Tris(pentafluoroethyl)difluorophosphorane: A Versatile Fluoride Acceptor for Transition Metal Chemistry

Fluoride abstraction from different types of transition metal fluoride complexes [L_nMF] (M=Ti, Ni, Cu) by the Lewis acid tris(pentafluoroethyl)difluorophosphorane (C₂F₅)₃PF₂ to yield cationic transition metal complexes with the tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate counterion ( FAP anion, [(C₂F₅)₃PF₃]⁻) is reported. (C₂F₅)₃PF₂ reacted with trans-[Ni(iPr₂Im)₂(Ar^F)F] (iPr₂Im=1,3-diisopropylimidazolin-2-ylidene; Ar^F=C₆F₅, 1 a ; 4-CF₃-C₆F₄, 1 b ; 4-C₆F₅-C₆F₄, 1 c ) through fluoride transfer to form the complex salts trans-[Ni(iPr₂Im)₂(solv)(Ar^F)] FAP ( 2 a - c[solv] ; solv=Et₂O, CH₂Cl₂, THF) depending on the reaction medium. In the presence of stronger Lewis bases such as carbenes or PPh₃, solvent coordination was suppressed and the complexes trans-[Ni(iPr₂Im)₂(PPh₃)(C₆F₅)] FAP ( trans -2 a[PPh₃] ) and cis-[Ni(iPr₂Im)₂(Dipp₂Im)(C₆F₅)] FAP ( cis -2 a[Dipp₂Im] ) (Dipp₂Im=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) were isolated. Fluoride abstraction from [(Dipp₂Im)CuF] ( 3 ) in CH₂Cl₂ or 1,2-difluorobenzene led to the isolation of [{(Dipp₂Im)Cu}₂]²⁺2 FAP⁻ ( 4 ). Subsequent reaction of 4 with PPh₃ and different carbenes resulted in the complexes [(Dipp₂Im)Cu(LB)] FAP ( 5 a – e , LB=Lewis base). In the presence of C₆Me₆, fluoride transfer afforded [(Dipp₂Im)Cu(C₆Me₆)] FAP ( 5 f ), which serves as a source of [(Dipp₂Im)Cu)]⁺. Fluoride abstraction of [Cp₂TiF₂] ( 7 ) resulted in the formation of dinuclear [FCp₂Ti(μ-F)TiCp₂F] FAP ( 8 ) (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅) with one terminal fluoride ligand at each titanium atom and an additional bridging fluoride ligand.     

[Ni(iPr2Im)2Br2]: A Convenient Entry into NHC Nickel ­Chemistry

The reaction of the NHC iPr₂Im [NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene, iPr₂Im = 1, 3‐bis(isopropyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene] with freshly prepared NiBr₂ in thf or dme results in the formation of the air stable nickel(II) complex trans‐[Ni(iPr₂Im)₂Br₂] ( 2 ). Complex 2 was structurally characterized. Thermal analysis (DTA/TG) reveals a very high decomposition temperature of 298 °C. Reduction of 2 with sodium or C₈K in the presence of the olefins COD (cyclooctadiene) or COE (cyclooctene) affords the highly reactive compounds [Ni₂(iPr₂Im)₄(COD)] ( 1 ) and [Ni(iPr₂Im)₂(COE)] ( 4 ). Alkylation of 2 with organolithiums leads to the formation of trans‐[Ni(iPr₂Im)₂(R)₂] [R = Me ( 5 ), CH₂SiMe₃ ( 6 )], whereas the reaction of 2 with LiCp* [Cp* = (η⁵‐C₅(CH₃)₅)] at 80 °C causes the loss of one NHC ligand and affords [(η⁵‐C₅(CH₃)₅)Ni(iPr₂Im)Br] ( 7 ).     

