Reactivity of the N-heterocyclic carbene complexes [Ru(IMes)2(CO)HX] (X = OH, Cl) with alkynes

Treatment of the 16-electron hydroxy hydride complex [Ru(IMes)₂(CO)H(OH)] (1, IMes = 1,3-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) with HCCR affords the alkynyl species [Ru(IMes)₂(CO)H(CCR)] (R = Ph 3, SiMe₃, 4) and [Ru(IMes)₂(CO)(CCR)₂] (R = Ph, 5). Deuterium labelling studies show that the mono-alkynyl complexes are formed via hydrogen transfer from a coordinated alkyne ligand to Ru-OH, while bis-alkynyl formation is proposed to take place through hydrogen transfer to Ru-H. Both 3 and 5 readily coordinate CO to give the corresponding dicarbonyl species 6 and 7. Addition of HCCPh to the hydride chloride precursor [Ru(IMes)₂(CO)HCl] (2) results in a different reaction pathway involving alkyne insertion into the Ru-H bond to yield the alkenyl chloride complex [Ru(IMes)₂(CO)(CHCHPh)Cl] 8. Complexes 3-8 have been structurally characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of [Pt{4′-(Np1)-trpy}(CCPh)]SbF6 and [Pt{4′-(Np1)-trpy}{CC(CH2)2CH3}]SbF6 [4′-(Np1)-trpy = 4′-(1-naphthyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine]

The synthesis and characterisation of [Pt{4′-(Np1)-trpy}(CCPh)]SbF₆ (1) and [Pt{4′-(Np1)-trpy}{CC(CH₂)₂CH₃}]SbF₆ (2) [4′-(Np1)-trpy = 4′-(1-naphthyl)-2,2:6′,2′-terpyridine] are described. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit unimolecular ³MLCT (MLCT = metal-to-ligand charge transfer) emission in acetonitrile and in a low concentration 77 K glass solution in butyronitrile. The high concentration glass emission as well as the emission in the solid state is from a ³MMLCT (MMLCT, metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer) excited state, reflecting the presence of interactions in these media.     

Novel long bipyridine-type linking ligands containing an intervening naphthalene fragment: [Zn(L)(NO3)2], [Zn(L)(NO3)2], and [Cd(L)1.5(NO3)2] (L = (4-py)-CHN-C10H6-NCH-(4-py); L = (3-py)-CHN-C10H6-NCH-(3-py))

Novel bipyridine-type linking ligands L¹ ((4-py)-CHN-C₁₀H₆-NCH-(4-py)) and L² ((3-py)-CHN-C₁₀H₆-NCH-(3-py)), a pair of isomers due to possessing different pairs of terminal pyridyl groups, were prepared by the Schiff-base condensation. In ligand L¹, the N?N separation between the terminal pyridyl groups is 16.0 Å, with their nitrogen donor atoms at the para positions (4,4′). The corresponding N?N separation in ligand L² is 14.2 Å, with the nitrogen donor atoms at the meta positions (3,3′). 1-D zigzag-chain coordination polymers [Zn(L¹)(NO₃)₂] (1) and [Zn(L²)(NO₃)₂] (2) were prepared by reactions of Zn(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O with ligands L¹ and L², respectively, by solution diffusion. Polymer 3, [Cd(L¹)_1.5(NO₃)₂], prepared from Cd(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O and L¹, exhibits a 1-D ladder structure, whose repeating ladder unit consists of four Cd metals and four L¹ ligands to create a large 76-membered ring with dimensions of 20.8 × 20.8 Å. All products were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

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.     

