Photochromism of dihydroindolizines. Part 12: synthesis and photochromism of novel π-conjugated rigid dihydroindolizines as potential molecular electronic devices

Novel carbon-rich photochromic dihydroindolizine DHI derivatives and new spirocyclopropenes have been synthesized. Three alternative synthetic pathways for the synthesis of DHI 10 have been established. Different Sonogashira-mediated coupling reactions have been applied to optimize the reaction conditions and to obtain the best yields. Palladium-mediated Sonogashira coupling of DHIs with 4-(thioacetyl)iodobenzene 13 and iodobenzene 17 yielded coupling products, which have potential applications in molecular electronics. Irradiation of photochromic DHIs 10a-f, 12a-f, 14a-f, 16a-f and 18a-f with polychromatic light leads to betaines 9a-f, 13a-f, 15a-f, 17a-f and 19a-f. The coloured betaine forms are obvious in CH₂Cl₂ solution with concentration of 1×10⁻⁵ mol/L at room temperature because of their slower 1,5-electrocyclization. All the absorption maxima of the coloured betaines were found to be in the visible region and lie between 524 (betaine 9a) and 639 nm (betaine 15f). The kinetics of the thermal 1,5-electrocyclization was studied using multichannel UV-vis spectrophotometry. The kinetic measurements showed that the half-lives of the coloured betaines are in the second domain and lie between 112 and 1379 s. A highly pronounced increase in the half-lives of betaines bearing dimethyl substituted pyridazine compared with non-substituted pyridazine betaines was monitored. A large increase in the photostability of both DHIs and betaines under investigation compared with the standard DHI was observed. The charged zwitterionic betaine structures were stabilized by increasing the solvent polarity due to the electrostatic interactions between them. The tuning of the absorption maxima and the kinetic properties by changing the substitution in the fluorene part (region A) and pyridazine part (region C) will help these compounds to find their applications.     

Greener fluorous chemistry: Convenient preparation of new types of ‘CF3-rich’ secondary alkyl mesylates and their use for the synthesis of azides, amines, imidazoles and imidazolium salts

2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, and nonafluoro-tert-butyl alcohol were used as precursors for the preparation of the appropriate bis(polyfluoroalkoxymethyl)carbinols [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHOH, 1a-c, R_FH = (a) CF₃CH₂, (b) (CF₃)₂CH, and (c) (CF₃)₃C] and the corresponding mesylates [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHOSO₂CH₃, 2a-c]. This novel design paradigm is introduced to eliminate the persistence and bioaccumulation problems of fluorous chemistry, which are associated with the use of longer linear perfluoroalkyl groups (e.g. R_fn ≥ n-C₈F₁₇, n-C₇F₁₅). Secondary mesylates 2a,b and the primary tosylate [(CF₃)₃COCH₂CH₂OTs, 2d] displayed acceptable reactivity towards azide and imidazole nucleophiles to allow the syntheses of novel fluorous azides, which on hydrogenolysis with H₂/Pd-C offered fluorous amines [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHNH₂, 8a,b], and 1-(polyfluoroalkyl)imidazoles (5a,b,d), respectively, while 2c showed no reactivity due to steric hindrance. The reaction of 8a,b with formaline, glyoxal and hydrochloric acid gave symmetrical 1,3-dialkylated imidazolium chlorides (9a,b), while 5a,b,d were effectively alkylated using n-C₈F₁₇(CH₂)₃I, methyl iodide, 2-bromoethanol, and 2d to yield the corresponding 1,3-dialkylimidazolium iodides, bromides, and tosylates (7aa-ec). Some physical properties of new compounds including mp, bp and solubility patterns were also analyzed; and the fluorophilicity values of 1a-c, and 2a-c were experimentally determined by GC and/or ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of perhalophenyltin derivatives. Study of their reactivity toward phosphine gold(I) chlorides

