Reactivity of a silylsilylene bearing a functionalized diaminochlorosilyl substituent

The reactivity of the silylsilylene [{PhC(NtBu)(2)}SiSi(Cl){(NtBu)(2)C(H)Ph}] (2) towards diphenylacetylene, azobenzene, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl azide, sulfur, and selenium is described. The reaction of 2 with one equivalent of azobenzene in toluene afforded compound 3, which is the first example of a 1,2-diaza-3,4-disilacyclobutane containing a pentacoordinate silicon center. The formation of 3 can be explained by a [1+2] cycloaddition of the divalent Si center in 2 with PhN=NPh to form a diazasilacyclopropane intermediate, which then undergoes a 1,2-chlorine shift to release the ring strain to form 3. Similarly, the reaction of 2 with one equivalent of diphenylacetylene in toluene afforded the 1,2-disilacyclobutene 4, which contains a pentacoordinate silicon center. The reaction of 2 with 1.6 equivalents of 2,6-diisopropylphenylazide in toluene afforded the silaimine [LSi(=NAr)N(Ar)L'] (5, L=PhC(NtBu)(2) , L'=Si(Cl){(NtBu)(2)C(H)Ph}, Ar=2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)). The formation of 5 can be explained by an oxidative addition of the divalent Si center in 2 with ArN(3) to afford a silaimine intermediate, which then reacts with another molecule of ArN(3) to give compound 5. The reaction of 2 with elemental sulfur in toluene afforded the chlorosilanethione [LSi(S)Cl] (6) and dithiodisiletane [{Ph(H)C(NtBu)(2) }Si(μ-S)](2) (7). Treatment of 2 with elemental selenium in THF afforded the di(silaneselone) [LSi(Se)Si(Se)L] (8). Evidently, the divalent Si center in 2 undergoes oxidative addition with chalcogens to afford a silylsilanechalcogenone intermediate, which then displaces ":Si{(NtBu)(2)C(H)Ph}" and "ClSi{(NtBu)(2) C(H)Ph}" to form 6 and 8, respectively. Moreover, compound 8 was synthesized by the reaction of [{PhC(NtBu)(2)}Si:](2) (10) with elemental selenium in THF. The results show that the reactions of 2 are initiated by oxidative addition of the divalent silicon center, and then the intermediate formed undergoes a rearrangement involving the diaminochlorosilyl substituent to form compounds 3-8. These products have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.     

Terminal titanium-ligand multiple bonds. Cleavages of C=O and C=S double bonds with Ti imido complexes

Treatment of (t-)BuN=TiCl(2)Py(3) with 2 equiv lithium ketiminate compound, Li[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)] (where Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), in toluene at room temperature gave (t-)BuN=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (1) in high yield. The reaction of 1 with phenyl isocyanate at room-temperature resulted in imido ligand exchange producing PhN=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (2). Compound 1 decomposed at 90 degrees C to form a terminal titanium oxo compound O=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (3) and (t-)BuNHCMeCHCMeNAr (4). Also, the compound 3 could be obtained by reacting 1 with CO(2) under mild condition. Similarly, while 1 reacts with an excess of carbon disulfide, a novel terminal titanium sulfido compound S=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (5) was formed via a C=S bond breaking reaction. A novel titanium isocyanate compound Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2)(NCO)(OEt) (6) was formed on heating 1 with 1 equiv of urethane, H(2)NCOOEt. Compounds 1-6 have been characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopies. The molecular structures of 1, 3, 5, and 6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A theoretical calculation predicted that the cleavage of the C-S double bonds for carbon disulfide with the Ti=N bond of compound 1 was estimated at ca. 21.8 kcal.mol(-1) exothermic.     

