Dinitrogen functionalization with terminal alkynes, amines, and hydrazines promoted by [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2): observation of side-on and end-on diazenido complexes in the reduction of N2 to hydrazine

Functionalization of the N2 ligand in the side-on bound dinitrogen complex, [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2), has been accomplished by addition of terminal alkynes to furnish acetylide zirconocene diazenido complexes, [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(C[triple bond]CR)]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2H2) (R = nBu, tBu, Ph). Characterization of [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(C[triple bond]CCMe3)]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2H2) by X-ray diffraction revealed a side-on bound diazenido ligand in the solid state, while variable-temperature 1H and 15N NMR studies established rapid interconversion between eta1,eta1 and eta2,eta2 hapticity of the [N2H2]2- ligand in solution. Synthesis of alkyl, halide, and triflato zirconocene diazenido complexes, [(eta5-C5Me4H)2ZrX]2(mu2,eta1,eta1-N2H2) (X = Cl, I, OTf, CH2Ph, CH2SiMe3), afforded eta1,eta1 coordination of the [N2H2]2- fragment both in the solid state and in solution, demonstrating that sterically demanding, in some cases pi-donating, ligands can overcome the electronically preferred side-on bonding mode. Unlike [(eta5-C5Me4H)2ZrH]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2H2), the acetylide and alkyl zirconocene diazenido complexes are thermally robust, resisting alpha-migration and N2 cleavage up to temperatures of 115 degrees C. Dinitrogen functionalization with [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) was also accomplished by addition of proton donors. Weak Br?nsted acids such as water and ethanol yield hydrazine and (eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(OH)2 and (eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr(OEt)2, respectively. Treatment of [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) with HNMe2 or H2NNMe2 furnished amido or hydrazido zirconocene diazenido complexes that ultimately produce hydrazine upon protonation with ethanol. These results contrast previous observations with [(eta5-C5Me5)2Zr(eta1-N2)]2(mu2,eta1,eta1-N2) where loss of free dinitrogen is observed upon treatment with weak acids. These studies highlight the importance of cyclopentadienyl substituents on transformations involving coordinated dinitrogen.     

Coordinatively unsaturated semisandwich complexes of ruthenium with phosphinoamine ligands and related species: a complex containing (R,R)-1,2-bis((diisopropylphosphino)amino)cyclohexane in a new coordination form kappa(3)P,P',N-eta(2)-P,N

The syntheses of the chloro complexes [Ru(eta5-C5R5)Cl(L)] (R = H, Me; L = phosphinoamine ligand) (1a-d) have been carried out by reaction of [(eta5-C5H5)RuCl(PPh3)2] or {(eta5-C5Me5)RuCl}4 with the corresponding phosphinoamine (R,R)-1,2-bis((diisopropylphosphino)amino)cyclohexane), R,R-dippach, or 1,2-bis(((diisopropylphosphino)amino)ethane), dippae. The chloride abstraction reactions from these compounds lead to different products depending on the starting chlorocomplex and the reaction conditions. Under argon atmosphere, chloride abstraction from [(eta5-C5Me5)RuCl(R,R-dippach)] with NaBAr'4 yields the compound [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(kappa3P,P'-(R,R)-dippach)][BAr'4] (2b) which exhibits a three-membered ring Ru-N-P by a new coordination form of this phosphinoamine. However, under the same conditions the reaction starting from [(eta5-C5Me5)RuCl(dippae)] yields the unsaturated 16 electron complex [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(dippae)][BAr'4] (2d). The bonding modes of R,R-dippach and dippae ligands have been analyzed by DFT calculations. The possibility of tridentate P,N,P-coordination of the phosphinoamide ligand to a fragment [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru]+ is always present, but only the presence of a cyclohexane unit in the ligand framework converts this bonding mode in a more favorable option than the usual P,P-coordination. Dinitrogen [(eta5-C5R5)Ru(N2)(L)][BAr'4] (3a-d) and dioxygen complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(O2)(R,R-dippach)][BPh4] (4a) and [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(O2)(L)][BPh4] (4b,d) have been prepared by chloride abstraction under dinitrogen or dioxygen atmosphere, respectively. The presence of 16 electron [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(R,R-dippach)]+ species in fluorobenzene solutions of the corresponding dinitrogen or dioxygen complexes in conjunction with the presence of [BAr'4]- gave in some cases a small fraction of [Ru(eta5-C5H5)(eta6-C6H5F)][BAr'4] (5a), which has been isolated and characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

