β‐Diketiminate‐Stabilized Magnesium(I) Dimers and Magnesium(II) Hydride Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, Adduct Formation,and Reactivity Studies

The preparation and characterization of a series of magnesium(II) iodide complexes incorporating β‐diketiminate ligands of varying steric bulk and denticity, namely, [(ArNCMe)₂CH]^? (Ar=phenyl, (^PhNacnac), mesityl (^MesNacnac), or 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dipp, ^DippNacnac)), [(DippNCtBu)₂CH]^? (^tBuNacnac), and [(DippNCMe)(Me₂NCH₂CH₂NCMe)CH]^? (^DmedaNacnac) are reported. The complexes [(^PhNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^MesNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^DmedaNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^MesNacnac)MgI(thf)], [(^DippNacnac)MgI(thf)], [(^tBuNacnac)MgI], and [(^tBuNacnac)MgI(DMAP)] (DMAP=4‐dimethylaminopyridine) were shown to be monomeric by X‐ray crystallography. In addition, the related β‐diketiminato beryllium and calcium iodide complexes, [(^MesNacnac)BeI] and [{(^DippNacnac)CaI(OEt₂)}₂] were prepared and crystallographically characterized. The reductions of all metal(II) iodide complexes by using various reagents were attempted. In two cases these reactions led to the magnesium(I) dimers, [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] and [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)]. The reduction of a 1:1 mixture of [(^DippNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)] and [(^MesNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)] with potassium gave a low yield of the crystallographically characterized complex [(^DippNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)(μ‐I)Mg(^MesNacnac)]. All attempts to form beryllium(I) or calcium(I) dimers by reductions of [(^MesNacnac)BeI], [{(^DippNacnac)CaI(OEt₂)}₂], or [{(^tBuNacnac)CaI(thf)}₂] have so far been unsuccessful. The further reactivity of the magnesium(I) complexes [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] and [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)] towards a variety of Lewis bases and unsaturated organic substrates was explored. These studies led to the complexes [(^MesNacnac)Mg(L)Mg(L)(^MesNacnac)] (L=THF or DMAP), [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐AdN₆Ad)Mg(^MesNacnac)] (Ad=1‐adamantyl), [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(μ‐AdN₆Ad)Mg(^tBuNacnac)], and [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐tBu₂N₂C₂O₂)Mg(^MesNacnac)] and revealed that, in general, the reactivity of the magnesium(I) dimers is inversely proportional to their steric bulk. The preparation and characterization of [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)₂Mg(^tBuNacnac)] has shown the compound to have different structural and physical properties to [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)]. Treatment of the former with DMAP has given [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(H)(DMAP)], the X‐ray crystal structure of which disclosed it to be the first structurally authenticated terminal magnesium hydride complex. Although attempts to prepare [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)₂Mg(^MesNacnac)] were not successful, a neutron diffraction study of the corresponding magnesium(I) complex, [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] confirmed that the compound is devoid of hydride ligands.     

Activation of Ethylene by N-Heterocyclic Carbene Coordinated Magnesium(I) Compounds

Reactions of a series of magnesium(I) compounds with ethylene, in the presence of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC), have been explored. Treating [{(^MesNacnac)Mg}₂] (^MesNacnac=[HC(MeCNMes)₂]⁻, Mes=mesityl) with an excess of ethylene in the presence of two equivalents of :C{(MeNCMe)₂} (TMC) leads to the formal reductive coupling of ethylene, and formation of the 1,2-dimagnesiobutane complex, [{(^MesNacnac)(TMC)Mg}₂(μ-C₄H₈)]. In contrast, when the reaction is repeated in the presence of three equivalents of TMC, a mixture of the β-diketiminato magnesium ethyl, [(^MesNacnac)(TMC)MgEt], and the NHC coordinated magnesium diamide, [(^MesNacnac^-H)Mg(TMC)₂], results. Four related products, [(^ArNacnac)(TMC)MgEt] (Ar=2,6-dimethylphenyl (Xyl) or 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (Dip)) and [(^ArNacnac^-H)Mg(TMC)₂] (Ar=Xyl or Dip), were similarly synthesised and crystallographically characterized. Computational studies have been employed to investigate the mechanisms of the two observed reaction types, which appear dependent on the substitution pattern of the magnesium(I) compound, and the stoichiometric equivalents of TMC used in the reactions.     

