Isolation and Characterization,Including by X‐ray Crystallography,of Contact and Solvent‐Separated Ion Pairs of Silenyl Lithium Species

Reaction of bromoacylsilane 1 (pink solution) with tBu₂MeSiLi (3.5 equiv) in a 4:1 hexane:THF solvent mixture at ?78 °C to room temperature yields the solvent separated ion pair (SSIP) of silenyl lithium E‐[(tBuMe₂Si)(tBu₂MeSi)C=Si(SiMetBu₂)]^? [Li?4THF]⁺ 2 a (green–blue solution). Removal of the solvent and addition of benzene converts 2 a into the corresponding contact ion pair (CIP) 2 b (violet–red solution) with two THF molecules bonded to the lithium atom. The 2 a ? 2 b interconversion is reversible upon THF? benzene solvent change. Both 2 a and 2 b were characterized by X‐ray crystallography, NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. The degree of dissociation of the Si?Li bond has a large effect on the visible spectrum (and thus color) and on the silenylic ²⁹Si NMR chemical shift, but a small effect on the molecular structure. This is the first report of the X‐ray molecular structure of both the SSIP and the CIP of any R₂E=E′RM species (E=C, Si; E′=C, Si; M=metal).     

The Reactions of Carbon Monoxide with Silyl and Silenyl Lithium – Synthesis and Isolation of the First Stable Tetra‐Silyl Di‐Ketyl Biradical and 1‐Silaallenolate Lithium

Reactions of carbon monoxide (CO) with tBu₂MeSiLi and (E)‐(tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=Si(SiMetBu₂)Li?2 THF ( 4 ) were studied both experimentally and computationally. Reaction of tBu₂MeSiLi with CO in hexane yields the first stable tetra‐silyl di‐ketyl biradical [(tBu₂MeSi)₂COLi]^.₂ ( 3 ). Reaction of 4 with CO yields selectively and quantitatively the first reported 1‐silaallenolate, (tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=C=Si(SiMetBu₂)OLi?THF ( 5 ). Both 3 and 5 were characterized by X‐ray crystallography and biradical 3 also by EPR spectroscopy. Silaallenolate 5 reacts with Me₃SiCl to produce siloxy substituted 1‐silaallene (tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)C=C=Si(SiMetBu₂)OSiMe₃. The reaction of 4 with CO provides a new route to 1‐silaallenes. The mechanisms of the reactions of tBuMe₂SiLi and of 4 with CO were studied by DFT calculations.     

Alkali Metal Di‐tert‐butylphenylsilanides — tBu2PhSiM (M = Li,Na, K) — Syntheses,Structures, and Reactivity

The alkali metal silanides tBu₂PhSiM (M = Li, Na, K) are quantitatively accessible from the reaction of tBu₂PhSiBr with alkali metals in heptane, tetrahydrofuran, and benzene at moderately elevated temperature. In contrast to the polymer structure of unsolvated tBu₂PhSiNa, the solvated di‐tert‐butylphenylsilanides tBu₂PhSiNa(THF), tBu₂PhSiK(C₆H₆), tBu₂PhSiK(THF), and tBu₂PhSiK(THF)₂ possess a novel feature in their crystal structures with a dimeric arrangement of tBu₂PhSiM units via π interaction between the tBu₂PhSi group and the alkali metal centers. The alkali metal siloxides tBu₂PhSiOM (M = Li, Na, K) can be synthesized almost quantitatively from tBu₂PhSiM (M = Li, Na, K) with N₂O in tetrahydrofuran at —78 °C. Single crystals of the silanol tBu₂PhSiOH have been obtained from the protolysis of tBu₂PhSiONa with (NH₄)₂SO₄.     

