The Influence of Nucleophilic and Redox Pincer Character as well as Alkali Metals on the Capture of Oxygen Substrates: The Case of Chromium(II)

Dimeric [CrL]₂, where L is the conjugate base of bis-pyrazolyl pyridine, is evaluated for its ability to undergo inner sphere and outer sphere redox chemistry. It reacts with Cp₂Fe⁺ to give [Cr₄(HL)₄(μ₄-O)]²⁺, still containing divalent Cr. Reduction (KC₈) of [CrL]₂ by two electrons gives [K₂(THF)₃Cr₃L₃(μ₃-O)], and by four electrons gives [K₄(THF)₁₀Cr₂L₂(μ-O)], each of which has scavenged (hydr)oxide from glass surface because of the electrophilicity of the underligated Cr. [K₄(THF)₁₀Cr₂L₂(μ-O)], is shown by comprehensive DFT calculations and analysis of intra-ligand bond lengths to contain a pyridyl radical L³⁻ and Cr^II, illustrating that this pincer is proton-responsive, redox active, and a versatile donor to associated K⁺ ions here. The K⁺ electrophiles interact with electron-rich oxo, but do not significantly (>5 kcal mol⁻¹) alter spin state energies. Inner sphere oxidation of [CrL]₂ with a quinone gives [Cr₂L₂(semiquinone)₂], while pre-reduced [CrL]₂²⁻ reacts with quinone to give [K₃(THF)₃Cr₂L₂(catecholate)₂(μ-OH)], a product of capture of two undercoordinated LCr(catecholate)¹⁻ by hydroxide.     

A bis-Pyrazolate Pincer on Reduced Cr Deoxygenates CO2: Selective Capture of the Derived Oxide by CrII

Reduction of the bis-(pyrazolyl)pyridine complex [LCr]₂ with stoichiometric KC₈ in THF produces a species that is reactive with CO₂ to produce an aggregate composed of paramagnetic K₂L₂Cr₂(CO₃) linked by KCl into a product of formula [K₂L₂Cr₂(CO₃)]₄⋅2KCl. X-ray diffraction reveals a pincer hydrocarbon exterior and an inorganic interior composed of K⁺, Cl⁻ and carbonate oxygens. Every Cr is five coordinate and square pyramidal, with the axial N donor weakly bonded to Cr due to the Jahn–Teller effect of a high spin d⁴ configuration. Reaction with ¹³CO₂ confirms that carbonate here is derived from CO₂, that oxide is derived from CO₂, and that CO is indeed released, since it is not a competent ligand to Cr^II. Guiding principles for selectivity in CO₂ reduction are deduced from the diverse successful molecular constructs to date.     

N2 Activation in NiI–NN–NiI Units: The Influence of Alkali Metal Cations and CO Reactivity

After single electron reduction of the dinitrogen complex [L^tBuNi(μ‐η¹:η¹‐N₂)NiL^tBu] ( I ) with KC₈, reaction of the resulting compound K[L^tBuNi(μ‐η¹:η¹‐N₂)NiL^tBu] ( II ) with sodium sand yields KNa[L^tBuNi(μ‐η¹:η¹‐N₂)NiL^tBu] ( 1 ), which contains two different alkali metal ions. Treatment of I with two equivalents of sodium sand leads to the symmetric complex Na₂[L^tBuNi(μ‐η¹:η¹‐N₂)NiL^tBu] ( 2 ). Complexes 1 and 2 were investigated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis as well as by Raman spectroscopy, and the results were compared with the data of K₂[L^tBuNi(μ‐η¹:η¹‐N₂)NiL^tBu] ( III ), which contains two K⁺ ions. Thus, it became obvious that the nature of the alkali metal ion M in compounds M₂[L^tBuNi(μ‐η¹:η¹‐N₂)NiL^tBu] has hardly any influence on the degree of NN bond activation. Furthermore, it was shown that treatment of the dinickel(I) complex III with CO leads to the dinickel(0) compound K₂[L^tBuNi(CO)]₂ ( 4 ) and N₂. Reaction of the unreduced dinickel(I) complex I with CO leads to a more simple replacement of the N₂ ligand and formation of [L^tBuNi(CO)] ( 3 ).     

