Synthesis and Characterization of a Gold Vinylidene Complex Lacking π‐Conjugated Heteroatoms

Hydride abstraction from the gold (disilyl)ethylacetylide complex [( P )Au{η¹‐C?CSi(Me)₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂H}] ( P =P(tBu)₂o‐biphenyl) with triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate at ?20 °C formed the cationic gold (β,β‐disilyl)vinylidene complex [( P )Au?C?CSi(Me)₂CH₂CH₂Si (Me)₂]⁺B(C₆F₅)₄^? with ≥90 % selectivity. ²⁹Si NMR analysis of this complex pointed to delocalization of positive charge onto both the β‐silyl groups and the ( P )Au fragment. The C1 and C2 carbon atoms of the vinylidene complex underwent facile interconversion (ΔG^≠=9.7 kcal mol^?1), presumably via the gold π‐disilacyclohexyne intermediate [( P )Au{η²‐C?CSi(Me)₂CH₂CH₂Si (Me)₂}]⁺B(C₆F₅)₄^?.     

NHC→SiCl4: An Ambivalent Carbene‐Transfer Reagent

The addition of BCl₃ to the carbene‐transfer reagent NHC→SiCl₄ (NHC=1,3‐dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene) gave the tetra‐ and pentacoordinate trichlorosilicon(IV) cations [(NHC)SiCl₃]⁺ and [(NHC)₂SiCl₃]⁺ with tetrachloroborate as counterion. This is in contrast to previous reactions, in which NHC→SiCl₄ served as a transfer reagent for the NHC ligand. The addition of BF₃ ? OEt₂, on the other hand, gave NHC→BF₃ as the product of NHC transfer. In addition, the highly Lewis acidic bis(pentafluoroethyl)silane (C₂F₅)₂SiCl₂ was treated with NHC→SiCl₄. In acetonitrile, the cationic silicon(IV) complexes [(NHC)SiCl₃]⁺ and [(NHC)₂SiCl₃]⁺ were detected with [(C₂F₅)SiCl₃]^? as counterion. A similar result was already reported for the reaction of NHC→SiCl₄ with (C₂F₅)₂SiH₂, which gave [(NHC)₂SiCl₂H][(C₂F₅)SiCl₃]. If the reaction medium was changed to dichloromethane, the products of carbene transfer, NHC→Si(C₂F₅)₂Cl₂ and NHC→Si(C₂F₅)₂ClH, respectively, were obtained instead. The formation of the latter species is a result of chloride/hydride metathesis. These compounds may serve as valuable precursors for electron‐poor silylenes. Furthermore, the reactivity of NHC→SiCl₄ towards phosphines is discussed. The carbene complex NHC→PCl₃ shows similar reactivity to NHC→SiCl₄, and may even serve as a carbene‐transfer reagent as well.     

An Amidinate‐Stabilized Germatrisilacyclobutadiene Ylide

The synthesis and characterization of new amidinate‐stabilized germatrisilacyclobutadiene ylides [L₃Si₃GeL′] (L=PhC(NtBu)₂; L′=ËL; Ë=Ge ( 3 ), Si ( 7 )) are described. Compound 3 was prepared by the reaction of [LSi? SiL] ( 1 ) with one equivalent of [LGe? GeL] ( 2 ) in THF. Compound 7 was synthesized by the reaction of 2 with excess 1 in THF. The bisamidinate germylene [L₂Ge:] ( 4 ) is a by‐product in both reactions. Moreover, compound 7 was prepared by the reaction of 3 with one equivalent of 1 in THF. Compounds 3 and 7 have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and theoretical studies. The results show that compounds 3 and 7 are not antiaromatic. The puckered Si₃Ge four‐membered rings in 3 and 7 have a ylide structure, which is stabilized by amidinate ligands and the electron delocalization within the Si₃Ge four‐membered ring.     

