Cobalt(I) Olefin Complexes: Precursors for Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition of High Purity Cobalt Metal Thin Films.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a family of organometallic cobalt(I) metal precursors based around cyclopentadienyl and diene ligands. The molecular structures of the complexes cyclopentadienyl-cobalt(I) diolefin complexes are described, as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis and thermal stability studies of the complexes highlighted the isoprene, dimethyl butadiene, and cyclohexadiene derivatives [(C5H5)Co(η(4)-CH2CHC(Me)CH2)] (1), [(C5H5)Co(η(4)-CH2C(Me)C(Me)CH2)] (2), and [(C5H5)Co(η(4)-C6H8)] (4) as possible cobalt metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) precursors. Atmospheric pressure MOCVD was employed using precursor 1, to synthesize thin films of metallic cobalt on silicon substrates under an atmosphere (760 torr) of hydrogen (H2). Analysis of the thin films deposited at substrate temperatures of 325, 350, 375, and 400 °C, respectively, by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy reveal temperature-dependent growth features. Films grown at these temperatures are continuous, pinhole-free, and can be seen to be composed of hexagonal particles clearly visible in the electron micrograph. Powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy all show the films to be highly crystalline, high-purity metallic cobalt. Raman spectroscopy was unable to detect the presence of cobalt silicides at the substrate/thin film interface.

CVD of pure copper films from novel iso-ureate complexes.

We report the synthesis and characterisation of a new family of copper(i) metal precursors based around alkoxy-N,N'-di-alkyl-ureate ligands, and their subsequent application in the production of pure copper thin films. The molecular structure of the complexes bis-copper(i)(methoxy-N,N'-di-isopropylureate) (1) and bis-copper(i)(methoxy-N,N'-di-cyclohexylureate)(5) are described, as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis of the complexes highlighted complex 1 as a possible copper CVD precursor. Low pressure chemical vapour deposition (LP-CVD) was employed using precursor 1, to synthesise thin films of metallic copper on ruthenium substrates under an atmosphere of hydrogen (H2). Analysis of the thin films deposited at substrate temperatures of 225 °C, 250 °C and 300 °C, respectively, by SEM and AFM reveal the films to be continuous and pin hole free, and show the presence of temperature dependent growth features on the surface of the thin films. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) all show the films to be high purity metallic copper.

Multinuclear copper(I) guanidinate complexes.

A series of multinuclear Copper(I) guanidinate complexes have been synthesized in a succession of reactions between CuCl and the lithium guanidinate systems Li{L} (L = Me(2)NC((i)PrN)(2) (1a), Me(2)NC(CyN)(2) (1b), Me(2)NC((t)BuN)(2)(1c), and Me(2)NC(DipN)(2) (2d) ((i)Pr = iso-propyl, Cy = cyclohexyl, (t)Bu = tert-butyl, and Dip = 2,6-disopropylphenyl) made in situ, and structurally characterized. The di-copper guanidinates systems with the general formula [Cu(2){L}(2)] (L = {Me(2)NC((i)PrN)(2)} (2a), {Me(2)NC(CyN)(2)} (2b), and {Me(2)NC(DipN)(2)} (2d) differed significantly from related amidinate complexes because of a large torsion of the dimer ring, which in turn is a result of transannular repulsion between adjacent guanidinate substituents. Attempts to synthesis the tert-butyl derivative [Cu(2){Me(2)NC((t)BuN)(2)}(2)] result in the separate formation and isolation of the tri-copper complexes [Cu(3){Me(2)NC((t)BuN)(2)}(2)(µ-NMe(2))] (3c) and [Cu(3){Me(2)NC((t)BuN)(2)}(2)(µ-Cl)] (4c), both of which have been unambiguously characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Closer inspection of the solution state behavior of the lithium salt 1c reveals a previously unobserved equilibrium between 1c and its starting materials, LiNMe(2) and N,N'-di-tert-butyl-carbodiimide, for which activation enthalpy and entropy values of ΔH(‡) = 48.2 ± 18 kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(‡) = 70.6 ± 6 J/K mol have been calculated using 1D-EXSY NMR spectroscopy to establish temperature dependent rates of exchange between the species in solution. The molecular structures of the lithium complexes 1c and 1d have also been determined and shown to form tetrameric and dimeric complexes respectively held together by Li-N and agostic Li···H-C interactions. The thermal chemistry of the copper complexes have also been assessed by thermogravimetric analysis.

Synthesis and structure of 6-aminofulvene-2-aldiminate complexes.