On the origin of dinitrogen hydrogenation promoted by [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2)

The origin of the hydrogenation of the dinitrogen ligand in [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) has been investigated by a combined computational and experimental study. Density functional theory calculations on the zirconocene dinitrogen complex demonstrate significant imido character in the zirconium nitrogen bonds, arising from effective pi-back-bonding from the low-valent zirconium and the side-on bound N2 ligand. The twisted ground-state structure of the N2 complex is a key requirement for nitrogen hydrogenation, as calculations on the model complex [(eta5-C5H5)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) reveal reduced overlap as the dihedral angle between the zirconocene wedges approaches 0 degrees . Experimentally, isotopic labeling studies on the microscopic reverse are consistent with a 1,2-addition mechanism for nitrogen hydrogenation.     

N2 hydrogenation from activated end-on bis(indenyl) zirconium dinitrogen complexes

Sodium amalgam reduction of the bis(indenyl)zirconium dihalide complexes, (eta5-C9H5-1-iPr-3-Me)2ZrX2 (X = Cl, Br, I), yielded the corresponding end-on dinitrogen complexes, [(eta5-C9H5-1-iPr-3-Me)2Zr(NaX)]2(mu2, eta1, eta1-N2), with inclusion of 1 equiv of salt per zirconocene. The solid state structures of the chloro and iodo congeners establish short Zr N and elongated N N bonds, consistent with modest to strong activation of the coordinated dinitrogen molecule. Exposure of the N2 compounds to 1 atm of dihydrogen resulted in rapid N H bond formation to yield a hydrido zirconocene hydrazido compound concomitant with salt elimination. These studies establish a new structural type of zirconocene dinitrogen complex and demonstrate that side-on coordination of the N2 ligand in the ground state is not a prerequisite for dinitrogen hydrogenation.     

Kinetics and mechanism of N2 hydrogenation in bis(cyclopentadienyl) zirconium complexes and dinitrogen functionalization by 1,2-addition of a saturated C-H bond

The rates of hydrogenation of the N2 ligand in the side-on bound dinitrogen compounds, [(eta(5)-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta(2),eta(2)-N2) and [(eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C5H2-1,2-Me2-4-R)Zr]2(mu2,eta(2),eta(2)-N2) (R = Me, Ph), to afford the corresponding hydrido zirconocene diazenido complexes have been measured by electronic spectroscopy. Determination of the rate law for the hydrogenation of [(eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C5H2-1,2,4-Me3)Zr]2(mu2,eta(2),eta(2)-N2) establishes an overall second-order reaction, first order with respect to each reagent. These data, in combination with a normal, primary kinetic isotope effect of 2.2(1) for H2 versus D2 addition, establish the first H2 addition as the rate-determining step in N2 hydrogenation. Kinetic isotope effects of similar direction and magnitude have also been measured for hydrogenation (deuteration) of the two other zirconocene dinitrogen complexes. Measuring the rate constants for the hydrogenation of [(eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C5H2-1,2,4-Me3)Zr]2(mu2,eta(2),eta(2)-N2) over a 40 degrees C temperature range provided activation parameters of deltaH(double dagger) = 8.4(8) kcal/mol and deltaS(double dagger) = -33(4) eu. The entropy of activation is consistent with an ordered four-centered transition structure, where H2 undergoes formal 1,2-addition to a zirconium-nitrogen bond with considerable multiple bond character. Support for this hypothesis stems from the observation of N2 functionalization by C-H activation of a cyclopentadienyl methyl substituent in the mixed ring dinitrogen complexes, [(eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C5H2-1,2-Me2-4-R)Zr]2(mu2,eta(2),eta(2)-N2) (R = Me, Ph), to afford cyclometalated zirconocene diazenido derivatives.     

