Indium‐Bridged [1]Ferrocenophanes

Indium‐bridged [1]ferrocenophanes ([1]FCPs) and [1.1]ferrocenophanes ([1.1]FCPs) were synthesized from dilithioferrocene species and indium dichlorides. The reaction of Li₂fc?tmeda (fc=(H₄C₅)₂Fe) and (Mamx)InCl₂ (Mamx=6‐(Me₂NCH₂)‐2,4‐tBu₂C₆H₂) gave a mixture of the [1]FCP (Mamx)Infc ( 4₁ ), the [1.1]FCP [(Mamx)Infc]₂ ( 4₂ ), and oligomers [(Mamx)Infc]_n ( 4 _n ). In a similar reaction, employing the enantiomerically pure, planar‐chiral (S_p,S_p)‐1,1′‐dibromo‐2,2′‐diisopropylferrocene ( 1 ) as a precursor for the dilithioferrocene derivative Li₂fc^iPr2, equipped with two iPr groups in the α position, gave the inda[1]ferrocenophane 5₁ [(Mamx)Infc^iPr2] selectively. Species 5₁ underwent ring‐opening polymerization to give the polymer 5 _n . The reaction between Li₂fc^iPr2 and Ar′InCl₂ (Ar′=2‐(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄) gave an inseparable mixture of the [1]FCP Ar′Infc^iPr2 ( 6₁ ) and the [1.1]FCP [Ar′Infc^iPr2]₂ ( 6₂ ). Hydrogenolysis reactions (BP86/TZ2P) of the four inda[1]ferrocenophanes revealed that the structurally most distorted species ( 5₁ ) is also the most strained [1]FCP.     

Chiral Bora[1]ferrocenophanes: Syntheses,Mechanistic Insights,and Ring‐Opening Polymerizations

A series of new boron‐bridged [1]ferrocenophanes ([1]FCPs) was prepared by salt‐metathesis reactions between enantiomerically pure dilithioferrocenes and amino(dichloro)boranes (Et₂NBCl₂, iPr₂NBCl₂, or tBu(Me₃Si)NBCl₂). The dilithioferrocenes were prepared in situ by lithium–bromine exchange from the respective planar‐chiral dibromides (S_p,S_p)‐[1‐Br‐2‐(HR₂C)H₃C₅]₂Fe (R=Me or Et). In most of the cases, mixtures of the targeted [1]FCPs 4 and the unwanted 1,1′‐bis(boryl)ferrocenes 5 were formed. The product ratio depends on the bulkiness of the amino group, the speed of addition of the amino(dichloro)borane, the alkyl group on Cp rings, and in particular on the reaction temperature. The formation of strained [1]FCPs is strongly favored by increased reaction temperatures. Secondly, CHEt₂ groups at Cp rings favored the formation of the targeted [1]FCPs stronger than CHMe₂ groups. These discoveries open up new possibilities to further suppress the formation of unwanted byproducts by a careful choice of the reaction temperature and through tailoring the bulkiness of CHR₂ groups on ferrocene. Thermal ring‐opening polymerizations of selected boron‐bridged [1]FCPs gave metallopolymers with a M_w of 10 kDa (GPC).     

Reversal of Regioselectivity of Nitrone Cycloadditions by Lewis Acids

The regio‐ and stereoselectivity of cycloadditions of the nitrone 1a and the chiral, sugar‐derived nitrones 13a and 13b with 3‐(prop‐2‐enoyl)‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐2‐one ( 2 ) depends on the nature of the Lewis acid catalyst used. Addition of Lewis acid reverses the regioselectivity of the cycloaddition, and improves the anti‐diastereoselectivity in the case of chiral nitrones. The sterically favored isoxazolidin‐5‐yl‐substituted adducts 3, 4 , and 14 – 17 are produced as the major products in the absence of Lewis acid, while the electronically favored regioisomers with isoxazolidin‐4‐yl substituents ( 5, 6 , and 18 – 21 , respectively) are obtained as major products in the [Ti(OⁱPr)₂Cl₂] catalyzed reactions. The reactions of nitrone 13b with 2 in the presence of other Lewis acids such as ZnCl₂, ZnBr₂, ZnI₂ and MgI₂/I₂ gave both regioisomeric pairs of the diastereoisomers, favoring the 4‐substituted congeners. The diastereoisomeric isoxazolidines 3a – 6a were reduced with NaBH₄ in THF/H₂O with subsequent desilylation to yield the separable diols 9 – 12 . Reduction of the diastereoisomeric isoxazolidines 19a and 18a afforded the chiral alcohols 23 and 22 , the latter of which was analyzed by X‐ray crystallography.     

