[CpR(OC)Mo(μ‐η2:2‐P2)2FeCpR′] als Edukt für heterobimetallische Zweikerncluster mit P2‐ und CnRnP4‐n‐Liganden (n = 1, 2)

[Cp^R(OC)Mo(μ‐η^2:2‐P₂)₂FeCp^R′] as Educt for Heterobimetallic Dinuclear Clusters with P₂ and C_nR_nP_4‐n Ligands (n = 1, 2) The cothermolysis of [Cp^R(OC)Mo(μ‐η^2:2‐P₂)₂FeCp^R′] ( 1 ) and tBuC≡P ( 2 ) as well as PhC≡CPh ( 3 ) affords the heterobimetallic triple‐decker like dinuclear clusters [(Cp'''Mo)(Cp*′Fe)(P₃CtBu)(P₂)] ( 4 ), Cp''' = C₅H₂tBu₃‐1,2,4, Cp*′ = C₅Me₄Et, and [(Cp*Mo)(Cp*Fe)(P₂C₂Ph₂)(P₂)] ( 5 ) with a bridging tri‐ and diphosphabutadiendiyl ligand. 4 and 5 have been characterized additionally by X‐ray crystallography.     

Isomerization,Ring Expansion,and Ring Contraction of 1,3‐Diphosphete Complexes

Reactions between the 1,3‐diphosphete complex [Cp′′′Co(η⁴‐P₂C₂tBu₂)] ( 1 ) and Ag[Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄] (Ag[pftb]) were carried out under different conditions. In CH₂Cl₂, the unprecedented 1,2‐diphosphete isomerization product [Ag₂{Cp′′′Co(μ,η⁴:η¹:η¹‐1,2‐P₂C₂tBu₂)}₂{Cp′′′Co(μ,η⁴:η¹‐1,2‐P₂C₂tBu₂)}₂]⋅2[pftb] ( 2 ) could be isolated. In diffusion experiments of 1 in n‐hexane with Ag[pftb] in CH₂Cl₂, the triphosphacobaltocenium complex [Cp′′′Co(η⁵‐P₃C₂tBu₂)][pftb] ( 4 ) and the phosphirenylium complex [Cp′′′Co(η³‐PC₂tBu₂)][pftb] ( 5 ) were obtained, showing a ring expansion and a ring contraction, respectively, under mild conditions. Moreover, addition of pyridine to the Ag complex 2 led to the new 1,2‐diphosphete complex [Cp′′′Co(η⁴‐1,2‐P₂C₂tBu₂)] ( 3 ). Compound 3 is also formed by thermolysis of 1 , making it a promising method for this type of isomerization. 1,2‐Diphosphete complexes like 3 are thermodynamically more stable but also synthetically more elusive than their 1,3‐isomer counterparts.     

Structures and Properties of Spherical 90‐Vertex Fullerene‐Like Nanoballs

By applying the proper stoichiometry of 1:2 to [Cp^RFe(η⁵‐P₅)] and CuX (X=Cl, Br) and dilution conditions in mixtures of CH₃CN and solvents like CH₂Cl₂, 1,2‐Cl₂C₆H₄, toluene, and THF, nine spherical giant molecules having the simplified general formula [Cp^RFe(η⁵‐P₅)]@[{Cp^RFe(η⁵‐P₅)}₁₂{CuX}₂₅(CH₃CN)₁₀] (Cp^R=η⁵‐C₅Me₅ (Cp*); η⁵‐C₅Me₄Et (Cp^Et); X=Cl, Br) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The products consist of 90‐vertex frameworks consisting of non‐carbon atoms and forming fullerene‐like structural motifs. Besides the mostly neutral products, some charged derivatives have been isolated. These spherical giant molecules show an outer diameter of 2.24 (X=Cl) to 2.26 nm (X=Br) and have inner cavities of 1.28 (X=Cl) and 1.20 nm (X=Br) in size. In most instances the inner voids of these nanoballs encapsulate one molecule of [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐P₅)], which reveals preferred orientations of π–π stacking between the cyclo‐P₅ rings of the guest and those of the host molecules. Moreover, π–π and σ–π interactions are also found in the packing motifs of the balls in the crystal lattice. Electrochemical investigations of these soluble molecules reveal one irreversible multi‐electron oxidation at E_p=0.615 V and two reduction steps (?1.10 and ?2.0 V), the first of which corresponds to about 12 electrons. Density functional calculations reveal that during oxidation and reduction the electrons are withdrawn or added to the surface of the spherical nanomolecules, and no Cu²⁺ species are involved.     

