Main group and transition metal compounds with silanediolate [R2SiO2]2− and α,ω-siloxane diolate [O(R2SiO)n]2− ligands

Catalytic Synthesis of Silanols by Hydroxylation of Hydrosilanes: From Chemoselectivity to Enantioselectivity

As a crucial class of functional molecules in organosilicon chemistry, silanols are found valuable applications in the fields of modern science and will be a potentially powerful framework for biologically active compounds or functional materials. It has witnessed an increasing demand for non-natural organosilanols, as well as the progress in the synthesis of these structural features. From the classic preparative methods to the catalytic selective oxidation of hydrosilanes, electrochemical hydrolysis of hydrosilanes, and then the construction of the most challenging silicon-stereogenic silanols. This review summarized the progress in the catalyzed synthesis of silanols via hydroxylation of hydrosilanes in the last decade, with a particular emphasis on the latest elegant developments in the desymmetrization strategy for the enantioselective synthesis of silicon-stereogenic silanols from dihydrosilanes.

MnIV4O4 Model of the S3 Intermediate of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex: Effect of the Dianionic Disiloxide Ligand

Synthetic complexes provide useful models to study the interplay between the structure and spectroscopy of the different Sn-state intermediates of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII). Complexes containing the MnIV4 core corresponding to the S3 state, the last observable intermediate prior to dioxygen formation, remain very rare. Toward the development of synthetic strategies to stabilize highly oxidized tetranuclear complexes, ligands with increased anion charge were pursued. Herein, we report the synthesis, electrochemistry, SQUID magnetometry, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of a stable MnIV4O4 cuboidal complex supported by a disiloxide ligand. The substitution of an anionic acetate or amidate ligand with a dianionic disiloxide ligand shifts the reduction potential of the MnIIIMnIV3/MnIV4 redox couple by up to ∼760 mV, improving stability. The S = 3 spin ground state of the siloxide-ligated MnIV4O4 complex matches the acetate and amidate variants, in corroboration with the MnIV4 assignment of the S3 state of the OEC.

Offsets between hyperconjugations, p→d donations and Pauli repulsions impact the bonding of E-O-E systems. Case study on elements of Group 14

The nature of the E-O chemical bond (E = C, Si, Ge, Sn) is investigated in a wide range of model derivatives, such as oxonium cations, hydrogenated/methylated/fluorinated/chlorinated ethers and acyclic oligomers incorporating the E-O-E moiety. By means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and natural bond orbital (NBO) techniques, we propose a bonding mechanism that explains the structural contrast between the organic and the inorganic counterparts of all these derivatives: the interplay between stabilizing interactions like LP(O)→σ*(E-X) hyperconjugations and LP(O)→d(E) donations with LP(O)⋯σ(E-X) vicinal Pauli repulsions (X = H, C, O, F, Cl) dictates the equilibrium structures in terms of E-O-E angles and E-O bond lengths. In addition, the present work represents the first study of oxonium ions that describes the structural discrepancies among organic derivatives and their heavier analogues. Another novel outcome for ethers and oligomers is that the two non-equivalent lone pair electrons (LPs) at the oxygen atoms impact in different manners the geometries of such derivatives, i.e. the s/p LP is correlated with the bending behaviour of the E-O-E units, while the pure p LP mainly dictates the short E-O bond distances of inorganic derivatives. Lastly, we evaluate the impact of the number of electronegative substituents, e.g. F, Cl or OEH₃ groups, on the bond patterns developed for hydrogenated or methylated ethers.

Hetero-bimetallic alkali titanosilicates [MOTi{OSi(OtBu)3}3]2 (M = Li-Cs) with terminal Ti-O- groups

The molecular titanosilicate [(^tBuO₃)₃SiO]₃TiNEt₂ (1) was obtained from the reaction between silanol (^tBuO₃)₃SiOH and titanium amide Ti(NEt₂)₄. The reaction of 1 with alkali metal hydroxides MOH (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) offers a straightforward route to the alkaline salts of titanosilicates [MOTi{OSi(O^tBu)₃}₃]₂ with a terminal Ti-O^- moiety. All compounds were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Hirshfeld atom refinement and QTAIM analysis of the electron density in 1 and in the Rb salt 5 revealed the D-A nature of the Ti-O and Ti-N bonds and the presence of agostic C-H⋯Rb interactions.

Multinuclear rhodium complexes supported by tetra-tert-butoxy disiloxide ligand: Synthesis, structure, and reactivity

Rhodium siloxide complexes have been used as homogeneous catalysts and model compounds for silica-supported metal catalysts. However, rhodium complexes with multidentate siloxide ligands have rarely been prepared. In this study,...

