Structural Chemistry of Titanium (IV) Oxo Clusters, Part 2: Clusters without Carboxylate or Phosphonate Ligands.

Homometallic titanium oxo clusters (TOC) are one of the most important groups of metal oxo clusters. In a previous article, TOC structures with carboxylato and phosphonato ligands were reviewed and categorized. This work is now extended to clusters with other ligands. Comparison of the different cluster types shows how the interplay between condensation of the titanium polyhedra by means of bridging oxygen atoms and the coordination characteristics of the ligands influences the cluster structures and allows working out basic construction principles of the cluster core.

Hydrogenation of Terminal Alkenes Catalyzed by Air-Stable Mn(I) Complexes Bearing an N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Based PCP Pincer Ligand.

Efficient hydrogenations of terminal alkenes with molecular hydrogen catalyzed by well-defined bench stable Mn(I) complexes containing an N-heterocyclic carbene-based PCP pincer ligand are described. These reactions are environmentally benign and atom economic, implementing an inexpensive, earth abundant non-precious metal catalyst. A range of aromatic and aliphatic alkenes were efficiently converted into alkanes in good to excellent yields. The hydrogenation proceeds at 100 °C with catalyst loadings of 0.25-0.5 mol %, 2.5-5 mol % base (KOt Bu) and a hydrogen pressure of 20 bar. Mechanistic insight into the catalytic reaction is provided by means of DFT calculations.

Oxidative Desymmetrization Enables the Concise Synthesis of a trans-Cyclooctene Linker for Bioorthogonal Bond Cleavage.

Modified trans-cyclooctenes (TCO) are capable of highly efficient molecular manipulations in biological environments, driven by the bioorthogonal reaction with tetrazines (Tz). The development of click-cleavable TCO has fueled the field of in vivo chemistry and enabled the design of therapeutic strategies that have already started to enter the clinic. A key element for most of these approaches is the implementation of a cleavable TCO linker. So far, only one member of this class has been developed, a compound that requires a high synthetic effort, mainly to fulfill the multilayered demands on its chemical structure. To tackle this limitation, we developed a dioxolane-fused cleavable TCO linker (dcTCO) that can be prepared in only five steps by applying an oxidative desymmetrization to achieve diastereoselective introduction of the required functionalities. Based on investigation of the structure, reaction kinetics, stability, and hydrophilicity of dcTCO, we demonstrate its bioorthogonal application in the design of a caged prodrug that can be activated by in-situ Tz-triggered cleavage to achieve a remarkable >1000-fold increase in cytotoxicity.

Electronic and Structural Properties of MPtxB6-2x (M = Y, Yb): Structural Disorder in an Octahedral Boron Framework.

Two new ternary platinum borides, YPtxB6-2x and YbPtxB6-2x, were obtained by argon-arc melting of the elements followed by annealing at 780 °C (750 °C). The structures of these compounds combine the fragments of CaB6- and AuCu3-type structures [space group Pm3̅m; x = 1.15, a = 4.0550(4) Å and x = 1.34, a = 4.0449(2) Å for YPtxB6-2x and YbPtxB6-2x, respectively; single-crystal X-ray diffraction]. Two possible variants of B/Pt ordering (space group P4/mmm) were created via a group-subgroup approach targeting the derived stoichiometry. The architecture of the type-I YPtxB6-2x structure model (a' = a, b' = b, c' = c) combines the 4.82 boron nets alternating with the layers of Y and Pt; the type-II YPtxB6-2x structure model (a' = 2a, b' = 2b, c' = c) exhibits columns of linked [B24] truncated cubes filled with Y running along the c axis. The striking features of both structural models are [B4Pt2] octahedra. The structural similarities with hitherto reported structures (YB2C2, M2Ni21B20, MNi21B20, and ErNiB4) were drawn supporting the verity of these models. A chemical bonding analysis for type-I and type-II YPtxB6-2x based on electron localization function distribution revealed a two-center interaction forming the 4.82 boron nets for type-I YPtxB6-2x and a covalent bonding within [B4Pt2] octahedra as well as a two-center interaction for B-B intraoctahedral bonds for type-II YPtxB6-2x. Analysis of Bader charges revealed the cationic character of the yttrium atoms. The interactions for nondistorted areas of the structures agree well with the bonding picture calculated for constituent building structures, YB6 and YPt3. Electronic structure calculations predict YPtxB6-2x to be a metal with the density of states of around N(EF) = 1 states eV-1 f.u.-1. The exploration of the Y-Pt-B system in the relevant concentration range elucidated the homogeneity field of YPtxB6-2x (0.90 ≤ x ≤ 1.40) and revealed the existence of three more ternary phases at 780 °C: YPt2B (space group P6222), YPt3B (space group P4mm), and YPt5B2 (space group C2/m).

