Facile Access to Hetero-poly-functional Arenes and meta-Substituted Arenes via Two-Step Dimetalation and Mg/Halogen-Exchange Protocol.

The Grignard reagent, iPrMgCl and its lithium chloride-enhanced 'turbo' derivative iPrMgCl⋅LiCl have been employed to investigate the single iodo/magnesium exchange reactions of the trisubstituted arenes, 2,5-diiodo-N,N-diisopropylbenzamide 1, 1,4-diiodo-2-methoxybenzene 2, and 1,4-diiodo-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzene 3. These three arenes themselves were initially prepared by a double ortho-, meta'-deprotonation of N,N-diisopropylbenzamide, anisole and (trifluoromethyl)benzene, respectively, using the sodium magnesiate reagent [Na4 Mg2 (TMP)6 (nBu)2 ] (where TMP is 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide), and subsequent electrophilic quenching with iodine/THF solution. Thus, by following a combined deprotonation and magnesium/halogen exchange strategy, the simple monosubstituted arenes can be converted to trisubstituted diiodoarenes, which can ultimately be transformed into the corresponding mono-magnesiated arenes, in THF at -40 °C, within seconds in good yields. The other functional group (OMe, NiPr2 or CF3 respectively) present on the di-iodoarenes helps direct the exchange reaction to the ortho position, whereas subsequent addition of different electrophiles permits the preparation of hetero-poly-functional-arenes, with three different substituents in their structure. Intriguingly, if water is used as the electrophile, a new and facile route to prepare meta-substituted arenes, which cannot be easily obtained by conventional processes, is forthcoming. In contrast to directed ortho-metalation (DoM) chemistry, this reaction sequence can be thought of as InDirect meta-Metalation (IDmM). The scope of the chemistry has been tested further by exposing the initial unreacted iodo-functionality at the meta-position to a second Mg/I-exchange reaction and subsequent functionalization.

Progressing the Frustrated Lewis Pair Abilities of N-Heterocyclic Carbene/GaR3 Combinations for Catalytic Hydroboration of Aldehydes and Ketones.

Exploiting the steric incompatibility of the tris(alkyl)gallium GaR3 (R = CH2SiMe3) and the bulky N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3-bis(tert-butyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (ItBu), here we report the B-H bond activation of pinacolborane (HBPin), which has led to the isolation and structural authentication of a novel ion pair, [{ItBu-BPin}+{GaR3(µ-H)GaR3}-] (2). Contrastingly, neither ItBu or GaR3 was able to react with HBPin under the conditions of this study. Combining an NHC-stabilized borenium cation, [{ItBu-BPin}+], with an anionic dinuclear gallate, [{GaR3(µ-H)GaR3}-], 2 proved to be unstable in solution at room temperature, evolving to the abnormal NHC-Ga complex [BPinC{{N(tBu)]2CHCGa(R)3}] (3). Interestingly, the structural isomer of 2, with the borenium cation residing at the C4 position of the carbene, [{aItBu-BPin}+{GaR3(µ-H)GaR3}-] (4), was obtained when the abnormal NHC complex [aItBu·GaR3] (1) was heated to 70 °C with HBPin, demonstrating that, under these forced conditions, it is possible to induce thermal frustration of the Lewis base/Lewis acid components of 1, enabling the activation of HBPin. Building on these stoichiometric studies, the frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) reactivity observed for the GaR3/ItBu combination with HBPin could then be upgraded to catalytic regimes, allowing the efficient hydroboration of a range of aldehydes and ketones under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic insights into the possible reaction pathway involved in this process have been gained by combining kinetic investigations with a comparative study of the catalytic capabilities of several gallium and borenium species related to 2. Disclosing a new cooperative partnership, reactions are proposed to occur via the formation of a highly reactive monomeric hydride gallate, [{ItBu-BPin}+{GaR3(H)}-] (I). Each anionic and cationic component of I plays a key role for success of the hydroboration, with the nucleophilic monomeric gallate anion favoring the transfer of its hydride to the C═O bond of the organic substate, which in turn is activated by coordination to the borenium cation.

Introducing Glycerol as a Sustainable Solvent to Organolithium Chemistry: Ultrafast Chemoselective Addition of Aryllithium Reagents to Nitriles under Air and at Ambient Temperature.

