Bis(amido)cyclodiphosph(III)azane Complexes of Yttrium and the Lanthanides

The first cyclodiphosph(III)azane complexes of the rare‐earth elements have been synthesized. Reactions of the lithium salt cis‐[(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂{Li(thf)}₂] with anhydrous yttrium trichloride or the heavier lanthanide trichlorides resulted in the corresponding cyclodiphosph(III)azane complexes [Li(thf)₄][{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}LnCl₂] (Ln=Y ( 1 a ), Ho ( 1 b ), Er ( 1 c )). The single‐crystal X‐ray structures showed that compounds 1 a – c consisted of ion pairs composed of a [Li(thf)₄]⁺ cation and a C_2v symmetric [{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}LnCl₂]^? anion. By treating cis‐[(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂{Li(thf)}₂] with anhydrous SmCl₃ in THF, the trimetallic complex [{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}SmCl₃Li₂(thf)₄] ( 2 ) was obtained. The influence of the ionic radii of the lanthanides can be seen in the single‐crystal X‐ray structure of compound 2 , which forms a six‐membered Cl‐Li‐Cl‐Li‐Cl‐Sm metallacycle. The ring adopts a boat conformation in which one chlorine atom and the samarium atom are displaced from the Cl₂Li₂ least‐square plane. Heating of the metalate complexes in toluene resulted in the extrusion of lithium chloride and the formation of the neutral dimeric metal chloride complexes of the composition [(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂LnCl(thf)]₂ (Ln=Y ( 3 a ), La ( 3 b ) Nd ( 3 c ), Sm ( 3 d )). Furthermore, treating 1 a with KNPh₂ resulted in a lithium metalate complex of the composition [Li(thf)₄][{(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}Y(NPh₂)₂] ( 4 ). The coordination mode of the {(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂}^2? ligand in 4 is different to that observed in 1 a – c , 2 , and 3 a – d ; instead of a symmetric η² coordination of the ligand, a heterocubane‐type structure is observed in the solid state. The complex [(tBuNP)₂(tBuN)₂NdCl(thf)] ( 3 c ) was used as a Ziegler–Natta catalyst for the polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene to poly‐cis‐1,4‐butadiene. The observed activities of the Ziegler–Natta catalyst strongly depended upon the nature of the cocatalyst; in some case very high turnover rates and a cis selectivity of 93–94 % were observed.     

Photofunctional Platinum Complexes Featuring N‐heterocyclic Carbene‐Based Pincer Ligands

Photoactive platinum complexes of stoichiometry [Pt(^RCCC^R)L]^0/+ (R=Me, nBu and L=? CN, ? C≡CPh, ? N≡CCH₃, ? Py, ? CO) featuring pincer‐type bis N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands (^RCCC^R) were synthesized. Organometallic syntheses of these complexes are facile and achievable through standard laboratory procedures. Control of intermolecular Pt???Pt interaction, π–π stacking, and emission tuning is achieved through suitable choice of the NHC‐wingtip substituent (R) and the auxiliary ligand (L). Exposure to specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or mechanical grinding triggers changes in emission colors, which render these complexes photofunctional. Solid‐state structures and photoluminescence results are described herein.     

Asymmetric Catalysis with Bis(hydroxyphenyl)diamides/Rare‐Earth Metal Complexes

A series of asymmetric catalysts composed of conformationally flexible amide‐based chiral ligands and rare‐earth metals was developed for proton‐transfer catalysis. These ligands derived from amino acids provide an intriguing chiral platform for the formation of asymmetric catalysts upon complexation with rare‐earth metals. The scope of this arsenal of catalysts was further broadened by the development of heterobimetallic catalytic systems. The cooperative function of hydrogen bonding and metal coordination resulted in intriguing substrate specificity and stereocontrol, and the dynamic nature of the catalysts led to a switch of their function. Herein, we summarize our recent exploration of this class of catalysts.