Structural Characterization of (Arylimido)vanadium(V) Compounds with 2,6‐Difluorophenoxide Ligand

The (arylimido)vanadium(V) compound, [(p‐MeOC₆H₄N)V(OiPr)₃] was demonstrated to undergo ligand exchange reaction with one or two equivalents of 2,6‐difluorophenol, affording the (arylimido)vanadium(V) compounds, [(p‐MeOC₆H₄N)V(OiPr)₂(O‐2,6‐F₂Ph)] and [(p‐MeOC₆H₄N)V(OiPr)(O‐2,6‐F₂Ph)₂]. Their X‐ray crystallographic analyses elucidated the μ‐isopropoxido‐bridged dimeric structures, wherein each vanadium atom has a trigonal‐bipyramidal arrangement with the imido and bridging isopropoxide ligands in the apical positions. The isopropoxide ligand was selectively employed as a bridging ligand between two central vanadium atoms. On the other hand, the reaction of the (arylimido)vanadium(V) compound, [(p‐MeOC₆H₄N)VCl₃] and three equivalents of lithium 2,6‐difluorophenoxide gave the (arylimido)vanadium(V) compound, [(p‐MeOC₆H₄N)V(O‐2,6‐F₂Ph)₃]. In the crystal packing, the thus‐obtained compound showed a distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal environment at the vanadium atoms with the μ‐phenoxido‐bridged dimeric structure, wherein the 2,6‐difluorophenoxide ligand was found to serve as a bridging ligand.