Binding H2, N2, H-, and BH3 to transition-metal sulfur sites: synthesis and properties of [RuL(PR3)(N2Me2S2)] Complexes (L=eta2-H2, H-, BH3; R=Cy, iPr)

The reactions of [Ru(N₂)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [‘N₂Me₂S₂’=1,2‐ethanediamine‐N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐bis(2‐benzenethiolate)(2?)] [ 1 a (R=iPr), 1 b (R=Cy)] and [μ‐N₂{Ru(N₂)(PiPr₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)}₂] ( 1 c ) with H₂, NaBH₄, and NBu₄BH₄, intended to reduce the N₂ ligands, led to substitution of N₂ and formation of the new complexes [Ru(H₂)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [ 2 a (R=iPr), 2 b (R=Cy)], [Ru(BH₃)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [ 3 a (R=iPr), 3 b (R=Cy)], and [Ru(H)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)]^? [ 4 a (R=iPr), 4 b (R=Cy)]. The BH₃ and hydride complexes 3 a , 3 b , 4 a , and 4 b were obtained subsequently by rational synthesis from 1 a or 1 b and BH₃?THF or LiBEt₃H. The primary step in all reactions probably is the dissociation of N₂ from the N₂ complexes to give coordinatively unsaturated [Ru(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] fragments that add H₂, BH₄^?, BH₃, or H^?. All complexes were completely characterized by elemental analysis and common spectroscopic methods. The molecular structures of [Ru(H₂)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [ 2 a (R=iPr), 2 b (R=Cy)], [Ru(BH₃)(PiPr₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] ( 3 a ), [Li(THF)₂][Ru(H)(PiPr₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] ([Li(THF)₂]‐ 4 a ), and NBu₄[Ru(H)(PCy₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] (NBu₄‐ 4 b ) were determined by X‐ray crystal structure analysis. Measurements of the NMR relaxation time T₁ corroborated the η² bonding mode of the H₂ ligands in 2 a (T₁=35 ms) and 2 b (T₁=21 ms). The H,D coupling constants of the analogous HD complexes HD‐ 2 a (¹J(H,D)=26.0 Hz) and HD‐ 2 b (¹J(H,D)=25.9 Hz) enabled calculation of the H? D distances, which agreed with the values found by X‐ray crystal structure analysis ( 2 a : 92 pm (X‐ray) versus 98 pm (calculated), 2 b : 99 versus 98 pm). The BH₃ entities in 3 a and 3 b bind to one thiolate donor of the [Ru(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] fragment and through a B‐H‐Ru bond to the Ru center. The hydride complex anions 4 a and 4 b are extremely Brønsted basic and are instantanously protonated to give the η²‐H₂ complexes 2 a and 2 b .     

Chiral, bridged bis(imidazolin-2-ylidene) complexes of palladium

Varieties of chiral, bridged bisimidazolium salts as well as the synthesis of palladium complexes of general formula with the corresponding chelating N-heterocyclic carbene ligands is reported. This is the first systematic study of chiral bis(imidazolin-2-ylidene)palladium(II) complexes bearing chiral groups on the endocyclic nitrogens. Structural proof of such a chiral palladium(II) complex is presented by way of an X-ray diffraction study of complex 3a.     

Dichroic, dinuclear mu2-(eta2-NO)-nitrosoaniline-bridged complexes of rhenium of the type [[(CO)3Re(mu-X)]2ONC6H4NR2] (X = Cl, Br, I; R = Me, Et)

A series of unusual dinuclear mu2-(eta2-NO)-nitrosoaniline-bridged complexes [[(CO)3Re(mu-X)]2ONC6H4NR2] (X = Cl, Br, I; R = Me, Et) with dichroic properties have been synthesised by reaction of pentacarbonylhalogenorhenium(I) [(CO)5ReX] (X = Cl, Br, I) with the corresponding nitrosoaniline derivatives R2NC6H4NO (R = Me, Et). The deeply coloured solutions in CH2Cl2 show broad UV/Vis absorptions from 595 to 620 nm depending on the halogen bridges and N substituents. Single crystals of all six compounds exhibit a pronounced linear dichroism. The molecular structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. All the compounds contain two face-shared octahedra, with two halogens and one NO ligand as bridges. The NO ligand coordinates in a nonsymmetrical eta2-like fashion with N or O coordination to each Re centre. Therefore, the C-nitroso group and the planar NC2 moiety of NR2 both lie almost exactly within the symmetry plane of the dinuclear complexes. These complexes belong to the novel and simple class of neutral dinuclear C-nitroso complexes that include the rare, non-assisted mu2-(eta2-NO) ligand function and have only single halogen atoms in bridging positions.     

