Mono(cycloheptatrienyl) tantalum chemistry: synthesis and characterization of new tantalum halide, hydride, and alkyl species

The new tantalum(II) complex (eta (6)-C 7H 8)TaCl 2(PMe 3) 2 ( 1) was synthesized by the reduction of TaCl 5 with n-butyllithium in the presence of PMe 3 and cycloheptatriene. Compound 1 adopts a four-legged piano stool structure in which the tantalum center is bound to a eta (6)-cycloheptatriene ring in addition to two chlorides and two phosphine ligands in a transoid arrangement. Treatment of 1 with methyllithium results in a loss of the equivalents of HCl and formation of the eta (7)-cycloheptatrienyl complex (eta (7)-C 7H 7)TaCl(PMe 3) 2 ( 2), whereas treatment of 1 with sodium or sodium borohydride affords small amounts of the eta (5)-cycloheptadienyl complex (eta (5)-C 7H 9)TaCl 2(PMe 3) 2 ( 3). Compound 2 adopts a three-legged piano stool structure; the eta (7)-C 7H 7 ring is fully aromatic and planar. The molecular structure of 3 is similar to that of 1, except for the eta (5) binding mode of the seven-membered ring. Treatment of the previously described sandwich compound (C 5Me 5)Ta(C 7H 7) with allyl bromide affords the tantalum(V) product (C 5Me 5)Ta(C 7H 7)Br ( 4), which reacts with LiAlH 4 to give the tantalum(V) hydride (C 5Me 5)Ta(C 7H 7)H ( 5). Compound 4 also reacts with alkylating agents to generate the methyl, allyl, and cyclopropyl complexes (C 5Me 5)Ta(C 7H 7)Me ( 6), (C 5Me 5)Ta(C 7H 7)(eta (1)-CH 2CHCH 2) ( 7), and (C 5Me 5)Ta(C 7H 7)(c-C 3H 5) ( 8). Compounds 4- 8 all adopt bent sandwich structures in which the dihedral angle between the two carbocyclic rings is 34.9 degrees for the bromo compound 4, 26.6 degrees for the hydride 5, 33.1 degrees for the methyl compound 6, 34.2 degrees for the allyl compound 7, and 37.5 degrees for the cyclopropyl compound 8. (1)H and (13)C NMR data are reported for the diamagnetic compounds.     

Methyl displacements from cyclopentadienyl ring planes in sterically crowded (C5Me5)3M complexes

The displacements of the methyl substituents away from the metal and out of the cyclopentadienyl ring plane are compared in sterically crowded (C(5)Me(5))(3)M complexes vs sterically normal f-element complexes in an attempt to evaluate the utility of this parameter in predicting unusual (C(5)Me(5))(1-) ring reactivity. The out-of-plane displacements of 16 sterically crowded tris(cyclopentadienyl) complexes of general formula (C(5)Me(5))(3)M, (C(5)Me(4)R)(3)M (R = Et, (i)Pr, (t)()Bu, SiMe(3)), (C(5)Me(5))(3)MX (X = anion), and (C(5)Me(5))(3)ML (L = neutral ligand) are compared with [(C(5)Me(5))(2)U](2)(C(6)H(6)), (C(5)Me(5))(2)Sm(PC(4)H(2)(t)Bu(2)), and 33 representative examples of f-element bis(cyclopentadienyl) complexes with normal cyclopentadienyl behavior and coordination numbers ranging from 6 to 10. In general, the methyl displacement values of sterically crowded complexes overlap with those in the other complexes, which demonstrates that the basis of the structural distortions is complex. However, if the most extreme out-of-plane displacement in each of the sterically crowded complexes is examined vs the analogous maximum out-of-plane displacement in less crowded systems, there appears to be a basis for predicting cyclopentadienyl reactivity.     

Synthetic and structural studies of monocyclopentadienyl cyclometalated aryl tantalum(V) compounds

Cyclometalated aryl tetra- or trichlorido cyclopentadienyl tantalum complexes [TaXCl(3){C(6)H(4)(2-CH(2)NMe(2))-κ(2)C,N}] (X = Cl 1, η(5)-C(5)H(5)2, η(5)-C(5)H(4)(SiMe(3)) 3, η(5)-C(5)Me(5)4) containing a five-membered TaC(3)N chelate ring were synthesized by reaction of the TaXCl(4) (X = Cl, η(5)-C(5)H(5), η(5)-C(5)H(4)(SiMe(3)), η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with the appropriate lithium aryl reagent [Li{C(6)H(4)(2-CH(2)NMe(2))}]. The reported complexes were studied by IR and NMR spectroscopy and the X-ray molecular structures of compounds 2, 3 and 4 were determined by diffraction methods. These compounds were theoretically analyzed by the DFT method and their structures were rationalized. The preferential coordination of the 2-{(dimethylamino)methyl}phenyl ligand was justified by an analysis of the molecular orbitals of the Ta(η(5)-C(5)H(5))Cl(3) and C(6)H(4)(2-CH(2)NMe(2)) fragments. In addition, the exchange pathways that account for the NMR equivalency of the Me(2)N- methyl groups and -CH(2)- hydrogen atoms of the coordinated C(6)H(4)(2-CH(2)NMe(2))-κ(2)C,N ligand were theoretically studied.     

