Syntheses of rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C5H3)2}-Zr{RN(CH2)3NR}, structural analyses of rac-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C5H3)2}Zr{RN(CH2)3NR} (where R is SiMe3 or Ph), and meso to rac isomerization

Syntheses of rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂}Zr{Me₃SiN(CH₂)₃NSiMe₃} (rac-3/meso-3) and rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂}Zr{PhN(CH₂)₃NPh} (rac-4/meso-4) were achieved by metallation of K₂[PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂] · 1.3 THF (2) with Zr{RN(CH₂)₃NR}Cl₂(THF)₂ (where R = SiMe₃ or Ph, respectively) using ethereal solvent. These isomeric pairs were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy; rac-3 and rac-4 were also examined via single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures of rac-3 and rac-4 are notable in the tendency of the cyclopentadienyl rings towards η³ coordination. While isolated samples of rac-3/meso-3 and rac-4/meso-4 slowly isomerize in tetrahydrofuran-d₈ to equilibrium ratios, the isomerization rate for 3 is more than 15-fold greater than that for 4. In addition, equilibrium ratios are rapidly reached when isolated samples of rac-3/meso-3 and rac-4/meso-4 are exposed to tetrabutylammonium chloride in tetrahydrofuran-d₈ solvent. We propose that a nucleophile (either chloride or the phosphine interannular linker) brings about dissociation of one cyclopentadienyl ring, thus promoting the rac/meso isomerization mechanism.     

Facile syntheses, structural characterizations, and isomerization of disiloxane-1,3-diols

In the hydrolysis reaction of dichlorosilanes having an intramolecular coordinating atom, dcisiloxane-1,3-diols, [(OH){o-(CH₃)₂NCH₂-C₆H₄}RSi]₂O(R=CH₂CH (1), C₆H₅ (2), o-(CH₃)₂NCH₂C₆H₄ (3), Me (4)), were obtained in high yields. The results of the crystal structure analyses of meso-2, rac-2a, rac-2b and 3 are reported. They showed strong intramolecular hydrogen bondings between the hydroxy group and the nitrogen atom. We have also found that the diastereomeric isomerization of meso-2 to rac-2 in CDCl₃ solvent containing moisture occurred to result in the 55:45 equilibrium mixtures of the isomers and vice versa.     

Synthesis and structures of dinuclear iron, molybdenum and tungsten complexes derived from (PhCHCHPh)-coupled bis(cyclopentadiene)

Reductive coupling of phenylfulvene with amalgamated calcium metal followed by hydrolysis yields CpPhCHCHPhCp (1) in high yield. Refluxing ligand 1 and Fe(CO)₅ in xylene produces (PhCHCHPh)-coupled bis(cyclopentadienyl) tetracarbonyl diiron (PhCHCHPh)[(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(CO)₂]₂ (2) as a mixture of meso (2-meso) and racemic isomers (2-rac). The pure racemic isomers of the Mo and W analogues (3-rac and 4-rac) have been synthesized by lithiation of ligand 1 and addition of (MeCN)₃M(CO)₃ (M = Mo, W) followed by oxidation with 2 equiv. of ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate. All the new complexes have been fully characterized. The molecular structures of 1-meso, 2-meso, 2-rac, 3-rac, and 4-rac have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of the molybdenum(VI) complex [MoCl(NAr)2(CH2CMe2Ph)] (Ar=2,6-Pr2C6H3)