An N‐Heterocyclic Silylene‐Stabilized Digermanium(0) Complex

The synthesis of an N‐heterocyclic silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex is described. The reaction of the amidinate‐stabilized silicon(II) amide [LSiN(SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ; L=PhC(NtBu)₂) with GeCl₂?dioxane in toluene afforded the Si^II–Ge^II adduct [L{(Me₃Si)₂N}Si→GeCl₂] ( 2 ). Reaction of the adduct with two equivalents of KC₈ in toluene at room temperature afforded the N‐heterocyclic carbene silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex [L{(Me₃Si)₂N}Si→ Ge?Ge←Si{N(SiMe₃)₂}L] ( 3 ). X‐ray crystallography and theoretical studies show conclusively that the N‐heterocyclic silylenes stabilize the singlet digermanium(0) moiety by a weak synergic donor–acceptor interaction.     

A Mixed Heavier Si=Ge Analogue of a Vinyl Anion

The versatile reactivities of disilenides and digermenide, heavier analogues of vinyl anions, have significantly expanded the pool of silicon and germanium compounds with various unexpected structural motifs in the past two decades. We now report the synthesis and isolation of a cyclic heteronuclear vinyl anion analogue with a Si=Ge bond, potassium silagermenide as stable thf‐solvate and 18‐c‐6 solvate by the KC₈ reduction of germylene or digermene precursors. Its suitability as synthon for the synthesis of functional silagermenes is proven by the reactions with chlorosilane and chlorophospane to yield the corresponding silyl‐ and phosphanyl‐silagermenes. X‐ray crystallographic analysis, UV/Vis spectroscopy and DFT calculations revealed a significant degree of π‐conjugation between N=C and Si=Ge double bonds in the title compound.     

The Thermal Rearrangement of an NHC‐Ligated 3‐Benzoborepin to an NHC‐Boranorcaradiene

An N‐heterocyclic‐carbene‐ligated 3‐benzoborepin with a bridged structure has been synthesized by double radical trans‐hydroboration of benzo[3,4]cycloundec‐3‐ene‐1,5‐diyne with an N‐heterocyclic carbene borane. The thermal reaction of the NHC‐ligated borepin at 150 °C gives an isolable NHC‐boranorcaradiene. Experiments and density functional theory calculations support a mechanism whereby the borepin initially rearranges to a boranorcaradiene by a thermal 6π‐electrocyclic reaction. This is followed by 1,5‐boron shift to give a rearranged boranorcaradiene. This shift occurs with stereoinversion at boron through a transition state with open‐shell diradical character. This is the first example of the isolation of a boranorcaradiene from a thermal reaction of a borepin.     

A Silyliumylidene Cation Stabilized by an Amidinate Ligand and 4‐Dimethylaminopyridine

The synthesis and reactivity of a silyliumylidene cation stabilized by an amidinate ligand and 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) are described. The reaction of the amidinate silicon(I) dimer [ L Si:]₂ ( 1 ; L =PhC(NtBu)₂) with one equivalent of N‐trimethylsilyl‐4‐dimethylaminopyridinium triflate [4‐NMe₂C₅H₄NSiMe₃]OTf and two equivalents of DMAP in THF afforded [ L Si(DMAP)]OTf ( 2 ). The ambiphilic character of 2 is demonstrated from its reactivity. Treatment of 2 with 1 in THF afforded the disilylenylsilylium triflate [ L′ ₂( L )Si]OTf ( 3 ; L′ = L Si:) with the displacement of DMAP. The reaction of 2 with [K{HB(iBu)₃}] and elemental sulfur in THF afforded the silylsilylene [ L SiSi(H){(NtBu)₂C(H)Ph}] ( 4 ) and the base‐stabilized silanethionium triflate [ L Si(S)DMAP]OTf ( 5 ), respectively. Compounds 2 , 3 , and 5 have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography.     

