Synthesis and structures of some new types of lithium beta-diketiminates

The tetracyclic dilithio-Si,Si'-oxo-bridged bis(N,N'-methylsilyl-beta-diketiminates) 2 and 3, having an outer LiNCCCNLiNCCCN macrocycle, were prepared from [Li{CH(SiMe(3))SiMe(OMe)(2)}](infinity) and 2 PhCN. They differ in that the substituent at the beta-C atom of each diketiminato ligand is either SiMe(3) (2) or H (3). Each of and has (i) a central Si-O-Si unit, (ii) an Si(Me) fragment N,N'-intramolecularly bridging each beta-diketiminate, and (iii) an Li(thf)(2) moiety N,N'-intermolecularly bridging the two beta-diketiminates (thf = tetrahydrofuran). Treatment of [Li{CH(SiMe(3))(SiMe(2)OMe)}](8) with 2Me(2)C(CN)(2) yielded the amorphous [Li{Si(Me)(2)((NCR)(2)CH)}](n) [R = C(Me)(2)CN] (4). From [Li{N(SiMe(3))C(Bu(t))C(H)SiMe(3)}](2) (A) and 1,3- or 1,4-C(6)H(4)(CN)(2), with no apparent synergy between the two CN groups, the product was the appropriate (mu-C(6)H(4))-bis(lithium beta-diketiminate) 6 or 7. Reaction of [Li{N(SiMe(3))C(Ph)=C(H)SiMe(3)}(tmeda)] and 1,3-C(6)H(4)(CN)(2) afforded 1,3-C(6)H(4)(X)X' (X =CC(Ph)N(SiMe3)Li(tmeda)N(SiMe3)CH; X' = CN(SiMe3)Li(tmeda)NC(Ph)=C(H)SiMe3)(9). Interaction of A and 2[1,2-C(6)H(4)(CN)(2)] gave the bis(lithio-isoindoline) derivative [C6H4C(=NH)N{Li(OEt2)}C=C(SiMe3)C(Bu(t))=N(SiMe3)]2 (5). The X-ray structures of 2, 3, 5 and 9 are presented, and reaction pathways for each reaction are suggested.     

Synthesis and structures of the [benzamidinato]3- complexes Li3(tmeda)(L1)]2 and [Li(thf)4][Li5(L2)(OEt2)2] [L1 = N(SiMe3)C(Ph)N(SiMe3) and L2 = N(SiMe3)C(C6H4-4)NPh

Reduction at ambient temperature of each of the lithium benzamidinates [Li(L(1))(tmeda)] or [{Li(L(2))(OEt(2))(2)}(2)] with four equivalents of lithium metal in diethyl ether or thf furnished the brown crystalline [Li(3)(L(1))(tmeda)] (1) or [Li(thf)(4)][Li(5)(L(2))(2)(OEt(2))(2)] (2), respectively. Their structures show that in each the [N(R(1))C(R(3))NR(2)](3-) moiety has the three negative charges largely localised on each of N, N' and R = Aryl); a consequence is that the "aromatic" 2,3- and 5,6-CC bonds of R(3) approximate to being double bonds. Multinuclear NMR spectra in C(6)D(6) and C(7)D(8) show that 1 and 2 exhibit dynamic behaviour. [The following abbreviations are used: L(1) = N(SiMe(3))C(Ph)N(SiMe(3)); L(2) = N(SiMe(3))C(C(6)H(4)Me-4)N(Ph); tmeda = (Me(2)NCH(2)-)(2); thf = tetrahydrofuran.] This reduction is further supported by a DFT analysis.     