Adding a new dimension to the investigation of platinum-mediated arene C-H activation reactions using 2D NMR exchange spectroscopy. Dynamics of Pt(II) phenyl/benzene site exchange

Protonation of (N-N)PtPh(2) (1; N-N = diimine ArN=CMe-CMe=NAr with Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (a), 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2) (b), 4-Br-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(2) (c), 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (d), and 4-CF(3)C(6)H(4) (e)) in the presence of MeCN at ambient temperature generates (N-N)Pt(Ph)(NCMe)(+) (2). At -78 degrees C, protonation of 1a yielded (N-N)PtPh(2)(H)(NCMe)(+) (3a), which produced benzene and 2a at ca. -40 degrees C. Protonation of 1a-e in CD(2)Cl(2)/Et(2)O-d(10) furnished (N-N)Pt(C(6)H(5))(eta(2)-C(6)H(6))(+) (4a-e). The pi-benzene complexes 4a-c, sterically protected at Pt, eliminate benzene at ca. 0 degree C. The sterically less protected 4d-e lose benzene already at -30 degrees C. SST and 2D EXSY NMR demonstrate that phenyl and pi-benzene ligand protons undergo exchange with concomitant symmetrization of the diimine ligand, most likely via oxidative insertion of Pt into a C-H bond of coordinated benzene. The kinetics of the exchange processes for 4a-c were probed by quantitative EXSY spectroscopy, resulting in DeltaH() of 70-72 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS of 37-48 J K(-1) mol(-1). A large, strongly temperature-dependent H/D kinetic isotope effect (9.7 at -34 degrees C; 6.9 at -19 degrees C) was measured for the dynamic behavior of 4a versus 4a-d(10), consistent with the proposed pi-benzene C-H bond cleavage. The fact that the pi-benzene complex 4a is thermally more robust in the absence of MeCN than is the Pt(IV) hydridodiphenyl complex 3a in the presence of MeCN agrees with the notion that arene elimination from Pt(IV) hydridoaryl complexes occurs via Pt(II) pi-arene intermediates that eliminate the hydrocarbon associatively, in this case, promoted by MeCN. Compounds 1a, 1b, 1d, 2a, and 2b have been crystallographically characterized.     

Biaryl formation in the synthesis of endo and exo-platinacycles

The reactions of cis-[Pt(2)(4-MeC(6)H(4))(4)(μ-SEt(2))(2)] with bifunctional ligands ArCH=NCH(2)(2-XC(6)H(4)) containing a C-X bond at the ortho positions of the benzyl ring (Ar = 4-ClC(6)H(4), X = Br (1d); Ar = 2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)C(6)H(2), X = Br (1e); Ar = 2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)C(6)H(2), X = Cl (1f); Ar = 2-CH(3)C(6)H(4), X = Br (1h); Ar = 2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3), X = Br (1i)) in refluxing toluene were studied. Several types of platinum(II) cyclometallated compounds containing a biaryl linkage were obtained: i) endo-five-membered with a Pt-C(sp(2)) bond (2d, 2h), ii) endo-six-membered with a Pt-C(sp(3)) bond (2e, 2f), and iii) exo-five membered with a Pt-C(sp(2)) bond (2i). The formed biaryl linkage involves the metallated ring for 2i and the non-metallated ring for the endo-metallacycles. The reaction of compounds 2 with PPh(3) produced the corresponding phosphine derivatives, some of which (3d, 3e, 3h and 3i) were characterised crystallographically. In addition, compound [PtBr{2-CH(3)C(6)H(3)C(6)H(4)CH=NCH(2)(2-C(6)H(4)Br)}SEt(2)] (2c) containing a seven-membered endo-metallacycle was also obtained and characterised crystallographically.     

Cationic Rh complexes with novel spiro tetraarylpentaborate anions prepared from arylboronic acids and aryloxorhodium complexes

