Cationic Ti(IV) and neutral Ti(III) titanocene-phosphinoaryloxide frustrated Lewis pairs: hydrogen activation and catalytic amine-borane dehydrogenation

Titanium-phosphorus frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) based on titanocene-phosphinoaryloxide complexes have been synthesised. The cationic titanium(IV) complex [Cp(2)TiOC(6)H(4)P((t)Bu)(2)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] 2 reacts with hydrogen to yield the reduced titanium(III) complex [Cp(2)TiOC(6)H(4)PH((t)Bu)(2)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] 5. The titanium(III)-phosphorus FLP [Cp(2)TiOC(6)H(4)P((t)Bu)(2)] 6 has been synthesised either by chemical reduction of [Cp(2)Ti(Cl)OC(6)H(4)P((t)Bu)(2)] 1 with [CoCp*(2)] or by reaction of [Cp(2)Ti{N(SiMe(3))(2)}] with 2-C(6)H(4)(OH){P((t)Bu)(2)}. Both 2 and 6 catalyse the dehydrogenation of Me(2)HN·BH(3).     

From tetrahydroborate- to aminoborylvinylidene-osmium complexes via alkynyl-aminoboryl intermediates

The tetrahydroborate OsH(η(2)-H(2)BH(2))(CO)(P(i)Pr(3))(2) (1) reacts with aniline and p-toluidine to give the aminoboryl derivatives [chemical structure: see text] (R = H (2), CH(3) (3)) and four H(2) molecules. Treatment of 2 and 3 with phenylacetylene gives Os{B(NHC(6)H(4)R)(2)}(C≡CPh)(CO)(P(i)Pr(3))(2) (R = H (4), CH(3) (5)), which react with HBF(4) to afford the amino(fluoro)boryl species Os{BF(NHC(6)H(4)R)}(C≡CPh)(CO)(P(i)Pr(3))(2) (R = H (6), CH(3) (7)). In contrast to HBF(4), the addition of acetic acid to 4 and 5 induces the release of phenylacetylene and the formation of the six-coordinate derivatives Os{B(NHC(6)H(4)R)(2)}(κ(2)-O(2)CCH(3))(CO)(P(i)Pr(3))(2) (R = H (8), CH(3) (9)). The coordination number six for 4 and 5 can be also achieved by addition of CO. Under this gas Os{B(NHC(6)H(4)R)(2)}(C≡CPh)(CO)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))(2) (R = H (10), CH(3) (11)) are formed. In toluene, these alkynyl-aminoboryl compounds evolve into the aminoborylvinylidenes Os{═C═C(Ph)B(NHC(6)H(4)R)(2)}(CO)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))(2) (R = H (12), CH(3) (13)) via a unimolecular 1,3-boryl migration from the metal to the C(β) atom of the alkynyl ligand. Similarly to 4 and 5, complexes 6 and 7 coordinate CO to give Os{BF(NHC(6)H(4)R)}(C≡CPh)(CO)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))(2) (R = H (15), CH(3) (16)), which evolve to Os{═C═C(Ph)BF(NHC(6)H(4)R)}(CO)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))(2) (R = H (17), CH(3) (18)).     

Cyclo- and carbophosphazene-supported ligands for the assembly of heterometallic (Cu2+/Ca2+, Cu2+/Dy3+, Cu2+/Tb3+) complexes: synthesis, structure, and magnetism

The carbophosphazene and cyclophosphazene hydrazides, [{NC(N(CH(3))(2))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))NH(2)}(2)}] (1) and [N(3)P(3)(O(2)C(12)H(8))(2){N(CH(3))NH(2)}(2)] were condensed with o-vanillin to afford the multisite coordination ligands [{NC(N(CH(3))(2))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-OH)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}] (2) and [{N(2)P(2)(O(2)C(12)H(8))(2)}{NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C (6)H(3)-(o-OH)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}] (3), respectively. These ligands were used for the preparation of heterometallic complexes [{NC(N(CH(3))(2))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-O)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}{CuCa(NO(3))(2)}] (4), [{NC(N(CH(3))(2))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-O)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}{Cu(2)Ca(2)(NO(3))(4)}]·4H(2)O (5), [{NC(N(CH(3))(2))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-O)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}{CuDy(NO(3))(4)}]·CH(3)COCH(3) (6), [{NP(O(2)C(12)H(8))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-O)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}{CuDy(NO(3))(3)}] (7), and [{NP(O(2)C(12)H(8))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-O)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}{CuTb(NO(3))(3)}] (8). The molecular structures of these compounds reveals that the ligands 2 and 3 possess dual coordination pockets which are used to specifically bind the transition metal ion and the alkaline earth/lanthanide metal ion; the Cu(2+)/Ca(2+), Cu(2+)/Tb(3+), and Cu(2+)/Dy(3+) pairs in these compounds are brought together by phenoxide and methoxy oxygen atoms. While 4, 6, 7, and 8 are dinuclear complexes, 5 is a tetranuclear complex. Detailed magnetic properties on 6-8 reveal that these compounds show weak couplings between the magnetic centers and magnetic anisotropy. However, the ac susceptibility experiments did not reveal any out of phase signal suggesting that in these compounds slow relaxation of magnetization is absent above 1.8 K.     

