Triimidosulfonic acid and organometallic triimidosulfonates: S(+)-N(-) versus S=N bonding

Sulfonic acids RSO(2)OH and their metal salts MO(3)SR are versatile catalysts in large-scale industrial cyclization and polymerization processes. Isoelectronic replacement of the oxygen atoms by NR imido groups gives triimidosulfonic acid and triimidosulfonates. The salts form nonaggregated soluble molecules rather than infinite solid-state lattices such as their oxo analogues. In this paper, we present the synthesis and structure of the basic starting material MeS(N(t)Bu)(3)H (1), the metal complexes [Me(2)Al(N(t)Bu)(3)SMe] (2) and [Zn[(N(t)Bu)(3)SMe](2)] (3), and the mixed metal adduct [(thf)Li[(N(t)Bu)(3)SMe].ZnMe(2)] (4). The chelating coordination, rather than the tripodal coordination, cannot be attributed to steric effects of the S-bonded methyl group, as the less demanding Ph-C triple bond C-alkynyl substituent at sulfur in [(thf)(2)Li[(N(t)Bu)(3)SCCPh]] (5) causes the same conformation. S-N bond shortening to the pendant imido group has to be attributed to closed-shell electrostatic attraction rather than to S-N double bonding by valence expansion at the central sulfur atom. Coordination to an additional N-->Zn dative bond in 4 widens the bond length to values normally interpreted as S-N single bonds. We take this fact as experimental evidence that S-N bonding is predominantly governed by electrostatic interaction rather than by valence expansion employing d-orbitals. This was predicted by theoreticians more than a decade ago.     

Probing lead(II) bonding environments in 4-substituted pyridine adducts of (2,6-Me2C6H3S)2Pb: an X-ray structural and solid-state 207Pb NMR study

The effect of subtle changes in the sigma-electron donor ability of 4-substituted pyridine ligands on the lead(II) coordination environment of (2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)S)(2)Pb (1) adducts has been examined. The reaction of 1 with a series of 4-substituted pyridines in toluene or dichloromethane results in the formation of 1:1 complexes [(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)S)(2)Pb(pyCOH)](2) (3), [(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)S)(2)Pb(pyOMe)](2) (4), and (2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)S)(2)Pb(pyNMe(2)) (5) (pyCOH = 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde; pyOMe = 4-methoxypyridine; pyNMe2 = 4-dimethylaminopyridine), all of which have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structures of 3 and 4 are dimeric and have psi-trigonal bipyramidal S(3)N bonding environments, with the 4-substituted pyridine nitrogen and bridging sulfur atoms in axial positions and two thiolate sulfur atoms in equatorial sites. Conversely, compound 5 is monomeric and exhibits a psi-trigonal pyramidal S(2)N bonding environment at lead(II). The observed structures may be rationalized in terms of a simple valence bond model and the sigma-electron donor ability of the 4-pyridine ligands as derived from the analysis of proton affinity values. Solid-state (207)Pb NMR experiments are applied in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations to provide further insight into the nature of bonding in 4, 5, and (2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)S)(2)Pb(py)(2) (2). The lead chemical shielding (CS) tensor parameters of 2, 4, and 5 reveal some of the largest chemical shielding anisotropies (CSA) observed in lead coordination complexes to date. DFT calculations using the Amsterdam Density Functional (ADF) program, which take into account relativistic effects using the zeroth-order regular approximation (ZORA), yield lead CS tensor components and orientations. Paramagnetic contributions to the lead CS tensor from individual pairs of occupied and virtual molecular orbitals (MOs) are examined to gain insight into the origin of the large CSA. The CS tensor is primarily influenced by mixing of the occupied MOs localized on the sulfur and lead atoms with virtual MOs largely comprised of lead 6p orbitals.     

Formation of Metal Clusters or Nitrogen-Bridged Adducts by Reaction of a Bis(amino)stannylene with Halides of Two-Valent Transition Metals

