Sterically controlled reductive oligomerisations of CO by activated magnesium(i) compounds: deltate vs. ethenediolate formation

An extremely bulky, symmetrical three-coordinate magnesium(i) complex, [{(^TCHPNacnac)Mg}₂] (^TCHPNacnac = [{(TCHP)NCMe}₂CH]⁻, TCHP = 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenyl) has been prepared and shown to have an extremely long Mg–Mg bond (3.021(1) Å) for such a complex. It was shown not to react with either DMAP (4-dimethylaminopyridine) or CO. Three unsymmetrical 1 : 1 DMAP adducts of less bulky Mg–Mg bonded species have been prepared, viz. [(^ArNacnac)Mg–Mg(DMAP)(^ArNacnac)] (^ArNacnac = [(ArNCMe)₂CH]⁻ Ar = 2,6-xylyl (Xyl), mesityl (Mes) or 2,6-diethylphenyl (Dep)), and their reactivity toward CO explored. Like the previously reported bulkier complex, [(^DipNacnac)Mg–Mg(DMAP)(^DipNacnac)] (Dip = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), [(^DepNacnac)Mg–Mg(DMAP)(^DepNacnac)] reductively trimerises CO to give a rare example of a deltate complex, [{(^DepNacnac)Mg(μ-C₃O₃)Mg(DMAP)(^DepNacnac)}₂]. In contrast, the two smaller adduct complexes react with only two CO molecules, ultimately giving unusual ethenediolate complexes [{(^ArNacnac)Mg{μ-OC(H) C(DMAP^−H)O}Mg(^ArNacnac)}₂] (Ar = Xyl or Mes). DFT calculations show the latter reactions to proceed via reductive dimerizations of CO, and subsequent intramolecular C–H activation of Mg-ligated DMAP by “zig–zag” [C₂O₂]²⁻ fragments of reaction intermediates. Calculations also suggest that magnesium deltate complexes are kinetic products in these reactions, while the magnesium ethenediolates are thermodynamic products. This study shows that subtle changes to the bulk of the reacting 1 : 1 DMAP–magnesium(i) adduct complexes can lead to fine steric control over the products arising from their CO reductive oligomerisations. Furthermore, it is found that the more activated nature of the adduct complexes, relative to their symmetrical, three-coordinate counterparts, [{(^ArNacnac)Mg}₂], likely derives more from the polarisation of the Mg–Mg bonds of the former, than the elongated nature of those bonds.

Subtle changes to the bulk of 1 : 1 adducts of DMAP with magnesium(i) complexes leads to steric control over the products arising from their reductive oligomerisations of carbon monoxide.      

Magnesium(I) Reduction of Aluminum(III) Hydride Complexes: Generation of Mixed Valence Aluminum (AlI/Al0) Hydride Cluster Compounds, [Al6H8(NR3)2{Mg(β-diketiminate)}4]**

Reduction of a range of amido- and aryloxy-aluminum dihydride complexes, e.g. [AlH₂(NR₃){N(SiMe₃)₂}] (NR₃=NMe₃ or N-methylpiperidine (NMP)), with β-diketiminato dimagnesium(I) reagents, [{(^ArNacnac)Mg}₂] (^ArNacnac=[HC(MeCNAr)₂]⁻, Ar=mesityl (Mes) or 2,6-xylyl (Xyl)), have afforded deep red mixed valence aluminum hydride cluster compounds, [Al₆H₈(NR₃)₂{Mg(^ArNacnac)}₄], which have an average Al oxidation state of +0.66, the lowest for any well-defined aluminum hydride compound. In the solid-state, the clusters are shown to have distorted octahedral Al₆ cores, having zero-valent Al axial sites and mono-valent AlH₂⁻ equatorial units. Several novel by-products were isolated from the reactions that gave the clusters, including the Mg−Al bonded magnesio-aluminate complexes, [(^ArNacnac)(Me₃N)Mg−Al(μ-H)₃[{Mg(^ArNacnac)}₂(μ-H)]]. Computational analyses of one aluminum hydride cluster revealed its Al₆ core to be electronically delocalized, and to possess one unoccupied, and six occupied, skeletal molecular orbitals.     

