Structural Diversity in Divalent Group 14 Triflate Complexes Involving Endocyclic Thia-Macrocyclic Coordination.

A highly unusual series of M(II) (M = Ge, Sn, Pb) complexes with endocyclic thioether macrocyclic coordination and with coordination numbers ranging from three to nine have been prepared by the reaction of [9]aneS3 (1,4,7-trithiacyclononane), [12]aneS4 (1,4,7,10-tetrathiacyclododecane), or [24]aneS8 (1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octathiacyclotetracosane) with M(OTf)2 (M = Sn and Pb; OTf = CF3SO3-) or with GeCl2·dioxane and 2 mol equiv of TMSOTf (Me3SiO3SCF3) in a mixture of anhydrous CH2Cl2 and MeCN. The isolated bulk products are characterized by 1H, 13C{1H}, 19F{1H}, and 119Sn{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, high-resolution ESI+ MS, and microanalytical data. Crystal structures are also reported for [M(L)][OTf]2 (M = Ge, Sn, Pb; L = [9]aneS3, [12]aneS4) and for [M([24]aneS8)][OTf]2 (M = Sn, Pb). In all cases, the ligand is bound in an endocyclic fashion, but the coordination environment and number are highly dependent on the group 14 ion, the macrocyclic ring size, and the number of S-donor atoms it presents. Solution NMR spectroscopic data suggest that the metal-macrocycle coordination is retained in solution but that the triflate anions are extensively dissociated on the NMR timescale. Density functional theory calculations on the [M([9]aneS3)]2+ and [M([12]aneS4)]2+ (M = Ge, Sn, Pb) dications reveal that the HOMO is centered on the group 14 atom as a directional "lone pair"; it also retains a significant amount of positive charge.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Computational Studies on Gallium(III) and Iron(III) Complexes with a Pentadentate Macrocyclic bis-Phosphinate Chelator and Their Investigation As Molecular Scaffolds for 18F Binding.

With the aim of obtaining improved molecular scaffolds for 18F binding to use in PET imaging, gallium(III) and iron(III) complexes with a macrocyclic bis-phosphinate chelator have been synthesized and their properties, including their fluoride binding ability, investigated. Reaction of Bn-tacn (1-benzyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) with paraformaldehyde and PhP(OR)2 (R = Me or Et) in refluxing THF, followed by acid hydrolysis, yields the macrocyclic bis(phosphinic acid) derivative, H2(Bn-NODP) (1-benzyl-4,7-phenylphosphinic acid-1,4,7-triazacyclononane), which is isolated as its protonated form, H2(Bn-NODP)·2HCl·4H2O, at low pH (HClaq), its disodium salt, Na2(Bn-NODP)·5H2O at pH 12 (NaOHaq), or the neutral H2(Bn-NODP) under mildly basic conditions (Et3N). A crystal structure of H2(Bn-NODP)·2HCl·H2O confirmed the ligand's identity. The mononuclear [GaCl(Bn-NODP)] complex was prepared by treatment of either the HCl or sodium salt with Ga(NO3)3·9H2O or GaCl3, while treatment of H2(Bn-NODP)·2HCl·4H2O with FeCl3 in aqueous HCl gives [FeCl(Bn-NODP)]. The addition of 1 mol. equiv of aqueous KF to these chloro complexes readily forms the [MF(Bn-NODP)] analogues. Spectroscopic analysis on these complexes confirms pentadentate coordination of the doubly deprotonated (bis-phosphinate) macrocycle via its N3O2 donor set, with the halide ligand completing a distorted octahedral geometry; this is further confirmed through a crystal structure analysis on [GaF(Bn-NODP)]·4H2O. The complex adopts the geometric isomer in which the phosphinate arms are coordinated unsymmetrically (isomer 1) and with the stereochemistry of the three N atoms of the tacn ring in the RRS configuration, denoted (N)RRS, and the phosphinate groups in the RR stereochemistry, denoted (P)RR, (isomer 1/RR), together with its (N)SSR (P)SS enantiomer. The greater thermodynamic stability of isomer 1/RR over the other possible isomers is also indicated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Radiofluorination experiments on the [MCl(Bn-NODP)] complexes in partially aqueous MeCN/NaOAcaq (Ga) or EtOH (Ga or Fe; i.e. without buffer) with 18F- target water at 80 °C/10 min lead to high radiochemical incorporation (radiochemical yields 60-80% at 1 mg/mL, or ∼1.5 µM, concentration of the precursor). While the [Fe18F(n-NODP)] is unstable (loss of 18F-) in both H2O/EtOH and PBS/EtOH (PBS = phosphate buffered saline), the [Ga18F(Bn-NODP)] radioproduct shows excellent stability, RCP = 99% at t = 4 h (RCP = radiochemical purity) when formulated in 90%:10% H2O/EtOH and ca. 95% RCP over 4 h when formulated in 90%:10% PBS/EtOH. This indicates that the new "GaIII(Bn-NODP)" moiety is a considerably superior fluoride binding scaffold than the previously reported [Ga18F(Bn-NODA)] (Bn-NODA = 1-benzyl-4,7-dicarboxylate-1,4,7-triazacyclononane), which undergoes rapid and complete hydrolysis in PBS/EtOH (refer to Chem. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 4688-4694).

