Selectivite de la reduction de l'androsten-4 dione-3,17 et de la progesterone par divers borohydrures: role de l'assistance electrophile par le cation ou un solvant hydroxyle

The reduction of Δ⁴-androsten-3, 17 dione 1 and of progesterone 2 by nBu₄NBH₄ is highly chemioselective: in THF only the a-enone moiety is reduced, the saturated C₁₇ or C₂₀ keto group being kept unchanged. When TMEDA is added, saturated alcohols are obtained, without any allylic alcohol when the reaction goes to completion. However this reduction is poorly stereoselective as 70:30 mixtures of A/B cis and trans ring junction compounds are obtained. In MeOH, the saturated keto group is more than 90% selectively reduced. However, the reduction of 1 and 2 by LiBH₄ and Zn(BH₄)₂ is poorly chemioselective. These results are interpreted in terms of competition between electrophilic assistance and steric effects.     

The influence of lithium complexing agents on the regioselectivity of reductions of substituted 2-cyclohexenones by LiAlH4 and LiBH4

A reversal of regioselectivity of LiAlH₄ or LiBH₄ reduction of 2-cyclohexenone induced by addition of [2.1.1]-cryptand to the reaction medium is accompanied by a rate decrease. In the absence of the cryptand, carbonyl attack predominates (C₁:C₃ = 86:14 with LiAlH₄ in THF). In the presence of the cryptand, double bond attack is favoured (C₁:C₃= 14:86). This effect is larger with LiAlH₄ than with LiBH₄. This trend is general in the case of five substituted 2-cyclohexenones. Using 12-crown-4 as a Li⁺ coordinator, a change in regioselectivity occurs but it is less pronounced than with the cryptand.     

Deshydrogenation d'alcools en composes carbonyles par le systeme CuCl/O2/Ligande

The dehydrogenation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds by CuCl/O₂/ligand (L) shows relative rates of dehydrogenation according to the type of alcohol used; primary or secondary benzyl alcohols > allylic alcohols or aliphatic alcohols > cyclic alcohols. The rate of this reaction was found to be dependent upon the nature of the ligands used; e.g. phenanthroline 1–10 > bipyridyl 2,2' > TMEDA, etc. When L = phenanthroline 1–10 the catalytic effect, of the system ROH/CuCl/L (3:1:1), was found to be similar to the system ROH/CuCl/L (1:2:2). The pure oxygen was replaced by air without any noticeable change in the rate of the reaction. The primary aliphatic alcohols lead to the aldehydes containing 1, 2, etc. carbon atoms fewer than the starting alcohols.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of KEu[AsS4], K3Dy[AsS4]2 and Rb4Nd0.67[AsS4]2

Three rare earth compounds, KEu[AsS₄] (1), K₃Dy[AsS₄]₂ (2), and Rb₄Nd_0.67[AsS₄]₂ (3) have been synthesized employing the molten flux method. The reactions of A₂S₃ (A = K, Rb), Ln (Ln = Eu, Dy, Nd), As₂S₃, S were accomplished at 600 °C for 96 h in evacuated fused silica ampoules. Crystal data for these compounds are: 1, monoclinic, space group P2₁/m (no. 11), a = 6.7276(7) Å, b = 6.7190(5) Å, c = 8.6947(9) Å, β = 107.287(12)°, Z = 2; 2, monoclinic, space group C2/c (no. 15), a = 10.3381(7) Å, b = 18.7439(12) Å, c = 8.8185(6) Å, β = 117.060(7)°, Z = 4; 3, orthorhombic, space group Ibam (no. 72), a = 18.7333(15) Å, b = 9.1461(5) Å, c = 10.2060(6) Å, Z = 4. 1 is a two-dimensional structure with ²_∞[Eu(AsS₄)]⁻ layers separated by potassium cations. Within each layer, distorted bicapped trigonal [EuS₈] prisms are linked through distorted [AsS₄]³⁻ tetrahedra. Each Eu²⁺ cation is coordinated by two [AsS₄]³⁻ units by edge-sharing and bonded to further two [AsS₄]³⁻ units by corner-sharing. Compound 2 contains a one-dimensional structure with ¹_∞[Dy(AsS₄)₂]³⁻ chains separated by potassium cations. Within each chain, distorted bicapped trigonal prisms of [DyS₈] are linked by slightly distorted [AsS₄]³⁻ tetrahedra. Each Dy³⁺ ion is surrounded by four [AsS₄]³⁻ moieties in an edge-sharing fashion. For compound 3 also a one-dimensional structure with ¹_∞[Nd₀.₆₇(AsS₄)₂]⁴⁻ chains is observed. But the Nd position is only partially occupied and overall every third Nd atom is missing along the chain. This cuts the infinite chains into short dimers containing two bridging [As₄]³⁻ units and four terminal [AsS₄]³⁻ groups. 1 is characterized with UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, IR, and Raman spectra.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of the first 1-D indiumphosphate chain In2(HPO4)2(H2PO4)2F2·C4N2H12, a precursor for high dimensional structures