Density functional theory study of calix[4]arene‐N‐azacrown‐5, calix[4]arene‐N‐phenyl‐azacrown‐5, and their complexes with alkali‐metal cations: Na+, K+, and Rb+

Theoretical studies of 1,3‐alternate‐25,27‐bis(1‐methoxyethyl)calix[4]arene‐azacrown‐5 ( L₁ ), 1,3‐alternate‐25,27‐bis(1‐methoxyethyl)calix[4]arene‐N‐phenyl‐azacrown‐5 ( L₂ ), and the corresponding complexes M⁺/ L of L₁ and L₂ with the alkali‐metal cations: Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺ have been performed using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6‐31G* level. The optimized geometric structures obtained from DFT calculations are used to perform natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The two main types of driving force metal–ligand and cation–π interactions are investigated. The results indicate that intermolecular electrostatic interactions are dominant and the electron‐donating oxygen offer lone pair electrons to the contacting RY* (1‐center Rydberg) or LP* (1‐center valence antibond lone pair) orbitals of M⁺ (Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺). What's more, the cation–π interactions between the metal ion and π‐orbitals of the two rotated benzene rings play a minor role. For all the structures, the most pronounced changes in geometric parameters upon interaction are observed in the calix[4]arene molecule. In addition, an extra pendant phenyl group attached to nitrogen can promote metal complexation by 3D encapsulation greatly. In addition, the enthalpies of complexation reaction and hydrated cation exchange reaction had been studied by the calculated thermodynamic data. The calculated results of hydrated cation exchange reaction are in a good agreement with the experimental data for the complexes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Hydrosilylation Induced by N→Si Intramolecular Coordination: Spontaneous Transformation of Organosilanes into 1‐Aza‐Silole‐Type Molecules in the Absence of a Catalyst

Our attempts to synthesize the N→Si intramolecularly coordinated organosilanes Ph₂L¹SiH ( 1 a ), PhL¹SiH₂ ( 2 a ), Ph₂L²SiH ( 3 a ), and PhL²SiH₂ ( 4 a ) containing a CH?N imine group (in which L¹ is the C,N‐chelating ligand {2‐[CH?N(C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)]C₆H₄}^? and L² is {2‐[CH?N(tBu)]C₆H₄}^?) yielded 1‐[2,6‐bis(diisopropyl)phenyl]‐2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐aza‐silole ( 1 ), 1‐[2,6‐bis(diisopropyl)phenyl]‐2‐phenyl‐2‐hydrido‐1‐aza‐silole ( 2 ), 1‐tert‐butyl‐2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐aza‐silole ( 3 ), and 1‐tert‐butyl‐2‐phenyl‐2‐hydrido‐1‐aza‐silole ( 4 ), respectively. Isolated organosilicon amides 1 – 4 are an outcome of the spontaneous hydrosilylation of the CH?N imine moiety induced by N→Si intramolecular coordination. Compounds 1–4 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The geometries of organosilanes 1 a – 4 a and their corresponding hydrosilylated products 1 – 4 were optimized and fully characterized at the B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) level of theory. The molecular structure determination of 1 – 3 suggested the presence of a Si?N double bond. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, however, shows a very strong donor–acceptor interaction between the lone pair of the nitrogen atom and the formal empty p orbital on the silicon and therefore, the calculations show that the Si?N bond is highly polarized pointing to a predominantly zwitterionic Si⁺N^? bond in 1 – 4 . Since compounds 1 – 4 are hydrosilylated products of 1 a – 4 a , the free energies (ΔG₂₉₈), enthalpies (ΔH₂₉₈), and entropies (ΔH₂₉₈) were computed for the hydrosilylation reaction of 1 a – 4 a with both B3LYP and B3LYP‐D methods. On the basis of the very negative ΔG₂₉₈ values, the hydrosilylation reaction is highly exergonic and compounds 1 a – 4 a are spontaneously transformed into 1 – 4 in the absence of a catalyst.     

