Methyl and arylchalcogenolate complexes of cadmium in a sulfur rich coordination environment: syntheses and structural characterization of the tris(2-mercapto-1-tert-butylimidazolyl)hydroborato cadmium complexes [Tm(Bu(t))]CdMe, and [Tm(Bu(t))]CdEAr (E = O, S, Se, Te) and analysis of the bonding in chalcogenolate compounds

A series of arylchalcogenolate complexes of cadmium supported by tris(2-mercapto-1-tert-butylimidazolyl)hydroborato ligation, namely [Tm(Bu(t))]CdEAr (EAr = OC(6)H(3)Ph(2), SPh, SePh, TePh), has been synthesized from [Tm(Bu(t))]CdMe; structural characterization by X-ray diffraction indicates that the variation in Cd-EAr bond lengths is similar to that of Zn-EAr and correlates closely with the covalent radius of the chalcogen, in marked contrast to the large variation in M-OAr and M-SAr bond lengths observed for other metals (Zr and Sm).     

Monovalent indium in a sulfur-rich coordination environment: synthesis, structure and reactivity of tris(2-mercapto-1-tert-butylimidazolyl)hydroborato indium, [TmBut]In

[Tm(Bu(t))]In, the first structurally-characterized monovalent indium compound that features a sulfur-rich coordination environment, has been synthesized via treatment of InCl with [Tm(Bu(t))]K; in contrast to the thallium counterpart, the lone pair of [Tm(Bu(t))]In is a site of reactivity, thereby allowing formation of [Tm(Bu(t))]In-->B(C(6)F(5))(3) and [Tm(Bu(t))]In(kappa(2)-S(4)) upon treatment with B(C(6)F(5))(3) and S(8), respectively.     

Ni[(EPiPr2)2N]2 complexes: stereoisomers (E = Se) and square-planar coordination (E = Te)

The reaction of ((i)Pr 2PE) 2NM.TMEDA (M = Li, E = Se; M = Na, E = Te) with NiBr 2.DME in THF affords Ni[(SeP (i)Pr 2) 2N] 2 as either square-planar (green) or tetrahedral (red) stereoisomers, depending on the recrystallization solvent; the Te analogue is obtained as the square-planar complex Ni[(TeP (i)Pr 2) 2N] 2.     

Isomeric metamorphosis: Si3E (E = S, Se, and Te) bicyclo[1.1.0]butane and cyclobutene

Group 14 and 16 hybrid heavy bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (tBu2MeSi)4Si3E (E = S, Se, and Te) 2a-c have been prepared by the [1 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of trisilirene 1 and the corresponding chalcogen. Bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes 2 have exceedingly short bridging Si-Si bonds (2.2616(19) A for 2b and 2.2771(13) A for 2c), a phenomenon explained by the important contribution of the trisilirene-chalcogen pi-complex character to the overall bonding of 2. Photolysis of 2a and 2b produced their valence isomers, the heavy cyclobutenes 3a and 3b, featuring flat four-membered Si3E rings and a planar geometry of the Si=Si double bond. The mechanism of such isomerization was studied using deuterium-labeled 2a-d6 to ascertain the preference of the pathway, involving the direct concerted symmetry-allowed transformation of bicyclo[1.1.0]butane 2 to cyclobutene 3.     

Synthetic applications of (Me3SiNSN)2E (E = S, Se) in chalcogen-nitrogen chemistry: formation and structural characterization of Cl2TeESN2 (E = S, Se) and [PPh4]2[Pd2(mu-Se2N2S)X4] (X = Cl, Br)

The reaction of (Me3SiNSN)2S with TeCl4 in CH2Cl2 affords Cl2TeS2N2 (1) and that of (Me3SiNSN)2Se with TeCl4 produces Cl2TeSeSN2 (2) in good yields. The products were characterized by X-ray crystallography, as well as by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy and EI mass spectrometry. The Raman spectra were assigned by utilizing DFT molecular orbital calculations. The pathway of the formation of five-membered Cl2TeESN2 rings by the reactions of (Me3SiNSN)2E with TeCl4 (E = S, Se) is discussed. The reaction of (Me3SiNSN)2Se with [PPh4]2[Pd2X6] yields [PPh4]2[Pd2(mu-Se2N2S)X4] (X = Cl, 4a; Br, 4b), the first examples of complexes of the (Se2N2S)2- ligand. In both cases, this ligand bridges the two palladium centers through the selenium atoms.     

