Migration of Condensed Aromatic Hydrocarbons During Alkyne-Vinylidene Rearrangements.

Diarylacetylenes ArC≡CAr featuring condensed aromatic hydrocarbon fragments (Ar) such as naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene and pyrene were converted into vinylidene ligands by 1,2-migration reactions within the coordination sphere of half-sandwich complexes [MII(dppe)Cp]+ (MII = RuII, FeII). Comparison of the extent of conversion of the alkyne substrates to the vinylidene complexes [Ru{=C=CAr2}(dppe)Cp]+ with those obtained from acetylenes functionalized by smaller groups (H, CH3, Ph) show that the molecular volume (VM) of the migrating group and relief of steric congestion plays a role during the rearrangement process. Conversely, the H-atoms from the larger condensed ring aryl groups that are in close proximity to the migrating sites also have a significant influence on the efficacy and extent of the reaction by restricting access of the alkyne to the metal center, resulting in a less effective migration reaction. This combination of competing steric factors (acceleration due to relief of steric congestion and restricted access of the alkyne moiety to the reaction site) is exemplified by the facile migration of 1-pyryl entities and the low yields of vinylidene products formed from 1,2-bis(9-anthryl)acetylene.

Quantum Interference in Mixed-Valence Complexes: Tuning Electronic Coupling Through Substituent Effects.

Whilst 2- or 5-OMe groups on the bridging phenylene ring in [{Cp*(dppe)RuC≡C}2 (µ-1,3-C6 H4 )]+ have little influence on the electronic structure of this weakly coupled mixed-valence complex, a 4-OMe substituent enhances ground state electron delocalization, and increases the intensity of the IVCT transition. Vibrational frequency and TDDFT calculations (LH20t-D3(BJ), def2-SVP, COSMO (CH2 Cl2 )) on ([{Cp*(dppe)RuC≡C}2 (µ-1,3-C6 H3 -n-OMe)]+ (n=2, 4, 5) models are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. The stronger ground state coupling is attributed to the change in composition of the ß-HOSO brought about by the 4-OMe group, which is ortho or para to each of the metal fragments. The intensity of the IVCT transition increases with the greater overlap of the ß-HOSO and ß-LUSO, whilst the relative phases of the ß-HOSO and ß-LUSO in the 4-OMe substituted complex are consistent with predictions of constructive quantum interference from molecular circuit rules.

Rip It off: Nitro to Nitroso Reduction by Iron Half-Sandwich Complexes.

Activation of [FeCl(dppe)Cp] (1) by chloride abstraction with Na[BArX4] (X = F, [B(3,5-(CF3)2-C6H3)4]; X = Cl, [B(3,5-Cl2-C6H3)4]) permits reactions with a range of nitro aromatics, RC6H4NO2 (R = halogen, Me, OMe, NO2 or NMe2), to give the cationic iron nitroso complexes [Fe{N(O)-C6H4R}(dppe)Cp][BArX4]) ([3][BArX4]). Similar reactions of 1 and Na[BArX4] with [Fe(NCC6H4NO2)(dppe)Cp][BArX4] gave bimetallic [{Fe(dppe)Cp}2{µ-N≡CC6H4N(O)}][BArF4]2. However, reactions of 1 and Na[BArX4] with 4-nitrophenol gave the first example of the bench-stable iron half-sandwich phenolate complex [Fe(OC6H4NO2)(dppe)Cp]+ rather than NO2 activation. The formation of complexes [3]+ likely proceeds via the unusual blue bimetallic species [{Fe(dppe)Cp}2{µ,κ2O,O'-O2NAr}]2+. This compound undergoes N-O bond cleavage, resulting in [3]+ and a FeIV═O species, which reacts via an internal C-H activation of the dppe ligand to give [FeIII(κ3O,P,P'-P(2-O-C6H4)(Ph)-C2H4-PPh2)Cp]+. Complexes [3]+ are stable under ambient conditions, are readily purified by column chromatography and can be isolated in up to 50% yield, considering that 0.5 equiv of 1 is required as the oxygen acceptor.

Ring Enlargement of Three-Membered Heterocycles by Treatment with In Situ Formed Tricyanomethane.

