Lanthanides and actinides: Annual survey of their organometallic chemistry covering the year 2012

Alpha-metalated N,N-dimethylbenzylamine rare-earth metal complexes and their catalytic applications

This perspective summarizes our group's extensive research in the realm of organometallic lanthanide complexes, while also placing the catalytic reactions supported by these species within the context of known lanthanide catalysis worldwide, with a specific focus on phosphorus-based catalytic reactions such as intermolecular hydrophosphination and hydrophosphinylation. α-Metalated N,N-dimethylbenzylamine ligands have been utilized to generate homoleptic lanthanide complexes, which have subsequently proven to be highly active lanthanum-based catalysts. The main goal of our research program has been to enhance the catalytic efficiency of lanthanum-based complexes, which began with initial successes in the stoichiometric synthesis of organometallic lanthanide complexes and utilization of these species in catalytic hydrophosphination reactions. Not only have these species supported traditional lanthanide catalysis, such as the hydrophosphination of heterocumulenes like carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates, but they have also been effective for a plethora of catalytic reactions tested thus far, including the hydrophosphinylation and hydrophosphorylation of nitriles, hydrophosphination and hydrophosphinylation of alkynes and alkenes, and the heterodehydrocoupling of silanes and amines. Each of these catalytic transformations is meritorious in its own right, offering new synthetic routes to generate organic scaffolds with enhanced functionality while concurrently minimizing both waste generation and energy consumption. Objectives: We aim for the research summary presented herein to inspire and encourage other researchers to investigate f-element based stoichiometric and catalytic reactions. Our efforts in this field began with the recognition that potassium salts of benzyldimethylamine preferred deprotonation at the α-position, rather than the ortho-position, and we wondered if this regiochemistry would be retained in the formation of lanthanide complexes. The pursuit of this simple idea led first to a series of structurally fascinating homoleptic organometallic lanthanide complexes with surprisingly good stability. Fundamental studies of the protonolysis chemistry of these complexes ultimately revealed highly versatile lanthanide-based precatalysts that have propelled a catalytic investigation spanning more than a decade. We anticipate that this summative perspective will animate the synthetic as well as biological communities to consider La(DMBA)3-based catalytic methods in the synthesis of functionalized organic scaffolds as an atom-economic, convenient, and efficient methodology. Ultimately, we envision our work making a positive impact on the advancement of novel chemical transformations and contributing to progress in various fields of science and technology.

Noncovalent Interactions at Lanthanide Complexes

Lanthanide complexes have attracted a widespread attention due to their structural diversity, as well as multifunctional and tunable properties. The development of lanthanide based functional materials has often relied on the design of the secondary coordination sphere of the corresponding lanthanide complexes. For instance, usually simple lanthanide salts (solvento complexes) do not catalyze effectively organic reactions or provide low yield of the expected product, whereas the presence of a suitable organic ligand with a noncovalent bond donor or acceptor centre (secondary coordination sphere) modifies the symmetry around the metal centre in lanthanide complexes which then successfully can act as catalysts in both homogenous and heterogenous catalysis. In this minireview, we discuss several relevant examples, based on X-ray crystal structure analyses, in which the hydrogen, halogen, chalcogen, pnictogen, tetrel and rare-earth bonds, as well as cation-π, anion-π, lone pair-π, π-π and pancake interactions, are used as a synthon in the decoration of the secondary coordination sphere of lanthanide complexes.

Organometallic complexes of neodymium: an overview of synthetic methodologies based on coordinating elements

Organometallic complexes of neodymium have unique coordinating ability to form both micro and macromolecules as well as metal-based polymers. These complexes have been reported in different fields and play a tremendous role in luminescence, catalytic, biological and magnetic applications. So, the current study will comprise all possible routes for the synthesis of organometallic complexes of neodymium. Neodymium complexes have been synthesized of single, double, triple and tetra linkages with H, C, N, O as well as S, B, and X. The detailed synthetic routes have been classified into four categories but in brief, neodymium forms complexes by reacting metal chloride, nitrate or oxide (hydrated or dehydrated) as precursor along with appropriate ligand. Most applied solvents for neodymium complexes were Toluene and THF. These complexes required a range of temperature based on the nature of complexes as well as linkages. The authors have surveyed the research work published through 2011–2020 and provide a comprehensive overview to understand the synthetic routes of organometallic complexes of neodymium.

