A Well-defined Magnesium Complex of C706.

Controlling and understanding charge state and metal coordination in carbon nanomaterials is crucial to harnessing their unique properties. Here we describe the synthesis of the well-defined fulleride complex [{(Mesnacnac)Mg}6C70], 2, (Mesnacnac) = HC(MeCNMes)2, Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2, from the reaction of the ß-diketiminate magnesium(I) complex [{(Mesnacnac)Mg}2] with C70 in aromatic solvents. The molecular structure of complex 2 was determined, providing the first high-quality structural study of a complex with the C706- ion. In combination with solution state NMR spectroscopic and DFT computational studies, the changes in geometry and charge distribution in the various atom and bond types of the fulleride unit were investigated. Additionally, the influence of the (Mesnacnac)Mg+ cations on the global and local fulleride coordination environment was examined.

Low-Coordinate Magnesium Sulfide and Selenide Complexes.

The reactions of [{(iPrDipNacNac)Mg}2] 1 (iPrDipnacnac = HC(iPrCNDip)2) with Ph3P═O at 100 °C afforded the phosphinate complex [(iPrDipNacNac)Mg(OPPh3)(OPPh2)] 3. Reactions of 1 with Ph3P═E (E = S, Se) proceeded rapidly at room temperature to low-coordinate chalcogenide complexes [{(iPrDipNacNac)Mg}2(µ-S)] 4 and [{(iPrDipNacNac)Mg}2(µ-Se)] 5, respectively. Similarly, reactions of RNHC═S ((MeCNR)2C═S with R = Me, Et, or iPr) with 1 afforded NHC adducts of magnesium sulfide complexes, [{(iPrDipNacNac)Mg(RNHC)}(µ-S){Mg(iPrDipNacNac)}] 6, that could alternatively be obtained by adding the appropriate RNHC to sulfide complex 4. Complex 4 reacted with 1-adamantylazide (AdN3) to give [{(iPrDipNacNac)Mg}2(µ-SN3Ad)] 7 and can form various simple donor adducts in solution, of which [(iPrDipNacNac)Mg(OAd)}2(µ-S)] 8a (OAd = 2-adamantanone) was structurally characterized. The nature of the ionic Mg-E-Mg unit is described by solution and solid-state studies of the complexes and by DFT computational investigations.

A Convenient One-Pot Synthesis of a Sterically Demanding Aniline from Aryllithium Using Trimethylsilyl Azide, Conversion to ß-Diketimines and Synthesis of a ß-Diketiminate Magnesium Hydride Complex.

This work reports the one-pot synthesis of sterically demanding aniline derivatives from aryllithium species utilising trimethylsilyl azide to introduce amine functionalities and conversions to new examples of a common N,N'-chelating ligand system. The reaction of TripLi (Trip = 2,4,6-iPr3-C6H2) with trimethylsilyl azide afforded the silyltriazene TripN2N(SiMe3)2 in situ, which readily reacts with methanol under dinitrogen elimination to the aniline TripNH2 in good yield. The reaction pathways and by-products of the system have been studied. The extension of this reaction to a much more sterically demanding terphenyl system suggested that TerLi (Ter = 2,6-Trip2-C6H3) slowly reacted with trimethylsilyl azide to form a silyl(terphenyl)triazenide lithium complex in situ, predominantly underwent nitrogen loss to TerN(SiMe3)Li in parallel, which afforded TerN(SiMe3)H after workup, and can be deprotected under acidic conditions to form the aniline TerNH2. TripNH2 was furthermore converted to the sterically demanding ß-diketimines RTripnacnacH (=HC{RCN(Trip)}2H), with R = Me, Et and iPr, in one-pot procedures from the corresponding 1,3-diketones. The bulkiest proligand was employed to synthesise the magnesium hydride complex [{(iPrTripnacnac)MgH}2], which shows a distorted dimeric structure caused by the substituents of the sterically demanding ligand moieties.

Umpolung of an Aliphatic Ketone to a Magnesium Ketone-1,2-diide Complex with Vicinal Dianionic Charge.