Edging closer towards developing air and moisture compatible polar organometallic chemistry, the chemoselective and ultrafast addition of a range of aryllithium reagents to nitriles has been accomplished by using glycerol as a solvent, at ambient temperature in the presence of air, establishing a novel sustainable access to aromatic ketones. Addition reactions occur heterogeneously ("on glycerol conditions"), where the lack of solubility of the nitriles in glycerol and the ability of the latter to form strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds seem key to favouring nucleophilic addition over competitive hydrolysis. Remarkably, PhLi exhibits a greater resistance to hydrolysis working "on glycerol" conditions than "on water". Introducing glycerol as a new solvent in organolithium chemistry unlocks a myriad of opportunities for developing more sustainable, air and moisture tolerant main-group-metal-mediated organic synthesis.

Structural Studies of Cesium, Lithium/Cesium, and Sodium/Cesium Bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (HMDS) Complexes.

Reacting cesium fluoride with an equimolar n-hexane solution of lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (LiHMDS) allows the isolation of CsHMDS (1) in 80% yield (after sublimation). This preparative route to 1 negates the need for pyrophoric Cs metal or organocesium reagents in its synthesis. If a 2:1 LiHMDS:CsF ratio is employed, the heterobimetallic polymer [LiCs(HMDS)2]∞ 2 was isolated (57% yield). By combining equimolar quantities of NaHMDS and CsHMDS in hexane/toluene [toluene·NaCs(HMDS)]∞ 3 was isolated (62% yield). Attempts to prepare the corresponding potassium-cesium amide failed and instead yielded the known monometallic polymer [toluene·Cs(HMDS)]∞ 4. With the aim of expanding the structural diversity of Cs(HMDS) species, 1 was reacted with several different Lewis basic donor molecules of varying denticity, namely, (R,R)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine [(R,R)-TMCDA] and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), N,N,N',N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA), tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me6-TREN) and tris[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl]amine (TMEEA). These reactions yielded dimeric [donor·NaCs(HMDS)2]2 5-7 [where donor is (R,R)-TMCDA, TMEDA and PMDETA respectively], the tetranuclear "open"-dimer [{Me6-TREN·Cs(HMDS)}2{Cs(HMDS)}2] 8 and the monomeric [TMEEA·Cs(HMDS)] 9. Complexes 2, 3, and 5-9 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.

Synthetic and Structural Studies of Mixed Sodium Bis(trimethylsilyl)amide/Sodium Halide Aggregates in the Presence of η(2)-N,N-, η(3)-N,N,N/N,O,N-, and η(4)-N,N,N,N-Donor Ligands.

When n-hexane solutions of an excess of sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (NaHMDS) are combined with cesium halide (halide = Cl, Br, or I) in the presence of the tetradentate donor molecule [tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine] (Me6TREN), the isolation and characterization of a series of sodium amide/sodium halide mixed aggregates was forthcoming. Cesium halide was employed because it efficiently reacted with NaHMDS to produce a molecular, soluble source of sodium halide salt (which was subsequently captured by an excess of NaHMDS) via a methathetical reaction. These mixed sodium amide/sodium halide complexes are formally sodium sodiates, are deficient in halide with respect to the amide, and have the general formula [{Na5(µ-HMDS)5(µ5-X)}{Na(Me6TREN)}] [where X = Cl (1), Br (2), or I (3)]. The influence of the donor ligand was studied for the NaI/NaHMDS system, and when n-hexane solutions of this composition were treated with tridentate donors such as N,N,N',N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) or N,N,N',N'-tetramethyldiaminoethyl ether (TMDAE), solvent-separated ion-pair cocomplexes [Na5(µ-HMDS)5(µ5-I)](-)[Na3(µ-HMDS)2(PMDETA)2](+) (4) and [Na5(µ-HMDS)5(µ5-I)](-)[Na(TMDAE)2](+) (5) were isolated. However, upon reaction with bidentate proligands such as the chiral diamine (R,R)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine [(R,R)-TMCDA] or N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), neutral complexes [Na4(µ-HMDS)3(µ4-I)(donor)2] [donor = (R,R)-TMCDA (6) and TMEDA (7)] were produced. To illustrate the generality of the latter reaction with other halides, [Na4(µ-HMDS)3(µ4-Br)(TMEDA)2] (8) was also prepared by employing NaBr in the synthesis instead of NaI.

