(μ‐Tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiol­ato)­bis[(tetra­hydro­furan)lithium(I)] and catena‐poly[[bis­(μ‐tri‐tert‐butoxy­silanethiol­ato)dilithium(I)]‐μ‐dimethoxy­ethane]: solvent coordination as the structure‐forming factor

The title compounds, μ‐(tri‐tert‐butoxy­silanethiol­ato‐κ²S:S)‐bis[(tetra­hydro­furan‐κO)lithium(I)], [Li₂(C₁₂H₂₇O₃SSi)₂(C₄H₈O)₂], (I), and catena‐poly[[bis­(μ‐tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiol­ato)‐1:2κ²S;1κS:2κS,O‐dilithium(I)]‐μ‐dimethoxy­ethane‐κ²O:O′], [Li₂(C₁₂H₂₇O₃SSi)₂(C₄H₁₀O₂)]_n, (II), were obtained by the reaction of tri‐tert‐butoxy­silanethiol with metallic lithium. The crude product, when recrystallized from tetra­hydro­furan (THF) yields (I), and when recrystallized from 1,2‐dimethoxy­ethane (DME) gives (II). Compound (I) forms centrosymmetric dimers in the solid state with an Li₂S₂ central core, whereas (II) forms infinitely long chains, in which the centrosymmetric dimeric units are linked together by the bidentate DME ligand (also residing on an inversion centre), thus forming a coordination polymer. The formation of a one‐dimensional structure in (II) is a consequence of replacement of a monodentate THF solvent mol­ecule with a bidentate DME mol­ecule.     

Dioxygen Activation by Non‐Adiabatic Oxidative Addition to a Single Metal Center

A chromium(I) dinitrogen complex reacts rapidly with O₂ to form the mononuclear dioxo complex [Tp^tBu,MeCr^V(O)₂] (Tp^tBu,Me=hydrotris(3‐tert‐butyl‐5‐methylpyrazolyl)borate), whereas the analogous reaction with sulfur stops at the persulfido complex [Tp^tBu,MeCr^III(S₂)]. The transformation of the putative peroxo intermediate [Tp^tBu,MeCr^III(O₂)] (S=³/₂) into [Tp^tBu,MeCr^V(O)₂] (S=¹/₂) is spin‐forbidden. The minimum‐energy crossing point for the two potential energy surfaces has been identified. Although the dinuclear complex [(Tp^tBu,MeCr)₂(μ‐O)₂] exists, mechanistic experiments suggest that O₂ activation occurs on a single metal center, by an oxidative addition on the quartet surface followed by crossover to the doublet surface.     

The Influence of Alkali Metal Ions on the Stability and Reactivity of Chromium(III) Superoxide Moieties Spanned by Siloxide Ligands

In recent years, it has become clear that the presence of redox-inactive Lewis acidic metal ions can decisively influence the reactivity of metal–dioxygen moieties that are formed in the course of O₂ activation, in molecular complexes, and metalloenzymes. Superoxide species are often formed as the primary intermediates but they are mostly too unstable for a thorough investigation. We report here a series of chromium(III) superoxide complexes [L₂Cr]M₂O₂(THF)_y (L=⁻OSiPh₂OSiPh₂O⁻, M⁺=Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and y=4, 5), which could be accessed, studied spectroscopically and partly crystallized at low temperatures. They only differ in the two incorporated Lewis acidic alkali metal counterions (M⁺) and it could thus be shown that the nature of M⁺ determines considerably its interaction with the superoxide ligand. This interaction, in turn, has a significant influence on the stability and reactivity of these complexes towards substrates with OH groups. Furthermore, we show that stability and reactivity are also highly solvent dependent (THF versus nitriles), as donor solvents coordinate to the alkali metal ions and thus also influence their interaction with the superoxide moiety. Altogether, these results provide a comprehensive and detailed picture concerning the correlation between spectroscopic properties, structure, and behavior of such superoxides, that may be exemplary for other systems.     

