Base‐Stabilized Phosphinidene Boranes by Silylium‐Ion Abstraction

We report the preparation of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐stabilized compounds containing P=B double bonds. The reaction of the highly functionalized phosphinoborane Mes*(SiMe₃)P?B(Cl)Cp* with Lewis bases allows access to base‐stabilized phosphinidene boranes Mes*P=B(L)Cp* (L=4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), NHC) by Me₃SiCl elimination. The formation of these species is shown to proceed through transient borylphosphide anions generated by Me₃Si abstraction.     

Reactions of Group 4 Metallocenes with Monosubstituted Acetonitriles: Keteniminate Formation versus CC Coupling

The reactions of the Group 4 metallocene dichlorides [Cp′₂MCl₂] ( 1 a : M=Ti, Cp′=Cp*=η⁵‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, 1 b : M=Zr, Cp′=Cp=η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) with lithiated MesCH₂?C?N gave [Cp*₂TiCl(N=C=C(HMes))] ( 3 ; Mes=mesityl) in the case of 1 a . For compound 1 b , a nitrile–nitrile coupling resulted in a five‐membered bridge in 4 . The reaction of the metallocene alkyne complex [Cp*₂Zr(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] ( 2 ) with PhCH₂?C?N led in the first step to the unstable product [Cp*₂Zr(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)(NC?CH₂Ph)] ( 5 ). After the elimination of the alkyne, a mixture of products was formed. By variation of the solvent and the reaction temperature, three compounds were isolated: a diazadiene complex 6 , a bis(keteniminate) complex 7 , and 8 with a keteniminate ligand and a five‐membered metallacycle. Subsequent variation of the Cp ligand and the metal center by using [Cp₂Zr] and [Cp*₂Ti] with Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃ in the reactions with PhCH₂?C?N gave complex mixtures.     

Unerwartete Reduktion von [Cp*TaCl4(PH2R)] (R = But,Cy, Ad,Ph, 2,4,6‐Me3C6H2; Cp* = C5Me5) durch Reaktion mit DBU – Molekülstruktur von [(DBU)H][Cp*TaCl4] (DBU = 1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐en)

Unexpected Reduction of [Cp*TaCl₄(PH₂R)] (R = Bu^t, Cy, Ad, Ph, 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂; Cp* = C₅Me₅) by Reaction with DBU – Molecular Structure of [(DBU)H][Cp*TaCl₄] (DBU = 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene) [Cp*TaCl₄(PH₂R)] (R = Bu^t, Cy, Ad, Ph, 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes); Cp* = C₅Me₅) react with DBU in an internal redox reaction with formation of [(DBU)H][Cp*TaCl₄] ( 1 ) (DBU = 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene) and the corresponding diphosphane (P₂H₂R₂) or decomposition products thereof. 1 was characterised spectroscopically and by crystal structure determination. In the solid state, hydrogen bonding between the (DBU)H cation and one chloro ligand of the anion is observed.     

Organometallic Niobium and Tantalum Complexes with Primary Phosphine Ligands: Syntheses and Molecular Structures of [Cp*MCl4(PH2R)] (M = Nb,Ta; Cp* = C5Me5;R = But,Ad, Cy,Ph, 2, 4, 6‐Me3C6H2 (Mes))

The reaction of [Cp*MCl₄] (M = Nb, Ta; Cp* = C₅Me₅) with PH₂R in toluene at room temperature gives the primary phosphine complexes [Cp*MCl₄(PH₂R)] [Cp* = C₅Me₅; M = Nb: R = Bu^t ( 1a ), Ad ( 2a ), Cy ( 3a ), Ph ( 4a ), 2, 4, 6‐Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes) ( 5a ); M = Ta: R = Bu^t ( 1b ), Ad ( 2b ), Cy ( 3b ), Ph ( 4b ), Mes ( 5b )] in high yield. 1—5 were characterized spectroscopically (NMR, IR, MS) and by crystal structure determinations. The starting material [Cp*TaCl₄] is monomeric in the solid state, as shown by crystal structure determination.     

