Reactions of Group 4 Metallocenes with Monosubstituted Acetonitriles: Keteniminate Formation versus CC Coupling

The reactions of the Group 4 metallocene dichlorides [Cp′₂MCl₂] ( 1 a : M=Ti, Cp′=Cp*=η⁵‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, 1 b : M=Zr, Cp′=Cp=η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) with lithiated MesCH₂?C?N gave [Cp*₂TiCl(N=C=C(HMes))] ( 3 ; Mes=mesityl) in the case of 1 a . For compound 1 b , a nitrile–nitrile coupling resulted in a five‐membered bridge in 4 . The reaction of the metallocene alkyne complex [Cp*₂Zr(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] ( 2 ) with PhCH₂?C?N led in the first step to the unstable product [Cp*₂Zr(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)(NC?CH₂Ph)] ( 5 ). After the elimination of the alkyne, a mixture of products was formed. By variation of the solvent and the reaction temperature, three compounds were isolated: a diazadiene complex 6 , a bis(keteniminate) complex 7 , and 8 with a keteniminate ligand and a five‐membered metallacycle. Subsequent variation of the Cp ligand and the metal center by using [Cp₂Zr] and [Cp*₂Ti] with Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃ in the reactions with PhCH₂?C?N gave complex mixtures.     

Reactions of rac‐(ebthi)M(η2‐Me3SiC2SiMe3) (M=Ti,Zr) with Aryl Nitriles

The reactions of the Group 4 metallocene alkyne complexes rac‐(ebthi)M(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) ( 1 a : M=Ti, 1 b : M=Zr; rac‐(ebthi)=rac‐1,2‐ethylene‐1,1′‐bis(η⁵‐tetrahydroindenyl)) with Ph?C?N were investigated. For 1 a , an unusual nitrile–nitrile coupling to 1‐titana‐2,5‐diazacyclopenta‐2,4‐diene ( 2 ) at ambient temperature was observed. At higher temperature, the C?C coupling of two nitriles resulted in the formation of a dinuclear complex with a four‐membered diimine bridge ( 3 ). The reaction of 1 b with Ph?C?N afforded dinuclear compound 4 and 2,4,6‐triphenyltriazine. Additionally, the reactivity of 1 b towards other nitriles was investigated.     

Four‐Membered Heterometallacyclic d0 and d1 Complexes of Group 4 Metallocenes with Amidato Ligands

A study of the coordination chemistry of different amidato ligands [(R)N?C(Ph)O] (R=Ph, 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dipp)) at Group 4 metallocenes is presented. The heterometallacyclic complexes [Cp₂M(Cl){κ²‐N,O‐(R)N?C(Ph)O}] M=Zr, R=Dipp ( 1 a ), Ph ( 1 b ); M=Hf, R=Ph ( 2 )) were synthesized by reaction of [Cp₂MCl₂] with the corresponding deprotonated amides. Complex 1 a was also prepared by direct deprotonation of the amide with Schwartz reagent [Cp₂Zr(H)Cl]. Salt metathesis reaction of [Cp₂Zr(H)Cl] with deprotonated amide [(Dipp)N?C(Ph)O] gave the zirconocene hydrido complex [Cp₂M(H){κ²‐N,O‐(Dipp)N?C(Ph)O}] ( 3 ). Reaction of 1 a with Mg did not result in the desired Zr(III) complex but in formation of Mg complex [(py)₃Mg(Cl) {κ²‐N,O‐(Dipp)N?C(Ph)O}] ( 4 ; py=pyridine). The paramagnetic complexes [Cp′₂Ti{κ²‐N,O‐(R)N?C(Ph)O}] (Cp′=Cp, R=Ph ( 7 a ); Cp′=Cp, R=Dipp ( 7 b ); Cp′=Cp*, R=Ph ( 8 )) were prepared by the reaction of the known titanocene alkyne complexes [Cp₂′Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] (Cp′=Cp ( 5 ), Cp′=Cp* ( 6 )) with the corresponding amides. Complexes 1 a , 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 a , 7 b , and 8 were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The structure and bonding of complexes 7 a and 8 were also characterized by EPR spectroscopy.     

