Synthesis and photoelectron spectroscopic studies of N(CH2CH2NMe)3P=E (E = O, S, NH, CH2)

The synthesis and the crystal and molecular structure of N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)P=CH(2) is reported. The P-N(ax) distance is rather long in N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)P=CH(2). The ylide N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)P=CH(2) proved to be a stronger proton acceptor than proazaphosphatrane N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)P, since it was shown to deprotonate N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)PH(+). The extremely strong basicity of the ylide is in accordance with its low ionization energy (6.3 eV), which is the lowest in the presently investigated series N(CH(2)CH(2)NMe)(3)P=E (E: CH(2), NH, lone pair, O and S), and to the best of our knowledge it is the smallest value observed for a non-conjugated phosphorus ylide. Computations reveal the existence of two bond strech isomers, and the stabilization of the phosphorus centered cation by electron donation from the equatorial and the axial nitrogens. Similar stabilizing effects operate in the case of protonation of E. A fine balance of these different interactions determines the P-N(ax) distance, which is thus very sensitive to the level of the theory applied. According to the quantum mechanical calculations, methyl substitution at the equatorial nitrogens flattens the pyramidality of this atom, increasing its electron donor capability. As a consequence, the PN(ax) distance in the short-transannular bonded protonated systems and the radical cations is longer by about 0.5 A in the N(eq)(Me) than in the N(eq)(H) systems. Accordingly, isodesmic reaction energies show that a stabilization of about 25 and 10 kcal/mol is attributable to the formation of the transannular bond in case of N(eq)(H) and the experimentally realizable N(eq)(Me) species, respectively.     

Chelation of a proton by an aliphatic tertiary diamine

A series of monoprotonated aliphatic diamines has been examined, which crystallize in three general motifs: salt-bridged, cyclic, or clustered. The monoprotonated triflic acid salt of Me2N(CH2)4NMe2 forms a proton-bridged cyclic cation. The internal N-N distance is 2.66 A, with the bridging proton in the middle, having an NHN angle >/=172 degrees. The triflate oxygens lie more than 4 A away from the midpoint between the nitrogen atoms, indicating that a salt bridge does not form. The average NH distance in a solid sample was determined by measuring the 15N-H dipolar coupling in the triflic acid salt of the completely deuterated diamine (CD3)2N(CD2)4N(CD3)2. The value of the dipolar coupling constant, 5250 +/- 90 Hz, corresponds to an average NH distance of 1.32 A, nearly half-the NN distance. That result agrees with DFT calculations, which give a double-well potential minimum for proton transit between the two amino groups, having a zero-point vibrational level close to the barrier top. Theory predicts that the maximum value of the zero point vibrational wave function is almost coincident with a local potential energy maximum, consistent with the experimental findings.     

NHN]+ hydrogen bonding in protonated 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)-2,7-dimethoxynaphthalene. X-ray diffraction, infrared, and theoretical ab initio and DFT studies

Structural (X-ray diffraction), infrared spectroscopic, and theoretical MP2 and DFT studies on the HBr and DBr adducts of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)2,7-dimethoxynaphthalene ((CH3O)2.DMAN) were performed. This particular proton sponge has been chosen for its strong basicity and display of the buttressing effect influencing the hydrogen bond dynamics and properties. The studies revealed a symmetric, planar DMAN.H+ cation with a short (NHN)+ hydrogen bond of 2.567(3) A. The X-ray diffraction results suggest that the proton is in the central position in the bridge, while the calculations show two potential energy minima with the zero point energy level close to the top of the barrier. The infrared spectra display an (NHN)+ band at 488 cm(-1) and an (NDN)+ band at 235 cm(-1), respectively. It gives the isotopic ratio of 2.08, the highest value reported to date. Such a result suggests a peculiar shape of the potential for the proton motion, characterized by an extremely high positive anharmonicity. The calculations reproduce this particular potential, yielding an ISR value displaying a very good agreement with the experimental one. The anharmonic frequencies, however, show the discrepancy between the observed and calculated transitions.     

