Reactivity of TpMe2‐Supported Yttrium Alkyl Complexes toward Aromatic N‐Heterocycles: Ring‐Opening or CC Bond Formation Directed by CH Activation

Unusual chemical transformations such as three‐component combination and ring‐opening of N‐heterocycles or formation of a carbon–carbon double bond through multiple C–H activation were observed in the reactions of Tp^Me2‐supported yttrium alkyl complexes with aromatic N‐heterocycles. The scorpionate‐anchored yttrium dialkyl complex [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] reacted with 1‐methylimidazole in 1:2 molar ratio to give a rare hexanuclear 24‐membered rare‐earth metallomacrocyclic compound [Tp^Me2Y(μ‐N,C‐Im)(η²‐N,C‐Im)]₆ ( 1 ; Im=1‐methylimidazolyl) through two kinds of C–H activations at the C2‐ and C5‐positions of the imidazole ring. However, [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] reacted with two equivalents of 1‐methylbenzimidazole to afford a C–C coupling/ring‐opening/C–C coupling product [Tp^Me2Y{η³‐(N,N,N)‐N(CH₃)C₆H₄NHCH?C(Ph)CN(CH₃)C₆H₄NH}] ( 2 ). Further investigations indicated that [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(THF)] reacted with benzothiazole in 1:1 or 1:2 molar ratio to produce a C–C coupling/ring‐opening product {(Tp^Me2)Y[μ‐η²:η¹‐SC₆H₄N(CH?CHPh)](THF)}₂ ( 3 ). Moreover, the mixed Tp^Me2/Cp yttrium monoalkyl complex [(Tp^Me2)CpYCH₂Ph(THF)] reacted with two equivalents of 1‐methylimidazole in THF at room temperature to afford a trinuclear yttrium complex [Tp^Me2CpY(μ‐N,C‐Im)]₃ ( 5 ), whereas when the above reaction was carried out at 55 °C for two days, two structurally characterized metal complexes [Tp^Me2Y(Im‐Tp^Me2)] ( 7 ; Im‐Tp^Me2=1‐methyl‐imidazolyl‐Tp^Me2) and [Cp₃Y(HIm)] ( 8 ; HIm=1‐methylimidazole) were obtained in 26 and 17 % isolated yields, respectively, accompanied by some unidentified materials. The formation of 7 reveals an uncommon example of construction of a C?C bond through multiple C–H activations.     

Investigation of the C−H Activation Potential of [Hydrotris(1H‐pyrazolato‐κN1)borato(1−)]iridium (IrTpx) Fragments Featuring Aromatic Substituents x at the 3‐Position of the Pyrazole Rings,The Choice of the Precursor

A series of pyrazole‐substituted [hydrotris(1H‐pyrazolato‐κN¹)borato(1−)]iridium complexes of the general composition [Ir(Tp^x)(olefin)₂] (Tp^x=Tp^Ph and Tp^Th) and their capability to activate C−H bonds is presented. As a test reaction, the double C−H activation of cyclic‐ether substrates leading to the corresponding Fischer carbene complexes was chosen. Under the reaction conditions employed, the parent compound [Ir(Tp^Ph)(ethene)₂] was not isolable; instead, (OC‐6‐25)‐[Ir(Tp^PhκC^Ph,κ³N,N′,N″)(ethyl)(η²‐ethene)] ( 1 ) was formed diastereoselectively. Upon further heating, 1 could be converted exclusively to (OC‐6‐24)‐[Ir(Tp^Phκ²C^Ph,C^Ph,κ³N,N′,N″)(η²‐ethene)] ( 2 ). Complex 1 , but not 2 , reacted with THF to give (OC‐6‐35)‐[Ir(Tp^Phκ³N,N′,N″)H(dihydrofuran‐2(3H)‐ylidene)] ( 3 ), a cyclic Fischer carbene formed by double C−H activation of THF. Accordingly, complexes of the general formula [Ir(Tp^x)(butadiene)] (see 4 – 6 ; butadiene=buta‐1,3‐diene, 2‐methylbuta‐1,3‐diene (isoprene), 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene) reacted with THF to yield 3 or the related derivative 9 . The reaction rate was strongly dependent on the steric demand of the butadiene ligand and the nature of the substituent at the 3‐position of the pyrazole rings.     

