Platinum allenylidene complexes and formation of platinum and palladium acetonitrile alkynyl complexes

The platinum(0) complex [Pt(PPh₃)₄] reacts with brominated propargylic amides and esters in benzene by oxidative addition to give trans-[Br(PPh₃)₂Pt-CC-C(O)R] complexes whereas no reaction occurs when halogenated solvents (CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃) are used. The cis-ligands PPh₃ can be replaced by P(ⁱPr)₃ and the bromide by trifluoroacetate. O-Alkylation of those trans-[X(PR′₃)₂Pt-CC-C(O)R] complexes (X = Br, CF₃COO; R′ = Ph, ⁱPr) derived from propargylic amides with MeOTf or [Me₃O]BF₄ in CH₂Cl₂ gives the first cationic monoallenylidene complexes of platinum, trans-[X(PR′₃)₂PtCCC(OMe)NR₂]⁺Y⁻ (Y = OTf, BF₄). In contrast, trans-[Br(PPh₃)₂Pt-CC-C(O)OMenthyl] derived from a propargylic ester does not react with MeOTf in CH₂Cl₂. However, in acetonitrile instead of O-methylation the substitution of acetonitrile for the bromide ligand to yield the cationic acetonitrile alkynyl platinum complex trans-[MeCN(PPh₃)₂Pt-CC-C(O)OMenthyl]⁺OTf⁻ is observed. The related palladium complexes trans-[X(PR′₃)₂Pd-CC-C(O)OR] (X = Br, CF₃COO; R′ = Ph, ⁱPr, R = menthyl, Et) react with MeOTf or [Et₃O]BF₄ analogously affording trans-[MeCN(PR′₃)₂Pd-CC-C(O)OR]⁺Y⁻ (Y = OTf, BF₄).     

Mononuclear and dinuclear iridium and heterodinuclear iridium-rhodium complexes derived from 1,4-C6H4(CCSiMe3)2 as precursor

The labile iridium(I) precursor trans-[IrCl(C₈H₁₄)(PiPr₃)₂] (2), prepared in situ from [IrCl(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ (1) and PiPr₃, reacted with equimolar amounts of 1,4-C₆H₄(CCSiMe₃)₂ (3) at 60 °C to give the mononuclear vinylidene complex trans-[IrCl(CC(SiMe₃)C₆H₄CCSiMe₃)(PiPr₃)₂] (4). From 2 and 3 in the molar ratio of 2:1, the dinuclear compound trans,trans-[(PiPr₃)₂ClIr(CC(SiMe₃)C₆H₄C(SiMe₃)C)IrCl(PiPr₃)₂] (5) was obtained. Reaction of 4 with [RhCl(PiPr₃)₂]₂ (6) at room temperature afforded the heterodinuclear alkyne(vinylidene) complex trans,trans-[(PiPr₃)₂ClIr(CC(SiMe₃)C₆H₄CCSiMe₃)RhCl(PiPr₃)₂] (7), which on heating at 45 °C was converted to the bis(vinylidene) isomer trans,trans-[(PiPr₃)₂ClIr(CC(SiMe₃)C₆H₄C(SiMe₃)C)RhCl(PiPr₃)₂] (8).     

Benzene and heterocyclic rings formation in cycloaddition reactions catalyzed by RuCp derivatives: DFT studies

The mechanism of the RuCp(COD)Cl catalyzed cyclotrimerization of acetylene, as well as the cyclocotrimerization of two alkynes with one molecule of ethylene, R-CN (R = H, Me, Cl, COOMe), CX₂ (X = O, S, Se), and HNCX (X = O, S) investigated by means of high level DFT/B3LYP calculations, has been reviewed. The key reaction step is in all cases the oxidative coupling of two alkyne ligands to give a metallacyclopentatriene intermediate (or metallacyclopentadiene in other systems). This metallacycle adds unsaturated molecules, containing CC, CC and CX bonds, or RCN, CX₂, and HNCX, in a concerted fashion, directly to the RuC bond, forming bicyclic carbenes. The cycle is completed by a rearrangement followed by an exothermic displacement of the arene or pyridine, by two acetylene molecules regenerating the catalytically active species. Small differences are found depending on the molecules and bonds involved. These reactions are reviewed and the proposed mechanisms compared with other available studies.     

