Structural basis for regioisomerization in the alkali-metal-mediated zincation (AMMZn) of trifluoromethyl benzene by isolation of kinetic and thermodynamic intermediates.

Performed with a desire to advance knowledge of the structures and mechanisms governing alkali-metal-mediated zincation, this study monitors the reaction between the TMP-dialkylzincate reagent [(TMEDA)Na(TMP)((t)Bu)Zn((t)Bu)] 1 and trifluoromethyl benzene C(6)H(5)CF(3) 2. A complicated mixture of products is observed at room temperature. X-ray crystallography has identified two of these products as ortho- and meta-regioisomers of heterotrianionic [(TMEDA)Na(TMP)(C(6)H(4)-CF(3))Zn((t)Bu)], 3-ortho and 3-meta, respectively. Multinuclear NMR data of the bulk crystalline product confirm the presence of these two regioisomers as well as a third isomer, 3-para, in a respective ratio of 20:11:1, and an additional product 4, which also exhibits ortho-zincation of the aryl substrate. Repeating the reaction at 0 degrees C gave exclusively 4, which was crystallographically characterized as [{(TMEDA)(2)Na}(+){Zn(C(6)H(4)-CF(3))((t)Bu)(2)}(-)]. Mimicking the original room-temperature reaction, this kinetic product was subsequently reacted with TMP(H) to afford a complicated mixture of products, including significantly the three regioisomers of 3. Surprisingly, 4 adopts a solvent-separated ion pair arrangement in contrast to the contacted ion variants of 3-ortho and 3-meta. Aided by DFT calculations on model systems, discussion focuses on the different basicities, amido or alkyl, and steps, exhibited in these reactions, and how the structures and bonding within these isolated key metallic intermediates (prior to any electrophilic interception step), specifically the interactions involving the alkali metal, influence the regioselectivity of the Zn-H exchange process.

Synthesis, structure and ethylene polymerisation behaviour of vanadium(IV and V) complexes bearing chelating aryloxides.

The reaction of [V(Np-tolyl)Cl3] with the sulfur-bridged diphenol ligand 2,2'-thiobis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), {2,2'-S[4,6-(t-Bu)2C6H2OH]2} (LSH2) afforded the complexes [V(LS)2] (1) and [VOCl3(MeCN)2][H3Np-tolyl] (2). Complex 2 could also be prepared directly from [V(Np-tolyl)Cl3] and 'wet' acetonitrile. Reaction of [V(Np-tolyl)(Ot-Bu)3] with LSH2 afforded [VO(mu2-OH)(LS)]2 x 6(MeCN) (3), whilst reaction of [VO(On-Pr)3] with 2,2'-sulfinylbis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), {2,2'-SO2[4,6-(t-Bu)2C6H2OH]2} (LSO2H2), afforded [V(LSO2)2] x MeCN (4). The reaction of [VO(Oi-Pr)3] with the ethylidene-bridged diphenol 2,2'-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), {2,2'-CH3CH[4,6-(t-Bu)2C6H2OH]2} (LH2) afforded the hydroxyl bridged complexes [(VOL)2(mu2-OH)(mu2-Oi-Pr)] (5) (major product) and [VO(mu2-OH)(L)]2 x 4(MeCN) (6) (minor product). In general, we find that controlled hydrolysis of [V(NAr)(On-Pr)3] (Ar = p-ClC6H4, p-OCNC6H4 or p-tolyl) in the presence of LH2 reproducibly led to the vanadyl complex [VO(mu-On-Pr)L]2 x 2(MeCN) (7), in which the n-propoxide bridges both unexpectedly lie above the V2O2 plane. Reaction of the linear triphenol 2,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-tert-butylphenol, [ArCH2Ar(1)CH2Ar] (Ar = 4,6-di-tert-butylphenol; Ar()1 = 4-tert-butylphenol) (L(1)H3), and [VO(On-Pr)3] afforded the complex [VOL(1)]2 x 3(MeCN) (8), whilst reaction of [V(Np-tolyl)(Oi-Pr)3] with the related methylene-bridged linear triphenol 2,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methylphenol, [ArCH2Ar(2)CH2Ar] (L(2)H3) (Ar(2) = 4-methylphenol), gave {[V(mu2-O)(Np-tolyl)][VO(Oi-Pr)]L(2)}2 x 1.5(MeCN) (9). The crystal structures of 1 to 9 are reported. Complexes 1-4 and 7-9 were screened as pro-catalysts for the polymerisation of ethylene in the presence of the co-catalyst dimethylaluminium chloride (DMAC) and the re-activator ethyltrichloroacetate (ETA). All are highly active ethylene polymerisation catalysts with activities covering the range 2000 to 90,000 g mmol(-1) h(-1) bar(-1), and these results are discussed in terms of the ligands present at vanadium in the pro-catalyst. Complex 3 has also been screened for ethylene/propylene copolymerisation.