Synthesis and characterization of new sulfide aggregates of the type [{Pt2(μ3-S)2(P-P)2}M(C6F5)2] (M=Ni, Pd, Pt; P-P=2PPh3, 2PMe2Ph, dppf)

The reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(P-P)₂] (P-P=2PPh₃, 2PMe₂Ph, dppf) [dppf=1,1^′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene] with cis-[M(C₆F₅)₂(PhCN)₂] (M=Ni, Pd) or cis-[Pt(C₆F₅)₂(THF)₂] (THF=tetrahydrofuran) afforded sulfide aggregates of the type [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(P-P)₂}M(C₆F₅)₂] (M=Ni, Pd, Pt). X-ray crystal analysis revealed that [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(dppf)₂}Pd(C₆F₅)₂], [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(PPh₃)₂}Ni(C₆F₅)₂], [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(PPh₃)₂}Pd(C₆F₅)₂] and [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(PMe₂Ph)₂}Pt(C₆F₅)₂] have triangular M₃S₂ core structures capped on both sides by μ₃-sulfido ligands. The structural features of these polymetallic complexes are described. Some of them display short metal-metal contacts.     

New iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes by [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of alkynes and facile interconversion between iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes

Iridabenzenes [Ir[=CHCH=CHCH=C(CH2R)](CH3CN)2(PPh3)2]2+ (R=Ph 4 a, R=p-C6H4CH3 4 b) are obtained from the reactions of H+ with iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](CO)(PPh3)2]+ (R'=H 3 a, R'=CH3 3 b), which are prepared from [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of alkynes in the reactions of [Ir(CH3CN)(CO)(PPh3)2]+ with HC[triple chemical bond]CH and HC[triple chemical bond]CR. Iridabenzenes 4 react with CO and CH3CN in the presence of NEt3 to give iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CHR)](CO)2(PPh3)2]+ (6) and [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CHR)](CH3CN)2(PPh3)2]+ (7), respectively. Iridacyclohexadienes 6 and 7 also convert to iridabenzenes 4 by the reactions with H+ in the presence of CH3CN. Alkynyl iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](-C[triple chemical bond]CH)(PPh3)2] (8) undergo a cleavage of C[triple chemical bond]C bond by H+/H2O to produce [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](-CH3)(CO)(PPh3)2] (10) via facile inter-conversion between iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes.     

Synthesis of Some C2‐Symmetric Bidentate Ligands and Their Complexes Derived from Feist's Acid

Various new C₂‐symmetric bidentate ligands, bearing phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur, were obtained in an efficient manner, starting from (±)‐trans‐3‐methylidenecyclopropane‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acid (Feist's acid; (±)‐trans‐ 3 ). The structures of the new bidentate ligands, di(tert‐butyl) (±)‐[(trans‐3‐methylidenecyclopropane‐1,2‐diyl)dimethanediyl]biscarbamate ((±)‐ 9 ), (±)‐(trans‐3‐methyldienecyclopropane‐1,2‐diyl)dimethanaminium dichloride ((±)‐ 10 ), (±)‐S,S′‐[(trans‐3‐methylidenecyclopropane‐1,2‐diyl)dimethanediyl] diethanethioate ((±)‐ 11 ), and (±)‐[(trans‐3‐methylidenecyclopropane‐1,2‐diyl)dimethanediyl]bis(diphenylphosphane) ((±)‐ 12 ), were fully characterized by standard spectroscopic techniques. These new classes of C₂‐symmetric bidentate ligands have the potential to be used in asymmetric catalysis.     

