Metallaboranes of the Early Transition Metals: Direct Synthesis and Characterization of [{(eta5-C5Me5)Ta}2BnHm] (n=4, m=10; n=5, m=11), [{(eta5-C5Me5)Ta}2B5H10(C6H4CH3)], and [{(eta5-C5Me5)TaCl}2B5H11

Reaction of [Cp*TaCl4] (Cp*=eta5-C5Me5) with a sixfold excess of LiBH(4)thf followed by BH3thf in toluene at 100 degrees C led to the isolation of hydrogen-rich metallaboranes [(Cp*Ta)2B4H10] (1), [(Cp*Ta)2B5H11] (2), [(Cp*Ta)2B5H10(C6H4CH3)] (3), and [(Cp*TaCl)2B5H11] (4) in modest yield. Compounds 1-3 are air- and moisture-sensitive but 4 is reasonably stable in air. Their structures are predicted by the electron-counting rules to be a bicapped tetrahedron (1), bicapped trigonal bipyramids (2, 3), and a nido structure based on a closo dodecahedron 4. Yellow tantalaborane 1 has a nido geometry with C2v symmetry and is isostructural with [(Cp*M)2B4H8] (M=Cr and Re); whereas 2 and 3 are C3v-symmetric and isostructural with [(Cp*M)2B5H9] (M=Cr, Mo, W) and [(Cp*ReH)2B5Cl5]. The most remarkable feature of 4 is the presence of a hydride ligand bridging the ditantalum center to form a symmetrical tantalaborane cluster with a long Ta--Ta bond (3.22 A). Cluster 4 is a rare example of electronically unsaturated metallaborane containing four TaHB bonds. All these new metallaboranes have been characterized by mass spectrometry, 1H, 11B, and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, and the structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis of 1-4.     

Geometry and stability of BenCm (n=1-10; m=1, 2, ..., to 11-n) clusters

Density functional theory B3PW91/6-31+G* calculations on BenCm (n=1-10; m=1, 2, ..., to 11-n) clusters have been carried out to examine the effect of cluster size, relative composition, binding energy per atom, HOMO-LUMO gap, vertical ionization potential, and electron affinity on their relative stabilities. The most stable planar cyclic conformations of these clusters always show at least a set of two carbon atoms between two beryllium atoms, while structures where beryllium atoms cluster together, or allow the intercalation of one carbon atom between two of them, generally seem to be the least stable ones. Clusters containing 1, 2, and 3 beryllium atoms (Be2C8, Be3C6, Be2C6, BeC6, Be2C4, BeC4, Be2C2, and BeC2) are identified as clusters of "magic numbers" in terms of their high binding energy per atom, high HOMO-LUMO gap, vertical ionization potential, and second difference in energy per beryllium atom.     

Structural, dynamic, and theoretical studies of [AunPt2(PPh3)4(mu-S)2-n(mu 3-S)nL][PF6]n [n = 1, L = PPh3; n = 2, L = Ph2PCH2PPh2, (C5H4PPh2)2Fe