Assembly of discrete and oligomeric structures of organotin double-decker silsesquioxanes: inherent stability studies

Discrete and oligomeric organotin DDSQs have been synthesized and characterized, both experimentally and through computational study. The stability of these compounds remains intrigued with the organization of their structure in the crystal lattice.

Synthesis and Reactivity of the First Isolated Hydrogen-Bridged Silanol-Silanolate Anions

We report on the first examples of isolated silanol-silanolate anions, obtained by utilizing weakly coordinating phosphazenium counterions. The silanolate anions were synthesized from the recently published phosphazenium hydroxide hydrate salt with siloxanes. The silanol-silanolate anions are postulated intermediates in the hydroxide-mediated polymerization of aryl and alkyl siloxanes. The silanolate anions are strong nucleophiles because of the weakly coordinating character of the phosphazenium cation, which is perceptible in their activity in polysiloxane depolymerization.

A heterometallic (Fe6Na8) cage-like silsesquioxane: synthesis, structure, spin glass behavior and high catalytic activity

The exotic “Asian Lantern” heterometallic cage silsesquioxane [(PhSiO_1.5)₂₀(FeO_1.5)₆(NaO_0.5)₈(n-BuOH)_9.6(C₇H₈)] (I) was obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction, EXAFS, topological analyses and DFT calculation.

Synthesis and structure of new polyhedral Ni, Na- and Cu, Na-metallasiloxanes with tolyl substituent at the silicon atom

Two new polyhedral tolyl-containing Ni, Na and Cu, Na-metallasiloxanes and two new large stereoregular cyclosiloxanes have been synthesized and characterized.

New sterically hindered tin(iv) siloxane precursors to tinsilicate materials: synthesis, spectral, structural and photocatalytic studies

A series of sterically hindered tin(iv) siloxanes (1–8) were synthesized and characterized. The single-source precursors1and3were well suited for producing tinsilicate materials and it act as a photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue.

Heterometallic europium disiloxanediolates: synthesis, structural diversity, and photoluminescence properties

This contribution presents a full account of a structurally diverse class of heterometallic europium disiloxanediolates. The synthetic protocol involves in situ metalation of (HO)SiPh2OSiPh2(OH) (1) with either (n)BuLi or KN(SiMe3)2 followed by treatment with EuCl3 in suitable solvents such as 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) or tetrahydrofuran (THF). Reaction of EuCl3 with 2 equiv of (LiO)SiPh2OSiPh2(OLi) in DME afforded the Eu(III) bis(disiloxanediolate) "ate" complex [{(Ph2SiO)2O}2{Li(DME)}3]EuCl2 (2), which upon attempted reduction with Zn gave the tris(disiloxanediolate) [{(Ph2SiO)2O}3{Li(DME)}3]Eu (3). Treatment of EuCl3 with (LiO)SiPh2OSiPh2(OLi) in a molar ratio of 1:2 yielded both the ate complex [{(Ph2SiO)2O}3Li{Li(THF)2}{Li(THF)}]EuCl·Li(THF)3 (4) and the LiCl-free europium(III) complex [{(Ph2SiO)2O}2{Li(THF)2}2]EuCl (5). Compound 5 was found to exhibit a brilliant red triboluminescence. When (KO)SiPh2OSiPh2(OK) was used as starting material in a 3:1 reaction with EuCl3, the Eu(III) tris(disiloxanediolate) [{(Ph2SiO)2O}3{K(DME)}3]Eu (6) was isolated. Attempted ligand transfer between 5 and (DAD(Dipp))2Ba(DME) (DAD(Dipp) = N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene) afforded the unique mixed-valent Eu(III)/Eu(II) disiloxanediolate cluster [(Ph2SiO)2O]6Eu(II)4Eu(III)2Li4O2Cl2 (7). All new complexes were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. Photoluminescence studies were carried out for complex 5 showing an excellent color quality, due to the strong (5)D0→(7)F2 transition, but a weak antenna effect.

