Divalent Germanium Compound with a Radical-Anionic Ligand: Molecular Structures of (dpp-BIAN)•-GeCl and Its Hydrochloration Products [(dpp-BIAN)(H)2]•+[GeCl3]- and [{(dpp-BIAN)(H)2•+}2(Cl-)]+[GeCl3]- (dpp-BIAN = 1,2-Bis{(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino}acenaphthene)

Main-group metal complexes of α-diimine ligands: structure, bonding and reactivity

α-Diimine ligands, in particular 1,4-diazabutadiene (dad) and bis(iminoacenaphthene) (bian) derivatives, have been widely used for coordination with various metals, including main-group, transition, and lanthanide and actinide metals. In addition to their tunable steric and electronic properties, the dad and bian ligands are redox-active and can readily accept one or two electrons, converting into the radical-anionic (L˙^-) or dianionic (enediamido, L^2-) form, respectively. This non-innocence brings about rich electronic structures and properties of the ligands and complexes thereof. For example, the dad ligands in their three redox levels can effectively stabilize a series of metal centers in different oxidation states, including low-valent metals. Moreover, these ligands can serve as electron reservoirs and can participate in reactions toward other molecules with or without metals. Therefore, such ligands are extremely useful in the areas of low-valent complexes and small molecule activation. Herein, we will discuss the use of dad (and bian) ligands in the stabilization of metal-metal-bonded compounds, in particular those of main-group metals, as well as small molecule activation by these (low-valent) metal coordination species where the non-innocence of the ligands plays a key role.

O,N-Heterocyclic germylenes as efficient catalysts for hydroboration and cyanosilylation of benzaldehyde

Novel O,N-heterocyclic germylenes were examined as catalysts for cyanosilylation and hydroboration of benzaldehyde.

Synthesis and structural characterization of iron complexes bearing N-aryl-phenanthren-o-iminoquinone ligands

Treatments of N-aryl-phenanthren-o-iminoquinone (aryl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (^MeL); 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃ (^iPrL)) with iron powder in THF at 75 °C generate complexes [η²L]₂Fe[η¹LH] (1a, L = ^MeL; 1b, L = ^iPrL) in moderate yields. The X-ray crystallography analysis reveals that the molecule of 1b consists of a Fe(iii) center coordinated by three phenanthren-o-iminosemiquinone ligands, two of which are in an η² fashion while the remaining one is in an η¹ fashion. The analysis of the bond parameters of ligands indicates that the η²-fashioned ligands are radical anions and the η¹-fashioned one is in an aminephenolato form. Reactions of ^MeL and ^iPrL with FeCl₂ in THF produce Fe(iii) complexes [L]₂FeCl (2a, L = ^MeL; 2b, L = ^iPrL) with the two ligands in the radical anionic form. However, similar reactions of PIQ ligands with FeCl₂ in CH₂Cl₂ yield ion-pair complexes {[L]₂FeCl}⁺[FeCl₄]^- (3a, L = ^MeL; 3b, L = ^iPrL), in which the iron center chelated by two neutral ligands can be formulated as Fe(ii). Reduction of 2b with sodium provides a salt-type complex [^iPrL^2-]₂Fe(ii)Na₂ (4), in which a high spin Fe(ii) atom is ligated by two amidophenolate ligands, and the sodium atoms attached to the oxygen atoms of ligands are η³-coordinated by the aryl ring in amido moieties.