Manganese-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Silylation of Alkenes Following Two Parallel Inner-Sphere Pathways.

We report on an additive-free Mn(I)-catalyzed dehydrogenative silylation of terminal alkenes. The most active precatalyst is the bench-stable alkyl bisphosphine Mn(I) complex fac-[Mn(dippe)(CO)3(CH2CH2CH3)]. The catalytic process is initiated by migratory insertion of a CO ligand into the Mn-alkyl bond to yield an acyl intermediate which undergoes rapid Si-H bond cleavage of the silane HSiR3 forming the active 16e- Mn(I) silyl catalyst [Mn(dippe)(CO)2(SiR3)] together with liberated butanal. A broad variety of aromatic and aliphatic alkenes was efficiently and selectively converted into E-vinylsilanes and allylsilanes, respectively, at room temperature. Mechanistic insights are provided based on experimental data and DFT calculations revealing that two parallel reaction pathways are operative: an acceptorless reaction pathway involving dihydrogen release and a pathway requiring an alkene as sacrificial hydrogen acceptor.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt NCN Pincer Complexes.

A series of cobalt complexes, stabilized by a monoanionic tridentate NCN pincer ligand, was synthetized and characterized. Preparation of the paramagnetic 15 VE complex [Co(NCNCH2-Et)Br] (1) was accomplished by transmetalation of Li[2,6-(Et2NCH2)2C6H3] with CoBr2 in THF. Treatment of this air-sensitive compound with NO gas resulted in the formation of the diamagnetic Co(III) species [Co(NCNCH2-Et)(NO)Br] (2) as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. This complex features a strongly bent NO ligand (Co-N-O∠135.0°). The νNO is observed at 1609 cm-1 which is typical for a bent metal-N-O arrangement. Coordinatively unsaturated 1 could further be treated with pyridine, isocyanides, phosphines and CO to form five-coordinate 17 VE complexes. Oxidation of 1 with CuBr2 led to the formation of the Co(III) complex [Co(NCNCH2-Et)Br2]. Treatment of [Co(NCNCH2-Et)Br2] with TlBF4 as halide scavenger in acetonitrile led to the formation of the cationic octahedral complex [Co(NCNCH2-Et)(MeCN)3](BF4)2. A combination of X-ray crystallography, IR-, NMR- and EPR-spectroscopy as well as DFT/CAS-SCF calculations were used to characterize all compounds.

Hydroboration of Terminal Alkenes and trans-1,2-Diboration of Terminal Alkynes Catalyzed by a Manganese(I) Alkyl Complex.

A MnI -catalyzed hydroboration of terminal alkenes and a 1,2-diboration of terminal alkynes with pinacolborane (HBPin) is described. For alkenes, anti-Markovnikov hydroboration takes place; for alkynes the reaction proceeds with excellent trans-1,2-selectivity. The most active pre-catalyst is bench-stable alkyl bisphosphine MnI complex fac-[Mn(dippe)(CO)3 (CH2 CH2 CH3 )]. The catalytic process is initiated by migratory insertion of a CO ligand into the Mn-alkyl bond to yield an acyl intermediate, which undergoes B-H bond cleavage of HBPin (for alkenes) and rapid C-H bond cleavage (for alkynes), forming the active MnI boryl and acetylide catalysts [Mn(dippe)(CO)2 (BPin)] and [Mn(dippe)(CO)2 (C≡CR)], respectively. A broad variety of aromatic and aliphatic alkenes and alkynes was efficiently and selectively borylated. Mechanistic insights are provided based on experimental data and DFT calculations revealing that an acceptorless reaction is operating involving dihydrogen release.

Structures and Chemical Bonding in Antimony(III) Bromide Complexes with Pyridine.