Synthesis and structures of gold perfluorophthalimido complexes

Compounds of the new tetrafluorophthalimido anion, [C(6)F(4)(CO)(2)N](-), are readily accessible by treatment of tetrafluorophthalimide with either LiNPr(i)(2) or mixtures of NEt(3) and Me(3)ECl (E = Si or Sn), to give C(6)F(4)(CO)(2)N-X (X = Li 3, SiMe(3)4, and SnMe(3)5). The reaction of the trimethylsilyl derivative 4 with AgF leads cleanly to the ion pair complex [Ag(NCMe)(2)][Ag(N(CO)(2)C(6)F(4))(2)] (6·2MeCN), which contains a linear [Ag{N(CO)(2)C(6)F(4)}(2)](-) anion and a tetracoordinate Ag(+) cation. Compound 6 reacts with iodine to give the N-iodo compound C(6)F(4)(CO)(2)NI 7, which crystallises as an acetonitrile adduct. Treatment of 6 with LAuCl affords LAu{N(CO)(2)C(6)F(4)} (L = Ph(3)P 8a, Cy(3)P 8b, or THT 9), whereas the reaction with AuCl in acetonitrile affords the heterobinuclear compound [Ag(MeCN)(2)][Au{N(CO)(2)C(6)F(4)}(2)]·MeCN (10·3MeCN). The tetrafluorophthalimido ligand is not readily displaced by donor ligands; however, the addition of B(C(6)F(5))(3)(Et(2)O) to a diethyl ether solution of 8a leads to the salt [Au(PPh(3))(2)][N{COB(C(6)F(5))(3)}(2)C(6)F(4))] 11. The analogous reaction of (THT)Au{N(CO)(2)C(6)F(4)} with B(C(6)F(5))(3) in toluene in the presence of excess norbornene (nb) gives [Au(nb)(3)][N{COB(C(6)F(5))(3)}(2)C(6)F(4))] 12. Compounds 11 and 12 contain a new non-coordinating phthalimido-bridged diborate anion with O-bonded boron atoms. The crystal structures of compounds 2-11 are reported.     

Reversal of polarization in amidophosphines: neutral- and anionic-kappaP coordination vs. anionic-kappaP,N coordination and the formation of nickelaazaphosphiranes

Nickel(ii) chloride reacts with the bis(tert-butylamino)diazadiphosphetidine {Bu(t)(H)NP(micro-NBu(t))(2)PN(H)Bu(t)} to form trans-[{Bu(t)(H)NP(micro-NBu(t))(2)PN(H)Bu(t)}(2)NiCl(2)]. In solution and the solid-state each heterocyclic ligand coordinates nickel through one phosphorus atom only. For comparison the solid-state structure of the known trans-[NiCl(2)(PEt(3))(2)] was also determined and it was found that the two complexes have almost identical bond parameters about nickel. The nickel-amidophosphine complexes [{Bu(t)OP(micro-NBu(t))(2)PNBu(t)}NiCl(PBu(n)(3))], [(PBu(n)(3))ClNi{Bu(t)NP(micro-NBu(t))(2)PNBu(t)}NiCl(PBu(n)(3))], and [{Me(2)Si(micro-NBu(t))(2)PNBu(t)}NiCl(PBu(n)(3))] were synthesized and X-ray structurally characterized. In these mono- and di-nuclear nickel complexes the nickel ions are coordinated in pseudo square-planar fashions, by one trialkylphosphine ligand, one chloride ligand and one kappaP,N-coordinated amidophosphine moiety from tert-butylamido-substituted heterocycles. Attempts to create nickel complexes chelated in a kappa(2)P fashion by the o-phenylenediamine-tethered mono- and di-anionic 1-{Me(2)Si(micro-NBu(t))(2)PN} 2-{Me(2)Si(micro-NBu(t))(2)PNH}C(6)H(4) and 1,2-{Me(2)Si(micro-NBu(t))(2)PN}C(6)H(4), respectively, afforded instead [1,2-{Me(2)Si(micro-NBu(t))(2)PN}{Me(2)Si(micro-NBu(t))(2)PN}C(6)H(4)NiCl] and [1,2-{Me(2)Si(micro-NBu(t))(2)PN}{Me(2)Si(micro-NBu(t))(2)PN}C(6)H(4)Ni{PEt(3)}], each complex having kappaP,N and kappaP coordinated amidophosphine ligands.     

