Transient terminal Cu-nitrene intermediates from discrete dicopper nitrenes

Reaction of the copper(I) beta-diketiminate {[Me3NN]Cu}2(mu-toluene) with the aryl azide N3Ar (Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3) in toluene results in immediate effervescence and formation of the dicopper nitrene {[Me3NN]Cu}2(mu-NAr) (2) in 77% yield. The X-ray structure of 2 shows nearly symmetric bonding of the nitrene to two Cu centers separated by 2.911(1) A with Cu-N distances of 1.794(5) and 1.808(5) A along with a Cu-N-Cu angle of 107.8(2) degrees . This structure is conceptually related to the dicopper carbenes {[MexNN]Cu}2(mu-CPh2) (x = 2 or 3) (Dai, X.; Warren J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 10085. Badiei, Y. M.; Warren J. Organomet. Chem. 2005, 690, 5989.) which exhibit shorter Cu-Cu distances (2.4635(7) or 2.485(1) A) and acute Cu-C-Cu angles (79.51(14) or 80.1(2) degrees ). Addition of the Cu(I) anilidoimine {[Me2AI]Cu}2 (prepared from CuOtBu and the aniline-imine H[Me2AI] in 77% yield) to a benzene-d6 solution of 2 results in the formation of two new anilidoimine complexes {[Me2AI]Cu(mu- NAr)Cu[Me3NN] (5) and {[Me2AI]Cu}2(mu-NAr) (6) as well as [Me3NN]Cu(benzene) over 3 h. These observations are consistent with the slow dissociation of a [Me3NN]Cu fragment from 2 to generate the transient terminal nitrenes [Me3NN]Cu=NAr and [Me2AI]Cu=NAr quickly trapped by the [Me2AI]Cu fragment to form the new unsymmetrical and symmetrical dicopper nitrenes 5 and 6. Preliminary reactivity studies indicate electrophilic reactivity at the nitrene moiety. Dicopper nitrene 2 reacts with 10 equiv PMe3 and CNtBu to give ArN=PMe3 and ArN=C=NtBu in 94% and 92% yields, respectively, with concomitant formation of [Me3NN]Cu(L) (L = PMe3 and CNtBu). Reaction between 2 and 2 equiv PMe3 allows for observation of the structurally characterized Cu(I) phosphaimide [Me3NN]Cu(ArN=PMe3) (7).     

A terminal Ni(III)-imide with diverse reactivity pathways

The synthesis and structure of the beta-diketiminato Ni(I) lutidine adducts [MexNN]Ni(2,4-lutidine) (x = 2 (2); x = 3 (3)) are described which serve as synthons to the "naked" 13-electron [MexNN]Ni fragments in reactions with N3Ad to give Ni-imido complexes. The singly bridged imide {[Me2NN]Ni}2(mu-NAd) (4) possesses short Ni-Ni (2.506(1) A) and Ni-N(imido) distances (1.732(4)-1.752(4) A). Steric modification of the beta-diketiminate ligand to include an additional methyl group in the N-aryl 4-position affords the Ni(III) terminal imide [Me3NN]Ni=NAd (8) isolated in 52% yield. The X-ray structure of terminal imide 8 reveals a contracted Ni-N(imido) bond distance (1.662(2) A) and an only somewhat bent imido linkage (Ni-N-C = 164.5(2) degrees ) consistent with a significant degree of multiple bond character. Frozen glass EPR studies of 5 indicate a rhombic environment in which one of the signals exhibits strong hyperfine coupling (A = 22 G) to the imido 14N (I = 1) nucleus. The terminal imide 5 undergoes complete imido group transfer to CO and CNBut to give AdNCO and AdNCNBut, respectively, as well as with PMe3 to afford AdN=PMe3. Exemplifying the radical character at the imido N atom, 5 adds to cobaltocene and abstracts a H atom from 1,4-cyclohexadiene to give the Ni(II)-amides [Me3NN]Ni-NAd(eta4-C5H5)CoCp (7) and [Me3NN]Ni-NHAd (8).     

