π(Arene) versus donor ligand complexation in the formation of the heterobimetallic lithium–potassium dianion of (S)-N-(α-methylbenzyl)allylamine

Organometallic Polymers Assembled from Cation–π Interactions: Use of Ferrocene as a Ditopic Linker Within the Homologous Series [{(Me3Si)2NM}2⋅(Cp2Fe)]∞ (M=Na, K, Rb, Cs; Cp=cyclopentadienyl)

Addition of ferrocene to solutions of alkali metal hexamethyldisilazides M(HMDS) in arenes (in which M=Na, K, Rb, Cs) allows the subsequent crystallization of the homologous series of compounds [{(Me(3)Si)(2)NM}(2) (Cp(2)Fe)](infinity) (1-4). Similar reactions using LiHMDS led to the recrystallization of the starting materials. The crystal structures of 1-4 reveal the formation of one-dimensional chains composed of dimeric [{M(HMDS)}(2)] aggregates, which are bridged through neutral ferrocene molecules by eta(5)-cation-pi interactions. In addition, compounds 3 and 4 also contain interchain agostic M--C interactions, producing two-dimensional 4(4)-nets. Whereas 1 and 2 were prepared from toluene, the syntheses of 3 and 4 required the use of tert-butylbenzene as the reaction media. The attempted crystallization of 3 and 4 from toluene resulted in formation of the mixed toluene/ferrocene solvated complexes [{(Me(3)Si)(2)NM)(2)}(2) (Cp(2)Fe)(x)(Tol)(y)](infinity) (in which M=Rb, x=0.6, y=0.8, 5; M=Cs, x=0.5, y=1, 6). The extended solid-state structures of 5 and 6 are closely related to the 4(4)-sheets 3 and 4, but are now assembled from a combination of cation-pi, agostic, and pi-pi interactions. The charge-separated complex [K{(C(6)H(6))(2)Cr}(1.5)(Mes)][Mg(HMDS)(3)] (15) was also structurally characterized and found to adopt an anionic two-dimensional 6(3)-network through doubly eta(3)-coordinated bis(benzene)chromium molecules. DFT calculations at the B3 LYP/6-31G* level of theory indicate that the binding energies of both ferrocene and toluene to the M(HMDS) dimers increases in the sequence Li<Na<K. This pattern is a consequence of the larger metals allowing more open coordination spheres to support cation-pi contacts. By comparison, binding of the isolated metal cations to the aromatic groups follow the reverse order K<Na<Li. A combined analysis of theoretical and experimental data suggest that ferrocene is a stronger cation-pi donor than toluene for the lighter metals, but that this difference is eliminated on descending the group.

Synthesis of Functional Derivatives of 7,8-Dicarba-nido-undecaborate Anion by Ring-Opening of Its Cyclic Oxonium Derivatives

A new approach to synthesis of functional derivatives of 7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate anion based on ring-opening of its cyclic oxonium derivatives [10-(CH2)4O-7,8-C2B9H11] and [10-O(CH2CH2)2O-7,8-C2B9H11] with various nucleophiles was developed. Both cyclic oxonium derivatives can be obtained as single isomers by reaction of the parent anion [7,8-C2B9H12]- with mercury(II) chloride in the corresponding solvents. Mechanism of formation of the cyclic oxonium derivatives of 7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate anion was proposed. A series of 7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate derivatives with terminal carboxylic and azide functions were prepared by the ring-opening reactions of the cyclic oxonium derivatives with substituted phenolate and azide ions, respectively.