First complexes of scandium and yttrium with NNO and NNS heteroscorpionate ligands

The reaction of ScCl(3)(THF)(3) or YCl(3) in a 1:1 molar ratio under reflux for 8 h with [{Li(bdmpza)(H(2)O)}(4)] [bdmpza = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetate], [{Li(bdmpzdta)(H(2)O)}(4)] [bdmpzdta = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetate], and (Hbdmpze) [bdmpze = 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethoxide] affords the corresponding complexes [MCl(2)(kappa(3)-bdmpzx)(THF)] (x = a, M = Sc (1), Y (2); x = dta, M = Sc (3), Y (4); x = e, M = Sc (5), Y (6)). However, when the reaction was carried out for 1 h under reflux between ScCl(3)(THF)(3) and [{Li(bdmpzdta)(H(2)O)}(4)], a new anionic complex [Li(THF)(4)][ScCl(3)(kappa(3)-bdmpzdta)] (7) was obtained. Reaction of [{Li(bdmpza)(H(2)O)}(4)] with YCl(3) in a 2:1 molar ratio under reflux for 8 h gave the complex [YCl(kappa(3)-bdmpza)(2)] (8). The same reaction, but with the lithium compound [{Li(bdmpzdta)(H(2)O)}(4)], led to the formation of an anionic complex [Li(THF)(4)][YCl(3)(kappa(3)-bdmpzdta)] (9). The X-ray crystal structures of 7 and 9 were established. Finally, the addition of 1 equiv of [{Li(bdmpza)(H(2)O)}(4)] or [{Li(bdmpzdta)(H(2)O)}(4)] to a solution of YCl(3) in THF under reflux, followed by the addition of 1 equiv of 1,10-phenanthroline, resulted in the formation of the corresponding complexes [YCl(2)(kappa(3)-bdmpzx)(phen)] (x = a (10), x = dta (11)). These complexes are the first examples of group 3 metals stabilized by heteroscorpionate ligands. In addition, we have explored the reactivity of some of these complexes with alcohols and amides. For example, the direct reaction of [YCl(2)(kappa(3)-bdmpza)(THF)] (2) with several alcohols gave the alkoxide complexes [YCl(kappa(3)-bdmpza)(OR)] (R = Et (12), iPr (13)). Finally, the reaction between [ScCl(2)(kappa(3)-bdmpzdta)(THF)] (3) or [Li(THF)(4)][ScCl(3)(kappa(3)-bdmpzdta)] (7) and LiN(SiMe(3))(2).Et(2)O in 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios gave rise to the complexes [ScCl(kappa(3)-bdmpzdta){N(SiMe(3))(2)}] (14) and [Sc(kappa(3)-bdmpzdta){N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2)] (15), respectively.     

Syntheses, structures and reactions of a series of beta-diketiminatoyttrium compounds