A Terphenyl Supported Dioxophosphorane Dimer: the Light Congener of Lawesson's and Woollins’ Reagents

Thermolysis of a 1,3-dioxa-2-phospholane supported by the terphenyl ligand Ar^iPr4 (Ar^iPr4=[C₆H₃-2,6-(C₆H₃-2,6-iPr₂)]) at 150 °C gives [Ar^iPr4PO₂]₂ via loss of ethene. [Ar^iPr4PO₂]₂ was characterised by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy; it contains a 4-membered P−O−P−O ring and is the isostructural oxygen analogue of Lawesson's and Woollins’ reagents. The dimeric structure of [Ar^iPr4PO₂]₂ was found to persist in solution through VT NMR spectroscopy and DOSY, supported by DFT calculations. The addition of DMAP to the 1,3-dioxa-2-phospholane facilitates the loss of ethene to give Ar^iPr4(DMAP)PO₂ after days at room temperature, with this product also characterised by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Replacement of the DMAP with pyridine induces ethene loss from the 1,3-dioxa-2-phospholane to provide gram-scale samples of [Ar^iPr4PO₂]₂ in 75 % yield in 2 days at only 100 °C.     

A Dimeric NHC–Silicon Monotelluride: Synthesis,Isomerization, and Reactivity

The reaction of the NHC–disilicon(0) complex [(I_Ar)Si=Si(I_Ar)] ( 1 , I_Ar=:C{N(Ar)C(H)}₂, Ar=2,6‐i Pr₂C₆H₃) with two equiv of elemental Te in toluene at room temperature for three days afforded a mixture of the first dimeric NHC–silicon monotelluride [(I_Ar)Si=Te]₂ ( 2 ) and its isomeric complex [(I_Ar)Si(μ‐Te)Si(I_Ar)=Te] ( 3 ). When the same reaction was performed for ten days, only 3 was isolated from the reaction mixture. Compound 1 reacted with four equiv of elemental Te in toluene for four weeks, which proceeded through the formation of 2 , 3 and the NHC–disilicon tritelluride complex [{(I_Ar)Si(=Te)}₂Te] ( 5‐Te ), to form the dimeric NHC–silicon ditelluride [(I_Ar)Si(=Te)(μ‐Te)]₂ ( 4 ). The reactions are in line with theoretical mechanistic studies for the formation of 4 . Compound 3 reacted with one equiv of elemental sulfur in toluene to form the first NHC–disilicon sulfur ditelluride complex [{(I_Ar)Si(=Te)}₂S] ( 5‐S ).     

A Dimeric NHC–Silicon Monotelluride: Synthesis,Isomerization, and Reactivity

The reaction of the NHC–disilicon(0) complex [(I_Ar)Si=Si(I_Ar)] ( 1 , I_Ar=:C{N(Ar)C(H)}₂, Ar=2,6‐i Pr₂C₆H₃) with two equiv of elemental Te in toluene at room temperature for three days afforded a mixture of the first dimeric NHC–silicon monotelluride [(I_Ar)Si=Te]₂ ( 2 ) and its isomeric complex [(I_Ar)Si(μ‐Te)Si(I_Ar)=Te] ( 3 ). When the same reaction was performed for ten days, only 3 was isolated from the reaction mixture. Compound 1 reacted with four equiv of elemental Te in toluene for four weeks, which proceeded through the formation of 2 , 3 and the NHC–disilicon tritelluride complex [{(I_Ar)Si(=Te)}₂Te] ( 5‐Te ), to form the dimeric NHC–silicon ditelluride [(I_Ar)Si(=Te)(μ‐Te)]₂ ( 4 ). The reactions are in line with theoretical mechanistic studies for the formation of 4 . Compound 3 reacted with one equiv of elemental sulfur in toluene to form the first NHC–disilicon sulfur ditelluride complex [{(I_Ar)Si(=Te)}₂S] ( 5‐S ).     