The compounds [MoCl(NAr)₂R] (R=CH₂CMe₂Ph (1) or CH₂CMe₃(2); Ar=2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃) have been prepared from [MoCl₂(NAr)₂(dme)] (dme=1,2-dimethoxyethane) and one equivalent of the respective Grignard reagent RMgCl in diethyl ether. Similarly, the mixed-imido complex [MoCl₂(NAr)(NBu^t)(dme)] affords [MoCl(NAr)(NBu^t)(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (3). Chloride substitution reactions of 1 with the appropriate lithium reagents afford the compounds [MoCp(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (4) (Cp=cyclopentadienyl), [MoInd(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (5) (Ind=Indenyl), [Mo(OBu^t)(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe ₂Ph)] (6), [MoMe(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (7), [MoMe(PMe₃)(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe ₂Ph)] (8) (formed in the presence of PMe₃) and [Mo(NHAr)(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂P h)](9). In the latter case, a by-product {[Mo(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph) ]₂(μ-O)}(10) has also been isolated. The crystal structures of 1, 4, 5 and 10 have been determined. All possess distorted tetrahedral metal centres with cis near-linear arylimido ligands; in each case (except 5, for which the evidence is unclear) there are α-agostic interactions present.     

Synthesis of bimodal molecular weight distribution polyethylene with α-diimine nickel(II) complexes containing unsym-substituted aryl groups in the presence of methylaluminoxane

A series of unsymmetrical complexes of 2,3-bis(2-phenylphenyl)-butanediimine nickel(II) dibromide (complex 1), 1,4-bis(2-isopropyl-6-methylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine nickel(II) dibromide (complex 2) and meso- and rac-1,4-bis (2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine nickel(II) dibromide (meso-3 and rac-3) were synthesized and activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) for ethylene polymerization. By ¹³C NMR characterization, meso- and rac-stereo-isomers were detected in the condensation products resulting from the reaction of unsym-substituted anilines with diketones. It was notable that meso- and rac-isomers in ligand 1 or ligand 2 could not be separated owing to their interconversion, however, meso- and rac-isomers in ligand 3 could be isolated and identified by X-ray diffraction and NMR analysis. At low polymerization temperatures, complex 1/MAO afforded polyethylene with bimodal molecular weight distribution, while complex 2/MAO prepared polyethylene with single-modal distribution. Moreover, by raising polymerization temperature or extending time of catalyst aging, bimodal molecular weight distribution polyethylene was also produced by complex 2/MAO. The hypothesis of bimodal molecular weight distribution polyethylene synthesized by unsymmetrical α-diimine nickel(II) complexes was supported that the molecular weight of polyethylene produced by rac-3/MAO was significantly higher than that produced by meso-3/MAO under identical polymerization conditions. A unique methodology to prepare polyethylene with bimodal molecular weight distribution was demonstrated.     

Synthesis and characterization of Zr(IV) and Y(III) complexes with monocyclopentadienyl ligands containing an additional site tethered by a coordinating 2,6-pyridine bridge. X-ray crystal structures of the zirconium complexes

A new monocyclopentadienyl ligand containing an additional site tethered by a coordinating 2,6-pyridine unit has been prepared, rac-2-(1′-hydroxy-2′,2′-dimethylpropyl)-6-(1″,1″-dimethyl-cyclopentadienylmethyl) pyridine dilithium salt, LLi₂ (rac-4) that is analogous to the ligands present in CGC. After reacting the dilithium salt of the ligand with ZrCl₄ in a molar ratio of 1:1 in THF the complex LZrCl₂·THF (rac-5) was obtained which forms an insoluble oligomeric species after the loss of THF upon purification. From the mater liquor two crystalline species of the formula LHZrCl₃ (rac-6) and LH₂ZrCl₄·THF (rac-7) were isolated, whose X-ray crystal structures are reported. The reaction of LLi₂ with Y(OTf)₃ afforded the probably dimeric species [LYOTf]₂ (rac-8) from which the complex [LY(CH₂Si(CH₃)₃)]₂ (rac-9) was obtained after reaction with LiCH₂Si(CH₃)₃.     