Unusual Nitrile–Nitrile and Nitrile–Alkyne Coupling of FcCN and FcCCCN

The reactions of the Group 4 metallocene alkyne complexes, [Cp*₂M(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] ( 1 a : M=Ti, 1 b : M=Zr, Cp*=η⁵‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), with the ferrocenyl nitriles, Fc?C?N and Fc?C?C?C?N (Fc=Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(η⁵‐C₅H₄)), is described. In case of Fc?C?N an unusual nitrile–nitrile C?C homocoupling was observed and 1‐metalla‐2,5‐diaza‐cyclopenta‐2,4‐dienes ( 3 a , b ) were obtained. As the first step of the reaction with 1 b , the nitrile was coordinated to give [Cp*₂Zr(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)(N?C‐Fc)] ( 2 b ). The reactions with the 3‐ferrocenyl‐2‐propyne‐nitrile Fc?C?C?C?N lead to an alkyne–nitrile C?C coupling of two substrates and the formation of 1‐metalla‐2‐aza‐cyclopenta‐2,4‐dienes ( 4 a , b ). For M=Zr, the compound is stabilized by dimerization as evidenced by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The electrochemical behavior of 3 a , b and 4 a , b was investigated, showing decomposition after oxidation, leading to different redox‐active products.     

Highly Strained Heterometallacycles of Group 4 Metallocenes with Bis(diphenylphosphino)amide Ligands

A study regarding coordination chemistry of the bis(diphenylphosphino)amide ligand Ph₂P‐N‐PPh₂ at Group 4 metallocenes is presented herein. Coordination of N,N‐bis(diphenylphosphino)amine ( 1 ) to [(Cp₂TiCl)₂] (Cp=η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) generated [Cp₂Ti(Cl)P(Ph₂)N(H)PPh₂] ( 2 ). The heterometallacyclic complex [Cp₂Ti(κ²‐P,P‐Ph₂P‐N‐PPh₂)] ( 3 Ti ) can be prepared by reaction of 2 with n‐butyllithium as well as from the reaction of the known titanocene–alkyne complex [Cp₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] with the amine 1 . Reactions of the lithium amide [(thf)₃Li{N(PPh₂)₂}] with [Cp₂MCl₂] (M=Zr, Hf) yielded the corresponding zirconocene and hafnocene complexes [Cp₂M(Cl){κ²‐N,P‐N(PPh₂)₂}] ( 4 Zr and 4 Hf ). Reduction of 4 Zr with magnesium gave the highly strained heterometallacycle [Cp₂Zr(κ²‐P,P‐Ph₂P‐N‐PPh₂)] ( 3 Zr ). Complexes 2 , 3 Ti , 4 Hf , and 3 Zr were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The structures and bondings of all complexes were investigated by DFT calculations.     

Latest News: Reactions of Group 4 Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene Metallocene Complexes and Applications of the Obtained Products

Recently published reactions of group 4 metallocene bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene (btmsa) complexes from the last two years are reviewed. Complexes like Cp’₂Ti(η²-Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) and Cp₂Zr(py)(η²-Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) with Cp’ as Cp (cyclopentadienyl) and Cp* (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) have been considered (py=pyridine). These complexes can liberate a reactive low-valent titanium or zirconium center by dissociation of the ligands and act as ‘‘masked’’ M^II complexes (M=Ti, Zr). They represent excellent sources for the clean generation of the reactive coordinatively and electronically unsaturated complex fragments [Cp’₂M]. This is the reason why they were used for many synthetic and catalytic reactions during the last years. As an update to several review articles on this topic, this contribution provides an update with recent examples of preparative organometallic and organic chemistry of these complexes, acting as reagents for a wide range of coordinating and coupling reactions. In addition, applications and investigations concerning reaction products derived from this chemistry are mentioned, too.     

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.     

