EPR studies on H-abstraction from methylbenzenes by “magic blue” reagent

After mixing a methylbenzene 4 with “magic blue” solution in F113 (CClF₂CCl₂F) containing bis{perfluoro[1-(2-fluorosulfonyl)ethoxy]ethyl}nitroxide 2 and perfluoro-1-nitroso-1-[1-(2-fluorosulfonyl)ethoxy]ethane 3 at room temperature, benzylic H-atom of 4 could be selectively abstracted by 2, and benzyl radical 5 thus generated was immediately trapped by 3. Based on hyper-fine splitting constants (hfsc), the structure of the spin adducts perfluoro[1-(2-fluorosulfonyl)ethoxy]ethyl benzyl nitroxides 6 derived from seven methylbenzenes have been identified. The mechanism of the H-abstraction/spin trapping process is also discussed.     

EPR studies on H-abstraction from p-substituted benzaldehydes by new “Magic Blue” reagents and correlation analysis of aN values of ω-fluorosulfonylperfluoroalkyl p-substituted benzoyl nitroxides

New “Magic Blue” reagent, namely, the blue solution in F113 (CClF₂CCl₂F) containing H-abstracting agent bis[ω-fluorosulfonylperfluoroalkyl] nitroxide R_FN(O)R_F2 and ω-fluorosulfonylperfluoronitrosoalkane spin trap R_FNO 3 both generated in the reaction of ω-fluorosulfonylperfluorodiacyl peroxide [FO₂SCF₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)CF₂OCF(CF₃)COO]₂1 with sodium nitrite in F113 (CClF₂CCl₂F) at room temperature, reacted with a series of p-substituted benzaldehydes 4 via regio-selective abstraction of the formyl hydrogen followed by spin trapping of the acyl radical intermediate 5, thus led to the formation of stable spin adducts ω-fluorosulfonylperfluoroalkyl p-substituted benzoyl nitroxides 6. The correlation analyses of a_N values of nitroxides 6 with various substituent constants disclose that the polar effects are the major factors varying the spin density on the nitroxyl-nitrogen while the effect through spin-delocalization is felt slightly.     

Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rhodium(III) trifluorovinyl phosphine complexes and attempted intramolecular dehydrofluorinative coupling of pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and trifluorovinyl phosphine ligands

The trifluorovinyl phosphine complexes [Cp*RhCl₂{PR_3−x(CFCF₂)_x}] (1x = 1, a R = Ph, b Prⁱ, c Et; 2x = 2, R = Ph) have been prepared by treatment of [Cp*RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂ with the relevant phosphine. The salt [Cp*RhCl(CNBu^t){PPh₂(CFCF₂)}]BF₄, 3, was prepared by addition of Bu^tNC to 1a in the presence of NaBF₄. The salt [Cp*RhCl{κP,κS-(CF₂CF)PPh(C₆H₄SMe-2)}]BF₄ was prepared as a mixture of cis (5a) and trans (5b) isomers by treatment of [Cp*RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂ with the phosphine-thioether (CF₂CF)PPh(C₆H₄SMe-2), 4, in the presence of NaBF₄. The structures of 1a-c and 5a have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Intramolecular dehydrofluorinative carbon-carbon coupling between pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and trifluorovinylphosphine ligands of 1a, 3 and 5 has been attempted. No reaction was observed on treatment of the neutral complex [Cp*RhCl₂{PPh₂(CFCF₂)}], 1a, with proton sponge, however, 5a underwent dehydrofluorinative coupling to yield [{η⁵,κP,κS-(C₅Me₄CH₂CFCF)PPh(C₆H₄SMe-2)}RhCl]BF₄, 6. Other reactions, in particular addition of HF across the vinyl bonds of 5, occurred leading to a mixture of products. The cation of 3 underwent similar reactions.     

Synthesis and structures of bimetallic silicon-containing imido alkylidene complexes of tungsten (R′O)2(ArN)WCH-SiR2-CHW(NAr)(OR′)2 (R = Me, Ph) and (R′O)2(ArN)WCH-SiMe2SiMe2-CHW(NAr)(OR′)2

Bimetallic alkylidene complexes of tungsten (R′O)₂(ArN)WCH-SiR₂-CHW(NAr)(OR′)₂ (R = Me (1), Ph (2)) and (R′O)₂(ArN)WCH-SiMe₂SiMe₂-CHW(NAr)(OR′)₂ (3) (Ar = ; R′ = CMe₂CF₃) have been prepared by the reactions of divinyl silicon reagents R₂Si(CHCH₂)₂ with known alkylidene compounds R′′-CHMo(NAr)(OR′)₂. (R′′ = Bu^t, PhMe₂C) Complexes 1-3 were structurally characterized. Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctene using compounds 1-3 as initiators led to the formation of high molecular weight polyoctenamers with predominant trans-units content in the case of 1 and 3 and predominant cis-units content in the case of 2.     

