Substituent effects in formally quintuple-bonded ArCrCrAr compounds (Ar = terphenyl) and related species

The effects of different terphenyl ligand substituents on the quintuple Cr-Cr bonding in arylchromium(I) dimers stabilized by bulky terphenyl ligands (Ar) were investigated. A series of complexes, ArCrCrAr (1-4; Ar = C6H2-2,6-(C6H3-2,6-iPr2)2-4-X, where X = H, SiMe3, OMe, and F), was synthesized and structurally characterized. Their X-ray crystal structures display similar trans-bent C(ipso)CrCrC(ipso) cores with short Cr-Cr distances that range from 1.8077(7) to 1.8351(4) A. There also weaker Cr-C interactions [2.294(1)-2.322(2) A] involving an C(ipso) of one of the flanking aryl rings. The data show that the changes induced in the Cr-Cr bond length by the different substituents X in the para positions of the central aryl ring of the terphenyl ligand are probably a result of packing rather than electronic effects. This is in agreement with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which predict that the model compounds (4-XC6H4)CrCr(C6H4-4-X) (X = H, SiMe3, OMe, and F) have similar geometries in the gas phase. Magnetic measurements in the temperature range of 2-300 K revealed temperature-independent paramagnetism in 1-4. UV-visible and NMR spectroscopic data indicated that the metal-metal-bonded solid-state structures of 1-4 are retained in solution. Reduction of (4-F3CAr')CrCl (4-F3CAr' = C6H2-2,6-(C6H3-2,6-iPr2)2-4-CF3) with KC8 gave non-Cr-Cr-bonded fluorine-bridged dimer {(4-F3CAr')Cr(mu-F)(THF)}2 (5) as a result of activation of the CF3 moiety. The monomeric, two-coordinate complexes [(3,5-iPr2Ar*)Cr(L)] (6, L = THF; 7, L = PMe3; 3,5-iPr2Ar* = C6H1-2,6-(C6H-2,4,6-iPr3)2-3,5-iPr2) were obtained with use of the larger 3,5-Pri2-Ar* ligand, which prevents Cr-Cr bond formation. Their structures contain almost linearly coordinated CrI atoms, with high-spin 3d5 configurations. The addition of toluene to a mixture of (3,5-iPr2Ar*)CrCl and KC8 gave the unusual dinuclear benzyl complex [(3,5-iPr2Ar*)Cr(eta3:eta6-CH2Ph)Cr(Ar*-1-H-3,5-iPr2)] (8), in which a C-H bond from a toluene methyl group was activated. The electronic structures of 5-8 have been analyzed with the aid of DFT calculations.     

Synthesis, structure, theoretical studies, and Ligand exchange reactions of monomeric, T-shaped arylpalladium(II) halide complexes with an additional, weak agostic interaction

A series of monomeric arylpalladium(II) complexes LPd(Ph)X (L = 1-AdPtBu2, PtBu3, or Ph5FcPtBu2 (Q-phos); X = Br, I, OTf) containing a single phosphine ligand have been prepared. Oxidative addition of aryl bromide or aryl iodide to bis-ligated palladium(0) complexes of bulky, trialkylphosphines or to Pd(dba)2 (dba = dibenzylidene acetone) in the presence of 1 equiv of phosphine produced the corresponding arylpalladium(II) complexes in good yields. In contrast, oxidative addition of phenyl chloride to the bis-ligated palladium(0) complexes did not produce arylpalladium(II) complexes. The oxidative addition of phenyl triflate to PdL2 (L = 1-AdPtBu2, PtBu3, or Q-phos) also did not form arylpalladium(II) complexes. The reaction of silver triflate with (1-AdPtBu2)Pd(Ph)Br furnished the corresponding arylpalladium(II) triflate in good yield. The oxidative addition of phenyl bromide and iodide to Pd(Q-phos)2 was faster than oxidative addition to Pd(1-AdPtBu2)2 or Pd(PtBu3)2. Several of the arylpalladium complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction. All of the arylpalladium(II) complexes are T-shaped monomers. The phenyl ligand, which has the largest trans influence, is located trans to the open coordination site. The complexes appear to be stabilized by a weak agostic interaction of the metal with a ligand C-H bond positioned at the fourth-coordination site of the palladium center. The strength of the Pd.H bond, as assessed by tools of density functional theory, depended upon the donating properties of the ancillary ligands on palladium.     

