Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Arene‐Bridged Metal–Metal‐Bonded Dimolybdenum Complexes

The bis(hydride) dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(H)₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(thf)₂], 2 , which possesses a quadruply bonded Mo₂^II core, undergoes light‐induced (365 nm) reductive elimination of H₂ and arene coordination in benzene and toluene solutions, with formation of the Mo^I₂ complexes [Mo₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(arene)], 3?C₆H₆ and 3?C₆H₅Me , respectively. The analogous C₆H₅OMe, p‐C₆H₄Me₂, C₆H₅F, and p‐C₆H₄F₂ derivatives have also been prepared by thermal or photochemical methods, which nevertheless employ different Mo₂ complex precursors. X‐ray crystallography and solution NMR studies demonstrate that the molecule of the arene bridges the molybdenum atoms of the Mo^I₂ core, coordinating to each in an η² fashion. In solution, the arene rotates fast on the NMR timescale around the Mo₂‐arene axis. For the substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, the NMR data are consistent with the existence of a major rotamer in which the metal atoms are coordinated to the more electron‐rich C?C bonds.     

Synthesis and Ligand Modification Chemistry of a Molybdenum Dinitrogen Complex: Redox and Chemical Activity of a Bis(imino)pyridine Ligand

The bis(imino)pyridine 2,6‐(2,6‐iPr₂‐C₆H₃N?CPh)₂‐C₅H₃N (^iPrBPDI) molybdenum dinitrogen complex, [{(^iPrBPDI)Mo(N₂)}₂(μ₂,η¹,η¹‐N₂)] has been prepared and contains both weakly (terminal) and modestly (bridging) activated N₂ ligands. Addition of ammonia resulted in sequential N? H bond activations, thus forming bridging parent imido (μ‐NH) ligands with concomitant reduction of one of the imines of the supporting chelate. Using primary and secondary amines, model intermediates have been isolated that highlight the role of metal–ligand cooperativity in NH₃ oxidation.     

Synthesis and Characterization of an Eclipsed Digermylene as a Building Block to Construct a Cyclic Octagermylene

The preparation of an unprecedented Ge^I‐Ge^I bonded digermylene [K₂{Ge₂(μ‐κ²:η²:η⁴‐2,6‐(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃‐N)₂‐4‐CH₃C₅H₂N)₂}] in an eclipsed conformation stabilized by two bridging diamidopyridyl ligands is presented. Although it exhibits an eclipsed conformation, the Ge−Ge bond length is 2.5168(6) Å, which is shorter than those in the trans ‐bent and gauche digermylenes. In combination with two pendant amido groups, the Ge^I₂ motif is employed as a building block to assemble the first example of octagermylene [Ge₄(μ‐κ²:κ¹‐2,6‐(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃‐N)₂‐4‐CH₃C₅H₂N)₂]₂ showing a cyclic configuration and containing three distinct types of Ge^I−Ge^I bonds.     

Olefin polymerization and copolymerization with soluble transition‐metal complex catalysts

Olefin polymerizations catalyzed by Cp′TiCl₂(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) ( 1 – 5 ; Cp′ = cyclopentadienyl group), RuCl₂(ethylene)(pybox) { 7 ; pybox = 2,6‐bis[(4S)‐4‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazolin‐2‐yl]pyridine}, and FeCl₂(pybox) ( 8 ) were investigated in the presence of a cocatalyst. The Cp*TiCl₂(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) ( 5 )–methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst exhibited remarkable catalytic activity for both ethylene and 1‐hexene polymerizations, and the effect of the substituents on the cyclopentadienyl group was an important factor for the catalytic activity. A high level of 1‐hexene incorporation and a lower r_E · r_H value with 5 than with [Me₂Si(C₅Me₄)(N^tBu)]TiCl₂ ( 6 ) were obtained, despite the rather wide bond angle of Cp Ti O (120.5°) of 5 compared with the bond angle of Cp Ti N of 6 (107.6°). The 7 –MAO catalyst exhibited moderate catalytic activity for ethylene homopolymerization and ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization, and the resultant copolymer incorporated 1‐hexene. The 8 –MAO catalyst also exhibited activity for ethylene polymerization, and an attempted ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization gave linear polyethylene. The efficient polymerization of a norbornene macromonomer bearing a ring‐opened poly(norbornene) substituent was accomplished by ringopening metathesis polymerization with the well‐defined Mo(CHCMe₂Ph)(N‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)[OCMe(CF₃)₂]₂ ( 10 ). The key step for the macromonomer synthesis was the exclusive end‐capping of the ring‐opened poly(norbornene) with p‐Me₃SiOC₆H₄CHO, and the use of 10 was effective for this polymerization proceeding with complete conversion. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4613–4626, 2000     