Fluorous modification of 2,2′-bipyridine

A series of 2,2′-bipyridines featuring fluorinated alkyl groups [(CH₂)₃(CF₂)_xCF₃: x = 0, (1); 5, (2); 7, (3); 9 (4)] appended in the 4 and 4′ positions have been prepared. 1-4 were characterized by spectroscopy and physical methods including partition coefficient (biphase: perfluoromethylcyclohexane/toluene) and cyclic voltammetry (THF). Ab-initio calculations of vertical ionization potentials (VIPs) for 1-4 confirm the insulating role of the methylene spacers as the electrochemical reduction potentials of 1-4 are almost identical to that of 2,2′-bipyridine. Calculations for (CH₂)_nCF₃ derivatives (n = 0-10) describe a limit for impact of the CF₃ group through 9-10 methylenes. From both physical and theoretical data fluorinated alkyl groups of the formula (CH₂)₃(CF₂)_xCF₃ [x = 0-9] are inductively equivalent to a hydrogen substituent when appended to the bipyridine moiety.     

Cycloaddition reaction of quadricyclane and fluoroolefins

Reaction of quadricyclane (1) with fluoroolefins of different structure results in stereoselective formation of polyfluorinated exo-tricyclo[4.2.1.0^2,5]non-7-enes. The reaction of a mixture of trans/cis CF₃CFCFCF₃ with 1 is stereoselective and the resulting cycloadducts 7a, b preserve the original alkene stereochemistry. The relative rate constants of cycloaddition of a series of fluoroolefins to 1 under pseudo first-order conditions measured by kinetic NMR at 109 °C provide a kinetic scale of reactivities of the fluoroolefins in this reaction.These relative rate constants correlate well with the number of fluoroalkyl groups connected to the double bond, reaching a maximum for the tri-substituted olefin: CF₃CFCF₂:CF₃CFCFCF₃:(CF₃)₂CC(CF₃)₂:(CF₃)₂CCFC₂F₅ = 1:1.2-1.9:4:138.     

C-S bond cleavage in the sensitized photooxygenation of tert-alkyl phenyl sulfides. The role of superoxide anion

The N-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate (NMQ⁺)-photosensitized oxidation of tert-alkyl phenyl sulfides 1a-c (1a, tert-alkyl=tert-butyl; 1b, tert-alkyl=2-phenyl-2-propyl; 1c, tert-alkyl=1,1-diphenylethyl) and benzyl phenyl sulfide (2) were investigated in CH₃CN by nanosecond laser flash photolysis (LFP) and steady-state irradiation either under nitrogen or in the presence of O₂. By laser irradiation, the formation of sulfide radical cations 1a⁺-c⁺ in the monomeric form (λ_max=520 nm) and of 2⁺ in both the monomeric (λ_max=520 nm) and dimeric form (λ_max=780 nm) were observed within the laser pulse. In both cases, the radical cations decayed by second-order kinetics without any apparent formation of transients attributable to C-S bond rupture. In line with these results, very small amounts of photoproducts were obtained under nitrogen thus suggesting that the sulfide radical cations mainly undergo a back electron transfer process with the reduced N-methylquinolinium (NMQ). A different situation was found in the presence of O₂ since steady-state photolysis produced substantial amounts of C-S bond cleavage products (alcohols, alkenes, and ketones from 1a-c and benzaldehyde from 2), in contrast with LFP experiments. Formation of products was, however, significantly reduced in the presence of benzoquinone, a trap for O₂⁻ generated by NMQ and O₂. For the tert-alkyl phenyl sulfides, 1a-c, these results have been interpreted by suggesting that C-S bond cleavage products in the presence of oxygen mostly derive from the decomposition of a thiadioxirane 6 formed by the reaction of the sulfide radical cation with O₂⁻. In this cleavage a sulfinate and a carbocation formed. The former is oxidized to sulfonate, whereas the carbocation can react with adventitious water to form the alcohol (and the alkene therefrom) and with O₂⁻ to produce the ketone. For 2 (a sulfide with α-CH bonds) probably a different mechanism holds, benzaldehyde coming from the α-phenylthio carbon radical formed from deprotonation by O₂⁻ of 2ⁿ⁺.     

