[(dpp-bian)GaGa(dpp-bian)] and [(dpp-bian)ZnGa(dpp-bian)]: Synthesis, Molecular Structures, and DFT Studies of These Novel Bimetallic Molecular Compounds

Reversible Oxidative Addition of Zinc Hydride at a Gallium(I)-Centre: Labile Mono- and Bis(hydridogallyl)zinc Complexes

In the presence of TMEDA (N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine), partially deaggregated zinc dihydride as hydrocarbon suspensions react with the gallium(I) compound [(BDI)Ga] (I, BDI={HC(C(CH3 )N(2,6-iPr2 -C6 H3 ))2 }- ) by formal oxidative addition of a Zn-H bond to the gallium(I) centre. Dissociation of the labile TMEDA ligand in the resulting complex [(BDI)Ga(H)-(H)Zn(tmeda)] (1) facilitates insertion of a second equiv. of I into the remaining Zn-H to form a thermally sensitive trinuclear species [{(BDI)Ga(H)}2 Zn] (2). Compound 1 exchanges with polymeric zinc dideuteride [ZnD2 ]n in the presence of TMEDA, and with compounds I and 2 via sequential and reversible ligand dissociation and gallium(I) insertion. Spectroscopic and computational studies demonstrate the reversibility of oxidative addition of each Zn-H bond to the gallium(I) centres.

Solvent-Dependent Oxidative Addition and Reductive Elimination of H2 Across a Gallium-Zinc Bond

H2 adds reversibly across the metal-metal bond of [(BDI)Ga(H)-Zn(tmeda)(thf)][BAr4 F ] (BDI=[HC{C(CH3 )N(2,6-iPr2 -C6 H3 )}2 ]- , TMEDA=N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, BAr4 F- =[B(C6 H3 -3,5-(CF3 )2 )4 ]- ). Due to the stabilising effect of solvent coordination, hydrogenation products [(BDI)GaH2 ] and [(tmeda)ZnH(thf)][BAr4 F ] are favoured in THF solution, but THF-free mixtures of [(BDI)GaH2 ] and [(tmeda)ZnH(OEt2 )][BAr4 F ] are predisposed towards entropically driven dehydrogenation to [(BDI)Ga(H)-Zn(tmeda)][BAr4 F ] in fluorobenzene solution.

Cycloaddition of isoselenocyanates to sodium and magnesium metallacycles

Heterocumulenes SeCNR (R = C₆H₄OMe-2, C₆H₄Me-2) undergo facile cycloaddition to [(H-dpp-bian)Na(Et₂O)₂] (1) (H-dpp-bian = N-protonated 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) resulting in cycloadducts [(H-dpp-bian)Na(SeCNR)(DME)] (2, 3), which are the first cycloadducts derived from a sodium metallacycle reported so far. A comparative reaction of [(dpp-bian)Mg(THF)₃] (10) with SeCNR gives magnesium cycloadducts [(dpp-bian)Mg(SeCNR)(Solv)₂] (11, 12), which undergo fast decomposition at room temperature. New compounds are characterized by NMR, EPR, and IR spectroscopy, and elemental and X-ray diffraction analysis. Their electronic structures and reaction pathways were probed using DFT calculations.

Calix[4]pyrrolato gallate: square planar-coordinated gallium(iii) and its metal–ligand cooperative reactivity with CO2 and alcohols

Forcing a priori tetracoordinate atoms into planar configuration represents a promising concept for enhanced reactivity of p-block element-based systems. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of calix[4]pyrrolato gallates, constituting square planar-coordinated gallium(iii) atoms, are reported. Unusual structural constraint-induced Lewis acidity against neutral and anionic donors is disclosed by experiment and rationalized by computations. An energetically balanced dearomatization/rearomatization of a pyrrole unit enables fully reversible metal–ligand cooperative capture of CO₂. While alcohols are found unreactive against the gallates, a rapid and selective OH-bond activation can be triggered upon protonation of the ligand. Secondary ligand–sphere modification adds a new avenue to structurally-constrained complexes that unites functional group tolerance with unconventional reactivity.

Ideally square-planar coordinated gallium(iii) species is isolated and fully characterized. Spontaneous metal–ligand cooperative reactivity towards CO₂ is observed, while OH-bond activation of alcohols can be triggered by protonation of the ligand.