Silver(I) Ethynide Coordination Networks and Clusters Assembled with tert-Butylphosphonic Acid

Variation of the reaction conditions with AgC≡CR (R = Ph, C(6)H(4)OCH(3)-4, (t)Bu), (t)BuPO(3)H(2), and AgX (X = NO(3), BF(4)) as starting materials afforded four new silver(I) ethynide complexes incorporating the tert-butylphosphonate ligand, namely, 3AgC≡CPh·Ag(2)(t)BuPO(3)·Ag(t)BuPO(3)H·2AgNO(3) (1), 2AgC≡CC(6)H(4)OCH(3)-4·Ag(2)(t)BuPO(3)·2AgNO(3) (2), [{Ag(5)(NO(3)@Ag(18))Ag(5)}((t)BuC≡C)(16)((t)BuPO(3))(4)(H(2)O)(3)][{Ag(5)(NO(3)@Ag(18))Ag(5)} ((t)BuC≡C)(16)((t)BuPO(3))(4)(H(2)O)(4)]·3SiF(6)·4.5H(2)O·3.5MeOH (3), and [{Ag(8)(Cl@Ag(14))}((t)BuC≡C)(14)((t)BuPO(3))(2)F(2)(H(2)O)(2)]BF(4)·3.5H(2)O (4). Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that complexes 1 and 2 display different layer-type coordination networks, while 3 and 4 contain high-nuclearity silver(I) composite clusters enclosing nitrate and chloride template ions, respectively, that are supported by (t)BuPO(3)(2-) ligands.     

A new ONO3- trianionic pincer-type ligand for generating highly nucleophilic metal-carbon multiple bonds

Appending an amine to a C═C double bond drastically increases the nucleophilicity of the β-carbon atom of the alkene to form an enamine. In this report, we present the synthesis and characterization of a novel CF(3)-ONO(3-) trianionic pincer-type ligand, rationally designed to mimic enamines within a metal coordination sphere. Presented is a synthetic strategy to create enhanced nucleophilic tungsten-alkylidene and -alkylidyne complexes. Specifically, we present the synthesis and characterization of the new CF(3)-ONO(3-) trianionic pincer tungsten-alkylidene [CF(3)-ONO]W═CH(Et)(O(t)Bu) (2) and -alkylidyne {MePPh(3)}{[CF(3)-ONO]W≡C(Et)(O(t)Bu)} (3) complexes. Characterization involves a combination of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, combustion analysis, DFT computations, and single crystal X-ray analysis for complexes 2 and 3. Exhibiting unique nucleophilic reactivity, 3 reacts with MeOTf to yield [CF(3)-ONO]W═C(Me)(Et)(O(t)Bu) (4), but the bulkier Me(3)SiOTf silylates the tert-butoxide, which subsequently undergoes isobutylene expulsion to form [CF(3)-ONO]W═CH(Et)(OSiMe(3)) (5). A DFT calculation performed on a model complex of 3, namely, [CF(3)-ONO]W≡C(Et)(O(t)Bu) (3'), reveals the amide participates in an enamine-type bonding combination. For complex 2, the Lewis acids MeOTf, Me(3)SiOTf, and B(C(6)F(5))(3) catalyze isobutylene expulsion to yield the tungsten-oxo complex [CF(3)-ONO]W(O)((n)Pr) (6).     

Reactivity of TCNE or TCNQ derivatives of quinonoid zwitterions: platinum-induced HCN elimination vs oxidative-addition

