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Methyl and methylene compounds of arsenic and antimony have been studied by photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy to investigate their relative stability. While for As both HAs=CH2, As−CH3 and the methylene compound As=CH2 are identified in the spectrum, the only Sb compound observed is Sb−CH3. Thus, there is a step in the main group 15 between As and Sb, regarding the relative stability of the methyl compounds. Ionisation energies, vibrational frequencies and spin-orbit splittings were determined for the methyl compound from photoion mass-selected photoelectron spectra. Although the spectroscopic results for organoantimony resemble those for the previously investigated bismuth compounds, EPR spectroscopic experiments indicate a far lower tendency for methyl transfer for Sb(CH3)3 compared to Bi(CH3)3. This study concludes investigations on low-valent organopnictogen compounds.

The uptake and release of small molecules continue to be challenging tasks of utmost importance in synthetic chemistry. The combination of such small molecule activation with subsequent transformations to generate unusual reactivity patterns opens up new prospects for this field of research. Here, we report the reaction of CO2 and CS2 with cationic bismuth(III) amides. CO2-uptake gives isolable, but metastable compounds, which upon release of CO2 undergo CH activation. These transformations could be transferred to the catalytic regime, which formally corresponds to a CO2-catalyzed CH activation. The CS2-insertion products are thermally stable, but undergo a highly selective reductive elimination under photochemical conditions to give benzothiazolethiones. The low-valent inorganic product of this reaction, Bi(I)OTf, could be trapped, showcasing the first example of light-induced bismuthinidene transfer.

The 2‐aryl‐3,4,5,6‐tetraphenyl‐1,2‐azaborinines 1‐EMe\(_{3}\) and 2‐EMe\(_{3}\) (E=Si, Sn; aryl=Ph (1), Mes (=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl, 2)) were synthesized by ring‐expansion of borole precursors with N\(_{3}\)EMe\(_{3}\)‐derived nitrenes. Desilylative hydrolysis of 1‐ and 2‐SiMe\(_{3}\) yielded the corresponding N‐protonated azaborinines, which were deprotonated with nBuLi or MN(SiMe\(_{3}\))\(_{2}\) (M=Na, K) to the corresponding group 1 salts, 1‐M and 2‐M. While the lithium salts crystallized as monomeric Lewis base adducts, the potassium salts formed coordination polymers or oligomers via intramolecular K⋅⋅⋅aryl π interactions. The reaction of 1‐M or 2‐M with CO\(_{2}\) yielded N‐carboxylate salts, which were derivatized by salt metathesis to methyl and silyl esters. Salt metathesis of 1‐M or 2‐M with methyl triflate, [Cp*BeCl] (Cp*=C\(_{5}\)Me\(_{5}\)), BBr\(_{2}\)Ar (Ar=Ph, Mes, 2‐thienyl), ECl\(_{3}\) (E=B, Al, Ga) and PX\(_{3}\) (X=Cl, Br) afforded the respective group 2, 13 and 15 1,2‐azaborinin‐2‐yl complexes. Salt metathesis of 1‐K with BBr\(_{3}\) resulted not only in N‐borylation but also Ph‐Br exchange between the endocyclic and exocyclic boron atoms. Solution \(^{11}\)B NMR data suggest that the 1,2‐azaborinin‐2‐yl ligand is similarly electron‐withdrawing to a bromide. In the solid state the endocyclic bond length alternation and the twisting of the C\(_{4}\)BN ring increase with the sterics of the substituents at the boron and nitrogen atoms, respectively. Regression analyses revealed that the downfield shift of the endocyclic \(^{11}\)B NMR resonances is linearly correlated to both the degree of twisting of the C\(_{4}\)BN ring and the tilt angle of the N‐substituent. Calculations indicate that the 1,2‐azaborinin‐1‐yl ligand has no sizeable π‐donor ability and that the aromaticity of the ring can be subtly tuned by the electronics of the N‐substituent.