The (perhalophenyl)tin derivatives [SnR₄] (1-3) and [SnR₃Cl] (4-6) (R = C₆F₅, C₆F₃Cl₂, C₆Cl₅) were prepared from SnCl₄ and LiR or [SnR₄] in the appropriate molar ratio, while the dinuclear complexes [SnR₃]₂ (7-9) were obtained by treatment of [SnR₃Cl] with potassium under toluene reflux. Complexes 2, 6·0.5toluene and 7 were structurally characterized, the latter displaying a Sn-Sn bond of 2.808(7) Å, which indicates a strong tin-tin bond with covalent character in solid state. The hexaaryldistannanes 7-9 undergo transmetallation reactions with gold(I) derivatives, such as [AuCl(PPh₃)] or [(AuCl)₂(μ-dppm)], affording the neutral species [AuR(PPh₃)] (10-12) or [(AuR)₂(μ-dppm)] (13-15) or the ionic product [Au₃Cl₂(μ-dppm)₂][Sn(C₆F₅)₃Cl₂] (16). The crystal structures of 14·CH₂Cl₂, 15 and 16·2CH₂Cl₂ were determined by X-ray diffraction, the latter showing a Au₃ nearly equilateral triangular core in the cation with gold-gold contacts of 3.128(7) and 3.227(12) Å. The main difference between the molecular structures of 14·CH₂Cl₂ and 15 (both of them displaying intramolecular gold-gold contacts of 3.142(6) and 3.160(4) Å, respectively) is the presence of an intermolecular Au?Au interaction of 3.2126(8) Å in the case of the C₆F₃Cl₂ complex that gives rise to a tetranuclear unit.     

Titanium (IV) complexes based on substituted 2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)]aminophenols

Novel substituted 2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)]aminophenols, MeN(CHR¹CR²R³OH)(C₆H₄-o-OH) (2-5), were synthesized by the reaction of 2-methylaminophenol with corresponding oxiranes. Titano-spiro-bis(ocanes) [MeN(CHR¹CR²R³O)(C₆H₄-o-O)]₂Ti 6-9 (2, 6, R¹ = H, R² = R³ = Me; 3, 7, R¹ = R² = Ph (treo-), R³ = H; 4, 8, R¹ = Ph, R² = R³ = H; 5, 9, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = Ph) based on [ONO]-ligands have been synthesized. The obtained compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis data. The complex [Ti(μ²-O){O-o-C₆H₄}{μ²-CMe₂CH₂}NMe]₆ (10) was obtained by controlled hydrolysis of 6. Molecular structure of 10 was determined by X-ray structure analysis.     

Substituted lithiumtrimethylsiloxysilanides LiSiRR′(OSiMe3) - Investigations of their synthesis, stability and reactivity

The reactions of the trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RR′SiCl (1a-h: R′ = Ph, 1a: R = H, 1b: R = Me, 1c: R = Et, 1d: R = ⁱPr, 1e: R = ^tBu, 1f: R = Ph, 1g: R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes), 1h: R = 2,4,6-(Me₂CH)₃C₆H₂ (Tip); 1i: R = R′ = Mes) with lithium metal in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C and in a mixture of THF/diethyl ether/n-pentane in a volume ratio 4:1:1 at −110 °C lead to mixtures of numerous compounds. Dependent on the substituents silyllithium derivatives (Me₃SiO)RR′SiLi (2b-i), Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂Li (3a-g), Me₃SiRR′SiLi (4a-h), (LiO)RR′SiLi (12e, 12g-i), trisiloxanes (Me₃SiO)₂SiRR′ (5a-i) and trimethylsiloxydisilanes (6f^∗, 6h^∗, 6i^∗) are formed. All silyllithium compounds were trapped with Me₃SiCl or HMe₂SiCl resulting in the following products: (Me₃SiO)RR′SiSiMe₂R″ (6b-i: R″ = Me, 7c-i: R″ = H), Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂SiMe₂R″ (8a-g: R″ = Me, 9a-g: R″ = H), Me₃SiRR′SiSiMe₂R″ (10a-h: R″ = Me, 11a-h: R″ = H) and (HMe₂SiO)RR′SiSiMe₂H (13e, 13g-i). The stability of trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2 depends on the substituents and on the temperature. (Me₃SiO)Mes₂SiLi (2i) is the most stable compound due to the high steric shielding of the silicon centre. The trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2a-g undergo partially self-condensation to afford the corresponding trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithiums Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂Li (3a-g). (Me₃)Si-O bond cleavage was observed for 2e and 2g-i. The relatively stable trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2f, 2g and 2i react with n-butyllithium under nucleophilic butylation to give the n-butyl-substituted silyllithiums ⁿBuRR′SiLi (15g, 15f, 15i), which were trapped with Me₃SiCl. By reaction of 2g and 2i with 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene the corresponding 1,1-diarylsilacyclopentenes 17g and 17i are obtained.X-ray studies of 17g revealed a folded silacyclopentene ring with the silicon atom located 0.5 Å above the mean plane formed by the four carbon ring atoms.     

