Unusual thermal C-h bond activation by a tungsten allene complex

Gentle thermolysis of the 18e alkyl-allyl complex, CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(eta(3)-3,3-Me(2)C(3)H(3)) (1), generates a reactive 16e allene intermediate, CpW(NO)(eta(2)-CH(2)=C=CMe(2)) (A), with the concomitant evolution of neopentane via hydrogen abstraction from the dimethylallyl ligand. A has been structurally characterized as its PMe(3) adduct and is capable of effecting single and multiple C-H bond activations of hydrocarbon solvents. For example, the thermal reaction of 1 with cyclohexane leads to the formation of the 18e cyclohexenyl hydrido complex, CpW(NO)(eta(3)-C(6)H(9))(H) (5), as a result of three successive C-H activations of the alkane solvent.     

Thermal activation of hydrocarbon C-H bonds initiated by a tungsten allyl complex

Gentle thermolysis of the allyl complex, CpW(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (1), at 50 degrees C in neat hydrocarbon solutions results in the loss of neopentane and the generation of transient intermediates that subsequently activate solvent C-H bonds. Thus, thermal reactions of 1 with tetramethylsilane, mesitylene, and benzene effect single C-H activations and lead to the exclusive formation of CpW(NO)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (2), CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(3)-3,5-Me(2))(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (3), and CpW(NO)(C(6)H(5))(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (4), respectively. The products of reactions of 1 with other methyl-substituted arenes indicate an inherent preference of the system for the activation of stronger arene sp(2) C-H bonds. For example, C-H bond activation of p-xylene leads to the formation of CpW(NO)(CH(2)C(6)H(4)-4-Me)(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (5) (26%) and CpW(NO)(C(6)H(3)-2,5-Me(2))(eta(3)-H(2)CCHCMe(2)) (6) (74%). Mechanistic and labeling studies indicate that the transient C-H-activating intermediates are the allene complex, CpW(NO)(eta(2)-H(2)C=C=CMe(2)) (A), and the eta(2)-diene complex, CpW(NO)(eta(2)-H(2)C=CHC(Me)=CH(2)) (B). Intermediates A and B react with cyclohexene to form CpW(NO)(eta(3)-CH(2)C(2-cyclohexenyl)CMe(2))(H) (18) and CpW(NO)(eta(3)-CH(2)CHC)(Me)CH(2)C(beta)H(C(4)H(8))C(alpha)H (19), respectively, and intermediate A can be isolated as its PMe(3) adduct, CpW(NO)(PMe(3))(eta(2)-H(2)C=C=CMe(2)) (20). Interestingly, thermal reaction of 1 with 2,3-dimethylbut-2-ene results in the formation of a species that undergoes eta(3) --> eta(1) isomerization of the dimethylallyl ligand following the initial C-H bond-activating step to yield CpW(NO)(eta(3)-CMe(2)CMeCH(2))(eta(1)-CH(2)CHCMe(2)) (21). Thermolyses of 1 in alkane solvents afford allyl hydride complexes resulting from three successive C-H bond-activation reactions. For instance, 1 in cyclohexane converts to CpW(NO)(eta(3)-C(6)H(9))(H) (22) with dimethylpropylcyclohexane being formed as a byproduct, and in methylcyclohexane it forms the two isomeric complexes, CpW(NO)(eta(3)-C(7)H(11))(H) (23a,b). All new complexes have been characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods, and the solid-state molecular structures of 2, 3, 4, 18, 19, 20, and 21 have been established by X-ray crystallographic analyses.     

Intermolecular activation of hydrocarbon C-H bonds under ambient conditions by 16-electron neopentylidene and benzyne complexes of molybdenum

CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(2) (1), a complex with alpha-agostic C-H.Mo interactions, evolves neopentane in neat hydrocarbon solutions at room temperature and forms the transient 16-electron alkylidene complex, CpMo(NO)(=CHCMe(3)), which subsequently activates solvent C-H bonds. Thus, it reacts with tetramethylsilane or mesitylene to form CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(CH(2)SiMe(3)) (2) or CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(eta(2)-CH(2)C(6)H(3)-3,5-Me(2)) (3), respectively, in nearly quantitative yields. Under identical conditions, 1 in p-xylene generates a mixture of sp(2) and sp(3) C-H bond activation products, namely CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(3)-2,5-Me(2)) (4, 73%) and CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(eta(2)-CH(2)C(6)H(4)-4-Me) (5, 27%). In benzene at room temperature, 1 transforms to a mixture of CpMo(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(C(6)H(5)) (6) and CpMo(NO)(C(6)H(5))(2) (7) in a sequential manner. Most interestingly, the thermal activation of 6 at ambient temperatures gives rise to two parallel modes of reactivity involving either the elimination of benzene and formation of CpMo(NO)(=CHCMe(3)) or the elimination of neopentane and formation of the benzyne complex, CpMo(NO)(eta(2)-C(6)H(4)). In pyridine, these intermediates are trapped as the isolable 18-electron adducts, CpMo(NO)(=CHCMe(3))(NC(5)H(5)) (8) and CpMo(NO)(eta(2)-C(6)H(4))(NC(5)H(5)) (9), and, in hydrocarbon solvents, they effect the intermolecular activation of aliphatic C-H bonds at room temperature to generate mixtures of neopentyl- and phenyl-containing derivatives. However, the distribution of products resulting from the hydrocarbon activations is dependent on the nature of the solvent, probably due to solvation effects and the presence of sigma- or pi-hydrocarbon complexes on the reaction coordinates of the alkylidene and the benzyne intermediates. The results of DFT calculations on these processes in the gas phase support the existence of such hydrocarbon complexes and indicate that better agreement with experimental observations is obtained when the actual neopentyl ligand rather than the simpler methyl ligand is used in the model complexes.     

Parallel modes of C-H bond activation initiated by CpMo(NO)(CH2CMe3)(C6H5) at ambient temperatures

The molybdenum nitrosyl complex Cp*Mo(NO)(CH2CMe3)(C6H5) reacts at room temperature via elimination of neopentane or benzene to form the transient species Cp*Mo(NO)(=CHCMe3) and Cp*Mo(NO)(eta2-C6H4). These reactive intermediates effect the intermolecular activation of hydrocarbon C-H bonds via the reverse of the transformations by which they are generated. Thermolysis of Cp*Mo(NO)(CH2CMe3)(C6H5) in pyridine yields the adducts Cp*Mo(NO)(=CHCMe3)(NC5H5) and Cp*Mo(NO)(eta2-C6H4)(NC5H5), and the benzyne complex has been characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Hydride transfer reactivity of tetrakis(trimethylphosphine)(hydrido)(nitrosyl)molybdenum(0)

The tetrakis(trimethylphosphine) molybdenum nitrosyl hydrido complex trans-Mo(PMe(3))(4)(H)(NO) (2) and the related deuteride complex trans-Mo(PMe(3))(4)(D)(NO) (2a) were prepared from trans-Mo(PMe(3))(4)(Cl)(NO) (1). From (2)H T(1 min) measurements and solid-state (2)H NMR the bond ionicities of 2a could be determined and were found to be 80.0% and 75.3%, respectively, indicating a very polar Mo--D bond. The enhanced hydridicity of 2 is reflected in its very high propensity to undergo hydride transfer reactions. 2 was thus reacted with acetone, acetophenone, and benzophenone to afford the corresponding alkoxide complexes trans-Mo(NO)(PMe(3))(4)(OCHR'R') (R' = R' = Me (3); R' = Me, R' = Ph (4); R' = R' = Ph (5)). The reaction of 2 with CO(2) led to the formation of the formato-O-complex Mo(NO)(OCHO)(PMe(3))(4) (6). The reaction of with HOSO(2)CF(3) produced the anion coordinated complex Mo(NO)(PMe(3))(4)(OSO(2)CF(3)) (7), and the reaction with [H(Et(2)O)(2)][BAr(F)(4)] with an excess of PMe(3) produced the pentakis(trimethylphosphine) coordinated compound [Mo(NO)(PMe(3))(5)][BAr(F)(4)] (8). Imine insertions into the Mo-H bond of 2 were also accomplished. PhCH[double bond, length as m-dash]NPh (N-benzylideneaniline) and C(10)H(7)CH=NPh (N-1-naphthylideneaniline) afforded the amido compounds Mo(NO)(PMe(3))(4)[NR'(CH(2)R')] (R' = R' = Ph (9), R' = Ph, R' = naphthyl (11)). 9 could not be obtained in pure form, however, its structure was assigned by spectroscopic means. At room temperature 11 reacted further to lose one PMe(3) forming 12 (Mo(NO)PMe(3))(3)[N(Ph)CH(2)C(10)H(6))]) with agostic stabilization. In a subsequent step oxidative addition of the agostic naphthyl C-H bond to the molybdenum centre occurred. Then hydrogen migration took place giving the chelate amine complex Mo(NO)(PMe(3))(3)[NH(Ph)(CH(2)C(10)H(6))] (15). The insertion reaction of 2 with C(10)H(7)N=CHPh led to formation of the agostic compound Mo(NO)(PMe(3))(3)[N(CH(2)Ph)(C(10)H(7))] (10). Based on the knowledge of facile formation of agostic compounds the catalytic hydrogenation of C(10)H(7)N=CHPh and PhN=CHC(10)H(7) with 2 (5 mol%) was tested. The best conversion rates were obtained in the presence of an excess of PMe(3), which were 18.4% and 100% for C(10)H(7)N=CHPh and PhN=CHC(10)H(7), respectively.     