Reactions of tris(amino)phosphines with arylsulfonyl azides: product dependency on tris(amino)phosphine structure

The Staudinger reaction of N(CH2CH2NR)3P [R = Me (1), Pr (2)] with 1 equiv of N3SO2C6H4Me-4 gave the ionic phosphazides [N(CH2CH2NR)3PN][SO2C6H4Me-4] [R = Me (3), R = Pr (5a)], and the same reaction of 2 with N3SO2C6H2Me3-2,4,6 gave the corresponding aryl sulfinite 5b. On the other hand, the reaction of 1 with 0.5 equiv of N3SO2Ar (Ar = C6H4Me-4) furnished the novel ionic phosphazide [[N(CH2CH2NMe)3P]2(mu-N3)][SO2Ar] (6). Data that shed light on the mechanistic pathway leading to 3 were obtained by low temperature 31P NMR spectroscopy. A crystal and molecular structure analysis of the phosphazide sulfonate [N(CH2CH2NMe)3PN3][SO3C6H4Me-4] (4), obtained by atmospheric oxidation of 3, indicated an ionic structure, the cationic part of which is stabilized by a transannular P-N bond. A crystal and molecular structure analysis of 6 also indicated an ionic structure in which the cation features two untransannulated N(CH2CH2NMe)3P cages bridged by an azido group in an eta 1: mu: eta 1 fashion. The reaction of P(NMe2)3 with N3SO2Ar (Ar = C6H4Me-4) in a 1:0.5 molar ratio furnished [[(Me2N)3P]2(mu-N3)][SO2-Ar] (11) in quantitative yield. On the other hand, the same reaction involving a 1:1 molar ratio of P(NMe2)3 and N3SO2Ar produced a mixture of 11, [(Me2N)3PN3][SO2Ar] (12), and the iminophosphorane (Me2N)3P=NSO2Ar (10). In contrast, the bicyclic tris(amino)phosphines MeC(CH2NMe)3P (7) and O=P(CH2NMe)3P (8) reacted with N3SO2-Ar (Ar = C6H4Me-4) to give the iminophosphorane MeC(CH2NMe)3P=NSO2Ar (14) (structured by X-ray means) and O=P(CH2NMe)3P=NSO2Ar (16) via the intermediate phosphazides MeC(CH2NMe)3PN3SO2Ar (13) and O=P(CH2NMe)3PN3SO2Ar (15), respectively. The variety of products obtained from the reactions of arylsulfonyl azides with proazaphosphatranes (1 and 2), acyclic P(NMe2)3, bicyclic tris(amino)phosphines 7 and 8 are rationalized in terms of steric and basicity variations among the phosphorus reagents.     

Reaction of Ta(NMe2)5 with O2: formation of aminoxy and unusual (aminomethyl)amide oxo complexes and theoretical studies of the mechanistic pathways

Reaction of d0 Ta(NMe2)5 (1) with O2 yields two aminoxy complexes (Me2N)(n)Ta(eta2-ONMe2)(5-n) (n = 4, 2; 3, 3) as well as (Me2N)4Ta2[eta2-N(Me)CH2NMe2]2(mu-O)2 (4) and (Me2N)6Ta3[eta2-N(Me)CH2NMe2]2(eta2-ONMe2)(mu-O)3 (5) containing novel chelating (aminomethyl)amide-N(Me)CH2NMe2 ligands. The crystal structures of 2-5 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. (Me2N)4Ta(eta2-ONMe2) (2) converts to (Me2N)3Ta(eta2-ONMe2)2 (3) in its reaction with O2. In addition, the reaction of Ta(NMe2)5 with 3 gives 2 only at elevated temperatures. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to investigate the mechanistic pathways in the reactions of Ta(NMe2)5 (1) with triplet O2. Monomeric reaction pathways in the formation of 2-5 are proposed. A key step is the oxygen insertion into a Ta-N bond in 1 through an intersystem conversion from triplet to singlet energy surface to give an active peroxide complex (Me2N)4Ta(eta2-O-O-NMe2) (A4). The DFT studies indicate that the peroxide ligand plays an important role, including oxidizing an amide to an imine ligand through the abstraction of a hydride. Insertion of Me-N=CH2 into a Ta-amide bond yields the unusual -N(Me)CH2NMe2 ligands.     

