Activation of SO2 with [(η5‐C5Me5)2Ln(THF)2] (Ln=Eu,Yb) Leading to Dithionite and Sulfinate Complexes

The reaction of decamethylytterbocene [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Yb(THF)₂] with SO₂ at low temperature gave two new compounds, namely, the Yb^III dithionite/sulfinate complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Yb(μ₃,1κ²O^1,3,2κ³O^2,2′,4‐S₂O₄)}₂{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Yb(μ,1κO,2κO′‐C₅Me₅SO₂)}₂] ( 1 ) and the Yb^III dithionite complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Yb}₂(μ,1κ²O^1,3,2κ²O^2,4‐S₂O₄)] ( 2 ). After extraction of 1 , the mixture was heated to give the dinuclear tetrasulfinate complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Yb}₂(μ,κO,κO’‐C₅Me₅SO₂)₄] ( 3 a ). In contrast, from the reaction of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)₂Eu(THF)₂] with SO₂ only the tetrasulfinate complex [{(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Eu}₂(μ,κO,κO’‐C₅Me₅SO₂)₄] ( 3 b ) was isolated. Two major reaction pathways were observed: 1) reductive coupling of two SO₂ molecules to form the dithionite anion S₂O₄^2?; and 2) nucleophilic attack of one metallocene C₅Me₅ ligand on the sulfur atom of SO₂. The compounds presented are the first dithionite and sulfinate complexes of the f‐elements.     

Synthesis and Structures of ansa‐Titanocene Complexes with Diatomic Bridging Units for Overall Water Splitting

The synthesis of a series of ansa‐titanocene dichlorides [Cp′₂TiCl₂] (Cp′=bridged η⁵‐tetramethylcyclopentadienyl) and the corresponding titanocene bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene complexes [Cp′₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] is described. The ethanediyl‐bridged complexes [C₂H₄(C₅Me₄)₂TiCl₂] ( 2 ‐Cl₂) and [C₂H₄(C₅Me₄)₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] ( 2‐ btmsa; btmsa=η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) can be obtained from the hitherto unknown calcocenophane complex [C₂H₄(C₅Me₄)₂Ca(THF)₂] ( 1 ). Furthermore, a heterodiatomic bridging unit containing both, a dimethylsilyl and a methylene group was introduced to yield the ansa‐titanocene dichloride [Me₂SiCH₂(C₅Me₄)₂TiCl₂] ( 3 ‐Cl₂) and the bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene complex [Me₂SiCH₂(C₅Me₄)₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] ( 3 ‐btmsa). Besides, tetramethyldisilyl‐ and dimethylsilyl‐bridged metallocene complexes (structural motif 4 and 5 , respectively) were prepared. All ansa‐titanocene alkyne complexes were reacted with stoichiometric amounts of water; the hydrolysis products were isolated as model complexes for the investigation of the elemental steps of overall water splitting. Compounds 1 , 2 ‐btmsa, 2 ‐(OH)₂, 3 ‐Cl₂, 3 ‐btmsa, 4 ‐(OH)₂, 3 ‐alkenyl and 5 ‐alkenyl were characterised by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

The Influence of the Ligands Cp*(η5‐C5Me5) and Cp(η5‐C5H5) on the Stability and Reactivity of Titanocene and Zirconocene Complexes: Reactions of the Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene Permethylmetallocene Complexes (η5‐C5Me5)2M(η2‐Me3SiC2SiMe3), M = Ti,Zr, with H2O and CO2