Reactivity of Mo(PMe3)6 towards benzothiophene and selenophenes: new pathways relevant to hydrodesulfurization

Mo(PMe(3))(6) cleaves a C-S bond of benzothiophene to give (kappa(2)-CHCHC(6)H(4)S)Mo(PMe(3))(4), which rapidly isomerizes to the olefin-thiophenolate and 1-metallacyclopropene-thiophenolate complexes, (kappa(1),eta(2)-CH(2)CHC(6)H(4)S)Mo(PMe(3))(3)(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2)) and (kappa(1),eta(2)-CH(2)CC(6)H(4)S)Mo(PMe(3))(4). The latter two molecules result from a series of hydrogen transfers and are differentiated according to whether the termini of the organic fragments coordinate as olefin or eta(2)-vinyl ligands, respectively. The reactions between Mo(PMe(3))(6) and selenophenes proceed differently from those of the corresponding thiophenes. For example, whereas Mo(PMe(3))(6) reacts with thiophene to give eta(5)-thiophene and butadiene-thiolate complexes, (eta(5)-C(4)H(4)S)Mo(PMe(3))(3) and (eta(5)-C(4)H(5)S)Mo(PMe(3))(2)(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2)), selenophene affords the metallacyclopentadiene complex [(kappa(2)-C(4)H(4))Mo(PMe(3))(3)(Se)](2)[Mo(PMe(3))(4)] in which the selenium has been completely abstracted from the selenophene moiety. Likewise, in addition to (kappa(1),eta(2)-CH(2)CC(6)H(4)Se)Mo(PMe(3))(4) and (kappa(1),eta(2)-CH(2)CHC(6)H(4)Se)Mo(PMe(3))(3)(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2)), which are counterparts of the species observed in the benzothiophene reaction, the reaction of Mo(PMe(3))(6) with benzoselenophene yields products resulting from C-C coupling, namely [kappa(2),eta(4)-Se(C(6)H(4))(CH)(4)(C(6)H(4))Se]Mo(PMe(3))(2) and [mu-Se(C(6)H(4))(CH)C(CH)(2)(C(6)H(4))](mu-Se)[Mo(PMe(3))(2)][Mo(PMe(3))(2)H].     

Reactions of substituted pyridines with electrophilic boranes

The lutidine derivative (2,6-Me(2))(4-Bpin)C(5)H(2)N when combined with B(C(6)F(5))(3) yields a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) which reacts with H(2) to give the salt [(2,6-Me(2))(4-Bpin)C(5)H(2)NH][HB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (1). Similarly 2,2'-(C(5)H(2)(4,6-Me(2))N)(2) and (4,4'-(C(5)H(2)(4,6-Me(2))N)(2) were also combined with B(C(6)F(5))(3) and exposed to H(2) to give [(2,2'-HN(2,6-Me(2))C(5)H(2)C(5)H(2)(4,6-Me(2))N][HB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (2) and [(4,4'-HN(2,6-Me(2))C(5)H(2)C(5)H(2)(2,6-Me(2))N] [HB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (3), respectively. The mono-pyridine-N-oxide 4,4'-N(2,6-Me(2))C(5)H(2)C(5)H(2)(2,6-Me(2))NO formed the adduct (4,4'-N(2,6-Me(2))C(5)H(2)C(5)H(2)(2,6-Me(2))NO)(B(C(6)F(5))(3)) (4) which reacts further with B(C(6)F(5))(3) and H(2) to give [(4,4'-HN(2,6-Me(2))C(5)H(2)C(5)H(2)(2,6-Me(2))NO)B(C(6)F(5))(3)] [HB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (5). In a related sense, 2-amino-6-CF(3)-C(5)H(3)N reacts with B(C(6)F(5))(3) to give (C(5)H(3)(6-CF(3))NH)(2-NH(B(C(6)F(5))(3))) (6). Similarly, the species, 2-amino-quinoline, 8-amino-quinoline and 2-hydroxy-6-methyl-pyridine were reacted with B(C(6)F(5))(3) to give the products as (C(9)H(6)NH)(2-NHB(C(6)F(5))(3)) (7), (C(9)H(6)N)(8-NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(3)) (8) and (C(5)H(3)(6-Me)NH)(2-OB(C(6)F(5))(3)) (9), respectively; while 2-amino-6-picoline, 2-amino-6-CF(3)-pyridine, 2-amino-quinoline, 8-amino-quinoline and 2-hydroxy-6-methyl-pyridine react with ClB(C(6)F(5))(2) to give the species (C(5)H(3)(6-R)NH)(2-NH(ClB(C(6)F(5))(2))) (R = Me (10), R = CF(3) (11)) (C(9)H(6)NH)(2-NH(ClB(C(6)F(5))(2))) (12), (C(9)H(6)N)(8-NH(2)ClB(C(6)F(5))(2)) (13) and (C(5)H(3)(6-Me)NH)(2-OClB(C(6)F(5))(2)) (14), respectively. In a similar manner, 2-amino-6-picoline and 2-amino-quinoline react with B(C(6)F(5))(2)H to give (C(5)H(3)(6-Me)NH)(2-NH(HB(C(6)F(5))(2))) (15) and (C(9)H(6)NH)(2-NH(HB(C(6)F(5))(2))) (16). The corresponding reaction of 8-amino-quinoline yields (C(9)H(6)N)(8-NHB(C(6)F(5))(2)) (17). In a similar fashion, reaction of 2-amino-6-CF(3)-pyridine resulted in the formation of (18) formulated as (C(5)H(3)(6-CF(3))N)(2-NH(B(C(6)F(5))(2)). Finally, treatment of 15 with iPrMgCl gave (C(9)H(6)N)(2-NH(B(C(6)F(5))(2))) (19). Crystallographic studies of 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 15 are reported.     

