Synthesis and reactivity of some diselenasila cycles containing an annelated dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) unit

The use of 1,2‐diselenolato‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) dianions [1,2‐(1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)Se₂]^2? prepared in situ as the dilithium salt may lead to irreproducible results. This is shown by the straightforward synthesis of silanes using the purified and isolated dianions, in contrast with previous less successful attempts. Thus, the reactions of the dianions with dichlorosilanes afford the five‐membered diselenasila cycles containing the SiMe₂ or the SiPh₂ units, and with 1,2‐dichloro‐tetramethyldisilane the six‐membered cycle containing the Si₂Me₄ unit. The latter was studied by X‐ray diffraction, and all products were characterized by multinuclear magnetic resonance (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ⁷⁷Se NMR) in solution. Novel isotope effects were detected in ¹³C and ⁷⁷Se NMR spectra. Exchange reactions of the five‐ and six‐membered diselanasila cycles with chlorosilanes were studied. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

exo-closo-Rhodacarboranes: synthesis and characterisation of [{exo-(R3P)2Rh}(closo-CB11H12)] [R3P=P(OMe)3, PCy3, 1/2dppe]

Addition of H₂ to CH₂Cl₂ solutions of [(diene)Rh(L)₂][closo-CB₁₁H₁₂] (diene=norbornadiene, cyclooctadiene, L=PCy₃, P(OMe)₃, 1/2dppe) results in the formation of the exo-closo complexes [(PR₃)₂Rh(closo-CB₁₁H₁₂)]. These have been characterised in solution by ¹H- and ¹¹B-NMR spectroscopy, and for L=PCy₃ by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. This suggests that the metal fragment is bound with the cage through the 7,8- and not the 7,12-{BH} vertices. DFT calculations on a model system where L=PMe₃ show that there is only a negligible energy difference between these two isomers (1 kcal mol⁻¹), suggesting that both represent stable structures. The salient spectroscopic markers that indicate an interaction of [closo-CB₁₁H₁₂]⁻ with a metal fragment are discussed and compared across a range of metal complexes. Large upfield shifts in the ¹¹B-NMR spectrum and a small downfield shift of the CH vertex in the ¹H-NMR spectrum are shown to the most reliable indicators of borane interaction in solution.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of the Cp2Zr{CH(SiMe3)2} cation

The generation and properties of the Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}⁺ cation are described. An X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the carborane salt [Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}][HCB₁₁Me₅Br₆] contains an agostic Zr-μ-Me-Si interaction in the solid state. Low temperature NMR spectra of the borate salt [Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}][B(C₆F₅)₄] show that this interaction is retained in solution. Variable temperature NMR spectra establish that the SiMe₂(μ-Me) and unbound SiMe₃ units of Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}⁺ exchange by a “pivot” process involving partial rotation around the Zr-CH(SiMe₃)₂ bond, with a barrier of ΔG^‡ = 9.2(1) kcal/mol at −89 °C. Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}⁺ does not coordinate alkenes or alkynes.     

Synthesis, structure and DNA binding studies of mononuclear copper(II) complexes with mixed donor macroacyclic ligands, 2,6-bis({N-[2&3-(phenylselenato)alkyl]}benzimidoyl)-4-methylphenol

Two new phenol based macroacyclic Schiff base ligands, 2,6-bis({N-[2-(phenylselenato)ethyl]}benzimidoyl)-4-methylphenol (bpebmpH, 1) and 2,6-bis({N-[3-(phenylselenato)propyl]}benzimidoyl)-4-methylphenol (bppbmpH, 2) of the Se₂N₂O type have been prepared by the condensation of 4-methyl-2,6-dibenzoylphenol (mdbpH) with the appropriate (for specific reactions) phenylselenato(alkyl)amine. These ligands with Cu(II) acetate monohydrate in a 2:1 molar ratio in methanol form complexes of the composition [(C₆H₂(O)(CH₃){(C₆H₅)CN(CH₂)_nSe(C₆H₅)}{(C₆H₅)CO}₂Cu] (3 (n = 2), 4 (n = 3)) with the loss of phenylselenato(alkyl)amine and acetic acid. In both these complexes, one arm of the ligand molecule undergoes hydrolysis, and links with Cu(II) in a bidentate (NO) fashion, as confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography of complex 3. The selenium atoms do not form part of the copper(II) distorted square planar coordination sphere which has a trans-CuN₂O₂ core. The average Cu–N and Cu–O distances are, respectively, 1.973(3) and 1.898(2) Å. The N–Cu–N and O–Cu–O angles are, respectively, 167.4(11)° and 164.5(12)°. The compounds 1–4 have been characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, mass spectrometry, IR, electronic, ¹H and ⁷⁷Se{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The interaction of complex 3 with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by a spectrophotometric method and cyclic voltammetry.     

