Reactivity of Dialumane and “Dialumene” Compounds toward Alkenes

Reductive Dimerization of Alkenes and Allenes Enabled by Photochemically Activated Zinc-Zinc Bonded Compounds

Metal radicals have shown versatile reactivity in modern synthetic chemistry. However, the use of zinc radicals for molecular synthesis has been barely explored. Here, we show that a transient zinc radical can be formed through photoactivation of a zinc-zinc bonded compound, which is able to mediate the selective dimerization of alkenes and allenes. Treatment of dizinc compounds [L2Zn2] [L = CH3C(2,6-iPr2C6H3N)CHC(CH3)(NCH2CH2PR2); R = Ph (LPh) or iPr (LiPr)] with a diverse array of aromatic alkenes under UV irradiation (365 nm) facilely afforded the head-to-head coupling products, i.e., 1,4-dizinciobutanes in high yields. In addition, arylallenes could also be selectively dimerized by the dizinc compound to give 2,5-dizincyl-functionalized 1,5-hexadienes under the same conditions. Control reactions of [LPh2Zn2] in the presence of UV irradiation isolated a zinc phenyl complex and a trimeric zinc phosphide complex resulting from C-P bond cleavage at the tridentate ligand. Reactions of photoactivated dizinc compounds with organic spin traps, i.e., 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) and 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bpy), successfully isolated zinc radical trapping products [LZnOTEMP] and [LPhZn(2,2'-bpy)·-], respectively. The profile of alkene dimerization was elucidated by density functional theory calculations, which confirmed that a transient zinc radical [LZn·] was initially generated through homolytic Zn-Zn bond cleavage via photoactivation followed by single-electron transfer and radical dimerization. The unique selectivity of the current reaction was also studied computationally.

Activation of the GaI Cation for Bond Activation: from Oxidative Additions into C-Cl and H-P Bonds to Reversible Insertion into P4

Although the discovery of the GaI complex salt [Ga(PhF)2-3 ][Al(ORF )4 ] (RF =C(CF3 )3 , PhF=C6 H5 F) invoked the preparation of a diverse library of cationic Ga(I) coordination complexes and clusters, studies on small molecule activation with low-valent GaI cations are scarce. Herein, a first experimental study on the reactivity of a monomeric Ga(I) cation activated with a pyridine-diimine pincer ligand (in [Ga(PDIdipp )][Al(ORF )4 ]) towards small-molecules is reported. First controlled oxidative additions of the GaI cation into C-Cl, H-P and P-P bonds are presented. Moreover, the [4+1]cycloaddition to butadienes was achieved. Intriguingly, the isolated, blue insertion product into the P-P bond of P4 allows for the quantitative release of the P4 molecule upon reaction with AlEt3 and butadienes. Reversible P4 insertion of main-group metals has previously been reported for Ge and Sn, respectively. The experimental study is supported by high-level computational analysis of the in-part reversible oxidative additions at the DLPNO-CCSD(T)/def2-TZVPP//PBEh-3c/def2-mSVP level of theory with COSMO-RS solvation in 1,2-difluorobenzene.

Stepwise reduction of a base-stabilised ferrocenyl aluminium(iii) dihalide for the synthesis of structurally-diverse dialane species

We report the reduction of bulky ferrocenyl-based NHC-stabilised aluminium(iii) diiodide [Fc*(NHC)AlI2] (Fc* = 2,5-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-1-ferrocenyl) in different hydrocarbon solvents (hexane, benzene, toluene, and p-xylene), which results in different outcomes. Reduction in hexane with an equivalent amount of KC8 generates the diiododialane [(Fc*(NHC)AlI)2], whereas complete reduction in hexane leads to an unusual C-H activation at an N-Me group of one NHC unit. In contrast, reaction in aromatic solvents result in hitherto unknown Birch-type reductions of the corresponding solvent molecules by transient aluminium radicals of the type [LAlR2]˙, which is ultimately bound to two aluminium centers.

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.

A Highly Strained Al-Al σ-Bond in Dianionic Aluminum Analog of Oxirane for Molecule Activation

Since aluminum is the most electropositive element among the p-block elements, the construction of molecules bearing a dianionic Al-Al σ-bond is inherently highly challenging. Herein, we report the first synthesis of a dianionic dialane(6) 2 based on the Al₂O three-membered ring scaffold, namely, an aluminum analog of oxirane. The structure of 2 has been unambiguously ascertained by spectroscopic analysis as well as X-ray crystallography, and computational studies revealed that 2 bears a highly strained Al-Al σ-bond. 2 readily reacts with the unsaturated substrates such as isocyanide, ethylene, and ketone, concomitant with the cleavage of the Al-Al σ-bond under mild conditions, leading to the four- and five-membered heterocycles 3-5. Furthermore, the reaction of 2 with two molecules of benzonitrile (PhCN) furnishes a seven-membered heterocycle 6, resulting from the C-C coupling reaction of PhCN. We further delineate that 2 selectively activates an arene ring C-C bond of biphenylene, rendering a di-Al-substituted benzo[8]annulene derivative 7. Preliminary computational studies propose that the stepwise reaction mechanism involves the Al-Al σ-bond cleavage, dearomative Al-C bond formation, subsequent sigmatropic [1,3]shifts, and a pericyclic reaction.