Synthese eines hexanuklearen Calcium–Phosphor‐Käfigs über heteroleptische Calcium‐amid‐phosphanid‐Vorstufen

Synthesis of a Hexanuclear Calcium–Phosphorus‐Cage The metalation of tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphane with calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] yields the dimer {(Me₃Si)₂N–Ca(THF)[μ‐P(H)Si^tBu₃]}₂ ( 1 ). In THF monomerization occurs and dismutation reactions lead to the homoleptic compounds, namely (THF)₂Ca[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ and (THF)₄Ca[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₂. In toluene, 1 undergoes dismutation reactions, bis(tetrahydrofuran)calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] is regained and [(Me₃Si)₂N–Ca(THF)]₂Ca[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₄ ( 2 ) precipitates. At raised temperatures, 2 undergoes a homometallic metalation with the loss of two equivalents of HN(SiMe₃)₂ and dimerizes. The thus formed cage compound (THF)₂Ca₆[PSi^tBu₃]₄[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₄ ( 3 ) with a central Ca₄P₄ heterocubane moiety crystallizes upon cooling of the toluene solution. The molecular structures of 2 and 3 were determined.     

Reactions of tBu2P–PLi–PtBu2 with [(Et3P)2MCl2] (M = Ni,Pd, Pt). Synthesis and Properties of [(1,2‐η‐tBu2P=P–PtBu2)M(PEt3)Cl] (M=Ni,Pd)

^tBu₂P–PLi–P^tBu₂·2THF reacts with [cis‐(Et₃P)₂MCl₂] (M = Ni, Pd) yielding [(1,2‐η‐^tBu₂P=P–P^tBu₂)Ni(PEt₃)Cl] and [(1,2‐η‐^tBu₂P=P–P^tBu2)Pd(PEt₃)Cl], respectively. ^tBu₂P– PLi–P^tBu₂ undergoes an oxidation process and the ^tBu₂P–P–P^tBu₂ ligand adopts in the products the structure of a side‐on bonded 1,1‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐(di‐tert‐butylphosphino)diphosphenium cation with a short P–P bond. Surprisingly, the reaction of ^tBu₂P–PLi–P^tBu₂·2THF with [cis‐(Et₃P)₂PtCl₂] does not yield [(1,2‐η‐^tBu₂P=P–P^tBu₂)Pt(PEt₃)Cl].     

Disupersilylmetalle (tBu3Si)2M und Supersilylmetallhalogenide tBu3SiMX mit M  Zn,Cd, Hg: Synthesen,Strukturen, Eigenschaften

Disupersilylmetals (^tBu₃Si)₂M and Supersilylmetal Halides ^tBu₃SiMX with M ? Zn, Cd, Hg: Syntheses, Properties, Structures Disupersilylmetals (^tBu₃Si)₂Zn (colorless), (^tBu₃Si)₂Cd (light yellow), (^tBu₃Si)₂Hg (light yellow), and supersilylmetal halides ^tBu₃SiZnCl(THF) (colorless), ^tBu₃SiCdI (colorless), ^tBu₃SiHgCl (colorless) are obtained in THF by the action of ^tBu₃SiNa on ZnCl₂, CdI₂, HgCl₂ in the molar ratio 2:1 and 1 :1, respectively. THF can be exchanged by TMEDA under formation of ^tBu₃SiZnCl(TMEDA), and (^tBu₃Si)₂Zn transforms by the action of BiCl₃ or BBr₃ into ^tBu₃SiZnCl (colorless) and ^tBu₃SiZnBr (colorless), respectively. As to X-ray crystal structure analyses, the compounds (^tBu₃Si)₂M are monomeric with a linear SiMSi framework, whereas ^tBu₃SiZnBr and ^tBu₃SiHgCl are tetrameric, the former with a regular, the latter with a pronounced irregular cubic M₄X₄ framework. The compounds are thermal stable up to 200°C (exception (^tBu₃Si)₂Cd), photolabile, and comparatively inert for water and oxygen. The disupersilylmetals work as sources of supersilyl radicals ^tBu₃Si (on irradiation) and as mild supersilanidation agents (e.g. (^tBu₃Si)₂Zn/BBr₃ → ^tBu₃SiZnBr/^tBu₃SiBBr₂), the supersilylmetal halides as Lewis acids (formation of ^tBu₃SiMX · donor) and electrophiles (e.g. ^tBu₃SiHgCl/RLi → ^tBu₃SiHgR/LiCl).     

