Binuclear Triphenylantimony(V) Catecholates through N-Donor Linkers: Structural Features and Redox Properties.

A series of binuclear triphenylantimony(V) bis-catecholato complexes 1-11 of the type (Cat)Ph3Sb-linker-SbPh3(Cat) was prepared by a reaction of the corresponding mononuclear catecholates (Cat)SbPh3 with a neutral bidentate donor linker ligands pyrazine (Pyr), 4,4'-dipyridyl (Bipy), bis-(pyridine-4-yl)-disulfide (PySSPy), and diazobicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO) in a dry toluene: Cat = 3,6-di-tert-butyl-catecholate (3,6-DBCat), linker = Pyr (1); PySSPy (2); Bipy (3); DABCO (4); Cat = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-catecholate (3,5-DBCat), linker = Bipy (5); DABCO (9); Cat = 4,5-(piperazine-1,4-diyl)-3,6-di-tert-butylcatecholate (pip-3,6-DBCat), linker = Bipy (6); DABCO (10); Cat = 4,5-dichloro-3,6-di-tert-butylcatecholate (4,5-Cl2-3,6-DBCat), linker = Bipy (7); DABCO (11); and Cat = 4,5-dimethoxy-3,6-di-tert-butylcatecholate (4,5-(MeO)2-3,6-DBCat), linker = Bipy (8). The same reaction of (4,5-Cl2-3,6-DBCat)SbPh3 with DABCO in an open atmosphere results in a formation of 1D coordination polymer {[(4,5-Cl2-3,6-DBCat)SbPh3·H2O]·DABCO}n (12). Bis-catecholate complex Ph3Sb(Cat-Spiro-Cat)SbPh3 reacts with Bipy as 1:1 yielding a rare macrocyclic tetranuclear compound {Ph3Sb(Cat-Spiro-Cat)SbPh3∙(Bipy)}2 (13). The molecular structures of 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 13 in crystal state were established by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Complexes demonstrate different types of relative spatial positions of mononuclear moieties. The nature of chemical bonds, charges distribution, and the energy of Sb...N interaction were investigated in the example of complex 5. The electrochemical behavior of the complexes depends on the coordinated N-donor ligand. The coordination of pyrazine, Bipy, and PySSPy at the antimony atom changes their mechanism of electrooxidation: instead of two successive redox stages Cat/SQ and SQ/Cat, one multielectron stage was observed. The coordination of the DABCO ligand is accompanied by a significant shift in the oxidation potentials of the catecholate ligand to the cathodic region (by 0.4 V), compared to the initial complex.

Low-coordinate Sm(II) and Yb(II) complexes derived from sterically-hindered 1,2-bis(imino)acenaphthene (ArBIG-bian).

Reduction of ArBIG-bian (1, 1,2-bis[(2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-methylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) with an excess of samarium in tetrahydrofuran (thf) and crystallization of the crude product from a thf/toluene mixture affords [(ArBIG-bian)Sm]·C7H8 (2a), which is free of the coordinating solvent. The use of 1,2-dimethoxyethane (dme) as the reaction medium resulted in the same product, [(ArBIG-bian)Sm]·C4H10O2 (2b), which differs from 2a only in the crystal lattice solvent. Reduction of 1 with an excess of ytterbium in dme gives compound [(ArBIG-bian)Yb(dme)]·2.5C7H8 (3), containing a coordinated dme molecule. All three products consist of dianionic ArBIG-bian ligands whose bulky 2,6-(Ph2CH)2-4-Me-C6H2 groups shield effectively the metal atoms. The newly prepared compounds 2a, 2b and 3 were characterized by 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of complexes 2a, 2b and 3 have been established by single crystal X-ray analysis. The intramolecular interactions were analysed on the basis of DFT calculations. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of 2b and 3 in the region of 2-300 K was studied. The magnetic moments of complex 2b correspond to divalent samarium.

Novel dioxolene nickel complexes with sterically hindered diazabutadienes. Coupling of aza-ligands coordinated to nickel.