Synthesis and Structure of the Tetrameric [Cp*V(μ‐F)2]4 (Cp* = C5Me5); Preparation of the Imido Molybdenum Fluoride [(2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3N)2MoF2] · THF and the Structural Investigation of [(2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3N)6Mo4(μ3‐F)2Me2(μ‐O)4]

Treating [Cp*V(μ‐Cl)₂]₃ (Cp* = C₅Me₅) and [(2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃N)₂MoMe₂], respectively, with Me₃SnF afforded the title compounds [Cp*V(μ‐F)₂]₄ ( 1 ) and [(2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃N)₂MoF₂] · THF ( 2 ). 1 has a tetrameric structure, in which four V atoms can be regarded as being arranged at the vertices of a distorted tetrahedron, with four long edges bridged by one F atom and each of the other two short edges bridged by two F atoms with a mean V–F bond length of 2.00 Å. A hydrolyzed product of 2 , [(2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃N)₆Mo₄(μ₃‐F)₂Me₂(μ‐O)₄] ( 3 ) was characterized by elemental analyses and X‐ray single crystal study. The X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that 3 has a unique tetranuclear structure, containing two five and two six coordinated Mo atoms connecting each other by four μ‐O and two μ₃‐F atoms. The geometries around the two Mo atoms can be described having distorted trigonal bipyramidal and distorted octahedral coordination spheres, respectively. The Mo–(μ‐O) bond lengths are 1.813 Å (average) for five coordinated Mo atoms and 2.030 Å (average) for those of six coordinated, respectively, indicating an additional π bonding between five coordinated Mo atoms and the μ‐O atoms. The Mo–(μ₃‐F) distances range from 2.291 to 2.352 Å.     

Direct Synthesis of Titanium Complexes with Chelating cis‐9,10‐Dihydrophenanthrenediamide Ligands through Sequential C?C Bond‐Forming Reactions from o‐Metalated Arylimines

A series of new titanium(IV) complexes with o‐metalated arylimine and/or cis‐9,10‐dihydrophenanthrenediamide ligands, [o‐C₆H₄(CH?NR)TiCl₃] (R=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃ ( 3 a ), 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ ( 3 b ), tBu ( 3 c )), [cis‐9,10‐PhenH₂(NR)₂TiCl₂] (PhenH₂=9,10‐dihydrophenanthrene; R=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃ ( 4 a ), 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ ( 4 b ), tBu ( 4 c )), [{cis‐9,10‐PhenH₂(NR)₂}{o‐C₆H₄(HC?NR)}TiCl] (R=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃ ( 5 a ), 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ ( 5 b ), tBu ( 5 c )), have been synthesised from the reactions of TiCl₄ with o‐C₆H₄(CH?NR)Li (R=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃, 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃, tBu). Complexes 4 and 5 were formed unexpectedly from the reactions of TiCl₄ with two or three equivalents of the corresponding o‐C₆H₄(CH?NR)Li followed by sequential intramolecular C? C bond‐forming reductive elimination and oxidative coupling reactions. Attempts to isolate the intermediates, [{o‐C₆H₄(CH?NR)}₂TiCl₂] ( 2 ), were unsuccessful. All complexes were characterised by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structures of 3 a , 4 a – c , 5 a , and 5 c were determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