Experimental and Computational Studies of the Copper Borate Complexes [(NHC)Cu(HBEt3)] and [(NHC)Cu(HB(C6F5)3)]

The synthesis of the Cu‐borate complexes [(6Mes)Cu(HBR₃)] featuring the unusual [HBEt₃]^? ( 5 ) and [HB(C₆F₅)₃]^? ( 6 ) ligands is described. Experimental and computational studies show both compounds feature a direct Cu–H interaction, but that while 5 is two‐coordinate, 6 displays an additional, stabilizing Cu–C_ipso(C₆F₅) interaction.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of [Bse]Ni(PPh3)(NO), a nickel complex with a bent nitrosyl ligand

The nickel nitrosyl compound [Bse^Me]Ni(PPh₃)(NO) has been synthesized by the reaction of Ni(PPh₃)₂(NO)Br with potassium bis(2-seleno-1-methylimidazolyl)hydroborate, [Bse^Me]K. X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate that (i) the B–H group of the [Bse^Me] ligand interacts with the nickel center and (ii) the nitrosyl ligand is bent, with Ni–N–O bond angles of 149.1(3)° and 153.1(3)° for the two crystallographically independent molecules. The bent nature of the nitrosyl ligand in [Bse^Me]Ni(PPh₃)(NO) is in marked contrast to the linearity observed for the tris(2-seleno-1-mesitylimidazolyl)hydroborato counterpart [Tse^Mes]NiNO (180.0°). Density functional theory geometry optimization calculations demonstrate that the Ni?H–B interaction is not responsible for causing the nitrosyl ligand to bend, but rather the difference between [Tse^Mes]NiNO and [Bse^Me]Ni(PPh₃)(NO) is due to the [Tse^Mes] ligand allowing the former molecule to adopt a structure with C₃ symmetry. In contrast, the steric and electronic asymmetry of [Se₂P] donor array of the [Bse^Me] and PPh₃ ligand combination prevents [Bse^Me]Ni(PPh₃)(NO) from having C₃ symmetry and the nitrosyl ligand bends to stabilize the occupied M–N σ^∗ antibonding orbital.     

Polythiolated complexes. Part 2(1). Palladium(II) and platinum(II) derivatives of polyfluorophenylthiolates

Summary The preparation and characterization of the new thiolate complexes [M(SR)₂(SEt₂)₂] (M=Pt, R=C₆F₅ orp-C₆HF₄) and [M(SR)₂]_n (M=Pd, R=C₆F₅,p-C₆HF₄ orp-C₆H₄F; M=Pt, R=p-C₆H₄F) is discussed. The tendency to form polymeric, rather than monomeric species, varies as follows: Pd>Pt; C₆H₄F>C₆HF₄> C₆F₅. [Pt(SC₆F₅)₂(SEt₂)₂] has atrans square planar coordination.     

π-cyclopentadienyls of nickel(II) : XV. Insertion reaction of RNCS into the nickel—carbon bond

η⁵-C₅H₅NiPBu₃CH(CN)₂ (I) readily undergoes ethyl- or phenyl-isothiocyanate insertion, producing the stable products η⁵-C₅H₅NiPBu₃SC(NRH) = C(CN)₂ (IIIa; R = C₂H₅, IIIb; R = C₆H₅. η⁵-C₅H₅NiPPh₃CH(CN)₂ (II) reacts with RNCS (R = C₂H₅ and C₆H₅) to undergo two types of insertion reaction; with C₂H₅NCS, η⁵C₅H₅NiPPh₃SC[N(C₂H₅)H] = C(CN)₂ (IVa) is obtained, with C₆H₅NCS, on the other hand, η⁵-C₅H₅NiPPh₃SC(NC₆H₅)CH(CN)₂ (IVb) is produced. p ]IIIa and IIIb react with PBu₃ to give ionic complexes [η⁵-C₅H₅Ni(PBu₃)₂]⁺ [SC(NC₂H₅H)C(CN)₂]^? (Va) and [η⁵-C₅H₅Ni(PBu₃)₂]⁺ [SC(NC₆H₅)CH(CN)₂]^?(Vb), respectively.     