Synthesis and structural characterizations of diorganotin(IV) complexes with 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid

Two types of diorganotin(IV) complexes {[R₂Sn(O₂CC₄H₃N₂)]₂O}₂ (R = n-octyl 1, 2-ClC₆H₄CH₂3, 2-FC₆H₄CH₂5, 4-FC₆H₄CH₂7) and R₂Sn(O₂CC₄H₃N₂)₂ (R = n-octyl 2, 2-ClC₆H₄CH₂4, 2-FC₆H₄CH₂6, 4-FC₆H₄CH₂8) were prepared by reactions of diorganotin oxide with 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid. The complexes 1-8 are characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopies. The complexes {[(n-C₈H₁₇)₂Sn(O₂CC₄H₃N₂)]₂O}₂ (1) and (n-C₈H₁₇)₂Sn(O₂CC₄H₃N₂)₂ (2) are also determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, which reveal that the endo-cyclic tin atom of complex 1, is seven-coordinate, and the exo-cyclic tin atom is hexa-coordinated geometry, while the complex 2 is seven-coordinated geometry. The nitrogen atom of the aromatic ring participates in the interactions with the Sn atom.     

Synthesis of fluorine containing glycolurils and oxazolines from oxides of internal perfluoroolefins

The reaction of oxides of internal perfluoroolefins 1-3 with urea gave two kinds of novel fluorine containing N-heterocyclic compounds depending on the solvent nature: 1,5-bis(perfluoroalkyl)tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-diones 4a-c and 2-amino-5-fluoro-4,5-bis(perfluoroalkyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazol-4-ols 7a-d. Use of polar dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and acetonitrile afforded glycolurils 4a-c in moderate yields. In dioxane, unexpected cyclization occurred resulting in oxazolines 7a-d in high yields. A similar reaction of oxiranes 2, 3 with urea in aqueous dioxane gave mixtures of 4,5-dihydroxy-4,5-bis(perfluoroalkyl)imidazolidine-2-ones 9b, c, glycolurils 4b, c and oxazolines 7b-d. The molecular structure of trans-isomers of oxazoline 7b and imidazolidine 9b has been established by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and fluxional behaviour of new “heavy fluorous” cyclopentadienes

The new “heavy fluorous” cyclopentadienes C₅H_6−n[M(C₂H₄C₆F₁₃)₃]_n (M = Si, n = 1 (3); n = 2 (4) and M = Sn, n = 1 (10)) were synthesized by reaction of cyclopentadienyl lithium with BrSi(C₂H₄C₆F₁₃)₃ (2) or commercial BrSn(C₂H₄C₆F₁₃)₃. Fluorous cyclopentadienes prepared in this manner contain three or six C₆F₁₃ groups, which significantly increase their solubility in perfluorinated solvents. They also provide intermediates for titanium complexes suitable for fluorous biphase catalysis. All three isomers of silylcyclopentadienes 3 and 4 were identified and fully characterized by two dimensional NMR spectroscopy, which was performed at low temperature. The allylic isomers 3a and 4a undergo degenerate metallotropic rearrangement. This fluxional behaviour was compared with the behaviour of previously prepared cyclopentadienes 6 and 7 (C₅H_6−n[SiMe₂(C₂H₄C₈F₁₇)]_n where n = 1, 2, respectively). The presence of allylic isomers 6a and 7a was further confirmed by Diels-Alder cycloaddition of the strong dienophile tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), providing compounds 8 and 9.     