The insertion reaction of acetonitrile on aryl nickel complexes stabilized by bidentate N,N'-chelating ligands

Organometallic complexes to be used as single component precursors in the catalytic dimerization/polymerization of olefins usually must contain a labile ligand that can easily be displaced by the olefin. This is the first step in the activation of the precursor. One commonly used labile ligand is a nitrile. Here we report an example of incompatibility between the nickel or palladium aryl bond and acetonitrile. Neutral [MBr(Mes)NN] complexes in which Mes=2,4,6-Me3C6H2, NN=diazabutadiene (DAD), pyridinylimine (PIM), 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) gave the expected [M(Mes)(3,5-lut)(NN)][BF4] compounds and the unexpected [Ni(Mes){NH=C(Me)(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)}(NN)][BF4] complexes in the presence of TlBF4 and 3,5-lutidine or acetonitrile. The sequence of reactions that leads to the imine ligand must include an initial insertion of the nitrile on the sigma(Ni-Mes) bond. These ionic complexes remain stable under 20 bar of ethylene.     

Novel palladium complexes employing mixed phosphine phosphonates and phosphine phosphinates as anionic chelating [P,O] ligands

A route to various substituted phosphine phosphonic acid compounds of the general form Ar(2)PC(6)H(4)PO(OH)(2) (Ar = Ph, o-MeC(6)H(4), o-MeOC(6)H(4)) has been investigated. These compounds were employed as bidentate anionic [P,O] ligands in neutral palladium complexes. The [P,O] chelating coordination was determined by X-ray crystallography of a representative palladium complex. Furthermore, the bifunctional ligand Ph(2)PC(6)H(4)PO(OH)Ph represents the first example of a chelating anionic [P,O] ligand resulting from the combination of a phosphine and a phosphinate moiety.     

Stereochemistry of lead(II) complexes containing sulfur and selenium donor atom ligands

The stereochemistry of lead(II) complexes with S- and Se-donor atom ligands, including mixed ligand complexes is reviewed with respect to the geometry of the first coordination sphere of the Pb(II) atom in these compounds and rationalized in terms of the valence shell electron-pair repulsion (VSEPR) model. The most comprehensively structurally characterized classes of lead(II) thio and seleno complexes are discussed, including monothio-, dithio(seleno)-, trithio- and tetrathio-complexes, as well as Pb(II) dialkyldithio(seleno)carbamates, alkylxanthates and dialkyl(aryl) phosphorodithio(seleno)lates. Data about the polyhedral shape of the primary coordination sphere, coordination number (CN), bond lengths (primary and secondary) and bond angles of the Pb(II) atom in the compounds under investigation are systematized in comprehensive tables. The particularities of the stereochemistry of Pb(II) complexes with S(Se)-donor atom ligands are comparatively discussed with the stereochemistry of lead(II) complexes with oxygen donor ligands.     

Insights into CO/styrene copolymerization by using Pd(II) catalysts containing modular pyridine-imidazoline ligands

Continuing our studies into the effect that N-N' ligands have on CO/styrene copolymerization, we prepared new C(1)-symmetrical pyridine-imidazoline ligands with 4',5'-cis stereochemistry in the imidazoline ring (5) and 4',5'-trans stereochemistry (6-10) and compared them with our previously reported ligands (1-4). Their coordination to neutral methylpalladium(II) (5 a-10 a) and cationic complexes (5 b-10 b), investigated in solution by NMR spectroscopy, indicates that both the electronic and steric properties of the imidazolines determine the stereochemistry of the palladium complexes. The crystal structures of two neutral palladium precursors [Pd(Me)(2-n)Cl(n)(N-N')] (n=1 for 8 a; n=2 for 9 a') show that the Pd-N coordination distances and the geometrical distortions in the imidazoline ring depend on the electronic nature of the substituents in the imidazoline fragment. Density functional calculations performed on selected neutral and cationic palladium complexes compare well with NMR and X-ray data. The calculations also account for the formation of only one or two stereoisomers of the cationic complexes. The performance of the cationic complexes as catalyst precursors in CO/4-tert-butylstyrene copolymerization under mild pressures and temperatures was analyzed in terms of the productivity and degree of stereoregularity of the polyketones obtained. Insertion of CO into the Pd-Me bond, which was monitored by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, shows that the N ligand influences the stereochemistry of the acyl species formed.     

