Reactions of heavier main-group compounds with hydrogen, ammonia, ethylene and related small molecules

An Isolable Bis(Germylene)-Stabilized Plumbylone

We report herein the synthesis of a stable plumbylone (3) by reduction of a bromodigermylplumbylene (2) with 2.2 equiv of potassium graphite (KC₈ ). The molecular structure of 3 was established by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study and features a two-coordinated Pb center with an acute Ge-Pb-Ge bond angle. Computational studies showed that this complex (3) possesses a singlet electronic ground state with a Pb⁰ center. Its high thermal stability can be most likely ascribed to the delocalization of π electrons over the Ge-Pb-Ge moiety. A preliminary reactivity study demonstrates that complex 3 can deliver Pb⁰ atoms to an organic azide producing a tetrameric imido complex [(PbNDipp)₄ ] (Dipp=2,6-ⁱ Pr-C₆ H₃ , 4) and perform a metathesis reaction with GeCl₂ ⋅dioxane to produce a bis(germylene)-stabilized germylone (5), highlighting the synthetic utility of 3.

Taming PH3: State of the Art and Future Directions in Synthesis

Appetite for reactions involving PH₃ has grown in the past few years. This in part is due to the ability to generate PH₃ cleanly and safely via digestion of cheap metal phosphides with acids, thus avoiding pressurized cylinders and specialized equipment. In this perspective we highlight current trends in forming new P–C/P–OC bonds with PH₃ and discuss the challenges involved with selectivity and product separation encumbering these reactions. We highlight the reactivity of PH₃ with main group reagents, building on the early pioneering work with transition metal complexes and PH₃. Additionally, we highlight the recent renewal of interest in alkali metal sources of H₂P^– which are proving to be useful synthons for chemistry across the periodic table. Such MPH₂ sources are being used to generate the desired products in a more controlled fashion and are allowing access to unexplored phosphorus-containing species.

Synthesis of Distibiranes and Azadistibiranes by Cycloaddition Reactions of Distibenes with Diazomethanes and Azides

Cycloaddition reactions of distibene [L(Me2N)GaSb]2 (L = HC[C(Me)NDipp]2; Dipp= 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)=) with a series of organoazides RN3 (R = Ph, p-CF3-Ph, 1-adamantyl (ada)) yielded azadistibiranes [L(Me2N)GaSb]2NR (R = Ph 1, p-CF3-Ph...

Dehydrogenative Double C-H Bond Activation in a Germylene-Rhodium Complex*

Transition metal tetrylene complexes offer great opportunities for molecular cooperation due to the ambiphilic character of the group 14 element. Here we focus on the coordination of germylene [(Ar^Mes2 )₂ Ge :] (Ar^Mes =C₆ H₃ -2,6-(C₆ H₂ -2,4,6-Me₃ )₂ ) to [RhCl(COD)]₂ (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene), which yields a neutral germyl complex in which the rhodium center exhibits both η⁶ - and η² -coordination to two mesityl rings in an unusual pincer-type structure. Chloride abstraction from this species triggers a singular dehydrogenative double C-H bond activation across the Ge/Rh motif. We have isolated and fully characterized three rhodium-germyl species associated to three C-H cleavage events along this process. The reaction mechanism has been further investigated by computational means, supporting the key cooperative action of rhodium and germanium centers.

Hydroboration of carbonyls and imines by an iminophosphonamido tin(II) precatalyst

A novel three-coordinated tin(II) chloride [Ph₂P(N^tBu)₂]SnCl (1) supported by an N,N'-di-tert-butyliminophosphonamide having two phenyl groups on the phosphorus atom was synthesized by the reaction of the starting lithium iminophosphonamide [Ph₂P(N^tBu)₂]Li with SnCl₂·(dioxane) in toluene. The molecular structure of 1 was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. Tin(II) chloride 1 can act as an efficient precatalyst for the hydroboration of a wide variety of aldehydes, ketones, and imines at -10 °C. DFT calculations propose that hydroboration involves hydride transfer from the corresponding tin(II) hydride intermediate [Ph₂P(N^tBu)₂]SnH (10) to the carbonyl substrates via four-membered transition states (TS-12), affording three-coordinated tin(II) alkoxide intermediates [Ph₂P(N^tBu)₂]SnOR (13), followed by the stepwise reaction of 13 with HBpin (pin = pinacolate) to release the boronate esters and regenerate the tin(II) hydride 10. The stoichiometric reaction of the in site-generated 10 with benzophenone 2a at -10 °C led to the formation of 13. Moreover, 13 also stoichiometrically reacted with HBpin at -10 °C, forming the corresponding boronate ester 3a and 10 based on the ¹H NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture.

