Syntheses and structures of alkaline earth metal bis(diphenylamides)

Various preparative procedures are employed in order to synthesize alkaline earth metal bis(diphenylamides) such as (i) metalation of HNPh2 with the alkaline earth metal M, (ii) metalation of HNPh2 with MPh2, (iii) metathesis reaction of MI2 with KNPh2, (iv) metalation of HNPh2 with PhMI in THF, and (v) metathesis reaction of PhMI with KNPh2 followed by a dismutation reaction yielding MPh2 and M(NPh2)2. The magnesium compounds [(diox)MgPh2]infinity (1) and (thf)2Mg(NPh2)2 (2) show tetracoordinate metal atoms, whereas in (dme)2Ca(NPh2)2 (3), (thf)4Sr(NPh2)2 (4), and (thf)4Ba(NPh2)2 (5) the metals are 6-fold coordinated. Additional agostic interactions between an ipso-carbon of one of the phenyl groups of the amide ligand and the alkaline earth metal atom lead to unsymmetric coordination of the NPh2 anions with two strongly different M-N-C angles in 3-5.     

Alkaline earth metal complexes of a phosphine-borane-stabilized carbanion: synthesis, structures, and stabilities

The reaction between either MgI2 or CaI2 and 2 equiv of [(Me3Si)2{Me2(H3B)P}C]K (2) in toluene gives the corresponding organo-alkaline earth metal compounds [(Me3Si)2{Me2(H3B)P}C]2M in moderate to good yields [M = Mg (3), Ca (4)]. Compound 3 crystallizes solvent-free, whereas X-ray quality crystals of 4 could not be obtained in the absence of coordinating solvents; crystallization of 4 from cold methylcyclohexane/THF gives the solvate [(Me3Si)2{Me2(H3B)P}C]2Ca(THF)4 (4a). The corresponding heavier alkaline earth metal complexes [(Me3Si)2{Me2(H3B)P}C]2M(THF)5 [M = Sr (7), Ba (8)] are obtained from the reaction between MI2 and 2 equiv of 2 in THF, followed by recrystallization from cold methylcyclohexane/THF. Compound 3 degrades over a period of several weeks at room-temperature both in the solid state and in toluene solution to give the free phosphine-borane (Me3Si)2{Me2(H3B)P}CH (5) as the sole phosphorus-containing product. In addition, compounds 3, 4, and 4a react rapidly with THF in toluene solution, yielding 5 as the sole phosphorus-containing product; in contrast, compounds 7 and 8 are stable toward this solvent.     

Arylphosphanide complexes of the alkaline-earth metals magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium of the formula (THF)nM[P(H)Ph]2 and formation of potassium diphenylphosphinomagnesiates

The reaction of diethylmagnesium with diphenylphosphane yields [(THF)Mg(Et)PPh 2] infinity ( 1; THF = tetrahydrofuran) with bridging PPh 2 ligands and average Mg-P bond lengths of 262.2 pm. The metalation reaction of MgEt 2 with HPPh 2 and H 2PPh with a 1:2 stoichiometry gives [(THF) 4Mg(PPh 2) 2] ( 2) and [(THF) 6Mg 4{P(H)Ph} 8] ( 3), respectively. Tetranuclear 3 contains three chemically different phenylphosphanide groups with characteristic P-H stretching frequencies at 2261, 2286, and 2310 cm (-1). The metathesis reaction of potassium phenylphosphanide with CaI 2 yields oligomeric (THF) 3Ca[P(H)Ph] 2 ( 4). A similar reaction with SrI 2 and BaI 2 gives polymeric [(THF) 2Sr{P(H)Ph} 2] infinity ( 5) and [(THF)Ba{P(H)Ph} 2] infinity ( 6), respectively, showing one stretching frequency at 2285 cm (-1). These compounds crystallize polymeric with bridging phenylphosphanide substituents. The addition of Et 2O to a mixture of KPPh 2 and Mg(PPh 2) 2 in THF initiates the crystallization of (Et 2O)K[(THF)Mg(PPh 2) 3] ( 7) with a strand structure and (Et 2O) x(THF) yK 2[Mg(PPh 2) 4] ( 8) with a layer structure depending on the stoichiometry. The crystals of 8 easily lose THF and Et 2O and, therefore, the content of these ethers varies. Recrystallization of 8 from hot 1,4-dioxane (diox) yields (diox) 2K 2[Mg(PPh 2) 4] ( 9) with a layer structure comparable to that of 8. The central structural units are eight-membered K 2Mg 2P 4 rings that are interconnected by P-K-P bridges. In a THF solution, the magnesiates 7- 9 dissociate into the homometallic derivatives KPPh 2 and Mg(PPh 2) 2, as can be seen from NMR experiments.     

