Reusable radiochromic hackmanite with gamma exposure memory.

Radiochromic films are used as position-sensitive dose meters in e.g. medical physics and radiation processing. The currently available films like those based on lithium-10,12-pentacosdiynoate or leucomalachite green are either toxic or non-reusable, or both. There is thus a great need for a sustainable solution for radiochromic detection. In the present work, we present a suitable candidate: hackmanite with the general formula Na8Al6Si6O24(Cl,S)2. This material is known as a natural intelligent material capable of changing color when exposed to ultraviolet radiation or X-rays. Here, we show for the first time that hackmanites are also radiochromic when exposed to alpha particles, beta particles (positrons) or gamma radiation. Combining experimental and computational data we elucidate the mechanism of gamma-induced radiochromism in hackmanites. We show that hackmanites can be used for gamma dose mapping in high dose applications as well as a memory material that has the one-of-a-kind ability to remember earlier gamma exposure. In addition to satisfying the requirements of sustainability, hackmanites are non-toxic and the films made of hackmanite are reusable thus showing great potential to replace the currently available radiochromic films.

Three-Dimensional Printing of Nonlinear Optical Lenses.

In the current paper, a series of nonlinear optical (NLO) active devices was prepared by utilizing stereolithographic three-dimensional printing technique. Microcrystalline NLO active component, urea, or potassium dihydrogen phosphate was dispersed in a simple photopolymerizable polyacrylate-based resin and used as the printing material to fabricate highly efficient transparent NLO lenses. The nonlinear activity of the printed lenses was confirmed by second-harmonic generation measurements using a femtosecond laser-pumped optical parametric amplifier operating at a wavelength of 1195 nm. The three-dimensional printing provides a simple method to utilize a range of NLO active compounds without tedious crystal growing and processing steps. Furthermore, introducing NLO additives in the printing material provides an easy and cost-efficient way to manufacture lenses with NLO functionality.

Synthesis of a labile sulfur-centred ligand, [S(H)C(PPh2S)2](-): structural diversity in lithium(i), zinc(ii) and nickel(ii) complexes.

A high-yield synthesis of [Li{S(H)C(PPh2S)2}]2 [Li2·(3)2] was developed and this reagent was used in metathesis with ZnCl2 and NiCl2 to produce homoleptic complexes 4 and 5b in 85 and 93% yields, respectively. The solid-state structure of the octahedral complex [Zn{S(H)C(PPh2S)2}2] (4) reveals notable inequivalence between the Zn-S(C) and Zn-S(P) contacts (2.274(1) Å vs. 2.842(1) and 2.884(1) Å, respectively). Two structural isomers of the homoleptic complex [Ni{S(H)C(PPh2S)2}2] were isolated after prolonged crystallization processes. The octahedral green Ni(ii) isomer 5a exhibits the two monoprotonated ligands bonded in a tridentate (S,S',S'') mode to the Ni(ii) centre with three distinctly different Ni-S bond lengths (2.3487(8), 2.4500(9) and 2.5953(10) Å). By contrast, in the red-brown square-planar complex 5b the two ligands are S,S'-chelated to Ni(ii) (d(Ni-S) = 2.165(2) and 2.195(2) Å) with one pendant PPh2S group. DFT calculations revealed that the energetic difference between singlet and triplet state octahedral and square-planar isomers of the Ni(ii) complex is essentially indistinguishable. Consistently, VT and (31)P CP/MAS NMR spectroscopic investigations indicated that a mixture of isomers exists in solution at room temperature, while the singlet state square-planar isomer 5b becomes favoured at -40 °C.

Group 13 complexes of dipyridylmethane, a forgotten ligand in coordination chemistry.

