Exploring the reactivity of four-coordinate PNPCoX with access to three-coordinate spin triplet PNPCo

The compounds (PNP)CoX, where PNP is (tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N- and X is Cl, I, N3, OAr, OSO2CF3 and N(H)Ar, are reported. Some of these show magnetic susceptibility, color, and 1H NMR evidence of being in equilibrium between a blue, tetrahedral S=3/2 state and a red, planar S=1/2 state; the equilibrium populations are influenced by subtle solvent effects (e.g., benzene and cyclohexane are different), as well as by temperature. Attempted oxidation to Co(III) with O2 occurs instead at phosphorus, giving [P(O)NP(O)]CoX species. The single O-atom transfer reagent PhI=O likewise oxidizes P. Even I2 oxidizes P to give the pendant phosphonium species (tBu2P(I)CH2SiMe2NSiMe2CH2PtBu2)CoI2 with a tetrahedral S=3/2 cobalt; the solid-state structure shows intermolecular PI...ICo interactions. Attempted alkyl metathesis of PNPCoX inevitably results in reduction, forming PNPCo, which is a spin triplet with planar T-shaped coordination geometry with no agostic interaction. Triplet PNPCo binds N2(weakly) and CO (whose low CO stretching frequency indicates strong PNP-->Co donor power), but not ethene or MeCCMe.     

Reducing power of three-coordinate cobalt(I)

Carbon monoxide adds easily to (PNP)Co, PNP = N(SiMe2CH2PtBu2)2, to give (PNP)Co(CO), whose nuco value of 1885 cm-1 suggests much back-donation, and thus an easily oxidized Co(I) in (PNP)Co. However, Co(III) is inaccessible from (PNP)Co by oxidation with I2, the products being first (PNP)CoI, then the zwitterion [ItBu2PCH2SiMe2NSiMe2CH2PtBu2]CoI2. The potential two-electron oxidant N2CH(SiMe3) reacts with (PNP)Co to form a 1:1 "adduct", whose crystal structure is most consistent with oxidation of Co(I), but not fully to Co(III).     

Three-coordinate Co(I) provides access to unsaturated dihydrido-Co(III) and seven-coordinate Co(V)

The three-coordinate, T-shaped Co(I) complex, PNPCo (PNP = [(tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N-], is readily synthesized by magnesium reduction of divalent PNPCoCl. Triplet (S = 1) PNPCo is coordinatively and electronically unsaturated and undergoes a thermally reversible oxidative addition reaction with H2, producing trivalent PNPCo(H)2. In contrast, the reaction with excess primary silane PhSiH3 quantitatively generates the base-stabilized silylene Co(V) compound {kappa2-tBu2PCH2Me2SiNSiMe2CH2tBu2P(H)Si=}Co(H)3(SiH2Ph)2.     

Nitrogen-ligated iron complexes: photolytic approach to the FeN+ moiety

The synthesis of (PNP)FeCl, (PNP)Fe[NH(xylyl)], and (PNP)FeN3 are reported(PNP = (tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N-). While the azide is thermally stable, it is photosensitive to lose N2 and form [(PNPN)Fe]2,in which the nitride ligand has formed a double bond to one phosphorus, and this N bridges to a second iron to form a 2-fold symmetric dimer. The reaction energy to form the (undetected) monomeric [eta3- tBu2PCH2SiMe2NSiMe2CH2PtBu2N]Fe is -15.9 kcal/mol, so this PIII --> PV oxidation is favorable. The eta2 version of this same species is less stable by 23.7 kcal/mol, which shows that the loss of one P--> Fe bond is caused by dimerization, and therefore, it does not precede and cause dimerization. A comparison is made to Ru analogs.     

