Low-Valent MxAl3 Cluster Salts with Tetrahedral [SiAl3]+ and Trigonal-Bipyramidal [M2Al3]2+ Cores (M=Si/Ge)

Schnöckel's [(AlCp*)₄] and Jutzi's [SiCp*][B(C₆F₅)₄] (Cp*=C₅Me₅) are landmarks in modern main-group chemistry with diverse applications in synthesis and catalysis. Despite the isoelectronic relationship between the AlCp* and the [SiCp*]⁺ fragments, their mutual reactivity is hitherto unknown. Here, we report on their reaction giving the complex salts [Cp*Si(AlCp*)₃][WCA] ([WCA]⁻=[Al(OR^F)₄]⁻ and [F{Al(OR^F)₃}₂]⁻; R^F=C(CF₃)₃). The tetrahedral [SiAl₃]⁺ core not only represents a rare example of a low-valent silicon-doped aluminium-cluster, but also—due to its facile accessibility and high stability—provides a convenient preparative entry towards low-valent Si−Al clusters in general. For example, an elusive binuclear [Si₂(AlCp*)₅]²⁺ with extremely short Al−Si bonds and a high negative partial charge at the Si atoms was structurally characterised and its bonding situation analysed by DFT. Crystals of the isostructural [Ge₂(AlCp*)₅]²⁺ dication were also obtained and represent the first mixed Al−Ge cluster.     

Complexation and Versatile Reactivity of a Highly Lewis Acidic Cationic Mg Complex with Alkynes and Phosphines

[(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 1 ; BDI=CH[C(CH₃)NDipp]₂; Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) was prepared by reaction of (BDI)MgnPr with [Ph₃C⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻]. Addition of 3-hexyne gave [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ (EtC≡CEt)][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻]. Single-crystal X-ray analysis, NMR investigations, Raman spectra, and DFT calculations indicate a significant Mg-alkyne interaction. Addition of the terminal alkynes PhC≡CH or Me₃SiC≡CH led to alkyne deprotonation by the BDI ligand to give [(BDI-H)Mg⁺(C≡CPh)]₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 2 , 70 %) and [(BDI-H)Mg⁺(C≡CSiMe₃)]₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 3 , 63 %). Addition of internal alkynes PhC≡CPh or PhC≡CMe led to [4+2] cycloadditions with the BDI ligand to give {Mg⁺C(Ph)=C(Ph)C[C(Me)=NDipp]₂}₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 4 , 53 %) and {Mg⁺C(Ph)=C(Me)C[C(Me)=NDipp]₂}₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 5 , 73 %), in which the Mg center is N,N,C-chelated. The (BDI)Mg⁺ cation can be viewed as an intramolecular frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) with a Lewis acidic site (Mg) and a Lewis (or Brønsted) basic site (BDI). Reaction of [(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 1 ) with a range of phosphines varying in bulk and donor strength generated [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PPh₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 6 ), [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PCy₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 7 ), and [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PtBu₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 8 ). The bulkier phosphine PMes₃ (Mes=mesityl) did not show any interaction. Combinations of [(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] and phosphines did not result in addition to the triple bond in 3-hexyne, but during the screening process it was discovered that the cationic magnesium complex catalyzes the hydrophosphination of PhC≡CH with HPPh₂, for which an FLP-type mechanism is tentatively proposed.     

Pentafluoroethylaluminates: A Combined Synthetic,Spectroscopic, and Structural Study

Salts of the tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate anion [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻ were obtained from AlCl₃ and LiC₂F₅. They were isolated with different counter-cations and characterized by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Degradation of the [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻ ion was found to proceed via 1,2-fluorine shifts and stepwise loss of CF(CF₃) under formation of [(C₂F₅)_4−nAlF_n]⁻ (n=1–4) as assessed by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and supported by results of DFT calculations. In addition, the [(C₂F₅)AlF₃]⁻ ion was structurally characterized.     