Activation of Ethylene by N-Heterocyclic Carbene Coordinated Magnesium(I) Compounds

Reactions of a series of magnesium(I) compounds with ethylene, in the presence of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC), have been explored. Treating [{(^MesNacnac)Mg}₂] (^MesNacnac=[HC(MeCNMes)₂]⁻, Mes=mesityl) with an excess of ethylene in the presence of two equivalents of :C{(MeNCMe)₂} (TMC) leads to the formal reductive coupling of ethylene, and formation of the 1,2-dimagnesiobutane complex, [{(^MesNacnac)(TMC)Mg}₂(μ-C₄H₈)]. In contrast, when the reaction is repeated in the presence of three equivalents of TMC, a mixture of the β-diketiminato magnesium ethyl, [(^MesNacnac)(TMC)MgEt], and the NHC coordinated magnesium diamide, [(^MesNacnac^-H)Mg(TMC)₂], results. Four related products, [(^ArNacnac)(TMC)MgEt] (Ar=2,6-dimethylphenyl (Xyl) or 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (Dip)) and [(^ArNacnac^-H)Mg(TMC)₂] (Ar=Xyl or Dip), were similarly synthesised and crystallographically characterized. Computational studies have been employed to investigate the mechanisms of the two observed reaction types, which appear dependent on the substitution pattern of the magnesium(I) compound, and the stoichiometric equivalents of TMC used in the reactions.     

Synthese,Struktur und Eigenschaften von [nacnac]MX3‐Verbindungen (M = Ge,Sn; X = Cl,Br, I)

Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of [nacnac]MX₃ Compounds (M = Ge, Sn; X = Cl, Br, I) Reactions of [nacnac]Li [(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)C(H)C(Me)N(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)]Li ( 1 ) with SnX₄ (X = Cl, Br, I) and GeCl₄ in Et₂O resulted in metallacyclic compounds with different structural moieties. In the [nacnac]SnX₃ compounds (X = Cl 2 , Br 3 , I 4 ) the tin atom is five coordinated and part of a six‐membered ring. The Sn–N‐bond length of 3 is 2.163(4) Å and 2.176(5) Å of 4 . The five coordinated germanium of the [nacnac]GeCl₃ compound 5 shows in addition to the three chlorine atoms further bonds to a carbon and to a nitrogen atom. In contrast to the known compounds with the [nacnac] ligand the afore mentioned reaction creates a carbon–metal‐bond (1.971(3) Å) forming a four‐membered ring. The Ge–N bond length (2.419(2) Å) indicates the formation of a weakly coordinating bond.     

β‐Diketiminate‐Stabilized Magnesium(I) Dimers and Magnesium(II) Hydride Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, Adduct Formation,and Reactivity Studies

