Biaryl formation in the synthesis of endo and exo-platinacycles

The reactions of cis-[Pt(2)(4-MeC(6)H(4))(4)(μ-SEt(2))(2)] with bifunctional ligands ArCH=NCH(2)(2-XC(6)H(4)) containing a C-X bond at the ortho positions of the benzyl ring (Ar = 4-ClC(6)H(4), X = Br (1d); Ar = 2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)C(6)H(2), X = Br (1e); Ar = 2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)C(6)H(2), X = Cl (1f); Ar = 2-CH(3)C(6)H(4), X = Br (1h); Ar = 2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3), X = Br (1i)) in refluxing toluene were studied. Several types of platinum(II) cyclometallated compounds containing a biaryl linkage were obtained: i) endo-five-membered with a Pt-C(sp(2)) bond (2d, 2h), ii) endo-six-membered with a Pt-C(sp(3)) bond (2e, 2f), and iii) exo-five membered with a Pt-C(sp(2)) bond (2i). The formed biaryl linkage involves the metallated ring for 2i and the non-metallated ring for the endo-metallacycles. The reaction of compounds 2 with PPh(3) produced the corresponding phosphine derivatives, some of which (3d, 3e, 3h and 3i) were characterised crystallographically. In addition, compound [PtBr{2-CH(3)C(6)H(3)C(6)H(4)CH=NCH(2)(2-C(6)H(4)Br)}SEt(2)] (2c) containing a seven-membered endo-metallacycle was also obtained and characterised crystallographically.     

An arene-stabilized cobalt(I) aryl: reactions with CO and NO

The half-sandwich cobalt(I) complex (eta (6)-C 7H 8)CoAr*-3,5- ( i )Pr 2 (Ar*-3,5- ( i )Pr 2 = -C 6H-2,6-(C 6H 2-2,4,6- ( i )Pr 3) 2-3,5- ( i )Pr 2) was synthesized by reduction of [3,5- ( i )Pr 2Ar*Co(mu-Cl)] 2 in toluene. It reacts with CO or NO to afford the unusual complexes [3,5- ( i )Pr 2Ar*C(O)Co(CO)] or [3,5- ( i )Pr 2Ar*N(NO)OCo(NO) 2].     

Isomeric forms of heavier main group hydrides: experimental and theoretical studies of the [Sn(Ar)H]2 (Ar = terphenyl) system

A series of symmetric divalent Sn(II) hydrides of the general form [(4-X-Ar')Sn(mu-H)]2 (4-X-Ar' = C6H2-4-X-2,6-(C6H3-2,6-iPr2)2; X = H, MeO, tBu, and SiMe3; 2, 6, 10, and 14), along with the more hindered asymmetric tin hydride (3,5-iPr2-Ar*)SnSn(H)2(3,5-iPr2-Ar*) (16) (3,5-iPr2-Ar* = 3,5-iPr2-C6H-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-iPr3)2), have been isolated and characterized. They were prepared either by direct reduction of the corresponding aryltin(II) chloride precursors, ArSnCl, with LiBH4 or iBu2AlH (DIBAL), or via a transmetallation reaction between an aryltin(II) amide, ArSnNMe2, and BH3.THF. Compounds 2, 6, 10, and 14 were obtained as orange solids and have centrosymmetric dimeric structures in the solid state with long Sn...Sn separations of 3.05 to 3.13 A. The more hindered tin(II) hydride 16 crystallized as a deep-blue solid with an unusual, formally mixed-valent structure wherein a long Sn-Sn bond is present [Sn-Sn = 2.9157(10) A] and two hydrogen atoms are bound to one of the tin atoms. The Sn-H hydrogen atoms in 16 could not be located by X-ray crystallography, but complementary M?ssbauer studies established the presence of divalent and tetravalent tin centers in 16. Spectroscopic studies (IR, UV-vis, and NMR) show that, in solution, compounds 2, 6, 10, and 14 are predominantly dimeric with Sn-H-Sn bridges. In contrast, the more hindered hydrides 16 and previously reported (Ar*SnH)2 (17) (Ar* = C6H3-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-iPr3)2) adopt primarily the unsymmetric structure ArSnSn(H)2Ar in solution. Detailed theoretical calculations have been performed which include calculated UV-vis and IR spectra of various possible isomers of the reported hydrides and relevant model species. These showed that increased steric hindrance favors the asymmetric form ArSnSn(H)2Ar relative to the centrosymmetric isomer [ArSn(mu-H)]2 as a result of the widening of the interligand angles at tin, which lowers steric repulsion between the terphenyl ligands.     