Synthesis and further reactivity studies of some transition metal gallyl complexes

Reactions of the anionic gallium(I) heterocycle salt, [K(tmeda)][Ga(DAB)] (DAB = {N(Dip)C(H)}₂; Dip = C₆H₃Prⁱ₂-2,6), with a series of groups 6-9 and 11 metal halide complexes have given rise to the metal gallyl complexes, [CpCr(IMes){Ga(DAB)}] (IMes = :C{(Mes)NC(H)}₂; Mes = mesityl), [M(tmeda){Ga(DAB)}₂] (M = Mn, Fe or Co) and [Cu(dppe){Ga(DAB)}] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane). The majority of the complexes have been crystallographically characterized. The reactivity of the previously reported copper(I) gallyl complex, [(IPr)Cu{Ga(DAB)}] (IPr = :C{(Dip)NC(H)}₂), towards a variety of unsaturated substrates has been explored. Three crystallographically characterized complexes have arisen from this phase of the study, viz. [(IPr)CuCCPh], [(IPr)Cu{Ga(DAB)}(CNBu^t)] and [(IPr)Cu{κ¹-OC(O)C(CNHDip)(NHDip)}]. The results of these investigations show that the reactivity of [(IPr)Cu{Ga(DAB)}] is significantly different to that of related copper boryl complexes.     

Sterically controlled reductive oligomerisations of CO by activated magnesium(i) compounds: deltate vs. ethenediolate formation

An extremely bulky, symmetrical three-coordinate magnesium(i) complex, [{(^TCHPNacnac)Mg}₂] (^TCHPNacnac = [{(TCHP)NCMe}₂CH]⁻, TCHP = 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenyl) has been prepared and shown to have an extremely long Mg–Mg bond (3.021(1) Å) for such a complex. It was shown not to react with either DMAP (4-dimethylaminopyridine) or CO. Three unsymmetrical 1 : 1 DMAP adducts of less bulky Mg–Mg bonded species have been prepared, viz. [(^ArNacnac)Mg–Mg(DMAP)(^ArNacnac)] (^ArNacnac = [(ArNCMe)₂CH]⁻ Ar = 2,6-xylyl (Xyl), mesityl (Mes) or 2,6-diethylphenyl (Dep)), and their reactivity toward CO explored. Like the previously reported bulkier complex, [(^DipNacnac)Mg–Mg(DMAP)(^DipNacnac)] (Dip = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), [(^DepNacnac)Mg–Mg(DMAP)(^DepNacnac)] reductively trimerises CO to give a rare example of a deltate complex, [{(^DepNacnac)Mg(μ-C₃O₃)Mg(DMAP)(^DepNacnac)}₂]. In contrast, the two smaller adduct complexes react with only two CO molecules, ultimately giving unusual ethenediolate complexes [{(^ArNacnac)Mg{μ-OC(H) C(DMAP^−H)O}Mg(^ArNacnac)}₂] (Ar = Xyl or Mes). DFT calculations show the latter reactions to proceed via reductive dimerizations of CO, and subsequent intramolecular C–H activation of Mg-ligated DMAP by “zig–zag” [C₂O₂]²⁻ fragments of reaction intermediates. Calculations also suggest that magnesium deltate complexes are kinetic products in these reactions, while the magnesium ethenediolates are thermodynamic products. This study shows that subtle changes to the bulk of the reacting 1 : 1 DMAP–magnesium(i) adduct complexes can lead to fine steric control over the products arising from their CO reductive oligomerisations. Furthermore, it is found that the more activated nature of the adduct complexes, relative to their symmetrical, three-coordinate counterparts, [{(^ArNacnac)Mg}₂], likely derives more from the polarisation of the Mg–Mg bonds of the former, than the elongated nature of those bonds.

