Enhancing the Variability of [Ge9] Cluster Chemistry through Phosphine Functionalization

The synthetic approach towards molecules that contain Ge atoms with oxidation state 0, and which are exclusively connected to other Ge atoms, is explored by using anionic clusters extracted from binary solids. Besides providing a novel variable method for the introduction of alkenyl moieties to [Ge₉] cluster compounds, this work expands the spectrum of mixed-functionalized [Ge₉] cluster anions, which are suitable for the straightforward synthesis of zwitterionic compounds upon coordination to metal cations. In detail, the synthesis of a series of mixed-functionalized [Ge₉] clusters is reported, including [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₃PRR^I] (R=tBu, R^I=(CH₂)₃CH=CH₂; 2 ) and [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂PRR^I]⁻ (R and R^I: alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aminoalkyl; 3 a to 11 a , TMS: (trimethyl)silyl). In 2 and 3 a , pentenyl functionalization of the [Ge₉] clusters was achieved by reaction of the novel chlorophosphine tBu{(CH₂)₃CH=CH₂}PCl ( 1 ) with silylated [Ge₉] clusters. Furthermore, the reactivity of the cluster anions 3 a to 11 a towards NHC^DippMCl (NHC^Dipp=1,3-di(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolylidine; M=Cu, Ag) showed a dependency on the steric demand of the phosphine either zwitterions ( 3 -MNHC^Dipp to 7 -MNHC^Dipp) featuring P–M interactions are formed, or Ge–M coordination ( 8 -MNHC^Dipp to 11 -MNHC^Dipp) occurs. For M=Ag, the formation of zwitterionic complexes was unequivocally proven by NMR investigations showing ¹J(³¹P-¹⁰⁷Ag/¹⁰⁹Ag) spin-spin coupling.     

FLP-type nitrile activation and cyclic ether ring-opening by halo-borane nonagermanide-cluster Lewis acid–base pairs

Even though homoatomic nine-atom germanium clusters are known for two decades, their chemical properties are still rarely investigated. We now discovered that Zintl ion main group-element clusters possess a reactive lone pair of electrons, and we show a new pathway to bind ligands with functional groups to the [Ge₉] cluster core through Ge–C bond formation. We report on the reactivity of [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂]²⁻ (TMS = trimethylsilyl) towards a series of Lewis acidic bromo-boranes. The reaction of [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂]²⁻ and DAB^o-tol–Br (DAB = 1,3,2-diazaborolidine; o-tol = 2-methylphenyl) resulted, depending on the reaction protocol, either in the formation of [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂DAB^o-tol]⁻ (1a) with direct Ge–B interactions, or in [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂(CH₂)₄O–DAB^o-tol]⁻ (2a) featuring a ring-opened thf moiety. Ring opening reactions occur for all bulkier DAB^R–Br [R: o-xyl (2,6-dimethylphenyl), Mes (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), Dipp (2,6-diisopropylphenyl)], DAB(ii)^Dipp–Br and acyclic (ⁱPr₂N)₂BBr without Ge–B bond formation as shown for the structural characterization of the ring-opened products of thf (3, 4) and trimethylene oxide (5). In contrast to thf, the activation of CH₃CN requires the simultaneous presence of Lewis-acid and Lewis-basic reactants allowing the formation of [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂CH₃C N–DAB^Mes]⁻ (6a). Within the presented compounds, 3 and 4 show an unusual substitution pattern of the three ligands at the [Ge₉] core in the solid state. The [Ge₉] cluster/borane systems correspond to intermolecular frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs), in which the [Ge₉] cluster with several lone pairs represents the Lewis base, and the borane is the Lewis acid.

The reactivity of the lone pairs in polyhedral Zintl anions is shown by the reaction of the bis-silylated cluster [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂]²⁻ accomplishing cyclic-ether ring-opening or nitrile activation according to a FLP-like mechanism with bromo-boranes.     

