Synthesis and reactivity of new mono- and dinuclear niobium and tantalum imido complexes: X-ray crystal structure of [Ta(η-C5H4SiMe3)Cl2{NC6Me4-4-(N(SiMe3)2)}]

The reaction of [1,4-{SiMe₃(H)N}₂C₆Me₄] (1) with 2 equivalents of LiBuⁿ followed by the addition of SiMe₃Cl gave the diamine compound [1,4-{(SiMe₃)₂N}₂C₆Me₄] (2). [Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₄] reacts with 2, in a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio, to initially yield a mixture of the dinuclear, [{Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆Me₄N)] (3), and mononuclear, [Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂{NC₆Me₄-4-(N(SiMe₃)₂)}] (4), imido complexes. 3 can be obtained exclusively by submitting the reaction mixture to repeated cycles of evacuation, to remove volatiles, followed by addition of solvent and subsequent heating. The mononuclear imido complex 4 was isolated from the reaction of [Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₄] with 2 in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. The molecular structure of 4 was determined by X-ray diffraction studies. [TaCl₃(CH₃CN)₂{NC₆Me₄-4-(N(SiMe₃)₂)}] (5) has been prepared by the reaction of one molar equivalent of TaCl₅ with 2 in a CH₃CN/CH₂Cl₂ solvent mixture. The synthesis of the niobium complexes, [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆Me₄N)] (6) and [Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂{NC₆Me₄-4-(N(SiMe₃)₂)}] (7), was achieved in a similar manner to their tantalum analogues. The reactivity of 7 towards nucleophilic reagents, namely lithium benzamidinate, lithium (trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl or lithium dimethylamide, has been studied and the following compounds prepared:[Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)RCl{NC₆Me₄-4-(N(SiMe₃)₂)}] (R = η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃ (8), PhC(NSiMe₃)₂ (9), NMe₂ (10)). In an attempt to form the hetero bimetallic complex, [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂}(μ-1,4-NC₆Me₄N){Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₂}] (11), the reaction of 7 with [Ta(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Cl₄] has been studied. Analysis of the reaction products showed that 11 may exist in equilibrium with the homo bimetallic complexes 3 and 6.     

Carbosilane dendrimers containing complexes N,N′-pyridylimine of molybdenum and platinum at their periphery

Pyridylimine ligands of general formula CS-{O-4-(2,5-C₆H₂R₂)-NCH-2-Py}_n, where CS is a trimethylsilyl group (n = 1, R = H, Ia or Me, Ib) or a carbosilane dendritic framework (IIa,b, n = 4; IIIa, n = 8), have been coordinated to platinum(II) and molybdenum(0) centers to give the mononuclear [(Ia,b){PtCl₂}], tetranuclear [(IIb){PtCl₂}₄] and [(IIa){Mo(CO)₃(MeCN)}₄], and octanuclear [(IIIa){Mo(CO)₃(MeCN)}₈] complexes. The poor solubility of the polymetallic platinum compounds impedes the preparation of higher-generation dendrimers, although such a limitation is not found in the case of the more soluble molybdenum dendrimers.     

A study of ortho- and para-siloxyanilines for the synthesis of mono-, bi-, and tetra-nuclear early transition metal–imido complexes

The siloxyanilines o-Me₃SiOC₆H₄NH₂ (1) and p-RMe₂SiOC₆H₄NH₂ (R=H (2); R=Me (3)), and their N-silylated derivatives p-Me₃SiOC₆H₄NHSiMe₃ (4) and p-Me₃SiOC₆H₄N(SiMe₃)₂ (5) have been prepared from ortho- or para-aminophenol and used in the synthesis of imido complexes. Thus, binuclear [{Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)Cl}{μ-NC₆H₄(p-OSiMe₃)}]₂ (6) and mononuclear [TiCl₂{NC₆H₄(p-OSiMe₃)}(py)₃] (7) imido complexes have been obtained from the reaction of 3 and [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)Cl₃] or [TiCl₂(N^tBu)(py)₃], respectively. In contrast, the reaction of 1 with TiCl₄ and ^tBupy affords the titanocycle [TiCl₂{OC₆H₄(o-NH)---N,O}(^tBupy)₂] (8). Compound 5 has also been used to prepare the niobium imide complex [NbCl₃{NC₆H₄(p-OSiMe₃)}(MeCN)₂] (9), by its reaction with NbCl₅ in CH₃CN. These findings have been applied to the synthesis of polynuclear systems. Thus, chlorocarbosilane Si[CH₂CH₂CH₂Si(Me)₂Cl]₄ (CS–Cl) has been functionalized with the ortho- and para-aminophenoxy groups to give 10 and 11, respectively. The use of 11 has allowed the formation of the tetranuclear compound 12. Attempts to synthesize terminal imido titanium complexes from 10 and TiCl₄ in the presence of ^tBupy and Et₃N, give complex 8 and carbosilane CS–Cl.     