Reactions of [Os3(CO)10(MeCN)2] with ethynyl thiophenes: The formation of linked clusters

The reaction of 2 equiv. of [Os₃(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂] with R-CC-L-CC-R (R = H, L = (C₄H₂S); R = SiMe₃, L = (C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S), (C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S), (C₄H₂S)-(C₁₄H₈)-(C₄H₂S)) affords the series of linked clusters [{Os₃(CO)₁₀}(HCC(C₄H₂S)CCH){Os₃(CO)₁₀}] (1), [{Os₃(CO)₁₀}(Me₃SiCC(C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S)CCSiMe₃){Os₃(CO)₁₀}] (2), [{Os₃(CO)₁₀}(Me₃SiCC(C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S-C₄H₂S)CCSiMe₃){Os₃(CO)₁₀}] (4) and [{Os₃(CO)₁₀}(Me₃SiCC(C₄H₂S)-(C₁₄H₈)-(C₄H₂S)CCSiMe₃){Os₃(CO)₁₀}] (6) as the major products. The complexes have been characterised by a range of spectroscopic methods and, in the case of 1 and 2 by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The alkyne groups cap the osmium triangles in the expected μ₃-η²-||-bonding mode and each triangle is coordinated by nine terminal and one μ₂-carbonyl group. Solution UV-Vis spectra of the complexes were similar to those observed for the free ligands consistent with there being little delocalisation between the cluster units and the thiophene groups.     

Organometallic complexes for nonlinear optics. Part 36. Quadratic and cubic optical nonlinearities of 4-fluorophenylethynyl- and 4-nitro-(E)-stilbenylethynylruthenium complexes

The complexes trans-[Ru(CC-4-C₆H₄F)X(dppe)₂] [X = Cl (1), CCPh (2), CC-4-C₆H₄NO₂ (3)], trans-[Ru{CC-4-C₆H₄-(E)-CHCH-4-C₆H₄NO₂}X(dppe)₂] [X = CCPh (4), CC-4-C₆H₄CCPh (5)], and [C₆H₃-1,3-{CC-trans-[RuCl(dppe)₂]}₂-5-(CC-4-C₆H₄F)] (6) have been synthesized and the identity of 1 confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Cyclic voltammetry reveals a metal-centered oxidation, the potential of which is largely invariant on alkynyl ligand replacement across the series 1-5; the diruthenium complex 6 shows two oxidation processes, consistent with weakly interacting metal centers. Hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) studies at 1064 nm using ns pulses suggest quadratic nonlinearities for 3-5 that are amongst the largest thus far for organometallic complexes, a trend maintained with the two-level-corrected data. HRS studies at 800 nm using fs pulses and amplitude modulation to remove multi-photon fluorescence contributions reveal significant fluorescence-free nonlinearities for 3-5; the frequency-independent nonlinearities calculated from the 800 nm results are suggestive of fluorescence contributions to the 1064 nm data. Z-scan studies at 820 nm reveal cubic nonlinearities that increase with the size of the π-system, although error margins are significant.     

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.     

Heterobimetallic Fe-Pd and Fe-Pt NCN pincer complexes (NCN = [C6H2(CH2NMe2)2-2,6])

The meta-diaminoaryl ferrocenes Fc-NCN-H (3) and Fc-CC-NCN-H (5) (Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe, NCN-H = C₆H₃(CH₂NMe₂)₂-3,5) can be used as precursors in the preparation of heterobimetallic transition metal complexes of structural type Fc-NCN-MX (NCN = [C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6]⁻; MX = PdCl (7), PtCl (8), PtI (9)) and Fc-CC-NCN-MX (MX = PdCl (11), PdI (12), PtCl (13)), respectively. They are accessible by applying different synthesis procedures, including oxidative addition and metallation-transmetallation processes.Cyclovoltammetric studies show that the ferrocene moieties in 3, 5, 7-9 and 11-13 can reversibly be oxidised. The potential of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple decreases with increasing electron density at the NCN pincer unit. The use of 8 as a possible (electro)chemical sensor in the detection of SO₂ is discussed as well.The solid-state structures of 8 and 13 are reported. The crystals of 8 contain two molecules of 8 in the asymmetric unit. The plane of the C₆H₂ moiety is with 27.2(3)° and 38.2(3)° tilted towards the C₅H₄ entity, while in 13 an angle of 45.9(3)° can be found. The d⁸-electron configured platinum atoms possess a somewhat distorted square-planar surrounding, setup by two Me₂NCH₂ortho-substituents, the NCN C_ipso carbon atom and the chloride ligand.     