Subtle changes to the bulk of 1 : 1 adducts of DMAP with magnesium(i) complexes leads to steric control over the products arising from their reductive oligomerisations of carbon monoxide.      

Diagonally Related s‐ and p‐Block Metals Join Forces: Synthesis and Characterization of Complexes with Covalent Beryllium–Aluminum Bonds

Additions of beryllium–halide bonds in the simple beryllium dihalide adducts, [BeX₂(tmeda)] (X=Br or I, tmeda=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine), across the metal center of a neutral aluminum(I) heterocycle, [:Al(^DipNacnac)] (^DipNacnac=[(DipNCMe)₂CH]^?, Dip=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl), have yielded the first examples of compounds with beryllium–aluminum bonds, [(^DipNacnac)(X)Al‐Be(X)(tmeda)]. For sake of comparison, isostructural Mg–Al and Zn–Al analogues of these complexes, viz. [(^DipNacnac)(X)Al‐M(X)(tmeda)] (M=Mg or Zn, X=I or Br) have been prepared and structurally characterized. DFT calculations reveal all compounds to have high s‐character metal–metal bonds, the polarity of which is consistent with the electronegativities of the metals involved. Preliminary reactivity studies of [(^DipNacnac)(Br)Al‐Be(Br)(tmeda)] are reported.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Group 12 Metal(I) Complexes Bearing Extremely Bulky Boryl/Silyl Substituted Amide Ligands

Two extremely bulky boryl/silyl-substituted amide ligands, –N{B(DipNCH)₂}(SiR₃) (R = Me ^TBoL, R = Ph ^PhBoL; Dip = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) were used in the preparation of the group 12 metal halide complexes, ^PhBoLZnBr, {^TBoLCd(μ-I)}₂, ^TBoLHgI, and ^PhBoLHgI. The reduction of these, and two previously reported compounds, ^PhBoLZnBr(THF) and {^PhBoLCd(μ-I)}₂, using a magnesium(I) compound, {(^MesNacnac)Mg}₂ (^MesNacnac = [(MesNCMe)₂CH]^–, Mes = mesityl), were carried out, leading to mixed results. In several cases these reactions led to decomposition, and deposition of the group 12 metal. However, in two instances the homobimetallic metal(I) complexes, ^TBoLM–M^TBoL (M = Zn or Hg), were isolated and crystallographically characterized. The reduction of {^PhBoLCd(μ-I)}₂ afforded the known cadmium(I) complex, ^PhBoLCd–Cd^PhBoL, but also gave a very low yield of the thermally unstable complex, ^PhBoLCd–Mg(THF)(^MesNacnac). The X-ray crystal structure of this compound reveals it to contain the first example of a Cd–Mg bond in a molecular compound.     

A Mixed‐Valence Tri‐Zinc Complex, [LZnZnZnL] (L=Bulky Amide), Bearing a Linear Chain of Two‐Coordinate Zinc Atoms

Reduction of a variety of extremely bulky amido Group 12 metal halide complexes, [LMX(THF)_0,1] (L=amide; M=Zn, Cd, or Hg; X=halide) with a magnesium(I) dimer gave a homologous series of two‐coordinate metal(I) dimers, [L′MML′] (L′=N(Ar^?)(SiMe₃), Ar^?=C₆H₂{C(H)Ph₂}₂Prⁱ‐2,6,4); and the formally zinc(0) complex, [L*ZnMg(^MesNacnac)] (L*=N(Ar*)(SiPrⁱ₃); Ar*=C₆H₂{C(H)Ph₂}₂Me‐2,6,4; ^MesNacnac=[(MesNCMe)₂CH]^?, Mes=mesityl), which contains the first unsupported Zn? Mg bond. Two equivalents of [L*ZnMg(^MesNacnac)] react with ZnBr₂ or ZnBr₂(tmeda) to give the mixed valence, two‐coordinate, linear tri‐zinc complex, [L*Zn^IZn⁰Zn^IL*], and the first zinc(I) halide complex, [L*ZnZnBr(tmeda)], respectively. The analogues [L*ZnMZnL*] (M=Cd or Hg), were also prepared, the Cd species contains the first Zn? Cd bond in a molecular compound. Metal–metal bonding was studied by DFT calculations.     

