A ruthenium(II) allenylidene complex with a 4,5-diazafluorene functional group: A new building-block for organometallic molecular assemblies

The synthesis of the new ruthenium(II) allenylidene complex [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂][OTf] (4) (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) terminated with a 4,5-diazafluorene ligand is reported. Further coordination of that metal allenylidene to ruthenium and rhenium moieties leads to the bimetallic adducts [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Ru(bpy)₂}][B(C₆F₅)₄]₃ (5a), [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Ru(^tBu-bpy)₂}][PF₆]₃ (5b) and [ClRu(dppe)₂CCC₁₁H₆N₂{Re(CO)₃Cl}][OTf] (6). Their optical and electrochemical properties show that the allenylidene moiety is an attractive molecular clip for the access to larger original redox-active homo/heteronuclear multi-component supramolecular assemblies. The X-ray crystal structure of the allenylidene metal building block is also described.     

Further reactions of some bis(vinylidene)diruthenium complexes

Whereas {Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (2) is the only product formed by deprotonation of [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]⁺ with dbu, a mixture of 2 with Ru{CCCHCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (3) and {Cp*Ru(PPh₂CHCCH-)}₂ (4) is obtained with KOBu^t. A similar reaction with [{Ru(dppm)Cp*}₂{μ(CCMeCMeC)}]⁺ (5) gave Ru{CCCMeCH(PPh₂)₂[RuCp*]}(dppm)Cp* (6). X-ray structures of 4, 5 and 6 confirm the presence of the 1-ruthena-2,4-diphosphabicyclo[1.1.1]pentane moiety, which is likely formed by an intramolecular attack of the deprotonated dppm ligand on C(1) of the vinylidene ligand. Protonation of {Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂(μ-CCCC) (8-Ru) regenerates its precursor [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ(CCHCHC)}]²⁺ (7-Ru). Ready oxidation of the bis(vinylidene) complex affords the cationic carbonyl [Ru(CO)(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (9) (X-ray structure).     

From alkenylphosphane aminoallenylidene ruthenium(II) complexes to highly unsaturated ruthenaphosphabicycloheptene complexes

The alkenylaminoallenylidene complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCC(NEt₂)[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (2) has been prepared by the reaction of the allenylidene [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇)(CCCPh₂){κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (1) with the ynamine MeCCNEt₂. The reaction proceeds regio- and stereoselectively, and the insertion of the ynamine takes place exclusively at the C_βC_γ bond of the unsaturated chain. The secondary allenylidene [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCC(H)[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)][PF₆] (3) is obtained, in a one-pot synthesis, from the reaction of aminoallenylidene 2 with LiBHEt₃ and subsequent treatment with silica. Moreover, the addition of an excess of NaBH₄ to a solution of the complex 2 in THF at room temperature gives exclusively the alkynyl complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇){CCCH₂[C(Me)CPh₂]}{κ(P)-Ph₂PCH₂CHCH₂}(PPh₃)] (5). The heating of a solution of allenylidene derivative 3 in THF at reflux gives regio- and diastereoselectively the cyclobutylidene complex [Ru(η⁵-C₉H₇) (PPh₃)][PF₆](4) through an intramolecular cycloaddition of the CC allyl and the C_αC_β bonds in the allenylidene complex 3. The structure of complex 4 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Hyperpolarizability of donor-acceptor azines subject to push-pull character and steric hindrance

The push-pull character of two series of donor-acceptor azines has been quantified by ¹³C, ¹⁵N chemical shift differences of the partial C(1)N(1) and N(2)C(2) double bonds in the central linking C(1)N(1)-N(2)C(2) unit and by the quotient of the occupations of the bonding π and anti-bonding π^∗ orbitals of these bonds. Excellent correlation of the latter push-pull parameter with the corresponding bond lengths d_CN strongly recommend both the occupation quotients π^∗/π and the corresponding bond lengths as reasonable sensors for quantifying the push, pull character along the CN-NC linking unit, for the donor-acceptor quality of the two series of azines and for the molecular hyperpolarizability ß₀ of these compounds. Within this context, reasonable conclusions concerning the interplay of steric hindrance in the chromophore, push-pull character and hyperpolarizability of the azines and their application as NLO materials will be drawn.     

