Ferrocene-Containing Tin(IV) Complexes Based on o-Benzoquinone and o-Iminobenzoquinone Ligands. Synthesis, Molecular Structure, and Electrochemical Properties.

The addition of different substituted o-benzoquinones and o-iminobenzoquinones to tin(II) bis(o-iminophenolates) of the types (Fc-IP)2SnII and (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnII (where Fc-IP is anion 2-(ferrocenylmethyleneamino)phenolate [Fc-C(H)═N(C6H4)O-] and Fc-4,6-IP is anion 2-(ferrocenylmethyleneamino)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenolate [Fc-C(H)═N(4,6-tBu-C6H2)O-]) in tetrahydrofuran leads to the oxidation of Sn(II) to Sn(IV) with formation of the corresponding tin(IV) catecholates (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnIV(3,6-Cat) (1), (Fc-IP)2SnIV(3,6-Cat) (2), (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnIV(4-Cl-3,6-Cat) (3), (Fc-IP)2SnIV(4-Cl-3,6-Cat) (4), (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnIV(4,5-Cl2-3,6-Cat) (5), and (Fc-IP)2SnIV(4,5-Cl2-3,6-Cat) (6) or the o-amidophenolates (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnIV(AP-Me) (7), (Fc-IP)2SnIV(AP-iPr) (8), and (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnIV(AP-iPr) (9). Here ligands 3,6-Cat, 4-Cl-3,6-Cat, and 4,5-Cl2-3,6-Cat are dianions 3,6-di-tert-butyl-, 4-chloro-3,6-di-tert-butyl-, and 4,5-dichloro-3,6-di-tert-butylcatecholates, respectively, and AP-Me and AP-iPr are dianions 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-o-amidophenolate and 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-amidophenolate, respectively. Complexes 1-9 have been characterized in detail by IR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and 1H, 13C, and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of tin(IV) complexes 5, 7, and 9 in the crystalline state were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes demonstrate a series of successive oxidations involving alternately catecholato/o-amidophenolato centers and ferrocenyl moieties. The relative oxidation potentials of these redox centers depend on the acceptor properties of the redox-active chelating O,O' or O,N ligand. An increase in the acceptor properties of redox-active o-quinonato-type ligands leads to an increase in the oxidation potentials of redox ligands as well as the following oxidation of ferrocenyl group(s). In two series of complexes, (Fc-4,6-L)2SnL' and (Fc-L)2SnL', where L' is AP-iPr, AP-Me, 3,6-Cat, 4-Cl-3,6-Cat, and 4,5-Cl2-3,6-Cat, a more pronounced convergence of the oxidation potentials of the redox-active o-quinonato ligand and ferrocenyl group occurs in the series (Fc-L)2SnL'.

The Nature of P(σ2λ3↔σ2λ1) Dualism: 3a,6a-Diaza-1,4-diphosphapentalene as a Form of Stabilized Singlet Phosphinidene.

The current study provides a clear understanding of the chemical properties of annelated 3a,6a-diaza-1,4-diphosphapentalenes (DDPs), which are best viewed as stabilized singlet phosphinidenes. It was found that DDPs undergo reversible oligomerization in solution, which provides 1,2,3-diazaphosphole-substituted cyclotetraphosphines, isolated and characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Transformation of the 10-π-electron heteropentalene system into a stabilized phosphinidene occurs when the P-N bond is lengthened, which is facilitated by weak Lewis acids and bases. DFT calculations show that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of DDP has a high localization at the phosphorus atom when the N-P bond distance reaches the value of 2.53 Å. Oligomerization is a concentration-dependent process. Increasing the concentration of the monomer solution promotes tetramer formation, and vice versa: a strong dilution leads to a monomer. Tetramer solutions are photosensitive and yield monomers upon irradiation. The new annelated DDP 2 and its dichloro precursor 4 based on tetralone azine were synthesized. 4 exists in the solid state as a 1,4-dichloro isomer, while in solution it gives an equilibrium mixture of 1,1- and 1,4-isomers. Cyclohexanone-annelated diazadiphosphapentalene 1 forms a weak complex (1:1) with Ph3B, showing an elongated P-B bond (2.114(12) Å), which is noticeably larger than the sum of the covalent radii of the elements.

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.

Protonated paramagnetic redox forms of di-o-quinone bridged with p-phenylene-extended TTF: A EPR spectroscopy study.

The chemical oxidation and reduction processes of deprotonated, direduced o-quinone-exTTF-o-quinone in protic solvents were studied by EPR spectroscopy. The formation of relatively stable paramagnetic protonated redox forms of the parent triad was very surprising. The character of spin-density distribution in the semiquinone-quinone and semiquinone-catechol redox forms indicates that the p-phenylene-extended tetrathiafulvalene connector provides a quite effective electronic communication channel between dioxolene coordination sites. It was found that the deprotonated, direduced o-quinone-exTTF-o-quinone is capable to reduction of the metal copper in solution. The radical anion species formed in this reaction exists in solution as a solvent-separated ion pair with a copper cation. A character of spin-density distribution in a radical anion species leads to the conclusion that the ligand corresponds to type III of the Robin-Day classification.