Darstellung von Dithiatetrazocinen und Folgereaktionen

Preparation of Dithiatetrazocine and Secondary Reactions Li[PhCN₂(SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) or PhCN₂(SiMe₃)₃ ( 3 ) react with SCl₂ to give in good yields the dithiatetrazocine PhC(NSN)₂CPh ( 2 ). By analogy, p-MeC₆H₄C(NSN)₂CC₆H₄Me-p ( 7 ), p-NO₂C₆H₄C(NSN)₂-CC₆H₄NO₂-p ( 8 ), and p-CF₃C₆H₄C(NSN)₂CC₆H₄CF₃-p ( 9 ) are obtained from the reaction of p-MeC₆H₄CN₂(SiMe₃)₃ ( 4 ), Li[p-NO₂-C₆H₄CN₂(SiMe₃)₂] ( 5 ), und Li[p-CF₃C₆H₄CN₂(SiMe₃)₂] ( 6 ) with SCl₂. Reaction of 2 /LiCl with AgAsF₆ in liquid SO₂ leads to [PhCN₂S₂]⁺[AsF₆]⁻ ( 10 ) and 3[PhCN₂S₂]⁺2[AsF₆]⁻Cl⁻ ( 11 ). The structures of 10 and 11 are confirmed by X-ray analyses.     

Aluminum(III) Cations [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes2]+: Synthesis,Characterization, and Application in FLP-Chemistry

The three-coordinate aluminum cations ligated by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ (NHC=IMe^Me 4 , IiPr^Me 5 , IiPr 6 , Mes=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) were prepared via hydride abstraction of the alanes (NHC) ⋅ AlHMes₂ (NHC=IMe^Me 1 , IiPr^Me 2 , IiPr 3 ) using [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ in toluene as hydride acceptor. If this reaction was performed in diethyl ether, the corresponding four-coordinate aluminum etherate cations [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes₂(OEt₂)]⁺ [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 7 – 9 (NHC=IMe^Me 7 , IiPr^Me 8 , IiPr 9 ) were isolated. According to a theoretical and experimental assessment of the Lewis-acidity of the [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺ cation is the acidity larger than that of B(C₆F₅)₃ and of similar magnitude as reported for Al(C₆F₅)₃. The reaction of [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 4 with the sterically less demanding, basic phosphine PMe₃ afforded a mixed NHC/phosphine stabilized cation [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂(PMe₃)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 10 . Equimolar mixtures of 4 and the sterically more demanding PCy₃ gave a frustrated Lewis-pair (FLP), i.e., [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻/PCy₃ FLP-11 , which reacts with small molecules such as CO₂, ethene, and 2-butyne.     

Tri- and Tetranuclear Metal-String Complexes with Metallophilic d10–d10 Interactions

The reaction of 2,6-F₂C₆H₃SiMe₃ with Ph₂PLi provided 2,6-(Ph₂P)₂C₆H₃SiMe₃ ( 1 ), which can be regarded as precursor for the novel anionic tridentate ligand [2,6-(Ph₂P)₂C₆H₃]⁻ (PCP)⁻. The reaction of 1 with [AuCl(tht)] (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) afforded 2,6-(Ph₂PAuCl)₂C₆H₃SiMe₃ ( 2 ). The subsequent reaction of 2 with CsF proceeded with elimination of Me₃SiF and yielded the neutral tetranuclear complex linear-[Au₄Cl₂(PCP)₂] ( 3 ) comprising a string-like arrangement of four Au atoms. Upon chloride abstraction from 3 with NaBAr^F₄ (Ar^F=3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) in the presence of tht, the formation of the dicationic tetranuclear complex linear-[Au₄(PCP)₂(tht)₂](BAr^F₄)₂ ( 4 ) was observed, in which the string-like structural motif is retained. Irradiation of 4 with UV light triggered a facile rearrangement in solution giving rise to the dicationic tetranuclear complex cyclo-[Au₄(PCP)₂(tht)₂](BAr^F₄) ( 5 ), which comprises a rhomboidal motif of four Au atoms. In 3 – 5 , the Au atoms are associated by a number of significant aurophilic interactions. The atom-economic and selective reaction of 3 with HgCl₂ yielded the neutral trinuclear bimetallic complex [HgAu₂Cl₃(PCP)] ( 6 ) comprising significant metallophilic interactions between the Au and Hg atoms. Therefore, 6 may be also regarded as a metallopincer complex [ClHg(AuCAu)] between Hg^II and the anionic tridentate ligand [2,6-(Ph₂PAuCl)₂C₆H₃]⁻ (AuCAu)⁻ containing a central carbanionic binding site and two “gold-arms” contributing pincer-type chelation trough metallophilic interactions. Compounds 1 – 6 were characterized experimentally by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography and computationally using a set of real-space bond indicators (RSBIs) derived from electron density (ED) methods including Atoms In Molecules (AIM), the Electron Localizability Indicator (ELI-D) as well as the Non-Covalent Interaction (NCI) Index.     

