Isomerisation of ω-hydroxyalkenes under hydroxycarbonylation conditions in palladium catalysed aqueous phase systems

The ω-hydroxyolefins 3-buten-1-ol, 3-buten-1-methyl-1-ol and 4-penten-1-ol were subjected to hydroxycarbonylation conditions in water in the presence of PdCl₂(PhCN)₂ and 4-8 equiv. of water soluble tris(3-sodiumsulfonatophenyl)phosphine (TPPTS), or N-bis(N′,N′-diethyl-2-aminoethyl)-4-aminomethylphenyl-diphenylphosphine (N3P). Under conditions of high conversion, the olefins primarily undergo isomerisation through a chain walking mechanism with selectivities for aldehyde ranging from 65% to 98%, with the lower values for longer chain alcohols. The lactones formed as the minor product are almost exclusively branched, indicating that in the first step 2,1-insertion is strongly favoured over 1,2-insertion. In the N3P system also linear lactone is produced at lower conversion. Running the reaction in D₂O produces multiple deuterium incorporation in all positions of the carbon chain. A mechanism is discussed.     

A new pathway for hydroamination. Mechanism of palladium-catalyzed addition of anilines to vinylarenes

The mechanism of the hydroamination of vinylarenes with anilines catalyzed by phosphine-ligated palladium triflates was uncovered. eta3-Arylethyl diphosphine palladium triflate complexes, which result from migratory insertion of vinylarene into a palladium hydride triflate, were shown to be the resting state of the catalytic cycle. A series of these complexes has been isolated and fully characterized. The [(R)-Tol-BINAP][1-(2-naphthyl)ethyl]palladium triflate derivative 1a was crystallographically characterized. This complex reacted with aniline to form the N-phenethylaniline product in 83% yield. Reaction of the benzylic derivative [(R)-Tol-BINAP](eta3-benzyl)palladium triflate with aniline also formed the N-benzylaniline product in a high 87% yield. Predominant inversion of configuration from the reaction between 1a, which is enantiopure, and aniline showed that external attack of the amine on the eta3-arylethyl ligand occurred to form the product. This product from reaction of aniline with 1a is the opposite enantiomer to that obtained from the catalytic process. Thus, a minor diastereomer gives the major enantiomer in the catalytic cycle, and the major diastereomer gives the minor enantiomer. Consistent with this assertion, kinetic studies showed that the major diastereomer formed product with a rate constant roughly 3.5 times slower than the rate constant for the catalytic process that contains all diastereomers.     

水/有机两相体系 1-癸烯氢氨甲基化反应中 TPPTS 和TPPDS 的协同效应

 在 RhCl(CO)(TPPTS)2-TPPTS[P(m-C6H4SO3Na)3]/TPPDS[C6H5P(m-C6H4 SO3Na)2]-CTAB (十六烷基三甲基溴化铵) 水-有机两相催化体系中, 系统考察了 TPPTS/TPPDS 摩尔比、反应压力、阳离子表面活性剂结构及其浓度对 1-癸烯氢氨甲基化反应区域选择性的影响. 结果表明, TPPDS 的加入对生成胺的区域选择性的影响非常大. 当 TPPTS/TPPDS 摩尔比为 4 时, 直链胺和支链胺之比由不加 TPPDS 时的 8.2 增加到 21.0. 可见, TPPTS 和 TPPDS 存在着明显的协同效应. 阳离子表面活性剂的结构对生成胺的区域选择性影响也很大, 加入双长链阳离子表面活性剂时区域选择性远低于单长链阳离子表面活性剂, 且形成的聚集体越紧密, 越有利于提高产物正/异比.     

Detection of intermediates in cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation using para-hydrogen-induced polarization

para-Hydrogen-induced polarization methods are shown to enable the in situ detection of linear and branched monophosphine-containing intermediates during hydroformylation when Co(eta3-C3H5)(CO)2(PCy3) is the catalyst precursor. The NMR signal characteristics of the alkyl arms of these species provide direct evidence for the rapid interconversion of linear and branched cobalt alkyls prior to the CO insertion step. The observation of additional para-hydrogen-enhanced signals for the corresponding linear and branched aldehydes enables the reactions selectivity to be rapidly monitored as a function of H2 and CO pressure or reaction temperature.     