Homocoupling of CO and isocyanide mediated by a C,C′-bis(silylenyl)-substituted ortho-carborane

A new mode of homocoupling of carbon monoxide and isocyanide with an ortho-carborane-supported bis-silylene selectively leads to unprecedented polycyclic organosilanes with Si–C and SiC bonds.

A Cyclic (Alkyl)(boryl)germylene Derived from a Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)germylene

A cyclic (alkyl)(amino)germylene undergoes a ring expansion reaction with dibromomesitylborane (MesBBr₂ ) to afford a six-membered dibromogermane derivative. In the presence of Lewis bases (PMe₃ or ^Me NHC), reduction of the latter with two equivalents of potassium graphite (KC₈ ) gives rise to cyclic (alkyl)(boryl)germylene-Lewis base adducts. Upon heating, the germylene-PMe₃ adduct reacts with H₂ to yield a germane, probably via a base-free germylene featuring a small HOMO-LUMO gap.

Reversible borohydride formation from aluminium hydrides and {H(9-BBN)}2: structural, thermodynamic and reactivity studies

A series of novel β-diketiminate stabilised aluminium borohydrides of the type (Nacnac)Al(R){H₂(9-BBN)} has been synthesised offering variation in both the auxiliary R substituent and in the Nacnac backbone itself. A number of these complexes show unusual dissociation of the borane from the aluminium hydride in solution under ambient conditions. The lability of the borane is shown (by variable temperature NMR analyses) to be influenced by the electronic character of both the aluminium-bound R substituent and the Nacnac ligand itself, such that electron-withdrawing substituents lead to greater dissociation of the borane. Comparison of these complexes with related systems featuring the tetrahydroborate [BH₄]^- ligand illustrates the impact of the boron-bound substituents on the ability of the borane fragment to dissociate from the aluminium hydride. This dissociative behaviour is shown to be highly influential on the ability of the borohydride complexes to reduce carbon dioxide in a stoichiometric manner.

Quantum information-based analysis of electron-deficient bonds

Recently, the correlation theory of the chemical bond was developed, which applies concepts of quantum information theory for the characterization of chemical bonds, based on the multiorbital correlations within the molecule. Here, for the first time, we extend the use of this mathematical toolbox for the description of electron-deficient bonds. We start by verifying the theory on the textbook example of a molecule with three-center two-electron bonds, namely, diborane(6). We then show that the correlation theory of the chemical bond is able to properly describe the bonding situation in more exotic molecules which have been synthesized and characterized only recently, in particular, the diborane molecule with four hydrogen atoms [diborane(4)] and a neutral zerovalent s-block beryllium complex, whose surprising stability was attributed to a strong three-center two-electron π bond stretching across the C-Be-C core. Our approach is of high importance especially in the light of a constant chase after novel compounds with extraordinary properties where the bonding is expected to be unusual.

Borane-Catalyzed Cross-Metathesis Strategy for Facile Transformation of Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Germylenes

A borane B(C₆ F₅ )₃ -catalyzed metathesis reaction between the Si-C bond in the cyclic (alkyl)(amino)germylene (CAAGe) 1 and the Si-H bond in a silane (R₃ SiH; 2) is reported. Mechanistic studies propose that the initial step of the reaction involves Si-H bond activation to furnish an ionic species [1-SiR₃ ]⁺ [HB(C₆ F₅ )₃ ]^- , from which [Me₃ Si]⁺ [HB(C₆ F₅ )₃ ]^- and an azagermole intermediate are generated. The former yields Me₃ SiH concomitant with the regeneration of B(C₆ F₅ )₃ whereas the latter undergoes isomerization to afford CAAGes bearing various silyl groups on the carbon atom next to the germylene center. This strategy allows the straightforward synthesis of eight new CAAGes starting from 1.