Chirale Gallium‐ und Indium‐Alkoxometallate

Chiral Gallium and Indium Alkoxometalates Li₂(S)‐BINOLate ((S)‐BINOL = (S)‐(–)‐2,2′‐Dihydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl) generated by dilithiation of (S)BINOL with two equivalents ⁿBuLi was reacted with GaCl₃ und InCl₃ in THF to the alkoxometalates [{Li(THF)₂}{Li(THF)}₂{Ga((S)‐BINOLate)₃}] ( 1 ) and [{Li(THF)₂}₂{Li(THF)}{In((S)‐BINOLate)₃}] · [{Li(THF)₂}{Li(THF)}₂{In((S)‐ BINOLate)₃}]₂ ( 3 ), respectively. 1 and 3 crystallize from THF/toluene mixtures as 1 · 2 toluene and 3 · 8 toluene. The treatment of PhCH₂GaCl₂ with Li₂(S)‐BINOLate in THF under reflux, followed by recrystallization of the product from DME gives the gallate [{Li(DME)}₃{Ga((S)BINOLate)₃}] · 1.5 THF ( 2 · 1.5 THF). 1 – 3 were characterized by NMR, IR and MS techniques. In addition, 1 · 2 toluene, 2 · 1.5 THF and 3 · 8 toluene were investigated by X‐ray structure analyses. According to them, a distorted octahedral coordination sphere around the group 13 metal was formed, built‐up by three BINOLate ligands. The three Li⁺ counter ions act as bridging units by metal‐oxygen coordination. The coordination sphere of the Li⁺ ions was completed, depending on the available space, by one or two THF ligands ( 1 · 2 toluene, 3 · 8 toluene) and one DME ligand ( 2 · 1.5 THF), respectively. The sterical dominance of the BINOLate ligands can be shown by the almost square‐planar coordination of the Li⁺ ions in 2 · 1.5 THF giving a small twisting angle of only 17°.     

Two related lithium calixarene complexes, [p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene(OMe)(OH)2(OLi)]2·4MeCN and {p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene(OH)2(OLi)[OLi(NCMe)2]}2·8MeCN,determined using synchrotron radiation

The crystal structures of acetonitrile solvates of two related lithium calixarene complexes have been determined by low‐temperature single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. Bis(μ‐5,11,17,23‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐26,28‐dihydroxy‐25‐methoxy‐27‐oxidocalix[4]arene)dilithium(I) acetonitrile tetrasolvate, [Li₂(C₄₅H₅₇O₄)₂]·4C₂H₃N or [p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene(OMe)(OH)₂(OLi)]₂·4MeCN, (I), crystallizes with the complex across a centre of symmetry and with four molecules of unbound acetonitrile of crystallization per complex. Tetraacetonitrilebis(μ‐5,11,17,23‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐26,28‐dihydroxy‐25,27‐dioxidocalix[4]arene)tetralithium(I) acetonitrile octasolvate, [Li₄(C₄₄H₅₄O₄)₂(C₂H₃N)₄]·8C₂H₃N or {p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene(OH)₂(OLi)[OLi(NCMe)₂]}₂·8MeCN, (II), also crystallizes with the complex lying across a centre of symmetry and contains eight molecules of unbound acetonitrile per complex plus four more directly bound to two of the lithium ions, two on each ion. The cores of both complexes are partially supported by O—H...O hydrogen bonds. The methoxy methyl groups in (I) prevent the binding of any more than two Li⁺ ions, while the corresponding two O‐atom sites in (II) bind an extra Li⁺ ion each, making four in total. The calixarene cone adopts an undistorted cone conformation in (I), but an elliptical one in (II).     