Could Redox‐Switched Binding of a Redox‐Active Ligand to a Copper(II) Centre Drive a Conformational Proton Pump Gate? A Synthetic Model Study

A proposal for a redox‐linked conformational gate to proton translocation—a proton pump gate—based upon a transition‐metal redox‐switchable hemilabile ligand (RHL) system is made. Consideration of the requirements for such a system reveals copper(II ) to be the ideal metal centre. To test the proposal and, thereby, to provide an artificial proton pump gate, the copper coordination chemistry of three tris(pyridylmethyl)amine (tpa) ligands with one “leg” (PY*) substituted at the 6‐position of the pyridine ring by a dimethoxyphenyl (L¹), a hydroquinone (H₂L²) or a quinone (L³) substituent has been investigated. Crystal structures of sp‐[Cu(κ⁴N‐L¹)Cl]Cl?3 H₂O (sp=square pyramidal), sp‐[Cu(κ³N‐H₂L²)Cl₂] and tbp‐[Cu(κ⁴N,κO‐HL²)][PF₆] (tbp=trigonal bipyramidal) have been determined. The Cu^I complexes [Cu(L)(MeCN)_n]⁺ (L=L¹, H₂L²) display physicochemical properties consistent with a “dangling” PY* leg; from the NMR spectra, the barriers to inversion of the ligand amine donor for the Cu^I complexes are estimated to be within the range of about 30–45 kJ mol^?1. In the Cu^II complexes, coordination of the PY* leg is finely balanced and critically depends on the nature of the PY* substituent and the availability of potential co‐ligand(s). For example, tbp‐[Cu(κ⁴N‐L¹)Cl]⁺ reacts cleanly with Cl^? ions to afford sp‐[Cu(κ³N‐L¹)Cl₂]; Vis/NIR spectrophotometric titrations suggest the affinity of tbp‐[Cu(κ⁴N‐L¹)Cl]⁺ for Cl^? ion in dichloromethane is 9.7×10² and is at least 10⁴‐fold greater than that of tbp‐[Cu(κ⁴N‐L³)Cl]⁺. The complex sp‐[Cu(κ³N‐H₂L²)Cl₂] has a “dangling” PY* leg, in which an intramolecular OH(hydroquinone)???N(pyridine) hydrogen bond “ties‐up” the pyridyl nitrogen atom, and reacts with Brønsted bases to give tbp‐[Cu(κ⁴N,κO‐HL²)]⁺. Two‐electron oxidation of sp‐[Cu(κ³N‐H₂L²)Cl₂] is linked to loss of two protons and a conformational change, and affords tbp‐[Cu(κ⁴N‐L³)Cl]⁺. The [Cu(κ³N‐H₂L²)Cl₂]–[Cu(κ⁴N‐L³)Cl]⁺ system provides a first demonstration of the critical step in the proposed proton pumping cycle, namely a redox‐driven and proton‐linked conformational change. The possible biological relevance of this work to proton pumping in cytochrome c oxidase is mentioned.     

Stability of the ammonium-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis (N,N-diethylacetamide) complex in nitrobenzene saturated with water

Summary From extraction experiments andg-activity measurements, the extraction constant corresponding to the equilibrium NH(aq)+NaL⁺(nb)?NH₄L⁺(nb)+Na⁺(aq) taking place in the two-phase water-nitrobenzene system (L = p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis (N,N-diethylacetamide); aq = aqueous phase, nb = nitrobenzene phase) was evaluated as logK_ex(NH,NaL⁺)=-1.8. Further, the stability constant of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis (N,N-diethylacetamide)-ammonium complex in nitrobenzene saturated with water was calculated for a temperature of 25 °C: logb_nb(NH₄L⁺)=6.7.     

Group 4 Complexes Bearing Pyrrolide Ligand for Intramolecular Alkene Hydroamination and Activation of C≡N Bond

Titanium and zirconium complexes supported by a pyrrolide ligand HL¹ [HL¹ = 2‐cyano‐1H‐pyrrole], Ti₂(L²)₂(NMe₂)₂ ( 1 ) and Zr₃(L²)₃(NMe₂)₆ ( 2 ) [L² = N,N‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐carboximidamide, NMe₂‐L¹] were synthesized and characterized. The ligand L² was generated by activation of C≡N bond of HL¹ with HNMe₂. In complex 1 , two Ti^IV atoms are bridged by two nitrogen atoms. There are three characteristic Zr^IV ions in 2 , which are six‐, seven‐ and six‐coordinate, respectively. They were tested as catalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of aminoalkenes, and the respective N‐heterocycles were afforded in 74–99 % yields. Moreover, the formation of L² ligand indicates that the amination of C≡N bond can be considered as a new and rapid way to synthesize other C–N bonds.     

