Investigating CN- cleavage by three-coordinate M[N(R)Ar]3 complexes

Three-coordinate Mo[N((t)Bu)Ar]3 binds cyanide to form the intermediate [Ar((t)Bu)N]3Mo-CN-Mo[N((t)Bu)Ar]3 but, unlike its N2 analogue which spontaneously cleaves dinitrogen, the C-N bond remains intact. DFT calculations on the model [NH2]3Mo/CN- system show that while the overall reaction is significantly exothermic, the final cleavage step is endothermic by at least 90 kJ mol(-1), accounting for why C-N bond cleavage is not observed experimentally. The situation is improved for the [H2N]3W/CN- system where the intermediate and products are closer in energy but not enough for CN- cleavage to be facile at room temperature. Additional calculations were undertaken on the mixed-metal [H2N]3Re+/CN- /W[NH2]3 and [H2N]3Re+/CN-/Ta[NH2]3 systems in which the metals ions were chosen to maximise the stability of the products on the basis of an earlier bond energy study. Although the reaction energetics for the [H2N]3Re+/CN /W[NH2]3 system are more favourable than those for the [H2N]3W/CN- system, the final C-N cleavage step is still endothermic by 32 kJ mol(-1) when symmetry constraints are relaxed. The resistance of these systems to C-N cleavage was examined by a bond decomposition analysis of [H2N]M-L1[triple bond]L2-M[NH2]3 intermediates for L1[triple bond]L2 = N2, CO and CN which showed that backbonding from the metal into the L1[triple bond]L2 pi* orbitals is significantly less for CN than for N2 or CO due to the negative charge on CN- which results in a large energy gap between the metal d(pi), and the pi* orbitals of CN-. This, combined with the very strong M-CN- interaction which stabilises the CN intermediate, makes C-N bond cleavage in these systems unfavourable even though the C[triple bond]N triple bond is not as strong as the bond in N2 or CO.     

Organo-tricyanoborates as tectons: illustrative coordination polymers based on copper(I) derivatives

The first systematic study on the use of tricyanoborates as ligands is presented. The tricyanoborates [RB(CN)3]- (R = oct and Ph) can be prepared by direct cyanation of RBCl2 precursors as well as by thermolysis of the corresponding isocyanides [RB(NC)3]-. The first organo-cyanogallates [RGa(CN)3]- (R = Bu, C6H2-2,4,6-Me3) were prepared from the corresponding dichloride, the structure of Et4N[mesGa(CN3] being confirmed crystallographically. The reaction of equimolar [RB(CN)3]- (R = oct, Ph) and [Cu(MeCN)4]+ afforded two-dimensional polymers [RB(CN)3Cu(NCMe)]. The sheets arise via conjoined hexagonal B3Cu3(CN)6 rings with chair conformations. The reaction of excess [PhB(CN)3]- and [Cu(MeCN)4]+ gives the polymer [K(18-crown-6)]{Cu[PhB(CN)3]2}. Treatment of [PhB(CN)3]- with [Cu(PCy3)2(NCMe)x]PF6 gave the one-dimensional polymer [PhB(CN)3Cu(PCy3)2], wherein two of the three BCN substituents are coordinated.     

Coordination chemistry of dinucleating P2N2S ligands: preparation and characterization of cationic palladium complexes

The thioethers (4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis((2-(diphenylphosphino)ethylimino)methyl)phenyl)(tert-butyl)sulfane (tBuL3) and (4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis((2-(diphenylphosphino)ethylamino)methyl)phenyl)(tert-butyl)sulfane (tBuL4) react readily with [Pd(NCMe)2Cl2] to give the dinuclear palladium thiophenolate complexes [(L3)Pd2(Cl)2]+ and [(L4)Pd2(micro-Cl)]2+ (HL3=2,6-bis((2-(diphenylphosphino)ethylimino)methyl)-4-tert-butylbenzenethiol, HL4=2,6-bis((2-(diphenylphosphino)ethylamino)methyl)-4-tert-butylbenzenethiol). The chlorides in could be replaced by neutral (MeCN) and anionic ligands (NCS-, N3-, I-, CN-) to give the dinuclear PdII complexes [(L3)Pd2(NCMe)2]3+, [(L3)Pd2(SCN)2]+, [(L3)Pd2(N3)2]+, [(L3)Pd2(I)2]+, and [(L3)Pd2(CN)2]+. The acetonitrile ligands in are readily hydrated to give the corresponding amidato complex [(L3)Pd2(NHCOMe)]2+. All complexes were isolated as perchlorate salts and studied by infrared, 1H, and 31P NMR spectroscopy. In addition, complexes [ClO4].EtOH, [ClO4]2, [ClO4], [ClO4].EtOH, and [ClO4]2.MeCN.MeOH have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The dipalladium complex was found to catalyse the vinyl-addition polymerization of norbornene in the presence of MAO (methylalumoxane) and B(C6F5)3/AlEt3.     