The Thermally Stable Silylene Si[(NCH2But)2C6H4‐1,2]: Reactions with ButCN,AdCN, ButNC,AdN3, and Me3SiN3 (Ad = 1‐Adamantyl)

The crystalline compounds NSi(NN)Si(NN)CR [R = Bu^t ( 2 a ), Ad ( 2 b )], (NN)Si(Bu^t)CN ( 3 ), Bu^tSi(NN)Si(NN)CN ( 4 ), AdNSi(NN)Si(NN) ( 5 ), AdNN=NN(Ad)Si(NN) ( 6 ), (NN)Si(N₃)N(SiMe₃)₂ ( 7 ) and Me₃SiNSi(NN)Si(NN)(thf) ( 8 ) were obtained in good yield under mild conditions from Si[(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₆H₄‐1,2] [≡ Si(NN)] and the appropriate reagent RCN, Bu^tNC and R′N₃. The compounds 2 – 8 were characterised by microanalysis, multinuclear NMR and (not 8 ) mass spectra, as well as for 2 a , 4 and 7 single crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The results are placed in context of data in the literature on reactions of especially Si[N(Bu^t)CH=]₂, (SiBu^t₂)₃, Mes₂Si=SiMes₂ with (where available) a nitrile, isonitrile or azide. Reaction pathways are discussed.     

Synthesis and Chloride Affinity of Sterically Demanding Ditopic Lithium Bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borates

The synthesis and full characterization of the sterically demanding ditopic lithium bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borates Li₂[p‐C₆H₄(B(Ph)pz^R₂)₂] is reported (pz^R = 3‐phenylpyrazol‐1‐yl ( 3 ^Ph), 3‐t‐butylpyrazol‐1‐yl ( 3 ^tBu)). Compound 3 ^Ph crystallizes from THF as THF‐adduct 3 ^Ph(THF)₄ which features a straight conformation with a long Li···Li distance of 12.68(1) Å. Compound 3 ^tBu was found to function as efficient and selective scavenger of chloride ions. In the presence of LiCl it forms anionic complexes [ 3 ^tBuCl]⁻ with a central Li‐Cl‐Li core (Li···Li = 3.75(1) Å).     

Phosphinophosphiniden-Phosphorane tBu2P?P = P(R)tBu2 aus Li(THF)2[η2-(tBu2P)2P] und Alkylhalogeniden

The Phosphinophosphinidene-phosphoranes ^tBu₂P? P = P(R)^tBu₂ from Li(THF)₂[η²-(^tBu₂P)₂P] and Alkyl Halides We report the formation of ^tBu₂P? P = P(R)^tBu₂ a and (^tBu₂)₂PR b (with R = Me, Et, ⁿPr, ⁱPr, ⁿBu, PhCH₂, H₂C = CH? CH₂ and CF₃) reactions of Li(THF)₂[η²-(^tBu₂P)₂P] 2 with MeCl, MeI, EtCl, EtBr, ⁿPrCl, ⁿPrBr, ⁱPrCl, ⁿBuBr, PhCH₂Cl, H₂C = CH? CH₂Cl or CF₃Br. In THF solutions the ylidic compounds a predominate, whereas in pentane the corresponding triphosphanes b are preferrably formed. With ClCH₂? CH = CH₂ only b is produced; CF₃Br however yields both ^tBu₂P? P = P(Br)^tBu₂ and ^tBu₂P? P = P(CF₃)^tBu₂, but no b . The ratio of a:b is influenced by the reaction temperature, too. The compounds ^tBu₂P? P = P(Et)^tBu₂ 4a and (^tBu₂P)₂PEt 4 b , e. g., are produced in a ratio of 4:3 at ?70°C in THF, and 1:1 at 20°C; whereas 1:1 is obtained at ?70°C in pentane, and 1:2 at 20°C. Neither ^tBuCl nor H₂C = CHCl react with 2 . The compounds a decompose thermally or under UV irradiation forming ^tBu₂PR and the cyclophosphanes (^tBu₂P)_nP_n.     

