The coordination chemistry of boryl and borate substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands

Boron-Centered Lewis Superacid through Redox-Active Ligands: Application in C-F and S-F Bond Activation

A series of redox-responsive ferrocenyl-substituted boranes and boronic esters were synthesized. Oxidation of the ferrocenyl ligand to the ferrocenium resulted in a drastic increase in the Lewis acidity beyond the strength of SbF₅ , which was investigated experimentally and computationally. The resulting highly Lewis acidic boron compounds were used for catalytic C-F and S-F bond activation.

Voltammetric characterisation of diferrocenylborinic acid in organic solution and in aqueous media when immobilised into a titanate nanosheet film

Diferrocenylborinic acid (Fc₂BOH, 1) has been synthesized.

Planar-Chiral 1,1'-Diboryl Metallocenes: Diastereoselective Synthesis from Boryl Cyclopentadienides and Spin Density Analysis of a Diborylcobaltocene

The reaction of nonsubstituted alkali metal cyclopentadienides with haloboranes leads to ∼90:10 mixtures of isomeric diene products that can be deprotonated to give simple boryl cyclopentadienides. We extended this transformation to the sterically hindered lithium tert-butylcyclopentadienide 1 using FBMes₂ (Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) and ClBCy₂ as electrophiles. The boryl group is selectively introduced in the remote position to minimize steric congestion. The new boryl dienes are obtained as mixtures of isomers, and subsequent deprotonation with MeLi or LiHMDS affords the lithium 1,3-disubstituted cyclopentadienides 5a,b in yields over 95%. Direct assembling of tert-butylated boryl cyclopentadienides with MCl₂ (M = Fe, Co) selectively leads to 1,1'-planar chiral ferrocenes 6a,b and cobaltocene 7. To shed light into the diastereoselective formation of 6a, DFT calculations were performed. The potential energy surface was scrutinized so as to identify and compare its diastereoisomers and conformers. This stereoselectivity is attributed to minimized steric repulsions between the tert-butyl and the BMes₂ groups in the eclipsed conformation of the racemic diastereoisomers. The X-ray structures of boryl diene 2a and diboryl ferrocene 6a are reported. The electronic structure of cobaltocene 7 was analyzed by EPR and DFT calculations. The spin density of this unique open-shell complex is mainly localized on the Co center, but significant spin density is also found on the boron atoms, indicating substantial delocalization of the unpaired electron over the Lewis acid moieties. Consistently, the singly occupied molecular orbital is a combination of a Co-centered 3d orbital with π(BC) orbitals on each CpBMes₂ rings. There is only weak, if any, direct M···B interaction in 6 and 7.

Insight into Oxide-Bridged Heterobimetallic Al/Zr Olefin Polymerization Catalysts

Reaction of (TBBP)AlMe⋅THF with [Cp*₂ Zr(Me)OH] gave [(TBBP)Al(THF)-O-Zr(Me)Cp*₂ ] (TBBP=3,3',5,5'-tetra-tBu-2,2'-biphenolato). Reaction of [DIPPnacnacAl(Me)-O-Zr(Me)Cp₂ ] with [PhMe₂ NH]⁺ [B(C₆ F₅ )₄ ]^- gave a cationic Al/Zr complex that could be structurally characterized as its THF adduct [(DIPPnacnac)Al(Me)-O-Zr(THF)Cp₂ ]⁺ [B(C₆ F₅ )₄ ]^- (DIPPnacnac=HC[(Me)C=N(2,6-iPr₂ -C₆ H₃ )]₂ ). The first complex polymerizes ethene in the presence of an alkylaluminum scavenger but in the absence of methylalumoxane (MAO). The adduct cation is inactive under these conditions. Theoretical calculations show very high energy barriers (ΔG=40-47 kcal mol^-1 ) for ethene insertion with a bridged AlOZr catalyst. This is due to an unfavorable six-membered-ring transition state, in which the methyl group bridges the metal and ethene with an obtuse metal-Me-C angle that prevents synchronized bond-breaking and making. A more-likely pathway is dissociation of the Al-O-Zr complex into an aluminate and the active polymerization catalyst [Cp*₂ ZrMe]⁺ .

Diboron(4) Compounds: From Structural Curiosity to Synthetic Workhorse

Although known for over 90 years, only in the past two decades has the chemistry of diboron(4) compounds been extensively explored. Many interesting structural features and reaction patterns have emerged, and more importantly, these compounds now feature prominently in both metal-catalyzed and metal-free methodologies for the formation of B-C bonds and other processes.

