The coordination chemistry of boraamidinate ligands

N^N vs. N^E (E = S or Se) coordination behavior of imino-phosphanamidinate chalcogenide ligands towards aluminum alkyls: efficient hydroboration catalysis of nitriles, alkynes, and alkenes

The synthesis, characterization, and catalytic application of six aluminum alkyl complexes supported by various imino-phosphanamidinate chalcogenide ligands are described. Six different unsymmetrical imino-phosphanamidinate chalcogenide ligands [NHI^RP(Ph)(E)NH-Dipp] [R = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (Dipp), E = S (2a-H), Se (2b-H); R = mesityl (Mes), E = S (3a-H), Se (3b-H); R = tert-butyl (^tBu), E = S (4a-H), Se (4b-H)] were prepared by the oxidation of respective imino-phosphanamide ligands (1a, 1b and 1c) with elemental chalcogen atoms (S and Se). The aluminum complexes with imino-phosphanamidinate chalcogenide ligands with the general formulae [κ²_NN-{NHI^RP(Ph)(E)N-Dipp}AlMe₂] [R = Dipp, E = S (5a), Se (5b); R = Mes, E = S (6a), Se (6b)] or [κ²_NE-{NHI^RP(Ph)(E)N-Dipp}AlMe₂] [R = ^tBu, E = S (7a), Se (7b)] were synthesized in good yields from the reaction of the suitable protic ligands (2a,b-H-4a,b-H) and trimethylaluminum in a 1 : 1 molar ratio in toluene at room temperature. All the protic ligands and aluminum complexes were well characterized by multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the solid-state structures of 2a,b-H-4a,b-H, 5a,b-6a,b and 7b are established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The aluminum complexes 5a,b-7a,b were tested as catalysts for the hydroboration of nitriles, alkynes, and alkenes under mild conditions. The catalytic hydroboration reactions of nitriles, alkynes, and alkenes were accomplished with complex 5b at a mild temperature under solvent-free conditions to afford a high yield of the corresponding N,N-diborylamines, vinylboranes and alkyl boronate esters, respectively.

Aluminium alkyl complexes supported by imino-phosphanamide ligand as precursors for catalytic guanylation reactions of carbodiimides

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterisation, and application of three aluminium alkyl complexes, [κ2-{NHIRP(Ph)NDipp}AlMe2] (R = Dipp (2a), Mes (2b); tBu (2c), Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, Mes = mesityl, and tBu = tert-butyl), supported by unsymmetrical imino-phosphanamide [NHIRP(Ph)NDipp]- [R = Dipp (1a), Mes (1b), tBu (1c)] ligands as molecular precursors for the catalytic synthesis of guanidines using carbodiimides and primary amines. All the imino-phosphanamide ligands 1a, 1b and 1c were prepared in good yield from the corresponding N-heterocyclic imine (NHI) with phenylchloro-2,6-diisopropylphenylphosphanamine, PhP(Cl)NHDipp. The aluminium alkyl complexes 2a, 2b and 2c were obtained in good yield upon completion of the reaction between trimethyl aluminium and the protic ligands 1a, 1b and 1c in a 1 : 1 molar ratio in toluene via the elimination of methane, respectively. The molecular structures of the protic ligands 1b and 1c and the aluminium complexes 2a, 2b and 2c were established via single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 2a, 2b and 2c were tested as pre-catalysts for the hydroamination/guanylation reaction of carbodiimides with aryl amines to afford guanidines at ambient temperature. All the aluminium complexes exhibited a high conversion with 1.5 mol% catalyst loading and broad substrate scope with a wide functional group tolerance during the guanylation reaction. We also proposed the most plausible mechanism, involving the formation of catalytically active three-coordinate Al species as the active pre-catalyst.

Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence and Phosphorescence Quenching in Iminophosphonamide Copper and Zinc Complexes

The synthesis of copper and zinc complexes of four variably substituted iminophosphonamide ligands is presented. While the copper complexes form ligand-bridged dimers, the zinc compounds are monomeric. Due to different steric demand of the ligand the arrangement of the ligands within the dimeric complexes varies. Similar to the structurally related iminophosphonamide complexes of alkali metals and calcium, the steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) of four of the seven compounds studied here as solids in a temperature range of 5-295 K can be described within the scheme of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Accordingly, they exhibit bright blue-green phosphorescence at low temperatures (<100 K), which turns into delayed fluorescence by increasing the temperature. However, unusually, the fluorescence is practically absent in two copper complexes which otherwise still conform to the TADF scheme. In these cases, the excited singlet states decay essentially non-radiatively and their thermal population from the corresponding low-lying triplet states efficiently quenches PL (phosphorescence). Three other copper and zinc complexes only exhibit prompt fluorescence, evidencing a wide variation of photophysical properties in this class of compounds. The excited states of the copper complex with especially pronounced phosphorescence quenching were also investigated by low-temperature time-resolved infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations.

An Unsymmetric Imino-Phosphanamidinate Ligand and its Y(III) Complex: Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Hydroboration of Carbonyl Compounds

An imino-phosphanamide ligand, [NHI^iPr2Me2P(Ph)NH-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃] (LH), containing two different N-substituents was prepared by the direct reaction of the lithium salt of N-heterocyclic imine (NHI) with phenylchloro-2,6-diisopropylphenyl phosphanamine, PhP(Cl)NH-2,6-ⁱPr₂-C₆H₃. Reaction of LH with Y(N(SiMe₃)₂)₃ afforded the heteroleptic complex, [{L}Y(N(SiMe₃)₂)₂] (1), by elimination of HN(SiMe₃)₂. Compound 1 was characterized by multinuclear NMR and X-ray crystallography. In the complex, the Y(III) center was found to be tetracoordinate in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The ligand, imino-phosphanamidinate, [L]^-, functions in a chelating manner, and its coordination to Y(III) results in a distorted 4-membered YPN₂ ring. As a proof of principle of its activity, 1 was used as a precatalyst for the hydroboration of various aldehydes and ketones using HBpin as the hydrogen source. The hydroboration reaction was rapid and clean even with low catalyst loadings (0.01-0.1 mol %). In addition, a very good functional group tolerance was observed in these reactions.

Lithium and Dilithium Guanidinates, a Starter Kit for Metal Complexes Containing Various Mono- and Dianionic Ligands

Comparative studies of the synthesis of lithium guanidinates via nucleophilic addition of lithium amides to carbodiimides were performed. Four combinations of small or sterically crowded carbodiimide and sterically crowded lithium amide or lithium amide containing an adjacent amino donor group give ten different types of complexes. In particular, 2,6-[(CH₃)₂CH]₂C₆H₃NHLi (DipNHLi, 1) reacts with (CH₃)₂CHN═C═NCH(CH₃)₂ upon the formation of the dissymmetric dimeric complex 2 with four-coordinate Li atoms. In contrast, 1 with DipN═C═NDip gives the mononuclear lithium guanidinate 3 with two-coordinate lithium by κ¹-guanidinate, solvent molecule, and additional interaction with a π-electron cloud of one of the Dip groups. Analogous reactions of 2-[(CH₃)₂NCH₂]C₆H₄NHLi (7) yield complexes 8 and 9, where the adjacent amino donors are always coordinated. Further deprotonation of 2, 3, 8, and 9 leads to dilithium guanidinates(2-)-4, 5, 10, and 11, among which only 5, containing three Dip groups, is monomeric with contacts to two π-electron systems of Dip groups. The rest of the complexes are tetranuclear with different structural patterns. In the central parts of molecules, toward which the nitrogen atoms of the guanidinates are oriented, lithium atoms are usually pseudotetrahedral, but trigonal in peripheral parts. Adjacent solvent molecules, chelating amino groups, and π-electron systems of Dip groups are coordinated in order to complete coordination polyhedra. Complexes 4 and 5 deoligomerize in solution upon the formation of fluxional monomeric dilithium species. Conversely, 11 is a dimer in solution due to the strong donation of an amino group. The silylated lithium amide {2-[(CH₃)₂NCH₂]C₆H₄}[(Si(CH₃)₃]NLi (12) reacts with both carbodiimides to give dinuclear 13 obtained from diisopropylcarbodiimide and monomeric 14 from the second carbodiimide. Complexes 13 and 14 structurally resemble 8 and 9, with the highest degree of the localization of π-electron density within the N₃C guanidinate system, η³-contact to the Dip ring, and a lack of the solvent molecule in 14.

