Synthesis and Structures of Aluminum and Magnesium Complexes of Tetraimidophosphates and Trisamidothiophosphates: EPR and DFT Investigations of the Persistent Neutral Radicals {Me2Al[(μ-NR)(μ-NtBu)P(μ-NtBu)2]Li(THF)2}• (R = SiMe3, tBu)

Reactions of (RNH)(3)PNSiMe(3) (3a, R = (t)()Bu; 3b, R = Cy) with trimethylaluminum result in the formation of {Me(2)Al(mu-N(t)Bu)(mu-NSiMe(3))P(NH(t)()Bu)(2)]} (4) and the dimeric trisimidometaphosphate {Me(2)Al[(mu-NCy)(mu-NSiMe(3))P(mu-NCy)(2)P(mu-NCy)(mu-NSiMe(3))]AlMe(2)} (5a), respectively. The reaction of SP(NH(t)Bu)(3) (2a) with 1 or 2 equiv of AlMe(3) yields {Me(2)Al[(mu-S)(mu-N(t)Bu)P(NH(t)()Bu)(2)]} (7) and {Me(2)Al[(mu-S)(mu-N(t)()Bu)P(mu-NH(t)Bu)(mu-N(t)Bu)]AlMe(2)} (8), respectively. Metalation of 4 with (n)()BuLi produces the heterobimetallic species {Me(2)Al[(mu-N(t)Bu)(mu-NSiMe(3))P(mu-NH(t)()Bu)(mu-N(t)()Bu)]Li(THF)(2)} (9a) and {[Me(2)Al][Li](2)[P(N(t)Bu)(3)(NSiMe(3))]} (10) sequentially; in THF solutions, solvation of 10 yields an ion pair containing a spirocyclic tetraimidophosphate monoanion. Similarly, the reaction of ((t)BuNH)(3)PN(t)()Bu with AlMe(3) followed by 2 equiv of (n)BuLi generates {Me(2)Al[(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)P(mu(2)-N(t)Bu)(2)(mu(2)-THF)[Li(THF)](2)} (11a). Stoichiometric oxidations of 10 and 11a with iodine yield the neutral spirocyclic radicals {Me(2)Al[(mu-NR)(mu-N(t)Bu)P(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)]Li(THF)(2)}(*) (13a, R = SiMe(3); 14a, R = (t)Bu), which have been characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Density functional theory calculations confirm the retention of the spirocyclic structure and indicate that the spin density in these radicals is concentrated on the nitrogen atoms of the PN(2)Li ring. When 3a or 3b is treated with 0.5 equiv of dibutylmagnesium, the complexes {Mg[(mu-N(t)()Bu)(mu-NH(t)()Bu)P(NH(t)Bu)(NSiMe(3))](2)} (15) and {Mg[(mu-NCy)(mu-NSiMe(3))P(NHCy)(2)](2)} (16) are obtained, respectively. The addition of 0.5 equiv of MgBu(2) to 2a results in the formation of {Mg[(mu-S)(mu-N(t)()Bu)P(NH(t)Bu)(2)](2)} (17), which produces the hexameric species {[MgOH][(mu-S)(mu-N(t)()Bu)P(NH(t)Bu)(2)]}(6) (18) upon hydrolysis. Compounds 4, 5a, 7-11a, and 15-17 have been characterized by multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, and (31)P) NMR spectroscopy and, in the case of 5a, 9a.2THF, 11a, and 18, by X-ray crystallography.