Bridging behaviour of the 2‐thiobarbiturate anion in its complexes with LiI and NaI

The structures of the Li^I and Na^I salts of 2‐thiobarbituric acid (2‐sulfanylidene‐1‐3‐diazinane‐4,6‐dione, H₂TBA) have been studied. μ‐Aqua‐octaaquabis(μ‐2‐thiobarbiturato‐κ²O:O′)bis(2‐thiobarbiturato‐κO)tetralithium(I) dihydrate, [Li₄(C₄H₃N₂O₂S)₄(H₂O)₉]·2H₂O, (I), crystallizes with four symmetry‐independent four‐coordinated Li^I cations and four independent HTBA⁻ anions. The structure contains two structurally non‐equivalent Li^I cations and two non‐equivalent HTBA⁻ anions (bridging and terminal). Eight of the coordinated water ligands are terminal and the ninth acts as a bridge between Li^I cations. Discrete [Li₄(HTBA)₄(H₂O)₉]·2H₂O complexes form two‐dimensional layers. Neighbouring layers are connected via hydrogen‐bonding interactions, resulting in a three‐dimensional network. Poly[μ₂‐aqua‐tetraaqua(μ₄‐2‐thiobarbiturato‐κ⁴O:O:S:S)(μ₂‐thiobarbiturato‐κ²O:S)disodium(I)], [Na₂(C₄H₃N₂O₂S)₂(H₂O)₅]_n, (II), crystallizes with six‐coordinated Na^I cations. The octahedra are pairwise connected through edge‐sharing by a water O atom and an O atom from the μ₄‐HTBA⁻ ligand, and these pairs are further top‐shared by the S atoms to form continuous chains along the a direction. Two independent HTBA⁻ ligands integrate the chains to give a three‐dimensional network.     

Siloxanediolates of the Rare Earth Elements – An Eight‐Membered Inorganic Ring System containing Ytterbium

Treatment of anhydrous YbCl₃ with LiN(SiMe₃)₂ followed by reaction with 1 equivalent of 1,1,3,3,5,5‐hexaphenyl‐1,3,5‐trisiloxanediol afforded the first mono(trisiloxanediolate) complex of a rare earth element. The compound [Ph₂Si(OSiPh₂O)₂]Yb(THF)(μ‐Cl)₃Li₂(THF)₃ ( 1 ) was isolated in the form of colorless crystals in very high yield (93%). A single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study confirmed the presence of an eight‐membered inorganic ring system containing ytterbium. Coordination of one THF ligand and retention of two equivalents of lithium chloride lead to formation of an “ate” complex.     

Kristallstruktur des Lithium‐Trimethylsilanolats [Li7(OSiMe3)7(THF)]

The lithium silanolate LiOSiMe₃ is accessible from the reaction of Me₃SiOSiMe₃ with LiMe in tetrahydrofuran. Single crystals of [Li₇(OSiMe₃)₇(THF)] were obtained from toluene at 25 °C. The structure of [Li₇(OSiMe₃)₇(THF)] (C2/c) features a capped trigonal antiprismatic arrangement of seven Li atoms. The Li atoms in [Li₇(OSiMe₃)₇(THF)] are μ₃‐bridged by seven O atoms of the silanolate ligand.     

Organo‐Palladium(II)‐Verbindungen mit PdC4‐Koordination: Phenylethinyl‐ und Methylphenylethinylkomplexe

Tetrakis(p‐tolyl)oxalamidinato‐bis[acetylacetonatopalladium(II)] ([Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)]) reacted with Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ in THF with formation of [Pd(C≡C–C₆H₅)₄Li₂(thf)₄] ( 1a ). Reaction of [Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)] with a mixture of 6 equiv. Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ and 2 equiv. LiCH₃ resulted in the formation of [Pd(CH₃)(C≡C–C₆H₅)₃Li₂(thf)₄] ( 2 ), and the dimeric complex [Pd₂(CH₃)₄(C≡C–C₆H₅)₄Li₄(thf)₆] ( 3 ) was isolated upon reaction of [Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)] with a mixture of 4 equiv. Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ and 4 equiv. LiCH₃. 1 – 3 are extremely reactive compounds, which were isolated as white needles in good yields (60–90%). They were fully characterized by IR, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ⁷Li‐NMR spectroscopy, and by X‐ray crystallography of single crystals. In these compounds Li ions are bonded to the two carbon atoms of the alkinyl ligand. 1a reacted with Pd(PPh₃)₄ in the presence of oxygen to form the already known complexes trans‐[Pd(C≡C–C₆H₅)₂(PPh₃)₂] and [Pd(η²‐O₂)(PPh₃)₂]. In addition, 1a is an active catalyst for the Heck coupling reaction, but less active in the catalytic Sonogashira reaction.     