Structure and conformational processes of bis(o-cumyl)sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone

The NMR solution spectra of the title sulfide and sulfone show decoalescence of the geminal methyl signals of the isopropyl groups at low temperature (−178 °C for the ¹³C signal of sulfide at 150.8 MHz and −147 °C for the ¹H signal of sulfone at 600 MHz). The barriers for the related dynamic processes were measured (4.3 and 7.0 kcal mol⁻¹ for the sulfide and sulfone, respectively). The preferred conformer of sulfide has a propeller shape with a C₁ symmetry, as suggested by Molecular Mechanics (MM) calculations. In the case of sulfone the preferred conformer has a propeller shape with a C₂-anti symmetry, as indicated by calculations and supported by X-ray crystallographic determination. The computed contour map of the potential energy shows that in both cases the dynamic processes take place via correlated rotations (cogwheel mechanism) of the two aromatic substituents about the Ar-S bonds. Dynamic processes could not be observed by NMR in the title sulfoxide, which was also found to adopt a propeller shaped conformation, as indicated by MM calculations and X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis, characterization and molecular structure of Ru(II) complex with 8-hydroxyquinoline derivative

The new (E)-8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carbaldehyde O-benzyl oxime ligand and its hydride-carbonyl complex of ruthenium was synthesized and characterized by infrared, proton and phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance, electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The experimental studies were complemented by theoretical calculations. From the electronic spectrum of the complex the Racah’s and nepheloauxetic parameters are calculated. The electronic structure of the complexes, presented in particular by the density of states diagram, have been correlated with its ability to fluoresce and used to analyze the UV-Vis spectra.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and reactivity of copper(I)-nitrile complexes: Crystal and molecular structure of [Cu(BzCN)4][BF4]

Complexes of general formula [CuL₄][BF₄] (L = benzonitrile – PhCN 2 or phenylacetonitrile – BzCN 3) have been prepared and structurally characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Their structure and reactivity have been compared to the well known [Cu(MeCN)₄][BF₄] (1). The ⁶³Cu line width and the ⁶³Cu chemical shift have been evaluated by varying the temperature and the concentration of the complex 2 in benzonitrile solutions. The phenylacetonitrile solutions of the complex 3 give extremely broad signals which are beyond detection. Accordingly, compound 3 has been studied by ⁶³Cu MAS NMR spectroscopy. The solution NMR data are consistent to the prevalence of dynamic equilibrium between tetra- and low-coordinated species in both complexes. The X-ray structure of 3 revealed that the copper(I) atom sits in a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry, surrounded by four BzCN ligands.     

1,3,2-Diazastanna-[3]ferrocenophanes bearing alkyn-1-yl groups at tin and their 1,1-organoboration with triethylborane—molecular structure of a novel spirotin compound

2,2-Dichloro-1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,3,2-diazastanna-[3]ferrocenophane (3) reacts with lithium alkynides LiCCR¹ to give the corresponding di(alkyn-1-yl)tin derivatives 4a (R¹=^tBu) and 4b (R¹=SiMe₃). 1,1-Organoboration of 4 with triethylborane affords the spirotin compounds 5 which contain both a ferrocenophane and a stannacyclopentadiene ring. The crystal structure of 5b was determined by X-ray analysis. The compounds 4 and 5 were characterised in solution by multinuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-, ¹¹B-, ¹³C-, ¹⁵N-, ²⁹Si-, ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR), using pulsed field gradients in HMBC experiments for the ¹H detected ¹⁵N- and ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR signals. The compound 5b was also studied by solid-state ¹³C, ²⁹Si and ¹¹⁹Sn MAS NMR in order to correlate liquid and solid-state NMR data with the structural evidence.     