A Diazabutadiene stabilized Nickel(0) Cyclooctadiene Complex: Synthesis,Characterization and the Reaction with Diphenylacetylene

The reaction of [Ni(COD)₂] with one equivalent of DAB^Mes (DAB^Mes = (2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)N=C(Me)‐C(Me)=N(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)) affords a mixture of the compound [Ni(DAB^Mes)₂] ( 2 ) and starting material [Ni(COD)₂]. The crystallographically characterized, diamagnetic complex 2 can be obtained in a stoichiometric reaction of [Ni(COD)₂] and two equivalents of DAB^Mes. This reaction can be accelerated by addition of 1‐chloro‐fluorobenzene or methyl iodide. In the presence of 1‐chloro‐fluorobenzene, [Ni(DAB^Mes)(COD)] ( 3 ) is available via reaction of [Ni(COD)₂] and one equivalent of DAB^Mes. The crystallographically characterized complex 3 reacts with diphenylacetylene to afford [Ni(DAB^Mes)(Ph‐C≡C‐Ph)] ( 4 ). A long‐wavelength absorption band in the UV‐Vis spectrum of this compound has to be assigned to a mixed MLCT/LL′CT transition, as quantum chemical calculations reveal.     

Insertion of isocyanides into the palladium-(2-pyridyl) bond

The reaction of the pyridyl-bridged binuclear complex [PdBr(μ-2-C₅H₄N)(PPh₃)]₂ with isocyynides CNR (R  p-C₆H₄OMe, Me, C₆H₁₁) yields the complex $\text{PdBr}${(&2.dbnd;NR)C(&2.dbnd;NR) (2-C₅H₄N)}(PPh₃)] containing a C,N-chelated 1,2-bis(imino)-2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl group, which results from successive insertions of two isocyanides molecules into the palladium2-pyridyl bond. The mononuclear compound trans-[PdBr(2-C₅H₄N)(PMePh₂)₂] readily reacts with various CNR ligands (R  p-C₆H₄OMe, Me, C₆H₁₁, CMe₃) to give the imino(2-pyridyl)methylpalladium(II) derivatives, trans-[Pdbr{C(=NR)(2-C₅H₄N)} (PMePh₂)₂].     

Case Study of N-iPr versus N-Mes Substituted NHC Ligands in Nickel Chemistry: The Coordination and Cyclotrimerization of Alkynes at [Ni(NHC)2]

A case study on the effect of the employment of two different NHC ligands in complexes [Ni(NHC)₂] (NHC=ⁱPr₂Im^Me 1^Me , Mes₂Im 2 ) and their behavior towards alkynes is reported. The reaction of a mixture of [Ni₂(ⁱPr₂Im^Me)₄(μ-(η² : η²)-COD)] B / [Ni(ⁱPr₂Im^Me)₂(η⁴-COD)] B’ or [Ni(Mes₂Im)₂] 2 , respectively, with alkynes afforded complexes [Ni(NHC)₂(η²-alkyne)] (NHC=ⁱPr₂Im^Me: alkyne=MeC≡CMe 3 , H₇C₃C≡CC₃H₇ 4 , PhC≡CPh 5 , MeOOCC≡CCOOMe 6 , Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃ 7 , PhC≡CMe 8 , HC≡CC₃H₇ 9 , HC≡CPh 10 , HC≡C(p-Tol) 11 , HC≡C(4-^tBu-C₆H₄) 12 , HC≡CCOOMe 13 ; NHC=Mes₂Im: alkyne=MeC≡CMe 14 , MeOOCC≡CCOOMe 15 , PhC≡CMe 16 , HC≡C(4-^tBu-C₆H₄) 17 , HC≡CCOOMe 18 ). Unusual rearrangement products 11 a and 12 a were identified for the complexes of the terminal alkynes HC≡C(p-Tol) and HC≡C(4-^tBu-C₆H₄), 11 and 12 , which were formed by addition of a C−H bond of one of the NHC N-ⁱPr methyl groups to the C≡C triple bond of the coordinated alkyne. Complex 2 catalyzes the cyclotrimerization of 2-butyne, 4-octyne, diphenylacetylene, dimethyl acetylendicarboxylate, 1-pentyne, phenylacetylene and methyl propiolate at ambient conditions, whereas 1^Me is not a good catalyst. The reaction of 2 with 2-butyne was monitored in some detail, which led to a mechanistic proposal for the cyclotrimerization at [Ni(NHC)₂]. DFT calculations reveal that the differences between 1^{M e} and 2 for alkyne cyclotrimerization lie in the energy profile of the initiation steps, which is very shallow for 2 , and each step is associated with only a moderate energy change. The higher stability of 3 compared to 14 is attributed to a better electron transfer from the NHC to the metal to the alkyne ligand for the N-alkyl substituted NHC, to enhanced Ni-alkyne backbonding due to a smaller C_NHC−Ni−C_NHC bite angle, and to less steric repulsion of the smaller NHC ⁱPr₂Im^Me.     