Bonding Trends Traversing the Tetravalent Actinide Series: Synthesis, Structural, and Computational Analysis of An(IV)((Ar)acnac)(4) Complexes (An = Th, U, Np, Pu; (Ar)acnac = ArNC(Ph)CHC(Ph)O; Ar = 3,5-(t)Bu(2)C(6)H(3))

A series of tetravalent An(IV) complexes with a bis-phenyl β-ketoiminate N,O donor ligand has been synthesized with the aim of identifying bonding trends and changes across the actinide series. The neutral molecules are homoleptic with the formula An((Ar)acnac)(4) (An = Th (1), U (2), Np (3), Pu (4); (Ar)acnac = ArNC(Ph)CHC(Ph)O; Ar = 3,5-(t)Bu(2)C(6)H(3)) and were synthesized through salt metathesis reactions with actinide chloride precursors. NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy confirm the purity of all four new compounds and demonstrate stability in both solution and the solid state. The Th, U, and Pu complexes were structurally elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and shown to be isostructural in space group C2/c. Analysis of the bond lengths reveals shortening of the An-O and An-N distances arising from the actinide contraction upon moving from 1 to 2. The shortening is more pronounced upon moving from 2 to 4, and the steric constraints of the tetrakis complexes appear to prevent the enhanced U-O versus Pu-O orbital interactions previously observed in the comparison of UI(2)((Ar)acnac)(2) and PuI(2)((Ar)acnac)(2) bis-complexes. Computational analysis of models for 1, 2, and 4 (1a, 2a, and 4a, respectively) concludes that both the An-O and the An-N bonds are predominantly ionic for all three molecules, with the An-O bonds being slightly more covalent. Molecular orbital energy level diagrams indicate the largest 5f-ligand orbital mixing for 4a (Pu), but spatial overlap considerations do not lead to the conclusion that this implies significantly greater covalency in the Pu-ligand bonding. QTAIM bond critical point data suggest that both U-O/U-N and Pu-O/Pu-N are marginally more covalent than the Th analogues.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the coordination of 1,2,4-triazolato, tetrazolato, and pentazolato ligands to the [K(18-crown-6)]+ fragment

Treatment of 3,5-diisopropyltriazole, 3,5-diphenyltriazole, 3,5-di-3-pyridyltriazole, phenyltetrazole, pyrrolidinyltetrazole, or tert-butyltetrazole with equimolar quantities of potassium hydride and 18-crown-6 in tetrahydrofuran at ambient temperature led to slow hydrogen evolution and formation of (3,5-diisopropyl-1,2,4-triazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium (88%), (3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolato)(tetrahydrofuran)(18-crown-6)potassium (87%), (3,5-di-3-pyridyl-1,2,4-triazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium (81%), (phenyltetrazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium (94%), (pyrrolidinyltetrazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium (90%), and (tert-butyltetrazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium (94%) as colorless crystalline solids. (1,2,4-Triazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium was isolated as a hemi-hydrate in 81% yield upon treatment of 1,2,4-triazole with potassium metal in tetrahydrofuran. The X-ray crystal structures of these new complexes were determined, and the solid-state structures consist of the nitrogen heterocycles bonded to the (18-crown-6)potassium cationic fragments with eta2-bonding interactions. In addition, (3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolato)(tetrahydrofuran)(18-crown-6)potassium has one coordinated tetrahydrofuran ligand on the same face as the 3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolato ligand, while (3,5-di-3-pyridyl-1,2,4-triazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium forms a polymeric solid through coordination of the distal 3-pyridyl nitrogen atoms to the potassium ion on the face opposite the 1,2,4-triazolato ligand. The solid-state structures of the new complexes show variable asymmetry in the potassium-nitrogen distances within the eta2-interactions and also show variable bending of the heterocyclic C2N3 and CN4 cores toward the best plane of the 18-crown-6 ligand oxygen atoms. Molecular orbital and natural bond order calculations were carried out at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory on the model complex, (phenyltetrazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium, and demonstrate that the asymmetric potassium-nitrogen distances and bending of the CN4 core toward the 18-crown-6 ligand are due to hydrogen bond-like interactions between filled nitrogen-based orbitals and carbon-hydrogen sigma orbitals on the 18-crown-6 ligands. Calculations carried out on the model pentazolato complex (pentazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium predict a structure in which the pentazolato ligand N5 core is bent by 45 degrees toward the best plane of the 18-crown-6 oxygen atoms. Such bending is induced by the formation of intramolecular nitrogen-hydrogen-carbon hydrogen bonds. Examination of the solid-state structures of the new complexes reveals many intramolecular and intermolecular nitrogen-hydrogen distances of < or =3.0 A which support the presence of nitrogen-hydrogen-carbon hydrogen bonds.     

