Gold(I) and Gold(III) Trifluoromethyl Derivatives

Trifluoromethylation of AuCl₃ by using the Me₃SiCF₃/CsF system in THF and in the presence of [PPh₄]Br proceeds with partial reduction, yielding a mixture of [PPh₄][Au^I(CF₃)₂] ( 1′ ) and [PPh₄][Au^III(CF₃)₄] ( 2′ ) that can be adequately separated. An efficient method for the high‐yield synthesis of 1′ is also described. The molecular geometries of the homoleptic anions [Au^I(CF₃)₂]^? and [Au^III(CF₃)₄]^? in their salts 1′ and [NBu₄][Au^III(CF₃)₄] ( 2 ) have been established by X‐ray diffraction methods. Compound 1′ oxidatively adds halogens, X₂, furnishing [PPh₄][Au^III(CF₃)₂X₂] (X=Cl ( 3 ), Br ( 4 ), I ( 5 )), which are assigned a trans stereochemistry. Attempts to activate C? F bonds in the gold(III) derivative 2′ by reaction with Lewis acids under different conditions either failed or only gave complex mixtures. On the other hand, treatment of the gold(I) derivative 1′ with BF₃?OEt₂ under mild conditions cleanly afforded the carbonyl derivative [Au^I(CF₃)(CO)] ( 6 ), which can be isolated as an extremely moisture‐sensitive light yellow crystalline solid. In the solid state, each linear F₃C‐Au‐CO molecule weakly interacts with three symmetry‐related neighbors yielding an extended 3D network of aurophilic interactions (Au???Au=345.9(1) pm). The high $\tilde \nu $ _CO value (2194 cm^?1 in the solid state and 2180 cm^?1 in CH₂Cl₂ solution) denotes that CO is acting as a mainly σ‐donor ligand and confirms the role of the CF₃ group as an electron‐withdrawing ligand in organometallic chemistry. Compound 6 can be considered as a convenient synthon of the “Au^I(CF₃)” fragment, as it reacts with a number of neutral ligands L, giving rise to the corresponding [Au^I(CF₃)(L)] compounds (L=CNtBu ( 7 ), NCMe ( 8 ), py ( 9 ), tht ( 10 )).     

Copper coordination polymers from cavitand ligands: hierarchical spaces from cage and capsule motifs,and other topologies

The cyclotriveratrylene-type ligands (±)-tris(iso-nicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene L1 (±)-tris(4-pyridylmethyl)cyclotriguaiacylene L2 and (±)-tris{4-(4-pyridyl)benzyl}cyclotriguaiacylene L3 all feature 4-pyridyl donor groups and all form coordination polymers with Cu^I and/or Cu^II cations that show a remarkable range of framework topologies and structures. Complex [Cu^I ₄Cu^II _1.5(L1)₃(CN)₆]·CN·n(DMF) 1 features a novel 3,4-connected framework of cyano-linked hexagonal metallo-cages. In complexes [Cu₃(L2)₄(H₂O)₃]·6(OTf)·n(DMSO) 2 and [Cu₂(L3)₂Br₂(H₂O)(DMSO)]·2Br·n(DMSO) 3 capsule-like metallo-cryptophane motifs are formed which linked through their metal vertices into a hexagonal 2D network of (4³.12³)(4².12²) topology or a coordination chain. Complex [Cu₂(L1)₂(OTf)₂(NMP)₂(H₂O)₂]·2(OTf)·2NMP 4 has an interpenetrating 2D 3,4-connected framework of (4.6².8)(6².8)(4.6².8²) topology with tubular channels. Complex [Cu(L1)(NCMe)]·BF₄·2(CH₃CN)·H₂O 5 features a 2D network of 6³ topology while the Cu^II analogue [Cu₂(L1)₂(NMP)(H₂O)]·4BF₄·12NMP·1.5H₂O 6 has an interpenetrating (10,3)-b type structure and complex [Cu₂(L2)₂Br₃(DMSO)]·Br·n(DMSO) 7 has a 2D network of 4.8² topology. Strategies for formation of coordination polymers with hierarchical spaces emerge in this work and complex 2 is shown to absorb fullerene-C₆₀ through soaking the crystals in a toluene solution.     