A square-planar bis-o-semiquinonato nickel complex interacts with N,N'-disubstituted 1,4-diazabutadienes-1,3 forming six-coordinate compounds. The X-ray structural study indicates complex geometry to be close to the octahedral. Magnetic properties are determined by metal-ligand ferromagnetic exchange interactions which are promoted by complex geometry. In polar solvents (THF, CH2Cl2, and CHCl3) complexes are partly dissociated into corresponding diazabutadiene-nickel catecholate and free o-quinone. In the case of the most sterically hindered 1,4-bis-(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diazabutadiene-1,3 in n-hexane or toluene the above-mentioned reaction is accompanied by the coupling through the back-bonded methyl groups of diazabutadiene. The organic product of the coupling was eliminated from the complex, isolated and structurally characterized. Taking into account the quantitative yield the coupling reaction is the actual procedure for the synthesis of new potential nitrogen ligands.

Interaction of Azobenzene and Benzalaniline with Strong Amido Bases.

The interaction of azobenzene with lithium dicyclohexylamide (Cy2NLi) in THF or Et2O afforded the ion-radical salt of azobenzene (1) structurally characterized for the first time and dicyclohexylaminyl radical, which begins a novel chain of transformations leading eventually to the imino-enamido lithium complex (3). Benzalaniline, being a relative of azobenzene, reacted with Cy2NLi without electron transfer by a proton-abstraction mechanism to form the dilithium salt of N(1),N(2),1,2-tetraphenylethene-1,2-diamine quantitatively.

N,N'-fused bisphosphole: heteroaromatic molecule with two-coordinate and formally divalent phosphorus. Synthesis, electronic structure, and chemical properties.

The reduction of 6,12-dichloro-1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10-octahydro-6H,12H-[1,2,3]benzodiazaphospholo[2,1-a][1,2,3]benzodiazaphosphole (3) by metallic magnesium in tetrahydrofuran (THF) affords the N,N'-fused bisphosphole 1 in 92% yield. The compound reveals a novel type of 10π-electron heteroaromatic system [NICS(0) = -11.4], containing a two-coordinate and formally divalent phosphorus atom. Compound 1 possesses a much higher coordination activity than many other diazaphospholes. This is caused by a novel type of complexation to a metal ion wherein the lone phosphorus pairs are not involved in metal coordination. Instead, the 10π-electron heteroaromatic system provides two electrons for P → M bond formation. Polarization of the ligand results in the formation of extended molecular associates or cluster compounds. Complexes of 1 with mercury dichloride [{(1)3HgCl}2(µ6-Cl)](+)Cl(-) (7) and tin dichlorides [1·SnCl2(PhMe solvate)] (8a) and [1·SnCl2] (8b) are, in fact, supramolecular in nature, containing multiple intermolecular short contacts. Crystals of complex 8a containing short Sn···Sn packing interactions were converted reversibly to metallic tin after workup with THF. The simple mixing of 1 and 3 (1:1) gave a P-P bridging dimeric species prone to easy dissociation. The addition of GeCl2(diox) to the equimolar mixture of 1 and 3 shifted the equilibrium to the formation of a poorly soluble salt-like dimer 6, which is, in fact, a stacked 18π-electron dication having a through-space delocalization of π electrons.

Boron complexes of redox-active diimine ligand.

Boron complexes (dpp-bian)BCl2 (1) and (dpp-bian)BX (X = Cl, 2; Br, 3) (dpp-bian = 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) have been prepared by reacting mixtures dpp-bian-BX3 (1 : 1) with one (1) and two (2 and 3) equivalents of sodium correspondingly in toluene. Complexes 2 and 3 reveal a moderate stability against ambient oxygen and moisture. The reaction of complex 2 with PhC≡CLi gave compound (dpp-bian)B-C≡CPh (4). Treatment of 2 with potassium hydroxide afforded complexes (dpp-bian)B-OH (5) and (dpp-bian)B-OK (6). Boron amide (dpp-bian)B-NH2 (7) has been isolated from the reaction of compound 1 with sodium in liquid ammonia. Borane (dpp-bian)B-H (8) can be prepared by the reactions of complexes 2 and 3 with LiAlH4. Diamagnetic compounds 2-8 have been characterized by IR, (1)H and (11)B NMR spectroscopy; paramagnetic complex 1 has been studied by the ESR method. Molecular structures of 2, 5, 7 and 8 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.

Reversible binding of molecular oxygen to catecholate and amidophenolate complexes of SbV: electronic and steric factors.

Edge of reactivity: The reactions of reversible binding of molecular oxygen to catecholate and amidophenolate complexes of Sb(V) are investigated by analyzing the position of electronic (E(HOMO)) and steric (G-parameter) factors. The optimal electronic and steric parameters for such type reactions are found.

