Reactive Intermediates of the Catalytic Carbomagnesation Reaction: Isolation and Structures of [Cp2ZrEt]2(μ-ethene), [Cp2Zr(ethene)(L)] (L = THF, Pyridine), and [(indenyl)2Zr(ethene)(THF)] and of Metallacycles with Norbornene

Structural diversity of copper(I)-ethylene complexes with 2,4-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrimidine directed by anions

The 3 : 1 reaction of [Cu(C2H4)n]ClO4 with 2,4-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrimidine (bpprd) in Me2CO under C2H4 afforded yellow prism crystals of the dinuclear Cu(I)-C2H4 complex [Cu2(bpprd)(η2-C2H4)2(ClO4)2] (1). The 3 : 1 reaction of [Cu(C2H4)n]NO3 with bpprd in Me2CO under C2H4 afforded yellow plate crystals of the tetranuclear Cu(I)-C2H4 complex [Cu4(bpprd)2(η2-C2H4)4(μ-NO3)2](NO3)2 (2). The 10 : 1 reaction of [Cu(C2H4)n]BF4 with bpprd in Me2CO under C2H4 afforded yellow plate crystals of the dinuclear Cu(I)-C2H4 complex [Cu2(bpprd)(η2-C2H4)2(BF4)]BF4 (3). The 3 : 1 reaction of [Cu(C2H4)n]BF4 with bpprd in Me2CO under C2H4 afforded red prism crystals of the polymeric Cu(I)-C2H4 complex {[Cu6(bpprd)4(η2-C2H4)2(μ-η2:η2-C2H4)(μ-BF4)2](BF4)4}n (4). The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1-4 have been determined. The structural diversity of Cu(I)-C2H4 complexes bridged by bpprd with different anions was demonstrated. The 1D Cu(I)-bpprd/C2H4 coordination polymer 4 bridged by unusual μ-η2:η2-C2H4 and the μ-BF4- anion is of particular significance. Complex 1 exhibited relatively well-resolved 1H NMR signals of bpprd and C2H4 (δ = 4.97 ppm) in (CD3)2CO at 23 °C.

Mechanism of Coupling of Methylidene to Ethylene Ligands in Dimetallic Assemblies; Computational Investigation of a Model for a Key Step in Catalytic C1 Chemistry

Methylidene complexes often couple to ethylene complexes, but the mechanistic insight is scant. The path by which two cations [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(═CH₂)]⁺ (5⁺) transform (CH₂Cl₂/acetonitrile) to [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(H₂C═CH₂)]⁺ (6⁺) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(NCCH₃)]⁺ is studied by density functional theory. Experiments provide a number of constraints such as the second-order rate in 5⁺; no prior ligand dissociation/exchange; a faster reaction of (S)-5⁺ with (S)-5⁺ than with (R)-5⁺ ("enantiomer self-recognition"). Although dirhenium dications with Re(μ-CH₂)₂Re cores represent energy minima, they are not accessible by 2 + 2 cycloadditions of 5⁺. Transition states leading to ReCH₂CH₂Re linkages are prohibitively high in energy. However, 5⁺ can give non-covalent S_Re/S_Re or S_Re/R_Re dimers with π interactions between the PPh₃ ligands but long ReCH₂···H₂CRe and H₂CRe···H₂CRe distances (3.073-3.095 Å and 3.878-4.529 Å, respectively). In rate-determining steps, these afford [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(μ-η²:η²-H₂C···CH₂)(Ph₃P)(ON)Re(η⁵-C₅H₅)]²⁺ (13²⁺), in which one rhenium binds the bridging ethylene more tightly than the other (2.115-2.098 vs 2.431-2.486 Å to the centroid). In the S_Re/R_Re adduct, Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson optimization leads to unfavorable PPh₃/PPh₃ contacts. Ligand interactions are further dissected in the preceding transition states via component analyses, and ΔΔG^‡ (1.2 kcal/mol, CH₂Cl₂) favors the S_Re/S_Re pathway, in accordance with the experiment. Acetonitrile then displaces 6⁺ from the more weakly bound rhenium of 13²⁺. The formation of similar μ-H₂C···CH₂ intermediates is found to be rate-determining for varied coordinatively saturated M═CH₂ species [M = Fe(d⁶)/Re(d⁴)/Ta(d²)], establishing generality and enhancing relevancy to catalytic CH₄ and CO/H₂ chemistry.