A faux hawk fullerene with PCBM-like properties

Reaction of C₆₀, C₆F₅CF₂I, and SnH(n-Bu)₃ produced, among other unidentified fullerene derivatives, the two new compounds 1,9-C₆₀(CF₂C₆F₅)H (1) and 1,9-C₆₀(cyclo-CF₂(2-C₆F₄)) (2). The highest isolated yield of 1 was 35% based on C₆₀. Depending on the reaction conditions, the relative amounts of 1 and 2 generated in situ were as high as 85% and 71%, respectively, based on HPLC peak integration and summing over all fullerene species present other than unreacted C₆₀. Compound 1 is thermally stable in 1,2-dichlorobenzene (oDCB) at 160 °C but was rapidly converted to 2 upon addition of Sn₂(n-Bu)₆ at this temperature. In contrast, complete conversion of 1 to 2 occurred within minutes, or hours, at 25 °C in 90/10 (v/v) PhCN/C₆D₆ by addition of stoichiometric, or sub-stoichiometric, amounts of proton sponge (PS) or cobaltocene (CoCp₂). DFT calculations indicate that when 1 is deprotonated, the anion C₆₀(CF₂C₆F₅)^– can undergo facile intramolecular S_NAr annulation to form 2 with concomitant loss of F^–. To our knowledge this is the first observation of a fullerene-cage carbanion acting as an S_NAr nucleophile towards an aromatic C–F bond. The gas-phase electron affinity (EA) of 2 was determined to be 2.805(10) eV by low-temperature PES, higher by 0.12(1) eV than the EA of C₆₀ and higher by 0.18(1) eV than the EA of phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). In contrast, the relative E _1/2(0/–) values of 2 and C₆₀, –0.01(1) and 0.00(1) V, respectively, are virtually the same (on this scale, and under the same conditions, the E _1/2(0/–) of PCBM is –0.09 V). Time-resolved microwave conductivity charge-carrier yield × mobility values for organic photovoltaic active-layer-type blends of 2 and poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) were comparable to those for equimolar blends of PCBM and P3HT. The structure of solvent-free crystals of 2 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The number of nearest-neighbor fullerene–fullerene interactions with centroid···centroid (⊙···⊙) distances of ≤10.34 Å is significantly greater, and the average ⊙···⊙ distance is shorter, for 2 (10 nearest neighbors; ave. ⊙···⊙ distance = 10.09 Å) than for solvent-free crystals of PCBM (7 nearest neighbors; ave. ⊙···⊙ distance = 10.17 Å). Finally, the thermal stability of 2 was found to be far greater than that of PCBM.     

The approach to 4d/4f-polyphosphides

The first 4d/4f polyphosphides were obtained by reaction of the divalent metallocenes [Cp*₂Ln(thf)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) with [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^2:2-P₂)] or [Cp*Mo(CO)₂(η³-P₃)]. Treatment of [Cp*₂Ln(thf)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) with [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^2:2-P₂)] gave the 16-membered bicyclic compounds [(Cp₂*Ln)₂P₂(CpMo(CO)₂)₄] (Ln = Sm, Yb) as the major products. From the reaction involving samarocene, the cyclic P₄ complex [(Cp*₂Sm)₂P₄(CpMo(CO)₂)₂] and the cyclic P₅ complex [(Cp*₂Sm)₃P₅(CpMo(CO)₂)₃] were also obtained as minor products. In each reaction, the P₂ unit is reduced and a rearrangement occurred. In dedicated cases, a P–P bond formation takes place, which results in a new aggregation of the central phosphorus scaffold. In the reactions of [Cp*₂Ln(thf)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) with [Cp*Mo(CO)₂P₃] a new P–P bond is formed by reductive dimerization and the 4d/4f hexaphosphides [(Cp*₂Ln)₂P₆(Cp*Mo(CO)₂)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) were obtained.     

