A Gallium‐Substituted Distibene and an Antimony‐Analogue Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane: Synthesis and Solid‐State Structures

RGa {R=HC[C(Me)N(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)]₂} reacts with Sb(NMe₂)₃ with insertion into the Sb? N bond and elimination of RGa(NMe₂)₂ ( 2 ), yielding the Ga‐substituted distibene R(Me₂N)GaSb?SbGa(NMe₂)R ( 1 ). Thermolysis of 1 proceeded with elimination of RGa and 2 and subsequent formation of the bicyclo[1.1.0]butane analogue [R(Me₂N)Ga]₂Sb₄ ( 3 ).     

Mass spectrometry of organic compounds in the group V elements—I: Straight chain aliphatic derivatives

Comparative investigations of the mass spectra of eEH₂, Me₂EH, Et₂EH(E = N, P); Me₃E, Et₃E(E = N, P, As, Sb, Bi). (n-Pr)₃E(E = Sb, Bi); (n-Bu)₃E(E = P, As); (n-C₅H₁₁)₃As and (n-C₆H₁₃)₃As as well as Et₂AsBr have been carried out. Deuteroanalogues, metastable transitions and low voltage spectra were used for elucidation of the fragmentation paths. The mass spectra of MeN(CH₂)₂ and CD₃N(CH₂)₂ were studied to analyse the structure of the fragments. The main degradation path of amines, i.e. α-cleavage, was shown to be untypical for P, As, Sb and Bi derivatives.     

Stibinidene and Bismuthinidene as Two‐Electron Donors for Transition Metals (Co and Mn)

The reaction of stibinidene and bismuthinidene ArM [where Ar=C₆H₃‐2,6‐(CH=NtBu)₂; M=Sb ( 1 ), Bi ( 2 )] with transition metal (TM) carbonyls Co₂(CO)₈ and Mn₂(CO)₁₀ produced unprecedented ionic complexes [(ArM)₂Co(CO)₃]⁺[Co(CO)₄]^? and [(ArM)₂Mn(CO)₄]⁺[Mn(CO)₅]^? [where M=Sb ( 3 , 5 ), Bi ( 4 , 6 )]. The pnictinidenes 1 and 2 behaved as two‐electron donors in this set of compounds. Besides the M→TM bonds, the topological analysis also revealed a number of secondary interactions contributing to the stabilization of cationic parts of titled complexes.     

Synthesis,Structures, and Some Reactions of [(Thioacyl)thio]‐ and (Acylseleno)antimony and ‐bismuth Derivatives ((RCSS)xMR$\rm{_{{\bf 3 - }{\bf x}}^{\bf 1} }$ and (RCOSe)xMR$\rm{_{{\bf 3 - }{\bf x}}^{\bf 1} }$ with M = Sb,Bi and x = 1–3)

