The mechanism of the hydroalkoxycarbonylation of ethene and alkene-CO copolymerization catalyzed by Pd(II)-diphosphine cations

All the intermediates in the "carboalkoxy" pathway, and their interconversions giving complete catalytic cycles, for palladium-diphosphine-catalyzed hydroalkoxycarbonylation of alkenes, and for alkene-CO copolymerization, have been demonstrated using (31)P{(1)H} and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy. The propagation and termination steps of the "hydride" cycles and the crossover between the hydride and carboalkoxy cycles have also been demonstrated, providing the first examples of both cycles, and of chain crossover, being delineated for the same catalyst. Comparison of the propagation and termination steps in the pathways affords new insight into the selectivity-determining steps. Thus, reaction of [Pd(dibpp)(CH(3)CN)(2)](OTf)(2) (dibpp = 1,3-(iBu(2)P)(2)C(3)H(6)) with Et(3)N and CH(3)OH affords [Pd(dibpp)(OCH(3))(CH(3)CN)]OTf, which, on exposure to CO, gives [Pd(dibpp){C(O)OCH(3)}(CH(3)CN)]OTf immediately. Labeling studies show the reaction to be readily reversible. However, the back reaction is strongly inhibited by PPh(3), indicating an insertion/deinsertion pathway. Ethene reacts with [Pd(dibpp){C(O)OCH(3)}(CH(3)CN)]OTf at 243 K to give [Pd(dibpp){CH(2)CH(2)C(O)OCH(3)}]OTf, that is, there is no intrinsic barrier to alkene insertion into the Pd--C(O)OMe bond, as had been proposed. Instead, termination is proposed to be selectivity determining. Methanolysis of the acyl intermediate [Pd(dibpp){C(O)CH(3)}L]X (L = CO, CH(3)OH; X = CF(3)SO(3) (-) (OTf(-)), CH(3)C(6)H(4)SO(3) (-) (OTs(-))) is required in the hydride cycle to give an ester and occurs at 243 K on the timescale of minutes, whereas methanolysis of the beta chelate, required to give an ester from the carbomethoxy cycle, is slow on a timescale of days, at 298 K. These results suggest that slow methanolysis of the beta chelate, rather than slow insertion of an alkene into the Pd--carboalkoxy bond, as had previously been proposed, is responsible for the dominance of the hydride mechanism in hydroalkoxycarbonylation.     

Alkali metal complexes of sterically hindered mono- and di-carbanions containing Si-O bonds

The oxygen-bridged, silicon-substituted alkane {(Me3Si)2CH(SiMe2)}2O (1) may be prepared by the reaction of {(Me3Si)2CH}Li with ClSiMe2OSiMe2Cl in refluxing THF. Similarly, the alkane {(Me3Si)(Me2MeOSi)CH(SiMe2CH2)}2 (2) is readily accessible from the reaction between {(Me3Si)(Me2MeOSi)CH}Li and ClSiMe2CH2CH2SiMe2Cl under the same conditions. Compound 1 reacts with two equivalents of MeK to give the polymeric complex [[{(Me3Si)2C(SiMe2)}2O]K2(OEt2)]infinity [5(OEt2)] after recrystallisation. Treatment of 2 with two equivalents of either MeLi or MeK gives the corresponding complexes [{(Me3Si)(Me2MeOSi)C(SiMe2CH2)}2Li][Li(DME)3] [7(DME)3] and [{(Me3Si)(Me2MeOSi)C(SiMe2CH2)}2K2]n (8), respectively, after recrystallisation. Treatment of the alkane (Me3Si)2(Me2MeOSi)CH with one equivalent of MeK gives the polymeric complex [{(Me3Si)2(Me2MeOSi)C}K]infinity (3). These compounds have been identified by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses and compounds 5(OEt2), 7(DME)3 and 3 have been further characterised by X-ray crystallography. Compound 7(DME)3 crystallises as a solvent-separated ion pair, whereas 5(OEt2) and 3 adopt polymeric structures in the solid state.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of {(PPh3)2ClRu(μ-Cl)-Ru(PPh3)B10H7[OCH(CH3)2]3}·0.4(H2O)