Syntheses and structures of lithiated sulfones Li[CR(R′)SO2Ph] - C versus O bound lithium. [{Li{CH(Me)SO2Ph}(thf)}∞] - The structure of a C-bound derivative

Sulfones RCH(R′)SO₂Ph were reacted with n-BuLi in thf/n-hexane (R/R′ = H/Me, Me/Et, H/CH₂Ph) and toluene/n-hexane (R/R′ = Me/Ph) yielding under deprotonation Li[CR(R′)SO₂Ph] which reacted with Me₃SiCl and n-Bu₃SnCl forming the requisite trimethylsilyl and tri(n-butyl)tin substituted derivatives . Performing the reactions of RCH(R′)SO₂Ph with n-BuLi in n-hexane (instead of thf/n-hexane) and toluene/n-hexane, respectively, resulted in the precipitation of the organo lithium compounds Li[CR(R′)SO₂Ph] (1-4) which were isolated as strongly moisture-sensitive yellow powders in essentially quantitative yields. Their identities were confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic measurements in thf-d₈. Solutions of each 1, 3, and 4 in thf/n-hexane and thf/n-pentane afforded crystals of each [{Li{CH(Me)SO₂Ph}(thf)}_∞] (1a), [{Li{CH(CH₂Ph)SO₂Ph}(thf)}_∞] (3a), and [{Li{CMe(Ph)SO₂Ph}(thf)₂}₂] (4a), respectively, whose structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The compounds 1a and 3a crystallize in 1D polymeric ladder-like structures. The strands of 1a are built-up by eight-membered Li₂C₂S₂O₂ rings having direct Li-C bonding interactions (Li-C 2.215(5) Å). The donor set of Li is completed by three oxygen atoms, one from the thf ligand and two from SO₂ groups of neighboring Li{CH(Me)SO₂Ph}(thf) entities. The strands of 3a are built-up of alternating Li₂S₂O₄ eight- and Li₂O₂ four-membered rings. Each lithium atom is coordinated to three oxygen atoms, two from O₂S(Ph)CHCH₂Ph groups and one from thf oxygen atom. There is no Li-C bonding. Compound 4a crystallizes in dimers consisting of eight-membered Li₂S₂O₄ rings in which the two lithium atoms are bridged by two O₂S(Ph)CHMePh groups. The coordination sphere of lithium is completed by two oxygen atoms of the thf ligands.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of allylic alcohols from unsymmetrical and symmetrical racemic allylic carbonates featuring C-O-bond formation and dynamic kinetic resolution

Described is the asymmetric synthesis of the allylic alcohols 11 (85% ee), 15 (99% ee), 17 (93% ee), 19 (61% ee), and 21 (69% ee) through a Pd-catalyzed reaction of the unsymmetrical carbonates rac-10, rac-12, rac-14, rac-16, rac-18, and rac-20, respectively, with KHCO₃ and H₂O in the presence of bisphosphane 6. Similarly the allylic alcohols 23 (99% ee) and 25 (97% ee) have been obtained from the symmetrical carbonates rac-22 and rac-24, respectively. Reaction of the meso-biscarbonate 26 with H₂O and Pd(0)/6 afforded alcohol 27 (96% ee), which was converted to the PG building block 32. The unsaturated bisphosphane 33 showed in the synthesis of alcohols 36, 37, and 39 a similar high selectivity as 6. The formation of alcohols 11, 15, and 17 involves an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution.     

Adamantane-retropeptides, new building blocks for molecular channels

Novel adamantane-oxalamide derivatives, N,N′-bis(1-adamantylglycine methyl ester)oxalamide (meso-1 and rac-1), N,N′-bis(3-aminoadamantane-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester)oxalamide (2) and N,N′-bis(3-aminoadamantane-1-carboxylic acid)oxalamide (3) were prepared and structurally characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray analysis. Crystal packing of the structures meso-1 and rac-1 is defined by one-dimensional α-networks of hydrogen-bonded chains. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 are characterized by two-dimensional β-networks of hydrogen bonds. The oxalamide 3 crystallizes as the solvates only. In the crystal structure of 3 the protic solvent participates in hydrogen bonding with the oxalamide moieties. However, in non-protic solvents 3 crystallizes as a solvate but the solvent does not participate in hydrogen bonding. The two-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds connecting molecules of 3 generates channels, which are filled by discrete solvent molecules.     