Reactions at the B–B Bond of Tri‐tert‐butylazadiboriridine NB2R3: Ring Extensions

The OCO carboxylate unit of pivalic acid adds to the B–B bond of the azadiboriridine NB₂R₃ ( 1 a , R = tBu) to give the chiral heterocyclohexadiene 2 a ; the enantiomers of 2 a are transformed into one another by a [1,3] sigmatropic hydride transfer along the B–N–B ring fragment. The azadiboracyclopentanes 3 a – e are formed from 1 a and the alkenes ethene, propene, isobutene, (trimethylsilyl)ethene, and 2,3‐dimethyl‐1‐butene. Only one double bond of cyclopentadiene and 1,3‐butadiene reacts in the same way to give 3 f , g , respectively, and both of the double bonds of 1,3‐butadiene react with an excess of 1 a to give 3 h , which is obtained in a 9 : 1 mixture of racemate and meso‐isomer; the meso‐isomer crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n. The corresponding diazadiboracyclopentane 3 i and the triazadiboracyclopentane 3 j are formed from 1 a and N‐phenyl benzaldimine or azobenzene, respectively. Ethyne and 1 a give either the azadiboracyclopentene 4 a (1 : 1) or the diazatetraborabicyclo[3.3.0]octane 3 k (1 : 2). The phosphaalkyne P≡C–tBu and 1 a  analogously yield the heterocyclopentene 4 c . The insertion of SitBu₂ into 1 a to give the azasiladiboracyclobutane 5 a is achieved by applying Li powder and tBu₂SiCl₂. The hitherto unknown azadiboriridines BN₂R₂R′ (R = tBu; R′ = 1‐iPr, 2‐Mes, 2‐CMe₂Et: 1 b – d ) were synthesized by the chloroboration of the iminoboranes RB≡NiPr and RB≡NR with RBCl₂, MesBCl₂, and (EtMe₂C)BCl₂, respectively, and subsequent dechlorination of the isolated and characterized diborylamines Cl–BR–NiPr–BR–Cl ( 6 a ), Cl–BR–NR–BMes–Cl ( 6 b ), and Cl–BR–NR–B(CMe₂Et)–Cl ( 6 c ), respectively, with lithium (Mes = mesityl).The azadiboriridine 1 b dimerizes to give the diaza‐nido‐hexaborane 7 a , whereas 1 c and 1 d are storable at room temperature. The product 1 c crystallizes as a racemate in the space group P2₁/c; its ring geometry differs from that of the known N‐mesityl isomer.     

Double stereoselective coordination of chiral N,S ligands: Synthesis,coordination chemistry and utilization in Pd‐catalyzed allylic alkylation

A series of chiral pentane‐2,4‐diyl‐based thioether‐amine ligands [ 4 and 5 ; (R,S)‐ and (S,S)‐R¹SCH(CH₃)CH₂CH(CH₃)NHR², respectively, where 4a R¹ = iPr, R² = Ph; 4b R¹ = tBu, R² = Ph; 4c R¹ = 1‐Ad, R² = Ph; 5a R¹ = iPr, R² = Ph; 5b R¹ = tBu, R² = Ph; 5c R¹ = 1‐Ad, R² = Ph; 5d R¹ = iPr, R² = 4‐MeOC₆H₄; 5e R¹ = iPr, R² = 4‐MeC₆H₄; 5f R¹ = iPr, R² = 3,5‐Me₂C₆H₃] with stereogenic S‐ and N‐donor atoms has been prepared starting from cyclic sulfates via optically pure γ‐aminoalcohol or 2,4‐dimethylazetidine intermediates. The synthesis of the novel diastereomerically related ligand sets 4 and 5 was accomplished starting from the same source of chirality. The modular ligand structure and the novel synthetic strategies developed for their synthesis allowed the easy modification of the ligands’ (i) S‐ and (ii) N‐substituents, as well as (iii) the relative stereochemistry within the ligand backbone. Six‐membered [Pd(N,S)Cl₂]‐type chelate complexes of the diastereomerically related ligands 4a and 5a were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallography in the solid phase, by density functional theory calculations and in solution by NMR spectroscopy. The coordination of 5a resulted in the formation of a single chair conformation by the stereospecific locking of both stereolabile (N and S) donor atoms. In contrast, compound 4a forms rapidly equilibrating palladium species due to the fast inversion of the sulfur donor. Ligands with stereochemically fixed donor atoms provided robust and efficient catalytic systems that can be effectively applied in alkylene carbonates as green reaction media. Remarkably, the phosphine‐free catalysts are air‐stable, and at room temperature in the presence of moisture gave excellent ee’s (up to 93%) in asymmetric allylation processes thanks to the double stereoselective coordination.     