Photoreactions of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarbonitrile with arylethenes—photo- olefin dimerization-aromatic substitution reactions

Irradiation of 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCNB) with styrene derivatives 1-4, respectively, leads to a photochemical olefin dimerization-aromatic substitution reaction to give the corresponding (2,4,5-tricyanophenyl)tetralin derivative (8, 12, 16, 17, and 20) as the main product. Further irradiation of the primary product with alkene results in substitution of the meta-CN group by another phenyltetralinyl to give the corresponding 4:1 (alkene-TCNB) product. According to the effect of the codonor (biphenyl) and salt (magnesium perchlorate) on reaction rate, the result of photoinduced reactions of TCNB with tetralin (6) and 1-phenyltetralin (7) and analysis of the known kinetic data for relevant processes in the cyanoarene-alkene reactions, the mechanism for the formation of the olefin dimerization-aromatic substitution products (such as 8) is proposed to involve radical pair combination of the alkene cyclodimer radical (the corresponding 4-phenyl-1-tetralinyl radical) with TCNB⁻ followed by expulsion of a CN⁻. Photoreactions of TCNB with the alkene photocyclodimer (1-phenyltetralin) may also make minor contributions. Photoinduced reaction of TCNB with 1-phenylcyclohexene (5) takes a different pathway from 1-4 to afford the 1:1 (5-TCNB) primary product 21 by deprotonation of 5⁺ and radical pair combination with TCNB⁻ followed by elimination of HCN.     

OH-Induced shift from carbon to oxygen acidity in the side-chain deprotonation of 2-, 3- and 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol radical cations in aqueous solution: results from pulse radiolysis and DFT calculations

DFT calculations have been carried out for 2-, 3- and 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol radical cations (1⁺, 3⁺ and 4⁺, respectively) and the α-methyl derivatives 2⁺ and 5⁺ using the UB3LYP/6-31G(d) method. The theoretical results have been compared with the experimental rate constants for deprotonation of 1⁺-5⁺ under acidic and basic conditions. In acidic solution, the decay of 1⁺-5⁺ proceeds by cleavage of the C-H bond, while in the presence of ⁻OH all the radical cations undergo deprotonation from the α-OH group. This pH-dependent change in mechanism has been interpreted qualitatively in terms of simple frontier molecular orbital theory. The ⁻OH induced α-O-H deprotonation is consistent with a charge controlled reaction, whereas the C-H deprotonation, observed when the base is H₂O, appears to be affected by frontier orbital interactions.     

Some ruthenium complexes containing cyanocarbon ligands: syntheses, structures and extent of electronic communication in binuclear systems

The preparation of several ruthenium complexes containing cyanocarbon anions is reported. Deprotonation (KOBu^t) of [Ru(NCCH₂CN)(PPh₃)₂Cp]PF₆ (1) gives Ru{NCCH(CN)}(PPh₃)₂Cp (2), which adds a second [Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp]⁺ unit to give [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂(μ-NCCHCN)]⁺ (3). Attempted deprotonation of the latter to give the μ-NCCCN complex was unsuccessful. Similar chemistry with tricyanomethanide anion gives Ru{NCC(CN)₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp (4) and [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂{μ-NCC(CN)CN}]PF₆ (5), and with pentacyanopropenide, Ru{NCC(CN)C(CN)C(CN)₂}(PPh₃)₂Cp (6) and [{Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp}₂{μ-NCC(CN)C(CN)C(CN)CN}]PF₆ (7). The Ru(dppe)Cp* analogues of 6 and 7 (8 and 9) were also prepared. Thermolysis of 6 (refluxing toluene, 12 h) results in loss of PPh₃ and formation of the binuclear cyclic complex {Ru(PPh₃)Cp[μ-NC{C(CN)C(CN)₂}CN]}₂ (10). The solid-state structures of 2-4 and 8-10 have been determined and the nature of the isomers shown to be present in solutions of the binuclear cations 7 and 9 by NMR studies has been probed using Hartree-Fock and density functional theory.     