Univalent transition metal complexes of arenes stabilized by a bulky terphenyl ligand: differences in the stability of Cr(I), Mn(I) or Fe(I) complexes

Two univalent transition metal complexes, (micro-eta6:eta6-C7H8){MnAr*-3,5-Pri2}2 () and (eta6-C6H6)FeAr*-3,5-Pri2 () (Ar*-3,5-Pri2=C6H-2,6-(C6H(2)-2,4,6-Pri3)(2)-3,5-Pri2), that have eta6 arene coordination were synthesized by reduction of the corresponding metal halides. The complexes are thermally stable in contrast to the corresponding Cri complexes of benzene or toluene which decompose at room temperature.     

Formation of [Ar*Ge(CH2C(Me)C(Me)CH2)CH2C(Me)=]2 (Ar* = C6H3-2,6-Trip2; Trip = C6H2-2,4,6-i-Pr3) via reaction of Ar*GeGeAr* with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene: evidence for the existence of a germanium analogue of an alkyne

The reduction of Ar*GeCl (Ar* = C6H3-2,6-Trip2; Trip = C6H2-2,4,6-i-Pr3) with one equivalent of potassium leads to the formation of a germanium analogue of an alkyne Ar*GeGeAr* 1; reaction of 1 with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene yields [Ar*Ge(CH2C(Me)C(Me)CH2)CH2C(Me)=]2 2, which was structurally characterized.     

A reversible valence equilibrium in a heavier main group compound

The addition of LiPh to Ar*SnCl (Ar* = C6H3-2,6-Trip2; Trip = C6H2-2,4,6-iPr3) at low temperature afforded the Sn(1)-Sn(III) species Ar*SnSnPh2Ar*, which exists in equilibrium with the Sn(II) compound Ar*SnPh. It is the first example of a room-temperature equilibrium of compounds involving main group elements in different oxidation states.     

Substituent effects in formally quintuple-bonded ArCrCrAr compounds (Ar = terphenyl) and related species

The effects of different terphenyl ligand substituents on the quintuple Cr-Cr bonding in arylchromium(I) dimers stabilized by bulky terphenyl ligands (Ar) were investigated. A series of complexes, ArCrCrAr (1-4; Ar = C6H2-2,6-(C6H3-2,6-iPr2)2-4-X, where X = H, SiMe3, OMe, and F), was synthesized and structurally characterized. Their X-ray crystal structures display similar trans-bent C(ipso)CrCrC(ipso) cores with short Cr-Cr distances that range from 1.8077(7) to 1.8351(4) A. There also weaker Cr-C interactions [2.294(1)-2.322(2) A] involving an C(ipso) of one of the flanking aryl rings. The data show that the changes induced in the Cr-Cr bond length by the different substituents X in the para positions of the central aryl ring of the terphenyl ligand are probably a result of packing rather than electronic effects. This is in agreement with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which predict that the model compounds (4-XC6H4)CrCr(C6H4-4-X) (X = H, SiMe3, OMe, and F) have similar geometries in the gas phase. Magnetic measurements in the temperature range of 2-300 K revealed temperature-independent paramagnetism in 1-4. UV-visible and NMR spectroscopic data indicated that the metal-metal-bonded solid-state structures of 1-4 are retained in solution. Reduction of (4-F3CAr')CrCl (4-F3CAr' = C6H2-2,6-(C6H3-2,6-iPr2)2-4-CF3) with KC8 gave non-Cr-Cr-bonded fluorine-bridged dimer {(4-F3CAr')Cr(mu-F)(THF)}2 (5) as a result of activation of the CF3 moiety. The monomeric, two-coordinate complexes [(3,5-iPr2Ar*)Cr(L)] (6, L = THF; 7, L = PMe3; 3,5-iPr2Ar* = C6H1-2,6-(C6H-2,4,6-iPr3)2-3,5-iPr2) were obtained with use of the larger 3,5-Pri2-Ar* ligand, which prevents Cr-Cr bond formation. Their structures contain almost linearly coordinated CrI atoms, with high-spin 3d5 configurations. The addition of toluene to a mixture of (3,5-iPr2Ar*)CrCl and KC8 gave the unusual dinuclear benzyl complex [(3,5-iPr2Ar*)Cr(eta3:eta6-CH2Ph)Cr(Ar*-1-H-3,5-iPr2)] (8), in which a C-H bond from a toluene methyl group was activated. The electronic structures of 5-8 have been analyzed with the aid of DFT calculations.     