Highly active Pd(II) catalysts with trans-bidentate pyridine ligands for the Heck reaction

[reaction: see text] The air-, water-, and heat-stable palladium(II) complexes 2a and 2b are prepared by the reaction of palladium(II) salts with the new trans-bidentate nitrogen ligands, 1,2-bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzenes. The structure of complex 2a has been confirmed by X-ray structure analysis. The complexes efficiently catalyze the Heck olefination of aryl iodides and provide a good yield under phosphine-free conditions. The reaction is very sensitive to the nature of the chelating ligand.     

Structural model of dioxouranium(VI) with hydrazono ligands

Synthesis and characterization of several new coordination compounds of dioxouranium(VI) heterochelates with bidentate hydrazono compounds derived from 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone are described. The ligands and uranayl complexes have been characterized by various physico-chemical techniques. The bond lengths and the force constant have been calculated from asymmetric stretching frequency of OUO groups. The infrared spectral studies showed a monobasic bidentate behaviour with the oxygen and hydrazo nitrogen donor system. The effect of Hammett's constant on the bond distances and the force constants were also discussed and drawn. Wilson's matrix method, Badger's formula, Jones and El-Sonbati equations were used to determine the stretching and interaction force constant from which the UO bond distances were calculated. The bond distances of these complexes were also investigated.     

Palladium-Catalyzed C−H Bond Arylation of Cyclometalated Difluorinated 2-Arylisoquinolinyl Iridium(III) Complexes

The utility of C−H bond functionalization of metalated ligands for the elaboration of aryl-functionalized difluorinated-1-arylisoquinolinyl Ir(III) complexes has been explored. Bis[(3,5-difluorophenyl)isoquinolinyl](2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato) iridium(III) undergoes Pd-catalyzed C−H bond arylation with aryl bromides. The reaction regioselectively occurred at the C−H bond flanked by the two fluorine atoms of the difluoroaryl unit, and on both cyclometalated ligands. This post-functionalization gives a straightforward access to modified complexes in only one manipulation and allows to introduce thermally sensitive functional groups, such as trifluoromethyl, nitrile, benzoyl, or ester. The X-ray crystallography, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of the diarylated complexes were investigated. Whatever the nature of the incorporated substituted aryl groups is, all obtained complexes emit red phosphorescence (622–632 nm) with similar lifetimes (1.9–2 μs).     