Novel P‐Stereogenic PCP Pincer‐Aryl Ruthenium(II) Complexes and Their Use in the Asymmetric Hydrogen Transfer Reaction of Acetophenone

Achiral P‐donor pincer‐aryl ruthenium complexes ([RuCl(PCP)(PPh₃)]) 4c , d were synthesized via transcyclometalation reactions by mixing equivalent amounts of [1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[diisopropylphosphine] ( 2c ) or [1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[diphenylphosphine] ( 2d ) and the N‐donor pincer‐aryl complex [RuCl{2,6‐(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃}(PPh₃)], ( 3 ; Scheme 2). The same synthetic procedure was successfully applied for the preparation of novel chiral P‐donor pincer‐aryl ruthenium complexes [RuCl(P*CP*)(PPh₃)] 4a , b by reacting P‐stereogenic pincer‐arenes (S,S)‐[1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[(alkyl)(phenyl)phosphines] 2a , b (alkyl=ⁱPr or ^tBu, P*CHP*) and the complex [RuCl{2,6‐(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃}(PPh₃)], ( 3 ; Scheme 3). The crystal structures of achiral [RuCl(equation/tex2gif-sup-3.gifPCP)(PPh₃)] 4c and of chiral (S,S)‐[RuCl(equation/tex2gif-sup-6.gifPCP)(PPh₃)] 4a were determined by X‐ray diffraction (Fig. 3). Achiral [RuCl(PCP)(PPh₃)] complexes and chiral [RuCl(P*CP*)(PPh₃)] complexes were tested as catalyst in the H‐transfer reduction of acetophenone with propan‐2‐ol. With the chiral complexes, a modest enantioselectivity was obtained.     

Reactivity of an N,N‐Chelated Germylene Toward Substituted Alkynes,Alkenes, and Allenes

Treatment of N,N‐chelated germylene [(iPr)₂NB(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Ge ( 1 ) with ferrocenyl alkynes containing carbonyl functionalities, FcC≡CC(O)R, resulted in [2+2+2] cyclization and formation of the respective ferrocenylated 3‐Fc‐4‐C(O)R‐1,2‐digermacyclobut‐3‐enes 2 – 4 [R = Me ( 2 ), OEt ( 3 ) and NMe₂ ( 4 )] bearing intact carbonyl substituents. In contrast, the reaction between 1 and PhC(O)C≡CC(O)Ph led to activation of both C≡C and C=O bonds producing bicyclic compound containing two five‐membered 1‐germa‐2‐oxacyclopent‐3‐ene rings sharing one C–C bond, 4,8‐diphenyl‐3,7‐dioxa‐2,6‐digermabicyclo[3.3.0]octa‐4,8‐diene ( 5 ). With N‐methylmaleimide containing an analogous C(O)CH=CHC(O) fragment, germylene 1 reacted under [2+2+2] cyclization involving the C=C double bond, producing 1,2‐digermacyclobutane 6 with unchanged carbonyl moieties. Finally, 1 selectively added to the terminal double bond in allenes CH₂=C=CRR′ giving rise to 3‐(=CRR′)‐1,2‐digermacyclobutanes [R/R′ = Me/Me ( 7 ), H/OMe ( 8 )] bearing an exo‐C=C double bond. All compounds were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy and the molecular structures of 3 , 4 , 5 , and 8 were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The redox behavior of ferrocenylated derivatives 2 – 4 was studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Tuning the Chirality of Block Copolymers: From Twisted Morphologies to Nanospheres by Self‐Assembly