Facile and selective aliphatic C-H bond activation at ambient temperatures initiated by Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe)

Thermolysis of Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe) (1) at ambient temperatures leads to the loss of neopentane and the formation of the eta(2)-diene intermediate, Cp*W(NO)(eta(2)-CH2=CHCH=CH2) (A), which has been isolated as its 18e PMe3 adduct. In the presence of linear alkanes, A effects C-H activations of the hydrocarbons exclusively at their terminal carbons and forms 18e Cp*W(NO)(n-alkyl)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe) complexes. Similarly, treatments of 1 with methylcyclohexane, chloropentane, diethyl ether, and triethylamine all lead to the corresponding terminal C-H activation products. Furthermore, a judicious choice of solvents permits the C-H activation of gaseous hydrocarbons (i.e., propane, ethane, and methane) at ambient temperatures under moderately elevated pressures. However, reactions between intermediate A and cyclohexene, acetone, 3-pentanone, and 2-butyne lead to coupling between the eta(2)-diene ligand and the site of unsaturation on the organic molecule. For example, Cp*W(NO)(eta(3),eta(1)-CH2CHCHCH2C(CH2CH3)2O) is formed exclusively in 3-pentanone. When the site of unsaturation is sufficiently sterically hindered, as in the case of 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene, C-H activation again becomes dominant, and so the C-H activation product, Cp*W(NO)(eta(1)-CH2CMe=CMe2)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe), is formed exclusively from the alkene and 1. All new complexes have been characterized by conventional spectroscopic and analytical methods, and the solid-state molecular structures of most of them have been established by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Finally, the newly formed alkyl ligands may be liberated from the tungsten centers in the product complexes by treatment with iodine. Thus, exposure of a CDCl3 solution of the n-pentyl allyl complex, Cp*W(NO)(n-C5H11)(eta(3)-CH2CHCHMe), to I2 at -60 degrees C produces n-C5H11I in moderate yields.     

A beneficial kinetic effect of an η(5)-C5Me4H ligand

C-H activation of benzene at 26 °C by (η(5)-C(5)Me(5))W(NO)(CH(2)CMe(3))(η(3)-CH(2)CHCHMe) results after 4 h in the production of five new organometallic complexes, only two of which are isomers of the desired (η(5)-C(5)Me(5))W(NO)(C(6)H(5))(η(3)-CH(2)CHCHMe) compound. In contrast, the identical reaction involving the η(5)-C(5)Me(4)H analogue affords only the phenyl complexes during the first 24 h, thereby facilitating their isolation in good yields. This striking difference in reactivity can be attributed to the lesser steric demands of the η(5)-C(5)Me(4)H ligand that result in its complexes reacting at a significantly slower rate.     