Uranium versus Thorium: Synthesis and Reactivity of [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2U[η2-C2Ph2]

The synthesis, electronic structure, and reactivity of a uranium metallacyclopropene were comprehensively studied. Addition of diphenylacetylene (PhC≡CPh) to the uranium phosphinidene metallocene [η⁵-1,2,4-(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂]₂U=P-2,4,6-tBu₃C₆H₂ ( 1 ) yields the stable uranium metallacyclopropene, [η⁵-1,2,4-(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂]₂U[η²-C₂Ph₂] ( 2 ). Based on density functional theory (DFT) results the 5f orbital contributions to the bonding within the metallacyclopropene U-(η²-C=C) moiety increases significantly compared to the related Th^IV compound [η⁵-1,2,4-(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂]₂Th[η²-C₂Ph₂], which also results in more covalent bonds between the [η⁵-1,2,4-(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂]₂U²⁺ and [η²-C₂Ph₂]²⁻ fragments. Although the thorium and uranium complexes are structurally closely related, different reaction patterns are therefore observed. For example, 2 reacts as a masked synthon for the low-valent uranium(II) metallocene [η⁵-1,2,4-(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂]₂U^II when reacted with Ph₂E₂ (E=S, Se), alkynes and a variety of hetero-unsaturated molecules such as imines, ketazine, bipy, nitriles, organic azides, and azo derivatives. In contrast, five-membered metallaheterocycles are accessible when 2 is treated with isothiocyanate, aldehydes, and ketones.     

Phosphenium-übergangsmetallkomplexe: XX. Stabilisierung von mesitylphosphiniden durch ein Cp(CO)2W- und ein Cp(CO)2 Fe-Fragment

The reaction of the secondary metallo-phosphanes Cp(CO)₂(L)W-PH(Mes) (L  CO, PMe₃) (1a,b) with the iron complex [Cp(CO)₃Fe]BF₄ (2) or Cp(CO)2Fe-I (3), respectively, affords the ferrio(wolframio)phosphonium salts [Cp(CO)₂(L)W-P(Mes)-Fe(CO)₂Cp]X (X  I (4a), BF₄ (4b). Deprotonation of 4a, b with DBU results, in both cases, in the selective formation of a WP bond owing to additional CO- or Me₃P-elimination to give the phosphinidene complex Cp(CO)₂WP(Mes)-Fe(CO)₂Cp (6).     

Reaction of Tungsten–Phosphinidene and –Arsinidene Complexes with Carbodiimides and Alkyl Azides: A Straightforward Way to Four‐Membered Heterocycles

The reaction of the phosphinidene and arsinidene complexes [Cp*E{W(CO)₅}₂] (E=P ( 1 a ), As ( 1 b ); Cp*=C₅Me₅) with carbodiimides leads to the new four‐membered heterocycles of the type [Cp*C(NR)₂E{W(CO)₅}₂] (E=P: R=iPr ( 2 a ), Cy ( 3 a ); E=As: R=iPr ( 2 b ), Cy ( 3 b )). The reaction of phosphinidene complex 1 a with alkyl azides yields the triazaphosphete derivatives [Cp*P{W(CO)₅}N(R)NN{W(CO)₅}] (R=Hex, Cy) ( 4 ). These unprecedented N₃P four‐membered triazaphosphete complexes can be regarded as stabilized intermediates of the Staudinger reaction, which have not been previously isolated. All of the isolated products were characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Ring Contraction by NHC‐Induced Pnictogen Abstraction

The reaction of [Cp′′′Co(η⁴‐P₄)] ( 1 ) (Cp′′′=1,2,4‐tBu₃C₅H₂) with ^MeNHC (^MeNHC=1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) leads through NHC‐induced phosphorus cation abstraction to the ring contraction product [(^MeNHC)₂P][Cp′′′Co(η³‐P₃)] ( 2 ), which represents the first example of an anionic CoP₃ complex. Such NHC‐induced ring contraction reactions are also applicable for triple‐decker sandwich complexes. The complexes [(Cp*Mo)₂(μ,η^6:6‐E₆)] ( 3 a , 3 b ) (Cp*=C₅Me₅; E=P, As) can be transformed to the complexes [(^MeNHC)₂E][(Cp*M)₂(μ,η^3:3‐E₃)(μ,η^2:2‐E₂)] ( 4 a , 4 b ), with 4 b representing the first structurally characterized example of an NHC‐substituted As^I cation. Further, the reaction of the vanadium complex [(Cp*V)₂(μ,η^6:6‐P₆)] ( 5 ) with ^MeNHC results in the formation of the unprecedented complexes [(^MeNHC)₂P][(Cp*V)₂(μ,η^6:6‐P₆)] ( 6 ), [(^MeNHC)₂P][(Cp*V)₂(μ,η^5:5‐P₅)] ( 7 ) and [(Cp*V)₂(μ,η^3:3‐P₃)(μ,η^1:1‐P{^MeNHC})] ( 8 ).     

