Metal-silicon triple bonds: reactivity of the silylidyne complexes [Cp*(CO)2M[triple bond, length as m-dash]Si-Tbb] (M = Cr - W)

The different reactivity pattern of M[triple bond, length as m-dash]Si and M[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bonds (M = transition metal) is illustrated by a series of reactions of the silylidyne complexes [Cp*(CO)2M[triple bond, length as m-dash]Si-Tbb] (1-M) (M = Cr - W; Cp* = η 5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; Tbb = 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis(bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl)phenyl)). Complexes 1-M were obtained selectively from Li[Cp*M(CO)3] and the 1,2-dibromodisilene (E)-Tbb(Br)Si[double bond, length as m-dash]Si(Br)Tbb. The reaction of 1-Mo and 1-W with two equivalents of mesityl isocyanate leads selectively to complex 2-Mo and 2-W, respectively, featuring a novel κ 2 O,O-imidocarbonatosilyl ligand. Ring opening of ethyloxirane occurs rapidly with 1-Mo and leads to the hydrido-enolatosilylidene complex 3-Mo illustrating the Si-centered electrophilicity of the silylidyne complex. Trimethylsilyldiazomethane induces a cleavage of the Mo[triple bond, length as m-dash]Si bond of 1-Mo after a rapid double [2 + 1] cycloaddition of the terminal N-atom, resulting in the first silaamidinato complex 4-Mo. In comparison, the reaction of 1-Mo with mesityl azide gives, after N2 elimination, the Mo-silaiminoacyl complex 5-Mo. All compounds were fully characterized and the isomerism and dynamics of 3-Mo in solution were analysed by a combination of spectroscopic and quantum-chemical studies.

Of perfluorinated aryllead(II) complexes

The pentafluorophenyl moiety C6F5- was succesfully employed for the first time in lead(II) chemistry. We are reporting on the stable and soluble organolead(II) polymer [Pb(C6F5)2(dx)]∞ (dx = dioxane). An example of a Pb(II) "ate" complex paired with a trimetallic magnesium cation is also presented. Our foray into related tin(II) chemistry shows that this behaviour cannot be extended to the lighter tetrel, and is specific to lead(II).

Heavier tetrylene- and tetrylyne-transition metal chemistry: it's no carbon copy

Since the late 19th century, heavier tetrylene- and tetrylyne-transition metal chemistry has formed an important cornerstone in both main-group and organometallic chemistry alike. Driven by the success of carbene systems, significant efforts have gone towards the thorough understanding of the heavier group 14 derivatives, with examples now known from across the d-block. This now leads towards applications in cooperative bond activation, and moves ultimately towards well-defined catalytic systems. This review aims to summarise this vast field, from initial discoveries of tetrylene and tetrylyne complexes, to the most recent developments in reactivity and catalysis, as a platform to the future of this exciting, blossoming field.

Synthesis of Cobalt-Tin and -Lead Tetrylidynes-Reactivity Study of the Triple Bond

Tetrylidynes [TbbSn≡Co(PMe3 )3 ] (1 a) and [TbbPb≡Co(PMe3 )3 ] (2) (Tbb=2,6-[CH(SiMe3 )2 ]2 -4-(t-Bu)C6 H2 ) are accessed for the first time via a substitution reaction between [Na(OEt2 )][Co(PMe3 )4 ] and [Li(thf)2 ][TbbEBr2 ] (E=Sn, Pb). Following an alternative procedure the stannylidyne [Ar*Sn≡Co(PMe3 )3 ] (1 b) was synthesized by hydrogen atom abstraction using AIBN from the paramagnetic hydride complex [Ar*SnH=Co(PMe3 )3 ] (4) (AIBN=azobis(isobutyronitrile)). The stannylidyne 1 a adds two equivalents of water to yield the dihydroxide [TbbSn(OH)2 CoH2 (PMe3 )3 ] (5). In reaction of the stannylidyne 1 a with CO2 a product of a redox reaction [TbbSn(CO3 )Co(CO)(PMe3 )3 ] (6) was isolated. Protonation of the tetrylidynes occurs at the cobalt atom to give the metalla-stanna vinyl cation [TbbSn=CoH(PMe3 )3 ][BArF 4 ] (7 a) [ArF =C6 H3 -3,5-(CF3 )2 ]. The analogous germanium and tin cations [Ar*E=CoH(PMe3 )3 ][BArF 4 ] (E=Ge 9, Sn 7 b) (Ar*=C6 H3 (2,6-Trip)2 , Trip=2,4,6-C6 H2 iPr3 ) were also obtained by oxidation of the paramagnetic complexes [Ar*EH=Co(PMe3 )3 ] (E=Ge 3, Sn 4), which were synthesized by substitution of a PMe3 ligand of [Co(PMe3 )4 ] by a hydridoylene (Ar*EH) unit.

