Multimetallic Permethylpentalene Hydride Complexes.

The synthesis and characterization of group 4 permethylpentalene (Pn* = C8Me6) hydride complexes are explored; in all cases, multimetallic hydride clusters were obtained. Group 4 lithium metal hydride clusters were obtained when reacting the metal dihalides with hydride transfer reagents such as LiAlH4, and these species featured an unusual hexagonal bipyramidal structural motif. Only the zirconium analogue was found to undergo hydride exchange in the presence of deuterium. In contrast, a trimetallic titanium hydride cluster was isolated on reaction of the titanium dialkyl with hydrogen. This diamagnetic, mixed valence species was characterized in the solid state, as well as by solution electron paramagnetic resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structure was further probed and corroborated by density functional theory calculations, which illustrated the formation of a metal-cluster bonding orbital responsible for the diamagnetism of the complex. These permethylpentalene hydride complexes have divergent structural motifs and reactivity in comparison with related classical cyclopentadienyl analogues.

Fe-Catalyzed Conversion of N2 to N(SiMe3)3 via an Fe-Hydrazido Resting State.

The catalytic conversion of N2 to N(SiMe3)3 by homogeneous transition metal compounds is a rapidly developing field, yet few mechanistic details have been experimentally elucidated for 3 d element catalysts. Herein we show that Fe(PP)2(N2) (PP = R2PCH2CH2PR2; R = Me, 1Me; R = Et, 1Et) are highly effective for the catalytic production of N(SiMe3)3 from N2 (using KC8/Me3SiCl), with the yields being the highest reported to date for Fe-based catalysts. We propose that N2 fixation proceeds via electrophilic Nß silylation and 1e- reduction to form unstable FeI(NN-SiMe3) intermediates, which disproportionate to 1Me/Et and hydrazido FeII[N-N(SiMe3)2] species (3Me/Et); the latter act as resting states on the catalytic cycle. Subsequent 2e- reduction of 3Me/Et leads to N-N scission and formation of [N(SiMe3)2]- and putative anionic Fe imido products. These mechanistic results are supported by both experiment and DFT calculations.

Synthesis, Structure, and Bonding for Bis(permethylpentalene)diiron.

The synthesis of the first homoleptic double metallocene complex of iron, Fe2Pn*2 (Pn* = permethylpentalene, C8Me6) is described. The structural and electronic properties of Fe2Pn*2 have been characterized by NMR and EPR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT calculations. Fe2Pn*2 adopts a Ci symmetry in the solid state with a Fe-Fe distance of 2.3175(9) Å, slightly lower than the sum of radii in metallic iron. Magnetic measurements in solution, and of the solid phase between 60 and 300 K, indicate that Fe2Pn*2 is a triplet (S = 1) paramagnet, with effective magnetic moments (µeff) of 3.4 and 3.48 µB, respectively. DFT calculations indicate the origin of this high magnetic moment is likely to be unquenched orbital angular momentum contributions from two SOMOs which have metal d character. Cyclic voltammetry studies demonstrate that Fe2Pn*2 can access four charge states (-1, 0, +1, +2).

Polarization dependent high energy resolution X-ray absorption study of dicesium uranyl tetrachloride.

Dicesium uranyl tetrachloride (Cs2UO2Cl4) has been a model compound for experimental and theoretical studies of electronic structure of U(VI) in the form of UO2(2+) (uranyl ion) for decades. We have obtained angle-resolved electronic structure information for oriented Cs2UO2Cl4 crystal, specifically relative energies of 5f and 6d valence orbitals probed with extraordinary energy resolution by polarization dependent high energy resolution X-ray absorption near edge structure (PD-HR-XANES) and compare these with predictions from quantum chemical Amsterdam density functional theory (ADF) and ab initio real space multiple-scattering Green's function based FEFF codes. The obtained results have fundamental value but also demonstrate an experimental approach, which offers great potential to benchmark and drive improvement in theoretical calculations of electronic structures of actinide elements.

Indium-bridged [1]ferrocenophanes.