Ferrocene- and ruthenocene-containing chalcones: A spectroscopic and electrochemical study

Chalcones of the type Mc-CO-CHCH-Ph, Ph-CO-CHCH-Mc and Mc-CO-CHCH-Mc with Mc = Fc = ferrocenyl or Rc = ruthenocenyl, and Ph = phenyl were synthesized. Synthesis was achieved by base catalyzed Claisen-Schmidt condensation of the appropriated acetyl and aldehyde in ethanol. Cyclic voltammetry in CH₃CN in the presence of 0.1 mol dm⁻³ [N(Bu)₄][PF₆] revealed chemical and electrochemical reversible behaviour for the Fc/Fc⁺ couple and irreversible electrochemistry for the two electron Rc/Rc²⁺ couple. The potential ranges for the Fc/Fc⁺ couple varied in the range 138 ? E°′ ? 302 mV while E_pa for Rc/Rc²⁺ couple was between 358 and 510 mV vs. FcH/FcH⁺, the internal standard. Chalcones with the carbonyl group adjacent to the metallocene, are more difficult to oxidize.     

Synthesis and structures of bimetallic silicon-containing imido alkylidene complexes of molybdenum Me2Si[CHMo(NAr)(ORF3)2]2 and PhVinSi[CHMo(NAr)(ORF3)2]2

Bimetallic alkylidene complexes of molybdenum (R_F3O)₂(ArN)MoCH-SiMe₂-CHMo(NAr)(OR_F3)₂ (1) and (R_F3O)₂(ArN)MoCH-SiPhVin-CHMo(NAr)(OR_F3)₂ (2) (Ar = 2,6-C₆H₃; R_F3 = CMe₂CF₃) have been prepared by the reactions of vinyl silicon reagents Me₂Si(CHCH₂)₂ and PhSi(CHCH₂)₃ with known alkylidene compound PhMe₂C-CHMo(NAr)(OR_F3)₂. Complexes 1 and 2 were structurally characterized. Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctene using compounds 1 and 2 as initiators led to the formation of high molecular weight polyoctenamers with predominant trans-units content in the case of 1 and predominant cis-units content in the case of 2.     

Mononuclear and tetranuclear palladacycles with terdentate [C,N,N] and [C,N,O] Schiff base ligands. C-H versus C-Br activation reactions

Reaction of the Schiff base ligands 2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (a) and 4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₃C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (b) with Pd(OAc)₂ or K₂[PdCl₄] leads to the mononuclear cyclometallated compounds [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(OCOMe)] (1a) and [Pd{4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(Cl)] (1b), derived from C-H activation at the C6 carbon. Treatment of a with Pd₂(dba)₃ gave [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N,N}(Br)] (2a), via C-Br activation.The metathesis reaction of 1a with aqueous sodium chloride gave [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(Cl)] (3a), with exchange of the acetate group by a chloride ligand. Treatment of the cyclometallated monomers 1a-3a with PPh₃ in a 1:1 molar ratio yielded the mononuclear complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N}(L)(PPh₃)] (L: OAc, 4a; Cl, 5a) and [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N}(Br)(PPh₃)] (6a), with Pd-NMe₂ bond cleavage. However, treatment of a solution of 3a or 2a with silver trifluoromethanesulfonate, followed by reaction with PPh₃ in acetone yielded the cyclometallated complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(PPh₃)][CF₃SO₃] (7a) and [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N,N}(PPh₃)][CF₃SO₃] (8a), respectively, where the Pd-NMe₂ bond was retained.The reaction of the ligands 2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)N(2′-OH-5′-^tBuC₆H₃) (c) and 4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₃C(H)N(2′-OH-5′-^tBuC₆H₃) (d) with Pd(OAc)₂ gave the tetranuclear complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)N(2′-O-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}]₄ (1c) and [Pd{4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₂C(H)N(2′-O-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}]₄ (1d), respectively. Treatment of 1c with PPh₃ in 1:4 molar ratio, gave the mononuclear species [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)N(2′-(O)-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}(PPh₃)] (2c) with opening of the polynuclear structure after P-O_bridging bond cleavage.The structure of compounds 2a, 1c and 1d has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Facile synthesis and characterization of μ-chloro, azido, thiocyanato bridged cyclometallated Pd(II) containing Schiff-base ligands