Dialane with a redox-active bis-amido ligand: unique reactivity towards alkynes.

The treatment of 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dpp-bian) with one equivalent of AlCl(3) and three equivalents of sodium in toluene at 110 °C produced a stable dialane, (dpp-bian)Al-Al(dpp-bian) (1). The reaction of compound 1 with pyridine gave Lewis-acid-base adduct (dpp-bian)(Py)Al-Al(Py)(dpp-bian) (2). Acetylene and phenylacetylene reacted with compound 1 to give cycloaddition products [dpp-bian(R(1)R(2))]Al-Al[(R(2)R(1))dpp-bian] (3: R(1)=R(2)=CH; 4: R(1)=CH, R(2)=CPh). These addition reactions occur across Al-N-C moieties and result in the formation of new C-C and C-Al bonds. At elevated temperatures, compound 4 rearranges into complex 5, which consists of a radical-anionic dpp-bian ligand and two bridging alken-1,2-diyl moieties, (dpp-bian)Al(HCCPh)(2)Al(dpp-bian). This transformation is accompanied by cleavage of the dpp-bian-ligand-alkyne C-C bond, as well as of the Al-Al bond. In contrast to its analogous gallium complex, compound 1 is reactive towards internal alkynes. In the reaction of compound 1 with PhC≡CMe, besides symmetrical addition product [dpp-bian(R(1)R(2))]Al-Al[(R(2)R(1))dpp-bian] (R(1)=CMe, R(2)=CPh; 6), monoadduct [dpp-bian(R(1)R(2))]Al-Al(dpp-bian) (R(1)=CMe, R(2)=CPh; 7) was also isolated. Complexes 1-7 were characterized by IR, (1)H NMR (1-4), and electronic absorption spectroscopy (3-5); the molecular structures of compounds 1-7 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of topological and energetic characteristics of Sb complexes reversibly binding molecular oxygen.

The experimental distribution of electron density in Ph(3)(4,5-OMe-3,6-Bu(t)-Cat)Sb·MeCN (1*) and Ph(3)(4,5-N(2)C(4)H(6)-3,6-Bu(t)-Cat)Sb·MeOH (2*) complexes was studied. According to atoms in molecules theory, the Sb-C(Ph), Sb-O(catecholate), and Sb···N(O) bonds are intermediate, whereas the O-C and C-C bonds are covalent, respectively. The energy of the Sb···N(MeCN) and Sb···O(MeOH) bonds are 7.0 and 11.3 kcal/mol according to the Espinosa equation. Density functional theory and Hartree-Fock calculations were carried out for a series of catecholate and amidophenolate complexes of antimony(V). It was shown that such calculations reliably reproduce geometrical and topological parameters and therefore can be used for a criterion search of dioxygen reversible binding by the catecholate and amidophenolate complexes of antimony(V). It was found that the "critical" value of the HOMO energy vary in the range from -5.197 to -5.061 eV for reversible binding of dioxygen complexes. This can serve as a thermodynamic criterion to predict the possibility of the dioxygen reversible binding by the catecholate and amidophenolate complexes of Sb(V). The HOMO energies correlate with the conversion of the catecholate and amidophenolate complexes in corresponding spiroendoperoxide derivatives as well. The contribution of the atom orbitals of the carbon atoms in the five-membered metallocycle to HOMO in complexes with different substitutes in the 4- and 5-positions of the catecholate ligand allows predicting the place of dioxygen addition.

Synthesis and molecular structure of indium complexes based on 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone. Looking for indium(I) o-semiquinolate.

The interaction of 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone (3,6-Q) with indium in toluene leads to the tris-o-semiquinolate derivative (3,6-SQ)(3)In (3,6-SQ - radical-anion of 3,6-Q). According to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, this complex has a trigonal prismatic structure. Magnetic measurements revealed that the exchange interactions between odd electrons of the paramagnetic ligands in (3,6-SQ)(3)In are antiferromagnetic in character. The treatment of (3,6-SQ)(3)In with 2,2'-dipyridyl (Dipy) causes the displacement of one o-quinone ligand and the formation of the (3,6-SQ)In(Dipy)(3,6-Cat) (3,6-Cat - dianion of 3,6-Q) derivative containing mixed charged o-quinoid ligands. The reaction of InI with (3,6-SQ)K in THF solution is accompanied by a redox process and the potassium-indium(iii) catecholate derivative was obtained as a result. The oxidation of InI with 3,6-Q in THF produces the dimeric In(iii) iodo-catecholate complex [(3,6-Cat)(2)In·2THF]InI(2). The same derivative can be synthesized by the interaction of indium metal with a mixture of I(2) and 3,6-Q.