Synthesis, characterization and structural studies of diorganotin(IV) complexes with Schiff base ligand salicylaldehyde isonicotinylhydrazone

Eight diorganotin(IV) complexes of salicylaldehyde isonicotinylhydrazone (H₂SalN) R₂Sn(SalN) R = t-Bu 1, Ph 2, PhCH₂3, o-ClC₆H₄CH₂4, p-ClC₆H₄CH₂5,m-ClC₆H₄CH₂6,o-FPhCH₂7, p-FC₆H₄CH₂8 were prepared. All complexes 1-8 have been characterized by elemental, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR analyses. The crystal structures of H₂SalN and complex 1 were determined by X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses. Studies show that H₂SalN is a tridentate planar ligand. For complex 1, the tin atom lies in this plane and forms a five- and six-membered chelate ring with the tridentate ligand. A comparison of the IR spectra of the ligand with those of the corresponding complexes, reveals that the disappearance of the bands assigned to carbonyl unambiguously confirms that the ligand coordinate with the tin in the enol form.     

Intramolecular rearrangement of organosilyl groups between oxygen and nitrogen in aminosiloxanes - a joint experimental-theoretical study, part II

Lithium amino-di-tert-butylsilanolate reacts with halosilanes to give 1-silylamino-1,3-siloxanes (1-7). The tetrakis(1-silylamino)siloxane thermally condenses yielding a spirocyclic six-membered ring (8). One six-membered ring of 8 forms a boat and the other has a twist conformation. Lithium salts of amino-disiloxanes form silylamino-silanolates or amido-disiloxanes. The first includes a 1,3-silyl group migration from the oxygen to the nitrogen atom. The energies of the isomeric lithium salts of model compounds are calculated and show that the lithium-trimethylsilylamino-dimethylsilanolate III is 0.7 kcal/mol more stable than the isomeric lithium-1,3-disiloxaneamide V. Experiments show that the lithium salts of amino-1,3-disiloxanes, (Me₃C)₂SiNH₂-O-R (R = SiMe₃, SiMe₂Ph, SiF₂CMe₃) reacts with ClSiMe₃, FSiMe₂Ph or F₃SiCMe₃ under a 1,3-O-N-silyl group migration to give the 1-silylamino-1,3-disiloxanes 9-11. If the trimethylsilyl group is substituted by SiMeF₂, the difference between the isomers III′ and V′ is even smaller, 0.12 kcal/mol, and the barrier to reaction via the dyotropic transition state is calculated to be 10.1 kcal/mol. Interestingly, the fluorine atoms allow for two other isomers VI and VIII which are even lower in energy. The low difference in the energies of III and V respectively VI and VIII explains that in absence of steric and/or electronic restraints the lithium salts of amino-1,3-disiloxanes react halosilanes to give both isomeric silylamino-1,3-disiloxanes, e. g. the lithiated (Me₃C)₂SiNH₂-O-SiF₂CMe₃ reacts with F₂SiMe₂ or F₃SiPh to give the structural isomers 12, 13, and 14, 15.The silyl group migration can be prevented kinetically, e. g. the lithium salts of (Me₃C)₂SiNH₂-O-R (R = SiF(N(CHMe₂)₂)₂, SiH(CMe₃)₂) react with F₂SiMe₂ or F₂Si(CMe₃)₂ to 16 and 17. A thermodynamically prevented rearrangement is observed in the reaction of lithiated (Me₃C)₂SiNH₂-O-SiMe₃ with F₃SiR (R = CMe₃ (18), Ph (19), N(SiMe₃)₂ (20), C₆H₂ (CMe₃)₃ (21). 18-21 ((Me₃C)₂SiNHSiF₂R)-O-SiMe₃) are formed.LiF-elimination from (Me₃C)₂SiNHLiO-SiF₂Me leads to the formation of the eight-membered (SiOSiN)-ring 22. The most stable lithium salts of 1-silylamino-1,3-disiloxanes form amides. This explains that in further reactions with halosilanes, the new ligand is bonded with the nitrogen atom (28-30). In results of crystal structure determinations new lithium-1-fluorosilylamino-1,3-disiloxanes of 20, (21, 23-25) are presented. 23 crystallizes as tricyclic, 24 as an unknown pentacyclic, and 25, as monomeric compound. In 25 the shortest Si-N bond length (157.9 pm) with four coordinate silicon is found. Lithium salts of 1-fluorosilylamido-1,3-disiloxanes lose thermally LiF with formation of siloxane substituted cyclodisilazanes, 26 and 27. Crystal structures of 4, 8, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28 are presented.     