Si-N bond hydrolysis furnishes a planar 4-coordinate 14-electron Ru(II) complex with a triplet ground state

Reaction of stoichiometric (2:1) water with [(tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N]Ru(OSO2CF3) produces planar, 14-valence-electron spin triplet trans-Ru(tBu2PCH2SiMe2O)2. A possible mechanism for this hydrolysis is discussed. This molecule reacts rapidly with CO to give a monocarbonyl, then a cis-dicarbonyl. Reaction with HCCR (R = H or Ph) yields the vinylidene (tBu2PCH2SiMe2O)2Ru=C=CHR.     

Spin state, structure, and reactivity of terminal oxo and dioxygen complexes of the (PNP)Rh moiety

[Rh(III)H{(tBu(2)PCH(2)SiMe(2)NSiMe(2)CH(2)PtBu{CMe(2)CH(2)})}], ([RhH(PNP*)]), reacts with O(2) in the time taken to mix the reagents to form a 1:1 eta(2)-O(2) adduct, for which O--O bond length is discussed with reference to the reducing power of [RhH(PNP*)]; DFT calculations faithfully replicate the observed O-O distance, and are used to understand the oxidation state of this coordinated O(2). The reactivity of [Rh(O(2))(PNP)] towards H(2), CO, N(2), and O(2) is tested and compared to the associated DFT reaction energies. Three different reagents effect single oxygen atom transfer to [RhH(PNP*)]. The resulting [RhO(PNP)], characterized at and above -60 degrees C and by DFT calculations, is a ground-state triplet, is nonplanar, and reacts, above about +15 degrees C, with its own tBu C--H bond, to cleanly form a diamagnetic complex, [Rh(OH){N(SiMe(2)CH(2)PtBu(2))(SiMe(2)CH(2)PtBu{CMe(2)CH(2)})}].     

(tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N]RuCH3: the origin of extremely facile, double H-C(sp3) activation generating a "hydrido-carbene" complex

The four-coordinate compound [(tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N]RuCH3 undergoes rapid double H-C(sp3) activation at -78 degrees C to generate a "hydrido-carbene" complex. DFT calculations suggest that the origin of the low barrier to methane elimination is an alpha-agostic interaction in the low-lying singlet state of the highly unsaturated (PNP)RuMe. The hydrido-carbene complex can be viewed as a "masked" resting state of the four-coordinate cyclometalated alkyl complex, [(tBu2PCH2SiMe2)N(Me2SiCH2P(tBu)(C(CH3)2CH2)]Ru, where hydride migration from metal to carbon occurs before any subsequent reactivity.     

Probing the reactivity and electronic structure of a uranium(V) terminal oxo complex

Treatment of the U(III)-ylide adduct U(CH(2)PPh(3))(NR(2))(3) (1, R = SiMe(3)) with TEMPO generates the U(V) oxo metallacycle [Ph(3)PCH(3)][U(O)(CH(2)SiMe(2)NSiMe(3))(NR(2))(2)] (2) via O-atom transfer, in good yield. Oxidation of 2 with 0.85 equiv of AgOTf affords the neutral U(VI) species U(O)(CH(2)SiMe(2)NSiMe(3))(NR(2))(2) (3). The electronic structures of 2 and 3 are investigated by DFT analysis. Additionally, the nucleophilicity of the oxo ligands in 2 and 3 toward Me(3)SiI is explored.     

Synthesis, structures and reactions of lithium complexes of [(o-RCHC6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3]-(R = H, SiMe3) ligands

