Crystallographic report: tert‐Butyldifluoro(2,4,6‐tris‐iso‐propylphenyl)silane,t‐Bu(2,4,6‐i‐PrC6H2)SiF2

Owing to steric congestion within the title compound, the geometry at the silicon atom deviates slightly from ideal tetrahedral geometry with an increased C? Si? C angle of 115.97(12)° and an elongated Si? C_aryl bond distance. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Boryl‐Functionalized σ‐Alkynyl and Vinylidene Rhodium Complexes: Synthesis and Electronic Properties

The synthesis, reactivity, and properties of boryl‐functionalized σ‐alkynyl and vinylidene rhodium complexes such as trans‐[RhCl(?C?CHBMes₂)(PiPr₃)₂] and trans‐[Rh(C?CBMes₂)(IMe)(PiPr₃)₂] are reported. An equilibrium was found to exist between rhodium vinylidene complexes and the corresponding hydrido σ‐alkynyl complexes in solution. The complex trans‐[Rh(C?CBMes₂)(IMe)(PiPr₃)₂] (IMe=1,3‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) was found to exhibit solvatochromism and can be quasireversibly oxidized and reduced electrochemically. Density functional calculations were performed to determine the reaction mechanism and to help rationalize the photophysical properties of trans‐[Rh(C?CBMes₂)(IMe)(PiPr₃)₂].     

Synthesis and Structure of the Tetrameric [Cp*V(μ‐F)2]4 (Cp* = C5Me5); Preparation of the Imido Molybdenum Fluoride [(2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3N)2MoF2] · THF and the Structural Investigation of [(2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3N)6Mo4(μ3‐F)2Me2(μ‐O)4]

Treating [Cp*V(μ‐Cl)₂]₃ (Cp* = C₅Me₅) and [(2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃N)₂MoMe₂], respectively, with Me₃SnF afforded the title compounds [Cp*V(μ‐F)₂]₄ ( 1 ) and [(2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃N)₂MoF₂] · THF ( 2 ). 1 has a tetrameric structure, in which four V atoms can be regarded as being arranged at the vertices of a distorted tetrahedron, with four long edges bridged by one F atom and each of the other two short edges bridged by two F atoms with a mean V–F bond length of 2.00 Å. A hydrolyzed product of 2 , [(2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃N)₆Mo₄(μ₃‐F)₂Me₂(μ‐O)₄] ( 3 ) was characterized by elemental analyses and X‐ray single crystal study. The X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that 3 has a unique tetranuclear structure, containing two five and two six coordinated Mo atoms connecting each other by four μ‐O and two μ₃‐F atoms. The geometries around the two Mo atoms can be described having distorted trigonal bipyramidal and distorted octahedral coordination spheres, respectively. The Mo–(μ‐O) bond lengths are 1.813 Å (average) for five coordinated Mo atoms and 2.030 Å (average) for those of six coordinated, respectively, indicating an additional π bonding between five coordinated Mo atoms and the μ‐O atoms. The Mo–(μ₃‐F) distances range from 2.291 to 2.352 Å.     

Synthesis and Characterizations of Ti(O‐i‐Pr)Cl3(THF)(PhCOR) (R = H,Me, Ph) and Ti(O‐i‐Pr)Cl3(PhCOR)2 (R = Me,Ph). The Molecular Structure of Ti(O‐i‐Pr)Cl3(PhCOPh)2

A series of titanium(IV) complexes Ti(O‐i‐Pr)Cl₃(THF)(PhCOR) (R = H ( 1 ), CH₃ ( 2 ), or Ph ( 3 )) is prepared quantitatively from reactions of [Ti(O‐i‐Pr)Cl₂(THF)(μ‐Cl)]₂ with 2 molar equiv. PhCOR. Treatment of Ti(O‐i‐Pr)Cl₃ with 2 molar equiv. of PhCOR affords the disubstituted complexes Ti(O‐i‐Pr)Cl₃(PhCOR)₂ (R = CH₃ ( 4 ) or Ph ( 5 )). The ¹³C NMR study of these complexes shows that the relative bonding abilities are in the order of PhCOCH₃ > PhCHO > PhCOPh. The molecular structure of 5 reveals that one of the benzophenone ligands is trans to the strongest 2‐propoxide ligand with a long Ti‐O(carbonyl) distance of 2.193(5) Å which is much longer than the other Ti‐O(carbonyl) distance of 2.097(4) Å by ?0.1 Å. All ligands cis to the alkoxide ligand are bending away from the alkoxide ligand with the RO‐Ti‐L angles ranging from 93.6(2) to 99.0(2)°.     