Synthesis, crystal structure analysis, and pharmacological characterization of desmethoxy-sila-venlafaxine, a derivative of the serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor sila-venlafaxine

rac-Desmethoxy-sila-venlafaxine (rac-3) is a derivative of the noradrenaline-selective serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor rac-sila-venlafaxine (rac-1b), a silicon analogue of the serotonin-selective serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor rac-venlafaxine (rac-1a) (rac-1a, rac-1-[2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]cyclohexan-1-ol; rac-1b, rac-1-[2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-1-silacyclohexan-1-ol). The synthesis and crystal structure analyses of rac-3 and rac-3 · HCl are reported, and the pharmacological properties of rac-1a, rac-1b, rac-2 (a sila-venlafaxine derivative with a silacyclopentanol skeleton instead of a silacyclohexanol framework), and rac-3 are compared (comparison of the pharmacological selectivity profiles with respect to serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine reuptake inhibition).     

Synthesis and molecular structures of dinuclear complexes with 1,2-dihydro-1,2-diphenyl-naphtho[1,8-c,d]1,2-diphosphole as a bridging ligand

A bisphosphine in which a PhP-PPh bond bridges 1,8-positions of naphthalene, 1,2-dihydro-1,2-diphenyl-naphtho[1,8-cd]-1,2-diphosphole (1), was used as a bridging ligand for the preparation of dinuclear group 6 metal complexes. Free trans-1, a more stable isomer having two phenyl groups on phosphorus centers mutually trans with respect to a naphthalene plane, was allowed to react with two equivalents of M(CO)₅(thf) (M = W, Mo, Cr) at room temperature to give dinuclear complexes (OC)₅M(μ-trans-1)M(CO)₅ (M = W (2a), Mo (2b), Cr (2c)). The preparation of the corresponding dinuclear complexes bridged by the cis isomer of 1 was also carried out starting from the free trans-1 in the following way. Mono-nuclear complexes M(trans-1)(CO)₅ (M = W (3a), Mo (3b), Cr (3c)) which had been prepared by a reaction of trans-1 with one equivalent of the corresponding M(CO)₅(thf) (M = W, Mo, Cr) complex, were heated in toluene, wherein a part of the trans-3a-c was converted to their respective cis isomer M(cis-1)(CO)₅. Each cis trans mixture of the mono-nuclear complexes 3a-c was treated with the corresponding M(CO)₅(thf) to give a cis trans mixture of the respective dinuclear complexes 2a-c. The cis isomer of the ditungsten complex 2a was isolated, and its molecular structure was confirmed by X-ray analysis, showing a shorter W?W distance of 5.1661(3) Å than that of 5.8317(2) Å in trans-2a.     

Amidoamine-based dendrimers with end-grafted Pd-Fe units: Synthesis, characterization and their use in the Heck reaction