Reactivity of boraguanidinato germylenes toward carbonyl compounds and isocyanides: C-O, C-F and C-N bond activation

The reactions of two equivalents of germylene [(i-Pr)₂NB(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Ge (1) with carbonyl compounds RC(O)R' resulted in carbonyl functionality activation and the formation of 4-(R,R')-1,2-digerma-3-oxa-cyclobutanes (R/R' = Ph/CF₃ (2) or C₆F₅/H (3)). Surprisingly, the analogous reaction of 1 with C₆F₅C(O)Me led to the insertion of the germanium atom into the C-F bond of the perfluorophenyl group, thus producing a spiro compound (4) with a germanium atom sharing 1,2-digerma-3,5-diaza-4-bora-cyclopentane and 1-germa-2,4-diaza-3-boracyclobutane rings. Furthermore, the reaction of 1 with 2e^- donors was investigated. In the case of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), an expected complex [(i-Pr)₂NB(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Ge(DMAP) (5) was isolated, but using t-BuNC resulted in the formation of germanium(iv) cyanide [(i-Pr)₂NB(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Ge(CN)(t-Bu) (6) as a result of C-N bond activation in the starting isocyanide. In contrast, mixing other isocyanides RNC (R = Cy or Ad) with 1 in solution led only to an equilibrium between the starting compounds and most probably the corresponding complexes [(i-Pr)₂NB(N-2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Ge(CNR) (R = Cy (7a) or Ad (8a)) based on NMR studies. From these equilibrium mixtures, fortuitously, single crystals of digerma-spiro-complexes (7 and 8) containing two germanium atoms (one of them coordinated to a particular isocyanide) were obtained and structurally authenticated by the X-ray diffraction technique.

Neutral and cationic enantiopure group 13 iminophosphonamide complexes

Synthesis and reactivity of enantiopure iminophosphonamide ligand L-H (L = [Ph2P{N(R)CH(CH3)Ph}2]) with group 13 metal compounds has been investigated. The reaction of L-H with LiAlH4 afforded the aluminium monohydride complex [L2AlH]. The monochloride complexes [L2MCl] (M = Al, Ga) were accessed by reacting corresponding MCl3 (M = Al, Ga) with L-Li. Furthermore, the tetracoordinated aluminium cation [L2Al]+[GaCl4]- and gallium cation [L2Ga]+[AlCl4]- were obtained by chloride abstraction from [L2MCl] (M = Al, Ga), respectively. The title complexes represent the first examples of enantiopure group 13 metal complexes coordinated by chiral iminophosphonamides. All complexes have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, multinuclear NMR, EA and IR studies.

Alkali metal complexes of an enantiopure iminophosphonamide ligand with bright delayed fluorescence

Alkali metal complexes of an enantiopure iminophosphonamide bearing chiral centers at both nitrogen atoms are described. They show bright phosphorescence and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF).