Mechanistic Insight into the Facilitation of β‐Lactam Fragmentation through Metal Assistance

The mechanism of OsH₆(PiPr₃)₂‐mediated fragmentation of a 4‐(2 pyridyl)‐2‐azetidinone has been investigated by DFT calculations. The addition of the C4?H bond of the substrate to OsH₂(PiPr₃)₂ allows the active participation of an osmium lone pair in the B‐type β‐lactam fragmentation process. This new mechanism makes the N1?C4/C2?C3 fragmentation of the lactamic core thermally accessible through a stepwise process.     

Pr6C2‐Doppeltetraeder in Pr6C2Cl10 und Pr6C2Cl5Br5

Pr₆C₂‐Bitetrahedra in Pr₆C₂Cl₁₀ and Pr₆C₂Cl₅Br₅ The compounds Pr₆C₂Cl₁₀ and Pr₆C₂Cl₅Br₅ are prepared by heating stoichiometric mixtures of Pr, PrCl₃, PrBr₃ and C in sealed Ta capsules at 810 ? 820 °C. They form bulky transparent yellow to green and moisture sensitive crystals which have different structures: space groups C2/c, (a = 13.687(3) Å, b = 8.638(2) Å, c = 15.690(3) Å, β = 97.67(3)° for Pr₆C₂Cl₁₀ and a = 13.689(1) Å, b = 10.383(1) Å, c = 14.089(1) Å, β = 106.49(1)° for Pr₆C₂Cl₅Br₅). Both crystal structures contain C‐centered Pr₆C₂ bitetrahedra, linked via halogen atoms above edges and corners in different ways. The site selective occupation of the halogen positions in Pr₆C₂Cl₅Br₅ is refined in a split model and analysed with the bond length‐bond strength formalism. The compound is further characterized via TEM investigations and magnetic measurements (μ_eff = 3.66 μ_B).     

Reaction of N‐Heterocyclic Silylenes with Thioketone: Formation of Silicon–Sulfur Three (Si‐C‐S)‐ and Five (Si‐C‐C‐C‐S)‐Membered Ring Systems

Three‐ and five‐membered rings that bear the (Si‐C‐S ) and (Si‐C‐C‐C‐S ) unit have been synthesized by the reactions of L SiCl ( 1 ; L =PhC(NtBu)₂) and L′ Si ( 2 ; L′ =CH{(C?CH₂)(CMe)(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N)₂}) with the thioketone 4,4′‐bis(dimethylamino)thiobenzophenone. Treatment of 4,4′‐bis(dimethylamino)thiobenzophenone with L SiCl at room temperature furnished the [1+2]‐cycloaddition product silathiacyclopropane 3 . However, reaction of 4,4′‐bis(dimethylamino)thiobenzophenone with L′ Si at low temperature afforded a [1+4]‐cycloaddition to yield the five‐membered ring product 4 . Compounds 3 and 4 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, EIMS, and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 3 and 4 were unambiguously established by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis. The room‐temperature reaction of 4,4′‐bis(dimethylamino)thiobenzophenone with L′ Si resulted in products 4 and 5 , in which 4 is the dearomatized product and 5 is formed under the 1,3‐migration of a hydrogen atom from the aromatic phenyl ring to the carbon atom of the C? S unit. Furthermore, the optimized structures of probable products were investigated by using DFT calculations.     