Molecular and Silica‐Supported Mo and W d0 Imido‐Methoxybenzylidene Complexes: Structure and Metathesis Activity

5‐Coordinated methoxybenzylidene complexes M(=NAr)(=CH?C₆H₄?o‐OMe)(O^tBu_F3)₂ (Ar=2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃; ^tBu_F3=CMe₂(CF₃)) of Mo ( 1m_Mo ) and W ( 1m_W ) were synthesized by cross‐metathesis from the corresponding neophylidene/neopentylidene precursors and o‐methoxystyrene. 1m_Mo and 1m_W were grafted onto the surface of silica partially dehydroxylated at 700 °C to give well‐defined silica‐supported alkylidenes (≡SiO)M(=NAr)(=CH?C₆H₄?o‐OMe)(O^tBu_F3) (M=Mo ( 1_Mo ), W ( 1_W )). Supported methoxybenzylidene complexes were tested in metathesis of cis‐4‐nonene, 1‐nonene, and ethyl oleate, and compared to their molecular precursors and supported classical analogs (≡SiO)M(=NAr)(=CHCMe₂R)(O^tBu_F3) (M=Mo, R=Ph ( 2_Mo ), M=W, R=Me ( 2_W )). Both grafted complexes 1_Mo and 1_W show significantly better performance as compared to their molecular precursors 1m_Mo and 1m_W but are less efficient than the classical 4‐coordinated alkylidenes 2_Mo and 2_W . Noteworthy, both 1_Mo and 1_W can reach equilibrium conversion in metathesis of cis‐4‐nonene at catalyst loadings as low as 50 ppm.     

Magnesium(I) Dimers Bearing Tripodal Diimine–Enolate Ligands: Proficient Reagents for the Controlled Reductive Activation of CO2 and SO2

The first examples of magnesium(I) dimers bearing tripodal ligands, [(Mg{κ³‐N,N′,O‐(ArNCMe)₂(OCCPh₂)CH})₂] [Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃ (Dip) 7 , 2,6‐Et₂C₆H₃ (Dep) 8 , or mesityl (Mes) 9 ] have been prepared by post‐synthetic modification of the β‐diketiminato ligands of previously reported magnesium(I) systems, using diphenylketene, O?C?CPh₂. In contrast, related reactions between β‐diketiminato magnesium(I) dimers and the isoelectronic ketenimine, MesN?C?CPh₂, resulted in reductive insertion of the substrate into the Mg?Mg bond of the magnesium(I) reactant, and formation of [{(Nacnac)Mg}₂{μ‐κ²‐N,C‐(Mes)NCCPh₂}] (Nacnac=[(ArNCMe)₂CH]^?; Ar=Dep 10 or Mes 11 ). Reactions of the four‐coordinate magnesium(I) dimer 8 with excess CO₂ are readily controlled, and cleanly give carbonate [(LMg)₂(μ‐κ²:κ²‐CO₃)] 12 (L=[κ³‐N,N′,O‐(DepNCMe)₂(OCCPh₂)CH]^?; thermodynamic product), or oxalate [(LMg)₂(μ‐κ²:κ²‐C₂O₄)] 13 (kinetic product), depending on the reaction temperature. Compound 12 and CO are formed by reductive disproportionation of CO₂, whereas 13 results from reductive coupling of two molecules of the gas. Treatment of 8 with an excess of N₂O cleanly gives the μ‐oxo complex [(LMg)₂(μ‐O)] 14 , which reacts facilely with CO₂ to give 12 . This result presents the possibility that 14 is an intermediate in the formation of 12 from the reaction of 8 and CO₂. In contrast to its reactions with CO₂, 8 reacts with SO₂ over a wide temperature range to give only one product; the first example of a magnesium dithionite complex, [(LMg)₂(μ‐κ²:κ²‐S₂O₄)] 16 , which is formed by reductive coupling of two molecules of SO₂, and is closely related to f‐block metal dithionite complexes derived from similar SO₂ reductive coupling processes. On the whole, this study strengthens previously proposed analogies between the reactivities of magnesium(I) systems and low‐valent f‐block metal complexes, especially with respect to small molecule activations.     