Katalysatordesaktivierungen bei der Acetylen-Polymerisation mit Titanocen- bzw. Zirconocen-Komplexen des Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylens

Desactivation of Catalysts in the Polymerization of Acetylene by Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene Complexes of Titanocene or Zirconocene Unexpected inactive byproducts were observed in the catalytic polymerization of acetylene using metallocene alkyne complexes Cp₂M(L)(η²-Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃), 1 : M = Ti, without L; 2 : M = Zr, L = thf. The reaction of 1 was investigated in detail by NMR to give quantitatively at –20 °C the titanacyclopentadiene Cp₂Ti–CH=CH–C(SiMe₃)=C(SiMe₃) ( 3 ). Around 0 °C 3 starts to rearrange to yield the dihydroindenyl complex 4 via coupling of one Cp-ligand with the titanacyclopentadiene. In the reaction of 2 under analogous conditions a zirconacyclopentadiene Cp₂Zr–CH=CH–C(SiMe₃)=C(SiMe₃) ( 5 ) and the dimeric complex [Cp₂Zr(C(SiMe₃)=CH(SiMe₃)]₂[μ-σ(1,2)-C≡C] ( 6 ) were observed. Whereas 5 decomposes to a mixture of unidentified paramagnetic species, 6 was isolated and investigated by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. In the reaction of rac-(ebthi)Zr(η²-Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) (ebthi = ethylenbistetrahydroindenyl) with 2-ethynyl-pyridine the complex rac-(ebthi)ZrC(SiMe₃)=CH(SiMe₃)](σ-C≡CPy) 7 was obtained, which was investigated by an X-ray analysis.     

Functionalization of a cyclo‐P5 Ligand by Main‐Group Element Nucleophiles

Unprecedented functionalized products with an η⁴‐P₅ ring are obtained by the reaction of [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐P₅)] ( 1 ; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with different nucleophiles. With LiCH₂SiMe₃ and LiNMe₂, the monoanionic products [Cp*Fe(η⁴‐P₅CH₂SiMe₃)]^? and [Cp*Fe(η⁴‐P₅NMe₂)]^?, respectively, are formed. The reaction of 1 with NaNH₂ leads to the formation of the trianionic compound [{Cp*Fe(η⁴‐P₅)}₂N]^3?, whereas the reaction with LiPH₂ yields [Cp*Fe(η⁴‐P₅PH₂)]^? as the main product, with {[Cp*Fe(η⁴‐P₅)]₂PH}^2? as a byproduct. The calculated energy profile of the reactions provides a rationale for the formation of the different products.     

Synthesis and Structures of ansa‐Titanocene Complexes with Diatomic Bridging Units for Overall Water Splitting

The synthesis of a series of ansa‐titanocene dichlorides [Cp′₂TiCl₂] (Cp′=bridged η⁵‐tetramethylcyclopentadienyl) and the corresponding titanocene bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene complexes [Cp′₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] is described. The ethanediyl‐bridged complexes [C₂H₄(C₅Me₄)₂TiCl₂] ( 2 ‐Cl₂) and [C₂H₄(C₅Me₄)₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] ( 2‐ btmsa; btmsa=η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) can be obtained from the hitherto unknown calcocenophane complex [C₂H₄(C₅Me₄)₂Ca(THF)₂] ( 1 ). Furthermore, a heterodiatomic bridging unit containing both, a dimethylsilyl and a methylene group was introduced to yield the ansa‐titanocene dichloride [Me₂SiCH₂(C₅Me₄)₂TiCl₂] ( 3 ‐Cl₂) and the bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene complex [Me₂SiCH₂(C₅Me₄)₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] ( 3 ‐btmsa). Besides, tetramethyldisilyl‐ and dimethylsilyl‐bridged metallocene complexes (structural motif 4 and 5 , respectively) were prepared. All ansa‐titanocene alkyne complexes were reacted with stoichiometric amounts of water; the hydrolysis products were isolated as model complexes for the investigation of the elemental steps of overall water splitting. Compounds 1 , 2 ‐btmsa, 2 ‐(OH)₂, 3 ‐Cl₂, 3 ‐btmsa, 4 ‐(OH)₂, 3 ‐alkenyl and 5 ‐alkenyl were characterised by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Reactions of 2‐Substituted Pyridines with Titanocenes and Zirconocenes: Coupling versus Dearomatisation