Preparation and characterization of dinuclear Pd(II) complexes of binucleating tetraaza-thiophenolate ligands

The thioethers 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis((2-(dimethylamino)ethylimino)methyl)phenyl(tert-butyl)sulfane (tBu-L3) and 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis((2-(dimethylamino)ethylimino)methyl)phenyl(tert-butyl)sulfane (tBu-L4) react with PdCl2(NCMe)2 to give the dinuclear palladium thiophenolate complexes [(L3)Pd2Cl2]+ (2) and [(L4Pd2(mu-Cl)]2+ (3) (HL3= 2,6-bis((2-(dimethylamino)ethylimino)methyl)-4-tert-butylbenzenethiol, HL4 = 2,6-bis((2-(dimethylamino)ethylamino)methyl)-4-tert-butylbenzenethiol). The chloride ligands in could be replaced by neutral (NCMe) and anionic ligands (NCS-, N3-, CN-, OAc-) to give the diamagnetic Pd(II) complexes [(L3)Pd2(NCMe)2]3+ (4), [(L3)Pd2(NCS)2]+ (5), [(L3)Pd2(N3)2]+ (6), [{(L3)Pd2(mu-CN)}2]4+ (7) and [(L3)Pd2(OAc)]2+ (9). The nitrile ligands in and in [(L3)Pd2(NCCH2Cl)2]3+ are readily hydrated to give the corresponding amidato complexes [(L3)Pd2(CH3CONH)]2+ (8) and [(L3)Pd2(CH2ClCONH)]2+ (10). The reaction of [(L3)Pd2(NCMe)2]3+ with NaBPh4 gave the diphenyl complex [(L3)Pd2(Ph)2]+ (11). All complexes were either isolated as perchlorate or tetraphenylborate salts and studied by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. In addition, complexes 2[ClO4], 3[ClO4]2, 5[BPh4], 6[BPh4], 7[ClO4]4, 9[ClO4]2, 10[ClO4]2 and 11[BPh4] have been characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Gold(III) diazonium complexes for electrochemical reductive grafting

Gold(III) diazonium complexes were synthesized for the first time and studied for electrochemical reductive grafting. The diazonium complex [CN-4-C(6)H(4)N≡N]AuCl(4) was synthesized by protonating CN-4-C(6)H(4)NH(2) with chloroauric acid H[AuCl(4)]·3H(2)O to form the ammonium salt [CN-4-C(6)H(4)NH(3)]AuCl(4), which was then oxidized by the one-electron oxidizing agent [NO]PF(6) in CH(3)CN. The highly irreversible reduction potential of 0.1 mM [CN-4-C(6)H(4)N≡N]AuCl(4) observed at -0.06 V versus Ag/AgCl in CH(3)CN/0.1 M [Bu(4)N]PF(6) encompasses both gold(0) deposition and diazonium reduction. Repeated scans showed the absence of the reduction peak on the second run, which indicates that surface modification with a blocking gold aryl film has occurred and is largely complete.     

Binding of pi-acceptor ligands to (triamine)iron(II) complexes

A series of (Me3TACN)FeII derivatives with soft coligands have been investigated, where Me3TACN is N,N',N"-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane. Treatment of Me3TACN with FeCl2 afforded a compound with the empirical formula (Me3TACN)FeCl2 (1). Compound 1, which is a versatile precursor reagent, was shown by single-crystal X-ray diffraction to be the salt [(Me3TACN)2Fe2Cl3][(Me3TACN)FeCl3], containing isolated [(Me3TACN)2Fe2Cl3]+ and [(Me3TACN)FeCl3]- subunits. Treatment of 1 with NaBPh4 gave the known [(Me3TACN)2Fe2Cl3]BPh4, while the addition of Me3TACN to FeCl4(2-) gave [(Me3TACN)FeCl3]-. Oxygenation of 1 afforded [(Me3TACN)FeCl2]2(mu-O), which was shown crystallographically to be centrosymmetric with a pair of distorted octahedral Fe centers. The Fe-N bond trans to the Fe-O bond is elongated by 02 A relative to the other Fe-N distances. Solutions of 1 and thiolates absorb CO to give [(Me3TACN)Fe(SPh)(CO)2]BPh4 and (Me3TACN)Fe(S2C2H4)(CO) (nu CO = 1896 cm-1). Treatment of 1 with excess CN- afforded [(Me3TACN)Fe(CN)3]-, isolated as its PPh4+ salt 5. Crystallographic and spectroscopic studies show that 5 is low spin with a C3v structure; its Fe-N distances contracted by 023 A relative to those in [(Me3TACN)FeCl3]-. Aqueous solutions of 1 bind CO upon the addition of CN- to produce (Me3TACN)Fe(CN)2(CO) (6) Analogous to 6 is (Me3TACN)Fe(CN)2(CNMe), prepared by methylation of 5. The metastable dicarbonyl [(Me3TACN)FeI(CO)2]I was prepared by treatment of FeI2(CO)4 with Me3TACN and was crystallographically characterized as its BPh4- salt. Values of E1/2 for [(Me3TACN)FeCl3]-, 5, and 6 are -0409, -0640, and 0533 V vs Fc/Fc+, respectively.     

