Do branched structures exist for cyanide‐containing magnesium compounds? Computational studies on a range of mixed‐ligand compounds XMg(CN) (X = F,Cl, OH,SH, NH2, CH3, CN)

Cyanide compounds of the alkali metals and alkaline earths are commonly found to possess “branched” or π‐complex structures in which the metal atom is almost equidistant from both atoms of the CN moiety. Here we present an investigation of the potential energy surfaces for various compounds of the form XMg(CN), using the Gaussian‐2 (G2) procedure. Our results suggest that magnesium, at least, is not so prone to π‐complex formation with the cyanide ligand as has previously been implied, since the presence of the π complex upon the potential energy surface is strongly dependent upon the level of theory employed in geometry optimizations. We find also that, according to G2 theory, the preference of magnesium for isocyanide (rather than cyanide) formation is small but consistent, with XMgNC isomers having calculated heats of formation between 2 and 5 kJ mol⁻¹ below their XMgCN counterparts. The barriers to interconversion of cyanide and isocyanide isomers are also calculated to be comparatively small, typically ∼25 kJ mol⁻¹. In contrast, calculations for protonated species FMg(CN)H⁺ and Mg(CN)₂H⁺ have determined that the π complexes in these species are indeed stable against CN‐ligand reorientation. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 76: 626–642, 2000     

Metal Complexes of New Mixed Oxaaza‐Macrocyclic Ligands. X‐Ray Crystal Structure of L1, L2, [SrL2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 and [BaL2(NCS)2(CH3CN)]·CH3CN

A new mixed oxaaza‐macrocyclic ligand, L¹, has been obtained by direct synthesis between 1,4‐bis‐(2′‐formylphenyl)‐1,4‐dioxabutane and the diamine 2,2′‐ethylenedioxydiethylamine. The dialkylated ligand L², bearing two nitrobenzyl pendant groups, has been prepared and transitional, post‐transitional and Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺ metal complexes have been synthesized in order to elucidate the coordination preferences. The crystal structures of the ligands L¹ and L² and the complexes [SrL²(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ and [BaL²(NCS)₂(CH₃CN)]·CH₃CN have been determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structures reveal the presence of mononuclear endomacrocyclic complexes where the pendant arms radiate away from the ligand.     

Multiple N—H...NC,C—H...NC and nitrile...π interactions in 4,4′‐bipyridine‐1,1′‐diium bis(1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide): structure determination and DFT calculations of anion...π cation interaction energies

Polynitrile anions are important in both coordination chemistry and molecular materials chemistry, and are interesting for their extensive electronic delocalization. The title compound crystallizes with two symmetry‐independent half 4,4′‐bipyridine‐1,1′‐diium (bpyH₂²⁺) cations and two symmetry‐independent 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide (tcnoet⁻) anions in the asymmetric unit. One of the bpyH₂²⁺ ions is located on a crystallographic twofold rotation axis (canted pyridine rings) and the other is located on a crystallographic inversion center (coplanar pyridine rings). The ethyl group of one of the tcnoet⁻ anions is disordered over two sites with equal populations. The extended structure exhibits two separate N—H...NC hydrogen‐bonding motifs, which result in a sheet structure parallel to (010), and weak C—H...NC hydrogen bonds form joined rings. Two types of multicenter CN...π interactions are observed between the bpyH₂²⁺ rings and tcnoet⁻ anions. An additonal CN...π interaction between adjacent tcnoet⁻ anions is observed. Using density functional theory, the calculated attractive energy between cation and anion pairs in the tcnoet⁻...π(bipyridinediium) interactions were found to be 557 and 612 kJ mol⁻¹ for coplanar and canted bpyH₂²⁺ cations, respectively.     