Organometallic Early Lanthanide Clusters: Syntheses and X-ray Structures of New Monocyclopentadienyl Complexes

The reaction of Ln(BH(4))(3)(THF)(3) or LnCl(3)(THF)(3) with 1 equiv of KCp*' ligand (Cp' = C(5)Me(4)n-Pr) afforded the new monocyclopentadienyl complexes Cp*'LnX(2)(THF)(n) (X = BH(4), Ln = Sm, n = 1, 1a, Ln = Nd, n = 2, 1b; X = Cl, Ln = Sm, n = 1, 3a) and [Cp*'LnX(2)](n') (X = BH(4), n' = 6, Ln = Sm, 2a, Ln = Nd, 2b; X = Cl, Ln = Nd, 4b). All these compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and (1)H NMR. Crystals of mixed borohydrido/chloro-bridged [Cp*'(6)Ln(6)(BH(4))(12-x))Cl(x)(THF)(n')] (x = 10, n' = 4, Ln = Sm, 2a', Ln = Nd, 2b'; x = 5, n = 2, Ln = Sm, 2a' ') were also isolated. Compounds 2a, 2b, 2a', 2b', and 2a'' were structurally characterized; they all exhibit a hexameric structure in the solid state containing the [Cp*(3)Ln(3)X(5)(THF)] building block. The easy clustering of THF adducts first isolated is illustrative of the well-known bridging ability of the BH(4) group. Hexameric 2a was found to be unstable in the presence of THF vapors; this may be correlated to the opening of unsymmetrical borohydride bridges observed in the molecular structure.

Lithiation of (tBuNH)3PNSiMe3 and Formation of Tetraimidophosphate Complexes Containing M3O3 Rings (M = Li, K): X-ray Structure of the Stable Radical {(Me3SiN)P(μ3-NtBu)3[μ3-Li(THF)]3(OtBu)}

The reaction of ((t)BuNH)(3)PNSiMe(3) (1) with 1 equiv of (n)BuLi results in the formation of Li[P(NH(t)Bu)(2)(N(t)Bu)(NSiMe(3))] (2); treatment of 2 with a second equivalent of (n)BuLi produces the dilithium salt Li(2)[P(NH(t)Bu)(N(t)Bu)(2)(NSiMe(3))] (3). Similarly, the reaction of 1 and (n)BuLi in a 1:3 stoichiometry produces the trilithiated species Li(3)[P(N(t)Bu)(3)(NSiMe(3))] (4). These three complexes represent imido analogues of dihydrogen phosphate [H(2)PO(4)](-), hydrogen phosphate [HPO(4)](2)(-), and orthophosphate [PO(4)](3)(-), respectively. Reaction of 4 with alkali metal alkoxides MOR (M = Li, R = SiMe(3); M = K, R = (t)Bu) generates the imido-alkoxy complexes [Li(3)[P(N(t)Bu)(3)(NSiMe(3))](MOR)(3)] (8, M = Li; 9, M = K). These compounds were characterized by multinuclear ((1)H, (7)Li, (13)C, and (31)P) NMR spectroscopy and, in the cases of 2, 8, and 9.3THF, by X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, 2 exists as a dimer with Li-N contacts serving to link the two Li[P(NH(t)Bu)(2)(N(t)Bu)(NSiMe(3))] units. The monomeric compounds 8 and 9.3THF consist of a rare M(3)O(3) ring coordinated to the (LiN)(3) unit of 4. The unexpected formation of the stable radical [(Me(3)SiN)P(mu(3)-N(t)Bu)(3)[mu(3)-Li(THF)](3)(O(t)Bu)] (10) is also reported. X-ray crystallography indicated that 10 has a distorted cubic structure consisting of the radical dianion [P(N(t)Bu)(3)(NSiMe(3))](.2)(-), two lithium cations, and a molecule of LiO(t)Bu in the solid state. In dilute THF solution, the cube is disrupted to give the radical monoanion [(Me(3)SiN)((t)BuN)P(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)Li(THF)(2)](.-), which was identified by EPR spectroscopy.