The first observation in an organic medium and DFT calculation of the TMM radical anion generated via a single electron reduction of a methylenecyclopropane

γ-Irradiation of 2,2-diphenyl-1-methylenecyclopropane (3) in a degassed 2-methyltetrahydrofuran glassy matrix at 77 K gave an intense UV/vis absorption band with λ_ab at 496 nm. This result and calculations based on density functional theory for its radical anion 3⁻ and the corresponding trimethylenemethane radical anion (2⁻) strongly suggest that single electron reduction of 3 followed by ready ring opening affords 2⁻, whose molecular geometry is largely twisted (θ = 45.5°), and the negative charge and spin are localized mainly in the diphenyl methyl and allyl moieties, respectively.     

Synthesis, structures and some reactions of Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp (PP = dppm, dppe) and related compounds

The compounds Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp [PP = dppe (1), dppm (2)], have been obtained from reactions between RuCl(PP)Cp and FcCCCCSiMe₃ in the presence of KF (1) or HCCCCFc and K[PF₆] (2), both with added dbu. The dppe complex reacts with Co₂(CO)₆(L₂) [L₂ = (CO)₂, dppm] to give 3, 4 in which the Co₂(CO)₄(L₂) group is attached to the outer CC triple bond. The PPh₃ analogue of 3 (5) has also been characterised. In contrast, tetracyanoethene reacts to give two isomeric complexes 6 and 7, in which the cyano-olefin has added to either CC triple bond. The reaction of RuCl(dppe)Cp with HCCCCFc, carried out in a thf/NEt₃ mixture in the presence of Na[BPh₄], gave [Ru{CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}(dppe)Cp]BPh₄ (8), probably formed by addition of the amine to an (unobserved) intermediate butatrienylidene [Ru(CCCCHFc)(dppe)Cp]⁺. The reaction of I₂ with 8 proceeds via an unusual migration of the alkynyl group to the Cp ring to give [RuI(dppe){η-C₅H₄CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}]I₃ (9). Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations of 1, 2 and 4-9 are reported.     

Matrix isolation and DFT calculations of the TMM radical cation generated via the single electron oxidation of a methylenecyclopropane

A γ-irradiation of 2,2-diphenyl-1-methylenecyclopropane (3) in a degassed n-butyl chloride glassy matrix at 77 K produced an intense UV/vis absorption band with λ_ab at 432 nm. This result and calculations based on density functional theory for its radical cation 3⁺ and the corresponding trimethylenemethane radical cation (2⁺) strongly suggest that a single electron oxidation of 3 followed by ready ring opening affords 2⁺, whose molecular geometry is largely twisted (θ = 44.0°), and the positive charge and spin are localized mainly in the diphenyl methyl and allyl moieties, respectively.     

Reactivity of silyl-substituted heterobimetallic iron-platinum hydride complexes towards unsaturated molecules: Part II. Insertion of trifluoropropyne and hexafluorobutyne into the platinum-hydride bond

Insertion of hexafluorobutyne into the Pt-H bond of the heterobimetallic complexes [(OC)₃Fe{Si(OMe)₃}(μ-Ph₂PXPPh₂)Pt(H)(PPh₃)] (1a X = CH₂; 1b X = NH) yields the σ-alkenyl complexes [(OC)₃Fe{μ-Si(OMe)₂(OMe)}(μ-Ph₂PXPPh₂)Pt{C(CF₃)C(H)CF₃}] (3a X = CH₂; 3b X = NH). This insertion reaction is accompanied by dissociation of the platinum bound PPh₃ ligand and saturation of the vacant coordination site by a dative μ−η²-Si-O → Pt interaction. Addition of the Pt-H bond of 1a across the triple bond of 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne affords in a regiospecific manner [(OC)₃Fe{μ-Si(OMe)₂(OMe)}(μ-dppm)Pt{C(CF₃)CH₂}] (2) having the trifluoromethyl substituent on the α-carbon. Addition of RNC to 3 affords the isocyanide adducts [(OC)₃Fe{Si(OMe)₃}(μ-Ph₂PXPPh₂)Pt(CNR){C(CF₃)C(H)CF₃}] (4a R = t-Bu, X = CH₂; 4b R = 2,6-xylyl, X = CH₂; 4c R = 2,6-xylyl, X = NH). In dichloromethane solution 3a is gradually transformed into the C₄F₆-bridged compound [(OC)₃Fe(μ-dppm)(μ-CF₃CCCF₃)Pt(CO)] 5. The Pt-bound carbonyl ligand of 5 is displaced by xylylisocyanide or trimethylphosphite affording the derivatives [(OC)₃Fe(μ-dppm)(μ-CF₃CCCF₃)Pt(CNxylyl)] 6 and [(OC)₃Fe(μ-dppm)(μ-CF₃CCCF₃)Pt{P(OMe)₃}] 7. The molecular structures of 4a, 5 and 6 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Silicon version of enamines: Amino-substituted disilenes by the reactions of the disilyne RSiSiR (R = SiPr[CH(SiMe3)2]2) with amines