Imino‐Bridged Bisphosphaalkenes (2,4‐Diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes)

Deprotonation of aminophosphaalkenes (RMe₂Si)₂C?PN(H)(R′) (R=Me, iPr; R′=tBu, 1‐adamantyl (1‐Ada), 2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂ (Mes*)) followed by reactions of the corresponding Li salts Li[(RMe₂Si)₂C?P(M)(R′)] with one equivalent of the corresponding P‐chlorophosphaalkenes (RMe₂Si)₂C?PCl provides bisphosphaalkenes (2,4‐diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes) [(RMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NR′. The thermally unstable tert‐butyliminobisphosphaalkene [(Me₃Si)₂C?P]₂NtBu ( 4 a ) undergoes isomerisation reactions by Me₃Si‐group migration that lead to mixtures of four‐membered heterocyles, but in the presence of an excess amount of (Me₃Si)₂C?PCl, 4 a furnishes an azatriphosphabicyclohexene C₃(SiMe₃)₅P₃NtBu ( 5 ) that gave red single crystals. Compound 5 contains a diphosphirane ring condensed with an azatriphospholene system that exhibits an endocylic P?C double bond and an exocyclic ylidic P⁽⁺⁾? C^(?)(SiMe₃)₂ unit. Using the bulkier iPrMe₂Si substituents at three‐coordinated carbon leads to slightly enhanced thermal stability of 2,4‐diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes [(iPrMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NR′ (R′=tBu: 4 b ; R′=1‐Ada: 8 ). According to a low‐temperature crystal‐structure determination, 8 adopts a non‐planar structure with two distinctly differently oriented P?C sites, but ³¹P NMR spectra in solution exhibit singlet signals. ³¹P NMR spectra also reveal that bulky Mes* groups (Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂) at the central imino function lead to mixtures of symmetric and unsymmetric rotamers, thus implying hindered rotation around the P? N bonds in persistent compounds [(RMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NMes* ( 11 a , 11 b ). DFT calculations for the parent molecule [(H₃Si)₂C?P]₂NCH₃ suggest that the non‐planar distortion of compound 8 will have steric grounds.     

Preparation of Stable Low‐Oxidation‐State Group 14 Element Amidohydrides and Hydride‐Mediated Ring‐Expansion Chemistry of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

Various low oxidation state (+2) group 14 element amidohydride adducts, IPr ? EH(BH₃)NHDipp (E=Si or Ge; IPr=[(HCNDipp)₂C:], Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃), were synthesized. Thermolysis of the reported adducts was investigated as a potential route to Si‐ and Ge‐based clusters; however, unexpected transmetallation chemistry occurred to yield the carbene–borane adduct, IPr ? BH₂NHDipp. When a solution of IPr ? BH₂NHDipp in toluene was heated to 100 °C, a rare C? N bond‐activation/ring‐expansion reaction involving the bound N‐heterocyclic carbene donor (IPr) transpired.     

Bis(arylimido) Molybdenum(VI) Amidinate and Guanidinate Complexes; Molecular Structures of [(ArN)2MoMe{N(Cy)C[N(i‐Pr)2]N(Cy)}] (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3; Cy = Cyclohexyl) and [(2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3N)2MoCl2] · [NH=C(C6H5)CH(SiMe3)2]

The reaction of [(ArN)₂MoCl₂] · DME (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃) ( 1 ) with lithium amidinates or guanidinates resulted in molybdenum(VI) complexes [(ArN)₂MoCl{N(R¹)C(R²)N(R¹)}] (R¹ = Cy (cyclohexyl), R² = Me ( 2 ); R¹ = Cy, R² = N(i‐Pr)₂ ( 3 ); R¹ = Cy, R² = N(SiMe₃)₂ ( 4 ); R¹ = SiMe₃, R² = C₆H₅ ( 5 )) with five coordinated molybdenum atoms. Methylation of these compounds was exemplified by the reactions of 2 and 3 with MeLi affording the corresponding methylates [(ArN)₂MoMe{N(R¹)C(R²)N(R¹)}] (R¹ = Cy, R² = Me ( 6 ); R¹ = Cy, R² = N(i‐Pr)₂ ( 7 )). The analogous reaction of 1 with bulky [N(SiMe₃)C(C₆H₅)C(SiMe₃)₂]Li · THF did not give the corresponding metathesis product, but a Schiff base adduct [(ArN)₂MoCl₂] · [NH=C(C₆H₅)CH(SiMe₃)₂] ( 8 ) in low yield. The molecular structures of 7 and 8 are established by the X‐ray single crystal structural analysis.     