Phenoxide and alkoxide complexes of Mg,Al and Zn,and their use for the ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone with initiators of different natures

A new packing polymorph of bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolato‐κO)bis(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)magnesium, [Mg(C₁₅H₂₃O)₂(C₄H₈O)₂] or Mg(BHT)₂(THF)₂, (BHT is the 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenoxide anion and THF is tetrahydrofuran), ( 1 ), has the same space group (P2₁) as the previously reported modification [Nifant'ev et al. (2017d). Dalton Trans. 46 , 12132–12146], but contains three crystallographically independent molecules instead of one. The structure of ( 1 ) exhibits rotational disorder of the tert‐butyl groups and positional disorder of a THF ligand. The complex of bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolato‐κO)bis(μ₂‐ethyl glycolato‐κ²O,O′:κO)dimethyldialuminium, [Al₂(CH₃)₂(C₄H₇O₃)₂(C₁₅H₂₃O)₂] or [(BHT)AlMe(OCH₂COOEt)]₂, ( 2 ), is a dimer located on an inversion centre and has an Al₂O₂ rhomboid core. The 2‐ethoxy‐2‐oxoethanolate ligand (OCH₂COOEt) displays a μ₂‐κ²O,O′:κO semi‐bridging coordination mode, forming a five‐membered heteronuclear Al–O–C–C–O ring. The same ligand exhibits positional disorder of the terminal methyl group. The redetermined structure of the heptanuclear complex octakis(μ₃‐benzyloxo‐κO:κO:κO)hexaethylheptazinc, [Zn₇(C₂H₅)₆(C₇H₇O)₈] or [Zn₇(OCH₂Ph)₈Et₆], ( 3 ), possesses a bicubic Zn₇O₈ core located at an inversion centre and demonstrates positional disorder of one crystallographically independent phenyl group. Cambridge Structural Database surveys are given for complexes structurally analogous to ( 2 ) and ( 3 ). Complexes ( 2 ) and ( 3 ), as well as derivatives of ( 1 ), are of interest as catalysts for the ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone, and polymerization results are reported.     