Alkyl-eta2-alkene niobocene and tantalocene complexes with the allyldimethylsilyl-eta5-cyclopentadienyl ligand: synthesis, NMR studies and DFT calculations

Group 5 metal complexes [M(eta5-C5H5)[eta5-C5H4SiMe2(CH2-eta]2-CH=CH2)]X] (M = Nb, X = Me, CH2Ph, CH2SiMe3; M = Ta, X = Me, CH2Ph) and [Ta(eta5-C5Me5)[eta5-C5H4SiMe2(CH2-eta2-CH=CH2)]X] (X = Cl, Me, CH2Ph, CH2SiMe3) containing a chelating alkene ligand tethered to a cyclopentadienyl ring have been synthesized in high yields by reduction with Na/Hg (X = Cl) and alkylation with reductive elimination (X = alkyl) of the corresponding metal(iv) dichlorides [M(eta5-Cp)[eta5-C5H4SiMe2(CH2CH=CH2)]Cl2] (Cp = C5H5, M = Nb, Ta, Cp = C5Me5, M = Ta). These chloro- and alkyl-alkene coordinated complexes react with CO and isocyanides [CNtBu, CN(2,6-Me2C6H3)] to give the ligand-substituted metal(III) compounds [M(eta5-Cp)[eta5-C5H4SiMe2(CH2CH=CH2)]XL] (X = Cl, Me, CH2Ph, CH2SiMe3). Reaction of the chloro-alkene tantalum complex with LiNHtBu results in formation of the imido hydride derivative [Ta(eta5-C5Me5)[eta5-C5H4SiMe2(CH2CH=CH2)]H(NtBu)]. NMR studies for all of the new compounds and DFT calculations for the alkene-coordinated metal complexes are compared with those known for related group 4 metal cations.     

A planar tetracoordinate carbon and unusual bonding in an organodimetallic propynylidene complex arising from double C-H activation of an allene ligand

Reduction of the organoditantalum allene complex (eta-C5Me4R)2Ta2(mu-X)X3(mu-eta1,eta3-C3H4) (R = Me (Cp*), Et; X = Cl, Br) with sodium amalgam leads to the propynylidene complex (eta-C5Me4R)2Ta2(mu-H)2X2(mu-HCCCH) by a formal double 1,3-C-H activation of the allene ligand. The solid-state molecular structure contains a planar HCCCH ligand bridging, in parallel coordination mode, the two tantalum atoms, with the HCCCH and Ta atoms coplanar. Key structural features are a Ta-Ta distance of 2.8817(7) A, propynylidene C-C-C angle of 153.7(13) degrees , C-C distance of 1.370(8) A, Ta-C(central) distance of 2.194(9) A, and Ta-C(terminal) distance of 1.970(9) A. Molecular orbital calculations on the complex at the RHF/SBK(d) and B3LYP/LanL2dz levels of theory demonstrate that the propynylidene ligand is best viewed formally as an allenediylidene(4-) ligand bonded to two d0 tantalum atoms via two Ta=C(terminal) double bonds and an unusual three-center, two-electron bridge bond involving both tantalum atoms and a lone pair on the planar, tetracoordinate central carbon. There is no net Ta-Ta bonding based on the orbital analysis.     

Molecular nitrides containing group 4 and 5 metals: single and double azatitanocubanes