A series of [(thioacyl)thio]‐ and (acylseleno)antimony and [(thioacyl)thio]‐ and (acylseleno)bismuth, i.e., (RCSS)_xMR and (RCOSe)_xMR (M = Sb, Bi, R¹ = aryl, x = 1–3), were synthesized in moderate to good yields by treating piperidinium or sodium carbodithioates and ‐selenoates with antimony and bismuth halides. Crystal structures of (4‐MeC₆H₄CSS)₂Sb(4‐MeC₆H₄) ( 9b′ ), (4‐MeOC₆H₄COSe)₂Sb(4‐MeC₆H₄) ( 12c′ ), (4‐MeOC₆H₄COS)₂Bi(4‐MeC₆H₄) ( 15c′ ), and (4‐MeOC₆H₄CSS)₂BiPh ( 18c ) along with (4‐MeC₆H₄COS)₂SbPh ( 6b ) and (4‐MeC₆H₄COS)₃Sb ( 7b ) were determined (Figs. 1 and 2). These compounds have a distorted square pyramidal structure, where the aryl or carbothioato (= acylthio) ligand at the central Sb‐ or Bi‐atom is perpendicular to the plane that includes the two carbodithioato (= (thioacyl)thio), carboselenato (= acylseleno), or carbothioato ligand and exist as an enantiomorph pair. Despite the large atomic radii, the C?S ??? Sb distances in (RCSS)₂MR¹ (M = As, Sb, Bi; R¹ = aryl) and the C?O ??? Sb distances in (RCOS)_xMR (M = As, Sb, Bi; x = 2, 3) are comparable to or shorter than those of the corresponding arsenic derivatives (Tables 2 and 3). A molecular‐orbital calculation performed on the model compounds (MeC(E)E¹)_3?xMMe_x (M = As, Sb, Bi; E = O, S; E¹ = S, Se; x = 1, 2) at the RHF/LANL2DZ level supported this shortening of C?E ??? Sb distances (Table 4). Natural‐bond‐orbital (NBO) analyses of the model compounds also revealed that two types of orbital interactions n_S → σ and n_S → σ play a role in the (thioacyl)thio derivatives (MeCSS)_3?xMMe_x (x = 1, 2) (Table 5). In the acylthio‐MeCOSMMe₂ (M = As, Sb, Bi), n_O → σ contributes predominantly to the orbital interactions, but in MeCOSeSbMe₂, none of n_O → σ and n_O → σ contributes to the orbital interactions. The n_S → σ and n_S → σ orbital interactions in the (thioacyl)thio derivatives are greater than those of n_O → σ and n_O → σ in the acylthio and acylseleno derivatives (MeCOE)_3?xMMe_x (E = S, Se; M = As, Sb, Bi; x = 1, 2). ?The reactions of RCOSeSbPh₂ (R = 4‐MeC₆H₄) with piperidine led to the formation of piperidinium diphenylselenoxoantimonate(1?) (= piperidinium diphenylstibinoselenoite) (H₂NC₅H₁₀)⁺Ph₂SbSe^?, along with the corresponding N‐acylpiperidine (Table 6). Similar reactions of the bis‐derivatives (RCOSe)₂SbR¹ (R, R¹ = 4‐MeC₆H₄) with piperidine gave the novel di(piperidinium) phenyldiselenoxoantimonate(2?) (= di(piperidinium) phenylstibonodiselenoite), [(H₂NC₅H₁₀)⁺]₂(PhSbSe₂)^2?, in which the negative charges are delocalized on the SbSe₂ moiety (Table 6). Treatment of RCOSeSbR (R, R¹ = 4‐MeC₆H₄) with N‐halosuccinimides indicated the formation of Se‐(halocyclohexyl) arenecarboselenoates (Table 8). Pyrolysis of bis(acylseleno)arylbismuth at 150° gave Se‐aryl carboselenoates in moderate to good yields (Table 9).     

Actinide–Pnictide (An−Pn) Bonds Spanning Non‐Metal,Metalloid, and Metal Combinations (An=U,Th; Pn=P,As, Sb,Bi)

The synthesis and characterisation is presented of the compounds [An(Tren^DMBS){Pn(SiMe₃)₂}] and [An(Tren^TIPS){Pn(SiMe₃)₂}] [Tren^DMBS=N(CH₂CH₂NSiMe₂Bu^t)₃, An=U, Pn=P, As, Sb, Bi; An=Th, Pn=P, As; Tren^TIPS=N(CH₂CH₂NSiPrⁱ₃)₃, An=U, Pn=P, As, Sb; An=Th, Pn=P, As, Sb]. The U?Sb and Th?Sb moieties are unprecedented examples of any kind of An?Sb molecular bond, and the U?Bi bond is the first two‐centre‐two‐electron (2c–2e) one. The Th?Bi combination was too unstable to isolate, underscoring the fragility of these linkages. However, the U?Bi complex is the heaviest 2c–2e pairing of two elements involving an actinide on a macroscopic scale under ambient conditions, and this is exceeded only by An?An pairings prepared under cryogenic matrix isolation conditions. Thermolysis and photolysis experiments suggest that the U?Pn bonds degrade by homolytic bond cleavage, whereas the more redox‐robust thorium compounds engage in an acid–base/dehydrocoupling route.     