Dilithiation of Bis(benzene)molybdenum and subsequent isolation of a molybdenum-containing paracyclophane

The homoleptic sandwich complex bis(benzene)molybdenum, [Mo(eta6-C6H6)2], was successfully dilithiated by employing an excess of BuLi in the presence of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (up to 6 equiv each) at slightly elevated temperatures furnishing the highly reactive, ring metalated species [Mo(eta6-C6H5Li)2].tmeda in high yields. Alternatively, this compound was synthesized upon prolonged sonication with 5 equiv of tBuLi/tmeda without heating. An X-ray crystal structure determination revealed a symmetrical, dimeric composition in the solid state, i.e., a formula of [Mo(eta6-C6H5Li)2]2.(thf)6, where the six-membered rings are connected by two pairs of bridging lithium atoms. The synthesis of an elusive ansa-bridged complex failed in the case of a [1]bora and a [1]sila bridge due to the thermal lability of the resulting compounds. Instead, reverse addition of the dilithio precursor to an excess of the appropriate element dihalide facilitated the isolation of several unstrained, 1,1'-disubstituted derivatives, namely, [Mo{eta6-C6H5(BN(SiMe3)2X)}2] (X = Cl, Br) and [Mo{eta6-C6H5(SiiPr2Cl)}2], respectively. However, the incorporation of a less congesting [2]sila bridge was accomplished. In addition to the formation of [Mo{(eta6-C6H5)2Si2Me4}], a molybdenum-containing paracylophane complex was isolated and characterized by means of crystal structure analysis. The ancillary formation of 1 equiv of bis(benzene)molybdenum strongly suggests that this species is generated by deprotonation of the ansa-bridged complex by the dilithiated precursor and subsequent reaction with a second equivalent of the disilane.     

Synthesis of ansa-[n]silacyclopentadienyl-cycloheptatrienyl-chromium complexes (n = 1, 2): novel precursors for polymers bearing chromium in the backbone

Reaction of [(eta5-C5H4Li)(eta7-C7H6Li)Cr]tmeda with a variety of dialkyl(dichloro)silanes in aliphatic solvents afforded the corresponding [1]silatrochrocenophanes. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction analysis of the [1]silatrochrocenophanes bearing Me2Si, (iPr)2Si, and silacyclobutane bridges revealed tilt angles alpha of 15.56(12) degrees , 15.8(1) degrees , and 16.33(17) degrees , respectively. Analogously, a [2]silatrochrocenophane (6) was prepared in excellent yield by reaction of [(eta5-C5H4Li)(eta7-C7H6Li)Cr]tmeda with 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetramethyldisilane. This complex also was characterized structurally and exhibited a tilt angle alpha of 2.60(15) degrees. The [1]silatrochrocenophane bearing the Me2Si bridge underwent facile and regioselective carbon-silicon bond cleavage with [Pt(PEt3)4] to give a very high yield of an oxidative addition product. The ring-opening polymerization of these novel [1]silatrochrocenophanes afforded ring-opened chromium-based polymers.     

The beta-dialdiminato ligand [{N(C6H3Pri(2)-2,6)C(H)}2CPh]-: the conjugate acid and Li, Al, Ga and In derivatives

The synthesis of the following crystalline complexes is described: [Li(L)(thf)2] (), [Li(L)(tmeda)] (), [MCl2(L)] [M=Al (), Ga ()], [In(Cl)(L)(micro-Cl)2Li(OEt2)2] (), [In(Cl)(L){N(H)C6H3Pri(2)-2,6}] (), [In(L){N(H)C6H3Pri(2)-2,6}2] (), [{In(Cl)(L)(micro-OH)}2] (), [L(Cl)In-In(Cl)(L)] () (the thf-solvate, the solvate-free and the hexane-solvate), [{In(Cl)L}2(micro-S)] () and [InCl2(L)(tmeda)] () ([L]-=[{N(C6H3Pri(2)-2,6)C(H)}2CPh]-). From H(L) (), via Li(L) in Et2O, and thf, tmeda, AlCl3, GaCl3 or InCl3 there was obtained , , , or , respectively in excellent yield. Compound was the precursor for each of , and [{InCl3(tmeda)2{micro-(OSnMe2)2}}] () by treatment with one () or two () equivalents of K[N(H)(C6H3Pri(2)-2,6)], successively Li[N(SiMe3)(C6H3Pri(2)-2,6)] and moist air (), Na in thf (), tmeda (), or successively tmeda and Me3SnSnMe3 (). Crystals of (with an equivalent of In) and were obtained from InCl or thermolysis of [In(Cl)(L){N(SiMe3)(C6H3Pri(2)-2,6)}] () {prepared in situ from and Li[N(SiMe3)(C6H3Pri(2)-2,6)] in Et2O}, respectively. Compound was obtained from a thf solution of and sulfur. X-Ray data for crystalline , , , , , and are presented. The M(L) moiety in each (not the L-free ) has the monoanionic L ligated to the metal in the N,N'-chelating mode. The MN1C1C2C3N2 six-membered M(L) ring is pi-delocalised and has the half-chair (, and ) or boat (, and ) conformation.     