Reversible Coordination of H2 by a Distannyne

The terphenyl tin(II) hydride [Ar^iPr₄Sn(μ-H)]₂ (1) (Ar^iPr₄ = C₆H₃-2,6(C₆H₃-2,6-ⁱPr₂)₂) was shown to form an equilibrium with the distannyne Ar^iPr₄SnSnAr^iPr₄ (2) and H₂ in toluene at 80 °C. The equilibrium constant and Gibbs free energy for the dissociation of H₂ are 2.23 × 10^-4 ± 4.9% and 5.89 kcal/mol ± 0.68%, respectively, by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and 2.33 × 10^-4 ± 6.2% and 5.86 kcal/mol ± 0.73%, respectively, by UV-vis spectroscopy, indicating that the hydride 1 is strongly favored. Further heating of 2 at ca. 100 °C afforded the known pentagonal-bipyramidal Sn₇ cluster Sn₅(SnAr^iPr₄)₂ (3). Mechanistic studies show that 3 is formed from distannyne 2, which is generated from 1. The order of the reaction for the conversion of 2 into 3 was found to be zero, and the rate constant is 1.77 × 10^-5 M s^-1 at 100 °C. Hydride 1 was further characterized by cyclic voltammetry, and its pK_a was found to be 18.8(2) via titration with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene. The bond dissociation free energy was estimated to be 51.1 kcal/mol ± 3.4% on the basis of its pK_a and reduction potential. Studies with deuterium indicate ready exchange of D₂ with the hydrides in 1.

Neutral and anionic zinc compounds supported by a bis(imino)phenyl NCN ligand

The new zinc complexes 2,6-(ArNCH)₂C₆H₃ZnBu (6) and 2,6-(ArNCH)₂C₆H₃ZnCl₂Li(THF)₃ (7), supported by a bis(imino)phenyl NCN pincer ligand, were prepared (Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃).

On the Redox Reactivity of a Geometrically Constrained Phosphorus(III) Compound

The reactivity of a geometrically constrained phosphorus(III) complex bearing the N,N-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenolate)amide pincer ligand (P(ONO); 1) towards oxidants and reductants is explored. This compound can be readily oxidized to the phosphorus(V) dihalo-derivatives P(ONO)X₂ where X=Cl (2), Br (3) and I (4). Attempts at isolating the analogous difluoride through oxidation of 1 were unsuccessful yielding only the hydrofluoride P(ONO)(H)F (5), however P(ONO)F₂ (6) can be accessed via a halide exchange reaction of 2 with KF. Compound 2 can be employed as a precursor to novel cationic species through chloride ion displacement using strong Lewis bases. Thus, reaction of 2 with two or three molar equivalents of dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) affords [P(ONO)(Cl)(DMAP)₂ ]⁺ (7) and [P(ONO)(DMAP)₃ ]²⁺ (8). Reaction of 2 with the weaker bidentate base 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) affords [P(ONO)(Cl)(bipy)]⁺ (9), although this species was only accessible upon addition of a halide abstracting agent. The dicationic tris(pyridine) adduct [P(ONO)(py)₃ ]²⁺ (10) is also accessible by reaction of 4 with pyridine. Oxidation of 1 using oxygen gas proceeds slowly and allows for the observation of two compounds, a mixed valence dimeric phosphorus(III)/phosphorus(V) compound [P(ONO)(μ² -O)(μ² :κ¹ ,κ² -ONO)P] (11) and the fully oxidized species [P(ONO)(μ² -O)(μ² :κ¹ ,κ² -ONO)P(O)] (12). Finally, reaction of 1 using KC₈ results in the dimerization of the putative radical anion [P(ONO)]^.- through formation of a P-P bond to afford [P(ONO)]₂^2- (13). Reactions with TEMPO result in the formation of the trigonal bipyramidal species P(ONO)(TEMPO)₂ (14).

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.

The Unusual Role of Aromatic Solvent in Single-Site AluminumI Chemistry: Insights from Theory

The single-site activation of strong σ bonds (such as that of H-H, P-H, and N-H) remains a significant challenge in main-group chemistry, with only a few cases reported to date. In this regard, recent exciting experiments performed with aluminum^I complexes hold significance because they have been seen to activate a variety of strong σ bonds. Such chemistry is generally seen to occur in aromatic solvents. Current computational studies with DFT reveal the interesting reason for this: an explicit aromatic solvent molecule acts as a catalyst by converting the aluminum^I complex into aluminum^III during the process. Different cases of σ-bond activation by aluminum^I complexes have been investigated and the efficiency of H-X (X=H, NHtBu, PPh₂ ) bond activation in the presence of an explicit benzene solvent molecule is orders of magnitude higher than that in its absence. The current work therefore reveals the chemistry of aluminum^I complexes to be richer and more complex than that previously realized, and shows it to be dependent on metal-solvent cooperativity; the first known example of its kind in main-group chemistry.