Formation of Short Zn−Zn Bonds Stabilized by Simple Cyanide and Isocyanide Ligands

Cyanogen diluted in argon was reacted with laser ablated Zn atoms to produce the NCZnCN and NCZnZnCN cyanides and higher energy isocyanides ZnNC, CNZnNC, and CNZnZnNC, which were isolated in excess argon at 4 K. These reaction products, identified from the matrix infrared spectra of their ‐CN and ‐NC chromophore ligand stretching modes, were confirmed by ¹³C and ¹⁵N isotopic substitution and comparison with frequencies calculated by the B3LYP and CCSD(T) methods using the all electron aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets. The cyanide and isocyanide products were increased markedly by mercury arc UV photolysis, which covers the zinc atomic absorption. The above electronic structure calculations that produce appropriate ligand frequencies for these dizinc products also provide their Zn?Zn bond lengths: CCSD(T) calculations find a short 2.367 Å Zn?Zn bond in the NCZnZnCN cyanide, a shorter 2.347 Å Zn?Zn bond in the 37.4 kJ mol^?1 higher energy isocyanide CNZnZnNC, and a longer 4.024 Å bond in the dizinc van der Waals dimer. Thus, the diatomic cyanide (‐CN) and isocyanide (‐NC) ligands are as capable of stabilizing the Zn?Zn bond as many much larger ligands based on their measured and our calculated Zn?Zn bond lengths. This is the first example of dizinc complexes stabilized by different ligand isomers. Additional weaker bands in this region can be assigned to the analogous trizinc molecules NCZnZnZnCN and CNZnZnZnNC.     

Synthesis and Characterization of [XeOXe]2+ in the Adduct‐Cation Salt, [CH3CN‐ ‐ ‐XeOXe‐ ‐ ‐NCCH3][AsF6]2

Acetonitrile and [FXeOXe‐ ‐ ‐FXeF][AsF₆] react at ?60 °C in anhydrous HF (aHF) to form the CH₃CN adduct of the previously unknown [XeOXe]²⁺ cation. The low‐temperature X‐ray structure of [CH₃CN‐ ‐ ‐XeOXe‐ ‐ ‐NCCH₃][AsF₆]₂ exhibits a well‐isolated adduct‐cation that has among the shortest Xe?N distances obtained for an sp‐hybridized nitrogen base adducted to xenon. The Raman spectrum was fully assigned by comparison with the calculated vibrational frequencies and with the aid of ¹⁸O‐enrichment studies. Natural bond orbital (NBO), atoms in molecules (AIM), electron localization function (ELF), and molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEPS) analyses show that the Xe?O bonds are semi‐ionic whereas the Xe?N bonds may be described as strong electrostatic (σ‐hole) interactions.     

Ge=B π‐Bonding: Synthesis and Reversible [2+2] Cycloaddition of Germaborenes

Phosphine‐stabilized germaborenes featuring an unprecedented Ge=B double bond with short B???Ge contacts of 1.886(2) ( 4 ) and 1.895(3) Å ( 5 ) were synthesized starting from an intramolecular germylene–phosphine Lewis pair ( 1 ). After oxidative addition of boron trihalides BX₃ (X=Cl, Br), the addition products were reduced with magnesium and catalytic amounts of anthracene to give the borylene derivatives in yields of 78 % ( 4 ) and 57 % ( 5 ). These halide‐substituted germaborenes were characterized by single‐crystal structure analysis, and the electronic structures were studied by quantum‐chemical calculations. According to an NBO NRT analysis, the dominating Lewis structure contains a Ge=B double bond. The germaborenes undergo a reversible, photochemically initiated [2+2] cycloaddition with the phenyl moiety of a terphenyl substituent at room temperature, forming a complex heterocyclic structure with Ge^IV in a strongly distorted coordination environment.     

Assessment of intermolecular interactions at three sites of the arylalkyne in phenylacetylene‐containing lithium‐bonded complexes: Ab initio and QTAIM studies

The intermolecular interactions existing at three different sites between phenylacetylene and LiX (X = OH, NH₂, F, Cl, Br, CN, NC) have been investigated by means of second‐order Møller?Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) calculations and quantum theory of “atoms in molecules” (QTAIM) studies. At each site, the lithium‐bonding interactions with electron‐withdrawing groups (? F, ? Cl, ? Br, ? CN, ? NC) were found to be stronger than those with electron‐donating groups (? OH and ? NH₂). Molecular graphs of C₆H₅C?CH···LiF and πC₆H₅C?CH···LiF show the same connectional positions, and the electron densities at the lithium bond critical points (BCPs) of the πC₆H₅C?CH···LiF complexes are distinctly higher than those of the σC₆H₅C?CH···LiF complexes, indicating that the intermolecular interactions in the C₆H₅C?CH···LiX complexes can be mainly attributed to the π‐type interaction. QTAIM studies have shown that these lithium‐bond interactions display the characteristics of “closed‐shell” noncovalent interactions, and the molecular formation density difference indicates that electron transfer plays an important role in the formation of the lithium bond. For each site, linear relationships have been found between the topological properties at the BCP (the electron density ρ_b, its Laplacian ?²ρ_b, and the eigenvalue λ₃ of the Hessian matrix) and the lithium bond length d(Li‐bond). The shorter the lithium bond length d(Li‐bond), the larger ρ_b, and the stronger the π···Li bond. The shorter d(Li‐bond), the larger ?²ρ_b, and the greater the electrostatic character of the π···Li bond. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effect of Intermolecular Interactions on Metal‐to‐Metal Charge Transfer: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