Photochemical reactions of [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)2]2 with silanes: evidence for Si-C and C-H activation pathways

Photochemical reaction of [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)2]2 1 with dmso led to the stepwise formation of [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)2][Rh(C2H4)(dmso)] 2a and [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)(dmso)]2 2b. Photolysis of 1 with vinyltrimethylsilane ultimately yields three isomeric products of [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(CH2=CHSiMe3)2]2, 3a, 3b and 3c which are differentiated by the relative orientations of the vinylsilane. When this reaction is undertaken in d6-benzene, H/D exchange between the solvent and the alpha-proton of the vinylsilane is revealed. In addition evidence for two isomers of the solvent complex [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)2][Rh(C2H4)(eta2-toluene)] was obtained in these and related experiments when the photolysis was completed at low temperature without substrate, although no evidence for H/D exchange was observed. Photolysis of 1 with Et3SiH yielded the sequential substitution products [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)2][Rh(C2H4)(SiEt3)H] 4a, [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)(SiEt3)H]2 4b, [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)(SiEt3)H][Rh(SiEt3)2(H)2] 4c and [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(SiEt3)2(H)2]2 4d; deuteration of the alpha-ring proton sites, and all the silyl protons, of 4d was demonstrated in d6-benzene. This reaction is further complicated by the formation of two Si-C bond activation products, [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][RhH(mu-SiEt2)]2 5 and [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][(RhEt)(RhH)(mu-SiEt2)2] 6. Complex 5 was also produced when 1 was photolysed with Et2SiH2. When the photochemical reactions with Et3SiH were repeated at low temperatures, two isomers of the unstable C-H activation products, the vinyl hydrides [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][{Rh(SiEt3)H}{Rh(SiEt3)}(mu-eta1,eta2-CH=CH2)] 7a and 7b, were obtained. Thermally, 4c was shown to form the ring substituted silyl migration products [(eta5-C5H4)CH2(C5H3SiEt3)][Rh(SiEt3)2(H)2]2 8 while 4b formed [CH2(C5H3SiEt3)2][Rh(SiEt3)2(H)2]2 (9a and 9b) upon reaction with excess silane. The corresponding photochemical reaction with Me3SiH yielded the expected products [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)2][Rh(C2H4)(SiMe3)H] 10a, [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)(SiMe3)H]2 10b, [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(C2H4)(SiMe3)H][Rh(SiMe3)2(H)2] 10c and [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][Rh(SiMe3)2(H)2]2 10d. However, three Si-C bond activation products, [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][(RhMe)(RhH)(mu-SiMe2)2] 11, [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][(Rh{SiMe3})(RhMe)(mu-SiMe2)2] 12 and [CH2(eta5-C5H4)2][(Rh{SiMe3})(RhH)(mu-SiMe2)2] 13 were also obtained in these reactions.     

