Synthesis and Characterization of a Singlet Delocalized 2,4‐Diimino‐1,3‐disilacyclobutanediyl and a Silylenylsilaimine

The synthesis and characterization of a singlet delocalized 2,4‐diimino‐1,3‐disilacyclobutanediyl, [LSi(μ‐CNAr)₂SiL] ( 2 , L: PhC(NtBu)₂, Ar: 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃), and a silylenylsilaimine, [LSi(?NAr)? SiL] ( 3 ), are described. The reaction of three equivalents of the disilylene [LSi? SiL] ( 1 ) with two equivalents of ArN?C?NAr in toluene at room temperature for 12 h afforded [LSi(μ‐CNAr)₂SiL] ( 2 ) and [LSi(?NAr)? SiL] ( 3 ) in a ratio of 1:2. Compounds 2 and 3 have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. Compound 2 was also investigated by theoretical studies. The results show that compound 2 possesses singlet biradicaloid character with an extensive electronic delocalization throughout the Si₂C₂ four‐membered ring and exocyclic C?N bonds. Compound 3 is the first example of a silylenylsilaimine, which contains a low‐valent silicon center and a silaimine substituent. A mechanism for the formation of 2 and 3 is also proposed.     

Synthesis and characterization of an amidinate-stabilized cis-1,2-disilylenylethene [cis-LSi{C(Ph)=C(H)}SiL] and a singlet delocalized biradicaloid [LSi(μ(2)-C(2)Ph(2))(2)SiL

The synthesis and characterization of novel cis-1,2-disilylenylethene [cis-LSi{C(Ph)=C(H)}SiL] (2; L=PhC(NtBu)(2)) and a singlet delocalized biradicaloid [LSi(μ(2)-C(2)Ph(2))(2)SiL] (3) are described. Compound 2 was prepared by the reaction of [{PhC(NtBu)(2)}Si:](2) (1) with one equivalent of PhC[triple chemical bond]CH in toluene. Compound 3 was synthesized by the reaction of 1 with two equivalents of PhC[triple chemical bond]CPh in toluene. The results suggest that the reaction proceeds through an [LSi{C(Ph)==C(Ph)}SiL] intermediate, which then reacts with another molecule of PhC[triple chemical bond]CPh to form 3. Compounds 2 and 3 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations of 3 show that the singlet biradicals are stabilized by the amidinate ligand and the delocalization within the "Si(μ(2)-C(2)Ph(2))(2)Si" six-membered ring.     

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.     

Versatile conversion of N-heterocyclic silylene to silyl metal compounds by insertion of divalent silicon into metal-carbon and metal-hydrogen bonds

The facile one-pot reaction of the stable N-heterocyclic silylene LSi: 1 (L=(ArN)C(=CH(2))CH=C(Me)(NAr), Ar=2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)) with Me(2)Zn, Me(3)Al, H(3)Al-NMe(3), and MeLi has been investigated. The silicon(II) atom in 1 is capable of insertion into the corresponding M-C and Al-H bonds under very mild reaction conditions. Thus, Me(2)Zn furnishes the bis(silyl) zinc complex LSi(Me)ZnSi(Me)L 2 as the sole product, irrespective of the molar ratio of the starting materials applied. Moreover, the reactions of 1 with Me(3)Al, H(3)Al-NMe(3), and MeLi lead directly to the 1,1-addition products LSi(Me)(Al(thf)Me(2)) 3, LSi(H)(AlH(2)(NMe(3))) 4, and LSi(Me)Li(thf)(3) 5, respectively. All new compounds 2-5 were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Synthesis and characterisation of yttrium complexes supported by the beta-diketiminate ligand {ArNC(CH3)CHC(CH3)NAr}- (Ar = 2,6-Pr(i)2C6H3)