This paper describes the synthesis and selected reactions of a series of crystalline mono(beta-diiminato)yttrium chlorides , , , , , , and . The X-ray structure of each has been determined, as well as of [YCl()(2)] (), [Y()(2)OBu(t)] () and [Y{CH(SiMe(3))(2)}(thf)(mu-Cl)(2)Li(OEt(2))(2)(mu-Cl)](2) (). The N,N'-kappa(2)-beta-diiminato ligands were [{N(R)C(Me)}(2)CH](-) [R = C(6)H(4)Pr(i)-2 (); R = C(6)H(4)Bu(t)-2 (); R = C(6)H(3)Pr(i)(2)-2,6 ()], [{N(SiMe(3))C(Ph)}(2)CH)](-) () and [{N(C(6)H(3)Pr(i)(2)-2,6)C(H)}(2)CPh](-) (). Equivalent portions of Li[L(x)] and YCl(3) in Et(2)O under mild conditions yielded [Y(mu-Cl)(L(x))(mu-Cl)(2)Li(OEt(2))(2)](2) [L(x) = () or ()] and [Y(mu-Cl)()(mu-Cl)Li(OEt(2))(2)(mu-Cl)](2) () or its thf (instead of Et(2)O) equivalent . Each of the Li(OEt(2))(2)Cl(2) moieties is bonded in a terminal () or bridging () mode with respect to the two Y atoms; the difference is attributed to the greater steric demand of than or . Under slightly more forcing conditions, YCl(3) and Li() (via) gave the lithium-free complex [YCl(2)()(thf)(2)] (). Two isoleptic compounds and (having in place of in , and , respectively) were obtained from YCl(3) and an equivalent portion of K[] and Na[], respectively; under the same conditions using Na[], the unexpected product was [YCl()(2)] () (i.e. incorporating only one half of the YCl(3)). A further unusual outcome was in the formation of from and 2 Li[CH(SiMe(3))(2)]. Compound [Y(){N(H)C(6)H(3)Pr(i)(2)-2,6}(thf)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)K](2).4Et(2)O (), obtained from and K[N(H)C(6)H(3)Pr(i)(2)-2,6], is noteworthy among group 3 or lanthanide metal (M) compounds for containing MClKCl (M = Y) moieties.     

Yttrium polyoxometalates. Synthesis and characterization of a carbonate-encapsulated sandwich-type complex

Reaction of A-alpha-PW(9)O(34)(9)(-) with YCl(3) in an aqueous Na(2)CO(3) solution produces a dianion-encapsulated A-type sandwich polyoxometalate, (YOH(2))(3)(CO(3))(A-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(2)(11)(-). The X-ray structure of this complex reveals that three Y(III) ions are sandwiched between two A-alpha-PW(9)O(34)(9)(-) moieties and that a carbonate dianion is encapsulated in the same plane as the three Y(III) atoms. The oxygen atoms of the CO(3)(2)(-) are sitting at the midpoints of the sides of the triangle formed by the three Y(III) ions. (31)P and (13)C NMR studies confirm that this complex is significantly more stable than the analogous A-type sandwich polyoxometalates containing divalent metals.     

Synthesis and reactivity of metal complexes supported by the tetradentate monoanionic ligand bis(2-picolyl)(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)amide (BPPA)

Metal-halide complexes of Ti, V, Y, Zr, Al, Ga, and U supported by the tetradentate monoanionic (TDMA) ligand bis(2-picolyl)(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)amine, H(BPPA), were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. In addition, the complexes (BPPA)TiCl2, (BPPA)VBr2, [(BPPA)YCl2]2, (BPPA)AlCl2, (BPPA)GaCl2, and (BPPA)UI3 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In all cases the ligand is bound kappa4 to the metal center. All structurally characterized compounds are monomeric in the solid-state with the exception of [(BPPA)YCl2]2, which exists as a dimer in the solid-state. The metal-alkyl complexes (BPPA)AlMe2 and (BPPA)Zr(CH2Ph)3 were also synthesized and characterized, and an X-ray structure of (BPPA)Zr(CH2Ph)3 was obtained. The transformation of BPPA from a monoanionic to a dianionic ligand via proton abstraction was observed and monitored by NMR spectroscopy.     

N,N'-diisopropyl-N'-bis(trimethylsilyl)guanidinate ligand as a supporting coordination environment in yttrium chemistry. Synthesis, structure, and properties of complexes [(Me(3)Si)(2)NC(Ni-Pr)(2)]YCl(2)(THF)(2), [(Me(3)Si)(2)NC(Ni-Pr)(2)]Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF)(2), and [(Me(3)Si)(2)NC(Ni-Pr)(2)]Y[(mu-H)(mu-Et)(2)BEt](2)(THF)