Alkali-Metal-Mediated Magnesiations of an N-Heterocyclic Carbene: Normal, Abnormal, and "Paranormal" Reactivity in a Single Tritopic Molecule.

Herein the sodium alkylmagnesium amide [Na4Mg2(TMP)6(nBu)2] (TMP=2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide), a template base as its deprotonating action is dictated primarily by its 12 atom ring structure, is studied with the common N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) IPr [1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]. Remarkably, magnesiation of IPr occurs at the para-position of an aryl substituent, sodiation occurs at the abnormal C4 position, and a dative bond occurs between normal C2 and sodium, all within a 20 atom ring structure accommodating two IPr(2-). Studies with different K/Mg and Na/Mg bimetallic bases led to two other magnesiated NHC structures containing two or three IPr(-) monoanions bound to Mg through abnormal C4 sites. Synergistic in that magnesiation can only work through alkali-metal mediation, these reactions add magnesium to the small cartel of metals capable of directly metalating a NHC.

Evaluating cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidide (cis-DMP) as a base component in lithium-mediated zincation chemistry.

Most recent advances in metallation chemistry have centred on the bulky secondary amide 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (TMP) within mixed metal, often ate, compositions. However, the precursor amine TMP(H) is rather expensive so a cheaper substitute would be welcome. Thus this study was aimed towards developing cheaper non-TMP based mixed-metal bases and, as cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidide (cis-DMP) was chosen as the alternative amide, developing cis-DMP zincate chemistry which has received meagre attention compared to that of its methyl-rich counterpart TMP. A new lithium diethylzincate, [(TMEDA)LiZn(cis-DMP)Et2] (TMEDA=N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) has been synthesised by co-complexation of Li(cis-DMP), Et2Zn and TMEDA, and characterised by NMR (including DOSY) spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, which revealed a dinuclear contact ion pair arrangement. By using N,N-diisopropylbenzamide as a test aromatic substrate, the deprotonative reactivity of [(TMEDA)LiZn(cis-DMP)Et2] has been probed and contrasted with that of the known but previously uninvestigated di-tert-butylzincate, [(TMEDA)LiZn(cis-DMP)tBu2]. The former was found to be the superior base (for example, producing the ortho-deuteriated product in respective yields of 78% and 48% following D2O quenching of zincated benzamide intermediates). An 88% yield of 2-iodo-N,N-diisopropylbenzamide was obtained on reaction of two equivalents of the diethylzincate with the benzamide followed by iodination. Comparisons are also drawn using 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazide (HMDS), diisopropylamide and TMP as the amide component in the lithium amide, Et2Zn and TMEDA system. Under certain conditions, the cis-DMP base system was found to give improved results in comparison to HMDS and diisopropylamide (DA), and comparable results to a TMP system. Two novel complexes isolated from reactions of the di-tert-butylzincate and crystallographically characterised, namely the pre-metallation complex [{(iPr)2N(Ph)C=O}LiZn(cis-DMP)tBu2] and the post-metallation complex [(TMEDA)Li(cis-DMP){2-[1-C(=O)N(iPr)2]C6H4}Zn(tBu)], shed valuable light on the structures and mechanisms involved in these alkali-metal-mediated zincation reactions. Aspects of these reactions are also modelled by DFT calculations.

catena-Poly[sodium-µ2-(N,N,N',N'-tetra-methyl-ethane-1,2-diamine)-κ(2) N:N'-sodium-bis-[µ2-bis-(trimethyl-sil-yl)aza-nido-κ(2) N:N]].

The title compound, [Na2(C6H18NSi2)2(C6H16N2)] n , was found to consist of dimeric [Na(NSiMe3)2] units with crystallographically imposed centrosymmetry based upon four-membered NaNNaN rings. The dimers are bridged by N,N,N',N'-tetra-methyl-ethylenediamine ligands, which act in an unusual extended non-chelating coordination mode. This gives a one-dimensional coordination polymer that extends parallel to the a-axis direction.