Reactions of M[CH(SiMe3)2] (M = Na or K) with PhCN, and related chemistry

A number of metal complexes containing one of the following ligands: the 1-azaallyl [N(R)C(Ph)C(H)R]- ([triple bond]L-), the 1,3-diazaallyl([triple bond]LL'-) and the isomeric beta-diketiminate [{N(R)C(Ph)]}2CH]- ( identical with LL-) have been prepared (R = SiMe(3)). These are the crystalline compounds H(LL) (2), Na(LL) (3), [Na(LL)(thf)2] (4), Na(L) (6), [Na(mu-LL')]8 (7), [K(mu-L)(eta6-C6H6)]2 (8), [K(mu-LL')(thf)]2 (9), [K(thf)2(mu-LL)](infinity) (10) and [Ni(LL')2] (11). A new synthesis of Na[C(H)R2] (1) involved Hg[C(H)R2]2 and Na/Hg as reagents. The beta-diketimine 2 was obtained from Li(LL) and cyclopentadiene. Under different conditions compounds 3, 6 and 7 were isolated from 1 and benzonitrile, and compounds 8, 9 and 10 from K[C(H)R2] and PhCN. Complex 11 was derived from [Li(LL')]2 and [NiBr(2)(dme)]. The solution obtained from 1 + 2 PhCN in Et2O at ambient temperature was a mixture (5) of 3 (predominantly) and 7. The 1-azaallyl complex 8 has the ligand bound to the metal as the enamide, and this is also probably (NMR) the case for 6. The molecular structures of the crystalline complexes 7, 8 and 11 are presented; that of 10 was published earlier. Compound 7, a cyclooctamer, is particularly interesting, in that each LL'- ligand is bridging via one of its N atoms to two neighbouring sodium ions and is not only N,N'- but also (eta2-C[=]C)-chelating to one of them.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, reactivity, and thermal stability of [eta(5):sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2)

Reaction of [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]TiCl(NMe2) (1) with 1 equiv of PhCH2K, MeMgBr, or Me3SiCH2Li gave corresponding organotitanium alkyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2) (R = CH2Ph (2), CH2SiMe3 (4), or Me (5)) in good yields. Treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of n-BuLi afforded the decomposition product {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (3). Complex 5 slowly decomposed to generate a mixed-valence dinuclear species {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe2)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (6). Complex 1 reacted with 1 equiv of PhNCO or 2,6-Me2C6H3NC to afford the corresponding monoinsertion product [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-OC(NMe2)NPh] (7) or [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-C(NMe2)=N(2,6-Me2C6H3)] (8). Reaction of 4 or 5 with 1 equiv of R'NC gave the titanium eta(2)-iminoacyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(NMe2)[eta(2)-C(R)=N(R')] (R = CH2SiMe3, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (9) or tBu (10); R = Me, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (11) or tBu (12)). The results indicated that the unsaturated molecules inserted into the Ti-N bond only in the absence of the Ti-C(alkyl) bond and that the Ti-C(cage) bond remained intact. All complexes were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 6-8, and 10-12 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses.     

Lewis base character of the phosphorus atom in phosphanido-niobocene complexes. Synthesis of new early-early homo- and heterobimetallic entities

The reaction of phosphanido complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)(PPh(2))] [L = CO (1), CNXylyl (2)] with early transition metal halides in high oxidation states has been carried out. New bimetallic niobocene complexes [{Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)}(μ-PPh(2))(MCl(5))] [M = Nb, L = CO (3), L = CNXylyl (4); M = Ta, L = CO (5), L = CNXylyl (6)] have been successfully synthesized by the reaction with [MCl(5)](2) (M = Nb or Ta). In a similar way [{Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)}(μ-PPh(2))(MCl(4))] [M = Ti, L = CO (13), CNXylyl (14); M = Zr, L = CO (15), CNXylyl (16)] were synthesized using MCl(4) (M = Ti or Zr). Solutions of complexes 4-6 in chloroform produced new ionic derivatives [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(P(H)Ph(2))(L)] [MCl(6)] [M = Nb, L = CO (7), L = CNXylyl (8); M = Ta, L = CO (9), L = CNXylyl (10)]. Ionic complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(P(Cl)Ph(2))(L)] [NbCl(4)O(thf)] [L = CO (11), CNXylyl (12)] were formed from solutions in thf - rapidly in the case of 3 but more slowly for 4. New heterometallic complexes [Nb(η(5)-C(5)H(4)SiMe(3))(2)(L)(μ-PPh(2)){(Ti(η(5)-C(5)R(5))Cl(3)}] [R = H, L = CO (17), CNXylyl (18); R = CH(3), L = CO (19), CNXylyl (20)] were synthesized by the reaction of 1 or 2 with [Ti(η(5)-C(5)R(5))Cl(3)] (R = H or CH(3)). All of these compounds were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structures of 9 and 12 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and structures of some bimetallic (Li/Ca, Li/Zn, Li/Li) diamides derived from 1,2-bis(neopentylamino)benzene and of Li2[{N(SiMe2NPr(i)2)}2C6H4-1,2](thf)3

