Synthesis and characterization of stable osmafuran starting from HC≡CCH(OH)C≡CH and OsHCl(CO)(PPh3)3

This paper presents a new convenient route to prepare osmafuran starting from readily accessible HC≡CCH(OH)C≡CH and OsHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃. Treatment of a solution of OsHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ in dichloromethane with HC≡CCH(OH)C≡CH, followed by the addition of acetic acid, produced osmafuran [Os(CHC(PPh₃)CO(CH₂CH₃))Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂]Cl (2). 2 has been isolated in good yield and fully characterized. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra show the characteristic downfield chemical shifts of the ring hydrogen and carbon atoms. NMR and X-ray diffraction data provide strong evidence for the aromatic nature of 2. Probably due to the effect of the phosphonium substituent, 2 exhibits remarkable thermal stability, air stability and lower reactivity.

     

Nucleophilic Aromatic Addition Reactions of the Metallabenzenes and Metallapyridinium: Attacking Aromatic Metallacycles with Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane to Form Metallacyclohexadienes and Cyclic η2‐Allene‐Coordinated Complexes

The reactions of phosphonium‐substituted metallabenzenes and metallapyridinium with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (DPPM) were investigated. Treatment of [Os{CHC(PPh₃)CHC(PPh₃)CH}Cl₂(PPh₃)₂]Cl with DPPM produced osmabenzenes [Os{CHC(PPh₃)CHC(PPh₃)CH}Cl₂{(PPh₂)CH₂(PPh₂)}]Cl ( 2 ), [Os{CHC(PPh₃)CHC(PPh₃)CH}Cl{(PPh₂)CH₂(PPh₂)}₂]Cl₂ ( 3 ), and cyclic osmium η²‐allene complex [Os{CH?C(PPh₃)CH?(η²‐C?CH)}Cl₂{(PPh₂)CH₂(PPh₂)}₂]Cl ( 4 ). When the analogue complex of osmabenzene 1 , ruthenabenzene [Ru{CHC(PPh₃)CHC(PPh₃)CH}Cl₂(PPh₃)₂]Cl, was used, the reaction produced ruthenacyclohexadiene [Ru{CH?C(PPh₃)CH?C(PPh₃)CH}Cl{(PPh₂)CH₂(PPh₂)}₂]Cl₂ ( 6 ), which could be viewed as a Jackson–Meisenheimer complex. Complex 6 is unstable in solution and can easily be convert to the cyclic ruthenium η²‐allene complexes [Ru{CH?C(PPh₃)CH?(η²‐C?CH)}Cl{(PPh₂)CH₂(PPh₂)}₂]Cl₂ ( 7 ) and [Ru{CH?C(PPh₃)CH?(η²‐C?CH)}Cl₂{(PPh₂)CH₂(PPh₂)}₂]Cl ( 8 ). The key intermediates of the reactions have been isolated and fully characterized, further supporting the proposed mechanism for the reactions. Similar reactions also occurred in phosphonium‐substituted metallapyridinium [OsCl₂{NHC(CH₃)C(Ph)C(PPh₃)CH}(PPh₃)₂]BF₄ to give the cyclic osmium η²‐allene‐imine complex [OsCl₂{NH?C(CH₃)C(Ph)?(η²‐C?CH)}{(PPh₂)CH₂(PPh₂)}(PPh₃)]BF₄ ( 11 ).     

单氢钌配合物与水和2,2,2-三氟乙醇的作用机理

利用原位¹H和³¹P NMR对单氢钌配合物TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)H [Tp＝hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate]与H₂O和酸性HOCH₂CF₃的反应进行了研究, 结果显示相应的反应产物分别是TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)(OH) 和TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)(OCH₂CF₃). 观察到反应过程中Ru-H…HOH和Ru-H…HOCH₂CF₃分子间的氢键作用. 提出了生成TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)(OH)和TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)(OCH₂CF₃)的不同作用机理. 在水存在下, TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)H 与H₂O反应, 经过中间体TpRu(PPh₃)(H₂O)H和TpRu(PPh₃)(OH)(η²-H₂)生成产物TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)(OH). 而TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)H与酸性HOCH₂CF₃反应时, 单氢配体被质子化形成中间体[TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)- (η²-H₂)](OCH₂CF₃), 进而转变成产物TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)(OCH₂CF₃). TpRu(PPh₃)(CH₃CN)(OCH₂CF₃)与H₂作用, 经中间体TpRu(PPh₃)(HOCH₂CF₃)H生成TpRu(PPh₃)(η²-H₂)H.     

STEREOSELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF MONOFLUORO-OLEFINS FROM DIISOPROPYL (CARBOETHOXYFLUORO-METHYL)PHOSPHONATE

Abstract

Treatment of ethyl oxalyl chloride or methyl oxalyl chloride with lithium diisopropyl(carboethoxyfluoromethyl)phosphonate[(i-PrO)₂P(O)CFCO₂Et]^?Li⁺ 2 followed by in siru nucle-ophilic addition with methylmagnesium iodide or vinyl magnesium bromide affords with exclusive E-stereoselectivity formation of diethyl-2-fluoro-3-methyl fumarate (CH₃)(C0₂Et)C[dbnd]CFCO₂Et 4 or 75% of the E-isomer of a-fluoro-P-vinyl-a,P-unsaturated diester (E,Z)-(CH₂[dbnd]CH)(CO₂C₂H₅)C[dbnd]CFCO₂Et 5, respectively. However, direct reaction of ethyl pyruvate with 2 gives the fluoro-olefin (CH₃)(CO₂Et)C[dbnd]CFCO₂Et 4 with 79% E-stere-oselectivity. The E/Zratio of (CH₂[dbnd]CH)(CO₂Et)C[dbnd]CFCO₂Et 5 depends on the HMFT or DMPU cosolvents present in the reaction mixture.     

Branched and dendritic metallo-carbosiloxanes with OCH2PPh2MLn end-grafted units

A straightforward method for the preparation of metallo carbosiloxanes of type Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂[OCH₂PPh₂M(CO)_n])₄ (n = 3, M = Ni, 7a; n = 4, M = Fe, 7b; n = 5: M = Mo, 7c; M = W, 7d), Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe[OCH₂PPh₂Ni(CO)₃]₂)₄ (8) and Me₂Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe[OCH₂PPh₂Ni(CO)₃]₂)₂ (11) is described. The reaction of Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMeXCl)₄ (1: X = Me, 2: X = Cl) or Me₂Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMeCl₂)₂ (9) with HOCH₂PPh₂ (3) produces Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂(OCH₂PPh₂))₄ (4), Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe(OCH₂PPh₂)₂)₄ (5) or Me₂Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe(OCH₂PPh₂)₂)₂ (10) in presence of DABCO. Treatment of the latter molecules with Ni(CO)₄ (6a), Fe₂(CO)₉ (6b), M(CO)₅(Thf) (6c: M = Mo; 6d: M = W), respectively, gives the title compounds 7a-7d, 8 and 11 in which the PPh₂ groups are datively bound to a 16-valence-electron metal carbonyl fragment.The formation of analytical pure and uniform branched and dendritic metallo carbosiloxanes is based on elemental analysis, and IR, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ²⁹Si{¹H} and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopic studies. In addition, ESI-TOF mass spectrometric studies were carried out.     

Interconversion of Metallabenzenes and Cyclic η2‐Allene‐Coordinated Complexes

Treatment of the osmabenzene [Os{CHC(PPh₃)CHC(PPh₃)CH} Cl₂(PPh₃)₂]Cl ( 1 ) with excess 8‐hydroxyquinoline produces monosubstituted osmabenzene [Os{CH C(PPh₃) CHC(PPh₃)CH}(C₉H₆NO)Cl(PPh₃)]Cl ( 2 ) or disubstituted osmabenzene [Os{CHC(PPh₃)CHC(PPh₃)CH} (C₉H₆NO)₂]Cl ( 3 ) under different reaction conditions. Osmabenzene 2 evolves into cyclic η²‐allene‐coordinated complex [Os{CH?C(PPh₃)CH=(η²‐C?CH₂)}(C₉H₆NO)(PPh₃)₂]Cl ( 4 ) in the presence of excess PPh₃ and NaOH, presumably involving a P? C bond cleavage of the metallacycle. Reaction of 4 with excess 8‐hydroxyquinoline under air affords the S_NAr product [(C₉H₆NO)Os{CHC(PPh₃)CHCHC} (C₉H₆NO)(PPh₃)]Cl ( 5 ). Complex 4 is fairly reactive to a nucleophile in the presence of acid, which could react with water to give carbonyl complex [Os{CH?C(PPh₃)CH?CH₂}(C₉H₆NO) (CO)(PPh₃)₂]Cl ( 6 ). Complex 4 also reacts with PPh₃ in the presence of acid and results in a transformation to [Os {CHC(PPh₃)CHCHC}(C₉H₆NO)Cl (PPh₃)₂]Cl ( 7 ) and [Os{CH?C(PPh₃) CH=(η²‐C?CH(PPh₃))}(C₉H₆NO) Cl(PPh₃)]Cl ( 8 ). Further investigation shows that the ratio of 7 and 8 is highly dependent on the amount of the acid in the reaction.     

