A ruthenium(II) allenylidene complex with a 4,5-diazafluorene functional group: A new building-block for organometallic molecular assemblies

The synthesis of the new ruthenium(II) allenylidene complex [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂][OTf] (4) (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) terminated with a 4,5-diazafluorene ligand is reported. Further coordination of that metal allenylidene to ruthenium and rhenium moieties leads to the bimetallic adducts [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Ru(bpy)₂}][B(C₆F₅)₄]₃ (5a), [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Ru(^tBu-bpy)₂}][PF₆]₃ (5b) and [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Re(CO)₃Cl}][OTf] (6). Their optical and electrochemical properties show that the allenylidene moiety is an attractive molecular clip for the access to larger original redox-active homo/heteronuclear multi-component supramolecular assemblies. The X-ray crystal structure of the allenylidene metal building block is also described.     

The first evidence for a transient stibaallene ArSbCCR2

Dechlorofluorination of ArSb(F)-C(Cl)CR₂ (CR₂ = fluorenylidene, Ar = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl) by tert-butyllithium afforded a 3,4-bis(fluorenylidene)-1,2-distibacyclobutane. The formation of the latter probably involves the transient stibaallene ArSbCCR₂ followed by a head-to-head dimerization via two SbC double bonds. Molecular orbital calculations at the ab initio and DFT levels support the head-to-head dimerization of ArSbCCR₂ with the formation of a 1,2-distibacyclobutane.     

Argon matrix effect on the geometry and infrared spectrum of H2CMH2 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf): A theoretical study

Within the framework of polarizable continuum model with integral equation formalism (IEF-PCM), an argon matrix effect on the geometry and infrared frequencies of the agostic H₂CMH₂ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) methylidene complexes was investigated at B3LYP level of theory with the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis set for C, H, and Ti atoms and Stuttgart/Dresden ECPs MWB28 and MWB60 for the Zr and Hf atoms. At the B3LYP/IEF-PCM level of theory, H₂CTiH₂ was optimized to an energy minimum having a pyramidal structure. The calculated dipole moment of this structure is 3.06 D. The B3LYP/IEF-PCM simulations gave the three complexes’ agostic angle ∠HCM (°), distance r(H?M) (Å), and CM bond length r(CM) (Å) as follows: ∠HCTi = 87.4, r(H?Ti) = 2.079, r(CTi) = 1.803; ∠HCZr = 89.3, r(H?Zr) = 2.243, r(CZr) = 1.956; ∠HCHf = 94.7, r(H?Hf) = 2.343, r(CHf) = 1.972. As a comparison, the B3LYP simulations gave the values as follows: ∠HCTi = 91.5, r(H?Ti) = 2.150, r(CTi) = 1.811; ∠HCZr = 92.9, r(H?Zr) = 2.299, r(CZr) = 1.955; ∠HCHf = 95.6, r(H?Hf) = 2.352, r(CHf) = 1.967. As far as the MH₂ symmetric and asymmetric stretching and CH₂ wagging frequencies are concerned, the IEF-PCM calculated values are in better agreement with the experimental argon matrix ones than those calculated based on a gas phase model.     

Synthesis and properties of conjugated bimetallic ruthenium complexes with σ,σ-bridging azobenzene chains

A versatile synthetic route to conjugated bimetallic ruthenium complexes with σ,σ-bridging azobenzene chains was developed, and new ruthenium complexes with various ligands were synthesized and characterized. These bimetallic complexes showed a remarkable absorption in the visible region (λ_max: 452-483 nm), and undergo trans-to-cis isomerization under UV light irradiation for short time. Electrochemical study showed that the metal centers in bimetallic complexes containing the CHCHC₆H₄NNC₆H₄CHCH bridge interact with each other.     

Further chemistry of ruthenium butatrienylidene complexes

Several complexes have been obtained from reactions carried out in early attempts to prepare the diynyl complexes Ru(CCCCR)(dppe)Cp* (R = H, SiMe₃). These have been identified crystallographically as the acyl complex Ru{CCC(O)Me}(dppe)Cp* (3), the cationic imido complex [Ru{CCC(NH₂)Me}(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (4), the binuclear butenynylallenylidene [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ-CCC(OMe)CHCMeCC}]PF₆ (5), and the bis(ethynyl)cyclobutenylidene [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ-CCC₄H₂(SiMe₃)CC}]PF₆ (6). NMR studies of 5 have revealed the existence of two isomers. Plausible routes for their formation from the putative butatrienylidene intermediate [Ru(CCCCH₂)(dppe)Cp*]⁺ (A) are discussed.     