Magnesium(I) Dimers Bearing Tripodal Diimine–Enolate Ligands: Proficient Reagents for the Controlled Reductive Activation of CO2 and SO2

The first examples of magnesium(I) dimers bearing tripodal ligands, [(Mg{κ³‐N,N′,O‐(ArNCMe)₂(OCCPh₂)CH})₂] [Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃ (Dip) 7 , 2,6‐Et₂C₆H₃ (Dep) 8 , or mesityl (Mes) 9 ] have been prepared by post‐synthetic modification of the β‐diketiminato ligands of previously reported magnesium(I) systems, using diphenylketene, O?C?CPh₂. In contrast, related reactions between β‐diketiminato magnesium(I) dimers and the isoelectronic ketenimine, MesN?C?CPh₂, resulted in reductive insertion of the substrate into the Mg?Mg bond of the magnesium(I) reactant, and formation of [{(Nacnac)Mg}₂{μ‐κ²‐N,C‐(Mes)NCCPh₂}] (Nacnac=[(ArNCMe)₂CH]^?; Ar=Dep 10 or Mes 11 ). Reactions of the four‐coordinate magnesium(I) dimer 8 with excess CO₂ are readily controlled, and cleanly give carbonate [(LMg)₂(μ‐κ²:κ²‐CO₃)] 12 (L=[κ³‐N,N′,O‐(DepNCMe)₂(OCCPh₂)CH]^?; thermodynamic product), or oxalate [(LMg)₂(μ‐κ²:κ²‐C₂O₄)] 13 (kinetic product), depending on the reaction temperature. Compound 12 and CO are formed by reductive disproportionation of CO₂, whereas 13 results from reductive coupling of two molecules of the gas. Treatment of 8 with an excess of N₂O cleanly gives the μ‐oxo complex [(LMg)₂(μ‐O)] 14 , which reacts facilely with CO₂ to give 12 . This result presents the possibility that 14 is an intermediate in the formation of 12 from the reaction of 8 and CO₂. In contrast to its reactions with CO₂, 8 reacts with SO₂ over a wide temperature range to give only one product; the first example of a magnesium dithionite complex, [(LMg)₂(μ‐κ²:κ²‐S₂O₄)] 16 , which is formed by reductive coupling of two molecules of SO₂, and is closely related to f‐block metal dithionite complexes derived from similar SO₂ reductive coupling processes. On the whole, this study strengthens previously proposed analogies between the reactivities of magnesium(I) systems and low‐valent f‐block metal complexes, especially with respect to small molecule activations.     

A Systematic Study of Structure and E−H Bond Activation Chemistry by Sterically Encumbered Germylene Complexes