Three heterometallic Au-Pt complexes [Pt2(PPh3)4(mu-S)(mu 3-S)Au(PPh3)][PF6] (2), [Pt2(PPh3)4(mu 3-S)2Au2(mu-dppm)]-[PF6]2 (3), and [Pt2(PPh3)4(mu 3-S)2Au2(mu-dppf)][PF6]2 (4) have been synthesized from Pt2(PPh3)4(mu-S)2 (1) [dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2; dppf = (C5H4PPh2)2Fe] and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In 2, the Au(I) atom is anchored on only one of the sulfur centers. In 3 and 4, both sulfur atoms are aurated, showing the ability of 1 to support an overhead bridge structure, viz. [Au2(P-P)], with or without the presence of Au-Au bond. The change of dppf to dppm facilitates such active interactions. Two stereoisomers of complex 3 (3a,b) have been obtained and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. NLDFT calculations on 2 show that the linear coordination mode is stabilized with respect to the trigonal planar mode by 14.0 kJ/mol. All complexes (2-4) are fluxional in solution with different mechanisms. In 2, the [Au(PPh3)] fragment switches rapidly between the two sulfur sites. Our hybrid MM-NLDFT calculations found a transition state in which the Au(I) bears an irregular trigonal planar geometry (delta G++ = 19.9 kJ/mol), as well as an intermediate in which Au(I) adopts a regular trigonal planar geometry. Complexes 3a,b are roughly diastereoisomeric and related by sigma (mirror plane) conversion. This symmetry operation can be broken down to two mutually dependent fluxional processes: (i) rapid flipping of the dppm methylene group across the molecular plane defined by the overhead bridge; (ii) rocking motion of the two Au atoms across the S...S axis of the (Pt2S2) core. Modeling of the former by molecular mechanics yields a steric barrier of 29.0 kJ/mol, close to that obtained from variable-temperature 31P(1Hz) NMR study (33.7 kJ/mol). In 4, the twisting of the ferrocenyl moiety across the S...S axis is in concert with a rocking motion of the two gold atoms. The movement of dppf is sterically most demanding, and hence, 4 is the only complex that shows a static structure at lower temperatures. Pertinent crystallographic data: (2) space group P1, a = 15.0340(5) A, b = 15.5009(5) A, c = 21.9604(7) A, alpha = 74.805(1) degrees, beta = 85.733(1) degrees, gamma = 78.553(1) degrees, R = 0.0500; (3a) space group Pna2(1), a = 32.0538(4) A, b = 16.0822(3) A, c = 18.9388(3) A, R = 0.0347; (3b) space group Pna2(1), a = 31.950(2) A, b = 16.0157(8) A, c = 18.8460(9) A, R = 0.0478; (4) space group P2(1)/c, a = 13.8668(2) A, b = 51.7754(4) A, c = 15.9660(2) A, beta = 113.786(1) degrees, R = 0.0649.     

The synthesis and characterization of compounds of the type Hg[1-C(6)H(4)-2-C(H)=NC(6)H(5-n)R(n)](2)

The organomercurial compounds Hg[1-C(6)H(4)-2-C(H)=NC(6)H(5-n)R(n)](2) (R = 4-NMe(2), 6a; 4-Me, 6b; 4-I, 6c; 4-NO(2), 6d; 2-(i)Pr, 6e; 2-Me, 6f; 2,6-(i)Pr(2), 6g; 2,6-Me(2), 6h) have been prepared in good overall yield from 2-bromobenzaldehyde. All of the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, (1)H NMR, (13)C[(1)H] NMR, and infrared spectroscopy. In addition, compounds 6a [C(30)H(30)HgN(4), triclinic, P, a = 6.20000(10) A, b = 9.2315(2) A, c = 10.9069(3) A, alpha = 85.8510(10) degrees, beta = 89.3570(10) degrees, gamma = 87.206(2) degrees, Z = 1], 6b [C(28)H(24)HgN(2), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 12.8260(5) A, b = 14.0675(4) A, c = 6.1032(2) A, beta = 90.0990(10) degrees, Z = 2], 6g [C(38)H(44)HgN(2), triclinic, P, a = 8.2626(2) A, b = 9.8317(2) A, c = 11.8873(3) A, alpha = 103.6650(10) degrees, beta = 109.3350(10) degrees, gamma = 104.627(2) degrees, Z = 1], and 6h [C(30)H(28)HgN(2), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 12.5307(2) A, b = 10.9852(2) A, c = 18.2112(2) A, beta = 104.0190(10) degrees, gamma = 87.206(2) degrees, Z = 4] have been characterized by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, and two different molecular geometries about the central mercury atom have been observed; intramolecular contacts suggest a van der Waals radius for Hg of 2.1-2.2 A.     