Regioselective and reversible carbon-nitrogen bond formation: synthesis, structure and reactivity of ureato-bridged complexes [Mo2(NAr)2(mu-X){mu-ArNC(O)NAr}(S2CNR2)2](Ar = Ph, p-tol; X = S, NAr; R = Me, Et, Pr)

Reaction of ArNCO with syn-[MoO(mu-O)(S2CNR2)]2 or syn-[MoO(mu-NAr)(S2CNR2)]2 at 110 degrees C leads to the facile formation of bridging ureato complexes [Mo2(NAr)2(mu-NAr){mu-ArNC(O)NAr}(S2CNR2)2](Ar = Ph, p-tol; R = Me, Et, Pr), formed upon substitution of all oxo ligands and addition of a further equivalent of isocyanate across one of the bridging imido ligands. Related sulfido-bridged complexes [Mo2(NAr)2(mu-S){mu-ArNC(O)NAr}(S2CNR2)2] have been prepared from syn-[Mo2O2(mu-O)(mu-S)(S2CNR2)2]. When reactions with syn-[MoO(mu-NAr)(S2CNEt2)]2 were followed by NMR, intermediates were observed, being formulated as [Mo2O(NAr)(mu-NAr){mu-ArNC(O)NAr}(S2CNEt2)2], which at higher temperatures convert to the fully substituted products. A crystallographic study of [Mo2(N-p-tol)2(mu-S){mu-p-tolNC(O)N-p-tol}(S2CNPr2)2] reveals that the bridging ureato ligand is bound asymmetrically to the dimolybdenum centre-molybdenum-nitrogen bonds trans to the terminal imido ligands being significantly elongated with respect to those cis-a result of the trans-influence of the terminal imido ligands. This trans-influence also leads to a trans-effect, whereby the exchange of aryl isocyanates can occur in a regioselective manner. This is followed by NMR studies and confirmed by a crystallographic study of [Mo2(N-p-tol)2(mu-N-p-tol){mu-p-tolNC(O)NPh}(S2CNEt2)2]--the PhNCO occupying the site trans to the terminal imido ligands. Ureato complexes also react with PhNCS, initially forming [Mo2(NAr)2(mu-S){mu-ArNC(O)NAr}(S2CNR2)2], resulting from exchange of the bridging imido ligand for sulfur, together with small amounts of [Mo2(NAr)2(mu-S)(mu-S2)(S2CNEt2)2], containing bridging sulfide and disulfide ligands. The ureato complexes [Mo2(NAr)2(mu-S){mu-ArNC(O)NAr}(S2CNR2)2] react further with PhNCS to give [Mo2(NAr)2(mu-S)2(S2CNR2)2]n (n = 1, 2), which exist in a dimer-tetramer equilibrium. In order to confirm these results crystallographic studies have been carried out on [Mo2(N-p-tol)2(mu-S)(mu-S2)(S2CNEt2)2] and [Mo2(N-p-tol)2(mu-S)2(S2CNPr2)2]2.     

A novel transformation of a zirconium imido compound and the development of a new class of N3 donor heteroscorpionate ligand

Reaction of the dimeric zirconium imido compound [Zr2(mu-NAr)2Cl4(THF)4] with tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methyl silane very selectively gave [Zr{(Me2pz)2Si(Me)NAr}Cl3] (1), a highly active pre-catalyst for ethylene polymerisation; a more general and versatile route to N3 donor heteroscorpionate compounds was achieved via the protio ligand (Me2pz)2CHSi(Me)2N(H)iPr for which neutral and cationic organometallic Group 3 and 4 derivatives are reported (Ar = 2,6-C6H(3)iPr2).     

Reductive cleavage of O-, S-, and N-organonitroso compounds by nickel(I) beta-diketiminates

An electron-rich nickel(I) beta-diketiminate cleaves the E-NO bond of O-, S-, and N-organonitroso species to give the nickel nitrosyl [Me 3NN]NiNO along with dimeric nickel(II) alkoxide or thiolate complexes {[Me 3NN]Ni} 2(mu-E) 2 or the mononuclear nickel(II) amide [Me 3NN]NiNPh 2. This diamagnetic three-coordinate amide exhibits temperature-dependent NMR spectra due to a low-lying triplet state.     