Lithiation of tris(alkyl- and arylamido)orthophosphates EP[N(H)R]3 (E = O, S, Se): imido substituent effects and P=E bond cleavage

In the solid state, OP[N(H)Me](3) (1a) and OP[N(H)(t)Bu](3) (1b) have hydrogen-bonded structures that exhibit three-dimensional and one-dimensional arrays, respectively. The lithiation of 1b with 1 equiv of (n)BuLi generates the trimeric monolithiated complex (THF)[LiOP(N(t)Bu)[N(H)(t)Bu](2)](3) (4), whereas reaction with an excess of (n)BuLi produces the dimeric dilithium complex [(THF)(2)Li(2)OP(N(t)Bu)(2)[N(H)(t)Bu]](2) (5). Complex 4 contains a Li(2)O(2) ring in an open-ladder structure, whereas 5 embraces a central Li(2)O(2) ring in a closed-ladder arrangement. Investigations of the lithiation of tris(alkyl or arylamido)thiophosphates, SP[N(H)R](3) (2a, R = (i)Pr; 2b, R = (t)Bu; 2c, R = p-tol) with (n)BuLi reveal interesting imido substituent effects. For the alkyl derivatives, only mono- or dilithiation is observed. In the case of R = (t)Bu, lithiation is accompanied by P-S bond cleavage to give the dilithiated cyclodiphosph(V/V)azane [(THF)(2)Li(2)[((t)BuN)(2)P(micro-N(t)Bu)(2)P(N(t)Bu)(2)]] (9). Trilithiation occurs for the triaryl derivatives EP[N(H)Ar](3) (E = S, Ar = p-tolyl; E = Se, Ar = Ph), as demonstrated by the preparation of [(THF)(4)Li(3)[SP(Np-tol)(3)]](2) (10) and [(THF)(4)Li(3)[SeP(NPh)(3)]](2) (11), which are accompanied by the formation of small amounts of 10.[LiOH(THF)](2) and 11.Li(2)Se(2)(THF)(2), respectively.

Synthesis and X-ray structures of dilithium complexes of the phosphonate anions [PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(2)](2-) (E = O, S, Se, Te) and dimethylaluminum derivatives of [PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(NH(t)Bu)](-) (E = S, Se)

The dilithium salts of the phosphonate dianions [PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(2)](2-) (E = O, S, Se) are generated by the lithiation of [PhP(E)(NH(t)Bu)(2)] with n-butyllithium. The formation of the corresponding telluride (E = Te) is achieved by oxidation of [Li(2)[PhP(N(t)Bu)(2)]] with tellurium. X-ray structural determinations revealed dimeric structures [Li(THF)(2)[PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(2)]](2) in which the monomeric units are linked by Li-E bonds. In the case of E = Se or Te, but not for E = S, transannular Li-E interactions are also observed, resulting in a six-rung ladder. By contrast, for E = O, this synthetic approach yields the Li(2)O-templated tetramer [(THF)Li(2)[PhP(O)(N(t)Bu)(2)]](4).Li(2)O in THF or the tetramer [(Et(2)O)(0.5)Li(2)[PhP(O)(N(t)Bu)(2)]](4) in diethyl ether. The reaction of trimethylaluminum with PhP(E)(NH(t)Bu)(2) produces the complexes Me(2)Al[PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(NH(t)Bu)] (E = S, Se), which were shown by X-ray crystallography to be N,E-chelated monomers.

Triimidosulfonic acid and organometallic triimidosulfonates: S(+)-N(-) versus S=N bonding

Sulfonic acids RSO(2)OH and their metal salts MO(3)SR are versatile catalysts in large-scale industrial cyclization and polymerization processes. Isoelectronic replacement of the oxygen atoms by NR imido groups gives triimidosulfonic acid and triimidosulfonates. The salts form nonaggregated soluble molecules rather than infinite solid-state lattices such as their oxo analogues. In this paper, we present the synthesis and structure of the basic starting material MeS(N(t)Bu)(3)H (1), the metal complexes [Me(2)Al(N(t)Bu)(3)SMe] (2) and [Zn[(N(t)Bu)(3)SMe](2)] (3), and the mixed metal adduct [(thf)Li[(N(t)Bu)(3)SMe].ZnMe(2)] (4). The chelating coordination, rather than the tripodal coordination, cannot be attributed to steric effects of the S-bonded methyl group, as the less demanding Ph-C triple bond C-alkynyl substituent at sulfur in [(thf)(2)Li[(N(t)Bu)(3)SCCPh]] (5) causes the same conformation. S-N bond shortening to the pendant imido group has to be attributed to closed-shell electrostatic attraction rather than to S-N double bonding by valence expansion at the central sulfur atom. Coordination to an additional N-->Zn dative bond in 4 widens the bond length to values normally interpreted as S-N single bonds. We take this fact as experimental evidence that S-N bonding is predominantly governed by electrostatic interaction rather than by valence expansion employing d-orbitals. This was predicted by theoreticians more than a decade ago.

