Hetero-bimetallic alkali titanosilicates [MOTi{OSi(OtBu)3}3]2 (M = Li-Cs) with terminal Ti-O- groups.

The molecular titanosilicate [(tBuO3)3SiO]3TiNEt2 (1) was obtained from the reaction between silanol (tBuO3)3SiOH and titanium amide Ti(NEt2)4. The reaction of 1 with alkali metal hydroxides MOH (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) offers a straightforward route to the alkaline salts of titanosilicates [MOTi{OSi(OtBu)3}3]2 with a terminal Ti-O- moiety. All compounds were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Hirshfeld atom refinement and QTAIM analysis of the electron density in 1 and in the Rb salt 5 revealed the D-A nature of the Ti-O and Ti-N bonds and the presence of agostic C-H⋯Rb interactions.

Reactivity patterns for the activation of CO2 and CS2 with alumoxane and aluminum hydrides.

Carbon dioxide is readily fixed when reacting with either alumoxane dihydride [{MeLAl(H)}2(µ-O)] (1) or aluminum dihydride [MeLAlH2] (2) (MeL = HC[(CMe)N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)]2-) to produce bimetallic aluminum formates [(MeLAl)2(µ-OCHO)2(µ-O)] (3) and [(MeLAl)2(µ-OCHO)2(µ-H)2] (5), respectively. Furthermore, [(MeLAl)2(µ-OCHO)2(µ-OH)2] (4) is easily obtained upon the reaction of 3 or 5 with H2O. The stability of the unusual dialuminum diformate dihydride core observed in 5 stems from the proximity of the Al centers allowing the formation of two Al-HAl bridges and precluding further hydride transfer to the HCO2 moieties. Contrary to this behavior, 1 and 2 react with CS2 giving cyclic alumoxane and aluminum sulfides [(MeLAl)2(µ-S)(µ-O)] (6) and [{MeLAl(µ-S)}2] (7), respectively. The molecular structures of 3-7 were characterized by IR, Raman, solution or solid-state (MAS) NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and for 4-7 were characterized by X-ray diffraction studies. NMR kinetic studies and DFT calculations suggest that the mechanisms for the formation of 6 and 7 involve the transfer of a hydride group forming transient aluminum thioformate intermediates which proceed to form Al-S-Al moieties through the cleavage of C-S bonds and insertion of a sulfur atom, followed by the elimination of thioformaldehyde.

Metal-directed self-assembly of transition metal heterometallascorpionates.

The heterobimetallic complexes [Co(LtzE)3K(THF)2] [LtzE = [{4,5-(P(E)Ph2)2}tz]-; tz = 1,2,3-triazole; E = S(3), Se(4)] featuring high-spin cobalt centres, and [Ni(LtzE)3K(THF)2] [E = S(5), Se(6)] were synthesized through the self-assembly reaction of HLtzE [E = S(1), Se(2)], KOH or K0 and MCl2 (M = Co, Ni). Compounds 3-6 exhibit an unusual metallascorpionate-type anion formed by the coordination of three triazole units via a κ2-N,E mode to the transition-metal atom, and this anion further coordinates to a potassium cation through a κ3-N',N'',N''' fashion. Compounds 3 and 5 were used in the synthesis of 3d-metal heterometallascorpionates [M(LtzS)3Cu(PPh3)] [M = Co, (7), M = Ni (8)] and the bimetallic complex [Ni(LtzE)3Ni(NO3)(THF)] (9) through metathesis reactions, pointing to stable metallascorpionate anions in solution. The solution behavior of 3-9 was investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, electrochemical methods and by magnetic-susceptibility measurements. The molecular structures of 3-6, 8 and 9 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and exhibit MM' distances ranging from 3.52 to 3.88 Å.

Self-Assembly of Aluminum- and Gallium-Based meso-Metallaporphyrins.

The molecular meso-metallaporphyrin has been obtained from the reaction of AlMe3 with the bulky 4,5-(Ph2(HO)C)2-1,2,3-triazole (1). The presence of Al-Me groups coordinated to the triazole rings creates three different stereoisomers that were identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Further studies revealed that, for steric reasons, only one of the two main stereoisomers is active in the polymerization of ε-caprolactone. When GaMe3 is used instead of AlMe3, a trimetallic species is formed instead of the meso-metallaporphyrin pointing to a metal-directed self-assembly. On the other hand, the reaction of the monolithium salt [{Li(THF)2}{κ2- N, N'-4,5-(Ph2(HO)C)-1,2,3-triazole}]2 (2; THF = tetrahydrofuran) with MCl3 (M = Al, Ga) yields meso-metallaporphyrin species with a lithium atom in the center of the metallacycle. While the gallium derivative is rather stable in solution, the aluminum analogue decomposes rapidly. In the solid state, continuous cationic columns running throughout the whole crystal are formed from alternating Li⊂[M]4 (M = Al, Ga) meso-metallaporphyrin and [Li(THF)4]+ cations. Density functional theory calculations determined that the weak Cl···H, H···H, N···H, and Cl···O interactions with a total interaction energy of -38.6 kcal·mol-1 are responsible for this unusual packing.