Functionalization of [Ge9] with Small Silanes:[Ge9(SiR3)3]– (R = iBu,iPr, Et) and the Structures of (CuNHCDipp)[Ge9{Si(iBu)3}3], (K‐18c6)Au[Ge9{Si(iBu)3}3]2, and (K‐18c6)2[Ge9{Si(iBu)3}2]

Novel silylation reactions at [Ge₉] Zintl clusters starting from the chlorosilanes SiR₃Cl (R = iBu, iPr, Et) and the Zintl phase K₄Ge₉ are reported. The formation of the tris‐silylated anions [Ge₉(SiR₃)₃]^– [R = iBu ( 1a ), iPr ( 1b ), Et ( 1c )] by heterogeneous reactions in acetonitrile was monitored by ESI‐MS measurements. For R = iBu ¹H, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR experiments confirmed the exclusive formation of 1a . Subsequent reactions of 1a with CuNHC^DippCl and Au(PPh₃)Cl result in formation of the neutral metal complex (CuNHC^Dipp)[Ge₉{Si(iBu)₃}₃]·0.5 tol ( 2 ·0.5 tol) and the metal bridged dimeric unit {Au[Ge₉{Si(iBu)₃}₃]₂}^– ( 3a ), isolated as a (K‐18c6)⁺ salt in (K‐18c6)Au[Ge₉{Si(iBu)₃}₃]₂·tol ( 3 ·tol), respectively. Finally, from a toluene/hexane solution of 1a in presence of 18‐crown‐6, crystals of the compound (K‐18c6)₂[Ge₉{Si(iBu)₃}₂]·tol ( 4 ·tol), containing the bis‐silylated cluster anion [Ge₉(Si(iBu)₃)₂]^2– ( 4a ), were obtained. The compounds 2 ·0.5 tol, 3 ·tol and 4 ·tol were characterized by single‐crystal structure determination.     

On the Reactivity of Silylated Ge9 Clusters: Synthesis and Characterization of [ZnCp*(Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3)], [CuPiPr3(Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3)], and [(CuPiPr3)4{Ge9(SiPh3)2}2]

We report on the synthesis of new derivatives of silylated clusters of the type [Ge₉(SiR₃)₃]^? (R = SiMe₃, Me = CH₃; R = Ph, Ph = C₆H₅) as well as on their reactivity towards copper and zinc compounds. The silylated cluster compounds were synthesized by heterogeneous reactions starting from the Zintl phase K₄Ge₉. Reaction of K[Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃] with ZnCl₂ leads to the already known dimeric compound [Zn(Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃)₂] ( 1 ), whereas upon the reaction with [ZnCp*₂] the coordination of [ZnCp*]⁺ to the cluster takes place (Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) under the formation of [ZnCp*(Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃)] ( 2 ). A similar reaction leads to [CuPiPr₃(Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃)] ( 3 ) from [CuPiPr₃Cl] (iPr=isopropyl). Further we investigated the novel silylated cluster units [Ge₉(SiPh₃)₃]^? ( 4 ) and [Ge₉(SiPh₃)₂]^? ( 5 ), which could be identified by mass spectroscopy. Bis‐ and tris‐silylated species can be synthesized by the respective stoichiometric reactions, and the products were characterized by ESI‐MS and NMR experiments. These clusters show rather different reactivity. The reaction of the tris‐silylated anion 4 with [CuPiPr₃Cl] leads to [(CuPiPr₃)₃Ge₉(SiPh₃)₂]⁺ as shown from NMR experiments and to [(CuPiPr₃)₄{Ge₉(SiPh₃)₂}₂] ( 6 ), which was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 6 shows a new type of coordination of the Cu atoms to the silylated Zintl clusters.     