Organometallic uranium(V)-imido halide complexes: from synthesis to electronic structure and bonding

Reaction of (C5Me5)2U(=N-2,4,6-(t)Bu3-C6H2) or (C5Me5)2U(=N-2,6-(i)Pr2-C6H3)(THF) with 5 equiv of CuX(n) (n = 1, X = Cl, Br, I; n = 2, X = F) affords the corresponding uranium(V)-imido halide complexes, (C5Me5)2U(=N-Ar)(X) (where Ar = 2,4,6-(t)Bu3-C6H2 and X = F (3), Cl (4), Br (5), I (6); Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr2-C6H3 and X = F (7), Cl (8), Br (9), I (10)), in good isolated yields of 75-89%. These compounds have been characterized by a combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, (1)H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, UV-visible-NIR absorption spectroscopy, and variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility. The uranium L(III)-edge X-ray absorption spectrum of (C5Me5)2U(=N-2,4,6-(t)Bu3-C6H2)(Cl) (4) was analyzed to obtain structural information, and the U=N imido (1.97(1) A), U-Cl (2.60(2) A), and U-C5Me5 (2.84(1) A) distances were consistent with those observed for compounds 3, 5, 6, 8-10, which were all characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. All (C5Me5)2U(=N-Ar)(X) complexes exhibit U(V)/U(IV) and U(VI)/U(V) redox couples by voltammetry, with the potential separation between these metal-based couples remaining essentially constant at approximately 1.50 V. The electronic spectra are comprised of pi-->pi* and pi-->nb(5f) transitions involving electrons in the metal-imido bond, and metal-centered f-f bands illustrative of spin-orbit and crystal-field influences on the 5f(1) valence electron configuration. Two distinct sets of bands are attributed to transitions derived from this 5f(1) configuration, and the intensities in these bands increase dramatically over those found in spectra of classical 5f(1) actinide coordination complexes. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities are reported for all complexes with mu(eff) values ranging from 2.22 to 2.53 mu(B). The onset of quenching of orbital angular momentum by ligand fields is observed to occur at approximately 40 K in all cases. Density functional theory results for the model complexes (C5Me5)2U(=N-C6H5)(F) (11) and (C5Me5)2U(=N-C6H5)(I) (12) show good agreement with experimental structural and electrochemical data and provide a basis for assignment of spectroscopic bands. The bonding analysis describes multiple bonding between the uranium metal center and imido nitrogen which is comprised of one sigma and two pi interactions with variable participation of 5f and 6d orbitals from the uranium center.     

A germanium isocyanide complex featuring (n → π*) back-bonding and its conversion to a hydride/cyanide product via C-H bond activation under mild conditions

Reaction of the diarylgermylene Ge(Ar(Me(6)))(2) [Ar(Me(6)) = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(CH(3))(3))(2)] with tert-butyl isocyanide gave the Lewis adduct species (Ar(Me(6)))(2)GeCNBu(t), in which the isocyanide ligand displays a decreased C-N stretching frequency consistent with an n → π* back-bonding interaction. Density functional theory confirmed that the HOMO is a Ge-C bonding combination between the lone pair of electrons on the germanium atom and the C-N π* orbital of the isocyanide ligand. The complex undergoes facile C-H bond activation to produce a new diarylgermanium hydride/cyanide species and isobutene via heterolytic cleavage of the N-Bu(t) bond.     

Terphenyl substituted derivatives of manganese(II): distorted geometries and resistance to elimination