The following crystalline, or microcrystalline (4), metal diamides have been prepared under mild conditions from the N,N'-disubstituted 1,2-diaminobenzene [{N(R)H}2C6H4-1,2] (H(2): R = CH2But; H2L': R = SiMe2NPri2): [Li(thf)(mu-L)(mu-I)Ca(thf)] (1), [Li(thf)4][{Zn(mu-L)}3(mu3-Cl)] (2), [Li(thf)4][Zn(L)2] (3), [{Li(OEt2)(mu-L)Zn}2(mu-L)] (4), [Li(OEt2)(mu-L)Zn(mu-L)Zn(LH)] (5) and [Li(thf)(mu-L')Li(thf)2] (6). Compounds 1-5 were obtained from [Li2(L)] and CaI2 (1) or ZnCl2 (2-5) while 6 was derived from H2(L') and LiBun. Compound 5 was isolated as a very minor by-product from the synthesis of 4, and is assumed to have been formed therefrom by adventitious hydrolysis. The green salt 3 was paramagnetic with the negative charge uniformly delocalised on the two ligands. The other compounds were colourless and diamagnetic. The X-ray structures of each, except 4, are reported and discussed.     

Rare-earth-metal-hydrocarbyl complexes bearing linked cyclopentadienyl or fluorenyl ligands: synthesis, catalyzed styrene polymerization, and structure-reactivity relationship

A series of rare-earth-metal-hydrocarbyl complexes bearing N-type functionalized cyclopentadienyl (Cp) and fluorenyl (Flu) ligands were facilely synthesized. Treatment of [Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(3)(thf)(2)] with equimolar amount of the electron-donating aminophenyl-Cp ligand C(5)Me(4)H-C(6)H(4)-o-NMe(2) afforded the corresponding binuclear monoalkyl complex [({C(5)Me(4)-C(6)H(4)-o-NMe(μ-CH(2))}Y{CH(2)SiMe(3)})(2)] (1a) via alkyl abstraction and C-H activation of the NMe(2) group. The lutetium bis(allyl) complex [(C(5)Me(4)-C(6)H(4)-o-NMe(2))Lu(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(2)] (2b), which contained an electron-donating aminophenyl-Cp ligand, was isolated from the sequential metathesis reactions of LuCl(3) with (C(5)Me(4)-C(6)H(4)-o-NMe(2))Li (1 equiv) and C(3)H(5)MgCl (2 equiv). Following a similar procedure, the yttrium- and scandium-bis(allyl) complexes, [(C(5)Me(4)-C(5)H(4)N)Ln(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(2)] (Ln=Y (3a), Sc (3b)), which also contained electron-withdrawing pyridyl-Cp ligands, were also obtained selectively. Deprotonation of the bulky pyridyl-Flu ligand (C(13)H(9)-C(5)H(4)N) by [Ln(CH(2)SiMe(3))(3)(thf)(2)] generated the rare-earth-metal-dialkyl complexes, [(η(3)-C(13)H(8)-C(5)H(4)N)Ln(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(thf)] (Ln=Y (4a), Sc (4b), Lu (4c)), in which an unusual asymmetric η(3)-allyl bonding mode of Flu moiety was observed. Switching to the bidentate yttrium-trisalkyl complex [Y(CH(2)C(6)H(4)-o-NMe(2))(3)], the same reaction conditions afforded the corresponding yttrium bis(aminobenzyl) complex [(η(3)-C(13)H(8)-C(5)H(4)N)Y(CH(2)C(6)H(4)-o-NMe(2))(2)] (5). Complexes 1-5 were fully characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR and X-ray spectroscopy, and by elemental analysis. In the presence of both [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] and AliBu(3), the electron-donating aminophenyl-Cp-based complexes 1 and 2 did not show any activity towards styrene polymerization. In striking contrast, upon activation with [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] only, the electron-withdrawing pyridyl-Cp-based complexes 3, in particular scandium complex 3b, exhibited outstanding activitiy to give perfectly syndiotactic (rrrr >99%) polystyrene, whereas their bulky pyridyl-Flu analogues (4 and 5) in combination with [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] and AliBu(3) displayed much-lower activity to afford syndiotactic-enriched polystyrene.     