The first structurally characterized metal (kappa(2)N,P)-phosphinohydrazides: the key to understanding the intramolecular rearrangement R2P-NR'-NR'-M --> R'N=PR2-NR'-M. Metalloderivatives of diisopropylphosphinohydrazines: synthesis and properties.

A number of novel phosphinohydrazines, iPr(2)P-NPh-NPh-H (1), iPr(2)P-NH-NH-PiPr(2) (2), iPr(2)P-NMe-NH-PiPr(2) (3), and H-NMe-NH-PiPr(2) (4), were prepared and characterized. The interaction of 1 with 1 equiv of n-BuLi afforded a complex compound [Li(DME)(3)][Li{(NPh-NPh-PiPr(2))-kappaN}(2)] (5). The reaction of 5 with NiBr(2) resulted in the formation of the first stable transition metal phosphinohydrazide [Ni{(NPh-NPh-PiPr(2))-kappa(2)N,P}(2)] (6). Similarly, the cobalt(II) derivative [Co{(NPh-NPh-PiPr(2))-kappa(2)N,P}(2)] (7) was prepared by the reaction of 1 with Co[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2). An X-ray study reveals formation of the complexes containing elongated N-N bonds (1.443(1), 1.466(2), and 1.470(2) A for 5, 6, and 7, respectively) as compared with the starting material 1 (1.407(1) A). Nickel phosphinohydrazide 6 has a square-planar cis configuration; the cobalt complex 7 possesses a square-planar centrosymmetric trans configuration. The half-sandwich nickel(II) complex [CpNi{(NPh-NPh-PiPr(2))-kappa(2)N,P}] (8) was prepared by prolonged heating of phosphinohydrazine 1 with NiCp(2) in toluene. The lithiation of 3 with n-BuLi resulted in the formation of an iminophosphoranate [LiN=PiPr(2)-NMe-PiPr(2)] (13) (in situ), which is the product of insertion of a PiPr(2) group into the nitrogen-nitrogen bond. The hydrolysis of 13 followed by the addition of CoCl(2) gave the phosphino-iminophosphoranato complex [CoCl(2){(HN=PiPr(2)-NMe-PiPr(2))-kappa(2)N,P}] (15) according to X-ray investigation. The phosphinohydrazine 3 reacted with FeX(2) in toluene to form adducts (1:1) [FeX(2){(PiPr(2)-NMe-NH-PiPr(2))-kappa(2)P,P'}] (X = Cl (9), Br (10)), while CoCl(2) gave the complex salt [{Co(PiPr(2)-NMe-NH-PiPr(2))-kappa(2)P,P'}(2)(mu-Cl)(3)][CoCl(3)(THF)] (11). A THF solution of complex 11 shows thermochromic behavior.

Oxidation by oxygen and sulfur of Tin(IV) derivatives containing a redox-active o-amidophenolate ligand.

Oxidation of tin(IV) o-amidophenolate complexes [Sn(ap)Ph(2)] (1) and [Sn(ap)Et(2)(thf)] (2) (ap=dianion of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone (ImQ)) with molecular oxygen and sulfur in toluene solutions was investigated. The reaction of oxygen with 1 at room temperature forms a paramagnetic derivative [Sn(isq)(2)Ph(2)] (3) (isq=radical anion of ImQ) and diphenyltin(IV) oxide [{Ph(2)SnO}(n)]. Interaction of 1 with sulfur gives another monophenyl-substituted paramagnetic tin(IV) complex, [Sn(ap)(isq)Ph] (4), and the sulfide, [Ph(3)Sn](2)S. The oxidation of 2 with oxygen and with sulfur proceeds through the derivative [Sn(isq)(2)Et(2)] (7), which undergoes alkyl elimination to give two new tin(IV) compounds, [Sn(ap)(isq)Et] (5) and [Sn(ap)(EtImQ)Et] (6) (EtImQ=2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)-3-ethylcyclohexa-1,4-dienolate ligand), respectively, along with the corresponding alkyltin(IV) oxide and sulfide. Complexes 3-5 and 7 were studied by EPR spectroscopy. The structures of 3, 4 and 6 were investigated by X-ray analysis.