Imidyl and nitrene metal species play an important role in the N-functionalisation of unreactive C–H bonds as well as the aziridination of olefines. We report on the synthesis of the trigonal imido iron complexes [Fe(NMes)L2]0,- (L ¼ –N{Dipp}SiMe3); Dipp ¼ 2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl; Mes ¼ (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) via reaction of mesityl azide (MesN3) with the linear iron precursors [FeL2]0,-. UV-vis-, EPR-, 57Fe M¨ossbauer spectroscopy, magnetometry, and computational methods suggest for the reduced form an electronic structure as a ferromagnetically coupled iron(II) imidyl radical, whereas oxidation leads to mixed iron(III) imidyl and electrophilic iron(II) nitrene character. Reactivity studies show that both complexes are capable of H atom abstraction from C–H bonds. Further, the reduced form [Fe(NMes)L2]- reacts nucleophilically with CS2 by inserting into the imido iron bond, as well as electrophilically with CO under nitrene transfer. The neutral [Fe(NMes)L2] complex shows enhanced electrophilic behavior as evidenced by nitrene transfer to a phosphine, yet in combination with an overall reduced reactivity.

A series of diorgano(bismuth)chalcogenides, [Bi(di‐aryl)EPh], has been synthesised and fully characterised (E=S, Se, Te). These molecular bismuth complexes have been exploited in homogeneous photochemically‐induced radical catalysis, using the coupling of silanes with TEMPO as a model reaction (TEMPO=(tetramethyl‐piperidin‐1‐yl)‐oxyl). Their catalytic properties are complementary or superior to those of known catalysts for these coupling reactions. Catalytically competent intermediates of the reaction have been identified. Applied analytical techniques include NMR, UV/Vis, and EPR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, and (TD)‐DFT calculations., Well‐defined molecular bismuth with Bi‐EPh functional groups are catalytically active in the photochemical dehydrocoupling of silanes with TEMPO (E=S, Se, Te). Their properties are complementary or superior to those of other main group catalysts for these reactions.

We report the generation, spectroscopic characterization, and computational analysis of the first free (non-stabilized) organometallic bismuthinidene, BiMe. The title compound was generated in situ from BiMe\(_3\) by controlled homolytic Bi–C bond cleavage in the gas phase. Its electronic structure was characterized by a combination of photoion mass-selected threshold photoelectron spectroscopy and DFT as well as multi-reference computations. A triplet ground state was identified and an ionization energy (IE) of 7.88 eV was experimentally determined. Methyl abstraction from BiMe\(_3\) to give [BiMe(_2\)]• is a key step in the generation of BiMe. We reaveal a bond dissociation energy of 210 ± 7 kJ mol\(^{−1}\), which is substantially higher than the previously accepted value. Nevertheless, the homolytic cleavage of Me–BiMe\(_2\) bonds could be achieved at moderate temperatures (60–120 °C) in the condensed phase, suggesting that [BiMe\(_2\)]• and BiMe are accessible as reactive intermediates under these conditions.

Aminotroponiminate (ATI) ligands are a versatile class of redox‐active and potentially cooperative ligands with a rich coordination chemistry that have consequently found a wide range of applications in synthesis and catalysis. While backbone substitution of these ligands has been investigated in some detail, the impact of electron‐withdrawing groups on the coordination chemistry and reactivity of ATIs has been little investigated. We report here Li, Na, and K salts of an ATI ligand with a nitro‐substituent in the backbone. It is demonstrated that the NO2 group actively contributes to the coordination chemistry of these complexes, effectively competing with the N,N‐binding pocket as a coordination site. This results in an unprecedented E/Z isomerisation of an ATI imino group and culminates in the isolation of the first “naked” (i. e., without directional bonding to a metal atom) ATI anion. Reactions of sodium ATIs with silver(I) and tritylium salts gave the first N,N‐coordinated silver ATI complexes and unprecedented backbone substitution reactions. Analytical techniques applied in this work include multinuclear (VT‐)NMR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, and DFT calculations., Unforeseen aspects of ATI chemistry: The impact of a nitro substituent in the backbone of the aminotroponiminate (ATI) ligand on the coordination chemistry and reactivity of alkali metal (Li−K) complexes has been investigated. This includes the first examples of i) an isolable free ATI anion, ii) E/Z imine isomerisations of ATI species and iii) N,N‐coordinated silver ATIs.