Bis(tetraphenylphosphonium) (hexasulfido-2kappa2S1,S6)di-mu-sulfido-disulfido-1kappa2S-tungsten(VI)zinc(II) acetone solvate.

The title complex, (C(24)H(20)P)(2)[WZnS(4)(S(6))].C(3)H(6)O or (Ph(4)P)(2)[WS(2)(mu-S)(2){Zn(S(6))}].Me(2)CO, was unexpectedly obtained on attempted recrystallization of a mixed tungten-zinc complex of a tris(pyrazolato)borate ligand. The two metal centres of the anion have distorted tetrahedral coordination and the two tetrahedra share one S...S edge; tungsten is additionally coordinated by two terminal sulfide ligands and zinc by a chelating S(6)(2-) ligand, which has one central S-S bond significantly longer than the other four, a pattern found to be consistent for this ligand. This is the first reported example of a tetrahedral zinc centre bridging an edge of a single tetrathiotungstate(VI) or tetrathiomolybdate(VI) anion, although there are many previous examples with other metals.

(Acetato-kappaO)[tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl-kappaN2)hydroborato]zinc(II).

The title complex, [Zn(C15H22BN6)(C2H3O2)] or (Tp(Me,Me))Zn(OAc), contains a tripodal tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate ligand, a monodentate acetate ligand and a Zn(II) centre in a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment capped on one triangular face by a secondary Zn...O interaction with the second O atom of the acetate ligand. The four-coordination of Zn(II) and the essentially monodentate character of the acetate ligand are due to the high steric demands of the ligand set, which prevent chelate formation and five-coordination and lead to relatively long Zn-O and Zn-N bonds compared with related complexes of Zn(II) and other metals.

Transamination chemistry of sodium TMP-zincate: synthesis and crystal structure of a chiral amidozincate.

In a new type of reactivity for sodium TMP-zincate [(TMEDA)NaZn((t)Bu)(2)(TMP)] (1), transamination reactions with the amines diisopropylamine, DA(H), hexamethyldisilazane, HMDS(H) and chiral (R)-N-benzyl-alpha-methylbenzylamine have produced new sodium amido-di-tert-butyl zincates (all structurally characterised) with concomitant loss of TMP(H).

Mono- versus bis-chelate formation in triazenide and amidinate complexes of magnesium and zinc.

Magnesium and zinc complexes of the monoanionic ligands N,N'-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)triazenide, L1, N,N'-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)acetamidinate, L2, and N,N'-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)tert-butylamidinate, L3, have been synthesized, but only L3 possesses sufficient steric bulk to prevent bis-chelation. Hence, the reaction of L1H with excess ZnEt2 leads to the isolation of (L1)2Zn, 1; L1H also reacts with Bu2Mg in Et2O to afford (L1)2Mg(Et2O), 2. Similar reactivity is observed for L2H, leading to the formation of (L2)2Zn, 3, and (L2)2Mg, 4. The reaction of L2H with ZnR2 may also afford the tetranuclear aggregates {(L2)Zn2R2}2O, 5 (R=Me) and 6 (R=Et). By contrast, the tert-butylamidinate ligand was found to exclusively promote mono-chelation, allowing (L3)ZnCl(THF), 7, [(L3)Zn(micro-Cl)]2, 8, (L3)ZnN(SiMe3)2, 9, (L3)MgiPr(Et2O), 10, and (L3)MgiPr(THF), 11, to be isolated. X-ray crystallographic analyses of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 indicate that the capacity of L3 to resist bis-chelation is due to greater occupation of the metal coordination sphere by the N-aryl substituents.

Tert-butylamidinate tin(ii) complexes: high activity, single-site initiators for the controlled production of polylactide.

The tin(ii) coordination chemistry of two monoanionic N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)alkylamidinate ligands is described. Complexation studies with the acetamidinate, [MeC(NAr)(2)](-), (Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) are complicated by the side formation of the bis(amidinate) tin(ii) compound, [MeC(NAr)(2)](2)Sn. By contrast, the bulkier tert-butylamidinate, [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)](-), allows tin(ii) mono-halide, -alkoxide and -amide complexes to be isolated cleanly in high yields. Thus, the reaction of [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]H with (n)BuLi and subsequent treatment with SnCl(2) generates [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]SnCl, in ca. 70% yield. Reactions of with LiO(i)Pr, LiNMe(2) and LiNTMS(2) afford [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(O(i)Pr), [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(NMe(2)), and [(t)BuC(NAr)(2)]Sn(NTMS(2)), respectively. The molecular structures of complexes are reported. Complexes, and have been investigated as initiators for the ring-opening polymerisation of rac-lactide: and display characteristics of well-controlled polymerisation initiators, but high molecular weight polymer is observed with due to inefficient initiation, a consequence of the steric bulk of the NTMS(2) unit. Polymerisations with and are faster than for the corresponding beta-diketiminate tin(ii) complexes, consistent with the more open nature of the tin(ii) coordination sphere.