Synthesis and structures of monomeric magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium amides involving the N,N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)(trimethylsilyl)amido ligand

An extended family of aryl-substituted alkaline earth metal silylamides M{N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)(SiMe3)}donor(n) was prepared using alkane elimination (Mg), salt elimination (Ca, Sr, Ba), and direct metalation (Sr, Ba). Three different donors, THF, TMEDA (TMEDA = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine), and PMDTA (PMDTA = N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) were employed to study their influence on the coordination chemistry of the target compounds, producing monomeric species with the composition M{N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)(SiMe3)}2(THF)2 (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba), M{N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)(SiMe3)}2TMEDA (M = Ca, Ba), and M{N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)(SiMe3)}2PMDTA (M = Sr, Ba). For the heavier metal analogues, varying degrees of agostic interactions are completing the coordination sphere of the metals. Compounds were characterized using IR and NMR spectroscopy in addition to X-ray crystallography.     

Heavier group 2 element-catalysed hydroamination of isocyanates

The heteroleptic calcium amides [{ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)NAr}Ca(NR(2))(THF)] (Ar=2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl, R=SiMe(3), Ph) and the homoleptic heavier alkaline earth amides, [M{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2)] (M=Ca, Sr and Ba) are reported as pre-catalysts for the hydroamination of isocyanates.     

Amido-based potassium-alkaline earth metallates--synthesis and structures of heterobimetallic complexes of heavy s-block elements

The metathesis reaction of potassium N-isopropylanilide with alkaline earth metal diiodides of calcium, strontium and barium in a molar ratio of 4:1 yields the corresponding alkaline earth metalates of the type [(THF)(n)K(μ-NPhiPr)(2)Ae(μ-NPhiPr)(2)K(THF)(n)] (1: Ae = Ca, n = 2). Stabilization and crystallization of such derivatives succeeds after exchange of the THF ligands by multidentate amino bases such as tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) or pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA). The influence of the size and hardness of the alkaline earth metal center on the molecular structures is studied with [(L)K(μ-NPhiPr)(2)Ae(μ-NPhiPr)(2)K(L)] (2: Ae = Ca, L = TMEDA; 3: Ae = Sr, L = TMEDA; 4: Ae = Sr, L = PMDETA; and 5: Ae = Ba, L = PMDETA). The molecular structures are dominated by (attractive and repulsive) electrostatic and steric factors leading to a shortening of the non-bonding AeK distances from calcium to barium.     

Triazenide complexes of the heavier alkaline earths: synthesis, characterization, and suitability for hydroamination catalysis

A series of triazenide complexes of the heavier alkaline earths, Ca, Sr and Ba, have been synthesized by either protonolysis or salt metathesis routes. Although complexes of the form [{Ar 2N 3}M{N(SiMe 3) 2}(THF) n ] (M = Ca, n = 2; M = Sr, n = 3; Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) and [{Ar 2N 3}Ca(I)(THF) 2] 2 could be isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography, solution studies revealed the propensity of these species to undergo Schlenk-like redistribution with the formation of [{Ar 2N 3} 2M(THF) n ] (M = Ca, n = 1; M = Sr, n = 2). The latter compounds have been synthesized independently. In the case of the large barium dication, attempts to synthesize the heaviest analogue of the series, [{Ar 2N 3} 2Ba(THF) n ], failed and led instead to the isolation of the potassium barate complex [K{Ar 2N 3}Ba{N(SiMe 3) 2} 2(THF) 4]. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies demonstrated that, although in all the aforementioned cases the triazenide ligand binds to the electrophilic group 2 metal centers via symmetrical kappa (2)- N, N-chelates, in the latter compound an unprecedented bridging mode is observed in which the triazenide ligand coordinates through both terminal and internal nitrogen centers. A series of density-functional theory computational experiments have been undertaken to assist in our understanding of this phenomenon. In further experiments, the calcium and strontium amide derivatives [{Ar 2N 3}M{N(SiMe 3) 2}(THF) n ] (M = Ca, n = 2; M = Sr, n = 3) proved to be catalytically active for the intramolecular hydroamination of 1-amino-2,2-diphenylpent-4-ene to form 2-methyl-4,4-diphenylpyrrolidine, with the calcium species demonstrating a higher turnover number than the strontium analogue ( 2a, TOF = 500 h (-1); 2b, TOF = 75 h (-1)). In these instances, because of ambiguities in the structural charcterization of the precatalyst in solution, such quantification holds little value and detailed catalytic studies have not been conducted.     