The controlled release of well‐defined radical species under mild conditions for subsequent use in selective reactions is an important and challenging task in synthetic chemistry. We show here that simple bismuth amide species [Bi(NAr2)3] readily release aminyl radicals [NAr2]. at ambient temperature in solution. These reactions yield the corresponding hydrazines, Ar2N−NAr2, as a result of highly selective N−N coupling. The exploitation of facile homolytic Bi−Pn bond cleavage for Pn−Pn bond formation was extended to higher homologues of the pnictogens (Pn=N–As): homoleptic bismuth amides mediate the highly selective dehydrocoupling of HPnR2 to give R2Pn−PnR2. Analyses by NMR and EPR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and DFT calculations reveal low Bi−N homolytic bond‐dissociation energies, suggest radical coupling in the coordination sphere of bismuth, and reveal electronic and steric parameters as effective tools to control these reactions., The first series of bismuth amides of type [Bi(NAr2)3] has been synthesized and characterized. Remarkably, they readily release aminyl radicals (NAr2). and facilitate highly selective radical coupling to give (NAr2)2. Bismuth amides mediate the selective dehydrocoupling of HPnR2 (Pn=N, P, As), including very challenging substrates. Conditions, mechanisms, and substrate scopes are complementary or superior to those of more established procedures.

The isolation of simple, fundamentally important, and highly reactive organometallic compounds remains among the most challenging tasks in synthetic chemistry. The detailed characterization of such compounds is key to the discovery of novel bonding scenarios and reactivity. The dimethylbismuth cation, [BiMe2(SbF6)] (1), has been isolated and characterized. Its reaction with BiMe3 gives access to an unprecedented dative bond, a Bi→Bi donor–acceptor interaction. The exchange of methyl groups (arguably the simplest hydrocarbon moiety) between different metal atoms is among the most principal types of reactions in organometallic chemistry. The reaction of 1 with BiMe3 enables an SE2(back)‐type methyl exchange, which is, for the first time, investigated in detail for isolable, (pseudo‐)homoleptic main‐group compounds., The dimethyl bismuth cation, [BiMe2(SbF6)], has been isolated and characterized. Reaction with BiMe3 allows access to the first compound featuring Bi→Bi donor–acceptor bonding. In solution, dynamic behavior with methyl exchange via an unusual SE2 mechanism is observed, underlining the unique properties of bismuth species as soft Lewis acids with the ability to undergo reversible Bi−C bond cleavage.

Aminotroponiminate (ATI) ligands are a versatile class of redox-active and potentially cooperative ligands with a rich coordination chemistry that have consequently found a wide range of applications in synthesis and catalysis. While backbone substitution of these ligands has been investigated in some detail, the impact of electron-withdrawing groups on the coordination chemistry and reactivity of ATIs has been little investigated. We report here Li, Na, and K salts of an ATI ligand with a nitro-substituent in the backbone. It is demonstrated that the NO2 group actively contributes to the coordination chemistry of these complexes, effectively competing with the N,N-binding pocket as a coordination site. This results in an unprecedented E/Z isomerisation of an ATI imino group and culminates in the isolation of the first "naked" (i. e., without directional bonding to a metal atom) ATI anion. Reactions of sodium ATIs with silver(I) and tritylium salts gave the first N,N-coordinated silver ATI complexes and unprecedented backbone substitution reactions. Analytical techniques applied in this work include multinuclear (VT-)NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and DFT calculations.

The behavior of the redox‐active aminotroponiminate (ATI) ligand in the coordination sphere of bismuth has been investigated in neutral and cationic compounds, [Bi(ATI)3] and [Bi(ATI)2Ln][A] (L=neutral ligand; n=0, 1; A=counteranion). Their coordination chemistry in solution and in the solid state has been analyzed through (variable‐temperature) NMR spectroscopy, line‐shape analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses, and their Lewis acidity has been evaluated by using the Gutmann–Beckett method (and modifications thereof). Cyclic voltammetry, in combination with DFT calculations, indicates that switching between ligand‐ and metal‐centered redox events is possible by altering the charge of the compounds from 0 in neutral species to +1 in cationic compounds. This adds important facets to the rich redox chemistry of ATIs and to the redox chemistry of bismuth compounds, which is, so far, largely unexplored., Central control: A series of bismuth aminotroponiminate cations are discussed and differences between neutral and cationic compounds in terms of coordination chemistry, Lewis acidity, and redox behavior are pinpointed. Specifically, cationization allows switching from ligand‐centered redox events to metal‐centered redox events, facilitating rare examples of quasi‐reversible electron transfer at bismuth.

