Lanthanide(II) Complexes Supported by N,O‐Donor Tripodal Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Ligand‐Dependent Redox Behavior

The preparation and characterization of a series of complexes of the Yb and Eu cations in the oxidation state II and III with the tetradentate N,O‐donor tripodal ligands (tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA), BPA^? (HBPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), BPPA^? (HBPPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), and MPA^2? (H₂MPA=(2‐pyridylmethyl)bis(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine) is reported. The X‐ray crystal structures of the heteroleptic Ln²⁺ complexes [Ln(TPA)I₂] (Ln=Eu, Yb) and [Yb(BPA)I(CH₃CN)]₂, of the Ln²⁺ homoleptic [Ln(TPA)₂]I₂ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) and [Eu(BPA)₂] complexes, and of the Ln³⁺ [Eu(BPPA)₂]OTf and [Yb(MPA)₂K(dme)₂] (dme=dimethoxyethane) complexes have been determined. Cyclic voltammetry studies carried out on the bis‐ligand complexes of Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺ show that the metal center reduction occurs at significantly lower potentials for the BPA^? ligand as compared with the TPA ligand. This suggests that the more electron‐rich character of the BPA^? ligand results in a higher reducing character of the lanthanide complexes of BPA^? compared with those of TPA. The important differences in the stability and reactivity of the investigated complexes are probably due to the observed difference in redox potential. Preliminary reactivity studies show that whereas the bis‐TPA complexes of Eu²⁺ and Yb²⁺ do not show any reactivity with heteroallenes, the [Eu(BPA)₂] complex reduces CS₂ to afford the first example of a lanthanide trithiocarbonate complex.     

Aluminum Complexes Stabilized by Piperazidine‐Bridged Bis(phenolate) Ligands: Syntheses,Structures, and Application in the Ring‐Opening Polymerization of ε‐Caprolactone

The synthesis and characterization of aluminum alkoxide and alkyl complexes stabilized by piperazidine‐bridged bis(phenolate) ligands are described. Treatment of ligand precursors H₂[ONNO]¹ {H₂[ONNO]¹=1,4‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐3‐tert‐butyl‐5‐methylbenzyl)piperazidine} and H₂[ONNO]² {H₂[ONNO]²=1,4‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐3,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzyl)piperazidine} with AlEt₂(OCH₂Ph) and AlEt₂(OPr‐i), which were generated in situ by the reactions of AlEt₃ with equivalent of the corresponding alcohols, in a 1:1 molar ratio in THF gave the corresponding aluminum alkoxide complexes [ONNO]¹Al(OCH₂Ph) ( 1 ) and [ONNO]²Al(OPr‐i) ( 2 ), respectively. The reaction of H₂[ONNO]¹ with AlEt₂(OCH₂Ph) in a 1:2 molar ratio in THF afforded a mixture of monometallic aluminum ethyl complex [ONNO]¹AlEt ( 3 ) and complex 1 , which can be isolated by stepwise crystallization. Similarly, H₂[ONNO]² reacted with AlEt₂(OPr‐i) in a 1:2 molar ratio in THF to give a mixture of aluminum ethyl complex [ONNO]²AlEt ( 4 ) and complex 2 . Complexes 1 and 2 were also available via treatment of complexes 3 and 4 with 1 equiv. of benzyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, respectively. All of these complexes were fully characterized including X‐ray structural determination. It was found that complexes 1 to 4 can initiate the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone, and complexes 1 and 2 showed higher catalytic activity in comparison with complexes 3 and 4 .     