Synthesis,structures, electrochemistry and catalytic activities of copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes with asymmetric tetraazacycloannulenes

Copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes with 15-membered asymmetric 5,9-dihydro-2,4,10,12-tetramethyl-1,5,9,13-monobenzotetraazacyclo[15]tetradecine have been synthesized and characterized. The electrochemical behaviors of the complexes showed a reduction and two one-electron irreversible oxidation waves in given potential ranges due to the metal ion and macrocycle ring, respectively. The electrocatalytic reduction of dioxygen on glassy carbon electrodes electropolymerized by such 15-membered and 14-membered tetraazaannulene complexes occurred at 160–280 mV (versus SCE), less negative than on the bared one at pH 7.0. The catalytic activities of the copper(II) complexes in the oxidation of p-Xstyrene (X = OCH₃, CH₃, H, F, Cl) were higher than those of the palladium(II) ones. The structures of the 15-membered copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes were determined using the X-ray diffraction method.     

Lignin-type, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes of lignin-type in organic solvents

A 1:1 reaction of [HO(CH₂)₃]₃P with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cinnamaldehyde (coniferaldehyde) or 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (sinapaldehyde) in acetone at room temperature affords phosphonium zwitterions of the type R₃P⁺CH(4-O^?-Ar)CH₂CHO; other phosphines [R = Et, n-Bu, (CH₂)₂CN, and p-Tol] do not react under the same conditions. In alcohols R??OH(D) [R?? = CD₃, Et, (CD₃)₂CD, s-Bu, HOCH₂CH₂], the above phosphines (except the cyano-derivative) and those where R = i-Pr, Cy, Me₂Ph, MePh₂ do react within an equilibrium established between the reactants and the zwitterion-hemiacetal products R₃P⁺CH(4-O^?-Ar)CH₂CH(OH)(OR??) that are formed as a mixture of two diastereomers. The nature of the phosphine and the alcohol affects the equilibrium and the diastereomeric ratio.     

Gold(III) adducts of 2-vinyl- and 2-ethylpyridine and cyclometallated derivatives of 2-vinylpyridine: Crystal structure of the cyclometallated derivative [Au(k-C,N-CH2CH(Cl)-C5H4N)(PPh3)Cl][PF6]

Reaction of Na[AuCl₄] with 2-vinylpyridine (vinpy) and 2-ethylpyridine (etpy) affords the N-bonded adducts Au(Rpy)Cl₃ (R = CH₂CH, vinpy; CH₃CH₂, etpy). Cationic adducts, [Au(vinpy)₂Cl][X]₂ (X = BF₄, PF₆) and [Au(etpy)₂Cl₂][BF₄], were also obtained by reaction of Au(Rpy)Cl₃ with Rpy (1:1) and excess NaBF₄ or KPF₆. Thermal activation of Au(vinpy)Cl₃ in water gives the five-membered cycloaurated derivative [Au(k²-C,N-CH₂CH(Cl)-C₅H₄N)Cl₂] formally resulting through a trans nucleophilic addition of a chloride onto the CC bond. No cyclometallated derivatives are obtained by reactions of Au(etpy)Cl₃. An X-ray crystal structure determination on the PPh₃ derivative [Au(k²-C,N-CH₂CH(Cl)-C₅H₄N)(PPh₃)Cl][PF₆] was carried out.     