Reaction of YI(3)(THF)(3.5) with one equivalent of the potassium beta-diketiminate (BDI) complex [HC{C(CH(3))NAr}(2)K] (Ar = 2,6-Pr(i)(2)C(6)H(3)) affords the monomeric, mono-substituted yttrium BDI complex [HC{C(CH(3))NAr}(2)YI(2)(THF)] in good yield. Reaction of with DME affords [HC{C(CH(3))NAr}(2)YI(2)(DME)] in quantitative yield, which is monomeric also. Reaction of the primary terphenyl phosphane Ar*PH(2) (Ar* = 2,6-(2,4,6-Pr(i)(3)C(6)H(2))(2)C(6)H(3)) with potassium hydride, and recrystallisation from hexane, affords the potassium primary terphenyl phosphanide complex [{Ar*P(H)K(THF)}(2)] in high yield. Compound is dimeric in the solid state, constructed around a centrosymmetric K(2)P(2) four-membered ring, the coordination sphere of potassium is supplemented with an eta(6) K[dot dot dot]C(aryl) interaction. The reaction of with one molar equivalent of in THF affords the THF ring-opened compound [HC{C(CH(3))NAr}(2)Y{O(CH(2))(4)P(H)Ar*}(I)(THF)]. Compound is formed as a mixture of endo(OR) and exo(OR) isomers (: = approximately 2 : 1) which may be separated by fractional crystallisation from hexane-toluene to give pure . Attempted alkylation of with two equivalents of KCH(2)Si(CH(3))(3) affords the potassium yttriate complex [Y{micro-eta(5):eta(1)-ArNC(CH(3))[double bond, length as m-dash]CHC([double bond, length as m-dash]CH(2))NAr}(2)K(DME)(2)] in moderate yield; contains two dianionic dianilide ligands, which are derived from C-H activation of a backbone methyl group, each bonded eta(5) to yttrium in the solid state. The reaction of with one equivalent of KC(8) affords [{HC(C[CH(3)]NAr)(2)YI(micro-OCH(3))}(2)], derived from C-O bond activation of DME, as the only isolable product in very low yield. Compounds , , , , , and have been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy and CHN microanalyses.     

Synthesis and structure of a series of new d(1)-Aryl imido-vanadium(IV) complexes stabilized by n-donor ligands

A family of new coordination vanadium(IV) compounds supported by a terminal or bridged aryl imido ligand are reported. Reaction of V(NMe(2))(4) with anilines ArNH(2), where Ar = 2,6-i-Pr(2)-C(6)H(3), 2,6-Me(2)-C(6)H(3), Ph, 2,6-Cl(2)-C(6)H(3), and C(6)F(5), afforded the diamagnetic imido-bridged complexes [V(NAr)(NMe(2))(2)](2) (1a-e). Chlorination of 1a-e with trimethylchlorosilane afforded complexes 2a-e formulated as [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(NHMe(2))(x)()](n)(). One-pot reaction of V(NMe(2))(4) with ArNH(2) in the presence of an excess of trimethylchlorosilane gave the five-coordinate compound [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(NHMe(2))(2)] (3a-e). Reaction of 3a-e with pyridine, bipyridine (bipy), or N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda) gave respectively the six-coordinate tris- or bis(pyridine) adducts [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(Py)(3)] (4a-e) or [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(Py)(2)(NHMe(2))] (5a), bipyridine complexes [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(bipy)(NHMe(2))] (5a-e) and [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(bipy)(Py)] (9a), and tmeda adduct [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(tmeda)(NHMe(2))] (10a). Moreover, five-coordinate complexes free of NHMe(2) ligands, such as [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(Py)(2)] (5a), [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(bipy)] (8a), and [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(tmeda)] (11a), were directly prepared starting from precursors 2a-e. All compounds were totally characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, (1)H NMR for diamagnetic complexes, and EPR for paramagnetic complexes), elemental analysis, magnetism, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for 1b, 3a, 3d, 4b, 4d, 7c, 10a, and 11a.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of unprecedented phosphine adducts of d(1)-aryl imido-vanadium(IV) complexes

The reaction of the imido precursor [V(NAr)Cl(2)](n)() (1) (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) with 3 equiv of PMe(2)Ph yields the monomeric complex [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] (2). Reacting 1 with 1.5 equiv of dmpe or 1 equiv of dppm affords the dimeric complexes [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(dmpe)](2)(mu-P,P'-dmpe) (3) and [V(=NAr)Cl(2)(dppm)](2) (4), respectively. Complexes 2-4 have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods, magnetism studies, and X-ray crystallography.     