Molecular Group 13 Metallaborates Derived from M-O-M Cleavage Promoted by BH3.

The reaction of metalloxanes [{MeLM(OH)}2(µ-O)] [M = Al (1), Ga (2); MeL = CH{CMe(NAr)}2-, Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2, Me = methyl] with an excess of BH3·D (D = tetrahydrofuran (THF), SMe2) affords annular metallaborate systems achieved through M-O-M cleavage. Compound 1 led exclusively to the formation of eight-membered ring systems [{MeLAl(µ-O){B(OnBu)}(µ-O)}2] (3) and [{MeLAl(µ-O)(BH)(µ-O)}2] (6), while for 2 the unprecedented six-membered ring systems [{(MeLGa)2(µ-O)}(µ-O)2{B(OnBu)}] (4) and [(MeLGa)(µ-O)2{(BOnBu)2(µ-O)}] (5) were observed. The use of BH3·THF with 1 and 2 led to the concomitant THF ring-opening reaction, while with BH3·SMe2 in THF no such reaction was observed. The metallaborates [MeLAl{OB(pinacol)}(OH)] (7) and [{MeLGa(OB(pinacol))}2(µ-O)] (8) were synthesized from pinacolborane and the corresponding metalloxane, providing structural evidence that supports the reaction pathways proposed for the formation of 3-6. Density functional theory studies were performed on 3-5 to assess the effect of the metal exchange between aluminum and gallium atoms on the energy of the general ring structures.

A synthetic route to a molecular galloxane dihydroxide and its group 4 heterobimetallic compounds.

Controlled hydrolysis of (Me)LGaCl2 ((Me)L = HC[(CMe)N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)]2(-)) (1) in the presence of a N-heterocyclic carbene, as a HCl acceptor, led to the unprecedented molecular galloxane dihydroxide [{(Me)LGa(OH)}2(µ-O)] (2) in high yield. Compound 2 was used in the assembly of the heterobimetallic galloxanes with group 4 metals [{((Me)LGa)2(µ-O)}(µ-O)2{M(NR2)2}] (M = Ti, R = Me (6); M = Zr (7), Hf (8), R = Et).

Preparation of telluro- and selenoalumoxanes under mild conditions.

Syntheses of the heavy chalcogen-containing alumoxanes [(Me)LAl(SeH)]2(µ-O) (4) and ((Me)LAl)2(µ-Te)(µ-O) (7) were accomplished by the reaction of ((Me)LAlH)2(µ-O) (2; (Me)L = HC[(CMe)N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)]2(-)) with either red selenium or metallic tellurium. The aluminum hydrogenselenide [(Me)LAl(SeH)]2(µ-Se) (3) was also prepared from the reaction of red selenium and (Me)LAlH2 (1). All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction studies. Density functional theory calculations were performed on 4 and 7.

Cyclic alumosiloxanes and alumosilicates: exemplifying the Loewenstein rule at the molecular level.

The cyclic alumosiloxane [{LAl(µ-O)(Ph(2)Si)(µ-O)}(2)] (3) and alumosilicate [{LAl(µ-O){((t)BuO)(2)Si}(µ-O)}(2)] (4) were obtained by reaction of the appropriate R(2)Si(OH)(2) precursor (R = Ph, O(t)Bu) with [{LAl(H)}(2)(µ-O)] (1), providing a nice illustration of the Loewenstein rule at work at the molecular level.

Coordination diversity of aluminum centers molded by triazole based chalcogen ligands.

Equimolar and excess ratio reactions of AlMe(3) and Al(i)Bu(3) with the ligands 4,5-(P(E)Ph(2))(2)tzH (tz = 1,2,3-triazole; E = O (1), S (2), Se(3)) were performed, showing a vast variety of coordination modes. The products obtained, [AlR(2){kappa(2)-O,O'-[4,5-(P(O)Ph(2))(2)tz]}] (R = Me (4), (i)Bu (5)), [AlR(2){kappa(3)-N,N',S-[4,5-(P(S)Ph(2))(2)tz]}(mu-tz)](2) (R = Me (6), R = (i)Bu (7)), [AlMe(2){kappa(2)-N,Se-[4,5-(P(Se)Ph(2))(2)tz]}] (8), [Al{kappa(2)-N,Se-[4,5-(P(Se)Ph(2))(2)tz]}(3)] (9), [AlR(2){kappa(2)-O,O'-[4,5-(P(O)Ph(2))(2)tz]}-(N'-AlR(3))] (R = Me (10), (i)Bu (11)), and [AlR(2){kappa(2)-N,S-[4,5-(P(S)Ph(2))(2)tz]}-(N'-AlR(3))] (R = Me (12), R = (i)Bu (13)), were characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the structures of 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12 were obtained through X-ray diffraction studies. Theoretical calculations were performed on the deprotonated ligands and on selected compounds to obtain information regarding the coordination variety observed for these compounds.