Ringkontraktion durch NHC‐induzierte Pnictogen‐Abstraktion

Die Reaktion von [Cp′′′Co(η⁴‐P₄)] ( 1 ) (Cp′′′=1,2,4‐tBu₃C₅H₂) mit ^MeNHC (^MeNHC=1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) führt über eine NHC‐induzierte Phosphorkationen‐Abstraktion zum Ringkontraktionsprodukt [(^MeNHC)₂P][Cp′′′Co(η³‐P₃)] ( 2 ), welches das erste Beispiel eines anionischen CoP₃‐Komplexes repräsentiert. Solche von NHCs induzierten Ringkontraktionsreaktionen lassen sich ebenfalls auf Tripeldecker‐Sandwich‐Komplexe anwenden. So werden die Komplexe [(Cp*Mo)₂(μ,η^6:6‐E₆)] ( 3 a , 3 b ) (Cp*=C₅Me₅; E=P, As) zu den Komplexen [(^MeNHC)₂E][(Cp*M)₂(μ,η^3:3‐E₃)(μ,η^2:2‐E₂)] ( 4 a , 4 b ) transformiert, wobei 4 b das erste strukturell charakterisierte Beispiel eines NHC‐substituierten As^I‐Kations darstellt. Darüber hinaus führt die Reaktion des Vanadium‐Komplexes [(Cp*V)₂(μ,η^6:6‐P₆)] ( 5 ) mit ^MeNHC zur Bildung der neuartigen Komplexe [(^MeNHC)₂P][(Cp*V)₂(μ,η^6:6‐P₆)] ( 6 ), [(^MeNHC)₂P][(Cp*V)₂(μ,η^5:5‐P₅)] ( 7 ) bzw. [(Cp*V)₂(μ,η^3:3‐P₃)(μ,η^1:1‐P{^MeNHC})] ( 8 ).     

Carbon Nitride as a Ligand: Selective Hydrogenation of Terminal Alkenes Using [(η5-C5Me5)IrCl(g-C3N4-κ2N,N’)]Cl

Anchoring a homogeneous catalyst onto a heterogeneous support facilitates separation of the product from the catalyst, and catalyst-substrate interactions can also modify reactivity. Herein we describe the synthesis of composite materials comprising carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) as the heterogeneous support and the well-established homogeneous catalyst moiety [Cp*IrCl]⁺ (where Cp*=η⁵-C₅Me₅), commonly used for catalytic hydrogenation. Coordination of [Cp*IrCl]⁺ to g-C₃N₄ occurs directly at exposed edge sites with a κ²N,N’ binding motif, leading to a primary inner coordination sphere analogous to known homogeneous complexes of the general class [Cp*IrCl(NN-κ²N,N’)]⁺ (where N,N’=a bidentate nitrogen ligand). Hydrogenation of unsaturated substrates using the composite catalyst is selective for terminal alkenes, which is attributed to the restricted steric environment of the outer coordination sphere at the edge-sites of g-C₃N₄.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Gold Nanoparticles with Surface Ligands Derived from a Primary Phosphine

Reduction of HAuCl₄ · 3H₂O with NaBH₄ in THF/H₂O in the presence of the primary phosphine PH₂Mes* (Mes* = 2,4,6-(t-Bu)₃C₆H₂) gave a mixture of ca. 1.3 nm diameter gold nanoparticles (1) and the known oligomers [Au(PHMes*)]_n (2). Nanoclusters 1 might contain phosphido (PHMes*) or phosphinidene (PMes*) surface ligands, or both; they were characterized by elemental analysis, TGA, XPS, TEM, NMR, IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopies, and by their reactions with dodecanethiol, which gave PH₂Mes*. Solid-state ³¹P-NMR cross-polarization studies of 1 and 1D (prepared using NaBD₄ and PD₂Mes* in THF/D₂O) were consistent with the presence of phosphinidene surface groups.     