Reactions of group 4 metallocene sources with 2‐substituted pyridines were investigated to evaluate their coordination type between innocent and reductive dearomatisation as well as to probe the possibility for couplings. A dependence on the cyclopentadienyl ligands (Cp, Cp*), the metals (Ti, Zr), and the substrates (2‐phenyl‐, 2‐acetyl‐, and 2‐iminopyridine) was observed. While 2‐phenylpyridine is barely reactive, 2‐acetylpyridine reacts vigorously with the Cp‐substituted complexes and selectively with their Cp* analogues. With 2‐iminopyridine, in all cases selective reactions were observed. In the isolated [Cp₂Ti], [Cp₂Zr], and [Cp*₂Zr] compounds the substrate coordinates by its pyridyl ring and the unsaturated side‐chain. Subsequently, the pyridine was dearomatised, which is most pronounced in the [Cp*₂Zr] compounds. Using [Cp*₂Ti] leads to the unexpected paramagnetic complexes [Cp*₂Ti^III(N,O‐acpy)] and [Cp*₂Ti^III(N,N′‐impy)]. This highlights the non‐innocent character of the pyridyl substrates.     

Formation of Tri‐ and Tetranuclear Titanacycles through Decamethyltitanocene‐Mediated Intermolecular C–C Coupling of Dinitriles

The reactions of [Cp*₂Ti(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃)] (Cp*=η⁵‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with various dicyano compounds were investigated. Nitrile–nitrile C? C couplings result in multinuclear complexes owing to the bifunctionality of the substrates. Applying 1,3‐ or 1,4‐dicyanobenzene led to tri‐ and tetranuclear complexes of the rare 1‐metalla‐2,5‐diaza‐cyclopenta‐2,4‐dienes. These are potential catalysts and were tested in the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone. The reaction with adiponitrile as alkyl dinitrile afforded a trinuclear 1‐metalla‐2,5‐diaza‐cyclopent‐3‐ene through additional protonation of the nitrogen atoms. The structure and bonding of the products were investigated by X‐ray crystallography and DFT analysis to understand the molecular organization in the macrocycles.     

Activation of Metallacyclopropenes,five-membered Metallacyclocumulenes and Metallacyclopentynes of Zirconium with iBu2AlH

The recently described reaction products of zirconacyclopropenes Cp^′₂Zr(η²-Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) and five-membered zirconacyclocumulenes (zirconacyclopenta-2,3,4-trienes) Cp*₂Zr(η⁴-1,2,3,4-RC₄R), Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, R = Me, Me₃Si and Ph, with i-Bu₂AlH are active catalysts in the polymerization of ethylene and in the ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. Here we describe the different activity of these complexes after thermal activation or if additional i-Bu₂AlH together with water are added. These results are compared to those which were obtained with the complexes Cp₂Zr(η⁴-1,2,3,4-H₂C₄H₂), rac-(EBTHI)ZrF₂, rac-(EBTHI)ZrCl₂, [rac-(EBTHI)Zr(H)(µ-H)]₂ and rac (EBTHI)Zr(F)CH₂-CH₂(2-Py) after activation with i-Bu₂AlH together with water.     

Syntheses and Characterization of New Vinyl‐Borylene Complexes by the Hydroboration of Alkynes with [(μ3‐BH)(Cp*RuCO)2(μ‐CO)Fe(CO)3]

Room temperature photolysis of a triply‐bridged borylene complex, [(μ₃‐BH)(Cp*RuCO)₂(μ‐CO)Fe(CO)₃] ( 1 a ; Cp*=C₅Me₅), in the presence of a series of alkynes, 1,2‐diphenylethyne, 1‐phenyl‐1‐propyne, and 2‐butyne led to the isolation of unprecedented vinyl‐borylene complexes (Z)‐[(Cp*RuCO)₂(μ‐CO)B(CR)(CHR′)] ( 2 : R, R′=Ph; 3 : R=Me, R′=Ph; 4 : R, R′=Me). This reaction permits a hydroboration of alkyne through an anti ‐ Markovnikov addition. In stark contrast, in the presence of phenylacetylene, a metallacarborane, closo‐[1,2‐(Cp*Ru)₂(μ‐CO)₂{Fe₂(CO)₅}‐4‐Ph‐4,5‐C₂BH₂] ( 5 a) , is formed. A plausible mechanism has been proposed for the formation of vinyl‐borylene complexes, which is supported by density functional theory (DFT) methods. Furthermore, the calculated ¹¹B NMR chemical shifts accurately reflect the experimentally measured shifts. All the new compounds have been characterized in solution by mass spectrometry and IR, ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies and the structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis of 2 , 5 a , and 5 b .     