Reaction of {Li(THF)Ar'MnI(2)}(2) (Ar' = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(2)-2,6-(i)Pr(3))(2)) with LiAr', LiC≡CR (R = (t)Bu or Ph), or (C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))MgBr(THF)(2) afforded the diaryl MnAr'(2) (1), the alkynyl salts Ar'Mn(C≡C(t)Bu)(4){Li(THF)}(3) (2) and Ar'Mn(C≡CPh)(3)Li(3)(THF)(Et(2)O)(2)(μ(3)-I) (3), and the manganate salt {Li(THF)}Ar'Mn(μ-I)(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3)) (4), respectively. Complex 4 reacted with one equivalent of (C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))MgBr(THF)(2) to afford the homoleptic dimer {Mn(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))(μ-C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))}(2) (5), which resulted from the displacement of the bulkier Ar' ligand in preference to the halogen. The reaction of the more crowded {Li(THF)Ar*MnI(2)}(2) (Ar* = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(i)Pr(3))(2)) with Li(t)Bu gave complex Ar*Mn(t)Bu (6). Complex 1 is a rare monomeric homoleptic two-coordinate diaryl Mn(II) complex; while 6 displays no tendency to eliminate β-hydrogens from the (t)Bu group because of the stabilization supplied by Ar*. Compounds 2 and 3 have cubane frameworks, which are constructed from a manganese, three carbons from three acetylide ligands, three lithiums, each coordinated by a donor, plus either a carbon from a further acetylide ligand (2) or an iodide (3). The Mn(II) atom in 4 has an unusual distorted T-shaped geometry while the dimeric 5 features trigonal planar manganese coordination. The chloride substituted complex Li(2)(THF)(3){Ar'MnCl(2)}(2) (7), which has a structure very similar to that of {Li(THF)Ar'MnI(2)}(2), was also prepared for use as a possible starting material. However, its generally lower solubility rendered it less useful than the iodo salt. Complexes 1-7 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and UV-vis spectroscopy. Magnetic studies of 2-4 and 6 showed that they have 3d(5) high-spin configurations.     

A convenient synthesis of new isolable phosphaalkenes using the base-induced rearrangement of secondary vinylphosphines

The secondary vinylphosphines Ar(F)P(H)C(R)[double bond]CH(2) [2a, Ar(F) = 2,6-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3), R = CH(3); 2b, Ar(F) = 2,6-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3), R = C(6)H(5); 2c, Ar(F) = 2,4,6-(CF(3))(3)C(6)H(2), R = CH(3)] were prepared by treating the corresponding dichlorophosphine Ar(F)PCl(2) (1) with H(2)C[double bond]C(R)MgBr. In the presence of catalytic base (DBU or DABCO) the vinylphosphines (2a-c) undergo quantitative 1,3-hydrogen migration over 3 d to give stable and isolable phosphaalkenes Ar(F)P=C(R)CH(3) (3a, Ar(F) = 2,6-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3), R = CH(3); 3b, Ar(F) = 2,6-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3), R = C(6)H(5); 3c, Ar(F) = 2,4,6-(CF(3))(3)C(6)H(2), R = CH(3)). Under analogous conditions, only 90% conversion is observed in the base-catalyzed rearrangement of MesP(H)C(CH(3))[double bond]CH(2) to MesP[double bond]C(CH(3))(2). Presumably, the increase in acidity of the P-H group when electron-withdrawing groups are employed (i.e. 2a-c) favors quantitative rearrangement to the phosphaalkene tautomer (3a-c). Thus, the double-bond migration reaction is a convenient and practical method of preparing new phosphaalkenes with C-methyl substituents.     

Chemical reactivity and electrochemistry of metal-metal-bonded zincocenes

Attempts to prepare mixed-ligand zinc-zinc-bonded compounds that contain bulky C(5)Me(5) and terphenyl groups, [Zn(2)(C(5)Me(5))(Ar')], lead to disproportionation. The resulting half-sandwich Zn(II) complexes [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))ZnAr'] (Ar' = 2,6-(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))(2)-C(6)H(3), 2; 2,6-(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)-C(6)H(3), 3) can also be obtained from the reaction of [Zn(C(5)Me(5))(2)] with the corresponding LiAr'. In the presence of pyr-py (4-pyrrolidinopyridine) or DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), [Zn(2)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))(2)] reacts with C(5)Me(5)OH to afford the tetrametallic complexes [Zn(2)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))L(μ-OC(5)Me(5))](2) (L = pyr-py, 6; DBU, 8), respectively. The bulkier terphenyloxide Ar(Mes)O(-) group (Ar(Mes) = 2,6-(2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2))(2)-C(6)H(3)) gives instead the dimetallic compound [Zn(2)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))(OAr(Mes))(pyr-py)(2)], 7, that features a terminal Zn-OAr(Mes) bond. DFT calculations on models of 6-8 and also on the Zn-Zn-bonded complexes [Zn(2)(η(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC(5)H(5))(py)(2)] and [(η(5)-C(5)H(5))ZnZn(py)(3)](+) have been performed and reveal the nonsymmetric nature of the Zn-Zn bond with lower charge and higher participation of the s orbital of the zinc atom coordinated to the cyclopentadienyl ligand with respect to the metal within the pseudo-ZnL(3) fragment. Cyclic voltammetric studies on [Zn(2)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))(2)] have been also carried out and the results compared with the behavior of [Zn(C(5)Me(5))(2)] and related magnesium and calcium metallocenes.     