Multiple mixed-valence behavior in trans,trans-[(tpy)(Cl)2Os(III)(mu-1,3-N3)Os(III)(Cl)2(tpy)]+. An azido bridge from the reaction between trans-[Os(VI)(tpy)(Cl)2(N)]+ and NH3

Reaction between the Os(VI)-nitrido complex, trans-[OsVI(tpy)(Cl)2(N)]PF6 (tpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine), and ammonia (NH3) under N2 in dry CH3CN gives the mu-1,3-azido bridged [OsII-N3-OsII]- dimer, trans,trans-NH4[(tpy)(Cl)2OsII(N3)OsII(Cl)2(tpy)]. It undergoes air oxidation to give the [OsIII-N3-OsIII]+ analogue, trans,trans-[(tpy)(Cl)2OsIII(N3)OsIII(Cl)2(tpy)]PF6 ([OsIII-N3-OsIII]PF6), which has been isolated and characterized. The structural formulation as a mu-1,3-N3 bridged complex has been established by infrared and 15N NMR measurements on the 15N-labeled forms, [OsIII-14N=15N=14N-OsIII]+, [OsIII-15N=14N=15N-OsIII]+, and [OsIII-15N=15N=15N-OsIII]+. Cyclic voltammetric measurements in 0.2 M Bu4NPF6/CH3CN reveal the existence of five chemically reversible waves from 1.40 to -0.12 V for couples ranging from OsV-OsIV/OsIV-OsIV to OsIII-OsII/OsII-OsII. DeltaE1/2 values for couples adjacent to the three mixed-valence forms are 0.19 V for OsIII-OsII, 0.52 V for OsIV-OsIII, and >0.71 V for OsV-OsIV. In CH3CN at 60 degrees C, [OsIII-N3-OsIII]+ undergoes a [2 + 3] cycloaddition with CH3CN at the mu-N3- bridge followed by a solvolysis to give trans-[OsIII(tpy)(Cl)2(5-MeCN4)] and trans-[OsIII(tpy)(Cl)2(NCCH3)]PF6.     

Reactivity of a palladium fluoro complex towards silanes and Bu3SnCH=CH2: Catalytic derivatisation of pentafluoropyridine based on carbon-fluorine bond activation reactions

The chloro and azido complexes trans-[PdCl(4-C5NF4)(PiPr3)2] (3) and trans-[Pd(N3)(4-C5NF4)(PiPr3)2] (4) can be prepared by reaction of [PdF(4-C5NF4)(PiPr3)2] (2) with Et3SiCl or MeSiN3, respectively. In contrast, reactions of 2 with Ph3SiH or Me2FSiSiFMe2 give the products of reductive elimination 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine (5) or 4-(fluorodimethylsilyl)tetrafluoropyridine (6) as well as [Pd(PiPr3)2] (1). In a catalytic experiment, pentafluoropyridine can be converted with Ph3SiH into 5 in 62% yield, when 10% of 2 is employed as catalyst. Treatment of trans-[PdF(4-C5NF4)(PiPr3)2] (2) with Bu3SnCH=CH2 in THF at 50 degrees C results in the formation of [Pd(PiPr3)2] (1) and 4-vinyltetrafluoropyridine (7). Complex 2 is also active as a catalyst towards a Stille cross-coupling reaction of pentafluoropyridine with Bu3SnCH=CH2 to give 4-vinyltetrafluoropyridine (7) with a TON of 6. The molecular structure of the complex 3 has been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Mechanistic diversity covering 15 orders of magnitude in rates: cyanide exchange on [M(CN)(4)](2-) (M = Ni, Pd, and Pt)