Indium-bridged [1]ferrocenophanes ([1]FCPs) and [1.1]ferrocenophanes ([1.1]FCPs) were synthesized from dilithioferrocene species and indium dichlorides. The reaction of Li2fc⋅tmeda (fc = (H4C5)2Fe) and (Mamx)InCl2 (Mamx = 6-(Me2NCH2)-2,4-tBu2C6H2) gave a mixture of the [1]FCP (Mamx)Infc (4(1)), the [1.1]FCP [(Mamx)Infc]2 (4(2)), and oligomers [(Mamx)Infc]n (4(n)). In a similar reaction, employing the enantiomerically pure, planar-chiral (Sp,Sp)-1,1'-dibromo-2,2'-diisopropylferrocene (1) as a precursor for the dilithioferrocene derivative Li2fc(iPr2), equipped with two iPr groups in the α position, gave the inda[1]ferrocenophane 5(1) [(Mamx)Infc(iPr2)] selectively. Species 5(1) underwent ring-opening polymerization to give the polymer 5(n). The reaction between Li2fc(iPr2) and Ar'InCl2 (Ar' = 2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4) gave an inseparable mixture of the [1]FCP Ar'Infc(iPr2) (6(1)) and the [1.1]FCP [Ar'Infc(iPr2)]2 (6(2)). Hydrogenolysis reactions (BP86/TZ2P) of the four inda[1]ferrocenophanes revealed that the structurally most distorted species (5(1)) is also the most strained [1]FCP.

140 H/D isotopomers identified by long-range NMR hyperfine shifts in ruthenium(III) ammine complexes. Hyperconjugation in Ru-NH3 bonding.

(1)H NMR spectra of the paramagnetic cyanide-bridged mixed-valence compound [(η(5)-C5H5)Fe(CO)2(µ-CN)Ru(NH3)5](CF3SO3)3 (I) have been obtained in several solvents. When traces of partially deuterated water are present, instead of a single cyclopentadienyl (Cp) resonance shifted by the hyperfine interaction, numerous well-resolved resonances are observed. The spectra were simulated satisfactorily by giving the appropriate statistical weight to 140 possible H/D isotopomers formed by deuteration in the five ruthenium(III) ammine ligands. The proliferation of distinct resonances occurs because (a) the hyperfine shifts (HSs) due to each sequential deuteration in a single ammine are different and (b) while deuteration in an ammine cis to the cyanide bridge causes a downfield shift, in the trans ammine it causes an upfield shift that is nearly twice as large. All of these shifts exhibit a 1/T dependence, but temperature-independent components, due to large second-order Zeeman effects at the Ru(III) center, are also present. Combining the results of density functional theory calculations with data from metal-metal charge-transfer optical transitions and with the effect of solvent-induced NMR HSs, it is argued that Fermi contact shifts at the Cp protons are insignificant compared to those due to the dipolar (pseudocontact) mechanism. Analytical expressions are presented for the dependence of the HS on the tetragonal component of the ligand field at the Ru(III) ion. The tetragonal field parameter, defined as the energy by which the 4d(xy) orbital exceeds the mean t(2g) orbital energy, was found to be 147, 52, and 76 cm(-1), in dimethylformamide, acetone, and nitromethane, respectively. The effects of deuteration show that there is a significant component of hyperconjugation in the Ru-ammine interaction and that ND3 is a weaker π donor than NH3. A single deuteration in an axial ammine increases the tetragonal field parameter (ν) by +2.8 cm(-1), resulting in a HS of -37 ppb in the Cp proton resonance, whereas a single deuteration in an equatorial ammine decreases the field by -1.5 cm(-1) with a HS of +20 ppb, despite a nominal separation of seven chemical bonds. We analyze the origin of this remarkable sensitivity, which relies on the favorable characteristics of the Ru(III) low-spin t(2g)(5) configuration, having a spin-orbit coupling constant ζ ≈ 950 cm(-1).

Molybdenum(III) Amidinate: Synthesis, Characterization, and Vapor Phase Growth of Mo-Based Materials.

The synthesis, characterization, and thermogravimetric analysis of tris(N,N'-di-isopropylacetamidinate)molybdenum(III), Mo(iPr-AMD)3, are reported. Mo(iPr-AMD)3 is a rare example of a homoleptic mononuclear complex of molybdenum(III) and fills a longstanding gap in the literature of transition metal(III) trisamidinate complexes. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) reveals excellent volatilization at elevated temperatures, pointing to potential applications as a vapor phase precursor for higher temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD), or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of Mo-based materials. The measured TGA temperature window was 200-314 °C for samples in the 3-20 mg range. To validate the utility of Mo(iPr-AMD)3, we demonstrate aerosol-assisted CVD growth of MoO3 from benzonitrile solutions of Mo(iPr-AMD)3 at 500 °C using compressed air as the carrier gas. The resulting films are characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. We further demonstrate the potential for ALD growth at 200 °C with a Mo(iPr-AMD)3/Ar purge/300 W O2 plasma/Ar purge sequence, yielding ultrathin films which retain a nitride/oxynitride component. Our results highlight the broad scope utility and potential of Mo(iPr-AMD)3 as a stable, high-temperature precursor for both CVD and ALD processes.

