Synthesis, structural, and magnetic characterization of linear and bent geometry cobalt(II) and nickel(II) amido complexes: evidence of very large spin-orbit coupling effects in rigorously linear coordinated Co2+

The complexes M(II){N(H)Ar(Pr(i)(6))}(2) (M = Co, 1 or Ni, 2; Ar(Pr(i)(6)) = C(6)H(3)-2,6(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)(3))(2)), which have rigorously linear, N-M-N = 180°, metal coordination, and M(II){N(H)Ar(Me(6))}(2) (M = Co, 3 or Ni, 4; Ar(Me(6)) = C(6)H(3)-2,6(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Me(3))(2)), which have bent, N-Co-N = 144.1(4)°, and N-Ni-N = 154.60(14)°, metal coordination, were synthesized and characterized to study the effects of the metal coordination geometries on their magnetic properties. The magnetometry studies show that the linear cobalt(II) species 1 has a very high ambient temperature moment of about 6.2 μ(B) (cf. spin only value = 3.87 μ(B)) whereas the bent cobalt species 3 had a lower μ(B) value of about 4.7 μ(B). In contrast, both the linear and the bent nickel complexes 2 and 4 have magnetic moments near 3.0 μ(B) at ambient temperatures, which is close to the spin only value of 2.83 μ(B). The studies suggest that in the linear cobalt species 1 there is a very strong enhanced spin orbital coupling which leads to magnetic moments that broach the free ion value of 6.63 μ(B) probably as a result of the relatively weak ligand field and its rigorously linear coordination. For the linear nickel species 2, however, the expected strong first order orbital angular momentum contribution does not occur (cf. free ion value 5.6 μ(B)) possibly because of π bonding effects involving the nitrogen p orbitals and the d(xz) and d(yz) orbitals (whose degeneracy is lifted in the C(2h) local symmetry of the Ni{N(H)C(ipso)}(2) array) which quench the orbital angular momentum.     

Chromium complexes supported by phenanthrene-imine derivative ligands: synthesis, characterization and catalysis on isoprene cis-1,4 polymerization

Reactions of CrCl(2)(THF)(2) with N-aryl-9,10-iminophenanthraquinone in CH(2)Cl(2) give the monoimine chromium complexes (Ar)IPQCrCl(2)(THF)(2) (1, Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); 2, Ar = 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3); 3, Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)). Molecular structures of 1 and 3 were revealed to be monomeric with the chromium atoms in distorted octahedral geometries. Similar reactions of CrCl(2)(THF)(2) with N,N-bis(arylimino)phenanthrene ligands afford the diimine complexes (Ar1,Ar2)BIPCrCl(μ-Cl)(3)Cr(THF)(Ar1,Ar2)BIP (4, Ar(1) = Ar(2) = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); 5, Ar(1) = Ar(2) = 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3); 6, Ar(1) = Ar(2) = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3); 7, Ar(1) = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3), Ar(2) = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)). The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that 4, 5, and 7 are chlorine-bridged dimers with each chromium atom in a distorted octahedral geometry. Upon activation with MAO, all these complexes exhibit good catalytic activities for isoprene polymerization affording polyisoprene with predominantly a cis-1,4 unit.     

Stoichiometric reactivity of dialkylamine boranes with alkaline earth silylamides

Reactions of β-diketiminato group 2 silylamides, [HC{(Me)CN(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))}(2)M(THF)(n){N(SiMe(3))(2)}] (M = Mg, n = 0; M = Ca, Sr, n = 1), and an equimolar quantity of pyrrolidine borane, (CH(2))(4)NH·BH(3), were found to produce amidoborane derivatives of the form [HC{(Me)CN(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))}(2)MN(CH(2))(4)·BH(3)]. In reactivity reminiscent of analogous reactions performed with dimethylamine borane, addition of a second equivalent of (CH(2))(4)NH·BH(3) to the Mg derivative induced the formation of a species, [HC{(Me)CN(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))}(2)Mg{N(CH(2))(4) BH(2)NMe(2)BH(3)}], containing an anion in which two molecules of the amine borane substrate have been coupled together through the elimination of one molecule of H(2). Both this species and a calcium amidoborane derivative have been characterised by X-ray diffraction techniques and the coupled species is proposed as a key intermediate in catalytic amine borane dehydrocoupling, in reactivity dictated by the charge density of the group 2 centre involved. On the basis of further stoichiometric reactions of the homoleptic group 2 silylamides, [M{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2)] (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba), with (CH(3))(2)NH·BH(3) and (i)Pr(2)NH·BH(3) reactivity consistent with successive amidoborane β-hydride elimination and [R(2)N[double bond, length as m-dash]BH(2)] insertion is described as a means to induce the B-N dehydrocoupling between amine borane substrates.     

