The remarkable influence of M2delta to thienyl pi conjugation in oligothiophenes incorporating MM quadruple bonds.

Oligothiophenes incorporating MM quadruple bonds have been prepared from the reactions between Mo(2)(TiPB)(4) (TiPB = 2,4,6-triisopropyl benzoate) and 3',4'-dihexyl-2,2'-:5',2''-terthiophene-5,5''-dicarboxylic acid. The oligomers of empirical formula Mo(2)(TiPB)(2)(O(2)C(Th)-C(4)(n-hexyl)(2)S-(Th)CO(2)) are soluble in THF and form thin films with spin-coating (Th = thiophene). The reactions between Mo(2)(TiPB)(4) and 2-thienylcarboxylic acid (Th-H), 2,2'-bithiophene-5-carboxylic acid (BTh-H), and (2,2':5',2''-terthiophene)-5-carboxylic acid (TTh-H) yield compounds of formula trans-Mo(2)(TiPB)(2)L(2), where L = Th, BTh, and TTh (the corresponding thienylcarboxylate), and these compounds are considered as models for the aforementioned oligomers. In all cases, the thienyl groups are substituted or coupled at the 2,5 positions. Based on the x-ray analysis, the molecular structure of trans-Mo(2)(TiPB)(2)(BTh)(2) reveals an extended Lpi-M(2)delta-Lpi conjugation. Calculations of the electronic structures on model compounds, in which the TiPB are substituted by formate ligands, reveal that the HOMO is mainly attributed to the M(2)delta orbital, which is stabilized by back-bonding to one of the thienylcarboxylate pi* combinations, and the LUMO is an in-phase combination of the thienylcarboxylate pi* orbitals. The compounds and the oligomers are intensely colored due to M(2)delta-thienyl carboxylate pi* charge transfer transitions that fall in the visible region of the spectrum. For the molybdenum complexes and their oligomers, the photophysical properties have been studied by steady-state absorption spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy, together with time-resolved emission and transient absorption for the determination of relaxation dynamics. Remarkably, THF solutions the molybdenum complexes show room-temperature dual emission, fluorescence and phosphorescence, originating mainly from (1)MLCT and (3)MM(deltadelta*) states, respectively. With increasing number of thienyl rings from 1 to 3, the observed lifetimes of the (1)MLCT state increase from 4 to 12 ps, while the phosphorescence lifetimes are approximately 80 micros. The oligomers show similar photophysical properties as the corresponding monomers in THF but have notably longer-lived triplet states, approximately 200 micros in thin films. These results, when compared with metallated oligothiophenes of the later transition elements, reveal that M(2)delta-thienyl pi conjugation leads to a very small energy gap between the (1)MLCT and (3)MLCT states of <0.6 eV.

Comments on the ring-opening polymerization of morpholine-2,5-dione derivatives by various metal catalysts and characterization of the products formed in the reactions involving R2SnX2, where X = OPr(i) and NMe2 and R = Bu(n), Ph and p-Me2NC6H4.

(3S,6S)-3-Isopropyl-6-methyl-morpholine-2,5-dione (1), and (3S,6S)-3,6-dimethyl-morpholine-2,5-dione (2), do not enter into ring-opening polymerization reactions with metal catalyst precursors commonly employed for lactides, and with Sn(II) octanoate, only low molecular weight oligomers are obtained. Reactions with R2SnX2 compounds, where R = Ph, Bu(n) and p-Me2NC6H4 and X = OPr(i) or NMe2, reveal that ring-opening of the morpholine-2,5-diones does occur, but that polymerization is terminated by the formation of kinetically-inert products such as {Ph2Sn[mu,eta(3)-OCH(Me)CONCH(Pr(i))COOPr(i)]}2 (3), and {[Bu(n))2Sn[mu,eta(3)-OCH(Me)CONCH(Me)CONMe2]}2 (4), with elimination of HX. Ph3SnOPr(i) is seen to react reversibly with morpholine-2,5-diones in toluene-d8 by 1H NMR spectroscopy while (Bu(n))3SnNMe2 reacts by ring opening to give (Bu(n))3SnOCH(Me)C(O)NHCHMeC(O)NMe2. The new organotin compounds have been characterized by 1H, 13C{1H} and 118Sn NMR spectroscopy and compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 by single crystal X-ray crystallography.

