The thermal decomposition of transition-metal complexes containing heterocyclic ligands: I. Benzothiazole complexes

Enthalpies of the decomposition reactions MX₂L₂(c)→MX₂(c) + 2L (g), where M is Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, or Cd, X is Cl and/or Br, and L is benzothiazole or 2-methyl-benzothiazole have been measured by use of a differential scanning calorimeter. Specific heats and enthalpies of sublimation of some of the complexes have been obtained.     

Synthesis of 3-isocyano-nido-7,8-dicarbaundecaborate salts and their use as new isonitrile ligands in transition-metal complexes

The treatment of 3-isocyano-o-carboranes with an alkali solution in alcohol results in the regioselective splitting out of a boron atom from position 6 of theo-carborane nucleus to give 3-isocyano-nido-7,8-dicarbaundecaborate salts, in which the isonitrile group is attached to the boron atom of thenido-polyhedron anion. 3-Isocyano-nido-7,8-dicarbaundecaborate salts are new isonitrile ligands in transition-metal complexes. Complexes with chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and iron compounds have been obtained.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1458–1460, August, 1993.     

The thermal decomposition of transition-metal complexes containing heterocyclic ligands: 2.Benzoxazole complexes

Enthalpies of the overall decomposition reactions

and of the intermediate reactions involving stepwise loss of ligand, L, where M is Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, or Cd, X is Cl or Br, and L is benzoxazole, 2-methylbenzoxazole, or 2,5-dimethylbenzoxazole have been measured by use of a differential scanning calorimeter. Specific heats of CoCl₂(2-methylbenzoxazole)₂, and CoBr₂(2-methylbenzoxazole)₂ are reported together with enthalpies of sublimation of CoCl₂(2-methylbenzoxazole)₂, CoBr₂(2-methyl-benzoxazole)₂, CoCl₂(2,5-dimethylbenzoxazole)₂ and CoBr₂(2,5-dimethylbenzoxazole)₂. Enthalpies of decomposition of benzoxazole complexes are found to be greater than those of the corresponding pyridine complexes, but less than those of the analogous benzothiazole complexes. However, the mean bond dissociation energies of the cobalt—nitrogen and cobalt—oxygen bonds in these complexes are all in the region 33±2 kcal mol^?.     

Dicarbonylcyclopentadienyltellurophenyliron complexes as ligands

The reaction of CpFe(CO)₂TePh (I) with ferricinium hexafluorophosphate as an oxidant affords ionic complex {[CpFe(CO)₂]₂(μ-TePh)}⁺PF ₆ ^? (II) with the simultaneous formation of diphenylditellurium. The decarbonylation of compound II by Me₃NO followed by the addition of complex I affords trinuclear complex {[CpFe(CO)₂(μ-TePh)]₂Fe(CO)Cp}PF₆ (III). The corresponding tetrafluoroborate (IV) is synthesized similarly. The heating of compound I with PPh₃ gives CpFe(CO)(PPh₃)TePh (V) that reacts with ionic complex [CpMn(CO)₂(NO)]PF₆ (VI) to form binuclear heterometallic ionic complex [CpFe(CO)(PPh₃)(μ-TePh)Mn(CO)(NO)Cp]PF₆ (VII). A similar reaction of Cp′Fe(CO)₂TePh (Cp′ is methylcyclopentadienyl) with compound VI affords heterometallic [Cp′Fe(CO)₂(μ-TePh)Mn(CO)(NO)Cp]PF₆ (VIII). The structures of compounds II, IV, VII, and VIII are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (CIF files CCDC 963285, 963286, 963288, and 963289, respectively).     

π-Complexes as ligands in transition-metal compounds. Communication 7. Chromium π-arenecarbonyl complexes with azacymantrene as a two-electron ligand

Conclusions The previously unknown chromium -arenecarbonyl complexes containing -pyrrolylmanganesetricarbonyl as a two-electron ligand, C₆H₆Cr(CO)₂NC₄H₄Mn(CO)₃, Me₃C₆H₃Cr(CO)₂NC₄H₄Mn(CO)₃, and PhCOOMeCr(CO)₂NC₄H₄Mn(CO)₃, have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods.For Communication 6, see [6].Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2780–2782, December, 1985.     