Synthesis, reactivity, and electronic structure of [n]vanadoarenophanes: an experimental and theoretical study

An optimized procedure for the selective dimetalation of [V(eta (6)-C 6H 6) 2] by BuLi/tmeda allowed for the isolation and characterization of [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5Li) 2].tmeda. X-ray diffraction of its thf solvate [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5Li) 2].(thf) 7 revealed an unsymmetrical, dimeric composition in the solid state, in which both subunits are connected by three bridging lithium atoms. Treatment with several element dihalides facilitated the isolation of [ n]vanadoarenophanes ( n = 1, 2) with boron and silicon in the bridging positions. In agreement with the number and covalent radii of the bridging elements, these derivatives exhibit molecular ring strain to a greater or lesser extent. The B-B bond of the [2]bora species [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5) 2B 2(NMe 2) 2] was readily cleaved by [Pt(PEt 3) 3] to afford the corresponding oxidative addition product. Subsequently, [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5) 2B 2(NMe 2) 2] was employed as a diborane(4) precursor in the diboration of 2-butyne under stoichiometric, homogeneous, and heterogeneous catalysis conditions. This transformation is facilitated by the reduction of molecular ring strain, which was confirmed by a decrease of the tilt angle alpha observed in the corresponding solid-state structures. EPR spectroscopy was used to probe the electronic structure of strained [ n]vanadoarenophanes and revealed an obvious correlation between the degree of molecular distortion and the observed hyperfine coupling constant a iso. State-of-the-art DFT calculations were able to reproduce the measured isotropic vanadium hyperfine couplings and the coupling anisotropies. The calculations confirmed the decrease of the absolute isotropic hyperfine couplings with increasing tilt angle. Closer analysis showed that this is mainly due to increased positive contributions to the spin density at the vanadium nucleus from the spin polarization of doubly occupied valence orbitals of vanadium-ligand sigma-antibonding character. The latter are destabilized and thus made more polarizable in the bent structures.     

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.     

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.     

Structural and magnetic studies of the tris(cyclopentadienyl)manganese(II) "paddle-wheel" anions [Cp(3-n)(MeCp)(n)Mn](-) (n=0-3, MeCp=C(5)H(4)CH(3), Cp=C(5)H(5))

The ion-contact complexes [{(eta(5)-Cp)(2)Mn(eta(2):eta(5)-Cp)K}(3)]x0.5 THF (1x0.5 THF) and [{(eta(2)-Cp)(2)(eta(2);eta(5)-MeCp)MnK(thf)}]x2 THF (2x2 THF) and ion-separated complexes [Mg(thf)(6)][(eta(2)-Cp)(3)Mn](2) (3), [Mg(thf)(6)][(eta(2)-Cp)(eta(2)-MeCp)(2)Mn)](2)x0.5 THF (4x0.5 THF), [Mg(thf)(6)][(eta(2)-MeCp)(3)Mn)](2)x0.5 THF (5x0.5 THF) and [Li([12]crown-4)](5)[(eta-Cp)(3)Mn](5) (6) (Cp=C(5)H(5), CpMe=C(5)H(4)CH(3)), have been prepared and structurally characterised. The effects of varying the Cp and CpMe ligands in complexes 1-5 have been probed by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and EPR spectroscopic studies.     