Synthesis of the five-coordinate ruthenium(II) complexes [(PCP)Ru(CO)(L)][BAr'4] [PCP = 2,6-(CH2P(t)Bu2)2C6H3, BAr'4 = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3, L = eta1-ClCH2Cl, eta1-N2, or mu-Cl-Ru(PCP)(CO)]: reactions with phenyldiazomethane and phenylacetylene

Reaction of (PCP)Ru(CO)(Cl) (1) with NaBAr'4 yields the bimetallic product [[(PCP)Ru(CO)](2)(mu-Cl)][BAr'4] (2). The monomeric five-coordinate complexes [(PCP)Ru(CO)(eta1-ClCH2Cl)][BAr'4] (3) and [(PCP)Ru(CO)(eta1-N2)][BAr'4] (4) are synthesized upon reaction of (PCP)Ru(CO)(OTf) (6) with NaBAr'4 in CH2Cl2 or C6H5F, respectively. The solid-state structures of 2, 3, and 4 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies of single crystals. The reaction of 3 with PhCHN2 or PhCCH affords carbon-carbon coupling products involving the aryl group of the PCP ligand in transformations that likely proceed via the formation of Ru carbene or vinylidene intermediates. Density functional theory and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations were performed to investigate the bonding of weak bases to the 14-electron fragment [(PCP)Ru(CO)]+ and the energetics of different isomers of the product carbene and vinylidene complexes.     

Synthesis,molecular structure,and C-C coupling reactions of carbeneruthenium(II) complexes with C5H5Ru(=CRR') and C5Me5Ru(=CRR') as molecular units

The ethene derivatives [(eta(5)-C(5)R(5))RuX(C(2)H(4))(PPh(3))] with R=H and Me, which have been prepared from the eta(3)-allylic compounds [(eta(5)-C(5)R(5))Ru(eta(3)-2-MeC(3)H(4))(PPh(3))] (1, 2) and acids HX under an ethene atmosphere, are excellent starting materials for the synthesis of a series of new halfsandwich-type ruthenium(II) complexes. The olefinic ligand is replaced not only by CO and pyridine, but also by internal and terminal alkynes to give (for X=Cl) alkyne, vinylidene, and allene compounds of the general composition [(eta(5)-C(5)R(5))RuCl(L)(PPh(3))] with L=C(2)(CO(2)Me)(2), Me(3)SiC(2)CO(2)Et, C=CHCO(2)R, and C(3)H(4). The allenylidene complex [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuCl(=C=C=CPh(2))(PPh(3))] is directly accessible from 1 (R=H) in two steps with the propargylic alcohol HC triple bond CC(OH)Ph(2) as the precursor. The reactions of the ethene derivatives [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuX(C(2)H(4))(PPh(3))] (X=Cl, CF(3)CO(2)) with diazo compounds RR'CN(2) yield the corresponding carbene complexes [(eta(5)-C(5)R(5))RuX(=CRR')(PPh(3))], while with ethyl diazoacetate (for X=Cl) the diethyl maleate compound [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuCl[eta(2)-Z-C(2)H(2)(CO(2)Et)(2)](PPh(3))] is obtained. Halfsandwich-type ruthenium(II) complexes [(eta(5)-C(5)R(5))RuCl(=CHR')(PPh(3))] with secondary carbenes as ligands, as well as cationic species [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Ru(=CPh(2))(L)(PPh(3))]X with L=CO and CNtBu and X=AlCl(4) and PF(6), have also been prepared. The neutral compounds [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuCl(=CRR')(PPh(3))] react with phenyllithium, methyllithium, and the vinyl Grignard reagent CH(2)=CHMgBr by displacement of the chloride and subsequent C-C coupling to generate halfsandwich-type ruthenium(II) complexes with eta(3)-benzyl, eta(3)-allyl, and substituted olefins as ligands. Protolytic cleavage of the metal-allylic bond in [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Ru(eta(3)-CH(2)CHCR(2))(PPh(3))] with acetic acid affords the corresponding olefins R(2)C=CHCH(3). The by-product of this process is the acetato derivative [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Ru(kappa(2)-O(2)CCH(3))(PPh(3))], which can be reconverted to the carbene complexes [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))RuCl(=CR(2))(PPh(3))] in a one-pot reaction with R(2)CN(2) and Et(3)NHCl.     