Formation constants for complexes of transition-metal cations with O- and N-donor ligands in aqueous solutions

A method has been developed for the theoretical calculation of stability constants for transitionmetal complexes proceeding from molecular properties. An analytical form of the cation-ligand interaction potential including the partial bond covalence has been developed. The potential is expressed through molecular parameters and a covalence parameter; the latter may be determined from experimentally measured or theoretically calculated gas-phase data. The stability constants have been calculated for 1: 1 complexes of divalent metal cations with hydroxide anion, acetic, glycolic, and lactic acid anions, and ammonia in aqueous solutions. The covalence parameters have been calculated for the bonds of metal cations with O-and N-donor ligands.     

The thermal decomposition of transition-metal complexes containing heterocyclic ligands: 3. Substituted pyridine complexes of cobalt

Enthalpies of the overall decomposition reactions CoX₂L₂(c) → CoX₂(c)+2L(g) and of the intermediate stepwise loss of ligand, L, where X is Cl or Br, and L is 3-chloropyridine, 3-bromopyridine, 2-chloropyridine, 2-bromopyridine, or 2-methoxypyridine have been measured by use of a differential scanning calorimeter. Enthalpies of sublimation of CoCl₂(3-chloropyridine)₂, CoBr₂(3-chloropyridine)₂, CoCl₂(3-bromopyridine)₂, CoCl₂(2-chloropyridine)₂, CoCl₂(2-bromopyridine)₂, CoBr₂(2-bromopyridine)₂, CoCl₂(2-methylpyridine)₂ and CoBr₂(2-methylpyridine)₂ have been determined. Values of the cobalt-nitrogen bond dissociation energies have been calculated. Specific heats of a number of the complexes are reported.     

Early transition-metal perfluoroalkyl complexes

Elusive early transition-metal perfluoroalkyl complexes have been isolated and structurally characterized for the first time. Trifluoromethyltrimethylsilane, CF3SiMe3, serves as an excellent trifluoromethyl group-transfer reagent and reacts with the known Ti(IV) fluoride complex Cp2TiF2 to yield the novel Ti(IV) trifluoromethyl fluoride compound, Cp2Ti(CF3)(F) (1). Reaction of complex 1 with trimethylsilyltriflate (Me3SiOTf) affords the Ti(IV) trifluoromethyl triflate complex Cp2Ti(CF3)(OTf) (2). Both titanium perfluoroalkyl compounds have been characterized spectroscopically and by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The Ti-CF3 linkage in these complexes is remarkably robust and shows no evidence of an alpha-fluoride interaction (Ti...F-CF2) between the electrophilic Ti(IV) metal center and any of the C-F bonds in the trifluoromethyl group in the solid state or in solution.     

Cyclic polyenes of heavy group 14 elements: new generation ligands for transition-metal complexes

Cyclic polyenes, such as benzene, cyclopentadienyl and cyclobutadiene, are widely used as key ligands for a variety of transition-metal complexes. The heavy versions of these compounds, in which the skeletal carbon atoms are fully (or partially) replaced with heavy group 14 elements (Si, Ge, Sn and Pb) were not synthetically accessible until quite recently. However, they are now readily available following the pioneering discoveries of derivatives of sila- and germabenzenes, sila- and germacyclopentadienide ions and tetrasila- and disiladigermacyclobutadiene dianions. Apart from their undoubted structural and synthetic interest, such organometallic compounds are particularly important as the precursors of novel ligands for new-generation transition-metal complexes, and this is covered in this critical review (124 references).     

Pi-bonded quinonoid transition-metal complexes

Coordination of the carbocyclic ring of hydroquinones to electrophilic transition-metal fragments such as Mn(CO)3+ and Rh(COD)+ produces stable pi-bonded eta6-complexes that are activated to facile reversible deprotonation of the -OH groups. The deprotonations are accompanied by electron transfer to the transition metal, which acts as an internal oxidizing agent or electron sink. With manganese as the metal, the resulting eta5-semiquinone and eta4-quinone complexes have been used to synthesize one- two- and three-dimensional polymeric metal-organometallic coordination networks. With rhodium as the metal, the pi-quinonoid complexes have been demonstrated to play a unique role in multifunctional C-C coupling catalysis and in the synthesis of new organolithium reagents. Both classes of pi-quinonoid complexes appear to have significant applications in nanochemistry by providing an excellent vehicle for templating the directed self-assembly of nanoparticles into functional materials.     