Kinetic studies of cyanide exchange on [M(CN)(4)](2-) square-planar complexes (M = Pt, Pd, and Ni) were performed as a function of pH by (13)C NMR. The [Pt(CN)(4)](2-) complex has a purely second-order rate law, with CN(-) as acting as the nucleophile, with the following kinetic parameters: (k(2)(Pt,CN))(298) = 11 +/- 1 s(-1) mol(-1) kg, DeltaH(2) (Pt,CN) = 25.1 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(2) (Pt,CN) = -142 +/- 4 J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaV(2) (Pt,CN) = -27 +/- 2 cm(3) mol(-1). The Pd(II) metal center has the same behavior down to pH 6. The kinetic parameters are as follows: (k(2)(Pd,CN))(298) = 82 +/- 2 s(-1) mol(-1) kg, DeltaH(2) (Pd,CN) = 23.5 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(2) (Pd,CN) = -129 +/- 5 J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaV(2) (Pd,CN) = -22 +/- 2 cm(3) mol(-1). At low pH, the tetracyanopalladate is protonated (pK(a)(Pd(4,H)) = 3.0 +/- 0.3) to form [Pd(CN)(3)HCN](-). The rate law of the cyanide exchange on the protonated complex is also purely second order, with (k(2)(PdH,CN))(298) = (4.5 +/- 1.3) x 10(3) s(-1) mol(-1) kg. [Ni(CN)(4)](2-) is involved in various equilibrium reactions, such as the formation of [Ni(CN)(5)](3-), [Ni(CN)(3)HCN](-), and [Ni(CN)(2)(HCN)(2)] complexes. Our (13)C NMR measurements have allowed us to determine that the rate constant leading to the formation of [Ni(CN)(5)](3-) is k(2)(Ni(4),CN) = (2.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(6) s(-1) mol(-1) kg when the following activation parameters are used: DeltaH(2)() (Ni,CN) = 21.6 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(2) (Ni,CN) = -51 +/- 7 J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaV(2) (Ni,CN) = -19 +/- 2 cm(3) mol(-1). The rate constant of the back reaction is k(-2)(Ni(4),CN) = 14 x 10(6) s(-1). The rate law pertaining to [Ni(CN)(2)(HCN)(2)] was found to be second order at pH 3.8, and the value of the rate constant is (k(2)(Ni(4,2H),CN))(298) = (63 +/- 15) x10(6) s(-1) mol(-1) kg when DeltaH(2) (Ni(4,2H),CN) = 47.3 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(2) (Ni(4,2H),CN) = 63 +/- 3 J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaV(2) (Ni(4,2H),CN) = - 6 +/- 1 cm(3) mol(-1). The cyanide-exchange rate constant on [M(CN)(4)](2-) for Pt, Pd, and Ni increases in a 1:7:200 000 ratio. This trend is modified at low pH, and the palladium becomes 400 times more reactive than the platinum because of the formation of [Pd(CN)(3)HCN](-). For all cyanide exchanges on tetracyano complexes (A mechanism) and on their protonated forms (I/I(a) mechanisms), we have always observed a pure second-order rate law: first order for the complex and first order for CN(-). The nucleophilic attack by HCN or solvation by H(2)O is at least nine or six orders of magnitude slower, respectively than is nucleophilic attack by CN(-) for Pt(II), Pd(II), and Ni(II), respectively.     

Cyano-bridged FeIII2CuII3 and FeIII4NiII4 complexes: syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties

Two tricyanometallate precursors, (Bu4N)[(Tp4Bo)Fe(CN)3].H2O.2MeCN (1) and (Bu4N)[(pzTp)Fe(CN)3] (2) [Bu4N+ = tetrabutylammonium cation; Tp4Bo = tris(indazolyl)hydroborate; pzTp = tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate], with a low-spin FeIII center have been synthesized and characterized. The reactions of 1 or 2 with [Cu(Me3tacn)(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (Me3tacn = N,N',N' '-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) afford two pentanuclear cyano-bridged clusters, [(Tp4Bo)2(Me3tacn)3Cu3Fe2(CN)6](ClO4)4.5H2O (3) and [(pzTp)2(Me3tacn)3Cu3Fe2(CN)6](ClO4)4.4H2O (4), respectively. Assembly reactions between 2 and [Ni(phen)(CH3OH)4](ClO4)2 (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) or Zn(OAc)2.2H2O afford a molecular box [(pzTp)4(phen)4Ni4Fe4(CH3OH)4(CN)12](ClO4)4.4H2O (5) and a rectangular cluster [(pzTp)2Zn2Fe2(OAc)2(H2O)2(CN)6] (6). Their molecular structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In complexes 1 and 2, the central FeIII ions are coordinated by three cyanide carbon atoms and three nitrogen atoms of Tp4Bo- or pzTp-. Both complexes 3 and 4 show a trigonal-bipyramidal geometry, in which [(L)Fe(CN)3]- units occupy the apical positions and are linked through cyanide to [Cu(Me3tacn)]2+ units situated in the equatorial plane. Complex 5 possesses a cubic arrangement of eight metal irons linked through edge-spanning cyanide bridges, while complex 6 shows Zn2Fe2(CN)4 rectangular structure, in which FeIII and ZnII ions are alternately bridged by the cyanide groups. Intramolecular ferromagnetic couplings are observed for complexes 3-5, and they have S = 5/2, 5/2, and 6 ground states and appreciable magnetic anisotropies with negative D values equal to -0.49, -2.39, and -0.39 cm-1, respectively.     