Nickel (II) complexes with β-enaminoketonato chelate ligands: Synthesis, solid-structure characterization and reactivity toward the addition polymerization of norbornene

Based on two β-enaminoketonato ligands [ArNC(CH₃)C(H)C(CF₃)OH] (L₁, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃; L₂, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃), their mono(β-enaminoketonato)nickel (II) complexes [(ArNC(CH₃)C(H)C(CF₃)O)Ni(Ph)(PPh₃)] (1, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃; 3, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃) and bis(β-enaminoketonato)nickel (II) complexes [(ArNC(CH₃)C(H)C(CF₃)O)₂Ni] (2, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃; 4, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃) have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of complex 1, 2 and 4 have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses. After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) these catalytic precursors 1-4 could polymerize norbornene to afford addition-type polynorbornene (PNB). Interestingly, catalytic activities and PNB productivity were greatly enhanced due to the introduction of strong electron-withdrawing group - trifluoro methyl into the ligands. Catalytic activities, polymer yield, M_w and M_w/M_n of PNB have been investigated under various reaction conditions.     

Iron(0) and ruthenium(0) complexes with tridentate phosphonite ligands and their potential for ketene formation from methyl iodide, CO and a base

An efficient route to the novel tridentate phosphine ligands RP[CH₂CH₂CH₂P(OR′)₂]₂ (I: R = Ph; R′ = i-Pr; II: R = Cy; R′ = i-Pr; III: R = Ph; R′ = Me and IV: R = Cy; R′ = Me) has been developed. The corresponding ruthenium and iron dicarbonyl complexes M(triphos)(CO)₂ (1: M = Ru; triphos = I; 2: M = Ru; triphos = II; 3: M = Ru; triphos = III; 4: M = Ru; triphos = IV; 5: M = Fe; triphos = I; 6: M = Fe; triphos = II; 7: M = Fe; triphos = III and 8: M = Fe; triphos = IV) have been prepared and fully characterized. The structures of 1, 3 and 5 have been established by X-ray diffraction studies. The oxidative addition of MeI to 1-8 produces a mixture of the corresponding isomeric octahedral cationic complexes mer,trans-(13a-20a) and mer,cis-[M(Me)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (13b-20b) (M = Ru, Fe; triphos = I-IV). The structures of 13a and 20a (as the tetraphenylborate salt (21)) have been verified by X-ray diffraction studies. The oxidative addition of other alkyl iodides (EtI, i-PrI and n-PrI) to 1-8 did not afford the corresponding alkyl metal complexes and rather the cationic octahedral iodo complexes mer,cis-[M(I)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (22-29) (M = Ru, Fe; triphos = I-IV) were produced. Complexes 22-29 could also be obtained by the addition of a stoichiometric amount of I₂ to 1-8. The structure of 22 has been verified by an X-ray diffraction study. Reaction of 13a/b-20a/b with CO afforded the acetyl complexes mer,trans-[M(COMe)(triphos)(CO)₂]I, 30-37, respectively (M = Ru, Fe; triphos = I-IV). The ruthenium acetyl complexes 30-33 reacted slowly with 2-tert-butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethylperhydro-1,3,2-diazaphosphorine (BEMP) even in boiling acetonitrile. Under the same conditions, the deprotonation reactions of the iron acetyl complexes 34-37 were completed within 24-40 h to afford the corresponding zero valent complexes 5-8. It was not possible to observe the intermediate ketene complexes. Tracing of the released ketene was attempted by deprotonation studies on the labelled species mer,trans-[Fe(COCD₃)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (38) and mer,trans-[Fe(¹³COMe)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (39).     