The reaction of anhydrous YCl3 with an equimolar amount of lithium N,N'-diisopropyl-N' '-bis(trimethylsilyl)guanidinate, Li[(Me3Si)2NC(Ni-Pr)2], in tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded the monomeric monoguanidinate dichloro complex {(Me3Si)2NC(Ni-Pr)2}YCl2(THF)2 (1). Alkylation of complex 1 with 2 equiv of LiCH2SiMe3 in hexane at 0 degrees C yielded the monomeric salt-free dialkyl complex {(Me3Si)2NC(Ni-Pr)2}Y(CH2SiMe3)2(THF)2 (2). The bis(triethylborohydride) complex [(Me3Si)2NC(Ni-Pr)2]Y[(mu-H)(mu-Et)2BEt]2(THF) (5) was prepared by the reaction of complex 1 with 2 equiv of LiBEt3H in a toluene-THF mixture at 0 degrees C. The complexes 1, 2, and 5 were structurally characterized. Complex 2 as well as the systems 2-Ph3B, 2-Ph3B-MAO, and 1-MAO (MAO = methylaluminoxanes) in toluene were inactive in ethylene polymerization, while the product obtained in situ from the reaction of complex 2 with a 2-fold molar excess of PhSiH3 in toluene polymerized ethylene with moderate activity.     

Synthesis of a crystalline molecular complex of Y2+, [(18-crown-6)K][(C5H4SiMe3)3Y

The La(2+) complex [K(18-crown-6)(OEt(2))][Cp″(3)La] (1) [Cp″ = C(5)H(3)(SiMe(3))(2)-1,3], can be synthesized under N(2), but in the presence of KC(5)Me(5), 1 reduces N(2) to the (N═N)(2-) product [(C(5)Me(5))(2)(THF)La](2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)). This suggests a dichotomy in terms of ligands that optimize isolation of reduced dinitrogen complexes versus isolation of divalent complexes of the rare earths. To determine whether the first crystalline molecular Y(2+) complex could be isolated using this logic, Cp'(3)Y (2) (Cp' = C(5)H(4)SiMe(3)) was synthesized from YCl(3) and KCp' and reduced with KC(8) in the presence of 18-crown-6 in Et(2)O at -45 °C under argon. EPR evidence was consistent with Y(2+) and crystallization provided the first structurally characterizable molecular Y(2+) complex, dark-maroon-purple [(18-crown-6)K][Cp'(3)Y] (3).     

Synthesis,characterization, and antibacterial activities of some rare Earth metal complexes of pipemidic acid

Eight new solid complexes of pipemidic acid (PPA) with trichlorizated rare earth metals LaCl(3), CeCl(3), PrCl(3), NdCl(3), SmCl(3), TbCl(3), DyCl(3), and YCl(3) have been synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, NMR, and molar conductance measurements. The general formulas of the complexes are [M(PPA)(4)]Cl(3) (M=Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), Y(III)), and [La(PPA)(4)Cl]Cl(2). At the same time, the antibacterial activities of PPA and four of its complexes were tested. The results show that PPA and its complexes all have inhibitory action against bacteria of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa but not Staphylococcus aureus. We compared their antibacterial activities and found that the antibacterial activity of [La(PPA)(4)Cl]Cl(2) against S. pneumoniae is much stronger than that of PPA and the other complexes.     

Coordination of 2,2'-bipyridyl and 1,10-phenanthroline to yttrium and lanthanum complexes based on a scorpionate ligand

Reaction of yttrium and lanthanum trichloride with 1 equiv of sodium or potassium hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate and 1 equiv of 2,2'-bipyridine gives good yields of the complexes [MCl(2)(Tp(Me2))(C(10)H(8)N(2))] (M = Y (1), La (2)). The analogous compounds with 1,10-phenanthroline, [MCl(2)(Tp(Me2))(C(12)H(8)N(2))] (M = Y (3), La (4)), have been obtained by a similar procedure. The solid-state structures of 2-4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and revealed that the compounds are all seven-coordinate with capped octahedral geometry. In contrast, reaction of yttrium trichloride with 1 equiv of sodium hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate in the presence of 1 equiv of neocuproine affords [YCl(3)(Tp(Me2))][Na(neoc)(3))] (5). Compounds 1 and 2 provide an entry for the synthesis of complexes containing the bipyridyl ligand in a radical anionic form or in a dianionic form. Reaction of 1 and 2 with an excess of sodium amalgam gives [Y(Tp(Me2))(bipy)(THF)(2)] (6) and [La(Tp(Me2))(2)(bipy)] (7), respectively. The structures of both compounds have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Compound 7 can be oxidized with iodine to give [La(Tp(Me2))(2)(bipy)]I (8).     