Neutral and Cationic Complexes of Silicon(IV) Halides with Phosphine Ligands.

The reaction of SiI4 and PMe3 in n-hexane produced the yellow salt, [SiI3(PMe3)2]I, confirmed from its X-ray structure, containing a trigonal bipyramidal cation with trans-phosphines. This contrasts with the six-coordination found in (the known) trans-[SiX4(PMe3)2] (X = Cl, Br) complexes. The diphosphines o-C6H4(PMe2)2 and Et2P(CH2)2PEt2 form six-coordinate cis-[SiI4(diphosphine)], which were also characterized by X-ray crystallography, multinuclear NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Reaction of trans-[SiX4(PMe3)2] (X = Cl, Br) with Na[BArF] (BArF = [B{3,5-(CF3)2C6H3}4]) produced five-coordinate [SiX3(PMe3)2][BArF], but while Me3SiO3SCF3 also abstracted chloride from trans-[SiCl4(PMe3)2], the reaction products were six-coordinate complexes [SiCl3(PMe3)2(OTf)] and [SiCl2(PMe3)2(OTf)2] with the triflate coordinated. X-ray crystal structures were obtained for [SiCl3(PMe3)2][BArF] and [SiCl2(PMe3)2(OTf)2]. The charge distribution across the silicon species was also examined by natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses of the computed density functional theory (DFT) wavefunctions. For the [SiX4(PMe3)2] and [SiX3(PMe3)2]+ complexes, the positive charge on Si decreases and the negative charge on X decreases going from X = F to X = I. Upon going from [SiX4(PMe3)2] to [SiX3(PMe3)2]+, i.e., removal of X-, there is an increase in positive charge on Si and a decrease in negative charge on the X centers (except for the case X = F). The positive charge on P shows a slight decrease.

Pyramidal Dicationic Ge(II) Complexes with Homoleptic Neutral Pnictine Coordination: A Combined Experimental and Density Functional Theory Study.