Structural and catalytic studies of lithium complexes bearing pendant aminophenolate ligands

Lithium complexes bearing mono-anionic aminophenolate ligands are described. Reactions of ligand precursors HON(Me)Ph(OMe), HON(Me)Ph(SMe), HON(Me)C(OMe) or HON(Me)C(NMe2) [HON(Me)Ph(OMe) = (2-OMeC6H4CH2)N(Me)(CH2-2-HO-3,5-C6H2((t)Bu)2); HON(Me)Ph(SMe)= (2-SMe-C6H4CH2)N(Me)(CH2-2-HO-3,5-C6H2((t)Bu)2); HON(Me)C(OMe) = (MeOCH(2)CH2)N(Me)(CH2-2-HO-3,5-C6H2((t)Bu)2); HON(Me)C(NMe2) = (Me2NCH2CH2)N(Me)(CH2-2-HO-3,5-C6H2((t)Bu)2)] with 1.1-1.3 molar equivalents of (n)BuLi in diethyl ether solution afford (LiON(Me)Ph(OMe))(2) (3), (LiON(Me)Ph(SMe))2 (4), (LiON(Me)C(OMe))2 (5) and (LiON(Me)C(NMe2))2 (6) as dinuclear lithium complexes. The BnOH adduct of , (BnOH)(LiON(Me)C(OMe)) (7), was prepared from the reaction of and BnOH in diethyl ether solution. The molecular structures are reported for ligand precursor HON(Me)Ph(SMe) and compounds 3-5 and 7. These dinuclear lithium complexes show excellent catalytic activities toward the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide in the presence of benzyl alcohol.     

Unexpected Disproportionation of Tetramethylethylenediamine-Supported Perchlorodisilane Cl(3)SiSiCl(3)

The addition compound Cl(3)SiSiCl(3)·TMEDA was formed quantitatively by treatment of Cl(3)SiSiCl(3) with tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) in pentane at room temperature. The crystal structure of Cl(3)SiSiCl(3)·TMEDA displays one tetrahedrally and one octahedrally bonded Si atom (monoclinic, P2(1)/n). (29)Si CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy confirms this structure. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have shown that the structure of the meridional isomer of Cl(3)SiSiCl(3)·TMEDA is 6.3 kcal lower in energy than that of facial coordinate species. Dissolving of Cl(3)SiSiCl(3)·TMEDA in CH(2)Cl(2) resulted in an immediate reaction by which oligochlorosilanes Si(n)Cl(2n) (n = 4, 6, 8, 10; precipitate) and the Cl(-)-complexed dianions [Si(n)Cl(2n+2)](2-) (n = 6, 8, 10, 12; CH(2)Cl(2) extract) were formed. The constitutions of these compounds were confirmed by MALDI mass spectrometry. Additionally, single crystals of [Me(3)NCH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)](2)[Si(6)Cl(14)] and [Me(3)NCH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)](2)[Si(8)Cl(18)] were obtained from the CH(2)Cl(2) extract. We found that Cl(3)SiSiCl(3)·TMEDA reacts with MeCl, forming MeSiCl(3) and the products that had been formed in the reaction of Cl(3)SiSiCl(3)·TMEDA with CH(2)Cl(2). X-ray structure analysis indicates that the structures of [Me(3)NCH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)](2)[Si(6)Cl(14)] (monoclinic, P2(1)/n) and [Me(3)NCH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)](2)[Si(8)Cl(18)] (monoclinic, P2(1)/n) contain dianions adopting an "inverse sandwich" structure with inverse polarity and [Me(3)NCH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)](+) as countercations. Single crystals of SiCl(4)·TMEDA (monoclinic, Cc) could be isolated by thermolysis reaction of Cl(3)SiSiCl(3)·TMEDA (50 °C) in tetrahydrofuran (THF).     

pi-Bonding versus oligomerisation in the aromatic anions [C(6)H(4)N(2)E](-): formation of the cyclic tetrameric tetraanion [C(6)H(4)N(2)Sb](4)(4-)

The reaction of 1,2-(NH(2))(2)C(6)H(4) with Sb(NMe(2))(3)/(n)BuLi gives the formally-aromatic heterocyclic anion [C(6)H(4)N(2)Sb](-) which oligomerises into a cyclic tetrameric arrangement in the complex [C(6)H(4)N(2)SbLi.PMDETA](4) () (PMDETA = {Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2)}(2)NMe) using a donor-acceptor bonding mode that is unique in related main group heterocyclic anions.     