[(tBuMe2SiC5H4)2YCl]2的合成和晶体结构

无水YCl3 与(tBuMe2SiC5H4)K在THF溶液反应制得[(tBuMe2SiC5H4)2Y(h-Cl)]2。晶体通过MoKa射线衍射法测定, 共收集到独立反射点5416个, 其中I > 2.0s(I)的反射点5154个。解析结果表明, 该晶体属单斜晶系, P21/c空间群。晶胞参数a = 11.559(2), b = 14.132(3), c = 16.127(3) , = 91.39(3)o, V = 2633.5(9) 3, Z = 2, Dc = 1.218 g/cm3, Mr = 966.13, m = 24.11 cm-1, F (000) = 1016, 最终偏离因子R = 0.0775, Rw = 0.2107。晶体结构显示, 标题配合物是一个中心对称的双氯桥二聚体结构。     

Synthesis and structures of some heterometallic [(Li, Y)2, (M3, Ce) (M = Li or Na), (Li, Zr2) and (Li, Zr)4] oligomeric diamides derived from 1,2-bis(neopentylamino)benzene

The following crystalline, X-ray-characterised heterometallic oligomeric diamides have been prepared in good yield under mild conditions in diethyl ether from the dilithio or disodio derivative of the N,N'-dineopentyl-1,2-diaminobenzene [{N(H)(CH2Bu(t))}2C6H4-1,2] (abbreviated as H2L):[Y(L)(mu-Cl)2Li(OEt2)2]2 (1), [Li(OEt2)2Li(mu2-Cl)4(mu3-Cl)2{Zr(L)}2]2 (2), [Zr(L)2(mu-Cl){Li(OEt2)2}(mu2-Cl)2Zr(L)] (3), [Ce{(mu-L)M}3(OEt2)(1/2)] (3M = Li(1.82)Na(1.18)) (4), [Ce{(mu-L)Na}3(OEt2)] (5) and [Ce{(mu-L)Na}3] (6). Compounds 1-3 were obtained from Li2(L) and YCl3 (the colourless 1) or ZrCl4 (the red 2 and 3), while the red 4 and 5 were isolated from CeCl3 and M2(L) (3M = Li(1.82)Na(1.18)) (4) or Na2(L) (5). Attempted oxidation of 5 with Br2 in hexane yielded the black 6. The ligand is N,N'-chelating to each of the d- or f-block metals in 1-6; and in 4-6 L is also acting as a bridge between Ce and the alkali metal, to which L is thus also chelating.     

Dicyclopentadienyl-yttrium and -aluminium hydridochloride complexes. Crystal and molecular structure of [(η5- C5H5) 2Y(μ2-Cl) (μ3-H) Y(η5-C5H5)2](μ2-H) 2AlH · NEt3 · C6H6: a new type of coordination of the AlH4 moiety

The interaction of two equivalents of Cp₂YCl with one equivalent of LiAlH₄ gives the hydride complex (Cp₂YH)₂(AlH₃OEt₂)₂ (I), described previously, or the hydrido-chloride complexes (Cp₂Y)₂AlH₄Cl · L (L = NEt₃ (II), and L = THF (III)). The complexes II and III can also be obtained from the reaction Cp₂YCl and AlH₃ · L. The X-ray data indicate that complex II is made up of the fragment

linked to the AlH₃ · NEt₃ moiety via two μ₂ and μ₃ hydrogen atoms, and solvated benzene molecules. On the basis of the IR data complex III is assigned the following structure Cp₂Y(μ₂-H)₂Al(Cl)(μ₂-H)₂YCp₂ · 2THF.     

