crown-6)]+ suggesting that stronger M-H...K interactions are present. Acid dissociation constants Ka of polyhydride complexes in THF, approximately corrected for ion pairing, are determined by NMR in order to better understand the periodic trends of metal hydrides. The pKalphaTHF of (WH6(PMe2Ph)3/[WH5(PMe2Ph)3]-) is 42+/-4 according to the equilibrium set up by reacting WH6(PMe2Ph)3 with [K(2,2,2-crypt)][ReH6(PCy3)2]. The pKalphaTHF for ReH5(PMePh2)3 can be estimated as greater than the pKalphaTHF of 38 for HNPh2 and less than the pKalphaTHF of 41 for ReH7(PCy3)2. Reaction of the phosphazene base P4-tBu with ReH7(PCy3)2 gave an equilibrium with [HP4-tBu]+[ReH6(PCy3)2]- whereas reaction with WH6(PMe2Ph)3 gave an equilibrium with [HP4-tBu]+[WH5(PMe2Ph)3]-. From these and a related equilibrium, the pKalphaTHF of [HP4-tBu]+ is found to be 40+/-4. In general, neutral complexes MHx(PR3)n (M=W, Re, Ru, Os, Ir; n=3, 2) studied to date have pKalphaTHF values from 30 to 44 on going from phenyl-substituted to alkyl-substituted phosphine ligands whereas MHx(PR3)n+ (M=Re, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt; n=4, 3), including diphosphine ligands ((PR3)2=PR2-PR2), have values from 12 to 23. From the equilibrium established from the reaction of [HP2-tBu][BPh4] and [K(2,2,2-crypt)][OP(OEt)2NPh], [HP2-tBu]+ was calculated to have a pKalphaTHF of 30+/-4. The equilibrium constant for the similar deprotonation reaction with [K(18-crown-6)][{ReH2(PMePh2)2}2(mu-H)3] confirmed this value.