The first one-dimensional (1-D) indiumphosphate chain, In₂(HPO₄)₂(H₂PO₄)₂F₂·C₄N₂H₁₂ (1), has been hydrothermally prepared using piperazine (PIP) as a template. The structure consists of infinite chains of trans,trans-corners-sharing InO₄F₂ octahedra with the adjacent octahedra being bridged by tetrahedral PO₃(OH) and PO₂(OH)₂ units, which are H-bonded with amine groups of the organic cations. Interestingly, this macroanionic chain InP₂O₈H₃F⁻ is similar to that found in the mineral tancoite-like chains and has potential to further set up higher-dimensional networks. On heating 1 in the presence of additional phosphoric acid at 180 °C under hydrothermal condition, compound 2, In₂(OH)(H₂O)(PO₄)₂·H₃O·H₂O, possessed a 3-D structure building from the repetition of a secondary building unit is obtained. When 1 is heated with additional PIP, an unknown phase, compound 3 is formed. Finally, on treatment with another amine, such as diethylenetriamine or 1,4-diaminobutane, at 180 °C, 1, as a precursor, can convert into a previously known 3-D framework structure with 16-membered ring compound 4. Compounds 1 and 2 are determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, 1 is characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis.     

Enantioselective reduction of aliphatic ketones using NaBH4 and TarB-NO2, a chiral boronic ester

High enantioselectivities are obtained using a tartaric acid-derived boronic ester (TarB-NO₂) in combination with NaBH₄ for the asymmetric reduction of aliphatic ketones. The resulting alcohols are obtained in enantiomeric excesses ranging from 56% to 94%.     

Structures of C4

Linear (1), cyclic (2) and bicyclic (3) alternatives are considered as possible ground-state structures for C₄. At the highest levels of theory, MP4SDQ/6-31¹//HF/6-31¹, 3, with two π electrons is found to be most stable.     

Reactions of benzopinacol with group 13 alkyl metals:: Crystal structure of Me6In4[OC(C6H5)2C(C6H5)2O]2(OCH3)2, a new alkylalkoxo indium diolate

Reactions of Me₅Al₃[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂ (1) with alcohols ROH (R = Me, Et, ^tBu) in a 1:1 molar ratio afforded the compound Me₂Al₂[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂(C₄H₈O) (2) and a mixture of methylaluminum alkoxides. The alcohols acted as the factor formally eliminating a molecule of Me₃Al (as a methylaluminum alkoxide) from compound 1. ^tBu₃Al reacted with an equimolar amount of benzopinacol to form the monomeric complex ^tBuAl[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O](C₄H₈O) (3). Reactions of Me₃Ga and Me₃In with benzopinacol yielded trinuclear complexes Me₅M₃[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂ (4 (M = Ga), 5 (M = In)), isostructural to compound 1. In the presence of water and alcohols, compounds 4 and 5 underwent a decomposition reaction to benzopinacol and a mixture of metalloxanes and alkoxides. An unusual methylmethoxo indium benzopinacolate Me₆In₄[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂(OCH₃)₂ (6) was obtained in the reaction of benzopinacol with Me₃In and Me₂InOMe in a 1:1:1 molar ratio. Molecular structures of the compounds 3, 4 and 6 were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

One-dimensional chains in uranyl tungstates: Syntheses and structures of A8[(UO2)4(WO4)4(WO5)2] (A=Rb, Cs) and Rb6[(UO2)2O(WO4)4]

