(Fluorosilyl)ethylenediamines and fluorosilyl-1,3-diaza-2-silacyclopentanes

This paper presents the chemistry of ethylenediamines and fluorosilanes. The synthesis of thermally stable monosilyl (1-5)- and bis(fluorosilyl)ethylenediamines (6) is described. Starting with the dilithium salt of ethylenediamine and F₂Si(CMe₃)₂ the five-membered 1,3-diaza-2-silacyclopentane (8) is obtained. The reaction of tetra- and trifluorosilanes with dilithiated bis(silyl)ethylenediamines leads to the formation of 1,3-diaza-2-fluorosilylsilacyclopentanes (9-14). Fluorosilanes substitute 8 in 1 and 3 positions (15-28). A fluorosilyl-bridged five-membered ring (29) is isolated in the reaction of 1-trimethylsilyl-1,3-diaza-2-silacyclopentane, BuLi and MeSiF₃. In the synthesis of N-fluorosilyl-1,3-diaza-2-silacyclopentanes constitutional isomers were formed (30-33). Quantum-chemical calculations support the isomerisation mechanism. An iminosilane with an SiN double bond is the intermediate product of the rearrangement process.Crystal structures of 7, 13, 20 and 23 are reported.     

A contribution to 1-azapentadienylmetal chemistry: Si, Sn(II), Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes

Complexes of three related 1-azapentadienyl ligands [N(SiMe₂R¹)C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R]⁻, abbreviated as L (R = Bu^t, R¹ = Me), L′ (R = Me = R¹), and L″ (R = Bu^t = R¹), are described. The crystalline compounds Sn(L)₂ (1), Sn(L′)₂ (2), [Sn(L′)(μ-Cl)]₂ (3) and [Sn(L″)(μ-Cl)]₂ (4) were prepared from SnCl₂ and 2 K(L), 2 K(L′), K(L′) and K(L″), respectively, in thf. Treatment of the appropriate lithium 1-azapentadienyl with Si(Cl)Me₃ yielded the yellow crystalline Me₃Si(L) (5) and the volatile liquid Me₃Si(L′) (6) and Me₃Si(L″) (7), each being an N,N,C-trisilyldieneamine. The red, crystalline Fe(L)₂ (8) and Co(L′)₂ (9) were obtained from thf solutions of FeCl₂ with 2 Li(L)(tmeda) and CoCl₂ with 2 K(L′), respectively. Each of 1-9 gave satisfactory C, H, N analyses; 6 and 7 (GC-MS) and 1, 2, 8 and 9 (MS) showed molecular cations and appropriate fragments (also 3 and 4). The ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR (1-4) and IR spectra support the assignment of 1-4 as containing Sn-N(SiMe₂R¹)-C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R moieties and 5-7 as N(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂R¹)C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R molecules; for 1-4 this is confirmed by their X-ray structures. The magnetic moments for 8 (5.56 μ_B) and 9 (2.75 μ_B) are remarkably close to the appropriate Fe and Co complex [M{η³-N(SiMe₃)C(Bu^t)C(H)SiMe₃}₂]; hence it is proposed that 8 and 9 have similar metal-centred, centrosymmetric, distorted octahedral structures.     

Synthesis and structure of isopropyldimethylsilyl-substituted octamethyltitanocene

Reduction of isopropyldimethylsilyl-substituted titanocene dichloride [TiCl₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Prⁱ)₂] (1) by excess magnesium in the presence of excess bis(trimethylsilyl)ethyne (btmse) in tetrahydrofuran at 60 °C yielded a mixture of products amongst them only the trinuclear Ti-Mg-Ti hydrido-bridged complex Mg[Ti(μ-H)₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Prⁱ)]₂ (3) was isolated and characterized. The precursor of titanocene, [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Prⁱ)₂(η²-btmse)] (6), was obtained from the identical system which, after initial formation of [TiCl(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Prⁱ)₂] (2), reacted at −18 °C overnight and then the solution was rapidly separated from the remaining magnesium. Titanocene [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Prⁱ)₂] (7) was obtained by thermolysis of 6 at 75 °C in vacuum. Crystal structures of 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 were determined.     