An Anionic Amido-Substituted Seven-Vertex Siliconoid Cluster

The silanide [Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₃]⁻ ( 1 ) transforms into the anionic siliconoid cluster [Si₇{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₃]⁻ ( 2 ) with four unsubstituted silicon atoms as a contact ion pair with [K([18]crown-6)] in C₆D₆ at room temperature within five weeks. Anion 2 was investigated by natural population analysis and visualization of intrinsic atomic orbitals. Magnetically induced current-density calculations of 2 revealed two distinct strong diatropic vortices that sum up in one direction and create a strongly shielded apical silicon atom in 2 .     

Synthesis and Characterization of Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate

While perfluorinated aryl, aryloxy and alkoxy aluminum species are well-established as weakly coordinating anions (WCAs), corresponding perfluoroalkyl aluminum derivatives are virtually unknown. Reaction of Si(C₂F₅)₃CH₃ with Li[AlH₄] afforded the tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate, [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻. Several salts of the [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻ ion were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopic methods, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction studies and elemental analysis.     

Titanium(IV) Cations with Trigonal Monopyramidal Geometry: Unusual Lewis Acids Supported by a Triaryl Triamidoamine Ligand

Protonolysis of the titanium alkyl complex [Ti(CH₂SiMe₃)(Xy-N₃N)] (Xy-N₃N=[{(3,5-Me₂C₆H₃)NCH₂CH₂}₃N]³⁻) supported by a triamidoamine ligand, with [NEt₃H][B(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)₄] or [PhNMe₂H][B(C₆F₅)₄] afforded the cations [Ti(Xy-N₃N)][A] (A⁻=[B(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)₄]⁻ ( 1[B(Ar^Cl)₄] ; B(Ar^Cl)₄=tetrakis(3,5-dichlorophenyl)borate); A⁻=[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ ( 1[B(Ar^F)₄] ; B(Ar^F)₄=tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate). These Lewis acidic cations were reacted with coordinating solvents to afford the cations [Ti(L)(Xy-N₃N)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 2-L ; L=Et₂O, pyridine and THF). XRD analysis revealed a trigonal monopyramidal (TMP) geometry for the tetracoordinate cations in 1[B(Ar^X)₄] and trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) geometry for the pentacoordinate cations in 2-L . Variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy showed a dynamic equilibrium for 2-Et₂O in solution, involving the dissociation of Et₂O. Coordination to the titanium(IV) center activated the THF molecule, which, in the presence of NEt₃, underwent ring-opening to give the titanium alkoxide [Ti(O(CH₂)₄NEt₃)(Xy-N₃N)][B(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)₄] ( 3 ). Hydride abstraction from C_β,eq of the triamidoamine ligand arm in [Ti(CH₂SiMe₃)(Xy-N₃N)] or [Ti(NMe₂)(Xy-N₃N)] with [Ph₃C][B(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)₄] led to the diamidoamine–imine complex [Ti(R){(Xy-N=CHCH₂)(Xy-NCH₂CH₂)₂N}][B(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)₄] (R=CH₂SiMe₃ ( 4 a ); R=NMe₂ ( 4 b )). Hydride addition to 4 b with [Li(THF)][HBPh₃] gave [Ti(NMe₂)(Xy-N₃N)], whereas KH deprotonated further to give [Ti(NMe₂){(Xy-NCH=CH)(Xy-NCH₂CH₂)₂N}] ( 5 ). XRD on single crystals of 3 and 4 b confirmed the proposed structures.     