The reactions of the bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene permethylmetallocene complexes CpM(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) (M = Ti ( 1 ), M = Zr ( 2 )) with H₂O and CO₂ were studied and compared to those of the corresponding metallocene complexes Cp₂M(L)(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) (M = Ti ( 3 ), L = – ; M = Zr, L = THF ( 4 )) to understand the influence of the ligands Cp(η⁵‐C₅H₅) and Cp*(η⁵‐C₅Me₅) as well as the metals titanium and zirconium on the reaction pathways and the obtained products. In the reaction of the permethyltitanocene complex 1 with water the dihydroxy complex CpTi(OH)₂ ( 5 ) was formed. This product differs from the well‐known titanoxane Cp₂TiOTiCp₂ which was obtained by the reaction of the corresponding titanocene complex 3 with water. The reaction of the permethylzirconocene complex 2 with water gives the mononuclear alkenyl zirconocene hydroxide 6 . An analogous product was assumed as the first step in the reaction of the corresponding zirconocene complex 4 with water which ends up in a dinuclear zirconoxane. In the conversion of the permethylzirconocene complex 2 with carbon dioxide the mononuclear insertion product 7 was formed by coupling of carbon dioxide and the acetylene. In contrast, the corresponding zirconocene complex 4 affords, by an analogous reaction, a dinuclear complex. In additional experiments the known complex CpZr(η²‐PhC₂SiMe₃) ( 8 ) was prepared, starting from CpZrCl₂ and Mg in the presence of PhC≡CSiMe₃. This complex reacts with carbon dioxide resulting in a mixture of the regioisomeric zirconafuranones 9 a and 9 b . From these in the complex 9 a , having the SiMe₃ group in β‐position to the metal, the Zr–C bond was quickly hydrolyzed by water to give the complex CpZr(OH)OC(=O)–C(SiMe₃)=CHPh ( 10 a ) compared to complex ( 9 b ) which gives slowly the complex CpZr(OH)OC(=O)–CPh=CH(SiMe₃) ( 10 b ).     

Metallorganische Verbindungen der Lanthanoide. 88. Monomere Lanthanoid(III)-amide: Synthese und Röntgenstrukturanalyse von [Nd{N(C6H5)(SiMe3)}3(THF)], [Li(THF)2(μ-Cl)2Nd{N(C6H3Me2-2,6)(SiMe3)}2(THF)] und [ClNd{N(C6H3-iso-Pr2-2,6)(SiMe3)}2(THF)]

Organometallic Compounds of the Lanthanides. 88. Monomeric Lanthanide(III) Amides: Synthesis and X-Ray Crystal Structure of [Nd{N(C₆H₅)(SiMe₃)}₃(THF)], [Li(THF)₂(μ-Cl)₂Nd{N(C₆H₃Me₂-2,6)(SiMe₃)}₂(THF)], and [ClNd{N(C₆H₃-iso-Pr₂-2,6)(SiMe₃)} ₂(THF)] A series of lanthanide(III) amides [Ln{N(C₆H₅) · (SiMe₃)}₃(THF)_x] [Ln = Y ( 1 ), La ( 2 ), Nd ( 3 ), Sm ( 4 ), Eu ( 5 ), Tb ( 6 ), Er ( 8 ), Yb ( 9 ), Lu ( 10 )] could be prepared by the reaction of lanthanide trichlorides, LnCl₃, with LiN(C₆H₅)(SiMe₃). Treatment of NdCl₃(THF)₂ and LuCl₃(THF)₃ with the lithium salts of the bulky amides [N(C₆H₃R₂-2,6)(SiMe₃)]^? (R = Me, iso-Pr) results in the formation of the lanthanide diamides [Li(THF)₂(μ-Cl)₂Nd{N(C₆H₃Me₂-2, 6)(SiMe₃)}₂(THF)] ( 11 ) and [ClLn{N(C₆H₃-iso-Pr₂-2,6)(SiMe₃)} ₂(THF)] [Ln = Nd ( 12 ), Lu ( 13 )], respectively. The ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and mass spectra of the new compounds as well as the X-ray crystal structures of the neodymium derivatives 3 , 11 and 12 are discussed.     

Biodegradation of copolymers composed of optically active L‐lactide and (R)‐ or (S)‐1‐methyltrimethylene carbonate

Random copolymerizations of L ‐lactide with (R)‐, (S)‐, or rac‐1‐methyltrimethylene carbonate with bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) samarium‐methyl tetrahydrofuranate [(C₅Me₅)₂SmMe(THF)] as a novel initiator provided high molecular weight polymers with low polydispersities. Biodegradation of the resulting polymers with tricine and {N‐[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]‐2‐aminoethane sulfonic acid (TES) buffers as well as activated sludge showed only a small weight loss, whereas the polymer with proteinase K revealed high biodegradability independent of the optical activity of 1‐methyltrimethylene carbonate. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3916–3927, 2001     

Displacement,reduction, and ligand redistribution reactivity of the cationic mono-C5Me5 Ln2+ complexes (C5Me5)Ln(BPh4) (Ln = Sm,Yb)