Does dinitrogen hydrogenation follow different mechanisms for [(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) and {[PhP(CH2SiMe2NSiMe2CH2)PPh]Zr}2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2) complexes? A computational study

The mechanisms of dinitrogen hydrogenation by two different complexes--[(eta(5)-C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Zr](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)), synthesized by Chirik and co-workers [Nature 2004, 427, 527], and {[P(2)N(2)]Zr}(2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)), where P(2)N(2) = PhP(CH(2)SiMe(2)NSiMe(2)CH(2))(2)PPh, synthesized by Fryzuk and co-workers [Science 1997, 275, 1445]--are compared with density functional theory calculations. The former complex is experimentally known to be capable of adding more than one H(2) molecule to the side-on coordinated N(2) molecule, while the latter does not add more than one H(2). We have shown that the observed difference in the reactivity of these dizirconium complexes is caused by the fact that the former ligand environment is more rigid than the latter. As a result, the addition of the first H(2) molecule leads to two different products: a non-H-bridged intermediate for the Chirik-type complex and a H-bridged intermediate for the Fryzuk-type complex. The non-H-bridged intermediate requires a smaller energy barrier for the second H(2) addition than the H-bridged intermediate. We have also examined the effect of different numbers of methyl substituents in [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(n)H(5)(-)(n))(2)Zr](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)) for n = 0, 4, and 5 (n = 5 is hypothetical) and [(eta(5)-C(5)H(2)-1,2,4-Me(3))(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(2)Zr](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)) and have shown that all complexes of this type would follow a similar H(2) addition mechanism. We have also performed an extensive analysis on the factors (side-on coordination of N(2) to two Zr centers, availability of the frontier orbitals with appropriate symmetry, and inflexibility of the catalyst ligand environment) that are required for successful hydrogenation of the coordinated dinitrogen.     

Carbonyl analogues? Analysis of Fe-E (E=B, Al, Ga) bonding in cationic terminal diyl complexes by density functional theory

A series of DFT calculations has been carried out with the aim of characterizing the metal-group 13 element interaction in the novel cationic borylene complex [(eta5-C2Me5)Fe(CO)2(BMes)]+ (1) and related species of the type [eta5-C5R5)M(L)2(EX)]n+. In addition, comparisons have been made with charge neutral borylene complexes and with related group 14 based ligand systems (e.g. cationic metal carbonyls, carbenes and vinylidenes) for which models of bonding have previously been established. In this regard particular attention has been focused on the interpretation of (i) molecular orbital composition; (ii) bond dissociation energies (BDEs) and the ratio of ionic to covalent contributions (DeltaEelstat/DeltaEorb); and (iii) sigma and pi symmetry covalent contributions. The molecular orbital compositions for the prototype borylene complex 1 and for related cationic and neutral systems [e.g.[(eta5-C5H5)Fe(PMe3)2(BMes)]+ and (eta5-C5H5)Mn(CO2(BMes)]] are consistent with the presence of bonding interactions between metal and borylene fragments of both sigma and pi symmetry. Furthermore, on the basis of BDEs, DeltaEorb values and sigma/pi covalent ratios, the bonding in cationic terminal borylene complexes such as 1 appears to have as much right to be termed a M=E double bond as does that in archetypal Fischer carbene and related complexes such as [(eta5-C5R5)Fe(CO)2(CCMe2)]+ and [(eta5-C5R5)Fe(CO)2(CH2)]+.     