The first bidentate phosphanylborohydride: Synthesis, structure, and reactivity towards [CpFe(CO)2I]

Deprotonation of the phosphane-borane adduct rac/meso-(HP(BH₃)(Ph)CH₂)₂ (2) with KH provides facile access to the bidentate phosphanylborohydride rac/meso-K₂[(P(BH₃)(Ph)CH₂)₂] (3). Treatment of 3 with two equivalents of [CpFe(CO)₂I] gives the dinuclear complex rac/meso-[(CpFe(CO)₂)₂-μ-(P(BH₃)(Ph)CH₂)₂] (4). Single crystals of the pure diastereomers meso-2, meso-3(thf)₄, and rac-4 have been grown from toluene/pentane, diethyl ether/thf, and benzene/pentane, respectively. The molecular structures of all three compounds have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Ligand metalation in an iridiumtris(diisopropylphosphinomethyl)borato complex: Synthesis, molecular structure and reactivity

The reaction of [IrCl(dmso)₃] with trisphosphinomethylborato ligand Li(THF){PhB(CH₂PⁱPr₂)₃} at room temperature results in intramolecular C-H activation of one of the ⁱPr substituents affording two diastereomers of cyclometalated iridium(III) complex [Ir(H)(dmso){PhB(CH₂PⁱPr₂)₂(CH₂PⁱPrCHMeCH₂)}] (1) in high yield in approximately equimolar ratio. NMR spectroscopic characterization indicates that only the diastereomers with the hydride ligand in cis position with respect to the metalacyclic phosphorous atom are formed as confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Facile ring opening with H₂ at room temperature gives dihydride [Ir(H)₂(dmso){PhB(CH₂PⁱPr₂)₃}] (2). However, C-H activation of benzene was not observed.     

Diselenastanna‐, ‐sila‐ and ‐carbacycles with an annelated dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) unit

The reactions of the 1,2‐diselenolato‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) dianion 1 with diorganoelement(IV) dichlorides (Ph₂CCl₂, Me₂SiCl₂, Ph₂SiCl₂, Me₂SnCl₂, Ph₂SnCl₂) gave novel five‐member heterocycles along with other products. The molecular structures of the five‐member rings containing CPh₂ ( 2 ) and SnPh₂ ( 9 ) moieties between the selenium atoms were determined by X‐ray analyses. In the case of the chlorosilanes, the analogous five‐member ring containing the SiPh₂ unit ( 4 ) could be identified in mixtures. The expected reaction was accompanied by rearrangement leading to formation of another five‐member ring 6 containing the Ph₂Si? Se? Se moiety. Oxidative addition of the five‐member heterocycles containing tin ( 7, 9 ) to ethene‐bis(triphenylphosphane)platinum(0) gave at low temperature the bis(triphenylphosphane)platinum(II) complexes 12 and 13 , where the Pt(PPh₃)₂ fragment had been inserted into one of the Sn? Se bonds. Extensive decomposition of these complexes was observed above ? 20 °C. The proposed solution‐state structures of the new compounds are supported by multinuclear magnetic resonance data (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ³¹P, ⁷⁷Se, ¹¹⁹Sn and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, molecular structure, and reactivity of the isolable silylenoid with a tricoordinate silicon

The first tricoordinate fluorosilylenoid, (t-Bu2MeSi)2SiFLi.3THF (1), was synthesized, and its X-ray molecular structure was determined. 1 was synthesized in 40% yield by a bromine-lithium exchange reaction in THF of the corresponding fluorobromosilane with t-Bu2MeSiLi. 1 is best described as an R2SiF- anion attracted to a (Li.3THF)+ cation with a small contribution of resonance structure that consists of a silylene fragment and FLi.3THF. 1 reacts as a nucleophile with MeCl, PhH2SiCl, H2O, and MeOH, as an electrophile with MeLi, and as a silylene with Li (or t-BuLi) and Na, yielding alpha-lithium and alpha-sodium silyl radicals, respectively. Either photolysis or thermolysis of 1 yields the corresponding disilene R2Si=SiR2 (R = t-Bu2MeSi), probably via dimerization of R2Si:.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and reactivity of the amino borane 1-(NPh2)-2-[B(C6F5)2]C6H4