Ligand redox activity and mixed valency in first-row transition-metal complexes containing tetrachlorocatecholate and radical tetrachlorosemiquinonate ligands

Ligand noninnocence occurs for complexes composed of redox-active ligands and metals, with frontier orbitals of similar energy. Usually methods of analysis can be used to define the charge distribution, and cases where the metal oxidation state and ligand charge are unclear are unusual. Ligands derived from o-benzoquinones can bond with metals as radical semiquinonates (SQ(?-)) or as catecholates (Cat(2-)). Spectroscopic, magnetic, and structural properties can be used to assess the metal and ligand charges. With the redox activity at both the metal and ligands, reversible multicomponent redox series can be observed using electrochemical methods. Steps in the series may occur at either the ligand or metal, and ligand substituent effects can be used to tune the range of ligand-based redox steps. Complexes that appear as intermediates in a ligand-based redox series may contain both SQ and Cat ligands "bridged" by the metal as mixed-valence complexes. Properties reflect the strength of metal-mediated interligand electronic coupling in the same way that ligand-bridged bimetallics conform to the Robin and Day classification scheme. In this review, we will focus specifically on complexes of first-row transition-metal ions coordinated with three ligands derived from tetrachloro-1,2-benzoquinone (Cl(4)BQ). The redox activity of this ligand overlaps with the potentials of common metal oxidation states, providing examples of metal- and ligand-based redox activity, in some cases, within a single redox series. The strength of the interligand electronic coupling is important in defining the separation between ligand-based couples of a redox series. The complex of ferric iron will be described as an example where coupling is weak, and the steps associated with the Fe(III)(Cl(4)SQ)(3)/[Fe(III)(Cl(4)Cat)(3)](3-) redox series are observed over a narrow range in electrochemical potential.     

A structure-based analysis of the vibrational spectra of nitrosyl ligands in transition-metal coordination complexes and clusters