1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)benzenate(2-), (bpb)2-: a noninnocent ligand. Syntheses, structures, and mechanisms of formation of [(n-Bu)4N][FeIV2(mu-N)(bpb)2(X)2] (X = CN-, N3-) and the electronic structures of [MIII(bpbox1)(CN)2] (M = Co, Fe)

The well-known tetradentate ligand 1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)benzenate(2-), (bpb)2-, and its 4,5-dichloro analogue, (bpc)2-, are shown to be "noninnocent" ligands in the sense that in coordination compounds they can exist in their radical one- and diamagnetic two-electron-oxidized forms (bpbox1)- and (bpbox2)0 (and (bpcox1)- and (bpcox2)0), respectively. Photolysis of high-spin [(n-Bu)4N][FeIII(bpb)(N3)2] and its (bpc)2- analogue in acetone solution at room temperature generates the diamagnetic dinuclear complex [(n-Bu)4N][FeIV2(mu-N)(bpb)2(N3)2] and its (bpc)2- analogue; the corresponding cyano complex [(n-Bu)4N][FeIV2(mu-N)(bpb)2(CN)2] has been prepared via N3- substitution by CN-. Photolysis in frozen acetonitrile solution produces a low-spin ferric species (S = 1/2) which presumably is [FeIII(bpbox2)(N)(N3)]-, as has been established by EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. The mononuclear complexes [(n-Bu)4N][FeIII(bpb)(CN2)] (low spin), [Et4N][CoIII(bpb)(CN)2] and Na[CoIII(bpc)-(CN)2].3CH3OH can be electrochemically or chemically one-electron-oxidized to give [FeIII(bpbox1)(CN)2]0 (S = 0), [CoIII(bpbox1)(CN)2]0 (S = 1/2), and [CoIII(bpcox1)(CN)2]0 (S = 1/2). All complexes have been characterized by UV-vis, EPR, and M?ssbauer spectroscopy, and their electro- and magnetochemistries have been studied. The crystal structures of [(n-Bu)4N][FeIII(bpb)(N3)2].1/2C6H6CH3, Na[FeIII(bpb)(CN)2], Na[CoIII(bpc)(CN)2].3CH3OH, [(n-Bu)4N][FeIV2(mu-N)(bpb)2(CN)2], and [(n-Bu)4N][FeIV2(mu-N)(bpb)(N3)2] have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Structure and photochemistry of dicyanocobalt(III) tetraphenylporphyrin. Photochromic reaction caused by photodissociation of axial ligand

Chlorocobalt(III) tetraphenylporphyrin, (Cl)CoIIITPP, reacts with potassium cyanide in dichloromethane or benzene containing 18-crown-6 to give a green solution of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The molecular structure of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-] is identified by X-ray crystallography. In methanol, (Cl)CoIIITPP plus KCN also gives a green solution of [(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The green methanol solution containing 1.4 x 10(-4) M KCN turns orange by continuous photolysis with a 250-W mercury lamp for 5 min. The orange solution returns to green when it is kept in the dark for 5 min. The kinetic study suggests that [(CN)2CoIIITPP-] dissociates CN- by continuous photolysis, giving rise to the formation of the orange species, (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP. The photoproduct, (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP, regenerates the green species, [(CN)2CoIIITPP-], by reaction with CN-. The laser photolysis study of [(CN)2CoIIITPP-] in methanol demonstrates that photodissociation of CN- takes place within 20 ns after the 355-nm laser pulse, resulting in the formation of two transients, I (short-lived) and II (long-lived). The absorption spectra of both transients are similar to that of (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP. These transients eventually return to [(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The decay of species I follows first-order kinetics with a rate constant k. = 2 x 10(6) s-1, independent of the concentration of KCN. Species II is identified as (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP, which is observed with the continuous photolysis of the solution. The laser photolysis of [crown-K+][(CN)2COIIITPP-] in dichloromethane gives the transient species, which goes back to the original complex according to first-order kinetics with a rate constant k = 5 x 10(6) s-1. [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-] is concluded to photodissociate the axial CN- to form [crown-K+CN-][(CN)CoIIITPP] in which an oxygen atom of the crown moiety in [crown-K+CN-] is coordinated to the cobalt(III) atom of [(CN)CoIIITPP] at the axial position. The intracomplex reverse reaction of [crown-K+CN-][(CN)CoIIITPP] leads to the regeneration of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The structure and the reaction of the transient species I observed for [(CN)2CoIIITPP-] in methanol are discussed on the basis of the laser photolysis studies of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-] in dichloromethane.     