Bond dissociations in hypervalent ammonium radicals prepared by collisional neutralization of protonated six-membered nitrogen heterocycles

Hypervalent organic ammonium radicals were generated by collisional neutralization with dimethyl disulfide of protonated 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (1H⁺), N,N′-dimethylpiperazine (2H⁺) and N-methylpiperazine (3H⁺). The radicals dissociated completely on the 5.1 μs time-scale. Radical 1H^• underwent competitive N−H and N−C bond dissociations producing 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and small ring fragments. Dissociations of radical 2H^• proceeded by N−H bond dissociation and ring cleavage, whereas N−CH₃ bond cleavage was less frequent. Radical 3H^• underwent N−H, N−CH₃ and N−C_ring bond cleavages followed by post-reionization dissociations of the formed cations. The pattern of bond dissociations in the hypervalent ammonium radicals derived from six-membered nitrogen heterocycles is similar to those of aliphatic ammonium radicals. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unusual Coordination Modes of Tris(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borates: Synthesis and Solid State Structures of Sodium[(dimethylamino)tris(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borate], Potassium[(dimethylamino)tris(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borate], and Potassium[phenyltris(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borate]

We report the optimized syntheses and the solid state structures of the alkali metal tris(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borates M[Me₂NBpz₃] (M = Na⁺ ( 1 ), K⁺ ( 2 ); pz = pyrazol‐1‐yl) and K[PhBpz₃] ( 3 ). Even though 1 and 2 consist of polymeric chains in the solid state, it is possible to identify subunits where the [Me₂NBpz₃]^? ion acts as tridentate ligand towards Na⁺ and K⁺ and binds via two of its pyrazolyl rings and its dimethylamino nitrogen atom (κ³N_pz,N_pz,N_NMe). In 3 , the ligand [PhBpz₃]^? employs two pyrazolyl donors and the π‐face of its phenyl substituent for potassium coordination (κ³N,N,C).     

C?H Bond Activation/Borylation of Furans and Thiophenes Catalyzed by a Half‐Sandwich Iron N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complex

A coordinatively unsaturated iron‐methyl complex having an N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand, [Cp*Fe(L^Me)Me] ( 1 ; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅, L^Me=1,3,4,5‐tetramethyl‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene), is synthesized from the reaction of [Cp*Fe(TMEDA)Cl] (TMEDA=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) with methyllithium and L^Me. Complex 1 is found to activate the C? H bonds of furan, thiophene, and benzene, giving rise to aryl complexes, [Cp*Fe(L^Me)(aryl)] (aryl=2‐furyl ( 2 ), 2‐thienyl ( 3 ), phenyl ( 4 )). The C? H bond cleavage reactions are applied to the dehydrogenative coupling of furans or thiophenes with pinacolborane (HBpin) in the presence of tert‐butylethylene and a catalytic amount of 1 (10 mol % to HBpin). The borylation of the furan/thiophene or 2‐substituted furans/thiophenes occurs exclusively at the 2‐ or 5‐positions, respectively, whereas that of 3‐substituted furans/thiophenes takes place mainly at the 5‐position and gives a mixture of regioisomers. Treatment of 2 with 2 equiv of HBpin results in the quantitative formation of 2‐boryl‐furan and the borohydride complex [Cp*Fe(L^Me)(H₂Bpin)] ( 5 ). Heating a solution of 5 in the presence of tert‐butylethylene led to the formation of an alkyl complex [Cp*Fe(L^Me)CH₂CH₂tBu] ( 6 ), which was found to cleave the C? H bond of furan to produce 2 . On the basis of these results, a possible catalytic cycle is proposed.     