The insertion reaction of acetonitrile on aryl nickel complexes stabilized by bidentate N,N'-chelating ligands

Organometallic complexes to be used as single component precursors in the catalytic dimerization/polymerization of olefins usually must contain a labile ligand that can easily be displaced by the olefin. This is the first step in the activation of the precursor. One commonly used labile ligand is a nitrile. Here we report an example of incompatibility between the nickel or palladium aryl bond and acetonitrile. Neutral [MBr(Mes)NN] complexes in which Mes=2,4,6-Me3C6H2, NN=diazabutadiene (DAD), pyridinylimine (PIM), 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) gave the expected [M(Mes)(3,5-lut)(NN)][BF4] compounds and the unexpected [Ni(Mes){NH=C(Me)(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)}(NN)][BF4] complexes in the presence of TlBF4 and 3,5-lutidine or acetonitrile. The sequence of reactions that leads to the imine ligand must include an initial insertion of the nitrile on the sigma(Ni-Mes) bond. These ionic complexes remain stable under 20 bar of ethylene.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, reactivity, and thermal stability of [eta(5):sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2)

Reaction of [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]TiCl(NMe2) (1) with 1 equiv of PhCH2K, MeMgBr, or Me3SiCH2Li gave corresponding organotitanium alkyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2) (R = CH2Ph (2), CH2SiMe3 (4), or Me (5)) in good yields. Treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of n-BuLi afforded the decomposition product {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (3). Complex 5 slowly decomposed to generate a mixed-valence dinuclear species {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe2)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (6). Complex 1 reacted with 1 equiv of PhNCO or 2,6-Me2C6H3NC to afford the corresponding monoinsertion product [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-OC(NMe2)NPh] (7) or [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-C(NMe2)=N(2,6-Me2C6H3)] (8). Reaction of 4 or 5 with 1 equiv of R'NC gave the titanium eta(2)-iminoacyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(NMe2)[eta(2)-C(R)=N(R')] (R = CH2SiMe3, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (9) or tBu (10); R = Me, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (11) or tBu (12)). The results indicated that the unsaturated molecules inserted into the Ti-N bond only in the absence of the Ti-C(alkyl) bond and that the Ti-C(cage) bond remained intact. All complexes were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 6-8, and 10-12 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses.     

Complexes of a gallium heterocycle with transition metal dicyclopentadienyl and cyclopentadienylcarbonyl fragments, and with a dialkylmanganese compound

The reactivity of several transition metal half sandwich complexes towards an anionic gallium(I) heterocyclic complex, [K(tmeda)][Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)]2}](Ar = C6H3Pri2-2,6), has been investigated. This has led to the anionic half sandwich complexes, [K(tmeda)][(C5H4R)M(CO)n[Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)]2}]](M = V, R = H, n= 3; M = Mn, R = Me, n= 2; M = Co, R = H, n= 1), which crystallographic studies show to form dimers (M = Mn and Co) or a polymer (M = V) through bridging potassium cations. The metal-gallium bond lengths in all complexes are very short which, combined with some spectroscopic evidence, is suggestive of M-Ga pi-bonding. Density functional theory studies of models of all complexes indicate that the level of back-bonding in these complexes is, however, minimal and of a similar order to that seen in analogous complexes incorporating neutral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. Reactions of the metallocenes, [M(C5H4Me)2](M = V or Cr), with the digallane4, [Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)]2}]2, have afforded the neutral complexes, [M(C5H4Me)2[Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)]2}]], which are thought to be formed via an initial oxidative insertion of the transition metal centre into the Ga-Ga bond of the digallane. X-Ray crystallography shows the complexes to be monomeric. One (M = V) reacts with one equivalent of [K(tmeda)][Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)]2}] to give the crystallographically characterised, anionic bis(gallyl)-complex, [K(tmeda)][V(C5H4Me)2[Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)]2}]2]. For comparison, the reaction of [K(tmeda)][Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)]2}] with [Mn{CH(SiMe3)2}2] was carried out and gave the monomeric, anionic complex, [K(tmeda)][Mn{CH(SiMe3)2}2[Ga{[N(Ar)C(H)]2}]].     