μ-Chloro bridged dinuclear cyclometallated Pd(II) complexes [Pd{(4-R)C₆H₃CHNC₆H₃-2,6-i-Pr₂}(μ-Cl)]₂ (R = H, OMe) were prepared by reaction of Na₂PdCl₄ with benzylideneanilines. Unexpectedly, Na₂PdCl₄ reacted with Schiff-bases bearing a furyl or a thienyl ring to give N-coordinated non-cyclometallated Pd(II) species [Pd(C₄H₃XCHNC₆H₃-2,6-i-Pr₂)₂Cl₂] (X = O, S). Treating [Pd{(4-R)C₆H₃CHNC₆H₃-2,6-i-Pr₂}(μ-Cl)]₂ (R = H, OMe) with an excess of NaN₃ or NH₄SCN generated μ-N₃ bridged or μ-SCN bridged cyclometallated Pd(II) complexes [Pd{(4-R)C₆H₃CHNC₆H₃-2,6-i-Pr₂}(μ-Y)]₂ (R = H, OMe; Y = N₃, NCS). The complexes were characterized by FTIR, NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography.     

Syntheses, crystal structure and theoretical investigation of novel heteroleptic complexes of nickel(II) with N-R-sulfonyldithiocarbimate and phosphine ligands

Five new complexes of general formula: [Ni(RSO₂NCS₂)(dppe)], where R = C₆H₅ (1), 4-ClC₆H₄ (2), 4-BrC₆H₄ (3), 4-IC₆H₄ (4) and dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane and [Ni(4-IC₆H₄SO₂NCS₂)(PPh₃)₂] (5), where PPh₃ = triphenylphosphine, were obtained in crystalline form by the reaction of the appropriate potassium N-R-sulfonyldithiocarbimate K₂(RSO₂NCS₂) and dppe or PPh₃ with nickel(II) chloride in ethanol/water. The elemental analyses and the IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and ³¹P NMR spectra are consistent with the formation of the square planar nickel(II) complexes with mixed ligands. All complexes were also characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques and present a distorted cis-NiS₂P₂ square-planar configuration around the Ni atom. Quantum chemical calculations reproduced the crystallographic structures and are in accord with the spectroscopic data. Rare C-H···Ni intramolecular short contact interactions were observed in the complexes 1-5.     

Cyclodiphosph(III)azane chemistry - Ylides from the reaction of [(RNH)P-N(t-Bu)]2 [R = t-Bu, i-Pr] with dimethyl maleate and chiral ansa-type derivatives from reaction of [ClP-N(t-Bu)]2 with a substituted BINOL

Use of a simple inorganic ring system with the cyclodiphosph(III)azane skeleton [e.g. [(RNH)P-N(t-Bu)]₂ [R = t-Bu (7), i-Pr (8)] to probe some of the intermediates proposed in phosphine mediated organic reactions is highlighted. Thus the reaction of 7-8 with the allenylphosphine oxide Ph₂P(O)C(Ph)CCH₂ (9) affords the phosphinimines [(RNH)P(μ-N-t-Bu)₂P(N-R)-C(CH₂)CH(Ph)-P(O)Ph₂] [R = t-Bu (10), i-Pr (11)], while a similar reaction of 7-8 with dimethyl maleate (or dimethyl fumarate) affords the ylides [(RNH)P(μ-N-t-Bu)₂P(NH-R)C(CO₂Me)-CH₂(CO₂Me) [R = t-Bu (18), i-Pr (19)]. The implication of such reactions on phosphine mediated organic transformations including Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction is mentioned. In a rather rare type of situation, an unusually long phosphoryl (PO) bond [1.538 (5) Å] as revealed the X-ray structure of {(R)-6,6′-(t-Bu)₂-1,1′-(C₁₀H₅)₂-2,2′-O₂-}{P(O)(N-t-Bu)₂-P(Se)} (27) is rationalized by means of crystallographic disorder in packing after comparing the data with that in the literature and {1,1′-(C₁₀H₆)₂-2,2′-O₂}{P(Se)(N-t-Bu)₂-P(Se)} (29). X-ray structures of the new compounds 10-11, 18-19, 27 and 29 are discussed. Compound 10 crystallizes in the chiral space group Pca2(1) with (S)-chirality at the carbon center [-C(CH₂)CH(Ph)-P] suggesting a case of spontaneous resolution through crystallization.     