Ethylene binding in mono- and binuclear CuI complexes with tetradentate pyridinophane ligands

Herein we report a series of Cu^I complexes supported by tetradentate ^RN4 pyridinophane ligands that coordinate to ethylene forming either mononuclear complexes with ethylene coordinated in an η²-mode or a binuclear complex where ethylene binds to two Cu atoms in a μ-η²-η²-mode, depending on the steric effects of the ^RN4 ligand and the reaction conditions. In the binuclear complex with bridging ethylene, the CC bond is significantly elongated, with a bond length of 1.444(8) Å according to X-ray diffraction analysis. This complex represents the only examination a μ-η²-η²-coordinated Cu-olefin complex reported to date, featuring one of the longest reported CC bonds. The spectroscopic characterization, structure, electrochemical properties and solution behavior are analyzed in this study. Coordination of ethylene was found to be reversible in these complexes and more favored in less sterically hindered ^RN4 ligands, so that ethylene binding is observed in a coordinating solvent (MeCN) environment. In the case of the ^MeN4 ligand, the ethylene complex is photoluminescent in the solid state. The ethylene binding modes in mono- and binuclear complexes are elucidated through Natural Bond Orbital and QTAIM analyses.

Structure-Solubility Relationship of 1,4-Dioxane Complexes of Di(hydrocarbyl)magnesium

Systematic variation of the 1,4-dioxane (dx) concentration during the precipitation of sparingly soluble [MgBr2 (dx)2 ] from ethereal Grignard solutions of RMgBr has allowed the structural investigation of crystallized [R2 Mg(dx)n ] (n=1, 1.5, 2, and 3), which form during this dioxane method, depending on the bulkiness of R. The numbering of the complexes explored in this study is based on the number n of dioxane molecules per magnesium atom, followed by the substituent R; an apostrophe denotes coordination polymers. The following derivatives were studied by X-ray crystal-structure determination and NMR spectroscopy: n=1: [Me2 Mg(μ-dx)]∞ (1'-Me) and [nPr2 Mg(μ-dx)]∞ (1'-nPr); n=1.5: [{iPr2 Mg(dx)}2 (μ-dx)] (1.5-iPr), [{oTol2 Mg(dx)}2 (μ-dx)] (1.5-oTol), and [(Me3 Si-C≡C)2 Mg(dx)1.5 ]∞ (1.5'-C2 SiMe3 ); n=2: [tBu2 Mg(dx)2 ] (2-tBu) and [oTol2 Mg(dx)2 ] (2-oTol); n=3: [Ph2 Mg(dx)3 ] (3-Ph). In the structure types 1', 1.5, and 2, the magnesium atom exhibits the coordination number 4, whereas pentacoordinate metal atoms are observed in types 3 and 1.5'. The structure type 2' is realized for [(Ph-C≡C)2 Mg(dx)2 ]∞ (2'-C2 Ph), [MgCl2 (dx)2 ]∞ (2'-Cl), and [MgBr2 (dx)2 ]∞ (2'-Br) with hexacoordinate metal atoms. The solubility of the dioxane adducts in common organic solvents strongly depends on the degree of aggregation with the solubility decreasing from molecular to strand to layer structures.

Magnesium Stung by Nonclassical Scorpionate Ligands: Synthesis and Cone-Angle Calculations

A series of tris(pyrazolyl)alkane (RCTp) scorpionate ligands of the type RCTp^3-R' (R=Me, nBu, SiMe₃ ; R'=H, Me, Ph, iPr, tBu) were synthesized and their ability to coordinate methylmagnesium moieties was examined. The reaction of Mg(AlMe₄ )₂ with neutral proligands HCTp^3-Ph or Me₃ SiCTp^3-Me , containing a non-innocent backbone methine moiety, led to deprotonation/rearrangement and SiMe₃ /AlMe₃ exchange to afford [(Me₃ AlCTp^3-Ph )₂ Mg] and [(Me₃ AlCTp^3-Me )Mg(AlMe₄ )], respectively, with monoanionic tripodal ligands. Treatment of sterically less demanding RCTp^3-R' with Mg(AlMe₄ )₂ produced isostructural dicationic "metal-in-a-box" complexes of the type [(RCTp^3-R' )₂ Mg][AlMe₄ ]₂ (R=Me, nBu; R'=H, Me). Utilization of the superbulky ligands MeCTp^3-Ph and MeCTp^3-tBu gave monocationic complexes [(MeCTp^3-Ph )MgMe][AlMe₄ ] and [(MeCTp^3-tBu )MgMe][Al₂ Me₇ ] as separated ion pairs. The reaction of Mg(AlMe₄ )₂ with nBuCTp^3-Ph led to the formation of the dimagnesium complex [{(nBuCTp^3-Ph )Mg(AlMe₄ )}₂ (μ-CH₃ )], which features a bridging methyl moiety and terminal η¹ -coordinated tetramethylaluminato ligands. Isopropyl-substituted ligand MeCTp^3-iPr emerged from further fine-tuning of the steric and electronic parameters and, upon reaction with Mg(AlMe₄ )₂ , gave (MeCTp^3-iPr )Mg(AlMe₄ )₂ ; this represents the first example of a magnesium bis(alkyl) complex with an intact RCTp^3-R' ligand. The exact ligand cone angles Θ^° of all magnesium complexes were determined according to the mathematical analysis developed by Allen et al. [J. Comput. Chem. 2013, 34, 1189-1197].

