Synthesis and reactivity of alkaline-earth stannanide complexes by hydride-mediated distannane metathesis and organostannane dehydrogenation

The synthesis of heteroleptic complexes with calcium- and magnesium-tin bonds is described. The dimeric β-diketiminato calcium hydride complex, [(BDI)Ca(μ-H)]2 (ICa) reacts with Ph3Sn-SnPh3 to provide the previously reported μ2-H bridged calcium stannanide dimer, [(BDI)2Ca2(SnPh3)(μ-H)] (3). Computational assessment of this reaction supports a mechanism involving a hypervalent stannate intermediate formed by nucleophilic attack of hydride on the distannane. Monomeric calcium stannanides, [(BDI)Ca(SnPh3)·OPPh3] (8·OPPh3) and [(BDI)Ca(SnPh3)·TMTHF] (8·TMTHF, TMTHF = 2,2,5,5-tetramethyltetrahydrofuran) were obtained from ICa and Ph3Sn-SnPh3, after addition OPPh3 or TMTHF. Both complexes were also synthesised by deprotonation of Ph3SnH by ICa in the presence of the Lewis base. The calcium and magnesium THF adducts, [(BDI)Ca(SnPh3)·THF2] (8·THF2) and [(BDI)Mg(SnPh3)·THF] (9·THF), were similarly prepared from [(BDI)Ca(μ-H)·(THF)]2 (ICa·THF2) or [(BDI)Mg(μ-H)]2 (IMg) and Ph3SnH. An excess of THF or TMTHF was essential in order to obtain 8·TMTHF, 8·THF2 and 9·THF in high yields whilst avoiding redistribution of the phenyl-tin ligand. The resulting Ae-Sn complexes were used as a source of [Ph3Sn]- in salt metathesis, to provide the known tristannane Ph3Sn-Sn(t-Bu)2-SnPh3 (11). Nucleophilic addition or insertion with N,N'-di-iso-propylcarbodiimide provided the stannyl-amidinate complexes, [(BDI)Mg{(iPrN)2CSnPh3}] (12) and [(BDI)Ca{(iPrN)2CSnPh3}·L] (13·TMTHF, 13·THF, L = TMTHF, THF). The reactions and products were monitored and characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, whilst for compounds 8, 9, 12, and 13·THF, the X-ray crystal structures are presented and discussed.

Transition metal complexes of monodentate 2-oxazolines containing long chain alkyl groups. The crystal structure of trans-PdCl2(κ 1-N-rac-2-heptadecyl-4,5-dihydro-5-methyl-2-oxazole)2

The synthesis, characterisation and properties of several divalent metal complexes (Co, Ni, Pd) containing 2-oxazoline ligands L1–L3, appended with long chain alkyl and/or ester groups, is reported. The X-ray crystal structure aspects of one such complex, trans-PdCl2(rac-2-heptadecyl-4,5-dihydro-5-methyl-2-oxazole)2 (i.e. PdCl2(L1)2: 3), is described. This latter material contains one of the longest alkyl chains to be crystallographically characterised appended to an oxazoline ligand. The complexes reported herein represent the first transition metal derivatives of these high molecular weight, long chain and presumably low polarity monodentate oxazoline ligands. A combination of spectral and theoretical calculations (semi-empirical PM6(tm) level of theory) are used to support the proposed structure in the case of the hydrates of NiCl2 and CoBr2 complexes derived from L1. A trio of PdCl2 complexes of the ligand set are likewise detailed. Complex 3 is shown to be a useful pre-catalyst for the promotion of a Heck coupling reaction between bromobenzene and styrene under typical conditions.

Acetylene in Organic Synthesis: Recent Progress and New Uses

Recent progress in the leading synthetic applications of acetylene is discussed from the prospect of rapid development and novel opportunities. A diversity of reactions involving the acetylene molecule to carry out vinylation processes, cross-coupling reactions, synthesis of substituted alkynes, preparation of heterocycles and the construction of a number of functionalized molecules with different levels of molecular complexity were recently studied. Of particular importance is the utilization of acetylene in the synthesis of pharmaceutical substances and drugs. The increasing interest in acetylene and its involvement in organic transformations highlights a fascinating renaissance of this simplest alkyne molecule.

Linchpin dienes: key building-blocks in the synthesis of polyenic frameworks

This review focuses on the preparation of dienic linchpin reagents and on their use in the synthesis of polyenic frameworks.