Three new uranyl tungstates, A₈[(UO₂)₄(WO₄)₄(WO₅)₂] (A=Rb (1), Cs (2)), and Rb₆[(UO₂)₂O(WO₄)₄] (3), were prepared by high-temperature solid-state reactions and their structures were solved by direct methods on twinned crystals, refined to R₁=0.050, 0.042, and 0.052 for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural, monoclinic P2₁/n, (1): a=11.100(7), b=13.161(9), , β=90.033(13)°, , Z=8 and (2): , , , β=89.988(2)°, , Z=8. There are four symmetrically independent U⁶⁺ sites that form linear uranyl [O=U=O]²⁺ cations with rather distorted coordination in their equatorial planes. There are six W positions: W(1) and W(2) have square-pyramidal coordination (WO₅), whereas W(3), W(4), W(5), and W(6) are tetrahedrally coordinated. The structures are based upon a novel type of one-dimensional (1D) [(UO₂)₄(WO₄)₄(WO₅)₂]⁴⁻ chains, consisting of WU₄O₂₅ pentamers linked by WO₄ tetrahedra and WO₅ square pyramids. The chains run parallel to the a-axis and are arranged in modulated pseudo-2D-layers parallel to (0 1 0). The A⁺ cations are in the interlayer space between adjacent pseudo-layers and provide a 3D integrity of the structures. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first uranyl tungstates with 2/3 of W atoms in tetrahedral coordination. Such a high concentration of low-coordinated W⁶⁺ cations is probably responsible for the 1D character of the uranyl tungstate units. The compound 3 is triclinic, P1¯ a=10.188(2), b=13.110(2), , α=97.853(3), β=96.573(3), γ=103.894(3)°, , Z=4. There are four U positions in the structure with a typical coordination of a pentagonal bipyramid that contain uranyl ions, UO₂²⁺, as apical axes. Among eight W sites, the W(1), W(2), W(3), W(4), W(5), and W(6) atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated, whereas the W(7) and W(8) cations have distorted fivefold coordination. The structure contains chains of composition [(UO₂)₂O(WO₄)₄]⁶⁻ composed of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and W polyhedra. The chains involve dimers of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids that share common O atoms. The dimers are linked into chains by sharing corners with WO₄ tetrahedra. The chains are parallel to [−101] and are arranged in layers that are parallel to (1 1 1). The Rb⁺ cations provide linkage of the chains into a 3D structure. The compound 1 has many structural and chemical similarities to its molybdate analog, Rb₆[(UO₂)₂O(MoO₄)₄]. However, the compounds are not isostructural. Due to the tendency of the W⁶⁺ cations to have higher-than-fourfold coordination, part of the W sites adopt distorted fivefold coordination, whereas all Mo atoms in the Mo compound are tetrahedrally coordinated. Distribution of the WO₅ configurations along the chain extension does not conform to its ‘typical’ periodicity. As a result, both the chain identity period and the unit-cell volume are doubled in comparison to the Mo analog, which leads to a new structure type.     

New organically templated gallium oxalate-phosphate structures based on Ga4(PO4)4(C2O4) building unit

Five organic-inorganic hybrid gallium oxalate-phosphates, [Ga₂(PO₄)₂(H₂O)(C₂O₄)_0.5](C₃N₂H₁₂)_0.5(H₂O) (1), [Ga₂(PO₄)₂(C₂O₄)_0.5](C₂N₂H₁₀)_0.5(H₂O) (2), [Ga₂(PO₄)₂(C₂O₄)_0.5](C₃N₂H₁₂)_0.5 (3), [Ga₂(PO₄)₂(H₂PO₄)_0.5(C₂O₄)_0.5](C₄N₃H₁₆)_0.5 (H₂O)_1.5 (4) and [Ga_2.5(PO₄)_2.5(H₂O)_1.5(C₂O₄)_0.5](C₄N₃H₁₅)_0.5 (5), have been synthesized by using 1,3-diaminopropane, ethylenediamine and diethylene triamine as structure-directing agents under hydrothermal condition. The structures of 1-5 are based on Ga₄(PO₄)₄(C₂O₄) building unit made up from Ga₂O₈(C₂O₄) oxalate-bridging dimer and alternating PO₄ and GaO₄ tetrahedral units. Compound 1 is layered structure where the building units link together in the same orientation. Corner sharing of these similar layers result in three-dimensional (3-D) structure 2. However, in compound 3, the building units arrange in a wave-like way to generate two types of eight member ring (8MR) channels. Both 4 and 5 contain the layers where the building units have an opposite orientation. Those layers are linked by H₂PO₄ group and Ga(PO₄)(H₂O)₃ cluster, respectively, to form 3-D frameworks with 12MR large pore channels. Compounds 2-5 exhibit intersecting 3-D channels where the protoned amines are located.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, infrared and Raman spectra of Sr4Cu3(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)4·3H2O and Ba2Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)3