A closer look at the phosphorus-phosphorus double bond lengths in meta-terphenyl substituted diphosphenes

The single crystal X-ray structure of DmpPPDmp (1, Dmp = 2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃), which was previously reported to have a relatively short PP bond distance of 1.985(2) Å at room temperature, has been reexamined at variable temperatures. Crystallographic analyses of 1 at 100 K allow for resolution of disorder of the two phosphorus atoms (which is unresolvable from room temperature diffraction data), and for determination of a more conventional PP bond length of 2.029(1) Å. Single crystals of the closely related diphosphene DxpPPDxp (2, Dxp = 2,6-(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)₂C₆H₃) show similar disorder in one of two crystallographically independent molecules in the unit cell. A value of 2.0276(4) Å is found for the non-disordered PP bonds at 100 K for 2. A new diphosphene Ar′PPAr′ (3, Ar′ = 2,6-Mes₂-4-OMe-C₆H₃) has been prepared and its structure has also been examined. The PP bond length for 3 was determined to be 2.0326(9) Å and relatively free of the effects of disorder.     

Synthesis and coordination of the bifunctionalized ylides Ph2P(CH2)n(Ph)2PCHCOOMe (n = 1, 2) and ketenylidene Ph2P(CH2)2(Ph)2PCCO to Pd and Pt complexes

In this paper it is reported the synthesis of the phosphonium salts [Ph₂P(CH₂)_n(Ph)₂PCH₂COOMe]Br (n = 1 (1), 2 (2)) and [Ph₂P(CH₂COOMe)(CH₂)_n(Ph)₂PCH₂COOMe]Br₂ (n = 3 (3)) derived from the reactions of the diphosphines dppm, dppe and dppp with methyl bromoacetate. By reaction of the monophosphonium salt of dppm and dppe with the strong base Na[N(SiMe₃)₂] the corresponding carbonyl stabilized ylides Ph₂P(CH₂)_n(Ph)₂PCHCOOMe (n = 1 (4), 2 (5)) were obtained. The Ph₂P(CH₂)₂(Ph)₂PCHCOOMe (5) ylide was reacted with Pd(II) and Pt(II) substrates. From these reactions were isolated exclusively complexes in which the ylide was chelated to the metal through the free phosphine group and the ylidic carbon atom. A further reaction of the Ph₂P(CH₂)₂(Ph)₂PCHCOOMe (5) ylide with 1.5 equiv. of Na[N(SiMe₃)₂] gives the bifunctionalized ketenylidene Ph₂P(CH₂)₂(Ph)₂PCCO (6) system. This cumulenic ylide reacts with Pt(II) complexes to form a chelated derivative in which IR and NMR spectra suggest the breaking of the CC bond of the -CCO group.     

Electron transfer within C4 unsaturated spacers between terminal ferrocenyl moieties

The electrochemical and near-IR properties of a series of (bis)ferrocenyl complexes, in which the ferrocenyl moieties are spanned by enyne (E)-(-CHCH-CC-), diyne (-CC-)₂, or diene (E)-(-CHCH-)₂ C₄ unsaturated spacers, were investigated. The experiments performed on 1,4-diferrocenyl-(E)-1-buten-3-yne revealed behaviors indicative of through-bridge/metal-metal electron transfer. The enyne bridged (bis)ferrocenyl cation displays charge transfer properties intermediate between the dienyl and diynyl systems and can be assigned to weakly coupled Class II mixed valence species. The analysis of the collected data according to the classical two-state Hush theory revealed that the efficiency of the electron transfer increases from wholly sp-C to wholly sp²-C bridged complexes. Therefore, the degree of communication is modulated according to the structure of the bridging ligand.     