Synthesis and characterization of mixed-metal complexes of Ag/Cu and W/Mo and a complex of Ag with heterocyclic thione ligands.

Reactions of AgI with salts of [WS(4)](2-) or [MoS(4)](2-) and with either imidazolidine-2-thione (Imt) or [1,3]diazepane-2-thione (Diap) give the complexes [WS(4)Ag(2)(Imt)(2)](n) and [MS(4)Ag(2)(Diap)(4)] [M = W or Mo]; in the case of Diap, corresponding Cu complexes can be obtained with CuCl instead of AgI. Decomposition of the Ag-Diap complexes during attempted recrystallization leads to the polymeric complex [AgI(Diap)](n). The monomeric mixed-metal Diap complexes contain edge-sharing WS(4) and AgS(4) tetrahedra, the Diap ligands being terminally bonded to Ag through sulfur. The mixed-metal W-Ag-Imt complex is a chain polymer with two different environments for the WS(4) unit and three different coordination environments for Ag, one of which is an unprecedented AgS(5) square-based pyramid; Imt ligands are terminally coordinated to Ag. [AgI(Diap)](n) has a complex polymeric chain structure with three different distorted tetrahedral environments for Ag, direct Ag-Ag bonding, both bridging and terminal I, and all Diap ligands bridging pairs of Ag atoms. All the crystal structures feature N-H[...]S or N-H[...]I hydrogen bonding. The complexes have also been characterised by infrared, UV-Vis and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy.

Structural variations in bimetallic sodium-magnesium and sodium-zinc ketimides, and a sodium-zinc alkide-alkoxide-amide: connections to ring-stacking, ring-laddering, and inverse crown concepts.

The first sodium-magnesium and sodium-zinc ketimido complexes display contrasting inverse crown ring and pseudo-cubane structures respectively, while a sodium-zinc heterotrianionic alkide-alkoxide-amide adopts a third type of structure with a stepped ladder motif.

Dizincation and dimagnesiation of benzene using alkali-metal-mediated metallation.

Benzene can be easily 1,4-dideprotonated stoichiometrically on reaction with two equivalents of a synergic mixture of tBu2Zn, NaTMP and TMEDA to give a unique 1,4-dizincated benzene product which has been characterised by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy as well as modelled theoretically by DFT computational studies; a related synergic dimagnesiation of benzene is also reported.

Two square-planar palladium(II) complexes with P,O-bidentate hybrid ligands.

In the two square-planar palladium(II) complexes chloro[(diphenylphosphinoamino)diphenylphosphine oxide]methylpalladium(II) dimethyl sulfoxide solvate, [Pd(CH3)Cl(C24H21NOP2)].C2H6OS, (I), and chloro{[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]diethoxymethane}methylpalladium(II), [Pd(CH3)Cl(C23H25O2P)], (II), a trans disposition of the diphenylphosphino and chloro groups is observed. The Pd atom in both complexes displays a distorted square-planar configuration formed by the four unique donor atoms (P, Cl, C and O). In compound (I), the five-membered Pd-P-N-P-O metallacycle is best described as having an envelope conformation, whereas in (II) the six-membered Pd-P-C-C-C-O metallacycle adopts a skewed boat conformation. Furthermore, within the P-N-P-O backbone in (I), the P-N distances are consistent with single-bond character [1.659 (3) and 1.692 (3) A], whilst the P=O bond shows appreciable double-bond character [1.509 (2) A].

Oxo- and imidovanadium complexes incorporating methylene- and dimethyleneoxa-bridged calix[3]- and -[4]arenes: synthesis, structures and ethylene polymerisation catalysis.