The Fate of NHC‐Stabilized Dicarbon

The attempted synthesis of NHC‐stabilized dicarbon (NHC?C?C?NHC) through deprotonation of a doubly protonated precursor ([NHC?CH?CH?NHC]²⁺) is reported. Rather than deprotonation, a clean reduction to NHC?CH?CH?NHC is observed with a variety of bases. The apparent resistance towards deprotonation to the target compound led to a reinvestigation of the electronic structure of NHC→C?C←NHC, which showed that the highest occupied molecular orbital/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO/LUMO) gap is likely too small to allow for isolation of this species. This is in contrast to the recent isolation of the cyclic alkylaminocarbene analogue (cAAC?C?C?cAAC), which has a large HOMO–LUMO gap. A detailed theoretical study illuminates the differences in electronic structures between these molecules, highlighting another case of the potential advantages of using cAAC rather than NHC as a ligand. The bonding analysis suggests that the dicarbon compounds are well represented in terms of donor–acceptor interactions L→C₂←L (L=NHC, cAAC).     

Ligand‐Stabilized Chalcogen Dications

Chalcogen‐transfer reagents? The bonding in the dicationic rings C₂N₂E²⁺ (see picture) differs from that in N‐heterocyclic carbenes and their isovalent p‐block analogues in accommodating a lone pair of electrons with π symmetry, as well as σ symmetry, on the chalcogen center. The labile electrophilic chalcogenium dications (E²⁺) are potentially versatile chalcogen‐transfer reagents in reactions with a variety of inorganic and organic substrates.

     

Enantioselective Addition of Silicon Nucleophiles to Aldimines Using a Preformed NHC–Copper(I) Complex as the Catalyst

A remaining major challenge in the asymmetric addition of silicon nucleophiles to typical prochiral acceptors, the enantioselective 1,2‐addition to aldimines, is addressed. Activation of the Si? B bond in the silicon pronucleophile by a copper(I) alkoxide with McQuade’s chiral six‐membered N‐heterocyclic carbene as a supporting ligand releases the silicon nucleophile, which adds to various aldimines with high levels of enantioselectivity. The new method provides a catalytic asymmetric access to α‐silylated amines.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Coordinated Neutral and Cationic Heavier Cyclopropylidenes

Cyclopropylidene is a transient intermediate of the allene–propyne–cyclopropene isomerization. The incorporation of heavier Group 14 elements into the cyclopropylidene scaffold has to date been restricted to the formal replacement of the carbenic carbon atom by a base‐coordinated silicon(II) center. Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of NHC‐coordinated heavier cyclopropylidenes (Si₂GeR₃X, and Si₃R₃Br; X=Cl, Mes; R=Tip=2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂) in which the three‐membered ring is exclusively formed by silicon and germanium. In case of the chloro‐substituted Si₂Ge‐cyclopropylidene, a stable heavier cycloprop‐1‐yl‐2‐ylidene cation is obtained by NHC‐induced chloride dissociation.     

Zwitterionic Base‐Stabilized Digermadistannacyclobutadiene and Tetragermacyclobutadiene

The syntheses of a zwitterionic base‐stabilized digermadistannacyclobutadiene and tetragermacyclobutadiene supported by amidinates and low‐valent germanium amidinate substituents are described. The reaction of the amidinate Ge^I dimer, [LGe:]₂ ( 1 , L=PhC(NtBu)₂), with two equivalents of the amidinate tin(II) chloride, [LSnCl] ( 2 ), and KC₈ in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at room temperature afforded a mixture of the zwitterionic base‐stabilized digermadistannacyclobutadiene, [L₂Ge₂Sn₂L′₂] ( 3 ; L′=LGe:), and the bis(amidinate) tin(II) compound, [L₂Sn:] ( 4 ). Compound 3 can also be prepared by the reaction of 1 with [L^ArSnCl] ( 5 , L^Ar=tBuC(NAr)₂, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) in THF at room temperature. Moreover, the reaction of 1 with the “onio‐substituent transfer” reagent [4‐NMe₂‐C₅H₄NSiMe₃]OTf ( 8 ) in THF and 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) at room temperature afforded a mixture of the zwitterionic base‐stabilized tetragermacyclobutadiene, [L₄Ge₆] ( 9 ), the amidinium triflate, [PhC(NHtBu)₂]OTf ( 10 ), and Me₃SiSiMe₃ ( 11 ). X‐ray structural data and theoretical studies show conclusively that compounds 3 and 9 have a planar and rhombic charge‐separated structure. They are also nonaromatic.     