The Electronic Nature of Cationic Group 10 Ylidyne Complexes

We report a broad theoretical study on [(PMe3)3MER]+ complexes, with M = Ni, Pd, Pt, E = C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, and R = ArMes, Tbb, (ArMes = 2,6-dimesitylphenyl; Tbb = C6H2-2,6-[CH(SiMe3)2]2-4-tBu). A few years ago, our group succeeded in obtaining heavier homologues of cationic group 10 carbyne complexes via halide abstraction of the tetrylidene complexes [(PMe3)3M=E(X)R] (X = Cl, Br) using a halide scavenger. The electronic structure and the M-E bonds of the [(PMe3)3MER]+ complexes were analyzed utilizing quantum-chemical tools, such as the Pipek–Mezey orbital localization method, the energy decomposition analysis (EDA), and the extended-transition state method with natural orbitals of chemical valence (ETS-NOCV). The carbyne, silylidyne complexes, and the germylidyne complex [(PMe3)3NiGeArMes]+ are suggested to be tetrylidyne complexes featuring donor–acceptor metal tetrel triple bonds, which are composed of two strong π(M→E) and one weaker σ(E→M) interaction. In comparison, the complexes with M = Pd, Pt; E = Sn, Pb; and R = ArMes are best described as metallotetrylenes and exhibit considerable M−E−C bending, a strong σ(M→E) bond, weakened M−E π-components, and lone pair density at the tetrel atoms. Furthermore, bond cleavage energy (BCE) and bond dissociation energy (BDE) reveal preferred splitting into [M(PMe3)3]+ and [ER] fragments for most complex cations in the range of 293.3–618.3 kJ·mol−1 and 230.4–461.6 kJ·mol−1, respectively. Finally, an extensive study of the potential energy hypersurface varying the M−E−C angle indicates the presence of isomers with M−E−C bond angles of around 95°. Interestingly, these isomers are energetically favored for M = Pd, Pt; E = Sn, Pb; and R = ArMes over the less-bent structures by 13–29 kJ·mol−1.

Heavy metalla vinyl-cations show metal-Lewis acid cooperativity in reaction with small molecules (NH3, N2H4, H2O, H2)

Halide abstraction from tetrylidene complexes [TbbE(Br)IrH(PMe3)3] [E = Ge (1), Sn (2)] and [Ar*E(Cl)IrH(PMe3)3] gives the salts [TbbEIrH(PMe3)3][BArF 4] [E = Ge (3), Sn (4)] and [Ar*EIrH(PMe3)3][BArF 4] [E = Ge (3'), E = Sn (4')] (Tbb = 2,6-[CH(SiMe3)2]2-4-(t-Bu)C6H2, Ar* = 2,6-Trip2C6H3, Trip = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl). Bonding analysis suggests their most suitable description as metalla-tetrela vinyl cations with an Ir[double bond, length as m-dash]E double bond and a near linear coordination at the Ge/Sn atoms. Cationic complexes 3 and 4 oxidatively add NH3, N2H4, H2O, HCl, and H2 selectively to give: [TbbGe(NH2)IrH2(PMe3)3][BArF 4] (5), [TbbE(NHNH2)IrH2(PMe3)3][BArF 4] [E = Ge (7), Sn (8)], [TbbE(OH)IrH2(PMe3)3][BArF 4] [E = Ge (9), Sn (10)], [TbbE(Cl)IrH2(PMe3)3][BArF 4] [E = Ge (11a), Sn (12a)], [TbbGe(H)IrH2(PMe3)3][BArF 4] (13), [TbbSn(μ-H3)Ir(PMe3)3][BArF 4] (14), and [TbbSn(H)IrH2(PMe3)3][BArF 4] (15). 14 isomerizes to give 15via an 1,2-H shift reaction. Hydride addition to cation 3 gives a mixture of products [TbbGeHIrH(PMe3)3] (16) and [TbbGeIrH2(PMe3)3] (17) and a reversible 1,2-H shift between 16 and 17 was studied. In the tin case 4 the dihydride [TbbSnIrH2(PMe3)3] (18) was isolated exclusively. The PMe3 and PEt3 derivatives, 18 and [TbbSnIrH2(PEt3)3] (19), respectively, could also be synthesized in reaction of [TbbSnH2]- with the respective chloride [(R3P) n IrCl] (R = Me, n = 4; R = Et, n = 3). Reaction of complex 19 with CO gives the substitution product [TbbSnIrH2(CO)(PEt3)2] (20). Further reaction with CO results in hydrogen transfer from the iridium to the tin atom to give [TbbSnH2Ir(CO)2(PEt3)2] (21). The reversibility of this ligand induced reductive elimination transferring 20 to 21 is shown.

