Dihalomethanes as Bent Bifunctional XB/XB‐Donating Building Blocks for Construction of Metal‐involving Halogen Bonded Hexagons

The dihalomethanes CH₂X₂ (X=Cl, Br, I) were co‐crystallized with the isocyanide complexes trans‐[MX^M₂(CNC₆H₄‐4‐X^C)₂] (M=Pd, Pt; X^M=Br, I; X^C=F, Cl, Br) to give an extended series comprising 15 X‐ray structures of isostructural adducts featuring 1D metal‐involving hexagon‐like arrays. In these structures, CH₂X₂ behave as bent bifunctional XB/XB‐donating building blocks, whereas trans‐[MX^M₂(CNC₆H₄‐4‐X^C)₂] act as a linear XB/XB acceptors. Results of DFT calculations indicate that all XCH₂–X???X^M–M contacts are typical noncovalent interactions with estimated strengths in the range of 1.3–3.2 kcal mol^?1. A CCDC search reveals that hexagon‐like arrays are rather common but previously overlooked structural motives for adducts of trans‐bis(halide) complexes and halomethanes.     

Halogen bonding in a series of Br(CF2)nBr–DABCO adducts (n = 4, 6, 8)

Halogen bonding (XB) is a highly‐directional class of intermolecular interactions that has been used as a powerful tool to drive the design of crystals in the solid phase. To date, the majority of XB donors have been iodine‐containing compounds, with many fewer involving brominated analogues. We report the formation of adducts in the vapour phase from a series of dibromoperfluoroalkyl compounds, BrCF₂(CF₂)_n CF₂Br (n = 2, 4, 6), and 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies of the colourless crystals identified 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane–1,4‐dibromoperfluorobutane (1/1), C₄Br₂F₈·C₆H₁₂N₂, (I), 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane–1,6‐dibromoperfluorohexane (1/1), C₆Br₂F₁₂·C₆H₁₂N₂, (II), and 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane–1,8‐dibromoperfluorooctane (1/1), C₈Br₂F₁₆·C₆H₁₂N₂, (III), each of which displays a one‐dimensional halogen‐bonded network. All three adducts exhibit N…Br distances less than the sum of the van der Waals radii, with butane analogue (I) showing the shortest N…Br halogen‐bond distances yet reported between a bromoperfluorocarbon and a nitrogen base [2.809 (3) and 2.818 (3) Å], which are 0.58 and 0.59 Å shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii.     

Natural Abundance 15N and 13C Solid‐State NMR Chemical Shifts: High Sensitivity Probes of the Halogen Bond Geometry

Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy is a versatile characterization technique that can provide a plethora of information complementary to single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis. Herein, we present an experimental and computational investigation of the relationship between the geometry of a halogen bond (XB) and the SSNMR chemical shifts of the non‐quadrupolar nuclei either directly involved in the interaction (¹⁵N) or covalently bonded to the halogen atom (¹³C). We have prepared two series of X‐bonded co‐crystals based upon two different dipyridyl modules, and several halobenzenes and diiodoalkanes, as XB‐donors. SCXRD structures of three novel co‐crystals between 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane, and 1,4‐diiodobenzene, 1,6‐diiodododecafluorohexane, and 1,8‐diiodohexadecafluorooctane were obtained. For the first time, the change in the ¹⁵N SSNMR chemical shifts upon XB formation is shown to experimentally correlate with the normalized distance parameter of the XB. The same overall trend is confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the chemical shifts. ¹³C NQS experiments show a positive, linear correlation between the chemical shifts and the C?I elongation, which is an indirect probe of the strength of the XB. These correlations can be of general utility to estimate the strength of the XB occurring in diverse adducts by using affordable SSNMR analysis.     

NMR evidence for single-site and synchronous double-site inversion at pyramidal sulphur atoms in mono- and bi- nuclear complexes of trimethylplatinum(IV) halides with bidentate thioethers

Adducts of the type Me₃PtXL (X = C1, Br, I; L = MeSCH₂CH₂SMe) exhibit pyramidal inversion at individual sulphur atoms, whereas the adducts (Me₃PtX)₂L′ (L′ = MeSCH₂SMe, X = C1, Br, I) exhibit both ring inversion, and synchronous inversion about both sulphur atoms.     