Meta-metallation of N,N-dimethylaniline: Contrasting direct sodium-mediated zincation with indirect sodiation-dialkylzinc co-complexation.

Previously we reported that direct zincation of N,N-dimethylaniline by the mixed-metal zincate reagent 1 ((TMEDA)Na(TMP)(t-Bu)Zn(t-Bu)) surprisingly led to meta-metallation (zincation) of the aniline, as manifested in the crystalline complex 2 ((TMEDA)Na(TMP)(m-C(6)H(4)-NMe(2))Zn(t-Bu)), and that iodination of these isolated crystals produced the meta-isomer N,N-dimethyl-3-iodoaniline quantitatively. Completing the study here we find that treating the reaction solution with iodine produces a 72% conversion and results in a mixture of regioisomers of N,N-dimethyliodoaniline, with the meta-isomer still the major product (ortho:meta:para ratio, 6:73:21), as determined by NMR. In contrast to this bimetallic method, sodiation of N,N-dimethylaniline with n-BuNa produced the dimeric, ortho-sodiated complex 3 (((TMEDA)Na(o-C(6)H(4)-NMe(2)))(2)), as characterised by X-ray crystallography and NMR. No regioisomers were observed in the reaction solution. Introducing t-Bu(2)Zn to this reaction solution afforded a cocrystalline product in the solid-state, composed of the bis-anilide 4 ((TMEDA)Na(o-C(6)H(4)-NMe(2))(2)Zn(t-Bu)) and the Me(2)N-C cleavage product 5 ({(TMEDA)(2)Na}(+){(t-Bu(2)Zn)(2)(µ-NMe(2))}(-)), which was characterised by X-ray crystallography. NMR studies of the reaction mixture that produces 4 and 5 revealed one additional species, but the mixture as a whole contained only ortho-species and a trace amount of para-species as established by iodine quenching. In an indirect variation of the bimetallic reaction, TMP(H) was added at room temperature to the reaction mixture that afforded 4 and 5. This gave the crystalline product 6 ((TMEDA)Na(TMP)(o-C(6)H(4)-NMe(2))Zn(t-Bu)), the ortho-isomer of the meta-complex 2, as determined from X-ray crystallographic and NMR data. Monitoring the regioselectivity of the reaction by iodination revealed a 16.6:1.6:1.0 ortho:meta:para ratio. Interestingly, when the TMP(H) containing solution was heated under reflux for 18 hours more meta-isomer was produced (corresponding ratio 3.7:4.2:1.0). It is likely that this change has its origin in a retro reaction that produces the original base 1 as an intermediate. Theoretical calculations at the DFT level using the B3LYP method and the 6-311G** basis set were used to probe the energetics of both monometallic and bimetallic systems. In accord with the experimental results, it was found that ortho-metallation was favoured by sodiation; whereas meta- (closely followed by para-) metallation was favoured by direct sodium-mediated zincation.

Ultrafast amidation of esters using lithium amides under aerobic ambient temperature conditions in sustainable solvents.

Lithium amides constitute one of the most commonly used classes of reagents in synthetic chemistry. However, despite having many applications, their use is handicapped by the requirement of low temperatures, in order to control their reactivity, as well as the need for dry organic solvents and protective inert atmosphere protocols to prevent their fast decomposition. Advancing the development of air- and moisture-compatible polar organometallic chemistry, the chemoselective and ultrafast amidation of esters mediated by lithium amides is reported. Establishing a novel sustainable access to carboxamides, this has been accomplished via direct C-O bond cleavage of a range of esters using glycerol or 2-MeTHF as a solvent, in air. High yields and good selectivity are observed while operating at ambient temperature, without the need for transition-metal mediation, and the protocol extends to transamidation processes. Pre-coordination of the organic substrate to the reactive lithium amide as a key step in the amidation processes has been assessed, enabling the structural elucidation of the coordination adduct [{Li(NPh2)(O[double bond, length as m-dash]CPh(NMe2))}2] (8) when toluene is employed as a solvent. No evidence for formation of a complex of this type has been found when using donor THF as a solvent. Structural and spectroscopic insights into the constitution of selected lithium amides in 2-MeTHF are provided that support the involvement of small kinetically activated aggregates that can react rapidly with the organic substrates, favouring the C-O bond cleavage/C-N bond formation processes over competing hydrolysis/degradation of the lithium amides by moisture or air.