The synthesis of a cationic ylide complex of platinum(II) by the reaction of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(O) with choloroiodomethane.

The reaction of Pt(PPh₃)₄ with CH₂Cl1 in benzene yields the cationic ylide complex $\text{cis}$-[Pt(PPh₃)₂(CH₂PPh₃)Cl]I in high yield. This complex has been converted to $\text{cis}$-[(PPh₃)₂(CH₂PPh₃)X]X (X  Br or I) by reaction with LiBr or NaI. Reaction of $\text{cis}$-[Pt(PPH₃)I]I with iodine yields $\text{cis}$-[Pt(PPh₃)₂(CH₂PPh₃)I]I₃. Nmr data are given in support of the suggested structures.     

Kinetic studies of the reactions of the carbene complex W(CO)5[C(SCH3)2] with phosphines to form phosphorane complexes W(CO)5[(CH3S)2C-PR3] and the synthesis of some cyclic phosphorane complexes

The dithiocarbene complex W(CO)₅[C(SCH₃)₂ reacts with tertiary phosphines, PPh₂CH₃, PPh(CH₃)₂, P(C₂H₅)₃ and P(OCH₃)₃ to form the phosphorane complexes W(CO)₅[CH₃S)₂C-PR₃] and with HPPh₂ to form the phosphine complex W(CO)₅[PPh₂[CH(SCH₃)₂]. Kinetic studies of both types of reactions show that their rates are first order each in W(CO)₅[C(SCH₃)₂] and in the phosphorus ligand. A mechanism involving rate determining phosphorus attack at the carbene carbon followed by rapid rearrangement to the product is consistent with this rate law. Rate constants for the reactions increase with increasing nucleophilicities of the phosphines: P(OCH₃)₃ < PPh₂H < PPh₂C_H3 ? PPh(CH₃)₂ < P(C₂H₅)₃. The ΔH values decrease (P(OCH₃)₃ > PPh₂H > PPh₂(CH₃) > PPh(CH₃)₂ > P(C₂H₅)₃) as the nucleophilicities of the phosphines increase. The ΔS values (≈-30 e.u.) remain essentially constant for all the reactions. The cyclic dithiorcarbenes W(CO)₅[CS(CH₂)_nS], wheren- 3 or 4, react with PPh₂(CH₃) to form the cyclic phosphorane complexes, W(CO)₅[S(CH₂)_nSC-PPh₂(CH₃)]. The 6- and 7- membered cyclic dithiocarbenes also react with PPh₂H to form the phosphine complexes, W(CO)₅ {PPh₂- [CS(CH₂)_nS(H)]}.     

Practical synthesis of 1,4-dioxane derivative of the closo-dodecaborate anion and its ring opening with acetylenic alkoxides

Practical method of synthesis of the 1,4-dioxane derivative of the closo-dodecaborate anion was developed. The cleavage of the dioxonium ring in [B₁₂H₁₁O(CH₂CH₂)₂O]⁻ with acetylenic alcohols gave rise to the preparation of closo-dodecaborate derivatives with terminal acetylene group. These compounds can be introduced into click reactions with phenylazide leading to the corresponding triazoles. The structures of (Bu₄N)[B₁₂H₁₁O(CH₂CH₂)₂O] and (Bu₄N)₂[B₁₂H₁₁(OCH₂CH₂)₂OCH₂CCH] · 0.5HOCH₂CCH were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Pyrrolthiosemicarbazone Complexes of Palladium(II). Crystal Structures of [{Pd[C4H4NC(H)=NNC(S)NHMe](Cl)}2{μ‐Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2}] and [Pd{C4H4NC(H)=NNC(S)NHMe}{Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2‐P,P}](Cl)

Reaction of the thiosemicarbazone ligands C₄H₄NC(H)=NN(H)C(S)NHR (R = Me, a ; Et, b ) with Li₂[PdCl₄] gave the dinuclear complexes [Pd{C₄H₄NC(H)=NNC(S)NHR}(μ‐Cl)]₂ (R = Me, 1a ; Et, 1b ) with a central Pd₂Cl₂ core and with deprotonation of the thiosemicarbazones at the hydrazinic nitrogen atom. Treatment of 1a and 1b with triphenylphosphine gave the mononuclear compounds [Pd{C₄H₄C(H)=NNC(S)NHR}(Cl)(PPh₃)] (R = Me, 2a ; Et, 2b ), whereas reaction of 1a and 1b with tertiary diphosphines gave mono‐ and dinuclear compounds, as appropriate, with the corresponding diphosphine acting as a monodentate ( 6b ), chelating ( 3a ) and bridging ligand ( 4a, 5a , 4b, 5b ). Treatment of 1a and 1b with (Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)W(CO)₅ gave the new heterobimetallic complexes 7a and 7b . The crystal structures of complexes 3a and 4a are described.     