Selective Functionalization of P4 by Metal‐Mediated CP Bond Formation

A new and selective one‐step synthesis was developed for the first activation stage of white phosphorus by organic radicals. The reactions of NaCp^R with P₄ in the presence of CuX or FeBr₃ leads to the clean formation of organic substituted P₄ butterfly compounds Cp^R₂P₄ (Cp^R: Cp^BIG=C₅(4‐nBuC₆H₄)₅ ( 1 a ), Cp′′′=C₅H₂tBu₃ ( 1 b ), Cp*=C₅Me₅ ( 1 c ) und Cp^4iPr=C₅HiPr₄ ( 1 d )). The reaction proceeds via the activation of P₄ by Cp^R radicals mediated by transition metals. The newly formed organic derivatives of P₄ have been comprehensively characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography.     

Dreiecksdodekaedrische Heterotri‐ und ‐tetrametall‐Eisen–Ruthenium‐Cluster mit CpR‐ und Pn‐Liganden (n = 5, 4)

Triangulated Dodecahedral Heterotrimetallic‐ and ‐tetrametallic Iron–Ruthenium Clusters with Cp^R and P_n Ligands (n = 5, 4) The cothermolysis of [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐P₅)] ( 1 ) and [{Cp″(OC)₂Ru}₂](Ru–Ru) ( 2 ), Cp″ = C₅H₃But₂‐1,3, affords low yields of [Cp″Ru(η⁵‐P₅)] ( 3 ) and [{Cp″Ru}₂P₄] ( 4 ) as well as the triangulated dodecahedral hetero‐ and homotrimetallic clusters [{Cp″Ru}₂{Cp*Fe}P₅] ( 5 ), [{Cp″Ru}₃P₅] ( 6 ), [{Cp*Fe}₂{Cp″Ru}P₅] ( 7 ) and the tetranuclear compound [{Cp″Ru}₃{Cp*Fe}P₄] ( 8 ). X‐ray crystallographic studies show that the P₅ ligand in the distorted M₂M′P₅‐triangulated dodecahedra of 5 and 7 offers an unusual novel coordination mode derived from the educt 1 .     

Ringkontraktion durch NHC‐induzierte Pnictogen‐Abstraktion

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

Ring Contraction by NHC‐Induced Pnictogen Abstraction

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

Sekundäre Hydroxyalkylphosphane: Synthese und Charakterisierung mono‐, bis‐ und trisalkoxyphosphan‐substituierter Zirconiumkomplexe und des heterobimetallischen Dreikernkomplexes [Cp2Zr{O(CH2)3PHMes(AuCl)}2]

Secondary Hydroxyalkylphosphanes: Synthesis and Characterization of Mono‐, Bis‐ and Trisalkoxyphosphane‐substituted Zirconium Complexes and the Heterobimetallic Trinuclear Complex [Cp₂Zr{O(CH₂)₃PHMes(AuCl)}₂] The secondary hydroxyalkylphosphanes RPHCH₂OH [R = 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes) ( 1 ), 2,4,6‐ⁱPr₃C₆H₂ (Tipp) ( 2 )], 1‐AdPH‐2‐OH‐cyclo‐C₆H₁₀ ( 3 ) and RPH(CH₂)₃OH [R = Ph ( 4 ), Mes ( 5 ), Tipp ( 6 ), Cy ( 7 ), ^tBu ( 8 )] were obtained from primary phosphanes RPH₂ and formaldehyde ( 1 , 2 ) or from LiPHR and cyclohexene oxide ( 3 ) or trimethylene oxide ( 4 ‐ 8 ). Starting from 5 or 7 and [Cp^R₂ZrMe₂] [Cp^R = C₅EtMe₄ (Cp°), C₅H₅ (Cp), C₅MeH₄ (Cp′)], the monoalkoxyphosphane‐substituted zirconocene complexes [Cp^R₂Zr(Me){O(CH₂)₃PHMes}] [Cp^R = Cp° ( 9 ), Cp ( 10 )] were prepared. With [Cp^R₂ZrCl₂], the bisalkoxyphosphane‐substituted complexes [Cp′₂Zr{O(CH₂)₃PHMes}₂] ( 11 ) and [Cp₂Zr{O(CH₂)₃PHCy}₂] ( 12 ) are obtained, and with [Tp^RZrCl₃], the trisalkoxyphosphane‐substituted zirconium complexes [Tp^RZr{O(CH₂)₃PHMes}₃] [Tp^R = trispyrazolylborato (Tp) ( 13 ), Tp^R = tris(3,5‐dimethyl)pyrazolylborato (Tp*) ( 14 )] are prepared. The reaction of 5 with [AuCl(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) yielded the mononuclear complex [AuCl{PHMes(CH₂)₃OH}] ( 15 ). The trinuclear complex [Cp₂Zr{O(CH₂)₃PHMes(AuCl)}₂] ( 16 ) was obtained from [Cp₂ZrCl₂] and 15 . Compounds 1 ‐ 16 were characterized spectroscopically (¹H‐, ³¹P‐, ¹³C‐NMR; IR; MS) and compound 2 also by crystal structure determination. The bis‐ and trisalkoxyphosphane‐substituted complexes 11‐14 and 16 were obtained as mixtures of two diastereomers which could not be separated.     