Treatment of [[Ti(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(micro-NH)](3)(micro(3)-N)] (1) with the imido complexes [Ti(NAr)Cl(2)(py)(3)] (Ar=2,4,6-C(6)H(2)Me(3)) and [Ti(NtBu)Cl(2)(py)(3)] in toluene affords the single azatitanocubanes [[Cl(2)(ArN)Ti]( micro(3)-NH)(3)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)]].(C(7)H(8)) (2.C(7)H(8)) and [[Cl(2)Ti](micro(3)-N)(2)(micro(3)-NH)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)]] (3), respectively. Similar reactions of complex 1 with the niobium and tantalum imido derivatives [[M(NtBu)(NHtBu)Cl(2)(NH(2)tBu)](2)] (M=Nb, Ta) in toluene give the single azaheterometallocubanes [[Cl(2)(tBuN)M](micro(3)-N)(micro(3)-NH)(2)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)]] (M=Nb (4), Ta (5)), both complexes react with 2,4,6-trimethylaniline to yield the analogous species [[Cl(2)(ArN)M](micro(3)-N)(micro(3)-NH)(2)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)]].(C(7)H(8)) (Ar=2,4,6-C(6)H(2)Me(3), M=Nb (6.C(7)H(8)), Ta (7.C(7)H(8))). Also the azaheterodicubanes [M[micro(3)-N)(2)(micro(3)-NH)](2)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)](2)].2C(7)H(8) [M=Ti (8.2C(7)H(8)), Zr (9.2C(7)H(8))], and [M[(micro(3)-N)(5)(micro(3)-NH)][Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)](2)].2 C(7)H(8) (Nb (10.2C(7)H(8)), Ta (11.2C(7)H(8))) were prepared from 1 and the homoleptic dimethylamido complex [M(NMe(2))(x)] (x=4, M=Ti, Zr; x=5, M=Nb, Ta) in toluene at 150 degrees C. X-ray crystal structure determinations were performed for 6 and 10, which revealed a cube- and double-cube-type core, respectively. For complexes 2 and 4-7 we observed and studied by DNMR a rotation or trigonal-twist of the organometallic ligands [[Ti(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(micro-NH)](3)(micro(3)-N)] (1) and [(micro(3)-N)(micro(3)-NH)(2)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)]](1-). Density functional theory calculations were carried out on model complexes of 2, 3, and 8 to establish and understand their structures.     

Oxygen extrusion from amidate ligands to generate terminal Ta=O units under reducing conditions. How to successfully use amidate ligands in dinitrogen coordination chemistry

A series of mixed Cp* amidate tantalum complexes Cp*Ta(RNC(O)R')X(3) (where R = Me(2)C(6)H(3), (i)Pr, R' = (t)Bu, Ph, X = Cl, Me) have been prepared via salt metathesis and their fundamental reactivities under reducing conditions have been explored. Reaction of the tantalum chloro precursors with potassium graphite under N(2) or Ar leads to the stereoselective formation of the terminal tantalum oxo species, Cp*Ta=O(η(2)-RN=CR')Cl. This represents the formal extrusion of oxygen from the amidate ligand to the reduced tantalum center and is accompanied by the formation of the iminoacyl fragment bound to Ta(v). Amidate dinitrogen complexes, [Cp*TaCl(RNC(O)(t)Bu)](2)(μ-N(2)) (where R = Me(2)C(6)H(3), (i)Pr) were synthesized via salt metathesis from the known [Cp*TaCl(2)](2)(μ-N(2)) precursor, establishing that amidate ligands can support dinitrogen complexes, but not the reduction process often necessary for their synthesis.     

EPR and electronic spectral properties of aryl-substituted bis(dithiophosphato)copper(II) complexes

The spectral properties of bis(diaryl-dithiophosphato)copper(II) complexes, [Cu(S(2)P(OR)(2))(2)], with R = o-cresyl (complex I) and 2,6-dimethylphenyl (complex II) are studied by EPR- and vis spectroscopy. In solid (powder) state both complexes exhibit dark brown colour and are paramagnetic. Room temperature EPR spectra of the complexes dissolved in non-coordinating (C(6)H(5)CH(3), C(5)H(12), C(6)H(14)), acceptor (CHCl(3), CCl(4)) or donor (DMFA, DMSO) solvents have typical features of the chromophore CuS(4). In non-coordinating and acceptor solvents their isotropic EPR parameters are: g(iso)=2.047+/-0.003, (Cu)A(iso) = 7.2+/-0.1 mT and (P)A = 0.95+/-0.1 mT. An absorption band characterizes the vis spectra in these solvents with a maximum at 427 nm, due to a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transition. One hour after dissolution the absorbance at 427 nm follows Beer's law with molar absorptivity (epsilon) about 11000, which does not change significantly after 24 h staying at room temperature or after 30 min heating at 50 degrees C. Both DMFA and DMSO exhibit specific solute-solvent interaction with the acceptor centre of copper complex yielding an axial adduct, with increased g-factor and decreased (hf)A compared to the initial complex. An additional EPR signal with unresolved hyperfine structure is also detected in DMSO. EPR and vis intensities of both bis(diaryl-dtp)Cu(II) complexes decrease after dissolution in both solvents. Moreover, they are EPR silent in pyridine and do not show any absorption in the vis spectra.     