Chelate and pincer carbene complexes of rhodium and platinum derived from hexaphenylcarbodiphosphorane, Ph3P=C=PPh3

The reaction of [(cod)RhCl]2 with Ph3P=C=PPh3 (1) gave the bidentate Rh(I) carbene complex, (cod)Rh[eta2-C{P(C6H4)Ph2}{PPh3}] (2), in which one of the Ph groups in 1 underwent orthometalation to form the chelate. Displacement of cod by 2 equiv of PMe3 transformed 2, via a second orthometalation event, into the Rh(III) C,C,C pincer carbene complex, HRh(PMe3)2[eta3-C{P(C6H4)Ph2}2] (3). The reaction of [Me2Pt(SMe2)]2 with 1 led directly to the analogous C,C,C pincer carbene complex of Pt(II), (Me2S)Pt[eta3-C{P(C6H4)Ph2}2] (4). DFT calculations on a model form of 3 suggest a net single sigma-bonding interaction between Rh and an sp2-hybridized carbene center, with a HOMO that is predominantly carbene pz in character.     

Macropolyhedral boron-containing cluster chemistry. Ligand-induced two-electron variations of intercluster bonding intimacy. Structures of nineteen-vertex [(eta5-C5Me5)HIrB18H19(PMe2Ph)] and the related carbene complex [(eta5-C5Me5)HIrB18H19[C(NHMe)2]

Addition of PMe2Ph to fused-cluster syn-[(eta5-C5Me5)IrB18H20] 1 to give [(eta5-C5Me5)HIrB18H19(PMe2Ph)] 3 entails a diminution in the degree of intimacy of the intercluster fusion, rather than retention of inter-subcluster binding intimacy and a nido-->arachno conversion of the character of either of the subclusters. Reaction with MeNC gives [(eta5-C5Me5)HIrB18H19[C(NHMe)2]] 4 which has a similar structure, but with the ligand now being the carbene [:C(NHMe)2], resulting from a reductive assembly reaction involving two MeNC residues and the loss of a carbon atom.     

Indenyl zirconium dinitrogen chemistry: N2 coordination to an isolated zirconium sandwich and synthesis of side-on, end-on dinitrogen compounds

Exposure of the isolable zirconocene sandwich compounds, (eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C9H5-1-R(1)-3-R(2))Zr (R(1) = Me, (i)Pr, (t)Bu; R(2) = Me) to one atmosphere of dinitrogen resulted in N2 coordination. X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy establish that the resulting dimeric dinitrogen compounds contain an unusual mu2,eta(2)-bridging indenyl ring and a weakly activated N2 ligand. N2 coordination from the isolable zirconium sandwich compounds is extremely sensitive to the number and size of the indenyl subsituents. Compounds bearing two [(i)Pr] or three methyl substituents are stable as eta(9) sandwich compounds for weeks under dinitrogen likely due to the inability to dimerize through a two-atom N2 bridge. Performing the reduction of (eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C9H5-1-R(1)-3-R(2))ZrCl2 (R(1) = (i)Pr, (t)Bu; R(2) = Me; R(1) = R(2) = SiMe3) under an N2 atmosphere produced a different outcome; rare examples of side-on, end-on zirconium dinitrogen compounds were isolated and in one case, crystallographically characterized. Protonolysis studies with weak Br?nsted acids were used to evaluate the relative activation of the bridging dinitrogen ligands.     

Novel eta1-N,eta2-C,C-binding mode between pyridinyl-functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligands and iridium

The reaction between 2-(2,3,4,5-tetramethyl-cyclopenta-1,3-dienyl)-pyridine 1 and IrCl3 was performed in an attempt to synthesize a cyclometalated system with decreased pi conjugation in the ligand. An unexpected reduction and rearrangement of bis-pyridinyl-cyclopentadienyl cyclometalated Ir(III) intermediate 2 took place yielding bis-pyridinyl-fulvene Ir(I) complex 4, which exhibits a novel bis-eta1-N,eta2-C,C-binding mode between the pyridinyl-functionalized fulvene ligand and iridium. The iridium atom in 4 is not sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl moieties; rather, the two cyclopentadienyl groups adopt a pi-pi stacking arrangement with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.494 A. The Cl/P(wedge)O ligand-exchange reaction between 4 and 2-[(diphenylphosphanyl)-methyl]-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-propan-2-ol 5 led to loss of one pyridinyl-functionalized fulvene ligand and produced complex 6, in which the remaining pyridinyl-functionalized fulvene ligand exhibits the mono-eta1-N,eta2-C,C-binding mode.     

