Electronic structure comparisons of isostructural early d- and f-block metal(iii) bis(cyclopentadienyl) silanide complexes

We report the synthesis of the U(iii) bis(cyclopentadienyl) hypersilanide complex [U(Cp'')2{Si(SiMe3)3}] (Cp'' = {C5H3(SiMe3)2-1,3}), together with isostructural lanthanide and group 4 M(iii) homologues, in order to meaningfully compare metal-silicon bonding between early d- and f-block metals. All complexes were characterised by a combination of NMR, EPR, UV-vis-NIR and ATR-IR spectroscopies, single crystal X-ray diffraction, SQUID magnetometry, elemental analysis and ab initio calculations. We find that for the [M(Cp'')2{Si(SiMe3)3}] (M = Ti, Zr, La, Ce, Nd, U) series the unique anisotropy axis is conserved tangential to ; this is governed by the hypersilanide ligand for the d-block complexes to give easy plane anisotropy, whereas the easy axis is fixed by the two Cp'' ligands in f-block congeners. This divergence is attributed to hypersilanide acting as a strong σ-donor and weak π-acceptor with the d-block metals, whilst f-block metals show predominantly electrostatic bonding with weaker π-components. We make qualitative comparisons on the strength of covalency to derive the ordering Zr > Ti ≫ U > Nd ≈ Ce ≈ La in these complexes, using a combination of analytical techniques. The greater covalency of 5f3 U(iii) vs. 4f3 Nd(iii) is found by comparison of their EPR and electronic absorption spectra and magnetic measurements, with calculations indicating that uranium 5f orbitals have weak π-bonding interactions with both the silanide and Cp'' ligands, in addition to weak δ-antibonding with Cp''.

Low-Valent Titanium Species Stabilized with Aluminum/Boron Hydride Fragments

Low-valent titanium species were prepared by reaction of [TiCp*X₃ ] (Cp*=η⁵ -C₅ Me₅ ; X=Cl, Br, Me) with LiEH₄ (E=Al, B) or BH₃ (thf), and their structures elucidated by experimental and theoretical methods. The treatment of trihalides [TiCp*X₃ ] with LiAlH₄ in ethereal solvents (L) leads to the hydride-bridged heterometallic complexes [{TiCp*(μ-H)}₂ {(μ-H)₂ AlX(L)}₂ ] (L=thf, X=Cl, Br; L=OEt₂ , X=Cl). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for those compounds reveal an open-shell singlet ground state with a Ti-Ti bond and can be described as titanium(II) species. The theoretical analyses also show strong interactions between the Ti-Ti bond and the empty s orbitals of the Al atom of the AlH₂ XL fragments, which behave as σ-accepting (Z-type) ligands. Analogous reactions of [TiCp*X₃ ] with LiBH₄ (2 and 3 equiv.) in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature and at 85 °C lead to the titanium(III) compounds [{TiCp*(BH₄ )(μ-X)}₂ ] (X=Cl, Br) and [{TiCp*(BH₄ )(μ-BH₄ )}₂ ], respectively. The treatment of [TiCp*Me₃ ] with 4 and 5 equiv. of BH₃ (thf) produces the diamagnetic [{TiCp*(BH₃ Me)}₂ (μ-B₂ H₆ )] and paramagnetic [{TiCp*(μ-B₂ H₆ )}₂ ] complexes, respectively.

Electronic Structure Analysis and Reactivity of the Bimetallic Bis-Titanocene Vinylcarboxylate Complex, [(Cp2Ti)2(O2C3TMS2)]†

Multimetallic redox cooperativity features heavily in both bioinorganic and synthetic reactions. Here, the electronic structure of the bimetallic Ti/Ti complex 11, [(Cp₂Ti)₂(O₂C₃TMS₂)] has been revisited with EPR, confirming a predominantly Ti^III/Ti^III electronic structure. Reactions of 11 with 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (CNXyl), TMSCl, MeI, and BnCl were explored, revealing differential redox chemistry of the bimetallic core. In reactions with CNXyl and TMSCl, the metallacyclic Ti^III center remained unperturbed, with reactions taking place at the pendent κ²(O,O)-titanocene fragment, while reaction with MeI resulted in remote oxidation of the metallacyclic Ti center, indicative of a cooperative redox process. All structures were studied via X-ray diffraction and EPR spectroscopic analysis, and their electronic structures are discussed in the context of the covalent bond classification (CBC) electron counting method.