Terphenyl substituted derivatives of manganese(II): distorted geometries and resistance to elimination

Reaction of {Li(THF)Ar'MnI(2)}(2) (Ar' = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(2)-2,6-(i)Pr(3))(2)) with LiAr', LiC≡CR (R = (t)Bu or Ph), or (C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))MgBr(THF)(2) afforded the diaryl MnAr'(2) (1), the alkynyl salts Ar'Mn(C≡C(t)Bu)(4){Li(THF)}(3) (2) and Ar'Mn(C≡CPh)(3)Li(3)(THF)(Et(2)O)(2)(μ(3)-I) (3), and the manganate salt {Li(THF)}Ar'Mn(μ-I)(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3)) (4), respectively. Complex 4 reacted with one equivalent of (C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))MgBr(THF)(2) to afford the homoleptic dimer {Mn(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))(μ-C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))}(2) (5), which resulted from the displacement of the bulkier Ar' ligand in preference to the halogen. The reaction of the more crowded {Li(THF)Ar*MnI(2)}(2) (Ar* = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))(2)) with Li(t)Bu gave complex Ar*Mn(t)Bu (6). Complex 1 is a rare monomeric homoleptic two-coordinate diaryl Mn(II) complex; while 6 displays no tendency to eliminate β-hydrogens from the (t)Bu group because of the stabilization supplied by Ar*. Compounds 2 and 3 have cubane frameworks, which are constructed from a manganese, three carbons from three acetylide ligands, three lithiums, each coordinated by a donor, plus either a carbon from a further acetylide ligand (2) or an iodide (3). The Mn(II) atom in 4 has an unusual distorted T-shaped geometry while the dimeric 5 features trigonal planar manganese coordination. The chloride substituted complex Li(2)(THF)(3){Ar'MnCl(2)}(2) (7), which has a structure very similar to that of {Li(THF)Ar'MnI(2)}(2), was also prepared for use as a possible starting material. However, its generally lower solubility rendered it less useful than the iodo salt. Complexes 1-7 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and UV-vis spectroscopy. Magnetic studies of 2-4 and 6 showed that they have 3d(5) high-spin configurations.     

Activation of carbodiimide and transformation with amine to guanidinate group by Ln(OAr)3(THF)2 (Ln: lanthanide and yttrium) and Ln(OAr)3(THF)2 as a novel precatalyst for addition of amines to carbodiimides: influence of aryloxide group

Reaction of Ln(OAr(1))(3)(THF)(2) (Ar(1)= [2,6-((t)Bu)(2)-4-MeC(6)H(2)] with carbodiimides (RNCNR) in toluene afforded the RNCNR coordinated complexes (Ar(1)O)(3)Ln(NCNR) (R = (i)Pr (isopropyl), Ln = Y (1) and Yb (2); R = Cy (cyclohexyl), Ln = Y (3)) in high yields. Treatment of 1 and 2 with 4-chloroaniline, respectively, at a molar ratio of 1:1 yielded the corresponding monoguanidinate complex (Ar(1)O)(2)Y[(4-Cl-C(6)H(4)N)C(NH(i)Pr)N(i)Pr](THF) (4) and (Ar(1)O)(2)Yb[(4-Cl-C(6)H(4)N)C(NH(i)Pr)N(i)Pr](THF) (5). Complexes 4 and 5 can be prepared by the reaction of Ln(OAr(1))(3)(THF)(2) with RNCNR and amine in toluene at a 1:1:1 molar ratio in high yield directly. A remarkable influence of the aryloxide ligand on this transformation was observed. The similar transformation using the less bulky yttrium complexes Y(OAr(2))(3)(THF)(2) (Ar(2) = [2,6-((i)Pr)(2)C(6)H(3)]) or Y(OAr(3))(3)(THF)(2) (Ar(3) = [2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)]) did not occur. Complexes Ln(OAr(1))(3)(THF)(2) were found to be the novel precatalysts for addition of RNCNR with amines, which represents the first example of catalytic guanylation by the lanthanide complexes with the Ln-O active group. The catalytic activity of Y(OAr(1))(3)(THF)(2) was found to be the same as that of monoguanidinate complex 4, indicating 4 is one of the active intermediates in the present process. The other intermediate, amide complex (Ar(1)O)(2)Ln[(2-OCH(3)-C(6)H(4)NH)(2-OCH(3)-C(6)H(4)NH(2))] (6), was isolated by protonolysis of 4 with 2-OCH(3)-C(6)H(4)NH(2). All the complexes were structurally characterized by X-ray single crystal determination.     