The effects of light lanthanoid elements (La, Ce, Nd) on (Ar)CF-Ln coordination and C-F activation in N,N-dialkyl-N'-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylethane-1,2-diaminate complexes

A new class of homoleptic organoamido rare earth complexes [Ln(L(Me) or L(Et))(3)] (Ln = La, Ce, Nd; L(Me/Et) = p-HC(6)F(4)N(CH(2))(2)NMe(2)/Et(2)) exhibiting (Ar)CF-Ln interactions has been isolated from redox-transmetallation/protolysis (RTP) reactions between the free metals, Hg(C(6)F(5))(2) and L(Me/Et)H in tetrahydrofuran, together with low yields of [Ln(L(Me))(2)F](3) (Ln = La, Ce) or [Nd(L(Et))(2)F](2) species, resulting from C-F activation reactions. The structures of the homoleptic complexes have eight-coordinate Ln metals with two tridentate (N,N',F) amide ligands including (Ar)CF-Ln bonds and either a bidentate (N,F) ligand (Ln = La, Ce, Nd; L(Et)) or a bidentate (N,N') ligand (Ln = Nd; L(Me)), in an unusual case of linkage variation. All (Ar)CF-Ln bond lengths are shorter than or similar to the corresponding Ln-NMe(2)/Et(2) bond lengths. In [Ln(L(Me))(2)F](3) (Ln = La, Ce) complexes, there is a six-membered ring framework with alternating F and Ln atoms and the metal atoms are eight-coordinate with two tridentate (N,N',F) L(Me) ligands, whilst [Nd(L(Et))(2)F](2) is a fluoride-bridged dimer.     

Living photolytic ring-opening polymerization of amino-functionalized [1]ferrocenophanes: synthesis and layer-by-layer self-assembly of well-defined water-soluble polyferrocenylsilane polyelectrolytes

Facile synthetic routes have been developed that provide access to cationic and anionic water-soluble polyferrocenylsilane (PFS) polyelectrolytes with controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersity. Living photolytic ring-opening polymerization of amino-functionalized [1]ferrocenophane (fc) monomers [fcSiMe{C[triple chemical bond]CCH(2)N(SiMe(2)CH(2))(2)}] (3), [fcSi{C[triple chemical bond]CCH(2)N(SiMe(2)CH(2))(2)}(2)] (10), [fcSiMe(C[triple chemical bond]CCH(2)NMe(2))] (14), and [fcSiMe(p-C(6)H(4)CH(2)NMe(2))] (20) yielded the corresponding polyferrocenylsilanes [(fcSiMe{C[triple chemical bond]CCH(2)N(SiMe(2)CH(2))(2)})(n)](5), [(fcSi{C[triple chemical bond]CCH(2)N(SiMe(2)CH(2))(2)}(2))(n)] (11), [{fcSiMe(C[triple chemical bond]CCH(2)NMe(2))}(n)] (15), and [{fcSiMe(p-C(6)H(4)CH(2)NMe(2))}(n)] (21) with controlled architectures. Further derivatization of 5, 15, and 21 generated water-soluble polyelectrolytes [(fcSiMe{C[triple chemical bond]CCH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)SO(3)Na)(2)})(n)] (6), [{fcSiMe(C[triple chemical bond]CCH(2)NMe(3)OSO(3)Me)}(n)] (7), and [{fcSiMe(p-C(6)H(4)CH(2)NMe(3)OSO(3)Me)}(n)] (22), respectively. The polyelectrolytes were readily soluble in water and NaCl aqueous solutions, with 6 and 22 exhibiting long-term stability in aqueous media. The PFS materials 6 and 22, have been utilized in the layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly of electrostatic superlattices. Our preliminary studies have indicated that films made from controlled low molecular-weight PFSs possess a considerably thinner bilayer thickness and higher refractive index than those made from PFSs that have an uncontrolled high molecular-weight. These results suggest that the structure and optical properties of LbL ultra-thin films can be tuned by varying polyelectrolyte chain length. The water-soluble low molecular weight PFSs are also useful materials for a range of applications including LbL self-assembly in highly confined spaces.     