New N-heterocyclic carbene silver(I) and mercury(II) 2-D supramolecular layers by the π-π stacking interactions

The precursor 1-(9-anthracenylmethyl)-3-alkylbenzimidazolium chlorides (1a, alkyl = C₄H₉, 1b, alkyl = C₆H₁₃) and their three new NHC silver(I) and mercury(II) complexes {[1-(9-anthracylmethyl)-3-alkylbimy]MCl}₂ (2a, alkyl = C₄H₉, M = Ag; 2b, alkyl = C₆H₁₃, M = Ag; 3a, alkyl = C₄H₉, M = Hg; bimy = benzimidazol-2-ylidene) have been prepared and characterized. The crystal structures of 2a, 2b and 3a showed that 2-D supramolecular layers are formed by both benzimidazole ring head to tail π-π stacking interactions and anthracene ring face-to-face π-π stacking interactions.     

Structural diversity of di and triorganotin complexes with 4-sulfanylbenzoic acid: Supramolecular structures involving intermolecular Sn?O, O-H?O or C-H?X (X = O or S) interactions

Twelve new organotin complexes with 4-sulfanylbenzoic acid of two types: R_nSn[S(C₆H₄COOH)]_4−n (I) (n = 3: R = Me 1, n-Bu 2, Ph 3; PhCH₂4; n = 2: R = Me 5; n-Bu 6, Ph 7, PhCH₂8) and R₃Sn(SC₆H₄COO)SnR₃ · mEtOH (II) (m = 0: R = Me 9, n-Bu 10, PhCH₂12; m = 2: R = Ph 11), along with the 4,4′-bipy adduct of 9, [Me₃Sn(SC₆H₄COO)SnMe₃]₂(4,4-bipy) 13, have been synthesized. The coordination behavior of 4-sulfanylbenzoic acid is monodentate in 1-8 by thiol S atom but not carboxylic oxygen atom. While, in 9-13 it behaves as multidenate by both thiol S atom and carboxylic oxygen atoms. The supramolecular structures of 6, 11 and 13 have been found to consist of 1D molecular chains built up by intermolecular O-H?O, C-H?O or C-H?S hydrogen bonds. The supramolecular aggregation of 7 is 2D network determined by two C-H?O hydrogen bonds. Extended intermolecular C-H?O interactions in the crystal lattice of 9 link the molecules into a 2D network.     

Structural diversity in the self-assembly of Ag(I) complexes containing 2-amino-5-halopyrimidine

A series of Ag(I) complexes containing the 2-amino-5-halopyrimidine ligands have been synthesized and their structures characterized by X-ray crystallography. The isomorphous complexes Ag(L-Cl)₂(CF₃SO₃) (L-Cl = 2-amino-5-chloropyrimidine), 1, and Ag(L-Br)₂(CF₃SO₃) (L-Br = 2-amino-5-bromopyrimidine), 2, are mononuclear, while [Ag(L-Br)(CF₃SO₃)]₆·6C₄H₁₀O, 3, and [Ag(L-I)(CF₃SO₃)]₆ (L-I = 2-amino-5-iodopyrimidine), 4, show cyclic self-assembly of six Ag(Ι) atoms and six L-X ligands, resulting in 24-membered metallocycles. The complex [Ag(L-I)(CF₃SO₃)]_∞, 5, forms 1D zigzag chains which are linked through C-I?Ag and Ag?O interactions to form a 3D structure. The tetranuclear complexes [Ag(L-X)(NO₃)]₄ [X = Cl, 6; Br, 7] form 16-membered metallocycles, while [Ag(L-X)(ClO₄)]_∞ [X = Cl, 8; Br, 9] exhibit helical chains. The different structure of 5 from 1 and 2 appears to be due to the stronger nucleophilic character of the iodine atom. In these complexes, the relatively smaller NO₃⁻ anions lead to the formation of tetranuclear metallocycles and the larger CF₃SO₃⁻ anions support the hexanuclear metallocycles, whereas the ClO₄⁻ anions induce the helical chains.     