Modular bis(oxazoline) ligands for palladium catalyzed allylic alkylation: unprecedented conformational behaviour of a bis(oxazoline) palladium eta3-1,3-diphenylallyl complex

New families of enantiopure bis(oxazolines) with 4,5-trans (5 a-g) or 4,5-cis (6 c) stereochemistry at the individual rings have been prepared in high yield. Their eta(3)-allyl palladium complexes (8 a-g, 9 c and 10) have been used as catalytic precursors in allylic alkylation reactions with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96 %) for the trans oxazoline derivatives, while Pd/6 c system was inactive. NMR studies on palladium eta(3)-1,3-diphenylallyl intermediates (11 a, c and e) showed the presence of syn/syn- and syn/anti-allyl isomers in solution; this resembles the first example of eta(3)-eta(1)-eta(3) isomerism in Pd allylic complexes containing bis(oxazolines) derived from malonic acid.     

Rate and mechanism of the reversible formation of cationic (eta3-allyl)-palladium complexes in the oxidative addition of allylic acetate to palladium(0) complexes ligated by diphosphanes

The oxidative addition of the allylic acetate, CH2=CH-CH2-OAc, to the palladium(o) complex [Pd0(P,P)], generated from the reaction of [Pd(dba)2, with one equivalent of P,P (P,P = dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)butane, and P,P = dppf = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene), gives a cationic (eta3-allyl)palladium(II) complex, [(eta3-C3H5)Pd(P,P)+]. with AcO as the counter anion. This reaction is reversible and proceeds through two successive equilibria. The overall equilibrium constants have been determined in DMF. Compared with PPh3, the overall equilibrium lies more in favor of the cationic (eta3-allyl)palladium(II) complex when bidentate P,P ligands are considered in the order: dppb > dppf > PPh3. The reaction proceeds via a neutral intermediate complex [(eta2-CH=CH-CHCH2-OAc)Pd0(P,P)], which has been kinetically detected. The rate constants of the successive steps have been determined in DMF by UV spectroscopy and conductivity measurements. The overall complexation step of the Pd0 by the allylic acetate C=C bond is faster than the oxidative addition/ionization step which gives the cationic (eta3-allyl)palladium(II) complex.     

Methoxycarbonylation of olefins catalyzed by palladium complexes bearing P,N-donor ligands

The methoxycarbonylation of alkenes catalyzed by palladium(II) complexes with P,N-donor ligands, 2-(diphenylphosphinoamino)pyridine (Ph2PNHpy), 2-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]pyridine (Ph2PCH2py), and 2-(diphenylphosphino)quinoline (Ph2Pqn) has been investigated. The results show that the complex [PdCl(PPh3)(Ph2PNHpy)]Cl or an equimolar mixture of [PdCl2(Ph2PNHpy)] and PPh3, in the presence of p-toluensulfonic acid (TsOH), is an efficient catalyst for this reaction. This catalytic system promotes the conversion of styrene into methyl 2-phenylpropanoate and methyl 3-phenylpropanoate with nearly complete chemoselectivity, 98% regioselectivity in the branched isomer, and high turnover frequency, even at alkene/Pd molar ratios of 1000. Best results were obtained in toluene-MeOH (3 : 1) solvent. The Pd/Ph2PNHpy catalyst is also efficient in the methoxycarbonylation of cyclohexene and 1-hexene, although with lower rates than with styrene. Related palladium complexes [PdCl(PPh3)L]Cl (L = Ph2PCH2py and Ph2Pqn) show lower activity in the methoxycarbonylation of styrene than that of the 2-(diphenylphosphinoamino)pyridine ligand. Replacement of the last ligand by (diphenylphosphino)phenylamine (Ph2PNHPh) or 2-(diphenylphosphinoaminomethyl)pyridine (Ph2PNMepy) also reduces significantly the activity of the catalyst, indicating that both the presence of the pyridine fragment as well as the NH group, are required to achieve a high performing catalyst. Isotopic labeling experiments using MeOD are consistent with a hydride mechanism for the [PdCl(PPh3)(Ph2PNHpy)]Cl catalyst.     

