Syntheses, Characterization, and Multifaceted Coordination Chemistry of Hydrazonido Titanium Complexes.

The reaction of hydrazones with bis(π-η5:σ-η1-pentafulvene)titanium complexes leads to both hydrazonido and hydrazido complexes depending on the interaction of the hydrazone with the fulvene ligand of the metal complex. The molecular structures mostly reveal κ2N,N side-on coordination of the hydrazonido ligand due to the deprotonation of the N-H bond by one of the fulvene moieties. Instead of deprotonation, the reaction of the bis(adamantylidene fulvene)titanium complexes with cinnamon aldehyde phenylhydrazone leads to κ1N coordination. By using donating groups in the backbone of the hydrazone ligands, there are exceptions to this coordination mode due to the insertion of the C═N double bond into the Ti-Cexo bond of the pentafulvene moiety. Using 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde phenylhydrazone, a formal κ3N,N,N ligand system is formed by the coordination of the pyridine nitrogen atom to the metal center via consecutive N-H deprotonation and insertion. Finally, the use of salicylaldehyde phenylhydrazone ultimately produces a complex with the κ3N,N,O coordination mode by double deprotonation of the hydrazone N-H and O-H functions. Because of its slow conversion to the final product, the intermediate was isolated as an insertion product with consecutive O-H deprotonation, showing a κ2N,O coordination mode of the hydrazido ligand.

Vanadium Pentafulvene Complexes: Synthon for Unprecedented VanadoceneIII Derivatives.

The benzene ligand at CpV(η6 -C6 H6 ) (1) is exchanged for pentafulvenes. Using sterically demanding pentafulvenes gives a clean exchange reaction, yielding vanadium pentafulvene (2 a and 2 b) and benzofulvene complexes (3 a and 3 b). The molecular structures of the target compounds suggest a π-η5 :σ-η1 coordination mode with a vanadiumIII center. With the sterically low demanding 6,6-dimethylpentafulvene, a C-H activation at the leaving ligand is observed, yielding the ring-substituted vanadoceneII 4. The reactivity of the pentafulvene complexes was investigated. A series of unprecedented vanadoceneIII compounds were synthesized: Under mild conditions, E-H splitting of 4-tert-butylphenol, diphenylamine, and 2,6-diisopropylaniline yield well characterized examples of rare vanadoceneIII phenolate and amide complexes. Insertion reactions into the V-Cexo bond of the pentafulvene complexes by multiple bond containing substrates were found for acetone, 4-chlorobenzonitril and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide.

A niobium pentafulvene ethylene complex: synthesis, properties and reaction pathways.

The π-η5:σ-η1 coordination mode of early transition metal pentafulvene ligands yields a strongly nucleophilic exocyclic carbon atom (Cexo). The substitution of the chlorido ligand of bis(η5:η1-(di-p-tolyl)pentafulvene)niobium chloride (1) by reaction with ethyl magnesium bromide is subsequently followed by a ß-C-H activation employing this Cexo, forming the pentafulvene niobium ethylene complex 2. The intermediately formed ethyl complex can be intercepted with water, protonating both pentafulvene moieties and thereby retaining the ethyl moiety to give the terminal oxo complex 3. Complex 2 shows cooperative reactions of the remaining pentafulvene and the ethylene ligand. While the pentafulvene functions as a proton acceptor, the ethylene can be liberated to provide a NbIII metal center, available for E-H bond addition. Thereby, the imido hydride complex 4 and niobaaziridine hydride 5 are obtained. These hydride complex formations are investigated by deuterium labeling, concluding the redox mechanism. An alternative ß-hydride elimination pathway is further disproven by purposely synthesizing a proposed intermediate and thermally treating it, to show that it does not undergo the ß-hydride elimination under reaction conditions.

FLP behaviour of cationic titanium complexes with tridentate Cp,O,N-ligands: highly efficient syntheses and activation reactions of C-X bonds (X = Cl, F).

The synthesis of cationic titanium complexes 4a,b with tridentate Cp,O,N-ligand frameworks, starting from the monopentafulvene complex Cp*Ti(Cl)(π-η5:σ-η1-C5H4CR2 (CR2 = adamantylidene) (1) and bidentate O,N-ligand precursors CH3C(O)CH2CH2NR2 (R = Et, CH2Ph) (L1a,b), in a high-yielding and efficient two-step synthetic pathway is described. The ß-aminoketones L1a,b were synthesized by a herein reported solvent- and catalyst-free reaction. The reaction pathway involves insertion reactions, subsequent methylations and final activations with B(C6F5)3. NMR investigations of the cationic titanium complex 4a in deuterated dichloromethane revealed an ongoing selective reaction under formation of the cationic complex 5a-d2, which is the result of C-Cl bond cleavage. In addition to selective C-Cl bond activation reactions, C(sp3)-F bonds were activated by 4a,b, pointing out the special tm-FLP nature of 4a,b.