Aluminum and zinc complexes supported by functionalized phenolate ligands: Synthesis, characterization and catalysis in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide

A series of aluminum and zinc complexes supported by functionalized phenolate ligands were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of 2-(3,5-R₂C₃N₂)C₆H₄NH₂ (R = Me, Ph) with salicylaldehyde or 3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylaldehyde afforded 2-((2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenylimino)methyl)phenol derivatives 2a-2d. Treatment of 2a-2d with an equiv. of AlR²₃ (R² = Me, Et) gave corresponding aluminum aryloxides 3a-3e, while reaction with an equiv. of ZnEt₂ afforded zinc aryloxides 4a-4d. Treatment of 2c with 0.5 equiv. of ZnEt₂ formed diphenolato zinc complex 5. All new compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes 3a, 4a and 5 were further characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The catalytic activity of complexes 3-5 toward the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone was studied. The zinc complexes (4a-4d) exhibited higher catalytic activity than the aluminum complexes (3a-3e). The diphenolato zinc complex 5 showed lower catalytic activity than the ethylzinc complexes 4a-4d. The aluminum complex (3b) is inactive to initiate the ROP of rac-lactide, while the zinc complex (4d) is active initiator for the ROP of rac-lactide, giving atactic polylactide.     

The cyclopalladation reaction of 2-phenylaniline revisited

2-Phenylaniline reacted with Pd(OAc)₂ in toluene at room temperature for 24 h in a one-to-one molar ratio and with the system PdCl₂, NaCl and NaOAc in a 1 (2-phenylaniline):1 (PdCl₂):2 (NaCl):1 (NaOAc) molar ratio in methanol at room temperature for one week to give the dinuclear cyclopalladated compounds (μ-X)₂[Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}]₂ [1a (X = OAc) and 1b (X = Cl)] in high yield. Moreover, the reaction between 2-phenylaniline and Pd(OAc)₂ in one-to-one molar ratio in acid acetic at 60 °C for 4 h, followed by a metathesis reaction with LiBr, allowed isolation of the dinuclear cyclopalladated compound (μ-Br)₂[Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}]₂ (1c) in moderate yield. A parallel treatment, but using monodeuterated acetic acid (DOAc) as solvent in the cyclopalladation reaction, allowed isolation of a mixture of compounds 1c, 1c_d1 [Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄](μ-Br)₂[Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)-3-d-C₆H₃] and 1c_d2 (μ-Br)₂[Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)-3-d-C₆H₃}]₂ in moderate yield and with a deuterium content of ca. 60%. 1a and 1b reacted with pyridine and PPh₃ affording the mononuclear cyclopalladated compounds [Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}(X)(L)] [2a (X = OAc, L = py), 2b (X = Cl, L = py), 3a (X = OAc, L = PPh₃) and 3b (X = Cl, L = PPh₃)] in a yield from moderate to high. Furthermore, 1a reacted with Na(acac) · H₂O to give the mononuclear cyclopalladated compound 4 [Pd{κ²-N2′,C1-2-(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}(acac)] in moderate yield. ¹H NMR studies in CDCl₃ solution of 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 4 showed that 2a and 3a presented an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the acetato ligand and the amino group, and were involved in a dynamic equilibrium with water present in the CDCl₃ solvent; and that the enantiomeric molecules of 2b and 4 were in a fast exchange at room temperature, while they were in a slow exchange for 2a, 3a and 3b. The X-ray crystal structures of 3b and 4 were determined. 3b crystallized in the triclinic space group with a = 9.9170(10), b = 10.4750(10), c = 12.0890(10) Å, α = 98.610(10)°, β = 94.034(10)° and γ = 99.000(10)° and 4 in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with a = 11.5900(10), b = 11.2730(10), c = 12.2150(10) Å, α = 90°, β = 107.6560(10)° and γ = 90°.     