Main-group metal complexes of α-diimine ligands: structure, bonding and reactivity

α-Diimine ligands, in particular 1,4-diazabutadiene (dad) and bis(iminoacenaphthene) (bian) derivatives, have been widely used for coordination with various metals, including main-group, transition, and lanthanide and actinide metals. In addition to their tunable steric and electronic properties, the dad and bian ligands are redox-active and can readily accept one or two electrons, converting into the radical-anionic (L˙^-) or dianionic (enediamido, L^2-) form, respectively. This non-innocence brings about rich electronic structures and properties of the ligands and complexes thereof. For example, the dad ligands in their three redox levels can effectively stabilize a series of metal centers in different oxidation states, including low-valent metals. Moreover, these ligands can serve as electron reservoirs and can participate in reactions toward other molecules with or without metals. Therefore, such ligands are extremely useful in the areas of low-valent complexes and small molecule activation. Herein, we will discuss the use of dad (and bian) ligands in the stabilization of metal-metal-bonded compounds, in particular those of main-group metals, as well as small molecule activation by these (low-valent) metal coordination species where the non-innocence of the ligands plays a key role.

Cationic Heterobimetallic Mg(Zn)/Al(Ga) Combinations for Cooperative C-F Bond Cleavage

Low-valent (Me BDI)Al and (Me BDI)Ga and highly Lewis acidic cations in [(tBu BDI)M+ ⋅C6 H6 ][(B(C6 F5 )4 - ] (M=Mg or Zn, Me BDI=HC[C(Me)N-DIPP]2 , tBu BDI=HC[C(tBu)N-DIPP]2 , DIPP=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) react to heterobimetallic cations [(tBu BDI)Mg-Al(Me BDI)+ ], [(tBu BDI)Mg-Ga(Me BDI)+ ] and [(tBu BDI)Zn-Ga(Me BDI)+ ]. These cations feature long Mg-Al (or Ga) bonds while the Zn-Ga bond is short. The [(tBu BDI)Zn-Al(Me BDI)+ ] cation was not formed. Combined AIM and charge calculations suggest that the metal-metal bonds to Zn are considerably more covalent, whereas those to Mg should be described as weak AlI (or GaI )→Mg2+ donor bonds. Failure to isolate the Zn-Al combination originates from cleavage of the C-F bond in the solvent fluorobenzene to give (tBu BDI)ZnPh and (Me BDI)AlF+ which is extremely Lewis acidic and was not observed, but (Me BDI)Al(F)-(μ-F)-(F)Al(Me BDI)+ was verified by X-ray diffraction. DFT calculations show that the remarkably facile C-F bond cleavage follows a dearomatization/rearomatization route.

Reversible Addition of Carbon Dioxide to Main Group Metal Complexes at Temperatures about 0 °C

The reaction of dialane [LAl-AlL] (1; L=dianion of 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene, dpp-bian) with carbon dioxide results in two different products depending on solvent. In toluene at temperatures of about 0 °C, the reaction gives cycloadduct [L(CO₂ )Al-Al(O₂ C)L] (2), whereas in diethyl ether, the reaction affords oxo-bridged carbamato derivative [L(CO₂ )(Et₂ O)Al(μ-O)AlL] (3). The DFT and QTAIM calculations provide reasonable explanations for the reversible formation of complex 2 in the course of two subsequent (2+4) cycloaddition reactions. Consecutive transition states with low activation barriers were revealed. Also, the DFT study demonstrated a crucial effect of diethyl ether coordination to aluminium on the reaction of dialane 1 with CO₂ . The optimized structures of key intermediates were obtained for the reactions in the presence of Et₂ O; calculated thermodynamic parameters unambiguously testify the irreversible formation of the product 3.

Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived from Calcium and Strontium Complexes of a Redox-Active Ligand

The reactions of monomeric [(dpp-Bian)M(thf)₄] (M = Ca (1a), Sr (1b); dpp-Bian = 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) with 4,4'-bipyridyl (4,4'-bipy) proceed with electron transfer from dpp-Bian^2- to 4,4'-bipy⁰ to afford calcium and strontium complexes containing simultaneously radical-anionic dpp-Bian^- and 4,4'-bipy^- ligands. In tetrahydrofuran (thf) the reactions result in 1D coordination polymers [{(dpp-Bian)M(4,4'-bipy)(thf)₂}·4thf]_n (M = Ca (2a), Sr (2b)), while in a thf/benzene mixture the reaction between 1a and 4,4'-bipy affords the 2D metal-organic framework [{(dpp-Bian)Ca(4,4'-bipy)₂}·2thf·2C₆H₆]_n (3). The structures of compounds 2a,b and 3 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. The presence of the ligand-localized unpaired electrons allows the use of ESR spectroscopy for characterization of the compounds 2a,b and 3. DFT calculations of model calcium complexes with the dpp-Bian, 4,4'-bipy, and thf ligands confirm the energetically favorable open-shell configurations of the molecules bearing the 4,4'-bipy fragments. The magnetic susceptibility measurements confirm the presence of two unpaired electrons per monomeric unit in 2a,b and 3. The thermal stability of compounds 2a,b and 3 was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). To the best of our knowledge, 3 is the first MOF simultaneously containing two different paramagnetic bridging ligands inside the framework.

Pentamethyl- and 1,2,4-tri(tert-butyl)cyclopentadienyl containing p-block complexes - differences and similarities

The sterically encumbered cyclopentadienyl ligand 1,2,4-(Me₃C)₃C₅H₂ (Cp''') was used to stabilize efficiently the main group metals of Al, Ga, In, Ge and Sn, respectively. The σ-bonded gallium compounds [η¹-Cp'''Ga(μ-X)X]₂ (X = Cl, 2; X = I, 3) and indium compound [η¹-Cp'''In(μ-Br)ⁿBu]₂ (7) exhibit dimers through halogen bridges. Reduction of 2 with 2 equivalents of KC₈ leads almost to the same amount of η¹-Cp'''Ga(THF)Cl₂ (4) and η⁵-Cp'''Ga (5), respectively. The exception is compound 5, which is obtained by reducing 2 or 3 with 4 equivalents of KC₈. Compound 5 as Lewis base reacts with GaI₃ readily forming the Lewis acid-base adduct product η⁵-Cp'''Ga → GaI₃ (6). Moreover, compounds with the Cp''' ligand stabilize heavier low-valent group 14 elements for example [η⁵-Cp'''E^II]⁺[E^IICl₃]^- (E = Ge 8, Sn 9), which are π-bonded ionic compounds that possess a low-valent cation and an anion. In the cation of [η⁵-Cp'''E^II]⁺, the Cp''' ligand adopts an η⁵-coordination mode with germanium and tin, respectively, which present half-sandwich complexes. While the E^II fragment interacts with five π electrons from the Cp''' unit to generate an electron-octet arrangement at the respective element. All new reported structures are comparing well with the corresponding compounds containing the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) ligand.

A mechanistic study of microstructure modulation in olefin polymerizations using a redox-active Ni(ii) α-diimine catalyst

Density functional theory and experimental evidence provide insight into the mechanism of polyolefin microstructure modulation using redox-active Ni(ii) α-diimine catalysts.

Synthesis and structures of mono- and di-nuclear aluminium and zinc complexes bearing α-diimine and related ligands, and their use in the ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters

Multi-metallic complexes (of Al, Zn) derived from imine-based ligands effectively operate as catalysts for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL), δ-valerolactone (δ-VL) and co-polymerization thereof.

Reactions of In-Zn bonds with organic azides: products that result from hetero- and homo-bimetallic behaviour

The indyl anion, K[In(NON^Dipp)] (NON^Dipp = [O(SiMe₂NDipp)₂]^2-, Dipp = 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) reacts with group 12 compounds M(BDI^R)Cl (M = Zn, Cd; BDI = [HC{C(Me)NR}₂]^-, R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes), Dipp) to afford the heterobimetallic compounds (NON^Dipp)In-M(BDI^R) that contain the first In-Zn and In-Cd bonds. The reactivity of the In-Zn bonds towards organic azides, R'N₃ (R' = Mes, Dipp, Ph) was investigated. (NON^Dipp)In-Zn(BDI^Mes) reduces MesN₃via an isolable triazenide intermediate to generate the bridging imido compound, (NON^Dipp)In-(μ-NMes)-Zn(BDI^Mes). Similar reactivity is noted from early-late heterobimetallic complexes. Under the same conditions, PhN₃ reacts to afford a product that contains a bridging tetraazenide ligand, which is formed from the formal (2 + 3)-cycloaddition of second azide to an indium-imido bond. However, increasing the bulk of the BDI-ligand in (NON^Dipp)In-Zn(BDI^Dipp) leads to reductive coupling of PhN₃ to give the hexazene complex. This mode of reactivity is reminiscent of the reductive behaviour of homobimetallic compounds.

