Phosphastanniran: Ein Phosphor/Zinn(II)-Lewis-Paar, das Alkine und Alkene addiert

Reactions of Mesityl Azide with Ferrocene‐Based N‐Heterocyclic Germylenes, Stannylenes and Plumbylenes, Including PPh 2 ‐Functionalised Congeners

The reactivity of ferrocene‐based N‐heterocyclic tetrylenes [{Fe(η⁵−C₅H₄−NSitBuMe₂)₂}E] (E=Ge, Sn, Pb) towards mesityl azide (MesN₃) is compared with that of PPh₂‐functionalised congeners exhibiting two possible reaction sites, namely the E^II and P^III atom. For E=Ge and Sn the reaction occurs at the E^II atom, leading to the formation of N₂ and an E^IV=NMes unit. The germanimines are sufficiently stable for isolation. The stannanimines furnish follow‐up products, either by [2+3] cycloaddition with MesN₃ or, in the PPh₂‐substituted case, by NMes transfer from the Sn^IV to the P^III atom. Whereas [{Fe(η⁵−C₅H₄−NSitBuMe₂)₂}Pb] and other diaminoplumbylenes studied are inert even under forcing conditions, the PPh₂‐substituted congener forms an addition product with MesN₃, thus showing a behaviour similar to that of frustrated Lewis pairs. The germylenes of this study afford copper(I) complexes with CuCl, including the first structurally characterised linear dicoordinate halogenido complex [CuX(L)] with a heavier tetrylene ligand L.

The Varied Frustrated Lewis Pair Reactivity of the Germylene Phosphaketene (CH{(CMe)(2,6‐ i Pr 2 C 6 H 3 N)} 2 )GePCO

The germylene species (CH{(CMe)(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N)}₂)GePCO 1 is shown to react with the Lewis acids (E(C₆F₅)₃ E=B, Al). Nonetheless, 1 participates in FLP chemistry with electron deficient alkynes or olefins, acting as an intramolecular FLP. In contrast, in the presence of B(C₆F₅)₃ and an electron rich alkyne, 1 behaves as Ge‐based nucleophile to effect intermolecular FLP addition to the alkyne. This reactivity demonstrates that the reaction pathway is controlled by the nature of the electrophile and nucleophile generated in solution, as revealed by extensive DFT calculations.

Exploring the Reactivity of a Frustrated Sn/P Lewis Pair: The Highly Selective Complexation of the cis-Azobenzene Photoisomer

The reactivity of the geminal frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) (F5 C2 )3 SnCH2 P(tBu)2 (1) was explored by reacting it with a variety of small molecules (PhOCN, PhNCS, PhCCH, tBuCCH, H3 CC(O)CH=CH2 , Ph[C(O)]2 Ph, PhN=NPh and Me3 SiCHN2 ), featuring polar or non-polar multiple bonds and/or represent α,β-unsaturated systems. While most adducts are formed readily, the binding of azobenzene requires UV-induced photoisomerization, which results in the highly selective complexation of cis-azobenzene. In the case of benzil, the reaction does not lead to the expected 1,2- or 1,4-addition products, but to the non-stereoselective (tBu)2 PCH2 -transfer to a prochiral keto function of benzil. All adducts of 1 were characterised by means of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and X-ray diffraction experiments.

A Zwitterionic Phosphonium Stannate(II) via Hydrogen Splitting by a Sn/P Frustrated Lewis-Pair and Reductive Elimination

The reactivity of the frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) (F5 C2 )3 SnCH2 P(tBu)2 (1) was investigated with respect to the activation of elemental hydrogen. The reaction of 1 at elevated hydrogen pressure afforded the intramolecular phosphonium stannate(II) (F5 C2 )2 SnCH2 PH(tBu)2 (3). It was characterized by means of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. NMR experiments with the two isotopologues H2 and D2 showed it to be formed via an H2 adduct (F5 C2 )3 HSnCH2 PH(tBu)2 (2) and the subsequent formal reductive elimination of pentafluoroethane; this is supported by DFT calculations. Parahydrogen-induced polarization experiments revealed the formation of a second product of the reaction of 1 with H2 , [HP(tBu)2 Me][Sn(C2 F5 )3 ] (4), in 1 H NMR spectra, whereas 2 was not detected due to its transient nature.