Synthesis, solid-state structure, and bonding analysis of the beryllocenes [Be(C5Me4H)2], [Be(C5Me5)2], and [Be(C5Me5)(C5Me4H)

The beryllocenes [Be(C(5)Me(4)H)(2)] (1), [Be(C(5)Me(5))(2)] (2), and [Be(C(5)Me(5))(C(5)Me(4)H)] (3) have been prepared from BeCl(2) and the appropriate KCp' reagent in toluene/diethyl ether solvent mixtures. The synthesis of 1 is facile (20 degrees C, overnight), but generation of decamethylberyllocene 2 demands high temperatures (ca. 115 degrees C) and extended reaction times (3-4 days). The mixed-ring beryllocene 3 is obtained when the known [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))BeCl] is allowed to react with K[C(5)Me(4)H], once more under somewhat forcing conditions (115 degrees C, 36 h). The structures of the three metallocenes have been determined by low-temperature X-ray studies. Both 1 and 3 present eta5/eta1 geometries of the slip-sandwich type, whereas 2 exhibits an almost regular, ferrocene-like, sandwich structure. In the mixed-ring compound 3, C(5)Me(5) is centrally bound to beryllium and the eta(1)-C(5)Me(4)H ring bonds to the metal through the unique CH carbon atom. This is also the binding mode of the eta(1)-ring of 1. To analyze the nature of the bonding in these molecules, theoretical calculations at different levels of theory have been performed on compounds 2 and 3, and a comparison with the bonding in [Be(C(5)H(5))(2)] has been made. As for the latter molecule, energy differences between the eta5/eta5 and the eta5/eta1 structures of 2 are very small, being of the order of a few kcal mol(-1). Constrained space orbital variations (CSOV) calculations show that the covalent character in the bonding is larger for [Be(C(5)Me(5))(2)] than for [Be(C(5)H(5))(2)] due to larger charge delocalization and to increased polarizability of the C(5)Me(5) fragment.     

Electronic structure, excited states, and photoelectron spectra of uranium, thorium, and zirconium bis(Ketimido) complexes (C5R5)2M[-NCPh2]2 (M = Th, U, Zr; R = H, CH3)

Organometallic actinide bis(ketimide) complexes (C5Me5)2An[-N=C(Ph)(R)]2 (where R = Ph, Me, and CH2Ph) of thorium(IV) and uranium(IV) have recently been synthesized that exhibit chemical, structural, and spectroscopic (UV-Visible, resonance-enhanced Raman) evidence for unusual actinide-ligand bonding. [Da Re et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 682; Jantunen et al., Organometallics, 2004, 23, 4682; Morris et al., Organometallics, 2004, 23, 5142.] Similar evidence has been observed for the group 4 analogue (C5H5)2Zr[-N=CPh2]2. [Da Re et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 682.] These compounds have important implications for the development of new heavy-element systems that possess novel electronic and magnetic properties. Here, we have investigated M-ketimido bonding (M = Th, U, Zr), as well as the spectroscopic properties of the highly colored bis-ketimido complexes, using density functional theory (DFT). Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) has been used to experimentally elucidate the ground-state electronic structure of the thorium and uranium systems. Careful examination of the ground-state electronic structure, as well as a detailed modeling of the photoelectron spectra, reveals similar bonding interactions between the thorium and uranium compounds. Using time-dependent DFT (TDDFT), we have assigned the bands in the previously reported UV-Visible spectra for (C5Me5)2Th[-N=CPh2]2, (C5Me5)2U[-N=CPh2]2, and (C5H5)2Zr[-N=CPh2]2. The low-energy transitions are attributed to ligand-localized N p --> C=N pi excitations. These excited states may be either localized on a single ketimido unit or may be of the ligand-ligand charge-transfer type. Higher-energy transitions are cyclopentadienyl pi --> CN pi or cyclopentadienyl pi --> phenyl pi in character. The lowest-energy excitation in the (C5Me5)2U[-N=Ph2]2 compound is attributed to f-f and metal-ligand charge-transfer transitions that are not available in the thorium and zirconium analogues. Geometry optimization and vibrational analysis of the lowest-energy triplet state of the zirconium and thorium compounds also aids in the assignment and understanding of the resonance-enhanced Raman data that has recently been reported. [Da Re et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 682.].     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of group 5 metal amides with chiral biaryldiamine-based ligands