The reaction of the functional, zwitterionic quinonoid molecule (6E)-4-(butylamino)-6-(butyliminio)-3-oxo-2-(1,1,2,2-tetracyanoethyl)cyclohexa-1,4-dien-1-olate, [C(6)H-2-{C(CN)(2)C(CN)(2)H}]-4,6-(···NH n-Bu)(2)-1,3(···O)(2) (2), which has been previously prepared by regioselective insertion of TCNE into the C-H bond adjacent to the C···O bonds of the zwitterionic benzoquinone monoimine (6E)-4-(butylamino)-6-(butyliminio)-3-oxocyclohexa-1,4-dien-1-olate, C(6)H(2)-4,6-(···NHn-Bu)(2)-1,3-(···O)(2) (1), with 2 equiv of [Pt(C(2)H(4))(PPh(3))(2)], afforded the Pt(0) complex [Pt(PPh(3))(2)(4)] (6) (4 = 2-HCN; (6E)-4-(butylamino)-6-(butyliminio)-3-oxo-2-(1,2,2-tricyanoethenyl)cyclohexa-1,4-dien-1-olate), in which a tricyanoethenyl moiety is π-bonded to the metal. A metal-induced HCN elimination reaction has thus taken place. The same complex was obtained directly by the reaction of 1 equiv of the Pt(0) complex [Pt(C(2)H(4))(PPh(3))(2)] with the olefinic ligand [C(6)H-2-{C(CN)═C(CN)(2)}]-4,6-(···NHn-Bu)(2)-1,3-(···O)(2)) (4), previously obtained by the reaction of 2 with NEt(3) in THF. A similar reactivity pattern was observed between 2 and 2 equiv of the Pd(0) precursor [Pd(dba)(2)] in the presence of dppe, which led to [Pd(dppe)(4)] (7), which was also directly obtained from 4 and 1 equiv [Pd(dba)(2)]/dppe. In contrast to the behavior of the TCNE derivative 2, the reaction of the TCNQ derivative (6E)-4-(butylamino)-6-(butyliminio)-2-(dicyano(4-(dicyanomethyl)phenyl)methyl)-3-oxocyclohexa-1,4-dien-1-olate, [C(6)H-2-{C(CN)(2)p-C(6)H(4)C(CN)(2)H}]-4,6-(···NHn-Bu)(2)-1,3-(···O)(2)) (3), with 2 equiv of [Pt(C(2)H(4))(PPh(3))(2)] led to formal oxidative-addition of the C-H bond of the C(CN)(2)H moiety to give the Pt(II) hydride complex trans-[PtH(PPh(3))(2){N═C═C(CN)p-C(6)H(4)C(CN)(2)-2-[C(6)H-4,6-(···NHn-Bu)(2)-1,3-(···O)(2))}] (8). The molecular structures of 3, 4, 6·0.5(H(2)O), and 8·3(CH(2)Cl(2)) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Silver(I)-ethynide clusters constructed with phosphonate-functionized polyoxovanadates

Two neutral silver(I)-phenylethynide clusters incorporating the [((t)BuPO(3))(4)V(4)O(8)](4-) unit as an integral shell component, namely {(NO(3))(2)@Ag(16)(C≡CPh)(4)[((t)BuPO(3))(4)V(4)O(8)](2)(DMF)(6)(NO(3))(2)}·DMF·H(2)O and {[(O(2))V(2)O(6)](3)@Ag(43)(C≡CPh)(19)[((t)BuPO(3))(4)V(4)O(8)](3)(DMF)(6)}·5DMF·2H(2)O, have been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The central cavities of the Ag(16) and Ag(43) clusters are occupied by two NO(3)(-) and three [(O(2))V(2)O(6)](4-) template anions, respectively.     

Aggregation of dinuclear {Fe2hpdta} units to form polynuclear oxy/hydroxy-bridged Fe(III) coordination complexes

An approach for the preparation of oxy/hydroxy briged Fe(III) clusters that takes advantage of hydrolytic condensations of well defined {Fe(2)hpdta(H(2)O)(4)} building units is presented. Co-ligands such as tripodal H(3)tea or bidentate organic bases such as ethylenediamine (enH(2)) can be used to complete the coordination spheres of the Fe(III) centres and stabilise unsymmetrical iron-oxo clusters with non-zero magnetic ground spin-states. This strategy led to the isolation of a pentanuclear complex [Fe(5)(μ(3)-O)(hpdta)(H(2)tea)(Htea)(2))(tea)]·{N(C(2)H(4)OH)(3)}·2EtOH·7H(2)O (1) and a nonanuclear coordination complex [Fe(9)(μ(3)-O)(5)(μ-OH)(5)(en)(6)(hpdta)(2)](NO(3))(2)·7H(2)O (2).     

Molecular precursors for the preparation of homogenous zirconia-silica materials by hydrolytic sol-gel process in organic media. Crystal structures of [Zr{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}4(H2O)2]·2H2O and [Ti(O(t)Bu){OSi(O(t)Bu)3}3

[Zr(OPr(i))(4)·Pr(i)OH] reacts with [HOSi(O(t)Bu)(3)] in anhydrous benzene in 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios to afford alkoxy zirconosiloxane precursors of the types [Zr(OPr(i))(3){OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}] (A) and [Zr(OPr(i))(2){OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}(2)] (B), respectively. Further reactions of A or B with glycols in 1:1 molar ratio afforded six chemically modified precursors of the types [Zr(OPr(i))(OGO){OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}] (1A-3A) and [Zr(OGO){OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}(2)] (1B-3B), respectively [where G = (-CH(2)-)(2) (1A, 1B); (-CH(2)-)(3) (2A, 2B) and (-CH(2)CH(2)CH(CH(3)-)} (3A, 3B)]. The precursors A and B are viscous liquids, which solidify on ageing whereas the other products are all solids, soluble in common organic solvents. These were characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements, FAB mass, FTIR, (1)H, (13)C and (29)Si-NMR studies. Cryoscopic molecular weight measurements of all the products, as well as the FAB mass studies of 3A and 3B, indicate their monomeric nature. However, FAB mass spectrum of the solidified B suggests that it exists in dimeric form. Single crystal structure analysis of [Zr{OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}(4)(H(2)O)(2)]·2H(2)O (3b) (R(fac) = 11.9%) as well as that of corresponding better quality crystals of [Ti(O(t)Bu){OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}(3)] (4) (R(fac) = 5.97%) indicate the presence of a M-O-Si bond. TG analyses of 3A, B, and 3B indicate the formation of zirconia-silica materials of the type ZrO(2)·SiO(2) from 3A and ZrO(2)·2SiO(2) from B or 3B at low decomposition temperatures (≤200 °C). The desired homogenous nano-sized zirconia-silica materials [ZrO(2)·nSiO(2)] have been obtained easily from the precursors A and B as well as from the glycol modified precursors 3A and 3B by hydrolytic sol-gel process in organic media without using any acid or base catalyst, and these were characterized by powder XRD patterns, SEM images, EDX analyses and IR spectroscopy.     