Protonation of manganese phosphonioallenyl complexes

The addition of phosphines to the manganese allenylidene complexes Cp(CO)₂MnCCC(Ph)R (R = H, Ph) proceeds selectively at the C_α atom to result in the α-phosphonioallenyl complexes Cp(CO)₂Mn⁻-C(⁺PR₃¹)CC(Ph)R. The protonation of the latter affords the η²-(1,2)-phosphonioallenes Cp(CO)₂Mn{η²-(1,2)-HC(⁺PR₃¹)CC(Ph)R}, rather than the phosphoniovinylcarbenes Cp(CO)₂MnC(⁺PR₃¹)-HCC(Ph)R. All complexes obtained are stereochemically rigid and do not isomerize into the η²-(2,3)-phosphonioallene isomers.     

From alkenylphosphane aminoallenylidene ruthenium(II) complexes to highly unsaturated ruthenaphosphabicycloheptene complexes

The alkenylaminoallenylidene complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCC(NEt₂)[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (2) has been prepared by the reaction of the allenylidene [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇)(CCCPh₂){κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (1) with the ynamine MeCCNEt₂. The reaction proceeds regio- and stereoselectively, and the insertion of the ynamine takes place exclusively at the C_βC_γ bond of the unsaturated chain. The secondary allenylidene [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCC(H)[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (3) is obtained, in a one-pot synthesis, from the reaction of aminoallenylidene 2 with LiBHEt₃ and subsequent treatment with silica. Moreover, the addition of an excess of NaBH₄ to a solution of the complex 2 in THF at room temperature gives exclusively the alkynyl complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCCH₂[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)] (5). The heating of a solution of allenylidene derivative 3 in THF at reflux gives regio- and diastereoselectively the cyclobutylidene complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇) (PPh₃)][PF₆](4) through an intramolecular cycloaddition of the CC allyl and the C_αC_β bonds in the allenylidene complex 3. The structure of complex 4 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Differentiation of isomeric allylic alkenyl methyl ethers by Raman spectroscopy

The Raman spectra of several pairs of alkenyl methyl ethers of general structure R¹R²CCR⁵C(R³R⁴)OCH₃ and R¹R²C(OCH₃)C(R⁵)CR³R⁴ (R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ = H or C_nH_2n+1, n = 1-3) are reported and discussed, with a view to establishing whether Raman spectroscopy offers a viable means of distinguishing between these isomeric unsaturated species. Key bands associated with the ν(sp₂CH) and ν(CC) stretching modes are found to be particularly useful in this connection: R¹R²CCHCH₂OCH₃ and R¹R²C(OCH₃)CHCH₂ ethers (R¹, R² = CH₃, C₂H₅) are easily distinguished on this basis. Differentiation of their lower homologues, R¹CHCHCH₂OCH₃ and R¹CH(OCH₃)CHCH₂ (R¹ = CH₃, C₂H₅, C₃H₇), by similar means is also quite straightforward, even in cases where cis and trans isomers are possible. Pairs of isomeric ethers, such as CH₃CHC(CH₃)CH₂OCH₃ and CH₃CH(OCH₃)C(CH₃)CH₂, in which the structural differences are more subtle, may also be distinguished with care. Deductions based on bands ascribed to the stretching vibrations are usually confirmed by consideration of the signals associated with the corresponding δ(sp₂CH) deformation vibrations. Even C₂H₅CHCHCH(C₃H₇)OCH₃ and C₃H₇CHCHCH(C₂H₅)OCH₃ are found to have distinctive Raman spectra, but differentiation of these closely related isomers requires additional consideration of the low wavenumber region.     

Ferrole-type compounds containing thiophenic or thiepinic rings in the 3,4-positions of the metallacycle

The new ferrole Fe₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Fc)CC{C(H)C(R)S}CC(SiMe₃)] [R = SiMe₃ (1) and R = Fc (2)] and ruthenoles Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(H)}CC(Fc)] 3 and Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC(SCCFc)C(H)C(Fc)] 4, have been obtained from the reactions of M₃(CO)₁₂ (M = Fe, Ru) and FcCCSCCSiMe₃ through S-C bond activations and C-C coupling reactions. Thermolysis of Ru₂(CO)₆[μ₃-η²,η⁴,η³-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃}Ru(CO)₃}CC(Fc)] alone and in the presence of HCCFc, yielded the compounds Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃)}CC(Fc)] 5 and Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃)C(H)C(Fc)}CC(Fc)] 6, respectively. The crystal structures of the compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6 are reported.     

Intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the binary mixture [(C2H5)2CO + CH3OH] probed by polarized Raman measurements and DFT calculations

The Raman spectra of neat (C₂H₅)₂CO (pentanone) and its binary mixtures with hydrogen donor solvent (CH₃OH), [(C₂H₅)₂CO + CH₃OH] having different mole fractions of the reference system, (C₂H₅)₂CO in the range 0.1-0.9 at a regular interval of 0.1 were recorded in the CO stretching region. In neat liquid, the Raman peak appears asymmetric. The asymmetric nature of the peak has been attributed to the CO stretching mode of the two conformers of (C₂H₅)₂CO having C₂ and C_2v point groups and the corresponding bands at ∼1711 and ∼1718 cm⁻¹, respectively. A careful analysis of the I_iso (isotropic component of the Raman scattered intensity) at different concentrations reveals that upon dilution with methanol, at mole fraction C = 0.6, an additional peak in the CO stretching region is observed at ∼1703 cm⁻¹ which is attributed to the hydrogen bonding with methanol. A peculiar feature in this study is that upon dilution, the peak at ∼1718 cm⁻¹ shows a minimum at C = 0.6, but on further dilution it shows a blue shift. However, the other peak at ∼1711 cm⁻¹ shows a continuous red shift with dilution as well as a maximum at C = 0.7 in the linewidth vs. concentration plot, which is essentially due to competition between motional narrowing and diffusion phenomena. A significant amount of narrowing in the Raman band at ∼1718 cm⁻¹ can be understood in terms of caging effect of the reference molecule by the solvent molecules at high dilution. A density functional theoretic (DFT) calculation on optimized geometries and vibrational frequencies of two conformers of neat (C₂H₅)₂CO in C₂ ad C_2v forms and the complexes with one and two CH₃OH molecules with both the conformers was performed. The experimental results and theoretical calculations together indicate a co-existence of two conformers as well as hydrogen bonded complex with methanol in the binary mixture, [(C₂H₅)₂CO + CH₃OH] at intermediate concentrations.     

Bis(amino)allenylidene complexes by displacement of the MeO group in methoxy allenylidene complexes of chromium and tungsten. Synthesis, DFT calculations and solid-state structures of new bis(amino)allenylidene complexes

Pentacarbonyl dimethylamino(methoxy)allenylidene tungsten, [(CO)₅WCCC(OMe)NMe₂] (1b), reacts with one equivalent of primary amines, H₂NR, by selectively replacing the methoxy group to give dimethylamino(amino)allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅WCCC(NHR)NMe₂]. When the amine is used in excess both terminal groups, OMe as well as NMe₂, are replaced by the primary amino group giving [(CO)₅WCCC(NHR)₂ ]. The NHR substituent in these complexes may be modified by deprotonation with LDA followed by alkylation. The replacement of the methoxy group in 1b by a secondary amino group, NR₂, can be achieved by a stepwise process. Addition of Li[NR₂] to the C_γ atom of 1b affords an alkynyl tungstate. Subsequent OMe⁻ elimination induced by TMS-Cl/SiO₂ yields the allenylidene complexes [(CO)₅WCCC(NR₂)NMe₂]. When bidentate diamines are used instead of monoamines both substituents, OMe and NMe₂, are replaced and allenylidene complexes are formed in which C_γ constitutes part of a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered heterocycle. The reaction of [(CO)₅CrCCC(OMe)NMe₂] (1a) with diethylene triamine affords an allenylidene complex with a heterocyclic endgroup carrying a dangling CH₂CH₂NH₂ substituent. All reactions follow a strict regioselective attack of the nucleophile at C_γ and proceed with good to excellent yields. The addition of N-H to the C_αC_β bond is not observed. By applying either one of these routes nearly any substitution pattern in bis(amino)allenylidene complex can be realized.     