Titanium and zirconium complexes of the N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,4-diaza-butadiene ligand: syntheses, structures and uses in catalytic hydrosilylation reactions

We report here a number of dianionic 1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene complexes of titanium and zirconium synthesised by a salt metathesis reaction. The reaction of either CpTiCl3 or Cp2TiCl2 with the dilithium salt of N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene [; abbreviated (Dipp)2DADLi2] afforded the mono-cyclopentadienyl titanium complex [η(5)-CpTi((Dipp)2DAD)Cl] () bearing a dianionic ene-diamide ligand, while the analogous reaction of zirconocene dichloride (Cp2ZrCl2) with the dilithium salt gave the bis-cyclopentadienyl zirconium complex [Cp2Zr{(Dipp)2DAD}] (). The metal dichloride complexes [Ti((Dipp)2DAD)Cl2] () and [{(Dipp)2DADZrCl(μ-Cl)}2(κ(3)-Cl)(Li)(OEt2)2] () were obtained by the reaction of and anhydrous metal tetrachloride in a 1 : 1 molar ratio in diethyl ether at room temperature. Meanwhile, the homoleptic titanium complex [Ti{((Dipp)2DAD)}2] () was isolated in good yield by the treatment of with TiCl4 in a 1 : 2 molar ratio in diethyl ether. The complexes and were further reacted with neosilyl lithium to afford mono- and bis-alkyl complexes of titanium [η(5)-CpTi{(Dipp)2DAD}(CH2SiMe3)] () and zirconium [Zr{(Dipp)2DAD}(CH2SiMe3)2] () respectively. Molecular structures of the complexes , , and in the solid states were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The solid state structures of all the complexes reveal that the metal ions are chelated through the amido-nitrogen atoms and the olefinic carbons of the [(Dipp)2DAD](2-) moiety, satisfying the σ(2),π coordination mode. Compound was used as a catalyst for the intermolecular hydrosilylation reaction of a number of olefins, and moderate activity of catalyst was observed.

Synthesis, structure and reactivity study of magnesium amidinato complexes derived from carbodiimides and N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,4-diaza-butadiene ligands

We report an amidinato ligand-supported series of magnesium complexes obtained from the insertion of a magnesium-carbon bond into a carbon-nitrogen double bond of different carbodiimides and α-diimine ligands. The magnesium complexes [Mg(CH2Ph){CyN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)NCy}]2 (), [Mg(CH2Ph){(i)PrN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)N(i)Pr}]2 () and the homoleptic [Mg{(t)BuN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)N(t)Bu}2] () (Cy = cyclohexyl, (i)Pr = isopropyl, (t)Bu = tert-butyl) were prepared by the reaction of dibenzyl magnesium [Mg(CH2Ph)2(Et2O)2] with the respective carbodiimides either in 1 : 1 or 1 : 2 molar ratio in toluene. The analogous reaction of [Mg(CH2Ph)2(Et2O)2] with the N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene (Dipp2DAD) ligand afforded the corresponding homoleptic magnesium complex [Mg{DippN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)CH2NDipp}2] () (Dipp = 2,6 diisopropylphenyl) in good yield. The solid-state structures of magnesium complexes were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It was observed that in each case, a magnesium-carbon bond was inserted into the carbon-nitrogen double bond of either carbodiimides or Dipp2DAD resulting in a monoanionic amido-imino ligand. In a further reaction between and N-aryliminopyrrolyl ligand 2-(2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3N[double bond, length as m-dash]CH)C4H3NH (ImpDipp-H) in 1 : 2 molar ratio, a new magnesium complex [Mg(ImpDipp)2{CyN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)NHCy}] (), with one amidinato and two aryliminopyrrolyl ligands in the coordination sphere, was obtained in good yield. In contrast, the homoleptic magnesium complex reacted with one equivalent of N-aryliminopyrrolyl ligand (ImpDipp-H) to produce another mixed ligated magnesium complex [Mg{DippN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)CH2NDipp}(ImpDipp)] (), with a benzylated DAD ligand and aryliminopyrrolyl ligands in the coordination sphere. Further reaction of complex with benzyl alcohol (PhCH2OH) afforded the third mixed ligated magnesium complex [Mg{DippN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)CH2NDipp}(OCH2Ph)2] () in very good yield. The magnesium complexes were characterised using standard analytical/spectroscopic techniques and their solid-state structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

The ligand redox behavior and role in 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]-acenaphthene nickel–TMA(MAO) systems for ethylene polymerization

The BIAN ligand in the BIAN nickel–TMA(MAO) system is redox-active and plays a more important role than just acting as a neutral ligand.