Heavier alkaline Earth amides as catalysts for the Tischenko reaction

Homoleptic heavier alkaline earth amides, M{N(SiMe3)2}2(THF)2 (M = Ca, Sr, and Ba) are reported as precatalysts for the dimerization of aldehydes to the analogous carboxylic esters (Tischenko reaction). [reaction: see text].     

Synthesis and structural variations of substituted phenylamide complexes of the heavy alkaline earth metals calcium, strontium and barium

Starting material KN(H)C(6)H(3)-2,6-F(2) was prepared via a transamination reaction from KNH(2) and 2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3)NH(2) in THF and crystallized from 1,4-dioxane (diox) as the three-dimensional polymer [(diox)(1.5)K{N(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3)}.diox(0.5)](infinity) (1). The metathesis reaction of (THF)(4)CaI(2) with KN(Me)Ph in THF yields monomeric (THF)(4)Ca[N(Me)Ph](2) (2) with a nearly linear N-Ca-N moiety of 179.84(8) degrees . The metathesis reaction of (THF)(4)CaI(2) with KN(H)Mes yields trinuclear (THF)(6)Ca(3)[N(H)Mes](6) (3) with a linear Ca(3) fragment and bridging 2,4,6-trimethylphenylamido groups. The reaction of 1 with (THF)(4)CaI(2) gives dinuclear (THF)(5)Ca(2)[N(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3)](4).2THF (4) with three bridging and one terminally bound 2,6-difluorophenylamide. A similar reaction of (THF)(5)SrI(2) with KN(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3) yields dinuclear (THF)(6)Sr(2)[N(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3)](3)I.THF (5) in which the iodide anion binds terminally. This iodide ligand cannot be substituted as easily by excess KN(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3). The metathesis reaction of (THF)(5)BaI(2) with KN(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3) leads to the formation of [(THF)(2)Ba{N(H)-2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)](infinity) (6) which crystallizes as a one-dimensional polymer with bridging 2,6-difluorophenylamide anions and additional Ba-F-bonds.     

Heavy alkaline earth metal pyrazolates: synthetic pathways, structural trends, and comparison with divalent lanthanoids

Two series of heavy alkaline earth metal pyrazolates, [M(Ph(2)pz)(2)(thf)(4)] 1 a-c (Ph(2)pz=3,5-diphenylpyrazolate, M=Ca, Sr, Ba; THF=tetrahydrofuran) and [M(Ph(2)pz)(2)(dme)(n)] (M=Ca, 2 a, Sr, 2 b, n=2; M=Ba, 2 c, n=3; DME=1,2-dimethoxyethane) have been prepared by redox transmetallation/ligand exchange utilizing Hg(C(6)F(5))(2). Compounds 1 a and 2 b were also obtained by redox transmetallation with Tl(Ph(2)pz). Alternatively, direct reaction of the alkaline earth metals with 3,5-diphenylpyrazole at elevated temperatures under solventless conditions yielded compounds 1 a-c and 2 a-c upon extraction with THF or DME. By contrast, [M(Me(2)pz)(2)(Me(2)pzH)(4)] 3 a-c (M=Ca, Sr, Ba; Me(2)pzH=3,5-dimethylpyrazole) were prepared by protolysis of [M[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(thf)(2)] (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) with Me(2)pzH in THF and by direct metallation with Me(2)pzH in liquid NH(3)/THF. Compounds 1 a-c and 2 a-c display eta(2)-bonded pyrazolate ligands, while 3 a,b exhibit eta(1)-coordination. Complexes 1 a-c have transoid Ph(2)pz ligands and an overall coordination number of eight with a switch from mutually coplanar Ph(2)pz ligands in 1 a,b to perpendicular in 1 c. In eight coordinate 2 a,b the pyrazolate ligands are cisoid, whilst 2 c has an additional DME ligand and a metal coordination number of ten. By contrast, 3 a,b have octahedral geometry with four eta(1)-Me(2)pzH donors, which are hydrogen-bonded to the uncoordinated nitrogen atoms of the two trans Me(2)pz ligands. The application of synthetic routes initially developed for the preparation of lanthanoid pyrazolates provides detailed insight into the similarities and differences between the two groups of metals and structures of their complexes.     