Dioxomolybdenum(VI) and dioxotungsten(VI) complexes supported by an amido ligand

Stepwise addition of one equivalent of n-butyllithium and trimethylsilyl chloride to 2-tert-butylmercaptoaniline affords the new ligand 1-(Me3SiNH)-2-(t-BuS)C6H4 (LH), that reacts with one equivalent of butyllithium to its lithium salt LLi. Dioxodichloromolybdenum [MoO2Cl2] and dioxodichlorotungsten dimethoxyethane [WO2Cl2(dme)] react in tetrahydrofuran solution at low temperature with two equivalents LLi to monomeric dioxomolybdenum(VI) [MoO2L2] (1) and dioxotungsten(VI) complex [WO2L2] (2) employing two bidentate amido thioether ligands. The crystallographic determination of the molecular structures of 1 and 2 show evidence for M...S contacts. The reaction of [MoO2Cl2] with LLi in tetrahydrofuran solution at room temperature leads next to 1 to two compounds where silyl group migration from nitrogen to oxygen atoms occurs forming [Mo(=NL')2(OSiMe)2] (3) and [Mo(=NL')2(OSiMe3)L] (4, L' = N-2-t-BuSC6H4) as determined by NMR spectroscopy. Compound 4 was isolated in low yield and its molecular structure determined by X-ray crystallography. Higher yields of a bisimido complex can be obtained by the direct reaction of one equivalent of LLi with [Mo(NAr)2Cl2(dme)] (Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H4) forming [Mo(NAr)2LCl] (5).     

Reactivity at the beta-diketiminate ligand Nacnac- on titanium(IV) (Nacnac- = [Ar]NC(CH3)CHC(CH3)N[Ar], Ar = 2,6-[CH(CH3)2]2C6H3). Diimine-alkoxo and bis-anilido ligands stemming from the Nacnac- skeleton

The reaction of ketene OCCPh(2) with the four-coordinate titanium(IV) imide (L(1))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf) (L(1)(-) = [Ar]NC(CH(3))CHC(CH(3))N[Ar], Ar = 2,6-[CH(CH(3))(2)](2)C(6)H(3)) affords the tripodal dimine-alkoxo complex (L(2))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf) (L(2)(-) = [Ar]NC(CH(3))CHC(O)[double bond]CPh(2)C(CH(3))N[Ar]). Complex (L(2))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf) forms from electrophilic attack of the beta-carbon of the ketene on the gamma-carbon of the Nacnac(-) NCC(gamma)CN ring. On the contrary, nucleophiles such as LiR (R(-) = Me, CH(2)(t)Bu, and CH(2)SiMe(3)) deprotonate cleanly in OEt(2) the methyl group of the beta-carbon on the former Nacnac(-) backbone to yield the etherate complex (L(3))Ti[double bond]NAr(OEt(2)), a complex that is now supported by a chelate bis-anilido ligand (L(3)(2)(-) = [Ar]NC(CH(3))CHC(CH(2))N[Ar]). In the absence of electrophiles or nucleophiles, the robust (L(1))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf) template was found to form simple adducts with Lewis bases such as CN(t)Bu or NCCH(2)(2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)). Complexes (L(2))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf), (L(3))Ti[double bond]NAr(OEt(2)), and the adducts (L(1))Ti[double bond]NAr(OTf)(XY) [XY = CN(t)Bu and NCCH(2)(2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2))] were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