Synthesis and structure of half-sandwich SmII and YIII cyclopentadienyl halide complexes with the penta(benzyl)cyclopentadienyl ligand

Russian Chemical Bulletin - The exchange reactions of equimolar amounts of potassium penta(benzyl)cyclopentadienide CpBn5K (CpBn5 = C5(CH2Ph)5) and SmI2(THF)2 or YCl3 afforded the corresponding...     

Versatile scorpionates and new developments in the denticity changes of NNCp hybrid scorpionate/cyclopentadienyl ligands in Sc and Y compounds: from kappa1-Neta5-Cp to kappa2-NNeta5-Cp

Reaction of hybrid scorpionate/cyclopentadienyl ligands in the form of the lithium derivatives [Li(bpzcp)(THF)] [bpzcp=2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,1-diphenylethylcyclopentadienyl], [Li(bpztcp)(THF)] [bpztcp=2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1-tert-butylethylcyclopentadienyl], and the in situ-generated "Li(bpzpcp)" [bpzpcp=2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1-phenylethylcyclopentadienyl] with MCl3(THF)3 afforded the group 3 halide compounds [MCl2(bpzcp)(THF)] (M=Sc, 1; Y, 2), [MCl2(bpztcp)(THF)] (M=Sc, 3; Y, 4), and [MCl2(bpzpcp)(THF)] (M=Sc, 5; Y, 6). The H2O adduct of 4, [YCl2(bpztcp)(H2O)] (7), was formed when a solution of 4 was allowed to stand at room temperature in the presence of moisture. Complexes 1-7 adopt a pseudo-octahedral structure with heteroscorpionate ligands kappa2-NNeta5-Cp coordinated to the metal through the cyclopentadienyl group and two imino nitrogens of pyrazole rings. The alkyl heteroscorpionate scandium and yttrium complexes recently reported by our group, [M(CH2SiMe3)2(bpzcp)], react with 2,6-dimethylphenol and 3,5-dimethylphenol to give the bis(aryloxide) derivatives [M(OAr)2(bpzcp)] (M=Sc, OAr=2,6-dimethylphenoxide, 8; M=Y, OAr=2,6-dimethylphenoxide, 9; M=Y, OAr=3,5-dimethylphenoxide, 10). Complex 9 underwent an interesting hydrolysis process to give the tetranuclear complex [{Y(bpzcp)}(micro-OH)2(micro3-OH){Y(OAr)2}]2 (11). Variable-temperature 1H NMR experiments on 9 and 10 revealed a rapid fluxional exchange between coordinated and noncoordinated pyrazolyl rings, producing interconversion between the two enantiomers in which the scorpionate ligand can be coordinated in a kappa1-Neta5-Cp form. The structures of the complexes were determined by spectroscopic methods and the X-ray crystal structures of 2, 7, and 11 were also established. Complexes 1 and 2 are active olefin polymerization catalysts after activation with methylaluminoxane. These compounds gave atactic polystyrenes with narrow molecular weight distribution (Mn/Mw 1.26-1.91) and with low molecular weights.     

Molecular and crystal structures of adducts (Cp<Subscript>2</Subscript>YCl)<Subscript>2</Subscript>L (L = 2THF,DME, 1,4-dioxane)

The adducts [Cp₂Y(μ-Cl)]₂ · 2THF (5), {[Cp₂Y(μ-Cl)]₂ · 1,4-dioxane}_n (6), and Cp₂Y(DME)(μ-Cl)(Cl)YCp₂ (7) have been synthesized and studied by X-ray crystallography. In 5, the (Cp₂YCl)₂ moiety is coordinated to two THF molecules (d _(Y-O) = 2.478 Å); in 6 the (Cp₂YCl)₂ dimers are linked by 1,4-dioxane to form a polymer chain (d _(Y-O) = 2.601 Å). In asymmetric adduct 7, the DME molecule is bound through both O atoms to the same Y atom (d _(Y-O) = 2.382 and 2.448 Å), and one of the chlorine atoms is bridging and the other chlorine atom is terminal.     