Oxido-bridged di-, tri-, and tetra-nuclear iron complexes bearing bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and thiolate ligands

A series of di-, tri-, and tetra-nuclear iron-oxido clusters with bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and thiolate ligands were synthesized from the reactions of Fe{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2) (1) with 1 equiv of thiol HSR (R = C(6)H(5) (Ph), 4-(t)BuC(6)H(4), 2,6-Ph(2)C(6)H(3) (Dpp), 2,4,6-(i)Pr(3)C(6)H(2) (Tip)) and subsequent treatment with O(2). The trinuclear clusters [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}Fe](3)(μ(3)-O){μ-S(4-RC(6)H(4))}(3) (R = H (3a), (t)Bu (3b)) were obtained from the reactions of 1 with HSPh or HS(4-(t)BuC(6)H(4)) and O(2), while we isolated a tetranuclear cluster [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}(2)Fe(2)(μ-SDpp)](2)(μ(3)-O)(2) (4) as crystals from an analogous reaction with HSDpp. Treatment of a tertrahydrofuran (THF) solution of 1 with HSTip and O(2) resulted in the formation of a dinuclear complex [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}(TipS)(THF)Fe](2)(μ-O) (5). The molecular structures of these complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Synthesis and characterisation of yttrium complexes supported by the beta-diketiminate ligand {ArNC(CH3)CHC(CH3)NAr}- (Ar = 2,6-Pr(i)2C6H3)

Reaction of YI(3)(THF)(3.5) with one equivalent of the potassium beta-diketiminate (BDI) complex [HC{C(CH(3))NAr}(2)K] (Ar = 2,6-Pr(i)(2)C(6)H(3)) affords the monomeric, mono-substituted yttrium BDI complex [HC{C(CH(3))NAr}(2)YI(2)(THF)] in good yield. Reaction of with DME affords [HC{C(CH(3))NAr}(2)YI(2)(DME)] in quantitative yield, which is monomeric also. Reaction of the primary terphenyl phosphane Ar*PH(2) (Ar* = 2,6-(2,4,6-Pr(i)(3)C(6)H(2))(2)C(6)H(3)) with potassium hydride, and recrystallisation from hexane, affords the potassium primary terphenyl phosphanide complex [{Ar*P(H)K(THF)}(2)] in high yield. Compound is dimeric in the solid state, constructed around a centrosymmetric K(2)P(2) four-membered ring, the coordination sphere of potassium is supplemented with an eta(6) K[dot dot dot]C(aryl) interaction. The reaction of with one molar equivalent of in THF affords the THF ring-opened compound [HC{C(CH(3))NAr}(2)Y{O(CH(2))(4)P(H)Ar*}(I)(THF)]. Compound is formed as a mixture of endo(OR) and exo(OR) isomers (: = approximately 2 : 1) which may be separated by fractional crystallisation from hexane-toluene to give pure . Attempted alkylation of with two equivalents of KCH(2)Si(CH(3))(3) affords the potassium yttriate complex [Y{micro-eta(5):eta(1)-ArNC(CH(3))[double bond, length as m-dash]CHC([double bond, length as m-dash]CH(2))NAr}(2)K(DME)(2)] in moderate yield; contains two dianionic dianilide ligands, which are derived from C-H activation of a backbone methyl group, each bonded eta(5) to yttrium in the solid state. The reaction of with one equivalent of KC(8) affords [{HC(C[CH(3)]NAr)(2)YI(micro-OCH(3))}(2)], derived from C-O bond activation of DME, as the only isolable product in very low yield. Compounds , , , , , and have been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy and CHN microanalyses.     