Ring-opening reactions of cyclic ethers with diiodo- and dibromodimethylsilane equivalents

Ring-opening halosilation of cyclic ethers with reagents of (Me₂N)₂SiMe₂/4MeI (1a) and (Me₂N)₂SiMe₂/4allylBr (1b) was studied. Tetrahydrofuran and cyclohexene oxide reacted with 1a and 1b to give ring-opened di(haloalkoxy)dimethylsilanes in good yield. With less strained tetrahydropyran, however, only reagent 1a gave the ring-opened product. Reactions of reagents 1a and 1b with propylene oxide also proceeded smoothly, although the regioselectivity was rather low. When similar reactions were carried out with (Me₂N)₂SiMe₂/2MeI (2a) and (Me₂N)₂SiMe₂/2allylBr (2b) in a ratio of cyclic ethers/2a or 2b = 1/1, the corresponding 1:1 adducts were obtained.     

Synthesis and structures of crystalline lithium 1-azaallyls and a 1,3-diazaallyl derived from Li{CH(SiMe3)(SiMe3−n(OMe)n)} (n=1 or 2) and Li{CH(SiMe2OMe)2} and RCN (R=Bu, Ph, 2,5-Me2C6H3, or Ad)

Crystalline [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(^tBu)C(H)(SiMe₃)}]₂ (5), [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(Ph)C(H)(SiMe₃)}]₂ (6), [C(C₆H₃Me₂-2,5)C(H)(SiMe₃)}(TMEDA)](7), [Li{N(SiMe(OMe)₂)C(^tBu)C(H)(SiMe₃)}(THF)]₂ (8), Li{N(SiMe(OMe)₂)C(Ph)C(H)(SiMe₃)}(TMEDA) (9) and [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(^tBu)C(H)(SiMe₂OMe)}]₂ (10) were readily obtained at ambient temperature from (i) [Li{CH(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂OMe)}]₈ (1) and an equivalent portion of RCN (R=^tBu (5), Ph (6) or 2,5-Me₂C₆H₃ (7)); (ii) [Li{CH(SiMe₃)(SiMe(OMe)₂)}]_∞ (2) and an equivalent portion of ^tBuCN (8) or PhCN (9); and (iii) [Li{CH(SiMe₂OMe)₂}]_∞ (3) and one equivalent of ^tBuCN (10). Reactions (i) and (ii) were regiospecific with SiMe_3−n(OMe)_n>SiMe₃ in 1,3-migration from C (in 1 or 2)→N. The 1-azaallyl ligand was bound to the lithium atom as a terminally bound κ¹-enamide (8 and 10), a bridging η³-1-azaallyl (6), or a bridging κ¹-enamide (5). The stereochemistry about the CC bond was Z for 5, 8 and 10 and E for 7. X-ray data are provided for 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 and multinuclear NMR spectra data in C₆D₆ or C₆D₅CD₃ for each of 5-10.     

From bis(silylamino)tin dichlorides via di(1-alkynyl)-bis(silylamino)tin to new heterocycles by 1,1-organoboration

Bis(silylamino)tin dichlorides 1 [X₂SnCl₂ with X=N(Me₃Si)₂ (a), N(9-BBN)SiMe₃ (b), N(^tBu)SiMe₃ (c), and N(SiMe₂CH₂)₂ (d)] were prepared from the reaction of two equivalents of the respective lithium amides (Li-a-d) with tin tetrachloride, SnCl₄, or from the 1:1 reaction of the respective bis(amino)stannylene with SnCl₄. The compounds 1 react with two equivalents of lithium alkynides LiCCR¹ to give the di(1-alkynyl)-bis(silylamino)tin compounds X₂Sn(CCR¹)₂, 2 (R¹=Me), 3 (R¹=^tBu), and 4 (R¹=SiMe₃). Problems were encountered, mainly with LiCC^tBu as well as with 1b, since side reactions also led to the formation of 1-alkynyl-bis(silylamino)tin chlorides 5-7 and tri(1-alkynyl)(silylamino)tin compounds 8 and 9. 1,1-Ethylboration of compounds 2-4 led to stannoles 10, 11, and in the case of propynides, also to 1,4-stannabora-2,5-cyclohexadiene derivatives 12. The molecular structure of the stannole 11b (R¹=SiMe₃) was determined by X-ray analysis. The reaction of 2a and d with triallylborane afforded novel heterocycles, the 1,3-stannabora-2-ethylidene-4-cyclopentenes 14. These reactions proceed via intermolecular 1,1-allylboration, followed by an intramolecular 1,2-allylboration to give 14, and a second intramolecular 1,2-allylboration leads to the bicyclic compounds 15.     

