Synthesis and crystal structure of the singly tucked-in derivative of bis(phenyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium

Thermolysis of [TiMe₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄Ph)₂] (4) at 145 °C for 5 h afforded the singly tucked-in paramagnetic titanocene [Ti(III)(η⁵-C₅Me₄Ph){η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₃Ph(CH₂)}] (9). In distinction to the singly tucked-in permethyltitanocene [Ti(III)(η⁵-C₅Me₅){η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₄(CH₂)}] (1) which was found crystallographically disordered [J.M. Fischer, W.E. Piers, V.G. Young, Jr., Organometallics 15 (1996) 2410] the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 9 afforded molecular parameters with nearly by one order better precision as measured by esd-values.     

Ethylene polymerization using an asymmetric dinuclear titanocene catalyst carrying a novel 3-oxa-pentamethylene bridge

The asymmetric 3-oxa-pentamethylene bridged dinuclear titanocenium complex (CpTiCl₂)₂ (η⁵-C₉H₆(CH₂CH₂ OCH₂CH₂)-η⁵-C₅H₃ CH₃) (1) has been prepared, characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and after activation with MAO tested as a homogenous catalyst for the polymerization of ethylene. The results show that the catalytic activity of 1 as well as the molecular weight of the produced polyethylene are higher than those using the alkylidene bridged asymmetric dinuclear metallocenes (CpTiCl₂)₂ (η⁵-C₉H₆(CH₂) _n-η⁵-C₅H₄), n = 3 (4), 4 (5). The molecular weight distribution of polyethylene produced with 1/MAO reaches 11.00 and the HT-GPC curve shows a bimodal distribution. The melting point of the polyethylene obtained by 1/MAO is higher than 135 °C and the ¹³C NMR spectrum of PE shows only one strong signal at 30 ppm for the methylene units indicating a highly linear and crystalline polymer.     

Thermal dehydration of Y(TFA)3(H2O)3: Synthesis and molecular structures of [Y(μ,η1:η1-TFA)3(THF)(H2O)]1∞ · THF and [Y4(μ3-OH)4(μ,η1:η1-TFA)6(η1-TFA)(η2-TFA)(THF)3(DMSO)(H2O)] · 6THF (TFA = trifluoroacetate)

In order to obtain a better anhydrous precursor for various applications in materials science and catalysis, thermal dehydration reactions of Y(TFA)₃(H₂O)₃ (TFA = trifluoroacetate) (A) were investigated. Thermal treatment of A at different temperatures under vacuum (5 × 10^?2 mm) for several hours failed to give totally anhydrous yttrium trifluoroacetate (as indicated by IR). Two different complexes, a partially dehydrated [Y(μ,η¹:η¹-TFA)₃(THF)(H₂O)]_1∞·THF (1) and a partially hydrolyzed [Y₄(μ₃-OH)₄(μ,η¹:η¹-TFA)₆(η¹-TFA)(η²-TFA)(THF)₃(DMSO)(H₂O)] · 6THF (2), were obtained with good and moderate yield, respectively, by crystallization of two different thermally treated batches of A from THF (or THF + DMSO) at room temperature. More efficient dehydration of A could be achieved at 200 °C in a furnace, the obtained anhydrous yttrium tris-trifluoroacetate giving Y(TFA)₃(THF)₂ (3) on crystallization from THF. All the products were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as thermo-gravimetric analysis. In addition, single crystal X-ray structures are reported for 1 and 2, which show either a terminal (η¹ and η²) or bridging (μ,η¹:η¹) bonding behavior of the TFA ligand.     