Addition Reactions of Me3SiCN with Aldehydes Catalyzed by Aluminum Complexes Containing in their Coordination Sphere O,S, and N Ligands

The reaction of one equivalent of LAlH₂ ( 1 ; L=HC(CMeNAr)₂, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃, β‐diketiminate ligand) with two equivalents of 2‐mercapto‐4,6‐dimethylpyrimidine hydrate resulted in LAl[(μ‐S)(m‐C₄N₂H)(CH₂)₂]₂ ( 2 ) in good yield. Similarly, when N‐2‐pyridylsalicylideneamine, N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)salicylaldimine, and ethyl 3‐amino‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene‐2‐carboxylate were used as starting materials, the corresponding products LAl[(μ‐O)(o‐C₆H₄)CN(C₅NH₄)]₂ ( 3 ), LAlH[(μ‐O)(o‐C₄H₄)CN(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)] ( 4 ), and LAl[(μ‐NH)(o‐C₈SH₈)(COOC₂H₅)]₂ ( 5 ) were isolated. Compounds 2 – 5 were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy as well as by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis. Surprisingly, compounds 2 – 5 exhibit good catalytic activity in addition reactions of aldehydes with trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN).     

Bis(β‐diketiminato) lanthanide amides: synthesis,structure and catalysis for the polymerization of l‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone

Treatment of the chlorides (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnCl (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph = [(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(C₆H₅)]^?) with 1 equiv. of NaNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) afforded the monoamides (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (Ln = Y ( 1 ), Yb ( 2 )) in good yields. Anhydrous LnCl₃ reacted with 2 equiv. of NaL^2,6‐iPr2_Ph in THF, followed by treatment with 1 equiv. of NaNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃), giving the analogues (L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (Ln = Sm ( 3 ), Nd ( 4 )). Two monoamido complexes stabilized by two L^2‐Me ligands, (L^2‐Me)₂LnNH(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) (L^2‐Me = [N(2‐MeC₆H₄)C(Me)]₂CH)^?; Ln = Y ( 5 ), Yb ( 6 )), were also synthesized by the latter route. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 were fully characterized, including X‐ray crystal structure analyses. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 are isostructural. The central metal in each complex is ligated by two β‐diketiminato ligands and one amido group in a distorted trigonal bipyramid. All the complexes were found to be highly active in the ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide (L‐LA) and ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) to give polymers with relatively narrow molar mass distributions. The activity depends on both the central metal and the ligand (Yb < Y < Sm ≈ Nd and L^2‐Me < L^2,6‐iPr2_Ph). Remarkably, the binary 3/benzyl alcohol (BnOH) system exhibited a striking ‘immortal’ nature and proved able to quantitatively convert 5000 equiv. of L‐LA with up to 100 equiv. of BnOH per metal initiator. All the resulting PLAs showed monomodal, narrow distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.06 ? 1.08), with molar mass (M_n) decreasing proportionally with an increasing amount of BnOH. The binary 4/BnOH system also exhibited an ‘immortal’ nature in the polymerization of ε‐CL in toluene. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and Computational Studies of the Molybdenum‐Flanking Arene Interaction in Quadruply Bonded Dimolybdenum Complexes with Terphenyl Ligands