Synthesis and reactivity of new mono- and dinuclear niobium and tantalum imido complexes: X-ray crystal structure of [Ta(η-C5H4SiMe3)Cl2{NC6Me4-4-(N(SiMe3)2)}]

The reaction of [1,4-{SiMe₃(H)N}₂C₆Me₄] (1) with 2 equivalents of LiBuⁿ followed by the addition of SiMe₃Cl gave the diamine compound [1,4-{(SiMe₃)₂N}₂C₆Me₄] (2). [Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₄] reacts with 2, in a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio, to initially yield a mixture of the dinuclear, [{Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆Me₄N)] (3), and mononuclear, [Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂{NC₆Me₄-4-(N(SiMe₃)₂)}] (4), imido complexes. 3 can be obtained exclusively by submitting the reaction mixture to repeated cycles of evacuation, to remove volatiles, followed by addition of solvent and subsequent heating. The mononuclear imido complex 4 was isolated from the reaction of [Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₄] with 2 in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. The molecular structure of 4 was determined by X-ray diffraction studies. [TaCl₃(CH₃CN)₂{NC₆Me₄-4-(N(SiMe₃)₂)}] (5) has been prepared by the reaction of one molar equivalent of TaCl₅ with 2 in a CH₃CN/CH₂Cl₂ solvent mixture. The synthesis of the niobium complexes, [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆Me₄N)] (6) and [Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂{NC₆Me₄-4-(N(SiMe₃)₂)}] (7), was achieved in a similar manner to their tantalum analogues. The reactivity of 7 towards nucleophilic reagents, namely lithium benzamidinate, lithium (trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl or lithium dimethylamide, has been studied and the following compounds prepared:[Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)RCl{NC₆Me₄-4-(N(SiMe₃)₂)}] (R = η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃ (8), PhC(NSiMe₃)₂ (9), NMe₂ (10)). In an attempt to form the hetero bimetallic complex, [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂}(μ-1,4-NC₆Me₄N){Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂}] (11), the reaction of 7 with [Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₄] has been studied. Analysis of the reaction products showed that 11 may exist in equilibrium with the homo bimetallic complexes 3 and 6.     

Trimethylsilyl-functionalised bis(indenyl)iron(II) complexes: solid-state structure of [η-1,3-(SiMe3)2C9H5]2Fe

The synthesis of the bis(η⁵-indenyl)iron sandwich complexes (η⁵-1-SiMe₃-C₉H₆)₂Fe (3a), (η⁵-2-SiMe₃-C₉H₆)₂Fe (3b), [η⁵-1,2-(SiMe₃)₂C₉H₅]₂Fe (4a) and [η⁵-1,3-(SiMe₃)₂C₉H₅]₂Fe (4b), by the reaction of the appropriate lithium indenide salts [prepared from 1-SiMe₃-C₉H₇ (2a), 2-SiMe₃-C₉H₇ (2b), 1,2-(SiMe₃)₂C₉H₆ (2c) or 1,3-(SiMe₃)₂C₉H₆ (2d)] with ferrous chloride (1) in a 2:1 molar ratio is discussed. The solid-state structure of 4b was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. Complex 4b exists in a gauche conformation, showing that the indenyl ligands are sterically imposed by the bulk of the Me₃Si substituents. The average Fe-C distance is 2.091(3) Å. Cyclovoltammetric studies indicate that 3 and 4 are redox-active with one-electron oxidations [E^1/2=−270 to −360 mV versus Fc/Fc⁺, Fc=(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Fe].     