Insertion of molecular oxygen into a palladium(II) hydride bond

Insertion of molecular oxygen into a palladium(II) hydride bond to form an (eta1-hydroperoxo)palladium(II) complex is reported. The hydroperoxo palladium(II) product has been crystallographically characterized. A second-order rate law (first-order in palladium and first-order in oxygen) is observed for the reaction and a large kinetic isotope effect implicates Pd-H bond cleavage in the rate-determining step. The results of studies with radical inhibitors and light suggest that the reaction does not proceed by a radical chain mechanism.     

Rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of C6 alkenes and alkene mixtures - a comparative study in homogeneous and aqueous-biphasic media using PPh3, TPPTS and TPPMS ligands

The complexes RhH(CO)L₃, where L = PPh₃, P(m-C₆H₄SO₃Na)₃ (TPPTS), and (C₆H₅)₂P(m-C₆H₄SO₃Na) (TPPMS) were used as catalyst precursors for a comparative study of the catalytic hydroformylation of several C6 alkenes and alkene mixtures under moderate reaction conditions in homogeneous (PPh₃) and aqueous-biphasic (TPPTS, TPPMS) media. The biphasic systems are efficient for the hydroformylation of hex-1-ene, 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene, styrene, cyclohexene, and mixtures thereof, in water/n-heptane at 80 °C. The main problem associated with these catalysts is their tendency to promote alkene isomerization if the effective syngas concentration in the liquid phases is low, but this side-reaction can be suppressed by using higher CO/H₂ pressures (54 atm). The selectivity of both water-soluble catalysts for linear products of hex-1-ene and for branched products of styrene is modest in comparison with the homogeneous system, which may limit their utility for classical oxo uses, but this is not a disadvantage for other interesting applications related to the hydroformylation of alkene mixtures and particularly to naphtha upgrading where linear and branched products are equally useful. The catalysts can be recycled without significant loss of activity and are resistant to the presence of benzothiophene in the mixture.     

Confining Phosphanes Derived from Cyclodextrins for Efficient Regio‐ and Enantioselective Hydroformylation

Two confining phosphane ligands derived from either α‐ or β‐cyclodextrin produce singly P^III‐ligated metal complexes with unusual coordination spheres. High‐pressure NMR studies have revealed that rhodium hydride complexes of the same type are also formed under hydroformylation conditions. This unique feature strongly favors the formation of the branched aldehyde at the expense of the linear one with high enantioselectivity in the rhodium‐catalyzed hydroformylation of styrene.     

Selective sp3 C-H activation of ketones at the beta position by Ir(I). Origin of regioselectivity and water effect

The reaction of the cationic (PNP)Ir(I)(cyclooctene) complex (1) (PNP = 2,6-bis-(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)pyridine) with 2-butanone or 3-pentanone results in the selective, quantitative activation of a beta C-H bond, yielding O,C-chelated complexes. Calculations show that the selectivity is both kinetically (because of steric reasons in the rate determingin step (RDS)) and thermodynamically controlled, the latter as a result of carbonyl oxygen coordination in the product. The RDS is formation of the eta2-C,H intermediates from the complexed ketone intermediates. Water has a strong influence on the regioselectivity, and in its presence, reaction of 1 with 2-butanone gives also the alpha terminal C-H activation product. Computational studies suggest that water can stabilize the terminal alpha C-H activation product by hydrogen bonding, forming a six-membered ring with the ketone, as experimentally observed in the X-ray structure of the acetonyl hydride aqua complex.     

Palladium-catalyzed coupling of allylboronic acids with iodobenzenes. Selective formation of the branched allylic product in the absence of directing groups

Palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions of functionalized allylboronic acids with iodobenzenes were achieved under standard Suzuki-Miyaura coupling conditions. The coupling reactions afforded selectively the branched allylic products in high to excellent yields. In contrast to palladium-catalyzed nucleophilic substitution reactions proceeding via (eta3-allyl)palladium intermediates, this process does not require directing groups in the allyl moiety to achieve substitution at the congested allylic terminus. The regioselectivity of the process was largely unaffected by the substituent effects of the iodobenzenes and the allylic substrates.     