Catalytic construction and reconstruction of guanidines: Ti-mediated guanylation of amines and transamination of guanidines

Bis(guanidinate) titanium imido complexes [{(Me2N)C(NiPr)2}2TiNAr'] (Ar' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (1a); C6F5 (1b)) are competent catalysts for the guanylation of a variety of arylamines with carbodiimide. The reversible [2 + 2] addition of iPrN=C=NiPr to 1b is demonstrated and is proposed to be part of the catalytic cycle. Compounds 1a and 1b are also effective precatalysts for the transamination of trialkylguanidines with arylamines to yield aryldialkylguanidines.     

Ammonolysis of mono(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) titanium(IV) derivatives

Ammonolyses of mono(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) titanium(IV) derivatives [Ti(eta5-C5Me5)X3] (X = NMe2, Me, Cl) have been carried out in solution to give polynuclear nitrido complexes. Reaction of the tris(dimethylamido) derivative [Ti(eta5-C5Me5)(NMe2)3] with excess of ammonia at 80-100 degrees C gives the cubane complex [[Ti(eta5-C5Me5)]4(mu3-N)4] (1). Treatment of the trimethyl derivative [Ti(eta5-C5Me5)Me3] with NH3 at room temperature leads to the trinuclear imido-nitrido complex [[Ti(eta/5-CsMes)(mu-NH)]3(mu3-N)] (2) via the intermediate [[Ti(eta5-C5Me5)Me]2(mu-NH)2] (3). The analogous reaction of [Ti(eta5-C5Me5)Me3] with 2,4,6-trimethylaniline (ArNH2) gives the dinuclear imido complex [[Ti(eta5-C5Me5)Me])2(mu-NAr)2] (4) which reacts with ammonia to afford [[Ti(eta5-C5Me5)(NH2)]2(mu-NAr)2] (5). Complex 2 has been used, by treatments with the tris(dimethylamido) derivatives [Ti(eta5-C5H5-nRn)(NMe2)3], as precursor of the cubane nitrido systems [[Ti4(eta5-C5Me5)3(eta5-C5H5-nRn)](mu3-N)4] [R = Me n = 5 (1), R = H n = 0 (6), R = SiMe3 n = 1 (7), R = Me n = 1 (8)] via dimethylamine elimination. Reaction of [Ti(eta5-C5Me5)Cl3] or [Ti(eta5-C5Me5)(NMe2)Cl2] with excess of ammonia at room temperature gives the dinuclear complex [[Ti2(eta5-C5Me5)2Cl3(NH3)](mu-N)] (9) where an intramolecular hydrogen bonding and a nonlineal nitrido ligand bridge the "Ti(eta5-C5Me5)Cl(NH3)" and "Ti(eta5-C5Me5)Cl2" moieties. The molecular structures of [[Ti(eta5-C5Me5)Me]2 (mu-NAr)2] (4) and [[Ti2(eta5-C5Me5)2Cl3(NH3)](mu-N)] (9) have been determined by X-ray crystallographic studies. Density functional theory calculations also have been conducted on complex 9 to confirm the existence of an intramolecular N-H...Cl hydrogen bond and to evaluate different aspects of its molecular disposition.     

Synthesis and structure of ruthenium-silylene complexes: activation of Si-Cl bonds in N-heterocyclic silanes

Ru(0) complexes of bis(imino)pyridine ligands, [eta2-N3]Ru(eta6-Ar) and {[N3]Ru}2(mu-N2), where Ar = C6H6 or C6H5Me and [N3] = 2,6-(MesN=CMe)2C5H3N, react with N-heterocyclic silicon(IV) compounds to yield Ru(II) silylene complexes of the type [N3]Ru(X)(Cl){Si(NN)} (X = H, Cl, and Si(NN) = N,N'-bis(neopentyl)-1,2-phenylenedi(amino)silylene). The activation of two groups on the silane occurs in a stepwise fashion: initial oxidative addition of a Si-X bond, followed by 1,2-migration (alpha-elimination) of the Si-Cl group to the metal. Reversible dissociation from the Ru(II) center leads to free silylene, which can be preferentially trapped with Ru(0) complexes to generate a zero-valent silylene complex, [N3]Ru(N2){Si(NN)}, which also contains a terminal dinitrogen ligand.     