Nickel alkynyl and allenylidene complexes: Synthesis and properties

Copper-catalyzed reaction of [Cp(PPh₃)NiCl] with the terminal alkynes H-CC-C(O)R (R = O-Menthyl, NMe₂, Ph) yields the alkynyl complexes [Cp(PPh₃)Ni-CC-C(O)R]. Subsequent O-methylation with either [Me₃O]BF₄ or MeSO₃CF₃ affords cationic allenylidene complexes, [Cp(PPh₃)NiCCC(OMe)R]⁺X¯ (X = BF₄, SO₃CF₃). N-Alkylation of Cp(PPh₃)Ni-pyridylethynyl complexes likewise gives cationic allenylidene complexes. [Cp(PPh₃)Ni-CC-C(CH)₄N] adds BF₃ at nitrogen. Modification of the ligand sphere in these nickel allenylidene complexes is possible by replacing PPh₃ by PMe₃ in the alkynyl complex precursors. The first allenylidene(carbene)nickel cation, [Cp(SIMes)NCCC(OMe)NMe₂]⁺, is accessible by successive reaction of [Cp(SIMes)NiCl] with H-CC-C(O)NMe₂ and [Me₃O]BF₄. By the analogous sequence an allenylidene complex containing the chelating (diphenylphosphanyl)ethylcyclopentadienyl ligand can be prepared. DFT Calculations were carried out on the allenylidene complex cation [Cp(PPh₃)NiCCC(OMe)NMe₂]⁺ and on its precursor, the alkynyl complex [Cp(PPh₃)Ni-CC-C(O)NMe₂]. Based on the spectroscopic data and a X-ray structure analysis the bonding in the new nickel allenylidene complexes is best represented by several resonance forms, an alkynyl resonance form considerably contributing to the overall bond.     

Synthesis, characterization and solid state structures of thiosemicarbazone palladacycles: Influence of hydrogen bonding in the molecular arrangement

Treatment of the thiosemicarbazones 4-FC₆H₄C(Me)NN(H)C(S)NHR, (R = Me, a; Ph, b) and 2-ClC₆H₄C(Me)NN(H)C(S)NHR (R = Ph, c) with lithium tetrachloropalladate(II) in methanol or palladium(II) acetate in acetic acid gave the tetranuclear cyclometallated complex [Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR}]₄ (1a, 1b) and [Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh}]₄ (1c). Reaction of these tetramers with the diphosphines dppe, t-dppe, dppp or dppb in a 1:2 molar ratio gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complexes [(Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR})₂(μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)], (n = 2, 2a, 2b; 3, 4a, 4b; 4, 5a, 5b), [(Pd{4-FC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh})₂(μ-Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂)], (3a, 3b) and [(Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHR})₂(μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)], (n = 2, 2c, 2d; 3, 4c, 4d; 4, 5c, 5d), [(Pd{2-ClC₆H₃C(Me)NNC(S)NHPh})₂(μ-PPh₂CHCHPPh₂)], (3c, 3d). The X-ray crystal structure of the ligand b and the complexes 3c, 4a and 4d were determined. The structures of complexes 4a and 4d show that the different disposition of the chain cyclometallated of the thiosemicarbazones (in the same orientation or in the opposite one) is due to the different H bonds produced.     

New compounds with Ge/Ge and Ge/C multiple bonds

Treatment of GeCl₂ · dioxane with the Grignard reagent RMgBr (R = 2,5-tBu₂C₆H₃) furnishes the tetraaryldigermene R₂GeGeR₂ (4). The X-ray structure analysis of 4 reveals a long GeGe double bond of 236.4 pm and the largest trans-bending angles of the substituents (42.6° and 37.2°) observed so far. The reaction of hexa-2,4-diyne with the germylene R₂Ge: (R = 2-tBu-4,5,6-Me₃C₆H) yields red crystals of the acetylene-bridged bis(germaethene) (Me)R₂GeC-CC-CGeR₂(Me) 7, the red colour of which indicates conjugation between the two double bonds.     

The reactions of some σ-alkynylnickel complexes with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane

The σ-alkynyl complexes Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-CC-R (1), Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-CC-X-CCH (2) and Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-CC-X-CC-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) (3), reactwith 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, TCNQ, at 30 °C by insertion of the alkyne CC into a CC(CN)₂ bond to give Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-R (4), from 1, Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-X-CCH (5), from 2, and Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-X-CC-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) (6),and Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}- C{C(CN)₂}-X-C{C(CN)₂}-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) (7),from 3 {R = (a) C₆H₅, (b) 4-PhC₆H₄, (c) 4-Me₂NC₆H₄, (d) 1-C₁₀H₇ (1-naphthyl), (e) 2-C₁₀H₇ (2-naphthyl), (f) 9-C₁₄H₉ (9-phenanthryl), (g) 9-C₁₄H₉ (9-anthryl), (h) 3-C₁₆H₉ (3-pyrenyl), (i) 1-C₂₀H₁₁ (1-perylenyl), (j) 2-C₄H₃S (2-thienyl), (k) C₁₀H₉Fe (ferrocenyl = Fc) and (l) H; X = (a) nothing, (b) 1,4-C₆H₄, (c) 1,3-C₆H₄ and (d) 4,4′-C₆H₄-C₆H₄}. The reaction is regiospecificand the other possible insertion product, R-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) etc., is not formed. Under the same conditions, there is no evidencefor the reaction of TCNQ with the -CCH of 2, PhCCH, 1,4-C₆H₄(CCH)₂ or FcCCH, or for the reaction of more than one CC(CN)₂ of TCNQ with a Ni-alkynyl moiety. Complexes 4-7 are all air-stable, purple solids which have been characterised by elemental analysis and spectroscopy (IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR),and by X-ray diffraction for 4a, 4b and 4l. The UV-Vis spectra of 4-7 are very similar. This implies that all contain the same active chromophore which, it is suggested, is Ni-C(5)C₆H₄C(CN)₂ and not R-C(4)C(CN)₂. This isconsistent with the molecular structures of 4a, 4b and 4l which show that the first of these potentially chromophoric fragments is planar or close to it with an in-built potential for delocalisation, whilst in the second the aryl group R is almost orthogonal to the CC(CN)₂ plane. The molecular structures of 4a, 4b and 4l also reveal a short Ni?C(4) separation, indicative of a Ni → C(4) donor-acceptor interaction. The electrochemistry of 4a shows aquasi reversible oxidation at ca. 1 V and complicated reduction processes. It is typical of most 4, but 4l is different in that it shows the same quasi reversible oxidation at ca. 1 V but two reversible reductions at −0.26 and −0.47 V (vs. [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂]^+/0 0.0 V).     