Reactions of (PCP)Ru(CO)(NHPh)(PMe3) (PCP = 2,6-(CH2PtBu2)2C6H3) with substrates that possess polar bonds

The Ru(II) amido complex (PCP)Ru(CO)(PMe(3))(NHPh) (1) (PCP = 2,6-(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)C(6)H(3)) reacts with compounds that possess polar C=N, C triple bond N, or C=O bonds (e.g., nitriles, carbodiimides, or isocyanates) to produce four-membered heterometallacycles that result from nucleophilic addition of the amido nitrogen to an unsaturated carbon of the organic substrate. Based on studies of the reaction of complex 1 with acetonitrile, the transformations are suggested to proceed by dissociation of trimethylphosphine, followed by coordination of the organic substrate and then intramolecular N-C bond formation. In the presence of ROH (R = H or Me), the fluorinated amidinate complex (PCP)Ru(CO)(N(Ph)C(C(6)F(5))NH) (6) reacts with excess pentafluorobenzonitrile to produce (PCP)Ru(CO)(F)(N(H)C(C(6)F(5))NHPh) (7). The reaction with MeOH also produces o-MeOC(6)F(4)CN (>90%) and p-MeOC(6)F(4)CN (<10%). Details of the solid-state structures of (PCP)Ru(CO)(F)(N(H)C(C(6)F(5))NHPh) (7), (PCP)Ru(CO)[PhNC{NH(hx)}N(hx)] (8), (PCP)Ru(CO){N(Ph)C(NHPh)O} (9), and (PCP)Ru(CO){OC(Ph)N(Ph)} (10) are reported.     

Synthesis and reactivity of cationic niobium and tantalum methyl complexes supported by imido and β-diketiminato ligands

The synthesis and reactivity of the cationic niobium and tantalum monomethyl complexes [(BDI)MeM(N(t)Bu)][X] (BDI = [Ar]NC(CH(3))CHC(CH(3))N[Ar], Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3); M = Nb, Ta; X = MeB(C(6)F(5))(3), B(C(6)F(5))(4)] was investigated. The cationic alkyl complexes failed to irreversibly bind CO but formed phosphine-trapped acyl complexes [(BDI)(R(3)PC(O)Me)M(N(t)Bu)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (R = Et, Cy) in the presence of a combination of trialkylphosphines and CO. Treatment of the monoalkyl cationic Nb complex with XylNC (Xyl = 2,6-Me(2)-C(6)H(3)) resulted in irreversible formation of the iminoacyl complex [(BDI)(XylN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(Me))Nb(N(t)Bu)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], which did not bind phosphines but would add a methide group to the iminoacyl carbon to provide the known ketimine complex (BDI)(XylNCMe(2))Nb(N(t)Bu). Further stoichiometric chemistry explored i) migratory insertion reactions to form new alkoxide, amidinate, and ketimide complexes; ii) protonolysis reactions with Ph(3)SiOH to form thermally robust cationic siloxide complexes; and iii) catalytic high-density polyethylene formation mediated by the cationic Nb methyl complex.     

Syntheses, structural characterization and properties of transition metal complexes of 5,5'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)bdt), 5',5'-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diylbis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)dbdt) and 5,5',5'-(1,3,5-phenylene)tris(1H-tetrazole) (H(3)btt)

