X-ray crystal structure of the tetra(tert-butyl)erbate anion and attempts to prepare tetravalent organolanthanide complexes

Siloxide tripodal ligands as a scaffold for stabilizing lanthanides in the +4 oxidation state

Synthetic strategies to isolate molecular complexes of lanthanides, other than cerium, in the +4 oxidation state remain elusive, with only four complexes of Tb(iv) isolated so far. Herein, we present a new approach for the stabilization of Tb(iv) using a siloxide tripodal trianionic ligand, which allows the control of unwanted ligand rearrangements, while tuning the Ln(iii)/Ln(iv) redox-couple. The Ln(iii) complexes, [LnIII((OSiPh2Ar)3-arene)(THF)3] (1-LnPh) and [K(toluene){LnIII((OSiPh2Ar)3-arene)(OSiPh3)}] (2-LnPh) (Ln = Ce, Tb, Pr), of the (HOSiPh2Ar)3-arene ligand were prepared. The redox properties of these complexes were compared to those of the Ln(iii) analogue complexes, [LnIII((OSi(OtBu)2Ar)3-arene)(THF)] (1-LnOtBu) and [K(THF)6][LnIII((OSi(OtBu)2Ar)3-arene)(OSiPh3)] (2-LnOtBu) (Ln = Ce, Tb), of the less electron-donating siloxide trianionic ligand, (HOSi(OtBu)2Ar)3-arene. The cyclic voltammetry studies showed a cathodic shift in the oxidation potential for the cerium and terbium complexes of the more electron-donating phenyl substituted scaffold (1-LnPh) compared to those of the tert-butoxy (1-LnOtBu) ligand. Furthermore, the addition of the -OSiPh3 ligand further shifts the potential cathodically, making the Ln(iv) ion even more accessible. Notably, the Ce(iv) complexes, [CeIV((OSi(OtBu)2Ar)3-arene)(OSiPh3)] (3-CeOtBu) and [CeIV((OSiPh2Ar)3-arene)(OSiPh3)(THF)2] (3-CePh), were prepared by chemical oxidation of the Ce(iii) analogues. Chemical oxidation of the Tb(iii) and Pr(iii) complexes (2-LnPh) was also possible, in which the Tb(iv) complex, [TbIV((OSiPh2Ar)3-arene)(OSiPh3)(MeCN)2] (3-TbPh), was isolated and crystallographically characterized, yielding the first example of a Tb(iv) supported by a polydentate ligand. The versatility and robustness of these siloxide arene-anchored platforms will allow further development in the isolation of more oxidizing Ln(iv) ions, widening the breadth of high-valent Ln chemistry.

Structure, reactivity and luminescence studies of triphenylsiloxide complexes of tetravalent lanthanides

Among the 14 lanthanide elements (Ce–Lu), until recently, the tetravalent oxidation state was readily accessible in solution only for cerium while Pr(iv), Nd(iv), Dy(iv) and Tb(iv) had only been detected in the solid state. The triphenylsiloxide ligand recently allowed the isolation of molecular complexes of Tb(iv) and Pr(iv) providing an unique opportunity of investigating the luminescent properties of Ln(iv) ions. Here we have expanded the coordination studies of the triphenylsiloxide ligand with Ln(iii) and Ln(iv) ions and we report the first observed luminescence emission spectra of Pr(iv) complexes which are assigned to a ligand-based emission on the basis of the measured lifetime and computational studies. Binding of the ligand to the Pr(iv) ion leads to an unprecedented large shift of the ligand triplet state which is relevant for future applications in materials science.

The first observed luminescence emission spectra of Pr(iv) complexes are assigned to a ligand-based emission. Binding of the triphenylsiloxide ligand to the Pr(iv) ion leads to an unprecedented large red shift of its triplet state.