Synthesis and crystal structures of organometallic compounds containing the ligands C(SiMe3)2(SiMe2H) and C(SiMe2Ph)2(SiMe2H)

Metallation of (HMe₂Si)(Me₃Si)₂CH (1) by LiMe gave the organolithium compound Li(THF)₂C(SiMe₃)₂(SiMe₂H) (2a), which exists in toluene solution as a mixture of covalent species and ion pairs [Li(THF)₄][Li{C(SiMe₃)₂(SiMe₂H)}₂] (2b). Treatment of a mixture of 1 and LiMe with KOBu^t gave KC(SiMe₃)₂(SiMe₂H) (3). This reacted with AlMe₂Cl in hexane/THF to give Al(THF)Me₂{C(SiMe₃)₂(Si Me₂H)} (4). Treatment of (HMe₂Si)(PhMe₂Si)₂CH (5) with LiMe in Et₂O/THF gave the THF adduct [Li(THF)₂C(SiMe₂Ph)₂(SiMe₂H)] (6); in the presence of KOBu^t the solvent-free [K][C(SiMe₂Ph)₂(SiMe₂H)] (7) was obtained. Crystal structure determinations showed that 6 crystallizes in a molecular lattice and 7 in an ionic lattice in which the coordination sphere of the potassium comprises phenyl groups and hydrogen atoms attached to silicon, as well as the central carbon of the bulky carbanion. Compound 7 reacted with an excess of AlMe₂Cl to give [AlClMe{C(SiMe₂Ph)₂(SiMe₂H)}]₂ (8) and AlMe₃. A small amount of the methoxo derivative [Al(OMe)Me{C(SiMe₂Ph)₂(SiMe₂H)}]₂ (9) was obtained as a byproduct, presumably after the accidental admission of traces of air. X-ray structural determinations showed that 8 forms halogen-bridged dimers, with the bulky ligands in the anti-configuration, and 9 forms methoxo-bridged species in which the bulky ligands are syn.     

Synthesis and structures of four crystalline lithium β-diketiminates derived from [Li{CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2OMe)}]8 and PhCN or BuCN and PhCN

Treatment at ambient temperature in diethyl ether of one equivalent of [Li{CH(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂OMe)}]₈ (A) with (i) two equivalents of PhCN, or (ii) successive equivalent portions of Bu^tCN and PhCN gave from (i) (1) and (2) as well as the known lithium 1-azaallyl [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(Ph)CH(SiMe₃)}]₃, and from (ii) (3) The latter was also obtained from the known [Li{N(SiMe₂OMe)C(Bu^t)CH(SiMe₃)}]₂ and PhCN under similar conditions. Recrystallisation of 2 from THF/hexane afforded (2^′). X-ray diffraction data on 2, 2^′ and 3 are presented; data for 1 were only adequate to confirm its gross tetrameric structure. The particularly novel feature of these transformations of the lithium alkyl A into lithium β-diketiminates 1, 2, 2^′ or 3 is that while the first 1,3-carbon to nitrogen shift from the α-carbon of A is both silicotropic and regiospecific (in so far as SiMe₂OMe > SiMe₃ in migratory aptitude), the second migration is indiscriminate: silicotropy yielding 1 or 3 but prototropy giving 2 (or 2^′). Consistent with these observations, the central carbon atom of the β-diketiminato ligand has significant carbanionic character in 2 or 2^′, attributed to its stabilisation by the exocyclic Me₃Si at C2, whereas in 1 or 3 there is π-delocalisation.     

Organosilicon chalcogenides with trisilane units - bicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes, bicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes and spiro[4.4]nonanes

Treatment of 1,2,3-trichloropentamethyltrisilane (1) with H₂S/NEt₃ results in the formation of a mixture of two isomers of (Me₅Si₃)₂S₃ with a bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (2a) and a bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane (2b) skeleton, while the reaction of 1 with Li₂Se yields one product only, (Me₅Si₃)₂Se₃ (3a), with a bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane structure. Besides ¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si and ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy 3a has also been characterized by a crystal structure analysis.Compounds Si(SiMe₂EMR₂E)₂ (5a-h: MR₂: SiMe₂ (5a, c, d), SiPh₂ (5b), GeMe₂ (5e, f), SnMe₂ (5g, h); E=S (5a, b, e, g), Se (5c, f, h), Te (5d)) with a spiro[4.4]nonane skeleton have been obtained in mixture with varying amounts of the corresponding six-membered rings (R₂ME)₃ by reactions of mixtures of 1,2,2,3-tetrachlorotetramethyltrisilane (4) and diorganodichlorosilanes, Me₂GeCl₂ or Me₂SnCl₂, with H₂S/NEt₃, Li₂Se or Li₂Te and have been characterized in situ by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ¹¹⁹Sn, ⁷⁷Se, ¹²⁵Te) and GC-MS.     

