Mononuclear aluminum hydroxide for the design of well-defined homogeneous catalysts

An unprecedented aluminum hydroxide LAlMe(OH) (5; L = HC[(CMe)(2,6-iPr2C6H3N)]2) has been prepared by the hydrolysis of LAlMeCl (4). For the preparation of 5, the reagents of KOH, water, and KH, as well as the two-phase ammonia/toluene system, were used. Further reactions of 5 with Cp2ZrMe2 (8) and Cp2ZrHCl in toluene lead to the intermolecular elimination of CH4 and H2 and the formation of mu-O-bridged dinuclear aluminum and zirconium complexes [LAlMe(mu-O)ZrMeCp2] (6) and [LAlMe(mu-O)ZrClCp2] (7), respectively, in high yields. The crystal structure reveals that 5 is a monomer with terminal OH and Me groups. The X-ray structure analysis shows that 6 and 7 contain a bent Al-(mu-O)-Zr core with terminal Al-Me and Zr-Me or Zr-Cl arrangements. The methylalumoxane (MAO)-activated compounds 6 and 7 exhibit high catalytic activity for the polymerization of ethylene. Under comparable polymerization conditions, the MAO/6 and MAO/7 catalyst systems show considerably higher activity and much lower MAO:catalyst ratios than that of MAO/8.     

Synthesis and structures of boron dihalides supported by the C(6)F(5)-substituted beta-diketiminate ligand [HC(CMe)(2)(NC(6)F(5))(2)](-)

The new boron dihalides of the type [HC(CMe)(2)(NC(6)F(5))(2)]BX(2) (X = Cl, Br, I) have been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Of the various synthetic approaches explored, the best method in terms of yield and product purity involves the silylhalide elimination reaction of the silylated iminoamine [HC(CMe)(2)(NC(6)F(5))(N{SiMe(3)}C(6)F(5))] with BX(3). Chloroborenium salt [HC(CMe)(2)(NC(6)F(5))(2)BCl][AlCl(4)] was prepared by treatment of [HC(CMe)(2)(NC(6)F(5))(2)]BCl(2) with AlCl(3) in CH(2)Cl(2) solution. This salt was also structurally authenticated and represents the first such data for a beta-diketiminate-supported haloborenium cation.     

C-H-Activated aluminum hydroxide via molecular oxygen

The reaction of LAl[eta2-(C2(SiMe3)2)] (1; L = HC[(CMe)(NDipp)]2, Dipp = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) with dioxygen leads to the elimination of bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene and the formation of the corresponding aluminum monohydroxide via the oxidation of one of the CHMe2 groups on the Dipp ring.     

Formation of aluminacyclobutenes via carbon monoxide and isocyanide insertion

Reaction of LAl[eta2-(CSiMe3)2] (L = HC[(CMe)(NAr)]2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) with carbon monoxide and tert-butyl isocyanide afforded unique AlC3 aluminacyclobutenes via insertion into one of the aluminium-carbon bonds.     

Reduction of benzophenone and 9(10H)-anthracenone with the magnesium complex [(2,6-iPr2C6H3-bian)Mg(thf)3

The reduction of benzophenone with the magnesium complex [(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)-bian)Mg(thf)(3)] (1), containing the 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene dianion, affords the pinacolato complex [(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)-bian)Mg(thf)](2)[micro-O(2)C(2)Ph(4)].(C(6)H(6))(4) (2). The reaction of 1 with 9(10H)-anthracenone yields the 9-anthracenolato complex [(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)-bian)Mg(OC(14)H(9))(thf)(2)] (3). Complexes 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analyses, UV/Vis, IR, and ESR spectroscopy, as well as by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 2 dissociates in solution with splitting of the bridging pinacolato unit, forming the biradical diimino/ketyl complex [(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)-bian)Mg(thf)(OCPh(2))].     