Weakly or "partially" bonded molecules are an important link between the chemical and van der Waals interactions. Molecular structures of six new SbBr3 -Py complexes in the solid state have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In all complexes all Sb atoms adopt a pseudo-octahedral coordination geometry which is completed by additional Sb⋅⋅⋅Br contacts shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii, with Br-Sb⋅⋅⋅Br angles close to 180°. To reveal the nature of Sb-Br and Sb-N interactions, the DFT calculations were performed followed by the analysis of the electrostatic potentials, the orbital interactions and the topological analysis. Based on Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis, the Sb-Br interactions range from the covalent bonds to the pnictogen bonds. A simple structural parameter, non-covalence criterion (NCC) is defined as a ratio of the atom-atom distance to the linear combination of sums of covalent and van der Waals radii. NCC correlates with E(2) values for Sb-N, Sb-Cl and Sb-Br bonds, and appears to be useful criterion for a preliminary evaluation of the bonding situation.

Symmetric Mixed Sulfur-Selenium Fused Ring Systems as Potential Materials for Organic Field-Effect Transistors.

A reliable synthetic protocol toward a series of fused chalcogenopheno[1]benzochalcogenophene (CBC) building blocks was developed based on a Fiesselmann reaction. The obtained CBC units were applied in McMurry and Stille coupling reactions toward symmetric regioisomeric ene-linked dimers. These π-conjugated compounds were characterized regarding their photophysical and electrochemical properties and proved to be materials with reduced HOMO-LUMO gaps compared to their sulfur-based analogues. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments revealed strong intermolecular selenium-selenium and selenium-carbon interactions depending on the position and number of incorporated selenium atoms. Good field-effect transistor performance with charge carrier mobilities up to 4×10-3  cm2 V-1 s-1 and high on/off ratios could be observed.

Double Ring-Closing Approach for the Synthesis of 2,3,6,7-Substituted Anthracene Derivatives.

A method for the synthesis of 2,3,6,7-substituted anthracene derivatives, one of the most challenging anthracene substitution patterns to obtain, is presented. The method is exemplified by the preparation of 2,3,6,7-anthracenetetracarbonitrile and employs a newly developed, stable, protected 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarbaldehyde as the precursor. The precursor can be obtained in two scalable synthetic steps from 2,5-dibromoterephthalaldehyde and is converted into the anthracene derivative by a double intermolecular Wittig reaction under very mild conditions, followed by a deprotection and intramolecular double ring-closing condensation reaction.

Efficient Z-Selective Semihydrogenation of Internal Alkynes Catalyzed by Cationic Iron(II) Hydride Complexes.

The bench-stable cationic bis(σ-B-H) aminoborane complex [Fe(PNPNMe-iPr)(H)(η2-H2B = NMe2)]+ (2) efficiently catalyzes the semihydrogenation of internal alkynes, 1,3-diynes and 1,3-enynes. Moreover, selective incorporation of deuterium was achieved in the case of 1,3-diynes and 1,3-enynes. The catalytic reaction takes place under mild conditions (25 °C, 4-5 bar H2 or D2) in 1 h, and alkenes were obtained with high Z-selectivity for a broad scope of substrates. Mechanistic insight into the catalytic reaction, explaining also the stereo- and chemoselectivity, is provided by means of DFT calculations. Intermediates featuring a bisdihydrogen moiety [Fe(PNPNMe-iPr)(η2-H2)2]+ are found to play a key role. Experimental support for such species was unequivocally provided by the fact that [Fe(PNPNMe-iPr)(H)(η2-H2)2]+ (3) exhibited the same catalytic activity as 2. The novel cationic bisdihydrogen complex 3 was obtained by protonolysis of [Fe(PNPNMe-iPr)(H)(η2-AlH4)]2 (1) with an excess of nonafluoro-tert-butyl alcohol.

Azaindolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazoles: New Building Blocks for Functional Organic Materials.

The preparation and characterization of 12 azaindolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazoles is presented. Ring-closing C-H activation allowed for the convenient preparation of six singly and six doubly nitrogen-substituted indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole derivatives in which ten of the materials have not been described in the literature before. The detailed photophysical and electrochemical characterization of the developed materials revealed a significant impact of the incorporation of pyridine-like nitrogen into the fully planar indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole backbone. Furthermore, the nitrogen position decisively impacted intermolecular hydrogen bonding and thus the solid-state alignment. Ultimately, the versatility of the azaindolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazoles scaffold makes this class of materials an attractive new building block for the design of functional organic materials.