The reactivity of the mono(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) divalent lanthanide tetraphenylborate complexes, (C₅Me₅)Ln(BPh₄) (Ln = Sm, 1; Yb, 2), was investigated to determine how Ln²⁺ and (BPh₄)^1? reactivity would combine in these species. The (BPh₄)^1? ligand in (C₅Me₅)Yb(BPh₄) can be displaced with KN(SiMe₃)₂ to form the heteroleptic divalent dimer, {(C₅Me₅)Yb[μ-N(SiMe₃)₂]}₂ (3). Both 1 and 2 reduce phenazine to give the bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) ligand redistribution products, [(C₅Me₅)₂Ln]₂(μ-C₁₂H₈N₂). 2,2-Bipyridine is reduced by 1 to yield the ligand redistribution product, (C₅Me₅)₂Sm(C₁₀H₈N₂) (4), while 2 does not react with bipyridine. Tert-butyl chloride is reduced by 1 to form the trimetallic pentachloride complex [{(C₅Me₅)(THF)Sm}₃(μ-Cl)₅][BPh₄] (6), in a reaction that appears to use the reductive capacity of both Sm²⁺ and (BPh₄)^1?.     

Synthesis and Insertion Chemistry of Mixed Tether Uranium Metallocene Complexes

The synthesis of mixed tethered alkyl uranium metallocenes has been investigated by examining the reactivity of the bis(tethered alkyl) metallocene [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)₂U] ( 1 ) with substrates that react with only one of the U? C linkages. The effect of these mixed tether coordination environments on the reactivity of the remaining U? C bond has been studied by using CO insertion chemistry. One equivalent of azidoadamantane (AdN₃) reacts with 1 to yield the mixed tethered alkyl triazenido complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂‐CH₂NNN‐Ad‐κ²N^1,3)]. Similarly, a single equivalent of CS₂ reacts with 1 to form the mixed tethered alkyl dithiocarboxylate complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂‐ CH₂C(S)₂‐κ²S,S′)], a reaction that constitutes the first example of CS₂ insertion into a U⁴⁺? C bond. Complex 1 reacts with one equivalent of pyridine N‐oxide by C? H bond activation of the pyridine ring to form a mixed tethered alkyl cyclometalated pyridine N‐oxide complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)U(C₆H₄NO‐κ²C,O)]. The remaining (η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)^2? ligand in each of these mixed tethered species show reactivity towards CO and tethered enolate ligands form by insertion. Subsequent rearrangement have been identified in [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)U(C₅H₄NO‐κ²C,O)(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂C(?CH₂)O‐κO)] and [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂NNN‐Ad‐κ²N^1,3)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂C(?CH₂)O‐κO)].     

Zur Bildung der Cyclotetraphosphane cis- und trans-P4(SiMe3)2(CMe3)2 bei der Umsetzung von (Me3C)PCl2 mit LiP(SiMe3)2 · 2 THF

Formation of the Cyclotetraphosphanes cis- und trans-P₄(SiMe₃)₂(CMe₃)₂ in the Reaction of (Me₃C)PCl₂ with LiP(SiMe₃)₂ · 2 THF The mechanism of the reaction of (Me₃C)PCl₂ 1 with LiP(SiMe₃)₂ · 2 THF 2 was investigated. With a mole ration of 1:1 at ?60°C quantitatively (Me₃C)(Cl)P? P(SiMe₃)₂ 3 is formed. This compound eliminates Me₃SiCl on warming to 20°C, yielding Me₃Si? P?P? CMe₃ 4 (can be trapped using 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene in a 4+2 cycloaddition), which dimerizes to produce the cyclotetraphosphanes cis-P₄(SiMe₃)₂(CMe₃)₂ 5 and trans-P₄(SiMe₃)₂(CMe₃)₂ 6 . Also with a mole ratio of 1:2 initially 3 is formed which remarkably slower reacts on to give [(Me₃Si)₂P]P₂P? CMe₃ 8 . Remaining LiP(SiMe₃)₂ cleaves one Si? P bond of 8 producing (Me₃)₂P? P(CMe₃)? P(SiMe₃)₂Li. Via a condensation to the pentaphosphide 10 and an elimination of LiP(SiMe₃)₂ from this intermediate, eventually trans-P₄(SiMe₃)₂(CMe₃)₂ 6 is obtained as the exclusive cyclotetra-phosphane product.     