Preparation and Structural Characterization of [CpRu(1,10-phenanthroline)(CH3CN)][X] and Precursor Complexes (X=PF6, BArF,TRISPHAT-N)

Cationic [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CH₃CN)₃]⁺ complex, tris(acetonitrile)(cyclopentadienyl)ruthenium(II), gives rise to a very rich organometallic chemistry. Combined with diimine ligands, and 1,10-phenanthroline in particular, this system efficiently catalyzes diazo decomposition processes to generate metal-carbenes which undergo a series of original transformations in the presence of Lewis basic substrates. Herein, syntheses and characterizations of [CpRu(Phen)(L)] complexes with (large) lipophilic non-coordinating (PF₆⁻ and BAr_F⁻) and coordinating TRISPHAT-N⁻ anions are reported. Complex [CpRu(η⁶-naphthalene)][BAr_F] ( [1][BAr_F] ) is readily accessible, in high yield, by direct counterion exchange between [1][PF₆] and sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (NaBAr_F) salts. Ligand exchange of [1][BAr_F] in acetonitrile generated stable [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CH₃CN)₃][BAr_F] ( [2][BAr_F] ) complex in high yield. Then, the desired [CpRu(Phen)(CH₃CN)] ( [3] ) complexes were obtained from either the [1] or [2] complex in the presence of the 1,10-phenanthroline as ligand. For characterization and comparison purposes, the anionic hemilabile ligand TRISPHAT−N (TTN) was introduced on the ruthenium center, from the complex [3][PF₆] , to quantitatively generate the desired complex [CpRu(Phen)(TTN)] ( [4] ) by displacement of the remaining acetonitrile ligand and of the PF₆⁻ anion. Solid state structures of complexes [1][BAr_F] , [2][BAr_F] , [3][BAr_F] , [3][PF₆] and [4] were determined by X-ray diffraction studies and are discussed herein.     

N,O‐chelate aluminum and zinc complexes: synthesis and catalysis in the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone

Reaction between 2‐(1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl)benzenamine and 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde or 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde afforded 2‐(4,5‐dihydropyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL¹NH, 1a) or 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(4,5‐dihydropyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL²NH, 1b). Both 1a and 1b can be converted to 2‐(H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL³N, 2a) and 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL⁴N, 2b), respectively, by heating 1a and 1b in toluene. Treatment of 1b with an equivalent of AlEt₃ afforded [Al(Et₂)(OL²NH)] (3). Reaction of 1b with two equivalents of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) gave dinuclear aluminum complexes [(AlR₂)₂(OL²N)] (R = Me, 4a; R = Et, 4b). Refluxing the toluene solution of 4a and 4b, respectively, generated [Al(R₂)(OL⁴N)] (R = Me, 5a; R = Et, 5b). Complexes 5a and 5b were also obtained either by refluxing a mixture of 1b and two equivalents of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) in toluene or by treatment of 2b with an equivalent of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et). Reaction of 2a with an equivalent of AlMe₃ afforded [Al(Me₂)(OL³N)] (5c). Treatment of 1b with an equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature gave [Zn(Et)(OL²NH)] (6), while reaction of 1b with 0.5 equivalent of ZnEt₂ at 40 °C afforded [Zn(OL²NH)₂] (7). Reaction of 1b with two equivalents of ZnEt₂ from room temperature to 60 °C yielded [Zn(Et)(OL⁴N)] (8). Compound 8 was also obtained either by reaction between 6 and an equivalent of ZnEt₂ from room temperature to 60 °C or by treatment of 2b with an equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature. Reaction of 2b with 0.5 equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature gave [Zn(OL⁴N)₂] (9), which was also formed by heating the toluene solution of 6. All novel compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes 3, 5c and 6 were additionally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. The catalysis of complexes 3, 4a, 5a–c, 6 and 8 toward the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone was evaluated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring Regioselective Bond Cleavage and Cross‐Coupling Reactions using a Low‐Valent Nickel Complex