The title compound has been synthesized by the reaction of [RuCl2(PPh3)3] and closo-[B10H10]2- in (CH3)2CHOH solution. Crystals suitable for a single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis were obtained from n-pentane diffused to CH2Cl2 solution. The crystal {(PPh3)2ClRu(μ-Cl)Ru(PPh3)B10H7[OCH(CH3)2]3}·0.4(H2O) is monoclinic , space group P21/n , Mr=1359.47, with a=19.434(4), b =14.340(4), c=25.865(9)(A), β= 95.48(3)°, V=7175(4)(A)3, Dc=1.258 g/cm3, Z=4, λ(MoKα)=0.71073(A),μ=6.03 cm-1, F(000)=2784, R=0.0631, wR2= 0.1425, S=1.001. The title compound is a bimetallic species in which the second ruthenium center is bound to the cluster {(PPh3)RuB10H7[OCH(CH3)2]3} via an Ru-Cl-Ru and two Ru-H-B-Ru bridges. The third isoproxy group replaces a hydrogen atom on B(10) of the cage, which indicates the activity of the cage.     

Solution- and solid-state characterisation of a configurationally-stable beta-diketiminato-supported calcium primary amide

'Selective' protonolysis of the beta-diketiminato calcium derivative [Ca[(NDippCMe)(2)CH][N(SiMe(3))(2)](THF)] Dipp = C(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2,6) with H(2)N(CH(2))(2)OCH(3) produced the dimeric species [Ca[(NDippCMe)(2)CH][mu-NH(CH(2))(2)OMe]](2), which has been fully characterised in solution and in the solid state.     

Novel nucleophilic reactivity of disulfido ligands coordinated parallel to M-M (M = Rh, Ir) bonds

Reaction of trans-[(MCp)(2)(mu-CH(2))(2)Cl(2)] (M = Rh, Ir; Cp = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with Li(2)S(2) afforded the disulfido complexes [(MCp)(2)(mu-CH(2))(2)(mu-S(2)-S:S')] which were easily oxidized by O(2) to give the oxygenated complexes [(MCp)(2)(mu-CH(2))(2)(mu-SSO(2)-S:S')]. Although [(RhCp)(2)(mu-CH(2))(2)(mu-S(2)-S:S')] gave a complicated mixture when reacted with CH(2)Cl(2) or CHCl(3), [(IrCp)(2)(mu-CH(2))(2)(mu-S(2)-S:S')] reacted with both CH(2)Cl(2) and CHCl(3) to give the dithioformato complex [(IrCp)(2)(mu-CH(2))(2)(mu-S(2)CH-S:S')]Cl and the cyclotetrasulfido complex [((IrCp)(2)(mu-CH(2))(2))(2)(mu-S(4)-S:S':S":S"')]Cl(2). The oxygenated complexes [(RhCp)(2)(mu-CH(2))(2)(mu-SSO(2)-S:S')] reacted with hydrocarbyl halides to afford bridging hydrocarbyl thiolato complexes accompanied by the generation of SO(2) gas. These complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, and X-ray diffraction.     

Water-soluble carbosilane dendrimers: synthesis biocompatibility and complexation with oligonucleotides; evaluation for medical applications

Novel amine- or ammonium-terminated carbosilane dendrimers of type nG-[Si{OCH2(C6H3)-3,5-(OCH2CH2NMe2)2}]x, nG-[Si{O(CH2)2N(Me)(CH2)2NMe2}]x and nG-[Si{(CH2)3NH2}]x or nG-[Si{OCH2(C6H3)-3,5-(OCH2CH2NMe3 +I-)2}]x, nG-[Si{O(CH2)2N(Me)(CH2)2NMe3 +I-}]x, and nG-[Si{(CH2)3NH3 +Cl-}]x have been synthesized and characterized up to the third generation by two strategies: 1) alcoholysis of Si--Cl bonds with amino alcohols and subsequent quaternization with MeI, and 2) hydrosilylation of allylamine with Si--H bonds of the dendritic systems and subsequent quaternization with HCl. Quaternized carbosilane dendrimers are soluble in water, although degradation is apparent due to hydrolysis of Si--O bonds. However, dendrimers containing Si--C bonds are water-stable. The biocompatibility of the second-generation dendrimers in primary cell cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and erythrocytes have been analyzed, and they show good toxicity profiles over extended periods. In addition, we describe a study on the interactions between the different carbosilane dendrimers and DNA oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and plasmids along with a comparative analysis of their toxicity. They can form complexes with DNA ODNs and plasmids at biocompatible doses via electrostatic interaction. Also a preliminary transfection assay has been accomplished. These results demonstrate that the new ammonium-terminated carbosilane dendrimers are good base molecules to be considered for biomedical applications.     