The new ß-diketimine iPrDip nacnacH, HC(iPrCNDip)2 H, Dip=2,6-iPr2 -C6 H3 , was converted to the magnesium(I) complex [{(iPrDip nacnac)Mg}2 ] and reaction with 2-adamantanone (OAd) afforded the ketone-1,2-diide complex [{(iPrDip nacnac)Mg}2 (µ-OAd)]. The complex contains the first stable dianion of an aliphatic ketone with an electropositive metal and shows an OAd2- unit with long C-O bond and pyramidal carbon centre. DFT studies reveal an anionic charge on both neighbouring C and O atoms. Reductions of aliphatic ketones with magnesium(I) complexes show that these likely proceed via highly reactive dianions and afforded a 1 : 1 mixture of an alkoxide and an enolate when an enolisable ketone was used, and rapid CH activations reactions, e.g., of stabilising ligand moieties, when non-enolisable ketones were employed.

Synthesis of a Hexameric Magnesium 4-pyridyl Complex with Cyclohexane-like Ring Structure via Reductive C-N Activation.

The reaction of [{(Arnacnac)Mg}2] (Arnacnac = HC{MeC(NAr)}2, Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, Dip, or 2,6-diethylphenyl, Dep) with 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) at elevated temperatures afforded the hexameric magnesium 4-pyridyl complex [{(Arnacnac)Mg(4-C5H4N)}6] via reductive cleavage of the DMAP C-N bond. The title compound contains a large s-block organometallic cyclohexane-like ring structure comprising tetrahedral (Arnacnac)Mg nodes and linked by linear 4-pyridyl bridging ligands, and the structure is compared with other ring systems. [(Dipnacnac)Mg(DMAP)(NMe2)] was structurally characterised as a by-product.

Reversible Insertion of a C═C Bond into Magnesium(I) Dimers: Generation of Highly Active 1,2-Dimagnesioethane Compounds.

The insertion of 1,1-diphenylethylene into the Mg-Mg bond of two magnesium(I) dimers, [(ArNacnac)Mg-]2 (Ar = C6H2Me3-2,4,6 (Mes); C6H3Et2-2,6 (Dep)), yielding 1,2-dimagnesioethane products, [{(ArNacnac)Mg}2(µ-CH2CPh2)], is described. These reactions are readily reversible at room temperature and thus represent the first examples of room-temperature reversible redox processes for s-block metal complexes. The 1,2-dimagnesioethane products are highly activated magnesium alkyls and show unprecedented, uncatalyzed reactivity toward H2, CO, and ethylene. Computational studies have investigated the mechanisms of all presented reaction types.

Heavier Group 13 Metal(I) Heterocycles Stabilized by Sterically Demanding Diiminophosphinates: A Structurally Characterized Monomer-Dimer Pair For Gallium.

We have synthesized and characterized the monomeric diiminophosphinate-stabilized Group 13 metal(I) complexes [Dip LE:], Dip L=Ph2 P(NDip)2 , Dip=2,6-iPr2 C6 H3 ; E=Ga (1), In (2) and Tl (3). In addition, we structurally characterized the dimeric complex [(Dip LGa)2 ], 12 . Similar synthetic attempts using Mes L=Ph2 P(NMes)2 , Mes=2,4,6-Me3 C6 H2 afforded product mixtures from which the mixed oxidation state species [(Mes L)3 Ga4 I3 ] 4 was isolated. [Dip LGa:] 1 is converted with dry air to the gallium(III) oxide species [(Dip LGaO)2 ] 5. Density Functional Theory studies on [Dip LE:] and [(Dip LE)2 ], E=Al-Tl, shed light on the bonding in these compounds and show that the newly formed E-E bonding interactions can be described as weak single σ-bond with no significant π-bonding contribution for E=Al, Ga. A large contribution to the dimer binding enthalpies results from London dispersion forces.

Accessing Stable Magnesium Acyl Compounds: Reductive Cleavage of Esters by Magnesium(I) Dimers.

