Synthesis and structures of silicon-, germanium- and tin-containing tungsten imido alkyl complexes (ArN)2W(CH2EMe3)2 (E = Si, Ge, Sn)

The novel silicon-, germanium- and tin-containing imido alkyl complexes of tungsten of the type (ArN)₂W(CH₂EMe₃)₂ (; E = Si (1), Ge (2), Sn (3)) have been prepared by the reactions of (ArN)₂WCl₂(dme) (dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) with heteroelement-containing alkyllithium or Grignard reagents Me₃ECH₂Li (E = Si, Ge), Me₃ECH₂MgCl (E = Ge, Sn). The title compounds were isolated in high yields as crystalline solids and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. The geometry of the W atoms in the compounds can be described as a distorted tetrahedron.     

Phenylimidorhenium(V) Complexes with 1,3‐Diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ ylidene Ligands

The phenylimidorhenium(V) complexes [Re(NPh)X₃(PPh₃)₂] (X = Cl, Br) react with the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3‐diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^Et) under formation of the stable rhenium(V) complex cations [Re(NPh)X(L^Et)₄]²⁺ (X = Cl, Br), which can be isolated as their chloride or [PF₆]^? salts. The compounds are remarkably stable against air, moisture and ligand exchange. The hydroxo species [Re(NPh)(OH)(L^Et)₄]²⁺ is formed when moist solvents are used during the synthesis. The rhenium atoms in all three complexes are coordinated in a distorted octahedral fashion with the four NHC ligands in equatorial planes of the molecules. The Re–C(carbene) bond lengths between 2.171(8) and 2.221(3) Å indicate mainly σ‐bonding between the NHC ligand and the electron deficient d² metal atoms. Attempts to prepare analogous phenylimido complexes from [Re(NPh)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] and 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^i?Pr) led to a cleavage of the rhenium‐nitrogen multiple bond and the formation of the dioxo complex [ReO₂(L^i?Pr)₄]⁺.     

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]^?.     

Iron-catalyzed C–H amination and its application in organic synthesis

Transition-metal-catalyzed direct C–H bond amination is an attractive strategy in preparation of nitrogen containing molecules which are common in naturally occurring and pharmaceutically important compounds. Comparing to the precious metals commonly used in this reaction, non-precious metals such as iron are abundant in earth, relatively low toxic, and more biocompatible, which meet the increasing demand for environmentally benign and sustainable chemical processes. In this review, we described the development in iron catalyzed C–H bond amination reactions from historical landmarks to recent achievements, and placed emphasis on their applications in organic synthesis, i.e. natural product synthesis and/or modification.     

Synthesis of niobocene imido cations: X-ray crystal structure of [Nb(NBu)(η-C5H4SiMe3)2(CNBu)][BPh4]

The reduction of [Nb(NBu^t)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Cl] by sodium amalgam followed by oxidation by [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂][BPh₄] in the presence of CNBu^t gave [Nb(NBu^t)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(CNBu^t)][BPh₄] (1). In a similar manner, [Nb(NPh)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(CNBu^t)][BPh₄] (2), [Nb(NPh)(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂(CO)][BPh₄] (3) and [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(CNBu^t)][BPh₄] (4), were prepared. The reduction of [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}Cl] gave, depending on the experimental conditions, either the d¹-d¹ dimer [(Nb{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}(μ-NBu^t))₂] (5) or the hydride derivative [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}H] (6). The reaction of 5 with I₂ led to the formation of [Nb(NBu^t){Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}I] (7). The molecular structure of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis of 2-(2-methoxyethyl)- and 2-(2-thiomethoxyethyl)-aniline and related compounds

Summary 2-(2-Nitrophenyl)-ethanol (2) was methylated with dimethyl sulfate to give 2-(2-methoxyethyl)-1-nitrobenzene (3a) which then was reduced with hydrazine hydrate in the presence ofRaney nickel to 2-(2-methoxyethyl)-aniline (1a). Compound1a can be transformed into the N-monosilylated derivative4 by lithiation withn-butyllithium and subsequent reaction with chlorotrimethylsilane. Reaction of2 withp-toluenesulfonyl chloride yields 2-(2-nitrophenyl)-ethylp-toluenesulfonate (5), which reacts with sodium thiomethoxide to give 2-(2-nitrophenyl)-ethylp-toluenesulfonate (5), which reacts with sodium thiomethoxide to give 2-(2-thiomethoxyethyl)-1-nitrobenzene (3b).3b was reduced with hydrazine hydrate in the presence ofRaney nickel to yield 2-(2-thiomethoxyethyl)-aniline (1b). Ethyl (2-nitrophenyl)-acetate (6) could be dimethylated with methyl iodide in the presence of potassiumtert-butoxide and 18-crown-6 to give ethyl 2-methyl-2-(2-nitrophenyl)-propionate (7). Reduction of7 with lithium borohydride yields 2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1H-indole (9) and 2-[(1-hydroxy-2-methyl)-2-propyl]-aniline (10).