新型取代基炔类分子的合成及其与B(C6F5)3的反应

合成了5种不同取代基的炔类化合物Mes2HSiC≡CPh(1,Mes=2,4,6-Me3C6H2)、[tBuC(NAr)2]GeC≡CPh(2,Ar=2,6-iPr2C6H3)、[PhC(NtBu)2]SnC≡CPPh2(3)、[HC(CMe)2(NAr)2]Sn C≡CPPh2(4)和[HC(CMe)2(NAr)2]ZnC≡CPPh2(5),研究了这些化合物与B(C6F5)3的反应.在与B(C6F5)3的反应中,1和2均发生1,1-碳硼化反应生成烯烃化合物(Ph)(Mes2HSi)C=C(C6F5)B(C6F5)2 (6)和{[tBuC(NAr)2]Ge}(Ph)C=C(C6F5)B(C6F5)2 (7), 7是一种GeⅡ/B松散Lewis酸碱对化合物;3~5则都发生B(C6F5)3与配体金属基的位置交换、进而配体金属基转换键合PPh2的反应,分别生成新颖的分子内双性离子炔烃化合物[PhC(NtBu)2]SnP(Ph2)C≡CB(C6F5)3 (8)、[HC(CMe)2(NAr)2]SnP(Ph2)C≡CB(C6F5)3(9)、[HC(CMe)2(NAr)2]ZnP(Ph2)C≡CB(C6F5)3 (10).文中还讨论了反应机理.     

The selective preparation of an aluminum oxide and its isomeric C-H-activated hydroxide

An aluminum oxide [LAlO]2 (1) has been prepared by the oxidative addition of aluminum(I) monomer LAl (L = HC[(CMe)(NAr)]2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) with molecular oxygen. The short Al-O bonds in Al2(mu-O)2 result in short Al...Al contacts and subsequent steric crowding of the Ar substituents from the two oriented L. 1 hydrolyzes to form [LAl(OH)]2(mu-O) (2). A C-H-activated aluminum hydroxide 4, an isomer of 1, however, is obtained by hydrolysis of the bulky aluminum amide 3 rather than by a conversion by high temperature treatment of 1. This indicates selective preparation of isomers 1 and 4.     

Cadmium amido alkoxide and alkoxide precursors for the synthesis of nanocrystalline CdE (E = S, Se, Te)

The synthesis and characterization of a family of alternative precursors for the production of CdE nanoparticles (E = S, Se, and Te) is reported. The reaction of Cd(NR2)2 where NR2 = N(SiMe3)2 with n HOR led to the isolation of the following: n = 1 [Cd(mu-OCH2CMe3)(NR2)(py)]2 (1, py = pyridine), Cd[(mu-OC6H3(Me)(2)-2,6)2Cd(NR2)(py)]2 (2), [Cd(mu-OC6H3(CHMe2)(2)-2,6)(NR2)(py)]2 (3), [Cd(mu-OC6H3(CMe3)(2)-2,6)(NR2)(py)]2 (4), [Cd(mu-OC6H2(NH2)(3)-2,4,6)(NR2)(py)]2 (5), and n = 2 [Cd(mu-OC6H3(Me)(2)-2,6)(OC6H3(Me)(2)-2,6)(py)2]2 (6), and [Cd(mu-OC6H3(CMe3)(2)-2,6)(OC6H3(CMe3)(2)-2,6)(THF)]2 (7). For all but 2, the X-ray crystal structures were solved as discrete dinuclear units bridged by alkoxide ligands and either terminal -NR2 or -OR ligands depending on the stoichiometry of the initial reaction. For 2, a trinuclear species was isolated using four mu-OR and two terminal -NR2 ligands. The coordination of the Cd metal center varied from 3 to 5 where the higher coordination numbers were achieved by binding Lewis basic solvents for the less sterically demanding ligands. These complexes were further characterized in solution by 1H, 13C, and 113Cd NMR along with solid-state 113Cd NMR spectroscopy. The utility of these complexes as "alternative precursors" for the controlled preparation of nanocrystalline CdS, CdSe, and CdTe was explored. To synthesize CdE nanocrystals, select species from this family of compounds were individually heated in a coordinating solvent (trioctylphosphine oxide) and then injected with the appropriate chalcogenide stock solution. Transmission electron spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to characterize the resultant particles.     

Insertion reactions of [M(SR)3(PMe2Ph)2] with CS2 (M = Ru, Os; R = C6F4H-4, C6F5). X-ray structures of [Ru(S2CSC6F4H-4)2(PMe2Ph)2], trans-thiolates [M(SR)2(S2CSR)(PMe2Ph)2] (M = Ru; R = C6F5 and M = Os; R = C6F4H-4), and trans-thiolate-phosphine [Os(SC6F5)2(S2CSC6F5)(PMe2Ph)2