Synthese und Molekülstruktur von [Al(SiMe3)3(DBU)] (DBU = 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-en)

Synthesis and Molecular Structure of [Al(SiMe₃)₃(DBU)] (DBU = 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene) [Al(SiMe₃)₃(OEt₂)] reacts with DBU (DBU = 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene) at 0 °C yielding [Al(SiMe₃)₃ · (DBU)] ( 1 ). 1 was characterised spectroscopically (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ²⁷Al NMR, IR, MS) and by X-ray structure determination [monoclinic, C2/c, a = 33.053(2), b = 9.307(1), c = 20.810(1) Å, β = 124.07(2)°, V = 5302.4(5) ų, Z = 8, 218(2) K]. 1 does not react with [Cp₂ZrCl₂] even in boiling toluene.     

Comparison of Characteristic Structural Features among the Triade of Tris(cyclopentadienyl)(Group-4 Metal) Complex Cations: a Combined Theoretical and Experimental Study

A density functional theory computational chemistry study has revealed a fundamental structural difference between [Ti(Cp)₃]⁺ and its congeners [Zr(Cp)₃]⁺ and [Hf(Cp)₃]⁺/(Cp=cyclopentadienyl). Whereas the latter two are found to contain three uniformely η⁵-coordinated Cp ligands (3η⁵-structural type), [Ti(Cp)₃]⁺ is shown to prefer a 2η⁵η² structure. [Ti(Cp)₃]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻ ( 10 ⋅[B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻) was experimentally generated by treatment of [Ti(Cp)₃(Me)] ( 7a ) with B(C₆F₅)₃ (Scheme 3). Low-temperature ¹H-NMR spectroscopy in CDFCl₂ (143 K, 600 MHz; Fig. 8) showed a splitting of the Cp resonance into five lines in a 2 : 5 : 2 : 5 : 1 ratio which would be in accord with the theoretically predicted 2η⁵η²-type structure of [Ti(Cp)₃]⁺. The precursor [Ti(Cp)₃(Me)] ( 7a ) exhibits two ¹H-NMR Cp resonances in a 10 : 5 ratio in CD₂Cl₂ at 223 K. Treatment of [HfCl(Cp)₂(Me)] ( 6c ) with sodium cyclopentadienide gave [Hf(Cp)₃(Me)] ( 7c ) (Scheme 1). Its reaction with B(C₆F₅)₃ furnished the salt [Hf(Cp)₃]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻ ( 8 ⋅[B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻), which reacted with tert-butyl isocyanide to give the cationic complex [Hf(Cp)₃(C=N−CMe₃)]⁺ ( 9a ; with counterion [B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻ (Scheme 2). Complex cation 9a was characterized by X-ray diffraction (Fig. 7). Its Hf(Cp₃) moiety is of the 3η⁵-type. The structure is distorted trigonal-pyramidal with an average D−Hf−D angle of 118.8° and an average D−Hf−C(1) angle of 96.5° (D denotes the centroids of the Cp rings; Table 6). Cation 9a is a typical d⁰-isocyanide complex exhibiting structural parameters of the C≡N−CMe₃ group (d(C(1)−N(2))=1.146 (5) Å; IR: v˜(C≡N) 2211 cm⁻¹) very similar to free uncomplexed isonitrile. Analogous treatment of 8 with carbon monoxide yielded the carbonyl (d⁰-group-4-metal) complex [Hf(Cp)₃(CO)]⁺ ( 9b ; with counterion [B(C₆F₅)₃(Me)]⁻) (Scheme 2) that was also characterized by X-ray crystal-structure analysis (Fig. 6). Complex 9b is also of the 3η⁵-structural type, similar to the peviously described cationic complex [Zr(Cp)₃(CO)]⁺, and exhibits properties of the CO ligand (d(C−O)=1.11 (2) Å; IR: v˜(C≡O) 2137 cm⁻¹) very similar to the free carbon monoxide molecule.     