Complexes of a New N3S2 Macrocycle: Synthesis,Structure and Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

The silver(I) complex of a 15-membered macrocyclic ligand with an N₃S₂ donor set (L¹) has been prepared by the reaction of 2,6-diacetylpyridine with 1,8-diamino-3,6-dithiaoctane in the presence of silver(I) ions. A reduced form (L²) of the ligand, in which the imine groups are converted to amines, was prepared by the reduction of the silver(I) complex by sodium borohydride. The ligand L² has been characterised by various spectroscopic techniques and the copper(II) complex has been prepared. The metal complexes of L¹ and L² have been characterised by electrospray mass spectrometry and UV-visible spectroscopy. The copper(II) complex of L¹ has been synthesised from [AgL¹]⁺ via metal exchange. [CuL¹](ClO₄)₂ crystallises in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ with a = 14.374(5) Å, b = 12.947(3) Å, c = 11.824(3) Å with Z= 4. The geometry about the metal centre approximates trigonal bipyramidal with the pyridinyl nitrogen and the sulfur donors in the equatorial positions and the imine nitrogen donors in the axial positions. Metal ion exchange and the relative stabilities of metal complexes of the macrocyclic ligands were studied by electrospray mass spectrometry.     

Boosting Low‐Valent Aluminum(I) Reactivity with a Potassium Reagent

The reagent RK [R=CH(SiMe₃)₂ or N(SiMe₃)₂] was expected to react with the low‐valent (^DIPPBDI)Al (^DIPPBDI=HC[C(Me)N(DIPP)]₂, DIPP=2,6‐iPr‐phenyl) to give [(^DIPPBDI)AlR]^?K⁺. However, deprotonation of the Me group in the ligand backbone was observed and [H₂C=C(N‐DIPP)?C(H)=C(Me)?N?DIPP]Al^?K⁺ ( 1 ) crystallized as a bright‐yellow product (73 %). Like most anionic Al^I complexes, 1 forms a dimer in which formally negatively charged Al centers are bridged by K⁺ ions, showing strong K⁺???DIPP interactions. The rather short Al–K bonds [3.499(1)–3.588(1) Å] indicate tight bonding of the dimer. According to DOSY NMR analysis, 1 is dimeric in C₆H₆ and monomeric in THF, but slowly reacts with both solvents. In reaction with C₆H₆, two C?H bond activations are observed and a product with a para‐phenylene moiety was exclusively isolated. DFT calculations confirm that the Al center in 1 is more reactive than that in (^DIPPBDI)Al. Calculations show that both Al^I and K⁺ work in concert and determines the reactivity of 1 .     

Preparation and Characterization of Dinuclear Chromium(III) Complexes of a Hexadentate Tetraaza‐Dithiophenolate Ligand

The ability of the tetraaza‐dithiophenolate ligand H₂L² (H₂L² = N,N′‐Bis‐[2‐thio‐3‐aminomethyl‐5‐tert‐butyl‐benzyl]propane‐1,3‐diamine) to form dinuclear chromium(III) complexes has been examined. Reaction of Cr^IICl₂ with H₂L² in methanol in the presence of base followed by air‐oxidation afforded cis,cis‐[(L²)Cr^III₂(μ‐OH)(Cl)₂]⁺ ( 1a ) and trans,trans‐[(L²)Cr^III₂(μ‐OH)(Cl)₂]⁺ ( 1b ). Both compounds contain a confacial bioctahedral N₂ClCr^III(μ‐SR)₂(μ‐OH)Cr^IIIClN₂ core. The isomers differ in the mutual orientation of the coligands and the conformation of the supporting ligand. In 1a both Cl^? ligands are cis to the bridging OH function. In 1b they are in trans‐positions. Reaction of the hydroxo‐bridged complexes with HCl yielded the chloro‐bridged cations cis,cis‐[(L²)Cr^III₂(μ‐Cl)(Cl)₂]⁺ ( 2a ) and trans,trans‐[(L²)Cr^III₂(μ‐Cl)(Cl)₂]Cl ( 2b ), respectively. These bridge substitutions proceed with retention of the structures of the parent complexes 1a and 1b .     