Rare‐Earth‐Metal Methyl,Amide, and Imide Complexes Supported by a Superbulky Scorpionate Ligand

The reaction of monomeric [(Tp^tBu,Me)LuMe₂] (Tp^tBu,Me=tris(3‐Me‐5‐tBu‐pyrazolyl)borate) with primary aliphatic amines H₂NR (R=tBu, Ad=adamantyl) led to lutetium methyl primary amide complexes [(Tp^tBu,Me)LuMe(NHR)], the solid‐state structures of which were determined by XRD analyses. The mixed methyl/tetramethylaluminate compounds [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe({μ₂‐Me}AlMe₃)] (Ln=Y, Ho) reacted selectively and in high yield with H₂NR, according to methane elimination, to afford heterobimetallic complexes: [(Tp^tBu,Me)Ln({μ₂‐Me}AlMe₂)(μ₂‐NR)] (Ln=Y, Ho). X‐ray structure analyses revealed that the monomeric alkylaluminum‐supported imide complexes were isostructural, featuring bridging methyl and imido ligands. Deeper insight into the fluxional behavior in solution was gained by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic studies at variable temperatures and ¹H–⁸⁹Y HSQC NMR spectroscopy. Treatment of [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe(AlMe₄)] with H₂NtBu gave dimethyl compounds [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe₂] as minor side products for the mid‐sized metals yttrium and holmium and in high yield for the smaller lutetium. Preparative‐scale amounts of complexes [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe₂] (Ln=Y, Ho, Lu) were made accessible through aluminate cleavage of [(Tp^tBu,Me)LnMe(AlMe₄)] with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda). The solid‐state structures of [(Tp^tBu,Me)HoMe(AlMe₄)] and [(Tp^tBu,Me)HoMe₂] were analyzed by XRD.     

Resistance Controllability in Alkynylgold(III) Complex‐Based Resistive Memory for Flash‐Type Storage Applications

Owing to the demands of state‐of‐the‐art information technologies that are suitable for vast data storage, the necessity for organic memory device (OMD) materials is highlighted. However, OMDs based on metal complexes are limited to several types of transition‐metal complex systems containing nitrogen‐donor ligands. Herein, attempts are made to introduce novel alkynylgold(III) materials into memory devices with superior performance. In this respect, an alkynyl‐containing coumarin gold(III) complex, [(C₁₉N₅H₁₁)Au−C≡C−C₉H₅O], has been synthesized and integrated into a sandwiched Al/[(C₁₉N₅H₁₁)Au−C≡C−C₉H₅O]/indium tin oxide device. By precisely controlling the compliance current (I _cc), the devices show different switching characteristics from flash‐type binary resistance switching (I _cc≤10⁻³ A) to WORM‐type (WORM=write once read many times) ternary resistance switching (I _cc=10⁻² A). This work explores electrical gold(III) complex based memories for potential use in organic electronics.     

Reversible Double C?H Bond Activation of Linear and Cyclic Ethers To Form Iridium Carbenes