CeCl3 /n-BuLi: Unraveling Imamoto's Organocerium Reagent

CeCl₃(thf) reacts at low temperatures with MeLi, t‐BuLi, and n‐BuLi to isolable organocerium complexes. Solvent‐dependent extensive n‐BuLi dissociation is revealed by ⁷Li NMR spectroscopy, suggesting “Ce(n‐Bu)₃(thf)_x” or solvent‐separated ion pairs like “[Li(thf)₄][Ce(n‐Bu)₄(thf)_y]” as the dominant species of the Imamoto reagent. The stability of complexes Li₃Ln(n‐Bu)₆(thf)₄ increases markedly with decreasing Ln^III size. Closer inspection of the solution behavior of crystalline Li₃Lu(n‐Bu)₆(thf)₄ and mixtures of LuCl₃(thf)₂/n‐BuLi in THF indicates occurring n‐BuLi dissociation only at molar ratios of <1:3. n‐BuLi‐depleted complex LiLu(n‐Bu)₃Cl(tmeda)₂ was obtained by treatment of Li₂Lu(n‐Bu)₅(tmeda)₂ with ClSiMe₃, at the expense of LiCl incorporation. Imamoto's ketone/tertiary alcohol transformation was examined with 1,3‐diphenylpropan‐2‐one, affording 99 % of alcohol.

Accessing the +IV Oxidation State in Molecular Complexes of Praseodymium

Out of the 14 lanthanide (Ln) ions, molecular complexes of Ln(IV) were known only for cerium and more recently terbium. Here we demonstrate that the +IV oxidation state is also accessible for the large praseodymium (Pr) cation. The oxidation of the tetrakis(triphenysiloxide) Pr(III) ate complex, [KPr(OSiPh₃)₄(THF)₃], 1-Pr^Ph, with [N(C₆H₄Br)₃][SbCl₆], affords the Pr(IV) complex [Pr(OSiPh₃)₄(MeCN)₂], 2-Pr^Ph, which is stable once isolated. The solid state structure, UV-visible spectroscopy, magnetometry, and cyclic voltammetry data along with the DFT computations of the 2-Pr^Ph complex unambiguously confirm the presence of Pr(IV).

The chemical and physical properties of tetravalent lanthanides: Pr, Nd, Tb, and Dy

The thermochemistry, descriptive chemistry, spectroscopy, and physical properties of the tetravalent lanthanides (Pr, Nd, Tb and Dy) in extended phases, gas phase, solution, and as isolable molecular complexes are presented.

Homoleptic Trivalent Tris(alkyl) Rare Earth Compounds

Homoleptic tris(alkyl) rare earth complexes Ln{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ (Ln = La, 1a; Ce, 1b; Pr, 1c; Nd, 1d) are synthesized in high yield from LnI₃THF_n and 3 equiv of KC(SiHMe₂)₃. X-ray diffraction studies reveal 1a-d are isostructural, pseudo-C₃-symmetric molecules that contain two secondary Ln↼HSi interactions per alkyl ligand (six total). Spectroscopic assignments are supported by comparison with Ln{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₃ and DFT calculations. The Ln↼HSi and terminal SiH exchange rapidly on the NMR time scale at room temperature, but the two motifs are resolved at low temperature. Variable-temperature NMR studies provide activation parameters for the exchange process in 1a (ΔH^⧧ = 8.2(4) kcal·mol^-1; ΔS^⧧ = -1(2) cal·mol^-1K^-1) and 1a-d₉ (ΔH^⧧ = 7.7(3) kcal·mol^-1; ΔS^⧧ = -4(2) cal·mol^-1K^-1). Comparisons of lineshapes, rate constants (k_H/k_D), and slopes of ln(k/T) vs 1/T plots for 1a and 1a-d₉ reveal that an inverse isotope effect dominates at low temperature. DFT calculations identify four low-energy intermediates containing five β-Si-H⇀Ln and one γ-C-H⇀Ln. The calculations also suggest the pathway for Ln↼HSi/SiH exchange involves rotation of a single C(SiHMe₂)₃ ligand that is coordinated to the Ln center through the Ln-C bond and one secondary interaction. These robust organometallic compounds persist in solution and in the solid state up to 80 °C, providing potential for their use in a range of synthetic applications. For example, reactions of Ln{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ and ancillary proligands, such as bis-1,1-(4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolinyl)ethane (HMeC(Ox^Me2)₂) give {MeC(Ox^Me2)₂}Ln{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₂, and reactions with disilazanes provide solvent-free lanthanoid tris(disilazides).