Mixed ligands supported yttrium alkyl complexes:: Synthesis, characterization and catalysis toward lactide polymerization

Treatment of yttrium tris(alkyl)s, Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂, by equimolar H(C₅Me₄)SiMe₃(HCp′) and indene (Ind-H) afforded (η⁵-Cp′)Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) (1) and (η⁵-Ind)Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) (2) via alkane elimination, respectively. Complex 1 reacted with methoxyamino phenols, 4,6-(CH₃)₂-2-[(MeOCH₂CH₂)₂-NCH₂]-C₆H₂-OH (HL¹) and 4,6-(CMe₃)₂-2-[(MeOCH₂CH₂)₂-NCH₂]-C₆H₂-OH (HL²) gave mixed ligands supported alkyl complexes [(η⁵-Cp′)(L)]Y(CH₂SiMe₃) (3: L = L¹; 4: L = L²). Whilst, complex 2 was treated with HL² to yield [(η⁵-Ind)(L²)]Y(CH₂SiMe₃) (5). The molecular structures of 3 and 5 were confirmed by X-ray diffraction to be mono(alkyl)s of THF-free, adopting pyramidal and tetragonal-bipyramidal geometry, respectively. Complexes 3 and 5 were high active initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide to give isotactic polylactide with high molecular weight and narrow to moderate polydispersity.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of rhodium hydride complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Addition of excesses of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) IEt₂Me₂, IⁱPr₂Me₂ or ICy (IEt₂Me₂ = 1,3-diethyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; IⁱPr₂Me₂ = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; ICy = 1,3-dicyclohexylimidazol-2-ylidene) to [HRh(PPh₃)₄] (1) affords an isomeric mixture of [HRh(NHC)(PPh₃)₂] (NHC = IEt₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-2), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-3), ICy (cis-/trans-4) and [HRh(NHC)₂(PPh₃)] (IEt₂Me₂(cis-/trans-5), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-6), ICy (cis-/trans-7)). Thermolysis of 1 with the aryl substituted NHC, 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (IMesH₂), affords the bridging hydrido phosphido dimer, [{(PPh₃)₂Rh}₂(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)] (8), which is also the reaction product formed in the absence of carbene. When the rhodium precursor was changed from 1 to [HRh(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (9) and treated with either IMes (=1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene) or ICy, the bis-NHC complexes trans-[HRh(CO)(IMes)₂] (10) and trans-[HRh(CO)(ICy)₂] (11) were formed. In contrast, the reaction of 9 with IⁱPr₂Me₂ gave [HRh(CO)(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (cis-/trans-12) and the unusual unsymmetrical dimer, [(PPh₃)₂Rh(μ-CO)₂Rh(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (13). The complexes trans-3, 8, 10 and 13 have been structurally characterised.     

Novel sandwich complexes of zirconium [C9H5(SiMe3)2](C5Me4R)ZrCl2 (R = CH3, CH2CH2NMe2): Synthesis and reduction behavior

Novel half-sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂]ZrCl₃ (3) and sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂](C₅Me₄R)ZrCl₂ (R = CH₃ (1), CH₂CH₂NMe₂ (2)) complexes were prepared and characterized. The reduction of 2 by Mg in THF lead to (η⁵-C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂)[η⁵:η²(C,N)-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]ZrH (7). The structure of 7 was proved by NMR spectroscopy data. Hydrolysis of 2 resulted in the binuclear complex ([C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂]ZrCl₂)₂O (6). The crystal structures of 1 and 6 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Titanium and zirconium chloro, oxo and alkyl derivatives containing silyl-cyclopentadienyl ligands. Synthesis and characterisation