Magnetic Anisotropy of Dichlorobis(η5‐cyclopentadienyl) Complexes of Vanadium,Niobium, and Tantalum

Abstract. The magnetic behavior of the mononuclear nd¹ systems MCp₂Cl₂ (M = V⁴⁺[3d¹], Nb⁴⁺[4d¹], Ta⁴⁺[5d¹], space group P2₁/c, pseudosymmetry of the molecules C_2v) deviates from pure single ion spin magnetism on account of ligand field effect (H_lf), spin‐orbit coupling (H_so), and intermolecular spin‐spin exchange interactions (H_ex). For both VCp₂Cl₂ and NbCp₂Cl₂ excellent adaptations to the measured susceptibility data were obtained (2 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K) on the basis of spectroscopic data (lf, so) and cooperative metal–metal interactions (ex) of antiferromagnetic nature [molecular field model (mf)]. For TaCp₂Cl₂ experimental term structure data are not available. Therefore, Jørgensen's spectroscopical series (g‐factor of the central ion) was applied to extrapolate the data set for TaCp₂Cl₂. H_lf, H_so, and H_ex (antiferromagnetic) increase in the order 3d¹ → 4d¹ → 5d¹ leading, with rising atomic number of the metals, to a distinct enhancement of the magnetic anisotropy. At 4 K the μ_eff components μ_eff,y (oriented perpendicular to the cg–M–cg plane; “cg” = center of gravity of the Cp ring), μ_eff,z (oriented along the twofold pseudoaxis), and μ_eff,x are 1.73, 1.69, 1.68 (V), 1.73, 1.62, 1.59 (Nb), and 1.71, 1.59, 1.49 (Ta). While μ_eff,y is independent of T, both μ_eff,z and μ_eff,x decrease with decreasing T.     

Mononuclear Imido Amido Complexes via Exhaustive Ammonolysis of Niobium and Tantalum Pentachloride with tert‐Butyl Amine

Reaction of MCl₅ (M = Nb, Ta) with excess of ^tBuNH₂ in the presence of pyridine leads to formation of mononuclear complexes [M(N^tBu)(NH^tBu)Cl₂Py₂],M = Nb ( 1 ), Ta ( 2 ). These new key compounds are characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. A single crystal structure analysis of [Ta(N^tBu)(NH^tBu)Cl₂Py₂] ( 2 ) reveals, that surprisingly chloro and not pyridine ligands are trans to the strongest π donor ligands [N^tBu]^2? and [NH^tBu]^?.     

Isocyanide insertion reactivity of dinuclear niobium and tantalum imido complexes: X-ray crystal structure of [{Nb(η-C5H4SiMe3)(CH2Ph)2}2(μ-1,4-NC6H4N)]