We report here a synthetic route to bis(N,N'-aryl)-6-aminofulvene-2-aldimine (AFA) ligand systems, specifically Ph(2)-AFAH and Dip(2)-AFAH. The synthesis and structural characterization of a series of Cu(I) complexes [(Ph(2)-AFA)Cu(CNPh)(2)] (2), [(Ph(2)-AFA)Cu(CN(i)Pr)] (3), and [(Dip(2)-AFA)Cu(CN(i)Pr)] (4), from the reaction of the corresponding lithiated AFA systems with Cu-Cl derivatives are reported; notably in the case of [(Ph(2)-AFA)Cu(CNPh)(2)] studies have revealed the existence of two structural isomers (2a and 2b), both of which can be isolated and structurally characterized. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the two crystal forms are comparatively close in energy, and geometry optimization reveals a convergence of these two forms to a geometry that more closely resembles the solid-state structure of isomer 2b, having a CH···π interaction. The reactions of the AFA compounds Ph(2)-AFAH and Dip(2)-AFAH with ZnMe(2) and AlMe(3) have also been investigated, and the results of these reactions are described here.

Synthesis and structure of aluminium amine-phenolate complexes.

Reaction of Al(OiPr)3 with the tris-phenol amine ligand L1H3 in toluene at ambient temperature results in the formation of the iso-propanol adduct [HOiPr.Al(L1)]. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the structure to be a hydrogen bonded dimer. Reaction of Al(OiPr)3 (or AlMe3) with L1H3 in THF affords the related, and structurally characterised THF adduct, [THF.Al(L1)]. Similar reaction of Al(OiPr)3 (or AlMe3) with the bis-phenol amine and tetra-phenol diamine ligands, L2H3 and L3H4, results in the formation and isolation of the complexes [Al(L2)]2 and [Al(L3)H] respectively, both of which have been structurally characterised via single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Reaction of the alkoxide bridged dimer [Al(L2)]2 with the strong Lewis base HMPA results in the formation of the monomeric HMPA adduct [HMPA.Al(L2)] which was also structurally characterised. The adduct [HOiPr.Al(L1)] and the dimer [Al(L2)]2 were tested for their activity in the ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of rac-lactide under solvent-free conditions (130 degrees C). Under the conditions employed [Al(L2)]2 failed to produce polymer after 48 h, in stark contrast to [HOiPr.Al(L1)] which after 24 h and 48 h produced narrow molecular weight polymer (24 h: yield=25%, Mn=14500 and PDI=1.05; 48 h: yield=65%, Mn=47700 and PDI=1.06).

Synthesis and structures of group 11 metal triazenide complexes: ligand supported metallophilic interactions.

A homologous and homoleptic series of stable Group 11 metal triazenide complexes with the general formula [M(L')](n) (M = Cu or Au, n = 2; M = Ag, n = 3) featuring the bulky triazenide ligand N,N'-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)triazene, L'H, have been prepared by the reaction of Li[L'] with the metal chlorides, CuCl, AgCl, and [(THT)AuCl], respectively, in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. The compounds [Cu(2)(L')(2)] and [Au(2)(L')(2)] crystallized as dimers with M...M separations of 2.4458(4) A and 2.6762(4) A, respectively. In comparison, the reaction of AgCl with Li[L'] results in the formation of the tri-silver complex [Ag(3)(L')(3)] with Ag...Ag separations of 3.01184(17) A, 2.95329(17) A, and 2.92745(16) A. Attempts to react the parent triazene system L'H with [Cu(Mes)] resulted in the formation of the novel tri-copper system [Cu(3)(L')(2)(Mes)]. In all cases the molecular structures of the resultant complexes have been unambiguously determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments.

Metal free thiol-maleimide 'Click' reaction as a mild functionalisation strategy for degradable polymers.

The stoichiometric reaction between thiols and maleimide-functional poly(ester)s is demonstrated to be a quantitative, tolerant, mild and efficient method for polymer modification.

C-C and C-H bond activation reactions in N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of ruthenium.

Thermolysis of Ru(PPh3)3(CO)H2 with the N-heterocyclic carbene bis(1,3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) (IMes) results in C-C activation of an Ar-CH3 bond in one of the mesityl rings of the carbene ligand. Upon addition of IMes to Ru(PPh3)3(CO)H2 at room temperature in the presence of an alkene, C-H bond activation is observed instead. The thermodynamics of these C-C and C-H cleavage reactions have been probed using density functional theory.