The synthesis and characterization of novel amidoamine-based metallodendrimers with heterobimetallic end-grafted amidoferrocenyl-palladium-allyl chloride units is described. Dendrimer (Fe((η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄))C(O)HNCH₂CH₂NHC(O)CH₂CH₂)N[CH₂CH₂N(CH₂CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₂NH-C(O)(Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)))₂]₂ (9-Fe) and the corresponding metal species (Fe((η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂(Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl))(η⁵-C₅H₄))C(O)HNCH₂CH₂NHC(O)CH₂CH₂)N[CH₂CH₂N(CH₂CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₂NHC(O)(Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂(Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl))))₂]₂ (9-Fe-Pd) were prepared by a consecutive divergent synthesis methodology including addition-amidation cycles, standard peptide coupling, and coordination procedures. For comparative reasons also the monomeric and dimeric molecules (Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)NHⁿC₃H₇)) (5-Fe) and [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)NHCH₂)]₂ (6-Fe) as well as N(CH₂CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₂NHC(O)(Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)))₃ (7-Fe) and [CH₂N(CH₂CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₂NHC(O)(Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)))₂]₂ (8-Fe) were prepared from Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄CO₂H) (3). Using [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂ (4) as palladium source heterobimetallic metallodendrimers (Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂(Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl))(η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)NHⁿC₃H₇)) (5-Fe-Pd), [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂(Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl))(η⁵-C₅H₄C(O)NHCH₂)]₂ (6-Fe-Pd), N(CH₂CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₂NHC(O)(Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂(Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl))))₃ (7-Fe-Pd) and [CH₂N(CH₂CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₂NHC(O)(Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂(Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl))))₂]₂ (8-Fe-Pd) were synthesized. Additionally, seleno-phosphines of 5-Fe-Se and 9-Fe-Se, respectively, were prepared by addition of elemental selenium to 5-Fe or 9-Fe to estimate their σ-donor properties.The palladium-containing amidoamine supports are catalytically active in the Heck-Mizoroki cross-coupling of iodobenzene with tert-butyl acrylate. The catalytic data are compared to those obtained for the appropriate mononuclear and dinuclear compounds 5-Fe-Pd and 6-Fe-Pd. This comparison confirms a positive cooperative effect. The mercury drop test showed that (nano)particles were formed during catalysis, following on heterogeneous carbon-carbon cross-coupling.     

Heteroleptic tin (II) dialkoxides stabilized by intramolecular coordination Sn(OCH2CH2NMe2)(OR) (R = Me, Et, Pr, Bu, Ph). Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity in polyurethane synthesis

A straightforward method of synthesis of heteroleptic tin (II) alkoxides stabilized by one intramolecular coordination bond was developed. Addition of one equivalent of dimethylamino ethanol to diamide Sn(N(SiMe₃)₂)₂ (5) yields alkoxy-amido derivative Sn(OCH₂CH₂NMe₂)(N(SiMe₃)₂) (2). Further addition of alcohol leads to corresponding heteroleptic dialkoxides Sn(OCH₂CH₂NMe₂)(OR) (R = Me (6), Et (7), ⁱPr (8), ^tBu (9), Ph (10)). Catalytic activity of tin (II) compounds in polyurethane formation was tested.     

Polymerization of ethene with zirconocene catalysts: an experimental and quantum chemical study of the influence of para-substituent in benzyl in bis{η-(1-benzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichlorides

The meso- and rac-like isomers of bis{η⁵-(1-benzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (5), bis{η⁵-(1-para-methoxybenzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (6), bis{η⁵-(1-para-fluoro-benzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (7) and bis{η⁵-(1-phenylethyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (8) were synthesized and isolated. Solid-state structures of meso- and rac-like 5 were determined by X-ray structure analysis. Polymerization properties of the methylaluminoxane (MAO) activated diastereomers of complexes 5-8 were studied in ethene polymerizations under different monomer concentrations. The rac-like isomer of 1-phenylethyl-substituted 8/MAO showed significantly higher activity than the 1-benzyl substituted analogs 5-7/MAO. In addition, rac-8/MAO behaves like a single center catalyst producing polyethene with narrow molar mass distribution (1.8-1.9), while diastereomers of 5-7/MAO produce polymers with molar mass distributions varying from 2.7 up to 10.3. The rac and meso-like isomers of 5-7/MAO have different response on the monomer concentration. Quantum chemical calculations suggest a strong interaction between the benzyl substituent and the electron deficient zirconium center. The phenyl metal coordination energies depend on the electronic properties of the para-substituent. In 8/MAO, due to the ethyl spacer, the coordination does not have a significant role and therefore much higher activity and single center polymerization behavior is observed.     