Synthesis, structures and reactions of lithium complexes of [(o-RCHC6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3]-(R = H, SiMe3) ligands

N-Trimethylsilyl o-methylphenyldiphenylphosphinimine, (o-MeC6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3 (1), was prepared by reaction of Ph2P(Br)=NSiMe3 with o-methylphenyllithium. Treatment of 1 with LiBun and then Me3SiCl afforded (o-Me3SiCH2C6H4)PPh2=NSiMe3 (2). Lithiations of both 1 and 2 with LiBu(n) in the presence of tmen gave crystalline lithium complexes [Li{CH(R)C6H4(PPh(2=NSiMe3)-.tmen](3, R = H; 4, R = SiMe3). From the mother liquor of 4, traces of the tmen-bridged complex [Li{CH(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}]2(mu-tmen) (5) were obtained. Reaction of 2 with LiBun in Et2O yielded complex [Li{CH(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}.OEt2] (6). Reaction of lithiated with Me2SiCl2 in a 2:1 molar ratio afforded dimethylsilyl-bridged compound Me2Si[CH2C6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2]2 (7). Lithiation of 7 with two equivalents of LiBun in Et2O yielded [Li2{(CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2)2SiMe2}.0.5OEt2](8.0.5OEt2). Treatment of 4 with PhCN formed a lithium enamide complex [Li{N(SiMe3)C(Ph)CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}.tmen] (9). Reaction of two equivalents of 5 with 1,4-dicyanobenzene gave a dilithium complex [{Li(OEt2)2}2(1,4-{C(N(SiMe3)CHC6H4(PPh2=NSiMe3)-2}2C6H4)] (10). All compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structures of compounds 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.     

含硅铁键环状化合物[Me2Si-η5-C5H4Fe(CO)(PPh3)][Me2Si-η5-C5H4Fe- (CO)2－n(PPh3)n] (n＝0或1)的合成与结构

鉴于含硅-过渡金属键化合物作为催化剂具有重要的应用价值, 在我们最近发现的化合物(η⁵,η⁵-C₅H₄Me₂SiSi-Me₂C₅H₄)Fe₂(CO)₄ (1)的硅硅键和铁铁键复分解重排反应可以有效地合成含有两个硅铁键的环状化合物[Me₂Si-η⁵-C₅H₄- Fe(CO)₂]₂ (2)的基础上, 对该硅铁键环状化合物的三苯基膦取代衍生物[Me₂Si-η⁵-C₅H₄-Fe(CO)(PPh₃)][Me₂Si-η⁵-C₅H₄Fe(CO)_2－n(PPh₃)_n] (3: n＝0, 5: n＝1)的合成方法进行了研究. 发现化合物1在三苯基膦存在下的复分解重排反应是合成单三苯基膦取代产物3的最好方法; 而双三苯基膦取代化合物5则可通过光照条件下2与三苯基膦发生羰基取代反应而得到, 产物中含有的顺反异构体可利用制备薄层色谱法分离. 利用X射线衍射法测定了化合物3的分子结构, 考察了三苯基膦配体的存在对分子结构的影响以及三苯基膦与铁形成的配位键的稳定性.     

Electrochemical and EPR studies of the corannulene ruthenium(II) sandwich complex [(eta6-C6Me6)Ru(eta6-C20H10)](SbF6)(2)

The dication [(eta6-C6Me6)Ru(eta6-C20H10)]2+ in propylene carbonate solution exhibits a sequence of reduction processes that is either metal-centered [Ru(II)/Ru(I)/Ru(0)] or ligand-centered. The marginally stable Ru(I) monocation [(eta6-C6Me6)Ru(eta6-C20H10)]+ has been characterized by EPR spectroscopy. The electrochemistry of C20H10 and EPR features of its stable monoanion [C20H10]- have also been revisited.     

Integrity and Structural Characteristics of the M6E8 (E=S, Se, Te) Cluster Core: Syntheses and Structures of [Co6S8(PR3)6] n+ (R=Me2Ph, n=1; R=OMe, n=0)

Two new members of the hexanuclear series [Co₆S₈(PR₃)₆] ⁿ⁺, complexes [Co₆S₈(PMe₂Ph)₆](ClO₄) (1) and [Co₆S₈P(OMe)_{3 6}] (2), have been synthesizes and characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses. Their formation process was postulated to go through trinuclear ₃--S bridged moieties. The structural characteristics of the M₆E₈P₆ skeleton of a whole series of [M₆E₈(PR₃)₆] ⁿ⁺ (M=Co, Cr, Fe, Mo; E=S, Se, Te) complexes are presented in terms of atomic distances and core volumes.     