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.

Lattice-Modulated Phase Transition Coupled with Redox-Isomeric Interconversion of o-Semiquinone-Catecholato into Bis(o-semiquinonato) Cobalt Complexes.

Two redox-isomeric (valence tautomeric) complexes (2,2'-bpy)Co(3,6-DBSQ)2 (1) and (1,10-phen)Co(3,6-DBSQ)2 (2) (where 2,2'-bpy = 2,2'-dipyridine; 1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; 3,6-DBSQ = 3,6-di-tert-butyl-benzosemiquinone-1,2) reveal phase transitions that accompany redox-isomeric interconversions of semiquinone-catecholato isomer into a bis-(semiquinonato) one. Phase transitions differ one from another by thermodynamic parameters (transition temperature and interval, enthalpy, and entropy). Complexes 1 and 2 have the same crystal system and space group, and they form solid solutions with any molar ratio. The number of solid solutions with the molar ratios of 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, and 1:16 of 1 per 2, respectively, were obtained. Product with 1:1 ratio was studied by precise calorimetry, by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility, and by X-ray structural analysis. All solid solutions were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry. Each solid solution possesses phase transition whose parameters depend on its composition. Transition temperature and enthalpy gradually grow with increasing of molar fraction of 1. The diagram "enthalpy-composition" is linear, whereas phase diagram "transition temperature-composition" is the bent-up arc.

Adaptive behavior of a redox-active gallium carbenoid in complexes with molybdenum.

A gallium(I) carbenoid derived from redox-active diimine 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dpp-bian) in complexes with molybdenum may serve either as a neutral [(dpp-bian)Ga:] or an anionic [(dpp-bian)Ga:](-) two-electron donor depending on the electronic state of the transition metal.

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.

The new C-C bond formation in the reaction of o-amidophenolate indium(III) complex with alkyl iodides.

The reaction of bis(4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)-o-amidophenolato)indium(III) anion with alkyl iodides is reported. This process includes oxidative addition of two RI (R = Me, Et) molecules to the non-transition metal complex and results in an alkyl transfer to ring carbon atoms with the formation of two new C-C bonds. The interaction proceeds at mild conditions and gives new indium(III) derivatives containing iminocyclohexa-1,4-dienolate type ligands.

Ferrocene-o-benzosemiquinonato tin(IV) electron-transfer complexes.

The interaction of ferrocene with tin(IV) o-benzosemiquinonato complexes in acetonitrile results in a reversible electron transfer (ET) from ferrocene to the redox-active ligand with the formation of electron-transfer complexes [(3,6-Cat)SnBr3](-)[Cp2Fe](+) (1) and [(3,6-Cat)(3,6-SQ)SnCl2](-)[Cp2Fe](+) (2), where 3,6-Cat is the 3,6-di-tert-butyl-catecholate dianion and 3,6-SQ is the 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzosemiquinonato radical anion. The ET process and the solvent effect in the system "ferrocene-o-benzosemiquinonato tin(IV) complexes" were investigated on the basis of a combination of spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 were confirmed by X-ray analysis. Complex 2 demonstrates the ferromagnetic coupling in the linear chain alternating ···D(+•)A(-•)D(+•)A(-•)··· motif.

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.

Sterically hindered o-quinone annulated with dithiete: a molecule comprising diolate and dithiolate coordination sites.

A new stable sterically hindered o-quinone annelated with a 1,2-dithiete ring was prepared by using mild conditions. The skeleton of the compound comprises diolate and dithiolate functions that have the potential to bind metals leading to the corresponding complexes. The reactivity of this compound as a ligand with respect to both coordination sites was studied. Reactions with metals indicate that the o-quinone function is reduced in the first stage to give semiquinonate and catecholate complexes. The dithiolate coordination site was involved in the reaction in a few cases only after diolate was bound. A trinuclear manganese complex with coordination on both sites was obtained and characterized by EPR spectroscopy. The electrochemical study of this quinone fused with dithiete is reported.

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.

The intramolecular rearrangement of phosphinohydrazides [R'2P-NR-NR-M] → [RN═PR'2-NR-M]: general rules and exceptions. transformations of bulky phosphinohydrazines (R-NH-N(PPh2)2, R = tBu, Ph2P).

Reactions of diphosphinohydrazines R-NH-N(PPh(2))(2) (R = tBu (1), Ph(2)P (3)) with some metalation reagents (Co[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2), LiN(SiMe(3))(2), La[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3), nBuLi, MeLi) were performed. Compound 1 was synthesized by the reaction of Ph(2)PCl with tert-butylhydrazine hydrochloride in 83% yield. This compound reveals temperature-dependent (31)P NMR spectra due to hindered rotation about the P-N bonds. Complicated redox reaction of 1 with Co[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) proceeds with cleavage of the P-N and N-N bonds to form a binuclear cobalt complex [Co{HN(PPh(2))(2)-κ(2)P,P'}(2)(µ-PPh(2))](2) (2) demonstrating a short Co···Co distance of 2.3857(5) Å, which implies a formal double bond between the Co atoms. Strong nucleophiles (nBuLi, MeLi) cause fragmentation of the molecules 1 and 3, while reactions of 3 with lithium and lanthanum silylamides give products of the NNP → NPN rearrangement [Li{Ph(2)P(NPPh(2))(2)-κ(2)N,N'}(THF)(2)] (4) and [La{Ph(2)P(NPPh(2))(2)-κ(2)N,N'}{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2)] (5), respectively. These complexes represent the first examples of a κ(2)N,N' bonding mode for the triphosphazenide ligand [(Ph(2)PN)(2)PPh(2)](-). DFT calculations showed large energy gain (52.1 kcal/mol) of the [NNP](-) to [NPN](-) anion rearrangement.

