Secondary Phosphinocarbyne and Phosphaisonitrile Complexes

Isonitrile μ2-carbido complexes

The μ-carbido complex [WPt(μ-C)Br(CO)2(PPh3)2(Tp*)] (Tp = hydrotris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) undergoes substitution of one phosphine ligand with isonitriles to afford complexes [WPt(μ-C)Br(CNR)(CO)2(PPh3)(Tp*)] (R = tBu, C6H3Me2-2,6, C6H2Me3-2,4,6). For aryl but not alkyl isocyanides disubstitution follows to afford [WPt(μ-C)Br(CNR)2(CO)2(Tp*)] (R = C6H2Me2-2,6, C6H2Me3-2,4,6). The bis(isonitrile) derivatives, including [WPt(μ-C)Br(CNtBu)2(CO)2(Tp*)], may also be prepared from the reactions of triangulo-[Pt3(CNR)6] with [W(CBr)(CO)2(Tp*)]. Bis- and tris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate pro-ligand salts replace the bromide and one phosphine in [WPt(μ-C)Br(CNC6H2Me3)(CO)2(PPh3)(Tp*)] or the bromide and one isonitrile in [WPt(μ-C)Br(CNC6H2Me3)2(CO)2(Tp*)] to afford [WPt(μ-C)(CNC6H2Me3)(CO)2(Tp*)(L)] (L = κ2-Tp*, dihydrobis(pyrazolyl)borate). Structural, spectroscopic and computational data for the complexes are discussed to interrogate the nature of the WC-Pt carbido bridge by analogy with a range of other sp-C1 and sp-B1 ligands (CN, CCH, CP, CAs, CSb, CNO, BO, BNH and BCH2).

Organometallic Chemistry of Transition Metal Alkylidyne Complexes Centered at Metathesis Reactions

Transition metals form a variety of alkylidyne complexes with either a d⁰ metal center (high-valent) or a non-d⁰ metal center (low-valent). One of the most interesting properties of alkylidyne complexes is that they can undergo or mediate metathesis reactions. The most well-studied metathesis reactions are alkyne metathesis involving high-valent alkylidynes. High-valent alkylidynes can also undergo metathesis reactions with heterotriple bonded species such as N≡CR, P≡CR, and N≡NR⁺. Metathesis reactions involving low-valent alkylidynes are less known. Highly efficient alkyne metathesis catalysts have been developed based on Mo(VI) and W(VI) alkylidynes. Catalytic cross-metathesis of nitriles with alkynes has also been achieved with M(VI) (M = W, Mo) alkylidyne or nitrido complexes. The metathesis activity of alkylidyne complexes is sensitively dependent on metals, supporting ligands and substituents of alkylidynes. Beyond metathesis, metal alkylidynes can also promote other reactions including alkyne polymerization. The remaining shortcomings and opportunities in the field are assessed.

Arsinocarbyne reactivity

The reactivity of the tungsten diphenylarsinocarbyne [W(CAsPh₂)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (1; Tp* = hydrotris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borato) is described. The pyramidal arsenic coordinates to a selection of 5d metal centres, forming heterobi- or trimetallic complexes with osmium(II), iridium(III), platinum(II) and gold(I). In the latter case, the WC bond provides a competitive site for gold(I) coordination. Treatment with MeOSO₂CF₃ results in methylation at arsenic to give the first example of an arsoniocarbyne, [W(CAsPh₂CH₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)]O₃SCF₃, for which only the WC bond remains available for gold(I) coordination.

Heterobimetallic μ2-Halocarbyne complexes

The halocarbyne complexes [M(≡CX)(CO)2(Tp*)] (M = Mo, W; X = Cl, Br; Tp* = hydrotris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) react with [AuCl(SMe2)], [Pt(-H2C=CH2)(PPh3)2] or [Pt(nbe)3] (nbe = norbornene) to furnish rare examples of μ2-halocarbyne...

Transition Metal Carbide Complexes

Carbide complexes remain a rare class of molecules. Their paucity does not reflect exceptional instability but is rather due to the generally narrow scope of synthetic procedures for constructing carbide complexes. The preparation of carbide complexes typically revolves around generating L_nM-CE_x fragments, followed by cleavage of the C-E bonds of the coordinated carbon-based ligands (the alternative being direct C atom transfer). Prime examples involve deoxygenation of carbonyl ligands and deprotonation of methyl ligands, but several other p-block fragments can be cleaved off to afford carbide ligands. This Review outlines synthetic strategies toward terminal carbide complexes, bridging carbide complexes, as well as carbide-carbonyl cluster complexes. It then surveys the reactivity of carbide complexes, covering stoichiometric reactions where the carbide ligands act as C₁ reagents, engage in cross-coupling reactions, and enact Fischer-Tropsch-like chemistry; in addition, we discuss carbide complexes in the context of catalysis. Finally, we examine spectroscopic features of carbide complexes, which helps to establish the presence of the carbide functionality and address its electronic structure.