Insights into the Mechanism of Reaction of [(C5Me5)2SmII(thf)2] with CO2 and COS by DFT Studies

Reaction mechanisms for the oxidative reactions of CO₂ and COS with [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm] have been investigated by means of DFT methods. The experimental formation of oxalate and dithiocarbonate complexes is explained. Their formation involve the samarium(III) bimetallic complexes [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm‐CO₂‐Sm(C₅Me₅)₂] and [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm‐COS‐Sm(C₅Me₅)₂] as intermediates, respectively, ruling out radical coupling for the formation of the oxalate complex.     

Yttrium bis(alkyl) and bis(amido) complexes bearing N,O multidentate ligands. Synthesis and catalytic activity towards ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide

Methoxy‐modified β‐diimines HL ¹ and HL ² reacted with Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ to afford the corresponding bis(alkyl)s [L¹Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) and [L²Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂] ( 2 ), respectively. Amination of 1 with 2,6‐diisopropyl aniline gave the bis(amido) counterpart [L¹Y{N(H)(2,6‐iPr₂? C₆H₃)}₂] ( 3 ), selectively. Treatment of Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ with methoxy‐modified anilido imine HL ³ yielded bis(alkyl) complex [L³Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)] ( 4 ) that sequentially reacted with 2,6‐diisopropyl aniline to give the bis(amido) analogue [L³Y{N(H)(2,6‐iPr₂? C₆H₃)}₂] ( 5 ). Complex 2 was “base‐free” monomer, in which the tetradentate β‐diiminato ligand was meridional with the two alkyl species locating above and below it, generating tetragonal bipyramidal core about the metal center. Complex 3 was asymmetric monomer containing trigonal bipyramidal core with trans‐arrangement of the amido ligands. In contrast, the two cis‐located alkyl species in complex 4 were endo and exo towards the O,N,N tridentate anilido‐imido moiety. The bis(amido) complex 5 was confirmed to be structural analogue to 4 albeit without THF coordination. All these yttrium complexes are highly active initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐LA at room temperature. The catalytic activity of the complexes and their “single‐site” or “double‐site” behavior depend on the ligand framework and the geometry of the alkyl (amido) species in the corresponding complexes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5662–5672, 2007     

Synthese und Struktur von η1‐Phosphaallyl‐, η1‐Arsaallylund η1‐Stibaallyleisen‐Komplexen [(η5‐C5Me5)(CO)2Fe–E(SiMe3)C(OSiMe3)=CPh2] (E = P,As, Sb)

Syntheses and Structures of η¹‐Phosphaallyl, η¹‐Arsaallyl, and η¹‐Stibaallyl Iron Complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(CO)₂Fe–E(SiMe₃)C(OSiMe₃)=CPh₂] (E = P, As, Sb) The reaction of equimolar amounts of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(CO)₂Fe–E(SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 a : E = P; 1 b : As; 1 c : Sb) and diphenylketene afforded the η¹‐phosphaallyl‐, η¹‐arsaallyl‐, and η¹‐stibaallyl complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(CO)₂Fe–E(SiMe₃)C(OSiMe₃)=CPh₂] ( 2 a : E = P; 2 b : As; 2 c : Sb). The molecular structures of 2 b and 2 c were elucidated by single crystal X‐ray analyses.     

Neue Benzylkomplexe der Lanthanoiden. Darstellung und Kristallstrukturen von [(C5Me5)2Y(CH2C6H5)(thf)], [(C5Me5)2Sm(CH2C6H5)2K(thf)2]∞ und [(C5Me5)Gd(CH2C6H5)2(thf)]

New Benzyl Complexes of the Lanthanides. Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [(C₅Me₅)₂Y(CH₂C₆H₅)(thf)], [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm(CH₂C₆H₅)₂K(thf)₂]_∞, and [(C₅Me₅)Gd(CH₂C₆H₅)₂(thf)] YBr₃ reacts with potassium benzyl and [K(C₅Me₅)] in THF to give KBr and the monobenzyl compound [(C₅Me₅)₂ · Y(CH₂C₆H₅)(thf)] 1 . The analogous reaction with SmBr₃ in THF leads to the polymeric product [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm(CH₂C₆H₅)₂ ∞ K(thf)₂]_∞ 2 , with GdBr₃ to [(C₅Me₅)Gd(CH₂C₆H₅)₂(thf)] 3 . The structures of 1–3 were determined by X-ray single crystal structure analysis:

• Space group P1 , Z = 2, a = 851.2(4) pm, b = 952.7(4) pm, c = 1858.6(8) pm, α = 79.90(4)°, β = 77.35(4)°, γ = 73.30(3)°.
• Space group P1 , Z = 2, a = 903.3(2) pm, b = 1375.9(3) pm, c = 1801.1(4) pm, α = 100.92(3)°, β = 100.77°, γ = 98.25(3)°.
• Space group P2₁/n, Z = 8, a = 1458.2(5) pm, b = 927.8(3) pm, c = 3792.9(15) pm, β = 96.83(3)°.

     

Synthesis and crystal structures of organometallic compounds containing the ligands C(SiMe3)2(SiMe2H) and C(SiMe2Ph)2(SiMe2H)

Metallation of (HMe₂Si)(Me₃Si)₂CH (1) by LiMe gave the organolithium compound Li(THF)₂C(SiMe₃)₂(SiMe₂H) (2a), which exists in toluene solution as a mixture of covalent species and ion pairs [Li(THF)₄][Li{C(SiMe₃)₂(SiMe₂H)}₂] (2b). Treatment of a mixture of 1 and LiMe with KOBu^t gave KC(SiMe₃)₂(SiMe₂H) (3). This reacted with AlMe₂Cl in hexane/THF to give Al(THF)Me₂{C(SiMe₃)₂(Si Me₂H)} (4). Treatment of (HMe₂Si)(PhMe₂Si)₂CH (5) with LiMe in Et₂O/THF gave the THF adduct [Li(THF)₂C(SiMe₂Ph)₂(SiMe₂H)] (6); in the presence of KOBu^t the solvent-free [K][C(SiMe₂Ph)₂(SiMe₂H)] (7) was obtained. Crystal structure determinations showed that 6 crystallizes in a molecular lattice and 7 in an ionic lattice in which the coordination sphere of the potassium comprises phenyl groups and hydrogen atoms attached to silicon, as well as the central carbon of the bulky carbanion. Compound 7 reacted with an excess of AlMe₂Cl to give [AlClMe{C(SiMe₂Ph)₂(SiMe₂H)}]₂ (8) and AlMe₃. A small amount of the methoxo derivative [Al(OMe)Me{C(SiMe₂Ph)₂(SiMe₂H)}]₂ (9) was obtained as a byproduct, presumably after the accidental admission of traces of air. X-ray structural determinations showed that 8 forms halogen-bridged dimers, with the bulky ligands in the anti-configuration, and 9 forms methoxo-bridged species in which the bulky ligands are syn.     

Synthese,Struktur und Reaktivität des Ferrioarsaalkens [(η5‐C5Me5)(CO)2FeAs=C(Ph)NMe2]

Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of the Ferrioarsaalkene [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(CO)₂FeAs=C(Ph)NMe₂] Reaction of equimolar amounts of the carbenium iodide [Me₂N(Ph)CSMe]I and LiAs(SiMe₃)₂ · 1.5 THF afforded the thermolabile arsaalkene Me₃SiAs = C(Ph)NMe₂ ( 1 ), which in situ was converted into the black crystalline ferrioarsaalkene [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(CO)₂FeAs=C(Ph)NMe₂)] ( 2 ) by treatment with [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(CO)₂FeCl]. Compound 2 was protonated by ethereal HBF₄ to yield [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(CO)₂FeAs(H)C(Ph)NMe₂]BF₄ ( 3 ) and methylated by CF₃SO₃Me to give [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(CO)₂FeAs(Me)C(Ph)NMe₂]‐ SO₃CF₃ ( 4 ). [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(CO)₂FeAs[M(CO)_n]C(Ph)NMe₂] ( 5 : [M(CO)_n] = [Fe(CO)₄]; 6 : [Cr(CO)₅]) were isolated from the reaction of 2 with [Fe₂(CO)₉] or [{(Z)‐cyclooctene}Cr(CO)₅], respectively. Compounds 2 – 6 were characterized by means of elemental analyses and spectroscopy (IR, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}‐NMR). The molecular structure of 2 was determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Modeling η5‐C5Me4SiMe3 with η3‐C3H5 for DFT study of a tetranuclear yttrium polyhydrido complex [(η5‐C5Me4SiMe3)YH2]4