To clarify the nature of the Mo?C_arene interaction in terphenyl complexes with quadruple Mo?Mo bonds, ether adducts of composition [Mo₂(Ar′)(I)(O₂CR)₂(OEt₂)] have been prepared and characterized (Ar′=Ar^Xyl₂, R=Me; Ar′=ArMes₂, R=Me; Ar′=Ar^Xyl2, R=CF₃) (Mes=mesityl; Xyl=2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃, from now on xylyl) and their reactivity toward different neutral Lewis bases investigated. PMe₃, P(OMe)₃ and PiPr₃ were chosen as P‐donors and the reactivity studies complemented with the use of the C‐donors CNXyl and CN₂C₂Me₄ (1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene). New compounds of general formula [Mo₂(Ar′)(I)(O₂CR)₂( L )] were obtained, except for the imidazol‐2‐ylidene ligand that yielded a salt‐like compound of composition [Mo₂(Ar^Xyl2)(O₂CMe)₂(CN₂C₂Me₄)₂]I. The Mo?C_arene interaction in these complexes has been analyzed with the aid of X‐ray data and computational studies. This interaction compensates the coordinative and electronic unsaturation of one of the Mo atoms in the above complexes, but it seems to be weak in terms of sharing of electron density between the Mo and C_arene atoms and appears to have no appreciable effect in the length of the Mo?Mo, Mo?X, and Mo? L bonds present in these molecules.     

Synthesis and Rearrangement of Stable NHC→Silylene Adducts and Their Unique Reactivity towards Cyclohexylisocyanide

The syntheses and reactivity of the two N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)→ silylene complexes 2 and 4 have been investigated. The latter are easily accessible by reaction of the zwitterionic, N‐heterocyclic silylene LSi: 1 [L=Ar‐N‐C(=CH₂)CH?C(Me)‐N‐Ar, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃] with 1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene and 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, respectively. While compound 2 undergoes facile rearrangement above ?20 °C to give the unsymmetrical N‐heterocyclic silylcarbene 3 , the derivative 4 remains unchanged even after boiling in benzene. The remarkable reactivity of 3 and 4 towards cyclohexylisocyanide has been examined which leads in a unique series of C? H, Si? H, and C? N bond activations to the new triaminosilanes 5 and 6 , respectively. The novel compounds 3 , 4 , 5 , and 6 were fully characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, EI‐MS, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Elusive Terminal Copper Arylnitrene Intermediates

We report herein three new modes of reactivity between arylazides N₃Ar with a bulky copper(I) β-diketiminate. Addition of N₃Ar^X3 (Ar^X3=2,4,6-X₃C₆H₂; X=Cl or Me) to [ⁱPr₂NN]Cu(NCMe) results in triazenido complexes from azide attack on the β-diketiminato backbone. Reaction of [ⁱPr₂NN]Cu(NCMe) with bulkier azides N₃Ar leads to terminal nitrenes [ⁱPr₂NN]Cu]=NAr that dimerize via formation of a C−C bond at the arylnitrene p-position to give the dicopper(II) diketimide 4 (Ar=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) or undergo nitrile insertion to give diazametallocyclobutene 8 (Ar=4-Ph-2,6-iPr₂C₆H₂). Importantly, reactivity studies reveal both 4 and 8 to be “masked” forms of the terminal nitrenes [ⁱPr₂NN]Cu=NAr that undergo nitrene group transfer to PMe₃, ^tBuNC, and even into a benzylic sp³ C−H bond of ethylbenzene.     

Charge Effects in PCP Pincer Complexes of NiII bearing Phosphinite and Imidazol(i)ophosphine Coordinating Jaws: From Synthesis to Catalysis through Bonding Analysis