Major advances in the chemistry of 5th and 6th row heavy p-block element compounds have recently uncovered intriguing reactivity patterns towards small molecules such as H 2 , CO 2 , and ethylene. However, well-defined, homogeneous insertion reactions with carbon monoxide, one of the benchmark substrates in this field, have not been reported to date. We demonstrate here, that a cationic bismuth amide undergoes facile insertion of CO into the Bi-N bond under mild conditions. This approach grants direct access to the first cationic bismuth carbamoyl species. Its characterization by NMR, IR, and UV/vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT calculations revealed intriguing properties, such as a reversible electron transfer at the bismuth center and an absorption feature at 353 nm ascribed to a transition involving σ- and π-type orbitals of the bismuth-carbamoyl functionality. A combined experimental and theoretical approach provided insight into the mechanism of CO insertion. The substrate scope could be extended to isonitriles.

Three‐coordinate cationic bismuth compounds [Bi(diaryl)(EPMe3)][SbF6] have been isolated and fully characterized (diaryl=[(C6H4)2C2H2]2−, E=S, Se). They represent rare examples of molecular complexes with Bi⋅⋅⋅EPR3 interactions (R=monoanionic substituent). The 31P NMR chemical shift of EPMe3 has been found to be sensitive to the formation of LA⋅⋅⋅EPMe3 Lewis acid/base interactions (LA=Lewis acid). This corresponds to a modification of the Gutmann–Beckett method and reveals information about the hardness/softness of the Lewis acid under investigation. A series of organobismuth compounds, bismuth halides, and cationic bismuth species have been investigated with this approach and compared to traditional group 13 and cationic group 14 Lewis acids. Especially cationic bismuth species have been shown to be potent soft Lewis acids that may prefer Lewis pair formation with a soft (S/Se‐based) rather than a hard (O/N‐based) donor. Analytical techniques applied in this work include (heteronuclear) NMR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, and DFT calculations., Cationic bismuth species [Bi(diaryl)]+ show significant bonding interactions with soft donors EPMe3 (E=S, Se). The 31P NMR chemical shifts of EPMe3 are sensitive to Lewis pair formation and are suggested as an easily accessible experimental parameter for the evaluation of the soft character of a Lewis acid. Using this method, a range of neutral and cationic bismuth species have been investigated and compared to more traditional group 13 and 14 Lewis acids.

A series of monodiazadiene diolefin iron compounds, [Fe(trop(2)dad)(L)] (4; L = neutral ligand), has been prepared by one-electron oxidation of the Fe-I species [NaFe-(trop(2)dad)(thf)(3)] (dad = diazadiene; trop = 5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cyclohepten-5-yl). The electronic structures of compounds 4 were investigated by NMR and Mossbauer spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, solid- and liquid-phase magnetic susceptibility measurements, and DFT calculations. Compounds of type 4 with labile ligands L were found to be active (pre)catalysts for the dehydrogenative coupling of (alkyl)amine-boranes. Remarkably high activities were observed, especially for the homogeneous dehydrogenative polymerization of methylamine-borane.

The transformation of C−H bonds into more reactive C−M bonds amenable to further functionalization is of fundamental importance in synthetic chemistry. We demonstrate here that the transformation of neutral bismuth compounds into their cationic analogues can be used as a strategy to facilitate CH activation reactions. In particular, the double CH activation of bismuth-bound diphenyl amide, (NPh2)−, is reported along with simple one-pot procedures for the functionalization of the activated positions. The organometallic products of the first and second CH activation steps were isolated in high yields. Analysis by NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and DFT calculations revealed unusual ground-state properties (e.g., ring strain, moderate heteroaromaticity), and provided mechanistic insight into the formation of these compounds.

A low-valent trinuclear iron complex with an unusual linear Fe(I)-Fe(II)-Fe(I) unit is presented. It is accessed in a rational approach using a salt metathesis reaction between a new anionic Fe(I) containing heterocycle and FeCl2. Its electronic structure was studied by single crystal XRD analysis, EPR and Mossbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements.