New advances into the chirality effect in the self‐assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) have been achieved by tuning the helicity of the chiral‐core‐forming blocks. The chiral BCPs {[N?P(R)‐O₂C₂₀H₁₂]_200?x[N?P(OC₅H₄N)₂]_x}‐b‐ [N?PMePh]₅₀ ((R)‐O₂C₂₀H₁₂=(R)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐dioxy, OC₅H₄N=4‐pyridinoxy (OPy); x=10, 30, 60, 100 for 3 a – d , respectively), in which the [N?P(OPy)₂] units are randomly distributed within the chiral block, have been synthesised. The chiroptical properties of the BCPs ([α]_D vs. T and CD) demonstrated that the helicity of the BCP chains may be simply controlled by the relative proportion of the chiral and achiral (i.e., [N?P(R)‐O₂C₂₀H₁₂] and [N?P(OPy)₂], respectively) units. Thus, although 3 a only contained only 5 % [N?P(OPy)₂] units and exhibited a preferential helical sense, 3 d with 50 % of this unit adopted non‐preferred helical conformations. This gradual variation of the helicity allowed us to examine the chirality effect on the self‐assembly of chiral and helical BCPs (i.e., 3 a – c ) and chiral but non‐helical BCPs (i.e., 3 d ). The very significant influence of the helicity on the self‐assembly of these materials resulted in a variety of morphologies that extend from helical nanostructures to pearl‐necklace aggregates and nanospheres (i.e., 3 b and 3 d , respectively). We also demonstrate that the presence of pyridine moieties in BCPs 3 a – d allows specific decoration with gold nanoparticles.     

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.     

二（胍基）锆配合物的合成和表征

Addition of one equivalent of LiN（i-Pr）2 or LiN（CH2）5 to carbodiimides, RN=C=NR [R=cyclohexyl （Cy）, isopropyl （i-Pr）], generated the corresponding lithium of tetrasubstituted guanidinates {Li[RNC（N R^′2）NR]（THF）}2 [R=i-Pr, N R^′2=N（i-Pr）2 （1）, N（CH2）5 （2）; R=Cy, N R^′2=N（i-Pr）2 （3）, N（CH2）5 （4）]. Treatment of ZrCl4 with freshly prepared solutions of their lithium guanidinates provided a series of bis（guanidinate） complexes of Zr with the general formula Zr[RNC（N R^′2）NR]2Cl2 [R=i-Pr, N R^′2=N（i-Pr）2 （5）, N（CH2）5 （6）; R=Cy, N R^′2=N（i-Pr）2 （7）, N（CH2）5 （8）]. Complexes 1, 2, 5-8 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ^1H NMR spectra. The molecular structures of complexes 1, 7 and 8 were further determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Hypervalent Organoselenium(II) Compounds with Organophosphorus Ligands. Crystal and Molecular Structure of [2‐(iPr2NCH2)C6H4]Se[S2PR′2] (R′ = Ph,OiPr)

Redistribution reactions between diorganodiselenides of type [2‐(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ [R = Et, iPr] and bis(diorganophosphinothioyl disulfanes of type [R′₂P(S)S]₂ (R = Ph, OiPr) resulted in the hypervalent [2‐(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeSP(S)R′₂ [R = Et, R′ = Ph ( 1 ), OiPr ( 2 ); R = iPr, R′ = Ph ( 3 ), OiPr ( 4 )] species. All new compounds were characterized by solution multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ⁷⁷Se) and the solid compounds 1 , 3 , and 4 also by FT‐IR spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structures of 3 and 4 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In both compounds the N(1) atom is intramolecularly coordinated to the selenium atom, resulting in T‐shaped coordination arrangements of type (C,N)SeS. The dithio organophosphorus ligands act monodentate in both complexes, which can be described as essentially monomeric species. Weak intermolecular S ··· H contacts could be considered in the crystal of 3 , thus resulting in polymeric zig‐zag chains of R and S isomers, respectively.     