The vibrational spectra of nitrogen monoxide or nitric oxide (NO) bonded to one or to several transition-metal (M) atom(s) in coordination and cluster compounds are analyzed in relation to the various types of such structures identified by diffraction methods. These structures are classified in: (a) terminal (linear and bent) nitrosyls, [M(σ-NO)] or [M(NO)]; (b) twofold nitrosyl bridges, [M₂(μ₂-NO)]; (c) threefold nitrosyl bridges, [M₃(μ₃-NO)]; (d) σ/π-dihaptonitrosyls or “side-on” nitrosyls; and (e) isonitrosyls (oxygen-bonded nitrosyls).Typical ranges for the values of internuclear N–O and M–N bond-distances and M–N–O bond-angles for linear nitrosyls are: 1.14–1.20 Å/1.60–1.90 Å/180–160° and for bent nitrosyls are 1.16–1.22 Å/1.80–2.00 Å/140–110°. The [M₂(μ₂-NO)] bridges have been divided into those that contain one or several metal–metal bonds and those without a formal metal/metal bond (M?M). Typical ranges for the M–M, N–O, M–N bond distances and M–N–M bond angles for the normal twofold NO bridges are: 2.30–3.00 Å/1.18–1.22 Å/1.80–2.00 Å/90–70°, whereas for the analogous ranges of the long twofold NO bridges these are 3.10–3.40 Å/1.20–1.24 Å/1.90–2.10 Å/130–110°. In both situations the N–O vector is approximately at right angle to the M–M (or M?M) vector within the experimental error; i.e. the NO group is symmetrical bonded to the two metal atoms. In contrast the threefold NO bridges can be symmetrically or unsymmetrically bonded to an M₃-plane of a cluster compound. Characteristic values for the N–O and M–N bond-distances of these NO bridges are: 1.24–1.28 Å/1.80–1.90 Å, respectively. As few dihaptonitrosyl and isonitrosyl complexes are known, the structural features of these are discussed on an individual basis.The very extensive vibrational spectroscopy literature considered gives emphasis to the data from linearly bonded NO ligands in stable closed-shell metal complexes; i.e. those which are consistent with the “effective atomic number (EAN)” or “18-electron” rule. In the paucity of enough vibrational spectroscopic data from complexes with only nitrosyl ligands, it turned out to be very advantageous to use wavenumbers from the spectra of uncharged and saturated nitrosyl/carbonyl metal complexes as references, because the presence of a carbonyl ligand was found to be neutral in its effect on the ν(NO)-values. The wide wavenumber range found for the ν(NO) values of linear MNO complexes are then presented in terms of the estimated effects of net ionic charges, or of electron-withdrawing or electron-donating ligands bonded to the same metal atom. Using this approach we have found that: (a) the effect for a unit positive charge is [plus 100 cm^?1] whereas for a unit negative charge it is [minus 145 cm^?1]. (b) For electron-withdrawing co-ligands the estimated effects are: terminal CN [plus 50 cm^?1]; terminal halogens [plus 30 cm^?1]; bridging or quasi-bridging halogens [plus 15 cm^?1]. (c) For electro donating co-ligands they are: PF₃ [plus 10 cm^?1]; P(OPh)₃ [?30 cm^?1]; P(OR)₃ (R = alkyl group) [?40 cm^?1]; PPh₃ [?55 cm^?1]; PR₃ (R = alkyl group) [?70 cm^?1]; and η⁵-C₅H₅ [?60 cm^?1]; η⁵-C₅H₄Me [?70 cm^?1]; η⁵-C₅Me₅ [?80 cm^?1]. These values were mostly derived from the spectra of nitrosyl complexes that have been corrected for the presence of only a single electronically-active co-ligand. After making allowance for ionic charges or strongly-perturbing ligands on the same metal atom, the adjusted ‘neutral-co-ligand’ ν(NO)*-values (in cm^?1) are for linear nitrosyl complexes with transition metals of Period 4 of the Periodic Table, i.e. those with atomic orbitals (…4s3d4p): [ca. 1750, Cr(NO)]; [1775,Mn(NO)]; [1796,Fe(NO)]; [1817,Co(NO)]; [ca. 1840, Ni(NO)]. Period 5 (…5s4d5p): [1730 Mo(NO)]; [—, Tc(NO)]; [1745,Ru(NO)]; [1790,Rh(NO)]; [ca. 1845, Pd(NO)]. Period 6 (…6s4f5d6p), [1720,W(NO)]; [1730,Re(NO)]; [1738,Os(NO)]; [1760,Ir(NO)]; [—, Pt] respectively. Environmental differences to these values, e.g. data taken in polar solutions or in the crystalline state, can cause ν(NO)* variations (mostly reductions) of up to ca. 30 cm^?1.Three spectroscopic criteria are used to distinguish between linear and bent NO groups. These are: (i) the values of ν(¹⁴NO) themselves, and (ii) the isotopic band shift – (IBS) – parameter which is defined as [ν(¹⁴NO)–ν(¹⁵NO)], and, (iii) the isotopic band ratio – (IBR) – given by [ν(¹⁵NO/ν¹⁴NO)]. The former is illustrated with the ν(¹⁴NO)-data from trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) and tetragonal pyramidal (TP) structures of [M(NO(L)₄] complexes (where M = Fe, Co, Ru, Rh, Os, Ir and L = ligand). These values indicate that linear (180–170°) and strongly bent (130–120°) NO groups in these compounds absorb over the 1862–1690 cm^?1 and 1720–1525 cm^?1-regions, respectively. As was explicitly demonstrated for the linear nitrosyls, these extensive regions reflect the presence in different complexes of a very wide range of co-ligands or ionic charges associated with the metal atom of the nitrosyl group. A plot of the IBS parameter against M–N–O bond-angle for compounds with general formulae [M(NO)(L)_y] (y = 4, 5, 6) reveals that the IBS-values are clustered between 45 and 30 cm^?1 or between 37 and 25 cm^?1 for linear or bent NO groups, respectively. A plot of IBR shows a less well defined pattern. Overall it is suggested that bent nitrosyls absorb ca. 60–100 cm^?1 below, and have smaller co-ligand band-shifts, than their linear counterparts.Spectroscopic ν(NO) data of the bridging or other types of NO ligands are comparatively few and therefore it has not been possible to give other than general ranges for ‘neutral co-ligand’ values. Moreover the bridging species data often depend on corrections for the effects of electronically-active co-ligands such as cyclopentadienyl-like groups. The derived neutral co-ligand estimates, ν(NO)*, are: (a) twofold bridged nitrosyls with a metal–metal bond order of one, or greater than one, absorb at ca. 1610–1490 cm^?1; (b) twofold bridged nitrosyl ligands with a longer non-bonding M?M distance, ca. 1520–1490 cm^?1; (c) threefold bridged nitrosyls, ca. 1470–1410 cm^?1; (d) σ/π dihaptonitrosyl, [M(η²-NO)], where M = Cr, Mn and Ni; ca. 1490–1440 cm^?1. Isonitrosyls, from few examples, appear to absorb below ca. 1100 cm^?1.To be published DFT calculations of the infrared and Raman spectra of complexes with formulae [M(NO)_4?n(CO)_n] (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, respectively) are used as models for the assignments of the ν(MN) and δ(MNO) bands from more complex metal nitrosyls.     