Strain-controlled, photochemically, or thermally promoted haptotropic shifts of cyclopentadienyl ligands in group 8 metallocenophanes

Cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligands in moderately strained [1]- and [2]ferrocenophanes [Fe{(eta5-C5H4)2(ERx)y}: Fe{(eta5-C5H4)2SiMe2} (1), Fe{(eta5-C5H4)CH2}2 (10)] and highly strained [2]ruthenocenophanes [Ru{(eta5-C5H4)CR2}2 {R = H (15), Me (16)}] are susceptible to partial substitution by P donors and form mixed-hapticity metallocycles-[M(L2){(eta5-C5H4)(ERx)y(eta1-C5H4)}]: [Fe(dppe){(eta5-C5H4)SiMe2(eta1-C5H4)}] (5), [Fe(dmpe){(eta5-C5H4)SiMe2(eta1-C5H4)}] (6), [Fe(dmpe){(eta5-C5H4)(CH2)2(eta1-C5H4)}] (11), [Ru(dmpe){(eta5-C5H4)(CH2)2(eta1-C5H4)}] (17), [Ru(dmpe){(eta5-C5H4)(CMe2)2(eta1-C5H4)}] (18), and [Ru(PMe3)2{(eta5-C5H4)(CH2)2(eta1-C5H4)}] (19)-through haptotropic reduction of one eta5-, pi-bound Cp to eta1, sigma-coordination. These reactions are strain-controlled, as highly ring-tilted [2]ruthenocenophanes 15 and 16 [tilt angles (alpha) approximately 29-31 degrees ] react without irradiation to form thermodynamically stable products, while moderately strained [n]ferrocenophanes 1 and 10 (alpha approximately 19-22 degrees ) require photoactivation. The iron-containing photoproducts 5 and 11 are metastable and thermally retroconvert to their strained precursors and free phosphines at 70 degrees C. In contrast, the unprecedented ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the essentially ring-strain-free adduct 6 to afford poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) [Fe(eta5-C5H4)2SiMe2]n (Mw approximately 5000 Da) was initiated by the thermal liberation of small amounts of P donor. Unlike reactions with bidentate analogues, monodentate phosphines promoted photolytic ROP of ferrocenophanes 1 and 10. MALDI-TOF analysis suggested a cyclic structure for the soluble poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane), 8-cyclic, produced from 1 in this manner. While the polymer likewise produced from 10 was insoluble, the initiation step in the ROP process was modeled by isolation of a tris(phosphine)-substituted ring-opened ferrocenophane [Fe(PMe3)3{(eta5-C5H4)(CH2)2(C5H5)}][OCH2CH3] (13[OCH2CH3]) generated by irradiation of 10 and PMe3 in a protic solvent (EtOH). Studies of the cation 13 revealed that the Fe center reacts with a Cp- anion with loss of the phosphines to form [Fe(eta5-C5H5){(eta5-C5H4)(CH2)2(C5H5)}] (14) under conditions identical to those of the ROP experiments, confirming the likelihood of "back-biting" reactions to yield cyclic structures or macrocondensation to produce longer chains.     

Alkali metal complexes of sterically demanding amino-functionalized secondary phosphanide ligands

The reaction between {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}PCl(2) (4) and one equivalent of either [C(6)H(4)-2-NMe(2)]Li or [2-C(5)H(4)N]ZnCl, followed by in situ reduction with LiAlH(4) gives the secondary phosphanes {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(C(6)H(4)-2-NMe(2))PH (5) and {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(2-C(5)H(4)N)PH (6) in good yields as colourless oils. Metalation of 5 with Bu(n)Li in THF gives the lithium phosphanide [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(C(6)H(4)-2-NMe(2))P]Li(THF)(2)] (7), which undergoes metathesis with either NaOBu(t) or KOBu(t) to give the heavier alkali metal derivatives [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(C(6)H(4)-2-NMe(2))P]Na(tmeda)] (8) and [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(C(6)H(4)-2-NMe(2))P]K(pmdeta)] (9) after recrystallization in the presence of the corresponding amine co-ligand [tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, pmdeta = N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine]. The pyridyl-functionalized phosphane 6 undergoes deprotonation on treatment with Bu(n)Li to give a red oil corresponding to the lithium compound [{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(2-C(5)H(4)N)P]Li (10) which could not be crystallized. Treatment of this oil with NaOBu(t) gives the sodium derivative [{[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(2-C(5)H(4)N)P]Na}(2) x (Et(2)O)](2) (11), whilst treatment of with KOBu(t), followed by recrystallization in the presence of pmdeta gives the complex [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}(2-C(5)H(4)N)P]K(pmdeta)](2) (12). Compounds 5-12 have been characterised by (1)H, (13)C{(1)H} and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses; compounds 7-9, and 12 have additionally been characterised by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 7-9 crystallize as discrete monomers, whereas 11 crystallizes as an unusual dimer of dimers and 12 crystallizes as a dimer with bridging pyridyl-phosphanide ligands.     