Tris-{hydridotris(1-pyrazolyl)borato}actinide Complexes: Synthesis, Spectroscopy, Crystal Structure, Bonding Properties and Magnetic Behaviour

The isostructural compounds of the trivalent actinides uranium, neptunium, plutonium, americium, and curium with the hydridotris(1-pyrazolyl)borato (Tp) ligand An[η3 -HB(N2 C3 H3 )3 ]3 (AnTp3 ) have been obtained through several synthetic routes. Structural, spectroscopic (absorption, infrared, laser fluorescence) and magnetic characterisation of the compounds were performed in combination with crystal field, density functional theory (DFT) and relativistic multiconfigurational calculations. The covalent bonding interactions were analysed in terms of the natural bond orbital (NBO) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) models.

Heteroleptic actinocenes: a thorium(iv)-cyclobutadienyl-cyclooctatetraenyl-di-potassium-cyclooctatetraenyl complex

Despite the vast array of η n -carbocyclic C5-8 complexes reported for actinides, cyclobutadienyl (C4) remain exceedingly rare, being restricted to six uranium examples. Here, overcoming the inherent challenges of installing highly reducing C4-ligands onto actinides when using polar starting materials such as halides, we report that reaction of [Th(η8-C8H8)2] with [K2{C4(SiMe3)4}] gives [{Th(η4-C4[SiMe3]4)(μ-η8-C8H8)(μ-η2-C8H8)(K[C6H5Me]2)}2{K(C6H5Me)}{K}] (1), a new type of heteroleptic actinocene. Quantum chemical calculations suggest that the thorium ion engages in π- and δ-bonding to the η4-cyclobutadienyl and η8-cyclooctatetraenyl ligands, respectively. Furthermore, the coordination sphere of this bent thorocene analogue is supplemented by an η2-cyclooctatetraenyl interaction, which calculations suggest is composed of σ- and π-symmetry donations from in-plane in- and out-of-phase C[double bond, length as m-dash]C 2p-orbital combinations to vacant thorium 6d orbitals. The characterisation data are consistent with this being a metal-alkene-type interaction that is integral to the bent structure and stability of this complex.

f-Element Half-Sandwich Complexes: A Tetrasilylcyclobutadienyl-Uranium(IV)-Tris(tetrahydroborate) Anion Pianostool Complex

Despite there being numerous examples of f-element compounds supported by cyclopentadienyl, arene, cycloheptatrienyl, and cyclooctatetraenyl ligands (C_5-8 ), cyclobutadienyl (C₄ ) complexes remain exceedingly rare. Here, we report that reaction of [Li₂ {C₄ (SiMe₃ )₄ }(THF)₂ ] (1) with [U(BH₄ )₃ (THF)₂ ] (2) gives the pianostool complex [U{C₄ (SiMe₃ )₄ }(BH₄ )₃ ][Li(THF)₄ ] (3), where use of a borohydride and preformed C₄ -unit circumvents difficulties in product isolation and closing a C₄ -ring at uranium. Complex 3 is an unprecedented example of an f-element half-sandwich cyclobutadienyl complex, and it is only the second example of an actinide-cyclobutadienyl complex, the other being an inverse-sandwich. The U-C distances are short (av. 2.513 Å), reflecting the formal 2- charge of the C₄ -unit, and the SiMe₃ groups are displaced from the C₄ -plane, which we propose maximises U-C₄ orbital overlap. DFT calculations identify two quasi-degenerate U-C₄ π-bonds utilising the ψ₂ and ψ₃ molecular orbitals of the C₄ -unit, but the potential δ-bond using the ψ₄ orbital is vacant.

The effect of the second coordination sphere on the magnetism of [Ln(NO3)3(H2O)3]·(18-crown-6) (Ln = Dy and Er)

The objective of this work was the exploration of the effect of the second coordination sphere on the magnetic properties of [Ln(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₃]·(18C6) (Ln = Dy (1) and Er (2)) compounds comprising co-crystallized 18-crown-6 ethers. Both compounds were identified as field-induced single molecule magnets (SMMs) with estimated magnetization reversal barriers U_eff = 66–71 K for 1 and U_eff = 21–24 K for 2. Theoretical calculations with the B3LYP functional revealed substantial change and redistribution of the electrostatic potential upon accounting for the second coordination sphere represented by two 18C6 molecules, which resulted in the change of the crystal-field around metal atoms. As a result, the multireference CASSCF calculations exposed significant impact of the second coordination sphere on the energy splitting of the respective ⁶H_15/2 (Dy^III) and ⁴I_15/2 (Er^III) ground states, the magnetization reversal barrier and the magnetic anisotropy parameters. Moreover, the calculated magnetization reversal barriers, U_calc. = 57 K for 1 and U_calc. = 16 K for 2, are in good agreement with the experimental values accentuating the importance of the second coordination sphere on the magnetic properties of SMMs.

The impact of the second coordination sphere on the magnetic properties of [Ln(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₃]·(18C6) compounds comprising co-crystallized 18-crown-6 ethers was investigated.