The reactivity of dinuclear niobium and tantalum imido complexes with the isocyanide compound 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃NC has been studied. The trialkyl complexes [{NbR₃(CH₃CN)}₂(μ-1,3-NC₆H₄N)], [{NbR₃(CH₃CN)}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] and [{TaR₃(CH₃CN)}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] (R=CH₂SiMe₃) gave [{Nb(η²-RCNAr)₂R}₂(μ-1,3-NC₆H₄N)] (1), [{Nb(η²-RCNAr)₂R}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] (2) and [{Ta(η²-RCNAr)₂R}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] (3) (R=CH₂SiMe₃; Ar=2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), from the isocyanide insertion in two of the metal alkyl carbon bonds. The reaction of the isocyanide reagent with the di-alkyl mono-cyclopentadienyl derivatives [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)R₂}₂(μ-1,3-NC₆H₄N)] (R=Me, CH₂Ph, CH₂SiMe₃), [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)R₂}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] (R=Me, CH₂Ph (4), CH₂SiMe₃) and [{Ta(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(CH₂SiMe₃)₂}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] yielded [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)(η²-RCNAr)R}₂(μ-1,3-NC₆H₄N)] (R=Me (5), CH₂Ph (6), CH₂SiMe₃ (7)), [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)(η²-RCNAr)R}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] (R=Me (8), CH₂Ph (9), CH₂SiMe₃ (10)) and [{Ta(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η²-Me₃SiCH₂CNAr)CH₂SiMe₃}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] (11) (Ar=2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), respectively, from a single insertion process. The reaction with the mono-alkyl complex [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)(Me)Cl}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] gave [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)(η²-MeCNAr)Cl}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] (12), produced from the isocyanide insertion in the metal-alkyl carbon bond. The alkyl-amido complex [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)(Me)NMe₂}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] gave, from the preferential isocyanide insertion in the metal-amide nitrogen bond, [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)(η²-Me₂NCNAr)Me}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] (13). The molecular structure of one of the alkyl precursors, [{Nb(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)(CH₂Ph)₂}₂(μ-1,4-NC₆H₄N)] (4), has been determined.     

Synthesis of new chloro methyl niobium and tantalum complexes with silyl-cyclopentadienyl ligands: X-ray crystal structure of [Ta{η-C5H3(SiMe3)2}Cl2Me2]

Trichloro methyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₃Me] (X = Cl, 2; Me, 3), dichloro dimethyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₂Me₂] (X = Cl, 4; Me, 5) and tetramethyl [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Me₄] (X = Me, 6; Cl, 7) niobium complexes were synthesized by treatment of starting tetrachloro derivatives [Nb{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (X = Cl, 1a; Me, 1b) with dimethyl zinc or chloro methyl magnesium in different proportions and conditions. A mixture of trichloro methyl and dichloro dimethyl tantalum complexes [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl_4−xMe_x] (x = 1, 8; 2, 9) in a 2:1 molar ratio was obtained in the reaction of [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (1c) with 0.5 equivalents of ZnMe₂ in toluene at low temperature. 8 could be isolated as single compound when 1 equivalent of 1c was added to the mixtures of 8 and 9, while the reaction of 1c with 1.5 equivalents of dimethyl zinc gave 9 as unitary product. However, [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₄] (1d) reacts with 0.5 equivalents of alkylating reagent giving the trichloro methyl compound [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₃Me] (10) in good yield. On the other hand, [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl₄] (1d) reacts with 2 equivalents of MgClMe in hexane at room temperature giving a mixture of dichloro dimethyl and chloro trimethyl complexes[Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Cl_4−xMe_x] (x = 2, 11; 3, 12), while the use of 4 equivalents of MgClMe converts 1c into the tetramethyl derivative [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiClMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Me₄] (13). Finally, a tetramethyl tantalum complex [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂}Me₄] (14) was prepared by reaction of [Ta{η⁵-C₅H₃(SiXMe₂)(SiMe₃)}Cl₄] (X = Cl, 1c; Me, 1d) with 5 (X = Cl) or 4 (X = Me) equivalents of MgClMe in diethyl ether (X = Cl) or hexane (X = Me), respectively, as solvent. All the complexes were studied by IR and NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structure of the complex 11 was determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Synthesis and characterization of methyl-phenyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl zirconium complexes

The trisubstituted methyl-phenyl-silyl-cyclopentadienes [Me-Ph-C₅H₃(SiMe₂X)] (X = Me, Cl, NHt-Bu) and [(Me-Ph-C₅H₃)₂SiMe₂] and the lithium salts Li₂[Me-Ph-C₅H₂(SiMe₂Nt-Bu)] and Li₂[(Me-Ph-C₅H₂)₂SiMe₂] have been isolated by conventional methods and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Desilylation of [Me-Ph-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)] with ZrCl₄(SMe₂)₂ gave the monocyclopentadienyl complex [Zr(η⁵-1-Ph-3-Me-C₅H₃)Cl₃]. The ansa-metallocene [Zr{(η⁵-2-Me-4-Ph-C₅H₂)SiMe₂(η⁵-2-Ph-4-Me-C₅H₂)}Cl₂] was obtained from the mixture of isomers formed by transmetallation of Li₂[(Me-Ph-C₅H₂)₂SiMe₂] to ZrCl₄ and characterized as the meso-diastereomer by X-ray diffraction methods. Similar transmetallation of Li₂[Me-Ph-C₅H₂(SiMe₂Nt-Bu)] gave the silyl-η-amido complex [Zr{η⁵-2-Me-4-Ph-C₅H₂(SiMe₂-η-Nt-Bu)}Cl₂] that was further alkylated to give [Zr{η⁵-2-Me-4-Ph-C₅H₂(SiMe₂-η-Nt-Bu)}R₂] (R = Me, CH₂Ph) and used as a catalyst precursor, activated with MAO, for ethene and propene polymerization. All of the new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy.     