Synthesis,structure, and catalytic activity of lanthanide Gd(III) and La(III) complexes with N-(cyclohexyl)isopropyl amidate ligand

Two new lanthanide amidate complexes, {Gd₂[Cy(NCO)ⁱPr]₆} (1) and {La₂[Cy(NCO)ⁱPr]₆[Cy(HNCO)ⁱPr]} (2) (ⁱPr = isopropyl, Cy = cyclohexyl), have been synthesized in good yields by silylamine elimination reaction between Gd[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ or La[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ and N-(cyclohexyl)isopropyl amide. Complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by NMR, elemental analyzes, and X-ray diffraction. The molecular structures of {[Cy(NCO)ⁱPr]Gd[μ₂-Cy(NCO)ⁱPr]₃Gd[Cy(NCO)ⁱPr]₂} (1) and {[Cy(NCO)ⁱPr]La[μ₂-Cy(NCO)ⁱPr]₃La[Cy(NCO)ⁱPr]₂[Cy(HNCO)ⁱPr]} (2) exhibit a dimer structure with three μ₂-O bridging bonds that look like a windmill. Additionally, 2 formed an intramolecular N–H···O hydrogen bond via a neutral amide. The catalytic properties of 1 and 2 for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone have been studied. The results show that 1 and 2 are efficient catalysts for the ROP of ε-caprolactone.     

Sterically Tuned P‐Phosphanylamino Phosphaalkenes (Me3Si)2C=PN(R)PPh2 and (iPrMe2Si)2C=PN(R)PPh2

Deprotonation of the aminophosphanes Ph₂PN(H)R 1a – 1h [R = tBu ( 1a ), 1‐adamantyl ( 1b ), iPr ( 1c ), CPh₃ ( 1d ), Ph ( 1e ), 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes) ( 1f ), 2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂ (Mes*) ( 1g ), 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃ (DIPP) ( 1h )], followed by reactions of the phosphanylamide salts Li[Ph₂PNR] 2a , 2b , 2g , and 2h with the P‐chlorophosphaalkene (Me₃Si)₂C=PCl, and of 2a – 2g with (iPrMe₂Si)₂C=PCl, gave the isolable P‐phosphanylamino phosphaalkenes (Me₃Si)₂C=PN(R)PPh₂ 3a , 3b , 3g , and (iPrMe₂Si)₂C=PN(R)PPh₂ 4a – 4g . ³¹P NMR spectra, supported by X‐ray structure determinations, reveal that in compounds 2a , 2b , 3a , and 3b , with bulky N‐alkyl groups the Si₂C=P–N–P skeleton is non‐planar (orthogonal conformation), whereas 3g , 3h , and 4g with bulky N‐aryl groups exhibit planar conformations of the Si₂C=P–N–P skeleton. Solid 3g and 4g exhibit cisoid orientation of the planar C=P–N–C units (planar I) but in solid 3h the transoid rotamer is present (planar II). From 3g , 4d , and 4g mixtures of rotamers were detected in solution by pairs of ³¹P NMR patterns ( 3h : line broadening).     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Thermolysis Studies of Heteronuclear Transition Metal Aluminum Alcoholates

Heteronuclear alcoholate complexes [M{Al(OiPr)₄}₂(bipy)] ( 2-M , M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) and [M{Al(OcHex)₄}₂(bipy)] ( 3-M , M = Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) are formed by adduct formation of [M{Al(OiPr)₄}₂] ( 1-M , M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) with 2,2'-bipyridine and transesterification reaction with cHexOAc. According to crystal structure analyses, in 2-M and 3-M the central transition metal ion M²⁺ is coordinated by two chelating Al(OR)₄^– moieties and one bipyridine ligand in an octahedral arrangement. Treating 1-Cu with 2,2'-bipyridine leads to a reduction process, whereat the intermediate [Cu{Al(OiPr)₄}(bipy)₂][Al(OiPr)₄] ( 4 ) could be structurally characterized. During conversion of the iso-propanolate ligands in 1-Cu to cyclohexanolate ligands, Cu²⁺ is reduced to Cu⁺ forming [Cu{Al(O^cHex)₄}(py)₂] ( 5 ). UV/Vis-spectra and results of thermolysis studies by TG/DTA-MS are reported.     

Structural Investigation of Homoleptic Lanthanide(III) Tris(pivalamidinates), [tBuC(NiPr)2]3Ln (Ln = Ce,Eu, Tb)

Three new homoleptic lanthanide(III) tris(pivalamidinates), [tBuC(NiPr)₂]₃Ln (Ln = Ce ( 1 ), Eu ( 2 ), Tb ( 3 )) were synthesized by reaction of anhydrous LnCl₃ with 3 equivalents of in situ prepared Li[tBuC(NiPr)₂] in THF. X‐ray structural analyses confirmed the presence of homoleptic, unsolvated tris(amidinates) in which the central Ln³⁺ ions are coordinated by three chelating pivalamidinate anions in a distorted all‐nitrogen trigonal prismatic arrangement. Compounds 1 – 3 all crystallize in the monoclinic system, with 1 and 3 containing solvent of crystallization ( 1 : toluene, 3 : n‐pentane) whereas the europium derivative 2 is unsolvated.     

