Remarkable stability of tetrabenzo[a,c,g,i]fluorenyl ammonium salts in water: syntheses, reactions, and crystal structures.

Deprotonation of 8bH-tetrabenzo[a,c,g,i]fluorene (8bH-Tbf), an extremely large benzannulated cyclopentadienyl derivative, by [NR3R'][OH] (R = (n)Bu, Et; R' = (n)Bu, Et, Bn) leads to a series of Tbf ammonium salts of the type [NR3R'][Tbf]. These cyclopentadienide analogs were smoothly isolated from a hydrous medium and structurally characterized by single X-ray diffraction. Subsequent reactions demonstrate the high potential of derivatization by converting the presented [Tbf] anions into functionalized Tbf compounds.

Molecular and Electronic Structures of Mononuclear and Dinuclear Titanium Complexes Containing π-Radical Anions of 2,2'-Bipyridine and 1,10-Phenanthroline: An Experimental and DFT Computational Study.

Whereas reaction of [(η(5)-Cp*)Ti(IV)Cl3](0) (1) with 2 equiv of neutral 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and 1.5 equiv of magnesium in tetrahydrofuran affords the mononuclear complex [(η(5)-Cp*)Ti(III)(bpy(•))2](0) (2), performing the same reaction with only 1 equiv each of magnesium and bpy provides the dinuclear complex [{(η(5)-Cp*)Ti(µ-Cl)(bpy(•))}2](0) (3). Conducting the latter reaction using 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in place of bpy resulted in formation of dinuclear [{(η(5)-Cp*)Ti(µ-Cl)(phen(•))}2](0) (4). The structures of 2, 3, and 4 have all been determined by high-resolution X-ray crystallography at 153 K; the Cpy-Cpy distances of 1.420(3) and 1.431(4) Å in the N,N'-coordinated bpy ligands of 2 and 3, respectively, are indicative of the presence of (bpy(•))(1-) ligands, rather than neutral (bpy(0)). The electronic spectra (300-1600 nm) of these two complexes are similar in form, and contain intense π → π* transitions associated with the (bpy(•))(1-) radical anion. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements (4-300 K) show that mononuclear 2 possesses a temperature independent magnetic moment of 1.73 µB, which is indicative of an S = (1)/2 ground state. Broken symmetry density functional theory (BS-DFT) calculations yield a picture consistent with the experimental findings, in which the central Ti atom possesses a +3 oxidation state and is coordinated by a η(5)-Cp* ligand and two (bpy(•))(1-). Strong intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling of these three unpaired spins, one each on the Ti(III) center and on the two (bpy(•))(1-) ligands, affords the experimentally observed doublet ground state. The magnetic susceptibility measurements for dinuclear 3 and 4 display weak but significant ferromagnetic coupling, and indicate that these complexes possess S = 1 ground states. The mechanism of the spin coupling phenomenon that yields the observed behavior was analyzed using BS-DFT calculations, and it was discovered that the tight π-stacking of the N,N'-coordinated (bpy(•))(1-)/(phen(•))(1-) ligands in these two complexes results from direct overlap of their SOMOs and formation of a two-electron multicentered bond. This yields a diamagnetic {(bpy)2}(2-)/{(phen)2}(2-) bridging unit whose doubly occupied HOMO is spread equally over both ligands. The two remaining unpaired electrons, one at each Ti(III) center, couple weakly in a ferromagnetic fashion to yield the experimentally observed S = 1 ground states.

Efficient access to titanaaziridines by C-H activation of N-methylanilines at ambient temperature.

Titanaaziridines or η(2)-imine titanium complexes are considered key intermediates of the titanium-catalyzed hydroaminoalkylation of alkenes. Herein, we present an efficient synthetic route to this class of compounds, starting from N-methylanilines and a bis(η(5):η(1)-pentafulvene)titanium complex. Consecutive reactions on the η(2)-methyleneaniline complexes, characterized for the first time, prove a high chemical versatility. In particular, hydroaminoalkylation products were found in reactions of the three-membered titanacycles with alkenes. For the first time, all the intermediates of the hydroaminoalkylation of alkenes were isolated and characterized.

Dibenzosilanorbornadienyl cations and their fragmentation into silyliumylidenes.

The terphenyl-substituted dibenzosilanorbornadienyl cation 11 was synthesized and isolated in the form of its [B(C6F5)4](-) salt. The salt was characterized by NMR spectroscopy supported by quantum mechanical computations and by an XRD analysis of a corresponding acetonitrilium salt. The thermal fragmentation of 11[B(C6F5)4] in benzene results in the high-yield formation of diphenylterphenylsilylium borate 17[B(C6F5)4]. High-lying intermediates in this process are solvent-complexed terphenylsilyliumylidene 8 and the hydrogen- and phenyl-substituted silylium ion 20. The formation of silylium ion 20 by reaction of silyliumylidene 8 with the solvent benzene demonstrates the high potential of this four valence electron species in C-H bond activation reactions. In addition, the instability of the hydrogen-substituted silylium ion 20 in benzene opens new mechanistic perspectives particular for dihydrogen activation by silyl cationic frustrated Lewis pairs and in general for the dihydrogen activation by strong Lewis acids.