An unusual series of Ge(II) dicationic species with homoleptic phosphine and arsine coordination, [Ge(L)][OTf]2, L = 3 × PMe3, triphos (MeC(CH2PPh2)3), triars (MeC(CH2AsMe2)3), or κ3-tetraphos (P(CH2CH2PPh2)3) (OTf- = O3SCF3-) have been prepared by reaction of [GeCl2(dioxane)] with L and 2 mol equiv of Me3SiOTf in anhydrous CH2Cl2 (or MeCN for L = triars, triphos). X-ray crystal structures are reported for [Ge(PMe3)3][OTf]2, [Ge(triars)][OTf]2, and [Ge(κ3-tetraphos)][OTf]2, confirming homoleptic P3- or As3-coordination at Ge(II) in each case and with the discrete OTf- anions providing a charge balance. The Ge-P/As bond lengths are significantly shorter than those in neutral germanium(II) dihalide complexes with diphosphine or diarsine coordination. Solution NMR spectroscopic data indicate that the complexes are labile in solution. Using excess AsMe3 and [GeCl2(dioxane)] gives only the neutral product, [Ge(AsMe2)2(OTf)2], the crystal structure of which shows four coordination at Ge(II), via two As donor atoms and an O atom from two κ1-OTf- ligands; further weak, long-range intermolecular interactions give a chain polymer. The electronic structure of the [Ge(PMe3)3]2+ dication has been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The computed geometrical parameters for this dication are in good agreement with the experimental X-ray crystallographic values in [Ge(PMe3)3][OTf]2. The results also indicate that the pyramidal arrangement of the [Ge(PMe3)3]2+ (computed P-Ge-P angle 96.8° at the B3LYP-D3 level) arises from a balance between electronic energy (Eelec) contributions, which favor a lower P-Ge-P angle, and nuclear-nuclear contributions (Enn), which favor a higher P-Ge-P angle, to the total energy (ETOT). An Atoms in Molecules (AIM) analysis reveals that one reason why Eelec decreases as the P-Ge-P angle decreases is because of C···H and H···H interactions between atoms on different CH3 groups. The stability of the [Ge(PMe3)3]2+ dication is enhanced by the distribution of a significant part of the positive charge on Ge2+ to the atomic centers of the PMe3 ligands. Similar results were obtained for [Ge(AsMe3)3][OTf]2, showing the tris-AsMe3 complex to be less stable compared to the PMe3 analogue. Related calculations were also performed for the neutral [Ge(PMe3)2(OTf)2] and [Ge(AsMe3)2(OTf)2] complexes.

Tertiary Phosphine and Arsine Complexes of Phosphorus Pentafluoride: Synthesis, Properties, and Electronic Structures.

The reaction of PMe3 or PPh3 with PF5 in anhydrous CH2Cl2 or hexane forms the white, moisture-sensitive complexes [PF5(PR3)] (R = Me, Ph). Similar reactions involving the diphosphines o-C6H4(PR2)2 afford the complexes [PF4{o-C6H4(PR2)2}][PF6]. The X-ray structures of [PF5(PR3)] and [PF4{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}][PF6] show pseudo-octahedral fluorophosphorus centers. Multinuclear NMR spectra (1H, 19F{1H}, 31P{1H}) show that in solution in CH2Cl2/CD2Cl2 the structures determined crystallographically are the only species present for [PF5(PMe3)] and [PF4{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}][PF6] but that [PF5(PPh3)] and [PF4{o-C6H4(PPh2)2}][PF6] exhibit reversible dissociation of the phosphine at ambient temperatures, although exchange slows at low temperatures. The complex 19F{1H} and 31P{1H} NMR spectra have been analyzed, including those of the cation [PF4{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}]+, which is a second-order AA'XX'B2M spin system. The unstable [PF5(AsMe3)], which decomposes in a few hours at ambient temperatures, has also been isolated and spectroscopically characterized; neither AsPh3 nor SbEt3 forms similar complexes. The electronic structures of the PF5 complexes have been explored by DFT calculations. The DFT optimized geometries for [PF5(PMe3)], [PF5(PPh3)], and [PF4{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}]+ are in good agreement with their respective crystal structure geometries. DFT calculations on the PF5-L complexes reveal the P-L bond strength falls with L in the order PMe3 > PPh3 > AsMe3, consistent with the experimentally observed stabilities, and in the PF5-L complexes, electron transfer from L to PF5 on forming these complexes also follows the order PMe3 > PPh3 ≈ AsMe3.

Exploration of the Smallest Diameter Tin Nanowires Achievable with Electrodeposition: Sub 7 nm Sn Nanowires Produced by Electrodeposition from a Supercritical Fluid.