Addition of alkynes to a gallium bis-amido complex: imitation of transition-metal-based catalytic systems.

Acetylene, phenylacetylene, and alkylbutynoates add reversibly to (dpp-bian)Ga-Ga(dpp-bian) (dpp-bian=1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imino]acenaphthene) to give addition products [dpp-bian(R(1)C=CR(2))]Ga-Ga[(R(2)C=CR(1))dpp-bian]. The alkyne adds across the Ga-N-C section, which results in new carbon-carbon and carbon-gallium bonds. The adducts were characterized by electron absorption, IR, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy and their molecular structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. According to the X-ray data, a change in the coordination number of gallium from three [in (dpp-bian)Ga-Ga(dpp-bian)] to four (in the adducts) results in elongation of the metal-metal bond by approximately 0.13 Å. The adducts undergo a facile alkynes elimination at elevated temperatures. The equilibrium between [dpp-bian(PhC=CH)]Ga-Ga[(HC=CPh)dpp-bian] and [(dpp-bian)Ga-Ga(dpp-bian) + 2 PhC≡CH] in toluene solution was studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The equilibrium constants at various temperatures (298≤T≤323 K) were determined, from which the thermodynamic parameters for the phenylacetylene elimination were calculated (ΔG°=2.4 kJ mol(-1), ΔH°=46.0 kJ mol(-1), ΔS°=146.0 J K(-1) mol(-1)). The reactivity of (dpp-bian)Ga-Ga(dpp-bian) towards alkynes permits use as a catalyst for carbon-nitrogen and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The bisgallium complex was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the hydroamination of phenylacetylene with anilines. For instance, with [(dpp-bian)Ga-Ga(dpp-bian)] (2 mol%) in benzene more than 99% conversion of PhNH(2) and PhC≡CH into PhN=C(Ph)CH(3) was achieved in 16 h at 90 °C. Under similar conditions, the reaction of 1-aminoanthracene with PhC≡CH catalyzed by (dpp-bian)Ga-Ga(dpp-bian) formed a carbon-carbon bond to afford 1-amino-2-(1-phenylvinyl)anthracene in 99% yield.

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.

Chemistry of the phosphorus-nitrogen ligands. Multiple isomeric transformations of the diphosphinohydrazine bearing 8-quinolyl substituent: P→C, P→N, and P→P migrations caused by different factors.

The reaction of 8-quinolylhydrazine with 2 equiv of Ph(2)PCl in the presence of Et(3)N gives 8-[(Ph(2)P)(2)NNH]-Quin (1) (Quin = quinolyl) in 84% yield. The heating of 1 at 130 °C for 1 h in toluene results in migration of the [Ph(2)PNPPh(2)] group to a carbon atom of the quinolyl fragment to form an isomer, 7-(Ph(2)P-N═PPh(2))-8-NH(2)-Quin (2). The same migration is caused by the addition of LiN(SiMe(3))(2) to 1. On the contrary, lithiation of 1 with n-BuLi followed by the addition of ZnI(2) (1:1) affords the aminoquinolyl-phosphazenide dinuclear complex [ZnI(8-Quin-NPPh(2)═N-PPh(2))-κ(3)N,N,P](2) (4), which is a result of P→N migration. Compound 1 itself reacts with ZnI(2) in THF to form 4 and protonated molecule 1·HI, which rearranges to the more stable iminobiphosphine salt (Ph(2)P-PPh(2)═N-NH-Quin-8)·HI. Zinc iodide reacts with 2 equiv of the lithium salt of 1 without rearrangement, to form homoleptic aminoquinolyl zinc complex Zn[{(Ph(2)P)(2)NN-Quin-8}-κ(2)N,N](2) (6). Solutions of 4 and 2 in dichloromethane show luminescence at 510 and 460 nm (quantum yields are 45% and 7%, respectively). DFT calculations were provided for possible isomers and their complexes.

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.

First structurally characterized mixed-halogen nickel(III) NCN-pincer complex.

A square-pyramidal mixed-halogen nickel(III) NCN-pincer complex (PipeNCN)NiClBr (where PipeNCN=2,6-bis(piperidinomethyl)phenyl) was structurally characterized. Bromine occupies apical position; pincer ligand and chlorine atom are in the basal plane. EPR detects that complex in solution exists as a mixture of two structural isomers with bromine or chlorine atoms in the top of pyramid.