Although the chemistry of elusive tricyanomethane (cyanoform) has been studied during a period of more than 150 years, this compound has very rarely been utilized in the synthesis or modification of heterocycles. Three-membered heterocycles, such as epoxides, thiirane, aziridines, or 2H-azirines, are now treated with tricyanomethane, which is generated in situ by heating azidomethylidene-malonodinitrile in tetrahydrofuran at 45 °C or by adding sulfuric acid to potassium tricyanomethanide. This leads to ring expansion with formation of 2-(dicyanomethylidene)oxazolidine derivatives or creation of the corresponding thiazolidine, imidazolidine, or imidazoline compounds and opens up a new access to these push-pull-substituted olefinic products. The regio- and stereochemistry of the ring-enlargement processes are discussed, and the proposed reaction mechanisms were confirmed by using 15 N-labeled substrates. It turns out that different mechanisms are operating; however, tricyanomethanide is always acting as a nitrogen-centered nucleophile, which is quite unusual if compared to other reactions of this species.

Further Evidence for 'Extended' Cumulene Complexes: Derivatives from Reactions with Halide Anions and Water.

Reactions of [Ru{C=C(H)-1,4-C6 H4 C≡CH}(PPh3 )2 Cp]BF4 ([1 a]BF4 ) with hydrohalic acids, HX, results in the formation of [Ru{C≡C-1,4-C6 H4 -C(X)=CH2 }(PPh3 )2 Cp] [X=Cl (2 a-Cl), Br (2 a-Br)], arising from facile Markovnikov addition of halide anions to the putative quinoidal cumulene cation [Ru(=C=C=C6 H4 =C=CH2 )(PPh3 )2 Cp]+ . Similarly, [M{C=C(H)-1,4-C6 H4 -C≡CH}(LL)Cp ]BF4 [M(LL)Cp'=Ru(PPh3 )2 Cp ([1 a]BF4 ); Ru(dppe)Cp* ([1 b]BF4 ); Fe(dppe)Cp ([1 c]BF4 ); Fe(dppe)Cp* ([1 d]BF4 )] react with H+ /H2 O to give the acyl-functionalised phenylacetylide complexes [M{C≡C-1,4-C6 H4 -C(=O)CH3 }(LL)Cp'] (3 a-d) after workup. The Markovnikov addition of the nucleophile to the remote alkyne in the cations [1 a-d]+ is difficult to rationalise from the vinylidene form of the precursor and is much more satisfactorily explained from initial isomerisation to the quinoidal cumulene complexes [M(=C=C=C6 H4 =C=CH2 )(LL)Cp']+ prior to attack at the more exposed, remote quaternary carbon. Thus, whilst representative acetylide complexes [Ru(C≡C-1,4-C6 H4 -C≡CH)(PPh3 )2 Cp] (4 a) and [Ru(C≡C-1,4-C6 H4 -C≡CH)(dppe)Cp*] (4 b) reacted with the relatively small electrophiles [CN]+ and [C7 H7 ]+ at the ß-carbon to give the expected vinylidene complexes, the bulky trityl ([CPh3 ]+ ) electrophile reacted with [M(C≡C-1,4-C6 H4 -C≡CH)(LL)Cp'] [M(LL)Cp'=Ru(PPh3 )2 Cp (4 a); Ru(dppe)Cp* (4 b); Fe(dppe)Cp (4 c); Fe(dppe)Cp* (4 d)] at the more exposed remote end of the carbon-rich ligand to give the putative quinoidal cumulene complexes [M{C=C=C6 H4 =C=C(H)CPh3 }(LL)Cp']+ , which were isolated as the water adducts [M{C≡C-1,4-C6 H4 -C(=O)CH2 CPh3 }(LL)Cp'] (6 a-d). Evincing the scope of the formation of such extended cumulenes from ethynyl-substituted arylvinylene precursors, the rather reactive half-sandwich (5-ethynyl-2-thienyl)vinylidene complexes [M{C=C(H)-2,5-c C4 H2 S-C≡CH}(LL)Cp']BF4 ([7 a-d]BF4 add water readily to give [M{C≡C-2,5-c C4 H2 S-C(=O)CH3 }(LL)Cp'] (8 a-d)].

Ferrocenyl-Pyrenes, Ferrocenyl-9,10-Phenanthrenediones, and Ferrocenyl-9,10-Dimethoxyphenanthrenes: Charge-Transfer Studies and SWCNT Functionalization.