Recently, esters have received much attention as transmetalation partners for cross‐coupling reactions. Herein, we report a systematic study of the reactivity of a series of esters and thioesters with [{(dtbpe)Ni}₂(μ‐η²:η²‐C₆H₆)] (dtbpe=1,2‐bis(di‐tert‐butyl)phosphinoethane), which is a source of (dtbpe)nickel(0). Trifluoromethylthioesters were found to form η²‐carbonyl complexes. In contrast, acetylthioesters underwent rapid C_acyl?S bond cleavage followed by decarbonylation to generate methylnickel complexes. This decarbonylation could be pushed backwards by the addition of CO, allowing for regeneration of the thioester. Most of the thioester complexes were found to undergo stoichiometric cross‐coupling with phenylboronic acid to yield sulfides. While ethyl trifluoroacetate was also found to form an η²‐carbonyl complex, phenyl esters were found to predominantly undergo C_aryl?O bond cleavage to yield arylnickel complexes. These could also undergo transmetalation to yield biaryls. Attempts to render the reactions catalytic were hindered by ligand scrambling to yield nickel bis(acetate) complexes, the formation of which was supported by independent syntheses. Finally, 2‐naphthyl acetate was also found to undergo clean C_aryl?O bond cleavage, and although stoichiometric cross‐coupling with phenylboronic acid proceeded with good yield, catalytic turnover has so far proven elusive.     

Das erste Oxatetraphospholan, (PBut)4O

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 244. The First Oxatetraphospholane, (PBu^t)₄O Under suitable conditions, the reaction ot tri‐tertbutylcyclotriphosphane, (PBu^t)₃, with di‐tert‐butylperoxide gives rise to a mixture of 2,3,4,5‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2,3,4,5‐oxatetraphospholane, (PBu^t)₄O ( 1 ), and 1,2‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐di‐tert‐butoxidiphosphane, [Bu^t(Bu^tO)P]₂ ( 2 ). Both compounds have been isolated in the pure state. The oxatetraphospholane 1 is a constitutional isomer of 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1‐oxocyclotetraphosphane, which has been reported recently [1]. The corresponding reaction of tetra‐tert‐butylcyclotetraphosphane furnishes only small amounts of 1 because of the kinetic stability of (PBu^t)₄. The diphosphane 2 is presumably a secondary product of primarily formed oxocyclotetraphosphanes (PBu^t)₄O_1–4. The NMR parameters of 1 and 2 are reported and discussed.     

Systematische Studie zu den Koordinationseigenschaften des Guanidin‐Liganden Bis(tetramethylguanidino)propan mit den Metallen Mangan,Cobalt, Nickel,Zink, Cadmium,Quecksilber und Silber

The transition metal complexes with the ligand 1,3‐bis(N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylguanidino)propane (btmgp), [Mn(btmgp)Br₂] ( 1 ), [Co(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 2 ), [Ni(btmgp)I₂] ( 3 ), [Zn(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 4 ), [Zn(btmgp)(O₂CCH₃)₂] ( 5 ), [Cd(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 6 ), [Hg(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 7 ) and [Ag₂(btmgp)₂][ClO₄]₂·2MeCN ( 8 ), were prepared and characterised for the first time. The stoichiometric reaction of the corresponding water‐free metal salts with the ligand btmgp in dry MeCN or THF resulted in the straightforward formation of the mononuclear complexes 1 – 7 and the binuclear complex 8 . In complexes with M^II the metal ion shows a distorted tetrahedral coordination whereas in 8 , the coordination of the M^I ion is almost linear. The coordination behavior of btmgp and resulting structural parameters of the corresponding complexes were discussed in an comparative approach together with already described complexes of btmgp and the bisguanidine ligand N¹,N²‐bis(1,3‐dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)‐ethane‐1,2‐diamine (DMEG₂e), respectively.     