Understanding the effects of intermolecular interactions on metal‐to‐metal charge transfer (MMCT) is crucial to develop molecular devices by grafting MMCT‐based molecular arrays. Herein, we report a series of solvent‐free {Fe₂Co₂} compounds sharing the same cationic tetranuclear {[Fe(PzTp)(CN)₃]₂[Co(dpq)₂]₂}²⁺ (PzTp^?=tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate, dpq=dipyrido[3,2‐d:2′,3′‐f]quinoxaline) square units but having anions with different size, including BF₄^?, PF₆^?, OTf^?, and [Fe(PzTp)(CN)₃]^?. Intermolecular π???π interactions between dpq ligands, which coordinate to cobalt ions in the {[Fe(PzTp)(CN)₃]₂[Co(dpq)₂]₂}²⁺ units, can be modulated by introducing different counterions, regulating the distortion of the CoN₆ octahedron and ligand field around the cobalt ions. This change results in different MMCT behavior. Computational analyzes reveal the substantial role of the intermolecular interactions tuned by the presence of different counteranions on the MMCT behavior.     

Solid,Solution, and Theoretical Approach of [Cu(CN‐acac)(dmeen)]+

The reaction of bis(3‐cyano‐2,4‐pentanedionato)copper(II), [Cu(NC‐acac)₂] with the nitrogenous base N,N‐dimethyl, N′‐ethyl‐1,2‐ethylenediamine (dmeen) in the presence of Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, afforded a new cationic mixed‐ligand chelate [Cu(CN‐acac)(dmeen)]⁺. Its structure was characterized spectroscopically (IR, UV/Vis, EPR) and verified by X‐ray diffraction studies as [Cu(CN‐acac)(dmeen)(H₂O)]ClO₄. The coordination of CN‐acac^– as bridging ligand leads to a polymeric helical chain, which extends in the crystallographic c axis. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that in the solid state the anion CN‐acac^– binding is envisaged through the nitrogen atom of the cyanido group, establishing an octahedral arrangement around copper, whereas in solution, the square‐planar arrangement is prevailed, in accordance with the EPR findings.     

Syntheses,Structures and Luminescent Properties of Metal Halide Complexes Containing 2,3‐Diphenylquinoxaline

The reaction of CuI with 2,3‐diphenylquinoxaline ( L ) in 1:1 mole proportion in CH₃CN/THF afforded the dinuclear complex [CuI( L )]₂, 1 , whereas the reactions of MX₂ (M = Cu; Hg) with L in 1:2 mole proportion in CH₃OH gave the mononuclear complexes CuX₂( L )₂ (X = Cl, 2 ; Br, 3 ) and HgX₂( L )₂ (X = Cl, 4 ; Br, 5 ). Formulations of all the complexes were determined on the basis of X‐ray crystallography, elemental, IR‐ and emission spectroscopy. X‐ray examination revealed that complex 1 forms the μ,μ‐iodobridged dimer with distorted trigonal planar geometry through coordination of L ligand by one nitrogen atom to the Cu(I) center. The metal centers of complexes 2 and 3 form distorted square planar geometry while those of complexes 4 and 5 form linear geometry. The molecules of these complexes are interlinked through C‐H—π and/or π‐π stacking and anion—π interactions that form the packed structure. All the complexes exhibit emissions which may be tentatively assigned as intraligand (IL) π r? π* transitions.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Properties of [Mn(hdpa)2(N(CN)2)2] and [Co(hdpa)2(N(CN)2)2] (hdpa = 2, 2'‐Dipyridylamine)