The synthesis of 1-Fc- (3), 1-Br-6-Fc- (5 a), 2-Br-7-Fc- (7 a), 1,6-Fc2 - (5 b), 2,7-Fc2 -pyrene (7 b), 3,6-Fc2 -9,10-phenanthrenedione (10), and 3,6-Fc2 -9,10-dimethoxyphenanthrene (12; Fc=Fe(η5 -C5 H4 )(η5 -C5 H5 )) is discussed. Of these compounds, 10 and 12 form 1D or 2D coordination polymers in the solid state. (Spectro)Electrochemical studies confirmed reversible Fc/Fc+ redox events between -130 and 160 mV. 1,6- and 2,7-Substitution in 5 a (E°'=-130 mV) and 7 a (E°'=50 mV) influences the redox potentials, whereas the ones of 5 b and 7 b (E°'=20 mV) are independent. Compounds 5 b, 7 b, 10, and 12 show single Fc oxidation processes with redox splittings between 70 and 100 mV. UV/Vis/NIR spectroelectrochemistry confirmed a weak electron transfer between FeII /FeIII in mixed-valent [5 b]+ and [12]+ . DFT calculations showed that 5 b non-covalently interacts with the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) sidewalls as proven by, for example, disentangling experiments. In addition, CV studies of the as-obtained dispersions confirmed exohedral attachment of 5 b at the SWCNTs.

(Electrochemical) Properties and Computational Investigations of Ferrocenyl-substituted Fe3(µ3-PFc)2(CO)9 and Co4(µ4-PFc)2(CO)9 Clusters and Their Reduced Species.

The formation of ferrocenyl-functionalized iron and cobalt carbonyl clusters is reported, based on a reaction of FcPCl2 (3) (Fc = Fe(η5-C5H5)(η5-C5H4)) with Fe2(CO)9 and Co2(CO)8, respectively. Therein, nido-Fe3(CO)9(µ3-PFc)2 (4) and nido-Co4(CO)10(µ3-PFc)2 (5) clusters were obtained as the first diferrocenyl-substituted carbonyl clusters with a symmetrical cluster core. Cluster 4 shows two reversible one-electron processes within the anodic region, based on Fc/Fc+ redox events, as well as two processes in the cathodic region. In situ IR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements of all electronic states confirmed an Fc-based oxidation and a core-based reduction. On the basis of the results of a single-crystal X-ray analysis of structures of 4 and 5, computational studies of the highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies, the spin density, quantum theory of atom-in-molecule delocalization indices, and the atomic charges were performed to explain the experimental results. The latter revealed a reorganization of the cluster core upon reduction and the existence of weak P···P interactions in 4 and 5. Ferrocenyl-related redox processes, occurring reversibly in case of 4, were absent for 5, due to a different distribution of the HOMO energies. EPR measurements furthermore confirmed the core-based radical anion and the formation of a decomposition product at potentials lower than [M]2- (M = Fe, Co).

Evaluation of bismuth-based dispersion energy donors - synthesis, structure and theoretical study of 2-biphenylbismuth(iii) derivatives.

A series of 2-biphenyl bismuth(iii) compounds of the type (2-PhC6H4)3-nBiXn [n = 0 (1); n = 1, X = Cl (2), Br (3), I (4), Me (5); n = 2, X = Cl (6), Br (7), I (8)] has been synthesized and analyzed with focus on intramolecular London dispersion interactions. The library of the compounds was set up in order to investigate the Biπ arene interaction by systematic variation of X. The structural analysis in the solid state revealed that the triarylbismuth(iii) compound 1 shows an encapsulation of the metal atom but the distances between the bismuth atom and the phenyl centroids amount to values close to or larger than 4.0 Å, which is considered to be a rather week dispersion interaction. In the case of monomeric diorganobismuth(iii) compounds 2-5 the moderate crowding effectively hinders the formation of intermolecular donor-acceptor interactions, but allows for intramolecular dispersion-type interactions with the 2-biphenyl ligand. In contrast, the structures of the monoorganobismuth compounds 6-8 show the formation of Bi-XBi donor-acceptor bonds leading to the formation of 1D ribbons in the solid state. These coordination bonds are accompanied by intermolecular dispersion interactions with BiPhcentroid distances < 4.0 Å. In solution the diorganobismuth(iii) halides 2-4 show a broadening of their NMR signals (H-8, H-8' and H-9, H-9' protons of the 2-biphenyl ligand), which is a result of dynamic processes including ligand rotation. For further elucidation of these processes compounds 2, 4 and 7 were studied by temperature-dependent NMR spectroscopy. Electronic structure calculations at the density functional theory and DLPNO-coupled cluster level of theory were applied to investigate and quantify the intramolecular London dispersion interactions, in an attempt to distinguish between basic intramolecular interactions and packing effects and to shed light on the dynamic behavior in solution.