Accessing cationic tetrylene-nickel(0) systems featuring donor-acceptor E-Ni triple bonds (E = Ge, Sn)

We describe facile synthetic methods for accessing linear cationic tetrylene nickel(0) complexes [^SiiPDippE·Ni(PPh₃)₃]⁺ (E = Ge (4) and Sn (5); ^SiiPDipp = [(iPr₃Si)(Dipp)N]^-), which feature donor-acceptor E-Ni triple bonds. These species are readily accessed in a one-pot protocol, combining the bulky halo-tetrylenes ^SiiPDippECl (E = Ge (1) and Sn (2)), Ni(cod)₂, PPh₃, and Na[BAr^F₄]. Given the diamagnetic nature of 4 and 5, they each contain a formal zero-valent Ni centre, making the E-M triple bonds in these complexes unique compared to previously reported metal tetrylidyne complexes, which typically feature covalent/ionic bonding. In-depth computational analyses of these species further support triple bond character in their E-Ni interactions.

Formation and Characterization of BeFe(CO)4 - Anion with Beryllium-Iron Bonding

Heteronuclear BeFe(CO)₄ ^- anion complex is generated in the gas phase, which is detected by mass-selected infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the carbonyl stretching frequency region. The complex is characterized to have a Be-Fe bonded Be-Fe(CO)₄ ^- structure with C_3v symmetry and all of the four carbonyl ligands bonded on the iron center. Quantum chemical studies indicate that the complex has a quite short Be-Fe bond. Besides one electron-sharing σ bond, there are two additional, albeit weak, Be ← Fe(CO)₄ ^- dative π bonding interactions. The findings imply that metal-metal bonding between s-block and transition metals is viable under suitable coordination environment.

Synthesis and Hydrogenation of Heavy Homologues of Rhodium Carbynes: [(Me3 P)2 (Ph3 P)Rh≡E-Ar*] (E=Sn, Pb)

Tetrylidynes [(Me3 P)2 (Ph3 P)Rh≡SnAr*] (10) and [(Me3 P)2 (Ph3 P)Rh≡PbAr*] (11) are accessed for the first time via dehydrogenation of dihydrides [(Ph3 P)2 RhH2 SnAr*] (3) and [(Ph3 P)2 RhH2 PbAr*] (7) (Ar*=2,6-Trip2 C6 H3 , Trip=2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl), respectively. Tin dihydride 3 was either synthesized in reaction of the dihydridostannate [Ar*SnH2 ]- with [(Ph3 P)3 RhCl] or via reaction between hydrides [(Ph3 P)3 RhH] and 1 / 2  [(Ar*SnH)2 ]. Homologous lead hydride [(Ph3 P)2 RhH2 PbAr*] (7) was synthesized analogously from [(Ph3 P)3 RhH] and 1 / 2  [(Ar*PbH)2 ]. Abstraction of hydrogen from 3 and 7 supported by styrene and trimethylphosphine addition yields tetrylidynes 10 and 11. Stannylidyne 10 was also characterized by 119 Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy. Hydrogenation of the triple bonds at room temperature with excess H2 gives the cis-dihydride [(Me3 P)2 (Ph3 P)RhH2 PbAr*] (12) and the tetrahydride [(Me3 P)2 (Ph3 P)RhH2 SnH2 Ar*] (14). Complex 14 eliminates spontaneously one equivalent of hydrogen at room temperature to give the dihydride [(Me3 P)2 (Ph3 P)RhH2 SnAr*] (13). Hydrogen addition and elimination at stannylene tin between complexes 13 and 14 is a reversible reaction at room temperature.