Structural diversity of polynuclear MgxOy cores in magnesium phenoxide complexes

The binuclear complex bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolato)‐1κO ,2κO‐(1,2‐dimethoxyethane‐1κ²O ,O ′)bis(μ‐phenylmethanolato‐1:2κ²O :O )(tetrahydrofuran‐2κO )dimagnesium(II), [Mg₂(C₇H₇O)₂(C₁₅H₂₃O)₂(C₄H₈O)(C₄H₁₀O₂)] or [(BHT)(DME)Mg(μ‐OBn)₂Mg(THF)(BHT)], (I), was obtained from the complex [(BHT)Mg(μ‐OBn)(THF)]₂ by substitution of one tetrahydrofuran (THF) molecule with 1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME) in toluene (BHT is O‐2,6‐^t Bu₂‐4‐MeC₆H₄ and Bn is benzyl). The trinuclear complex bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolato)‐1κO ,3κO‐tetrakis(μ‐2‐methylphenolato)‐1:2κ⁴O :O ;2:3κ⁴O :O‐bis(tetrahydrofuran)‐1κO ,3κO‐trimagnesium(II), [Mg₃(C₇H₇O)₄(C₁₅H₂₃O)₂(C₄H₈O)₂] or [(BHT)₂(μ‐O‐2‐MeC₆H₄)₄(THF)₂Mg₃], (II), was formed from a mixture of Bu₂Mg, [(BHT)Mg(ⁿ Bu)(THF)₂] and 2‐methylphenol. An unusual tetranuclear complex, bis(μ₃‐2‐aminoethanolato‐κ⁴O :O :O ,N )tetrakis(μ₂‐2‐aminoethanolato‐κ³O :O ,N )bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolato‐κO )tetramagnesium(II), [Mg₄(C₂H₆NO)₆(C₁₅H₂₃O)₂] or Mg₄(BHT)₂(OCH₂CH₂NH₂)₆, (III), resulted from the reaction between (BHT)₂Mg(THF)₂ and 2‐aminoethanol. A polymerization test demonstrated the ability of (III) to catalyse the ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone without activation by alcohol. In all three complexes (I)–(III), the BHT ligand demonstrates the terminal κO‐coordination mode. Complexes (I), (II) and (III) have binuclear rhomboid Mg₂O₂, trinuclear chain‐like Mg₃O₄ and bicubic Mg₄O₆ cores, respectively. A survey of the literature on known polynuclear Mg_x O_y core types for ArO–Mg complexes is also presented.     

Synthesen und Reaktionen von Aluminiumalkoxid‐Verbindungen

Syntheses and Reactions of Aluminium Alkoxide Compounds Al(O^cHex)₃ ( 1 ) can be synthesized by the reaction of Al with cyclohexanol under evolving of H₂ in boiling xylene. [Li{Al(OCH₂Ph)₄}] ( 2 ) was obtained by treatment of PhCH₂OH with a 1 M solution of LiAlH₄ in THF. [{(THF)Li}₂{Al(O^tBu)₄}Cl] ( 3 ) is the result of the reaction of four equivalents of LiO^tBu on AlCl₃ in THF. 3 is the educt for the reactions with the Lewis‐acids InCl₃ and FeCl₃ in THF leading to the metalates [{(THF)₂Li}₂{Al(O^tBu)₄}] · [MCl₄] [M = In ( 4 ), Fe ( 5 )]. The attempt to react InCl₃ with four equivalents of LiO^tBu leads to only one isolated and characterized product, the complex [Li₄(O^tBu)₃(THF)₃Cl]₂ · THF ( 6 · THF), which can also be synthesized by the treatment of LiCl with three equivalents of LiO^tBu in THF. 1–6 · THF were characterized by NMR, IR and MS techniques as well as by X‐ray structure determinations. According to them, 1 , which is tetrameric in solution, is the first structurally characterized example of the proposed trimer form of aluminium alkoxides [ROAl{Al(OR)₄}₂] with a central trigonal bipyramidal coordinated Al atom. 2 forms a coordination polymer with a distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere of Li and Al, running along [100]. The trinuclear structure skeleton [{(THF)₂Li}₂{Al(O^tBu)₄}]⁺ is still present in the isotypical metalates 4 and 5 . The counter ions [MCl₄]^– possess nearly T_d symmetry. The remarkable structural motif of 6 · THF are two heterocubanes [Li₄(O^tBu)₃(THF)₃Cl] dimerized by Li–Cl bonds.     