Synthesis and structures of crystalline Li, Al and Sn(II) 1-azaallyls and beta-diketiminates derived from [Li{mu,eta3-N(SiMe3)C(Ad)C(H)SiMe3}]2 (Ad = 1-adamantyl)

The crystalline dimeric 1-azaallyllithium complex [Li{mu,eta(3-N(SiMe3)C(Ad)C(H)SiMe3}]2 (1) was prepared from equivalent portions of Li[CH(SiMe3)2] and 1-cyanoadamantane (AdCN). Complex was used as precursor to each of the crystalline complexes 2-8 which were obtained in good yield. By 1-azaallyl ligand transfer, 1 afforded (i) [Al{eta3-N(SiMe3)C(Ad)C(H)SiMe3}{kappa1-N(SiMe3)C(Ad)=C(H)SiMe3-E}Me] (5) with [AlCl2Me](2), (ii) [Sn{eta3-N(SiMe3)C(Ad)C(H)SiMe3}2] (7) with Sn[N(SiMe3)2]2, and (iii) [Li(N{C(Ad)=C(H)SiMe3-E}{Si(NN)SiMe3})(thf)2] (8) with the silylene Si[(NCH(2)Bu(t))2C6H(4)-1,2] [= Si(NN)]. By insertion into the C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N bond of the appropriate cyanoarene RCN, gave the beta-diketiminate [Li{mu-N(SiMe3)C(Ad)C(H)C(R)NSiMe3}]2 [R = Ph (2), C(6)H(4)Me-4 (3)], and yielded [Al{kappa2-N(SiMe3)C(Ad)C(H)C(Ph)NSiMe3}{kappa1-N(SiMe3)C(Ad)=C(H)SiMe3-E}Me] (6). The beta-diketiminate [Al{kappa2-N(SiMe3)C(Ad)C(H)C(Ph)NSiMe3}Me2] (4) was prepared from 2 and [AlClMe2]2. The X-ray structures of 1 and 3-8 are presented. Multinuclear NMR spectra in C6D6 or C6D5CD3 have been recorded for each of 1-8; such data on 8 revealed that in solution two minor isomers were also present.     

Unique sigma-bond metathesis of silylalkynes promoted by an ansa-dimethylsilyl and oxo-bridged uranium metallocene

The tetrachloride salt of uranium reacts with 1 equiv of the lithium ligand Li2[(C5Me4)2SiMe2] in DME to form the complex [eta5-(C5Me4)2SiMe2]UCl2.2LiCl.2DME (1), which undergoes a rapid hydrolysis in toluene to yield the dimeric bridged monochloride, monooxide complex [{[eta5-(C5Me4)2SiMe2]UCl}2(mu-O)(mu-Cl)*Li*1/2DME]2 (2). Metathesis of 2 with BuLi in DME gives the mono-bridged dibutyl complex {[eta5-(C5Me4)2SiMe2]UBu}2(mu-O) (3). Complex 2 was characterized by solid-state X-ray analysis. Complex 3 was found to be an active catalyst for the disproportionation metathesis of TMSCCH (TMS = SiMe3) and the cross-metathesis of TMSCCH or TMSCCTMS with various terminal alkynes. The metathesis of TMSCCH gives TMSCCTMS and HCCH, whereas the cross-metathesis of TMSCCH or TMSCCTMS with terminal alkynes (RCCH) yields TMSCCTMS, TMSCCR, and HCCH. In addition, TMSCCCH3 also was found to react with tBuCCH, yielding TMSCCBut and CH3CCH. A plausible mechanism for the catalytic process is presented.     