Lewis Base Behavior of Bridging Nitrido Ligands of Titanium Polynuclear Complexes

The Lewis base behavior of μ₃‐nitrido ligands of the polynuclear titanium complexes [{Ti(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(μ‐NH)}₃(μ₃‐N)] ( 1 ) and [{Ti(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)}₄(μ₃‐N)₄] ( 2 ) to MX Lewis acids has been observed for the first time. Complex 1 entraps one equivalent of copper(I ) halide or copper(I ) trifluoromethanesulfonate through the basal NH imido groups to give cube‐type adducts [XCu{(μ₃‐NH)₃Ti₃(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₃(μ₃‐N)}] (X=Cl ( 3 ), Br ( 4 ), I ( 5 ), OSO₂CF₃ ( 6 )). However, the treatment of 1 with an excess (≥2 equiv) of copper reagents afforded complexes [XCu{(μ₃‐NH)₃Ti₃(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₃(μ₄‐N)(CuX)}] (X=Cl ( 7 ), Br ( 8 ), I ( 9 ), OSO₂CF₃ ( 10 )) by incorporation of an additional CuX fragment at the μ₃‐N nitrido apical group. Similarly, the tetranuclear cube‐type nitrido derivative 2 is capable of incorporating one, two, or up to three CuX units at the μ₃‐N ligands to give complexes [{Ti(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)}₄(μ₃‐N)_4?n{(μ₄‐N)CuX}_n] (X=Br ( 11 ), n=1; X=Cl ( 12 ), n=2; X=OSO₂CF₃ ( 13 ), n=3). Compound 2 also reacts with silver(I ) trifluoromethanesulfonate (≥1 equiv) to give the adduct [{Ti(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)}₄(μ₃‐N)₃{(μ₄‐N)AgOSO₂CF₃}] ( 14 ). X‐ray crystal structure determinations have been performed for complexes 8 – 13 . Density functional theory calculations have been carried out to understand the nature and strength of the interactions of [{Ti(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(μ‐NH)}₃(μ₃‐N)] ( 1′ ) and [{Ti(η⁵‐C₅H₅)}₄(μ₃‐N)₄] ( 2′ ) model complexes with copper and silver MX fragments. Although coordination through the three basal NH imido groups is thermodynamically preferred in the case of 1′ , in both complexes the μ₃‐nitrido groups act as two‐electron donor Lewis bases to the appropriate Lewis acids.     

Spectroscopic Measurement of a Halogen Bond Energy

Halogen bonding (XB) has emerged as an important bonding motif in supramolecules and biological systems. Although regarded as a strong noncovalent interaction, benchmark measurements of the halogen bond energy are scarce. Here, a combined anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) study of XB in solvated Br^? anions is reported. The XB strength between the positively‐charged σ‐hole on the Br atom of the bromotrichloromethane (CCl₃Br) molecule and the Br^? anion was found to be 0.63 eV (14.5 kcal mol^?1). In the neutral complexes, Br(CCl₃Br)_1,2, the attraction between the free Br atom and the negatively charged equatorial belt on the Br atom of CCl₃Br, which is a second type of halogen bonding, was estimated to have interaction strengths of 0.15 eV (3.5 kcal mol^?1) and 0.12 eV (2.8 kcal mol^?1).     

Mechanistic Investigation of Catalyst‐Transfer Suzuki–Miyaura Condensation Polymerization of Thiophene–Pyridine Biaryl Monomers with the Aid of Model Reactions