The preparation and characterization of a series of magnesium(II) iodide complexes incorporating β‐diketiminate ligands of varying steric bulk and denticity, namely, [(ArNCMe)₂CH]^? (Ar=phenyl, (^PhNacnac), mesityl (^MesNacnac), or 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dipp, ^DippNacnac)), [(DippNCtBu)₂CH]^? (^tBuNacnac), and [(DippNCMe)(Me₂NCH₂CH₂NCMe)CH]^? (^DmedaNacnac) are reported. The complexes [(^PhNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^MesNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^DmedaNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^MesNacnac)MgI(thf)], [(^DippNacnac)MgI(thf)], [(^tBuNacnac)MgI], and [(^tBuNacnac)MgI(DMAP)] (DMAP=4‐dimethylaminopyridine) were shown to be monomeric by X‐ray crystallography. In addition, the related β‐diketiminato beryllium and calcium iodide complexes, [(^MesNacnac)BeI] and [{(^DippNacnac)CaI(OEt₂)}₂] were prepared and crystallographically characterized. The reductions of all metal(II) iodide complexes by using various reagents were attempted. In two cases these reactions led to the magnesium(I) dimers, [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] and [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)]. The reduction of a 1:1 mixture of [(^DippNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)] and [(^MesNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)] with potassium gave a low yield of the crystallographically characterized complex [(^DippNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)(μ‐I)Mg(^MesNacnac)]. All attempts to form beryllium(I) or calcium(I) dimers by reductions of [(^MesNacnac)BeI], [{(^DippNacnac)CaI(OEt₂)}₂], or [{(^tBuNacnac)CaI(thf)}₂] have so far been unsuccessful. The further reactivity of the magnesium(I) complexes [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] and [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)] towards a variety of Lewis bases and unsaturated organic substrates was explored. These studies led to the complexes [(^MesNacnac)Mg(L)Mg(L)(^MesNacnac)] (L=THF or DMAP), [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐AdN₆Ad)Mg(^MesNacnac)] (Ad=1‐adamantyl), [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(μ‐AdN₆Ad)Mg(^tBuNacnac)], and [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐tBu₂N₂C₂O₂)Mg(^MesNacnac)] and revealed that, in general, the reactivity of the magnesium(I) dimers is inversely proportional to their steric bulk. The preparation and characterization of [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)₂Mg(^tBuNacnac)] has shown the compound to have different structural and physical properties to [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)]. Treatment of the former with DMAP has given [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(H)(DMAP)], the X‐ray crystal structure of which disclosed it to be the first structurally authenticated terminal magnesium hydride complex. Although attempts to prepare [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)₂Mg(^MesNacnac)] were not successful, a neutron diffraction study of the corresponding magnesium(I) complex, [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] confirmed that the compound is devoid of hydride ligands.     

Crystalline Divinyldiarsene Radical Cations and Dications

The divinyldiarsene radical cations [{(NHC)C(Ph)}As]₂(GaCl₄) (NHC=IPr: C{(NDipp)CH}₂ 3 ; SIPr: C{(NDipp)CH₂}₂ 4 ; Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) and dications [{(NHC)C(Ph)}As]₂(GaCl₄)₂ (NHC=IPr 5 ; SIPr 6 ) are readily accessible as crystalline solids on sequential one‐electron oxidation of the corresponding divinyldiarsenes [{(NHC)C(Ph)}As]₂ (NHC=IPr 1 ; SIPr 2 ) with GaCl₃. Compounds 3 – 6 have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, EPR/NMR spectroscopy, and UV/vis absorption spectroscopy as well as DFT calculations. The sequential removal of one electron from the HOMO, that is mainly the As?As π‐bond, of 1 and 2 leads to successive elongation of the As=As bond and contraction of the C?As bonds from 1 / 2 → 3 / 4 → 5 / 6 . The UV/vis spectrum of 3 and 4 each exhibits a strong absorption in the visible region associated with SOMO‐related transitions. The EPR spectrum of 3 and 4 each shows a broadened septet owing to coupling of the unpaired electron with two ⁷⁵As (I=3/2) nuclei.     

Crystalline Divinyldiarsenes and Cleavage of the As=As Bond

The first divinyldiarsenes [{(NHC)C(Ph)}As]₂ (NHC=IPr 3 a , SIPr 3 b ; IPr=C{(NAr)CH}₂; SIPr=C{(NAr)CH₂}₂; Ar=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) are reported. Compounds 3 a and 3 b were prepared by the reduction of corresponding chlorides {(NHC)C(Ph)}AsCl₂ (NHC=IPr 2 a , SIPr 2 b ) with Mg. Calculations revealed a small HOMO–LUMO energy gap of 3.86 ( 3 a ) and 4.24 eV ( 3 b ). Treatment of 3 a with (Me₂S)AuCl led to the cleavage of the As=As bond to restore 2 a , which is expected to proceed via the diarsane [{(IPr)C(Ph)}AsCl]₂ ( 4 ). Remarkably, 4 as well as 2 a can be selectively accessed on treatment of 3 a with an appropriate amount of C₂Cl₆. Moreover, 3 a readily reacts with PhEEPh (E=Se or Te) at room temperature to give {(IPr)C(Ph)}As(EPh)₂ (E=Se 5 a ; Te 5 b ), revealing the cleavage of As=As and E−E bonds and the formation of As−E bonds. Such highly selective stepwise oxidation ( 3 a → 4 → 2 a ) and bond metathesis ( 3 a → 5 a , b ) reactions are unprecedented in main-group chemistry.     