A Ditopic Catechol Phosphane as Building Block for Selective Construction of Heterometallic Complexes with Early and Late Transition Metal Centers

Base‐assisted reaction of catechol phosphane 2 (H₂L) with [M′Cl₂(cod)] (cod = 1, 5‐cyclooctadiene, M′ = Pd, Pt) yielded chelate complexes [M′(HL)₂] ( 7a, b ). Spectroscopic and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that both complexes feature cis‐configuration of the P‐ and O‐donor atoms in solution and in the solid state. Reaction of 7a, b with acetylacetonato or alkoxide complexes [MO₂(acac)₂] (M = Mo, W), [VO(acac)₂], [{Ti(μ‐O)(acac)₂}₂], or Ti(OiPr)₄ gave good to excellent yields of early‐late heterometallic complexes [MO_n(μ‐L)₂M′] (MO_n = MoO₂, WO₂, VO; 8a, b – 10a, b ) or [Ti(RO‐1κO)₂(μ‐L ‐1κ²O, O'‐2κ²P, O)₂Pd] (R = Me, iPr; 11a, b ), which were inaccessible via other synthetic routes. Spectroscopic and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that the early metal centres in 8a, b, 9b and in 11b feature distorted octahedral coordination spheres with rigid transoid alignment of the catechol ring planes. Vanadium complexes 10a, b exhibit a square‐pyramidal coordination sphere with cisoid alignment of the catechol ring planes and evidence for intermolecular pairing via weak VO ··· Pd contacts in the solid state; complexes 8 , 9 do not undergo conformational inversion on the NMR time‐scale. The molecular structure of Ti complex 11a is characterized by a different orientation of the catechol moieties, which can be envisaged to picture an intermediate state during a configuration inversion process, and a strong hydrogen bridge between a terminally coordinated catecholato‐oxygen atom and a solvent molecule (MeOH). Solution NMR studies indicate that the (MeO)₂Ti(μ‐L)₂M' framework is in this case conformationally labile and that the MeO ligands undergo intermolecular dynamic exchange with the solvent.     

Cationic Five‐Coordinate Bis(guanidinato)silicon(IV) Complexes with SiN4El Skeletons (El=S,Se): “Heterolytic Activation” of S−S and Se−Se Bonds

The donor‐stabilized silylene [iPrNC(NiPr₂)NiPr]₂Si ( 2 ) reacts with PhEl?ElPh (El=S, Se) to form the respective cationic five‐coordinate bis(guanidinato)silicon(IV) complexes {[iPrNC(NiPr₂)NiPr]₂SiSPh}⁺PhS^? ( 4 ) and {[iPrNC (NiPr₂)NiPr]₂SiSePh}⁺PhSe^? ( 5 ). Compounds 4 and 5 were characterized by crystal structure analyses and NMR spectroscopic studies in the solid state.     

Binding H2, N2, H-, and BH3 to transition-metal sulfur sites: synthesis and properties of [RuL(PR3)(N2Me2S2)] Complexes (L=eta2-H2, H-, BH3; R=Cy, iPr)