Synthesis of carborane-fused carbo- and heterocycles via zirconacyclopentane intermediates

Carborane-fused zirconacyclopentane serves as an important synthon for the preparation of a variety of carborane-fused carbo- and heterocycles via insertion and transmetalation reactions.

A ligand-controlled switch of regioselectivity in ring-opening coupling of diarylmethylenecyclopropa[b]naphthalenes with Grignard reagents

A ligand-controlled regioselectivity switch of ring-opening coupling reaction of diarylmethylenecyclopropa[b]naphthalenes with Grignard reagents providing differently substituted β-vinylic naphthalenes in moderate to excellent yields was reported: when Pd(OAc)2 was used, the aromatic group from the Grignard reagent regioselectively coupled to the naphthyl ring after the ring-opening of three-membered cycle, which is different from the Pd(PPh3)2Cl2-catalyzed reaction. Based on a careful NMR study, we concluded that it may be explained by the ligand effect.

Mechanism-based design of labile precursors for chromium(I) chemistry

Dinitrogen complexes of the type Tp(R,R)Cr-N2-CrTp(R,R) are not the most labile precursors for Cr(i) chemistry, as they are sterically protected from obligatory associative ligand substitution. A mononuclear alkyne complex - Tp(tBu,Me)Cr(η(2)-C2(SiMe3)2) - proved to be much more reactive.

Cu-catalyzed regioselective carbomagnesiation of dienes and enynes with sec- and tert-alkyl Grignard reagents

The carbomagnesiation of dienes and enynes with sec- and tert-alkyl Grignard reagents has been achieved by using copper salts as catalysts.

Syntheses and Structures of Alkaline Earth Metal Bis(diphenylamides)

Various preparative procedures are employed in order to synthesize alkaline earth metal bis(diphenylamides) such as (i) metalation of HNPh2 with the alkaline earth metal M, (ii) metalation of HNPh2 with MPh2, (iii) metathesis reaction of MI2 with KNPh2, (iv) metalation of HNPh2 with PhMI in THF, and (v) metathesis reaction of PhMI with KNPh2 followed by a dismutation reaction yielding MPh2 and M(NPh2)2. The magnesium compounds [(diox)MgPh2]infinity (1) and (thf)2Mg(NPh2)2 (2) show tetracoordinate metal atoms, whereas in (dme)2Ca(NPh2)2 (3), (thf)4Sr(NPh2)2 (4), and (thf)4Ba(NPh2)2 (5) the metals are 6-fold coordinated. Additional agostic interactions between an ipso-carbon of one of the phenyl groups of the amide ligand and the alkaline earth metal atom lead to unsymmetric coordination of the NPh2 anions with two strongly different M-N-C angles in 3-5.