1‐Azaallyl Complexes of NiII,PdII, and TiIII

The metal complexes [Ni{N(Ar)C(R)C(H)Ph}₂) ( 2 ) (Ar = 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃, R = SiMe₃), [Ti(Cp₂){N(R)C(Bu^t)C(H)R}] ( 3 ), M{N(R)C(Bu^t)C(H)R}I [M = Ni ( 4 a ) or Pd ( 4 b )] and [M{N(R)C(Bu^t)C(H)R}I(PPh₃)] [M = Ni ( 5 a ) or Pd ( 5 b )] have been prepared from a suitable metal halide and lithium precursor of ( 2 ) or ( 3 ) or, alternatively from [M(LL)₂] (M = Ni, LL = cod; M = Pd, LL = dba) and the ketimine RN = C(Bu^t)CH(I)R ( 1 ). All compounds, except 4 were fully characterised, including the provision of X‐ray crystallographic data for complex 5 a .     

Synthetic and Structural Studies on the Cyclic Bis(amino)stannylenes Sn[(NR)2C10H6‐1, 8] and their Reactions with SnCl2 or Si[(NCH2But)2C6H4‐1, 2] (R = SiMe3 or CH2But)

Treatment of {HNR}₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8 [R = SiMe₃ ( 1 ), CH₂Bu^t ( 2 )] with Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ afforded the cyclic stannylene Sn[{NR}₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8] [R = SiMe₃ ( 3 ), CH₂Bu^t ( 4 )]. From 3 and SnCl₂ in THF and crystallisation from toluene, the product was the crystalline tetracyclic compound ( 5 ) as the (toluene)_0.5‐solvate. Reaction of 4 with the silylene Si[(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₆H₄‐1, 2] ( 6 ) [abbreviated as Si(NN)] in benzene and crystallisation in presence of Et₂O furnished the crystalline tricyclic complex Sn[{Si(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₆H₄‐1′, 2′}₂‐{(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8}] ( 7 ) as the Et₂O‐solvate. Complex 5 slowly dissociated into its factors 3 and SnCl₂ in toluene, but rapidly in THF. Solutions of 7 in C₆D₆, C₇D₈ or THF‐d₈, studied by multinuclear, variable temperature NMR spectroscopy, revealed the presence of an equilibrium between 8 (an isomer of 7 , in which the skeletal atoms of the eight‐membered ring were , rather than the of 7 ) and 4 + 2 Si(NN), with 8 dominant in PhMe but not in THF; additionally 8 was shown to be fluxional and solutions of 8 in C₆D₆ or C₇D₈ decomposed to give the silane Si(NN)[(NCH₂Bu^t)₂C₁₀H₆‐1, 8], 6 and Sn metal. The X‐ray structures of 3 , 5 and 7 are presented.     

Copolymerization of ethylene with 1,1‐disubstituted olefins catalyzed by ansa‐(fluorenyl)(cyclododecylamido)dimethyltitanium complexes

A series of titanium complexes with ansa‐(fluorenyl)(cyclododecylamido) ligands, Me₂Si(η³‐R)(N‐c‐C₁₂H₂₃)TiMe₂ [R = fluorenyl ( 5 ), 2,7‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 6 ), 3,6‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 7 )], was synthesized. The crystal structure of complex 6 revealed η³‐coordination of the fluorenyl moiety to the metal. Upon activation with trialkylaluminum‐free modified methylaluminoxane, complexes 5 – 7 as well as the corresponding ^tBu amide complexes, Me₂Si(η³‐R)(N^tBu)TiMe₂ [R = fluorenyl ( 2 ), 2,7‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 3 ), 3,6‐^tBu₂fluorenyl ( 4 )], were adopted as the catalysts for the copolymerization of ethylene (E) and isobutylene (IB). Among these complexes, complex 6 was found to achieve the highest IB incorporation to produce alternating E‐IB copolymers. Complex 6 system also achieved copolymerization of E and limonene. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

C−H Activation of Inert Arenes using a Photochemically Activated Guanidinato-Magnesium(I) Compound