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.

Reactions of Iso(thio)cyanates with Dialanes: Cycloaddition, Reductive Coupling, or Cleavage of the C═S or C═O Bond

The dialanes [(dpp-Bian)Al-Al(dpp-Bian)] (1) and [(dpp-dad)Al(THF)-(THF)Al(dpp-dad)] (2) (dpp-Bian = 1,2-[(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)NC]₂C₁₂H₆, dpp-dad = [(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)NC(CH₃)]₂) react with some isothiocyanates, isocyanates, and diphenylketene via [2 + 4] cycloaddition of the C═O or C═S bond across the C═C-N-Al fragment to afford complexes [L(X═C-Y)Al-Al(X═C-Y)L] with an intact Al-Al single bond (3, L = dpp-Bian, X = PhN, Y = O; 4, L = dpp-Bian, X = Ph₂C, Y = O; 6, L = dpp-dad, X = BnN, Y = S; 7, L = dpp-dad, X = tBuN, Y = O; 8, L = dpp-dad, X = iPrN, Y = S; and 9, L = dpp-dad, X = CyN, Y = S). A mixed C═N and C═O mode cycloadduct, [(dpp-Bian)(TosN═C-O)Al-Al(TosN-C═O)(dpp-Bian)] 5, was obtained in the reaction of 1 with tosylisocyanate. Heating the solution of 3 resulted in a thermal transformation and a change of the cycloaddition mode from C═O to C═N to give the product [(dpp-Bian)(PhN-C═O)Al(O)Al(PhN-C═O)(dpp-Bian)] 10. The reduction of 7 and 8 with Na yielded the products [Na(THF)_n]₂[(dpp-dad^-H)(X═C-Y)Al]₂ (12, X = iPrN, Y = S, n = 2 and 13, X = tBuN, Y = O, n = 3) in which one of the methyl groups of the backbone of the initial dpp-dad ligand was dehydrogenated. When 2 was reacted with the bulky adamantyl isocyanate AdNCO, the C-C coupling of two substrates occurred to form 14 [(dpp-dad)Al(O═C-NAd)₂Al(dpp-dad)] in which the coupled dianionic oxamide ligand bridged two Al atoms in a μ,η⁴-N,O/N,O mode. Moreover, in the presence of 2.0 equiv of Na metal, precursor 2 reacts with tBuNCS, p-TolylNCS, or Me₃SiNCO, possibly through the reduced Al^I intermediate, to yield the sulfur- or oxygen-bridged dimer [Na(solv)_n]₂[(dpp-dad)Al(μ-E)]₂ (15, E = S, solv = THF, n = 3 and 16, E = O, solv = DME, n = 2) upon C═S or C═O bond cleavage. Dialane 1 reacts with dimethylsulfone to give a Lewis adduct [(dpp-Bian)(Me₂SO₂)Al]₂ (17), which releases dimethylsulfone upon heating. The diamagnetic compounds 3-10 and 12-17 were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 3-17 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Electronic structures of the compounds and possible isomers have been examined by DFT calculations.

Activation and modification of carbon dioxide by redox-active low-valent gallium species

The activation of carbon dioxide by metallylene [(dpp-bian)GaNa(DME)2] (dpp-bian = 1,2-bis[(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) under mild conditions is described. Furthermore, the reaction of the activation complex [(dpp-bian)Ga(CO2)2Ga(dpp-bian)][Na(DME)2]2 (2) with diphenylketene, cyclohexyl isocyanate, and phenyl isocyanate leads to the elimination of carbon monoxide and the formation of derivatives of oxocarboxylic acid [(dpp-bian)GaOC(O)C(Ph)2C(CPh2)O][Na(DME)2] (6) and carbamate derivatives [(dpp-bian)GaN(Cy)C(O)N(Cy)C(O)O]2[Na(DME)2]2 (7) and [(dpp-bian)GaN(Ph)C(O)O]2[Na(DME)2]2 (8), respectively. Complexes have been characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Their electronic structures have been examined by DFT calculations. The possible mechanism of the modification reaction is proposed and supported by the investigation of 13CO2-enriched samples and DFT calculations.

