Ligated aluminum cluster anions, LAln- (n = 1-14, L = N[Si(Me)3]2)

A wide range of low oxidation state aluminum-containing cluster anions, LAln- (n = 1-14, L = N[Si(Me)3]2), were produced via reactions between aluminum cluster anions and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). These clusters were identified by mass spectrometry, with a few of them (n = 4, 6, and 7) further characterized by a synergy of anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) based calculations. As compared to a previously reported method which reacts anionic aluminum hydrides with ligands, the direct reactions between aluminum cluster anions and ligands promise a more general synthetic scheme for preparing low oxidation state, ligated aluminum clusters over a large size range. Computations revealed structures in which a methyl-group of the ligand migrated onto the surface of the metal cluster, thereby resulting in "two metal-atom" insertion between Si-CH3 bond.

Quadruple bonding of bare group-13 atoms in transition metal complexes

Density functional theory calculations at the M06-D3/def2-TZVPPD level of the group-13 anion complexes EFe(CO)3- (E = B-Tl) and the isoelectronic neutral and charged boron adducts BTM(CO)3q (TMq = Fe-, Ru-, Os-, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni+, Pd+, Pt+) give tetrahedral (C3v) geometries in the 1A1 electronic ground state as equilibrium structures. The analysis of the bonding situation with the energy decomposition analysis in combination with natural orbital for chemical valence method suggests that the E-TM(CO)3q bonds possess four bonding components: (a) one strong electron-sharing σ bond E-TM(CO)3q; (b) two π backdonations E⇇TM(CO)3q and (c) one weak σ donation E→TM(CO)3q. The relative strength of the four bonding components depends on the charge of the system, the transition metal TM and the group-13 atom E. The σ donation E→TM(CO)3q is in all systems rather weak while the associated charge migration is not negligible. A similar situation of the bonding of terminal group-13 atoms Ga and In is found in Ga-TM(GaCp)4+ and E-Pt(PMe3)3+ (TM = Ni, Pd, Pt; E = Ga, In), which are model compounds for the stable complexes GaTM(GaCp*)4+ (TM = Ni, Pt) and InPt(PPh3)3+. The quadruple bonds E→TML2 are hybrids of electron-sharing and dative bonds.

Regioselective Insertion of Aluminum(I) in the cyclo-P5 Ring of Pentaphosphaferrocene

A route to directly access mixed Al-Fe polyphosphide complexes was developed. The reactivity of pentaphosphaferrocene, [Cp*Fe(η5 -P5 )] (Cp*=C5 Me5 ), with two different low-valent aluminum compounds was investigated. The steric and electronic environment around the [AlI ] centre are found to be crucial for the formation of the resulting Al-Fe polyphosphides. Reaction with the sterically demanding [Dipp-BDIAlI ] (Dipp-BDI={[2,6-i Pr2 C6 H3 NCMe]2 CH}- ) resulted in the first Al-based neutral triple-decker type polyphosphide complex. For [(Cp*AlI )4 ], an unprecedented regioselective insertion of three [Cp*AlIII ]2+ moieties into two adjacent P-P bonds of the cyclo-P5 ring of [Cp*Fe(η5 -P5 )] was observed. The regioselectivity of the insertion reaction could be rationalized by isolating an analogue of the reaction intermediate stabilized by a strong σ-donor carbene.

Low oxidation state aluminum-containing cluster anions: LAlH- and LAln- (n = 2-4, L = N[Si(Me)3]2)

Several low oxidation state aluminum-containing cluster anions, LAlH^- and LAl_n^- (n = 2-4, L = N[Si(Me)₃]₂), were produced via reactions between aluminum hydride cluster anions, Al_xH_y^-, and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). These clusters were characterized by mass spectrometry, anion photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) based calculations. Agreement between the experimental and theoretical vertical detachment energies (VDEs) and adiabatic detachment energies (ADEs) validated the computed geometrical structures. Reactions between aluminum hydride cluster anions and ligands promise to be a new synthetic scheme for low oxidation state, ligated aluminum clusters.

Low oxidation state aluminum-containing cluster anions: Cp(∗)AlnH(-), n = 1-3

Three new, low oxidation state, aluminum-containing cluster anions, Cp*AlnH(-), n = 1-3, were prepared via reactions between aluminum hydride cluster anions, AlnHm (-), and Cp*H ligands. These were characterized by mass spectrometry, anion photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory based calculations. Agreement between the experimentally and theoretically determined vertical detachment energies and adiabatic detachment energies validated the computed geometrical structures. Reactions between aluminum hydride cluster anions and ligands provide a new avenue for discovering low oxidation state, ligated aluminum clusters.

Chemistry of aluminium(i)

In this article, we discuss the synthesis of tetrameric and monomeric aluminium(I) compounds. These compounds are prepared by reduction of the respective Al-X (X = halide) bond containing precursor. The tetrameric aluminium(I) compounds are synthesized by using sterically bulky ligands whereas a stable monomeric aluminium(I) compound is obtained using a monovalent chelating ligand. Theoretical studies are carried out on the monomer to understand the Lewis basicity. The presence of a lone pair of electrons plays an important role in the preparation of aluminium containing heterocyclic compounds, main group-main group and transition metal-main group compounds having donor-acceptor bonds by carrying out reactions with unsaturated compounds and Lewis acids.

The reaction of RhCp*(CH3)2(L) (L = pyridine, dmso) with GaCp* and AlCp*: A new type of carbon–carbon bond activation reaction

Reaction of RhCp*(L)(CH(3))(2)(L = pyridine, dmso) with equimolar amounts of GaCp* at 60 degrees C quantitatively leads to the zwitterionic species [Cp*Rh(CpMe(4)GaMe(3))]. [Cp*Rh(CH(3))(2)(GaCp*)] could be isolated and identified as an intermediate in this reaction.

Reaction of Ni2Cp2(mu-CO)2 with the alkylgallium(I) and alkylindium(I) compounds E4[C(SiMe3)3]4 (E = Ga, In). Insertion of E-R groups into the Ni-Ni bond versus replacement of CO by the isolobal E-R ligands

The monomeric fragment In-C(SiMe3)3 was inserted into the Ni-Ni bond of Ni2Cp2(mu-CO)2 upon treatment of the carbonyl complex with the tetraindium(I) compound In4[C(SiMe3)3]4, 1, in a molar ratio of 4 to 1. The product (3) contains an indium atom coordinated to one alkyl substituent and two Ni(Cp)CO groups in a planar coordination sphere. Reaction of the starting compounds in a molar ratio of 2 to 1 led to the replacement of both CO ligands by two InR groups. A compound (4) was formed that is isostructural to the carbonyl nickel complex and has a Ni2 couple bridged by two InR ligands and two terminally coordinated cyclopentadienyl groups. The insertion product was not observed with the gallium derivative Ga4[C(SiMe3)3]4 (2); instead, a nickel gallium complex (5) analogous to 4 containing two bridging GaR ligands was isolated as the only product regardless of the ratio of the starting compounds. On the basis of quantum chemical calculations, we conclude that there is no evidence for an In-In or Ga-Ga bond in complexes 4 or 5, respectively. This, however, supports a butterfly geometry, which is isostructural to the starting carbonyl complex Ni2Cp2(mu-CO)2.