Well‐Defined,Nanometer‐Sized LiH Cluster Compounds Stabilized by Pyrazolate Ligands

The assembly of well‐defined large cluster compounds of ionic light metal hydrides is a synthetic challenge and of importance for synthesis, catalysis, and hydrogen storage. The synthesis and characterization of a series of neutral and anionic pyrazolate‐stabilized lithium hydride clusters with inorganic cores in the nanometer region is now reported. These complexes were prepared in a bottom‐up approach using alkyl lithium and lithium pyrazolate mixtures with silanes in hydrocarbon solutions. Structural characterization using synchrotron radiation revealed isolated cubic clusters that contain up to 37 Li⁺ cations and 26 H⁻ ions. Substituted pyrazolate ligands were found to occupy all corners and some edges for the anionic positions.     

Functionalization of a cyclo‐P5 Ligand by Main‐Group Element Nucleophiles

Unprecedented functionalized products with an η⁴‐P₅ ring are obtained by the reaction of [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐P₅)] ( 1 ; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with different nucleophiles. With LiCH₂SiMe₃ and LiNMe₂, the monoanionic products [Cp*Fe(η⁴‐P₅CH₂SiMe₃)]^? and [Cp*Fe(η⁴‐P₅NMe₂)]^?, respectively, are formed. The reaction of 1 with NaNH₂ leads to the formation of the trianionic compound [{Cp*Fe(η⁴‐P₅)}₂N]^3?, whereas the reaction with LiPH₂ yields [Cp*Fe(η⁴‐P₅PH₂)]^? as the main product, with {[Cp*Fe(η⁴‐P₅)]₂PH}^2? as a byproduct. The calculated energy profile of the reactions provides a rationale for the formation of the different products.     

Conducting Organic Frameworks Based on a Main‐Group Metal and Organocyanide Radicals

Reactions of the main‐group cation Tl^I with anions of 2,5‐derivatives of TCNQ (TCNQ=7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane) have led to the isolation of a family of unprecedented semiconducting main‐group‐metal–organic frameworks, namely, [Tl(TCNQX₂)], (X=H, Cl, Br, I). A comparison of single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction data revealed the existence of a third polymorph of the previously reported material Tl(TCNQ)] and two distinct polymorphs of [Tl(TCNQCl₂)], whereas only one phase was identified for [Tl(TCNQBr₂)] and [Tl(TCNQI₂)]. These new results are described in the context of the structures of other known binary metal–TCNQ frameworks that display a variety of coordination environments for the central cation, namely, four‐, six‐, and eight‐coordinate, and different arrangements of the adjacent TCNQ radicals—parallel versus perpendicular—in the stacked columns. The halogen substituents affect the structures and the properties of these compounds, owing to both steric and electronic effects as evidenced by the semiconducting properties of crystals of [Tl(TCNQCl₂)] phase I, [Tl(TCNQBr₂)], and [Tl(TCNQI₂)], which correlate well with the distances of adjacent TCNQ radicals in the columns. 1D infinite Hückel model simulations of the band structures of [Tl(TCNQCl₂)] phase I, [Tl(TCNQBr₂)], and [Tl(TCNQI₂)] were conducted with and without consideration of the Tl^I cations, the results of which indicate that the charge mobility does not strictly occur in one dimension. The modulations of the band structures with various assumptions of the energy difference (Δ) between the Tl^I 6s orbital and the TCNQ LUMO orbital were calculated and are discussed in light of the observed properties.     

Calcium Hydride Reactivity: Formation of an Anionic N‐Heterocyclic Olefin Ligand

An anionic N‐heterocyclic olefin ligand was serendipitously obtained by reaction of an amidinate calcium hydride complex with 1,3‐dimethyl‐2‐methyleneimidazole (NHO). Instead of anticipated addition to the polarized C=CH₂ bond to form an unstabilized alkylcalcium complex, deprotonation of the NHO ligand in the backbone was observed. Preference for deprotonation versus addition is explained by loss of aromaticity in the latter conversion. Theoretical calculations demonstrate the substantially increased ylidic character of this anionic NHO ligand which, like N‐heterocyclic dicarbenes, shows strong bifunctional coordination.