新型取代基炔类分子的合成及其与B(C6F5)3的反应

合成了5种不同取代基的炔类化合物Mes2HSiC≡CPh(1,Mes=2,4,6-Me3C6H2)、[tBuC(NAr)2]GeC≡CPh(2,Ar=2,6-iPr2C6H3)、[PhC(NtBu)2]SnC≡CPPh2(3)、[HC(CMe)2(NAr)2]Sn C≡CPPh2(4)和[HC(CMe)2(NAr)2]ZnC≡CPPh2(5),研究了这些化合物与B(C6F5)3的反应.在与B(C6F5)3的反应中,1和2均发生1,1-碳硼化反应生成烯烃化合物(Ph)(Mes2HSi)C=C(C6F5)B(C6F5)2 (6)和{[tBuC(NAr)2]Ge}(Ph)C=C(C6F5)B(C6F5)2 (7), 7是一种GeⅡ/B松散Lewis酸碱对化合物;3~5则都发生B(C6F5)3与配体金属基的位置交换、进而配体金属基转换键合PPh2的反应,分别生成新颖的分子内双性离子炔烃化合物[PhC(NtBu)2]SnP(Ph2)C≡CB(C6F5)3 (8)、[HC(CMe)2(NAr)2]SnP(Ph2)C≡CB(C6F5)3(9)、[HC(CMe)2(NAr)2]ZnP(Ph2)C≡CB(C6F5)3 (10).文中还讨论了反应机理.     

From a stable silanone complex to isolable, donor-supported silicoxonium halides [LSi(dmap)=O-SiMe3](+)X-

The first donor-stabilized silylated silicoxonium species [LSi=O-SiMe(3)](+) (L=(RN)C(=CH(2))CH=CMe(NR), R=2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)) have been synthesized from the reaction of the dmap-supported (dmap=p-dimethylaminopyridine) silanone complex [LSi(dmap)=O] (1) with trimethylsilyl halides. Although the reaction with Me(3)SiCl leads directly to the Si=O addition product [LSi(Cl)OSiMe(3)] (2), the ionic silicoxonium bromide [L(dmap)Si=O-SiMe(3)](+)Br(-) (3) can be obtained as a primary product of the reaction with Me(3)SiBr, which affords [LSi(Br)OSiMe(3)] (4) with release of the dmap ligand at room temperature in THF. In the case of Me(3)SiI, the reaction furnishes the silicoxonium iodide [L(dmap)Si=O-SiMe(3)](+)I(-) (5) as the most stable species. Compounds 2-5 were isolated and fully characterized through multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Closing the gap between MC3 and MC5 metallacumulenes: the chemistry of the first structurally characterized transition-metal complex with M=C=C=C=CR2 as the molecular unit

The reactions of the dihydrido compound [IrH2Cl(PiPr3)2] (3) with HC identical to CC(O)CHPh2 and HC identical to CC(OAc)=CPh2 lead to the formation of alkynyl-(hydrido)iridium(III) and vinylideneiridium(I) complexes 4-7 which, however, are not suitable precursors for the target molecule trans-[IrCl(=C=C=C=CPh2)-(PiPr3)2] (8). Compound 8 has been prepared in 77% yield from 3 and the vinyl triflate HC identical to CC(OTf)=CPh2 in the presence of NEt3. Treatment of 8 with CF3CO2H affords the vinylvinylidene complex trans-[IrCl(=C=CHC(O2C-CF3)=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (10) by addition of the electrophile to the C beta-C gamma bond of the MC4 chain. In contrast, the reaction of 8 with HCl yields the five-coordinate butadienyliridium(III) compound [IrCl2-(eta 1-(Z)-CH=CHC(Cl)=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (11). Salt metathesis of 8 with KI, KOH, and NaN3 leads to the formation of the substitution products trans-[IrX-(=C=C=C=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (12-14) of which the hydroxo derivative 13 reacts with phenol to give trans-[Ir(OPh)(=C=C=C=CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (15). From 13 and methanol, the octahedral dihydridoiridium(III) complex [IrH2(CH=C=C=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (16) is formed by fragmentation of the alcohol. In the presence of CO, both the methyl compound trans-[Ir(CH3)(=C=C=C=CPh2)-(PiPr3)2] (17) (generated from 8 and CH3Li) and the azido complex 14 (X=N3) undergo migratory insertion reactions to yield the four-coordinate iridium(I) carbonyls trans-[Ir(C(C identical to CCH3)=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (18) and trans-[Ir(C identical to CC(N3)=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (19), respectively. Compound 19 rearranges slowly to the thermodynamically more stable isomer trans-[Ir(C(N3)=C=C=CPh2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (20). The molecular structures of 8 and 18 have been determined crystallographically.     