Hydrolysis of dinuclear ruthenium complexes [{CpRu(PPh3)2}2(micro,eta(1:1)-L)][CF3SO3]2 (L=P4, P4S3): simple access to metal complexes of P2H4 and PH2SH

The reaction of [CpRu(PPh(3))(2)Cl] (1) with half an equivalent of P(4) or P(4)S(3) in the presence of AgCF(3)SO(3) as chloride scavenger affords the stable dimetal complexes [{CpRu(PPh(3))(2)}(2)(micro,eta(1:1)-P(4))][CF(3)SO(3)](2).3 CH(2)Cl(2) (2) and [{CpRu(PPh(3))(2)}(2)(micro,eta(1:1)-P(apical)-P(basal)-P(4)S(3))][CF(3)SO(3)](2).0.5 C(7)H(8) (3), in which the tetrahedral P(4) and mixed-cage P(4)S(3) molecules are respectively bound to two CpRu(PPh(3))(2) fragments through two phosphorus atoms. The coordinated cage molecules, at variance with the free ligands, readily react with an excess of water in THF under mild conditions. Among the hydrolysis products, the new, remarkably stable complexes [{CpRu(PPh(3))(2)}(2)(micro,eta(1:1)-P(2)H(4))][CF(3)SO(3)](2) (4) and [CpRu(PPh(3))(2)(eta(1)-PH(2)SH)]CF(3)SO(3) (8) were isolated. In the former, diphosphane, P(2)H(4), is coordinated to two CpRu(PPh(3))(2) fragments, and in the latter thiophosphinous acid, H(2)PSH, is coordinated to the metal centre through the phosphorus atom. All compounds were characterised by elemental analyses and IR and NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of 2, 3, 4 and 8 were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of 2-(2-methoxyethyl)- and 2-(2-thiomethoxyethyl)-aniline and related compounds

Summary 2-(2-Nitrophenyl)-ethanol (2) was methylated with dimethyl sulfate to give 2-(2-methoxyethyl)-1-nitrobenzene (3a) which then was reduced with hydrazine hydrate in the presence ofRaney nickel to 2-(2-methoxyethyl)-aniline (1a). Compound1a can be transformed into the N-monosilylated derivative4 by lithiation withn-butyllithium and subsequent reaction with chlorotrimethylsilane. Reaction of2 withp-toluenesulfonyl chloride yields 2-(2-nitrophenyl)-ethylp-toluenesulfonate (5), which reacts with sodium thiomethoxide to give 2-(2-nitrophenyl)-ethylp-toluenesulfonate (5), which reacts with sodium thiomethoxide to give 2-(2-thiomethoxyethyl)-1-nitrobenzene (3b).3b was reduced with hydrazine hydrate in the presence ofRaney nickel to yield 2-(2-thiomethoxyethyl)-aniline (1b). Ethyl (2-nitrophenyl)-acetate (6) could be dimethylated with methyl iodide in the presence of potassiumtert-butoxide and 18-crown-6 to give ethyl 2-methyl-2-(2-nitrophenyl)-propionate (7). Reduction of7 with lithium borohydride yields 2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1H-indole (9) and 2-[(1-hydroxy-2-methyl)-2-propyl]-aniline (10).

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Synthese von 2-(2-Methoxyethyl)- und 2-(2-Thiomethoxyethyl)-anilin und verwandten Verbindungen

Zusammenfassung 2-(2-Nitrophenyl)-ethanol (2) wurde mit Dimethylsulfat zu 2-(2-Methoxyethyl)-1-nitrobenzol (3a) methyliert, das sich mit Hydrazinhydrat in Gegenwart vonRaney-Nickel zu 2-(2-Methoxyethyl)-anilin (1a) reduzieren läßt. Verbindung1a kann durch Metallierung mitn-Butyllithium und anschließende Reaktion mit Chlortrimethylsilan in dasN-monosilylierte Derivat4 umgewandelt werden. Reaktion von2 mitp-Toluolsulfonylchlorid ergab 2-(2-Nitrophenyl)-ethyl-p-Toluolsulfonat (5), das mit Natriumthiomethanolat zu 1-Nitro-2-(2-thiomethoxyethyl)-benzol (3b) reagiert.3b wurde mit Hydrazinhydrat in Gegenwart vonRaney-Nickel zu 2-(2-Thiomethoxyethyl)-anilin (1b) reduziert. Ethyl-2-(nitrophenyl)-acetat (6) kann mit Methyliodid in Gegenwart von Kalium-tert-butoxid und 18-Krone-6 zu Ethyl-2-methyl-2-(2-nitrophenyl)-propionat (7) dimethyliert werden. Reduktion von7 mit Lithiumborhydrid lieferte 2,3-Dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1H-indol (9) und 2-[(1-Hydroxy-2-methyl)-2-propyl]-anilin (10).