Organonickel(II) Complexes with Anionic N-Donor Ligands. Hydration of coordinated nitriles at a nickel(II) site

The hydroxo complex (Bu₄N)₂[Ni₂(C₆F₅)₄(μ-OH)₂]reacts with 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro benzenamine (C₆F₅-NH₂), 1,3-diaryltriaz-1-enes (ArNH? N=N? Ar, Ar = Ph, 4-MeC₆H₄, 4-MeOC₆H₄), 7-aza-1H-indole (= 1H-pyrrolo[2.3-b]pyridine; Hazind), N-phenylpyridin-2-amine(pyNHPh), and N-phenylpyridine-2-carboxamide (py-CONHPh) at room temperature in acetone to give the binuclear complexes (Bu₄N)₂[Ni₂(C₆F₅)₄(μ-C₆F₅NH)₂] ( 1 ) and (Bu₄N)₂[{Ni(C₆F₅)₂} 2(μ-OH)(μ-azind)] ( 2 ) and the mononuclear complexes Bu₄N[Ni(C₆F₅)2(ArN₃Ar)] ( 3 – 5 ), Bu₄N[Ni(C₆F₅)₂(pyNPh)] ( 6 ), and Bu₄N[Ni(C₆F₅)₂(pyCONPh)] ( 7 ). The hydroxo.complex (Bu₄N)₂[{Ni(C₆F₅)2-(μ-OH)}₂] promotes the nucleophilic addition of water to pyridine-2-carbonitrile, 2-aminoacetonitrile, and 2-(dimethylamino)acetonitrile, and complexes 8 – 10 containing pyridine-2-carboxamidato, 2-aminoacetamidato and 2-(dimethylamino)acetamidato ligands are formed. Analytical (C, H, N) and spectroscopic (IR, ¹H and ¹⁹F-NMR, and FAB-MS) data were used for structural assignments. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of (Bu₄N)₂[{Ni(C₆F₅)₂}₂(μ-OH)(μ-azind)] ( 2 ) established the binuclear nature of the anion; the two Ni-atoms are bridged by an OH group and a 7-aza-7H-indol-7-yl group, but the central Ni? O? Ni? N? C? N ring is not planar, the dihedral angle between the Ni? O? Ni and Ni? N? C? N? Ni planes being 84.4°.     

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Potassium Polyfluoroalken‐1‐yltrifluoroborates

The potassium fluoroborates K[RCF=CFBF₃] (R = F, Cl (cis‐/trans‐mixture), trans‐C₄F₉, cis‐C₂F₅, cis‐C₆F₁₃, trans‐C₄H₉, trans‐C₆H₅) were prepared by fluoridation (methoxide‐fluoride substitution with K[HF₂]) of RCF=CFB(OMe)₂ and Li[RCF=CFB(OMe)₃] which were obtained from RCF=CFLi and B(OMe)₃. The K[RCF=CFBF₃] salts were characterized by their ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹⁹F NMR and IR spectra.     

(Fluoroorgano)fluoroboranes and ‐borates. 7 [1] The Reaction of RFBF2 and K [RFBF3] (RF = perfluorophenyl‐, perfluoroalk‐1‐enyl‐ and perfluoroalkyl) with Xenon Difluoride in Anhydrous HF

The dissolution of (perfluoroorgano)difluoroboranes R_FBF₂ in anhydrous HF (aHF) resulted in equilibrium mixtures of the starting borane and different kinds of acid‐base products: [H₂F] [R_FBF₂(F · HF)] (R_F = C₆F₅, cis‐C₂F₅CF=CF, trans‐C₄F₉CF=CF) or [H₂F] [R_FBF₃] (R_F = C₆F₁₃). In aHF the aryl compounds C₆F₅BF₂ and K [C₆F₅BF₃] showed two parallel reactivities with XeF₂: xenodeborylation (formation of the [C₆F₅Xe]⁺ cation) and fluorine addition to the aryl group. In aHF perfluoroalk‐1‐enyldifluoroboranes R_FBF₂ as well as potassium perfluoroalk‐1‐enyltrifluoroborates K [R_FBF₃] (R_F = cis‐C₂F₅CF=CF, trans‐C₄F₉CF=CF) underwent only fluorine addition across the carbon‐carbon double bond under the action of XeF₂. Potassium perfluorohexyltrifluoroborate K [C₆F₁₃BF₃] did not react with XeF₂ in aHF.     