Einfluß der Ringatome auf die Struktur von Triel‐Pentel‐Heterozyklen – Synthese und Molekülstrukturen von [Me2InAs(SiMe3)2]2 und [Me2InSb(SiMe3)2]3

Influence of the Ring Atoms on the Structure of Triel‐Pentel Heterocycles – Synthesis and X‐Ray Crystal Structures of [Me₂InAs(SiMe₃)₂]₂ and [Me₂InSb(SiMe₃)₂]₃ Triel‐pentel heterocycles [Me₂InE(SiMe₃)₂]_x have been prepared by dehalosilylation reactions from Me₂InCl and E(SiMe₃)₃ (E = As, x = 2; E = Sb, x = 3) and characterised by NMR spectroscopy and by X‐ray crystal structure analyses. In addition the X‐ray crystal structures of [Me₂GaAs(SiMe₃)₂]₂ and [Me₂InP(SiMe₃)₂]₂ are reported. The compounds complete a family of 13 identically substituted heterocycles [Me₂ME(SiMe₃)₂]_x (M = Al, Ga, In; E = N, P, As, Sb, Bi; x = 2, 3), whose structures were investigated depending on the ring atoms M and E. The tendencies that have been observed concerning the ring sizes can be explained by the interplay of the atomic radii of the central atoms and the sterical demand of the ligands. After a formal separation of the M–E bonds in σ bonds and dative bonds the characteristic differences and trends in the endocyclic and exocyclic bond angles of both centres M and E can be interpreted on the basis of a simple Lewis acid/base adduct model.     

Synthesis of ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight polyethylene wax using a bulky Ti(IV) aryloxide–alkyl aluminum catalytic system

Complexes of titanium(IV) with bulky phenolic ligands such as 2‐tert‐butyl‐4 methylphenol, 2, 4‐di‐tert‐butyl phenol and 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl phenol were prepared and characterized. These catalyst precursors, formulated as [Ti(OPh*)_n(OPrⁱ)_4?n] (OPh* = substituted phenol), were found to be active in polymerization of ethylene at higher temperatures in combination with ethylaluminum sesquichloride (Et₃Al₂Cl₃) as co‐catalyst. It was observed that the reaction temperature and ethylene pressure had a pronounced effect on polymerization and the molecular weight of polyethylene obtained. In addition, this catalytic system predominantly produced linear, crystalline ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight polyethylenes narrow dispersities. The polyethylene waxes obtained with this catalytic system exhibit unique properties that have potential applications in surface coating and adhesive formulations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intramolecularly‐stabilized Group 14 Alkoxides – Promising Precursors for the Synthesis of Group 14‐Chalcogenides by Hot‐Injection Method

Intramolecularly‐stabilized germanium, tin, and lead alkoxides of the type M(OCH₂CH₂NR₂)₂ [R = Et, M = Ge ( 1 ); R = Me, M = Sn ( 2 ); R = Me, M = Pb ( 3 )] are suitable precursors for the synthesis of group 14 chalcogenides ME (M = Ge, Sn, Pb; E = S, Se, Te) in scrambling reactions with (Me₃Si)₂S and (Et₃Si)₂E (E = Se, Te) at moderate temperatures via hot injection method. The reactions proceed with elimination of the corresponding silylether as was proven by in situ ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The solid‐state structures of the homoleptic complex 1 and the heteroleptic complex ClGe(OC₂H₄NEt₂) ( 4 ) were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, whereas the group 14 chalcogenides were characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDX.     

Comparative Study of Phosphine and N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Stabilized Group 13 Adducts [L(EH3)] and [L2(E2Hn)]

Quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory at the BP86/TZ2P level have been carried out to determine the geometries and stabilities of Group 13 adducts [(PMe₃)(EH₃)] and [(PMe₃)₂(E₂H_n)] (E=B–In; n=4, 2, 0). The optimized geometries exhibit, in most cases, similar features to those of related adducts [(NHC^Me)(EH₃)] and [(NHC^Me)₂(E₂H_n)] with a few exceptions that can be explained by the different donor strengths of the ligands. The calculations show that the carbene ligand L=NHC^Me (:C(NMeCH)₂) is a significantly stronger donor than L=PMe₃. The equilibrium geometries of [L(EH₃)] possess, in all cases, a pyramidal structure, whereas the complexes [L₂(E₂H₄)] always have an antiperiplanar arrangement of the ligands L. The phosphine ligands in [(PMe₃)₂(B₂H₂)], which has C_s symmetry, are in the same plane as the B₂H₂ moiety, whereas the heavier homologues [(PMe₃)₂(E₂H₂)] (E=Al, Ga, In) have C_i symmetry in which the ligands bind side‐on to the E₂H₂ acceptor. This is in contrast to the [(NHC^Me)₂(E₂H₂)] adducts for which the NHC^Me donor always binds in the same plane as E₂H₂ except for the indium complex [(NHC^Me)₂(In₂H₂)], which exhibits side‐on bonding. The boron complexes [L₂(B₂)] (L=PMe₃ and NHC^Me) possess a linear arrangement of the LBBL moiety, which has a B?B triple bond. The heavier homologues [L₂(E₂)] have antiperiplanar arrangements of the LEEL moieties, except for [(PMe₃)₂(In₂)], which has a twisted structure in which the PInInP torsion angle is 123.0°. The structural features of the complexes [L(EH₃)] and [L₂(E₂H_n)] can be explained in terms of donor–acceptor interactions between the donors L and the acceptors EH₃ and E₂H_n, which have been analyzed quantitatively by using the energy decomposition analysis (EDA) method. The calculations predict that the hydrogenation reaction of the dimeric magnesium(I) compound L′MgMgL′ with the complexes [L(EH₃)] is energetically more favorable for L=PMe₃ than for NHC^Me.     

Synthesis of Tetrahedranes Containing the Unique Bridging Hetero-Dipnictogen Ligand EE′ (E ≠ E′=P,As, Sb,Bi)

In order to improve and extend the rare class of tetrahedral mixed main group transition metal compounds, a new synthetic route for the complexes [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η²:η²- PE )] (E=As ( 1 ), Sb ( 2 )) is described leading to higher yields and a decrease in reaction steps. Via this route, also the so far unknown heavier analogues containing AsSb ( 3 a ), AsBi ( 4 ) and SbBi ( 5 ) ligands, respectively, are accessible. Single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments and DFT calculations reveal that they represent very rare examples of compounds comprising covalent bonds between two different heavy pnictogen atoms, which show multiple bond character and are stabilised without any organic substituents. A simple one-pot reaction of [CpMo(CO)₂]₂ with ME(SiMe₃)₂ (M=Li, K; E=P, As, Sb, Bi) and the subsequent addition of PCl₃, AsCl₃, SbCl₃ or BiCl₃, respectively, give the complexes 1–5 . This synthesis is also transferable to the already known homo-dipnictogen complexes [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η²:η²- E₂ )] (E=P, As, Sb, Bi) resulting in higher yields comparable to those in the literature reported procedures and allows the introduction of the bulkier and better soluble Cp′ (Cp′=tert butylcyclopentadienyl) ligand.     

Two novel organic–inorganic hybrid materials from tetrachloridometallate(II) salts and 4‐[(E)‐2‐(pyridin‐1‐ium‐2‐yl)ethenyl]pyridinium

Two organic–inorganic hybrid compounds have been prepared by the combination of the 4‐[(E)‐2‐(pyridin‐1‐ium‐2‐yl)ethenyl]pyridinium cation with perhalometallate anions to give 4‐[(E)‐2‐(pyridin‐1‐ium‐2‐yl)ethenyl]pyridinium tetrachloridocobaltate(II), (C₁₂H₁₂N₂)[CoCl₄], (I), and 4‐[(E)‐2‐(pyridin‐1‐ium‐2‐yl)ethenyl]pyridinium tetrachloridozincate(II), (C₁₂H₁₂N₂)[ZnCl₄], (II). The compounds have been structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, showing the formation of a three‐dimensional network through X—H...Cl_nM⁻ (X = C, N⁺; n = 1, 2; M = Co^II, Zn^II) hydrogen‐bonding interactions and π–π stacking interactions. The title compounds were also characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Heavy Chains: Synthesis,Reactivity and Decomposition of Interpnictogen Chains with Terminal Diaryl Bismuth Fragments