π‐Allyl (η³‐C₃H₅), a four‐electron donor, was used as a ligand model to replace η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃ in DFT calculations on the tetranuclear yttrium polyhydrido complex (η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)₄Y₄H₈ containing a Y₄H₈ tetrahedral core structure, which may separate the four π‐allyl groups and hence suppress the allyl ligand coupling during the computation. In terms of the calculated core geometry, isomerization energy barrier, charge population, and frontier orbital features of the complex, the η³‐C₃H₅ ligand model is comparable to η⁵‐C₅H₅. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Syndio‐Specific Styrene Polymerization of Pyrrolyl‐Substituted Cyclopentadienyl Scandium Complexes

Acid‐base reaction of Sc(CH₂C₆H₄NMe₂‐o)₃ with 1 equiv. of pyrrolyl‐substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand C₄H₂Me₂NSiMe₂C₅Me₄H in toluene gave the half‐sandwich scandium bis(aminobenzyl) complex (C₄H₂Me₂NSiMe₂C₅Me₄)Sc(CH₂C₆H₄NMe₂‐o)₂ ( 2 ). Amine elimination between Sc[N(SiHMe₂)₂]₃(THF) and one equivalent of C₄H₂Me₂NSiMe₂C₅Me₄H afforded the scandium bis(silylamide) complex (C₄Me₂H₂NSiMe₂C₅Me₄)Sc[(NSiHMe₂)₂SiMe₂](THF) ( 3 ). Both scandium complexes 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. 2 and 3 could serve as highly active precursors for styrene polymerization to give syndio‐tactic polystyrene (rrrrrr > 99 %).     

Synthesis and structures of new metallocene derivatives of lanthanides. Molecular structures of the complexes (C13H9)2Eu(THF)2 and (C5Me4H)2YbI(THF)

The divalent europium bis-fluorenyl complex (C₁₃H₉)₂Eu(THF)₂ was synthesized by the metathesis reaction of EuI₂(THF)₂ with two equivalents of fluorenylpotassium and by the protolytic substitution of the naphthalene ligand in the (C₁₀H₈)Eu(THF)₂ complex using the reaction with fluorene. According to X-ray diffraction data, the complex displays a skewed sandwich structure, in which one fluorenyl ligand is η⁵-coordinated to the metal atom, whereas the η³-coordination mode makes a great contribution to the coordination of another ligand. The (C₅Me₄H)₂YbI(THF) complex was synthesized by the reaction of YbI₃(THF)₂ with two equivalents of (C₅Me₄H)K. The structure of the complex was established by X-ray diffraction. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 530–534, March, 2008.     

Novel sandwich complexes of zirconium [C9H5(SiMe3)2](C5Me4R)ZrCl2 (R = CH3, CH2CH2NMe2): Synthesis and reduction behavior

Novel half-sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂]ZrCl₃ (3) and sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂](C₅Me₄R)ZrCl₂ (R = CH₃ (1), CH₂CH₂NMe₂ (2)) complexes were prepared and characterized. The reduction of 2 by Mg in THF lead to (η⁵-C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂)[η⁵:η²(C,N)-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]ZrH (7). The structure of 7 was proved by NMR spectroscopy data. Hydrolysis of 2 resulted in the binuclear complex ([C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂]ZrCl₂)₂O (6). The crystal structures of 1 and 6 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Darstellung,Charakterisierung und Reaktionsverhalten von Natrium‐ und Kaliumhydridosilylamiden R2(H)Si—N(M)R′ (M = Na,K) — Kristallstruktur von [(Me3C)2(H)Si—N(K)SiMe3]2·THF