Theoretical Comparison of the Bonding in CpCr(CO)2(NX) [X = O,S, Se,Te]

Molecular orbital calculations employing the PM3 model have been used to examine the bonding in the complexes CpCr(CO)₂(NX) (X = O, S, Se, Te). The previously established trend of increasing Cr-N interaction as X changes from O to S is demonstrated by these calculations, and found to extend to Se and Te. Bond lengths, bond orders, vibrational frequencies, and heats of reaction are used to support the conclusion that metal to ligand π-backbonding increases down the periodic chart from NO to NTe.     

Molybdenum chalcogenobenzimidato complexes: radical synthesis and nitrile extrusion via beta-EPh (E = S, Se, and Te) elimination

Molybdenum chalcogenobenzimidates of formula (Ph[PhE]C=N)Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)(3) (Ar = 3,5-C(6)H(3)Me(2)) have been obtained by treatment of Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)(3) sequentially with benzonitrile and 0.5 equiv of PhEEPh (E = S, Se, and Te). Molecular structure determinations have been carried out for the S and Se variants. The Te variant extrudes PhCN forming structurally characterized (PhTe)Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)(3) with facility assessed via stopped-flow kinetic measurements, while the Se and S analogues exhibit increasing stability. Quantum chemical calculations and solution calorimetry have been employed as an aid to interpretation of the PhCN extrusion reaction.     

Electronic Structure of Chalcogen Dichlorides ECl2 (E = S,Se, Te)

The electronic structure of the molecules of chalcogen dichlorides ECl₂ (E = S, Se, Te) was investigated by X-ray spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations in the X(SW) approximation. The sequence of the energy levels in the ECl₂ molecules was determined. The nature of the bonding in the various orbitals of the molecules in the SCl₂SeCl₂TeCl₂ series was established. The reasons for the reduced chemical stability of the SeCl₂ molecule and the nonexistence of the TeCl₂ molecule in the individual state are indicated.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of tris(2-mercapto-1-adamantylimidazolyl)hydroborato complexes: a sterically demanding tripodal [S3] donor ligand

The tris(2-mercapto-1-adamantylimidazolyl)hydroborato ligand, [Tm(Ad)], has been synthesized via the reaction of 1-adamantyl-2-mercaptoimidazole with MBH(4) (M = Li, K). [Tm(Ad)]M has been used to synthesize a variety of compounds of the main-group and transition elements, including [Tm(Ad)]ZnI, {[Tm(Ad)]GaI}[GaI(4)], {[Tm(Ad)]GaCl}[GaCl(4)], {[Tm(Ad)]GaGa[Tm(Ad)]}[GaCl(4)](2), {[Tm(Ad)](2)In}[InI(4)], [Tm(Ad)]In(κ(2)-mim(Ad))Cl, [Tm(Ad)]Ga→B(C(6)F(5))(3), [Tm(Ad)]In→B(C(6)F(5))(3), and [Tm(Ad)]Re(CO)(3). Structural characterization of [Tm(Ad)]Re(CO)(3) demonstrates that the [Tm(Ad)] ligand is more encapsulating than other [Tm(R)] ligands, including [Tm(Bu(t))], while IR spectroscopic studies indicate that the [Tm(Ad)] and [Tm(Bu(t))] ligands have very similar electron-donating properties.     