Synthetic, structural, and mechanistic aspects of an amine activation process mediated at a zwitterionic Pd(II) center

A zwitterionic palladium complex [[Ph(2)BP(2)]Pd(THF)(2)][OTf] (1) (where [Ph(2)BP(2)] = [Ph(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)](-)) reacts with trialkylamines to activate a C-H bond adjacent to the amine N atom, thereby producing iminium adduct complexes [Ph(2)BP(2)]Pd(N,C:eta(2)-NR(2)CHR'). In all cases examined the amine activation process is selective for the secondary C-H bond position adjacent to the N atom. These palladacycles undergo facile beta-hydride elimination/olefin reinsertion processes as evident from deuterium scrambling studies and chemical trap studies. The kinetics of the amine activation process was explored, and beta-hydride elimination appears to be the rate-limiting step. A large kinetic deuterium isotope effect for the amine activation process is evident. The reaction profile in less polar solvents such as benzene and toluene is different at room temperature and leads to dimeric [[Ph(2)BP(2)]Pd](2) (4) as the dominant palladium product. Low-temperature toluene-d(8) experiments proceed more cleanly, and intermediates assigned as [Ph(2)BP(2)]Pd(NEt(3))(OTf) and the iminium hydride species [[Ph(2)BP(2)]Pd(H)(Et(2)N=CHCH(3))][OTf] are directly observed. The complex (Ph(2)SiP(2))Pd(OTf)(2) (14) was also studied for amine activation and generates dimeric [(Ph(2)SiP(2))Pd](2)[OTf](2) (16) as the dominant palladium product. These collective data are discussed with respect to the mechanism of the amine activation and, in particular, the influence that solvent polarity and charge have on the overall reaction profile.     

Hydrosoluble transition-metal coordination compounds of triphenylphosphine m-trisulfonate

By using ³¹P NMR and IR techniques it is established that the basicities of triphenylphosphine m-trisulfonate (TPPTS) and triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) are in the same order of magnitude. This highly hydrosoluble phosphine is a convenient ligand for the synthesis of hydrosoluble coordination compounds of molybdenum(0), palladium(II), platinum(II) and rhodium(I). The exchange of TPPTS with ligands other than PPh₃ (nitriles, carbon monoxide, olefins, chloride) can be used to obtain the desired complexes. However, because redox reactions between metal salts, water and TPPTS are possible, the synthesis of lowvalent precursors must be carried out and the experimental conditions have to be carefully controlled to avoid side-reactions and the participation of the sulfonate anions in competitive reactions.     

Insertion, reduction, and carbon-carbon coupling induced by monomeric aluminum hydride compounds bearing substituted pyrrolyl ligands

A monomeric aluminum hydride complex bearing substituted pyrrolyl ligands, AlH[C(4)H(3)N(CH(2)NMe(2))-2](2) (1), was synthesized and structurally characterized. To further confirm the presence of Al--H bonds, the compound AlD[C(4)H(3)N(CH(2)NMe(2))-2](2) ([D]1) was synthesized by reacting LiAlD(4) with [C(4)H(4)N(CH(2)NMe(2))-2]. Compound 1 and [D]1 react with phenyl isothiocyanate yielding Al[C(4)H(3)N(CH(2)NMe(2))-2](2)[eta(3)-SCHNPh] (2) and Al[C(4)H(3)N(CH(2)NMe(2))-2](2)[eta(3)-SCDNPh] ([D]2) by insertion. The reactions of 1 with 9-fluorenone and benzophenone generated the unusual aluminum alkoxide complexes 3 and 4, respectively, through intramolecular proton abstraction and C-C coupling. A mechanistic study shows that 9-fluorenone coordinates to [D]1 and releases one equivalent of HD followed by C-C coupling and hydride transfer to yield the final product. Reduction of benzil with 1 affords aluminum enediolate complex 5 in moderate yield. Mechanistic studies also showed that the benzil was inserted into the aluminum hydride bond of [D]1 through hydroalumination followed by proton transfer to generate the final product [D]5. All new complexes have been characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics of H. transfer from (eta5-C5R5)Cr(CO)3H (R = Ph,Me, H) to methyl methacrylate and styrene