Yttrium-catalyzed heterocyclic formation via aerobic oxygenation: A green approach to benzothiazoles

The YCl₃-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization reaction for the synthesis of benzothiazoles has been developed.This method provides a practical,effective and green synthetic approach to benzothiazoles which are important units in many biologically active compounds.     

YF[MoO4] and YCl[MoO4]: two halide derivatives of yttrium ortho-oxomolybdate: syntheses, structures, and luminescence properties

The halide derivatives of yttrium ortho-oxomolybdate YX[MoO 4] (X = F, Cl) both crystallize in the monoclinic system with four formula units per unit cell. YF[MoO 4] exhibits a primitive cell setting (space group P21/ c; a = 519.62(2) pm, b = 1225.14(7) pm, c = 663.30(3) pm, beta = 112.851(4) degrees ), whereas the lattice of YCl[MoO 4] shows face-centering (space group C2/m; a = 1019.02(5) pm, b = 720.67(4) pm, c = 681.50(3) pm, beta = 107.130(4) degrees ). The two compounds each contain crystallographically unique Y (3+) cations, which are found to have a coordination environment of six oxide and two halide anions. In the case of YF[MoO 4], the coordination environment is seen as square antiprisms, and for YCl[MoO 4], trigon-dodecahedra are found. The discrete tetrahedral [MoO 4] (2-) units of the fluoride derivative are exclusively bound by six terminal Y (3+) cations, while those of the chloride compound show a 5-fold coordination around the tetrahedra with one edge-bridging and four terminal Y (3+) cations. The halide anions in each compound exhibit a coordination number of two, building up isolated planar rhombus-shaped units according to [Y 2F 2] (4+) in YF[MoO 4] and [Y 2Cl 2] (4+) in YCl[MoO 4], respectively. Both compounds were synthesized at high temperatures using Y2O3, MoO3, and the corresponding yttrium trihalide in a molar ratio of 1:3:1. Single crystals of both are insensitive to moist air and are found to be coarse shaped and colorless with optical band gaps situated in the near UV around 3.78 eV for the fluoride and 3.82 eV for the chloride derivative. Furthermore, YF[MoO 4] seems to be a suitable material for doping to obtain luminescent materials because the Eu (3+)-doped compound shows an intense red luminescence, which has been spectroscopically investigated.     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate using a metallocene catalyst system

Methyl methacrylate was polymerized with Cp₂YCl(THF) or IVB group metallocene compounds (i.e., Cp₂ZrCl₂ and Cp₂HfCl₂, etc.), in the presence of a Lewis acid like Zn(C₂H₅)₂. The Lewis acid was complexed with methyl methacrylate, which avoided the metallocene compounds being poisoned with a functional group. A living polymerization was promoted through the use of metallocene/MAO/Zn(C₂H₅)₂, which gave tactic poly(methyl methacrylate) with a high molecular weight. The polymer yield increases with polymerization time, which indicates that the propagation rate is zero in order in the concentration of the monomer. The polymer yield increases also with the concentration of Cp₂YCl(THF), which indicates the yttrocene to be the real catalyst. When the polymerization temperature exceeds room temperature, the poly(methyl methacrylate) cannot be synthesized by the Cp₂YCl(THF) catalyst. When the reaction temperature reachs −60 °C, the poly(methyl methacrylate) is high syndiotatic and molecular weight by the Cp₂YCl(THF)/MAO catalyst system. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1184–1194, 2000     

Utility of Arylamido Ligands in Yttrium and Lanthanide Chemistry(1)