     

Binding N2, N2H2, N2H4, and NH3 to transition-metal sulfur sites: modeling potential intermediates of biological N2 fixation

In the quest for low-molecular-weight metal sulfur complexes that bind nitrogenase-relevant small molecules and can serve as model complexes for nitrogenase, compounds with the [Ru(PiPr(3))('N(2)Me(2)S(2)')] fragment were found ('N(2)Me(2)S(2)'(2-)=1,2-ethanediamine-N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-benzenethiolate)(2-)). This fragment enabled the synthesis of a first series of chiral metal sulfur complexes, [Ru(L)(PiPr(3))('N(2)Me(2)S(2)')] with L=N(2), N(2)H(2), N(2)H(4), and NH(3), that meet the biological constraint of forming under mild conditions. The reaction of [Ru(NCCH(3))(PiPr(3))('N(2)Me(2)S(2)')] (1) with NH(3) gave the ammonia complex [Ru(NH(3))(PiPr(3))('N(2)Me(2)S(2)')] (4), which readily exchanged NH(3) for N(2) to yield the mononuclear dinitrogen complex [Ru(N(2))(PiPr(3))('N(2)Me(2)S(2)')] (2) in almost quantitative yield. Complex 2, obtained by this new efficient synthesis, was the starting material for the synthesis of dinuclear (R,R)- and (S,S)-[micro-N(2)[Ru(PiPr(3))('N(2)Me(2)S(2)')](2)] ((R,R)-/(S,S)-3). (Both 2 and 3 have been reported previously.) The as-yet inexplicable behavior of complex 3 to form also the R,S isomer in solution has been revealed by DFT calculations and (2)D NMR spectroscopy studies. The reaction of 1 or 2 with anhydrous hydrazine yielded the hydrazine complex [Ru(N(2)H(4))(PiPr(3))('N(2)Me(2)S(2)')] (6), which is a highly reactive intermediate. Disproportionation of 6 resulted in the formation of mononuclear diazene complexes, the ammonia complex 4, and finally the dinuclear diazene complex [micro-N(2)H(2)[Ru(PiPr(3))('N(2)Me(2)S(2)')](2)] (5). Dinuclear complex 5 could also be obtained directly in an independent synthesis from 1 and N(2)H(2), which was generated in situ by acidolysis of K(2)N(2)(CO(2))(2). Treatment of 6 with CH(2)Cl(2), however, formed a chloromethylated diazene species [[Ru(PiPr(3))('N(2)Me(2)S(2)')]-micro-N(2)H(2)[Ru(Cl)('N(2)Me(2)S(2)CH(2)Cl')]] (9) ('N(2)Me(2)S(2)CH(2)Cl'(2-) =1,2-ethanediamine-N,N'-dimethyl-N-(2-benzenethiolate)(1-)-N'-(2-benzenechloromethylthioether)(1-)]. The molecular structures of 4, 5, and 9 were determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis, and the labile N(2)H(4) complex 6 was characterized by NMR spectroscopy.     

Fine‐Tuning the Reactivity and Stability by Systematic Ligand Variations in CpCoI Complexes as Catalysts for [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

CpCo^I‐olefin‐phosphite and CpCo^I‐bisphosphite complexes were systematically prepared and their reactivity in [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions compared with highly active [CpCo(H₂C?CHSiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ). Whereas 1 is an excellent precursor for the synthesis of [CpCo(olefin)(phosphite)] complexes ( 2 a – f ), [CpCo(phosphite)₂] complexes ( 3 a – e ) were prepared photochemically from [CpCo(cod)]. The complexes were evaluated in the cyclotrimerization reaction of diynes with nitriles yielding pyridines. For [CpCo(olefin)(phosphite)], as well as some of the [CpCo(phosphite)₂] complexes, reaction temperatures as low as 50 °C were sufficient to perform the cycloaddition reaction. A direct comparison showed that the order of reactivity for the complex ligands was olefin₂>olefin/phosphite>phosphites₂. The complexes with mixed ligands favorably combine reactivity and stability. Calculations on the ligand dissociation from [CpCo(olefin)(phosphite)] proved that the phosphite is dissociating before the olefin. [CpCo(H₂C?CHSiMe₃){P(OPh)₃}] ( 2 a ) was investigated for the co‐cyclization of diynes and nitriles and found to be an efficient catalyst at rather mild temperatures.     

trans-[RuCl2(phosphane)2(1,2-diamine)] and Chiral trans-[RuCl2(diphosphane)(1,2-diamine)]: Shelf-Stable Precatalysts for the Rapid,Productive, and Stereoselective Hydrogenation of Ketones

A turnover number (TON) of 2 400 000 and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 63 s⁻¹ are achieved with the chiral Ru^II complex 1 (R=p-CH₃C₆H₄) in the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone. Carbonyl-selective asymmetric hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated ketones proceeds in the presence of these Ru^II catalysts, and 4-substituted cyclohexanones are selectively converted into cis alcohols.     