Subvalente Galliumtriflate – mögliche Ausgangsverbindungen für Clusterverbindungen des Galliums

Subvalent Gallium Triflates – Potentially Useful Starting Materials for Gallium Cluster Compounds By reaction of GaCp* with trifluormethanesulfonic acid in hexane a mixture of gallium trifluormethanesulfonates (triflates, OTf) is obtained. This mixture reacts readily with lithiumsilanides [Li(thf)₃Si(SiMe₃)₂R] (R = Me, SiMe₃) to afford the cluster compounds [Ga₆{Si(SiMe₃)Me}₆], [Ga₂{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₄] and [Ga₁₀{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₆]. By crystallization from various solvents the gallium triflates [Ga(OTf)₃(thf)₃], [HGa(OTf)(thf)₄]⁺ [Ga(OTf)₄(thf)₃]⁻, [Cp*GaGa(OTf)₂]₂ and [Ga(toluene)₂]⁺ [Ga₅(OTf)₆(Cp*)₂]⁻ were isolated and characterized by single crystal X ray structure analysis.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of the mixed-metal cluster cation [Nb(η5-C5H4R)2{AuP(C6H5)3}2]+ with R = H or Si(CH3)3

Triangular “NbAu₂” cluster compounds have been prepared by the reaction of [Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄R)₂H₃] (R = H, Si(CH₃)₃) with gold(I) salts and the structure of [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₄Si(CH₃)₃}₂{AuP(C₆H₅)₃}₂] PF₆ has been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Reactivity of [Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3]− Towards Transition‐Metal M2+ Cations: Coordination and Redox Chemistry

Recently the metalloid cluster compound [Ge₉Hyp₃]^? ( 1 ; Hyp=Si(SiMe₃)₃) was oxidatively coupled by an iron(II) salt to give the largest metalloid Group 14 cluster [Ge₁₈Hyp₆]. Such redox chemistry is also possible with different transition metal (TM) salts TM²⁺ (TM=Fe, Co, Ni) to give the TM⁺ complexes [Fe(dppe)₂][Ge₉Hyp₃] ( 3 ; dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), [Co(dppe)₂][Ge₉Hyp₃] ( 4 ), [Ni(dppe)(Ge₉Hyp₃)] ( 5 ) and [Ni(dppe)₂(Ge₉Hyp₃)]⁺ ( 6 ). Such a redox reaction does not proceed for Mn, for which a salt metathesis gives the first open shell [Hyp₃Ge₉‐M‐Ge₉Hyp₃] cluster ( 2 ; M=Mn). The bonding of the transition metal atom to 1 is also possible for Ni (e.g., compound 6 ), in which one or even two nickel atoms can bind to 1 . In contrast to this in case of the Fe and Co compounds 3 and 4 , respectively, the transition‐metal atom is not bound to the Ge₉ core of 1 . The synthesis and the experimentally determined structures of 2 – 6 are presented. Additionally the bonding within 2 – 6 is analyzed and discussed with the aid of EPR measurements and quantum chemical calculations.     

Ligandverhalten von P‐funktionellen Organozinnhalogeniden: Nickel(II)‐, Palladium(II)‐ und Platin(II)‐halogenid‐Komplexe mit Me2(Cl)SnCH2CH2PPh2

Ligand Behaviour of P‐functional Organotin Halides: Nickel(II), Palladium(II), and Platinum(II) Complexes with Me₂(Cl)SnCH₂CH₂PPh₂ Me₂(Cl)SnCH₂CH₂PPh₂ ( 1 ) reacts with Ni^II, Pd^II, and Pt^II halides in molar ratio 2 : 1 forming the complexes [MX₂{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂}₂] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; X = Cl, Br) ( 3 – 6 , 9 , 10 ) ( 7 , 8 : M = Ni; Br instead of Cl). The nickel complexes were isolated and characterized both as the planar ( 3 , 5 , 7 ) and the tetrahedral ( 4 , 6 , 8 ) isomer. Crystal structure analyses and NMR data indicate for the planar nickel complexes 3 , 5 , 7 and [MCl₂{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂}₂] ( 9 : M = Pd; 10 : M = Pt) the existence of intra and intermolecular M–Hal…Sn bridges. In a ligand : metal molar ratio of 3 : 1 the complexes [M^éCl{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn^⊖Cl₂Me₂}{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂}₂] ( 11 : M = Pd; 12 : M = Pt) are formed which represent intramolecular ion pairs. By dehalogenation of [PdCl₂{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂}₂] ( 9 ) with sodium amalgam and graphite potassium (C₈K), respectively, the palladacycles cis‐[Pd{PPh₂CH₂CH₂SnMe₂}₂] ( 13 ) and trans‐[Pd(Cl)PPh₂CH₂CH₂SnMe₂{PPh₂CH₂CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂}] ( 14 ) are formed. From the compounds 1 , 3 , 9 , 11 , and 12 the crystal structures are determined. All compounds are characterized by ¹H, ³¹P, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy.     