C–H and P–C(Ph) activation competitive processes caused by interaction with the solvate [cis-Pt(C6F5)2(thf)2]

The study of the reaction between the ethylene [Pt(eta-H2C = CH2)(PPh3)2] or alkyne [Pt(eta2-HC [triple bond] CR)(PPh3)2] (R = SiMe3 1, Bu(t) 2) complexes with [cis-Pt(C6F5)2(thf)2] (thf = tetrahydrofuran) has enabled us to observe the existence of competitive processes between the activation of a P-C(Ph) bond on the PPh3 ligand, to give the binuclear derivative [cis-(C6F5)2Pt(mu-Ph)(mu-PPh2)Pt(PPh3)] 3, and the activation of a C-H bond of the unsaturated group, to give the corresponding (mu-hydride)(mu-vinyl) [cis, cis-(PPh3)2Pt(mu-H)(mu-1kappaC(alpha):eta2-CH = CH2)Pt(C6F5)2] 4 or (mu-hydride)(mu-alkynyl) [cis,cis-(PPh3)2Pt(mu-H)(mu-1kappaC(alpha):eta2-C [triple bond]CR)Pt(C6F5)2] (R = SiMe3 5, Bu(t) 6) compounds, respectively. The monitoring of these reactions by NMR spectroscopy has allowed us to detect several intermediates, and to propose a mechanism for the C-H bond activation. In addition, the structures of the (muo-hydride)(mu-alkynyl) complex 5 and the unprecedented (mu-hydride)(mu-vinyl) derivative 4 have been obtained by X-ray crystallographic analyses.

Carbon−Oxygen Bond Cleavage with η9,η5-Bis(indenyl)zirconium Sandwich Complexes

Treatment of the eta9,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium sandwich complex, (eta9-C9H5-1,3-(SiMe3)2)(eta5-C9H5-1,3-(SiMe3)2)Zr, with dialkyl ethers such as diethyl ether, CH3OR (R=Et, nBu, tBu), nBu2O, or iPr2O resulted in facile C-O bond scission furnishing an eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium alkoxy hydride complex and free olefin. In cases where ethylene is formed, trapping by the zirconocene sandwich yields a rare example of a crystallographically characterized, base-free eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium ethylene complex. Observation of normal, primary kinetic isotope effects in combination with rate studies and the stability of various model compounds support a mechanism involving rate-determining C-H activation to yield an eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium alkyl hydride intermediate followed by rapid beta-alkoxide elimination. For isolable eta6,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium THF compounds, thermolysis at 85 degrees C also resulted in C-O bond cleavage to yield the corresponding zirconacycle. Both mechanistic and computational studies again support a pathway involving haptotropic rearrangement to eta5,eta5-bis(indenyl)zirconium intermediates that promote rate-determining C-H activation and ultimately C-O bond scission.

Nonchelated d0 Zirconium−Alkoxide−Alkene Complexes

The reaction of Cp'2Zr(O(t)Bu)Me (Cp' = C5H4Me) and [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] yields the base-free complex [Cp'2Zr(O(t)Bu)][B(C6F5)4] (6), which exists as Cp'2Zr(O(t)Bu)(ClR)+ halocarbon adducts in CD2Cl2 or C6D5Cl solution. Addition of alkenes to 6 in CD2Cl2 solution at low temperature gives equilibrium mixtures of Cp'2Zr(O(t)Bu)(alkene)+ (12a-l), 6, and free alkene. The NMR data for 12a-l are consistent with unsymmetrical alkene bonding and polarization of the alkene C=C bond with positive charge buildup at C(int) and negative charge buildup at C(term). These features arise due to the lack of d-pi* back-bonding. Equilibrium constants for alkene coordination to 6 in CD2Cl2 at -89 degrees C, K(eq) = [12][6](-1)[alkene](-1), vary in the order: vinylferrocene (4800 M(-1)) >> ethylene (7.0) approximately alpha-olefins > cis-2-butene (2.2) > trans-2-butene (<0.1). Alkene coordination is inhibited by sterically bulky substituents on the alkene but is greatly enhanced by electron-donating groups and the beta-Si effect. Compounds 12a-l undergo two dynamic processes: reversible alkene decomplexation via associative substitution of a CD2Cl2 molecule, and rapid rotation of the alkene around the metal-(alkene centroid) axis.

Synthesis and Reactivity of New Chiral Bicyclic Phospholanes as Acyl-Transfer Catalysts

[structure: see text] Synthesis of chiral phosphines 1a, 14a, and 18a as nucleophilic catalysts for anhydride activation and kinetic resolution of alcohols is described. Radical cyclization of alkenylphosphines produced the phosphabicyclooctane (PBO) core of catalysts 1a and 14a, while 18a was made by quenching a metallocycle precursor with dichlorophenylphosphine. Catalysts 1a and 14a are less reactive, while 18a is comparable to the most reactive catalysts in the PBO family. The preferred ground-state geometries of phosphine-boranes were identified using computational methods, and were correlated with the catalytic reactivity of the corresponding free phosphines.