Preparation, Characterization and Reaction Behaviour of Sodium and Potassium Hydridosilylamides R₂(H)Si—N(M)R′ (M = Na, K) — Crystal Structure of [(Me₃C)₂(H)Si—N(K)SiMe₃]₂ · THF The alkali metal hydridosilylamides R₂(H)Si—N(M)R′ 1a‐Na — 1d—Na and 1a‐K — 1d‐K ( a : R = Me, R′ = CMe₃; b : R = Me, R′ = SiMe₃; c : R = Me, R′ = Si(H)Me₂; d : R = CMe₃, R′= SiMe₃) have been prepared by reaction of the corresponding hydridosilylamines 1a — 1d with alkali metal M (M = Na, K) in presence of styrene or with alkali metal hydrides MH (M = Na, K). With NaNH₂ in toluene Me₂(H)Si—NHCMe₃ ( 1a ) reacted not under metalation but under nucleophilic substitution of the H(Si) atom to give Me₂(NaNH)Si—NHCMe₃ ( 5 ). In the reaction of Me₂(H)Si—NHSiMe₃ ( 1b ) with NaNH₂ intoluene a mixture of Me₂(NaNH)Si—NHSiMe₃ and Me₂(H)Si—N(Na)SiMe₃ ( 1b‐Na ) was obtained. The hydridosilylamides have been characterized spectroscopically. The spectroscopic data of these amides and of the corresponding lithium derivatives are discussed. The ²⁹Si‐NMR‐chemical shifts and the ²⁹Si—¹H coupling constants of homologous alkali metal hydridosilylamides R₂(H)Si—N(M)R′ (M = Li, Na, K) are depending on the alkali metal. With increasing of the ionic character of the M—N bond M = K > Na > Li the ²⁹Si‐NMR‐signals are shifted upfield and the ²⁹Si—¹H coupling constants except for compounds (Me₃C)(H)Si—N(M)SiMe₃ are decreased. The reaction behaviour of the amides 1a‐Na — 1c‐Na and 1a‐K — 1c‐K was investigated toward chlorotrimethylsilane in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and in n‐pentane. In THF the amides produced just like the analogous lithium amides the corresponding N‐silylation products Me₂(H)Si—N(SiMe₃)R′ ( 2a — 2c ) in high yields. The reaction of the sodium amides with chlorotrimethylsilane in nonpolar solvent n‐pentane produced from 1a‐Na the cyclodisilazane [Me₂Si—NCMe₃]₂ ( 8a ), from 1b‐Na and 1‐Na mixtures of cyclodisilazane [Me₂Si—NR′]₂ ( 8b , 8c ) and N‐silylation product 2b , 2c . In contrast to 1b‐Na and 1c‐Na and to the analogous lithium amides the reaction of 1b‐K and 1c‐K with chlorotrimethylsilane afforded the N‐silylation products Me₂(H)Si—N(SiMe₃)R′ ( 2b , 2c ) in high yields. The amide [(Me₃C)₂(H)Si—N(K)SiMe₃]₂·THF ( 9 ) crystallizes in the space group C2/c with Z = 4. The central part of the molecule is a planar four‐membered K₂N₂ ring. One potassium atom is coordinated by two nitrogen atoms and the other one by two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Furthermore K···H(Si) and K···CH₃ contacts exist in 9 . The K—N distances in the K₂N₂ ring differ marginally.     

f‐Element Half‐Sandwich Complexes: A Tetrasilylcyclobutadienyl–Uranium(IV)–Tris(tetrahydroborate) Anion Pianostool Complex

Despite there being numerous examples of f‐element compounds supported by cyclopentadienyl, arene, cycloheptatrienyl, and cyclooctatetraenyl ligands (C_5–8), cyclobutadienyl (C₄) complexes remain exceedingly rare. Here, we report that reaction of [Li₂{C₄(SiMe₃)₄}(THF)₂] ( 1 ) with [U(BH₄)₃(THF)₂] ( 2 ) gives the pianostool complex [U{C₄(SiMe₃)₄}(BH₄)₃][Li(THF)₄] ( 3 ), where use of a borohydride and preformed C₄‐unit circumvents difficulties in product isolation and closing a C₄‐ring at uranium. Complex 3 is an unprecedented example of an f‐element half‐sandwich cyclobutadienyl complex, and it is only the second example of an actinide‐cyclobutadienyl complex, the other being an inverse‐sandwich. The U?C distances are short (av. 2.513 Å), reflecting the formal 2? charge of the C₄‐unit, and the SiMe₃ groups are displaced from the C₄‐plane, which we propose maximises U?C₄ orbital overlap. DFT calculations identify two quasi‐degenerate U?C₄ π‐bonds utilising the ψ₂ and ψ₃ molecular orbitals of the C₄‐unit, but the potential δ‐bond using the ψ₄ orbital is vacant.