Synthesis, structures and stabilities of thioanisole-functionalised phosphido-borane complexes of the alkali metals

Treatment of the secondary phosphine {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}PH(C(6)H(4)-2-SMe) with BH(3)·SMe(2) gives the corresponding phosphine-borane {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}PH(BH(3))(C(6)H(4)-2-SMe) (9) as a colourless solid. Deprotonation of 9 with n-BuLi, PhCH(2)Na or PhCH(2)K proceeds cleanly to give the corresponding alkali metal complexes [[{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}P(BH(3))(C(6)H(4)-2-SMe)]ML](n) [ML = Li(THF), n = 2 (10); ML = Na(tmeda), n = ∞ (11); ML = K(pmdeta), n = 2 (12)] as yellow/orange crystalline solids. X-ray crystallography reveals that the phosphido-borane ligands bind the metal centres through their sulfur and phosphorus atoms and through the hydrogen atoms of the BH(3) group in each case, leading to dimeric or polymeric structures. Compounds 10-12 are stable towards both heat and ambient light; however, on heating in toluene solution in the presence of 10, traces of free phosphine-borane 9 are slowly converted to the free phosphine {(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}PH(C(6)H(4)-2-SMe) (5) with concomitant formation of the corresponding phosphido-bis(borane) complex [{(Me(3)Si)(2)CH}P(BH(3))(2)(C(6)H(4)-2-SMe)]Li (14).     

C-H cleavage and double alkyl additions to the disulfido ligand in dicyanido-bridged Ru2S2 complexes

Novel dicyanido-bridged dicationic RuIIISSRuIII complexes [{Ru(P(OCH3)3)2}2(mu-S2)(mu-X)2{mu-m-C6H4(CH2CN)2}](CF3SO3)2 (4, X=Cl, Br) were synthesized by the abstraction of the two terminal halide ions of [{RuX(P(OCH3)3)2}2(mu-S2)(mu-X)2] (1, X=Cl, Br) followed by treatment with m-xylylenedicyanide. 4 reacted with 2,3-dimethylbutadiene to give the C4S2 ring-bridged complex [{Ru(P(OCH3)3)2}2{mu-SCH2C(CH3)=C(CH3)CH2S}(mu-X)2{mu-m-C6H4(CH2CN)2}](CF3SO3)2 (6, X=Cl, Br). In addition, 4 reacted with 1-alkenes in CH3OH to give alkenyl disulfide complexes [{Ru(P(OCH3)3)2}2{mu-SS(CH2C=CHR)}(mu-Cl)2{mu-m-C6H4(CH2CN)2}](CF3SO3) (7: R=CH2CH3, 9: R=CH2CH2CH3) and alkenyl methyl disulfide complexes [{Ru(P(OCH3)3)2}2{mu-S(CH3)S(CH2C=HR)}(mu-Cl)2{mu-m-C6H4(CH2CN)2}](CF3SO3)2 (8: R=CH2CH3, 10: R=CH2CH2CH3) via the activation of an allylic C-H bond followed by the elimination of H+ or condensation with CH3OH. Additionally, the reaction of 4 with 3-penten-1-ol gave [{Ru(P(OCH3)3)2}2{mu-SS(CH2C=CHCH2OH)}(mu-Cl)2{mu-m-C6H4(CH2CN)2}](CF3SO3) (11) via the elimination of H+ and [{Ru(P(OCH3)3)2}2(mu-SCH2CH=CHCH2S)(mu-Cl)2{mu-m-C6H4(CH2CN)2}](CF3SO3)2 (12) via the intramolecular elimination of a H2O molecule. 12 was exclusively obtained from the reaction of 4 with 4-bromo-1-butene.     