Electrodeposition of Sn from supercritical difluoromethane has been performed into anodic alumina templates with pores down to 3 nm in diameter and into mesoporous silica templates with pores of diameter 1.5 nm. Optimized deposits have been characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy (bright field, high-angle annular dark field, and energy-dispersive X-ray elemental mapping). Crystalline 13 nm diameter Sn nanowires have been electrodeposited in symmetric pore anodic alumina. Direct transmission electron microscopy evidence of sub 7 nm Sn nanowires in asymmetric anodic alumina has been obtained. These same measurements present indirect evidence for electrodeposition through 3 nm constrictions in the same templates. A detailed transmission electron microscopy study of mesoporous silica films after Sn deposition is presented. These indicate that it is possible to deposit Sn through the 1.5 nm pores in the mesoporous films, but that the nanowires formed are not stable. Suggestions of why this is the case and how such extreme nanowires could be stabilized are presented.

Rapid Aqueous Late-Stage Radiolabelling of [GaF3 (BnMe2 -tacn)] by 18 F/19 F Isotopic Exchange: Towards New PET Imaging Probes.

A simple and rapid method for 18 F radiolabelling of [GaF3 (BnMe2 -tacn)] by 18 F/19 F isotopic exchange is described. The use of MeCN/H2 O or EtOH/H2 O (75:25) and aqueous [18 F]F- (up to 200 MBq) with heating (80 °C, 10 min) gave 66±4 % 18 F incorporation at a concentration of 268 nm, and 37±5 % 18 F incorporation at even lower concentration (27 nm), without the need for a Lewis acid promoter. A solid-phase extraction method was established to give [Ga18 F19 F2 (BnMe2 -tacn)] in 99 % radiochemical purity in an EtOH/H2 O mixture.

[Pd4(µ3-SbMe3)4(SbMe3)4]: A Pd(0) Tetrahedron with µ3-Bridging Trimethylantimony Ligands.

The palladium(II) chlorostibine complex [PdCl2(SbMe2Cl)2]2 has a dimeric structure in the solid state, stabilized by hyper-coordination at the Lewis amphoteric Sb centers. Reaction with 8 equiv of MeLi forms [Pd4(µ3-SbMe3)4(SbMe3)4], whose structure comprises a tetrahedral Pd(0) core with four terminal SbMe3 ligands and four µ3-SbMe3 ligands, one capping each triangular Pd3 face. Density functional theory calculations, supported by energy decomposition analysis and the natural orbitals for chemical valence scheme, highlight significant donor and acceptor orbital contributions to the bonding between both the terminal and the bridging SbMe3 ligands and the Pd4 core.

A Versatile Precursor System for Supercritical Fluid Electrodeposition of Main-Group Materials.

For the first time, a versatile electrolyte bath is described that can be used to electrodeposit a wide range of p-block elements from supercritical difluoromethane (scCH2 F2 ). The bath comprises the tetrabutylammonium chlorometallate complex of the element in an electrolyte of 50×10(-3)  mol dm(-3) tetrabutylammonium chloride at 17.2 MPa and 358 K. Through the use of anionic ([GaCl4 ](-) , [InCl4 ](-) , [GeCl3 ](-) , [SnCl3 ](-) , [SbCl4 ](-) , and [BiCl4 ](-) ) and dianionic ([SeCl6 ](2-) and [TeCl6 ](2-) ) chlorometallate salts, the deposition of elemental Ga, In, Ge, Sn, Sb, Bi, Se, and Te is demonstrated. In all cases, with the exception of gallium, which is a liquid under the deposition conditions, the resulting deposits are characterised by SEM, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, XRD and Raman spectroscopy. An advantage of this electrolyte system is that the reagents are all crystalline solids, reasonably easy to handle and not highly water or oxygen sensitive. The results presented herein significantly broaden the range of materials accessible by electrodeposition from supercritical fluid and open up the future possibility of utilising the full scope of these unique fluids to electrodeposit functional binary or ternary alloys and compounds of these elements.

Rare Neutral Diphosphine Complexes of Scandium(III) and Yttrium(III) Halides.