When the cyclic bis(amino)stannylene Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn is allowed to react with metal halides MX(2) (M = Cr, Fe, Co, Zn; X = Cl, Br [Zn]) adducts of the general formula [Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn.MX(2)](n) are obtained. The compounds are generally dimeric (n = 2) except the ZnBr(2) adduct, which is monomeric in benzene. The crystal structures of [Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn.CoCl(2)](2) (triclinic, space group &Pmacr;1; a = 8.620(9) ?, b = 9.160(9) ?, c = 12.280(9) ?, alpha = 101.2(1) degrees, beta = 97.6(1) degrees, gamma = 105.9(1) degrees, Z = 1) and of [Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn.ZnCl(2)](2) (monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c; a = 8.156(9) ?, b = 16.835(12) ?, c = 13.206(9) ?, beta = 94.27(6) degrees, Z = 2) were determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. The two compounds form similar polycyclic, centrosymmetrical assemblies of metal atoms bridged by chlorine or nitrogen atoms. While in the case of the cobalt compound Co is pentacoordinated by three chlorine and two nitrogen atoms, in the zinc derivative Zn is almost tetrahedrally coordinated by three chlorine atoms and one nitrogen atom. The iron derivative [Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn.FeCl(2)](2) seems to be isostructural with the cobalt compound as can be deduced from the crystal data (triclinic, a = 8.622(7) ?, b = 9.158(8) ?, c = 12.353(8) ?, alpha = 101.8(1) degrees, beta = 96.9(1) degrees, gamma = 105.9(1) degrees, Z = 1). If NiBr(2), PdCl(2), or PtCl(2) is combined with the stannylene, the reaction product is totally different: 4 equiv of the stannylene are coordinating per metal halide, forming the molecular compound [Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn](4)MX(2), which crystallizes with half a mole of benzene per molecular formula. The crystal structures of [Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn](4).NiBr(2).(1)/(2)C(6)H(6) (tetragonal, space group I4(1)/a, a = b = 43.86(4) ?, c = 14.32(2) ?, Z = 16) and [Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn](4).PdCl(2).(1)/(2)C(6)H(6) (tetragonal, space group I4(1)/a, a = b = 43.99(4) ?, c = 14.318(14) ?, Z = 16) reveal the two compounds to be isostructural. The molecules have an inner Sn(4)M pentametallic core (mean distances: Sn-Ni 2.463 ?, Sn-Pd 2.544 ?) with the transition metal in the center of a slightly distorted square formed by the four tin atoms, the distortion from planarity resulting in a weak paramagnetism of 0.2 &mgr;(B) for the nickel compound. The halogen atoms form bridges between two of the tin atoms and have no bonding interaction with the transition metal. The nickel compound has also been prepared by direct interaction of Br(2) or NR(4)Br(3) with [Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn](4)Ni as a minor product, the main products being Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn(NtBu)(2)SiMe(2,) Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)SnBr(2), NiBr(2) and SnBr(2). Other metal clusters have been obtained by the reaction of Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Sn with tetrakis(triphenyphosphine)palladium or by the reaction of Me(2)Si(NtBu)(2)Ge with RhCl(PPh(3))(3). In the first case Ph(3)PPd[Sn(NtBu)(2)SiMe(2)](3)PdPPh(3) (rhombohedral, space group R3c, a = b = 21.397(12) ?, c = 57.01(5) ?, alpha = beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 120 degrees, Z = 12) is formed and is characterized by X-ray techniques to be composed of a central PdSn(3)Pd trigonal bipyramid with the tin atoms occupying the equatorial positions (Pd-Sn = 2.702(5) ?). In the second reaction all the triphenylphosphine ligands are replaced from rhodium and Rh[Ge(NtBu)(2)SiMe(2)](4)Cl is formed (monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 12.164(2) ?, b = 23.625(5) ?, c = 24.128(5) ?, beta = 102.74(3) degrees, Z = 4). The central core of this molecule is made up of a rhodium atom which is almost square planarly coordinated by the germanium atoms, two of which are bridged by chlorine (mean Ge-Rh = 2.355 ?).     

Structure and Properties of [Fe(4)S(4){2,6-bis(acylamino)benzenethiolato-S}(4)](2)(-) and [Fe(2)S(2){2,6-bis(acylamino)benzenethiolato-S}(4)](2)(-): Protection of the Fe-S Bond by Double NH.S Hydrogen Bonds

Iron-sulfur clusters containing a singly or doubly NH.S hydrogen-bonded arenethiolate ligand, [Fe(4)S(4)(S-2-RCONHC(6)H(4))(4)](2)(-) (R = CH(3), t-Bu, CF(3)), [Fe(4)S(4){S-2,6-(RCONH)(2)C(6)H(3)}(4)](2)(-), [Fe(2)S(2)(S-2-RCONHC(6)H(4))(4)](2)(-) (R = CH(3), t-Bu, CF(3)), and [Fe(2)S(2){S-2,6-(RCONH)(2)C(6)H(3)}(4)](2)(-), were synthesized as models of bacterial [4Fe-4S] and plant-type [2Fe-2S] ferredoxins. The X-ray structures and IR spectra of (PPh(4))(2)[Fe(4)S(4){S-2,6-(CH(3)CONH)(2)C(6)H(3)}(4)].2CH(3)CN and (NEt(4))(2)[Fe(2)S(2){S-2,6-(t-BuCONH)(2)C(6)H(3)}(4)] indicate that the two amide NH groups at the o,o'-positions are directed to the thiolate sulfur atom and form double NH.S hydrogen bonds. The NH.S hydrogen bond contributes to the positive shift of the redox potential of not only (Fe(4)S(4))(+)/(Fe(4)S(4))(2+) but also (Fe(4)S(4))(2+)/(Fe(4)S(4))(3+) in the [4Fe-4S] clusters as well as (Fe(2)S(2))(2+)/(Fe(2)S(2))(3+) in the [2Fe-2S] clusters. The doubly NH.S hydrogen-bonded thiolate ligand effectively prevents the ligand exchange reaction by benzenethiol because the two amide NH groups stabilize the thiolate by protection from dissociation.     