A new series of group 5 metal amides have been prepared from the reaction between V(NMe(2))(4) or M(NMe(2))(5) (M = Nb, Ta) and chiral ligands, (R)-2,2'-bis(mesitoylamino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (1H(2)), (R)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-2,2'-bis(mesitoylamino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (2H(2)), (R)-6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bis(mesitoylamino)-1,1'-biphenyl (3H(2)), (R)-2,2'-bis(mesitylenesulfonylamino)-6,6'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl (4H(2)), (R)-2,2'-bis(diphenylthiophosphoramino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (5H(2)), (R)-2,2'-bis[(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]-6,6'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl (6H(2)), (R)-2,2'-bis[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]-6,6'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl (7H(2)), (R)-2,2'-bis[(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]-1,1'-binaphthyl (8H(2)), (S)-2-(mesitoylamino)-2'-(dimethylamino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (9H), and (R)-2-(mesitoylamino)-2'-(dimethylamino)-6,6'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl (10H), which are derived from (R) or (S)-2,2'-diamino-1,1'-binaphthyl, and (R)-2,2'-diamino-6,6'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl, respectively. Treatment of V(NMe(2))(4) or M(NMe(2))(5) (M = Nb, Ta) with 1 equiv of C(2)-symmetric amidate ligands 1H(2), 2H(2), 3H(2), 4H(2), and 5H(2), or Schiff base ligands 6H(2), 7H(2) and 8H(2) at room temperature gives, after recrystallization from a benzene, toluene or n-hexane solution, the vanadium amides (1)V(NMe(2))(2) (11), (2)V(NMe(2))(2) (14), (3)V(NMe(2))(2) (17), (5)V(NMe(2))(2) (22), (6)V(NMe(2))(2) (23) and (7)V(NMe(2))(2) (24), and niobium amides (1)Nb(NMe(2))(3) (12), (2)Nb(NMe(2))(3) (15), (3)Nb(NMe(2))(3) (18), (4)Nb(NMe(2))(3) (20) and [2-(3-Me(3)C-2-O-C(6)H(3)CHN)-2'-(N)-C(20)H(12)][2-(Me(2)N)(2)CH-6-CMe(3)-C(6)H(3)O]NbNMe(2)·C(7)H(8) (25·C(7)H(8)), and tantalum amides (1)Ta(NMe(2))(3) (13), (2)Ta(NMe(2))(3) (16), (3)Ta(NMe(2))(3) (19) and (4)Ta(NMe(2))(3) (21) respectively, in good yields. Reaction of V(NMe(2))(4) or M(NMe(2))(5) (M = Nb, Ta) with 2 equiv of C(1)-symmetric amidate ligands 9H or 10H at room temperature gives, after recrystallization from a toluene or n-hexane solution, the chiral bis-ligated vanadium amides (9)(2)V(NMe(2))(2)·3C(7)H(8) (27·3C(7)H(8)) and (10)V(NMe(2))(2) (28), and chiral bis-ligated metallaaziridine complexes (10)(2)M(NMe(2))(η(2)-CH(2)NMe) (M = Nb (29), Ta (30)) respectively, in good yields. The niobium and tantalum amidate complexes are stable in a toluene solution at or below 160 °C, while the vanadium amidate complexes degrade via diemthylamino group elimination at this temperature. For example, heating the complex (2)V(NMe(2))(2) (14) in toluene at 160 °C for four days leads to the isolation of the complex [(2)V](2)(μ-NMe(2))(2) (26) in 58% yield. These new complexes have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, and elemental analyses. The solid-state structures of complexes 12, 13, and 15-30 have further been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. The vanadium amides are active chiral catalysts for the asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes, affording cyclic amines in moderate to good yields with good ee values (up to 80%), and the tantalum amides are outstanding chiral catalysts for the hydroaminoalkylation, giving chiral secondary amines in good yields with excellent ee values (up to 93%).     

Reaction of [P(2)N(2)]Ta==CH(2)(Me) with ethylene: synthesis of [P(2)N(2)]Ta(C(2)H(4))Et, a neutral species with a beta-agostic ethyl group in equilibrium with an alpha-agostic ethyl group ([P(2)N(2)] = PhP(CH(2)SiMe(2)CH(2))(2)PPh).

The photolysis of [P(2)N(2)]TaMe(3) ([P(2)N(2)] = PhP(CH(2)SiMe(2)NSiMe(2)CH(2))(2)PPh) produces [P(2)N(2)]Ta=CH(2)(Me) as the major product. The thermally unstable methylidene complex decomposes in solution in the absence of trapping agents to unidentified products. However, in the presence of ethylene [P(2)N(2)]Ta=CH(2)(Me) is slowly converted to [P(2)N(2)]Ta(C(2)H(4))Et, with [P(2)N(2)]Ta(C(2)H(4))Me observed as a minor product. A mechanistic study suggests that the formation of [P(2)N(2)]Ta(C(2)H(4))Et results from the trapping of [P(2)N(2)]TaEt, formed by the migratory insertion of the methylene moiety into the tantalum-methyl bond. The minor product, [P(2)N(2)]Ta(C(2)H(4))Me, forms from the decomposition of a tantalacyclobutane resulting from the addition of ethylene to [P(2)N(2)]Ta=CH(2)(Me) and is accompanied by the production of an equivalent of propylene. Pure [P(2)N(2)]Ta(C(2)H(4))Et can be synthesized by hydrogenation of [P(2)N(2)]TaMe(3) in the presence of PMe(3), followed by the reaction of ethylene with the resulting trihydride. Crystallographic and NMR data indicate the presence of a beta-agostic interaction between the ethyl group and tantalum center in [P(2)N(2)]Ta(C(2)H(4))Et. Partially deuterated analogues of [P(2)N(2)]Ta(C(2)H(4))Et show a large isotopic perturbation of resonance for both the beta-protons and the alpha-protons of the ethyl group, indicative of an equilibrium between a beta-agostic and an alpha-agostic interaction for the ethyl group in solution. An EXSY spectrum demonstrates that an additional fluxional process occurs that exchanges all of the (1)H environments of the ethyl and ethylene ligands. The mechanism of this exchange is believed to involve the direct transfer of the beta-agostic hydrogen atom from the ethyl group to the ethylene ligand, via the so-called beta-hydrogen transfer process.     