Synthesis and structures of nickel(II) and copper(II) compounds of 5,5,7,13-tetramethyl-13-nitro-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane and the 13-ethyl-5,5,7-trimethyl-homologue

Reduction by NaBH₄ of the imine functions of (5,7,7,13-tetramethyl-13-nitro-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradec-4-ene)-nickel(II) and -copper(II), and of their 13-ethyl-5,7,7-trimethyl-homologues, yield the nitro-substituted cyclic tetraamine cations (5,5,7,13-tetramethyl-13-nitro-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)-nickel(II) and -copper(II), [M(neh)]²⁺, and (13-ethyl-5,5,7-trimethyl-homologues, [M(nph)]²⁺, respectively. The nickel(II) cations form square–planar, singlet ground, state salts with poorly coordinating anions and octahedral, triplet ground state, compounds with additional ligands, trans-β-[Ni(neh)A₂], A⁻ = Cl⁻, NCS⁻ and trans-β-[Ni(neh)A₂](ClO₄)₂, X = NH₃, MeCN, all with nitrogen configuration III, 1R,4R,8S,11S = β. With oxalate the chain-polymeric compound catena-trans-β-[Ni(neh)(μ-C₂O₄)]_n · 3n(H₂O) is formed. Folded macrocycle compounds cis-α-[Ni(neh)(C₅H₇O₂)]ClO₄ and cis-α-[{Ni(neh)}₂(C₂O₄)](ClO₄)₂ are formed with the chelates acetylacetonate and oxalate, with configuration 1R,4R,8R,11R = α. These react with HClO₄ to form metastable α-[Ni(neh)](ClO₄)₂ with retention of configuration. The copper(II) cations form crimson salts with poorly coordinating anions and compounds of the type β-[Cu(neh)A]ClO₄ of varying shades of blue with coordinating anions. Structures of singlet ground state square–planar nickel(II) compounds β-[Ni(neh)](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O, β-[Ni(neh)](ClO₄)₂, β-[Ni(neh)]₂[ZnCl₃(OH₂)]₂[ZnCl₄] · H₂O and α-[Ni(neh)](ClO₄)₂, the triplet ground state chain-polymeric compound catena-trans-β-[Ni(neh)(μ-C₂O₄)]_n · 3n(H₂O) and of square–pyramidal β-[Cu(nph)Cl]ClO₄ are reported.     

Perhalophenyl complexes of palladium(II) containing keto-stabilized phosphorus ylides of the type Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2CHC(O)R

From suitable perhalophenyl derivatives of palladium(II), viz.: Pd(C₆F₅)₂-(SC₄H₈)₂, [Pd(μ-X′) (C₆X₅)₂]₂(NBu₄)₂, [Pd(μ-Cl)(C₆X₅)(SC₄H₈)]₂ (X = F, Cl, X′ = Cl, Br), new complexes of various types have been prepared, viz.: trans-Pd(C₆F₅)₂(Y)₂, Pd(C₆X₅)₂(Y), PdCl(C₆X₅)(Y) (X = F, Cl). The neutral ligand Y is a keto-stabilized phosphorus ylide of the type Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂CHC(O)R (n = 1, R = CH₃, C₆H₅; n = 2, R = C₆H₅) acting in a terminal monodentate P-donor or a bidentate chelate P,C-donor mode. The reaction of PdCl(C₆F₅)(Y) complexes with HCl leads to the corresponding PdCl₂(C₆F₅)(YH) complexes in which the phosphonium cation [YH]⁺ behaves as monodentate P-donor at its phosphinic end.IR and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy were used to decide the coordination mode of the ligands and, in some cases, to reveal the presence of two isomers.     