Structural and metal-halogen exchange reactivity studies of sodium magnesiate biphenolate complexes.

Bimetallic sodium magnesiates have been employed in metal-halogen exchange for the first time. Utilising the racemic phenoxide ligand 5,5',6,6'-tetramethyl-3,3'-di-tert-butyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol [(rac)-BIPHEN-H2], the dialkyl sodium magnesiates [(rac)-BIPHEN]Na2MgBu2(TMEDA)23 and [(rac)-BIPHEN]Na2MgBu2(PMDETA)24 have been synthesised. Both 3 and 4 can be easily prepared through co-complexation of di-n-butylmagnesium with the sodiated (rac)-BIPHEN precursor which can be prepared in situ in hydrocarbon solvent. Prior to the main investigation, synthesis of the sodiated precursor [BIPHEN]2Na4(THF)41 was explored in order to better understand the formation of sodium magnesiates utilising the dianionic (rac)-BIPHEN ligand as the parent ligand. In addition, a BIPHEN-rich sodium magnesiate [BIPHEN]2Na2Mg(THF)42 was prepared and characterised, and its formation was rationalised. Complex 1 and 4 have also been fully characterised in both solid and solution state. In terms of onward reactivity, 3 and 4 have been tested as potential exchange reagents with aryl and heteroaryl iodides to produce aryl and heteroaryl magnesium phenoxides utilising toluene as a non-polar hydrocarbon solvent. Complex 3 reacted smoothly to give a range of aryl and heteroaryl magnesium phenoxides, whilst 4's reactivity is more sluggish.

Structural variations within group 1 (Li-Cs)+ (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy)- complexes made via metallic reduction of the nitroxyl radical.

Treatment of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) with a group 1 metal (Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs), resulted in the reduction of this important radical to the TEMPO(-) anion--the first examples of elemental-metal single electron reduction of the radical to its anionic form. The synthesis and characterization of seven alkali metal TEMPO(-) complexes are reported. A variety of structural motifs are encountered depending on the choice of metal and/or solvent. (THF)(2) x [Li(+)(TEMPO(-))](4) 1 crystallized from THF as a cyclic (Li(4)O(4)) molecule. Two Li centers are stabilized by coordination to a THF molecule; the others by intramolecular coordination to N(TEMPO) atoms. [(THF) x Na(+)(TEMPO(-))](4) 2 exists as a distorted cubane where each Na center is coordinated to a THF molecule. No appreciable Na-N(TEMPO) coordination is observed. [(THF)(2) x Na(+)(3)(TEMPO(-))(2)(OH)](2) 3 was serendipitously prepared and exists as a distorted bis(cubane). It is envisaged that 3 is formed from 2 by insertion of a (Na-OH)(2) double bridge into its framework. [Na(+)(4)(mu(3)-TEMPO(-))(2)(mu(2)-TEMPO(-))(2)(TMEDA)(2)] 4, adopts a four-runged ladder structure, whereby the two outer Na centers are coordinated to TMEDA, in addition to two mu(2)-O and a N atom. The inner metal atoms are bound to three mu(3)-O atoms and a N atom. [(THF) x K(+)(TEMPO(-))](4) 5 resembles the motif found for 2; however, presumably because of the larger size of the metal, K-N(TEMPO) interactions are present in 5. The asymmetric unit of [(TMEDA) x Rb(+)(2)(TEMPO(-))(2)](2) 6 comprises a Rb(4)O(4) cubane with half a molecule of TMEDA coordinated to each metal. From a supramolecular perspective, 6 exists as a polymeric array of cubane units connected by TMEDA bridges. Completing the series, [Cs(+)(TEMPO)](infinity) 7 crystallizes from hexane to form a donor-free polymeric complex. Complexes 1, 2, and 4-7 are soluble in D(8)-THF solution, and their NMR spectra are reported. The solution structures in donor solvent appear virtually identical.

s-Block cooperative catalysis: alkali metal magnesiate-catalysed cyclisation of alkynols.