Gallium "Shears" for C=N and C=O Bonds of Isocyanates

Digallane [L¹ Ga-GaL¹ ] (1, L¹ =dpp-bian=1,2-[(2,6-iPr₂ C₆ H₃ )NC]₂ C₁₂ H₆ ) reacts with RN=C=O (R=Ph or Tos) by [2+4] cycloaddition of the isocyanate C=N bonds across both of its C=C-N-Ga fragments to afford [L¹ (O=C-NR)Ga-Ga(RN-C=O)L¹ ] (R=Ph, 3; R=Tos, 4). The reactions with both isocyanates result in new C-C and N-Ga single bonds. In the case of allyl isocyanate, the [2+4] cycloaddition across one C=C-N-Ga fragment of 1 is accompanied by insertion of a second allyl isocyanate molecule into the Ga-N bond of the same fragment to afford compound [L¹ Ga-Ga(AllN- C=O)₂ L¹ ] (5) (All=allyl). In the presence of Na metal, the related digallane [L² Ga-GaL² ] (2; L² =dpp-dad=[(2,6-iPr₂ C₆ H₃ )NC(CH₃ )]₂ ) is converted into the gallium(I) carbene analogue [L² Ga:]^- (2 A), which undergoes a variety of reactions with isocyanate substrates. These include the cycloaddition of ethyl isocyanate to 2 A affording [Na₂ (THF)₅ ]{L² Ga[EtN-C(O)]₂ GaL² } (6), cleavage of the N=C bond with release of 1 equiv. of CO to give [Na(THF)₂ ]₂ [L² Ga(p-MeC₆ H₄ )(N-C(O))₂ -N(p-MeC₆ H₄ )]₂ (7), cleavage of the C=O bond to yield the di-O-bridged digallium compound [Na(THF)₃ ]₂ [L² Ga-(μ-O)₂ -GaL² ] (8), and generation of the further addition product [Na₂ (THF)₅ ][L² Ga(CyNCO₂ )]₂ (9). Complexes 3-9 have been characterized by NMR (¹ H, ¹³ C), IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Their electronic structures have been examined by DFT calculations.

Cycloaddition versus Cleavage of the C=S Bond of Isothiocyanates Promoted by Digallane Compounds with Noninnocent α-Diimine Ligands

Whereas the chemistry of single-bond activation by compounds of the main group elements has undergone some development in recent years, the cleavage of multiple bonds remains underexplored. Herein, the reactions of two digallanes bearing α-diimine ligands, namely, [L¹ Ga-GaL¹ ] (1, L¹ =dpp-dad=[(2,6-iPr₂ C₆ H₃ )NC(CH₃ )]₂ ) and [L² Ga-GaL² ] (2, L² =dpp-bian=1,2-[(2,6-iPr₂ C₆ H₃ )NC]₂ C₁₀ H₆ ), with isothiocyanates are reported. Reactions of 1 or 2 with isothiocyanates in 1:2 molar ratio proceeded with [2+4] cycloaddition of the C=S bond across the C₂ N₂ Ga metallacycle with formation of C-C and S-Ga single bonds to afford [L¹ (RN=C-S)Ga-Ga(S-C=NR)L¹ ] (3, R=Me; 4, R=Ph) and [L² (RN=C-S)Ga-Ga(S-C=NR)L² ] (8, R=allyl; 9, R=Ph). In the cases of 8 and 9, this cycloaddition is reversible. The digallanes reacted with 2 equiv of PhNCS in the presence of Na metal or at high temperatures through a unique reductive cleavage of the C=S bond to yield the disulfide-bridged digallium species [Na(THF)₃ ]₂ [L¹ Ga(μ-S)₂ GaL¹ ] (5), [L² Ga(μ-S)₂ GaL² ] (10), and [Na(DME)₃ ][L² Ga(μ-S)₂ GaL² ] (11). Moreover, products 4 and 5 can further react with an excess of isothiocyanate, through cleavage of the C=S bond or cycloaddition, to give the bis- or mono-S-bridged complexes [Na(THF)₂ ]₂ [L¹ (PhN=C-S)Ga(μ-S)₂ Ga(S-C=NPh)L¹ ] (6) and [L¹ (PhN=C-S)Ga(μ-S)Ga(S-C=NPh)L¹ ] (7). All the newly prepared compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, NMR (3-9) or ESR spectroscopy (11), and DFT calculations.

