Stable Lewis Base Adducts of Tetrahalodiboranes: Synthetic Methods and Structural Diversity.

A series of 22 new bis(phosphine), bis(carbene), and bis(isonitrile) tetrahalodiborane adducts has been synthesized, either by direct adduct formation with highly sensitive B2 X4 precursors (X=Cl, Br, I) or by ligand exchange at stable B2 X4 (SMe2 )2 precursors (X=Cl, Br) with labile dimethylsulfide ligands. The isolated compounds have been fully characterized using NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and, for 20 of these compounds, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing an unexpected variation in the bonding motifs. In addition to the classical B2 X4 L2 diborane(4) bis-adducts, certain more sterically demanding carbene ligands induce a halide displacement which led to the first halide-bridged monocationic diboron species, [B2 X3 L2 ]A (A=BCl4 , Br, I). Furthermore, low-temperature 1:1 reactions of B2 Cl4 with sterically demanding N-heterocyclic carbenes led to the formation of kinetically unstable mono-adducts, one of which was structurally characterized. A comparison of the NMR spectra and structural data of new and literature-known bis-adducts shows several trends pertaining to the nature of the halides and the stereoelectronic properties of the Lewis bases employed.

Boryl- and Silyl-Substituted Mixed Sandwich Compounds of Scandium.

An improved, one-pot synthesis of the linear sandwich compound [Sc(η5 -C5 H5 )(η8 -C8 H8 )] is presented. The synthetic procedure is amenable to boryl- and silyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl and cyclooctatetraenyl ligands, thereby yielding the first functionalized derivatives. We found that the synthesis of the silyl-substituted mixed sandwich complexes produces higher yields when the ligand exchange is carried out stepwise, by isolating the intermediate trimethylsilylated half-sandwich complex [Sc(η8 -C8 H7 SiMe3 )Cl(THF)] (THF=tetrahydrofuran). The molecular structures of the parent complex, as well as of its mono-boryl-substituted derivatives, have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, the optical and electrochemical properties of the mixed sandwich complexes are reported.

Fundamental Differences between Group 8 Metals: Unexpected Oxidation State Preferences and Mechanisms in Ruthenium Borylene Complex Formation.

The reaction of the salts K[Ru(CO)3 (PMe3 )(SiR3 )] (R=Me, Et) with Br2 BDur or Cl2 BDur (Dur=2,3,5,6-Me4 C6 H) leads to both boryl and borylene complexes of divalent ruthenium, the former through simple salt elimination and the latter through subsequent CO loss and 1,2-halide shift. The balance of products can be altered by varying the reaction conditions; boryl complexes can be favored by the addition of CO, and borylene complexes by removal of CO under vacuum. All of these products are in competition with the corresponding (aryl)(halo)(trialkylsilyl)borane, a reductive elimination product. The Ru(II) borylene products and the mechanisms that form them are distinctly different from the analogous reactions with iron, which lead to low-valent borylene complexes, highlighting fundamental differences in oxidation state preferences between iron and ruthenium.

New outcomes of Lewis base addition to diboranes(4): electronic effects override strong steric disincentives.

Two surprising new outcomes of the reaction of Lewis bases with dihalodiboranes(4) are presented, including sp(2)-sp(3) diboranes in which the Lewis base unit is bound to a highly sterically congested boron atom, and a rearranged double base adduct. The results provide a fuller understanding of the reactivity of diboranes, a poorly-understood class of molecule of critical importance to synthetic organic chemistry.

Ansa-Complexes of [Mn(η(5) -C5 H5 )(η(6) -C6 H6 )]: Preparation, Characterization, and Reactivity of [n]Manganoarenophanes (n=1, 2, 3).

We report the synthesis of [n]manganoarenophanes (n=1, 2) featuring boron, silicon, germanium, and tin as ansa-bridging elements. Their preparation was achieved by salt-elimination reactions of the dilithiated precursor [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 Li)(η(6) -C6 H5 Li)]⋅pmdta (pmdta=N,N,N',N',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) with corresponding element dichlorides. Besides characterization by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, the identity of two single-atom-bridged derivatives, [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SntBu2 ] and [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SiPh2 ], could also be determined by X-ray structural analysis. We investigated for the first time the reactivity of these ansa-cyclopentadienyl-benzene manganese compounds. The reaction of the distannyl-bridged complex [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )Sn2 tBu4 ] with elemental sulfur was shown to proceed through the expected oxidative addition of the Sn-Sn bond to give a triatomic ansa-bridge. The investigation of the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) capability of [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SntBu2 ] with [Pt(PEt3 )3 ] showed that an unexpected, unselective insertion into the Cipso -Sn bonds of [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SntBu2 ] had occurred.

Unexpected luminescence behavior of coinage metal π-diborene complexes.