Tetrakis(μ‐triisopropylsilanethiolato)‐1:2κ4S:S;2:3κ4S:S‐bis(triisopropylsilanethiolato)‐1κS,3κS‐trizinc(II)

The title compound, [Zn₃(C₉H₂₁SiS)₆] or [(ⁱPr₃SiS)Zn(μ‐SSiⁱPr₃)₂Zn(μ‐SSiⁱPr₃)₂Zn(SSiⁱPr₃)], is the first structurally characterized homoleptic silanethiolate complex of zinc. A near‐linear arrangement of three Zn^II ions is observed, the metals at the ends being three‐coordinate with one terminally bound silanethiolate ligand. The central Zn^II ion is four‐coordinate and tetrahedral, with two bridging silanethiolate ligands joining it to each of the two peripheral Zn^II ions. The nonbonding intermetallic distances are 3.1344 (11) and 3.2288 (12) Å, while the Zn...Zn...Zn angle is 172.34 (2)°. A trimetallic silanethiolate species of this type has not been previously identified by X‐ray crystallography for any element.     

Mononuclear Carbene Dithiolate [Ni(NHX)(′S2C ′)] Complexes with HNX = HNPiPr3 or HNSPh2 Coligands (′S2C ′ 2– = 1,3‐ImidazolidinylN,N′‐bis(2‐benzenethiolate)(2–))

Cleavage reactions of the dinuclear [{Ni(′S₂C ′)}₂] · DMF (′S₂C ′ ^2– = 1,3‐imidazolidinyl‐N,N′‐bis(2‐benzenethiolate)(2–)) with HNPiPr₃ or HNSPh₂ yielded the mononuclear complexes [Ni(NHPiPr₃)(′S₂C ′)] ( 1 ) and [Ni(NHSPh₂)(′S₂C ′)] ( 2 ) which have been completely characterized. The nickel‐carbene‐dithiolate [Ni(′S₂C ′)] moiety is one of the very rare complex fragments that are able to coordinate both HNPR₃ or HNSR₂. IR spectra and X‐ray structure determinations show that 1 and 2 exhibit intramolecular N–H…S(thiolate) hydrogen bonds. Geometric parameters and NMR spectroscopic data of 1 and 2 are compatible with N–X single bonds and ylidic structures of the HNPiPr₃ and HNSPh₂ ligands. Comparison of Ni–N distances in diamagnetic and paramagnetic [Ni(NHSPh₂)] complexes was rendered possible through the X‐ray structure determination of the homoleptic [Ni(NHSPh₂)₆]Cl₂ ( 3 ) which formed as minor by‐product in the synthesis of 2 .     

Cationic Five‐Coordinate Bis(guanidinato)silicon(IV) Complexes with SiN4El Skeletons (El=S,Se): “Heterolytic Activation” of S−S and Se−Se Bonds

The donor‐stabilized silylene [iPrNC(NiPr₂)NiPr]₂Si ( 2 ) reacts with PhEl?ElPh (El=S, Se) to form the respective cationic five‐coordinate bis(guanidinato)silicon(IV) complexes {[iPrNC(NiPr₂)NiPr]₂SiSPh}⁺PhS^? ( 4 ) and {[iPrNC (NiPr₂)NiPr]₂SiSePh}⁺PhSe^? ( 5 ). Compounds 4 and 5 were characterized by crystal structure analyses and NMR spectroscopic studies in the solid state.     

A Donor‐Stabilized Zwitterionic “Half‐Parent” Phosphasilene and Its Unusual Reactivity towards Small Molecules

The stabilization of the labile, zwitterionic “half‐parent” phosphasilene 4 L′Si?PH (L′=CH[(C?CH₂)CMe(NAr)₂]; Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) could now be accomplished by coordination with two different donor ligands (4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and 1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene), affording the adducts 8 and 9 , respectively. The DMAP‐stabilized zwitterionic “half‐parent” phosphasilene 8 is capable of transferring the elusive parent phosphinidene moiety (:PH) to an unsaturated organic substrate, in analogy to the “free” phosphasilene 4 . Furthermore, compounds 4 and 8 show an unusual reactivity of the Si?P moiety towards small molecules. They are capable of adding dimethylzinc and of activating the S?H bonds in H₂S and the N?H bonds in ammonia and several organoamines. Interestingly, the DMAP donor ligand of 8 has the propensity to act as a leaving group at the phosphasilene during the reaction. Accordingly, treatment of 8 with H₂S affords, under liberation of DMAP, the unprecedented thiosilanoic phosphane LSi?S(PH₂) 16 (L=HC(CMe[2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N])₂). Compounds 4 and 8 react with ammonia both affording L′Si(NH₂)PH₂ 17 , respectively. In addition, the reaction of 8 with isoproylamine, p‐toluidine, and pentafluorophenylhydrazine lead to the corresponding phosphanylsilanes L′Si(PH₂)NHR (R=iPr 18 a ; R=C₆H₅?CH₃ 18 b , R=NH(C₆F₅) 18 c ), respectively.     