Ni-Catalyzed Borylation of Aryl Sulfoxides

A nickel/N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalytic system has been developed for the borylation of aryl sulfoxides with B₂(neop)₂ (neop=neopentyl glycolato). A wide range of aryl sulfoxides with different electronic and steric properties were converted into the corresponding arylboronic esters in good yields. The regioselective borylation of unsymmetric diaryl sulfoxides was also feasible leading to borylation of the sterically less encumbered aryl substituent. Competition experiments demonstrated that an electron-deficient aryl moiety reacts preferentially. The origin of the selectivity in the Ni-catalyzed borylation of electronically biased unsymmetrical diaryl sulfoxide lies in the oxidative addition step of the catalytic cycle, as oxidative addition of methoxyphenyl 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl sulfoxide to the Ni(0) complex occurs selectively to give the structurally characterized complex trans-[Ni(ICy)₂(4-CF₃-C₆H₄){(SO)-4-MeO-C₆H₄}] 4 . For complex 5 , the isomer trans-[Ni(ICy)₂(C₆H₅)(OSC₆H₅)] 5 - I was structurally characterized in which the phenyl sulfinyl ligand is bound via the oxygen atom to nickel. In solution, the complex trans-[Ni(ICy)₂(C₆H₅)(OSC₆H₅)] 5 - I is in equilibrium with the S-bonded isomer trans-[Ni(ICy)₂(C₆H₅)(SOC₆H₅)] 5 , as shown by NMR spectroscopy. DFT calculations reveal that these isomers are separated by a mere 0.3 kJ/mol (M06/def2-TZVP-level of theory) and connected via a transition state trans-[Ni(ICy)₂(C₆H₅)(η²-{SO}-C₆H₅)], which lies only 10.8 kcal/mol above 5 .     

Two New Benzoate‐di(methylcyclopentadienyl)ytterbium(III) Complexes: [Yb(MeCp)2(O2CC6F5)]2 and [Yb(MeCp)2(O2C‐o‐HC6F4)]2

Transparent orange crystals of [Yb(MeCp)₂(O₂CC₆F₅)]₂ and [Yb(MeCp)₂(O₂C‐o‐HC₆F₄)]₂ were obtained by oxidation of Yb(MeCp)₂ with M(O₂CR) (M = ¹/₂ Hg, Tl; R = C₆F₅, o‐HC₆F₄) in tetrahydrofuran. They have a dimeric structure with bridging bidentate (O, O')‐benzoate groups and eight coordinated ytterbium. Both crystallise isotypic in the orthorhombic space group Pbca. Room temperature as well as low temperature single crystal X‐ray investigations show the o‐H/F positions in [Yb(MeCp)₂(O₂C‐o‐HC₆F₄)]₂ not to be ordered.     

Stoichiometric and Catalytic Aryl−Cl Activation and Borylation using NHC-stabilized Nickel(0) Complexes

NHC-nickel (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes are efficient catalysts for the C−Cl bond borylation of aryl chlorides using NaOAc as a base and B₂pin₂ (pin=pinacolato) as the boron source. The catalysts [Ni₂(ICy)₄(μ-(η²:η²)-COD)] ( 1 , ICy=1,3-dicyclohexylimidazolin-2-ylidene; COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene), [Ni(ICy)₂(η²-C₂H₄)] ( 2 ), and [Ni(ICy)₂(η²-COE)] ( 3 , COE=cyclooctene) compare well with other nickel catalysts reported previously for aryl-chloride borylation with the advantage that no further ligands had to be added to the reaction. Borylation also proceeded with B₂neop₂ (neop=neopentylglycolato) as the boron source. Stoichiometric oxidative addition of different aryl chlorides to complex 1 was highly selective affording trans-[Ni(ICy)₂(Cl)(Ar)] (Ar=4-(F₃C)C₆H₄, 11 ; 4-(MeO)C₆H₄, 12 ; C₆H₅, 13 ; 3,5-F₂C₆H₃, 14 ).     