Syntheses and structures of [M{In(SC{O}Ph)4}2] (M = Mg and Ca): single molecular precursors to MIn2S4 materials

The compounds [Mg{In(SC{O}Ph)4}2] (1) and [Ca(H2O)x{In(SC{O}Ph)4}2].yH2O (x = 0, y = 1, 2 major product; x = 1, y = 0, 2a minor product; x = 2, y = 2, 2b minor product) have been synthesized by reacting InCl3 and M(SC{O}Ph)2 (M = Mg and Ca) prepared in situ in the molar ratio 1:2. The structures of 1, 2a, and 2b have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The structure of 1 consists of two tetrahedral [In(SC{O}Ph)4]- anions sandwiching the Mg(II) metal ions through six carbonyl O atoms. The coordination geometry at the Mg(II) metal atom is distorted octahedral with an O(6) donor set. The structures of 2a and 2b consist of two [In(SC{O}Ph)4]- anions sandwiching the Ca(II) metal ion through five and four carbonyl O atoms, and the octahedral coordination at the Ca(II) centers is completed by one and two aqua ligands, respectively. Two aqua ligands and two lattice water molecules form a H-bonded water chain in the channel created by [Ca{In(SC{O}Ph)4}2] molecules in the crystal structure of 2b. The thermal decomposition of 1 and 2 indicated the formation of the corresponding MIn2S4 materials, and this was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction patterns.     

Syntheses and structures of structurally diverse potassium beta-diketiminates derived from the ligand [(N(SiMe3)C(Ph))2CH

The compounds [K((mu-N(SiMe3)C(Ph))2CH)(thf)2]infinity 1, [K(mu-N(SiMe3)C(Ph)C(H)C(Ph)NH)L]2 [L = (thf)2 2, tmen 3], [K(mu-NSi(Me)2C(Ph)C(H)C(Ph)N)(thf)3]2 4 and [K(N(H)C(Ph))2CH](thf)0.5 5 have been prepared from K[(N(SiMe3)C(Ph))2CH] and the X-ray structures of 1-4 are reported.     

Lanthanide-transition metal carbonyl complexes: condensation of solvent-separated ion-pair compounds into extended structures

New solvent-separated ion-pair compounds and extended structures containing ytterbium(II)-transition metal isocarbonyl linkages were synthesized. [Yb(THF)6][M(CO)5]2 (1, M = Mn; 2, M = Re) were prepared via transmetalation reactions between Yb metal and Hg[M(CO)5]2 in THF. Reflux of 1 in Et2O afforded {Yb(THF)2(Et2O)2[(mu-CO)2Mn(CO)3]2}infinity (3) which is a sheet-layer structure. In ether solution, 3 is converted to {Yb(THF)4[(mu-CO)2Mn(CO)3]2}infinity (4) which has a linear structure. In both 3 and 4, ytterbium is 8-coordinated (distorted square antiprism geometry), four coordination sites occupied by molecules of solvent and four more by oxygen atoms of isocarbonyl linkages. The [Mn(CO)5]- anion has trigonal bipyramidal geometry and is linked to ytterbium through two equatorial carbonyls. The formation of two minor products, (THF)2Mn3(CO)10 (5) and [(THF)5Yb(mu-CO)Mn3(CO)13][Mn3(CO)14] (6), was observed during condensation of 1 into 3 and 4.     