N-Trimethylsilyl o-methylphenyldiphenylphosphinimine, (o-MeC6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3 (1), was prepared by reaction of Ph2P(Br)=NSiMe3 with o-methylphenyllithium. Treatment of 1 with LiBun and then Me3SiCl afforded (o-Me3SiCH2C6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3 (2). Lithiations of both 1 and 2 with LiBu(n) in the presence of tmen gave crystalline lithium complexes [Li{CH(R)C6H4(PPh(2=NSiMe3)-.tmen](3, R = H; 4, R = SiMe3). From the mother liquor of 4, traces of the tmen-bridged complex [Li{CH(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}]2(mu-tmen) (5) were obtained. Reaction of 2 with LiBun in Et2O yielded complex [Li{CH(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}.OEt2] (6). Reaction of lithiated with Me2SiCl2 in a 2:1 molar ratio afforded dimethylsilyl-bridged compound Me2Si[CH2C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2]2 (7). Lithiation of 7 with two equivalents of LiBun in Et2O yielded [Li2{(CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2)2SiMe2}.0.5OEt2](8.0.5OEt2). Treatment of 4 with PhCN formed a lithium enamide complex [Li{N(SiMe3)C(Ph)CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}.tmen] (9). Reaction of two equivalents of 5 with 1,4-dicyanobenzene gave a dilithium complex [{Li(OEt2)2}2(1,4-{C(N(SiMe3)CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}2C6H4)] (10). All compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structures of compounds 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.     

Three-coordinate NiII: tracing the origin of an unusual, facile Si-C(sp3) bond cleavage in [(tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N]Ni+

All attempts to synthesize (PNP)Ni(OTf) form instead ((t)Bu(2)PCH(2)SiMe(2)NSiMe(2)OTf)Ni(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2)). Abstraction of F(-) from (PNP)NiF by even a catalytic amount of BF(3) causes rearrangement of the (transient) (PNP)Ni(+) to analogous ring-opened [((t)Bu(2)PCH(2)SiMe(2)NSiMe(2)F)]Ni(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2)). Abstraction of Cl(-) from (PNP)NiCl with NaB(C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2))(4) in CH(2)Cl(2) or C(6)H(5)F gives (PNP)NiB(C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2))(4), the key intermediate in these reactions is (PNP)Ni(+), [(PNP)Ni](+), in which one Si-C bond (together with N and two P) donates to Ni. This makes this Si-C bond subject to nucleophilic attack by F(-), triflate, and alkoxide/ether (from THF). This σ(Si-C) complex binds CO in the time of mixing and also binds chloride, both at nickel. Evidence is offered of a "self-healing" process, where the broken Si-C bond can be reformed in an equilibrium process. (PNP)Ni(+) reacts rapidly with H(2) to give (PN(H)P)NiH(+), which can be deprotonated to form (PNP)NiH. A variety of nucleophilic attacks (and THF polymerization) on the coordinated Si-C bond are envisioned to occur perpendicular to the Si-C bond, based on the character of the LUMO of (PNP)Ni(+).     

Synthesis of MII[N(SiMe3)2][Me3SiNC(tBu)NSiMe3] (M = Sn,Ge) from amidinate precursors: active catalysts for phenyl isocyanate cyclization

Mixed amidinato amido complexes [Me3SiNC(tBu)NSiMe3]M[N(SiMe3)2] (M = Sn 2, Ge 3) were prepared by the reaction of [Me3SiNC(tBu)NSiMe3]Li (1a) with SnCl2 and GeCl2(dioxane) in ether. The N(SiMe3)2 ligand in these compounds is derived from the rearrangement of the [Me3SiNC(tBu)NSiMe3]- anion with extrusion of tBuCN. The susceptibility of [Me3SiNC(tBu)NSiMe3]- to rearrangement appears to be dependent on reaction solvent and on the coordinated metal center. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 2 and 3 are presented. Replacement of Me for tBu in the ligand allowed [Me3SiNC(Me)NSiMe3]2SnII (4) to be isolated, and an X-ray structure of this compound is reported. The isolation of 4 indicates that steric factors also play a role in the stability of [Me3SiNC(tBu)NSiMe3]-. Compounds 2 and 3 are outstanding catalysts for the cyclotrimerization of phenyl isocyanates to perhydro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triones (isocyanurates) at room temperature. In contrast, complex 4 catalytically reacts with phenyl isocyanate to produce isocyanate dimer and trimer in a 52:35 ratio.     