Synthesis of diiron sulfur clusters containing thiolato-1,8-naphthalene imide ligand

Three diiron sulfur clusters containing thiolato-1,8-naphthalene imide ligand, [Cp*Fe(μ-4,5-S₂-ⁿBu-NMI)(μ-CO)FeCp*] (3a), [Cp′Fe(μ-4,5-S₂-ⁿBu-NMI)(μ-CO)FeCp′] (3b), [CpFe(ⁿBu-NMI-S)]₂ (4) (3a: Cp* = η⁵-C₅Me₅; 3b: Cp′ = η⁵-C₅HMe₄; 4: Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅; ⁿBu-NMI = N-butyl-1,8-naphthalene imide) were synthesized via the reaction of N-butyl-4,5-disulfide-1,8-naphthalene imide and [Cp2Fe(μ-CO)CO]₂ (Cp2 = Cp*, Cp′, Cp). A partially desulfurated product [CpFe(ⁿBu-NMI-S)]₂ was determined in the reaction of [CpFe(μ-CO)CO]₂ with ⁿBu-NMI 4,5-dithiolate. The new complexes were structurally characterized by X-ray analysis.     

Activity of Mo(II) allylic complexes supported in MCM-41 as oxidation catalysts precursors

[Mo(η³-C₃H₅)X(CO)₂(NCCH₃)₂] (X = Br, 1a; X = Cl, 1b) complexes reacted with the bidentate ligand RNC(Ph)–C(Ph)NR, R = (CH₂)₂CH₃ (DAB, 2) affording [Mo(η³-C₃H₅)X(CO)₂(DAB)] (X = Br, 4a; X = Cl, 4b), which were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The modified silylated ligand RNC(Ph)C(Ph)NR, R = (CH₂)₃Si(OCH₂CH₃)₃ (DAB–Si, 3), was used to immobilize the two complexes in MCM-41 (MCM) mesoporous silica. The new materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption analysis, FTIR and ²⁹Si and ¹³C CPMAS solid state NMR spectroscopy. Both the materials and the complexes were tested in the oxidation of cyclooctene and styrene and behaved as active catalyst precursors for cyclooctene and styrene epoxidation with TBHP (t-butylhydroperoxide), leading selectively to epoxides with high conversions and TOFs. Although the homogeneous systems reach 100% conversion of cyclooctene and slightly less for styrene, the loss of catalytic activity in the heterogeneous systems is small, with a 98% conversion of styrene achieved by the chloride containing material.     

Synthesis,characterization and compared reactivity of asymmetrical ansa-metallocenes

Rac and meso ansa-zirconocenes [Zr{1-Me₂Si(3-R-(η⁵-C₉H₅))(3-R′-(η⁵-C₉H₅))}Cl₂] (R = Et, R′ = H; R = Pr, R′ = H; and R = Et, R′ = Pr) 4–9 have been prepared by the reaction of ZrCl₄ with the corresponding dilithiated derivatives from the ligands {1-Me₂Si(3-R-(η⁵-C₉H₅))(3-R′-(η⁵-C₉H₅))} (R = Et, R′ = H 1; R = Pr, R′ = H 2; and R = Et, R′ = Pr 3) in diethyl ether/toluene at ?78 °C. The molecular structure of rac [Zr{1-Me₂Si(3-Et-(η⁵-C₉H₅))(3-Pr-(η⁵-C₉H₅))}Cl₂] 8 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, which show a pseudotetrahedral environment formed by the two chlorine ligands and two η⁵-coordinated indenyl ligands. The activity in homogeneous and heterogeneous polymerization is compared and discussed.     

Semi-rigid N-para-ferrocenyl(benzoyl)amino-acid esters for biomaterials: synthesis and characterization of Fc-C6H4CONHCH(R)CO2Me where Fc = (η5-C5H5)Fe(η5-C5H4) and R=H,CH3,CH2CH(CH3)2,CH2C6H5 and the X-ray crystal structures of Fc-C6H4CO2Me and the l-alanine derivative Fc-C6H4CONHCH(CH3)CO2Me

A series of N-para-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl amino-acid esters, para-Fc(C₆H₄)CONHCH(R)CO₂CH₃ {Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄); R = H, CH₃, CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, CH₂C₆H₅}, 3–6 have been prepared by coupling para-(ferrocenyl)benzoic acid to the amino-acid esters (gly, l-Ala, l-Leu, l-Phe) using the standard 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) protocol. The compounds were fully characterized by a range of spectroscopic techniques including FAB-MS. The X-ray crystal structures of the parent para-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl methyl ester, Fc-C₆H₄CO₂Me, 1 and a chiral derivative N-{para-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl}-l-alanine methyl ester, Fc-C₆H₄CONHCH(CH₃)CO₂Me, 4 have been determined.     