This contribution reports on a new family of Ni^II pincer complexes featuring phosphinite and functional imidazolyl arms. The proligands ^RPIMC^HOP^R′ react at room temperature with Ni^II precursors to give the corresponding complexes [(^RPIMCOP^R′)NiBr], where ^RPIMCOP^R=κ^P,κ^C,κ^P‐{2‐(R′₂PO),6‐(R₂PC₃H₂N₂)C₆H₃}, R=iPr, R′=iPr ( 3 b , 84 %) or Ph ( 3 c , 45 %). Selective N‐methylation of the imidazole imine moiety in 3 b by MeOTf (OTf=OSO₂CF₃) gave the corresponding imidazoliophosphine [(^iPrPIMIOCOP^iPr)NiBr][OTf], 4 b , in 89 % yield (^iPrPIMIOCOP^iPr=κ^P,κ^C,κ^P‐{2‐(iPr₂PO),6‐(iPr₂PC₄H₅N₂)C₆H₃}). Treating 4 b with NaOEt led to the NHC derivative [(NHCCOP^iPr)NiBr], 5 b , in 47 % yield (NHCCOP^iPr=κ^P,κ^C,κ^C‐{2‐(iPr₂PO),6‐(C₄H₅N₂)C₆H₃)}). The bromo derivatives 3–5 were then treated with AgOTf in acetonitrile to give the corresponding cationic species [(^RPIMCOP^R)Ni(MeCN)][OTf] [R=Ph, 6 a (89 %) or iPr, 6 b (90 %)], [(^RPIMIOCOP^R)Ni(MeCN)][OTf]₂ [R=Ph, 7 a (79 %) or iPr, 7 b (88 %)], and [(NHCCOP^R)Ni(MeCN)][OTf] [R=Ph, 8 a (85 %) or iPr, 8 b (84 %)]. All new complexes have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, whereas 3 b , 3 c , 5 b , 6 b , and 8 a were also subjected to X‐ray diffraction studies. The acetonitrile adducts 6 – 8 were further studied by using various theoretical analysis tools. In the presence of excess nitrile and amine, the cationic acetonitrile adducts 6 – 8 catalyze hydroamination of nitriles to give unsymmetrical amidines with catalytic turnover numbers of up to 95.     

Reversible Cleavage/Formation of the Chromium–Chromium Quintuple Bond in the Highly Regioselective Alkyne Cyclotrimerization

Herein we report the employment of the quintuply bonded dichromium amidinates [Cr{κ²‐HC(N‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)(N‐2,6‐R₂C₆H₃)}]₂ (R=iPr ( 1 ), Me ( 7 )) as catalysts to mediate the [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of terminal alkynes giving 1,3,5‐trisubstituted benzenes. During the catalysis, the ultrashort Cr−Cr quintuple bond underwent reversible cleavage/formation, corroborated by the characterization of two inverted arene sandwich dichromium complexes (μ‐η⁶:η⁶‐1,3,5‐(Me₃Si)₃C₆H₃)[Cr{κ²‐HC(N ‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)(N ‐2,6‐R₂C₆H₃)}]₂ (R=ⁱPr ( 5 ), Me ( 8 )). In the presence of σ donors, such as THF and 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂CN, the bridging arene 1,3,5‐(Me₃Si)₃C₆H₃ in 5 and 8 was extruded and 1 and 7 were regenerated. Theoretical calculations were employed to disclose the reaction pathways of these highly regioselective [2+2+2] cylcotrimerization reactions of terminal alkynes.     

Reactivity of Cationic Agostic and Carbene Structures Derived from Platinum(II) Metallacycles