Synthesis, structures, and kinetics of mixed-donor amido-amino-siloxo ligands from symmetrical diamidosilyl ether ligands via a retro-brook rearrangement

Deprotonation of the new (R = propyl, 3,5-Me(2)Ph) and previously prepared (R = 2,4,6-Me(3)Ph, 2,6-(i)Pr(2)Ph, 3,5-(CF(3))(2)Ph) symmetrical diamidosilyl ether ligand precursors {[RNHSiMe(2)](2)O} with 2 equiv of nBuLi in THF resulted in a new class of mixed-donor amido-amino-siloxo ligands of the form {RNLiSiMe(2)N(R)SiMe(2)OLi} (R= propyl (1c), 3,5-Me(2)Ph (2c), 2,4,6-Me(3)Ph (3c), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)Ph (4c), 3,5-(CF(3))(2)Ph (5c)) in one-step and high yield via a retro-Brook-type rearrangement mechanism. Ligands 1c, 3c, and 4c have been structurally characterized in the presence and absence of THF/ether donor solvents and exhibited a range of aggregated structures with ring-laddering, ring-stacking, and cubane motifs; higher-nuclearity clusters for base-free systems were observed for 1c and 4c. 1H, (7)Li, and selected (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectra in THF-d(8) and toluene-d(8) are described; the (7)Li data are indicative of intramolecular fluxional behavior as a function of temperature but do not shed light on the nuclearity of the salts in solution. Reaction kinetics were investigated by variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy and showed that the rate of rearrangement reactions increases with decreasing steric hindrance and with increasing electron-donating ability of the R substituents, with tau(1/2) values ranging from 5.7 x 10(1) to 1.5 x 10(8) s for 2c and 5c, respectively.

Synthesis and characterization of complexes containing Ti–O–Si moieties. Catalytic activity in olefin epoxidation

Reaction of [Cp*TiMe3] with O(SiPh2OH)2 yields the titanium siloxide derivative [Cp*TiMe{(OSiPh2)2O}]. Complex reacts with H2O to yield the corresponding oxo-titanium derivative [(Cp*Ti{(OSiPh2)2O})2(micro-O)]. The molecular structure of complex has been established by X-ray diffraction. Complex reacts with triphenylsilanol to give the asymmetric titanium siloxide [Cp*Ti(OSiPh3){(OSiPh2)2O}]. Treatment of the dinuclear titanium compound [(Cp*TiCl2)2(micro-O)] with an equimolar amount of O(SiPh2OH)2 yields complex [(Cp*TiCl)2{micro-(OSiPh2)2O}(micro-O)] in which the disiloxide moiety is bridging two titanium atoms. The structure of has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Reaction of [Cp*TiMe3] with HOSiPh3 yields the titanium triphenylsiloxide [Cp*TiMe2(OSiPh3)]. Complex reacts with water to yield [{Cp*TiMe(OSiPh3)}2(micro-O)]. The triflate compound [Cp*Ti(OSiPh3)2(OTf)] can be prepared by reaction of with HOTf and triphenylsilanol. We have tested the catalytic activity of some of the complexes in the epoxidation of cyclohexene.

Synthesis, Structural and Spectroscopic Characterization, Catalytic Properties, and Thermal Transformations of New Cyclic Di- and Trisiloxanediolato Tantalum Complexes

The reaction between Ta(OEt)5 and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-1,3-disiloxanediol, (HOSiMe2OSiMe2OH), leads to new siloxy complexes in which the dimeric nature of Ta(OEt)5 is maintained with both bridging ethoxide and disiloxanediolato bridges. With equal amounts of the reagents, two terminal OEt groups are replaced to form [Ta(OEt)2]2(mu-OEt)2(mu-OSiMe2OSiMe2O)2, 1, whereas with an excess of diol, the remaining terminal OEt groups are also replaced but with a trisiloxanediolato unit to form [Ta(OSiMe2OSiMe2OSiMe2O)]2(mu-OEt)2(mu-OSiMe2OSiMe2O)2, 2. Complexes 1 and 2 catalyze the transformation of HOSiMe2OSiMe2OH to polysiloxanes. Thermal treatment of 1 results in the formation of a 1:2 mixture of Ta2O5/SiO2; no new phases are observed. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 are confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Synthesis, structure and hydrosilylation activity of neutral and cationic rare-earth metal silanolate complexes