Insight into the Reaction of a Dinuclear Phosphinidene Complex with Nitriles

The phosphinidene complex [Cp*P{W(CO)₅}₂] ( 1 ; Cp*=C₅Me₅) reacted with malononitrile to give the 1,2‐dihydro‐1,3,2‐diazaphosphinine derivative 2 . The reaction of 1 with 1,4‐benzodinitrile gave [1,4‐{{W(CO)₅}₂P‐N=C(Cp*)}₂(C₆H₄)] ( 3 ), the first example of a cumulene‐like aminophosphinidene complex. The reaction of 1 with aniline gave the aminophosphinidene complex [(Ph)N(H)P{W(CO)₅}₂] ( 4 ). To compare the reactivity of benzonitrile and aniline with 1 , the phosphinidene complex 1 was reacted with three different isomers of aminobenzonitrile (2‐, 3‐, and 4‐aminobenzonitrile). These reactions gave an insight into the reaction pathway of 1 with benzonitrile derivatives. Compounds 5 , 6 a , 6 b , and 7 , which are derivatives of 1,2‐dihydro‐1,3,2‐diazaphosphinine or benzo‐2H‐1,2‐azaphospholes, were, as well as all other products, characterized by mass spectrometry, NMR and IR spectroscopy, and X‐ray structure analysis.     

Reactivity of Yttrium Carboxylates Toward Alkylaluminum Hydrides

Yttrocene‐carboxylate complex [Cp*₂Y(OOCAr^Me)] (Cp*=C₅Me₅, Ar^Me=C₆H₂Me₃‐2,4,6) was synthesized as a spectroscopically versatile model system for investigating the reactivity of alkylaluminum hydrides towards rare‐earth‐metal carboxylates. Equimolar reactions with bis‐neosilylaluminum hydride and dimethylaluminum hydride gave adduct complexes of the general formula [Cp*₂Y(μ‐OOCAr^Me)(μ‐H)AlR₂] (R=CH₂SiMe₃, Me). The use of an excess of the respective aluminum hydride led to the formation of product mixtures, from which the yttrium‐aluminum‐hydride complex [{Cp*₂Y(μ‐H)AlMe₂(μ‐H)AlMe₂(μ‐CH₃)}₂] could be isolated, which features a 12‐membered‐ring structure. The adduct complexes [Cp*₂Y(μ‐OOCAr^Me)(μ‐H)AlR₂] display identical ¹J(Y,H) coupling constants of 24.5 Hz for the bridging hydrido ligands and similar ⁸⁹Y NMR shifts of δ=?88.1 ppm (R=CH₂SiMe₃) and δ=?86.3 ppm (R=Me) in the ⁸⁹Y DEPT45 NMR experiments.     

Cp*Me5P6C5: Ein neues Carbaphosphan mit einem Strukturelement aus dem Hittorfschen Phosphor

Cp*Me₅P₆C₅: A New Carbaphosphane with a Structure Unit of Hittorf-Phosphorus The thermolysis of 1,2,3-tris(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)cyclotriphosphane [(Cp*P)₃, 1 ] or 2,3,4,6-Tetrakis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)bicyclo[3.1.0]hexaphosphane [Cp*₄P₆, 2 ] leads in addition to the known 3,4-bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)tricyclo[3.1.0.0^{2, 6}]hexaphosphane [Cp*₂P₆, 3 ] to the pentacyclic carbaphosphanes 3,4,5,6,11-pentamethyl-endo-9-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl- 3,4,5,6,11-pentacarba-pentacyclo [6.1.1^1,8.1^3,6.0^2,70^10,11]-4-en-undecaphosphane and 3,4,5,6,11-pentamethyl-exo-9-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-3,4,5,6,11-pentacarba-pentacyclo [6.1.1^1,8.1^3,6.0^2,70^10,11]-4-en-undecaphosphane [Cp*Me₅P₆C₅, 4a, 4b ]. Furthermore, other polyphosphanes are formed, like 1,2,3,4-tetrakis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)cyclotetraphosphane [(Cp*P)₄, 5 ] and 2,4-bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-tetraphosphabicyclo[1.1.0]butane [(Cp*P)₂P₂, 6 ]. The structure of 4a and 4b is determined by NMR-spectroscopy. The molecule contains a P₅C₃-cunean-unit, to which a C₂Me₂-brigde and a PCp*-brigde is bonded.     