C-X bond formation and cleavage in the reactions of the ditungsten hydride complex [W2(η5-C5H5)2(H)(μ-PCy2)(CO)2] with small molecules having multiple C-X bonds (X = C, N, O)

Two molecules of C(2)(CO(2)Me)(2) or isocyanides could be added to the title hydride complex under mild conditions to give dienyl-[W(2)Cp(2){μ-η(1),κ:η(2)-C(CO(2)Me)=C(CO(2)Me)C(CO(2)Me)=CH(CO(2)Me)}(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] (Cp = η(5)-C(5)H(5)), diazadienyl-[W(2)Cp(2){μ-κ,η:κ,η-C{CHN(4-MeO-C(6)H(4))}N(4-MeO-C(6)H(4))}(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] or aminocarbyne-bridged derivatives [W(2)Cp(2){μ-CNH(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}(μ-PCy(2)){CN(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}(CO)]. In contrast, its reaction with excess (4-Me-C(6)H(4))C(O)H gave the C-O bond cleavage products [W(2)Cp(2){CH(2)(4-Me-C(6)H(4))}(O)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)(2)] and [W(2)Cp(2){μ-η:η,κ-C(O)CH(2)(4-Me-C(6)H(4))}(O)(μ-PCy(2))(CO)].     

Ligand-controlled synthesis of vanadium(I) β-diketiminates and their catalysis in cyclotrimerization of alkynes

Three dimeric vanadium(I) β-diketiminates [V{μ-(η(6)-ArN)C(Me)CHC(Me)C(N-Ar)}](2) (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (2), 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3) (3), 9-anthracenyl (4)) were prepared and isolated upon reduction of their corresponding dichloro precursors VCl(2)(Nacnac). Compounds 2-4 all show a structure with each vanadium atom being η(2) bonded to the β-diketiminate framework and η(6) bonded to a flanking ring of a β-diketiminato ligand, attached to the other vanadium centre within the dimer. No metal-metal bonding interactions are observed in these dimers due to long vanadium-vanadium separations. Compounds 2-4 display an antiferromagnetic exchange between the two vanadium centres. An imido azabutadienyl complex (η(2)-PhCC(H)C(Ph)NC(6)H(3)-2,6-(i)Pr(2))VN(C(6)H(3)-2,6-(i)Pr(2))(OEt(2)) (5) was isolated from the reduction of VCl(2)(HC(C(Ph)NC(6)H(3)-2,6-(i)Pr(2))(2)) by KC(8). Compounds 2-4 and the inverted-sandwich divanadium complex (μ-η(6):η(6)-C(6)H(5)Me)[V(HC(C(Me)NC(6)H(3)-2,6-(i)Pr(2))(2))](2) (1) reduce Ph(2)S(2) to give two vanadium dithiolates V(SPh)(2)[(HC(C(Me)NC(6)H(3)-2,6-R(2))(2))] (R = Et (6), (i)Pr (7)) through an oxidative addition. Most notably, 1 and 3 catalyze the cyclotrimerization of alkynes, giving tri-substituted benzenes in good yields and a 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene coordinated intermediate 8 was isolated and characterized.     