Synthons for coordinatively unsaturated complexes of tungsten, and their use for the synthesis of high oxidation-state silylene complexes

Reduction of Cp*WCl4 afforded the metalated complex (eta6-C5Me4CH2)(dmpe)W(H)Cl (1) (Cp* = C5Me5, dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane). Reactions with CO and H(2) suggested that 1 is in equilibrium with the 16-electron species [Cp(dmpe)WCl], and 1 was also shown to react with silanes R2SiH2 (R2 = Ph2 and PhMe) to give the tungsten(IV) silyl complexes Cp*(dmpe)(H)(Cl)W(SiHR2) (6a, R2 = Ph2; 6b, R2 = PhMe). Abstraction of the chloride ligand in 1 with LiB(C6F5)4 gave a reactive species that features a doubly metalated Cp ligand, [(eta7-C5Me3(CH2)2)(dmpe)W(H)2][B(C6F5)4] (4). In its reaction with dinitrogen, 4 behaves as a synthon for the 14-electron fragment [Cp*(dmpe)W]+, to give the dinuclear dinitrogen complex ([Cp*(dmpe)W]2(micro-N2)) [B(C6F5)4]2 (5). Hydrosilanes R2SiH2 (R2 = Ph2, PhMe, Me2, Dipp(H); Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) were shown to react with 4 in double Si-H bond activation reactions to give the silylene complexes [Cp*(dmpe)H2W = SiR2][B(C6F5)4] (8a-d). Compounds 8a,b (R2 = Ph2 and PhMe, respectively) were also synthesized by abstraction of the chloride ligands from silyl complexes 6a,b. Dimethylsilylene complex 8c was found to react with chloroalkanes RCl (R = Me, Et) to liberate trialkylchlorosilanes RMe2SiCl. This reaction is discussed in the context of its relevance to the mechanism of the direct synthesis for the industrial production of alkylchlorosilanes.     

Diazene dehydrogenation follows H2 addition to coordinated dinitrogen in an ansa-zirconocene complex

An activated side-on-bound ansa-zirconocene dinitrogen complex, [Me2Si(eta5-C5Me4)(eta5-C5H3-3-tBu)Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2), has been prepared by sodium amalgam reduction of the corresponding dichloride precursor under an atmosphere of N2. Both solution spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction data establish diastereoselective formation of the syn homochiral dizirconium dimer. Addition of 1 atm of H2 resulted in rapid hydrogenation of the N2 ligand to yield one diastereomer of the hydrido zirconocene diazenido complex. Kinetic measurements have yielded the barrier for H2 addition and in combination with isotopic labeling studies are consistent with a 1,2-addition pathway. In the absence of H2, the hydrido zirconocene diazenido product undergoes swift diazene dehydrogenation to yield an unusual hydrido zirconocene dinitrogen complex. The N=N bond length of 1.253(5) A determined by X-ray crystallography indicates that the side-on-bound N2 ligand is best described as a two-electron reduced [N2]2- fragment. Comparing the barrier for deuterium exchange with [Me2Si(eta5-C5Me4)(eta5-C5H3-3-tBu)ZrH]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2H2) to diazene dehydrogenation is consistent with rapid 1,2-elimination of dihydrogen followed by rate-determining hydride migration to the zirconium. This mechanistic proposal is also corroborated by H2 inhibition and the observation of a normal, primary kinetic isotope effect for dehydrogenation.     