The anionic Fries rearrangement: a convenient route to ortho-functionalized aromatics.

The ortho-directed lithiation of aromatic carbamates and carbonates causes a migration of the substituent from the pendant O group to the adjacent C atom of the aromatic scaffold. This reaction, resulting in the formation of ortho-hydroxycarbonyl compounds, is widely known as the anionic Fries rearrangement, and is described in terms of the migrating group as a 1,3-O→C shift. The intramolecular mechanism allows for a control of regioselectivity by a metalation procedure. Commonly known for the migration of carbonyl groups, the scope has been extended in recent years to Si-, S- and P-based versions, known as the respective anionic sila-, thia- and phospho-Fries rearrangements. Examples of higher homologues, which are sparsely investigated, will also be discussed. Starting with aromatic substrates in the 1980s organometallic backbones, e.g. ferrocenes, have also been introduced, which opened the pathway for stereoselective processes of the Fries rearrangement. Furthermore, related conversions, such as 1,2-, 1,4- (homo-Fries), 1,5- (remote-Fries) and 1,6- as well as, e.g. N→C, and S→C migrations were reported and are included herein. The mechanisms for the Fries rearrangement and competing reactions, e.g. aryne formation, are discussed, based on, e.g., labeling experiments and DFT calculations. Redox-active ferrocenyl derivatives allowed for electrochemical investigations, revealing an influence of the electronic properties of the sandwich unit on the lithiation, rearrangement and post-functionalization behavior of the participating compounds.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemistry of Diferrocenyl ß-Diketones, -Diketonates, and Pyrazoles.

The synthesis of FcC(O)CH(R)C(O)Fc (Fc = Fe(η5-C5H4)(η5-C5H5); R = H, 5; nBu, 7; CH2CH2(OCH2CH2)2OMe, 9), [M(κ2O,O'-FcC(O)CHC(O)Fc)n] (M = Ti, n = 3, 10; M = Fe, n = 3, 11; M = BF2, n = 1, 12), and 1-R'-3,5-Fc2-cC3HN2 (R' = H, 13; Me, 14; Ph, 15) is discussed. The solid-state structures of 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, and 16 ([TiCl2(κ2O,O'-PhC(O)CHC(O)Ph)2]) show that 7 and 9 exist in their ß-diketo form. Compound 13 crystallizes as a tetramer based on a hydrogen bond pattern, including one central water molecule. The electrochemical behavior of 5-7 and 9-16 was studied by cyclic and square-wave voltammetry, showing that the ferrocenyls can separately be oxidized reversibly between -50 and 750 mV (5-7, 9, 12-15: two Fc-related events; 10, 11: six events, being partially superimposed). For complex 10, Ti-centered reversible redox processes appear at -985 (TiII/TiIII) and -520 mV (TiIII/TiIV). Spectro-electrochemical UV-Vis/NIR measurements were carried out on 5, 6, and 12, whereby only 12 showed an IVCT (intervalence charge-transfer) band of considerable strength (νmax = 6250 cm-1, Δν½ = 4725 cm-1, εmax = 240 L·mol-1·cm-1), due to the rigid C3O2B cycle, enlarging the coupling strength between the Fc groups.

Turning the Tap: Conformational Control of Quantum Interference to Modulate Single-Molecule Conductance.