Cross‐Conjugated Hexaphyrins and Their Bis‐Rhodium Complexes

A cross‐conjugated hexaphyrin that carries two meso‐oxacyclohexadienylidenyl (OCH) groups 9 was synthesized from the condensation of 5,10‐bis(pentafluorophenyl)tripyrrane with 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde. The reduction of 9 with NaBH₄ afforded the Möbius aromatic [28]hexaphyrin 10 . Bis‐rhodium complex 11 , prepared from the reaction of 10 with [{RhCl(CO)₂}₂], displays strong Hückel antiaromatic character because of the 28 π electrons that occupy the conjugated circuit on the enforced planar structure. The oxidation of 11 with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) yielded complexes 12 and 13 depending upon the reaction conditions. Both 12 and 13 are planar owing to bis‐rhodium metalation. Although complex 12 bears two meso‐OCH groups at the long sides and is quinonoidal and nonaromatic in nature, complex 13 bears 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl and OCH groups and exhibits a moderate diatropic ring current despite its cross‐conjugated electronic circuit. The diatropic ring current increases upon increasing the solvent polarity, most likely due to an increased contribution of an aromatic zwitterionic resonance hybrid.     

Synthesis of new iron–NHC complexes as catalysts for hydrosilylation reactions

A series of new piano‐stool iron(II) complexes comprising N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands [Fe(Cp)(CO)₂(NHC)]I (NHC = 1,3‐disubstituted imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene) have been synthesized and analyzed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, elemental analysis and mass spectrometric techniques. These compounds were easily prepared from the reaction of disubstituted imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene with [FeI(Cp)(CO)₂] in toluene at room temperature. These complexes were tested in the catalytic hydrosilylation reaction of aldehydes and ketones with phenylsilane in solvent‐free conditions. After a basic hydrolysis step, the corresponding alcohols were obtained in good yields. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Alkali‐Metal Pyrazolate Complexes with Unusual Pyrazolate Coordination Modes and Pseudocubane Motifs

The dimeric complex [Li(Ph₂pz)(OEt₂)]₂ ( 1 ) and tetrameric cluster [Na(Ph₂pz)(thf)]₄ ( 2 ) were prepared by treatment of alkali‐metal reagents (nBuLi and Na{N(SiMe₃)₂}, respectively) with 3,5‐diphenylpyrazole (Ph₂pzH) in Et₂O ( 1 ) or THF ( 2 ). The polymer [Na(tBu₂pz)]_n ( 3 ) was obtained from reaction at elevated temperature in a sealed tube between Na metal and 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylpyrazole (tBu₂pzH). The complex [Na₄(tBu₂pz)₂(thf)₃(obds)]₂ ( 4 ; obds=(OSiMe₂)₂O) was obtained as a minor product from prolonged treatment of tBu₂pzH with elemental sodium in a silicone‐greased flask. All four alkali‐metal pyrazolato complexes were characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography.The Li dimer 1 displays μ‐η²:η¹ lithium–pyrazolato binding, in which both lithium atoms are four‐coordinate. Room‐ and variable‐temperature NMR studies (¹H, ¹³C, and ⁷Li) of 1 suggest similar behavior in solution, with peaks coalescing at low temperatures. Complexes 2 and 4 display distorted cubane structures. In 2 , all the sodium atoms are five‐coordinate, whereas 4 contains two sodium/pyrazolate/thf clusters (4:2:3 ratio) bridged by two obds^2? units, as well as two four‐coordinate and two five‐coordinate sodium atoms. Compound 3 is composed of two independent chains with the unusual coordination modes μ₃‐η⁵:η²:η², μ₃‐η⁵:η²:η¹, and μ₃‐η⁴:η²:η¹, with five‐, six‐, and seven‐coordinate sodium atoms. Two oxo‐centered M₈ cage complexes [(tBu₂pz)₆Li₈O] ( 5 ) and [(tBu₂pz)₆Na₈O] ( 6 ) were obtained as by‐products from attempted preparation of [Li(tBu₂pz)] and [Na(tBu₂pz)], respectively, and their structures were determined.     