C-NMR study of Ti(IV) species formed by Cp*TiMe3 and Cp*TiCl3 activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO)

Using ¹³C- and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, titanium(IV) species formed in the catalytic systems Cp*TiMe₃/MAO and Cp*TiCl₃/MAO (Cp*=C₅(CH₃)₅) in toluene and chlorobenzene were studied within the temperature range 253-293 K and at Al/Ti ratios 30-300. It was shown that upon activation of Cp*TiMe₃ with methylaluminoxane (MAO) mainly the ‘cation-like’ intermediate Cp*Me₂Ti⁺←Me⁻Al(MAO) (2) is formed. Three types of titanium(IV) complexes were identified in Cp*TiCl₃/MAO catalytic system. They are methylated complexes Cp*TiMeCl₂ and Cp*TiMe₂Cl, and the ‘cation-like’ intermediate 2. Complex 2 dominates in Cp*TiCl₃/MAO system in conditions approaching to those of practical polymerization (Al/Ti ratios more than 200). According to the EPR measurements, the portion of EPR active Ti(III) species in the Cp*TiCl₃/MAO system is smaller than 1% at Al/Ti=35, and is about 10% at Al/Ti=700.     

Umsetzungen von Cp*NbCl4 und Cp*TaCl4 mit Trimethylsilyl‐azid,Me3Si‐N3. Molekülstrukturen der bis(azido)‐oxo‐verbrückten Komplexe [Cp*NbCl(N3)(μ‐N3)]2(μ‐O) und [Cp*TaCl2(μ‐N3)]2(μ‐O) (Cp* = Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)

Reactions of Cp*NbCl₄ and Cp*TaCl₄ with Trimethylsilyl‐azide, Me₃Si‐N₃. Molecular Structures of the Bis(azido)‐Oxo‐Bridged Complexes [Cp*NbCl(N₃)(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) and [Cp*TaCl₂(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (Cp* = Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) The chloro ligands in Cp*TaCl₄ (1c) can be stepwise substituted for azido ligands by reactions with trimethylsilyl azide, Me₃Si‐N₃ (A) , to generate the complete series of the bis(azido)‐bridged dimers [Cp*TaCl_3‐n(N₃)_n(μ‐N₃)]₂ ( n = 0 (2c) , n = 1 (3c) , n = 2 (4c) and n = 3 (5c) ). If the solvent CH₂Cl₂ contains traces of water, an additional oxo bridge is incorporated to give [Cp*‐TaCl₂(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (6c) or [Cp*TaCl(N₃)(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (7c) , respectively. Both 6c and 7c are also formed in stoichiometric reactions from [Cp*TaCl₂(μ‐OH)]₂(μ‐O) (8c) and A . Analogous reactions of Cp*NbCl₄ (1b) with A were used to prepare the azide‐rich dinuclear products [Cp*NbCl_3‐n(N₃)_n(μ‐N₃)]₂ (n = 2 (4b) , and n = 3 (5b) ), and [Cp*NbCl(N₃)(μ‐N₃)]₂(μ‐O) (7b) . The mononuclear complex Cp*Ta(N₃)Me₃ (10c) is obtained from Cp*Ta(Cl)Me₃ and A . All azido complexes were characterised by their IR as well as their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra; X‐ray crystal structure analyses are available for 6c and 7b .     

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.     