Tuning the molecular antenna effect using donor and acceptor substituents on the optical properties of the [(C5F5)2ThMCp2]2+ and [(C5F5)2ThMCpL2]+ complexes, where M = Fe, Ru and Os and L = CO and C5H5N

In the present work, a theoretical methodology based on DFT is used to establish the effects of the electron rearrangements on the optical properties in a series of Th-Transtion metal complexes.

Modeling the electronic states and magnetic properties derived from the f1 configuration in lanthanocene and actinocene compounds

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of a series of Kramers ions with f¹ configuration in axial symmetry have been analyzed with a combination of theoretical methods: ab initio relativistic wavefunction methods as well as a crystal-field (CF) model with parameters extracted from the ab initio calculations.

Insertion/Rearrangement Reactivity of a Lutetacyclopentadiene towards N,N'-Diphenylcarbodiimide: Cooperative Effect of the Metal Center, Concentration of LiCl, and Solvent

The reactivity of lutetacyclopentadiene towards N,N'-diphenylcarbodiimide (DPC) was systematically investigated to efficiently construct three types of new N-containing fused cyclic complexes. The outcome of these reactions significantly depended on the the metal center, the concentration of LiCl, the number of equivalents of DPC, and the solvent. Thus, two unexpected reaction modes of amidinate were discovered for the first time, which were ascribed to an unusual κ(1) coordination mode of amidinate driven by a rigid seven-membered ring. These results are in striking contrast with the previously well-investigated zirconacyclopentadiene, which reacts with DPC to give azazirconacyclopentene and alkyne through β,β' CC bond cleavage. The difference in reactivity between lutetacyclopentadiene and zirconacyclopentadiene can be attributed to the highly ionic character of the LuC(sp(2) ) bonds. DFT calculations agreed well with the experimental results.

The Renaissance of Non-Aqueous Uranium Chemistry

Prior to the year 2000, non-aqueous uranium chemistry mainly involved metallocene and classical alkyl, amide, or alkoxide compounds as well as established carbene, imido, and oxo derivatives. Since then, there has been a resurgence of the area, and dramatic developments of supporting ligands and multiply bonded ligand types, small-molecule activation, and magnetism have been reported. This Review 1) introduces the reader to some of the specialist theories of the area, 2) covers all-important starting materials, 3) surveys contemporary ligand classes installed at uranium, including alkyl, aryl, arene, carbene, amide, imide, nitride, alkoxide, aryloxide, and oxo compounds, 4) describes advances in the area of single-molecule magnetism, and 5) summarizes the coordination and activation of small molecules, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, dinitrogen, white phosphorus, and alkanes.

The first lutetacyclopentadienes: synthesis, structure, and diversified insertion/C-H activation reactivity

The first well-defined lutetacyclopentadienes are synthesised from pentamethylcyclopentadienyl lithium (Cp*Li), 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes, and LuCl3. The lutetacyclopentadiene shows excellent reactivity towards some small molecules, such as pivalaldehyde, Se, carbon dioxide, and isonitrile to efficiently construct 3-, 5-, 7-, 8-, and 9-membered rare-earth metallacycles. Both monoinsertion and double-insertion of two Lu-Csp2 bonds are observed. Specially, the reaction between lutetacyclopentadiene and isonitrile afforded [3,5,5]-fused metallacycles. The distinguished reactivity can be attributed to the highly ionic character and the cooperative reactivity of two Lu-Csp2 bonds.

Lanthanide derivatives comprising arylhydrazones of β-diketones: cooperative E/Z isomerization and catalytic activity in nitroaldol reaction

RAHB and ionic interaction assisted E/Z→E isomerization of arylhydrazone of β-diketone is reported.

Atom-efficient regioselective 1,2-dearomatization of functionalized pyridines by an earth-abundant organolanthanide catalyst

Developing earth-abundant, non-platinum metal catalysts for high-value chemical transformations is a critical challenge to contemporary chemical synthesis. Dearomatization of pyridine derivatives is an important transformation to access a wide range of valuable nitrogenous natural products, pharmaceuticals and materials. Here, we report an efficient 1,2-regioselective organolanthanide-catalysed pyridine dearomatization process using pinacolborane, which is compatible with a broad range of pyridines and functional groups and employs equimolar reagent stoichiometry. Regarding the mechanism, derivation of the rate law from NMR spectroscopic and kinetic measurements suggests first order in catalyst concentration, fractional order in pyridine concentration and inverse first order in pinacolborane concentration, with C=N insertion into the La-H bond as turnover-determining. An energetic span analysis affords a more detailed understanding of experimental activity trends and the unusual kinetic behaviour, and proposes the catalyst 'resting' state and potential deactivation pathways.