Gallium “Shears” for C=N and C=O Bonds of Isocyanates

Digallane [L¹Ga−GaL¹] ( 1 , L¹=dpp-bian=1,2-[(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)NC]₂C₁₂H₆) reacts with RN=C=O (R=Ph or Tos) by [2+4] cycloaddition of the isocyanate C=N bonds across both of its C=C−N−Ga fragments to afford [L¹(O=C−NR)Ga−Ga(RN−C=O)L¹] (R=Ph, 3 ; R=Tos, 4 ). The reactions with both isocyanates result in new C−C and N−Ga single bonds. In the case of allyl isocyanate, the [2+4] cycloaddition across one C=C−N−Ga fragment of 1 is accompanied by insertion of a second allyl isocyanate molecule into the Ga−N bond of the same fragment to afford compound [L¹Ga−Ga(AllN− C=O)₂L¹] ( 5 ) (All=allyl). In the presence of Na metal, the related digallane [L²Ga−GaL²] ( 2 ; L²=dpp-dad=[(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)NC(CH₃)]₂) is converted into the gallium(I) carbene analogue [L²Ga:]⁻ ( 2 A ), which undergoes a variety of reactions with isocyanate substrates. These include the cycloaddition of ethyl isocyanate to 2 A affording [Na₂(THF)₅]{L²Ga[EtN−C(O)]₂GaL²} ( 6 ), cleavage of the N=C bond with release of 1 equiv. of CO to give [Na(THF)₂]₂[L²Ga(p-MeC₆H₄)(N−C(O))₂−N(p-MeC₆H₄)]₂ ( 7 ), cleavage of the C=O bond to yield the di-O-bridged digallium compound [Na(THF)₃]₂[L²Ga-(μ-O)₂-GaL²] ( 8 ), and generation of the further addition product [Na₂(THF)₅][L²Ga(CyNCO₂)]₂ ( 9 ). Complexes 3 – 9 have been characterized by NMR (¹H, ¹³C), IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Their electronic structures have been examined by DFT calculations.     

Phenylimidorhenium(V) Complexes with 1,3‐Diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ ylidene Ligands

The phenylimidorhenium(V) complexes [Re(NPh)X₃(PPh₃)₂] (X = Cl, Br) react with the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3‐diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^Et) under formation of the stable rhenium(V) complex cations [Re(NPh)X(L^Et)₄]²⁺ (X = Cl, Br), which can be isolated as their chloride or [PF₆]^? salts. The compounds are remarkably stable against air, moisture and ligand exchange. The hydroxo species [Re(NPh)(OH)(L^Et)₄]²⁺ is formed when moist solvents are used during the synthesis. The rhenium atoms in all three complexes are coordinated in a distorted octahedral fashion with the four NHC ligands in equatorial planes of the molecules. The Re–C(carbene) bond lengths between 2.171(8) and 2.221(3) Å indicate mainly σ‐bonding between the NHC ligand and the electron deficient d² metal atoms. Attempts to prepare analogous phenylimido complexes from [Re(NPh)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] and 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^i?Pr) led to a cleavage of the rhenium‐nitrogen multiple bond and the formation of the dioxo complex [ReO₂(L^i?Pr)₄]⁺.     

Synthesis and spectral studies of new N2S2 and N2O2 Mannich base ligands and their metal complexes

New Mannich bases bis(thiosemicarbazide methyl) phosphinic acid H₃L¹ and bis(1-phenylsemicarbazide methyl) phosphinic acid H₃L² were synthesized from condensation of phosphinic acid and formaldehyde with thiosemicarbazide and 1-phenylsemicarbazide, respectively. Monomeric complexes of these ligands, of general formula K₂[Cr^III(L ⁿ )Cl₂], K₃[Fe^II(L¹)Cl₂], K₃[Mn^II(L²)Cl₂], and K[M(L ⁿ )] (M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) or Cd(II); n = 1, 2) are reported. The mode of bonding and overall geometry of the complexes were determined through IR, UV-Vis, NMR, and mass spectral studies, magnetic moment measurements, elemental analysis, metal content, and conductance. These studies revealed octahedral geometries for the Cr(III), Mn(II), and Fe(II) complexes, square planar for Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes and tetrahedral for the Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes. Complex formation via molar ratio in DMF solution has been investigated and results were consistent to those found in the solid complexes with a ratio of (M : L) as (1 : 1).     