Synthesis and characterisation of a diphosphaalkene, a diphosphaalkyne and the first diphosphavinyl lithium complex

The preparation and characterisation of a diphosphaalkene, (Me₃Si)PC(OSiMe₃){C(C₂H₄)₃C}C(OSiMe₃)P(SiMe₃), and the second example of a diphosphaalkyne, PC{C(C₂H₄)₃C}CP, are described. In addition, the reaction of another diphosphaalkyne, PC{C(C₆H₄)₃C}CP, with MeLi/LiBr in the presence of tmeda has given the first diphosphavinyl lithium complex, [MePC{Li₂Br(tmeda)₂}{C(C₆H₄)₃C}C{Li₂Br(tmeda)₂}PMe], which is stable at room temperature and has been crystallographically characterised.     

Synthesis of new pentafluorosulfanylacrylates (F5SCHCHCHO, F5SCHCHCN, F5SCHCHCOOCH3) and use of them as dienophiles in Diels-Alder reaction

New pentafluoro-λ⁶-sulfanylacrylates (F₅SCHCHCHO, F₅SCHCHCN, F₅SCHCHCOOCH₃) were synthesized by a convenient and efficient method. These compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of pentafluoro-λ⁶-sulfanyl-containing cyclic and heterocyclic Diels-Alder cycloadducts.     

Synthesis and properties of conjugated bimetallic ruthenium complexes with σ,σ-bridging azobenzene chains

A versatile synthetic route to conjugated bimetallic ruthenium complexes with σ,σ-bridging azobenzene chains was developed, and new ruthenium complexes with various ligands were synthesized and characterized. These bimetallic complexes showed a remarkable absorption in the visible region (λ_max: 452-483 nm), and undergo trans-to-cis isomerization under UV light irradiation for short time. Electrochemical study showed that the metal centers in bimetallic complexes containing the CHCHC₆H₄NNC₆H₄CHCH bridge interact with each other.     

Ferrole-type compounds containing thiophenic or thiepinic rings in the 3,4-positions of the metallacycle

The new ferrole Fe₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Fc)CC{C(H)C(R)S}CC(SiMe₃)] [R = SiMe₃ (1) and R = Fc (2)] and ruthenoles Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(H)}CC(Fc)] 3 and Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC(SCCFc)C(H)C(Fc)] 4, have been obtained from the reactions of M₃(CO)₁₂ (M = Fe, Ru) and FcCCSCCSiMe₃ through S-C bond activations and C-C coupling reactions. Thermolysis of Ru₂(CO)₆[μ₃-η²,η⁴,η³-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃}Ru(CO)₃}CC(Fc)] alone and in the presence of HCCFc, yielded the compounds Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃)}CC(Fc)] 5 and Ru₂(CO)₆[μ-η²,η⁴-(Me₃Si)CC{SC(Fc)C(SCCSiMe₃)C(H)C(Fc)}CC(Fc)] 6, respectively. The crystal structures of the compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6 are reported.     

Iodo-alkynyl- and iodo-butadiynyl-ruthenium complexes

Addition of [I(py)₂]BF₄ to Ru(CCH)(dppe)Cp∗ gave the iodovinylidene [Ru(CCHI)(dppe)Cp∗]BF₄1, which could be deprotonated to Ru(CCI)(dppe)Cp∗ 2. The attempted preparation of Ru(CCCCI)(dppe)Cp∗, followed by derivatisation with tcne, gave the dienynyl Ru{CCC[C(CN)₂]CIC(CN)₂}(dppe)Cp∗ 3. The Pd(0)/Cu(I)-catalysed reaction of 3 with Ru{CCCCAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp∗ afforded Ru{CCCC(CN)₂CC(CN)₂Au(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp∗ 4 by formal replacement of I⁺ by [Au(PPh₃)]⁺. XRD structures of 1-4 are reported.     