Formation of niobium and tantalum ylide complexes

The reactions of tri(bis(ethyl)amino)phosphorus ylide (Et₂N)₃PCH₂ with cyclopentadienyl (Cp) metal (V) tetrachloride CpMCl₄ (M = Nb 1; Ta 3) and pentamethylcycopentadienyl (Cp^∗) metal (V) tetrachloride Cp^∗MCl₄ (M = Nb 2; Ta 4) were investigated. The hexa-coordinate ylide adducts complexes 5 (CpNbCl₄(H₂CP(NEt₂)₃)), 6 (Cp^∗NbCl₄(H₂CP(NEt₂)₃)) and 8 (Cp^∗TaCl₄(H₂CP(NEt₂)₃)) with pseudo-octahedral geometry were structurally analyzed with X-ray diffraction. Compound 4 (Cp^∗TaCl₄) reacted with three molar equivalent of phosphorus ylide to form one ionic complex 9 ([H₃C-P(NEt₂)₃][Cp^∗TaCl₅]) which was also structurally analyzed with X-ray diffraction. The possible formation mechanism of compound 9 has been discussed.     

Synthesis and reactivity of di(silylamido)cyclopentadienyl titanium and zirconium complexes

We present in this account the synthesis and recent developments of a new class of group 4 metal complexes with the tridentate di(silylamido)cyclopentadienyl ligand. These doubly silyl-bridged group 4 metal amido chelates are receiving increasing interest as they are efficient catalysts for ethene polymerization when activated with MAO despite generating 14-electron d⁰ cationic species free of the alkyl group required for the first insertion reaction in the polymerization process.     

Synthesis and reactivity of substituted cyclopentadienyl rhodium(I) and (III) complexes

New cyclopentadienyl derivatives of rhodium COD complexes [Cp*=C₅H₄COOCH₂CHCH₂ (1); C₅H₄CH₂CH₂CHCH₂ (2); C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄ (3)] and carbonyl complex [Cp*=C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄ (4)] were synthesized from [RhCl(COD)]₂ and [RhCl(CO)₂]₂. 1, 2 and 3 oxidized by iodine gave iodine bridged dimers 5, 6 and 7, respectively. Triphenyl phosphine, carbon monoxide and carbon disulfide molecules broke down the iodine bridged structure easily and produced monomer products Cp*RhI₂L [Cp*=C₅H₄COOCH₂CHCH₂, L=CS₂ (8); L=PPh₃ (9). Cp*=C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄, L=CO (10)]. All of these new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, IR, UV-Vis and mass spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 1 was solved in the triclinic space group with one molecule in the unit cell, the dimensions of which are a=7.082(9) Å, b=8.392(3) Å, c=13.889(5) Å, α=101.19(3)°, β=99.06(6)°, γ=105.11(5)°, and V=763(1) ų. The crystal structure of 3 was solved in the orthorhombic space group Pn21a with four molecules in the unit cell, the dimensions of which are a=9.748(3) Å, b=16.054(5) Å, and V=2319(1) ų. Least squares refinement leads to values for the conventional R₁ of 0.0251 for 1 and 0.0558 for 3, respectively. Compared to that in 1, a shorter metal-ligand bond length in 3 was observed and this is attributed to the rich electron density on Rh(I) metal center piled up by the C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄ ligand.     

Transition metal cyclopentadienyl complexes bearing perfluoro-4-tolyl substituents

Depending on the ratio of starting materials and the reaction conditions, perfluorotoluene (C₆F₅CF₃) reacts with sodium cyclopentadienide (NaCp; Cp = C₅H₅) and excess sodium hydride to afford, after acidic aqueous workup, moderate to high yields of mono-, bis-, tris-, and tetrakis(perfluoro-4-tolyl)cyclopentadiene (1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Treatment of 1 with excess NaH in THF afforded sodium (perfluoro-4-tolyl)cyclopentadienide (5) in 90% yield. Reaction of FeBr₂ with 2 equiv. of 5 afforded a 68% yield of (η⁵-C₅H₄C₇F₇)₂Fe (6). Reaction of ZrCl₄(THF)₂ with 2 equiv. of 5 afforded a 58% yield of (η⁵-C₇F₇C₅H₄)₂ZrCl₂ (7). Reaction of Mn(CO)₅Br with 5 afforded a 74% yield of (η⁵-C₇F₇C₅H₄)Mn(CO)₃ (8). Treatment of 3b with NaH and then with Mn(CO)₅Br in DME afforded a 26% yield of [η⁵-1,2,4-(C₇F₇)₃C₅H₂]Mn(CO)₃ (9). Treatment of 3b with NaH and then with FeBr₂ in DME afforded a trace yield of [η⁵-1,2,4-(C₇F₇)₃C₅H₂]₂Fe (10), which was not fully characterized. Dienes 2a, 3a, and 3b and metal complexes 7, 8, and 9 were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Infrared spectroscopic analysis of the substituted CpMn(CO)₃ complexes showed a linear increase of 5 cm⁻¹ in the A-symmteric stretching frequency for each C₇F₇ substituent, compared to the analogous value of 4 cm⁻¹ reported earlier for each pentafluorophenyl (C₆F₅) substituent. Solution voltammetric analysis of the substituted ferrocene 6 revealed a shift in the E_1/2 of 465 mV relative to ferrocene, compared to the analogous value of about 340 mV for 1,1′-bis(pentafluorophenyl)ferrocene.     

Recent progress in the chemistry of 1,3-diene complexes of niobium and tantalum

This short review describes the preparation, structure and reactivity of 1,3-diene complexes of niobium and tantalum and presents a comparison with the similar diene complexes of metals of Group 2, 3 and 4.     

Are cyclopentadienyl complexes more stable than their pyrrolyl analogues?

Metal-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl (M-Cp) and metal-η⁵-pyrrolyl (M-pyr) bond dissociation enthalpies in group 4 complexes were determined from DFT/B3LYP calculations with a VTZP basis set. Thermochemical cycles involving calculated enthalpies of ligand exchange reactions and experimental values of ligand electron affinities and M-Cl bond dissociation enthalpies were applied to [M(η⁵-X)Cl₃] piano stool complexes (M = Ti, Zr, Hf; X = pyr, Cp), allowing a comparative study of those metal-ligand bond strengths. The results indicate that both ligands establish weaker bonds with Ti than with the heavier elements, Zr and Hf. Very similar bond dissociation enthalpies were obtained for pyrrolyl and cyclopentadienyl (within 1 kcal mol⁻¹), suggesting that the well known difference in reactivity between those families of complexes should derive from kinetic rather than thermodynamic causes.     

Determination of niobium(V) and tantalum(V) as 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol–citrate ternary complexes in geological materials by ion-interaction reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A method for the simultaneous separation and determination of Nb(V) and Ta(V) as ternary complexes formed with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) and citrate was developed using ion-interaction reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a C₁₈ column. Method parameters, such as pre-column complex formation conditions and composition of the complexes were investigated using spectrophotometry and HPLC. Under the optimum conditions, the Nb(V) and Ta(V) complexes were eluted within 12 min with a mobile phase of methanol–water (32:68, v/v) containing 5 mM acetate, 5 mM TBABr and 5 mM citrate buffer at pH 6.5, with detection at 540 nm. A typical separation efficiency was 33 000 and 20 000 theoretical plates per metre for Nb(V) and Ta(V), respectively. The relative standard deviation of retention times for the Nb(V) and Ta(V) complexes were 0.16% and 0.17% and for peak areas were 0.28% and 1.36%, respectively. The detection limits (signal-to-noise ratio=3) for Nb(V) and Ta(V) were 0.4 ppb and 1.4 ppb, respectively. Results obtained for standard reference rock samples agreed well with certified values and results obtained by inductively coupled plasma MS.     