The reaction of 1,1,4,4-tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-1,4-diisopropyltetrasila-2-yne 1 with secondary or primary amines produced amino-substituted disilenes R(R₂′N)SiSiHR 2a-d (R = SiⁱPr[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂, R₂′NEt₂N (2a), (CH₂CH₂)₂N (2b), ^tBu(H)N (2c), and Ph₂N (2d)). Spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses of 2 showed that 2a-c have a nearly coplanar arrangement of the SiSi double bond and the amino group, giving π-conjugation between the SiSi double bond and the lone pair on the nitrogen atom, whereas 2d has a nearly perpendicular arrangement precluding such conjugation. Theoretical calculations indicate that π-conjugation between the π-orbital of the SiSi double bond and the lone pair on the nitrogen atom is markedly influenced by the torsional angle between the SiSi double-bond plane and the amino-group plane.     

Activation of C-H and C-Br bonds in cyclopalladation reactions of Schiff base ligands: Influence of the benzylidene ring substituents

Reaction of Pd(AcO)₂ with the Schiff base ligands 2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy) (a) and 4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₃C(H)N(Cy) (b) leads to the cyclometallated compounds [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}(μ-O₂CMe)]₂ (1a) and [Pd{4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C6,N}(μ-O₂CMe)]₂ (1b), respectively, via C-H activation. Treatment of a with Pd₂(dba)₃ gave [Pd{4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)N(Cy)-C2,N}(μ-Br)]₂ (6a), via C-Br activation. The metathesis reaction of 1a and 1b with aqueous sodium chloride gave the corresponding cyclopalladated dimers with bridging chloride ligands, 2a and 2b, respectively. Treatment of the halogen-bridged compounds with tertiary tri- and diphosphines in the appropriate molar ratio gave the mono and dinuclear compounds 3a-5a, 7a-9a and 3b-5b. The structure of compounds 3a, 4a, 5a, 8a, 2b, 3b and 5b has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Heterobi- to heterotetrametallic transition metal complexes constructed from ferrocenecarboxylate and [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe3)2}M] units

A series of copper(I) and silver(I) carboxylates received from various ferrocenecarboxylic acids was synthesized and used in the preparation of heterooligometallic Ti-Cu(Ag)-Fe complexes. The silver(I) salts [FcCO₂Ag] (2a) and [FcCHCHCO₂Ag] (2b) (Fc = ferrocenyl, (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)) were obtained through deprotonation of the respective acids FcCO₂H (1a) and FcCHCHCO₂H (1b) with NEt₃, followed by a reaction with [AgNO₃]. The heterotrimetallic complexes {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}AgO₂CFc (4a) and {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}AgO₂CCHCHFc (4b), where [Ti] denotes the (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti unit, were obtained from the reaction of 2a and 2b with the organometallic π-tweezer compound [Ti](CCSiMe₃)₂ (3). The related heterotrimetallic copper(I) complex {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuO₂CFc (9a) was prepared via two synthetic routes. First, salt 2a was reacted with [(η²-Me₃SiCCSiMe₃)CuBr]₂ (10) to give the alkyne-stabilized copper(I) carboxylate [(η²-Me₃SiCCSiMe₃)(CuO₂CFc)₂]₂ (11). Subsequent reaction of 11 with four equivalents of 3 afforded 9a. Alternatively, 9a and its analogues {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuO₂C-E-Fc (E = trans-CHCH (9b), CH₂CH₂ (9c)), were prepared from acidolysis of the Cu-C_Me bond in {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuMe (8) with acids 1a-1c. An analogous reaction between HO₂CfcPPh₂M(CO)₅ (M = Cr (14a), Mo (14b), W (14c); fc = ferrocene-1,1′-diyl) and 8 at−30 °C gave the alkyne/ferrocene-bridged heterotetrametallic compounds {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuO₂CfcPPh₂M(CO)₅ (M = Cr (15a), Mo (15b), W (15c)). Reversing the reaction steps so that {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}CuO₂CfcPPh₂ (12) was prepared first and then reacted with M(CO)₅(thf) (M = Cr (13a), Mo (13b), W (13a)) gave complicated reaction mixtures from which pure 15a-15c could not be isolated. The solid-state structures of 5, 7, 9a, and 11 have been corroborated by single-crystal X-ray structural studies and the electrochemical behavior of acids 1a-1c and of complexes 4a, 4b and 9a-9c was studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthesis of heterocyclic carbene ligands via 1,2,3-diheterocyclization of allenylidene complexes with dinucleophiles