Reactivity of alkynyl Pd(II) azido complexes toward organic isocyanides, isothiocyanates, and nitriles

Alkynyl Pd(II) azido complexes of the type [Pd(N₃)(CCR)L₂] (1-3) were obtained by reactions of aqueous NaN₃ with [Pd(Cl)(CCR)L₂] (R = Ph or C(O)OMe). Treating compounds 1-3 with organic isocyanides (R-NC) afforded novel complexes, trans-[Pd(CCPh)(NCNR)(PMe₃)₂] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (4) or 2,6-Et₂C₆H₃ (5)) and trans-[Pd(CCR)(CN₄-t-Bu)L₂] (6: L = PMe₃, R = Ph; 7: L = PEt₃, R = C(O)OMe; 8: L = PMe₃, R = C(O)OMe), which contain either a carbodiimido or a C-coordinated tetrazolato group. Reactions of compounds 1 and 2 with R-NCS (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ or CH₂CH₃) and 1,4-phenylene diisothiocyanate (C₆H₄(NCS)₂) smoothly proceeded to give tetrazole-thiolato complexes, trans-[Pd(CCPh)(SCN₄-R)L₂] (L = PMe₃, R = Et (9) or 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (10); L = PEt₃, R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (11)), and a phenylene-bridged dinuclear Pd(II) tetrazole-thiolato complex, [(PEt₃)₂(CCPh)Pd(SCN₄-(μ-C₆H₄)-SCN₄)Pd(CCPh)(PEt₃)₂] (12), respectively. Complexes 9-12 contain the Pd-S bond that is formed by the dipolar cycloaddition of the organic isothiocyanate to the Pd-azido bond. In contrast, the corresponding reactions of compounds 1and 2 with C₆F₅CN and Me₃SiCN (organic nitriles, R-CN) gave an N-coordinated Pd(II)-tetrazolato compound {trans-[Pd(CCPh)(N₄C-C₆F₅)(PMe₃)₂] (13)} and a mixture of Pd(II)-cyano complexes {trans-[Pd(CCPh)(CN)(PEt₃)₂] (14) and [Pd(CN)₂(PEt₃)₂] (15)}, respectively. Bis(phosphine) bis(cyano) complexes of Pd and Ni, [M(CN)₂L₂] (L = PEt₃, PMe₃; L₂ = DEPE), could be obtained independently by the reactions of [M(N₃)₂L₂] with excess Me₃SiCN in organic solvents.     

Construction of carbon chains on ruthenium and osmium carbonyl clusters

We have used the elimination of AuX(PR₃) (X = halide, R = Ph, tol) that occurs in reactions of alkynylgold(I)-phosphine complexes with M₃(μ-H)₃ (μ₃-CBr) (CO)₉ (M = Ru, Os) to prepare the complexes M₃(μ-H)₃(μ₃-CCCR)(CO)₉ [M = Ru, R = Ph 2, CCSiMe₃3, Fc 4, CCFc 6-Ru, CC[Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp] 8; M = Os, R = CCFc 6-Os, CCCCFc 7], Fc′{(μ₃-CCC)Ru₃(μ-H)₃(CO)₉}₂5, and bis-cluster-capped carbon chain complexes {M₃(μ-H)₃(CO)₉}₂{μ₃:μ₃-C(CC)_nC} (M = Ru, n = 2 9, 3 10-Ru; M = Os, n = 3 10-Os) and {(L)(OC)₈(μ-H)₃M₃}C(CC)_nC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (n = 1, M = Ru, L = CO 11, PPh₃12-Ru/P; n = 2, L = CO 12-Ru, PPh₃13; M = Os, L = CO 12-Os) in good to excellent yields. X-ray structural determinations of 2-5, 6-Ru, 6-Os, 7, 9, 11, 12-Ru, 12-Os and 12-Ru/P are reported.     