We have investigated the requirements for efficient Pd‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura catalyst‐transfer condensation polymerization (Pd‐CTCP) reactions of 2‐alkoxypropyl‐6‐(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐(4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolan‐2‐yl)pyridine ( 12 ) as a donor–acceptor (D –A) biaryl monomer. As model reactions, we first carried out the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of X–Py–Th–X′ (Th=thiophene, Py=pyridine, X, X′=Br or I) 1 with phenylboronic acid ester 2 by using tBu₃PPd⁰ as the catalyst. Monosubstitution with a phenyl group at Th‐I mainly took place in the reaction of Br–Py–Th–I ( 1 b ) with 2 , whereas disubstitution selectively occurred in the reaction of I–Py–Th–Br ( 1 c ) with 2 , indicating that the Pd catalyst is intramolecularly transferred from acceptor Py to donor Th. Therefore, we synthesized monomer 12 by introduction of a boronate moiety and bromine into Py and Th, respectively. However, examination of the relationship between monomer conversion and the M_n of the obtained polymer, as well as the matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectra, indicated that Suzuki–Miyaura coupling polymerization of 12 with (o‐tolyl)tBu₃PPdBr initiator 13 proceeded in a step‐growth polymerization manner through intermolecular transfer of the Pd catalyst. To understand the discrepancy between the model reactions and polymerization reaction, Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions of 1 c with thiopheneboronic acid ester instead of 2 were carried out. This resulted in a decrease of the disubstitution product. Therefore, step‐growth polymerization appears to be due to intermolecular transfer of the Pd catalyst from Th after reductive elimination of the Th‐Pd‐Py complex formed by transmetalation of polymer Th–Br with (Pin)B–Py–Th–Br monomer 12 (Pin=pinacol). Catalysts with similar stabilization energies of metal–arene η²‐coordination for D and A monomers may be needed for CTCP reactions of biaryl D–A monomers.     

Environmental Friendly Synthesis of Novel Isatin Ketal and Isatin Schiff Base Derivatives Using Michael Addition Reaction under Solvent‐Free Conditions

An efficient and simple procedure for the synthesis of novel isatin derivatives is described. Michael addition of aniline Schiff bases of isatin or p‐toluidine Schiff bases of isatin to fumaric esters affords the Michael adduct compounds in good to high yields in the presence of K₂CO₃ and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) under solvent‐free conditions. Repeating of this reaction about spiro[1,3‐dioxolane‐2,3′‐indol]‐2′(1′H)‐one, as a Michael donor, in the presence of 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) gives Michael adducts in remarkable yields under the same conditions.     

N−X⋅⋅⋅O−N Halogen Bonds in Complexes of N-Haloimides and Pyridine-N-oxides: A Large Data Set Study

N−X⋅⋅⋅⁻O−N⁺ halogen-bonded systems formed by 27 pyridine N-oxides (PyNOs) as halogen-bond (XB) acceptors and two N-halosuccinimides, two N-halophthalimides, and two N-halosaccharins as XB donors are studied in silico, in solution, and in the solid state. This large set of data (132 DFT optimized structures, 75 crystal structures, and 168 ¹H NMR titrations) provides a unique view to structural and bonding properties. In the computational part, a simple electrostatic model (SiElMo) for predicting XB energies using only the properties of halogen donors and oxygen acceptors is developed. The SiElMo energies are in perfect accord with energies calculated from XB complexes optimized with two high-level DFT approaches. Data from in silico bond energies and single-crystal X-ray structures correlate; however, data from solution do not. The polydentate bonding characteristic of the PyNOs’ oxygen atom in solution, as revealed by solid-state structures, is attributed to the lack of correlation between DFT/solid-state and solution data. XB strength is only slightly affected by the PyNO oxygen properties [(atomic charge (Q), ionization energy (I_s,min) and local negative minima (V_s,min)], as the σ-hole (V_s,max) of the donor halogen is the key determinant leading to the sequence N-halosaccharin>N-halosuccinimide>N-halophthalimide on the XB strength.     

Supramolecular Hierarchy among Halogen‐Bond Donors

Through a combination of structural chemistry, vibrational spectroscopy, and theory, we have systematically examined the relative structure‐directing importance of a series of ditopic halogen‐bond (XB) donors. The molecular electrostatic potential surfaces of six XB donors were evaluated, which allowed for a charge‐based ranking. Each molecule was then co‐crystallized with 21 XB acceptors and the results have made it possible to map out the supramolecular landscape describing the competition between I/Br–ethynyl donors, perfluorinated I/Br donors, and I/Br–phenyl based donors. The results offer practical guidelines for synthetic crystal engineering driven by robust and directional halogen bonds.     