A Series of Isolable Silanoic Thio‐, Seleno‐, and Telluroesters (LSi(X)OR) with Donor‐Supported SiX Double Bonds (L=β‐Diketiminate; X=S,Se, Te)

The first silicon analogues of carbonic (carboxylic) esters, the silanoic thio‐, seleno‐, and tellurosilylesters 3 (Si?S), 4 (Si?Se), and 5 (Si?Te), were prepared and isolated in crystalline form in high yield. These thermally robust compounds are easily accessible by direct reaction of the stable siloxysilylene L(Si:)OSi(H)L′ 2 (L=HC(CMe)₂[N(aryl)₂], L′=CH[(C?CH₂)‐CMe][N(aryl)]₂; aryl=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with the respective elemental chalcogen. The novel compounds were fully characterized by methods including multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Owing to intramolecular N→Si donor–acceptor support of the Si?X moieties (X=S, Se, Te), these compounds have a classical valence‐bond N⁺–Si–X^? resonance betaine structure. At the same time, they also display a relatively strong nonclassical Si?X π‐bonding interaction between the chalcogen lone‐pair electrons (n_π donor orbitals) and two antibonding Si? N orbitals (σ*_π acceptor orbitals mainly located at silicon), which was shown by IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Accordingly, the Si?X bonds in the chalcogenoesters are 7.4 ( 3 ), 6.7 ( 4 ), and 6.9 % ( 5 ) shorter than the corresponding Si? X single bonds and, thus, only a little longer than those in electronically less disturbed Si?X systems (“heavier” ketones).     

Manganese(I)‐Catalyzed β‐Methylation of Alcohols Using Methanol as C1 Source

Highly selective β‐methylation of alcohols was achieved using an earth‐abundant first row transition metal in the air stable molecular manganese complex [Mn(CO)₂Br[HN(C₂H₄PⁱPr₂)₂]] 1 ([HN(C₂H₄PⁱPr₂)₂]=MACHO‐ⁱPr). The reaction requires only low loadings of 1 (0.5 mol %), methanolate as base and MeOH as methylation reagent as well as solvent. Various alcohols were β‐methylated with very good selectivity (>99 %) and excellent yield (up to 94 %). Biomass derived aliphatic alcohols and diols were also selectively methylated on the β‐position, opening a pathway to “biohybrid” molecules constructed entirely from non‐fossil carbon. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds through a borrowing hydrogen pathway involving metal–ligand cooperation at the Mn‐pincer complex. This transformation provides a convenient, economical, and environmentally benign pathway for the selective C?C bond formation with potential applications for the preparation of advanced biofuels, fine chemicals, and biologically active molecules     

cis‐[1,2‐Bis(diisopropylphosphino‐κP)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane]dichloroplatinum(II) dichloromethane hemisolvate

The asymmetric unit of the title complex, [PtCl₂(C₁₄H₃₈B₁₀P₂)]·0.5CH₂Cl₂ or cis‐[PtCl₂{1,2‐(PⁱPr₂)₂‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀}]·0.5CH₂Cl₂, contains one disordered solvent mol­ecule and two mol­ecules of the complex, in which each Pt^II atom displays slightly distorted square‐planar coordination geometry. The P atoms connected to the cage C atoms are coordinated to the Pt^II atom. The Pt—P distances vary slightly [2.215 (3) and 2.235 (4) Å] and the Pt—Cl distances are equal [2.348 (3) and 2.353 (5) Å].     