UV irradiation of solutions of a guanidinate coordinated dimagnesium(I) compound, [{(Priso)Mg}₂] 3 (Priso=[(DipN)₂CNPrⁱ₂]⁻, Dip=2,6-diisopropylphenyl), in either benzene, toluene, the three isomers of xylene, or mesitylene, leads to facile activation of an aromatic C−H bond of the solvent in all cases, and formation of aryl/hydride bridged magnesium(II) products, [{(Priso)Mg}₂(μ-H)(μ-Ar)] 4 – 9 . In contrast to similar reactions reported for β-diketiminate coordinated counterparts of 3 , these C−H activations proceed with little regioselectivity, though they are considerably faster. Reaction of 3 with an excess of the pyridine, p-NC₅H₄Bu^t (py^But), gave [(Priso)Mg(py^ButH)(py^But)₂] 10 , presumably via reduction of the pyridine to yield a radical intermediate, [(Priso)Mg(py^But⋅)(py^But)₂] 11 , which then abstracts a proton from the reaction solvent or a reactant. DFT calculations suggest two possible pathways to the observed arene C−H activations. One of these involves photochemical cleavage of the Mg−Mg bond of 3 , generating magnesium(I) doublet radicals, (Priso)Mg⋅. These then doubly reduce the arene substrate to give “Birch-like” products, which subsequently rearrange via C−H activation of the arene. Circumstantial evidence for the photochemical generation of transient magnesium radical species includes the fact that irradiation of a cyclohexane solution of 3 leads to an intramolecular aliphatic C−H activation process and formation of an alkyl-bridged magnesium(II) species, [{Mg(μ-Priso^−H)}₂] 12 . Furthermore, irradiation of a 1 : 1 mixture of 3 and the β-diketiminato dimagnesium(I) compound, [{(^DipNacnac)Mg}₂] (^DipNacnac=[HC(MeCNDip)₂]⁻), effects a “scrambling” reaction, and the near quantitative formation of an unsymmetrical dimagnesium(I) compound, [(Priso)Mg−Mg(^DipNacnac)] 13 . Finally, the EPR spectrum (77 K) of a glassed solution of UV irradiated 3 is dominated by a broad featureless signal, indicating the presence of a doublet radical species.     

Lanthanide(II) Complexes of the Dihydrotriazinido Ligand [N{C(Ph)=N}2C(tBu)Ph]−

The potassium dihydrotriazinide K(L^Ph,tBu) ( 1 ) was obtained by a metal exchange route from [Li(L^Ph,tBu)(THF)₃] and KOtBu (L^Ph,tBu = [N{C(Ph)=N}₂C(tBu)Ph]). Reaction of 1 with 1 or 0.5 equivalents of SmI₂(thf)₂ yielded the monosubstituted Sm^II complex [Sm(L^Ph,tBu)I(THF)₄] ( 2 ) or the disubstituted [Sm(L^Ph,tBu)₂(THF)₂] ( 3 ), respectively. Attempted synthesis of a heteroleptic Sm^II amido‐alkyl complex by the reaction of 2 with KCH₂Ph produced compound 3 due to ligand redistribution. The Yb^II bis(dihydrotriazinide) [Yb(L^Ph,tBu)₂(THF)₂] ( 4 ) was isolated from the 1:1 reaction of YbI₂(THF)₂ and 1 . Molecular structures of the crystalline compounds 2 , 3· 2C₆H₆ and 4· PhMe were determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

Neutral and Anionic Monomeric Zirconium Imides Prepared via Selective C=N Bond Cleavage of a Multidentate and Sterically Demanding β‐Diketiminato Ligand

