Search

We expand upon the synthetic utility of anionic rhenium complex Na[(BDI)ReCp] (1, BDI = N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-β-diketiminate) to generate several rhenium-phosphorus complexes. Complex 1 reacts in a metathetical manner with chlorophosphines Ph2PCl, MeNHP-Cl, and OHP-Cl to generate XL-type phosphido complexes 2, 3, and 4, respectively (MeNHP-Cl = 2-chloro-1,3-dimethyl-1,3,2-diazaphospholidine; OHP-Cl = 2-chloro-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane). Crystallographic and computational investigations of phosphido triad 2, 3, and 4 reveal that increasing the electronegativity of the phosphorus substituent (C < N < O) results in a shortening and strengthening of the rhenium-phosphorus bond. Complex 1 reacts with iminophosphane Mes*NPCl (Mes* = 2,4,6-tritert-butylphenyl) to generate linear iminophosphanyl complex 5. In the presence of a suitable halide abstraction reagent, 1 reacts with the dichlorophosphine iPr2NPCl2 to afford cationic phosphinidene complex 6+. Complex 6+ may be reduced by one electron to form 6•, a rare example of a stable, paramagnetic phosphinidene complex. Spectroscopic and structural investigations, as well as computational analyses, are employed to elucidate the influence of the phosphorus substituent on the nature of the rhenium-phosphorus bond in 2 through 6. Furthermore, we examine several common analogies employed to understand metal phosphido, phosphinidene, and iminophosphanyl complexes.

Single-atom (group 15 and group 16 anions) bridged dimetallic complexes of low oxidation state uranium provide a convenient route to implement multielectron transfer and promote magnetic communication in uranium chemistry, but remain extremely rare. Here we report the synthesis, redox and magnetic properties of N3−, O2−, and S2− bridged diuranium complexes supported by bulky aryloxide ligands. The U(IV)/U(IV) nitride [Cs(THF)8][(U(OAr)3)2(μ-N)], 1 could be prepared and characterized but could not be reduced. Reduction of the neutral U(IV)/U(IV) complexes [(U(OAr)3)2(μ-X)] A (X = O) and B (X = S) led to the isolation and characterization of the U(IV)/U(III) and U(III)/U(III) analogues. Complexes [(K(THF)4)2(U(OAr)2)2(μ-S)2], 5 and [K(2.2.2-cryptand)]2[(U(OAr)3)2(μ-S)], 6 are the first examples of U(III) sulphide bridged complexes. Computational studies and redox properties allow the reactivity of the dimetallic complexes to be related to their electronic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐electron oxidative addition is one of the most important elementary reactions for d‐block transition metals but it is uncommon for f‐block elements. Here, we report the first examples of intermolecular oxidative addition of E−H (E=C, N) bonds to uranium(II) centers. The transient U(II) species was formed in‐situ by reducing a heterometallic cluster featuring U(IV)‐Pd(0) bonds with potassium‐graphite (KC8). Oxidative addition of C−H or N−H bonds to the U(II) centers was observed when this transient U(II) species was treated with benzene, carbazole or 1‐adamantylamine, respectively. The U(II) centers could also react with tetracene, biphenylene or N2O, leading to the formation of arene reduced U(IV) products and uranyl(VI) species via two‐ or four‐electron processes. This study demonstrates that the intermolecular two‐electron oxidative addition reactions are viable for actinide elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stereodefined and highly substituted vinylsilanes are essential building blocks for constructing complex organic molecules. Transition metal‐mediated silylmetalation of alkynes was developed to overcome the limitations of conventional hydrosilylations; however, a very limited study was carried out to utilize transient vinylmetal species in cross‐coupling reactions. Moreover, they produce syn‐adduct, and the anti‐selective cross‐coupling is still unknown and highly desired. Silylzinc reagents are highly functional group tolerant, however, their synthesis from pyrophoric silyllithium and dissolved lithium salts hampers cross‐coupling reactions. Our novel solid silylzinc reagents circumvent these constraints are employed in the anti‐selective synthesis of vinylsilanes via a multi‐component reaction involving Me3SiZnI, terminal alkynes, and activated alkyl halides. An intensive computational and experimental investigation of the mechanism reveals an equilibrium between the intermediate syn‐ and anti‐adducts; the greater barrier at the single electron reduction of alkyl halides and the thermodynamic stability of the Ni(III) adduct determine the anti‐selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction of the 1,2‐disilylenes {(DipArAm)Si}2 (DipArAm=[(NDip)2CAr]−, Dip=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl, Ar=4‐C6H4But (Ar') 1 a or Ph 1 b) and two abnormal N‐heterocyclic silylenes, (DipArAm)SiOCSi{(NDip)2CAr} (Ar=Ar' 3 a or Ph 3 b) with N2O led to formation of unprecedented examples of uncoordinated silicon analogues of carboxylic acid anhydrides, (DipArAm)(O=)SiOSi(=O)(DipArAm) (Ar=Ar' 2 a or Ph 2 b). Both compounds have been fully characterized, and the mechanism of formation of one explored using DFT calculations. Reduction of sila‐acid anhydride 2 a with a dimagnesium(I) compound, [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2] (MesNacnac=[(MesNCMe)2CH]−, Mes=mesityl), led to the one‐electron reduction of the anhydride and formation of a magnesium complex of a sila‐acid anhydride radical anion [(MesNacnac)Mg{(OSi(DipAr'Am)}2O] 5. A combination of EPR spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations reveal the unpaired electron to largely reside on one of the amidinate ligands of the complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high stability of the + IVoxidation state limits thorium redox reactivity. Here we report the synthesis and the redox reactivity of two Th(IV) complexes supported by the arene‐tethered tris(siloxide) tripodal ligands [(KOSiR2Ar)3‐arene)]. The two‐electron reduction of these Th(IV) complexes generates the doubly reduced [KTh((OSi(OtBu)2Ar)3‐arene)(THF)2] (2OtBu) and [K(2.2.2‐cryptand)][Th((OSiPh2Ar)3‐arene)(THF)2](2Ph‐crypt) where the formal oxidation state of Th is +II. Structural and computational studies indicate that the reduction occurred at the arene anchor of the ligand. The robust tripodal frameworks store in the arene anchor two electrons that become available at the metal center for the two‐electron reduction of a broad range of substrates (N2O, COT, CHT, Ph2N2, Ph3PS and O2) while retaining the ligand framework. This work shows that arene‐tethered tris(siloxide) tripodal ligands allow implementation of two‐electron redox chemistry at the thorium center while retaining the ligand framework unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduction of the magnesium(II) diamide [Mg(TripNON)] (TripNON = 4,5-bis(2,4,6-triisopropylanilido)-2,7-diethyl-9,9-dimethyl-xanthene) with 5% w/w K/KI leads to a good yield of a dianionic dimagnesium(I) species, as its potassium salt, [{K(TripNON)Mg}2]. An X-ray crystallographic analysis shows the molecule to contain a very long Mg–Mg bond (3.137(2) Å). The formation of [{K(TripNON)Mg}2] contrasts with a previously reported reduction of a magnesium(II) complex incorporating a bulkier diamide ligand, which instead afforded a magnesium–dinitrogen complex. In the current study, [{K(TripNON)Mg}2] has been shown to be a viable reagent for the reductive activation of CO, H2 and N2O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]