2 + 2] cross coupling of benzene and tropylium ligands in reductively activated piano stool complexes of Mn,Cr, and W

We have established cation/anion coupling reactions between the tropylium ligand in [M(eta7-C7H7)(CO)3]+ (M = Cr, W) and the reductively activated eta4-benzene ligand in [Mn(eta4-C6H6)(CO)3]- (3-) to form [M(CO)3(mu2-eta6:eta5-C7H7-C6H6)Mn(CO)3]; [Cr(CO)3(mu2-eta6:eta5-C7H7-C6H6)Mn(CO)3] can be further reduced to [Cr(CO)3(mu2-eta5:eta4-C7H7-C6H6)Mn(CO)3]2-, in which the tropylium and benzene ligands have undergone a [2 + 2] cross coupling reaction.     

From a cycloheptatrienylzirconium allyl complex to a cycloheptatrienylzirconium imidazolin-2-iminato "pogo stick" complex with imido-type reactivity

The reaction of the cycloheptatrienylzirconium half-sandwich complex [(η(7)-C(7)H(7))ZrCl(tmeda)] (1) (tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) with Li(Im(Dipp)N), generated from bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-imine (Im(Dipp)NH) with methyllithium, yields the imidazolin-2-iminato complex [(η(7)-C(7)H(7))Zr(Im(Dipp)N)(tmeda)] (2). The corresponding tmeda-free complex [(η(7)-C(7)H(7))Zr(Im(Dipp)N)] (5) can be synthesized via the 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)allyl complex [(η(7)-C(7)H(7))Zr{η(3)-C(3)H(3)(TMS)(2)}(THF)] (3; TMS = SiMe(3)), which undergoes an acid-base reaction with Im(Dipp)NH to form 5 and 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)propene. 5 exhibits an unusual one-legged piano stool ("pogo stick") geometry with a particularly short Zr-N bond of 1.997(2) ?. Addition of 2,6-dimethylphenyl or tert-butyl isocyanide affords the complexes [(η(7)-C(7)H(7))Zr(Im(Dipp)N)(CNR)] (R = o-Xy, 6; R = t-Bu, 7), while the reaction with 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanate results in a [2 + 2] cycloaddition to form the ureato(1-) complex [(η(7)-C(7)H(7))Zr{Im(Dipp)N(C═O)N-o-Xy}] (8). 5 can also act as an initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. These reactivity patterns together with density functional theory calculations reveal a marked similarity of the bonding in imidazolin-2-iminato and conventional imido transition-metal complexes.     