Giant Spherical Cluster with I‐C140 Fullerene Topology

We report on an effective cluster expansion of CuBr‐linked aggregates by the increase of the steric bulk of the Cp^R ligand in the pentatopic molecules [Cp^RFe(η⁵‐P₅)]. Using [Cp^BIGFe(η⁵‐P₅)] (Cp^BIG=C₅(4‐nBuC₆H₄)₅), the novel multishell aggregate [{Cp^BIGFe(η^{5:2:1:1:1:1:1}‐P₅)}₁₂(CuBr)₉₂] is obtained. It shows topological analogy to the theoretically predicted I‐C₁₄₀ fullerene molecule. The spherical cluster was comprehensively characterized by various methods in solution and in the solid state.     

Metal‐Deficient Supramolecule Based on a Fivefold‐Symmetric Building Block

An unprecedented cationic supramolecule [(Cp′′Fe(η⁵‐P₅))₁₂{CuNCMe}₈]⁸⁺ 2.66 nm in diameter was selectively isolated as a salt of the weakly coordinating anion [Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄]^? for the first time and characterized by X‐ray structure analysis, PXRD, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Its metal‐deficient core contains the lowest possible number of Cu atoms to connect 12 pentaphosphaferrocene units, providing a supramolecule with fullerene topology which, topologically, also represents the simplest homologue in the family of metal‐deficient pentaphosphaferrocene‐based supramolecules [{Cp^RFe(η⁵‐P₅)}₁₂(CuX)_20?n]. The 12 vacant metal sites between the cyclo‐P₅ rings, the largest number attained to date, make this compound a facile precursor for potential inner and outer modifications of the core as well as for functionalization via the substitution of labile acetonitrile ligands.     

The Cobalt cyclo‐P4 Sandwich Complex and Its Role in the Formation of Polyphosphorus Compounds

A synthetic approach to the sandwich complex [Cp′′′Co(η⁴‐P₄)] ( 2 ) containing a cyclo‐P₄ ligand as an end‐deck was developed. Complex 2 is the missing homologue in the series of first‐row cyclo‐P_n sandwich complexes, and shows a unique tendency to dimerize in solution to form two isomeric P₈ complexes [(Cp′′′Co)₂(μ,η⁴:η²:η¹‐P₈)] ( 3 and 4 ). Reactivity studies indicate that 2 and 3 react with further [Cp′′′Co] fragments to give [(Cp′′′Co)₂(μ,η²:η²‐P₂)₂] ( 5 ) and [(Cp′′′Co)₃P₈] ( 6 ), respectively. Furthermore, complexes 2 , 3 , and 4 thermally decompose forming 5 , 6 , and the P₁₂ complex [(Cp′′′Co)₃P₁₂] ( 7 ). DFT calculations on the P₄ activation process suggest a η³‐P₄ Co complex as the key intermediate in the synthesis of 2 as well as in the formation of larger polyphosphorus complexes via a unique oligomerization pathway.     