The Weakly Coordinating Tris(trichlorosilyl)silyl Anion

Closely following the procedure for the preparation of the base‐stabilized dichlorosilylene complex NHC^Dipp⋅SiCl₂ reported by Roesky, Stalke, and co‐workers (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed . 2009 , 48 , 5683–5686), a few crystals of the salt [NHC^Dipp−H⋅⋅⋅Cl⋅⋅⋅H−NHC^Dipp]Si(SiCl₃)₃ were isolated, aside from the reported byproduct [NHC^Dipp−H⁺⋅⋅⋅Cl⁻], and characterized by X‐ray crystallography (NHC^Dipp=N,N‐di(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazo‐2‐ylidene). They contain the weakly coordinating anion Si(SiCl₃)₃⁻, which was also obtained in high yields upon deprotonation of the conjugate Brønsted acid HSi(SiCl₃)₃ with NHC^Dipp or PMP (PMP=1,2,2,6,6‐pentamethylpiperidine). The acidity of HSi(SiCl₃)₃ was estimated by DFT calculations to be substantially higher than those of other H‐silanes. Further DFT studies on the electronic structure of Si(SiCl₃)₃⁻, including the electrostatic potential and the electron localizability, confirmed its low basicity and nucleophilicity compared with other silyl anions.     

Seven-Membered Cyclic Potassium Diamidoalumanyls

The seven-membered cyclic potassium alumanyl species, [{SiN^Mes}AlK]₂ [{SiN^Mes}={CH₂SiMe₂N(Mes)}₂; Mes=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂], which adopts a dimeric structure supported by flanking K-aryl interactions, has been isolated either by direct reduction of the iodide precursor, [{SiN^Mes}AlI], or in a stepwise manner via the intermediate dialumane, [{SiN^Mes}Al]₂. Although the intermediate dialumane has not been observed by reduction of a Dipp-substituted analogue (Dipp=2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃), partial oxidation of the potassium alumanyl species, [{SiN^Dipp}AlK]₂, where {SiN^Dipp}={CH₂SiMe₂N(Dipp)}₂, provided the extremely encumbered dialumane [{SiN^Dipp}Al]₂. [{SiN^Dipp}AlK]₂ reacts with toluene by reductive activation of a methyl C(sp³)-H bond to provide the benzyl hydridoaluminate, [{SiN^Dipp}AlH(CH₂Ph)]K, and as a nucleophile with BPh₃ and RN=C=NR (R=i-Pr, Cy) to yield the respective Al-B- and Al-C-bonded potassium aluminaborate and alumina-amidinate products. The dimeric structure of [{SiN^Dipp}AlK]₂ can be disrupted by partial or complete sequestration of potassium. Equimolar reactions with 18-crown-6 result in the corresponding monomeric potassium alumanyl, [{SiN^Dipp}Al−K(18-cr-6)], which provides a rare example of a direct Al−K contact. In contrast, complete encapsulation of the potassium cation of [{SiN^Dipp}AlK]₂, either by an excess of 18-cr-6 or 2,2,2-cryptand, allows the respective isolation of bright orange charge-separated species comprising the ‘free’ [{SiN^Dipp}Al]⁻ alumanyl anion. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed on this moiety indicate HOMO-LUMO energy gaps in the of order 200–250 kJ mol⁻¹.     