Ar-B(OH)2 (1a: Ar = C6H4OMe-4, 1b: Ar = C6H3Me2-2,6) react immediately with Rh(OC6H4Me-4)(PMe3)3 (2) in 5 : 1 molar ratio at room temperature to generate [Rh(PMe3)4]+[B5O6Ar4]- (3a: Ar = C6H4OMe-4, 3b: Ar = C6H3Me2-2,6). p-Cresol (92%/Rh), anisole (80%/Rh) and H2O (364%/Rh) are formed from 1a and 2. The reaction of 1a with 2 for 24 h produces [Rh(PMe3)4]+[B5O6(OH)4]- (4) as a yellow solid. This is attributed to hydrolytic dearylation of once formed 3a because the direct reaction of 3a with excess H2O forms 4. An equimolar reaction of 2 with phenylboroxine (PhBO)3 causes transfer of the 4-methylphenoxo ligand from rhodium to boron to produce [Rh(PMe3)4]+[B3O3Ph3(OC6H4Me-4)]- (5). Arylboronic acids 1a and 1b react with Rh(OC6H4Me-4)(PR3)3 (6: R = Et, 8: R = Ph) and with Rh(OC6H4Me-4)(cod)(PR3) (11: R = iPr, 12: R = Ph) to form [Rh(PR3)4]+[B5O6Ar4]- (7a: R = Et, Ar = C6H4OMe-4, 7b: R = Et, Ar = C6H3Me2-2,6, 9a: R = Ph, Ar = C6H3Me2-2,6) and [Rh(cod)(PR3)(L)]+[B5O6Ar4]- (13b: R = iPr, L = acetone, Ar = C6H3Me2-2,6, 14a: R = Ph, L = PPh3, Ar = C6H4OMe-4, 14b: R = Ph, L = PPh3, Ar = C6H3Me2-2,6), respectively. Hydrolysis of 14a yields [Rh(cod)(PPh3)2]+[B5O6(OH)4]- (15) quantitatively.     

Remarkable reactions of cyclooctatetraene diiron-bridging carbyne complexes with amino and amido compounds: nucleophilic addition to and breaking of the cyclooctatetraene ring

The reactions of the cationic, diiron-bridging carbyne complexes [Fe(2)(mu-CAr)(CO)(4)(eta(8)-C(8)H(8))]BF(4) (1, Ar=C(6)H(5); 2, Ar=p-CH(3)C(6)H(4); 3, Ar=p-CF(3)C(6)H(4)) with LiN(C(6)H(5))(2) in THF at low temperature gave novel N-nucleophilic-addition products, namely, the neutral, diiron-bridging carbyne complexes [Fe(2)(mu-CAr)(CO)(4)(eta(7)-C(8)H(8)N(C(6)H(5))(2))] (4, Ar=C(6)H(5); 5, Ar=p-CH(3)C(6)H(4); 6, Ar=p-CF(3)C(6)H(4))). Cationic bridging carbyne complexes 1-3 react with (C(2)H(5))(2)NH, (iC(3)H(7))(2)NH, and (C(6)H(11))(2)NH under the same conditions with ring cleavage of the COT ligand to produce the novel diiron-bridging carbene inner salts [Fe(2)[mu-C(Ar)C(8)H(8)NR(2)](CO)(4)] (7, Ar=C(6)H(5), R=C(2)H(5); 8, Ar=p-CH(3)C(6)H(4), R=C(2)H(5); 9, Ar=p-CF(3)C(6)H(4), R=C(2)H(5); 10, Ar=C(6)H(5), R=iC(3)H(7); 11, Ar=p-CH(3)C(6)H(4), R=iC(3)H(7); 12, Ar=p-CF(3)C(6)H(4), R=iC(3)H(7); 13, Ar=C(6)H(5), R=C(6)H(11); 14, Ar=p-CH(3)C(6)H(4), R=C(6)H(11), 15, Ar=p-CF(3)C(6)H(4), R=C(6)H(11)). Piperidine reacts similarly with cationic carbyne complex 3 to afford the corresponding bridging carbene inner salt [Fe(2)[mu-C(Ar)C(8)H(8)N(CH(2))(5)](CO)(4)] (16). Compound 9 was transformed into a new diiron-bridging carbene inner salt 17, the trans isomer of 9, by heating in benzene. Unexpectedly, the reaction of C(6)H(5)NH(2) with 2 gave a novel COT iron-carbene complex [Fe(2)[=C(C(6)H(4)CH(3)-p)NHC(6)H(5)](mu-CO)(CO)(3)(eta(8)-C(8)H(8))] (18). However, the analogous reactions of 2-naphthylamine with 2 and of p-CF(3)C(6)H(4)NH(2) with 3 produce novel chelated iron-carbene complexes [Fe(2)[=C(C(6)H(4)CH(3)-p)NC(10)H(7)](CO)(4)(eta(2):eta(3):eta(2)-C(8)H(9))] (19) and [Fe(2)[=C(C(6)H(4)CF(3)-p)NC(6)H(4)CF(3)-p](CO)(4)(eta(2):eta(3):eta(2)-C(8)H(9))] (20), respectively. Compound 18 can also be transformed into the analogous chelated iron-carbene complex [Fe(2)[=C(C(6)H(4)CH(3)-p)NC(6)H(5)](CO)(4)(eta(2):eta(3):eta(2)-C(8)H(9))] (21). The structures of complexes 6, 9, 15, 17, 18, and 21 have been established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and characterization of a singlet delocalized 2,4-diimino-1,3-disilacyclobutanediyl and a silylenylsilaimine