A series of new germylene compounds has been synthesized offering systematic variation in the σ‐ and π‐capabilities of the α‐substituent and differing levels of reactivity towards E?H bond activation (E=H, B, C, N, Si, Ge). Chloride metathesis utilizing [(terphenyl)GeCl] proves to be an effective synthetic route to complexes of the type [(terphenyl)Ge(ER_n)] ( 1 – 6 : ER_n=NHDipp, CH(SiMe₃)₂, P(SiMe₃)₂, Si(SiMe₃)₃ or B(NDippCH)₂; terphenyl=C₆H₃Mes₂‐2,6=Ar^Mes or C₆H₃Dipp₂‐2,6=Ar^Dipp; Dipp=C₆H₃iPr₂‐2,6, Mes=C₆H₂Me₃‐2,4,6), while the related complex [{(Me₃Si)₂N}Ge{B(NDippCH)₂}] ( 8 ) can be accessed by an amide/boryl exchange route. Metrical parameters have been probed by X‐ray crystallography, and are consistent with widening angles at the metal centre as more bulky and/or more electropositive substituents are employed. Thus, the widest germylene units (θ>110°) are found to be associated with strongly σ‐donating boryl or silyl ancillary donors. HOMO–LUMO gaps for the new germylene complexes have been appraised by DFT calculations. The aryl(boryl)‐germylene system [Ar^MesGe{B(NDippCH)₂}] ( 6 ‐Mes), which features a wide C‐Ge‐B angle (110.4(1)°) and (albeit relatively weak) ancillary π‐acceptor capabilities, has the smallest HOMO–LUMO gap (119 kJ mol^?1). These features result in 6 ‐Mes being remarkably reactive, undergoing facile intramolecular C?H activation involving one of the mesityl ortho‐methyl groups. The related aryl(silyl)‐germylene system, [Ar^MesGe{Si(SiMe₃)₃}] ( 5 ‐Mes) has a marginally wider HOMO–LUMO gap (134 kJ mol^?1), rendering it less labile towards decomposition, yet reactive enough to oxidatively cleave H₂ and NH₃ to give the corresponding dihydride and (amido)hydride. Mixed aryl/alkyl, aryl/amido and aryl/phosphido complexes are unreactive, but amido/boryl complex 8 is competent for the activation of E?H bonds (E=H, B, Si) to give hydrido, boryl and silyl products. The results of these reactivity studies imply that the use of the very strongly σ‐donating boryl or silyl substituents is an effective strategy for rendering metallylene complexes competent for E?H bond activation.     

C−H Activation of Inert Arenes using a Photochemically Activated Guanidinato-Magnesium(I) Compound

UV irradiation of solutions of a guanidinate coordinated dimagnesium(I) compound, [{(Priso)Mg}₂] 3 (Priso=[(DipN)₂CNPrⁱ₂]⁻, Dip=2,6-diisopropylphenyl), in either benzene, toluene, the three isomers of xylene, or mesitylene, leads to facile activation of an aromatic C−H bond of the solvent in all cases, and formation of aryl/hydride bridged magnesium(II) products, [{(Priso)Mg}₂(μ-H)(μ-Ar)] 4 – 9 . In contrast to similar reactions reported for β-diketiminate coordinated counterparts of 3 , these C−H activations proceed with little regioselectivity, though they are considerably faster. Reaction of 3 with an excess of the pyridine, p-NC₅H₄Bu^t (py^But), gave [(Priso)Mg(py^ButH)(py^But)₂] 10 , presumably via reduction of the pyridine to yield a radical intermediate, [(Priso)Mg(py^But⋅)(py^But)₂] 11 , which then abstracts a proton from the reaction solvent or a reactant. DFT calculations suggest two possible pathways to the observed arene C−H activations. One of these involves photochemical cleavage of the Mg−Mg bond of 3 , generating magnesium(I) doublet radicals, (Priso)Mg⋅. These then doubly reduce the arene substrate to give “Birch-like” products, which subsequently rearrange via C−H activation of the arene. Circumstantial evidence for the photochemical generation of transient magnesium radical species includes the fact that irradiation of a cyclohexane solution of 3 leads to an intramolecular aliphatic C−H activation process and formation of an alkyl-bridged magnesium(II) species, [{Mg(μ-Priso^−H)}₂] 12 . Furthermore, irradiation of a 1 : 1 mixture of 3 and the β-diketiminato dimagnesium(I) compound, [{(^DipNacnac)Mg}₂] (^DipNacnac=[HC(MeCNDip)₂]⁻), effects a “scrambling” reaction, and the near quantitative formation of an unsymmetrical dimagnesium(I) compound, [(Priso)Mg−Mg(^DipNacnac)] 13 . Finally, the EPR spectrum (77 K) of a glassed solution of UV irradiated 3 is dominated by a broad featureless signal, indicating the presence of a doublet radical species.     