Probing the Boundaries between Lewis-Basic and Redox Behavior of a Parent Borylene

The parent borylene (CAAC)(Me₃P)BH, 1 (CAAC=cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene), acts both as a Lewis base and one-electron reducing agent towards group 13 trichlorides (ECl₃, E=B, Al, Ga, In), yielding the adducts 1-ECl₃ and increasing proportions of the radical cation [1]^•+ for the heavier group 13 analogues. With boron trihalides (BX₃, X=F, Cl, Br, I) 1 undergoes sequential adduct formation and halide abstraction reactions to yield borylboronium cations and shows an increasing tendency towards redox processes for the heavier halides. Calculations confirm that 1 acts as a strong Lewis base towards EX₃ and show a marked increase in the B−E bond dissociation energies down both group 13 and the halide group.     

Diagonally Related s‐ and p‐Block Metals Join Forces: Synthesis and Characterization of Complexes with Covalent Beryllium–Aluminum Bonds

Additions of beryllium–halide bonds in the simple beryllium dihalide adducts, [BeX₂(tmeda)] (X=Br or I, tmeda=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine), across the metal center of a neutral aluminum(I) heterocycle, [:Al(^DipNacnac)] (^DipNacnac=[(DipNCMe)₂CH]^?, Dip=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl), have yielded the first examples of compounds with beryllium–aluminum bonds, [(^DipNacnac)(X)Al‐Be(X)(tmeda)]. For sake of comparison, isostructural Mg–Al and Zn–Al analogues of these complexes, viz. [(^DipNacnac)(X)Al‐M(X)(tmeda)] (M=Mg or Zn, X=I or Br) have been prepared and structurally characterized. DFT calculations reveal all compounds to have high s‐character metal–metal bonds, the polarity of which is consistent with the electronegativities of the metals involved. Preliminary reactivity studies of [(^DipNacnac)(Br)Al‐Be(Br)(tmeda)] are reported.     

The Cyclohexasilanes Si6H11X and Si6Me11X with X=F,Cl, Br and I: A Quantum Chemical and Raman Spectroscopic Investigation of a Multiple Conformer Problem

The conformers of the monohalocyclohexasilanes, Si₆H₁₁X (X=F, Cl, Br or I) and the haloundecamethylcyclohexasilanes, Si₆Me₁₁X (X=F, Cl, Br or I) are investigated by DFT calculations employing the B3LYP density functional and 6‐31+G* basis sets for elements up to the third row, and SDD basis sets for heavier elements. Five minima are found for Si₆H₁₁X—the axial and equatorial chair conformers, with the substituent X either in an axial or equatorial position—and another three twisted structures. The equatorial chair conformer is the global minimum for the X=Cl, Br and I, the axial chair for X=F. The barrier for the ring inversion is ～13 kJ mol^?1 for all four compounds. Five minima closely related to those of Si₆H₁₁X are found for Si₆Me₁₁X. Again, the equatorial chair is the global minimum for X=Cl, Br and I, and the axial chair for X=F. Additionally, two symmetrical boat conformers are found as local minima on the potential energy surfaces for X=F, Cl and Br, but not for X=I. The barrier for the ring inversion is ～14–16 kJ mol^?1 for all compounds. The conformational equilibria for Si₆Me₁₁X in toluene solution are investigated using temperature dependent Raman spectroscopy. The wavenumber range of the stretching vibrations of the heavy atoms X and Si from 270–370 cm^?1 is analyzed. Using the van′t Hoff relationship, the enthalpy differences between axial and equatorial chair conformers (H_ax?H_eq.) are 1.1 kJ mol^?1 for X=F, and 1.8 to 2.8 kJ mol^?1 for X=Cl, Br and I. Due to rapid interconversion, only a single Raman band originating from the “averaged” twist and boat conformers could be observed. Generally, reasonable agreement between the calculated relative energies and the experimentally determined values is found.     