A comparison of the influences of alkoxide and thiolate ligands on the electronic structure and reactivity of molybdenum(3+) and tungsten(3+) complexes. preparation and structures of M(2)(O(T)Bu)(2)(S(t)Bu)(4), [Mo(S(t)Bu)(3)(NO)](2), and W(S(t)Bu)(3)(NO)(py)

M(2)(O(t)Bu)(6) compounds (M = Mo, W) react in hydrocarbon solvents with an excess of (t)BuSH to give M(2)(O(t)Bu)(2)(S(t)Bu)(4), red, air- and temperature-sensitive compounds. (1)H NMR studies reveal the equilibrium M(2)(O(t)Bu)(6) + 4(t)BuSH <==> M(2)(O(t)Bu)(2)(S(t)Bu)(4) + 4(t)BuOH proceeds to the right slowly at 22 degrees C. The intermediates M(2)(O(t)Bu)(4)(S(t)Bu)(2), M(2)(O(t)Bu)(3)(S(t)Bu)(3), and M(2)(O(t)Bu)(5)(S(t)Bu) have been detected. The equilibrium constants show the M-O(t)Bu bonds to be enthalpically favored over the M-S(t)Bu bonds. In contrast to the M(2)(O(t)Bu)(6) compounds, M(2)(O(t)Bu)(2)(S(t)Bu)(4) compounds are inert with respect to the addition of CO, CO(2), ethyne, (t)BuC triple bond CH, MeC triple bond N, and PhC triple bond N. Addition of an excess of (t)BuSH to a hydrocarbon solution of W(2)(O(t)Bu)(6)(mu-CO) leads to the rapid expulsion of CO and subsequent formation of W(2)(O(t)Bu)(2)(S(t)Bu)(4). Addition of an excess of (t)BuSH to hydrocarbon solutions of [Mo(O(t)Bu)(3)(NO)](2) and W(O(t)Bu)(3)(NO)(py) gives the structurally related compounds [Mo(S(t)Bu)(3)(NO)](2) and W(S(t)Bu)(3)(NO)(py), with linear M-N-O moieties and five-coordinate metal atoms. The values of nu(NO) are higher in the related thiolate compounds than in their alkoxide counterparts. The bonding in the model compounds M(2)(EH)(6), M(2)(OH)(2)(EH)(4), (HE)(3)M triple bond CMe, and W(EH)(3)(NO)(NH(3)) and the fragments M(EH)(3), where M = Mo or W and E = O or S, has been examined by DFT B3LYP calculations employing various basis sets including polarization functions for O and S and two different core potentials, LANL2 and relativistic CEP. BLYP calculations were done with ZORA relativistic terms using ADF 2000. The calculations, irrespective of the method used, indicate that the M-O bonds are more ionic than the M-S bonds and that E ppi to M dpi bonding is more important for E = O. The latter raises the M-M pi orbital energies by ca. 1 eV for M(2)(OH)(6) relative to M(2)(SH)(6). For M(EH)(3) fragments, the metal d(xz)(),d(yz)() orbitals are destabilized by OH ppi bonding, and in W(EH)(3)(NO)(NH(3)) the O ppi to M dpi donation enhances W dpi to NO pi* back-bonding. Estimates of the bond strengths for the M triple bond M in M(2)(EH)(6) compounds and M triple bond C in (EH)(3)M triple bond CMe have been obtained. The stronger pi donation of the alkoxide ligands is proposed to enhance back-bonding to the pi* orbitals of alkynes and nitriles and facilitate their reductive cleavage, a reaction that is not observed for their thiolate counterpart.     

Copper complexes of mono- and ditopic [(methylthio)methyl]borates: missing links and linked systems en route to copper enzyme models

TMEDA-free (TMEDA: tetramethylethylenediamine) LiCH(2)SMe is a suitable reagent for the selective introduction of (methylthio)methyl groups into PhBBr(2) and its p-silylated derivative Me(3)Si--C(6)H(4)--BBr(2). The resulting compounds, R*--C(6)H(4)--B(Br)(CH(2)SMe) (R*=H: 2; R*=SiMe(3): 7) and PhB(CH(2)SMe)(2) (3), form cyclic dimers through B--S adduct bonds in solution and in the solid state. Compounds 2 and 3 have successfully been used for preparing the (N(2)S) scorpionate [PhBpz(2)(CH(2)SMe)](-) ([5](-)) (pz: pyrazol-1-yl) and the (NS(2)) scorpionate [PhBpz(CH(2)SMe)(2)](-), respectively. Compound 7 proved to be an excellent building block for the heteroditopic poly(pyrazol-1-yl)borate p-[pz(3)B--C(6)H(4)--Bpz(2)(CH(2)SMe)](2-) ([10](2-)) that mimics the two ligation sites of the copper enzymes peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase and dopamine beta-monooxygenase. Treatment of the monotopic tripod [5](-) with CuCl and CuBr(2) results in the formation of complexes K[Cu(5)(2)] and [Cu(5)(2)]. An X-ray crystallography study of K[Cu(5)(2)] revealed a tetrahedral (N(2)S(2)) coordination environment for the Cu(I) ion, whereas the Cu(II) ion of [Cu(5)(2)] possesses a square-pyramidal (N(4)S) ligand sphere (S-atom in the axial position). The remarkable redox properties of K[Cu(5)(2)] and [Cu(5)(2)] have been assessed by cyclic voltammetry and quantum chemical calculations. The reaction of K[Cu(5)(2)] with dry air leads to the Cu(II) species [Cu(5)(2)] and to a tetranuclear Cu(II) complex featuring [PhB(O)pz(2)](2-) ligands. Addition of CuCl to K(2)[10] gives the complex K(3)[Cu(10)(2)] containing two ligand molecules per Cu(I) center. The Cu(I) ion binds to both heteroscorpionate moieties and thereby establishes a coordination environment similar to that of the Cu(I) ion in K[Cu(5)(2)].     