Titanium-catalyzed intermolecular hydroaminoalkylation of conjugated dienes.

Ti me kangaroo down: Conjugated dienes undergo intermolecular hydroaminoalkylation in the presence of Ti catalyst [Ind2 TiMe2 ] (Ind=η(5) -indenyl). This new reaction offers a highly atom-efficient approach to homoallylic amines from 1,3-butadienes.

A new synthesis of triarylsilylium ions and their application in dihydrogen activation.

Well-shuffled: An unexpected substituent distribution reaction via alkyldiarylsilylium ions leads to a distribution of substituents. Starting from alkyldiaryl silanes, this reaction provides a facile synthetic approach to sterically highly hindered triarylsilylium ions. These silylium ions can be applied in dihydrogen activation reactions.

Stannylium ions, a tin(II) arene complex, and a tin dication stabilized by weakly coordinating anions.

The reactivity of aryl-substituted stannylenes, Ar(2)Sn (4), towards silylarenium borates, [R(3)SiArH][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (3), was investigated. The reaction with 2,3,4-trimethyl-6-tert-butylphenyl (mebp)-substituted stannylene gave silyl-substituted stannylium ions 2a,b, which were characterized by NMR spectroscopy supported by the results of quantum-mechanical computations of molecular structures and magnetic properties. The tri-iso-propylphenyl-substituted stannylium ions 2c,d undergo a decomposition reaction in toluene to give the dicationic tin-arene complex [Sn(C(7)H(8))(3)](2+) (5) in the form of the [B(C(6)F(5))(4)] salt in high yields. The 5[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](2) salt was identified by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The bonding situation was investigated by using natural bond orbital (NBO) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) calculations. The substitution of the weakly coordinating borate anion by the carboranate [CB(11)H(6)Br(6)](-) results in replacement of the toluene ligands and formation of tin(II) carboranate with only weak Sn(2+)-anion interactions as suggested by the solid-state structure of the isolated salt.

Persistent dialkyl(silyl)stannylium ions.

The synthesis of dialkyl(silyl)stannylium borates 2[B(C(6)F(5))(4)] by reaction of a stable ß-silyl-substituted stannylene 3 with silylarenium borates 4[B(C(6)F(5))(4)] is reported. The stannylium borates 2[B(C(6)F(5))(4)] are characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, supported by the results of quantum mechanical calculations. The accumulated experimental and theoretical data indicate that the stannylium ions 2 are not stabilized by ß-silyl hyperconjugation and that intramolecular C-H/Sn(+) interactions are not important.

A germanium(II) cation with [1+1] coordination.

Breaking the molecular symmetry by protonation of germylene 1 is the key step in the synthesis of the germyliumylidene 2, which is stabilized by an intramolecular interaction with a distant imido group.

Molecular structure of a cyclopropyl substituted vinyl cation.

The experimentally determined molecular structure of vinyl cation 1 provides clear evidence for the occurrence of extended sigma-conjugation involving the cyclopropyl ring and the beta-C-Si bonds.

Selective oxidation and reduction of trinuclear titanium(II) hexaazatrinaphthylene complexes-synthesis, structure, and electrochemical investigations.

Titanocene complexes with chelating N-heterocyclic ligand bridges react with ferrocenium salts as selective oxidants to afford air-stable cationic complexes and allow the preparation of exceptional mixed valence hexaazatrinaphthylene complexes [(Cp2Ti)3(mu3-HATNMe6)]n+ (1n+) (n=1, 2, 3, 4). Cyclic voltammograms (CV) and differential pulse voltammograms (DPV) show that nine oxidation states of 1 are generated without decomposition. Comproportionation constants Kc have been calculated in order to determine the extent of electronic communication between the titanium centers. The Kc values of the mixed valence states are indicative of uncoupled (14+), moderately coupled (15+), and strongly coupled (1-, 1+, and 12+) systems. Small but significant structural changes occurring upon oxidation of neutral 1 are observed by X-ray structural analysis on 1+-14+. Anion-pi interactions between the electron-deficient central ring of the HATNMe6 moiety and PF6- and BF4- counterions, respectively, are found for 12+, 13+, and 14+. The short cation-anion contacts cause interesting molecular allignments in terms of molecular architecture. For 12+ the assembly of an one-dimensional (1D) polymer is observed. Electrochemical investigations on the mononuclear cationic titanocene complexes [(Cp2Ti)(L)]+ (L=2,2'-biquinoline (2+), 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-biquinoline (3+), and 5,8'-dimethyl-2,3'-biquinoxaline (4+)) showed similar oxidation and reduction characteristics among each other. Conversion to monoanionic, neutral, and dicationic states is enabled. As found for the trinuclear compounds 1n+, the molecular structures of 2+-4+ reveal significant differences compared to their neutral parents.