Mndo study of fragmentations in mass spectrometry. Part II. Substituent effects in the ioinization of [CH3?CO?R] compounds and their enol tautomers

A semiempirical MNDO method was used in calculations on monosubstituted neutral and cationic compounds of the [CH₃? CO? R] type with a wide range of substituents (R = H, F, Cl, CH₃, NH₂, OH, OCH₃, NHCH₃, CH?CH₂). The results obtained are interpreted with respect to the effect of the individual substituents on the geometry and electron distribution in the systems studied and allow the conclusion that the ratios of partial charges in the individual substructures in a radical cation correspond to those of the respective peak intensities in the mass spectrum.     

Ruthenium(III) complexes with N-(acetyl)-N′-(5-R-salicylidene)hydrazines: Syntheses,structures and properties

The reactions of 1 mol equiv. each of [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂] and N-(acetyl)-N′-(5-R-salicylidene)hydrazines (H₂ahsR, R = H, OCH₃, Cl, Br and NO₂) in alcoholic media afford simultaneously two types of complexes having the general formulae [Ru(HahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] and [Ru(ahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl]. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic, spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements. Molecular structures of [Ru(HahsH)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] and [Ru(ahsH)(PPh₃)₂Cl] have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. In both species, the PPh₃ ligands are trans to each other. The bidentate HahsH⁻ coordinates to the metal ion via the O atom of the deprotonated amide and the imine–N atom in [Ru(HahsH)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂]. In HahsH⁻, the phenolic OH is involved in a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond with the uncoordinated amide N atom forming a seven-membered ring. In [Ru(ahsH)(PPh₃)₂Cl], the tridentate ahsH²⁻ binds to the metal ion via the deprotonated amide O, the imine N and the phenolate O atoms. In the electronic spectra, the green [Ru(HahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] and brown [Ru(ahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl] complexes display several absorptions in the ranges 385–283 and 457–269 nm, respectively. Both complexes are low-spin and display rhombic EPR spectra in frozen solutions. Both types of complexes are redox active and display a quasi-reversible ruthenium(III) to ruthenium(II) reduction which is sensitive to the polar effect of the substituent on the chelating ligand. The reduction potentials are in the ranges −0.21 to −0.12 and −0.42 to −0.21 V (versus Ag/AgCl) for [Ru(HahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] and [Ru(ahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl], respectively.     

Easily available niobium(V) mixed chloro‐alkoxide complexes as catalytic precursors for ethylene polymerization

The dinuclear [NbCl_n(OR)_(5‐n)]₂ (n = 4, R = Et, 1 ; n = 4, R = CH₂Ph, 2 ; n = 3, R = Et, 3 ; n = 2, R = Et, 4 ; n = 2, R = , 5 ), and [Nb(OEt)₅]₂, 6 , and the mononuclear niobium compounds NbCl₄[κ²? OCH₂CH(R′)OR] (R = Me, R′ = H, 7 ; R = Et, R′ = H, 8 ; R = CH₂Cl, R′ = H, 9 ; R = CH₂CH₂OMe, R′ = H, 10 ; R = R′ = Me, 11 ), NbBr₄[κ²? OCH₂CH₂OMe], 12 , and NbCl₃(κ²? OCH₂CH₂OMe)(κ¹? OCH₂CH₂OMe), 13 , were tested in ethylene polymerization. Optimized reaction conditions included the use of D‐MAO as co‐catalyst and chlorobenzene as solvent at 50 °C. Complex 7 , whose X‐Ray structure is described here for the first time, exhibited the highest activity ever reported for a niobium catalyst in alkene polymerization [151 kg_polymer × mol_Nb^?1 × h^?1 × bar^?1]. Compounds 1 , 3‐5 , 8 , 13 showed activities similar to that of 7 . Linear polyethylenes (characterized by FT‐IR, NMR, GPC, and DSC analyses) with a broad polydispersivity were obtained. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis and molecular structure of [Rh3(μ-PPh2)3(CO)6(PPh2-H)], an unusual six-membered inorganic ring complex