Deprotonierte Dithiocarbaminsäureester als Thiolat-S-Donor-Liganden. Strukturen von Ph(H)NC(S)SMe,Co(PhNC(S)SMe)3 und Cu6(PhNC(S)SMe)6

Deprotonated Dithiocarbamic Acid Esters as Thiolate S-Donor Ligands. Structures of Ph(H)NC(S)SMe, Co(PhNC(S)SMe)₃, and Cu₆(PhNC(S)SMe)₆ The reaction of N-phenyl-S-methyldithiocarbamate, PhN(H)C(?S)SMe, ( 1 ) with cobalt(II) and copper(II) salts yields the monomeric compound Co^III(PhNC(S)SMe)₃ ( 2 ) and the hexameric compound Cu₆^I(PhNC(S)SMe)₆ ( 3 ). These complexes contain the negatively charged imino-thiolate ligand PhN?C(? S)SMe, which has been formed by deprotonation of 1 . The crystal structures of 1 – 3 have been determined. 1 forms centrosymmetrical dimers through N? H …? S bridge bonds, the conformation in the solid state and in solution is Z,E′. Co^III shows in 2 a trigonal-antiprismatic coordination, with the ligands acting as N,S-chelates. 3 contains an octahedral Cu₆-core with Cu …? Cu-distances ranging from 276.3(5) to 305.7(4) pm. Each copper center is trigonally coordinated to one nitrogen and two sulfur atoms of three different ligands. Crystal data: 1 , triclinic, space group P1 , a = 590.5(6), b = 869.0(1), c = 968.5(9) pm, α = 67.29(8), β = 78.44(8), γ = 81.64(9)°, Z = 2, 1 775 reflections, R(R_w) = 0.0317(0.032). 2 , orthorhombic, space group Pbca, a = 978.0(2), b = 1 842.9(4), c = 3 059.7(6) pm, Z = 8, 1 129 reflections, R(R_w) = 0.0997(0.0886). 3 , monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 1 363.1(3), b = 1 342.8(3), c = 1 671.9(3) pm, β = 103.48°, Z = 2, 1 374 reflections, R(R_w) = 0.0708(0.0617).     

Reactivity of a silylsilylene bearing a functionalized diaminochlorosilyl substituent

The reactivity of the silylsilylene [{PhC(NtBu)(2)}SiSi(Cl){(NtBu)(2)C(H)Ph}] (2) towards diphenylacetylene, azobenzene, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl azide, sulfur, and selenium is described. The reaction of 2 with one equivalent of azobenzene in toluene afforded compound 3, which is the first example of a 1,2-diaza-3,4-disilacyclobutane containing a pentacoordinate silicon center. The formation of 3 can be explained by a [1+2] cycloaddition of the divalent Si center in 2 with PhN=NPh to form a diazasilacyclopropane intermediate, which then undergoes a 1,2-chlorine shift to release the ring strain to form 3. Similarly, the reaction of 2 with one equivalent of diphenylacetylene in toluene afforded the 1,2-disilacyclobutene 4, which contains a pentacoordinate silicon center. The reaction of 2 with 1.6 equivalents of 2,6-diisopropylphenylazide in toluene afforded the silaimine [LSi(=NAr)N(Ar)L'] (5, L=PhC(NtBu)(2) , L'=Si(Cl){(NtBu)(2)C(H)Ph}, Ar=2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)). The formation of 5 can be explained by an oxidative addition of the divalent Si center in 2 with ArN(3) to afford a silaimine intermediate, which then reacts with another molecule of ArN(3) to give compound 5. The reaction of 2 with elemental sulfur in toluene afforded the chlorosilanethione [LSi(S)Cl] (6) and dithiodisiletane [{Ph(H)C(NtBu)(2) }Si(μ-S)](2) (7). Treatment of 2 with elemental selenium in THF afforded the di(silaneselone) [LSi(Se)Si(Se)L] (8). Evidently, the divalent Si center in 2 undergoes oxidative addition with chalcogens to afford a silylsilanechalcogenone intermediate, which then displaces ":Si{(NtBu)(2)C(H)Ph}" and "ClSi{(NtBu)(2) C(H)Ph}" to form 6 and 8, respectively. Moreover, compound 8 was synthesized by the reaction of [{PhC(NtBu)(2)}Si:](2) (10) with elemental selenium in THF. The results show that the reactions of 2 are initiated by oxidative addition of the divalent silicon center, and then the intermediate formed undergoes a rearrangement involving the diaminochlorosilyl substituent to form compounds 3-8. These products have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.     