The hydrothermal chemistry of a variety of M(II)SO(4) salts with the tetrazole (Ht) ligands 5,5'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)bdt), 5',5'-(1,1'-biphenyl)4,4'-diylbis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)dbdt) and 5,5',5'-(1,3,5-phenylene)tris(1H-tetrazole) (H(3)btt) was investigated. In the case of Co(II), three phases were isolated, two of which incorporated sulfate: [Co(5)F(2)(dbdt)(4)(H(2)O)(6)]·2H(2)O (1·2H(2)O), [Co(4)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(bdt)(2)(H(2)O)(4)] (2) and [Co(3)(OH)(SO(4))(btt)(H(2)O)(4)]·3H(2)O (3·3H(2)O). The structures are three-dimensional and consist of cluster-based secondary building units: the pentanuclear {Co(5)F(2)(tetrazolate)(8)(H(2)O)(6)}, the tetranuclear {Co(4)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(2)(tetrazolate)(6)}(4-), and the trinuclear {Co(3)(μ(3)-OH)(SO(4))(2) (tetrazolate)(3)}(2-) for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The Ni(II) analogue [Ni(2)(H(0.67)bdt)(3)]·10.5H(2)O (4·10.5H(2)O) is isomorphous with a fourth cobalt phase, the previously reported [Co(2)(H(0.67)bat)(3)]·20H(2)O and exhibits a {M(tetrazolate)(3/2)}(∞) chain as the fundamental building block. The dense three-dimensional structure of [Zn(bdt)] (5) consists of {ZnN(4)}tetrahedra linked through bdt ligands bonding through N1,N3 donors at either tetrazolate terminus. In contrast to the hydrothermal synthesis of 1-5, the Cd(II) material (Me(2)NH(2))(3)[Cd(12)Cl(3)(btt)(8)(DMF)(12)]·xDMF·yMeOH (DMF = dimethylformamide; x = ca. 12, y = ca. 5) was prepared in DMF/methanol. The structure is constructed from the linking of {Cd(4)Cl(tetrazolate)(8)(DMF)(4)}(1-) secondary building units to produce an open-framework material exhibiting 66.5% void volume. The magnetic properties of the Co(II) series are reflective of the structural building units.     

Expansion of antimonato polyoxovanadates with transition metal complexes: (Co(N3C5H15)2)2[{Co(N3C5H15)2}V15Sb6O42(H2O)]·5H2O and (Ni(N3C5H15)2)2[{Ni(N3C5H15)2}V15Sb6O42(H2O)]·8H2O

Two new polyoxovanadates (Co(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2))(2)[{Co(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2)}V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)]·5H(2)O (1) and (Ni(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2))(2)[{Ni(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2)}V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)]·8H(2)O (2) (N(3)C(5)H(15) = N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine) were synthesized under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized. In both structures the [V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)](6-) shell displays the main structural motif, which is strongly related to the {V(18)O(42)} archetype cluster. Both compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P1 with a = 14.3438(4), b = 16.6471(6), c = 18.9186(6) ?, α = 87.291(3)°, β = 83.340(3)°, γ = 78.890(3)°, and V = 4401.4(2) ?(3) (1) and a = 14.5697(13), b = 15.8523(16), c = 20.2411(18) ?, α = 86.702(11)°, β = 84.957(11)°, γ = 76.941(11)°, and V = 4533.0(7) ?(3) (2). In the structure of 1 the [V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)](6-) cluster anion is bound to a [Co(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2)](2+) complex via a terminal oxygen atom. In the Co(2+)-centered complex, one of the amine ligands coordinates in tridentate mode and the second one in bidentate mode to form a strongly distorted CoN(5)O octahedron. Similarly, in compound 2 an analogous NiN(5)O complex is joined to the [V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)](6-) anion via the same attachment mode. A remarkable difference between the two compounds is the orientation of the noncoordinated propylamine group leading to intermolecular Sb···O contacts in 1 and to Sb···N interactions in 2. In the solid-state lattices of 1 and 2, two additional [M(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2)](2+) complexes act as countercations and are located between the [{M(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2)}V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)](4-) anions. Between the anions and cations strong N-H···O hydrogen bonds are observed. In both compounds the clusters are stacked along the b axis in an ABAB fashion with cations and water molecules occupying the space between the clusters. Magnetic characterization demonstrates that the Ni(2+) and Co(2+) cations do not significantly couple with the S = 1/2 vanadyl groups. The susceptibility data can be successfully reproduced assuming a distorted ligand field for the Co(2+) ions (1) and an O(h)-symmetric Ni(2+) ligand field (2).     

Probing the 5f orbital contribution to the bonding in a U(V) ketimide complex

Reaction of UCl(4) with 5 equiv of Li(N═C(t)BuPh) generates the homoleptic U(IV) ketimide complex [Li(THF)(2)][U(N═C(t)BuPh)(5)] (1) in 71% yield. Similarly, reaction of UCl(4) with 5 equiv of Li(N═C(t)Bu(2)) affords [Li(THF)][U(N═C(t)Bu(2))(5)] (2) in 67% yield. Oxidation of 2 with 0.5 equiv of I(2) results in the formation of the neutral U(V) complex U(N═C(t)Bu(2))(5) (3). In contrast, oxidation of 1 with 0.5 equiv of I(2), followed by addition of 1 equiv of Li(N═C(t)BuPh), generates the octahedral U(V) ketimide complex [Li][U(N═C(t)BuPh)(6)] (4) in 68% yield. Complex 4 can be further oxidized to the U(VI) ketimide complex U(N═C(t)BuPh)(6) (5). Complexes 1-5 were characterized by X-ray crystallography, while SQUID magnetometry, EPR spectroscopy, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy measurements were also preformed on complex 4. Using this data, the crystal field splitting parameters of the f orbitals were determined, allowing us to estimate the amount of f orbital participation in the bonding of 4.     