A number of unprecedented photophysical phenomena were observed in the study of luminescent π-diborene complexes of Cu and Ag. These observations included unusually high fluorescence quantum yields (up to 100%) in solution for complexes of these metals. This result indicates that very little or no intersystem crossing between S1 and T(n) occurs in the complexes, despite the strong spin-orbit coupling of the metal atoms. The replacement of carbon with boron thus yields luminescent isolobal analogues of otherwise non-emissive olefin complexes of Cu and Ag.

A paramagnetic heterobimetallic polymer: synthesis, reactivity, and ring-opening polymerization of tin-bridged homo- and heteroleptic vanadoarenophanes.

The synthesis of the first tin-bridged bis(benzene) vanadium and trovacene sandwich compounds and the investigation of their oxidative addition and insertion behavior are reported. The vanadoarenophanes and the corresponding platinum insertion products were fully characterized including electrochemical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. Controllable ring-opening polymerization of the heteroleptic tin-bridged [1]trovacenophane using Karstedt's catalyst yields a high molecular weight polymer (up to M(n) = 89 200 g·mol(-1)) composed of d(5)-vanadium metal centers in the main chain, making it a rare example of a spin-carrying macromolecule. Magnetic susceptibility measurements (SQUID) confirm the paramagnetic scaffold with repeating S = 1/2 centers in the main chain and suggest antiferromagnetic interactions between adjacent spin sites (Weiss constant Θ = -2.9 K).

Platinum trans-Bis(borirene) complexes displaying coplanarity and communication across a platinum metal center.

Ambient-temperature photolysis of the aminoborylene complex [(OC)5 Cr=B=N(SiMe3 )2 ] in the presence of a series of trans-bis(alkynyl)platinum(II) precursors of the type trans-[Pt(CCAr)2 (PEt3 )2 ] (Ar=Ph, p-C6 H4 OMe, and p-C6 H4 CF3 ) successfully leads to twofold transfer of the borylene moiety [:B=N(SiMe3 )2 ] onto the alkyne functionalities. The alkynyl precursors and resultant bis(borirene)platinum(II) complexes formed are of the type trans-[Pt(B{=N(SiMe3 )2 }C=CAr)2 (PEt3 )2 ] (Ar=Ph, p-C6 H4 OMe, and p-C6 H4 CF3 ). These species have all been successfully characterized by NMR, IR, and UV/Vis spectroscopy as well as by elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction has verified that these trans-bis(borirene)platinum(II) complexes display coplanarity between the twin three-membered rings across the platinum core in the solid state and stand as the first examples of coplanar conformations of twin borirene systems. These complexes were modeled using density functional theory (DFT), providing information helpful in determining the ability of the transition metal core to interact with each individual borirene ring system and allowing for the observed coplanarity of these rings in the solid state. This proposed transition metal interaction with the twin borirene systems is manifested in the electronic characterization of these borirene species, which display divergent photophysical UV/Vis spectroscopic profiles compared to a previously published mono(borirene)platinum(II) complex.

Boron as a powerful reductant: synthesis of a stable boron-centered radical-anion radical-cation pair.

Despite the fundamental importance of radical-anion radical-cation pairs in single-electron transfer (SET) reactions, such species are still very rare and transient in nature. Since diborenes have highly electron-rich BB double bonds, which makes them strong neutral reductants, we envisaged a possible realization of a boron-centered radical-anion radical-cation pair by SET from a diborene to a borole species, which are known to form stable radical anions upon one-electron reduction. However, since the reduction potentials of all know diborenes (E1/2 =-1.05/-1.55 V) were not sufficiently negative to reduce MesBC4 Ph4 (E1/2 =-1.69 V), a suitable diborene, IiPr⋅(iPr)BB(iPr)⋅IiPr, was tailor-made to comply with these requirements. With a halfwave potential of E1/2 =-1.95 V, this diborene ranks amongst the most powerful neutral organic reductants known and readily reacted with MesBC4 Ph4 by SET to afford a stable boron-centered radical-anion radical-cation pair.

A facile and selective route to remarkably inert monocyclic NHC-stabilized boriranes.

Herein we report a facile and selective synthetic route to monocyclic NHC-stabilized boriranes. We have succeeded in obtaining two highly stable new boriranes through salt elimination of NHC-stabilized dichloroboranes with the dianion of trans-stilbene, Na2[C14H12]. One borirane was observed to undergo reaction with [Pt(PEt3)3], in which the Pt(0) center oxidatively adds a backbone C-H bond of the NHC, leading to the isolation of the Pt(II) complex trans-[(Et3P)2PtH{C=CH(NMe)2C·BPh(C14H12)}]. The remarkable inertness of the NHC-boriranes suggests a strong stabilising effect of quaternization of the boron atom.

Isolation of a neutral boron-containing radical stabilized by a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene.

Utilizing a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) as a ligand, neutral CAAC-stabilized radicals containing a boryl functionality could be prepared by reduction of the corresponding haloborane adducts. The radical species with a duryl substituent was fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. Compared to known neutral boryl radicals, the isolated radical species showed larger spin density on the boron atom. Furthermore, the compound that was isolated is extraordinarily stable to high temperatures under inert conditions, both in solution and in the solid state. Electrochemical investigations of the radical suggest the possibility to generate a stable formal boryl anion species.