The reactivity of KNHAr reagents (Ar = C(6)H(5), C(6)H(3)Me(2)-2,6, C(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2,6) with lanthanide and yttrium trichlorides has been investigated. With the larger metals Nd and Sm and the smaller 2,6-dimethyl-substituted ligand, the bimetallic dianionic complexes [K(THF)(6)](2)[Ln(&mgr;-NHC(6)H(3)Me(2)-2,6)(NHC(6)H(3)Me(2)-2,6)(3)](2) (Ln: Sm, 1a; Nd, 1b) are isolated as the potassium salts. Under the same reaction conditions YCl(3) forms a bimetallic anion which retains chloride: [K(DME)(2)(THF)(3)][Y(2)(&mgr;-NHC(6)H(3)Me(2)-2,6)(2)(&mgr;-Cl)(NHC(6)H(3)Me(2)-2,6)(4)(THF)(2)], 2. With the larger 2,6-diisopropyl ligands, neutral complexes are isolated in both solvated monometallic and unsolvated bimetallic forms. With Nd, a distorted octahedral trisolvate, Nd(NHC(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2,6)(3)(THF)(3), 3, was obtained, whereas with Yb and Y the trigonal bipyramidal disolvates, Ln(NHC(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2,6)(3)(THF)(2) (Ln: Yb, 4a; Y, 4b), were isolated. THF-free complexes of the NHC(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2,6 ligand are available by reacting the amine NH(2)C(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2,6 with Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) complexes. By this route, the dimers [Ln(&mgr;-NHC(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2,6)(NHC(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2,6)(2)](2) (Ln: Yb, 5a; Y, 5b) were isolated. The reaction of the unsubstituted arylamido salt KNHC(6)H(5) with NdCl(3) produced an insoluble material which was characterized as [Nd(NHC(6)H(5))(3)(KCl)(3)], 6. 6 reacted with Al(2)Me(6) in hexanes and produced a heteroleptic mixed-metal complex {[Me(2)Al(&mgr;-Me(2))](2)Nd(&mgr;(3)-NC(6)H(5))(&mgr;-Me)AlMe}(2), 7, and the trimeric aluminum arylamido complex [Me(2)Al(&mgr;-NHC(6)H(5))](3), 8. The solvent of crystallization and relevant crystallographic data for the compounds identified by X-ray analysis follow: 1a,THF, 156 K, P2(1)/n, a = 12.985(2) ?, b = 27.122(5) ?, c = 17.935(3) ?, beta = 100.19(1) degrees, V = 6216(1) ?(3), Z = 2, 6148 reflections (I > 3sigma(I)), R(F)() = 7.1%; 1b,THF, 156 K, P2(1)/n, a = 12.998(2) ?, b = 27.058(3) ?, c = 17.962(2) ?, beta = 99.74(1) degrees, V = 6225(1) ?(3), Z = 2; 2,DME/hexanes, P2(1)/n, a = 23.335(2) ?, b = 12.649(1) ?, c = 27.175(3) ?, beta = 96.36(1) degrees, V = 7971(1) ?(3), Z = 4, 2788 reflections (I > 3sigma(I)), R(F)() = 9.5%; 3, THF, P2(1), a = 12.898(1) ?, b = 16.945(1) ?, c = 13.290(1) ?, beta = 118.64(2) degrees, V = 2549.3(3) ?(3), Z = 2, 3414 reflections (I > 3sigma(I)), R(F)() = 4.3%; 4a, hexanes, P2(1), a = 9.718(2) ?, b = 19.119(3) ?, c = 12.640(2) ?, beta = 112.08(1) degrees, V = 2176.3(6) ?(3), Z = 2, 2933 reflections (I > 3sigma(I)), R(F)() = 4.3%; 4b, hexanes, 158 K, a = 9.729(2) ?, b = 19.095(5) ?, c = 12.744(1) ?, beta = 112.11(1) degrees, V = 2193.4(6) ?(3); 5b, hot toluene, 158 K, P2(1), a =19.218(9) ?, b = 9.375(3) ?, c = 19.820(5) ?, beta = 110.25(2) degrees, V = 3350(2)?(3), Z = 2, 1718 reflections (I > 2sigma (I)), R1 = 9.7%; 7, hexanes, 156 K, P&onemacr;, a = 9.618(3) ?, b = 12.738(4) ?, c = 9.608(3) ?, alpha = 99.32(1) degrees, beta = 108.87(1) degrees, gamma = 94.23(1) degrees, V = 1089.1(6) ?(3), Z = 2, 2976 reflections (I > 3sigma(I)), R(F)() = 3.9%; 8, hexanes, 156 K, Pcab, a = 23.510(5) ?, b = 25.462(5) ?, c = 8.668(2) ?, V = 5188(1) ?(3), Z = 8, 1386 reflections (I > 3sigma(I)), R(F)() = 5.7%.     