Starting from bis(allyl)magnesium [Mg(C(3)H(5))(2)], a set of cationic, neutral, anionic, and dianionic allyl magnesium compounds has been isolated and characterized, including [Mg(C(3)H(5))(THF)(5)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (3), [Mg(C(3)H(5))(2)(1,4-dioxane)(THF)] (2), [KMg(C(3)H(5))(3)(THF)] (6), and [MMg(C(3)H(5))(4)] (8: M = K(2); 9: M = Ca). In solution, the allyl ligands of the compounds display fluxional behavior, even at low temperatures. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals unusual μ(2)-η(1):η(3)- and unprecedented μ(3)-η(1):η(3):η(3)-coordination modes in the heterobimetallic compounds 6 and [8·(THF)(2)]. Density functional theory calculations confirm that these metal-allyl conformations are energetically stable. The magnesium compounds have been investigated as initiators for butadiene polymerization and ethylene oligomerization. The heterobimetallic compounds display initiation properties, including higher reaction rates, that are distinctively different from those of the monometallic species. Reactivity trends depend on the formal charge of the magnesium compounds (dianionic, higher-order magnesiatemonoanionic, lower-order magnesiate) and on the nature of the counterion (K(+)Ca(2+)).

Ph2P(C5HMe4) (1) was found to undergo a prototropic rearrangement contrary to previous reports. The first detailed investigation of a cyclopentadienylphosphane to undergo such a reaction is presented. One of the two tautomers of 1 which were observed represents the kinetic product, the other one is the thermodynamic product. The two isomers exhibit pronounced differences with respect to their chemical reactivity. Thermodynamic and kinetic data of the isomerisation process were determined. A novel, electron rich cyclopentadienylphosphane, the phosphorus diamide (Me2N)2P(C5HMe4) (2), was synthesised and was also found to undergo a prototropic rearrangement. The characteristics of the isomerisation process are fully consistent with the findings on 1. The molecular structure of the kinetic product of 2 was established by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Me2P(C5H4tBu) (3) is presented as another novel cyclopentadienylphosphane. The mixture of isomers of 3 in thermodynamic equilibrium was investigated in detail with respect to the molecular structures of the tautomers. The results of this study suggested a reinvestigation of the parent compound Ph2P(C5H4tBu) (4) and findings differing from an earlier report in some details are presented.

Unsaturated bridges that link the two cyclopentadienyl ligands together in strained ansa metallocenes are rare and limited to carbon-carbon double bonds. The synthesis and isolation of a strained ferrocenophane containing an unsaturated two-boron bridge, isoelectronic with a C=C double bond, was achieved by reduction of a carbene-stabilized 1,1’-bis(dihaloboryl)ferrocene. A combination of spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations was used to assess the influence of the unprecedented strained cis configuration on the optical and electrochemical properties of the carbene-stabilized diborene unit. Initial reactivity studies show that the dibora[2]ferrocenophane is prone to boron-boron double bond cleavage reactions.

FeI compounds including hydrogenases show remarkable properties and reactivities. Several iron(I) complexes have been established in stoichiometric reactions as model compounds for N2 or CO2 activation. The development of well‐defined iron(I) complexes for catalytic transformations remains a challenge. The few examples include cross‐coupling reactions, hydrogenations of terminal olefins, and azide functionalizations. Here the syntheses and properties of bimetallic complexes [MFeI(trop2dae)(solv)] (M=Na, solv=3 thf; M=Li, solv=2 Et2O; trop=5H ‐dibenzo[a,d]cyclo‐hepten‐5‐yl, dae=(N‐CH2‐CH2‐N) with a d7 Fe low‐spin valence‐electron configuration are reported. Both compounds promote the dehydrogenation of N ,N ‐dimethylaminoborane, and the former is a precatalyst for the dehydrogenative alcoholysis of silanes. No indications for heterogeneous catalyses were found. High activities and complete conversions were observed particularly with [NaFeI(trop2dae)(thf)3].

The diorgano(bismuth)alcoholate [Bi((C\(_{6}\)H\(_{4}\)CH\(_{2}\))\(_{2}\)S)OPh] (1-OPh) has been synthesized and fully characterized. Stoichiometric reactions, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and (TD-)DFT calculations suggest its susceptibility to homolytic and heterolytic Bi−O bond cleavage under given reaction conditions. Using the dehydrocoupling of silanes with either TEMPO or phenol as model reactions, the catalytic competency of 1-OPh has been investigated (TEMPO=(tetramethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-oxyl). Different reaction pathways can deliberately be addressed by applying photochemical or thermal reaction conditions and by choosing radical or closed-shell substrates (TEMPO vs. phenol). Applied analytical techniques include NMR, UV/Vis, and EPR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and (TD)-DFT calculations.