Synthesis of ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight polyethylene wax using a bulky Ti(IV) aryloxide–alkyl aluminum catalytic system

Complexes of titanium(IV) with bulky phenolic ligands such as 2‐tert‐butyl‐4 methylphenol, 2, 4‐di‐tert‐butyl phenol and 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl phenol were prepared and characterized. These catalyst precursors, formulated as [Ti(OPh*)_n(OPrⁱ)_4?n] (OPh* = substituted phenol), were found to be active in polymerization of ethylene at higher temperatures in combination with ethylaluminum sesquichloride (Et₃Al₂Cl₃) as co‐catalyst. It was observed that the reaction temperature and ethylene pressure had a pronounced effect on polymerization and the molecular weight of polyethylene obtained. In addition, this catalytic system predominantly produced linear, crystalline ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight polyethylenes narrow dispersities. The polyethylene waxes obtained with this catalytic system exhibit unique properties that have potential applications in surface coating and adhesive formulations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tuning the Electronic Properties in Ruthenium–Quinone Complexes through Metal Coordination and Substitution at the Bridge

A rare example of a mononuclear complex [(bpy)₂Ru(L¹_?H)](ClO₄), 1 (ClO₄) and dinuclear complexes [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐L¹_?2H)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂, 2 (ClO₄)₂, [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐L²_?2H)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂, 3 (ClO₄)₂, and [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐L³_?2H)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂, 4 (ClO₄)₂ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, L¹=2,5‐di‐(isopropyl‐amino)‐1,4‐benzoquinone, L²=2,5‐di‐(benzyl‐amino)‐1,4‐benzoquinone, and L³=2,5‐di‐[2,4,6‐(trimethyl)‐anilino]‐1,4‐benzoquinone) with the symmetrically substituted p‐quinone ligands, L, are reported. Bond‐length analysis within the potentially bridging ligands in both the mono‐ and dinuclear complexes shows a localization of bonds, and binding to the metal centers through a phenolate‐type “O^?” and an immine/imminium‐type neutral “N” donor. For the mononuclear complex 1 (ClO₄), this facilitates strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding and leads to the imminium‐type character of the noncoordinated nitrogen atom. The dinuclear complexes display two oxidation and several reduction steps in acetonitrile solutions. In contrast, the mononuclear complex 1 ⁺ exhibits just one oxidation and several reduction steps. The redox processes of 1 ¹⁺ are strongly dependent on the solvent. The one‐electron oxidized forms 2 ³⁺, 3 ³⁺, and 4 ³⁺ of the dinuclear complexes exhibit strong absorptions in the NIR region. Weak NIR absorption bands are observed for the one‐electron reduced forms of all complexes. A combination of structural data, electrochemistry, UV/Vis/NIR/EPR spectroelectrochemistry, and DFT calculations is used to elucidate the electronic structures of the complexes. Our DFT results indicate that the electronic natures of the various redox states of the complexes in vacuum differ greatly from those in a solvent continuum. We show here the tuning possibilities that arise upon substituting [O] for the isoelectronic [NR] groups in such quinone ligands.     

Copper(II) and Sodium(I) Complexes based on 3,7‐Diacetyl‐1,3,7‐triaza‐5‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐5‐oxide: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalytic Activity

The reaction of 3,7‐diacetyl‐1,3,7‐triaza‐5‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (DAPTA) with metal salts of Cu^II or Na^I/Ni^II under mild conditions led to the oxidized phosphane derivative 3,7‐diacetyl‐1,3,7‐triaza‐5‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐5‐oxide (DAPTA=O) and to the first examples of metal complexes based on the DAPTA=O ligand, that is, [Cu^II(μ‐CH₃COO)₂(κO‐DAPTA=O)]₂ ( 1 ) and [Na(1κOO′;2κO‐DAPTA=O)(MeOH)]₂(BPh₄)₂ ( 2 ). The catalytic activity of 1 was tested in the Henry reaction and for the aerobic 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO)‐mediated oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Compound 1 was also evaluated as a model system for the catechol oxidase enzyme by using 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol as the substrate. The kinetic data fitted the Michaelis–Menten equation and enabled the obtainment of a rate constant for the catalytic reaction; this rate constant is among the highest obtained for this substrate with the use of dinuclear Cu^II complexes. DFT calculations discarded a bridging mode binding type of the substrate and suggested a mixed‐valence Cu^II/Cu^I complex intermediate, in which the spin electron density is mostly concentrated at one of the Cu atoms and at the organic ligand.     