Chemical reactivity and electrochemistry of metal-metal-bonded zincocenes

Attempts to prepare mixed-ligand zinc-zinc-bonded compounds that contain bulky C(5)Me(5) and terphenyl groups, [Zn(2)(C(5)Me(5))(Ar')], lead to disproportionation. The resulting half-sandwich Zn(II) complexes [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))ZnAr'] (Ar' = 2,6-(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))(2)-C(6)H(3), 2; 2,6-(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)-C(6)H(3), 3) can also be obtained from the reaction of [Zn(C(5)Me(5))(2)] with the corresponding LiAr'. In the presence of pyr-py (4-pyrrolidinopyridine) or DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), [Zn(2)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))(2)] reacts with C(5)Me(5)OH to afford the tetrametallic complexes [Zn(2)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))L(μ-OC(5)Me(5))](2) (L = pyr-py, 6; DBU, 8), respectively. The bulkier terphenyloxide Ar(Mes)O(-) group (Ar(Mes) = 2,6-(2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2))(2)-C(6)H(3)) gives instead the dimetallic compound [Zn(2)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))(OAr(Mes))(pyr-py)(2)], 7, that features a terminal Zn-OAr(Mes) bond. DFT calculations on models of 6-8 and also on the Zn-Zn-bonded complexes [Zn(2)(η(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC(5)H(5))(py)(2)] and [(η(5)-C(5)H(5))ZnZn(py)(3)](+) have been performed and reveal the nonsymmetric nature of the Zn-Zn bond with lower charge and higher participation of the s orbital of the zinc atom coordinated to the cyclopentadienyl ligand with respect to the metal within the pseudo-ZnL(3) fragment. Cyclic voltammetric studies on [Zn(2)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))(2)] have been also carried out and the results compared with the behavior of [Zn(C(5)Me(5))(2)] and related magnesium and calcium metallocenes.     

Group 3 and lanthanide boryl compounds: syntheses, structures, and bonding analyses of Sc-B, Y-B, and Lu-B σ-coordinated NHC analogues

Reaction of [Ln(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF)(n)][BPh(4)] (Ln = Sc, Y, Lu ; n = 3, 4) with Li{B(NArCH)(2)}(THF)(2) (Ar = 2,6-C(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)) formed the first group 3 and lanthanide boryl compounds, Sc{B(NArCH)(2)}(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF) and Ln{B(NArCH)(2)}(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF)(2) (Ln = Y, Lu), which contain two-center, two-electron Ln-B σ bonds. All of these systems were crystallographically characterized. Density functional theory analysis of the Ln-B bonding found it to be predominantly ionic, with covalent character in the σ-bonding Ln-B HOMO.     

Synthesis and reactivity of cationic niobium and tantalum methyl complexes supported by imido and β-diketiminato ligands

The synthesis and reactivity of the cationic niobium and tantalum monomethyl complexes [(BDI)MeM(N(t)Bu)][X] (BDI = [Ar]NC(CH(3))CHC(CH(3))N[Ar], Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3); M = Nb, Ta; X = MeB(C(6)F(5))(3), B(C(6)F(5))(4)] was investigated. The cationic alkyl complexes failed to irreversibly bind CO but formed phosphine-trapped acyl complexes [(BDI)(R(3)PC(O)Me)M(N(t)Bu)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (R = Et, Cy) in the presence of a combination of trialkylphosphines and CO. Treatment of the monoalkyl cationic Nb complex with XylNC (Xyl = 2,6-Me(2)-C(6)H(3)) resulted in irreversible formation of the iminoacyl complex [(BDI)(XylN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(Me))Nb(N(t)Bu)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], which did not bind phosphines but would add a methide group to the iminoacyl carbon to provide the known ketimine complex (BDI)(XylNCMe(2))Nb(N(t)Bu). Further stoichiometric chemistry explored i) migratory insertion reactions to form new alkoxide, amidinate, and ketimide complexes; ii) protonolysis reactions with Ph(3)SiOH to form thermally robust cationic siloxide complexes; and iii) catalytic high-density polyethylene formation mediated by the cationic Nb methyl complex.     