Amido/amine triazacyclononane-based zirconium complexes: syntheses, reactivity, and structures

The reactions of [Zr(NMe2)4]2 with triamido-triazacyclonane ligand precursors, {NH(Ph)SiMe2}3tacn (H3N3[9]N3) and {NH(C6H4F)SiMe2}3tacn (H3N3-F[9]N3), led to the formation of complexes [Zr(NMe2)2{N(Ph)SiMe2}2{NH(Ph) SiMe2}tacn], 1, and [Zr(NMe2)2{N(o-C6H4F)SiMe2}2{NH(o-C6H4F)SiMe2} tacn], 2, where the zirconium is coordinated to two remaining dimethylamido ligands and to a dianionic tacn-based ligand, [{N(Ph')SiMe2}2{NH(Ph')SiMe2}tacn]2-, that formed from deprotonation of two amine pendent arms of the ligands' precursors. The third pendent arm of H3N3[9]N3 and H3N3-F[9]N3 remains neutral and not bonded to the zirconium. Treatment of 1 with NaH led to the synthesis of [Zr(NMe2){N(Ph)SiMe2}2tacn], 3, that results from the cleavage of the N-Si bond of the original neutral pendent arm. Complexes [ZrCl{N(Ph')SiMe2}2tacn] (Ph' = C6H5, 4, and C6H4F, 5) have been obtained by reactions of ZrCl4 with {MN(Ph')SiMe2}3tacn.2THF (M = Li, Na). Reactions of 4 and 5 with LiC triple bond CPh led to the syntheses of [Zr(CCPh){N(Ph')SiMe2}2tacn] (Ph' = C6H5, 6, and C6H4F, 7). The solid-state structure of 3 shows a chiral metal center.     

Discrete, solvent-free alkaline-earth metal cations: metal···fluorine interactions and ROP catalytic activity

Efficient protocols for the syntheses of well-defined, solvent-free cations of the large alkaline-earth (Ae) metals (Ca, Sr, Ba) and their smaller Zn and Mg analogues have been designed. The reaction of 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(morpholinomethyl)phenol ({LO(1)}H), 2-{[bis(2-methoxyethyl)amino]methyl}-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol ({LO(2)}H), 2-[(1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadecan-13-yl)methyl]-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol ({LO(3)}H), and 2-[(1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-azacyclo-pentadecan-13-yl)methyl]-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol ({RO(3)}H) with [H(OEt(2))(2)](+)[H(2)N{B(C(6)F(5))(3)}(2)](-) readily afforded the doubly acidic pro-ligands [{LO(1)}HH](+)[X](-) (1), [{LO(2)}HH](+)[X](-) (2), [{LO(3)}HH](+)[X](-) (3), and [{RO(3)}HH](+)[X](-) (4) ([X](-) = [H(2)N{B(C(6)F(5))(3)}(2)](-)). The addition of 2 to Ca[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2) and Sr[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2) yielded [{LO(2)}Ca(THF)(0.5)](+)[X](-) (5) and [{LO(2)}Sr(THF)](+)[X](-) (6), respectively. Alternatively, 5 could also be prepared upon treatment of {LO(2)}CaN(SiMe(3))(2) (7) with [H(OEt(2))(2)](+)[X](-). Complexes [{LO(3)}M](+)[X](-) (M = Zn, 8; Mg, 9; Ca, 10; Sr, 11; Ba, 12) and [{RO(3)}M](+)[X](-) (M = Zn, 13; Mg, 14; Ca, 15; Sr, 16; Ba, 17) were synthesized in high yields (70-90%) by reaction of 3 or 4 with the neutral precursors M[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(x) (M = Zn, Mg, x = 0; M = Ca, Sr, Ba, x = 2). All compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the solid-sate structures of compounds 1, 3, 7, 8, 13, 14, {15}(4)·3CD(2)Cl(2), {16}(4)·3CD(2)Cl(2), and {{17}(4)·EtOH}·3CD(2)Cl(2) were determined by X-ray diffraction crystallography. Whereas the complexes are monomeric in the case of Zn and Mg, they form bimetallic cations in the case of Ca, Sr and Ba; there is no contact between the metal and the weakly coordinating anion. In all metal complexes, the multidentate ligand is κ(6)-coordinated to the metal. Strong intramolecular M···F secondary interactions between the metal and F atoms from the ancillary ligands are observed in the structures of {15}(4)·3CD(2)Cl(2), {16}(4)·3CD(2)Cl(2), and {{17}(4)·EtOH}·3CD(2)Cl(2). VT (19)F{(1)H} NMR provided no direct evidence that these interactions are maintained in solution; nevertheless, significant Ae···F energies of stabilization of 25-26 (Ca, Ba) and 40 kcal·mol(-1) (Sr) were calculated by NBO analysis on DFT-optimized structures. The identity and integrity of the cationic complexes are preserved in solution in the presence of an excess of alcohol (BnOH, (i)PrOH) or L-lactide (L-LA). Efficient binary catalytic systems for the immortal ring-opening polymerization of L-LA (up to 3,000 equiv) are produced upon addition of an excess (5-50 equiv) of external protic nucleophilic agents (BnOH, (i)PrOH) to 8-12 or 13-17. PLLAs with M(n) up to 35,000 g·mol(-1) were produced in a very controlled fashion (M(w)/M(n) ≈ 1.10-1.20) and without epimerization. In each series of catalysts, the following order of catalytic activity was established: Mg ? Zn < Ca < Sr ≈ Ba; also, Ae complexes supported by the aryloxide ligand are more active than their parents supported by the fluorinated alkoxide ancillary, possibly owing to the presence of Ae···F interactions in the latter case. The rate law -d[L-LA]/dt = k(p)·[L-LA](1.0)·[16](1.0)·[BnOH](1.0) was established by NMR kinetic investigations, with the corresponding activation parameters ΔH(++) = 14.8(5) kcal·mol(-1) and ΔS(++) = -7.6(2.0) cal·K(-1)·mol(-1). DFT calculations indicated that the observed order of catalytic activity matches an increase of the L-LA coordination energy onto the cationic metal centers with parallel decrease of the positive metal charge.     