A Zwitterionic Phosphonio‐1, 2, 4‐Diazaphospholide and Neutral 1, 2, 4‐Diazaphosphole — A Comparative Study of Molecular Structures and Co‐ordination Properties

The bis‐phosphonio‐1, 2, 4‐diazaphospholide salt ( 1 [Cl]) reacts with complex boron hydrides under selective extrusion of one PPh₃ moiety to give borane adducts of a novel zwitterionic phosphonio‐1, 2, 4‐diazaphospholide. Both the Et₃B adduct 2b and the free zwitterionic heterocycle 3 , which was liberated by further reaction of 2b with NEt₃, were characterized by spectroscopic data and 2b , as well, by a single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. The comparison of the structural data with those of a neutral 1, 2, 4‐diazaphosphole and a lithium‐1, 2, 4‐diazaphospholide which was formed by deprotonation of the parent 1, 2, 4‐diazaphosphole 4a discloses trends in endocyclic bonding distances which can be rationalized in terms of a charge dependent shift in the π‐electron distribution. First studies of the co‐ordination properties reveal for both 2b and 4a a marked preference to bind two M(CO)₅‐fragments (M = Cr, W) via the lone‐pairs of the phosphorus and one nitrogen atom; mononuclear complexes with P‐co‐ordinated heterocycles are formed as intermediates. A single crystal X‐ray diffraction study of the dinuclear complex [Cr₂(CO)₁₀(μ₂‐C₂H₃N₂P‐κP, κN)] ( 10a ) together with spectroscopic studies (including ¹⁸³W NMR studies of tungsten complexes) suggests that M→L back donation is more efficient for P‐ than for N‐bound metal fragments. No evidence for π‐co‐ordination of the 1, 2, 4‐diazaphosphole ring to a Cr(CO)₃ fragment was obtained.     

2,5-Dioxido-1,4-benzoquinonediimine (H2L2-), a hydrogen-bonding noninnocent bridging ligand related to aminated topaquinone: different oxidation state distributions in complexes [{(bpy)2Ru}2(mu-H2L)]n (n=0,+,2+,3+,4+) and [{(acac)2Ru}2(mu-H2L)]m (m=2-,-,0,+,2+)

The symmetrically dinuclear title compounds were isolated as diamagnetic [(bpy)2Ru(mu-H2L)Ru(bpy)2](ClO4)2 (1-(ClO4)2) and as paramagnetic [(acac)2Ru(mu-H2L)Ru(acac)2] (2) complexes (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; acac- = acetylacetonate = 2,4-pentanedionato; H2L = 2,5-dioxido-1,4-benzoquinonediimine). The crystal structure of 22 H2O reveals an intricate hydrogen-bonding network: Two symmetry-related molecules 2 are closely connected through two NH(H2L2-)O(acac-) interactions, while the oxygen atoms of H2L2- of two such pairs are bridged by an (H2O)8 cluster at half-occupancy. The cluster consists of cyclic (H2O)6 arrangements with the remaining two exo-H2O molecules connecting two opposite sides of the cyclo-(H2O)6 cluster, and oxido oxygen atoms forming hydrogen bonds with the molecules of 2. Weak antiferromagnetic coupling of the two ruthenium(III) centers in 2 was established by using SQUID magnetometry and EPR spectroscopy. Geometry optimization by means of DFT calculations was carried out for 1(2+) and 2 in their singlet and triplet ground states, respectively. The nature of low-energy electronic transitions was explored by using time-dependent DFT methods. Five redox states were reversibly accessible for each of the complexes; all odd-electron intermediates exhibit comproportionation constants K(c)>10(8). UV-visible-NIR spectroelectrochemistry and EPR spectroscopy of the electrogenerated paramagnetic intermediates were used to ascertain the oxidation-state distribution. In general, the complexes 1n+ prefer the ruthenium(II) configuration with electron transfer occurring largely at the bridging ligand (mu-H2Ln-), as evident from radical-type EPR spectra for 13+ and (+. Higher metal oxidation states (iii, iv) appear to be favored by the complexes 2m; intense long-wavelength absorption bands and RuIII-type EPR signals suggest mixed-valent dimetal configurations of the paramagnetic intermediates 2+ and 2-.     