Dehydration reaction of hydroxyl substituted alkenes and alkynes on the Ru(2)S(2) complex

A variety of inter- and intramolecular dehydration was found in the reactions of [[Ru(P(OCH(3))(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](2)(mu-S(2))](CF(3)SO(3))(4) (1) with hydroxyl substituted alkenes and alkynes. Treatment of 1 with allyl alcohol gave a C(3)S(2) five-membered ring complex, [[Ru(P(OCH(3))(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](2)[mu-SCH(2)CH(2)CH(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))S]](CF(3)SO(3))(4) (2), via C-S bond formation after C-H bond activation and intermolecular dehydration. On the other hand, intramolecular dehydration was observed in the reaction of 1 with 3-buten-1-ol giving a C(4)S(2) six-membered ring complex, [[Ru(P(OCH(3))(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](2) [mu-SCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)S]](CF(3)SO(3))(4) (3). Complex 1 reacts with 2-propyn-1-ol or 2-butyn-1-ol to give homocoupling products, [[Ru(P(OCH(3))(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](2)[mu-SCR=CHCH(OCH(2)C triple bond CR)S]](CF(3)SO(3))(4) (4: R = H, 5: R = CH(3)), via intermolecular dehydration. In the reaction with 2-propyn-1-ol, the intermediate complex having a hydroxyl group, [[Ru(P(OCH(3))(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](2)[mu-SCH=CHCH(OH)S]](CF(3)SO(3))(4) (6), was isolated, which further reacted with 2-propyn-1-ol and 2-butyn-1-ol to give 4 and a cross-coupling product, [[Ru(P(OCH(3))(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](2)[mu-SCH=CHCH(OCH(2)C triple bond CCH(3))S]](CF(3)SO(3))(4) (7), respectively. The reaction of 1 with diols, (HO)CHRC triple bond CCHR(OH), gave furyl complexes, [[Ru(P(OCH(3))(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](2)[mu-SSC=CROCR=CH]](CF(3)SO(3))(3) (8: R = H, 9: R = CH(3)) via intramolecular elimination of a H(2)O molecule and a H(+). Even though (HO)(H(3)C)(2)CC triple bond CC(CH(3))(2)(OH) does not have any propargylic C-H bond, it also reacts with 1 to give [[Ru(P(OCH(3))(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](2)[mu-SCH(2)C(=CH(2))C(=C=C(CH(3))(2))]S](CF(3)SO(3))(4) (10). In addition, the reaction of 1 with (CH(3)O)(H(3)C)(2)CC triple bond CC(CH(3))(2)(OCH(3)) gives [[Ru(P(OCH(3))(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)][mu-S=C(C(CH(3))(2)OCH(3))C=CC(CH(3))CH(2)S][Ru(P(OCH(3))(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(3)]](CF(3)SO(3))(4) (11), in which one molecule of CH(3)OH is eliminated, and the S-S bond is cleaved.     

Direct studies on 5-coordinate intermediates formed during substitution at tetrahedral Fe sites: role of bound nucleophile in labilisation of leaving group

The substitution reactions of the tetrahedral Fe sites in [FeCl(4)](-), [Fe(2)S(2)Cl(4)](2-), [Fe(4)S(4)Cl(4)](2-) and [{MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(3)}(2)(micro-SEt)(3)](3-) with 4-RC(6)H(4)S(-) (R = MeO, Me, H, Cl or NO(2)) all involve rapid binding of the thiolate to a Fe site and formation of a kinetically and spectroscopically detectable intermediate. Kinetic studies allow calculation of the rate of Fe-Cl dissociation from the 5-coordinate site of the intermediate (k(2)(R)). The rate of Fe-Cl dissociation from the intermediate exhibits a marked dependence on the nature of the bound thiolate with log(10)(k(2)(R)) increasing in a linear manner with the calculated NBO charge on the sulfur atom of the coordinated thiolate. This behaviour indicates that Fe-Cl bond dissociation at the 5-coordinate intermediate involves a process in which Fe-thiolate bond shortening occurs prior to movement of the Fe-Cl bond.     