Synthesis and characterization of triphenylphosphine stabilized silver α,β-unsaturated carboxylate: Crystal structure of [Ag(O2CCHC(CH3)2)(PPh3)2]

A series of triphenylphosphine coordinated silver α,β-unsaturated carboxylates of type [Ag(O₂CR)(PPh₃)_n: n = 1, R = CH₃CHCH (2a), (CH₃)₂CCH (2b), CH₃CH₂CHCH (2c), CH₃CH₂CH₂CHCH (2d), PhCHCH (2e), CH₂CH (2f); n = 2, CH₃CHCH (3a), (CH₃)₂CCH (3b), CH₃CH₂CHCH (3c), CH₃CH₂CH₂CHCH (3d)] were prepared by reaction of relative silver carboxylates (1a-1f) with triphenylphosphine in chloroform. These complexes were obtained in high yields and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR and IR spectroscopy. Thermal stability of the complexes has been determined by TG analysis. The molecular structure of [Ag((O₂CCHC(CH₃)₂))(PPh₃)₂] (3b) shows that the senecioato ligand is chelated with silver atom and generate, a distorted tetrahedron.     

Oxidovanadium(IV) complexes containing ligands derived from dithiocarbazates - Models for the interaction of VO with thiofunctional ligands

The tetragonal-pyramidal VO²⁺ complexes [VO{(RSC-S)N-NX}₂] (1-6) were synthesised by the reactions of VO(OCHMe₂)₃ with the dithiocarbazate ligands RSC(S)-NH-NX, where X = cyclo-pentyl, cyclo-hexyl or 4-Me₂N-C₆H₄-CH, and R = CH₃ or CH₂C₆H₅. The compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, IR- and mass spectrometries, and in cases of compounds 1, 3, 4 and 5, by X-ray diffraction. The chiral compound 4 (X = cyclo-hexyl, R = CH₂C₆H₅) crystallises in the C configuration. In compound 5, the VO moiety is disordered (83.3:16.7%) with respect to the plane spanned by the four equatorial ligand functions.     

Vinyl-ruthenium entities as markers for intramolecular electron transfer processes

The present account summarizes our work on mononuclear vinyl ruthenium complexes of the type RuCl(CHCHR′)(CO)(PR₃)₂L, divinyl-bridged diruthenium complexes {RuCl(CO)(PR₃)₂L}₂(μ-CHCH-bridge-CHCH) and on heterobinuclear systems where only one of the two redox-active metal-organic moieties is of the vinyl ruthenium type. The favourable electrochemical properties of the {RuCl(CO)(PR₃)₂L(CHCH-) tag and the various spectroscopic handles offered by that unit provide detailed insights into the charge and spin delocalization over the {MCl(CO)(PR₃)₂L} and CHCHR′ constituents in their associated radical cations. They also offer a convenient means for measuring electronic coupling in the mixed-valent radical cations of the homo- and heterodinuclear vinyl-bridged complexes and, under favourable circumstances, on the rate of intramolecular electron transfer between the individual redox sites. Aspects of this work include examples of complexes showing time-dependent valence trapping, complexes aimed at delineating the efficiencies of through-space versus through-bond pathways for electron delocalization, complexes where electrostatic effects on the redox splitting ΔE_1/2 dominate over those from the resonance contribution and systems that exhibit extensive charge and spin delocalization between two dislike endgroups despite their intrinsically different redox potentials.     