The bright red title compound 1 was synthesized from (2-lithiophenyl)diphenylamine and bis(pentafluorophenyl)boron chloride. Its reactions with small acids like H₂O and HCl proceeded easily giving zwitterionic compounds. For 1 and its water adduct 2 the crystal structures were determined, the latter featuring an ammonium borate structure containing a short intramolecular hydrogen bond bridge. Treatment of 1 with Jutzi's acid, [H(OEt₂)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄], did not result in protonation of the nitrogen, but reaction of 1 with LiH in the presence of 12-crown-4, led to the isolation of the aminoborate [1-(Ph₂N)-2-{B(H)(C₆F₅)₂}C₆H₄][Li(12-crown-4)] (3). Borohydride 3 reacted with Jutzi's acid to regenerate 1 and liberate hydrogen.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of dichloroethylphenyltin(IV) and its phenanthroline adduct

The reaction of dichloroethylphenyltin(IV), Ph(Et)SnCl₂, with phenanthroline monohydrate (phen·H₂O) in chloroform, in 1:1 mole ratio, afforded [Ph(Et)SnCl₂(phen)]. The crystal structures of dichloroethylphenyltin(IV) and its phenanthroline adduct were studied by X‐ray diffraction. In Ph(Et)SnCl₂ the tin atom is in a distorted tetrahedral environment, the distortion probably being imposed by weak intermolecular Sn· · ·Cl interactions. In [Ph(Et)SnCl₂(phen)] the tin atom is in an octahedral trans‐C₂, cis‐Cl₂, N₂ environment and weak intermolecular C–H· · ·Cl interactions connect the molecules throughout the lattice. Spectroscopic studies in solution (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR) were also carried out; the ¹H and ¹³C NMR data in dimethylsulfoxide suggest that [Ph(Et)SnCl₂(phen)] remains at least partially undissociated in this solvent. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bridged bis(amidinate) lanthanide complexes: Synthesis,molecular structure and reactivity

The yttrium chloride with the bridged bis(amidinate) L (L = Me₃SiNC(Ph)N(CH₂)₃NC(Ph)NSiMe₃) LYCl(DME) (2) was synthesized and structurally characterized. Treatment of LLnCl(sol)_x (Ln = Yb, sol = THF, x = 2 1; Ln = Y, sol = DME, x = 1 2) with the dilithium salt Li₂L(THF)_0.5 afforded the novel bimetallic lanthanide complexes supported by three ligands, Ln₂(μ₂-L)₃ · DME (Ln = Yb 3, Y 4; DME = dimethylether), instead of the designed complex LLn(μ₂-L)LnL via the ligand redistribution reaction. Complexes 3 and 4 were fully characterized including X-ray analysis and ¹H NMR spectrum for 4. Reaction of LnCl₃ (Ln = Yb, Y) with 2 equiv. of Li₂L(THF)_0.5 gave the anionic complexes [Li(DME)₃][L₂Ln] (Ln = Yb 5, Y 6), which were confirmed by a crystal structure determination. The further study indicated that complexes 3 and 4 can also be synthesized by reaction of LnCl₃ (Ln = Yb, Y) with 1.5 equiv. of Li₂L(THF)_0.5 or reaction of 1 and 2 with anionic complexes 5 and 6. Complexes 3, 4, 5 and 6 were found to be high active catalysts for ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL).     

Synthesis,structure, and reactivity of siloxides and germyloxides of iron(ii) and cobalt(ii)