Ligand cleavage put into reverse: P--C bond breaking and remaking in an alkylphosphane iron complex

Complex formation between FeX(2)6 H(2)O (X=BF(4) or ClO(4)) and the pyridine-derived tetrapodal tetraphosphane C(5)H(3)N[CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(2)](2) (1) in methanol proceeds with solvent-induced cleavage of one PMe(2) group. Depending on the reaction temperature and the nature of the counterion, iron(II) is coordinated, in distorted square-pyramidal fashion, by the anionic remainder of the chelating ligand, C(5)H(3)N[CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(2)][CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(CH(2) (-))] (NP(3)C(-) donor set: X=BF(4), -50 degrees C: 2; X=ClO(4), RT: 4) or its protonated form C(5)H(3)N[CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(2)][CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(CH(3))], in which the methyl group is in agostic interaction with the metal centre (X=BF(4), RT: 3; X=ClO(4), +50 degrees C: 5). A monodentate phosphinite ligand Me(2)POMe, formed from the cleaved PMe(2) group and methanol, completes the coordination octahedron in both cases. Working in CD(3)OD (X=BF(4), RT) gives the deuterium-substituted analogue of 3, with ligands L(CH(2)D) (L=residual chelating ligand) and Me(2)POCD(3). A mechanism for the observed phosphorus-carbon bond cleavage is suggested. Complex 2, when isolated at -50 degrees C, is stable in the solid state even at room temperature. The reaction of 2 in methanol with carbon monoxide (10.5 bar) at elevated temperature forms, in addition to as yet unidentified side products, the carbonyl complex [(1)Fe(CO)](BF(4))(2) (7), in which the previous P--C bond cleavage has been reversed, reforming the original tetrapodal pentadentate NP(4) ligand 1. All compounds have been fully characterised, including X-ray structure analyses in most cases.     

C-H vs C-C bond activation of acetonitrile and benzonitrile via oxidative addition: rhodium vs nickel and Cp* vs Tp' (Tp' = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate, Cp* = η(5)-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)

The photochemical reaction of (C(5)Me(5))Rh(PMe(3))H(2) (1) in neat acetonitrile leads to formation of the C-H activation product, (C(5)Me(5))Rh(PMe(3))(CH(2)CN)H (2). Thermolysis of this product in acetonitrile or benzene leads to thermal rearrangement to the C-C activation product, (C(5)Me(5))Rh(PMe(3))(CH(3))(CN) (4). Similar results were observed for the reaction of 1 with benzonitrile. The photolysis of 1 in neat benzonitrile results in C-H activation at the ortho, meta, and para positions. Thermolysis of the mixture in neat benzonitrile results in clean conversion to the C-C activation product, (C(5)Me(5))Rh(PMe(3))(C(6)H(5))(CN) (5). DFT calculations on the acetonitrile system show the barrier to C-H activation to be 4.3 kcal mol(-1) lower than the barrier to C-C activation. A high-energy intermediate was also located and found to connect the transition states leading to C-H and C-C activation. This intermediate has an agostic hydrogen interaction with the rhodium center. Reactions of acetonitrile and benzonitrile with the fragment [Tp'Rh(CNneopentyl)] show only C-H and no C-C activation. These reactions with rhodium are compared and contrasted to related reactions with [Ni(dippe)H](2), which show only C-CN bond cleavage.     

Organolanthanide-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization/bicyclization of sterically encumbered substrates. Scope, selectivity, and catalyst thermal stability for amine-tethered unactivated 1,2-disubstituted alkenes