In this work, we report the preparation of multiple interpnictogen chain compounds with three consecutive pnictogen atoms and terminal Ar₂Bi fragments (Ar=Ph, Mes). Symmetrical compounds of the form Ar₂Bi−E(tBu)−Bi₂Ar ( 1 : Ar=Ph, E=P; 2 : Ar=Ph, Mes, E=As) as well as ternary interpnictogen compounds of the form Ar₂Bi−E¹(tBu)−E²tBu₂ (Ar=Ph, Mes; 4 : E¹=P, E²=As; 5 : E¹=P, E²=Sb; 6 : E¹=As, E²=P) were prepared. The decomposition in solution at room temperature and under the influence of light was studied for compounds 1 – 6 . The reactivity of 1_Ph and 2_Ph with the small N-heterocyclic carbene 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene (Me₂IMe) was also studied. In the case of 1_Ph , the formation and consecutive decomposition of Me₂IMe=PtBu ( 8 ) was observed in solution. Hence, it was shown that 1_Ph can react as a “masked phosphinidene”. In the case of 2_Ph , no reaction with Me₂IMe was observed. All isolated compounds were analysed by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Three‐Component Self‐Assembly of a Series of Triply Interlocked Pd12 Coordination Prisms and Their Non‐Interlocked Pd6 Analogues

Template‐assisted formation of multicomponent Pd₆ coordination prisms and formation of their self‐templated triply interlocked Pd₁₂ analogues in the absence of an external template have been established in a single step through Pd? N/Pd? O coordination. Treatment of cis‐[Pd(en)(NO₃)₂] with K₃tma and linear pillar 4,4′‐bpy (en=ethylenediamine, H₃tma=benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid, 4,4′‐bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) gave intercalated coordination cage [{Pd(en)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 1 ) exclusively, whereas the same reaction in the presence of H₃tma as an aromatic guest gave a H₃tma‐encapsulating non‐interlocked discrete Pd₆ molecular prism [{Pd(en)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂(H₃tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 2 ). Though the same reaction using cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(pn)] (pn=propane‐1,2‐diamine) instead of cis‐[Pd(en)(NO₃)₂] gave triply interlocked coordination cage [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 3 ) along with non‐interlocked Pd₆ analogue [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂](NO₃)₆ ( 3′ ), and the presence of H₃tma as a guest gave H₃tma‐encapsulating molecular prism [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂(H₃tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 4 ) exclusively. In solution, the amount of 3′ decreases as the temperature is decreased, and in the solid state 3 is the sole product. Notably, an analogous reaction using the relatively short pillar pz (pz=pyrazine) instead of 4,4′‐bpy gave triply interlocked coordination cage [{Pd(pn)}₆(pz)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 5 ) as the single product. Interestingly, the same reaction using slightly more bulky cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(tmen)] (tmen=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylene diamine) instead of cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(pn)] gave non‐interlocked [{Pd(tmen)}₆(pz)₃(tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 6 ) exclusively. Complexes 1 , 3 , and 5 represent the first examples of template‐free triply interlocked molecular prisms obtained through multicomponent self‐assembly. Formation of the complexes was supported by IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopy. Formation of guest‐encapsulating complexes ( 2 and 4 ) was confirmed by 2D DOSY and ROESY NMR spectroscopic analyses, whereas for complexes 1 , 3 , 5 , and 6 single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques unambiguously confirmed their formation. The gross geometries of H₃tma‐encapsulating complexes 2 and 4 were obtained by universal force field (UFF) simulations.     

6‐(Diazomethyl)‐1,3‐bis(methoxymethyl)uracil,Synthesis and Transformation into Annulated Pyrimidinediones