Synthesis, structure and DFT study of dinuclear iron, cobalt and nickel complexes with cyclopentadienyl-metal moieties

Reactions of 1,1'-bis(dipheny1phosphino)cobaltocene with Co(PMe(3))(4), Ni(PMe(3))(4), Fe(PMe(3))(4), Ni(COD)(2), FeMe(2)(PMe(3))(4) or NiMe(2)(PMe(3))(3) afford a series of novel dinuclear complexes [((Me(3)P)[lower bond 1 start]Co(η(5)-C(5)H(4)[upper bond 1 start]PPh(2)))((Me(3)P)M[upper bond 1 end](η(5)-C(5)H(4)P[lower bond 1 end]Ph(2)))] (M = Co(1), Ni(2) and Fe(3)) [Co(η(5)-C(5)H(4)[upper bond 1 start]PPh(2))(2)Ni[upper bond 1 end](COD)](4), [Co(η(5)-C(5)H(4)[upper bond 1 start]PPh(2))(2)Ni[upper bond 1 end](PMe(3))(2)] (5) and [((Me(3)P)[lower bond 1 start]Co(Me)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)[upper bond 1 start]PPh(2)))((Me(3)P)Fe[upper bond 1 end](Me)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)P[lower bond 1 end]Ph(2)))] (6). Reactions of 1,1'-bis(dipheny1phosphino)ferrocene with Ni(PMe(3))(4), NiMe(2)(PMe(3))(3), or Co(PMe(3))(4) gives rise to complexes [Fe(η(5)-C(5)H(4)[upper bond 1 start]PPh(2))(2)M[upper bond 1 end](PMe(3))(2)] (M = Ni (7), Co (8)). The complexes 1-8 were spectroscopically investigated and studied by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The possible reaction mechanisms and structural characteristics are discussed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations strongly support the deductions.     

C-Cl bond activation of ortho-chlorinated benzamides by nickel and cobalt compounds supported with phosphine ligands

The C-Cl bonds of ortho-chlorinated benzamides Cl-ortho-C(6)H(4)C(=O)NHR (R = Me (1), nBu (2), Ph (3), (4-Me)Ph (4) and (4-Cl)Ph (5)) were successfully activated by tetrakis(trimethylphosphine)nickel(0) and tetrakis(trimethylphosphine)cobalt(0). The four-coordinate nickel(II) chloride complexes trans-[(C(6)H(4)C([double bond, length as m-dash]O)NHR)Ni(PMe(3))(2)Cl] (R = Me (6), nBu (7), Ph (8) and (4-Me)Ph (9)) as C-Cl bond activation products were obtained without coordination of the amide groups. In the case of 2, the ionic penta-coordinate cobalt(II) chloride [(C(6)H(4)C(=O)NHnBu)Co(PMe(3))(3)]Cl (10) with the [C(phenyl), O(amide)]-chelate coordination as the C-Cl bond activation product was isolated. Under similar reaction conditions, for the benzamides 3-5, hexa-coordinate bis-chelate cobalt(III) complexes (C(6)H(4)C(=O)NHR)Co(Cl-ortho-C(6)H(4)C(=O)NR)(PMe(3))(2) (11-13) were obtained via the reaction with [Co(PMe(3))(4)]. Complexes 11-13 have both a five-membered [C,N]-coordinate chelate ring and a four-membered [N,O]-coordinate chelate ring with two trimethyphosphine ligands in the axial positions. Phosphonium salts [Me(3)P(+)-ortho-C(6)H(4)C(=O)NHR]Cl(-) (R = Ph (14) and (4-Me)Ph (15)) were isolated by reaction of complexes 8 and 9 as a starting material under 1 bar of CO at room temperature. The crystal and molecular structures of complexes 6, 7 and 9-12 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Transfer hydrogenation processes to mu(3)-alkylidyne groups on the organotitanium oxide [Ti(3)Cp*O(3)