Reactivity of cyrhetrenylphosphines: Synthesis and characterization of oxides,boranes and selenides

Reaction of cyrhetrenylphosphines, of general formula (η⁵-C₅H₄PR₂)Re(CO)₂L (R = Ph, L = CO (1); R = Cy; L = CO (2); R = Ph, L = PMe₃ (3) and R = Ph, L = P(OMe)₃ (4)), with H₂O₂, BH₃·THF or selenium gives the respective cyrhetrenylphosphine oxides, boranes and selenides. These species were characterized by standard spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, ¹H and ³¹PNMR). Based on the ³¹P⁷⁷Se coupling constant (¹J_P-Se) of the phosphine-selenides, we established the following order of basicity of the parent cyrhetrenylphosphine 2 > 3 > 4 > 1. We also confirmed the opposite electronic effects of the cyrhetrenyl and ferrocenyl groups attached to a –PR₂ unit. Finally, phosphine selenides 2c and 4c were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Catalytic N−N bond cleavage of hydrazine by thiolate-bridged iron-ruthenium heteronuclear complexes

The novel thiolate-bridged iron-ruthenium heteronuclear complex [(PPh₃)(bdt)Ru(μ-η²:η⁴-bdt)FeCp*] (1, Cp* = η⁵-C₅Me₅, bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate) was prepared by one-electron reduction of complex [(PPh₃)(bdt)Ru(μ-η²:η⁴-bdt)FeCp*][FeCl₃] (1[FeCl₃]) using CoCp₂ as reducing agent. Meanwhile, complex 1 can also be one-electron oxidized by Fc·PF₆ or HBF₄ to regenerate the ionic complex 1[PF₆] or 1[BF₄]. Importantly, complex 1 shows good reactivity toward the catalytic N−N bond cleavage of hydrazine into ammonia.     

Organometallic boxes built from 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin panels and hydroxyquinonato-bridged diruthenium clips

Self-assembly of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin (tpp-H₂) tetradentate panels with dinuclear arene ruthenium clips [Ru₂(η⁶-arene)₂(dhbq)Cl₂] (arene = C₆H₅Me, p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me, C₆Me₆; dhbq = 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinonato) affords the cationic organometallic boxes [Ru₈(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)₈(tpp-H₂)₂(dhbq)₄]⁸⁺ ([1]⁸⁺), [Ru₈(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)₈(tpp-H₂)₂(dhbq)₄]⁸⁺ ([2]⁸⁺) and [Ru₈(η⁶-C₆Me₆)₈(tpp-H₂)₂(dhbq)₄]⁸⁺ ([3]⁸⁺). These octanuclear cations have been isolated as their triflate salts and characterised by mass spectrometry, NMR and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of these systems was deduced by one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR experiments (ROESY, COSY, HSQC).     

Controlled synthesis of lanthanide–lithium inverse crown ether complexes

An ytterbium–lithium inverse crown ether complex stabilized by amine-bridged bis(phenolate) ligands (LYbBr)₂(μ₄-O)(μ₃-Li) (1) [L = Me₂NCH₂CH₂N{CH₂-(2-O- C₆H₂-Bu^t₂-3,5)}₂] was isolated as a byproduct from the reaction of LYbCl(THF) with CH₃Li in THF in a very low isolated yield. Further study revealed that the inverse crown ether complexes can be synthesized in a controlled manner by the reaction of bis(phenolate) lanthanide chloride with an in situ mixture of n-BuLi with water in THF. A second inverse crown ether complex (L′YbCl)₂(μ₄-O)(μ₃-Li) (2) [L′ = Me₂NCH₂CH₂N{CH₂-(2-O-C₆H₂-Bu^t-3-Me-5)}₂] was prepared in high isolated yield and well characterized.     