Nanoscale Organolanthanum Clusters: Nuclearity-Directing Role of Cyclopentadienyl and Halogenido Ligands

Tetramethylaluminato/halogenido(X) ligand exchange reactions in half-sandwich complexes [Cp^RLa(AlMe₄)₂] are feasible in non-coordinating solvents and provide access to large coordination clusters of the type [Cp^RLaX₂]_x. Incomplete exchange reactions generate the hexalanthanum clusters [Cp^R₆La₆X₈(AlMe₄)₄] (Cp^R=Cp*=C₅Me₅, X=I; Cp^R=Cp′=C₅H₄SiMe₃, X=Br, I). Treatment of [Cp*La(AlMe₄)₂] with two equivalents Me₃SiI gave the nonalanthanum cluster [Cp*LaI₂]₉, while the exhaustive reaction of [Cp′La(AlMe₄)₂] with the halogenido transfer reagents Me₃GeX and Me₃SiX (X=I, Br, Cl) produced a series of monocyclopentadienyl rare-earth-metal clusters with distinct nuclearity. Depending on the halogenido ion size the homometallic clusters [Cp′LaCl₂]₁₀ and [Cp′LaX₂]₁₂ (X=Br, I) could be isolated, whereas different crystallization techniques led to the aggregation of clusters of distinct structural motifs, including the desilylated cyclopentadienyl-bridged cluster [(μ-Cp)₂Cp′₈La₈I₁₄] and the heteroaluminato derivative [Cp′₁₀La₁₀Br₁₈(AlBr₂Me₂)₂]. The use of the Cp′ ancillary ligand facilitates cluster characterization by means of NMR spectroscopy.     

Reactions of Group 4 Metallocene Complexes with Mono‐ and Diphenylacetonitrile: Formation of Unusual Four‐ and Six‐Membered Metallacycles

Reactions of Group 4 metallocene alkyne complexes [Cp′₂M(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] ( 1 : M=Zr, Cp′=Cp*=η⁵‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; 2 a : M=Ti, Cp′=Cp*, and 2 b : M=Ti, Cp′₂=rac‐(ebthi)=rac‐1,2‐ethylene‐1,1′‐bis(η⁵‐tetrahydroindenyl)) with diphenylacetonitrile (Ph₂CHCN) and of the seven‐membered zirconacyclocumulene 3 with phenylacetonitrile (PhCH₂CN) were investigated. Different compounds were obtained depending on the metal, the cyclopentadienyl ligand and the reaction temperature. In the first step, Ph₂CHCN coordinated to 1 to form [Cp*₂Zr(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)(NCCHPh₂)] ( 4 ). Higher temperatures led to elimination of the alkyne, coordination of a second Ph₂CHCN and transformation of the nitriles to a keteniminate and an imine ligand in [Cp*₂Zr(NC₂Ph₂)(NCHCHPh₂)] ( 5 ). The conversion of 4 to 5 was monitored by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The analogue titanocene complex 2 a eliminated the alkyne first, which led directly to [Cp*₂Ti(NC₂Ph₂)₂] ( 6 ) with two keteniminate ligands. In contrast, the reaction of 2 b with diphenylacetonitrile involved a formal coupling of the nitriles to obtain the unusual four‐membered titanacycle 7 . An unexpected six‐membered fused zirconaheterocycle ( 8 ) resulted from the reaction of 3 with PhCH₂CN. The molecular structures of complexes 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 and 8 were determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

Uranium-sulfilimine chemistry. Hydrolysis of Cp*2UCl2 with HNSPh2 · H2O and the crystal structure of Cp*2UCl(OH)(HNSPh2), a metallocene terminal hydroxy complex of tetravalent uranium

The reaction of Cp*₂UCl₂(HNSPh₂) with HNSPh₂ · H₂O in 1:1 stoichiometry, produces Cp*₂UCl(OH)(HNSPh₂) in good yield. This is the first structurally characterized metallocene f-element complex containing a terminal hydroxy ligand. Cp*₂UCl(OH)(HNSPh₂) is an intermediate in the formation of a tetra uranium-oxo-cluster [Cp^*(Cl)(HNSPh₂)U(μ₃-O)(μ₂-O)₂U(Cl)(HNSPh₂)₂]₂, which forms by hydrolysis of Cp*₂UCl₂ with excess HNSPh₂ · H₂O.