Understanding the reactivity of strained sandwich compounds with aluminum or gallium in bridging positions: experiments and DFT calculations.

The aluminum and gallium dichlorides (Mamx)ECl(2)1a (E = Al; 82%) and 1b (E = Ga; 79%) (Mamx = 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl) reacted with dilithioferrocene or dilithioruthenocene to give [1]ferrocenophanes (2a, 2b) and [1]ruthenocenophanes (3a, 3b), respectively. The galla[1]ruthenocenophane 3b could be isolated from the reaction mixture through precipitation into hexane (50%), while 2a, 2b, and 3a underwent ring-opening polymerization under the reaction conditions of their formation reactions to give metallopolymers (M(w) (DLS) between 8.07 and 106 kDa). Monomer 3b was polymerized using Karstedt's catalyst resulting in an M(w) of 28.6(±6.3) kDa. In order to get an indication of the structure of polymers, bis(ferrocenyl) compounds (Mamx)EFc(2) (E = Al (4a), 51%; E = Ga (4b), 49%) were prepared and characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. DFT calculations shed some light on the unexpected high reactivity of these new strained sandwich species. Optimized geometries of known aluminum and gallium-bridged [1]ferrocenophanes (Al(Pytsi) (6a), Ga(Pytsi) (6b); Pytsi = [dimethyl(2-pyridyl)silyl]bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl) and [1]ruthenocenophanes (Al(Me(2)Ntsi) (7a), Ga(Me(2)Ntsi) (7b); Me(2)Ntsi = [(dimethylamino)dimethylsilyl]bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl) matched very well with experimental molecular structures. Geometries of species 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b were optimized (BP86/TZ2P) and the structural influence of the tBu group of the Mamx ligand in ortho position was evaluated by optimizing molecular structures of the four unknown species where the ortho-tBu group was replaced by an H atom (2a(H), 2b(H), 3a(H), and 3b(H)). The most pronounced structural effect was seen as a change of the orientation of the bridging moiety with respect to the sandwich unit. As the tBu group was removed, the aromatic ligand moved toward the freed-up space. The energetics (ΔE, ΔH(298K), and ΔG(298K)) accompanied by the structural changes were evaluated by a hydrogenolysis reaction of strained species resulting in Cp(2)M (M = Fe, Ru) and respective aluminum and gallium dihydrides. This nonisodesmic reaction showed that [1]metallocenophanes equipped with the ortho-tBu group were on average 5.5 kcal/mol higher strained (ΔH(298K)) than species where the tBu group was lacking. The investigation of the isodesmic reaction between strained species and Cp(2)M yielding bis(metallocenyl) compounds revealed that the ortho-tBu group sterically interacts with one of the metallocenyl units. The bis(metallocenyl) compounds are model compounds for the respective metallopolymers and one can conclude that even though the ortho-tBu group imposes additional strain on the starting metallocenophanes, this effect cancels out in ROPs because the ortho-tBu group imposes a similar strain on the resulting polymers. The uncovered steric repulsion between the ortho-tBu group and the sandwich moieties probably causes the ortho-tBu to act as an unusually sensitive NMR probe of the tacticity of the polymers.

Comment on "In Defence of Oxidation States" by N. C. Norman and P. G. Pringle, Dalton Transactions, 2022, 51, DOI: 10.1039/D0DT03914D.

The evolution of the Covalent Bond Classification as a pedagogical tool for classifying an element's chemistry is described.

Electronic Structure of Re2(O2CR)4Cl2 Complexes (R = H, CMe3) and Reassignment of the Electronic Absorption Spectrum of Re2(O2CCMe3)4Cl2.

Electronic structure calculations on two dinuclear rhenium(III) carboxylate complexes, Re2(O2CH)4Cl2 and Re2(O2CCMe3)4Cl2, are presented and discussed. Allowed electronic transitions for both molecules were calculated using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The results for the pivalate dimer, Re2(O2CCMe3)4Cl2, are compared with previously reported single-crystal polarized absorption spectra obtained by Martin and co-workers (Inorg. Chem.1984, 23, 699-701). Several revisions to the previous spectral assignments are proposed.

Covalency in the 4f shell of tris-cyclopentadienyl ytterbium (YbCp3)--a spectroscopic evaluation.