On the Ambiphilic Reactivity of Geometrically Constrained Phosphorus(III) and Arsenic(III) Compounds: Insights into Their Interaction with Ionic Substrates

The ambiphilic nature of geometrically constrained Group 15 complexes bearing the N,N‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐phenolate)amide pincer ligand (ONO³⁻) is explored. Despite their differing reactivity towards nucleophilic substrates with polarised element–hydrogen bonds (e.g., NH₃), both the phosphorus(III), P(ONO) (1 a), and arsenic(III), As(ONO) (1 b), compounds exhibit similar reactivity towards charged nucleophiles and electrophiles. Reactions of 1 a and 1 b with KOtBu or KNPh₂ afford anionic complexes in which the nucleophilic anion associates with the pnictogen centre ([(tBuO)Pn(ONO)]⁻ (Pn=P (2 a), As (2 b)) and [(Ph₂N)Pn(ONO)]⁻ (Pn=P (3 a), As (3 b)). Compound 2 a can subsequently be reacted with a proton source or benzylbromide to afford the phosphorus(V) compounds (tBuO)HP(ONO) (4 a) and (tBuO)BzP(ONO) (5 a), respectively, whereas analogous arsenic(V) compounds are inaccessible. Electrophilic substrates, such as HOTf and MeOTf, preferentially associate with the nitrogen atom of the ligand backbone of both 1 a and 1 b, giving rise to cationic species that can be rationalised as either ammonium salts or as amine‐stabilised phosphenium or arsenium complexes ([Pn{ON(H)O}]⁺ (Pn=P (6 a), As (6 b)) and [Pn{ON(Me)O}]⁺ (Pn=P (7 a), As (7 b)). Reaction of 1 a with an acid bearing a nucleophilic counteranion (such as HCl) gives rise to a phosphorus(V) compound HPCl(ONO) (8 a), whereas the analogous reaction with 1 b results in the addition of HCl across one of the As−O bonds to afford ClAs{(H)ONO} (8 b). Functionalisation at both the pnictogen centre and the ligand backbone is also possible by reaction of 7 a/7 b with KOtBu, which affords the neutral species (tBuO)Pn{ON(Me)O} (Pn=P (9 a), As (9 b)). The ambiphilic reactivity of these geometrically constrained complexes allows some insight into the mechanism of reactivity of 1 a towards small molecules, such as ammonia and water.

Can main group systems act as superior catalysts for dihydrogen generation reactions? A computational investigation

The protolytic cleavage of the O-H bond in water and alcohols is a very important reaction, and an important method for producing dihydrogen. Full quantum chemical studies with density functional theory (DFT) reveal that germanium based complexes, such as HC{CMeArB}2GeH (Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3), with the assistance of silicon based compounds such as SiF3H, can perform significantly better than the existing state-of-the-art post-transition metal based systems for catalyzing dihydrogen generation from water and alcohols through the protolysis reaction.

Tin-catalyzed hydrophosphination of alkenes

Simple tin derivatives, Cp*2SnCl2 (1) and Ph2SnCl2 (2), catalyze the hydrophosphination of alkene substrates with diphenylphosphine. Competitive dehydrocoupling to give Ph4P2 was observed, but this side reaction can be mitigated when the catalysis is conducted under an H2 atmosphere. Efforts to prepare stable tin bis(phosphido) compounds commonly resulted in decomposition to Ph4P2. Lewis acidic inorganic tin compounds do not show dehydrocoupling reactivity. It was found that the Lewis acid, B(C6F5)3, is able to engage in the hydrophosphination of alkenes, but it is poorly effective under the conditions tested.

Addition of alkynes to digermynes: experimental insight into the reaction pathway

The reaction pathway for the addition of alkynes to digermynes has been investigated using a mechanistic probe approach.

E-H Bond Activation of Ammonia and Water by a Geometrically Constrained Phosphorus(III) Compound

The synthesis of a phosphorus(III) compound bearing a N,N-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)amide ligand is reported. This species has been found to react with ammonia and water, activating the E–H bonds in both substrates by formal oxidative addition to afford the corresponding phosphorus(V) compounds. In the case of water, both O–H bonds can be activated, splitting the molecule into its constituent elements. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a compound based on main group elements that sequentially activates water in this manner.

Two-coordinate hydrido-germylenes

The first structurally characterised two-coordinate hydrido-germylenes, :Ge(H)L (L = -N(Ar){Si(OBu)}, Ar = C6H2{C(H)Ph2}2R-2,6,4; R = Pr(i) ((tBuO)L(†)), Me ((tBuO)L*)), have been prepared, and their dimerisation shown to be thermodynamically unfavourable, largely due to the extreme steric bulk of their amide ligands.