Five-Coordinate Low-Spin {FeNO}7 PNP Pincer Complexes.

The synthesis and characterization of air-stable cationic mono nitrosonium Fe(I) PNP pincer complexes of the type [Fe(PNP)(NO)Cl]+ are described. These complexes are obtained via direct nitroslyation of [Fe(PNP)Cl2] with nitric oxide at ambient pressure. On the basis of magnetic and EPR measurements as well as DFT calculations, these compounds were found to adopt a low-spin d7 configuration and feature a nearly linear bound NO ligand suggesting FeINO+ rather than FeIINO• character. X-ray structures of all nitrosonium Fe(I) PNP complexes are presented. Preliminary investigations reveal that [Fe(PNPNH- iPr)(NO)(Cl)]+ efficiently catalyzes the conversion of primary alcohols and aromatic and benzylic amines to yield mono N-alkylated amines in good isolated yields.

Access to FeII Bis(σ-B-H) Aminoborane Complexes through Protonation of a Borohydride Complex and Dehydrogenation of Amine-Boranes.

Herein, we report on the first synthesis and structural characterization of the iron based aminoborane complexes [Fe(PNP)(H)(η2 :η2 -H2 B=NR2 )]+ (R=H, Me). These species are formed upon protonation of the borohydride complex [Fe(PNP)(H)(η2 -BH4 )] by ammonium salts [NH2 R2 ]+ (R=H, Me). For R=Me, the reaction proceeds via the cationic dinuclear intermediate [{Fe(PNP)(H)}2 (µ2 ,η2 :η2 -BH4 )]+ . A mechanism for the reaction is proposed based on DFT calculations that also indicate the final aminoborane complex as the thermodynamic product. All complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, HRMS, and X-ray crystallography.

Iron PCP Pincer Complexes in Three Oxidation States: Reversible Ligand Protonation To Afford an Fe(0) Complex with an Agostic C-H Arene Bond.

In the current investigation, the reaction of Fe2(CO)9 with the ligand precursor 2-chloro-N1,N3-bis(diisopropylphosphanyl)-N1,N3-diethylbenzene-1,3-diamine (P(C-Cl)PNEt- iPr) (1) was investigated. When a suspension of Fe2(CO)9 and 1 in CH3CN was transferred in a sealed microwave glass vial and stirred for 18 h at 110 °C the complex [Fe(PCPNEt- iPr)(CO)2Cl] (2) was obtained. In an attempt to prepare the hydride Fe(II) complex [Fe(PCPNEt- iPr)(CO)2H] (3), 2 was reacted with 1 equiv of Li[HBEt3] in THF. Instead of ligand substitution, this complex underwent a one electron reduction which led to the formation of the low-spin d7 Fe(I) complex [Fe(PCPNEt- iPr)(CO)2] (4). Exposure of a benzene solution of 4 to NO gas (1 bar) at room temperature affords the diamagnetic complex [Fe(PCPNEt- iPr)(CO)(NO)] (5). This is the first iron PCP nitrosyl complex. Protonation of 5 with HBF4·Et2O affords the cationic Fe(0) complex [Fe(κ3 P,CH,P-P(CH)PNEt- iPr)(CO)(NO)]BF4 (6) which features an η2-Caryl-H agostic bond. Even with relatively weak bases such as NEt3 the agostic C-H bond can be deprotonated with reformation of the starting material 5. Therefore, protonation of 5 is completely reversible.

A novel selenoalkenyl-isoxazole based donor-acceptor nonlinear optical material.

The structure property relationships of untwinned enantiomorphic Z-(methylseleno)alkenyl-substituted phenyl-isoxazole and its isostructural triazole congener both crystallizing in the P212121 space group were investigated with respect to UV/vis absorption, thermal behaviour, and second harmonic generation ability. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed a significantly higher melting point of the novel isoxazole compound compared to the triazole derivative and therefore a broader thermal application window. The SHG efficiency of the isoxazole derivative is approximately two thirds the value of the triazole compound and approximately 27 times higher than potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Thus, the developed molecular scaffold represents an interesting novel type of nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophore.

Formation of Mono Oxo Molybdenum(IV) PNP Pincer Complexes: Interplay between Water and Molecular Oxygen.