Coordination polymers derived from magnesium and barium complexes of redox-active ligands

The reactions of monomeric complexes [(dpp-bian)M(THF)_n](M = Mg, n = 3; M = Ba, n = 5; dpp-bian = 1,2-bis[(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) with 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy) in THF proceed with electron transfer from dpp- bian2– to 4,4'-bipy0 to afford 1D coordination polymers [(dpp-bian)M(4,4'-bipy)(THF)_n]_m (M = Mg, n = 1; M = Ba, n = 2) that contain simultaneously radical anion ligands dpp-bian– and 4,4'-bipy . Addition of DME to coordination polymer [(dpp-bian)Mg(4,4'-bipy)(THF)_n]_m results in fragmentation of polymeric chains to give dinuclear magnesium species [{(dpp-bian)Mg(DME)}₂(4,4'-bipy)]. Barium analogue [{(dpp-bian)Ba(DME)₂}₂(4,4'-bipy)] has been prepared by reacting of complex [(dpp-bian)Ba(DME)2.5] with 4,4'-bipy in DME.     

Iron-Gallium and Cobalt-Gallium Tetraphosphido Complexes

The synthesis and characterization of two heterobimetallic complexes [K([18]crown-6){(η⁴-C₁₄H₁₀)Fe(μ-η⁴:η²-P₄)Ga(nacnac)}] ( 1 ) (C₁₄H₁₀ = anthracene) and [K(dme)₂{(η⁴-C₁₄H₁₀)Co(μ-η⁴:η²-P₄)Ga(nacnac)}] ( 2 ) with strongly reduced P₄ units is reported. Compounds 1 and 2 are prepared by reaction of the gallium(III) complex [(nacnac)Ga(η²-P₄)] (nacnac = CH[CMeN(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)]₂) with bis(anthracene)ferrate(1–) and -cobaltate(1–) salts. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray crystallography and feature a P₄ chain which binds to the transition metal atom via all four P atoms and to the gallium atom via the terminal P atoms. Multinuclear NMR studies on 2 suggest that the molecular structure is preserved in solution.     

Reactions of β-diketiminates with selenium and tellurium halides

The complexes [nacnacTeCl₄] and nacnacSeCl⁺Cl⁻ (nacnac = [{N(C₆H₃ⁱPr₂2,6)C(Me)}₂CH]⁻) have been prepared in good yields and characterized in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. The crystals of both compounds show C-H activation of the ligand backbone. In the case of tellurium, no LiCl displacement or nitrogen chelation is observed and an ionic TeCl₄ complex is isolated. By contrast, under similar reaction conditions, the reaction with SeCl₄, affords a cationic Se(II) complex with loss of four chlorines and rearrangement of the chloride atom to the nacnac ligand.     

Heavy Alkali Metal Manganate Complexes: Synthesis,Structures and Solvent-Induced Dissociation Effects

Rare examples of heavier alkali metal manganates [{(AM)Mn(CH₂SiMe₃)(N^‘Ar)₂}_∞] (AM=K, Rb, or Cs) [N^‘Ar=N(SiMe₃)(Dipp), where Dipp=2,6-iPr₂-C₆H₃] have been synthesised with the Rb and Cs examples crystallographically characterised. These heaviest manganates crystallise as polymeric zig-zag chains propagated by AM⋅⋅⋅π-arene interactions. Key to their preparation is to avoid Lewis base donor solvents. In contrast, using multidentate nitrogen donors encourages ligand scrambling leading to redistribution of these bimetallic manganate compounds into their corresponding homometallic species as witnessed for the complete Li - Cs series. Adding to the few known crystallographically characterised unsolvated and solvated rubidium and caesium s-block metal amides, six new derivatives ([{AM(N^‘Ar)}_∞], [{AM(N^‘Ar)⋅TMEDA}_∞], and [{AM(N^‘Ar)⋅PMDETA}_∞] where AM=Rb or Cs) have been structurally authenticated. Utilising monodentate diethyl ether as a donor, it was also possible to isolate and crystallographically characterise sodium manganate [(Et₂O)₂Na(ⁿBu)Mn[(N^‘Ar)₂], a monomeric, dinuclear structure prevented from aggregating by two blocking ether ligands bound to sodium.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Magnesium Boryl and a Beryllium‐Substituted Diazaborole