The reactions of dipyridylmethane (dpma) with group 13 trichlorides were investigated in 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 molar ratios using NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. With 1 : 1 stoichiometry and Et2O as solvent, reactions employing AlCl3 or GaCl3 gave mixtures of products with the salt [(dpma)2MCl2](+)[MCl4](-) (M = Al, Ga) as the main species. The corresponding reactions in 1 : 2 molar ratio gave similar mixtures but with [(dpma)MCl2](+)[MCl4](-) as the primary product. Pure salts [(dpma)AlCl2](+)[Cl](-) and [(dpma)AlCl2](+)[AlCl4](-) could be obtained by performing the reactions in CH3CN. In the case of InCl3, a neutral monoadduct (dpma)InCl3 formed regardless of the stoichiometry employed. A neutral adduct (dpma)(BCl3)2 was obtained from the reaction between dpma and BCl3 in Et2O using 1 : 2 stoichiometry. With 1 : 1 molar ratio of reagents, a mixture of products and deprotonation of the methylene bridge in [(dpma)BCl2](+) was observed. The experimental data showed that the structural flexibility of the dpma ligand results in more diverse coordination chemistry with group 13 elements than that observed for bipyridine (bpy), while computational investigations indicated that the investigated metal-ligand interactions are, to a first approximation, independent of the ligand type. Electrochemical and chemical attempts to reduce the cations [(dpma)MCl2](+) showed that, in stark contrast to the chemistry of the related [(bpy)BCl2](+) cation, the neutral radicals [(dpma)MCl2]˙ are extremely unstable. Differences in the redox behaviour of dpma and bpy could be rationalized with the electronic structure of the ligand and that of the methylene bridge in particular. As a whole, the facile reactivity of the methylene bridge in the dpma ligand renders it amenable to further reactivity and functionalization that is not possible in the case of bpy.

PCP-bridged chalcogen-centred anions: coordination chemistry and carbon-based reactivity.

Since the discovery of the stabilising influence of thiophosphinoyl groups in methanediides by Le Floch et al. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2004, 43, 6382), numerous transition metal, lanthanide and actinide complexes of bis(thiophosphinoyl) carbene ligands have been investigated with an emphasis on the electronic structure and reactivity of the metal-carbon bonds. This Perspective begins by discussing main group (s- and p-block) complexes of this ligand and draws attention to differences compared to their d and f-block analogues. Investigations targeting the heavy chalcogen analogues of the Le Floch ligand have revealed an unusual carbon-based reactivity that led to the discovery of novel multidentate chalcogen-centred ligands as both monomers and, upon oxidation, dimers linked by dichalcogenido functionalities. Studies of main group and coinage metal complexes have established the flexibility and redox-activity of these novel anionic ligands.

Bond stretching and redox behavior in coinage metal complexes of the dichalcogenide dianions [(SPh2P)2CEEC(PPh2S)2]2- (E=S, Se): diradical character of the dinuclear copper(I) complex (E=S).

The metathetical reactions of a) [Li(tmeda)](2)[(S)C(PPh(2)S)(2)] (Li(2)·3c) with CuCl(2) and b) [Li(tmeda)](2)[(SPh(2)P)(2)CSSC(PPh(2)S)(2)] (Li(2)·4c) with two equivalents of CuCl both afford the binuclear Cu(I) complex {Cu(2)[(SPh(2)P)(2)CSSC(PPh(2)S)(2)]} (5c). The elongated (C)S-S(C) bond (ca. 2.54 and 2.72 Å) of the dianionic ligand observed in the solid-state structure of 5c indicate the presence of diradical character as supported by theoretical analyses. The treatment of [Li(tmeda)](2)[(SPh(2)P)(2)CSeSeC(PPh(2)S)(2)] (Li(2)·4b) and Li(2)·4c with AgOSO(2)CF(3) produce the analogous Ag(I) derivatives, {Ag(2)[(SPh(2)P)(2)CEEC(PPh(2)S)(2)]} (6b, E=Se; 6c, E=S), respectively. The diselenide complex 6b exhibits notably weaker Ag-Se(C) bonds than the corresponding contacts in the Cu(I) congeners, and the (31)P NMR data suggest a possible isomerization in solution. In contrast to the metathesis observed for Cu(I) and Ag(I) reagents, the reactions of Li(2)·4b and Li(2)·4c with Au(CO)Cl involve a redox process in which the dimeric dichalcogenide ligands are reduced to the corresponding monomeric dianions, [(E)C(PPh(2)S)(2)](2-) (3b, E=Se; 3c, E=S), and one of the gold centers is oxidized to generate the mixed-valent Au(I)/Au(III) complexes, {Au[(E)C(PPh(2)S)(2)]}(2) (7b, E=Se; 7c, E=S), with relatively strong aurophilic Au(I)···Au(III) interactions. The new compounds 5c, 6b,c and 7b,c are characterized in solution by NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography (5c, 6b, 7b and 7c) and by Raman spectroscopy (5c and 6c). The UV-visible spectra of coinage metal complexes of the type 5, 6 and 7 are discussed in the light of results from theoretical analyses using time-dependent density functional theory.