Reaction of Me2PCH2CH2PMe2 or o-C6H4(PMe2)2 (L-L) with a suspension of ScI3 or YI3 in MeCN solution under rigorously anhydrous and oxygen-free conditions produced the highly unusual complexes [ScI3(L-L)2], [YI3(Me2PCH2CH2PMe2)2], and [YI3{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}2MeCN]. X-ray crystal structures reveal that the scandium complexes adopt seven-coordinate, pentagonal-bipyramidal geometries with chelating diphosphines, while the eight-coordinate [YI3{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}2MeCN] is dodecahedral. The complexes were characterized by microanalysis and IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Solid-state NMR data (45Sc, 89Y, 31P) and variable-temperature solution NMR data (1H, 31P{1H}, 45Sc) are presented and compared, leading to the conclusion that the same species are present in both the solid state and CH2Cl2 solution. Attempts to prepare complexes with other scandium halides and with aryl diphosphines and o-C6H4(AsMe2)2 are briefly described.

Systematics of BX3 and BX2(+) Complexes (X = F, Cl, Br, I) with Neutral Diphosphine and Diarsine Ligands.

The coordination chemistry of the neutral diphosphines, R2P(CH2)2PR2 (R = Me or Et) and o-C6H4(PR'2)2 (R' = Me or Ph), and the diarsine, o-C6H4(AsMe2)2, toward the Lewis acidic BX3 (X = F, Cl, Br, and I) fragments is reported, including several rare complexes incorporating BF3 and BF2(+). The studies have revealed that the flexible dimethylene linked diphosphines form [(BX3)2{µ-R2P(CH2)2PR2}] exclusively, confirmed by multinuclear NMR ((1)H, (11)B, (19)F{(1)H}, and (31)P{(1)H}) and IR spectroscopy and microanalytical data. Crystallographic determinations of the four BX3 complexes with Et2P(CH2)2PEt2 confirm the 2:1 stoichiometry and, taken together with the spectroscopic data, reveal that the Lewis acid behavior of the BX3 fragment toward phosphine ligands increases in the order F ≪ Cl ∼ Br < I. The first diphosphine- and diarsine-coordinated dihaloboronium cations, [BX2{o-C6H4(EMe2)2}](+) (E = P, As), are obtained using the rigid, preorganized o-phenylene linkages. These complexes are characterized similarly, and the data indicate that the complexes with o-C6H4(AsMe2)2 are much more labile and readily decomposed than the phosphine analogues. X-ray crystallographic studies on [BX2{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}][BX4] (X = Cl, Br), [BI2{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}][I3], and [BCl2{o-C6H4(AsMe2)2}][BCl4] confirm the presence of distorted tetrahedral coordination at boron through a chelating diphosphine or diarsine and two X ligands, with d(B-P) revealing a similar increase in Lewis acidity down group 17. Comparison of d(B-P) and d(B-As) reveals an increase of ca. 0.08 Å from P to As. Reaction of BCl3 with the diphosphine dioxide Ph2P(O)CH2P(O)Ph2 gives the ligand-bridged dimer [(BCl3)2{Ph2P(O)CH2P(O)Ph2}], while using either BF3 gas or [BF3(SMe2)] gives a mixture containing both [(BF3)2{µ-Ph2P(O)CH2P(O)Ph2}] and the unexpected difluoroboronium salt, [BF2{Ph2P(O)CH2P(O)Ph2}][B2F7] containing a chelating phosphine oxide. The structure of the latter was confirmed crystallographically.

Phase behaviour and conductivity of supporting electrolytes in supercritical difluoromethane and 1,1-difluoroethane.