Synthesis of neutral and cationic monocyclopentadienyl alkyl niobium and tantalum complexes

Compound [NbCp′Me₄] (Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃, 1) reacted with several ROH compounds (R = tBu, SiiPr₃, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) to give the derivatives [NbCp′Me₃(OR)] (R = tBu 2a, SiiPr₃2b, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃2c). The diaryloxo tantalum compound [TaCp^∗Me₂(OR)₂] (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃3) was obtained by reaction of [TaCp^∗Cl₂Me₂] with 2 equiv of LiOR (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃). Abstraction of one methyl group from these neutral compounds 1-3 with the Lewis acids E(C₆F₅)₃ (E = B, Al) gave the ionic derivatives [NbCp′Me₂X][MeE(C₆F₅)₃] (X = Me 4-E. X = OR; R = SiiPr₃5b-E, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃5c-E. E = B, Al) and [TaCp^∗Me(OR)₂][MeE(C₆F₅)₃] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃6-E; E = B, Al). Polymerization of MMA with the aryloxoniobium compound 2c and Al(C₆F₅)₃ gave syndiotactic PMMA in a low yield, whereas the tetramethylniobium compound 1 and the diaryloxotantalum derivative 3 were inactive.     

Cationic Allyl Complexes of the Rare‐Earth Metals: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and 1,3‐Butadiene Polymerization Catalysis

Monocationic bis‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La, Nd; X=H, F) and dicationic mono‐allyl complexes of yttrium and the early lanthanides [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₆]²⁺[BPh₄]₂^? (Ln=La, Nd) were prepared by protonolysis of the tris‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(diox)] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; diox=1,4‐dioxane) isolated as a 1,4‐dioxane‐bridged dimer (Ln=Ce) or THF adducts [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(thf)₂] (Ln=Ce, Pr). Allyl abstraction from the neutral tris‐allyl complex by a Lewis acid, ER₃ (Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃) gave the ion pair [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[ER₃(η¹‐CH₂CH?CH₂)]^? (Ln=Y, La; ER₃=Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃). Benzophenone inserts into the La? C_allyl bond of [La(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^? to form the alkoxy complex [La{OCPh₂(CH₂CH?CH₂)}₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^?. The monocationic half‐sandwich complexes [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La; X=H, F) were synthesized from the neutral precursors [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)] by protonolysis. For 1,3‐butadiene polymerization catalysis, the yttrium‐based systems were more active than the corresponding lanthanum or neodymium homologues, giving polybutadiene with approximately 90 % 1,4‐cis stereoselectivity.     

Low-Valent Group 14 NHC-Stabilized Phosphinidenide ate Complexes and NHC-Stabilized K/P-Clusters

The N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilized phosphinidenide, SIMesPK [SIMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolidine-2-ylidene], was used as an (NHC)P-transfer reagent for the synthesis of the low-valent Group 14 ate complexes K[(SIMesP)₃E] (E=Ge: 2 , Sn: 3 , Pb: 4 ), which were characterized by ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, IR spectroscopy as well as elemental and X-ray analysis. Furthermore, SIMesPK was used in reactions with potassium amides and alkoxides to form the molecular phosphorus–potassium clusters [K₄(SIMesP)₂(hmds)₂] [ 5 , hmds=N(SiMe₃)₂] and [K₆(SIMesP)₂(OtBu)₄] ( 6 ). Finally, the reaction of SIMesPK with Li[Al(OC₄F₉)₄] led to the potassium-rich ionic compound [(SIMesP)₄K₅][Al(OC₄F₉)₄] ( 7 ).     

MAO‐free and extremely active catalytic system for ethylene tetramerization

The original Sasol catalytic system for ethylene tetramerization is composed of a Cr source, a PNP ligand, and MAO (methylaluminoxane). The use of expensive MAO in excess has been a critical concern in commercial operation. Many efforts have been made to replace MAO with non‐coordinating anions (e.g., [B(C₆F₅)₄]^?); however, most of such attempts were unsuccessful. Herein, an extremely active catalytic system that avoids the use of MAO is presented. The successive addition of two equivalent [H(OEt₂)₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? and one equivalent CrCl₃(THF)₃ to (acac)AlEt₂ and subsequent treatment with a PNP ligand [CH₃(CH₂)₁₆]₂C(H)N(PPh₂)₂ ( 1 ) yielded a complex presumably formulated as [ 1 ‐CrAl (acac)Cl₃(THF)]²⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^?₂, which exhibited high activity when combined with iBu₃Al (1120 kg/g‐Cr/h; ~4 times that of the original Sasol system composed of Cr (acac)₃, iPrN(PPh₂)₂, and MAO). Via the introduction of bulky trialkylsilyl substituents such as –SiMe₃, –Si(nBu)₃, or –SiMe₂(CH₂)₇CH₃ at the para‐position of phenyl groups in 1 (i.e., by using [CH₃(CH₂)₁₆]₂C(H)N[P(C₆H₄‐p‐SiR₃)₂]₂ instead of 1 ), the activities were dramatically improved, i.e., tripled (2960–3340 kg/g‐Cr/h; more than 10 times that of the original Sasol system). The generation of significantly less PE (<0.2 wt%) even at a high temperature is another advantage achieved by the introduction of bulky trialkylsilyl substituents. NMR studies and DFT calculations suggest that increase of the steric bulkiness on the alkyl‐N and P‐aryl moieties restrict the free rotation around (alkyl)N–P (aryl) bonds, which may cause the generation of more robust active species in higher proportion, leading to extremely high activity along with the generation of a smaller amount of PE.     