The photochemical treatment of mu(3)-alkylidyne complexes [[TiCp*(mu-O)](3)(mu(3)-CR)] (R=H (1), Me (2), Cp*=eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with the amines (2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))NH(2), Et(2)NH, and Ph(2)NH and the imine Ph(2)C=NH leads to the partial hydrogenation of the alkylidyne moiety that is supported on the organometallic oxide, [Ti(3)Cp*O(3)], and the formation of new oxoderivatives [[TiCp*(3)(mu-CHR)(R'NR")] (R"=2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3), R'=H, R=H (3), Me (4); R'=R"=Et, R=H (5), Me (6); R'=R"=Ph, R=H (7), Me (8)) and [[TiCp*(mu-O)](3)(mu-CHR)(N=CPh(2))] (R=H (9), R=Me (10)), respectively. A sequential transfer hydrogenation process occurs when complex 1 is treated with tBuNH(2), which initially gives the mu-methylene [[TiCp*(mu-O)](3)(mu-CH(2))(HNtBu)] (11) complex and finally, the alkyl derivative [[TiCp*(mu-O)](3)(mu-NtBu)Me] (12). Furthermore, irradiation of solutions of the mu(3)-alkylidyne complexes 1 or 2 in the presence of diamines o-C(6)H(4)(NH(2))(2) and H(2)NCH(2)CH(2)NH(2) (en) affords [[TiCp*(mu-O)](3)(mu(3)-eta(2)-NC(6)H(4)NH)] (13) and [[TiCp*(mu-O)](3)(mu(3)-eta(2)-NC(2)H(4)NH)] (14) by either methane or ethane elimination, respectively. In the reaction of 1 with en, an intermediate complex [[TiCp*(mu-O)](3)(mu-CH(2))(NHCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))] (15) is detected by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Thermal treatment of the complexes 4-10 quantitatively regenerates the starting mu(3)-alkylidyne compounds and the amine R'(2)NH or the imine Ph(2)C=NH; however, heating of solutions of 3 or 4 in [D(6)]benzene or a equimolecular mixture of both at 170 degrees C produces methane, ethane, or both, and the complex [[TiCp*(mu-O)](3)[mu(3)-eta(2)-NC(6)H(3)(Me)CH(2)]] (16). The molecular structure of 8 has been established by single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

On the quest for new mixed-metal mu-oxo-bridged complexes: synthesis of compounds containing transition metal-oxygen-main group metal motifs M-O-M1 (M = Ti, Zr; M1 = Al, Ga) without cyclopentadienyl ligands

The reaction of TiBz4 (Bz = benzyl) with LAlMe(OH), L = (2,6-iPr2C6H3NC(Me))2CH, afforded LAlMe(mu-O)TiBz3 (1) and [LAlMe(mu-O)]2TiBz2 (2), whereas the corresponding reaction with ZrBz4 resulted only in the formation of the trinuclear species [LAlMe(mu-O)]2ZrBz2 (3). The reaction of (Mes 2Ga(OH))2 x THF (Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) with Ti(NEt2)4 yielded the cluster compound TiGa6O7(NEt2)2(Mes)6 (4). All compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Additionally, single crystal X-ray structure data of 1, 3, and 4 are reported. Compounds 1-4 show low catalytic activities in the polymerization of ethylene. Revisiting known mu-oxo-bridged complexes containing the M-O-M(1) (M = Ti, Zr, Hf; M(1) = Al, Ga) skeleton revealed that the application of polynuclear group 13 hydroxides and oxo bridged complexes possesses a potential for the preparation of new polyoxometal clusters.     

Gold(I) heteroatom-substituted imido complexes. Amino nitrene loss from

The heteroatom-substituted imido complexes [(LAu)3(mu-NX)]+ (X = NR2, R = Ph, Me, Bz; X = OH, Cl; L = a phosphine) have been prepared from the reactions of NH2X with [(LAu)3(mu-O)]+. Thermally unstable [(LAu)3(mu-NNMe2)]+ (L = P(p-XC6H4)3, X = H, F, Me, Cl, MeO) decompose to the gold cluster [LAu]6(2+) and tetramethyltetrazene Me2NN=NNMe2. The decomposition is first-order overall with a rate constant that increases with increasing pKa of the phosphine ligand. Activation parameters for the decomposition are deltaH(not equal to) = 99(4) kJ/mol and deltaS(not equal to) = 18.5(5) J/K.mol for L = PPh3 and deltaH(not equal to) = 78(3) kJ/mol and deltaS(not equal to) = -47(2) J/K.mol for L = P(p-MeOC6H4)3. The decomposition of analogous [(LAu)3(mu-NNBz2)]+ produces bibenzyl, indicative of the release of free amino nitrene Bz2NN.     