We present investigations into a variety of supporting electrolytes and supercritical fluids probing the phase and conductivity behaviour of these systems and show that they not only provide sufficient electrical conductivity for an electrodeposition bath, but match the requirements imposed by the different precursors and process parameters, e.g. increased temperature, for potential deposition experiments. The two supercritical fluids that have been explored in this study are difluoromethane (CH2F2) and 1,1-difluoroethane (CHF2CH3). For CH2F2, the phase behaviour and electrical conductivity of eight ionic compounds have been studied. Each compound consists of a cation and an anion from the selected candidates i.e. tetramethylammonium ([N(CH3)4](+)), tetrabutylammonium ([N((n)C4H9)4](+)), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ([EMIM](+)) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([BMIM](+)) for cations, and tetrakis(perfluoro-tert-butoxy)aluminate ([Al(OC(CF3)3)4](-)), chloride (Cl(-)), trifluoromethyl sulfonimide ([NTf2](-)) and tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate ([FAP](-)) for anions. For CHF2CH3, [N((n)C4H9)4][BF4] and [N((n)C4H9)4][B{3,5-C6H3(CF3)2}4] have been investigated for comparison with the previously measured solubility and conductivity in CH2F2. We have found that [N((n)C4H9)4][Al(OC(CF3)3)4], [N((n)C4H9)4][FAP] and [N(CH3)4][FAP] have much higher molar conductivity in scCH2F2 at similar conditions than [N((n)C4H9)4][BF4], a widely used commercial electrolyte. Additionally, scCHF2CH3 shows potential for use as the solvent for supercritical fluid electrodeposition, especially at high temperatures since high density of this fluid can be achieved at lower operating pressures than similar fluids that can be used to produce electrochemical baths with comparable conductivity.

Radiofluorination of a pre-formed gallium(III) aza-macrocyclic complex: towards next-generation positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents.

As part of a study to investigate the factors influencing the development of new, more effective metal-complex-based positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents, the distorted octahedral complex, [GaCl(L)]⋅2 H2O has been prepared by reaction of 1-benzyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-4,7-dicarboxylic acid hydrochloride (H2L⋅HCl) with Ga(NO3)3⋅9 H2O, which is a convenient source of Ga(III) for reactions in water. Spectroscopic and crystallographic data for [GaCl(L)]⋅2 H2O are described, together with the crystal structure of [GaCl(L)]⋅MeCN. Fluorination of this complex by Cl(-)/F(-) exchange was achieved in high yield by treatment with KF in water at room temperature over 90 minutes, although the reaction was complete in approximately 30 minutes if heated to 80 °C, giving [GaF(L)]⋅2 H2O in good yield. The same complex was obtained by hydrothermal synthesis from GaF3⋅3 H2O and Li2L, and has been characterised by single-crystal X-ray analysis, IR, (1)H and (19)F{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy and ESI(+) MS. Radiofluorination of the pre-formed [GaCl(L)]⋅2 H2O has been demonstrated on a 210 nanomolar scale in aqueous NaOAc at pH 4 by using carrier-free (18)F(-), leading to 60-70% (18)F-incorporation after heating to 80 °C for 30 minutes. The resulting radioproduct was purified easily by using a solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge, leading to 98-99% radiochemical purity. The [Ga(18)F(L)] is stable for at least 90 minutes in 10% EtOH/NaOAc solution at pH 6, but defluorinates over this time scale at pH of approximately 7.5 in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or human serum albumin (HSA). The subtle role of the Group 13 metal ion and co-ligand donor set in influencing the pH dependence of this system is discussed in the context of developing potential new imaging agents for PET.

Sodium thioether macrocyclic chemistry: remarkable homoleptic octathia coordination to Na(+).

Unprecedented homoleptic octathioether macrocyclic coordination to Na(+) in [Na([24]aneS8)](+) has been achieved by using Na[B{3,5-(CF3)2-C6H3}4] as a source of "naked" Na(+) ions and confirmed crystallographically, with d(Na-S) = 2.9561(15)-3.0524(15) Å. Density functional theory calculations show that there is electron transfer from the S 3p and C 2p valence orbitals of the ligand to the 3s and 3p orbitals of the Na(+) ion upon complexation.

Halometallate complexes of germanium(II) and (IV): probing the role of cation, oxidation state and halide on the structural and electrochemical properties.