The rates of H/D exchange have been measured between (a) the activated olefins methyl methacrylate-d(5) and styrene-d(8), and (b) the Cr hydrides (eta(5)-C(5)Ph(5))Cr(CO)(3)H (2a), (eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Cr(CO)(3)H (2b), and (eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Cr(CO)(3)H (2c). With a large excess of the deuterated olefin the first exchange goes to completion before subsequent exchanges begin, at a rate first order in olefin and in hydride. (Hydrogenation is insignificant except with styrene and CpCr(CO)(3)H; in most cases, the radicals arising from the first H. transfer are too hindered to abstract another H. .) Statistical corrections give the rate constants k(reinit) for H. transfer to the olefin from the hydride. With MMA, k(reinit) decreases substantially as the steric bulk of the hydride increases; with styrene, the steric bulk of the hydride has little effect. At longer times, the reaction of MMA or styrene with 2a gives the corresponding metalloradical 1a as termination depletes the concentration of the methyl isobutyryl radical 3 or the alpha-methylbenzyl radical 4; computer simulation of [1a] as f(t) gives an estimate of k(tr), the rate constant for H. transfer from 3 or 4 back to Cr. These rate constants imply a DeltaG (50 degrees C) of +11 kcal/mol for H. transfer from 2a to MMA, and a DeltaG (50 degrees C) of +10 kcal/mol for H. transfer from 2a to styrene. The CH(3)CN pK(a) of 2a, 11.7, implies a BDE for its Cr-H bond of 59.6 kcal/mol, and DFT calculations give 58.2 kcal/mol for the Cr-H bond in 2c. In combination the kinetic DeltaG values, the experimental BDE for 2a, and the calculated DeltaS values for H. transfer imply a C-H BDE of 45.6 kcal/mol for the methyl isobutyryl radical 3 (close to the DFT-calculated 49.5 kcal/mol), and a C-H BDE of 47.9 kcal/mol for the alpha-methylbenzyl radical 4 (close to the DFT-calculated 49.9 kcal/mol). A solvent cage model suggests 46.1 kcal/mol as the C-H BDE for the chain-carrying radical in MMA polymerization.     

POCl3 chlorination of 4-quinazolones

The reaction of quinazolones with POCl(3) to form the corresponding chloroquinazolines occurs in two distinct stages, which can be separated through appropriate temperature control. An initial phosphorylation reaction occurs readily under basic conditions (R(3)N, aq pK(a) > 9) at t < 25 °C to give a variety of phosphorylated intermediates. Pseudodimer formation, arising from reaction between phosphorylated intermediates and unreacted quinazolone, is completely suppressed at these temperatures, provided the system remains basic throughout the POCl(3)addition. Clean turnover of phosphorylated quinazolones to the corresponding chloroquinazoline is then achieved by heating to 70-90 °C. (N)- and (O)-phosphorylated intermediates, involving multiple substitution at phosphorus, have been identified and their reactions monitored using a combination of (1)H, (31)P, and (19)F NMR. Kinetic analysis of the reaction profiles suggest that the various intermediates react with both Cl(-) and Cl(2)P(O)O(-), but product formation arises exclusively from reaction of (O)-phosphorylated intermediates with Cl(-). (O)- and (N)-phosphorylated intermediates equilibrate rapidly on the time scale of the reaction. A minimum of 1 molar equiv of POCl(3) is required for efficient conversion of the intermediates to product.     

羟基磷灰石负载HRh(CO)(TPPTS)3催化1-己烯氢甲酰化反应高选择性和特殊的异构化功能

采用浸渍法制备了以羟基磷灰石(HAP)载型水溶性铑络合物HRh(CO)(TPPTS)3/HAP催化剂(TPPTS=三苯基膦三间磺酸钠), 采用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、 固体核磁共振波谱(31P CP-MAS NMR)、 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、 电感耦合等离子发射光谱(ICP-OES)和比表面积测定(BET)等对催化剂进行了表征. 该催化剂在催化1-己烯氢甲酰化反应中表现出高活性和高选择性, 在优化条件下获得了100%的醛选择性和高转化频率(TOF=2465 h-1). 该催化剂还对1-己烯、 2-己烯和3-己烯表现出特殊的异构化功能. 该催化剂制备方法简单, 通过简单离心分离可以循环使用. 对HAP负载HRh(CO)(TPPTS)3的原理以及催化剂对烯烃异构化的机理进行了探讨.     

