Nature of bonding in complexes containing "supershort" metal-metal bonds. raman and theoretical study of M2(dmp)4 [M = Cr (natural abundance Cr, 50Cr, and 54Cr) and Mo; dmp = 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl].

We report an investigation of complexes of the type M(2)(dmp)(4) (M = Mo, Cr; dmp = 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl) using resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy, Cr isotopic substitution, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Assignment of the Mo-Mo stretching vibration in the Mo(2) species is straightforward, as evidenced by a single resonance-enhanced band at 424 cm(-1), consistent with an essentially unmixed metal-metal stretch, and overtones of this vibration. On the other hand, the Cr(2) congener has no obvious metal-metal stretching mode near 650-700 cm(-1), where empirical predictions based on the Cr-Cr distance as well as DFT calculations suggest that this vibration should appear if unmixed. Instead, three bands are observed at 345, 363, and 387 cm(-1) that (a) have relative RR intensities that are sensitive to the Raman excitation frequency, (b) exhibit overtones and combinations in the RR spectra, and (c) shift in frequency upon isotopic substitution ((50)Cr and (54)Cr). DFT calculations are used to model the vibrational data for the Mo(2) and Cr(2) systems. Both the DFT results and empirical predictions are in good agreement with experimental observations in the Mo(2) complex, but both, while mutually consistent, differ radically from experiment in the Cr(2) complex. Our experimental and theoretical results, especially the Cr isotope shifts, clearly demonstrate that the potential energy of the Cr-Cr stretching coordinate is distributed among several normal modes having both Cr-Cr and Cr-ligand character. The general significance of these results in interpreting spectroscopic observations in terms of the nature of metal-metal multiple bonding is discussed.

Classical versus bridged allyl ligands in magnesium complexes: the role of solvent.

Magnesium allyl complexes are regularly isolated with classical, sigma-bonded ligands, and this has been thought to be their preferred mode of bonding. Density functional theory calculations confirm that such bonding is the most stable mode when coordinated bases are present, but in their absence, pi-bonded forms are expected to be lower in energy. The isolation of the unsolvated [Mg{C(3)(SiMe(3))(2)H(3)}(2)](2) complex supports this prediction, as it is a dinuclear species in which two allyl ligands bridge the metals and display cation-pi interactions with them.

Direct comparison of the magnetic and electronic properties of samarocene and ytterbocene terpyridine complexes.

A new complex, Cp* 2Sm(tpy) ( 1, where Cp* = C 5Me 5, tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine) and its one-electron oxidized congener [Cp* 2Sm(tpy)]PF 6 ([ 1] (+)) have been synthesized and characterized with the aim of comparing their electronic and magnetic behavior to the known ytterbium analogues: Cp* 2Yb(tpy) ( 2) and [Cp* 2Yb(tpy)]OTf ([ 2] ( + )). These new samarium complexes have been characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, (1)H NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, optical spectroscopy, and bulk magnetic susceptibility measurements. All data for 1 indicate a Sm(III)-tpy* (-)[(4f) (5)-(pi*) (1)] ground-state electronic configuration similar to that found previously for 2 [(4f) (13)-(pi*) (1)]. Structural comparisons reveal that there are no significant changes in the overall geometries associated with the neutral and cationic samarium and ytterbium congeners aside from those anticipated based upon the lanthanide contraction. The redox potentials for the divalent Cp* 2Ln(THF) n precursors ( E 1/2(Sm (2+)) = -2.12 V, E 1/2(Yb (2+)) = -1.48 V) are consistent with established trends, the redox potentials (metal-based reduction and ligand-based oxidation) for 1 are nearly identical to those for 2. The correlation in the optical spectra of 1 and 2 is excellent, as expected for this ligand-radical based electronic structural assignment, but there does appear to be a red-shift ( approximately 400 cm (-1)) in all of the bands of 1 relative to those of 2 that suggests a slightly greater stabilization of the pi* level(s) in the samarium(III) complex compared to that in the ytterbium(III) complex. Similar spectroscopic overlap is observed for the monocationic complexes [ 1] (+) and [ 2] (+). Bulk magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1 reveal significantly different behavior than that of 2 due to differences in the electronic-state structure of the two metal ions. The implications of these differences in magnetic behavior are discussed.

Electronic and magnetic properties of bimetallic ytterbocene complexes: the impact of bridging ligand geometry.

Bimetallic ytterbocene complexes with bridging N-heterocylic ligands have been studied extensively in recent years due to their potential applications ranging from molecular wires to single-molecule magnets. Herein, we review our recent results for a series of ytterbocene polypyridyl bimetallic complexes to highlight the versatility and tunability of these systems based on simple changes in bridging ligand geometry. Our work has involved structural, electrochemical, optical, and magnetic measurements with the goal of better understanding the electronic and magnetic communication between the two ytterbium metal centers in this new class of bimetallics.

Control of electronic and magnetic coupling via bridging ligand geometry in a bimetallic ytterbocene complex.