The Largest Metalloid Group 14 Cluster,Ge18[Si(SiMe3)3]6: An Intermediate on the Way to Elemental Germanium

The oxidation of [Ge₉(Hyp)₃]^? (Hyp=Si(SiMe₃)₃) with an Fe^II salt leads to Ge₁₈(Hyp)₆ ( 1 ), the largest Group 14 metalloid cluster that has been structurally characterized to date. The arrangement of the 18 germanium atoms in 1 shows similarities to that found in the solid‐state structure Ge(cF136). Furthermore, 1 can be described as a macropolyhedral cluster of two Ge₉ units. Quantum‐chemical calculations further hint at a strained arrangement so that 1 can be considered as a first trapped intermediate on the way from Ge₉ units to elemental germanium with the clathrate‐II structure (Ge(cF136)).     

[Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}2{Ge(SiMe3)3}]–: The Mixed Substituted Metalloid Germanium Cluster and the Intermetalloid Cluster [ZnGe18{Si(SiMe3)3}4{Ge(SiMe3)3}2]

The novel metalloid germanium cluster [Ge₉(Hyp)₂Hyp^Ge]^– ( 1 ) was synthesized, exhibiting two different bulky groups [Hyp = Si(SiMe₃)₃; Hyp^Ge = Ge(SiMe₃)₃]. Further reaction of 1 with ZnCl₂ gives the derivative [ZnGe₁₈(Hyp)₄(Hyp^Ge)₂] ( 2 ) in good yield, showing that the substitution of Si(SiMe₃)₃ by Ge(SiMe₃)₃ within a metalloid Ge₉R₃^– compound leads to a comparable reactivity. 1 and 2 are characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry ( 1 ) and single crystal structure analyses ( 2 ). 1 and 2 are the first metalloid germanium clusters bearing germyl groups.     

Das Hexagallan [Ga6{SiMe(SiMe3)2}6] und das closo‐Hexagallanat [Ga6{Si(CMe3)3}4(CH2C6H5)2]2— — der Übergang zu einem ungewöhnlichen precloso‐Cluster

The Hexagallane [Ga₆{SiMe(SiMe₃)₂}₆] and the closo‐Hexagallanate [Ga₆{Si(CMe₃)₃}₄ (CH₂C₆H₅)₂]^2— — the Transition to an Unusual precloso‐Cluster The closo hexagallanate [Ga₆R₄(CH₂Ph)₂]^2— (R = Si^tBu₃) as well as the hexagallane Ga₆R₆ (R = SiMe(SiMe₃)₂) with only six cluster electron pairs were isolated from reactions of “GaI” with the corresponding silanides. The structure of the latter is derived from an octahedron by a Jahn‐Teller‐distortion and is different from the capped trigonal bipyramidal one expected by the Wade‐Mingos rules. Both compounds were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The bonding is discussed with simplified Ga₆H₆ and Ga₆H₆^2— models via DFT methods.     

Unified reciprocity of dithiophosphate by dichalcogenophosph(in)ate ligands on copper hydride nanoclusters via ligand exchange reaction

A structural study of ligand exchange on chalcogen‐passivated copper nanoclusters is far less developed. Herein, we report the synthesis of polyhydrido copper nanoclusters [Cu₂₀H₁₁{Se₂P(O ⁱBu)₂}₉] ( 2 ) passivated by Se‐donor ligands via ligand replacement reaction on [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(O ⁱPr)₂}₉] ( 1 ) with NH₄[Se₂P(O ⁱBu)₂]. In parallel to the synthesis of 2 , cluster [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(CH₂CH₂Ph)₂}₉] ( 4 ) was produced by the ligand exchange reaction on a new derivative of 1 , that is [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(O ⁿPr)₂}₉] ( 3 ). Solid state structures of both clusters 2 and 4 were unequivocally established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies and cluster 4 epitomizes exceptional case to preserve both the shape and size of the nanocluster during the course of ligand exchange. Structurally precise cluster 2 is the second example where the copper hydride nanocluster is stabilized by Se‐donor ligands. The anatomy of 2 can be visualized as a twisted cuboctahedral Cu₁₃ core, two triangular faces of which are capped by a Cu₆ cupola and a single Cu atom along the C₃ rotational axis.     