This paper reports the organolanthanide-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of amine-tethered unactivated 1,2-disubstituted alkenes to afford the corresponding mono- and disubstituted pyrrolidines and piperidines using coordinatively unsaturated complexes of the type (eta(5)-Me(5)C(5))(2)LnCH(TMS)(2) (Ln = La, Sm), [Me(2)Si(eta(5)-Me(4)C(5))(2)]SmCH(TMS)(2), and [Me(2)Si(eta(5)-Me(4)C(5))((t)BuN)]LnE(TMS)(2) (Ln = Sm, Y, Yb, Lu; E = N, CH) as precatalysts. [Me(2)Si(eta(5)-Me(4)C(5))((t)BuN)]LnE(TMS)(2) mediates intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of sterically demanding amino-olefins to afford disubstituted pyrrolidines in high diastereoselectivity (trans/cis = 16/1) and good to excellent yield. In addition, chiral C(1)-symmetric organolanthanide catalysts of the type [Me(2)Si(OHF)(CpR*)]LnN(TMS)(2) (OHF = eta(5)-octahydrofluorenyl; Cp = eta(5)-C(5)H(3); R* = (-)-menthyl; Ln = Sm, Y), and [Me(2)Si(eta(5)-Me(4)C(5))(CpR*)]SmN(TMS)(2) (Cp = eta(5)-H(3)C(5); R* = (-)-menthyl) mediate asymmetric intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of amines bearing internal olefins and afford chiral 2-substituted piperidine and pyrrolidine in enantioselectivities as high as 84:16 er at 60 degrees C. The substrate of the structure NH(2)CH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)CH=CH(CH(2))(2)CH=CH(2) is regiospecifically bicyclized by [Me(2)Si(eta(5)-Me(4)C(5))((t)BuN)]LnE(TMS)(2) to the corresponding indolizidine skeleton in good yield and high diastereoselectivity. Thermolysis of (eta(5)-Me(5)C(5))(2)LaCH(TMS)(2) in cyclohexane-d(12) at 120 degrees C rapidly releases CH(2)(SiMe(3))(2) and leads to possible formation of fulvene (eta(6)-Me(4)C(5)CH(2)-) species. The thermolysis product readily reverts to active catalysts upon protonolysis by substrate and exhibits the same catalytic activity as the (eta(5),eta(1)-Me(5)C(5))(2)LaCH(TMS)(2) precatalyst at 120 degrees C in the cyclization of cis-2,2-dimethylhept-5-enylamine. Catalytically-active lanthanide-amido complexes (eta(5)-Me(5)C(5))(2)La(NHR)(NH(2)R)(n) and [Me(2)Si(eta(5)-Me(4)C(5))((t)BuN)]Sm(NHR)(NH(2)R)(n) are shown to be thermally robust species.     

Syntheses and structural characterization of dinuclear and tetranuclear iron(III) complexes with dinucleating ligands and their reactions with hydrogen peroxide

The iron(III) complexes [Fe(2)(HPTB)(mu-OH)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2).CH(3)OH.2H(2)O (1), [Fe(2)(HPTB)(mu-OCH(3))(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2).4.5CH(3)OH (2), [Fe(2)(HPTB)(mu-OH)(OBz)(2)](ClO(4))(2).4.5H(2)O (3), [Fe(2)(N-EtOH-HPTB)(mu-OH)(NO(3))(2)](ClO(4))(NO(3)).3CH(3)OH.1.5H(2)O (4), [Fe(2)(5,6-Me(2)-HPTB)(mu-OH)(NO(3))(2)](ClO(4))(NO(3)).3.5CH(3)OH.C(2)H(5)OC(2)H(5).0.5H(2)O (5), and [Fe(4)(HPTB)(2)(mu-F)(2)(OH)(4)](ClO(4))(4).CH(3)CN.C(2)H(5)OC(2)H(5).H(2)O (6) were synthesized (HPTB = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxo-1,3-diaminopropane, N-EtOH-HPTB = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(N' '-(2-hydroxoethyl)-2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxo-1,3-diaminopropane, 5,6-Me(2)-HPTB = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(5,6-dimethyl-2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxo-1,3-diaminopropane). The molecular structures of 2-6 were established by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Iron(II) complexes with ligands similar to the dinucleating ligands described herein have been used previously as model compounds for the dioxygen uptake at the active sites of non-heme iron enzymes. The same metastable (mu-peroxo)diiron(III) adducts were observed during these studies. They can be prepared by adding hydrogen peroxide to the iron(III) compounds 1-6. Using stopped-flow techniques these reactions were kinetically investigated in different solvents and a mechanism was postulated.     

Concurrent N-H and alpha-C-H bond activations of pyrrolidine and piperidine under ambient conditions by 18e tungsten allyl nitrosyl complexes

18e Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta3-allyl) complexes effect concurrent N-H and alpha-C-H bond activations of cyclic, saturated amines under mild conditions, the conversions involving pyrrolidine being shown. In a similar manner, treatment of Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(eta3-3,3-Me2C3H3) with piperidine at room temperature results in the clean formation of the alkyl amido complex, Cp*W(NO)(CH2CMe3)(NC5H9CMe2CHCH2).     

Carbon-sulfur bond cleavage and hydrodesulfurization of thiophenes by tungsten

The reactions of W(PMe(3))(4)(η(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H, W(PMe(3))(5)H(2), W(PMe(3))(4)H(4) and W(PMe(3))(3)H(6) towards thiophenes reveal that molecular tungsten compounds are capable of achieving a variety of transformations that are relevant to hydrodesulfurization. For example, sequential treatment of W(PMe(3))(4)(η(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H with thiophene and H(2) yields the butanethiolate complex, W(PMe(3))(4)(SBu(n))H(3), which eliminates but-1-ene at 100 °C. Likewise, sequential treatment of W(PMe(3))(4)(η(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H with benzothiophene and H(2) yields W(PMe(3))(4)(SC(6)H(4)Et)H(3), which releases ethylbenzene at 100 °C. Moreover, W(PMe(3))(4)(η(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H desulfurizes dibenzothiophene to form a dibenzometallacyclopentadiene complex, [(κ(2)-C(12)H(8))W(PMe(3))](μ-S)(μ-CH(2)PMe(2))(μ-PMe(2))[W(PMe(3))(3)].     