Organometallo-macrocycle assembled through dialumane-mediated C-H activation of pyridines

Dialumane 1 reacts with pyridines at elevated temperatures through regioselective reductive dehydrogenation of 4-H, affording a unique hexanuclear Al(iii) macrocycle [{LAl(pyridyl)}6], which represents the first dialumane-mediated C-H activation of Py and may suggest a new approach toward organometallo supra-molecules by one-pot small molecule activation and self-assembly.

Transformation of carbodiimides to guanidine derivatives facilitated by gallylenes

The reductive coupling of carbodiimides RN[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]NR (R = 2,6-iPr2C6H3, Cy, iPr) by using [(dpp-bian)GaNa(dme)2] (1); [(dpp-dad)GaNa(thf)3] (2a) and [(dpp-dad)GaK(thf)4Ga(dpp-dad)][K(thf)6] (2b) led to the guanidinate derivatives [(dpp-bian)Ga(NCy)2C[double bond, length as m-dash]NCy][Na(thf)2] (3); [LGaN(R)C(RN)N(R)C(RN)][M] L = dpp-bian, M = Na(dme)2, R = iPr, (4a); L = dpp-dad, M = Na(thf)3, R = iPr, (4b); R = Cy, (4c); M = K(thf)4, (4d); L = dpp-bian, M = Na(dme)2, R = Cy, (4e) and [(dpp-dad)Ga(2,6-iPr2C6H3N)2C][Na(thf)2] (5).

Reduction of carbodiimides by a dialumane through insertion and cycloaddition

Dialumane reacts with carbodiimides, RNCNR (R = Cy, iPr, dipp, tBu), through insertion, [2+4] cycloaddition and a hydrogen transfer process.

Alkali metal reduction of 1,3,2-diazaborol and 1,3,2-diazagermol derivatives based on 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene

The reduction of borol (5) and germol (7) derivatives with sodium in thf proceeds with a transfer of two electrons and one proton to dpp-bian ligand and results in the formation of the products 6 and 8, which consist of the diamagnetic mono-anionic ligand.

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.

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.

Acyclic 1,2-dimagnesioethanes/-ethene derived from magnesium(i) compounds: multipurpose reagents for organometallic synthesis

Reactions of three magnesium(i) dimers, [{(ArNacnac)Mg-}2] (ArNacnac = [(ArNCMe)2CH]-; Ar = xylyl (Xyl), mesityl (Mes) or 2,6-diethylphenyl (Dep)), with either 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE), α-methylstyrene (MS), trans-stilbene (TS) or diphenylacetylene (DPA) led to the 1,2-addition of the Mg-Mg bond across the substrate, giving rise to the 1,2-dimagnesioethanes, [{(XylNacnac)Mg}2(μ-DPE)], [{(DepNacnac)Mg}2(μ-MS)], [{(ArNacnac)Mg}2(μ-TS)] (Ar = Mes or Dep); and a 1,2-dimagnesioethene, [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2(μ-DPA)]. The reactions involving the 1,1-substituted alkenes are shown to be readily redox reversible, in that the reaction products are in equilibrium with a significant proportion of the starting materials at room temperature. Variable temperature NMR spectroscopy and a van't Hoff analysis point to low kinetic barriers to these weakly exergonic reactions. [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2(μ-DPE)] and [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2(μ-DPA)] behave as 1,2-di-Grignard reagents in their reactions with very bulky amido-zinc bromides, yielding the first examples of a 1,2-dizincioethane, [(L*Zn)2(μ-DPE)] (L* = -N(Ar*)(SiPri 3); Ar* = C6H2Me{C(H)Ph2}2-4,2,6), and a 1,2-dizincioethene, [(TBoLZn)2(μ-DPA)] (TBoL = -N(SiMe3){B(DipNCH)2}, Dip = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), respectively. Divergent reactivity is shown for [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2(μ-DPE)], which behaves as a two-electron reducing agent when treated with amido-cadmium and amido-magnesium halide precursors, yielding the cadmium(i) and magnesium(i) dimers, [PhBoLCdCdPhBoL] (PhBoL = -N(SiPh3){B(DipNCH)2}) and [L†MgMgL†] (L† = -N(Ar†)(SiMe3); Ar† = C6H2Pri{C(H)Ph2}2-4,2,6), respectively. A further class of reactivity for [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2(μ-DPE)] derives from its reaction with the bulky amido-germanium chloride, L*GeCl, which gives a magnesio-germane, presumably via intramolecular C-H activation of a highly reactive magnesiogermylene intermediate, [:Ge(L*){Mg(MesNacnac)}]. [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2(μ-DPE)] can be considered as acting as a two-electron reducing, magnesium transfer reagent in this reaction.