Solid State Structures and Solution Dynamics of Unsolvated and Diethyl Ether Solvated Dilithium N,N'-Bis(trimethylsilyl)ethylenediamide Complexes

The lithiation of N,N'-bis(trimethylsilyl)ethylenediamine, 1, by 2 equiv of methyllithium in diethyl ether yields the dimeric diethyl ether adduct [{Li[N(SiMe(3))CH(2)CH(2)NSiMe(3)]Li.OEt(2)}(2)], 2. Recrystallization of 2 from benzene gives quantitatively the unsolvated trimer [{Li[N(SiMe(3))CH(2)CH(2)NSiMe(3)]Li}(3)], 3. The solution dynamics of 2 and 3 in toluene have been investigated using variable temperature multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. In solution, 2 is undergoing a rapid exchange process involving an equilibrium between unsolvated and diethyl ether solvated dimers, whereas compound 3 exists in a temperature dependent equilibrium of dimeric and trimeric species, of which the trimer is fluxional and exchanges inequivalent ligands by an intramolecular distortion of the Li(6)N(6) cage structure. Crystals of 2 are monoclinic, of space group P2(1)/n (No. 14), with a = 10.692(9) ?, b = 16.192(2) ?, c = 24.04(4) ?, beta = 101.16(5) degrees, V = 4083(8) ?(3), and Z = 4. Crystals of 3 are trigonal, of space group R&thremacr;m(No. 166), a = 17.765(1) ?, c = 13.394(1) ?, V = 3660.5(5) ?(3), Z = 3.     

A new high-yield synthesis of Cl(3)P=NSiMe(3), a monomeric precursor for the controlled preparation of high molecular weight polyphosphazenes

The phosphoranimine, Cl(3)P=NSiMe(3), was prepared using a new, high-yield (>80%), one-pot synthesis via oxidation of the chlorophosphine, Cl(2)PN(SiMe(3))(2) with SO(2)Cl(2) in ether. Cl(3)P=NSiMe(3) is a valuable monomeric precursor in the synthesis of well-defined polyphosphazenes.     

Phosphorus phenyl-group activation by reduced zirconium and niobium complexes stabilized by the [P2N2] macrocycle.

Reduction of [P2N2]ZrCl2 (where [P2N2] = PhP(CH2SiMe2NSiMe2CH2)2PPh) with KC8 under argon generates the phosphorus phenyl bridged bimetallic complex where the bridging phenyl groups are formally reduced to bis(allyl) dianions. Similar reduction of [P2N2]NbCl caused the one-electron reduction of the phosphorus phenyl group to generate a cyclohexadienyl moiety via a C-C bond formation between the ipso carbons of the two phenyl groups.     

N2 provides insight into the mechanism of H-C(sp3) bond cleavage

Exchange of deuterium in d6-benzene with all C-H sites in (PNP)Ru(OTf), where PNP is N(SiMe2CH2PtBu2)2 and OTf is OSO2CF3, is rapid at 22 degrees C. Although intact planar triplet (PNP)Ru(OTf) binds N2 only very weakly, these reagents are observed to react rapidly to give a diamagnetic 1:1 adduct whose structure has one tBu C-H bond cleaved: the carbon binds to Ru but the hydrogen is on the PNP nitrogen, creating a secondary amine ligand bound to RuII. It is suggested that the benzene C-D cleavage and the N2 product of tBu C-H bond heterolysis both derive from a common intermediate, [HN(SiMe2CH2PtBu2)(SiMe2CH2PtBuCMe2CH2)] Ru(OTf); the formation energy and structure of this species are discussed on the basis of DFT results.     