Homoleptic, heteroleptic and mixed-valent thallium and indium complexes of multidentate chalcogen-centred PCP-bridged ligands.

The metathetical reaction of [Li(TMEDA)][HC(PPh(2)Se)(2)] ([Li(TMEDA)]1) with TlOEt in a 1:1 molar ratio afforded a homoleptic Tl(I) complex as an adduct with LiOEt, Tl[HC(PPh(2)Se)(2)]·LiOEt (7), which undergoes selenium-proton exchange upon mild heating (60 °C) to give the mixed-valent Tl(I)/Tl(III) complex {[Tl][Tl{(Se)C(PPh(2)Se)(2)}(2)]}(∞) (8). Treatment of TlOEt with [Li(TMEDA)](2)[(SPh(2)P)(2)CE'E'C(PPh(2)S)(2)] (3b, E' = S; 3c, E' = Se) in a 2:1 molar ratio produced the binuclear Tl(i)/Tl(i) complexes Tl(2)[(SPh(2)P)(2)CE'E'C(PPh(2)S)(2)] (9b, E' = S; 9c, E' = Se), respectively. Selenium-proton exchange also occurred upon addition of [Li(TMEDA)]1 to InCl(3) to yield the heteroleptic complex (TMEDA)InCl[(Se)C(PPh(2)Se)(2)] (10a). Other examples of this class of In(III) complex, (TMEDA)InCl[(E')C(PPh(2)E)(2)] (10b, E = E' = S; 10c, E = S, E' = Se) were obtained via metathesis of InCl(3) with [Li(TMEDA)](2)[(E')C(PPh(2)E)(2)] (2b, E = E' = S; 2c, E = S, E' = Se, respectively). All new compounds have been characterized in solution by (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy and the solid-state structures have been determined for 8, 9c and 10a-c by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Complex 8 is comprised of Tl(+) ions that are weakly coordinated to octahedral [Tl{(Se)C(PPh(2)Se)(2)}(2)](-) anions to give a one-dimensional polymer. The complex 9c is comprised of two four-coordinate Tl(+) ions that are each S,S',S'',Se bonded to the hexadentate [(SPh(2)P)(2)CSeSeC(PPh(2)S)(2)](2-) ligand in which d(Se-Se) = 2.531(2) Å. The six-coordinate In(III) centres in the distorted octahedral complexes 10a-c are connected to a tridentate [(E')C(PPh(2)E)(2)](2-) dianion, a chloride ion and a neutral bidentate TMEDA ligand.

Identification of a novel η2-Se2 bonding mode in Cu(I) complexes of the dimeric selenocarbonyl dianions, [(EPh2P)2CSeSeC(PPh2E)2](2-) (E = S, Se).