Triple Frustrated Lewis Pair-Type Reactivity on a Single Rare-Earth Metal Center

Rare-earth metal cations have been used rarely as Lewis-acidic components in the chemistry of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). Herein, we report the first cerium/phosphorus system (2) employing a heptadentate N₄ P₃ ligand, which exhibits triple FLP-type reactivity towards a series of organic substrates, including isocyanates, isothiocyanates, diazomethane, and azides on a single rare-earth Lewis acidic Ce center. This result shows that the Ce center and three P atoms in 2 could simultaneously activate three equivalents of small molecules under mild conditions. This study broadens the diversity of FLPs and demonstrates that rare earth based FLP exhibit unique properties compared with other FLP systems.

Ge=B π-Bonding: Synthesis and Reversible [2+2] Cycloaddition of Germaborenes

Phosphine-stabilized germaborenes featuring an unprecedented Ge=B double bond with short B⋅⋅⋅Ge contacts of 1.886(2) (4) and 1.895(3) Å (5) were synthesized starting from an intramolecular germylene-phosphine Lewis pair (1). After oxidative addition of boron trihalides BX3 (X=Cl, Br), the addition products were reduced with magnesium and catalytic amounts of anthracene to give the borylene derivatives in yields of 78 % (4) and 57 % (5). These halide-substituted germaborenes were characterized by single-crystal structure analysis, and the electronic structures were studied by quantum-chemical calculations. According to an NBO NRT analysis, the dominating Lewis structure contains a Ge=B double bond. The germaborenes undergo a reversible, photochemically initiated [2+2] cycloaddition with the phenyl moiety of a terphenyl substituent at room temperature, forming a complex heterocyclic structure with GeIV in a strongly distorted coordination environment.

Coordination chemistry of stannylene-based Lewis pairs – insertion into M–Cl and M–C bonds. From base stabilized stannylenes to bidentate ligands

The coordination chemistry of intramolecular stannylene phosphorus Lewis pairs incorporated into four or three membered ring molecules is presented.

Alkyne Addition and Insertion Reactions of [(Me3 Si)3 Si]2 Ge⋅PMe3

Silylated germylene-PMe₃ adducts exchange their phosphane moiety smoothly for an N-heterocyclic carbene or isocyanide species to form their respective base adducts. Reaction of the silylated germylene-PMe₃ adducts with monosubstituted alkynes produce germylene adducts with the alkyne inserted into a Ge-Si bond. A computational study of this process provides evidence for the initial formation of a germirene, which rearranges to a vinylgermylene species. The thermodynamic driving force for this reaction is provided by subsequent adduct formation with PMe₃ . Reaction of the PMe₃ adduct of bis[(trimethylsilyl)silyl]germylene with disubstituted alkynes leads to the formation of stable germirenes, which can be isomerized further to silagermetes.

Versatile Catalytic Hydrogenation Using A Simple Tin(IV) Lewis Acid

Despite the rapid development of frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry over the last ten years, its application in catalytic hydrogenations remains dependent on a narrow family of structurally similar early main-group Lewis acids (LAs), inevitably placing limitations on reactivity, sensitivity and substrate scope. Herein we describe the FLP-mediated H2 activation and catalytic hydrogenation activity of the alternative LA iPr3 SnOTf, which acts as a surrogate for the trialkylstannylium ion iPr3 Sn+ , and is rapidly and easily prepared from simple, inexpensive starting materials. This highly thermally robust LA is found to be competent in the hydrogenation of a number of different unsaturated functional groups (which is unique to date for main-group FLP LAs not based on boron), and also displays a remarkable tolerance to moisture.

P-chiral 1-phosphanorbornenes: from asymmetric phospha-Diels–Alder reactions towards ligand design and functionalisation

A building set for chiral phosphorus. The principle of stereotopic face differentiation is successfully applied to a PC bond. A divergent ligand synthesis is feasible after reduction of the chiral auxiliary.