The double C? H bond activation of a series of linear and cyclic ethers by the iridium complex [Tp^tol′Ir(C₆H₅)(N₂)] ( 2? N₂), which features a cyclometalated hydrotris(3‐p‐tolylpyrazol‐1‐yl)borate ligand (Tp^tol′) coordinated in a κ⁴‐N,N′,N′′,C manner, has been studied. Two methyl ethers, namely, Me₂O and MeOtBu, along with diethyl ether and the cyclic ethers tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran (THP), and 1,4‐dioxane have been investigated with formation in every case of the corresponding hydride carbene complexes 3 – 8 , which are stabilized by κ⁴‐coordination of the ancillary Tp^tol′ ligand. Five of the compounds have been structurally authenticated by X‐ray crystallography. A remarkable feature of these rearrangements is the reversibility of the double C? H bond activation of Me₂O, MeOtBu, Et₂O, and THP. This has permitted catalytic deuterium incorporation into the methyl groups of the two methyl ethers, although in a rather inefficient manner (for synthetic purposes). Although possible in all cases, C? C coupling by migratory insertion of the carbene into the Ir? C σ bond of the metalated linkage has only been observed for complex 8 that contains a cyclic carbene that results from α,α‐C? H activation of 1,4‐dioxane. Computational studies on the formation of iridium carbenes are also reported, which show a role for metalated Tp ligands in the double C? H activation and account for the reversibility of the reaction in terms of the relative stability of the reagents and the products of the reaction.     

Synthesis and Complexation Study of New Aminoalkynyl−amidinate Ligands

The current library of amidinate ligands has been extended by the synthesis of two novel dimethylamino-substituted alkynylamidinate anions of the composition [Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NR)₂]⁻ (R = ⁱPr, cyclohexyl (Cy)). The unsolvated lithium derivatives Li[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NR)₂] ( 1 : R = ⁱPr, 2 : R = Cy) were obtained in good yields by treatment of in situ-prepared Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−Li with the respective carbodiimides, R−N=C=N−R. Recrystallization of 1 and 2 from THF afforded the crystalline THF adducts Li[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NR)₂] ⋅ nTHF ( 1 a : R = ⁱPr, n=1; 2 a : R = Cy, n=1.5). Precursor 2 was subsequently used to study initial complexation reactions with selected di- and trivalent transition metals. The dark red homoleptic vanadium(III) tris(alkynylamidinate) complex V[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NCy)₂]₃ ( 3 ) was prepared by reaction of VCl₃(THF)₃ with 3 equiv. of 2 (75 % yield). A salt-metathesis reaction of 2 with anhydrous FeCl₂ in a molar ratio of 2 : 1 afforded the dinuclear homoleptic iron(II) alkynylamidinate complex Fe₂[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NCy)₂]₄ ( 4 ) in 69 % isolated yield. Similarly, treatment of Mo₂(OAc)₄ with 3 or 4 equiv. of 2 provided the dinuclear, heteroleptic molybdenum(II) amidinate complex Mo₂(OAc)[Me₂N−CH₂−C≡C−C(NCy)₂]₃ ( 5 ; yellow crystals, 50 % isolated yield). The cyclohexyl-substituted title compounds 2 a , 4 , and 5 were structurally characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Temperature‐Mediated Template Release: Facile Growth of Copper(I) Mixed Ethynediide/Isopropylethynide Nanoclusters

In the comproportionation reaction of Cu^IIX₂ and Cu⁰ with isopropylacetylene (iPr−C≡C−H), the ethynediide species C₂²⁻ is generated via concomitant C−H/C−C bond cleavage of the iPr−C≡C−H precursor under moderate temperature to direct the formation of Cu^I mixed ethynediide/isopropylethynide nanoclusters (potentially explosive). The active ethynediide dianion C₂²⁻ exhibits chameleon‐like templating behavior to form C₂@Cu_m (m =6 ( 3 , 4 ), 7 ( 2 , 4 ), 8 ( 1 )) central structural units for successive formation of {C₂²⁻⊂Cu₂₄} ( 1 , 2 ), {6 C₂²⁻⊂Cu₄₈} ( 3 ), and {18 C₂²⁻⊂Cu₉₂} ( 4 ) complexes. Bearing the highest C₂²⁻ content, complex 4 features an unprecedented nanoscale Cu₂C₂ kernel. Furthermore, 1 – 3 exhibit structure‐controlled photoluminescence in the solid state.     