Crowded bis ligand complexes of Ttz(Ph,Me) with first row transition metals rearrange due to ligand field effects: structural and electronic characterization (Ttz(Ph,Me) = tris(3-phenyl-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate)

The tris(3-phenyl-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate (Ttz(Ph,Me)) ligand provides intermediate steric bulk and forms predominantly bis(ligand) complexes of the form M(Ttz(Ph,Me))(2) with first row divalent transition metals (1(M), M = Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn). Due to ligand field effects that are greatest with Ni and Cu, ligand rearrangement is favored with these metals and Cu(Ttz(Ph,Me)*)(2) (1(Cu)*) and (Ttz(Ph,Me)*)Ni(Ttz(Ph,Me)) (1(Ni)*) were isolated by selective recrystallization and fully characterized (* indicates a rearranged Ttz ligand with Ph and Me in swapped positions in one triazole ring). For comparison with Co(Ttz(Ph,Me))(2), the less bulky analogs (Ttz(H,H))(2)Co (4) and (Ttz(Me,Me))(2)Co (5) were studied by NMR and EPR spectroscopy, and 5 was crystallographically characterized. These complexes allow for a study of how slight changes in structure and electron donor properties (for Ni and Cu), as well as dramatic changes in steric bulk (for Co), influence the physical properties; specifically there are significant changes in the UV-Vis, EPR and NMR spectra. Bis(ligand) complexes predominate with all metals, but (Ttz(Ph,Me))Ni(OH(2))Cl (2) and (Ttz(Ph,Me))ZnBr (3) were also isolated and these show that Ttz(Ph,Me) is coordinatively flexible.     

三(三甲硅基)环戊二烯基三羰基钼负离子的反应性

三(三甲硅基)环戊二烯基三羰基钼负离子锂盐[{η^5-(Me~3Si)~3C~5H~2}Mo(CO)~3]^-Li^+(1), 分别与MeI、phCH~2Cl及ClCH~2COOC~2H~5反应生成相应的烃基化钼衍生物[{η^5-(Me~3Si)~3C~5H~2}Mo(CO)~3R,] (R=-CH~3, 2; -CH~2ph, 3;-CH~2COOC~2H~5, 4)。1与PCl~3反应除得到预期的钼氯化物[{η^5-(Me~3Si)~3C~5H~2}Mo(CO)~3Cl](5)外, 主要得到钼磷氯化物[{η^5-(Me~3Si)~3C~5H~2}Mo(CO)~3PCl~2] 6; 1与碘反应得到钼碘化物[{η^5-(Me~3Si)~3C~5H~2}Mo(CO)~3I] 7; 1与HOAc作用后分别和CCl~4、NBS室温反应, 仅分离到脱去一个Me~3Si的钼卤化物[{η^5-(Me~3Si)~2C~5H~2}Mo(CO)~3X], (X:Cl, 8; Br, 9)。     

Zinc-zinc bonded zincocene structures. Synthesis and characterization of Zn2(eta5-C5Me5)2 and Zn2(eta5-C5Me4Et)2

While, in general, decamethylzincocene, Zn(C5Me5)2, and other zincocenes, Zn(C5Me4R)2 (R = H, But, SiMe3), react with dialkyl and diaryl derivatives, ZnR'2, to give the half-sandwich compounds (eta5-C5Me4R)ZnR', under certain conditions the reactions of Zn(C5Me5)2 with ZnEt2 or ZnPh2 produce unexpectedly the dizincocene Zn2(eta5-C5Me5)2 (1) in low yields, most likely as a result of the coupling of two (eta5-C5Me5)Zn* radicals. An improved, large scale (ca. 2 g) synthesis of 1 has been achieved by reduction of equimolar mixtures of Zn(C5Me5)2 and ZnCl2 with KH in tetrahydrofuran. The analogous reduction of Zn(C5Me4R)2 (R = H, SiMe3, But) yields only decomposition products, but the isotopically labeled dimetallocene 68Zn2(eta5-C5Me5)2 and the related compound Zn2(eta5-C5Me4Et)2 (2) have been obtained by this procedure. Compound 2 has lower thermal stability than 1, but it has been unequivocally characterized by low-temperature X-ray diffraction studies. As for 1 a combination of structural characterization techniques has provided unambiguous evidence for its formulation as the Zn-Zn bonded dimer Zn2(eta5-C5Me4Et)2, with a short Zn-Zn bond of 2.295(3) A indicative of a strong Zn-Zn bonding interaction. The electronic structure and the bonding properties of 1 and those of related dizincocenes Zn2(eta5-Cp')2 have been studied by DFT methods (B3LYP level), with computed bond distances and angles for dizincocene 1 very similar to the experimental values. The Zn-Zn bond is strong (ca. 62 kcal.mol-1 for 1) and resides in the HOMO-4, that has a contribution of Zn orbitals close to 60%, consisting mostly of the Zn 4s orbitals (more than 96%).     

Thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanism of (silox)3M(olefin) to (silox)3M(alkylidene) rearrangements (silox = tBu3SiO; M = Nb, Ta)

Olefin complexes (silox)(3)M(ole) (silox = (t)Bu(3)SiO; M = Nb (1-ole), Ta (2-ole); ole = C(2)H(4), C(2)H(3)Me, C(2)H(3)Et, C(2)H(3)C(6)H(4)-p-X (X = OMe, H, CF(3)), C(2)H(3)(t)Bu, (c)C(5)H(8), (c)C(6)H(10), (c)C(7)H(10) (norbornene)) rearrange to alkylidene isomers (silox)(3)M(alk) (M = Nb (1=alk), Ta (2=alk); alk = CHMe, CHEt, CH(n)Pr, CHCH(2)C(6)H(4)-p-X (X = OMe, H, CF(3) (Ta only)), CHCH(2)(t)Bu, (c)C(5)H(8), (c)C(6)H(10), (c)C(7)H(10) (norbornylidene)). Kinetics and labeling experiments suggest that the rearrangement proceeds via a delta-abstraction on a silox CH bond by the beta-olefin carbon to give (silox)(2)RM(kappa(2)-O,C-OSi(t)Bu(2)CMe(2)CH(2)) (M = Nb (4-R), Ta (6-R); R = Me, Et, (n)Pr, (n)Bu, CH(2)CH(2)C(6)H(4)-p-X (X = OMe, H, CF(3) (Ta only)), CH(2)CH(2)(t)Bu, (c)C(5)H(9), (c)C(6)H(11), (c)C(7)H(11) (norbornyl)). A subsequent alpha-abstraction by the cylometalated "arm" of the intermediate on an alpha-CH bond of R generates the alkylidene 1=alk or 2=alk. Equilibrations of 1-ole with ole' to give 1-ole' and ole, and relevant calculations on 1-ole and 2-ole, permit interpretation of all relative ground and transition state energies for the complexes of either metal.     

Condensed tantalaborane clusters: synthesis and structures of [(Cp*Ta)2B5H7{Fe(CO)3}2] and [(Cp*Ta)2B5H9{Fe(CO)3}4

The reaction of [(Cp*Ta)(2)B(4)H(9)(μ-BH(4))] (1; Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with [Fe(2)(CO)(9)] in hexane yielded [(Cp*Ta)(2)B(5)H(7){Fe(CO)(3)}(2)] (2) and [(Cp*Ta)(2)B(5)H(9){Fe(CO)(3)}(4)] (3) in moderate yield. Cluster 2 represents the first example of a bicapped pentagonal-bipyramidal metallaborane with a deformed equatorial plane, and 3 can be described as a fused cluster in which two pentagonal-bipyramidal units are fused through a common 3-vertex triangular face. Compounds 2 and 3 have been characterized by mass spectrometry and IR, (1)H, (11)B, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and the geometric structures were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis.     

Synthesis of (C5Me5)2(C5Me4H)UMe, (C5Me5)2(C5H5)UMe, and (C5Me5)2UMe[CH(SiMe3)2] from cationic metallocenes for the evaluation of sterically induced reduction