A Boron‐Fluorinated Tris(pyrazolyl)borate Ligand (FTp*) and Its Mono‐ and Dinuclear Copper Complexes [Cu(FTp*)2] and [Cu2(FTp*)2]: Synthesis,Structures, and DFT Calculations

Reaction of [Si(3,5‐Me₂pz)₄] ( 1 ) with [Cu(MeCN)₄][BF₄] ( 2 ) gave the mono‐ and dinuclear copper complexes [Cu₂(^FTp*)₂] ( 3 ) and [Cu(^FTp*)₂] ( 4 ). Both complexes contain the so‐far unprecedented boron‐fluorinated ^FTp* ligand ([FB(3,5‐Me₂pz)₃]^? with pz=pyrazolyl) originating from 1 , acting as a pyrazolyl transfer reagent, and the [BF₄]^? counter anion of 2 , serving as the source of the {BF} entity. The solid‐state structures as well as the NMR and EPR spectroscopic characteristics of the complexes were elaborated. Pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) experiments revealed that 3 retains (almost entirely) its dimeric structure in benzene, whereas dimer cleavage and formation of acetonitrile adducts, presumably [Cu(^FTp*)(MeCN)], is observed in acetonitrile. The short Cu???Cu distance of 269.16 pm in the solid‐state is predicted by DFT calculations to be dictated by dispersion interactions between all atoms in the complex (the Cu?Cu dispersion contribution itself is only very small). As revealed by cyclic voltammetry studies, 3 shows an irreversible (almost quasi‐reversible at higher scan rates) oxidation process centred at E^pa=?0.23 V (E⁰_1/2=?0.27 V) (vs. Fc/Fc⁺). Oxidation reactions on a preparative scale with one equivalent of the ferrocenium salt [Fc][BF₄] (very slow reaction) or air (fast reaction) furnished blue crystals of the mononuclear copper(II) complex [Cu(^FTp*)₂] ( 4 ). As expected for a Jahn–Teller‐active system, the coordination sphere around copper(II) is strongly distorted towards a stretched octahedron, in accordance with EPR spectroscopic findings.     

Copolymerization of ethylene with cycloolefins by titanium complexes containing tridentate [o−NSR] ligands

A family of titanium complexes of the general formula [N‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsalicylidene)‐2‐alkylsulfanylanilinato]Ti(IV)Cl₃ 5a – f was prepared from the reaction of TiCl₄ with the potassium salts of the corresponding ligands. These complexes were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of 5b and 5e were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray analyses. Complexes 5a – f (except for 5c ) exhibited good to high catalytic activities in ethylene copolymerization with cycloolefins such as norbornene, cyclopentene, dicyclopentadiene in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane. The reaction conditions and the steric hindrance of the alkyl substituents on sulfur atom in the precatalysts influenced strongly the copolymerization behaviors and the structures of the resultant copolymers. Complex 5c with bulky tert‐butylthio sidearm showed both low catalytic activity and comonomer incorporation ratio. The n‐alkylthio complexes 5a , 5d – f all exhibited good ethylene copolymerization capabilities with cycloolefins, which is superior to the corresponding phenylthio complex 5g . © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JPolym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2807–2819, 2008     

A Ditopic Catechol Phosphane as Building Block for Selective Construction of Heterometallic Complexes with Early and Late Transition Metal Centers