Electrochemical behaviour of [Ru(L)(CO)2Cl2] [Ru(L)(CO)Cl3][Me4N] and [Ru(L)(CO)2(CH3CN)2][CF3SO3]2 complexes (L = 2,2′- bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine)

The clectrochemical behaviour of the complexes [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂], [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ (L = 2,2′-bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine) has been investigated in CH₃CN. The oxidation of [Ru(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] produces new complexes [Ru^III(L)(CO)(CH₃CN)₂Cl]²⁺ as a consequence of the instability of the electrogenerated transient Ru^III species [Ru^III(L)(CO)₂Cl₂]⁺. In contrast, the oxidation of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] produces the stable [Ru^III(L)(CO)Cl₃] complex. In contrast [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ is not oxidized in the range up to the most positive potentials achievable. The reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ results in the formation of identical dark blue strongly adherent electroactive films. These films exhibit the characteristics of a metal-metal bond dimer structure. No films are obtained on reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N]. The effect of the substitution of the bipyridine ligand by electron-withdrawing carboxy ester groups on the electrochemical behaviour of all these complexes has also been investigated.     

Assessing the exchange coupling in binuclear lanthanide(iii) complexes and the slow relaxation of the magnetization in the antiferromagnetically coupled Dy2 derivative

We report here the synthesis and the investigation of the magnetic properties of a series of binuclear lanthanide complexes belonging to the metallacrown family. The isostructural complexes have a core structure with the general formula [Ga₄Ln₂(shi^3–)₄(Hshi^2–)₂(H₂shi^–)₂(C₅H₅N)₄(CH₃OH)_x(H₂O)_x]·xC₅H₅N·xCH₃OH·xH₂O (where H₃shi = salicylhydroxamic acid and Ln = Gd^III1; Tb^III2; Dy^III3; Er^III4; Y^III5; Y^III_0.9Dy^III_0.16). Apart from the Er-containing complex, all complexes exhibit an antiferromagnetic exchange coupling leading to a diamagnetic ground state. Magnetic studies, below 2 K, on a single crystal of 3 using a micro-squid array reveal an opening of the magnetic hysteresis cycle at zero field. The dynamic susceptibility studies of 3 and of the diluted DyY 6 complexes reveal the presence of two relaxation processes for 3 that are due to the excited ferromagnetic state and to the uncoupled Dy^III ions. The antiferromagnetic coupling in 3 was shown to be mainly due to an exchange mechanism, which accounts for about 2/3 of the energy gap between the antiferro- and the ferromagnetic states. The overlap integrals between the Natural Spin Orbitals (NSOs) of the mononuclear fragments, which are related to the magnitude of the antiferromagnetic exchange, are one order of magnitude larger for the Dy₂ than for the Er₂ complex.     

Mono- and Binuclear Copper(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes with the 3,6-Bis(picolylamino)-1,2,4,5-Tetrazine Ligand

Four new compounds of formulas [Cu(hfac)₂(L)] (1), [Ni(hfac)₂(L)] (2), [{Cu(hfac)₂}₂(µ-L)]·2CH₃OH (3) and [{Ni(hfac)₂}₂(µ-L)]·2CH₃CN (4) [Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone and L = 3,6-bis(picolylamino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine] have been prepared and their structures determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural mononuclear complexes where the metal ions [copper(II) (1) and nickel(II) (2)] are six-coordinated in distorted octahedral MN₂O₄ surroundings which are built by two bidentate hfac ligands plus another bidentate L molecule. This last ligand coordinates to the metal ions through the nitrogen atoms of the picolylamine fragment. Compounds 3 and 4 are centrosymmetric homodinuclear compounds where two bidentate hfac units are the bidentate capping ligands at each metal center and a bis-bidentate L molecule acts as a bridge. The values of the intramolecular metal···metal separation are 7.97 (3) and 7.82 Å (4). Static (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out for polycrystalline samples 1–4 in the temperature range 1.9–300 K. Curie law behaviors were observed for 1 and 2, the downturn of χ_MT in the low temperature region for 2 being due to the zero-field splitting of the nickel(II) ion. Very weak [J = −0.247(2) cm⁻¹] and relatively weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions [J = −4.86(2) cm⁻¹] occurred in 3 and 4, respectively (the spin Hamiltonian being defined as H = −JS₁·S₂). Simple symmetry considerations about the overlap between the magnetic orbitals across the extended bis-bidentate L bridge in 3 and 4 account for their magnetic properties.     