Evidence is presented of significant covalency in the ytterbium 4f shell of tris-cyclopentadienyl ytterbium (YbCp(3)) in its electronic ground state, that can be represented by the superposition of an ionic configuration Yb(III):4f(13)(Cp(3)) and a charge-transfer configuration Yb(II):4f(14)(Cp(3))(-1). The relative weights of these configurations were determined from (i) the difference in their 4f photoionization cross sections, (ii) the accumulation of spin-density centered on the (13)C atoms of the Cp ring, as measured by a pulsed EPR (HYSCORE) experiment, (iii) the reduction in the spin-density in the 4f shell, manifest in the (171)Yb hyperfine interaction, and (iv) the principal values of the g-tensor, obtained from the EPR spectrum of a frozen glass solution at 5.4 K. Each of these methods finds that the spin density attributable to the charge transfer configuration is in the range 12-17%. The presence of configuration interaction (CI) also accounts for the highly anomalous energies, intensities, and vibronic structure in the "f-f" region of the optical spectrum, as well as the strict adherence of the magnetic susceptibility to the Curie law in the range 30-300 K.

C-C activation in the solid state in an organometallic σ-complex.

Herein is reported the synthesis, by a solid-state reaction from [Ir(NBD)(2)(P(i)Pr(3))][BAr(F)(4)], of the first example of a C-C σ-complex with iridium, [Ir(BINOR-S)(P(i)Pr(3))][BAr(F)(4)]. This compound is unique in that in the solid state it undergoes reversible activation of the C-C single bond that interacts with the metal center, establishing a temperature-dependent equilibrium between Ir(III) C-C σ/Ir(V) bis-alkyl complexes. This process has been interrogated by variable-temperature X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations.

Synthesis, electronic structure, and reactivity of strained nickel-, palladium-, and platinum-bridged [1]ferrocenophanes.

The group 10 bis(phosphine)metalla[1]ferrocenophanes, [{Fe(η(5)-C(5)H(4))(2)}M(Pn-Bu(3))(2)] [M = Ni (4a), Pd (4b), and Pt (4c)], have been prepared by the reaction of Li(2)[Fe(η(5)-C(5)H(4))(2)]·tmeda (5, tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) with trans-[MCl(2)(Pn-Bu(3))(2)] [M = Ni (trans-6a) and Pd (trans-6b)] and cis-[PtCl(2)(Pn-Bu(3))(2)] (cis-6c), respectively. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed highly tilted, strained structures as characterized by α angles of 28.4° (4a), 24.5° (4b), and 25.2° (4c) and a distorted square planar environment for the group 10 metal center. UV/visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry indicated that all three compounds had smaller HOMO-LUMO gaps and were more electron-rich in nature than ferrocene and other comparable [1]ferrocenophanes. DFT calculations suggested that these differences were principally due to the electron-releasing nature of the M(Pn-Bu(3))(2) metal-ligand fragments. Attempts to induce thermal or anionic ring-opening polymerization of 4a-c were unsuccessful and were complicated by, for example, competing ligand dissociation processes or unfavorable chain propagation. In contrast, these species all reacted rapidly with acids effecting clean extrusion of the bis(phosphine)metal fragment. Carbon monoxide inserted cleanly into one of the palladium-carbon bonds of 4b to afford the ring-expanded, acylated product [{Fe(η(5)-C(5)H(4))(η(5)-C(5)H(4))(CO)}Pd(Pn-Bu(3))(2)] (10). The nickel analogue 4a, however, afforded [Ni(CO)(2)(Pn-Bu(3))(2)] whereas the platinum-bridged complex 4c was inert. Remarkably, all compounds 4a-c were readily oxidized by elemental sulfur to afford the [5,5']bicyclopentadienylidene (pentafulvalene) complexes [{η(4):η(0)-C(5)H(4)(C(5)H(4))}M(Pn-Bu(3))(2)] [M = Ni (11a)] and [(η(2)-C(10)H(8))M(Pn-Bu(3))(2)] [M = Pd (11b) and Pt (11c)] by a formal 4-electron oxidation of the carbocyclic ligands. Compounds 11b and 11c represent the first examples of [5,5']bicyclopentadienylidene as a neutral η(2)-ligand. The relative energies of η(2)-coordination with respect to that of η(4):η(0) bonding were investigated for 11a-c by DFT calculations.

Evaluation of exchange-correlation functionals for time-dependent density functional theory calculations on metal complexes.