Extension of conjugation: probing anion binding strength and reporter mechanisms in (phenyl)cyclopentadienyl and indenyl receptors

Two families of novel organo-iron functionalized boranes have been developed for anion binding/detection. Synthetically simple phenylferrocene systems, while stable to air and moisture, possess similar binding affinities to FcBMes2 and no workable discrimination between F(-) and CN(-). In addition, reduced electronic communication between receptor and reporter sites brought about by a lack of conformational rigidity means that photochemical and electrochemical responses to anion binding are intrinsically weak. Receptors based on a more rigid indenyl framework are available in two steps from organic precursors (in ca. 50% yield), and feature intrinsically higher binding constants for F(-) and especially CN(-), consistent with the lower LUMO energies implied by extended conjugation. One such system, (4-dimesitylboryl-indenyl)cyclopentadienyl-iron(ii), can be shown to bind cyanide in protic media with an accompanying green to red/pink colour change. Extremely high selectivity over fluoride and hydroxide and a detection limit of ca. 10 ppm represent a highly desirable combination among borane derived cyanide receptors.

1,2,3,4-Tetrasubstituted cyclopentadienes and their applications for metallocenes: efficient synthesis through zirconocene- and CuCl-mediated intermolecular coupling of two alkynes and one diiodomethane

1,2,3,4-Tetrasubstituted cyclopentadienes and indene derivatives with identical or different substituents were obtained in good to excellent isolated yields through a zirconocene- and CuCl-mediated intermolecular coupling process. This synthetic procedure involved three organic partners, including one CH2 I2 , and two different or identical alkynes. Two alkynes or one diyne undergo Cp2Zr(II)-mediated (Cp = η(5)-C5H5) pair-selective reductive coupling to afford the corresponding zirconacyclopentadiene derivatives, which react, in the presence of CuCl and 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1 H)-pyrimidinone (DMPU), with CH2I2 through intermolecular followed by intramolecular coupling to afford the cyclopentadiene derivatives. An application of the prepared tetrasubstituted cyclopentadiene derivatives was demonstrated by the facile synthesis of the corresponding zirconocene complexes [((4R)Cp)2ZrCl2] and [((4R)Cp)2ZrR'2] (R' = Me, Et, or nBu). The unique 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted cyclopentadiene ligands and the corresponding metallocenes are expected to have further applications in organometallic chemistry and organic synthesis.

Synthesis, reactivity, and electronic structure of [n]vanadoarenophanes: an experimental and theoretical study

An optimized procedure for the selective dimetalation of [V(eta (6)-C 6H 6) 2] by BuLi/tmeda allowed for the isolation and characterization of [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5Li) 2].tmeda. X-ray diffraction of its thf solvate [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5Li) 2].(thf) 7 revealed an unsymmetrical, dimeric composition in the solid state, in which both subunits are connected by three bridging lithium atoms. Treatment with several element dihalides facilitated the isolation of [ n]vanadoarenophanes ( n = 1, 2) with boron and silicon in the bridging positions. In agreement with the number and covalent radii of the bridging elements, these derivatives exhibit molecular ring strain to a greater or lesser extent. The B-B bond of the [2]bora species [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5) 2B 2(NMe 2) 2] was readily cleaved by [Pt(PEt 3) 3] to afford the corresponding oxidative addition product. Subsequently, [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5) 2B 2(NMe 2) 2] was employed as a diborane(4) precursor in the diboration of 2-butyne under stoichiometric, homogeneous, and heterogeneous catalysis conditions. This transformation is facilitated by the reduction of molecular ring strain, which was confirmed by a decrease of the tilt angle alpha observed in the corresponding solid-state structures. EPR spectroscopy was used to probe the electronic structure of strained [ n]vanadoarenophanes and revealed an obvious correlation between the degree of molecular distortion and the observed hyperfine coupling constant a iso. State-of-the-art DFT calculations were able to reproduce the measured isotropic vanadium hyperfine couplings and the coupling anisotropies. The calculations confirmed the decrease of the absolute isotropic hyperfine couplings with increasing tilt angle. Closer analysis showed that this is mainly due to increased positive contributions to the spin density at the vanadium nucleus from the spin polarization of doubly occupied valence orbitals of vanadium-ligand sigma-antibonding character. The latter are destabilized and thus made more polarizable in the bent structures.

Ansa [1]Trochrocenophanes and Their Related Unstrained 1,1‘-Disubstituted Counterparts: Synthesis and Electronic Structure