A sterically encumbering multidentate β‐diketiminato ligand, ^tBuL2 (^tBuL2=[ArNC(tBu)CHC(tBu)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]^?, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃), is reported in this study along with its coordination chemistry to zirconium(IV). Using the lithio salt of this ligand, Li(^tBuL2) ( 4 ), the zirconium(IV) precursor (^tBuL2)ZrCl₃ ( 6 ) could be readily prepared in 85 % yield and structurally characterized. Reduction of 6 with 2 equiv of KC₈ resulted in formation of the terminal and mononuclear zirconium imide‐chloride [C(tBu)CHC(tBu)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]Zr(=NAr)(Cl) ( 7 ) as the result of reductive C=N cleavage of the imino fragment in the multidentate ligand ^tBuL2 by an elusive Zr^II species (^tBuL2)ZrCl ( A ). The azabutadienyl ligand in 7 can be further reduced by 2 e^? with KC₈ to afford the anionic imide [K(THF)₂]{[CH(tBu)CHC(tBu)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]Zr=NAr} ( 8‐2THF ) in 42 % isolated yield. Complex 8‐2THF results from the oxidative addition of an amine C?H bond followed by migration to the vinylic group of the formal [C(tBu)CHC(tBu)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]^? ligand in 7 . All halides in 6 can be replaced with azides to afford (^tBuL2)Zr(N₃)₃ ( 9 ) which was structurally characterized, and reduction with two equiv of KC₈ also results in C=N bond cleavage of ^tBuL2 to form [C(tBu)CHC(tBu)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]Zr(=NAr)(N₃) ( 10 ), instead of the expected azide disproportionation to N^3? and N₂. Solid‐state single crystal structural studies confirm the formation of mononuclear and terminal zirconium imido groups in 7 , 8‐Et₂O , and 10 with Zr=NAr distances being 1.8776(10), 1.9505(15), and 1.881(3) Å, respectively.     

Über Bildung und Reaktionen der CH2Li‐Derivate von tBu2P–P=P(CH3)tBu2 und (Me3Si)tBuP–P=P(CH3)tBu2

Formation and Reactions of the CH₂Li‐Derivatives of ^tBu₂P–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ and (Me₃Si)^tBuP–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ With ⁿBuLi, (Me₃Si)^tBuP–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 1 ) and ^tBu₂P–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 2 ) yield (Me₃Si)^tBuP–P=P(CH₂Li)^tBu₂ ( 3 ) and ^tBu₂P–P=P(CH₂Li)^tBu₂ ( 4 ), wich react with Me₃SiCl to give (Me₃Si)^tBuP–P=P(CH₂–SiMe₃)^tBu₂ ( 5 ) and ^tBu₂P–P=P(CH₂–SiMe₃)^tBu₂ ( 6 ), respectively. With ^tBu₂P–P(SiMe₃)–P^tBuCl ( 7 ), compound 3 forms 5 as well as the cyclic products [H₂C–P(^tBu)₂=P–P(^tBu)–P^tBu] ( 8 ) and [H₂C–P(^tBu)₂=P–P(P^tBu₂)–P(^tBu)] ( 9 ). Also 3 forms 8 with ^tBuPCl₂. The cleavage of the Me₃Si–P‐bond in 1 by means of C₂Cl₆ or N‐bromo‐succinimide yields (Cl)^tBuP–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 10 ) or (Br)^tBuP–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 11 ), resp. With LiP(SiMe₃)₂, 10 forms (Me₃Si)₂P–P(^tBu)–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 12 ), and Et₂P–P(^tBu)–P=P(CH₃)^tBu₂ ( 13 ) with LiPEt₂. All compounds are characterized by ³¹P NMR Data and mass spectra; the ylide 5 and the THF adduct of 4 additionally by X‐ray structure analyses.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Methylzinc Tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphanide as well as Related Sodium and Potassium Phosphanylzincates

The reaction of dimethylzinc and tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphane in toluene yielded dimeric methylzinc tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphanide ( 1 ) which crystallized tetrameric. Compound 1 was deprotonated with sodium in DME and the solvent‐separated dimeric ion pair [(dme)₃Na]⁺ [(dme)Na(MeZn)₂(μ‐PSitBu₃)₂]^? ( 2 ) was isolated. The reaction of 1 in THF with two equivalents of potassium and one equivalent of tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphane gave dimeric [{tBu₃Si(H)P}{(thf)₂K}₂(MeZn)(PSitBu₃)]₂ ( 3 ). Both of these phosphanylzincates contain Zn₂P₂ cycles with Zn‐P bond lengths of approximately 237 pm, whereas in 1 larger Zn‐P bond lengths of 248.5 pm were found due to the larger coordination numbers of the phosphorus and zinc atoms.     