Nitrogen atom insertion into Ir-S and C-S bonds initiated by photolysis of iridium(III)-azido-dithiocarbamato complexes

Photolysis of acetonitrile solutions of Cp*Ir(R2dtc)(N3) [Cp* = eta5-C5Me5, R2dtc = S2CNR2; R = Me (1) or Et (1')] at temperatures below 0 degrees C afford five-coordinate complexes Cp*Ir{NSC(NR2)S} (2 or 2'), where a nitrogen atom has been inserted into one of the Ir-S bonds. In solution, complex 2 thermally convert to the azaethene-1,2-dithiolate complex, Cp*Ir[SN=C(NMe2)S] (3), which could be crystallized as the corresponding dimer, {Cp*Ir[mu-SN=C(NMe2)S-kappa3S:S,S']}2 (4). As a result, a nitrogen atom that originated in the azide ligand is transferred into a C-S bond of the dithiocarbamate.     

Chalcogenophilicity of mercury

Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out to investigate the chalcogenophilicity of mercury (Hg) reported recently [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 647-655]. Molecules of different sizes have been studied including ME, [M(EH)(4)](n), M(SH)(3)EH (M = Cd, Hg; E = S, Se, Te; n = 0, 2+) and [Tm(Y)]MEZ complexes (Tm = tris(2-mercapto-1-R-imidzolyl)hydroborato; Y = H, Me, Bu(t); M = Zn, Cd, Hg; E = S, Se, Te; Z = H, Ph). The bonding of Cd and Hg in their complexes depends on the oxidation state of the metal and nature of the ligands. More electronegative ligands form bonds of ionic type with Cd and Hg while less electronegative ligands form bonds that are more covalent. The Cd-ligand bond distances are shorter for the ionic type of bonding and longer for the covalent type of bonding than those of the corresponding Hg-ligand bonds. The variation of this Cd/Hg bonding is in accordance with the ionic and covalent radii of Cd and Hg. The experimentally observed (shorter) Hg-Se and Hg-Te bond distances in [Tm(Bu(t))]HgEPh (E = S, Se, Te) are due to the lower electronegativity of Se and Te, crystal packing, and the presence of a very bulky group. The bond dissociation energy (BDE) for Hg is the highest for Hg-S followed by Hg-Se and Hg-Te regardless of complex type.     

The structure and chemistry of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane protected mononuclear nitridotitanium complexes

Treatment of TiCl(NMe(2))(3) with H(3)N·B(C(6)F(5))(3) results in N-H activation and ligand exchange to yield the structurally characterised salt [TiCl(NMe(2))(2)(NMe(2)H)(2)](+)[Ti[triple bond]NB(C(6)F(5))(3)(Cl)(2)(NMe(2)H)(2)](-). Cation exchange with [Me(4)N]Cl, [Ph(4)P]Cl and [(PhCH(2))Ph(3)P]Cl yields the respective ammonium and phosphonium salts of the [Ti[triple bond]NB(C(6)F(5))(3)(Cl)(2)(NMe(2)H)(2)](-) anion. X-ray crystallography reveals that the essential trigonal bipyramidal geometry and composition of the anion is retained in each of these salts despite some minor variations in the Ti-N-B angle and the nature of the interionic interactions. Electronic investigation by DFT calculations confirmed the Ti-N triple bond character implied by the experimentally determined bond length, with the HOMO and HOMO-1 having Ti-N π-bonding character. The dimethylamine ligands of the anion resist substitution by moderate bases but can be displaced by pyridine to give a pentacoordinate anion. In contrast, addition of 2,2'-bipyridyl gives a neutral octahedral complex. Treatment of the pyridine complex with TlCp results in the formation of a four coordinate anionic cyclopentadienyl complex.     

Titanium imido complexes of cyclooctatetraenyl ligands

Reaction of [Ti(NR)Cl2(py)3] (R=tBu or 2,6-iPr2C6H3) with K(2)[COT] (COT=C8H8) or Li2[COT'] (COT'=1,4-C8H6(SiMe3)2) gave the monomeric complexes [Ti(NR)(eta8-COT)] or [Ti(NR)(eta8-COT')], respectively. The pseudo-two coordinate, "pogo stick" geometry for these complexes is unique in both early transition-metal and cyclooctatetraenyl ligand chemistry. In contrast, reaction of [Ti(N-2,6-Me2C6H3)Cl2(py)3] with K2[COT] gave the mu-imido-bridged dimer [Ti2(mu-N-2,6-Me2C6H3)2(eta8-COT)2]. It appears that as the steric bulk of the imido and C8 ring substituents are decreased, dimerisation becomes more favourable. Aryl imido COT complexes were also prepared by imido ligand exchange reactions between anilines and [Ti(NtBu)(eta(8)-COT)] or [Ti(NtBu)(eta(8)-COT')]. The complexes [Ti(NtBu)(eta(8)-COT)], [Ti(N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2(eta8-COT)] and [Ti2(mu-N-2,6-Me2C6H3)2(eta8-COT)2] have been crystallographically characterised. The electronic structures of both the monomeric and dimeric complexes have been investigated by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy. The most striking aspect of the bonding is that binding to the imido nitrogen atom is primarily through sigma and pi interactions, whereas that to the COT or COT' ring is almost exclusively through delta symmetry orbitals. A DFT-based comparison between the bonding in [Ti(NtBu)(eta8-COT)] and the bonding in the previously reported late transition-metal "pogo stick"complexes [Os(NtBu)(eta6-C6Me6)], [Ir(NtBu)(eta5-C5Me5)] and [Ni(NO)(eta5-C5H5)] has also been undertaken.     