Synthesis and characterization of new sulfide aggregates of the type [{Pt2(μ3-S)2(P-P)2}M(C6F5)2] (M=Ni, Pd, Pt; P-P=2PPh3, 2PMe2Ph, dppf)

The reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(P-P)₂] (P-P=2PPh₃, 2PMe₂Ph, dppf) [dppf=1,1^′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene] with cis-[M(C₆F₅)₂(PhCN)₂] (M=Ni, Pd) or cis-[Pt(C₆F₅)₂(THF)₂] (THF=tetrahydrofuran) afforded sulfide aggregates of the type [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(P-P)₂}M(C₆F₅)₂] (M=Ni, Pd, Pt). X-ray crystal analysis revealed that [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(dppf)₂}Pd(C₆F₅)₂], [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(PPh₃)₂}Ni(C₆F₅)₂], [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(PPh₃)₂}Pd(C₆F₅)₂] and [{Pt₂(μ₃-S)₂(PMe₂Ph)₂}Pt(C₆F₅)₂] have triangular M₃S₂ core structures capped on both sides by μ₃-sulfido ligands. The structural features of these polymetallic complexes are described. Some of them display short metal-metal contacts.     

The Nature of the UC Double Bond: Pushing the Stability of High‐Oxidation‐State Uranium Carbenes to the Limit

Treatment of [K(BIPM^MesH)] (BIPM^Mes={C(PPh₂NMes)₂}^2?; Mes=C₆H₂‐2,4,6‐Me₃) with [UCl₄(thf)₃] (1 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^MesH)(Cl)₃(thf)] ( 1 ), which generated [U(BIPM^Mes)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 2 ), following treatment with benzyl potassium. Attempts to oxidise 2 resulted in intractable mixtures, ligand scrambling to give [U(BIPM^Mes)₂] or the formation of [U(BIPM^MesH)(O)₂(Cl)(thf)] ( 3 ). The complex [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(OEt₂)(tmeda)] ( 4 ) (BIPM^Dipp={C(PPh₂NDipp)₂}^2?; Dipp=C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂; tmeda=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) was prepared from [Li₂(BIPM^Dipp)(tmeda)] and [UCl₄(thf)₃] and, following reflux in toluene, could be isolated as [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 5 ). Treatment of 4 with iodine (0.5 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(thf)₂] ( 6 ). Complex 6 resists oxidation, and treating 4 or 5 with N‐oxides gives [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂‐ (μ‐Cl)₂Li(tmeda)] ( 7 ) and [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 8 ). Treatment of 4 with tBuOLi (3 equiv) and I₂ (1 equiv) gives [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃(I)] ( 9 ), which represents an exceptionally rare example of a crystallographically authenticated uranium(VI)–carbon σ bond. Although 9 appears sterically saturated, it decomposes over time to give [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃]. Complex 4 reacts with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO to form [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(tmeda)(OCPhtBu)] ( 10 ) and [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(tmeda)(OCPh₂)] ( 11 ). In contrast, complex 5 does not react with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO, which we attribute to steric blocking. However, complexes 5 and 6 react with PhCHO to afford (DippNPPh₂)₂C?C(H)Ph ( 12 ). Complex 9 does not react with PhCOtBu, Ph₂CO or PhCHO; this is attributed to steric blocking. Theoretical calculations have enabled a qualitative bracketing of the extent of covalency in early‐metal carbenes as a function of metal, oxidation state and the number of phosphanyl substituents, revealing modest covalent contributions to U?C double bonds.     

Aryl- and acetylene-nickel(I) complexes

Reduction of various pentafluorophenylnickel(II) complexes in the presence of phosphines gives unstable nickel(I) compounds but Ni(C₆F₅)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ is isolated in the presence of CO. Similar NiR(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (R = C₆F₅,C₆Cl₅, 2,3,5,6-C₆Cl₄H) are obtained by reaction of the halogenonickel(I) complex with MgRBr or LiR. Reduction of NiX₂L₂ in the presence of acetylenes gives [NiXL₂]₂(μ-PhCCR) (R = H, X = Cl and R = Ph, X = Cl, Br) when L = P-n-Bu₃ but only NiX(PPh₃)₃ are recovered when L = PPh₃. No reaction with the alkyne is observed for [NiX(PPh₃)₂]_n but [NiCl(PPh₃)]_n reacts with RCCR′ to give paramagnetic NiCl(PPh₃)(CRCR′) (R = Ph, R′= H, COOEt), diamagnetic [NiCl(PPh₃)]₂(μ-PhCCPh) and cyclotrimerization when R = R′ = COOMe. Chemical and structural behaviour of the new nickel(I) complexes is described.