Tracking the dissolution–recrystallization structural transformation (DRST) of copper(II) complexes: a combined crystallographic,mass spectrometric and DFT study

Methanol‐ and temperature‐induced dissolution–recrystallization structural transformation (DRST) was observed among two novel Cu^II complexes. This is first time that the combination of X‐ray crystallography, mass spectrometry and density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations has been used to describe the fragmentation and recombination of a mononuclear Cu^II complex at 60 °C in methanol to obtain a binuclear copper(II) complex. Combining time‐dependent high‐resolution electrospray mass spectrometry, we propose a possible mechanism for the conversion of bis(8‐methoxyquinoline‐κ²N,O)bis(thiocyanato‐κN)copper(II), [Cu(NCS)₂(C₁₀H₉NO)₂], Cu1 , to di‐μ‐methanolato‐κ⁴O:O‐bis[(8‐methoxyquinoline‐κ²N,O)(thiocyanato‐κN)copper(II)], [Cu₂(CH₃O)₂(NCS)₂(C₁₀H₉NO)₂], Cu2 , viz. [Cu(SCN)₂( L )₂] ( Cu1 ) → [Cu( L )₂] → [Cu( L )]/ L → [Cu₂(CH₃O)₂(NCS)₂( L )₂] ( Cu2 ). We screened the antitumour activities of L (8‐methoxyquinoline), Cu1 and Cu2 and found that the antiproliferative effect of Cu2 on some tumour cells was much greater than that of L and Cu1 .     

The first compound with an unusual type of anion, [Li(SR)2]–: bis­(μ2‐aqua‐d2)tetra­kis(aqua‐d2)dilithium(I) bis­[bis­(tri‐tert‐butoxy­silanethiol­ato‐κ2O,S)lithate(I)] dihydrate‐d2

The title complex, [Li₂(D₂O)₆][Li(C₉H₂₇SSiO₃)₂]₂·2D₂O, is the first compound with an S—M bond (M = alkali metal) within an unusual type of lithate anion, [Li(SR)₂]⁻ {where R is Si[OC(CH₃)₃]₃}. There is a centre of symmetry located in the middle of the Li₂O₂ ring of the cation. All Li atoms are four‐coordinate, with LiO₄ (cations) and LiO₂S₂ (anions) cores. The singly charged [Li(SR)₂]⁻ anions are well separated from the doubly charged [Li₂(D₂O)₆]²⁺ cations; the distance between Li atoms from differently charged ions is greater than 5 Å. Both ion types are held within an extended network of O—D⋯O and O—D⋯S hydrogen bonds.     

Spirocyclic Boraamidinate Complexes of Lanthanide(III) Metals

The reaction of Li₂[Phbam^Dipp] (Phbam^Dipp = PhB(NDipp)₂; Dipp = 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with lanthanum(III) triiodides LnI₃(THF)_3.5 (Ln = La, Sm) in THF produces complexes of the type [Li(THF)₄]₂[(Phbam^Dipp)₂LnI], which were characterized in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray structural determinations. The ion‐separated complexes are comprised of a spirocyclic anion in which two Phbam^Dipp ligands and an iodide ion are linked to the five‐coordinate metal atom; charge balance is provided by two tetrasolvated lithium ions [Li(THF)₄]⁺.     

Lanthanide(II) Complexes of the Dihydrotriazinido Ligand [N{C(Ph)=N}2C(tBu)Ph]−

The potassium dihydrotriazinide K(L^Ph,tBu) ( 1 ) was obtained by a metal exchange route from [Li(L^Ph,tBu)(THF)₃] and KOtBu (L^Ph,tBu = [N{C(Ph)=N}₂C(tBu)Ph]). Reaction of 1 with 1 or 0.5 equivalents of SmI₂(thf)₂ yielded the monosubstituted Sm^II complex [Sm(L^Ph,tBu)I(THF)₄] ( 2 ) or the disubstituted [Sm(L^Ph,tBu)₂(THF)₂] ( 3 ), respectively. Attempted synthesis of a heteroleptic Sm^II amido‐alkyl complex by the reaction of 2 with KCH₂Ph produced compound 3 due to ligand redistribution. The Yb^II bis(dihydrotriazinide) [Yb(L^Ph,tBu)₂(THF)₂] ( 4 ) was isolated from the 1:1 reaction of YbI₂(THF)₂ and 1 . Molecular structures of the crystalline compounds 2 , 3· 2C₆H₆ and 4· PhMe were determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