Synthesis and reactivity of perhalogenated acyclic and metallacyclic tantalum(V) phosphoraniminato complexes: discovery of an unexpected ligand coupling reaction to form the novel phosphazenium salt

The reaction of TaCl5 with a single equivalent of Cl3P=NSiMe3 resulted in the isolation of the perhalogenated (phosphoraniminato) tantalum(V) complex TaCl4(N=PCl3) (1). Reaction of 1 with an excess of THF and subsequent cooling produced crystals of TaCl4(N=PCl3)(THF) (1.THF), which possesses a distorted octahedral Ta center with a THF molecule coordinated trans to the phosphoraniminato ligand. The reaction of 1 with the aminophosphoranimine, (Me3Si)2NPCl2=NSiMe3, resulted in a [3 + 1] cyclocondensation reaction to form the metallacyclic complex, TaCl3(N=PCl3)[N(SiMe3)PCl2N(SiMe3)] (2), which contains a TaNPN four-membered ring and a phosphoraniminato ligand (N=PCl3). The analogous [3 + 1] cyclocondensation reaction between (Me3Si)2NPCl2=NSiMe3 and TaCl5 led to the isolation of TaCl4[N(SiMe3)PCl2N(SiMe3)] (3). An attempt to cleave the NPN ligand from the Ta center in 2 via protonolysis with HCl led to an unusual phosphoraniminato ligand coupling reaction to yield the novel phosphazenium salt [N(PCl2NH2)2][TaCl6] (4). All new compounds (1.THF and complexes 1-4) were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Two-coordinate d9 complexes. synthesis and oxidation of NHC nickel(I) amides

Reaction of the d9-d9 Ni(I) monochloride dimer, [(IPr)Ni(mu-Cl)]2 (1), with NaN(SiMe3)2 and LiNHAr (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) gives the novel monomeric, 2-coordinate Ni(I) complexes (IPr)Ni{N(SiMe3)2} (2) and (IPr)Ni(NHAr) (3). Reaction of 2 with Cp2Fe+ results in its 1-e- oxidation followed by beta-Me elimination to give a base-stabilized iminosilane complex [(IPr)Ni(CH3){kappa1-N(SiMe3)=SiMe2.Et2O}][BArF4] (6). Oxidation of 3 gives [(IPr)Ni(eta3-NHAr)(THF)][BArF4] (4), which upon loss of THF affords dimeric [(IPr)Ni(N,eta3:NHC6iPr2H3)]2[BArF4]2 (5).     

A facile approach to a d4 RuN: moiety

Replacement of chloride in (PNP)RuCl, PNP = (tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N, by Me3SiN3 gives a pre-redox adduct that, already at -30 degrees C, releases N2 to produce the mononuclear nonplanar Ru(IV) nitride (PNP)RuN, characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray methods. DFT calculations show the planar structure to be only 1.6 kcal/mol less stable, which explains the time-averaged simplicity of the 1H NMR spectrum, as well as the large vibrational amplitude of the nitride ligand.     

Stabilizing Heterobimetallic Complexes Containing Unsupported Ti-M Bonds (M = Fe, Ru, Co): The Nature of Ti-M Donor-Acceptor Bonds

The stabilization of unsupported Ti-M (M = Fe, Ru, Co) heterodinuclear complexes has been achieved by use of amidotitanium building blocks containing tripodal amido ligands. Salt metathesis of H(3)CC(CH(2)NSiMe(3))(3)TiX (1) and C(6)H(5)C(CH(2)NSiMe(3))(3)TiX (2) as well as HC{SiMe(2)N(4-CH(3)C(6)H(4))}(3)TiX (3) (X = Cl, a; Br, b) with K[M(CO)(2)Cp] (M = Fe, Ru) and Na[Co(CO)(3)(PR(3))] (R = Ph, Tol) gave the corresponding stable heterobimetallic complexes of which H(3)CC(CH(2)NSiMe(3))(3)Ti-M(CO)(2)Cp (M = Fe, 6; Ru, 7) and HC{SiMe(2)N(4-CH(3)C(6)H(4))}(3)Ti-M(CO)(2)Cp (M = Fe, 12; Ru, 13) have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. 6: monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 15.496(3) ?, b = 12.983(3) ?, c = 29.219(3) ?, beta = 104.52(2) degrees, Z = 8, V = 5690.71 ?(3), R = 0.070. 7: monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 12.977(3) ?, b = 12.084(3) ?, c = 18.217(3) ?, beta = 91.33(2) degrees, Z = 4, V = 2855.91 ?(3), R = 0.048. 12: monoclinic, I2/c, a = 24.660(4) ?, b = 15.452(3) ?, c = 20.631(4) ?, beta = 103.64(3) degrees, Z = 8, V = 7639.65 ?(3), R = 0.079. 13: monoclinic, I2/c, a = 24.473(3) ?, b = 15.417(3) ?, c = 20.783(4) ?, beta = 104.20(2) degrees, Z = 8, V = 7601.84 ?(3), R = 0.066. (1)H- and (13)C-NMR studies in solution indicate free internal rotation of the molecular fragments around the Ti-M bonds. Fenske-Hall calculations performed on the idealized system HC(CH(2)NH)(3)Ti-Fe(CO)(2)Cp (6x) have revealed a significant degree of pi-donor-acceptor interaction between the two metal fragments reinforcing the Ti-Fe sigma-bond. Due to the availability of energetically low-lying pi-acceptor orbitals at the Ti center this partial multiple bonding is more pronounced that in the tin analogue HC(CH(2)NH)(3)Sn-Fe(CO)(2)Cp (15x) in which an N-Sn sigma-orbital may act as pi-acceptor orbital.     