The synthesis and characterization of a singlet delocalized 2,4-diimino-1,3-disilacyclobutanediyl, [LSi(μ-CNAr)(2)SiL] (2, L: PhC(NtBu)(2), Ar: 2,6-iPr(2) C(6) H(3)), and a silylenylsilaimine, [LSi(=NAr)-SiL] (3), are described. The reaction of three equivalents of the disilylene [LSi-SiL] (1) with two equivalents of ArN=C=NAr in toluene at room temperature for 12 h afforded [LSi(μ-CNAr)(2)SiL] (2) and [LSi(=NAr)-SiL] (3) in a ratio of 1:2. Compounds 2 and 3 have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Compound 2 was also investigated by theoretical studies. The results show that compound 2 possesses singlet biradicaloid character with an extensive electronic delocalization throughout the Si(2)C(2) four-membered ring and exocyclic C=N bonds. Compound 3 is the first example of a silylenylsilaimine, which contains a low-valent silicon center and a silaimine substituent. A mechanism for the formation of 2 and 3 is also proposed.     

Chromium complexes supported by phenanthrene-imine derivative ligands: synthesis, characterization and catalysis on isoprene cis-1,4 polymerization

Reactions of CrCl(2)(THF)(2) with N-aryl-9,10-iminophenanthraquinone in CH(2)Cl(2) give the monoimine chromium complexes (Ar)IPQCrCl(2)(THF)(2) (1, Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); 2, Ar = 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3); 3, Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)). Molecular structures of 1 and 3 were revealed to be monomeric with the chromium atoms in distorted octahedral geometries. Similar reactions of CrCl(2)(THF)(2) with N,N-bis(arylimino)phenanthrene ligands afford the diimine complexes (Ar1,Ar2)BIPCrCl(μ-Cl)(3)Cr(THF)(Ar1,Ar2)BIP (4, Ar(1) = Ar(2) = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); 5, Ar(1) = Ar(2) = 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3); 6, Ar(1) = Ar(2) = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3); 7, Ar(1) = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3), Ar(2) = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)). The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that 4, 5, and 7 are chlorine-bridged dimers with each chromium atom in a distorted octahedral geometry. Upon activation with MAO, all these complexes exhibit good catalytic activities for isoprene polymerization affording polyisoprene with predominantly a cis-1,4 unit.     

Cyclopentadienyl chromium diimine and pyridine-imine complexes: ligand-based radicals and metal-based redox chemistry

Paramagnetic CpCr(III) complexes with antiferromagnetically-coupled anionic radical diimine and pyridine-imine ligands were prepared and characterized. The diimine chloro CpCr[(ArNCR)(2)]Cl complexes (1: Ar = 2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3) (Dpp), R = H; 2: Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (Xyl), R = Me; 3: Ar = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2) (Mes), R = Me) were synthesized by treatment of previously reported Cr(diimine)(THF)(2)Cl(2) precursors with NaCp. Reduction of 1 with Zn gives CpCr[(DppNCH)(2)], 4, resulting from reduction of Cr(III) to Cr(II) with retention of the ligand-based radical. Alkoxide complexes CpCr[(DppNCH)(2)](OCR(2)R') (5: R = Me, R' = Ph; 6: R = iPr, R' = H) were synthesized by protonolysis of Cp(2)Cr with HOCR(2)R' in the presence of the neutral diimine and catalytic base. The corresponding radical pyridine-imine complexes CpCr(PyCHNMes)Cl (9), CpCr(PyCHNMes) (8), and CpCr(PyCHNMes)(OCMe(2)Ph) (11), were prepared by analogous routes. Oxidation of 8 with iodine gives CpCr(PyCHNMes)I (10) where oxidation of Cr(II) to Cr(III) again occurs with retention of the anionic pyridine-imine radical ligand. The molecular structures of complexes 1, 2, 4-8, 10 and 11 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Unusual low energy bands were observed in the UV-vis spectra of the reported complexes, with particularly strong transitions observed for the Cr(II) complexes 4 and 8. The electronic structure of pyridine-imine complexes 8 and 10 were investigated by theoretical calculations.     