Reactions of [M(SR)(3)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (M = Ru, Os; R = C(6)F(4)H-4, C(6)F(5)) with CS(2) in acetone afford [Ru(S(2)CSR)(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (R = C(6)F(4)H-4, 1; C(6)F(5), 3) and trans-thiolates [Ru(SR)(2)(S(2)CSR)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (R = C(6)F(4)H-4, 2; C(6)F(5), 4) or the isomers trans-thiolates [Os(SR)(2)(S(2)CSR)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (R = C(6)F(4)H-4, 5; C(6)F(5), 7) and trans-thiolate-phosphine [Os(SR)(2)(S(2)CSR)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (R = C(6)F(4)H-4, 6; C(6)F(5), 8) through processes involving CS(2) insertion into M-SR bonds. The ruthenium(III) complexes [Ru(SR)(3)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] react with CS(2) to give the diamagnetic thiolate-thioxanthato ruthenium(II) and the paramagnetic ruthenium(III) complexes while osmium(III) complexes [Os(SR)(3)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] react to give the paramagnetic thiolate-thioxanthato osmium(III) isomers. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1, 4, 5, and 8 show distorted octahedral structures. (31)P [(1)H] and (19)F NMR studies show that the solution structures of 1 and 3 are consistent with the solid-state structure of 1.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a series of lanthanide(II) amides: steric effect of amido ligand

The synthesis and structures of a series of lanthanide(II) and lanthanide(III) complexes supported by the amido ligand N(SiMe3)Ar were described. Several lanthanide(III) amide chlorides were synthesized by a metathesis reaction of LnCl3 with lithium amide, including {[(C6H5)(Me3Si)N]2YbCl(THF)}2.PhCH3 (1), [(C6H3-iPr2-2,6)(SiMe3)N]2YbCl(mu-Cl)Li(THF)3.PhCH3 (4), [(C6H3-iPr2-2,6)(SiMe3)N]YbCl2(THF)3 (6), and [(C6H3-iPr2-2,6)(SiMe3)N]2SmCl3Li2(THF)4 (7). The reduction reaction of 1 with Na-K alloy afforded bisamide ytterbium(II) complex [(C6H5)(Me3Si)N]2Yb(DME)2 (2). The same reaction for Sm gave an insoluble black powder. An analogous samarium(II) complex [(C6H5)(Me3Si)N]2Sm(DME)2 (3) was prepared by the metathesis reaction of SmI2 with NaN(C6H5)(SiMe3). The reduction reaction of ytterbium chloride 4 with Na-K alloy afforded monoamide chloride {[(C6H3-iPr2-2,6)(SiMe3)N]Yb(mu-Cl)(THF)2}2 (5), which is the first example of ytterbium(II) amide chloride, formed via the cleavage of the Yb-N bond. The same reduction reaction of 7 gave a normal bisamide complex [(C6H3-iPr2-2,6)(SiMe3)N]2Sm(THF)2 (8) via Sm-Cl bond cleavage. This is the first example for the steric effect on the outcome of the reduction reaction in lanthanide(II) chemistry. 5 can also be synthesized by the Na/K alloy reduction reaction of 6. All of the complexes were fully characterized including X-ray diffraction for 1-7.     

Kinetic stability of heteroleptic (beta-diketiminato) heavier alkaline-earth (Ca, Sr, Ba) amides

The potential of the heteroleptic heavier alkaline-earth hexamethyldisilazides [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}Ae{N(SiMe3)2}(THF)](Ae = Ca, Sr, Ba) as kinetically-stable reagents for further protolytic reaction chemistry has been assessed. Only the previously reported calcium complex was found to be stable to solution dismutation and dynamic ligand exchange. The barium complex was isolated in sufficient purity to enable characterisation by an X-ray analysis. Reactions of the kinetically robust calcium complex with cyclohexylamine and tert-butylamine resulted in displacement of THF and formation of solvated structures, which could be characterised by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Attempts to isolate these solvated complexes were unsuccessful due to redistribution to the homoleptic complex [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}2Ca]. In contrast, the more acidic amine [H2NCH2CH2OMe] was cleanly deprotonated resulting in the isolation of the first well defined primary amido derivative of a heavier alkaline-earth element, [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}Ca{NHCH2CH2OMe}]2, which retains its dimeric constitution in solution and is stable to further intermolecular ligand exchange. Reactions of [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}Ca{N(SiMe3)2}(THF)] with a variety of ortho-disubstituted anilines also resulted in immediate protonation of the hexamethyldisilazide ligand. Only the most sterically demanding 2,6-diisopropylphenyl anilide derivative possessed sufficient kinetic stability to allow isolation of the heteroleptic complex. The crystal structure of [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}Ca{N(H)-2,6-iPrC6H3}(THF)] was shown to exist as a mononuclear, pseudo-five-coordinate complex in which the coordinative unsaturation of the calcium centre is relieved by a Ca...H-C agostic-type interaction to one of the ortho isopropyl groups of the anilide ligand. This interaction is not maintained in solution however and the complex slowly redistributes to the homoleptic beta-diketiminato species and ill-defined polymeric calcium anilido products.     

