On the equilibrium between monomeric and dimeric iminochlorophosphanes R–N=P–Cl

The monomer/dimer equilibrium has been studied for a series of alkyl and aryl substituted and functionalized iminochlorophosphane species of the type R–N=P–Cl. In agreement with experiment, theoretical data always favor the dimer when the group R is small, while bulky groups such as Mes* destabilize the dimer by a considerable steric repulsion. This effect is superimposed by electronic effects. Para-substitution in the aryl systems either favors the monomer (energy gain ca. 15–30 kJ/mol) when a π-electron donating group such as p-NMe₂ is used or favors the dimer when a π-electron withdrawing group such as p-NO₂ is used (energy gain ca. 1–13 kJ/mol).     

Addition of HCl to a Cluster-Bound Vinylidene Ligand: Preparation and Structure of Ru5(μ3-SMe)(μ3-CMe)(μ-Cl)(μ-SMe)(μ-PPh2)2(CO)9·PhMe

Addition of aqueous HCl to Ru₅( ₃-C=CH₂)(-SMe)₂(-PPh₂)₂(CO)₁₀ afforded the structurally characterized carbyne complex Ru₅( ₃-SMe)( ₃-CMe)(-Cl)(-SMe)(-PPh₂)₂(CO)₉, formed by addition of H to the vinylidene ligand; a Cl atom bridges an Ru–Ru bond.     

Structure‐Directing Forces in Intercluster Compounds of Cationic [Ag14(CCtBu)12Cl]+ Building Blocks and Polyoxometalates: Long‐Range versus Short‐Range Bonding Interactions

Crystallization of [Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂Cl][BF₄] and different polyoxometalates in organic solvents yields a series of new intercluster compounds: [Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂Cl(CH₃CN)]₂[W₆O₁₉] ( 1 ), (nBu₄N)[Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂Cl(CH₃CN)]₂[PW₁₂O₄₀] ( 2 ), and [Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂Cl]₂[Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂Cl(CH₃CN)]₂[SiMo₁₂O₄₀] ( 3 ). Applying the same technique to a system starting from polymeric {[Ag₃(C?CtBu)₂][BF₄]?0.6 H₂O}_n and the polyoxometalate (nBu₄N)₂[W₆O₁₉] results in the formation of [Ag₁₄(C?CtBu)₁₂(CH₃CN)₂][W₆O₁₉] ( 4 ). Here, the Ag₁₄ cluster is generated from polymeric {[Ag₃(C?CtBu)₂][BF₄]?0.6 H₂O}_n during crystallization. In a similar way, [Ag₁₅(C?CtBu)₁₂(CH₃CN)₅][PW₁₂O₄₀] ( 5 ) has been obtained from {[Ag₃(C?CtBu)₂][BF₄]?0.6 H₂O}_n and (nBu₄N)₃[PW₁₂O₄₀]. The use of charged building blocks was intentional, because at these conditions the contribution of long‐range Coulomb interactions would benefit most from full periodicity of the intercluster compound, thus favoring formation of well‐crystalline materials. The latter has been achieved, indeed. However, as a most conspicuous feature, equally charged species aggregate, which demonstrates that the short‐range interactions between the “surfaces” of the clusters represent the more powerful structure direction forces than the long‐range Coulomb bonding. This observation is of significant importance for understanding the mechanisms underlying self‐organization of monodisperse and structurally well‐defined particles of nanometer size.     

Macrocyclization of polymers via ring‐closing metathesis and azide/alkyne‐“click”‐reactions: An approach to cyclic polyisobutylenes

The end‐to‐end cyclization of telechelic polyisobutylenes (PIB's) toward cyclic polyisobutylenes is reported, using either ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) or the azide/alkyne‐“click”‐reaction. The first approach uses bisallyl‐telchelic PIB's (M_n = 1650, 3680, 9770 g mol^?1) and Grubbs 1st‐, 2nd‐, and 3rd‐generation catalyst leading to cyclic PIB's in 60–80% yield, with narrow polydispersities (M_w/M_n = 1.25). Azide/alkyne‐“click”‐reactions of bisalkyne‐telechelic PIB's (M_n = 3840 and 9820 g mol^?1) with excess of 1,11‐diazido‐undecane leads to the formation of mixtures of linear/cyclic PIB's under formation of oligomeric cycles. Subsequent reaction of the residual azide‐moieties in the linear PIB's with excess of alkyne‐telechelic PEO enables the chromatographic removal of the resulting linear PEO‐PIB‐block copolymers by column chromatography. Thus pure cyclic PIB's can be obtained using this double‐“click”‐method, devoid of linear contaminants. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 671–680, 2010     

Binary Zinc Azides

Pure, solvent‐free Zn(N₃)₂ was prepared by reaction of diethyl zinc and hydrazoic acid in aprotic solvents. The single‐crystal structure determination, along with the comprehensive characterization of α‐Zn(N₃)₂ and two metastable polymorphs, could be achieved for the first time. Since these data disagree in large parts with the known, previously reported values, all previous syntheses of Zn(N₃)₂, and for comparison Zn(N₃)₂?2.5 H₂O and Zn(OH)N₃ were reinvestigated, indicating that some of the earlier work has to be revised.     

New insights on the electronic and molecular structure of cyanide-ligated iron(III) porphyrinates

The preparation and characterization of several new cyano-ligated six-coordinate low-spin iron(III) porphyrinates are reported. The synthesis and structure of the new bis(cyanide) derivative K(222)][Fe(TMP)(CN)2] (TMP = tetramesitylporphyrinate) is described. Three mixed-ligand species of the general form [Fe(Porph)(CN)(L)], where L = 1-methylimidazole or pyridine, have also been prepared and structurally characterized. All complexes have been studied with EPR spectroscopy in frozen solution and in microcrystalline form. In some cases, especially those of the bis(cyanide) derivative above and the previously reported [Fe(TPP)(CN)2](-), there are significant differences in the EPR spectra as a result of the state change. These spectral differences can be correlated with changes in the electron configuration that are the likely result of a differing environment of the coordinated cyanide ligands; the core conformation and electronic structure of the porphyrin ligand are unlikely to play a role. All four new complexes and [Fe(TPP)(CN)2](-) have been studied by M?ssbauer spectroscopy with variable-temperature and applied magnetic-field measurements. The sign of the quadrupole splitting value has been established as negative. These measurements have allowed us to give estimates of the energy difference between the two close-lying dpi (dxz and dyz) orbitals. These splitting values range from approximately 267 cm-1 for [Fe(TPP)(CN)2](-) to approximately 614 cm(-1) for [Fe(TPP)(CN)(Py)].