Two new transition metal(II) complexes [M(hdpa)₂(N(CN)₂)₂] (M = Mn ( 1 ), Co ( 2 ); hdpa = 2, 2'‐dipyridylamine) have been prepared and characterized structurally and magnetically. Both compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c. 1 and 2 are isotypic with the unit cell parameters a = 8.634(9), b = 13.541(14), c = 21.99(2) Å, β = 94.806(18)°, and V = 2562(5) ų for 1 , a = 8.617(3) Å, b = 13.629(5)Å, c = 21.598(8)Å, β = 94.593(6)°, and V = 2528.4(15)ų for 2 , and Z = 4 for both. According to X‐ray crystallographic studies, each metal(II) ion was six‐coordinated with four nitrogen atoms from two bidentate hdpa ligand and two nitrogen atoms from two N(CN)^— anions to form slightly distorted octahedrons. Adjacent complex molecules are connected by hydrogen bonds or π···π interactions to form three‐dimensional network. The IR and UV spectroscopy were measured and the magnetic behaviors were investigated.     

Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II) Complexes of the 3‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐5,6‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazine (PDPT) Ligand,Structural Studies of [Zn(PDPT)2Cl(ClO4)] and [Cd(PDPT)2(NO3)(ClO4)]

Two new mixed‐anion zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of 3‐(2‐pyridyl)‐5,6‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazine (PDPT) ligand, [Zn(PDPT)₂Cl(ClO₄)] and [Cd(PDPT)₂(NO₃)(ClO₄)], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR‐ and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The single crystal X‐ray analyses show that the coordination number in these complexes is six with four N‐donor atoms from two “PDPT” ligand and two of the anionic ligands, ZnN₄ClO_perchlorate, CdN₄O_nitrateO_perchlorate. Self‐assembly of these compounds in the solid state via π–π‐stacking interactions is discussed.     

Substrate‐Dependent H/D Kinetic Isotope Effects and the Role of the Di(μ‐oxo)diiron(IV) Core in Soluble Methane Monooxygenase: A Theoretical Study

Soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) is an enzyme that converts alkanes to alcohols using a di(μ‐oxo)diiron(IV) intermediate Q at the active site. Very large kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) indicative of significant tunneling are observed for the hydrogen transfer (H‐transfer) of CH₄ and CH₃CN; however, a relatively small KIE is observed for CH₃NO₂. The detailed mechanism of the enzymatic H‐transfer responsible for the diverse range of KIEs is not yet fully understood. In this study, variational transition‐state theory including the multidimensional tunneling approximation is used to calculate rate constants to predict KIEs based on the quantum‐mechanically generated intrinsic reaction coordinates of the H‐transfer by the di(μ‐oxo)diiron(IV) complex. The results of our study reveal that the role of the di(μ‐oxo)diiron(IV) core and the H‐transfer mechanism are dependent on the substrate. For CH₄, substrate binding induces an electron transfer from the oxygen to one Fe^IV center, which in turn makes the μ‐O ligand more electrophilic and assists the H‐transfer by abstracting an electron from the C?H σ orbital. For CH₃CN, the reduction of Fe^IV to Fe^III occurs gradually with substrate binding and H‐transfer. The charge density and electrophilicity of the μ‐O ligand hardly change upon substrate binding; however, for CH₃NO₂, there seems to be no electron movement from μ‐O to Fe^IV during the H‐transfer. Thus, the μ‐O ligand appears to abstract a proton without an electron from the C?H σ orbital. The calculated KIEs for CH₄, CH₃CN, and CH₃NO₂ are 24.4, 49.0, and 8.27, respectively, at 293 K, in remarkably good agreement with the experimental values. This study reveals that diverse KIE values originate mainly from tunneling to the same di(μ‐oxo)diiron(IV) core for all substrates, and demonstrate that the reaction dynamics are essential for reproducing experimental results and understanding the role of the diiron core for methane oxidation in sMMO.     