Synthesis of triamidoamine ligands of the type (ArylNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N and molybdenum and tungsten complexes that contain an [ArylNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]3- ligand

Aryl bromides react with (H(2)NCH(2)CH(2))(3)N in a reaction catalyzed by Pd(2)(dba)(3) in the presence of BINAP and NaO-t-Bu to give the arylated derivatives (ArylNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N [Aryl = C(6)H(5) (1a), 4-FC(6)H(4) (1b), 4-t-BuC(6)H(4) (1c), 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (1d), 3,5-Ph(2)C(6)H(3) (1e), 3,5-(4-t-BuC(6)H(4))(2)C(6)H(3) (1f), 2-MeC(6)H(4) (1g), 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2) (1h)]. Reactions between (ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N (Ar = C(6)H(5), 4-FC(6)H(4), 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3), and 3,5-Ph(2)C(6)H(3)) and Mo(NMe(2))(4) in toluene at 70 degrees C lead to [(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]Mo(NMe(2)) complexes in yields ranging from 64 to 96%. Dimethylamido species (Ar = 4-FC(6)H(4), 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3)) could be converted into paramagnetic [(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]MoCl species by treating them with 2,6-lutidinium chloride in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The "direct reaction" between 1a-f and MoCl(4)(THF)(2) in THF followed by 3 equiv of MeMgCl yielded [(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]MoCl species (3a-f) in high yield. If 4 equiv of LiMe instead of MeMgCl are employed in the direct reaction, then [(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]MoMe species are formed. Tungsten species, [(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]WCl, could be prepared by analogous "direct" methods. Cyclic voltammetric studies reveal that MoCl complexes become more difficult to reduce as the electron donating ability of the [ArylNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]3- ligand increases, and the reductions become less reversible, consistent with ready loss of chloride from ([(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]MoCl)(-). Tungsten complexes are more difficult to reduce, and reductions are irreversible on the CV time scale.     

Trialkyl imido niobium and tantalum compounds: synthesis, structural study and migratory insertion reactions

Trialkyl imido niobium and tantalum complexes [MR(3)(NtBu)] (M = Nb, R = Me 2, CH(2)CMe(3)3, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 4, CH(2)SiMe(3)5; M = Ta, R = Me 6, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 7, CH(2)SiMe(3)8) have been prepared by treatment of solutions containing [MCl(3)(NtBu)py(2)] (M = Nb 1a, Ta 1b) with three equivalents of magnesium reagent. By an unexpected hydrolysis reaction of the tris-trimethylsilylmethyl imido tantalum compound 8a, a μ-oxo derivative [(Me(3)SiCH(2)O)(Me(3)SiCH(2))(3)Ta(μ-O)Ta(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(NtBu)] (8a) was formed and its structure was studied by X-ray diffraction methods. Reactions of trialkyl imido compounds with two equivalents of isocyanide 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)NC result in the migration of two alkyl groups, leading to the formation of a series of alkyl imido bisiminoacyl derivatives [MR(NtBu){C(R)NAr}(2)] (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); M = Nb, R = Me 9, CH(2)CMe(3)10, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 11, CH(2)SiMe(3)12, CH(2)Ph 13; M = Ta, R = CH(2)CMe(3)14, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 15, CH(2)SiMe(3)16). All compounds were studied by IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C and (15)N) spectroscopy.     

Intramolecular C-H activation reactions of molybdenacyclobutanes

Molybdenacyclobutane complexes can be prepared by reaction of Cp*Mo(NO)(=CHCMe3) (formed spontaneously by loss of neopentane from Cp*Mo(NO)(CH2CMe3)2 (1) under ambient conditions) with cyclic olefins, including cyclopentene, cycloheptene, and cyclooctene. The cyclopentene metallacyclobutane orients the metallacycle bridgehead protons cis to each other. A trans arrangement is observed for the cyclooctene congener, and both cis and trans orientations occur for the cycloheptene species. The reaction of 1 with cyclohexene initially forms a metallacyclobutane that then undergoes an allylic C-H activation to form an allyl-alkyl-coupled product with the concomitant loss of H2. The analogous allyl-alkyl structure is also observed as the thermodynamic product for the reactions of cycloheptene and cyclooctene with 1. The cyclooctene allyl-alkyl compound (5C) can be converted to an eta2-diene complex by heating with pyridine. Alternatively, heating of 5C in the presence of a variety of olefins displaces the diene ligand that can then be isolated in its unbound state.     