Zwitterionic Base‐Stabilized Digermadistannacyclobutadiene and Tetragermacyclobutadiene

The syntheses of a zwitterionic base‐stabilized digermadistannacyclobutadiene and tetragermacyclobutadiene supported by amidinates and low‐valent germanium amidinate substituents are described. The reaction of the amidinate Ge^I dimer, [LGe:]₂ ( 1 , L=PhC(NtBu)₂), with two equivalents of the amidinate tin(II) chloride, [LSnCl] ( 2 ), and KC₈ in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at room temperature afforded a mixture of the zwitterionic base‐stabilized digermadistannacyclobutadiene, [L₂Ge₂Sn₂L′₂] ( 3 ; L′=LGe:), and the bis(amidinate) tin(II) compound, [L₂Sn:] ( 4 ). Compound 3 can also be prepared by the reaction of 1 with [L^ArSnCl] ( 5 , L^Ar=tBuC(NAr)₂, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) in THF at room temperature. Moreover, the reaction of 1 with the “onio‐substituent transfer” reagent [4‐NMe₂‐C₅H₄NSiMe₃]OTf ( 8 ) in THF and 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) at room temperature afforded a mixture of the zwitterionic base‐stabilized tetragermacyclobutadiene, [L₄Ge₆] ( 9 ), the amidinium triflate, [PhC(NHtBu)₂]OTf ( 10 ), and Me₃SiSiMe₃ ( 11 ). X‐ray structural data and theoretical studies show conclusively that compounds 3 and 9 have a planar and rhombic charge‐separated structure. They are also nonaromatic.     

Trinuclear Cyanido-Bridged [Cr2Fe] Complexes: To Be or not to Be a Single-Molecule Magnet,a Matter of Straightness

Trinuclear systems of formula [{Cr(L^N3O2Ph)(CN)₂}₂M(H₂L^N3O2R)] (M=Mn^II and Fe^II, L^N3O2R stands for pentadentate ligands) were prepared in order to assess the influence of the bending of the apical M−N≡C linkages on the magnetic anisotropy of the Fe^II derivatives and in turn on their Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behaviors. The cyanido-bridged [Cr₂M] derivatives were obtained by assembling trans-dicyanido Cr^III complex [Cr(L^N3O2Ph)(CN)₂]⁻ and divalent pentagonal bipyramid complexes [M^II(H₂L^N3O2R)]²⁺ with various R substituents (R=NH₂, cyclohexyl, S,S-mandelic) imparting different steric demand to the central moiety of the complexes. A comparative examination of the structural and magnetic properties showed an obvious effect of the deviation from straightness of the M−N≡C alignment on the slow relaxation of the magnetization exhibited by the [Cr₂Fe] complexes. Theoretical calculations have highlighted important effects of the bending of the apical C−N−Fe linkages on both the magnetic anisotropy of the Fe^II center and the exchange interactions with the Cr^III units.     

Komplexe des Chroms mit 1,5,9-Triazacyclododecan: Darstellung,Magnetismus und Kristallstruktur von Tri-μ-hydroxo-bis[(1,5,9-triazacyclododecan)chrom(III)] tribromid Dihydrat; Kinetik und Mechanismus der Brückenspaltung mit Hydroxidionen

Complexes of Chromium Containing 1,5,9-Triazacyclododecane: Synthesis, Magnetism, and Crystal Structure of Tri-μ-hydroxo-bis[(1,5,9-triazacyclododecane) chromium (III)] tribromide · Dihydrate; Kinetic and Mechanism of its Bridge-cleavage with Hydroxide The oxidative decarbonylation of LCr(CO)₃ (L = 1,5,9-triazacyclododecane) with bromine yields green LCrBr₃. Base hydrolysis affords red [LCr(μ-OH)₃CrL]³⁺, whereas in the presence of acetate ions [L₂Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(CH₃CO₂)]³⁺ is formed. [LCr(μ-OH)₃CrL]Br₃· 2 H₂O crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with 8 formula units per unit cell. Two Cr^III centers are connected via three OH^? bridges; the spins of d³-electronic configuration are coupled intramolecularly, antiferromagnetically (2J = ?96 cm^?1). With excess OH^? but not with protons the tri-μ-hydroxo species is cleaved to give [L₂Cr₂(OH)₂(μ-OH)₂]²⁺. The kinetics of this reaction have been measured using the stopped flow technique. The mechanism is discussed.