DFT study on chemical N2 fixation by using a cubane-type RuIr3S4 cluster: energy profile for binding and reduction of N2 to ammonia via Ru-N-NHx (x = 1-3) intermediates with unique structures

The N-N bond activation of the dinitrogen ligand in the cubane-type mixed-metal sulfido cluster, [(Cp*Ir) 3{Ru(tmeda)(N 2)}(mu 3-S) 4] (tmeda = Me 2NCH 2CH 2NMe 2), is investigated by using DFT calculations at the B3LYP level of theory. The elongated N-N bond distance, red-shifted N-N stretching, and negatively charged N 2 ligand indicate that the dinitrogen is reductively activated by complexation. The degree of the N-N bond activation is classified into the "moderately activated" category, [ Studt, F. ; Tuczek, F. J. Comput. Chem. 2006, 27, 1278 ] as in the Mo-triamidoamine complex that can catalyze N 2 reduction [ Yandulov, D. V. ; Schrock, R. R. Science 2003, 301, 76 ]. Availability of the RuIr 3S 4 cluster as a catalyst for N 2 reduction is discussed by optimizing possible intermediates in a catalytic cycle analogous to that proposed by Yandulov and Schrock. A calculated energy profile of the catalytic cycle demonstrates that the RuIr 3S 4 cluster can transform dinitrogen into ammonia in the presence of lutidinium cation and Cp* 2Co as proton and electron sources, respectively. The RuIr 3S 4 clusters with an NNH x ( x = 1-3) ligand, which are intermediates in the catalytic cycle, have a significantly bent Ru-N-N linkage, although precedent NNH x complexes generally adopt a linear M-N-N array. The unique structures of the nitrogenous ligands in these intermediates are interpreted in terms of the bonding interaction between the hydrogen atom bonded to the N 2 ligand and the adjacent iridium atom in the cuboidal RuIr 3S 4 framework.     

The 6pi, phosphide-stabilised stannylene dianion [C6H4P2Sn]2-; the first member of a new class of Arduengo-type carbene analogues

Dilithiation of 1,2-(PH2)2C6H4 with nBuLi followed by reaction with Sn(NMe2)2 in the presence of the Lewis base donor tmeda [Me2NCH2CH2NMe2] gives [(C6H4P2Sn)(Li.tmeda)2] , containing the phosphide-stabilised, 6pi stannylene dianion [C6H4P2Sn]2-.     

2-Aminopyrrolines: new chiral amidinate ligands with a rigid well-defined molecular structure and their coordination to Ti(IV)

The use of an amino-oxazolinate (NN(ox) = kappa2-2,6-dimethylphenylamido-4(S)-isopropyloxazoline) as a chiral analogue to amidinate ligands in the chemistry of titanium was found to lead to undesired side reactions. The reaction of 2,6-dimethylphenylamido-4(S)-isopropyloxazoline with [Ti(NMe2)4] afforded the bis(amidinato) complex [Ti(NN(ox))2(NMe2)2] (2) which was thermally converted to the ring-opened decomposition products [Ti(NN(ox)){kappa3-N(2,6-C6H3Me2)C(NMe2)NC(iPr)CH2O}(NMe2)] (3) and [Ti{kappa3-N(2,6-C6H3Me2)C(NMe2)-NC(iPr)CH2O}2] (4). The NMR spectra of 4 recorded at low temperature displayed two sets of resonances corresponding to two symmetric isomers in a 2:5 ratio, the probable geometries of which were established by ONIOM (QM/MM) simulations. To suppress ring opening of the oxazolines, their oxygen atom was formally replaced by a CH2 group in the synthesis of a series of amino-pyrroline protioligands 2-RN(H)(5-C4H5NR') (HN(R)N(R')). Their reaction with [Ti(NMe2)4] gave the thermally stable complexes [Ti(N(R)N(R'))2(NMe2)2], of which three derivatives were characterized by X-ray diffraction. They are stereochemically dynamic and undergo reversible ligand rearrangements in solution, for which the activation parameters were determined by variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy.     

A quantum description of the proton movement in an idealized NHN+ bridge

A series of model calculations was done to analyze the delocalization of the proton in the linking hydrogen bond of the (Dih)(2)H(+) cation (Dih: 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole). Standard quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP/D95+(d,p)) predict a low barrier hydrogen bond (LBHB) and thereby a delocalized proton in the NHN(+) hydrogen bridge. Explicit quantum calculations on the proton indicate that the delocalization of the proton does not provide enough energy to stabilize a permanent LBHB. Additional Born-Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics (BOMD) simulations indicate further that the proton is localized at either side of the NHN(+) bridge and that a central proton position is the result of temporal averaging. The possibility of the proton to tunnel from one side to the other side of the NHN(+) bridge increases with the temperature as the trajectory of the (Dih)(2)H(+) cation runs through regions where the thermal excitation of Dih ring vibrations creates equal bonding opportunities for the proton on both sides of the bridge (vibrationally assisted proton tunneling). The quantum calculations for the proton in (Dih)(2)H(+) suggest further a broad peak for the 1 ← 0 transition with a maximum at 938 cm(-1) similar to that observed for LBHBs. Moreover, the asymmetric NHN(+) bridge in a thermally fluctuating environment is strong enough to create a significant peak at 1828 cm(-1) for the 2 ← 0 transition, while contributions from the 2 ← 1 are expected to be weak for the same reason.     