Mechanistic studies of the O2-dependent aliphatic carbon-carbon bond cleavage reaction of a nickel enolate complex

The mononuclear nickel(II) enolate complex [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Ni(PhC(O)C(OH)C(O)Ph]ClO(4) (I) was the first reactive model complex for the enzyme/substrate (ES) adduct in nickel(II)-containing acireductone dioxygenases (ARDs) to be reported. In this contribution, the mechanism of its O(2)-dependent aliphatic carbon-carbon bond cleavage reactivity was further investigated. Stopped-flow kinetic studies revealed that the reaction of I with O(2) is second-order overall and is ～80 times slower at 25 °C than the reaction involving the enolate salt [Me(4)N][PhC(O)C(OH)C(O)Ph]. Computational studies of the reaction of the anion [PhC(O)C(OH)C(O)Ph](-) with O(2) support a hydroperoxide mechanism wherein the first step is a redox process that results in the formation of 1,3-diphenylpropanetrione and HOO(-). Independent experiments indicate that the reaction between 1,3-diphenylpropanetrione and HOO(-) results in oxidative aliphatic carbon-carbon bond cleavage and the formation of benzoic acid, benzoate, and CO:CO(2) (～12:1). Experiments in the presence of a nickel(II) complex gave a similar product distribution, albeit benzil [PhC(O)C(O)Ph] is also formed, and the CO:CO(2) ratio is ～1.5:1. The results for the nickel(II)-containing reaction match those found for the reaction of I with O(2) and provide support for a trione/HOO(-) pathway for aliphatic carbon-carbon bond cleavage. Overall, I is a reasonable structural model for the ES adduct formed in the active site of Ni(II)ARD. However, the presence of phenyl appendages at both C(1) and C(3) in the [PhC(O)C(OH)C(O)Ph](-) anion results in a reaction pathway for O(2)-dependent aliphatic carbon-carbon bond cleavage (via a trione intermediate) that differs from that accessible to C(1)-H acireductone species. This study, as the first detailed investigation of the O(2) reactivity of a nickel(II) enolate complex of relevance to Ni(II)ARD, provides insight toward understanding the chemical factors involved in the O(2) reactivity of metal acireductone species.     

On the origin of selective nitrous oxide N-N bond cleavage by three-coordinate molybdenum(III) complexes