The first examples of magnesium acyls, [(Nacnac)Mg{µ-C(Ph)O}(µ-OR)Mg(Nacnac)] (R=Me, tBu or Ph; Nacnac=[HC(MeCNAr)2 ]- ; Ar=C6 H2 Me3 -2,4,6 (Mes Nacnac), C6 H3 Et2 -2,6 (Dep Nacnac), C6 H3 iPr2 -2,6 (Dip Nacnac)), have been prepared by reductive cleavage of a series of esters using dimeric magnesium(I) reducing agents, [{(Nacnac)Mg}2 ]. Crystallographic studies reveal the complexes to be dimeric, being bridged by both phenyl-acyl and alkoxide/aryloxide fragments. The crystal structures, combined with results of spectroscopic and computational studies suggest that the nature of the acyl ligands within these complexes should be viewed as lying somewhere between anionic umpolung acyl and oxo-carbene. However, reactions of the acyl complexes with a variety of organic electrophiles did not provide evidence of umpolung acyl reactivity. A number of attempts to prepare alkoxide free magnesium acyls were carried out, and while these were unsuccessful, they did lead to unusual products, the crystallographic and spectroscopic details of which are discussed.

Highly Electron-Rich ß-Diketiminato Systems: Synthesis and Coordination Chemistry of Amino-Functionalized "N-nacnac" Ligands.

The synthesis of a class of electron-rich amino-functionalized ß-diketiminato (N-nacnac) ligands is reported, with two synthetic methodologies having been developed for systems bearing backbone NMe2 or NEt2 groups and a range of N-bound aryl substituents. In contrast to their (Nacnac)H counterparts, the structures of the protio-ligands feature the bis(imine) tautomer and a backbone CH2 group. Direct metalation with lithium, magnesium, or aluminium alkyls allows access to the respective metal complexes through deprotonation of the methylene function; in each case X-ray structures are consistent with a delocalized imino-amide ligand description. Transmetalation using lithium N-nacnac complexes is then exploited to access p- and f-block metal complexes, which allow for like-for-like benchmarking of the N-nacnac ligand family against their more familiar Nacnac counterparts. In the case of SnII , the degree of electronic perturbation effected by introduction of the backbone NR2 groups appears to be constrained by the inability of the amino group to achieve effective conjugation with the N2 C3 heterocycle. More obvious divergence from established structural norms is observed for complexes of the harder YbII ion, with azaallyl/imino and even azaallyl/NMe2 coordination modes being demonstrated by X-ray crystallography.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Computational Analysis of the Dialanate Dianion, [H3 Al-AlH3 ]2- : A Valence Isoelectronic Analogue of Ethane.

The first example of a well-defined binary, low-oxidation-state aluminum hydride species that is stable at ambient temperature, namely the dianion in [{(Dep Nacnac)Mg}2 (µ-H)]2 [H3 Al-AlH3 ] (Dep Nacnac=[(DepNCMe)2 CH]- , Dep=2,6-diethylphenyl), has been prepared via a magnesium(I) reduction of the alanate complex, (Dep Nacnac)Mg(µ-H)3 AlH(NEt3 ). An X-ray crystallographic analysis has shown the compound to be a contact ion complex, which computational studies have revealed to be the source of the stability of the aluminum(II) dianion.

Ring-Shaped Phosphinoamido-Magnesium-Hydride Complexes: Syntheses, Structures, Reactivity, and Catalysis.

A series of magnesium(II) complexes bearing the sterically demanding phosphinoamide ligand, L(-) =Ph2 PNDip(-) , Dip=2,6-diisopropylphenyl, including heteroleptic magnesium alkyl and hydride complexes are described. The ligand geometry enforces various novel ring and cluster geometries for the heteroleptic compounds. We have studied the stoichiometric reactivity of [(LMgH)4 ] towards unsaturated substrates, and investigated catalytic hydroborations and hydrosilylations of ketones and pyridines. We found that hydroborations of two ketones with pinacolborane using various Mg precatalysts is very rapid at room temperature with very low catalyst loadings, and ketone hydrosilylation using phenylsilane is rapid at 70 °C. Our studies point to an insertion/σ-bond metathesis catalytic cycle of an in situ formed "MgH2 " active species.