Synthesis and characterization of phenoxarsin-10-yl 2-R2N-cyclopent-1-ene-1-carbodithioate (R = H,C2H5, cyclo-C6H11CH2) and the crystal and molecular structure of the 2-amino (R = H) derivative

Phenoxarsin-10-yl derivatives of 2-amino-cyclopent-1-ene-1-carbodithioic acid, (ACDA), and its N-alkyl derivativesO(C₆H₄)₂ AsS₂C—C₅H₆— NHR-2 (R = H, CH₂CH₃, CH₂C₆H₁₁,), have been prepared by reacting O(C₆H₄)₂AsCI with the corresponding ACDA 1,1-dithioic acid. The compounds were obtained by stirring stoichiometric amounts of the reagents in ethanol, over 24 h, at room temperature. The scale of the preparations were in the order of 2 mmol and the yields of the compounds ca 75%. The reactions were carried out in absolute ethanol. The compounds were characterized by IR, mass and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy. The molecular structure of O(C₆H₄)₂AsS₂C—C₅H₆—NH₂-2 was determined using X-ray diffractometry, achieving an R-value of 6.3%; this compound is monomeric and contains an asymmetric monometallic biconnective 1,1-dithiolato ligand [As—S(1) 2.272(2) å, As … S(2) 3.125(2) å]. An intramolecular hydrogen bond is established between one hydrogen atom of the NH₂ group and the sulfur [S(2)] atom involved in the secondary interaction to arsenic. The dihedral angle (150.3(3)°) of the phenoxarsine moiety is practically unaffected by substitution of chlorine on arsenic by the carbodithioato ligand.     

Electro- and magnetocommunication in [5,5]ditrovacenyls, [(eta7-C7H7)V(eta5-C5H4-X-eta5-C5H4)V(eta7-C7H7)], mediated by the spacers X = (Z)-CH=CH-, (E)-CH=CH-, > C=CH2, -CH2CH2-, and -CH2-

Five new paramagnetic dinuclear complexes containing [5]trovacenyl groups, (eta7-C7H7)V(eta5-C5H4-), have been prepared and characterized, including by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. As intervening spacers, ethenediyl units in the geminal and vicinal (Z)- and (E)-bridging modes as well as methanediyl and ethanediyl units have been included with the aim of studying their propensity to transmit electric and magnetic information. It is found that redox splitting of consecutive electron-transfer steps is resolved for reduction (0-->1- -->2-) only, unsaturation of the C2 bridge not being requisite, since the -CH2CH2- spacer also gives rise to a small redox splitting. Magnetic communication is quantified in terms of the exchange coupling constant J, accessible from the EPR hyperfine pattern in solution and from magnetic susceptometry in the solid state. The results obtained from these methods generally differ; this fact is not surprising in view of conformational differences in the respective states of aggregation. It is concluded that orientation-dependent mechanisms of spin-spin interactions (pi-orbital overlap, hyperconjugation) contribute extensively although, as implied by sizeable J values for -CH2- and -C2H4- linked di[5]trovacenyl groups, coupling mediated by the sigma-orbital chain must also be considered.     

Conversion of [Pt(SRf)2(PPh2 -n(C6F5)n+ 1)2]( n = 0 or 1, Rf=C6HF4-4) through carbon-fluorine bond activation to [Pt(SRf)2(1,2-C6F4(SRf)-(PPh2))] and chiral [Pt(SRf)2(1,2-C6F4(SRf)(PPh(C6F5)))

Treatment of trans-[PtCl(2)(PPh(2 - n)(C(6)F(5))(n + 1))(2)](n = 0 or 1) with Pb(SC(6)HF(4)-4)(2) yields a mixture of monometallic cis/trans [Pt(SC(6)HF(4)-4)(2)(PPh(2 - n)(C(6)F(5))(n + 1))(2)], thiolate-bridged bimetallic cis/trans [Pt(2)(mu-SC(6)HF(4)-4)(2)(SC(6)HF(4)-4)(2)(PPh(2 - n)(C(6)F(5))(n + 1))(2)] and [Pt(SC(6)HF(4)-4)(2)(1,2-C(6)F(4)(SC(6)HF(4)-4)(PPh(2 - n)(C(6)F(5))(n))].     