Reaction of Mo(N[R]Ar)(3) (R = (t)Bu or C(CD(3))(2)CH(3)) with N(2)O gives rise exclusively to a 1:1 mixture of nitride NMo(N[R]Ar)(3) and nitrosyl ONMo(N[R]Ar)(3), rather than the known oxo complex OMo(N[R]Ar)(3) and dinitrogen. Solution calorimetry measurements were used to determine the heat of reaction of Mo(N[R]Ar)(3) with N(2)O and, independently, the heat of reaction of Mo(N[R]Ar)(3) with NO. Derived from the latter measurements is an estimate (155.3 +/- 3.3 kcal.mol(-1)) of the molybdenum-nitrogen bond dissociation enthalpy for the terminal nitrido complex, NMo(N[R]Ar)(3). Comparison of the new calorimetry data with those obtained previously for oxo transfer to Mo(N[R]Ar)(3) shows that the nitrous oxide N-N bond cleavage reaction is under kinetic control. Stopped-flow kinetic measurements revealed the reaction to be first order in both Mo(N[R]Ar)(3) and N(2)O, consistent with a mechanism featuring post-rate-determining dinuclear N-N bond scission, but also consistent with cleavage of the N-N bond at a single metal center in a mechanism requiring the intermediacy of nitric oxide. The new 2-adamantyl-substituted molybdenum complex Mo(N[2-Ad]Ar)(3) was synthesized and found also to split N(2)O, resulting in a 1:1 mixture of nitrosyl and nitride products; the reaction exhibited first-order kinetics and was found to be ca. 6 times slower than that for the tert-butyl-substituted derivative. Discussed in conjunction with studies of the 2-adamantyl derivative Mo(N[2-Ad]Ar)(3) is the role of ligand-imposed steric constraints on small-molecule, e.g. N(2) and N(2)O, activation reactivity. Bradley's chromium complex Cr(N(i)Pr(2))(3) was found to be competitive with Mo(N[R]Ar)(3) for NO binding, while on its own exhibiting no reaction with N(2)O. Competition experiments permitted determination of ratios of second-order rate constants for NO binding by the two molybdenum complexes and the chromium complex. Analysis of the product mixtures resulting from carrying out the N(2)O cleavage reactions with Cr(N(i)Pr(2))(3) present as an in situ NO scavenger rules out as dominant any mechanism involving the intermediacy of NO. Simplest and consistent with all the available data is a post-rate-determining bimetallic N-N scission process. Kinetic funneling of the reaction as indicated is taken to be governed by the properties of nitrous oxide as a ligand, coupled with the azophilic nature of three-coordinate molybdenum(III) complexes.     

Oxidative Cleavage of C=S and P=S Bonds at an AlI Center: Preparation of Terminally Bound Aluminum Sulfides

The treatment of cyclic thioureas with the aluminum(I) compound NacNacAl ( 1 ; NacNac=[ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)NAr]^?, Ar=2,6‐Prⁱ₂C₆H₃) resulted in oxidative cleavage of the C=S bond and the formation of 3 and 5 , the first monomeric aluminum complexes with an Al=S double bond stabilized by N‐heterocyclic carbenes. Compound 1 also reacted with triphenylphosphine sulfide in a similar manner, which resulted in cleavage of the P=S bond and production of the adduct [NacNacAl=S(S=PPh₃)] ( 8 ). The Al=S double bond in 3 can react with phenyl isothiocyanate to furnish the cycloaddition product 9 and zwitterion 10 as a result of coupling between the liberated carbene and PhN=C=S. All novel complexes were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the structures of 5 , 9 , and 10 were confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The nature of the Al=S bond in 5 was also probed by DFT calculations.     

Optimizing small molecule activation and cleavage in three-coordinate M[N(R)Ar]3 complexes

The sterically hindered, three-coordinate metal systems M[N(R)Ar]3 (R = tBu, iPr; Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2) are known to bind and activate a number of fundamental diatomic molecules via a [Ar(R)N]3M-L-L-M[N(R)Ar]3 dimer intermediate. To predict which metals are most suitable for activating and cleaving small molecules such as N(2), NO, CO, and CN(-), the M-L bond energies in the L-M(NH2)3 (L = O, N, C) model complexes were calculated for a wide range of metals, oxidation states, and dn (n = 2-6) configurations. The strongest M-O, M-N, and M-C bonds occurred for the d2, d3, and d4 metals, respectively, and for these d(n) configurations, the M-C and M-O bonds were calculated to be stronger than the M-N bonds. For isoelectronic metals, the bond strengths were found to increase both down a group and to the left of a period. Both the calculated N-N bond lengths and activation barriers for N2 bond cleavage in the (H2N)3M-N-N-M(NH2)3 intermediate dimers were shown to follow the trends in the M-N bond energies. The three-coordinate complexes of Ta(II), W(III), and Nb(II) are predicted to deliver more favorable N2 cleavage reactions than the experimentally known Mo(III) system and the Re(III)Ta(III) dimer, [Ar(R)N]3Re-CO-Ta[N(R)Ar]3, is thermodynamically best suited for cleaving CO.     