Titanium imido complexes of cyclooctatetraenyl ligands

Reaction of [Ti(NR)Cl2(py)3] (R=tBu or 2,6-iPr2C6H3) with K(2)[COT] (COT=C8H8) or Li2[COT'] (COT'=1,4-C8H6(SiMe3)2) gave the monomeric complexes [Ti(NR)(eta8-COT)] or [Ti(NR)(eta8-COT')], respectively. The pseudo-two coordinate, "pogo stick" geometry for these complexes is unique in both early transition-metal and cyclooctatetraenyl ligand chemistry. In contrast, reaction of [Ti(N-2,6-Me2C6H3)Cl2(py)3] with K2[COT] gave the mu-imido-bridged dimer [Ti2(mu-N-2,6-Me2C6H3)2(eta8-COT)2]. It appears that as the steric bulk of the imido and C8 ring substituents are decreased, dimerisation becomes more favourable. Aryl imido COT complexes were also prepared by imido ligand exchange reactions between anilines and [Ti(NtBu)(eta(8)-COT)] or [Ti(NtBu)(eta(8)-COT')]. The complexes [Ti(NtBu)(eta(8)-COT)], [Ti(N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2(eta8-COT)] and [Ti2(mu-N-2,6-Me2C6H3)2(eta8-COT)2] have been crystallographically characterised. The electronic structures of both the monomeric and dimeric complexes have been investigated by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy. The most striking aspect of the bonding is that binding to the imido nitrogen atom is primarily through sigma and pi interactions, whereas that to the COT or COT' ring is almost exclusively through delta symmetry orbitals. A DFT-based comparison between the bonding in [Ti(NtBu)(eta8-COT)] and the bonding in the previously reported late transition-metal "pogo stick"complexes [Os(NtBu)(eta6-C6Me6)], [Ir(NtBu)(eta5-C5Me5)] and [Ni(NO)(eta5-C5H5)] has also been undertaken.     

Synthesis, structure and hydrosilylation activity of neutral and cationic rare-earth metal silanolate complexes

Rare-earth metal alkyl tri(tert-butoxy)silanolate complexes [Ln{mu,eta2-OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)2]2 (Ln = Y (1), Tb (2), Lu (3)) were prepared via protonolysis of the appropriate tris(alkyl) complex [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(thf)2] with tri(tert-butoxy)silanol in pentane. Crystal structure analysis revealed a dinuclear structure for with square pyramidal geometry at the yttrium centre. The silanolate ligand coordinates in an eta2-bridging coordination mode giving a 4-rung truncated ladder and non-crystallographic inversion centre. Addition of two equiv. of 12-crown-4 to a pentane solution of 1 or 3 respectively gave [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}(CH2SiMe3)2(12-crown-4)].12-crown-4 (Ln = Y (4), Lu (5)). Crystal structure analysis of 5 showed a slightly distorted octahedral geometry at the lutetium centre. The silanolate ligand adopts an eta(1)-terminal coordination mode, whilst the crown ether unit coordinates in an unusual kappa3-fashion. Reaction of 1-3 with [NEt3H]+[BPh4]- in thf yielded the cationic derivatives [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(thf)4]+[BPh4]- (Ln = Y (6), Tb (7) and Lu (8)); coordination of crown ether led to compounds of the form [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(L)(thf)n]+[BPh4]- (Ln = Y, Lu, L = 12-crown-4, n = 1 (9,10); Ln = Y, Lu, L = 15-crown-5, n = 0 (11,12)). Reaction of 1 with [NMe2PhH]+[B(C6F5)4]-, [Al(CH2SiMe3)3] or BPh3 in thf gave the ion pairs [Y{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(thf)4]+[A]- ([A]- = [B(C6F5)4]- (13), [Al(CH2SiMe3)4]- (14), [BPh3(CH2SiMe3)]- (15)), whilst two equiv. [NMe2PhH]+[BPh4]- with 1 in thf produced the dicationic ion triple [Y{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(thf)6]2+[BPh4]-2 (16). Crystal structure analysis revealed that 16 is mononuclear with pentagonal bipyramidal geometry at the yttrium centre. The silanolate ligand coordinates in an eta(1)-terminal fashion. All diamagnetic compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 13 were tested as olefin hydrosilylation pre-catalysts with a variety of substrates; 1 was found to be highly active in 1-decene hydrosilylation.     

Activation of a CNXylyl ancillary ligand in the reaction of electron-deficient alkynes with a phosphido niobocene complex

The niobium phosphido complex [Nb(eta5-C5H4SiMe3)2-(CNXylyl)(PPh2)] (2) undergoes an unusual cycloaddition reaction with electron-deficient alkynes to give the novel five-membered heteroniobacycles [Nb(eta5-C5H4SiMe3)2(kappaC-C(=N(Xylyl))C(CO2Me)=C(R)PPh2-kappaP)] (R = H 3 and R = Me 4).