Reaction of [V(X)(OR)3] (X=O, Np-tolyl; R=Et, nPr or tBu) with p-tert-butylhexahomotrioxacalix[3]areneH3, LH3, affords the air-stable complexes [{V(X)L}n] (X=O, n=1 (1); X=Np-tolyl, n=2 (2)). Alternatively, 1 is readily available either from interaction of [V(mes)3THF] with LH3, and subsequent oxidation with O2 or upon reaction of LLi3 with [VOCl3]. Reaction of [V(Np-tolyl)(OtBu)3] with 1,3-dimethylether-p-tert-butylcalix[4]areneH2, Cax(OMe)2(OH)2, afforded [{VO(OtBu)}2(mu-O)Cax(OMe)2(O)2].2 MeCN (42 MeCN), in which two vanadium atoms are bound to just one calix[4]arene ligand; the n-propoxide analogue of 4, namely [{VO(OnPr)}2(mu-O)Cax(OMe)2(O)2].1.5 MeCN (51.5 MeCN), has also been isolated from a similar reaction using [V(O)(OnPr)3]. Reaction of [VOCl3], LiOtBu, (Me3Si)2O and Cax(OMe)2(OH)2 gave [{VO(OtBu)Cax(OMe)2(O)2}2Li4O2].8 MeCN (68 MeCN), in which an Li4O4 cube (two of the oxygen atoms are derived from the calixarene ligands) is sandwiched between two Cax(OMe)2(O)2. The reaction between [V(Np-tolyl)(OtBu)3] and Cax(OMe)2(OH)2, afforded [V(Np-tolyl)(OtBu)2Cax(OMe)2(O)(OH)]5 MeCN (75 MeCN), in which two tert-butoxide groups remain bound to the tetrahedral vanadium atom, which itself is bound to the calix[4]arene through only one phenolic oxygen atom. Reaction of p-tert-butylcalix[4]areneH4, Cax(OH)4 and [V(Np-tolyl)(OnPr)3] led to loss of the imido group and formation of the dimeric complex [{VCax(O)4(NCMe)}2].6 MeCN (86 MeCN). Monomeric vanadyl oxo- and imidocalix[4]arene complexes [V(X)Cax(O)3(OMe)(NCMe)] (X=O (11), Np-tolyl (12)) were obtained by the reaction of the methylether-p-tert-butylcalix[4]areneH3, Cax(OMe)(OH)3, and [V(X)(OR)3] (R=Et or nPr). Vanadyl calix[4]arene fragments can be linked by the reaction of 2,6-bis(bromomethyl)pyridine with Cax(OH)4 and subsequent treatment with [VOCl3] to afford the complex [{VOCax(O)4}2(mu-2,6-(CH2)2C5H3N)].4 MeCN (134 MeCN). The compounds 1-13 have been structurally characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane, these complexes displayed poor activities, however, the use of dimethylaluminium chloride and the reactivator ethyltrichloroacetate generates highly active, thermally stable catalysts for the conversion of ethylene to, at 25 degrees C, ultra-high-molecular-weight (>5, 500,000), linear polyethylene, whilst at higher temperature (80 degrees C), the molecular weight of the polyethylene drops to about 450,000. Using 1 and 2 at 25 degrees C for ethylene/propylene co-polymerisation (50:50 feed) leads to ultra-high-molecular-weight (>2,900,000) polymer with about 14.5 mol% propylene incorporation. The catalytic systems employing the methyleneoxa-bridged complexes 1 and 2 are an order of magnitude more active than the bimetallic complexes 5 and 13, which, in turn, are an order of magnitude more active than pro-catalysts 8, 11 and 12. These differences in activity are discussed in terms of the structures of each class of complex.

Vanadyl C and N-capped tris(phenolate) complexes: influence of pro-catalyst geometry on catalytic activity.

Vanadyl complexes of C or N-capped tripodal ligands, possessing distorted tetrahedral geometry at vanadium, serve as extremely active, thermally robust pro-catalysts for ethylene homo- and ethylene/propylene copolymerisation, whereas pseudo-octahedral pro-catalysts produce far lower activities.

Alkali-metal-mediated zincation of anisole: synthesis and structures of three instructive ortho-zincated complexes.

The new concept of alkali-metal-mediated zincation (AMMZ), formally a zinc-hydrogen exchange reaction but one that requires the participation of an alkali metal, is applied here to the alkyl aryl ether anisole, an important molecule for studying directed ortho-metalation (DoM) chemistry. Treating one molar equivalent of anisole with the lithium dialkyl-TMP zincate reagent [THF.Li(mu-TMP)(mu-tBu)Zn(tBu)] (1) in hexane solution affords the mono-ortho-zincated complex [THF.Li(mu-TMP)(mu-o-C6H4OMe)Zn(tBu)] (2), which establishes that 1 functions as an alkyl base although previously it was regarded as an amido (TMP) base in other DoM applications. Treating two molar equivalents of anisole with 1, and increasing the reaction time, affords the bis-ortho-zincated complex [THF.Li(mu-TMP)(mu-o-C6H4OMe)Zn(o-C6H4OMe)] (3), which establishes that 1 can also function as a dual alkyl base. Omitting THF and rerunning the reaction with one or two molar equivalents of anisole affords [Ph(Me)O.Li(mu-TMP)(mu-o-C6H4OMe)Zn(tBu)] (4), which remarkably contains a combination of neutral and ortho-deprotonated anisole ligands. On isolating crystalline 4 from solution and adding THF, it converts to 2 and then to 3 on further stirring of the solution, as determined by NMR studies. This fact, along with other observations, would suggest that a complex-induced proximity effect does not need to be invoked to explain the observed zincation of anisole. The crystal structures of 2-4 are presented, as are their 1H, 13C, and 7Li NMR spectra recorded in C6D6 solution.