Synthesis and Structures of [Mo12E16(PEt3)10] (E = S,Se)

Dodecanuclcar cluster complexes [Mo₁₂S₁₆(PEt₃)₁₀] 1 and [Mo₁₂Se₁₆(PEt₃)₁₀] 2 have been prepared by the reactions of [Mo₆S₈(PEt₃)₆] with sulfur or [Mo₆Se₈(PEt₃)₆] with Cp₂TiSe₅, respectively, in toluene at refluxing temperature. The structures have been determined at 173 K by X-ray crystallography. The compound 1 ·3CHCl₃ crystallizes in the triclinic space group $ {\rm P}\bar 1 $, with a = 14.859(5) Å, b = 15.868(4) Å, c = 14.200(7) Å, α = 100.58(3)°, β = 117.58(3)°, γ = 79.53(2)°, V = 2899(1) ų, and Z = 1. Full-matrix least-squares refinement using 9016 observed reflections (I_o > 2σ(I_o)) gave R = 0.056, and R_w = 0.045. The data for 2 ·2CHCl₃ are: triclinic, $ {\rm P}\bar 1 $, a = 15.737(4) Å, b = 18.763(9) Å, c = 13.062(4) Å, α = 102.45(3)°, β = 128.54(2)°, γ = 69.49(3)°, V = 2825 ų, Z = 1, R = 0.096, and R_w = 0.120 for 5922 reflections (I_o > 2σ(I_o)). The cluster complexes 1 and 2 have two octahedral molybdenum cluster units linked by the rhomboidal intercluster Mo₂(μ₄-E)₂ bonding. The intercluster Mo—Mo distances in 1 are 3.419 Å and 2 3.551 Å. The cyclic voltammetry of 1 and 2 shows two oxidation and two reduction steps separated as large as 380–490 mV. The UV-Vis spectra of the dodecanuclear cluster complexes 1 and 2 have an extra weak band at around 744 nm which is absent in the starting octahedral cluster complexes.     

Coordination Polyhedra RuXn (X = O,S, Se,Te) in Crystal Structures

Crystal-chemical analysis of 312 compounds containing complexes [Ru _a X _b ] ^z– (X = O, S, Se, Te) is performed using Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra (VDP) and the method of intersecting spheres. In most of these complexes, Ru atoms have coordination number (CN) 6 and form RuX₆ octahedra. However, only with respect to oxygen do the Ru(V)–Ru(VII) atoms exhibit CN 5 or 4 with trigonal-bipyramidal and tetrahedral coordination, respectively.The effect of the valence state of the Ru atoms on their stereochemistry is considered. The important role of the Ru–Ru interactions in the structure of the Ru(II)–Ru(V) compounds is established. As a result of the Ru–Ru interactions, the RuX₆ octahedra are linked through a face or common edge or give O₅Ru–RuO_- dimers in which every metal atom occupies one of the vertices of an octahedron formed by the neighboring Ru atom.The dependence of the Ru–Ru and Ru–O bond orders on their lengths is established on the basis of a crystal-structure analysis and the 18-electron rule.     

Lithiation of tris(alkyl- and arylamido)orthophosphates EP[N(H)R]3 (E = O,S, Se): imido substituent effects and P=E bond cleavage