Together with the more intuitive and commonly recognized conductance mechanisms of charge-hopping and tunneling, quantum-interference (QI) phenomena have been identified as important factors affecting charge transport through molecules. Consequently, establishing simple and flexible molecular-design strategies to understand, control, and exploit QI in molecular junctions poses an exciting challenge. Here we demonstrate that destructive quantum interference (DQI) in meta-substituted phenylene ethylene-type oligomers (m-OPE) can be tuned by changing the position and conformation of methoxy (OMe) substituents at the central phenylene ring. These substituents play the role of molecular-scale taps, which can be switched on or off to control the current flow through a molecule. Our experimental results conclusively verify recently postulated magic-ratio and orbital-product rules, and highlight a novel chemical design strategy for tuning and gating DQI features to create single-molecule devices with desirable electronic functions.

Homo- and Heteroleptic Coordination Polymers and Oxido Clusters of Bismuth(III) Vinylsulfonates.

The synthesis and characterization of six homo- and heteroleptic coordination polymers and oxido clusters of bismuth(III) vinylsulfonates are reported. The solvent-mediated reaction of BiPh3 and vinylsulfonic acid in ethanol produces [{Ph2 Bi(O3 SCH=CH2 )}n ] (1), which crystallizes as a one-dimensional coordination polymer as a result of bridging sulfonato ligands accompanied by intermolecular Bi⋅⋅⋅ π(arene) London dispersion interactions. In solution, compound 1 equilibrates to give [{PhBi(O3 SCH=CH2 )2 }n ] (2) and BiPh3 . Compound 2 is obtained as a single product by the reaction of BiPh3 with vinylsulfonic acid in acetonitrile and crystallizes as a one-dimensional coordination polymer. The homoleptic vinylsulfonate [{Bi(O3 SCH=CH2 )3 }n ] (3) was isolated as a two-dimensional coordination polymer, which is quite moisture sensitive, but did not provide a distinct polynuclear bismuth oxido cluster upon hydrolysis. However, by treatment of [Bi6 O4 (OH)4 (NO3 )6 ]⋅H2 O or [Bi38 O45 (OMc)24 (dmso)9 (H2 O)2 ]⋅2 DMSO⋅5 H2 O (OMc=methacrylate) with vinylsulfonic acid, such a cluster, namely, [Bi9 O7 (OH)(O3 SCH=CH2 )11 (dmso)11 ](O3 SCH=CH2 )⋅3 DMSO (4), is available as the main product. Starting from the hexanuclear bismuth oxido nitrate, another cluster, [Bi38 O45 (NO3 )8 (O3 SCH=CH2 )14 (dmso)18 ](O3 SCH=CH2 )2 ⋅2 DMSO (5), was observed as a co-crystallizing side product, which upon further hydrolysis afforded [Bi38 O45 (NO3 )6 (OH)4 (O3 SCH=CH2 )12 (dmso)23 (H2 O)2 ](O3 SCH=CH2 )2 ⋅2 H2 O (6).

Evaluation of dispersion type metal···π arene interaction in arylbismuth compounds - an experimental and theoretical study.

The dispersion type Bi···π arene interaction is one of the important structural features in the assembly process of arylbismuth compounds. Several triarylbismuth compounds and polymorphs are discussed and compared based on the analysis of single crystal X-ray diffraction data and computational studies. First, the crystal structures of polymorphs of Ph3Bi (1) are described emphasizing on the description of London dispersion type bismuth···π arene interactions and other van der Waals interactions in the solid state and the effect of it on polymorphism. For comparison we have chosen the substituted arylbismuth compounds (C6H4-CH═CH2-4)3Bi (2), (C6H4-OMe-4)3Bi (3), (C6H3-t-Bu2-3,5)3Bi (4) and (C6H3-t-Bu2-3,5)2BiCl (5). The structural analyses revealed that only two of them show London dispersion type bismuth···π arene interactions. One of them is the styryl derivative 2, for which two polymorphs were isolated. Polymorph 2a crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121, while polymorph 2b exhibits the monoclinic space group P21/c. The general structure of 2a is similar to the monoclinic C2/c modification of Ph3Bi (1a), which leads to the formation of zig-zag Bi-arenecentroid ribbons formed as a result of bismuth···π arene interactions and π···π intermolecular contacts. In the crystal structures of the polymorph 2b as well as for 4 bismuth···π arene interactions are not observed, but both compounds revealed C-HPh···π intermolecular contacts, as likewise observed in all of the three described polymorphs of Ph3Bi. For compound 3 intermolecular contacts as a result of coordination of the methoxy group to neighboring bismuth atoms are observed overruling Bi···π arene contacts. Compound 5 shows a combination of donor acceptor Bi···Cl and Bi···π arene interactions, resulting in an intermolecular pincer-type coordination at the bismuth atom. A detailed analysis of three polymorphs of Ph3Bi (1), which were chosen as model systems, at the DFT-D level of theory supported by DLPNO-CCSD(T) calculations reveals how van der Waals interactions between different structural features balance in order to stabilize molecular arrangements present in the crystal structure. Furthermore, the computational results allow to group this class of compounds into the range of heavy main group element compounds which have been characterized as dispersion energy donors in previous work.