The electronic absorption spectra of a range of copper and zinc complexes have been simulated by using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations implemented in Gaussian03. In total, 41 exchange-correlation (XC) functionals including first-, second-, and third-generation (meta-generalized gradient approximation) DFT methods were compared in their ability to predict the experimental electronic absorption spectra. Both pure and hybrid DFT methods were tested and differences between restricted and unrestricted calculations were also investigated by comparison of analogous neutral zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes. TD-DFT calculated spectra were optimized with respect to the experimental electronic absorption spectra by use of a Matlab script. Direct comparison of the performance of each XC functional was achieved both qualitatively and quantitatively by comparison of optimized half-band widths, root-mean-squared errors (RMSE), energy scaling factors (epsilon(SF)), and overall quality-of-fit (Q(F)) parameters. Hybrid DFT methods were found to outperform all pure DFT functionals with B1LYP, B97-2, B97-1, X3LYP, and B98 functionals providing the highest quantitative and qualitative accuracy in both restricted and unrestricted systems. Of the functionals tested, B1LYP gave the most accurate results with both average RMSE and overall Q(F) < 3.5% and epsilon(SF) values close to unity (>0.990) for the copper complexes. The XC functional performance in spin-restricted TD-DFT calculations on the zinc complexes was found to be slightly worse. PBE1PBE, mPW1PW91 and B1LYP gave the most accurate results with typical RMSE and Q(F) values between 5.3 and 7.3%, and epsilon(SF) around 0.930. These studies illustrate the power of modern TD-DFT calculations for exploring excited state transitions of metal complexes.

Electronic structures of Pd(II) dimers.

The Pd(II) dimers [(2-phenylpyridine)Pd(mu-X)](2) and [(2-p-tolylpyridine)Pd(mu-X)](2) (X = OAc or TFA) do not exhibit the expected planar geometry (of approximate D(2h) symmetry) but instead resemble an open "clamshell" in which the acetate ligands are perpendicular to the plane containing the Pd atoms and 2-arylpyridine ligands, with the Pd atoms brought quite close to one another (approximate distance 2.85 A). The molecules adopt this unusual geometry in part because of a d(8)-d(8) bonding interaction between the two Pd centers. The Pd-Pd dimers exhibit two successive one-electron oxidations: Pd(II)-Pd(II) to Pd(II)-Pd(III) to Pd(III)-Pd(III). Photophysical measurements reveal clear differences in the UV-visible and low-temperature fluorescence spectra between the clamshell dimers and related planar dimeric [(2-phenylpyridine)Pd(mu-Cl)](2) and monomeric [(2-phenylpyridine)Pd(en)][Cl] (en = ethylenediamine) complexes that do not have any close Pd-Pd contacts. Density functional theory and atoms in molecules analyses confirm the presence of a Pd-Pd bonding interaction in [(2-phenylpyridine)Pd(mu-X)](2) and show that the highest occupied molecular orbital is a d(z(2)) sigma* Pd-Pd antibonding orbital, while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and close-lying empty orbitals are mainly located on the 2-phenylpyridine rings. Computational analyses of other Pd(II)-Pd(II) dimers that have short Pd-Pd distances yield an orbital ordering similar to that of [(2-phenylpyridine)Pd(mu-X)](2), but quite different from that found for d(8)-d(8) dimers of Rh, Ir, and Pt. This difference in orbital ordering arises because of the unusually large energy gap between the 4d and 5p orbitals in Pd and may explain why Pd d(8)-d(8) dimers do not exhibit the distinctive photophysical properties of related Rh, Ir, and Pt species.

Noninnocent behavior of ancillary ligands: apparent trans coupling of a saturated N-heterocyclic carbene unit with an ethyl ligand mediated by nickel.

Oxidative addition of the tridentate N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) diphosphine ligand precursor ([PCP]H)PF(6) (1) {[PCP] = o-(i)Pr(2)PC(6)H(4)(NC(3)H(4)N)o-C(6)H(4)P(i)Pr(2)} to Ni(COD)(2) results in the formation of the nickel(II) hydride complex ([PCP]NiH)PF(6) (2). This hydride undergoes a rapid reaction with ethylene to generate a nickel(0) complex in which an ethyl group has been transferred to the carbene carbon of the original NHC-diphosphine ligand. If the first intermediate is the anticipated square-planar nickel(II) ethyl species, then the formation of the product would require a process that involves a trans C-C coupling of the NHC carbon and a presumed Ni-ethyl intermediate. Deuterium-labeling studies provide evidence for migratory insertion of the added ethylene into the Ni-H bond rather than into the Ni-carbene linkage; this is based on the observed deuterium scrambling, which requires reversible beta-elimination, alkene rotation, and hydride readdition. However, density functional theory studies suggest that a key intermediate is an agostic ethyl species that has the Ni-C bond cis to the NHC unit. A possible transition state containing two cis-disposed carbon moieties was also identified. Such a process represents a new pathway for catalyst deactivation involving NHC-based metal complexes.