Two-Coordinate Magnesium(I) Dimers Stabilized by Super Bulky Amido Ligands.

A variety of very bulky amido magnesium iodide complexes, LMgI(solvent)0/1 and [LMg(µ-I)(solvent)0/1 ]2 (L=-N(Ar)(SiR3 ); Ar=C6 H2 {C(H)Ph2 }2 R'-2,6,4; R=Me, Pr(i) , Ph, or OBu(t) ; R'=Pr(i) or Me) have been prepared by three synthetic routes. Structurally characterized examples of these materials include the first unsolvated amido magnesium halide complexes, such as [LMg(µ-I)]2 (R=Me, R'=Pr(i) ). Reductions of several such complexes with KC8 in the absence of coordinating solvents have afforded the first two-coordinate magnesium(I) dimers, LMg-MgL (R=Me, Pr(i) or Ph; R'=Pr(i) , or Me), in low to good yields. Reductions of two of the precursor complexes in the presence of THF have given the related THF adduct complexes, L(THF)Mg-Mg(THF)L (R=Me; R'=Pr(i) ) and LMg-Mg(THF)L (R=Pr(i) ; R'=Me) in trace yields. The X-ray crystal structures of all magnesium(I) complexes were obtained. DFT calculations on the unsolvated examples reveal their Mg-Mg bonds to be covalent and of high s-character, while Ph⋅⋅⋅Mg bonding interactions in the compounds were found to be weak at best.

Activation of CO by Hydrogenated Magnesium(I) Dimers: Sterically Controlled Formation of Ethenediolate and Cyclopropanetriolate Complexes.

This study details the formal hydrogenation of two magnesium(I) dimers {(Nacnac)Mg}2 (Nacnac = [{(C6H3R2-2,6)NCMe}2CH](-); R = Pr(i) ((Dip)Nacnac), Et ((Dep)Nacnac)) using 1,3-cyclohexadiene. These reactions afford the magnesium(II) hydride complexes, {(Nacnac)Mg(µ-H)}2. Their reactions with excess CO are sterically controlled and lead cleanly to different C-C coupled products, viz. the ethenediolate complex, ((Dip)Nacnac)Mg{κ(1)-O-[((Dip)Nacnac)Mg(κ(2)-O,O-O2C2H2)]}, and the first cyclopropanetriolate complex of any metal, cis-{((Dep)Nacnac)Mg}3{µ-C3(H3)O3}. Computational studies imply the CO activation processes proceed via very similar mechanisms to those previously reported for related reactions involving f-block metal hydride compounds. This work highlights the potential magnesium compounds hold for use in the "Fischer-Tropsch-like" transformation of CO/H2 mixtures to value added oxygenate products.

Magnesium(I) Dimers Bearing Tripodal Diimine-Enolate Ligands: Proficient Reagents for the Controlled Reductive Activation of CO2 and SO2.