Polymerization Isomerism in Co-M (M = Cu,Ag, Au) Carbonyl Clusters: Synthesis,Structures and Computational Investigation

The reaction of [Co(CO)₄]⁻ (1) with M(I) compounds (M = Cu, Ag, Au) was reinvestigated unraveling an unprecedented case of polymerization isomerism. Thus, as previously reported, the trinuclear clusters [M{Co(CO)₄}₂]⁻ (M = Cu, 2; Ag, 3; Au, 4) were obtained by reacting 1 with M(I) in a 2:1 molar ratio. Their molecular structures were corroborated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) on isomorphous [NEt₄][M{Co(CO)₄}₂] salts. [NEt₄](3)represented the first structural characterization of 3. More interestingly, changing the crystallization conditions of solutions of 3, the hexanuclear cluster [Ag₂{Co(CO)₄}₄]²⁻ (5) was obtained in the solid state instead of 3. Its molecular structure was determined by SC-XRD as Na₂(5)·C₄H₆O₂, [PPN]₂(5)·C₅H₁₂ (PPN = N(PPh₃)₂]⁺), [NBu₄]₂(5) and [NMe₄]₂(5) salts. 5 may be viewed as a dimer of 3 and, thus, it represents a rare case of polymerization isomerism (that is, two compounds having the same elemental composition but different molecular weights) in cluster chemistry. The phenomenon was further studied in solution by IR and ESI-MS measurements and theoretically investigated by computational methods. Both experimental evidence and density functional theory (DFT) calculations clearly pointed out that the dimerization process occurs in the solid state only in the case of Ag, whereas Cu and Au related species exist only as monomers.     

Structure Controlling Factors of Oxido-Bridged Dinuclear Iron(III) Complexes

Oxido bridges commonly form between iron(III) ions, but their bond angles and symmetry vary with the circumstances. A large number of oxido-bridged dinuclear iron(III) complexes have been structurally characterized. Some of them belong to the C₂ point group, possessing bent Fe–O–Fe bonds, while some others belong to the C_i symmetry, possessing the linear Fe–O–Fe bonds. The question in this study is what determines the structures and symmetry of oxido-bridged dinuclear iron(III) complexes. In order to gain further insights, three oxido-bridged dinuclear iron(III) complexes were newly prepared with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands: [Fe₂OCl₂(bpy)₄][PF₆]₂ (1), [Fe₂O(NO₃)₂(bpy)₄][PF₆]₂·0.6MeCN·0.2(2-PrOH) (2), and [Fe₂OCl₂(phen)₄][PF₆]₂·MeCN·0.5H₂O (3). The crystal structures of 1, 2, and 3 were determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method, and all of them were found to have the bent Fe–O–Fe bonds. Judging from the crystal structure, some intramolecular interligand hydrogen bonds were found to play an important role in fixing the structures. Additional density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted, also for a related oxido-bridged dinuclear iron(III) complex with a linear Fe–O–Fe bond. We conclude that the Fe–O–Fe bridge tends to bend like a water molecule, but is often stretched by interligand steric repulsion, and that the structures are mainly controlled by the intramolecular interligand interactions.     

Versatile Reactivity of MnII Complexes in Reactions with N-Donor Heterocycles: Metamorphosis of Labile Homometallic Pivalates vs. Assembling of Endurable Heterometallic Acetates