On the Nature of Bridging Metal Atoms in Intermetalloid Clusters: Synthesis and Structure of the Metal‐Atom‐Bridged Zintl Clusters [Sn(Ge9)2]4− and [Zn(Ge9)2)]6−

The addition of Sn and Zn ions to [Ge₉] clusters by reaction of [Ge₉]^4? with SnPh₂Cl₂, ZnCp*₂ (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), or Zn₂[HC(Ph₂P=NPh)₂]₂ is reported. The resulting Sn‐ and Zn‐bridged clusters [(Ge₉)M(Ge₉)]^q? (M=Sn, q=4; M=Zn, q=6) display various coordination modes. The M atoms that coordinate to the open square of a C_4v‐symmetric [Ge₉] cluster form strong covalent multicenter M?Ge bonds, in contrast to the M atoms coordinating to triangular cluster faces. Molecular orbital analyses show that the M atoms of the Ge₉M fragments coordinate to a second [Ge₉] cluster with similar orbitals but in different ways. The [Ge₉Sn]^2?unit donates two electrons to the triangular face of a second [Ge₉]^2? cluster with D_3h symmetry, whereas [Ge₉Zn]^2?acts as an electron acceptor when interacting with the triangular face of a D_3h‐symmetric [Ge₉]^4? unit.     

Low-Valent MxAl3 Cluster Salts with Tetrahedral [SiAl3]+ and Trigonal-Bipyramidal [M2Al3]2+ Cores (M=Si/Ge)

Schnöckel's [(AlCp*)₄] and Jutzi's [SiCp*][B(C₆F₅)₄] (Cp*=C₅Me₅) are landmarks in modern main-group chemistry with diverse applications in synthesis and catalysis. Despite the isoelectronic relationship between the AlCp* and the [SiCp*]⁺ fragments, their mutual reactivity is hitherto unknown. Here, we report on their reaction giving the complex salts [Cp*Si(AlCp*)₃][WCA] ([WCA]⁻=[Al(OR^F)₄]⁻ and [F{Al(OR^F)₃}₂]⁻; R^F=C(CF₃)₃). The tetrahedral [SiAl₃]⁺ core not only represents a rare example of a low-valent silicon-doped aluminium-cluster, but also—due to its facile accessibility and high stability—provides a convenient preparative entry towards low-valent Si−Al clusters in general. For example, an elusive binuclear [Si₂(AlCp*)₅]²⁺ with extremely short Al−Si bonds and a high negative partial charge at the Si atoms was structurally characterised and its bonding situation analysed by DFT. Crystals of the isostructural [Ge₂(AlCp*)₅]²⁺ dication were also obtained and represent the first mixed Al−Ge cluster.     

Effect of Partial Hydrolysis in Switching the Mode of Inter‐molecular Bonding between Metal Complexes

The assembly of [Cd(L¹)]^— {[L¹]^3— = N[CH₂CH₂N=C(CH₃)COO^—]₃} into the tetranuclear cluster {[Cd(L¹)]Na(H₂O)₂}₂ in the presence of Na⁺ is mediated by Na⁺‐carboxylate interactions; in contrast In³⁺ and Fe³⁺ induce the partial hydrolysis of [L¹]^3— to afford the complexes [In(L²)Cl] and {[Fe(L²)]₂O} {[L²]^2— = N[CH₂CH₂NH₂][CH₂CH₂N=C(CH₃)COO^—]₂} which aggregate via intermolecular H‐bonding.     

Crystal Growth and Structure Refinement of K4Ge9

Deep‐red moisture and air sensitive single crystals of K₄Ge₉ were obtained by reacting GeO₂ and elemental Ge with metallic W and K at high temperature in a niobium ampoule. The crystal structure of the compound was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction experiments. K₄Ge₉ crystallizes in a polar space group R3c (No. 161), Z = 4 with a = 21.208(1) and c = 25.096(2) Å. The compound contains discrete Ge₉^4? Wade's nido‐clusters which are packed according to a hierarchical atom‐to‐cluster replacement of the Cr₃Si prototype and are separated by K⁺ cations. Two independent [Ge₉]^4? clusters A (at Cr positions) and B (at Si positions) are found with a ratio A:B = 3:1. The B ‐type cluster satisfactorily represents orientational disorder around the three‐fold axis.     