Unexpected metal-induced isomerisms and phosphoryl migrations in Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes of the functional phosphine 2-(bis(diphenylphosphino)methyl)-oxazoline

The reaction of the functional diphosphine 1 [1 = 2-(bis(diphenylphosphino)methyl-oxazoline] with [PtCl(2)(NCPh)(2)] or [PdCl(2)(NCPh)(2)], in the presence of excess NEt(3), affords [Pt{(Ph(2)P)(2)C···C(···NCH(2)CH(2)O)}(2)] ([Pt(1(-H)-P,P)(2)], 3a) and [Pd{(Ph(2)P)(2)C···C(···NCH(2)CH(2)O)}(2)] ([Pd(1(-H)-P,P)(2)], 3b), respectively, in which 1(-H) is (oxazoline-2-yl)bis(diphenylphosphino)methanide. The reaction of 3b with 2 equiv of [AuCl(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) afforded [Pd(1(-H)-P,N)(2)(AuCl)(2)] (4), as a result of the opening of the four-membered metal chelate since ligand 1(-H), which was P,P-chelating in 3b, behaves as a P,N-chelate toward the Pd(II) center in 4 and coordinates to Au(I) through the other P donor. In the absence of a base, the reaction of ligand 1 with [PtCl(2)(NCPh)(2)] in MeCN or CH(2)Cl(2) afforded the isomers [Pt{(Ph(2)P)(2)C═C(OCH(2)CH(2)NH)}(2)]Cl(2) ([Pt(1'-P,P)(2)]Cl(2) (5), 1' = 2-(bis(diphenylphosphino)methylene)-oxazolidine) and [Pt{(Ph(2)P)(2)C═C(OCH(2)CH(2)NH)}{Ph(2)PCH═C(OCH(2)CH(2)N(PPh(2))}]Cl(2) ([Pt(1'-P,P)(2'-P,P)]Cl(2) (6), 2' = (E)-3-(diphenylphosphino)-2-((diphenylphosphino)methylene)oxazolidine]. The P,P-chelating ligands in 5 result from a tautomeric shift of the C-H proton of 1 to the nitrogen atom, whereas the formation of one of the P,P-chelates in 6 involves a carbon to nitrogen phosphoryl migration. The reaction of 5 and 6 with a base occurred by deprotonation at the nitrogen to afford 3a and [Pt{(Ph(2)P)(2)C···C(···NCH(2)CH(2)O)}{Ph(2)PCH═COCH(2)CH(2)N(PPh(2))}]Cl ([Pt(1(-H)-P,P)(2'-P,P)]Cl (7)], respectively. In CH(2)Cl(2), an isomer of 3a, [Pt{Ph(2)P)(2)C···C(···NCH(2)CH(2)O)}{Ph(2)PC(PPh(2))═COCH(2)CH(2)N}] ([Pt(1(-H)-P,P)(1(-H)-P,N)] (8)), was obtained as a side product which contains ligand 1(-H) in two different coordination modes. Complexes 3b·4CH(2)Cl(2), 4·CHCl(3), 6·2.5CH(2)Cl(2), and 8·CH(2)Cl(2) have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Ligand-modification effects on the reactivity, solubility, and stability of organometallic tantalum complexes in water

Tantalum complexes [TaCp*Me{κ(4)-C,N,O,O-(OCH(2))(OCHC(CH(2)NMe(2))=CH)py}] (4) and [TaCp*Me{κ(4)-C,N,O,O-(OCH(2))(OCHC(CH(2)NH(2))=CH)py}] (5), which contain modified alkoxide pincer ligands, were synthesized from the reactions of [TaCp*Me{κ(3)-N,O,O-(OCH(2))(OCH)py}] (Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with HC≡CCH(2)NMe(2) and HC≡CCH(2)NH(2), respectively. The reactions of [TaCp*Me{κ(4)-C,N,O,O-(OCH(2))(OCHC(Ph)=CH)py}] (2) and [TaCp*Me{κ(4)-C,N,O,O-(OCH(2))(OCHC(SiMe(3))=CH)py}] (3) with triflic acid (1:2 molar ratio) rendered the corresponding bis-triflate derivatives [TaCp*(OTf)(2){κ(3)-N,O,O-(OCH(2))(OCHC(Ph)=CH(2))py}] (6) and [TaCp*(OTf)(2){κ(3)-N,O,O-(OCH(2))(OCHC(SiMe(3))=CH(2))py}] (7), respectively. Complex 4 reacted with triflic acid in a 1:2 molar ratio to selectively yield the water-soluble cationic complex [TaCp*(OTf){κ(4)-C,N,O,O-(OCH(2))(OCHC(CH(2)NHMe(2))=CH)py}]OTf (8). Compound 8 reacted with water to afford the hydrolyzed complex [TaCp*(OH)(H(2)O){κ(3)-N,O,O-(OCH(2))(OCHC(CH(2)NHMe(2))=CH(2))py}](OTf)(2) (9). Protonation of compound 8 with triflic acid gave the new tantalum compound [TaCp*(OTf){κ(4)-C,N,O,O-(OCH(2))(HOCHC(CH(2)NHMe(2))=CH)py}](OTf)(2) (10), which afforded the corresponding protonolysis derivative [TaCp*(OTf)(2){κ(3)-N,O,O-(OCH(2))(HOCHC(CH(2)NHMe(2))=CH(2))py}](OTf) (11) in solution. Complex 8 reacted with CNtBu and potassium 2-isocyanoacetate to give the corresponding iminoacyl derivatives 12 and 13, respectively. The molecular structures of complexes 5, 7, and 10 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Role of the metal oxidation state in the SNS-Cr catalyst for ethylene trimerization: isolation of di- and trivalent cationic intermediates