Reaction of 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy) or 1,10-phenantroline (phen) with [Mn(Piv)₂(EtOH)]_n led to the formation of binuclear complexes [Mn₂(Piv)₄L₂] (L = 2,2′-bipy (1), phen (2); Piv⁻ is the anion of pivalic acid). Oxidation of 1 or 2 by air oxygen resulted in the formation of tetranuclear Mn^II/III complexes [Mn₄O₂(Piv)₆L₂] (L = 2,2′-bipy (3), phen (4)). The hexanuclear complex [Mn₆(OH)₂(Piv)₁₀(pym)₄] (5) was formed in the reaction of [Mn(Piv)₂(EtOH)]_n with pyrimidine (pym), while oxidation of 5 produced the coordination polymer [Mn₆O₂(Piv)₁₀(pym)₂]_n (6). Use of pyrazine (pz) instead of pyrimidine led to the 2D-coordination polymer [Mn₄(OH)(Piv)₇(µ₂-pz)₂]_n (7). Interaction of [Mn(Piv)₂(EtOH)]_n with FeCl₃ resulted in the formation of the hexanuclear complex [Mn^II₄Fe^III₂O₂(Piv)₁₀(MeCN)₂(HPiv)₂] (8). The reactions of [MnFe₂O(OAc)₆(H₂O)₃] with 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) or trans-1,2-(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) led to the formation of 1D-polymers [MnFe₂O(OAc)₆L₂]_n·2nDMF, where L = 4,4′-bipy (9·2DMF), bpe (10·2DMF) and [MnFe₂O(OAc)₆(bpe)(DMF)]_n·3.5nDMF (11·3.5DMF). All complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Desolvation of 11·3.5DMF led to a collapse of the porous crystal lattice that was confirmed by PXRD and N₂ sorption measurements, while alcohol adsorption led to porous structure restoration. Weak antiferromagnetic exchange was found in the case of binuclear Mn^II complexes (J_Mn-Mn = −1.03 cm⁻¹ for 1 and 2). According to magnetic data analysis (J_Mn-Mn = −(2.69 ÷ 0.42) cm⁻¹) and DFT calculations (J_Mn-Mn = −(6.9 ÷ 0.9) cm⁻¹) weak antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn^II ions also occurred in the tetranuclear {Mn₄(OH)(Piv)₇} unit of the 2D polymer 7. In contrast, strong antiferromagnetic coupling was found in oxo-bridged trinuclear fragment {MnFe₂O(OAc)₆} in 11·3.5DMF (J_Fe-Fe = −57.8 cm⁻¹, J_Fe-Mn = −20.12 cm⁻¹).     

Targeting antioxidant pathways with ferrocenylated N-heterocyclic carbene supported gold(i) complexes in A549 lung cancer cells

Ferrocene containing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligated gold(i) complexes of the type [Au(NHC)₂]⁺ were prepared and found to be capable of regulating the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via multiple mechanisms. Single crystal X-ray analysis of bis(1-(ferrocenylmethyl)-3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (5) and bis(1,3-di(ferrocenylmethyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (6) revealed a quasi-linear geometry around the gold(i) centers (i.e., the C–Au–C bond angle were measured to be ∼177° and all the Au–C_carbene bonds distances were in the range of 2.00 (7)–2.03 (1) Å). A series of cell studies indicated that cell proliferation inhibition and ROS generation were directly proportional to the amount of ferrocene contained within the [Au(NHC)₂]⁺ complexes (IC₅₀ of 6 < 5 < bis(1-benzyl-3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (4)). Complexes 4–6 were also confirmed to inhibit thioredoxin reductase as inferred from lipoate reduction assays and increased chelatable intracellular zinc concentrations. RNA microarray gene expression assays revealed that 6 induces endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathways as a result of ROS increase.     

Graphene related magnetic materials: micromechanical exfoliation of 2D layered magnets based on bimetallic anilate complexes with inserted [FeIII(acac2-trien)]+ and [FeIII(sal2-trien)]+ molecules

The syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of the coordination compounds of formula [Fe^III(acac₂-trien)][Mn^IICr^III(Cl₂ An)₃]·(CH₃CN)₂ (1), [Fe^III(acac₂-trien)][Mn^IICr^III(Br₂An)₃]·(CH₃CN)₂ (2) and [Ga^III(acac₂-trien)][Mn^IICr^III(Br₂An)₃]·(CH₃CN)₂ (3) are reported. They exhibit a 2D anionic network formed by Mn(ii) and Cr(iii) ions linked through anilate ligands, while the [Fe^III(acac₂-trien)]⁺ or [Ga^III(acac₂-trien)]⁺ charge-compensating cations are placed inside the hexagonal channels of the 2D network, instead of being inserted in the interlamellar spacing. Thus, these crystals are formed by hybrid layers assembled through van der Waals interactions. The magnetic properties indicate that these compounds behave as magnets exhibiting a long-range ferrimagnetic ordering at ca. 11 K, while the inserted Fe(iii) cations remain in the high-spin state. As for graphene, these layered materials can be exfoliated in atomically-thin layers with heights down to 2 nm by using the well-known Scotch tape method. Hence, this micromechanical procedure provides a suitable way to isolate ultrathin layers of this kind of graphene related magnetic materials. Interestingly, this method can also be successfully used to exfoliate the 2D anilate-based compound [Fe^III(sal₂-trien)][Mn^IICr^III(Cl₂An)₃]·solv (4), which exhibits the typical alternated cation/anion layered structure. This result shows that the micromechanical exfoliation method, which has been extensively used for exfoliating van der Waals layered solids, can also be useful for exfoliating layered coordination compounds, even when they are formed by ionic components.     

Group V complexes of the tricarbonyl(η-cycloheptatrienylium)molybdenum cation and their reduction to monosubstituted derivatives of tricarbonyl(1-6-η-cycloheptatriene)molybdenum

Reaction of [(η-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₃][PF₆] with certain Group V donor ligands afforded monosubstituted complexes [(η-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂L][PF₆] (L = P(OPh)₃, PPh₃, PPh₂Me, PPhMe₂, AsPh₃, SbPh₃). These were reduced by NaBH₄ to the corresponding cycloheptatriene complexes (1-6-η-C₇H₈)Mo(CO)₂L. In addition, the preparation of alkylcycloheptatriene complexes (1-6-η-C₇H₇R)Mo(CO)₂L (R = Me, L = P(OPh)₃, PPh₃, PPh₂Me; R = t-Bu, L = PPh₃) is described. Spectroscopic properties, including ¹³C NMR, are reported.     

Adapting (4,4) Networks through Substituent Effects and Conformationally Flexible 3,2’:6’,3”-Terpyridines

Coordination networks formed between Co(NCS)₂ and 4’-substituted-[1,1’-biphenyl]-4-yl-3,2’:6’,3”-terpyridines in which the 4’-group is Me (1), H (2), F (3), Cl (4) or Br (5) are reported. [Co(1)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4.5nCHCl₃, [Co(2)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4.3nCHCl₃, [Co(3)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4nCHCl₃, [Co(4)₂(NCS)₂]_n, and [Co(5)₂(NCS)₂]_n·nCHCl₃ are 2D-networks directed by 4-connecting cobalt nodes. Changes in the conformation of the 3,2’:6’,3”-tpy unit coupled with the different peripheral substituents lead to three structure types. In [Co(1)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4.5nCHCl₃, [Co(2)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4.3nCHCl₃, [Co(3)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4nCHCl₃, cone-like arrangements of [1,1’-biphenyl]-4-yl units pack through pyridine…arene π-stacking, whereas Cl…π interactions are dominant in the packing in [Co(4)₂(NCS)₂]_n. The introduction of the Br substituent in ligand 5 switches off both face-to-face π-stacking and halogen…π-interactions, and the packing interactions are more subtly controlled. Assemblies with organic linkers 1–3 are structurally similar and the lattice accommodates CHCl₃ molecules in distinct cavities; thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that half the solvent in [Co(3)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4nCHCl₃ can be reversibly removed.     