This paper describes the formation of new platinacyclic complexes derived from the phosphine ligands PiPr₂Xyl, PMeXyl₂, and PMe₂Ar (Xyl=2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ and Ar=2,6‐(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)₂‐C₆H₃) as well as reactivity studies of the trans‐[Pt(C^P)₂] bis‐metallacyclic complex 1 a derived from PiPr₂Xyl. Protonation of compound 1 a with [H(OEt₂)₂][BAr_F] (BAr_F=B[3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃]₄) forms a cationic δ‐agostic structure 4 a , whereas α‐hydride abstraction employing [Ph₃C][PF₆] produces a cationic platinum carbene trans‐[Pt{PiPr₂(2,6‐CH(Me)C₆H₃}{PiPr₂(2,6‐CH₂(Me)C₆H₃}][PF₆] ( 8 ). Compounds 4 a and 8 react with H₂ to yield the same 1:3 equilibrium mixture of 4 a and trans‐[PtH(PiPr₂Xyl)₂][BAr_F] ( 6 ), in which one of the phosphine ligands participates in a δ‐agostic interaction. DFT calculations reveal that H₂ activation by 8 occurs at the highly electrophilic alkylidene terminus with no participation of the metal. The two compounds 4 a and 8 experience C–C coupling reactions of a different nature. Thus, 4 a gives rise to complex trans‐[PtH{(E)‐1,2‐bis(2‐(PiPr₂)‐3‐MeC₆H₃)CH?CH}] ( 7 ) that contains a tridentate diphosphine–alkene ligand, through agostic C?H oxidative cleavage and C–C reductive coupling steps, whereas the C–C coupling reaction in 8 involves classical migratory insertion of its [Pt?CH] and [Pt?CH₂] bonds promoted by platinum coordination of CO or CNXyl. The mechanisms of the C?C bond‐forming reactions have also been investigated by computational methods.     

Pentafluorobenzoato‐dimolybdenum(II) Solvate and Co‐crystal Complexes with Benzene and Naphthalin

The quadruply bonded Mo₂⁴⁺ complex Mo₂(DAniF)₃(OOCC₆F₅) ( 1 ) [DAniF = N,N′‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)formamidinate] was synthesized. The solvate Mo₂(DAniF)₃(OOCC₆F₅) · (C₆H₆) ( 2 ) and co‐crystal Mo₂(DAniF)₃(OOCC₆F₅) · (C₁₀H₈) ( 3 ) complexes were obtained by self‐assembly of crystals of 1 with benzene and naphthalin, respectively. Compounds 1 , 2 , and 3 were structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In monomer 1 , the Mo–Mo bond length of 2.0874(6) Å is typical for dimolybdenum quadruple bonds. The solvate complex 2 was stabilized by weak π–π stacking interactions between the benzene molecule and the pentafluorophenyl ring (as indicated by a center‐to‐center distance of 3.838(10) Å and a center‐to‐plane distance of 3.712(4) Å between phenyl and pentafluorophenyl ring) and intermolecular C–H ··· F–C interactions (the shortest F ··· H distance is 2.560(2) Å). In complex 3 , a one‐dimensional chain was formed by C–H ··· F–C interactions between the hydrogen atoms in naphthalin and the fluorine atoms in the monomer (H ··· F distances of 2.582(2) Å). Information on the structures in solution of the three crystals was obtained by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Moderately branched ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene by using N,N′‐nickel catalysts adorned with sterically hindered dibenzocycloheptyl groups

Five examples of unsymmetrical 1,2‐bis (arylimino) acenaphthene ( L1 – L5 ), each containing one N‐2,4‐bis (dibenzocycloheptyl)‐6‐methylphenyl group and one sterically and electronically variable N‐aryl group, have been used to prepare the N,N′‐nickel (II) halide complexes, [1‐[2,4‐{(C₁₅H₁₃}₂–6‐MeC₆H₂N]‐2‐(ArN)C₂C₁₀H₆]NiX₂ (X = Br: Ar = 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ Ni1 , 2,6‐Et₂C₆H₃ Ni2 , 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃ Ni3 , 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ Ni4 , 2,6‐Et₂–4‐MeC₆H₂ Ni5 ) and (X = Cl: Ar = 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ Ni6 , 2,6‐Et₂C₆H₃ Ni7 , 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃ Ni8 , 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ Ni9 , 2,6‐Et₂–4‐MeC₆H₂ Ni10 ), in high yield. The molecular structures Ni3 and Ni7 highlight the extensive steric protection imparted by the ortho‐dibenzocycloheptyl group and the distorted tetrahedral geometry conferred to the nickel center. On activation with either Et₂AlCl or MAO, Ni1 – Ni10 exhibited very high activities for ethylene polymerization with the least bulky Ni1 the most active (up to 1.06  ×  10⁷ g PE mol^?1(Ni) h^?1 with MAO). Notably, these sterically bulky catalysts have a propensity towards generating very high molecular weight polyethylene with moderate levels of branching and narrow dispersities with the most hindered Ni3 and Ni8 affording ultra‐high molecular weight material (up to 1.5  ×  10⁶ g mol^?1). Indeed, both the activity and molecular weights of the resulting polyethylene are among the highest to be reported for this class of unsymmetrical 1,2‐bis (imino)acenaphthene‐nickel catalyst.     