The heteroleptic sandwich complex [Cr(eta(5)-C5H5)(eta(7)-C7H7)] (trochrocene) was prepared by subsequent treatment of CrCl3 with NaCp and Mg in the presence of cycloheptatriene in yields of 40%. Selective dimetalation employing tBuLi/tmeda (N, N, N', N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) afforded the highly reactive species [Cr(eta(5)-C5H4Li)(eta(7)-C7H6Li)] x tmeda. An X-ray crystal-structure determination of its thf solvate revealed a symmetrical, dimeric composition in the solid state, that is, a formula of [Cr(eta(5)-C5H4Li)(eta(7)-C7H6Li)]2 x (thf)8, where the C5H4 moieties of both units are connected by two bridging lithium atoms. Addition of different element dihalides to the dilithio precursor facilitated the isolation of ansa complexes with boron and germanium in the bridging position. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction studies on [Cr(eta(5)-C5H4)-BN(SiMe3)2-(eta(7)-C7H6)] and [Cr(eta(5)-C5H4)-GeMe2-(eta(7)-C7H6)] emphasized the strained character with tilt angles of 23.87(13) degrees and 15.07(17) degrees , respectively. In contrast, the isolation of the appropriate [1]stannatrochrocenophane failed because of the thermal lability of the resulting product. However, the corresponding 1,1'-disubstitued derivatives [Cr(eta(5)-C5H4R)(eta(7)-C7H6R)] (R = B(Cl)NiPr2, SiMe3, GeMe3, SnMe3) were obtained by reverse addition of the dilithio precursor to an excess of the element (di)halide. The unstrained nature was proven by a crystal structure analysis of the 1,1'-diborylated species. The electronic structure of these substituted trochrocene derivatives, as well as of the [2]bora and [n]sila congeners (n = 1, 2), was investigated by means of UV-vis spectroscopy and DFT methods. As a consequence of the strong electronic influence of the B-N pi-system on the LUMOs, the UV-vis studies revealed a complementary correlation of the lowest energy band maxima as a function of molecular distortion for the boron containing species on the one hand, and the boron-free compounds on the other hand. These trends were reproduced fairly well by time dependent DFT calculations.

Dilithiation of Bis(benzene)molybdenum and Subsequent Isolation of a Molybdenum-Containing Paracyclophane

The homoleptic sandwich complex bis(benzene)molybdenum, [Mo(eta6-C6H6)2], was successfully dilithiated by employing an excess of BuLi in the presence of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (up to 6 equiv each) at slightly elevated temperatures furnishing the highly reactive, ring metalated species [Mo(eta6-C6H5Li)2].tmeda in high yields. Alternatively, this compound was synthesized upon prolonged sonication with 5 equiv of tBuLi/tmeda without heating. An X-ray crystal structure determination revealed a symmetrical, dimeric composition in the solid state, i.e., a formula of [Mo(eta6-C6H5Li)2]2.(thf)6, where the six-membered rings are connected by two pairs of bridging lithium atoms. The synthesis of an elusive ansa-bridged complex failed in the case of a [1]bora and a [1]sila bridge due to the thermal lability of the resulting compounds. Instead, reverse addition of the dilithio precursor to an excess of the appropriate element dihalide facilitated the isolation of several unstrained, 1,1'-disubstituted derivatives, namely, [Mo{eta6-C6H5(BN(SiMe3)2X)}2] (X = Cl, Br) and [Mo{eta6-C6H5(SiiPr2Cl)}2], respectively. However, the incorporation of a less congesting [2]sila bridge was accomplished. In addition to the formation of [Mo{(eta6-C6H5)2Si2Me4}], a molybdenum-containing paracylophane complex was isolated and characterized by means of crystal structure analysis. The ancillary formation of 1 equiv of bis(benzene)molybdenum strongly suggests that this species is generated by deprotonation of the ansa-bridged complex by the dilithiated precursor and subsequent reaction with a second equivalent of the disilane.

Fluoride anion binding by cyclic boronic esters: influence of backbone chelate on receptor integrity

A systematic investigation of fluoride anion binding properties as a function of chelate backbone has been carried out for ferrocene functionalised boronic esters of the types FcB(OR)2 and fc[B(OR)2]2 [Fc = ferrocenyl = (eta5-C5H5)Fe(eta5-C5H4); fc = ferrocendiyl = Fe(eta5-C5H4)2]. Cyclic boronic esters containing a saturated five- or six-membered chelate ring are readily synthesized from ferrocene, and selectively bind fluoride via Lewis acid/base chemistry in chloroform solution. The resulting complexes are characterized by relatively weak fluoride binding (e.g.K = 35.8 +/- 9.8 M(-1) for FcBO2C2H2Ph2-S,S), and by cathodic shifts in the ferrocene oxidation potential that form the basis for electrochemical or colorimetric fluoride detection. The fluoride selectivity of these systems is attributed to relatively weak Lewis acidity, resulting in weak F- binding, and essentially no binding of potentially competitive anions. By contrast, more elaborate Lewis acid frameworks based on calix[4]arene (calixH4), such as (FcB)2calix or fcB2calix, do not survive intact exposure to standard fluoride sources (e.g. [nBu4N]F.xH2O solutions in chloroform or acetonitrile). Instead B-O bond cleavage occurs yielding the parent calixarene; the differences between alkoxo- and aryloxo-functionalised derivatives can be rationalised, at least in part, by consideration of the differences in electron donating capabilities of RO- (R = alkyl, aryl).