Spectroscopic properties of mono- and binuclear platinum(II) alkynyl complexes with phosphine ligands: A theoretical study

Based on their MP2 optimized structures in the ground states, we obtained solution absorption spectra for trans-[Pt^II(CCR)₂(PH₃)₂] (R = H (1) and Ph (2)) and trans-[Pt^II(CCH)₂(PH₂CH₂PH₂)]₂ (3) under the time-dependent density functional theory calculations. These absorptions agree with experimental observations. The unrestricted MP2 optimization performed for 3 in the lowest-energy triplet excited state shows that upon excitation the PtPt distance shortens about 0.347 Å with respect to the 3.188 Å one in the ground state. The UMP2 calculations estimated that its ³[σ^∗(d_z²)σ(p_z)] excited state produces the 531 nm emission, corresponding to the 580 nm one of trans-[Pt^II(CCPh)₂(PPh₂CH₂PPh₂)]₂ in the solid state at 298 K.     

Layered (2-D) structure of [Ru2(O2CMe)4]2[Ni(CN)4] determined via Rietveld refinement of synchrotron powder diffraction data

Reaction of [Ru₂(O₂CMe)₄]Cl and K₂[Ni(CN)₄] forms [Ru₂(O₂CMe)₄]₂[Ni(CN)₄] with the targeted layered structure possessing Ru-NCNi linkages, albeit strained, with Ru-NC and Ni-CN angles in the range of 147-167°. The magnetic properties of [Ru₂(O₂CMe)₄]₂[Ni(CN)₄] can be fit to a zero-field splitting model with D/k_B = 95 K (66 cm⁻¹).     

Preparation, structure and decomposition of gold(I) and gold(III) acetylide complexes

1-Alkynyl-dimethyl(triorganophosphine)gold(III) complexes of the type cis-Me₂(Ph₃P)Au-CC-R with R = H, Me, Ph (1-3) have been prepared from the cis-Me₂(Ph₃P)AuX (X = Cl, I) complexes and lithium alkynyls. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined together with those of the reference compounds cis-Me₂(Ph₃P)AuX (X = Cl, I) and cis-Me₂(Me₃P)AuI. The molecules have a standard square planar geometry and are not associated into oligomers. Due to the different hybridization of the carbon orbitals, the Au-C(CR) bonds are found significantly shorter than the Au-CH₃ bonds. Compounds 1-3 are stable colourless, crystalline solids at 20 °C but decompose on heating with selective (cis) reductive elimination of ethane and formation of the gold(I) alkynyls (Ph₃P)Au-CC-R thus retaining the stronger gold-alkynyl bonds. Two complexes of this type have also been prepared by conventional routes from (R₃P)AuX complexes and the crystal structures of (Me₃P)Au-CC-Ph and [(p-Tol)₃P]Au-CC-H have been determined. The former with the small Me₃P ligand is associated into two different trimers via aurophilic bonding and further aggregated into chains via weak inter-trimer contacts, while the latter is a monomer owing to the steric bulk of the (p-Tol)₃P ligand.     

Halo-complexes of titanium(III): The thermochromic behaviour of [NBu4][TiCl4(THF)2]

TiCl₃(thf)₃ reacts with ACl (A = NBu₄, PPN; PPN = Ph₃PNPPh₃) in dichloromethane solution, affording the compounds A[TiCl₄(thf)₂] (A = NBu₄, 1; A = PPN, 2). Compound 1, dissolved in CH₂Cl₂, exhibits thermochromic behaviour which has been the subject of variable-temperature UV-Vis investigations.     

Thiol end-capped titanium-copper complexes: Synthesis, solid state structure and electrochemical behavior