Modification of aminoallenylidene complexes of chromium via exchange of the C3-bound amino group

The aminoallenylidene(pentacarbonyl)chromium complexes [(CO)₅CrCCC(NR¹R²)Ph] (1a-c) react with dimethylamine by addition of the amine to the C1C2 bond of the allenylidene ligand to give alkenyl(amino)carbene complexes [(CO)₅CrC(NMe₂)CHC(NR¹R²)Ph] (2a-c) (R¹ = Me: R² = Me (a), Ph (b); R¹ = Et: R² = Ph (c)). In contrast, addition of a large excess (usually 20 equivalents) of ammonia or primary amines, H₂NR, to solutions of [(CO)₅CrCCC(NMe₂)Ph] (1a) affords the aminoallenylidene complexes [(CO)₅CrCCC(NHR)Ph] (1d-w) in which the dimethylamino group is replaced by NH₂ or NHR, respectively. In addition to simple amines such as methylamine, butylamine, and aniline, amines carrying a functional group (allylamine, propargylamine) and amino acid esters as well as amino terpenes and amino sugars can be used to displace the NMe₂ substituent. Usually the Z isomer (with respect to the partial C3-N double bond) is formed exclusively. Products derived from addition of H₂NR to the C1C2 bond of 1a are not observed. The amino group in 1d-w is rapidly deprotonated by excess of amine to form iminium alkynyl chromates [1d-w]⁻, thus protecting 1d-w from addition of free amine to either C3 or across the C1C2 bond. The iminium alkynyl chromates are readily reprotonated by acids or by chromatography on wet SiO₂ to reform 1d-w.     

Iridium(III)-vinylidene chemistry: Conversion of an iridacyclopentadiene-chlorido complex and terminal alkynes to iridacyclopentadiene-vinyl complexes

The reactions of [κ²(C¹,C⁴)-CRCRCRCR](PPh₃)₂Ir(Cl) (9, R = CO₂Me) with propargyl alcohol derivatives (2-propyn-1-ol, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, 1-ethynylcyclopentanol, and 1-ethynylcyclooctanol), in the presence of water leads to the formation of iridium(III)-vinyl complexes bearing the general structure [κ²(C¹,C⁴)-CRCRCRCR](PPh₃)₂Ir(CO)(κ¹-vinyl) where vinyl = -CHCH₂, -(E)-CHCHMe, -CHC(CH₂)₄, or -CHC(CH₂)₇. In these, the CO ligand was derived from the terminal carbon of the starting alkyne and the oxygen atom from water. Under anhydrous conditions, 9 undergoes reaction with 2-propyn-1-ol to give trimethyl 1,3-dihydro-3-oxo-4,5,6-isobenzofurantricarboxylate, the result of a cycloaromatization/transesterification involving the buta-1,3-dien-1,4-diyl ligand in 9 and 2-propyn-1-ol.     

Synthesis, characterization and protonation reaction of copper and palladium complexes bearing nitrite ligands in O,O-bidentate and N-monodentate bonding fashions

Cu(Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄C(O)H))₂(NO₂) (3) has been prepared in high yield by treating [Cu(Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄C(O)H))₂(NCMe)]BF₄ (2) with [Ph₂PNPPh₂]NO₂ at ambient temperature. The nitrite ligand of 3 is coordinated to the Cu(I) center in an O,O-bidentate mode. Protonation of 3 releases NO molecule, which mimics the reactivity of the Type 2 Cu-NiRs. In contrast, reaction of [Pd(NCMe)₄](BF₄)₂ and Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄C(O)H) affords cis-[Pd(Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄C(O)H))₂](BF₄)₂ (4) with the Pd²⁺ ion chelated by two phosphino-aldehyde moieties. The hemilabile formyl ligands of 4 can be displaced by NO₂⁻ to produce trans-Pd(Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄C(O)H))₂(NO₂)₂ (5), of which the nitrite ligands present an N-monodentate bonding feature. Protonation of 5 with HBF₄, however, regenerates compound 4, likely via elimination of nitrous acid. The structures of 3-5 have been determined by an X-ray diffraction study.     