Preparation and x-ray structures of alkali-metal derivatives of the ambidentate anions [tBuN(E)P(mu-NtBu)2P(E)NtBu]2- (E = S, Se) and [tBuN(Se)P(mu-NtBu)2PN(H)tBu)]-

The ambidentate dianions [(t)BuN(E)P(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)P(E)N(t)Bu](2)(-) (5a, E = S; 5b, E = Se) are obtained as their disodium and dipotassium salts by the reaction of cis-[(t)Bu(H)N(E)P(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)P(E)N(H)(t)Bu] (6a, E = S; 6b, E = Se), with 2 equiv of MN(SiMe(3))(2) (M = Na, K) in THF at 23 degrees C. The corresponding dilithium derivative is prepared by reacting 6a with 2 equiv of (t)BuLi in THF at reflux. The X-ray structures of five complexes of the type [(THF)(x)()M](2)[(t)BuN(E)P(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)P(E)N(t)Bu] (9, M = Li, E = S, x = 2; 11a/11b, M = Na, E = S/Se, x = 2; 12a, M = K, E = S, x = 1; 12b, M = K, E = Se, x = 1.5) have been determined. In the dilithiated derivative 9 the dianion 5a adopts a bis (N,S)-chelated bonding mode involving four-membered LiNPS rings whereas 11a,b and 12a,b display a preference for the formation of six-membered MNPNPN and MEPNPE rings, i.e., (N,N' and E,E')-chelation. The bis-solvated disodium complexes 11a,b and the dilithium complex 9 are monomeric, but the dipotassium complexes 12a,b form dimers with a central K(2)E(2) ring and associate further through weak K.E contacts to give an infinite polymeric network of 20-membered K(6)E(6)P(4)N(4) rings. The monoanions [(t)Bu(H)N(E)P(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)P(E)N(t)Bu)](-) (E = S, Se) were obtained as their lithium derivatives 8a and 8b by the reaction of 1 equiv of (n)BuLi with 6a and 6b, respectively. An X-ray structure of the TMEDA-solvated complex 8a and the (31)P NMR spectrum of 8b indicate a N,E coordination mode. The reaction of 6b with excess (t)BuLi in THF at reflux results in partial deselenation to give the monolithiated P(III)/P(V) complex [(THF)(2)Li[(t)BuN(Se)P(mu-N(t)Bu)(2)PN(H)(t)Bu]] 10, which adopts a (N,Se) bonding mode.

Polylithiated tetraaminosilanes: synthesis and characterization of (Et2O.Li)4[Si(Nnaph)4] and X-ray structure of (THF.Li3[Si(NiPr)3(NHiPr)])2

The treatment of SiCl4 with 4 equiv of Li2(Nnaph) (naph = 1-naphthyl) in diethyl ether gives (Et2O.Li)4[Si(Nnaph)4] (4), which, upon reaction with excess tBuNH3Cl or MeO3SCF3, generates Si[N(H)naph]4 (5) or Si[N(Me)naph]4 (6), respectively. The centrosymmetric dimer (THF.Li3[Si(NiPr)3(NHiPr)])2 (7), formed via trilithiation of Si[N(H)iPr]4 with n-butyllithium, consists of a bis-THF-solvated Li6(NiPr)6 cyclic ladder bicapped by two SiN(H)iPr units. Crystal data for 7: C32H74Li6N8O2Si2, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 10.661(7) A, b = 16.964(5) A, c = 12.405(4) A, beta = 93.22(4) degrees, V = 2239.9(15) A3, and Z = 2.