6‐(Diazomethyl)‐1,3‐bis(methoxymethyl)uracil ( 5 ) was prepared from the known aldehyde 3 by hydrazone formation and oxidation. Thermolysis of 5 and deprotection gave the pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine‐5,7‐diones 7a and 7b . Rh₂(OAc)₄ catalyzed the transformation of 5 into to a 2 : 1 (Z)/(E) mixture of 1,2‐diuracilylethenes 9 (67%). Heating (Z)‐ 9 in 12n HCl at 95° led to electrocyclisation, oxidation, and deprotection to afford 73% of the pyrimido[5,4‐f]quinazolinetetraone 12 . The Rh₂(OAc)₄‐catalyzed reaction of 5 with 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran and 2,3‐dihydrofuran gave endo/exo‐mixtures of the 2‐oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane 13 (78%) and the 2‐oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane 15 (86%), Their treatment with AlCl₃ or Me₂AlCl promoted a vinylcyclopropane–cyclopentene rearrangement, leading to the pyrano‐ and furanocyclopenta[1,2‐d]pyrimidinediones 14 (88%) and 16 (51%), respectively. Similarly, the addition product of 5 to 2‐methoxypropene was transformed into the 5‐methylcyclopenta‐pyrimidinedione 18 (55%). The Rh₂(OAc)₄‐catalyzed reaction of 5 with thiophene gave the exo‐configured 2‐thiabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane 19 (69%). The analoguous reaction with furan led to 8‐oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct‐2‐ene 20 (73%), and the reaction with (E)‐2‐styrylfuran yielded a diastereoisomeric mixture of hepta‐1,4,6‐trien‐3‐ones 21 (75%) that was transformed into the (1E,4E,6E)‐configured hepta‐1,4,6‐trien‐3‐one 21 (60%) at ambient temperature.     

Darstellung und Eigenschaften von Dibromotrachloro-u-methylen- diantimonaten(III) and Hexabromotetrachloro-u-methylen-diantimonaten(V)

Preparation and Properties of Dibromotetrachloro-u-methylene-diantimonates(III) and Hexabromotetrachloro-u-methylene-diantimonates(V) The complex salts (R₄E)₂ [Br₃Cl₂Sb]₂ CH₂ (R₄E = Et₄N, Ph₄P, Ph₄As, Ph₄Sb) are obtained by the reaction of [Cl₂Sb]₂ with R₄ EBr in dichloromethane. The oxidation of the new compounds with Br₂ at ?78°C, in dichloromethane, leads to the corresponding complex salts of pentavalent antimony (R₄E)₂[Br₃Cl₂Sb]₂CH₂.     

Cyclic Tribismuthide as a Piano Stool Complex Ligand – Synthesis and Crystal Structure of (η3‐Bi3)M(CO)33– (M = Cr,Mo)

The reactions between K₅Bi₄, [(C₆H₆)Cr(CO)₃] or [(C₇H₈)Mo(CO)₃], and [2.2.2]crypt in liquid ammonia yielded the compounds [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₃(η³‐Bi₃)M(CO)₃ · 10NH₃ (M = Cr, Mo), which crystallize isostructurally in P2₁/n. Both contain an 18 valence electron piano‐stool complex with a η³‐coordinated Bi₃‐ring ligand. The Bi–Bi distances range from 2.9560(5) to 2.9867(3) Å and are slightly shorter than known Bi–Bi single bonds but longer than Bi–Bi double bonds. The newly found compounds complete the family of similar complexes with E₃‐ring ligands (E = P‐Bi).     

Heavy Carbene Analogues: Donor‐Free Bismuthenium and Stibenium Ions

Kinetically stabilized congeners of carbenes, R₂C, possessing six valence electrons (four bonding electrons and two non‐bonding electrons) have been restricted to Group 14 elements, R₂E (E=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; R=alkyl or aryl) whereas isoelectronic Group 15 cations, divalent species of type [R₂E]⁺ (E=P, As, Sb, Bi; R=alkyl or aryl), were unknown. Herein, we report the first two examples, namely the bismuthenium ion [(2,6‐Mes₂C₆H₃)₂Bi][BAr^F₄] ( 1 ; Mes=2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂, Ar^F=3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) and the stibenium ion [(2,6‐Mes₂C₆H₃)₂Sb][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 2 ), which were obtained by using a combination of bulky meta‐terphenyl substituents and weakly coordinating anions.     

Neue viergliedrige GaE‐ und InE‐Ringverbindungen: Synthese und Kristallstruktur von [Et2InE(SiMe3)2]2 und [GaCl(PtBu2Me)E(SiMe3)]2 (E = P,As)

New GaE and InE Four Membered Ring Compounds: Syntheses and Crystal Structures of [Et₂InE(SiMe₃)₂]₂ and [GaCl(P t Bu₂Me)E(SiMe₃)]₂ (E = P, As) Et₃In · PR₃ (R = Et, iPr) reacts with H₂ESiMe₃ under liberation of C₂H₆ and EH₃ to form the cyclic compounds [Et₂InE(SiMe₃)₂]₂ ( 1 a : E = P, 1 b : E = As). 1 consists of a planar four membered In₂E₂ ring in which the indium and phosphorus or arsenic atoms are four coordinated. In contrast, the phosphorus/arsenic atoms in [GaCl(PtBu₂Me)E(SiMe₃)]₂ ( 2 a : E = P, 2 b : E = As) only have the coordination number three. 2 results from the reaction of GaCl₃ · PtBu₂Me with As(SiMe₃)₃ or Li₂PSiMe₃ respectively, and displays a folded four membered Ga₂E₂ ring as central structural motif. 1 and 2 have been characterised by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis as well as ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy.     