A comparison of the influences of alkoxide and thiolate ligands on the electronic structure and reactivity of molybdenum(3+) and tungsten(3+) complexes. preparation and structures of M(2)(O(T)Bu)(2)(S(t)Bu)(4), [Mo(S(t)Bu)(3)(NO)](2), and W(S(t)Bu)(3)(NO)(py).

M(2)(O(t)Bu)(6) compounds (M = Mo, W) react in hydrocarbon solvents with an excess of (t)BuSH to give M(2)(O(t)Bu)(2)(S(t)Bu)(4), red, air- and temperature-sensitive compounds. (1)H NMR studies reveal the equilibrium M(2)(O(t)Bu)(6) + 4(t)BuSH <==> M(2)(O(t)Bu)(2)(S(t)Bu)(4) + 4(t)BuOH proceeds to the right slowly at 22 degrees C. The intermediates M(2)(O(t)Bu)(4)(S(t)Bu)(2), M(2)(O(t)Bu)(3)(S(t)Bu)(3), and M(2)(O(t)Bu)(5)(S(t)Bu) have been detected. The equilibrium constants show the M-O(t)Bu bonds to be enthalpically favored over the M-S(t)Bu bonds. In contrast to the M(2)(O(t)Bu)(6) compounds, M(2)(O(t)Bu)(2)(S(t)Bu)(4) compounds are inert with respect to the addition of CO, CO(2), ethyne, (t)BuC triple bond CH, MeC triple bond N, and PhC triple bond N. Addition of an excess of (t)BuSH to a hydrocarbon solution of W(2)(O(t)Bu)(6)(mu-CO) leads to the rapid expulsion of CO and subsequent formation of W(2)(O(t)Bu)(2)(S(t)Bu)(4). Addition of an excess of (t)BuSH to hydrocarbon solutions of [Mo(O(t)Bu)(3)(NO)](2) and W(O(t)Bu)(3)(NO)(py) gives the structurally related compounds [Mo(S(t)Bu)(3)(NO)](2) and W(S(t)Bu)(3)(NO)(py), with linear M-N-O moieties and five-coordinate metal atoms. The values of nu(NO) are higher in the related thiolate compounds than in their alkoxide counterparts. The bonding in the model compounds M(2)(EH)(6), M(2)(OH)(2)(EH)(4), (HE)(3)M triple bond CMe, and W(EH)(3)(NO)(NH(3)) and the fragments M(EH)(3), where M = Mo or W and E = O or S, has been examined by DFT B3LYP calculations employing various basis sets including polarization functions for O and S and two different core potentials, LANL2 and relativistic CEP. BLYP calculations were done with ZORA relativistic terms using ADF 2000. The calculations, irrespective of the method used, indicate that the M-O bonds are more ionic than the M-S bonds and that E ppi to M dpi bonding is more important for E = O. The latter raises the M-M pi orbital energies by ca. 1 eV for M(2)(OH)(6) relative to M(2)(SH)(6). For M(EH)(3) fragments, the metal d(xz)(),d(yz)() orbitals are destabilized by OH ppi bonding, and in W(EH)(3)(NO)(NH(3)) the O ppi to M dpi donation enhances W dpi to NO pi* back-bonding. Estimates of the bond strengths for the M triple bond M in M(2)(EH)(6) compounds and M triple bond C in (EH)(3)M triple bond CMe have been obtained. The stronger pi donation of the alkoxide ligands is proposed to enhance back-bonding to the pi* orbitals of alkynes and nitriles and facilitate their reductive cleavage, a reaction that is not observed for their thiolate counterpart.

M2 delta-to-oxalate pi* conjugation in oxalate-bridged complexes containing M-M quadruple bonds.

The electronic structures of oxalate-bridged, quadruply-bonded dimolybdenum and ditungsten compounds have been investigated by a variety of computational methods employing density function theory (gradient corrected and time-dependent) which reveal the consequences of strong mixing of M2 delta and oxalate pi orbitals within extended chains and cyclic structures.