Mixed s-block metal organometallic reagents have been successfully utilised in the catalytic intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of alkynols. This success has been attributed to the unique manner in which these reagents can overcome the challenges of the reaction: namely OH activation and coordination to and then addition across a C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bond. In order to optimise the reaction conditions and to garner vital catalytic system requirements, a series of alkali metal magnesiates were enlisted for the catalytic intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of 4-pentynol. In a prelude to the main investigation, the homometallic magnesium dialkyl reagent MgR2 (where R = CH2SiMe3) was utilised. This reagent was unsuccessful in cyclising the alcohol into 2-methylenetetrahydrofuran 2a or 5-methyl-2,3-dihydrofuran 2b, even in the presence of multidentate Lewis donor molecules such as N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA). Alkali metal magnesiates MIMgR3 (when MI = Li, Na or K) performed the cyclisation unsatisfactorily both in the absence/presence of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) or PMDETA. When higher-order magnesiates (i.e., MI 2MgR4) were employed, in general a marked increase in yield was observed for MI = Na or K; however, the reactions were still sluggish with long reaction times (22-36 h). A major improvement in the catalytic activity of the magnesiates was observed when the crown ether molecule 15-crown-5 was combined with sodium magnesiate Na2MgR4(TMEDA)2 furnishing yields of 87% with 2a : 2b ratios of 95 : 5 after 5 h. Similar high yields of 88% with 2a : 2b ratios of 90 : 10 after 3 h were obtained combining 18-crown-6 with potassium magnesiate K2MgR4(PMDETA)2. Having optimised these systems, substrate scope was examined to probe the range and robustness of 18-crown-6/K2MgR4(PMDETA)2 as a catalyst. A wide series of alkynols, including terminal and internal alkynes which contain a variety of potentially reactive functional groups, were cyclised. In comparison to previously reported monometallic systems, bimetallic 18-crown-6/K2MgR4(PMDETA)2 displays enhanced reactivity towards internal alkynol-cyclisation. Kinetic studies revealed an inhibition effect of substrate on the catalysts via adduct formation and requiring dissociation prior to the rate limiting cyclisation step.

Selective mono- and dimetallation of a group 3 sandwich complex.

The scandium Cp/COT hybrid sandwich compound [(η5-C5H5)Sc(η8-C8H8)] is resistant to metallation via conventional alkyllithium and lithium amide bases. In this work, clean, selective, stoichiometric and high-yielding mono- and dimetallation is accomplished using tandem trans-metal-trapping (TMT) involving LiTMP and iBu2AlTMP with deprotonation occurring selectively at the Cp and Cp/COT rings respectively, providing the first examples of selective metallation of a sandwich complex featuring a group 3 element.

Transamination chemistry of sodium TMP-zincate: synthesis and crystal structure of a chiral amidozincate.

In a new type of reactivity for sodium TMP-zincate [(TMEDA)NaZn((t)Bu)(2)(TMP)] (1), transamination reactions with the amines diisopropylamine, DA(H), hexamethyldisilazane, HMDS(H) and chiral (R)-N-benzyl-alpha-methylbenzylamine have produced new sodium amido-di-tert-butyl zincates (all structurally characterised) with concomitant loss of TMP(H).

Exploring the solid state and solution structural chemistry of the utility amide potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS).

The structural chemistry of eleven donor complexes of the important Brønsted base potassium 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS) has been studied. Depending on the donor, each complex adopted one of five general structural motifs. Specifically, in this study the donors employed were toluene (to give polymeric 1 and dimeric 2), THF (polymeric 3), N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) (dimeric 4), (R,R)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane [(R,R)-TMCDA] (dimeric 5), 12-crown-4 (dimeric 6), N,N,N',N'-tetramethyldiaminoethyl ether (TMDAE) (tetranuclear dimeric 8 and monomeric 10), N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) (tetranuclear dimeric 7), tris[2-dimethyl(amino)ethyl]amine (Me6TREN) (tetranuclear dimeric 9) and tris{2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl}amine (TMEEA) (monomeric 11). The complexes were also studied in solution by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy as well as DOSY NMR spectroscopy.

Templated deprotonative metalation of polyaryl systems: Facile access to simple, previously inaccessible multi-iodoarenes.