Trialkyl imido niobium and tantalum compounds: synthesis, structural study and migratory insertion reactions

Trialkyl imido niobium and tantalum complexes [MR(3)(NtBu)] (M = Nb, R = Me 2, CH(2)CMe(3)3, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 4, CH(2)SiMe(3)5; M = Ta, R = Me 6, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 7, CH(2)SiMe(3)8) have been prepared by treatment of solutions containing [MCl(3)(NtBu)py(2)] (M = Nb 1a, Ta 1b) with three equivalents of magnesium reagent. By an unexpected hydrolysis reaction of the tris-trimethylsilylmethyl imido tantalum compound 8a, a μ-oxo derivative [(Me(3)SiCH(2)O)(Me(3)SiCH(2))(3)Ta(μ-O)Ta(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(NtBu)] (8a) was formed and its structure was studied by X-ray diffraction methods. Reactions of trialkyl imido compounds with two equivalents of isocyanide 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)NC result in the migration of two alkyl groups, leading to the formation of a series of alkyl imido bisiminoacyl derivatives [MR(NtBu){C(R)NAr}(2)] (Ar = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3); M = Nb, R = Me 9, CH(2)CMe(3)10, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 11, CH(2)SiMe(3)12, CH(2)Ph 13; M = Ta, R = CH(2)CMe(3)14, CH(2)CMe(2)Ph 15, CH(2)SiMe(3)16). All compounds were studied by IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C and (15)N) spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of molybdenum complexes that contain "hybrid" triamidoamine ligands, [(hexaisopropylterphenyl-NCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2N-aryl]3-, and studies relevant to catalytic reduction of dinitrogen

In the Buchwald-Hartwig reaction between HIPTBr (HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3 = hexaisopropylterphenyl) and (H2NCH2CH2)3N, it is possible to obtain a 65% isolated yield of (HIPTNHCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2NH2. A second coupling then can be carried out to yield a variety of "hybrid" ligands, (HIPTNHCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2NHAr, where Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3, 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3, 3,5-(MeO)2C6H3, 3,5-Me2NC5H3, 3,5-Ph2NC5H3, 2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2, or 2,4,6-Me3C6H2. The hybrid ligands may be attached to Mo to yield [hybrid]MoCl species. From the monochloride species, a variety of other species such as [hybrid]MoN, {[hybrid]MoN2}Na, and {[hybrid]Mo(NH3)}+ can be prepared. [Hybrid]MoN2 species were prepared through oxidation of {[hybrid]MoN2}Na species with ZnCl2, but they could not be isolated. [Hybrid]Mo=N-NH species could be observed as a consequence of the protonation of {[hybrid]MoN2}- species, but they too could not be isolated as a consequence of a facile decomposition to yield dihydrogen and [hybrid]MoN2 species. Attempts to reduce dinitrogen catalytically led to little or no ammonia being formed from dinitrogen. The fact that no ammonia was formed from dinitrogen in the case of Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3, 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3, or 3,5-(MeO)2C6H3 could be attributed to a rapid decomposition of intermediate [hybrid]Mo=N-NH species in the catalytic reaction, a decomposition that was shown in separate studies to be accelerated dramatically by 2,6-lutidine, the conjugate base of the acid employed in the attempted catalytic reduction. X-ray structures of [(HIPTNHCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2N{3,5-(CF3)2C6H3}]MoCl and [(HIPTNHCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2N(3,5-Me2C6H3)]MoN2}Na(THF)2 are reported.