Synthesis and Characterization of β‐Diketiminate Aluminum Compounds and Their Use in the Ring‐Opening Polymerization of ε‐Caprolactone

Four aluminum alkyl compounds, [CH{(CH₃)CN‐2,4,6‐MeC₆H₂}₂AlMe₂] ( 1 ), [CH{(CH₃)CN‐2,4,6‐MeC₆H₂}₂AlEt₂] ( 2 ), [CH{(CH₃)CN‐2‐iPrC₆H₄}₂AlMe₂] ( 3 ), and [CH{(CH₃)CN‐2‐iPrC₆H₄}₂AlEt₂] ( 4 ), bearing β‐diketiminate ligands [CH{(Me)CN‐2,4,6‐MeC₆H₂}]₂ (L¹H) and [CH{(Me)CN‐2‐ⁱPrC₆H₄}]₂ (L²H) were obtained from the reactions of trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum with the corresponding β‐diketiminate, respectively. All compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis, and elemental analysis. Compounds 1 – 4 were found to catalyze the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) with good activity.     

Intramolecular chelation of Zn2+ by α‐ and β‐mercaptocarboxamides. A parallel ab initio and polarizable molecular mechanics investigation. Assessment of the role of multipole transferability

α‐ and β‐mercaptocarboxamides constitute the Zn²⁺‐ligating entity of several highly potent metalloenzyme inhibitors. We have studied their interaction energies with Zn²⁺ using the polarizable molecular mechanics procedure SIBFA, and compared them to the corresponding ab initio supermolecule ones. Such validations are necessary to subsequently undertake simulations on complexes of Zn²⁺–metalloenzymes with inhibitors. If the distributed multipoles and polarizabilities are those derived for each ligand in its appropriate Zn²⁺‐binding conformation, a close reproduction of the ab initio binding energies is afforded. However, this representation is not tractable upon increasing the size of the ligands and/or to explore a continuum of binding conformations. This makes it necessary to construct the ligands by resorting to a library of constitutive fragments, namely in this case methanethiolate, formamide, and methane covalently connected together. A close reproduction of the ab initio interaction energies is enabled, but only if the ligand–ligand interactions are computed simultaneously with those occurring with Zn²⁺. This representation accounts for the nonadditivity occurring in the Zn²⁺–methanethiolate–formamide complex, and justifies the use of the distributed multipoles on the fragments for the construction of larger and flexible molecules. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1038–1047, 2001     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Properties of [Cu(phen)3][Cu(pheida)2]·10H2O and [(phen)2Cu(μ‐BAAP)Cu(μ‐BAAP)Cu(phen)2][Cu(BAAP)2]·8.5H2O (H2pheida = N‐phenetyl‐iminodiacetic acid,H2BAAP = N‐benzylaminoacetic‐2‐propionic acid)

The salts [Cu(phen)₃][Cu(pheida)₂]·10H₂O ( 1 ) and [(phen)₂Cu(μ‐BAAP)Cu(μ‐BAAP)Cu(phen)₂][Cu(BAAP)₂]·8.5H₂O ( 2 ) (H₂pheida = N‐phenetyl‐iminodiacetic acid, H₂BAAP = N‐benzylaminoacetic‐2‐propionic acid, phen = 1, 10‐phenanthroline) have been prepared and studied by thermal, spectroscopic and X‐ray diffraction methods. 1 has the rather unusual [Cu(phen)₃]²⁺ cation and two non‐equivalent [Cu(pheida)₂]^2— anions with a coordination type 4+2 but quite different tetragonality (T = 0.848 and 0.703 for anions 1 and 2, respectively). The crystal consists of multi‐π, π‐stacked chains (…anion 2 — cation — cation — anion 2…) connected by hydrophobic interactions; these chains build channels which are partially filled by anions 1 and water molecules. In contrast, compound 2 has a mixed‐ligand trinuclear cation with a bridging central moiety close similar to the counter anion. The formation of such a trinuclear cation is discussed as a consequence of the most advantageous molecular recognition process between [Cu(phen)₂(H₂O)_{1 or 2}]²⁺ and [Cu(BAAP)₂]^2— in solution. In the crystal of 2, multi‐π, π‐stacked arrays of C₆‐rings from phen and (BAAP)^2— ligands of trinuclear cations generate channels where counter anions and water molecules are located.     