9‐Boraanthracene Derivatives Stabilized by N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

2009: A boraanthracene odyssey : General routes to boraanthracene derivatives—long proposed, but never observed—are disclosed, along with the structural and photophysical properties of these compounds and their remarkable reactivity towards oxygen.

     

Dismutational and Global‐Minimum Isomers of Heavier 1,4‐Dimetallatetrasilabenzenes of Group 14

Aromatic species with heavier Group 14 elements show remarkable differences in terms of stability, structure, and reactivity. Herein we report our experimental and theoretical investigations regarding isomers of germanium‐ and tin‐containing benzene analogues E₂Si₄R₆ (E=Ge, Sn). The germanium‐substituted dismutational isomer with a tricyclic six‐membered scaffold is isolable, but unlike the homonuclear Si₆ analogue slowly rearranges even at room temperature to give the propellane‐type global minimum isomer. In case of E=Sn the dismutational isomer may be an intermediate on the pathway to the propellane‐type species obtained, but cannot be detected even at low temperature. Unprecedentedly large chemical shift anisotropies in the ²⁹Si NMR spectra that increase from the Si₆ species through Ge₂Si₄ to Sn₂Si₄ are rationalized by progressively larger paramagnetic‐term contributions to the chemical shift tensor as a result of diminishing HOMO–LUMO gaps, which are also reflected in the absorption spectra, as well as by appearance and symmetry of these frontier orbitals.     

On the P‐Coordinating Limit of NHC–Phosphenium Cations toward RhI Centers

Two types of imidazoliophosphane with additional electron‐withdrawing substituents, such as alkoxy or imidazolio groups, are experimentally described and theoretically studied. Diethyl N,N′‐2,4,6‐methyl(phenyl)imidazoliophosphonite is shown to retain a P‐coordinating ability toward a {RhCl(cod)} (cod=cycloocta‐1,5‐diene) center, thus competing with the cleavage of the labile C? P bond. Derivatives of N,N′‐phenylene‐bridged diimidazolylphenylphosphane were isolated in good yield. Whereas the dicationic phosphane proved to be inert in the presence of [{RhCl(cod)}₂], the monocationic counterpart was shown to retain the P‐coordinating ability toward a {RhCl(cod)} center, thus competing with the N‐coordinating ability of the nonmethylated imidazolyl substituent. The ethyl phosphinite version of the dication, thus possessing an extremely electron‐poor P^III center, was also characterized. According to the difference between the calculated homolytic and heterolytic dissociation energies, the N₂C???P bond of imidazoliophosphanes with aryl, amino, or alkoxy substituents on the P atom is shown to be of dative nature. The P‐coordinating properties of imidazoliophosphanes with various combinations of phenyl or ethoxy substituents on the P atom and those of six diimidazolophosphane derivatives with zero, one, or two methylium substituents on the N atom, were analyzed by comparison of the corresponding HOMOs and LUMOs and by calculation of the IR C?O stretching frequencies of their [RhCl(CO)₂] complexes. Comparison of the ν_CO values allows the family of the electron‐poor Im⁺PRR′ (Im=imidazolyl) potential ligands to be ranked in the following order versus (R,R′): P(OEt)₃<(Ph,Ph)<(Ph,OEt)<(OEt,OEt)<PF₃<(Ph,Im)<(Ph,Im⁺)<(OEt,Im⁺). The (Ph,Im) representative is therefore the least electron‐donating phosphane for which coordinating behavior toward a Rh^I center has been experimentally evidenced to date. Ultimate applications in catalysis could be envisaged.