The first examples of magnesium(I) dimers bearing tripodal ligands, [(Mg{κ(3) -N,N',O-(ArNCMe)2 (OCCPh2 )CH})2 ] [Ar=2,6-iPr2 C6 H3 (Dip) 7, 2,6-Et2 C6 H3 (Dep) 8, or mesityl (Mes) 9] have been prepared by post-synthetic modification of the ß-diketiminato ligands of previously reported magnesium(I) systems, using diphenylketene, OCCPh2 . In contrast, related reactions between ß-diketiminato magnesium(I) dimers and the isoelectronic ketenimine, MesNCCPh2 , resulted in reductive insertion of the substrate into the MgMg bond of the magnesium(I) reactant, and formation of [{(Nacnac)Mg}2 {µ-κ(2) -N,C-(Mes)NCCPh2 }] (Nacnac=[(ArNCMe)2 CH](-) ; Ar=Dep 10 or Mes 11). Reactions of the four-coordinate magnesium(I) dimer 8 with excess CO2 are readily controlled, and cleanly give carbonate [(LMg)2 (µ-κ(2) :κ(2) -CO3 )] 12 (L=[κ(3) -N,N',O-(DepNCMe)2 (OCCPh2 )CH](-) ; thermodynamic product), or oxalate [(LMg)2 (µ-κ(2) :κ(2) -C2 O4 )] 13 (kinetic product), depending on the reaction temperature. Compound 12 and CO are formed by reductive disproportionation of CO2 , whereas 13 results from reductive coupling of two molecules of the gas. Treatment of 8 with an excess of N2 O cleanly gives the µ-oxo complex [(LMg)2 (µ-O)] 14, which reacts facilely with CO2 to give 12. This result presents the possibility that 14 is an intermediate in the formation of 12 from the reaction of 8 and CO2 . In contrast to its reactions with CO2 , 8 reacts with SO2 over a wide temperature range to give only one product; the first example of a magnesium dithionite complex, [(LMg)2 (µ-κ(2) :κ(2) -S2 O4 )] 16, which is formed by reductive coupling of two molecules of SO2 , and is closely related to f-block metal dithionite complexes derived from similar SO2 reductive coupling processes. On the whole, this study strengthens previously proposed analogies between the reactivities of magnesium(I) systems and low-valent f-block metal complexes, especially with respect to small molecule activations.

Platinum complexes containing pyramidalized germanium and tin dihalide ligands bound through σ,σ M=E multiple bonds.

We present the isolation of the first mononuclear dihalogermylene, and mono- and dinuclear stannylene complexes of transition metals. These exhibit exceptionally pyramidalized Group 14 centers. Additionally, removal of the halide substituents from the Ge/Sn atom was successfully performed in two ways, halide abstraction and reduction, leading to a variety of unusual structural motifs.

Mononuclear three-coordinate magnesium complexes of a highly sterically encumbered ß-diketiminate ligand.

The highly sterically encumbered chelating ß-diketiminate ligand, [HC{C(Me)N(2,6-CHPh2-4-MeC6H2)}2](-), (Ar)L(-), has been used to prepare a series of heteroleptic three-coordinate magnesium complexes. Both the bis(imine) and imine-enamine tautomers of the ligand precursor, (Ar)LH, as well as the diethyl ether adduct of the bromide complex [(Ar)LMgBr(OEt2)], the monomeric methyl complex [(Ar)LMgMe], the THF-solvated and unsolvated n-butylmagnesium complexes [(Ar)LMg(n)Bu(THF)] and [(Ar)LMg(n)Bu], and the 1-hexynyl analogue [(Ar)LMgC≡C(n)Bu] have been crystallographically characterized. Both n-butylmagnesium complexes showed remarkable stability in air, both in the solid state and in solution. Single crystals of the highly sensitive magnesium hydride, [(Ar)LMgH], underwent partial hydrolysis by solid-state water diffusion to the isostructural hydroxide compound [(Ar)LMgOH].

Well-defined, nanometer-sized LiH cluster compounds stabilized by pyrazolate ligands.

The assembly of well-defined large cluster compounds of ionic light metal hydrides is a synthetic challenge and of importance for synthesis, catalysis, and hydrogen storage. The synthesis and characterization of a series of neutral and anionic pyrazolate-stabilized lithium hydride clusters with inorganic cores in the nanometer region is now reported. These complexes were prepared in a bottom-up approach using alkyl lithium and lithium pyrazolate mixtures with silanes in hydrocarbon solutions. Structural characterization using synchrotron radiation revealed isolated cubic clusters that contain up to 37 Li(+) cations and 26 H(-) ions. Substituted pyrazolate ligands were found to occupy all corners and some edges for the anionic positions.

Synthesis of a dimeric magnesium(I) compound by an Mg(I)/Mg(II) redox reaction.