The two new compounds, Sr₄Cu₃(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₄·3H₂O (1) and Ba₂Cu₄(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₃(2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. They represent previously unknown structure types and are the first compounds synthesized in the systems SrO/BaO-CuO-As₂O₅-H₂O. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [space group C2/c, a=18.536(4) Å, b=5.179(1) Å, c=24.898(5) Å, β=93.67(3)°, V=2344.0(8) Å³, Z=4 for 1; space group P4₂/n, a=7.775(1) Å, c=13.698(3) Å, V=828.1(2) Å³, Z=2 for 2]. The crystal structure of 1 is related to a group of compounds formed by Cu²⁺-(XO₄)³⁻ layers (X=P⁵⁺, As⁵⁺) linked by M cations (M=alkali, alkaline earth, Pb²⁺, or Ag⁺) and partly by hydrogen bonds. In 1, worth mentioning is the very short hydrogen bond length, D···A=2.477(3) Å. It is one of the examples of extremely short hydrogen bonds, where the donor and acceptor are crystallographically different. Compound 2 represents a layered structure consisting of Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers crosslinked by As1φ₄ tetrahedra, where φ is O or OH, which are interconnected by Ba, As2 and hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network. The layers are formed by Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers of CuO₅ edge-sharing polyhedra, crosslinked by As1O₄ tetrahedra. Vibrational spectra (FTIR and Raman) of both compounds are described. The spectroscopic manifestation of the very short hydrogen bond in 1, and ABC-like spectra in 2 were discussed.     

Supramolecular aggregation in new crystals with nonlinear optical properties: 2-aminophenol-HClO4, 3-aminophenol-HClO4 and 4-aminophenol-HClO4

Three new hybrid crystals of 2-aminophenol-HClO₄ (2-AP-HClO₄, 1), 3-aminophenol-HClO₄ (3-AP-HClO₄, 2) and 4-aminophenol-HClO₄ (4-AP-HClO₄, 3) were obtained and their crystal structures determined. The 1 crystallises in centrosymmetric space group C2/c of monoclinic system while the other two (2 and 3) crystallise in the non-centro symmetric space group P2₁ and P2₁2₁2₁, respectively. The oppositely charged units of the crystals, i.e. positively charged 2-APH⁺, 3-APH⁺ and 4-APH⁺ and ClO₄⁻, interact via weak N⁺–HO and O–HO hydrogen bonds forming 3D-supramolecular network. Relative to KDP the SHG efficiencies are 0.62 for 2 and 0.33 for 3, measured at 1064 nm using the Kurtz–Perry method.     

Structural and energetic aspects of hydrogen bonding and proton transfer to ReH2(CO)(NO)(PR3)2 and ReHCl(CO)(NO)(PMe3)2 by IR and X-ray studies

The interaction of rhenium hydrides ReHX(CO)(NO)(PR₃)₂ 1 (X=H, R=Me (a), Et (b), iPr (c); X=Cl, R=Me (d)) with a series of proton donors (indole, phenols, fluorinated alcohols, trifluoroacetic acid) was studied by variable temperature IR spectroscopy. The conditions governing the hydrogen bonding ReHHX in solution and in the solid state (IR, X-ray) were elucidated. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic characteristics (−ΔH=2.3–6.1 kcal mol⁻¹) of these hydrogen bonded complexes were obtained. IR spectral evidence that hydrogen bonding with hydride atom precedes proton transfer and the dihydrogen complex formation was found. Hydrogen bonded complex of ReH₂(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₂ with indole (2a–indole) and organyloxy-complex ReH(OC₆H₄NO₂)(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₂ (5a) were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A short NHHRe (1.79(5) Å) distance was found in the 2a–indole complex, where the indole molecule lies in the plane of the Re(NO)(CO) fragment (with dihedral angle between the planes 0.01°).     

Cathodic behaviour of [*η-C3H5)Pd(Ph2P-C2H4-PPh2)] in acetonitrile solution: an electrochemical process involving very fast consecutive chemical reactions

The cathodic reduction of [(η³-C₃H₅)Pd(Ph₂P-C₂H₄-PPh₂)]⁺, A, in acetonitrile solution affords Pd(Ph₂P-C₂H₄-PPh₂)₂, B, and Pd(η³-C₃H₅)₂, C. Its cyclic voltammetric behaviour is studied as a function of scan rate and concentration of A. These results and relevant coulometric experiments indicate a primary reversible charge transfer reaction followed by a fast second order process producing P₁ and P₂. This picture is complicated by a subsequent reaction of B with A leading to a dimeric electroactive species which is reduced at a slightly more negative potential value than A. The rate constants of individual chemical reactions were evaluated by digital simulation and best fit with experimental results.     