Versatile Reactivity of Scorpionate‐Anchored Yttrium?Dialkyl Complexes towards Unsaturated Substrates

A series of unusual chemical‐bond transformations were observed in the reactions of high active yttrium? dialkyl complexes with unsaturated small molecules. The reaction of scorpionate‐anchored yttrium? dibenzyl complex [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(thf)] ( 1 , Tp^Me2=tri(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with phenyl isothiocyanate led to C?S bond cleavage to give a cubane‐type yttrium–sulfur cluster, {Tp^Me2Y(μ₃‐S)}₄ ( 2 ), accompanied by the elimination of PhN?C(CH₂Ph)₂. However, compound 1 reacted with phenyl isocyanate to afford a C(sp³)? H activation product, [Tp^Me2Y(thf){μ‐η¹:η³‐OC(CHPh)NPh}{μ‐η³:η²‐OC(CHPh)NPh}YTp^Me2] ( 3 ). Moreover, compound 1 reacted with phenylacetonitrile at room temperature to produce γ‐deprotonation product [(Tp^Me2)₂Y]⁺[Tp^Me2Y(N=C?CHPh)₃]^? ( 6 ), in which the newly formed N?C?CHPh ligands bound to the metal through the terminal nitrogen atoms. When this reaction was carried out in toluene at 120 °C, it gave a tandem γ‐deprotonation/insertion/partial‐Tp^Me2‐degradation product, [(Tp^Me2Y)₂(μ‐Pz)₂{μ‐η¹:η³‐NC(CH₂Ph)CHPh}] ( 7 , Pz=3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl).     

Modification of Yttrium Silyl-Bridged Amide Alkyl Complexes through Si−H/C−H Cross-Dehydrocoupling of Silanes with a Silylamino Ligand: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Mechanism

A new method for the modification of a silylamino ligand has been developed through mono and dual C(sp³)−H/Si−H cross-dehydrocoupling with silanes. The reaction of [LY{η²-(C,N)-CH₂Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (L=bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-β-diketiminato, L′ ( 1^L ′); L=tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, Tp^Me2 ( 1^TpMe2 )) with 2 equivalents of PhSiH₃ in toluene gave the complexes [LY{η²-(C,N)-C(SiH₂Ph)₂Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (L=L′ ( 2^L’ ); L=Tp^Me2 ( 2^TpMe2 )). Moreover, 1^TpMe2 reacted with the secondary silanes Ph₂SiH₂ and Et₂SiH₂ to afford the corresponding mono C−H activation products [Tp^Me2Y{η²-(C,N)-CH(SiHR₂)Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (R=Ph ( 4 b ); R=Et ( 4 c )). The equimolar reaction of 1^TpMe2 with PhSiH₃ also produced the mono C−H activation product 4 a ([Tp^Me2Y{η²-(C,N)-CH(SiH₂Ph)Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}(thf)]). A study of their reactivity showed that 4 a facilely reacted with 2 equivalents of benzothiazole by an unusual 1,1-addition of the C=N bond of the benzothiazolyl unit to the Si−H bond to give the C−H/Si−H cross-dehydrocoupling product [(Tp^Me2)Y{η³-(N,N,N)-N(SiMe₃)SiMe₂CH₂Si(Ph)(CSC₆H₄N)(CHSC₆H₄N)}] ( 5 ). These results indicate that this modification endows the silylamino ligand with novel reactivity.     