Al and Zn complexes bearing N,N,N-tridentate quinolinyl anilido-imine ligands: synthesis, characterization and catalysis in l-lactide polymerization

Reactions of N,N,N-tridentate quinolinyl anilido-imine ligands with AlMe(3) afford mononuclear aluminum complexes {κ(3)-[{2-[ArN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(H)]C(6)H(4)}N(8-C(9)H(6)N)]}AlMe(2) (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (1a), 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3) (1b), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (1c)) or dinuclear complexes AlMe(3){κ(1)-[{2-[ArN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(H)C(6)H(4)]N(8-C(9)H(6)N)}-κ(2)]AlMe(2) (R = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (2a), 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3) (2b), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (2c)) depending on the ratios of reactants used. Similar reactions of ZnEt(2) with these ligands give the monoligated ethyl zinc complexes {κ(3)-[{2-[ArN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(H)]C(6)H(4)}N(8-C(9)H(6)N)]}ZnEt (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (3a), 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3) (3b), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (3c)) or bisligated complexes {κ(3)-[{2-[ArN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(H)]C(6)H(4)}N(8-C(9)H(6)N)]}Zn{κ(2)-[{2-[ArN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(H)]C(6)H(4)}N(8-C(9)H(6)N)]} (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (4a), 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3) (4b), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (4c)). These complexes were well characterized by NMR and the structures of 1a, 2a, 2c, 3b and 4c were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The aluminum and zinc complexes were tested to initiate lactide polymerization in which the zinc complexes show moderate to high activities in the presence of benzyl alcohol.     

Structures,bonding, and reaction chemistry of the neutral organogallium(I) compounds (GaAr)n(n = 1 or 2) (Ar = terphenyl or related ligand): an experimental investigation of Ga-Ga multiple bonding