A metathetical reaction between [Li(TMEDA)][(H)C(PPh2Se)2] and CuCl2 in a 2:1 molar ratio afforded the dimeric Cu(I) complex, {Cu2-η(2):η(2)-[(EPh2P)2CSeSeC(PPh2E)2]} (E = Se), via a selenium-proton exchange and an internal redox process. The analogous sulfur-containing complex (E = S) was obtained by the reactions of the dianions [(Se)C(PPh2S)2](2-) and [(SPh2P)2CSeSeC(PPh2S)2](2-) with Cu(II) and Cu(I) halides, respectively. Structural characterization of the Cu(I) complexes reveals a unique η(2)-Se2 bonding mode for the generic diselenide ligand system RSe-SeR.

Synthesis and redox behaviour of the chalcogenocarbonyl dianions [(E)C(PPh(2)S)(2)](2-): formation and structures of chalcogen-chalcogen bonded dimers and a novel selone.

The lithium salts of the chalcogenocarbonyl dianions [(E)C(PPh(2)S)(2)](2-) (E=S (4 b), Se (4 c)) were produced through the reactions between Li(2)[C(PPh(2)S)(2)] and elemental chalcogens in the presence of tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA). The solid-state structure of {[Li(TMEDA)](2)[(Se)C(PPh(2)S)(2)]}-[{Li(TMEDA)}(2)4 c]-was shown to be bicyclic with the Li(+) cations bis-S,Se-chelated by the dianionic ligand. One-electron oxidation of the dianions 4 b and 4 c with iodine afforded the diamagnetic complexes {[Li(TMEDA)](2)[(SPh(2)P)(2)CEEC(PPh(2)S)(2)]} ([Li(TMEDA)](2)7 b (E=S), [Li(TMEDA)](2)7 c (E=Se)), which are formally dimers of the radical anions [(E)C(PPh(2)S)(2)](-) (.) (E=S (5 b), Se (5 c)) with elongated central E--E bonds. Two-electron oxidation of the selenium-containing dianion 4 c with I(2) yielded the LiI adduct of a neutral selone {[Li(TMEDA)][I(Se)C(PPh(2)S)(2)]}-[{LiI(TMEDA)}6 c]-whereas the analogous reaction with 4 b resulted in the formation of 7 b followed by protonation to give {[Li(TMEDA)][(SPh(2)P)(2)CSS(H)C(PPh(2)S)(2)]}-[Li(TMEDA)]8 b. Attempts to identify the transient radicals 5 b and 5 c by EPR spectroscopy in conjunction with DFT calculations of the electronic structures of these paramagnetic species and their dimers are also described. The crystal structures of [{Li(TMEDA)}(2)4 c], [{LiI(TMEDA)}6 c]⋅C(7)H(8), [Li(TMEDA)](2)7 b⋅(CH(2)Cl(2))(0.33), [Li(THF)(2)](2)7 b, [Li(TMEDA)](2)7 c, [Li(TMEDA)]8 b⋅(CH(2)Cl(2))(2) and [Li([12]crown-4)(2)]8 b were determined and salient structural features are discussed.

New insights into the chemistry of imidodiphosphinates from investigations of tellurium-centered systems.