Factors influencing the reductive cleavage of C-x multiple bonds in their reactions with meal-meal multiple bonds (X = C, N, O, S).

Though metal-metal multiple bonds of the transition elements are redox active, their reactivity towards C-X multiple bonds (X = C, N, O, S) vary greatly depending principally on: 1. The coordination geometry of the metal. 2. The oxidation state of the metal and the electronic configuration of the M-M bond. 3. The nature of the attendant ligands. Specific examples of C-X multiple bond activation at dimolybdenum and ditungsten centers are presented that illustrate the importance of these factors. Evidence is presented to support the view that reductive cleavage of a C-X multiple bond can be considered to be equivalent to an intramolecular redox reaction within a [M2CX] "cluster complex," for which the frontier orbital energies of the C-X and M-M multiple bonds are of paramount importance. Some applications of these C-X reductive cleavage reactions toward organic synthesis are described.

One-dimensional polymers and mesogens incorporating multiple bonds between metal atoms.

A synthetic strategy aimed at incorporating metal-metal multiple bonds into one-dimensional polymers and liquid crystals is outlined. Specific examples taken from the use of dimetal tetracarboxylates, where the metals are molybdenum and tungsten, are presented. Depending upon the organic linking group, the one-dimensional polymers may be conducting or charge-storing, and the characterization of discrete dimers of "dimers" is used to illustrate this. The thermotropic and other physicochemical properties of mesogenic M(2)(O(2)CR)(4) compounds can be related to the intermolecular M(2)- - -O interactions as a function of M and R.

Dimolybdenum bis((S,S,S)-triisopropanolaminate(3-)): a blue compound with an unusual Mo-Mo triple bond.

Mo2(OtBu)6 and Mo2(NMe2)6 each react with (S,S,S)-triisopropanolamine (2 equiv) in benzene to yield dimolybdenum bis((S,S,S)-isopropanolaminate(3-)), Mo2[(OC-(S)-HMeCH2)3N]2 (M identical to M), as a blue crystalline solid. Cell parameters at -160 degrees C: a = 17.389(6) A, b = 10.843(3) A, c = 10.463(3) A, beta = 125.28(1) degrees, Z = 2 in space group C2. The molecular structure involves an Mo2 unit inside an O6N2 distorted cubic box. The Mo2 axis is disordered about three positions with occupancy factors of ca. 45%, 45%, and 10%. Despite this disorder, the molecular structure is shown to contain a central Mo identical to Mo unit of distance 2.15(3) A coordinated to two triolate ligands which each have two chelating arms and one that spans the Mo identical to Mo bond. The local Mo2O6N2 moiety has approximate C2h symmetry, and the Mo-N distances are long, 2.4 A. The 1H and 13C(1H) NMR spectra recorded in benzene-d6 are consistent with the geometry found in the solid-state structure. The blue color arises from weak absorptions, epsilon approximately 150 dm3 mol-1 cm-1, at 580 and 450 nm in the visible region of the electronic absorption spectrum. Raman spectra recorded in KCl reveal pronounced resonance effects with excitation wavelengths of 488.0, 514.5, and 568.2 nm, particularly for the 322 cm-1 band, which can probably be assigned to nu(Mo identical to Mo). The electronic structure of this compound is investigated by B3LYP DFT calculations, and a comparison is made with the more typical ethane-like (D3d) Mo2(OR)6 compounds is presented. The distortion imposed on the molecule by the triisopropanolaminate(3-) ligands removes the degeneracy of the M-M pi molecular orbitals. The HOMO and SHOMO are both M-M pi and M-O sigma* in character, while the LUMO is M-M pi* and the SLUMO is predominantly M-O sigma* with metal sp character. The calculated singlet-singlet transition energies are compared with those implicit in the observed electronic spectrum.

Heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants for M2(O2CR)4(0)/+, where M = Mo, W, Ru, or Rh and R = alkyl or aryl.