Iron and cobalt siloxides and germyloxides [(Me₃Si)₃SiO]₂M (M = Fe (1), Co (2)), (Me₅Si₂O)₂Fe (3), (Prⁱ ₃SiO)₂M (M = Fe (4), Co (5)), (Prⁱ ₃GeO)₂Fe (6), (Ph₃SiO)₂Fe (7), (Me₃SiO)₂Fe (8), (Prⁱ ₃GeO)₂Fe(bpy) (9), and [(Me₃Si)₂NFe(-OSi₂Me₅)₂]₂Fe·C₆H₆ (10) were synthesized by the reactions of metal silylamides [(Me₃Si)₂N]₂M (M = Fe, Co) with the corresponding silanols or triisopropylgermanol. The reaction of pentamethyldisilanol with iron(ii) silylamide affords either polymeric complex 3 or coordination oligomer 10, depending on the ratio of the reactants. The structures of complexes 9 and 10 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis. The interaction of the prepared compounds with carbon oxides was studied. Low-coordination cobalt siloxide is the only among all prepared compounds that absorbs CO (2 mol) at room temperature and under 1 atm to form an unstable cluster. Compounds 1, 2, and 4—8 react with CO₂ to form carbonate complexes, and their reactivity decreases with a decrease in the electron-donating ability of the substituents at the central atom: (Me₃Si)₃SiO > Prⁱ ₃GeO Prⁱ ₃SiO > Me₃SiO Ph₃SiO.     

Rhodathiaboranes with `anomalous' electron counts: synthesis, structure and reactivity

Analysis of the structures of 8,8-(PPh₃)₂-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ and 9,9-(PPh₃)₂-9,7,8-nido-RhC₂B₈H₁₁ by RMS misfit calculations has confirmed that these rhodaheteroboranes possess nido 11-vertex cluster geometries in apparent contravention of Wade's rules. However, examination of the molecular structures of both species shows that the {RhP₂} planes are inclined by ca. 66° with respect to the metal-bonded SB₃ or CB₃ faces, and that two weak ortho-CHRh agostic interactions occupy the vacant co-ordination position thereby created. As a consequence of these agostic bonds the Rh atom, and hence the overall cluster, is provided with an additional electron pair, meaning that their nido structures are now fully consistent with Wade's rules. The chelated diphosphine compound 8,8-(dppe)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ is similar to the PPh₃ compound in showing the same agostic bonding. Attempts to prepare a bis-P(OMe)₃ analogue result in ligand scavenging and the formation of 8,8,8-{P(OMe)₃}₃-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀. Similarly, reaction between Cs[6-arachno-SB₉H₁₂] and RhCl(dmpe)CO does not result in CO loss but in formation of 8,8-(dmpe)-8-(CO)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀, shown to exist as a mixture of two of three possible rotamers. Deprotonation of 8,8-(PPh₃)₂-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ and 8,8-(dppe)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ with MeLi yields the anions [1,1-(PPh₃)₂-1,2-closo-RhSB₉H₉]⁻ and [1,1-dppe-1,2-closo-RhSB₉H₉]⁻, respectively, with octadecahedral cage structures. It is argued that anion formation causes the agostic bonding to be `switched-off' and results in the cluster adopting the closo architecture predicted by Wade's rules. This structural change is fully reversible on reprotonation, and if reprotonation of [1,1-(dppe)-1,2-closo-RhSB₉H₉]⁻ is carried out in MeCN, the product 8,8-(dppe)-8-(MeCN)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ forms. Interestingly, 8,8-(dppe)-8-(MeCN)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ reconverts to 8,8-(dppe)-8,7-nido-RhSB₉H₁₀ on standing in CDCl₃, suggesting that the agostic bonding is sufficiently strong to displace co-ordinated MeCN. All new compounds are fully characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and, in many cases, by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Cubane derivatives 7. Synthesis and molecular structure of 4-bromo-1-hydroxymethylcubane

The present study concerned with reduction of methyl 4-bromocubanecarboxylate (1) with lithium aluminum hydride and aluminum hydride in THF. An efficient procedure was developed for the synthesis of 4-bromo-1-hydroxymethylcubane (2) based on reduction of compound 1 with aluminum hydride under mild conditions. The structure of 2 was established by X-ray diffraction. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1461–1464, June, 2005.     

Synthesis, molecular structure, and polymerization reactivity of ethylenebis(1,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride

An ethylene-bridged zirconocene complex bearing methyl substituents only on the cyclopentadienyl carbons adjacent to bridge point, ethylenebis(1,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride (5) was synthesized. Crystal structure of 5 was determined. The complex, 5, when activated with MAO, shows better comonomer incorporation ability than [Ph₂C(Fluo)(Cp)]ZrCl₂ in the ethylene–norbornene copolymerization but it is not better than rac-Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ for the ethylene-1-hexene copolymerization in terms of activity and comonomer incorporation.