Titanium and zirconium ketimide complexes: synthesis and ethylene polymerisation catalysis

The syntheses of ketimide titanium complexes of the type Ti(NC^tBu₂)₃X (X = Cl, Cp, Ind), Ti(NC^tBu₂)₄ and the zirconium complex CpZr(NC^tBu₂)₂Cl are described. When activated by MAO, all compounds are ethylene polymerisation catalysts. In the conditions studied, the most active catalyst is CpZr(NC^tBu₂)₂Cl, with an activity of 2.7 × 10⁵ kg/(molZr [E] h). Titanium complexes are less active by about two orders of magnitude. The polyethylene produced is linear, as determined by NMR spectroscopy. Molecular structures of Ti(NC^tBu₂)₃X (X = Cl, Cp, Ind) and Ti(NC^tBu₂)₄ were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction.     

Further reactions of some bis(vinylidene)diruthenium complexes

Whereas {Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (2) is the only product formed by deprotonation of [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]⁺ with dbu, a mixture of 2 with Ru{CCCHCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (3) and {Cp*Ru(PPh₂CHCCH-)}₂ (4) is obtained with KOBu^t. A similar reaction with [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCMeCMeC)}]⁺ (5) gave Ru{CCCMeCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (6). X-ray structures of 4, 5 and 6 confirm the presence of the 1-ruthena-2,4-diphosphabicyclo[1.1.1]pentane moiety, which is likely formed by an intramolecular attack of the deprotonated dppm ligand on C(1) of the vinylidene ligand. Protonation of {Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (8-Ru) regenerates its precursor [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]²⁺ (7-Ru). Ready oxidation of the bis(vinylidene) complex affords the cationic carbonyl [Ru(CO)(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (9) (X-ray structure).     

N-Perfluoroalkylsulfonylimido derivatives of arenecarboxylic acid amides and their oxidative aza Hofmann rearrangement

The analogues of carboxamides in which the sp²-hybridized oxygen atom is replaced by more electron-withdrawing groups, NSO₂CF₃ and NSO₂C₄F₉, have been synthesized. The resulting N-perfluoroalkylsulfonyl arenecarboxamidines ArC(NSO₂R_f)NH₂ (R_f = CF₃, C₄F₉) undergo an oxidative Hofmann-type rearrangement to the corresponding carbodiimides ArNCNSO₂R_f under the action of (diacyloxyiodo)arenes. Rearrangement of related compounds ArC(NSO₂R)NH₂ (R = CH₃, Ph) containing fluorine-free substituents at the sulfonyl group also occurs in similar conditions. It was found that the reactivity of amidines rises with the increasing electron-withdrawing ability of the substituent R.     

Oxidatively induced reactions of a diimine platinum(IV) tetramethyl complex

The oxidation of the Pt(IV) tetramethyl complex [ArNCHCHNAr]PtMe₄ (Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) has been investigated in acetonitrile and dichloromethane. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrates that the irreversible oxidation of [ArNCHCHNAr]PtMe₄ occurs at a slightly less positive oxidation potential than the irreversible oxidation of the analogous Pt(II) species [ArNCHCHNAr]PtMe₂. The product distribution arising from the oxidation depends strongly on the reaction conditions and includes cationic Pt(IV) species (acetonitrile, dichloromethane solvents) and Pt(II) species (dichloromethane only). Evidence is presented that suggests that homolytic cleavage of a weakened PtC bond in is involved in the oxidatively induced reactions.