Assembly of diverse structural types of organotellurium compounds in the reactions of (4-MeO-C6H4)2TeO with pyridine carboxylic acids

The reactions of Ar₂TeO (Ar = 4-MeO-C₆H₄) with 2-, 3- and 4-pyridine carboxylic acids (LH) afforded different organotelluroxane structural types depending on the stoichiometry of the reactants and the conditions of the reaction. Ar₂Te(L)OH (1a-1c) are formed in a 1:1 reaction of Ar₂TeO with LH in the presence of water. On the other hand a 1:2 reaction under anhydrous conditions leads to the formation of Ar₂TeL₂ (2a-2c). A 2:2 reaction under anhydrous conditions affords the ditelluroxanes Ar₂Te(L)OTe(L)Ar₂ (3a-3c) while tritelluroxanes Ar₂Te(L)OTeAr₂OTe(L)Ar₂ (4a-4c) are formed in 3:2 reactions. Interestingly, 3a-3c are formed in the reaction of 2a-2c with Ar₂TeO. The former can be hydrolyzed to 1a-1c while the latter upon reaction with Ar₂TeO lead to the formation of the tritelluroxanes 4a-4c. Attempts to metalate 2a with PdCl₂(MeCN)₂ leads to a transfer of the carboxylate ligand to palladium affording Ar₂TeCl₂ and PdL₂. X-ray crystal structures of representative examples of the family of 1, 2 and 3 reveal interesting supramolecular structures and the formation of a novel [TeO]₂ structural unit. The latter results from intermolecular secondary Te?O interactions.     

A reactive Si4 cage: K(SitBu3)3Si4

KR∗₃Si₄, 2, (R∗ = SitBu₃), formed by the reaction of R∗₄Si₄ with 2 KC₈, is an orange red solid stable at r.t. but decomposes in solution into R∗₄Si₄ and a compound that reacts with excess Me₃SiCl to form (Me₃Si)₄R∗₃ClSi₈. Compound 2 is very sensitive to air and moisture. Its alcoholysis does not stabilize the protonated species HR∗₃Si₄ and ends up in R∗₃Si₃H₃. Compound 2 reacts with 1/2 equivalent ICl to form a violet solid R∗₆Si₈. A 1:1 reaction of 2 with SiBr₄ runs differently to form ditetrahedranyl, R∗₃Si₄-Si₄R∗₃ which is stable at r.t. but transforms into its violet isomer R∗₆Si₈ at higher temperatures. Compound 2 crystallizes as R∗₃Si₄K(18-crown-6) and its crystal structure shows a Si₄-cage with a short Si-K linkage. It opens up at higher temperatures to acquire a unique structure in which a -CH₂-CH₂- group detaches itself from an ether to insert into Si-Si linkage of Si₄-unit to form a bicyclic ring. The residual chain (CH₂)₁₀O₆ closes itself on to a Si atom to form R∗₃Si₃(CH₂-CH₂)Si(C₁₀H₂₀O₆)K(18-C-6).     

Na4H3[SiW9Al3(H2O)3O37]·12H2O/H2O: a new system for selective oxidation of alcohols with H2O2 as oxidant

This work describes a catalytic system consisting of both Na₄H₃[SiW₉Al₃(H₂O)₃O₃₇]·12H₂O(SiW₉Al₃) and water as solvents (a small quantity of organic solvents were used as co-solvent for a few substrates) that can be good for selective oxidation of alcohols to ketones (aldehydes) using 30% H₂O₂ without any phase-transfer catalyst under mild reaction conditions. The catalyst system allows easy product/catalyst separation. Under the given conditions, the secondary hydroxyl group was highly chemoselectively oxidized to the corresponding ketones in good yields in the presence of primary hydroxyl group within the same molecule, and hydroxides are selectively oxidized even in the presence of alkene. Benzylic alcohols were selectively oxidized to the corresponding benzaldehydes in good yields without over oxidation products in solvent-free conditions. Nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur-based moieties, at least for the cases where these atoms are not susceptible to oxidation, do not interfere with the catalytic alcohol oxidation.     