单核第一过渡周期金属水氧化催化剂（英文）

由于传统化石能源的不可再生性,其储量日益减少.同时,传统化石能源的使用对环境产生了巨大影响,给人类社会带来了一系列问题,包括温室效应、酸雨等.因此,进入二十一世纪以后,人类面临着日益严峻的能源危机和环境问题,寻找清洁、高效的替代能源已经迫在眉睫.太阳能被认为是一种洁净的可再生能源.自然界通过光合作用将太阳能转化为化学能,在这一过程中,水被氧化产生氧气,同时释放出的电子和质子通过和二氧化碳作用生成碳水化合物.为了模拟这一过程,人工光合作用可以直接将电子和质子结合形成氢气.由此生成的氢气也被认为是洁净的可再生能源,因为在其燃烧过程中只产生水.因此,通过光致水分解析氢析氧的人工光合作用受到了越来越广泛的重视.水分解可以分为两个独立的半反应,即水的氧化析氧和水的还原析氢.水的氧化无论在热力学还是动力学方面,都存在着非常大的阻碍.在热力学上,两分子的水氧化生成一分子氧气需要提供很多能量(ΔE=1.23 V vs NHE).在动力学上,由于涉及到四个氢原子和两个氧原子的重组,并且涉及到氧氧键形成并释放出一分子氧气,因此水氧化是一个非常缓慢的过程.在自然界,水的氧化主要发生在光合作用中,在绿色植物的叶绿体中完成.通过对光合作用的研究,科学家们发现氧气的产生由光系统Ⅱ(PSII)中的释氧中心来完成.释氧中心是一个钙锰簇合物,由四个锰和一个钙组成(Mn_4CaO_x).自然界水分解产生氧气的过程给了我们很大启示,对设计和研究高效稳定的水氧化催化剂具有一定的指导意义.目前水氧化催化剂主要有两大类.第一类是基于材料的水氧化催化剂.该类催化剂的催化效率高,过电势小,但是对水氧化催化过程的机理缺乏深入研究.第二类是基于金属配合物的分子催化剂.相比基于材料的催化剂,分子催化剂具有以下特点:(1)分子催化剂的结构可以通过实验手段表征清楚;(2)可以结合光谱对水氧化的机理进行深入研究,可以对催化过程中间体进行表征;(3)催化剂的结构可以从分子水平上进行修饰,因此可以更好地研究催化效率与结构之间的关系,为设计高效、稳定的催化剂提供必要信息;(4)比较容易组装成分子器件从而应用到实际的水氧化装置中;(5)通过实验与理论的结合,对氧氧成键提出新的认识与理解.近几年来,一些单核的金属配合物逐渐被发现可以高效、稳定地催化水氧化.研究表明,一些基于钌和铱的催化剂具有良好的催化活性,但由于金属钌和铱储量少、价格昂贵等因素,限制了该类催化剂的大量使用.由于第一过渡系金属元素具有储量丰富、安全无毒、廉价易得等优势,第一过渡周期金属化合物逐渐成为科学家们研究的热点.近几年来,基于第一过渡系金属的水氧化催化剂已经有大量报道.本文主要总结了近几年来基于第一过渡系金属的单核水氧化分子催化剂.通过对催化机理进行深入的讨论,特别是对氧氧成键的总结,本文将对设计合成结构新颖、具有高催化效率和良好稳定性的水氧化分子催化剂提供理论依据.     

Studies on transition-metal picoline complexes

A large number of transition-metal picoline halides were prepared, and their thermal decompositions were investigated by TG, DTG, DTA and thermomicroscopy. The compounds were classified on the basis of their thermal properties and two possible mechanisms of thermal decomposition were established.