Structural and catalytic studies of lithium complexes bearing pendant aminophenolate ligands

Lithium complexes bearing mono-anionic aminophenolate ligands are described. Reactions of ligand precursors HON(Me)Ph(OMe), HON(Me)Ph(SMe), HON(Me)C(OMe) or HON(Me)C(NMe2) [HON(Me)Ph(OMe) = (2-OMeC6H4CH2)N(Me)(CH2-2-HO-3,5-C6H2((t)Bu)2); HON(Me)Ph(SMe)= (2-SMe-C6H4CH2)N(Me)(CH2-2-HO-3,5-C6H2((t)Bu)2); HON(Me)C(OMe) = (MeOCH(2)CH2)N(Me)(CH2-2-HO-3,5-C6H2((t)Bu)2); HON(Me)C(NMe2) = (Me2NCH2CH2)N(Me)(CH2-2-HO-3,5-C6H2((t)Bu)2)] with 1.1-1.3 molar equivalents of (n)BuLi in diethyl ether solution afford (LiON(Me)Ph(OMe))(2) (3), (LiON(Me)Ph(SMe))2 (4), (LiON(Me)C(OMe))2 (5) and (LiON(Me)C(NMe2))2 (6) as dinuclear lithium complexes. The BnOH adduct of , (BnOH)(LiON(Me)C(OMe)) (7), was prepared from the reaction of and BnOH in diethyl ether solution. The molecular structures are reported for ligand precursor HON(Me)Ph(SMe) and compounds 3-5 and 7. These dinuclear lithium complexes show excellent catalytic activities toward the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide in the presence of benzyl alcohol.     

N- versus P-coordination in bis(amino)cyclodiphosph(III)azane complexes of aluminum

The reaction of the bis(amino)cyclodiphosph(III)azane, cis-{(tBuNH)(2)(PNtBu)(2)}, with AlMe(3), AlClMe(2), AlCl(2)Me, and AlCl(3) is reported. The less Lewis acidic compound AlMe(3) forms the adduct cis-[(tBuNH)(2)(PNtBu){P.(AlMe(3))NtBu}] (1), in which the aluminum atom is exclusively coordinated to one phosphorus atom. At elevated temperatures AlMe(3) undergoes migratory exchange between the two phosphorus atoms, but no methane elimination is observed. By using the more Lewis acidic compound AlClMe(2) the P-coordinated compound cis-[(tBuNH)(2)(PNtBu){P(AlClMe(2))NtBu}] (2) can be obtained at low temperatures. Compound 2 rearranges irreversibly to a product in which the AlClMe(2) group is coordinated by one exo-cyclic nitrogen atom. A concomitant 1,2-H shift from this nitrogen atom onto the phosphorus atom is observed. The N-coordinated rearrangement product slowly decomposes via a P-N bond cleavage in solution. Reaction of the even more Lewis acidic compounds AlCl(2)Me and AlCl(3) finally led to stable adducts, cis-[(tBuNH)(PNtBu)(tBuNAlCl(2)Me){P(H)NtBu}] (3), and cis-[(tBuNH)(PNtBu)(tBuNAlCl(3)){P(H)NtBu}] (4), in which the aluminum atoms are N-coordinated by a tBuN=PH unit.     

Synthesis, molecular structure and properties of the [H6-nNi30C4(CO)34(CdCl)2]n- (n=3-6) bimetallic carbide carbonyl cluster: a model for the growth of noncompact interstitial metal carbides

Reaction of the [Ni(9)C(CO)(17)](2-) dianion with CdCl(2)2.5 H(2)O in THF affords the novel bimetallic Ni--Cd carbide carbonyl clusters [H(6-n)Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(micro(5)-CdCl)(2)](n-) (n=3-6), which undergo several protonation-deprotonation equilibria in solution depending on the basicity of the solvent or upon addition of acids or bases. Although the occurrence in solution of these equilibria complicates the pertinent electrochemical studies on their electron-transfer activity, they clearly indicate that the clusters [H(6-n)Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(micro(5)-CdCl)(2)](n-) (n=3-6), as well as the structurally related [H(6-n)Ni(34)C(4)(CO)(38)](n-) (n=4-6), undergo reversible or partially reversible redox processes and provide circumstantial and unambiguous evidence for the presence of hydrides for n=3, 4 and 5. Three of the [H(6-n)Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(micro(5)-CdCl)(2)](n-) anions (n=4-6) have been structurally characterized in their [NMe(3)(CH(2)Ph)](4)[H(2)Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(CdCl)(2)]2 COMe(2), [NEt(4)](5)[HNi(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(CdCl)(2)]2 MeCN and [NMe(4)](6)[Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(CdCl)(2)]6 MeCN salts, respectively. All three anions display almost identical geometries and bonding parameters, probably because charge effects are minimized by delocalization over such a large metal carbonyl anion. Moreover, the Ni(30)C(4) core in these Ni-Cd carbide clusters is identical within experimental error to those present in the [HNi(34)C(4)(CO)(38)](5-) and [Ni(35)C(4)(CO)(39)](6-) species, suggesting that the stepwise assembly of their nickel carbide cores may represent a general pathway of growth of nickel polycarbide clusters. The fact that the [H(6-n)Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(micro(5)-CdCl)(2)](n-)(n=4-6) anions display two valence electrons more than the structurally related [H(6-n)Ni(34)C(4)(CO)(38)](n-) (n=4-6) species has been rationalized by extended Hückel molecular orbital (EHMO) analysis.     