Addition of AlkylHalide toward a Tungsten-Phosphorus Double Bond

The terminal phosphide complex of tungsten Cp(CO) 3 W{PN(Me)CH 2 CH 2 PNMe} ( 3 ) prepared from Cp(Sn n Bu 3 )(CO) 2 W{PN(Me)CH 2 CH 2 NMe(OMe)}, BF 3 ;OEt 2 , and NaBPh 4 in situ reacts with PhCH 2 Cl to give cis -Cp(CO 2 )ClW{PN(Me)CH 2 CH 2 NMe(CH 2 Ph)} ( cis-4 ). During the reaction, C--Cl bond addition takes place toward a tungsten-phosphorus double bond. In contrast, isolated 3 does not react with PhCH 2 Cl. Isolated 3 , however, reacts with PhCH 2 Cl in the presence of BPh 3 and BF 3 to give trans-4 and cis-4 , respectively.     

Crystal chemistry of protonated 1,2-bis(di-R-aminomethyl)benzenes. Part V. [1,2-bis(diethylaminomethyl)-3,6-dichlorobenzene:1,2-bis(diethylaminomethyl)-3,4,6-trichlorobenzene]perchlorate mixed crystals

The mixed crystals of 1,2-bis(diethylaminomethyl)-3,6-di- and 3,4,6-trichloro-benzene perchlorate at 0.5:0.5 ratio have been studied using X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. The molecules of di- and tri-chloro derivatives are distributed randomly in the crystal lattice; however, this disorder manifested mainly by a partial occupation of the chlorine atom at C(4) and by relatively big atomic temperature parameters even at 99 K, particularly for the oxygens of the perchlorate anion. The proton in the [NHN]⁺ bond refined close to the equidistant position between the nitrogens. The conformations of the diethylaminomethyl substituents are pseudo-symmetrical relative to the plane and twofold axis passing through the midpoint of the hydrogen bond. The IR spectrum of the crystals shows a broad intense band and an intense continuous absorption indicating relatively high proton polarizability in the intramolecular hydrogen bond. In acetonitrile and in chloroform, the proton in the intramolecular hydrogen bond also shows a very high proton polarizability demonstrated by the continuous absorption in the IR spectrum.     

(Dimethylaminomethyl)trifluorosilane, Me2NCH2SiF3--a model for the alpha-effect in aminomethylsilanes

F3SiCH2NMe2 was prepared as a model for the investigation of the nature of the alpha-effect in alpha-aminosilanes, by fluorination of Cl3SiCH2NMe2 with SbF3. Under less mild conditions Si--C bond cleavage was also observed, leading to the double adduct F4Si(Me2NCH2SiF3)2, which was characterised by a crystal structure analysis showing that the central SiF4 unit is connected to Me2NCH2SiF3 via SiN dative bonds and FSi contacts. F3SiCH2NMe2 was characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 15N, 19F and 29Si), gas-phase IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. It is a dimer in the crystal (X-ray diffraction, crystal grown in situ), held together by two Si--N dative bonds. In solution and in the gas phase the compound is monomeric. The structure of the free molecule, determined by gas-phase electron diffraction, showed that, in contrast to former postulates, there are no attractive SiN interactions. Ab initio calculations have been carried out to explain the nature of the bonding. F3SiCH2NMe2 has an extremely flat bending potential for the Si-C-N angle; the high degree of charge transfer from the Si to the N atoms which occurs upon closing the Si-C-N angle is in the opposite direction to that expected for a dative bond. The topology of the electron density of F3SiCH2NMe2 was analysed. Solvent simulation calculations have shown virtually no structural dependence on the medium surrounding the molecule. The earlier postulate of Si-->N dative bonds in SiCN systems is discussed critically in light of the new results.     