The Influence of the Ligands Cp*(η5‐C5Me5) and Cp(η5‐C5H5) on the Stability and Reactivity of Titanocene and Zirconocene Complexes: Reactions of the Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene Permethylmetallocene Complexes (η5‐C5Me5)2M(η2‐Me3SiC2SiMe3), M = Ti,Zr, with H2O and CO2

The reactions of the bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene permethylmetallocene complexes CpM(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) (M = Ti ( 1 ), M = Zr ( 2 )) with H₂O and CO₂ were studied and compared to those of the corresponding metallocene complexes Cp₂M(L)(η²‐Me₃SiC₂SiMe₃) (M = Ti ( 3 ), L = – ; M = Zr, L = THF ( 4 )) to understand the influence of the ligands Cp(η⁵‐C₅H₅) and Cp*(η⁵‐C₅Me₅) as well as the metals titanium and zirconium on the reaction pathways and the obtained products. In the reaction of the permethyltitanocene complex 1 with water the dihydroxy complex CpTi(OH)₂ ( 5 ) was formed. This product differs from the well‐known titanoxane Cp₂TiOTiCp₂ which was obtained by the reaction of the corresponding titanocene complex 3 with water. The reaction of the permethylzirconocene complex 2 with water gives the mononuclear alkenyl zirconocene hydroxide 6 . An analogous product was assumed as the first step in the reaction of the corresponding zirconocene complex 4 with water which ends up in a dinuclear zirconoxane. In the conversion of the permethylzirconocene complex 2 with carbon dioxide the mononuclear insertion product 7 was formed by coupling of carbon dioxide and the acetylene. In contrast, the corresponding zirconocene complex 4 affords, by an analogous reaction, a dinuclear complex. In additional experiments the known complex CpZr(η²‐PhC₂SiMe₃) ( 8 ) was prepared, starting from CpZrCl₂ and Mg in the presence of PhC≡CSiMe₃. This complex reacts with carbon dioxide resulting in a mixture of the regioisomeric zirconafuranones 9 a and 9 b . From these in the complex 9 a , having the SiMe₃ group in β‐position to the metal, the Zr–C bond was quickly hydrolyzed by water to give the complex CpZr(OH)OC(=O)–C(SiMe₃)=CHPh ( 10 a ) compared to complex ( 9 b ) which gives slowly the complex CpZr(OH)OC(=O)–CPh=CH(SiMe₃) ( 10 b ).     

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 ).     

Terminal Alkynes in the Coordination Sphere of Titanocene Complexes – Elementary Steps in Catalytic Dimerizations and Oligomerizations of Alkynes

The titanocene acetylene complex [Cp*₂Ti(η²-Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃)] ( 14 ) reacts with 1-alkynes such as phenylacetylene ( 15 a ), 1-hexyne ( 15 b ), 1-dodecyne ( 15 c ) and trimethylsilylacetylene ( 15 d ) by ligand exchange and proton shift, to yield exclusively the 1-alkenyltitanocene acetylides [Cp*₂Ti(CH=CHR)(C≡CR)] ( 21 ) (R = Ph ( 21 a ), CH₃(CH₂)₃ ( 21 b ), CH₃(CH₂)₉ ( 21 c ), SiMe₃ ( 21 d )). The X-ray structure of 21 a is presented. In reaction of acetylene HC≡CH ( 15 e ) with 14 other products are formed. However, no intermediates, like [Cp*₂Ti(η²-RC≡CH)] ( 17 ), [Cp*₂Ti(H)C≡CR] ( 17 ) or [Cp*₂Ti=C=CHR] ( 22 ) in reactions of 14 with 15 are detectable. On the other hand, a stable titanocenehydride [Cp*₂Ti(H)OCH₃] ( 23 ) is obtained by oxidative addition of CH₃OH with Cp*₂Ti, generated from 14 .     