Trans influence on the rate of reductive elimination. Reductive elimination of amines from isomeric arylpalladium amides with unsymmetrical coordination spheres

To determine the trans effect on the rates of reductive eliminations from arylpalladium(II) amido complexes, the reactions of arylpalladium amido complexes bearing symmetrical and unsymmetrical DPPF (DPPF = bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) derivatives were studied. THF solutions of LPd(Ar)(NMeAr') (L = DPPF, DPPF-OMe, DPPF-CF3, DPPF-OMe,Ph, DPPF-Ph,CF3, and DPPF-OMe,CF3; Ar = C6H4-4-CF3; Ar' = C6H4-4-CH3, Ph, and C6H4-4-OMe) underwent C-N bond forming reductive elimination at -15 C to form the corresponding N-methyldiarylamine in high yield. Complexes ligated by symmetrical DPPF derivatives with electron-withdrawing substituents on the DPPF aryl groups underwent reductive elimination faster than complexes ligated by symmetrical DPPF derivatives with electron-donating substituents on the ligand aryl groups. Studies of arylpalladium amido complexes containing unsymmetrical DPPF ligands revealed several trends. First, the complex with the weaker donor trans to nitrogen and the stronger donor trans to the palladium-bound aryl group underwent reductive elimination faster than the regioisomeric complex with the stronger donor trans to nitrogen and the weaker donor trans to the palladium-bound aryl group. Second, the effect of varying the substituents on the phosphorus donor trans to the nitrogen was larger than the effect of varying the substituents on the phosphorus donor trans to the palladium-bound aryl group. Third, the difference in rate between the isomeric arylpalladium amido complexes was similar in magnitude to the differences in rates resulting from conventional variation of substituents on the symmetric phosphine ligands. This result suggests that the geometry of the complex is equal in importance to the donating ability of the dative ligands. The ratio of the differences in rates of reaction of the isomeric complexes was similar to the relative populations of the two geometric isomers. This result and consideration of transition state geometries suggest that the reaction rates are controlled more by substituent effects on ground state stability than on transition state energies. In addition, variation of the aryl group at the amido nitrogen showed systematically that complexes with more electron-donating groups at nitrogen undergo faster reductive elimination than those with less electron-donating groups at nitrogen.     

Chiral boron-bridged bisoxazoline (borabox) ligands: structures and reactivities of Pd and Cu complexes

Anionic boron-bridged bisoxazolines (borabox ligands) have been synthesized and characterized in their protonated forms. The ligands are tuneable over a wide range, allowing either alkyl or aryl substituents at the oxazoline rings and the central bridging boron atom. The structural parameters of this new ligand type have been investigated by X-ray analyses of palladium and copper complexes. Electronic properties have been studied by (13)C NMR spectroscopy and by DFT calculations on palladium allyl complexes and compared to those of analogous bisoxazoline (box) complexes. Borabox complexes are more electron-rich at the metal center than their neutral box congeners, and as a consequence of the longer bonds between the bridging atom and the oxazoline rings, their bite angles are larger. Palladium(II) complexes bearing an unsubstituted allyl ligand and homoleptic copper(II) complexes each possess an almost flat chelate ring. NMR analysis of a (1,3-diphenylallyl)(borabox)palladium complex showed a 92:8 mixture of (syn,syn) and (anti,syn) allyl isomers, in contrast with a previously reported box analogue that existed exclusively in the (syn,syn) form. Comparison of the corresponding crystal structures revealed that the distance between the bisoxazoline and the allyl ligand in the borabox complex is shorter. In the copper-catalyzed allylic oxidation of cyclohexene and cyclopentene with tert-butyl perbenzoate, borabox ligands gave results similar-and in some cases superior-to those obtained with analogous box ligands.     

Pyridyl-supported pyrazolyl-N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and the catalytic activity of their palladium complexes in Suzuki-Miyaura reactions

Palladium complexes of two new types of unsymmetrical pyridyl-supported pyrazolyl-N-heterocyclic carbene ligands were synthesized and structurally characterized. A strategy to release the steric strain of the ligand was realized by the introduction of methylene linkers to the ligand molecule. All the palladium complexes exhibited good to excellent catalytic activity in Suzuki-Miyaura reactions of phenyl or p-tolylboronic acid with aryl halides including iodobenzene, aryl bromides, and activated aryl chlorides under mild conditions, revealing that the new ligands are promising for the construction of highly active transition-metal catalysts.     