Formation of Alkyne Bridged Multicobalt Carbonyl Complexes with Tris(2‐Thienyl)Phosphine or Bis(Trimethylsilylethynyl)Phenylphosphine Ligand

Treatment of Co₄(CO)₁₂ with an excess of trimethylsilylacetylene (TMSA) in the presence of tri(2‐thienyl)phosphine in THF at 25 °C for 2 hours yielded six compounds. Two pseudo‐octahedral, alkyne‐bridged tetracobalt clusters, [Co₄(μ₄‐η²‐HC≡CSiMe₃)(CO)₁₀(μ‐CO)₂] ( 4 ) and [Co₄(μ₄‐η²‐HC≡CSiMe³)‐(CO)₉(μ‐CO)₂{P(C₄H₄S)₃}] ( 6 ), along with an alkyne‐bridged dicobalt complex, [Co₂(CO)₅(μ‐HC≡CSiMe₃)‐{P(C₄H₄S)₃}] ( 5 ), were obtained as new compounds. The addition of the thienylphosphine ligand, in fact, facilitates the reaction rate. Reaction of an alkyne‐bridged dicobalt complex, [(η²‐H‐C≡C‐SiMe₃)Co₂(CO)₆] ( 3 ), with a bi‐functional ligand, PPh(‐C≡C‐SiMe₃)₂, yielded an unexpected six‐membered, cyclic compound, {(Ph)(Me₃Si‐C≡C)P‐[(η²‐C≡C‐SiMe₃)Co₂(CO)₅]}₂ ( 7 ). All of these new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means; the solid‐state structures of ( 5 ), ( 6 ) and ( 7 ) have been established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Mimicking the Aromatic‐Ring‐Cleavage Activity of Gentisate‐1,2‐Dioxygenase by a Nonheme Iron Complex

Gentisate‐1,2‐dioxygenase (GDO), a nonheme iron enzyme in the cupin superfamily, catalyzes the cleavage of the aromatic‐ring of 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (gentisic acid) to form maleylpyruvic acid in the microbial aerobic degradation of aromatic compounds. To develop a functional model of GDO, we have isolated a nonheme iron(II) complex, [(Tp^Ph2)Fe^II(DHN‐H)] (Tp^Ph2=hydrotris(3,5‐diphenylpyrazole‐1‐yl)borate, DHN‐H=1,4‐dihydroxy‐2‐naphthoate). In the reaction with O₂, the biomimetic complex oxidatively cleaves the aromatic ring of the coordinated substrate with the incorporation of both the oxygen atoms from molecular oxygen into the cleavage product. The presence of para‐hydroxy group on the substrate plays a crucial role in directing the aromatic‐ring cleaving reaction.     

Syntheses and Catalytic Hydrogenation Performance of Cationic Bis(phosphine) Cobalt(I) Diene and Arene Compounds

Chloride abstraction from [(R,R)‐(^iPrDuPhos)Co(μ‐Cl)]₂ with NaBAr^F₄ (BAr^F₄=B[(3,5‐(CF₃)₂)C₆H₃]₄) in the presence of dienes, such as 1,5‐cyclooctadiene (COD) or norbornadiene (NBD), yielded long sought‐after cationic bis(phosphine) cobalt complexes, [(R,R)‐(^iPrDuPhos)Co(η²,η²‐diene)][BAr^F₄]. The COD complex proved substitutionally labile undergoing diene substitution with tetrahydrofuran, NBD, or arenes. The resulting 18‐electron, cationic cobalt(I) arene complexes, as well as the [(R,R)‐(^iPrDuPhos)Co(diene)][BAr^F₄] derivatives, proved to be highly active and enantioselective precatalysts for asymmetric alkene hydrogenation. A cobalt–substrate complex, [(R,R)‐(^iPrDuPhos)Co(MAA)][BAr^F₄] (MAA=methyl 2‐acetamidoacrylate) was crystallographically characterized as the opposite diastereomer to that expected for productive hydrogenation demonstrating a Curtin–Hammett kinetic regime similar to rhodium catalysis.     