Dichalcogenido-imidodiphosphinates, [N(PR(2)E)(2)](-) (R = alkyl, aryl), are chelating ligands that readily form cyclic complexes with main group metals, transition metals, lanthanides, and actinides. Since their discovery in the early 1960s, researchers have studied the structural chemistry of the resulting metal complexes (where E = O, S, Se) extensively and identified a variety of potential applications, including as NMR shift reagents, luminescent complexes in photonic devices, or single-source precursors for metal sulfides or selenides. In 2002, a suitable synthesis of the tellurium analogs [N(PR(2)Te)(2)](-) was developed. In this Account, we describe comprehensive investigations of the chemistry of these tellurium-centered anions, and related mixed chalcogen systems, which have revealed unanticipated features of their fundamental structure and reactivity. An exhaustive examination of previously unrecognized redox behavior has uncovered a variety of novel dimeric arrangements of these ligands, as well as an extensive series of cyclic cations. In combination with calculations using density functional theory, these new structural frameworks have provided new insights into the nature of chalcogen-chalcogen bonding. Studies of metal complexes of the ditellurido ligands [N(PR(2)Te)(2)](-) have revealed unprecedented structural and reaction chemistry. The large tellurium donor sites confer greater flexibility, which can lead to unique structures in which the tellurium-centered ligand bridges two metal centers. The relatively weak P-Te bonds facilitate metal-insertion reactions (intramolecular oxidative-addition) to give new metal-tellurium ring systems for some group 11 and 13 metals. Metal tellurides have potential applications as low band gap semiconductor materials in solar cells, thermoelectric devices, and in telecommunications. Practically, some of these telluride ligands could be applied in these industries. For example, certain metal complexes of the isopropyl-substituted anion [N(P(i)Pr(2)Te)(2)](-) serve as suitable single-source precursors for pure metal telluride thin films or novel nanomaterials, for example, CdTe, PbTe, In(2)Te(3), and Sb(2)Te(3).

Novel carbon-centred reactivity of [(H)C(PPh2Se)2]- in the formation of structurally diverse Sn(IV), Te(IV) and Hg(II) complexes of the triseleno ligand [(Se)C(PPh2Se)2]2-.

Metathetical reactions between TMEDA.Li[(H)C(PPh(2)Se)(2)] and MCl(2) (M = Hg, Sn, Te) in a 2 : 1 molar ratio afforded the homoleptic complexes, {M[(H)C(PPh(2)Se)(2)](2)}, as intermediates which undergo a surprising selenium/hydrogen exchange at the carbon centre to yield the dianionic triseleno ligand in {M(n)[(Se)C(PPh(2)Se)(2)](2)} (n = 1, M = Sn, Te; n = 2, M = Hg).

Structural and spectroscopic studies of the PCP-bridged heavy chalcogen-centered monoanions [HC(PPh(2)E)(PPh(2))](-) (E = Se, Te) and [HC(PR(2)E)(2)](-) (E = Se, Te, R = Ph; E = Se, R = (i)Pr): homoleptic Group 12 complexes and one-electron oxidation of [HC(PR(2)Se)(2)](-).

Selenium- and tellurium-containing bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)methane monoanions were prepared by oxidation of the anion [HC(PPh(2))(2)](-) with elemental chalcogens. The selenium-containing isopropyl derivative was synthesized by generating [H(2)C(P(i)Pr(2))(2)] via a reaction between [H(2)C(PCl(2))(2)] and 4 equiv of (i)PrMgCl prior to in situ oxidation with selenium followed by deprotonation with LiN(i)Pr(2). The solid-state structures of the lithium salts of the monochalcogeno anions TMEDA.Li[HC(PPh(2)E)(PPh(2))] (E = Se (Li7a), E = Te (Li7b)) and the dichalcogeno anions TMEDA.Li[HC(PR(2)Se)(2)] (R = Ph (Li8a), (i)Pr (Li8c)) revealed five- and six-membered LiEPCP and LiSePCPSe rings, respectively. The homoleptic group 12 complexes {M[HC(PPh(2)Se)(2)](2)} (M = Zn (9a), Hg (9b)) were prepared from Li8a and MCl(2) and shown to have distorted-tetrahedral structures; the nonplanarity of the carbon center in the PC(H)P unit of the Zn complex 9a is attributed to crystal-packing effects. The complexes Li7a, Li7b, Li8a, TMEDA.Li[HC(PPh(2)Te)(2)] (Li8b), Li8c, 9a, and 9b were characterized in solution by multinuclear ((1)H, (7)Li, (13)C, (31)P, (77)Se, (125)Te, and (199)Hg) NMR spectroscopy. One-electron oxidation of Li8a and Li8c with iodine in a variety of organic solvents produced [H(2)C(PR(2)Se)(2)] (R = (i)Pr, Ph) as the final product, presumably owing to hydrogen abstraction from the solvent. DFT calculations revealed a significant contribution from the p orbital on carbon to the SOMO of the radicals [HC(PR(2)Se)(2)](*) (R = (i)Pr, Ph).