Pd0 mechanism of palladium-catalyzed cyclopropanation of alkenes by CH2N2: a DFT study

Pathways for the reaction of ethene with diazomethane to cyclopropane and dinitrogen catalyzed by Pd(0) complexes have been investigated at the B3LYP level of theory. The computed Gibbs free activation energy of 71.7 kJ mol(-1) for the most favorable catalytic cycle is by far lower than previously reported computed barriers for Pd(II)-catalyzed pathways of this reaction and is now in the range of experimental expectations. Pd(eta(2)-C(2)H(4))(2) is predicted to be the resting state of the catalyst and the product of a Pd(OAc)(2) precatalyst reduction. The Pd(0) ethene complex is in equilibrium with Pd(eta(2)-C(2)H(4))(kappaC-CH(2)N(2)), from which N(2) is eliminated in the rate-determining step. The resulting carbene complex (eta(2)-C(2)H(4))Pd=CH(2) reacts without intrinsic barrier with CH(2)N(2) to Pd(eta(2)-C(2)H(4))(2) and N(2) and with ethene to the palladacyclobutane (eta(2)-C(2)H(4))Pd(II)[kappaC(1),kappaC(3)-(CH(2))(3)]. The N(2) elimination from Pd(eta(2)-C(2)H(4))(2)(kappaC-CH(2)N(2)) to (eta(2)-C(2)H(4))(2)Pd=CH(2) leads to an overall Gibbs free activation energy of 84.2 kJ mol(-1). The intramolecular rearrangement of (eta(2)-C(2)H(4))(2)Pd=CH(2) to the palladacyclobutane (eta(2)-C(2)H(4))Pd(II)[kappaC(1),kappaC(3)-(CH(2))(3)] and the subsequent reductive elimination of cyclopropane are facile. At the BP86 level of theory, Pd(0) preferentially coordinates three ligands. Pd(eta(2)-C(2)H(4))(3) is predicted to be the resting state, and the N(2) elimination from the model complex Pd(eta(2)-C(2)H(4))(2)(kappaC-CH(2)N(2)) is the rate-determining transition state leading to an overall Gibbs free activation energy of 69.4 kJ mol(-1).     

Synthesis of Stable Multifunctional C-Phosphonio Phosphorus Vinyl Ylides

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid reacts at 240 K with bis[bis(diisopropylamino)phosphino]diazomethane, 1, affording the corresponding cationic (phosphino)(P-hydrogenophosphonio)diazomethane derivative 2, which eliminates dinitrogen above 250 K, leading to (phosphino)(phosphonio)carbene 3 isolated in 76% yield (mp 88 degrees C). Bis(diisopropylamino)phosphenium salt 5a adds at 240 K to P-chlorodiazomethylenephosphorane 4 giving (phosphino)(P-chlorophosphonio)diazo derivative 6a, which leads, after N(2) elimination, to the corresponding carbene 7a. Addition of potassium tert-butoxide to 3 gives rise to the transient diphosphinocarbene 8, which rearranges into phosphaalkene 9. Sodium tetrafluoroborate, tert-butyllithium, and tributyltin hydride react with 3 to afford P-fluoro-P'-hydrogenocarbodiphosphorane 10, P,P'-dihydrogenocarbodiphosphorane 12, and stannyl-substituted methylene salt 15, respectively. tert-Butyl isocyanide reacts with phosphoniocarbene 3 giving heterocycle 19, whereas with carbene 7 phosphonioketeneimine 18 and bis(diisopropylamino)phosphinonitrile are obtained.     

Intramolecular C-H insertion reactions of (eta(5)-cyclopentadienyl)dicarbonyliron carbene complexes: scope of the reactions and application to the synthesis of (+/-)-sterpurene and (+/-)-pentalenene