Nanoscale Organolanthanum Clusters: Nuclearity-Directing Role of Cyclopentadienyl and Halogenido Ligands

Tetramethylaluminato/halogenido(X) ligand exchange reactions in half-sandwich complexes [Cp^RLa(AlMe₄)₂] are feasible in non-coordinating solvents and provide access to large coordination clusters of the type [Cp^RLaX₂]_x. Incomplete exchange reactions generate the hexalanthanum clusters [Cp^R₆La₆X₈(AlMe₄)₄] (Cp^R=Cp*=C₅Me₅, X=I; Cp^R=Cp′=C₅H₄SiMe₃, X=Br, I). Treatment of [Cp*La(AlMe₄)₂] with two equivalents Me₃SiI gave the nonalanthanum cluster [Cp*LaI₂]₉, while the exhaustive reaction of [Cp′La(AlMe₄)₂] with the halogenido transfer reagents Me₃GeX and Me₃SiX (X=I, Br, Cl) produced a series of monocyclopentadienyl rare-earth-metal clusters with distinct nuclearity. Depending on the halogenido ion size the homometallic clusters [Cp′LaCl₂]₁₀ and [Cp′LaX₂]₁₂ (X=Br, I) could be isolated, whereas different crystallization techniques led to the aggregation of clusters of distinct structural motifs, including the desilylated cyclopentadienyl-bridged cluster [(μ-Cp)₂Cp′₈La₈I₁₄] and the heteroaluminato derivative [Cp′₁₀La₁₀Br₁₈(AlBr₂Me₂)₂]. The use of the Cp′ ancillary ligand facilitates cluster characterization by means of NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Diazene Adducts: Isolation of iso‐Diazene Stabilized as a Borane Adduct

This work describes the synthesis and full characterization of a series of GaCl₃ and B(C₆F₅)₃ adducts of diazenes R¹?N?N?R² (R¹=R²=Me₃Si, Ph; R¹=Me₃Si, R²=Ph). Trans‐Ph?N?N?Ph forms a stable adduct with GaCl₃, whereas no adduct, but instead a frustrated Lewis acid–base pair is formed with B(C₆F₅)₃. The cis‐Ph?N?N?Ph ? B(C₆F₅)₃ adduct could only be isolated when UV light was used, which triggers the isomerization from trans‐ to cis‐Ph?N?N?Ph, which provides more space for the bulky borane. Treatment of trans‐Ph?N?N?SiMe₃ with GaCl₃ led to the expected trans‐Ph?N?N?SiMe₃ ? GaCl₃ adduct but the reaction with B(C₆F₅)₃ triggered a 1,2‐Me₃Si shift, which resulted in the formation of a highly labile iso‐diazene, Me₃Si(Ph)N?N; stabilized as a B(C₆F₅)₃ adduct. Trans‐Me₃Si?N?N?SiMe₃ forms a labile cis‐Me₃Si?N?N?SiMe₃ ? B(C₆F₅)₃ adduct, which isomerizes to give the transient iso‐diazene species (Me₃Si)₂N?N ? B(C₆F₅)₃ upon heating. Both iso‐diazene species insert easily into one B?C bond of B(C₆F₅)₃ to afford hydrazinoboranes. All new compounds were fully characterized by means of X‐ray crystallography, vibrational spectroscopy, CHN analysis, and NMR spectroscopy. All compounds were further investigated by DFT and the bonding situation was assessed by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis.     

An Abnormal N‐Heterocyclic Carbene–Carbon Dioxide Adduct from Imidazolium Acetate Ionic Liquids: The Importance of Basicity

In the reaction of 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate [C₂C₁Im][OAc] ionic liquid with carbon dioxide at 125 °C and 10 MPa, not only the known N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–CO₂ adduct I , but also isomeric aNHC‐CO₂ adducts II and III were obtained. The abnormal NHC‐CO₂ adducts are stabilized by the presence of the polarizing basic acetate anion, according to static DFT calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics studies. A further possible reaction pathway is facilitated by the high basicity of the system, deprotonating the initially formed NHC‐CO₂ adduct I , which can then be converted in the presence of the excess of CO₂ to the more stable 2‐deprotonated anionic abnormal NHC–CO₂ adduct via the anionic imidazolium‐2,4‐dicarboxylate according to DFT calculations on model compounds. This suggests a generalizable pathway to abnormal NHC complex formation.     

