Heteroleptic Complexes of Lanthanum(III) and Neodymium(III) with Oxygen- or Nitrogen-Functionalized Tris(triorganosilyl)methyl Ligands

Trisyl-based multidentate ligands: synthesis and their transition-metal complexes

Herein we report the synthesis and applications of unusual trisyl-based multidentate ligands [trisyl = tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl, -C(SiMe₃)₃]. First, by applying a new trisyl synthon (Me₃Si)₂CH(SiMe₂CH₂Cl) 1, trisyl-based S- or N-containing compounds 2 were efficiently obtained. On treatment of these compounds 2 with MeLi, their corresponding S- or N-coordinated pincer-like trisyl-based lithium salts 3, including the S-bridged ditrisyl compound 3a [Li{C(SiMe₃)₂SiMe₂CH₂SCH₂SiMe₂C(SiMe₃)₂}Li(DME)₃] and the N-coordinated monotrisyl compounds 3b [(NacNac^DippLiCH₂SiMe₂C(SiMe₃)₂Li(THF)], 3c [Li(THF){C(SiMe₃)₂SiMe₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂C₅H₄N-2}], and 3d [Li{C(SiMe₃)₂SiMe₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂N(ⁱPr)₂}] were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. Second, to test these novel lithium salts as straightforward precursors for the synthesis of transition-metal complexes with unique structures, these lithium salts were applied to react with MCl₂ (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co). Their corresponding transition-metal complexes 4-8 were obtained in high yields and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. Third, the preliminary reactivities of compound 4 were explored.

Unsupported metal silyl ether coordination

Silyl ethers surrender to magnesium: the very weak Lewis base hexamethyldisiloxane is forced to ligate a “naked” cationic Mg species. Agostic interactions and van der Waals attraction contribute to stability.

Synthesis and structural characterisation of alkali metal complexes of heteroatom-stabilised 1,4- and 1,6-dicarbanions

A straightforward Peterson olefination reaction between either [{(Me(2)PhSi)(3)C}Li(THF)] or in situ-generated [(Me(3)Si)(2){Ph(2)P(BH(3))}CLi(THF)(n)] and paraformaldehyde gives the alkenes (Me(2)PhSi)(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]CH(2) () and (Me(3)Si){Ph(2)P(BH(3))}C[double bond, length as m-dash]CH(2) (), respectively, in good yield. Ultrasonic treatment of with lithium in THF yields the lithium complex [{(Me(2)PhSi)(2)C(CH(2))}Li(THF)(n)](2) (), which reacts in situ with one equivalent of KOBu(t) in diethyl ether to give the potassium salt [{(Me(2)PhSi)(2)C(CH(2))}K(THF)](2) (). Similarly, ultrasonic treatment of with lithium in THF yields the lithium complex [[{Ph(2)P(BH(3))}(Me(3)Si)C(CH(2))]Li(THF)(3)](2).2THF (). The bis(phosphine-borane) [(Me(3)Si){Me(2)(H(3)B)P}CH(Me(2)Si)(CH(2))](2) () may be prepared by the reaction of [Me(2)P(BH(3))CH(SiMe(3))]Li with half an equivalent of ClSiMe(2)CH(2)CH(2)SiMe(2)Cl in refluxing THF. Metalation of with two equivalents of MeLi in refluxing THF yields the lithium complex [[{Me(2)P(BH(3))}(Me(3)Si)C{(SiMe(2))(CH(2))}]Li(THF)(3)](2) (), whereas metalation with two equivalents of MeK in cold diethyl ether yields the potassium complex [[{Me(2)P(BH(3))}(Me(3)Si)C{(SiMe(2))(CH(2))}](2)K(2)(THF)(4)](infinity) () after recrystallisation. X-Ray crystallography shows that, whereas the lithium complex crystallises as a discrete molecular species, the potassium complexes and crystallise as sheet and chain polymers, respectively.