The synthesis, structure, and properties of several new organogallium(I) compounds are reported. The monovalent compounds GaAr* (Ar* = C(6)H(3)-2,6-Trip(2), Trip = C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)()(3), 1), GaAr# (Ar# = C(6)H(3)-2,6(Bu(t)Dipp)(2), Bu(t)Dipp = C(6)H(2)-2,6-Pr(i)(2)-4-Bu(t)(), 4), and the dimeric (GaAr')(2) (Ar' = C(6)H(3)-2,6-Dipp(2), Dipp = C(6)H(3)-2,6-Pr(i)(2), 6) were synthesized by the reaction of "GaI" with (Et(2)O)LiAr*, (Et(2)O)LiAr# (3), or (LiAr')(2). Compounds 1 and 4 were isolated as green crystals, whereas 6 was obtained as a brown-red crystalline solid. All three compounds dissolved in hydrocarbon solvents to give green solutions and almost identical UV/visible spectra. Cryoscopy of 1 and 6 showed that they were monomeric in cyclohexane. Crystals of 1 and 4 were unsuitable for X-ray crystal structure determinations, but an X-ray data set for 6 showed that it was weakly dimerized in the solid with a long Ga-Ga bond of 2.6268(7) A and a trans-bent CGaGaC core array. The 1,2-diiodo-1,2-diaryldigallane compounds [Ga(Ar*)I](2) (2), [Ga(Ar#)I](2) (5), and [Ga(Ar')I](2) (7) were isolated as byproducts of the synthesis of 1, 4, and 6. The crystal structures of 2 and 7 showed that they had planar ICGaGaCI core arrays with Ga-Ga distances near 2.49 A, consistent with Ga-Ga single bonding. Treatment of 1, 4, and 6 with B(C(6)F(5))(3) immediately afforded the 1:1 donor-acceptor complexes ArGa[B(C(6)F(5))(3)] (Ar = Ar*, 8; Ar#, 9; Ar', 10) that featured almost linear gallium coordination, Ga-B distances near the sum of the covalent radii of gallium and boron, as well as some close Ga...F contacts. Compound 1 also reacted with Fe(CO)(5) under ambient conditions to give Ar*GaFe(CO)(4) (11), which had been previously synthesized by the reaction of GaAr*Cl(2) with Na(2)Fe(CO)(4). Reaction of 1 with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene afforded the compound [Ar*GaCH(2)C(Me)C(Me)CH(2)]2 (12) that had a 10-membered 1,5-Ga(2)C(8) ring with no Ga-Ga interaction. Stirring 1 or 6 with sodium readily gave Na(2)[Ar*GaGaAr*] (13) and Na(2)(Ar'GaGaAr') (14). The former species 13 had been synthesized previously by reduction of GaAr*Cl(2) with sodium and was described as having a Ga-Ga triple bond because of the short Ga-Ga distance and the electronic relationship between [Ar*GaGaAr*](2-) and the corresponding neutral group 14 alkyne analogues. Compound 14 has a similar structure featuring a trans-bent CGaGaC core, bridged by sodiums which were also coordinated to the flanking aryl rings of the Ar' ligands. The Ga-Ga bond length was found to be 2.347(1) A, which is slightly (ca. 0.02 A) longer than that reported for 13. Reaction of Ga[N(Dipp)C(Me)](2)CH, 15 (i.e., GaN(wedge)NDipp(2)), which is sterically related to 1, 4, and 6, with Fe(CO)(5) yielded Dipp(2)N(wedge)NGaFe(CO)(4) (16), whose Ga-Fe bond is slightly longer than that observed in 11. Reaction of the less bulky LiAr"(Ar"= C(6)H(3)-2,6-Mes(2)) with "GaI" afforded the new paramagnetic cluster Ga(11)Ar(4)" (17). The ready dissociation of 1, 4, and 6 in solution, the long Ga-Ga distance in 6, and the chemistry of these compounds showed that the Ga-Ga bonds are significantly weaker than single bonds. The reduction of 1 and 6 with sodium to give 13 and 14 supplies two electrons to the di-gallium unit to generate a single bond (in addition to the weak interaction in the neutral precursor) with retention of the trans-bent geometry. It was concluded that the stability of 13 and 14 depends on the matching size of the sodium ion, and the presence of Na-Ga and Na-Ar interactions that stabilize their Na(2)Ga(2) core structures.     

Terminal titanium-ligand multiple bonds. Cleavages of C=O and C=S double bonds with Ti imido complexes

Treatment of (t-)BuN=TiCl(2)Py(3) with 2 equiv lithium ketiminate compound, Li[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)] (where Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), in toluene at room temperature gave (t-)BuN=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (1) in high yield. The reaction of 1 with phenyl isocyanate at room-temperature resulted in imido ligand exchange producing PhN=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (2). Compound 1 decomposed at 90 degrees C to form a terminal titanium oxo compound O=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (3) and (t-)BuNHCMeCHCMeNAr (4). Also, the compound 3 could be obtained by reacting 1 with CO(2) under mild condition. Similarly, while 1 reacts with an excess of carbon disulfide, a novel terminal titanium sulfido compound S=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (5) was formed via a C=S bond breaking reaction. A novel titanium isocyanate compound Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2)(NCO)(OEt) (6) was formed on heating 1 with 1 equiv of urethane, H(2)NCOOEt. Compounds 1-6 have been characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopies. The molecular structures of 1, 3, 5, and 6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A theoretical calculation predicted that the cleavage of the C-S double bonds for carbon disulfide with the Ti=N bond of compound 1 was estimated at ca. 21.8 kcal.mol(-1) exothermic.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Ge(II), Sn(II), and Pb(II) Monoamides with -NH2 Ligands

The synthesis and characterization of the first divalent germanium, tin, and lead monoamide derivatives of the parent amide group -NH(2) are presented. They have the general formula (ArMNH(2))(2) (M = Ge, Ar = Ar'(C(6)H(3)-2,6-Pr(i)(2)) or Ar* (C(6)H(3)-2,6(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)(3))); M = Sn, Ar = Ar*; M = Pb, Ar = Ar*). For germanium and tin, they were obtained by reacting the corresponding terphenyl halides of the group 14 elements with liquid ammonia in diethyl ether. The lead amide derivative (Ar*PbNH(2))(2) was synthesized by reaction of LiNH(2) with Ar*PbBr in diethyl ether. The compounds were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopies and by X-ray crystallography in the case of the (Ar'GeNH(2))(2) or (Ar*SnNH(2))(2) derivatives. They possess dimeric structures with two -NH(2) groups bridging the germanium and tin centers. For lead, the reaction with ammonia led to isolation of a stable ammine complex of formula Ar*PbBr(NH(3)) which was characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopies and by X-ray crystallography. It is the first structural characterization of a divalent lead ammine complex.     