Surprisingly Different Reaction Behavior of Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metal Bis(trimethylsilyl)amides toward Bulky N‐(2‐Pyridylethyl)‐N′‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)pivalamidine

N‐(2,6‐Diisopropylphenyl)‐N′‐(2‐pyridylethyl)pivalamidine (Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)‐C₂H₄‐Py) ( 1 ), reacts with metalation reagents of lithium, magnesium, calcium, and strontium to give the corresponding pivalamidinates [(tmeda)Li{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}] ( 6 ), [Mg{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}₂] ( 3 ), and heteroleptic [{(Me₃Si)₂N}Ae{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}], with Ae being Ca ( 2 a ) and Sr ( 2 b ). In contrast to this straightforward deprotonation of the amidine units, the reaction of 1 with the bis(trimethylsilyl)amides of sodium or potassium unexpectedly leads to a β‐metalation and an immediate deamidation reaction yielding [(thf)₂Na{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)}] ( 4 a ) or [(thf)₂K{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)}] ( 4 b ), respectively, as well as 2‐vinylpyridine in both cases. The lithium derivative shows a similar reaction behavior to the alkaline earth metal congeners, underlining the diagonal relationship in the periodic table. Protonation of 4 a or the metathesis reaction of 4 b with CaI₂ in tetrahydrofuran yields N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)pivalamidine (Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐NH₂) ( 5 ), or [(thf)₄Ca{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)}₂] ( 7 ), respectively. The reaction of AN(SiMe₃)₂ (A=Na, K) with less bulky formamidine Dipp‐N=C(H)‐N(H)‐C₂H₄‐Py ( 8 ) leads to deprotonation of the amidine functionality, and [(thf)Na{Dipp‐N=C(H)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}]₂ ( 9 a ) or [(thf)K{Dipp‐N=C(H)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}]₂ ( 9 b ), respectively, are isolated as dinuclear complexes. From these experiments it is obvious, that β‐metalation/deamidation of N‐(2‐pyridylethyl)amidines requires bases with soft metal ions and also steric pressure. The isomeric forms of all compounds are verified by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis and are maintained in solution.     

Pyrrole Denitrogenation and Fragmentation of Tetramethylethylenediamine Promoted by a NbII Cluster

A nitrogen center was abstracted from a pyrrolyl ring to form the dinuclear nitrido- and dienyl-bridged complex 1 during the reaction of [{(tmeda)Nb^IICl}₂(μ-Cl)₃Li(tmeda)] with the lithium salt of 2,5-dimethylpyrrole (tmeda=N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine). A second product from this reaction is the amido-carbene-hydride niobium complex 2 , which likewise forms under C−N bond cleavage.     

A Neutral Tetraphosphacyclobutadiene Ligand in Cobalt(I) Complexes

The unusual reactivity of the newly synthesized β‐diketiminato cobalt(I) complexes, [(L^DepCo)₂] ( 2 a , L^Dep=CH[C(Me)N(2,6‐Et₂C₆H₃)]₂) and [L^DippCo ? toluene] ( 2 b , L^Dipp=CH[CHN(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)]₂), toward white phosphorus was investigated, affording the first cobalt(I) complexes [(L^DepCo)₂(μ₂:η⁴,η⁴‐P₄)] ( 3 a ) and [(L^DippCo)₂(μ₂:η⁴,η⁴‐P₄)] ( 3 b ) bearing the neutral cyclo‐P₄ ligand with a rectangular‐planar structure. The redox chemistry of 3 a and 3 b was studied by cyclic voltammetry and their chemical reduction with one molar equivalent of potassium graphite led to the isolation of [(L^DepCo)₂(μ₂:η⁴,η⁴‐P₄)][K(dme)₄] ( 4 a ) and [(L^DippCo)₂(μ₂:η⁴,η⁴‐P₄)][K(dme)₄] ( 4 b ). Unexpectedly, the monoanionic Co₂P₄ core in 4 a and 4 b , respectively, contains the two‐electron‐reduced cyclo‐P₄^2? ligand with a square‐planar structure and mixed‐valent cobalt(I,II) sites. The electronic structures of 3 a , 3 b , 4 a , and 4 b were elucidated by NMR and EPR spectroscopy as well as magnetic measurements and are in agreement with results of broken‐symmetry DFT calculations.     