Synthesis and structure of cyclic phosphate, phosphoramidate, phosphonates, and phosphonium salts. Phosphatrane formation

Reaction of tris(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)amine (6) with phosphorus reagents led to the formation of the phosphoramidate, N[CH2(Me2C6H2)O]2PO (1), the phosphate N[CH2(Me2C6H2)O]2[CH2(Me2C6H2)OH]P(O)(OPh) (2), the phosphonium salts N[CH2(Me2C6H2)O]3PMe+I- (3A) and N[CH2(Me2C6H2)O]3PMe+I3- (3B), and the phosphonates N[CH2(Me2C6H2)O]2[CH2(Me2C6H2)OH]P(O)Me (4) and N[CH2(Me2C6H2)O]2[CH2(Me2C6H2)OSiMe3]P(O)Me (5). X-ray analysis provided molecular structures for all of the compounds. The solid-state structural representations were supported in solution by an analysis of the NCH2 proton NMR patterns. The structures of 3A and 3B show the presence of phosphatranes with weak P-N donor interactions. These represent the first phosphatranes containing all six-membered rings. Variable temperature analysis of the 1H NMR spectra of 3A indicates fluxional behavior whereby a racemic mixture of the chiral phosphonium salt rapidly intraconverts at room temperature. The activation energy for the enantiomeric conversion of the clockwise and anticlockwise orientations of the propeller-like phosphatrane is 11.2 kcal/mol, which is compared to that of the isoelectronic silatrane N[CH2(Me2C6H2)O]3SiMe (E), 10.3 kcal/mol.     

Can Sn(OCH2CH2NMe2)2 behave as a stannylene? Equatorial-axial isomerism in the tin(II)-iron(0) complex (Me2NCH2CH2O)2Sn-Fe(CO)4

Equatorial-axial isomerism of the tin(II)-iron(0) complex (Me2NCH2CH2O)2Sn-Fe(CO)4 (), which indicates that the free Sn(OCH2CH2NMe2)2 () ligand can behave as a stannylene, has been revealed and studied by NMR and IR spectroscopy in solution as well as by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis in the solid-state.     

Tunable N-substitution in zwitterionic benzoquinonemonoimine derivatives: metal coordination, tandemlike synthesis of zwitterionic metal complexes, and supramolecular structures

Full details on a very efficient transamination reaction for the synthesis of zwitterionic N,N-dialkyl-2-amino-5-alcoholate-1,4-benzoquinonemonoiminium derivatives [C6H2(=NHR)2(=O)2] 5-16 are reported. The molecular structures of zwitterions 5 (R=CH3) in 5.H2O, 13 (R=CH2CH2OMe), 15 (R=CH2CH2NMe2), and of the parent, unsubstituted system [C6H2(=NH2)2(=O)2] 4 in 4.H2O have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This one-pot preparation can be carried out in water, MeOH, or EtOH and allows access to new zwitterions with N-substituents bearing functionalities such as -OMe (13), -OH (9-12), NR1R2 with R1 = or not equal R2 (14-16) or an alkene (8), leading to a rich coordination chemistry and allowing fine-tuning of the supramolecular arrangements in the solid state. As previously described for 15, which reacted with Zn(acac)2 to afford the octahedral Zn(II) complex [Zn[C6H2(NCH2CH2NMe2)O(O)(NHCH2CH2NMe2)]2] (20), ligands 13 and 16 with coordinating "arms" afforded with Zn(acac)2 the 2:1 adducts [Zn[C6H2(NCH2CH2X)O(=O)(NHCH2CH2NX)]2] 19 (X=OMe) and 21 (X=NHEt), with N2O4 and N4O2 donor sets around the octahedral Zn(II) center, respectively. Furthermore, zwitterions 15 and 16 reacted with ZnCl2 to give the stable, crystallographically characterized Zn(II) zwitterionic complexes [ZnCl2[C6H2(NCH2CH2NR1R2)O(=O)(NHCH2CH2NHR1R2)]] 22 (R1=R2=Me) and 23 (R1=Et, R2=H) by means of an unprecedented, tandemlike synthesis in which 1) the two pendant amino groups of the organic benzoquinonemonoimine zwitterionic precursor favor metal coordination and proton transfer and 2) the saturated linker prevents pi-conjugation between the charges. The nature of the structural arrangements in the solid state for both inorganic (20, 22, 23) and organic (5, 9, 13, and 15) molecules is determined by subtle variations in the nature of the N-substituent on the zwitterion precursor.