A Structurally Characterized Fluoroalkyne

The facile synthesis of a stable and isolable compound with a fluoroalkynyl group, M−C≡CF, is reported. Reaction of [Ru(C≡CH)(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(dppe)] with an electrophilic fluorinating agent (NFSI) results in the formation of the fluorovinylidene complex [Ru(=C=CHF)(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(dppe)][N(SO₂Ph)₂]. Subsequent deprotonation with LiN(SiMe₃)₂ affords the fluoroalkynyl complex [Ru(C≡CF)(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(dppe)]. In marked contrast to the rare and highly reactive examples of fluoroalkynes that have been reported previously, this compound can be readily isolated and structurally characterized. This has allowed the structure and bonding in the CCF motif to be explored. Further electrophilic fluorination of this species yields the difluorovinylidene complex [Ru(C=CF₂)(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(dppe)][N(SO₂Ph)₂].     

Transition‐Metal Complexes Based on the 1,3,5‐Triethynyl Benzene Linking Unit

The synthesis of a unique series of heteromultinuclear transition metal compounds is reported. Complexes 1‐I‐3‐Br‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 4 ), 1‐Br‐3‐(bpy‐C≡C)‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 6 ), 1,3‐(bpy‐C≡C)₂‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 7 ), 1‐(XC≡C)‐3‐(bpy‐C≡C)‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 8 , X = SiMe₃; 9 , X = H), 1‐(HC≡C)‐3‐[(CO)₃ClRe(bpy‐C≡C)]‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 11 ), 1‐[(Ph₃P)AuC≡C]‐3‐[(CO)₃ClRe(bpy‐C≡C)]‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 13 ), 1‐[(Ph₃P)AuC≡C]‐3‐(bpy‐C≡C)‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃ ( 14 ), [1‐[(Ph₃PAuC≡C]‐3‐[{[Ti](C≡CSiMe₃)₂}Cu(bpy‐C≡C)]‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃]PF₆ ( 16 ), and [1,3‐[(tBu₂bpy)₂Ru(bpy‐C≡C)]₂‐5‐(FcC≡C)‐C₆H₃](PF₆)₄ ( 18 ) (Fc = (η⁵‐C₅H₄)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe, bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridiyl‐5‐yl, [Ti] = (η⁵‐C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti) were prepared by using consecutive synthesis methodologies including metathesis, desilylation, dehydrohalogenation, and carbon–carbon cross‐coupling reactions. In these complexes the corresponding metal atoms are connected by carbon‐rich bridging units comprising 1,3‐diethynyl‐, 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene and bipyridyl units. They were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and partly by ESI‐TOF mass spectrometry., The structures of 4 and 11 in the solid state are reported. Both molecules are characterized by the central benzene core bridging the individual transition metal complex fragments. The corresponding acetylide entities are, as typical, found in a linear arrangement with representative M–C, C–C_C≡C and C≡C bond lengths.     

Proton‐Coupled Reduction of an Iron Cyanide Complex to Methane and Ammonia

Nitrogenase enzymes mediate the six‐electron reductive cleavage of cyanide to CH₄ and NH₃. Herein we demonstrate for the first time the liberation of CH₄ and NH₃ from a well‐defined iron cyanide coordination complex, [SiP^iPr₃]Fe(CN) (where [SiP^iPr₃] represents a tris(phosphine)silyl ligand), on exposure to proton and electron equivalents. [SiP^iPr₃]Fe(CN) additionally serves as a useful entry point to rare examples of terminally‐bound Fe(CNH) and Fe(CNH₂) species that, in accord with preliminary mechanistic studies, are plausible intermediates of the cyanide reductive protonation to generate CH₄ and NH₃. Comparative studies with a related [SiP^iPr₃]Fe(CNMe₂) complex suggests the possibility of multiple, competing mechanisms for cyanide activation and reduction.     