Dehydroaromatization of quinoxalines: one-step syntheses of trinuclear 1,6,7,12,13,18-hexaazatrinaphthylene titanium complexes.

We report the spontaneous coupling of N-heterocycles, initiated by C-H bond activation reactions. The reaction of quinoxalines and the titanocene acetylene complex Cp2Ti{eta2-C2(SiMe3)2}, as an excellent titanocene source, results in the formation of trinuclear 1,6,7,12,13,18-hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATN) titanium complexes. These HATN titanium complexes are thermally stable but sensitive to air and moisture. A three-fold dehydrogenative C-C coupling is proposed as the main step in the presented synthetic procedure. Particularly using commercial starting materials, an efficient route for the dehydrogenative coupling of N-heterocycles, leading to multidentate ligands, has been established.

Controlling the rate of shuttling motions in [2]rotaxanes by electrostatic interactions: a cation as solvent-tunable brake.

A series of rotaxanes, with phenolic axle centerpieces and tetralactam macrocycles as the wheels, has been prepared in good yields. The threaded rotaxane structure is confirmed in the gas phase by tandem mass spectrometric experiments through a detailed fragmentation pattern analysis, in solution by NMR spectroscopy, and in the solid state through X-ray crystallography. A close inspection of the 1H,1H NOESY and 1H,1H ROESY NMR data reveals the wheel to travel along the axle between two degenerate diamide "stations" close to the two stoppers. By deprotonation of a phenolic OH group in the axle centerpiece with Schwesinger's P1 base, surprisingly no additional shuttling station is generated at the axle center, although the wheel could form rather strong hydrogen bonds with the phenolate. Instead, the wheel continues to travel between the two diamide stations. Experimental data from 1H,1H NOESY spectra, together with theoretical calculations, show that strong electrostatic interactions between the phenolate moiety and the P1 cation displace the wheel from the "phenolate station". The cation acts as a "brake" for the shuttling movement. Instead of suppressing the shuttling motion completely, as observed in other rotaxanes, our rotaxane is the first system in which electrostatic interactions modulate the speed of the mechanical motion between a fast and a slow motion state as a response to a reversible external stimulus. By tuning these electrostatic interactions through solvent effects, the rate of movement can be influenced significantly, when for example different amounts of DMSO are added to dichloromethane. Besides the shuttling motion, circumrotation of the wheel around the axle is observed and analyzed by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. Force field and AM1 calculations are in good agreement with the experimental findings.

Titanium-based molecular squares and rectangles: syntheses by self-assembly reactions of titanocene fragments and aromatic N-heterocycles.

This paper reports on the potential of titanium compounds as building blocks for supramolecular polygons. Self-assembly reactions of low-valent titanocene units and N-heterocyclic bridging ligands lead to novel titanium-based supramolecular squares. Pyrazine (3), 4,4'-bipyridine (4), and tetrazine (5) were used as bridging ligands, and the acetylene complexes [Cp2Ti{eta2-C2(SiMe3)2}] (1) and [(tBuCp)2Ti{eta2-C2(SiMe3)2}] (2) as sources of titanocene fragments. Molecular rectangles can be synthesized by stepwise reduction of the titanocene dichlorides [Cp(2)TiCl2] and [(tBuCp)2TiCl2] and consecutive coordination of two different bridging ligands. The resulting complexes are the first examples of molecular rectangles containing bent metallocene corner units. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of the tetranuclear compounds revealed the geometric properties of the molecular polygons in the solid state. Comparison of bond lengths and angles in coordinated and free ligands reveals the reduced state of the bridging ligand in the low-valent titanium compounds. The syntheses and properties of these novel, highly air- and moisture-sensitive compounds are discussed.

Hexaarylcyclotriplumbane: a molecule with a homonuclear ring system of lead.

The reaction of lead(II) bromide with RMgBr, R = 2,4,6-Et3C6H2, furnishes black crystals of hexakis(2,4,6-triethylphenyl)cyclotriplumbane (1) as the first molecule with a homonuclear lead ring. 1 adopts a skewed structure with highly stretched Pb-Pb bond lengths of 3.185 A (average), which indicate that the three-membered ring is formed by weak interactions of 3 singlet plumbylene molecules.