Transition metal cyclopentadienyl complexes bearing perfluoro-4-tolyl substituents

Depending on the ratio of starting materials and the reaction conditions, perfluorotoluene (C₆F₅CF₃) reacts with sodium cyclopentadienide (NaCp; Cp = C₅H₅) and excess sodium hydride to afford, after acidic aqueous workup, moderate to high yields of mono-, bis-, tris-, and tetrakis(perfluoro-4-tolyl)cyclopentadiene (1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Treatment of 1 with excess NaH in THF afforded sodium (perfluoro-4-tolyl)cyclopentadienide (5) in 90% yield. Reaction of FeBr₂ with 2 equiv. of 5 afforded a 68% yield of (η⁵-C₅H₄C₇F₇)₂Fe (6). Reaction of ZrCl₄(THF)₂ with 2 equiv. of 5 afforded a 58% yield of (η⁵-C₇F₇C₅H₄)₂ZrCl₂ (7). Reaction of Mn(CO)₅Br with 5 afforded a 74% yield of (η⁵-C₇F₇C₅H₄)Mn(CO)₃ (8). Treatment of 3b with NaH and then with Mn(CO)₅Br in DME afforded a 26% yield of [η⁵-1,2,4-(C₇F₇)₃C₅H₂]Mn(CO)₃ (9). Treatment of 3b with NaH and then with FeBr₂ in DME afforded a trace yield of [η⁵-1,2,4-(C₇F₇)₃C₅H₂]₂Fe (10), which was not fully characterized. Dienes 2a, 3a, and 3b and metal complexes 7, 8, and 9 were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Infrared spectroscopic analysis of the substituted CpMn(CO)₃ complexes showed a linear increase of 5 cm⁻¹ in the A-symmteric stretching frequency for each C₇F₇ substituent, compared to the analogous value of 4 cm⁻¹ reported earlier for each pentafluorophenyl (C₆F₅) substituent. Solution voltammetric analysis of the substituted ferrocene 6 revealed a shift in the E_1/2 of 465 mV relative to ferrocene, compared to the analogous value of about 340 mV for 1,1′-bis(pentafluorophenyl)ferrocene.     

Synthesis, structures, and catalytic properties for ethylene polymerization of bridged [η,η-C5H4CHPhArO]TiCl2 complexes

A number of bridged half-sandwich titanium complexes [η⁵:η¹-2-C₅H₄CHPh-4-R¹-6-R²C₆H₂O]TiCl₂ [R¹ = H (5), Me (6), ^tBu (7, 8); R² = H (6, 7), ^tBu (5, 8)] were synthesized from the reaction of their corresponding trimethylsilyl substituted ligand precursors 2-Me₃SiC₅H₄CHPh-4-R¹-6-R²C₆H₂OSiMe₃ [R¹ = H (1), Me (2), ^tBu (3, 4); R² = H (2, 3), ^tBu (1, 4)] with TiCl₄ in hexane. All new complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Molecular structures of complexes 5 and 8 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Upon activation with AlⁱBu₃/Ph₃CB (C₆F₅)₄, complexes 5-8 exhibit reasonable catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 1-hexene, producing polyethylene and poly(ethylene-co-1-hexene) with moderate molecular weights.     

Styrene polymerization using nickel(II) complexes as catalysts

Styrene polymerization is investigated with neutral and cationic Ni(II) complexes, i.e. Ni(bipy)Me₂, 1, Ni(bipy)Br₂, 2, Ni(phen)Br₂, 3, or Ni(Me₂phen)Br₂, 4, Ni(acac)₂, 5, (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = phenanthroline, Me₂phen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, acac = acetylacetonate), activated by [NHMe₂Ph][B(C₆F₅)₄] or B(C₆F₅)₃ as cocatalysts, in the presence of AlMe₃. The influence on the polystyrene features and the reaction kinetics of the nickel complex and boron activator, the Al/Ni or B/Ni molar ratios as well as the monomer concentration are studied. Catalytic systems derived from 2, 3 or 5 and [NHMe₂Ph][B(C₆F₅)₄] at a Ni:B:Al ratio of 1:1:5 are the most efficient at room temperature.