The role of the bis-trimethylsilylamido ligand, [N{SiMe3}2]−, in main group chemistry. Part 2: Structural chemistry of the metallic p-block elements

Synthesis of the Bulky Phosphanide [P(SiiPr3)2]- and Its Stabilization of Low-Coordinate Group 12 Complexes

Here, we report an improved synthesis of the bulky phosphanide anion [P(SiiPr3)2]- in synthetically useful yields and its complexation to group 12 metals. The ligand is obtained as the sodium salt NaP(SiiPr3)2 1 in a 42% isolated yield and a single step from red phosphorus and sodium. This is a significantly higher-yielding and safer preparation compared to the previously reported synthesis of this ligand, and we have thus applied 1 to the synthesis of the two-coordinate complexes M[P(SiiPr3)2]2 (M = Zn, Cd, Hg). These group 12 complexes are all monomeric and with nonlinear P-M-P angles in the solid state, with DFT calculations suggesting that this bending is due to the steric demands of the ligand. Multinuclear NMR spectroscopy revealed complex second-order splitting patterns due to strong PP' coupling. This work demonstrates that the synthesis of 1 is viable and provides a springboard for the synthesis of low-coordinate complexes featuring this unusual bulky ligand.

Isolation and Electronic Structures of Lanthanide(II) Bis(trimethylsilyl)phosphide Complexes

While lanthanide (Ln) silylamide chemistry is mature, the corresponding silylphosphide chemistry is underdeveloped, with [Sm{P(SiMe3)2}{μ-P(SiMe3)2}3Sm(THF)3] being the sole example of a structurally authenticated Ln(II) silylphosphide complex. Here, we expand the Ln(II) {P(SiMe3)2} chemistry through the synthesis and characterization of nine complexes. The dinuclear "ate" salt-occluded complexes [{Ln[P(SiMe3)2]3(THF)}2(μ-I)K3(THF)] (1-Ln; Ln = Sm, Eu) and polymeric "ate" complex [KYb{P(SiMe3)2}3{μ-K[P(SiMe3)2]}2]∞ (2-Yb) were prepared by the respective salt metathesis reactions of parent [LnI2(THF)2] (Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb) with 2 or 3 equiv of K{P(SiMe3)2} in diethyl ether. The separate treatment of these complexes with either pyridine or 18-crown-6 led to the formation of the mononuclear solvated adducts trans-[Ln{P(SiMe3)2}2(py)4] (3-Ln; Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb) and [Ln{P(SiMe3)2}2(18-crown-6)] (4-Ln; Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb), with concomitant loss of K{P(SiMe3)2}. The complexes were characterized by a combination of NMR, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR), electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies, elemental analysis, SQUID magnetometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. We find that these complexes contrast with those of related Ln(II) bis(silyl)amide complexes due to differences in ligand donor atom hardness and ligand steric requirements from Ln-P bonds being longer than Ln-N bonds. This leads to higher coordination numbers, shorter luminescence lifetimes, and smaller easy-axis magnetic anisotropy parameters.

Masters of Mediation: MN(SiMe3)2 in Functionalization of C(sp3)-H Latent Nucleophiles

Organoalkali compounds have undergone a far-reaching transformation being a coupling partner to a mediator in unusual organic conversions which finds its spot in the field of sustainable synthesis. Transition-metal catalysis has always been the priority in C(sp3)-H bond functionalization, however alternatively, in recent times this has been seriously challenged by earth-abundant alkali metals and their complexes arriving at new sustainable organometallic reagents. In this line, the importance of MN(SiMe3)2 (M=Li, Na, K & Cs) reagent revived in C(sp3)-H bond functionalization over recent years in organic synthesis is showcased in this minireview. MN(SiMe3)2 reagent with higher reactivity, enhanced stability, and bespoke cation-π interaction have shown eye-opening mediated processes such as C(sp3)-C(sp3) cross-coupling, radical-radical cross-coupling, aminobenzylation, annulation, aroylation, and other transformations to utilize readily available petrochemical feedstocks. This article also emphasizes the unusual reactivity of MN(SiMe3)2 reagent in unreactive and robust C-X (X=O, N, F, C) bond cleavage reactions that occurred alongside the C(sp3)-H bond functionalization. Overall, this review encourages the community to exploit the untapped potential of MN(SiMe3)2 reagent and also inspires them to take up this subject to even greater heights.

s-Block metal complexes of superbulky (tBu3Si)2N-: a new weakly coordinating anion?