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.     

Alkynyldiphenylphosphine d8 (Pt, Rh, Ir) complexes: contrasting behavior toward cis-[Pt(C6F5)2(THF)2

The synthesis and characterization of a series of mononuclear d(8) complexes with at least two P-coordinated alkynylphosphine ligands and their reactivity toward cis-[Pt(C(6)F(5))(2)(THF)(2)] are reported. The cationic [Pt(C(6)F(5))(PPh(2)C triple-bond CPh)(3)](CF(3)SO(3)), 1, [M(COD)(PPh(2)C triple-bond CPh)(2)](ClO(4)) (M = Rh, 2, and Ir, 3), and neutral [Pt(o-C(6)H(4)E(2))(PPh(2)C triple-bond CPh)(2)] (E = O, 6, and S, 7) complexes have been prepared, and the crystal structures of 1, 2, and 7.CH(3)COCH(3) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The course of the reactions of the mononuclear complexes 1-3, 6, and 7 with cis-[Pt(C(6)F(5))(2)(THF)(2)] is strongly influenced by the metal and the ligands. Thus, treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of cis-[Pt(C(6)F(5))(2)(THF)(2)] gives the double inserted cationic product [Pt(C(6)F(5))(S)mu-(C(Ph)=C(PPh(2))C(PPh(2))=C(Ph)(C(6)F(5)))Pt(C(6)F(5))(PPh(2)C triple-bond CPh)](CF(3)SO(3)) (S = THF, H(2)O), 8 (S = H(2)O, X-ray), which evolves in solution to the mononuclear complex [(C(6)F(5))(PPh(2)C triple-bond CPh)Pt(C(10)H(4)-1-C(6)F(5)-4-Ph-2,3-kappaPP'(PPh(2))(2))](CF(3) SO(3)), 9 (X-ray), containing a 1-pentafluorophenyl-2,3-bis(diphenylphosphine)-4-phenylnaphthalene ligand, formed by annulation of a phenyl group and loss of the Pt(C(6)F(5)) unit. However, analogous reactions using 2 or 3 as precursors afford mixtures of complexes, from which we have characterized by X-ray crystallography the alkynylphosphine oxide compound [(C(6)F(5))(2)Pt(mu-kappaO:eta(2)-PPh(2)(O)C triple-bond CPh)](2), 10, in the reaction with the iridium complex (3). Complexes 6 and 7, which contain additional potential bridging donor atoms (O, S), react with cis-[Pt(C(6)F(5))(2)(THF)(2)] in the appropriate molar ratio (1:1 or 1:2) to give homo- bi- or trinuclear [Pt(PPh(2)C triple-bond CPh)(mu-kappaE-o-C(6)H(4)E(2))(mu-kappaP:eta(2)-PPh(2)C triple-bond CPh)Pt(C(6)F(5))(2)] (E = O, 11, and S, 12) and [(Pt(mu(3)-kappa(2)EE'-o-C(6)H(4)E(2))(mu-kappaP:eta(2)-PPh(2)C triple-bond CPh)(2))(Pt(C(6)F(5))(2))(2)] (E = O, 13, and S, 14) complexes. The molecular structure of 14 has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction, and the cyclic voltammetric behavior of precursor complexes 6 and 7 and polymetallic derivatives 11-14 has been examined.     