Group 13 Ligand Supported Heavy‐Metal Complexes: First Structural Evidence for Gallium–Lead and Gallium–Mercury Bonds

Heavy‐metal complexes of lead and mercury stabilized by Group 13 ligands were derived from the oxidative addition of Ga(ddp) (ddp=HC(CMeNC₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)₂, 2‐diisopropylphenylamino‐4‐diisopropyl phenylimino‐2‐pentene) with corresponding metal precursors. The reaction of Me₃PbCl and Ga(ddp) afforded compound [{(ddp)Ga(Cl)}PbMe₃] ( 1 ) composed of Ga? Pb^IV bonds. In addition, the monomeric plumbylene‐type compound [{(ddp)Ga(OSO₂CF₃)}₂Pb(thf)] ( 2 a ) with an unsupported Ga‐Pb^II‐Ga linkage was obtained by the reaction of [Pb(OSO₂CF₃)₃] with Ga(ddp) (2 equiv). Compound 2 a falls under the rare example of a discrete plumbylene‐type compound supported by a nonclassical ligand. Interesting structural changes were observed when [Pb(OSO₂CF₃)₃] ? 2 H₂O was treated with Ga(ddp) in a 1:2 ratio to yield [{(ddp)Ga(μ‐OSO₂CF₃)}₂(OH₂)Pb] ( 2 b ) at below ?10 °C. Compound 2 b consists of a bent Ga‐Pb‐Ga backbone with a bridging triflate group between the Ga? Pb bond and a weakly interacting water molecule at the gallium center. Similarly, the reaction of mercury thiolate Hg(SC₆F₅) with Ga(ddp) (2 equiv) produced the bimetallic homoleptic compounds anti‐[{(ddp)Ga(SC₆F₅)}₂Hg] ( 3 a ) and gauche‐[{(ddp)Ga(SC₆F₅)}₂Hg] ( 3 b ), respectively, with a linear Ga‐Hg‐Ga linkage. Compounds 1 – 3 were structurally characterized and these are the first examples of compounds comprised of Ga? Pb^II, Ga? Pb^IV, and Ga? Hg bonds.     

Efficient Access to Substituted Silafluorenes by Nickel‐Catalyzed Reactions of Biphenylenes with Et2SiH2

The reaction of biphenylene ( 1 ) with Et₂SiH₂ in the presence of [Ni(PPhMe₂)₄] results in the formation of a mixture of 2‐diethylhydrosilylbiphenyl [ 2 (Et₂HSi)] and 9,9,‐diethyl‐9‐silafluorene ( 3 ). Silafluorene 3 was isolated in 37.5 % and 2 (Et₂HSi) in 36.9 % yield. The underlying reaction mechanism was elucidated by DFT calculations. 4‐Methyl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9‐silafluorene ( 7 ) was obtained selectively from the [Ni(PPhMe₂)₄]‐catalyzed reaction of Et₂SiH₂ and 1‐methylbiphenylene. By contrast, no selectivity could be found in the Ni‐catalyzed reaction between Et₂SiH₂ and the biphenylene derivative that bears tBu substituents in the 2‐ and 7‐positions. Therefore, two pairs of isomers of tBu‐substituted silafluorenes and of the related diethylhydrosilylbiphenyls were formed in this reaction. However, a subsequent dehydrogenation of the diethylhydrosilylbiphenyls with Wilkinson’s catalyst yielded a mixture of 2,7‐di‐tert‐butyl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9‐silafluorene ( 8 ) and 3,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9‐silafluorene ( 9 ). Silafluorenes 8 and 9 were separated by column chromatography.