Reactivity of Ferrocenyl Phosphates Bearing (Hetero-)Aromatics and [3]Ferrocenophanes toward Anionic Phospho-Fries Rearrangements.

The temperature-dependent behavior within anionic phospho-Fries rearrangements (apFr) of P(O)(OFc)n(EAr)3-n (Fc = Fe(η5-C5H5)(η5-C5H4); E = O; Ar = phenyl, naphthyls, (R)-BINOL, [3]ferrocenophanyl; E = N, 1H-pyrrolyl, 1H-indolyl, 9H-carbazolyl; n = 1-3) is reported. While Fc undergoes one, the Ph-based apFr depends on temperature. First, the aryls are lithiated and rearranged, followed by Fc and N-heterocycles. Addition of Me2SO4 thus gave methylated Fc, contrary to non-organometallic aromatics giving mixtures of HO and MeO derivatives. The (R)-BINOL Fc phosphate gave Fc-rearranged phosphonate in 91% de. Exchanging O- with N-aliphatics prevented apFr, due to higher electron density at P. Also 1,2-N→C migrations were observed. X-ray analysis confirms 1D H bridge bonds for OH and NH derivatives. The differences in reactivity between N-aliphatic and N-aromatic phosphoramidates were verified by electrochemistry. The redox potentials revealed lower values for the electron-rich aliphatics, showing no apFr, preventing a nucleophilic attack at P after lithiation. Redox separations for multiple Fc molecules are based on electrostatic interactions.

Electronically Strongly Coupled Divinylheterocyclic-Bridged Diruthenium Complexes.

Complexes [{Ru(CO)Cl(PiPr3 )2 }2 (µ-2,5-(CH-CH)2 -(c) C4 H2 E] (E=NR; R=C6 H4 -4-NMe2 (10 a), C6 H4 -4-OMe (10 b), C6 H4 -4-Me (10 c), C6 H5 (10 d), C6 H4 -4-CO2 Et (10 e), C6 H4 -4-NO2 (10 f), C6 H3 -3,5-(CF3 )2 (10 g), CH3 (11); E=O (12), S (13)) are discussed. The solid state structures of four alkynes and two complexes are reported. (Spectro)electrochemical studies show a moderate influence of the nature of the heteroatom and the electron-donating or -withdrawing substituents R in 10 a-g on the electrochemical and spectroscopic properties. The CVs display two consecutive one-electron redox events with ΔE°'=350-495 mV. A linear relationship between ΔE°' and the σp Hammett constant for 10 a-f was found. IR, UV/Vis/NIR and EPR studies for 10(+) -13(+) confirm full charge delocalization over the {Ru}CH-CH-heterocycle-CH-CH{Ru} backbone, classifying them as Class III systems according to the Robin and Day classification. DFT-optimized structures of the neutral complexes agree well with the experimental ones and provide insight into the structural consequences of stepwise oxidations.

4,5-Dihydro-1,2,3-oxadiazole: A Very Elusive Key Intermediate in Various Important Chemical Transformations.

4,5-Dihydro-1,2,3-oxadiazoles are postulated to be key intermediates in the industrial synthesis of ketones from alkenes, in the alkylation of DNA in vivo, and in the decomposition of N-nitrosoureas; they are also a subject of great interest for theoretical chemists. In the presented report, the formation of 4,5-dihydro-1,2,3-oxadiazole and the subsequent decay into secondary products have been studied by NMR monitoring analysis. The elusive properties evading characterization have now been confirmed by (1) H, (13) C, and (15) N NMR spectroscopy, and relevant 2D experiments at very low temperatures. Our experiments with suitably substituted N-nitrosoureas using thallium(I) alkoxides as bases under apolar conditions answer important questions on the existence and the secondary products of 4,5-dihydro-1,2,3-oxadiazole.