In the solid state, OP[N(H)Me](3) (1a) and OP[N(H)(t)Bu](3) (1b) have hydrogen-bonded structures that exhibit three-dimensional and one-dimensional arrays, respectively. The lithiation of 1b with 1 equiv of (n)BuLi generates the trimeric monolithiated complex (THF)[LiOP(N(t)Bu)[N(H)(t)Bu](2)](3) (4), whereas reaction with an excess of (n)BuLi produces the dimeric dilithium complex [(THF)(2)Li(2)OP(N(t)Bu)(2)[N(H)(t)Bu]](2) (5). Complex 4 contains a Li(2)O(2) ring in an open-ladder structure, whereas 5 embraces a central Li(2)O(2) ring in a closed-ladder arrangement. Investigations of the lithiation of tris(alkyl or arylamido)thiophosphates, SP[N(H)R](3) (2a, R = (i)Pr; 2b, R = (t)Bu; 2c, R = p-tol) with (n)BuLi reveal interesting imido substituent effects. For the alkyl derivatives, only mono- or dilithiation is observed. In the case of R = (t)Bu, lithiation is accompanied by P-S bond cleavage to give the dilithiated cyclodiphosph(V/V)azane [(THF)(2)Li(2)[((t)BuN)(2)P(micro-N(t)Bu)(2)P(N(t)Bu)(2)]] (9). Trilithiation occurs for the triaryl derivatives EP[N(H)Ar](3) (E = S, Ar = p-tolyl; E = Se, Ar = Ph), as demonstrated by the preparation of [(THF)(4)Li(3)[SP(Np-tol)(3)]](2) (10) and [(THF)(4)Li(3)[SeP(NPh)(3)]](2) (11), which are accompanied by the formation of small amounts of 10.[LiOH(THF)](2) and 11.Li(2)Se(2)(THF)(2), respectively.     

Halide‐Free Synthesis of Hydrochalcogenide Ionic Liquids of the Type [Cation][HE] (E=S,Se, Te)

We present the synthesis and thorough characterization of ionic liquids and organic salts based on hydrochalcogenide HE^? (E=S, Se, Te) anions. Our approach is based on halide‐, metal‐, and water‐free decarboxylation of methylcarbonate precursors under acidic conditions, resulting from the easily dissociating reagents H₂E. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, thermal and single‐crystal XRD analyses. The hydrosulfide salts were investigated with respect to their ability to dissolve elemental sulfur in varying stoichiometry. Thus‐prepared polysulfide ILs were also analyzed by UV/Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.     

Lanthanide chalcogenolate complexes: synthesis and crystal structures of the isoleptic series [Sm(TpMe,Me)2ER] (E = O, S, Se, Te; TpMe,Me = tris-3,5-dimethylpyrazolylborate)

A series of lanthanide complexes containing a chalcogenolate ligand supported by two TpMe,Me (tris-3,5-dimethylpyrazolylborate) groups has been prepared and crystallized and provides direct comparisons of bonding to hard and soft ligands at lanthanide centers. Reaction of [Sm(TpMe,Me)2Cl] with NaOR (R = Ph, Ph-Bu(t)) gives [Sm(TpMe,Me)2OR] (1a and 1b, respectively) in good yields. Reductive cleavage of dichalcogenides by samarium(II) was used to prepare the heavier congeners. Complexes of the type [Sm(TpMe,Me)2ER] for E = S, R = Ph (2a), E = S, R = Ph-4-Me (2b), E = S, R = CH2Ph (2c), E = Se, R = Ph (3a), E = Se, R = Ph-4-Bu(t) (3b), E = Se, R = CH2Ph (3c), and E = Te, R = Ph (4) have been prepared together with the corresponding complexes with TpMe,Me,4-Et as ancillary. The X-ray crystal structures of 1b, 2b, 3a, 3b, and 4 have been determined. The crystal of 1b (C40H57B2N12OSm.C7H8) was monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 10.6845(6) A, b = 18.5573(11) A, c = 24.4075(14) A, beta = 91.616(2) degrees, Z = 4. The crystal of 2b (C37H51B2N12SSm) was monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 15.0154(9) A, b = 13.1853(8) A, c = 21.1254(13) A, beta = 108.628(2) degrees, Z = 4. The crystal of 3a (C36H49B2N12SeSm.C7H8) was triclinic, P1, a = 10.7819(6) A, b = 19.3011(10) A, c = 23.0235(12) A, alpha = 79.443(2) degrees, beta = 77.428(2) degrees, gamma = 89.827(2) degrees, Z = 4. The crystal of 3b (C40H57B2N12SeSm) was triclinic, P1, a = 10.1801(6) A, b = 10.2622(6) A, c = 23.4367(14) A, alpha = 88.313(2) degrees, beta = 86.268(2) degrees, gamma = 62.503(2) degrees, Z = 2. The crystal of 4 (C36H49B2N12TeSm.C7H8) was monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 18.7440(10) A, b = 10.3892(6) A, c = 23.8351(13) A, beta = 94.854(2) degrees, Z = 4. The compounds form an isoleptic series of seven-coordinate complexes with terminal chalcogenolate ligands. Examination of 1b and other crystallographically characterized lanthanide alkoxides suggests that there is little correlation between bond angle and bond length. The structures of 3a and 3b, however, contain molecules in which one of the pyrazolylborate ligands undergoes a major distortion arising from twisting around a B-N bond so as to give an effectively eight-coordinate complex with pi-stacking of the phenyl group with one pyrazolyl ring. These distortions shed light on the fluxionality of these systems.     