Synthesis of a Hexameric Magnesium 4-pyridyl Complex with Cyclohexane-like Ring Structure via Reductive C-N Activation

The reaction of [{(^Arnacnac)Mg}₂] (^Arnacnac = HC{MeC(NAr)}₂, Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, Dip, or 2,6-diethylphenyl, Dep) with 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) at elevated temperatures afforded the hexameric magnesium 4-pyridyl complex [{(^Arnacnac)Mg(4-C₅H₄N)}₆] via reductive cleavage of the DMAP C-N bond. The title compound contains a large s-block organometallic cyclohexane-like ring structure comprising tetrahedral (^Arnacnac)Mg nodes and linked by linear 4-pyridyl bridging ligands, and the structure is compared with other ring systems. [(^Dipnacnac)Mg(DMAP)(NMe₂)] was structurally characterised as a by-product.     

Magnesium(I) Reduction of Aluminum(III) Hydride Complexes: Generation of Mixed Valence Aluminum (AlI/Al0) Hydride Cluster Compounds, [Al6H8(NR3)2{Mg(β-diketiminate)}4]**

Reduction of a range of amido- and aryloxy-aluminum dihydride complexes, e.g. [AlH₂(NR₃){N(SiMe₃)₂}] (NR₃=NMe₃ or N-methylpiperidine (NMP)), with β-diketiminato dimagnesium(I) reagents, [{(^ArNacnac)Mg}₂] (^ArNacnac=[HC(MeCNAr)₂]⁻, Ar=mesityl (Mes) or 2,6-xylyl (Xyl)), have afforded deep red mixed valence aluminum hydride cluster compounds, [Al₆H₈(NR₃)₂{Mg(^ArNacnac)}₄], which have an average Al oxidation state of +0.66, the lowest for any well-defined aluminum hydride compound. In the solid-state, the clusters are shown to have distorted octahedral Al₆ cores, having zero-valent Al axial sites and mono-valent AlH₂⁻ equatorial units. Several novel by-products were isolated from the reactions that gave the clusters, including the Mg−Al bonded magnesio-aluminate complexes, [(^ArNacnac)(Me₃N)Mg−Al(μ-H)₃[{Mg(^ArNacnac)}₂(μ-H)]]. Computational analyses of one aluminum hydride cluster revealed its Al₆ core to be electronically delocalized, and to possess one unoccupied, and six occupied, skeletal molecular orbitals.     

Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Diboranes by Diborane Metathesis

Reactions of readily accessible magnesium‐centered pinacolatoboryl nucleophiles with [(Ph₂B)₂O] result in B?O bond activation of the diphenylborinic anhydride. Although [pinBBPh₂] is apparently generated when the nucleophilic boron unit is derived in situ from a magnesium diboranate, it cannot be isolated owing to its onward derivatization by a further {Bpin}^? equivalent. A reaction with a terminal magnesium boryl species similarly provides a boryloxide byproduct. In this case, however, the unsymmetrical B(sp²)?B(sp³) diborane may be intercepted as its DMAP adduct.     

Platinum Oxoboryl Complexes as Substrates for the Formation of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 Lewis Acid–Base Adducts and 1,2‐Dipolar Additions

The oxoboryl complex trans‐[(Cy₃P)₂BrPt(B?O)] ( 2 ) reacts with the Group 13 Lewis acids EBr₃ (E=Al, Ga, In) to form the 1:1 Lewis acid–base adducts trans‐[(Cy₃P)₂BrPt(B?OEBr₃)] ( 6 – 8 ). This reactivity can be extended by using two equivalents of the respective Lewis acid EBr₃ (E=Al, Ga) to form the 2:1 Lewis acid–base adducts trans‐[(Cy₃P)₂(Br₃Al‐Br)Pt(B?OAlBr₃)] ( 18 ) and trans‐[(Cy₃P)₂(Br₃Ga‐Br)Pt(B?OGaBr₃)] ( 15 ). Another reactivity pattern was demonstrated by coordinating two oxoboryl complexes 2 to InBr₃, forming the 1:2 Lewis acid–base adduct trans‐[{(Cy₃P)₂BrPt(B?O)}₂InBr₃] ( 20 ). It was also possible to functionalize the B?O triple bond itself. Trimethylsilylisothiocyanate reacts with 2 in a 1,2‐dipolar addition to form the boryl complex trans‐[(Cy₃P)₂BrPt{B(NCS)(OSiMe₃)}] ( 27 ).     