Sterically hindered amide anions have found widespread application as deprotonation agents or as ligands to stabilize metals in unusual coordination geometries or oxidation states. The use of bulky amides has also been advantageous in catalyst design. Herein we present s-block metal chemistry with one of the bulkiest known amide ligands: (tBu3Si)2N- (abbreviated: tBuN-). The parent amine (tBuNH), introduced earlier by Wiberg, is extremely resistant to deprotonation (even with nBuLi/KOtBu superbases) but can be deprotonated slowly with a blue Cs+/e- electride formed by addition of Cs0 to THF. (tBuN)Cs crystallized as a separated ion-pair, even without cocrystallized solvent. As salt-metathesis reactions with (tBuN)Cs are sluggish and incomplete, it has only limited use as an amide transfer reagent. However, ball-milling with LiI led to quantitative formation of (tBuN)Li and CsI. Structural characterization shows that (tBuN)Li is a monomeric contact ion-pair with a relatively short N-Li bond, an unusual T-shaped coordination geometry around N and extremely short Li⋯Me anagostic interactions. Crystal structures are compared with Li and Cs complexes of less bulky amide ligands (iPr3Si)2N- (iPrN-) and (Me3Si)2N- (MeN-). DFT calculations show trends in the geometries and electron distributions of amide ligands of increasing steric bulk (MeN- < iPrN- < tBuN-) and confirm that tBuN- is a rare example of a halogen-free weakly coordinating anion.

Structural Characterization of Lithium and Sodium Bulky Bis(silyl)amide Complexes

Alkali metal amides are vital reagents in synthetic chemistry and the bis(silyl)amide {N(SiMe₃)₂} (N′′) is one of the most widely-utilized examples. Given that N′′ has provided landmark complexes, we have investigated synthetic routes to lithium and sodium bis(silyl)amides with increased steric bulk to analyse the effects of R-group substitution on structural features. To perform this study, the bulky bis(silyl)amines {HN(Si^tBuMe₂)(SiMe₃)}, {HN(SiⁱPr₃)(SiMe₃)}, {HN(Si^tBuMe₂)₂}, {HN(SiⁱPr₃)(Si^tBuMe₂)} and {HN(SiⁱPr₃)₂} (1) were prepared by literature procedures as colourless oils; on one occasion crystals of 1 were obtained. These were treated separately with ⁿBuLi to afford the respective lithium bis(silyl)amides [Li{μ-N(Si^tBuMe₂)(SiMe₃)}]₂ (2), [Li{μ-N(SiⁱPr₃)(SiMe₃)}]₂ (3), [Li{N(Si^tBuMe₂)₂}{μ-N(Si^tBuMe₂)₂}Li(THF)] (4), [Li{N(SiⁱPr₃)(Si^tBuMe₂)}(DME)] (6) and [Li{N(SiⁱPr₃)₂}(THF)] (7) following workup and recrystallization. On one occasion during the synthesis of 4 several crystals of the ‘ate’ complex [Li₂{μ-N(Si^tBuMe₂)₂}(μ-ⁿBu)]₂ (5) formed and a trace amount of [Li{N(SiⁱPr₃)₂}(THF)₂] (8) was identified during the recrystallization of 7. The reaction of {HN(Si^tBuMe₂)₂} with NaH in the presence of 2 mol % of NaO^tBu gave crystals of [Na{μ-N(Si^tBuMe₂)₂}(THF)]₂ (9-THF), whilst [Na{N(SiⁱPr₃)₂}(C₇H₈)] (10) was prepared by deprotonation of 1 with ⁿBuNa. The solid-state structures of 1⁻10 were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography, whilst 2⁻4, 7, 9 and 10 were additionally characterized by NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and elemental microanalysis.

Extremely bulky amide ligands in main group chemistry

The development of extremely sterically demanding, monodentate amide ligands facilitates the isolation of main group species with new and highly reactive coordination modes. An outstanding feature of these ligands is the ability to tune their steric demands. Reactivity investigations highlight the potential for small molecule activation chemistry and catalysis for these compounds.

Mixed guanidinato-amido Ge(iv) and Sn(iv) complexes with GeE (E = S, Se) double bond and SnS4, Sn2Se2 rings

The oxidative addition of chalcogens (S and Se) to the guanidinate supported Ge(ii) and Sn(ii) amide complexes.