Hafnocene catalysts for selective propylene oligomerization: efficient synthesis of 4-methyl-1-pentene by beta-methyl transfer

A series of hafnocene complexes (eta5-C5Me4R1)(eta5-C5Me4R2)HfCl2 with [R1, R2] = [H, H] (1), [Me, H] (2), [Me, Me] (3), [Et, Me] (4), [(i)Pr, Me] (5), [SiMe(3), Me] (6), [(t)Bu, Me] (7), [(n)Bu, Me] (8), [(i)Bu, Me] (9), [Et, Et] (10), [(n)Bu, (n)Bu] (11), [(i)Bu, (i)Bu] (12) was tested as catalyst precursors for propylene oligomerization. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane or [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]/Al(i)Bu(3), complexes 2-4 and 8-12 catalyzed the dimerization of propylene to produce 4-methyl-1-pentene with selectivities ranging from 23.9 to 61.6 wt % in the product mixture. The selectivity was dependent on the nature of the substituents R(1) and R(2), with the highest value found for (eta5-C5Me4(i)Bu)2HfCl2 (12). Rapid deactivation was observed for 5-7, whereas (eta5-C5Me4H)2HfCl2 (1) polymerized propylene. 4-Methyl-1-pentene is proposed to form by repeated 1,2-insertion of propylene into the hafnocene methyl cation, followed by selective beta-methyl elimination. Detailed analysis of the byproduct distribution (isobutene, 1-pentene, 2-methyl-1-pentene, 2,4-dimethyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-heptene, 4,6-dimethyl-1-heptene), determined by gas chromatography, was performed with the aid of a stochastic simulation involving rate constants for the propagation by insertion, beta-hydride elimination, and beta-methyl elimination. The rate of termination is dependent on the structure of the growing chain of the active species as well as on the bulkiness of the cyclopentadienyl ligands. The selectivity highly depends on the reaction conditions (pressure, temperature, concentration of methylaluminoxane). The rates of beta-methyl elimination leading to 4-methyl-1-pentene were proportional to propylene pressure for 2-4 and 8-10 but practically independent from propylene pressure for the sterically bulkier derivatives 11-12.     

Further study of the reaction of Fe2+ with CN-: synthesis and characterization of cis and trans [FeII,III(CN)4L2]n- complexes

The reaction of Fe2+ with CN-, which was first performed in 1704, has been used to synthesize a new series of basic [FeII,III(CN)4L2]n- complexes, where L is a monodentate ligand. trans-Na2[FeII(CN)4(DMSO)2] and cis-[NEt4]2[FeII(CN)4(pyridine)2] are synthesized by the direct reaction of FeCl2 with 4 equiv of CN- in DMSO or pyridine. Air oxidation of the latter compound gives cis-[NEt4][FeIII(CN)4(pyridine)2]. The non-cyanide ligands in these complexes undergo facile ligand exchange reactions with solvent. Reaction of cis-[NEt4]2[FeII(CN)4(pyridine)2] with CO at room temperature gives trans-[NEt4]2[FeII(CN)4(pyridine)(CO)].     

Unexpected H2O-induced Ar-X activation with trifluoromethylpalladium(II) aryls

A series of new complexes [(L-L)Pd(Ar)(CF3)] (L-L = dppe, dppp, tmeda; Ar = Ph, p-Tol, C6D5) have been synthesized and fully characterized in solution and in the solid state. Remarkable Ph-X activation (X = I, Cl) by [(dppe)Pd(Ph)(CF3)] (1) has been found to come about to cleanly produce biphenyl and [(dppe)Pd(Ph)(X)]. This reaction does not take place under rigorously anhydrous conditions but in the presence of traces of water it readily occurs, exhibiting an induction period and being zero order in PhI. As shown by mechanistic studies, the role of water is to promote reduction of small quantities of the Pd(II) complex to Pd(0) which activates the Ph-X bond. Subsequent transmetalation to give diphenyl Pd complexes, followed by Ph-Ph reductive elimination give rise to the observed products. The water-induced reduction to catalytically active Pd(0) has been demonstrated to proceed via both the Pd(II)/P(III) to Pd(0)/P(V) redox mechanism and alpha-F transfer, followed by facile hydrolysis of the difluorocarbene to carbonyl, migratory insertion, and reductive elimination of PhC(X)O (X = F, OH, or OOCPh). In the absence of H2O and ArX, the diphosphine-stabilized trifluoromethyl Pd phenyl complexes undergo slow Ph-CF3 reductive elimination under reinforcing conditions (xylenes, 145 degrees C).     