Electrochemical and chemical reduction of disulfur dinitride: formation of [S4N4]-*, EPR spectroscopic characterization of the [S2N2H]* radical, and X-ray structure of [Na(15-crown-5)][S3N3].

Voltammetric studies of S(2)N(2) employing both cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk electrode (RDE) methods on GC electrodes at room temperature (RT) revealed two irreversible reduction processes at about -1.4 V and -2.2 V in CH(3)CN, CH(2)Cl(2), and tetrahydrofuran (vs ferrocene) and no observable oxidation processes up to the solvent limit when the scan is initially anodic. However, after cycling the potential through -1.4 V, two new couples appear near -0.3 V and -1.0 V due to [S(3)N(3)](-/0) and [S(4)N(4)](-/0) respectively. The diffusion coefficient D for S(2)N(2) was determined to be 9.13 x 10(-6) cm(2) s(-1) in CH(2)Cl(2) and 7.65 x 10(-6) cm(2) s(-1) in CH(3)CN. Digital modeling of CVs fits well to a mechanism in which [S(2)N(2)](-*) couples rapidly with S(2)N(2) to form [S(4)N(4)](-*), which then decomposes to [S(3)N(3)](-). In situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroelectrochemical studies of S(2)N(2) in both CH(2)Cl(2) and CH(3)CN resulted in the detection of strong EPR signals from [S(4)N(4)](-*) when electrolysis is conducted at -1.4 V; at more negative voltages, spectra from transient adsorbed radicals are observed. In moist solvent or with added HBF(4), a longer-lived spectrum is obtained due to the neutral radical [S(2)N(2)H](*), identified by simulation of the EPR spectrum and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The chemical reduction of S(2)N(2) with Na[C(10)H(8)] or Na[Ph(2)CO] produces [Na(15-crown-5)][S(3)N(3)], while reduction with cobaltocene gives [Cp(2)Co][S(3)N(3)]. The X-ray structure of the former reveals a strong interaction (Na...N = 2.388(5) A) between the crown ether-encapsulated Na(+) cation and one of the nitrogen atoms of the essentially planar six-membered cyclic anion [S(3)N(3)](-).

Ligand-stabilized chalcogen dications.

Chalcogen-transfer reagents? The bonding in the dicationic rings C(2)N(2)E(2+) (see picture) differs from that in N-heterocyclic carbenes and their isovalent p-block analogues in accommodating a lone pair of electrons with pi symmetry, as well as sigma symmetry, on the chalcogen center. The labile electrophilic chalcogenium dications (E(2+)) are potentially versatile chalcogen-transfer reagents in reactions with a variety of inorganic and organic substrates.

Formation of a stable dicarbenoid and an unsaturated C2P2S2 ring from two-electron oxidation of the [C(PPh2S)2]2- dianion.

Two-electron oxidation of the [C(PPh(2)S)(2)](2-) dianion with iodine afforded an unexpected mixture of a dimeric Li-I carbenoid [(Et(2)O)(mu-Li)][(mu(4)-Li){IC(PPh(2)S)(2)}(2)] and a novel, unsaturated six-membered C(2)P(2)S(2) ring in [(SPh(2)P)(2)C(2)(PPh(2))(2)S(2)].

Tuning the electronic properties of cyclopentadienyl analogs with CB2N2 frameworks: 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-diaza-3,5-diborolyl ligands and their alkali metal salts.