The synthesis of dimeric magnesium(I) compounds of the general type RMgMgR (R=monoanionic substituent) is still a challenging synthetic task and limited to few examples with sterically demanding ligands with delocalized CN-frameworks that all have been accessed by Na or K metal reduction of magnesium(II) halide precursors. Here we report on the synthesis of a novel diiminophosphinato magnesium(I) compound that has been synthesized by a facile redox reaction using a known magnesium(I) complex. The synthetic strategy may be applicable to other ligand systems and can help expand the class of low oxidation state magnesium complexes even if reductions with Na or K are unsuccessful. The new dimeric magnesium(I) complex has been structurally characterized and undergoes a C-C coupling reaction with tert-butylisocyanate.

Alkyl backbone variations in common ß-diketiminate ligands and applications to N-heterocyclic silylene chemistry.

We report the extension of the common ß-diketimine proligand class, RArnacnacH (HC(RCNAr)2H), where R is an alkyl group such as Et or iPr, plus Ph, and Ar is a sterically demanding aryl substituent such as Dip = 2,6-diispropylphenyl, Dep = 2,6-diethylphenyl, Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl or mesityl, Xyl = 2,6-dimethylphenyl, via one-pot condensation procedures. When a condensation reaction is carried out using the chemical dehydrating agent PPSE (polyphosphoric acid trimethylsilylester), ß-diketiminate phosphorus(V) products such as (iPrMesnacnac)PO2 can also be obtained, which can be converted to the respective proligand iPrMesnacnacH via alkaline hydrolysis. The RArnacnacH proligands can be converted to their alkali metal complexes with common methods and we have found that deprotonation of iPrDipnacnacH is significantly more sluggish than that of related ß-diketimines with smaller backbone alkyl groups. The basicity of the RArnacnac- anions can play a role in the success of their salt metathesis chemistry and we have prepared and structurally characterised the EtDipnacnac-derived silicon(II) compounds (EtDipnacnac)SiBr and (EtDipnacnac')Si, where EtDipnacnac' is the deprotonated variant MeCHC(NDip)CHC(NDip)Et.

Comparative study of phosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene stabilized Group†13 adducts [L(EH3)] and [L2(E2H(n))].

Quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory at the BP86/TZ2P level have been carried out to determine the geometries and stabilities of Group 13 adducts [(PMe3)(EH3)] and [(PMe3)2(E2H(n))] (E = B-In; n = 4, 2, 0). The optimized geometries exhibit, in most cases, similar features to those of related adducts [(NHC(Me))(EH3)] and [(NHC(Me))2(E2H(n))] with a few exceptions that can be explained by the different donor strengths of the ligands. The calculations show that the carbene ligand L = NHC(Me) (:C(NMeCH)2) is a significantly stronger donor than L = PMe3. The equilibrium geometries of [L(EH3)] possess, in all cases, a pyramidal structure, whereas the complexes [L2(E2H4)] always have an antiperiplanar arrangement of the ligands L. The phosphine ligands in [(PMe3)2(B2H2)], which has Cs symmetry, are in the same plane as the B2H2 moiety, whereas the heavier homologues [(PMe3)2(E2H2)] (E = Al, Ga, In) have Ci symmetry in which the ligands bind side-on to the E2H2 acceptor. This is in contrast to the [(NHC(Me))2(E2H2)] adducts for which the NHC(Me) donor always binds in the same plane as E2H2 except for the indium complex [(NHC(Me))2(In2H2)], which exhibits side-on bonding. The boron complexes [L2(B2)] (L = PMe3 and NHC(Me)) possess a linear arrangement of the LBBL moiety, which has a B≡B triple bond. The heavier homologues [L2(E2)] have antiperiplanar arrangements of the LEEL moieties, except for [(PMe3)2(In2)], which has a twisted structure in which the PInInP torsion angle is 123.0°. The structural features of the complexes [L(EH3)] and [L2(E2H(n))] can be explained in terms of donor-acceptor interactions between the donors L and the acceptors EH3 and E2H(n), which have been analyzed quantitatively by using the energy decomposition analysis (EDA) method. The calculations predict that the hydrogenation reaction of the dimeric magnesium(I) compound L'MgMgL' with the complexes [L(EH3)] is energetically more favorable for L = PMe3 than for NHC(Me).