Synthesis and structures of [[HC(CMeNAr)(2)]Ge(S)X] (Ar = 2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3), X = F,Cl, Me): structurally characterized examples with a formal double bond between group 14 and 16 elements bearing a halide

Treatment of [{HC(CMeNAr)2}GeX] (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3, X = Cl (1), F (2)), with elemental sulfur at room temperature smoothly afforded the [{HC(CMeNAr)2}Ge(S)X] (X = Cl (3), F (4)). Compound 4 can also be obtained from 3 with the fluorination reagent Me3SnF. Reaction of 3 with MeLi led to the formation of [{HC(CMeNAr)2}Ge(S)Me] (5). Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses indicate compounds 3-5 are monomeric. The germanium centers adopt four coordinated sites and reside in distorted tetrahedral environment. Compounds 3 and 4 are structurally characterized examples with a formal double bond between group 14 and 16 elements bearing a halide.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic oxidation chemistry from the first oxo-imido Schiff base metal complexes

The molybdenum oxo-imido complex, [Mo(O)(NtBu)Cl2(dme)] (1), was obtained from the reaction between [MoO2Cl2(dme)] and [Mo(NtBu)2Cl2(dme)]. Reactions between [Mo(O)(NR)Cl2(dme)] (where R = tBu or 2,6-iPr2C6H3) and the disodium Schiff base compounds Na(2)(3,5-tBu2)2salen, Na(2)(3,5-tBu2)2salpen, and Na(2)(7-Me)2salen afforded the first oxo-imido transition metal Schiff base complexes: [Mo(O)(NtBu)[(3,5-tBu2)2salen]] (2), [Mo(O)(NtBu)[(3,5-tBu2)2salpen]] (3), and [Mo(O)(N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)[(7-Me)2salen]] (4), respectively. The compounds [Mo(NtBu)2[(3,5-tBu2)2salpen]] (5) from [Mo(NtBu)2(NHtBu)2] and [Mo(N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)(2)[(7-Me)2salen]](6) from [Mo(N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)(2)(NHtBu)2] (7) are also reported. Compounds 1-7 were characterized by NMR, IR, and FAB mass spectroscopy while compounds 3, 4, and 5 were additionally characterized by X-ray crystallography. In conjunction with tBuOOH as oxidant, compound 3 is a catalyst for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and cis-cyclooctene and 1-octene to the corresponding epoxides.     

Synthesis and characterization of vanadium(V)-phosphinimide complexes

Synthetic routes to vanadium(V)-phosphinimide derivatives are addressed. Initial synthetic efforts afforded the known compound formulated as VCl(2)(NPPh(3))(3) which was crystallographically determined to be the salt [VCl(NPPh(3))(3)]Cl (1). Reactions of the vanadium-imide precursors VCl(3)(NAr) (Ar = Ph, C(6)H(3)-2,6-iPr(2)) with R(3)PNSiMe(3) (R = Ph, iPr, tBu) afforded VCl(2)(NPh)(NPPh(3)) (4), VCl(2)(NPh)(NPiPr(3)) (5), VCl(2)(NPh)(NPtBu(3)) (6), VCl(2)(NC(6)H(3)-2,6-iPr(2))(NPPh(3)) (7), VCl(2)(NC(6)H(3)-2,6-iPr(2))(NPiPr(3)) (8), and VCl(2)(NC(6)H(3)-2,6-iPr(2))(NPtBu(3)) (9) in yields ranging from 72% to 84%. Subsequent alkylation or arylation reactions resulted in VMe(2)(NC(6)H(3)-2,6-iPr(2))(NPtBu(3)) (10), VPh(2)(NPh)(NPtBu(3)) (11), VPh(2)(NC(6)H(3)-2,6-iPr(2))(NPiPr(3)) (12), and VPh(2)(NC(6)H(3)-2,6-iPr(2))(NPtBu(3)) (13) while substitution reactions with Li[N(SiMe(3))(2)] and Li[SBn] gave VCl(N(SiMe(3))(2))(NPh)(NPtBu(3)) (14) and V(SBn)(2)(NC(6)H(3)-2,6-iPr(2))(NPtBu(3)) (15) in yields ranging from 40% to 49% yield. Polarization of the N-P phosphinimide bond and V-N multiple bond character are evidenced by crystallographic data.     