Structure and reactivity studies of the first tungsten cyanoalkylidene complex

Alkylidene complex W(CHCMe2Ph)(NAr)[OCMe(CF3)2]2 (Ar = 2, 6 diisopropylphenyl) (4) reacts with one equivalent of acrylonitrile in methylene chloride to afford the tetrameric, cyanoalkylidene complex [W(CHCN)(NAr)[OCMe(CF3)2]2]4 (5) which reacts with excess acetonitrile to give the tetrameric complex [W(N(H)C(CH3)C(CN)C(CH3)N)(NAr)[OCMe(CF3)2]2]4 (6).     

An Amidinate‐Stabilized Germatrisilacyclobutadiene Ylide

The synthesis and characterization of new amidinate‐stabilized germatrisilacyclobutadiene ylides [L₃Si₃GeL′] (L=PhC(NtBu)₂; L′=ËL; Ë=Ge ( 3 ), Si ( 7 )) are described. Compound 3 was prepared by the reaction of [LSi? SiL] ( 1 ) with one equivalent of [LGe? GeL] ( 2 ) in THF. Compound 7 was synthesized by the reaction of 2 with excess 1 in THF. The bisamidinate germylene [L₂Ge:] ( 4 ) is a by‐product in both reactions. Moreover, compound 7 was prepared by the reaction of 3 with one equivalent of 1 in THF. Compounds 3 and 7 have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and theoretical studies. The results show that compounds 3 and 7 are not antiaromatic. The puckered Si₃Ge four‐membered rings in 3 and 7 have a ylide structure, which is stabilized by amidinate ligands and the electron delocalization within the Si₃Ge four‐membered ring.     

Cationic diiron and diruthenium μ-allenyl complexes: synthesis, X-ray structures and cyclization reactions with ethyldiazoacetate/amine affording unprecedented butenolide- and furaniminium-substituted bridging carbene ligands

The novel cationic diiron μ-allenyl complexes [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(2)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(2)(α,β)-C(α)(H)=C(β)=C(γ)(R)(2)}](+) (R = Me, 4a; R = Ph, 4b) have been obtained in good yields by a two-step reaction starting from [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)]. The solid state structures of [4a][CF(3)SO(3)] and of the diruthenium analogues [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(2)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(2)(α,β)-C(α)(H)=C(β)=C(γ)(R)(2)}][BPh(4)] (R = Me, [2a][BPh(4)]; R = Ph, [2c][BPh(4)]) have been ascertained by X-ray diffraction studies. The reactions of 2c and 4a with Br?nsted bases result in formation of the μ-allenylidene compound [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(2)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(1)-C(α)=C(β)=C(γ)(Ph)(2)}] (5) and of the dimetallacyclopentenone [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)=C(β)(C(γ)(Me)CH(2))C(=O)}] (6), respectively. The nitrile adducts [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(NCMe)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(2)-C(α)(H)=C(β)=C(γ)(R)(2)}](+) (R = Me, 7a; R = Ph, 7b), prepared by treatment of 2a,c with MeCN/Me(3)NO, react with N(2)CHCO(2)Et/NEt(3) at room temperature, affording the butenolide-substituted carbene complexes [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)[upper bond 1 start]C(β)C(γ)(R)(2)OC(=O)C[upper bond 1 end](H)] (R = Me, 10a; R = Ph, 10b). The intermediate cationic compound [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)[upper bond 1 start]C(β)C(γ)(Me)(2)OC(OEt)C[upper bond 1 end](H)](+) (9) has been detected in the course of the reaction leading to 10a. The addition of N(2)CHCO(2)Et/NHEt(2) to 7a gives the 2-furaniminium-carbene [Ru(2)Cp(2)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η(1):η(3)-C(α)(H)[upper bond 1 start]C(β)C(γ)(Me)(2)OC(OEt)C[upper bond 1 end](H)](+) (11). The X-ray structures of 10a, 10b and [11][BF(4)] have been determined. The reactions of 4a,b with MeCN/Me(3)NO result in prevalent decomposition to mononuclear iron species.     

New iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes by [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of alkynes and facile interconversion between iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes

Iridabenzenes [Ir[=CHCH=CHCH=C(CH2R)](CH3CN)2(PPh3)2]2+ (R=Ph 4 a, R=p-C6H4CH3 4 b) are obtained from the reactions of H+ with iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](CO)(PPh3)2]+ (R'=H 3 a, R'=CH3 3 b), which are prepared from [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of alkynes in the reactions of [Ir(CH3CN)(CO)(PPh3)2]+ with HC[triple chemical bond]CH and HC[triple chemical bond]CR. Iridabenzenes 4 react with CO and CH3CN in the presence of NEt3 to give iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CHR)](CO)2(PPh3)2]+ (6) and [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CHR)](CH3CN)2(PPh3)2]+ (7), respectively. Iridacyclohexadienes 6 and 7 also convert to iridabenzenes 4 by the reactions with H+ in the presence of CH3CN. Alkynyl iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](-C[triple chemical bond]CH)(PPh3)2] (8) undergo a cleavage of C[triple chemical bond]C bond by H+/H2O to produce [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](-CH3)(CO)(PPh3)2] (10) via facile inter-conversion between iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes.     

Facile carbon-fluorine bond activation and subsequent functionalisation of 1,1-difluoroethylene and tetrafluoroethylene promoted by adjacent metal centres

The bridging fluoroolefin ligands in the complexes [Ir(2)(CH(3))(CO)(2)(μ-olefin)(dppm)(2)][OTf] (olefin = tetrafluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene; dppm = μ-Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2); OTf(-) = CF(3)SO(3)(-)) are susceptible to facile fluoride ion abstraction. Both fluoroolefin complexes react with trimethylsilyltriflate (Me(3)SiOTf) to give the corresponding fluorovinyl products by abstraction of a single fluoride ion. Although the trifluorovinyl ligand is bound to one metal, the monofluorovinyl group is bridging, bound to one metal through carbon and to the other metal through a dative bond from fluorine. Addition of two equivalents of Me(3)SiOTf to the tetrafluoroethylene-bridged species gives the difluorovinylidene-bridged product [Ir(2)(CH(3))(OTf)(CO)(2)(μ-OTf)(μ-C=CF(2))(dppm)(2)][OTf]. The 1,1-difluoroethylene species is exceedingly reactive, reacting with water to give 2-fluoropropene and [Ir(2)(CO)(2)(μ-OH)(dppm)(2)][OTf] and with carbon monoxide to give [Ir(2)(CO)(3)(μ-κ(1):η(2)-C≡CCH(3))(dppm)(2)][OTf] together with two equivalents of HF. The trifluorovinyl product [Ir(2)(κ(1)-C(2)F(3))(OTf)(CO)(2)(μ-H)(μ-CH(2))(dppm)(2)][OTf], obtained through single C-F bond activation of the tetrafluoroethylene-bridged complex, reacts with H(2) to form trifluoroethylene, allowing the facile replacement of one fluorine in C(2)F(4) with hydrogen.     