Synthese,Strukturuntersuchung und Reaktionen Phosphansubstituierter Derivate von Fe3(CO)9(μ3-CF)2

Syntheses, Structure Determination and Reactions of Phosphine Substituted Derivatives of Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-CF)₂ Photolysis of Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-CF)₂ 1 in the presence of acetonitrile 2a or benzoenitrile 2b results in the substitution of a single carbonyl ligand by a nitrile ligand yielding Fe₃(CO)₈(CH₃CN)(μ₃-CF)₂ 3a and Fe₃(CO)₈(C₆H₅CN)(μ₃-CF)₂ 3b, respectively. The acetonitrile ligand in 3a can be easily replaced by trimethyl-phosphine 4a or triphenylphosphine 4b . The monosubstituted compounds Fe₃(CO)₈(PR₃)(μ₃-CF)₂5, R = CH₃ a, R = C₆H₅, b are obtained as major products besides a small amount of the disubsituted products Fe₃(CO)₇(PR₃)₂(μ₃-CF)₂ 6. The structure of 5a has been elucidated by a single crystal X-ray structure determination. Thermal ligand substitution in 1, however, results in the formation of a mixture of mono-, disubstituted, and trisubstituted products, in which 6b is the major product for diphenylphosphine. 5a reacts with ethyne 7 forming a phosphine substituted diferra-allyl-cluster Fe₃(CO)₇(PR₃)(μ₃-CF)(μ₃? CF? CH? CH) 8. The structure of one isomere of 8 has been determinated by X-ray crystallography.     

Steric Effects on the Structures,Reactivity, and Coordination Chemistry of Tris(2‐pyridyl)aluminates

Introducing substituents in the 6‐position of the 2‐pyridyl rings of tris(pyridyl)aluminate anions, of the type [EtAl(2‐py′)₃]^? (py′=a substituted 2‐pyridyl group), has a large impact on their metal coordination characteristics. This is seen most remarkably in the desolvation of the THF solvate [EtAl(6‐Me‐2‐py)₃Li?THF] to give the monomer [EtAl(6‐Me‐2‐py)₃Li] ( 1 ), containing a pyramidal, three‐coordinate Li⁺ cation. Similar monomeric complexes are observed for [EtAl(6‐CF₃‐2‐py)₃Li] ( 2 ) and [EtAl(6‐Br‐2‐py)₃Li] ( 3 ), which contain CF₃ and Br substituents (R). This steric influence can be exploited in the synthesis of a new class of terminal Al?OH complexes, as is seen in the controlled hydrolysis of 2 and 3 to give [EtAl(OH)(6‐R‐2‐py)₂]^? anions, as in the dimer [EtAl(OH)(6‐Br‐2‐py)₂Li]₂ ( 5 ). Attempts to deprotonate the Al?OH group of 5 using Et₂Zn led only to the formation of the zincate complex [LiZn(6‐Br‐py)₃]₂ ( 6 ), while reactions of the 6‐Br substituted 3 and the unsubstituted complex [EtAl(2‐py)₃Li] with MeOH give [EtAl(OMe)(6‐Br‐2‐py)₂Li]₂ ( 7 ) and [EtAl(OMe)(2‐py)₂Li]₂ ( 8 ), respectively, having similar dimeric arrangements to 5 . The combined studies presented provide key synthetic methods for the functionalization and elaboration of tris(pyridyl)aluminate ligands.     

Novel sandwich complexes of zirconium [C9H5(SiMe3)2](C5Me4R)ZrCl2 (R = CH3, CH2CH2NMe2): Synthesis and reduction behavior

Novel half-sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂]ZrCl₃ (3) and sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂](C₅Me₄R)ZrCl₂ (R = CH₃ (1), CH₂CH₂NMe₂ (2)) complexes were prepared and characterized. The reduction of 2 by Mg in THF lead to (η⁵-C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂)[η⁵:η²(C,N)-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]ZrH (7). The structure of 7 was proved by NMR spectroscopy data. Hydrolysis of 2 resulted in the binuclear complex ([C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂]ZrCl₂)₂O (6). The crystal structures of 1 and 6 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