Preparation of Dimeric Monopentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium(III) Dihalides and Related Derivatives

The synthesis, crystal structure, and reactivity of a series of half-sandwich titanium(III) dihalide complexes [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)X₂] (X = Cl, Br, I) and several of its Lewis base derivatives were investigated. The reaction of the trihalides [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)X₃] (X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3)) with LiAlH₄ (≥1 equiv) in toluene at room temperature results in the formation of the halide-bridged dimers [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)X(μ-X)}₂] (X = Cl (4), Br (5), I (6)). The treatment of 4 with [Li{N(SiMe₃)₂}] (≥2 equiv) at room temperature affords the precipitation of the amido titanium(III) complex [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(μ-Cl){N(SiMe₃)₂}}₂] (7), but analogous reactions of 4 with other lithium reagents [LiR] (R = Me, CH₂SiMe₃, NMe₂) lead to disproportionation into titanium(IV) [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)R₃] and presumably titanium(II) derivatives. Similarly, complex 4 in solution at temperatures higher than 100 °C undergoes disproportionation as demonstrated by its reactions with cobaltocene and N-(4-methylbenzylidene)aniline yielding the ionic paramagnetic compound [Co(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂][Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₃] (8) and the diamagnetic diazatitanacyclopentane [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl{N(Ph)CH(p-tolyl)}₂], respectively. Treatment of complex 4 with 2 equiv of 2,6-dimethylphenylisocyanide or tert-butylisocyanide in toluene at room temperature affords the paramagnetic titanium(III) dinuclear adducts [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl(μ-Cl)(CNR)}₂] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (9), tBu (10)). Magnetic studies for polycrystalline 9 show that it displays a weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling between the Ti ions, which is consistent with the long Ti-Ti distance of 3.857(1) Å determined by X-ray diffraction. The isocyanide ligands in complex 10 undergo a reductive coupling reaction in toluene to give the titanium(IV) iminoacyl derivative [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₂}₂(μ-η²:η²-tBuN═C-C═NtBu)] (11). Whereas an analogous dinuclear structure was found in the aqua titanium(III) complex [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl(μ-Cl)(OH₂)}₂] (12), resulting from the reaction of 4 with adventitious amounts of water, compound 4 reacts with excess ammonia to give a mononuclear adduct [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₂(NH₃)₂] (13) with a robust layered pattern in the solid state.

The Puzzling Monopentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium(III) Dichloride Reagent: Structure and Properties

Following the track of the useful titanocene [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Cl] reagent in organic synthesis, the related half-sandwich titanium(III) derivatives [Ti(η⁵-C₅R₅)Cl₂] are receiving increasing attention in radical chemistry of many catalyzed transformations. However, the structure of the active titanium(III) species remains unknown in the literature. Herein, we describe the synthesis, crystal structure, and electronic structure of titanium(III) aggregates of composition [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₂} _n]. The thermolysis of [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₂Me] (1) in benzene or hexane at 180 °C results in the clean formation of [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl(μ-Cl)}₂] (2), methane, and ethene. The treatment of 1 with excess pinacolborane in hexane at 65 °C leads to a mixture of 2 and the paramagnetic trimer [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(μ-Cl)₂}₃] (3). The X-ray crystal structures of compounds 2 and 3 show Ti-Ti distances of 3.267(1) and 3.219(12) Å, respectively. Computational studies (CASPT2//CASSCF and BS DFT methods) for dimer 2 reveal a singlet ground state and a relatively large singlet-triplet energy gap. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of 2 in aromatic hydrocarbon solutions and DFT calculations for several [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₂} _n] aggregates are consistent with the existence of an equilibrium between the diamagnetic dimer [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl(μ-Cl)}₂] and a paramagnetic tetramer [{Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(μ-Cl)₂}₄] in solution. In contrast, complex 2 readily dissolves in tetrahydrofuran to give a green-blue solution from which blue crystals of the mononuclear adduct [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₂(thf)] (4) were grown.

Multi-electron Reduction Capacity and Multiple Binding Pockets in Metal-Organic Redox Assembly at Surfaces

Metal-ligand complexation at surfaces utilizing redox-active ligands has been demonstrated to produce uniform single-site metals centers in regular coordination networks. Two key design considerations are the electron storage capacity of the ligand and the metal-coordinating pockets on the ligand. In an effort to move toward greater complexity in the systems, particularly dinuclear metal centers, we designed and synthesized tetraethyltetra-aza-anthraquinone, TAAQ, which has superior electron storage capabilities and four ligating pockets in a diverging geometry. Cyclic voltammetry studies of the free ligand demonstrate its ability to undergo up to a four-electron reduction. Solution-based studies with an analogous ligand, diethyldi-aza-anthraquinone, demonstrate these redox capabilities in a molecular environment. Surface studies conducted on the Au(111) surface demonstrate TAAQ's ability to complex with Fe. This complexation can be observed at different stoichiometric ratios of Fe:TAAQ as Fe 2p core level shifts in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Scanning tunneling microscopy experiments confirmed the formation of metal-organic coordination structures. The striking feature of these structures is their irregularity, which indicates the presence of multiple local binding motifs. Density functional theory calculations confirm several energetically accessible Fe:TAAQ isomers, which accounts for the non-uniformity of the chains.