Bimetallic carbonyl thiolates as functional models for Fe-only hydrogenases

The anion [Fe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CN)(CO)(4)(PMe(3))](-) (2(-)) is protonated by sulfuric or toluenesulfonic acid to give HFe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CN)(CO)(4)(PMe(3)) (2H), the structure of which has the hydride bridging the Fe atoms with the PMe(3) and CN(-) trans to the same sulfur atom. (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P NMR spectroscopy revealed that HFe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CN)(CO)(4)(PMe(3)) is stereochemically rigid on the NMR time scale with four inequivalent carbonyl ligands. Treatment of 2(-) with (Me(3)O)BF(4) gave Fe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CNMe)(CO)(4)(PMe(3)) (2Me). The Et(4)NCN-induced reaction of Fe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CO)(6) with P(OMe)(3) gave [Fe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CN)(CO)(4)[P(OMe)(3)]](-) (4). Spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements indicate that 2H can be further protonated at nitrogen to give [HFe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CNH)(CO)(4)(PMe(3))](+) (2H(2)(+)). Electrochemical and analytical data show that reduction of 2H(2)(+) gives H(2) and 2(-). Parallel electrochemical studies on [HFe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CO)(4)(PMe(3))(2)](+) (3H(+)) in acidic solutions led also to catalytic proton reduction. The 3H(+)/3H couple is reversible, whereas the 2H(2)(+)/2H(2) couple is not, because of the efficiency of the latter as a proton reduction catalyst. Proton reduction is proposed to involve protonation of reduced diiron hydrides. DFT calculations establish that the regiochemistry of protonation is subtly dependent on the coligands but is more favorable to occur at the Fe-Fe bond for [Fe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CN)(CO)(4)(PMe(3))](-) than for [Fe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CN)(CO)(4)(PH(3))](-) or [Fe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CN)(CO)(4)[P(OMe)(3)]](-). The Fe(2)H unit stabilizes the conformer with eclipsed CN and PMe(3) because of an attractive electrostatic interaction between these ligands.     

Theoretical search for alternative nine-electron ligands suitable for superhalogen anions

The calculations performed at the OVGF/6-311++G(3df,3pd)//MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level for the representative NaX(2)(-) and AlX(4)(-) anions matching the MX(k+1)(-) superhalogen formula and utilizing 9-electron systems (i.e., consisting of various possible combinations of atoms containing nine electrons when brought together) revealed that the OH, Li(2)H(3), and NH(2) groups might be considered as alternative ligands X due to their thermodynamic stability and large values of electron binding energy (approaching or even exceeding 6 eV in some cases). All aluminum-containing AlX(4)(-) anions (excluding Al(HBLi)(4)(-)) were predicted to be thermodynamically stable, whereas the NaX(2)(-) anions for X = CH(3), HBLi, CLi, BeB, and H(2)BeLi were found to be susceptible to the fragmentations leading to Na(-) loss. Among the MX(k+1)(-) (M = Na, Al; X = Li(2)H(3), OH, H(2)BeLi, BeB, NH(2), HBLi, CH(3), Be(2)H, CLi) anions utilizing systems containing 9 electrons (and thus isoelectronic with the F atom) the largest vertical electron detachment energy of 6.38 eV was obtained for Al(OH)(4)(-).