The enantiomerically pure ligand P,P-diphenyl-N,N′-bis((R)-1-phenylethyl)phosphinimidic amide (1; (R)-HPEPIA) was synthesized and subsequently deprotonated with alkali metal precursors to yield dimeric complexes [M₂{(R)-PEPIA}₂] (M = Li (2), Na (3), K (4), Rb (5)). The cesium compound [M{(R)-PEPIA}] (6) crystallized as a cocrystal composed of dimeric ([Cs₂{(R)-PEPIA}₂] (6_d) and 1D-polymeric ([Cs{(R)-PEPIA}]_n) (6_p) species in a 1 : 1 ratio. The coordination polymer 6_p features a unique sinus-shaped configuration of repeating –Cs–N–P–N–Cs–N–P–N– units. Unusual photoluminescence (PL) properties were found for solid 1–6: in contrast to the fluorescent ligand 1, the alkali metal complexes show phosphorescence at low temperatures (<100 K) and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) above ∼150 K. The latter provides for PL quantum yields up to 36% (3) at ambient temperature. DFT calculations support that both 1 and 2–6_d have similar singlet and triplet excited states with energy separations of a few tens of meV. The strongly enhanced intersystem crossing (ISC) in the metal complexes, resulting in TADF, is attributed to their dimeric structure. This suggests that the fluorophore dimerization may serve as a tool to effect ISC for the design of TADF emitters.

Synthesis and catalytic activity of tridentate N-(2-pyridylethyl)-substituted bulky amidinates of calcium and strontium

Sterically protected tridentate amidinates of calcium have been prepared to study the intramolecular hydroamination of an aminoalkene.

Combined QTAIM and ETS-NOCV investigation of the interactions in ClnM[PhB(NtBu)2] complexes with M = Si & Ge (n = 0), As & Sb (n = 1), Te & Po (n = 2)

In this work, the nature of the chemical interactions between the metalloid atom (M = Si, Ge, As, Sb, Te, Po) and the nitrogen atoms in the bora-amidinate (bam) complexes (Cl_nM[PhB(N^tBu)₂]) are investigated, mainly via density-based indices. The descriptors used are derived using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and natural orbitals for chemical valence approaches. It is shown that the strongest interaction is achieved with silicon. Indeed, it is generally the lightest metalloid in a particular group of the periodic table (i.e., Si, As, and Te for groups 14-16, respectively) that exhibits the strongest bond in the bam complex. This suggests that the atomic radius of the metalloid is a useful parameter for predicting the bonding strength. Extended transition state (ETS) decomposition results indicate that the interactions are more electrostatic than due to orbital interactions.

PBP bridged [3]ferrocenophane: a bisphosphanylborane with a redox trigger

Stereospecific access to the unprecedented P-B-P bridged [3]ferrocenophane Fe(C₅H₄PtBu)₂BMes is presented. In contrast to acyclic ferrocenylphosphanes, we find evidence for a shift of spin-density from Fe to P upon pyramidal inversion of the P centers in the mono-cation; the latter has a lifetime of τ = 0.31(4) s.

Bora-amidinate as a cooperative ligand in group 2 metal catalysis

Syntheses and crystal structures of the monomeric bora-amidinate (bam) complexes ^DIPPNBN-Mg·(THF)₃ and ^DIPPNBN-Ca·(THF)₄ are presented; ^DIPPNBN = HB[N(2,6-iPr₂-C₆H₃)]₂. The simplicity of their ¹H NMR spectra in THF-d₈ suggest that their monomeric solid state structures are retained in solution. ^DIPPNBN-Mg·(THF)₃ in C₆D₆, however, is in equilibrium with a dimeric species. Calculations (B3PW91/6-311++G**) reveal a very high localized negative charge (NPA: -1.103) on the N atoms in ^DIPPNBN-Mg. The strongly basic properties of the bam ligand are in agreement with catalytic activity of these complexes in the intramolecular alkene hydroamination. A mechanism is proposed in which the bam ligand is non-innocent and cooperative, playing an active role in substrate deprotonation and product protonation.