Further chemistry of ruthenium butatrienylidene complexes

Several complexes have been obtained from reactions carried out in early attempts to prepare the diynyl complexes Ru(CCCCR)(dppe)Cp* (R = H, SiMe₃). These have been identified crystallographically as the acyl complex Ru{CCC(O)Me}(dppe)Cp* (3), the cationic imido complex [Ru{CCC(NH₂)Me}(dppe)Cp*]PF₆ (4), the binuclear butenynylallenylidene [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ-CCC(OMe)CHCMeCC}]PF₆ (5), and the bis(ethynyl)cyclobutenylidene [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}₂{μ-CCC₄H₂(SiMe₃)CC}]PF₆ (6). NMR studies of 5 have revealed the existence of two isomers. Plausible routes for their formation from the putative butatrienylidene intermediate [Ru(CCCCH₂)(dppe)Cp*]⁺ (A) are discussed.     

Protonation of manganese phosphonioallenyl complexes

The addition of phosphines to the manganese allenylidene complexes Cp(CO)₂MnCCC(Ph)R (R = H, Ph) proceeds selectively at the C_α atom to result in the α-phosphonioallenyl complexes Cp(CO)₂Mn⁻-C(⁺PR₃¹)CC(Ph)R. The protonation of the latter affords the η²-(1,2)-phosphonioallenes Cp(CO)₂Mn{η²-(1,2)-HC(⁺PR₃¹)CC(Ph)R}, rather than the phosphoniovinylcarbenes Cp(CO)₂MnC(⁺PR₃¹)-HCC(Ph)R. All complexes obtained are stereochemically rigid and do not isomerize into the η²-(2,3)-phosphonioallene isomers.     

Direct addition of supercritical alcohols, acetone or acetonitrile to the alkenes without catalysts

The reactions of the alkenes with supercritical organic compounds under non-catalytic conditions were investigated. The H and CR₂OH, CH₂COCH₃ or CH₂CN of supercritical alcohols (CHR₂OH), acetone (CH₃COCH₃) or acetonitrile (CH₃CN) added to the CC bonds of alkenes form C-C bonds between the α-carbons of the supercritical organic compounds and the sp² carbons of the alkenes.     

Formation of a cyclobutenylidene by cyclo-addition of an alkynyl-ruthenium complex to a cyano(alkynyl)ethene

In contrast to the usual formal [2+2]-cycloaddition reaction, (NC)₂CC{CC(SiPrⁱ₃)}₂, containing bulky alkynyl substituents, reacts with Ru(CCPh)(PPh₃)₂Cp to give the unprecedented cyclobutenylidene complex Ru{C(CN)₂C[CC(SiPrⁱ₃)]CC(SiPrⁱ₃)CPhC}(PPh₃)Cp, formed by addition of one of the CC(SiPrⁱ₃) groups to the Ru-CCPh moiety and subsequent electronic reorganisation.     