Cyclo- and carbophosphazene-supported ligands for the assembly of heterometallic (Cu2+/Ca2+, Cu2+/Dy3+, Cu2+/Tb3+) complexes: synthesis, structure, and magnetism

The carbophosphazene and cyclophosphazene hydrazides, [{NC(N(CH(3))(2))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))NH(2)}(2)}] (1) and [N(3)P(3)(O(2)C(12)H(8))(2){N(CH(3))NH(2)}(2)] were condensed with o-vanillin to afford the multisite coordination ligands [{NC(N(CH(3))(2))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-OH)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}] (2) and [{N(2)P(2)(O(2)C(12)H(8))(2)}{NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C (6)H(3)-(o-OH)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}] (3), respectively. These ligands were used for the preparation of heterometallic complexes [{NC(N(CH(3))(2))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-O)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}{CuCa(NO(3))(2)}] (4), [{NC(N(CH(3))(2))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-O)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}{Cu(2)Ca(2)(NO(3))(4)}]·4H(2)O (5), [{NC(N(CH(3))(2))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-O)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}{CuDy(NO(3))(4)}]·CH(3)COCH(3) (6), [{NP(O(2)C(12)H(8))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-O)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}{CuDy(NO(3))(3)}] (7), and [{NP(O(2)C(12)H(8))}(2){NP{N(CH(3))N═CH-C(6)H(3)-(o-O)(m-OCH(3))}(2)}{CuTb(NO(3))(3)}] (8). The molecular structures of these compounds reveals that the ligands 2 and 3 possess dual coordination pockets which are used to specifically bind the transition metal ion and the alkaline earth/lanthanide metal ion; the Cu(2+)/Ca(2+), Cu(2+)/Tb(3+), and Cu(2+)/Dy(3+) pairs in these compounds are brought together by phenoxide and methoxy oxygen atoms. While 4, 6, 7, and 8 are dinuclear complexes, 5 is a tetranuclear complex. Detailed magnetic properties on 6-8 reveal that these compounds show weak couplings between the magnetic centers and magnetic anisotropy. However, the ac susceptibility experiments did not reveal any out of phase signal suggesting that in these compounds slow relaxation of magnetization is absent above 1.8 K.     

Synthesis, structure, and electrochemical studies of molybdenum and tungsten dinitrogen, diazenido, and hydrazido complexes that contain aryl-substituted triamidoamine ligands

One-electron reduction of [ArN(3)N]MoCl complexes (Ar = C(6)H(5), 4-FC(6)H(4), 4-t-BuC(6)H(4), 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3)) yields complexes of the type [ArN(3)N]Mo-N=N-Mo[ArN(3)N], while two-electron reduction yields ([ArN(3)N]Mo-N=N)(-) derivatives (Ar = C(6)H(5), 4-FC(6)H(4), 4-t-BuC(6)H(4), 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3), 3,5-Ph(2)C(6)H(3), and 3,5-(4-t-BuC(6)H(4))(2)C(6)H(3)). Compounds that were crystallographically characterized include ([t-BuC(6)H(4)N(3)N]Mo)(2)(N(2)), Na(THF)(6)([PhN(3)N]Mo-N=N)(2)Na(THF)(3), [t-BuC(6)H(4)N(3)N]Mo-N=N-Na(15-crown-5), and ([Ph(2)C(6)H(3)N(3)N]MoNN)(2)Mg(DME)(2). Compounds of the type [ArN(3)N]Mo-N=N-Mo[ArN(3)N] do not appear to form when Ar = 3,5-Ph(2)C(6)H(3) or 3,5-(4-t-BuC(6)H(4))(2)C(6)H(3), presumably for steric reasons. Treatment of diazenido complexes (e.g., [ArN(3)N]Mo-N=N-Na(THF)(x)) with electrophiles such as Me(3)SiCl or MeOTf yielded [ArN(3)N]Mo-N=NR complexes (R = SiMe(3) or Me). These species react further to yield ([ArN(3)N]Mo-N=NMe(2))(+) species in the presence of methylating agents. Addition of anionic methyl reagents to ([ArN(3)N]Mo-N=NMe(2))(+) species yielded [ArN(3)N]Mo(N=NMe(2))(Me) complexes. Reduction of [4-t-BuC(6)H(4)N(3)N]WCl under dinitrogen leads to a rare ([t-BuC(6)H(4)N(3)N]W)(2)(N(2)) species that can be oxidized by two electrons to give a stable dication (as its BPh(4)(-) salt). Reduction of hydrazido species leads to formation of Mo=N in low yields, and only dimethylamine could be identified among the many products. Electrochemical studies revealed expected trends in oxidation and reduction potentials, but also provided evidence for stable neutral dinitrogen complexes of the type [ArN(3)N]Mo(N(2)) when Ar is a relatively bulky terphenyl substituent.     