Analogy of the coordination chemistry of alkaline earth metal and lanthanide Ln(2+) ions: the isostructural zoo of mixed metal cages [IM(OtBu)4{Li(thf)}4(OH)] (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu), [MM'6(OPh)8(thf)6] (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Sm, Eu, M'=Li, Na), and their derivatives with 1,2-dimethoxyethane

As previously shown, alkali and alkaline earth metal iodides in nonaqueous, aprotic solvents behave like transition metal halides, forming cis- and trans-dihalides with various neutral O-donor ligands. These compounds can be used as precursors for the synthesis of new mixed alkali/alkaline earth metal aggregates. We show here that Ln2+ ions form isostructural cluster compounds. Thus, with LiOtBu, 50% of the initial iodide can be replaced in MI2, M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu, to generate the mixed-metal alkoxide aggregates [IM(OtBu)4{Li(thf)}4(OH)], for which the M--OH contacts were investigated by theoretical methods. With M'OPh (M'=Li, Na), a new mixed-metal aryloxide cluster type [MM'6(OPh)8(thf)6] is obtained for M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Sm, Eu. Their stability versus DME (DME=1,2-dimethoxyethane) as bidentate ligand is studied.     

New heterobimetallic and polymeric selenocarboxylates derived from [M(SeC{O}Ph)4]- (M = Ga and In) as molecular precursors for ternary selenides

(Et3NH)[In(SeC{O}Ph)4].H2O (1) along with heterobimetallic and polymeric metal selenocarboxylates, namely [NaGa(SeC{O}Ph)4] (2), [K(MeCN)2Ga(SeC{O}Ph)4] (3), [NaIn(SeC{O}Ph)4] (4), [K(MeCN)2In(SeC{O}Ph)4] (5), [(Ph3P)2CuIn(SeC{O}Ph)4].CH2Cl2 (6), and [(Ph3P)2AgIn(SeC{O}Ph)4].CH2Cl2 (7), have been synthesized by incorporating either alkali metal ions (Na+ and K+) or group 11 metal ions (Cu(I) and Ag(I)) into the [M(SeC{O}Ph)4]- anion. Crystal structures determined by X-ray crystallography indicate that 3 and 5 have one-dimensional coordination polymeric structures while 6 and 7 have an M(mu-Se)2In (M = Cu, Ag) core. The thermal decomposition of these compounds except 4 lead to the formation of the corresponding metal selenides as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis and in some cases by powder X-ray diffraction studies.     