The reactions of [Ru(N₂)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [‘N₂Me₂S₂’=1,2‐ethanediamine‐N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐bis(2‐benzenethiolate)(2?)] [ 1 a (R=iPr), 1 b (R=Cy)] and [μ‐N₂{Ru(N₂)(PiPr₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)}₂] ( 1 c ) with H₂, NaBH₄, and NBu₄BH₄, intended to reduce the N₂ ligands, led to substitution of N₂ and formation of the new complexes [Ru(H₂)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [ 2 a (R=iPr), 2 b (R=Cy)], [Ru(BH₃)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [ 3 a (R=iPr), 3 b (R=Cy)], and [Ru(H)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)]^? [ 4 a (R=iPr), 4 b (R=Cy)]. The BH₃ and hydride complexes 3 a , 3 b , 4 a , and 4 b were obtained subsequently by rational synthesis from 1 a or 1 b and BH₃?THF or LiBEt₃H. The primary step in all reactions probably is the dissociation of N₂ from the N₂ complexes to give coordinatively unsaturated [Ru(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] fragments that add H₂, BH₄^?, BH₃, or H^?. All complexes were completely characterized by elemental analysis and common spectroscopic methods. The molecular structures of [Ru(H₂)(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] [ 2 a (R=iPr), 2 b (R=Cy)], [Ru(BH₃)(PiPr₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] ( 3 a ), [Li(THF)₂][Ru(H)(PiPr₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] ([Li(THF)₂]‐ 4 a ), and NBu₄[Ru(H)(PCy₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] (NBu₄‐ 4 b ) were determined by X‐ray crystal structure analysis. Measurements of the NMR relaxation time T₁ corroborated the η² bonding mode of the H₂ ligands in 2 a (T₁=35 ms) and 2 b (T₁=21 ms). The H,D coupling constants of the analogous HD complexes HD‐ 2 a (¹J(H,D)=26.0 Hz) and HD‐ 2 b (¹J(H,D)=25.9 Hz) enabled calculation of the H? D distances, which agreed with the values found by X‐ray crystal structure analysis ( 2 a : 92 pm (X‐ray) versus 98 pm (calculated), 2 b : 99 versus 98 pm). The BH₃ entities in 3 a and 3 b bind to one thiolate donor of the [Ru(PR₃)(‘N₂Me₂S₂’)] fragment and through a B‐H‐Ru bond to the Ru center. The hydride complex anions 4 a and 4 b are extremely Brønsted basic and are instantanously protonated to give the η²‐H₂ complexes 2 a and 2 b .     

A New Route to Vitamin E Key‐Intermediates by Olefin Cross‐Metathesis

Ru‐Catalyzed olefin cross‐metathesis (CM) has been successfully applied to the synthesis of several phytyl derivatives ( 2b, 2d – f, 3b ) with a trisubstituted C?C bond, as useful intermediates for an alternative route to α‐tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E acetate; 1b ) (Scheme 1). Using the second‐generation Grubbs catalyst RuCl₂(C₂₁H₂₆N₂)(CHPh)PCy₃ (Cy = cyclohexyl; 4a ) and Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst RuCl₂(C₂₁H₂₆N₂){CH‐C₆H₄(O‐ⁱPr)‐2} ( 4b ), the reactions were performed with various C‐allyl ( 5a – f, 7a,b ) and O‐allyl ( 8a – d ) derivatives of trimethylhydroquinone‐1‐acetate as substrates. 2,6,10,14‐Tetramethylpentadec‐1‐ene ( 6a ) and derivatives 6c – e of phytol ( 6b ) as well as phytal ( 6f ) were employed as olefin partners for the CM reactions (Schemes 2 and 5). The vitamin E precursors could be prepared in up to 83% isolated yield as (E/Z)‐mixtures.     

[iPr2P]2P?SiMe3 und [iPr2P]2PLi – Synthese und Reaktionen Struktur des [iPr2P]2P?P[PiPr2]2

[iPr₂P]₂P? SiMe₃ and [iPr₂P]₂PLi – Synthesis and Reactions Structure of [iPr₂P]₂P? P[PiPr₂]₂ [iPr₂P]₂P? SiMe₃ 1 and [iPr₂P]₂PLi 2 were prepared to investigate the influence of the bulky alkyl groups on formation and properties of the ylides R₂P? P?P(X)R₂ (R = iPr, tBu; X = Br, Me) in reactions of 1 with CBr₄ and of 2 with 1,2-dibromoethane or MeCl, resp. Compared to the iPr groups the tBu groups favour the formation of ylides. With CBr₄ 1 forms iPr₂P? P?P(Br)iPr₂ 5 just as a minor product which decomposes already below ?30°C. With 1,2-dibromoethane 2 yields only traces of 5 but [iPr₂P]P? P[P(iPr)₂]₂ 7 as main product. With MeCl 2 gives iPrP? P?P(Me)iPr₂ 9 and [iPr₂P]₂PMe 10 in a molar ratio of 1:1. 9 is considerably more stable than 5. 7 crystallizes triclinic in the space group P1 (No. 2) with a = 10.813 Å, b = 11.967 Å, c = 15.362 Å, α = 67.90°, β = 71.36°, γ = 64.11° and two formula units in the unit cell.