Absolute Asymmetric Synthesis of Stereochemically Labile Aldehyde Helicates and Subsequent Chirality Transfer Reactions

Helical complexes formed between aluminum tris(2,6-diphenylphenoxide) (ATPH) and five different aldehydes have been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. It was found that [Al(OC6H3Ph2)3PhCHO] (2), [Al(OC6H3Ph2)3(4-CH3C6H4CHO)] (3), [Al(OC6H3Ph2)3(4-tBuC6H4CHO)] (4), and [Al(OC6H3Ph2)3(p-CH3OC6H4CHO)] (5) all crystallize as conglomerates, while crystals of [Al(OC6H3Ph2)3(o-CH3OC6H4CHO)] (6) are racemic. Supramolecular CH/pi interactions between molecules in crystals of 2-5 that enable stereochemical information to be mediated in three dimensions have been identified and explain the high frequency of conglomerate formation among ATPH helicates. Since 2-5 are stereochemically labile and thus enantiomerize rapidly in solution, the conglomerates can be resolved by crystallization-induced asymmetric transformation. The determination of the enantiomeric excess (ee) in solid samples of stereochemically labile molecules is not trivial, but solid-state CD spectroscopic data, anomalous dispersion data, and the ee values in alkylation reactions all indicate that preferential crystallization of 2-5 yields an essentially enantiopure product. Thus the preparation of 2-5 constitute new examples of absolute asymmetric synthesis. The helical chirality can be transferred (and thus trapped) to alcohols (with ee values of up to 16%) in crystal-to-crystal reactions with achiral organometallic reagents.

Titanocene-catalyzed regioselective carbomagnesation of alkenes and dienes

A new method for regioselective carbomagnesation of alkenes and dienes has been developed by the use of a titanocene catalyst. This reaction proceeds efficiently at 0 degrees C in THF in the presence of Cp(2)TiCl(2) by the combined use of organic halides (R-X; R = alkyl, aryl and vinyl) and n-BuMgCl to afford benzyl, alpha-silylalkyl, or allyl Grignard reagents, which were trapped with various electrophiles. The present reaction involves (i) addition of carbon radicals toward alkenes or dienes in the carbon-carbon bond-forming step and (ii) transmetalation on Ti of benzyl-, alpha-silylalkyl-, or allyltitanocene with n-BuMgCl in the carbon-magnesium bond-forming step. The scope and limitations of this reaction have also been examined.

Formation and reactivity of the zirconium ethylene complexes [η5-C5H3-1,3-(SiMe2CH2PR2)2]Zr(η2-CH2=CH2)(X) (R = Me, Pr i; X = Br, C5H5)

The formation and reactivity of the zirconium ethylene complexes R[P2Cp]Zr(η2-CH2=CH2)(X) (2a: R = Pri, X = Br; 2b: R = Me, X = Br; 4a: R = Pri, X = C5H5; R[P2Cp] = (η5-C5H3-1,3-(SiMe2CH2PR2)2)) are described. Ethylene complexes 2a and 2b are prepared from a reaction of R[P2Cp]ZrCl3 (1a: R = Pri; 1b: R = Me) with 2 equiv of EtMgBr, presumably via β-H elimination from the diethyl intermediate R[P2Cp]ZrCl(CH2CH3)2. The structure of 2b was determined by X-ray crystallography. Addition of carbon monoxide to 16-electron 2 displaces the ethylene ligand to generate the carbonyl complex R[P2Cp]Zr(CO)2Br (5a: R = Pri; 5b: R = Me), which is stable only under an atmosphere of CO. The corresponding CO reaction with 18-electron 4a to give the metallocene monocarbonyl analogue Pr[P2Cp]Zr(η5-C5H5)(CO) (6a) is considerably slower. 2a exhibits fluxional exchange of one carbonyl ligand with bulk 13CO in solution; the kinetic parameters for this exchange process are ΔH ‡ = 9.2(5) kcal mol–1 and ΔS ‡ = –17(2) cal mol–1 K–1. The addition of diphenylacetylene to 2a yields the alkyne complex Pr[P2Cp]Zr(η2-PhCCPh)Br (7a), which exists in solution as two isomers in equilibrium. A solid-state X-ray structure determination for the minor isomer syn-7a was performed.Key words: zirconium, cyclopentadienyl phosphine, alkyne, metallocyclopropane.