ESI-FTICR-MS studies on gas phase fragmentation reactions of ArPd(PPh3)2I complexes

Gas-phase fragmentation reactions of [ArPd(PPh3)2]+ were studied by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS). The results of sustained off-resonance irradiation collision-activated dissociation (SORI-CAD) experiments provide detailed insights into mechanisms for the gas-phase fragmentation reactions of these complex ions. The PC bond cleavage mediated by palladium is investigated in the gas phase. There are two competitive fragmentation pathways for the complex ions [ArPd(PPh3)2]+ (Ar = p-OCH3-C6H4, p-CH3-C6H4, p-tBu-C6H4, p-NH2-C6H4, p-COCH3-C6H4, and p-F-C6H4) of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing aromatic iodides. Path A proceeds through reductive elimination of [ArPd(PPh3)2]+ to produce the product ion [PPh3Ar]+. Path B mostly proceeds via phenyl migration from the triphenylphosphine ligand to the palladium center by cleavage of the phosphorus-phenyl bond to give a palladium-phenyl intermediate, and subsequent reductive elimination of the intermediate to yield a product ion [PPh4]+. The result of deuterium-labeling experiments provides evidence for the phenyl shift between the palladium center and the coordinated ligand through cleavage of the PC bond. The complex ions [(o-CH3-C6H4)Pd(PPh3)2]+, [(o-2,6-Me2-C6H3)Pd(PPh3)2]+, and [(C10H7)Pd(PPh3)2]+ display more fragmentation pathways, two of which are similar to those of the ions [ArPd(PPh3)2]+ (Ar = p-OCH3-C6H4, p-CH3-C6H4, p-tBu-C6H4, p-NH2-C6H4, p-COCH3-C6H4, p-F-C6H4), and the third pathway involves loss of one molecule of benzene and one PPh3 ligand. The electronic effect and steric effect of the aryl groups also exhibit different influences on the fragmentation pathways.     

Facile Ar-CF3 bond formation at Pd. Strikingly different outcomes of reductive elimination from [(Ph3P)2Pd(CF3)Ph] and [(Xantphos)Pd(CF3)Ph

Facile and highly selective perfluoroalkyl-aryl reductive elimination from a metal center (Pd) has been demonstrated for the first time. At temperatures as low as 50-80 degrees C, [(Xantphos)Pd(Ph)CF3] undergoes remarkably clean decomposition to produce CF3Ph in high yield and selectivity. In contrast, analogous trifluoromethylpalladium aryls stabilized by rigid cis-chelating ligands such as dppe are completely unreactive at temperatures up to 130-140 degrees C. Decomposition of [(Ph3P)2Pd(Ph)CF3] in the presence of PhI in benzene at 60 degrees C does not produce PhCF3 but rather leads to [(Ph3P)2Pd(Ph)I] and [Ph4P]+[(Ph3P)Pd(CF3)3]- in a 2:1 ratio with high selectivity.     

Stabilization of reduced molybdenum-iron-sulfur single- and double-cubane clusters by cyanide ligation

Recent work has shown that cyanide ligation increases the redox potentials of Fe(4)S(4) clusters, enabling the isolation of [Fe(4)S(4)(CN)4]4-, the first synthetic Fe(4)S(4) cluster obtained in the all-ferrous oxidation state (Scott, T. A.; Berlinguette, C. P.; Holm, R. H.; Zhou, H.-C. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2005, 102, 9741). The generality of reduced cluster stabilization has been examined with MoFe(3)S(4) clusters. Reaction of single-cubane [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(PEt(3))3]1+ and edge-bridged double-cubane [(Tp)2Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)(PEt(3))4] with cyanide in acetonitrile affords [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(CN)3]2- (2) and [(Tp)2Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)(CN)4]4- (5), respectively. Reduction of 2 with KC(14)H(10) yields [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(CN)3]3- (3). Clusters were isolated in approximately 70-90% yields as Et(4)N+ or Bu(4)N+ salts; clusters 3 and 5 contain all-ferrous cores, and 3 is the first [MoFe(3)S(4)]1+ cluster isolated in substance. The structures of 2 and 3 are very similar; the volume of the reduced cluster core is slightly larger (2.5%), a usual effect upon reduction of cubane-type Fe(4)S(4) and MFe(3)S(4) clusters. Redox potentials and 57Fe isomer shifts of [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)L3]2-,3- and [(Tp)2Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)L(4)]4-,3- clusters with L = CN-, PhS-, halide, and PEt3 are compared. Clusters with pi-donor ligands (L = halide, PhS) exhibit larger isomer shifts and lower (more negative) redox potentials, while pi-acceptor ligands (L = CN, PEt3) induce smaller isomer shifts and higher (less-negative) redox potentials. When the potentials of 3/2 and [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(SPh)3]3-/2- are compared, cyanide stabilizes 3 by 270 mV versus the reduced thiolate cluster, commensurate with the 310 mV stabilization of [Fe(4)S(4)(CN)4]4- versus [Fe(4)S(4)(SPh)4]4- where four ligands differ. These results demonstrate the efficacy of cyanide stabilization of lower cluster oxidation states. (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate(1-)).     