Heterocyclic arsinocarbynes via tandem transmetallation

Gold(i)-catalysed tandem transmetallation (Sn→Au→As) of the stannylcarbyne [W(≡CSnⁿBu₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (Tp* = hydrotris-(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with haloarsines gives direct access to a range of novel arsinocarbyne complexes, L_nM≡CAsR₂, including unusual heterocyclic phenarsazininyl and arsolyl examples.

Tetrel and pnictogen functionalised propargylidynes

The reaction of [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSiMe₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (Tp* = tris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with AgNO₃ affords {[W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CAg)-(CO)₂(Tp*)][AgNO₃]}_n while [Hg{C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CC[triple bond, length as m-dash]W(CO)₂(Tp*)}₂] with ⁿBuLi affords [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CLi)(CO)₂(Tp*)]. These anhydrous reagents allow the installation of main group elements (e.g., Si, Sn, Pb, P, As) as propargylidyne termini.

Metal coordination to bipyridyl carbynes

A new synthetic approach to hetero-aryl substituted carbyne complexes has allowed the synthesis of bipyridyl functionalised carbynes and bis(carbynes) with three potential sites for metal coordination to either the two pyridyl donors or the WC bond.

Metal coordination of phosphoniocarbynes

Heterobi- and tetrametallic phosphoniocarbyne bridged complexes arise from the reactions of the terminal phosphoniocarbyne [W(CPMe₂Ph)(CO)₂(Tp*)]PF₆ with unsaturated metal centres.

The significance of phosphoniocarbynes in halocarbyne cross-coupling reactions

Competent intermediates as well as productive and non-productive tangents have been identified in the catalytic cycle for palladium(0)–copper(i) mediated synthesis of propargylidynes via cross coupling reactions of bromocarbyne complexes with alkynes.

Bent Phosphaallenes With "Hidden" Lone Pairs as Ligands

Phosphaheteroallenes R-P=C=L, with L = N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), can be viewed to a certain extent as phosphaisonitriles stabilized with NHCs, R-P=C:←L. The suitability of these molecules as ligands for coinage-metal ions was investigated and coordination through the central carbon center was observed in most cases. A combination of experiments, spectroscopic methods, and DFT calculations indicates the presence of a hidden electron pair at the carbon center of R-P=C:←L. Remarkably, this lone pair also inserts intramolecularly in C-H bonds showing the carbene-type reactivity which is expected for phosphaisonitriles.

Halogenation of A-frame μ-carbido complexes: synthesis of μ2-halocarbynes

The new A-frame μ₂-carbido complexes [Rh₂(μ₂-C)X₂(μ₂-dppm)₂] (X = Cl, Br; dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) react with PhICl₂ or [pyH][Br₃] to provide rare examples of μ₂-halocarbyne complexes [Rh₂(μ-CX)(μ-X)X₄(μ-dppm)₂] (X = Cl, Br).

New binding modes for CSe: coinage metal coordination to a tungsten selenocarbonyl complex

The reaction of the new tungsten selenocarbonylate [Et₄N][W(CSe)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (Tp* = hydrotris(dimethyl-pyrazolyl)borate) with coinage metal based electrophiles provides access to a range of new bridging modes for the selenocarbonyl ligand.

Alkynylselenolatoalkylidynes (LnMC–Se–CCR) as building blocks for mixed metal/main-group extended frameworks

The reactions of [W(CBr)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) with lithium alkynylselenolates LiSeCCR (R = SiMe₃, SiⁱPr₃, ⁿBu, ^tBu, Ph, p-tolyl) afford the alkynylselenolatoalkylidyne complexes [W(CSeCCR)(CO)₂(Tp*)].

A [C1 + C2] route to propargylidyne complexes

The reactions of [W(CBr)(CO)₂(Tp*)] with a range of terminal alkynes (RCCH), mediated by [Pd(PPh₃)₄] and CuI, afford new propargylidynes [W(C–CCR)(CO)₂(Tp*)] [R = ^tBu, C₆H₄X (X = H, NH₂, NO₂), APh₃ (A = C, Si, Ge), B(O₂CCH₂)₂NMe].

Phosphaisonitrile umpolung – synthesis and reactivity of chloro aminophosphino carbynes

The synthesis of the first P-halo-aminophosphinocarbyne complex is described in addition to exploration of its ligand-based reactivity towards nucleophilic substitution and P-halide abstraction processes as a possible route to cationic aminophosphaisonitrile derivatives.

Synthesis and reactivity of an anionic allenylidene complex

The reaction of [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSiMe₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (Tp* = hydrotris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with MeLi generates the first example of an anionic allenylidene complex Li[W([double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]CMeSiMe₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)] which reacts with electrophiles (H⁺, Me⁺) at the β-carbon to afford vinylcarbyne (allylidyne) complexes [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CCE[double bond, length as m-dash]CMeSiMe₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (E = H, Me), and with bromine provides the unprecedented binuclear bis(carbyne) complex {C([double bond, length as m-dash]CMeSiMe₃)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]W(CO)₂(Tp*)}₂via oxidative C-C coupling at the β-carbon.