Base‐assisted reaction of catechol phosphane 2 (H₂L) with [M′Cl₂(cod)] (cod = 1, 5‐cyclooctadiene, M′ = Pd, Pt) yielded chelate complexes [M′(HL)₂] ( 7a, b ). Spectroscopic and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that both complexes feature cis‐configuration of the P‐ and O‐donor atoms in solution and in the solid state. Reaction of 7a, b with acetylacetonato or alkoxide complexes [MO₂(acac)₂] (M = Mo, W), [VO(acac)₂], [{Ti(μ‐O)(acac)₂}₂], or Ti(OiPr)₄ gave good to excellent yields of early‐late heterometallic complexes [MO_n(μ‐L)₂M′] (MO_n = MoO₂, WO₂, VO; 8a, b – 10a, b ) or [Ti(RO‐1κO)₂(μ‐L ‐1κ²O, O'‐2κ²P, O)₂Pd] (R = Me, iPr; 11a, b ), which were inaccessible via other synthetic routes. Spectroscopic and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that the early metal centres in 8a, b, 9b and in 11b feature distorted octahedral coordination spheres with rigid transoid alignment of the catechol ring planes. Vanadium complexes 10a, b exhibit a square‐pyramidal coordination sphere with cisoid alignment of the catechol ring planes and evidence for intermolecular pairing via weak VO ··· Pd contacts in the solid state; complexes 8 , 9 do not undergo conformational inversion on the NMR time‐scale. The molecular structure of Ti complex 11a is characterized by a different orientation of the catechol moieties, which can be envisaged to picture an intermediate state during a configuration inversion process, and a strong hydrogen bridge between a terminally coordinated catecholato‐oxygen atom and a solvent molecule (MeOH). Solution NMR studies indicate that the (MeO)₂Ti(μ‐L)₂M' framework is in this case conformationally labile and that the MeO ligands undergo intermolecular dynamic exchange with the solvent.     

Stabilized Carbenium Ions as Latent,Z‐type Ligands

Controlling the reactivity of transition metals using secondary, σ‐accepting ligands is an active area of investigation that is impacting molecular catalysis. Herein we describe the phosphine gold complexes [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Acr)AuCl]⁺ ([ 3 ]⁺; Acr=9‐N‐methylacridinium) and [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Xan)AuCl]⁺ ([ 4 ]⁺; Xan=9‐xanthylium) where the electrophilic carbenium moiety is juxtaposed with the metal atom. While only weak interactions occur between the gold atom and the carbenium moiety of these complexes, the more Lewis acidic complex [ 4 ]⁺ readily reacts with chloride to afford a trivalent phosphine gold dichloride derivative ( 7 ) in which the metal atom is covalently bound to the former carbocationic center. This anion‐induced Au^I/Au^III oxidation is accompanied by a conversion of the Lewis acidic carbocationic center in [ 4 ]⁺ into an X‐type ligand in 7 . We conclude that the carbenium moiety of this complex acts as a latent Z‐type ligand poised to increase the Lewis acidity of the gold center, a notion supported by the carbophilic reactivity of these complexes.     

Zinkkomplexe eines neuen N,N, O‐Liganden

Zinc Complexes of a New N, N, O Ligand The tridentate ligand N, N(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)‐3, 5‐di‐tert.‐butyl‐salicylaldimine ( L H) results from the corresponding salicylic aldehyde and N, N‐dimethyl ethylenediamine. With zinc salts it forms the mononuclear halide complexes [ L ZnCl ˙ CH₃OH] ( 1 ) and [ L ZnI ˙ CH₃OH] ( 2 ) and the presumably polymeric acetate [ L ZnOCOCH₃] ( 3 ). With diethyl zinc and diphenylphosphoric acid it yields the phosphate complex [ L Zn‐OPO(OPh)₂ ˙ CH₃OH] ( 4 ). The coordination of the complexes, which is between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal, and the character of the five donors in the phosphate complex represent the transition state of a hydrolytic substrate cleavage in a zinc enzyme.