Synthesis and structure of amido- and imido(pentafluorophenyl)borane zirconocene and hafnocene complexes: N-H and B-H activation

Treatment of Me(2)S·B(C(6)F(5))(n) H(3-n) (n=1 or 2) with ammonia yields the corresponding adducts. H(3)N·B(C(6)F(5))H(2) dimerises in the solid state through N-H···H-B dihydrogen interactions. The adducts can be deprotonated to give lithium amidoboranes Li[NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(n)H(3-n)]. Reaction of the n=2 reagent with [Cp(2)ZrCl(2)] leads to disubstitution, but [Cp(2)Zr{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}(2)] is in equilibrium with the product of β-hydride elimination [Cp(2)Zr(H){NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}], which proves to be the major isolated solid. The analogous reaction with [Cp(2)HfCl(2)] gives a mixture of [Cp(2)Hf{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}(2)] and the N-H activation product [Cp(2)Hf{NHB(C(6)F(5 )(2)H}]. [Cp(2)Zr{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}(2)]·PhMe and [Cp(2)Hf{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}(2)]·4(thf) exhibit β-B-agostic chelate bonding of one of the two amidoborane ligands in the solid state. The agostic hydride is invariably coordinated to the outside of the metallocene wedge. Exceptionally, [Cp(2)Hf{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}(2)]?PhMe has a structure in which the two amidoborane ligands adopt an intermediate coordination mode, in which neither is definitively agostic. [Cp(2)Hf{NHB(C(6)F(5))(2)H}] has a formally dianionic imidoborane ligand chelating through an agostic interaction, but the bond-length distribution suggests a contribution from a zwitterionic amidoborane resonance structure. Treatment of the zwitterions [Cp(2)MMe(μ-Me)B(C(6)F(5))(3)] (M=Zr, Hf) with Li[NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(n)H(3-n)] (n=2) results in [Cp(2) MMe{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)H}] complexes, for which the spectroscopic data, particularly (1)J(B,H), again suggest β-B-agostic interactions. The reactions proceed similarly for the structurally encumbered [Cp'(2)ZrMe(μ-Me)B(C(6)F(5))(3)] precursor (Cp'=1,3-C(5)H(3)(SiMe(3))(2) , n=1 or 2) to give [Cp'(2)ZrMe{NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(n)H(3-n)}], both of which have been structurally characterised and show chelating, agostic amidoborane coordination. In contrast, the analogous hafnium chemistry leads to the recovery of [Cp'(2)HfMe(2)] and the formation of Li[HB(C(6)F(5))(3)] through hydride abstraction.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations of tellurium(IV) diimides and imidotelluroxanes: X-ray structures of B(C6F5)3 adducts of OTe(mu-NtBu)2TeNtBu, [OTe(mu-NtBu)2Te(mu-O)]2 and tBuNH2

The hydrolysis of (t)BuNTe(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)TeN(t)Bu (1) with 1 or 2 equiv of (C(6)F(5))(3)B.H(2)O results in the successive replacement of terminal imido groups by oxo ligands to give the telluroxane-Lewis acid adducts (C(6)F(5))(3)B.OTe(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)TeN(t)Bu (2) and [(C(6)F(5))(3)B.OTe(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)Te(mu-O)](2) (3), which were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The Te=O distance in 2 is 1.870(2) A. The di-adduct 3 involves the association of four (t)()BuNTeO monomers to give a tetramer in which both terminal Te=O groups [d(TeO) = 1.866(3) A] are coordinated to B(C(6)F(5))(3). The central Te(2)O(2) ring in 3 is distinctly unsymmetrical [d(TeO) = 1.912(3) and 2.088(2) A]. The X-ray structure of (C(6)F(5))(3)B.NH(2)(t)()Bu (4), the byproduct of these hydrolysis reactions, is also reported. The geometries and energies of tellurium(IV) diimides and imido telluroxanes were determined using quantum chemical calculations. The calculated energies for the reactions E(NR)(2) + Te(NR)(2) (E = S, Se, Te; R = H, Me, (t)Bu, SiMe(3)) confirm that cyclodimerization of tellurium(IV) diimides is strongly exothermic. In the mixed-chalcogen systems, the cycloaddition is energetically favorable for the Se/Te combination. The calculated energies for the further oligomerization of the dimers XE(mu-NMe)(2)EX (E = Se, Te; X = NMe, O) indicate that the formation of tetramers is strongly exothermic for the tellurium systems but endothermic (X = NMe) or thermoneutral (X = O) for the selenium systems, consistent with experimental observations.     