Low valent Al(ii)–Al(ii) catalysts as highly active ε-caprolactone polymerization catalysts: indication of metal cooperativity through DFT studies

A dinuclear Al(ii)–Al(ii) species acts as a highly effective ROP catalyst of ε-caprolactone at room temperature, with a DFT computed ROP mechanism indicative of metal cooperativity.

Gallium Hydrides with a Radical-Anionic Ligand

The reaction of Cl₂GaH with a sodium salt of the dpp-Bian radical-anion (dpp-Bian^•-)Na (dpp-Bian = 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) affords paramagnetic gallane (dpp-Bian^•-)Ga(Cl)H (1). Oxidation of (dpp-Bian^2-)Ga-Ga(dpp-Bian^2-) (2) with N₂O results in the dimeric oxide (dpp-Bian^•-)Ga(μ²-O)₂Ga(dpp-Bian^•-) (3). A treatment of the oxide 3 with phenylsilane affords paramagnetic gallium hydrides (dpp-Bian^•-)GaH₂ (4) and (dpp-Bian^•-)Ga{OSi(Ph)H₂}H (5) depending on the reagent's stoichiometry. The reaction of digallane 2 with benzaldehyde produces pinacolate (dpp-Bian^•-)Ga(O₂C₂H₂Ph₂) (6). In the presence of PhSiH₃, the reaction between digallane 2 and benzaldehyde (2: PhSiH₃: PhC(H)O = 1:4:4) affords compound 4. The newly prepared complexes 1, 3-6 consist of a spin-labeled diimine ligand-dpp-Bian radical-anion. The presence of the ligand-localized unpaired electron allows the use of the ESR spectroscopy for characterization of the gallium hydrides reported. The molecular structures of compounds 1, 3-6 have been determined by the single-crystal X-ray analysis.

Synthesis and structures of mononuclear and dinuclear gallium complexes with α-diimine ligands: reduction of the metal or ligand?

Reduction of the dichloro gallium(III) α-diimine complex [(L(ipr))˙(-)GaCl2] (1, L(ipr) = [(2,6-iPr2C6H3)NC(Me)]2) by different equivalents of sodium metal afforded the gallium complexes [(L(ipr))(2-)Ga(III)(μ2-Cl)2Na(THF)4] (2) and [(Na(THF)6)(+)·((L(ipr))(2-)Ga-Ga(L(ipr))(2-))˙(-)] (3). Interestingly, in complex 2 a Na(+)Cl(-) ion pair is incorporated, while compound 3 is an anionic digallium complex. Moreover, a cationic gallium complex with a tetrachlorogallium(III) counter anion, [(LGaCl2)(+)·(GaCl4)(-)] (4), was accessed from the reaction of GaCl3 with 0.5 equiv. of ligand L(ipr). In contrast, the reaction of GaCl3 with the doubly reduced anion (Na2L(2-)) of the smaller α-diimine ligands L(Me) ([(2,6-Me2C6H3)NC(Me)]2) or L(Et) ([(2,6-Et2C6H3)NC(Me)]2) yielded the Ga-Ga-bonded complexes [(L(Et))˙(-)ClGa(II)-Ga(II)Cl(L(Et))˙(-)] (5) and [(L(Me))˙(-)ClGa(II)-Ga(II)Cl(L(Me))˙(-)] (6). Here L is the neutral α-diimine ligand, L˙(-) represents the monoanion, and L(2-) is the dianionic form of the ligand. The complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction and their electronic structures were studied by DFT computations.

Gallium complexes with α-diimine and phenazine in various reduced states

Reaction of “digallane” with phenazine (Phz) leads to gallium complexes containing Phz and an α-diimine ligand in different reduced forms.