Oxidative addition capability of triphosphine iron and ruthenium complexes with methyl iodide

The ruthenium and iron dicarbonyl complexes Ru(MeP(CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂ (1), Ru(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂ (2) and Fe(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂ (3) bearing strong donor tridentate phosphine ligands were prepared and fully characterised. The structures of the complexes have been established by X-ray diffraction studies. Oxidative addition of MeI to 1-3 proceeds instantaneously at room temperature and affords the corresponding octahedral cationic complexes fac,cis-[RuMe(MeP(CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (5a) and mer,cis-[RuMe(MeP(CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (5b), mer,trans-[MMe(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (6a (M=Ru); 7a (M=Fe)) and mer,cis-[MMe(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (6b (M=Ru); 7b (M=Fe)), respectively. The triphosphine preferentially adopts a facial arrangement in the case of the ethylene bridged tridentate ligand (5a) and a meridional arrangement in the case of the trimethylene bridged ligand (6a-7b). mer,cis-[RuMe(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (6a) undergoes CO insertion to the acetyl complex mer, trans-[Ru(COMe)(MeP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PMe₂)₂)(CO)₂]I (8). Attempts to produce a ketene complex from the deprotonation of 8 were not successful. The acetyl protons in 8 show very low acidity and no reaction occurred when the complex was reacted with bases such as DBU, BEMP (2-tert-Butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethyl-perhydro-1,3,2-diazaphosphorine) or LDA.     

Trifluoroethanol: key solvent for palladium-catalyzed polymerization reactions

A series of cationic palladium complexes of general formula [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(N-N)][X] (N-N = phen 1, 3-sec-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3-sBu-phen) 2, bpy 3, (−)-(S,S)-3,3′-(1,2-dimethylethylenedioxy)-2,2′-bipyridine (bbpy) 4, (+)-(R)-3,3′-(1-methylethylenedioxy)-2,2′-bipyridine (pbpy) 5, N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,3-butanediimine (iso-DAB) 6; , OTf (OTf = triflate) b) containing different nitrogen-donor ligands were prepared from the corresponding neutral chloro derivatives [Pd(CH₃)(Cl)(N-N)] (1c-6c). They were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Single crystals suitable for X-ray determination were obtained for complexes [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(bbpy)][PF₆] (4a), [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(iso-DAB)][PF₆] (6a) and [Pd(Cl)₂(bbpy)] (4c′). The latter is the result of an exchange reaction of the methyl group, present in complex 4c, with a chloride, that occurred after dissolution of 4c in CDCl₃, for 1 week at 0 °C. The catalytic behavior of complexes 1a-5a and 1b-5b in the CO/styrene copolymerization was studied in CH₂Cl₂ and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) evidencing the positive effect of the fluorinated alcohol both in terms of productivity and molecular weight values of the polymers obtained. Influence of the nitrogen ligand, the anion and the reaction time in both solvents were investigated and is discussed in detail. Encouraging preliminary results were also obtained in the synthesis of polyethylene, in TFE, catalyzed by [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(iso-DAB)][PF₆] (6a).     

Synthesis, crystal structures and photochromic properties of novel chiral Schiff base macrocycles

Enantiomerically pure and racemic forms of calixsalen-type macrocycles 1 and 2 were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined. The enantiomerically pure crystals of (S,S,S,S,S,S)-1 exhibited thermally reversible photochromism from yellow to orange-red upon photoirradiation in the solid state, while rac-crystals of 2 with the guest CH₃CN did not show any photocolouration.     