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Zusammenfassung Zahlreiche übergangsmetall-Picolin-Halide wurden dargestellt und deren thermische Zersetzung mittels TG, DTG, DTA und Thermomikroskopie untersucht. Die Verbindungen wurden nach ihren thermischen Eigenschaften klassifiziert, und zwei mögliche Mechanismen der thermischen Zersetzung sind angegeben.

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Thermal stability of transition-metal complexes

This review aims at justifying the relationship between the room-temperature structures of transition-metal complexes and their thermal stabilities. The different factors affecting the thermal stability were also clarified. The survey of a larger number of transition-metal complexes showed various correlations of thermal stability with metal ion, ligand character or counterion.     

Pyridine-type complexes of transition-metal halides

Manganese(II) chloride complexes with 3,4- and 3,5-lutidine have been prepared. The crystal symmetry and cell dimensions have been calculated on the basis of powder diffraction data. The compounds were characterised also by FT-IR spectrometry. The thermal decomposition of the complexes has been studied by thermogravimetry and DSC. By plotting densities vs. molar mass, the diagram obtained has correspondence to similar observations in other solid metal-lutidine complex systems. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Solid-phase synthesis of transition-metal complexes

This overview highlights recent progress in the field of selective construction of linear, oligonuclear transition-metal complexes by using solid-phase synthesis procedures. Two general protocols have been identified: formation of coordinative bonds between metal centres and bridging ligands and formation of covalent bonds between preformed kinetically inert transition-metal-containing building blocks in the chain growth step. Currently available suitable building blocks for the second approach are based on ferrocene units, bis(terpyridine)-ruthenium(II) moieties or metal porphyrins.     

Late first-row transition-metal complexes of texaphyrin

The preparation of first-row transition-metal complexes of texaphyrin, a porphyrin-like, monoanionic penta-aza macrocyclic ligand, is reported. Specifically, the synthesis of organic-soluble Mn(II) (1), Co(II) (2), Ni(II) (3), Zn(II) (4), and Fe(III) (5) texaphyrin derivatives and their water-soluble counterparts (6-10) from appropriate metal-free, nonaromatic macrocyclic precursors is described. It was found that metal cations of sufficient reduction potential could act to oxidize the nonaromatic macrocyclic precursor in the course of metal insertion. Complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, electrochemistry, flash photolysis, and EPR spectroscopy. The structural and electronic properties of these "expanded porphyrin" complexes are compared with those of analogous porphyrins. Notably, the texaphyrin ligand is found to support the complexation of cations in a lower valence and a higher spin state than do porphyrins. Interactions between the coordinated cation and the ligand pi system appear to contribute to the overall bonding. Texaphyrin complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), and Fe(III) in particular may possess sufficient aqueous stability to permit their use in pharmaceutical applications.     

Metallodithiolato ligands as bridges in multiply bonded dimolybdenum complexes

For the first time, a NiN2S2 metallothiolate ligand is used as a bidentate bridging ligand for a multiply bonded dimetal unit.     

Pnictides as symmetrically bridging ligands in novel neutral complexes

The reaction of [LWCl] (3) [L = N(CH2CH2NiPr)3] with LiE(SiMe3)2 (E = P, As, Sb) yields the novel, neutral pnictido-bridged complexes [LW = E = WL] (5-7). By following the reaction, which starts from the LiP-(SiMe3)2 derivative, by 31P NMR spectroscopy, the formation of an intermediate with a terminal pnictido ligand can be ruled out. The paramagnetic complexes 5-7 are comprehensively spectroscopically characterised. The X-ray structure analysis of the heterocumulenes 5-7 reveals a linear structure in which the two W-"tren" units bind to the central pnictido atom in a staggered conformation ["tren" = tren-based ligand; tren = tris(2-aminoethyl)-amine. When N2 is used as the inert gas in the synthesis of the starting material [N(CH2CH2NNp)3WCl] [Np = CH2C-(CH3)3], the complex [[N(CH2CH2NNp)3]W2(mu, eta 1: eta 1-N2)] (4) is formed as a side product. Complex 4 possesses a hydrazido(4-) (N2(4-)) ligand connected by two tungsten-"tren" moieties.