The reaction of the highly selective [CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy]CrCl3 catalyst precursor with alkyl aluminum activators was examined with the aim of isolating reactive intermediates. Reaction with Me3Al afforded a cationic trivalent chromium alkyl species {[CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy]CrMe(mu-Cl)}2{(AlMe3)2(m-Cl}2.(C7H8)2 (1a). Although it was not possible to obtain crystalline samples of sufficient quality from the reaction with MAO (the most preferred activator), the near-to-identical EPR spectra indicated a very close structural similarity with 1a. Ethylene oligomerization tests clearly revealed that 1 and other cationic trivalent dimeric complexes {[CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy] CrCl(mu-Cl)}2{AlCl4}2.(C7H8)1.5 (2), monomeric [(CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy)CrCl2 (THF)][AlCl4] (3), and {[CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy]Cr(eta2-AlCl4)}{Al2Cl7} (4) adducts display the same catalyst selectivity as the [CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy]CrCl3 complex and, therefore, are probably all precursors to the same catalytically active species. 2, 3, and 4 were obtained upon treatment of [CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy] CrCl3 with different stoichiometric ratios of AlCl3.. When i-BAO activator was used, reduction of the metal center occurred readily, affording {([CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2S Cy]Cr)(mu-Cl)]2}{(i-Bu)2AlCl2}2 (5). 5 is also a selective catalyst, thus indicating that trivalent species are most probably precursors to a divalent catalytically active complex. Reaction of CrCl2(THF)2 with the ligand afforded the labile divalent adduct [CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy]CrCl2(THF) (6), also catalytically active and selective. Instead, deprotonation of the ligand with n-BuLi followed by reaction with CrCl2(THF)2 gave the dinuclear complex [(mu-CySCH2CH2NCH2CH2SCy)CrCl]2 (7), which did not produce oligomers.     

Catalytic transesterification of dialkyl phosphates by a bioinspired dicopper(II) macrocyclic complex

For a number of phosphoryltransfer enzymes, including the exonuclease subunit of DNA polymerase I, a mechanism involving two-metal ions and double Lewis-acid activation of the substrate, combined with leaving group stabilization, has been proposed. Inspired by the active site structure of this enzyme, we have designed as a synthetic phosphoryl transfer catalyst the dicopper(II) macrocyclic complex LCu(2). Crystal structures of complexes [(L)Cu(2)(mu-NO(3))(NO(3))](NO(3))(2) (1), [(L)Cu(2)(mu-CO(3))(CH(3)OH)](BF(4))(2) (2), and [(L)Cu(2)(mu-O(2)P(OCH(3))(2))(NO(3))](NO(3))(2) (3) illustrate various possibilities for the interaction of oxoanions with the dicopper(II) site. 1 efficiently promotes the transesterification of dimethyl phosphate (DMP) in CD(3)OD, k(cat) = 2 x 10(-)(4) s(-)(1) at 55 degrees C. 1 is the only available catalyst for the smooth transesterification of highly inert simple dialkyl phosphates. From photometric titrations and the pH dependence of reactivity, we conclude that a complex [(L)Cu(2)(DMP)(OCH(3))](2+) is the reactive species. Steric bulk at the -OR substituents of phosphodiester substrates O(2)P(OR)(2)(-) drastically reduces the reactivity of 1. This is explained with -OR leaving group stabilization by Cu coordination, an interaction which is sensitive to steric crowding at the alpha-C-atom of substituent R. A proposed reaction mechanism related to that of the exonuclease unit of DNA polymerase I is supported by DFT calculations on reaction intermediates. The complex [(L)Cu(3)(mu(3)-OH)(mu-CH(3)O)(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(3) (4) incorporates a [Cu(OH)(OCH(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](-) complex anion, which might be considered as an analogue of the [PO(2)(OCH(3))(2)(OCD(3))](2)(-) transition state (or intermediate) of DMP transesterification catalyzed by LCu(2).     