From As‐Zincoarsasilene (LZn‐As=SiL′) to Arsaethynolato (As≡C−O) and Arsaketenylido (O=C=As) Zinc Complexes

The reactivity of the As‐zincosilaarsene LZn?As=SiL′ A (L=[CH(CMeNDipp)₂]^?, Dipp=2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, L′=[{C(H)N(2,6‐ⁱPr₂‐C₆H₃)}₂]^2?) towards small molecules was investigated. Due to the pronounced zwitterionic character of the Si=As bond of A , it undergoes addition reactions with H₂O and NH₃, forming LZnAs(H)SiOH(L′) 1 and LZnAs(H)SiNH₂(L′) 2 . Oxygenation of A with N₂O at ?60 °C furnishes the deep blue 1,2‐disiloxydiarsene, [LZnOSi(L′)As]₂ 4 , presumably via dimerization of the arsinidene intermediate LZnOSi(L′)As 3 . Oxygenation of A with CO₂ leads to the monomeric arsaethynolato siloxido zinc complex LZnOSi(L′)(OC≡As) 5 , essentially trapping the intermediary arsinidene 3 with liberated CO following initial oxidation of the Si=As bond. DFT calculations confirm the ambident coordination mode of the anionic [AsCO] ligand in solution, with the O‐arsaethynolato [As≡C?O]^.? in 5 , and the As‐arsaketenylido ligand mode [O=C=As]^? present in LZnO?Si(L′)(?As=C=O) 5′ akin to the analogous phosphorus system, [PCO]^?.     

Heterobimetallische phosphanido-verbrückte Zweikern-Komplexe - Synthese von cis-rac-[(η-C5H4R)2Zr{μ-PH(2,4,6−iPr3C6H2)}2M(CO)4] (RMe,MCr,Mo; RH,MMo)

Heterobimetallic Phosphanido-bridged Dinuclear Complexes - Syntheses of cis-rac-[(η-C₅H₄R)₂Zr{μ-PH(2,4,6-ⁱPr₃C₆H₂)}₂M(CO)₄] (R?Me, M?Cr, Mo; R?H, M?Mo) The zirconocene bisphosphanido complexes [(η-C₅H₄R)₂Zr{PH(2,4,6-ⁱPr₃C₆H₂)}₂] (R?Me, H) react with [(NBD)M(CO)₄] (NBD?norbornadiene, M?Cr, Mo) to give only one diastereomer of the phosphanido-bridged heterobimetallic dinuclear complexes cis-rac-[(η-C₅H₄R)₂Zr{μ-PH(2,4,6-ⁱPr₃C₆H₂)}₂M(CO)₄] [R?Me, M?Cr ( 1 ), Mo ( 2 ); R?H, M?Mo ( 3 )]. However, no reaction was observed between [(η-C₅H₅)₂Zr{PH(2,4,6-^tBu₃ C₆H₂)}₂] and [Pt(PPh₃)₄]. 1—3 were characterised spectroscopically. For 1—3 , the presence of the racemic isomer was shown by NMR spectroscopy. No reaction was observed at room temperature for 3 and CS₂, (NO)BF₄, Me₃NO or PH(2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂)₂. With Et₂AlH or PhC?CH decomposition of 3 was observed.