The ligand 1-methyl-3,5-bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridin-4'-yl)benzene has been employed in the synthesis of a new bimetallic ytterbocene complex [(Cp*)2Yb](1-methyl-3,5-bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridin-4'-yl)benzene)[Yb(Cp*)2] (1) and the doubly oxidized congener [1]2+ in an attempt to determine the impact of the bridging ligand geometry on the magnetic/electronic properties as compared to the previously reported 1,4-analog [(Cp*)2Yb](1,4-di(terpyridyl)benzene)[Yb(Cp*)2] (2). Electrochemical, electronic, and magnetic data provide compelling evidence that the 1,3-geometry associated with the bridging ligand of 1 has done an effective job of inhibiting electronic communication between metal centers and magnetic coupling of spin carriers at room temperature as compared to 2. In fact, the physical data associated with 1 are quite similar to those reported for the monometallic analog (Cp*)2Yb(tpy) (3). In particular, the f-f profile of [1]2+ is nearly identical to that of [3]+ in its spectral features but with an almost exact doubling of the intensities. Further, the electronic coupling between metal centers as manifested in the potential separation between metal-based reduction waves has for the first time in these bimetallic ytterbocene complexes been found to go to zero for 1. Thus, the linkage isomerism at the phenyl coupling unit has induced a change in the ground-state electronic configuration from the singlet dianion-bridged (4f)13(pi*)2(4f)13 state found in 2 to the diradical-bridged (4f)13(piA*)1(piB*)1(4f)13 state in 1. This diradical formulation on the bridging ligand in 1 is supported by DFT calculations for the uncomplexed doubly reduced ligand that indicate the ground-state configuration is a singlet diradical state with the triplet-diradical state lying to slightly higher energy. Magnetic characterization of 1 is most consistent with the behavior previously observed for monometallic analogs such as 3, and there is no evidence of long-range magnetic ordering such as that observed for 2. In addition, X-ray crystallographic characterization of 1 represents the first case of a structurally characterized 2:1 metal-to-ligand adduct of the 1,3-bis(tpy) framework.

Observation of internal electron transfer in bulky allyl ytterbium complexes with substituted terpyridine ligands.

A series of new bulky allyl terpyridyl-ytterbium complexes have been synthesized to determine the effect of allyl ligands on the internal charge-transfer process that exists in these materials. Compared to the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-ytterbocene compound Cp*2Yb(tpyCN) (nu(C(triple bond)N) = 2172 cm(-1)), the symmetrically substituted allyl complex [1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3]2Yb(tpyCN) possesses a markedly lowered C(triple bond)N frequency of 2130 cm(-1). Furthermore, the electronic nature of these bulky allyl complexes can be tuned, as demonstrated by the C(triple bond)N frequency of the asymmetric derivatives [1-(SiMe3)C3H4]2Yb(tpyCN) and [1-(SiPh3)-3-(SiMe3)C3H3]2Yb(tpyCN) (2171 and 2164 cm(-1), respectively). The differences in these frequencies can be attributed to differences in the ligands' steric and electronic character. Single-crystal X-ray characterization of [1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3]2Yb(tpy) reveals that the allyl moiety possesses shorter Yb-C and Yb-N bond distances than the Cp* analogue. The magnetic susceptibility data for [1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3]2Yb(tpy) departs dramatically from the Curie law, with a room-temperature magnetic moment of 2.95 mu(B).

Ytterbocene charge-transfer molecular wire complexes.

A systematic study of the novel charge-transfer [(f)14-(pi)0-(f)14 --> (f)13-(pi)2-(f)13] electronic state found in 2:1 metal-to-ligand adducts of the type [(Cp)2Yb](BL)[Yb(Cp)2] [BL = tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (tppz) (1), 6',6' '-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,2':4',4'':2'',2'''-quaterpyridine (qtp) (2), 1,4-di(terpyridyl)-benzene (dtb) (3), Cp = (C5Me5)] has been conducted with the aim of determining the effects of increased Yb-Yb separation on the magnetic and electronic properties of these materials. The neutral [(f)13-(pi)2-(f)13], cationic [(f)13-(pi)1-(f)13] and dicationic [(f)13-(pi)0-(f)13] states of these complexes were studied by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis-NIR electronic absorption spectroscopy, NMR, X-ray crystallography, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The spectroscopic and magnetic data for the neutral bimetallic complexes is consistent with an [(f)13(pi)2(f)13] ground-state electronic configuration in which each ytterbocene fragment donates one electron to give a singlet dianionic bridging ligand with two paramagnetic Yb(III) centers. The voltammetric data demonstrate that the electronic interaction in the neutral molecular wires 1-3, as manifested in the separation between successive metal reduction waves, is large compared to analogous transition metal systems. Electronic spectra for the neutral and monocationic bimetallic species are dominated by pi-pi and pi-pi transitions, masking the f-f bands that are expected to best reflect the electronic metal-metal interactions. However, these metal-localized transitions are observed when the electrons are removed from the bridging ligand via chemical oxidation to yield the dicationic species, and they suggest very little electronic interaction between metal centers in the absence of pi electrons on the bridging ligands. Analysis of the magnetic data reveals that the qtp complex displays antiferromagnetic coupling of the type Yb(alpha)(alphabeta)Yb(beta) at approximately 13 K.

Metal allyl complexes with bulky ligands: stabilization of homoleptic thorium compounds, [(SiMe3)nC3H(5-n)]4Th (n = 1, 2).

Unlike the parent (C3H5)4Th that decomposes at 0 degrees C, homoleptic tetra(allyl)thorium complexes [(SiMe3)nC3H5-n]4Th (n = 1, 2) have been prepared from ThBr4(thf)4 and K[(SiMe3)nC3H5-n] that are stable up to 90 degrees C (n = 1) or 124 degrees C (n = 2). The molecules, which are fluxional on the NMR time scale, contain the first structurally authenticated Th-allyl bonds. The trimethylsilyl groups cause relatively little perturbation in the core metal-allyl geometry but markedly increase the kinetic stability of the compounds.