The reaction of the tetramethylcyclopentadiene-silyl substituted derivative C₅Me₄(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂Cl) with MCl₄ afforded the trichloro mono-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl complexes M(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Cl)Cl₃ [M=Ti (1), Zr (2)] with selective elimination of SiMe₃Cl. Compound 1 reacts with deoxygenated water in methylene chloride, with the evolution of HCl, to give the dinuclear titanium compound {Ti[μ-(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂O-κO)]Cl₂}₂ (3), which was converted into the μ-oxo complex {Ti[μ-(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂O-κO)]Cl}₂(μ-O) (4) by a further hydrolysis reaction which occurred when a solution of 3 in toluene was refluxed for a long period of time in the air. Depending on the size of the alkyl ligand, reactions of the mononuclear compound 1 with an appropriate alkylating reagent rendered the peralkylated Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂R)R₃ [R=Me (5), CH₂Ph (6)] or partially alkylated {Ti[(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂(CH₂SiMe₃)]Cl(CH₂SiMe₃)₂} (7) compounds by a salt metathesis route. Attempts to synthesise a partially methylated or benzylated complex were unsuccessful. Treatment of the dinuclear compound 3 with four equivalents of MgClMe yielded the tetramethyl derivative {Ti[μ-(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂O-κO)]Me₂}₂ (8), while the same reaction carried out with MgCl(CH₂Ph) or Mg(CH₂Ph)₂·2THF gave the chloro-benzyl derivative {Ti[μ-(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂O-κO)]Cl(CH₂Ph)}₂ (9) as an equimolar mixture of diastereomers, regardless of the molar ratio of the alkylating reagent used. All of the new compounds were characterised by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of new chloro methyl niobium and tantalum complexes with silyl-cyclopentadienyl ligands: X-ray crystal structure of [Ta{η-C5H3(SiMe3)2}Cl2Me2]

Trichloro methyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₃Me] (X = Cl, 2; Me, 3), dichloro dimethyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₂Me₂] (X = Cl, 4; Me, 5) and tetramethyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Me₄] (X = Me, 6; Cl, 7) niobium complexes were synthesized by treatment of starting tetrachloro derivatives [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (X = Cl, 1a; Me, 1b) with dimethyl zinc or chloro methyl magnesium in different proportions and conditions. A mixture of trichloro methyl and dichloro dimethyl tantalum complexes [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl_4−xMe_x] (x = 1, 8; 2, 9) in a 2:1 molar ratio was obtained in the reaction of [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (1c) with 0.5 equivalents of ZnMe₂ in toluene at low temperature. 8 could be isolated as single compound when 1 equivalent of 1c was added to the mixtures of 8 and 9, while the reaction of 1c with 1.5 equivalents of dimethyl zinc gave 9 as unitary product. However, [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₄] (1d) reacts with 0.5 equivalents of alkylating reagent giving the trichloro methyl compound [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₃Me] (10) in good yield. On the other hand, [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₄] (1d) reacts with 2 equivalents of MgClMe in hexane at room temperature giving a mixture of dichloro dimethyl and chloro trimethyl complexes[Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl_4−xMe_x] (x = 2, 11; 3, 12), while the use of 4 equivalents of MgClMe converts 1c into the tetramethyl derivative [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Me₄] (13). Finally, a tetramethyl tantalum complex [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Me₄] (14) was prepared by reaction of [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (X = Cl, 1c; Me, 1d) with 5 (X = Cl) or 4 (X = Me) equivalents of MgClMe in diethyl ether (X = Cl) or hexane (X = Me), respectively, as solvent. All the complexes were studied by IR and NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structure of the complex 11 was determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Synthesis and characterization of titanium alkyl, oxo, and diene complexes bearing a SiMe2-bridged phenoxy-cyclopentadienyl ligand and their catalytic performance for copolymerization of ethylene and 1-hexene

A series of titanium complexes bearing a SiMe₂-bridged phenoxy-cyclopentadienyl ligand were synthesized and characterized, and their catalytic behavior for copolymerization of ethylene and 1-hexene was investigated. Treatment of dimethylsilyl(2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)-titanium dichloride (1) with appropriate nucleophiles afforded dimethoxy complex 2, dimethyl complex 3, and dibenzyl complex 4. Standing a toluene solution of 2 in air afforded a dinuclear μ-oxo complex 5 as a single isomer. 1,3-Diene complexes 6-8 were prepared by reaction of 1 with the corresponding 1,3-dienes in the presence of 2 equiv. of n-BuLi. X-ray analysis of 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene complex 6 revealed that the diene ligand coordinates to titanium in s-cis fashion with a prone orientation. The newly prepared titanium complexes were applied to copolymerization of ethylene and 1-hexene upon activation with AlⁱBu₃ and [C₆H₅NMe₂H][B(C₆F₅)₄]. It was found that the alkyl complexes 3-4 and the diene complexes 6-8 showed higher activities than 1 at elevated temperature.     