Tetravalent silicon connectors MenSi(p-C6H4CO2H)(4-n) (n = 0, 1, 2) for the construction of metal-organic frameworks

A series of silicon-centered connecting units, Me(n)Si(p-C6H4CO2H)(4-n) (n = 0, 1, 2), have been prepared and their coordination polymers with Zn(II) metal atoms studied. The tetra-acid L1 (n = 0) acts as a tetrahedral node and reacts with Zn(II) centers to give 1, a novel interpenetrating 3D network containing distorted tetrahedral bimetallic secondary building units (SBUs). The triacid L2 (n = 1) acts as a trigonal pyramidal node and forms an intercalated 2D layered network, 2, with Zn(II) ions, containing distorted octahedral tetranuclear SBUs. Last, the bent diacid L3 (n = 2) reacts with Zn(II) centers to give 3, a corrugated 2D layered structure containing 1D zinc hydroxo chains. Together these three new coordination polymers demonstrate the potential versatility of tetravalent silicon containing connecting ligands for metal-organic framework construction.     

Formation of two isomeric closo-[(eta5-C5H5)FePC2B8H10] phosphadicarbaborane analogues of ferrocene via isolable eta1-bonded complexes of the [7-[(eta5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2]-(eta1-nido-PC2B8H10)] type

The reaction of nido-[7,8,9-PC(2)B(8)H(11)] (1) with [[CpFe(CO)(2)](2)] (Cp=eta(5)-C(5)H(5) (-)) in benzene (reflux, 3 days) gave an eta(1)-bonded complex [7-Fp-(eta(1)-nido-7,8,9,-PC(2)B(8)H(10))] (2; Fp=CpFe(CO)(2); yield 38 %). A similar reaction at elevated temperatures (xylene, reflux 24 h) gave the isomeric complex [7-Fp-(eta(1)-nido-7,9,10-PC(2)B(8)H(10))] (3; yield 28 %) together with the fully sandwiched complexes [1-Cp-closo-1,2,4,5-FePC(2)B(8)H(10)] 4 a (yield 30%) and [1-Cp-closo-1,2,4,8-FePC(2)B(8)H(10)] 4 b (yield 5%). Compounds 2 and 3 are isolable intermediates along the full eta(5)-complexation pathway of the phosphadicarbaborane cage; their heating (xylene, reflux, 24 h) leads finally to the isolation of compounds 4 a (yields 46 and 52%, respectively) and 4 b (yields 4 and 5%, respectively). Moreover, compound 3 is isolated as a side product from the heating of 2 (yield 10%). The structure of compound 4 a was determined by an X-ray structural analysis and the constitution of all compounds is consistent with the results of mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy. Multinuclear ((1)H, (11)B, (31)P, and (13)C), two-dimensional [(11)B-(11)B]-COSY, and (1)H[(11)B(selective)] magnetic resonance measurements led to complete assignments of all resonances and are in excellent agreement with the structures proposed.     

Synthesis, structure, reactivity, and thermal isomerization of boron-substituted 13-vertex cobaltacarboranes (eta5-Cp)Co(eta6-R2C2B10Me8H2) (R = H, Et)