Nickel alkynyl and allenylidene complexes: Synthesis and properties

Copper-catalyzed reaction of [Cp(PPh₃)NiCl] with the terminal alkynes H-CC-C(O)R (R = O-Menthyl, NMe₂, Ph) yields the alkynyl complexes [Cp(PPh₃)Ni-CC-C(O)R]. Subsequent O-methylation with either [Me₃O]BF₄ or MeSO₃CF₃ affords cationic allenylidene complexes, [Cp(PPh₃)NiCCC(OMe)R]⁺X¯ (X = BF₄, SO₃CF₃). N-Alkylation of Cp(PPh₃)Ni-pyridylethynyl complexes likewise gives cationic allenylidene complexes. [Cp(PPh₃)Ni-CC-C(CH)₄N] adds BF₃ at nitrogen. Modification of the ligand sphere in these nickel allenylidene complexes is possible by replacing PPh₃ by PMe₃ in the alkynyl complex precursors. The first allenylidene(carbene)nickel cation, [Cp(SIMes)NCCC(OMe)NMe₂]⁺, is accessible by successive reaction of [Cp(SIMes)NiCl] with H-CC-C(O)NMe₂ and [Me₃O]BF₄. By the analogous sequence an allenylidene complex containing the chelating (diphenylphosphanyl)ethylcyclopentadienyl ligand can be prepared. DFT Calculations were carried out on the allenylidene complex cation [Cp(PPh₃)NiCCC(OMe)NMe₂]⁺ and on its precursor, the alkynyl complex [Cp(PPh₃)Ni-CC-C(O)NMe₂]. Based on the spectroscopic data and a X-ray structure analysis the bonding in the new nickel allenylidene complexes is best represented by several resonance forms, an alkynyl resonance form considerably contributing to the overall bond.     

Polyfluoroaromatic compounds with a NCClR group—a reactive type of polyfluoroarene

This review deals with syntheses and reactivity of polyfluoroarenes with a NCClR group (including those with RCl). The most promising and convenient methods of synthesis of these type compounds are based on co-pyrolysis reactions of low-basic polyfluoroaromatic amines with RCCl₃ type derivatives and the interaction of such amines and polyfluoroaromatic hydrazines with RCX₃ (XCl,F) compounds in the presence of AlCl₃ at moderate temperature; they have no analogues in the nonfluorinated series. Reactions with different nucleophilic reagents, the formation of electrophilic intermediates of the nitrilium cation type and reactions of the latter with aromatic and fluoroaromatic hydrocarbons, amines, and compounds with CN, C≡N and CO multiple bonds are described. It is shown that polyfluoroaromatic compounds with a NCClR group are promising precursors for syntheses of a wide range of compounds of various classes, including heterocyclic derivatives.     

Bis(amino)allenylidene complexes by displacement of the MeO group in methoxy allenylidene complexes of chromium and tungsten. Synthesis, DFT calculations and solid-state structures of new bis(amino)allenylidene complexes

Pentacarbonyl dimethylamino(methoxy)allenylidene tungsten, [(CO)₅WCCC(OMe)NMe₂] (1b), reacts with one equivalent of primary amines, H₂NR, by selectively replacing the methoxy group to give dimethylamino(amino)allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅WCCC(NHR)NMe₂]. When the amine is used in excess both terminal groups, OMe as well as NMe₂, are replaced by the primary amino group giving [(CO)₅WCCC(NHR)₂ ]. The NHR substituent in these complexes may be modified by deprotonation with LDA followed by alkylation. The replacement of the methoxy group in 1b by a secondary amino group, NR₂, can be achieved by a stepwise process. Addition of Li[NR₂] to the C_γ atom of 1b affords an alkynyl tungstate. Subsequent OMe⁻ elimination induced by TMS-Cl/SiO₂ yields the allenylidene complexes [(CO)₅WCCC(NR₂)NMe₂]. When bidentate diamines are used instead of monoamines both substituents, OMe and NMe₂, are replaced and allenylidene complexes are formed in which C_γ constitutes part of a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered heterocycle. The reaction of [(CO)₅CrCCC(OMe)NMe₂] (1a) with diethylene triamine affords an allenylidene complex with a heterocyclic endgroup carrying a dangling CH₂CH₂NH₂ substituent. All reactions follow a strict regioselective attack of the nucleophile at C_γ and proceed with good to excellent yields. The addition of N-H to the C_αC_β bond is not observed. By applying either one of these routes nearly any substitution pattern in bis(amino)allenylidene complex can be realized.     