Hydridoorganostannylene Coordination: Group 4 Metallocene Dichloride Reduction in Reaction with Organodihydridostannate Anions

Organodihydridoelement anions of germanium and tin were reacted with metallocene dichlorides of Group 4 metals Ti, Zr and Hf. The germate anion [Ar*GeH2 ]- reacts with hafnocene dichloride under formation of the substitution product [Cp2 Hf(GeH2 Ar*)2 ]. Reaction of the organodihydridostannate with metallocene dichlorides affords the reduction products [Cp2 M(SnHAr*)2 ] (M=Ti, Zr, Hf). Abstraction of a hydride substituent from the titanium bis(hydridoorganostannylene) complex results in formation of cation [Cp2 M(SnAr*)(SnHAr*)]+ exhibiting a short Ti-Sn interaction. (Ar*=2,6-Trip2 C6 H3 , Trip=2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl).

Stable lead(ii) boroxides

The first examples of lead(ii) boroxides, [Pb(OB{CH(SiMe3)2}2)2] (1) and [{N^C}PbOB{CH(SiMe3)2}2] (5; N^C = 2-Me2NCH2C6H4), were prepared via simple protocols. These structurally characterised compounds are stable and, unlike lead(ii) alkoxides and siloxides, do not trigger uncontrolled formation of lead(ii) oxoclusters.

Triple Bonds Between Iron and Heavier Group 15 Elements in AFe(CO)3- (A=As, Sb, Bi) Complexes

Heteronuclear transition-metal-main-group-element carbonyl complexes of AsFe(CO)₃^- , SbFe(CO)₃^- , and BiFe(CO)₃^- were produced by a laser vaporization supersonic ion source in the gas phase, and were studied by mass-selected IR photodissociation spectroscopy and advanced quantum chemistry methods. These complexes have C_3v structures with all of the carbonyl ligands bonded on the iron center, and feature covalent triple bonds between bare Group 15 elements and Fe(CO)₃^- . Chemical bonding analyses on the whole series of AFe(CO)₃^- (A=N, P, As, Sb, Bi, Mc) complexes indicate that the valence orbitals involved in the triple bonds are hybridized 3d and 4p atomic orbitals of iron, leading to an unusual (dp-p) type of transition-metal-main-group-element multiple bonding. The σ-type three-orbital interaction between Fe 3d/4p and Group 15 np valence orbitals plays an important role in the bonding and stability of the heavier AFe(CO)₃^- (A=As, Sb, Bi) complexes.

Triple bonds of niobium with silicon, germaniun and tin: the tetrylidyne complexes [(κ3-tmps)(CO)2Nb[triple bond, length as m-dash]E-R] (E = Si, Ge, Sn; tmps = MeSi(CH2PMe2)3; R = aryl)

A systematic, efficient approach to first complexes containing a triple bond between niobium and the elements silicon, germanium or tin is reported. The approach involves a metathetical exchange of the niobium-centered nucleophile (NMe4)[Nb(CO)4(κ2-tmps)] (1) (tmps = MeSi(CH2PMe2)3) with a suitable organotetrel(ii)halide. Compound 1 was obtained from (NMe4)[Nb(CO)6] and the triphosphane tmps by photodecarbonylation. Reaction of 1 with the disilene E-Tbb(Br)Si[double bond, length as m-dash]Si(Br)Tbb in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine afforded selectively the red-brown silylidyne complex [(κ3-tmps)(CO)2Nb[triple bond, length as m-dash]Si-Tbb] (2-Si, Tbb = 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis(bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl)phenyl). Similarly, treatment of 1 with E(ArMes)Cl (E = Ge, Sn; ArMes = 2,6-mesitylphenyl) afforded after elimination of (NMe4)Cl and two CO ligands the deep magenta colored germylidyne complex [(κ3-tmps)(CO)2Nb[triple bond, length as m-dash]Ge-ArMes] (3-Ge), and the deep violet, light-sensitive stannylidyne complex [(κ3-tmps)(CO)2Nb[triple bond, length as m-dash]Sn-ArMes] (3-Sn), respectively. Formation of 3-Sn proceeds via the niobiastannylene [(κ3-tmps)(CO)3Nb-SnArMes] (4-Sn), which was detected by IR and NMR spectroscopy. The niobium tetrylidyne complexes 2-Si, 3-Ge and 3-Sn were fully characterized and their solid-state structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. All complexes feature an almost linear tetrel coordination and the shortest Nb-E bond lengths (d(Nb-Si) = 232.7(2) pm; d(Nb-Ge) = 235.79(4) pm; d(Nb-Sn) = 253.3(1) pm) reported to date. Reaction of 3-Ge with a large excess of H2O afforded upon cleavage of the Nb-Ge triple bond the hydridogermanediol Ge(ArMes)H(OH)2. Photodecarbonylation of [CpNb(CO)4] (Cp = η5-C5H5) in the presence of Ge(ArMes)Cl afforded the red-orange chlorogermylidene complex [Cp(CO)3Nb[double bond, length as m-dash]Ge(ArMes)Cl] (5-Ge). The molecular structure of 5-Ge features an upright conformation of the germylidene ligand, a trigonal-planar coordinated Ge atom, and a Nb-Ge double bond length of 251.78(6) pm, which lies in-between the Nb-Ge triple bond length of 3-Ge (235.79(4) pm) and a Nb-Ge single bond length (267.3 pm). Cyclic voltammetric studies of 2-Si, 3-Ge, and 3-Sn reveal several electron-transfer steps. One-electron oxidation and reduction of the germylidyne complex of 3-Ge in THF are electrochemically reversible suggesting that both the radical cation and radical anion of 3-Ge are accessible species in solution.