Further Evidence for ‘Extended’ Cumulene Complexes: Derivatives from Reactions with Halide Anions and Water

Reactions of [Ru{C=C(H)-1,4-C₆H₄C≡CH}(PPh₃)₂Cp]BF₄ ([ 1 a ]BF₄) with hydrohalic acids, HX, results in the formation of [Ru{C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C(X)=CH₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp] [X=Cl ( 2 a-Cl ), Br ( 2 a-Br )], arising from facile Markovnikov addition of halide anions to the putative quinoidal cumulene cation [Ru(=C=C=C₆H₄=C=CH₂)(PPh₃)₂Cp]⁺. Similarly, [M{C=C(H)-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH}(LL)Cp ]BF₄ [M(LL)Cp’=Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp ([ 1 a ]BF₄); Ru(dppe)Cp* ([ 1 b ]BF₄); Fe(dppe)Cp ([ 1 c ]BF₄); Fe(dppe)Cp* ([ 1 d ]BF₄)] react with H⁺/H₂O to give the acyl-functionalised phenylacetylide complexes [M{C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C(=O)CH₃}(LL)Cp’] ( 3 a – d ) after workup. The Markovnikov addition of the nucleophile to the remote alkyne in the cations [ 1 a–d ]⁺ is difficult to rationalise from the vinylidene form of the precursor and is much more satisfactorily explained from initial isomerisation to the quinoidal cumulene complexes [M(=C=C=C₆H₄=C=CH₂)(LL)Cp’]⁺ prior to attack at the more exposed, remote quaternary carbon. Thus, whilst representative acetylide complexes [Ru(C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH)(PPh₃)₂Cp] ( 4 a ) and [Ru(C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH)(dppe)Cp*] ( 4 b ) reacted with the relatively small electrophiles [CN]⁺ and [C₇H₇]⁺ at the β-carbon to give the expected vinylidene complexes, the bulky trityl ([CPh₃]⁺) electrophile reacted with [M(C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C≡CH)(LL)Cp’] [M(LL)Cp’=Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp ( 4 a ); Ru(dppe)Cp* ( 4 b ); Fe(dppe)Cp ( 4 c ); Fe(dppe)Cp* ( 4 d )] at the more exposed remote end of the carbon-rich ligand to give the putative quinoidal cumulene complexes [M{C=C=C₆H₄=C=C(H)CPh₃}(LL)Cp’]⁺, which were isolated as the water adducts [M{C≡C-1,4-C₆H₄-C(=O)CH₂CPh₃}(LL)Cp’] ( 6 a–d ). Evincing the scope of the formation of such extended cumulenes from ethynyl-substituted arylvinylene precursors, the rather reactive half-sandwich (5-ethynyl-2-thienyl)vinylidene complexes [M{C=C(H)-2,5-^cC₄H₂S-C≡CH}(LL)Cp’]BF₄ ([ 7 a – d ]BF₄ add water readily to give [M{C≡C-2,5-^cC₄H₂S-C(=O)CH₃}(LL)Cp’] ( 8 a – d )].     

Highly Fluorinated Tris(indazolyl)borate Silylamido Complexes of the Heavier Alkaline Earth Metals: Synthesis,Characterization, and Efficient Catalytic Intramolecular Hydroamination

Heteroleptic silylamido complexes of the heavier alkaline earth elements calcium and strontium containing the highly fluorinated 3‐phenyl hydrotris(indazolyl)borate {F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph}}^? ligand have been synthesized by using salt metathesis reactions. The homoleptic precursors [Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] (Ae=Ca, Sr) were treated with [Tl(F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph})] in pentane to form the corresponding heteroleptic complexes [(F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph})Ae{N(SiMe₃)₂}] (Ae=Ca ( 1 ); Sr ( 3 )). Compounds 1 and 3 are inert towards intermolecular redistribution. The molecular structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by using X‐ray diffraction. Compound 3 exhibits a Sr ??? MeSi agostic distortion. The synthesis of the homoleptic THF‐free compound [Ca{N(SiMe₂H)₂}₂] ( 4 ) by transamination reaction between [Ca{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] and HN(SiMe₂H)₂ is also reported. This precursor constitutes a convenient starting material for the subsequent preparation of the THF‐free complex [(F₁₂‐Tp^{4Bo, 3Ph})Ca{N(SiMe₂H)₂}] ( 5 ). Compound 5 is stabilized in the solid state by a Ca???β‐Si?H agostic interaction. Complexes 1 and 3 have been used as precatalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of 2,2‐dimethylpent‐4‐en‐1‐amine. Compound 1 is highly active, converting completely 200 equivalents of aminoalkene in 16 min with 0.50 mol % catalyst loading at 25 °C.     