(eta(5)-Cyclopentadienyl)dicarbonyliron carbene complexes, [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(CO)(2)Fe=CHR](+)BF(4)(-), are generated as reactive intermediates from thioether derivatives, (eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(CO)(2)FeCH(R)SPh, by S-alkylation with trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate and loss of thioanisole. The carbene complexes undergo intramolecular C-H insertion into appropriately situated side chains to form cyclopentane derivatives. The reaction has been developed into a general procedure employing cycloalkanones as scaffolds bearing the iron carbene moieties and the side chains at C(2) and C(3), respectively. The products of the intramolecular insertion reactions are substituted bicyclo[n.3.0]alkanones. The scope and limitations of the reaction are described. The reaction is applied to a total synthesis of sterpurene and to a formal synthesis of pentalenene. Overall, this approach to cyclopentane annulation complements the related metal-catalyzed insertion reactions of diazocarbonyl compounds, which are also believed to occur via metal carbene complexes.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl) ether and their catalytic activity in hydrogenation reactions

The half-sandwich complexes [(eta5-C5H5)RuCl(DPEphos)] (1) and [{(eta6-p-cymene)RuCl2}2(mu-DPEphos)] (2) were synthesized by the reaction of bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl) ether (DPEphos) with a mixture of ruthenium trichloride trihydrate and cyclopentadiene and with [(eta6-p-cymene)RuCl2]2, respectively. Treatment of DPEphos with cis-[RuCl2(dmso)4] afforded fac-[RuCl2(kappa3-P,O,P-DPEphos)(dmso)] (3). The dmso ligand in 3 can be substituted by pyridine, 2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-bipyridine, and PPh3 to yield trans,cis-[RuCl2(DPEphos)(C5H5N)2] (4), cis,cis-[RuCl2(DPEphos)(2,2'-bipyridine)] (5), trans,cis-[RuCl2(DPEphos)(mu-4,4'-bipyridine)]n (6), and mer,trans-[RuCl2(kappa3-P,P,O-DPEphos)(PPh3)] (7), respectively. Refluxing [(eta6-p-cymene)RuCl2]2 with DPEphos in moist acetonitrile leads to the elimination of the p-cymene group and the formation of the octahedral complex cis,cis-[RuCl2(DPEphos)(H2O)(CH3CN)] (8). The structures of the complexes 1-5, 7, and 8 are confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The catalytic activity of these complexes for the hydrogenation of styrene is studied.     

Unusual reactivity of a sterically hindered diphosphazane ligand, EtN{P(OR)(2)}(2), (R = C(6)H(3)(Pr(I))(2)-2,6) towards (eta(3)-allyl)palladium precursors

The reactivity of (eta(3)-allyl)palladium chloro dimers [(1-R-eta(3)-C(3)H(4))PdCl](2) (R = H or Me) towards a sterically hindered diphosphazane ligand [EtN{P(OR)(2)}(2)] (R = C(6)H(3)(Pr(i))(2)-2,6), has been investigated under different reaction conditions. When the reaction is carried out using NH(4)PF(6) as the halide scavenger, the cationic complex [(1-R-eta(3)-C(3)H(4))Pd{EtN(P(OR)(2))(2)}]PF(6) (R = H or Me) is formed as the sole product. In the absence of NH(4)PF(6), the initially formed cationic complex, [(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))Pd{EtN(P(OR)(2))(2)}]Cl, is transformed into a mixture of chloro bridged complexes over a period of 4 days. The dinuclear complexes, [(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))Pd(2)(mu-Cl)(2){P(O)(OR)(2)}{P(OR)(2)(NHEt)}] and [Pd(mu-Cl){P(O)(OR)(2)}{P(OR)(2)(NHEt)}](2) are formed by P-N bond hydrolysis, whereas the octa-palladium complex [(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(2-Cl-eta(3)-C(3)H(4))Pd(4)(mu-Cl)(4)(mu-EtN{P(OR)(2)}(2))](2), is formed as a result of nucleophilic substitution by a chloride ligand at the central carbon of an allyl fragment. The reaction of [EtN{P(OR)(2)}(2)] with [(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))PdCl](2) in the presence of K(2)CO(3) yields a stable dinuclear (eta(3)-allyl)palladium(I) diphosphazane complex, [(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))[mu-EtN{P(OR)(2)}(2)Pd(2)Cl] which contains a coordinatively unsaturated T-shaped palladium center. This complex exhibits high catalytic activity and high TON's in the catalytic hydrophenylation of norbornene.