B(C6F5)3 adducts of transition metal acyl compounds

The transition metal acyl compounds [Co(L)(CO)3(COMe)] (L = PMe3, PPhMe2, P(4-Me-C6H4)3, PPh3 and P(4-F-C6H4)3), [Mn(CO)5(COMe)] and [Mo(PPh3)(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)2(COMe)] react with B(C6F5)3 to form the adducts [Co(L)(CO)3(C{OB(C6F5)3}Me)] (L = PMe3, 1, PPhMe2, 2, P(4-Me-C6H4)3, 3, PPh3, 4, P(4-F-C6H4)3), 5, [Mn(CO)5(C{OB(C6F5)3}Me)] 6 and [Mo(eta(5)-C5H5)(PPh3)(CO)2(C{OB(C6F5)3}Me)], 7. Addition of B(C6F5)3 to a cooled solution of [Mo(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)3(Me)], under an atmosphere of CO gave [Mo(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)3(C{OB(C6F5)3}Me)] 8. In the presence of adventitious water, the compound [Co{HOB(C6F5)3}2{OP(4-F-C6H4)3}2] 9, was formed from [Co(P(4-F-C6H4)3)(CO)3(C{OB(C6F5)3}Me)]. The compounds 4 and 9 have been structurally characterised. The use of B(C6F5)3 as a catalyst for the CO-induced migratory-insertion reaction in the transition metal alkyl compounds [Co(PPh3)(CO)3(Me)], [Mn(CO)5(Me)], [Mo(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)3(Me)] and [Fe(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)2(Me)] has been investigated.     

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

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

Reactivity of the bis(pentafluorophenyl)boranes ClB(C6F5)2 and [HB(C6F5)2]n towards late transition metal reagents

The reactivities of the highly electrophilic boranes ClB(C(6)F(5))(2) (1) and [HB(C(6)F(5))(2)](n) (2) towards a range of organometallic reagents featuring metals from Groups 7-10 have been investigated. Salt elimination chemistry is observed 1 between and the nucleophilic anions eta(5)-C(5)R(5))Fe(CO)(2)](-)(R = H or Me) and [Mn(CO)(5)](-), leading to the generation of the novel boryl complexes (eta(5)-C(5)R(5))Fe(CO)(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2)[R = H (3) or Me (4)] and (OC)(5)MnB(C(6)F(5))(2) (5). Such systems are designed to probe the extent to which the strongly sigma-donor boryl ligand can also act as a pi-acceptor; a variety of spectroscopic, structural and computational probes imply that even with such strongly electron withdrawing boryl substituents, the pi component of the metal-boron linkage is a relatively minor one. Similar reactivity is observed towards the hydridomanganese anion [(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me)Mn(CO)(2)H](-), generating a thermally labile product identified spectroscopically as (eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me)Mn(CO)(2)(H)B(C(6)F(5))(2) (6). Boranes 1 and 2 display different patterns of reactivity towards low-valent platinum and rhodium complexes than those demonstrated previously for less electrophilic reagents. Thus, reaction of 1 with (Ph(3)P)(2)Pt(H(2)C=CH(2)) ultimately generates EtB(C(6)F(5))(2) (10) as the major boron-containing product, together with cis-(Ph(3)P)(2)PtCl(2) and trans-(Ph(3)P)(2)Pt(C(6)F(5))Cl (9). The cationic platinum hydride [(Ph(3)P)(3)PtH](+) is identified as an intermediate in the reaction pathway. Reaction of with [(Ph(3)P)(2)Rh(mu-Cl)](2), in toluene on the other hand, appears to proceed via ligand abstraction with both Ph(3)P.HB(C(6)F(5))(2) (11) and the arene rhodium(I) cation [(Ph(3)P)(2)Rh(eta(6)-C(6)H(5)Me)](+) (14) ultimately being formed.     

Trialkyl imido niobium and tantalum compounds: synthesis, structural study and migratory insertion reactions

Trialkyl imido niobium and tantalum complexes [MR(3)(NtBu)] (M = Nb, R = Me 2, CH(2)CMe(3)3, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 4, CH(2)SiMe(3)5; M = Ta, R = Me 6, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 7, CH(2)SiMe(3)8) have been prepared by treatment of solutions containing [MCl(3)(NtBu)py(2)] (M = Nb 1a, Ta 1b) with three equivalents of magnesium reagent. By an unexpected hydrolysis reaction of the tris-trimethylsilylmethyl imido tantalum compound 8a, a μ-oxo derivative [(Me(3)SiCH(2)O)(Me(3)SiCH(2))(3)Ta(μ-O)Ta(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(NtBu)] (8a) was formed and its structure was studied by X-ray diffraction methods. Reactions of trialkyl imido compounds with two equivalents of isocyanide 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)NC result in the migration of two alkyl groups, leading to the formation of a series of alkyl imido bisiminoacyl derivatives [MR(NtBu){C(R)NAr}(2)] (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); M = Nb, R = Me 9, CH(2)CMe(3)10, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 11, CH(2)SiMe(3)12, CH(2)Ph 13; M = Ta, R = CH(2)CMe(3)14, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 15, CH(2)SiMe(3)16). All compounds were studied by IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C and (15)N) spectroscopy.