Dispersion-Corrected Relativistic Density Functional Theory (DFT) Calculations of Structure and (119)Sn Mössbauer Parameters for M≡SnR Bonding in Filippou's Stannylidyne Complexes of Molybdenum and Tungsten

(119)Sn Mössbauer isomer shift (IS) and quadrupole splitting (ΔEQ) for M≡SnR bonding in metal-stannylidyne complexes trans-[Cl(PMe3)4Mo≡Sn-R] (1), trans-[Cl(PMe3)4W≡Sn-R] (2), trans-[Cl(dppe)2Mo≡Sn-R] (3), trans-[Cl(dppe)2W≡Sn-R] (4), [(dppe)2Mo≡Sn-R](+) (5), [(dppe)2W≡Sn-R](+) (6) (R = C6H3-2,6-Mes2) have been investigated for the first time. Calculations of optimized structures and (119)Sn Mössbauer parameters were carried out at the DFT/TPSS-D3(BJ)/TZVPP/ZORA level of theory. The calculated geometry parameters of stannylidyne complexes of molybdenum and tungsten (1-6) are in good agreement with experimental values of W-Sn and Sn-C bond distances. The calculated values of the isomer shift for the complexes (1-6) are almost same to the experimental values (within ±0.1 mm/s). Experimental values (ISexptl, 2.38-2.50 mm/s) and calculated values (IScalcd, 2.37-2.49 mm/s) of isomer shifts indicate that the oxidation state of tin in the studied complexes with M≡Sn-R bonding is Sn(II). The variations of ISexptl, as a function of Sn s electrons (Ns(Sn)), also exhibit a linear trend. (IS = 0.477Ns(Sn) - 1.888, R(2) = 0.9973). Calculated values of isomer shift (IScalcd) using the linear regression with the Ns(Sn) electron density are in excellent concord with the ISexptl.The calculated values of nuclear quadrupole splitting parameters (ΔEQ(calcd)) of (119)Sn using the relation ΔEQ(calcd) = (0.540 + 0.28) V are in agreement with the experimental values.

Reactions of a tungsten-germylyne complex with α,β-unsaturated ketones: complete cleavage of the W≡Ge bond and formation of two types of η3-germoxyallyl tungsten complexes

Germylyne complex Cp*(CO)2W≡Ge{C(SiMe3)3} (1) reacted with two molecules of RC(O)CH═CH2 (R = Me, Et) to give η(3)-allyl complexes, in which an oxagermacyclopentene framework was bound to an η(3)-allyl ligand through an oxygen atom. In the reaction with α-Me-substituted MeC(O)C(Me)═CH2, 1 reacted with only one molecule of the substrate to give another type of η(3)-allyl complex, in which a five-membered oxagermacyclopentenyl ring was coordinated to the W center in an η(3) fashion. Both reactions resulted in unprecedented complete cleavage of a W≡Ge triple bond.

Assessment of density functionals and paucity of non-covalent interactions in aminoylyne complexes of molybdenum and tungsten [(η5-C5H5)(CO)2MEN(SiMe3)(R)] (E = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb): a dispersion-corrected DFT study

Geometries, bonding analysis and dispersion interactions in aminoylyne complexes of molybdenum and tungsten have been investigated using different density functionals.