Reduction of boron-substituted carboranes o-R2C2B10Me8H2 (R = H, Et), thermal isomerization, and nucleophilic reaction of the resultant 13-vertex cobaltacarboranes were studied. Reaction of o-C2B10Me8H4 (1) with excess potassium metal in tetrahydrofuran (THF) gave, after recrystallization from a THF solution of 18-crown-6 ether, [[K(18-crown-6)(THF)2][K(18-crown-6)]][[4-(18-crown-6)-2,3,5,8,9,11,12,13-Me8-4,1,6-KC2B10H4]2] (2) in 78% yield. Interaction of 1 with excess sodium or potassium metal in THF, followed by treatment with CoCl2/CpNa and then aerobatic oxidation, afforded two boron-substituted 13-vertex cobaltacarboranes, 4-Cp-2,3,5,8,9,11,12,13-Me8-4,1,6-CoC2B10Me8H4 (3) and 4-Cp-2,3,5,9,10,11,12,13-Me8-4,1,6-CoC2B10Me8H4 (4), in 15% and 8% yield, respectively. Subsequently, thermal isomerization of 3 and 4 yielded another two new isomers, 4-Cp-2,3,5,6,8,11,12,13-Me8-4,1,9-CoC2B10Me8H4 (5) and 4-Cp-2,3,5,6,7,11,12,13-Me8-4,1,9-CoC2B10Me8H4 (6). Treatment of 3 or 4 with strong bases such as nBuLi and MeLi generated unexpected nucleophilic substitution products 4-nBuCp-2,3,5,8,9,11,12,13-Me8-4,1,6-CoC2B10Me8H4 (7), 4-nBuCp-2,3,5,9,10,11,12,13-Me8-4,1,6-CoC2B10Me8H4 (8a), and 4-MeCp-2,3,5,9,10,11,12,13-Me8-4,1,6-CoC2B10Me8H4 (8b) in good yields. Under the same reaction conditions, however, only one 13-vertex cobaltacarborane, 4-Cp-1,9-Et2-2,5,6,7,8,11,12,13-Me8-4,1,9-CoC2B10Me8H4 (10), was isolated when o-Et2C2B10Me8H2 (9) was used as the starting material. Complex 10 is a thermodynamically stable product and has a substitution pattern different from that of 3-6. These results show that the substituents on either the cage carbon or boron atoms have an important effect on the formation and thermal stability of the 13-vertex metallacarboranes. The formation of these complexes can be rationalized by the diamond-square-diamond mechanism.     

Structures of [(CO2)n(CH3OH)m](-) (n = 1-4, m = 1, 2) cluster anions

The infrared photodissociation spectra of [(CO 2) n (CH 3OH) m ] (-) ( n = 1-4, m = 1, 2) are measured in the 2700-3700 cm (-1) range. The observed spectra consist of an intense broad band characteristic of hydrogen-bonded OH stretching vibrations at approximately 3300 cm (-1) and congested vibrational bands around 2900 cm (-1). No photofragment signal is observed for [(CO 2) 1,2(CH 3OH) 1] (-) in the spectral range studied. Ab initio calculations are performed at the MP2/6-311++G** level to obtain structural information such as optimized structures, stabilization energies, and vibrational frequencies of [(CO 2) n (CH 3OH) m ] (-). Comparison between the experimental and the theoretical results reveals the structural properties of [(CO 2) n (CH 3OH) m ] (-): (1) the incorporated CH 3OH interacts directly with either CO 2 (-) or C 2O 4 (-) core by forming an O-HO linkage; (2) the introduction of CH 3OH promotes charge localization in the clusters via the hydrogen-bond formation, resulting in the predominance of CO 2 (-).(CH 3OH) m (CO 2) n-1 isomeric forms over C 2O 4 (-).(CH 3OH) m (CO 2) n-2 ; (3) the hydroxyl group of CH 3OH provides an additional solvation cite for neutral CO 2 molecules.     

叠氮化合物C6H6-n(N3)n(n=1~6)的密度泛函理论研究

运用密度泛函理论, 在B3LYP/6-31G*水平上, 对叠氮化合物C6H6-n(N3)n(n=1~6)进行理论计算, 并对所得到的几何结构进行了振动频率分析. 计算结果表明, 这些化合物是热力学稳定的. 基于自然键轨道理论, 分析了稳定结构的电荷分布及成键情况. 在不破坏苯环和叠氮基的原则下, 设计等键反应计算了这些化合物的生成热, 结果表明, 标题化合物的生成热都很高, 且随着叠氮基数目的增加而线性增大.     

On the origin of dinitrogen hydrogenation promoted by [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2)

The origin of the hydrogenation of the dinitrogen ligand in [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) has been investigated by a combined computational and experimental study. Density functional theory calculations on the zirconocene dinitrogen complex demonstrate significant imido character in the zirconium nitrogen bonds, arising from effective pi-back-bonding from the low-valent zirconium and the side-on bound N2 ligand. The twisted ground-state structure of the N2 complex is a key requirement for nitrogen hydrogenation, as calculations on the model complex [(eta5-C5H5)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) reveal reduced overlap as the dihedral angle between the zirconocene wedges approaches 0 degrees . Experimentally, isotopic labeling studies on the microscopic reverse are consistent with a 1,2-addition mechanism for nitrogen hydrogenation.