Confluence of disparate carbido chemistries: [WRuAu2(μ-C)2Cl2(CO)2(PCy3)2(Tp*)]

The reaction of [Ru(CAuCl)Cl₂(PCy₃)₂] with [W(CSnⁿBu₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (obtained from [W(CBr)(CO)₂(Tp*)], ⁿBuLi and ClSnⁿBu₃) affords the heterotetrametallic bis(carbido) complex [WRuAu₂(μ-C)₂Cl₃(CO)₂(PCy₃)₂(Tp*)] in which the two distinct μ-carbido ligands adopt linear and T-shaped geometry at carbon.

A complete set of pnictocarbynes: [M(CAPh2)(CO)2(Tp*)] (M = Mo, W; A = N, P, As, Sb, Bi; Tp* = hydrotris(dimethylpyrazolyl)-borate)

The first two complete series of pnictogen functionalised carbyne complexes, [M(CAPh₂)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (M = Mo, W; A = N, P, As, Sb, Bi; Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate), have been prepared.

Simple generation of a dirhodium μ-carbido complex via thiocarbonyl reduction

The reaction of [RhCl(CS)(PPh₃)₂] with excess catecholborane affords the cumulenic carbido complex [Rh₂(μ-C)Cl₂(PPh₃)₄] which undergoes phosphine and halide substitution to afford a range of complexes in which the RhCRh spine remains intact.

Alkynylbis(alkylidynyl)phosphines: {LnMC}2PCCR

Synthetic strategies are presented for the formation of alkynylbis(alkylidynyl)phosphines which represent promising building blocks for unsaturated 2- and 3-dimensional assemblies. Parent ethynyl derivatives provide a means for installing further donor functionalities, e.g., AsPh₂ as shown.

Bis(alkylidynyl)arsines

The synthesis and characterization of the first examples of bimetallic bis(alkylidynyl)arsines are described. For the tungsten complexes, these may be prepared by a potentially generalizable route: successive treatment of [W(CBr)(CO)₂(Tp*)] with ⁿBuLi, ACl₃ (A = P, As) and a nucleophilic source of R⁻via the inferred intermediacy of [ClA{CW(CO)₂(Tp*)}₂].

An anionic nucleophilic d4 carbyne complex

The reaction of the methylidyne complex [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CH)Br(CO)₂(dcpe)] (dcpe = 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane) with ^tBuLi affords the intermediate anionic neopentylidyne complex Li[W([triple bond, length as m-dash]C^tBu)(CO)₂(dcpe)] which acts as a metal-based nucleophile towards ^tBuCl, ^tBuBr, Ph₂E₂ (E = S, Se, Te) and ClSnMe₃ to afford the new carbyne complexes [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]C^tBu)(X)(CO)₂(dcpe)] (X = Cl, Br, EPh, SnMe₃).

Rearrangement of bis(alkylidynyl)phosphines to phospha-acyls

A range of bis(alkylidynyl)phosphines RP{CM(CO)₂(Tp*)}₂ (M = Mo, W; R = Cl, Ph, Cy; Tp* = hydrotris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) are obtained from the reactions of [M(CLi)(CO)₂(Tp*)] with Cl₂PR or alternatively via the palladium(0)-mediated reactions of [W(CBr)(CO)₂(Tp*)] with RPH₂ (R = Py, Cy).

High oxidation state bromocarbyne complexes

Bromination of the carbyne complexes [W(CR)Br(CO)₂(dcpe)] (R = Ph, SiPh₃; dcpe = 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane) provides high oxidation state derivatives [W(CPh)Br₃(dcpe)] and [W(CBr)Br₃(dcpe)], the latter via an unprecedented bromodesilylation process.

Coordination chemistry of phosphinocarbynes: phosphorus vs. carbyne site selectivity

The phosphinocarbyne complex [W(CPPh₂)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (1: Tp* = hydrotris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) coordinates transition metal fragments via the phosphine to form bimetallic species [W{CPPh₂RhCl₂(Cp*)}(CO)₂(Tp*)] (2) and [W(CPPh₂AuCl)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (3).

Dual nucleophilic substitution at a W(ii) η(2)-coordinated diiodo acetylene leading to an amidinium carbyne complex

The synthesis and reactivity of a W(ii) C2I2 complex towards various nucleophiles are described. Soft, aprotic nucleophiles like 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) lead to substitution of one CO at tungsten, whereas reaction with an excess of benzylamine results in a dual nucleophilic substitution at the alkyne moiety involving the rearrangement to a novel cationic amidinium carbyne complex.