Postmetallocene lanthanide-hydrido chemistry: A new family of complexes [{Ln{(Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2}2(mu-H)}2] (Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Gd, Yb) supported by guanidinate ligands-synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity in olefin polymerization.

The new family of Lewis base free hydrido complexes of rare-earth metals supported by guanidinate ligands [{Ln{(Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2}2(mu-H)}2] (Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Gd, Yb) was synthesized and structurally characterized. Single-crystal X-ray and solution NMR studies revealed that these complexes are dimeric in both solid state and in [D6]benzene. The dimeric hydrido complexes can adopt eclipsed (Nd, Sm, Gd) or staggered (Y, Yb, Lu) conformations depending on the metal-atom size. Catalytic activity of these [{Ln{(Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2}2(mu-H)}2] complexes in the polymerization of ethylene, propylene, and styrene has been investigated. Complexes of Sm and Y have high catalytic activity in ethylene polymerization (1268 and 442 g mmol(-1) atm(-1) h(-1), respectively).

Triphenylantimony(v) catecholates and o-amidophenolates: reversible binding of molecular oxygen.

Novel neutral antimony(V) complexes were isolated as crystalline materials and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy: o-amidophenolate complexes [4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-o-amidophenolato]triphenylantimony(V) (Ph3Sb[AP-Me], 1) and [4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-amidophenolato]triphenylantimony(v) (Ph3Sb[AP-iPr], 2); catecholate complexes (3,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxycatecholato)triphenylantimony(V) (Ph3Sb[(MeO)Cat], 3), its methanol solvate 3CH3OH (4); (3,6-di-tert-butyl-4,5-di-methoxycatecholato)triphenylantimony(V) (Ph3Sb[(MeO)2Cat], 5) and its acetonitrile solvate 5CH3CN (6). Complexes 1-7 were synthesized by oxidative addition of the corresponding o-iminobenzoquinones or o-benzoquinones to Ph3Sb. In the case of the phenanthrene-9,10-diolate (PhenCat) ligand, two different complexes were isolated: Ph3Sb[PhenCat] (7) and [Ph4Sb]+[Ph2Sb(PhenCat)2]- (8). Complexes 7 and 8 were found to be in equilibrium in solution. Molecular structures of 2, 4, 6, and 8 were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1-7 reversibly bind molecular oxygen to yield Ph3Sb[L-Me]O2 (9), Ph3Sb[L-iPr]O2 (10), Ph3Sb[(MeO)L']O2 (11), Ph3Sb[(MeO)2L']O2 (12) and Ph3Sb[PhenL']O2 (13), which contain five-membered trioxastibolane species (where L is the O,O',N-coordinated derivative of a 1-hydroperoxy-6-(N-aryl)-iminocyclohexa-2,4-dienol, and L' the O,O',O''-coordinated derivative of 6-hydroperoxy-6-hydroxycyclohexa-2,4-dienone). Complexes 9-13 were characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.

Bridging mu-eta(5):eta(4)-coordination of an indenyl ligand and reductive coupling of diazabutadienes in the assembly of di- and tetranuclear mixed-valent ytterbium indenyldiazabutadiene complexes.

The redox reaction of [Yb(C(9)H(7))(2)(thf)(2)] with the diazabutadiene PhN==C(Me)--C(Me)==NPh (DAD) has been found to depend on the molar ratio of the reactants. Reaction in a 1:2 molar ratio affords the dinuclear mixed-valent complex [Yb(2)(mu-eta(5):eta(4)-C(9)H(7))(eta(5)-C(9)H(7))(2){mu-eta(4):eta(4)-PhNC(Me)==C(Me)NPh}] containing an indenyl ligand with an unusual mu-eta(5):eta(4) bridging coordination. Reaction of equimolar amounts of these compounds results in an organolanthanide-mediated reductive coupling of the DAD ligands and formation of the tetranuclear mixed-valent complex [Yb(2)(mu-eta(5):eta(4)-C(9)H(7))(eta(5)-C(9)H(7))(2){mu-eta(4):eta(4)-PhNC(CH(2))==C(Me)NPh}](2) with a novel tetradentate tetraimine ligand.