Reaction of a lithium boryl, [(THF)₂Li{B(DAB)}] (DAB=[(DipNCH)₂]^2?, Dip=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl), with a dinuclear magnesium(I) compound [{(^MesNacnac)Mg}₂] (^MesNacnac=[HC(MeCNMes)₂]^?, Mes=mesityl) unexpectedly afforded a rare example of a terminal magnesium boryl species, [(^MesNacnac)(THF)Mg{B(DAB)}]. Attempts to prepare the magnesium boryl via a salt metathesis reaction between the lithium boryl and a β‐diketiminato magnesium iodide compound, instead led to an intractable mixture of products. Similarly, reaction of the lithium boryl with a β‐diketiminato beryllium bromide precursor, [(^DepNacnac)BeBr] (Dep=2,6‐diethylphenyl) did not give a beryllium boryl, but instead afforded an unprecedented example of a beryllium substituted diazaborole heterocycle, [{(^DepNacnac)Be(4‐DAB^?H)}BBr]. For sake of comparison, the same group 2 halide precursor compounds were treated with a potassium gallyl analogue of the lithium boryl, viz. [(tmeda)K{:Ga(DAB)}] (tmeda=N,N,N’,N’‐tetramethylethylenediamine), but no reactions were observed.     

Counterion Effect in Cobaltate-Catalyzed Alkene Hydrogenation

We show that countercations exert a remarkable influence on the ability of anionic cobaltate salts to catalyze challenging alkene hydrogenations. An evaluation of the catalytic properties of [Cat][Co(η⁴-cod)₂] (Cat=K ( 1 ), Na ( 2 ), Li ( 3 ), (^Depnacnac)Mg ( 4 ), and N(ⁿBu)₄ ( 5 ); cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene, ^Depnacnac={2,6-Et₂C₆H₃NC(CH₃)}₂CH)]) demonstrated that the lithium salt 3 and magnesium salt 4 drastically outperform the other catalysts. Complex 4 was the most active catalyst, which readily promotes the hydrogenation of highly congested alkenes under mild conditions. A plausible catalytic mechanism is proposed based on density functional theory (DFT) investigations. Furthermore, combined molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and DFT studies were used to examine the turnover-limiting migratory insertion step. The results of these studies suggest an active co-catalytic role of the counterion in the hydrogenation reaction through the coordination to cobalt hydride intermediates.     

Aryl ring twists in tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-z tripod ethers: X-ray analysis of an isostructural series of triarylpropellers

Tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)amine has been synthesized and its molecular and crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction. This structure completes the series of isosteric compounds Ar₃Z, where Z=B, C^., N, and Ar=2,6-dimethoxyphenyl. Structures for the tris(2-methoxy-6-methylphenyl) borane and tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl cation triiodide (Ar₃C⁺I₃ ^–) are also reported. The Ar₃B and Ar₃N structures are isomorphous. The triiodide and the earlier reported tetrafluoroborate salt (Ar₃C⁺BF₄ ^–) are also quite similar, as are the two boranes above and the known trimesitylborane, which all tend toward D₃ symmetric conformations. In contrast, the radical Ar₃C^., intermediate between Ar₃B and Ar₃N, is markedly unsymmetrical. Taken together, these findings support an earlier conjecture that the solid-state conformation of Ar₃C^. does not represent a minimum energy structure for the free radical in solution. Crystal seeding by radical oxidation products is offered as an explanation for the radical's markedly unsymmetrical crystal geometry.     