Dehydrocoupling and Silazane Cleavage Routes to Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Polymers with NBN Units in the Main Chain

Despite the great potential of both π-conjugated organoboron polymers and BN-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in organic optoelectronics, our knowledge of conjugated polymers with B-N bonds in their main chain is currently scarce. Herein, the first examples of a new class of organic-inorganic hybrid polymers are presented, which consist of alternating NBN and para-phenylene units. Polycondensation with B-N bond formation provides facile access to soluble materials under mild conditions. The photophysical data for the polymer and molecular model systems of different chain lengths reveal a low extent of π-conjugation across the NBN units, which is supported by DFT calculations. The applicability of the new polymers as macromolecular polyligands is demonstrated by a cross-linking reaction with Zr(IV) .

Germylenes and stannylenes stabilized within N2PE rings (E = Ge or Sn): combined experimental and theoretical study

Bis(amino)phosphanes were shown to be excellent easily accessible precursors for the preparation of a variety of tetrylenes that significantly differ in their structures.

Cooperative reaction chemistry derived from a borata-diene framework

A bifunctional frustrated BH⁻/B hydridoborate nucleophile/borane Lewis acid pair is prepared starting from a zwitterionic phoshonium borata-diene by a sequence of sequential protonation/hydride attachment, followed by hydroboration with Piers' borane [HB(C₆F₅)₂]. The bifunctional product reduced carbon monoxide.

Enamine/butadienylborane cycloaddition in the frustrated Lewis pair regime

The dienylborane 2a was prepared by regioselective alkyne hydroboration of the conjugated enyne 1a with Piers' borane [HB(C6F5)2]. Its reaction with a series of acetophenone derived enamines 3 resulted in the formation of the strong enamine β-carbon adduct with the borane Lewis acid (4). In contrast B-C adduct formation between the dienylborane 2a and a series of much more bulky cyclohexanone derived enamines (6) is rapidly reversible above ca.-30 °C and then leads to the formation of the [4 + 2]cycloaddition products 8. A DFT study revealed that this reaction is probably taking a stepwise route, proceeding by means of enamine addition to the dienylborane terminus to generate a zwitterionic borata-alkene/iminium ion intermediate that undergoes rapid subsequent ring closure. Heating of the products 8 led to amidoborane elimination from the vicinal amino/borane pair at the product framework to give the respective hexahydronaphthalene product 10. Subsequent treatment with TEMPO (2 equiv.) resulted in selective oxidation of the unsaturated ring to give the respective tetrahydronaphthalene derivative 12.

Reactivity of bis(organoamino)phosphanes with magnesium(ii) compounds

The reactivity of bis(organoamino)phosphanes with magnesium(ii) reagents is reported. The outcome of the reactions is influenced by a tautomeric H-shift in ligand backbones.

Syntheses, X-ray structures, and redox behaviour of the group 14 bis-boraamidinates M[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 (M = Ge, Sn) and Li2M[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 (M = Sn, Pb)

The solid-state structures of the complexes M[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 (1a, M= Ge; 1b, M = Sn) were determined to be spirocyclic with two orthogonal boraamidinate (bam) ligands N,N′-chelated to the group 14 centre. Oxidation of 1b with SO2Cl2 afforded the thermally unstable, blue radical cation {Sn[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2}•+, identified by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, whereas the germanium analogue 1a was inert towards SO2Cl2. The reaction between Li2[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 and SnCl2 or PbI2 in 2:1 molar ratio in diethyl ether produced the novel heterotrimetallic complexes Li2Sn[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 (2b) and (Et2O·Li)LiPb[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 (2c·OEt2), respectively. By contrast, treatment of Li2[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 with C4H8O2·GeCl2 yielded the germanium(IV) complex 1a via a redox process. The X-ray structures of 2b and 2c·THF revealed polycyclic arrangements in which one bam ligand is N,N′-chelated to the Sn(II) or Pb(II) atom and one of the Li+ cations, while the second bam ligand exhibits a unique bonding mode, bridging all three metal centres. The fluctional behaviour of 2b was investigated by variable temperature, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.