Heterocyclic carbene complexes are accessible from π-donor-substituted allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅CrCCC(NMe₂)Ph] (1) and [(CO)₅CrCCC(O-endo-Bornyl)OEt] (4), and various dinucleophiles by 1,2,3-diheterocyclization. The reaction of 1 with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine gives the 1,2-dimethylpyrazolylidene complex (2) in high yield in addition to small amounts of the α,β-unsaturated carbene complex [(CO)₅CrC(NMe₂)-C(H)C(NMe₂)Ph] (3). The analogous reaction of 4 with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine affords the 1,2-dimethylpyrazolylidene complex (5) and, via displacement of the C_γ-bound ethoxy substituent, the hydrazinoallenylidene complex [(CO)₅CrCCC(O-endo-Bornyl){NMe-N(H)Me}] (6). Treatment of 6 with catalytic amounts of acids induces cyclization to 5. On addition of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine to 1 the zwitterionic pyrazolium-5-ylidene complex (7) is formed. The reaction of 1 with 1,2-diaminocyclohexane affords a octahydro-benzo[1,4]diazepinylidene complex (10) and, via intermolecular substitution, a binuclear bisallenylidene complex (11). Thiazepinylidene complexes (12-14), containing 7-membered N/S-heterocyclic carbene ligands, are formed highly selectively in the reaction of 1 with 2-aminoethanethiol or related cysteine derivatives by a substitution/cyclization sequence. The analogous reaction of 1 with homocysteine methylester yields a thiazocanylidene complex (15). All new heterocyclic carbene ligands are strong donors exhibiting σ-donor/π-acceptor ratios similar to those of the known imidazolylidene complexes. On photolysis of 2 and 12 in the presence of triphenylphosphine, the corresponding cis-carbene tetracarbonyl triphenylphosphine complexes (16 and 17) are formed. The solid state structure of complexes 2, 7, 14, 15, and 16 is established by X-ray structural analysis.     

Ethynyl[2.2]paracyclophanes and 4-isocyano[2.2]paracyclophane as ligands in organometallic chemistry

An alternative synthesis of (±)-4-ethynyl[2.2]paracyclophane (PCPCCH) (5) and 4,16-diethynyl[2.2]paracyclophane (6) via the Corey-Fuchs reaction has been developed. The olefinic intermediate 4-dibromovinyl[2.2]paracyclophane (3) has been isolated and structurally characterized. The racemic terminal alkyne 5 was employed as starting material for assembling of a luminescent extended π-conjugated system containing a thiophene unit and for a catalytic bis-silylation reaction yielding the olefinic dithioether Z-PhSCH₂Me₂SiC(H)C(PCP)SiMe₂CH₂SPh (9). The dimetallatetrahedran [Co₂(CO)₆(μ-η²-PCP-CCH)] (10) has been prepared and its crystal structure determined by an X-ray diffraction analysis. Alkyne 5 has also been used for the preparation of the Pt(0) complex [Pt(PPh₃)₂(PCPCCH)] (11) and the heterodinuclear dimetallacyclopentenone [(OC)₂Fe{μC(O)C(PCP)C(H)}(μ-dppm)Pt(PPh₃)] (12). The synthesis and reactivity of 4-isocyano[2.2]paracyclophane (15) towards heterobimetallic iron-platinum and palladium-platinum complexes is also presented. Opening of the dative iron → platinum bond of [(OC)₄Fe(μ-dppm)PtCl₂] (16) occurred upon addition of 15 to a CH₂Cl₂ solution of 16 leading to [(OC)₄Fe{μ-dppm}PtCl₂(CNPCP)] (17). Treatment of [ClPd(μ-dppm)₂PtCl] (18) with isocyanide 15 in a 1:1 ratio affords the A-frame compound [ClPd(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CNPCP)PtCl] (19), resulting from formal insertion of 15 into the Pd-Pt bond. Addition of 2 equiv. of 15-18 leads to the ionic A-frame compound [ClPd(μ-dppm)₂(μ-CNPCP)Pt(CNPCP)]Cl (20).