Cationic Niobium-Sandwich and Piano-Stool Complexes

The syntheses of the homoleptic bis(arene) niobium cations [Nb(arene)₂]⁺ (arene = C₆H₃Me₃, C₆H₅Me) with 16 valence electrons and heteroleptic arene-carbonyl cations [(CO)Nb(arene)₂]⁺ (arene = C₆H₃Me₃, C₆H₅Me) and [(arene)M(CO)₄]⁺ (arene = C₆H₃Me₃, C₆H₆) obeying 18 valence electrons are described. Stabilization of these complexes was achieved by using the weakly coordinating anions [Al(OR^F)₄]⁻ or [F{Al(OR^F)₃}₂]⁻ (R^F = C(CF₃)₃). The limits of two synthesis routes starting from neutral Nb(arene)₂ (arene = C₆H₃Me₃, C₆H₅Me) or [NEt₄][M(CO)₆] (M = Nb, Ta) were investigated. All compounds were analyzed by single crystal X-ray determination, vibrational and NMR spectroscopy. DFT calculations were executed to support the experimental data.     

Subvalente Galliumtriflate – mögliche Ausgangsverbindungen für Clusterverbindungen des Galliums

Subvalent Gallium Triflates – Potentially Useful Starting Materials for Gallium Cluster Compounds By reaction of GaCp* with trifluormethanesulfonic acid in hexane a mixture of gallium trifluormethanesulfonates (triflates, OTf) is obtained. This mixture reacts readily with lithiumsilanides [Li(thf)₃Si(SiMe₃)₂R] (R = Me, SiMe₃) to afford the cluster compounds [Ga₆{Si(SiMe₃)Me}₆], [Ga₂{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₄] and [Ga₁₀{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₆]. By crystallization from various solvents the gallium triflates [Ga(OTf)₃(thf)₃], [HGa(OTf)(thf)₄]⁺ [Ga(OTf)₄(thf)₃]⁻, [Cp*GaGa(OTf)₂]₂ and [Ga(toluene)₂]⁺ [Ga₅(OTf)₆(Cp*)₂]⁻ were isolated and characterized by single crystal X ray structure analysis.     

Univalent Gallium Complexes of Simple and ansa‐Arene Ligands: Effects on the Polymerization of Isobutylene

Using [Ga(C₆H₅F)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^?( 1 ) (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) as starting material, we isolated bis‐ and tris‐η⁶‐coordinated gallium(I) arene complex salts of p‐xylene (1,4‐Me₂C₆H₄), hexamethylbenzene (C₆Me₆), diphenylethane (PhC₂H₄Ph), and m‐terphenyl (1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄): [Ga(1,4‐Me₂C₆H₄)_2.5]⁺ ( 2⁺ ), [Ga(C₆Me₆)₂]⁺ ( 3⁺ ), [Ga(PhC₂H₄Ph)]⁺ ( 4⁺ ) and [(C₆H₅F)Ga(μ‐1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄)₂Ga(C₆H₅F)]²⁺ ( 5²⁺ ). 4⁺ is the first structurally characterized ansa‐like bent sandwich chelate of univalent gallium and 5²⁺ the first binuclear gallium(I) complex without a Ga?Ga bond. Beyond confirming the structural findings by multinuclear NMR spectroscopic investigations and density functional calculations (RI‐BP86/SV(P) level), [Ga(PhC₂H₄Ph)]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^?( 4 ) and [(C₆H₅F)Ga(μ‐1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄)₂Ga(C₆H₅F)]²⁺{[Al(OR^F)₄] ^?}₂ ( 5 ), featuring ansa‐arene ligands, were tested as catalysts for the synthesis of highly reactive polyisobutylene (HR‐PIB). In comparison to the recently published 1 and the [Ga(1,3,5‐Me₃C₆H₃)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? salt ( 6 ) (1,3,5‐Me₃C₆H₃=mesitylene), 4 and 5 gave slightly reduced reactivities. This allowed for favorably increased polymerization temperatures of up to +15 °C, while yielding HR‐PIB with high contents of terminal olefinic double bonds (α‐contents=84–93 %), low molecular weights (M_n=1000–3000 g mol^?1) and good monomer conversions (up to 83 % in two hours). While the chelate complexes delivered more favorable results than 1 and 6 , the reaction kinetics resembled and thus concurred with the recently proposed coordinative polymerization mechanism.     