The PtP(C6H11)3(C2H4)2 mediated activation of aldehyde CH bonds via chelate-assisted oxidative addition reactions

Hydrocarbon solutions of PtPCy₃(C₂H₄)₂ (Cy = cyclohexyl) react rapidly with 8-quinolinecarboxaldehyde (1 equiv.) to yield tricyclohexylphosphine quinolinecarboxyl platinum hydride (1) and CH₂CH₂ (2 equiv.). Compound 1 reacts with CCl₄ in hydrocarbons to give PtPCy₃(NC₉H₆CO)Cl (2) and CHCl₃. The compound PtPCy₃(C₂H₄)₂ also reacts with Ph₂P(C₆H₄-o-CHO) and Ph₂As(C₆H₄-o-CHO) to give PCy₃PtPh₂P(C₆H₄-o-CO)(H) (3) and PCy₃PtPh₂As(C₆H₄-o-CO)(H) (4), respectively. Compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 were characterized by infrared and ¹H NMR spectra, and the crystal structure of 3 was determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystals of 3 are monoclinic, with space group P2₁/n and Z = 4 with the unit cell dimensions a 9.7936(17), b 14.844(35), c 23.530(64) Å, β 91.817 (18)°, and V 3419.09(1.36) ų. The structure is refined to final discrepancy factors of R = 0.055, and R_w = 0.064. The molecular structure of 3 is that ligating atoms are in a plane containing Pt. The position of the hydride was not located crystallographically, but the ¹H NMR spectrum of 3, supports the presence of a terminal hydride that is cis to the carbonyl. The IR band of 3 at 2023 cm^?1 which is assigned to ν(PtH), and the hydride cleavage reaction of 1 with CCl₄, provide evidence for the PtH bond.     

Reduction reactions of the metallocene complex (η-C5H4CMe2C9H7)2ZrCl2

The preparation and characterization of the substituted bis(cyclopentadienyl) zirconium dichloride complexes (η⁵-C₅H₄CMe₂C₉H₇)₂ZrCl₂ (1a, b) is reported. The isomer mixture of 1a, b was treated with different reducing agents such as sodium and n-butyllithium under various reaction conditions. In these reactions CC and CH activation and cleavage reactions were observed. In combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO) 1a, b and 3 showed low activities as homogeneous ethylene polymerization catalysts and no activities towards propylene. Compounds 2 and 3 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.     

Five-coordinate pentafluorobenzothiolate osmium(IV) complexes [Os(SC6F5)4(P(C6H4X-4)3)] (X = OCH3, CH3, F, Cl or CF3): Solid and solution structural characterization

The reactions of OsO₄ with excess of HSC₆F₅ and P(C₆H₄X-4)₃ in ethanol afford the five-coordinate compounds [Os(SC₆F₅)₄(P(C₆H₄X-4)₃)] where X = OCH₃ 1a and 1b, CH₃ 2a and 2b, F 3a and 3b, Cl 4a and 4b or CF₃ 5a and 5b. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1 to 5 exhibit a common pattern with an osmium center in a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination arrangement. The axial positions are occupied by mutually trans thiolate and phosphane ligands, while the remaining three equatorial positions are occupied by three thiolate ligands. The three pentafluorophenyl rings of the equatorial ligands are directed upwards, away from the axial phosphane ligand in the arrangement “3-up” (isomers a). On the other hand, ³¹P{¹H} and ¹⁹F NMR studies at room temperature reveal the presence of two isomers in solution: The “3-up” isomer (a) with the three C₆F₅-rings of the equatorial ligands directed towards the axial thiolate ligand, and the “2-up, 1-down” isomer (b) with two C₆F₅-rings of the equatorial ligands directed towards the axial thiolate and the C₆F₅-ring of the third equatorial ligand directed towards the axial phosphane. Bidimensional ¹⁹F–¹⁹F NMR studies encompass the two sub-spectra for the isomers a (“3-up”) and b (“2-up, 1-down”). Variable temperature ¹⁹F NMR experiments showed that these isomers are fluxional. Thus, the ¹⁹F NMR sub-spectra for the “2-up, 1-down” isomers (b) at room temperature indicate that the two S-C₆F₅ ligands in the 2-up equatorial positions have restricted rotation about their C–S bonds, but this rotation becomes free as the temperature increases. Room temperature ¹⁹F NMR spectra of 3 and 5 also indicate restricted rotation around the Os–P bonds in the “2-up, 1-down” isomers (b). In addition, as the temperature increases, the ¹⁹F NMR spectra tend to be consistent with an increased rate of the isomeric exchange. Variable temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR studies also confirm that, as the temperature is increased, the a and b isomeric exchange becomes fast on the NMR time scale.