Chelated Diborenes and Their Inverse-Electron-Demand Diels-Alder Reactions with Dienes

A doubly base-stabilised diborane based on a benzylphosphine linker was prepared by a salt elimination reaction between 2-LiC₆ H₄ CH₂ PCy₂ ⋅Et₂ O and B₂ Br₄ . This compound was reduced with KC₈ to its corresponding diborene, with the benzylphosphine forming a five-membered chelate. The diborene reacts with butadiene, 2-trimethylsiloxy-1,3-butadiene, and isoprene to form 4,5-diboracyclohexenes, which interconvert between their 1,1- (geminal) and 1,2- (vicinal) chelated isomers. The 1,1-chelated diborene undergoes a halide-catalysed isomerisation into its thermodynamically favoured 1,2-isomer, which undergoes Diels-Alder reactions more slowly than the kinetic product.

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.

A Stable Neutral Compound with an Aluminum-Aluminum Double Bond

Homodinuclear multiple-bonded neutral Al compounds, aluminum analogues of alkenes, have been a notoriously difficult synthetic target over the past several decades. Herein, we report the isolation of a stable neutral compound featuring an Al═Al double bond stabilized by N-heterocyclic carbenes. X-ray crystallographic and spectroscopic analyses demonstrate that the dialuminum entity possesses trans-planar geometry and an Al-Al bond length of 2.3943(16) Å, which is the shortest distance reported for a molecular dialuminum species. This new species reacts with ethylene and phenyl acetylene to give the [2+2] cycloaddition products. The structure and bonding were also investigated by detailed density functional theory calculations. These results clearly demonstrate the presence of an Al═Al double bond in this molecule.

Calcium stilbene complexes: structures and dual reactivity

Addition of a calcium hydride complex to diphenylacetylene gave a complex in which the stilbene dianion symmetrically bridges two Ca²⁺ions. With H₂, this complex reacts as a double Brønsted base. In reaction with I₂it provides two electrons.

Advances in the development of complexes that contain a group 13 element chalcogen multiple bond

The advances in the synthesis and isolation of complexes that contain a group 13 element chalcogen multiple bond are accounted for.

Reactions of α-diimine-aluminum complexes with sodium alkynides: versatile structures of aluminum σ-alkynide complexes

Reaction of AlCl(3) with the monoanionic α-diimine ligand [NaL] yielded the complex [L˙(-)Al(III)Cl(2)(-)] (1, L = [(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3))NC(Me)](2)), and subsequent reduction of by sodium metal afforded the mononuclear [L(2-)Al(III)Cl(-)(THF)] (2) and binuclear [L(2-)(THF)Al(II)-Al(II)(THF)L(2-)] (3). Compounds 2 and 3 exhibit interesting reactivities to sodium alkynides at room temperature. Treatment of dialumane 3 with 1 equiv. of 4-methylphenylacetylene in the presence of sodium metal yielded the asymmetric Al-Al-bonded compound [Na(Et(2)O)][LAl-Al(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C(C(6)H(4)-Me))L] (4) containing an alkynyl group attached to one of the Al atoms. The reaction of 2 with 4-methylphenylacetylene and Na (or sodium 4-methylphenylacetylide) resulted in the mononuclear product [L(THF)Al(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-(C(6)H(4)-Me))] (5) containing a single terminal acetylide ligand. Precursor 2 reacted with 2 equiv. of phenylacetylene (or 4-methylphenylacetylene, trimethylsilylacetylene) and Na to give the tweezer "ate" complexes, [Na(THF)(DME)][LAl(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)(2)] (R = C(6)H(5), ; C(6)H(4)-Me, ; Si(Me)(3), 6c), [Na(THF)](2)[LAl(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)(2)](2)(μ-C(7)H(8)) (7), [Na(C(7)H(8))][(μ-Na)][LAl(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSi(Me)(3))(2)](2) (8), as well as the polymeric [LAl(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)(2)Na](n) (9). In the products, two alkynyl groups coordinate terminally to one Al center and a sodium ion is embedded between these two alkynyls. Interestingly, both cycloaddition and terminal acetylide coordination of three equiv. of alkyne occurred in the reaction of with 1-hexyne, resulting in the unique dialuminum complex [Na(Et(2)O)](2)[{L(C(C(4)H(9))[double bond, length as m-dash]CH)}Al(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C(C(4)H(9)))(2)](2) (10). Complexes 1-10 have been characterized by NMR ((1)H, (13)C) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction, and their electronic structures were studied by DFT calculations.

α-Diimine nickel complexes of ethylene and related alkenes

A series of α-diimine-supported nickel complexes with a coordinated alkene, [LNi(alkene)], were synthesized and their structure and bonding were studied.