Easy entry into reduced Ar-BIANH2 compounds: a new class of quinone/hydroquinone-type redox-active couples with an easily tunable potential

Ar-BIANH2 bearing different substituents on the aryl rings have been synthesized in high yield by reduction of the corresponding bis(aryl)acenaphthenequinonediimine (Ar-BIAN) compounds. The structure of p-CH3 C6 H4 -BIANH2 in the solid state was determined by X-ray diffraction. An exhaustive voltammetric investigation of the two parallel BIAN and BIANH2 series afforded a first rationalization of the redox properties of these molecules, highlighting their analogies with quinone/hydroquinone systems. Such analogies, in combination with the much more negative reduction potential range of Ar-BIAN compounds with respect to quinones, can afford to extend the range of reduction potentials so far obtainable by the use of quinones.

Adaptive behavior of a redox-active gallium carbenoid in complexes with molybdenum

A gallium–nitrogen heterocycle derived from 1,2-bis(imino)acenaphthene may serve either as a neutral or an anionic two-electron donor depending on the electronic state of the transition metal.

Unusual formation of a N-heterocyclic germylene via homolytic cleavage of a C–C bond

A N-heterocyclic germylene has been synthesized via an unusual homolytic cleavage of a C–C bond under reductive conditions.

Synthesis and molecular structure of indium complexes based on 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone. Looking for indium(I) o-semiquinolate

The interaction of 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone (3,6-Q) with indium in toluene leads to the tris-o-semiquinolate derivative (3,6-SQ)(3)In (3,6-SQ - radical-anion of 3,6-Q). According to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, this complex has a trigonal prismatic structure. Magnetic measurements revealed that the exchange interactions between odd electrons of the paramagnetic ligands in (3,6-SQ)(3)In are antiferromagnetic in character. The treatment of (3,6-SQ)(3)In with 2,2'-dipyridyl (Dipy) causes the displacement of one o-quinone ligand and the formation of the (3,6-SQ)In(Dipy)(3,6-Cat) (3,6-Cat - dianion of 3,6-Q) derivative containing mixed charged o-quinoid ligands. The reaction of InI with (3,6-SQ)K in THF solution is accompanied by a redox process and the potassium-indium(iii) catecholate derivative was obtained as a result. The oxidation of InI with 3,6-Q in THF produces the dimeric In(iii) iodo-catecholate complex [(3,6-Cat)(2)In·2THF]InI(2). The same derivative can be synthesized by the interaction of indium metal with a mixture of I(2) and 3,6-Q.

Acenaphthene-1,2-diimine chromium complexes

The reaction of (dpp-BIAN)Mg(THF)3 (1) with anhydrous CrCl3 in THF at 80 degrees C affords the mixed chromium-magnesium complex (dpp-BIAN)Cr(mu-Cl)3Mg(THF)3 (2). The treatment of 2 with 1,4-dioxane causes the elimination of MgCl2 and the formation of dimeric [(dpp-BIAN)Cr(mu-Cl)(THF)]2 (3). The reaction of (dpp-BIAN)Na2 with CrCl3 gives the chlorine-free compound [Na(THF)6][(dpp-BIAN)2Cr] (4). Paramagnetic complexes 2, 3 and 4 have been characterized by IR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The magnetic susceptibilities of 2 and 4 have been determined in solution using Evans method. The molecular structures of 2-4 have been established by single crystal X-ray analysis.

Can N-heterocyclic germylenes behave as Lewis acids - is there another side to Meller germylenes?

N-Heterocyclic germylenes are known to exist in two structurally different forms, the planar Meller germylenes and the monoimino germylenes that feature an envelope structure. This essay reviews recent reports dealing with radical and cationic Meller type germylenes featuring the monoimino germylene structure, discusses their transformations and relationships, and asks the question whether indeed N-heterocyclic germylenes can be turned into Lewis acids.