Rare-earth metal alkyl tri(tert-butoxy)silanolate complexes [Ln{mu,eta2-OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)2]2 (Ln = Y (1), Tb (2), Lu (3)) were prepared via protonolysis of the appropriate tris(alkyl) complex [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(thf)2] with tri(tert-butoxy)silanol in pentane. Crystal structure analysis revealed a dinuclear structure for with square pyramidal geometry at the yttrium centre. The silanolate ligand coordinates in an eta2-bridging coordination mode giving a 4-rung truncated ladder and non-crystallographic inversion centre. Addition of two equiv. of 12-crown-4 to a pentane solution of 1 or 3 respectively gave [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}(CH2SiMe3)2(12-crown-4)].12-crown-4 (Ln = Y (4), Lu (5)). Crystal structure analysis of 5 showed a slightly distorted octahedral geometry at the lutetium centre. The silanolate ligand adopts an eta(1)-terminal coordination mode, whilst the crown ether unit coordinates in an unusual kappa3-fashion. Reaction of 1-3 with [NEt3H]+[BPh4]- in thf yielded the cationic derivatives [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(thf)4]+[BPh4]- (Ln = Y (6), Tb (7) and Lu (8)); coordination of crown ether led to compounds of the form [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(L)(thf)n]+[BPh4]- (Ln = Y, Lu, L = 12-crown-4, n = 1 (9,10); Ln = Y, Lu, L = 15-crown-5, n = 0 (11,12)). Reaction of 1 with [NMe2PhH]+[B(C6F5)4]-, [Al(CH2SiMe3)3] or BPh3 in thf gave the ion pairs [Y{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(thf)4]+[A]- ([A]- = [B(C6F5)4]- (13), [Al(CH2SiMe3)4]- (14), [BPh3(CH2SiMe3)]- (15)), whilst two equiv. [NMe2PhH]+[BPh4]- with 1 in thf produced the dicationic ion triple [Y{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(thf)6]2+[BPh4]-2 (16). Crystal structure analysis revealed that 16 is mononuclear with pentagonal bipyramidal geometry at the yttrium centre. The silanolate ligand coordinates in an eta(1)-terminal fashion. All diamagnetic compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 13 were tested as olefin hydrosilylation pre-catalysts with a variety of substrates; 1 was found to be highly active in 1-decene hydrosilylation.

Transformations of molecules and secondary building units to materials: a bottom-up approach

A variety of complex inorganic solids with open-framework and other fascinating architectures, involving silicate, phosphate, and other anions, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The past few years have also seen the successful synthesis and characterization of several molecular compounds that can act as precursors to form open-framework and other materials, some of them resembling secondary building units (SBUs). Transformations of rationally synthesized molecular compounds to materials constitute an important new direction in both structural inorganic chemistry and materials chemistry and enable possible pathways for the rational design of materials. In this article, we indicate the potential of such a bottom-up approach, by briefly examining the transformations of molecular silicates and phosphates. We discuss stable organosilanols and silicate secondary building units, phosphorous acids and phosphate secondary building units, di- and triesters of phosphoric acids, and molecular phosphate clusters and polymers. We also examine the transformations of metal dialkyl phosphates and molecular metal phosphates.

Reactivity studies, structural characterization, and thermolysis of cubic titanosiloxanes: precursors to titanosilicate materials which catalyze olefin epoxidation

The cubic titanosiloxane [RSiO(3)Ti(OPr(i))](4) (R = 2,6-Pr(2)(i)C(6)H(3)NSiMe(3)) (1) is found to be relatively inert in its attempted reactions with alcohols and other acidic hydrogen containing compounds. The reaction of 1 with silanol (Bu(t)O)(3)SiOH however proceeds over a period of approximately 3 months to result in the hydrolysis of (Bu(t)O)(3)SiOH and yield the transesterification product [RSiO(3)Ti(OBu(t))](4) (2) rather than the expected [RSiO(3)Ti(OSi(OBu(t))(3))](4). Products 1 and 2 have been characterized by elemental analysis, thermal analysis, and spectroscopic techniques (IR, EI-MS, and NMR). The solid-state structures of both 1 and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous and crystallize in a cubic space group with a central cubic Ti(4)Si(4)O(12) core. Solid state thermolysis of 1 was carried at 450, 600, 800, 900, 1000, and 1200 degrees C in air, and the resulting titanosilicate materials 1a-f were characterized by spectroscopic (IR and DR UV), powder XRD, and electron microscopic methods. While, the presence of Ti-O-Si linkages appears to be dominant in the samples prepared at lower temperatures (450-800 degrees C), phase separation of anatase and rutile forms of TiO(2) occurs at temperatures above 900 degrees C as revealed by IR spectral and PXRD studies. The presence of octahedral titanium centers was observed by DR UV spectroscopy for the samples heated at higher temperatures. The use of new titanosilicate materials as catalysts for olefin epoxidation has been investigated. The titanosilicate materials produced at temperatures below 800 degrees C with a large number of Ti-O-Si linkages (or tetrahedral titanium centers) were found to be more active catalysts compared to the materials produced above 900 degrees C. The observed conversion in the epoxidation reactions was found to be somewhat low although the selectivity of the epoxide formation over the other possible oxidized products was found to be very good.