Estimation of coordination bond energies of NH3, H2O and Et2NH ligands in the Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

Tridentate ligands 2-hydroxyphenylsalicylaldimine (SAPH₂), 2-hydroxyphenyl-2-hydroxy-1-naphtalaldimine (NAPH₂) and Ni(II) complexes with multidentate ligand Bis-N·N′-(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine (LH₂) as well as mononuclear complex of Cu(II) were prepared using the same multidentate ligand. Diethylamine (Et₂NH), NH₃ and H₂O monodentate ligands were bound to these complexes coordinatively. The heat absorbed at the temperatures where these ligands thermally dissociated from the complexes were measured using the TG and DSC methods. It is assumed that the states both of the complexes with and without the monodentate ligands are solid and coordination bond energy for the monodentate ligand is calculated. It is seen that these calculated coordination bond energies are comparable with hydrogen bond energies.     

Assembly of infinite silver(I) columns, chains, and bridged aggregates with supramolecular synthon bearing substituted phenylethynides

Structural correlation in a series of eight silver(I) complexes bearing substituted phenylethynide ligands was systematically investigated through variation of the position or steric bulk of substituents on the aromatic ring. All coordination frameworks are constructed with the supramolecular synthon Ar--C triple bond C superset Ag(n) (Ar=4-MeC6H4, 3-MeC6H4, 2-MeC6H4, 4-tBuC6H4, 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3; n=4, 5), and the presence of coexisting ligands was found to influence the supramolecular assembly. The role of pi-pi stacking, C--Hpi and Ag-C(aromatic) interactions in stabilizing the coordination networks is also discussed.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of novel lanthanide(III) beta-diketone complexes with nitrogen p,p'-disubstituted aromatic ligands

Tris-beta-diketonate lanthanide(III) complexes (Ln = Eu, Er, Yb, Tb), of general formula [Ln(acac)3 L(m)], with chelating ligands such as 4,7-disubstituted-1,10-phenanthrolines and 4,4'-disubstituted-2,2'-bipyridines, have been synthesized and fully characterized. The inductive effects of the para-substituents on the aromatic N-donor ligands have been investigated both in the solid and in the solution states. Single-crystal X-ray structures have been determined for the diethyl 1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-dicarboxylate europium and 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridine erbium derivatives, revealing a distorted square antiprismatic geometry around the lanthanide atom in both cases. The influence exerted by the p,p'-substituents with respect to the nitrogen coordinating atoms on the Ln-N bond distances is discussed comparing the geometrical parameters with those found for the crystal structures containing the fragments [Ln(III)(phen)] and [Ln(III)(bipy)] obtained from the Cambridge Structural Database. The influence exerted by the electron-attracting groups on the coordination ability of the ligands, that in some cases becomes lack of coordination of the lanthanide ions, has been also detected in solution where the loss of the ligand has been followed by UV-vis spectroscopy. Moreover, the use of relatively long alkoxy chains as substituents on the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand led to the formation of a promesogenic lanthanide complex, whose thermal behavior is encouraging for the synthesis of new lanthanide liquid-crystalline species.     

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.     

Mechanistic Aspects of Aryl–Halide Oxidative Addition,Coordination Chemistry,and Ring‐Walking by Palladium

This contribution describes the reactivity of a zero‐valent palladium phosphine complex with substrates that contain both an aryl halide moiety and an unsaturated carbon–carbon bond. Although η²‐coordination of the metal center to a C?C or C?C unit is kinetically favored, aryl halide bond activation is favored thermodynamically. These quantitative transformations proceed under mild reaction conditions in solution or in the solid state. Kinetic measurements indicate that formation of η²‐coordination complexes are not nonproductive side‐equilibria, but observable (and in several cases even isolated) intermediates en route to aryl halide bond cleavage. At the same time, DFT calculations show that the reaction with palladium may proceed through a dissociation–oxidative addition mechanism rather than through a haptotropic intramolecular process (i.e., ring walking). Furthermore, the transition state involves coordination of a third phosphine to the palladium center, which is lost during the oxidative addition as the C?halide bond is being broken. Interestingly, selective activation of aryl halides has been demonstrated by adding reactive aryl halides to the η²‐coordination complexes. The product distribution can be controlled by the concentration of the reactants and/or the presence of excess phosphine.