Water‐Promoted Generation of a Diazairida Homobarrelene by CC Coupling Between an Iridacyclic Alkylidene and Acetonitrile

The stable cationic iridacyclopentenylidene [Tp^Me2Ir(?CHC(Me)?C(Me)C H₂(NCMe)]PF₆ ( A ; Tp^Me2=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) has been obtained by α‐hydride abstraction from the iridacyclopent‐2‐ene [Tp^Me2Ir(CH₂C(Me)?C(Me)C H₂)(NCMe)]. Complex A exhibits Brønsted–Lowry acidity at the Ir? CH₂ and proximal (relative to Ir? CH₂) methyl sites. The coordination of an extra molecule of acetonitrile to the iridium center initiates the reversible isomerization of the chelating carbon chain of A to the monodentate butadienyl ligand of complex [Tp^Me2Ir(CH?C(Me)C(Me)?CH₂)(NCMe)₂]PF₆, which is capable to engage in a water‐promoted C? C coupling with the MeCN co‐ligands. The product is an aesthetically appealing bicyclic structure that resembles the hydrocarbon barrelene.     

Water‐Promoted Generation of a Diazairida Homobarrelene by C?C Coupling Between an Iridacyclic Alkylidene and Acetonitrile

The stable cationic iridacyclopentenylidene [Tp^Me2Ir(CHC(Me)C(Me)C H₂(NCMe)]PF₆ ( A ; Tp^Me2=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) has been obtained by α‐hydride abstraction from the iridacyclopent‐2‐ene [Tp^Me2Ir(CH₂C(Me)C(Me)C H₂)(NCMe)]. Complex A exhibits Brønsted–Lowry acidity at the Ir CH₂ and proximal (relative to Ir CH₂) methyl sites. The coordination of an extra molecule of acetonitrile to the iridium center initiates the reversible isomerization of the chelating carbon chain of A to the monodentate butadienyl ligand of complex [Tp^Me2Ir(CHC(Me)C(Me)CH₂)(NCMe)₂]PF₆, which is capable to engage in a water‐promoted C C coupling with the MeCN co‐ligands. The product is an aesthetically appealing bicyclic structure that resembles the hydrocarbon barrelene.     

A Mixed‐Valence {Fe13} Cluster Exhibiting Metal‐to‐Metal Charge‐Transfer‐Switched Spin Crossover

It is promising and challenging to manipulate the electronic structures and functions of materials utilizing both metal‐to‐metal charge transfer (MMCT) and spin‐crossover (SCO) to tune the valence and spin states of metal ions. Herein, a metallocyanate building block is used to link with a Fe^II‐triazole moiety and generates a mixed‐valence complex {[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃]₉[Fe^II₄(trz‐ph)₆]}?[Ph₃PMe]₂?[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃] ( 1 ; trz‐ph=4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole). Moreover, MMCT occurs between Fe^III and one of the Fe^II sites after heat treatment, resulting in the generation of a new phase, {[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^II(CN)₃][(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃]₈ [Fe^IIIFe^II₃(trz‐ph)₆]}? [Ph₃PMe]₂?[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃] ( 1 a ). Structural and magnetic studies reveal that MMCT can tune the two‐step SCO behavior of 1 into one‐step SCO behavior of 1 a . Our work demonstrates that the integration of MMCT and SCO can provide a new alternative for manipulating functional spin‐transition materials with accessible multi‐electronic states.