Alkoxo- and carboxylato-bridged hexanuclear copper(II) complex: Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties

Reaction of copper(II) nitrate trihydrate with N,N-dimethylethanolamine (dmea) and pivalic acid in methanol led to the hexanuclear copper(II) complex Cu₆(η¹:μ₂-C₄H₁₀NO)₄(η¹:η¹:μ₂-C₅H₉O₂)₄(η¹:μ₁-C₅H₉O₂)₂(μ₃-OH)₂ (1). The crystal structure of 1 indicates that hexametallic centers are bridged by the μ₃-alkoxo, dmea oxygens, and the μ₂-dicarboxylato oxygen atoms of pivalate ions. Furthermore, in the asymmetric unit, three types of copper ions have been found labeled as Cu₁, Cu₂ and Cu₃. The Cu₂ takes a distorted octahedral shape, whereas Cu₁ and Cu₃ adopt square pyramidal geometries. The complex 1 shows strong antiferromagnetic interactions through the oxo groups within the dimeric units (J = − 82.6 to − 25.8 cm^− 1) and weak antiferromagnetic couplings between the dimers (J = − 10.9 and 0.8 cm^− 1).     

Coordination modes in zirconium β-diketiminate complexes

Reaction of β-diketiminate lithium salts, nacnac^RLi(THF) (R = 2,6-xylyl (1a), R-CH(Me)Ph (1b)), with ZrCl₄ or ZrCl₄·THF yielded the mono-diketiminate complexes nacnac^RZrCl₃(THF), 2a and 2b. Complex 2a did not react further with a second equivalent of 1a, but with CpLi or IndLi to form pseudo-tetrahedral complexes 3 and 4. No product could be isolated from reaction of 2b with CpLi. Coordination of the diketiminate ligand in 2a is best described as a distorted κ²-, in-plane coordination. Complexes 3 and 4, however, display a haptotropic shift of the diketiminate ligand and its coordination is best described as κ²,η²-coordination. Although not previously described, analyses of available structures in the literature reveal that non-symmetric κ²,η²-coordination is an independent coordination mode, which exists next to the previously described “η⁵-like” coordination.     

Synthesis and structure of sterically overloaded tetra-coordinated yttrium and lanthanum disiloxides

The synthesis, structures and reactivity of the spirocyclic yttrium and lanthanum disiloxides {[(CH₂R₂SiO)₂]₂M}H [M = Ln, Y; R = SiMe(SiMe₃)₂] 3 and 4 are reported. Compounds 3 and 4 were prepared from reactions of two equivalents of [CH₂(R)₂SiOH]₂ [R = Si(SiMe₃)₂Me] (1) with one equivalent of M[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (M = Y, La), respectively.     

Bridge-splitting of trans-[PtCl2(η2-CH2CH2)]2 by weak nucleophiles: Crystal and molecular structure of trans-[PtCl2(η2-CH2CH2)(MeCN)]

Bridge-splitting of trans-[PtCl₂(η²-CH₂CH₂)]₂, 1, by L in dichloromethane yields trans-[PtCl₂(η²-CH₂CH₂)(L)] (L = THF, 2, or MeCN, 3) with bridge-splitting equilibrium constants of 0.0289 ± 0.0007 and 3601 ± 215 mol^?1 dm³, respectively, as determined by UV/Vis measurements. The reaction of 3 in MeCN with Cl^? is essentially quantitative. The crystal structure of trans-[PtCl₂(η²-CH₂CH₂)(CH₃CN)] is reported.     

Models of intermediates in metallocene-catalyzed alkene polymerizations: observation of a d0 cationic titanium–alkyl-alkene complex and decomposition by β-allyl elimination