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Synthese von 2-(2-Methoxyethyl)- und 2-(2-Thiomethoxyethyl)-anilin und verwandten Verbindungen

Zusammenfassung 2-(2-Nitrophenyl)-ethanol (2) wurde mit Dimethylsulfat zu 2-(2-Methoxyethyl)-1-nitrobenzol (3a) methyliert, das sich mit Hydrazinhydrat in Gegenwart vonRaney-Nickel zu 2-(2-Methoxyethyl)-anilin (1a) reduzieren läßt. Verbindung1a kann durch Metallierung mitn-Butyllithium und anschließende Reaktion mit Chlortrimethylsilan in dasN-monosilylierte Derivat4 umgewandelt werden. Reaktion von2 mitp-Toluolsulfonylchlorid ergab 2-(2-Nitrophenyl)-ethyl-p-Toluolsulfonat (5), das mit Natriumthiomethanolat zu 1-Nitro-2-(2-thiomethoxyethyl)-benzol (3b) reagiert.3b wurde mit Hydrazinhydrat in Gegenwart vonRaney-Nickel zu 2-(2-Thiomethoxyethyl)-anilin (1b) reduziert. Ethyl-2-(nitrophenyl)-acetat (6) kann mit Methyliodid in Gegenwart von Kalium-tert-butoxid und 18-Krone-6 zu Ethyl-2-methyl-2-(2-nitrophenyl)-propionat (7) dimethyliert werden. Reduktion von7 mit Lithiumborhydrid lieferte 2,3-Dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1H-indol (9) und 2-[(1-Hydroxy-2-methyl)-2-propyl]-anilin (10).

     

Organometallic and related imidotitanium compounds containing a pendant arm functionalised benzamidinate ligand

Chloride ligand substitution reactions of tert-butyl- and arylimido-titanium complexes supported by the pendant arm functionalised N-trimethylsilyl benzamidinate ligand Me₃SiNC(Ph)NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂ are described. Reaction of previously-described [Ti(N^tBu){Me₃SiNC(Ph)NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}Cl] (1) with PhLi afforded thermally sensitive [Ti(N^tBu){Me₃SiNC(Ph)NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}Ph] (2). The corresponding reaction of 1 with MeLi afforded [Ti(N^tBu){Me₃SiNC(Ph)NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}Me] (3) detected by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy but this compound could not be isolated. Reaction of 1 with LiCH₂SiMe₃ gave a complex mixture, but with LiN(SiMe₃)₂ and LiO-2,6-C₆H₃Me₂ the compounds [Ti(N^tBu){Me₃SiNC(Ph)NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}X] (X=N(SiMe₃)₂ (4) or O-2,6-C₆H₃Me₂ (5)) were isolated. The X-ray structure of 5 was determined. Reaction of the homologous compound [Ti(N^tBu){Me₃SiNC(Ph)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂}Cl] (6) (containing a 2-carbon atom chain in the pendant arm) with MeLi or PhLi were unsuccessful although the aryloxide compound [Ti(N^tBu){Me₃SiNC(Ph)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂}(O-2,6-C₆H₃Me₂)] (7) could be isolated from the reaction of 6 with LiO-2,6-C₆H₃Me₂. Reaction of the 3-carbon pendant arm arylimido compound [Ti(N-2,6-C₆H₃Me₂){Me₃SiNC(Ph)NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}Cl] (8) with MeLi afforded thermally sensitive [Ti(N-2,6-C₆H₃Me₂){Me₃SiNC(Ph)NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}Me] (9), and although the analogous phenyl homologue was elusive, the aryloxide derivative [Ti(N-2,6-C₆H₃Me₂){Me₃SiNC(Ph)NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(O-2,6-C₆H₃Me₂)] (10) was successfully isolated and structurally characterised. Comparison of the X-ray structures of 5 and 10 show unexpectedly large differences between the TiNR and TiOAr bond lengths in the two compounds.     

High‐valent Molybdenum Imido Complexes with Tethered Olefins

Against the background of the (propene)Mo(=O)(=NH) and (allyl)Mo(=O)(=NH) surface species suggested as intermediates of the SOHIO process the potential of H₂N–C₆H₄–CH₂– CH=CH–CH₃, ( I ), for the introduction of chelating imido/olefin or imido/allyl ligands at highvalent Mo centres was tested. Reaction of I with Na₂[MoO₄] and trimethylchlorosilane yielded [Cl₂Mo(=N–C₆H₄–CH₂–CH=CH–CH₃)₂(dme)] ( 1 ), containing pendant olefinic arms. All attempts to introduce the olefin into the coordination sphere of the Mo centre failed. The same observation was made with [Cl₂Mo(=O)(=N–C₆H₄–CH₂–CH=CH–CH₃)(dme)] ( 2 ), synthesised via a commutation reaction from 1 and[(dme)Cl₂Mo(=O)₂]. Reaction of three equivalents of I with [CpMoCl_4′] yields [CpCl₂Mo(=N–C₆H₄–CH₂–CH=CH–CH₃)], ( 3 ), again with a pendant olefin arm; the products of experiments aiming at coordinating it to the Mo atom eluded isolation. I thus does not seem suitable for the synthesis of complexes with imido/olefin or imido/allyl ligands. However, products 1 – 3 , (two of which ( 1 , 3 ) were also characterised by single crystal X‐ray diffraction) are nevertheless interesting, e.g., with respect to the grafting of molybdenum complexes on the surfaces of solid supports to obtain heterogeneous oxidation catalysts.