Structural variety of alkali metal compounds containing P-E-M (E = S, Se; M = Li, Na, K) units derived from nitrogen rich heterocycles.

The preparation of novel alkali metal chalcogenides supported by multidentate nitrogen rich ligands is reported. Treatment of the ligand precursors [H{(4,5-(P(E)Ph(2))(2)tz}] (E = S (1a), Se (1b)) with organolithium reagents or elemental sodium and potassium in tetrahydrofuran (THF) leads to the isolation of 2-7 in high yields. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, solution and solid-state multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In the solid state, 2, 4, and 5 are dimers that contain bimetallic six-membered (M(2)N(4)) rings (M = Li, Na). In 3, the discrete monomer [Li{4,5-(P(Se)Ph(2))(2)tz}(thf)(2)] (tz = 1,2,3-triazole) contains a five-membered CPSeLiN ring which adopts an envelope conformation. The polymeric arrangement [K{4,5-(P(S)Ph(2))(2)}tz](infinity) in 6 displays different bonding modes based on the hapticity of the ligand upon binding to the potassium atom. In compounds 2-6, the presence of secondary bonding features the alkali metal chalcogen bonds.

Unusual In2N4 cores in complexes containing triazole-based chalcogen-phosphoranyl ligands.

The 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphoranyl)-1,2,3-triazole [4,5-(P(E)Ph2)2tz] derivatives of indium {kappa3-N,N',E-[4,5-(P(E)Ph2)2(mu-tz)]InMe2}2 (E = O2, S3, Se4) were prepared in good yield. In addition, compound 5 (E = O, E' = Se) was obtained from 4 through the replacement of a selenium atom in the P-Se(In) moiety by an oxygen atom, giving the mixed-chalcogen complex. The crystal structures of 2 and 5 exhibit a central C4In2N6O2P4core with an almost planar arrangement (mean deviation = 0.019 and 0.042 A for 2 and 0.100 A for 5), while the C4In2N6S2P4 core in 3 is nonplanar (mean deviation = 0.223 A).

Oxidative degradation of ethers promoted by strontium and barium tetraphenylimidodiphosphinates.

The novel M[(OPPh2)2N]2.nTHF (M = Sr (2), Ba (3)) complexes were prepared and characterized. Upon exposure to atmospheric oxygen, 2 and 3 were transformed to the dinuclear species Sr2-[(OPPh2)2N]4.2C3H6O3 (4) and Ba(2)[(OPPh2)2N]4.2C4H8O3 (5), respectively. Compounds 4 and 5 contain coordinated carboxylic acids obtained from the oxidative degradation of DME and THF, respectively, which were used as solvents for crystallization.

True square planar [M{N(SePiPr2)2-Se,Se'}2][M = Sn, Se] complexes. An extraordinary geometrical arrangement for well known centers [Sn(II), Se(II)].

The syntheses and molecular structures of [M{N(SeP(i)Pr2)2-Se,Se'}2][M = Sn(2), Se(3)] are described, these complexes consist of discrete, monomeric molecules featuring MSe4 cores that comprise true square-planar geometries.

New pinch-porphyrin complexes with quantum mixed spin ground state S=3/2,5/2 of iron (III) and their catalytic activity as peroxidase.

New complexes of the pinch-porphyrin family were obtained from the dimethylester of (proto-, meso-, and deutero-porphyrinato)iron(III) with the ligand [N,N'-bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-propane-1,3-diamine] 1-3 and with the ligand [N-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-N'-[3-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-amino]-propyl]-propane-1,3-diamine] 4-6. The UV/VIS studies of 1-6 indicate an increase in the distortion of the ligand field excited state. The 1H NMR spectra of 1-6 at RT and over the range 223-328 K show iron(III)-complexes with quantum mixed spin state (qms) S=5/2, S=3/2. The chemical shifts of the meso protons are consistent with qms state S=3/2, S=5/2, where the S=3/2 spin state is lowest in energy. For methyl-heme the chemical shifts are also consistent with a qms state but now the S=5/2 ground state is lowest in energy. ESR spectra of 1-6 show two different species, B and C, of iron(III) with qms, S=5/2, S=3/2 consistent with the 1H NMR results. Species B with 70% of S=5/2 and species C with 72.5% of S=3/2. The catalytic activity as peroxidase of 1-6 was quantified by guaiacol test; their theoretical maximum rate constants were k(cat) approximately 10(2)-10(3) M(-1) s(-1). A quantitative empirical correlation is found: the higher the 32 spin contribution to the qms state and the higher proportion of this species into the samples, the higher the peroxidase activity. Such a correlation was also obtained for pinch-porphyrins already reported.