Boron radical cations from the facile oxidation of electron-rich diborenes.

The realization of a phosphine-stabilized diborene, Et3P⋅(Mes)B=B(Mes)⋅PEt3 (4), by KC8 reduction of Et3P⋅B2Mes2Br2 in benzene enabled the evaluation and comparison of its electronic structure to the previously described NHC-stabilized diborene IMe⋅(Dur)B=B(Dur)⋅IMe (1). Importantly, both species feature unusual electron-rich boron centers. However, cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and DFT calculations revealed a significant influence of the Lewis base on the reduction potential and absorption behavior of the BB double bond system. Thus, the stronger σ-donor strength and larger electronegativity of the NHC ligand results in an energetically higher-lying HOMO, making 1 a stronger neutral reductant as 4 (1: E(1/2)=-1.55 V; 4: -1.05 V), and a smaller HOMO-LUMO gap of 1 accompanied by a noticeable red-shift of its lowest-energy absorption band with respect to 4. Owing to the highly negative reduction potentials, 1 and 4 were easily oxidized to afford rare boron-centered radical cations (5 and 6).

Metal-only Lewis pairs by reversible insertion of ruthenium and osmium fragments into metal-boron double bonds.

New metal-only Lewis pairs (MOLPs: Ru→Cr and Os→Cr) are prepared by the insertion of a zerovalent ruthenium or osmium complex into chromium-boron double bonds of borylene complexes. The reaction creates new borylene complexes (the first ever for osmium), and is crystallization-controlled; re-dissolving the complexes results in regeneration of the starting materials. A mechanism is proposed based on DFT calculations, along with a computational study of the unusual MOLPs.

Diverse reactions of N-heterocyclic carbenes with an alkynylborane and isolation of a reactive zwitterionic borataallene.

Ethynyldimesitylborane (1) is synthesised via salt elimination and its reactivity towards NHCs is studied. Depending on their size, NHCs attack either at the boron atom or at the ß-alkynyl carbon atom. Steric control over the reaction was probed by reactions with N-heterocyclic carbenes yielding a carbene-borane adduct (2), a 1-boraindane (3), and the first structurally characterised borataallene (4).

Phosphine-triggered co-catenation of :BR and CO on an iron atom.

The chain gang: By treatment of an iron bis(borylene) complex with PCy3 and subsequent stepwise substitution of a CO ligand by PMe3 , a catenated 1D OC-B-B-CO chain was generated in the coordination sphere of iron. This is an CO analogue of the recently reported 1D B-B-B-B chain in the iron tetraboron complex [(OC)2Fe{BN(SiMe3)2}2(BDur)2]. Dur=2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenyl.

Conversion of trans-diboran(4)yl platinum complexes into their cis-bisboryl analogues.

The diboran(4)yl trans-[(iPr3 P)2 Pt(Br){B(NMe2 )B(NMe2 )Br}] (1) is readily converted into its cis-bisboryl analogues 2 and 3 by reaction with the chelating bisphosphines 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane (dcpe) and 1,1-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane (dcpm), respectively. A plausible mechanism of this transformation consists of a sequence of reductive diborane(4) elimination and subsequent reoxidative addition of its BB bond to the low-valent platinum centers. Thus, the forced cis configuration of the phosphine ligands induces a change in the preferred reaction site of the diborane(4) with respect to oxidative addition. The reactions proceed with high selectivities, and the cis-bisboryl complexes 2 and 3 were isolated in moderate yields (55 and 46 %). Moreover, their identity was clearly verified by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies.

Base-stabilized boryl and cationic haloborylene complexes of iron.

The synthesis of base-stabilized boryl and borylene complexes is reported. An N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilized iron-dihydroboryl complex was prepared by two different routes including methane liberation and salt elimination. A range of base-stabilized iron-dichloroboryl complexes was prepared by addition of Lewis bases to boryl complexes. Base-stabilized, cationic monochloroborylene complexes were synthesized from these boryl complexes by halide abstraction by using weakly coordinating anions.

Synthesis and structure of the first heterodinuclear bis(borylene) complexes.

We report a facile synthesis of the first heterodinuclear bis(borylene) complex by reaction of an iron bis(borylene) complex with [Pt(PCy3)2], and its fully-reversible CO uptake and liberation reaction.

Diboran(4)yl platinum(II) complexes.

The platinum diboran(4)yl complexes 1-3 have been prepared by the selective oxidative addition of one B-Hal bond in aryl-substituted diboranes(4) Hal2B2Ar2 (Hal = Cl, Ar = mes, dur; Hal = I, Ar = mes). Because of the electron deficiency of the remote B2 atom, all species show a rare dative Pt-B bonding interaction, whose magnitude is strongly dependent on the nature of the halide substituent.