Synthesis and characterization of some organo-all-tin dendrimers with different peripheral substituents

The synthesis of the first all-tin-dendrimer Sn[(CH₂)₄SnPh₃]₄ (2) results from complete hydrostannation of tetra(but-3-enyl)stannane (1) with triphenyltin hydride. Selective cleavage of one phenyl group from each dendron of 2 with anhydrous HCl results in Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn(Cl)Ph₂]₄ (3), which on treatment with LiAlH₄ yields the corresponding hydride derivative Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn(H)Ph₂]₄ (4) containing four reactive Sn-H bonds. The cyclopentadienyl derivative Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn(C₅H₅)Ph₂]₄ (5) as well as the transition metal substituted derivatives Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn{Co(CO)₄}Ph₂]₄ (6), Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn{Fe(CO)₂C₅H₅}Ph₂]₄ (7), and Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn{Mn(CO)₅}Ph₂]₄ (8) have been prepared by coupling of 3 with the appropriate Grignard or sodium derivatives of the transition metal moieties. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H-, ¹³C- and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.     

Carbosilane dendrimers peripherally functionalized with P-stereogenic diphosphine ligands and related rhodium complexes

The first carbosilane dendrimer functionalized with P-stereogenic diphosphine ligands was prepared along with its cationic rhodium derivative. A mononuclear rhodium model compound was also synthesized. Both species were used as catalysts in the hydrogenation of dimethylitaconate and the results compared with those obtained with the related rhodium-containing P-stereogenic monophosphine dendrimers.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of dendrimers containing meta-terphenyl peripheral groups and a 4,4′-bipyridinium core

Fréchet-type poly(arylether) dendrons carrying m-terphenyl peripheral groups were synthesized up to second generation by convergent methodology. Simple quarternisation of 4,4′-bipyridine with the dendritic bromides afforded the corresponding dendrimers containing a 4,4′-bipyridine core. The electrochemical parameters were obtained for all the dendrimers and the half-wave potentials of both the first and second redox processes shift to less-negative values as the dendrimer generation increases.     

Functional Janus dendrimers containing carbazole with liquid crystalline,optical and electrochemical properties

ABSTRACT

Novel liquid crystalline Janus dendrimers that combine a mesogenic block and an electroactive block have been synthesised. The mesogenic block is based on two third-generation Percec-type dendrons bearing six or eight terminal dodecyloxy alkyl chains, whereas the electroactive blocks are formed by one or two carbazole units. The liquid crystal behaviour was investigated by polarised-light optical microscopy, differential scanning microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Janus dendrimers with one electroactive unit exhibited cubic or columnar liquid crystal phases, whereas the Janus dendrimers with two electroactive units did not show liquid crystalline behaviour. The UV-vis absorption and emission properties of the Janus dendrimers were investigated. The spectra suggested the existence of π-π stacking and the formation of aggregates in the solid state. Electrodeposition of the carbazole-containing dendrimers afforded semi-globular particles in which the number of electropolymerizable units and the flexible or rigid character of the linker have a decisive influence in the particle size.     

Structural preferences of cyclopentadienyl and indenyl rings in iridium(I) carbene complexes

Cleavage of the [Ir(η⁴-COD)Cl]₂ dimer in the presence of the corresponding imidazolium salts and the strong base tBuO⁻ leads to the formation of Ir(I) derivatives of N-heterocyclic carbenes. When halide is replaced by NaCp, a mixture of [Ir(η⁴-COD)(NHC^R)(η¹-Cp)] and [Ir(η²-COD)(NHC^R)(η⁵-Cp)] is obtained. The latter is favored for R = Cy, while the former predominates for R = Me. Conversely, [Ir(η⁴-COD)(NHC^R)(η¹-Ind)] is the only product of the reaction with NaInd, despite the R substituent. DFT/B3LYP calculations confirmed that the η¹ coordination mode of the ring gives rise to the most stable structures, namely square planar complexes of 5d⁸ Ir(I). The energy of the 18 electron species containing η²-COD and η⁵-Ind or Cp is higher by 13 and 5 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. The fluxional behaviour of indenyl, detected by NMR in the solutions of [Ir(η⁴-COD)(NHC^R)(η¹-Ind)], is associated to the low energy of the η³-Ind species required in the conversion process, and is not easily observed in the cyclopentadienyl derivatives, where a similar intermediate is disfavored.