The Ge(IV) chlorometallate complexes, [EMIM]2 [GeCl6 ], [EDMIM]2 [GeCl6 ] and [PYRR]2 [GeCl6 ] (EMIM=1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium; EDMIM=2,3-dimethyl-1-ethylimidazolium; PYRR=N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium) have been synthesised and fully characterised; the first two also by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The imidazolium chlorometallates exhibited significant CH⋅⋅⋅Cl hydrogen bonds, resulting in extended supramolecular assemblies in the solid state. Solution (1) H NMR data also showed cation-anion association. The synthesis and characterisation of Ge(II) halometallate salts [EMIM][GeX3 ] (X=Cl, Br, I) and [PYRR][GeCl3 ], including single-crystal X-ray analyses for the homologous series of imidazolium salts, are reported. In these complexes, the intermolecular interactions are much weaker in the solid state and they appear not to be significantly associated in solution. Cyclic-voltammetry experiments on the Ge(IV) species in CH2 Cl2 solution showed two distinct, irreversible reduction waves attributed to Ge(IV) -Ge(II) and Ge(II) -Ge(0) , whereas the Ge(II) species exhibited one irreversible reduction wave. The potential for the Ge(II) -Ge(0) reduction was unaffected by changing the cation, although altering the oxidation state of the precursor from Ge(IV) to Ge(II) does have an effect; for a given cation, reduction from the [GeCl3 ](-) salts occurred at a less cathodic potential. The nature of the halide co-ligand also has a marked influence on the reduction potential for the Ge(II) -Ge(0) couple, such that the reduction potentials for the [GeX3 ](-) salts become significantly less cathodic when the halide (X) is changed Cl→Br→I.

Medium and high oxidation state metal/non-metal fluoride and oxide-fluoride complexes with neutral donor ligands.

While most high and medium oxidation state (O.S. ≥ 3) metal and non-metal fluorides and oxide fluorides are strong Lewis acids, exploration of their coordination chemistry with neutral ligands has been limited and mostly non-systematic. This is despite the very different properties conferred on the acceptor centre by the small electronegative fluoride ligands compared to the heavier halides. This article sets out these key differences, discusses possible synthetic routes, the key characterisation techniques, and appropriate bonding models. Current knowledge of the coordination chemistry of d, f and p-block fluorides and oxide fluorides with neutral ligands (with donor atoms drawn from Groups 15 and 16 and including N-heterocyclic carbenes) is then presented and discussed, and the differences in properties compared to complexes containing the heavier halides are illustrated. The emphasis is on work published post 1990, but earlier work is also included as essential background and where no more recent information exists. Attention is drawn to unexplored areas meriting investigation and to possible applications of these complexes.

Phosphine and diphosphine complexes of silicon(IV) halides.

The reaction of SiX4 (X = Cl or Br) with PMe3 in anhydrous CH2Cl2 forms trans-[SiX4(PMe3)2], while the diphosphines, Me2P(CH2)2PMe2, Et2P(CH2)2PEt2, and o-C6H4(PMe2)2 form cis-[SiX4(diphosphine)], all containing six-coordinate silicon centers. With Me2PCH2PMe2 the product was trans-[SiCl4(κ(1)-Me2PCH2PMe2)2]. The complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, microanalysis, IR, and multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C{(1)H}, and (31)P{(1)H}) NMR spectroscopies. The complexes are stable solids and not significantly dissociated in nondonor solvents, although they are very moisture and oxygen sensitive. This stability conflicts with the predictions of recent density functional theory (DFT) calculations (Wilson et al. Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51, 7657-7668) which suggested six-coordinate silicon phosphines would be unstable, and also contrasts with the failure to isolate complexes with SiF4 (George et al. Dalton Trans. 2011, 40, 1584-1593). No reaction occurred between phosphines and SiI4, or with SiX4 and arsine ligands including AsMe3 and o-C6H4(AsMe2)2. Attempts to make five-coordinate [SiX4(PR3)] using the sterically bulky phosphines, P(t)Bu3, P(i)Pr3, or PCy3 failed, with no apparent reaction occurring, consistent with predictions (Wilson et al. Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51, 7657-7668) that such compounds would be very endothermic, while the large cone angles of the phosphines presumably preclude formation of six-coordination at the small silicon center. The reaction of Si2Cl6 with PMe3 or the diphosphines in CH2Cl2 results in instant disproportionation to the SiCl4 adducts and polychlorosilanes, but from hexane solution very unstable white [Si2Cl6(PMe3)2] and [Si2Cl6(diphosphine)] (diphosphine = Me2P(CH2)2PMe2 or o-C6H4(PMe2)2) precipitate. The reactions of SiHCl3 with PMe3 and Me2P(CH2)2PMe2 also produce the SiCl4 adducts, but using Et2P(CH2)2PEt2, colorless [SiHCl3{Et2P(CH2)2PEt2}] was isolated, which was characterized by an X-ray structure which showed a pseudo-octahedral complex with the Si-H trans to P. Attempts to reduce the silicon(IV) phosphine complexes to silicon(II) were unsuccessful, contrasting with the isolation of stable N-heterocyclic carbene adducts of Si(II).