1,2,3,4‐Tetrasubstituted Cyclopentadienes and Their Applications for Metallocenes: Efficient Synthesis through Zirconocene‐ and CuCl‐Mediated Intermolecular Coupling of Two Alkynes and One Diiodomethane

1,2,3,4‐Tetrasubstituted cyclopentadienes and indene derivatives with identical or different substituents were obtained in good to excellent isolated yields through a zirconocene‐ and CuCl‐mediated intermolecular coupling process. This synthetic procedure involved three organic partners, including one CH₂I₂, and two different or identical alkynes. Two alkynes or one diyne undergo Cp₂Zr^II‐mediated (Cp=η⁵‐C₅H₅) pair‐selective reductive coupling to afford the corresponding zirconacyclopentadiene derivatives, which react, in the presence of CuCl and 1,3‐dimethyl‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydro‐2(1 H)‐pyrimidinone (DMPU), with CH₂I₂ through intermolecular followed by intramolecular coupling to afford the cyclopentadiene derivatives. An application of the prepared tetrasubstituted cyclopentadiene derivatives was demonstrated by the facile synthesis of the corresponding zirconocene complexes [(^4RCp)₂ZrCl₂] and [(^4RCp)₂ZrR′₂] (R′=Me, Et, or nBu). The unique 1,2,3,4‐tetrasubstituted cyclopentadiene ligands and the corresponding metallocenes are expected to have further applications in organometallic chemistry and organic synthesis.     

E4 Transfer (E=P,As) to Ni Complexes

The use of [Cp′′₂Zr(η^1:1-E₄)] (E=P ( 1 a ), As ( 1 b ), Cp′′=1,3-di-tert-butyl-cyclopentadienyl) as phosphorus or arsenic source, respectively, gives access to novel stable polypnictogen transition metal complexes at ambient temperatures. The reaction of 1 a/1 b with [Cp^RNiBr]₂ (Cp^R=Cp^Bn (1,2,3,4,5-pentabenzyl-cyclopentadienyl), Cp′′′ (1,2,4-tri-tert-butyl-cyclopentadienyl)) was studied, to yield novel complexes depending on steric effects and stoichiometric ratios. Besides the transfer of the complete E_n unit, a degradation as well as aggregation can be observed. Thus, the prismane derivatives [(Cp′′′Ni)₂(μ,η^3:3-E₄)] ( 2 a (E=P); 2 b (E=As)) or the arsenic containing cubane [(Cp′′′Ni)₃(μ₃-As)(As₄)] ( 5 ) are formed. Furthermore, the bromine bridged cubanes of the type [(Cp^RNi)₃{Ni(μ-Br)}(μ₃-E)₄]₂ (Cp^R=Cp′′′: 6 a (E=P), 6 b (E=As), Cp^R=Cp^Bn: 8 a (E=P), 8 b (E=As)) can be isolated. Here, a stepwise transfer of E_n units is possible, with a cyclo-E₄²⁻ ligand being introduced and unprecedented triple-decker compounds of the type [{(Cp^RNi)₃Ni(μ₃-E)₄}₂(μ,η^4:4-E′₄)] (Cp^R=Cp^Bn, Cp′′′; E/E′=P, As) are obtained.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Multiferrocenyl‐Substituted Group 4 Metallocene Complexes

The reaction of different metallocene fragments [Cp₂M] (Cp=η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl, M=Ti, Zr) with diferrocenylacetylene and 1,4‐diferrocenylbuta‐1,3‐diyne is described. The titanocene complexes form the highly strained three‐ and five‐membered ring systems [Cp₂Ti(η²‐FcC₂Fc)] ( 1 ) and [Cp₂Ti(η⁴‐FcC₄Fc)] ( 2 ) (Fc=[Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)]) by addition of the appropriate alkyne or diyne to Cp₂Ti. Zirconocene precursors react with diferrocenyl‐ and ferrocenylphenylacetylene under C? C bond coupling to yield the metallacyclopentadienes [Cp₂Zr(C₄Fc₄)] ( 3 ) and [Cp₂Zr(C₄Fc₂Ph₂)] ( 5 ), respectively. The exchange of the zirconocene unit in 3 by hydrogen atoms opens the route to the super‐crowded ferrocenyl‐substituted compound tetraferrocenylbutadiene ( 4 ). On the other hand, the reaction of 1,4‐diferrocenylbuta‐1,3‐diyne with zirconocene complexes afforded a cleavage of the central C? C bond, and thus, dinuclear [{Cp₂Zr(μ‐η¹:η²‐C?CFc)}₂] ( 6 ) that consists of two zirconocene acetylide groups was formed. Most of the complexes were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, showing attractive multinuclear molecules. The redox properties of 3 , 5 , and 6 were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Upon oxidation to 3 ⁿ⁺, 5 ⁿ⁺, and 6 ⁿ⁺ (n=1–3), decomposition occured with in situ formation of new species. The follow‐up products from 3 and 5 possess two or four reversible redox events pointing to butadiene‐based molecules. However, the dinuclear complex 6 afforded ethynylferrocene under the measurement conditions.     