Highly trifluoromethylated platinum compounds

The homoleptic, square‐planar organoplatinum(II) compound [NBu₄]₂[Pt(CF₃)₄] ( 1 ) undergoes oxidative addition of CF₃I under mild conditions to give rise to the octahedral organoplatinum(IV) complex [NBu₄]₂[Pt(CF₃)₅I] ( 2 ). This highly trifluoromethylated species reacts with Ag⁺ salts of weakly coordinating anions in Me₂CO under a wet‐air stream to afford the aquo derivative [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₅(OH₂)] ( 4 ) in around 75 % yield. When the reaction of 2 with the same Ag⁺ salts is carried out in MeCN, the solvento compound [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₅(NCMe)] ( 5 ) is obtained in around 80 % yield. The aquo ligand in 4 as well as the MeCN ligand in 5 are labile and can be cleanly replaced by neutral and anionic ligands to furnish a series of pentakis(trifluoromethyl)platinate(IV) compounds with formulae [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₅(L)] (L=CO ( 6 ), pyridine (py; 7 ), tetrahydrothiophene (tht; 8 )) and [NBu₄]₂[Pt(CF₃)₅X] (X=Cl ( 9 ), Br ( 10 )). The unusual carbonyl–platinum(IV) derivative [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₅(CO)] ( 6 ) is thermally stable and has a ν_CO of 2194 cm^?1. The crystal structures of 2? CH₂Cl₂, 5 , [PPh₄][Pt(CF₃)₅(CO)] ( 6′ ), and 7 have been established by X‐ray diffraction methods. Compound 2 has shown itself to be a convenient entry to the chemistry of highly trifluoromethylated platinum compounds. To the best of our knowledge, compounds 2 and 4 – 10 are the organoelement compounds with the highest CF₃ content to have been isolated and adequately characterized to date.     

Oxorhenium(V) Complexes with 1,3,4‐Triphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐ylidene

Reactions of the oxorhenium(V) complexes [ReOX₃(PPh₃)₂] (X = Cl, Br) with the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3,4‐triphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐ylidene (L^Ph) under mild conditions and in the presence of MeOH or water give [ReOX₂(Y)(PPh₃)(L^Ph)] complexes (X = Cl, Br; Y = OMe, OH). Attempted reactions of the carbene precursor 5‐methoxy‐1,3,4‐triphenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 1 ) with [ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] or [NBu₄][ReOCl₄] in boiling xylene resulted in protonation of the intermediately formed carbene and decomposition products such as [HL^Ph][ReOCl₄(OPPh₃)], [HL^Ph][ReOCl₄(OH₂)] or [HL^Ph][ReO₄] were isolated. The neutral [ReOX₂(Y)(PPh₃)(HL^Ph)] complexes are purple, airstable solids. The bulky NHC ligands coordinate monodentate and in cis‐position to PPh₃. The relatively long Re–C bond lengths of approximate 2.1Å indicate metal‐carbon single bonds.     

Metal–metal bonded alkaline-earth distannyls

The first families of alkaline-earth stannylides [Ae(SnPh₃)₂·(thf)_x] (Ae = Ca, x = 3, 1; Sr, x = 3, 2; Ba, x = 4, 3) and [Ae{Sn(SiMe₃)₃}₂·(thf)_x] (Ae = Ca, x = 4, 4; Sr, x = 4, 5; Ba, x = 4, 6), where Ae is a large alkaline earth with direct Ae–Sn bonds, are presented. All complexes have been characterised by high-resolution solution NMR spectroscopy, including ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, and by X-ray diffraction crystallography. The molecular structures of [Ca(SnPh₃)₂·(thf)₄] (1′), [Sr(SnPh₃)₂·(thf)₄] (2′), [Ba(SnPh₃)₂·(thf)₅] (3′), 4, 5 and [Ba{Sn(SiMe₃)₃}₂·(thf)₅] (6′), most of which crystallised as higher thf solvates than their parents 1–6, were established by XRD analysis; the experimentally determined Sn–Ae–Sn′ angles lie in the range 158.10(3)–179.33(4)°. In a given series, the ¹¹⁹Sn NMR chemical shifts are slightly deshielded upon descending group 2 from Ca to Ba, while the silyl-substituted stannyls are much more shielded than the phenyl ones (δ¹¹⁹Sn/ppm: 1′, −133.4; 2′, −123.6; 3′, −95.5; 4, −856.8; 5, −848.2; 6′, −792.7). The bonding and electronic properties of these complexes were also analysed by DFT calculations. The combined spectroscopic, crystallographic and computational analysis of these complexes provide some insight into the main features of these unique families of homoleptic complexes. A comprehensive DFT study (Wiberg bond index, QTAIM and energy decomposition analysis) points at a primarily ionic Ae–Sn bonding, with a small covalent contribution, in these series of complexes; the Sn–Ae–Sn′ angle is associated with a flat energy potential surface around its minimum, consistent with the broad range of values determined by experimental and computational methods.