By the use of Nicholson's method, the heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants (ks) for the oxidation of a series of M2(O2CR)4 complexes have been determined in benzonitrile, where the metal M = Mo, W, Ru, or Rh and R = alkyl or aryl. For R = tBu, the values of ks follow the order M = Mo > W > Ru > Rh. No simple influence of R on ks was observed, although added ligands that are known to reversibly bind to the dinuclear center were shown to influence the E1/2 values in order of their basicity and to suppress the rate of electron transfer. The reported data are compared with those obtained for Cp2Fe0/+, Cp2*Fe0/+, and Ru(bpy)2(2)+/3+ and with earlier work on dirhenium multiply bonded compounds.

Dinuclear (d(3)-d(3)) Diolate Complexes of Molybdenum and Tungsten. 1. Preparation and Characterization of Complexes Derived from 2,5-Dimethylhexane-2,5-diol.

Reaction of M(2)(O(t)Bu)(6) (M = Mo, W) with 3 equiv of 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-diol (LH(2)) in hexane/THF produces orange crystals of M(2)(&mgr;-L(3))(2), Ia (M = Mo), Ib (M = W), in high yield (80%). Treatment of M(2)(NMe(2))(6) with excess (>8 fold) LH(2) in THF/hexane solution at -20 degrees C produces exclusively green crystals of M(2)(&mgr;-L)(eta(2)-L)(2)(HNMe(2))(2), IIa (M = Mo), IIb (M = W), in high yield (75%). Dissolving IIa and IIb in toluene at room temperature slowly produces Ia and Ib, respectively, the process being accelerated by heat (t(1/2) = 10 min at 60 degrees C). Compounds Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb were characterized by (1)H NMR, IR, melting point, and microanalysis, and Ib and IIb were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. Addition of excess HNMe(2) to a solution of Ia or Ib at -50 degrees C does not produce any IIa or IIb after 2 months, but at +25 degrees C, 40% IIa and IIb are produced with HNMe(2) after 2 days. Crystal data for Ib: W(2)(&mgr;-L)(3) at -171 degrees C, a = 12.568(2) Å, b = 12.568(3) Å, c = 37.075(8) Å, Z = 8, d(calcd) = 1.822 g/cm(3), space group I4(1)/a. The molecule Ib adopts an "ethane-like" staggered conformation with three eight-membered diolate rings spanning the W-W triple bond: W&tbd1;W = 2.3628(11) Å; W-O = 1.87 Å (average). Crystal data for compound IIb: W(2)(&mgr;-L)(eta(2)-L)(2)(HNMe(2))(2) at -170 degrees C, a = b = 20.198(3) Å, c = 17.819(3) Å, Z = 8, d(calcd) = 1.629 g/cm(3), space group P4/ncc. IIb has two essentially square planar WO(3)N units connected by a W-W triple bond, W&tbd1;W = 2.3196(12) Å, W-O = 1.95 Å (average), and W-N = 2.294(11) Å, and one bridging eight-membered diolate ring. The other two diolate ligands chelate at opposite ends of the molecule forming two seven-membered rings.

Detailed electronic description of triple bonds between transition metal atoms and verification by photoelectron spectroscopy.

Using the SCF-Xalpha-SW method the ground state electronic structures of (HO)(3)Mo identical withMo(OH)(3), (H(2)N)(3)Mo identical withMo(NH(2))(3), and (Me(2)N)(3)Mo identical withMo(NMe(2)) have been calculated. The results provide a detailed description of the metal-to-metal triple bonds present; some of the more important molecular orbitals are shown in detail as contour diagrams. The energy levels of all filled valence shell/molecular orbitals and the lower virtual orbitals are presented in diagrams. The pi(e(u)) and sigma(a(1g)) orbitals which have large amounts of metal character can be identified as the orbitals primarily responsible for Mo-Mo bonding. Using the transition state technique to allow for relaxation effects, the photoelectron spectra (up to 12 eV) have been calculated for Mo(2)(OH)(6) and Mo(2)(NH(2))(6) and found to compare very well, after applying a constant downshift to correct for inductive effects, with experimental spectra for Mo(2)[OCH(2)C(CH(3))(3)](6) and Mo(2)[N(CH(3))(2)](6). The experimental photoelectron spectra are reported.