The development of new methodologies to affect non-ortho-functionalization of arenes has emerged as a globally important arena for research, which is key to both fundamental studies and applied technologies. A range of simple arene feedstocks (namely, biphenyl, meta-terphenyl, para-terphenyl, 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene, and biphenylene) is transformed to hitherto unobtainable multi-iodoarenes via an s-block metal sodium magnesiate templated deprotonative approach. These iodoarenes have the potential to be used in a whole host of high-impact transformations, as precursors to key materials in the pharmaceutical, molecular electronic, and nanomaterials industries. To prove the concept, we transformed biphenyl to 3,5-bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1'-biphenyl, a novel isomer of 4,4'-bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1'-biphenyl (CPB), a compound which is currently widely used as a host material for organic light-emitting diodes.

Building an extended inverse crown motif via alkali-metal-mediated alpha-magnesiation of furan.

deprotonated selectively at the -position by the mixed-metal alkyl-amido base [(TMEDA) x Na(Bun)(TMP)Mg(TMP)] to generate a transient intermediate which undergoes disproportionation to the disodium dimagnesium hexafuryl tri(thf) complex [{{(thf)3 x Na2}{(TMEDA) x Mg2}(2-C4H3O)6}infinity], a new type of inverse crown structure with triply-stabilized (through Mg-C , Na-O and Na...C-C interactions) furyl guest anions, and the tris(amide) [(TMEDA)x.NaMg(TMP)3].

Synthetic and reactivity studies of hetero-tri-anionic sodium zincates.

The synthesis and characterisation of several sodium zincate complexes are reported. The all-alkyl monomeric sodium zincate, (PMEDTA)·Na(µ-CH2SiMe3)Zn(t)Bu22, is prepared by combining equimolar quantities of (t)Bu2Zn, (n)BuNa and PMDETA (N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine)]. A similar approach was used to prepare and isolate the unusual dimeric zincate [(PMEDTA)·Na(µ-(n)Bu)Zn(t)Bu2]23. When an equimolar mixture of (n)BuNa, (t)Bu2Zn and TMP(H) (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine) is combined in hexane, the hetero-tri-leptic TMP(H)-solvated zincate (TMPH)Na(µ-TMP)(µ-(n)Bu)Zn(t)Bu 4 results. Complex 4 can also be prepared using a rational approach [i.e., utilising two molar equivalents of TMP(H)]. When TMEDA is reacted with an equimolar mixture of (n)BuNa, (t)Bu2Zn and TMP(H), the monomeric sodium zincate (TMEDA)Na(µ-TMP)(µ-(n)Bu)Zn(t)Bu 5 was obtained - this complex is structurally similar to the synthetically useful relation (TMEDA)·Na(µ-TMP)(µ-(t)Bu)Zn((t)Bu) 1. By changing the sodium reagent used in the synthesis of 5, it was possible to prepare (TMEDA)Na(µ-TMP)(µ-Me3SiCH2)Zn(t)Bu 6. By reacting 5 with cis-DMP(H) (cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidine), the zincate could thermodynamically function as an amide base, to give the transamination product (TMEDA)Na(µ-cis-DMP)(µ-(n)Bu)Zn(t)Bu 7, although no crystals could be grown. However, when HMDS(H) (1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane) or PEA(H) [(+)-bis[(R)-1-phenylethyl]amine] is reacted with 5, crystalline (TMEDA)Na(µ-HMDS)(µ-(n)Bu)Zn(t)Bu 8 or (TMEDA)Na(µ-PEA)(µ-(n)Bu)Zn(t)Bu 9 is isolated respectively. With PNA(H) (N-phenylnaphthalen-1-amine) the reaction took a different course and resulted in the formation of the dimeric sodium amide complex [(TMEDA)Na(PNA)]210. When reacted with benzene, it appears that a TMEDA-free variant of 5 functions thermodynamically as an (n)Bu base to yield the previously reported (TMEDA)Na(µ-TMP)((t)Bu)Zn(µ-C6H4)Zn((t)Bu)(µ-TMP)Na(TMEDA) 11. Finally when reacted with TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy), 5 undergoes a single electron transfer reaction to form (TMEDA)Na(µ-TMP)(µ-TEMPO)Zn(n)Bu 12.