Front Cover: Small-Molecule Activation by Heteroleptic Metallasilylenes (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2/2023)

We report on reactions of heteroleptic metallasilylenes L¹(Cl)MSiL² (M=Al 1 , Ga 2 , L¹=HC[C(Me)NDipp]₂, Dipp=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃; L²=PhC(N^tBu)₂) with CO₂, N₂O, and Me₃SiN₃, yielding the corresponding carbonate complexes L¹(Cl)MOSi(CO₃-κ²O,O−)L² (M=Al 3 , Ga 4 ), silanoic esters L¹(Cl)MOSi(O)L² (M=Al 5 , Ga 6 ), and silaimine L¹(Cl)GaSi(NSiMe₃)L² ( 8 ), whereas {L²Si[N(SiMe₃)Al(Cl)C(Me)NDipp][CHC(Me)N(Dipp)]} 7 was formed by C−C bond cleavage of the L¹ ligand. Compounds 3 – 8 were characterized by NMR (¹H, ¹³C) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

C-O bond cleavage of benzophenone substituted by 4-CH2OR (R = C6H5 and CH3) with stepwise two-photon excitation

The C-O bond cleavage from benzophenone substituted with 4-CH2OR (p-BPCH2OR, 1-3), such as p-phenoxymethylbenzophenone (1, R= C6H5) and p-methoxymethylbenzophenone (2, R= CH3), occurred by a stepwise two-photon excitation during two-color, two-laser flash photolysis. On the other hand, no C-O bond cleavage occurred from p-hydroxymethylbenzophenone (3, R = H). The first 355-nm laser excitation of 1-3 generates p-BPCH2OR in the lowest triplet excited state (T1) which has an absorption at 532 nm. When p-BPCH2OR(T1) is excited with the second 532-nm laser to p-BPCH2OR in the higher triplet excited state (T(n)), the C-O bond cleavage occurred within the laser flash duration of 5 ns. The quantum yields of the C-O bond cleavage during the second 532-nm laser irradiation were found to be 0.015 +/- 0.007 and 0.007 +/- 0.003 for 1 and 2, respectively. Although these values are low, the diminishing 1(T1) or 2(T1) was found to convert, in almost 100% yield, to phenoxyl (C6H5O*) and p-benzoylbenzyl (BPCH2*) radicals or methoxyl (CH3O*) and BPCH2* radicals, respectively. The T(n) excitation energy, the energy barrier along the potential surface between the T(n) states and product radicals, and delocalization of the T(n) state molecular orbital including BP and CH2OR (R = C6H5, CH3, H) moieties are important factors for the occurrence of the C-O bond cleavage. It is found that the C-O bond cleavage and production of free radicals, such as BPCH2*, C6H5O*, and CH3O*, can be performed by a stepwise two-photon excitation. The present study is an example in which the chemical reactions can be selectively initiated from the T(n) state but not from the S1 and T1 states.     

Original phenyl-P(O) bond cleavage at palladium(0): a combined experimental and computational study

The reaction of the diphosphine-phosphine oxide ligand {[o-iPr(2)P-(C(6)H(4))](2)P(O)Ph} with Pd(PtBu(3))(2) proceeds with cleavage of the Ph-P(O) bond to give an original κ(P,P(O),P)-pincer complex. According to DFT calculations, this oxidative addition occurs via a three-center P,C(ipso),Pd transition state.     

The dinuclear scandium(III) cyclooctatetraenyl chloride complex di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis[(η8‐cyclooctatetraene)(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)scandium(III)]

Only a few cyclooctatetraene dianion (COT) π‐complexes of lanthanides have been crystallographically characterized. This first single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction characterization of a scandium(III) COT chloride complex, namely di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis[(η⁸‐cyclooctatetraene)(tetrahydrofuran‐κO )scandium(III)], [Sc₂(C₈H₈)₂Cl₂(C₄H₈O)₂] or [Sc(COT)Cl(THF)]₂ (THF is tetrahydrofuran), (1), reveals a dimeric molecular structure with symmetric chloride bridges [average Sc—Cl = 2.5972 (7) Å] and a η⁸‐bound COT ligand. The COT ring is planar, with an average C—C bond length of 1.399 (3) Å. The Sc—C bond lengths range from 2.417 (2) to 2.438 (2) Å [average 2.427 (2) Å]. Direct comparison of (1) with the known lanthanide (Ln) analogues (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm) illustrates the effect of metal‐ion (M ) size on molecular structure. Overall, the M —Cl, M —O, and M —C bond lengths in (1) are the shortest in the series. In addition, only one THF molecule completes the coordination environment of the small Sc^III ion, in contrast to the previously reported dinuclear Ln–COT–Cl complexes, which all have two bound THF molecules per metal atom.     