The synthesis of cationic mono oxo MoIV PNP pincer complexes of the type [Mo(PNPMe-iPr)(O)X]+ (X = I, Br) from [Mo(PNPMe-iPr)(CO)X2] is described. These compounds are coordinatively unsaturated and feature a strong Mo≡O triple bond. The formation of these complexes proceeds via cationic 14e intermediates [Mo(PNPMe-iPr)(CO)X]+ and requires both molecular oxygen and water. ESI MS measurements with 18O labeled water (H2 18O) and molecular oxygen (18O2) indicates that water plays a crucial role in the formation of the Mo≡O bond. A plausible mechanism based on DFT calculations is provided. The X-ray structure of [Mo(PNPMe-iPr)(O)I]SbF6 is presented.

Stable, Yet Highly Reactive Nonclassical Iron(II) Polyhydride Pincer Complexes: Z-Selective Dimerization and Hydroboration of Terminal Alkynes.

The synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of nonclassical iron(II) polyhydride complexes containing tridentate PNP pincer-type ligands is described. These compounds of the general formula [Fe(PNP)(H)2(η2-H2)] exhibit remarkable reactivity toward terminal alkynes. They efficiently promote the catalytic dimerization of aryl acetylenes giving the corresponding conjugated 1,3-enynes in excellent yields with low catalyst loadings. When the reaction is carried out in the presence of pinacolborane, vinyl boronates are obtained. Both reactions take place under mild conditions and are highly chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective with up to 99% Z-selectivity.

Th7 Fe3 -Type Related Structures in Pd(Pt)-Cu-B Systems: Pd6 CuB3 -A New Structure Type for Borides.

A new member of the series of Th7 Fe3 -type derivative structures, h-(Pd0.86 Cu0.14 )7 B3 (≡Pd6.02 Cu0.98 B3 , unique structure type Pd6 CuB3 , space group P63 cm, a=12.9426(9) Å, c=4.8697(4) Å, single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) data) was obtained from as cast alloys and alloys annealed at 600-650 °C. Further substitution of Cu by Pd led to formation of a Mn7 C3 -type structure, o-(Pd0.93 Cu0.07 )7 B3 (≡Pd6.51 Cu0.49 B3 , space group Pnma, a=4.8971(2) Å, b=7.5353(3) Å, c=12.9743(6) Å, single-crystal XRD). Isotypic LT h-(Pt0.70 Cu0.30 )7 B3 (≡Pt4.90 Cu2.10 B3 ) was observed in the Pt-Cu-B system as a low-temperature (LT) phase (T≤600 °C) (powder XRD), whereas the Th7 Fe3 -type (high-temperature (HT) h-(Pt0.73 Cu0.27 )7 B3 ≡Pt5.11 Cu1.89 B3 , space group P63 mc, a=7.4671(1) Å, c=4.9039(1) Å, powder XRD) proved to be stable at high temperature. The three structures are built of columns of face connected metal octahedra and columns of metal tetrahedra alternatingly fused by common faces and vertices. Boron atoms are found in trigonal prisms formed by metal atoms. The volumes of the three new Th7 Fe3 -type derivative borides relate as 1:2:3. Superconductivity was discovered for Pt4.9 Cu2.1 B3 (Pd6 CuB3 -type) and Pt5.1 Cu1.9 B3 (Th7 Fe3 -type) below 0.67 and 0.66 K, respectively. Despite the close value of the transition temperature the values of the upper critical field at 0 K differ as 0.37 T and 0.27 T for the two compounds.

Color Fine-Tuning of Optical Materials Through Rational Design.

We report on the feasibility for color fine-tuning of optical materials using rational design principles based on chemical reasoning. For this purpose, a modular framework for the construction of symmetrical cap-linker-cap compounds, using triarylamine caps and oligothiophene linkers, is applied. The chosen structural scaffolds are heavily used in recent industrial applications and provide five possibilities for altering their electronic and steric properties: electron donor/acceptor groups, planarization/deplanarization, and modulation of the π-conjugation length. Permutation of the used building blocks leads to a set of 54 different molecules, out of which 32 are synthesized and characterized in solution as well as in example fabricated OLED devices. This setup allows for color fine-tuning in the range of 412 nm to 540 nm with typical steps of 4 nm. In addition, to further benefit from the large experimental data set the spectroscopic results are used to benchmark quantum chemical computations, which show excellent agreement thus highlighting the potential of these calculations to guide future syntheses.