Two heterocyclic cyclopentadienyl analogs with a CB2N2 skeleton, 4-methyl-1,2,3,5-tetraphenyl-1,2-diaza-3,5-diborolidine and 4-methyl-3,5-dimethylamino-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-diaza-3,5-diborolidine were prepared through cyclocondensation of the corresponding 1,1-bis(organochloroboryl)ethane with 1,2-diphenylhydrazine. The former diazadiborolidine featured a cyclopentadiene-like structure with short B-N bonds and a planar ring framework, while in the latter the B-N bonds were noticeably longer and the ring framework was considerably folded as a result of the interaction between boron and the electron donating NMe2 groups. The dimethylamino substituted diazadiborolidine could not be deprotonated due to the reduced acidity of the ring proton, however, the B-phenylated analog was easily deprotonated and the lithium, sodium and potassium 1,2-diaza-3,5-diborolyls were isolated and structurally characterized. The solid state structures of the lithium and sodium salts were similar, with an eta(1)-coordinated pi ligand and three THF molecules completing the coordination sphere of the metal. The potassium salt featured a highly unusual mono-dimensional polymeric structure with the metal pi-coordinated by the CB2N2 ligand and two of the phenyl groups on boron and nitrogen, and sigma-coordinated by one THF molecule.

In search of the [PhB(mu-N(t)Bu)2]2As. radical: experimental and computational investigations of the redox chemistry of group 15 bis-boraamidinates.

DFT calculations for the group 15 radicals [PhB(mu-N(t)Bu)2]2M. (M = P, As, Sb, Bi) predict a pnictogen-centered SOMO with smaller contributions to the unpaired spin density arising from the nitrogen and boron atoms. The reactions of Li 2[PhB(mu-NR)2] (R = (t)Bu, Dipp) with PCl 3 afforded the unsolvated complex LiP[PhB(mu-N(t)Bu)2] 2 ( 1a) in low yield and ClP[PhB(mu-NDipp)2] (2), both of which were structurally characterized. Efforts to produce the arsenic-centered neutral radical, [PhB(mu-N (t) Bu) 2] 2As., via oxidation of LiAs[PhB(mu-N(t)Bu)2]2 with one-half equivalent of SO 2Cl 2, yielded the Zwitterionic compound [PhB(mu-N (t) Bu) 2As(mu-N(t)Bu)2B(Cl)Ph] (3) containing one four-coordinate boron center with a B-Cl bond. The reaction of 3 with GaCl3 produced the ion-separated salt, [PhB(mu-N(t)Bu)2] 2As (+)GaCl 4 (-) ( 4), which was characterized by X-ray crystallography. The reduction of 3 with sodium naphthalenide occurred by a two-electron process to give the corresponding anion [{PhB(mu-N(t)Bu)2} 2As] (-) as the sodium salt. Voltammetric investigations of 4 and LiAs[PhB(mu-N (t) Bu) 2] 2 ( 1b) revealed irreversible processes. Attempts to generate the neutral radical [PhB(mu-N(t)Bu)2] 2As. from these ionic complexes via in situ electrolysis did not produce an EPR-active species.

New bonding modes for boraamidinate ligands in heavy group 15 complexes: fluxional behavior of the 1:2 complexes, LiM[PhB(NtBu)2]2 (M = As, Sb, Bi).

The reactions of MCl3 with Li2[PhB(NtBu)2] in 1:1, 1:1.5, and 1:2 molar ratios in diethyl ether produced the monoboraamidinates ClM[PhB(NtBu)2] (1a, M = As; 1b, M = Sb; 1c, M = Bi), the novel 2:3 boraamidinate complexes [PhB(NtBu)2]M-micro-N(tBu)B(Ph)N(tBu)M[PhB(NtBu)2] (2b, M = Sb; 2c, M = Bi), and the bisboraamidinates LiM[PhB(NtBu)2]2 (3a, 3a.OEt2, M = As; 3b, M = Sb; 3c.OEt2, M = Bi), respectively. The 2:3 complexes 2b and 2c were also observed in the reactions carried out in a 1:2 molar ratio at room temperature. All complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 7Li, 11B, and 13C) and by single-crystal X-ray structural determinations. The molecular units of the mono-boraamidinates 1a-c are isostructural, but their crystal packing is distinct as a result of stronger intermolecular close contacts going from 1a to 1c. In the novel 2:3 bam complexes 2b and 2c, each metal center is N,N'-chelated by a bam ligand and these two [M(bam)]+ units are bridged by the third [bam]2- ligand. The structures of the unsolvated bis-boraaminidate complexes 3a and 3b consist of [Li(bam)]- and [M(bam)]+ monomeric units linked by Li-N and M-N bonds to give a tricyclic structure. Solvation of the Li+ ion by diethyl ether results in a bicyclic structure composed of four-membered BN2As and six-membered BN3AsLi rings in 3a.OEt2. In contrast, the analogous bismuth complex 3c.OEt2 exhibits a tetracyclic structure. Variable-temperature NMR studies reveal that the nature of the fluxional behavior of 3a-c in solution is dependent on the group 15 center.