Facile synthesis of silver chalcogenide (Ag2E; E=Se, S, Te) semiconductor nanocrystals

A general, one-pot, single-step method for producing colloidal silver chalcogenide (Ag(2)E; E = Se, S, Te) nanocrystals is presented, with an emphasis on Ag(2)Se. The method avoids exotic chemicals, high temperatures, and high pressures and requires only a few minutes of reaction time. While Ag(2)S and Ag(2)Te are formed in their low-temperature monoclinic phases, Ag(2)Se is obtained in a metastable tetragonal phase not observed in the bulk.     

Synthesis and X-ray structures of dilithium complexes of the phosphonate anions [PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(2)](2-) (E = O,S, Se,Te) and dimethylaluminum derivatives of [PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(NH(t)Bu)](-) (E = S,Se)

The dilithium salts of the phosphonate dianions [PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(2)](2-) (E = O, S, Se) are generated by the lithiation of [PhP(E)(NH(t)Bu)(2)] with n-butyllithium. The formation of the corresponding telluride (E = Te) is achieved by oxidation of [Li(2)[PhP(N(t)Bu)(2)]] with tellurium. X-ray structural determinations revealed dimeric structures [Li(THF)(2)[PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(2)]](2) in which the monomeric units are linked by Li-E bonds. In the case of E = Se or Te, but not for E = S, transannular Li-E interactions are also observed, resulting in a six-rung ladder. By contrast, for E = O, this synthetic approach yields the Li(2)O-templated tetramer [(THF)Li(2)[PhP(O)(N(t)Bu)(2)]](4).Li(2)O in THF or the tetramer [(Et(2)O)(0.5)Li(2)[PhP(O)(N(t)Bu)(2)]](4) in diethyl ether. The reaction of trimethylaluminum with PhP(E)(NH(t)Bu)(2) produces the complexes Me(2)Al[PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(NH(t)Bu)] (E = S, Se), which were shown by X-ray crystallography to be N,E-chelated monomers.     

Aspects of organochalcogen (S, Se, Te) compounds stabilized by intramolecular coordination

The application of intramolecular coordination in the isolation of novel diaryl diselenides and their derivatives, monomeric chalcogenolato complexes of group 12 metals, glutathione peroxidase mimics, hybrid bi-, tri- and multidentate ligands and selenium-containing azamacrocycles is described.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of tris(2-oxo-1-tert-butylimidazolyl) and tris(2-oxo-1-methylbenzimidazolyl)hydroborato complexes: a new class of tripodal oxygen donor ligand

A new class of tripodal L(2)X ligands that feature three oxygen donors, namely the tris(2-oxo-1-tert-butylimidazolyl) and tris(2-oxo-1-methylbenzimidazolyl)hydroborato ligands, [To(Bu(t))] and [To(MeBenz)], has been synthesized via the reactions of NaBH(4) with the respective imidazolone. Structural and spectroscopic studies indicate that both [To(Bu(t))] and [To(MeBenz)] are significantly more sterically demanding but less electron donating than the related [O(3)] donor ligand, [CpCo{P(O)(OEt)(2)}(3)].