1,3-dialkyl- and 1,3-diaryl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene rhodium(i) and palladium(II) complexes: synthesis, structure, and reactivity

The synthesis of novel 1,3-diaryl- and 1,3-dialkylpyrimidin-2-ylidene-based N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and their rhodium(i) and palladium(II) complexes is described. The rhodium compounds bromo(cod)[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene]rhodium (7), bromo(cod)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)rhodium (8) (cod=eta(4)-1,5-cyclooctadiene, mesityl=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), chloro(cod)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)rhodium (9), and chloro(cod)[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene]rhodium (10) were prepared by reaction of [[Rh(cod)Cl](2)] with lithium tert-butoxide followed by addition of 1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium bromide (3), 1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium tetrafluoroborate (4), 1,3-di-2-propyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium bromide (6), and 1,3-di-2-propyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium tetrafluoroborate, respectively. Complex 7 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, and 8 in the monoclinic space group P2(1). Complexes 9 and 10 were used for the synthesis of the corresponding dicarbonyl complexes dicarbonylchloro(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)rhodium (11), and dicarbonylchloro[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene]rhodium (12). The wavenumbers nu(CO I)/nu(CO II) for 11 and 12 were used as a quantitative measure for the basicity of the NHC ligand. The values of 2062/1976 and 2063/1982 cm(-1), respectively, indicate that the new NHCs are among the most basic cyclic ligands reported so far. Compounds 3 and 6 were additionally converted to the corresponding cationic silver(i) bis-NHC complexes [Ag(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(2)]AgBr(2) (13) and [Ag[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene](2)]AgBr(2) (14), which were subsequently used in transmetalation reactions for the synthesis of the corresponding palladium(II) complexes Pd(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(2) (2+)(Ag(2)Br(2)Cl(4) (4-))(1/2) (15) and Pd[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(2)]Cl(2) (16). Complex 15 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, and 16 in the monoclinic space group C(2)/c. The catalytic activity of 15 and 16 in Heck-type reactions was studied in detail. Both compounds are highly active in the coupling of aliphatic and aromatic vinyl compounds with aryl bromides and chlorides with turnover numbers (TONs) up to 2000000. Stabilities of 15 and 16 under Heck-couplings conditions were correlated with their molecular structure. Finally, selected kinetic data for these couplings are presented.     

RP-Bridged Metal Carbonyl Clusters: Synthesis,Properties, and Reactions

Metal carbonyl clusters possess a complicated chemistry that is only beginning to be understood. One of the main current goals in this area is thus an understanding of their reactivity. This article describes the syntheses and reactions of clusters that contain metal carbonyl fragments bridged by a main-group element. But what is the sense of making such clusters still more complicated by the incorporation of main-group elements? The example of μ₃-bridged carbonyl clusters will serve to show that the main-group element plays an important role in the study of reaction paths; it holds the metal carbonyl fragments together even when the bonds between them are broken in the course of a reaction. Trinuclear μ₃-bridged clusters prove to be small enough to allow the analysis of typical cluster reactions (such as the reversible breaking of metal-metal bonds) in terms of single reaction steps. They are also large enough to provide surprises by their multifaceted reactivity. It will be shown that a detailed study of trinuclear RX-bridged metal carbonyl clusters (X ? N, P, As, Sb, Bi)—a very small part of carbonyl cluster chemistry—can lead to a better understanding of the general reaction principles involved.     

Reaction of Cp2ZrCl2 with Inorganic Amides

The reactions of [η⁵‐Cp₂ZrCl₂] (Cp = η⁵‐C₅H₅) with [K(THF)_n][N(PPh₂)₂] (n = 1.25—1.5) and K[CH(PPh₂NSiMe₃)₂] are reported. The first reaction led to the monoamido complex [η⁵‐Cp₂Zr(Cl)N(PPh₂)₂] in which the {(Ph₂P)₂N}^— ligand — via a phosphorous and the nitrogen atom — is coordinated to the zirconium atom in a chelating (η²) fashion. Reaction of the potassium methanide compound, K{CH(PPh₂NSiMe₃)₂} with zirconocene dichloride yield the carbene‐like mono cyclopentadienyl complex [η⁵‐CpZr(Cl){C(PPh₂NSiMe₃)₂}]. The complex is formed by a salt metathesis and concomitant a cyclopentadiene extrusion.