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.     

Reduction of sterically hindered β-diketiminato europium(III) complexes by the β-diketiminato anion: a convenient route for the synthesis of β-diketiminato europium(II) complexes

The metathesis reaction of anhydrous EuCl(3) with sodium salt of bulky β-diketiminato NaL (L = [N(2, 4, 6- Me(3)C(6)H(2))C(Me)](2)CH(-), L(2, 4, 6-Me3); [N(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))C(Me)](2)CH(-), L(2, 6-ipr2) and [(2, 6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(C(6)H(5))](-), L(2, 6-ipr2)(Ph)) in THF at 60 °C afforded the corresponding Eu(II) complexes: Eu(II)(L(2, 4, 6-Me3))(2)(THF) (1), Eu(II)(L(2, 6-ipr2))(2) (2) and Eu(II)(L(2, 6-ipr2)(Ph))(2) (5) with the formations of dimers (L(2, 4, 6-Me3))(2) (3) and (L(2, 6-ipr2))(2) (4) for the former two reactions and proligand L(2, 6-ipr2)(Ph)H (6) for the latter one. Compounds 1-6 were confirmed by an X-ray crystal structure analysis. The central metal Eu(II) in 1 is coordinated by two monoanionic L(2, 4, 6-Me3) ligands and one THF molecule in a trigonal bipyramid. The Eu(II) in each of 2 and 5 is ligated by two monoanionic ligands to form a tetrahedral geometry. The BVS (Bond Valence Sum) calculation indicates the oxidation state of Eu in all the three complexes is 2+ (2.12 for 1, 1.86 for 2 and 1.99 for 5). The isolation of dimers of (L(2, 4, 6-Me3))(2) and L(2, 6-ipr2))(2) and proligand L(2, 6-ipr2)(Ph)H demonstrates that the reducing agent in the present reduction of a Eu(III) ion to a Eu(II) ion might be the (L(2, 4, 6-Me3))(-), (L(2, 6-ipr2))(-) and (L(2, 6-ipr2)(Ph))(-), respectively. The possible mechanism for the reduction pathway is presented.     

2-[1-(2,6-Dibenzhydryl-4-methylphenylimino)ethyl]-6-[1-(arylimino)ethyl]pyridylcobalt(II) dichlorides: synthesis, characterization and ethylene polymerization behavior

A series of unsymmetrical 2,6-bis(imino)pyridylcobalt(II) complexes, {2-[2,6-(CH(C(6)H(5))(2))(2)-4-Me-C(6)H(2)N==C(CH(3))]-6-(2,6-R(1)(2)-4-R(2)-C(6)H(2)N==CCH(3))-C(5)H(3)NCoCl(2)} where R(1) = Me, Et or (i)Pr, R(2) = H or Me, together with the new symmetrical complex 2,6-[2,6-(CH(C(6)H(5))(2))(2)-4-Me-C(6)H(2)N==C(CH(3))](2)-C(5)H(3)NCoCl(2), were synthesized. All of the compounds were fully characterized by (1)H NMR and IR spectroscopy, as well as by elemental analysis. The molecular structures of Co1 (R(1) = Me, R(2) = H) and Co5 (R(1) = Et, R(2) = Me) were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction, which indicated that the cobalt centres were penta-coordinate with a pseudo square-pyramidal geometry. Upon treatment with MAO or MMAO, these cobalt pre-catalysts exhibited higher activities than any previously reported cobalt pre-catalysts, with values as high as 4.64 × 10(6) g PE mol(-1)(Co) h(-1) for ethylene polymerization at atmospheric pressure. The polyethylenes obtained were of high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution.     