Titanium and zirconium complexes with novel phenoxy-phosphinimine ligands

A series of novel phenoxy-phosphinimine ligands (L): L = 2-(Ph₂PNR), 4, 6-(CMe₃)₂-C₆H₂OH [2, R = SiMe₃; 3, R = Ph] have been prepared in the yield of 65-71%. And bis(phenoxy-phosphinimide) group 4 complexes of the type L₂MCl₂ [4, M = Ti, R = SiMe₃; 5, M = Zr, R = SiMe₃; 6, M = Ti, R = Ph; 7, M = Zr, R = Ph] have been synthesized by the reaction of the ligands with TiCl₄ and ZrCl₄. The structure of complex 7 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 4-7 showed inactive to ethylene polymerization in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) and i-Bu₃Al/Ph₃CB(C₆ F₅)₄. These results should be caused by overdoing the steric congestion around central metal.     

Syntheses and structures of non-symmetric guanidinato zirconium and hafnium complexes and their catalytic behavior for ethylene polymerization

Equivalent addition reactions of PhN(Li)SiMe₃ to nitriles, RCN (R = dimethylamido, 1-piperidino), generated non-symmetric guanidinato lithium [(Et₂O)LiN(SiMe₃)C(NMe₂)N(Ph)]₂ (1) or [(THF)LiN(SiMe₃)C(NMe₂)N(Ph)]₂ (2) and [(Et₂O)LiN(SiMe₃)C(N(CH₂)₅)N(Ph)]₂ (5) which further reacted with zirconium or hafnium tetrachloride to form Zr and Hf guanidinato complexes with the general formula [PhNC(R)NSiMe₃]₃MCl (R = dimethylamido, M = Zr (3), Hf (4); R = 1-piperidino, M = Zr (6), Hf (7)). Complexes 1-4, 6 and 7 were well characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and microanalysis, the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis data for complexes 1, 3, 4 and 7 were also provided. Furthermore, complexes 3, 4, 6 and 7 were found to be active for ethylene polymerization. The influences of cocatalyst, pressure, reaction temperature and Al/M ratio on activity were investigated.     

Transition metal alkylidene complexes. Pathways in their formation and tautomerization between bis-alkylidenes and alkyl alkylidynes

Studies from authors’ group (at the University of Tennessee) on alkylidene complexes and α-H migration in alkyl alkylidyne complexes, leading to unusual tautomerization equilibria between bis-alkylidenes and alkyl alkylidynes, are reviewed. Preparation of silyl alkylidene complexes (Me₃ECH₂)₂Ta(CHEMe₃)(SiR₃) [R₃ = (SiMe₃)₃, E = C, 3a, Si, 3b; R₃ = Bu^tPh₂, E = C, 4a, Si, 4b] and the pathway in the formation of 3b are discussed first. Pathways in the formation of archetypical Schrock-type alkyl alkylidenes (Me₃ECH₂)₃TaCHEMe₃ (E = C, 5a; Si, 5b), including the work using Ta(CD₂CMe₃)₅ (21-d₁₀) to confirm that it is the precursor to (Me₃CCD₂)₃TaCDCMe₃ (5a-d₇), are then considered. Tautomerization of silyl alkylidyne (Me₃CCH₂)₂W(CCMe₃)(SiBu^tPh₂) (6a) with bis-alkylidene (Me₃CCH₂)W(CHCMe₃)₂(SiBu^tPh₂) (6b) as well as (Me₃SiCH₂)₃W(CSiMe₃)(PR₃) [R₃ = Me₃, 7a; Me₂Ph, 8a; Me₂(CH₂)₂PMe₂ (DMPE-P), 9a] with (Me₃SiCH₂)₂W(CHSiMe₃)₂(PR₃) (R₃ = Me₃, 7b; Me₂Ph, 8b; DMPE-P, 9b) [P refers to a dangling P atom in Me₂P(CH₂)₂PMe₂] is covered next. Finally the conversion of the tungsten phosphine tautomerization mixtures to alkyl alkylidene alkylidyne (Me₃SiCH₂)W(CHSiMe₃)(CSiMe₃)(PR₃)₂ [(PR₃)₂ = (PMe₃)₂, 10; (PMe₂Ph)₂, 11; DMPE, 12], including its pathway, is presented.