Functionalization of Pentaphosphorus Cations by Complexation

The chemistry of polyphosphorus cations has rapidly developed in recent years, but their coordination behavior has remained mostly unexplored. Herein, we describe the reactivity of [P₅R₂]⁺ cations with cyclopentadienyl metal complexes. The reaction of [Cp^ArFe(μ‐Br)]₂ (Cp^Ar=C₅(C₆H₄‐4‐Et)₅) with [P₅R₂][GaCl₄] (R=iPr and 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes)) afforded bicyclo[1.1.0]pentaphosphanes ( 1‐R , R=iPr and Mes), showing an unsymmetric “butterfly” structure. The same products 1‐R were formed from K[Cp^Ar] and [P₅R₂][GaCl₄]. The cationic complexes [Cp^ArCo(η⁴‐P₅R₂)][GaCl₄] ( 2‐R [GaCl₄], R=iPr and Cy) and [(Cp^ArNi)₂(η^3:3‐P₅R₂)][GaCl₄] ( 3‐R [GaCl₄]) were obtained from [P₅R₂][GaCl₄] and [Cp^ArM(μ‐Br)]₂ (M=Co and Ni) as well as by using low‐valent “Cp^ArM^I” sources. Anion metathesis of 2‐R [GaCl₄] and 3‐R [GaCl₄] was achieved with Na[BArF₂₄]. The P₅ framework of the resulting salts 2‐R [BArF₂₄] can be further functionalized with nucleophiles. Thus reactions with [Et₄N]X (X=CN and Cl) give unprecedented cyano‐ and chloro‐functionalized complexes, while organo‐functionalization was achieved with CyMgCl.     

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

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

Element–Element Bond Formation upon Oxidation and Reduction

The redox chemistry of [(Cp′′′Co)₂(μ,η²:η²‐E₂)₂] (E=P ( 1 ), As ( 2 ); Cp′′′=1,2,4‐tri(tert‐butyl)cyclopentadienyl) was investigated. Both compounds can be oxidized and reduced twice. That way, the monocations [(Cp′′′Co)₂(μ,η⁴:η⁴‐E₄)][X] (E=P, X=BF₄ ( 3 a ), [FAl] ( 3 b ); E=As, X=BF₄ ( 4 a ), [FAl] ( 4 b )), the dications [(Cp′′′Co)₂(μ,η⁴:η⁴‐E₄)][TEF]₂ (E=P ( 5 ), As ( 6 )), and the monoanions [K(18‐c‐6)(dme)₂][(Cp′′′Co)₂(μ,η⁴:η⁴‐E₄)] (E=P ( 7 ), As ( 8 )) were isolated. Further reduction of 7 leads to the dianionic complex [K(18‐c‐6)(dme)₂][K(18‐c‐6)][(Cp′′′Co)₂(μ,η³:η³‐P₄)] ( 9 ), in which the cyclo‐P₄ ligand has rearranged to a chain‐like P₄ ligand. Further reduction of 8 can be achieved with an excess of potassium under the formation of [K(dme)₄][(Cp′′′Co)₂(μ,η³:η³‐As₃)] ( 10 ) and the elimination of an As₁ unit. Compound 10 represents the first example of an allylic As₃ ligand incorporated into a triple‐decker complex.     

Redox Chemistry of Heterobimetallic Polypnictogen Triple-Decker Complexes – Rearrangement,Fragmentation and Transfer