To probe the correlation of unusual (C5Me5)(1-) reactivity with steric crowding in complexes such as (C5Me5)3UMe and (C5Me5)3UCl, slightly less crowded (C5Me5)2(C5Me4H)UX analogues (X = Me, Cl) were synthesized and their reactivity was evaluated. The utility of the cationic precursors [(C5Me5)2UMe](1+), 1, and [(C5Me5)2UCl](1+), 2, in the synthesis of (C5Me5)2(C5Me4H)UMe, 3, and (C5Me5)2(C5Me4H)UCl, 4, was also explored. Since the use of precursor [(C5Me5)2UMe][MeBPh3], 1a, is complicated by the equilibrium between 1a and (C5Me5)2UMe2/BPh3, the reactivity of [(C5Me5)2UMe(OTf)]2, 1b, (OTf = O3SCF3) prepared from (C5Me5)2UMe2 and AgOTf, was also studied. Both 1a and 1b react with KC5Me4H to form 3. Complex 4 readily forms by addition of KC5Me4H to [(C5Me5)2UCl][MeBPh3], generated in situ from (C5Me5)2UMeCl and BPh3. Complex 1b was preferred to 1a for the synthesis of (C5Me5)2(C5H5)UMe, 5, and (C5Me5)2UMe[CH(SiMe3)2], 6, from KC5H5 and LiCH(SiMe3)2, respectively. Complex 6 is the first example of a mixed alkyl uranium metallocene complex. Sterically induced reduction (SIR) reactivity was not observed with 3-6 although the methyl displacements from the (C5Me5)(1-) ring plane for 3 are the closest observed to date to those of SIR-active complexes. The (1)H NMR spectra of 3 and 4 are unusual in that all of the (C5Me4H)(1-) methyl groups are inequivalent. This structural rigidity is consistent with density-functional theory calculations.     

Synthetic, reactivity, and structural studies on half-sandwich (eta5-C5Me5)Be and related compounds: halide, alkyl, and iminoacyl derivatives

The half-sandwich compounds [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))BeX] (X=Cl, 1 a; Br, 1 b), readily prepared from the reaction of the halides BeX(2) and M[C(5)Me(5)] (M=Na or K), are useful synthons for other (eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Be organometallic compounds, including the alkyl derivatives [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))BeR] (R=Me, 2 a; CMe(3), 2 b; CH(2)CMe(3), 2 c; CH(2)Ph, 2 d). The latter compounds can be obtained by metathetical exchange of the halides 1 with the corresponding lithium reagent and exhibit NMR signals and other properties in accord with the proposed formulation. Attempts to make [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))BeH] have proved fruitless, probably due to instability of the hydride toward disproportionation into [Be(C(5)Me(5))(2)] and BeH(2). The half-sandwich iminoacyl [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Be(C(NXyl)Cp')] and [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(4)H)Be(C(NXyl)Cp')]3, 6 where Xyl=C(6)H(3)-2,6-Me(2) and Cp'=C(5)Me(5) or C(5)Me(4)H, are formed when the beryllocenes [Be(C(5)Me(5))(2)], [Be(C(5)Me(4)H)(2)], and [Be(C(5)Me(5))(C(5)Me(4)H)] are allowed to react with CNXyl. Isolation of three different iminoacyl isomers from the reaction of the mixed-ring beryllocene [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Be(eta(1)-C(5)Me(4)H)] and CNXyl, namely compounds 5 a, 5 b, and 6, provides compelling evidence for the existence in solution of different beryllocene isomers, generated in the course of two very facile processes that explain the solution dynamics of these metallocenes, that is the 1,5-sigmatropic shift of the Be(eta(5)-Cp') unit around the periphery of the eta(1)-Cp' ring, and the molecular inversion rearrangement that exchanges the roles of the two rings.     

Reductive reactivity of the organolanthanide hydrides, [(C5Me5)2LnH]x, leads to ansa-allyl cyclopentadienyl (eta(5)-C5Me4CH2-C5Me4CH2-eta(3))2- and trianionic cyclooctatetraenyl (C8H7)3- ligands

The reductive reactivity of lanthanide hydride ligands in the [(C5Me5)2LnH]x complexes (Ln = Sm, La, Y) was examined to see if these hydride ligands would react like the actinide hydrides in [(C5Me5)2AnH2]2 (An = U, Th) and [(C5Me5)2UH]2. Each lanthanide hydride complex reduces PhSSPh to make [(C5Me5)2Ln(mu-SPh)]2 in approximately 90% yield. [(C5Me5)2SmH]2 reduces phenazine and anthracene to make [(C5Me5)2Sm]2(mu-eta(3):eta(3)-C12H8N2) and [(C5Me5)2Sm]2(mu-eta(3):eta(3)-C10H14), respectively, but the analogous [(C5Me5)2LaH]x and [(C5Me5)2YH]2 reactions are more complicated. All three lanthanide hydrides reduce C8H8 to make (C5Me5)Ln(C8H8) and (C5Me5)3Ln, a reaction that constitutes another synthetic route to (C5Me5)3Ln complexes. In the reaction of [(C5Me5)2YH]2 with C8H8, two unusual byproducts are obtained. In benzene, a (C5Me5)Y[(eta(5)-C5Me4CH2-C5Me4CH2-eta(3))] complex forms in which two (C5Me5)(1-) rings are linked to make a new type of ansa-allyl-cyclopentadienyl dianion that binds as a pentahapto-trihapto chelate. In cyclohexane, a (C5Me5)2Y(mu-eta(8):eta(1)-C8H7)Y(C5Me5) complex forms in which a (C8H8)(2-) ring is metalated to form a bridging (C8H7)(3-) trianion.