Synthesis and reactivity of a strained silicon-bridged [1]ferrocenophanium ion.

Not blue but red-brown: A [1]ferrocenophanium ion has been synthesized and isolated as a red-brown crystalline salt, surprisingly different in color from characteristically blue-green unstrained ferrocenium ions. Compared to the neutral iron(II) counterpart, the [1]ferrocenophanium ion displays a considerably higher ring tilt and an increased propensity for ring-opening reactions.

Synthesis, characterisation and redox properties of anti-bimetallic permethylpentalene complexes.

We report a series of anti-bimetallic transition metal complexes based on the permethylpentanyl (Pn*, C8Me6) ligand: anti-(MCpR5)2Pn* (where M = Fe, Co and Ni and R = H or Me). Compounds (FeCp*)2Pn* (1), (CoCp*)2Pn* (2), (NiCp*)2Pn* (3), (CoCp)2Pn* (4) and (NiCp)2Pn* (5) were fully characterised by NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, DFT calculations and cyclic voltammetry. All anti-(MCpR5)Pn* structures have diamagnetic ground states. 1, 2 and 4 have isolated non-degenerate ground states with closed shell configurations. A study of the magnetic properties of the dinickel complexes 3 and 5 reveal Boltzmann population of a Curie triplet state in the solution. Cyclic voltammetry reveals multiple reversible or quasi-reversible redox couples for all the dinuclear complexes.

Homoleptic permethylpentalene complexes: "double metallocenes" of the first-row transition metals.

The synthesis of the bimetallic permethylpentalene complexes Pn*2M2 (M = V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni; Pn* = C8Me6) has been accomplished, and all of the complexes have been structurally characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Pn*2V2 (1) and Pn*2Mn2 (3) show very short intermetallic distances that are consistent with metal-metal bonding, while the cobalt centers in Pn*2Co2 (4) exhibit differential bonding to each side of the Pn* ligand that is consistent with an eta(5):eta(3) formulation. The Pn* ligands in Pn*2Ni2 (5) are best described as eta(3):eta(3)-bonded to the metal centers. (1)H NMR studies indicate that all of the Pn*2M2 species exhibit D(2h) molecular symmetry in the solution phase; the temperature variation of the chemical shifts for the resonances of Pn*2Cr2 (2) indicates that the molecule has an S = 0 ground state and a thermally populated S = 1 excited state and can be successfully modeled using a Boltzmann distribution (DeltaH(o) = 14.9 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS(o) = 26.5 J K(-1) mol(-1)). The solid-state molar magnetic susceptibility of 3 obeys the Curie-Weiss law with mu(eff) = 2.78 muB and theta = -1.0 K; the complex is best described as having an S = 1 electronic ground state over the temperature range 4-300 K. Paradoxically, attempts to isolate the "double ferrocene" equivalent, Pn*2Fe2, led only to the isolation of the permethylpentalene dimer Pn*2 (6). Solution electrochemical studies were performed on all of the organometallic compounds; 2-5 exhibit multiple quasi-reversible redox processes. Density functional theory calculations were performed on this series of complexes in order to rationalize the observed structural and spectroscopic data and provide estimates of the M-M bond orders.

Mechanistic studies on the reductive cyclooligomerisation of CO by U(III) mixed sandwich complexes; the molecular structure of [(U(eta-C8H6{Si(i)Pr3-1,4}2)(eta-Cp*)]2(mu-eta1:eta1-C2O2).

The stoichiometric reaction of 1 equiv of CO with [(U(eta-C8H6{SiiPr3-1,4}2)(eta-Cp*)] affords the linear diuranium ynediolate complex [(U(eta-C8H6{SiiPr3-1,4}2)(eta-Cp*)]2(mu-eta1:eta1-C2O2) which does not react with further CO to give the deltate derivative [(U(eta-C8H6{SiiPr3-1,4}2)(eta-Cp*)]2(mu-eta1:eta2-C3O3). Spectroscopic and computational studies suggest a plausible mechanism for the formation of the deltate complex, in which a "zig-zag" diuranium ynediolate species is the key intermediate.