Iridium(I)‐ und Iridium(III)‐Komplexe mit Triisopropylarsan als Ligand

Iridium(I) and Iridium(III) Complexes with Triisopropylarsane as Ligand The ethene complex trans‐[IrCl(C₂H₄)(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 2 ), which was prepared from [IrCl(C₂H₄)₂]₂ and AsiPr₃, reacted with CO and Ph₂CN₂ by displacement of ethene to yield the substitution products trans‐[IrCl(L)(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 3 : L = CO; 4 : L = N₂). UV irradiation of 2 in the presence of acetonitrile gave via intramolecular oxidative addition the hydrido(vinyl)iridium(III) compound [IrHCl(CH=CH₂)(CH₃CN)(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 5 ). The reaction of 2 with dihydrogen led under argon to the formation of the octahedral complex [IrH₂Cl(C₂H₄)(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 7 ), whereas from 2 under 1 bar H₂ the ethene‐free compound [IrH₂Cl(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 6 ) was generated. Complex 6 reacted with ethene to afford 7 and with pyridine to give [IrH₂Cl(py)(AsiPr₃)₂] ( 8 ). The mixed arsane(phosphane)iridium(I) compound [IrCl(C₂H₄)(PiPr₃)(AsiPr₃)] ( 11 ) was prepared either from the dinuclear complex [IrCl(C₂H₄)(PiPr₃)]2 ( 9 ) and AsiPr₃ or by ligand exchange from [IrCl(C₂H₄)(PiPr₃)(SbiPr₃)] ( 10 ) und triisopropylarsane. The molecular structure of 5 was determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

8‐Amidoquinoline, 8‐(Trialkylsilylamido)quinoline, 2‐Pyridylmethylamide,and (2‐Pyridylmethyl)(trialkylsilyl)amide Complexes of Gallium

Lithium 8‐amidoquinoline ( 1 ) and lithium 8‐(trialkylsilylamido)quinoline [SiMe₂tBu ( 2 ), SiiPr₃ ( 3 )] react with dimethylgallium chloride to the metathesis products dimethylgallium 8‐amidoquinoline ( 4 ) as well as dimethylgallium 8‐(trialkylsilylamido)quinoline [SiMe₂tBu ( 5 ), SiiPr₃ ( 6 )]. The gallium atoms are in distorted tetrahedral environments. During the synthesis of 5 , orange dimethylgallium 2‐butyl‐8‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilylamido)quinoline ( 7 ) was found as by‐product. The metathesis reactions of Me₂GaCl with LiN(R)CH₂Py (Py = 2‐pyridyl) yield the corresponding 2‐pyridylmethylamides Me₂Ga‐N(H)CH₂Py ( 8 ), Me₂Ga‐N(SiMe₂tBu)CH₂Py ( 9 ) and Me₂Ga‐N(SiiPr₃)CH₂Py ( 10 ). In these complexes the gallium atoms show a distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere. However, derivative 8 crystallizes dimeric with bridging amido units whereas in 9 and 10 the 2‐pyridylmethylamido moieties act as bidentate ligands leading to monomeric molecules.     

β‐Hydrogen Elimination Reactions of Nickel and Palladium Methoxides Stabilised by PCP Pincer Ligands

Nickel and palladium methoxides [(^iPrPCP)M‐OMe], which contain the ^iPrPCP pincer ligand, decompose upon heating to give products of different kinds. The palladium derivative cleanly gives the dimeric Pd⁰ complex [Pd(μ‐^iPrPCHP)]₂ (^iPrPCHP=2,6‐bis(diisopropylphosphinomethyl)phenyl) and formaldehyde. In contrast, decomposition of [(^iPrPCP)Ni‐OMe] affords polynuclear carbonyl phosphine complexes. Both decomposition processes are initiated by β‐hydrogen elimination (BHE), but the resulting [(^iPrPCP)M‐H] hydrides undergo divergent reaction sequences that ultimately lead to the irreversible breakdown of the pincer units. Whereas the Pd hydride spontaneously experiences reductive C?H coupling, the decay of its Ni analogue is brought about by its reaction with formaldehyde released in the BHE step. Kinetic measurements showed that the BHE reaction is reversible and less favourable for Ni than for Pd for both kinetic and thermodynamic reasons. DFT calculations confirmed the main conclusions of the kinetic studies and provided further insight into the mechanisms of the decomposition reactions.