Rhenium(V) and technetium(V) complexes with phosphoraneimine and phosphoraneiminato ligands

Air-stable rhenium(V) nitrido complexes are formed when [ReOCl3(PPh3)2], [NBu4][ReOCl4], or [NBu4][ReNCl4] are treated with an excess of silylated phosphoraneiminates of the composition Me3SiNPPh3 or Ph2P(NSiMe3)CH2PPh2 in CH2Cl2. Complexes of the compositions [ReNCl(Ph2PCH2PPh2NH)2]Cl (1), [ReN(OSiMe3)(Ph2PCH2PPh2NH)2]Cl (2) or [ReNCl2(PPh3)2] (3) were isolated and structurally characterized. The latter compound was also produced during a reaction of the rhenium(III) precursor [ReCl3(PPh3)2(CH3CN)] and Me3SiNPPh3. Nitrogen transfer from the phosphorus to the rhenium atoms and the formation of nitrido ligands were observed in all examples. All products of reactions with an excess of the potentially chelating phosphoraneiminate Me3SiNP(Ph2)CH2PPh2 contain neutral Ph2PCH2PPh2NH ligands. The required protons are supplied by a metal-induced decomposition of the solvent dichloromethane. The Re-N(imine) bond lengths (2.055-2.110 A) indicate single bonds, whereas the N-P bond with lengths between 1.596 A and 1.611 A reflect considerable double bond character. An oxorhenium(V) phosphoraneiminato complex, the dimeric compound [ReOCl2(mu-N-Ph2PCH2PPh2N)]2 (4), is formed during the reaction of [NBu4][ReOCl4] with an equivalent amount of Ph2P(NSiMe3)CH2PPh in dry acetonitrile. The blue neutral complex with two bridging phosphoraneiminato units is stable as a solid and in dry solvents. It decomposes in solution, when traces of water are present. The rhenium-nitrogen distances of 2.028(3) and 2.082(3) A are in the typical range of bridging phosphoraneiminates and an almost symmetric bonding mode. Technetium complexes with phosphoraneimine ligands were isolated from reactions of [NBu4][TcOCl4] with Me3SiNPPh3, and [NBu4][TcNCl4] with Me3SiNP(Ph2)CH2PPh2. Nitrogen transfer and the formation of a five-coordinate nitrido species, [TcNCl2(HNPPh3)2] (5), was observed in the case of the oxo precursor, whereas reduction of the technetium(VI) starting material and the formation of the neutral technetium(V) complex [TcNCl2(Ph2PCH2PPh2NH)] (6) or [TcNCl(Ph2PCH2PPh2NH)2]Cl (7) was observed in the latter case. Both technetium complexes are air stable and X-ray structure determinations show bonding modes of the phosphoraneimines similar to those in the rhenium complexes.