A 207Pb NMR study of the adducts of triphenyllead chloride and diphenyllead dichloride

²⁰⁷Pb NMR spectra were used to determine the structure of adducts of triphenyllead chloride and diphenyllead dichloride in CH₂Cl₂ and CH₃CN. The bases included several phosphorus donors, such as tributylphosphine, oxygen donors, such as tributylphosphine oxide, and nitrogen donors, such as pyridine. A number of bidentate bases were also studied. The ²⁰⁷Pb spectra indicate that rapid exchange occurs in the adducts, even at temperatures of ?90 °C. The magnitude of the shift relative to the lead acid indicates that all of the bases, including the bidentate bases, form five‐coordinate adducts with triphenyllead chloride. Diphenyllead dichloride forms six‐coordinate adducts, except for the adduct with tributylphosphine, which is five‐coordinate. This is the first report of a five‐coordinate adduct of diphenyllead dichloride. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Strong N−X⋅⋅⋅O−N Halogen Bonds: A Comprehensive Study on N‐Halosaccharin Pyridine N‐Oxide Complexes

A study of the strong N?X???^?O?N⁺ (X=I, Br) halogen bonding interactions reports 2×27 donor×acceptor complexes of N‐halosaccharins and pyridine N‐oxides (PyNO). DFT calculations were used to investigate the X???O halogen bond (XB) interaction energies in 54 complexes. A simplified computationally fast electrostatic model was developed for predicting the X???O XBs. The XB interaction energies vary from ?47.5 to ?120.3 kJ mol^?1; the strongest N?I???^?O?N⁺ XBs approaching those of 3‐center‐4‐electron [N?I?N]⁺ halogen‐bonded systems (ca. 160 kJ mol^?1). ¹H NMR association constants (K_XB) determined in CDCl₃ and [D₆]acetone vary from 2.0×10⁰ to >10⁸ m ^?1 and correlate well with the calculated donor×acceptor complexation enthalpies found between ?38.4 and ?77.5 kJ mol^?1. In X‐ray crystal structures, the N‐iodosaccharin‐PyNO complexes manifest short interaction ratios (R_XB) between 0.65–0.67 for the N?I???^?O?N⁺ halogen bond.     

Multiple Multidentate Halogen Bonding in Solution,in the Solid State,and in the (Calculated) Gas Phase

The binding properties of neutral halogen‐bond donors (XB donors) bearing two multidentate Lewis acidic motifs toward halides were investigated. Employing polyfluorinated and polyiodinated terphenyl and quaterphenyl derivatives as anion receptors, we obtained X‐ray crystallographic data of the adducts of three structurally related XB donors with tetraalkylammonium chloride, bromide, and iodide. The stability of these XB complexes in solution was determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and the results were compared to X‐ray analyses as well as to calculated binding patterns in the gas phase. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the gas‐phase complexes indicated that the experimentally observed distortion of the XB donors during multiple multidentate binding can be reproduced in 1:1 complexes with halides, whereas adducts with two halides show a symmetric binding pattern in the gas phase that is markedly different from the solid state structures. Overall, this study demonstrates the limitations in the transferability of binding data between solid state, solution, and gas phase in the study of complex multidentate XB donors.     

Experimental and Computational Studies on the Formation of Thorium–Copper Heterobimetallics

The formation of actinide–transition metal heterobimetallics mediated by a terminal actinide imido complex was comprehensively studied. The reaction of the thorium imido complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Th=N(mesityl)(DMAP)] ( 3 ), prepared from [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂ThMe₂] ( 1 ) and mesitylNH₂ or [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Th(NHmesityl)₂] ( 2 ) in the presence of 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), with copper(I) halides gave the first thorium–copper heterobimetallic compounds [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Th(X){N(mesityl)Cu(DMAP)}] (X=Cl ( 4 ), Br ( 5 ), I ( 6 )). Complexes 4 – 6 feature an unusual geometry with a short Th?Cu distance, which DFT studies attribute to a weak donor–acceptor bond from the Cu⁺ atom to the electropositive Th⁴⁺ atom. They are reactive species, as was shown by their reaction with the dimethyl complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂ThMe₂] ( 1 ). Furthermore, a comparison between Th and early transition metals confirmed that Th⁴⁺ exhibits distinctively different reactivity from d‐transition metals.