Group ib organometallic chemistry : XXXIV. Thermal behaviour and chemical reactivity of tetranuclear Me2N-substituted diarypropenylcopper-copper anion (Vi2Cu4X2) and mixed diarylpropenyl/organocopper (Vi2Cu4R2) compounds

Thermal decomposition of configurationally pure 1,2-diarylpropenylcopper compounds Z-Vi₂CU₄Br₂ and Z-Vi₂Cu₄R₂ Vi  (2-Me₂NC₆H₄)CC(Me)-(C₆H₄Me-4), R  2-Me₂NC₆H₄ or 4-MeC₆H₄CC] predominantly results in the formation of ViH. In contrast, only dimers (ViVi) were formed on thermolysis of (Z-ViCu₂OTf)_η which is a further illustration of the influence of the counter anion on the reactivity of organocopper cluster compounds. However, in both cases partial inversion of configuration, giving mixtures of isomers, was observed. The thermolysis of (Z-ViCu₂OTf)_η is discussed in terms of OTf-enhanced intraaggregate electron-transfer processes. The formation of incipient vinyl cations which are η²-coordinated to the copper cluster can explain the observed isomerization.Also in the hydrolysis reaction of Z-Vi₂Cu₄Br₂ mixtures of isomeric ViH compounds were obtained, the E/Z ratio being dependent on the type of reagent used. Mixtures of isomeric ViX compounds (X  Br, Cl, I) were formed in the reaction of Z-Vi₂Cu₄Br₂ with I₂ and CuCl₂. An explanation for the occurrence of isomerization is presented.Dimers (ViVi) were almost absent in the product mixture resulting from the reaction of Z-Vi₂Cu₄Br₂ with CuCl₂. In contrast, ViVi is obtained in about 50% yield from the reaction of ViLi with CuCl₂ which is in accord with earlier observations for the reaction of aryllithium compounds with cupric halides.Highly selective E-ViBr formation was observed in the reaction of E-ViLi with AgBr. This reaction probably proceeds via a thermally unstable Z-ViAg₂Br intermediate.