Influence of P-Bonded Bulky Substituents on Electronic Interactions in Ferrocenyl-Substituted Phospholes.

2,5-Diferrocenyl-1-Ar-1H-phospholes 3 a-e (Ar=phenyl (a), ferrocenyl (b), mesityl (c), 2,4,6-triphenylphenyl (d), and 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl (e)) have been prepared by reactions of ArPH2 (1 a-e) with 1,4-diferrocenyl butadiyne. Compounds 3 b-e have been structurally characterized by single-crystal XRD analysis. Application of the sterically demanding 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl group led to an increased flattening of the pyramidal phosphorus environment. The ferrocenyl units could be oxidized separately, with redox separations of 265 (3 b), 295 (3 c), 340 (3 d), and 315 mV (3 e) in [NnBu4 ][B(C6 F5 )4]; these values indicate substantial thermodynamic stability of the mixed-valence radical cations. Monocationic [3 b](+)-[3 e](+) show intervalence charge-transfer absorptions between 4650 and 5050 cm(-1) of moderate intensity and half-height bandwidth. Compounds 3 c-e with bulky, electron-rich substituents reveal a significant increase in electronic interactions compared with less demanding groups in 3 a and 3 b.

Unusual nitrile-nitrile and nitrile-alkyne coupling of Fc-C≡N and FC-C≡C-C≡N.

The reactions of the Group 4 metallocene alkyne complexes, [Cp*2M(η2-Me3SiC2SiMe3)] (1 a: M=Ti, 1 b: M=Zr, Cp*=η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), with the ferrocenyl nitriles, Fc-CN and Fc-C≡C-C≡N (Fc=Fe(η5-C5H5)(η5-C5H4)), is described. In case of Fc-C≡N an unusual nitrile­nitrile C-C homocoupling was observed and 1-metalla-2,5-diaza-cyclopenta-2,4-dienes (3 a, b) were obtained. As the first step of the reaction with 1 b, the nitrile was coordinated to give [Cp*2Zr(η2-Me3SiC2SiMe3)(N≡C-Fc)] (2 b). The reactions with the 3-ferrocenyl-2-propyne-nitrile FcC≡C-C≡N lead to an alkyne­nitrile C-C coupling of two substrates and the formation of 1-metalla-2-aza-cyclopenta-2,4-dienes (4 a, b). For M=Zr, the compound is stabilized by dimerization as evidenced by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The electrochemical behavior of 3 a, b and 4 a, b was investigated, showing decomposition after oxidation, leading to different redox-active products.

Synthesis with perfect atom economy: generation of furan derivatives by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of acetylenedicarboxylates at cyclooctynes.

Cyclooctyne and cycloocten-5-yne undergo, at room temperature, a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates 1a,b to generate furan-derived short-lived intermediates 2, which can be trapped by two additional equivalents of 1a,b or alternatively by methanol, phenol, water or aldehydes to yield polycyclic products 3b-d, orthoesters 4a-c, ketones 5 or epoxides 6a,b, respectively. Treatment of bis(trimethylsilyl) acetylenedicarboxylate (1c) with cyclooctyne leads to the ketone 7 via retro-Brook rearrangement of the dipolar intermediate 2c. In all cases, the products are formed with perfect atom economy.

Crystal structure of 3-{1'-[3,5-bis-(tri-fluoro-meth-yl)phen-yl]ferrocenyl}-4-bromo-thio-phene.

The mol-ecular structure of the title compound, [Fe(C9H6BrS)(C13H7F6)], consists of a ferrocene backbone with a bis-(tri-fluoro-meth-yl)phenyl group at one cyclo-penta-dienyl ring and a thio-phene heterocycle at the other cyclo-penta-dienyl ring. The latter is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.6:0.4 ratio. In the crystal structure, intra-molecular π-π inter-actions between the thienyl and the phenyl substituent [centroid-centroid distance 3.695 (4) Å] and additional weak T-shaped π-π inter-actions between the thienyl and the phenyl-substituted cyclo-penta-dienyl ring [4.688 (6) Å] consolidate the crystal packing.