Reversible oxidative addition and reductive elimination of fluorinated disulfides at gold(I) thiolate complexes: a new ligand exchange mechanism

Reaction of HAuCl4 x 3 H2O with excess HSAr (Ar = C6F5 or C6F4H) in ethanol, followed by addition of [Et4N]Cl, produced [Et4N][Au(SAr)4] (Ar = C6F5 (1a) or C6F4H (1b)) as red crystalline solids in high yield. These complexes are rare examples of homoleptic gold(III) thiolate complexes. The crystal structures 1 show square planar geometry at the gold center with elongated Au-S bonds. Both complexes undergo reversible reductive elimination/oxidative addition processes in solution via thermal and photochemical pathways. Equilibrium constant and photostationary state measurements indicate that the relative importance of the two pathways depends on the nature of the aromatic groups. The metal-containing reductive elimination products, [Et4N][Au(SAr)2] (Ar = C6F5 (2a) or C6F4H (2b)), were confirmed by both independent synthesis and crystallographic characterization. Cross-reactions between either 1 or 2 and various disulfides led to ligand exchange via an addition-elimination process, a previously unknown reaction pathway for ligand exchange at gold(I) centers.     

Benzonitrile extrusion from molybdenum(IV) ketimide complexes obtained via radical C-E (E = O, S, Se) bond formation: toward a new nitrogen atom transfer reaction

Beta-elimination is explored as a possible means of nitrogen-atom transfer into organic molecules. Molybdenum(IV) ketimide complexes of formula (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo(N=C(X)Ph), where Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3 and X = SC6F5, SeC6F5, or O2CPh, are formally derived from addition of the carbene fragment [:C(X)Ph] to the terminal nitrido molybdenum(VI) complex (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo identical with N in which the nitrido nitrogen atom is installed by scission of molecular nitrogen. Herein the pivotal (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo(N=C(X)Ph) complexes are obtained through independent synthesis, and their propensity to undergo beta-X elimination, i.e., conversion to (Ar[t-Bu]N)3MoX + PhC identical with N, is investigated. Radical C-X bond formation reactions ensue when benzonitrile is complexed to the three-coordinate molybdenum(III) complex (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo and then treated with 0.5 equiv of X2, leading to facile assembly of the key (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo(N=C(X)Ph) molecules. Treated herein are synthetic, structural, thermochemical, and kinetic aspects of (i) the radical C-X bond formation and (ii) the ensuing beta-X elimination processes. Beta-X elimination is found to be especially facile for X = O2CPh, and the reaction represents an attractive component of an overall synthetic cycle for incorporation of dinitrogen-derived nitrogen atoms into organic nitrile (R-C identical with N) molecules.     

Synthesis and structure of ruthenium-silylene complexes: activation of Si-Cl bonds in N-heterocyclic silanes

Ru(0) complexes of bis(imino)pyridine ligands, [eta2-N3]Ru(eta6-Ar) and {[N3]Ru}2(mu-N2), where Ar = C6H6 or C6H5Me and [N3] = 2,6-(MesN=CMe)2C5H3N, react with N-heterocyclic silicon(IV) compounds to yield Ru(II) silylene complexes of the type [N3]Ru(X)(Cl){Si(NN)} (X = H, Cl, and Si(NN) = N,N'-bis(neopentyl)-1,2-phenylenedi(amino)silylene). The activation of two groups on the silane occurs in a stepwise fashion: initial oxidative addition of a Si-X bond, followed by 1,2-migration (alpha-elimination) of the Si-Cl group to the metal. Reversible dissociation from the Ru(II) center leads to free silylene, which can be preferentially trapped with Ru(0) complexes to generate a zero-valent silylene complex, [N3]Ru(N2){Si(NN)}, which also contains a terminal dinitrogen ligand.