Syntheses and Molecular Structures of [(thf)4Li] [{(thf)Li}M(C4H8)3] (M = Zr,Hf) and Their Solution Behavior

The reaction of MCl₄(thf)₂ (M = Zr, Hf) with 1,4-dilitiobutane in diethyl ether at –25 °C or at 0 °C with a molar ratio of 1 : 3 yields the homoleptic “ate” complexes [(thf)₄Li] [{(thf)Li}M(C₄H₈)₃] 1 - Zr (M = Zr) and 1 - Hf (M = Hf). The crystalline compounds form ion lattices with solvent-separated [(thf)₄Li]⁺ cations and [{(thf)Li}M(C₄H₈)₃]^– anions. The NMR spectra at –20 °C show magnetic equivalence of the M–CH₂ and of the β-CH₂ groups of the butane-1,4-diide ligands on the NMR time scale. Analogous reactions of MCl₄(thf)₂ with 1,4-dilithiobutane with a molar ratio of 1 : 2 proceed unclear. However, single crystals of [Li(thf)₄] [HfCl₅(thf)] ( 2 ) can be isolated with the hafnium atom in a distorted octahedral coordination sphere of five chloro and one thf ligand. NMR spectra allow to elucidate the time-dependent degradation of 1-Hf and 1-Zr in THF and toluene at 25 °C via THF cleavage. Addition of tmeda to a solution of 1-Zr allows the isolation of intermediately formed [{(tmeda)Li}₂Zr(nBu)₂(C₄H₈)₂] ( 3 ).     

Reversible Oxidative Addition of Zinc Hydride at a Gallium(I)-Centre: Labile Mono- and Bis(hydridogallyl)zinc Complexes

In the presence of TMEDA (N,N,N’,N’-tetramethylethylenediamine), partially deaggregated zinc dihydride as hydrocarbon suspensions react with the gallium(I) compound [(BDI)Ga] ( I , BDI={HC(C(CH₃)N(2,6-iPr₂-C₆H₃))₂}⁻) by formal oxidative addition of a Zn−H bond to the gallium(I) centre. Dissociation of the labile TMEDA ligand in the resulting complex [(BDI)Ga(H)−(H)Zn(tmeda)] ( 1 ) facilitates insertion of a second equiv. of I into the remaining Zn−H to form a thermally sensitive trinuclear species [{(BDI)Ga(H)}₂Zn] ( 2 ). Compound 1 exchanges with polymeric zinc dideuteride [ZnD₂]_n in the presence of TMEDA, and with compounds I and 2 via sequential and reversible ligand dissociation and gallium(I) insertion. Spectroscopic and computational studies demonstrate the reversibility of oxidative addition of each Zn−H bond to the gallium(I) centres.     

Self‐Assembly of Water‐Soluble Platinum(II)‐Based Metallacalixarenes and Tuning Their Conformational Interconversion via Synergistic Effects between Solvents and Anions

The aqueous self‐assembly of the flexible ligand L bis(1H‐benz[d]imidazole‐1‐yl)methane and cis‐coordinated Pt^II precursors [(en)Pt²⁺, (tmeda)Pt²⁺, en=ethylenediamine, tmeda=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine)] led to the formation of the metallacalixarenes with full alternative conformations (e.g., two novel water‐soluble metallacalixarenes [M₂L₂]⁴⁺ and [M₃L₃]⁶⁺ with D₂ and D₃ symmetry, respectively). Their molecular structures were determined by single crystal X‐ray analyses in solid state. The two metallacalixarenes present different cavity sizes and the [M₃L₃]⁶⁺ cavity encapsulates one NO₃⁻. NOESY NMR revealed that the conformational interconversion between 1,3‐alternate conformer in methanol and cone conformer in DMSO was tuned via the synergistic effect between solvent and anion. Guest encapsulation is also discussed.