The synthesis of acetylene, acyl-thiol and thiol end-capped titanium-copper π-tweezer complexes of the structural type {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCR)₂}CuSC₆H₄-4-R′ ([Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti; 3: R = SiMe₃, R′ = CCH; 5a: R = SiMe₃, R′ = SC(O)Me; 5b: R = ^tBu, R′ = SC(O)Me), {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuSC₆H₄-C₆H₄-4-SH (7) and ({[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCR)₂}CuSC₆H₄)₂ (8) is described. Homobimetallic 3, 5a and 5b are accessible via the reaction of {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCR)₂}CuMe (1a: R = SiMe₃, 1b: R = ^tBu) with stoichiometric amounts of Me(O)CS-1-C₆H₄-4-CCH (2) and C₆H₄-1,4-(SC(O)Me)₂ (4), respectively. Within these reactions the copper-sulfur bond formation is accompanied by the elimination of acetone. If 1a is treated with the dithiol (HS-C₆H₄)₂ (6) in a ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 than dinuclear 7 and tetranuclear 8 are produced upon formation of methane. Both types of reaction allow in a straightforward manner the synthesis of analytically pure samples in high yield. In addition, complex 8 is also formed, when equimolar amounts of 7 are reacted with1a.The solid state structure of 5a is reported. This complex possesses a low-valent CuSC₆H₄-4-SC(O)Me entity with copper(I) in a planar surrounding. All other geometrical features are in agreement with the expected data relevant for Ti-Cu organometallic π-tweezer complexes.Cyclic voltammetric studies were carried out with 3-8. The results are discussed with respect to intramolecular interactions between the various electrochemically active reaction sites.     

Structural and magnetic properties of one-dimensional coordination polymers {trans-[Ru(CN-Bu)4(CN)2]FeX3}n vs. molecular squares {cis-[Ru(CN-Bu)4(CN)2]FeX3}2 (X = NO3, Cl)

The reaction of cis- or trans-[Ru(CN^tBu)₄(CN)₂] with Fe(III) compounds leads to the formation of molecular squares of the general formula cyc-[Ru(CN-^tBu)₄(CN)₂FeX₃]₂ or one-dimensional coordination polymers [Ru(CN-^tBu)₄(CN)₂FeX₃]_n, respectively. Temperature dependent susceptibility measurements indicate that the magnetic properties of the coordination compounds are determined by their molecular structure. Of particular importance is the local symmetry at the iron(III) center which is related to the coordinating anion. The magnetic properties are best described in terms of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the iron centers for the molecular squares as well as the coordination polymer with X = NO₃ and as weak ferromagnetic interactions in case of the linear coordination polymer with X = Cl. For all compounds zero field splitting at low temperatures has to be taken into account.     

A new arylimido derivative of polyoxometalate (Bu4N)2[Mo6O17(NAr)2] [Ar = 2,6-(CH3)2C6H3]: Synthesis, structure and physicochemical properties

A novel bifunctionalized arylimido derivative of hexamolybdate, (Bu₄N)₂[Mo₆O₁₇(NAr)₂] [Ar = 2,6-(CH₃)₂C₆H₃] (1), in which the two 2,6-dimethylaniline groups are bounded to hexamolybdate at the cis positions, was synthesized by a facile reaction of α-octamolybdate with 2,6-dimethylaniline using DCC as a dehydration agent. The existence of strong non-typical C-H?O hydrogen bonds plays an important role in crystal structure stabilization of compound 1. The results of fluorescence spectra show that the formation of a covalent bond between 2,6-dimethylaniline molecule and hexamolybdate could efficiently quench the fluorescence intensity of 2,6-dimethylaniline molecule, with a fluorescence quencher efficiency of 87.7%. Thermal analysis results indicate that two substituted 2,6-(CH₃)₂C₆H₃ molecules bonding to the same cluster dissociated at different temperature, in well agreement with the different MoN bond length in compound 1. The electrochemical behavior of modified 1-CPE has been studied in detail. Compared with the conventional polyoxometalate (POM)-modified electrode, 1-CPE presents a merit of remarkable stability over 500 cycles due to the insolubility of the POM nanoparticles, which is especially important for practical applications.     