The Nature of the UC Double Bond: Pushing the Stability of High‐Oxidation‐State Uranium Carbenes to the Limit

Treatment of [K(BIPM^MesH)] (BIPM^Mes={C(PPh₂NMes)₂}^2?; Mes=C₆H₂‐2,4,6‐Me₃) with [UCl₄(thf)₃] (1 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^MesH)(Cl)₃(thf)] ( 1 ), which generated [U(BIPM^Mes)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 2 ), following treatment with benzyl potassium. Attempts to oxidise 2 resulted in intractable mixtures, ligand scrambling to give [U(BIPM^Mes)₂] or the formation of [U(BIPM^MesH)(O)₂(Cl)(thf)] ( 3 ). The complex [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(OEt₂)(tmeda)] ( 4 ) (BIPM^Dipp={C(PPh₂NDipp)₂}^2?; Dipp=C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂; tmeda=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) was prepared from [Li₂(BIPM^Dipp)(tmeda)] and [UCl₄(thf)₃] and, following reflux in toluene, could be isolated as [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 5 ). Treatment of 4 with iodine (0.5 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(thf)₂] ( 6 ). Complex 6 resists oxidation, and treating 4 or 5 with N‐oxides gives [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂‐ (μ‐Cl)₂Li(tmeda)] ( 7 ) and [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 8 ). Treatment of 4 with tBuOLi (3 equiv) and I₂ (1 equiv) gives [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃(I)] ( 9 ), which represents an exceptionally rare example of a crystallographically authenticated uranium(VI)–carbon σ bond. Although 9 appears sterically saturated, it decomposes over time to give [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃]. Complex 4 reacts with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO to form [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(tmeda)(OCPhtBu)] ( 10 ) and [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(tmeda)(OCPh₂)] ( 11 ). In contrast, complex 5 does not react with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO, which we attribute to steric blocking. However, complexes 5 and 6 react with PhCHO to afford (DippNPPh₂)₂C?C(H)Ph ( 12 ). Complex 9 does not react with PhCOtBu, Ph₂CO or PhCHO; this is attributed to steric blocking. Theoretical calculations have enabled a qualitative bracketing of the extent of covalency in early‐metal carbenes as a function of metal, oxidation state and the number of phosphanyl substituents, revealing modest covalent contributions to U?C double bonds.     

Structures of polynuclear thallium(I) and copper(II)-thallium(I) complexes with dialkyldithiocarbamates: 13C and 15N CP/MAS NMR, EPR, and X-ray diffraction studies

A comparative study of polynuclear thallium complexes with dialkyldithiocarbamates [Tl₂{S₂CNR₂}₂]_n (R = CH₃, i-C₃H₇, C₄H₉, and i-C₄H₉; R₂ = (CH₂)₆) was performed by solid-state ¹³C and ¹⁵N CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. The dithiocarbamate groups were found to be structurally equivalent in the complexes studied. An increase in the positive inductive effect of alkyl substituents at the N atom increased ¹⁵N chemical shifts as a result of a combination of positive inductive effect of the alkyl substituents and the mesomeric effect of=NC(S)S-groups. The first representative of thallium(I) complexes with a cyclic dithiocarbamate ligand [Tl₂{S₂CN(CH₂)₆}₂]_n was obtained. Its molecular structure was determined from X-ray diffraction data. The β-form of the isotope-substituted complex [^63/65CuTl₂{S₂CN(CH₂)₆}₄] was obtained and examined by EPR spectroscopy. The EPR spectra were modeled at the second order of the perturbation theory. The spin density at the thallium atoms was calculated and its distribution over the AOs of thallium was determined.