Reactivity of [Ni(cod)2][Al(ORF)4] towards Small Molecules and Elements

To provide a better understanding of the recently published pure metalorganic Ni^I species, [Ni(cod)₂][Al(OR^F)₄] ( 1 ) [cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene, R^F = C(CF₃)₃], further characterizations were performed and analyzed. Thus, the solvation of 1 in THF was examined by EPR, surprisingly disclosing the initiation of a disproportionation reaction to [Ni^II(THF)₆][Al(OR^F)₄]₂ ( 3 ) and Ni⁰. Further studies concerning the ability of 1 to activate small molecules exhibit the formation of a remarkable [Ni₃S₂(cod)₃]²⁺ cluster ( 5 ) in an oxidation reaction with S₈, while EPR measurements of the resulting product in a reaction with oxygen indicate a possible coordination of O₂. Single crystal X‐ray structures as well as spectroscopic analyses of 3 and 5 are described.     

Syntheses and Characterization of Samarium and Erbium Borohydrido Complexes Supported by N‐Aryliminopyrrole Ligand

Reaction of potassium salt of N‐aryliminopyrrole ligand [2‐(2, 6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N=CH)–C₄H₃NK] ( 1 ) with samarium tris‐boro‐hydride [Sm(BH₄)₃(THF)₃] gave a samarium ate complex [η²‐{2‐(2, 6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N=CH)–C₄H₃N}₃Sm(η¹‐BH₄){K(THF)₆] ( 2 ); whereas similar treatment with erbium borohydride [Er(BH₄)₃(THF)₃] afforded the mono(iminopyrrolyl) complex [η²‐{2‐(2, 6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N=CH)–C₄H₃N}Er(η³‐BH₄)₂(THF)₂] ( 3 ). In the solid‐state structures, the samarium complex 2 shows a rarely observed η¹ and the erbium complex 3 shows a usual η³ coordination mode of the borohydrido ligand.     

Synthesis and Chloride Affinity of Sterically Demanding Ditopic Lithium Bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borates

The synthesis and full characterization of the sterically demanding ditopic lithium bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borates Li₂[p‐C₆H₄(B(Ph)pz^R₂)₂] is reported (pz^R = 3‐phenylpyrazol‐1‐yl ( 3 ^Ph), 3‐t‐butylpyrazol‐1‐yl ( 3 ^tBu)). Compound 3 ^Ph crystallizes from THF as THF‐adduct 3 ^Ph(THF)₄ which features a straight conformation with a long Li···Li distance of 12.68(1) Å. Compound 3 ^tBu was found to function as efficient and selective scavenger of chloride ions. In the presence of LiCl it forms anionic complexes [ 3 ^tBuCl]⁻ with a central Li‐Cl‐Li core (Li···Li = 3.75(1) Å).     

An alkoxide cluster with 18 Li+ ions encapsulating two borate anions, [(tBuO)12Li18(BO3)2]

The title compound, bis­(borato)­dodeca(tert‐butoxo)­octa­deca­lithium, [Li₁₈(BO₃)₂(C₄H₉O)₁₂], is formulated conveniently as [{(^tBuOLi)₃(Li₃BO₃)}₂(^tBuOLi)₆]. A central 12‐membered ring and two outer six‐membered rings are formed by alternating Li⁺ cations and alkoxide O atoms. Sandwiched between the central ring and each of the outer rings is a planar array of three further Li⁺ cations surrounding a [BO₃]³⁻ anion. Thus, the mol­ecule consists of a cationic [Li₁₈(O^tBu)₁₂]⁶⁺ cage encapsulating two borate anions. This compound is the first example of a structurally characterized polynuclear lithium borate, and a rare case of a lithium alkoxide cage with nuclearity greater than eight. All the alkoxide ligands are triply bridging, and the lithium ions have trigonal‐planar, trigonal‐pyramidal and fourfold coordination, all with major distortions from regular coordination geometry.