Organometallic π-tweezers incorporating pyrazine- and pyridine-based bridging units

Pyrazine- and pyridine-based π-conjugated σ-donor molecules, such as 4,4′-bipyridine, 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene, 3,5-dipyridyl-1,2,4-triazole, N,N′-bis(4-pyridylmethylidene)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2,5-di(pyridylmethylidene)cyclopentanone, 2,6-di(4-pyridylmethylidene)cyclohexanone (LL, 2a-2g) can successfully be used to span heterobimetallic π-tweezer units of the type [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}M]⁺ ([Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti; M = Cu, Ag). The thus accessible di-cationic species [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}MLLM{(Me₃SiCC-μ-σ,π)₂[Ti]}]²⁺ (4), which are formed via the formation of [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}MLL]⁺ (3) complexes, can be isolated in yields between 66% and 99%.However, when C₅H₄NCHCHC₆H₄CHCHNC₅H₄ (5a) and C₅H₄NCHNC₆H₄CHCHNC₅H₄ (5b), respectively, are reacted with {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}AgBF₄(1c) in a 1:1 molar ratio, then the silver(I) ion is released from the organometallic π-tweezer 1c and coordination polymers [AgBF₄ · 5a]_n (6a) and [AgBF₄ · 5b]_n (6b) along with [Ti](CCSiMe₃)₂ (7) are formed in quantitative yield.     

Synthesis and structures of copper and gold complexes of the P,N ligands RNC(Bu)C(H)RPPh2 (R = SiMe3, H)

The reaction of the chelating P,N ligand RNC(Bu^t)CH(R)PPh₂ (R = SiMe₃) (1) with CuCl and CuCl₂ (probably by way of reduction to Cu(I) by the phosphine ligand) or Cu(NCCH₃)₄ClO₄ yielded the dimeric 1:1 complex [Cu{PPh₂CH(R)C(Bu^t)NR}Cl]₂ (2) or the monomeric 2:1 complex [Cu{PPh₂CH(R)C(Bu^t)NR}₂]ClO₄ (3), respectively. The presence of trace amounts of water during the reaction resulted in the successive cleavage of the two trimethylsilyl groups of the ligand and the formation of the monomeric chelate complexes [Cu{PPh₂CH(R)C(Bu^t)NH}₂]ClO₄ (4) and [Cu{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)NH}₂]ClO₄ (5). Oxidation of 5 by atmospheric oxygen led to small quantities of the blue Cu(II) complex [Cu{(O)PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)NH}₂](ClO₄)₂ (6). The dimeric gold complexes [Au{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)NH}]₂X₂ (X = BF₄, ClO₄) (7) were similarly obtained from the previously described Au{PPh₂CH(R)C(Bu^t)NR}Cl by replacing the covalently bound chlorine with the weakly coordinating anions in the presence of small quantities of water. The solution and solid state structures (except 5) of all complexes were determined by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.     

Lanthanide iodides as promoters of acetonitrile amination. Molecular structure of MeC(NH)NHPr, MeC(NH)NHBu and {Dy[MeC(NH)NEt2]6}I3

Amination of acetonitrile by the amines MeNH₂, PrⁿNH₂, PrⁱNH₂, Bu^tNH₂, and Et₂NH is efficiently promoted by the lanthanide iodides LnI₂ (Ln = Nd, Dy, Tm), LnI₃ (Ln = Pr, Nd, Dy) and LnI₃(THF)₃ (Ln = Pr, Nd, Dy). The formed mono- and N,N′-disubstituted amidines MeC(NH)NHR (R = Prⁱ, Bu^t), MeC(NH)NEt₂, MeC(NR)NHR (R = Me, Prⁿ) were isolated mainly as the complexes with starting iodide of general composition LnI₂(amidine)_x (1) or LnI₃(amidine)_x (2) (x = 3-8). In the products 1, which evidently are the mixtures of LnI²⁺, and LnI₃ derivatives, the metal exists in trivalent state but one of the ligands actually is amidinate anion. A part of the generated amidines remains in the reaction solutions in free form. Heating of the 1 and 2 in vacuum at 150-200 °C affords corresponding amidine and the complexes with reduced amount of the amidine ligands LnI₂(amidine)_y (3) or LnI₃(amidine)_y (4) (y = 2-3). The products 3 and 4 displayed the same catalytic activity in the acetonitrile-amine cross-coupling as the initial iodides. SmI₂ and especially YbI₂ revealed lower activity. The structure of isopropylacetamidine (5), tert-butylacetamidine (6) and {Dy[MeC(NH)NEt₂]₆}I₃(MeCN) (7) were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.