Syntheses, reactions, and ethylene polymerization of titanium complexes with [N,N,S] ligands

Tridentate dianionic arylsulfide free ligands [ArNHCH(2)C(6)H(4)NHC(6)H(4)-2-SPh] (Ar = Ph (3a); Ar = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl (3b); Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (3c)) have been prepared by reduction of the corresponding imine compounds [ArN[double bond, length as m-dash]CHC(6)H(4)NHC(6)H(4)-2-SPh] (Ar = Ph (2a); Ar = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl (2b); Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (2c)) with LiAlH(4) in high yields. Reactions of TiCl(4) with the tridentate dianionic arylsulfide free ligands (3a-3c) afford five-coordinate and four-coordinate titanium complexes [κS, κ(2)N-(ArNHCH(2)C(6)H(4)NHC(6)H(4)-2-SPh)TiCl(2)] (Ar = Ph (4a); Ar = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl (4b)] and [κ(2)N-(ArNHCH(2)C(6)H(4)NHC(6)H(4)-2-SPh)TiCl(2)] (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (4c)], respectively. The molecular structures of compounds 2b, 2c, 3b and 3c·HCl have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Complexes 2a-4c are characterized by IR,(1)H-NMR spectra, and elemental analysis. EXAFS spectroscopy performed on complexes 4b and 4c reveals the expected different coordination geometry due to steric hindrance effect. When activated by excess methylaluminoxane (MAO), 4a-4c can be used as catalysts for ethylene polymerization and exhibit moderate to good activities.     

Flexible N,N,N-chelates as supports for iron and cobalt chloride complexes; synthesis, structures, DFT calculations and ethylene oligomerisation studies

The aryl-substituted N-picolylethylenediamine and diethylenetriamine ligands, (ArNHCH(2)CH(2))[(2-C(5)H(4)N)CH(2)]NH and (ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(2)NH (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3), 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)), have been prepared by employing palladium-catalysed N-C(aryl) coupling reactions of the corresponding primary amines with aryl bromide. Treatment of MCl(2) with (ArNHCH(2)CH(2))[(2-C(5)H(4)N)CH(2)]NH affords [[(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))((2-C(5)H(4)N)CH(2))NH]CoCl(2)](Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) 1a; 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)) 1b and [[(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))((2-C(5)H(4)N)CH(2))NH]FeCl(2)](n)(n= 1, Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) 2a; n= 2, 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2) 2b) in high yield. The X-ray structures of 1a and 1b are isostructural and reveal the metal centres to adopt distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometries with the N,N,N-chelates adopting fac-structures. A facial coordination mode of the ligand is also observed in bimetallic 2b, however, in 2a the N,N,N-chelate adopts a mer-configuration with the metal centre adopting a geometry best described as square pyramidal. Solution studies indicate that mer-fac isomerisation is a facile process for these systems at room temperature. Quantum mechanical calculations (DFT) have been performed on 1a and 2a, in which the ligands employed are identical, and show the fac- to be marginally more stable than the mer-configuration for cobalt (1a) while for iron (2a) the converse is evident. Reaction of (ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(2)NH with CoCl(2) gave the five-coordinate complexes [[(ArNHCH(2)CH(2))(2)NH]CoCl(2)](Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) 3a, 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2) 3b), in which the ligand adopts a mer-configuration; no reaction occurred with FeCl(2). All complexes 1-3 act as modest ethylene oligomerisation catalysts on activation with excess methylaluminoxane (MAO); the iron systems giving linear alpha-olefins while the cobalt systems give mixtures of linear and branched products.     

Pi-bonding encapsulation in aryl-substituted lanthanide selenolates: monomeric compounds with apparent low-coordinate metal atoms

Reaction of LnCl3 with KSeAr* in thf afforded the unsolvated, alkane-soluble complexes LnCl(SeAr*)2 (Ln = Nd, Pr; Ar* = 2,6-Trip(2)C(6)H(3); Trip = 2,4,6-iPr(3)C(6)H(2)) in which the rare-earth metal cations show additional eta6-pi-coordination by two flanking arene rings.