Insertion reactions of beta-diketiminate-stabilised calcium amides with 1,3-dialkylcarbodiimides

A series of heteroleptic beta-diketiminate-stabilised calcium amides of the form [{ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)NAr}Ca{NR(1)R(2)}(THF)] (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl; R(1) = H, R(2) = Ar; R(1) = H, R(2) = CH(2)CH(2)OMe; R(1) = R(2) = Ph) react with 1,3-dialkylcarbodiimides, R(3)N[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]NR(3) (R(3) = Cy, (i)Pr), to yield the corresponding insertion products [{ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)NAr}Ca{(R(3)N)(2)CNR(1)R(2)}(THF)] at room temperature in hydrocarbon solutions. These latter compounds contain both beta-diketiminate and guanidinate ligands bound to calcium. Solid-state data are consistent with the guanidinate ligands adopting a number of binding modes including kappa(2) through kappa(3) coordination, with varying degrees of delocalisation of the non-bound guanidinate nitrogen lone-pair across the pi-framework of the ligand. DFT computational studies have been conducted to address these variations in coordination behaviour.     

Isolation and structural characterization of triethanolaminotitanatranes: X-ray structures of partial hydrolysis condensates

A family of triethanolamine complexes of titanium with varying metal/ligand ratios have been prepared from reactions of titanium tetraisopropoxide with triethanolamine. Three nonhydrolytic products, having essentially all isopropoxide ligands substituted by triethanolamine, were prepared as hygroscopic, glassy solids. Crystals of two hexameric titanatrane partial hydrolysis analogues [Ti3(mu 2-O)((HOCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2O)(OCH2CH2)2(mu 2-OCH2CH2)N)2(OCH2CH2)(mu 2- OCH2CH2)2N)]2 (1), and [Ti3(mu 2-O)(OCH(CH3)2)((OCH2CH2)2(mu 2-OCH2CH2)N)2(OCH2CH2)(mu 2- OCH2CH2)2N)]2 (2) were isolated and structurally characterized. The structures consist of a central core of two oxo-bridged dititanatranes (TEA)TiOTi(TEA) (TEAH3 = triethanolamine) with the nonhydrolytic residue (TEA)Ti(TEAH2) included as an adduct in (1), analogously to (TEA)Ti(OPri) in (2).     

Ring-closing metathesis reactions of terminal alkene-derived cyclic phosphazenes

The first examples of ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions of a series of terminal alkene-derived cyclic phosphazenes have been carried out. The tetrakis-, hexakis-, and octakis(allyloxy)cyclophosphazenes (NPPh(2))(NP(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(2))(2) (1), N(3)P(3)(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(6) (2), and N(4)P(4)(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(8) (3) and the tetrakis(allyloxy)-S-phenylthionylphosphazene (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)](2) (4) were prepared by the reactions of CH(2)=CHCH(2)ONa with the cyclophosphazenes (NPPh(2))(NPCl(2))(2), N(3)P(3)Cl(6), and N(4)P(4)Cl(8) and the S-phenylthionylphosphazene (NS(O)Ph)(NPCl(2))(2). The reactions of 1-4 with Grubbs first-generation olefin metathesis catalyst Cl(2)Ru=CHPh(PCy(3))(2) resulted in the selective formation of seven-membered di-, tri-, and tetraspirocyclic phosphazene compounds (NPPh(2))[NP(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)](2) (5), N(3)P(3)(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)(3) (6), and N(4)P(4)(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)(4) (7) and the dispirocyclic S-phenylthionylphosphazene compound (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)](2) (8). X-ray structural studies of 5-8 indicated that the double bond of the spiro-substituted cycloalkene units is in the cis orientation in these compounds. In contrast to the reactions of 1-4, RCM reactions of the homoallyloxy-derived cyclophosphazene and thionylphosphazene (NPPh(2))[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)](2) (9) and (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)](2) (10) with the same catalyst resulted in the formation of 11-membered diansa compounds NPPh(2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)](2) (11) and (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)](2) (13) and the intermolecular doubly bridged ansa-dibino-ansa compounds 12 and 14. The X-ray structural studies of compounds 11 and 13 indicated that the double bonds of the ansa-substituted cycloalkene units are in the trans orientation in these compounds. The geminal bis(homoallyloxy)tetraphenylcyclotriphosphazene [NPPh(2)](2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)] (15) upon RCM with Grubbs first- and second-generation catalysts gave the spirocyclic product [NPPh(2)](2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)] (16) along with the geminal dibino-substituted dimeric compound [NPPh(2)](2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)(2)PN][NPPh(2)](2) (17) as the major product. The dibino compound 17, upon reaction with the Grubbs second-generation catalyst, was found to undergo a unique ring-opening metathesis reaction, opening up the bino bridges and partially converting to the spirocyclic compound 16.     