Reaction of [{Rh(μ-Cl)(CO)₂}₂] with PPh₂H in CO-saturated ethanol yields [Rh₃(μ-PPh₂)₃ (CO)₆ (PPh₂H)], a red trinuclear cluster of rhodium containing a near-planar six-membered Rh₃P₃ ring; this compound reversibly undergoes elimination of CO and PPh₂H to afford [Rh₃(μ-PPh₂)₃(CO)₅].     

Formation of Methane versus Benzene in the Reactions of (C5Me5)2Th(CH3)2 with [CH3PPh3]X (X=Cl,Br, I) Yielding Thorium‐Carbene or Thorium‐Ylide Complexes

The reaction of (C₅Me₅)₂Th(CH₃)₂ with the phosphonium salts [CH₃PPh₃]X (X=Cl, Br, I) was investigated. When X=Br and I, two equivalents of methane are liberated to afford (C₅Me₅)₂Th[CHPPh₃]X, rare terminal phosphorano‐stabilized carbenes with thorium. These complexes feature the shortest thorium–carbon bonds (≈2.30 Å) reported to date, and electronic structure calculations show some degree of multiple bonding. However, when X=Cl, only one equivalent of methane is lost with concomitant formation of benzene from an unstable phosphorus(V) intermediate, yielding (C₅Me₅)₂Th[κ²‐(C,C′)‐(CH₂)(CH₂)PPh₂]Cl. Density functional theory (DFT) investigations of the reaction energy profiles for [CH₃PPh₃]X, X=Cl and I showed that in the case of iodide, thermodynamics prevents the production of benzene and favors formation of the carbene.     

Formation of Methane versus Benzene in the Reactions of (C5Me5)2Th(CH3)2 with [CH3PPh3]X (X=Cl,Br, I) Yielding Thorium‐Carbene or Thorium‐Ylide Complexes

The reaction of (C₅Me₅)₂Th(CH₃)₂ with the phosphonium salts [CH₃PPh₃]X (X=Cl, Br, I) was investigated. When X=Br and I, two equivalents of methane are liberated to afford (C₅Me₅)₂Th[CHPPh₃]X, rare terminal phosphorano‐stabilized carbenes with thorium. These complexes feature the shortest thorium–carbon bonds (≈2.30 Å) reported to date, and electronic structure calculations show some degree of multiple bonding. However, when X=Cl, only one equivalent of methane is lost with concomitant formation of benzene from an unstable phosphorus(V) intermediate, yielding (C₅Me₅)₂Th[κ²‐(C,C′)‐(CH₂)(CH₂)PPh₂]Cl. Density functional theory (DFT) investigations of the reaction energy profiles for [CH₃PPh₃]X, X=Cl and I showed that in the case of iodide, thermodynamics prevents the production of benzene and favors formation of the carbene.     

Molecular and Crystal Structures of TeCl4-Allylalcohol and -Allylacetate Adducts

1,2-electrophilic addition of TeCl₄ to the C=C bond of allylalcohol is observed, while with allylacetate, 1,3-addition occurs, due to migration of the acetate group. The allylalcohol adduct comprises two different kinds of molecules in the solid state, Cl₃Te[CH₂CH(Cl)CH₂OH→] and Cl₂Te[CH₂CH(Cl)CH₂CH-], with dative Te←O and covalent Te-O bonds, five-membered ring structures and Cl-Te?Cl and O-H?O bridges linking the different molecules. In the allylacetate adduct, Cl₃Te[CH₂CH(CH₂Cl)OC(CH₃)=O→], a six-membered ring is formed via an intramolecular dative Te←O interaction, the molecules being linked via C-Cl?Te bridges. Multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and ¹H-¹H-NOESY combined with ab initio (MP2/LANL2DZP) geometry optimisation show the geometry of the ring structures in solution to be similar to those in the solid state.