Pivaloylmetals (tBu‐COM: M=Li,MgX, K) as Equilibrium Components

Short‐lived pivaloylmetals, (H₃C)₃C‐COM, were established as the reactive intermediates arising through thermal heterolytic expulsion of O=CtBu₂ from the overcrowded metal alkoxides tBuC(=O)‐C(‐OM)tBu₂ (M=MgX, Li, K). In all three cases, this fission step is counteracted by a faster return process, as shown through the trapping of tBu‐COM by O=C(tBu)‐C(CD₃)₃ with formation of the deuterated starting alkoxides. If generated in the absence of trapping agents, all three tBu‐COM species “dimerize” to give the enediolates MO‐C(tBu)=C(tBu)‐OM along with O=CtBu₂ (2 equiv). A common‐component rate depression by surplus O=CtBu₂ proves the existence of some free tBu‐COM (separated from O=CtBu₂); but companion intermediates with the traits of an undissociated complex such as tBu‐COM & O=CtBu₂ had to be postulated. The slow fission step generating tBu‐COMgX in THF levels the overall rates of dimerization, ketone addition, and deuterium incorporation. Formed by much faster fission steps, both tBu‐COLi and tBu‐COK add very rapidly to ketones and dimerize somewhat slower (but still fairly fast, as shown through trapping of the emerging O=CtBu₂ by H₃CLi or PhCH₂K, respectively). At first sight surprisingly, the rapid fission, return, and dimerization steps combine to very slow overall decay rates of the precursor Li and K alkoxides in the absence of trapping agents: A detailed study revealed that the fast fission step, generating tBu‐COLi in THF, is followed by a kinetic partitioning that is heavily biased toward return and against the product‐forming dimerization. Both tBu‐COLi and tBu‐COK form tBu‐CH=O with HN(SiMe₃)₃, but only tBu‐COK is basic enough for being protonated by the precursor acyloin tBuC(=O)‐C(‐OH)tBu₂.     

The Synthesis of tert‐Butyl(dichloromethyl)bis(trimethylsilyl)silane and (Dibromomethyl)ditert‐butyl(trimethylsilyl)silane and their Reactions with Organolithium Derivatives

tert‐Butyl(dichloromethyl)bis(trimethylsilyl)silane ( 4 ), prepared by the reaction of tert‐butylbis(trimethylsilyl)silane with trichloromethane and potassium tert‐butoxide, reacted with 2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyllithium (TipLi) (molar ratio 1 : 2) at room temperature to give (after hydrolytic workup) the silanol tBu(2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂)Si(OH)–CH(SiMe₃)₂ ( 15 ). The formation of 15 is discussed as proceeding through the indefinitely stable silene tBu(2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂)Si=C(SiMe₃)₂ ( 13 ), but attempts to isolate the compound failed. Treatment of (dibromomethyl)ditert‐butyl(trimethylsilyl)silane ( 7 ), made from tBu₂(Me₃Si)SiH, HCBr₃ and KOtBu, with methyllithium (1 : 3) at –78 °C afforded tBu₂MeSi–CHMeSiMe₃ ( 19 ); 7 and phenyllithium (1 : 3) under similar conditions gave tBu₂PhSi–CH₂SiMe₃ ( 20 ). The reaction paths leading to 15 , 19 and 20 are discussed. Reduction of 7 with lithium in THF produced the substituted ethylene tBu₂(Me₃Si)SiCH=CHSitBu₂SiMe₃ ( 21 ). For 21 the results of an X‐ray structural analysis are given.     

Synthese,Struktur und Eigenschaften des Natriumsilanids tBu2PhSiNa – ein Zugang zu Di‐tert‐butyl‐phenylsilylsubstituierten Verbindungen

The Sodium Silanide t Bu₂PhSiNa: Synthesis, Properties, Structure Analysis – a Synthetic Pathway to Introduce the t Bu₂PhSi‐Ligand The sodium silanide tBu₂PhSiNa is easily obtained by the reaction of sodium metal with tBu₂PhSiBr at elevated temperatures in n‐heptane, THF or dibutylether. An X‐ray crystal structure analysis reveals, that the sodium silanide 3 contains chains of tBu₂PhSiNa units with η⁶ sodium–phenyl‐contacts. Oxidation of tBu₂PhSiNa with TCNE proceeds with formation of the disilane tBu₂PhSi–SiPhtBu₂.