Synthesis and structural variations of substituted phenylamide complexes of the heavy alkaline earth metals calcium, strontium and barium

Starting material KN(H)C(6)H(3)-2,6-F(2) was prepared via a transamination reaction from KNH(2) and 2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3)NH(2) in THF and crystallized from 1,4-dioxane (diox) as the three-dimensional polymer [(diox)(1.5)K{N(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3)}.diox(0.5)](infinity) (1). The metathesis reaction of (THF)(4)CaI(2) with KN(Me)Ph in THF yields monomeric (THF)(4)Ca[N(Me)Ph](2) (2) with a nearly linear N-Ca-N moiety of 179.84(8) degrees . The metathesis reaction of (THF)(4)CaI(2) with KN(H)Mes yields trinuclear (THF)(6)Ca(3)[N(H)Mes](6) (3) with a linear Ca(3) fragment and bridging 2,4,6-trimethylphenylamido groups. The reaction of 1 with (THF)(4)CaI(2) gives dinuclear (THF)(5)Ca(2)[N(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3)](4).2THF (4) with three bridging and one terminally bound 2,6-difluorophenylamide. A similar reaction of (THF)(5)SrI(2) with KN(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3) yields dinuclear (THF)(6)Sr(2)[N(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3)](3)I.THF (5) in which the iodide anion binds terminally. This iodide ligand cannot be substituted as easily by excess KN(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3). The metathesis reaction of (THF)(5)BaI(2) with KN(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3) leads to the formation of [(THF)(2)Ba{N(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)](infinity) (6) which crystallizes as a one-dimensional polymer with bridging 2,6-difluorophenylamide anions and additional Ba-F-bonds.     

Ruthenium agostic (phosphinoaryl)borane complexes: multinuclear solid-state and solution NMR, X-ray, and DFT studies

The reactivity of the (o-phosphinophenyl)(amino)borane compound HB(N(i)Pr(2))C(6)H(4)(o-PPh(2)) prepared from Li(C(6)H(4))PPh(2) and HBCl(N(i)Pr(2)) toward the bis(dihydrogen) complex RuH(2)(H(2))(2)(PCy(3))(2) (1) was studied by a combination of DFT, X-ray, and multinuclear NMR techniques including solid-state NMR, a technique rarely employed in organometallic chemistry. The study showed that the complex RuH(2){HB(N(i)Pr(2))C(6)H(4)(o-PPh(2))}(PCy(3))(2) (3), isolated in excellent yield as yellow crystals and characterized by X-ray diffraction, led in solution to PCy(3) dissociation and formation of an unsaturated 16-electron complex RuH(2){HB(N(i)Pr(2))C(6)H(4)(o-PPh(2))}(PCy(3)) (4), with a hydride trans to a vacant site. In both cases, the (phosphinoaryl)(amino)borane acts as a bifunctional ligand through the phosphine moiety and a Ru-H-B interaction, thus featuring an agostic interaction.     

Bis(imino)pyridine ligand deprotonation promoted by a transient iron amide

Addition of 2 equiv of LiNMe(2) to the bis(imino)pyridine ferrous dichloride, ((i)(Pr)PDI)FeCl(2) ((i)(Pr)PDI = (2,6-(i)()Pr(2)-C(6)H(3)N=CMe)(2)C(5)H(3)N), resulted in deprotonation of the chelate methyl groups, yielding the bis(enamide)pyridine iron dimethylamine adduct, ((i)(Pr)PDEA)Fe(NHMe(2)) ((i)(Pr)PDEA = (2,6-(i)Pr(2)-C(6)H(3)NC=CH(2))(2)C(5)H(3)N). Performing a similar procedure with KN(SiMe(3))(2) in THF solution afforded the corresponding bis(THF) adduct, ((i)(Pr)PDEA)Fe(THF)(2). ((i)(Pr)PDEA)Fe(NHMe(2)) has also been prepared by addition of the free amine to the iron dialkyl complex, ((i)(Pr)PDI)Fe(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2), implicating formation of a transient iron amide that is sufficiently basic to deprotonate the bis(imino)pyridine methyl groups. Deprotonation of the amine ligand in ((i)(Pr)PDEA)Fe(NHMe(2)) has been accomplished by addition of amide bases to afford the ferrous amide-ate complexes, [((i)(Pr)PDEA)Fe(mu-NMe(2))M] (M = Li, K).