Predicting Stable Molecular Structures for (RNC)2AuIX Complexes

Calculations have been performed at the MP2 and DFT levels for investigating the reasons for the difficulties in synthesizing bis(isocyanide)gold(I) halide complexes. Three‐coordinated gold(I) complexes of the type (R₃P)₂Au^IX ( 1 ) can be synthesized, whereas the analogous isocyanide complexes (RNC)₂Au^IX ( 2 ) are not experimentally known. The molecular structures of (R₃P)₂Au^IX (X = Cl, Br, and I) and (RNC)₂Au^IX with X = halide, cyanide, nitrite, methylthiolate, and thiocyanate are compared and structural differences are discussed. Calculations of molecular properties elucidate which factors determine the strength of the gold‐ligand interactions in (RNC)₂Au^IX. The linear bonding mode of RNC favors a T‐shaped geometry instead of the planar Y‐shaped trigonal structure of (R₃P)₂Au^IX complexes that have been synthesized. An increased polarity of the Au–X bond in 2 leads to destabilization of the Y‐shaped structure. Chalcogen‐containing ligands or cyanide appear to be good X‐ligand candidates for synthesis of (RNC)₂Au^IX complexes.     

Preparation and Characterization of the Antibacterial Zn2+ or/and Ce3+ Loaded Montmorillonites

A series of modified montmorillonites including Zn²⁺ loaded montmorillonite (Zn/MMT), Ce³⁺ loaded montmorillonite (Ce/MMT) and Zn²⁺‐Ce³⁺ loaded montmorillonites (Zn‐Ce/MMT) were prepared by an ion‐exchange reaction, and characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The specific surface areas, zeta potentials and antibacterial activity of the modified montmorillonites were also investigated. Zinc and cerium were proved to be present as bivalent zinc state and trivalent cerium state in the modified montmorillonites. For the modified montmorillonites, the d₀₀₁ basal spacings increased and the particles were formed of irregular shapes. The antibacterial activity of the modified montmorillonites was enhanced with the increase of specific surface areas and zeta potentials, and Zn²⁺‐Ce³⁺ loaded montmorillonites displayed obvious synergistic antibacterial effect. When Zn/Ce atomic ratio was 1.24, the Zn‐Ce/MMT showed high antibacterial efficiency and broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity, possessing the MIC against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Mucor of 1500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg·L^?1, respectively.     

Syntheses and Structures of Ruthenium Complexes Containing a Ru‐H‐Tl Three‐Center–Two‐Electron Bond

Treatment of CpRuH(PP) (PP=dppm, dppe) with TlPF₆ produced [CpRu(H)(Tl)(PP)]PF₆. X‐ray diffraction and computational studies suggest that the complexes contain a Ru?H?Tl 3c–2e bond and can be viewed as the first σ‐complexes of period 6 main‐group hydrides [CpRu{η²‐(H?Tl)}(PP)]PF₆ or [Tl{η²‐H?RuCp(PP)}]PF₆. The complexes can be stored as a solid at room temperature for days without appreciable decomposition, but are unstable in solution and evolved to the trimetallic complexes [{CpRu(PP)}₂(μ‐Tl)]PF₆.     

Tetrylenes chelated by bifunctional β‐diketiminate ligand: structure and possible applications

The synthesis and structure of heteroleptic tetrylenes containing bifunctional β‐diketiminate ligand are reported. Compounds were prepared via a protolytic reaction of free β‐diketimine {N‐[(2‐MeO)C₆H₅]}N═C(Me)CH═C(Me)N(H){N′‐[(2‐MeO)C₆H₅]} (L^COH) and {N‐[(2‐MeO)C₆H₅]}N?CHCH?CHN(H){N′‐[(2‐MeO)C₆H₅]} (L^HOH), respectively, with corresponding bis(amide) – M[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (M = Ge, Sn, Pb) – in equimolar ratio or via the salt elimination route from lithium precursors generated from L^HOH/L^COH species and slight excess of SnCl₂ or GeCl₂.dioxane complex. Only heteroleptic complexes were obtained by the mentioned methods. Products were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy techniques and structures of four of them have been determined by X‐ray diffraction methods. Complexes L^HOGeCl and L^COSnN(SiMe₃)₂ crystallize as monomers with the three‐coordinated metal centres by one chloro or amido ligand and one bidentate β‐diketiminato unit, in contrast to the structure of L^COSnCl, which reveals a dimeric character and compound L^COPbN(SiMe₃)₂, where the central atom of lead is five‐coordinated by methoxy groups of the ligand. Complex L^COSnN(SiMe₃)₂ was tested as a catalyst for polymerization of various epoxides_. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.