Terminal titanium-ligand multiple bonds. Cleavages of C=O and C=S double bonds with Ti imido complexes

Treatment of (t-)BuN=TiCl(2)Py(3) with 2 equiv lithium ketiminate compound, Li[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)] (where Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), in toluene at room temperature gave (t-)BuN=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (1) in high yield. The reaction of 1 with phenyl isocyanate at room-temperature resulted in imido ligand exchange producing PhN=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (2). Compound 1 decomposed at 90 degrees C to form a terminal titanium oxo compound O=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (3) and (t-)BuNHCMeCHCMeNAr (4). Also, the compound 3 could be obtained by reacting 1 with CO(2) under mild condition. Similarly, while 1 reacts with an excess of carbon disulfide, a novel terminal titanium sulfido compound S=Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2) (5) was formed via a C=S bond breaking reaction. A novel titanium isocyanate compound Ti[OCMeCHCMeN(Ar)](2)(NCO)(OEt) (6) was formed on heating 1 with 1 equiv of urethane, H(2)NCOOEt. Compounds 1-6 have been characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopies. The molecular structures of 1, 3, 5, and 6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A theoretical calculation predicted that the cleavage of the C-S double bonds for carbon disulfide with the Ti=N bond of compound 1 was estimated at ca. 21.8 kcal.mol(-1) exothermic.     

Molecular precursors to gallium oxide thin films

The donor-functionalised alkoxides [Et(2)Ga(OR)](2)(R = CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)(1), CH(CH(2)NMe(2))(2)(2), CH(2)CH(2)OMe (3), CH(CH(3))CH(2)NMe(2)(4), C(CH(3))(2)CH(2)OMe (5)) were synthesised by the 1:1 reaction of Et(3)Ga with ROH in hexane or dichloromethane at room temperature. Reaction of Et(3)Ga with excess ROH in refluxing toluene resulted in the isolation of a 1:1 mixture of [Et(2)Ga(OR)](2) and the ethylgallium bisalkoxide [EtGa(OR)(2)](R = CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)(6) or CH(CH(3))CH(2)NMe(2)(7)). X-ray crystallography showed that compound 6 is monomeric and this complex represents the first structurally characterised monomeric gallium bisalkoxide. Homoleptic gallium trisalkoxides [Ga(OR)(3)](2) were prepared by the 1:6 reaction of [Ga(NMe(2))(3)](2) with ROH (R = CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2)(8), CH(CH(3))CH(2)NMe(2)(9), C(CH(3))(2)CH(2)OMe (10)). The decomposition of compounds 1, 4, 5 and 8 were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis. Low pressure CVD of 1 and 5 resulted in the formation of thin films of crystalline Ga(2)O(3).     

X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory studies of [(H3buea)FeIII-X]n- (X = S2-, O2-, OH-): comparison of bonding and hydrogen bonding in oxo and sulfido complexes

Iron L-edge, iron K-edge, and sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy was performed on a series of compounds [Fe(III)H(3)buea(X)](n-) (X = S(2-), O(2-), OH(-)). The experimentally determined electronic structures were used to correlate to density functional theory calculations. Calculations supported by the data were then used to compare the metal-ligand bonding and to evaluate the effects of H-bonding in Fe(III)(-)O vs Fe(III)(-)S complexes. It was found that the Fe(III)(-)O bond, while less covalent, is stronger than the Fe(III)(-)S bond. This dominantly reflects the larger ionic contribution to the Fe(III)(-)O bond. The H-bonding energy (for three H-bonds) was estimated to be -25 kcal/mol for the oxo as compared to -12 kcal/mol for the sulfide ligand. This difference is attributed to the larger charge density on the oxo ligand resulting from the lower covalency of the Fe-O bond. These results were extended to consider an Fe(IV)(-)O complex with the same ligand environment. It was found that hydrogen bonding to Fe(IV)(-)O is less energetically favorable than that to Fe(III)(-)O, which reflects the highly covalent nature of the Fe(IV)(-)O bond.