Reaction of Ta(NMe2)5 with O2: formation of aminoxy and unusual (aminomethyl)amide oxo complexes and theoretical studies of the mechanistic pathways

Reaction of d0 Ta(NMe2)5 (1) with O2 yields two aminoxy complexes (Me2N)(n)Ta(eta2-ONMe2)(5-n) (n = 4, 2; 3, 3) as well as (Me2N)4Ta2[eta2-N(Me)CH2NMe2]2(mu-O)2 (4) and (Me2N)6Ta3[eta2-N(Me)CH2NMe2]2(eta2-ONMe2)(mu-O)3 (5) containing novel chelating (aminomethyl)amide-N(Me)CH2NMe2 ligands. The crystal structures of 2-5 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. (Me2N)4Ta(eta2-ONMe2) (2) converts to (Me2N)3Ta(eta2-ONMe2)2 (3) in its reaction with O2. In addition, the reaction of Ta(NMe2)5 with 3 gives 2 only at elevated temperatures. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to investigate the mechanistic pathways in the reactions of Ta(NMe2)5 (1) with triplet O2. Monomeric reaction pathways in the formation of 2-5 are proposed. A key step is the oxygen insertion into a Ta-N bond in 1 through an intersystem conversion from triplet to singlet energy surface to give an active peroxide complex (Me2N)4Ta(eta2-O-O-NMe2) (A4). The DFT studies indicate that the peroxide ligand plays an important role, including oxidizing an amide to an imine ligand through the abstraction of a hydride. Insertion of Me-N=CH2 into a Ta-amide bond yields the unusual -N(Me)CH2NMe2 ligands.     

First investigation of non-classical dihydrogen bonding between an early transition-metal hydride and alcohols: IR, NMR, and DFT approach

The interaction of [NbCp(2)H(3)] with fluorinated alcohols to give dihydrogen-bonded complexes was studied by a combination of IR, NMR and DFT methods. IR spectra were examined in the range from 200-295 K, affording a clear picture of dihydrogen-bond formation when [NbCp(2)H(3)]/HOR(f) mixtures (HOR(f) = hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) or perfluoro-tert-butanol (PFTB)) were quickly cooled to 200 K. Through examination of the OH region, the dihydrogen-bond energetics were determined to be 4.5+/-0.3 kcal mol(-1) for TFE (TFE = trifluoroethanol) and 5.7+/-0.3 kcal mol(-1) for HFIP. (1)H NMR studies of solutions of [NbCp(2)H(2)(B)H(A)] and HFIP in [D(8)]toluene revealed high-field shifts of the hydrides H(A) and H(B), characteristic of dihydrogen-bond formation, upon addition of alcohol. The magnitude of signal shifts and T(1) relaxation time measurements show preferential coordination of the alcohol to the central hydride H(A), but are also consistent with a bifurcated character of the dihydrogen bonding. Estimations of hydride-proton distances based on T(1) data are in good accord with the results of DFT calculations. DFT calculations for the interaction of [NbCp(2)H(3)] with a series of non-fluorinated (MeOH, CH(3)COOH) and fluorinated (CF(3)OH, TFE, HFIP, PFTB and CF(3)COOH) proton donors of different strengths showed dihydrogen-bond formation, with binding energies ranging from -5.7 to -12.3 kcal mol(-1), depending on the proton donor strength. Coordination of proton donors occurs both to the central and to the lateral hydrides of [NbCp(2)H(3)], the former interaction being of bifurcated type and energetically slightly more favourable. In the case of the strong acid H(3)O(+), the proton transfer occurs without any barrier, and no dihydrogen-bonded intermediates are found. Proton transfer to [NbCp(2)H(3)] gives bis(dihydrogen) [NbCp(2)(eta(2)-H(2))(2)](+) and dihydride(dihydrogen) complexes [NbCp(2)(H)(2)(eta(2)-H(2))](+) (with lateral hydrides and central dihydrogen), the former product being slightly more stable. When two molecules of TFA were included in the calculations, in addition to the dihydrogen-bonded adduct, an ionic pair formed by the cationic bis(dihydrogen) complex [NbCp(2)(eta(2)-H(2))(2)](+) and the homoconjugated anion pair (CF(3)COO...H...OOCCF(3))(-) was found as a minimum. It is very likely that these ionic pairs may be intermediates in the H/D exchange between the hydride ligands and the OD group observed with the more acidic alcohols in the NMR studies.