Synthesis, structures and photophysics of novel luminescent platinum–copper complexes

The novel hexanuclear platinum–copper complex [Pt₂Cu₄(C₆F₅)₄(CC^tBu)₄(acetone)₂] (1) and the polynuclear derivative [PtCu₂(C₆F₅)₂(CCPh)₂]_x (2), which crystallises in acetone as [Pt₂Cu₄(C₆F₅)₄(CCPh)₄(acetone)₄] (2)·(acetone)₄, have been prepared using [cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(THF)₂] and the corresponding copper–acetylide [Cu(CCR)]_x (molar ratio 1:2) as starting materials. Treatment of 1 and 2 with 2,2′-bipyridine (molar ratio Cu–bipy 1:1), afforded the new trinuclear derivatives [{cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(μ-CCR)₂}{Cu(bipy)}₂] (R=^tBu 3, Ph 4), in which the dianionic 3-platina-1,4-diyne acts as a didentate bridging ligand to two different cationic Cu(bipy) units through η²-side-on coordination of the alkynyl fragments. While similar treatment of 1 with dppe (Cu–dppe 1:1) yielded [{cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(μ-CC^tBu)₂}{Cu(dppe)}₂] (5), the analogous reaction of 2 with dppe afforded a mixture of complexes containing [Pt(C₆F₅)(CCPh)(dppe)] as the main platinum compound. The crystal structures of 1, 2·(acetone)₄, 3 and 4 and the luminescent behaviour of all complexes have been determined. A comparison of the photoluminescent spectra of 1 and 2 with those of the related platinum–silver species [PtAg₂(C₆F₅)₂(CCR)₂]_x and the monomeric [cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(CCR)₂]²⁻ suggests the presence of emitting states bearing a large cluster [PtM₂]_x-to-ligand (alkynide) charge transfer (CLCT).     

Coordination Chemistry of Diiodine and Implications for the Oxidation Capacity of the Synergistic Ag+/X2 (X=Cl,Br, I) System

The synergistic Ag⁺/X₂ system (X=Cl, Br, I) is a very strong, but ill‐defined oxidant—more powerful than X₂ or Ag⁺ alone. Intermediates for its action may include [Ag_m(X₂)_n]^m+ complexes. Here, we report on an unexpectedly variable coordination chemistry of diiodine towards this direction: ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ), [Ag₂(I₂)₄]²⁺( A ⁻)₂ and [Ag₂(I₂)₆]²⁺( A ⁻)₂⋅(I₂)_x≈0.65 form by reaction of Ag( A ) ( A =Al(OR^F)₄; R^F=C(CF₃)₃) with diiodine (single crystal/powder XRD, Raman spectra and quantum‐mechanical calculations). The molecular ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ) is ideally set up to act as a 2 e⁻ oxidant with stoichiometric formation of 2 AgI and 2 A ⁻. Preliminary reactivity tests proved this ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ) starting material to oxidize n‐C₅H₁₂, C₃H₈, CH₂Cl₂, P₄ or S₈ at room temperature. A rough estimate of its electron affinity places it amongst very strong oxidizers like MF₆ (M=4d metals). This suggests that ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ) will serve as an easily in bulk accessible, well‐defined, and very potent oxidant with multiple applications.