Molecular Polyarsenides of the Rare‐Earth Elements

Reduction of [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐As₅)] with [Cp′′₂Sm(thf)] (Cp′′=η⁵‐1,3‐(tBu)₂C₅H₃) under various conditions led to [(Cp′′₂Sm)(μ,η⁴:η⁴‐As₄)(Cp*Fe)] and [(Cp′′₂Sm)₂As₇(Cp*Fe)]. Both compounds are the first polyarsenides of the rare‐earth metals. [(Cp′′₂Sm)(μ,η⁴:η⁴‐As₄)(Cp*Fe)] is also the first d/f‐triple decker sandwich complex with a purely inorganic planar middle deck. The central As₄^2? unit is isolobal with the 6π‐aromatic cyclobutadiene dianion (CH)₄^2?. [(Cp′′₂Sm)₂As₇(Cp*Fe)] contains an As₇^3? cage, which has a norbornadiene‐like structure with two short As?As bonds in the scaffold. DFT calculations confirm all the structural observations. The As?As bond order inside the cyclo As₄ ligand in [(Cp′′₂Sm)(μ,η⁴:η⁴‐As₄)(Cp*Fe)] was estimated to be in between an As?As single bond and a formally aromatic As₄^2? system.     

Sterically Less‐Hindered Half‐Titanocene(IV) Phenoxides: Ancillary‐Ligand Effect on Mono‐, Bis‐, and Tris(2‐Alkyl‐/arylphenoxy) Titanium(IV) Chloride Complexes

A series of mono‐, bis‐, and tris(phenoxy)–titanium(IV) chlorides of the type [Cp*Ti(2‐R? PhO)_nCl_3?n] (n=1–3; Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) was prepared, in which R=Me, iPr, tBu, and Ph. The formation of each mono‐, bis‐, and tris(2‐alkyl‐/arylphenoxy) series was authenticated by structural studies on representative examples of the phenyl series including [Cp*Ti(2‐Ph? PhO)Cl₂] ( 1 PhCl2 ), [Cp*Ti(2‐Ph? PhO)₂Cl] ( 2 PhCl ), and [Cp*Ti(2‐Ph? PhO)₃] ( 3 Ph ). The metal‐coordination geometry of each compound is best described as pseudotetrahedral with the Cp* ring and the 2‐Ph? PhO and chloride ligands occupying three leg positions in a piano‐stool geometry. The mean Ti? O distances, observed with an increasing number of 2‐Ph? PhO groups, are 1.784(3), 1.802(4), and 1.799(3) Å for 1 PhCl2 , 2 PhCl , and 3 Ph , respectively. All four alkyl/aryl series with Me, iPr, tBu, and Ph substituents were tested for ethylene homopolymerization after activation with Ph₃C⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? and modified methyaluminoxane (7% aluminum in isopar E; mMAO‐7) at 140 °C. The phenyl series showed much higher catalytic activity, which ranged from 43.2 and 65.4 kg (mmol of Ti?h)^?1, than the Me, iPr, and tBu series (19.2 and 36.6 kg (mmol of Ti?h)^?1). Among the phenyl series, the bis(phenoxide) complex of 2 PhCl showed the highest activity of 65.4 kg (mmol of Ti?h)^?1. Therefore, the catalyst precursors of the phenyl series were examined by treating them with a variety of alkylating reagents, such as trimethylaluminum (TMA), triisobutylaluminum (TIBA), and methylaluminoxane (MAO). In all cases, 2 PhCl produced the most catalytically active alkylated species, [Cp*Ti(2‐Ph? PhO)MeCl]. This enhancement was further supported by DFT calculations based on the simplified model with TMA.     

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 ).