Synthesis, spectroscopic, and structural investigation of the cyclic [N(PR2E)2]+ cations (E = Se, Te; R = iPr, Ph): the effect of anion and R-group exchange.

Two-electron oxidation of the [N(PiPr2E)2]- anion with iodine produces the cyclic [N(PiPr2E)2]+ (E =Se, Te) cations, which exhibit long E-E bonds in the iodide salts [N(PiPr2Se)2]I (4) and [N(PiPr2Te)2]I (5). The iodide salts 4 and 5 are converted to the ion-separated salts [N(PiPr2Se)2]SbF6 (6) and [N(PiPr2Te)2]SbF6 (7) upon treatment with AgSbF6. Compounds 4-7 were characterized in solution by multinuclear NMR, vibrational, and UV-visible spectroscopy supported by DFT calculations. A structural comparison of salts 4-7 and [N(PiPr2Te)2]Cl (8) confirms that the long E-E bonds in 4, 5, and 8 can be attributed primarily to the donation of electron density from a lone pair of the halide counterion into the E-E sigma* orbital (LUMO) of the cation. The phenyl derivative [N(PPh2Te)2]I (9) was prepared in a similar manner. However, the attempted synthesis of the selenium analogue, [N(PPh2Se)2]I, produced a 1:1 mixture of [N(PPh2Se)2(mu-Se)][I] (10) and [SeP(Ph2)N(Ph2)PI] (11). DFT calculations of the formation energies of 10 and 11 support the observed decomposition. Compound 10 is a centrosymmetric dimer in which two six-membered NP2Se3 rings are bridged by two I- anions. Compound 11 produces the nine-atom chain {[N(PPh2)2Se]2(mu-O)} (12) upon hydrolysis during crystallization. The reaction between [(TMEDA)NaN(PiPr2Se)2] and SeCl2 in a 1:1 molar ratio yields the related acyclic species [SeP(iPr2)N(iPr2)PCl] (13), which was characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and an X-ray structural determination.

Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization of tertiary phosphine tellurium dihalides Et3PTeX2(X = Cl, Br, I).

The reactions of triethylphosphine telluride with SO2Cl2 or I2 produced the first structurally characterized tellurium-containing tertiary phosphine chalcogen dihalides, Et3PTeCl2 and Et3PTeI2, respectively, in good yields. The corresponding dibromide, Et3PTeBr2, was obtained by an in situ reaction between Et3PTeCl2 and two equivalents of Me3SiBr. This series of compounds has been characterized in the solid state by X-ray structural analyses and in solution by multinuclear NMR spectra. The structures of Et3PTeX2(X = Cl, Br, I) all show a T-shaped geometry around tellurium with weak Te...halogen interactions giving rise to centrosymmetric dimers. NMR data indicate that Et3PTeI2 exhibits the weakest P-Te bond in solution. The ionic complexes, [(Et3PO)2H]2[Te2I6] and [(Et3PO)2H]2[TeI4], were isolated from THF solutions of Et3PTeI2 and characterized by X-ray structural determinations.