The redox chemistry of the heterobimetallic triple-decker complexes [(Cp*Fe)(Cp′′′Co)(μ,η⁵:η⁴-E₅)] (E=P ( 1 ), As ( 2 ), Cp*=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl, Cp′′′=1,2,4-tri-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl) and [(Cp′′′Co)(Cp′′′Ni)(μ,η³:η³-E₃)] (E=P ( 10 ), As ( 11 )) was investigated. Compound 1 and 2 could be oxidized to the monocations 3 and 4 and further to the dications 5 and 6 , while the initially folded cyclo-E₅ ligand planarizes upon oxidation. The reduction leads to an opposite change in the geometry of the middle deck, which is now folded stronger into the direction of the other metal fragment (formation of monoanions 7 and 8 ). For the arsenic compound 8 , a different behavior is found since a fragmentation into an As₆ ( 9 ) and As₃ ligand complex occurs. The Co and Ni triple-decker complexes 10 and 11 can be oxidized initially to the heterometallic monocations 12 and 13 , which are not stable in solution and convert selectively into the homometallic nickel complexes 14 and 15 and the cobalt complexes 16 and 17 . This behavior was further proven by the oxidation of [(Cp′′′Co)(Cp′′Ni)(μ,η³:η²-P₃)] ( 19 , Cp′′=1,3-di-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl) comprising two different Cp ligands. The transfer of {Cp^RM} fragments can be suppressed when a {W(CO)₅} unit is coordinated to the P₃ ligand ( 20 ) prior to the oxidation and the mixed cobalt and nickel cation 21 can be isolated. The reduction of 10 and 11 yields the heterometallic monoanions 22 and 23 , where no transfer of the {Cp^RM} fragments is observed.     

Access to Stable Metalloradical Cations with Unsupported and Isomeric Metal–Metal Hemi‐Bonds

Metalloradical species [Co₂Fv(CO)₄]^.+ ( 1 ^.+, Fv=fulvalenediyl) and [Co₂Cp₂(CO)₄]^.+ ( 2 ^.+, Cp=η⁵‐C₅H₅), formed by one‐electron oxidations of piano‐stool cobalt carbonyl complexes, can be stabilized with weakly coordinating polyfluoroaluminate anions in the solid state. They feature a supported and an unsupported (i.e. unbridged) cobalt–cobalt three‐electron σ bond, respectively, each with a formal bond order of 0.5 (hemi‐bond). When Cp is replaced by bulkier Cp* (Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), an interchange between an unsupported radical [Co₂Cp*₂(CO)₄]^.+ (anti‐ 3 ^.+) and a supported radical [Co₂Cp*₂(μ‐CO)₂(CO)₂]^.+ (trans‐ 3 ^.+) is observed in solution, which cocrystallize and exist in the crystal phase. 2 ^.+ and anti‐ 3 ^.+ are the first stable thus isolable examples that feature an unsupported metal–metal hemi‐bond, and the coexistence of anti‐ 3 ^.+ and trans‐ 3 ^.+ in one crystal is unprecedented in the field of dinuclear metalloradical chemistry. The work suggests that more stable metalloradicals of metal–metal hemi‐bonds may be accessible by using metal carbonyls together with large and weakly coordinating polyfluoroaluminate anions.     

Synthesis of Dinuclear Mo−Fe Hydride Complexes and Catalytic Silylation of N2

Two transition-metal atoms bridged by hydrides may represent a useful structural motif for N₂ activation by molecular complexes and the enzyme active site. In this study, dinuclear Mo^IV-Fe^II complexes with bridging hydrides, Cp^RMo(PMe₃)(H)(μ-H)₃FeCp* ( 2 a ; Cp^R=Cp*=C₅Me₅, 2 b ; Cp^R=C₅Me₄H), were synthesized via deprotonation of Cp^RMo(PMe₃)H₅ ( 1 a ; Cp^R=Cp*, 1 b ; Cp^R=C₅Me₄H) by Cp*FeN(SiMe₃)₂, and they were characterized by spectroscopy and crystallography. These Mo−Fe complexes reveal the shortest Mo−Fe distances ever reported (2.4005(3) Å for 2 a and 2.3952(3) Å for 2 b ), and the Mo−Fe interactions were analyzed by computational studies. Removal of the terminal Mo−H hydride in 2 a – 2 b by [Ph₃C]⁺ in THF led to the formation of cationic THF adducts [Cp^RMo(PMe₃)(THF)(μ-H)₃FeCp*]⁺ ( 3 a ; Cp^R=Cp*, 3 b ; Cp^R=C₅Me₄H). Further reaction of 3 a with LiPPh₂ gave rise to a phosphido-bridged complex Cp*Mo(PMe₃)(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)FeCp* ( 4 ). A series of Mo−Fe complexes were subjected to catalytic silylation of N₂ in the presence of Na and Me₃SiCl, furnishing up to 129±20 equiv of N(SiMe₃)₃ per molecule of 2 b . Mechanism of the catalytic cycle was analyzed by DFT calculations.