Activation of C-O and C-C bonds and formation of novel HAlOH-ether complexes: an EPR study of the reaction of ground-state Al atoms with methylethyl ether and diethyl ether

Reaction mixtures, containing Al atoms and methylethyl ether (MEE) or diethyl ether (DEE) in an adamantane matrix, were prepared with the aid of a metal-atom reactor known as a rotating cryostat. The EPR spectra of the resulting products were recorded from 77-260 K, at 10 K intervals. Al atoms were found to insert into methyl-O, ethyl-O, and C-C bonds to form CH(3)AlOCH(2)CH(3), CH(3)OAlCH(2)CH(3), and CH(3)OCH(2)AlCH(3), respectively, in the case of MEE while DEE produced CH(3)CH(2)AlOCH(2)CH(3) and CH(3)AlCH(2)OCH(2)CH(3), respectively. From the intensity of the transition lines attributed to the Al atom C-O insertion products of MEE, insertion into the methyl-O bond is preferred. The Al hyperfine interaction (hfi) extracted from the EPR spectra of the C-O insertion products was greater than that of the C-C insertion products, that is, 5.4% greater for the DEE system and 7% greater for the MEE system. The increase in Al hfi is thought to arise from the increased electron-withdrawing ability of the substituents bonded to Al. Besides HAlOH, resulting from the reaction of Al atoms with adventitious water, novel mixed HAlOH:MEE and HAlOH:DEE complexes were identified with the aid of isotopic studies involving H(2)(17)O and D(2)O. The Al and H hfi of HAlOH were found to decrease upon complex formation. These findings are consistent with the nuclear hfi calculated using a density functional theory (DFT) method with close agreement between theory and experiment occurring at the B3LYP level using a 6-311+G(2df,p) basis set.     

Hydrogenation of carbon monoxide by tetranuclear rare earth metal polyhydrido complexes. Selective formation of ethylene and isolation of well-defined polyoxo rare earth metal clusters

The reaction of the tetranuclear rare earth metal polyhydrido complexes {Cp'Ln(mu-H)2}4(THF) (Cp' = C5Me4SiMe3, Ln = Y (1a), Lu (1b)) with carbon monoxide (1 atm) yielded ethylene and the corresponding tetraoxo cubane complexes (Cp'Ln)4(mu3-O)4 (Ln = Y (5a), Lu (5b)). Stepwise formation of some key reaction intermediates, such as oxymethylene complexes (Cp'Ln)4(mu-OCH2)(mu-H)6(THF) (Ln = Y (2a), Lu (2b)), enolate species (Cp'Y)4(OCH=CH2)(mu-O)(mu-H)5(THF) (3), and dioxo complex (Cp'Y)4(mu3-O)2(mu-H)4(THF) (4), was confirmed. The molecular structures of 2a, 4, and 5b were determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Bismuth pyrostannate, Bi2Sn2O7, from the first structurally characterized heterobimetallic Bi:Sn alkoxides

The first heterobimetallic Bi:Sn alkoxide complexes [Bi(2)SnO(OCH(CF(3))(2))(5)(O(t)Bu)(3)(THF)] (1) and [BiSnO(OCH(CF(3))(2))(3)(O(t)Bu)(2)](2) (2) are described. The complexes were obtained through mixing and heating equimolar quantities of the component alkoxides, Bi(OCH(CF(3))(2))(3) and Sn(O(t)Bu)(4), under solvent-free conditions (1) and in THF (2). The solid-state structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction showing ligand redistribution from Bi(III) to Sn(IV) in the two molecular species. Compound 2 behaves as a single-source precursor for the thermolytic formation of bismuth pyrostannate, Bi(2)Sn(2)O(7).