Low temperature activation of Cp^*₂Ti[η¹,η¹- CH₂CH(CH₂CHCH₂)CH₂] (3) with [HN(CH₃)(C₆H₅)₂] [B(C₆F₅)₄] led to the formation of Cp^*₂Ti[η¹,η²-CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂CHCH₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (6) as determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Cp^*₂Ti[η¹,η²-CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂CHCH₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] undergoes rapid quantitative β-allyl elimination at temperatures as low as −140 °C. The resulting cationic titanium allyl complex [Cp^*₂Ti(η³-CH₂CHCH₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (4) exhibits a static structure at low temperatures, but interconversion of η³–η¹ binding modes can be observed at higher temperatures. Lineshape analysis of this process yielded ΔG³(−10 °C)= 13.7 ± 0.6 kcal mol⁻¹, ΔH³=9.8 ± 0.6 kcal mol⁻¹, and ΔS³=−15 ± 3 eu. The use of neutral borane B(C₆F₅)₃ also resulted in β-allyl elimination with the formation of [Cp^*₂Ti(η³-CH₂CHCH₂)][CH₂=CHCH₂B(C₆F₅)₃] (8).     

Study of the cytotoxic activity of alkenyl-substituted ansa-titanocene complexes

The cytotoxic activity on tumour cell lines, human adenocarcinoma HeLa, human myelogenous leukemia K562, human malignant melanoma Fem-x and normal immunocompetent cells, was tested for four different ansa-titanocene dichloride derivatives with potentially reactive substituents [Ti{Me(CH₂CH)Si(η⁵-₅Me₄) (η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (1), [Ti{Me(H)Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)₂}Cl₂] (2), [Ti{Me{(CH₂CH)Me₂SiCH₂CH₂}Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (3) and [Ti{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₃(CMe₂(CH₂CH₂CHCH₂)))}Cl₂] (4), showing a very promising activity and opening up the possibility of extensive investigation in this field.     

Design,synthesis and properties of a trinuclear copper(I) cluster with a triazenide ligand

The reaction of methyl anthranilate, sodium nitrite, and 2-aminobenzothiazole produces a new triazenide, namely, 1-[(2-carboxymethyl) benzene]-3-[benzothiazole]triazene (HL). In the presence of Et₃N, the reaction of HL and CuCl in THF/methanol gives a trinuclear copper(I) cluster [Cu₃L₃] THF CH₃OH (1 THF CH₃OH), which has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammogram and emission spectrum. CV of 1 reveals two reversible waves at –0.06 and 0.83 V, which correspond to two one-electron oxidation of Cu₃ units ([Cu₃]⁴⁺/[Cu₃]³⁺) and ([Cu₃]⁵⁺/[Cu₃]⁴⁺), respectively. 1 appears photoluminescent (λ_max = 502 nm) at room temperature.     

Proton mediated switching of the coordination states of the tethered N-atom in iron complex featuring a pendent amine functionalized Cp* ligand

Two piano-stool type mono-iron complexes featuring Cp*^N (Cp*^N = η⁵-C₅Me₄(CH₂)₂NMe₂) ligand were synthesized by one-electron oxidation of the corresponding dimer precursors. Furthermore, carbonyl ligand was smoothly replaced by MeCN molecule under illumination. Interestingly, the protonation of the amino group in the side chain led to dissociation of the nitrogen atom from the iron center. Reversibly, deprotonation by a weak base recovered the coordination capacity of the nitrogen atom. These results exhibit the function of the nitrogen atom in the second coordination sphere of some metalloenzymes as a potential proton relay site.     

Two distinct ferroceneyl carboxylate Pb(II) complexes with the same composition prepared by two different synthetic methods: The substitution of precursor and one-pot reaction

Through substituation reaction, one lead ferroceneyl carboxylate polymer, namely [Pb(μ₂-OOCClH₃C₆Fc)₂(phen)]_n 1a [Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)] was synthesized from precursor [Pb(μ₂-η²-OOCClH₃C₆Fc)₂(CH₃OH)₂]_n 1. However, a mononuclear Pb(II) complex {[Pb(η²-OOCClH₃C₆Fc)₂(phen)]·(CH₃OH)·(H₂O)} 2 could be obtained from the traditional one-pot reaction of FcC₆H₃ClCOONa and Pb(OAc)₂ with 1,10-phenantholine (phen). The electrochemical studies of 1, 1a, 2 and FcC₆H₃ClCOOH indicate that the half-wave potentials of the ferrocenyl moieties in these complexes are all shifted to positive potential compared with that of FcC₆H₃ClCOOH.