Oxidative cleavage of tetraaryltetraphosphane-1,4-diides by nickel(II) and palladium(II): formation of unusual Ni(0) and Pd(0) diaryldiphosphene complexes

[Na(2)(thf)(4)(P(4)Mes(4))] (1) (Mes = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)) reacts with one equivalent of [NiCl(2)(PEt(3))(2)], [NiCl(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)], [PdCl(2)(PBu(n)(3))(2)] or [PdCl(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] to give the corresponding nickel(0) and palladium(0) dimesityldiphosphene complexes [Ni(eta(2)-P(2)Mes(2))(PEt(3))(2)] (2), [Ni(eta(2)-P(2)Mes(2))(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (3), [Pd(eta(2)-P(2)Mes(2))(PBu(n)(3))(2)] (4) and [Pd(eta(2)-P(2)Mes(2))(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (5), respectively, via a redox reaction. The molecular structures of the diphosphene complexes 2-5 are described.     

2-Aminoisobutyric acid in Co(II) and Co(II)/Ln(III) chemistry: homometallic and heterometallic clusters

The synthesis and magnetic properties of 13 new homo- and heterometallic Co(II) complexes containing the artificial amino acid 2-amino-isobutyric acid, aibH, are reported: [Co(II)(4)(aib)(3)(aibH)(3)(NO(3))](NO(3))(4)·2.8CH(3)OH·0.2H(2)O (1·2.8CH(3)OH·0.2H(2)O), {Na(2)[Co(II)(2)(aib)(2)(N(3))(4)(CH(3)OH)(4)]}(n) (2), [Co(II)(6)La(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(4)(CH(3)CN)(2)]·0.5[La(NO(3))(6)]·0.75(ClO(4))·1.75(NO(3))·3.2CH(3)CN·5.9H(2)O (3·3.2CH(3)CN·5.9H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Pr(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·[Pr(NO(3))(5)]·0.41[Pr(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.5)(H(2)O)(1.5)]·0.59[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.2(ClO(4))·0.25H(2)O (4·0.25H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Nd(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2.8)(CH(3)OH)(4.7)(H(2)O)(1.5)]·2.7(ClO(4))·0.5(NO(3))·2.26CH(3)OH·0.24H(2)O (5·2.26CH(3)OH·0.24H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Sm(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·[Sm(NO(3))(5)]·0.44[Sm(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.5)(H(2)O)(1.5)]·0.56[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.22(ClO(4))·0.3H(2)O (6·0.3H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Eu(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)OH)(4.87)(H(2)O)(1.13)](ClO(4))(2.5)(NO(3))(0.5)·2.43CH(3)OH·0.92H(2)O (7·2.43CH(3)OH·0.92H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Gd(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2.9)(CH(3)OH)(4.9)(H(2)O)(1.2)]·2.6(ClO(4))·0.5(NO(3))·2.58CH(3)OH·0.47H(2)O (8·2.58CH(3)OH·0.47H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Tb(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·[Tb(NO(3))(5)]·0.034[Tb(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.5)(H(2)O)(0.5)]·0.656[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.343(ClO(4))·0.3H(2)O (9·0.3H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Dy(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2.9)(CH(3)OH)(4.92)(H(2)O)(1.18)](ClO(4))(2.6)(NO(3))(0.5)·2.5CH(3)OH·0.5H(2)O (10·2.5CH(3)OH·0.5H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Ho(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·0.27[Ho(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.35)(H(2)O)(0.15)]·0.656[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.171(ClO(4)) (11), [Co(II)(6)Er(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(4)(NO(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(2.5)(H(2)O)(3.5)](ClO(4))(3)·CH(3)CN·0.75H(2)O (12·CH(3)CN·0.75H(2)O), and [Co(II)(6)Tm(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)(6)]·1.48(ClO(4))·1.52(NO(3))·3H(2)O (13·3H(2)O). Complex 1 describes a distorted tetrahedral metallic cluster, while complex 2 can be considered to be a 2-D coordination polymer. Complexes 3-13 can all be regarded as metallo-cryptand encapsulated lanthanides in which the central lanthanide ion is captivated within a [Co(II)(6)] trigonal prism. dc and ac magnetic susceptibility studies have been carried out in the 2-300 K range for complexes 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 13, revealing the possibility of single molecule magnetism behavior for complex 10.