Synthetic and computational studies of the palladium(iv) system Pd(alkyl)(aryl)(alkynyl)(bidentate)(triflate) exhibiting selectivity in C-C reductive elimination

Synthetic routes to methyl(aryl)alkynylpalladium(iv) motifs are presented, together with studies of selectivity in carbon-carbon coupling by reductive elimination from Pd(IV) centres. The iodonium reagents IPh(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)(OTf) (R = SiMe(3), Bu(t), OTf = O(3)SCF(3)) oxidise Pd(II)Me(p-Tol)(L(2)) (1-3) [L(2) = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe) (1), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) (2), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (3)] in acetone-d(6) or toluene-d(9) at -80 °C to form complexes Pd(IV)(OTf)Me(p-Tol)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)(L(2)) [R = SiMe(3), L(2) = dmpe (4), bpy (5), phen (6); R = Bu(t), L(2) = dmpe (7), bpy (8), phen (9)] which reductively eliminate predominantly (>90%) p-Tol-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR above ～-50 °C. NMR spectra show that isomeric mixtures are present for the Pd(IV) complexes: three for dmpe complexes (4, 7), and two for bpy and phen complexes (5, 6, 8, 9), with reversible reduction in the number of isomers to two occurring between -80 °C and -60 °C observed for the dmpe complex 4 in toluene-d(8). Kinetic data for reductive elimination from Pd(IV)(OTf)Me(p-Tol)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSiMe(3))(dmpe) (4) yield similar activation parameters in acetone-d(6) (66 ± 2 kJ mol(-1), ΔH(?) 64 ± 2 kJ mol(-1), ΔS(?)-67 ± 2 J K(-1) mol(-1)) and toluene-d(8) (E(a) 68 ± 3 kJ mol(-1), ΔH(?) 66 ± 3 kJ mol(-1), ΔS(?)-74 ± 3 J K(-1) mol(-1)). The reaction rate in acetone-d(6) is unaffected by addition of sodium triflate, indicative of reductive elimination without prior dissociation of triflate. DFT computational studies at the B97-D level show that the energy difference between the three isomers of 4 is small (12.6 kJ mol(-1)), and is similar to the energy difference encompassing the six potential transition state structures from these isomers leading to three feasible C-C coupling products (13.0 kJ mol(-1)). The calculations are supportive of reductive elimination occurring directly from two of the three NMR observed isomers of 4, involving lower activation energies to form p-TolC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSiMe(3) and earlier transition states than for other products, and involving coupling of carbon atoms with higher s character of σ-bonds (sp(2) for p-Tol, sp for C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-SiMe(3)) to form the product with the strongest C-C bond energy of the potential coupling products. Reductive elimination occurs predominantly from the isomer with Me(3)SiC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C trans to OTf. Crystal structure analyses are presented for Pd(II)Me(p-Tol)(dmpe) (1), Pd(II)Me(p-Tol)(bpy) (2), and the acetonyl complex Pd(II)Me(CH(2)COMe)(bpy) (11).     

Mechanism of OH radical reactions with HCN and CH3CN: OH regeneration in the presence of O2

A theoretical study on the mechanism of the OH reactions with HCN and CH(3)CN, in the presence of O2, is presented. Optimum geometries and frequencies have been computed at BHandHLYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level of theory for all stationary points. Energy values have been improved by single-point calculations at the above geometries using CCSD(T)/6-311++G(2d,2p). The initial attack of OH to HCN was found to lead only to the formation of the HC(OH)N adduct, while for CH(3)CN similar proportions of CH(2)CN and CH(3)C(OH)N are expected. A four-step mechanism has been proposed to explain the OH regeneration, experimentally observed for OH + CH(3)CN reaction, when carried out in the presence of O2. The mechanism steps are as follows: (1) OH addition to the C atom in the CN group, (2) O2 addition to the N atom, (3) an intramolecular H migration from OH to OO, and (4) OH elimination. This mechanism is in line with the one independently proposed by Wine et al. for HCN. The results obtained here suggest that for the OH + HCN reaction, the OH regeneration might occur even in larger extension than for OH + CH(3)CN reaction. The agreement between the calculated data and the available experimental evidence on the studied reactions seems to validate the mechanism proposed here.