Alkoxy-substituted group 6 allenylidene complexes - Synthesis and properties

Bis(alkoxy)allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCCC(OR′)OR], as well as mono(alkoxy)allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCCC(OR′)Ph], of chromium and tungsten are accessible from propynones [HCCC(O)Ph] or propynoic acid esters [HCCC(O)OR; R = Et, (−)-menthyl, endo-bornyl] by the following reaction sequence: (a) deprotonation of the alkynes, (b) reaction with [(CO)₅M-THF] (M = Cr, W), and (c) alkylation of the resulting alkynyl metallate, [(CO)₅MCCC(O)R], with Meerwein salts. Vinylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCC(R′)C(O)OR], are formed as a by-product by C_β-alkylation of the alkynyl metallate. Dimethylamine displaces one alkoxy substituent of the bis(alkoxy)allenylidene complexes to give dimethylamino(alkoxy)allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCCC(OR)NMe₂]. The analogous reaction of dimethylamine with a mono(alkoxy)-substituted allenylidene complex affords the aminoallenylidene complex [(CO)₅CrCCC(NMe₂)Ph]. When the amine is used in large excess, the α,β-unsaturated aminocarbene complex [(CO)₅CrC(NMe₂)C(H)C(NMe₂)Ph] is additionally formed by addition of the amine across the C_αC_β-bond of the allenylidene ligand. The reaction of [(CO)₅MCCC(OEt)₂] with dimethyl ethylenediamine offers access to bis(amino)allenylidene complexes, in which C_γ is part of a five-membered heterocycle. Photolysis of bis(alkoxy)allenylidene complexes in the presence of triphenylphosphine yields tetracarbonyl- and tricarbonyl{bis(phosphine)}allenylidene complexes. Diethylaminopropyne inserts into the C_βC_γ bond of [(CO)₅MCCC(OEt)OMethyl] to give alkenylallenylidene complexes. Subsequent acid-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization affords a pyranylidene complex.     

Gas-phase molecular structures of substituted 1,3-bisketenes: A challenge for theory and experiment

Molecular structures of dimethylbis(trimethylsilylketyl)silane (Me₂Si[C(SiMe₃)CO]₂), dimethylbis(trimethylgermylketyl)silane (Me₂Si[C(GeMe₃)CO]₂), and dimethylbis(trimethylstannylketyl)germane (Me₂Ge[C(SnMe₃)CO]₂) have been studied in the gas phase by electron diffraction accompanied by high level ab initio and DFT calculations. Extensive theoretical conformational analyses of the molecules in the vapour predicted a possibility of existence of two types of conformers with small energy differences. The first type had gauche-gauche arrangements of the ketenyl groups in the central C(CO)XC(CO) fragments directed away from each other. The second type had nearly syn-gauche arrangements of the ketenyl groups. In addition, the energy differences were found to depend on the level of computations used. The experimental analysis, in turn, was unable to distinguish between different conformers due to the large number of similar overlapping distances. The experimental data were fitted by an averaged single-conformer model, which nevertheless allowed reliable determination of bonds and bonded angles in the molecules. Main experimental (r_h1) structural parameters for Me₂Si[C(SiMe₃)CO]₂, Me₂Si[C(GeMe₃)CO]₂, and Me₂Ge[C(SnMe₃)CO]₂, i.e. Me₂X[C(YMe₃)CO]₂ (X,Y = Si, Ge, Sn), are (X-C)_mean 187.7(1) pm, 194.6(2) pm, 216.1(3) pm; (Y-C)_mean, 187.7(1) pm, 188.8(8) pm, 194.6(4) pm; (CC)_mean, 135.3(5) pm, 131.6(5) pm, 131.5(13) pm; (CO)_mean, 117.0(7) pm, 117.4(7) pm, 119.0(11) pm; (C-H)_mean, 110.6(7) pm, 110.0(4) pm, 109.1(13) pm; (X(Y)-CC)_mean, 114.4(2)°, 115.6(1)°, 115.6(2)°; (C-X(Y)-C_Me)_mean, 108.3(3)°, 108.4(3)°, 108.9(13)°; C(2)-C(1)-Y(4)-C(10), −19(6)°, 5(4)°, −9(10)°; C(7)-C(6)-Y(9)-C(38),−22(7)°, −32(3)°, −9(10)°; C(2)-C(1)-X(5)-C(6), 128(4)°, 142(1)°, 108(9)°; C(7)-C(6)-X(5)-C(1), 92(6)°, 115(2)°, 108(9)°, respectively.