Calcium, strontium, barium, and ytterbium complexes with cyclooctatetraenyl or cyclononatetraenyl ligands

Neutral triple-decker complexes of the heavy alkaline earth metals and ytterbium with tetraisopropylcyclopentadienide anions as terminal ligands and a cyclooctatetraene dianion as a middle deck have been synthesized from tetraisopropylcyclopentadienyl metal halide precursors and disodium cyclooctatetraenide. The pentaisopropylcyclopentadienyl analogue [{(C5iPr5)Yb}2(C8H8)] was prepared from ytterbium metal, cyclooctatetraene, and the free pentaisopropylcyclopentadienyl radical. X-ray crystal structure determinations for the barium and the calcium derivative show an almost linear arrangement of ring centers and metal atoms in both cases with metal-ring center distances of 2.33 A (Ca-Cp), 1.99/1.98 A (Ca-COT) and 2.71 A (Ba-Cp), 2.40 A (Ba-COT). The geometrical features of these molecules could be modeled quite accurately with density functional calculations. With potassium cyclononatetraenide, sparingly soluble bis(cyclononatetraenyl)barium could be prepared and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Cyclononatetraenyl(tetraisopropylcyclopentadienyl)barium was obtained from [(C5HiPr4)BaI(THF)2]2 and KC9H9 as a 1:1 mixture with octaisopropylbarocene. Density functional calculations predict sandwich structures with parallel rings and a 2.37 A Ba-ring distance for [Ba(C9H9)2] and a 174 bending with metal-ring distances of 2.72 A (Ba-Cp) and 2.35 A (Ba-CNT) for [(C5HiPr4)Ba(C9H9)]. All alkaline earth sandwich and triple-decker complexes mentioned above have been heated to 250 degrees C without decomposition and have been sublimed in oil pump vacuum.     

Ligand rotation in [Ar(R)N]3M-N2-M'[N(R)Ar]3(M, M' = MoIII, NbIII; R = iPr and tBu) dimers

Earlier calculations on the model N2-bridged dimer (micro-N2)-{Mo[NH2]3}2 revealed that ligand rotation away from a trigonal arrangement around the metal centres was energetically favourable resulting in a reversal of the singlet and triplet energies such that the singlet state was stabilized 13 kJ mol(-1) below the D(3d) triplet structure. These calculations, however, ignored the steric bulk of the amide ligands N(R)Ar (R =iPr and tBu, Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2) which may prevent or limit the extent of ligand rotation. In order to investigate the consequences of steric crowding, density functional calculations using QM/MM techniques have been performed on the Mo(III)Mo(III) and Mo(III)Nb(III) intermediate dimer complexes (mu-N(2))-{Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2 and [Ar(R)N]3Mo-(mu-N2)-Nb[N(R)Ar]3 formed when three-coordinate Mo[N(R)Ar]3 and Nb[N(R)Ar]3 react with dinitrogen. The calculations indicate that ligand rotation away from a trigonal arrangement is energetically favourable for all of the ligands investigated and that the distortion is largely electronic in origin. However, the steric constraints of the bulky amide groups do play a role in determining the final orientation of the ligands, in particular, whether the ligands are rotated at one or both metal centres of the dimer. Analogous to the model system, QM/MM calculations predict a singlet ground state for the (mu-N2)-{Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2 dimers, a result which is seemingly at odds with the experimental triplet ground state found for the related (mu-N2)-{Mo[N(tBu)Ph]3}2 system. However, QM/MM calculations on the (mu-N2)-{Mo[N(tBu)Ph]3}2 dimer reveal that the singlet-triplet gap is nearly 20 kJ mol(-1) smaller and therefore this complex is expected to exhibit very different magnetic behaviour to the (mu-N2)-{Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2 system.     

Synthesis,characterization, and bonding properties of polymeric fullerides AC70.nNH3 (A = Ca,Sr, Ba,Eu, Yb)

Reduction of C70 with alkaline earth and rare earth metals dissolved in liquid ammonia results in metal fulleride solvates AC70.nNH3 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu, Yb) containing linear polymeric, anionic chains infinity 1 [C70(2-)]. The compounds were characterised by means of Raman spectroscopy and single-crystal structure determination. The accurate crystal structure of [Sr(NH3)8]C70.3NH3, determined with atomic resolution, allowed for a comparison with results of quantum chemical calculations. The nature of the C-C bonds in the fulleride is analysed in detail leading to a model explaining the unexpected polymerisation of C70(2-).