The complete series of heterobimetallic alkaline-earth distannyls [Ae{SnR₃}₂·(thf)_x] (Ae = Ca, Sr, Ba) have been prepared for R = Ph and SiMe₃, and their bonding and electronic properties have been comprehensively investigated.     

Synthesen und Charakterisierungen der ersten Tris‐ und Tetrakis(trifluormethyl)palladate(II) und ‐platinate(II), [M(CF3)3(PPh3)]— und [M(CF3)4]2— (M = Pd,Pt)

Syntheses and Characterizations of the First Tris and Tetrakis(trifluoromethyl) Palladates(II) and Platinates(II), [M(CF₃)₃(PPh₃)]^— and [M(CF₃)₄]^2— (M = Pd, Pt) Tris(trifluoromethyl)(triphenylphosphino)palladate(II) and platinate(II), [M(CF₃)₃PPh₃]^—, and the tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)metallates, [M(CF₃)₄]^2— (M = Pd, Pt), are prepared from the reactions of [MCl₂(PPh₃)₂] and Me₃SiCF₃ / [Me₄N]F or [I(CF₃)₂]^— salts in good yields. [Me₄N][M(CF₃)₃(PPh₃)] crystallize isotypically in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (no. 62) with Z = 4. The NMR spectra of the new compounds are described.     

Insertion of Phosphenium Ions into a Bicyclo[1.1.0]Tetraphosphabutane Iron Complex

By reacting [{Cp‴Fe(CO)₂}₂(µ,η^1:1-P₄)] (1) with in situ generated phosphenium ions [Ph₂P][A] ([A]⁻ = [OTf]⁻ = [O₃SCF₃]⁻, [PF₆]⁻), a mixture of two main products of the composition [{Cp‴Fe(CO)₂}₂(µ,η^1:1-P₅(C₆H₅)₂)][PF₆] (2a and 3a) could be identified by extensive ³¹P NMR spectroscopic studies at 193 K. Compound 3a was also characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, showing the rarely observed bicyclo[2.1.0]pentaphosphapentane unit. At room temperature, the novel compound [{Cp‴Fe}(µ,η^4:1-P₅Ph₂){Cp‴(CO)₂Fe}][PF₆] (4) is formed by decarbonylation. Reacting 1 with in situ generated diphenyl arsenium ions gives short-lived intermediates at 193 K which disproportionate at room temperature into tetraphenyldiarsine and [{Cp‴Fe(CO)₂}₄(µ₄,η^1:1:1:1-P₈)][OTf]₂ (5) containing a tetracyclo[3.3.0.0^2,7.0^3,6]octaphosphaoctane ligand.     

Development of zinc alkyl/air systems as radical initiators for organic reactions

This paper reports a series of comparative experiments on the activity of carbon- and oxygen-centred radical species in a model reaction of the radical addition of THF to imines mediated by a series of zinc alkyl/air reaction systems. The study strongly contradicts the notion that generally R˙ radicals are the initiating species in organic reactions mediated by R_nM/air systems, and simultaneously demonstrates that oxygen-centred radical species are the key intermediates responsible for the initiation process. In addition, a new efficient RZn(L)/air initiating system for radical organic reactions exampled by a model reaction of radical addition of THF to imines is developed. Moreover, the isolation and structural characterization of the first zinc alkylperoxide supported by a carboxylate ligand, [Zn₄(μ₃-OOtBu)₃(μ₄-O)(O₂CEt)₃]₂, as well as the novel octanuclear zinc oxo(alkoxide) aggregate with entrapped O–THF species, [Zn₄(μ₄-O)(μ₃-2-O–THF)(O₂CEt)₅]₂, provide clear mechanistic signatures for the mode of function of the RZn(O₂CR′)/air system.