Cationic methyl complexes of rhodium(III): synthesis, structure, and some reactions

Cationic methyl complex of rhodium(III), trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (1) is prepared by interaction of trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)I] with AgBPh₄ in acetonitrile. Cationic methyl complexes of rhodium(III), cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂ (CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (2) and cis-[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (3) (Acac, BA are acetylacetonate and benzoylacetonate, respectively), are obtained by CH₃I oxidative addition to rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂] and [Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂] in acetonitrile in the presence of NaBPh₄. Complexes 2 and 3 react readily with NH₃ at room temperature to form cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (4) and cis-[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (5), respectively. Complexes 1-5 were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra. Complexes 1, 2, 3 and 4 were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 2 and 3 in solutions (CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃) are presented as mixtures of cis-(PPh₃)₂ isomers involved into a fluxional process. Complex 2 on heating in acetonitrile is converted into trans-isomer 1. In parallel with that isomerization, reductive elimination of methyl group with formation of [CH₃PPh₃][BPh₄] takes place. Replacement of CH₃CN in complexes 1 and 2 by anion I⁻ yields in both cases the neutral complex trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)I]. Strong trans influence of CH₃ ligand manifests itself in the elongation (in solid) and labilization (in solution) of rhodium-acetonitrile nitrogen bond.     

A contribution to 1-azapentadienylmetal chemistry: Si, Sn(II), Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes

Complexes of three related 1-azapentadienyl ligands [N(SiMe₂R¹)C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R]⁻, abbreviated as L (R = Bu^t, R¹ = Me), L′ (R = Me = R¹), and L″ (R = Bu^t = R¹), are described. The crystalline compounds Sn(L)₂ (1), Sn(L′)₂ (2), [Sn(L′)(μ-Cl)]₂ (3) and [Sn(L″)(μ-Cl)]₂ (4) were prepared from SnCl₂ and 2 K(L), 2 K(L′), K(L′) and K(L″), respectively, in thf. Treatment of the appropriate lithium 1-azapentadienyl with Si(Cl)Me₃ yielded the yellow crystalline Me₃Si(L) (5) and the volatile liquid Me₃Si(L′) (6) and Me₃Si(L″) (7), each being an N,N,C-trisilyldieneamine. The red, crystalline Fe(L)₂ (8) and Co(L′)₂ (9) were obtained from thf solutions of FeCl₂ with 2 Li(L)(tmeda) and CoCl₂ with 2 K(L′), respectively. Each of 1-9 gave satisfactory C, H, N analyses; 6 and 7 (GC-MS) and 1, 2, 8 and 9 (MS) showed molecular cations and appropriate fragments (also 3 and 4). The ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR (1-4) and IR spectra support the assignment of 1-4 as containing Sn-N(SiMe₂R¹)-C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R moieties and 5-7 as N(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂R¹)C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R molecules; for 1-4 this is confirmed by their X-ray structures. The magnetic moments for 8 (5.56 μ_B) and 9 (2.75 μ_B) are remarkably close to the appropriate Fe and Co complex [M{η³-N(SiMe₃)C(Bu^t)C(H)SiMe₃}₂]; hence it is proposed that 8 and 9 have similar metal-centred, centrosymmetric, distorted octahedral structures.     

Syntheses, structures and ligand conformations of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ag(I) complexes containing the phosphinic amide ligands

The syntheses, structures and ligand conformations of the complexes trans-Cu(L1)₂(ClO₄)₂, (L1 = N-(2-pyrimidinyl)-P,P-diphenyl-phosphinic amide), 1, [trans-Co(L1)₂(CH₃OH)₂](ClO₄)₂·O(C₂H₅)₂, 2, [trans-Co(L2)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2CH₃OH, (L2 = N-(2-pyridinyl)-P,P-diphenyl-phosphinic amide), 3, [cis-Co(L2)₂(NO₃)](NO₃), 4, and [Ag(L3)(NO₃)(CH₃CN)]_∞, (L3 = N-(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)-P,P-diphenyl-phosphinic amide), 5, are reported. The L1 and L2 ligands in the monomeric complexes 1-4 chelate the metal centers through the pyrimidyl/pyridyl nitrogen atoms and the phosphinic amide oxygen atoms, whereas the L3 ligands in complex 5 bridge the metal centers, forming a 1-D zigzag chain. The chelating L2 ligands in complexes 3 and 4 adopt cis conformations and the bridging L3 ligand in complex 5 adopts a trans conformation, respectively.