Discrete, solvent-free alkaline-earth metal cations: metal···fluorine interactions and ROP catalytic activity

Efficient protocols for the syntheses of well-defined, solvent-free cations of the large alkaline-earth (Ae) metals (Ca, Sr, Ba) and their smaller Zn and Mg analogues have been designed. The reaction of 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(morpholinomethyl)phenol ({LO(1)}H), 2-{[bis(2-methoxyethyl)amino]methyl}-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol ({LO(2)}H), 2-[(1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadecan-13-yl)methyl]-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol ({LO(3)}H), and 2-[(1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-azacyclo-pentadecan-13-yl)methyl]-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol ({RO(3)}H) with [H(OEt(2))(2)](+)[H(2)N{B(C(6)F(5))(3)}(2)](-) readily afforded the doubly acidic pro-ligands [{LO(1)}HH](+)[X](-) (1), [{LO(2)}HH](+)[X](-) (2), [{LO(3)}HH](+)[X](-) (3), and [{RO(3)}HH](+)[X](-) (4) ([X](-) = [H(2)N{B(C(6)F(5))(3)}(2)](-)). The addition of 2 to Ca[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2) and Sr[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2) yielded [{LO(2)}Ca(THF)(0.5)](+)[X](-) (5) and [{LO(2)}Sr(THF)](+)[X](-) (6), respectively. Alternatively, 5 could also be prepared upon treatment of {LO(2)}CaN(SiMe(3))(2) (7) with [H(OEt(2))(2)](+)[X](-). Complexes [{LO(3)}M](+)[X](-) (M = Zn, 8; Mg, 9; Ca, 10; Sr, 11; Ba, 12) and [{RO(3)}M](+)[X](-) (M = Zn, 13; Mg, 14; Ca, 15; Sr, 16; Ba, 17) were synthesized in high yields (70-90%) by reaction of 3 or 4 with the neutral precursors M[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(x) (M = Zn, Mg, x = 0; M = Ca, Sr, Ba, x = 2). All compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the solid-sate structures of compounds 1, 3, 7, 8, 13, 14, {15}(4)·3CD(2)Cl(2), {16}(4)·3CD(2)Cl(2), and {{17}(4)·EtOH}·3CD(2)Cl(2) were determined by X-ray diffraction crystallography. Whereas the complexes are monomeric in the case of Zn and Mg, they form bimetallic cations in the case of Ca, Sr and Ba; there is no contact between the metal and the weakly coordinating anion. In all metal complexes, the multidentate ligand is κ(6)-coordinated to the metal. Strong intramolecular M···F secondary interactions between the metal and F atoms from the ancillary ligands are observed in the structures of {15}(4)·3CD(2)Cl(2), {16}(4)·3CD(2)Cl(2), and {{17}(4)·EtOH}·3CD(2)Cl(2). VT (19)F{(1)H} NMR provided no direct evidence that these interactions are maintained in solution; nevertheless, significant Ae···F energies of stabilization of 25-26 (Ca, Ba) and 40 kcal·mol(-1) (Sr) were calculated by NBO analysis on DFT-optimized structures. The identity and integrity of the cationic complexes are preserved in solution in the presence of an excess of alcohol (BnOH, (i)PrOH) or L-lactide (L-LA). Efficient binary catalytic systems for the immortal ring-opening polymerization of L-LA (up to 3,000 equiv) are produced upon addition of an excess (5-50 equiv) of external protic nucleophilic agents (BnOH, (i)PrOH) to 8-12 or 13-17. PLLAs with M(n) up to 35,000 g·mol(-1) were produced in a very controlled fashion (M(w)/M(n) ≈ 1.10-1.20) and without epimerization. In each series of catalysts, the following order of catalytic activity was established: Mg ? Zn < Ca < Sr ≈ Ba; also, Ae complexes supported by the aryloxide ligand are more active than their parents supported by the fluorinated alkoxide ancillary, possibly owing to the presence of Ae···F interactions in the latter case. The rate law -d[L-LA]/dt = k(p)·[L-LA](1.0)·[16](1.0)·[BnOH](1.0) was established by NMR kinetic investigations, with the corresponding activation parameters ΔH(++) = 14.8(5) kcal·mol(-1) and ΔS(++) = -7.6(2.0) cal·K(-1)·mol(-1). DFT calculations indicated that the observed order of catalytic activity matches an increase of the L-LA coordination energy onto the cationic metal centers with parallel decrease of the positive metal charge.