The reactions of some σ-alkynylnickel complexes with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane

The σ-alkynyl complexes Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-CC-R (1), Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-CC-X-CCH (2) and Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-CC-X-CC-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) (3), reactwith 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, TCNQ, at 30 °C by insertion of the alkyne CC into a CC(CN)₂ bond to give Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-R (4), from 1, Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-X-CCH (5), from 2, and Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-X-CC-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) (6),and Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}- C{C(CN)₂}-X-C{C(CN)₂}-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) (7),from 3 {R = (a) C₆H₅, (b) 4-PhC₆H₄, (c) 4-Me₂NC₆H₄, (d) 1-C₁₀H₇ (1-naphthyl), (e) 2-C₁₀H₇ (2-naphthyl), (f) 9-C₁₄H₉ (9-phenanthryl), (g) 9-C₁₄H₉ (9-anthryl), (h) 3-C₁₆H₉ (3-pyrenyl), (i) 1-C₂₀H₁₁ (1-perylenyl), (j) 2-C₄H₃S (2-thienyl), (k) C₁₀H₉Fe (ferrocenyl = Fc) and (l) H; X = (a) nothing, (b) 1,4-C₆H₄, (c) 1,3-C₆H₄ and (d) 4,4′-C₆H₄-C₆H₄}. The reaction is regiospecificand the other possible insertion product, R-C{C₆H₄C(CN)₂}-C{C(CN)₂}-Ni(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃) etc., is not formed. Under the same conditions, there is no evidencefor the reaction of TCNQ with the -CCH of 2, PhCCH, 1,4-C₆H₄(CCH)₂ or FcCCH, or for the reaction of more than one CC(CN)₂ of TCNQ with a Ni-alkynyl moiety. Complexes 4-7 are all air-stable, purple solids which have been characterised by elemental analysis and spectroscopy (IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR),and by X-ray diffraction for 4a, 4b and 4l. The UV-Vis spectra of 4-7 are very similar. This implies that all contain the same active chromophore which, it is suggested, is Ni-C(5)C₆H₄C(CN)₂ and not R-C(4)C(CN)₂. This isconsistent with the molecular structures of 4a, 4b and 4l which show that the first of these potentially chromophoric fragments is planar or close to it with an in-built potential for delocalisation, whilst in the second the aryl group R is almost orthogonal to the CC(CN)₂ plane. The molecular structures of 4a, 4b and 4l also reveal a short Ni?C(4) separation, indicative of a Ni → C(4) donor-acceptor interaction. The electrochemistry of 4a shows aquasi reversible oxidation at ca. 1 V and complicated reduction processes. It is typical of most 4, but 4l is different in that it shows the same quasi reversible oxidation at ca. 1 V but two reversible reductions at −0.26 and −0.47 V (vs. [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂]^+/0 0.0 V).     

Dimerisation and reactivity of HCCCCFc at ruthenium centres

In contrast to the simple diynyl complexes formed in reactions between HCCCCFc and MCl(dppe)Cp∗; (M = Fe, Ru), an analogous reaction with RuCl(PPh₃)₂Cp∗; in the presence of KPF₆ and dbu resulted in dimerisation of the diyne at the Ru centre to afford a mixture of [Ru{η¹,η²-C(CCFc)C(L)CHCCCHFc}(PPh₃)Cp∗]PF₆ (L = dbu 1, PPh₃2). Similar reactions with RuCl(PR₃)₂L gave [Ru{η¹,η²-C(CCFc)C(dbu)CHCCCHFc}(PR₃)L]PF₆ (L = Cp, R = Ph 3, m-tol 4; L = η⁵-C₉H₇, R = Ph 5). The reaction between 3 and I₂, followed by crystallization of the paramagnetic product from MeOH, afforded the dicationic [Ru{C(CCFc)C(dbu)CHC(OMe)C(OMe)CHFc}(PPh₃)Cp](I₃)₂6. The molecular structures of 2·2CH₂Cl₂ and 6.S (S = 2CH₂Cl₂, C₆H₆) were determined by single-crystal XRD studies.