Structure and reactivity of mono- and dinuclear diiminate zinc alkyl complexes

The synthesis, structure and reactivity of several diiminate ligands are presented. The syntheses of five representative β-diiminate (BDI) zinc alkyl complexes and one β-oxo-δ-diiminate (BODDI) zinc alkyl are described. BDI ligands with varying backbone and N-aryl substituents display different solid state structures. [(BDI)ZnR] are synthesized by the reaction of (BDI)H with ZnR₂ in quantitative yield. Previously reported (BDI-1)ZnEt is a three-coordinate monomer in the solid state whereas [(BDI-3)ZnEt]_∞ [(BDI-3)=2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-3-cyano-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino-2-pentene] and [(BDI-4)ZnEt]_∞ [(BDI-4)=2-((2,6-diethylphenyl)amido)-3-cyano-4-((2,6-diethylphenyl)imino-2-pentene] form one dimensional coordination polymers. The bimetallic complex [(BODDI-1)(ZnEt)₂] [(BODDI-1)=2,6-bis((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-2,5-heptadien-4-one] is prepared through the reaction of (BODDI-1)H₂ with two equivalents ZnEt₂. Both [(BDI)ZnEt] and [(BODDI)ZnEt] complexes react with acetic acid to give the acetate complexes in moderate to high yields, offering a superior synthetic route to these complexes. [(BDI)ZnR] [BDI=(BDI-3) or 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diethylphenyl)imino-2-pentene), (BDI-5)] complexes react with MeOH to produce [{(BDI)Zn(μ-OMe)}₂Zn(μ-OMe)₂] in moderate yields. The molecular structures of [(BDI-3)ZnEt], [(BDI-4)ZnEt], [(BODDI-1)(ZnEt)₂], [(BODDI-1)Zn₂(μ-OAc)₂], [{(BDI-3)Zn(μ-OMe)}₂Zn(μ-OMe)₂] and [{(BDI-5)Zn(μ-OMe)}₂Zn(μ-OMe)₂] have been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Coordination polymers derived from gallium and zinc metal–metal bonded species

The reaction of (dpp-bian)Ga–Zn(dpp-bian) (dpp-bian is 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) with 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane results in 1D coordination polymer [(dpp-bian)Ga–Zn(dpp-bian)(μ²-1,3-Py₂(CH₂)₃)]_n with the retained Ga–Zn bond. In contrast, the coordination of 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane to Zn atoms in the (dpp-bian)Zn–Zn(dpp-bian) complex induces the cleavage of the Zn–Zn bond which is accompanied by reduction of dpp-bian radical anions to dianions. The reaction product represents 1D coordination polymer [{(dpp-bian)Zn}(μ²-1,3-Py₂(CH₂)₃)]_n.     

Synthesis and structure of two lithium terphenyls and a “halide rich” terphenyl lithium species

The syntheses and characterization of two new terphenyl iodides 2,6-(2,3,4,5,6-Me₅C₆)₂C₆H₃I (Ar^Pmp₂I) and (Ar^Dbp₂I) are described. Treatment of these with LiBuⁿ or LiBu^t afforded their lithium salts [Ar^Pmp₂Li]₂ (2), Ar^Dbp₂{Li(OEt₂)}₂I (3), and [Ar^Dbp₂Li]₂ (4), which were spectroscopically characterized. The X-ray crystal structures of 2 and the “halide-rich” species 3 as well as that of the previously known [2,6-(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂C₆H₃Li]₂ (i.e. [Ar^Xyl₂Li]₂, 1) were determined. The structures of both 1 and 2 are dimers in which the lithiums bridge the ipso carbons of the central aryl ring of each terphenyl ligand and also interact with the ipso carbons of the flanking aryl rings. The structure of 3 is a rare example of a structurally characterized “halide rich” organolithium complex and has a monomeric arrangement in which two ether-coordinated lithiums are bridged by an ipso-carbon of the central aryl ring as well as an iodine atom.