Assembly of an allenylidene ligand, a terminal alkyne, and an acetonitrile molecule: formation of osmacyclopentapyrrole derivatives

Treatment in acetonitrile at -30 C of the hydride-alkenylcarbyne complex [OsH([triple bond]CCH=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(P(i)Pr3)2][BF4]2 (1) with (t)BuOK produces the selective deprotonation of the alkenyl substituent of the carbyne and the formation of the bis-solvento hydride-allenylidene derivative [OsH(=C=C=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(P(i)Pr3)2]BF4 (2), which under carbon monoxide atmosphere is converted into [Os(CH=C=CPh2)(CO)(CH3CN)2(P(i)Pr3)2]BF4 (3). When the treatment of 1 with (t)BuOK is carried out in dichloromethane at room temperature, the fluoro-alkenylcarbyne [OsHF([triple bond]CCH=CPh2)(CH3CN)(P(i)Pr3)2]BF4 (4) is isolated. Complex 2 reacts with terminal alkynes. The reactions with phenylacetylene and cyclohexylacetylene afford [Os[(E)-CH=CHR](=C=C=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(P(i)Pr3)2]BF4 (R = Ph (5), Cy (6)), containing an alkenyl ligand beside the allenylidene, while the reaction with acetylene in dichloromethane at -20 degrees C gives the hydride-allenylidene-pi-alkyne [OsH(=C=C=CPh2)(eta2-HC[triple bond]CH)(P(i)Pr3)2]BF4 (7), with the alkyne acting as a four-electron donor ligand. In acetonitrile under reflux, complexes 5 and 6 are transformed into the osmacyclopentapyrrole compounds [Os[C=C(CPh2CR=CH)CMe=NH](CH3CN)2]BF4 (R = Ph (8), Cy (9)), as a result of the assembly of the allenylidene ligand, the alkenyl group, and an acetonitrile molecule. The X-ray structures of 2, 5, and 8 are also reported.     

Kinetic and mechanistic studies of sulfur transfer from imidomethylrhenium sulfides

The bis(2,6-diisopropylphenylimido)methylrhenium(VII) sulfide dimer, [CH(3)Re(NAr)(2)](2)(mu-S)(2) (1), reacts with a 1:1 amount of a phosphine or an alkyl isocyanide to yield a dimeric rhenium(VI) species, [CH(3)Re(NAr)(2)](2)(mu-S) (2), which has been structurally characterized. The two rhenium atoms in 2 are within bonding distance, 280 pm, more than 90 pm shorter than in 1. With excess L, 1 reacts to give a monomeric rhenium(V) complex, CH(3)Re(NAr)(2)L(2) (3A, L = PZ(3), Z = alkyl, aryl; 3B, L = isocyanide). The rate of formation of 3A is first-order with respect to [1] and second-order with respect to monodentate phosphine concentrations. With bidentate phosphines, however, the order with respect to the phosphine drops to unity. The addition of another (nonoxidizable) coordinating ligand, such as pyridine or one of its derivatives, accelerates the formation of 3A. In the presence of a pyridine ligand the reaction is first-order with respect to phosphine concentration, both monodentate and bidentate. The reactions between phosphines and 2 are slower than those with 1, which excludes [CH(3)Re(NAr)(2)](2)(mu-S) from being the intermediate in the reactions of 1. To account for that, we have proposed an intervening species that partitions between transformation to 3 with excess L and to 2 otherwise.     

An access to base-stabilized three-membered silicon heterocycles

The three-membered silacyclic ring compounds LSi[N(2)(Ph)(2)]tBu (1), LSi[HCN(Ph)(2)]tBu (2) and LSi[C(2)(Ph)(2)]tBu (3) were obtained by the treatment of base stabilized monoalkylsilylenes LSitBu (L = PhC(NtBu)(2)) with PhN=NPh, PhN=CHPh and PhC≡CPh. The reaction of PhN=NPh and PhC≡CPh with LSitBu shows a different reactivity pattern with base stabilized monochlorosilylene LSiCl. The arrangement of the three-membered ring (SiNN) in 1 is the first structurally isolated example of a siladiaziridine compound.