Tribenzylphosphane and its hydrochloride salt, tribenzylphosphonium hydrogen dichloride-tribenzylphosphane (1/1).

Tribenzylphosphane, PBz3 (C21H21P), crystallizes in a notably different unit cell to its Group 15 analogues NBz3 and SbBz3. The packing is dominated by face-edge π-interactions which result in infinite columns of molecules parallel to the b axis; these columns are linked by further face-edge π-interactions into sheets of columns parallel to the [101] direction. Its hydrochloride salt, tribenzylphosphonium hydrogen dichloride-tribenzylphosphane (1/1), lies on a threefold axis within a trigonal crystal system. It exists in the solid state as a hydrogen-bridged dimer with the composition [H(PBz3)2](+)[HCl2](-) (C42H43P2(+)·HCl2(-)). The cation is the first structurally authenticated example of a phosphane acting as a hydrogen-bond acceptor to a phosphonium group and the cations are linked into a three-dimensional network through intermolecular face-edge π-interactions.

Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural properties of Sn(II) and Pb(II) triflate complexes with soft phosphine and arsine coordination.

Reaction of the divalent M(OTf)2 (M = Sn, Pb; OTf = CF3SO3) with soft phosphine and arsine ligands, L, where L = o-C6H4(ER2)2 (E = P, R = Me or Ph; E = As, R = Me), MeC(CH2ER2)3 (E = P, R = Ph; E = As, R = Me), PhP(CH2CH2PPh2)2 or P(CH2CH2PPh2)3, affords complexes of stoichiometry M(L)(OTf)2 as white powders, which have been characterised via elemental analysis, 1H, 19F{1H}, 31P{1H} and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy, with the expected 31P-119Sn and 31P-207Pb couplings clearly evident. The crystal structures of nine of these pnictine complexes are reported, in each case revealing retention of one or both OTf anions, which gives rise to a diverse range of coordination environments including monomers, as well as varying degrees of oligomerisation to form weakly associated (OTf-bridged) dimers, trimers and polymers. 19F{1H} NMR spectra indicate that the OTf is essentially anionic (dissociated) in solution. Anion metathesis of [M(OTf)2{MeC(CH2PPh2)3}] with Na[BArF] (BArF = B{3,5-(CF3)2C6H3}4) yields the corresponding [M{MeC(CH2PPh2)3}][BArF]2 salts, the crystal structures of all three (M = Ge, Sn, Pb) reveal pyramidal dications with discrete [BArF]- anions providing charge balance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on these [M{MeC(CH2PPh2)3}]2+ (M = Ge, Sn, Pb) dications using the B3LYP-D3 functional show the presence of a directional lone pair, which is a mixture of valence s and pz character, with the valence p-orbital character decreasing down group 14. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis also shows that the natural charge at the metal centre increases and the charge on the P centre decreases upon going down group 14.